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TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Reference Department,
BOOK MUST NOT BE TAKEN OUT Of' THE ROOM.
MAY 3 () r ('14
CanadiaIL
HlSTOt\t',
\
HISTORY
OF
TORONTO AND COUNTY OF YORK
ONTARIO;
CONTAINING AN OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA; A
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF TORONTO AND THE COUNTY OF YORK,
WITH THE TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES,
SCHOOLS; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS;
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC., ETC.
3: II us t.. ât
ð+
V OLU
IE I.
C. BLACKETT
TORONTO:
H,OBINSON, PUBLlSHEl{.
188 5.
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PREFACE.
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, .,
submitting the following pages to the judgment of subscribers
. ;, the Publisher has to apologize for a slight delay in their pro-
7- . _:..
duction-a delay, however, which has been rendered necessary
'Jf>'ì
by the difficult y encountered in obtaining certain minute to p o-
;
f:
! <J
, F
graphical and biographical information which it was highly
desirable to obtain, and which have materially enhan
ed the
value of the work as a local record. It is believed that these volumes
will be found to supply a long-felt want. and that all the various
promises embodied in the Prospectus wiII be admitted to have been
faithfully kept.
The first portion of the work, entitled HA Brief History of Canada
and the Canadian People," gives, in an 'abridged form, most of the
material facts in the annals of our country, and wiII doubtless be found
useful by those who have neither time nor inclination for the perusal of
larger and more elaborate histories. It was written by Dr. C. P.
:l\Iulvany, of Toronto. The portion relating to the early history of
Toronto is the work of Mr. G. M. Adam, also of Toronto; while the
remaining portion, embracing the History of the County of York and of
the various townships of which it is composed, together with the strictly
topographical and biographical portions, have been written by persons
having a special knowledge of the respective subjects treated of. The
greater portion of the matter wiII be found to possess more than a merely
local interest, and may be read with pleasure, even by persons who have
no special knowledge of, or interest in, the respective localities described.
IV.
Preface,
In a work of such extent, dealing entirely with matters of fact, and
involving the verification of innumerable minute details, it is perhaps too
much to expect that perfect accuracy has in every instance been secured.
It is confidently believed, however, that the errors, if any, are few in
number; that the wealth of information is great, and, upon the whole,
accurate; and that these volumes will in all essential respects compare
most favourably with other works of the same character, whether issued
in this country or the United States.
\Vith which expression of confidence tJ:le volumes are respectfully
submitted for the approval of their patrons.
THE PUBLISHER.
Toronto, I 885.
. .
_
<=:;>
c_
\
-
- -
CON TEN T S.
.. . .
PART 1.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CA
ADA AND THE CANADIAN PEOPLE.
CHAPTER,
PAGE.
\
\
I. Pre-lIistoric
II, Jacques Cartier
III. Cartier's Successors
IV, Acadia
V, Samuel de Champlain
VI. Champlain and the Ottawa
VII. The Recollet Mission -
VIII. Champlain's Difficulties
IX. Champlain Governor of Canada -
X. The Jesuit Missions
XI. The Beginning of Montreal
XII. The Government of Montmagny
XII I. Canada under Royal Government
XIV. fhe English Military Government
XV. The American Revolution as it affected Canada -
XVI. The Constitution of 1791
XVII. The Settlement of English-Speaking Canada
XVIII. Lower Canada from 1791 to 1812
XIX. The \Var of 1812-'15
XX. Lower Canada from the Peace to 1828
XXI. Upper Canada from the Peace to 1828
XXII. Canada on the Eve of Rebellion
XXII 1. Re
'olt
1
7
13
16
- 22
- 33
- 3 8
- 50
- 57
- 59
- 67
73
- 82
- 93
- 97
- 10 3
- no
- 119
- 12 5
- 137
- 139
- 143
- 1+8
, 1
, ....
-
VI.
Contents.
PAGE.
CHAPTER,
XXIV, The Civil \Var
XXV, The Civil \Var-Colltinlled -
X.XVI. The Civil \Var-Montgomery's Farm
XXVII. The Family Compact Terror
XXVIII. The Union of the Provinces
XXIX. Confederation
XXX. Prosperous Days
XXXI. Recent Years
. 15 0
- 159
- 16 5
. 175
- 179
- 195
- 20 3
- 20 7
PART II.
THE COUNTY OF YORK.
I. lntroductory.-Character and Limits of our Local History,- The
Twilight of Fable,-Michilimackinac, the Western Centre of
the Fur Trade.-The Various Routes Thither.-The Huron
Nation. - The "Pass" by Toronto. - Destruction of the
Hurons by the Iroquois.-Fort Rouille.-The Province of
Upper Canada Constituted.-Governor Simcoe,- Y ork.- The
Aborigines 1
II. The Building of Yonge Street.-Origin of .its Na.me,-Dundas
Street. _ Early Territorial Divisions of Upper Canada,-
Extent of the County of Y ork.-Departure and Death of
Governor Simcoe.-Interest Attaching to His Name.-An
Unpublished Letter of His.-Selfish and Unpatriotic Policy
of other Lieutenant-Governors,-President Russell and His
Successors.-Pen-Pictures by Robert Gourlay 12
III Modern Territorial Divisions of York.-Parliamentary Repre-
sentation.-The Rebellion,-\Vant of Harmony Among its
Leaders,-Inaction and Defeat.-Execution of Samuel Lount
and Peter Matthews,- The Place of their Interment.-Gallows
Hill.-Origin of the Name 24
IV, The Rebellion not altogether a Failure.-A York County Cause
Célèbre,-The Tragedy of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Mont-
gomery, near Richmond Hill.-Execution of James l\1cDer-
mott.-Grace 1iarks, the Female Fiend,-Her Sham Insanity,
-Her Pardon and Marriage - 3 2
V. The Principal Streams of the County of Y ork.- The Credit,-
Origin of its Narne,-Peter Jones and Egerton Rytr<;on at the
i
Contents.
Vll.
CHAPTER PAGE.
Credit Mission,-lndian \Vitchcraft.-The Humber.- The
Don.-Sir Richard Bonnycastle's Account of a RIde Through
the County Thirty-eight Years Since,-Richmond Hill with-
out the Lass,- Thornhill.- The Blue Hill.-List of County
\Vardens.-The l\Iunicipal Council.-Officers Appointed by
the Council.- Tables of Values - 51
VI. The Report of the Ontario Agricultural Commission.-Statistics
Relating to the County of York. -Character of the Soil.-
\Vater.-Price of Farms,-Stumps.-Fences,-Farm Build-
ings and Out-Buildings.-Drainage.-Farm Machinery,-
Fertilizers.-Uncleared Lands.-Acreage and Average Pro-
ducts.-Stock and Stock By-Laws.- Timber Lands.-Market
Facilities,-Local Industries.-Mechanics, Farm Labourers
and Domestics ,. - 63
VII. Public Schools of the County of York.-Division of the County
for Educational Purposes.-Extracts from Reports of Inspec-
tor Hodgson,-School Statistics,-Inspector Fotheringham's
Report 70
PART III.
\
TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY OF YORK.
York, Township of
Etobicoke, Township of
Scarborough, Township of -
Markham, Township of
Vaughan, Township of
King, T ownshi p of
Whitchurch, Township of -
Georgina, Township of
North Gwillimbury, Township of
East Gwillimbury, Township of
Newmarket, Town of
Aurora, Village of
Weston, Village of
Richmond Hill, Village of
Woodbridge, Village of
Markham, Village of
77
- 97
- 106
- 11+
. 12 4
134
- 145
- 15 8
- 16 4
- 17 0
- 180
- 18 5
- 18 7
- 19 1
- 19 6
- Ig8
. ..
Vlll.
Contents.
Holland Landing, Village of
Stouffville, Village of -
PART IV.
CITY OF TORONTO.
CHAPTER,
I. The Town of York Founded
II. York at the Close of the Last Century
III. The Administrations of Governors Hunter and Gore
IV. Brock and the \Var of 1812
V. The Advent of Dr. Strachan and the Fall of York
VI. York, 1813 to 182 3
VII. \Villiam Lyon l\1ackenzie and the Rule of Sir John Colborne
VIII. The Birth of Toronto
IX. From 1838 to 18 5 1
X. From 1851 to 18 59
XI. The Six Years before Confederation -
XII. Toronto a Capital Once More
TORONTO: HER HIGHWAYS, INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRIES
Public Buildings -
The City Government
The Churches
Universities and Schools
Parks, Public Squares, and Cemeteries
Charitable Institutions -
The Press
Benevolent and Secret Societies -
Military Organizations -
The City Clubs
The City Hotels
Financial Institutions -
Cattle Trade
Manufacturing Industries
"Vholesale Trade -
Retail and General
PAGE.
- 200
- 202
- 20 3
- 210
- 216
- 222
- 228
- 23 6
- 245
- 253
- 25 8
- 26 5
- 26 9
- 27 6
- 28 3
- 29 0
- 29 8
- 3 08
- 3 18
- 3 22
- 3 2 5
- 3 26
- 3 2 9
- 33 0
- 33 0
- 33 1
- 333
- 37 1
- 375
- 4 0 5
- 4 2 7
1..151"' OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
...
PART 1.
Louis Papineau
Louis H. Lafontaine
Sir George E, Cartier -
Joseph Howe
Thomas D'Arcy McGee
Hon. George Brown
Sir Francis Hincks
PARTS n.-IV.
Hon, Eùward Blake
Hon. Alexander l\Iackenzie
:\Iarquis of Lorne
Earl Dufferin
Toronto in 1803
First Church in Toronto (St. James') _
Parliament Buildings, 18 33
King Street, 18 34
Russell Abbey
St. Andrew's Church
James Ashfield
Edward James Lennox
\Villiam G, Storm
Samson, Kennedy & Co.'s \Varehouse
John l\Id\'lillan
Elias Rogers & Co.
.
PAGE,
- 43
7 1
99
- 113
- 133
- 153
-211
3 1
- II I
- 143
- 159
- 20 3
- 223
- 239
- 255
27 1
2t)6
- 3 02
- 354
- 35 6
- 4 12
- 4 1 4
- 4+4
.
PART I.
.
JJ lJriet Ijisforg 011
anada.
.
A BRIEF HISTORY
OF
CANADA AND THE CANADIAN PEOPLE.
CHAPTER 1.
PRE-HISTORIC C.A
_\D_\,
HE history of Canada is the history of three races,--the Indian,
the Frenchman, and the English-speaking immigrant from the
British isles or the neighbouring Republic,
The Indian tribes had roamed over the unbroken forest
that is now the Dominion of Canada, through ages that we can
only approximately estimate by the guesses of experts in our
pre-historic annals. Like the other inferior races of man, they
have no annals, no record of their own past; but the record of race, stamped
on skin and skeleton, would seem to indicate an _\siatic origin. In the
part of North America south of what is now N e\v York State, the
present race of Indians appear to have superseded a far more civilized
race, the builders of fortified towns and permanent temples, who were
well acquainted with the use of metals. But when, in the sixteenth
century of Christian civilization, French and English maritime enterprise,
born of the new birth of classical literature, discovered or re-discovered this
country, the Indian race in Canada had not advanced beyond the civili-
zation of the Stone A\ge. They were in some respects behind, they were in
no respect in advance of, the human wild beast who was the contemporary
of the mammoth and the cave-bear. Their spears and arrows were pointed
with carefully-chipped flint, their knives were of clam-shells; qf the use of
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Callad'l alld the Calladian People.
metal they kne\v nothing; their dress was that of the earlier savages
described in the legends of Hebrew and other primitive races, paint and the
skins of wild beasts. They had no domesticated animals except a breed of
dogs useless for the chase, which they kept for the
urpose of religious
sacrifice and of food. They had lived for unknown centuries with no home
hut the forest, which they shared \vith the wolf, the bear, and the lynx. In
architecture they were inferior to the brute instinct which had shaped the
LIke cities of the beaver, the cave-sl}aped nests of the mole, the wax hexagon
of the bee.
The Indians of Canada represent its pre-historic age, It is impossible
to estimate the date of their sparse and nomadic occupation of a country
that, now civilized into farms, to\vns, and cities, supports an increasing
population which to their feeble and shifting number is as a thousand to one,
No doubt these inferiur races fulfilled a useful purpose, They were of some
service to the first white immigrants into Canada. They guided Champlain
up the tortuous courses of the Ottawa; their conversion from Fetichism
to Roman Catholicism elicited the noblest missionary effort which the
Christian Church has seen since its first century of miracles and martyr-
doms. But they surpassed all other savage races known to history in
cruelty, treachery, and revenge; and whenever, after a fashion, they have
become civilized, they seem to have lost many of the virtues of savage life,
It may be doubted whether the heroism of the French Jesuits does not
count among the wasted efforts of man's noblest powers, The Christian-
ized Indian is no permanent or prosperous element in the population of
this country; his civilization is second-hand; disease and vice decimate
his ranks; alcoholism fastens its fangs into his strength, An intelligent
officer of the Hudson's Bay Company, employed at the Pacific Railway
station of ::\Iattawa, in 1882, not long since expressed the opinion that
the Indian tribes in the northern part of Canada will most likely be extinct
before the end of another hundred years.
\ Vhen the continent of America was first discovered, what is now the
Dominion of Canada \vas inhabited by a number of sa vage tribes ,dlO, in their
approach to civilization, were on a level with the negroid races of Africa or
Australia, although to some degree surpassing them in courage and physical
vigour. Of these, there were two principal di,-isions: the tribes of the Algon-
quin race, and those of the Iroquois, since known as the Six Nation Indians.
The Algonquins, as a rule, did not live in fortified villages; the solitary hunter
wandered through the woods, or with wife and children erected t-he birch-
Lark wigwam by the banks of some stream, whose plentiful supply of fish
\\ould supplement the more precarious venison, In the tropical Canadian
Pre-Historic Canada,
3
summer, life passed in Arcadian content. \Yith the Arctic winter came the
severer struggle for existence against the wild beasts and the weather. \Vhen
the long-hoarded supply offood, often little better than putrid carrion, became
nearly exhausted, old people and women were knocked on the head, and can-
nibalism became a necessity; the scanty supply of fuel, hewn with long-con-
tinued labour of flint knife and stone hatchet, gave little protectio
against
the terrible winter wind which entered every crevice of the wretched dwel-
ling. Deaths. from exposure thinned the ranks of the hunters; wolf and
wildcat vainly strove to tear the marble-stiffened form frozen in the
snow. _\nd still, with the conservatism of savage life, no advance was
made, no protection sought against cold and hunger; the warrior in the
brief hour of feasting forgot the sure approach of famine, and the terrors of
winter descended upon his defenceless home, without any provision having
been made against its approach.
\ nearer approach to civilization was made by those tribes that, as a
rule, lived in settled communities. Of these, by far the most remarkable
were the Iroquois, whose organization, once that of the terrible Iroquois
League, continues to this day in the Reserve on the Grand River, which the
British Government granted as an asylum for their race, They formed a
Confederacy originally seated in what is now l\ew York State, but whose
hunting grounds extended, and whose villages were built, over the entire
lake region and valley of the St. Lawrence. Their settlements were made
up of a number of large houses, surrounded by a \vooden rampart. Each
house was solidly built of wood, and well protected against wind and rain.
It was generally from a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet long, and con-
tained many fire-places, and a number of bunks, a few feet from the ground,
on which the various families-men, women, children, old and young
slept
promiscuously together. Provision for privacy or decency there was none.
Their only drink was the water of the stream; their food, meat or fish, often
kept till it was putrid; their sole luxury, tobacco, that great gift of the K ew
\Y orld to the Old, in return for which she had not yet received the more
questionable gift of fire-water.
The Iroquois have been aptly termed" the Romans of the "'estern
\ V orld, .. Their political organization, with its extensive settlements of
allied tribes and towns, enabled them to conquer the other Indian races in
every part of Canada, to exterminate the two great tribes of the Hurons
and the Eries, and to become an important ally to England in the wars of
the French and English colonists pre\'ious to the conquest, and in the two
wars with the United States which followed it. Enthusiastic writers on
the romantic aspects of savage life have drawn rose-coloured pictures
4
Canada and the Canadian People.
of the courage, the simplicity, the eloquence of the noble red man.
But, looked at in the light of careful and patient investigation, the ways
of the dwellers in wigwams lose much of this ideal colouring, The
Indian Chief was not, 'as writers like the poet Campbell have repre-
sented him, a hero king, like those of the Grecian årmy before Troy.
He was simply a warrior raised above others by superior strength
or cunning; with no authority of life or death; no power as a ruler,
beyond what the influence he could exert in the interminable "\-Tangling of
war-council might give him for the time. He was in no respect a member
of an aristocratic caste; he fished and hunted just. as did every other
member of his tribe; had no privilege of class, such as those of the chief of
a Highland .clan, or an Irish sept. The most noted chiefs of even the
most recent, and therefore the best, phase of Indian warfare, such as
Pontiac or Tecumseh, were in many respects mere painted savages among
their fellow-savages.
The courage of the Indian warrior differed from that which in all
civilized ages has been regarded as the essential attribute of manhood,
He could die a death of horrible and prolonged torture without a complaining
cry, but on the battle-field the Indian would rarely risk his life before an
equal foe. A handful of Europeans, as in the case of the Carillon massacre,
could hold hundreds of these wolves of the wilderness at bay. The Indian
on the war-path resorted to every treachery, every coward's subterfuge of
ambush and surprise. On children, women, and captives, he gloried in
exercising cruelties of which there is no trace in the record of any other
savage race, even the most degraded known to history. Of endurance of
inevitable pain, these Stoics of the forest gave abundant proof; of pity.
placability. chivalry, none. It is true that the annals of Iroquois warfare
show no instance of treachery to allies resulting from mere abject cowardice
like that shown by the Huron allies of Daulac des Ormeaux.at the critical
turning point of the disasters of Carillon, But, in many respects besides
this. the Iroquois stand alone among the Indian races, \Vest of the
St, Lawrence Valley were two great tribes, the Huron and the Erie. Like
the Iroquois and the more civilized of the Algonquin tribes, the Hurons
lived in towns. \Yhen Champlain visited their settlements in the \Yest,
he was surprised at the superiority of their villages, and at the cultivated
ground covered with corn and vegetables, The religious chivalry of
the French Jesuit missionaries converted, and might have civilized, the
Hurons. But the torch and tomahawk of Iroquois warfare exter-
minated the race as utterly as the Canaanites were destroyed from the
face of earth by the pious zeal of the children of Israel. Nothing remains
i
Pre-Historic Canada,
5
of them but the name given to the lake by which they dwelt, the record
of their slow and doubtful conversion by the Jesuits, and the mocking
but brilliant romance written in ridicule of the Jesuit Relations by Voltaire.';'
It is true that there are other remains in the huge bone pits found
in the country once occupied by the Huron race, immense receptacles
of human skeletons containing hundreds in one vast sepulchre. The
existence of these places of sepulture is well expl
ined by the account
given by the early Jesuit missionaries, who witnessed the process of
the formation at the loathsome Feast of the Dead. Every few years it
was the Huron custom to exhume the bodies of all those who had been
buried during that period. The bodies were wrapped in robes of honour,
and carried into the houses where they had dwelt during life; there the
festering remains were treasured for several days, then brought all together
and thrown into a deep pit, as soon as the skeleton could be denuded
of the last particle of flesh. Then, with endless oratory from a high plat-
form, and a feast as of ghouls in presence of this foul spectacle, the " Feast
of the Dead " came to an end, There were other feasts common to the
Indian race, of all of which unlimited gluttony was the main feature. For
drunkenness they had no opportunity till civilization came with the rum-
bottle, which is so rapidly helping to exterminate their race. At some of
the public dances and festivals, gir-Is and the younger women danced robe-
less, as the witches at Faust's \Yalpurgis Xight,
\ Yhen preparing for war, the usual council was held and the usual
interminable speechification, characteristic of these grown-up children,
was continued for days, Then, the warriors, smeared with paint so as to
ensure disguise, issued forth, armed with flint-pointed spear, arrows, and
tomahawk, to tread the war-path, Of all savage races, these alone practised
the cruel and disgusting custom of scalping; a custom practised by Pontiac,
Tecumseh, and Captain Brant, as ruthlessly as by the earliest and least
civilized braves of Indian warfare.
\s to religion, much has been said of the pure monotheism of the
Indian race: of their hope in a future life, and \\ orship of the Great Spirit.
C nscientific writers have found it easy to exalt this crude and shocking
:\Ianitou worship to a level with the monotheism of Socrates and the New
Testament. But those who have studied the abundant early records of
Indian superstition know well that this, like e'"ery other savage race, never
emerged from the stage of intermingled animism and fetichism, Animism
is the superstition of children when they beat the ground against which they
have fallen and hurt themselves. It is the superstition of savages when
.
.. Voltaire's Le Hur01l.
6
Canada and the Canadian People.
they attribute a conscious life to the phenomena of nature. A more ad,"anced
step in animism, the worship of deceased ancestors, the Indians never seem
to have reached, Till they learned some vague monotheistic notions from
the white man, their idea of a Great Spirit seems to have been extremely
vague, and to have consisted in the worship of a number of " :\lanitous,"
good or malignant, who dwelt in forest, lake, or cataract, and whom it was
well to propitiate with offerings of tobacco.
Of a future state their notions were equally vague. It was a shadowy
reproduction of the present life; a hunting-ground where good and bad fared
alike, and where the ghost of the hunter flitted in pursuit of the ghost of the
wild beast, accompanied by the ghost of the tomahawk, his spear, bow and
arrows, and tobacco pipe. Poets, moralists, and romance \vriters, from
\' oltaire downward, have delighted to pourtray the noble red man, the
chivalrous and undaunted Indian chief, the lovely and faithful daughter
of the forest. In all this there is little reality, .A sterner and coarser
picture is drawn by the impartial hand of history, and by those travellers
who have visited the less civilized Indian settlements of the present day in
remote parts of Canada. It may be added that, unlike even the negroid
race of Africa, the Indian has invented no art beyond the civilization of
the Stone Age, One thing, among the most graceful although the simplest
products of human skill, he has invented-the birch canoe; exquisitely
proportioned, buoyant, yet so frail, and so unsafe in all hut the most
practised hands, that it will in all probability pass away with the decaying
race to whom it belongs, and who appear doomed to fade in obedience to
that inexorable law of the non-survival of the unfit, leaving as their memorial
only the strange music of their names for the rivers, lakes, and hills of a
country which has become the Dominion of a higher race,
,
- ,
'... ,
,
t...:.' ;:
J.. :
CHAPTER II.
JACQUES CARTIER,
l.:.
.:;J
.-fær
ß
.
.. S the delusions of astrology and alchemy were the motive power
. '(k of the researches w
ich have given
s the t
ue sciences of
' '-, astronomy and chemIstry, so the favounte delusIOns of the last
.
century of the ::\Iiddle Ages gave to the world the boon which
f" ranks with the invention of printing and the European Reyo-
.
. lution-the discovery of America. Men like Cartier, Columbus,
the two Cabots, even Champlain a century later, dreamed of a
passage across the \Vestern Ocean to India and China. And kings, like
those who sent out these and other discoverers, had, as their chief object,
the finding of a treasure-trove of gold and gems, But an impulse had
heen given to European thought which stimulated maritime discovery
as well as every other art, by the new birth of learning resulting from the
taking of çonstantinople, and the consequent dispersion over Italy and
France of the band of Greek scholars who held the key of ancient Greek
letters,
Among other arts, ship-building and navigation had now improved, the
use of the bowline enabling mariners to sail on a wind, the discovery of the
compass and of the method, as yet but imperfect, of taking observations,
made long voyages through unknown seas possible. The trade with the
Orient, hitherto monopolized by the Turk, was thrown open to Christendom
hy Vasco da Gama's success in doubling the Cape of Storms, This last
also led to all the maritime nations giving their attention to new methods
of constructing ships large enough to undertake long voyages to distant seas.
It WdS such ships, the first of modern naval art, that carried the discoverers
of America- and Canada,
There seems good reason to suppose that the hardy Norman fishermen
had, with the Bretons and Basques, visited the Newfoundland fisheries for
-.:enturies before the voyage. of Cabot. There is also a tradition of a
8
· Canada and the Ca1ladian PeoPle.
sea captain from Dieppe, voyaging on the
\frican coast, being carried by
a storm across the \Vestern Ocean, and seeing an unknown land and river's
mouth. This may have been heard of by Columbus, who, four years later,
made his voyage of discovery, The alleged discoveries of Verrazzano are
probably mythical, but they found a place in the compilation of Ramusio.
and have ever since been commonlyaçcepted as veracious history, until
within the last few years, during which the investigatiOns of distinguished
American savants have caused them to be pretty thoroughly discredited.
Suffice it to say that in process of time Canada was claimed by three European
powers: by Spain, as part of her province of Florida, in consequence of the
preposterous gift of the whole continent to the Spanish king by Pope
Alexander the Sixth: by France, in consequence of the discoveries claimed
to have been made by several navigators under the auspices of Francis 1.;
and by England, in consequence of the undoubted discoveries of Sebastian
Cabot.
After the Treaty of Cambray, France began, in some degree, to recover
from the exhaustion of the disastrous war into which she }
ad been plunged
by the ambition of Francis. The plans for Canadian exploration were re-
vived by a young noble in favour with the volatile king, in \vhose schemes
of gallantry and war he had shared. The king had appointed his YOllng
comrade Admiral of France, and a fitting choice was made of one worthy
to be entrusted with the task of exploration. Jacques Cartier, afterwards
ennobled by Francis for his discovery of Canada, was a bold and experi-
enced sea captain, a God-fearing seaman, fearless of tempest or battle, No
part of France has produced a more fearless race of mariners than the rugged
old town of St, :\Ialo, where Cartier was born. His portrait is still pre-
served there, and we can judge, to some extent, of its expression by the
familiar copies in this country. A face firm, yet kindly: the rough sailor's
beard pointed after the fashion of the time, On an April morning in 153+,
Jacques Cartier, being then in his fortieth year, sailed from his native town
with two small ships, neither of them over sixty tons, and a crew of a hun-
dred and twenty-two men. It was usual in those days to send out ships of war
two at a time, for the ships were so built as not to carry anything but the
munitions of war and the crew. An attendant ship held provisions and a
cooking-room. Much space was taken up by the amount of ballast required
to steady the ship, A voyage of twenty days brought 'them to 1\ewfollnd-
land. Thence sailing to the south of that island, Cartier passed the Mag-
dalen Islands, and entered a bay, which, from the heat of a Canadian
summer's day, he named Baie des Clwlcur$, Having erected a large
wooden cross as a sign of the claim of the French king to the whole
Jacques Cartier,
9
country, a proceeding watched with dismay by an Indian chief, who
regarded it as an act of sorcery, Cartier advanced up the St. Lawrence till
in sight of the Island of Anticosti, when, dreading the storms already
threatening, as autumn approached, he set sail for France. He first carried
away two Indian boys, a more justifiable act of kidnapping than those of
which he and others were afterwards guilty, since it was needful to pro-
cure Indian guides who could understand the white man's speech, so as to
serve as interpreters in future
xpeditions. The news of his discovery was
received with enthusiasm. Here was a chance for the French king to
obtain new dominions in that lately discovered world, which was regarded
as containing new EI Dorados and Empire Cities like those conquered by
Spain. Then, the Catholic reaction, already gathering its powerful forces
to repair the damage done by the storm of the Reformation, seized on the
idea of converting the heathen, A new expedition was resolved on, with
Cartier in charge, several of the young noblesse of France being under his.
command-in all a hundred and ten souls. There were three ships, the
largest bearing the memorable name of La Grande Hermine, 110 tons bur-
den; the second, La Petite Hermine, and the third of lesser size, All con-
fessed and heard mass in the Cathedral of St. Malo, and on the nineteenth
of :\Iay, 1635, set sail from the rugged stone harbour of the Breton port.
After a stormy voyage, they all met at the Straits of Belleisle, and entered
a bay close to Anticosti, which, it heing the Feast of Saint Lawrence,
Cartier named after the Roman martyr, St. Lawrence, From that day the
saint b
came sponsor to the mightiest river of Canada.
Cartier's conduct in kidnapping the two Indian boys has been severely
.blamed by the historian Parkman and other writers; but had he not done
so, it is inconceiyable that he could have guided his squadron through the
dangers of the first river voyage, Day after day they sailed up the gloomy
stream, to the giant cliff of Cape Tourmente, and anchored beside an island.
which, from its profusion of grape-vines, Cartier named after the god
Bacchus. At last the squadron anchored in the River St. Charles, close to
the site of Quebec, where then, under the shadow of the historic hill, an
Indian town or village, called Stadacona, clustered its bark-built wigwams,
The Indians received the Frenchmen with all kindness. The two Indian
boys, fresh from the wonders of court, camp and city, told a tale of marvellous
experiences in the land of the white man. Donnacona, the chief, was received
anù feasted on board Cartier's ship, The Indians told Cartier that the
entire region through which he was proceeding was called CANADA, out that
the chief town was some distance up the river. After no slight difficulty in
obtaining the necessary guidance from the Indians, whose sorcerers, dis-
10
Canada aud the Canadian PeoPle,
guised as demons, with hideous paint and long horns, endeavoured to
terrify the pale-faces, Cartier, with the smallest of his ships, a galleon of
forty tons and sixty men, began to ascend the river. It was autumn: the
unbroken forest on either bank lay reflected in the water; boughs where
the ripe grape clusters hung from tree to tree; masses of foliage, lit with
the colours which no other forest can emulate-the gold of larch or maplf',
the flame-red of the soft maple, the garnet of the sumach. Amid the woods
everywhere the song-birds thrilled the air. As the galleon sailed on, count-
less wild-fowl flew, hoarse-screaming, before their approach.
\t length the
Indian guides signalled to beach the galleon. An Indian trail led them
through the oak groves which covered what is now the site of :\lontreal
to the Indian town of Hochelaga, surrounded with ripe fields of gold-
coloured maize, Here the entire population turned out to receive the
strangers with tumultuous welcome; men, women and children yelling and
leaping in the wildest excitement at the arrival of those whom they looked
on as beings gifted with a supernatural superiority, The town consisted of
some fifty oblong dwellings, each housing a number of families, These
houses were constructed of birch bark twisted around a number of poles.
In the centre of the town was a large open space. Here Cartier and his
friends were seated on mats upon the ground. Around them, row behind
row, the warriors squatted, the women and children thronging. the outer
area. There the chief, a palsied and repulsive-looking old man, was carried
for Cartier to lay his hands on him and heal him. Cartier did not refuse to
touch the aged and helpless limbs, and read a passage from the Gospels
over a crowd of Lcd-ridden savages, who crawled out of their huts to he
cured. This done, he distributed a lavish present of beads, knives and
hatchets, to squaws and braves, The Frenchmen were offered profuse sup_.
plies of food, maize and deer-flesh, which, however they did not accept.
Cartier then was guided to the summit of the beautiful mountain, to which,
in honour of Francis 1., he gave the name of :\Iount Royal. From that
stately hill where now the traveller looks down upon a scene in which
human art in its noblest forms mingles with and ministers to natural beauty;
where the river, magnificent now as then, bears on its bosom the navies
of the merchant princes of Canada, and where its waters are spanned by
the vast granite arches of a bridge which is one of the wonders of the world;
where one of Canada's noblest cities covers the site of the vanished Indian
town-the illustrious discoverer gazed far and wide upon an unbroken mass
of forest, stretching to either horizon and beyond, from the
\rctic North
to the savannah of Florida.
Jacques Cartier,
II
After a stay of several days at Hochelaga, Cartier returned as he came,
to Stadacona. There a rude fort of earth-works and palisades had been
built, in front of which ships lay moored in the St. Charles River for
the winter. Cartier and his company passed that gloomy season amid hard-
ships innumerable, and suffered the loss of some of their best men. The
Indians, at first so ready to welcome them, were no longer to be propitiated
with wine and presents; the fickle savages became dreaded foes, and were
excluded from the fort. At length the terrible blood-poisoning disease that
comes with cold and famine broke out among them, An Indian, who
observed the scurvy symptoms in Cartier, told him of the remedy, a
decoction of the evergreen spruce leaves, A large spruce was cut down,
and through six dåys the sick Frenchmen drank abundantly; the salts of
potash contained in the leaves effecting a speedy cure. At length the long
expected spring, dissolving the ice that bound their ships, set the prisoners
free, Just before leaving, Cartier managed to seize Donnacona and several
leading chiefs, and, conveying them on board his ship, sailed for France,
This seems to us a treacherous act, though we must remember how strongly
the Jesuit teaching pervaded the Catholic reaction. The maxim that it is
lawful to do evil that good may come had been early impressed on minds
like Cartier's. It was unfortunate for poor old Donnacona that he told
Cartier all sorts of Indian legends of wonder-land of gold and jewels in the
far \\T est. He must be taught to recount these marvels to the 1\Iost Chris-
tian King, After all, the old chief was probably much better off than
he would have been in his own wigwam, cared for kindly in a country
where he was looked on with some sort of respect as an Indian" king," for
the early French discoverers of Canada, with their feudal notions, regarded
the chiefs as possessing a dignity and authority belonging to European
kings and lords, The chiefs were baptised with great pomp in Rouen
Cathedral, but all died shortly afterwards,
,\fter an interval of six years, another expedition sailed from St. Malo
for Canada, A renewal of war between the Emperor Charles the Fifth and
Francis had much abated the interest of the French in American coloniza-
tion, The inducements already tried were not attractive. But a new
court favourite, a nobleman whose title was the Sieur de Roher\'al. in
Picardy, was appointed the first Viceroy of Canada, and managed to secure
a grant from the king of sufficient money to equip five ships for the yoy.lge,
The squadron was manned, in a great degree, by all manner of thieves and
useless vagabonds, whom De Roherval had authority to impress from the
puhlic prisons. Kept waiting for promised supplies, Roherval remained
to obtain them, Cartier sailing at once for
ewfoundlalld and the
12
CalZada and the Canadian PeoPle.
St. Lawrence. Once more he anchored at the familiar mooring-place; but
when the Indian warriors swarmed, as they had been wont, in their birch
canoes around his ship to ask news of Donnacona, and were told by
Cartier of his death, they withdrew in sullen discontent, Thus, Cartier's
requital of the Indian chief's hospitality proved not only a crime but a
mistake.
Two forts \'..ere built: one on the height, one on the river bank. A
little land was cleared, and seed sown, \Vhile this was being done, Cartier
withdrew, with two boats, to explore the ri\'er. He did not succeed in
getting "beyond Hochelaga, and on returning found that the expected
supplies had not yet appeared, and the terrors of a Canadian winter must
again be undergone, with deficient supplies, a thoroughly discontented
crew, and the Indians alienated, Roberval did not arrive with the supplies
till June of the next year, 1542, by which time Cartier had already quitted
the colony, fearing to pass another winter such as the two that he had lived
through. The vessels of the two commanders encountered each other in
the harbour of St. John, Newfoundland. In vain De Roberval com-
manded Cartier's return; that night his ships set sail for France, The sole
result of this expedition was a few glittering scales of common iron
pyrites which Cartier took for gold, and several quartz crystals, which he
supposed to be diamonds. Hence its name was given to Cape Diamond,
where he found them, It is pleasant to know that the discoverer of Canada
met with no cold receptions on account of the scanty success of this expe-
dition, He was created a noble by the king, and lived long to enjoy his
dignity in the neighbourhood of his native St. Malo.
De Roben'al qid not meet with better success. The expedition was ill
provided. with provisions and other necessaries, They built a fort or
barrack on the site of the former entrenchment of Cartier. .Again" the
rigours of a Canadian winter came upon a French colony totally unpre-
pared to meet them, They had to subsist on such fish as could he procured
from the Indians, and on roots fried in whale oil. Added to this, the
company quarrelled incessantly among themselves. To maintain discipline,
De Roberval resorted to lash and cord for the sliahtest offence, Theft was
b
checked by hanging the first offender. Several men and women were shot.
The colony was a hopeless failure. De Roberval returned to France,
leaving a small garrison behind him, Sometime afterwards he again sailed
for Canada with a ship-load of colonists, but he never reached his destin-
ation, and is supposed to have perished by shipwreck. :\Ieanwhile the
garrison he had left on the shore of the St. Lawrence joined the Indian
,
and degenerated into barbarism, Thus ends the first chapter of the French
settlement. It is but the prelude to a nobler record,
CHAPTER III.
! CARTIER'S S'CCCESSORS.
v
.....;&
'
CRI
G the next half century, the French Government and
i,:}
.
noblesse, occupied in the disastrous civil wars, had no thought
.4 . wha
ever of Canada. The gen
ration which knew
artier had
ji passed away; that of Champlam had not come, "\ et, through
f all these evil years the barques of the Breton and Norman fisher-
folk swarmed upon the Banks of Newfoundland, and returned
to France full-freighted with the harvest of the sea, The still more profit-
able trade in furs, too, became more and more an established branch of
commerce between the Indians and the Frenchmen, who, building their
huts on the margin of the St. Lawrence Gulf, found that, for a few
trinkets, they could procure supplies of beaver and bear skins, walrus
tusks, and the valuable furs of the smaller animals, such as the mink, ermine,
and silver fox, then held in so much value in France, l\Iany of these married
Indian girls, acquired the Indian language and habits, and made voyages
in the canoes which traded to some distance up the St. Lawrence, But
the noblesse had not lost sight of the advantage of acquiring new territories
and new titles by enterprises of Canadian colonization. A very abortive
effort in this direction was made by the :\Iarquis de la Roche, a Breton
noble, who obtained from the king permission to found a colony in Canada.
He repeated the mistake which had ruined the enterprise of Roberval.
He ransacked the prisons, and brought together a company of thieves and
cut-throats who were forced to embark in a small vessel, so deep-freighted
with its cargo of convicts that the wretched men, leaning over the ship's
side, could dip their 11ands in the water. By good seamanship, or good
luck, they crossed the Atlantic, and reached a low stretch of sand-bank
with breakers surging unceasingly over the skeleton of a wrecked ship,
This was Sable Island, eighty miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. In ac-
cordance with the cruel custom of the time, La
oche landed his convict
colonists on this dismal islet, while he and his sailors went in search of a
suitable spot for settlement. But a storm from the west came on, and the
tiny craft could do nothing else than run before the tempest, which speedily
14
Canada and the Canadia1l PeoPle.
carried her to France, There La Roche was imprisoned by one of the
rival leaders in the civil war, and, though oppressed by remorse for the
fate of the unfortunates he had abandoned to almost certain starvation,
could do nothing until five years later, when he was able to bring the
circumstances under the notice of the king, Meanwhile, the con,'icts
haYÏng learned to despair of La Roche's return, faced their miserable
fate, The island, about three miles long, contained in its centre a small
lake fed by a clear spring of fresh water. There were a number of wild
cattle, the progeny either of some that 'had escaped from the "Teck of a
Spanish ship, or of some left there eighty years before by the explorer
De Lèry,
ot a tree or shrub was to be found, but the sand-hills were
covered with a coarse grass on which the wild cattle fed. Black foxes
burrowed in the sand-hills; seals basked on the beach. On these they
managed to subsist, eating the flesh, and clothing themselves with the skins.
They contrived to construct huts with the timbers of wrecked ships, wherein,
huddled together without a fire, these miserable outcasts learned to regret
the warmth and shelter of the dungeons whence they h.ad been taken.
Thus they liyed for five years, when a ship passing near sent a boat to the
island and carried the survivors of the strange exile back to France, The
king sent for them. They stood in his presence like \vild men, with hair
unkempt and long shaggy beards,-their only clothing the skins of beasts.
They had hoarded up a quantity of valuable furs, which had been taken
from them, but were returned by the king's order, who also pardoned them
and bestowed on them pensions,
Once more a seaman from St. :\Ialo undertook the attempt at settle-
ment. Pontgravé of St. :\Ialo, with the aid of Chauvin, a captain in the
royal navy, obtained a monopoly of the fur trade on condition that they
should found a colony. Their only th
ught was of the trade; as to th
colony, they brought out some sixteen persons in 1599, for whom they built
a dépôt under the shadow of the gloomy, inaccessible hill-sides at the outlet
of the Saguenay. Here a stone house was built, the first erected in Canada.
But the colonists were utterly deficient in self-help ;lnd energy. Unable to
face the horrors of winter in that dismal region, several of them died of
cold and eÀposure; the rest, preserved by the charity of the Indians, were
afterwards carried back to France,
In 160 3, A ymer de Chastes, a veteran soldier and commander of the
Order of St. John, had -saved the cause of Henry the Fourth at the most
critical period of the civil war which ended with the triumph of I vry. A
devout Catholic, De Chastes longed to deyote the last years of his life to
the cause of his God and his King, He could think of no nobler achieve-
Cartier's Successors.
15
ment than to win the wilds of Canada for the Cross of Christ and the Crown
of France, King Henry readily granted to his devoted follower the title of
Viceroy of Canada, De Chastes very wisely formed a company, thus
sharing with others the profits to be derived from his monopoly of the fur
trade, Of his party
vere Pontgravé and a young soldier and sea-captain,
named Champlain, of whose character and career we shall speak hereafter,
as his is, beyond question, the central figure in early Canadian history,
From Honfleur, Champlain and his companion sailed with two small
ships over the ocean, through the gloomy St. Lawrence, past the majestic
promontory of Quebec, from beneath whose shadow the Indian town of
Stadacona had vanished; on, past lake and island, to Montreal. Here,
too, the town of Cartier's day had disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
The explorers vainly endeavoured to make their way in a canoe farther up
the St, Lawrence; they were stopped by the whirling eddies and miniature
cataracts of the rapids of St. Louis, against which these bold adventurers
strove in vain to make way. Baffled for the time, they returned to France,
only to learn that the death of the good De Chastes had probably put an end
to their enterprise. Colonization, however, was once more taken up by a
nobleman of high character for energy and valour, the Sieur de 1\1onts,
who obtained from the king a commission as Viceroy of Canada, or rather
of La Cadie or Acadia. The name of Acadia was soon afterwards restricted
to X ova Scotia, The name itself is derived from a less poetical source,
being the Indian for a species of small cod, called by the English the
pollock. In De ::\lon1's commission Acadia included all Canada, with the
entire country from Philadelphia northwards. As usual, the new Viceroy
received a monopoly of the fur trade. Also a"s usual, he received and
made use of the refuse of French society to be swept into the holds of his
vessels, But he was fortunate enough to carry with him several associates
of high rank and character, foremost among whom was the young Baron
de Poutrincourt. Their adventure, now to be recorded, brilliant and
memorable as it undoubtedly was, is but a prelude, and that a tentative and
unsuccessful one, to the real history of Canada.
\.
.("'" "M.-... ) r '"
::>,w
-L':
l_'"':)
.
. -= .J'>- -- -. -.:;:?
, (
'".?fi' ''''' '_
' v
c'\,.). _
)0
CHAPTER IY.
I ' Ð7
\CADL\,
< '-
f
. - -{ HE strangely-freighted ship in which
e l\Ionts sailed with some
:: I
\ three-score soldiers t
subdue a contment, s
pported as h,e was
...1
by a company of thIeves and murderers, In order to WIn the
'\ heathen to Christianity, held other strange and incongruous
J&
.G..': elements of discord. De :Monts was a rigid Calvinist, but at
he
French court, even in the time of Henry the Fourth, nothmg
could be done without consulting the interest of ::\Iother Church,
De :\Ionts had agreed that the converted Indian should belong to the
Catholic fold, But, for the welfare of his O'\-\"n soul and those of his fellow
Protestants on board, Calvinist ministers also formed part of the ship's
company, During the voyage, priests and ministers engaged in perpetual
wrangling on theological points; from arguments they sometimes fell to
hlows; which, as Champlain quaintly says, "was their way of settling
controversy." 1\1r. Parkman quotes a story, given in Sagard's Histoire du
Ca1lada, to the effect that when they reached land, the dead bodies of a
priest and a minister were laid in the same grave by the crew, who wished
to see if even there they could lie peaceably together. At length the ship
reached the southern coast of Nova Scotia. There they waited in a land-
locked bay for the arrival of Pontgravé's store-ship, After a month, she
brought their supplies, and De ::\Ionts passed on to the Bay of Fundy, and,
sailing through its broad southern expanse, entered a small inlet to the
north-east, which opened into a wide reach of calm water, surrounded by
forest-mantled, undtÙating hills. This was the harbour of Annapolis,
Poutrincourt foresaw the importance of this place as a site for a settlement,
and obtained a grant of it from. De l\Ionts. He named it Port f-{!=>yal.
They then coasted along the tortuous windings of the bay, and, returning,
discovered the St. John River and Passamaquoddy Bay, At the mouth
of the River St, Croix they formed their first settlement. They built houses,
\\orkshops, and a magazine. Champlain tried to layout a garden, but the
Acadia,
17
soil was too sterile. Poutrincourt then set sail for France, in order 'to
procure supplies for his new domain at Port Royal.
De l\Ionts was left behind on the rocky and barren islet which repre-
sented his vice-royalty, The only civilized men in that vast region were the
seventy-nine French exiles under his command, The brief summer had
gone; soon autumn had passed as surely. as summer. The perpetuany
eddying snow now covered
ll things: the impenetrable wall of woodland,
the marble-frozen stream, the pine-covered hiBs, The cold became intense,
wine was frozen and served in solid lumps to the men, Scurvy broke out;
they tried, but with no effect, to cure it by the decoction of spruce employed
by Cartier. Thirty-five died before that dismal winter had ended. Dis-
gusted with St, Croix, De :\Ionts and his followers moved to Annapolis
basin, Thither their vessels transferred the stores and furniture, A portion
of the forest was soon cleared, and the dwellings of the colonists were built.
De ::\Ionts had been warned by letters from France that his enemies in that
country were busy undermining his good name in the fickle favour of the
court, in order to deprive him of the valuable fÜr monopoly. He therefore
sailed for France, Pontgravé taking his place at Port Royal. He was coldly
looked upon at Paris, Something had been heard of the snow-clad wilder-
ness, the impenetrable fogs, the famine, and the death-list of the previous
winter. Not even a priest would undertake the Acadian mission
vacant by the deaths of those who had gone there at the outset. But
Poutrincourt's zeal secured several followers who were destined to afford
him admirable aid, Of these was Lescarbot, a lawyer and a good writer,
who has left a history of this ill-fated settlement. In July, 1606, they
arrived at the clearing in the forest, and saw the wooden for
and buildings of
Port Royal. They found there two Frenchmen only, and an Indian named
Iernbertou.
\nxious at the advance of summer, and fearing that De
-:\Ionts might not return with supplies, the settlers had built two small
barques and gone in quest of some friendly ships that might give help, A
boat was sent in quest of Poutrincourt, who joyfully returned. Their friends
met them at the vessel with arquehuse discharges, shouts, and trumpetings;
-:\Iembertou's Indian warriors, whose wigwam was at hand, crowded to
the fort, where they were feasted, and Poutrincourt broached a cask of
wine in the court-yard. Soon after this supplies were again procured on a
more 1iheral scale from France, The settlers took heart; Lescarhot made
larger clearings in the forest, and sowe.d grain in the virgin soil.
ear the
fort gardens were laid out. The settlement semed to prosper. The bill of
fare at the dinner-tables of Port Royal included trout, salmon, and sturgeon,
speared through the river ice', and sea fish caught in the waters of the bay,
2
II
I
Callada and tlie Calladiall PeoPle.
There was abundance of game: the venison of the moose- and caribou, the
hare, the otter, the bear, furnished a list of good things not known to
Parisian epicures. The wintet of 1600 was a mild one. Abundance of food,
a generous supply of good wine, of which-the allowance to each man was
three pints a day, warded off danger of scurvy. The firm rule of the
noble Baron de Poutrincourt, and the buoyant energy of the not less noble
Champlain, had turned into Christian order the outcasts whom he had
gathered from the French prisons. There being no priest, the good
Lescarbot read the Bible to the assembled colonists every Sunday evening.
The accounts given by this good man in his History of ...Yew France read
like an idyl. "On the fourteenth of January," he tells us, "on a Sunday
afternoon, we amused ourselves with singing and music on the River Equille,
and in the same month we went to see the wheat-fields, two leagues from
the fort, and merrily dined in the sunshine." All seemed bright with hope,
but all depended on the favour of a monarch too easily influenced by fair
women and courtly priests. As Lescarbot and his associates were at break-
fast, their faithful Indian chief,
lembertou, came with news of a strange
sail out of view of any vision but his own, although he had passed his
hundredth year. The "essel bore news fatal to the colony, Their monopoly
of the fur trade had been withdrawn by the king, De l\lonts and his
associates had spent enormous sums on the colony; the king's breach of
faith had ruined them. Lescarbot and Champlain sailed for France, and
reached 51. l\Ialo in October, 160 7.
But De Poutrincourt would not even then despair of his little republic.
He obtained from King Henry IV, a new and more definite grant of the
ownership of Port Royal; he sold property of his own; and associated
with himself several men of good means and reputation. .\bundant supplies
were obtained, and a ship's company of intending settlers a\vaited him at
the port of Dieppe.
A Jesuit confessor, a profligate queen, and a virtuous but fanatical
lady of rank, combined to induce King Henry IV. to consent to the Jesuits
having religious charge of the new colony. Now, Poutrincourt, although
a fervent Catholic, disliked the Spanish Order of Ignatius, and objected
to priests who intermeddled, as the Jesuits were forever intermeddling, no
doubt having religious ends in view, with everything secular. The authori-
ties of the Order named Father Biard, Professor of Theology at Lyons, as
Chaplain to Port Royal; but De Poutrincourt eluded the indignant Jesuit
hy a hasty departure for Acadia, He had with him a priest who was not a
Jesuit. They both set hard to work, so as to gain such success in con-
\ erting the Indians that King Henry might see no necessity for sending
Acadin.
19
Jesuits to undertake the mission. Poutrincourt in this seems to have
made a mistake; one that resulted in the ruin of his colony and himself, by
forfeiting the magnificent reinforcement which that Republic of the Black
Robe might have brought to his aid.
To the student of human nature there is a melancholy såtisfaction in
considering how this hater of Jesuitism sought to fight the Jesuits with
their own weapons, by pushing with indecent haste the solemn work of
conversion, merely in order to send, for political purposes, a long baptismal
list of his converts to the king. The centenarian chief, l\Iembertou, was
the first baptised; after renouncing" the Devil," whom he had served, and
"all his works" which he had practised with conscientious thoroughness
all the days of his life of a hundred years. His example was followed by
the Indians of his village of four hundred braves, An epidemic of conver-
sion set in, The water of the fort was supplemented by fire-water and
good fare. One aged warrior, newly baptised, when about to die, asked,
with anxiety which was evidently sincere, whether in heaven pies could
be had as good as those he had eaten at Port Royal.
In- a short time, Poutrincourt was able to send a baptismal list of
portentous length to France, He despatched it by the hand of his son, a
noble and gifted boy of eighteen named Biencourt. But Biencourt, when
he reached Newfoundland, heard news which might have taught him that
his mission was useless. The king who had given peace, order and plenty
to France, the Victor of I vry, De Poutrincourt's friend, was dead, On
Iay 14th, 1610, Henry the Fourth was stabbed to the heart by one of those
political pests of whose execrable breed our own age has not 'as yet rid
itself,
Young Biencourt went to the Court and had an audience of the queen,
the infamous l\Iarie de l\Iedicis, He found her altogether in the hands of the
Jesuits, Two other ladies, then all-powerful in the Court, threw their influence
into the same scale, Many other wealthy women were persuaded by their
Jesuit confessors to raise an immense fund for the Acadian l\Iission. "ïth
this at their command, the wily Order of Jesus completely out-flanked their
enemy, De Poutrincourt. He imagined himself secure in the possession of
Port Royal, which had been deeded to him hy the late king; a donation
which, according to French law, could not be reversed, But the Jesuits
obtained from the imhecile young king, Louis the Thirteenth, a grant of
all Acadia, a term which, be it remembered, then included all Canada.
They had, in their own words, hemmed in De Poutrincourt in his own
narrow domain of Port Royal, as in a prison. And even in Port Royal they
obtained a controlling voice, by purchasing, with mone," obtained from the
.
20
Callada. and the Canadian PeoPle,
ladies to whose profligacy they gave such easy absolution, a preponderat-
ing number of shares in the company which managed Port Royal, and of
which Poutrincourt was but a single member. And, as if that" was not
enough, they contriyed to involve the foolish noble who had set himself
against their powerful Order in a mesh of lawsuits, and even to throw him
into prison, He was released, however, and returned to Port Royal.
Young Biencourt could do nothing, He came back with the Jesuit
Biard on board his ship. Their arrival was the signal for discord of all
kinds, the death-knell of the prosperity which Poutrincourt had so fondly
hoped, by his noble self-sacrifice, (0 retain, The son of Pontgravé had
outraged or seduced an Indian girl, and Poutrincourt was resolved to
punish an act so likely to cause ill-feeling hetween the Indians and the
French. But the Jesuits sought out the youth, heard his confession, and gave
their usual easy absolution, They insisted on protecting him, Poutrin-
court, indignant at their interference, sailed for France,
:\Ieanwhile, the colonists at Port Royal fell into a state of indigence
and misery, aggravated by constant quarrels between young Biencourt,
whom his fat.her had left in command, and the Jesuits Biard and Masse.
The latter tried to live as a missionary in an Indian town, He failed; the
filthy food, the filth, indescribable, of every kind; the incessant jabber of
scolding women, the fleas, the smoke, were too much for the good man,
He returned to Port Royal almost in a dying condition,
The old chief,
lembertou, had now come to the end of his long career.
The Jesuits tended him most kindly, Father Biard placed him in his own
bed, He made a most edifying end; the only sign of relapse being a wish
to be buried with his heathen forefathers, which however he allowed the
Jesuits to overrule,
In the hour of utmost need a vessel came from France with supplies.
It was sent by the fair penitents of the Jesuits, one of whose order, Father
Du Thet, was on board, This ch
fed Biencourt more and mo
. Mean-
,,,hile, in Paris, De Poutrincourt being utterly powerless, the Jesuits and
the frail court beauties-beauties of whose consciences they held the key-
resolved to take possession of Acadia, and found a spiritual empire of Indian
slaves bound body and soul to their sway, as they had already done with
such unexampled success in Paraguay, Canada was to become a second
Paraguay. A ship was freighted with all things needful for the establish-
ment of a new settlement in Acadia, which should throw Port Royal into
the shade, All kinds of necessary and comfortable things were put on
board: horses, goats, agricultural tools, barrels of wine. She set sail in an
atmosphere of religious incense and courtly perfume, Her commander was
Acadia.
21
a brave and pious noble, named Saussaye, Arrived at Port Royal, they
found their Jesuit colleagues and the Port Royal followers of Biencourt in
the most miserable condition, digging for roots and living on what fish
might be caught in the river. \\'ithout caring for the Port Royal colonists,
they took the Je
mits on board, and steered for the Penobscot, \Yrapped
in the fogs of that" dreary bay, they prayed earnestly for sunshine, and lo!
the curtain of mist was swept away suddenly, and they could see the
precipitous cliffs of :\Iount Desert, rising like a castle, defiant of the army
of breakers that stormed so fiercely at its fore. \\ïth a fair wind they
entered Frenchman's Bay, and came to anchor in a haven east of l\Iount
Desert. They landed, and raised a cross, when, amid a throng of friendly
Indians, mass was sung, and incense mingled with the odours of the
summer woods, The mission was soon settled, with every prospect of
thriving, when an English ship from the colony at \Tirginia, carrying
thirteen guns, swooped down on the startled French. The land they had
seized was a part of the dominions of His Majesty of Britain, The thirteen
guns opened fire on the feebly armed French vessel, which made a brave
resistance, led by the Jesuit Du Thet, who died on her deck, sword in hand.
The English destroyed every vestige of a building in St. Croix and Port
Royal. Such was the ruin of Acadia; the beginning of a struggle which
v. as to end on the heights of Quebec.
.
y],l:,
,...
--.. -
..
CHAPTER Y,
c ---
S.\l\lUEL DE CHA}IPLAIX,
,
!
.
HE story of the rise and ruin of Acadia, told in the last chapter,
is indeed but an episode in the history of Canada, which we
now resume at one of its most interesting points-the explo-
ration of the St. Lawrence, the Ottawa, and the great
inland seas of our country; and the story of the foundation of
Quebec, This was all the work of one man, who may well be
called the Father of Xew France. All that had been done
before his time amounted to nothing more than a mere
recollnaissance. Samuel de Champlain was born in 1567, at Brouage, a
small town on the Bayof Biscay, He was a captain in the navy, and a soldier
of no little military skill. During the wars of the League he had done good
sen ice for King Henry the Fourth in Brittany, and his prowess had con-
tributed to the triumph of the royal cause at I vry, After the war he
travelled all through the Spanish settlements in the \Yest Indies and South
.\merica; an adventure of no slight risk, as the Spaniards, always averse
to their South .\merican possessions being visited by foreigners, ,\ ere
especially jealous of the French, Champlain's manuscript journal of his
travels is still preserved, in clear, ,\-ell-marked characters, and illustrated
by a number of coloured drawings, which, with a childlike disregard of
proportion and perspective, yet give a sufficiently distinct idea of the
objects represented.
.\s has been said, Champlain accompanied De 1\Ionts on his Acadian
enterprise. \Yhen that had utterly failed, the latter was easily induced by
Champlain toehplore the St. Lawrence, and, hy,founding a French colony in
Canada, deliver the heathen of that land from eternal punishment, so that
they might become loyal subjects to His
Iajesty of France and His
Holiness of Rome, De :\Ionts eagerly adopted a project so full of piety
and patriotism. He fitted out two ships, one in charge of Pontgravé, the
other in charge of Champlain. Pontgravé, with a cargo of wares for harter
among the Indians, sailed for Canada on the .sth of .\pril, 1608; Champlain
,.., ,
i
i
, F
.
',
.)J(,\
"'
t
)j;
..
"'V-
Samuel de ChamPlain,
23
left on the 13th, As he rounded the cliff which to the south-east of
the St. Lawrence projects like a buttress into the' turbulent waters, he
found Pontgravé's ship at anchor, and beside her a Basque vessel which,
on some difficulty arising between the two captains, had fired upon
Pontgravé, wounded him, and killed one of his crew, \Yith some difficulty,
Champlain compromised the question at issue, and the Basques departed
in peace to the neighbouring whale-fishery, Amid the desolation of sombre
woods and hills, sombre even at this day, where after three centuries of
civilization, the Saguenay rolls its sullen waters, ink-black, in the shado-w
of the green rocks that guard its channel, Champlain encountered an Indian
tribe, his alliance with whom was destined to exercise no slight influence
upon his future, They belonged to the great race of the Algonquins, who
'were the hereditary foes of the Iroquois. The lodges of their village,
wretched huts of birch-bark, feebly supported on 'poles, were far inferior
in comfort and appearance to the fortified towns visited by Cartier at
Stadacona and Hochelaga. These Indians called themselves Montagnais,
They traversed the gloom of the surrounding ;"ilderness, armed with their
. flint-pointed arrows and spears, in patient quest of the only wealth
the land yielded-the fur of the fox, lynx, otter: the skins of the hear,
wolf, wild-cat, and the various species of deer. These men circled round
the French ships in their frail but exquisitely graceful canoes; and several of
thcir chiefs were taken on board and feasted to the utmost conlentment of
thcir gluttonous appetites. They promised to furnish guides, Pontgravé
had now left for France, his vessel full-freighted with costly furs obtained
hy barter from the Indians, Champlain held his course, for the second
time, up the St. Lawrence, through scenes which in some respects civili-
Lation has done nothing to change; where, now as then, the dark green wall
of forest fringes the utmost marge of the precipice, and the towers and
buttresses that guard the river are reflected in the sunless depths below,
He passed where now a long-settlcd farm country, varied at every few
miles by a bright, picturesque-looking village, meets the eye Of the tourist;
where then the wilderness held unbroken sway. Soon he beheld once more
the huge promontory of Quebec, towering like a fortress built by some god
or giant to bar the rash cxplorcrs' onward way, _\t this point the lake-like
expanse of the St. Lawrence suddenly narrows to a strait, whence the Indians
named the place" Kebec," or .. Strait." Champlain anchored his ship at
the old mooring-place where the River St. Charles enters the St. Lawrencc,
The stone hatchcts of the aborigines were scarce capable of feHing
a single tree without the lahour of several days; very different was the
effect of the stcel axes \\ ith which ci"ili7ation had armcll the white man.
24
Canllda ll1ld the Canadian PL'oNe.
'Yielded by the strons arms of these resolute and hopeful "men, inspirited
hy the presence and example of one who himself was a practised woodman,
the gleaming a),.e-blades were smiting hard and fast all through the summer
day; and eyer as they smote, the huge pines, that were the advanced guard
of the wilderness, fell before them. Soon several acres were cleared. On
the site of the market-place of the Lower Town of Quebec was erected a
rude but sufficiently strong fortress, consisting of a thick wall of logs,
defended on the outside by a'double line of palisades, and haying at its
summit a gallery with loop-holes for arquebuses, On platforms raised to
a level with the summit of the wall were three small cannon, commanding
the approaches from the river. There were barracks for the men, and a
strongly-built magazine. The outer wall was surrounded by a moat.
Grain, maize, and turnip seed ,\ ere sown on þart of the land which had
heen cleared; and Champlain, practical man as he was in all things, culti-
vated part of the land close to the fort as a garden.
Early in September Pontgravé sailed for France to report progress and
bring back supplies, Champlain was left in charge of the newly-erected
fort, to which its founder had given the name of Quebec, The mother city
of Canadian ciyilization, the centre and shield of resistance to bloody Indian
warfare, through a long and chequered history of nearly three centuries,
Quebec has held the place of honour in the annals of each of the great races
that now c
mpose the Canadian People.
The hero who was its founder had, like all heroes from Hercules down-
wards, not only labour and pain to contend with; not only the hydra to
smite down; he had to crush the serpents that attacked his ,york in its
cradle, One Duval, a locksmith, had formed a plot to seize Champlain
when sleeping, and, having murdered him, to deliver up the ship to their
late enemIes the Basques, and to the commander of a Spanish ship then at
Tadoussac.
\ided by three other ringleaders, Duval had gained o"er nearly
the whole of Champlain's garrison of t,,-enty-eight. Prompt measures were
taken. ,\ shallop had lately arrived from Tadoussac, and was anchored
close to the fort. Among the crew was one on whose loyalty Champlain
kne'w he could depend. Champlain sent for him. and giving him two bottles
of \\-ine, directed him to inyite Duyal and his three accomplices to drink
with him on board the shallop, and while drinking, to overpower them. This
was done that evening. At ten, most of the men in the fort were in bed,
Champlain gave orders that the trumpet should be sounded, and the men
summoned to quarters; they were told that the plot had been discovered.
that its author would be hanged at da\\<n, and the three who had aided him
in plotting mutiny be sent in irons to France to expiate their crime as galley
Samuel de Cltalllþlaill.
25
slaves for life; the rest he would pardon, as he believed they had been mis-
led. Trembling, they returned to their beds; and the next day's dawn saw
the carcase of their ringleader dangling from a gallows, food for the wild-
cat, and warning against mutiny. It was an act of prompt decision that
Temmds one of Cromwell. Thenceforth Champlain had no difficulty in
securing discipline.
And now the gold and scarlet livery with which autumn arrays the
Canadian forests was being rudely stripped away by November's blasts. A
cold winter followed, The first garrison of Quebec amused themselves with
trapping and fishing; Champlain on one occasion hung a dead dog from a
tl-ee in order to watch the hungry martens striving vainly to reach it.
A band of the wandering Algonquins, the feeblest and most improvi-
dent of Indians, set up their wretched wigwams close to the fort, round
which they prowled and begged, Although they took no precaution what-
ever against their dreaded Iroquis enemies, every now and then they were
seized by a panic, and man, woman, and child, would run half-naked to the
gate of the fort, imploring its shelter. On such.occasions Champlain would
admit the women and children to the courtyard within, These Montagnais
were, even for Indians, unusually degraded, They would eat any carrion.
Once Champlain saw a band of these wretches, hunger-driven from the
region beyond the river, seek help from their kindred. Gaunt and spectral
shapes, they were crossing the river in their canoes, It was now the
heginning of spring; the St. Lawrence was full of driftin
masses of ice
which had floated from the far wildernesses of the west, The canoes got
jammed between these miniature icebergs, and were at once shivered like
eggshells, The famine-striken Indians sprang on one of the largest of the
ice-drifts. Certain of death, they raised a terrible yell of fear and lamenta-
tion, A sudden jam in the ièe-pack saved their lives, Champlain humanely
directed that they should be supplied with food; before this could he
brought, they found the carcase of a dead dog; on this they seized, and,
ravenous as wolf or wild-cat, tore and devoured the putrid flesh.
\ Yhatever may have been the cause, towards the close of winter scurvy
appeared among them; and \\"hen.the spring sunshine came to their relief
only eight out of a band of nearly thirty were living. In Maya sail-boat
arrived from Tadoussac, bringing a son-in-law of pontgravé with n"ews that
his father-in-law had arrived there, There Champlain met his colleague,
and it was arranged that while Pontgra vé took charge of Quebec, Cham-
plain should. carry out the plan of a complete eÀploration of Canada.
The year before, a young war-chief from the distant tribes of the
Gttd wa had visited the fort; had seen with .una.l.ed admiration the \\ arriors
26
Canada and the Ca1ladian PeoPle.
clad in glittering steel; had heard the roar of arquebuses and cannon.
Eagerly and earnestly he sought an alliance with the great war-chief. He
told how his tribe, one of the superior branches of the Algonquin race, were
in alliance with their kinsmen the Hurons against their common enemy
the Iroquois. On being questioned by Champlain, he told how a mighty
riyer as vast as the St. Lawrence flowed from unknown regions where the
Thunder-bird dwelt, and the l\Ianitous of mighty cataracts abode. This
aroused Champlain's most eager interest. To e}",plore that river would he
to obtain a knowledge of the whole country, otherwise beyond his reach;
perhaps it might even prove to be the long-coveted highway to China and
the East. \\Ïthout the help of the Indians it was clearly impossihle for
Champlain to pursue his explorations. It was agreed that, next spring, the
Ottawa chief with a party of his warriors should visit the fort, But, as
after waiting late in the spring, Champlain found that the Ottawa warriors
did not appear at the fort, he set forth with eleven of his men and a party
of
Iontagnais as guides. On his route up the river, he saw, through an
opening in the forest, the wigwams of an unusually large Indian encamp-
ment. Grounding his shallop on the heach, he made his way to the camp,
and found a gathering of Hurons and Algonquins. Their chief received
him with all the profuse and demonstrative welcome of savage life; his
companions and Indian followers were summoned to the chiefs lodge,
The dwellers on the far-off shores of Huron had never seen a white man,
They gazed in wondering awe on the brilliant arm our and strange weapons
of Champlain and his followers. A feast and the usual prolonged speech-
making followed, as
matter of course. Champlain invited all the chiefs
to Quebec, Arrived there, they were feasted in return. .\t night they
lighted huge fires, and painted and decked themselves for the war-ùance,
.\11 through the night half-naked warriors, hideous with paint anù
feathered head-dress, danced anù leaped, hrandishing stone clubs and flint-
pointed spears, as the fierce light of the fire fell on the fiend-like faces and
frenzied gestures of hate. All through the night the sinister sound of the
war-drum accompanied the yells of the dancers, till the wolves were scared
at Point Levis, and wild-cat and lynx retreated deeper into the forest.
Xe}",t day, Champlain, with eleven of his followers, set forth in a shallop,
.\ccompanied by the canoes, they passed through Lake St. Peter, amid the
tortuous windings which separate its numberless islets. Champlain looked
with a delight inconceivable to his savage allies on that peculiar feature of
Canadian scenery, the cluster of small islands which varies the monotonous
expanse of the Canadian lake or lakelet; each of them low-lying in the
water as a coral-reef; in its centre a miniature grove of birch and cedar in
Samuel de Clzamplain.
27
which the birds are singing; all round it, to where the emerald garment of
the islands meets the water, a dense growth of shrubs and flowers fresh with
the life of J nne, The force of the current being against them, Champlain's
sail-boat made way far in adyance of the canoes: as he cautiously steered
his course, his eye was caught by the gleam, close at hand, of foam, and
the roar of hurrying waters, They were dangerously near the rapids. By
this time the Indian canoes had joined the shallop, Champlain, with two
of'his men, determined to accompany the Hurons in their canoes, it being
evidently impracticable to prosecute the voyage in a boat which could not
be carried past the rapids of the river, now called the RichelÏeu. The rest of
his men were sent back to Quebec.
Presently they reached the beautiful lake which bears the name of the
hero of that day's adventure. They arrived at the country of their dreaded
foes the Iroquois, They then took greater precaution in their advance. A
small party of Indians explored the way. In the rear of the main hody
another small party guarded against surprise. On either flank a band of
Indians scoured the woods to watch for indications of an enemy's approach,
and to hunt what game might be met with for the common benefit,
One night, about ten o'clock, they saw dark objects moving on the
lake. The keen perception of the Indians at once decided that these were
the war-canoes of the Iroquois. They landed and intrenched themseh-es.
The Hurons did the same, It was agreed on both sides that the battle was
not to take place till the morning. But both hy Huron and Iroquois the
war-dance was kept up all night, accompanied by the hideous thumping of
the war-drum, and by the cries and yells imitated from the wild beasts of
the wilderness, but far surpassing- in horror of discordant shrillness the
shriek of the horned-owl, the howling of the wolf, the wailing of the starved
wild-cat in the winter woods. \Yith morning's dawn, the Hurons were
drawn up in irregular skirmishing order. Champlain and his two com-
panions waited in reserve. Presently the Iroquois defiled through the
forest. Their steady advance and manly bearing excited the admiration of
Champlain, ,,\t their head were several chiefs, conspicious by their waying
plumes of eagle-feathers. \Vhen the two hostile lines confronted one
another, Champlain stepped out in front of the Hurons, levelled his arque-
huse, and fired, The two leading chiefs of the Iroquois fell dead. \\ïth a
yell that resounded through the wilderness, the Hurons showered their
arrows upon their adversaries, The Iroquois still stood firm, and
replied with arrows from two hundred bo\\ s. But when Champlain's twu
companions, each with his arquebuse, poured a yolley of fire into their ranks,
the Iroquois, utterly tErrified, turned and fled. Like a tempest, the
.
28
Canada alld tile Canadian PeoPle.
Hurons tore after them into the woods. l\Iost of the Iroquois were killed
Lmd scalped, or rather scalped and killed, on the spot; but several were
reserved for torture. That night, by the blazing watchfire, Champlam saw
d. captive tied to a tree; around him, with torches and knives in their hands,
yelled and leaped his captors. They gashed his flesh; they applied the
burning pine-torch to the wound, Champlain begged to be allowed to
put a bullet through the poor wretch's heart. They refused. Cl1am-
plain turned away in horror and disgust, as he saw them tear the scålp
from the yet living head. Several of the captives were given to Cham-
plain's
\lgonquins to be tortured, These they reserved till they reached
their own camp, near Quebec, in order that the women might share in the
torturing process, in the ingenious application of which they justly con-
sidered that the weak
r sex excelled their own,
On their arrival at the Algonquin camp, the girls and women rushed
out to meet them, yelling and screaming with delight at the thought of
chewing the fingers and cutting out the heart of one of their dreaded
enemies, \Yhen the prisoners were scalped and slain, each of the women
wore one of the ghastly heads strung round her neck as an ornament. To
Champlain, as the reward of his prowess, one head and two arms were
g-iven, which he was enjoined to present to their great \Yhite Father, the
French King. Soon after this Champlain revisited France to report the
progress of Quebec, to procure further supplies, and to promote the emi-
gration of artisans and other desirable colonists,
Champlain's conduct in thus engaging in Indian warfare has heen
almost universally condemned by historical critics. \Ye have been told,
what no one who kno
vs anything o'f the subject can question, that Indian
warfare is beyond that of any other race savage, bloody, cruel, cowardly
and treacherous; and that for a superior and civilized people to engage in
it was to lower themselves to the level of the wolves of the wilderness, by
whose side they fought. It has been shown, and with sufficient truth, that
the blood of the Iroquois, slain by the arquebuse of Champlain. was the
beginning of a ceaseless guerilla warfare between that race and the French
colonists, the results of which were the massacres of Lachine, Carillon and
'Iontreal; the desolation of many a farm by the Indian tomahawk anù
turch. But it may be said in reply that Champlain could hardly have
done otherwise, He could not, without the alliance of friendly Indians,
have carried out his projects of exploration. It would have been next to
impossible for him, even if unmolested, to penetrate that labyrinth of
wilderness and river without a guide. Even could he have done so, his
scalp would certainly have been forfeited, On no other terms could he
If
Samuel de Chamþlain,
29
ha ve secured the Algonquins, as trustworthy allies, than by his willingness
to give them an aid that seemed all-powerful against their hereditary
enemies the Iroquois, As to war on the part of the French with the
Iroquois, that was an inevitable result of the French occupation of Canada.
It was the policy of that powerful confederation, the Iroquois League, to
subjugate or exterminate every other race in Canada, Collision betv.;een
them and the French settlements was only a question of time, and it could
not have been initiated in a manner more favourable to French interests
than by securing, as Champlain did, an alliance with the two great Indian
tribes of Canada, which in power and prowess ranked next to the Iroquois,
In the duel of two centuries between the Iroquois and New France, the
Indian allies were of the greatest possible use to the countrymen of Cham-
plain; they not only acted as guides, scouts and spies, but in actual fight-
ing they rendered invaluable assistance, It may well be doubted whether,
had not Champlain's policy been carried out, the thin line of French settle-
ment might not have been, swept away before the storm of Iroquois
, ,
InvaSIOn,
Champlain has been blamed for choosing as his allies the weaker tribe
of Algonquins, instead of their more warlike rivals. Again, we say, he
could hardly have done otherwise, The Iroquois territory lay on the other
side of the great lakes, The Algonquins held all the region for miles
around Quebec, on the banks of the St. Lawrence and its Gulf; their kins-
men, the Ottawas, had the lordship of the river which bears their name;
their allies, the Hurons, held the key to the entire lake country, The
Iroquois, like the Romans to whom they have been compared, could never
have been faithful allies. Their organization as a confederacy would
never have allowed them to rest content with the second place, the inferior
rank, which savagery must always take when allied with civilization.
But the ...\lgonquins had no such unity. They were, therefore, all the more
willing to cling to the centre of organization which New France presented.
Champlain also foresaw another means of centralizing the influence of
)Jew France over her Indian allies. The Catholic Church would send
forth her unpaid ambassadors, her sCÀless and ascetic missionaries, her
black-robed army of martyrs; the converted Algonquins would be swayed
by a power mightier and more authoritative than any earthly confederac),
And events have proved that the policy by which New France won her
hold on Canada was the wisest, and therefore the hest. It began with
the first shot fired in battle by the arquebuse of Champlain.
Returning to France, Champlain visited King Henry the l:ourth a
short time before his assassination. He told him of his adventures in
3 0
Canada llnd the Canadian People,
Canada, and of the growing prosperity of Quebec. The adyenture-Ioving
king was much interested and amused, Soon after this, Champlain and
Pontgravé sailed for Canada. Pontgravé took charge of Quebec, while
Champlain went to meet his Huron allies at the mouth of the Richelieu.
They had promised, if he would once more help them in warfare against
the Iroquois foe, they would guide him through the region of the great
lakes, would show him the mines where the huge masses of copper sparkled,
unmingled with ore, Although aware of the little value of a promise from
this fickle and unreliable race, Champlain thought it best to try his chance;
accordingly, with a small party of Frenchmen, he left for the rendezvous,
a small island at the mouth ofthe Richelieu River. On his arrival, he found
the place a Pandemonium of dancing and yelling warriors; trees were being
hewed down in preparation for a great feast to be given to their Algonquin
allies, whose arrival they were now waiting. On a sudden, news came that
the Algonquins were in the forest several miles away, fighting
large force
of the Iroquois, Every Indian present seized club, spear, tomahawk, or
whatever other weapon he could possess himself of, and paddled to the
shore, Champlain and his Frenchmen followed, and had to make their
way as best they could over three miles of marsh, impeded by fallen trees;
water, in which they sank knee-deep; entanglement of brushwood, through
which it was hard to struggle. At last they came to a clearing, and saw
some hundred Iroquois 'warriors at bay, within a breastwork of felled trees:
a multitude of their Algonquin enemies brandishing spear and tomahawk
around the easily scaled entrenchmènt. This they had attacked already,
and been hurled back from the rampart of trees with bloody repulse.
They did not dare to renew the effort to storm the Iroquois fortification,
hut contented themselves with shouting curses, insults, threats of the tor-
tures which their foes, when captured, should suffer. At length Cham-
plain and his followers came up, tired with his three miles effort to get
through the cedar-swamp, encumhered with his heavy arms and weapons,
But at once he came to the front, and assumed command. He ordered a
large body of the Algonquins to be stationed in the forest, so as to intercept
fUßitives, He and his companions marched up to the breast-work, and
resting their short-barrelled arquebuses on the logs of the breast-work, fired
with deadly aim. The Iroquois, in terror, threw themselves on the ground,
Then, and then only, did the Algonquins muster courage to scale the breast-
work, :\Iost of the Iroquois were scalped and slain. Some fifteen were
reserved for the usual slow death by fire. Champlain succeeded in saving
one prisoner after the battle, No human po\\er could haye saved the
others. .\11 through that night the fires of death and torture burned.
Samuel de Chamþlain,
3 1
On his return to Quebec, Champlain heard, with dismay, of the assassi-
nation of his friend and patron, Henry the Fourth. He also learned the
revocation of the fur trade monopoly, which had been the life of the enter-
prise of De
lonts and Pontgravé,
Once more Champlain left his cherished home in the little fort under
the shadow of Cape Diamond, his gardens and vineyard already yielding
maize, wheat, barley, and.every kind of vegetables, with grapes enough to
make a tolerably good claret. He left a :\1. De Parc as his lieutenant at
Quebec, with a few men, and in due COllrse arrived at Honftellr, 1\0
success attended his efforts to secure a renewal of the monopoly, In fact,
the corrupt and imbecile French Court pad not the power to do this, even
if it had the will. For the fur trade of the St. Lawrence was now open to
all nations, It was impossible to exclude the Basque, Dutch, English, and
Spanish traders, whose vessels now began to swarm up the St. Lawrence
Gulf, But, failing to secure the mastery of the fur trade at its European
source, Champlain conceived the idea of arranging a practical monopoly of
the Indian traffic with the Indians themselves, He returned to Quebec in
l\Iay, 16II, A fleet of greedy trading boats followed his course, He
resolved to elude them, and establish a new trading post at the confluence
of the great rivers by which the Indian canoes brought down their yearly
harvest of skins and furs, He built a small wooden dépôt on the spot
where, in the Montreal of to-day, is the Hospital of the Grey Nuns. He
named it Place Royale, Soon' after this he again visited France, l\Ieet-
ing De :\lonts at a place called Pans, of which De Monts was governor, all
charge of the Quebec colony was formally surrendered into the hands of
Champlain. But Champlain was more anxious for the success of the
colony, for the conversion of the heathen, and for th
discovery, if it might
be, of a route through Canada to India and China, than for mere fur trade
gains, Dismissing all selfish thoughts, he succeeded in forming a com-
pany of merohants, into whose hands the gains of the commercia} traffic
would mainly fall, Champlain contenting himself with their undertaking to
aiù and increase the colony. At St. Malo and Rouen his proposal was
eagerly accepted, and a company was formed, backed by considerable capi-
tal; but this was not all that was necessary, In that seventeenth centuf},
wherein were gathering themselves the forces which produced the great
Revolution of a later period, no work of public beneficence could be
undertaken without the patronage of one of the royal house, Such pa-
tronage was sought and found by Champlain's company in two princes of
the Bourbon blood, with whose names Canadian history need not concern
itself. The two Uourbon princes were the sinecurists of a sensual and
3 2
Callada alld the Canadian Fcoplc.
indolent Court. men equally greedy, equally worthless; neither of them,
though ÏI1Yested with all sorts of high-sounding titles connected with the
colony they were supposed to rule, took the slightest interest in Canada,
Large sums of money had to be paid to these illustrious noblemen by
Champlain and his company of merchants. The Bourbon princes took,
every bribe they could get, and in return did one good thing for this countr) -
they kept away from it.
.
.
CHAPTER YI.
CH_-\::\IPL.\I
AKD THE OTTA \YA.
)
r
'.
X 1609 two young men among Champlain's French followers had
. -;
.. volunteered to ascend the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers with
the Indians on their homeward journey, to perfect themselves in
:.;
: ; their language, and to learn what could be learnt of the mysteri-
.:' 'y' ous country heyond. In 1612 one of these young men, named
,,"" Nicholas Vignan, appeared in Paris, and related a history of
his adyentures, 'which, marvellous as it was, seemed so consistent
that Champlain believed it to be true. Vignan's story was so framed as
to meet the beliefs and flatter the hopes of those who held the theory that
a passage could yet be discovered through North America to the Polar
Seas, He stated that he had ascended the Upper Ottawa to its source,
which was from a lake of considerable size, He had crossed this lake,
and in the country beyond it had found a ri,'er, following whose course he
had reached the sea, He said that this sea was the Pacific Ocean, and was
distant from Quebec only seventeen days' journey, This lie-and Cham-
plam afterwards said that Vignan was the most impudent liar he had eyer
known:-had the good effect of interesting the selfish nobles of the court
in Champlain's enterprise. They saw visions of a direct passage to India
and China, which would give France, or rather the privileged class who
regarded France as their footstool, a monopoly of trade with the Orient:
gold and silk, ivory and spices, pearls and amber, all the most coveted
treasures of the most gdinful trade in the 'world, would be poured at the
feet of great lords and ladies, to replenish whose purses the plunder of France
alone was insufficient. They urged Champlain by all means to prosecute his
discoveries, In April, 1613, Champlain once more sailed for the St. Law-
rence. In :\Iay he left St. Helen's Island, near ::\Iontreal, with four French-
men, Nicholas Yignan being of the number, and began to ascend the Lower
Ottawa. Swiftly they passed up the gentle current of the mighty stream,
with no sign of life but the cry of the fish-eagle as it swooped upon the
3
3+
.
Dl1lada allli the Ca1ladia1l PeoPle.
.
water for its prey, or the song of the wild birds from the bank's unbroken
wall of ,-erdure, .\t length their course" as stopped by the rapids of Car-
illon and Long Sault. past which they were obliged to carry their canoes,
This they had to do for the most part oyer the bed of the riyer; the forest.
with its entanglement of underwood and interlacing ,-ines, presenting a
barrier that was absolutely impenetrable. They had to drag their canoes
oyer rocks, like reluctant horses; they had to push them against currents
which threatened e,-ery moment to sweep men and canoe to certain death,
Champlain had once a narrow escape from death; he fell where the whole
force of the current was sweeping him irresistibly down the rapids; he
sayed himself by clutching a rock. but his wrist was severely injured by the
cord of his canoe, _\t length they reached the cataract whose sih-er columns
of spray e,'en now ascend high abO\-e the smoke of a great city; whose
grandeur remains at this day unyulgarized by its vulgar surroundings;
which. though bound and shackled to turn-mills and dri,-e-machinery,
is still the Chaudière, Here, his Indian guides threw in offerings of
tobacco, in order to appease the
Ianitou. or guardian spirit of the cataract.
Haying drag
ed their canoes oyer what is now the most densely peopled
part of the city of Ottawa, and having passed abo\'e the Chaudière. they
launched them on the placid bosom of a broad, lake-like stream. On they
glided, those two egg-shell ships, freighted with the future of Canada, past
where now on either side ,'illages and churches, school-houses and farm
homesteads diversify the richly-culti,'ated farm-land. interspersed" ith here
and there a grO\'e of oak or maple. the sun-iyal of what was then prime,-al
forest,
ine miles from the Chaudière they heard again the rush of falling-
water, and saw the white spray-column, like smoke from a bush fire. ascend-
ing from the largest of the sixteen cataracts of the Chats, Here a wall of
ranite, broken by interspaces of cataract, crosses the ri,-er, which thun-
ders with the whole force of its volume of water through every cre,'ice and
opening. Past this, once more they dragged their canoes by land. _\gain
they embarked on the Lake of the Chats, and proceeded without further
hindrance till they reached the rapids which extend from the Ðeyirs Elbow
.),t Portage du Fort. Thence they enjoyed a calm passage till they reached
.\llumette, where an Indian chief named Tessouat received them with much
kindness, He ga,'e a solemn feast in Champlain's honour, runners being
sent in all directions to summon the neighbouring chiefs to the feast, Early
on the ne
t day, the women and girls. who were Tessouat's slaves, swept the
floor of his hut to prepare for the festival. At noon the naked warriors
c\ppeared from every direction. each furnished with his own "ooden spoon
,I.lld platter, The large hut which did duty as Tessouafs palace was as full
,
.
C/lamtlaÌ11 and tile' Otta;,..'lI,
35
as it could hold of \\arriors, row within row, squatting on the ground like
apes, and e
pectant of the feast, First came a compound, not unsa,'our).
so Champlain \\ rites, of pounded maize boiled" ith scraps of meat and fish;
nex.t venison, and fish broiled on the burnt-out logs, \ Yater was the only
drink, and when the feast was o,-er the pipes" ere lighted, and the council
began. The pipe having first been passed to Champlain, the council
smoked for half an hour in silence; Champlain then made a speech in which
he desired them to send four canoes and eight men to guide him to' the
l.:ountr) of the X ipissings, a tribe to the north of the lake of the same name,
To this the Indians demurred, as they were not on friendh- terms" ith the
Xipissings. Tessouat ga,'e e
pression to their feelings: .. \Ye always knew
,'ou for our best friend amongst the Frenchmen. \Ye lo,-e you like our 0" n
children. But why did you break your word with us last yeat when "e all
went do\\ n to )'Iontreal to gi,-e you presents and go with) ou to war ? You
were not there, but other Frenchmen were there who cheated us, \Ye will
never 1!:0 again. As to the four canoes, you shall ha,-e them if you insist
upon it, But it grie, es us to think of the hardships you will endure. The
Xipissings ha,-e weak h
arts. They are good for nothing in war, but the)
kill us \\ ith sorcery, and they poison us, They will kill you." _-\t length,
howe, er, on Champlain assuring them he was proof against sorcery, he e
-
torted a promise to give him the canoes; but he had no sooner left the reek-
ing and smoking hut than they re-considered their promise and ga,-e him
a direct refusal. Champlain returned to the council and e
postulated
"ith them. .. This young man," said Champlain, pointing to \ïgnan,
.. says he has been in their country, and that they are not so bad <;is
you describe them." The chief looked sternly on the young Frenchman:
.. Xicholas! ,. he cried. .. Did '"OU sa,- ,'ou had been in the country of the
... ..... ...
Xipissings
.. .. Yes. I have been there;' said the impostor. All the
Indians gra, ely fi
ed their eyes upon him, .-\t length Tessouat spoke: .. You
are a liar; you spent the whole winter sleeping in the house with m)
children, If 'ou have been to the land of the Xipissings. it must have been
in your sleep, You are trying to deceive your chief, and induce him to
risk his life, He ought to put) ou to death, with tortures worse than those
with which we kill our enemies." Champlain led the young man from the
council house; after much equivocation Yignan finally confessed that the
whole story was an in, ention of his own, fabricated, it is hård to sa) from
what moti,-e; perhaps from the morbid 100-e of notoriety, which is some-
times found among- travellers of a later day.
The Indians rejoiced o,-er Champlain's discomfiture. .. \ Yhy." they said.
,. did you not listen to chiefs and warriors instead of helie, ing that liar? "
3 6
Canada and the Canadian People.
They earnestly ad,-ised Champlain to permit them to put Vignan to death
by torture, His generous chief preferred to forgive him freely.
Champlain returned to l\Iontreal, or, as he called it, the Saulf, where he
met his lieutenant, Du Parc, who, having been most successful in hunting,
was able to give a plentiful repast to his half-famished chief. Having seen
that all went well at Quebec, Champlain sailed for France, promising to
return the next year,
The French merchants who had taken interest in the Canadian enter-
prise gave it but a half-hearted support. They never looked beyond the
beaver skins and furs; with Champlain's higher projects of colonizing and
Christianizing Canada they had but scant sympathy. And yet, reflection
might have taught them that to win the Indians from their heathenism into
the fold of the Catholic Church was to extend the political influence of
France, and with that influence, to extend its trade, They did not see
that men like Samuel de Champlain, the knight-errant of exploration, men
like the Recollet and ] esuit missionaries, in all their efforts, in every
conquest made by sword or breviary, were advancing the best interests of
French commerce by giving to its operations a continually widening area,
But, though Champlain reali
ed this, his motive was a higher one. He
belonged to a class of explorers peculiar to the great days of discovery in
the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries; men of a temperament
grave, valiant, adventurous, whose faculty for threading the mazes of
unknown seas and impenetrable forests amounted to an instinct; men who
did nothing for the praise of men, but all for the glory of God, Such were
Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Sir Humphrey Gilbert; such, at a
later day, was David Livingstone. To this noble and heroic type, in a
special degree, belonged Samuel de Champlain. \Yith him the saving of
souls by the conversion of the heathen, was an actual, living, motive force
in all that he did, as shown by a saying of his, characteristic of the man
and his age in its exaggerated piety: "The savin
of one soul is worth an
empire," But he found few, even among the clergy, to sympathize with
him, The French Church of those days was, as Carlyle says of it at a later
and still baser day, "a stalled ox, thinking chiefly of provender." But
Champlain found help in time of need from a friend, one Houël, of Brouage,
who introduced him to the brethren of a convent near that town, and
belonging to an order whose name will be ever memorable in Canadian
history-the Recollet,
Early in the thirteenth century appeared that extraordinary man, St.
Francis of Assissi, in whom met all that was most fanatical, most ascetic
,
most lovable in the faith of the Dark Ages. Called by dreams and
..
.
Champlain and the Ottawa,
37
visions in early youth, he chose poverty for his bride, robbed his wealthy
father in order to build a church, stripped himself naked in presence of the
Bishop of Assissi, begging of him in charity a peasant's dress. He kissed
and consorted with lepers, he travelled to Africa and Syria, and went to
preach conversion to the ferocious Caliph, at the heäd of his army.
Strange to say, the Caliph sent him back with marks of honour, probably
from the reverence eastern natives entertain for those madmen whom they
consider inspired. \Yherever he went through Europe, his fervent and
passionate oratory attracted the multitude and made converts. His Order
waxed strong in every European land. It furnished to the Church's Cal-
endar no fewer than forty-six saints, who suffered martyrdom for the faith;
hesides fOUF popes, and forty-five cardinals. But in process of time
discipline was relaxed} and abuses crept in. A reformation took place in
one branch of the Great Franciscan Order, and the "RecoUati," or Recollet
Fathers were known as the Franciscans of the Strict Observance. Such
were the men to whom Champlain now applied for help. Several of the
Order, ., inflamed with pious zeal," undertook the Canadian
Iission,
which no other priest would touch,
- ""r>
.:
\ ..::-;::: '\l .w e e
... (
..7
' .
)
.,
, ..,
CHAPTER YII.
THE RECOLLET :\IISSIO
OF CAX ADA,
è,...
, '
HE Recollet Order was a mendicant one, and as it strictly
observed the vow of poverty in the spiri
of St. Francis him-
self, it had no funds to contribute to the new mission. However,
. '\ the exertions of Champlain's friend Houël, who held the post
of Com ptroller-General of the salt mines of Brouage, and of some
others interested in the mission, procured enough money to
enable the Fathers dedicated to it to proceed to the scene of
their pious work. Those of the Recollets who had a vocation for the mis-
sion to Canada were four, Denis Jamet, Jean Dolbeau, Joseph Le Caron, and
Pacifique du Plessis. All confessed their sins, received plenary absolution,
and set sail with Champlain from Harfleur. They reached Quebec in the
last week of l\Iay, 1615, According to the custom of their Order in tinder-
taking a mission in a strange place, their first proceeding was to choose a
site for their convent, They selected a position close to the wooden rampart
surrounding the fort and barracks erected by Champlain. They next set
up an altar, decorated it with a crucifix and the mystic seven candlesticks,
and intoned a mass beneath the blue vault of heaven, a fitting temple for
the first mass eyer celebrated in Canada. Dolbeau was the celebrant. The
entire colony of New France knelt on the bare earth before him, the naked
savages from forest and river looked on in amazed perplexity, and as the
host was held on high by the officiating priest, cannon after cannon sent
forth its salute from ship and ramparts, After this the friars took counsel
together in order to allot to each his sphere of labour in this vast harvest
field of souls,
To Father Dolbeau the l\Iontagnais were assigned as his peculiar care;
to Le Caron, the distant tribes west and north-west of Lake Huron;
Fathers] amet and Du Plessis were for thé present to remain in the convent
at Quebec, Dolbeau, fired with missionary enterprise, accompanied one
of the roving lodges of the Montagnais hunters to their winter hunting
.....
.
\ V\' \
:
-. -
... .:õ..
The Recollet Jlissi01l of Canada.
39
grounds. Of these it has been said by a missionary priest who knew them
well, that whereas the Iroquois were nobles of the Indian race, and
the Algonquins the burghers, the :\Iontagnais were the peasants and
paupers. Dolbeau was not of strong constitution, and was subject to a
weakness of the. eyes, The Indian hunters treated him kindly, and shared
with him such food as they used themselves: boiled maize, fish speared
through the ice, and the flesh now and then of deer, bear, wild-cat,
porcupine, and a multitude of other such animals with which the forest
swarmed, But Dolbeau was expected, when the camp moved, to carry his
share of the poles and birch bark of which their frail hut consisted;
task
too heavy for his strength, Day and night the icy wind swept through
every crevice in the scanty walls. Day and night the pungent smoke
from the wood-fire tortured the eye-sore missionary. The dogs, the intoler-
able stench, the filthy cooking, the innumerable fleas, the scolding, the inces-
sant chatter of women and children, made the good father's life a burden too
heavy to be borne. At last he debated in the court of conscience and
casuistry the question whether God required of him the sacrifice of losing
his eyesight, and having most sensibly decided that this was not the case,
he returned to his convent at Quebec, But in the spring of 1616, un-
daunted by his experiences, a worthy disciple of the saint who embraced
lepers, he went once more with a Montagnais hunting lodge on a tour
through the vast sea of forest that extends to the regions of perpetual ice.
He penetrated so far north as to meet wandering bands of Esquimaux,
\Yhile the Recollet convent was being rapidly brought to completion
by the willing hands of the brothers set apart for the duty, Le Caron had
gone in a canoe to the trade rendezvous at " the Sault" (:\Iontreal), where
were assembled countless canoes laden with furs, and a number of eager,
chattering, gesticulating Indians, of the Huron and Algonquin tribes, Here
Le Caron stayed for some time, picking up what he could learn of the
Huron lancruacre and observinE! their manners. He succeeded in winning
b b' u
the friendship of several of the Huron chiefs, who invited him to accompany
them in their canoes on their return voyage, and promised that they would
convey him to the chief town of their nation, Carhagouha, and there build
him a house and listen to his teachings, \Yhen Champlain anù Pontgravé
arrived, they tried to dissuade Father Le Caron from his project of spend-
ing the winter among these far-off savages. But in vain. The disciple of
St. Francis had devoted his life to perpetual poverty; he knew no ambition
hut to serve his God; what to him were privations?
On the festival of Dominion Day in our modern Canada, July 1st, 161 5,
Father Le Caron bade adieu to the scanty comforts of such civilization as
4 0
Canada and the Canadian Pcoplè,
then was in New France, and embarked on board one of the large Huron
canoes. Twelve French soldiers, deyout Catholics, attended the expedition,
Day after day the fleet of frail but exquisitely graceful craft shot over the
expanse of the un rippled stream; day after day the wondering eyes of the
missionary must have rested on scenes of nature's beauty on which, scarcely
changed since then, the tourist of the Upper Ottawa looks with such
pleasure at this day. There, on either bank of such a river as the simple
French monk had never seen before, was an everchanging Eden of maple, oak
and beech; while, over all, the giant pines lifted heads defiant of the storm.
Then, on countless islets of emerald green, summer had spread her honey feast
for humming-bird and bee, The strange beauty of the forest, fresh with the
life of summer, the colours and scents of unknown flowers, the ever-changing
panorama of riyer, lake, and island archipelago, must have awakened new
sensations of pious happiness and gratitude in the breast of the Franciscan
missionary, The yoyage proceeded, As with slow steps the voyageurs carried
their canoes hy the portage, long and difficult, that leads past the Falls of
the Calumet, the pious Catholics must haye felt scandalized to see their
heathen guides cast in their tobacco offerings to the guardian l\Ianitou, the
water-fiend, as it seemed to Le Çaron, who had his lair in the recesses of
those dark precipices crowned with sombre pines, or beneath the arches of
those masses of descending water lashed into a sea of foam. The mission-
ary tried to dissuade them from this act of devil-worship so abhorrent to his
soul. But the Indians persisted in their act of unmeanillg superstition,
saying to Le Caron that it was the custom of their fathers. On from thence
the canoes held their way without interruption, past the mouth of the river
which the town of Pembroke had not yet poisoned with the saw-dust of its
lumber mills; on, where for seyen miles the river became a lovely lake.
beneath the ink-black shadows and sheer precipice ot the Eagle rock (Cape
Oiseau) till the roar of rapids and the death-dance of breakers fatal to many
a gallant lumberman's boat warned them to the portage of De Joachim,
Thence, for twenty miles, straight as bird can fly, the Ottawa lay pent
between its deep and clark mountain shores. Thence past the Rocher
Capitain. where the imprisoned ri\Ter struggles like a huge serpent between
its rocky barriers; past the DeuÀ Riyières, where it escapes into a \\-ider
channel; at length they reach the junction of the trihutary river '!\Iat-
tawa. That scene is little changed since the seventeenth century.
There the congregated hills, covered with gloomy frondage, still harbour
the beasts of prey which have become e'\.tinct elsewhere in Upper Canada;
there still the scream of the eagle is not yet silenced by the whistle of
the newly arri,'ed locomoti\'e. .\scending the :\Iatta\\ a some forty miles the
.
.
The Rccollct JIissiOll of Canada.
4 1
voyagers launched their canoes and men' on the marge of a limpid lake,
bearing the name, as it does still, of the Xipissing Indians, All day long
they saw leafy shores, and verdure-covered islands seemed to float by them
in the depth of blue. Avoiding the villages of the
ipissings, a nation who,
as the Huron chief told the much-believing Franciscan, were a nation of
sorcerers, and whose country, fair as it seemed to the eye, was the abode of
demons and familiar spirits, they passed down the stream now called
French River, and reached the country (near Lake Huron) of the Indian
tribe afterwards known as the Clzeveux Relevés. These bestowed the most
elaborate care in plaiting' and dressing their long black hair. They next
reached the principal Indian town of Carhagonha, 'which Le Caron found
to present a seeming approach to civilization such as he had seen in
no othe rIndian community. It contained a multitude oflarge-sized houses,
each with the household fires of many families, and was defended by a
triple rampart of palisades, thirty-five feet high, supporting a gallery with a
breastwork, whence stones and missiles could be hurled against a foe. Here,
on their arri,-al, the Hurons huilt a house of suitable size for the missionary,
who at once began his labours to teach and convert them. A few days after
his arrival he beheld, with the joy of one who sees a brother from whom he
has long been parted, Champlain and his ten French soldiers. The true-
hearted priest pressed the illustrious soldier to his heart.
Then mass was celebrated-the first mass in the country of the Hurons.
The forest was Le Caron's sanctuary, the song-birds of midsummer were
assistant choristers, the odour of a thousand blossoms blended their per-
fume with the incense. Multitudes of the heathen beheld with a,,-e what
seemed to them the ::\Iedicines of the "'hite :\lan, the monotoned pra) er, the
g-orgeous vestments, the strange, s'weet chanting of the psalms, the altar with
its mystic lights, the figure which looked on them from the crucifix with
agonized face and tortured limbs, Thus did this brave Franciscan, armed
with cross and breviary, carry the Cross into the very stronghold of sa,-age
pagal1lsm, and, by offering the holy sacrifice of the mass at his mystic
..lltar, bid defiance to its lords.
But our thoughts must turn from these wielders of the spiritual weapons
to that great man whose influen
e with the Indian heathen was far greater
than that of any II Chief of the Black Robe," These benighted pagans
were much more anxious for Champlain's aid with the carnal weapon. .\gain
and again they prayed him to come once more to their aid against the
common enemy, .\fter mature deliberation. Champlain and Pontgravé
agreed that the wisest course for the good of .New France would be to throw
in théir lot" ith the Hurons and .\lgonquins. to strike a hI ow at the Iroquois
4 2
Cauada aud the Canadian PeoPle.
ascendency, and endeavour to form out of the shifting and disunited tribes
of Canada a confederacy capable of resisting the formidable league south
of Lake Ontario. Of such a confederacy it was intended that the French
colony should be the centre, that its armies should be led and officered by
Frenchmen, and that its bond of union should be allegiance to the faith
taught by French missionaries. Thus the Indian race, indifferent to dan-
gers from its numbers, and its skill in the tactics of the wilderness, would be
ruled by being divided, It was a plausible, scheme, and to the last con-
tinued to be the policy of the French colony of Canada. To a certain
extent it was successful; the Algonquins were made the faithful allies of
Xew France, the Hurons were exterminated in the course of the struggle,
The French power stood in the path of the Iroquois power to the complete
ascendency over all tribes north of the lakes, which they would, no doubt,
otherwise have obtained; but the Iroquois threw in their weight against
Xew France in the English war of conquest, as they did against American
Independence in 177 8 , and American aggression in 1812. For New France
to side with the Indian tribes of Canada against those south of the lakes
was inevitable, but she thereby incurred the hostility of the boldest, best
organized and mC!st terrible enemies that the savagery of the wilderness
could match against civilization.
A war council was held (June, 1615) at "the Sault," of the chiefs of
the Ottawa Algonquins and of the Hurons. It was stipulated by Cham-
plain that they should raise a force of twenty-five hundred warriors, to he
in immediate readiness for invading the Iroquois territory, He himself
would join them with all his available force of French soldiers. To this the
Indian chiefs, after much discussion and many speeches, agreed. Cham-
plain went back to Quebec to muster his force and prepare what was
necessary for the expedition; but when he returned to the place of meeting
he found that the volatile and impatient Indians had set fire to their camp
and departed, taking with them, as has heen already related, the missionary
Le Caron, But Champlain was determined not to be baffled by the fickle-
ness of his allies, Taking with him only his French soldiers, one of whom
was the trusty and intrepid Etienne Brulé, his interpreter, and ten Indians,
with two large canoes, he made his way over the track of his former expe-
dition up the Ottawa as far as Allumette, Beyond this he followed the
course of the Ottawa, till among the sombre hills of :\Iattawa he reached
its junction with the river of that name, Following- the course of that
stream, and crossing Lake Kipissing, he reached the Huron country, not
without having undergone severe suffering from hunger, for the ten Indians,
with the usual impro\ ident glutting of their race, had gorged themseh"es
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The Recollet Jfissioll of Callada,
45
with the entire commissariat supply f.:>r the voyage, and they were glad to
gather blueberries and wild raspberries for sustenance, Encountering
some of the Chéveux Relevés Indians, of whom mention has been made.
they found that they were within a day's journey of the great inland sea of
the Hurons, Soon launched upon the broad bosom of the '.' Mer Douce,"
the Sweet-\Vater Sea of the \Vest, he held his course for over a hundred
miles along its shores, and through the mazes of its multitudinous islands.
Crossing Byng Inlet, Parry Sound and :\latchedash Bay, he reached, as the
terminal point of his voyage, the inlet of the bay near the. present
village of Penetanguishene, Then thè y ieft their canoes hidden in the
woods, and struck inland for the Huron town Otouacha. Champlain found
this to he one of the better class of Indian towns. It was of long, bark dwell-
ings, surrounded by a triple line of palisades, and stretching far into the
distance were fields of maize, the ripe yellow spears of grain sparkling in
the sunshine, and the great yellow pumpkins lolling over the ground, _\t
Otouacha Champlain met with enthusiastic welcome. "The man with
the breast of iron" was feasted again and again, amid rows of stolid
warriors squatting on their haunches around him, while the younger squaws
handed round the huge platter containing boiled maize, fried salmon,
venison, and the flesh of various other animals, not to be too curiously
enquired into.
Pending the complete muster of his Indian allies, Champlain made
an extensive tour of observation through the Huron country. At Carha-
gouha, as has been mentioned. he met the Recollet missionary, Le Caron,
I-Ie visited a number of the Huron villages and towns, the largest of which
was Cahiague, in the modern township of Urillia, This contained some
two hundred of the usual, long, bark dwellings, The entire number of those
towns in the Huron territory of sixty or seventy square miles was eighteen,
according to Champlain's estimate, Cahiague was now swarming with
hosts of warriors in readiness for the march. It was known that a neigh-
bouring tribe had promised to send into the Iroquois territory a reinforce-
ment of five hundred warriors, Of course, the inevitable feasting anlI
speech-making went on for several days. .\t length the muster was com-
plete, and, laden with their canoes and stock of maize for commissariat,
they began their march. They crossed the portage to Balsam Lake,
and passed across the chain of lakes of which the River Trent is
one of the outlets. Those lakes are at the present day among the most
desolate features of Canadian scenery, Nothing varies the monotonous
wall of woodland which fringes the horizon. The canoe of the traveller
moves along forests of reeds, hundreds of acres of e:\tinct forest growth-
4 6
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
cemeteries of dead trees, with not a sign of life or movement, except when
the cry of the startled crane or heron breaks the silence of the solitary
luere.
At length they reached, after many portages at the yarious rapids, the
mouth of the Trent. \Yhere now the pleasant streets of the picturesque
town of Trenton nestle amid the villas and gardens which fringe the Bayof
Quinté, Champlain crossed the Bay close to the present village of Carrying
Place to the township o,f .Ameliasburgh, in Prince Edward county, and,
crossing the two-mile-wide creek which leads to the village of ::\Iilford,
passed through the township of N orth
I arysburgh to the lake shore
beyond, Their voyage was prosperous; they landed on the New York
coast, and, leaving their canoes carefully concealed in the wood, they
marched, silent and vigilant as hyena or panther, through the forest to the
south. After four days they reached a forest clearing, and saw the fields of
maize and pumpkin, which showed an Iroquois town to be close at hand.
Presently, they saw a large number of the Iroquois at work gathering in
their harvest. \Vith their usual incapacity for a moment's self-restraint,
and contrary to Champlain's orders, they yelled their war cry and ran to
capture their foes. But the Iroquois warriors were armed, and offered a
prompt resistance, fighting with such resolution as to turn the war against
the Hurons, who were retreating in disorder, when a shot from Champlain's
arquebuse drove back the pursuers, The Iroquois town was of consider-
able size, and Champlain describes it as more strongly fortified than those
of the Hurons. The rampart of palisades, crossed and intersecting, was
four feet deep, They gave support to a gallery defended by a breastwork of
shot-proof timber, well furnished with piles of stones for defence; while, as
a precaution against an attempt by an enemy to fire the wood-work below,
a wooden gutter ran round the walls, capable of being amply supplied with
water from a small lake on one side of the defences.
The Huron chiefs and "\varrior:s seemed to have no plan and very little
heart for attacking the town. Their idea of a siege seemed to be to leap
and dance round the palisades, screaming out epithets of abuse, and
shooting their arrows at the strong, wooden buildings which they could not
penetrate. At length Champlain called them together, and upbraiding them
in no measured terms for their inaction and want of courage, proposed a
plan by which the town might be assailed with more effect. Borrowing his
tactics from the moveable towers of mediæval warfare, Champlain, aided by
his few Frenchmen and the Hurons, constructed a huge wooden tower capable
of commanding the wall, and with a platform sufficiently spacious to support
a body of Frenchmen armed with the arquebuse. Two hundred Hurons
The Recollt:t J[ iSSlO1l of Ca1lada.
47
dragged the tower, to which ropes had been fastened, close to the palisades,
and the French arquebusiers at the top began their fire on the naked
savages densely crowded on the rampart below them. The Iroquois stood
their ground with rare courage, even when exposed to the terrors of a mode
of attack to which they could offer no effectual resistance. But the
excitable Hurons lost all self-control. Instead of making a united effort
to storm the palisade under Champlain's leadership, they yelled, danced,
gesticulated, and showered aimless arrows at the defences of the Iroquois,
Champlain's voice was drowned in the tumult. The attack was discontinued
after three hours; the Hurons falling back to their camp, which they had taken
the precaution of fortifying, Champlain was wounded in the leg and knee
by arrows. Losing all heart from their repulse, the Hurons resolved to
remain where they were for a few days, in order to see if the five hundred
promised allies would come; if not, to withdraw homewards. After five
days waiting, they left their camp, retiring in what order they could
maintain, and carrying in the centre of the main body their wounded, of
whom Champlain was one, He was packed in a basket and carried on the
back of an able-bodied Huron brave, :\Ieanwhile the Iroquois hovered on
their flanks, At last the miserable retreat was ended. They launched their
canoes and crossed the lake in safety, paddling over the sheet of water
between the eastern mouth of Bay Quinté and \Yolf Island. Having
landed, Champlain learned conclusively the value of an Indian's promise,
The Huron chiefs, in return for Champlain's promised aid in '\ar,
had undertaken that at the close of their expedition they would furnish
him with a guide to Quebec. They now very coolly declared that it was
impossible; he must winter with them, and return in the spring with their
trade canoes down the St, Lawrence, And so the irregular army disbanded,
each eager to return home, and all quite indifferent as to what might become
of their late ally, Fortunately a chief named Durantal, an Algonquin,
whose abode was on the shore of a small lake north of Kingstoll, most
probably Lake Sharbot. offered Champlain his hospitality, \\ïth him the
French leader stayed during the first part of the winter, Durantars
dwelling seems to have been much more comfortable and better pro,'ided
than most Indian houses. It was necessary to wait till the setting-in of the
coldest season of the winter should freeze the marshes and rivers that lay in
their path before they could make the journey to the Huron towns, Mean-
time Champlain amused himself by sending the shot from his arquebuse
among the multitudinous wild fo,.."l that flocked and flew around the lake
shore. On one occasion he had a narrow escape from being lost in the
woods. A deer-hunt was being prepared for, on the hanks of a small rin
r
.
4 8
Callada and the Canadian PeoPle.
which had its outlet into the lake, They constructed two walls of forts
connected by interlaced boughs and saplings, which, standing apart at a
wide distance, converged and met, At the angle where they met, the walls
were strengthened with timber on each side, so ås to form an enclosure
from which there was no escape. The hunters then dispersed through the
forest and drove the deer into the enclosure, where they were easily
slaughtered, It happened that Champlain was posted deeper in the forest
than the rest, and he was attracted by the appearance of a strange red-headed
bird, unlike any that he had seen before, It flew before him from tree to
tree; he followed, !:\,O absorbed in watching it that 'when on a sudden it took
flight and disappeared from yiew, he had lost all trace of the direction
whence he had come. He had no pocket compass, All round him was the
mountainous maze of forest, no one tree to be distinguished from another.
The night closed on him wandering and perplexed, and he lay down to
sleep at the foot of a tree. The next day he wandered on once more and
came to a dark pool, deep in the shadows of the pine woods, Here he shot
some wIld fowl with his arquebuse, and flashing some powder among the
dry lea,.es, managed to light a fire and cook it. Then, drenched by rain,
he lay down once more on the bare ground to sleep, Another day and
another night he passed in the same way. .At length he came to a brook,
and following its course he reached the ri,.er just at the spot where his
friends were encamped, They received him joyfully. having searched
everywhere for him in vain.
December. at last, brought the true, hard frost of winter; and after
nineteen days' journey they reached the Huron town of Cahiague. There
they rested for a few days. then proceeded to Carhagouha, where Cham-
plain found the missionary, Le Caron, in good health, and still actiyely
engaged in the good work of conversion, Le Caron had by this time
made some progress in the mysteries of the Huron tongue, Champlain
and he visited the Tobacco Nation, a tribe south-west of the Huron, and of
kindred origin. They also visited the Cheveux Reln'és, to whose custom
of cleanliness and neatness he pays a tribute of admiration, but justly
condemns their total abstinence from wearing apparei. Champlain was
about to proceed homeward when he was delayed by having to act as
umpire in a quarrel between a tribe of the Allumette Algonquins and the
Hurons of Cahiaglle, The latter had given the Algonquins an Iroquois.
with the kind design that the .\lgonquins should amuse themselves by
torturing him to death, The ungrateful .\lgonquins on the other hand
adopted the man, and gave him food as one of themselves, Therefore a
Huron warrior stabbed the Iroquois, whereupon he was forthwith slain:
The Recollet JIission of Canada,
49
\Var would have been the result, but that fortunately they asked Champlain
to decide between them. He pointed out to them the exceeding folly of
quarrelling among themselves when the Iroquois were waiting to destroy
them both, and certainly would destroy them, if they became disunited.
He then pointed out the great advantages both sides would gain from the
trade with the French, and urged them to shake hands like brothers, and
be at peac
. This good advice 'was taken, fortunately both for the Indians
and for Xcw France, At last Champlain went homewards by the circuitous
route of the Cpper Ottawa, while the frequent presence of roving Iroquois
bands in the St. Lawrence region rendered it the only secure one. He took
with him his Huron friend and entertainer, Durantal. At Quebec it had
been rumoured by the Indians that Champlain was dead; great therefore
was the joy of all the dwellers in <.Juebec, when it was seen that the Founder
had returned safe and well.
.
4
CHAPTER YIII.
CHA
IPLAI
'S DIFFICULTIES AT QUEBEC,
:..
-/.
o
1 _. ;,-.æ HAì\IPLAI
found the future metropolis of New France in an
'.
unsatisfactory condi
ion, Th.e merchants of his own co
p
ny
,1.
lt: obstructed the p
actIcal wO,rkmg o.f the schemes of colonIzatIon
W for the forwardmg of wInch theIr charter had been granted,
\Yhatever colonists came to Quebec were hampered and dis-
\) couraged in every way, were not allowed to trade with the
Indians, and compelled to sell their produce to the company's
agents, receiving pay, not in money, but in barter, on the company's own
terms, The merchants, not Cha'mplain, were the real rulers. But few
buildings had been added. Champlain erected a fort on the verge of the
rock over-hanging what is now the Lower TO\vn, and where still may
be seen the ruined buttresses of the dismantled Castle of St. Louis,
\
few years afterwards the Recollet friars built a stone convent on the site
of the present General Hospital. The number of inhabitants at this time
did not exceed fifty or sixty persons. These consisted of three classes, the
merchants, the Recollet friars, and one or two unhappy pauper householders
who had neither opportunity nor wish for work. Small as was the com
munity, it was full of jealousies, and split up into a number of cliques.
To other evils was added the pest of religious controversy, Most of the
merchants were good Catholics, to whom any discussion or doubt of the
Faith was a sin, But some were Huguenots, belonging to the most ignoble
form of Protestantism, hecause the narrowest and most exasperatingly
disputatious. The Huguenots would not leave the Catholics alone; they
persecuted them with dragonnades of controversy. Forbidden to hold
religious services on land or water in Ne\v France, they roared out their
heretical psalms, doggerel that, like the English" Tate and Brady," degraded
and vulgarized the finest and oldest religious poetry in the world. Added to
this, the Huguenot traders of Rochelle carried on a secret traffic with the
Indians, to the great loss of Champlain's company of monopolists.
ChamPlain's Difficulties at Quebec.
51
Champlain was not discouraged, Again and again he visited France
in order to revive the interest, always flagging, of the merchants of St.
:\lalo and Rouen in the colony,
epeatedly the post, which the opportu-
nity of receiving bribes made a lucrative one, changed hands by purchase
or intrigue among noblemen, the worthless bearers of great historic names.
At last, with some hope that the merchants of the company would fulfil the
promises they had made to him in 1620, Champlain returned to Quebec,
bringing with him his beautiful young wife. As the boat that bore Madame
de Champlain neared the shore, the cannon from the fort welcomed her to
the colony founded by her husband. The story of their marriage is a curi-
ous one, illustrative as it is of religion a la mode of the Catholic France of
1620. The lady was daughter of Kicholas Boulé, a Huguenot, who held
the post of Secretary of the Royal Household, at Paris, und
r Henry the
Fourth. The marriage contract was signed in 1610, but the bride being
then but twelve years old, it did not take effect till her fourteenth year,
although 4,500 livres out of a 6,000 livres dowry were, it seems, paid over to
Champlain, He, in return, bequeathed all his fortune to his wife, " in case
he should die while employed on sea or land in the service of the King,"
The young Madame de Champlain was a Huguenot, but Champlain exerted
himself to such good effect for her conversion that she became a most
devout Catholic, and only consented to live with her husband on the under-
standing that they .lived together as if unmarried, in a sort of celibate
matrimony, familiar in the legends of monasticism, But at Quebec the mono-
poly continued to palsy aU improvement. The few colonists outside the
circle of merchants belonging to the company fell into the lazy, loafing
ways of people to whom honest labour was forbidden, and even the Mon-
tagnais Indians began to plot against the settlement. They and other tribes
of cognate origin actually met, to the number, it is said, of eight hundred
men, with the design of overpO\vering and destroying the colony for the
sake of what plunder they could gain. But Champlain found out the trea-
son they were plotting, and the wretched cowards and ingrates soon after-
wards, being threatened with starvation, were fain to crawl to him for a
morsel of food, "Then we consider the benefits which Champlain and the
French colony under him had so freely bestowed on these contemptible
savages-their battles fought against a nobler race of savages, their women
and children fed, clothed and taught by ladies like Madame de Champlain-
one is tempted to thank with some brief thanksgiving the beneficent law
of the U nsurvival of the U nfittest. Their trihe and its kindred tribes have
long vanished from our Canadian Province of Quebec, but the taint of
their blood, no doubt, still lurks in the veins of some of the habiill1lts.
52
Callada alld the Calladiall PeoPle.
But in the summer of 1622 a more dangerous foe descended on the
colony of
ew France, A formidable band of the Iroquois came to attack
Quebec, but the dread of the \Yhite :\!an's thunder, and former experi-
ence of the arquebuse fire, kept them from venturing too near the walls of
the fort. The Recollet convent was close by, but it was built after the
fashion of the block houses of a later period, and the upper windows com-
manded all the approaches. The good Franciscans were equal to the
occasion, and \..-hile some adùressed their prayers to the saints in the chapel
below, the others, lighted match and arquebuse in hand, stood on the walls,
ready to pick off the approaching foe. So the Iroquois withdrew, merely
burning the Huron captives in sight of Quebec, as a hint of their intentions
towards the garrison.
So great. were the dissensions with regard to the fur trade monopoly,
and so bitter the 'wrangling between the merchants of St.
Ialo and Rouen
on the one side, and that of Rochelle on the other, that the great noble who
held the post of Governor of Canada suppressed the compåny formed by
Champlain, and gave the fur monopoly into the hands of the Huguenot
merchants, \\ïlliam and Emery de Caen. It must be remembered that the
Huguenots of Rochelle had not yet broken out into open rebellion, and that
their irrepressible self-assertion was backed by this influence of powerful
robbers. The brothers De Caen undertook all sorts of pledges to support
the Catholic missions, and to promote the interests of colonization, which
pledges they respected as little as the company they superseded had res-
pected theirs. Such confusion and ill-feeling resulted from their rule at
Quebec that Champlain addressed a petition to the king. But a new influ-
ence had come into operation at Paris, which was destined not only to set
aside the ascendency of fanatical interlopers like the De Caens, but to influ-
ence powerfully the whole future of New France, The worthless historic-
named noble who held the post of Viceroy of Canada, becoming weary of the
correspondence and worry It caused him, sold it, such being the political
morality of France in those days, to another noble, his nephew. The lloblesse
of those days, not yet ripe for the guillotine, were either profligates or fanatics.
The new Governor of Canada was an amateur in the conyersion of souls.
He had left his place at Versailles, and had entered into holy orders, His
mind, such as it was, a Jesuit confessor directed, It was suggested to him
that the strength of that m
hty order which had been in part put forth at
the ill-fated Acadian settlement might be exerted with happier results in
converting the heathen in Canada. But the Jesuit enterprise in New
France and in the Huron country deserves a chapter to itself. In the mean-
time the influence of the elder De Caen was being attended with the worst
Champlain's D
f}icltlties at Quebec,
53
scandals in Quebec, He not only insisted on holding his interminable
Huguenot services, but forced Catholics to join them, He was continually
devising new insults against the Jesuit Fathers who had now undertaken
the mission of Canada. And more than any preceding monopolists, he
forced all trade with the Indians into his own bands, in one year exporting,
in place of the ordinary number of beaver skins, which did not exceed
twelve thousand, as many as twenty-two th')usand. In spite of the greed
and the sinister bigotry of De Caen, the colony showed signs of improve-
ment. The inhabitants of Quebec now numbered 105' Several families
were self-.supporting, subsisting on the grain and vegetables yielded by
their farms. Although De Caen, in direct violation of his solemn promise.
long delayed furnishing the men and funds needed to rebuild the fort which
was by this time untenable against an enemy, Champlain's complaints at
length had their effect, and a new fort was begun.
Happily for New France, there came into power at this time a ruler
whose masterly intellect could appreciate the value to France and to Catho-
licity of the policy which Champlain had so long been labouring to carry
out against every hostile influence. Cardinal Richelieu, the Bismarck of the
seventeenth century, ruled France in the name of the despicable imbecile
who was nominally King, Louis the Thirteenth, He soon perceived the
advantages of French supremacy in at least a portion of the New \Vodd.
To the abuses connect
d with the De Caen regime, he applied the effica-
cious remedy of annulling all their privileges by a decree from that King
who was a mere tool in his powerful hands. He then formed an altogether
new company, that of the Hundred Associates, of which he constituted
himself president. The investment at once became a fashionable one,
Seyeral of the great nobles took shares; merchants and. rich citizens fol-
lowed in their wake. They were granted ample privileges, no less than
sovereign power over all the territory claimed by France in the
ew \Vodd,
a claim which, nominally, covered the
ntire continent from the North Pole
to Florida. They were granted, for eve.r, a monopoly of the coveted fur
trade, and of all other cOIpmerce whatever for a term of fifteen years. All
duties on imports were remitted. A free gift from the ,King conferred on
the company two ships of war, fully equipped- for active service.
This was in 1627. In 1628 the company were pledged to transport to
Quebec several hundred artisans, and before 16+3 to import at least four
thousand immigrants, men and women; to provide for their maintenance
for three years after their arrival in the colony, and to gi\"e them farms
already cleared.
one but Catholics were to be admitted as settlers. His-
torians like Parkman, to whom the commonplaces of nineteenth century
.
54
.Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
1>
toleration seem applicable to all times and conditions of human society, ha\-e
exclaimed against this exclusion of the Huguenots, and have speculated on
the benefit to Canada of a large immigration of French colonists during the
persecution, which forced them from the country against 'which they had so
persistently plotted and rebelled during the seventeenth century. But New
France's experience of Huguenot rule under De Caen does not support
the conclusion that what is called Richelieu's bigotry '\vas anything else
than political common sense. Unity was above all els
needful in a com-
munity whch, among the multitudinous savage nations around it, had count-
less foes and not a single friend. The Huguenots had ever shown them-
selves intolerant, tyrannical. and impracticable. A considerable number of
them settled in Ireland about the close of the seventeenth century. The
Protestant oligarchy opened its ranks to persecuted Protestants, many of
whom bore the noblest French names. As a consequence the new impor-
tation strengthened the hands of the oppressors of the Celtic and Catholic
proletariat, and intensified religious bitterness. The Huguenot immigration
to Ireland is perhaps no slight factor in the anarchic deadlock of the Ireland
of to-day,
Quebec was now in the utmost need of supplies of food, a famine being
threatened. The new company showed its vigour by taking prompt meas-
ures to avert this calamity, A number of transports laden with immigrants
and abundant stores of provisions, seeds, and agricultural tools, left Quebec
111 April, 162
. They were destined never to arrive, though watched for
week after week by the starving garrison, For, in the meantime, war had
broken out between England and France, or rather between France and
the worthless favourite who controlled the weak mind and weaker principles
of the first Charles Stuart. The Duke of Buckingham had received
a slight from the French Government. He forced on his country an abor-
tive war in aid of the Huguenots of Rochelle, now in open rebellion against
France. \Yhen war was declared, a favourable opportunity presented itself
for taking possession of the French colony in Canada, The" cruel eyes
that bore to look on torture, but dared not look on war" were turned
greedily toward Xew France. And a Huguenot renegade was not wanting
to be his tool in ruining Quebec, David Kirk, though on the father's side
of Scotch extraction, was to all intents and purposes a French citizen of
Dieppe. He was a zealous Huguenot, and with his brothers, Louis and
Thomas, Kirk had been among the loudest singers of psalms, and wranglers
in controversy, who had so troubled the peace of Quebec, For this he haJ
been expelled by Champlain as soon as Richelieu's new company was
established. He now saw his way to revenge, \\ïth true Huguenot hatred
ChamPlain's Difficulties at Quebec,
5
against the country of his birth and the colony out of whose monopolised
trade he had made a fortune, De Caen, through a creature of his, one Michel,
whom C:harlevoix describes as "a fierce Calvinist;' " Cah,iniste !urieux,"
suggested a descent by a sufficient naval force on Quebec. The suggestion
was at once carried out, David Kirk, who, as a mariner, had considerable
experience, and knew especially well t
e navigation of the 51. Lawrence,
was appointed Admiral, many Huguenot refugees being under hIS com-
mand, But at Quebec the colonists were confidently awaiting the arrival
of the promised fleet laden with provisions from France. On July 9 th ,
162
, two men from the outpost at Cape Tourmente made their way to
Quebec, and announced that they had seen six large ships anchored at
Tadousac. Father Le Caron and another Recollet friar volunteered to go
in a canoe to ascertain the truth. They had not passed the Isle of Orleans
when they met a canoe whose Indian crew warned them to return to
Quebec, and shewed them a wounded man at the bottom of the canoe. It
was the French commandant at Cape Tourmente, The six ships were
English men-of-war, and their destination was to capture Quebec, Cham-
plain had but scant means of resistance. The fort was little better than a
ruin, two of the main towers had fallen, the magazine contained but fifty
pounds of powder. For this, Quebec had to thank the malicious neglect of
duty of the Huguenot De Caen. Yet, Champla"in resolved on resistance to
the last; even with starving garrison and ruined fort he assigned to every
man his post, and when some Basque fishermen brought a summons to
surrender from the Huguenot renegade Kirk, he refused. l\Ieantime, the
disastrous news had arrived that a battle had taken place between the four
French ships of war and the squadron of six ships under KIrk. The
French had been worsted, and all the fleet of transports, laden with the
supplies so long expected, had been captured by the English and their
Huguenot captains. \Yithin the walls of Quebec the handful of defenders
were now brought to the last extremity . Yet so boldly defiant ,vas Cham-
plain's bearing, and such his .character for determined courage, that the
Huguenot feared to attack him, and cruised about the St. Lawrence gulf,
doing what mischief he could by destroying fishing boats. In Quebec the
population subsisted on roots, acorns, and a daily diminishing pittance of
pounded peas. Champlain had even conceivftd a plan to leave the women
and children whatever food remained, and himself, with the garrison. invade
the Iroquois country to the south, seize on one of their villages, entrench
himself thercin, and subsist ,on the stores of buried maize invariably to be
found in Iroquois towns.
Ieanwhile Kirk's squadron returned to England,
and Qucbec, left "Úthout supplies, was almost perishing. But in July,
3 6
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
1628, the English fleet came once more in sight, and though Champlain
ordered his garrison, now reduced to sixteen, to man the ramparts, when a
boat with a white flag arrived with a proposal to surrender, he accepted
it, the conditions being that the French were to be conveyed to their own
country, each soldier being allowed to take with him furs to the value of
twenty crowns. The fort and the town were given up to the
nglish, who
made no harsh or unfair use of their conquest, The few farmers were en-
couraged to remain, The Recollet and Jesuit l\Iissions were not interfered
with, And so, for a short space the Red Cross flag 'waved over the rock of
Quebec, whence, a century later, it was to flQat permanently, or until
succeeded by the ensign of a new Canadian nationality,
Kirk's enterprise was piracy, pure and simple, He held no commission
from the English Crown, but so lax were the laws of maritime war at the
tIme that a privateer 'who succeeded, at his own risk, in inflicting a blow on
the enemy, was sure of countenance, if not of reward.. Kirk's piratical pro-
ceedings were more flagrant, inasmuch as he well knew that before he began
his descent on Quebec, peace had been ratified between the two Governments,
\Vhen his squadron had reached the English port of Plymouth, Cham-
plain at once repaired to London, where he induced the French ambassador
to insist on the restoration to France of her colony, in accordance with the
terms of the treaty, Neith
r the French nor the English GO\'ernment set
much store on the feeble trading post beneath the rock of Quebec, Kirk
was commanded by the English King to surrender Quebec to Emery De
Caen, who was commissioned by the French Government to occupy the
fort and hold a monopoly of trade for one year, as compensation for great
losses sustained by him during the war. \\'hy the renegade was thus
favoured it is hard to say. Doubtless the great Cardinal's subtle policy
had good reason.
J; d
J'
_0 -..........: -
..
b
CHAPTER IX.
CHA:\rPLAI
GOYERKOR OF CAK AD.\.
HE last real's of the heroic founder of New France closed with a
picture of dignity and happiness pleasant to contemplate. Car-
dinal Richelieu saw further into the future than the short-sighted
sneerers at the arpents of snow and the handful of half-frozen
settlers on the rock of Quebec. He saw that France should not
be without a share in the vast inheritance which the other
maritime powers of Christendom were portioning out for them-
selves in the Kew \Vodd. Intercourse with Canada would prove an in-.
valuable school for the French marine. And the fact that he, the Cardinal
Duke de Richelieu, was at the head of the company whose possessions had
been seized by foreign pirates, gave the ruler of France the strongest per-
sonal motive for dispossessing the intruders, He knew of one man only
who deserved the trust of ruling the new colony. By order of the King,
Champlain was commissioned as Yiceroy and Governor-General of New
France. Amid the pealing of the cannon from the fort, and the salutes of
pikemen and musketeers, Champlain received the keys of the citadel from
the crest-fallen De Caen, .
For two peaceful years his rule continued. It will have been seen that
Champlain's nature had ah\ays a strong tinge of asceticism, In his last
days the fires of military ardour and of adventurous exploration seem to
have died out. The stern, practical soldier spirit 'was purified and calmed.
His main care henceforward was for the religious and moral interests of his
colony. In this he was well seconded by the Fathers of the Jesuit missions
\\.hose history will be given in another chapter. Under Champlain's rule
Quebec became like a convent. Religious services were held at each one
of the nine canonical hours from prime to compline. The traffic with
the Indians for fire water was no longer permitted. Indeed it is a note-
worthy fact to the credit of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada that
they have from the first done all they could to suppress this iniquity. But
'-"\.
58
Canaaa ana the C
llaaiall PeoPle,
the Indians were encouraged to yisit the fort, and when they did so they
were kindly received, and encouraged by every means to enter the Christian
fold. .\s the bells of the church which the Governor had built were ring-
i
g for mass on Christmas Day, 1635, the spirit of Samuel de Champlain
passed quietly away, So, after many hardships, battles and wanderings,
the life of one of the greatest men of his generation closed in peace and
honour, and with every consolation of the faith he loved. The entire colony
of New France attended his funeral. The funeral oration, in adequate
terms of affection and respect, was pronounced over his remains by the
Jesuit Father Le J eune; and over the spot where he was buried a fitting
monument was raised. So passed away from French history the type of
soldier, half hero, half saint-a type which another. ten years was to dis-
play in Puritan England.
OTE TO CHAPTER IX,
Champlain was generally thought to have been buried In the Governor's Chapel.
This is a mistake, He was buried in a brick vault in the church built by the Recollet Friars
in 1615. The site of this church was in Little Champlain Street, in the Lower Town of
Quebec. Some years ago a public officer caused an excavation to be made in the street
referred to. He found a brick vault at the foot of II Break-neck Stairs." It contained
a coffin with the remains, apparently, of some very distinguished man. The coffin and
relics were handed over to the Cathedral authorities. The Archbishop of Quebec ordered
it to be buried in the churchyard of the Cathedral, and record to be kept of its location,
This unfortunately was neglected, But on examination of the vault, an inscription could be
traced: II Samuel de Champlain." Champlain's wife survived him, and became an U rsu-
line nun, in a convent founded by herself.
CHAPTER X.
THE JESUIT
IISSIOXS.
,
e
__
.r"
!..-!!: S
,----.., E have described the apostolic labours of the Recollet Fathers
--1. ,\ I " for the conversion of the Indians. But the field was too vast,
"1\ .,
".. '- \
/.. and the resources at command of a poor community too
',
'
." slender, to support an enterprise so great, The Recollet
{ M,/ Þ Fathers suggested that the mighty Jesuit order might attempt
<
the work of Indian l\Iissions 'with better chance of success,
The Jesuits came, saw and conquered, Their Canadian mis-
sions include a record of martyrdom and apostolic labour without parallel
since the first century of Chrisdanity, The history of Canada cannot be
complete without some account of these men and their work.
The first superior of the Jesuit residence at Quebec was Father Le
J eune, who came to Canada when the piratical seizure of Quebec by the
Huguenot Kirk had been annulled by order of the English King, to whose
service Kirk professed to belong. Le Jeune arrived at Quebec on July
5th, 1632. He found the Jesuit residence a
1eap of ruins, the Huguenots
having entertained a special hatred of that order. The earliest settler
in )J" ew France had been a man named Hébert, who had by thrift and
industry made the ground around his house for some acres a tolerably
thriving farm, and had built an unusually commodious house. To that
house Father Le Jenne now repaired in order to celebrate his first mass in
the new country, He was received with tears of joy by the widow Hébert
and her pious family. That first of duties performed, Le Jeune and his
companions set themselves at once to rebuild their residence, with sllch
skill and materials as they could command. and to cultivate anew the fields
left waste so long. The residence was on the eastern side of the little ri\"er
St. Charles, probably on the very spot where Cartier spent the winter of
1535' [t was fortified by a square enclosure of palisades, no unnecessary
precaution. \\Ïthin this were Ì\\'O buildings, one of which was store-room,
workshop, and bakery; the other a rude frame huilding, thickly plastered
60
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
with mud, and thatched with the long dry grass from the river banks. It
had four principal rooms, one used as ref
ctory, a second as kitchen, a
third as a sleeping place for workmen. The remaining or largest room was
the chapel. All were furnished in the most primitive manner possible. The
chapel had at first no other ornament than two richly executed engravings,
but the Father had now obtained an image of a dove, which was placed
oyer the altar, seeing \vhich, an Indian asked if that was the bird that caused
the thunder. They had also images of the] esuit Saints, Loyola and Xavier,
and three statues of the Virgin. Four cells which opened from the refec-
tory gave lodging to six priests. First, Jean de Brebæuf. a noble of ancient
family in Normandy; a man stalwart and tall, with the figure and mien of a
soldier. Kext was l\Iasse, who had been the associate of Father Biard in
the Acadian mission of whose failure we have made mention. There were
also Daniel, Davost, De Noué, and Father Le Jeune, Their first object
was to learn the Algonquin language. The traders, who did not love
Jesuitism, refused to help them. At last, Le J eune sighted a hunter who
had lived in France some time, and consequently could speak French or
Algonquin equally well, This man, Pierre, was one of those outcasts who
had learned only the vices of civilization, but whose want of practice in the
woodcraft of ,savage life unfitted him to support himself as other savages
do. By a presen.t now and then of a little tobacco, Le J eune prevailed on
Pierre to become his private tutor, and speedily gained a working knowledge
of the Indian dialect. To improve this, he resolved to accept an invitation
from Pierre and his brothers to join their winter hunting party, l\Iany were
the hardships that befel Le J eune in that expedition, His friends, with ill-
judged zeal, had persuaded him to take with his provisions d small keg of
wine. The provisions were soon devoured by the gluttonous savages, anù
the first night that he spent with them, Pierre tapped the wine cask, got
drunk, and would have killeù Le J eune had he not sought refuge in the
forest, where he passed the night under a tree. By day he accompanied
their march, carrying his share of the baggage. Towards evening the
squaws set up the poles which supported the birch-bark covering which was
their sole detence against an unusually severe winter. The men shovelled
the snow with their snow-shoes till it made a wall three or four feet high,
enclosing the space occupied by the wigwam, On the earth thus bared
they strewed cedar or spruce boughs for a bed, A bear skin served as a
door at the opening by which they entered; in the centre a huge fire of
pine logs blazed fiercely through the night. At the top of the wigwam was
an opening so large that Le Jeune, as he lay on his spruce bough bed at
night, could watch the stars through it. In this narrow space, men, women,
The Jesuit Jfissiolls,
61
children and dogs were hud,dled together. Attempt at decency there was
none, Le J eune classes the sufferings he went through in this expedi-
tion under four chief heads: cold, heat, dogs and smoke. Through crevice
after crevice the icy blast crept in, threatening to freeze him on one side,
while on the other the intense heat of the pine fire nearly roasted him. The
smoke that filled the wigwam was an intolerable nuisance; when a snow-
storm took place, it was often necessary for all of them to lie with their
faces to the ground, in order to avoid its penetrating acrid fumes. The
dogs were of some use, for by sleeping around where he lay they kept him
warm, but they were in intimate alliance with another pest, the fleas,
innumerable as voracious, which often rendered sleep impossible. At length
he became so ill and worn that one of the better-natured Indians offered to
carry him back to' Quebec. Their frail canoe narrowly escaped being
crushed by the floating ice-masses, it being the beginning of
\pril, when
the ice fields break up, They ,vere obliged to camp as best they might on
the Island of Orleans. Le Jeune narrowly escaped drowning, but his com-
panion had sufficient strength to draw him up to the fixed ice, and at three
o'clock in the morning the long absent Superior knocked at the door of the
residence of .X ofre Damc des A llges, Our Lady of the Angels,
It became evident to the Jesuit Fathers that their efforts would be
wasted on the scattered and wandering
\lgonquin hunters, and that in
order to produce a permanent effect, it would be necessary to attempt the
conversion of some settled race, the dwellers in village
and towns. Such
a race was that to which the Recollet, Le Caron, had made a mission
journey which produced no converts owing to the brief period of his stay;
the Huron tribes whose seventeen or eighteen to\\TnS had, most of them,
been visited by Le Caron and Champlain. A description has been given
in a former chapter of the superior agriculture and social organization of this
race of Indians. They,vere akin to other powerful and settled communi-
ties; to the Tobacco Nation whose territory was south-west of the Georgian
Bay; and to the Neutral Kation which extended south towards i\iagara,
between the Iroquois and the Canadian Indians. The Jesuits had ever
before their eyes the great things accomplished by their order among a
people akin to these Indians in Paraguay, Could the history of that
success be made to repeat itself in Canada, what mattered the long and
terrible journey through a ,\'ilderness haunted by savage beasts and more
savage men, amid the gloom of pathless forests, hy rock and cataract, till
the dism;ll travelled to a drearier termination? \Yhat mattered a life passed
remote from every pleasure and every prize, amid the filth and squalor of
naked savages; day after ciay attempting conversion that seemed hopeless,
62
Canada aud the Canadian PeoPle.
rolling the stone of Sisyphus up an interminable hill? If the Church of
God and the Order of Saint Ignatius Loyola could but gain thereby, what
mattered the life of martyrdom, the death of fire?
In July, 1633, the three priests chosen by their superior La Jeune for
the Huron
rission were introduced by Champlain to the assembled Hurons
who had come down to the Sault prontreal), as was their annual custom,
to trade the furs which they had collected during the winter. The three
Jesuit missionaries were Brebæuf, Daniel, and Davost. Champlain earnestly
commended them to the reverence and good offices of the Hurons, who
made every promise of charity and friendship, as is invariably the custom
of their race. But Champlain refusing to set at liberty an Algonquin who
had murdered one of his French soldiers so angered them that they refused
to take with them "the three Black robes." The Jesuits gave a year to
quiet study ofthe Huron language at their convent. Next year the unstable
savages changed their minds, and consented to carry back the missionaries.
Terror of the Iroquois made it necessary, as usual, to take the long and
circuitous route by the Upper Ottawa. The distance was at least nine
hundred miles. The toil was severe, all day toiling with unaccustomed heat.
and faring far worse than the galley slaves in their own country, since the
only food given to them was a little maize pounded between two stones and
mixed with water. There were thirty-five portages, 'where they had to carry
the canoes, often by tortuous and difficult paths, round rapids or cataracts.
:More than fifty tÜi1es they had to ,vade through the water, pushing their
canoes before them by main force. Add to this, that the fickle savages soon
lost their first good-humour, and treated the pnests as prisoners, whose
work they exacted to the uttermost. Davost's baggage they threw into the
river, and it was with the greatest difficulty, even when the party reached
the Huron country, that the three priests made their way to the town of
Ihonatiria. Here, at first, they were welcomed, the whole town turning out
to assist in building them a house, \vhich was erected on the usual Huron
pattern, but which they divided in the interior by a partition, into dwelling
place and chapel. As long as the novelty of their visit lasted, "the Black-
robes" were caressed and petted. The savages were never tired of looking
at several wonderful things which the Jesuits brought with them, especially
a magnifying glass, a coffee mill, and above all a ticking and striking clock.
The Jesuits, as usual, neglected no means to impress and attach the Indians
among whom they had cast their lot for life. They visited and tended the
sick, baptizing any child that seemed likely to die. They gat
ered the
children to their chapel, and after each lesson gave presents of a few
beads or sweetmeats. The children learned prayers in the Huron tongue;
The Jesuit JIissiolls,
63
the ai'e, crcdo, and the commandments in Latin; and were proficients in the
art of crossing themselves. The Jesuits also taught the Hurons to build
fortifications with flanking towers wherefrom the arquebusiers could harass
an attacking foe.
All seemed to go smoothly for a time, Then came a drought, want of
water, and fear of famine in the maize fields. The Black robes were sor-
cerers; the huge cross, painted red, which stood before their chapel, had
frightened the bird that brings the thunder. \Vorse still, a terrible pesti-
lence broke out; all the chief medicine men of the tribe declared that it
was the witchcrafts of the Black robes, their baptisms and crucifixes and
other \Vhite l\ledicine which had brought the sickness, The lives of the
Jesuits
vere at this time frequently in danger. They faced it with courage
as unflinching as that of any Iroquois prisoner whom the Hurons had tor-
tured at the stake. In vain they toiled through the snowdrifts from one
plague-stricken town to another, bending over the victims of pestilence to
catch the slightest confession of faith uttered by that tainted breath, risking
instant death from the parents who looked on baptism as a dangerous act
of sorcery, and by stealth giving the indispensable sacrament to some dying
infant with a touch of a wet finger and formula noiselessly uttered, They
met with no immediate success, hut when the panic of the pestilence had
passed off, the savages, ungrateful as they were, began dimly to recognize
in the Black robes the goodness of superior beings.
But the Black robes were no longer at their town, They thought
it better to choose a more central position for a mission settlement, and
chose a spot where the river \Vye, about a mile from its debouchement
into :\latchedash ßay, flows through a small lake, The new station was
namep Sainte Marie, It had a central position with regard to every
part of the Huron country, and an easy water communication with Lake
Huron. From thence Fathers Garnier and Jogues were sent .on a
mission to the Tobacco t\ ation. Though they escaped torture and
death, their preaching produced no effect whatever on these obdurate
savages. \\'hen they entered the first Tobacco town, a squalid group
of birch-bark huts, the Inùian children, as they saw the Black robes
approach, ran a,,,-ay, screaming "Here come Famine and Pestilence."
They found themselves everywhere regardeù as sorcerers, sent thither by
the white man to compass the destruction of the Indians, In other towns
no one would admit them into his house, and from within they could hear
the women calling on the young men to split their heads with hatchets.
Only the darkness of night and of the forest enabled them to escape,
On Koyember 2nd, 16+0, Fathers Brebæuf and Chaumonot left Sainte
6+
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
:\Iarie for a mission to the Neutral Nation, Their mission produced no
other results than the curses and outrages of the heathen, But in the
Huron country the Jesuit mission had begun to bear fruit. Each consider-
able Huron town had now its church, whose bell was generally hung in a
tree hard by, whence every morning was heard the summons to mass.
The Christian converts were already a considerable power in the councils
of the tribes, and exercised a most salutary influence in humanizing to some
degree even their still heathen kinsmen. The Christian Hurons refused to
take part in the burning and torturing of prisoners. In March, 1649, there
were engaged in missionary work in the Huron country eighteen Jesuit
priests, four lay brothers, twenty-three devout Frenchmen who seryed the
mission without pay, and by their success in fur-trading-not for their own
profit but that of the order-made the mission self-supporting, Fifteen of
these priests were stationed at various towns throughout the Huron country;
the rest at Sainte Marie, Every Sunday the converts resorted to Sainte
:\Iarie from all the surrounding country, and were received with the most
hospitable welcome, The august rites of the Catholic Church were cele-
brated with unwonted pomp. Eleven successful mission stations had nmv
been established among the Hurons, and two among the Tobacco Nation.
The priests who served these stations endured hardships through which
it seems incredible that men could live, To toil all day paddling a canoe
against the current of some unknown river; to carry a heavy load of luggage
under the blaze of a tropIcal sun; to sleep on the bare earth; in winter to
be exposed to storm and famine; the filth and indecencies of an Indian hut:
these were held as nothing, if only it was ,. ad majorem glorial1l Dei,"-
I< to the greater glory of God," The first death among their ranks was that
of De Noué, a Jesuit Father who was found in the snowdrift kneeling, his
arms crossed on his heart, his eyes raiseà heavenwards, frozen wliile he
prayed, The efforts of the Jesuit priests at last were being crowned with
success, and the Huron country might have become a second Paraguay but
for the annihilation of the Huron tribes, whom it had taken such heroic
efforts to conyert. The fair prospects of the mission were overshadowed
by a dark cloud of war as early as 1648. Had the Hurons been united and
on their guard they might have been a match for the Iroquois, to whom
they were not so much inferior in courage as in organization and subtlety.
Father Daniel had just returned from one of those brief visits to
Sainte Marie, which converse with his brethren, and some approach to
stateliness of religious ceremonial, made the one pleasant event in mis-
sionary life, He was engaged in celebrating mass at the church of his
mission station of St. Joseph, when from the town without was raised
Jesuit 1.11 issiolls.
65
the cry, "The Iroquois are coming!" '\ crowd of painted savages scream-
ing their war-whoop were advancing on the defenceless town. Daniel
hurried from house to house calling on the unconverted to repent and be
baptised, and so escape hell. The people gathered round him imploring
baptism; he dipped his handkerchief in water and baptised them by asper-
sion, The Iroquois had already set the tow,n in a blaze. "Fly," he said
to his congregation-" I will remain to stop them from pursuit. \Ve shall
meet in Heaven r' Robed in his priestly vestments, he went forth to meet
the Iroquois, confronting them with a face lit up with unearthly enthusiasm.
For a moment they recoiled, then pierced his body with a shower of arrows,
Then a ball from an arquebuse pierced his heart, and he fell gasping the name
of Jesus. They flung his mutilated corpse into the flames of his church, a
fit funeral pyre for such a man,
This was the beginning of the end of the Huron Nation. Next year
(1649) the Huron village which the Jesuits had named after St. Louis was
taken by surprise. The priests of this mission station were Brebæuf and
Lalemant. They were urged by their converts to fly with them into the
forest, but reflecting that they might be able to cheer some of the congrega-
tion in the hour of torture, as by baptizing a repentant heathen to snatch
his soul from perdition, they refused to escape, Brebæuf and Lalemant,
with a large train of Huron captives, were led away to be tortured, Th.e
Iroquois then attacked Sainte Marie, hut the French laymen, with their
hundred Christian Hurons, assailed them with such impetuous valour that
they were glad to retreat to the ruined palisade of St, Louis, But before
they left for their own country, on March 16th, 1649, the Iroquois bound
Father Brebæuf to a stake. He continued to exhort his fellow-captives, bid-
ding them suffer patiently pangs that would soon be over, and telling them
how soon they would be in the Heaven that would never end. The Iro-
quqis burned him with pine wood torches all over his body to silence him,
\Vhen he still continued to pray aloud, they cut away his under lip, and
thrust a red hot iron into his mouth. But the descendant of the ancient
orman nobles stood defiant and undaunted, Next they led in Lalemant,
round whose body they fastened strips of bark smeared with pitch. Lale-
mant threw himself at 13rebæufs feet. "\V e are made a spectacle to the
world, to angels, and to men !" he cried, in the words of St, Paul. They
then fastened round Brehæufs neck a collar of red-hot hatchet-blades, but
still the courage of the Christian martyr would not yield. A renegade
Christian poured boiling ''w-ater on his head in mockery of baptism; still he
would give no signs of giving way. This, to an Indian, is the most provok-
ing rebuff. If he fails by his tortures to wring out a cry of pain from a
5
66
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
prisoner, it is held a disgrace and evil omen to himself. Enraged, they cut
pieces of flesh from his limbs before his eyes, They then scalped him, and
when he was nearly dead cut open his breast and drank his blood, thinking
it would make them brave. 'An Iroquois chief then cut out his heart and
devoured it, in the hope that then he could endue himself with the courage
of so valiant an enemy. Next day the defenders of Sainte l\Iarie found
the blackened and mutilated bodies of the two priests amid the ruins of the
St, Louis mission. The skull of Brebæuf, preserved in the base of a sih'er
bust of the martyr, which his family sent from France, is preserved at the
nunnery of the Hotel Dieu at Quebec.
Other Iroquois armies invaded the Huron country, and carried all before
them. Fifteen Huron towns were burned or abandoned. The Jesuit Fathers
resolved to abandon Sainte :\Iarie, and with a number of Huron converts
which gradually swelled to over three thousand, sought refuge on an island
in the Georgian Bay which they called St. Joseph. There they built a fort,
and managed to sustain the wretched remains of the Huron nation through
the winter, eking out what scanty supplies of food they possessed with
acorns and fish purchased from the northern )dgonquins. \Yith the spring
it was known that a large band of the Iroquois meditated a descent on
their la
t place of refuge. The Huron chiefs implored the Jesuits to allow
them to remove to Quebec, where, under the shelter of the fort, they might
enjoy their religion in peace. To this the Superior agreed. \Vith sorrow
and many tears the Jesuit missionaries left the land which had been the
scene of their apostolic labours, and where the blood of their martyr breth-
ren had been the seed of a church which would have proved a centre of
Christian civilization, ,. had it not pleased Christ, since they ceased to be
Pagans and became Christians, to give them a heavy share in His Cross,
and make them a prey to misery, torture and a cruel death." The
Superior added, truly enough, "They are a people swept away from the
face of the earth."
Thus ended the Jesuit mission to the Hurons. It cannot be called a
failure, for it succeeded in conyerting the heathen, and only collapsed by
the extermination of its conyerts,
.
,
CH.-\PTER XI.
THE BEGIN:XI
G OF MO
TREAL,
<b- fIIl
P,.,
.F:i ' -
0 Champlain succeeded a Governor of very similar temperament,
,
\ Charles Herault de l\Iontmagny, with his lieutenant, De ,Lisle,
ft, J F
and a brilliant train of French gentlemen, Both :\Iontmagnyand
r:;,.-.' "\ De Lisle were members of the semi-military, semi-ecclesiasti-
..
.
!J cal order of the Knights of St. John, of ::\Ialta. Both were
<.) ---v- therefore in thorough accord with the Jesuits in favouring that
· system of paternal government by the priesthood which, fostered
by them, has more or less prevailed in New France ever since, and of which
many survivals exist in French Canada at the present day. l\Iontmagny
was the bearer of letters from some of the most illustrious nobles and the
greatest ladies of France, expressing their interest in the Canadian mission,
The Relations of the Canadian Jesuits, especially those of Le J eune, had been
read throughout all France. The apostolic lives of these most self-denying
of missionaries had awakened a general enthusiasm, of which the Jesuits
throughout France took full advantage to stir up the susceptible minds of
female devotees to aid, with prayers and money, the good work in Canada.
Some person unknown to men, but blessed of God, was about to found a
school for Huron children at Quebec. In one convent thirteen, of the
sisters had bound themselves by a vow to the work of converting the
Indian women and children. In the church of :\Iontmartre a nun lay
prostrate day and night before the altar, praying for the Canadian mission,
Accordingly, in 1637, the Jesuits succeeded in building at Quebec a college
for French boys and a seminary for Huron children. The commencement
of the work with the latter was not hopeful for the few original pupils, One
was taken away by his father, four ran away, and two killed themselves h)
over-eating, The Jesuits were enabled. to complete both buildings by a
generous donation of six thousand crowns by a French nohleman. ,\n
appeal was made by Le Jeune, in his Relatio1ls, to the effect that he prayed
God might put it into the heart of some virtuous and charitable lady to
.
,
68
Caliada alid the Canadian PeoPle,
come out and undertake the training of the female children of the Indians.
A young lady of rank whose name is one of the most remarkable in the
early history of New France, Marie l\ladeleine de la Peltrie, when a girl of
seventeen, had a romantic longing to enter a convent. This her father
strongly opposed, being exceedingly fond of his only child, He insisted on
taking her into the gaieties of fashionable society, and induced her to
accept the hand of M. de la Peltrie, a young nobleman of excellent dispo-
sition. The marriage was a happy one, but Madame de la Peltrie was left
a childless widow at twenty-two. She read Le Jeune's appeal to the women
of France; her old religious fervour returned; and she resolved to devote
all her wealth and the rest of her life to founding a sisterhood for teaching
the Indian girls at Quebec. But her father, dismayed at the prospect of
losing his only child, threatened to disinherit her if she went to Canada.
He pressed her to marry again; but her Jesuit confessor suggested a means
of escape. She wås to pretend to marry a nobleman of great wealth and
thorough devotion to the Church. The marriage took place, Her father
fell ill and died before he could discover the deception. l\ladame de la
Peltrie was caressed and honoured by some of the greatest ladies in France.
The Queen herself sent for her. At Tours the Superior of the Ursuline
Convent, with all the nuns, led her to the altar and sang Te DeulIl. They
threw themselves at her feet, each weeping as she entreated to be allowed
to go with her to Canada. That privilege was accorded to two; a young
nun of noble family, whose pure and earnest religious temperament was
united with strong common sense and a natural gaiety which in after years
shed brightness on the Ursuline Convent at Quebec, The second was the
celebrated l\Iarie de l'Incarnation. In the history of these times we find
ourselves in an atmosphere of miracle. Jesuitism had brought back to
Europe the faith of the Middle Ages. \\ïth the age of faith came back the age
of miracles, of dreams, voices, and visions; the relation of which, by witnesses
whose honesty of purpose is above suspicion, make them to the true believer
additional proofs of supernatural religion, while the heretic only sees in them
phenomena of constant recurrence in the history of religious enthusiasm,
and capable of easy psychological explanation, Marie de l'Incarnation
beheld in a dream an unknown lady who took her by the hand; and then
they 'walked towards the sea. They entered a magnificent temple where
the Virgin :\lother of God sat on a throne. Her head was turned aside, and
she was looking on a distant scene of wild mountain and valley. Three
tunes the Virgin kissed her, whereon in the excess of her joy she awoke.
Her Jesuit confessor interpreted the dream: the wild land to which the
Virgin was looking was Canada, and when for the first time she saw
The Begin n illg of Jlontreal.
69
..
l\Iadame de la Peltrie she recognized in her the lady seen in her dream.
The Ursuline nuns, with
Iadame de la Peltrie, arrived at Quebec on
August 1st, 1659, They were receivèd with every honour by l\Iontmagny'
and soon were established in a massive stone convent on the site of their
present building, Their romantic garden where l\Iarie de St. Bernard and
:\Iarie de 1'Incarnation used to gather roses is as beautiful as ever; and an
ash tree beneath whose shade the latter used to catechise the Indian girls is
flourishing still. The good nuns devoted themselves with much ardour to
their task, and taught their pupils such a righteous horror of the opposite
sex, that a little girl whom a man had sportively taken by the hand, rat) off
crying for a bowl of water to wash away the polluting touch of such an un-
hallowed creature. À\ nobleman named Dauversière one day while at his
devotions heard a voice commanding him to establish an hospital on an
island called l\Iontreal, in Canada, At Paris a young priest named Jean
Jacques Olier was praying in church, when he heard a voice from Heaven
telling him that he was to be a light to the Gentiles, and to form a society of
priests on an island called Montreal, in Canada. Soon after this, Dauver-
sière and Olier, who were utter strangers to each other, met at the old
castle of l\Ieudon, By a miracle, as we need scarcely say, they knew and
greeted each other hy name at once; they even could divine each other's
thoughts, Together they undertook the ta"sk of raising funds, and soon
succeeded in obtaining a large sum of money and a grant from the king of
the Island of :\Iontreal. They chose as military leader of the soldiers
whom it would be necessary to take with them for defence, a gallant and
devoted young nobleman, Paul de Chomedp.y, Sieur de Maisonneuve, one
in whom the spirit of the ancient crusaders seemed to have returned to life,
and who had long eagerly wished to dedicate his sword to the service of
God. The little body of colonists, who had taken the name of the Society
de Notre Dame de l\Iontreal, received a valuable addition in an unmarried
lady of noble family named Mademoiselle Jeanne l\Iance, who at the tender
age of seven had bound herself by a vow of celibacy; also a little later by
the unobtrusive goodness, sweet charity, and practical common sense of
Marguerite I3ourgeoys. In 1653, having given all her possessions to the poor,
the latter embaclæd for Quebec. She brought from France a miracle-work-
ing image of the Virgin, which at this day stands in a niche in the old
seventeenth century Church beside the harbour at l\Iontreal; and stilJ
many a bold mariner, many an anxious wife, invokes the did of ,. Our Lady
of the Gracious Help." Before the ship set sail,
Iaisonneu"e, with l\Iada-
moiselle :\Iance and the other members of the expedition, knelt before the
altar of the Virgin in the ancient cathedral church of Notre Dame at P .His,
\Vith the priest, Olier, at their head, they solemnly dedicated
IOlltreal to
7 0
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
the Virgin, The town they were about to build was to be called Yille
:\[arie de l\Iontreal. They arrived at Quebec too late in the fall to make
the journey to Montreal ,ill the spring of 1642. The Governor, :\Iont-
magny, seems to have felt some jealousy of Maisonneuve as a possible
rival in governing the colony. Maisonneuve seems to have yielded to
the temptation of encouraging his men in small acts of insubordination,
The new colonists were sheltered by the hospitality of 1\1. Pruseaux,
close to the mission, established four miles from Quebec by the gene-
rosity of a French noble, Brulart de Sillery, which still bears his hon-
ourable name. Maisonneuve and his men spent the winter in building
large flat-bottomed boats for the voyage to Montreal. On the 8th of May
they embarked, and as their boats with soldiers, arms and supplies, moved
slowly up the St. Lawrence, the forest, springing into verdure on either side,
screened no lurking ambush to interrupt their way. This of course was
due to no less a personage than the Virgin
Iary herself, who chilled the
courage and dulled the subtility of the Iroquois, so that they neglected this
signal opportunity of crushing the new colony at its inception. For the
Iroquois had 110w mastered the use of the fire-arms they had purchased
from the Dutch traders on the Hudson. These arms were short arquebuse
muskets; so that the savages
'ere on equal terms with the white men. On
the 17th of l\Iay, 1642, the boats approached l\Iontreal, and all on board with
one voice intoned the Te DC1l11l. l\Iaisonneuve was the first to spring on
shore, He fell on his knees to ask a blessing on their work. His followers did
the same, Their tents and stores were landed without delay. An altar was
prepared for mass. It was decorated with admirable taste by
Iademoiselle
:\Iance, aided by Madame de la Peltrie, who, with the capricousness which
distinguishes even the saintliest of her sex, had taken a sudden fancy to
abandon the U rsulines in favour of the new settlement at Ville l\Iarie, Then
mass was celebrated, a strange and brilliant picture, with colour and music,
as if the rite of the middle ages had been brought suddenly into the heart
of the primeval forest. The altar, with its lights and glittering crucifix;
before it the priest in vestments, stiff with gold; the two fair girls of delicate
nurture, attended by their servants, erect and tall; above the soldiers
kneeling around him, Maisonneuve in panoply of steel; further off, artisans
and labourers, the rank and file of the colony: such was the brilliant picture
whose background was the dark aisles of {;':olumned woods, \Yhen mass was
said, the Jesuit Father, Vimont, Superior of the mission, addressed to those
assembled a few remarkable words to which subsequent events have given
the force of prophecy, .. You are but a grain of mustard seed, that shall rise
and grow till its branches overshadow the earth. You are few, but your work
is the work of God. His smile is on you, and your children shall fill the land, '.
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CHAPTER XII.
THE GOYER
1IEKT OF
IOKT:\IAGKY.
"t";r OR a year the new settlement of Vi lie
Iarie escaped the notice
,
' ') of the Iroquois, The settlers were therefore left unmolested
<,.\ '", till they had entrenched themselves with a strong palisade, A
;-.
birch bark chapel was raised above their altar, At first the
, '
" whole community liyed in tents, but soon strongly-built wooden
i'" houses were erected. and the first feeble beginnings of what
should be a great city in the future began to shape themselves.
The whole community lived together in one large house, with the Jesuit
Superior, Vimont, and his brother priest. The life of the settlement was a
simple and happy one, regulated in all things by the religious enthusiasm
which was the life of the colony, The great event of each month was a
festival, a procession, a high mass, in honour of some saint's day. Then
the soldiers were marshalled under arms by Maisonneuve, The altar was
decked with a taste which showed culture as well as piety, by
lademoiselle
Iance and Madame de la Peltrie, For this purpose they loved to resort
to the neighbouring wood, and gather the l\Iay-flowers and the lilies among
the fresh green grass. They were unmolested by human enemies, but
with December came a rise of th
St. Lawrence which well nigh swept
away the entire village. In this their strait the pious Maisonneuve placed
a large wooden cross on the margin of the rising tide, and at the same
time he vowed a vow to the Mother of God that if it so might be that the
advance of the waters were stayed, he would carry another cross, equally
large, to the summit of the mountain, Our Lady of Gracious Help
hearkened to his prayer, and the rising tide was stayed. Therefore,
Iaisonneuve, bearing a heavy cross which the good Fathers had conse-
crated, carried it to the topmost brow of the hill. \ \ïth him followed the
ladies, the soldiers, and the other colonists. Long did that cross stanJ
there. a sign of hope to the beleaguered inhabit,mts of Ville :\Iarie in many
a bitter Jay.
7+
Ca1lad'Z and the Ca1ladia1l PeoPle,
Ville :\larie received an important addition to its strength in the autumn
of 16+3, when Louis d'Ailleboust de Coulonges, a valiant and devout noble-
man of Champagne, accompanied by his young and beautiful wife, arrived.
She, too, was noble. \Yhen she was asked in marriage by d' Ailleboust, she
refused him, having at the age" of five made a vow of perpetual chastity.
To this refusal her Jesuit confessor objected, since her proposed husband
was about to proceed to Canada, to devote his sword and his life to the
service of the church in that distant land. It was most important that she
should go with him to help in the good work. But how could her consci-
ence be relieved of the vow she had taken? Her confessor suggested a
means of escape. "Let the marriage ceremony be performed, but let hus-
band and wife live together as if unmarried. A year after its foundation
the Iroquois discovered Ville :\Iarie, Fortunately, very soon afterwards,
d'Ailleboust, who was a skillful engineer, had surrounded the town with
ramparts and bastions of earth, that proved a far more secure defence than
mere palisades. One day ten Algonquins, flying from a band of Iroquois,
sought shelter in Ville 1\Iarie. For the first time, the Iroquois beheld the
new fortifications. They examined the place carefully, and carried the
important news home to their nation. In the summer of 16+3, a party of
sixty Hurons descended the St. Lawrence, laden with furs for the Ville
:\Iarie market. \Yhen they came to the rapids of Lachine they had to land
and carry their canoes by the portage, Quite unexpectly, they came on a
large war-party of Iroquois, The Hurons, panic-striken, sought to gain
favour with their enemies by betraying all they knew of the defences of their
French benefactors. The Iroquois sent a party of forty warriors, who sur-
prised six Frenchmen within shot of the fort, and having killed three of
them, carried off the others for torture and the stake. It is satisfactory to
know that the Huron traitors were, most of them, put to death that night
by the Iroquois. Of the French captives, one escaped to Ville Marie, the
others were burned alive with the usual tortures, It now became unsafe to
pass beyond the gates of the fort without a vigilant and well-armed escort.
From this time forth the Iroquois were in perpetual ambuscade, not only at
\llle :\Iarie, but near a fort lately built at the central point of Three Rivers,
and at another fort which l\1ontmagny had erected at the mouth of the
Richelieu, to check the advance of the Mohawk Iroquois, who usually made
their descents on the settlements by this river. At Ville Marie, especially,
the Mohawk spies lay in wait; concealed in a wood, or coiled up, bear-like,
in a hollow tree, a single warrior would watch for days, almost without food,
for the opportunity of taking the scalp of whoever ventured unarmed outside
the gate. But this danger was much lessened by the arrival from France
The Government of JI ontmagll)',
75
of a number of strong mastiffs which proved to be most efficient in instantly
indicating the presence of the Iroquois, so that it was no longer possible
for the savages to lurk in the woods undetected, Among these dogs the
most remarkable was one named Pilot, which every morning, followed by a
strong detachment of her progeny, explored the outskirts of the fort. If
anyone of them was lazy, or returned unauthorized to the fort, she bit the
delinquent iìeverely. She could detect the presence of the Iroquois, even
at a distance, by the scent, on which she would run back with loud barking
to the fort. In 16++, a considerable detachment of Iroquois camped near
Ville ::\1arie, intending, if possible, ,to surprise the garrison. But Pilot gave
warning of their movements every day, and
Iaisonneuve-a1though no
braver soldier ever drew sword beneath the flag of France-thought it his
duty to observe extreme caution in exposing his men to a fight with an
enemy of far superior force, But his soldiers grew discontented at this
forced inaction, They even so far forgot themseh'es as to accuse :\Iaison-
neuve of want of courage. Hearing of this, Maisonneuve resolved .on
decisive action. One morning in :\Iarch, while the snow still lay deep
around Ville :\Iarie, Pilot ran into the fort barking furiously. The soldiers
begged their leader to allow them to confront the foe, " Yes," said
Iaisonneuve, "get r
ady at once, and take care that you are as brave as
you profess to be. I will lead you myself." All was made ready, and
with guns well loaded, a body of thirty French soldiers sallied forth,
Iaisonneuve at their head. They marched into the forest east of the fort,
whence the barking of the dogs had first been heard, Suddenly from be-
hind the trees started forth some eighty Iroquois warriors, who greeted
them with a volley of bullets and arrows, Steadily the Frenchmen returned
the fire, and several of the savages fell dead in the snow, The French had
the advantage of being armed with the newly-invented flint-lock musket,
while the Indians had only the match-lock arquebuse,
Iaisonneuve, with
wise precaution, ordered his men to imitate the tactics of the foe by taking
shelter behind trees, But, being outnumbered, the fight was an unequal
one, and it was necessary to retreat to the fort. From time to time, the
French turned round and fired on their pursuers; but as they got closer
to the fort, the retreat became a panic, and
Iaisonneuve was left. alone.
The Iroquois pressed close upon him, anJ might have surrounded him, hut
that they wished to leave the honour of his capture to their chief. :\Iaison-
neuve shot him dead with a pistol, and while the savages busied themselves
with securing the body of their chief, the French leader made his way in
safety to the fort.
In 16+5,
Iontmagny endeavoured to secure a treaty of peace with the
7 6
Canada and tlle Canadian PeoPle.
Iroquois. He had succeeded in saving from the stake several Iroquois who
had been captured by the Algonquins, These he sent back to their own
country unharmed. The result was an embassy from the Mohawk tribe of
the Iroquois. The Iroquois, it will be remembered, consisted at that time
of five nations, of which the Senecas and other western tribes were engaged
in exterminating the Hurons, while the Mohawks alone carried on the war
against New France. The :\Iohawk ambassadors were received by 1Vlont-
magny with much pomp at the fort at Three Rivers, Endless speeches were
made, endless belts of wampum were presented; one belt to unite the
French and the
lohawks as brothers; one belt to scatter the clouds; one
belt to cover the blood of the slain Iroquois; one belt to break the kettle in
which the :Mohawks boiled their enemies; and so on, through the endless
maze of metaphors which constituted the oratory of these grown-up
children, Peace was concluded, but l\Iontmagny overlooked the fact that
it was only ratified by two out of the three trIbes of the l\Iohawk Nation,
The clans of the \Volf and the Turtle seemed to have been sincere in their
desire for peace; that of the Bear was unappeased, Father J ogues, a
Jesuit missionary, was sent to the :\lohawk country by :\Iontmagny as a
political emissary, The story of this man's life is a remarkable one. His
portrait, as given by Charlevoix, presents a delicate, refined, almost femi-
nine type of face; not by any means one that would typify the stoical
endurance of Brebæuf, or the placid courage of the martyred Daniel. But,
as has been well said, when inspired with the same holy enthusiasm, the
lamb has proved as brave as the lion. Several years before, when on the
Huron mission, Jogues had been captured by the Iroquois, from whom he
suffered incredible tortures, but one finger being left on his hands. By the
kindness of a Dutch trader, he was able to escape to France, where he was
received with the greatest enthusiasm. Numerous honours and preferments
were offered him, Anne of Austria, the Queen of Louis the Thirteenth,
kissed his mutilated hand. As Charlevoix says, he had all the more
temptation to enjoy repose at home, because he must have felt that it was.
deserved. But he would not be unfaithful to his vocation, and returned to
Canada, His embassy to the :\Iohawks soon came to an end, The minority
of the Bear tribe, being eager for war, desired to implicate the other Mohawks
by taking the life of the French emissary, A sickness fell on the town in
which he lived, The old cry was raised that the Jesuit was a sorcerer whose
presence brought famine and the pest. ]ogues was murdered, happily
without torture, by a blow on the head. So the peace of a few months
was broken, and. the Iroquois terror once more haunted forest and stream.
_\s the French King had decreed that the term of office for colonial
The Governmcnt of J/olltmagny,
77
.
governors should not exceed three years,
Iontmagny resigned in 16+8,
Th'e government of this nobleman was made illustrious by the foundation
of l\Iontreal and of the Ursuline Convent at Quebec, and by his wise erec-
tion of the Richelieu fort, He was succeeded in the same year by :\1.
d'...\illeboust, who had taken a leading part in the settlement at Ville :\larie,
and had afterwards been commandant at the important fort at Three Rivers.
During the two years of his term of government took place the extirpation
of the Hurons, a small remnant of whom sought' shelter in Quebec. At
Lorette, a few miles from thence, their descendants are still to be found
. . ,
though with ever-dwindling numbers, In 16+8 an envoy arrived at Quebec
from the British colonies in New England, This was the first direct com-
munication between the colonies of France and England. The Kew Eng-
land envoy proposed a treaty for reciprocity of commerce, and an alli-
ance between the colonies. The proposal was very acceptable to the
government of New France, They sent to Boston, as their represen-
tative, a Jesuit priest named Druillettes, Only three years before, a law had
been passed by the New England Legislature that any Jesuit entering
ew England should be put to death. It has been truly said that the men
of Boston hated a Jesuit next to the devil or a Church of England minister.
However, owing to his character of envoy, Druillettes reached the Puritan
mother city in safety, and was hospitably entertained. He visited Boston
again in 1651, in order to press on the New England government d'Aille-
houst's wish for an alliance between Kew France and New England against
the Iroquois, But then, as now, the New Englander was disinclined to
fight for any interests but his own. And as to the plea which Druillettes
urged, that it was the duty of the English colonists to protect his Huron
converts against their heathen fellow-countrymen, the Puritans probably
thought that there was little to choose between the heathenism of the
Iroquois and the idolatries of the popery to which the Hurons had been
converted. So the negotiation came to nothing,
In the year 1650, that of the final destruction of the Hurons, 1\1. d',A,ille-
boust resigned office, but settled in the colony where he died. He was suc-
ceeded by 1\1. de Lauzon, who had been one of the leading men in Hichelieu's
company. The prospeçts of new France were dark when he entered on its
government, The Iroquois, flushed with their success over the Hurons,
directed all their energies against the unhappy colonists, and their yet more
unhappy Indian allies. None, without being armed, dared to plough a field
or bind up a sheaf of grain, The dwellers on outlying farms had either to
entrench themselves with strong defences, or to abandon their dwellings,
As an illustration of the straits to which the colony \\-as reduced, the
.
,
7 8
Callada and tile Calladian P,:oþle.
.
following from the Relations for 1653 may be quoted: "The war of the
Iroquois has dried up all the sources of prosperity. The beavers àre
allowed to build their dams in peace, none being able or willing to molest
them. Crowds of Hurons no longer descend from their country with furs
for trading. The Algonquin country is dispeopled; and the nations beyond
are retiring further away still, fearing the musketry of the Iroquois. The
keeper of the company's store here in ì\Iontreal has not bought a single
beaver skin for a year past, At Three Rivers, the small means at hand
have been used in fortifying the place from fear of an inroad upon it.
In the Quebec store-house, all is emptiness. And thus everybody has
reason to be malcontent, and there is not wherewithal in the treasury to meet
the claims made upon it, or to supply public wan"ts," An Iroquois band
attacked Three RIvers, and killed the commandant, with several men, in a
sortie from the fort. So critical was the condition of \ïlIe ::\Iarie in the
year 1651 that l\Iaisonneuve went to France to represent the state of the
colony. He obtained, chiefly from Maine and Brittany, a body of a
hundred and five colonists, all well trained both in war and agriculture,
whose arrival checked the Iroquois advance, and greatly served to build up
the fortunes of Ville
Iarie, By this time the fickle Iroquois seemed inclined
for peace, which was accordingly concluded in 1655, and though the ,,,oar
broke out again in a few months, ev.en this short interval of tranquillity
was of great use to the colony. A number of Jesuit missionaries took
ad,oantage of the peace, precarious as it was, to venture their lives in preach-
ing the gospel among the Iroquois. The Onondaga Nation had requested
of :\1. de Lauzon that' a settlement might be formed in their country, in
consequence of which Captain Dupuis, a French officer of noble birth, was
sent into the Iroquois country with fifty soldiers and four missionaries,
\Yhen they left Quebec their friends bade them a last solemn farewell, not
expecting to see them return alive from the land of those ruthless savages.
The French force began to form a settlement in the Onondaga country, but
the sleepless jealousy of the savage tribe was soon aroused against them.
Jealousy soon became hatred. A dying Indian who had been converted
warned one of the priests that the Iroquois had resolved on surprising and
slaughtering their French guests. Dupuis resolved on a stratagem, pardon-
able under the circumstances: he invited the Iroquois to a feast, gave them
plenty of brandy, and when every man, woman and child, was perfectly
drunk, he and his soldiers embarked in canoçs which had been secretly
prepared, and made their escape.
In 1658, Viscount d'Argenson became governor. He ascended the
ri,-er Richelieu with two hundred men, and drove back the Iroquois for a
Tile Gm'eYlt11lCIlt of JI Oil till aglt)' ,
ï9
considerable distance, In 1659 the celebrated De Laval came to Quebec
as Vicar Apostolic, a step by which the Pope made Canada independent of
the French episcopate. He was afterwards bishop, and by his arbitrary
assumptions of authority was engaged in constant bickering with the civil
O"overnment, In 1660 it became known to the colonists of Ville :\Iarie and
r-,
Quebec that a united effort for the destruction of those towns and of Three
Rivers, and the consequent extermination of the entire French race, was
meditated by the Iroquois. The danger was averted by an act of heroic
self-sacrifice not unworthy to be compared with the achievements of a
Decius or a Leonidas,
\ young French nobleman, named Daulac des
Ormeaux, with sixteen companions, resolved to strike a blow which, at the
sacrifice of their own lives, might check the savage enemy's advance, at
least for the present. They confessed their sins, received absolution, and,
armed to the te
th, took up their position in an old palisade fort situated
where, then as I)ow, the roar of the Long Sault Rapids on the Ottawa blend
,vith the sigh of the wind through the forest. \Vith them were some fifty
Huron a
lies, who, however, basely deserted them in the hour of danger.
\ \Thile they were engaged in strengthening their fortifications the Iroquois
fell upon them. For ten days, and through incessant attacks, this handful
of Europ
ans held at bay the five hundred painted savages who swarmed,
screeching their war-whoops and brandishing their tomahawks, up to the
very loop-holes of the fort, but only to be driven back by the resolute fire
of its defenders, The savages left their chief among the heaps of slain, Re-
pulsed again and again, the Iroquois put off their main attack till the arrival
of reinforcements, the chief body of their forces which was moving en Ville
:\Iarie. To the last, Daulac des Ormeaux and his handful of gallant fol-
lowers held their own against the swarming hordes. The base Hurons
deserted, and, it is satisfactory to know, were nearly all put to death by the
Iroquois. At length Daulac and his men, exhausted by their almost super-
human efforts, as well as by hunger, thirst, and sleeplessness, fell, fighting
to the last. Four only survived, of whom three, being mortally wounded,
were burned at once, The fourth was reserved for torture. The Iroquois
had paid very dearly for their victory over a handful of men, whose valour
so daunted the spirit of the savages that they gave up their designs on the
French colony. There was great joy in Quebec at this deliverance, and a
solemn Te Dcum was sung in the churches.
In 1661 the Baron d'Avaugour was appointed governor. He was a
skilful soldier, and had seen service in the wars in Hungary. His term of
office was embarrassed, like that of his predecessor, by constant disputes
with Laval, chiefly on the subject of selling liquor to the Indians, to which
.
80
Canada and tllC Canadian PeoPle,
Laval, like all the rest of the clergy, was, on principle, opposed, D'Avau-
gour at this time induced the French king to give up a project which many
of the French court advocated-the abandonment of Canada. He also
obtained for the garrison of New France a reinforcement of four hundred
lnen.
In February, 1663, a terrible earthquake affected the whole of Canada,
the shocks being felt two or three times a day over a period of
alf a year,
o damage, however, was done to life, and very little to property. The
Indians believed that the earthquake was caused by the souls of their
ancestors, who wished to return to the world, D' A vaugour induced King
Louis XIV, to abolish the Richelieu company, and to take the govern-
ment of Canada into his own hands, Under the King, Canada was to be
governed by a Sovereign Council, consisting of the Governor, the Bishop,
the, Intendant, or l\Iinister of Justice and Finance, and five leading colonists,
_\cadia, where the English, or rather the Huguenot Kirk under English
colours, had destroyed every vestige of the French settlements, had been
ceded again to France at the request of Cardinal Richelieu. It was divided
into three provinces, under three governors, one of whom, a Huguenot
adventurer named La Tour, intrigued and finally rebelled against the
g-overnor in chief, Charnissey, in 1647. \Vith the usual Huguenot tactics,
La Tour asked for and obtained aid from the English colony at Boston
against his own countrymen, although England and France were then at
peace. Charnissey remonstrated with the English, who proposed an
alliance between his government of Acadia and New England. Having
learned that La Tour was absent from fort St. John, Chai-nissey attempted
to take it by surprise. It was gallantly defended by Madame de La Tour,
a French lady of noble birth and of great beauty and accomplishments.
Charnissey was forced to withdraw, after a loss of thirty-three of his men.
He perceived during the siege that English soldiers from Boston, contrary
to the treaty, were among the garrison. Enraged at this breach of faith,
Charnissey seized and destroyed a ship belonging to New England.
.\larmed at the danger to their commerce, the practical-minded Bostonian
merchants sent no more aid to their unfortunate co-religionists. Again,
and with a stronger force, Charnissey besieged fort St, John, Again, the
Lady of the Castle, with a few faithful followers, beat back his thrice-
repeated attack. The treason of one of the garrison enabled him to
make his way, at an unguarded entrance, into the main body of the fort.
But Madame de La Tour and her soldiers stood at bay in an outlying
part of the castle, and Charnissey agreed to terms of surrender which he
basely violated, He had the unspeakable wickedness to hang everyone of
The GO
ler1l1llellt of J! 01ltmagfl)',
81
these faithful soldi
rs, and to force the noble lady whom they had served
so 'well to witness the execution with a halter round her neck. The shock
affected her reason, and she died soon after. Her husband had better
fortune, \Yhen Puritanism, under Cromwell, became the arbiter of Europe,
La Tour was appointed one of the three governors of ..\cadia, By the
treaty of Breda, _-\cadia was once more transferred to France. Its history
at this time contains little worthy of record. \\ïth a meagre soil and a sea-
board ever exposed to invasion it was held of little conse,quence, either by
England or France.
6
e-., ...... "",,,D '\Ø
r f'. _'-'f.
-,
,,'S.. 't' -=-'
J, / """"', -
.....
.'
CHAPTER XIII.
CANADA UKDER ROYAL GOVER
:\IENT.
r-
'
1fJ' - ARON D'A V AUGOUR was succeeded by the Chevalier de Mézy.
- ,
, In consequence of the continual quarrels between the late Gover-
.
:tI f nor and Bishop La val, De l\Iézy had been chosen because, from
u
IT ttt" his ostentatious professions of piety, it was thought that he would
-:í?f.
be certain to act in harmony with the priesthood, so po\verful
'J in New France. This proved to be a mistake, Of De l\1ézy's
government there is nothing left worthy of record. He quarrelled with two
members of the Council, and, in utter contempt of law, dismissed them from
office. This was trenching on the royal prerogative, of which his master,
Louis XIV" was so jealous. \Vorse still, knowing that Bishop Laval and
the Jesuits were most unpopular in the colony, on account of the tithes
exacted by the Bishop, and the constant interference of the Jesuits in secular
matters, he actually made an appeal to the people by calling a public meet-
ing to discuss the cond uct of the officials he had displaced. This was the
worst of all sins in the opinion of the Grand l\1onarque, Louis resoh'ed to
make an example of De l\1ézy, He was superseded, and death only sayed
him from being impeached in the Quebec court, Alexander de Prouyille,
Iarquis de Tracy, was appointed by King Louis as Viceroy. He reached
Quebec in 1665, bringing with him one who was destined to succeed him as
Governor, Daniel de Rémi, Sieur de Courcelles, and 1\1. Talon, who was
to fill the new office of Intendant, and prove one of the wisest and most
successful fosterers of industry and colonization that New France has ever
known. In the same year with De Tracy, arrived almost the entire regi-
ment of Carignan, veteran soldiers of the war against the Turks in Hungary.
\Vith them came their Colonel, M, de Salières. The transport which con-
veyed them brought a considerable number of new colonists, and of sheep,
cattle, and horses; the latter never before seen in Canada, although the
Jesuits had imported some to their short-lived Acadian settlement. De
Tracy's first care was to check the Iroquois. For this purpose he built three
Canada under Ro)'al Government.
83
new forts on the Richelieu River, two of them called after his officers ::\I
I.
Sorel and Chambly, who were the first commandants. Meanwhile, three
out of the five nations of the IroquQis had made peace. De Tracy and
Sorel marched into the country of the other two Iroquois nations, who sued
for peace, but who, with their usual perfidy, could not resist the opportunity
to massacre a party of Frenchmen who fell in their way, Amon
those
murdered was a nephew of Marquis de Tracy.
it so happened that several envoys from the Iroquois had waited on De
Tracy, and were being entertained by him at dinner, One of the savages,
flushed with wine, boasted that it was his hand that had taken the scalp of
De Tracy's nephew.
\ll present were horrified, and the :\larquis, saying
that he would prevent the wretch from murdering anyone else, had him
seized, and at once strangled by the common executioner. This most
righteous punishment of course broke off the negotiation. l\Ieantime
:\1. de Courcelles invaded the Iroquois country, After a toilsome march of
seven hundred miles through wilderness and forest deep with snow, he
marched at the head of his men, shod with snow-shoes, and, like the private
soldiers of his command, with musket and knapsack at his back. \\ïth him,
under La YaIlière and other French nobles of historic name, marched for
the first time the representatives of that Canadian militia which has since
gained such deserved fame for courage and every soldier-like quality. They
found the Iroquois country a solitude; the men were all absent on expe-
ditions elsewhere; the wOl'nen had fled to t)le woods. But this eÀpedition,
made at mid-winter, struck terror into the hearts of the savages, and showed
them that they were contending with a civilization whose power was
greater than they had supposed, I t would exceed the limits of a work like
this to give in detail all the benefits which Canada owes to the wise and
virtuous Talon. I t was he that discovered the existence of iron at Gaspé
and at Three Rivers; it was he that opened up trade with the Hudson's Bay
Territory, and that suggested the mission of Joliet and
larquette to the
::\Iississippi, He and De Courcelles resigned office in the same year- I6 7 I - 2 .
The next Governor was Louis de Buade, Count de Frontenac; a noble of
high reputation for ability and courage, Taking advantage of existing"peace
with the Iroquois, and with the consent of their chiefs, Frontenac built at
the head of Lake Ontario a fort, called by his own name, I t stood on the
site of the present artillery barracks at Kingston. The discovery of the
::\Iississippi by Joliet, although it took place in Frontenac's term of office,
hardly belongs to Canadian History, ..\nother explorer, La Sdlle, sailed
down the ::\Iississippi to the Gulf of l\Iexico, He received a grant of Fort
Frontenac, which he rebuilt with stone walls and bastions.
\ few miles
R4-
Canada and the Canadian People.
ahove K iagara Falls he built a ship of sixty tons and seven guns, .which he
called the Griffon, In this vessel he sailed to Lake Michigan, On his
return he sent hack the Griffon laden with furs, but, she was never seen
again, and is believed to have foundered in a storm, Frontenac was much
harassed by disputes with Laval and the clergy on the old vexed question
of the }liquor trade, to which they were opposed. In 1682 he was succeeded
as Governor by :\1. de La Barre, The Iroquois onc
more began to
give trouhle by endeavouring to take what remained of the fur trade out
of the hands of the French, and transfer it to the British colonies. La
Barre, with two hundred soldiers, marched into the Iroquois country;
but sickness and a badly managed commissariat made his expedition
a failure, and cancelled the influence which the successes of the three pre-
vious Governors had won over the savages. He was recalled in 1685, and
the Marquis de Denonville took his place, Denonville's administration
marks the lowest point in the fortunes of New France, which now contained
about ten thousand colonists. He was meditating an attack on the Iro-
quois, when, in 1686, he received a letter from the English Governor of Kew
York, warning him that the Iroquois were now subjects of the King of
England, and therefore must not be molested by the French. But Denon-
\"ille was about to strike the Iroquois with weapons that were not carnal;
he was ahout to degrade himself by fighting them with their own favourite
arms, dissimulation and treachery, Through the influence of the mission-
aries in the Iroquois country, he called a meeting of the chiefs at Fort
Frontenac, where he had them seized and sent in chains to France to work
as galley-slaves. Even the selfish tyrant on the throne of France was
ashamed of an act like this, and wrote to reprimand his viceroy, Denon-
ville meantim
collected as many Iroquois as he could lay hands upon,
intending to send them also to the galleys; but an order from the King
released these and the other victims, Denonville's act was not only a great
crime, but a still greater mistake. Strange to say, the Iroquois did not visit
it on the missionaries who lived in their country. They said to the Jesuits,
.. 0 men of the Black Robe, we have a right to hate you
but we do not hate
you ! Your heart has had no share in the wrong that has been done to us.
But you must leave us. \\"hen our young men sing the song of war, haply
they might injure you in their fury, Therefore, go in peace:' And so the
Iroquois chiefs sent away the missionaries, under the protection' of armed
guides, who escorted them to Quebec. F or some time all seep1ed tranquil.
,\ raid made by Denonville into the Iroquois country led to no adequate
result; and an Indian ofthe Huron race, known as" The Rat," whom Raynal
terms" the :\Iachiavel of the \\ïlderness;' complicated matters still further,
Canada under Ro)'al Government,
85
by seizing some Iroquois envoys who were on the way to treat of peace with
Denonville, Of these" The Rat" murdered one, and having captured the
rest, told them that this was done by Denonville's orders, but that he would
set them free. This of course infuriated the Iroquois still more. .. I have
killed the Peace!" said the Rat, \Vith the accession of \Villiam III, and
Iary, war broke out between England and France, the first of the wars
between their rival. colonies. In that war the Iroquois gave their powerf,ll
support to New York and New England. But they had a private grudge
for which a signal vengeance was to be exacted. On the night of August
5th, 1689, all was still in the picturesque village of Lachine, The industrious
inhabitants, weary with the day's work in their harvest fields, lay asleep
none the less soundly for a storm of hail which swept on their village from
the lake, Under cover of this storm, which effectually disguised the noise
of their landing, a force of many hundreds of Iroquois warriors, armed and
painted, made a descent upon Lachine. Through the night they noiselessly
surrounded every building in tl'ie village. \Vith morning's dawn the fearful
war-whoop awoke men, women, and children to their dawn of torture and
death. The village was fired, By the light of its flames in the early
morn the horror-stricken inhabitants of Montreal could see from their forti-
fications the cruelties that preceded the massacre, It is said that the Iro-
quois indulged very freely in the fire water of the Lachine merchants, and
that had the defendants of Yille :\larie been prompt to avail themselves of
the opportunity, the drunken wolves might have been butchered like swine.
Paralyzed by the horrors they had witnessed, the French let the occasion
slip, After feasting all day, at nightfall the såvages withdrew to the main-
land, not, however, without signifying by yells, repeated to the number of
Plinety, how many prisoners they carried away. From the ramparts of
Yille :\Iarie, and amid the hlackened ruins of Lachine, the garrison watched
the fiercely-burning fires on the opposite shore, kindled for what purposes.
of nameless horror they knew too well.
Panic-stricken, the French blew up Fort Frontenac and withdrew to
:\Iontreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec, to which towns the French posses-
sions in Canada were now reduced, In this crisis Frontenac, superseding
the incompetent Denonville, was once more sent to govern !\ew France,
He at once organized three expeditions, wliich invaded and ravaged wllLlt
are now the States of Xew York, New Hampshire, and
Iaine, In retalia-
tion, th
British sent two expeditions against Canada, The first. under
General \ \ïnthrop, broke down before it reached :\Iontreal. The second, a
fleet of twenty-two ships of war, was directed against Quebec, but owing
to Frontenac's vigorous resistance, was forced to withdraw, abandoning-its
6
Callada alld the Canadian People,
artillery to the Canadians. In honour of this success a church was built in
Quebec and dedicated to " Notre Dame des Victoircs." Next year another
attack on 1Iontreal by the English was repulsed, This war between the
colonies, which is called" King \\ïlliam's war," was brought to a close by
Úle treaty of Ryswick in 1697, The yeteran soldier De Frontenac died at
QueLec in the year 1698, and was succeeded by one of his lieutenants, 1\1.
de Callières, In 1701 war broke out again between France and England,
and, therefore, between their colonies, It is known as "Queen Anne's war."
In 1700 Calliéres died at Quebec, and was succeeded by the Marquis de
Yaudreuil, under whom the colony attained its greatest prosperity. The
total population of New France was then 15,000, An attack was made by
four hundred French on a border fort named Haverhill, which they captured,
In 1710 seven regiments of Marlborough's veterans were sent under Admiral
Sir Hovendon \ Yalker to meet a force of four thousand under General
icholson. But the fleet was wrecked amopg the St. Lawrence reefs, and
icholson, when he heard of this, marched back to Albany, This war
closed with the peace of Utrecht, in 1713, by which
\cadia, Newfoundland,
and Hudson's Bay Territory were ceded to England. Canada was retained by
France, In 1725 Vaudreuil, like his two predecessors, died at Quebec. He
was succeeded by the Marquis de Beauharnois, in whose time the popu-
lation rose to 40,000. This Governor, with consent of the Iroquois chiefs,
built a fort at the entrance of the Niagara River. In 1745 war broke out
again between France and England, but happily this did not affect Canada,
as its operations were chiefly carried on in the ::\Iaritime Provinces, where
a British force took Louisbourg, The next Governor was the 1\Iarquis de
la Jonquière; hut he was taken prisoner, his fleet being defeated by
Admiral Anson, For the two years th3;t followed-17+7-1748-the war
closed by the peace of Aix-Ia-Chapelle, when La J onquière, being released,
assumed the gm;ernment. As a defence against the British fort of
Oswego, La Jonquière built a fort near the River Humber on Lake
Ontario, called, from the French :\Iinister of :\Iarine, Rouillé, or by its
Indian name, TORONTO, This first feeble beginning of a great metropolis
dates from 1749, a year for this reason one of the memorable ones of
Canadian history. This fort, the germ of Canada's industrial and intel-
lectual centre, was situated about a mile from the Humber, to the south
of the present Exhibition Building, in \Vest Toronto. l\Ieanwhile the
administration of New France was becoming more and more corrupt.
The greed and dishonesty of Bigot, the last of the Intendants, did much to
hasten the downfall of the colony. The wealth he accumulated by fraud
amounted to the enormous sum of {400,000, La Jonquière died at Quebec
Ca1lada ullder Royal GoveY1l11le1lt.
87
in 1752, and was buried in the church of the Récollet Friars, beside Fron-
tenac and Vaudréuil. He was succeeded, in 1752, by the Marquis Duquesne
de Menneville. This Governor sent a force to destroy a fort named Fort
Necessity, which was defended by a Virginian officer of militia known to
history as George \Vashington. \Vashington was forced to capitulate to
the French commandant, :\1. de Villiers, The war which ensued is called
the French war. Duquesne having applied for his recall, was succeeded
hy the Marquis de Vauçréuil-Cavagnal, son of the former Governor Vau-
dréuil, and born at Quebec. He arrived in Canada in 1755, Every man
in New France was now called to arms; the farms were deserted, the fields
uncultivated, the fur trade was extinct, prices rose as provisions became
scarce, and wretches like Bigot throve on the miseries of the people, But
the English received a check by the almost total destruction of their army in
the fight in which General Braddock fell. This, however, was partly
retrieved in the victory gained by General Johnson over the French
General Baron Dieskau, near Lake George, George the Second made
Johnson a baronet, as a reward for his success, In 1756, the French King
named the Marquis de Montcalm Commander-in-chief of the forces in Kew
France, Thus, on the
ve of her downfall, after suffering much from
incompetent rulers and corrupt officials, there was given to
ew France a
leader who, in the purity of his chivalrous nature, in his combination of
the two-fold type of soldier and statesman, is not unworthy to be compared
with the heroes of her earlier and nobler day, with Chomedey de l\Iaison-
neuve and Samuel de Champlain,
In the autumn of 1756 :\lontcalm captured Forts Ontario and Oswego.
and demolished them. This gave the French command of the entire lake
region which Fort Oswego had controlled, and di\Terted the fur trade from
the English colonies to New France, l\1ontcalm continued his victorious
career until Fort \Villiam Henry-which a French force, under a hrother of
Vaudréuil, had vainly endeavoured to take in the early part of the year-
had surrended, and was destroyed, This brilliant success gave Montcalm
the control of Lake George, which he utilized by capturing and sinking
all the English war ships that sailed on it. The glory of these exploits was
stained hya series of massacres of English prisoners by :\lontcalm's Indian
allies and camp followers, But so great was the impression made by his
exploits that the ever-faithless Iroquois meditated deserting their alliance
with England, and would have done so had it not heen for the influence
of Sir \Villiam Johnson.
The Pitt administration had now assumed power in England, and the
war was carried on with greater energy. An expedition was sent to
o\'a
RH
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
Scotia and Cape Breton in 1758, and, in the face of great difficulties,
Louisbourg was taken. This was due in part to the skill and courage of
a young officer, Brigadier-General \VOLFE, who succeeded in marching a
body of troops up a height which had been thought inaccessible-tactics
which he was destined to repeat, with an ampler success, on a more
memorable occasion. A second expedition, consisting of the largest army
yet assembled in America, marched on Ticonderoga and Crown Point
under General Abercromby. :l\Iontcalm in vain applied to the French
King for succour; the selfish voluptuary, \-vhose political wisdom was
expressed in the saying, "After me the Deluge," preferred spending the
people's money on diamonds for his mistresses, rather than in an effort
to redeem the national honour by preserving to France her finest colony,
But l\1ontcalm did not relax his efforts, though he knew that his cause
was hopeless, "\Ve shall fight," he wrote to the French Minister,
"and shall bury ourselves, if need be, under the ruins of the colony."
One final triumph awaited him,. the greatest victory ever gained on
.American soil by a far inferior force over a magnificent army, ;\lont-
calm, with 3,600 Canadians, had entrenched himself on a triangular
space of elevated ground between a small river, called La Chute, and
Lake Champlain into which it flows, At the apex of the triangle was
a small fort, whose guns commanded lake and river. Abercromby ad-
vanced with his army of 15,000 veteran troops in four columns, :\lont-
calm had defended his position on the only assailable side by a breast-
work of felled trees, and had ordered the country in front to be cleared of
woods, so as to afford no cover to an attacking force. The fight began by
a movement made by a number of gun-barges on the river, which opened
fire on the right flank of the French, They were speedily sunk by the
cannon of the fort. Then the four columns of the British advanced,
Montcalm writes, "with admirable coolness and order." The column,
composed chiefly of Highlanders under Lord John
Iurray, opened fire on
:\Iontcalm's right wing, commanded by 1\1. de Lévis, who, seeing the danger,
ordered a portée to be made in order to assail the flank of the dttacking
column. This move succeeded, The column of Highlanders, in order to
avoid a cross flanking fire, were forced to incline the column next their
own; thus the four columns of the British as they advanced to the breasL
work became massed into a dense body of troops, an easy mark for the
fire of their opponents, Montcalm took advantage of the disgraceful
blunder in strategy by which Abercromby sacrificed the lives of so many
gallant soldiers. He gave strict orders that his troops should reserve their
fire till the English came within twenty paces of the entrenchments. His
Ca1lada u1lder Royal GO'l'erume1l!,
89
.
ordei- was obeyed to the letter, \Vhen the densely crowded mass of the
English columns came quite close to the breastwork of trees, a storm of
shot and flame leaped forth at once from all the French line in front of
them; the leaden hail tore its way resistlessly through their crowded ranks,
In vain they attempted to return the fire against the Canadians, secure
behind the entrenchments. Falling back in some confusion, the English
columns reformed and returned to the attack. They displayed the utmost
valour. The Highlanders, in :\lontcalm's own words, " covered themselves
with glory," the picturesque costume of the Scotch mountaineers being
distinctly visible through the smoke in the foreground of the battle, But
:\Iontcalm held a position impregnable except by artillery, and Abercromby's
artillery lay on board the gun-boats at the bottom of the river. For six
hours the attack was renewed by the British columns, but whenever they
advanced to the breastwork of trees they were driven back by a murderous
fire to which they could not reply with advantage. All through the battle
'Montcalm exposed himself to every danger. From his station in the centre
he hastened to every spot where hi
men were most hotly assailed, bringing
reinforcements, and ch
ering them by his voice and example, Such was the
great victory which shed its lustre on the name of :\Iontcalm and the
declini
g fortunes of New France.
This defeat was in some degree retrieved by the capture and destruc-
tion of Fort Frontenac (Kingston) and of Duquesne by General Forbes,
who changed its name to Pittsburg, in honour of the great Commoner.
Abercromby was now superseded by General_'\mherst, who made a success-
ful move against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. At the same time General
Prideaux and Sir \\ï1liam Johnson attacked Fort Niagara, where'Prideaux
was killed by the bursting of a mortar. Johnson succeeded in taking the
fort. Meanwhile, :\1r. Pitt, with that instinctive appreciation of true
genius which distinguished that great minister, had appointed young
General \\'olfe to the supreme command. James \Volfe was a typical
example, to borrow \Vordsworth's language, of "whatever man in arms
should wish to be." Devoted to his profession, he declined lucrative staff
appointments in order to go on active service. _\t the capture of Louis-
bourg he had already distinguished himself. Unlike most of the military
men of his time, \ \' olfe had an ardent love for literature and art. He was
engaged to be married to a young lady of great beauty and considerable
wealth; but he left England with the germs of a mortal disease in his con-
stitution, which would too probably prevent his seeing her again. Late in
l\Iay, 1759, a fleet of twenty ships of the line and as many frigates conve)ed
, \\'olfe and his lieutenants. Townshend and :\lurray, with their eight thousand
go
Calzada and the Canadian PeoPle.
regular troops, up the St. Lawrence to the Isle of Orleans, where the troops
disembarked, and took up a position at the western end, facing Quebec,
The fleet meantime reconnoitred, the soundings being taken by James Cook,
afterwards the celebrated sea captain and discoverer. It is a curious
coincidence that there were then present in the two opposing camps of
France and England the two greatest explorers of. that age-Cook and
Bougainville, \Yolfe himself ascended the river, above Quebec, in a barge,
in order to make a general observation of their position. It is characteristic
of him that he held in his hand, and read from time to time, a poem, then
lately published in England, by Mr. Gray, of Cambridge-" An Elegy
\Yritten in a Country Churchyard." "Gentlemen," he said to the officers
beside him, " I would rather have the glory of having written this poem than
that of the capture of Quebec," "Xone but God knows how to attempt the
impossible!" wrote :\lontcalm from his post within the beleaguered city,
The king whom he had served with such signal success had ahandoned him
to his fate, His army was forced to sub,sist on horse-flesh and a small daily
allowance of hiscuit. In front of him, supported by a powerful fleet, was
a well-appointed army ahundantly supplIed with provisions and munitions
of war. The viceroy and his creatures thwarted him at every step; yet,
amid all discouragements, the \'ictor of Carillon held his ground, firm as
the rock on which he stood,
\ British force under
Ioncton defeated the French troops at Point
Lévis, directly opposite Quebec, From this commanding position, \Yolfe,
with his heavy artillery, proceeded to bombard the city, The cathedral
and the best houses were destroyed, the whole of the Lower Town was con-
sumed by fire; a shell struck the garden of the U rsulines, ploughing a deep
trench close to the wall. l\Ieanwhile, Montcalm had taken up a position
outside the city, his army being entrenched from the mouth of the St.
Charles, which was defended by a hoom of ships, with masts chained
together, to the mouth of the Montmorency; every point where an enemy
could land being defended by a small redoubt. Every point where access
seemed possible was guarded hy sentinels, especially one zigzag path that
led from what is now \Y olfe's Cove to the Plains of Abraham above the city,
I t seemed scarce likely that such a harebrained attempt would be made as to
risk the ascent by such a narrow and precipitous approach. Still, sentries
were posted on the river bank below, and a redoubt with cannon com-
manded the entire ascent. The command of the redouht was intrusted to
one V ergor, who, three years before, had surrendered Beausejour to the
British. Brought to a court-martial for this unsoldier-like act, he was
acquitted by the influence of the Intendant, Bigot, whose creature he was,
Canada under Royal GO'l.'ernmem.
9 1
\Volfe resolved to attack Montcalm's army on the left wing, near the mouth
of the :\Iontmorency River. On July 31st, under cover of broadsides from
the men of war, \Volfe, with eight thousand troops arranged in four columns,
landed on the north St. Lawrence strand, crossed the l\Iontmorency þy a
ford in the face of fire from a redoubt, which \Volfe captured, They were
then within musket shot of l\Iontcalm's entrenchments. \Volfe's troops,
having formed once more in column, attacked the entrenchments with fixed
bayonets, But as at Carillon. the Canadian militia reserved their fire till
the British were within a few yards of their position; they then rose from
the trenches and poured in their fire 'with unerring aim, The British soldiers
fell fast before it. \Volfe's columns were broken, and they fled. Their retreat
was covered by a violent thunderstorm. \ Vhen the mist and rain cleared
away, the British were seen re-embarking with their wounded. The glory
of the victory of :\Iontmorency belongs to De Lévis, one of l\lontcalm's
lieutenants, Anxiety at this defeat brought on a severe attack of \Volfe's
malady, He called a council of war, and was in favour of renewing the
attack from the direction of Montmorency. Colonel Townshend proposed
the daring plan of marching the army up the steep ascent already referred
to, and entrenching themselves on the Plains of Abraham, commanding
the city. This plan \"olfe at once adopted, That night 4,828 men,
with one field-piece, proceeded in barges to \"olfe's Cove. \Volfe had
ascertained from deserters the watch-word which the crews of some
provision barges, expected that night, were to give to the sentries on
the river bank. Officers who spoke French were appointed to answer the
challenge of the sentries; thus the barges passed undiscovered, \ "hen
they touched the shore \Volfe sprang out, followed by his light infantry.
They quickly overpowered the French soldiers in the guard-house at the
foot of the ascent. Noiselessly and quickly, company after company
ascended the narrow and precipitous pathway. At the top was a redoubt.
It was surprised, Vergor, the commandant, was taken prisoner in bed, .\t
dawn \\'oIfe's army was ranged in hattle array on the heights above Quebec,
:\lontcalm, probably fearing that the British might entrench themselves,
marched through St. John's Gate to attack them, His army advanced in
an irregular line three deep, and began the fight with a well-sustained fire.
which the British bore without flinching, \Volfe passed through the lines
of his men to animdte their courage, lIe ordered each soldier to put two
bullets into his musket, and not to fire till the French were within twenty
yards. So effective was the storm of shot that met the French advance
that their lines were broken, on which \\' olfe, though wounded in the wrist,
led his Grenadiers to the charge. Presently he fell, shot through the chest,
9 2
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
" They run!" cried one of the officers who was supporting him in his arms,
"\Vho run?" asked \Volfe. "The French," was the reply. "Then I die
happy," were the last wç>rds of the hero.
Quebec was won, and with Quebec was won Canada for English speech,
English law, English freedom of thought and utterance, The remains of
\Yolfe were sent to England to be buried, Those of the conqueror of Caril-
lon who had fallen about the same time with \Y olfe, found a resting
place in the garden of the U rsulines, being buried in a trench which a shell
had ploughed close to the wall, On September 8th, 1760, the other French
forces in Canada surrendered, and all Canada was ceded to England by the
Treaty of Paris in 1763,
''éi0f!
CHAPTER XIV,
THE E
GLISH :\IILITARY GOYER
:\IE
T.
.-<ñ
I. -tt"
I/;;.
", OR ten years after the cession of Canada to England, the govern-
,
ment of the colony was necessarily a purely military despotism.
,/ /' The first arrangement of any regular governmental machinery
"'
', i \ was made by General Amherst, who divided Canada into three
:' ' departments, following the old di,-ision of Quebec, l\Iontreal, and
-.
Three Rivers, in each of which martial law was to be in force,
. under the direction of General :\Iurray at Quebec, General
Gage at l\Iontreal, and Colonel Benton at Three Rivers, l\Iurray instituted
a council composed of seven of his officers, which sat twice a week, and
took cognizance of the more important civil and criminal cases. But in all,
he reserved to himself the decision, without appeal. Gage; ,\ith yet more
regard to the rights of the conquered French Canadians, estahlished fi,"e
justice courts, composed of former officers of the French Canadian militia,
reserving a right of appeal to himself. This military administration of jus-
tice does not seem to have been, in practice, offensive; but to the naturally
susceptible feelings of the conquered race it seemed an intolerable tyranny,
and rather than appear before such tribunals, litigants generally settled
their differences by referring them to the arbitration of the parish cllré or
notary, For some time, the hope was cherished that France would make
yet another effort to regain her greatest colony. It was now seen that such
hopes were vain, indeed. The court was only too glad to get rid of a source
of constant expenditure, :\[adame de Pompadour made bOil mots about the
King having only lost a few acres of snow. The rising- spirit of republi-
canism rejoiced at the capture of Quebec as a victory of freedom over despo-
tism. There was a consider
ble emigration from Canada to Fr<l.Ilce during
the years following the Conquest. :\Iany Canadians' obtained high offìces
at Court, and were in favour with Napoleon, and even with the Hepuhlicans
of 1792, Those who resoh-ed, come what would, to remain in Canada, sent
envoys to London to represent their interests at Court. George II 1. was
9+
Callada a1ld the Ca1ladian PeoPle.
strnck with the beauty of the wife of one of their delegates, the Chevalier
de Lévy, and said, .. If all Canadian ladies resembled her, we may indeed
,-aunt of our beautiful conquest! ..
In October, 1763, the King, by an edict never confirmed by the English
Parliament, and, therefore, not constitutionally binding, set aside the old
French law, always hitherto in force, and put in place of it the law of Eng-
land. This was from every point of view impolitic and tyrannical; and in
. depriving the French colonists of the jurisprudence to which they were
accustomed, the royal decree did not give them in exchange the rights of
British subjects, since it declared that representative assemblies for Canada
should be held only when circumstances allowed, In November, 17 6 3,
Iurray was appointed Governor-General, and in accordance with orders,
convened a council, which, in concert with himself, was to exercise all
executive and legislati,-e functions. It consisted of the chief military gover-
nors, with eight of the leading colonists nominated by himself. In this
council there was but one French Canadian. In consequence of this high-
handed treatment, there was much irritation among the Canadians, who did
not consider that the Treaty of Paris had been carried out. To give them
some measure of relief, :Murray issued a proclamation to the effect that in
all questions relating to landed property and inheritance the old French
laws and customs should be the standard, For General Murray, though
stern, was just, and was by no means willing to see the brave inhabitants of
the conquered province trampled under the feet of the adventurers, Camp-
followers and hangers-on of gTeat men now swarmed into Canada, and,
on the ground of being English-born and Protestants, tried to engross all
preferment and power. These men, at first, carried everything before them,
They tried to do what the Family Compact, in after years, succeeded in
doing. They had, for a time. the ear of England, where they could always
appeal to the rooted prejudices of race and religion, and they might have
succeeded in making Canada another Ireland, had not the trumpet blast
of \merican Revolution awoke the muddle-headed King and his Coun-
cillors to the necessity ot keeping the faith pledged to the Canadians at the
Treaty of Paris. For the present, the British Protestant clique had influ-
ence enough to procure the recall of Murray, whom they charged with
autocratic military rule, Their real reason for hating him was the justice
of his rule, which they construed into partiality to the French Canadians,
I t is curious to record how these men, themselves the most unscrupulous of
oppressors, posed as advocates of the rights of Britons, and demanded an
elective Assembly in place of military rule. They wished for an Assembly
to which none but their own clique could be elected, and it is certain that
The English J[ ilitarv Government.
95
French Canada in those days of anarchy fared far better under military
rule, which, if at times despotic, was for the most part well-intended, and
often conciliatory.
In 1763, a plot, surpassing in the magnitude of its scope any other
ever known in Indian annals, was framed, under the instigation of certain
French ex-officials, by an Ottawa chief named Pontiac, Believing, on the
assurance of the French who made him their tool, that the King of France
\\ould send another army to Canada and expel the English, Pontiac
matured a complicated and far-reaching plan to seize on the fifteen military
posts from X iagara to Lake Michigan. The basis of operation was, as
usual in Indian warfare, treachery and surprise. Pontiac, with a number
of his warriors with muskets whose harrels had been cut short to admit of
being concealed under the blankets of the Indians, was to gain friendly
admission to the fort at Detroit, to overpower the sentries when once inside
the gate, and admit a host of warriors who would be in readiness without.
But an Ottawa girl was the mistress of the commandant, and put him on
his guard. Besides Detroit, the forts of Niagara and Pittsburg were able
to repel Pontiac's attacks, The other forts were surprised, and all the
horrors of torturing and scalping were wreaked on the hapless women and
children who were captured and deceived into surrender. One lady, the
wife of an officer, after being struck in the face by an Indian, with the
reeking scalp just torn from her husband's head, managed to escape in the
confusion. She returned at night to her ruined home, and contrived.
unaided, to bury her husband's body, after which she made her way to a
place of safety. It is humiliating to think that General Bradstreet, when,
in 1764, he arrived with a relieving force, condescended to make peace with
Pontiac, The wretch was killed soon afterwards, while drunk or asleep, by
the knife of an Indian as treacherous as himself. In our day, a brilliant
.\merican historian has thought it worth his while to record, in two volumes
of high-sounding rhetoric the life of this execrable savage.
Sir Guy Carleton was appointed to the Government of Canada in 1766.
and, acting under the instructions he had received from the home authorities,
considerahly relaxed the stringency of military rule. He also ohtained a
number of reports on various subjects connected with the French Canadians.
and these being translated to the HomeGovernment, were carefully examined
and commented on by the Law Officers of the Crown; the result of which
was the framing of a law which passed the British Parliament, and is
known as the Quebec _\ct. This Act provided that the French law,
consisting of the" Custom of Paris" and the edicts of the CanadIan Inten-
dants, should decide all but criminal cases; that the French language should be
9 6
Calzada and the Canadian PeoPle,
used in the courts oflaw; that there shoúld be complete civil equality between
the French and English; and that legislative power, with the exception of
taxation, which was reserved for the crown, should be vested in a council
in concert with the governors, by whom its members were to be chosen,
The Quebec .\ct was a crushing blow to the schemes of those who sought
to erect a British-born and Protestant oligarchy, Many of these men were
so angry that they became sympathizers with the revolutionary measures
already maturing in the thirteen colonies, But this most righteous law
secured the adherence to Britain, in the struggle that ensued, of the Canadian
priests and seigneurs, and, through them, of well nigh the whole French
Canadian people,
{(fI:'7
v
' 'jJ,:
Q .;9:\',
0
CHAPTER XV,
THE A:\IERICA
REYOLUTIO:N AS IT AFFECTED
CA)J:,ADA,
.-S
-
]fJ-
t.
'-, T the commencement of the struggle between Great Britain
. and the American 'colonies, Congress sent broadcast over
,\ , .' ,
"-- I' Canada printed documents dwelling on the advantages of
\
('" independence, and urging the conquered race to assert their
. .
;.,' rights. These representations had some weight at first, and
. J'
.) with a few; but the wiser among the French colonists were
of opinion that they had nothing to gain by alliance with those
New England colonies, who were Puritans, and opponents of their religion,
and who a few years back hdd been the worst enemies of their race,
Franklin was sent by Congress to try his powers of persuasion; but the
Canadians remembered how, fifteen years before, he had been foremost in
urging the British to conquer their country, and the philosopher's mission
proved a failure,
In the autumn of 1775, Congress and General \Vashington, at the
instance of General Montgomery, resolved on the invasion of Canada,
1\Iontgomery, with three thousand men, besieged and took the forts of
Chamblyand St. John. A detachment of his army, a hundred and ten
strong, under Colonel Ethan Allen, attempted to seize !\Iontreal, by
aid of sympathizers within the city; but Allen and his force were sur-
rounded and made prisoners by three hundred Canadian militia under
:\Iajor Carden, who met them at Longue Pointe. Allen was sent in irons to
England, A second expedition of a thousand men marched from 1\Iaine,
under Colonel Benedict Arnold, the Judas of the \Var of Independence,
After enduring great hardships, they arrived at Point Lévis, but, not having
canoes to cross the St. Lawrence, and Colonel :\Iaclean being well on his
guard at Quebec, a surprise was impracticable, and Arnold waited at
Pointe-aux-Trembles. ::\Ieanwhile, Carleton, hearing that Quebec was
threatened, at once repaired thither. ::\Iontreal, being thus left without
defence, was immediately occupied by ::\Iontgomery-a fact which sober
7
9 8
Canada a1ld the CaJladia1l PeoPle.
history must set down as no valid ground for boasting. From Montreal
Montgomery marched east, to unite his force to that of Arnold, for an attack
on Quebec.
Meanwhile, Carleton made great efforts to strengthen the defences of
Quehec, The population in 1775 amounted to 5,000. The garrison num-
bered 1,800, of whoÌn 500 were French Canadian militia. The fortifications
had been, to a great extent, rebuilt since the war of the Conquest, and
additional artillery had been provided, both on the landward side and
toward the St. Lawrence. The Lower Town was defended by batteries
at the centre, and by barricades maskin
artillery, At the approach to the
Upper Town, on Champlain street, a masked battery of seven cannon com-
manded the entire street. \Vhen Montgomery arrived, the Americans pro-
ceeded to invest the city, making their headquarters at Sainte Foye, It was
-impossible, without artillery adequate to the purpose, to attempt a regular
-siege, Montgomery's object seems rather to have been to watch his
opportunity to capture the place by a sudden dash, when the garrison was
off their guard. There is no doubt that he expected Sl'1pport from American
sympathizers within the city. A considerable force of Canadians had
joined him-men who had been alienated by Carleton's injudicious attempt
to force the Canadian militia to take up anns. But, as the seigneurs, with-
out exception, adhered to England, these men had to be officered by an
American, Colonel Livingstone. l\Iontgomery had met with a number of
successes since he had invaded Canada; but these were either against such
forts, like Chambly, guarded by an insufficient force, or against more
important places, such as Montreal and Three Rivers, which he found
altogether undefended, and occupied without any opposition, ,A successful
attack on Quebec, even with a sufficient force, required-what :\Iontgomery
did not seem to possess-genuine military skill. ".c\ competent general
would have perceived that the American force was not sufficient to justify
the attempt, Montgomery's men, ragged and ill fed, were unaccustomed
to the rigour of a winter like ours; they were also decimated by an outbreak
of the most malignant form of small-pox, For the sick there was no hospital
accommodation whatever. They were also almost altogether unprovided
with funds, The Canadians, who had lost heavily by an mconvertible
paper currency, issued by Bigot during the war, would have nothing to do
with the paper money issued by Congress, It is true that several of the
'Montreal English traders had undertaken to deal with Congress, as repre-
sentatives of Canada; but these men belonged to the clique already
-described as being so justly odious to the French Canadians, and had, of
tCourse, no influence whatever. Add to this, that the French who had sided
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The American Revolutioll as it affected Callada,
with the Americans soon found that they were treated as an inferior race,
their opinions never being asked. They foresaw that, if the Americans
conquered Canada, they would be, in every respect, worse off than under
British rule, The ragged and unsoldier-like appearance of ::\Iontgomery's
levies, too, could not but excite the contempt of those who, in the British
and French armaments, were well accustomed to the pomp and circumstance
of war.
:Montgomery decided on attempting to carry Quebec by escalade, on
the night of December 31St. The weather was suitable for his purpose:
neither moon nor stars shone through the darkness; a boisterous wind
would serve to prevent the movements of the attacking force from being
noticed. But several days before this, Carleton had been warned by
deserters that a night attack was in contemplation, and was well on his
guard, The Gannon on the ramparts and barricades were kept ready
loaded, and the sentries warned to give the alarm at any sign of an enemy's
approach. Montgomery sent two detachments to make a feint of attacking
St. John's Gate and the Citadel, in order to divert Carleton's attention from
his own movement. Arnold, with 450 men, was to enter the Lower Town
from the suburb of St. Roche, and take the battery at the Sault au l\Iatelot.
He himself leading the strongest column, would carry the barricade of the
Près de Yille, and march by Champlain Street to the Upper Town. At 4
a,m" January 1st, 1776, his troops were ready, but the signals agreed on,
two rockets, answered by others from the other columns, were of course seen
by Carleton's sentries, who at once gave the alarm. Montgomery's column
had to move along a narrow path between the cliff and the strand. encumbered
with ice-blocks and snow, However, they reached Près de Ville in good
order, and succeeded in passing the outer barricade, But as the column
approached the next barricade a battery of seven cannon confronted it,
manned by fifty men under Captain Chabot. :i\Iontgomery rushed forward,
followed by the men of his column, when the battery opening fire, discharged
a storm of grape shot through their ranks, l\Iontgomery fell dead with his two
aides-de-camp, and many others, The rest turned and ran away, not caring
to face a second salute from the battery. Arnold, as he approached the
outer barricade of the Sault au :\Iatelot Street, was severely wounded in the
leg by a ball, and had to be carried back to his camp, This column was
efficiently led by a Captain Major, who succeeded in passing the outer
ha
rier, but the inner barricade was so admirably defended by a party of
rench Canadians, under Captain Dumas. that he could make no further
way, and Carleton having sent round a strong force to attack the Americans
in the rear, they were caught as in a trap, and obliged to surrender.
101
,
,,"
.
..
102
Canada and the Canadian Pcopl
.
Carleton then stormed the hattery at St. Roche
The British general did
himself honour by burying the remains of the brave but rash l\Iontgomery
with full military obsequies.
The American forces continued to inyest Quebec, but removed to a dis-
tance of several miles, They tried to bombard the city from Point Levis,
but failed, not having artillery of sufficient range. Carleton, with somewhat
of excessive caution, did not take the field against them till the arrival of
reinforcements from England, when he marched with a thousand men and
six field-pieces, and defeated the Americans, who ran, leaving their stores,
artillery and baggage, with the sick and wounded, in the hands of the
British. . But Congress did not relax in its efforts to hold the ground which
:\Iontgomery had won in Canada. They sent reinforcements both to Mon-
treal and to General Sullivan, who was in command in the Richelieu district,
so that the Americans in Canada amounted to 5,400 men. But Carleton
had been largely reinforced from England, especially by a corps of German
mercenaries whose hereditary prince had sold them to George III., and
who after the war made very useful settlers in Upper Canada, He took
the field against Sullivan, defeated the American force, taking a number of
prisoners, and finally drove the invaders from Canada by the fall of 1776.
Elsewhere during this war the English arms were not as successful as in
Canada, But the record of their reverses, and of the triumphs of the
,\mericans when fighting on their own soil, does not belong to Canadian
history, Peace was made, and the independence of the United States
recognized by the Treaty of Paris, in 1763.
Thus did the most momentous event in the annals of the civilized world,
since the Reformation and the discovery of America, rivet the attachment
of conquered New France to her British masters. In the American Revolu-
tion, as in the European Revolution, 'which was its afterbirth, Kew France
had neither part nor lot. The peasantry, the soldier settlers of Montcalm
and his predecessors, hated the Puritan enemy of
ew York and New Eng-
land far more than the subjects of King George, The landed proprietors and
the priests scented in the new revolutionary gospel all that resulted there-
from in the Terror of 1793, Unlike the France of those days, New France
was an island stranded by the wreck <?f the :\liddle Ages on the shores of
North America. There were hut two classes, the nobles-with whom we
count the priests-and the peasants. There was no tiers etat, There were
no newspapers. l\Ieans of education \vere scant and sparse.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CO
STITUTION OF 1791.
c.r-
J. :, "
. .;. HE party, mainly composed of traders and agents of English
: " 'crJ;
', mercantile houses, who had been baffled by the Quebec Act in
r'.
their scheme of making their own class supreme over the French
\ -.:", . i:
Canadians, had never ceased to foment disturbance in the Legis-
.';..J:ç .; lative Council; among those in England who were opposed to
<;),. , <:I-
. the war against the Thirteen Colonies; and even among the
seigneurs, some of whom were now desirous of an elective
Assembly. _\t the end of his term of office, Carleton, in accordance with
instructions from the English 1\Iinistry, formed a sort of Camarilla in the
Legislative Council; a Privy Council of five members, nominated by the
Governor. This caused some discontent among. the members of the Legis-
lative Council not included in this new Cabinet. Chief Justice Livius, in
particular, questioned the action of the Governor, and demanded the pro-
duction of the instructions upon which he acted. Carleton, in consequence
of this, deprived Livius of his office, On the matter being brought before
the Board of Trade in England, it was decided that Carleton had acted
illegally, In consequence of this dispute, Carleton resigned office and left
Canada. to which he had done signal service in holding Quebec against
:Montg-omery, in driving the American invaders from our frontier, and in
conciliating by just treatment the French Canadian people at a most dan-
gerous crisis, notwithstanding the pertinacious opposition of the English
Colonial office seekers,
Carleton was succeeded as Governor by General Haldimand, a Swiss
soldier in the British pay, who took office in 1778. Unlike Carleton, he
was of a hard, stern, and despotic disposition. In proportion as it became
evident that the United States were about to succeed in their assertion of
independence, so did Haldimand increase the severity of his rule in Canada.
He forced on Canada the oppressive exactions against which the Puritans
of England had risen in revolt a century before; compulsory enlistment,
10 4
Canada aUlI the Ca1ladian PeoPle,
and enforced statute labour. On the slightest suspicion of discontent with
his rule, or of sympathy with the ,.\,merican Revolution, even such sympathy
as was openly avowed by the English Opposition, he committed the suspects
to prison, and kept them there for months without the pretence of a trial.
\\ïth a meanness characteristic of the crafty and suspicious race, which has
furnished the mercenaries and lackeys of every European despotism, he
descended to violate the sanctity of private correspondence, The Post-
master-General had frequently found the European and other mail bags
lying open in the Governor's office, and the letters, with broken seals,
scattered on the floor. It must be remembered that in those days a
Governor-General \vas not the mere titular shadow of departed power, not
the harmless dispenser of civil speeches with which we of the Canada of
18
4 are familiar. In those days the Governor-General ruled the country
with an absolute authority permitted to no king of England since the Stuart
tyrants were executed or expelled. K umbers of citizens were arrested on
the merest suspicions; the most innocent were never safe from a long
incarceration; a man would disappear, none kne,v how, and months might
pass before his anxious family knew in what dungeon he was immured,
The Swiss adventurer was careful, however, to confine his high-handed
measures to the French Canadians
The English settlers, he knew, regarded
him as an alien, and might, if roughly handled, turn the current of public
opinion against his administration in England.
As was the Governor, such were his underlings. The mode of admin-
istering justice had become a public scandal. Ruinous fines were imposed
by j
dges who sat on the bench drunk, or who refused to hear evidence on
the ground that they already knew all about the case, or declined to
investigate a charge, because the person inculpated was, in the judge's
opinion, incapable of anything of the sort, One stranger was arrested on
suspicion, without any definite charge being brought against him. It was
reported that he was a young French nohle, one of Lafayette's suite. The
sentry in front of the prison was ordered to watch whether the prisoner
showed his face at the window óf his cell, and if so, to fire at him. And
when those who had been thus imprisoned were at length set free, they
could get no satisfaction from the Government as to the crime with which
they had been charged, But Haldimand, in one instance, mistook the
man he had to deal with. .A French Calvinist merchant of 1\1 ont;'eal ,
named Du Calvet, is entitled to the honour of being recorded in Canadian
history as the first assertor of Liberal principles in Canada, In the
darkest time of tyranny, when the French majority had not an idea beyond
their narrow exclusiveness of race and religion; when the English minority
The COllstitution of 1791.
.
10 5
sought representative institutions only as a means of oppressing others,
Du Calvet raised and has left on record his protest on behalf of equality
for all races and creeds, for representative and responsible government,
and for free public school education. This admirable citizen, of whom no
mention is made in most so-called histories of Canada, was suspected by
the Swiss Governor of correspondence with the Americans, on what grounds
Du Calvet was never able to ascertain. He was suddenly seized by a
body of soldiers, who carried him from his home in 'Montreal, taking also
his money and papers. He was hurried to Quebec, where he was confined
on board a ship of war, and aftenvards in a dark and loathsome dungeon,
called the "black hole," used for punishin
refractory soldiers of the
garrison of Quebec, He was thence removed to the Recollet Convent,
which, under Haldimand's regime, had been turned into a prison for
political offenders, the common jail not being large enough to accommo-
date the victims, He was detained there for two years and eight months.
and was then liberated, but could gain no explanation as to why he was
imprisoned or why he was set free, The same thing, as has been stated,
had been done in the case of many others, and none of them had the
courage to challenge the constitutional right of the Governor to exercise
this system of irresponsible inquisition. But Du Calvet was made of
sterfler stuff. .\s soon as the prison doors closed behind him, he travelled
to London, and obtaining an audience of the king's ministers, stated the
wrongs he had sustained, and requested that Haldimand might be recalled,
in order that, being on English ground, he might be prosecuted. But
those were the palmy days of Toryism, when not only the king, btit his
governors, could do no wrong. The ministers turned a deaf ear to Du
Calvet's complaints, He appealed to another tribunal, the public, He
published a volume of letters which he had scattered broadcast oyer Eng-
land and Canada, They ,vere terse, often eloquent, and bore the impress
of truth, He detailed in simple, forcible language, the persecutions to which
he had been subjected, and told how his enemy, the Swiss Governor, sought
to influence the Court of Justice against him by taking- his seat on the bench
heside the judges, lIe drew a striking picture of the corrupt and despotic
government of Canada, the peculations of public money, and the persistent
refusal to permit the use of French law, in violation of the English Parlia-
ment's Quebec ,,\ct of 1774. Finally, he demanded for Canada constitutional
government, as the basis of French law for French Canadians in civil cases;
in criminal cases trial by jury; permanent tenure of office during good
conduct for all judges; the Goyernor-General to he subject. like other
citizens, to the law; an elective assembly; Canada to he represented in
106
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
the English Parliament; freedom of conscience for all sects alike; liberty
of the press; and free education by parochial schools, Du Calvefs pro-
position for Canadian representation in the English Parliament was
indeed chimerical, though less chimerical than the form in which the same
notion has been revised in the recent' craze called Imperial Federation.
But there was something to be said for it at the time. Canada was
merely a dependency of England, governed by a satrap sent out by the
Home :\linistry. There were no newspapers worthy of the name; no tele-
graphs, no rapid transit to England, none of those thousand means by
which in our days a complaint against official wrong-doing is sure to make
itself heard.
Du Calvet was evidently a man far in advance of his tÌI.ne, His book
did not produce any immediate result, but it was widely read in England,
and no doubt laid the foulldation of that intelligent sympathy with Cana-
dian aspirations for self-government which manifested itself so b
neficently
in Pitt and Fox in that century, and in l\Ielbourne and Lord Durham in the
next. Haldimand's one service to Canada was his aiding in the settlement
of the immigrants who sought a home here at the close of the American
war. Of that immigration an account will be given in a subsequent
chapter.
\ more questionable service was his granting to the Iroquois an
enormous quantity of the most valuable land in Canada, sÏJ.... miles on either
side of the Grand River, from its mouth to its source, It is true that
these savages had sided with the British in the American war, but they
were paid for their services, and as to their" loyalty," it seems absurd to
talk of such a sentiment in the case of these unstable, shiftless tribes who
were ever ready to turn against England or America, according to the
changp.s of fortune, and whose atrocities disgraced whatever banner they
fought under, Haldimand's action condemned to nearly a century's
barrenness thousands of acres of the best land in Canada.
Haldimand's term of office lasted for six years, The duties of Gover-
nor were performed for a time by Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton anrl by
Colonel Hope; but in 1785 the office was conferred on Sir Guy Carleton,
now Lord Dorchester, who landed at 'Quebec in OGtober, 1785. On
his arrival Lord Dorchester found considerable political discontent. The
Legislative Council was regarded as a mere court for registering the
rlecrees of the executive, Allsop, who had led the opposition in behalf of
the English settlers in Quebec, had heen expelled from the Council. Petition
after petition was now sent to the English Parliament. One, signed both
hy the English and French Canadian colonists, asked that the English law
of habeas corpus might be introduced into Canada, in order to secure the
The COllstitlltion of 1791.
10 7
colonists, French and English, from such arbitrary arrests as those practised
by I1aldimand, They also prayed, in rather vague terms, but aiming, it is
to be supposed, at an elective assembly, that all Canadians, without dis-
tmction of race or creed, might enjoy the rights, privileges, and immunities
of British subjects. Counter petitions were sent from the Legislative
Council, who, of course, did not wish any portion of their power to be shared
with an elective assembly, An address was moved and carried, praying
the king to maintain intact the constitution of 1774. l\Ir. Grant moved an
amendment in favour of an elective assemhly, but he was promptly voted
down, The Tory ministers of George III. naturally took sides with the
colonial oligarchy, Habeas corpus they would grant; to demand trial by
jury, or an elective assembly, was little better than disloyalty. In spite of
this discouragement, petitions in favour of an elective assembly continued
to pour in, and Lord Dorchester was directed to collect authentic infor-
mation on the political and industrial state of the colony, An enquiry was
therefore set on foot on such questions as the administration of justice,
education, agriculture, and statistics; to each of these, a committee was
appointed by the Legislative Council. That appointed to consider the
working of the existing system of administering justice ascertained that the
grossest abuses and irregularities prevailed. Their investigation led to
results which were strengthened by those arrived at by the Committee on
Trade, the merchants examined he fore whom demanded the adoption in
its entirety, of English law, including, in all cases, trial by jury, These
merchants stated that no uniform system existed in the practice of the
Canadian tribunals; some decided according to French, some according to
English law; while some pursued an independent course of their own,
which they called equity,
The Committee on territorial proprietorship showed its British pre-
possession by giving decisions that feudal tenures should be done away
with, Such tenures, it was maintained, were anti-progressive, and hindered
the settlement of the country, The seigneurs, however, made most deter-
mined opposition to any change which would curtail their hereditary rank
and emoluments as a privileged class, and it was resolved that no altera-
tion of the feudal tenures should be recommended, The report of the
committee on education manifested a more progressive spirit. At that
time there existed no means of supplying education outside of the priest-
hood and the religious orders, Even those were of the scantiest. There
were absolutely no schools whatever in the country parishes. In l\IontreaJ
dnd Quebec the seminaries still diffused a little "dim religious lig-ht:.
The excellent educational system of the j6suit, College .1t Quehec had
108
Canada mzd the Canadian PeoPle.
fallen with the fall of the order. Nor did the bishop of Quebec, when
applied to by the leading men of the diocese, think that the colony was
advanced enough to support a university. He was examined before the
committee, and he sought the restoration of the buildings of the Jesuits'
College, then used as a barracks, promising to establish therein classes in
civil law, mathematics, and other branches of learning, preparatory to a
university being founded. As to female education, the only schools were
those attached to the convents of l\Iontreal and Quebec.
The Committee recommended elementary schools in all parishes,
district schools for arithmetic, French and English grammar, and prac-
tical mathematics and land surveying; also a university to teach the
sciences and liberal arts, to be governed by a board composed of leading
officials and citizens, A coalition was now formed between the British
settlers and those of the French who desired a represeI1tative form of
government. The former disclaimed any wish to seek political preponder-
ance for their own race, The united party were termed" Constitutionalists,"
and were actively opposed by the Legislative Council and its adherents,
as ,veIl as by a numerous and respectable body of the French Canadians
who looked on all change with apprehension, and desired. only that the
provisions of the Quebec Act of 1774, with regard to their own laws and
language, should be carried out, Endless petitions and counter petitions
were sent by both parties to the English Parliament. On the eve of the
g-reat French Revolution, there had arisen in England a
trong tendency to
favour liberal opinion, as was seen in the speeches of Fox, and till the
session of '93 brought about a reaction, in those of Pitt and Burke, This
ensured a careful and favourable reception of the very moderate demands
of the Constitutionalists, Another feeling then strong in the minds of
English statesmen contributed to the same result: the desire to secure
British America against the U nited Stat
, to maintain it in thorough
attachment to England, both as the limit to the
ggrandizement of the Ameri-
cans, and as a military basis, whence, in case of war, troops cüuld be poured
across their frontier. A difficulty had arisen by the sudden formation of a
considerable population of English-speaking Protestants, numbering over
twelve thousand, who had lately settled along the shore of Lake Ontario.
and on the Bay of Quinté. It was clearly absurd to impose French la"
on these people, who could not understand the language. The difficulty
was solved by a new constitution, laid before the English Parliament by
\\ïHiam Pitt, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, he having pre-
viously submitted a draft of it to Lord Dorchester. The main provisions
of the .\ct of 179 I were, (I) the division of the old Province of Quebec into
The C01lstitution of 1791.
10 9
two new provInces, G pper and Lower Canada, with separate legislatures;
(2) the concession of an elective assembly to each Province,
The debate on this important measure elicited its warm approval by
Fox, who
h_owever, objected to the proposed division into two prO\"inces,
and wished the legislative council as well as the assembly to be elective.
The illustrious Edmund Burke also spoke in favour of constitutional
government for Canada. The bill was passed unanimously, It is known.
in our history as "The Constitutional Act of 1791." Besides proyiding
that the old Province of Quebec be divided into the two Provin-:es of Upper
and Lower Canada, it enacts that a legislative council and assembly be
established in each province; the council to consist of not fewer than seven
members in Upper Canada, not fewer than fifteen in Lower Canada, these
to be chosen by the Crown. Both Provinces were to be divided into electoral
districts in order to return representatives to the Legislative Assemblies;
the Governor-General to define the limits of the electoral districts, and the
number of representatives; in Lower Canada the number of the members
to be not less than fifty, in Upper Canada not less than sixteen. All laws
to receive a vote, in each case, by mere majority, of assent from both the
council and the assembly, and in addition the approval of the Governor
as representative of the Crown. ,There was also for each Province, an
executive council, consisting of the Governor and eleven gentlemen nomin-
ated by the Crown,
It seems strange that the British settlers, who had been such ardent
constitutionalists, were dissatisfied with the new constitution, They feared,
and with some reason, that they would be swamped politically hy an alien
race and an intolerant religion. They looked on the new settlement on the
lake shores as a band of pitiable exiles; they had not patience to wait for
the gradual effect of the mighty power of English speech and Protestantism
i)n a race that has never been a progressive one, and a church which cannot
co-exist ,vith the spread of education. Above all, they could not forecast
the magnificent future of the younger and greater Canada,
.
-4-
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CHAPTER XYII.
THE SETTLE:\IE}';T OF EKGLISH-SPEAKIXG
CAKADA.
ër-...-!p
,
f
I
..'-
HE conclusion of the \Yar of Independence saw a vast migra-
\
\ gration of the defeated party in a political struggle hetween
. B:!l -r t .. \Yhig" and" Tory,"' which had aroused no less bitter feelings
between faction and faction than the struggle between the
\ armies of \Yashin
ton and of Geor
e III. in the field. The
<""
'j '--'
---v- " \ Yhigs" were not all of the same political compleÀion, and
the word .. Loyalist" imperfectly describes the attitude of
many who entirely disapproved of the tyrannical acts of the Hanoverian
king of England, but, like a large minority of the population of the Thirteen
Colonies, did not approve of all the acts of the republican executive, At
this distance from the heroes of the crusade that first made republicanism
possihle, '
-e can see that in all that they did, in all that they suffered, a
true political instinct led them through obstacles that seemed impervious
to light and air: But we must not refuse our sympathy to those who
could not, at the time, see what \Yashington and Franklin saw: whom a
strong sentiment of attachment to the country of their birth or ancestry, or
whom a survival of that loyalty to the personal government of a king,
which had once been a genuine factor in the national life of England, It!d
to risk life and fortune on a lost cause, Passions ran high toward the con-
clusion of the Revolutionary \Yar. The" Tories," or "king's friends,"
it must be owned, met with scant measure of justice, And we nUlst
remember the confiscations, the cruelties, the perpetual_ insults to which the
families of the insurgent colonists had been subjected, during the war, by
British officers, Action and reaction are equal in social phenomena, as in
all others. Injustice to the
\mericans, fighting for freedom, -produced
equal injustice to the partisans of the mother country. :\Iany were
imprisoned, were treated with the greatest hardships; the life of a returned
"Tory," who had been fighting in the British ranks against the new
Republic, was ne,'er safe.
The Settlement of English-SPeaking Cauada.
III
An effort was made by Lord Shelburne's Government at the con-
clusion of the war to obtain the restoration of their properties, in compen-
sation for losses, to the adherents of England during the war. " The
question of Loyalists or Tories," says Lord Mahon, "was a main object
with the British Government-to obtain, if possible, some restitution to the
men who, in punishment for their continued allegiance to the king, had
found their property confiscated an? their persons banished." And this
was strongly and persistently urged by those who represented the British
Government, Dr. Franklin, representing the Americans, at first refused
point blank to entertain any proposal for compensation to partisans of
England in the States, He next devised an astute compromise by which
he offered to take account of the losses sustained by Loyalists, provided
account were also taken of the losses inflicted on the Americans, by the
raids and other excesses in which the Loyalists had taken part during the
war. As this would have led to endless disputes, the 13ritish commis-
sioners were fain to be content with Franklin's assurance that Congress
would do its best to induce the several States to make reparation for losses
incurred by the adherents of Britain, In spite of the \-yell-meant, but
utterly ineffectual efforts of the American executive, the return of the
Royalist partisans to their former homes was as unwelcome as the proposed
reimbursement for their losses during the war. In many cases, com-
mittees were "formed, who with every resource of outrage opposed their
continuing as residents among their former neighbours. So general was this
persecution that over 3,000 of these ...\merical) Royalists applied, through
their agents, to the British Parliament for protection, Thè duty of providing
for these faithful adl
erents of the mother country, engaged the serious
attention of Parliament, and the leading men of both political parties ag-reed
that the national honour was pledged to succour and support them. The
first effort to fulfil this duty was the transportation of a number of families
to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, " countries," as a U. E. immigrant
,vrote in 17
+ " where winter continues at least seven months in the year.
and where the land is wrapt in the gloom of a perpetual fog," But with
fuller experience of the climate and soil of the maritime provinces. these
first prejudices were reversed, a sparsely peopled and imperfectly cultivated
region was endowed with a new and vigorous population; the chief families
of these flourishing provinces whose coal minps supply half Canada with
fuel, whose agricultural resources equal those of any other part of Canada,
whose sea-board cities and trade facilities are a new element in the progress
of our country, date from the advent of those half-hearted immigrants of a
century ago. :\Iany of those who at first scttlc(J in Kova Scotid and Xe\\'
112
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
Brunswick became discontented, and sought" fresh fields and pastures new"
in \Yestern Canada, The country west of l\Iontreal was then an unknown
wilderness of s"
amp and forest, the haunt of wild beasts and reptiles, the
hunting ground of savages whose hatred of ciyilized man made its explora-
tion perilous. Here and there along the chain of lakes, a few small posts
had been established, and with difficulty maintained. 1\Iichilimackinac at
the entrance to Lake l\Iichigan, Detroit, and Frontenac, were half posts,
half trading depots, Beyond the clearings which fringed their palisades it
was not safe for white men to penetrate too rashly the mystery of the
wilderness. But in 1783, various causes co-operated to make the English
Government wish to settle a new colony on the more accessible portions of
that vast territory, hitherto only known as " Indian Hunting Grounds."
In view of the incessant disputes between the British settlers and the older
French Canadian colonists which had embarrassed every Governor of
Quebec since the Conquest, it was felt that the large number of immigrants
who had now to be provided for must be settled at a distance from those
\\"ho insisted on the domination of the French law and French language,
I t was also thought politic to preserve the French Canadians intact and
distinct as a separate element in the colony, who might be relied on to
oppose all revolutionary t
ndencies. Governor Haldimand was, therefore,
authorized to have a survey taken of the lands around the Bay of Quinté,
in the neighbourhood of Fort Frontenac, and to ,found settlements on the
Xiagara and Amherstburgh frontiers. Grants of land were then to be
made, the applicant producing proof, when possible, on the evidence of a
single witness, of his having sustained loss or injury from the people of the
C nited States, in consequence of attachment to British interests. From
the nature of the case many of the most deserving were unable to produce
the evidence required, but the cases of the genuine applicants for relief seem
to have been entertained in a liberal spirit, and it is even thought that many
.\mericans who had little claim to the rewards of self-sacrificing loyalty
obtained grants of land in the new settlements. As an instance of the man-
ner in which these settlements were formed, I take the following account of
the first settlement of Kingston and of the neighbouring part of the Quinté
coast, f
om Dr. Ryerson's Loyalists of America :-" The government of the
colony of Quebec found that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were over-
crowded 'with Loyalist emigrants, and were beginning to turn their thoughts
to the unexplored western part of Canada. The late John Grass, of the
township of Kingston, had been a prisoner of war with the French at Fort
Frontenac. The Governor having heard of this, questioned him as to the
suitability of that part of the country for settlement, and the account giyen
----
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JOSEPH HOWE,
The Settlement of E1lg1ish-Speakillg Canada,
II5
of it b) Grass being favourable, offered to furnish to John Grass, and as
many of the Loyalists as he could induce to accompany him, means of con-
veyance from Quebec, and the supplies necessary for subsistence till the
settlers could provide for themselves. Grass accepted this offer, and with a
considerable company of men, women and children, set sail from Quebec in
a ship provisioned for the purpose. They were forced to spend the winter
at Sorel, in Lower Canada, but in the spring reached Frontenac, pitching
their tent on "Indian Point," where the pleasant dllage of Portsmouth
is now built around its two caravanseries for crime and misfortune, the.
Penitentiary and Lunatic Asylum, The adjoining country was not fully
surveyed until July, Other companies had meantime arrive
at the new
centre of colonization, The GO\Ternor, who had come to visit them, called
on
[r. Grass as having the first claim to a choice as to which township he
would choose for himself and his company, Grass chose the first township,
that of Kingston, In the same way Sir John, Johnson chose the second
township, Ernestown; Colonel Rogers the third township, Fredericksburg;
l\Iajor Van Alstine the fourth township, Adolphustown; and Colonel l\Iac-
donnell the fifth township, l\Iarysburgh. Those who, like the present writer,
have lived for some time in Prince Edward County, know well how their
names, borne, as they are, by worthy representatives of the Pilgrim Fathers
of Ontario's settlement, are household words among the thriving populations
o{ "the garden of Canada" at the present day; and on those beautiful
shores of the Bay of Quinté, where the wild beast and the prowling savage
have long disappeared, where the masts of ships overtop thè apple orchards
and harbour, and harvest fields are almost eyerywhere close at hand, the
few survivors of the children of the first settlers have many a tale of the
hardships and privations with which their childhood was familiar. Even
to reach the new settletnents in \Yestern Canada was a matter of much time
and difficulty. The journey was performed in "hatteaux,"' large flat-bot-
tomed boats resembling scows, calculated to contain four or five families and
their effects. Tweke boats were counted as a brigarle, and each brigade had
a conductor, who gave orders for the safe management of the boats. These
boats were supplied with but the bare necessaries of life, Shelter there
was none. At night the immigrants slept, huddled close together, with only
the sky above them.
Grants, in a few cases of pensions, hut for the most part of provisions,
farming tools, oxen and seed, were made to the new settlers. Including the
officers and men of the disbanded 8th regiment, the numher of Cnited
Empire Loyalists who first settled in what is now the Province of Ontario
may he estimated at between ten and twelyC thOllS<lIHI men, \\ omen and
116
Canada aud tllt Cmlfldiml PeoPle.
children. Thus was English-speaking Canada settled in the manner most
advantageous for its future progress. That settlement was not like that of
French Canada, a tentative and gradual process, feebly subsisting on the
fisheries and fur trade; it was a compact and organized invasion of the
wilderness by an army of agricultural settlers. And these men, unlike
later immigrants to Canada, did not need to be acclimated, they had
nothing to learn of wood-craft or forest farming, they were no old country
settlers glad to seek a home in Canada because they were failures elsewhere,
They were of the distinct type of manhopd which this continent had already
begun to produce; energetic, self-helpful, and versatile, And the growth of
their settlement of a century ago into its present greatness has been in
geometrical proportion to the slow advance of the French Province, From
the immigration in 1783 to the establishment of Upper Canada as a distinct
Province in lï91, the settlement grew in silence; its only record during
those years being that it strengthened the hands of those in the Lower
Province who opposed t
e exclusive domination of the French Cana-
dians, The Upper Province had been divided by Lord Dorchester,
previous to 1791, into four districts, of whose uncouth German names,
chosen to flatter the Hanoverian king of England, happily no trace re-
mains. These were: Lunenburg, from the river Ottawa to Gananoque,;
I\Iecklenburgh, from Gananoque to the river Trent; Nassau, from the
.
Trent to Long Point, on lake Erie; and Hesse, which included the rßst
of Upper Canada and the lake St. Clair. A judge and a sheriff were
appointed to administer justice in each of these districts,
The first Lieutenant-Go\'ernor of Upper Canada was one who has left
his mark for good deeply impressed on our country. General John Graves
Simcoe was an English gentleman of landed property, and a memher of the
British House of Commons, 111 which he had voted for the constitution of
179 1 . He had also served with distinction in the late war. He arrived at
Kingston on July 8th, 1792, when the members of the Executive and Legis-
lative Councils of Upper Canada were sworn in, and writs issued for the
election of members of the Legislative Assembly, The capital of the new
colony was at first fixed at Newark, now the old town of Kiagara, then a
straggling yillage at the mouth of the Niagara river. Here Governor Simcoe
built a small frame dwelling which also served as a place of meeting for the
first Parliament of Upper Canada; which body consisted of eight members of
the Legislative Council and sixteen members of the Assembly--sturdy pioneers
of the settlements which were now beginning to trench, with here and there
a clearing, on the surrounding sea of forest. The session lasted four weeks,
from September 17th to October 15th, 179 2 . Eight bills were passed; all
The Settlement of Ellglish-Speaking Cmzada.
117
well considered and of practical benefit to the new colony, They enacted
that English law should be in force throughout the colony, with trial by jury
in all cases; that the allowance claimed by millers should be limited to one
bushel for every twelve bushels ground; provided for the easy recovery of
small debts; and for the disuse of the German names which Lord Dorchester
had imposed on the divisions of Upper Canada. The district from the
river Ottawa to the river Gananoque was now to be the Eastern District;
that from Gananoque to the river Trent was to be the l\Iidland District;
from the Trent to Long Point on Lake Erie was to be the Home or
Niagara District; the rest of the Province, west to Lake St, Clair, was the
\Vestern, or Detroit District. Each of these districts was again divided
into twelve counties, and it was enacted that a jail and court-house should
be erected in each district. \Yhen Governor Simcoe found that the.
Niagara river was settled as the boundary between Canada and the United
States, he judged it unwise to have the capital of the Province under the
guns of an American fort, and desired to found a new London in the centre
of the western peninsula, on a river formerly called La Tranche, but which
he named the Thames. Lord Dorchester preferred Kingston, but Governor
Simcoe would submit to no dictation from that quarter, and, after much
deliberation, he fixed upon a site at the mouth of a swampy stream called
the Don, and near the site of the old French fort Rouillé. The ground was
low and marshy, but it had the best harbour on the north shore of Lake
Ontario, and was comparatively remote from the frontier of the United
States, The Governor christened the place York, in honour of Frederick,
Duke of York, one of the royal princes, "Governor Simcoe's regiment,
the Queen's Rangers, were employed to make a road through the forest,
extending north to the lake which bears the name of the first Governor of
our country, It was called Y onge Street, in honour of Sir George Y onge,
Secretary of \Var in the Imperial cabinet, who was a personal friend of the
Governor's, This, anù many other projects of Governor Simcoe's origin-
ation, were interrupted by his removal to St. Domingo, in 1796. His suc-
cessor, the Hon. Peter Russell, was a man of a very different stamp, anù
furnished the first instance of the ahuse of political power to personal
aggrandizement which afterwards assumed such vast proportions under the
Family Compact. Ilis grants of new land were sometimes to himself, and
were worded as follows: Ie I, Peter Russell, Lieutenant-Governor, do grant
to you, Peter Russell," etc, in the four years of Governor Simcoe's admin-
istration, the population of Upper Canada increaseù to 30,000. ,\lthough
Toronto \\'as now the seat of Government and the capit,tl of the Proyince,
the Parliament of Upper Canada still met at Niagdra. In the seconù
IIS
Canada aud flle Canadian PeoPle.
session of our first Parliament an Act abolishing slavery was passed, ten
years in advance of the loud-professing philanthropy of Lower Canada.
Another Act, for offering rewards for the heads of bears and wolves, indicates
the primitive condition of a Proyince which required such legislation, Major-
General Hunter succeeded President H_ussell, and directed the administra-
tion up to the time of his death, which occurred at Quebec in the summer
of 1805, 1\Ir. Alexander Grant, a member of the Executive Council,
temporarily took the direction of affairs. His successor arri\"ed in 1806,
in the person of Lieutenant-Goyernor Francis Gore, who had formerly
administered the Government of Bermuda. He was a loyal and non - pro-
,
gressive man, suited to the times in which he lived. He surrendered him-
self to the domination of his Executive Council, and was a drag on the
wheel of progress. Despite bad government, the Province had flourished.
Its population now numbered 50,000, Ports of entry were established at
Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, York, Niagara, Queenston, Fort Erie,
Turkey Point, Amherstburg, and Sandwich. In 1807 Parliament appointed
a grammar school for each district, the teachers to haye a salary of iloO
per annum.
Ieanwhile the tide of immigration continued to flow into Upper Can-
ada, a land where taxes were unknown, where peace and plenty were the
reward of industry, and which was consequently attractiye to the overtaxed
natives of Britain, burdened, as they were, with the expenses of a long and
costly war,
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CHAPTER XVIII.
LO\YER CA
ADA FRO:\I 1791 TO 1812,
HE elections held for the first Assembly of the new Pro\'Ínce of
Lower Canada by no means swamped the British element,
:
many of whose representatives were returned by French and
:e
. J._
, Catholic constituencies. K or did the new constitution put an
..;
. '\1.1 end to the old issues, as the use of the French law and language
;_!
:'..,.....v.. were the first subjects of debate, Lord Dorchester, having
obtained leave of absence, sailed for England, appointing
General Alured Clarke as his deputy. Clarke fixed the time of meeting-
for the new Assembly in December, 1792, The Legislative Council and
the Assembly met on December 17th, in separate halls within the Palace of
the Bishops of Quebec, a building which, ever since the Conquest, had been
devoted to secular uses. The first de hate in the Assembly was on the choice
of a President. 'Messrs, Grant and :\kGill, two traders of British origin.
were put forward by their party, but :\1. J, A, Panet, a distinguished lawyer,
well versed in both English and French, was elected by a majority of ten.
.\n injudicious and premature effort was made by the British party under
::\lr. Grant, seconded, strange to say, by the President, 1\1. Panet, to have the
minutes of the Assembly drawn up in English only. It \,-as rejected, dnd a
resolution was passed that the minutes should be recorded in both French
and English, but that the laws passed should be expressed in English or
French, according as they referred to British or French legislation, _\ bill
,,"as then passed providing for a most important need, the establishment of
parish schools. .\ warm discussion took place with reg-ard to the illegal
dppropriation by the executive of the Jesuit estates. These, it was urged
with much justice, had been granted not for the personal benefit of the
Jesuits, but for the purpose of education, The principal result of this, the
first session of the Assemhly of Lower Canada. was the maintenance of the
French language, In this year (179 2 ) a monthly mail was established for thl'
first time het"een
ew York and Quebec.
120
Canada (lud the C(ln(ldi(l
l PeoPle.
In 1793, Lord Dorchester returned to Quebec for a third term of
office. He brought instructions very conciliatory to the Lower Canadian
French, that the seminaries of Montreal and Quebec should be permanently
maintained, and lest the religious orders should create a revolutionary propa.
ganda in Canada, he induced the assembly to pass a resolution authorizing
the executive to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act. This, which was in fact
simply an Alien Act, was renewed every year until 1812, M. Panet was
re-elected President by a unanimous vote, The overthrow of the French
State Church, and the expatriation of its clergy by the revolutionary
government of France, had meantime thrown all the influence of the French
Canadian priesthood on the side of the British. M, Plessis, parish priest
of Quebec, in his funeral oration over the late Bishop of Quebec, used
the strongest language in favour of loyalty to Britain. "Beneficent nation!"
he exclaims, apostrophising the English people, "which daily gives us,
men of Canada, fresh proof of its liberality, No, no! your people are
not enemies of our people; nor are ye despoilers of our property, which
rather do your laws protect; nor are ye foes to our religion, to which
ye pay all due respect, The maxim of :\1. Briand (the late bishop) was
that eyen sincere Catholics are, and must be, all obedient subjects of their
legitimate sovereign." The preacher gave thanks to Providence that
Canada had been snatched, as it were, a brand from the burning, from
dependence on an impious nation which had overturned His altars,
In 1793, Dr. Jacob l\Iountain was appointed by the English Ministry
to be the first Church of England bishop in Canada, He was sent out at the
instance of a powerful corporation, the society for the propa,gation of the
Gospel, and took the title upon himself of bishop of Quebec, which properly
belonged to the Catholic bishop, _\,lthough the assumption of this designa-
tion was both in the letter and the spirit an infraction of the Treaty of 17 6 3
and the Act of 1774, the Catholic bishop met the Anglican on his landing
with a fraternal embrace, Dr. Mountain was appointed by Royal Letters
Patent, and had, therefore, a quasi right to the title of "My Lord," by
courtesy; to which modern Church of England bishops, not appointed by
the Crown, have not the shadow of a claim. Dr. l\Iountain was a cautious,
amiable man, of no very brilliant abilities, In 1804, a very commonplace-
looking-building was erected as an Anglican Cathedral, on ground memorable
as haying been the site of the old church of the Recollet Fathers, In the
summer of 1796, Lord Dorchester returned to England, being succeeded as
Governor, by General Prescott,
In this year, one Black, having decoyed an .\merican citizen named
McLane to Canada, in the' hope of spreading republican principles, betrayed
Lower Ca1lada from 1791 to 1812.
121
him to the executive, in order to recei,'e the" blood money" offered in such
cases, ::\Ic
ane was brought to summary trial and swift execution, all. the
barbarous customs which, in that day, degraded the white race to a le,'el
with the Indians, being fully observed, The body was lowered from the
gibbet and cut open, the entrails ,vere torn out, the heart burned, the
severed head held up by the hangman, with the formula, .. Behold the head
of a traitor!" It is satisfactory to know that the execrable wretch wh.o
planned this judicial murder was shunned by everyone, and died
in the most squalid poverty.
In 1797, Governor Prescott got into SOIT'e difficulty \vith the board for
supervising Crown Lands, the president of which, Judge Osgoode, was
(untruly) said to be a natural son of George III., and at all events had
considerable influence in England. The board were accused of appropria-
ting to themselves large tracts of land, to the great hindrance of the legiti-
mate settlement of the country, In consequence ofthese disputes, Prescott,
who had not been popular with any class, was re-called, and Sir Robert
Shore Milnes sent as his successor, The new Governor thanked the
Assembly for the money which the French Canadians had subscrihed to
aid in carrying on the war against the revolutionary government of France.
.\ proposal brought forward at this time by Bishop l\Iountain was
adopted, It was to the effect that school-masters should he employed in the
towns and larger villages, to teach the English language free of charge, and
writing a ' .1d arithmetic at a small fee. The Assembly passed a hill for the
estahlishment of free public schools, to be maintained from the funds which
had belonged to the Jesuits; but the Catholic priesthood were opposed to the
measure, and it ended in grammar schools being founded in .:\Iontreal and
Quebec only. In 1803, Chief Justice Osgoode ruled that slavery was con-
trary to the laws and constitution of Canada, and all slaves then in the
country, in numher three hundred, were emancipated.
\ refusal to raise
the sellary of the French translator of the .\ssemhly gave rise to some
irritation, as the ever-watchful jealousy of race caused it to be regarded as
a premeditated insult; nor were matters soothed when Sir Robert .Milnes,
in a somewhat arbitrary manner, closed the dispute by proroguing the
.\ssemhly. But the bitterness thus evoked found expression next session,
when the Assembly orde;ed the arrest of the publisher of the lfIolltr,;al
Ga::;ctft', in which paper an article had appeared censuring the action of the
majority in the Assembly a session before. The publisher of the QUt'bec
Jlercury also !1ad to apologise at the bar of the House. The popular pdrtv
in the Assembly did not see that by thus assailing the liberty of the press,
they were striking at their own best means of defence, In I
06, Sir H.
122
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
Iilnes returned to England, little regretted by any class in Canada, A
step in advance was taken by the French Canadian party in Novemher
of this year by the establishment of Le Canadien, a paper edited with great
ahility, b4 t , under an elaborate profession of loyalty to the British crown,
bitterly hostile to the advancement of the British race and language in
Canada. By this time a growing alienation prevailed between the United
States and England, The republicans of America, not unnaturally, felt a
sympathy for France, their ally in the war of Independence, now hemmed
in by the European despotisms with \vhich the Tory Government of England
had thrown in its lot. The right of search, too, claimed by England, which
at that time was mistress of the seas, was exercised on American vessels,
with scant courtesy or regard for thë feelings of the new nation, which the
English had not yet forgiven for conquering in the late war. A new war
was evidently at hand, the Americans, with characteristic shrewdness,
calculating on being able to strike at England under the sword of Napoleon.
In Canada preparations for defence were hurried on, 1\1r. Dunn, who was
acting as deputy Governor, held a grand review, and called out for service
a fifth part of the militia. In 1807, Sir James Craig arrived as Governor
for Canada. lIe was a distinguished military officer, but had narrow views,
and stern anù unpleasing manners. The clique of office-holders who formed
his court worked on his suspicious nature, to induce a belief in the existence
of supposed disloyal conspiracies among the French Canadians. He was
jnduced to make the Canadien newspaper more po\verful for mischief than
it could otherwise have been hy persecuting the shareholders, several of
whom, including the loyal and influential M. Panet, were put off the list of
militia officers. Of course this gave much offence, and at the session of
I b08, :\1. Bedard sounded the first note of the struggle for Responsible
Government in an elegant anù temperate speech, which however drew on
him severe official censure as ,. The \postle of Revolution and Sedition,"
Craig met the Assembly's determined attitude of oppositiop by first
scolding, then dissolving it. Uut the people of Lower Canada replied to
the Governor's insults by returning a House of a yet more popular character
than in the last session.
The Canadien justly animath"erted on Governor Craig's conduct. "He
had power by law to dissolve the
\ssembly when it seemed good to him.
He had no constitutional right to address abusive remarks on the conduct
of the \.ssembly in the discharge of its legislative duties, a matter o\"er
which the law gave him no control whatever." The agitation, in the colony
increased, Ât the I1f'Xt session of the ..\ssembly, Bedard and Papineau, the
chiefs of the constitutional party, proposed a committee of Se\ en memhers to
Lourer Canada from 1791 to 1812,
12 3
investIgate the Parliamentary precedents" ith regard to the Governor's late
censures of the Assembly. It was also in contemplation to anticipate the
recent action of the Dominion Government of Canada by sending an accre-
dited agent to represent their Province in London, But these and other
measures were interrupted by Craig, with a repetition of his former insult,
proroguing the Assembly, In order to frighten the electors, this was fol-
lowed up by another step, in what Craig's admirers in the Executive Council
called "vigorous policy." A body of soldiers, accompanied by a magis-
trate, entered the office of Le Canadien, seized the printing press and type,
and arrested the printer. After being subjected to a long inquisition, con-
ducted with closed doors, before the Executive Council, the printer was
sent to prison. The articles in the numbers of Le Canadien which were made
the pretext for this foolish violation of the laws, appear harmless enough,
absurdly destitute of anything like ability, their only evil tendency being to
stimulate race prejudice, while the prosecution of the paper was certain to
irritate much more than hundreds of Le Canadien editorials, One of them
bore the mysteriously" disloyal" title of " Take hold of Your Nose by the
Tip," The Dogberry in office detected treason in this-an intention óf vio-
lent seizure and disloyal tweaking of the official proboscis. Craig did not
stop at this, Supported by the Executive Council, associated with whom it
is unpleasant to see the name of Dr. :\Iountain, the Anglican bishop, he issued
warrants for the arrest of Bedard, Taschereau, and Blanchet. Others were
arrested afterwards. The severity with the political prisoners was such as
to cause the death of one of them, :\1. Corbeil, of Isle Jesus. In vain they
demanded to know of what they were accused, in vain they demanded the
British sub J 'ect's P rivileae of bein a brotwht to trial. l\Ieantime the Catholic
o 0 0
bishop and his priests did all they could to allay discontent and promote
attachment to British rule. This was difficult under the circumstances, and
,Lt the next election the popular delegates were once more returned in forcf"
to the Assembly. The English ministers had been influenced by despatches
which Craig and his followers wrote to them, accusing the French Cana-
(lians of every kind of disloyalty, and it is plain that severe measures of
repression would have been adopted, and the liberty granted by the consti-
tution of 1791 still further trenched on, had it not been for the impendin
war with the United States. Lord Liverpool wrote to Craig unmistakable
directions to adopt a conciliatory policy before it was too late. In consc-
quence of this, the Assembly, when it met the Governor, was astonished
to hear an address in which, after eulogizing the loyalty of Lower Canad,l,
he expressed his hope that the utmost harmony might prevail bet\\een him-
self and all branches of the Legislature. Bedard was soon after this released
12 4
Canada and the Ca1ladian PeoPle,
from prison, but not till the session had closed, Craig fearing that the
.
Assembly might claim the credit of having forced his hand. Soon after
this Craig's health gave way, and the" Reign of Terror;' as the French
Canadians magniloquently termed his petty tyranny, ended with his depar-
ture for England, where he soon afterwards died,
The first steamboat was launched on the St. Lawrence in November,
180 9. She was named the Accommodation, and was built by
1r. John
Molson, of Montreal. The newspapers of the time contain glowing ac-
counts of this wondrous ship which "could sail against any wind or tide,"
She was crowded with admiring visitors and passengers, The fare from
Quebec to
Iontreal was ten dollars. which included meals on board the
boat,
Sir George Prevost, a distinguished officer, succeeded Craig. He was
a man of mild and conciliatory disposition. His first act was to add
seven additional members to the Executive Cabinet, which had hitherto
been taken altogether from the Legislative Council, and to appoint to a
judgeship :\1. Bedard, the object of his predecessor's persecutions; to
another popular leader,
1. Bourdages, he gave a colonelcy of militia.
Thus the French Canadians were conciliated, and their loyalty secured in
the presence of a pressing danger.
&
-
-
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,
CHAPTER XIX,
X the 18th of June, 1812, war was declared against Britain by the
United States; as regards Canada it may well be called the
\Yar of
\ggression. The States' Government knew well that
Britain needed all her armaments for the gigantic struggle in
which she was then engaged with the greatest soldier of the age.
They calculated on over-running Canada. A force of' 25,000
regular troops was ordered to be enlisted by Congress, This was to
be supported by 50,000 volunteers. General Dearborn, a veteran officer
of the \Yar of Indef'endence, was appointed to command, Sir George
Prevost at once ordered all Americans to quit Canada within four-
teen days, and made 'a tour of observation along the St. Lawrence and
lake frontier. He found the settlers of Upper Canada, all of them good
marksmen and trained to fighting as w
ll as farming, to a man ready to
leave farming or clearing to the care of the women and boys, and to
take the field in defence of their newly-settled country. lIad the United
States Government confined itself to fighting England, as was done with a
fair amount of success by their spar-decked corvettes, on the high seas
which were the original scene of the quarrel, the people of Canadd. might
have felt some sympathy for a brave people subjected to the wanton insult
of the right of search, But to strike at England through Canada, a
country whose manifest destiny it was to grow up into a free nation, was
felt to be mere aggression, The spirit of Lower Canada, too, was roused
to resistance, The insolence, the squalor, the exaction of l\Iontgomery's
troops, whom their officers allowed to seize on the farmer's stores, and who
never pretended to pay for anything except in their worthless paper money,
were remembered with disgust. The clergy gave the whole weight of their
influence, all-powerful as it was, to kindle the patriotic resolution for the
defence of altar and hearth against a heretic banditti, _\lthough the
Lower Canadian Assembly declined to pass an
\lien .\ct, they gave a
THE \YAR OF 1812-'15.
126
Canada and the Canadian People.
most liberal grant for organizing the militia, and for the general defence of
the PrmTince. The money so voted was to be raised in the form of army
bills, in order to prevent specie from Leing carried to the United States.
In Upper Canada, the Lieutenant-Governor had temporarily left the
Province, having gone to England, leaving the administration of public
affairs in the hands of l\Iajor-General Isaac Brock, a name which has
become inseparably woven with our history. Though a tompdratively
young man, he had had much military experience, and was admirably
fitted by nature and training for the difficult part he was now called upon
to play. He had at first some difficulty in gaining the desired grant from
the Legislature, which did not helieve that war would ensue. But as soon
as hostilities were declared, they cheerfully passed a very ample militia
hill. There were then in Upper Canada 3050 regular troops; in Lower
Canada, 1450, The Governor-General informed Brock that no further
aid need be expected from England for at least some months,
The war began with the capture of Fort
lackinac, (Michillimackinac)
by Captain Roberts, commandant of the small military post of St. Joseph,
on Lake Huron. Mackinac was surrendered without bloodshed. It was
an important position, commanding the entrance to Lake Michigan, On
July 12th, 1812, the American General Hull invaded the western peninsula of
Upper Canada with 2,5 00 men, He occupied Sandwich, and issued a procla-
mation inviting the Canadians to join his standard, and .. enjoy the
blessings of peace and liberty," which he proceeded to illustrate hy
vaunting his country's alliance with war and despotism incarnate in the
person of Napoleon I. Colonel St. George was stationed at the neigh-
bouring town of Amherstburg with a force of about 300 regulars. Had
Hull advanced at once, St. George must have been overpowered. But Hull
delayed, sent small detachments which St. George defeated, aild meantime
the Indians from Grand River poured in to St. George's support, and Brock
advanced in force from Toronto. Hull now recrossed the river, and took
up a positiofJ at Detroit, Among the Indians present in Brock's command
\\ as one of the most remarkable of Indian chiefs, Tecumseh, who in
physique was a typical example of the strength and versatile dexterity
which the wilderness sometimes developes in its children. He was born in
the :\Iiami Valley, and having distinguished himself in war and hunting,
became recognized as a chief of note among his countrymen. He devised
a new scheme for uniting the Indians into a political confederacy under his
.
sway. In concert with his brother, \"Tho claimed supernatural powers, he
originated a religious movement, in part borrowed from Christianity; but
afier some years the .-\merican troops attacked his town in Tecumseh's
.
The H?ar of 1812-'15,
12 7
absence. It was taken and destroyed, and this
Iahomet of the Red
len
had ever since hated the Americans with the implacable rancour charac-
teristic of his race. In a council of war held opposite Detroit, Tecumseh
traced with his scalping knife on a piece of birch bark a rude plan of the
defence of Detroit. Brock then crossed the river, and opened fire on Detroit,
which he was on the point of assaulting, when General Hull signalled his
wish to capitulate. Hull and all his regular troops were sent to Quebec as
prisoners of war, Brock returned in well-deserved triumph to York.
But the Americans, anxious to efface the diggrace of Hull's unsoldierlike
conduct, sent an army of 6,000 men to the Niagara frontier, with orders to
the General in command, Van Rensellaer, to force his way through Brock's
lines of defence, and establish himself on Canadian territory, The British
and Canadian force for the defence of this entire frontier of thirty.six miles
was less than 2,000 men. The Americans succeeded in landing, after some
opposition from a party of the 49th regiment under Captain Dennis, who
was compelled to retreat. He was met by General Brock with his aide-de-
camp, Colonel -:\lcDonnell. Brock at once put himself at the head of six
hundred men of the 49th, and, drawing hIS sword, led them to. charge the
Americans on the heights above, They advanced under a heavy fire, which
killed several; among the first the gallant Brock. Infuriate at the fall of a
leader universally beloved, the regulars and Canadian troops rushéd up
the hill, and swept before them a foe far superior in numbers. But the
Americans were reinforced, and the British and Canadian force of three
hundred, after a brilliant display of valour, had to retire, Meanwhile a
vigorous attack had been made on General Scott's forces (he had succeeded
Van Rensellaer) by a young Iroquois chief, John Brant, who came in
command of a body of warriors from the Grand River Reserve. General
Sheaffe now succeeded Brock, and after a sharp conflict for about half
an hour, although with a force inferior in numbers, forced the enemy to
surrender. Brock was buried side by side with the oraye McDonnell, at
Fort George, Niagara, the Americans as wcIl as his own army firing minute
g-uns during- his funeral.
Dearborn now threatened to invade Lower Canada from his position
at Plattsburg, General Prevost then called out the entire Lower Canadian
militia, and his summons was obeyed with such enthusiasm that Dearhorn
gave up the proposed invasion as impracticable. -:\Ieanwhile General
Smith, who nm",- commanded the American force on the
iagara Ri, er,
made several attempts to cross to the Canadian frontier, in all of which
he was so completely held in check by a much smaller force, that he had
to skulk from his camp to avoid the dnger of his own soldiers. These
128
CalZada alld the Canadian PeoPle.
brave men deserved a more competent general. He was received in Buffalo
with general execration, the very taverns being closed against him, He was
soon after most deservedly cashiered. :\Ieanwhile, in Congress, the repre-
sentatives of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, who had
refused to furnish militia for the war, were backed up by :\Iaryland, :\1r.
Quincy denounc
d the war against Canada as piratical. "Since the
Invasion of the buccaneers," he said, "there has been nothing in history
more disgraceful than this war." In 1813, once again the legislatures of
both Upper and Lower Canada took ample measures to supply the
Governor with funds for defence of the country, The campaign of this
year opened with a victory of Colonel Proctor with five hunçlred regulars
and six hundred Indians over General \\ïnchester, in command of a
detachment of General Harrison's aqny. \Vinchester, with five hundred
of his men, was taken prisoner. This checked Harrison's advance. For
the rest of the campaign, raids were made with varying success on both
sides, upon either bank of the St. Lawrence. Ogdenshurg was taken by
:\Iajor :\IcDonnell, who crossed the frozen river with a force of regulars,
Fort Presèntation, with seven guns, four field pieces, and a considerable
quantity of arms, ammunition, and other stores, was taken by Captain
Jenkins and Captain Eustace. In the next campaign, Commander Chauncey
sailed from his naval-stronghold of Sackett's Harbour, with 1,600 regulars on
board of fourteen vessels, These troops, under Brigadier Pike, landed, after
some opposition, three miles west of York. :\1eanwhile the fleet opened
fire on the very insignificant defences on shore, where Pike had succeeded
in carrying the first battery. As he advanced, a tremendous explosion
from the powder magazine shook the earth, and killed many, mortally
wounding others, among whom "\-vas General Pike. It was impossible for
General Sheaffe, with the force at his command, to resist the \.merican
invaders, He withdrew in orderly retreat to Kingston, leaving, for some
inexplicable reason, Colonel Chewett with two hundred and ninety-three
militia, who, after a hard-fought conflict of seven hours, surrendered.
Having fired the town andde stroyed what public stores were left, Chauncey,
with reinforcemens from Sackett's Harbour, made a descent on
iagara,
where General Vincent, with but fourteen hundred men, held Fort George,
Those who have visited the dismounted earthworks, where now the Niagara
sheep, horses and children play in the casements and entrances, will have
observed how completely it is exposed to the fire of the American Fort
:i\ iagara on the east side of the river. The fort now opened fire. Chauncey's
ships poured in a shower of grapeshot and shell from the lake close by,
After three hours' fighting, Vincent spiked his guns, blew up his magazine,
The H 7 ar of IbI2-'15.
12 9
and retreated to a position on Burlington Heights, near Hamilton. On the
Detroit frontier, General Harrison, who, notwithstanding \Vinchester's
defeat, wished to retake Detroit and :\lichigan, received a severe check
from General Proctor, with a loss of seven hundred men, But Proctor's
Indians wished to return home with their plunder, the militia were unwilling
to sustain a siege, and he was thus compelled to leave Detroit, carrying
with him his stores and munitions of war.
Sir James Yeo was now sent from England with a naval force of four
hundred and fifty men. In concert with him, Prevost led an expedition
against Sackett's Harbour, which was partially successful, and would have
been completely so, had not Prevost, mistaking the dust raised by the
fugitive Americans for the approach of another army, ordered a retreat; a
disgraceful blunder for which he was deservedly condemned by puhlic
opinion, Dearborn was now established on the Niagara peninsula. where,
however, he was held in check by the neighbourhood of Vincent, with his
small army on Burlington Heights. Dearborn sent a force of six thousand
regulars, two hundred and fifty cavalry, and nine field pieces, to attack Vin-
cent. The latter resolved on a night attack upon the .American camp.
which was carelessly guarded, \Yith but seven hundred men Vincent and
Colonel Harvey surprised the camp, inflicted a heavy blow on the enemy,
and took a hundred and twenty prisoners, with the Generals, Chandler and
\Vinder. .Dearborn now retreated to a position on Forty MIle Creek,
whence Yeo's fleet soon forced him to fall hack on Fort George, at Niagara,
From thence Dearborn sent five hundred men, with fifty cavalry and ten
field guns, to attack a British post at Beaver Dam, hetwEen Queensto'n and
Thorold. :\Irs, Secord, wife of one of the soldiers of Queenston, heard of
this expedition, and the night before it took place, walked nineteen miles
through the woods to give warning to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, who at once
communicated with the commanders of regulars and Indians in the vicinity.
and prepared to give the .\mericans a warm reception. After a sharply con-
tested struggle, the .\mericans surrendered to a force not half their number.
-:\Iean\vhile, Vincent. by a skilful movement. extended his lines from Twelve
:\Tile Creek to Queenston, thus isolating the four thousand ,\mericans at
Fort George to the narrow neck of land between river and lake.
Hut Chauncey had now built another ship of war at Sackett's lIarbour,
and had the superiority over Yeo's squadron. He attempted a descent on
Vincent's depot of stores at Burlington, but was prevented from doing any
mischief by the militia regiment from Glengarry, which marched from
Toronto to Burlington. They thus, however, left York unprotected.
Chauncey sailed thither, burned down the barracks and
tores. .1I1d S('t free
9
13 0
(,{l1lada and tlte Canadian PeQþle.
the prisoners from the jail. Thus was the Provincial capital twice captured
during this war of piratical raids. The Americans now put forth all the
resources of their powerful country in order to stem the tide of Canadian
success. Commodore Perry, with a well-equipped fleet of craft, out-
numhering by ten the British squadron, and carrying guns of far heavier
metal, encountered the British squadron, under the command of Captain
Barclay, off Put-in Bay, on Lake Erie, The British ships were embarrassed
by the insensate measure of having more landsmen than sailors on board.
The fight began at a quarter before !welve, and continued till half-past two,
during which time fortune seemed to favour Barclay's fleet. Perry's flag-
ship, the Lawrcncc. being injured by the British fire, he went on board the
S iagara. Soon after this the Lawrcnce struck its colours. But so defective
was the equipment of Barclay's ships that there was not even a boat to
enable him to board his prize. A change of wind, which occurred just at
the crisis of the fight, enabled Perry to get at the weather-side of the British
ships, into which he poured such a deadly fire that, the officers being all
killed or wounded, a third of the crew killed, and the yessels unmanageable
,
the entire squadron of Barclay surrendered, Perry showed the courtesy
due from one brave man to another, to Barclay, whom he released on
parole. The defeat and loss of the ships was a severe blow to General
Proctor, who was now compelled to retreat. Having destroyed the fortifi-
cations of Amherstburg and Detroit, he now commenced his disastrous
retreat. His army consisted of eight hundred and thirty men, with an
auxiliary force of 1,200 Indians, under the chief Tecumseh, General
,Harrison followed in pursuit. with three thousand men, among whom were
included one thousand dragoons and mounted Kentucky riflemen. Near
Chatham, Harrison overtook Proctor's rear guard, and captured all his
stores and ammunition. The only resource for Proctor now was to try the
fortune of a battle. The ground he chose seems to have been well selected,
Those who have visited and examined the field will remember that at
this point the river banks are steep, descending some twenty feet to the
water. There is still a swamp among the remains of the woods a few
hundred yards from the river. The intervening ground is now level and
open; it was then cO\'ered with lofty trees. Proctor's left wing was pro-
tected by the riyer, and strengthened by a field-piece; part of his centre
and all the right wing were defended effectually by a swamp; in the swamp,
lurking in their usu'al manner behind trees, were a large body of Indians,
with Tecumseh. The battle may be said to have begun and ended with a
charge which General Harrison ordered to be instantly made by Colonel
Johnson with the mounted Kentucky riflemen. To ordinary cavalry the
The JVar of 1812-'15.
13 1
ground, swa mpy as it was, would have been most unfavourable, but the
Kentucky horsemen had been from boyhood accustomed to nde at full
speed through the forests and swamps of their own state, They swept in full
areer on the British ranks before they had time to discharge a third volley,'
The soldiers, exhausted by forced marches and hunger, were no match for
fresh troops, well supplied with everything, and flushed with Perry's recent
victory. The battle was lost. Proctor fled ignominiously, as did his men,
nor did either stop till they reached the shelter of Burlington Heights.
\Ieanwhile Tecumseh and his Indians kept up a galling fire from behind
trees in the swamp, The
\merican Colonel's horse was shot, and. he fell
with it to the ground. A chief, conspicuous for his plume of eagle's feathers,
rushed forward, knife in hand, to scalp him. Johnson drew a pistol and
shot the Indian dead, He believed that he had shot Tecumseh, but his
having done so is, to say the least, very doubtful. It is certain, however,
that Tecumseh was slain at the battle of the Thames, though his body was
never found. The site of the battle is now marked by the site of a house,
opposite the Indian village of Moravian Town, ançl formerly used as a
tavern. It is now a farm house called the Red House.
Proctor's force was scattered to the winds, Some two hundred and
twenty, with the General, answered to their names next day at Burlington
Heights. Harrison set fire to the village of the unoffending Christian
Indians under care of the :\Ioravians, It has since been rebuilt, and still
retains its name, a reminiscence not to be set aside of the good work done
among the Indians by the "Cuitas FratrulIl." For his. conduct on this
occasion General Proctor ,,,,-as brought to a court martial, severely censured,
'and fined six months' pay.
But in Lower Canada the British arms had more success. Colonel
Taylor, with his gunboats manned by artillerymen from one of his regiments,
attacked the American naval force on Lake Champlain, and in a fight
closely contested on both' sides, all but annihilated the American naval
power on that lake, In the same campaign two victories took place, each
of which more than compensated for the rout of Proctor's army at l\IoraYÏan
Town-the battles of Chateauguay and Chrysler's Farm.
On September 20th, 1813, the ,,\merican General Hampton, with a well-
equipped army of five thousand infantry and cavalry, advanced towards
:\Iontreal by a road leading through the village of Odelltown, There was
then a forest swamp of about fifteen miles sqllare,which Colonel DcSalaherry,
with his corps of \'oltigeurs, had during the year he fore rendered impracti-
cable by abattis. Ön account of these obstructions, Hampton changed his
direction westward by the hanks of the Chateauguay Riyer. Colonel De
'I
.
13 2
Canada and the Canadian Pèople.
Salaberry took up a position with his small force of four hundred men in a
thick wood on the banks of this river
constructing breastworks of felled trees,
and covering his front and right wing with an abattis; his left wing being
sufficiently defended by the river. There was a small ford, which he com-
manded with a breastwork outpost, He rightly judged that, at whatever
odds, this point ought to be defended against an invading enemy; for it was
the only position where a stand could adyantageously be made, all the rest
heing open ground as far as the St. Lawrence. On October :l+th, Hampton
adyanced with three thousand five hundred men, led by General Izard. He
sent Colonel Purdy, with a brigade, to march by a detour and attack the
British in the rear. But Purdy got lost in the woods, and did not arrive in
time, De S
laberry placed his men in extended order along the breastwork
in front of their line, with orders not to fire till he discharged his own rifle
as a signal. The Americans advanced in open columns of sections to within
musket shot, when De Salaberry gave the signal by firing his rifle, with
which he brought down a mounted officer among the enemy's line. A hot
fire was now poured into the dense columns of the Americans, They
wheeled into line and attempted to reply, without much effect. De Sala-
herry now tried a ruse which Dr. Ryerson compares to Gideon's ruse dt:
{{Herre described in the Book of Judges. He stationed his buglers as far
apart as possible, and ordered them to sound the adyance. This caused a
panic among Hampton's troops, who thought that large reinforcements were
about to aid the British. At the same time Purdy had been encountered b)
two companies o{ De Salaberry's men, who completely routed his force.
General Hampton, disconcerted at the failure of Purdy to execute his orders.
and not daring, though with a force so immensely superior, to attack the
breastwork and abattis with the bayonet, withdrew in good order. Thus did
this gallant French Canadian soldier, with a force of less than four hundred.
defeat an American army of several thousand strong, \Yell may Lower
Canada be proud of De Salaberry's memory, and honour those who hear his
name at this day,
:\leantime, \Vilkinson, with an army of nine thousand Americans, had
moved from Sackett's Harbour, intending to take Kingston, form a junction
wIth Hampton, and march on
Iontreal. But finding that Kingston was
no"v garrisoned hy ten thousand men, under General De Rottenburg, he
did not attack it, but carried his army in three l
undred boats down the St.
Lawrence. \\Ïthin three miles of Prescott he landed on the American side,
in order to avoid the British batteries at that place, while his fleet of barges
passed them in the night.
By this time a force of 800 regulars and militia, had been sent from
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The lYar of Ü312-" 15.
135
Kingston to follow \Vilkinson's movements. On the loth of November this
corps of observation came up with Boyd's division of \Yilkinson's army,
consisting of between three and four thousand men, at Chrysler's Point.
The British took up a position, the right flank resting on the river, the left
on a dense growth of pine wood. A general engagement took place, during
which the British stood firm against a charge of an entire regiment of
.\merican cavalry, whom they met with a fire so hot that the cavalry were
driven to retreat in confusion. _\t half-past four in the afternoon the entire
.\merican force withdrew from the field. Such was the battle of Chrysler's
Farm, the most elaborate military display of the war, On the Niagara
frontier, the American General, 'McClure, after ravaging the surrounding
country, by the barbarous orders of Congress, set fire to the village of
)Jewark (Niagara). The darkness of the night of December loth, 1813, was
lit up by the flames of the burning houses, the women and children were
turned, shelterless, upon the snow. Of course reprisals followed this
outrage; General Riall surprised and gave to the flames the American
towns of Buffalo and Lewiston, and the worst passions of warfare bein
now a{oused, both armies m,arched torch in hand.
The Assembly of Lower Canada which met in the next year ( 181 4)
impeached several of Governor Craig's subordinates as having been
accomplices in his unconstitutional acts, more especially in the mission of
the spy and traitor, John Henry, through whose agency, before the war of
ISI2, Craig had tried to sow disunion in some of the northern States, No
definite result, however, followed, In the spring of 1814, Colonel \Yilliains,
with a force of 1,500 men, was attacked unsuccessfully by General \Yilkinson
with +,000
\mericans. The British General Drummond cap:ured Oswego
in
Iay, but Commodore Yeo sustained a defeat in the same month, when
endeavouring to cut out some boats laden with stores, at Sackett's Ha'rbour.
In the )Jiagara district, General Riall having been reinforced fro111 Toronto,
resolved to assume the offcnsi\e against General Drown in the neighbour-
hood of Chippewa. Brown's force amounted to o\er +,000. On July 25 th ,
181+, the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought. At first the British were
worsted, and their general, Riall \\ as taken prisoner. Dut the arrival of
General Drummond from Toronto with a force of 800 men turned the scale,
and the ,,\mericans made a hasty retreat to Fort Erie. .\fter the victory
of the British at Toulouse and the abdication of Napoleon, troops could be
spared for service in Canada, and 1,600 of \Vellington's \eterans were sent
over. Sir George Prevost, however, disgracefully mismanageJ the abundant
means thus placed at his. disposal. He attacked Plattshurg with 11,000
men, and after some idle manæuvring withdrew before a force .A 1.5 00
13 6
Cmuula alld tlte Ca1ladia1l PeoPle.
Americans. For this misconduct he was to have been tried by court
martial, but death saved him from the disgrace it might have inflicted,
In the Niagara district. General Brown compelled the British General,
Drummond, to return to Burlington Heights. Drummond being supported
by Commodore Yeo with a squadron on Lake Ontario, compelled Brown
to withdraw from Fort Erie, and to retire beyond the river. On December
24 th , I8IS, this weary and unnatural war ended by the Treaty of Ghent, and
the sword drawn for fratricide was sheathed, never, God grant it, to be drawn
, '
agam.
-
&Æ
lf
",....'\' w .
15L]J
l
'
CI-iAPTER XX.
LO\YER CAX ADA, FRO:\I THE PEACE TO 1828.
r
:
, q
1'-'
EKERAL DRU:\I:\IO:\D succeeded Sir George Preyost as
\ ,) I) Gov
rnor of Lower Canada, H,e had be
n bef
re this G
Yernor
.......
of (; pper Canada, He speedIly got mto dIsputes wIth the
1'
Assembly, on the old \'exed question of the impeachment of the
. h'
judges. 'which the Prince Regent had ordered to be set aside, He
21ft was succeeded in July, 1816, bySir John Sherbrooke, who had been
Governor of 1\ ova Scotia, He saw, and reported to the English
:\Iinisters, the great need there was for a conciliatory policy, and the hitter
animosity that was g-rowing up between the Assembly and the Executive
Council. In 1817 the Assembly chose as its Speaker the risi;]g young orator
Louis J. Papineau, son of the constitutionalist leader before the war. In the
same year the Bank of :\Iontreal. the earliest bank in Canada, was established
in :\Iontreal; and, soon afterwards, the Bank of Quebec in the older capital.
In 1818 the Goyernor informed the Assembly that he was instructed from
England to apprise them that their former offer to undertake the ci\-illist
of the country was now accepted. This was a most welcome announce-
ment to the popular head of the Legislature, who had Long desired the
control of the public expenditure. Sherbrooke, disgusted with the reluc-
tance of the English Tory Government to permit needed reform, returned
home, much regretted by the Lower Ca
adians, He was succeeded by the
I )uke of Richmond, a dissipated and spendthrift noble, \\ ho had often
.. heard the chimes at midnight" ., with the wild Prince and Poins."
.\ year afterwards, the Duke's eccentric career was closed by an attack
of that terrible malady, hydrophobia, the result of the bite of a tame
fox. The Duke broke from his attendants. and ran furiously along the
banks of the little tributary of the Ottawa which flows throug
l the \ illage
of Richmond, Arrived at the nearest house, the unhappy nobleman died in
the village that bears his name, which he had purposed to make a consider-
able town.
f
13 8
Canada ll1ld the Cauadia1l People.
In June, 1820, the Earl of Dalhousie came from
ova Scotia, where he
had been Governor, to Canada, as Governor-in-Chief.
\ stormy session of
the Legislature took place in 1821, Inquiry was demanded into the accounts
of the Receiver-General of the Province, who was suspected of ha\-ing
appropriated large sums of public money, Exception was also taken to the
iniquitous system of making lavish grants of Crown lands to the favourites
of Government. As the Council and the Assembly could not agree on these
points, no money was voted by the Assembly for the civil list. Meanwhile
the Province advanced; no such freedom, no such prosperity, had been
known under the French regime, as no less a witness t1
an i\1. Papineau was
free to own in a speech from the hustings. l\Iontreal steamers were numer-
ous on the lakes and the St, Lawrence. The Lachine and Rideau canals
ave a great impetus to trade, The first beginnings of Ottawa "'ere being
advanced by Colonel By, The lumber trade was beginning to reap its
harvest of rafts from the hitherto useless forests. The Eastern Townships
alone now held a population as large as that of all Canada at the Conquest.
There now arose a project for the Union of the two Canadas, to which th
French Canadians were bitterly opposed. They sent John
eilson and
Louis J. Papineau to England with a petition against it, signed by sixty thou-
sand French Canadians. A gross case of fraud and embezzlement was now
clearly proved "against the Receiver-General, John Calùwell, The Govern-
ment had been guilty of the folly of screening him, and were compelled to
bear the odium of his crime. In June, 182+, Lord Dalhousie was succeeded
by Sir Francis Burton, his Deputy, till 1826, when Dalhousie returned,
The dispute between the French and English colonists, between the oligarchy
of the Executive Council and the popular Assembly, went on year by year
with wearisome iteration, Papineau being in the van of the malcontents. At
last the Governor refused to recognize Papineau as Speaker, and declared
that he could listen to no communication from the Assembly till it got itself
legally constituted by electing a Speaker. The ever-recurring wrangle
between the Government and the Assembly at last attracted notice in the
British Parliament, and a Committee was appointed to consider the Lower
Canada question. They met and decided every point in favour of the
French Canadians. The
\ssembly ordered four hundred copies of their
report to be printed and circulated through the country,
I
a
.
CHAPTER XXI,
UPPER CAXADA, FRO::'.I THE PEACE TO 182t),
'j:-
r-;:........ ·
, .Ji
lÍI-
:--.. ::\C\IEDIA TELY after the war, measures were taken by the British
''-
Government to send a stream of immigration into Upper Can-
.
, ada, A large number of valuable settlers came at this time from
r., ....
t::- t
Scotland. In 1816 an Act of the Upper Canada Parliament
"';
(
established Common Schools, the first of a series of measures
/ -f"'''' destined to culminate into the present Public School system
which has attracted the admiration of European nations. \Yith
increased prosperity the people of C pper Canada began to have leisure to
ohsen-e the working of the machinery of Government. ::\1 uch dissatisfaction
was caused by the promised lands not being giyen to the militia who had
seryed during the war. The E:\.ecutive Goyernment, too, ,vas in the hands
of a few influential men, for the most part connected more or less by family
ties, who kept all offices, all emoluments, and well nigh all grants of land in
their own hands, and about this time became known by the name which
has such sinister association in Canadian History-that of the Family
(' ompact.
.\t this time Robert Gourlay, a Scotch immigrant who was desirous of
becoming a land agent, bethought himself of the expedient of addressing.a
number of blank forms containing each thirty-two queries as to agricultural
matters in each district. C nfortunately he added another query: .. \ Vhat, in
your opinion, most retards the improyement of your township in particular,
or the Proyince in general?" This alarmed the Gm"ernment, who were in
the. habit of conferring large grants of land on their 0\\ n fclyourites, d.
practice which they well knew was injuring the Prm-ince. Gourlay began
to be denounced as a republican and preacher of disloyalty; while on
the other hand, the generality of the replies that poured into his hands
dene>unced the Clergy Reseryes as the bane of proyincial improyement.
The Clergy Reserves, set apart as an endowment for a State Church, took
from the people one-seyenth of the Proyince of epper Canada. They wen'
1+0
Callali-l alld the Ca1ladia1l People.
not in one place, but scattered here and there all over the Province, For
the most part, they were waste, and this deteriorated the value of adjoining
property, by their paying no tax, and infesting the neighbourhood with the
wild beasts they sheltered, Finding himself the object of unjust attack,
Gourlay proposed to the people of Upper Canada to petition the Imperial
Parliament for an investigation of the affairs of the Province. On the ground
of a passage in a draft of this petition, prepared by Gourlay. a prosecution
,,-as entered against him on .,a charge of libel. He was imprisoned for six
months in Kingston gaol, but when tried was acquitted. He had every
chance of becoming a popular leader, when he offended the Assembly by
proposmg to assemble a rival body, "the Convention;" and so lost popu-
larity. The Family Compact were then able to hunt him do\\-n unhindered,
.\ creature of their own basely s\\-ore that Gourlay was a seditious
person. He was ordered to quit the country, and not doing so, was thrown
into a cell at the old j ail of K iagara whence he wrote some telling attacks
on the Family Compact Government in the Xiagara Spectator. But ill-
usage and prolonged incarceration told on his health. He became almost
insane, and after being brought to trial, and condemned, was allowed to
quit the country, where he owned a considerable tract of land. Thirty-five
years later an old man whom no one knew visited the villages and farms
on what had once been Gourlay's estate. It was Robert Gourlay himself,
come to reclaim his land. The squatters, great or small, were compelled to
come to terms with him. In 1822 he published his book on Canada. It is
full of bombast and ill-temper, but contains much valuahle information for
those who wish to picture to themselves the state of things in this Province
during the palmy days of the Family Compact. Maitland, the Lieutenant-
Governor, had completely identified himself with that party, and his unfair
dealings with poor Gourlay made him more unpopular than any previous
Governor. Xotwithstanding misgovernment, Upper Canada was now more
flourishing than ever. with a population of 120,000, Inconsequence of this,
there was an increase of representation in the Assembly, Five new mem-
hers were added to the Legislative Council, by far the most remarkable and
influential of whom was the Rev, John Strachan, who afterwards became the
first Church of England bishop of Toronto, This noteworthy personage made
his first appearance in Canada as pri\-ate tutor in the household of the late
Richard Cartwright, of Rockwood, near Kingston, at a salary of fifty
pounds cl. year. From this he was promoted to be teacher of the District
schoo] at the village of Cornwall, where he married a widow with some
money. Young Strachan had been bred a Presbyterian, but Presby-
terianism at that time in Canada meant poverty. The Church of England
Upper Canada from the Peace to 1828.
1+1
was the Church of the Family Compact magnates, and to minister at its
altars insured good pay and admissi
n to the best society. So John
Strachan threw aside his dislike to the ,. rags of popery," and the" kist
0' whustles," and without difficulty was ordained. He became an extreme
advocate of political absolutism and religious intolerance, and to the end of
his long life hated non-episcopalian Protestantism with intense bitterness.
In 1823, a new subject of contention arose between the Legislative Council
and the .\ssembly, in consequence of the attempts of the Family Compact
to set aside the election of :Marshall Spring Bid well, for Lennox and
Addington, On one pretence or other they ,\Tere successful for the time,
and their creature, one G, Ham, was declared elected, but Bidwell was
soon afterwards returne.d, and became Speaker of the Assembly. The
Family Compact made themselves odious in every way. The Assembly, in
lð23. passed a law enabling Methodist ministers to solemnize marriage, but
the Upper House, acting under Dr. Strachan's influence, threw it out.
On the 18th of :\Iay, 182+, the first trumpet note of reform was sounded ..
in the puhlication of The Colonial A dvocate of \\ïl1iam.. Lyon l\Iackenzie.
This remarkable man was the son of a poor Highland family of Perthshire.
His grandfather had fought with the Cavalier Prince at Culloden, after
which he had escaped with him to France, Young :\Iackenzie came to
Canada in 1820, and for some time kept a small drug store in Toronto.
The first few numbers of his paper showed a vigour and command of
sarcasm hitherto unknown in Canadian journalism. I t was eagerly read
hy the great body of the people in Upper Canada, and in proportion
aroused the bitter hatred of the Family Compact; for
Iackenzie designated
the Legislative Council as the" tools of a servile power," pointed out the
injustice of one church monopolising a seventh part of the Province, and
freely criticisecl the unjust imprisonment of Gourlay, In 1826, the hatred
of the Family Compact against :\Iackenzie rose to such a pitch that a mob
of well-dressed rioters broke into the printing office in :\Iackenzie's absence,
wrecked the printing machines, and threw the type into the lake, This
outrage was almost openly sanctioned hy the Family Compact. Hut
Iac-
kenzie was not to be thus suppressed, He sued the rioters, and gained his
case, with [625 damages, and costs. Of course :\Iackenzie now became
more popular than ever, and in 182R was elected to the Assemhly for the
county of York by a large majority.
:\leanwhile in Lower Canada discontent and ill-feeling became worse
and worse, though the colony continued to flourish. In 1826, :\[cGill
College, l\Iontreal, received a charter, and in 1828, a petition signed hy
87,000 of the French Canadians, was sent by their delegates to the Irnperi.d
1+2
Canada aud the Canadian PeoPle.
Parliament, a committee of which recommended that its prayer should be
granted, and the whole of the revenue he placed under the control of the
Lower Canada Parliament, Lord Dalhousie was now recalled, and Sir
James Kempt, formerly Governor of Koya Scotia, was sent to succeed him,
charged with a mission of reconciliation. He confirmed the election of
Papineau as Speaker, called into the Council representatives of the popular
party, and in 182 9, raised the representation of Lower Canada from fifty
members to eighty-four. In 1830, Kempt was succeeded by Lord Aylmer,
In the same year, the entire control of the revenue was assigned to the
Provincial Legislature, The property of the Jesuits, long the subject of
dispute, was now definitely made oyer for educational purposes,
In 18 3 2 , a terrible outbreak of Asiatic Cholera passed over Canada,
from a ship at the quarantine station on the S1. Lawrence, A second visit
of the same pest took place in the summer of 1834. By this time the
\
popular party, kindled into enthusiasm by the fervent harangues of Papineau,
began to dream of an independent Repuhlic, Constitutional clubs were
formed, and a con\"ention was held, The
\ssembly also appointed the late
1\1r. Roebuck as their representatiye in the Imperial Parliament, \vhere he
\vas of the utmost sen"ice to Canada in eXplaining the tyranny of the execu-
tive of Lower Canada, whic
. unless it were abolished, he affirmed, would
driye the colony into insurrection.
lec.}v;Y
ìJ
JG
CHAPTER XXII.
CAl'\ADA O
THE EYE OF REBELLIO
,
'k
T fP,'
,j IR JOH
COLDORX E succeeded the unpopular l\Iaitland in
l:" pper Canada, \Yhen Parliament met, it was found that the
:
- "'" Assembly C , onsistel
almost entir,ely of Reformer
. l\
ackenzie \
as
;' perpetually harassmg the Family Compact ExecutIve byaskmg
all kinds of awkward questions, no less than by hiseloquent adyo-
(. I
cacy of the Assembly's right to control all the revenues of the
Pr?yince, For, with the growth of prosperity in the colony, the
territorial revenues which were still retained by Government had increased
so much that the executive had now a civil list of their own, and were inde-
pendent of the popular branch of the Legislature,
It will b
obseryed that the grievances objected to by the Reform party in
Upper and Lower Canada were the same, but it would be untrue to conclude
that the political aims of Reformers in the two Provinces were identical. Both
complained of the tyranny of the irresponsible executive; and both wished
tHe Legislature to have full control of the public revenue, But while the
Cpper Canada Reformers desired, as the result of a radical change in these
respects, the equality of all citizens irrespective of creed or race, those of
Lower Canada wished to get power into their own hands in order to tig
lten
the bonds of race amI creed exclusiveness, to isolate themselves more com-
pletely in their Provincial-French nationality, to exclude from equal share
of power and place those English-speaking settlers in Quebec and :\Iontreal
who had waked the slow-going old colon)' into active industrial life. but
whom the Canadiall sneered at as aliens and intruders. It would he
an abuse of language to call Papineau and his followcrs "LiDcral." .\
new member of the Asscmbly who had becn electcd to represent
Tor;onto now began to exert considerable influcnce. His fathcr, Dr.
Baldwin, had left his native Cork in the heat of the troubles of 1798, and
some time after his arrival in Canada had come to Toronto, ne.lr which
he built a house callcd by the name Spadina, a name still preserved h)
.
144
Canada and the Ca1ladian Pe(!fle,
the stately a\'enue which stretches its broad highway from Knox College
to the lake. Dr. Baldwin practised law as well as medicine, a union of
se\'eral professions, not uncommon Ïn those primiti\'e times of Toronto"s
history" Dr. \\ïlliam Baldwin did not seem to be of aristocratic
family, or to be received as such by the e'\:clusive coterie of the
Famih- Compact. His first venture in Toronto was that of a private
schoolmaster. It i
probahle that his exclusion from \\ hat were then
regarded as the aristocratic circles of the capital of English Canada deter-
mined Dr. Baldwin"s mind in the direction of that Liberalism afterwards
so ably advocated by his celebrated son, But by the death of the Hon.
Peter Russell, a large estate, in what is now western Toronto, fell into the
hands of his sister, a maiden lady, who thought fit to bequeath it to Dr.
Baldwin, who then became a rich man and a person of consequence, Like
most parvenus. he seemed to be bent on "founding a family," and
resoh-ed that .. there should he forever a Baldwin of Spadina:' The
original house thus grandiloquently described stood on the corner of
Spadina .h-enue and Oxford Street. Having been built before the property
was laid out, it stood with the gable end to the street. The son of this
gentleman, Robert Baldwin, commanded general respect by his unimpeach-
ahle integrity and honesty of purpose, no less than by his political good
sense, which, while it made him side with the Reform partyeon all the main
issues. preserved him from" the falsehood of extremes,"" and the Reformers
of C pper Canada were now beginning to form into two distinct camps. On
the one side, were the moderate men who were determined, come what
would, to seek their constitutional aims by constitutional means, Of these
Robert Baldwin was nmv the recognized leader. The other section of the
Reform party was led by
Iackenzie, whose influence was great, especially
all through the county of York, and through most part of the counties of
Brant and Oxford, Indeed, the farmer population generally, with the
e
ception of the Orangemen, now a factor of some influence in the com-
munity, and the Anglican Church people. were assiduous readers of the
Colmlial Ad'l.'ocate, and sympathizers with
Iackenzie,
Ieanwhile, the stream of immigrants continued to pour into Canada,
.\ large number of Catholic Irish settled in Peterborough and the central
part of Cpper Canada, These, as a rule, favoured the Reform party.
Iany Clster protestants also took up land, sturdy and thrifty colonists,
whose 100'e of constitutional freedom inclined them to join the moderate
Reformers, while the hatred they had learned to feel for the Irish" rebels,'"
kept them thoroughly in the groove of loyalty. The population of Cpper
Canada in I
31 had reached a quarter of a million. .\t the election of
Canada OIl the E'i'e of Rebellion.
145
18 3 0 the Family Compact exerted every influence that a large corruption
fund placed at their disposal to secure a majority of their own supporters
in the Assembly. Their tactics were successful.
Iackenzie moved a
resolution that the House ought to nominate its own chaplain, instead of '
having the choice of the Executive forced upon them. But the Assembly,
by a three-fourths vote, refused to allow the motion, and the Family Com-
pact Attorney-General, Boulton, compared the claim tbat the House should
appoint its own chaplain. to the conduct of a street assassin, to which
rabid insult the Assembly tamely submitted,
Iackenzie then moved for a
committee of inquiry into the state of legislati\'e representation in the Pro-
vince of Upper Canada, It was bad indeed, a House packed with Family
Compact officials, the mere creatures and mouthpieces of the Executive
Council.
Iackenzie 's unanswerable exposure of the corruption of the
existing system so alarmed the House that they consented to his motion for
inquiry amid applause from the public in the gallery of the House. But
Iackenzie would not stop there; pension lists, fees, sinecurists, salaries,
money abuses of all kinds so rife in that Augean stable of corruption, the
..
Family Compact Goyernment, were attacked and exposed in speeches whose
scathing common sense struck home and were carried broadcast Over the
Province in the columns of the Colonial Advocate, At last, driven to des-
pair, the Family Compact resoh'ed to crush the man whom they could not
answer. .-\ committee headed by Allan
IacX ab, the Attorney-General,
endeavoured to impeach
Iackenzie for breach of pri\"ilege, but their case
broke down. :\Iackenzie now continued to spread the agitation for Reform
all through the Province, He spoke to excited multitudes in Galt, in
Cornwall, and Brockville, His success in rousing the people's mind was
reat, even in the heart of such Family Compact centres as Brock\'ille and
the Talbot settlement. He now prepared a petition in Toronto, asking
that the Assembly might have full control of the public revenues and of the
ale of public lands; that the clergy reserves might be secularized; that
municipal councils might be established; that the right to impeach public
officials might be conceded; that judges and clergymen might be excluded
from Parliament; and the law of primogeniture repealed, To this petition
25,000 signatures were appended. All that :\Iackenzie asked has long been
part of the law of Canada. \Ye scarcely realize the benefits of our free
institutions, because \\e take them, like light and air, as a matter of course.
It is well to remind ourselves of what we owe to those who struggled in the
hitterness of patient battle, not fifty years ago, against corruption en-
trenched in power. But the Family Compact, ha\ iug now secured a
majority of its 0\\ n creatures in the Assembly, resoh'ed to make use of it to
10
14 6
-
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
crush their enemy, Some pungent and not very judicious strictures on
the Assembly's reception of petitions from the people were, by a vote of the
House, construed as a libel. By another vote Mackenzie was expelled from
the Assembly, In the debate on this question Attorney-General Boulton
called Mackenzie "a reptile," and Solicitor-General Hagerman compared him
to a spaniel dog, Mackenzie rose to the height of his popularity; petition
after petition poured in to the Governor entreating him to dissolve the cor-
rupt Assembly. 'On the day of Mackenzie's dismissal nine hundred and
thirty of those who had signed the petition waited on the Governor to
receive his reply. It was given in two or three curt, contemptuous words.
The troops were ready armed, artillery men stood beside the loaded can-
non, prepared, at a moment's notice, to sweep the streets with grapeshot.
It was well that the crowd of Canadian Reformers was perfectly orderly.
as the chivalrous English Governor was fully prepared for the massacre of
men, women and children within range of his guns. But the Assembly
now attempted to bid for popularity; they voted an address to the Crown,
praying that the clergy reS'erves might be secularized for the purpose of
education. They then issued the writs for York County, but l\Iackenzie
was retnrned by acclamation. Again they expelled him from the Assembly;
again he was triumphantly returned. In 1832 Mackenzie went to England
with his petition,
In 1H34 the Lower Canadians embodied their grievances in the famous
"ninety-two resolutions," chiefly dra,vn up by Papineau, The effect of
these on the Imperial Parliament was to appoint a committee who reported
that the successive Governors had done their duty; that the troubles in
Lower Canada were due to the quarrels between the two Houses of the
Legislature, This was to shelve the difficulty, and it was now evident that
the Lower Canadian Reformers would, sooner or later, revolt. In 18 35
Lord Aylmer was succeeded by the Earl of Gosford, but he did not pro-
.. duce more effect than his predecessors on the heated passions of the French.
Papineau, who aspired to be the Mirabeau of Lower Canada, was, for the
moment, all powerful. In 1837 it became evident that the revolt was inevi-
table, Gosford learned that Papineau was organizing societies for the pur-
pose of insurrectionary drill, and applied to Sir Colin Campbell, Governor of
Nova Scotia, for a regiment, which was accordingly sent. :Meanwhile,
throughout the country parishes, drilling and arming went on openly. But
the priesthood, whom the abolition of the Catholic Church by the French
revolutionists had taught to hate the name of Republic, were frightened at
Papineau's republican projects, He had provoked the opposition of a power
whose hold on the French Canadian peasant was mightier than his own.
I
Cai/ada on the Eve of Rcbellion,
147
The first collision with the authorities took place in l\Iontreal, where a
republican society, called the "Sons of Liberty;' were attacked while
walking in procession. They were easily put to flight, and warrants were
issued for the arrest of Papineau and twenty-six other leaders. Papineau
sought shelter at the house of one of his Parliamentary colleagues, Dr.
\\Yolfred Kelson, in the heart of the disaffected district. General Colborne,
determining to check the insurrection at the outset, sent Colonel Gore, a
\Yaterloo veteran, to attack St. Denis with a force of two hundred infantry,
a troop of militia ca yalry, and three field pieces.
.
.
'
...
P:J. . ".,......
, , .
" :'; , ,
'" -...t 00-" {
.,:
':J ..
.,
\..:-
!.::
..
.
CHAPTER XXIII,
REVOLT,
.J
.i
, .
;:
2 ' R, \YOLFRED NELSON had for many years practised medi-
f., , -
.
l..ó t,," cine in and around St. Denis, He spoke the language and
:J;, _'
thoroughly understood the character of his French neighbours.
Considerable professional skill, freely exerted without payor
ti
reward for all the poor among the habitants, had made him for
years past exceedingly popular. He was elected to the Assembly,
and there followed the leadership of Papineau, with whose republicanism he
sympathized. Early intelligence was, of course, brought to him by the
habitants of Colonel Gore's approach. Nelson had seen seryice as military
surgeon during the late war, and had sufficiently the courage of his opinions
to resolve on active resistance, Not so Papineau. The Mirabeau of :\lon-
treal had not a particle of the pluck that gave backbone to the somewhat
bizarre eloquence of the Mirabeau of the great Revolution. He left his fol-
lowers to their fate and made an inglorious retreat to the States, Mean-
while Nelson rang the village tocsin, and the aroused habItants came flock-
ing' to its summons, Nelson stationed his men at the windows and loop
holes of a large stone building, and at those of two others wherever a
flanking fire could be directed on an attacking force. \ Yhen Colonel Gore
arrived he attacked ?\ elson's position from ten in the morning till four in
'[he afternoon, But his one gun could make no impression on the thick
stone walls. He could not take the building by storm, his own men were
being shot down, and at last he was forced to spike and abandon his field
piece, and retreat as best he could, This victory, the only marked success
of the revolt of 1837, was gained on November 23rd, But at St, Charles,
though the insurgents were in far greater force, they were badly led, and
fell an easy prey to Colonel \Yetherell, who had been sent with a strong
force to attack the place, \Vith the exception of a raid by American sym-
pathizers, across the border, this was the last of the revolt in 18 37, It is
pleasant to record that Dr.
elson, who had shown the greatest kindness
..
Revolt.
149
to Colonel Gore's wounded soldiers, left on his hands, succeeded in escap-
ing to the States, whence, in calmer times, he returned to his home in St.
Denis, But next year a second insurrection took place in Lower Canada,
led by a brother of Dr. i'\ elson. It was soon suppressed. Both insurrec-
tions were severely ayenged by gallows and torch. Numbers of men were
hanged with scant form of trial, and the darkness of the December night,
in the parishes of St, Denis and St. Charles, were lit up by blazing home-
- steads and barns.
In Upper Canada, Colborne had been superseded at his own request,
and was succeeded by Sir Francis Bond Head, a half-pay Major and an in-
dustrious writer of second-rate magazine articles. This vain and self-
opinionated officer was sent out with instructions to pursue a policy of con-
ciliation, which he at first attempted to carry out by appointing three Re-
formers, Rolph, Baldwin. and Dunn, to the Executive Council. But he
never consulted these gentlemen, and they soon resigned in disgust, At the
elections oÍ June, 1836, the Family Compact put forth all their apparatus
of corruption, and again secured a subservient majority in the Assembly.
By this time the easily-flattered Governor was completely won over by the
blandishments of the Family Campact clique, It was evident to l\Iackenzie
that there was no hope in constitutional agitation, to which he and his fol-
lowers had adhered while the faintest hope of fair-play remained. .\11
which will be told at more length in the following chapter.
- pi
_ ' _
..
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T -- -...
-
- . (
): -:../f!-..... . '. 8::?
....... - _.....
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE C I V I L \V A R.
S the mist of papty prejudice clears away we are able to judge
of public acts by their results,
The rebellion of 1837-'3
was a p
rely Canadian movement,
an armament of a portion of the Canadian people to win back
by force those constitutional rights which the Family Compact
Government had wrested from the electors; and, but for acci-
dental circumstances, to be detailed in the sequel, this rebetlion
would, no doubt, have been successful in overthrowing, without bloodshed,
the whole Family Compact system, and the rule of Sir Francis Bond Head,
Of course, it would have been absurd to suppose that any attempt could haye
been made to hold Upper Canada against the military power of England.
But the course of subsequent events, and the legislation which followed the
publication of Lord Durham's Report, show that it is equally absurd to
suppose that the Liberal party then in power in England would haye
exerted military force to retain a system like that of Head and the Canadian
Tories,
The :\Iackenzie rising, in 1837, must be carefully distinguished from
the other movements, from the Lower Canadian insurrection, and from the
filibustering raids of American "sympathizers" which followed, The
English Canadian movement resembled only in appearance the Lower
Canadian insurrection of 1837, The Cpper Canadian movement was
essentially a popular one, It was supported by the great mass of English
Canadian people. i\ot so the rising in French Canada. The latter move-
ment never had a really popular support, for it was from the first under the
ban of the Church, and the Lower Canadian is a Catholic first, a patriot
afterwards, Lafontaine had to mend his ways and become reconciled to
the Church before he could become, what Papineau never had been, the
real leader of French Canada. The English Canadian movement, under
:\Iackenzie, had a distinctly national aim and support, and a military
Tlze Civil lVar.
ISI
programme which came very near being successful, The French revolt
under Papineau never could have been a success, Its solitary success in
the field was gained under the English-speaking leader, Dr. \Volfred Nelson.
or is the movement of 1837 to be confounded with the raids at Navy
Island, at .A.mherstburgh, and at Prescott in the succeeding year, which
were mere filibustering expeditions, for which no justification whatever is
admissible.
It is clear that Sir Francis Bond Head was sent to Canada on what
was intended to be a mission of conciliation. He bore the reputation of
holding Liberal, or rather \Yhig opinions; he had been a zealous official
as Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, in Kent; he was chiefly known to the
public as the author of several magazine articles describing his personal
adventures, and written in a garrulous, egotistical, but good-humoured
tone, His utter ignorance, frankly avowed in his narrative of his official
career, of Canadian politics, was not likely to be regarded as a disqualifica-
tion by his English superiors, it being then the custom for English insular
officialism to ignore colonial interests,
Sir Francis Head arrived at Toronto in January, 1836, and was
greeted with inscriptions covering the fences on King Street of " \ Yelcome
to Sir Francis Head, the tried Reformer!" The H tried Reformer" soon
showed the cloven hoof of partisanship, In reply to an address adopted at
a public meeting of the citizens of Toronto, he snubbed the addressers as of
inferior capacity, and requiring to be addressed "in plainer and more
homely language," words which naturally gave much dissatisfaction.
Head's manner, as he met the members of the Legislature, was also
discourteous and haughty,
A reply to the Lieutenant-Governor's official insolence was drawn up
hy Drs. Rolph and O'Grady, "\\Y e thank Your Excellency," it began, "for
replying to our address, principally from the industrious classes of the city,
with as much attention as if it had proceeded from either branch of the
Legislature; and we are duly sensible in receiving Your Excellency's reply,
of your great condescension in endeavouring to express yourself in plainer
and more homely lan
uaße, presumed by Ytmr Excellency to be thereby
hrought down to the lower level of our plainer and more homely und.er-
standings," The rejoinder then deplored, with sarcastic humility, the
deplorable neglect of their education, resulting from the misgovernment of
King's College University, and the veto imposed by the EÀecutive Govern-
ment on the popular Assembly's resolutions that the Clergy Resen es
should be applied to the needs of public education, This able document
proceeded to recite other grievances, and concluded with what, according
15 2
Cmwda a1ld the Ca1ladian People.
to 1\1r. Charles Lindsey, "\Yilliam Lyon Mackenzie, in a manuscript note he
has left, calls the' first low murmur of insurrection.''' " If Your Excellency
will not govern us upon those principles, you will e
ercise arbitrary sway,
you will violate our charter, virtually abrogate our law, and justly forfeit
our submission to your authority," ran the reply, The able and sar<?astic
rejoinder was left by J ames Leslie and Jesse Ketchum at the door of
Government House, and its bearers were whirled out of sight before the
irate Lieutenant-GO\Ternor could discover who they were. In one of his
outbursts of undignified fury he sent the paper to :\1r. George Ridout, a
member of a distinguished Toronto family, whose name did not even appear
among the signers, It was at once returned to Sir Francis by Mr. Ridout,
But the rejoinder was already in print, and in the hands of every member
of the Legislature.
But Head had not proceeded thus far without some show of efforts to
carry out his mission of conciliation. The Tory leaders had at first regarded
Sir Francis with distrust on account of his presumed Reform tendencies,
.
On this account, according to Sir Francis Head's own statement-no very
reliable authority, as he repeatedly contradicts himself-he was more ready
to make overtures to the popular side. He induced three of the popular
leaders to accept office in his Executive Council, the Hons. John Rolph,
John Henry Dunn and Robert Baldwin, But these gentlemen, finding
that they were never consulted by Sir Francis, and that thus they were
made responsible for measures which they had never advised, soon after-
wards resigned. Hence Sir Francis threw himself into the arms of the
Family Compact, and ruled avowedly as an Irresponsible Governor.
Soon after this the Lieutenant-Governor appointed four new members
of the Executive Council, all members of the extreme Tory faction, one
being the clever renegade, Robert Baldwin Sullivan. This heíghtened the
people's indignation, the Assembly declared its entire want of confidence
in the men whom Sir Francis had called to his Councils, A petition
from Pickering, where the Reform party were ably led by Peter Matthews,
protested against British subjects being reduced hy the Lieutenant-
Governor to a state of vassalage, and demanùed the dismissal of the new
Councillors, Other petitions to the same effect poured in from other tOWD-
shi ps,
In effect Sir Francis Head now regarded the people of English
Canada as belonging to two classes, the" loyal "-i.e., those who supported
the irresponsible executive in all its monopolies and the u rebels "-who
demanùed responsible government-all of whom were put down by
Sir Francis Head as ., traitors and republicans." Yet in reality it was the
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HOX. GEORGE
BROWX,
The Civil IVar.
155
.
Lieutenant-Governor himself who was the "rebel," if disloyalty to the
instructions of his English superiors can be so described, Lord Glenelg
had sent a despatch in which he instructed Sir Francis Bond Head that in
the British American Provinces the Executi'lJe Councils should be composed
of individuals þossessing the confidence of tlle þeoþle. In despite of these
distinct instructions from the English Government, his masters, this addle-
headed Governor persisted in treating as "rebels" all who desired to
carry into effect the very system of responsible government which Lord
Glenelg had charged him with the duty of establishing in Canada, But
the British Colonial Office had yet to find out that they had to deal with a
subordinate who had no notion of subordination, and 'v hose only guide
was his own over-weening restless vanity. The able men who directed
the Family Compact counsels, men such as Strachan, Robinson, Powell,
Hagerman and Sullivan, soon took the measure of the conceited little
riding-master, and flattered him into the notion that it was his mission to
suppress" democracy,"
Head's next step was to dissolve the House, which was now completely
beycnd his cor.trol, and to issue writs for a general election. He had the
Sl:lpreme self-conceit to write to his superior, Lord Glenelg, telling him 'of his
intention, and actually requesting that no orders might be sent him on that
subject. To the English Colonial Office he reported his policy as supported
by the loyal inhahitants of Canada, and entreated that he might not be
interfered with in carrying it out, For the moment these representations
had weight at the Foreign Office, more especially as Head's account of things
seemed r.onfirmed soon afterwards by the success of his party at the general
elections of 1836.
It is of the utmost importance that we obtain a thorough and clear
understanding of the fact that at the general election of 1836, the agencies
of force and fraud were openly and unblushingly used to eÀclude members
of the Reform party, and to compel or bribe constituencies to choose Tory
candidates. The Canadian constitution was virtually abrogated, by the
right of electing their representatives being wrested out of the hands of
the people, It was this that made the crisis of December, 1837, inevitahle.
It was this that made civil war a sacred duty to all who were loyal to their
country.
Of this fact of the utter unconstitutionality of the elections of IR36, I
wish to give the reader clear proofs, Lord Durham states in his famous
"Report," an authority whose truthfulness is admitted hy the parties to be
above suspicion, that "in a number of instances the elections were carried
by an unscrupulous exercise of the mfluence of the GO\ ernment, ,HHf by a
-
ISb
Ca
zada and the Canadian PeoPle,
. display of violence on the part of the Tories, who were emboldened by the
countenance afforded them by Government; that such facts and such
impressions produced in the country an exasperation and a despair of good
government which extended far beyond those who had actually been
defeated at the polls." The Tories raised an enormous corruption fund,
grants of land were freely issued to those who would vote on the side of
Government. In the 1\ orth Riding of the County of York a set of lots at
the mouth of the Credit Valley River were distributed during the election.
I t was well known that the great banking company, the Bank of 1: pper Canada,
was at that time nothing more or less than a corruption machine, holding in
trust large sums of money to be used in bribing the electors. It was no
secret in Family Compact circles that about a month before the elections
of 18 3 6 the manager of the Bank sent for Attorney-General Hagerman, and
that the cashier handed to him a large bundle of notes due to the Bank,
at the same time giving him explicit instructions to be "ery lenient with
e,'ery voter in York County who would pledge himself to vote against Mac-
kenzie, but to " put on the screws" in the case of any who refused to pledge
them?elyes, The Tories could not control public opinion, The unbiased
elections of twenty years had made that plain enough. But they could,
and they did hire mobs of drunken ruffians armed with guns, stones and
bludgeons, to oyerawe the electors. At Streetsville, the polling-place for the
newly formed Second Riding of York County, the path of Mackenzie's
friends was barred by a proc
ssion of Orangemen, with banners displayed
and bands braying forth their party tunes. The refusal of scrutiny into
election proceedings in many another case by the corrupt Parliament thus
elected has hidden from record in how many another constituency the
Tory Lords of misrule led forth their hired gladiators infuriate with loyalty
and whiskey. There was many a polling-place where it was risking life to
vote for a Reformer.
At the head and front of these outrages on the constitution stood the
conceited and unprincipled Lieutenant-Governor. He openly avowed him-
self a partisan, He as openly denounced the Reformers. He stumped the
country. He has been praised for the dexterity with which he threw himself
into the role of an agitator, for his appeals to spread-eagle" loyal" senti-
mentality, his bunkum stump oratory about the "glorious old flag of
England," his ridiculous anti-climax, "let them come if they dare," to an
imaginary enemy, in the name of militia regiments, not one of which had'
he common-sense to embody for the defence of his Government when it was
threatened by a serious danger. But all this, justly regarded, is but the
stock in trade of a political charlatan, without common sense as he was
The Ci'lJil TVar.
157
without principle, his ever restless self-conceit exulting in a little brief
notoriety. i\one of Head's predecessors would have stooped to such a
course, though some of them, such as Sir John Colborne and Sir Peregrime
Iaitland, were deeply attached to Tory principles, But they were high-
minded English gentlemen, Head, whose real name was :\Iendez, had not
a particle of right to the respectable English name he bore, His true
surname was that of his grandfather, l\Ioses l\Iendez, the descendant of a
Portuguese Jew, a quack doctor who had settled in England some genera-
tions before. \Yhat has been said will, it is to be hoped, enable the reader
to realize the iniquities practised by the Tories at the election of 1836,
The constitution of Canada was gone, the elective principle was
a thing of the past, hope of constitutional remedy there was none. \Yell
might Samuel Lount, the late member for Simcoe, when asked why he did
not appeal to the House for an investigation of the corrupt practices by
which it was patent that he had been unseated, reply: "it would be
only throwing away {IOO; the present :parliament would give it against
me all the same." To complain of bribery before the tribunal of the House
would be to challenge immorality before a jury of prostitutes. \Vell might
:\Iackenzie, in his address to the Second Riding of York, express his despair
of redress by constitutional methods. " I have been diligent in the Legisla-
ture; every proposition calculated to make you happier I have supported;
and whatever appeared to me to be against popular government and the
interests of the n1any, I have opposed, please or affect whom it might. The
result is against you; you are nearer having saddled on you a dominant priest-
hood; your public and private debt is greater; the public improvements
made by Government are of small moment; the priests of the leading
denominations have swallowed bribes like a sweet morsel; the principle that
the Executive should be responsible to the people is denied you; the means
to corrupt our electors are in the hands of the adversaries of popular insti-
tutions, and they are using them; and although an agent has been sent with
the petitions of the House of .\ssembly to the King and House of Commons,
I dare not conceal from you my fears that the power that has oppressed
Ireland for centuries will never extend its sympathies to you." The fiery
orator little foresaw the day when both political parties in the freely-elected
Parliament of Canada would unite their forces to petition the British GO\'-
ernment to extend to unhappy Ireland the system of Home Rule and
Responsible Government under which Canada has thri\"en so well. But
truly, at that time the outlook was dark indeed; all constitutional landmarks
were effaced, every vestige of electoral freedom was trampled under the hoof
of oligarchy. Dominie Strachan's State church dominant; the night-birds
.
.
15 8
Ca1lada and tlIe Canadian PeoPle,
of Tory corruption jubilant oyer the land! There remained but a pale hope
of redress in answer to petition, and what beyond? Mackenzie's last words
were ominous enough: " If the reply be unfayourable, as I am apprehensive
it will, then the Crown will haye forfeited all claim upon British freemen in
ü pper Canada, and the result is not difficult to foresee."
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CIYIL \YAR-COXTIXUED.
G--
.,.
,: HE Reform party of English Canada, hitherto describable in
, · 0.' , scientific language as "homogeneous;' now became "differ-
1t.
P entiated" into two distinct elements, those who still clung to
-rt
"\ constitutional methods, and the revolutionists. l\Iany a staunch
..
.
..1 advocate of Reform principles sided with the fonner., In Toronto
'""V- the Scotch shrewdness of James and \Yilliam Lesslie, the mild
wisdom of Robert Baldwin, impelled them to take the consti-
tutional side, It is true that these men were denounced as "rebels" by
Head and his colleagues, and that they suffered insult during the brief hour
of the Tory terror. For instance, 1\Ir. James Lesslie, still happily surviving
in the city:, had his offices occupied by a lawless gang of militia soldiers,
who stole and destroyed everything within their reach,
On the other side, that of revolution, were the most resolute leaders
of the H.eform party, prominent among whom was \\ïlliam Lyon Mackenzie,
He had early been inured to poverty, and had all through boyhood been
taught a daily lesson of unselfishness and self-help by the example of his
widO\\-ed mother. He had received the usual excellent education of the
primary kind obtainable in a Scottish public school. But the latter part of
:\lackenzie's mental training was self-given. He had the advantage of study-
ing thoroughly a few good books. He read the Bible, Shakespeare, Milton;
then Plutarch's Lives, Rollin, and a few of Robertson's now forgotten his-
tories, and these were the staple of his mental equipment for life, ..As a
public speaker he had in a pre-eminent degree that power of carrying \\ ith
him a large audience which is apt to follow from intense earnestness on the
part of the speaker. Ilis speeches are remarkable for an almost total lack
of rhetorical ornament, They contain powerful passages, but these result
from the intense convictions which form themselves into forcihle expres-
sion, and "form thick and fast the burning words the tyrants quake to
hear. "
160
Callada and the Calladian PeoPle.
ext in weight of character to :\Iackenzie came :l\Iarshall Spring Bid-
well, he of the noble intellect and stainless life, statesman, orator, jurist, but
above all Christian and gentleman, Born in
Iassachusetts, while it was
still an English colony, Bidwell in early boyhood lived at Bath, near King-
ston, It has been distinctly proved that never at any time did Bidwell
overtly connect himself with the revoluionists, though it is pretty certain
that he approved of their aims, and that he, on at least one occasion,
advised them as to the legality of their proceedings, Though fearless in
his opposition to evil, :\Iarshall Spring Bidwell was moderate and discreet
in word and action; he was one of the most impressive speakers on the
Reform side in the
\ssembly, and had a singularly clear and expressive
VOIce,
For many-sided talent it may be doubtful if any of the leaders of
18 3 6 -'37, was the equal of the Hon, John Rolph. An Englishman of good
education, Rolph was for some time
ettled on Colonel Talbot's estate, and
according to Colonel Ermatinger "vas a special favourite with that eccentric
old warrior till their political opinions separated them. Rolph began, like
the first of the Baldwin settlers, to practise law, and was equally distin-
guished as a physician, A,s an orator the few specimens that remain of Dr.
Rolph's Parliamentary speeches rank with the best Canada can boast of.
In consequence of a quarrel that took place between Mackenzie and Rolph,
. subsequent to 1837, those who side most warmly with the former are apt to
undervalue Rolph's services to the revolutionary cause,
\fter careful
enquiry I can see no just evidence against Dr. Rolph, He certainly staked
everything on the perilous game then about to be played, He knew that
whoever else might escape, he certainly could not hope to escape the unfor-
giving hatred of the Tory chiets whose dearest plans his sarcastic oratory
had thwarted so often, Dr. Rolph was singularly successful in his profes-
sion, and succeeded in attracting the warm affection of the young men with
whom he came into contact as their teacher. His features were pleasing,
his figure tall and commanding, aud up to the day of his flight from Toronto
no one was more trusted by those bent on a revolt.
Dr. Thomas D. Morrison, physician and member of Parliament, was
another influential member of the revolutionary organization. He was a
cautious, reticent man, a good speaker on political matters,
nd exceedingly
influential with his party,
Samuel Lount, formerly member for Simcoe, had gained much influence
among the farmers in the northern part of York County, especially in the
neighbourhood of Holland Landing, where he resided. He combined with
farming the business of blacksmithing, could make excellent horse shoes,
The Civil TVar Continued.
161
and if need be, pike-heads also. An honest, affectionate, generous man, a
kind husband and father, much beloved of aU men, he had been deprived
of his seat for Simcoe by the unconstitutional outrages of Head and his
Tory abettors,
David Gibson, a land surveyor, and member of the Assembly, had a
house on Y onge Street, at which :\Iackenzie's friends frequently met in
council. The same may be said of the home of James Hervey Price,
which was situated in the same neighbou'rhood, The city meetings were
generally convened at the large brewery owned by 1\1r. John Doel, on the
north-west corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets. Part of this building is still
standing (1884) and is used as a planing mill, 'l\Ir. Doel was much respected
by men of all political opinions. Even Dr. Scadding, a pronounced though
never uncharitable Loyalist, admits that in giving what comfort he could
to the persecuted insurgents of 1837,
1r, Doel did himself honour. It
,vas at this brewery that the first overt steps were taken towards forming a
revolutionary organization. Here a meeting of Reformers was held on
July 28th, 1837, at which a resolution was passed which was afterwards
kno,\ n as the "Declaration of Independence of Upper Canada." This
important document (as we learn from Mr. C. Lindsey's" Life of \\'illiam
Lyon ::\1ackenzie," Vol. II. p. 17) had been previously drawn up mainly by
Dr. Rolph, at Elliott's tavern, at the corner of Y onge and Queen Streets,
Its main features were a pledge to make common cause with the French
Canadian Reformers, and" to summon a convention of delegates at Toronto,
to take into consideration the political condition of Upper Canada, with
authority to its members to appoint commissioners to meet others to be
receiyed on behalf of LO\\er Canada and any other colonies, armed with
suitable powers to seek an effectual remedy for the grievances of the
colonists. "
From this first measure towards revolution, it is evident that the
thoughts of those who planned it were already moving in the direction of
a Union of the Provinces, _\ lack of statesmanlike insight as to the con-
dition of the French, as compared with the English colonists, is apparent
in the reliance placed on Papineau.s frothy gasconades as a permanent
political force.
At the Brewery meeting of July 31st, a permanent vigilance committee
was appointed, of which l\Iackenzie ,..-as to be agent and corresponding-
secretary. He was to hold meetings in various parts of Upper Canada.
and organize branch vigilance societies which were to be so organized as
to be easily available for military purposes, Each society was to count not
less than twelve, or more than forty memhers, as far as possible residents in
II
162
Canada a1ld tlte Ca1ladian PeoPle.
the same neicrhbourhood. The secretaries of fiye of these societies were to
ð
form a township committee, Ten of the township committees were each to
choose a representative to form a county committee, and these again were
to elect a district committee, Upper Canada bei'1g divided into four districts,
At the head of all was to he an eÀecutive committee. The secretary of
each subordinate society would rank as sergeant, the delegate of fiye
societies to a township committee as captain, the delegate of ten township
committees to a district committee as colonel, at the head of a battalion of
six hundred men,
The public meetings, the first of which was held at Newmarket, in
the county of York, were enthusiastically attended by excited multitudes,
who eagerly drank in Mackenzie's fervid oratory, Among the chief pro-
moters were Samuel Lount, of Holland Landing; Nelson Gorham, after-
wards an exile in the United States; Giles Fletcher, who also became an
exile; Jeremiah Graham; Peter Matthews, a.farmer of Pickering, who held
the rank of colonel, and was executed in 1838, Mackenzie was appointed
chief of the Provisional Government; Dr. Rolph was invested with sole
power as executive; Gibson, besides holding the rank of colonel, was
appointed comptroller; and Jesse Lloyd as delegate to communicate with
the French Canadians, It will be seen that the military organization
aimed at was of the loosest kind. l\Ir, Lindsey tells us that not even an
oath of secrecy and fidelity was exacted; all that was aimed at was to
associate men from the same neighbourhood, who could trust each other,
and to attain sufficient organization and discipline to enable its members to
act together in the effort at surprising Toronto, which was from the first
the main aim of the revolutionists, But the weekly drill on Y onge Street
was regularly attended, bullets were cast, and old flint-lock muskets and
pea-rifles carefully furbished; and at Lount's forge, at Holland Landing,
pike-heads were manufactured, and fitted to stout six-foot handles.
It is hardly possible now to estimate the actual number of
Iackenzie's
avowed supporters, \Vhen the insurrection failed, numbers who would
have joined :l\1ackenzie had the attack on Toronto succeeded, multitudes
who, in the London district, had actually taken up arms under Dr.
Duncombe, made a pretence of offering their services to Colonel 1\IacN ab
or Sir Francis Head, as the best means to secure their personal safety.
Head's boasts of the numbers of " loyal militia" that poured in to support
him, rested therefore on very slight foundations, It was well known that
1\Iackenzie had a very large following in Toronto itself, where he was most
popular, having been the city's first mayor in 183+, The intended rising
was known, though not, it is believed, in alhts details, to many gentlemen
.
The Ch.il TVar Continued.
16 3
of high position, among others to l\Iarshall Spring Bidwell and to the elder
Baldwin. The latter, it is certain, did not communicate his knowledge of
the revolutionary plans to his son Robert. who afterwards explicitly
declared, in his place in Parliament, that he was in complete ignorance of
what was going on, Sir Francis Hincks has also assured the writer that
although everyone felt that a crisis of some kind was impending, he himself
had no sympathy whatever with anything under Mackenzie's leadership,
East of Toronto, Mackenzie had a considerable following-about Cobourg,
Port Hope, and Pickering. \\ïth the exception of the Orangemen, with
which powerful organization l\Iackenzie had made the great mistake
of quarrelling, and the Irish Roman Catholics, whose clergy denounced
Mackenzie (he had made another mistake in picking a quarrel with their .
bishop), all the farmers of the Home District, and most of those in the Gore
and
iagara Districts, were in full sympathy with :\Iackenzie, These were
for the most part steady, industrious land-owners, men who risked not only
life, but all that for half a lifetime they had toiled to reclaim from the wilder-
ness, on the doubtful issues of insurrection, 1\1any took the precaution of
deeding in trust to friends, or to their children, what land they pos
essed,
as a safeguard against government confiscation, should the rising fail.
Besides the Home District contingents which were levied by l\Iackenzie
and his lieutenants, Lount, Anderson, Gibson, :\Iatthews and Lloyd, a very
considera.ble force was raised in the \Yestern Peninsula of Ontario,
between the Detroit River and Lake Erie. This was one of the most
fertile and best settled districts in English Canada; consequently it was
one where the grievance of the Clergy l\.eserves was keenly felt. It was,
as it is, a centre of Reform influence in Upper Canada,
The leading spirit in this phase of the revolutionary organization was
Dr. Charles Duncombe, a resident of the village of Bishopsgate, on the
town-line between Burford and Brantford townships, in the county of
Brant, Like Dr. Rolph, like Dr. \Volfred Nelson in French Canada, this
gentleman had gained considerable personal influence by his skill in the
exercise of his profession, as well as by the self-sacrificing generosity \\ ith
which he would ride for miles throu,gh swamp and forest to visit pioneer
patients too poor to give any fee but gratitude, Like the able physicians
named above, Duncombe was a many-sided man. a lucid and impressive
speaker, well read in history and general literature, and gifted with a
personal magnetism which enabled him to exert no slight influence over
the farmers of the sections of five or six counties into which (so energetic
were the medical men of those days,) his practice e
tended. He had'been
for many years representative in the
\sselllbir of the riding in which
16+
Canada and the Canadian People.
he lived. In Parliament Dr. Duncomhe exerted a marked influence, He
it was that transmitted to the British Colonial Office such an impeachment
of Sir Francis Head's misgovernment, accompanied by proofs, as to cause
the charges to be examined into, and the delinquent Lieutenant-Governor
recalled in something very like disgrace. Duncombe had acquired con-
siderable wealth in the course of his practice, and owned much land in
Brant and Oxford,
On July 4th, 1837, a " significant date," as Mr. Lindsey says, Mac-
kenzie began to publish a newspaper called The Constitlltion, which, as
compared \vith the more moderate public criticisms of his former Colonial
Advocate, must be regarded as the organ of revolution. It lasted with
, some intermissions till the very eve of the rebellion. It was the voice of
:\Iackenzie's vigorous, incisive trumpet-call of insurrection, and openly
recommended that new branch societies should be formed, and well
supplied with" pikes and rifles."
.
"J?O_
4. .
-.{
.;y
..,
a
CHAPTER XXYI.
THE CIYIL \Y AR-MOKTGOl\IERY'S F
\.R:\L
[
"
,
-
:f IR FRAKCIS HEAD has in his published writings made two
contradictory statements with regard to his knowledge of the
'. preparations for insurrection, According to one, he sent the
,r;iJj troops out of Upper Canada in order to tempt :\Iackenzie to an
'K:
overt act of revolt; being well aware of the insurgents' design.
According to the other, he knew nothing about the rising till he
heard of it at midnight, on December 4th. The truth probably is between
the lines of the two statements. Head was, as he said, extremely desirous
of forcing into apparent rebellion men like Bidwell, whom he had been
ordered by his superiors to promote to the judicial bench. He hoped that
the outbreak of actual insurrection would justify his boastful despatches
his ridiculous stump orations, his incessant denunciations of the advocates
of Responsible Government as ., rebels," As to th
cost to the people of
Upper Canada in blood and treasure, as to the sacrifice of life on either side
in the struggle, this charlatan descendant of a Jew quack took no account
whatever, provided he carried his point, provided his purposes ,vere served,
what did that matter to the descendant of :\Ioses :\Iendez? Meanwhile,
trusting, as the political quack always does trust, to chance, and desirous
above all things of self-display, this foolish coxcomb actually sent to Lower
Canada the two companies of regulars which Sir John Colborne had left
for the defence of the Toronto Government House and stores.
or did he
take the simple precaution of calling out a single regiment of militia; it
was enough that the winter seemed likely to be an open one, and a small
steamer was kept moored in the harbour in case the gallant Lieutenant-
Governor should find it convenient to fly from his post, Xor, if the insur-
rection did not succeed, can its supporters impute any hlame to Sir Francis
Head. The force by which he apparently proposed to defend his Gm-ern-
ment consisted of a single artillery-man. There were some ten field-
pieces, which had been moved from the Fort to the City I lall, Four
thousand stand of arms, muskets with hayonets. helts and ammunition,
c
166
Ca1lada and the Ca1ladian Pe.oPle.
were deposited in the City Hall at the disposal of anyone who might
choose to take them.
Mackenzie saw that the time had come for action. His first proposal,
made at a meeting held in the beginning of November, at Mr, Doel's
brewery on Bay street, was in effect to take a strong party of" Dutcher's
foundry-men, and Armstrong's axe-makers," go with them to Government
House, seize Sir Francis, confine him in the City Hall, and take possession
of the muskets deposited there, and at once arm the innumerable friends
who would rally to their support. It will be observed that Mackenzie, in
making this proposal, did not insist on a demand for independence, but
would have been content with the grant of Responsible Government and a
fairly elected Assembly, the very privileges soon afterwards conceded by
the beneficent liberal legislation which followed Lord Durham's mission
as Lord High Commissioner to Canada, The plan thus proposed, though
bold, was perfectly feasible, The prestige of Head and the Family Compact
must have broken down under a bloodless COllP d'état which would have
made them ridiculous. But Dr. l\lorrison, apprehensive, as Mr. Lindsey
thinks (Life of Mackenzie, 11., p. 56), of the fidelity of some one present at
the meeting, threw cold water on the proposal. A few days later a more
daring plan still was adopted, with the concurrence of Dr. Morrison and
the other leaders, The entire available forces of the insurgents were to be
concentrated at Montgomery's hotel, on Y onge Street, a few miles north of
the City Hall, and were thence to make a descent upon the city: capture Head,
and seize the arms at the City Hall. The attack, which it was expected
would be a surprise, was to take place at night, between six and ten o'clock.
Dr. Rolph, as the executive, was to have supreme control of the enterprise,
Mackenzie to carry out its details, Among the many deliberate falsehoods
hy which Head endeavoured to blacken the character of political opponents
\vho v,,'ere what no impartial historian can say that Head was, honourable
and high principled, was the charge that Rolph and Mackenzie intended to
rob the banks and set fire to the city, As Mr. Lindsey well remarks in
commenting on this preposterous canard, the insurgents were, as a rule, of
the wealthiest class of farmers in the county of York. Such men as Samuel
Lount and David Gibson were supposed by Head to be mere bank robbers.
Sir Francis Hincks, in 1838, a time when it was still perilous to defend the
insurgent leaders even from unjust accusations, repels Head's mendacious
charge against the personal character of men like Rolph and Mackenzie with
an honest warmth creditable to his true Irish heart, more especially when
we remember that Mackenzie had, Scotchman-like, regarded young Hincks
with harsh distrust as " a mere Irish adventurer."
The Civil TV ar-J/ olltgo11lery's Farm.
16 7
Head was repeatedly warned from the most reliable sources that pre-
parations for a rising were taking place, The ablest of Canadian Methodist
ministers, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, with a brother clergyman, warned
Attorney-General Hagerman of the incessant drillings and patrollings going
on in that part of York County in which they had lately been ministering.
Captain Fitzgibbon warned Judge Jones of the pike-heads and handles
being distributed at Markham, and got snubbed for his over-officious zeal.
Besotted in their self-conceit, Head and his Government would accept no
ad vice, nor take any precaution. '
Meanwhile the breakdown of Papineau's movement in French Canada
damped the ardour of :\Iackenzie's followers, who had very unwisely o,.er-
estimated that gasconading poltroon, and had overlooked the fact that the
Catholic C:::hurch alone could control the action of the French Canadians,
.\5 soon as the work of actual fighting began, Papineau had basely with-
drawn, leaving braver men to fight their w.ay out of the diff1culty into which
he had led them, As to the Church, as soon as she had allowed the insur-
rectionary movement to grow to such a sufficiently alarming proportion as
might enhance the value of her own mediation, she spoke in decisive tones,
and all good Catholics abandoned the standard which she denoup.ced as rebel-
lious and infidel.
Late in November the last details of the military arrangements had to
be settled, for which purpose l\Iackenzie made a hurried tour of the country
north of Toronto, visiting Lloydtown, Holland Landing and other centres
of the movement. He distrusted, without reason indeed, as was plainly
manifested in the fight at :\Iontgomery's hotel, his own want of military
skill, and secured the services of Colonel Van Egmond, a veteran Colonel
of Napoleon's grand army. This gentleman had acquired a large property
in Canada, a1l of which he risked and lost in his unselfish endeavour to serve
the Canadian cause. Colonel Van Egmond, who was advanced in years,
was captured subsequently to the battle of l\Iontgomery's Hotel, and died in
the hospital of the prison where he was confined.
On the night of December 3rd, l\Iackenzie, having visited the house of
David Gibson, one of the leaders already mentioned, learned, to his no
small dismay, that the day of rendezvous had been in his absence altered by
Dr. Rolph's sole order, from Thursday, the 7th of December, to
Ionday,
the +th, This, of course,
Iackenzie thought would throw all their plans
into confusion, and was a violation of the undertaking into which all the
leaders had entered, that the day of rising should not be changed except by
general consent, But there is no reason to think that Dr, H.olph acted
otherwise than in perfect good faith, ..\nd the issuing of a warrant for
168
Callada and the Calladian PeoPle.
Iackenzie's arrest, which followed at once on the publication of the latest
issue of the COllstitution, and the issuing of anus to a city yolunteer com-
pany, seem to have fully warranted Rolph's action. Had his plan been but
privately carried out, Toronto would have fallen into l\Iackenzie's hands on
the morning of Tuesday, December the 5th. Fifty resolute men could have
done it. Nor can it be considered wise in ::\Iackenzie to endeavour to change
the day ofrendezyous back to the original date. How much better to haye
accepted the situation than thus to play at cross-purposes, In vain aid he
send messages to Colonel Lount, who sent word that the men were already
on the march, and that no further change could be made. l\Iackenzie saw
that the die was cast, and resolved, come what might, to abide the issue.
l\Iontgomery's hotel was a frame building of two stories, and of the
type still familiar in many a backwoods settlement. Round the front
aspect of the house, which faced towards Toronto, ran a platform, or
" stoop," raised on three steps to-avoid the slush in spring thaws. On one
side of the door was the usual large bar-room, over the main entrance a
lamp, and before the house a huge sign-board raised on high, bearing the
usual hospitable announcement. Thither l\1ackenzie repaired on the even-
ing of the 4 th of December, the day appointéd by Dr. Rolph for the rendez-
vous, The hotel belonged to John l\lontgomery, who had rented it to one
Lingfoot, a man who, if anything, was a Loyalist. l\lontgomery is stated
by l\Ir, C. Lindsey to have had no direct connection with the insurrection.
A strong contrary opinion has been expressed by !\Ir. \\ïlcox, the companion
of Mackenzie's flight after the battle, and by 1\1r. Brock, at present of Toronto,
then one of ::\Iackenzie's officers. It is evident, say these gentlemen, that
l\Iontgomery knew all about his house being constantly made a place of
meeting by the patriots. But the anticipation of the day of meeting had
spoiled all commissariat arrangements. l\Iackenzie could procure neither
heef nor bread till the next morning, and when, late in the evening, Colonel
Lount arrived with some nincty men, òispirited hy a tramp of thirty miles
through the Y onge Street mud, little comfort awaited them beyond what
might be had from bare boards and bad whiskey. l\Iackenzie now advised
two measures, one a most sensible one, to cut off all communication with
the city by placing a guard across Y onge Street. This was done at once,
and had well nigh succeeded in preventing the news of the rising from
reaching the Lieutenant-Governor that night. The other was that an im-
mediate advance on the city should be made by Lounfs company of rifle-
men and pikemen, Against this proposal Colonels Lount and Gibson and
Jesse Lloyd protested. They seem, from a military point of view, to have
heen quite right. Lount's company were utterly exhausted by a thirty-
The Civil TVar-Jloutgomery's Farm,
16 9
mile tramp through heavy mud, They had not received any provisions,
:\1en in such a condition were not fit for a further forced march, to conclude,
perhaps, with a fight against fresh and well-fed opponents. l\Iac-
kenzie then offered, if accompanied by three others, to ride into the city,
ascertain the st.ate of matters, and return with Dr. Rolph and Dr. l\Iorrison.
Captain Anderson, one of l\Iackenzie's most trusted officers, and two others
rode with him towards Toronto. On their way they met a mounted patrol
consisting of Alderman John Powell and Mr, Archibald 'Macdonald. l\Iac-
kenzie explained that the rising had taken place, and said he must send
them as temporary prisoners to :\Iontgomery's hotel, where he would give
orders that they should be well treated, He then put them on parole as to
their being possessors of weapons, Powell gave his word of honour that
he was without a weapon, but he had not ridden far before he dropped be-
hind his mounted escort, and, drawing a pistol, shot Anderson in the back.
Anderson fell dead, his murderer gallopped away, and as he passed
Iackenzie
he fired the other pistol at him, The clumsy flintlock, however, failed to
accomplish his deadly purpose.
Meanwhile a meeting of Loyalists was held at the house of Colonel
:\Ioodie, near Richmond Hill, in consequence of the march of Lount's men
having been observed on the neigh bouring part of Y onge Street, at four 0' clock
in the afternoon of that day. Several of the loyal gentlemen resolved to ride,
if necessary, through the guard at
Iontgomery's hotel, in order to carry the
news to the Lieutenant-Governor in Toronto, The other members of the
Loyalist party were stopped b): the insurgent guard, and conveyed as pris-
oners into the hotel, where, by l\Iackenzie's orders, they were treated with
every respect. But Colonel 1\Ioodie had, most unfortunately, been drinking
heavily. He actecllike a madman, drew a pistol in either hand, and fired
right and left upon the guard. It was not to be expected that the fire,
under such circumstances, should not be returned. :\Ioodie fell, and was if
remO\'ed to the hotel, where he died two hours afterwards. :\Ir. Lindsey,
who certainly is the most reliable authority, says that the fatal shot was
fired by a man named Ryan, who stood on the steps in front of the hotel,
where the moonlight, falling full on l\Ioodie, gave him a good mark. But
two gentlemen, who were present when ::\Ioodie fell, state that the shot was
fired from a crowd of men on the other side of the road, wlwre there was an
open clearing, and that the imhappily successful marksman was a farmer
from Simcoe, ..
\Vhen Powell had passedl\Iackenzie, after riding forward for a little, he
dismounted, and, fancying himself pursued, hid for some time behind a log.
He then proceeded to the city with the first news of the revolt. lIe first
17 0
Canada alld the Call1ulia,1l PeoPle.
waited on the Chief Justice, together with whom he went to Government
House, where courtly historians record that Sir Francis Head" had gone to
bed with a sick headache," Hurried orders were given to assemble the chief
government officials. Torches flared in the streets, where excited groups
continued to gather until dawn, and the city bells, with loud clangor
sounding the alarm, gave warning to the insurgent camp that the time for a
surprise had gone by, It had, in reality, not gone by. In the city, the
Lieutenant-Governor, terrified and incapable, put hi
family and household
effects on board the small steamer ready for flight, should Mackenzie capture
the city. A son of the Hon. \Yilliam Hamilton :\Ierritt, then a pupil in
Upper Canada College, thus describes the scene of that morning in Toronto:
"It was a curious sight to behold; guards of civilians hanging about Govern-
ment House; the shops all closed! People hurrying silently in all directions,
some with arms, some without. And then, at the Town Hall, where were
assembled the cannon, with torches ready to be lighted, and the arms
distributed. :l\Ielancholy exhibited in every countenance, All was new
and strange! Nothing was done that day, but various movements took place
in their turn. All was exciting," The judges, the city aldermen, and other
leading gentlemen, set the example of coolly forming themselves into a com-
pany for defence of their Government. Sheriff Jarvis got together a small
corps of volunteers who were supplied with arms. But still the condition of
Head and his Government may be described as one of panic all the forenoon
of Tuesday, December 5th. Two hundred resolute men, had that opportunity
been seized, might have captured the Government House and sent the
Lieutenant-Governor flying in the steamer he had provided for the purpose.
At the insurgent camp, at :\lontgomery's hotel, all the conditions were
favourable for an advance on Toronto at that critical moment of the
insurrection. Colonel Lount's men had' recovered from the fatigue of
their long march of the day before. New companies and straggling
bodies of men had poured into the camp all night. On Tuesday morn-
ing the insurgents mustered between seven and eight hundred men, an
ample force to have carried all before them, The greater number were
armed with pikes of Lount's manufacture, a rude but most effective weapon,
especIally for street fighting. ::\lany had the old heavy-handle pea-rifle,
which those who possessed it were pretty sure to know how to use. .\ suffi-
cient commissariat, too, had been procured, Lingfoot, the "Loyalist"
tenant of John 'l\Iontgomery, was not unwilling to take the rebel money
which :\lackenzie most honourably paid for all expenses incurred. Requi-
sitions were made on several neighbouring houses helonging to Loyalists,
but :\Iackenzie and his lieutenants would perm.it no violence nor injury to
The Civil H!ar-Jlontgomery's Farm,
17 1
property, in this respect showing a very different spirit from that displayed
by the Loyalist forces when their time came for reprisals, Ample supplies
of fresh and salt beef, too, as well as of bread, had been procured from a
"truly loyal" butcher, some two miles north of Montgomery's dotel. If the
men had been refreshed "\vith a good breakfast, and then had marched on
the city, the attack must have succeeded. For, by Head's own account
(Sir F, B. Head's Narrative, p, 331), he had but three hundred supporters
in the city that morning, besides which he was notoriously unpopular,
while l\Iackenzie had many ardent supporters in Toronto ready to join his
force had it once advanced, And :Mackenzie himself strongly urged an
immediate advance. He was overruled by his lieutena
ts, especially by
Da vid Gibson, on the .ground that the detachments from the west had not
yet arrived, and that nothing was known of the state of things in the city,
where the alarm bells warned them that their enterprise had been discovered,
and would no doubt be resisted, Thus was the favourable moment lost by
the want of proper discipline, and of subjection to those in authority, In fact,
one of the gravest errors of the insurgents in planning the rising had been
the n.eglect of securing communication by means of emissaries who would
not be suspected, and by devious routes, They had trusted too much to
receiving communications through leading men such as Rolph and l\Iorrison,
every movement of whom was sure to be watched by the Government.
Dr. :\lorrison did, it is believed, endeavour to make his way to the camp at
::\Iontgomery's on the night of December 4th. A Loyalist, Captain Bridge-
ford, meeting him, is supposed to have caused his return to the city (see
Lindsey's Life of Mackenzie, Vol. II. p. 80, a curious detail of circum-
stantial evidence in connection with this incident as discovered at
Iorrison's
trial for high treason in 1838). All through the 5th every avenue which
directly led to the northern part of Y onge Street was ,vatched by armed
patrols, who did not hesitate to fire on anyone whom they saw approach-
ing in the direction of Montgomery's hotel. Thus the younger l\Ierritt,
in his school diary, relates :-" In such a state of things human life is held
at a very cheap rate. Next day, by going too near where the rebels '\ere
stationed, we (several Upper Canada College students) "ere taken prison-
ers, \Vhen in durance, I saw a sentry aim his musket at a person who
was running away,"
As a proof of the abject state of panic to which Sir Francis Head was
by this time reduced, he actually stooped to send a flag of truce to the
insurgents' camp, thus acknowledging them as belligerents with whom he
might make terms, In his own account of this transaction, Head
tates
that he sent the flag oftruce on \Vednesday, December the 5th, and that his
17 2
Canada and the Canadian Peoþle,
motive was humanity, Both statements are false. It was on Tuesday, not on
\Vednesday, that the flag of truce ,vas sent, and Head's motive was not
humanity, but fear, and a desirè to gain time till his reinforcements of militia
might arrive, Instead of sending a couple of his own officials, Sir Francis
further showed the white feather by selecting as his emissaries men who were
believed to be deep in the confidence of the insurgents. He first, through
Sheriff Jarvis, appointed l\Ir. J. Harvey Price, well known to be a friend
of :\lackenzie's, but Price refused point blank, lest he should afterwards
be said to have gone to join the camp at Montgomery's, At length Mr.
Robert Baldwin and Dr. Rolph agreed to go, and arrived at Montgomery's
about one o'clock. For Rolph to have undertaken this mission as the repre-
sentative of Head's Government was,a very great mistake. His appearance
as the emissary of Head did much to discourage those whom he had urged
on to take up arms, He should have declined the mission at all hazards
to his personal liberty, or should have remained with his friends, leaving
Robert Baldwin to carry back Mackenzie's reply to Head's message as to
their demands: "Independence, and a convention to arrange details."
But, ever given to subtle policy, Rolph attempted a 'middle course. He
went with Baldwin and returned with him, but sought a few minutes private
conversation with Lount, in which he urged an immediate advance of the
whole force on the city.
It is due to l\Iackenzie's military reputation to say that he took im-
mediate measures for carrying their advice into effect. He rode westward
by College Avenue to what is now the head of Spadina _\venue, where
a large body of the insurgents were stationed, !lnd led them towards Y onge
Street. \Vhen he arrived at Yonge Street he met Baldwin and Rolph, who
brought word of the Lieutenant-Governor's refusal to grant their demands.
Here again Rolph advised an advance on the city, where they might e:xpect
to be reinforced by six hundred of their friends, by six p.m, At a quarter
to six the 'whole of :Mackenzie's force were mustered at the toll-bar on
Y onge Street.
,
Iackenzie on that occasion did all he could to animate his followers
with his own intrepid spirit, but nothing he could say would supply the
utter want of discipline in their disorderly ranks. They marched without
order, those of Lount's men who had rifles, in front, the pikemen following.
They met and disarmed a Captain Duggan of the volunteer artillery, but
soon afterwards they were fired on by a party of Sheriff Jarvis's volun-
teers, 'who after the first volley ran away, A disgraceful panic ensued.
Had the insurgents shown anything of the courage which, too late to save
their cause, they showed when brought to bay on December the 7th, the
The Civil TV ar-JI ontgomery 's Farm,
173
result would have been very different. All but a score at most retreated
to a considerable distance above the toll-gate. Mackenzie, aided bv Lount
and Alves, tried in vain to rally them, but Lounfs men threw away their
pikes. They said they would march no further that night. Next morning,
Rolph, finding that all hope of success was lost by the failure of the insur-
gents, left for the United States. The particulars of his escape, never before
published, will be given in the next chapter. ::\lanyof the insurgents now
went back to their farms, but some new arrivals kept up the force at
l\Iontgomery's to nearly five hundred men. Thenceforth, their history is
but a record of divided counsels and con;equent failures, redeemed, it is
true, by the courage with which they confronted, on the morning of the 7th,
a greatly superior force of militia, well-armed and supported by artillery.
Another error was committed by :\Iackenzie, though as he says in obedience
to Rolph's express orders, burning the house of Dr. Horne, a loyalist spy.
This unduly alarmed the citizens of Toronto, and gave colour to Head's
accusation that l\Iackenzie and Lount meant to fire the city. This impru-
dent act, 1\1r. Brock, one of :\Iackenzie's officers now surviving, tells me that
he and his two brothers strongly opposed.
On \Vednesday, l\Iackenzie, with Lount, Alves, Brock and others,
gallopped to Dundas Street to intercept the \\'estern mail, which they suc-
ceeded in effecting. But meantime Sir Francis Head had received reinforce-
ments on a scale that enabled him to assume the offensive, On the morning
of Thursday, December the 7th, Colonel Van Egmond, as originally arranged,
arrived to take command. He at once approved of all :\Iackenzie's mea-
sures, and advised a delay till night, and meantime to divert the enemy's
attention and prevent an attack by sending a party of sixty men. including-
forty armed with rifles, to destroy the bridge over the Don, and intercept
the mail from::\Iontre
l.This plan was carried out successfully, although
the Don Bridge was but partially burned, But divided councils and Gib.
son's opposition to the measures proposed caused a delay of two hours,
which, as l\Ir. Lindsey says, proyed fatal. Three steamers had conveyed
Colonel :\lacNab's and other bodies of militia to the Toronto wharves. At
noon on Thursday, Sir Francis Head's force marched from Toronto, (he
calls it in his Emigrant" an overwhelming force "), led by Colonels MacNab,
Fitzgibbon and J an-is. They presented a motley appearance. Only the
chief officers were mounted and in uniform; the rank and file were ununi-
formed; they had a sort of extemporized military band, and were preceded
by the two field-pieces from the City Hall. About one in the afternoon the
attacking column came in sight of the outposts of the insurgent camp,
Mackenzie rushed forward to reconnoitre, Returning to his men, he asked
if " they were ready to encounter a force greatly superior in numbers to
174
Ca1lada a1ld tlte Canadian PeoPle,
themselves, well armed, and provided with artillery? They replied in the
affirmative." (Lindsey's ::\Iackenzie, Vol. II., 94,)
On the west side of the Y onge street roadway was a second growth of
pine wood, just south of l\Iontgomery's hotel. On the other side of the road
was an open clearing, where a party of the insurgents were posted under
cover of the fence. But the main body were now stationed by Mackenzie,
who had by this time abandoned his horse, in the pine grove on the west
side. :\leanwhile, the militia had halted, a little more than a gunshot from
the insurgents, and opened fire '\vith grape and canister One or two of the
shots knocked off an angle of the wall of a small building once used as a
school house-a vestige of the battle which might have been seen till
recently. The shot from the field-pieces crashed among the pine trees,
throwing the splinters in all directions. Meanwhile, the militia, firing volleys ..
of musketry as they went, with much effect, advanced both in front and on
either flank, wherever they could find cover. They enormously outnum-
bered the insurgents, yet, says l\Iackenzie, "never did men fight more
courageously. In the face of a heavy fire of grape and canister, with
broadside following broadside of musketry in steady and rapid succession,
they stood their ground firmly," Hard pressed and outnumbered, they
were at length compelled to retreat, their leaders, above all Mackenzie him-
self, fighting to the last. An eye witness, quoted by 1\1r. Lindsey (Life of
Mackenzie, 11.,96), states: "So unwilling was :\lackenzie to leave the field
of battle, and so hot was the chase after him, that he distanced the enemy's
horsemen only twenty or thirty yards by his superior knowledge of the
country, and reached Colonel Lount and our friends on their retreat, just
in time to save his neck." Brock, who was with him all through the fight,
has told me how Mackenzie, during the struggle, which lasted about an hour
in all, exposed his person with the most intrepid courage, The battle was
lost, and the insurrection was crushed under the feet of Head's "over-
whelming force," Yet the bloodshed and the courage displayed by l\Iac-
kenzie and his followers were not in vain, Their appearance in arms against
the tyranny of irresponsible government drew upon English Canada with
enduring beneficial effect the attention of English Liberalism, Head,
::\IacN ab, and their" overwhelming force" did indeed gain a victory over
the four hundred insurgents, but it was a victory which to them and their
cause proved more disastrous than any defeat. On the side of the Loyalists
.all was exultation, Carts were ordered up to receive the wounded of both
sides, of whom there were many, but the insurgents managed to carry away
most of their wounded to friendly farm houses. Several of the insurgents
were killed, Head, before marching back to the city, ordered :\Iontgomery's
hotel to be burned down,
CHAPTER XXYII.
THE F
\:\IIL Y CO:\1P ACT TERROR,
r;- f:..::.......
&'r
'
ICTORY in their hands, the exultation of the Family Compact
I:
, -.
knew no bounds. The prisons were crowded with unoffending
).
),
. citizens, arrested U on suspicion," To have been a Reformer
{
'
T of the mildest and most constitutional kind was sufficient to
cause the man of a family to be imprisoned for months, \ Yhen
-")'
.,.. "I' ,
lj
: released, as arbItranly as they had been arrested, they would
..... find house and furniture wrecked by the brutal militia-men sent
to occupy it. Rewards, to large amounts, of blood-mon'ey were set on the
heads of the leading chiefs of the late insurrection,
:\Ieanwhile the western division of the insurgents had met at the village
of Scotland, in the southern township of Brant County, They were about
five hundred, generally armed with rifles, On the news of the defeat of
l\Iackenzie reaching them, Colonel Sackrider, who, as has been stated, was
a veteran officer of 1812, wished to occupy the pine woods south of Burford,
where they could have a friendly country as a base of supplies, and might
make a stand against l\IacX ab and the Loyalist militia. But Duncombe
gave it as his opinion that they had better disperse, which was accordingly
done. Â full account of the interesting circumstances of Duncombe's
escape from the Loyalist prison, as gathered by myself from Dr. Duncombe's
daughter, and from the son of the gentleman who contrived the escape; as
also of the flight, under circumstances of great difficulty, of ::\1r. Hagel, onf"
of Duncombe's officers, will be given at full length in a future work.
As yet these stories, so characteristic of that period of Canadian history,
have never been laid before the public, It is hoped, also, that in the
advanced work a fuller account may be drawn from sources entirely original
of Dr. Rolph's escape from Toronto, His opponents were thirsting for
his blood, and he knew it well. Calmly, on the morning of.\Yednesday,
the 6th of December, he sauntered along Kin
Street, passing in and out
.
17 6
CalZada a1ld the Canadian PeoPle.
of the houses of his patients, as if intent on his professional practice,
In advance of him a favourite pupil of his, now one of Toronto's most
eminent practitioners, had Rolph's best horse ready saddled, A little past
the western city limits, however, they met a party of militia, commanded
hy an exceedingly zealous Loyalist. l\Iost fortunate for a life yet destined
to be most useful to Canada and science, he had just received a letter from
a sister, who lived at some distance, and was dangerously ill. Rolph pro-
duced the letter, said he was ahout to ride to see the patient, and was
allowed to go on his
vay, He easily made his escape into the United
States, where he resumed the practice of his profession with much success,
until a pardon enabled him to return to Toronto.
Of \\ïlliam Lyon :\Iackenzie's wonderful adventures during his flight
a most graphic account is given by 1\1r. Lindsey, Less fortunate was the
brave and generous-hearted Colonel Samuel Lount. For a short time he
retreated along with :\Iackenzie, at the head of about ninety armed men,
It was then thought most juqicious that the I?arty should separate, The
Hon. James Young, in his amusing and useful book on Galt and Dumfries,
states, on the authority of a militia officer still living, that Lount was
secreted for some days near Galt, Mr. Young adds that Lount would cer-
tainly have been captured were it not that his arrest would have involved
all who had sheltered him in the penalties òf high treason. Lount ,..-as
next secreted in an almost impenetrable swamp, near Glenmorris, Thence
he was moved to the house of a political friend, near the village of Glen-
morris; a magistrate arrived at the front door of that house to arrest him,
just as Lount left by the back-door. Samuel Latchaw, a well known South
Dumfries farmer, conveyed him thence to \Vaterford, where he lay con-
cealed in the hay-mow of Grover's hotel, while the Loyalist militia were
scouring the country all round in search of him. At last, after many such
adventures, he made his way to the Niagara river, where he was captured,
as 1\1r. Young well puts it, "within sight of the United States and safety."
lIe was next seen being led through Chippawa as a prisoner, His cap
had blown off his head into the river, and a ragged old red night cap
had been placed on his ,head by his "loyal" escort in mockery of the
H.epublican Cap of Liberty, Though given in heartless insult, no better
head-gear could have befitted the brow of Samuel Lount. He was tried
soon afterwards at Toronto, with Peter Matthews of Pickering. They were
found guilty, and an eminent physician of this city who was present in the
court house during the trial tells me that Chi
f Justice Sir John Beverley
Robinson
ronounced the cruel death sentence with evident satisfaction,
It was as if he was eating honey, Orders had been sent from England to
I
The Family Compact Terror,
177
delay the capital sentence, but the Chief Justice and tþe Rev. John Strachan
used all their influence to bring Lount and l\Iatthews to the scaffold. They
died calmly, confident in the justice of the cause for which they gave their
lives, on April 12th, 1838, Of a very different nature from Mackenzie's
attempt to create a revolution by seizing the capital and overthrowing the
Family Compact tyranny, and utterly unjustifiable on any patriotic ground,
were the raids on Canadian territory by American sympathizers in 18 3 8 ,
The chief of these was made from the American side, ",,-hence a force of
about a thousand Canadian and ,..\merican sympathizers occupied
avy
Island in the Niagara river above the Falls, They were, however, induced
to disperse by the American General Scott. A steamer which they had
used to convey supplies to the island was seized by l\IacN ab, who set it on
fire, and sent it to drift over the cataract. For this achievement MacNab
was knighted,
In 1838 Head was recalled, and Sir George Arthur came to Upper
Canada as Governor. The Family Compact had triumphed, and had filled
the prisons with the" rebels," Two of the leaders, Lount and l\Iatthews,
were executed; rewards were offered for the capture of
Iackenzie, Dun-
combe and others, dead or alive, and the frontier was haunted by prowling
Iroquois from the Grand river, eager to take the scalp of the" rebel" chiefs
and earn the Government blood-money. In October of this year a raid was
made by a body of sympathizers under a Pole named Von' Schoultz, who
occupied a stone wind-mill near Prescott. They were attacked by a large
force of militia, and compelled to surrender . Yon Schoultz was taken to
Kingston and tried for high treason, being ably, but uusuccessfully, defended
by a young lawyer named John \, Macdonald, Yon Schoultz was exe-
cuted.
\.n attempt was also made by the insurgents to capture \\"indsor
and Amherstburg, but they were dispersed with a loss of twenty-one Ly
Colonel Prince, Four prisoners were taken, who were shot in cold blood
by the Colonel. In their triumph the insolence of the Family Compact
knew no bounds. The Reign of Terror in France and the Bloody ..\.ssize
in England seemed about to repeat themselves in Canada. But a great
change had taken place in England. The Tory party, which had been
supreme since \Vaterloo, had fallen from power, and their place was filled
by the great Liberal Administration of Lords Grey and l\Ielbourne. By
them Lord Durham was sent out as Imperial High Commissioner to adjust
all questions and grievances in Canada, He stood bet\\een the political
prisoners and the Family Compact party, who were made to see that their
hour was past. Lord Durham, on his return to England, published his
12
.
17 8
Canada and the Canadian Pcoplc.
celebrated ., Report," which must ever be regarded as one of the chief
documents of Canadian freedom. In this he recommended nearly all the
reforms for which l\lackenzie had for so many years asked in vain, Thus
the insurrection, though as a military movement it failed, by arousing the
I attention of English Liberalism to the tyranny of the Family Compact,
accomplished, in an indirect manner, all at which it aimed,
t..-
- -
--:t
_
I
U f{, ----7
i
-
,= :-- '- --- - -- -
-
. .-
'...I
:- ' -
.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE UNION OF THE PROVINCES.
' ""-
.. r: . fit. (
"
-; N I
39 ì\Ir. Charles Poulett Thomson, an English merchant, was
: appointed Governor-General. Colborne, who now returned to
· :' England, received the title of Lord Seaton, In accordance with
:', :11
instructions from the English ì\Iinister, Thomson proposed for
.. .. acceptance a measure which united the provinces, provided for
, , ,'- equal representation of both in the conjoint Legislature, and con-
ceded the full acknowledgment of the long-wished-for right of Responsible
Government. The Lower Canadians were, of course, bitterly opposed to
the union, but no attention was paid to their opposition. The Family
Compact saw in it the ruin of their supremacy, but the hour was gone by .
in which they could cajole the English Government, now in the hands of
the Liberals, who, thanks to Lord Durham, were no longer ignorant of
Canadian politics, In 1840 the vexed question 'Of the Clergy Resen'es
was again brought forward, and a bill passed authorizing their sale, but as
it gave the lion's share of the proceeds to the Anglican Church, the
Reformers were still dissatisfied, But a victory had been won for Con-
stitutional Government which outweighed all minor grievances, and the
knell of the Family Compact oligarchy sounded in Governor )"'homson's
message to the Upper Canada Parliament: u I have been commanded
by Her ::\Iajesty to administer the Government in accordance with the
well-understood wishes of the people, and to pay to their feelings, as
expressed through their representatives, the deference that is justly due to
them."
The union of Upper and Lower Canada came into force in r8.p,
Kingston was made the seat of Government, l\Ir. Thomson received the
title of Baron Sydenham. He endeavoured to carey out faithfully the work
of inaugurating the system of Responsible Government, and introduced,
through the Executive Council, many useful measures, Unfortunately
when ri
ing up the hill of Portsmouth, near Kingston, his horse fell, crnsh-
.
180
Canada aud the Canadian PeoPle,
\
ing his leg, an Injury of which, to the great sorrow of all true Canadian
patriots, he died on September 19th, 1841. By his own desire, he was
buried at Kingston, He was succeeded by Sir Charles Bagot, a High
Churchman and a Tory, who was at first received with dread by the
Reformers, and with exultation by the Tories, who hoped that the good
times of Sir Francis Head were come again, But neither party kne
v their
man. Sir Charles Bagot had been sent to Canada to administer Responsi-
ble Government, and was, from first to last, faithful to his trust. He gave
his confidence to the Reform Government, and refused to lend an ear to
,
the blan,dishments of the Family Compact. Unhappily, he fell into ill
health, aggravated by hard work, and exposure to the rigors of a Canadian
winter, and he died at Alwington House, Kingston, in l\Iay, 18 43, His
successor, Sir Charles, afterwards Lord Metcalfe, was a politician of very
different stamp. He threw himself wholly into the arms of the Tory party,
who were the heirs of the defunct Family Compact, and, mainly by his
influence, a small majority for that party was obtained at the elections of
18 44. A Tory Ministry under Mr. Draper now came iIìto power, Sir
-\.
MacNab being Speaker. In 1845, the Draper Government proposed to pay
all losses sustained by Loyalists during the troubles of 18 37-'3 8 in Upper
Canada. The French agreed to this, provided that similar compensation
was given to Lower Canada. Commissioners were appointed, who reported
that [100,000 .would be required. As. a sop to his French supporters,
Draper proposed a grant of $9,986 in partial payment of Lower Canadian
losses, This satisfied nobody, and the Draper Administration became
unpopular on' all sides,
In 18+6 common schools were established throughout Upper Canada,
the germ of our present public school system being introduced by Dr. Egerton
Ryerson, The history of this very able aduunistration in connection with
our puhlic school system arose out of the following circumstances connected
with the official acts of Lord :\letcalfe, The Governor-General had, it
is believed, received secret instructions from a reactionary administration in
England to oppose, as far as possible, the growth of Responsible Government.
In carrying into effect these back-stairs instructions, Metcalfe had thrown
all his personal and official influence into the support of 1.\1r. Draper's
Government, which, it was evident, did not possess the confidence of the
people. Metcalfe, in consequence of this, was exposed to considerable
unpopularity, and was justly criticised by the caustic pens of Francis
Hincks and Robert Baldwin Su
livan, Meantime it was suggested to the
Rev, Egerton Ryerson, at that time President of the Methodist University
at Cobourg, that he might, with advantage to his church and the u
iversity,
.
The Union ofïhe Provinces.
18r
employ his pen in defending Lord Metcalfe against the aspersions con-
stantly thrown upon his political course by some of our ablest public
ministers, The person who made this suggestion was the Hon. \Villiam
Hamilton Merritt, of \Velland Canal notoriety, in connection with which
expensive enterprise he was more than suspected of serious malversation of
public funds. The Rev, E, Ryerson was, at a time when such writing was
more scarce than it is now, a vigorous and versatile writer, and a man of
great force of character. But his Metcalfe letters are the least pleasant
reading of anything the late Superintendent of Education has left behind
him. They contain an admixture of political special pleading with the
unctuous phraseology of the pulpit, which would be intolerable in the pre-
sent day, and was only bearable at the time from the more influential
position filled by pr
achers in influencing public opinion, As the first
editor of the Christian Guardian, as a convert for conscience sake from the
rich Episcopalian Church of his fathers, as a devoted missionary to the
Indians, as the ablest of the ministers and champions of his church, Egerton
Ryerson was, at the time, a power, and Lord l\Ietcalfe and his advisers
knew it. As a direct result of the Metcalfe letters, the position of Chief
Superintendent of Education was offered to Dr. Ryerson, pretty nearly on
his own terms. He was certainly the best man for the position, and both
as regards income and power, it was decidedly the best position the country
could offer. In the course of his long autocracy, Dr. Ryerson established
an eclectic system of public education, in part based on the Prussian and
part on the New England school system, with a selection of non-denomi-
national text-books similar to those used at the time by Protestant and
Catholic alike in the national schools in Ireland, \Vhatever mIstakes Dr.
Ryerson may have made from time to time in matters of detail, however
imperious his self-assertion, it was necessary to have a firm hand and a
strong will at the helm in those troublous times that saw the establishment
of our school system, To Dr. Ryerson we owe the establishment of the
collection of works of art in the Normal School museum, the germ, it is to
be hoped, of a Canadian national gallery, In the graded improvement of
this collection, in the collection of an admirable series of specimens of
engravings historically arranged, and in the completion of an art catalogue
likely to be of use to art study, Dr. Ryerson's work has been well carried
out by his subordinates. Of Dr. Ryerson's work in our educational system
it may be said, as we point to our city schools in Toronto, "if you seek his
monument, look around you! "
Lord Elgin arrived in Canada as Governor General in 18+7, The
decaying Tory Government was now attacked with much effect by ::\1r.
182
Canad';l and the Calladian PeoPle.
Francis Hincks in the Montreal Pilot. This able writer and speaker had
much advanced the cause of Reform by his articles in the Toronto Examiner.
in 1839. The Clergy Reserves question was now again agitated, A famine
in Ireland and Scotland caused an immense immigration to Canada in this
year, as many as 70,000 having landed at Quebec. But these were the
least valuable class of settlers. Too weak to be of use as labourers, they
carried the seeds of pestilence and death broadcast over the country, At
the elections of 1848, the Reformers were once more successful, and, Draper
being forced to resign, the Baldwin-Lafontaine l\Iinistry came into power.
In 1849, the strength of the two parties was tested by a new Rebellion
Losses Bill, to which the Tories' were bitterly opposed, Meantime the
Governor announced that the British Government was prepared to hand
over the control of the Post Office Department to the Canadian Govern-
ment, and that it was optional with the Canadian Legislature to repeal the
differential duties in favour of British manufactures. Dr. \Yolfred Nelson
and :\1. Papineau were now returned as representatives from Lower Canada,
but the magic of Papineau's influence had gone with his cowardice at St.
Denis
and the French Canadians followed in preference the leadership of
the more moderate Reformer, Lafontaine, There was a memorable debate in
Parliament over 1\1. Lafontaine's Rebellion Losses Bill. Sir Allan :\IacN ab's
party entered the conflict with a will. The Knight led the attack, nd his
invective was unsparing and indiscriminate, He did not wonder that a pre-
mium was put upon rebellion, now that rebels were rewarded for their own
uprising; for the Government itself was a rebel Government, and the party
by which It was maintained in power was a phalanx of rebels. His lieu-
tenants were scarcely less unsparing and fierce in the attack. But the
Government bokHy took up their position. 1\1r. Baldwin, Attorney-General
\Yest, maintained that it would be disgraceful to enquire whether a man
had been a rebel or not after the passage of a general act of indemnity.
:\Ir. Drummond, Solicitor-General East, took ground which placed the
matter in the clearest light. The Indemnity Act had pardoned those
concerned in High Treason. Technically speaking, then, all who had
been attainted stood in the same position as before the rebellion, But
the opposition were not in a mood to reason, The two colonels, Prince
and Gugy, talked a great deal of fury. The former reminded the house
that he was "a gentleman;" the latter made it plain that he was a
hlusterer. 1\1r. Sherwood was fierce, and often trenchant; while Sir Allan
reiterated that the whole French Canadian people were traitors and aliens.
At this date, we are moved neither to anger nor contempt at reading such
utterances as those of the knights, for it would be wrong to regard them as
Tire Union of the Provinces.
18 3
else than infirmities; and it is deplorable that by such statements the one
party should allòw itself to be dominated, and the other driven to wrath.
But through all these volcanic speeches Sir Allan was drifting in the
.
direction of a mighty lash, hHd in a strong arm; and when the blow
descends we find little compassion for the wrigglings of the tortured knight,
It was while Sir Allan had been bestriding the Parliament like a Colossus,
breathing fire and brimstone against every opponent, and flinging indis-
criminately about him such epithets as" traitor" and "rebel," that :\lr,
Blake, Solicitor-General \\'est, stung beyond endurance, sprang to his feet.
He would remind them, he said, that there was not only one kind of rebellion,
and one description of rebel and traitor. He would tell them that there was
such a thing as rebellion against the constitution as well as rebellion against
the Crown. A man could be a traitor to his country's rights as well as a
traitor to the power of the Crown. He instanced Philip of Spain, and
James II., when there was a struggle between political freedom and royal
tyranny. These royal tyrants found loyal men to do their bidding, not
only in the army but on the bench of justice, There was one such loyal
servant, he who shone above all the rest, the execrable Judge Jeffreys, who
sent among the many other victims before their :\Iaker, the mild, amiable
and great Lord Russell. Another victim of these loyal servants was
\.lgernon Sidney, whose offence was his loyalty to the people's rights and
the constitution. He had no sympathy with the spurious loyalty of the
honourable gentlemen opposite, which, while it trampled on the people, was
the slave of the court; a loyalty which, from the dawn of the history of the
world down to the present day, had lashed htUI1;anity into rebellion. He
would not go to ancient history; but he would tell the honourable gentle-
men opposite of one great e}",hibition of this loyalty: on one occasion
the people of a distant Roman province contemplated the perpetration of
the foulest crime that the page of history records-a crime from which
nature in compassion hid her face, and over which she strove to draw a veil;
but the heathen Roman law-giver could not be induced by perjured wit-
nesses to place the great Founder of our religion upon the cross. " I find no
fault in Him," he said. But these provincials, after endeavouring by every
other means to effect their purpose, had recourse to this spurious loyalty.
" If thou lettest this man go thou are not Cæsar's friend!" l\Iark the lo} .lIty;
could they not see every feature of it; could they not trace it in this act;
aye, and overcome by that mawkish, spurious loyalty, the heathen Roman
governor gave his sanction to a deed whose foul and impure stain eighteen
centuries of national humiliation and suffering have been unable to efface,
This spurious, slavish loyalty was not British stuff; this spurious bullying
18 4
Canada and tl,C Canadian PeoPle.
loyalty never grew in his native land. British loyalty wrung on the field of
Runnymede from the tyrant king the great charter of English liberty.
Å ye, the barons of England, with arms in their hands, demanded and
received the great charter of their rights, 'Eritish loyalty, during a period
of three centuries, wrung from tyrant kings thirty different recognitions of
that great charter. Aye, and at the glorious era of the Revolution, when
the loyal Jeffreys was ready, in his extreme loyalty, to hand over England's
freedom,and rights into the hands of tyrants, the people of England estab-
lished the constitution which has maintained England till this day, a great,
free and powerful nation.
So fierce was the animosity of the Tory party to the Rebellion Losses
Bill that some of them broke out into threats of secession, and clamoured
for annexation. The bill however passed on April 26th, 1849, On the
afternoon of that day a riotous mob assailed the Governor, Lord Elgin,
as he was leaving the Parliament House; but his carriage drove rapidly
away, and he thus escaped. Baulked of their object, the mob then turned
their attention to burning the Parliament Buildings, to which a torch was
applied by a Tory member for a constituency in the Eastern Townships,
The Parliament House, with its library, containing historical documents of
great value, was totally destroyed. In consequence of this disgraceful
outrage, in which the Tory party demeaned itself in a manner worthy of
Guy Fawkes, the seat of Government was removed for the next two years
to Toronto, the name of York having b
en changed for the more appropriate
Indian designation in 18 34' Subsequently, until Ottawa was fixed upon as
the seat of Government, the sessions of Parliament were held sometimes at
Torònto and sometimes at Quebec,
A period of depression now set in, owing to the English market being
opened to the importation of grain from all countries by the repeal of the
Corn Laws in 18 4 6 , In 18 49 municipal government was organized in
Upper Canada, and in the following year in the Lower Province. In 18 5 0
a tr:eaty of reciprocal traàe was proposed to the United States Government.
At the same time the Clergy Reserves Bill was agitated anew, and a
division took place on this question in the Reform ranks, those who advo-
cated the secularization of the Reserves being called "Grits." This was
Canada's Railway year. The first lines constructed were the Great
\Vestern, Grand Trunk, and Northern,
In 18 5 1 I\1r, Hincks became the head of the Ministry, In 18 53 a bill
for election reform extended the number of representatives in the Lower
House from eighty-four to one hundred and thirty, The Reciprocity
Treaty with the United States was concluded in 1854. In the same year
The Union of the Provinces.
18 5
Lord Elgin was recalled, and the office of Governor-General filled by Sir.
Edmund Head,
In 1855 the Clergy Reserves question was definitely settled by the
secularization of the land, and the State in Canada was declared altogether
independent of Church connection. In the Lower Province, all the
remains of the feudal system, which had long been a hindrance to progres3,
were swept away, a balance of [656,000 being paid as compensation to the
Seigneurs from the Treasury of United Canada, In 1856 a further reform
was introduced, by the Legislative Council being made elective, and, as the
population and general prosperity of the country increased, additional
representation was from time to time secured, The abolition of the long-
standing iniquity of the Clergy Reserves, the most bitter of all the oppres-
sions against which :\lackenzie had done battle, was effected, Perhaps no
part of the community has been more a gainer by this great act of justice
than the ancient historic Church which her bishops had wronged by their
persistent efforts to grasp property that was not rightly theirs,
In 1859 the beautiful buildings of our Provincial Uniyersity were
completed amid the surroundings, not unworthy of such an edifice, of the
people's chief park in Toronto. The University buildings are, next to the
Ottawa Parliament House, the most beautiful in the Dominion, and worthily
represent the progressive condition of University education since it was
liberated from the mediæval sectarianism of King's College, Toronto. At
the same period the introduction of a decimal coinage put an end to the
vexatious anomalies caused by the use of the foreign monetary system of
'.. pounds, shillings and pence," and gave Canada a currency identical with
that of the great continent to w
ich she belongs,
In 1860 the magnificent bridge over the St, Lawrence, at :\lontreal,
was opened for use, It ranks among the wonders of the modern world, and
as a work of human art is well placed amid some of the finest scenery in
Canada. In this same year was laid the foundation of the new Parliament
House at Ottawa, a building of which any civilized nation might well he
proud,
In 1861 Sir Edmund Head retired {rom office, He had not heen a popu-
lar ruler-for rulers in some sense the foreign Governors of Canada still
were in his day. But the principle of Responsible Government had been
too firmly established as part of the Canadian constitution to he safely
assailed, even by a Governor appointed by the Crown, Soon after his with-
drawal to England, Sir Edmund Head died withòl1t issue, and his baronetcy
expired with him. His successor was Lord 1\Ionck, an Irish Peer (and thus
an inferior article in English view),
..
186
CalZada and the Canadian People.
..
In 1861 broke out that great struggle which was to have such momen-
tous results in the life of the great Republic, our neighbour. It was an hour
of peril for Canada. The Jingo party in England, backed by the aristocracy
and all the enemies of freedom, wished for nothing more than to involve Eng-
land in war with the Republic, and more than once they seemed likely
to gain their point. Had this happened, our country woulà have been the
battle-field, our cities and homesteads would have fed the torch, our harvests
have been trampled by the armies of England and the United States, \Var
between England and the United States may always be looked on as a pos_
sible though not as a probable event in the future; as long as the Jingo party
is influential in England, and the Irish millions who hate England increase,
as they must increase, in numbers and power in the States, It is there-
fore ever increasingly the interest of Canada to keep out of the quarrel, by
securing, as soon as may be in her power, the right to stand alone and apart
from the feuds of foreign nations. As it providentially happened, no great
harm came to Canada out of this war-except that business was unhealthily
stimulated during its continuance by a scale of demand anù of price which
could not last, and was of course followed by a reaction proportionately
yiolent. The general sympathies of the English Canadians may be 'con-
sidered to have been for the North and Freedom, against the slave-holding
South, though the ., shoddy aristocracy" at Ottawa thought it a fine thing
to echo the English Jingo's hatred of the world's greatest Republic in the
hour of her trial.
In 1862 Parliament met at Quebec, and a new administration came 111to
power under John Sandfield :\Iacdonald and L. V, Sicotte. Their programme
included the double-majority principle in legislation, and the maintenance
of the royal choice of Ottawa as the seat of Government, Ottawa has unfor-
tunately proved to be "out of the way" of the general current of Canadian
intellectual and industrial life, whose true centre is in Toronto. :\Ir. George
Brown, who haù assumed the leadership of the moderate Reformers, now
began to attack from his place in the House, and in the columns of the
Globe, of which paper, established in 1844, he was proprietor. He assailed
the new Ministry, and upheld with much eloquence the only rational system
of representation, that by population, irrespective of a division between the
Provinces, In this year died Sir Allan :\IacN ab, who, in spite of his cham-
pionship of an unpatriotic cause, had done much good service to Canada,
and personally ''I.'as much esteemed, lIe had long retIred from political
leadership, the torch of Fåmily Compact and Tory tradition having been
handed on to John A, :\Iacdonald, the able and astute member for King-
ston, The revolt of the slave-owning oligarchy in the Southern States was
The Union of the Provinces.
18 7
now in full progress. Fortunately, in spite of sympathy on the part of
English Toryism, and the attempts of Southern refugees to abuse Canadian
hospitality by making our country a basis for raids on the "neighbouring
Republic, Canada escaped being involved in the war.
In the Parliament of 1863 Mr. George Brown appeared as member for
the South Riding of Oxford. The Globe now led the battle in favour of
Upper Canada obtaining her just share of increased representation, in con-
sequence of its great advance over Lower Canada in increased population.
Public opinion in this Province was, of course, on his side, but the action of
the Ministry was then, as it has been so often since, to the detriment of our
interest, hampered by the Lower Canadian vote. The Ministry also hst
ground wIth Protestant Reformers, who justly condemned its weakness in
yielding to the clamours of the French and Irish Catholics the ,right to a
Separate School system. Sandfield l\Iacdonald, on Parliament being dis.-
solved, tried to regain the support of the Brown section of Reformers by
reconstructing his Cabinet. In consequence of this he lost the support of
one of the most eloquent orators yet heard in Canadian legislative halls-
the Irish patriot, Thomas D'Arcy :\IcGee.
In Ib64, the Reciprocity Treaty being withdrawn by the Government of
the United States, a season of depression again occurred in Canada, \Vhen
Parliament met, the Sandfielù-l\1acdonald l\Iinistry was evidently in a state
of collapse. On its resignation a Tory or Conservative Administration ''I.-as
formed by Sir E. P. Taché and l\Ir. (afterwards Sir George Etienne) Cartier.
In this Government John A. Macdonald held office as Attorney-General.
But when Parliament met in l\Iay, 1864, it was evident that Government
could not he efficiently carried on. The scheme for the union of the prov-
inces had resulted in continual dead-lock. Upper Canada would not forego
its rightful claim to an increased representation. Lower Canada would not
concede the passing of a measure which would force her into a second-rate
position.
At this juncture John
\, i\Iacdonald for the first time, and on a great
scale, displayed the talent for which he has since been distinguished ahove
all other modern politicians, except perhaps the late Lord Beaconsfield-the
most valuable political talent of appropriating the ideas of other men, and
utilizing them for the advancement of his party, John...:\. l\Iacdonald had
again and again ridiculed the scheme of joint Federal authority, of which
ì\1r. Brown had been an advocate. It was seen by the wily party-leader
from Kingston that his opponents had after all been in the right, and that
the only escape from anarchy was the separate Provincial Government of
Upper and Lower Canada, with a Federal Go\'ernment of the whole country
188
Canada (l1ld the Ca1ladian PeoPle.
.
II
based on representation by population, But the history of Confederation
is of so great importance as to require a chapter to itself. Meanwhile we
must notice an influence from without, which had a considerable indirect
share in bringing about the federal union of the Provinces which now bear
the common name of Canada.
Since the troublous days of "sad but glorious 4 98 ," the American
Republic had furnished cities of refuge for the proscribed agents of Irish
revolt. There Thomas Addis Emmett, brother of the more gifted but more
unfortunate Robert Emmett, was welcomed by the members of the American
bar, among whom he rose to eminence, There, without taking into account
the unstable and capricious l\IcGee, the really able leaders of young Ireland
found a career. \Vith every year, from the dismal 1847, which#{:he writer
so well rernembers, the crowds gathered on the Dublin quays, eager to fly
from Sligo, dark with famine and pestilence. Thousands upon thousands
repeated and twice told over, carried the religion of their fathers, the love
for their Eountry, the undying hatred of her oppressors, into the new world,
A new and greater Ireland had grown up beyond the Atlantic, whose sons
had fought, with the valour which had beaten back the bloody Duke of
Cumberland at Fontenoy, the battles of their protectress Republic against
the slave-holding South. An organization having for its avowed object the
establishment of an independent Irish Republic had been founded in Ire-
land, and had extensive branches throughout the Northern States and
army, It took the name of " Fenian" from the ancient militia of the tribal
system of the Brehon era of Irish civilization, It attempted a revolt in
Ireland, of course without any success, for England was then unhampered
by foreign wars, and English gold and steel were free to gag and smite.
But it cannot be denied, except by the merest haters of all things Irish,-
such as l\Ir. Froude and some of his still more eminent literary confreres in
England, that the Fenian movement in Ireland called forth the devotion,
freely giyen through years of cruel imprisonment, of men like John O'Leary,
Thomas Luby and John l\Iartin. It is quite true that there has been in
connection with the present Irish nationalist movement in the United States
a great deal of misfortune, as well as many of those dynamite assassina-
tion horrors \vhich would disgrace any cause; but, in Ireland, artd among
the leaders there, this was not the case. Lever, who knew well what he was
writing about, has d
scribed m06t truthfully the better side of the early
Fenian movement in one of the most graphic of his later novels, "Lord
Kilgobbin." It must always be remembered that one wing, and that the
most respectable by culture and character, opposed from first to last any
proposal to make raids on Canada, It must be remembered also that if
The Cnion of the J1rovinces.
18 9
such raids were made there, they were out of no ill-will to the Canadians, but
as an indirect means of striking at England, Had Canada been indep
ndent,
no Fenian would have carried a rifle across her borders, But the guilt of
entertaining such a proposal cannot be palliated. It was not only a crime
but a mistake. It tended to create bitterness between Canada and the
United States, which would surely be the greatest loss to Irish nationalism,
as it would tend to strengthen the hqld of British connection in Canada,
and perpetuate for the use of English Jingoism its only available basis of
operations against the United States. Happily the raids of the banditti
calling themselves Fenians have never produced that effect. Between
Canadian Liberalism and Irish Nationalism there has never been a
close alli
nce. O'Connell was the firm friend of \Villiam Lyon :Mackenzie,
and used all his great influence to ad,'aDce the victory, in this country, of
Responsible Government, And very recently both political parties in the
Canadian House of Commons joined forces to support the address expres-
sive of a hope that Ireland might yet enjoy the measure of Home Rule
possessed by Canada, whi
h brought out so much British Billingsgate from
the English journals, and aroused such mtense sympathy in Ireland, As to
the question between England and Ireland, a history of Canada does not
enter into it, but this much is patent: the position of England is that of a
strong man who has taken possession of his weaker neighbour's house. Out
of the original wrong-doing has grown hatred, agrarian outrage, murder most
foul in myriad-shaped atrocity; but whence come all these evil results, if not
from the original wrong-doing? The causes will continue to come home to
roost till Ireland is granted the same Home Rule as is enjoyed by Canada,
It is easy to declare against the plagues which afflict Egypt, but the plagues
will continue till the oppressor ceases to harden his heart and let the oppressed
go free, Fortunately for Canada, and fortunately for Irish Nationalism,
the Fenian Raids in Canada were entirely premature, and could not have
gamed the smallest m
asure of permanent success-a fact which showed that
the motives of invading peaceful Canada in order to punish English wrong-
doing was a military error, as well as a political crime. In American
Fenianism there is no doubt that there was a -great deal of misfortune and
swindling" which desired to make cheap capital out of an easy and
dangerless raid, and so be able to trade on the one intense passion of the
Irish American race, hatred of the oppressors of Ireland. At the time it
seemed'to many people that the Fenian raiders might be dangerous foes.
The great war against slavery had just heen concluded, and the Fenian
raids were mainly manned by veteran soldiers, But their numbers were
quite insufficient for any large operations. They were acting agamst the
Igo
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
prevai
ing sentiment in the United States, where it was felt that to invade
Canadian farms, and frighten the hired girls, was contemptible brigandage,
and many a Canadian by adoption who was in thorough sympathy with
the struggle of the Irish for Responsible Government and Home Rule, was
glad to carry a rifle in the ranks of the volunteers who marched against the
Fenian marauders in 1866.
In 1866 the Fenian movement intthe States became divided into two
parties; one under James Stephens, who wished to confine their operations to
the proposed liberation of Ireland; the other led by Sweeney, who advocated
the senseless plan of advancing Irish interests by making a raId on Canada,
In June, 1866, a body of goo Fenians, well armed, crossed the Niagara River,
landing a little helow the humble village, and once hotly-contested but now
ruinous earthworks, of Fort Erie. They were commanded by a Colonel
O'Neil. and mainly consisted of veterans of the late war. They took pos-
session of the village of Fort Erie, and wrought much destruction among
the provision stores and whiskey shops, licensed and unlicensed. They
destroyed a part of the Grand Trunk Railway track, cut the telegraph wires,
and attempted to burn bridges, but did not insult the inhabitants or wan-
tonly injure private property, except to levy forced requisitions for rations,
At the same time the United States' armed steamer Alichigan entered that
part of the river, as if to prevent breaches of international law, but her
commander did not trouble himself to interfere with O'Neil's supporters as
they crossed the river under his guns, \Vhen news of this" invasion ..
reached the Canadian cities, there was a general feeling of indignation, and
the volunteers responded with enthusiasm to the call, promptly given, to
march against the invaders of Canada. The present writer was then a
lieutenant in the Lennoxville Company of the Sherbrooke Rifle Battalion,
commanded by Colonel Bowen, a raid on Montreal being a,t this time
expected on the Eastern Counties frontier. :Most unfortunately, the military
reserves of the country were at that crisis in the hands of a Minister of
:\Iilitia whose habits were such that he was notoriously incompetent to
perform his public duties for above a week. Contradictory orders were
sent, and steamers bustled hither and thither in most admired disorder.
But the volunteer authorities lost no time in hurrying their men to the
front, Major-General Napier, without delay, ordered the troops of the
regular British service in Toronto and Hamilton districts to the Niagara
frontier. Six hundred of the finest young men in Toronto mustered under
Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis and :\1ajor Gillmor, of the Queen's Own.
Hamilton furnished her quota, the 13th Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel
Booker was sent in charge of these volunteer corps to Port Colborne for the
,
.
Tlte Union of tlte Provinces,
19 1
purpose of securing the \VeHand Canal. 110st unfortunately the entire
armament was under the command of Colonel George Peacocke, of the 16th
Regiment; a brave officer, no doubt, but from his ignorance of the locality
through which he had undertaken to direct the movements of his troops,
and from the arrogance of. temper, which too often in English officers of the
"regular army" disdain to profit by the counsels of "mere colonials,"
seemed but too likely to make Ills expedition a second version of that disas-
trous one of General Braddock, little more than a century before. He sent
orders by Captain Akers, who knew the country as little as himself, to
instruct the commanding officer at Port Colborne to join the troops under
his command to his own at Stevensville, a village a short distance west
of Fort Erie. Akers duly communicated these orders early next day at
Port Colborne.
.
:\leantime, at Port Colborne, Lieutenant-Colonel Booker had received
intelligence that the Fenian force at Fort Erie was smaller than had
been supposed; that it was ill-disciplined and demoralized by drinking
and plunder, and in fact afforded material for .an easy victory. He
accordingly took it on him to reconstruct the entire plans of the e:xpedition,
He, with his volunteer force, would proceed by rail to attack the enemy at
Fort Erie, Captain Akers and Lieutenant Colonel Dennis might, if P
a-
cocke approved, support the attack with the \Velland garrison battery, But
Peacocke did not approve. and Booker, altering his plans in deference to
his superior officer, took his troops by train as far as Ridgeway station.
whence he marched towards Stevensville. Soon after this his advance
guard encountered the Fenian out-posts. Ü'Keil, having resolved before
withdrawing to the. States to destroy the locks of the \Velland Canal,
Colonel Booker and
Iajor Gibson resolved to attack the enemy at once,
not doubting that Peacocke and his regulars must be close at hand for
their support. They did not realize the fact that by Booker's want of
attention to his superior officer's orders, in leaving Port Colborne an hour
before the time agreed on, he had thrown into confusion all Colonel Pea-
cocke's plans for combining the movements of his troops, \Ieanwhile the
order to advance was given; the Fenians came into view, some few on the
road in front of our men, the others firing under the cover of the fences of
fields on either side of the road. The volunteers attacked with spirit, and
repulsed the enemy's out-posts and first line, Just at this crisis an orderly
rcached Booker with a despatch from Colonel Peacocke, ordering him to
delay his dcparture from Port Colborne two hours from the time appointed.
As Bookcr, contrary to all the traditions of military duty, had in fact st<lrted
an hour before the time appointed, it was now but too plainly cvident that
19 2
Ca1lada and the Canadian People.
he could get no support for at least three hours. Meanwhile the Fenian
fire poured hotly on the companies of braye young volunteers, who, without
any hope of support, were then exposed to a far superior force of veteran '
soldiers. A cooler head might yet have carried the day by a brisk attack
on either flank, but Booker seems to have lost all presence of mind, and as
a rumour reached him that a body of II Fenian cavalry" was approaching
(it being well known that the United States army at that time had very
little cavalry, and the Fenians none at all), Booker ordered Major Gillmor to
II form his men into square to resist cavalry," which manæuvre massed the
unfortunate volunteers into a dense phalanx, the easiest of targets for the
enemy's rifles, \Vhen Gillmor noticed the mistake he tried to form into
line once more, but it was too late, Something very like panic possessed
the troops, the rear companies .fell back in disorder, and the word was given
to retreat.
It is only veteran troops that can be- safely manæuvred when under a
heavy fire, and only these when they have full confidence in their leaders.
The volunteers were
few companies of Imperfectly drilled college lads,
lawyers' clerks and business employees. I am told by more than one volun-
teer captain present at that skirmish, that what contributed most to the
panic was the certainty that II someone had blundered." Number One Com-
pany, Queen's Own, held the rear guard, the post of honour in a retreat, and
marched out of the field in good order. The Trinity College and University
Companies distinguished themselves by their grand gallantry; they took
skirmishing order and fired on the enemy as calmly as if on parade. The
Fenians pursued, but did not, fortunately, understand the full extent of
their advantage, or know that they had Booker's troops at their disposal,
without hope of reinforcement for the next two hours, or they might have
followed up their succ.ess with much more disastrous results to our brave
volunteers, As it was, the loss to the Canadians was one officer and eight
men killed, six officers and twenty-six men wounded, The officer killed on
the field was the gallant young Ensign
IcEachren, whom the present
writer knew well when he served in Number One Company of the Queen"s
Own, from which corps he exchanged into the Sherbrooke Battalion, having
occasion to remove to the Eastern Townships of the Province of Ontario
shortly before the Fenian raid took place, \Vhen
IGEachren fell, Dr. S.
May, then serving as assistant-surgeon, rushed forward under a heavy fire
to rescue him, but found life extinct, \Vorse consequences still may be
, expected from a system which makes the appointment of volunteer officers a
political perquisite of the Ottawa Government, a Government of whom it is
no breach of charity to suppose that in the future, as in the past, they will
.
..
The Union of the Provinces.
193
have no scruple whatever in committing the defences of the country to
incompetent officers in order to subserve the omnivorous needs of party. It
is well that a more disastrous defeat did not follow on drunkenness in the
Council and incompetence in the -presence of the enemy,
In the following year the Dominion Government lost one of its most
influential outside members (a phrase by which I mean to designate one
whose political training had not been that of the party and its leaders),
Thomas D'Arcy l\1cGee. This eccentric luminary of Irish, New York, and
:\Iontreal politics, began as one of the many orators of the young Ireland
movement in r8+7-8. Helped to escape from Ireland by the kindness of a
Catholic bishop,
IcGee next appeared as a journalist in K ew York, where
he quarrelled with the Catholic Church. Thence to l\1ontreal, where, from
the way in which his name had þeen connected with Irish revolt against
English rule, l\IcGee was for a time all-powerful with the Irish vote, His
first attachment was to the I
eformers, whom he left for the camp of their
opponents. His most successful speeches were in advocacy of Confedera-
tion, but in proportion as he expressed admiration for English institutions
,
his popularity with the I\Iontreal Irish began to change into hatred. At
two a.m. on .\pril the 6th, he had left the House of Commons, after deliver-
ing what was considered a brilliant speech. He had returned to his
boarding house, and was ahout to open the door with his latch key, when,
shot from hehind by an assassin's pistol, he fell dead. It is a comfort to
know that the cowardly murderer was detected and hanged.
Canada showed her gratitude and regret by voting a pension of {3 00
to
IcGee's widow. '!\IcGee has left to Ireland and to Canada nothing
that WIll live. He was here, as there, " the comet of a season." It is worth
noting that poor l\IcGee had, from the convivial habits natural to his light-
hearted countrymen, fallen for some time into drinking habits. One of his
best speeches just before Confederation was delivered while under the
influence of liquor. \Vhen it was finished, the last firework of the perora-
tion shot off, the actor sank back incapahly drunk into the anus of a friend.
It is possible that this, which took place at Lennoxville, in the Eastern Town-
ships, may have been a mere t()ur de f()rcc 7 the speech having heen, as
all :\IcGee's speeches were, memorized previously to delivery, and thus
easily thrown off by the brain already charged with it. :\[y authority
for the anecdote was a captain of the Lennoxville Company, in which I
was lieutenant. However this may be, the fact is sufficiently notorious,
that :\IcGee used to drink yery hard. A\ year before his death he became a
total abstainer, and not even when in a severe illness, ånd when his
physician assured him that brandy was necessJ.ry, would he e\:pose himself
13
194
Canada aud tlte Canadian p';(Jfle.
to the temptation of its taste. l\IcGee was, to the last hour of his life.
faithful to his pledge. In this he has set a good example to some leading
statesn1en of his party, for of what use can it be for a party leader to make
speechifications to temperance deputations, and catch the temperance vote,
while his own life, that of a bar-room loafer from his first entrance into
politics, continues its mockery of cynical comment in his professions, anù
makes men talk of the political corruption of those in high place? \Yhat
use can it be to expect anything else from men who do not begin by being
personally pure, whose conversation would pollute the ears of any virtuous
young man, whose souls have heen, for half a century, steeped in alcohol?
Can we exaggerate the moral effect for good on the English people of the
life of such a ruler as Gladstone, a life sincere, pure, temperate in all things?
\Yhoever would venture to repeat in 1\1r. Gladstone's presence some of the
full-flavored anecdotes in which some of our Ottawa statesmen are said to
delight would meet cold looks and prompt dismissal.
r
k
-J>%
CHAPTER XXIX.
CO
FEDERATION,
1
. ,
,.1' ': T ha
been for
ome t
me e\ïden
that under the legislative system
it whIch had eXIsted SInce the umon of Upper and Lower Canada,
-; . -;' frequent deadlocks were inevitable, and that some new basis for
'(I "'; the Constitution must be sought elsewhere. In the session of
-;'..-i.. 186+ the Sandfield Macdonald Go,'ernment had received the full
'r
support of 1\1r. George Brown, and of the Liberal party, which
regarded him as their leader, and his newspaper as their organ
and standard, Tired of the endless party wrangling that had impeded aU
useful legislation, that Government resigned-a mistake, as it has always
seemed to many Reformers, in political tactics. To them succeeded the
Taché-Macdonald Government, which led a hand-to-mouth existence from
day to day on the sufferance 01 Parliament, and in virtue of a majority of
two. From this feeble .\dministration 11r. Brown succeeded in obtaining
a Committee to "consider the best means of settling the constitutional
changes which might be recommended, to avoid trouble." The Committee
adopted ami presented to Parliament a report in favour of " a federation
system, applied either to Canada or to the whole of the British North Ame-
rican Provinces." John A. l\Iacdonald was foremost in opposing the
adoption of the report. But next day the decrepid Conservatives fell into
one of those pitfalls which their leaders have so often unwittingly prepared
for the downfall of their own popularity. It" came out "-how many such
things have" come out" since John A. Macdonald has been leader of the
..
Consen"atives-that A, T. Galt, Finance .:\Iinister in the Cartier-.:\1acdonald
Government, had, without the sanction of Parliament. lent i100,000 to the
Grand Trunk Railway corporation. This of course inculpated. as they
themselves did not attempt to deny, the whole of the Cabinet, :\11'.
Dorion moved a vote of want of confidence in this helpless .:\Iinistry,
the two members whose votes alone sustained them in office having h('come
hostile at thi:. critical moment. "-hat use did Geurge Brown, for in those
19 6
Canada a1ld the Ca1ladian PeoPle.
'It
days George Brown and Canadian Liberalism were convertible terms, make
of this signal )'ictory ? His bitter political foes lay at his mercy in humi-
liating defeat. A less high-minded statesman would have thought of party,
if not of personal objects. George Brown was above both considerations,
and thought only of the opportunity now ready to his hand of carrying into
effect the federation system which he and he alone had desired, which above
all else he wished to see carried into effect, even if the glory of its achieve-
ment should accrue to the Conservatives, who till the previous day had been
its bitterest opponents.
Immediately after the Ministerial defeat 11r. Brown sought an inter-
view with J. H. Pope and Alexander l\Iorris, Conservative members of
the House, He did this after consultation with his principal friends and
supporters, as to how far the Reform party would cons
nt to forego mere
personal and party advantage in order to ensure the carrying out of a con-
stitutional change of great benefit to the country. He conferred next with
:\Iessieurs Pope and )'lorris. Ahme of the Reform party, the French Cana-
dian Reformers refused to follow his self-sacrificing course in this matter,
preferring the ordinary course of party triumph on the defeat .of opponents,
)'1r. George Brown was grieved at this defection of his so long faithful allies,
Dut he would not for that reason swerve from the path of patriotic duty.
In consequence of the conversation between 1\1r. Brown and l\Iessieurs
:\lorris and Pope, interviews took place between the Reform leader and
members representing the defeated Government, John ...\. 1\Iacdonald
exhibited a highly characteristic willingness to get his Government strength-
ened by a coalition, there being no other possibility of prolonging its exist-
ence, and proposed, with what motive it is easy to guess, that George Brown
should himself become a member of the Cabinet, But the Father of Con-
federation was too wary to act with precipitation, and proposed that all
personal matters should be postponed for the present.
On l\lr. Brown asking what remedy the Government proposed, to do
away' with the present system of injustice to English Canada, Messieurs
)'lacdonald and Galt stated that they proposed as the remedy a federal
union of all the British :N orth American Provinces, local matters being
committed to local bodies, and matters common to all, to a Federal Govern-
ment. It will be remembered that but two days before John A, 1\lacdonald
had voted directlY,against the proposal for a Federation of the Provinces.
Truly, the conversion was sudden, and the neophyte zealous. In reply, ::\Ir.
Brown objected, not to the adoption of Federation, which had been his own
ideal from the first, but to its too great remoteness and uncertainty, as a
means of settling the injustice of which English Canada complained. As
COllfederatio1t.
197
a more prompt measure, he asked for representation by population for all
Canada, with no dividing line, But ultimately a compromise was arrived
at, on the adoption of the principle of Federation for all the Provinces, as
the larger question, or for Canada alone, with provision for the admission
of the l\Iaritime Provinces and the N orth- \Vest Territory, A general
accord was reached, on the basis that as the views of Upper Canada could
not be met under the present system, the remedy must be sought in the
adoption of the federal principle, As a guarantee to the Reform party,
three seats were to be placed at the disposal of l\Ir. Brown and two of his
friends. Parliament was now at once prorogued, and on the same day, the
Hon, George Brown entered the Government as President of the Council.
supported by the able but unstable Hon. \Villíam
lcDougall, as Provincial
Secretary, and by the far more able and high principled Hon. Oliver 'l\Iowat.
as Postmaster-General. The Hon. A. Mackenzie, in his " Life of the lIon,
George Brown":;: frankly states that the appointment of 1\1r. :\IcDougall was
one desired by very few of the party. During the ensuing summer the
various members of the new Coalition Government made a general tour of
the Provinces, and held a convention of the Provincial delegates in October
at Quebec, Parliament met early in 1865, The debate which ensued was
one of the most remarkable which had, as yet, taken place in a Canadian
Legislature, Of the t,\Vo great changes which 'had been effected in the
constitution of our country, the first, in 1791, had been altogether the work
of the English Parliament, where its details gave rise to one of the most
memorable debates of a great Parliamentary Assembly. The union of the
Canadas in 18+1 was also both planned and put into practical form by
British statesmen, the consent of the Canadian Legislatures being but a
form, and a form which, in the case of the French Canadian, was very sum-
marily dispensed with. But the inception, the adoption, and thc practical
working out of the Confederation Scheme was entirely the work of our
own Canadian statesmen; and the debating powers displayed when this
question came before the Legislature were said to show a very marked
advance in political insight and breadth of view from that shown in any
prcyious discussions in the records of our Legislatures.
\. few years of
that Home Rule which results from Rcsponsible Gm-ernment had already
proved a political education. The leading speeches, those of Mcssieurs
Brown, Macdonald, and Cartier, in support of the measure; those of
l\Iessieurs John Sandfield Macdonald, Huntington, Dorion and Holton,
* Chapter XVI., p, 95. The remark wonld be endorsed by most Reformers of the
pre,>ent day,
19 8
Canada and the Ca1ladian PeoPle,
against it; the very exhaustive and luminous criticism with which Mr.
Dunkin's remarkable oration examined its bearings from every side, are
well put forward and accompanied with much apt comment in the lIon.
John H. Gray's important historical work on Confederation-only the first
volume of which unfortunately has been given to the public. John A.
:\Iacdonald's speech on this question was one of those rare oratorical
successes which came on a few great occasions from one who had hitherto
been regarded, even by those who knew him most intimately, simply as
an adroit debater, a matchless Parliamentary whipper-in, and a retailer of
obscene bar-room jests, l\Iore logical, more incisive, far more effective with
thinking men, was the speech of the real founder of Confederation, George
Brown. But the most remarkable of all the addresses delivered on this
memorable occasion was that of 1\1r. Dunkin, Colonel Gray's criticism of
which must be regarded by the impartial historian as utterly beside the
facts, Colonel Gray says: "All that a well-read public man, all that
a thorough sophist, a dexterous logician, a timid patriot, or a prophet
of evil could array against the project, was brought up and pressed
against the scheme." Of course Colonel Gray regarded Confedera-
tion as the be-all and end-all of Canadian politics. Later students of
Canadian political history, who see that difficulties have been left unpro-
vided for, th
distribution of authority between Federal and Provincial
Governments unsettled, and a way left open to vast financial abuses, will
see that l\Ir. Dunkin was right in supposing that the settlement effected by
ConfederatIOn was no more a final one than that of the Union of the
Canadas, or of the Act which created English Canada in 1791.
\ remark-
able speech in favour of the proposed measure was also delivered on this
occasion by l\Ir. \Yalter Shanly, member for South Grenville. On Friday,
l\larch loth, the debate had exhausted itself, and the lIon. John
\. Mac-
donald proposed the following motion :-" That an humble Address be pre-
seated to Her l\Iajesty, praying that she may be graciously pleased to cause
a measure to be submitted to the Imperial Parliament for the purpose of
uniting the colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince
Edward Island, and Newfoundland, in one Government, with provisions
based on certain resolutions, which were adopted by a conference of dele-
gates from the said Provinces held at Quebec on the 16th of October, 11:) 6 5."
After some further debate this resolution was carried by a vote of 9 1 to 33.
The wish of John A. Macdonald in navigating the measure which he had
with such consummate dexterity stolen from its legitimate author through the
shoals of Parliamentary debate, was well understood to have been to cen-
tralize power as much as possible in the Federal Government, leaving the
Confederation,
199
Provincial Legislatures in the position of mere municipal councils. This
was in thorough harmony with John A. l\Iacdonald's political character, his
insatiate greed for power, and that clinging to every exercise of personal
authority which makes him delay conferring an official appointment, even upon
a personal friend. But in this matter he was, to a certain extent, backed up
by a feeling on the part of all those engaged in the work of political reconstruc-
tion, that Canada ought to take warning by what had recently seemed likely
to be the break-down of the United States Constitution. It was thought,
most erroneously, that what had caused the strain was the weakness of the
central Federal authority, In reality the reverse was the case, The war
was caused by one faction only, the opposition to slavery on the part of
Ir. Lincoln's Cabinet. That Cabinet was unlike a Canadian one, utterly
unrestricted in its exercise of authority, John A. l\Iacdonald did not on
the occasion of the inception of Confederation succeed in his wish of sowing
the dragon's teeth of constitutional mischief, but never since then has he
lost sight of his centralizing propensities. or neglected an opportunity to
trample on Provincial Rights, A similar motion was introduced in the Legis-
lative Council by Sir E, P. Taché, and carried by a vote of three to one.
In _\pril
Iessrs. John A. Macdonald, Galt, Brown and Cartier made a
visit to England, in order to confer with the Imperial Government, and
arrange the final details of the scheme of Confederation.
Ieantime the
feeling of the
Iaritime Provinces was increasingly manifested against the
proposed Confederation, In Nova Scotia the opposing issues were advo-
cated by two of the ablest orators that British America has produced, by
Dr. Charles Tupper, erewhile a druggist at Amherst, and by Joseph
Howe, a Halifax printer, being the ideal and representative man of hIS
native Province.
ew Brunswick, ever cautious and reserved in her isola-
tion from the rest of English speaking Canada, dreaded increased taxation.
The little Province of Prince Edward Island held aloof, and the bleak
cod-fishing hanks.of inhospitable Newfoundland withdrcw into their native
bay. \Vhen in Engl.md, the Canadian delegates held conference after
conference with the Imperial Ministers on the proposed measures, on the
question of treaties and legislation, the defences of Canada, the settle-
ment of the North-\Yest Territories, and the claims for compensation put
forward by the Hudson's Day Company.
\nd as one of the most cogent
arguments put forward by the opponents of Confederation in :N ova Scotia
and New nrunswick was that the aim of those who forwarded that
measure was to effect the independence of Canada, and the severance of all
connection with Englaml, the Canadian delegates pressed on the British
Cabinet the desirability of a strong eÀpression from the Home Government
200
Canada and tlie Canadian PeoPle,
in fa your of Confederation being conveyed to the Governments of the
Maritime Provinces. It is a curious comment on the change that has come
over public opinion, that in 1865 the mere mention of independence should
have been regarded as offensive. Strong representations in favour of Con-
federation were accordingly transmitted from the English 1\Iinistry to the
Governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, a step which, curiously
enough, drew forth from the anti-Confederationists many bitter expressions
of what might most justly have been described as "disloyalty," and the
British authorities were roundly denounced for atfempting "an odious
system of coercion of the colonies into the hateful bund." It required all
the arts of which John A. Macdonald is so justly reputed a consummate
master to induce the recalcitrant l\Iaritimes to fall into line. This, however,
was at last effected, and the long disjointed pieces of the Canadian fishing-
rod at last received that accession of strength which comes from union,
Of all the able speeches delivered on this question, the. most remarkable
is one delivered by the Hon, George Brown, a passage from which may
well be quoted as an example of how this important constitutional change
was regarded by the first of Canadian Liberal statesmen, and by one who
held no second place either as an orator or writer. "I venture to assert
that no scheme of equal magnitude ever placed before the world was
received with higher eulogiums, with more universal approbation, than the
measure ',:e have now the pleasure of submitting for the acceptance of the
Canadian Parliament. And no higher eulogy could, I think, be pro-
nounced than that I heard a few weeks ago from one of the foremost of
British statesmen, that the system of Government now proposed seemed to
him a happy compound of the best features of the British and American
constitutions, And well might our present attitude in Canada arrest the
attention of other countries. Here is a people composed of distinct
races, speaking different languages, with religious and social and municipal
and educational institutions wholly different; with sectional hostilities of
such a character as to render Government for many years well nigh impos-
sible; with a constitution so unjust in the view of one section as to justify
every resort to enforce a remedy. And yet, here we sit, patiently and
temperately discussing how these great evils and hostilities may justly and
amicably be swept away for ever. \Ye are endeavouring to adjust har-
moniously greater difficulties than have plunged other countries into all
the horrors of civil war. \Ye are striving to do peaceably and satisfactorily
what Holland and Belgium, after years of strife, were unable to accomplish.
\Ye are seeking, by calm discussion, to settle questions that _\ustria and
Hungary, that Denmark and Germany, that H,ussia and Poland, could only
Confederation.
201
crush by the iron hand of armed force, \Ye are seeking to do, without'
foreign intetvention, that which deluged in blood the sunny plains of Italy;
we are striving to settle for ever issues hardly less momentous than those
that have rent the neighbouring republic, and åre now exposing it to all the
horrors of civil war, Have we not, then, great cause for thankfulness, that
we have found a better way for the solution of our troubles than that which
has entailed on other countries such deplorable results? and should not
everyone of us endeavour to rise to the magnitude of the occasion, and
earnestly seek to deal with this question to the end in the same candid and
conciliatory spirit in which, so far, it has been discussed? The scene pre-
sented by tqis chamber at this moment, I venture to affirm, has few
parallels in history, One hundred years have passed away since these
provinces became, by force, part of the British Empire. I speak in no
boastful spirit, I desire not for a moment to excite a painful thought;
what was then the fortune of war of the brave French nation, might have
been ours on that well-fought field, I recall those olden times merely to
mark the fact that here sit to-day the descendants of the victors and the
vanquished in the fight of 1759, with all the differences of language, religion,
civil law, and social habit, nearly as distinctly marked as they were a
century ago; here we sit to-day seeking amicably to find a remedy for con-
stitutional evils and injustice complained of-by the vanquished? no-but
complained of by the conquerors'! Here sit the representatives of the
British population claiming justice! only justice! .\nd here sit the repre-
sentatives of the French population discussing in the French tongue
whether we shall have it. One hundred years have passed away since the
conquest of Quebec, but here sit the children of the victors and the
vanquished, also avowing hearty attachment to the British Crown, all
earnestly deliberating how we should best e},.tend the blessings of, British
institutions-how a great people may be established on this continent in
close and hearty connection with Great Britain. \Yhere, in the page of
history, shall we find a parallel for this? ,.
Some disturbance of the amicable relations between the parties to the
coalition was caused by the death of the Premier, Sir Etienne P. Tache,
and the accession to the position of Sir Narcisse Belleau, Mr. Brown and
the Reformers, however, thought it their duty to acquiesce.
The last Canadian Parliament opened in August at Quebec, and was
occupied altogether with receiving tbe report of the deleg-ates to England.
The Government measure for Confederation was carried by overwhelming-
majorities, ,It was loyally supported by :\Ir. Brown and the Liberals.
although that gentleman, whom the Tory tactici,ins vainly cndeavoured to
202
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle,
<lecry, having been studiously slighted when on a mission to \Vashington
upon the reciprocity question, had thought it due to his own dignity to
withdraw from the Goyernment, Thus was this great change accomplished
-a vast step in advance towards independence, although as passing events
show more clearly every day, it cannot be regarded as a final one, The
Hon. A, Mackenzie well observes (Life of Hon, George Brown, p. 10 7):
"The first day of July, 1867, saw the great reform accomplished for which
-:\ir. Brown had toiled so many years, and s
w also that the Conservatives
who opposed it to the last were reaping the fruits of their opponent's labour.
Therefore, 1\1r. Macdonald would be able to boast that he was the father of
Confederation on the same ground that he boasted of carrying the measure to
secularize the Clergy Reserve lands, He strongly opposed both measures,
on principle, as long as it was possible to do so, and then joined the man
who initiated and carried on the movement of both, and declared the work
was all his own. Having no great work of his own to boast of, he bravely
plucks the laurel from the brows of the actual combatants and real victors,
and fastens it on his own he
d,"
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'VX
CHAPTER XXX,
PROSPEROUS DAYS,
e,- - f'
L" -
<"<..
f
<: HE office of Governor-General had now become practically a
\. 'f)": sinecure, and a sinecure of most noxious influence on social
_, j. and political life in Canada. Lord Monck was the incumbent
,:(./. 1 '\ of Rideau Hall in 1867. He was an impecunious sporting
.
--..
peer, and an Irish rack-rent landlord, glad to eke out an
--v--
Impoverished income by the iso,ooo a year paid by Canadian
taxpayers, He was the first, and, unhappily, not the last, used
by the Imperial Government to corrupt Canadian statesmen, by bestowing
.. tin-pot knighthoods," which, of course, bound the acceptor to prefer
Imperial to Canadian interests when eyer the two came in conflict. The
first recipients of this questionable distinction were john A,
Iacdonald
and George Etienne Cartier.
Now began a prosperous reign of Conservatism, under Sir John A,
:\Iacdonald, with thp. championship in French Canada of Sir George E,
Cartier. The latter was a marked personage in the Conservative coterie, and
few who have beheld that keen man's figure, and heard the tones of that
strident, high-pitched voice, will forget either. In early life Cartier had sat
at the feet of Papineau, and, showing a courage of which that frothy dem
gogue was incapable, had fought bravely at St. Denis, when the French
peasants, led hy Dr. \Yolfred Nelson, repelled a corps of the regular British
army, led by a veteran of \Yaterloo. Like his leader, Cartier withdrew to
the United States, and when amnesty was proclaimed for political offences,
returned to Canada, a sadder and a wiser man, In IR+8 he supplanted the
Rouge leader,
I. Dorion, as member for Yercheres, and, having had the
sense to see what the old Rouge leaders had not insight for, the absolute
necessity of keeping on good terms with the clergy and the Church,
Cartier became the most adroit, successful, and popular manager of"the vote
of Jean Baptiste, The Finance l\Iinister in the new Government, .\lexander
20 4
Canada and the Canadian People.
Tilloch Galt, 'was the son of a second-rate writer who had attained a sort of
second-rate reputation as the acquaintance of Byron, of whom he wrote a
biography. The elder Galt came to Canada in the service of the Canada
Land Company, and resided at Toronto, of which place, and of Canada in
general, he expressed the supercilious disdain with which foreigners who live
on Canadian pay are apt to express their noble scorn of the people who are
their paymasters. Sir Alexander Galt is chiefly noted for the quasi diplo-
matic position held by him for some time in London, England, and as one
of the chief promotors of that most impracticable of enterprises, Imperial
Federation,
The new Secretary of State, Hector L. Langevin, was formerly editor
of the Courrier du Canada, in Quebec, In r855 he was awarded the first of
three prizes for an essay on Canada to be circulated in Paris, and being
elected to the Canadian Parhament as member for Dorchester, soon took a
leading position, second only to Cartier, to whose leadership he rightfully
succeeded. Not less noteworthy was Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, An
earnest, although not eloquent speaker, he did good service to the country
by promoting the adhesion of the
Iaritimes to Confederation, Sir \Villiam
Howland, another tin-pot creation, and the Hon. \Villiam McDougall were
two of the Liheral members of the Coalition which had caused Confedera-
tion. hut were seduced by the siren blandishments of office to cast in their
lot personally with" Sir John," But in all the Cabinet there can be no
question that the most remarkable figure was that of the astute and versatile
lawyer from Kingston who was at its head. His deep and intricate knowl-
edge of all the men and interests engaged in Canadian politics, much tact,
a felicitous readiness in debate or repartee, and a command of what might
be almost mistaken for eloquence, gave the Tory leader a pre-eminence to
which none of his English-speaking satellites could in the remotest degree
aspire. But the habits of the Premier were those of the pot-house politician
to whom John A, :ðlacdonald has been frequently compared-the English
statesman \Valpole, who first introduced into politics the infamous maxim,
" Every man has his price. '. l\Iacdonald resembles \Valpole il) his system-
atic use of corruption, and in the coarse humour and full-flavoured stories
for which both have such an unsavoury reputation, Dut here the likeness
ceases. \ Yalpole's peace policy sa "ed England. Macdonald has never
originated a single measure for the benefit of his country save such as he
stole from the Liberal repertoire, He has dragged the good name of Canada
in the dirt with cynical disregard of public opinion, and has literally" sold
his country" as well as himself, It is no excuse to say" that amid corrup-
Prosperous Days.
20 5
tion he has continued personally pure," f?r we consider the crime of the
bawd to lose none of its infamy because she may not herself practise the
sin to which she entices others, But at the time \ve write of, John A.
Iacdonald's character was as yet comparatively untarnished,
A Reform Convention was now held at Toronto, which endorsed enthu-
siastically the patriotic and self-denying conduct of the Hon, George
Brown, and declared that the deserters, Howland and :\IcDougall, deserved
ostracism from the Reform ranks, Howland, however, made the amende
for a temporary lapse, by heartily throwing in his lot with the cause of
Reform, A general election was at once held, and returned a considerable
majority in favour of Confederation, and, therefore, as a matter of course,
in favour of " Sir John," the vessel of whose Cabinet was carried in over
calm seas, its sheets distended by the wind which had been so adroitly taken
out of the Liberal sails.
From that general election to the Day of Doom, when :\Ir. Huntington
thundered forth the first sentence of his Pacific Scandal indictment, Sir J olm
and Sir George Cartier were" the great Í\vin brethren" of Canadian politics,
against whom no champion could avail. The
Iinistry were now supported
by a new politician, destined to exercise no small influence, to rise to all the
honours of the tin-pot, and become even a dangerous" brother near the
throne" to Sir John himself. In the little to\vn of Amherst, on the New
Brunswick frontier of Nova Scotia, an humble wooden store, garnished with
bottles and gallipots, long bore the legend of " Dr. Tupper-office-hours 8 to
II a.m.". He alone of the advocates of Confederation \vas able to stem the
torrent in his native Province, Another Blue-nose representative was
returned to Ottawa in the person of Timothy \\'arren Anglin, a trenchant
writer and speaker, but, like'Tupper, given to overtax the patience.of his
hearers, A mightier figure was that of the popular idol of the Nova
Scotia fishermen, the versatile, vigorous, vituperative Joe Howe, But the
reactionary effort to undo the work of Confederation was now met by a
statesman whose intellectual force and oratorical power were, in that Parlia-
ment, and in many a succeeding one, to meet few seconds and no superiors.
Edward Blake was now the leader of the Liberal phalanx on their slow but
certain return to power. l\Ir. Blake is an instance o
what is so rarely
seen, hereditary talent. such as that of the two Pitts, He and his eminent
brother, the Hon. Samuel Blake, are sons of the Hon. \\'illiam Hume
Blake, whose famous extempore reply to Sir .\llan :\IacNab when the Tory
chief taunted the Liberals of English Canada with the charge of rebellion,
will be remembered as constituting such a bnlliant episode in the history
206
Cannda alld lite Canadian PeoPle,
of Canadian Parliamentary debate. 1\Ir. Blake's luminous and crushing
retort on Howe and the l\Iaritime malcontents was ably seconded. A few
months later, Sir Francis Hincks, an able financier, a clear and forcible
speaker, and one whose personal magnetism rendered him a welcom
acquisition even to a popular administration, once more entered public life,
and became Minister of Finance. Sir Francis, at once after entering on
office, delivered Canadian currency from the nuisance of a depreciated
rnited States silver currency. The year 1868 was saddened by the mur-
der of Thomas D'Arcy :\'IcGee, of whose career some account has been
already given,
/(
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CHAPTE"R XXXI.
RECENT YEARS.
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-,
__ _
lIE Hon. \Villiam 1\IcDougall had been rewarded for his defec-
.'
f
( tion from the Liberal camp by being appointed Lieutenant-
Governor of the North-\Vest Territories, and had proceeded
\vith his family into that" far country," where none doubted
that a suitable field would present itself for his undeniable
abilities, and in demonstrating the interests of \vhich, and its
importance to Ontario and Canadians in general, some of the
abiest efforts of his life had been directed, He was undoubtedly the right
man to rule 1\Ianitoba, So everyone. thought, excepting the
Ianitobans
themselves, who were then half-breeds, and like most half-breeds, inherited
the vices of their double descent, They were voyagcurs and COllrellTS des
bois, hunters, horse dealers, a suspicious and irritable race, who were easily
induced to believe that the plan adopted by the Ottawa Government was
a device for dispossessing them of their lands, and were in reyolt shortly
before the arrival of Governor McDougall. Their leader was Louis l{iel,
a half-breed, of considerahle influence, of a daring, subtle, and malignant dis-
position, Associated with him were Ambrose Lepine and John Bruce, They
had soon a force of four hundred armed men, and seiLed Fort Garry and other
points, Governor l\IcDougall was notified to leave the territory under pain
of death before nine o'clock the next day, He did not get a fair chance to
show what he could do, The lIudson's Bay officers who, had they chosen
to supPDrt him, could have stamped out this contemptible rehellion in a day,
were only too much in sympathy with Riel and his cause. This dog-in-the-
manger policy was about to meet a deserved rebuff by Ontario's assuming-
the management of the magnificent country of whose products they had
long held the most selfish of monopolies, The only other power tl1dt could
and would have pacified the rehels, Dishop Taché, was absent in Romc.
Ieantime some fifty Canadians handed themselves tcgether undcr the
leadership of Dr. Schultz. They 'were seized hy Riel amI confined in the fort,
208
Canada and the Canadian PeoPle.
\vhence after three weeks' imprisonment, Schultz managed to escape. Riel
threatened to have him shot if recaptured, and events soon showed that the
half-hreed would have kept his word, Fortunately Schultz escaped to
Ontario, A second attempt was made to vindicate the authority of Canada
by about a hundred men under Major Boulton, but Boulton, with forty others,
was captured and sentenced to death, The Catholic and Protestant clergy
with m,uch difficulty saved his life. But among the prisoners was a young
man named Thomas Scott, a thorough adherent of the Canadian cause, a
Protestant and an Orangeman, and for both reasons regarded by Riel with
vindictive hate. Riel had him. tried by a mock" court-martial," and sen-
tenced to be shot on the following morning. In vain did 'Methodist Mis-
sionary Young and others beg a reprieve. At noon Scott was blindfolded, and
led to a spot a few yards from the fort. He was ordered to kneel, and a volley
was fired, three bullets piercing his body, One of the firing party then put
a revolver to the wretched victim's head, and fired. This, however, did not
end the agony, for Scott was heard to groan as the coffin was carried away.
It will hardly be believed that Sir John A, :\Iacdonald had the temerity
to condone this, the foulest crime known to Canadian history, and to allow
the murderers of Scott to escape all punishment, He was the slave of his
French allies, who of course sided with their compatriots and co-religionists,
It will scarcely be believed that the Orangemen, instead of being true to their
principles, and demanding justice for the murder of a member of their order,
again and again voted into power the men and the Ministry on whose head
rests to this day the unavenged blood of Thomas Scott. A fiasco of Fenian
revolt in 1871 once more alarmed the country, and another attempt at a
raid was made on the 1\1issisquoi frontier, The Imperial authorities were
now under the influence of a doctrine most forcibly put forward in a series
of letters by Professor Goldwin Smith, and published in"the London Daily
News, that the colonies would be better off, more self-reliant, and less
burdensome to England, if they were independent. In accordance wi,th this
just and statesmanlike view, it was resolved to withdraw the soldiers
employed to garrison Canadian cities, \vith the exception of a few troops
stationed at Halifax, on account of the necessity for that port being -retained
as a naval depot. This withdrawal of the foreign soldiers was, in every
respect, a gain to Canada. Every vice followed in the train of the regi-
ment. Drunkenness and prostitution are notoriously most prevalent in
garrison to\\'ns, and the artificial would-be aristocratic manner of the men
tended to create a vicious social tone, to disgust young Canadians with the
industries of peace, and to teach our fine ladies to disapprove of the simpler
ways of their own countrymen, It was a good day for Canada when the
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FRANCIS
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Recent Years.
20 9
last regiment marched down the historic hill where \V olfe and
Iontcalm
and :\Iontgomery fell, :N ew retribution fell on the Macdonald Cabinet in
the revelation of its full connection with the Pacific Scandal disclosures,
which are too recent in the public mind to need repetition here.
The history of Ontario, the premier Province of Canada, the only one
entirely solvent and entirely Liberal, is that happiest of all histories, one
with few marked events, and a quiet progress of self-improvement and
beneficent, because practical, administration. Under :\Ir. l\Iowat's Govern-
ment economical rule has been carried out to a degree unapproached as
yet by any Province in the Dominion. Party, at least on the main issues
which divide the contending factions at Ottawa, has been banished from
the Provincial Councils, appointments in the Civil Service have been made,
not from a party standpoint, but on the sole grounds of efficiency for
the public service, and, as a consequence, a Government has been
established solid in the confidence and in the affections of the people. The
host of the Family Compact has, in vain, attempted to do evil with its old
weapons, calumny and corruption-the íormer has proved its own refutation,
the latter is now in the criminal's dock of our Police Court.
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PA RT II.
Ællt U;ounfll of lJorh.
.
THE COUNTY OF YORI(.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORy,-CHARACTER AND LIMITS OF OUR LOCAL HISTORY.- THE
TWILIGHT OF F ABLE,-:\lIcHILI:\fACKlXAC, THE \VESTERN CEXTRE OF
THE FUR TRADE.- THE VARIOUS ROUTES THITHER.- THE H UROK
NATION.-THE ., PASS" BY TORONTO.-ÐESTRUCTIOX OF THE HUROKS
BY THE IROQUOIS,-FoRT ROUILLÉ.-THE PROn
CE OF UPPER CAXADA
CONSTITUTED,-GOVERNOR Sn-rCOE.- Y ORK.- THE ABORIGIXES.
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)... : HE history of the County of York, like that of almost eyery
Ii
I. r
' county in "rest ern Canada, is closely bound up with the
& ,
i general history of the Proyince; insomuch that, in treating of
;q those subjects, it occasionally becomes a matter of no little
,,"v'\
.
difficulty to keep the respective narratives perfectly clear and
, ---....-. itf). distinct from each other, l\Iuch of what commonly passes for
local history is the inseparable birthright of the Ðon1inion at
large, and cannot adequately be represented upon a narrow canvas, But
the 11etropolitan County has nevertheless a consecuti,"e series of incidents
which are exclusively its own; which no other community can claim to
share with it, and which consequently are of special interest to dwellers
upon its soil. In some few cases these incidents are of genuine and
undoubted historical value. In others they are transitory and ephemeral
in their nature, and haye no further interest for posterity than that which
arises from their local associations; but they are not on that account to be
contemptuously rejected by anyone who undertakes to chronicle the local
annals for the mingled instruction and amusement of future generations
of local reader
. îhe greatest historian of modern times declared that he
would cheerfully bear the reproach of haying descended below the dignity
2
The County of York,
of history if he could succeed in placing before the English of the nineteenth
century a true picture of the life of their ancestors. In like manner, a less
ambitious historian may leave "the dignity of history" to take care of
itself, and may venture to declare that he shall feel as though his task had
been well accomplished, if he can succeed in placing before his readers a
faithful panorama of the mutations through which the scenes immediately
surrounding them have passed in the course of the last two hundred years.
The known and actual history of the County of York reaches back to a
time
"\Vhen wIld in woods the noble savage ran,"
and extends over a period of about a hundred and thirty-five years; that is
to say, from the year 17+9. Prior to that time we have merely a few
tolerably "yell authenticated but widely disconnected facts with reference
to it, These facts, however, are generally founde.d upon no written data,
and fable and tradition enter so largely into the record that it is frequently
difficult to separate them, or to say whether or not they rest upon any
suhstantial foundation of truth. About others there is such an amount of
vaguen'ess that but little real significance can be attached to them, even
assuming them to be true. For instance, what importance can be attached
to the conjectural visit of mendacious Father Hennepin to the mouth of the
Humber, in 1678? Or to the subsequent visit of that bold discoverer in
unknown regions\ Robert Cavelier de la Salle?
There seems to be no manner of doubt that the territory comprised
within the present limits of the County of York was trodden as long ago
as the middle of the seventeenth century, and even earlier, by some of
those intrepid adventurers of New France who were the first European
explorer.s of the wild western wilderness. \Vhether the territory adjoining
the beaten track which lay north,vard from Lake Ontario along the course
of what is now the Humber Riyer was to any considerable extent explored
by them seems extremely doubtful. That an occasional cou,reur des bois
may have varied his adventurous enterprises by more or less prolonged
sojourns among the natives is likely enough. But such voyageurs, if any,
have left no permanent traces behind them. All that is absolutely essential
for us in these days to know on the subject is, that no portion of the domain
now forming the County of York was tl;1e fixed abode of any civilized
human being until near the middle of the eighteenth century, The Indians,
however, have left very perceptible traces behind them, and with a view to
comprehensiveness of outline, it is here desirable to say something about
their connection with the region under consideration.
The COU1Zty of York.
3
At a very early period in "the history of western exploration, the atten-
tion alike of explorers and of natives was turned in the direction of the fur
trade, The beetling cliffs of Cape Diamond would yield neither gold nor
precious stones; but the contiguous forest, extending indefinitely in all
directions, contained a seemingly never-failing supply of fur-bearing animals
\vhich promised to yield a princely revenue. The cupidity of French
capitalists was aroused, They formed various companies for the purpose
of developing the trade, and despatched their agents to all points of the
compass, Some of these agents were scions of illustrious families, and were
impelled to adopt this mode of life merely from a wild spirit of adventure,
The picturesqueness and freedom of the pathless forest had for them an
irresistible fascination. They fraternized with the natives, and left the
adjuncts of civilization far behind them.. By degrees they pushed their
explorations into far-distant regions where their white faces afforded never-
ceasing wonderment to the red barbarians of the wilderness, Their eager-
ness to obtain furs necessarily aroused a similar spirit in the breasts of the
Indians, who found that the pale-faces at Quebec would give them knives,
beads, and various other much-desired commodities in exchange for the
skins of the beaver, the mink, the fox and the otter, Quebec, however,
was a long way to go from the upper lakes where these animals were most
abundant, and erelong the companies found it to their interest to establish
trading-posts at various points along the St. La\vrence. These \vere but
the precursors of still more distant posts along the shores of the lakes.
Finally, a post was established on an island in the remote lake region of
the west, at a place which is now a delightful summer resort, but which
was then regarded by the French voyageurs as the very farthest limit of
exploration, The island was called l\Iichilimackinac, and is now known as
l\Iackinaw, Its situation is well known to every summer tourist of the
present day, It soon became the great western centre of the fur trade,
Thither, at stated periods, the Indians of the Lake Superior region, and
even from the head \vaters of the l\Iississippi, resorted in countless multi-
tudes, to exchange their peltries with the representatives of the great
Company of Une Hunùred Partners.
:;\lichilimackinac having thus become a great central place of resort,
all the land-trails and water-ways were chosen \vith a special eye to con-
venient and expeditious arrival thither, The route most traversed from
Quebec and the Lower S1. Lawrence was by way of the Ottawa and French
Rivers to the inlet of Lake Huron now known as the Georgian Bay, whence
the course was open and unrestricted. But those \vho adopted this route
were perforce compelleù to neglect the traffic of the upper St. Lawrence,
4
The COUllty of York,
and of Lakes Ontario and Erie, which yielded an abundant annual supply
of the much-coveted furs, In order to catch this-traffic, some agents made
their way to and from
Iichilimackinac by a more southerly route than
that by the Otta'wa. Pursui.ng their way up the St. Lawrence to Lake
Ontario, they thence struck across by the River Trent and the chain of
· lakes and streams intervening between there and the Georgian Bay, This
route was invariably productive, for it was literally alive with fur-bearing
animals, but it was very toilsome and arduous, owing to the numerous
portages, and the consequent difficulty of transportation, A still more
southerly route was by way of the Kiagara River. The voyageur a.scended
the S1. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, and coasted along either the northern
or southern shore to the mouth of the
iagara, trafficking along the route
whereyer the smoke on the neighbouring shore indicated the proximity of
Indian wigwams, and the attendant possibility of turning an honest penny
by turning his prow shorewards. By the time he had reached the mouth
of the Niagara he had generally secured a sufficient supply of peltries to
load his batteau to the water's edge, He accordingly sent back his cargo
and boat to l\Iontreal or Quebec, and proceeded up the river to beyond the
cataract, where he procured another boat and proceeded to l\Iichilimackinac
by way of Lake Erie and Lake Huron, and the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers,
But there was still a fourth and intermediate route, which, to readers
of these pages, will be the most interesting of all. This was by way of the
river now known as the Humber, which was long a not uncommon mode
of reaching the Georgian Bay. The voyageur, whose ultimate destination
was l\'Iichilimackinac, frequently made his way westward along the northern
shore of Lake Ontario, calling at the mouth of the stream \\,here the pretty
town of Port Hope now stands, and where he generally found an Indian
encampment well supplied .with peltries. Thence proceeqing westward,
he soon passed the curving peninsula which in those remote times nearly
encircled the beautiful bay upon which the intellectual capital of Canada
was destined to rear its front in a far-distant future of which he did not
yenture to dream. Thence he arrived at the mouth of the Humber, where
he was commonly able to complete his cargo, and start his batteau on its
return voyage. He himself then proceeded on his way to Michilimackinac.
The Humber River affqrded him access to the ancient country of the
Hurons, in what is now the County of Simcoe, Several well-marked trails
existed thence to the Georgian Bay, where a boat was easily obtained for
the rest of the journey.
In those days the Humber was one of the two direct routes between
the Huron country and Lake Ontario; tile other being by way of the
The County of York.
5
Severn, Lakes Couchiching and Balsam, and the chain of lakes and rivers
already referred to, having the Trent as its southerly terminus, The Huron
country seems to have contained several spots known by the general name
of Toronto. The Georgian Bay is set down in some old French maps as
U Daie de Toronto." In others the present Lake Simcoe is set down as
u Lac de Toronto." The Humber is sometimes set down as "Riviere de
Toronto," and other small streams and lakelets are similarly designated.
The explanation of this is to be sought for in the meaning of the word
Toronto, which is now generally admitted to be a Huron term signifying
OJ a place of meeting." The entire route from the mouth of the Humber to
a point near the present site of Penetanguishene was frequently referred to
by French writers of two hundred years ago as "the Pass by Toronto,"
The word "Toronto" is spelled by old writers in a great variety of ways,
Thus, we find it variously spelled Toronto, Toronton, Otoronton, Atou-
ronton, Tarontah, Tarento, and so on through numberless variations. The
conflict is doubtless due to the attempts of different writers to bring the
Indian pronunciation within the principles of European orthography,
\s the reader is doubtless aware, the whóle of this portion of Canada
then formed part of the domain of the King of France, The country south
of Lake Ontario, on the other hand, forming the present State of New York,
was an English colony, The profits of the fur trade gave additional keen-
ness to the rivalry already existing between the French and English
colonists, and there were frequent invasions of each, other's rights, The
English resolved to participate in the immense profits arising out of the
trade at
Iichilimackinac, Companies of N ew York adventurers made
several expeditions into that distant region, and in each case the profits
were sufficient to recompense them for the very serious danger they
incurred. The danger was two-fold. The French very naturally regarded
them as trespassers, and did not hesitate to treat them as such. The
Indians thereabouts were staunch allies of the French, and they had
additional grounds of dislike to the English arising out of the alliance of
the latter with the much-dreaded Iroquois, Still, they were very much
like their white brethren in one important respect-they had eyer an eye
exceedingly wide open to the main chance. The English colonists offered
better ,prices than the French, and the Indians did not refuse to deal with
them. In this way the monopoly claimed by the French as a matter of
right was seriously threatened, and they cast about to find a remedy, For
some time the English were restricted to the route by way of the Detroit
and St, Clair Rivers. The Ottawa s\varmed with French traders and their
allies, and the English could not have made their \vay to :\Iichilimackinac
6
The County of York.
by that route without fighting their way inch by inch. The two inter-
mediate routes presented obstacles equally serious, for they led directly
through the Huron country, and the Hurons were firm allies of the French.
In the middle of the seventeenth century, however, these two routes were
thrown open to the English. It came about in this wise. In 1649 and
1650 the Huron country was subjected to an invasion by the Iroquois from
the Province of N ew York. The invasion forms one of the most tragical
chapters to be found even in the history of Indian warfare. Tbe doomed
Hurons were dispersed, dri\Ten away from their ancient home, and nearly
annihilated. Their cultivated fields were turned into a \\Tilderness. There
was thus nothing to prevent the English trespassers from availing them-
selves of this shorter and more expeditious route to the great western fur
dêpot.
The French were quick to appreciate the situation, and to perceive
that a remedy must at once be found. They resolved to erect strong forts
at the entrance to each route. A fort \vas accordingly built at Cataraqui,
to guard the passage to the mouth of the Trent by way of the ßay of
Quinté. Near the mouth of the K iagara River another fort was built to
guard the passage to Lake Erie, A detachment of men was about the
same time despatched \vestward to the Detroit River to prevent the English
from passing through to Lake Huron, but a fort was not actually constructed
there until early in the eighteenth century. The" Pass by Toronto" was
still left unguarded, as the resources of the French were seriously taxed by
the preparations already referred to, and by the necessity of repelling fre-
quent and formidable incursions on the part of the Iroquois, who became
bolder and more aggressive year by year. The Humber route thus being
the only avenue left free and unguarded, it was largely taken ad\Tantage of
by the English colonists, who passed thereby to and from the C pper Lake
region with comparative impunity. Their numbers and operations increased
to such an extent as to occasion very serious disquietude to the French,
who, after the lapse of many years, found it necessary to make special
exertions to preserve their supremacy. These exertions were rendered all
the more necessary from the fact that the English, in 1722, established a
trading-post at Chouéguen, or, as it is now called, Oswego. The latter
thus gained practical control of much of the traffic on Lake Ontario, as
they offered better terms than the French, and gained a reputation among
the Indians for liberal and straightforward dealing, Many of the bar-
barians who had been accustomed to resort to the forts at Cataraqui and
Niagara to dispose of their wares now began to repair to Chouéguen, and
the number of those who did so rapidly increased.
.
The County of York.
7
Such was the problem which stared the French adventurers in the
face, The solution was obvious, The erection of a fort and trading-post
at the mouth of the Humber would not only guard the" Pass by Toronto"
against the English, but would be the means of arresting the traffic there,
This had become the ordinary route of the Indians from the north and
north-west to Chouéguen. If they found that they could dispose of their
peltries to good advantage at the mouth of the Humber, there would be no
inducement for them to extend their journey across the lake to the English
trading-post.
The French bestirred themselves, and in 1749 a trading-post was
built a short distance from the mouth of the Humber, on the eastern side
of the bay. Its exact site is marked at the present day by the cairn in the
E}",hibition Grounds, near the lake shore, a few yards south of the main
Exhibition building. It was fortified by a stockade, and was named Fort
Rouillé, in honour of the French Colonial l\Iinister of the period, Antoine
Louis Rouillé, Count de Jouy. The fortifications do not seem to have
been very effective, to judge from the account left by 1\1. Pouchot, in his
"i\Iemoir upon the \Yar in North Ametica, 1755-60." "This fort, or post,"
he remarks, "was a square of about thirty toises on a side, externally with
flanks of fifteen feet. The curtains formed the buildings of the fort. It
was very well built, piece upon piece, but was only useful for trade," He
adds: II A league west of the fort is the mouth of the Toronto (i.e" the
Humber) Ri,'er, which is of considerable size. This river communicates
with Lake Huron by a portage of fifteen leagues, and is frequented by the
Indians who come from the north." Remains of the foundation of this
fortress w
re distinctly visible six years ago, when the Ordnance Lands
were acquired by the Industrial Exhihition Committee.
Rouillé, as has been said, was the official designation conferred upon
the fort. But wont and usage refused to be turned aside at the bidding of
mere officials, The adjacent stream had, as we have seen, been known as
the Toronto H.iver. The very site of the fort itself had from timc to time
heen used as a "Toronto," or place of meeting, by the Indians. \\ïgwam
villages had occasionally arisen there, to endure only for a brief space.
and until the stock of furs on hand could be bartered away to a passing
French trader. The name" Toronto ., clung to the site, and that of" Fort
Rouillé " sank into disuse, except in formal and official reports of the agents
stationed there. At least as early as 1753 the spot became popularly known
as Fort Toronto, and by that name it continued to be known as long as it
had an existence-and, indeed, for long aftcr. For II the Old French Fort,"
as it was sometimes callcd, was not: dcstined to bc a permancnt institution.
,
8
TIle Coullty of York,
Upon the conquest of Canada by the English, there was no longer any
reason for maintaining it as a trading-post. It was hurned and deserted
by its former occupants, after a brief existence of about ten years. From
that time forward history only catches one or hvo fitful glimpses of the
spot, until 'the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe in' the harbour of
Toronto in the month of May, 1793. In September, 1760, Major Robert
Rogers and his troops called here on their way \vestward to take possession
of Detroit. They found the fort in ruins, and the cleared ground in the
neighbourhood fast relapsing into a state of nature. The l\Iajor himself,
in his published account of the spot, says: "I think Toronto a most con-
venient place for a factory"-by which he means a trading-post-" and
that from thence we may easily settle the north side of Lake Erie." Other
visitors called there from season to season during the next three decades,
and a certain amount of traffic with the Indians appears to have been
periodically carried on there, But nothing was attempted in the way of
permanent settlement. The hour and the man-Governor Simcoe-had
not arrived. In an old manuscript map, the date of which is not definitely
ascertainable-but which must have been prepared between 17bo and 1793
-the site of Rouillé is designated by a little cluster of wigwams, appended
to which are the words: "Toronto, an Indian village now deserted."
Some account of the plan made in 1788 by Captain Gother
Iann, and
recently discovered in the English archives by 1\1r. Thomas Hodgins, of
Toronto, will be found in the portion of this work specially devoted to an
account of the city. From that plan, as well as from various references in
colonial despatches and documents of the period, it appears that Toronto
was even then regarded as the probable site of a future city: Captain
Iann delineates an ideal town of large dimensions, extending from about
the present eastern boundary of High Park to a considerable distance cast
of the Don. and stretching away indefinitely to the north. It is in the
highest degree improbable that any survey of such a town-plot \vas ever
made. At any rate, no trace of such a survey has ever been discovered,
In 1791, the statute known as the Constitutional Act of 1791 was
passed by the Imperial Parliament, and Canada was divided into the two
Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Lieutenant-Colonel John Graves
Simcoe was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Upper Province, upon
which he has' stamped his name in indelible colours. He reached his
capital-then called Newark, and now called Niagara-in 1792, and opened
his first Parliament there on the 17th of September in that year. But
i\ewark did not, in his opinion, fulfil the requisites of a Provincial capital.
I t was situated opposite the guns of the American fort on the other side of
The County of York.
9
the N" iagara River, and it was in a remote corner of the Province; both of
which circumstances he justly regarded as serious disqualifications, He
explored his domain from east t<:> west in search of a suitable site for the
future operations of his Government. He was much in favour of the present
site of London the Less, where he at one time had serious intentions of
, .
founding a city to be called Georgina, in honour of His Majesty King
George III. But the founding of the Forest City was to be the work of
other hands than his. 'Yhile exploring the northern shores of Lake
Ontario, early in )'Iay, 1793, he entered the harbour now known as Toronto
Bay, It was then completely land-locked, except on the western side, for
what is now" the Island" was then a peninsula,
o which the Indians from
the mainland were wont to resort for sanitary purposes. The present site
of Toronto was then a desolate marsh, from which rose the smoke of two
or three wigwams, whose denizens were the only inhabitants of the place,
The spot, however, possessed important natural advantages, and the Gov-
ernor was not long in making up his mind that h
re should arise the future
capital of Upper Canada. The Indian name, Toronto, was not to his taste,
and he resolved that the place should be called York, in honour of the
King's son Frederick, who, it will be remembered, was Duke of York. In
the course of the ensuing summer he took up his abode here, with his suite.
He also brought over most of his troops and officials, and thenceforward
only repaired to Newark during the sessions of the Provincial Legislature.
On the 27th of .\llgust, a royal salute was fired by the troops from the shore,
and replied to by certain ships in the harbour. This instituted the formal
inauguration of the new capital, which was thenceforward known as York
for a period of nearly forty-one years, ...\11 of which events will be found
described at full length in the history of the city, They merely require
enumeration here in so far as they form part of the history of the County of
York,
...\ few words respecting the aboriginal inhabitants of this part of
Canada would seem to be in order here. The Hurons already referred to
were in their own tongue known as \Vyandots-a word variously spelled,
according to the nationality of the speller. Sagard, one of the earliest
authorities, gives it as" Houandatçs," of which word he supplies no interpre-
tation. "Huron" was a purely French word, originating in jest among
the soldiers and sailors of New France, and afterwards employed seriously,
for the sake of convenience, by the French immigrants generally, ...\ fashion
of preserving a row or two of upright bristles along the ridge of the cranium,
while the sides were closely shaven, produced, as the first European be-
holders thought, a grotesque resemblance to the head of a wild boar, called
10
The County of York.
in French hure. Hence, according to Gabriel Lalemant, arose the name
Huron, a word which lent itself readily to the Latin tongue, like Teuton
and Saxon. The Hurons were comprised)n a Confederation of four can-
tons, or nations, to which the Tobacco Nation was afterwards united,
They were of the blood and speech of the Iroquois, who nevertheless be-
came implacably hostile to them, and finally, as has been seen, destroyed
them as a nation, and converted their" place of meeti!lg" into a desolate
wilderness.
The Mississagas, a few of whom were found encamped on the site of
Toronto in 1793, were of the Algonquin race and speech, They were in fact
Chippewas, who, after the desolation of the Huron country of the Iroquois,
migrated from their homes on the rock-bound north coast of the Georgian
Bay, and betook themselves to the ?lOre genial shores of Ontario. These
Chippewa bands were called Mississaga-Chippewas, to distinguish them
from the Chippewas of Sault Ste, :l\1arie and the Lake Superior region gen-
erally. The specific I1ame 1Iississaga was applied because those of them
who were first fallen in with by the French hailed from the neighbourhood
of the River Mississaga, an important stream which enters Lake Huron
about ISO miles west of French River,
Several localities around Lake Ontario. still bear names derived from
the l\Iississaga Indians. On the west side of the entrance to the Niagara
River is Point 1\Iississaga, with the dismantled Fort Mississaga still con-
spicuous upon it. In the Bay of Quinté is another Point l\Iississaga, as
well as an island called 1\Iississaga off the mouth of the Trent, These
names doubtless indicate customary camping-places of bands of 1\lississagas.
l\Iajor Rogers speaks of the
Iississagas whom he found on the site of Fort
Rouillé in 1760; and Bouchette speaks of 1\1ississaga wigwams on the same
spot in 1793. So unmixedly were 1\lississagas found along the north shore
of Lake Ontario at the time of the British Conquest of Canada that they
were treated by the British authorities as the sole owners of the soil there-
abouts, whose rights must be extinguished before the Crown could lawfully
take possession,
The words :\Iississaga and Chippewa are variously spelt in early works
in which they are referred to. Among modern writers the latter word is
re-assuming the form of "Otchipway," From a partial similarity in
sound, l\Iississaga has been imagined by some to be connected with a
Chippewa word for eagle; and, without any foundation in fact, it has been
concluded that an eagle was the token or cognizance of the Mississagas.
The correct interpretation ofthe word l\lississaga is given by 1\1r. Alexander
Henry, in his" Travels and _\dvcntures in Canada and the Indian Terri-
The C01Wt.J' of York.
II
tories between the Years 1760 and 1776," a work which is becoming
exceedingly scarce, and which has begun to command a fancy price among
Canadian bibliophiles, "I pursued my journey," he writes, " to the mouth
of the l\Iissisaki [l\Iississaga], a river which descends from the north, and
of which the name imputes that it has seyeral mouths, or outlets. From
this river all the Indians inhabiting the north side of Lake Huron are called
Missisakies [l\lississagas]."
Iichi, or l\Iissi, signifies great or man)', while
saki or saga conveys the idea of the mouth or outlet of a river. It may
further be observed that the l\Iississaga-Chippewas were sometimes called
l\1atchedash Indians, from their descending to the shores of Lake Ontario
from the direction of :i\Iatchedash Bay.
...- ,,
.
Q
A,Y
I..&.
;
,,,-\..,:!I..A}
-fC ........ l L/ ...;:.-
..
!T
-
_'
-
CHAPTER I I.
THE BUILDIl\G OF YOXGE STREET. - ORIGIX OF ITS I\.UIE. - DUNDAS
STREET.-EARLY TERRITORIAL DI\'ISIOXS OF UPPER CAXADA,-ExTEXT
OF THE COUKTY OF YORK.-DEPARTURE AXD DEATH OF GOVERXOR
SIMCOE.- INTEREST \TTACHIXG TO HIS
A:\IE.-Ax UI\PCBLlSHED
LETTER OF HIS. - SELFISH A
D UKPATRIOTIC POLICY OF OTHER
LIEUTEN"A
T-GOVERXORS.-PRESIDE!\T RlTSSELL AKD HIS SUCCESSORS,
-PEX-PICTURES BY ROBERT GOURLAY.
,;t
-,
.
/' aRK and its neighbourhood soon began to present an appear-
-<11. j; , ance of energetic settlement and civilization. The harbour
fÆ ('"
was surveyed by Joseph Bouchette, who, in a paragraph which
". has been quoted by e\'ery subsequent writer on the subject,
.:;."
! describes" the untamed aspect \yhich the co
ntry
xhib
te?"
,
-
The troops were well employed by Governor SImcoe m bmldmg
operations, and in making roads. ::\1r. \y, H, Smrth, author of
.. Canada, Past, Present, and Future," writing in 1851, and commenting
upon this utilitarian employment of the Provincial troops by our first
Governår, remarks: "It would be well for the Province, and equally
beneficial to the troops, if other Governors employed them as usefully.
The Province would then derive some benefit from the troops being stationed
here, and the men themselves would be more healthy, and from being
actively employed would be less likely to be led themselves, or to lead
others, into dissipation,"
The most important highway surveyed and laid out under the Gover-
nor's auspices was Y onge Street, extending all the way from York to Lake
Simcoe, thirty miles distant in the northern wilderness, The name of
" Y onge Street" was bestowed upon it by the Governor in honour of his
friend Sir George Y onge, who was Secretary of \Yar in the Imperial
Cabinet during the early part of GO\'ernor Simcoe's residence in Upper
Canada. It may also be mentioned that Lake Simcoe, just mentioned,
The COll1lty of York.
13
was named by the Governor in honour of his father, Captain Simcoe, of
the Royal Navy, who died on the St. Lawrence River during the expedition
against Quebec in 1759, The building of Y onge Street was intended to
serve the double purpose of opening up the country along the route, and of
shortening and facilitating travel between Lake Ontario and the North-
\Yest. It is thus referred to by Provincial Surveyor D, \V, Smyth, in his
Gazetteer, published in 1799, "This communication affords manyadvan-
tages. Merchandise from i\Iontreal to :\Iichilimackinac may be sent this
way at ten or fifteen pounds less expense per ton than by the route of the
Grand or Ottawa Rivers, and the merchandise from Ne\v York to be sent
up the North and l\Iohawk Rivers for the North- \Vest trade, finding its
way into Lake Ontario at Oswego, the advantage 'will certainly be felt of
transporting goods from Oswego to York, and from thence across Y onge
Street, and down the waters of Lake Simcoe into Lake Huron, in preference
to sending it by Lake Erie,"
Another well-known thoroughfare, which we owe to Governor Simcoe's
enterprise, is Dundas Street, which was intended by him to be a means of
communication throughout the
vhole of Upper Canada from east to west.
It 'was named by him after the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, Yiscount
Melville, who was Colonial Secretary in those days, Only a small portion
of it ,vas actually built during Governor Simcoe's régime, A portion of it
is still known in local parlance as the Governor's Road, though its proper
and official designation is the one originally bestowed upon it.
The territorial divisions of Upper Cánada in Governor Simcoe's'days
were very different from those now existing, The first was made by pro-
clamation issued by Lord Dorchester, Governor-General of Canada, under
authority of an Imperial statute. The proclamation was dated the 24-th of
July, 1788, at which date the Constitutional Act had not been passed, and
while the Ijrovince afterwards known as Upper or \Vestern Canada still
formed a part of the Province of Quebec. The division thereby effected was
into four districts, named respectively Lunenburgh, l\Iecklenburgh, Nassau
and Hesse, The only one of the four with which the present narrative has any
special concern is the District of Nassau, which embraced a large tract of
country, extending "\vestward from the head of the Bay of Quinté to a line
extending due north from the. extreme projection of Long Point, on Lake
Erie, It thus included, among other land, the whole of the present County
of York. This division was purely conventional and nominal, as the
country was sparsely inhabited, and the necessity for minute and accurate
boundary lines had not become pressing, Upon Governor Simcoe's arrival
he made a second territorial diyision whereby the Proyince was divided
14
The COlllllJI of York.
into nineteen counties, one of which was the County of York. This was in
the month of July, 1792, nearly a year before he had caught his first glimpse
of the site of his future capital of that name. The County of York, as then
defined, extended from the County of Durham westward to the River
Thames, then called La Trenche or La Tranche. During the first session
of the First Parliament of Upper Canada, which closed its sittings on the
15 th of October, 1792, an Act was passed (32 Geo, III. cap 8) whereby the
names of the four districts set apart in 1788 were altered to the Eastern,
:Midland, Home and \Vestern Districts-the Home District corresponding
to the one theretofore called Nassau, One member was deemed sufficient
to represent the Counties of York and Durham and one Riding of the
County of Lincoln in the Provincial Legislature. Parliament was con-
vened at Newark for five successive years. It met at York for the first
time in 1797, by which time Governor Simcoe had bidden the Province
a fina,1 adieu. In the year 1796 he departed on a special diplomatic mission
to the Island of lIayti, or St. Domingo. ..\fter the fulfilment of his mission
he returned to England. He died on the 25th of October, r806, and his
remains were interred in a little chapel on his Devonshire estates. A
mural tablet is erect
d to his memory in Exeter Cathedral.
In this country, and ,more especially in the County of York, a strong
interest must ever attach to the name of Governor Simcoe, This interest
arises not merely from the fact that he was the first Governor of Upper
Canada, but from his merits as a man and as an administrator. He was a
man of enlightened views, in many respects considerably in advance of his
time. He set on foot a wise system of administering public affairs, and,
had his example been followed by his immediate successors, Upper Canada
would have escaped some of the most serious evils which befell her during
nearly half a century of her history. The special obligations of the County
of York to him need no elaborate recapitulation, Briefly, it may be said
that to him we owe the establishment of the Provincial and intellectual
capital within our domain. To him we owe the construction of Yonge
Street, and the opening up of the northern townships. His memory has
claims upon us and our descendants which are not likely to be forgotten,
As everything relating to him may be supposed to have an interest for us,
the following letter, addressed by him, about five years before his death, to
the clergyman of his parish, and now published for the first time, will
doubtless be acceptable to the readers of this work. The original is in the
possession of Dr. Scadding, of Toronto, whose valuable contributions to
our local archæology are well kn.own.- II Dear Sir," it runs: "On the 22nd
of this month I shall have lived half a century, You will therefore much
..
The COim!J' of York,
15
oblIge me If you will spend the day with me, and will celebrate divine
service at 12 o'clock in our chapel. I shall esteem it as a favour if you
would take for your text' Remember your Creator in the days of your
youth,' etc, The advantages of being a Christian, of having been educated
by a most pious and excellent mother (my father dying, whilst I was yet an
infant, in the service of his country), assisted by the companions of my
father's youth and the protectors of my own; the advantages of being an
Englishman, and of that Church where Christianity is administered in its
purest form; the advantages of being a member of that government where
laws are most equal, and where justice is administered in mercy, are
impressed on my heart, and I wish them to be recommended to my
children. There is a text in Leviticus, I believe, that particularly enforces
purity of heart to those who aspire to military command. As mine in all
views is a military family, it may not be amiss in a more especial manner
to inculcate the remembrance of the Creator to those who shall engage in
the solemn duties of protecting their country at these times from foreign
usurpation. I am truly yours, J. G, S. Feb, Lfth, IHoI."
This interesting letter is thoroughly characteristic of the man. It
breathes throughout a spirit of intelligent conservatism and deyotion to duty.
Its writer was recognized by successi,'e Governments as d. useful public
servant. He has left b
hind him very distinct traces of his temporary
direction of Upper CanadÜn affairs, Lake Simcoe, named by him as
already mentioned, commemorates to successive ages his own name and
that of his father. The County of the same name, and the metropolitan
town of the County of Norfolk, were also designated after the founder of
York. Simcoe and John Streets, Toronto, were moreover so called by way
of commemoration of his surname and one of his Christian names, The
maiden name of his wife, l\Iiss Gwillim, is also commemorated in the
to"nships of North, East and \Yest Gwillimbury,
The laying out of Yonge Street was prosecuted under the personal
supervision of l\Ir. Augustus Jones, a well-known land surveyor of those
primitive times. He began his labours on the 26th of February, lï94-. For
many years after the original survey, and indeed down to a period within
the memory of persons still living in Toronto, it did not extend southerly
to the bay shore, but terminated at Queen (then called Lot) Stred. During
the early years of the present century it was impassable south of wh.lt is
now l3loor Street. Persons driving into Toronto from the northward were
here compelled to make a detour to thc eastward until they tHrived at
Parliament Street, which was in tolerable condition for those times. In
IRol John Steg-mann, another land sun-eyor whose name i.s frequently met
2
--.
16
The COU1lty of York.
with in old Upper Cqnadian surveys, was appointed to examine and report
upon the condition of Y onge Street. He reported that: "from the Town
of York to the three-mile post on the Poplar Plains the road is cut, and
that as yet the greater part of the said distance is not passable for any
carriage whateyer, on account of logs which lie in the street, From thence
to lot I on Y onge Street the road is very difficult to pass at any time,
agreeable to the present situation in which the said part of the street is,"
The Poplar Plains mentioned in this extract were situated immediately to
the north of what is now Y orkville. But Y onge Street was of too much
importance to be allowed to remain in such a state as that above indicated,
It was largely used by the North- \Yest Company, to whom good roads
were an object, for purposes of transportation. They supplied funds for
the improvement of the road, and contributed for that purpose as much as
{8,000 in one single 'payment. About the close of the first decade of .the
century Y onge Street was serviceable along its entire length,
The land on each side of the road was granted to actual settlers on con-
dition of their performing the usual settlement duties, which involved the
necessity of building a house, clearing a proportionate part of the land,
and" making the road across or in front of each lot." It nught be supposed
that such liberal terms as these would have been readily and eagerly taken
ad\'antage of; yet we find that the progress of actual settlement was slo,,-.
In 1799 the entire population of the Home District was only 224. For some
years afterwards its growth was barely perceptible. In 1798 the aggregate
population of the townships of York, Scarborough and Etobicoke, together
with the Town of York itself, was only 749. For this state of things the line
of policy adopted by Governor Simcoe's successors was in great measure
responsible. Large tracts of land throughout the District were granted to
favourites of successive administrations, and to others who could bring in-
fluence to bear upon those who had the ear of the executive. The lands so
granted were usually" held for a rise ,. by the patentees, who resorted to all
sorts of devices to avoid even the performance of the ordinary settlement
duties. In this way a great proportion of the land was locked up in private
hands, and practically closed to settlement. The practice flourished
throughout the entire Province, but the Home District, being the head-
quarters of the Government, naturally became the focus and centre of such
abuses, .:\Iore than ten millions of acres of the public lands had been
granted to the U. E. Loyalist immigrants alone; and one-seventh of the
entire lands of the Province had been appropriated for Clergy Reserves.
It was easy to perceive that land in Upper Canada would in course of time
become exceedingly valuable, and many pages might be written illustrative
The COU1lty of York,
17
of the spirit of greed which animated the office-holders of those days. There
was yery little check upon their rapacity, for the same spirit seemed to actuate
all the officials, from the highest to the lowest. President Russell, who, as
senior member of the Executive Council, succeeded to the administration
of affairs upon Governor Simcoe's departure for the \Vest Indies, was wont
to make grants of public land directly to himself-the verbiage employed
being somewhat after the following fashion: "I, Peter Russell, adminis-
trator, do grant unto Peter Russell," etc, During the regime of his
successor, Lieutenant-General Peter Hunter, as well as under those of
Commodore Grant and Francis Gore, similar practices prevailed, though it
does not appear that in the case of any other person than Russell did the
administrator go the length of conyeying real estate directly to himself.
without the intervention of a trustee.
In the original surveys of the territory embraced within the County of
York, as then constituted, it appears that the frontier townships of Pickering,
Scarborough and York were at first named Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin
respectively. Pickering, as the reader is doubtless aware, now forms part
of the County of Ontario. Full accounts of the other two townships will
be found in their proper places in the present work, under separate and
distinct headings, together with lists of the early patentees, showing the
slow rate of progress of the settlements, The names of Glasgow and Dublin
did not long attach to them, as it appears that they were known by their
pre<;ent designations before the ad\'ent of the present century. All, or
nearly all, of the territory comprised within these townships, was surrender-
ed by the :\Iississaga Indians to the Crchvn during the early months of
Governor Simcoe's administration. Other surrenders were made from time
to time, until the Indian title was graduallyextmguished, except as to lands
specially reserved on their behalf, and as to which unfettered power of
alienation was not admitted.
In 1798, during President Russell's direction of affairs, an Act was
1
passed" for the better division of this Province," whereby it was enacted
that the Counties of Northumberland, Durham, York and Simcoe should
form the Home District. The County of York. was di \"ided into two
parts, to be called respectively the East and \ Vest Ridings. The East
Riding was declared to consist of the townships of \Vhitby, Pickering,
Scarhorough, York (including its penin'sula, now the Island) Etobicoke,
:\Iarkham, Yaughan, King, \Vhitchurch, Uxbridge, Gwillimbury, "and the
tract of land hereafter to he laid out into townships, lying hctwet:l1 the
County of Durham and the Lake Simcoe." The \ \" est Riding was made
up of the townships of Bcyerley and Flamborough, East and \\ est, so much
18
The COUllty of York.
of the tract of land upon the Grand River in the occupation of the Six
Nation Indians as lay to the northward of Dundas Street, and all the land
between the said tract and the East Riding of the County of York, " with
the reserved lands in the rear ofthe townships of Blenheim and Blandford,"
This adjustment remained undisturbed until the year 1816, when an Act
was passed carving the District of Gore out of portions of the Niagara and
Home Districts, By this Act also the township of Toronto was annexed
to the East Riding of York, Five years later, in 1821, a new territorial
division was made of the entire Province, whereby the townships of Reach,
Brock, Scott and Georgina were annexed to the East Riding of York, and
the townships of Albion, Caledon, Chinguacousy and the Gore of Toronto
were annexed to the \Vest Riding. The County of Simcoe was at the
same time formed, being made up of various old and new townships form-
erly included within the limits of the County of York. The population of
the Home District at this time was about 12,000, As it had then been
settled nearly thirty years, the admission must be made that its progress
had been very slow indeed,
Poor Robert Gourlay, writing several years before this time, gives a
vivid, and, upon the whole, an accurate pen-picture of the conflicting ele-
n1ents then at work in the Home District. As his book has long since
become practically unobtainable, and as his account will doubtless prove
interesting to the present inhabitants of the territory so graphically de-
scribeù, it is worth while to quote a portion of it, more especially as it is of
much topographical value. In. order to make his allusions intelligible, the
reader should be made acquainted with a few preliminary facts. l\Ir.
Gourlay was a Scottish gentleman, of a decidedly critical cast of mind,
who visited Canada in 1817, and who, after some observation of the
country, resolved to engage in business as a land-agent, and to organize an
extensive system of emigration from the British Islands to Canada. Having
obtained much statistical information with respect to public lands and
settlers, and having become cognizant of the unscrupulousness of many of
the officials, and the baneful influence exercised by the Family Compact,
he determined to make the facts generally known in Great Britain. In
order to obtain minute and exhaustive intelligence, he addressed a series
of printed questions to the principal residents in each township in C pper
Canada, asking for information as to the date of settlement, number of
inhabitants, houses, churches, schools, stores and mills; the general char-
acter of the soil; the various kinds of timber and minerals; the rates of
wages; cost of clearing land; usual time of ploughing and reaping; extent
and condition of wild lands, etc, The questions were thirty-one in number,
The Cot/Ilty of York,
19
All of them were unobjectionable, except the last, which ran thus:-
"\Yhat, in your opinion, retards the improvement of your township in
particular, or the Province in general, and what would most contribute to
the same?" Nearly all the replies receh'ed to this question echoed the
same strain, The slow development was attributed to the Crown and
Clergy Reserves, and to the immense tracts of lands held by non-residents,
The prevailing sentiment was well mirrored in a reply received from King-
ston. Thus it ran :-" The same cause \vhich has surrounded Little York
with a desert, creates gloom and desolation about Kingston, otherwise
most beautifully situated; I mean the seizure and monopoly of the land by
people in office and favour. On the east side, particularly, you may travel
miles together without passing a human dwelling. The roads are accord-
ingly most abominable to the very gates of this, the largest town in the
Province; and its market is supplied with vegetables from the l! nited
States, where property is less hampered, and the exertions of cultivators
more free,"
These remarks, which were perfectly true as applied to the neighbour-
hood of Kingston, were still more applicable to the Home District. In the
Home District, however, the influence of Dr.-afterwards Bishop-
Strachan was paramount. The Doctor regarded
Ir, Gourlay as a pesti-
lent interloper whose career should not be allowed to go unchecked. Owing
in a great measure to the exertions and influence of this active-minded
ecclesiastic, not a single reply was received from the Home District. But
the tract of country included therein was too important to be left out of
l\Ir. Gourlay's consideration, and in compiling his" Statistical Account of
Upper Canada," he prepared nine octavo pages of printed matter, wherein
the District was portrayed in colours which were all but universall)
recognized as combining truthfulness with vigour. "From this District, '
he writes, " I did not receive a single reply to my address, although it was
first published here, and had the cordial approbation of the head magistrate
of the Province, as well as of everybody with whom I held converse. This
may be ascribed to two causes: first, the opposition of a monstrous little
fool of a parson, who, for reasons best known to himself, fell foul of the
address which I had puhlished, abused me as its author, and has ever since
laboured, with unremitting malignity, to frustrate its intention:'
The person thus irreverently alluded to as "a monstrous little fool
of a parson" was of course Dr. Strachan. .. This man, unfortunately."
he continues, .. was a member of the Executi\ e Council. and his efforts.
from that circumstance, were but too successful. The second cause
may he traced to the low condition of society in the Home District, 0\\ ing-
20
TIle COlt1lfJl of York.
to the peculiaT state of property, The foregoing reports sufficiently demon-
strate how the farmers of Upper Canada have been baffled in their improve-
ments by the large tracts of unsettled land; but in the Home District they
have suffered most from this, and not only has it dulled the edge of
husbandry, but in a remarkable degree clouded the rise of intellect and
spirit among the inhabitants, No sooner was York fixed upon as the
capital of the Province than it became obvious that. sooner or later the
landed property. around, and on the high roads to Kingston, etc., would
bear a high value, For this good reason, the creatures in office and favour
bent their avaricious eyes upon it, and large portions were secured to them
and their friends. The consequences are melancholy. For five miles
round the capital of Upper Canada scarcely one improved farm can be
seen in contact with another; and even within a gunshot of the place the
gloomy woods rise up in judgment against its neÍarious inmates, I say
'the gloomy woods,' because Nature does not appear in her full attire in
the neighbourhood of Little York. The need of firewood has chosen from
the forest its chief ornaments, and left a parcel of scorched and decaying
pine trees to frown over the seat of rapacity. The only connected
settlement commences about five miles to the north, on Y ong"e Street, In
other directions, so far as the District goes, you might travel in IRI7 to its
utmost limits, and not find more than one farm house for every three miles.
It is true, that round York, and particularly to the westward, the soil is
inferior, but the convenience attendant on proximity to a town would long
ago have overbalanced this disadvantage, had property not been monopo- .
lized and mangled. \Vhere Y onge Street is compactly settled, it is welJ
cultivated and thriving, part;.icularly beyond what is called the Oak Hills or
Ridges, a strip of elevated and irregular ground which parts the waters
flowing into Lakes Simcoe and Ontario, and which indeed forms a sort of
continuation of tlte JJlOlllltain running through Gore and )J lagara Districts,
In this quarter the land is excellent, and it is well occupied by industrious
people, mostly Quakers. In other quarters, simple and unsuspecting Ger-
mans- Tunkers, and :\Ienonists-have been thinly stuck in by the knowing
ones among their precious blocks and reserves, by whose plodding labours
the value of this sinecure property may be increased.
,.
\ curious document has been published in this country, which gives
a sad proof of the effect of narrow-mindedness and wrong arrangement in
property. The document is meant to draw reverence to the above-men-
tioned parson; but, in fact, is the strongest evidence against his deeds and
sentiments. It is stated that seven or eight miles from York, on Yonge
Street, there is a place of worship, where it is customary to see many grown
TILe County of York.
21
persons coming forward to be baptized. The fact is, that this, with another
belonging to the aboye mentioned Quakers, are the only places of worship
to be seen in Y onge Street, extending near forty miles, In the first men-
tioned, service is only performed once a month; the dominant parson
allowing nobody to preach but himself! l\Iuch moan has been made in
this country as to the lagging of the gospel in "'C pper Canada; but I can
assure the public that the chief cause rests in the state of þroþerty, which so
scatters the people as to put the necessary union for building and endowing
churches out of the question, The moment that Upper Canada becomes
thickly peopled, the gospel, having free course, will be glorified; and this
will the sooner take pJace, the sooner that clergy reserves, vainly set apart
for the erection of an established church, are sold off to actual settlers.
ext to personal security, the security and right ordering of property is the
prime concern of wise legislation. Let these indeed be properly seen to,
and all else will go well, whether the pate of magistracy be covered with a
cowl, a crown, or a cap of liberty,
" There are not more desirable situations for settlement in the Province
than on the great road from York to Kingston; but here the largest portlOn
of land have been seized upon by people in power and office. Some twenty
years ago, these people sold two whole townships of Crown Land, and had
the effrontery to layout great part of the proceeds in opening the road
through their favourite locations, which actual settlers would cheerfully
have done gratis, besides keeping it in continual repair. The road was
indeed opened, but to this day, eÀcept in sleighing time and fine weather, it
is an absolute block up against him who would attempt to pass between the
two principal towns of the Province. Upon one occasion that I wended
my weary way through this dismal defile, I was glad to rest for a little
while in a farm-house, ' far in the wild.' I t has been my frequent custom
to judge my fellow men partly through external appearances-their farms'
-their houses-their dress, \Yhen approaching a human dwelling in
Cpper Canada, I would sun-ey its nelghbourhood: I would observe whether
the fire-wood was neatly piled; the implements of husbandry snugly secured
from wind and weather in a shed; or whether the pump and o\-en were in
ood repd.ir. Sometimes, nay, I shall say often, all was right, sometimes
quite the reyerse. In front of a farm-house, I would sometimes See broken
ploughs anù decayed wagons lying upon a heap of chips \\'hich had been
accumulating for years, and which had for smaller garnishing many-coloured
and filthy rags, broken bottles, and pieces of crockery. \Yhat was to be
augured of the man who exhibited such signals? certainly neither
ood
humour nor rational cOIn ersation. Yet if the we.lry tra\'eller must han'
22
The COU1lty of York.
rest and refreshment, he will not be repelled by these; he will at least march
up to the house, and consult the windows, If well glazed and bright, in he
may go, assured that the mistress will prove tidy, though her man is a
sloven; and that the interior will yield comfort, though the exterior forbid
the hope. If, on the contrary, an old hat, or piece of dirty blanket supplies
the place of a pane of glass, the case is bad indeed; and nothing but the
strongest necessity, or most violent curiosity, would induce me to enter. '
Both were urgent on this occasion; and after resting a little, I began to
examine the various articles by which the light of the front window was
obscured, or I should rather say, by which its numerous orifices were closed
up, Let the reader reflect on the catalogue. There was one old great coat,
and two pair of ragged pantaloons, This story, I think, will match with
that of the paganism of Y onge Street, and the same cause has laid the fOlln-
dation of both. Inspect all the wretched cottages of England, and you will
not find a window so patched as that which I have spoken of. It is not
mere poverty that produces such appearances. The poorest creature could
find a piece of board, or a bit of paper, to nail or paste up in the place of a
broken glass; and either the one or other would have some show of neat-
i1ess and respectability; but an old hat, a blanket, a great coat, or ragged
pantaloons, taken advantage of for such a purpose, mark a degree of degra-
dation below brutality; and such is the state to which circumstances and
situation can reduce humanity. It is the removal from social intercourse,
the indulgence of indolence, the want of excitement, which can make the
mind completely torpid, and at once extinguish taste, feeling and shame,
The master of the house spoken of was tenant of a Clergy I
eserve. But
enough of this at present: there is qUIte enough to show why I had no reply
to my queries in such a District.
" To carryon my estimate of population, I suppose that Little York
-might contain, in 1817, of people, I shall not say souls, 1,200. There are
thirteen organized townships in the District; that is, such as hold town
meetings for the choice of town office bearers, ami to these, three others
are united, each containing a few inhabitants, If to these thirteen town-
ships, with their additions, are allowed 500 people each, the full number, I
think, will be obtained as it stood in I
I 7....................,...... 6,500
The above........,......... ,..,...,...,... .'...,........, ......... ,., 1,200
Total white population.....,.....,.,.,....."..,.,........,..,..... 7,700."
:\1r. Gourlay personally reaped nothing hut ignominy and imprison-
ment from his public spirit. As his statements could not be met by just
argument, the prevailing faction resorted to the llrgllmClltlllll ad homincm,
The COU1lty of Ym'k.
::3
and employed the most villainous means of silencing him. The same
species of persecution assailed him, under the semblance of law, as was
suffered in Great Britaill by the Tookes, the Leigh Hunts, and the Cobbetts.
Spies were sent about the country to dog him, in the hope that they
might find something in his language upon which an indictment might be
founded. The plan was successful. Indictments were found against him
by packed Grand Juries, and cumulative prosecutions were set on foot in
order to leave him no loophole of escape, The sad story of I
obert Gourlay
forms one of the darkest chapters in the national history, He was cast
into prison at Xiagara, and detained there for many months, after which,
by yirtue of an old statute which his persecl1tors warped to their own ends,
he was ordered to quit the Prm'ince within twenty-four hours, on pain of
death in case of his return. He accordingly left the Proyince, to which he
did not return until after the lapse of many years. But the people of
Upper Canada in general, and of the Home District in particular, had
abutlllant reason to bless his name, The shameful treatment to which he
had been subjected drew public attention to his case, and was the indirect
means of hringing about a better state of things. \Yhen, nearly forty years
afterwards, he again set foot in the County of York, he found that a new
dynasty had arisen, and that all the most grievous of the old abuses had
been swept a wa y,
CHAPTER Ill.
:\IODERN TERRITORIAL DIVISIO
S OF Y ORK.-PARLIA:\IENTARY REPRESENTA-
TION.-THE REBELLION.-\'"ANT OF HARMO
Y .c\.;\roNG. ITS LEADERS.
-INACTIO
AND ÐEFEAT,-EXECUTION OF SA:\IUEL LoU!'n AND PETER
l\IATTHEWS,-THE PLACE OF THEIR INTER:\IENT.-GALLOWS HILL.-
ORIGI
OF THE NAME,
f"r-
,
e,
ì, '-, N addition to the statutory territorial divisions indicated in the pre-
.,....'.
.. ceding chapter, several Acts of partial application only, affecting
.:
the County of York, were passed both before and after the Union of
r '9.
, ...
the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841. In 1827, 1832
'f/
and 18 3 6 , three several enactments came into operation regula-
ting or affecting the local boundaries, but in a brief sketch like
the present it would serve no useful purpose to follow minutely
the course of Provincial legislation. Suffice it to say that by the statute
14 and 15 Victoria, chapter 5, passed during the session of 1851, just before
the second Lafontaine-Baldwin Administration went out of office, it was
enacted that the County of York should consist of the townships of Etobi-
coke, Vaughan, l\larkham, Scarborough, York, King, \Vhitchurch, Gwillim-
bury East and Gwillimbury .:--J orth. Dy this
\ct, which came into operation
on the 1st of January, 1852, the counties of York, Ontario and Peel were
declared to be united for municipal and judicial purposes. 13y section 5
provision was made for the dissolution of unions of counties, and under this
enactment Ontario separated from York anù Peel at the close of the year
1853. York and Peel remained united until 1866, when a separation took
place, and they have ever since been entirely distinct municipalities.
Several subsequ
nt partial enactments were consolidated in chapter 5
of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, the 41st section whereof enacts that the
County of York shall consist of the townships of Etobicoke, Georgina,
Gwillimbury East, Gwillimbury "North, King, :\Iarkham, Scarborough,
Vaughan, \Vhitchurch, York, the City of Toronto, and the villages of
The COUllty of Ym'k.
::?5
Aurora, Holland Landing, :\Iarkham, Xewmarket, Richmond Hill and
Y orkville. In a municipal sense, this is the present division, except that
the Village of Y orkvllle was last year admitted into the City of Toronto
under the name of St. Paul's \Yard,
The reader hardly needs to be informed, however, that the municipal
divisions are not identical with the divisions for the purpose of Parlia-
mentary representation, It has been seen on a former page that in very
early times one member was considered sufficient to represent a tract of
territory very much larger than the present County of York. To trace the
progress of Parliamentary representation for the County of York from that
time down to the present wóuld occupy much space, and would be attended
with very little benefit or entertainment to the reader, It will be sufficient
to begin with the Union, at which date York was divided into four electoral
Ridings, known respectively as the First, Second, Third and Fourth Ridings,
During the First Parliament, which lasted from the 8th of April, 18.,p, to
the 23fd of September, 18++, these constituencies were respectively repre-
sented by James Hervey Price, George Duggan, jr., James Edward Small,
Robert Baldwin, and Louis Hypolite Lafontaine. The Second Parliament
lasted from the 12th of
ovember, 18ff, to the 6th of December, It)f7.
)lessieurs Price, Duggan, and Baldwin continued to represent their various
constituencies. l\Ir. Small was reëlected for the Third Riding, but his
return was declared null and void on the Ifth of
Iarch, 18+5, and his
opponent, George Monro, was declared to have been duly elected, :\1r.
:\1onro accordingly represented the constituency from that time forward
until the close of the Second Parliament. As for :\1r. Lafontaine, his repre-
sentation of an Upper Canadian constituency was mcrely a temporary
e).pedient, and after the close of the First Parliament he was returned for
the Lower Canadian constituency of Terrebonne, Defore the asscmbly of
the Third Parliament a re-adjustment and re-naming of the constituencies
had taken place, and they were thenceforward respectively known as the
orth, East, South and \Yest Ridings. The :Korth Riding consisted of
the townships of Brock, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, l\orth Gwillimbury,
:\1ara, Ramo., I
each, Scott, Thorah, Uxbridge, and \\'hitchurch. The
East I
iding was composed of the townships of 1\larkham, Pickering,
Scarborough, and \Yhitby, The South Riding comprised the to\\l1ships of
Etohicoke, King, Vaughan, and ì ork;, and thc \\'est H.iding was madc up
of the townships of ,\lhion, Caledon, Chinguacousy, Toronto and the Gore
of Toronto. During thc Third Parliament. which lastcd from the 2+th of
January, I84b, to the 6th of November, 1851, the Xorth Riding was repre-
sented by Robert Baldwin, the East Riding by \\'llliam IIume Blake and
26
Tlte County of Jrork,
Peter Perry, the South Riding by James Hervey Price, and the \Yest
Riding by Joseph Curran l\Iorrison. During the Fourth Parliament an
Act was passed increasing the representation to sixty-five members from
each section of the Proyince. Thenceforward York was diyided into three
constituencies only, the
orth, East and \Yest Ridings. \Yithout con-
secutively following the representation and divisions of the county any
further, it may be said that by the eighth section of the second chapter
of the Consolidated Statutes of Canada, the Conn ty of York is divided
into three Ridings, to be called respectively the North Riding, the East
Riding and the \Yest Riding; the
orth Riding consisting of the townships
of King, \Yhitchnrch, Georgina, East Gwillimbury and North Gwillimbury;
the East Riding consisting of the townships of Markham, Scarborough, and
that portion of the Township of York lying east of Yonge Street, and the
Village of Yorkyille ; the \Yest Riding consisting of the Townships of EtoLi-
coke, Yaughan, and that portion of the Township of York lying west of
Yonge Street. Dy statute 45 Victoria, chapter 3, passed on the 17th of
:\Iay, 1
82, entitled" An
\ct to re-adjust the Representation in the House
of Commons, and for other purposes," it is enacted that the East Riding of
the County of York shall consist of the townships of East York (-i.c., the
portion lyin
east of Y onge Street), Scarborough anrl :\Iarkham, and the
yillages of Y orkville and )1arkham ; and that the
orth Riding shall consist
of the townships of King, East Gwillimbury, \Yest Gwillimbury, North
Gwillimbury and Georgina, and the Yillages of Holland Landing, Bradford
and Aurora.
Representation in the Local Legislature is proyided for by the eighth
chapter of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, entitled" A.n Act Respecting
the Representation of the People in the Legislative Assembly," whereby it
is provided that the County of York shall be divided into three Hidings,
to be called respecti \"ely the ,N orth Riding, the East Riding and the \ Y est
Riding; the Xorth H,iding to consist of the townships of King, \Vhitchurch,
Georgina, East Gwillimburyand North Gwillimbury, and the \ïllages of
Aurora, Holland Landing and N ewmarket ; the East R.iding to consist of the
townships of l\Iarkham and SCd.rborough, that portion of the Township of
York lying east of Y onge Street, and the villages of Y orkville and Markham;
the \Yest R.iding to consist of the township:; of Etobicoke and Vaughan,
that portion of the Township of York lying west of Y onge. Street, and the
Village of Richmond Hill. C pon the admission of Y orkville as a portion of
the City of Toronto, in 1
83, it was specially provided that the village should
for Parliamentary purposes still remain attached to the East Riding of
York.
TIle County of York.
27
Independently of territorial and Parliamentary divisions, there is not
much to record in the way of purely County history, beyond what is given
in the various Township histories which will be found elsewhere in this
volume. The County played a very conspicuous part in the Rebellion of
18 37-'3 8 , but the details of that ill-starred movement are recorded at con-
siderable length in the" Brief History of Canada and the Canadian People,"
with which the reader of these pages may be presumed to be already
familiar, The merest outline is all that can be attempted here, The public
dissatisfaction with the many abuses which existed in those days, and wIth
the high-handed tyranny of the executive, was intensified in 1836 and 1837
by the injudicious proceedings of the Lieutenant-Goyernor, Sir Francis Bond
Head. That dignitary employed the most corrupt means during the
elections of 1836 to secure the return of members favourable to his polIcy,
anrl the leading Reformers of Upper Canada were defeated at the polls.
The most shamelessly dishonest means were employed to secure the defeat
of \Villiam Lyon l\Iackenzie in the Second Riding of York, for which con-
stituency he had already been returned five times in succession, and he had
as often been unjustly e).pelled from membership in the
\ssembly, The
combined tyranny and abuses of the time had long since aroused a spirit of
resistance, and before the year 1837 was many months old this spirit had
begun to assume an active shape. An enrolment of the disaffe-:.:ted through-
out the Second Riding took place, and the list included many persons of
the highest respectability and intelligence. ::\Iackellzie's paper, The CVIl-
, stitutivll, circulated largely throughout the constituency, and his influence
there was paramount, He and his coadjutors made urgent and repeated
inflammatory appeals to the people of the Province generally, who were
incited to strike for that freedom which could only be won at the point of
the sword, A Central Vigilance Committee was formed, and :\Id.ckenzie
devoted all his time to the organization of armed resistance to authority.
Dnllillgs were held at night throughout nearly the whole of the northern
part of the County of York. It was at last settled that an attempt should
be made to subvert the Government. The time fixed upon for the com-
mencement of hostilities .was Thursday, the 7th of December (1
37), at
which date the rebels were to secretly assemble their forces at :\Iont-
gomery's Tavern, a well-known hostelry on Yonge Street, about three miles
north of Toronto. Having assemhled, they were to proceed in d. body into
the city, where they e).pected to be joined by a large proportion of the
inhabitants, They were to mclrch direct to the City Hall, and seize +000
stand of arms which had been placed there. The insurrectionary pro-
gr
m111e further included the seizure of t1 F? Lieutenant-Governor himself
28
Tile County of York,
and his chief advisers, the capture of the garrison, and the calling of a
convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, A pro\'isional gov-
ernment was to be formed, at the head of which was to be placed Dr. John
Rolph, one of the ablest men who has ever taken part in Upper Canadian
affairs,
The scheme promised well enough, but there was no efficient organiza-
tion among the insurgents, who were from the beginning doomed to failure.
The details seem to have been largely deputed to 1\1r. Mackenzie's manage-
ment, and if active energy could have insured success at the outset, the
insurgent programme would have been fully carried out. Sir Francis
Head, though kept continually informed of treasonable meetings in various
parts of the Home District, treated all such intelligence with contempt, and
made no preparation to defend his little capital. There was absolutely no
possibility of failure on the part of :Mackenzie and his forces, if they had
manifested the least ability for conducting an armed insurrection. But the
leaders had no common plan of operations, and were out of harmony with
each other. No one seems to have been invested with undivided authority.
l\Iackenzie reached the house of his friend and co-worker l\Ir. David
GIbson, in the neighbourhood of l\Iontgomery's, on the evening of Sunday,
the 3rd of December, when, to quote his own words: "To my astonish-
ment and dismay, I was informed that though I had given the captains
of townships sealed orders for the Thursday following, the E},.ecutive had
ordered out the men beyond the Ridges to attend with their arms next day
(l\londay) and that it was probable they were already on the march. I
instantly sent one of l\Ir. Gibson's sen'ants to the north, countermanded the
Ionday movement, and begged Colonel Lount not to come down, nor in
any way disturb the previous regular arrangement. The servant
returned on l\Ionday with a message from :\Ir. Lount that it was now too
late to stop; that the men were warned, and moving, with their guns and
pikes, on the march down Y onge Street-a distance of thirty or forty miles,
on the worst roads in the world-and that the object of their rising could
no longer be concealed. I was grieved, and so was Mr. Gibson, hut we
had to make the best of it. Accordingly, I mounted my horse in "the after-
noon, rode in towards the city, took five trusty men with me, arrested
several men on suspicion that they were going to Sir Francis with informa-
tion, placed a guard on Yonge Street, the main northern avenue to
Toronto, at :\lontgomery's, and another guard on a parallel road, and told
them to allow none to pass towards the city, I then waited some time,
expecting the Executive to arrive, but waited in vain. No one came, anù
not c,'en a message. I was therefore left in entire ignorance of the con-
The COllnty of York.
29
dition of the capital, and, instead of entering Toronto on Thursday with
4,000 or 5,000 men, was apparently expected to take it on
Ionday with
200, wearied after a march of thirty or forty miles through the mud, in the
worst possible humour at finding they had been called from the very
extremity of the county, and no one else warned at all,"
This was certainly a disheartening state of affairs, though as a simple
matter of fact there is no doubt that the city might easily have been taken
just then, even with a less force than 200,. if the rebels had been efficiently
commanded, But the change of date from Thursday to
Ionday seems to
have completely dishearteneJ Mackenzie, who from that time forward
seemed to act without either energy or judgment. Instead of proceeding
into the city, he actually kept his forces at l\Iontgomery's until Thursday
in a state of complete inaction, By that time the authorities in Toronto
had of course become aware of the moyement. Assistance had been sum-
moned from Hamilton and elsewhere, .and all hopes of success for the
insurrection were at an end, On Thursday the loyalist forces advanced
northward and met the rebels a short distance north of Gallows Hill. A
skirmish followed, but was of very short duration, as the rebels were alto-
gether outnumbered, and fled in all Jirections. :\Iackenzie and the other
leaJers succeeJed in making their escape to the United States; all except
poor Samuel Lount and Peter :\Iatthews, who were captured and executed
at Toronto on the 12th of April following. Their remains are interred in
the Toronto Kecropolis,
As, owing to their tragical ending, much interest is felt in these unfor-
tunate persons, it may not be amiss to give some account of them. The
following is condensed and aJapted from " Canada in 1837-38," a work
written by Edward _\lexander TheIler, an Irish-.\merican citizen who acted
as a "Brigadier-General in the Canadian Republican Service." Samuel
Lount was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and liyed there until hc
migrated to U ppcr Canada, which event took place when he was about
twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, He settled ncar the shores of
Lake Simcoe, in what was then a wilderness. By industry and frugality
he in course of a few years amassed considerable property, To the many
poor settlers who came from Europe and obtained grants of land from the
Government he was a friend and adviser, and in cases of necessity he
frequently supplied their wants from his own purse or his own granaries,
He saw and deplored the many grievances which afflicted his adopted
country, In 183+ he was electcd a mcmber of the Provincial .\ssembly,
in which he servcd until IR36, when, owing to the machinations of
Sir Francis Head and his adyiscrs (who did not scruple to employ the
3 0
Tlte County of York.
most corrupt means to achieve such a result), he was defeated at the
polls by a brother of Chief Justice H.obinson. Like Mackenzie, Rolph
and other leaders of the Reform party, he despaired of accomplishing any-
thing of importance by further constitutional agitation, so he allied him-
self with the insurrectionary movement, and marched a body of men to
:\Iontgomery's, \Vhen the collapse of the movement came, he fled, with
others, to the neighbourhood of Galt, whence, accompanied by a friend
named Kennedy, he made his way to the shores of Lake Erie. Having
secured a boat, they attempted to cross to the United States, but their little
craft was driven ashore by floating ice, They were at once captured and
forwarded to headquarters at Chippewa, where Colonel MacNab's camp
was, Lount had no sooner reached Chippewa than he was recognized.
He was next sent to Toronto and placed in jail until his trial. There was
no question as to his guilt, in a legal and technical sense, and he attempted
no åefence. He was found guilty, and sentenced to death. The sequel
has already been told, .
Peter :\Iatthews was a wealthy farmer, possessed of great influence
among the people in the neighbourhood of his residence. He had served as
a Lieutenant in the incorporated militia of the Province during the \\'ar of
1812, '13 and '14, and had signalized himself by his bravery. lIe made
common cause with l\Iackenzie and Lount, and raised a corps in the
nelghbourhood of his home, at whose head he marched to Montgomery.s.
On the morning of that fatal Thursday he proceeded with a company of
men to the Don Bridge, for the purpose of creating a diversion in the east
end of the city, \\'hile there he heard the noise of the engagement at
l\Iontgomery's, and was compelled to vacate his position. He fled from the
scene, and took refuge in the house of a friend, where, a few days later, he
was discovered and captured, He adopted the same policy as Lount, and
made no defence, He suffered the extreme penalty of the law, as has
already been related, "He was," says Theller, "a large, fleshy man, and
had much of the soldier in his composition; and sure am I that he
demeaned himself like one, and died like a man who feared not to meet his
God." Mackenzie, in his "Caroline Almanac," bears testimony to the
same effect. "They behaved," he remarks, "with great resolution at the
gallows; (hey would not have spoken to the people had they Jesired it."
He adds: .. the spectacle of Lount after the execution was the most shock-
ing sight that can be imagined, He was covered over with his blood, the
head being nearly severed from his body, owing to the depth of the fall.
:\Iore horrible to relate, when he was cut Jown, two ruffians seizEd the enJ
of the rope and dragged the mangled corpse along the ground into the jail
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HON. EDWARD BLAKE.
The COUllty of York,
3 1
yard, some one exclaiming: 'This is the way every d-d rebel desenres to
be used,' "
A word upon the subject of Gallows Hill, near which the engagement
between the loyal and insurrectionary troops took place, Every person
living in or near Toronto is familiar \vith the spot, but comparatively few
are acquainted with the tragical circumstances to which it is indebted for
the name it bears. In the early years of the present century a rude wagon
track ascended the hill a short distance west of where the road now is,
Kear the top was a narrow notch, with high banks on each side, caused by
excavations. Lying directly across the notch, and at a sufficient height to
admit of the passing of lo,,!-ded wagons beneath, was a huge tree, which had
been blown down by a violent storm, and which lay there undisturbed for
many years. In the late twilight of a summer evening a belated fanner,
driying home from attending market at York, was horrified to find an
unknown man hanging by a rope from the tree which spanned the road-
way, No clue was ever obtained, either as to the identity of the man, or
as to the circumstances under which he met his death, though it was com-
monly believed that he must have committed suicide, The name of
Gallows Hill soon afterwards came into yogue as applied to the spot, and
it has been perpetuated ever since, Such is the origin of a phrase which
has been a household word in and around the C pper Canadian capital for
more than seyenty years,
.
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3
CHAPTER IV.
THE REBELLION NOT ALTOGETHER A FAILURE.-A YORK COUNTY CAUSE
CÉLÈBRE.-THE TRAGEDY OF THO:\'IAS KINNEAR AND NANCY :\IO!'n-
GO:\IERY, NEAR RICH:\IOND HILL.-EXECUTION OF ]A:\IES :\lcDERMOTT.-
GRACE MARKS, THE FE1\fALE FIEND,-HER SHA:\I INSA
ITy.-HER
PARDON AND MARRIAGE,
:'
, ?i OT\VITHSTANDIKG the heavy stake for which the County
f.
r:;1.-: of York played during the troublesome days of 1837, )natters
quieted down within its bounds much sooner than could reason-
ably have heen expecteJ. and within a year or two after the col-
lapse at Montgomery's, matters, persons and things throughout
the county had resumed their customary aspect, Lord Durham's
mission was the medium of procuring for the Canadian people
nearly all the privileges for which they had contended. Lord Durham's
mission was a Jirect result of the rebellIon, so that it cannot be said that
the latter was fruitless, or that the blood of the Canadian martyrs had
been shed altogether in vain. The Union of the Provinces followed in the
wake of Lord Durham's" Report," and ere long a Reform Government
came into power, with a York County representative-the Hon. Robert
Baldwin-as its Upper Canadian head, In due time pardons were granted
to the exiled rebels, most of whom returned to their homes. The northern
portion of the County of York abounds with the descendants of persons who
". ,
were "out III 37,
In the ye1.r 18.}3 a terrible crime was committed within the limits of
the County of York - a crime which is still remembered by many old
inhahitants, and which, even at this distance of time, can hardly be recalled
\\,ithout a shudder. As no account of it has been prepared for the sketch of
the township wherein it occurred, and as no authentic account of it is
accessible to the general public, the present woulJ seem to be a suitable
place for recounting the tragical story.
The COUllty of York,
33
In the summer of the year 18+3, and for some time previously, a
gentleman named Thomas Kinnear resided in the Township of Vaughan,
somewhat more than a mile nortþward from the northern outskirts of the
village of Richmond Hill. He was possessed of considerable means, and
lived a life of careless ease and self-indulgence, His house, which was of
better construction than the common run of farm-houses in York County
in those days, stood on the west side of Y onge Street, about twenty rods
from the road. His housekeeper was a rather attractive looking woman
named Nancy l\Iontgomery, and the relation between the two seems to
have been rather less than kin and considerably more than kind. The
remainder of the domestic establishment consisted of James McDermott, a
man-servant, twenty years. of age, and a girl named Grace Marks, a sort of
general household servant, who was but sixteen. Both the latter were Irish
by birth and e"\..traction, and had been only a few years in Canada, They
had not been long in 1\Ir. Kinnear's employ before a criminal intimacy
was established between them, They became envious of the easy lot of
Nancy :\Iontgomery, who dined with their master, and was the supreme
head of domestic affairs, while they were compelled to take their meals
in the kitchen, and to perform whatever drudgery and menial offices
were required of them, "After the work of the day was oyer,'. said
:\IcDermott,':: "she [Grace l\Iarks] and I generally were left to ourselves
in the kitchen, [the housekeeper] being entirely taken up with her master.
Grace was very jealous of the difference made between her and the house-
keeper, whom she hated, and to whom she was often very insolent and
saucy. Her whole conversation to me was on this subject, . \Yhat is
she bctter than us?' she woulJ say, 'that she is to be treated like a lady.
and eat and drink of the best. She is not better born than we are, or
hettcr educated, I will not stay here to he dommcercd over by her.
Either she or I must soon leave this.' Every little complaint [the house-
keeper] made of me was repcated to me with cruel exaggerations, till
my dander was up, and 1 began to regard the unfortunate woman as
our common enemy. Thc good looks of Grace had interested me in her
cause; and though there was something about the girl that I could not
exactly like, I had becn a very lawlcss, dissipated fellow, and if a woman
was young and prctty I cared very little about her character. Grace was
sullen and proud, and not very easily won over to my purpose; but in order
tu win hcr liking, if possible, I gavc a ready ear to all her discontented
repininßs.' '
10
· See his story, as related by :\Jrs. :\Joodie, in Lift' Î1
the Clmrillgs, chap,
,
Irs.
Joodie blunders grievously, both as to facts and proper names,
34
TIle COlmly of York,
These two human tigers allowed their morbid enyy and jealousy to work
upon their minds until they were ripe for any deed of darkness. l\IcDer-
mott was careless in doing his work, and, after repeated admonitions from
Nancy Montgomery, received from her a fortnight's notice to leave, On
the afternoon of Thursday, the 27th of July (I8.u)-a day or two before the
expiration of the fortnight-l\Ir. Kinnear rode into Toronto
m horseback to
draw certain bank dIvidends which were due to him, He was to return on
.
the day following, when McDermott was to be paid off. Grace was also to
be paid off and discharged, in consequence of her impertinence to the house-
keeper, \Vhether they had formed any murderous designs before this time
is not clear, as there is a conflict between their respective confessions in this
particular. At any rate, they now determined to kill both their master and
the housekeeper, and to proceed across the borders to the United States
with such plunder as they could get together. They believed that 1\1r.
Kinnear intended to bring a considerahle sum of money with him upon his
return from Toronto, and this belief may possibly have had something to do
with their resolve to kill and rob him.
During the afternoon of this same Thursday, several hours after Kinnear's
departure from Toronto, Nancy Montgomery went out to pay a visit to some
friends of hers in the neighbourhood, and during her absence this pair of
wild beasts completed their arrangements. Nancy and Grace were to sleep
together that night. After they had gone to bed l\IcDermott was to enter
the room and brain the housekeep
r with an axe. "She always sleeps on
the side nearest the wall," said Grace, " and she bolts the door the last thing
before she puts out the light; but I will manage both these difficulties for
you, I will pretend to have the toothache very bad, and will ask to sleep
next the wall to-night, She will not refuse me, and after she is asleep I will
steal out at the foot of the bed and unbolt the door." ':' The doomed woman,
in ignorance of the terrible fate impending over her, came home to supper
before dark. "She was," says l\lcDermott, in his confession to his counsel,
" unusually agreeable, and took her tea with us in the kitchen, and laughed
and chatted as merrily as possible. Grace, in order to hide the wicked
thoughts working in her mind, was very pleasant too, and they went laugh-
ing to bed, as if they were the best friends in the world." A youth named
James \Valsh, who lived with his father in a cottage on ::\1r. Kinnear's farm,
spent the evening with them, and remained until half-past ten at night,
playing his flute, at the housekeeper's request. \Yhat happened after young
\\'alsh left, and after the two women had retired to bed, is thus narrated by
. .. See Life in tlte Clearings, as abo\"e',
TIle COU1lty of York.
35
l\lcDermott. .. I sat by the kitchen fire with the axe between my knees,
trying to harden my heart to commit the murder, but for a long time I could
not bring myself to do it." After some time spent in self-communing, he
concluded to carry out his resolution. "I sprang up," he continues, " and
listened at their door, which opened into tbe kitchen. All was still, I tried
the door. For the damnation of my soul, it was open, I had no need of
a candle; the moon was at full. There was no curtain to their window,
and it [the moon] shone directly upon the bed, and I could see their features
as plainly as by the light of day. Grace was either sleeping or pretending
to sleep-I think the latter, for there was a sort of fiendish smile upon her
lips, The housekeeper had yielded to her request, and was lying with her
head out over the bed-clothes, in the best possible manner for receiving a
death-blow upon her temples. She had a sad, troubled look upon her hand-
some face, and once she moved her hand, and said' 0, dear!' I wondered
whether she was dreaming of any danger to herself and the man she loved.
I raised the axe to give the death-blow, but my arm seemed held back by
an invisible hand, It was the hand of God, I turned away from the bed,
and left the room-I could not do it. I sat down by the embers of the fire,
and cursed my own folly. I made a second attempt-a third-a fourth-
yes, even to a ninth, and my purpose was each time defeated. God seemed
to fight for the poor creature, and the last time I left the room I swore, with
a great oath, that if she did not die till I killed her she might live on till the
day of judgment. I threw the axe on to the wood heap in the shed, .went
to bed, and soon fell fast asleep."
It is hard to know how much of all this is worthy of belief. for the more
one ponders over the actions and language of this terrible pair, the more
convinced does one become that neither of them was capable of speaking
the whole truth, Their confessions, given independently of each other,
and without collusion, differ materially on several important points, They
would seem to have reached such a depth of depravity that they were
incapable even of tllillkillf{-to say nothing of telling-the e),.,act truth, It
does not seem probable that 1\IcDermott could have entered the bedroom
nine times without waking his intended victim. ::\Ioreover, his antecedent
and subsequent conduct would seem to indicate no such infirmity of pur-
pose as would be involved in such a course of procedure as that above
outlined. .\t any rate, even according to his own admissions, the taunts
of his partner in iniquity were more potent with him on the following
morning than any memory of his resolutions of the previous night, ., In
the morning," he proceeds, .. I was coming into the kitchen to light the
fire. and met Grace ::\Iarks with the pail in her hand, going ant to milk
3 6
The County of York,
the cows. As she passed me she gave me a poke with the pail in the ribs,
and whispered with a sneer, 'r\ren't you a coward!' As she uttered these .
words, the devil, against whom I had fought all night, entered into my
heart, and transformed me into a demon. All feelings of remorse and
mercy forsook me from that instant, and darker and deeper plans of
murder and theft flashed through my brain. 'Go and milk the cows,' said
I with a bitter laugh, · you shall soon see whether I am the coward you
take me for: She went out to milk, and I went in to murder the unsus-
picious housekeeper. I found her at the sink in the kitchen, ,washing her
face in a tin basin, I had the fatal axe in my hand, and without pausing
for an instant to change my mind, I struck her a heavy blow on
the back of the head with my axe. She fell to the ground at my feet
without uttering a word; and, opening the trap-door that led from the
kitchen into the cellar where we kept potatoes and other stores, I hurled
her down, closed the door, and wiped away the perspiration that was
streaming down my face,"
..\ few minutes later Grace
larks came in with her pails, .. looking as
innocent and demure as the milk they contained." :\IcDermott told her
what he had done, and demanded that she accompany him down into the
cellar to dispose of the body of the murdered woman. She oheyed, and
they went into the cellar, which presented a dreadful spectacle. K ancy
Montgomery was not dead; she had only been stunned by the blow, She
had partly recovered her senses, and was kneeling on one knee as the
hideous pair descended the ladder with a light, "I don't know if she saw
us," says l\lcDennott, " for she must have been blinded with the blood that
was flowing down her face; but she certainly heard us, and raised her
clasped hands, as if to implore mercy. I turned to Grace, The expression
of her livid face was even more dreadful than that of the unfortunate
woman, She uttered no cry, but she put her hand to her head, and said:
· God has damned me for this.' · Then you have nothing more to fear,'
says I; 'give me that handkerchief off your neck.' She gave it without a
word. I threw myself upon the hody of the housekeeper, and, planting my
knee on her heart, 1 tied the handkerchief round her throat in a single tie,
giving Grace one end to hold, while I drew the other tight enough to finish
my terrible work. Her eyes literally started from her head, She gave one
groan, and all was over. I then cut the body in four pieces, and turned a
large washtub over them."
Such is the horrible narrative of :\IcDermott to his counsel, the late
1\1r. Kenneth l\Iackenzie, as reported by l\Irs. 1\Ioodie, It, however, con-
tains some gross inaccuracies, and it seems probable that for some of the
The COU1lty of York.
37
most revolting details the author of Life ill the Clearings was indebted to
her morbid, but by no means powerful imagination. In the published
reports of the trial, for instance, there is no mention of the body ha\-ing
been quartered. The witnesses who discovered the remains depose to
having "found the body of N ancy
Iontgomery, the housekeeper, doubled
up under a washtub, in the cellar, in a state of decomposition." The
detai.ls are diabolical enough, in all conscience, without piling up fictitious
horrors.
ì\Ir, Kinnear returned about noon, not on horseback, as he had
departed, but driving a light one-horse wagon. He was informed that
the housekeeper had gone away to town in the stage; to \vhich he replied:
"That is strange; I passed the stage on the road, and did not see her in
it," After eating his dinner, Kinnear lay down to rest on his bed, and
remained there until towards evening, when he got up and \vent out into
the yard, and about the premises. He returned into the house and took
tea about 7 o'clock. He was then inyeigled by l\IcDermott into the
harness-house or back kitchen, and there shot through the heart. He
staggered forward and fell, exclaiming as he did so: "Oh God, I am shot."
The body was then thrown down into the cellar. "I heard the report of a
gun," says Grace
Iarks, in her confession, made in the Toronto jail on
the night prior to her removal thence to the penitentiary at Kingston-
"I ran into the kitchen, and saw
Ir, Kinnear lying dead on the floor.
\Yhen I saw this I attempted to run out." l\1cDermott called her back,
and ordered her to open the trap-door, which she did, whereupon he threw
the body down. ,. \Ye then," continues Grace
Iarks, .. commenced pack-
ing up aU the \'aluable things we could find, \Ve both went down into the
celIar-:\Ir. Kinnear was lying on his back in the wine-cellar. I held the
candle,
lcDermott took the keys and some money from his pockets,
Nothing was said about Kancy. I did not see her" but I heard she was in
the cellar, and about II o'clock l\IcDermott- harnessed the horse, \Ye put
the bOJo..es in the wagon, and then started off for Toronto, He said he
would go to the States, and he would marry me, I consented to go, \Yo
arrived at Toronto, at the City Hotel, about 5 o'clock; a\\-oke the people,
and had breakfast there. I unlocked Nancy's box and put some of her
things on, dnd we left by the boat at 8 o'clock, and arri\:ed at Le\\ iston
about 3 o'clock, and went to the taycrn. In the evening wc had supper at
the public table, and I went to bed _in one room and
IcDermott in another.
Defore I went to bed I told McDermott I would stop at Lewiston, and
would not go any further. He said he would make me go \\ ith hnn, and
about 5 o'clock in the morning :\1r. Kingsmill, the high bailiff, came and
arrested us, and brought us hack to Toronto,"
3 8
The COlt II !), of York, ·
The arrest of the murderers \vas of the most informal and irregular
character, and was effected through the vigilance and public spirit of l\1r.
F, C. Capreol, of Toronto, who accompanied :\Ir. Kingsmill to Lewiston,
\vhere the facts were laid before a local magistrate, who forthwith issued
his warrant without waiting for any process of extradition, The culprits
were arrested and conveyed on board a steamer chartered expressly for the
purpose by :\Ir. Capreol, and brought across the lake to Toronto, where
they were lodged in jail. :\Ir. Capreol was not reimbursed, even for his
actual outlay, u"ntil some years afterwards,
The trials took place at the Court House, in Toronto, on Friday and
Saturday, the 3rd and 4th of November following. The Crown was reprp.-
sented by l\1r. (afterwards the Hon.) \Yilliam Hume Blake, father of the
present leader of the Opposition in the Dominion Parliament. _ The
prisoners were defended with much ability by l\1r, Kenneth :\Iackenzie, who
afterwards took high rank at the Upper Canadian bar. l\1cDermott is
described in the reports of the trial as ., a slim made man, of about the
middle height, with rather a swarthy complexion, and a sullen, downcast
and forbidding countenance." The female prisoner is described as rather
good looking, totally uneducated, and possessing a countenance devoid of '
eÀpression. Upon being arraigned they both pleaded" Not Guilty," A
demand was made by their counsel that they should be tried separately,
which was granted.
IcDermott was then put upon his trial for the murder
of
Ir. Kinnear. The proceedings lasted until half-past one o'clock on the
following morning, The evidence was necessarily circumstantial, as there
l1ad been no eye-witnesses of the actual commission of the murders except
the prisoners themselves. It however left no doubt as to the guilt of the
accused. The Jury were absent about ten minutes, when they returned a
verdict of U Guilty." The.J udge then addressed the prisoner :\IcDermott,
pointed out the heinousness of his crime, and sentenced him to be hanged
on the 21st of the month. The condemned man evinced not the slightest
emotion, either of fear or anxiety, hope or despair.
.
ext day Grace :\larks was placed on trial for the murder of :\Ir,
Kinnear. The evidence was substantially the same as that given on the
previous day, The jury speedily returned a verdict of guilty, but recom-
mended the prisóner to mercy, This \vas one of those kindly but mistaken
impulses by which juries are apt to be swayed where good-looking \vomen
are concerned, The only conceivable grounds upon which any claim for
mercy could justly have been founded in the case of Grace :\Iarks was her
extreme youth. The Judge sentenced her to suffer the extreme penalty of
the law on the same date as that assigned for the execution of her partner
The COUllty of York.
39
in InIquity. On hearing her sentence she fainted away, but soon revived.
The Judge held out no hope of clemency, but stated that he would fonvard
the recommendation of the jury to the proper quarter; which being done,
the prisoner was remanded to jail, and the trial was at an end. It will be
observed that the criminals were tried for the murder of :\Ir, Kinnear only,
Capital sentences having been pronounced upon them, it was considered
unnecessary to proceed with the indictments against them for the murder
of
ancy :\lontgomery,
The prisoners maintained a stolid silence as to their crime until shortly
before the day appointed for their execution, On the 17th of the month
Grace :\Iarks, whose sentence had meanwhile been commuted to imprison-
ment for life in the Penitentiary, made a voluntary confession, \yith the
exception of some portions which are irrelevant, -and of others which are
unfit for publication, it was in the following words :-
" :\ly name is Grace :\Iarks, and I am the daughter of J ohn
Iarks, who
lives in the Township of Toronto. He is a stone-mason by trade. \Ye came
to this country from the north of Ireland about three years ago, I have
four sisters and four brothers, one sister and one brother older than I am.
I was sixteen years old last July. I lived servant during the three years I
have been in Canada at various places, . . . In June last I went to live
with Thomas \Yatson, shoemaker, on Lot Street. Nancy Montgomery
used to visit there, and I was hired as a servant by her for :\Ir. Kinnear at
$3 per month, and I went there the beginning of July last, and saw at the
house :\Ir. Kinnear, :N ancy :\Iontgomery, and :\IcDermott. McDermott had
been, I understood, about a week at the, house, Everything went on "ery
quietly for a fortnight, except the housekeeper se\'eral times scolding
:\IcDermott for not doing his work faithfully, and she gave him a fortnight's
warning that when his month was up he was to leave, and she would pay
him Ius wages. He often after this told me he was glad he was going.
but would have satisfaction before he went. .\bout a week after
this :\IcDermott told me if I would keep it a secret he would tell me what
he was going to do with Kinnear and Nancy. I promised I would keep
the secret, and then he said
Ir. Kinnear was going to the city in a day or
two, and would, no doubt, bring back plenty of money with him, He would
kill
ancy before Kinnear came home, would shoot Kinnear when he came
home, and would take all the money and all the valuable things he could, and
\\"ould go over to the United States. :\Ir. Kinnear Idt for the city on Thursday
afternoon, the 27th July, ahout three o'clock, on horseback.
lcDerlllott,
after l\Ir. Kinnear was gone, said to me it was a g-ood job he was gone; he
would kill Nancy that night. I persuaded him not to do so that night. He
40
The County of York,
.
had made me promise to assist him, and I agreed to do so, He said the
way he intended to kill Nancy was -to knock her on tne head with the axe,
and then strangle her; and shoot Kinnear with the double-barrelled gun.
I slept with Nancy Montgomery that night, and on Friday morning after
breakfast she told me to tell :i\IcDermott that his time was up that after-
noon, She had money to pay him his wages. I told him so, and he said:
'Tell Nancy I shall go on Saturday morning '-which I did. He said:
· - her, is that what she is at? 111 kill her before the morning;'
and he said: 'Grace, you'll help me, as you promised, won't you?' I said
yes, I would. During the evening James \Valsh came in, and brought
his flute with him,
ancy said we n?ight as well haye some fun, as !\Ir.
Kinnear was away, Nancy said to McDermott: ' You ha\-e often bragged
about your dancing; come, let us ha\-e a dance.' He was very sulky all
the evening, and said he would not dance. About ten o'clock we ,vent to
bed, I slept with Nancy that night. Before we went to bed McDermott
said he was determined to kill her that night with the axe, ,vhen in hed. 1
entreated him not to do so that night, as he might hit me instead of her.
He said: '- her, I'll kill her, then, the first thing in the morning.' . I got
up early on the Saturday morning, and when 1 \vent into the kitchen
::\IcDermott was cleaning the shoes, The fire was lighted. He asked me
where was
ancy, I said she was dressing, and I said: 'Are you going to
kill her this morning?' He said he would. I said: 'l\lcDennott, for God's
sake don't kill her 111 the room, you'll make the floor all bloody.' '\Yell,'
says he, ' I'll not do it there, but 111 knock her down with the axe the
moment she comes out.' I went into the garden to gather some shiyes,
and when I returned McDermott waF; cleaning the knIves in the hack
kitchen. Nancy came in, She told me to get the breakfast ready, and she
soon after called me to go to the pump for some water. 1\lcDermott and
her were at this time in the back kitchen. I went to the pump, and
on turning round I saw l\IcDermott dragging Xancy along the yard
leading from the back kitchen to the front kitchen, This was about
se\ en o'clock. 1 said to
IcDermott, 'I did not think you was going
to do it that minute.' He said it was better to get it done \vith. He
said: . Grace, you promised to help me. Come and open the trap-door,
and I'll throw her down the cellar. 1 refused to do so, bemg fright-
ened, He presently came to me and said he had thrown her down the
cellar, and he said he wanted a handkerchief. I asked him what for. He
said, ' ::\ ever mind; she is not dead yet: I gaye him a piece of white cloth.
and followed him to the trap-door. lIe" ent down the stairs, I saw the
body lying at tlw foot of the
tairs. He
aid, ' You can't come down here.'
The COUllty of Y01'k,
4 1
\Vent down himself, and shut the trap-door after him, He came up in a
few minutes. I asked him if she was dead. He said yes, and he had put
her behind the barrels. He said to me, ' Grace, now I know you'll tell; if
you do your life is not worth a straw.' I said, ' I could not help you to kill
a woman, but as I have promised you, I will assist you to kill Kinnear.'
McDermott then had some breakfast. I could not eat. anything, I felt so
shocked. He then said: 'Now, l\1r. Kinnear will soon be home, and as
there is no powder in the house, I'll go over to Harvey's, who lives opposite,
and get some.' He soon came hack. He took one bullet from his pocket,
and cut another from a piece of lead he found in the house. 1\Ir. Kinnear
came home about eleven o'clock in his one-horse wagon, l\lcDermott
took charge of the horse and wagon as usual, and I took the parcels out. I
asked -:\Ir. Kinnear if he would have anything to eat, He said he would-
was there any fresh meat in the house? Had Jefferson, the butcher, been
there? I told him no, lIe said that was curious, He then said he \,^ould
have some tea and toast and eggs, which I provided for him. Mr. Kinnear
went into the dining-room, sat down on the sofa, and began reading- a book
he had brought with him, \\-hen I went into the kitchen :\1cDennott was
there, He said, ' I think I'll go and kill him now.' I said, ' Good gracious,
l\IcDermott, it is too soon; wait till it is dark: lIe said he was afraid to
delay it, as if the new man was to come he would hm'e no chance to kill
him, \Vhen 1\1r. Kinnear first arrived home he asked me, '\Yhere is
Nancy? ' I told him she has gone to town in the stage, He said that was
strange, as he had passed the stage on the road, and did not see her in it.
He did not mention Nancy's name aftenvards to me: After l\Ir. Kinnear
had his dinner he went to bed with his clothes on, I think, and towards
evening he got up and went into the yard, and about the premises, \ Yhen
1\Ir. Kinnear was in bed, l\lcDermott said, . III go in now, and hill him, if
youll assist me.' I said, ' Of course, l\lcDennott, I will, as I have promised ·
)ou.' He th
n said, ' III wait till night: \Yhen :\1r. Kinnear was :n the
yard, :\lcDermott always kept near to me, I said to him, · \\'hy, :\IcDer-
mott, if you follow me about so, l\Ir. Kinnear will think something.' He
said, ' How can he imagine anything except you 11 tell him?' I said I
should not tell him anything. l\Ir. Kinnear had his tea about seven o'clock.
I went into his room to take the things away, and, coming into the front
kitchen with them, l\IcDermott said, 'I am going to kill him now, How
am I to get him out ? You go and tell him I want him,' I said, · I won't
go and call him: I then took the tea things into the hack kitchen, The
back kitchen is in the yard adjoining the end of the house, .\s I was putting
the tea-tray down I heard the report of a gun. 1 went into the kitchen alHI
4 2
The County of York.
.
saw l\Ir. Kinnear lying dead on the floor, and l\IcDermott standing over
him. The double-barrelled gun was on the floor. \Yhen I saw this I
attempted to run out. He said' - you, come back and open the trap-
door.' I said, 'I won't.' He said, ' You shall, after having promised to
assist me.' Knowing that I had promised I then opened the trap-door, and
:\IcDermott threw the body down, I was so frightened that I ran out of
the front door into the lawn, and went round into the back kitchen.
\s I
was standing at the door, McDermott came out of the front kitchen door
into the yard, and fired at me, The ball did not hit me, but lodged in
the jamb of the door. I fainted, and when I recovered McDermott was
close to me. I said, '\Yhat made you do that?' He said he did not
mean to do me any harm; he supposed there was nothing in the gun,
This was about 8 o'clock, and the boy James \Valsh came into the yard,
:\IcDermott had just then gone across the yard without his coat on, having
the gun in his hand. He went into the poultry yard. He said if anyone
came and asked about the firing he would tell them he had been shooting
birds, I went out to speak to \Valsh, and McDermott, seeing me talking,
came up to us. The boy said, '\Vhere is Nancy?' I said, 'She is gone
to \Yright's.' After talking a short time the boy said he would go
home, and McDermott went part of the way across the lawn with him,
IcDennott told me when he came back that if the boy had gone into the
house he would have made away with him. He then told n'le how he had
killed l\Ir. Kinnear; that when I had refused to call him out, and when I
was taking the tea things away to the back kitchen, he went to the door of
the dining-room and told l\Ir. Kinnear his new saddle was scratched, and
would he come and look at it in the harness room. :\Ir. Kinnear rose from
the sofa with a book in his hand, which he had been reading, and followed
=\IcDermott towards the harness room. The harness room is a small
room at one corner of the kitchen. l\IcDermott got into the harness room,
took up the gun which he had loaded during the day, came out and fired
at ::\Ir. Kinnear as he was crossing the kitchen, He told me he put the
muzzle of the gun very near his breast. \\ e then commenced packing up
all the valuable things we could find," etc, The rest of her confession has
been quoted on a former page,
Three days later-i.e" on the day before l\IcDermott's execution, his
counsel, l\Ir. Mackenzie, had a final inteniew with him, in the course of
which the murderer admitted his guilt, and made the several communica-
tions already quoted, He was profoundly disgusted to hear of Grace
rarks's reprieve, H Grace," said he," has been reprieved, and her sen-
tence commuted to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life, This seems
Tlte COU1lty of York,
43
very unjust to me, for she is certainly more criminal than I am, If she had
not instigated me to commit the murder, it never would have been done.
But the priest tells me that I shall not be hung, and not to make myself
uneasy on that score." ":McDermott," replied Mr. ::\Iackenzie, " it is use-
less to flatter you with false hopes, Yon will suffer the execution of your
sentence to-morrow, at eight o'clock, in front of the jail. I have seen the
order sent by the Governor to the Sheriff, and that was my reason for \'isit-
ing you to-night. I was not satisfied in my own mind of your guilt. \Vhat
you have told me has greatly relieved my mind, and, I must add, if e\Ter '
man deserved his sentence, you do yours." \Vhen the unhappy wretch
realized wha.t was before him, and that he must pay the penalty of his crime,
his abject cowardice and mental agonies were indescribable. He dashed
himself on the floor of his cell, and shrieked and raved like a maniac
,
declaring that he could not and would not die: that the law had no right to
murder a man's soul as well as his body, by giving him no time for repent-
ance: that if he was hung like a dog, Grace 1\Iarks, in justice, ought to
share his fate. "Finding," said l\Ir. :\Iackenzie, "that all I could say to
him had no effect in producing a better frame of mind, I called in the chap-
lain and left the sinner to his fate."
,
Later on the sam
day :McDermott, having become somewhat more com-
posed in his mind, made a voluntary confession, which is worth preserving
for the purpose of comparison with that of Grace ::\Iarks. The reader will
notice certain contradictory statements in the two confessions, Each of
these human monsters did all that was possible to throw blame upon the
other,
The following are the iPsissima verba of the confession of McDermott,
as taken down by Mr. George \Valton, in the jail of the Home District, at
four o'clock in the afternoon of 'Monday, the 20th of
ovember, 18 43.
" I am twenty years and four months old, and was born in Ireland,
and am a Catholic, I have been six years in Canada. and was, previous
to IR+o, waiter on board the steamers plying- between Quebec and :Montreal.
I enlisted into the First Provincial Regiment of the Province of Lower
Canada in the year 18+0, Colonel Dyer was the Colonel. The regiment
was dishamled in IR+2, and I then enlisted as a private in the Glengarry
Light Infantry Company, amI we were stationed at Coteau du Lac. The
Company consisted of seventy-five men. I did not sen'e as a private in
the regiment, 15ut was servant with the Captain, Alexander ::\Iacdonald,
The Company W.1S disbanded 1st l\Iay this year, I had been in the Com-
pany just twe1\.e months. After being discharged I came up to Toronto
seeking- employ. I Ii\ ed in the city for some timc .1t \.arious places, upon
44
TIle COUllty of York.
the money I had sayed during the time 1 was in the regiment, and I then
determined to go into the country, I thought 1 would go in the direction
of ì\ewmarket, I set out about the latter end of June, and on my way I
was inform
d 1\1r. Kinnear wanted a servant. I went to the house and
saw the housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, She hired me subject to the
approval of Mr. Kinnear when he should return home. :\Ir. Kinnear, when
he came home, approved of what the housekeeper had done as to hiring
me, Grace 1\1arks was hired as a servant a week afterwards, She and the
housekeeper used often to quarrel, and she told me she was determined, if
I would assist her, she would poison both the housekeeper and 1\1r, Kinnear,
by mixing poison with the porridge, I told her I would not consent to
anything of the kind. The housekeeper, Nancy, after I had been at the
house a short time, was overbearing towards me, and I told l\Ir. Kinnear I
was ready and willing to do any work, and did not like that
ancy should
scold me so often. He said she was the mistress of the house. I then told
him I would not stop with them longer than the month. Grace ::\Iarks told
me a few days before l\1r. Kinnear went to town that the housekeeper had
giyen her warning to leave, and she told me, ' Now, McDermott, I am not
going to leave in this way. Let us poison 1\1r. Kinnear and Nancy, I know
how to do it. I'll put some poison in the porridge, By that means we can
get rid of them, \Ye can then plunder the house, pack the silver plate and
other valuables in some boxes, and go over to the States.' I said, ' No,
Grace, I will not do so,' \Yhen I\Ir. Kinnear went to the city on Thursday
she commenced packing up the things, and told me I was a coward for not
assisting her. She said she had been warned to leave, and she supposed
she should not get her wages, and she was determined to pay hersdf after
l\Ir. Kinnear was gone to the city, She said now was the time to kill the
housekeeper, and 1\lr, Kinnear when he returns home, and I'll assist yOU,
and you are a coward if you don't do it, I frequently refused to do as she
\\ ished, and she said I should never have an hour's luck if I did not do as
she wished me, I WILL KOT SAY HOW 1\IR. KI
EAR A
D NA
CY :\IONT-
GO:\IERY WERE KILLED, BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT IF I HAD NOT
BEEN URGED TO DO so BY GRACE MARKS. After Nancy :\Iontgomery was
put in the cellar, Grace se\'eral times went down there, and she aftenvards
told me she had taken her purse from her pocket, and she asked me if she
should take her ear-rings off. I persuaded her not to do so. The gold
snuff-box and other things belonging to .:\1r. Kinnear she gave me when we
were at Lewiston, Grace Marks is wrong in stating she had no hand in
the murder. She was the means from beginning to end."
On the following morning, a short time before his execution,
[CDermott
TIle COUllty of York.
45
confirmed his confession of the previous afternoon. He added some further
particulars, He said that when the housekeeper was thrown dO\vn into
the cellar, after being knocked down, Grace ::\Iarks followed him into the
cellar, and brought a piece of white cloth with her. He held the house-
keeper's hands, she being then insensible, and Grace Marks tied the cloth
tight round her neck and strangled her.
A few minutes before noon, the condemned was brought pinioned into
the hall of the jail. The Rev. J. J, Hay, a Roman Catholic priest, prayed
with him for a few minutes, He appeared perfectly calm and penitent,
He then walked with a firm step to the scaffold, accompanied by 1\lr. Hay
and another Catholic clergyman. In two minutes more he was launched
into eternity, At one o'clock the body was taken down and handed over
to the :\Iedical School for dissection,
The younger criminal was duly forwarded to Kingston Penitentia
y,
where she remained for many years. In r848 her counsel. l\Ir. :\Iackenzie,
visited her there. He found that she retained a remarkably youthful
appearance. u The sullen assurance," said he, in his account of the inter-
view, "that had formerly marked her countenance had given place to a
sad and humbled expression. She had lost much of her former good looks,
and seldom raised her eyes from the ground." She informed her visitor
that it would have been better for her to have been hanged with :\Ic-
Dermott than to have suffered for years, as she had done, the tortures of
the damned, ":\ly misery," said she, "is too great for words to describe.
I would gladly submit to the most painful death if I thought that it would
put an end to the pains I daily endure. But though I have repented of
my wickedness with bitter tears, it has pleased God that I should never
again hé!-ve a moment's peace. Since I helped'l\IcDermott to strangle
Nancy :Montgomery her terrible face and those horrible bloodshot eyes
have never left me for a moment, They glare upon me by night and day,
and when I close my eyes in despair 1 see them looking into my soul. It
is impossible to shut them out. If I am at work, in a few minutes that
dreadful head is in my lap, If I look up to get rid of it, I see it in the far
corner of the room. At dinner it is in my plate, or grinning between the
persons t11at sit opposite to me at table. Every object that meets my sight
takes the same dreadful form,
\t night, in the silence and loneliness of
my cell those blazing eyes make my prison as light as day. They have
a terribly hot glare, that has not the appearance of anything in this
world. Awl when I sleep, that face just hovers above my own, its eyes
just opposite to mine; so that when I awake with a shriek of agony I
find them there. Oh, this is hell, sir! These are the torments' of the
4 6
The County of JYork.
damned! \Vere I in that fiery place, my punishment could not be greater
than this,"
It may be reasonably inferred that
1r. l\Iackenzie ,and l\Irs, l\Ioodie
between them have somewhat polished and idealized the foregoing sen-
tences, which are certainly not likely to have emanated from an uneducated
and ignorant woman such as Grace l\larks undoubtedly was. Several
years later l\Irs. l\Ioodie paid a visit to the Penitentiary, and having heard
l\Ir. :\Iackenzie's account, she was desirous of beholding this unhappy
victim of remorse, "Having made known my wishes to the matron," she
writes, she very kindly called her [Grace Marks] in to perform some
trifling duty in the ward, so that I might have an opportunity of seeing-
her. She is a middle-sized woman, with a slight, graceful figure. There
is an air of hopeless melancholy in her face which is very painful to con-
template. Her complexion is fair, and must. before the touch of hopeless
sorrow paled it, have been very brilliant. Her eyes are a bright blue,
Her hair is auburn, and her face would be rather handsome were it not
for the long, curved chin, which gives, as it does to most persons who have
this facial defect, a cunning, cruel expression, Grace l\1arks glances at
you with a sidelong, stealthy look. Her eye never meets yours, and after
a furtive regard, it invariably bends its gaze upon the ground, She looks
like a person rather above her humble station, and her conduct during her
stay in the Penitentiary was so unexceptionable that a petition was signed
by all the influential gentlemen in Kingston, which released her from her
long imprisonment. She entered the service of the Governor of the Peni-
tentiary, but the fearful hauntings of her brain have terminated in madness,
She is now in the Asylum at Toronto; and as I mean to visit it when
there I may chance to see this remarkable criminal again." .
This partly-expressed hope was soon afterwards realized, 1\lrs,
l\Ioodie visited the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, at Toronto, and was there
once more brought face to face with the strangler of Nancy Montgomery.
" Among the raving maniacs," writes she, " I recognized the singular face
of Grace l\Iarks; no longer sad and despairing, but lighted up with the fire
of insanity, and glowing with a hideous and fiend-like merriment, On per-
ceiving that strangers were observing her, she fled shrieking away like a
phantom into one of the side rooms, It appears that even in the wildest
outbursts of her terrible malady, she is continually haunted by a memory
of the past, Unhappy girl! when will the long horror of her punishment
and remorse be over? \Yhen will she sit at the feet of Jesus, clothed with
the unsullied garments of His righteousness, the stain of blood washed
from her hand, and her soul reùeemed and parùoned, and in her right
mind? "
TIle County of York.
47
This hysterical effusion, like a good many others from the same source,
was utterly thrown away upon its subject. According to the opinion of
Dr. \Yorkman and other leading experts in matters pertaining to cerebral
disease, Grace
Iarks never was insane, but was a fiendish impostor to her
heart's core, She became weary of the monotony of life in the Penitentiar) ,
and feigned madness in order to excite sympathy, and in order that she
might be transferred to the Lunatic Asylum, where she would not have to
work, and where she would enjoy certain indulgences not vouchsafed to
her at Kingston, She was successful in her attep1pt, and was for some
time under Dr
\Yorkman's charge in the Provincial
\sylum. That
shrewd judge of shams was suspicious of her from thCi first, but did not
conclusi,.ely make up his mind about her until he had had ample time and
opportunity for forming a positive opinion. It was during this interval
that :\Irs. :\Ioodie visited the
\sylum as above narrated, when Grace Marks
U came out from her hiding-place, and performed a thousand mad gambols
round her." Dr. \Yorkrnan in due.course made his official report, upon
the strength of which the incorrigible Grace was re-transferred to Kingston.
But she so wrought upon the sympathies of visitors and others that a succes-
sion of petitions to the Government were sent in, praying that a full pardon
might be granted to her. Yarious well-meaning but weak-minded persons
made periodical appeals to Dr. \\ orkman to jqin in these petitions, but
in vain. On one occasion, after Grace's return to the Penitentiary, the
Doctor was waiteå upon by a deputation consisting of several clergymen
and a number of ladies. They made an urgent and final appeal to him on
behalf of their protegée, urging that she had been incarcerated for man)
years; that she had suffered untold mental agony; and that she had bitterly
repented her great crime. "If she were at liberty," urged the reverend
gentleman who acted as chief spokesman for the deputation, "something
might easily be done for her temporal, as well as her spiritual wc;al, and
she might enjoy a few brief years of quiet happiness before the graye closes
oyer her. She would thus have an opportunity of meditating o,'er the past.
and of preparing for a future life.'" .\fter continuing in this strain for some
time he concluded by asking: "And now, Dr. \Yorkman, will you still
persist in refusing to join in the petition for her release, and thereby per-
chante close the gates of Paradise to a repentant sinner. ,- The Doctor's.
reply was eminently characteristic of the man, He said: U Sir, I have no
control whateyer over the gates to which you refer, and if she is worthy to
enter there she will doubtless be ddmitted without any interference on m\
part, But certainly the gates of the Penitentiary wiIJ never -be opened to
her throu
h any act of nunc. I have studied her carefnIJy, and know h( r
4-
.
4 8
TIle COU1lty of York.
character and disposition better than you can possibly do, She is a
creature devoid of moral faculties, and with the propensity to murder
strongly developed, She is not safe to be entrusted with the ordinary
privileges of society, and if her liberty were restored to her the chances are
that sooner or later other lives would be sacrificed," But persistence at
last met with its reward, One petition after another went in to the Gov-
ernment, and doubtless other influences were brought to bear. This almost
unique malefactor receiveù a parùon, and was conveyed to New York,
where she changed her name, and soon afterwards married. For all the
writer of these lines knows to the contrary, she is living .still. \Yhether
her appetite for murder has ever strongly asserted itself in the interval is
not known, as she probably guards her identity by more than one alias.
Such is the astounding narrative of Grace :\Iarks, which will doubtless be
perused by many readers of these pages with greater avidity than any
other portion of the volume.
The scene of the frightful traged)í has undergone little change during
the last forty-one years, It was visited by the writer of this chapter on the
afternoon of Saturday, the 20th of September, 1884, the object of the visit
being to give completeness to the narrative by ascertaining the present
condition of the lOCllS ill qllO, The house still stands intact, and neither the
building itself nor its immediate surroundings are sufficiently altered to
prevent their being recognized by anyone who had been familiar with
them in bygone times. The orchard intervening between the house and
Y onge Street has grown up in the interval, and now almost excludes the
view of the building from the passer-by. The harness-hoùse, adjoinit'lg the
kitchen. where Mr. Kinnear met his doom, has been pulled down, and a
new structure erected in the near neighbourhood; but with these excep-
tions the general aspect of the place is pretty much the same as it was in
18+3, and if poor Kinnear were permitted to revisit the glimpses of the
moon, he might well be permitted to marvel that time has wrought so few
and so trifling modifications in the aspect of his earthly tenement, The
parlour-the bedrooms-the hall-the kitchen where K ancy :\Iontgomery's
terrible fate came upon her-the trapdoor, and the cellar into which the
bodies were cast-all remain precisely as they were, except that they have
grown older, and that one may here and there perceive more or less dis-
tinct traces of dilapidation.
The present owner of the property is 1\1r. John Clubine, who resides
a short distance north of Aurora, and who purchased the place in the
autumn of 1883, He intends to tear down the old house, and to replace it
by a new brick mansion next year. The occupant of the place is
Ir.
TIle COUllty of York,
49
James :\1c \Villiams, who has resided upon it between four and five years,
and who declares most solemnly that he has not been subjected to any
ghostly visitations since taking up his abode there.
As mentioned early in the present chapter, the house is situated on the
west side of Yonge Street, about a hundred yards from the highway, It is
approached by a gate le
ding down from Y onge Street to the barnyard,
The barns are twenty-five or thirt
yards north of the house, The writer,
upon his arrival, was greeted by l\Irs, 1\1c\Villiams, a genial old lady, who
cheerfully communicated all the information she possessed on the subject,
and afforded every facility for inspectÌng the premises.
"So, ':\Irs, i\Ic\Villiams," remarked the writer, "this is the actual
kitchen in which
1cDermott struck down Nancy l\'Iontgomery with the
axe? "
" Yes, Sir," was the reply," and there is the trap-door to the cellar
where the body was thrown down.
1r. Kinnear was not killed in the
house, but in the harness-room, which has been pulled down, It stood
there," continued 1\1rs, l\Ic\Villiams, pointing to a contiguous outhouse of
modern construction. "He was shot through the lungs, and his body
thrown into the cellar, where the housekeeper's body was. \Vould you
like to go down into the cellar? "
The implied invitation was accepted, and, the trap-door having been
raised, the writer stepped down into that gruesome slaughter-house. It is
.
of large dimensions, and is lighted at one end by a window, over which the
cobwebs of years have clustered, Sure enough, there was the awful spot
where Nancy l\Iontgomery was strangled, and where her maimed body was
doubled up beneath the washtub. A considerable quantity of vegetables
are kept there at the present time, which necessarily create an odour. To
the writer, who was familiar with the whole ghastly story, including many
particulars not set down in these pages, that odour was sickeningly sug-
gestive. It seemed as though forty-one years had heen all too short a time
to cleanse the spot of its impurities. There was no inducement to linger
in such an atmosphere, clogged, as it was, with such unhallowed and
nauseating memories, and the writer soon rejoined his hostess at the top of
the landing. .
" It's not much of a place, is it, Sir? ,. resumed the lady.
"
0, indeed; and do none of you ever see or hear any ghosts? ..
" \Ye don't, and we are not afraid, Some of the neighbours used to
try to frighten us when we first moved in, but we paid little attention to
them, \\'e have no objection to the place, cÀcept that it is too old to be
comfortable. This kitchen is awfully cold in the winter, hut :\1r, Clubine
50
The COllnty oJ York.
won't bother repairing it, as he intends to demolish the place and build a
new house next spring. Yes, I have heard that Grace l\Iarks is stillliying
in
ew York, and that she got married there. I think they might better
have kept her in the Penitentiary,"
The writer thought so too, and, having expressed his assent, he bade l\1rs.
:\Ic\Yilliams a cordial farewell. It seemed a relief to get a:way from the
murder-haunted spot, and as he drove tl?-rough the gateway \Vordsworth's
lines emerged from the chambers of his memory:-
.. A merry place, 'tis said, in times of old;
But something ails it now; the spot is cursed,"
;.
CHAPTER V.
THE PRIXCIPAL STREA:\IS OF THE COUNTY OF YORK.-THE CREDlT.-ORIGIK
OF ITS NA:\IE.-PETER JONES AND EGERTON RYERSON AT THE CREDIT
:\hSSIOX,-INDIAX \YITCHCRAFT.- THE HUMBER.- THE ÐON,-SIR
RICHARD BOKXYCASTLE'S ACCOUNT OF A RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTY
THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS SI
CE,-RICH:\IOND HILL \YITHOUT THE LASS.-
THORKHILL.- THE BLUE HILL,-LIST OF COUNTY \Y ARDENS,- THE
:\IUXICIPAL COlJXCIL.-OFFICERS ApPOINTED BY THE COUXCIL.-TABLES
OF VALVES.
<
-
-
r ø - TOLERABLY full account of the milling. a
d other establi
h-
f
ments to be fQund on the banks of the prmcipal streams whIch
'J
\ l" meander through the County of York will be found scattered
"
_, 6; through the various local and township histories embodied in the
present volume. The county as a whole is well watered. The
Credit Riyer, which takes it rise in the range of hills known as
the Caledon Mountains, is a considerable stream. It enters
Lake Ontario at the Village of Port Credit, about fourteen miles west of
Toronto. Its head waters and' upper tributaries formerly swarmed with
that most delicious of all fish, the Canadian brook trout, but the erection
of saw-mills and
he T11arch of civilization have greatly diminished the
supply, although there are places where u the sweet, spotted fry" are still
to be found in sufficient numbers to afford amusement to the disciple
of Isaac \\T alton. The lower reaches of the river used to be prolific of
salmon, but these also have been driven away by the encroachments of
civilization, and the salmon leistering so graphically descrihed by l\Irs,
Jameson nearly half a century ago can only be enjoyed as a picture of the
past. The name of the river has given rise to a good deal of discussion
among local archæologists. It is said by one or two writers to have been
originally derived from a French trader named Crédit, who used to make
periodical excursions from Lachine westward. to traffic with the Indians for
52
The COUllty of York.
furs, and who was accustomed to make the mouth of this stream the
western terminus of his operations, Others derive the name from the fact
that the traders used to buy peltries from the natives 011 credit. This
custom was by no means confined to the particular locality under con-
sideration, though the last-named derivation has received the imprimatur of
competent authorities. "Th
River Credit is so called," says 1\1rs. Jameson,
in her "Sketches in Canada, and Rambles Among the Red l\1en,"':'
"because in ancient times-i.e" forty or fifty years ago-the fur traders
met the Indians on its banks, and delivered to them on credit the goods for
which, the following year, they received the value, or rather ten times their
value, in skins,"
It was here that the Rey, Peter Jones and the Rev. Egerton Ryerson
respectively laboured with much acceptance among the Mississagas of the
district, For an interesting account of Peter Jones's labours, the reader
is referred to the reverend gentleman's well-known work on the subject.
Dr. Ryerson's work is set out in detail in the Story of his Life edited by Dr.
Hodgins, and published in Toronto a few months ago. The following
extract from a letter written by the Rev. \\ïlliam Ryerson to his brother
George, on the 8th of March, 1827, is worth preserving, as affording a
glimpse of missionary life in Canada fifty-seven years ago. "I visited
Egerton's mission at the Credit last week, and was highly delighted to see
the improvement they are making, both in religious knowledge and industry,
I preached to them while there, and had a large meeting and an interesting
time. The next morning we visited their schools, They have about forty
pupils on the list, but there were only about thirty present, The rest were
absent, making sugar, I am very certain I never saw the same order and
attention to study in any school before. Their progress in spelling, reading
and writing is astonishing, but especially in writing, which certainly exceeds
anything I ever saw. They are getting quite forward with their work.
\Yhen I was there they were fencing the lots in the village in a very neat,
substantial manner. On my arrival at the mission I found Egerton, about
half a mile from the ,\'illage, stripped to the shirt and pantaloons, clearing
land with between twelve and twenty of the little Indian boys, who were all
engaged in chopping and picking up the brush. It was an interesting sight.
Indeed he told me that he spent an hour or more every morning and evening
n this way, for the benefit of his own health, and the improvement of the
Indian children. He is almost worshipped by his people, and I believe,
under God, will be a great blessing to them,"
"Part I., p, 39,
The COli II !), of YOl'k,
.. .,
,:).)
In Dr. Ryerson's own diary, kept at this period and place, we find
numerous passages suggestive of the primitive state of civilization among
the Indians. Cnder date of
Iarch 19th, 1837, he writes: "An Indian who
has lately come to this place, and has embraced the religion of Christ, came
to Peter Jones, and asked him what he should do with his implements of
witchcraft-whether throw them in the fire, or river. as he did not want
anything more to do with them. \Yhat a proof of his sincerity!
othing
but Christianity can make them renounce \vitchcraft, and many of them are
afraid of it long after ,their conversion."
Xext in importance to the Credit, among the streams of the county, is
the Humber, which is fully treated of elsewhere, and which was originally
named after the river of the same name in the north of England. Like the
Credit, it was formerly a noted spawning-ground for salmon, which ha\'e since
found other local habitations, It empties into Lake Ontario ahout a mile .
west of the present city limits, and is a good deal resorted to by pic-nickers
and holiday makers during the summer season, The Don, also fully treated
of elsewhere, was formerly a picturesque stream, but it has greatly diminished
in size of late years and has been shorn of much of its ancient glory, The
other local streams do not call for any particular remark.
\Ye have topographical descriptions of portions of the county of York
from the pens of many writers, from which it appears that the local scenery
has little to distinguish it from the scenery of other rural neighbourhoods
in \Yestern Canada, Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle, in his" Canada and
the Canadians in 18+6," gives a characteristically fault-finding and inaccu-
rate account of a hurried ride from the northern portion of the county to
Toronto. Space fails to follow him throughout the entire journey, It will
be sufficient if we join his retinue at Richmond I1ill. "Behold us," he
writes, "at Richmond Hill, having safely passed the Slou
h of Despond
which the vaunted Yonge Street mud road presents, hetween the celebrated
hamlet of St. ...\lban's and the aforesaid hilI, one of the greatest curiosities
of which road, near St.
\lban 's, is the vicinity of a sort of
Ionnon estah-
lishment where a fello,,- of the name of David \Yilson, commonly called
David, has set up a Temple of the Davldites, with Yirgins of the Sun,
dressed in white, and all the tomfooleries of a long heard and e
cIusive
sanctity. But
\merica is a fine country for such knavery, Another curi-
osity is less pitiable and more natural. It is Bond Lake, a large. narrow
sheet of water, on the summit between Lake Simcoe anù Lake Ontario.
which has no visihle outlet or inlet, and is therefore, like David \\ïlson,
mysterious, although common sense soon lays the mystery in hoth cases
bare-one is a freak of i\ dture concedling the source and exitus; the other
34
Tile COll1l!J' of York,
.
a fraud of man." The local reader will hardly need to be informed that the
foregoing characterization is grossly unfair and inaccurate as applied to the
founder of the sect known as Davidites, who have very little in common
with the disciples of Joseph Smith. Sir Richard next refers to the Oak
Ridges, and the stair-like descents of plateau after plateau to Ontario, as
being" remarkable enough, showing even to the most thoughtless that here
ancient shores of ancient seas once bounded the forest, gradually becoming
lower and lower as the water subsided." He jour'neys on southward until
he reaches what he terms" Richmond Hill without the Lass," where he
found" Dolby's Tavern a most comfortable resting-place for a wearied
traveller." "\Ye departed from Richmond Hill," he continues, "at half-
past five, and wagoned on to Finch's Inn, seven miles, where we break-
fasted. This is another excellent resting-place, and the country between
the two is thickly settled. \Ye have now been travelling through scenes
celebrated in the Rebellion of Mackenzie. About five miles from Holland
Landing is the blacksmith's shop which was the headquarters of Lount,
the smith who, like Jack Cade, set himself up to reform abuses, and suffered
the penalty of the outraged laws. Lount was a misled person who, imbued
with strong republican feelings, and forgetting the favours of the Govern-
ment he lived under, which had made him what he was, took up arms at
:\Iackenzie's instigation, and thought he had a call.to be a great general.
He passed to his account, so rcquiescas in pace, Lount! for many a villain
yet lives to whose vile advices you owed your untimely end, and who ought
to have met with your fate instead of you, Lount had the mind of an
honest man in some things, for it is well known that his counsels curtailed
the bloody and incendiary spirit of :\Iackenzie in many instances.
N ext to Richmond Hill is Thornhill, all on the macadamized portion of the
road to Toronto. Thornhill is a very pretty place, with a neat church and
a dell, in which a river must formerly have meandered, but where now a
streamlet runs to join Lake Ontario, Here is an extensive mill, owned by
:\Ir. Thorne, a wealthy merchant, who exports flour largely, the Yonge
Street settlement being a grain country of vast extent, which not only sup-
plies his mills, but the Red Mills, near Holland Landing, and many others.
From
Iontgomery's Tavern to Toronto is almost a continued series for
four miles of gentlenlPn's seats and cottages, and, being a straight road, you
see the great lake for miles before its shores are rèached. Large sums have
been expended on this road, which is. carried through a brick-clay soil, in
which the Don has cut deep ravines, so that immense embankments and
deep excavations for the level have been requisite, Near Toronto, at Blue
Hill, lar
e brick-yards are in operation, and here white brick is now made,
.
Tile COUllty of York.
S5
of which a handsome specimen of church architecture has been lately
erected in the west end of the city." The structure here referred to was
St. George's Church, on John Street, which was erected in 18++.
The present municipal system came into operation in the beginning of
the year 1850, Previous to that time the County of York was governed by
the Home District Council, which was presided over by a Chairman, elected
annually. Since the new system has been in vogue the deliberations of
the County Council have been presided over by a \Varden, who is also
elected annually, The following is a list of the gentlemen who have occu-
pied that high office, together with the respective years of occupancy:-
18 5 0 , Franklin J ackes, Esquire. 1868. \Villiam .\, \Vallis, Esquire.
18 51. Franklin J ackes, " 186 9. \Villiam A, \Vallis, "
18 5 2 , J. \V, Gamble, " 18 7 0 . James Parnham, "
1853. Joseph Hartman, " 18 71. Peter Patterson, "
185+, J. \V, Gamble, " 18 7 2 , \Villiam H. Thorne, "
1855. Joseph Hartman, " 18 73, \Villiam H. Thorne, "
1856. Joseph Hartman, " 18 74, \Villiam Cane, "
1857, Joseph Hartman, " 18 75. James Speight, "
1858. Joseph Hartman, " 18 7 6 , \Villiam C. Patterson, "
1859. Joseph Hartman, " 18 77. J ames Robinson, "
1860. David Reesor, " 1878, N. C, \\allace, "
1f361. J. P. \Vheler, " 1879, Joseph Fleury, "
1862, J. P. \Vheler, " 1880. Joseph Stokes, "
186 3, J, P. \Vheler, " 1881. \Villiam Eakin, "
1864. \Villiam Tyrrell, " 1882, \Villiam H. Rowen, "
1865. H. S. Howland, ., 1883. Erastus Jackson, "
1866. H, S. Howland, " 188+. E, J, Davis, "
1867. H. S, Howland, "
The names and post-office addresses of the gentlemen composing the
:\Iunicipal Council of the County of York for the current year (188....),
together with the names and adùresses of the various township clerks,
appear from the following tahle:-
MUNICIPALITIES.
REEVES AND
POST-OFFICE ADDRESS.
DEPUTY-RFEVES CU...RKS AND
ANU POST-OFFICE ADDRES
. POST-OFFICE ADDRESS.
I ' t b ' k I (M, Canning,
... OleO"e ...,., ì I 1 . t P 0
s mg on , ,
G' I f J, R. Stevenson,
7eorgma ., ' . l Georgina P. 0,
G ''11' b . f R. :\1. VanXorman,
., ,\1 1m ur}.. -( Keswiek P. 0,
( J, D. Evans,
1 Is1ington, p, o.
{ Henry Park,
Voehill 1',0.
(D, H, Sprague,
t Keswiek P. O.
{ Alex. :\IcPherson,
Is1ington, p, 0,
f Angus Ego,
l Georgina P. O.
r Henry Sennett,
ì Uellhaven p, 0,
56
TIle COl/nty of York.
\It::NICIPALITIES. I
I
I
REE\ E AND
POST-OFFICE ADDRESS.
E G O Il ' b { \V, H. Rowen,
. WI 1m urY"I, Sharon p, O.
I
I
K ' I (E, 1- Davis,
mg.......,.... 1 King p, 0,
I
' I kh { D, James,
-, ar am...... Thornhill P. O.
" Scarboro ' I (John Richardson,
.' .. ,. l Scarbro' p, O.
,
I
I
\ T h { T. Porter,
aug an......... HumberP.O.
Whitchurch { M, Jones,
.... Bloomington P. O.
Y k { H. Duncan,
or .........". Don P. 0,
X ewmarket, .,., E, } ackson.
Holland Landing James
lcClure,
.-\.urora" . . . , . , . . A, Yule,
:\larkham Village G. R. Nanzant.
I{ichmond Hill.. J, Brown,
Stouffville .... . . \V, B, Sanders,
Parkdale..,. ... .. Hugh Mc:\1ath,
Brockton...... " Dr. :\IcConnell,
\Veston " . . , .. . , \Villiam Tyrrell,
Woodbridge... . John Abell.
Dr,. Pt::TY-REEVES CLER"S ANr
AND POST-OFFICE ADDRESS. POST-OFFICE ADDRESS,
-----
fharles Traviss,
Holt P,O, (}, T, Stokes,
} 0 Holborn, l Sharon P. 0,
Ravenshoe p, o.
1 Charles Irwin,
Lloydtown P. O.
Thomas \Vilson, (Joseph \Vood,
Newmarket P. O. 1 Laskay p, 0,
:\1.}, O'Neil,
Holly Park p, O.
f{Ohert Brnce,
Gormley P.O.
F, K. Reesor, r J, Stephenson,
Box Grove. 1 Uniom'ille p, O. .
A. Forster,
Markham p, O.
J A, M, Secor,
\Voburn p, 0, J John Crawford,
l George :i\Iorgan, i l\lalvern P. O.
L'Amoreaux P. O.
fYiIliam Cook,
Carville P,O,
D, Reaman, I J, M, Lawrence,
Concord P. 0, l Richmond Hill P,O.
Alexander 'Malloy,
Purpleville P. O.
J L. Hartman,
Aurora P. 0, fJ. \V. Collins,
l C. Brodie, l Newmarket P. 0,
Bethesda P. 0,
JF. Tnrner,
Bracondale P. 0,
Joseph \Vatson,
Fairbank p, O. J J. K.. Leslie,
l H. R Frankland. I Eglinton P. 0,
Doncaster P. O.
Joseph Davids,
orway p, O.
T. H. Lloyd. David Lloyd,
Fred, }, Kitching
William Ough, IS, H, Lundy.
H. R. .corson.
I. Teefy.
I W, H, \Voodgate,
G. S, Booth. IH. S, Langton.
D, :\1cl\Iichael.
\V, }, Conron,
C. J, Agar.
The following are the officers appointed by the Council for the current
year:-
TIle County of York.
57
E, J. Davis, Esq" TVardell, King; J, K. Macdonald, Esq., Treasurer,
Toronto; George Eakin, Esq., Clerk, Toronto; J. T. Stokes, Esq., Super-
illtendent York Roads alzd County Engineer, Toronto; J, T. Jones, Esq.,
High Constable, Toronto; J. K. Leslie, and Joseph Stokes, County Auditors,.
John Crawford and F, Jackson, Board of Audit,. The \Varden and l\Iessrs.
:\1. Jones and John Richardson, Commissioners of County Property,. Robert
Hull, Housekeeþer.
COUNTY BOARD OF EXA
IINATION OF TEACHERS:- James Hodgson, 01
Toronto, and David Fotheringham, of Aurora, County Inspectors; James H.
Hughes, of Toronto, R, \Y. Doan, of Toronto, and George Rose, of
ew-
market, Examiners,
TRUSTEES OF HIGH SCHOOLS:-No. I, JVeston-\Villiam Tyrrell, John
-:\IcConnell, :\I.D" and J. P, Bull; No.2, ....l{arklwm-John Crawford, P.
\Videman, and John Gibson; .No. 3, Richmond Hill-\Villiam Trench, P.
Patterson, and -:\1. Naughton; ....\"0.4, Newmarket-C, \Vebb, A. J. Hughes,
and Francis Starr.
The respective township treasurers are sub-treasurers of school moneys.
The following tables, obtained from official and trustworthy sources,
will doubtless be specially acceptable to readers of this work :-
58
The COllnty of York.
SCHE
Showing the Aggregate Value of Real and Personal Property and Income;
York for the
l\'IU
ICIP ALITIES.
TOWNSHIPS.
Etobicoke.. . , , . . , , , . , . . , . . . . , . .
Georgina, , , . . . . . , , , . . . . . , , , , . , .
Gwillimbury, North, '" .,..""
Gwillimbury, East.. .'.. ,...,.,.
King .,..",......,..., ..,...
l\larkham, . . . . , . , . . , , . . . . . . . . . ,
Scarborough..". .... .." '" . '.
Vaughan .... . . . . . . . . , . ., ..... [
\Vhitchurch ... . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . .
York ..............' .,... .. "'1
Total of Townships... '" , ..
TOWN.
Newmarket ... "
VILLAGES.
Aurora . _ . , , . . . . . . . , . . , . . . . .
Holland Landing. . , . " ",..,..
l\Iarkham. . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . , . .
Richmond Hill. . . . , . , . , . . . . ., .
Stouffville, . . , . . . , . . , . . . . . . . . . . .
Park dale '" ..:..........."..
Brockton . , , . . , , . . , . . . , . . . . . . . .
\ \T eston " , . . . . ., . . . . .. ..
\Voodbridge,. . . , . . . , , . , . . . . . , . .
Total of Towns and Villages.
Grand Totals,., .,'. . ..,
00 , 00
r:: Q) Q)
0 ç::::
00 u
00 <
Q) , Q) .....
p..'Ö
, .....r::
Q) u
00 <:..... o Q)
.....00 r:: 'Ö
o Q) .....Q) Q) ,jj
00 O"Ö
00 :::1Q)
ó<: ,..... C;;ç::::
o 00
Z z :>
-- --
$
754 29,14 8 1,54 6 ,
57 1 3 1 ,05 6 7 10 ,
557 3 0 , 86 4 84 6 ,
1,34 2 5 1 ,653 1,37 0 ,
1,934 86, 156 3. 0 94,
1,7 2 7 67,43 2 3,268,
1,034 4 2 , 20 5 2, 21 4,
1,669 64,839 3 061 ,
1,3 0 4 59,73 8 1,861,
3,228 63,9 1 5 5,557,
14,120 53 0 ,006 23,53 1
688 . . . . . . . . . . 444,
I
6 1 9 .... . ... . 28 7,
135 ........ . 75
274 . . . . . . . . . . 18 7,
19 1 ......... . 15 0 ,
23 2 . . , . 16 7.
9 6 5 .. . , , . . 1,3 60 ,
3 2 4 ..... . , . 435,
24 0 . . , . 251,
334 ......... . 108,
4,002 ..... . . . 3,4 6 9,
18,122 53 0 ,006 27,00J,
,
..... r::
o..r:: 0
Q) Q) z
:::1:-s:1 00 .
- 00 Q).....
c-;j Q)
r::
:>-ç:::: uQ)
Q) Q) <
_M
.....00
u o Q)
<: óç::::
<: z
--
$ c,
53 04 108
22 55 5, 01 7
27 45 580
25 07 3,7 6 9
35 9 2 3 6 8
4 8 4 6 ........ ..
52 4 6 3 8 5
47 22 . . . . . . . . . .
31 16 1 34 1
86 95 23 2
14 0
55 0
295
06 4
83 6
073
280
5 0 5
945
7 6 5
453 ........, 10,800
I--
I
974 . .. '...j ...... ...'
I
161
65 0
047
805
4 80
575
7 6 5
35 0
4 8 5
73
. . . . . . . . . .
11
II
....... .
.
294
741
747 ....
10,8741
.
Tile County of York.
59
DULE,
also Average Value per Acre of the Several 1\1 unicipalities in the County 01
Year A.D, 1883.
:J1
.... '
u......
....1::
.. :J)
'Ö
.....'-
o CIJ
..-
"'"
;:j I
-I::
C1! 0
:>z
s
3,74 0
25
950
3,935 I
15,73 0
6,875 1
Q) I
- :::
a
--;;Z
:>c:>....;
Q) .... t::
u
c-j<:
.... \.0 U)
Q)Q)
:> P-._
<:
c,
34 62
5 17
6 78
4 17
18 68
22,600 I 58 7 0
..., 3:65
' I "
' 7
'
22,555 97 21
035 1""""1
. ............. ........
975 I
1
........ I ..
15 0 ..,..,..','.
: ': : : : :: . : I I" . .
.......... ...... ....
I
--I
. --
::
.I
......... ..
'Ö..; ..... 'Ö ' ..... 'Ö . a.i 6-
I:: I:: ol::
01::-:: E
C1! C) C1! Q)
C1! îi 0
"D Q) 'Ö 0 -....
.......tï) :::1 ,- - :s u ......
_...... tf)
"""'CJ'J I::
t:: Q) c-j t:: Q) :>t::Q) .....
Q)
:>1)...... Q)Q)
C;;
'Ö
Q)
. b.C "Ü , :D I::
- I:: "00
CI! ,jj t::
0 0
'ë;;Q)o .... Q) 0 C1! U)
;:::::;Z Õ
Z
::::Z :.< ....
C1! -Q)
E-< <: E-< .....
$ $ c.
9. 2 5 6 1,549,880 52 97 7 00 9
6,073 73 6 ,5 00 20 41 85 0 4
1,444 85 0 ,23 0 27 03 1,000 3
8,4 22 1,3 8 5,794 23 7 2 I,goo 6
6,5 2 4 3 101,7 11 35 84 8,050 20
7,43 2 3, 2680 73 4 8 4 6 5,4 00 15
2,590 2,23 6 ,880 52 52 4,64 0 II
4,839 3,061,5 0 5 47 22 5,25 0 12
0,079 1, 86 5,595 3 1 05 1.7 00 10
4,147 5,5 8 0,3 20 86 99 15,800 23
0,806 23,63 6 ,4 88 .............. .. 45,29 0 1,19
I
I -
......... .. 444,974 I .......... .. 6,3 00 2
...... .. 28 7,161 .............. .. 5,75 0 I
......... .. 7 6 , 62 5 -.......... .. 4 00
...... .. 18 7,047 . , , , 9,05 0 2
......... .. 15 0 ,955 .............. .. 3,100
.......... .. 16 7,4 80 .............. .. 800 I
. 1,3 60 ,575 .............. .. 1,4 00 I
.......... .. 435,7 6 5 .............. .. ........ .. . .
.......... .. 255,775 ...... .. . . .............. ..
........ .. 108,4 8 5 ....... .. . , 4 00
- --
741 3,474,844 I........ 27,200 I
-
0, 880 1 27. 111 ,33 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 2 ,49 0 1,3
tf)
Q)
....
u
<:
o
Z:,=,
--;;;
......
o
E-<
2
3
3
5
8
6
4
6
6
6
54
I, ..
-
550 I....... 1-
__I
110,5 8 5 ........1 54
.
>-.
......
....
$
9,4 00
4,4 00
8,45 0
5,04 0
5,95 0
6,97 0
3,75 0
9,84 0
3,200
6,600
3,600
0,85 0
5.5 00
3,9 2 5
0,95 0
7,600
345 0
3, 81 5
2,4 20
1,4 00
6,975
06,885
00,4 8 5
c:.;
5 a.i
tf) I::
5 5
ç....g
......
-;;;
......1::
o c-j
E-<
$
100,100
45,25 0
39,45 0
66,94 0
21 4,000
162.37 0
118,39 0
135 ago
104, goo
25 2 ,4 00
.
1,238.890
27,15 0
21,25 0
4,3 2 5
3 0 ,000
10,7 00
14. 2 5 0
15, 26 5
2,4 20
1,4 00
7,375
134, 08 5
1,37 2 ,975
60
TIle County of York.
SCHE
Showing the Aggregate Value of Real and Personal Property and Income;
York for the Year
IU
ICIPALITIES.
TOW:-oISHIPS,
..
Etobicoke.. , , . . . . . " , . , 1,649,980
Georgina. . . . . . . . , , , . , . . , . , , , , , 78 1,750
Gwillimbury,
orth,. .' " " . , " 889,680
Gwillimbury, East.. , ". " 1,452,734
King,.. . ,.. 3,315,71I
Markham, , , . ., ,.',.,...,.,.,. 3,430,443
Scarborough. , , , . . , , , , , , . . . . . . , 2,355.270
Vaughan.". .", "., ..,. , , ,... 3,196,595
\Vhitchurch. , . . , , . . ", , . . . , , . ..1 1,97 0 ,495
york,.",..... ...,'.,....., , .,. 5,83 2 ,7 20
1
Total of TownshIps... ,. . ..,1 -;'1,875,378
I
!
TOWN,
Newmarket...,...,...,...,." .
VILLAGES.
--___1__
29,25 0
35,339
3 1 ,549
57, 60 4
86,282
67,4 22
4 2 ,954
65,9 2 4
59,858
63,7 61
I I I ,
Q)I'V') Q) :> <J::
.a
ç:::o Q)
Q)oì:j tf)0 A
UN Q);>-,
1::00 t5.a .
Q) '1:: <e:'C..... 0 >.
Q) I::
Q) ......I::Q) tf) U
Q) Q) o
S tf) I::
......;;. Q) Q)
...... .... , ::I
U'-
.- ...... O....Q) :.< U
A Z
29,256 E
36,073 E
31,444 D
58 422 E
86,524 E
67,43 21E
42.590 D
64,839 D
60,079 E
64.147 E
6
735
10 5
818
24 2
10
3 6 3
1,0 8 5
221
3 86
8 I E
2 ,000
41,000 D
31,200 E
61,575;D
78,400 E
69,500 D
45.000 D
68,000'D
63.000 D
61,000 E
1,25 6
4,9 26
244
3,153
8, 12 4
2,068
2,4 0 9
3,161
2,9 21
3,147
I I
I::
Q)>-;
ç... No, of Acres
."D
-I:: Asses sed.
c-;j
..- '
...... - Q)
_gs I
c-;j 0 0
õ UJu 1882, 18 8 3,
E-<
-- ,
$ I
539,943 540.806 C.:
45 6 .05 1 =
. .
I
, . .
I
j .
-- --.-.-
74i , . . .
--a.--
54 0 , 880 1 456,675, ,
I
I
Grand Totals, . . . .. ....! 28'484,3071 539.943,
47 2 , 12 4 .. , . , . , ,I
I
I
Aurora.. . .. .. .... .. .. ... .. . .. .. 3 08 ,4 1I .. I
Holland Landing". .. " " ., , , '. 80,95 0 , " , , .'
l\Iarkam.. . , . . . , . . 217,047 ' , , . . , , ,
Richmond Hill",. ,...',....., 161.6 55 1 , .
Stouffville.. , , . . , , , , , " . . . 18I. 730 . ,
Parkdale. ..',.. , .' '. " " .. 1.375.79 0 ,
Brockton....... 43 8 , 187 1 "
\Veston... .... . ." 257,175 ..
\Voodbridge.. .. . , , ... , .. , ... _
,860 1 ""'" ,
Total of Towns and Villages. 3,608,929...
I
The Coml!)' of J Tork.
61
DULE,
also Average Value per Acre of the Severall\Iunicipalities in the County of
A.D. 1883.-Continued,
:r
C
o
<fJ
.Þ,S
.......-
.....E
8
. r-
ç.....
z
2,857
2,245
1, 81 7
3,620
5,77 0
5,14 6
3,7 21
5,Il7
3,95 0
10,374
44,61 7 1
1,7 12
Q)
.....
.....
c;::
l.-
.....
o
o
Z
I
1,945
1.998
2,557
2,673
4,5 8 4
4. 2 3 1 1
2,8471
4,38 5 1
3,001
2,9 8 9
3 1 ,23 0
0..
Q)
Q)
..c
(f)
.....
o
o
Z
1,106
1,774,
2,199,
3. 423 1
5,44 2
4,449 1 '
2,64 6
3,8og
3,9 26 '
1,5 2 7
3 0 ,7 01
I.
55
I
U,
be
o
::r::
.....
o
o
Z
1,14 2
677
1,075
1.735
2,375
2,382
1,07 0
2,453
1,84 0
1,64 8
<fJ
Q)
<fJ
....
o
::r::
.....
o
o
Z
1, 26 4
81 4
99 8
1,5 8 3
2,693
2,810
1,4 8 3
2,4 6 5
2,223
2,261
'õ I 'õ
oci 'õ
'õ
<fJ <fJ 8 t:: <fJ c-:j rr.
Q)"O Q)......c;:: Q) ::.5-::
t5 t:: t5,.,-;_....J t5'Ö. t5.2
-<:
<: 9'õ:> <:
.....:.>
'õ"8 'õ
'õ"5'E'
:;;.
.... .... C'::I \ c;::
....
(f) 0
O
I
1 '--,--:-1--
; I
342 II 1,482 2761 951 2,666
173' 9 3,4 60 7,554 16g 1 1,772
120 5 4,13 0 4, 744 1 300, 3,761
243 3 6,303 13 545 434 1 5,719
5 1 5 24 16,147 7.4 80 93 1 9,683
499 4 7. 1 7 0 1. 181 i 1,0 5 0 1 6,691
375 13 3,3 2 5 4,19 1 1 900 2,385
533 21 Il.845 3,628 808 8,827
397 13 . not I tak en . ... ,...
79 0 5 3,og4 2,44 2 2,9 Il 4,351
<fJ
c
Q
<fJ
Q)
..c
.8
"'"
....,
.....
o
53
log
.....
o
o
Z
o
Z
I
1,547 10 3 55 150 161
451 237 14 81 180 86
1,063 68 38 64 102
777 62 331 63 73
87 1 45 19 1 103 10 7
2,IIO 4 0 3 8 73
7 So 14 ' . , . , , , , 4 0 24
9 6 5 23 8 21 37
9 2 3 45 ... . . , . .1 10 3 75
----- 1---,
II, 169 692 356' 785 847
I I I
----1--1 I
55,786 3 1 .9 22 1 31,0571 17,182 19.441,
16,397 18.594 3'9871 lOt)
-I
52
I
64, .
5 6 ,95 6
I
In..... I
j.....'..
4 2 ,601 8,454
45,855
I
75 8 ..
44.".1.... ..
58 7
371 6..
447.. 1 ,.,
12 9 ,'" I" '..,.,
44 .... ,'..,'..
68 7 1 .. ......
4 0 4" ,
...... .. ....
60 3 39. .
____ ___1__-
5 6 ,95 6 1 4 2 , 601 1 8,4541 45,855
4.59 0 147
62
The County of York.
SCHEDULE
Showing the Assessed and Equalized Value of the several
1 unicipalities m the
County of York for 1883,
:MUNICIPALITIES.
TOW
SHIPS,
Etobicoke ........
Georgina.,. , .." "
GwiIlimbury,N orth I I
Gwillimbury, East.
h.ing " . . . . . ' . . . , , ,
Iarkham ........
Scarborough. . . . , .
Vaughan . .... . . . ,
\Vhitchurch ......
York. .. .. ..., .. . .
Total of Townshipsl
TOWN,
ewmarket ....,.!
VILLAGES.
-\urora.., . . . . . . . , ,
HoIland Landing..
:Markham Village.,
Richmond Hill . . , ,
Stouffville ,. . . , , - .
Parkdale .. . . . . . . . ,
Brockton , . , ., .
\ V eston .,...,.".
Woodbridge.. ..,.
,
...... I , Q)"
0 t:: ::=' t::
Q) Q)......
ro
:::I :::1-0
-Q) c;Jt:: :>ë;;
c-;j......
:>c:: :>.:': t::
..... 'Ö 0 .
1!
c-;j
'Ög. Q) U) :l)
N N
S
:.:::
Q) U1 Q) .-
0
S
u
c-;j Q) Q)Q)0
:::I""
U ::='...... t::
0"....... 0'0.......
<:
$ $ $
I 1,5 21 .3 12 100,100 114. 600
1,010.044 45,25 0 68.4 00
1,045.5 1 3 39,45 0 73,000
I 2 044,770 66,94 0 139,000
...... , '
o t:: cr.
Q)o
:::;z ('j
"@
:>............
t:: t::
'ÖQ)Q)
Q) 'Ö "D
(J)__a-
U1 U) U)
Q) Q) Q)
gj
e:::
<:
Q)
0.. Q)
Q) ::='
::=' C;;
'@ :>
:> Q)
'Ö
Q) Q) U
bCQ.Ì ,
<:
c-::I
'@
U ::=' Q)
<: 0'0.,
<:
1$ c. $ c.
$
1,549,88052 97 52 00
736.500,20 41 28 00
85 0 ,23 02 7 03 33 25
1.385.79423 72,35 00
3.101.711 35 85 1 40 00
3,268,073 48 46156 00 1
2,236,88052 5252 00
3 061,5 0 5,47 22 1 55 50' ,
1,865,59431 0539 00
5,580,320186 9982 00'
_,__-
23 63 6 ,4 881
3,4 60 .9 60
3,77 6 , 192 1
2,214.680
3,59 8 .5 6 4
2,343, 081 1
5,260,054
214,000
162,37 0
118,39 0
135 09 0
10 4,9 00
25 2 ,4 00
27 0 ,000
24 0 ,000
17 8 ,000
235,000
100,000
245,000,
"
C;; 'Ö
.- '3 t::
'ëij;:""c-::I
-......-
&oê
C:;OS
::=' UJ 0
_-J....4u
c::
c:; t::
ot""""'"r--!Þ--1
E-<
$
, 1,635,9 12
, 1,07 8 ,444
1,118.5 1 3
2, 18 3 770
I
3,73 0 ,9 60
4,016,192
2,39 2 ,680
3,ð33,5 6 4
2,443. 080
5,050,054
- I
c;J::
'I)......
1i
If' -
U)...... ('j
oC;;
UJ I::
<: Q) 0 .
::=' UJ Q)
--
S
c-;j c-::I Q) 0
õ:>;.... U
E-<
$
1,649,980
7 81 ,75 0
889,680
1,45 2 ,734
3,3 1 5,7 11
3,43 0 ,444
2,355,27 0
3. 1 96,595
1,97 0 ,495
5,83 2 ,7 20
, I
26,275,17 0 1,23 8 ,89 0 1,663,000,27.93 8 ,17 0 24,875,378
479,000 27,15 0 35. 000 514 000 472 12 4
I
!
3 01 ,17 0 , 21,250 28,83 0 330,000 3 08 ,4 11
85,27 0 4,325 8,73 0 1 94,000 8095 0
18 7 .000 1 30000 29000: 216,000 217,047
157,800 10.700 20,200 178,000 161,655
162,875 14,250 18.000 180,875 181,730
1.187,044' 15215 1 13620 1 200,664 1,375,790
373,0001 24 20 II 000 1 3 8 4 000 43 8 , 18 7
200,000 1,400 20000 220,000 257,175
122,000 1 7,375' 12,000 134000 115,860
-1--1---------
3,255, 159 , 134.0 85 1
,380
51,539 3,608,9 2 9
129,530,329, 1,372,975,1,859,380,31,389.709 28,484,307
444 974
28 7,161
7 6 , 62 5'
18 7 047
15 0 ,955
167 4 80
1,3 60 ,575
435 7 6 5
255,775
108,4 8 5
Total for Towns and --I
Villages,..... .. 3,474,844
Grand Total....., 27, III,33 2
1
iJ - r-
..Eï
-----=-== ",,;"t,. -
;$
- _ r
- -1__
L
I'(!
'
J.,""'::j l-;{ _:- 'é?J,
---,,""
I
.. "',
4
..11
'
-.:
.1:'1'1: ..,':""-.......-1.... I..... -
l L
n
. ,j ..." ...
.."" '-.1\.
- :J}
.i1lW.A.: /
JII5
'ftIj ! L
---=-- i..
^'
_ - '=0.
- ,
I
...;;;..- -=;- --_
y;.,
a: .
d
CHAPTER VI.
THE REPORT OF THE O
TARIO AGRICULTURAL CO;\I:\I1SSION.-STATISTICS
RELATI
G TO THE COUNTY OF Y ORK.-CHARACTER OF THE SOIL.-
\VATER,-PRICE OF FAR:\IS,-STU:\IPS,-FENCES.-FARI\I BUILINGS AND
OUT
BUlLDINGS.-DRAINAGE,-F AR:\I l\IACHINERy.-FERTILIZERS.-UN_
CLEARED LANDS. - ACREAGE A
D AVERAGE PRODUCTS, - STOCK AND
STOCK BY-LAWS,-TIl\IBER LANDS,-::\IARKET FACILITIES.-LoCAL I
-
DUSTRIES.-l\IECHANICS, FARM LABOURERS A
D DO:\IESTICS.
T I R f I 0 . \ . I I C ., .
J
'):-.
-..':'''rI t 1e eport 0 tIe ntano i\,gncu tura omnl1SSlOn, compIled
;
'
G \ and published under the auspices of the Ontario Government
'
about three years since, is to.be found a great mass of agricultu-
; ral and other information respecting .the more important munici-
palities in this Province. The information collected therein with
'r
regard to the County of York is especially comprehensive and
valuable, and includes statistical data relating to the soil, climate,
topographical features, cultivable area and products, and the general pro-
gress and condition of husbandry. The various townships comprised within
the County of York, as at present constituted, are represented as having
been "entered and largely settled" between the years 1790 and 1815. "The
first entered "-so runs the report-" was l\Iarkham, and the last Georgina,
in the years named." One-thinl of the latter township IS represented as
being still unsettled, together with about two thousand acres in East Gwil-
limbury and one thousand in North Gwillimbury; but some progress has
been made since the publication of the report, and the proportion of unset-
tled lands are at the present day slightly under the figures therein given.
In the remaining townships, we are informed, the process of settlement was
completed in, on an average, a little more than +5f years,
Under appropriate heading
, we next find in the report the following
useful information :-
5
64
The COU1lty of York,
CHARACTER OF THE SOIL.
Heavy clay, clay loam, and sandy loam, are the predominating soils in
this county, Heavy clay exists in the proportion of about twenty-one per
cent., with a depth of from eight to twenty-four inches, and resting princi-
pally on subsoils of clay and marl; clay loam, about thirty-eight per cent.,
depth from eleven to fifteen inches" and resting principally on subsoils of
clay and marl; sandy loam, about twenty-two per cent" depth from six to
twelve inch.es, with subsoils of clay and marl; sand, about ten and a-half
per cent" depth not determinable, with subsoils of quicksand and gravel;
gravelly, not appreciable; black loam, about eight and a-half per cent.,
depth from two to eight feet, and resting on clay, sand and quicksand,
Except in North Gwillimbury, which reports three thousand acres, there is
no land in the county which is too stony or has rock too near the surface
to be profitably cultivated. About seven per cent. is so hilly as to be objec-
tionable for the purposes of cultivation, about eleven per cent. is bottom,
seven and a-half per cent. is swampy, and rather less than two per cent.
wet, springy land. About sixty-eight per cent. of the area is reported as
rolling and cultivable, About forty-four and a-half per cent, is reported
first-class for agricultural purposes, thirty-three per cent. second-class, and
the remainder third-class.
WATER.
The county is reported weB watered by creeks, springs and wells; also
by the Don, Holland, Humber, Black, and Rouge Rivers; in the south by
Lake Ontario, and in the north by Lake Simcoe, and many tributary
streams. \Vater is obtained by digging, at depths varying from four to
one hundred feet.
PRICE OF FARMS.
The price of land depends wholly on locality, soil and buildings, and
ranges from $25 to
IOO per acre. The latter rate is exceptional. From
f:qo to $80 per acre may be taken as the average price of land within a
radius of twenty miles of Toronto. Farms are leased at from $2.5 0 to $5
per acre.
STUMPS.
About fifty-four per cent. of the cleared acreage is reported free from
stumps. Of the stumps remaining a large proportion are pine.
FENCES.
About sixty-nine per cent. of the farms are reported to be under first-
class fences, consisting principally of cedar, pine and hemlock rails.
The COU1lty of York.
65
FARM DWELLINGS AND OUTBUILDINGS.
About sixty-two per cent. of the farm dwellings are reported to be
either of brick, stone, or first-class frame; the remainder are log, or of
inferior frame, Of the outbuildings fifty-seven per cent, are reported first-
class; the remainder are inferior.
DRAI!\AGE.
About twelve and a-half per cent, of the farms are reported to have
been drained, principally in King, Markham and York townships. Tile
has been largely used in the latter township, and ,in the others to a limited
extent.
FARM MACHINERY,
About ninety-three per cent. of the farmers use improved machinery
for seeding and harvesting.
FERTILIZERS.
There are larger quantities of artificial fertilizers employed in this
county than in any other county in the Province-the average being forty-
two per cent, Plaster and salt are used in the proportion of from one
hundred pounds to one hundred and fifty pounds of the former, and three
hundred pounds of the latter, on nearly all descriptions of crops-but
plaster, principally, on clover and roots, and salt on cereals, Superphos-
phate is also employed to a small extent on roots.
UNCLEARED LANDS.
About eighty-nine per cent. of the uncleared land is reported suitable
for cultivation, if cleared.
ACREAGE AND AVERAGE PRODUCTS,
The township area of York is 54o,271! acres; the cleared area is
39 2 ,5 I Jï. Of the latter, about 12t per cent. is devoted too fall wheat, which
yields, on an average (omitting East Gwillimbury, which does not in any
case report the yield), about 20 bushels per acre; spring wheat, about 13
per cent, and 12i bushels; barley, I I t per cent. and 25t bushels; oats, I2!
per cent. and 38t bushels; rye (hardly any sown), from 15 to 20 bushels;
peas, 7 per cent. and 19t bushels; corn (hardly any grown), from 25 to 4 0
bushels; buckwheat (in \Yhitchurch only), I per cent. and 15 bushels;
potatoes about It per cent, and 103t bushels; turnips, Il() per cent. and
3 8 3 bushels; other root crops, about I per cent. and +57 bushels; hay,
about 1+ per cent. and It tons. .\bout 16 per cent, is deyoted to pasture,
.
66
The COU1lty of York.
and about 2 per cent. to orchards. In King 12t per cent., in :l\Iarkham
about 9 per cent. and in Vaughan about 14 per cent. is put und
r summer
fallow. The county is well adapted for stock raising, grain growing and
dairying. A good dea.l of attention is being paid to the former in townships
specially adapted for grazing and for the growth of clover, Fruit growing
and market gardening are also largely followed, especially in Etobicoke
and York townships, where are also some extensive nurseries.
STOCK AND STOCK BY-LAWS.
The townships sustain 27,669 horned cattle, 20,23 0 horses, 27,9 8 +
sheep, and 14,]88 hogs. The horses are draught and general-purpose, with
Clydesdale blood (some fine thoroughbreds have been introduced, and the
number is increasing); cattle-Durham, Ayrshire and Devon grades;
sheep-Leicester, Cotswold and Southdown; and hogs-Berkshire, Suffolk
and Essex. A great improvement has taken place of late years in all
descriptions of farm stock.
TI:\IBER LA
DS,
. About twenty-two and a-half per cent. of the area of York is still under
timber, consisting of beech, maple, elm, basswood, pine, hemlock, cedar,
tamarack and birch; used for builùing purposes, fencing and firewood.
IARKET FACILITIES.
The market facilities of this county are unexceptionable, Toronto,
the principal market centre, is easily reached by road and railway, There
are also good markets at Newmarket (which has just become a town.-the
only one in the county outside of Toronto), Sutton, Aurora, Stouffville, and
King. Every township has one or more railways passing through it, or is
within easy access to railways. Nearly all the farm produce of the county
is consumed in Toronto, or is shipped thence to eastern and western
markets.
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
Omitting the City of Toronto, which has no municipal connection with
the County of York, and which has large and varied manufactories, then
are, in aùdition to other 'local industries dependent upon or providing a
market for agricultural products, three flouring mills reported in Etobicoke;
hvo cheese factories, two tanneries, two carding mills, seven saw mills anò
seven grist mills, in Kmg; milling, farm implements, carriage and wagon
and two cheese factories, in Markham; two agricultural implement factories
in Vaughan; six grist, one woollen, and three paper mills and three
.
Tllc COU1lty of York.
67
tanneries, in York; and flouring, saw and planing mills, a tannery, a
woollen mill, a hat manufactory, and organ, carriage and furniture manu-
factories in N ewmarket. Some lumbering is still carried on in the county.
All which matters are more particularly treated of in the respective to\vn-
ships, to which they severally belong.
MECHANICS, FARM LABOURERS AND DOMESTICS.
There is no special demand for farm labourers, but good hands can
always secure work in summer at high wages, and domestics all the year
round. The demand for mechanic
is not great.
68
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CHAPTER VII.
PL"BLIC SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY OF Y ORK.-ÐIVISION OF THE COUNT\ FOR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.- EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF INSPECTOR
HODGSO
,-SCHOOL STATISTICs.-INSPECTOR FOTHERIr-;'GHAM'S REPORT.
f.-":'
.: HE public schools of the County of York will compare favour-
'
' ably with those in other parts of \Vestern Canada, and are
'J' :i mainta.ined in a high degree of use
uln
s
and
fficiency. For
- educatIOnal purposes the county IS dIvIded mto two parts,
known respectively as the northern and southern divisions,
The Inspector for the northern division is !\Ir, Ð, Fothering-
ham, of Aurora, For the southern division the Inspector is
Mr. James Hodgson, of Bloor Street \Yest, Toronto. The report of the last-
named gentleman, bearing date the 11th of June, 1883, contains a good deal
of interesting and useful information respecting the public schools in his
division. OJ In the Township of York," he writes, " the standing and efficiency
of the schools have, upon the whole, been well maintained, fourteen schools
ranking in the I. class, six schools in the I I. class, and five schools in the
III. class,
In the Township of l\Iarkham., . . , .10 schools rank in the I. class,
9 " OJ II. OJ
4' OJ OJ III. OJ
In the Township of Scarborough,.. 6" I. ..
+ OJ "II. OJ
I OJ OJ III. "
In Etobicoke.., . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . '. 5." " I."
3 " OJ II. u
I OJ OJ Ill. OJ
In Vaughan.. . . . . . . , . . . . , . , . . . . ., 4 OJ OJ I."
3 .. .. II.
70
The COUllty of J""ork,
SCHOOL ACCO!\I:\lODA TION.
"In the \ïl1age of l\Iarkham a new brick school-house, c
ntaining four
large, airy school-rooms, has been erected, and in S, S. No. 22, I\Iårkham, a
new brick school-house also; the school accommodation in South York is
now ample. In the Village of Parkdale the school buildings are decidedly
superior, and all the appliances necessary for successful teaching have been
provided by the trustees, and the staff of teachers of the 1. and I I. class
undoubtedly entitle it to be made the Model School for the training of
teachers in South York. The head master is å first-class teacher, holding a
Provincial Certificate, and is an undergraduate of Toronto University. In
the school building there is a room to be specially set apart for the accom-
modation of teachers in training, so as not to interfere with the ordinary
work of the school; this requisite was never provided in the Y orkville Model
School.
"For the above reasons, and also for the convenience of candidates for
the teaching profession in South York, I have recommended to the Educa-
tion Department that the public school in the Village of Parkdale should be
constituted the l\Iodel or Training School for the southern division of the
County of York, and I feel confident that such is the public spirit of the
trustees and inhabitants of that village that nothing will be left unprovided
to make it a credit to the entrre county."
SALARIES OF TEACHERS,
The highest salary of a male teacher in the Townships of Scarborough
and Markham was $525; in York, $900; in Etobicoke and Vaughan, $450,
The lowest salary to a male teacher in York, $267; in Scarborough, $340;
in Etobicoke, S30o; and in Markham, $325.
The a\Terage of male teachers in the township was $422.56. Of female
teachers in the township,
234'
NORMAL SCHOOL TRAINED TEACHERS.
.
In York 23 teachers had a Normal training.
In l\iarkham I I" " "
In Scarboro' 4" " "
In Etobicoke 2 " " "
In York 3 teachers. held 1. Class Provincial.
.. 22 " "II. "
In :\larkham 15 teachers held II. Class ProvincÏal.
In Scarboro' 7 " "II. "
In Etobicoke 2 " "II. "
TIle COl/1lty of York.
7 1
In the County of S. York there were 16 teachers Old County Board,
I. Class, Forty-three teacþers New County Board, Ill. Class,
SCHOOL ATTE
DANCE.
In the whole of South York (not including villages) 40 children between
7 and 13 did not attend any school. On the Daily Registers 8,753 pupils
of all ages attended school; of these 8,537 were of the ages between 5
and 16.
2,24 1 pupils attended 100 days, or 20 school weeks.
1,85 6 " " 15 0 "3 0 "
1,9 16 " " 200 "40 "
432" " every day during the year.
CLASSES OF THE PUPILS.
7 ,33 6 in Spelling and Dictation; 7,642 in "\Yriting; 6,610 in Arithmetic;
4,64 8 in Geography; 3,274 in Grammar and Composition; 1,089 in Cana-
dian History; 1,)26 in British History; 943 in Hygiene; 247 in Algebra;
228 in Geometry and Mensuration; 376 in Bookkeeping,
7 6 Schools opened and closed with prayer. 47 Schools repeated the
Ten Commandments with fair regularity, The Inspector hopes to be
able to state in the next year's report a decided improvement in these
particulars, as the keeping of the Commandments, and a regard to the
Moral Law lie at the foundation of individual and social happiness, and
there can be no security for our country's prosperity and well being without
them.
AYERAGE APPORTIONMENT OF GOVERNMENT GRA
T.
In Scarborough
In York
In Etobicoke
In l\Iarkham
the average for daily attendance was, per pupil, Eil 09
" " " " "I 0967
" I 127
" 9 10 57
" " " "
" " " "
DAILY AVERAGES.
In 1881 the daily average in York was 7, 10 9
" " " Markham, 81 9
" " " Scarboro' , 5 1 7
" " " Etobicoke, 34 6
In 1882 the daily average in York was 1,:l3 I
" " .. 1\1 arkham, b61
" " " Scarhoro', 5 2 3
.. ., " Etobicoke, 339
7 2
TIle County of York.
In his latest report, presented on the 9th of June, 1884, l\1r, Hodgson,
referring to the statistics presented during the previous year, remarks as
follows: "I find, upon comparison, very little change in any of the statistics
above named, and it has been to myself a source of unfeigned pleasure to
witness the earnestness manifested by the teachers generally in their school
work, and the increasing efficiency exhibited by them in the discharge of
their onerous duties. A great deal has been said of late in favour of what
are called' Uniform Promotion Examinations.' I am not going to trouble
you with arguing the question at length, It is one of the hobbies of the
age, and, of course, has ,its admirers and advocates. My decided opinion
is that the teacher is the proper person to make the promotions from one
class to another. He knows, or ought to know, what strangers cannot
possibly know, the real standing of every scholar, the ability of each, and
the temperament also; and I hold him responsible for all promotions, and
can never willingly consent to remove that responsibility from the teacher,
and place it upon an irresponsible committee, however talented. I very
seldom find any particular ground of complaint for improper promotions.
:\ly practice is to advise any new or fresh teacher, on taking charge of a
school, not to make any changes in classification in a hurry, but to wait
and thoroughly understand and find out the merits and standing of each
pupil before attempting any changes whatever. I have full confidence in
the candidates trained in our Model School for South York, that they will
exercise suitable caution in this respect, and what I conceive to be the need-
less expense incident to uniform promotions will be avoided altogether.
"Of all the drawbacks affecting the success of our public schools,
irregular attendance is the greatest, and seems to be the most difficult to
be grappled with, Could not something be done effectively by giving
prizes in books for regular attendance only, irrespective of attainments, or
even what has been termed good conduct? The great object to be aimed
at is to get the children to attend school, trusting the teacher to see to
it that every thing be done on his or her part to secure their improvement
or advancement in knowledge. The daily register would be the criterion
for deciding as to the reward, Here there could be no favouritisrp shown;
and superior talents could not carry off the prizes, as is often the case, thus
giving a premium to ability instead of real merit, and often discouraging
and sometimes crushing the spirit of more deserving pupils,
" The following note was attached to the annual returns of one of the
School Sections in Etobicoke, ' The undersigned trustees wish very respect-
fully to say that they consider the School Law, in its present state, as regards
the attendance of children between the ages of seven and thirteen years,
TIle County of York,
73
as impracticable, at least in rural districts, as it requires the appointment
hy the Trustees in each School Section of a public prosecutor, to prosecute
delinquent parents. Such a person cannot be found in a majority of rural
sections. And while we think the attendance of the children in question
very desirable, we think the end would be better, and much more effectually
reached by the Trustees being required to examine into each case, and, if
they found the 1101l-attendance to be inexcusable, that they be directed to
impose a penalty to be collected as a tax through the local Council, or
otherwise. The end, in our opinion, would be more effectually reached in
this way, without the odium and expense of going before a magistrate.'
I concur most fully in the above opinion, and think it very desirable that
some .such change should be made in the School Law by the proper
authority and remedy, as far as possible, the evil of non-attendance, which
is too prevalent in almost all the rural School Sections, as well as in many
of our villages."
The last report of the Inspector for the Northern Division, which was
presented to the 1\Iunicipal Council in June last, embodies a comparison of
the state of public school education in 1871 and 1883. It also refers to
other factors in educational work, not established in 1871, and not therefore
open to comparison, but which now add considerably to general results
from year to year.
"It is," says Mr. Fotheringham, "over twelve years since the adminis-
tration of school matters was put into the hands of County Inspectors, and
since the law and regulations were so modified as to begin what may be
styled the New Era of Education in Ontario, The period since 1871 is so
considerable as to justify conclusions and inferences of comparative reli-
ability; and, in this way, a vantage ground may be reached from which to
look forward and plan for the future wisely and liherally,
I.-COMPARATIVE STATEMENT,
School population (5 to 16)...............
A yerage attendance of those enrolled
Cost per pupil..."...,............,.,.......
Pupils to each teacher......,..,..,........
Teachers employed-l\Iale...... ...,.....
" " Female ....., ....,
" " Total.............
" Normal trained ,........,......
Salary- Total-1\Iale....... ...............
18 7 1
8,3 21
37 25
5 45
10 5
60
25
85
20
821,680 00
188 3
7,000
45
$6 65
7 0
65
3 6
101
4 8
S27,6q, 00
74
The COlJ1l!J' of York,
Salary-Total-Female ..,...........,...
" A\Terage-l\lale.... .".... ... .,. ...
" "F enl ale, , , ., , . . . , . . . . .
Certificates-Provincial 1. ...... ,.......,
" "II............,..
" O. C. Board ..,..,.....,..,
" N. C. Board...............,
" Interim, ... ... . . . .. . .. . .. . .. .
Inconle- Total...... ,........ ..,'.. ..,......
Value of School Property ...............
School Corporations ....,...,.............
Sites Adequate".....".,.,..,..............
School Houses .......,.,....,...",......".
" Brick ",...................
" FraIne..,.."...."........
" Log.., ., . . ., ... . . . ,. , ., . ..,
" Erected in 12 years ...
" Enlarged "
Expended on sites and buildings.. ...
6,081 00
3 61 33
243 25
2
18
4 2
21
2
545,392 00
71,000 00
7 1
3 1
7 1
14
53
4
$9,585 00
4 2 + 83
265 62
3
4 8
6
43
I
$52,825 00
150,000 00
79
79
82
26
56
o
44
26
89,28+ 00
II.-EXPENDITURE FOR THREE YEARS.
1881. 1882. 188 3'
On Buildings and Sites..".. g 3,0 13 00 $2,588 00 $8,097 00
Fuel, Repairs, etc......,.,... 7,13 1 00 8,6+2 00 7.3 0 9 00
Salaries of Teachers .....,.., 37,9 2 3 00 37,210 00 37,026 00
1\1 aps, etc... ... .,. ,.. ... ,..... ,.. 221 00 122 00 393 00
Total . ...... ....,........$48,288 00 $4 8 ,5 62 00
52,825 00
" From these statements gratifying progress in most directions is evident.
" The population, not accurately reported for 1883, owing to an error in
printing the annual returns, but about 7,000 has fallen off in about the same
proportion throughout the Province, as indicated by the annual report of
the Minister of Education, But increased facilities have been provided for
attendance as shown by the addition of eleven scJlOol houses and eight
school boards since 1871. That this has been appreciated is evidenced by
a rise in the average attendance from 371 to 45 per cent,
" That liberality in the support of education is growing throughout the
Inspectorate is evident from the very large amount expended on building,
from the marked advance in the average salaries of both male and female
TIle COUllty of York.
"'5
teachers, and from the higher rate per pupil paid in the county. The
average per pupil in the public schools of this Inspectorate is now :;6.65.
Throughout the Province it is $6,42; $6,03 in rural districts;
8.8I in
cities; $6,86 in towns. In Toronto the cost per pupil is $9.31. The
average cost per pupil of the High Schools is $27.56 throughout Ontario.
The average attendance, 45 per cent., in North York, is the same as in all
the Province. \Vaterloo Coun
y has an average of 49 per cent.-the highest
among counties, The per cent. of attendance in Hamilton is 66; in
Toronto, 64'
"The average salary of male te":lchers in the counties of Ontario is
$3 8 5; of female teachers, S248; in cities, of male teachers, $742; of
females, S331. In York (N.), male teachers receive an average of nearly
$425, and females, $265.62.
"School property has been largely renewed, and has more than doubled
in value; while the accommodation has greatly improved in character as
well as in space. The teaching staff has kept pace in this march of
improvement-in training, in literary attainments, and in efficiency, There
are now 48 or nearly half of the teachers Normal trained; and the 43
third-class teachers have also received training, though of a more limited
character, in County :\Iode1 Schools.
"These conclusions may be reached and confirmed through facts
to be observed in another direction. The classificatlOn and work of the
schools are shown to be more efficient by the large increase of successful
candidates at the half yearly Entrance Examinations to the High Schools,
and al
o by the numbers that have passed the Uniform Promotion Examin-
ations which have now been held in the Inspectorate three times. After an
impartial and careful examination last :\Iarch, 430 out of about 800 candi-
dates for promotion were successful, and secured certificates.
"It is due to the County Council to say that after three half-yearly
examinations for promotions in the schools of North York, these have more
thaI} realized my anticipations, They have given general satisfaction, and
have proved a healthy and powerful stimulus to both teachers and scholars.
So long as they deserve this character, you will not hesitate to make the
usual half-yearly appropriatio.n, which is hereby respectfully solicited,
"The High School Entrance Examinations, established thirteen
years ago, have done much to stimulate to thorough work in the higher
classes of the public schools; and never more than at present.
\bout
sixty at Newmarket and forty-five at Richmond Hill present themselves on
each occasion, and an increasing percentage is successful from time to time.
These places are, however, so far from some of the rural districts that the
7 6
TIle County of York.
task of leaving their own neighbourhood, the cost of travel and board, and
the nervousness produced by mingling with strangers at an examination,
have deprived many of the advantages of the Entrance Examinations.
"To meet this difficulty I enquired in the schools of North Gwillimbury
and Georgina, as to the number who might attend were an Entrance
Examination held in Sutton, and was encouraged by the estimate of about
twenty. I next secured the sanction of the Hon, G. W: Ross, Minister of
Education, to this proposal, similar to an arrangement in Peel, where
several special examinations are held, and the results found excellent. I
then explained the matter to the \Varden of the county, who also favoured
the plan, and undertook to guarantee the expense, as the Council could not
be consulted in time to allow the necessary advertising to be done. \iVhen
I state that I have now applications from fortyjìve candidates to be allowed
to write to Sutton, all of whom would either not have written at all or
would have gone to High School out of the county, I am sure the Council
will see the wisdom of this new departure, and readily provide for the
necessary outlay, about one dollar per candidate. The plan I propose is to
appoint one, or, if necessary, two competent persons to preside at the
examination for two days; then to have all the papers sent to myself; and,
with the N ewmarket Head Master, I will examine and value the work done,
The School Board of Sutton have kindly and readily placed their building
at our disposal for the examination, without charge, Should this experi-
ment prove satisfactory, I anticipate your approval of its repetition from
time to time. It will afford much better facilities for pupils on the Lake
Simcoe Branch Road, as well as for those in the two northern townships;
and, at present, several from Mount Albert will attend who otherwise
would go out of the county."
Further interesting information with respect to the schools of the Coul!ty
of York will be found interspersed here and there throughout the sketches of
the various townships,
t(ji\"^1
!J
.::J , ':.':)
I...Ñ
4
THE TO\VNSHIP OF YORI
,
ORK is by far the most populous and important township in
the county from which it takes its name. It is situated in
the centre of the front tier of townshIps bordering upon the
lake, having Scarborough on the west, Etobicoke on the east,
and Vaughan and :ðlarkham on the north, It is divided for
purposes of Parliamentary representation into East and \Vest
York, Y onge street being the dividing line, The concessions,
which run north and south, are numbered east and west from Y onge street.
East York comprises four and \Vest York seven concessions, two or
three of the latter being small and broken, owing to the course of the
Humber, which forms the western boundary. The city of Toronto occupies
the greater portion of the water front, which would otherwise be embraced
within the limits of this township, and within a radius of several miles there
are numerous suburban villages within the territory of the township proper,
giving it a different character from the other divisions of the county, o\ving
to the overflow of the suburban population,
The history of York township as a distinct territorial division com-
mences in 1791, in which year the work of survey was undertaken, Eleven
townships extending along the lake front, from the Humber river to the
Bay Quinté and the river Trent, were marked out, York being at the wes-
tern end of the line. The name at that time bestowed upon it was Dublin.
All that was then done in the way of survey was to run the dividing lines
bet\veen these townships. l\1r. Augustus Jones, who had charge of the
work, completed it, as far as "Dublin" was concerned, on Septemher 15th,
1791. The name was shortly afterwards changed to that which it now
bears, though it seems to have also borne for a while the designation of
"Toronto," as is shown b)T the following entry in the official records having
reference to the laying out of the townships:
7 8
The COUllty of York.
"Surveyor General's office, Province of Upper Canada. 26th January,
1793, Description of the township of York, (formerly Toronto) to be sur-
veyed by Messrs. Aitken and Jones, The front line of the front concession
commences, adjoining the township of Scarborough (on No. 10), at a point
known and marked by l\Ir, Jones, running S. 74 0 west from said front, and
one chain for a road, and so on till the said line strikes the river Toronto
[Humber] whereon St, John is settled. The concessions are one hundred
chains deep, and one chain between each concession to the extent of twelve
miles." This is the earliest official reference on record to the township of York.
The work was not completed by
lessrs. Aitken and Jones. Other surveyors
were employed on it at subsequent dates, and it was not until 1829 that
he survey was concluded by l\Ir. \Vilmot. The following names appear on
the record of the early patentees of this township for the years indicé!-ted:
1796-Patrick Barns, Samuel Cozens, Paul \Vilcott, John Ashbridge,
Jonathan Ashbridge, Parker Mills, Benjamin Mosley, John Cox, John
Scadding, George Playter, John Matthews, Joseph Barker, James Playter,
Eli Playter, John Playter, John Coon, Hon. Peter Russell, \Villiam Demont,
D. \V. Smith, \Villiam Smith, Isaac Devens, Abraham Devens, Levi
Devens, John
lcBride, \Villiam Youman, Elizabeth Russell, Jacob Philips,
Elias Anderson, Benjamin Davis, John Graves Simcoe.
1797-David Ramsay, John Matthews, Christopher Robinson, John
\Vhite, James Macauley, J. B. Bouchette,
Iajor D. Shank, John Hewett,
\braham Lawraway, Lewis Vail, P. DeGrassie,
Iary Ridout, Rev. Thomas
Radish, John Lawrence, \Villiam Cooper, John \Vilson Junr., Capt. R.
Lippi:r:cott James Johnson, Ephraim H. Payne, \Villiam D. Powell, J unr.
1 798-\Villiam Cooper, E. \V. Smith, Robert J, D. Gray, Peter Russell,
\Villiam Cooper, Hon. Alexander Grant, Lieut.-Co!. D. Shank, David Darns,
\lexander l\lcN ab, \Villiam Chewett, \Villiam Allan, Thomas Ridout, Eliza-
beth Johnson, John \Vhite, Isaiah Aaron Skinner, Hon. John Elmsley,
Eleanora D. \Vhite, vVilliam \Vilcox,Sr., Lieut.John 1\IcGill, James Ruggles,
Lieut. James Givins, John Ross, Alexander :Macdonell, Anne Powell, Hon.
\V. D, Powell, \Villiam Halton, George Cruikshank, John \Vilson, Reuben
Clark, Bernard Cary, Capt, Daniel Cozens, Capt, \Villiam Graham, Robert
Franklin, \Villiam Jarvis, Christopher Samuel \Vhite, Charles S. \Vhite,
\VilEam S. \Vhite, Joshua Chamberlain, Jr., Zekel Chamberlain, Thomas
Kirgan, David Burns, Ale:hander Burns, Marian \Vhite.
1 799-Hon. Eneas Shaw, Rev. Edmund Burke, Elizabeth Tuck,
Isabella Chewett.
1800-Lawrence Johnston, Nicholas Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Joseph
Kendrick, Duke \Villiam Kendrick, .Abraham Johnson, Joseph Johnson,
Tile COllllt.? of York.
ï9
1801-Alex Gray, Sr., John Small, John Atwell Small, Benjamin
Davis, John Dennis, Angus
Iacdonell, Edward Gahan, Robert Henderson
James Clark, \Yilliam Davis, Jacob Gower, Ann Hollingshead, Elijah
Huson, Jonathan Bell, Nathaniel Huson, Edward Baker Littlehales, Hugh
Cameron, George Porter, Jacob Xathawdt.
1
02-Stilwell \Yilson, Augustus' Jones, Alex. Gray, Jr., Thomas
Ridout Johnson, David Smith, Hiram Kendrick, Christopher Heron, Jacob
\Vinter, James Roch, Isaac Hollingshead, Elsje \Villard, Joseph Provost,
:\Iary Garner, George \\
ickle,
Ib03- Thomas Gray, Hon. Henry Allcock, Robert Richardson, \Yilliam
Allan, Richard Gamble, \Yilliam \Yeeks, :\Iargaret Cockran, John Everson,
John
Iacintosh, Alexander l\Iontgomery, John Coun, \\" Baldwin, John
IcDougall, Charles Field, John Cowan, Mathias Saunders, Jacob Fisher, Jr.
ISo+-Frederick Brown, Andrew 1\Iacglashan, Francis Brock.
ISQ5-John Kendrick, Patrick Bern, Joseph Shepherd, John \\ïlson,
IS06-Henry :\Iulholland, \Villiam Armstrong, D'Arcy Boulton, Jr.,
S. Smith,
IS07-Malcolm \Yright, Augustus Boiten, Thomas Ruggles, Thomas
Hamilton, Dorothy Arnold, James Lymburner, Joseph Philips, Alexander
l\Iacdonell, "Michael Harris, Robert Lymburner, Thomas Mamilton,
ISoS-Richard Lawrence, \Villiam
Iarsh, Joshua G, Cozens,
IS09-Hon. John l\IcGill, Henry Jackson.
ISlo-\Yilliam Halton, George Taylor Denison.
ISI 1- \\ïlliam J arvis,J ohn l\Iacdonell, John Eakins,J r.,J acob N athawdt
Stephen Jarvis, Cornelius Thompson, Robert l\Iacdonell, l\lichael Dye,
IS12-James Block, Simeon Devins, Thomas Humberstone,
IS13-John Baskerville Gregg, John l\IcLang.
...\mong later patentees were King's College, the Rectory of St. James,
and the Canada Company.
In 1798, according to the abstracts of the town clerk's return of
inhabitants in the Home District, the town of York, York township, Etobi-
coke and Scarborough altogether had a total population of only 7+9, The
returns for IS02 gi,.e 659 inhabitants for York town and township and
Etobicoke, The abstract of the assessment of the Home District for the
) ear commencing 8th :\Iarch, IS03, gives the area of cultivated land in the
township at 1,109 acres. From the same we learn that the live stock of the
settlers included 6ti oxen, 133 milch cows, +5 young horned cattle and 53
swine. The township at this time also boasted one grist mill, a couple
of saw mills and two taverns.
In IS20 York Township had 1672 inhabitants, an increase of 349 over
6
80
The County of York.
the preceding year. In 1825 the population numbered 24 12 , In 18 3 0 it
was 3 12 7. In 18+2 there ,,,ere 5720 inhabitants, and the rateable property
in the township was assessed at [82,682, Since that time the population
and wealth of York haye increased steadily, though there have ,been con-
tinual fluctuations in the prosperity of different localities. An extensive
shipping trade, for instance, was once done at the Humber river, from.which
as many as 84-,000 barrels of flour and half a million feet of lumber have
been shipped in one season, There was formerly a shipyard at the mouth
of the river, where during the war of 1812 two vessels were constructed.
Now it is merely known as one of Toronto's most"popular pleasure resorts,
its industries having long since disappeared. Other localities have sprung
up, and the tendency of the railroad system has been largely to centralize
commerce in Toronto and its immediate neighbourhood,
The population of York Township according to the census of 1881 was
13,74 8 , of whom 6,491 were in the Eastern, and 6,257 in the \Vestern division.
This indicates a considerable increase during the decade of 1871-81, the
numbers returned by the census of '71 being, East York, 4,39 0 , \Yest York,
4,112, or a total of 8,502. This is evidently due to the overflow of the city
population into the suburban localities which still form part of the township,
rather than to the normal increase of the rural population. Of the popula-
tion 8,143 are of Canadian birth, In the eastern section the proportion of
the English element is greater than in most localities, 3,6+9 being of English
ongm, In the eastern portion of the township the number of occupiers,
according to latest census returns, is 548, of whom 357 are also owners of
the land. The total acreage occupied is 26,72H acres, of which 21,4 0 9 is
improved; of this 14,377 is in crops, 5,137 in pasture and 1,89 5 acres
occupied as garden and orchards. In \Vest York there are 677 occupiers,
of whom 418 are also owners of the soil they till, The total acreage in
occupation is 34,19
acres, of which 28,999 acres is improved land-22,0+3
acres are in field crops, 5,218 devoted to pasturage, and 1,73 8 to gardens and
orchards. For the whole township the figures are as follows :-Occupiers,
1,225 of whom 775 are also proprietors, acreage in occupation 60,9 2 3, of
which 50,408 or as nearly as may be, five-sixths, has been improved; crop-
growing land 36,420 acres; pasture land, 13,355 acres'; and orchards and
gardens 3,633.
The yield of the township in the staples of agricultural production is
given as follows in the census returns of 1881: East York, wheat, 4 6 ,612
bushels; barley, 44,983 bushels; oats, 80,611 bushels; peas and beans,
10,5 00 bushels; potatoes, 126,312 bushels; turnips, 19,850 bushels; other
root crops 64,874; hay, 5,208 tons; \Vest York, wheat, 72,39 0 bushels;
The County of York.
81
barley, 78,004 bushels; oats, 115,625 bushels; peas and beans, 27,7 0 7
bushels; potatoes, 112,207 bushels; turnips, 37,056 bushels; other root
crops, 59,117 bushels; hay, 8,301 tons; total yield for the to\vnship: wheat,
119,002 bushels; barley, 122,987 bushels; oats, 196,236 bushels; peas and
beans, +7,207 bushels; potatoeË;, 23 8 ,5 1 9 bushels; turnips, 5 6 ,9 06 bushels
other root crops, 123,991 bushels; hay, 13,509 tons.
It may be'interesting to compare these figures of the present produc-
tion of the township with the returns for the year 18+9, as given by
\Y. H. Smith in his well-known work on "Canada-Past, Present and
Future." In round numbers these are as follows:- \Vheat, 142,000 bushels;
.
oats, 12 3,000 bushels; peas, 43,000 bushels; potatoes, 58,000 bushels, turnips
9,000 bushels; and hay, 4,000 tons, As compared with recent figures they
indicate the change that has been going on latterly all over the r:ountry in
the direction of paying less attention to wheat growing and more to other
crops. It will be noticed that although the population of the township has.
increased by more than one-third during the interval, the wheat production
has considerably fallen off, while the roots and leguminous crops have very
largely increased, and barley, not mentioned at all by Smith, now exceeds.
the wheat crop in volume. The farmers of Canada have learned by bitter
experience the folly of risking everything on one staple, and the precarious
nature of the wheat market in consequence of the opening up of new grain-
producing countries is likely to confirm this tendency towards a diversIfica-
tion of farm produce.
The report of the Ontario Agricultural Commission issued in IS81
contains some valuable information respecting the nature of the soil and
agricultural capacity of the township. The gener8.1 character of the soil
is described as being of "all grades from drifting sand to heavy clay."
.--\.bout two-tenths of the area is estimated to be of heavy clay, four-tenths
of clay loam, three-tenths of sandy loam, and one tenth sand, A very small
proportion of the land is gravelly, The rich black loam which is so fertile in
sustaining luxuriant crops is only found in few localities, There is no land
too stony or having rock too near the surface to be uncultiyaLle, but about
one-tenth of the total area is sufficiently hilly and brok
n to render tillage dif-
ficult or impossible, Two-thirds of the land is undulating, but not to a degree
sufficient to interfere with cultivation. Not more than one-twentieth is low-
lying, flat land such as would be subject from its location to frequent floodings.
which would seriously depreciate its value, and swamp land is still rarer, only
about one acre in three hundred coming under this category,
\ still
smaller proportion is classed as wet, springy land, which is not estimated to
include more than two acres out of every thousand. One third uf the total
82
The COUllt.? of York.
acreage is ranked as being first-class agricultural land, another third as
second-class, one-sixth as third class and one-sixth as inferior. The town-
ship is described as being generally well watered, but the depth at which
water is obtainable by digging varies from five to one hundred feet. The
price of land rules from $40 to $80 per acre, "but this of course in a town-
ship surrounding a great 'commercial centre is liable to be governed by
.
other considerations than those of agricultural fitness, and the land in the
immediate neighbourhood of Toronto has a speculative value owing to the
rapid growth of the suburbs and the possibility of its being some day avail-
able for building purposes. One half the farms are under first-class fence,
Two-thirds of the dwellings and outbuildings are of stone, brick or first-class
frame. Half the farms are partially drained, principally by tile drainage,
The proportion of the acreage devoted to the leading crops and the a,-erage
yield per acre is given as follows :-Fall wheat, two-twentieths, twenty
bushels; spring wheat, one-twentieth, fifteen bushels; barley, four-twentieths,
. twenty-eight bushels; oats, two-twentieths, thirty-five bushels; rye, one-
eightieth, twenty bushels; peas, two-twentieths, twenty bushels; potatoes,
one-fortieth, one hundred bushels; hay, four-twentieths, one and one half
tons per acre. About one twentieth of the township is still timbered, a
good deal of pine being mixed with the hardwood which forms the principal
growth. The exact area is given at 64,3991 acres, indicating a degree of
precision and scrupulous avoidance of exaggeration that cannot be too
highly commended, The total number of cleared acres is set down at
56,501, and the enumeration of live stock shows 3,370 cattle, 2,728 horses,
197 0 sheep and 1,520 hogs.
The first municipal record of the township relates to a meeting of the
inhabitants held in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of the Provincial
Legis]ature, passed in 1835, entitled, "An Act to reduce to one Act the
several laws relative to the appointment and duty of the township officers
in the Province," This Act made several important changes in the methods
of municipal government. The record is as follows :-" Monday, 4th
January, 1836. In pursuance of the statute passed in the fifth year of the
reign of His Majesty, \Villiam IV., the inhabitants of the Township of
York met at the house of \Villiam Cllmmers, when they unanimously
appointed James Hervey Price, Esq" their chairman, who, in consequence
of the unfitness of the house for a public meeting, adjourned to the tavern
of l\Ir. John Marsh, on Yonge Street, when the chairman read over the Act,
and the meeting proceeded by ballot to choose the township officers, David
Gibson, Esq" was chosen secretary to the meeting." The candidates for the
office of township clerk were John CUl1uner, Elisha Pease, Joseph l\Ic:U ullin,
The County of York,
83
and John \Villson, 4th, On a vote being taken, John \Yillson, 4th, was
declared duly elected. It may be necessary to explain to modern readers
that the numeral affix to his name denotes that the wearer was the fourth in
the line of descent bearing the'same name. The practice still obtains in the
New England States. A son who is his father's namesake will sign hImself
"2nd," instead of " junr.," following the royal fashion, \Ye commend this
fact to those writers who are always endeavouring to prove that the
Americans have still a sneaking affection for monarchical institutions. It
would be just as relevant as many adduced with that object. But to return
to the Township Council for 1836. The vote for councillors resulted in the
return of James Davis, Daniell\IcDougall, and \Villiam Donaldson. James
:\Ic:\Iullin was chosen assessor. The following were then appointed by a
show of hands :-Collector, Abraham Johnson; pathmasters, John :\Iont-
gomery, \Yilliam Kendrick, E. Pease, Robert Erwin, \Yilliam :\Iorse, John
Beates, John James, Alexander \Yallace, \Villiam Denison, Jacob Kertz,
Richard Smith, Joseph Gale, Robert Harding, Henry Crosson, J. Griffith,
John Duncan, Stephen Brunndage, Thomas Denison, George Cooper,
-Henry Phillips, Joseph Helli\vell, George Thorn, \Villiam Milne, Alex.
:ì\1cCormick, James Cunningham, John Sanburn, Richard \Villson, John
Harris, David Cummer,
\rchibald \Vright, Edward Brock, Henry Devenish,
Richard Herron, Christopher \Villiams, Henry Earl, John Thompson, and
Jonathan Ashbridge; poundkeepers, Thomas l\Iaginn, Joseph Holby, John
l\Iontgomery, and
Ir. Finch, The Treasurer's account for the year com-
prised the following items :-Cash received of the District Treasurer for
wild lands assessment, [3 lIS. 9d,; cash received for fines and costs,
[7 liS, 4d.; cash received in commutation of statute labour, [I 12S. 6d,
Credit-Cash paid constable for services, [3 10S. lod.; blank book for use
of the township, 9S' 6d.; for paper, etc., 5s.; balance on hand, [8 10S. 2d.
Economy was evidently the rule in municipal administration in those days,
In 1837 the township meeting was held on January 2nd, at John
Iont-
gomery's, destined shortly afterwards to be the scene of civil commotion
and bloodshed. David Gibson officIated as chairman, Elisha Pease ,vas
chosen township clerk, Conrad Grau, Jacob Snider, and \\ïlliam Donaldson
\\ere elected members of the Council,
\braham Johnson, assessor, and
\Villiam James, collector. In 1838 we find the electors meeting at :\Iont-
gomery's and adjourning to Anderson's' tavern, York l\Iills, whe're the
following officials ,vere duly chosEn :- \Villiam Hamilton, town clerk; Peter
Lawrence, assessor; {{obert Harding, .\leÀ. :\Iontgomery, and \Yilliam
:\Iarsh, commissioners; and \\ïlliam Evans, collector. In 18 39 John
\Vill
on, 4th, was a
ain elccted to\\"I1 clerk, a position" hich he C'ontinw d
84
The County of York,
to hold from that time forth until his death, which occurred in 1866. He
was succeeded by his S0n, Arthur Lawrence \Villson, who has also had a
long term of office. L\nd here some details respecting the \Villson family,
who have been so long and mtimately connected with the township, may
appropriately he given, John \Villson, 1st, was a native of Surrey, England.
The maiden name of his wife, who belonged to the same locality, was
Rebecca Thixton, In the year 1752 they emigrated to America, settling in
New Jersey. In 1776 John \Yillson took the Loyalist side, and obtained a
captaincy in the army, his son, also John \Villson by name, entering the
same serv ice as a lieutenant. The property of the family was confiscated,
and they joined the large number of U. E, Loyalists who sought refuge in
X ew Brunswick. John \Villson, 2nd, was married at this time, his wife being
Sarah Sackman, a native of \Vales. The family removed to Upper Canada
at the time of Governor Simcoe's arrival, some twenty-four other families of
exiled Loyalists accompanying them on their long journey to the \Vestern
wilderness, After a short residence in the Niagara District they settled on
Y onge Street. Capt. \Yillson had four sons, John (2nd), Stillwell, \\ïlliam,
and Jonathan. The first of these was the grandfather of the first township-
clerk of York. His son, .Arthur L. "Tillson, who held the office for about a
dozen years, is the author of a l\Iunicipal Manual which has been found of
practical value as a guide to those requinng a knowledge of municipal law.
In 18 4 2 the records show the election of school commissioners, viz.:-
Rev. James Harris, Bartholomew Bull, James Sever, Clark Bridgland,
Charles :\Iaginn, John Andrew and James Davis. Among the names most
frequently recurring in the latest records in connection with the more
important positions, we find those of \Villiam James, who was township
reeve for the period 1852-60, \Villiam Tyrrell, who succeeded him in office,
Bartholemew Bull, Jr., J. P. Bull, \Yilliam l\Iulholland, \Villiam Jackes,
E. Playter and R. E. Playter. The Playter family have taken a prominent
part in the affairs of the tmvnship and county. They are of Loyalist stock.
Their ancestor, Capt. George Playter, 9riginally came from Suffolk, England,
He settled in Philadelphia, where he married a Quakeress and became him-
self a member of that denomination, But his peace principles could not
stand so powerful a strain as the outbreak of the war for Independence. It
is recorded that ,,,hen he strippe4 off the Quaker clothes which he wore, to
put on' his uniform as a loyalist soldier, he laid down the discarded apparel
with the exclamation" Lie there Quaker! '" and so went forth to do his part
manfully in the struggle. He participated in several engagements, and
when the patriots secured their Independence, he was of course among the
proscribed. On first coming to Canada he resided in Kingston, but shortly
The County of York,
85
after York had been selected as the capital, he moved to the township, and
with his sons took up extensive tracts of land. The family did much to
fonvard the progress of the community in various ,va ys, His services to
the Crown, during the war, received the recognition of a pension at the
hands of the British Government. Capt. Playter was a gentleman of the
old school. His precision of manner and old fashioned style in costume
were a conspicuous survival of antique modes, He is described as habitually
Y\'"eanng a three-cornered hat, silver knee-buckles, broad-toed shoes with large
buckles and white stockings, and carrying a long gold-headed cane. His house
was a short distance beyond the limits of Toronto, being immediately north
of Castle Frank. His son, Capt. John Playter, lived immediately across
the Don. At the time of the American invasion in 1813, many of the
archives of the Province were conveyed to their residences for safety, but
the precaution was in vain, for the invaders found out where they had been
placed and carried away all they could lay their hands on. One of the
sons of Capt, George Playter, ca1ted after him, was, for some time, deputy
sheriff of the Home District, and another 1\1r, Eli Playter at one time repre-
sented North York in the Provincial House.
The officials for the year 188+ are as follows :-Reeve, H. Duncan;
Councillors, F. Turner, Joseph \Yatson, H. R. Frankland and Joseph
Dayids; being all Deputy Reeves in the order in which they are named,
Clerk, J, K. Leslie; Treasurer, \Villiam J ackes. The township hall is
situated in the village of Eglington, on Y onge Street, in immediate proximity
to the site of the famous l\Iontgomery tavern where Col. l\Ioodie met his
death in the outbreak of 1837. Eglington is about four miles from Toronto,
and is a long straggling village of about 7 00 inhabitants. For many miles
Y onge Street is thickly settled on both sides, so that that the numerous
villages along the route are not so noticeable or distinctive in their character
as where the population is more drawn to a centre. About half a mile
from Eglington, to the south-,vest, the remains of an Indian village were
discovered about twelve or fifteen years ago. The character of the relics
unearthed, which were of the usual kind found about the sites of aboriginal
settlements in this neighbourhood, indicated that it had been a populous
village, and that it must have been a place of habitation for a long period.
Between Toronto and Eglington is the Village of Davisville, near which,
on the eastern side of Yonge Street, is the l\Iount Pleasant Cemctery, which
is beautifully situated and very tastefully laid out in accordance with the
modcrn idea - that the'last resting-place of those we have lo\cd and lost
should be made attractive and cheerful in its surroundings, instead of sombre
and repellant. N carer Toronto, again, on the brow of the high land is
.
86
Tile COUllty of York,
Deer Park. There are a large number of handsome villa residences in
these villages and the interyening spaces, most of them of quite recent con-
struction, The land rises abruptly a short distance beyond the present
limits of Toronto, and from the brow of the elevation a magnificent view of
the surrounding country IS obtainable. This lofty bluff which runs to the
westward for some distance is known as the Davenport Ridge, and is some
25 0 to 300 feet above the Lake Ontario level. This ridge consists of fine
rounded gravel, the beds of which all dip to the southward. Rounded
lumps of fine clay are also of common occurrence among the gravel. Their
presence is accounted for by supposing them tohave been rolled, perhaps when
in a frozen state, by the waves ofthe ancient lake, In a paper presented to the
Geological Society of London, in 1837, 1\1 r. Thomas Roy st ates the occurren ce
of thirteen ancient water margins between Toronto and Lake Simcoe, the
lowest of which is 342 feet and the highest 996 feet above the sea level.
The conclusion drawn from these investigations is that the country was at
one time submerged, and that the waters have gradually, or perhaps by
spasmodic changes, retired to their present level. Along the Davenport
Ridge, which is beautifully wooded in parts, and affords a commanding yiew
of the city and adjoining country, with the blue ,vaters of the lake in the
distance, are a large number of handsome suburban residences.
Seaton Village, a thriving and rapidly growing community, is situated
immediately north of the city limits, about a mile west of Y onge Street.
In this vicinity there are large deposits of clay suitable for the manu-
facture of white bricks, an industry which is extensively carried on in the
environs of the city. This clay, which extends through a considerable area
of the township, is bluish when moist, but ash-coloured in a dry state. It
has a distinctly-jointed structure, and is sparingly interspersed with pebbles
and boulders. Over the irregularly denuded surface of this horizontally
,
stratified clay is spread a coating of yellow clay and sand, which conforms
to the undulations of the surface soil. In one section the upper stratum
of yellow clay, which holds pebbles and boulders and burns to red brick, is
three feet in thickness; beneath, in two sections, are some five to nine feet
of yellow sand interstratified with yellowish and bluish clay, þoth burning
white, Under this there is a solid blue clay, which has been penetrated to
the depth of sixty feet without apparent change. To the east of Toronto
clays generally overlaid by sand continue through the southern section of
the township.
\Yest of the former limits of the city of Toronto, but hemmed in to the
north and west by the outlying portion of the city, formerly the yillage of
Brockton, is Parkdale, a recently built-up suburb, possessing a separate
.
The County of York,
87
municipal organization, It is beautifully situated, overlooking the lake
shore, and contains a number of handsome villa residences, Of late manu-
facturing enterprise has been developed, and the population is increasing
rapidly, It numbered 1,170, according to the census of 1881, and its popula-
tion must now be in the neighbourhood of 2,700. Mr. Hugh l\Ic::\Iath is reeve
of the village, G. S, Booth is deputy-reeve, and H. S, Langton clerk, The
natural beauties of the scenery in the vicinity of the lake shore from this
point westward to the Humber are greatly appreciated by residents of
Toronto, Humber Bay, which is surrounded by shores wooded in portions
down to the water's edge, forms almost a semicircle, and on a bright, clear
day the view is a most picturesque orie, At the head of the Bay is situated
High Park, one of Toronto's most delightful pleasure resorts. It comprises
some 290 acres, the principal portion of which is the gift of] ohn G. Howard,
whose name ought always to be held in grateful remembrance by the people
of Toronto, Other wealthy men have endowed churches, colleges, and the
like, but it is questionab1e whether any of them has an equal title to the
gratitude and esteem of posterity as the donor of High Park, who has given
what was much more urgently required-a breathing-space for a densely
crowded and rapidly increasing population, deprived by the stupidity or
venality of the municipal representatives of the larger portion of the Queen's
Park. An additional area of forty-five acres,.retained by 1\1r. Howard for
his own use, will be added to the Park on his death. From the lake front
a large marsh runs north between the"eastern and western sections of the
Park. The high ground to the west rises in an abrupt, heavily-wooded
slope from the marsh, like an unbroken wall of variegated verdure. \ less
precipitous incline on the eastern side of the marsh affords space for a
shaded drive winding in and out among the trees-now along an open
glade, now into the heart of some gloomy hollow, where the overhanging
branches exclude the sunlight, and now on the crest of a ridge shaded by
the interlacing foliage. The higher ground is reached by a succession of
easy ascents, passing several partially wooded elevations, which add to the
varied heauties of the charming landscape. To the northward lies an
undulating grassy plain, dotted with shade trees, singly or in groups. In
the northern portion of the enclosure are great stretches of natural park
lands, where art has merely rcmO\'ed what was obstructi, e or unsightly,
leaving the natural beauties undefaced, The western slope of the Park
overlooks the Grenadier Pond, a pear-shaped sheet of water, the broadest
portion of which is towards the lake. The opposite shore rises almost
precipitously out of the water, and is well timbered, To the northward
stretch away the rich uplands, laid out in tillage or orchard. TI adition
88
The COU1lty of York.
\,
traces the origin of the name to the drowning of a party of grenadiers in
its waters during the war of 1812. It is alleged that when crossing the
pond in the winter the ice gave way beneath them, The truth of the story,
however, is not beyond peradventure, The pond is of unknown depth, and
its edges marshy and overgrown with rank vegetation,
The Humber River lies about half a mile further west, forming the
boundary between York and Etobicoke townships. It is also a favourite
resort for excursionists and pleasure-seekers. Its banks present a variety
of scenery, large areas of low lands and swamps overgrown with reeds alter-
nating with steep wooded bluffs, There are stone quarrIes at intervals,
The rocks, which crop out of the abruptly rising ground, are of the Hudson
River formation, which consists of a series of bluish-grey argillaceous shale,
enclosing bands of calcareous sandstone, sometimes approaching to a lime-
stone, at irregular intervals, and of variable thickness, In some instances
the bands are of a slaty structure, splitting into thin laminæ in the direction
of the beds; in others they have a solid thickness ðf a foot, but in few cases
do they maintain either character for any great distance. The sandstones
while in the beds are hard and solid, and upon fracture exhibit a grey
colour with much of the appearance of limestone, hut by protract
d exposure
to the weather they turn to a darker brown, and ultimately crumble to
decay; These sandstones generally abound in calcareous fossils, which in
some places predominate, sô as to give rise to beds of impure limestone,
which are, however, rare. The slfl.ty variety of the sandstones is well
ådapted for flagging, and by a careful selection some of the arenacious bands
yield abundance of good building material, but the stone cannot be said to
be generally adapted for the purpose. The banks of the Humber, as well
as those of the :ðIimico, Etobicoke, and Don, for certain distances from the
lake shore, expose sections exhibiting sixty feet or more of these strata, hut
advancing northward the formation becomes concealed by the great accu-
mulation of drift, of which the interior of the country is composed. At
Lamhton, a village of some 400 population, about three miles up the
Humber, partly situated in Etobicoke, the banks of the stream rise to a
height of more than one hundred feet, of which from fifty to sixty feet are
composed of the Hudson River shales and sandstone, while the upper part
consists of sand and gravel.
About the close of the last century the old Indian trail along the
maq"Ïn of the lake was enlarged, so as to admit of the passage of vehicles,
and became what is now known as the Lake Shore Road. A ferry was
established at the mouth of the Humber, where passengers and wagons
were taken across in a scow, In 1815 a Scotchman, named McLean, had
The County of York.
89
charge of the ferry, and kept tavern in a building on the York side of the
river. This was for some time the only house for the accommodation of
tra\'ellers between Toronto and Hamilton. After :ðIcLean's death his
widow continued business at the hostelry for many years, In 1853
Irs.
Creighton was in charge of the tave.rn, but the building was destroyed when
the Great 'Vestern was built. In 1838, :\1r. Rowland Burr, one of the
pioneers in mill construction in York County, erected a saw-mill on the
York side of the Humber, not far from its mouth, The mill was shortly
afterwards sold to Mr. 'Yilliam Gamble, who converted it into a barley-
mill, and afterwards erected a bone-grinding mill immediately adjoining
it. The property fell into the hands of the Bank of Upper Canada, from
whom it was purchased, in 1864, by David and Joseph Atkinson. The
mills were finally swept away by a spring freshet.
In 1801 a saw-mill and a grist-mill were erected at Lambton on the
east side of the stream, north of the Dundas Road, by T\Ir. Thomas Cooper,
an Englishman, who some years afterwards sold out the property to his
son. About 1840 the property was purchased by T\Ir. 'Villiam P. Howland,
now Sir "ïlliam, who took some of his brothers into partnership. Messrs.
Peleg and Frederick Howland afterwards became sole proprietors, and in
18+5 put up a new flour mill, five stories high, and with six run of stones,
south of the Dundas Road, the old mills being pulled down. A saw-mill
was erected by the Howlands in the same neighbourhood in 1844, which
was some time afterwards leased by Edward and Alfred Musson, and turned
into a brewery.
In 1846 a new saw-mill was built by Mr. Samuel Scarlet in York
Township, about a mile above Lambton, but he abandoned it in a few
years for a new site across the river, where greater water-power was ob-
tainable. Further up the stream Mr. Joseph Dennis put up a saw-mill in
18++, which afterwards became the property of his son, Henry Dennis, who
converted a portion of it into a flax-mill. James 'Villiams had a carding
and fulling mill a little distance above, which was destroyed by fire in 1865.
The Humber River used to be a famous stream for salmon fishing, but
the erection of mills destroyed the fisheries at an early period. 'Vc find the
following anecdote, illustrating the plentifulness of salmon at one time, in
Smith's "Canada," which '-ve insert to tantalize the modern follower of
Isaac "Talton) who sits patiently on the bank all day and comes home with
an undersized rock bass and a couVle of measly little perch, The legend
runneth thus :-A party during the time the salmon were running came up
the river in a skiff to spear fish. In drawing their boat ashore, as they
intended to spear standing in the water, they inadvertently left it resting
90
The County of York,
across a log lying on the beach. The salmon were plentiful, and they were
able to spear them as fast as they could take them out of the water. As
they caught them they threw them into the skiff, and excited with the sport
took no heed of the way they were piling them up until a sudden crash
arrested their attention, and they saw the-ir skiff broken in two in the middle
. by the weight of the salmon pressing it down on the log,
About three miles above Lambton, on the Humber, and some eight and
a half miles from Toronto, by the Grand Trunk Railway, is the Village of
\Veston, to which more extended reference is made elsewhere. Other
villages in the western portion of the township are Carleton, about a mile
and a half from Lambton, and six miles from Toronto by the Grand Trunk,
Davenport, half a mile east of Carleton on the Northern Railway, and Fair-
bank, about a mile north of Davenport, and a short distance from the
Northern Railway, on the road leading to Vaughan. From Davenport to
the northern part of Toronto, lately the Village of Y orkville, runs the
Davenport Road, winding in an irregular course at the foot of the Daven-
port Ridge, previously described. The neighborhood of Carleton and
Davenport is a network of railways, A short distance south of Carleton
the tracks of the Grand Trunk, Toronto Grey and Bruce and Credit Valley,
which run alongside from Parkdale, begin to diverge, the Credit Valley
taking a westerly directíon parallel with the Dundas Road, until it reaches
Lambton, when it deflects to the south-west, and the others running to the
north-west. At this point of divergence the new Ontario and Quebec Railway
makes its junction with the Credit Valley, This railway centre is known as
\Vest Toronto Junction. Here the railway yard for the accommodation of
the through freight traffic of the Ontario and Quebec Railway is located,
and it is expected that it will very shortly become an important and populous
neighbourhood,
Reference has already been made to the most notable localities on
Y onge Street as far northward as Eglington, and we will resume a detailed
descriptio!) of the local features of interest at that point. About Eglington
the name of Snider is prevalent, the family being of old U. E. Loyalist
stock, and originally of German ancestry. The name is the Anglicized form
of the Teutonic H Schneider." :\lartin Snider was one of the Loyalist
refugees who emigrated to Nova Scotia, He afterwards settled on Y onge
Street. One of his sons, Jacob Snider, was engaged as a volunteer under
Gen. Brock in 181 3. Another of the early settlers in this neighbourhood
was l\1r. Charles "Moore, who was born in Ireland in the year 1793. He
emigrated to the United States, hut the strong anti-British sentiment then
prevailing rendered his position uncomfortable, so he crossed over to Canaùa,
The COUllty of York,
91
After a few years spent in the Township of N issouri, then an almost unbroken
wilderness, he remove to Y onge Street and purchased a farm on the present
site of the Village of Eglington, For many years he was one of the most
prominent residents in this section, His death took place in 186 7.
North of Eglington, and about six miles from Toronto, is the Village of
York Mills, for long popularly known as Hogg's Hollow, from James Hogg,
who was at one time the owner of the flour mills in the valley. Here the
western branch of the Don is crossed by a bridge. The banks of the river
are very steep, but in places the ascent is broken by intervening level land,
On one of these flats half-way down the bluff l\Ir. Hogg erected at an early
period a Presbyterian place of worship. He was a man of strong individu-
ality, and took a prominent part in political affairs. Once, incensed at a
newspaper criticism of his conduct, he sent a challenge to mortal combat in
due form to 1\1r. Gurnett, editor of the Courier. The meeting, however,
did not take place. His death occurred in 1839, The second Episcopal
Church in York was erected at York Mills in the fall of 1816. It was an
oblong frame building, erected by the united liberality of the people of the
neighbourhood, :\lessrs. Seneca Ketchum and Joseph Shepherd being among
the chief promotors; the first named contributing largely of his means and
time, the latter giving three acres of land for the site of church and for
burial ground. The corner-stone was laid in the presence of a large num-
ber of spectators by Lieut.-Governor Gore and the Rev. Dr. Strachan, the
missionary for York, in a manner in keeping with the infant state of the
parish, A hole was dug, and a bottle containing a medal and a halfpenny
was placed in it, a rude and unpolished stone was used to cover it, The
missionary preached to the people, who had seated themselves on boards and
timbers collected near the site. In 1842 it was decided to erect a more com-
modious church, 40 x 60, in plain and simple style of construction. On
Tuesday,
lay 30, 18+3, the foundation stone was laid. Although a very
wet and inclement day, a large congregation assembled in the old church.
At noon, Bishop Strachan, the former missionary, took his place within the
church. The Rev. A. Sanson read the prayers, the Rev. Dr. Beaven, Pro-
fessor of Divinity in the University of King's College, preached from Psalm
cxviii. 22, 23.24 verses. The Bishop afterwards administered the apostolic
t=ite of confirmation to the Reverends A. Townley and A, Sanson, also to
l\Iessrs, Leach and Richie, formerly Presbyterian ministers, but then candi-
dates for holy orders in the Church of Eng-Iand, After these services the cere-
mony of laying the foundation stone of the new church, was proceeded with,
The Rev. H, J. Grasett, the Bishop's chaplain, read the appointed prayers.
after which the following, inscribeù on a roll of parchment, was read by
9 2
The COU1lty of York.
Rev. A, Sanson, the minister of the parish :-" In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, amen, this corner-stone of St. John's
Church, Y orkville, County of York, Home District, was laid on the thirtieth
day of May, 1843, in the sixth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Vic-
toria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, by the Honourable and Right
Reverend John Strachan, D.D., LL,D" Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Rev.
A, Sanson being minister of the congregation, etc., etc," This document
together with the latest number of The Church Journal, a programme of the
ceremony, an English shilling, sixpence and fourpenny piece; a penny and
halfpenny of the Montreal bank, a halfpenny of King George III., and
three silver medals were placed in a bottle which the architect sealed and
deposited in a cavity of the stone. One of the medals had been dug up in
a good state of preservation from beneath the south-east angle of the old
church and bore on one side this inscription :-
"FRANCIS GORE, ESQ"
Lìeutenant-Governor 1816,"
on the other II 56th of George III." The following inscription was added:
" Removed from the old church near this, 30th l\Iay, 1843." The church
was opened for divine service in the fall of 1843, The large folio Bible and
Prayer-book used in the old church is still in use in St. John's Church,
Y orkville, on the fly-leaf of each is the following- :-" Presented by the
Chief Justice Powell to the Seco
d Episcopal Church in York.'.
The present rector of St. John's Church, Rev. H. B. Osler, was
ordained and appointed missionary to Lloydtown, Township of King, Albion
and parts adjacent, in October 29th, 1843, and held the appointment until
removed to York i\Iills in May, 1874. For many years he held regular ser-
vices on Sundays and week days in King and Albion, with occasional
ones in the Townships of Adjala, i\Iulmur, Mono, Caledon, Chinguacousy
and Vaughan. He was born and educated at Falmouth, Cornwall. Englanà,
came to Canada in 1841; read for holy orders with Rev, F. L, Osler, at
Tecumseth; was ordained Octoher, 1843; received the appomtment of
Honorary Canon of St, James' Cathedral in 1867 from Bishop Strar.han.
He was appointed Rector of St. John's, York :.\1ills, May, 1874, and Rural
Dean of west and north York in 1875, by Right Rev. A. Bethune, D.D.,
second Bishop of Toronto. Owing to the steepness of the valley at York
:.\1 ills, Y onge Street formerly made a considerable detour to the east. It
now crosses the hollow in a bee line on a raised embankment constructed
about the year 1835.
About a mile north of York Mills is the Village of Lansing, anù a little
further on is \Villowdale, Here stood the residence of David Gibson, one
.
The COUllty of York.
93
of the leaders of the insurrection of 1837, which was burned by the militia,
acting under the order of Sir Francis B. Head, after the defeat of the insur-
gents, :\Ir. Gibson was a surveyor and farmer, and at one time represented
North York in the Provincial Parliament. After the rebellion he became a
superintendent of Colonization Roads. His death occurred at Quebec in 186+.
A short distance to the eastward from \Villowdale is a noted camp meeting
ground, on the lot formerly owned by Jacob Cummer, one of the early
German pioneers, It was in the midst of a thick maple bush, and witnessed
many characteristic scenes, Peter Jones, the celebrated Indian missionary,
furnished in his autobiography the following description of one of the old-
time religious gatherings held at this spot. \Vritjng under date of the loth
of June, 1828, he says: "About noon I started for the camp ground; when
we arrived we found about three hundred Indians collected from Lake
Simcoe and Scugog Lake. 1\10st of those from Lake Simcoe have just
come in from the back lakes, to join with their converted brethren in the
service of the Almighty God. They came in company with brother Law,
and all seemed very glad to see us, giving us a hearty shake of the hand.
The camp ground enclosed about two acres, which was surrounded with
board tents, having one large gate for teams to go in and out and three
smaller ones. The Indians occupied one large tent, which was 220 feet
long and 15 feet broad. It was covered overhead with boards, and the
sides were made tight with laths to make it secure frbm any encroach-
ments. It had four doors fronting the camp ground. In this long house
the Indians arranged themselves in families as is their custom in their
wigwams, Divine service commenced towards evening, Elder Case first
gave directions as to the order to be observed on the camp ground during
the meeting, Brother James Richardson then preached from Acts II. 21.,
after which I gave the suhstance in Indian, when the brethren appeared
much affected and inh
rested. Prayer-meeting in the evening. The watch
kept the place illuminated during the night. "
A mile or so north of \Villowdale, and about the same distance south
of the township line, is the little village of Newton Brook. The villages of
East York are mostly of a suburban character, situated to the front of the
township, within easy access of Toronto. The city now e"\.tends along the
lake front eastward as far as the township line south of the Kingston Road.
N" orth of that thoroughfare, a short distance east of the present city limits,
is the village of Leslieville, which took its
ame from :\Ir. George Leslie,
one of the early inhabitants, The nursery of fruit trees established by him
is the most notable feature of the locality, The \Voodbine Driving Park is
a lIttle further on, on the south side of the Kingston Road, .\t this point,
.
94
The COU1lty of York.
about two miles east of the Don River, the Kingston Road takes a north-
easterly turn, leading to the Village of Norway, A short distance to the
north-east of this is the new railway suburb of Little York, where the
Grand Trunk Railway has constructed a large freight yard. The amount
of railway business transacted at this point renders it probable that the
population will increase rapidly, as a number of the employés have their
homes here,
The villages of Don
aster and Todmorden lie within a short distance
of each other on the east bank of the Don; the former being about half a
mile lower down, The scenery of the Don, in this neighbourhood and for
miles further up, is extremely picturesque, The Don winds through a
broad valley, the bottom lands immediately adjoining the river, which are
usually flooded in the spring time, yielding rich pasturage, The banks,
which are thickly wooded, rise abruptly, sometimes from the water, but
more often at a considerable distance. They are broken by ravines, where
tributary streams unite their waters with the Don, and occasionally these
bluffs enclose a wide space, giving an amphitheatre-like effect. The river
pursues a serpentine course, but the general direction in ascending it is
northward for about four miles, when it takes a turn to the east, the same
characteristics being observable, About two miles above Todmorden is
the Forks of the Don, where the river divides into three branches, the
eastern, middle, and western streams. It is the western Don that crosses
Y onge Street at York Mills. The neighbourhood of the Forks, where there
is a small village, abounds in romantic scenery. Owing to the hilly and
broken character of the land this section is not thickly settled, and much of
it, especially along the water courses, remains heavily timbered. The
wildness and beauty of the ravines, glens, and stretches of woodland,
present attractions for the lover of nature not readily suspassed In this part
of Canada. ·
The water-power in this neighbourhood was formerly utilized for mill-
ing and manufacturing purposes to a much greater extent than at present.
On the east branch of the Don, or Scarborough Creek, as it is hest known,
there were at an early period three saw-mills, one built by \Villiam Hough,
one by a man named Dark, and the other, further up the stream, by John
Heron. These mills are all gone, leaving hardly a vestige of where they stood,
A German, ,named Knotthardt, also erected a carding-mill on this stream,
which has long since disappeared. The volume of the stream, once con-
siderable, has greatly diminished, owing to the clearing of the country,
and it is no longer available for milling uses, In the year 1817, Alexander
Milna built a large mill, three stories in height, driven by an oyer shot
The COU1lty of York,
95
wheel, eighteen feet in diameter, upon a creek tributary to the west branch
of the Don, The two lower stories of the mill were used for carding and
fulling, and the third story \\ias a saw-mill. The water, power was shortly
afterwards found to be insufficient, and l\Ir.
Iilna abandoned this location
for a better one on the main branch of the Don, where a woollen factory
and saw-mill were put up. Here an extensive new brick building ""as
erected in 18 79- 80 , by Alexander \Villiam l\Iilna, a descendant of the
original owner of the property. The old carding machine, used by Alexan-
der
Iilna in the first mill, is preserved as an heirloom. The next sa\v-mill
above Milna's was at one time the property of John Hogg, It began opera-
tions about 1829, and was run for fifteen or twenty years, Aboye this site
is \Villiam Gray's grist-mill, with two run of stones, and Alexander Gray's
saw-mill. In the same neighbourhood there was formerly a distillery,
owned and operated by J a'nes Gray. A saw-mill was built a little further
up by l\Ir. Knotthardt, who committed suicide in 1840, the mill afterwards
falling mto the hands of James Hunter. It was rebuilt, a short distance
further down stream, by J, Hunter & Sons, and in 1878 was destroyed b)
a flood, The firm have since erected a steam mill. Farther up, again,
stood Stilwell \\ïlson's mill, which was swept away by a flood caused by
the bursting of a water-spout, about 1828. The property afterwards passed
into the hands of Thomas Sheppard, who ran a grist-mill here for some time,
until it w'as burned in 1869. Above this was a saw-mill constructed by Philip
Phillips, and then a saw-mill and woollen-mill built and run by :\Ir. Cummer.
His successors in the woollen manufacturing Lusiness were :\Ir. l\IcIntosh
and James L. Vroom, operations being discontinued about 1857. Cupper's
g-rist-mill came next. It was situated near the point where the German
Mill Creek empties into the Don. A saw-mill was built on this creek by
:;\Ir. Davidson, and afterwards came into the possession of John Sellers, who
ran it un
il about 1870. Further up the main Don was a saw-mill"formerly
belonging to Samuel Hamil, which' was worked until about twenty years
ago. The last mill on the stream, east of Y onge Street, is Brunskill's grist-
mill. A log grist-mill, built by \y, \Valker, stands just on the west side of
the street.
On the lower Don, between the Forks and the city, are situated Taylor's
paper mills, one near Todmorden and the other a mile or so further up,
At an early period, thc boats of the .i\orth-\Vest Company ell route
to Lake Huron used to make their way up the western Don as far as
Yonge Street, at the present locality of York l\Iills, where they wcre
taken out of the water and carried on trucks to the Holland Ri\"(
r. On
the banks of the Don, fresh water shclls have been found beneath a con-
7
9 6
The County of York.
siderable thickness of sand, thirty feet above the lake level-which, in
connection with other indications, are taken as evidence that the entire
region has, at one time, been submerged. The Don and its tributaries are
crossed III several places by the substantial bridges of the recently con-
structed Ontario amI Quebec Railway which, skirting the northern limit
of Toronto, strikes across the township in a north.easterly direction.
The Village of L'Amaroux is situated in the northern part of the town-
ship, near the Scarborough line. It is about nine miles from Toronto.
There are in all twenty-five public schools situated within the limits of
the Township of York, all of which are under the jurisdiction of 1\1r.
Hodgson, who has already been referred to as the Inspector of Public
Schools for the South Riding. The most important of them are located as
follows: No. I, at Davisville, a short distance north of Mount Pleasant
Cemetery; No.2, at Eghngton; NO.3, at York Mills; No, 4, at \Yillow-
dale; NO.5, at Newton Brook, near the northern outskirts of the township;
Xo. 7. at Doncaster; No. S, at \Vexford, on the town-line between York and
Scarborough; NO.9, near Don Post Office; No, 12, at L'Amaroux; No. 13,
at Davenport; No. 14, on the second concession; No. 15, at Fairbanks;
o. 16, between the second and third concessions, near 1\1r. Duncan's;
No. 17, at Down's View, in the fourth concession; No. IS, on the fourth
concession, but farther north than No. 17, and near Elia Post Office.; No.
19, beyond \Yeston, near Emery Post Office; No. 20, at Norway; No. 21,
at \Veston; No, 25, at Seaton Village.
THE TO\YXSHIP OF ETOBICOKE.
4
d
: TOBICO
Townsh
p, situated at t
e sou
h-west cor
er of the
\ g
" county, IS Irregular In shape, and laId out In a fragmentary and
\k1 )o unsystematic fashion. It fronts on Lake Ontario. having the
t
" Humber river as its eastern boundary, Its western limit is
Etobicoke Creek and the Gore of Toronto in Peel County, and
cd \ to the north lies th
Township of Vaughan, It comprises
29,5+0 acres, being, with the exception of North Gwillimbury,
the smallest township in the county, The northern portion, comprising
about two-thirds, is laid out in concessions running north and south, the
three western concessions being numbered, and the eastern ones known as
.\, E, and C. The southern portion is broken up into smaller rows of
concessions, some numbered from west to east, and others running north
and south, in a very confusing manner.
The etymology of the name Etobicoke is uncertain. It is usually sup-
posed to be Indian, but on the earliest documents it appears as .. Toby Cook."
In the Crown Lands Department there is preserved a map dated Newark,
1793, by Abraham Iredell, Assistant Deputy Surveyor, upon which has
been written the following memorandum :-" The river Toby Cook is a
rapid stream of water. The land in the bottom good, but much cut to
pieces with the high water. On the rear boundary line from the river
Toby Cook to the large stream of water on lot 15, the land is very
good. From the stream to the north angle is a burr and pine plain; from
thence to the said stream, from the stream to lot NO.9, burnt land, but
tolerable good; from thence to the lake, good, The land west of the 100 acre
lots on the line No, 16, \\'. is good to lot 1\0. 7, but low land to No, 13, the
other lots good." "Toby Cook" appears to have been the custcmary spelling
during the early days of settlement, as it is seen on several other maps, but
in 18 I I the name \\as given as it is now spelled, on an official plan, and
since that time" Etobicoke .. has been the recognized etymology. ..\s no
9 8
The COllllty of Y O1'k.
such person as Toby Cook is known either to history or tradition in con-
nection with the locality, it is altogether probable that the first surveyors
or settlers caught the Indian pronunciation imperfectly, and rendered it by
this homely appellation as a matter of convenience, the true derivation
being obscured by the spelling. The first settlement of the township took
pla<:e about the beginning of the century, In 1,795 the .. militia lands"
were laid out by Surveyor Iredell. Part of the boundary wa
marked out
in 1797 by Mr. Augustus Jones. The following year a surveyor named
Hambly undertook the work of survey, which was continued at various
intervals by
Iessrs. \Vilmot, Ridout, Hawkins and Castle, the latter com-
pleting the laying out of the township in the year 18 3 8 .
The earliest settlers of Etobicoke were the U, E. Loyalist ;efugees,
who sought to build up homes in the wilderness, whose strong arms and
stout hearts subdued the forest and dared the perils of an unknown and
savage land.
\ll honour to their memory! Those were indeed H the times
that tried men's souls." Their descendants of to-day, in the midst c5f
comfort and plenty, surrounded by the blessings of civilization, can hardly
even picture to the imagination the rough and rude beginnings of our
national greatness, the unbroken forest north of the great lakes, the arrival
of the few travel-worn bands of emigrants whom the result of the revolu-
tionary struggl<;. had reft of home and possessions, often of their nearest and
dearest. Old men, whom cruel war had ro
bed of the, sons whom they
fondly hoped would be the stay of their declining years, widows and
orphans, youths barely grown to manhood, pushed out to battle with the
perils and vicissitudes of an unknown region, together with those in the
prime and vigour of maturer years, survivors of many a hard-fought field,
who had laid down the sword or musket to assume the implements of
peaceful industry and carve out homes and build up fortunes for themselves
in the Canadian wilds. Such were the original elements of our flourishing
and prosperous community.
1 hear the tread of pioneers
Of nations yet to be ;
The first low wash of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea.
They halt where the land seems richest and the position most favour-
able, and the forest echoes are awakened with three ringing cheers for King
George. Then follows the bivouac around the camp fire, and the next day
the woods ring to the unaccustomed sound of the axe, and many a tall tree
topples to the grolU1d with a resounding crash, letting the sun stream down
on the thick underbrush through the ever-widening rifts in the canopy of
.
TIle COlt/lry of York.
99
green, Rude log-huts are búilt with chimneys of unhewn stone without
plaster, and a single aperture to serve for door and window. The first
crop is sown on the narrow clearing, thickly studded with stumps, and
bounded on all sides by the straight grey columns of the tree trunks, charred
by the burning of the brush heaps. \Yinter comes, and the pitiless storm
drifts the snow in between the chinks of the logs, and the howl of the wolves
is heard at
ights. There is scant store of provisions, and the skill of the
hunter must supplement the shortness of the crop, There is sickness, and
accident, and death, Ofttimes the settler is crushed and mangled by falling
timber or prostrated by fever, and the medical appliances are of the rudest.
And so the stern contest with nature goes on until the clearings widen and
the forest retreats, until glimpses of the smoke rising from adjoining cabins
bring a sense of neighbourhood and closer assoçiation. The old Indian
trail through the bush is widened into a wagon track. New waves of
population follow, The original log cab.ins give place to larger and more
commodious structures. The itinerant preacher comes along, and his visit
is hailed with joy as a harbinger of gospel privileges of which the settlers
have so long been deprived. He marries half a dozen waiting couples who
have delayed their union for perhaps years until such an opportunity should
present itself, and admits to the visible Church on earth as many young
native Canadians, the first-born of the settlen'lent. It is a great day when
a small church of logs is erected, anJ a settled ministe
secured.
\nd so
here and there population crystallizes around centres, the embryo towns and
villages, and the first struggles and perils and inconveniences of the pioneers
are over. These struggles, these hardships of which we, their descendants.
or successors, reap the benefit in such ample measure, should never be for-
gotten by Canadians.
One of the earliest grantees in Etobicoke was Colonel Smith. of the
Queen's Rangers, who received a large tract of land which now forms the
+th and 5th concessions of the southern portion of the township. Colonel
Smith was for some time President of the Province of 'Cpper Canada,
Gourlay, in his "Statistical Account of Upper Canada," thus speaks
of Colonel Smith's homestead on the Lake shore, in the ncighbourhooJ
of the River Etobicoke :-" I shall describe thè residence and neigh hour-
hood of the President of Upper Canada from remcmbrance, journeying
past it on my way to York from the. westward by what is called the
Lake Road, through Etobicoke. For many miles not a house had
appeared, when I came to that of Col. Smith, lonely anJ desolate.
It had once been genteel and comfortable, but was now going to Jecay,
.\ vista had heen opened through the woods towards Lake Ontario;
100
The County of Y01'k.
but the riotous and dangling undergrowth seemed threatening to retake
possession from the Colonel of all that had once been cleared, which was
of narrow compass. How could a solitary half-pay officer help himself
settled down upon a block of land whose very extent barred out the assist-
ance and convenience of neighbours? Not a living thing was to be seen
around. How different it might be, thought I, were a hundred industrious
families compactly settled here out of the redundant population of England,"
The writer continues to narrate how he lost his way in the woods,
owing to the disappea
ance of the road a short distance beyond the Presi-
dent's house, in a bank of gravel thrown up at the mouth of the Etobicoke.
He gave his horse the rein, and let him take his own way. "Abundant
time," he says, "was afforded for reflection on the wretched state of
property flung away on half-pay officers, Here was the head man of the
Province 'born to blush unseen,' without even a tolerable bridle way
b
tween him and the capital city, after more than twenty years' possession
of his domain. The very gravel bed which caused me such turmoil might
have made a turnpike, but what can be done by a single hand? The
President could do little with the axe or wheelbarrow himself, and half-pay
could employ but few labourers at 3s, 6d. per day, with victuals and drink."
Colonel Smith, however, showed a good deal of public spirit in some
directIOns. He did something towards improving the breed of horses,
spending considerable amounts in the importation of blood stock from the
United States,
Among the original patentees of Etobicoke were the following, their
. patents bearing date in the respectIve years indicated :-
17g8-Sergeant Patrick Mealy,
-179g-Thomas Tivy, Joseph Hunt, James Hunt,
1800-James Crawford, Thomas Moseley.
1801-Francis Bark, Barnabas
lcGrevie, George Bender, Abraham
Cameron, Christian Chisholm, Adam Baker, Jr., \\ïl1iam Hooten, Francis
Stevenson, John Doggert, Leah T. Gamble, \\'illiam Clarke, Ann Christie,
Catherine Magdalen Gamble, Eliza Christie, \Villiam Calder.
180z-Hon. Robert Hamilton,John qamble, Richard \\'ilson, S. Steven-
son, A. Brigham, B. \Yilliam,
1803-Isaac Pilkington, Samuel Giles, Alexander Thomson, l\Iichael
Miller, Dan Laughlin.
I804-Robert Gray, George McDonald, John Berry, Daniel Stewart,
J. Doggert.
I80s-Isaac Mitchell.
I806-Robert Richardson, John Gould, John Claus, Samuel Smith,
John Thorn.
The COU1lty of Y01,k,
101
,
I
o7-Andrew l\Iorrow, Gerhard Himck, Thomas B. Gough, Moses
Dewar, Dorothy Arnold.
I809-Eleonora :\Ioore, Elizabeth Moore, L. Stevenson,
I8Io-Simcoe Stevenson, Elizabeth Stevenson, Eleonora Stevenson,
Harriet Hainer.
I8II-\Villiam Halton, Robert Gray.
18Ij-Sarah Powell, T. H. Stevenson.
18I7-Christopher \Yidmer.
Among others who also received pafents at an early date in the history
of the township were John Campbell, Caleb Humphrey, Edward Heazzel,
John Vanzantee, Esther Burden Davison, Joseph Shaw, George Gowland
and Thomas \Vhitaker. The Canada Company, King's College and Christ
Church, also obtained extensive grants.
No records of the township meetings prior to 1850 have been preserved,
At the first meeting in that year, the township was divided into five wards.
The following were elected members of the Council by the meeting :-l\1oses
Appleby, Thomas Fisher, \Yilliam Gamble, \Yilliam B. \Vadsworth and
John Geddes. At a subsequent meeting held on the 21st January, the
Council was organized by the election of \Villiam Gamble as Reeve, and
\Villiam B. \Vadsworth as Deputy-Reeve, Edward l\Iusson was after-
wards chosen Township Clerk. A report presented to the Council by l\Ir.
Thomas J, Hodgkin, Superintendent of Common Schools, shows that at this'
date there were eight school sections in the township, in seven of which
schools were established, The report complains of defective school requi-
sites, The number of scholars on the roll between the ages of five and.
sixteen years was 333, besides ten above school age, two-thirds of the whole
number being boys. Only one of the schools was fr
e, Of the scholars, 21+
could write, 13 were studying French and 8 taking Latin lessons, The.
expenditure of the year was as follows :-For bridges, [98. I IS. 4td.; pnnt-
ing and stationery, [21. IS, 3td,; school assessments, [179; contingencies,
[20. 13s. 7d.; salaries, [75. 6s. ltd.; school funds, [89' os. 9d,; cash in hand,
[179. 15 S . 8td.
In 1851, the Council consisted of Moses Appleby, Alex. McFarlane,
Andrew \Vard, Joseph Smith and John Geddes, Joseph Smith was elected
Reeve, Andrew "Yard, Deputy-Reeve, and John R, Bagnell, Clerk and
Treasurer. 1\1r. Smith retained the Reeveship till 1855, in which year he
was succeeded by Alexander McFarlane, who in 1858 gave place to Edward
Musson. The latter occupied the position conti nuously for seven years
until 1864, \V. .\. \Vallis and Matthew Canning are among those who ha\c
<;ince held the Reeveship, Anùrew \Vard first chosen Deputy-Reeve in
102
The COU1lty of York.
1851, retained that office for five years, \Villiam 1\1. Ross succeeding him
in 1856, and giving place to \\, A. \Vallis two years later. Since then the
Deputy-Reeveship has been filled by \\" B. \\'adsworth, Matthew Canning,
\\T, Taylor, P. \Vardlaw, E. C. Fisher, Jonathan Orth, Robert \Villcock,
apd others. In 1855, Joseph Dawson was chosen Township Clerk and
Treasurer, being succeeded by \Villiam R. Scott in 1861, who held the
office for three years. In 1864, Alexander McPherson was appointed and
has filled the position ever since, The following are the principal municipal
officials for 1884: Matthew Canning, Islington, Reeve, J. D, Evans,
Islington, Deputy-Reeve; Daniel F, Homer, Mimico, James Kellam, High-
field, and James A. Young, \Veston, Councillors; Adam F. Mather, Isling-
ton and John F, Hill, \Yeston, Assessors,
The soil of Etobicoke consists of heavy clay, and clay loam, in the
northern section, an,d sandy loani and sand in the southern division, black
loam being distributed over the township, About 25 per cent. of the area
is heavy clay, eight inches deep, with an argillaceous subsoil. About equal
proportions consist respectively of clay loam, eleven inches in depth, and
sandy loam of the depth of one foot, with a clayey subsoil in botÞ. cases.
Perhaps 10 per cent. is sand, and varying in depth, and IS per cent. black
loam, two feet or so above a stratum of sand and clay. None is too stony
to interfere with remunerative cultivatioI1, and only about I per cent. objec-
tionably hilly in character. Ten per cent. is rolling land, and the low flat
land is not more than 2 per cent. of the total area. An unusual proportion
of the acreage of this township can be classified as first-class lanØ, four-
fifths being of this quality; 19 per cent. is of second-class quality, and only
I per cent., third-class. The average price it will bring in the market for
agricultural purposes is $80 per acre for first-class, and $60 for second-
class land. The township is well watered, and where the springs and
creeks do not furnish a supply, water can be reached by digging at a depth
varying from 10 to 40 feet. l\Iany of the farms are fenced in first-class style,
rail and board fences being the kinds most generally adopted. Three-
fourths of the dwellings and the out buildings of the farms are constructed
of brick or stone, or rank as first-class frame buildings. Drainage is not
practised to any considerable extent, only 3 per cent. of the farms bëing
drained. Artificial fertilizers are in use upon about one-tenth or the farms,
plaster, salt and superphosphate being the kinds generally employed.
The proportion of land devoted to the staple crops is as follows:
Fall wheat, 15 per cent.; spring wheat, 5 per cent,; barley, 20 per cent.;
oats, 10 per cent.; peas,s per cent.; pqtatoes, 3 per cent.; turnips, I per
cent.; other root crops, I per cent.. and hay IS per cent. Twenty-two per
Tile County of York,
10 3
cent. is pasture land, which is a larger proportion than in any other
township in the county, and 3 per cent. devoted to fruit raising. The
following is the average yield per acre :-Fall wheat, 20 bushels; spring
wheat, 15 bushels; barley, 30 bus
lels; oats, 40 bushels; peas, 20 bushels;
potatoes, 100, bushels; turnips, 300 bushels; other
root crops, '500
bushels; hay, a ton and a-half. A large proportion of the land is still'
timbered; the woods consisting mainly of beech, maple, elm, basswood,
and pine. There are three flouring mills in the township. In 1881, the
number of cattle was, 1887; of horses, 1257; of sheep, 1277, and of hogs,
826. A good deal of imported stock has been introduced. The breeds of
stock most extensively raised are draught horses, Durham grade, Devon
cattle, sheep of the Cotswold and Leicester breeds, and Suffolk and Berk-
shire hogs. .
In 1850, the population of the township was 2,904-it contained five
grist and seven saw mills, and the crop returns for the previous year were:
82,000 bushels of wheat, 16,000 bushels of barley, 41,000 bushels of oats,
20,000 bushels of peas, 25,000 bushels of potatoes, I 1,000 pounds o( wool,
4,000 pounds of cheese, a'nd 24,000 pounds of butter. Since that time, the
popul'ation has been almost stationary. In 1871, the inhabitants numbered
2,985, and the census of 1881 gives the number at 2,976. Of this number,
2,137 ,vere native Canadians, The number of occupiers of land was 425,
of whom 254 were the owners of the soil. The total area occupied
amounted to 28,527 acres, of which 2+,801 was improved land. The area
In cultivatiou for field crops included 19,+35 acres-4,JI9 acres were
devoted to pasturage, and 1,047 to gardens and orchards.
The staple agricultural products were returned as follows:- \Vheat,
58,245 bushels; barley, 90.)05 bushels; oats, 104,791 bushels; peas and
beans, 15,766 bushels; potatoés, 92,905 bushels; turnips, 50,000 bushels;
other root crops, 41,705 bushels; hay, 5,394 tons,
A saw-mill was constructed by the Government about the. year 1795 on
the Etobicoke side of the Humber, about two miles and a-half from the
lake, The work was done by a mill-wright named Nicholas
Iiller, who
was brought from 'New York State for the purpose. The mill, which was
huilt partly of logs and partly of boards, was run successfully by parties
named Jillson, Cushman, and Stile Stephenson, who either rented it or
were employed by the Government, it is. not certain which. About 1820
the mill and twelve hundred acres of land were leased to Mr. Thomas
Fisher at a low rent, but he soon afterwards gave up the greater portion of
the land. The mill was purchased by 1\Ir. \Villiam Gamble in 1835, and
the year following he elected on the site a five-story stone flour-milJ witIt
,
10 4
TILe County of Y01,k.
,
SIX run of stones. The supplies for the mill were carried up from the
mouth of the river in barges, and the flour shipped in the same way. Mr.
Gamble afterwards built a wharf and storehouse near the entrance of the
Humber.
In 1835, a four-story flour-mill was erected by Mr. Fisher on the
Etobicoke side of the present Yillage of Lambton, It was partly stone and
partly frame, and was burned down in 1843. It was, however, rebuilt the
following year, and leased to the Howland brothers. The dam was washed
away by a flood in 1878, In 1880 the property was purchased by George
Smith, who made extensive additions, and fitted up the mill for the woollen
manufacture. Near this point a carding and fulling mill was constructed
in 1820. which underwent several changes in proprietorship as well as
in the uses to which it was put. Mr. James \Villiams was the owner
about 1867, since which time it has not been in operation. About a mile
above Lambton a saw-mill was erected by Samuel Scarlet, in 1854. It was
destroyed by fire six years later, but soon rebuilt, The property was pur-
chased by George Stonehouse in 1875. Half a mile or so higher up stream
John Scarlet, father of Samuel Scarlet, put up a saw-mill, in 1831, and also
partly constructed two flour-mills in the immediate neighbourhood, The
saw-mill and a quantity of adjacent land passed to his son Edward, and in
1871 the mill became the property of Mr. Matthew Canning.
Market gardening is carried on to a considerable extent in the south-
eastern portion of the township, the markets of Toronto affording a ready
sal
for vegetables and fruit. There are excellent railway facilities,
especially in the southern portion of the township, The Great \Vestern
branch of the Grand Trunk runs within a short distance of the lake, east
and west. It has a station near the Village of :\Iimico, a pleasure resort
about a mile and a half west from the Humber, where many of the Toron-
tonians have summer residences, The spot is a favourite one for pic-
nics and excursion parties. At this point the Mimico River enters the
lake, and the beauties of the scenery along its banks and in the neighbour-
hood of the lake shore are greatly appreciated by pleasure-seekers.
The Credit Valley Railway strikes the township at Lambton, about
two miles north of the Great \Vestern branch, and traverses it in a south-
westerly direction, parallel for most of the distance with the Dundas Road.
About a mile from Lambton, on the Dundas Road, is the Village of Islington,
where the agricultural exhibitions of the township are held. Two miles
further west, partly in Etobicoke and partly in the adjoining Township of
Toronto, in Peel County, is the Village of Summerville,
The main line of the Grand Trunk runs west from \Veston. The
TIle County of Y01,k,
10 5
Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway runs northward from the latter point to
within about a mile from the northern boundary of the township, when it
deflects to the north-west. The principal villages in the northern portion
of the township are Clairville, in the extreme north-western angle; Smith-
field, about two miles to the south-east; and Thistletown, a mile and a-half
further in the same direction. These are all connected by a road running
from \Veston northward for a mile or so, and then crossing the Humber
and running north-west to Clairville. Highfield is situated about a mile
from the western boundary, and a short distance north of the Grand Trunk
main line.
There are, in all, ten public schools within the limits of the Township
of Etobicoke, Their respective situations are shown by the following
table :-
No. OF
SCHOOL TEACHER. P. O. ADDRESS,
SECTION,
--
I John G. Roberts, . . , . . , , Mimico,
2 T, E. Kaiser.. . . , . . , . . . . Summerville,
. I 1- B. Kaiser , I Lambton Mills.
I 3 . . . . . . . . . .
4 R. E, CastÏn.. . . . . , . . . . . Islington.
I
I 5 Albert 'Villson . . . . . . . . . . 'Veston.
I 6 L. M. Stanette., . . , , . . . . Highfield.
I 7 J, C, Clark"......,..... Thistleton.
I 8 Richard Lewis, jun'r.. .. Islington,
I
I 9 John F, Campbell. . . . . . Humber.
10 John F. Ellerby. . , . . . , . Thistleton,
THE TO\VNSHIP OF SCARBOROUGH,
î
1 ,
CARBOROUGH TO\vnship is situated at the south-eastern corner
1 of the county, It comprises nine concessions, of which, however,
only five extend to the eastern limit of the county, the rest being
broken by the water front, which slopes inwards from the western
side-line. The broken concessions are known as A, B, C and D,
the remaining ones being numbered. The front of the town-
ship was surveyed in 1791 by 1\1r. Augustus Jõnes, the name
then given it being II Glasgow." It is bounJed on the north by the
Township of
Iarkham, on the south by Lake Ontario, on the east by
Pickering, in the adjoining County of Ontario, anJ on the west by York.
The concession lines were not run until the year 1833, when the laying out
of the township was continued by 1\1r. Galbraith, P.L.S, In 1850 the
western boundary was fixed by Mes
rs. \Villiam Smith and John Shier,
Provincial Land Surveyors, and in 1854 the eastern limit was established
by 1\11'. John Shier, P,L.S. The Boundary Line Commissioners fixed the
northern limits of the townships, There are many irregularities in the
laying out of this township, owing to the surveys having been made by
different parties at long intervals, whereby some of the original land-
marks were destroyed or lost sight of. 1\1r. F, F. Passmore, P.L.S" in 186 4
presented a report to the Township Council in connection with a map of a
re-survey, in \vhich he stated that there were at that time, exclusive of the
exterior road between the township and its neighbours, 126 side-roads, many
of them well opened up and travelled. The soil of the southern portion of
Scarborough is light and sandy, as indicated by the considerable quantity of
pine timber intermixed with the hardwood growths. In the central and
northern sections the soil is heavier and better
dapted for agriculture, the
timber being nearly all hardwood. The township is abundantly watered,
and the land is generally undulating, excepting in the neighbourhood of
Highland Creek and the River Rouge, the banks of which are steep amI
rugged. In the southern part of the township there are extensive beds of
"
"'
J.:.
)
\ ,\
(, , I
The COUllty of York.
107
clay, suitable for brick-making purposes, generally overlaid by sand several
feet in. depth, The geological characteristics of the township are not of
much interest, presenting but little variety. Two springs on the 16th lot of
the 4th concession have a local reputation for their mineral properties.
Their waters give, by boiling, a small amount of earthy carbonate, but even
when evaporated to one-tentI
they have no marked taste. They contain,
in addition, only sulphate of lime with traces of chloride, Sandstone of the
Hudson River formation is met with along the banks of the streams near
the lake shore.
Traces of the large aboriginal population which occupied the western
portion of this township, but disappeared before the adyent of the white
settlers, are frequently discoyered. Their principal settlement appears to
have been near the mouth of the River Rouge, where the site of what was
once a considerable Indian village was indicated by the remains of the logs
which formed a wooden palisade surrounding their habitations. Here have
been discovered from time to time a variety of Indian relics, which, in the
opinion of scientists, show a continuous residence on the spot for at least a
century. Some have all the characteristics of the stone age, and mixed with
the rude weapons and implements of" native industry" are those of copper
and iron, and also glass beads) which were probably obtained by intercours
with the early French voyageurs and traders. These relics of a vanished
race were found intermixed with ashes and charcoal.
\ few yards from
the site of the village a number of graves containing aboriginal remains were
discovered.
In the immediate proximity of this site, and near the present villages of
Greenvale and Claremont, in the adjoining Township of Pickcring, other
Indian relics have been found in considerable quantity, showing that
aboriginal villages once existed in those localities. L\t the site near Clare-
mont, a large Indian burying-ground was found, These ancient settlements
were connected with the one in Scarborough, and all are believed to have
belonged to the once powerful Huron nation.
The first patents to land in Scarborough were granted in 1796, The
following are among the original patentees for the years indicated :-
1796-Capt, \Villiam Mayne, John \Vhite.
1797-James Hoghbelling, John McGill, \\ïlliam Eadus and others,
George Irvine, Amos l\Ierritt, Eliza Small, John Hewitt.
1798- Joseph Ketchum, Dorcas Kendrick, James :\1 alloy , Capt. \ \ïlliam
Demont, James Ketchem, Owen ::\IcGrath, Elizabeth Davis, Jamcs \\"hitton,
Elizabeth Vanderlip, James Thompson.
1799-Sarah Ashbridge, David Flcming, Jonathan
\shbridge, John
Adair, .\ndrew Templeton, \\ïlliam Osterhout,
icholas Smith, Thomas
108
TIle COU1lty of York.
Hewitt, Elias Thompson, John \Veaver, James Eliot, David Robertson,
Samuel Heron, Martin Buckner, Ephraim Payen, Susannah Harris, John
Segar, John Markly, Richard Hatt, Andrew Johnston, Archibald Thomp-
son, John Henry Kahman, Eliphalet Hale, Eliza Small, Margaret Ryck-
man, Richard Flock, Eva Bradt, Lieut. Miles McDonnell, Barnabas Eddy,
Azariah Lundy,
1801-Parshall Terry, jun'r, Ellis Dennis, Samuel Heron, Robert Isaac,
Dey Gray, John Smith, John \Vintermute, John Robert Small.
1802-Submission Galloway, Parker Mills, Robert Tait, Nipporah Ro-
buck, Jacob Fisher, Nicholas :\lacdougal, David Thompson, Andrew
Thompson,
1803-\Villiam Devenish, Valentine Fisher.
1804-John Macdougal.
IboS-E. Osterhout, Donald McLean.
1806- John Richardson, Alexander l\IcDonnell.
I807-Pelva Cole,
1809- Thomas Cornwell.
1810-Henry \Vebster, John Robert Small.
181 I-Andrew Mercer, James Osburn.
18I2-Peter Reesor, Benjamin \Y. Eaton, George Kuck, Helen Fen
wick, John Kennedy, sen'r.
In addition to the patents issued to individuals, King's College and the
Canada Company appear among the early grantees, Many of the names
given above are largely represented among the present inhabitants of the
township.
No very early municipal records have been preserved, the year 18 4 8
being as far back as the documents now extant reach. In the memorandum
of proceedings for that year, the following names of electors are subscribed
to a declaration that u \Ve, the undersigned, do sincerely promise and swear
that we will faithfully and diligently perform the duties for which we are
appointed for the current year "-Joseph Pilkey, George Snider, _\dam
\Valton, \\ïlliam Kennedy, \Villiam Fawcett, sen'r, \Villiam Mason,
Thomas Kennedy, 'Medley Robinson, Daniel Kennedy, George Galway,
John Palmer, John \Varren, Isaac Christie, Timothy Devenish, John Rich;
ardson, Alexander \Vilson, George Stephenson, Abraham Stoner, \Villiam
Young, \Villiam Richardson, \Villiam \Yesteny, \tVilliam Anthony, James
Saw, Isaac Stoner, Thomas Adams, Thomas Booth, King Parkes, James
Peters, \Villiam Chamberlain, l\larshall Macklin, Thomas Adams, jun'r,
Isaac Stcor, \Yilliam A, Thompson, James A. Thompson, James Johnson
John Sherburn, James Spring, Thomas Brown, John Wilson, John Law,
\Villiam Nelson, Robert Jackson, Andrew Potter, and Thomas Demma
The COU1lty of York.
109
The first meeting of the" l\Iunicipal Corporaton " of the township was held
at Thomas Dowswell's tavern, on the 21st of January, 1850, on which occa-
sion were present, Peter Sëcor, reeve; John P. \Yheeler, deputy-reeve;
\Villiam Helliwell, Christopher Thompson and Edward Connell. The
following year ::\Ir. \Yheeler attained the reeveship, and Thomas Brown
was elected deputy-reeve, and Stephen Glosson, clerk. In 1854, John
Torrance became reeve, and \Villiam Clark, deputy-reeve. 'Ir. \Yheeler
was again chosen reeve in 1855, and filled the office for ten years in succes-
sion. During three years of this period, 1861-3, he was warden of the
county, Among those who have held the reeveship are Donald G. Stephen-
son, Thomas Brmvn and George Chester. The deputy-reeveship has
numbered among its incumbents John Crawford, Simon Miller and \\ïlliam
Tred
vay. From 1856 to 1865 James Moyle officiated as township clerk.
He was succeeded by John Crawford, who still holds that position. The
other leading municipal officials for 188+ are: Reeve, John Richardson;
1st deputy-reeve, A. ),1. Sëcor; 2nd deputy-reeve, George Morgan.
In 1842 Scarborough contained 2,75o'inhabitants, and had one grist-
mill and eighteen saw-mills. The enumeration taken in 1850 showed that
its progress had been very marked, the number having increased to 3,82I.
It had then three grist-mills and twenty-three saw-mills. and its agricultural
products from the crop of 18+9 were as follows: 90,000 bushels of wheat,
101,000 bushels of oats, 29,000 bushels of peas, 56,000 bushels of potatoes,
5,000 bushels of turnips, 3,700 tons of hay, 1+,000 pounds of wool, 12,000
pounds of cheese, and 35,000 pöunds of butter. The returns of the latest
Dominion census, taken in 1881, show a large increase in the productive
capacity of the township, The leading items are as follo,,"s: \Vheat,
85,595 bushels; barley, 132,870 bushels; oats, 160,474 bushels; peas and
beans, 35,280 bushels; potatoes, 11+,838 bushels; turnips, 283,670 bushels;
other root crops, I25,839 bushels; hay, IO,5IO tons.
Latterly there has been a falling off in the population of the township,
largely owing to the considerable emigration to the Xorth-\Yest, which has
drawn away many of the young men. The population in 1871 numbere(l
4,615, in I88I it had decreased to 4,208. The census of the latter year gives
the number of occupiers of land at 588, of whom 412 were also owners. The
total acreage occupied was 43,634, of \vhich 36,225 acres were improved.
Of this, 28,065 acres were devoted to field crops, 6,892 acres to pasturage,
and 1,268 were laid out in gardens and orchards.
Of the total population, 3,233, or more than three-fourths, are of Can-
adian birth, though mostly of recent British origin, as the e. E. Loyalist
element in the population is small. Smith's" Canada, Past, Present and
Future" says on this point: .. The To\\ nship of Scarborough is said to be
110
Tile COltllty of York.
occupied almost exclusively by natives of the British Isles, who have obtained
some considerable degree of local celebrity as ploughmen," It is interesting
to note that after the lapse of a generation the yeomen of Scarborough still
retain their well-won pre-eminence in this department, notwithstanding
many a well-contested match in which the representatives of other town-
ships have sought to wrest their honours from them, Mr. James Patton,
residing near Scarborough Junction, is the pioneer plough man of the county,
and one of the most active in promoting competitions. On the 17th of
June, 1884, the veteran ploughman ,vas presented with an address and
testimonial, in recognition of his services in promoting the cause of prize
ploughing,
The report of the Ontario Agricultural Commission furnishes some
valuable details respecting the condition oi agriculture in the township.
The report states that the area was all settled III about forty years after the
entrance of the first settlers in 1798. The general character of the soil is
described as a clay loam, but about one-nineteenth is a heavy clay, and ten
per cent. in the middle of the township is a sandy loam; there is a little gravel
which is considerably scattered, and about ten per cent. of the soil is black
loam: none" of the land is too ston} or rocky to be profitably cultivated,
but about one-fourth is so hilly as to interfere with tillage; the remaining
three-fourths is rolling land. Only about one-fortieth is low, bottom lands,
one-fourteenth swampy, and one-fifteenth wet and springy. One-half the
total area is considered first-class land, the quantity of second and third
class being estimated at one-quarter each. \Vater is obtainable, by digging,
at from fourteen to ninety feet. The average price, of land is from ::-;80 to
IIO per acre for first-class land, from $so to S
o for second-class, and
from ;;;;10 to 8so for the third-class quality. About half the land is under
first-class fences, the material employed being generally rails and posts,
Two-thirds of the dwellings are of brick, stone, or first-class frame, the
remaining one-third being log or inferior frame. Two-thirds of the out-
buildings are also reckoned first-class, A third of the farms are under-
drained, principally by means of tile drains.
The acreage devoted to the leading crops, and the average yield of
those crops per acre, as nearly as can be estimated, are given as follows:-
Fall wheat, S per cent., 20 bushels;. spring wheat, 10 per cent., 10 bushels;
barley, 12 per cent., 30 bushels; oats, 10 per cent., 4S bushels; peas, S per
cent" 20 bushels; potatoes, 2 per cent., 130 bushels; turnips, 2 per cent.,
soo bushels; other root crops, I per cent.. soo bushels; hay, 20 per cent"
It tons per acre; IS per cent, is in pasture lands, and 3 per cent. in
orchards. The portion of the township about the flats and banks of the
Rouge River and Highland Creek are pronounced better adapted for stock
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HON. ALEXANDER MACKE
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Tftl' COllll!)! of York.
III
raising than for grain-growing purposes. The kinds of stock most exten-
sively raised are Clydesdale horses, Durham and Ayrshire cattle, Cots wold
sheep and Berkshire pigs. ... \ good many of the Clydesdale horses are
imported stock. Among the principal owners of thoroughbred stock are
John Little, Alexander Neilson, J, and J. Neilson, Stephen \Yestney,
\\Yilliam \Vestney, John Crawford, \Villiam Crawford, and John Lawrie.
The proportion of the township still under timber is estimated at about
eight or ten acres to the hundred. The principal varieties of timber are
cedar, maple, beech, and pine, The exact number of acres is 43,019!, of
which 33,760 are cleared. The cattle number 2,371, the horses 2,19 8 , the
sheep 95 I, and the hogs 1,329.
The township is well traversed by highways and railroads, securing the
farmers a ready access to the leading markets. The Kingston Road, the old
thoroughfare between Toronto and Kingston, runs along the front of the
townshIp near the lake shore in the western portion, but striking further
inland as it proceeds eastward. The scenery in the neighbourhood of
Scarborough Heights, which lie between the road and the lake-shore, near
the eastern boundary of the township, is extremely wild and rofnantic.
The Heights, which are about 320 feet above the level of the lake, present
an extensive view over the water and surrounding country. They form a
thickly wooded elevation, and their masses of foliage rising from the shore
present a beautiful view from the lake. There is a steep ravine to the west of
the Heights, encircled on every side by densely timbered banks, abounding
in swampy recesses where ferns, mosses, and creepers of all sorts grow in
rank luxuriance. It is a channing and delightful spot to all lovers of
picturesque natural scenery. \Vithin a short distance is Victoria Park,
one of the most pleasant and popular of the summer resorts of Toronto,
which is within an hour's sail of the city, and throughout the summer
attracts large numbers of pleasure-seekers anù wearied citizens in search of
a brief respite from the toil anù worry of urban life. There is a hroad,
sandy, sheh-ing beach, running back to a high clay bluff. The front portion
consists of a smooth, grassy expanse, fringed with trees, overlooking the
lake. ...\ summer hotel and pavilion have been provided for the accommoda-
tion of the public. To the rear is the park proper, sloping gradually up-
,\ ards, retaining most of the natural characteristics of the forest, e^ceptin
that the underbrush has been cleared away in places, and winding paths
-have been made in every dir
ction. The country outside of the Park
presents attractions of which many of the wealthier citizens of Toronto
have availed themselves, a numLer of summer residences ha, ing been built
in the neighbourhood.
8
.
112
TIle COUllty of York,
Scarborough Village is situated in concession D, about midway be-
tween the eastern and western limits of the township. It is distant about
ten I,niles from Toronto, and has a population somewhere in the neighbour-
hood of three hundred, It is an attractive and pleasant neighbourhood.
A more considerable village, four miles further east on the Kingston Road,
is Highland Creek, situated on the stream from which it takes its n<'lme.
It has a population of about six hundred. The Danforth Road enters
the township about one mile north of the lake shore, and runs in a north-
easterly direction through the small Village of Danforth, from which it
takes its name, until the Village of \Voburn is reached, which is situated
about one mile due north of Sçarborough Village, on the road to l\1arkham.
The Danforth Road then takes a southward turn to Highland Creek. Mal-
vern Village is the most central in the township, and _\rmadale is located near
the northern boundary. The Grand Trunk Railway, in the western part of
the tm\ nship, runs for some distance almost parallel to the Kingston Road,
about half to three-quarters of a mile to the north of it, but crosses it near
Scarborough Village, and reaches the lake shore and the township boundary
at thð Village of Port Union, At Scarborough J unction, about a mile
and a half north of the lake, the Toronto and Nipissing Railway diverges
from the Grand Trunk, and crosses the township due north and south at a
distance of about two miles from its western line. The Ontario and Quebec
Railway, which was opened for traffic on the lIth of August, 1884, traverses
Scarborough in a north-easterly direction, haying a station at the Village of
Agincourt, near the centre of the township,
Scarborough possesses a flourishing lVlechanics' Institute, the head-quar-
ters of which are at the Village of Ellesmere, in the western part of the towI\-
ship, It was established on the 7th of April, 1834, being then known as
the" Scarborough Subscription Library." The following were the first
subscrihers:-J, George, T, Patterson, A, Johnston, A. Glendinning, \\'111.
Glendinning, S, Thomson, F. Johnston, \V, D. Thomson, J. Thom, J.
Gibson, S. Cornell, C, Thomson. J. Brownlee, \Vm, Forfar, jun'r., \\'m.
Paterson, James A. Thomso
, G. Scott, D. Brown, T, Brown, R, Hamilton,
\Vm. Hood, J, Muir, R, D. Hamilton, A, Bell, J, Stobo, D. Graham. J,
Davidson, J. Findlay, \Vm. Elliott, J. Elliott, J. Tingle, Alex, Jackson. A.
Patterson, T, \Vhiteside, J. Martin, George Thomson, J. Glendinning, John
Thornbeck, B, Ferguson, 1\1. Macklem, R. Tackett, \\'m. Crone, T. \\'al-
ton, sen'r., \Vm, Findlay, \Vm, Scott, J, Carmichael. The entrance fee
was fixed at five shillings currency, and the annual subscription at the
same figure. A general meeting was held half-yearly for the purpose of
choosing managers, inspecting books, and deciding upon additions to the
library. A substantial frame huilding was erected in 18+6, which is still in
TIle COU1/ty of York.
113
good repair. The Institute was incorporated in 1878, at which time the
library comprised 1,108 volumes in good condition. No public aid was
receiyed until 1879, when a Government grant of 8+00 was voted to the
Institute; and in 1880 a grant of $25 was made by the Township Council.
There are 1,737 volumes in the library of the Institute, which has a member-
ship of about sixty, The number of volumes issued last official year was
1,825' The total amount of Government grants paid the Institute from
1879 to 1883 amount to $560,6+. The Government Inspector in his last
official report bears the following strong testimony to the admirable condi-
tion and efficiency of this important factor in the diffusion of intelligence
among t.he people of Scarborough: -" The books are well-arranged. I
know of no library anywhere that is better kept. I t is really a credit to the
municipality and its managers." The office of librarian was held by David
Martin from 1852 until 1882, when he was succeeded by Sidney C. Thomson.
There are few, if any, rural communities in Canada where a public library
has been so successfully carried on for a lengthened period, and the fact
speaks very highly for the intelligence and public spirit of the people of
Scarborough,
The Township of Scarborough contains eleven public schools, the
situations of which are apparent from the following table:-
No. OF
SCHOOL
SECTIO
,
TEACHER,
P. 0, ADDRESS,
1 Jordan Tomlinson.... . . . . Agincourt.
2 Sidney 1\1. \Vhaley . ,. ., '. Agincourt.
3 Edward Y. young........ :\Iah'ern.
4 J, \V, Spencer.. " .." .. .. Cedar Grove.
S Joseph Lutter. , . , . . . . . . . .Ellesmere.
6 Alexander Smith, . . . . . . . . \V oburn.
7 George T ai t. .. . .. . .. , . . , . . Highland Creek,
8 \Villiam H. Dewell,. ,., . . . Scarboro' Junction.
9 Charles L. Lapp, ...,..... , Scarborough,
10 John ::\Iatthews, ,"...,..,. Danforth,
II f), H, CamPbell.,...,...,1 Highland Creek.
I
-- -
THE TO\VNSHIP OF l\L\RI{HA1I.
_'9
',
./"
<..
\
D '
" ,'ftARKHAl\I is situate,d east of Yonge Street, which forms the
i-I .. " boundary between It and Vaughan, and north of the Town-
,;... ,t ship of Scarborough. It comprises 67,578 acres. It was first
aG-;-'
-
5 settled about the year 1790, some years before any survey
}
1 was made. It was partially surveyed in 1794, being the third
'1t$ township in the county marked out. In laying out the town-
ship Y onge Street was made the base line, There are ten concessions
fronting on Yonge Street, each comprising thirty-five lots, the township
being almost a square, excepting the eastern line, which is also the boundary
of the county, and does not run parallel with the concession lines. Some of
the lots in the loth concession are consequently deficient in area,
The general character of the soil of the township is argillaceous.
About one-fifth of the area lying in the north of the township is heavy clay.
A belt of sandy loam, being about one-tenth of the acreage, runs through the
centre, and the southern section, being alrout three-fifths of the whole, is clay
loam, Black loam tracts are interspersed in the flats of the Don and
Rouge Rivers, amounting to one-tenth of the area. The soil is principally
undulating in character, and nearly all cultivable, four-fifths of it being con-
sidered first-class land, the average price of which is $80 per acre. Second
class land is valued at $60. \Vater is obtainable, by digging, at an average
depth of thirty feet.
Though a few scattered pioneers had here and there taken up land
before that date, there was no systematic attempt at settlement until 1794,
when a number of Germans came over from the United States, under the
leadership of \Villiam Berczy. Governor SimcÇ>e, believing that many
U, E. Loyalist families still remained in the United States who would be glad
of an opportunity to settle in Canada if encouraged to do so by offers of
land, held out inducements which were responded to by a good many, who
The Couuty of York.
lIS
were not actuated so much by the motive of establishing themselves under
the rule of King George, as of securing land grants. Among these were
sixty-four families of Germans who had but recently arrived from Hamburg,
having been brought out by agents to locate on "Captain \Yilliamson's
Demesne," or, as it was also called, the Pulteney Settlement, in New York
State. Here they would have been in the position of tenants, under the
" patroon" system then prevailing in N ew York. The prospect of owning
their own farms in Canada was more inviting, and, in the face of great
difficulties, they made their way to :\Iarkham. There were then no roads
and no stores; supplies had to be procured from the south of the lakes;
some few articles could be got at Niagara, but nearly everything required
in the way of tools, farm implements and provisions had to be brought from
the settlements in New York State. York was then a mere hamlet. Yonge
Street did not exist, though the line had been marked out. But Berczy,
the leader of the expedition, was a man of indomitable energy and boundless
resource. He had, during his residence in the United States, constructed a
wagon road all the way from Philadelphia to Lake Ontario, and under his
direction the immigrants cut their way through the unbroken forest, and
made a wagon track from York to the southern portion of Markham. which.
winding in and out among the trees, marked the beginning of Y onge $treet.
Over this primitive road they set out on the journey from York with their
families and household effects. Their wagons were ingeniously contriyed
so that they could be used as boats on an emergency. Made of closely
fitting boards with the seams caulked, the body of the vehicle being removed
from the carriage could be floated across small bodies of water, carrying a
considerable load, Thus they crossed the Don and other streams in their
journey. \Vhere the banks were steep they lowered their wagons down the
declivity by ropes passed round the trunks of saplings, and pulled them up
on the opposite side in a similar manner, They settled on the banks ofthe
Rouge, sometimes known as the Nen River, which they at first supposed
to be a tributary of the Don, but on following it to its outlet they discovered
that instead of leading to York it entered the lake nearly twenty miles to
the eastward, This route afforded them easier access to the front than
Y onge Street in its primitive condition, and for many years it was the one
mainly in use.
The first saw and grist mills in York County were built by \Villiam
Berczy in the early days of settlement. They were situated on the H.i\"er
Rouge, on lot NO.4, in the 3rd concession, and were known as the German
Iil1s. The Gazetteer, in 1799, in referring to the Township of Markham,
mentions it as having" good mills, and a thrivin6 settlemcnt of Germans."
116
TIle COllnty of York,
.
It may be mentioned here that the two first white children born in the
township were John Stivers and Henry Elson, whose parents came in with
Berczy's party.
Berczy became greatly embarrassed in his circumstances, and was dis-
couraged by the treatment he met with at the hands of the Government.
The pledges under which the project of settlement was put into execution
were not fulfilled as he had expected, and in 1799 he withdrew from the
enterprise, and took up his residence in Montreal. His losses in connection
with the settlement of l\Iarkham were stated at -[30,000. Ultimately he
returned to the States, and died in New York in 1813, In the year 180 5
the mills were advertised in the Gazette for sale, They were purchased by
Captain Nolan, of the 70th Regiment, which was then stationed in Canada,
but his venture was not successful. In the Gazette of l\'Iarch 19 th , 1818,
the follO\ving advertisement appears: "N otice- The German Mill and
Distillery are now in operation, For the proprietors,
\lexander Patterson,
Clerk." The mills were again offered for sale ten years subsequently, The
u. E. Lo)'alist of April 5th, 1828, contains the following advertisement
relating to them: "For Sale or to be Leased-All or any part of the pro-
perty known and described as N olanville or German Mills, in the 3 rd con-
cession of the Township of l\Iarkham, consisting of 400 acres of land;
upwards of fifty under good fences and improvements, with a good dwelling-
house, barn, stable, saw-mill, grist-mill, distillery, brew-house, malt-house,
and several other out-buildings. The above premises will be disposed of, '
either the whole or in part, by application to the subscriber, \Villiam Allan,
York, January 26th, 1828. The premises can be viewed at any time by
applying to 1\1r. John Duggan, residing there:' The 'Mills formed for long
the nucleus of early settlement, the road lying between this point and
Y onge Street being a well-travelled thoroughfare,
.\nother early pioneer in the industries of Markham was Nicholas
:\Iiller. who built the first mill on the H umber. In I 79+,
I r. l\Iiller settled
on lot 33, concession I, of Markham, and built a small grist mill on a
tributary of the Don, About the year 1828, Benjamin Fish put up a
distillery near the township line between York and l\Iarkham, on the
middle branch of the Don. In 1830, he built a saw-mill at this point, and
in 18 4 8 a flour mill, which in 1850 he leased to David McDougal. Some
years aftenvards the flour mill was burned, but it was subsequently rebuilt
by 1\1r. Fish. In 1860 he built a distillery. The property was purchased
by John Parsons in 1856. The distillery business was discontinued, and
the flour mill remodelled in accordance with modern improvements. On
. lot 26, in the 1st concession, Rowland Burr built a saw-mill in 182 5, which
The COllllty of York.
117
became the property of the late John .Arnold, one of the ,pioneers of the
township, who lived to the age of eighty-six. It was burned in 1830, but soon
afterwards rebuilt, and was in operation until 1870, The Pomona :Mills, on
lot 3 0 , in the I st concession, now the Village of Thornhill, occupy the site
which was first utilized by the erection of a saw-mill, in 1820, by Allan
:\IacN ab, He afterwards added a grist mill, and after some years sold out
to Daniel Brooke, returning to Hamilton to resume his original profession
of the law. He subsequently attained a leading position in public life, as
Sir Allan
lac
ab, The mills ,vere rented to George Play tel' for a term of
years.
1r. Play tel' was well known as the proprietor of a stage line of four-
horse coaches, running between York and Holland Landing, After pass-
ing through several hands the property was acquired by John Brunskill,
who rebuilt the mills on a larger scale, and christened them the Pomona
:\Iills. He ran the mills for twenty-five years. After his death they became
the property of )'Irs. Harris, and were managed by John Ramsden, who for
some time was head miller under 1-Ir. Brunskill.
On the same lot a carding and fulling mill was built by Rowland Burr,
in 1839, and worked by Benjamin \Villiams for some years. On the pur-
chase of the property l?y 11r. Brunskill, ì\Ir. \Villiams established the card-
ing mill in a large frame building, which was afterwards burned. Three
breweries have been in existence in this neighbourhood, but they have aU
been short-lived,
.\ distillery was built on lot 33, on a creek north of Pomona l\Iills,
about 1828, and \vorked by \\'illiam Cruikshank for about fifteen years.
On the north half of the same lot John Lyons built a distillery, in 1810,
and ran it for a long time. To the northward again, on the same creek,
icholas 1Iiller built the first flour mill in the township, in the year 1793.
It was an old-fashioned toffee mill, on a very small scale. Further up the
stream, in the year 1856, J Ohll Langstaff built a steam saw-mill, shingle
fclctory, and planing mills, which he worked for about twenty years, In
1
66 he put up a factory for the manufacture of pails and other wooden-
ware driven by steam power.
Un the most easterly branch of the Don in the township, in addition
to the German 1Iills, and further to the south, a saw-mill was erected and
run by :\1r. Barnell, in 1839, on lot I, concession 3, It was burned down
about ten years later. A short distance abO\,e the German 1Iills
Ir. Bour-
nan built a carding and fulling mill, in 1832, which, together with the other
mills and factories in the neighhourhooù, w"as abandoned in 18 35, on
account of the damage done by a flood.
.\mong other mills on this stream were a sclw-mill put up on lot 7, con-
118
The COU1lty of York.
ceSSIOn 2, by Bt;njamin Fish, about the year r 825; a carding and fulling
mill, built in the same year by Benjamin Hoshel, on lot II, in the same
concession; a g.rist mill, erected by Thomas Shaw in 1848, and burned
down almost as soon as completed; a pail factory, put up by John Amos,
and also consumed, and a grist mill, erected on the site of the latter, also
by John Amos, and afterwards a
andoned when the water-power gave out.
Prominent among the early settlers of Markham were several of the
French emigrés who obtained grants of land in the Oak Ridges region,
Those who obtained patents in this township included René Augustin,
Comte de Chalus, Jean Louis, Vicomte de Chalus, the Comte de Puisaye,
Quetton St. George, and Ambroise de Farcy. The Comte and Vicomte de
Chalus derived their tit1
from the Castle of Chalus, in Normandy, where
Richard Cæur de Lion met his death. The Vicomte had been a Major-
General in the Royal army. Ambroise de Farcy bore the rank of General.
The most notable of these exiles, however, was the Comte de Puisaye.
" This man," remarks Lamartine, speaking of him in his" History of the
Girondists," " was at once an orator, a diplomatist a:u.d a soldier-a charac-
ter eminently adapted for ciyil war, which produces more adventurers than
heroes." And Thiers, in his" History of the French Revolution," observes
of Puisaye that "with great intelligence and extraordinary skill in uniting
the elements of a party, he combined extreme activity of body and mind, and
vast ambition." In r 803 Puisaye, who took a conspicuous part in the futile
loyalist struggle against the convention, published, in London, a work com-
prising five octavo volumes of l\Iemoirs in jústification of his course. He
died near London, England, in r827. For a time one of the settlements in
the Oak Ridges bore the name of " Puisaye's town." The great majority
of the emigrés were satisfied with a very brief experience of life in the
Canadian backwoods, for which they were not at ail fitted, and returned to
Europe; but a few remained, and some of their descendants are still in the
country.
The following is a list of the early patentees of the township, arranged
according to the years in which they received their titles :-
179 6 - J ohn Lyons, Nicholas Miller, Thomas Kinnear.
r 797-Samue1 Cozens,
1798-Thomas Lyons, John Dexter.
1799- James B. l\Iacauley, John Simcoe Macauley,
1800-Samuel Ewison,
180r-Ira Bentley, Elizabeth Shiffe, \Villiam Johnson, Martin Holder,
Samuel Tiphe, Christian Long, James \Veiant, Elijah Bentley, Timothy
Street, Henry Green, Joshua l\Iillar, jun'r, Lieut. Lunout, Jas. McGregor.
The COl/nty of York,
119
James Brown, James Osborne, James Hamilton, Levi Collier, George Boils,
.
Peter DeGeer, Russell Olmstead, Isaac \Vestcook, Rachel Graham, Oliver
Prentice, \Villiam Jarvis, Ira Bentley.
180z-Anthony Hollingshead, Baker :ß1unshaw, Hugh Shaw, Andrew
Dayidson, John Jumon, \Yilliam Bentley, Jonathan Kuscie, Zachariah
Gallway, Nancy Eodus, John \Varts,
\br-aham Gordin, Christian Fred,
Krister.
1803-John Leslie, Elizabeth Dennis, Abner l\Iiles, Joshua Sly, John
Debrug, Melchier Quantz, John Ulsom Francis Sçhmidt, John George
Schultze, Henry Liedo, Henry Schell, Frederick Schell, Mark Rumohr,
John Gottlieb \Vycheer, Jacob Botger, Peter Stolus, John Cook, _\braham
Orth, Henry Boner, Frederick Ubrick, Jacob de Long, John Klandenning,
sen'r, Isaac Davis, Alex. Legg, John l\Iacbeath, Abraham Gordin.
1804-Samuel Gardiner, Oliver Butt, \Vm. Smith, John Gray, John
Schmeltzer, \Yilliam Berczy, Robert Isaac de Gray, Charles H. Vogel.
Ann Kohmann, John Boye, \Villiam \Veekes, John Bakus, Frederick
Hederick, Abraham van Horn, John Haacke, Peter Millar, Elizabeth
Fisher, Anna l\Iargaretha Pingel, John Rumohr, George Pingel, John
1\icholas Stiffens, Samuel Nash, John Campbell, Elisha Dexter, l\Iary
McIntyre, Colin Drummond, John Hamilton, John Luman,
180s-Samuel Osborn, Thomas Stovel, Bowler Arnold, Henry.Hebuor,
John .\rnold, Allbright Spring, Jacob Millar, John Peter Lindeman, James
Harrison, \Villiam Marsh, sen'r, Samuel
Iare, \VilliamLong, James Farr,
John Button, Philip \Yeedaman, Joshua Miller, sen'r, John Farr, Andrew
Cluhin, Christian Stickley.
1806-Rene Augustin Comte de Chalus, Le Chevalier de l\Iarscal,
Quetton St. George, John Furo
, Ambroise de Farcy, Daniel Cousins.
Nathan Terry, John McGill, Nero Fierheller, Colin Drummond, John
Feightne.r, John \Villiams, Margaret Pomeroy,
180 7- John Pickard, Michael Franchard, Jean Louis Yicomte de
Chalus, Lieut.-Co!. Augustine Boiton, Neil P, Holm, Peter Pinay, Daniel
Suffer, Anna Overhalt, Peter Anderson, :\Iary Hollinshead, John Henry
Burkmester, l\Iark Schell, l\Iary Gray, Norman Milliken, John H. Pingel,
J olm Edgell.
1808-Stilwell \Vilson, John Gretman, Nicholas Stover, Peter Haldtz,
John \Vm. Mischultz, Samuel Bentley, Daniel l\Ierrick, John Philip Eck-
hardt, Robert H uisborn, George Post, Frederick Kapke, Julian Ie Bugle,
1809-John Charles Killer, Cornelius ,'an Horn, Cornelius Yan-
ostrand, Philip Beck, \\ïlliam Marr, :\Iary Malatt, Christopher Hovell.
1810-J ohn Button, John Street, Daniel" Furon.
.
120
7ïle County of York.
ISII-Samuel Mercer, Christian Schroder, Jacob Misener, \Vatson
Playter, Andrew' Thompson, Henry \Vindeeker.
1813-John Henry Langhurst, James Mustard, Samuel Reynolds.
1815-John Sparham, John Kennedy, Reuben Bentz, Matthias Cline,
Jessie Haley, Philip Long.
ISl6-Peter Godfrey, John \\'alden J\Iiles, John George Munich, John
Stann, John Englehardt Helmke, \Vm. Carpenter, Joseph l\Ioer, Leonard
Caster.
I8I7-John Farheller, James Stimort, \Villia1ll Hoggner, Samuel
\Yhitesides, \Villiam B. Caldwell, Edward McMahon, Henry Keysinger,
George Cutler,
I8lS-George Backendahl, Francis Schmid.
I8I9-Nicholas Hagerman, Absalom Summers.
I 820-J ohn Daniel, Frederick Bush.
I82I-Polly Marr, John Marr. .
1822-Jacob Rowns.
1824 -Christian \Vhidnear,
I825-John Long.
IS27-Joachim Lunen.
182 9- Joseph Barris.
1830- Philip Bartholomew,
I832-Daniel Tipp,
1833-Christian Reesor, Christopher Vanalen.
I837-John Reesor, jU
l'r.
\V, H. Smith, in his "'Canada, Past, Present, and Future," refers to
Iarkham as "long noted for the advanced state of its settlement and
agriculture," He states that in 1842 it contained 5,698 inhabitants, and in
1845 there were eleven grist and twenty-four saw-mills in the township.
In IS50 the population had increased to 6,868, and there were thirteen
grist and twenty-seven saw-mills. The crop of 1849 produced 150,000
bushels of wheat, I 1,000 bushels of barley, 7,000 bushels of rye, 145,000
bushels of oats, 45,000 bushels of peas, 55,000 bushels of potatoes, 3,000
bushels of turnips, and 3,000 tons of hay, Education was also well
advanced about this period. In 1847 Markham had twenty-seven Common
Schools in operation-a larger number than were to be found in any other
township in the Home District.
The total production of the principal agricultural staples in I8S1 was
as follows :-110,050 bushels of wheat, 199,181 bushels of barley, 271,851
bushels of oats, 55,954 bushels of -peas and beans, 10,2S0 bushels of corn,
b9,671 bushels of potatoes, 122,312 bushels of turnips, 118,397 bushels of
other root crof)s, and 10,589 tons oÍ hay.
Tlte COllllty of York.
I
I
The report of the Ontario Agricultural Commission, issued in 1881,
states that 20 per cent. of the acreage of the township is devoted to wheat
growing, IS per cent. to barley, IS per cent. to oats, 8 per cent, to peas,
IS per cent. to hay, I per cent. to turnips, and 2 per cent. each to corn,
potatoes and other root crops, 10 per cent. is in pasture land, and 2 per
cent. in orchard. The average yield of the leading products per acre is as
follows:-Fall wheat, 25 bushels; spring wheat, IS bushels; barley, 3 0
bushels; oats, 50 bushels; peas, 25 bushels; corn, 40 bushels; potatoes,
120 bushels; turnips, 500 bushels; other root crops, 600 bushels, and hay,
It tons, The varieties of stock most extensively raised in the township
are Clydesdale hor!:es, Durham cattle, Cotswold sheep, and Berkshire hogs.
Imported stock has been largely introduced. The numbe! in 1881 were
. cattle, 3,665; horses, 2,829; sheep, 4,+07, and hogs, 1,8+3'
The Dominion census for I87I gave the population as 8,152. In 1881
this had fallen to 6,375, the decrease being partly due to a diminution in
area owing to the incorporation as separate municipalities of the villages of
:\Iarkham, Stouffville and Richmond Hill, the first of which lies entirely
and the two latter partially within the township lines. Of the population
. of :\Iarkham 1,836 are of German origin, and 2.439 of English extraction.
The native Canadians number 5,197. There are 850 occupiers of land, of
whom 567 are also owners. The total area in occupation is 66,475 acres,
5 6 ,297 acres being improyed; 46,732 acres are de,'oted to tillage, 7,800 to
pasture and 1,7 6 5 to gardens ånd orchards. About 10 per cent. of the area
of the township is still in timbe
, principally beech, maple and basswood,
with a few pine in some parts.
The municipal records of the township show that in 1850 6\mos \Yright
was reeve, and David Reesor deputy-reeve. The latter became reeve the
following year. He was succeeded in 1852 by George P, Dickson. Henry
)'liller held the position during the years 1853-5, R. Reesor became reeve
in 1856 and retained the office for two years, In 1858 \y, Button was elected
and the next year l{, Reesor again filled the chair. In 1860 the reeveship
fell to David Reesor, and George Eakin was appointe
l township clerk anù
trcasurer, a place which he continued to fill until 187+ when he attained his
present position as county clerk. In 1861 \Y. :\I. Dutton was chosen reeve
and continued in office for three years. In IR6+-5 John Bowman was
elected to the reeveship, being succeeùed in 1866 by \Y. l\I. Dutton. John
Bowman again occupied the chair for a year, Then James Robinson held
the position for the period 1868-72, \Yilliam Eakin became reeve in 18 73,
and in 18 74 ] amcs Robinson was again electcd and retained the position for
another period of several years, The township officials for I8t;+ an:: David
122
Tlte COUllty Of York.
James, Thornhill, reeve; Robert Bruce, Gormley, first deputy-reeve; F. K,
Reesor, Box Grove, second deputy-reeve; A. Forster, Markham, third
deputy-reeve; \Yilliam Lundy, councillor, and John Stephenson, Unionville,
township clerk and treasurer. 1\1r, Stephenson was appointed clerk in
1874, on the resignation of Mr. Eakin,
About a mile and a-half north of the southern limit of the township
on Y onge Street, partly in Markham and partly in Vaughan, is the Village
of Thornhill. At this point, a short distance north of the old road to the
German l\Iills, another of the numerous tributaries of the Don crosses
Y onge Street, flowing between lofty banks. Here mills and manufactories
were establish@d as the country became settled, Thornhill was so named
in honour of l\Ir. B. Thorne, who arrived he
e from Dorsetshire, England,
in 1
20, and built a residence on the bluff overlooking the Don. The early
settlers of Thornhill were principally English, Among the pioneers was
:i\Ir. Parsons, another enÜgrant fro111 Dorsetshire, who was associated with
Mr. Thorne in se,'eral business enterprises. An English church was
organized in Thornhill at an early date. One of the first incumbents was
Rev. Isaac Fidler, who attained some celebrity as the author of a book
entitled "Observations on Professions, Literature, l\Ianners. and Emi-
gration in the United States and Canada," It was a good deal in the style
of Mrs. Trollope, Capt, Basil Hall, and other early British critics of
American democracy, Rev, Geo. Mortimer subsequently occupied the
pastorate. He was a man of earnest spirituality and energetic tempera-
ment ; though not physically strong, his labours for the advancement of the
cause of religion were unremitting, He died suddenly in the midst of the
active duties of his sacred calling. Another incumbent of this church was
Rev. Dominic E. Blake, brother of l\lr. Chancellor Blake, and uncle of
Hon. Edward Blake, at present leader of the Reform party in the Dominion
Parliament, Rev. 1\1r, Blake came to Canada in 1832, from the County
Mayo, Ireland. Like most of his family he was a man of unusual mental
calibre, His death, which was sudden and unexpected, took place in 1859.
His successor was Rev. E, H. Dewar, author of a work published at
Oxford, in 1844, entitled" German Protestantism and the Right of Pri-
vate Judgment in the Interpretation of Holy Scripture," His thorough
acquaintance with the condition of religious faith in Germany was gained
while residing at Hamburg, as chaplain to the British residents in that
city. His death occurred at Thornhill in 1862. It will be seen that the
English congregation of Thornhill was exceptionally favoured for a village
community in the high intellectual standing of its successive clergymen.
An ad,'ertisement published in the Gazette of !\lay 16th, 1798, shows
The County of York,
12 3
that at that time salmon were caught in large numbers in the Don at this
point. The announcement offers for sale by auction a valuable farm,
situated on Y onge Street, about twelve miles from York, and after expatiat-
ing on the richness of the soil and other inducements, adds, " above all it
affords an excellent salmon fishery, large enough to support a number of
families, which must be conceived a great advantage in this infant country."
The present population of Thornhill is upwards of seven hundred.
Three or four miles north of Thornhill, on Y onge Street, is the incorpo-
rated village of Richmond Hill, which is partly in the township limits. It
will form the subj
ct of a separate notice, A short distance to the no
th of
Richmond Hill in l\Iarkham was the residence of Colonel :\Ioodie, who was
shot at J.\;Iontgomery's tavern in the troubles of 1837, Colonel Moodie was
a retired officer of the regular army, having been Lieut.-Colonel of the 10+th
regiment. and having seen service in the Peninsular war and the struggle
with the United States in 1812-13.
The Toronto and Nipissing Railway enters the township from the south
in the fifth concession, and proceeds in a northerly direction to Unionville,
then making a considerable easterly detour to the village of ?\Iarkham, and
from that point it runs north-easterly to Stouffville, in the north-east angle
of the township, The latter village is partly embraced within the limits of
\\Thitchurch, and, with :\Iarkham Village, will be dealt with separately.
U nionville is the place of meeting of the Township Council, and is
pleasantly and picturesquely situated about two miles and a half west of
:\Iarkham village, on the River Rouge. The population numbers about
thrEe hundred, Smith's" Canada," published in 1851, states that it then
contained" about two hundred inhabitants, a grist mill with three run of
!1tones and a sawmill, with two churches, Congregational and \ \T esleyan
:\Iethoc1ist:' It is a thriving and prosperous community.
Bllttonville is about 1\vo and a-half miles west of Unionville, It was
named after Major John Button, who came to Canada in 1799, and after a
residence of two years at K iagara settled in Markham. He raised and
commanded a troop of cavalry, known as the" York Light Dragoons,"
which did good service in 1812. His sons, \\ïlliam and Francis, were mem-
bers of the body, the former being lieutenant. In 1837, the family were
again to the front, John Button as major and Francis as captain, Co!. \\T.
:\1. Button, at one time reeve of the township, is the son of the latter.
The smaller unincorporated villages of the township include Gormley's
Corners, Almira, Victoria Square, Headford, Cashel, :\Iilnesville and :\Ion-
golia, in the northern portion, and Dollar, Brown's Corners, Hagerman's
Corners, :\Iilliken, Box Grove, Cedar Grove and lklford, to the south.
THE TO\VNSHIP OF VA,UGHAN".
AUGHAK is situated west of Yonge Street, which divides it from
Iarkham, north of Etobicoke and south of King. It has an
area of 67,510 acres. It ranks third in size among the town-
ships of York, being a few acres less than Markham, but it
is the second in point of population, having 6,828 inhabitants,
according to the census of 1881. Survey was commenced in
1795 by Surveyor Tredell, and settlers began to come in during
the following year. The concessions are laid out with Y onge Street as
the base line, and are numbered to the west. There are eleven in all, the
loth and 11th being defective, The survey was not completed until 18 5 1 ,
and ten years afterwards the side lines were re-surveyed. Owing to
mistakes in the early survey of the line in the south-western corner of the
township, considerable litigation was necessary before the boundary was
rectified.
The following is a list of those who received patents in the earlier years
of settlement:
1796-Asa Johnson,
1797-\Villiam B. Peters, Captain Richard Lippincott, Samuel Heron,
Samuel D, Kiener.
17g8-Jacob Fisher, jun'r, Nathan Chapman, Stephen Colby, Lieu-
tenant Abraham Tredell, Jonathan \Villcott, John l\'IcKarrby, James Cram,
Jacob Fisher, Captain Daniel Cozens, Bernard Carey, Samuel Street, Hugh
McLean, James Ruggles, \Villiam Graham, Nicholas Cower, Robert
Franklin.
1799-Silas Cook, Priscilla T.enbreck, Garrett Klingerland, Thomas
Barry, Hon, Alexander Grant, Thomas Butter, sen'r, John Tenbroeck.
1800-John Anderson, James Maul, Richard Gamble, \Valter Roe,
1801-Jannette Anderson, John McDougall, Thomas Hill, George
'McBride, Thomas Knight, Dorothy Porter, Alexander Shaw, \V. D. Powell,
â&1
, "J...V r
'T?
I
j
l'
!
/Þ
. .rOt' .
...
The COUllty of York.
I ""
-)
Thomas Forfar, \Yilliam Forfar, John \Yintermute, Hugh Cameron, David
Thompson, Annie Dally, James Ledan, Ann Dayis, Peter Kulum, Joseph
Hilts, Rachael DeFoe, Daniel Cozens, Samuel D, Cozens, \Y. D, Powell,
jun'r, \Yilliam Harlong, John Dennis, Garrard ì\IcNutt,
r80z-Elisha Dexter, Robert Marsh, James Perigo, -:\Iary Lawrence,
Alice Osburn, Catharine \Yilliams,
'\chsah Souls, Nicholas J\Iiller, Sally
l\Iiller, John 1\IcDonnell, Elias \Villiams, Asail Davis, Eliza Davis,
Kathaniel Huson, Rebecca Huson, Ann Haines, John Size, Lawrence
\\ïlliams, T ohn \Yintermute, Jacob Phillips, Sarah Hodgkinson, Conrad
Frederick, Hugh Sweeny, Sarah Patterson, James B. Macaulay, George
)'Iacaulay, Augustus Jones, S.amuel Sinclair, Charles Tremble.
r803-Abner Miles, \Villiam Bowkets, 1\Iichael Korts, \Yilliam Hol-
lingshead Benjamin Cozens, Abigail Bessey,
r804-John Easter, Joshua Y, Cozens, Thomas l\ledcalf.
r80s-Daniel Soules, Samuel Sinckler, \Villiam Flannigan, Richard
Lawrance, Samuel Backhouse.
r806-John Hampstead Hudson, Ambroise de Farcy, Rene Augustin
Comte de Chalus, Quetton St. George, Alexander McDonnell.
r807-Joseph \Villiams, John Cameron, .
r808-John C. Stokes, Julian C. Bugle, 1\Iargaret Chapman, Jane
\Y ortsell.
r809-John \Vilson, jun'r, Eleanor 'Moore, Louisa Stephenson,
r8ro-John \Vilson, sen'r.
r8II- James Edward Small, John Robert Small, Eliza A. Small, \Vm.
Hunter, Lucy Allen, Haggai Cooke.
r8rz-Betsey Ann Holmes, Alex. \Vallace, John Crosson.
r8rs-Sophia Dennison, Francis Henry Stephenson,
r8r7-James Richardson, jun'r, J. Augustus Stephenson.
r
r9-David Townsend Stevenson,
r8zo-Francis Renoux, Michael Saigon, James J\Iarchaud.
r8zr-l\Iaria Lavinia Hamilton, Augusta Honoria McCormick, Hannah
Owen Hamilton, \Vm. l\Ionson Jarvis, S. B, Jarvis.
Several of the names in the list are those of French loyalist refugees
who settled in the Oak Ridges region, concerning whom particulars have
been given in connection with other townships. ..\nother notable name is
that of Captain Richard Lippincott, one of the U. E, Loyalists who attained
considerable notoriety during the American \Var, He was a native of New
Jersey and a Captain in the ,Loyalist army, Joshua I-Iuddy, who held the
same rahk in the patriot forces, having been made prisoner of war, was
entrusted to Lippincott's charge until an exchange of prisoners could be
126
The COllllty of York,
effected. ....\ relative of Lippincott's named Philip \Vhite, a loyalist like
himself, had fallen into the hands of the patriots and been cut down while
attempting to make his escape, In retaliation Captain Lippincott, acting
without any recognized authority, hanged Huddy on April 12th, 17S2, leav-
ing his body suspended in the air with the following paper fastened on his
breast: "\V e, the Refugees, having long with grief beheld the cruel murders
of our brethren, and finding nothing but such measures carrying into
execution, therefore determined not to suffer without taking vengeance for
the numerous cruelties, and thus begin, having made use of Captain Huddy
as the first object to present to your view; and further determine to hang
man for man while there is a Refugee existing, Up goes Huddy for Philip
\Yhite,"
This unjustifiable act-for the killing of a prisoner attempting to escape
was obviously no provocation for the deed-resulted in a demand by
\Vashington for Lippincott's surrender, which was refused, A British
officer, Captain Asgill of the Guards, who had fallen into the hands of the
Americans, was selected as a victim in retaliation, and the time for his
execution fixed, but strong influences were brought t9 bear in his behalf,
and he was finally released. Lippincott at the close of the war obtained
as compensation for his dubious" services" three thousand acres of land,
a large portion of it being in Vaughan. His only child, Esther Borden,
married George Taylor Denison, of Toronto. Lippincott died in Toronto
in IS26, in his eighty-second year.
Another of the early grantees, Captain Daniel Cozens, was also aNew
Jersey loyalist. He raised at his own cos
a company of soldiers, and at
the close of the war his large estates in New Jersey were confiscated. He
received from the Crown grants amounting to three thousand acres as
compensation for his losses. Captain Cozens is said to have built the first
house in the Town of York. He died in IS01, near Philadelphia.
Surveyor John Stegmann, whose name frequently appears in cotmection
with the early survey and settlement of the townships of York, also settled
in Vaughan. He had been lieutenant in a Hessian regiment, and served in
that capacity through the American \Var, after which he took a leading
part in the work of laying out the new settlements in this locality, His
descendants still live in the neighbourhood of Pine Grove. The name is
now spelled" Stegman."
The first saw-mill in Vaughan was built in IS01, by John Lyons, who
came to Canada from N ew York St
te in 1794, and after living for a while
in York, settled on lot 32, concession I, in Markham. The mill was built
on the main branch of the DOll, where it crosses Y onge Street. In I S02
The County of York.
12 7
he constructed a small grist mill with a dam over 200 feet long and ten feet
,
in height, The pond was used to conceal articles taken from the Govern-
ment warehouse in York at the time the Americans were in possession of
the town, during the \Var of 1812. The invaders generously presented
the settlers with a quantity of agricultural implements belonging to the
Canadian Government, and when they left a search was made through
the country for these articles. Many of the residents in this locality
consigned their share of the plunder to the waters of Lyons' Mill Pond
for safe-keeping, John Lyons died in 1814, and his mills and other real
estate were purchased t>y William Purdy, who added many improvements,
His sons, in connection with their cousin, \Villiam \Vright, built a tan-
neryand grist mill, The Lyons' mill was afterwards used as a carding
and fulling mill. A fire in 1828 consumed the new flour mill built by
Ir. Purdy, and he sold the whole property to Thorne & Parsons. This
firm, in the year 1830, built a new flour mill on a large scale, and also
a tannery, and for many years afterwards a large business was done,
the locality being named Thornhill in honour of the senior partner of
the firm.
Ir. Thorne failed in business in 1847, in consequence of heayy
losses sustained on flour shipped to England, and shortly afterwards com-
mitted suicide. During the period of his prosperity he had added several
other branches to his extensive business. After his failure the property fell
into the hands of David ::\Iacdougall & Co. They were unfortunate, the
principal buildings being destroyed by successive fires.
In 1820 Henry \Yhite built a distillery farther up the stream, On lot 3+,
concession I, Nicholas Caber, a German, built a saw-mill in 1825, which
was destroyed by an incendiary fire five years later, being rebuilt the fol-
lowing year. In 1835 it was bought by John Barwick, who ran it' for many
years, and subsequently sold out to George \Vright. It was again burned
and rebuilt, and is still in operation. On lot 36, in the same concession,
Barnabas Lyons, a son of John Lyons, previously mentioned, built a saw-
mill in the year 1839, which was worked for about thirty years. Hiram
Dexter built a saw-mill on lot 37, in the year 1836, which was in operation
for many years. In 1830 John Dexter put up a saw-mill on the next lot,
which was in use until about 1870. At this point the stream divides, the
west branch passing the village of Carrville and Patterson's Agricultural
Implement Factory. On lot 16, concession 2, now Carrville, Thomas Cook
built a saw-mill in 1850, which was worked for upwards of thirty years,
until the supply of logs failed. On th n next lot Michael Fisher built a saw-
mill, in 1820, and the year following put up a grist mill, which is still in good
working order. The small village of Patterson is situated on lot 21, COIl-
9
128
The COllllty of York.
cession 2, where, in 1854, -;\lessrs, Patterson commenced operations by
the construction of a saw-mill, afterwards establishing here t'he extensive
farm implement manufactory to which the place O\ves its prosperity, On
lot 4 1 , in the same concession, a saw-mill was huilt by Reuben Burr in the
year 1828, which was worked for about twenty years. Mr. Burr was an
excellent mechanic, and constructed the first fanning-mill in use north of
Toronto. Rowland Burr, his son, was one of the most noted mill and fac-
tory builders in the early days. He put up a flour mill-known as the
Greenfield Mill-on lot 41, which was leased to l\1r. Shephard, and was
destroyed by fire about the year 1840. C. E. Lawrence built a saw-mill on
lot 4 2 , in 1834, and six years afterwards built a carding and fulling mill and
woollen factory, which he worked for many years, until his death, after
which it changed hands frequently. James Lymburner built a distillery on
lot 43, which was afterwards conducted by 1\Ir. Kurtz, who was succeeded
by J. Clarke. The latter also built and kept a tavern at Richmond Hill.
On the same lot occupied by the distillery, Lymburner built a small log
grist mill in 1811, which was afterwards owned by John Atkinson, who
about 1840 put up a new grist mill at a cost of about {I,OOO. Mr. Atkin
son afterwards fell into financial difficulties, and his property was purchased
by Edward Hawke, of Toronto. This mill is still in good working order. A
double-geared saw-mill was erected on lots 45 and 4 6 by James Playter in
18 4 8 , which is still extant. Higher up, on the same branch of the stream,
stood a distillery built by James 1\IcDavids in 1844. A saw-mill was built
by John Langstaff in 1847, which was the nucleus of various other indus-
tries dependent on the same water-power, including a foundry and edge-
tool factory, Mr. Langstaff also had an implement factory on another
small brartch of the Don, in the immediate neighbourhood. This was con-
structed in 1850, a steel file factory being afterwards added,
On lot 50, concession I, a saw-mill was built, in 1842, by a man named
Heslop, and worked for many years, Peter Frank put up a saw-mill on lot
25, in the second concession, near Patterson, which was used for about
twenty years, In all, there ha
e been first to last twelve saw-mills, seven
grist mills, and three distilleries, built on the Don and its tributaries in
Vaughan Township,
The settlement of Vaughan was completed about thirty-five years after
the arrival of the pioneers. The general cháracter of the land is clay and
clay loam; 19,2"66 acres being heavy clay, 41,074 acres clay loam, 5,67 0
acres sandy loam, and 1,500 acres sand, About one-third of the total
area is rolling land. The low bottom-land does not embrace more than
1,000 acres, and about an equal area is wet and springy, Thirty-five thousand
The County of York.
12 9
acres are regarded as first-class agricultural land, the market price of which
averages about 870 per acre; 20,000 are ranked as second-class, and are
estimated as worth $50 per acre, and the third-class land, including 12,-
510 acres, is valued at 830 per acre. About one-half of the farms are under
first-class fencing. One-third of the dwellings and out-buildings are of
brick, stone or first-class frame, Under-drainage is not practised to any
considerable extent, only about one farm in twenty-five being under-drained.
As nearly as can be given the proportions of the area devoted to the staple
agricultural products are as follow:-Fall wheat, 10,600 acres; spring
wheat, 2,750 acres; barley, 6,600 acres; oats, 6,500 acres; peas, 5,000
acres; potatoes, 700 acres; turnips, 700 acres; other root crops, 500 acres;
hay, 6,600 acres; pasturage,. 8,000 acres, and orchards, 500 acres. The
average yield per acre of these crops is as follows :-Fall wheat, 15 bushels;
spring wheat, 10 bushels; barley, 18 bushels; oats, 40 bushels; peas, 15
bushels; potatoes, 100 bushels; turnips, 500 bushels; other root crops,
500 bushels; hay, I! tons. About 11,000 acres is still wooded with pine
and hardwood, which makes the total area of cleared land about 5 6 ,5 00
acres.
In "Smith's Canada" the population of Vaughan for 1842 is given at
4,300. In 1850 it had increased to 6,255. At that time there were in the
township five grist and thirty-four saw-mills, and the crop of 1849 produced
155,000 bushels of wheat, 4,000 bushels of barley, 102,000 bushels of o'ats,
46,000 bushels of peas, 5 I ,000 bushels of potatoes, and 7,000 bushels of
turnips. In the same year the number of Public Schools in operation was
twenty.
According to the census of 1881 the total yield was 152,996 bushels of
wheat, 149,795 bushels of barley, 2+2,483 bushels of oats, 75,283 bushels of
peas and beans, 103,622 bushels of potatoes, 32,890 bushels of turnips, 4 8 ,-
019 bushels of other roots, and 8,656 tons of hay.
The population, like that of several of the townships of York, shows a
slight decrease during the decade 1871-81, for which the exodus to the
States and to the Canadian North-\Vest is partly responsible, but is largely
accounted for in the case of Vaughan by the incorporation of Richmond
Hill, a portion of which is embraced with the limits of the township. In
1871 the population was 7,657; in 18BI it was 6,828, Of the population
in the latter year those of German origin numbered 993, being mostly the
descendants of old settlers from Pennsylvania. There were 5,24.8 native
Canadians, The occupiers of land numbered 824, of whom 500 were also
owners. The total area in occupation was 67,8+8 acres.
In 1881 the live stock of the township numbered as follows :-Cattle,
13 0
The COllnty of York.
2,95 2 ; horses, 2,481; sheep, 4,349, and hogs, 2,207. The principal breeds
are Clydesdale horses, Durham cattle, long-wooled sheep, and Berkshire
and Suffolk hogs. Among the owners of thoroughbred cattle are 1\1.
Reaman, Robert Marsh, \Villiam Agar, George Bell, Peter Frank, Jacob
Lakmer and sons, and Edwin Langstaff.
The municipal records of Vaughan, which have not been preserved
farther back than 1850, show that in that year the council was organized
under the new legislation which then came in force by the election of
David Smellie, David Bridgford, John \V, Gamble, James Adams and
John Lawrie as councillors. At the first meeting held in the township
hall in the fifth concession, J. \V. Gamble was elected reeve and David
Smellie deputy-reeve, James Ashdown was chosen township clerk, and
athaniel \Vallace, John Stephens and \Yilliam Porter, assessors, At a
subsequent meeting, Rev. James Dick was appointed superintendent of
Common Schools at a salary of {20, In 1851 the councillors were David
Smellie, D. Bridgford, J, \V. Gamble, Alexander Mitchell and John
Lawrie. The election for the offices of reeve and deputy resulted as
before. Mr. Gamble held the reeveship without intermission until 1858,
when
1r. D. Bridgford, who had been elected deputy-reeve every year
since 1852, succeeded him, In 1859-60, H. S, Howland was reeve and
Alfred Jeffrey deputy, Ro bert J, Arnold filled the chair in 186 I and the
two following years, with \Villiam Cook as deputy-reeve. In 1864 H. S,
Howland was again chosen reeve, and continued to hold the position until
1868. Alfred Jeffrey was deputy-reeve during the former year, and Thos.
Graham for 1865-7. In 1868 the reeveship fell to Peter Patterson, and
\Yilliam Hartman and Robert J. Arnold became deputies, In this year
11r. G. J. F, Pearce, who had officiated as township clerk and treasurer
for nearly ten years, resigned, and Mr. J.
1. Lawrence was appointed to
succeed him, l\1r, Patterson held the reeveship for four years. David
Boyle was elected reeve in 1872-3, and \V, C. Patterson succeeded to the
office in 1874, and retained it for several years. In 1875 the number of
deputy-reeves was increased to three by reason of the growth of population.
The principal municipal officials for 1884 are as follows :-Reeve, T,
Porter, Humber; 1st deputy-reeve, \Villiam Cook, Carville; 2nd deputy-
reeve, D. Reaman, Concord; 3rd deputy-reeve, Alexander Malloy, Purple-
ville; councillor, George Elliott, \Voodbridge; township clerk and trea-
surer, J. 1\1. Lawrence, Richmond Hill,
Mr. Lawrence is of U. E. Loyalist origin. His grandfather, John
Lawrence, held the rank of captain in the royalist forces during the
American \Var of Independence, and at its. close he went to New Bruns-
The County of York,
13 1
wick, where he remained until 1817, when he came to Upper Canada, Mr.
Lawrence's maternal grandfather, Robert Marsh, .settled in Vaughan in
1800,
The incorporated villages of Richmond Hill and ,V oodbridge are the
most considerable centres of population in the township, Klineburg, a
village about two miles from the western and three from the northern
line, has a population of upwards of six handred, Other villages in
the northerly portion of the township are Purpleville, two miles east of
Klineburg, Teston, l\Iaple, and Patterson, further to the east, VeIl ore" is
in the centre of the township, and Elder l\Iills, Carrville, Pine Grove,
Edgeley, Concord and Brownsville in the southern section. The Northern
Railway traverses the township almost parallel with Yonge Street three or
four miles to the west, and the Toronto, Grey and Bruce, entering it at
the south, near the Humber, takes a north-westerly direction.
The first white child born in the Township of Vaughan is said to have
been Susan J\Iunshaw, who afterwards became Mrs. "Tright.
The School Inspectorate of N orth York consists of the townships, towns
and villages of the North Riding, together with that part of the Township of
Vaughan north of the second side-road, which separates between lots ten
and eleven across the municipality, For reporting purposes the whole
Township of Vaughan is included, This inspectorate, therefore, comprises
the townships of Georgina, North Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, 'Vhit-
church, King, and Vaughan, the Town of Newmarket, and the Villages of
Holland Landing, Aurora, Richmond Hill and 'Yoodbridge; this last
reporting only in the northern inspectorate. In these municipalities there
are eighty-five school-boards, who employ from one hundred to one hundred
and ten teachers, with an aggregate salary of over $+0,000; an average of
$4 2 5 to males and $265.62! to females. The outlay on building in 1883
was over-$8,000; on maps, etc., :;400; on care-taking, heating, etc., 87,500;
for all purposes over 856,000. The income from all sources in 1883 was
over S62,00o-nearly $3,700 from the Legislature;
7,000 from municipal
grants; $32,000 from direct taxation, over $10,000 from C, R. Fund and
other funded moneys, and the balance from 1882. The school population
of this district is a60ut 7,600, of which the attendance at present at school
is forty-five per cent. Twelve years ago the percentage of attendance was
thirty-seven and a quarter. The classification of the chIldren enrolled in
188 3 was as follows: 2,400 in the First Book; 1,600 in the Second Book;
1,800 in the Third Book; 1,200 in the Fourth Book; and thirty-five in the
Fifth Book. Nearly all are instructed in arithmetic and writing; consid-
erably over half in geography, drawing, grammar and object lessons; while
13 2
The COUllty of York.
music, temperance and hygiene, geometry and mensuration, algebra, history
and elementary physics receive a fair share of attention, according to the
numbers in the classes for which these subjects respectively are prescribed.
Drill a,nd calisthenics are not entirely overlooked, though they are not
taught in half the schools.
In this district there are ninety school-houses. Of these, thirty-two are
brick and fifty-eight are frame, In seventy-four cases the premises are
freehold and in sixteen the grounds are rented, while the houses are the
property of the school corporation, N early fifty of the houses have been
erected since the year 1871, and thirty have been enlarged or improved so
as to meet the requirements of the Act of that year. 'Almost, if not all the
school-grounds, are over half an acre, and many are double that size,
School property, which has more than doubled in value in twelve years, is
now worth $150,000, and $90,000 has been expended in the improvement' of
school premises in the same time.
The Township of Vaughan has eighteen school sections and unions
with houses in them, and three unions with houses outside the municipality.
No, I, union with Markham or Thornhill, is a brick house, with a frame
addition, in the Village of Thornhill. The average, Vaughan part, 26, l\Iark-
ham part, 29. Teachers, R. O. Harvey and Annie Hendrie.
No.2, union with Markham. Frame house on Yonge Street, lot
o. 9'
built nearly fifty years ago, is probably the oldest in the county, Average
from Vaughan part, 4, Markham part, 15. Emma 1\1. Ansley, teacher.
'K o. 3, Carrville School, stands on lot 15, half way across the 2nd
concession. This frame building was enlarged a few years ago, and is
conveniently arranged for its purposes. Teacher, James Bassingthwaighte,
A verage attendance, 3K
l'J 0, 4, a union with Richmond Hill, has no school of its own.
'Xo. 5, or Hope School, stands on the west end of lot 28, in the 3 rd
concession, It is a brick building, with a frame addition for an assistant.
\.verage, 37. Teacher, Abram Carley,
No, 6, Maple School, is a substantial brick structure, somewhat a wk-
wardly divided into two rooms. Teachers, Joseph P. ,McQuarrie and
Jennie \Valkington, Average, 50.
o. 7, or
Iudville School, on the east end of lot 6, 3rd concession. is
a good brick building. The average is 32. Teacher, Chester Asling,
o. 8, Edgeley School, is a good brick house on the west end of lot 7,
+th concession. Average, 41. Teacher, Jacob H. Hoover.
No. 9, Towri Hall School, is a large frame structure on the west end of
lot 17, in the 5th concession. Teacher, Nellie Franks. Average, 24.
The COU1lty of York.
133
o. 10, a fine, new brick building, stands on the north-west corner of
lot 30, in the 5th concession. Average 24. Teacher, Robert Moore.
No, II, Purpleville School, is a good frame house, with excellent furni-
ture recently introduced, It is situated on the- east end of lot 27, 7 th
concession. Average, 3+. Teacher, \Vm. \Vatson.
No. 12, Pine Grove School, stands on the west end of lot 9, in 6th
concession. The building is frame. Average- attendance, 38. Teachers,
John \V. Franks and Annie Mason.
o. 13, on the east end of lot 6, in the 9th concession, is of brick.
Average, 19. Teacher, Joseph Clark.
No, 1+ is a union with, and has its school in, \Voodbridge. Average
attendance, 9.
Ko, IS, near the centre of lot 15, in the 9th concession, is a fine, new
brick building, fairly furnished and kept. Average, 38. Teacher, Thos. B.
Hoidge. A small part of Toronto Gore is in union with No. 15.
No. 16, in union with 7, Toronto Gore, called the Coleraine School, is a
brick building, rather awkwardly placed on the ground, and suffering from
defective foundations. Teacher, ::\Iiss McDonald. Average, from Vaughan,
19, from Toronto Gore, 6.
No. 17, Kleinburg School, in the Village of Kleinburg, is a brick house,
with frame addition for assistant. Its situation is fine, overlooking one
branch of the Humber. Teacher, Kenneth Beaton, Average, 36.
0, 18, near the middle of lot 3 I, in the loth concession, is a frame
house, not well furnished. Average, 24. Teacher, James Asher.
No, 19, Patterson School, is a good brick structure, situated on the
east end of lot 21, 2nd concession. Average, 28. Teacher, Hesse A.
icholls.
No. 20, a new frame house on the west end of lot 31, in the 8th
concession, has a good situation and is kept in fair condition. Average, 34,
Teacher, James R. Graham.
X 0, 2 I is a union with the house in :\larkham, about two miles north of
Richmond Hill, on Yonge Street. Average attendance from Vaughan, 29,
.
THE TO\VNSHIP OF I(IKG.
.
\
ING ha!.' the largest area of any township in the County of York.
, its total extent being 86,014 acres. It is situated north of
Vaughan, and on the west side of Y onge Street. Its northern
boundary is the Holland River, which divides it from \Yest
--.{ì.
Gwillimbury and Tecumseth, and on the west, in the adjoining
County of Peel, is the Township of Albion, King has twelve
concessions, numbered westward from Y onge Street, but the
last two are deficient, as the county line does not run parallel with Y onge
Street.
The township was first laid out in 1800 by Surveyor Stegmann, The
survey was continued from time to time by others, being completed in 18 59
by 1\1r. \Vhelock, P.L.S, Some alterations in its boundaries were made in
18 5 1 , when the County of Simcoe was organized, and the portion of the
township known as North King was detached from \Yest Gwillimbury and
annexed to King.
The following are the original patentees for the township as given in
the" Domesday Book," exclusive of that portion known as :Nortl'! King,
which was subsequently annexed,:-
1797-Thomas Hind, John :\IcKay, Edward \Vright, Thomas Phillips,
\Villiam :\lcClellan, _\rchibald Thompson. Edward \Vrï'ght.
1799-Daniel Rose, Alexander Gardnar.
1801-John Cole, Mary l\IcDonnell, James Selloch, Jeremiah Taylor,
Mary Lutz, David Bessey, Elizabeth Ross, Joseph Gillie, Jonathan Sells,
Mary Gordon, Sarah Pla:'yter, Daniel Nixon, Dorothy Burger, Anthony
Hollingshead, \Villiam Crowder, \Villiam Smith, Caty Brown.
180z-Henry Harman, James Cody, P. Cody, James Gilbert, Isaac
Phillips, 'Kathaniel Gamble, jun'r, Alexander Gardner, Eliza Ghent, Hepzi-
j
t ,..'
"-
The County of York,
135
bah l\'Ic \Villiams, Lucretia Stewart, Marianne \Villiams, Pierre Protim,
Charles Jabbin, Matthew Hern, Jenny Cairn, Catharine \Valker, Fred.
Lewis
Iills, Eli Skinner, E. vVright, Sarah Vansicklen, Henry \Vindeckar,
George Thompson, .Robert Innes, Christopher Harrison, Jonathan Kincey,
James Newkirk, Chloe McDonnell, Hannah Palmer, James Osborn, Titus
Doran, 'Margaret Buckner, John Broughner, Philip Bender, Mary Buchnar,
Mary Rogers, A. Rogers, Richard Pattinson, Catherine Hesse, Joseph
Dennis, Benjamin \Vells, John Latteridge, Aaron Crefas, l\Iary Springer,
Duncan Gilchrist, \Villiam Gilchrist, Neil Gilchrist, Eleanor Nugent,
Charles Gisso, Thomas \Yalker, David Fraser, John Chisholm, Bernard
Maisonville,
Iargaret Smith, Joseph Dean, Abin Miner, Alice Forsyth,
James Cannon, Marie Joseph Gouin, Alexis
Iaisonville, \Villiam Farr,
John Van Zantee, Phæbe Adair, Benjamin Springer, Christopher Culp.
1803-Jacob Crane, jun'r, \Villiam Kennedy, \Villiam Hughes, Isaac
Hollingshead, James Fulton, Rachel Skinner, Mary Rott, Martin Fuitz,
Elizabeth Newkirk, John File, Hugh Heward, Elizabeth Cline, Rosanna
Fairis, Martha l\IcKirbie, Alexander Clendenning, \Yilliam Lee, John
Mcl\Iicking, Elizabeth Robertson, Mary Smith, George Stewart, jun'r,
Mary \Vard, \Villiam Applegarth, Elizabeth Fogelalay, Joshua Applegarth,
John Applegarth, Andrew \Vilson, Hugh \Vilson, James Hunter, Abraham
Astlestine, \Villiam Emery, \Yilliam Crumb, \Villiam Burk, Archibald
l\Iitchell, Elizabeth Hogellang, Sarah File, Caleb Swayze, David Van
Every, jun'r, Jane Hover, Elizabeth \Vright, Sarah \Vard, Sarah l\Iann,
John Stoner, Valentine Stoner, Mary Myers, \Villiam l\Iacdonell, Annie
Turner, Ann Jones, Anna ßroughmer, Christopher Overholk.
1804-James Burgess, Rufus Rogers, Asa Rogers, George O'Kill
Stewart, Samuel l\IcKirbie, Mary Thompson, D. Secord, Sarah Boyles,
Sarah \Vagstaff, Mary Cushman, Elizabeth McKenzie, Ann l\IcDonald.
Isaac Astlestine, Deborah Hill, Daniel Young, Hannah Coldwell, John
l\Iinthorn,
1805-Daniel Jackson, Mary l\loody, \V111, Tyler, Isaac Rogers, David
Palmer, jun'r, Mary Kithman, Marvin Hunter, Garrett Scram, Gertrand
Plato, John \\ïlson, Catherine Farr, Sol. Austin, jun'r, Charles Stewart.
1806-Rene Augustin Comte de ChalliS, J olm Dean Fisk.
1807-Lieut.-Col. Aug-ustin Boy ton.
1808- Joseph Minthorn, Elizabeth Hassun,
180g-l\Iurdoch McLeod, \\'111. \Veer.
1810-Abraham \\"ebster.
1812-John Haviland, Rev, Clarke,
1813-lIenry Bonnell.
13 6
The COllllty of York.
'I8I4-John :McDonald.
I8Is-\Ym. Moore.
I8I6-Thos. \Vhittaker.
I8I7-Rosannah .Ferris.
I827-Patrick Hartney.
I826-Sarah Lotteridge.
I830-N, Gamble,
1833- James Lloyd.. Stephen Bissonette.
1832- John Scott, Ann Purvis, Elizabeth Clow.
I83s-Hannah Cowell, Peter Rankin, John Proctor, Jeremiah Smith.
IS37-Peter \Vintermute.
I838-John Fulton, Bernis Baynam, \Villiam Boyle, Chas. Tomlinson.
I839-R. Machell, Richard Perry, J, Edmunds.
I840-James Macaulay, \Vm. Brydon, John Grant, \Yilliam H. :Moore,
Rev. John Rolph, Jeremiah \V. Dawson,
I84I-James Henderson.
1842- Thos, Irvin.
18+3- John Rodenhurst, l\Iartin Snider, \Villiam Proudfoot, Isaac Gude.
I8++-Robert Cathgart, Samuel Pearson.
I84S- \Vm. Patton, Thomas Allen Stayner,
18+6- \V, D. Parker.
I847-Alex. Brown, Philip Boisverd, Isaiah Gardner, \Villiam Hane,
John Fogart.
I848-Neil \Vilkie.
I8so-Patrick Tridnor, John Allen Nibbe,
I8S3-Jeremiah P. Cummins, Rev. Richard Edmund Tyrwhitt, Septi-
mus Tyrwhitt.
I8S4-Thomas'McFee,
I860-Benjamin Pearson.
A considerable area of land lying in different conceSSIOns was also
granted to the Canada Company.
\Yhen the alteration in the township lines took place in I8SI the first
concession of \Vest Gwillimbury, lying east of the Holland River, was
annexed to East Gwillimbury. The remainder of the portion of that town-
ship east of the river, forming a triangular-shaped section terminating in a
long, narrow strip running along the northern boundary of King, became
part of the latter township. The land of north King, as a rule, is swampy,
and not fit for cultivation. 1\1 uch of it still remains in the hands of the
Government, but f!1any lots have been patented. The following names
appear on the list of grantees:
,
The County of York.
137
180s-0badiah Rogers, Obadiah Griffin, Bethuel Huntley; 180 7-
_-\nn Dennis, Abraham Nelles; 1808-Abraham Vanalstine; 1812-John
Haviland; 1840-John Darling; 1843-\Villiam Proudfoot; 184s--George
Lount; 18+7-Ebeny Doan; 1849-S. \Vatson. The Canada Company also
obtained some lots in this section, and numerous patents have been issued
during later years.
The predominant character of the soH is clay loam. In the western
portion of the township an area amounting to about 30 per cent. of the
whole is of heavy clay, of the average depth of eighteen to twenty-four
inches, Clay loam prevails in the eastern, central and southern sections,
constituting about 40 per cent, of the whole, the average depth of the
surface soil being twelve to fifteen inches, with a subsoil of clay. In the
northern section there are considerable tracts of rich, black loam, of an
average depth of from two to eight feet, comprising about 12 per cent. of
the total acreage, In various parts there are areas of sandy loam of a
depth of from six to ten inches over a clay subsoil, being about fifteen per
cent. of the whole township, Two and a-half per cent. of the soil is deep
sand, and gravel beds, also of considerable depth, are also met with. The
larger portion of the land is undulating, about one-fifth being so hilly as to
lessen its value for agricultural purposes. Swamps and wet springy land
comprise S per cent. of the area, principally situated along the Holland
River, and an equal proportion is bottom-land,
The Oak Ridges, forming the height of land between lakes Ontario and
Simcoe, run through the centre of the township from east to west. The
region is hilly and broken, and contains a number oflakes and ponds, Some
of these are the source of the numerous tributaries of the Humber and
Holland Rivers. Boulders displaying a mixture of the characteristics of
the Laurentian, Silurian and Huronian formations are met with in this
reglOn.
The proportion of first-class land is comparatively small, being only 2S
per cent" the average price of which is 870 per acre. The second-class
land comprises 60 per cent. of the whole, and its average value is estimated
at 84S, Third-class land brings $2S per acre, and constitutes IS per cent.
of the total acreage. Three-fourths of the farm buildings are first-class in
point of materials and construction, and about the same proportion of the
farms are well fenced. U nderdrainage is adopted on about one-tenth of the
number. Four-fifths of the farmers use some description of artificial ferti-
lizer-the kinds principally employed being plaster and salt.
As nearly as can be given, the following is the proportion of the area
given to the leading crops :-Fall wheat, IS per cent.; spring wheat, 12 per
13 8
The C0lt11ty of York,
cent.; barley, 8 per cent. ; oats, 14 per cent.; peas, 8 per cent.; potatoes
and turnips, I per cent, each; other root crops, t per cent.; hay, 12 per
cent. Pasture lands occupy an area of 15 per cent., and orchards about I
per cent.
The average yield per acre of the staple crops is as follows :-Fall
wheat, 20 bushels; spring wheat, 12 bushels; barley, 20 bushels; oats, 35
bushels.; peas, 15 bushels; potatoes, 100 bushels; turnips, 250 bushels;
other root crops, 300 bushels ; hay, I ton.
Stock-raising is carried on to a greater extent in King than in any other
township in the county. In 1881 the number of cattle was 4,088, horses,
2,917; sheep, 5,337; and hogs, 2,282. The larger proportion of these are the
common varieties, but in the last decade some importations of thorough-
breds have been introduced, comprising Shorthorn cattle, Southdown,
Cotswold and Leicester sheep, Clydesdale horses, and Berkshire and
Suffolk hogs. Among the proprietors of thoroughbred stock are: George
Hollingshead, John Beasley, James Cherry, jun'r, and \Yilliam Jardine, in
the western part of the township; and George N. Heacock, Seth Heacock,
Simeon Lemon, R. J. Kenne
y, \V, Linton, Robert Riddell, and John C.
Tawse, in the eastern portion,
The municipal records of King are unusually complete; the minutes of
the township meetings as far back as 1809 being still extant, and throwing
a good deal of light on the early condition of the community. A return of
the number of inhabitants taken on l\Iarch 28th, 1809, shows thirty-three
heads of families, and a total population of 160, The names are as follows:
James Rogers, John Doan, Enos Dennis, Amos Hughes, Isaac Rogers,
\Yilliam Doan, Joseph Doan, l\Iahlon Doan, Ebenezer Doan, Rufus Rogers,
Levi Dennis, Nathaniel Gamble, jun'r, Isaac Phillips, Isaac Hollingshead,
Thomas Taylor, John Nichol, Benjamin Pearson, \Villiam Hughes, Joseph
Cody, \Ym. Haines, Jacob Hollingshead, \\ïlliam Tyler, \Ym. Kennedy,
Henry Harman, Isaac Davis, Caleb
Ic\Villiams, John D.;vine, David
Love, James Love, John Hunter, Michael St. John, Henry Sagle anù
Benjamin Kester. In 1811 the total number of inhabitants was 206. In
18I2 there were 42 families and 226 inhabitants. A decrease in population
was caused by the war with the "C niteù States, which broke out in that
year, and three years afterward the inhabitants only numbered 209' But
after peace was restored the population began to increase more rapidly, and
in 1823 there were 67 families, and the total number of inhabitants was 394.
In 1842 the population numbered 2,625. In the course of eight years it
more than doubled the number, in 1850 being 5,574, In 1871 it reached its
maximum, the Goyernment census of that year showing a total population
TIlc COUllty of York,
139
of 7,482. In 1881 it had fallen to 6,664' Of the latter number 5,248 were
of Canadian birth. Those of English descent numbered 2,872; 2,047 were
of Irish, and r ,087 of Scotch extraction. The occupiers of land were 907
in number, of whom 61 I were the owners of their holdings. The total area
occupied was 79,209 acres, of which 59,1+9 were improved, Of this 49488
acres were devoted to field crops
8,402 acres to pasturage, and 1,259 to
gardens and orchards.
In r849, the agricultural produce comprised 149,000 bushels of wheat,
5,000 bushels of barley, 8,000 bushels of oats, 37,000 bushels of peas, 52,000
bushels of potatoes, and 14,000 bushels of turnips.
The census
f 1881 gives the yield as follows :-200,185 bushels of
wheat, 121,776 bushels of barley, 214,506 bushels of oats, 81,875 bushels of
peas and beans, 76,688 bushels of potatoes, 93,701 bushels of turnips,
30,r64 bushels of other roots, 8,670 tons of hay and 1,964 bushels of grass
and clover seed.
The municipal records for r809 give the officials for that year as follows:
Town clerk, \Villiam Haines; assessors,J acob Hollingshead and \Yilliam
Hughes; collector, \Villiam Tyler; overseers of the roads, Henry Harman,
Thomas Taylor, Rufus Rogers; pound-keeper, Isaac Hollingshead; town
wardens, \Villiam Kennedy and John Nichol. The following minutes are
recorded :-
H It is agreed that the fences shall be lawful that are five feet high, two
feet of which shall not be more than four inches between the rails, and the
other part not more than six inches between the rails, except liners, which
shoall not exceed fifteen inches,"
" It is agreed that hogs shall be free commoners."
In 1810 the following were the township officers:- \\ïl1iam Haines,
town clerk; Benjamin Pearson and \\ïlliam Doan, assessors; \Ym. Tyler,
collector; David Love, John Hunter, Jacob Hollingshead, Thomas Taylor
and John Doan, overseers of the roads; Nathaniel Gamble, jun'r, pound-
keeper; Henry Harman and \Villiam Hughes, town warùens.
\\ïlliam Haines held the position of town clerk until 1836, when he
was succeeded in office by John R. Kennedy. The township meetings
from r8ro until r838, with one or two exceptions, were held at the house of
Nathaniel Gamble, jun'r. Subsequent meeting places were Samuel Clay's,
James Graham's tavern, and Goat's Inn,
In 1843, Joel Hughes and \Villiam Brydon were town wardens; An-
drew Sloan, town clerk; Nathaniel Pearson, assessor; Richard
Iurphy,
collector; Barnes Beynon, Thos, Cosford, John Tawse, :\I.A., Jacob Lemon,
Isaiah Tyson, Donald l\IcCallum and Capt. .\. ,\rmstrong, school commis-
14 0
Tile County of York,
slOners; and Thomas Cosford, Thomas \Y. Tyson and Henry Stewart.
district councillors. In 1844, John R. Kennedy became town clerk, the
district councillors being th
same as the preceding year. l\Ir. Kennedy
held the clerkship until 18+7. The officers for that year were: Town
wardens, John McKinley, Thomas Cosford and James Hunter; assessor,
James O'Brien; collector, Andrew Sloan; town clerk, Joseph \Yo
d. In
18+8, the district councillors were Henry Stewart and Thorilas \V. Tyson;
town wardens, Robert Parker, John \Yells and Benjamin Jennings; asses-
sor, James l\IcCallum; collector, Isaac Dennis, In 1850 the present system
of municipal organization came into force, and the district councillors were
replaced by reeves and deputy-reeves-the first reeye was George Hughes,
Joseph \Vells being deputy. In 1851 1\11', Hughes was re-elected and Sep-
timus Tyrwhitt chosen deputy, In 1852 Stephen Tyrwhitt was reeve and
Joseph \Yells deputy-reeve, George Hughes occupied the reeveship again
during the period 1853-7, and was succeeded in 1858 by J. D, Phillips, who
had preyiously been deputy-reeve for three years. A. Armstrong filled the
chair in 1859, and the next year gave place to James P, \Yells, who had
held the second place two years before. Mr. \ Yells remained in office until
186+, when Albert \Yebb was elected. In 1865 Joel Phillips was chosen
reeve. filr. \Vebb had another innings in 1866, T. Tyson and J, Stokes
followed each for one year, and 1\1r. \Vebb served a third term of two years'
duration. Among the later occupants of the position are J. D. Phillips, Joel
Phillips and Joseph Stokes, The township officers for 1884 are E. J, Davis,
King, reeve; Charles Irwin, Lloydtown, 1 st deputy-reeve; l\lichael J. O'N eill,
Holly Park, 2nd deputy-reeve; Thomas \Yilson, Newmarket, 3rd deputy-
reeve; Robert Norman, councillor; Joseph \Yood, township clerk; Gershom
Proctor, treasurer; John Leigh and \Yilliam Brydon, assessors; Charles
Fuller and \\ïlliam \Vinter, collectors; John D. Phillips, township engineer,
111', \V ood has filled the office of clerk since 1847, He is an English-
man by birth, and came to Canada in 1830 when quite young. The family,
after remaining in York for a year, removed to \Vhitchurch, near Aurora,
In 1835 they took up land in the 6th concession of King. l\Ir. \Yood is
well known as a prosperous and public-spirited citizen, and the fact that
he has been clerk for thirty-seven years continuously shows how highly his
services in that capacity are appreciated.
The principal villages of King are Lloydtown and Schomberg, near the
northern boundary, in the western part of the township; Linton, in the
eighth concession, towards the centre; N obleton, in the south-west; Pottage-
yille, Kettleby and Grenville, in the northern section; and Laskay, King
Horn, King, Eversley, Temperanceville, Springhill and Oak Ridges, in the
,
The COU1lty of York,
14 1
south and south-east. Aurora is partly in King and partly in \Yhitchurch.
The
orthern Railway runs across the south-eastern section and enters
\Vhitchurch near Aurora. After a lengthy detour to the eastward through
that township it crosses the swamp lands of Korth King in a north-westerly
direction, Its most important station in the township is at the thriving
\Tillage of King, about a mile from the southern boundary, which is a
stirring and lively place, with a population of about 120.
Lloydtown is a place of some note in the annals of York County. It
early became one of the principal centres in the north, and was one of the
rallying points of the Mackenzie rising in 1837, A description of the
village and the neighbouring country is given in Smith's" Canada." There
have been of course many changes since that time. Entering the township
from the w
st the road known as the" tenth line" leads to the village.
The first portion of the road is very hilly, and the timber consists of pine
. and hardwood intermixed. About four miles before reaching Lloydtown
you cross a cedar swamp, after which the timber becomes principally pine
and hemlock for the next two miles; large tracts of land bordering the
road being still (1851) covered with wood; the country then opens, and
large clearings lie before and on either side of you, The character of the
timber here becomes changed, and a large proportion of it is hardwood,
The soil the whole distance is of a loamy character, varying in consistence.
The country generally has a new appearance, a large portion of the stumps
still standing in the fields, and the houses and farm buildings are poor with
few exceptions. The road the whole distance is hilly, or composed of a
succession of rolling ridges, The population of Lloydtown is given as 350,
" The village," Smith goes on to say, .. is situated in the midst of a hilly
country. The west branch of the Holland River runs through the village,
and a grist mill having three run of stones, a saw mill, and a carding and
fulling mill, are situated on it, The grist mill has a fall of twenty-five feet,
There are also in the village two tanneries, a post-office, and two churches
-Episcopal and Methodist. Lloydtown is twelve miles from Yonge Street,
nine miles from the Vaughan Plank Road, sixteen miles from Holland
Landing, nine miles from Bond Head, twelve and a-half from Bradford,
and fourteen from Newmarket. At about a mile from Lloydtown, situated
to the north-east, is a small village called Brownsville. It contains 138
inhabitants, a grist mill, saw mill, and tannery, and a church open to all
denominations, Brownsville is also situated on the west branch of th{'
Holland River, which has here a fall of twenty feet," The name was
subsequently changed to Schomberg. The road cast from Lloydtown to
Kettlcby, or as it was then more generally known, Tyrwhitt's Mills, is
14 2
Tile COU1lty of Y Ol'k.
described as very hilly, and for pa.rt of the distance timbered with cedar,
hemlock and pine, with a little hardwood intermixed,
It was; at Lloydtown that the second of the series of public meetings
in support of Mackenzie's agitation in 1837 was held, At a meeting of
Reformers, held at John Doel's Brewery, Toronto, on the 28th of July in
that year, a plan submitted by Mr, l\lackenzie "for uniting, organizing,
and registering the Reformers of Upper Canada" was adopted, under
which societies were to be established all through the Province as the
machinery of agitation. The first outside meeting under this plan was
held at Newmarket, the second at Lloydtown, on the 5th of August. It
was addressed by Messrs. \V. L. Mackenzie, Jesse Lloyd, Samuel Lount,
and David Gibson, all of whom afterwards took a prominent part in the
insurrection. Seventeen resolutions were passed. Any intention of
resorting to arms was disclaimed. One of the resolutions declared that
" A bribed and pensioned band of official hirelings and expectants, falsely
assuming the character of the representatives of the people of Upper
Canada, corrupted by offices, wealth, and honours bestowed upon their influ
ential members by Sir F. B, Head, since they took their seats in the House
of Assembly, have refused to allow a free trial to candi
ates ready to contest
their seats, have refused to order new elections for members who have
accepted places of gain under the Government, Have refused to institute a
free and constitutional inquiry into corruptions practised at the elections
through Sir F. B. Head's patent deeds and otherwise; and although they
were returned for the constitutional period which the death of the King has
brought near to a close, they have violated the most solemn covenant of
the British Constitution by resolving that their pretended power of legisla-
tion shall continue over us three years longer than they were appointed to ,
act," Canadian Independence was advocated on the ground that British
connection involved a State Church, an "unnatural aristocracy, party
privilege, public debt, and general oppression." It was suggested that the
country should pay a money price for its freedom in order ,that civil war
might be avoided, 'and a resort to the ballot, it was urged, would show a
large majority in favour of dissolving the colonial bond, The meeting
declared for elective officials, including the judiciary. Some very significant
devices were displayed, including a flag which bore a large star, surrounded
by six smaller lustres, and in the centre a Death's head with the inscription,
" Liberty or Death," Another flag displayed the word" Liberty" in bold
relief, with figures of pikes, swords, muskets and cannon. It had been
intended to erect a liberty pole one hundred feet in height, but the design
was abandoned, The meeting elected as delegates to the convention pro-
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The County of York,
143
posed to be held in Toronto, Dr. \V, \V. Baldwin, Jesse Lloyd, James
Grey, Mark Learmont, John Lawson and Gerard Irwin.
Mr. Mackenzie visited Lloydtown again a week or two before the out-
break, in order to complete the arrangements for a descent upon Toronto,
I t was here that he announced his determination not to assume a position of
military command on account of the lack of training and experience
requisite to qualify him for it. Samuel Lount and Anthony Anderson were
then assigned leaping positions. Lloydtown sent a large contingent to the
force finally mustered by the insurgents, They were principally armed
with rude pikes, few possessing firearms.
The present population of Lloydtown is about four hundred, and it is a
prospeious and flourishing community,
The Township of King has nineteen school sections, with two unions
having houses in the township, and three unions with houses outside the
township, .
o. I, union with \Vhitchurch, is a double frame house on YonO"e
t:>
Street, three miles south of Aurora. Daniel Gregory is teacher, The
average from King is 17; from \Vhitchurch, 20,
No, 2, Spring Hill School, stands on theeast end oflot 7, 4th concession,
It is a good brick house with two rooms, Teacher, John T. Saigeon,
Average, 54.
NO,3, union with \Vhitchurch, has its house in \Vhitchurch, and will
be referred to under that township,
No. 4, the Laskay School, is situated on lot 7 in the 5th concession,
west end, half a mile north of Laskay. It is a good, brick building, but in
need of renovation. Teacher, John \Vatson. Average, 31.
NO.5, the New Scotland School, stands on lot 16 in the 7th concession.
near the centre. The house is a frame one, fairly kept, and well furnished,
Teacher, l\Iiss Kate l\IcMurchy. Average, 30.
o. 6. a rather old frame house, stands near the middle of lot 25 in the
5th concession. The average attendance is 18. Teacher, George Edward
Brown,
:t\ o. 7, stands on lot 8 in the 9th concession, on the west end. The
house is a fine brick structure in a fine situation. The teacher is \Villiam
Boal. Average, 43,
Ko. 8, is a small union with .\lbion. Pupils go to Bolton Village,
o. 9, the Grenville School stands between the Old Survey and lot 35
in the 2nd concession, The building, a new plank structure, is con-
veniently arranged, and has hot air furnaces instead of the universal stun',
John S, Stephens is the teacher.
\verage, 25.
10
144
TIle COU1lty of York.
No, 10, IS two and a half miles west from Aurora, The house is a
good brick one. The teacher is Byron Oliver. Average, 32,
No. I I, Kettleby School, stands on the east end of lot 27 m the 4th
concession, Teacher, Thomas Butler, Average, 35'
No, 12, situated on lot 31, near the middle, 5th concession, is a small
and old frame house, The teacher is \Villiam Pearson. His average, 22.
No, 13, stands on lot 26 in the 7th concession. It is a brick building,
recently erected and comfortably furnished. Teacher, Maria Norman,
Average, 16,
No. 14, Schomberg School, on the north-east corner of lot 32, in the
9 th concession, is a good and commodious brick structure having apart-
ments for two teachers. l\Ir. A, \tVilkinson and Miss J, King. Average, 58,
No, 15, Lloydtown School, is a fine specimen of school architecture in
brick, somewhat thrown out of proportion inside by recent division into
two rooms, Teachers, Henry \Vard and l\Iiss Srigley. Average, 48.
No, 16, Crawford's School, stands on the south-east corner of lot 21,
IIth concession. It is a frame building of moderate size, Teacher, l\1iss
Libbie Cody. Average, 14,
o. 17 stands on the north side of lot 30, near the centre of the lIth
concession. It is an old frame building, and not comfortably furnished,
Teacher, Malcolm D, Hall. Average, 23.
No, 18, the Linton or Little Lake School, stands on lot 19, in the 9 th
concession. It is a frame structure, Teacher, Cunningham Moore.
Average, 33.
No. 19, Nobleton School, is a double frame house on lot 5, near the
west of concession 8. The two teachers are \Villiam F, Moore and
Adelaide \Vatson, Average attendance, 60.
l'J'o, 20 is a union with 13 Albion, house not in the township.
No. 2 I is situated in the I st concession, west end of lots 7 and 8, It
is a substantial and almost new brick house, and well furnished. Teacher,
Henry J, Bolitho. Average, 3 0 .
No, 22, the Eversley School, is a fine new brick house, on the west end
of lot 9, 2nd concession. Teacher, H, W. Bolitho, Average, 22,
No. 23, Kinghorn School, a well-kept frame house, stands near the
west end of lot 6, in the 4th concession. Teacher, Joseph E. l\Iorris.
Average, 2 I,
No, 24, New Amsterdam or Bradford Bridge School, a good frame
house, stands in the Old Survey, on the road between Holland Landing
and Bradford. Teacher, Sarah C, McConnell. Average, I!. A small
union of East Gwillimburý with 24 has an average of 3'
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THE TO\V"KSHIP OF \\THITCHURCH,
HITCHCRCH is situated to the north of the Township of
l\Iarkham, and east of Y onge Street, which divides it from
.". the Township of King, being in the middle of the eastern
row of townships. It wås laid out in 1800 by l\Ir. John Steg-
mann, who had been an officer in a Hessian regiment during--
the \Yar of Independence, and afterwards found employr
nent
as a surveyor in Upper Canada. l\Ir. Stegmann's work was
completed in 1802, but further surveys were afterwards made on the 8th
and 9th concessions by Surveyor \Yilmot, and in 1869 a re-survey of some
of the lines was made by l\Ir. John Shier. \Yhitchurch comprises 59,743
acres. It has ten concessions, numbered eastward from Y onge Street, two
of which are deficient. Settlers began to come into the township as early
as 1795, The" Domesday Book" records the following patents issued in
the earlier years of settlement :-
179 6 - Joseph Bouchette.
1797-Frederic Smith, Charles Fathers, James Pitney,
1798-\Villiam Bond, John Chisholm, Capt. \y, Graham,
1801-Capt, John Baptist Bouchette, l\Iary Chambers, Duke \\ïlliam
Kendrick, John Stegmann,
1802-N athaniel Gamble, sen'r, Stephen Barbaree, Simon :\Ic:\Iirty,
James ::\Ic::\lurty, Frederic Baron de Hoen, Isaac Phillips, James Roche,
Peter ::\Iiller, Ebenezer Cook, John Ferguson, Kathan Hixon, John Baker,
George Althouse, John Bogard, John J ferns, James ::\Iitchell, \\ïlliam Smith.
1803-Abner Miles, Abraham Tucker, Robert \Vilson, James Miles,
James Fulton, Hugh Shaw, George Chisholm, Joseph \Yebster, Godfrey
Hilts, Peter 13rillenger. John Engelhard, Joseph Durham, Jeremiah Dur-
ham, Robert Henderson, Hugh \\ïlson, Peter Boughstanch, John Cline,
Joseph Derick, Gilbert Vanderbarrow, \\ïlliam 13echtcl, Samuel Betzner.
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14 6
The County of York,
Jacob Bechtel, sen'r, Adam Cline, l\Iary Feeks, \Vilham Cornell, Samuel
:i\IcLin, Loyal Davis, John Bricker, David Alberson, George Clemens,
John Cornwell, Samuel Bucker, Phil. Saltberger, Hall Davis, l\Ioses l\lcCay,
Benham Presson, David Hooter.
ISo4--John Jones, John Starkweather, Henry Crone, Timothy Rogers,.
Isaac Pilkington, Isaac \Villis, James Starr, \Villiam \Vebster, Thomas
Jobett, John Dehart, Jesse Ketchum, Henry Hashall, Ebenezer Lundy,
Davenport Philps, John Eyer, Aaron \\ïlson, James Rogers, Josh, Smades,
John Cook, jun'r, Ebenezer Jones, jun'r, Obadiah Taylor, Hannah Beans,
:\Iartin Bogart, sen'r, John Berry, Robert Gray,
ISos-Ebenezer Britton, RDbert \Vard, Shad
ack Stephens, Andrew
Clubine, Abraham \Yebster, John Lundy, George Semon, John Bassel,
Russell Hoag, l\Iary \Yalts,
IB06-Joseph Chiniqui,
Iary :\IcNab, \\ïlliam Hill, Samuel Palmer,
\\ïlliam Pearson, Isaac Johnson, Alexander Gray, John Furon, Ambr.oise
de Farcy,
IS07-Hannah Johnson, Elijah Groomes, Edward Heazzel, Nathaniel
Pearson, Christian Schill, Nathaniel Hastings.
ISoS-Sarah Vanwick, James Lundy, Peter \Yheeler, \Yilliam l\Iaclean.
ISog-Abraham Stouffer, jun'r, .\braham l\IcDonald, George Foukler.
ISIo-Jacob Long,
ISn-John R, Small, \Y. \\ïddifield, James Edward Small.
ISI2-\Ym, Eadus, \Yhitfield Patterson, John Kendrick, Joseph \\ïddi-
field, :\Iary \Vells, Aaron Tool, Joseph Randall, Eliezer Lundy, Osborne Cox.
Frederic Baron de Hoen, whose name is given in the above list,
received extensive grants of land in \Vhitchurch, He was an officer in a
Hessian regiment which disbanded at the close of the American Revolution.
and a great friend of the Baldwin family. His real name was Von Hoen.
He also had a farm in York Township, about four miles north of Toronto,
upon which he resided. Baron de IIoen officiated as the second of
_\ttorney-General \Vhite in the duel with l\1r. John Small, in ISOO, which
resulted in the Attorney-General receiving a fatal wound,
Two or three of the names which appear among the earlier patentees
are those.of French royalist emigrés, a number of whom settled in the Oak
Ridges region, l\Iost of them were located in Vaughan and !\Iarkham,
The land was rough, and not well adapted for farming, and after a few years
most of the French settlers left the country, though some of their descend-
ants still remain. Among the number is Mr. Henry Quetton St. George,
"hose name is well known in the commercial world, ::\1r. St, George still
retains an interest in the picturesque locality where the little French colony
The COllnty of York.
147
was established, as in addition to his business operations he is engaged in
agriculture, according to the most improved scientific methods, on a fine
farm in the 2nd concession of \Yhitchurch, inherited from his father, the
Chevalier de St. George, His estate is known as "Glenlonely."
A number of the first settlers were Quakers, from Pennsylvania. This
body now numbers 37 1 , according to last census returns. The Gazette, of
October 4 th , 1806, contains an address from the Quakers residing on Y onge
Street to Governor Francis Gore, on the occasion of his arrival in Upper
Canada, which concludes by "hoping thy administration may be such as
to be a terror to th'e evil-minded and a pleasure to them that do well: then
will the Province flourish under thy direction, which is the earnest desire
and prayer of thy sincere friends." This quaintly worded and characteristic
document was presented by Timothy Rogers and Amos Armitage. The
first-named, together with Jacob Lundy, took a leading part in the affairs
of the Quaker settlement. A few years before the address to Governor
Gore the Quakers had occasion to interview his predecessor, Governor
Peter Hunter, to complain of the delay in issuing the patents to their lands.
Governor Hunter had then just arrived in the country. He heard the
story of the Quakers as presented by their spokesmen, Rogers and Lundy,
and was convinced that there was just foundation for their complaints
of official negligence, He summoned all the officials to whom the Quakers
had successively appealed in vain, and entered into a searching investi-
gation as to the cause of the delay, It transpired that the order for the
patents was of over a year's standing, and that l\Ir. Jarvis, Secretary and
Registrar of the Province, was responsible for the documents not being
forthcoming,
rr. Jarvis advanced the stereotyped official excuse: "press
of business,"
"Sir," replied the irascible Governor, "if they are not forthcoming,
everyone of them, and placed in the hands of these gentlemen here in my
presence at noon on Thursday next, by George! 111 un-Jarvis you!" Two
days afterwards the Quakers got their pa,tents.
Other times, other manners. Those 'were the days when governors
were not content with being mere "figureheads," as the common phrast:;
goes, \Yhat would be .thought nowadays if Lieutenant-Governor Robin-
son should talk to Provincial Secretary Hardy in that style?
Both Timothy Rogers and Jacob Lundy had numerous relatives, the
names frequently appearing in connection with the early history of the
township,
Further to the north of the township, just beyond the Oak Ridges, the
country was largely settled by l\Iennonites and Tunkers, These two sects
14 8
The COUllty (If York.
are not identical, as is frequently supposed, owing to the similarity ðf their
beliefs and customs, They wear long beards and hair, old-fashioned coats
and broad-brimmed hats, though these peculiarities have been much
modified, and are principally seen among the older members of these
churches, Both denominations hold the same views as the Quakers in
relation to war and oaths, The Tunkers practise feet-washing as a
religious rite, holding the Saviour's example and precept in this respect as
a perpetual ordinance. They also consider the text " greet ye one another
with a holy kiss," as prescribing the mode of salutation .among Christians,
though this familiarity is not extended to those of opposite sex, as a public
observance at least. The Mennonites and Tunkers are mainly of German
and Dutch extraction.
\ccording to the census of '1881 there were 3 11
belonging to these denominations, The Teutonic element, however, is by
no means confined to the sects referred to. It is very strong in this town-
ship, and, as everywhere else, is characterized by thrift, honesty and
intelligence. Many of the best and wealthiest farmers of the township
came of this stock. The last census indicated that of the total population
811 were of German and 260 of Holland origin, The great majority are
thoroughly Canadianized by this time, and have little more than their
names and family traditions to mark their foreign extraction.
The quantity of Indian remains unearthed from time to time in the
township indicates that it must anciently have contained a large aboriginal
population. By far the most important discoveries of Indian relics within
the county have been made in \\'hitchurch. Ever since the early settlement
of the vicinity, the site of the Indian villiage on lot 9, in the 8th concession,
has been well-known to all who were sufficiently curious about such matters
to interest themselves in these relics of a departed race, This village
occupied about two acres on the brow of a hill overlooking a steep ravine.
There were no indications of the rude fortifications such as the Indians
frequently threw up around their villages.
\ quarter of a century since
many remains were dug up in the' neighbourhood, such as stone-axes, flint
arrows and spear heads, and broken crockery-the latter being the frag-
ments of vessels large ehough to hold several gallons, and evidently used in
cooking. Earthen and stone pipes in great number have also been found
here, and also bears' teeth ,vith holes bored through them, and the well-
worn and polished teeth of beavers, deer and moose, which had apparently
been used for decorative purposes, The implements found also included
bone needles and two or three articles constructed from the shoulder-blades
of deer, having six prongs about three inches in length. J,t is not known
whether they were used as combs or for fish-spears, The large deposits of
The County of York,
149
ashes and other refuse, such as partially carbonized corn-cobs, are held to
indicate that the village had been a place of continuous residence for many
years. Among the more interesting remains was a circular portion of a
human skull, well worn, but in excellent preservation. It was perforated
with seven holes, and had evidently been held as a trophy, the holes being
the score of enemies slaughtered in battle by the wearer. Down in the
adjoining ravine are a number of large boulders, in each of which is a
round well-worn depression about a foot in diameter and two or two and
a-half inches in depth. These were used as millstones by the Indians, the
corn being placed in the hollow and crushed with stones, No graves have
been discovered at the village, but a quarter of a mile or so distant, on lot
10, in the same concession, a pit containing many hundred Indian skeletons
was found. This was opened about 1848, and large numbers of skulls and
other remains removed,
Another site of a once populous Indian community is located on lot 16,
in the 6th concession, It comprises about three acres on the top and partially
down "the slope of a hill, and is enclosed by a trench and mound. The trench
is still five feet in depth, and on the inside there is evidence that a wooden pali-
sade once existed. Trees twenty inches in diameter are growing on the top
of the mound. The indications of the occupation of this site by the aborigines
include an immense quantity of ashes, bones, flint instruments, etc, The
original forest was cleared away for a considerable space around the village,
and many of the pine trees now growing there are forked from the root up-
wards, showing that they must have been trodden down when young, The
burying-ground of this village was situated outside the trench on the north
side-two thousand interments having taken place in the immediate spot,
These interments were all made singly, and not in accordance with the
usual custom among the Hurons of exposing their corpses until the flesh is
eaten by birds or beasts of prey, and then interring the bones pro-
miscuously in a pit, The position of the remains unearthed showed that
the bodies had been laid down on the side with the knees drawn up towards
the chin, Large numbers of these ghastly relic.s of mortality were dug up
by the early settlers at a time when scientific interest, in anything tending to
throw light on the history and customs of the Indian races, had not suf-
ficiently developed to lead to their preservation. Latterly, however, the
remains unearthed have fallen into the hands of collectors. 11r, Hirschfelder,
of Toronto, an enthusiastic archæologist, has secured many of those recently
obtained in \Vhitchurch for his large collection of Indian curiosities.
About two hundred yards distant from the fort there is a pond three or
four acres in extent, on the border of which is another burial ground where
150
Thj} COUllty of York,
a large number of interments have been made. The discovery of these
cities of the dead, in a neighbourhood from which the last living represen-
tative of their race has disappeared, may well excite such reflections as
those to which Alexander McLachlan, the too-little known Canadian poet,
has given utterance in his poem" To an Indian Skull," which opens as
follows :-
And art thou corne to this at last
Great Sachem of the forest vast ?
E'en thou who wert so tall in stature
And modelled in the pride of
ature,
High as the deer you bore your head,
Swift as the roebuck was thy tread;
Thine eye, bright as the orb of day,
In battle a consuming ray!
Tradition links thy name with fear,
And strong men hold their breath to hear
'Vhat mighty feats by thee were done-
The battles by thy strong arm won!
The glory of thy tribe wert thou-
But where is all thy glory now?
\Vhere are those orbs, and where tGat tongue,
On which commanding accents hung?
Cans't thou do naught but grin and stare
Through hollow sockets-the worm's lair-
And toothless gums all gaping there?
Ah! where's the heart that did imbibe
The "Wild traditions of thy tribe?
Oft did the song of bards inspire,
And set thy yery soul on fire-
Till all thy wild and savage blood
'Vas rushing like a roaring flood;
And all the wrongs heaped on thy race
Leapt up like demons in thy face;
And rushing down upon the plain
You raised the war-whoop once again,
And stood among your heaps of slain!
Other Indian sites have been discovered near the Village of Aurora, in
the immediate neighbourhood of the Northern Railway depot, and on lot
IS in the 5th concession. Rev. Mr, Jenkins, Presbyterian minister, took a
great interest in promoting the explorations of the latter locality, which to
judge from the remains found, had been occupied as a place of residence for
a considerable time, The situation of these and other sites in adjoining
townships show that a line of Indian villages extended from the mouth of
Tllc CoÎmty of York.
IS I
the River Rouge to Penetanguíshene, and the more thickly peopled district
of the Georgian Bay,
The natural features o( \Vhitchurch are a good deal more varied
than those of most other sections of the county, The Oak Ridges or
high land between Lakes Ontario and Simcoe run almost diagonally
from the north-west to the south-east angle of the township. It is a
rugged picturesque region abounding in beautiful sylvan scenery, and
presenting many features of interest. Here the numerous tributaries of the
Don, the Rouge, the Holland River and other streams have their rise.
There are numerous small lakes scattered along the height of land, includ-
ing Bond's Lake and Lake \Villcocks, in the south-eastern portion of the
township, near Y onge Street, Lake Reesor towards the centre, and Lake
.\1 usselman and Island Lake near the western boundary. Bond's Lake, at
which point Y onge Street makes a slight detour to the west, had its name
from \Villiam Bond, the owner of the surrounding property, who as early as
I
OO had established a nursery garden in the town of York. It covers an
area of fifty-one acres, and is over three hundred feet in depth, and having
no inlet nor outlet is apparently fed by springs from the bottom. About half
a mile to the north-east lies Lake \Villcocks, which is considcrably larger in
area, covering perhaps an extent of about 150 acres. It was named after
Co!. \\ïlliam \Villcocks, who early in the century was Judge of the Home
Vistrict Court, and was allied by marriage with. the Baldwin family. He
was an early owner of the property adjoining the lake. -About a mile and
a half north of Bond's Lake is the Pinnacle, being the most elevated land
in this region, and about eight hundred feet above the sea level.
The soil of \Vhitchurch is varied in character, but fairly adapted for
agricultural purposes, About one-fifth is composed of heavy clay on the
surface, the sub-soil being principally marl, though somewhat diversified,
Six-twentieths of the area is a clay loam over a sub-soil of marl and other
constituents. Six-twentieths is sandy loam, and three-twentieths sand.
About one-twentieth is black loam. Perhaps one acre in twenty is
sufficiently hilly to interfere with successful cultivation, Nine-tenths are
undulating, about one-twentieth low, flat land, and the same proportion wet
and springy. Boulders presenting mixtures ofthe Laurentian, Huronian, and
Silurian formations are met with along the height of land. The first-cttsS
fanning land comprises about one-quarter of the total area, and seven-
twentieths is reckoned second-class, the rcmainder being third-class or
inferior, The average price of farms in the market is $60 per acre for first-
class land, $+0 for the second quality, and $20 for the third-class farms,
.\bout two-thirds of the farm", are wcll fcnced, thc material principally in
15 2
The County of York,
use being cedar and pine rails. Draining is not generally resorted to. The
farm houses are principally of a substantial and comfortable character,
two-thirds being of brick, stone, or first-class frame, one-third log or
inÍerior frame. Half of the outbuildings are first-class in point of material
and construction,
The average yield of the leading crops to the acre is as follows :-Fall
wheat, 20 bus.hels; spring wheat, 15 bushels; barley, 28 bushels; oats,
35 bushels; rye, 15 bushels; peas, 20 bushels; corn, 25 bushels; buck-
wheat, 15 bushels; potatoes, 100 bushels; turnips, 300 bushels; other root
crops, 300 bushels; hay, one ton, The acreage devoted to these crops
bears the following proportion to the total area :-Fall wheat, spring wheat,
barley and hay, 10 per cent. each; oats, 15 per cent.; peas,s per cent,; rye,
corn and buckwheat, I per cent. each; potatoes and turnips, each, 2 per
cent., and other root crops, I per cent.; 10 per cent. is in pasture land, and
2 per cent, devoted to orchards. About three-sevenths of the whole is still
tirpbered, the remaining bush being a mixture of hardwood, pine, and hem-
lock. The number of acres cleared is about 42,000. The township as a
whole is considered better adapted for grain raising than for stock and
dairy farming, In 1881 it had 3,323 cattle, principally Durham grades;
2.341 horses, largely roadsters and of Clydesdale stock; Cotswold, South-
down, and other breeds of sheep to the number of 3,608, and 1,888 hogs,
the Berkshire and Suffolk varieties being those principally produced.
In 1842 \Vhitchurch contained 3,836 inhabitants, In 1850 the number
had increased to 4,242. The population numbered 5,014 according to the
census of 187.1. In 1881 the returns indicated that it had fallen to 4,5 2 9,
This is partly, but not altogether, accounted for by the fact that Stouffville,
part of which was formerly included in the township, having in the mean-
time become an incorporated village, has a separate place in the last
census, instead of a portion of its population being credited to \Vhitchurch,
Of the present population 3,873 are of Canadian birth,
In 1849 the crop produced included in round numbers 76,000 bushels
of wheat, 8,000 of barley, 81,000 of oats, 22,000 of peas, 42,000 of potatoes,
and 40,000 of turnips. The Dominion census returns for 1881 give the
leading articles of agricultural produce as follows :-78,5{3 bushels of
wheat, 93,562 bushels of barley,2QO,323 bushels of oats, 4,554 bushels of
rye, 63,120 bushels of peas and beans, 69,687 bushels of potatoes, 10{,4 82
bushels of turnips, 44,950 bushels of other roots, and 5,825 tons of hay,
There are 689 occupiers of land in the township, of whom 458 own
their farms. The total area occupied is 53.3{6 acres, of which 39,858 acres
are improved land, The area devoted to field crops amounts to 33,3 20
acres, 5,609 are in pasture, and orchards occupy 929 acres.
The COU1lty of York,
153
The earliest records of municipal organization e:\.tant date back to
1826, In that year Joseph Hewitt was town clerk, \Yilliam Reader and J.
Hewitt, assessors, Samuel Ball, collector, and Eli Gorham and John Bogart,
jun'r, town wardens. John Bogart, jun'r, was elected town clerk in 1825
and held that position twenty-three years. The town wardens under the
old form of municipal organization were as follows: 1827-Eli Gorham and
John Bogart, jun'r; 1828-:\Iartin Bogart and John Bogart, sen'r; 182g
-'Martin Bogart and E. Gorham; 1830-James FaulKner and Timothy
Iillard; 1831-Isaac Lundy and Jacob \Viedman; 1832-John Balsfred
and Abraham Stover, sen'r; 1833-John Sharfer and Ludwick \Yiedman;
1834- \Yilliam Aikins and John Stover; 1835- Thomas Macklin and
Andrew Clubine. In 1836 t
e Act of the Provincial Legislature, passed
the previous year, regulating municipal affairs came into force. Com-
missioners took the place of the town wardens, and for the old-fashioned
designation of "town" was substituted that of township, The first Com-
missioners elected were Samuel Pearson, Joshua \Yilson and Ludwick
\Viedman. Among other curious details which appear in the records,
indicating the difference between the methods of those days and the present
age, we find mention of " money raised by subscription to open and make a
road between lots 25 and 26 in the 4th concession, and to make a certain
piece of road on the 5th concession line." The total amount raised was
[25 18s. Id., ten shillings being the usual figure of individual subscriptions,
but John Bogart, jun'r, put down his name for [3. The account of the
. .
receipts and expenditures on the township roads for 1836 will also be of
interest. It runs as follows:
" Received of
Ir. Cawthra, for gravel taken out of the highway, [I os.
6d., also from Thos. A. Teb, 7S. 6d" from T. Billings, jun'r, for wild land
tax for the year 1834, [4 Igs. 7d. Received of Joshua \\ïlson, [I 15s,
gratis, also of L. and D. Lang, 2S. 6d, gratis, likewise of :\Ir. Bogart, jun'r,
10 dollars, gratis. Paid for roadwork [+ 7S, 6d. Received of Thomas
R, P,earson, in lieu of statute labour, [I; also of Solomon \Vamsley, [I 13s.
gd., and Gabriel Lount, [3 2S. 6d,; J, \Yatson, 5S'; Samuel Pearson, 10S.,
and a number of others for the same. Dr. account, [18 IgS, 6d. Cr.
account, [22 10S. Due to the township, [3 18s. +d," This indicates a
considerable degree of public spirit among the settlers of that day, In this
era the acknowledgment by municipal officials of amounts received
" gratis" would cause considerable astonishment.
In 1837 Joseph Pearson was chairman of the township meeting, and
was appointed one of the Commissioners, the others being J olm :\ldcklin
and Lli Gorham. A resolution was passed imposing a fine of [5-a pretty
154
The CCl/lIly of York.
stiff penalty in those days-on anyone allowing the Canada thistle to grow
on his farm. A project was broached in this year for the erection of a
township hall, and the following were appointed a committee to fix a suit-
able site and open a subscription list: Adam Gorham, John :M:illard, Simon
Beels, Joshua \Vilson, Ezra Çlubine, Ludwick \Viedman, Eli Gorham,
James Edmonson, Jacob Laing, J. Lloyd, jun'r, Thomas Macklin and J.
Burkholder. The project, hO\'iever, fell through owing, no doubt, to the
breaking out of the Rebellion. In the year 1838 it is stated that" there
was no township meeting held, by order of the justices of the peace, in
consequence of the Rebellion taking place about the same time; and the
township officers for the year are to remain as they were in 1837, ehcept
those commissioners known to be under bonds or implicated."
In 1839 the old nomenclature of "wardens" seems to have been
resumed in place of "commissioners," The chairman of township meet-
ings and wardens for the next eleven years until the present system of
municipal representation was adopted in 1850, were as follows: 1839-
Chairman, Jo
hua \Villson; wardens, Robert Fenton, Joshua \Villson,
Isaac Lundy. 1840-Eli Gorham, chairman; Phil. Bogart, John i\Iiller,
John }Iacklin, wardens. 18+1-1', \Yillson, chairman; P. Bogart, Benjamin
Bozer, D, Hunter, wardens, 18+2-1', \Yillson, chairman; 1;3, Bozer,
J. Dockler, sen'r, T. Hunt, wardens. 1843- T. \Yillson, chairman; T. \V.
Collins, Jacob Clark, 1', Bozer, \Y. Graham, wardens, 1844-P, Pearson,
chairman; T. :\lacklin, G, Bozer, T. Botsford, wardens, I 845-i\Iichael
T. Empey, chairman; J, B. Colwell, C. Stouffer, Hugh Norman, wardens.
18+6-:\Iichael J. Empey, chairman; 1', Botsford, Henry \Viddifield, \V,
Seaton, wardens. 1847-:\1. T. Empey, chairman; J. Cook, R. H. Smith,
J. Patterson, wardens,. 18+8-J. Hewitt, chairman; 1', Pearson, J. Doherty,
J.
Iacklin, wardens, 1849-P. Pearson, chairman; J, Hunt, N clson Scott,
John Hill, wardens. In 1850, under the present municipal organization,
the council were as follows: Joseph Hartman, T. Pearson, J, }lacklin,
E. \Viedman, and G. Playter. G, S. Hewitt was appointed township
clerk, in place of J. Hewitt who resigned after holding the positiorf for
about two years; Joseph Hartman was elected reeve, The following year
the council comprised: J. \Yillson, G. Playter, J, Macklin, T. Pearson,
and Henry \Veedman. In 1852 the members were: J, Hartman, R. \Veed-
man, D. Smith, G. Playter and H.. Brodie, Mr. Hartman obtained the
reeveship, which position he retained until his death in 1859, a resolution
of respect and condolence being passed by the township ,council. John
Ironside succeeded him in the reeveship, which he held until 1863, Among-
those who have subsequently been thus honoured are Edward \Yheeler,
Tile COllnty of York.
155
John Randolph, D. \Vheeler, and Maxson Jones. The latter was first
elected reeye in 1874 and still occupies the position, The other officers for
the year 188+ are: Charles J. Brodie, Bethesda, 1st deputy-reeve; Lot L,
Hartman, Aurora, 2nd deputy-reeve; John Irwin, Ballantrae, and John
Burkholder, Lemonville, councillors; Philip Jones, Bloomington, assessor;
Stewart \Valker, Aurora, collector; J, \V. Collins, Newmarket P,O" clerk
and treasurer. 1\1r. Collins has held the clerkship continuously for thirty-two
years, the date of his appointment being 18 5 2 . Joseph Collins, his father,
was one of the early pioneers, having come in from Pennsylvania when the
country was a wilderness. He erected a grist mill-the first in the
neighbourhood-on the site of the present Yillage of Uxbridge, and not
long afterwards met his death by accident, The family are originally
of \Velsh stock. On the maternal side, ::\1r. Collins is connected with the
family of the Bogarts whose names occur so frequently in the annals of
\Vhitchurch, who were also immigrants from Pennsylvania, but of Dutch
c}..traction.
The Town of Newmarket, the most important business centre ill the
county outside Toronto, is in the north-,vestern corner of the township,
and about four miles to the south-east, lying partly in King Township, is
the incorporated Village of
\urora, These places will be fully noticed
elsewhere. They are r.onnected by the Northern Railway, which enters
the township a short distance south of Aurora. The Lake Simcoe Junction
Railway runs through the eastern portion of the township from Stouffville
on the southern boundary northward, passing the Village of Ballantrae,
where the township meetings are held, and Vivian. about a mile and a-half
south of the Township of East Gwillimbury. Other villages are: Ringwood,
a mile and a-half west of Stouffville; Lemonville, about two miles to the
north-west of the latter place; Bethesda, in the centre of the township,
about a mile and a-half north of the southern boundary; Bloomington,
about two miles north of Stouffville; Pine Orchard, in thc northcll1 portion,
and Pctcln-ille and \Vhite Rose lying to the east of .\urora,
\Vhitchurch formed a portion of the North Riding of York for Parlia-
mentary purposes until 1882, when the re-distribution of seats in the
Dominion Parliament, popularly known as the "Gerrymander .\ct.," took
place, by which this township, together with the Town of Newmarket and
the Village of Stouffville, were detached from ): orth York, and made a
portion of the Riding of \Vest Omario,
\\-hitchurch has twelve school sections, and three union sections with
houses in the township, and two with houses outside the township.
o. I stands on lot 2 I in the 2nd concession, directly east from
15 6
The COU/lty of York.
Aurora, The house is
commanding situation,
35 on an average,
o. 2, on lot 17 in the 3rd concession, near Van Nostrand's Mills, is a
frame house in fair condition, surrounded by an unusually attractive lot of
evergreen and hardwood shade trees, The teacher is Thomas McCormack.
Attendance, 28,
o. 3, the Bogarltown School,
lot 31, near the centre, in the 3rd
Average, 39,
0, 4, the Pine Orchard School, is a renovated frame house on lot 29
in the 4th concession. Robert 0, \Vhite is teacher. The average is 3 0 .
No, 5, stands on the south side and near the middle of lot 3 I in the
8th concession. It is a new and good frame house, but badly situated in
its yard. The teacher, l\Iiss A. Myers, has an average of 40,
No.6, on the west end of lot 10, 3rd concession, is a new frame build-
ing with comfortable furniture. The teacher is \Yilliam T. Stone. His
average attendance is 22,
o. 7, an old and unattractive frame house, stands on the north side of
lot 5, near the centre, in the 3rd concession. Teacher, E, J. Smyth, At-
tendance, 27'
)J 0, 8, on the east end of lot 9, 5th concession, is a frame building,
The teacher is l\lary E. Cook. Her average is 16.
1\ o. 9, the Lemonville School, stands on lot 8, 7th concession. It is
a frame house, enlarged some years' ago, and supplied with modern desks
and seats. Teacher, Alexander Marshall Hannah, The attendance
averages 25,
No, 10, Bloomington School, is a frame house, on the west end of
lot 10, 9th concession. The average under the present teacher', Henry].
Hoidge, is 43.
No. I I, known as the Ballantrae School, stands on the side road
between the 8th and 9th concessions, on lot 2 I, I t is a double frame
house. Teacher, Edwin Ball. Average, 40.
No. 12, on the west end of lot 7, 5th concession, is a good brick
structure, with dinner and hat rooms, in need of some repairs however.
Teacher, Isaac Pike, Average, 3 2 .
No, 2, union with Markham, known as the Ringwood School, is a brick
structure of unusual pretentions, rapidly falling to ruin through defects in
workmanship and neglect. The teacher is \Vellington H, \Yismer. The
average for the \\'hitchurch part is 2+.
a new, neat and substantial brick building in a
The teacher is Henry Love. His attendance is
a comfortable brick house, stands on
conceSSIOn. Teacher, J, A. Sangster.
The COllnty of York.
157
o, 3, union with King, known as the Brick School, Yonge Street,
stands on lot 28, 1st concession, The main building is an old brick struc-
hue-the addition is frame. Teacher, Joseph A. :\icPherson; assistant,
Ellen Cody, Average-\Vhitchurch, 12, King, 30,
No, I, union with East Gwillimbury, known as Shrubmount School,
a small frame house, is situated on lot 35, 6th concession, Teacher, Agnes
Brillinger. Her average-\Vhitchurch, 12, East Gwillimbury, II.
3
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EORGI
A was surveyed and settled at a date consIderably later
(t " than the other townships of the county. According to the
:
original plan in the Surveyor-General's office it was laid out
t
<>-á, "r
by 1\1r. Duncan McDonald. acting under instructions from Sur-
<,V
Q veyor-General Thomas Ridout in 1817. Settlement, however,
had begun about two years previously. The first patents were
issued in 1819. The name of the township was given in honour
of George III. It is in the extreme north-east of the county, and is bounded
on the north by Lake Simcoe, on the west by North Gwillimbury, on the
south by Scott, and on the east by Brock, both the latter townships being
in the County of Ontario, to which Georgina seems naturally by its location
to belong rather than to York. The township comprises 34,996 acres, about
two-thirds of the total area being settled. It has eight concessions running
east and west, two of them broken by the lake, It is crossed by numerous
ridges running south-west to north-east, the soil of the uplands being
good agricultural land. while that of the depressions between the ridges is
swampy, requiring drainage to render it cultivable. The swampy portion
comprises about half the land in the township. One-fourth of the soil is
heavy clay, and an equal area sand, the latter being principally found in
the eastern section. The remainder is divided in nearly equal proportions
between clay loam, sandy loam, gravel, and black loam.
Rock of lower Silurian formation appears on the surface at Pefferlaw
along the stream, and at Duclean Point, where the same stratum is exposed
on the lake shore, Large boulders are deposited along the ridges, especially
at their north-eastern termination, These are water-worn, and have evi-
dently been conveyed to the spot by icebergs' when the country was
submerged. The first-class land of the township, embracing about one-
half the area, is valued at from $50 to $80 per acre; swamp lands bring
about $10,
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The COU1lty of York,
159
The list of the earlier patentees of the township includes the following:-
I8Ig-Alexander Robbins, Rebecca Greangan, DQrothy Buck, l\Iichael
Cryderman, Isaac Orser, George Snook, Joseph :\Iorden, jun'r, Abraham
Lambert, John Deniell, Jane Deniell, \Vilhelm Dusenbery, Arnoldi Dorland,
Jane Smith, Rebecca David, Margaret Baker, Gilbert Orser, John Dusen-
bery, Jane Everitt, David Secord, David Burdett, Thomas Fairman, John
Fralick,
ancy Goldsmith, Nathaniel Hand, David Kinnaly, John McTag-
gart, Elizabeth Hess, l\Iargaret Hess, Sarah Coleman, Deborah Osborn,
John Phillips, James Phillips, :\Iary Phillips, Samuel Peak, Tenby Taylor,
Abram Dafoe, John Goldsmith, David Goldsmith, l\Iary Tripp, John
van Horn, Peter Bonner, Susannah Bennett, Joseph Kellar, John Young
\Villiam Bouchier.
I820-Angus :\IcDonald, alias Roy, Arah 1IcDonald, John McLennan,
Donald Fraser.
I82I-Susannah Lousuir, Henry A, E, Pilkington, l\Iargaret McDonnell.
I822-John Comer, _\sa Smalley, John Peregrine, James Dorithy,james
Johnson, \Villiam Carter, John Dusenbery,
I82S-Philip \Yickwire, John King.
I826-Charles Hay Howard, Thomas McKie, \Yilliam :\Iiller.
I827-\Villiam Johnson, \Villiam Kimmerly, Anthony Trimper, Loal
Hale.
I828-Dayid Brady, James Donnell,
I82g-Roche
Ioffatt, \Villiam Crawford, Nenas Huntly.
I830-..\mable Du Sang, James'Cumming, J. C. Bouchier.
I83I-David Robertson, Benjamin Ritchie, Catherine Harvey.
I
32-..\ndre\V \Yagner, Austin Huntly,
I833-Neil Farman, Daniel Sullivan, Hugh Morrison.
I83+-Abram Oldum, l{obert Johnson, Patrick Rock, Simeon Secord.
I83s-George Augustus jack, John Elerbeck, Catherine Bogge, Dan.
King, ::\:Iary Donahoe; Godfrey \Vheeler, James O'Brien Bouchier.
I836-Chårles Henry Bernard, J, Hann,
I838-George Playter.
I83g-James ..\ppleton, Samuel Park.
I840-\\ïlliam \V, Baldwin, \\ïlliam ..\llan, John Rae, John Finston,
john Davis, \\ïlliam K. Rains,
I843-Patrick Roche.
Ið+s-Joseph Lyall, Thomas Allen Stayner, John Griffin,
I846-Absalom Hurst.
I8+8-Samuel Brook, \Villiam Dalie.
IHso-Kenneth Cameron,
II
.
160
Tlte COllllty of Y"ork.
The two earliest settlers in Georgina, so far as known, were Captain
James O'Brien Bouchier and John Comer. The former commanded Fort
Penetanguishene duping the war of 1812, and afterwards took up land like
many other officers who retired on half-pay at the close of hostilities and
became permanent settlers, The first white child born in the township was
the daughter of John Comer, who lived to a good old age. Mr. Comer was
the first assessor and collector of the municipality. Georgina was united
for municipal purposes with the adjoining Township of North Gwillimbury
until 1826, After the separation took place, the first town clerk elected was
Alexander Craig Lawson, the first, and for some time the only, school teacher
in the township, who held the clerkship for many years. The accessible
records of the township are very scanty, and but little informatio..n is procur-
able as to the early officials, The first reeve was Charles H, Howard, who held
office during the years 1850-51. The position was filled in 1852 by James
Bouchier, in 1853 by John Boyd, in 1854-55 by Samuel Park, in 1856 by
\V. S, Turner. Angus Ego, the present township clerk, succeeded him,
and continued in office for the six years 1857-62, and after an interval of
one year, during which Archibald Ridùell filled the chair, was again chosen
for 1864-65. Then Archibald Riddell had a six years term, and \yas
followed by Donald McDonald, who presided over the council for five
years consecutively. James
\.nderson was chosen in 1877, and re-elected
in 1878, 1\1r. Ego was township clerk and treasurer from 1872 until 1877,
when John Guben was chosen clerk and George Evans, jun'r, treasurer.
In 1878 P. l\IcPherson was clerk. Angus Ego wa!;) re-elected township
clerk in 1881. The officials for 1884 are as follows :-Reeve, J. R. Steyen-
son, Georgina; deputy-reeve, Henry Park, Vochill; councillors, John Kay,
::\Iark Kay and Christopher Raynard; treasurer, George Evans, jun'r;
collector, George Lake; assessor, \Vm, E. Tomlinson; auditors, Alexander
\Villiams and \Yilliam Fry,
In 1842 Georgina contained 586 inhabitants, Tlie population in 1850
had increased to 946, In 1871 the number was 1,987. \Vhiie most of the
townships of this county have decreased in population during the decade
1871-81, Georgina shdws an increase of about one-fifth, the number of
inhabitants, according to the last census,' being 2,482, Of these 2,039 are
native Canadians. The occupiers of land number 298; occupants, who
are also proprietors, are 216 in number. The total area in occupation is
29,469 acres, of which 16,938 acres are improved, The portion of this
under tillage is 13,109 acres, 3,514 acres being grazing lands, and 315 acres
gardens and orchards,
The returns of agricultural produce for 1849 gave the following figures
The COUllty of York.
161
in round numbers :-13,000 bushels of wheat, 8
000 bushels of oats, 3,000
bushels of peas, 9,000 bushels of potatoes, and 9,000 bushels of turnips,
The Dominion census of 1881 gives the following as the yield of the staple
crops :-\Vheat, 39,467 bushels; barley, 13,769 bushels; oats, 70,261
bushels; peas and beans, 22,4-26 bushels; potatoes, 25,304- bushels; turnips,
78,583 bushels, and hay 2,196 tons.
As closely as can be ascertained, the acreage of agricultural land is
distributed among the leading crops in the following proportions :-Fall
wheat, 10 per cent.; spring wheat, 20 per cent.; barley, 5 per cent.; oats,
8 per cent.; peas, 6 per cent.; potatoes, I per cent.; turnips, 2 per cent.;
hay 10 per cent.; pasturage, 30 per cent,; orchard, I per cent. The land
yet uncleared, about one-third of the total area, is timbered with hemlock,
hardwood, cedar and tamarack: The live stock of the township in 18S1
included 1,684- head of cattle, 823 horses, 1,4-85 sheep and 606 hogs. The
varieties most extensively raised are heavy draught horses and ordif1ary
cattle, The quantity of thoroughbred stock raised in the township is
small, but increasing, Among those who are owners of Durham cattle
may be mentioned John L. Howard and J ames Baine.
Sutton, also known as Georgina, the latter being the name of the post-
office, is the principal village in the township. It was origmally called
" Bouchier's :Mills," and owes its origin to the enterprise of Captain James
O'Brien Bouchier before referred to, who established a flouring mill and
factories, and did a great deal in other ways to build up the village as a
centre of population. Sutton is located on the Black River, about three
..
miles from Lake Simcoe, and on the western boundary of the township.
It has about 700 inhabitants, and is in a flourishing condition. The
Church of England and Presbyterian bodies have places of worship here.
Smith, the author of " Canada: Past, Present arid Future," states that in
18 5 1 Sutton contained a grist and saw mill, a carding and fulling mill, a
tannery, and a new cloth factory in course of erection. Óf these only the
saw and flouring mill are now in operation, and no new industries have
taken their place. The tendency of our modern manufacturing system is
all in the direction of centralization in the larger towns and cities, and the
smaller factories which used to build up the country villages are becoming
either abandoned or transferred to the great industrial centres.
Jackson's Point, which lies about a mile and a half to the north of
Sutton, a picturesquely wooded headland, is the terminus of the Lake
Simcoe Junction Railway, It is a favourite resort for excursion parties, as
in addition to the beauties of the scenery it has the attraction of boating
and fishing, and there are frequent steamboat trips to Belle Ewart, distant
162
The COU1lty of York.
about ten miles, and to other points on the lake. The other villages are Port
Bolster, situated, as its name indicates, on the lake, at the extreme north-
eastern angle of the township; Virginia, about midway between this point
and Sutton, a mile or so distant from Lake Simcoe; Pefferlaw, in the
eastern portion of tkle township, about three miles south-west of Port
Bolster, and Vachell and Baldwin, in the western part of the township. In
the south-eastern corner of the township there are three small lakes con-
necting with the stream which reaches Lake Simcoe near Port Bolster, and
there is also another near Pefferla w.
Georgina contains six sections, with seven Public schools.
No. I, a union with North Gwillimbury, is situated in the Village of
Sutton, the terminus of the Lake Simcoe Branch of the Midland Railway,
now a part of the Grand Trunk system. '{he building is a handsome and
substantial brick structure, with rooms for three teachers. The Principal
is Robert Sanderson, whose well-directed labours have secured for his
pupils several third and intermediate certificates, as well as a large number
for entrance to High Schools. The average attendance is about 120.
No, 2 is situated on the line running east from Sutton, at about four
miles distance, on the south-east corner of the farm of George Evans, Esq.,
the township treasurer. It is a large frame house, and the average attend-
ance is about 44, Miss S, Tomlinson is the teacher.
NO.3, the school of the fertile and attractive district known as Egypt,
is situated about two miles east of the Baldwin station of the Lake Simcoe
Railway, and about four south-east of Sutton. It is a large frame house,
with rooms for two teachers, of whom the present headmaster is George A,
Cole, For years this school has held a foremost place for efficiency. The
average attendance is ab9ut 56. The assistant is Saidie Cameron.
NO.4, cal1ed the Pe fferl a w School, stands about half a mile south of
the Black Rive( Bridge, on the same line as No.2, and about seven miles
from Sutton. I t is a mile north of the Village of Pefferla w. I t is a new
and good frame structure, The average attendance is 47, Thomas A,
Wilson is the present teacher.
NO.5, the U dora School, is situated three-quarters of a mile north of
U
ora, on the base-line, and in the south-east corner of the township. The
house is a new and comfortable frame building. The average a-ttendance
is about 30, and the teacher is Miss Maggie Thomas,
Sub-section NO.5 is a division of NO.5, with a new frame house, about
two miles to the west of NO.5. At present it is only kept open for six
months of the year, but when paid for, artd the liberal sentiments of the
whole section are a little more developed, the children of the western part
The County of York.
1.63
of the section will be as well provided for as those of the eastern, l\Iiss
Orphea Birdsall was employed during the first half of 1884,
No, 6, or Cedarvale School, is situated on the base-line, a mile and
three-quarters south of the Egypt School, from which it is a recent offshoot.
The house is a new and substantial frame building. The teacher, l\Iiss
Bertha Appleton, has an average attendance of 36.
THE TOvVNSHIP OF
ORTH G\VILLIl\IBURY.
....
I'
.
,(j
'.
', .
r ORTH G\VILLIMBURY is the smallest township in the county,
r
.
': both in area and population. It comprises 2g,OII acres, and
..;.. '
'J according to the last census has 2,15 1 inhabitants. It is bounded
, 7'd by Lake Simcoe to the north, East Gwillimbury to the south,
:!:.' Cooke's Bay to the west, and Georgina to the east. The con-
cessions, of which there are eight, are numbered eastward from
Y onge Street, though the first concession only comprises a few
lots in a little strip of land south of Cooke's Bay, and the second has a
broken front, 'the water encroaching in some places upon the third con.
cession. The eighth concession is also deficient, as the rear line does not
run parallel with Y onge Street, but due north and south, North Gwillim-
bury was first settled early in the present century. The earliest patent is
one dated in 1800. The following is a list of some of the patentees:-
1800-J, Ozburn,
1803-James Roche, Isaac \Villcox, Garrett Vanzante, Antoine La-
palme, Ann \ V oodcock.
1804-Antoine German Bertrand, Hon. James Baby, \Villiam Smalley,
John :\Iardoff.
1805-Levi Bales, \Villiam Garner, Frederick Sprague,
1806-Edward Heazel, Calvin Ennes, Joseph Quarry, Ira Gardiner,
Quetton de St. George, Samuel Lawrence, Benjamin Reynolds, Alice
Cook, Mary Rogers, Cornelius Ryckman, Joseph \Villson, Catharine
\Vesbour, Magdalene Allair, Frederick Augustus Goring, Elizabeth Veemer,
Eliza Forfar, Benjamin Cozens, Simon Montross, James Gromer, Rev,
Patrick.
1807-John Small, Peter Anderson, Alexander \Vood, David Bishop
\Varren, Ann Sherrard, Lieut-Col. Augustin Boiton, Le Chevalier de
Mariscal, John Conrad l\Iiller, James Davidson.
The County of York.
16 5
ISOS- Jean Louis, Vicomte de Chalus, Samuel :\Ioody Kinsal, Lina
Curlett, Catherine Osborne, Levi Sherwood, George Bond, Margaret
Iunday, ...\ndrew Bigham, Sarah Foder.
ISog-Esther Dennison.
ISIS-D. l\Iann.
ISIS-Eli l\IcDonnell.
IS20-Peter Anderson, Darius 1\Iann.
IS21-l\Iargaret
IcDonnell.
1822-D, Cox.
IS23-Rachel \Volcott.
IS2s-Alexander Kennedy.
1828-John \\"inch, \Yilliam Powell, Henry E. Kichols.
1833-David Sprague.
1835-Louis Fontaine.
1836-Thomas
Iossington, Elisha l\Iitchell.
IS3g-James Rose,
18+0-Ephraim Holland Payson, Rev. John Roaf, J, B. Sprague,
IS42-Arad Smalley.
1845-George Tomlinson.
IS46- \Yilliam
Iesin,
18+7-Andrcw \\ïlloughby,
18 57- John Gaedike.
1862-Silas B. Fourhonson.
\bout one-third of tne total area of North Gwilliamþury, in the
northern and western parts, is flat, low-lying land, a large portion of which
is swampy, Three thousand acres are stony, and the remainder is undulat-
ing cultivable land, Heavy clay and sandy loam are the predominant
characteristics of the soil, but there are considerable areas of clay loam and
sand, and smaller tracts of gravel and black loam. The proportions of
first, second, and third-class land are about equal. The values range from
50 to $So for first-class land, $25 to $50 for second-class, and
IO to $25
for third-class farms. About two-thirds of the farms are under first-class
fences, and the dwellings are half of the first-class and the remainder
inferior. A very small proportion of the land has heen improved by under-
drainage. The proportion of land devoted to the principal items of agri-
cultural produce is as follows :-Fall wheat, one-tenth; spring wheat, one-
third; barley, one-tenth; oats, one-tenth; peas, one-twentieth; potatoes
one one - hundred - and - fiftieth; turnips, onc - hundredth; hay, one - tenth;
pasturage. one-fifth. The yield pcr acre as nearly as can be calculated is
as follows :-Fall wheat, 20 bushels; spring wheat, 15 bushels; barley, 25
166
The C01
llty of Y01'k.
bushels; oats, 35 bushels; peas, 20 bushels.; potatoes, 100 bushels; turnips.
500 bushels; hay, one ton. About one-twenty-fifth of the whole area is still
wooded. There is but little impro,'ed live stock in the township. The
returns for 1881 show 1,75+ head of cattle, 1,306 horses, 1,594 sheep, and
784 hogs,
The early records of the township show that in 1821 the number of the
inhabitants of North Gwillimbury and Georgina were 272, In 1822 the
population of the two townships had increased to 31+-in 1823 it was 339,
North Gwillimbury, in 1842, contained 697 inhabitants-in 1850 the num-
ber was 1,172. The census of 1871 showed a population of 2,304, which. as
in most of the townships, has fallen off somewhat during the last decade,
the census of 1881 giving the number as 2,151. Of this number 1,869 are
of Canadian birth,
The agricultural products of 1849 included 26,000 bushels of wheat,
13,000 bushels of oats, 5,000 bushels of peas, 13,000 bushels of potatoes,
and 10,000 bushels of turnips, In 1881 the yield amounted to 53,168
bushels of wheat, 22,921 bushels of barley, 76,720 bushels of oats, 20,843
bushels of peas and beans, 24,367 bushels of potatoes, 26,833 bushels of
turnips, and 2,692 tons of hay.
The occupiers of land number 335, of whom 224 own the soil, the total
area in occupation being 28,783 acres, of which 19,106 acres are improved
land. The area devoted to field crops is 1+,763 acres, 3,826 acres being
pasture, and 5 I 7 gardens and orchards.
The to\-Xnships of North Gwillimbury and Georginá were united for
some time, The officials for the united townships for 1822 were as follows:
-Arad Smalley, town clerk; Holland A. Payson and Alexander Lawson,
assessors; Joshua Utler, collector; Erastus Smalley, Asa Crittenden,
George \Villiams, Daniel Mann, Zenas Hentley, Fountain D, Hunter, and
\Villiam Carter, path-masters; Silas Emes and L. Hale, pound-keepers;
\Villiam Crittenden and Joseph Lile, town wardens, In 1823 Arad
Smalley was town clerk; Asa Smalley and Benjamin Jefferson, assessors;
H, H. Payson, collector, and Joel Draper and Simeon
Iartin, town
wardens, The town wardens for 1824 were Jacob Draper and J. Donald-
for 1825, John Comer and Squire Martin, In 1826 the Township of
Georgina was separated from North Gwillimbury, and the record of muni-
cipal proceedings thenceforward relates to the latter township only.
In 1827 Joel Draper and David Mann were town wardens; Silas Emes,
assessor; John Prossor, collector, and Arad Small
y, town clerk. In 1828
David Sprague became township clerk, an office which he retained until
1842. James Crittenden and Ephraim \V, Payson were town wardens for
The County of York.
16 7
the former year. The town wardens for some years following were as
follows: 1829-David Sprague and Noah Gager; 1830-Joseph Rose and
l\Iartin \Yariner; 1831- J. Rose and Squire l\Iartin; 1832-Abraham
Sedore and Atlstin Huntley; 1833-N, Gager and Joel Draper; 18 34--
Silas Emes and Israel Bennett; 1835-J. Ross and E, \Villoughby.
In 1836 the municipal system underwent some changes. D. Sprague,
B. \V. Smith, John Prossor and Justin Hatfield were chosen commission-
ers. In 1837 the commissioners were Justin Hatfield, Isaac Bennett and
Peter Bilder. A memorandum dated 1st of January, 1838, is as follows:
" In consequence of the Rebellion which broke out on the 4th of last Decem-
ber no township meeting took place this day. The township officers of last
year therefore remain in their various offices during the year. Da vid
Sprague, town clerk." The records contain a minute of a special session
of the magistrates for the division of North Gwillimbury and Georgina,
held at Xorth Gwillimbury on the 16th April, 1838, bearing the signatures
of Arad Smalley, J.P., and Thomas Mossington, J.P. In 18 39 Qliver
Barton, N, Gager, and D, Sprague, sen'r, were town wardens. There was
another special session of magistrates of the two townships this year at
which .\rad Smalley, James D. Boucher, of Georgina, Thomas lYlossington,
and Simon Lee were present. In 18+0 the town wardens were Silas Emcs,
J, Bennett, and G, D. Earl; in 18+1, D. Sprague, sen'r, and George D.
Earl; 1842, J. Carbett, Silas Emes, and George \\'. Chipperfield. In this
year David Dawson was appointed town clerk in place of J\Ir, Sprague, and
retained the position nntil his death, in 1846, when
Ir. Sprague was again
chosen to the office, The town wardens for 18+3 were G, D. Earl, G. \Y.
Chipperfield, and J. Benñett, In 18++ the Home Dist.rict Council was
organized, Isaac Bennett being chosen councilman for the township. The
town wardens for this year were, G. \Y. Chipperfield, N. Gager, and D,
Spra
ue, sen'r.
The town wardens for the remaining years during which this office
existed were as follows: 18+5-JI. Huntly, Austin Huntly, Simeon Huntly:
18+6-T. :\Iossington, Israel Shepherd, J, Chipperfield; 18+7-Cornelius
Silver, \Villiam L. T, Corbett, G. D, Earl; 18+8-John Prossor, Hugh H,
\Vtlson, Silas Emes; 18+g-Nicholas Bennett, Robert Anderson, S.
Sprague, sen'r.
In 1850 it is recorded that the first meeting of the municipal council
of the township took place on the 22nd of January, at Dughill school house,
Isaac Bennett being reeve, and 1\Ies5rs. J, Prossor,
\rad Shepherd, J.
l\Iorton, and D, Sprague, councillors, and Richd.rd Sheppard, township
clerk. Thomas 1\lossington became reevc thc following YC<lL In 1R52
.
168
The County of York.
.
John Prosser was elected to the reeveship, He was succeeded in 1853 by
David Sprague, who held the office for two years. He subsequently held
the same position in 1856, 1858, and 1864, In 1855 and 1862 the reeveship
fell to John l\Iorton, and in 1857 to D. B. \Vilson. Thomas Evans filled
the chair in 1859 and again in 1861, \Villiam Henry in 1860 and 1865,
Henry Draper in 1863 and subsequently for the period 1866-69' In 1870
he was succeeded by John l\larritt who had a five years' term, and filled the
positio'n again in 1876. Elijah Prossor and \Villard Bennett are also
among those who have held the office of late years, The present reeve is
R. 1\1. Van Norman of Keswick, the deputy-reeve being D. H, Sprague of
the same place, The other councillors are Stephen \Vinch and J, D, David-
son, both of Be1haven, and John Boag, of Ravenshoe, Henry Sennett,
Belhaven, is township clerk; E. Nosser, of Keswick, treasurer, and Ellis
Sheppard, of Be1haven, assessor,
The township meetings, for some fifteen years past, have been held at
Belhaven, a village containing about a hundred inhabitants, occupying a
central position in the township. Keswick, originally called Medina, is
picturesquely located on the summit of the uplands; overlooking Cooke's
Bay to the west. The population is about one hundred and sixty. Three
miles to the north is the village of Roach's Point, on the headland which
forms the northern limit of Cooke's Bay, the romantic situation and sur-
roundings of which have not availed to induce its growth. It was formerly
known as " Keswick," but lost its official designation when the post-office
was removed to the lower village. A mile and a half south of Keswick is
Jersey. The three villages are connected by a road following the course of
the elevated land along the coast. Another road strikes across the town-
ship in a north-easterly direction from Ravenshoe in East Gwillimbury, .
This was the outlet of travel to Y onge Street in the early days of settlement,
The Lake Simcoe Junction Railway traverses the township from south to
north within a very short distance of'ïts eastern boundary.
North Gwillimbury contains seven school sections, and seven teachers.
No. 1 is half a mile east of Queen Street, and on the first side-road
north from the town-line south, It is a plank or frame building of con-
siderable age, and not so comfortable as recent improvements have made
pretty general. The average attendance under the present teacher, l\Iiss
Sarah E<!-rl, is 35'
No, 2 is also on Queen Street, five miles north of the town-line, and
half a mile north of Keswick, or Dug Hill. The house IS a rough-cast
frame of good size and comfort. The average attendance is 33. Teacher,
J. E. Pollock.
.
The COU7lty of York.
16 9
NO.3 is situated on the base-line, two miles directly west of Sutton,
and one and a half from Lake Simcoe. The house is an old plank or
frame, with some recent improvements and good furniture. The average
attendance is 32. The teacher, Miss T. Price,
No. 4 is nearly in the centre of the township, on the farm of John
:\Iorton, Esq" lot 18, 5th concession, and is an old frame house fairly fur-
nished and kept. Average attendance, 41. Teacher, 'Miss Sarah Fisher.
NO.5 is on the south-east corner of lot 6 in the 5th concession in the
English Settlement. It is an old frame building, with a recent addition
to make legal space for the school population, but not comfortable or
attractive inside. l\Iiss Thusnelda Borugasser is the teacher, Her average
attendance is 40.
No.6, or Roach's Point School, is an old frame house on the base-line,
about six miles west from Sutton, on lot 23, 3rd concession. The average
attendance under the present teacher, l\Iiss Jennie Rogers, is 20,
NO.7, known as Gum Swamp School, is situated on lot 15, 7th con-
cession, The building is a neat and comfortable frame building erected in
1882.
Iiss :\Iossie Sh
ppard is the teacher. The average attendance is 18,
__
"e
. .
_. ,
r
P- ' t
, '
'
, '
7
.
':.. (! . '"', L -
.
,
Co -
.... ---
-.....
THE TO\YKSHIP OF EAST G\VILLIl\IBUR\T.
C-J "
' _
HERE are three townships bearing the name of Gwillimbury-
\ - East and 'Korth Gwillimbury in the County of York, and \Yest
, \ Gwillimlmry in Simcoe, They were named after the wife of
Governor Simcoe, whose family name was Gwillim, and whose
father, at that time aide-de-camp to Gen. \V olfe, was killed
at the taking of Quebec. She was a lady of marked intel-
lectual capacity and strong artistic tastes, and long survived
her husband, as her death did not take place until 1850. East Gwillim-
bury comprises about 58,000 acres, and is bounded on the north by North
Gwillimbury, on the east by Scott, on the south by \Vhitchurch, and on
the west by King. I t has nine concessions east of Y onge Street and one
,vest of it, the latter originally forming part of \Vest Gwillimbury. Two of
the concessions are defective.
The first settlements in the township were made in 1798, 1\vo years
before the commencement of the work of survey by Surveyor Stegmann,
Other surveyors who from time to time continued the laying out of the.
township were Hambly, \Yilmot, Lount, Chewett, Lindsay, Haller and
Gossage, the latter completing the survey in 1865.
The first patentees are given by the" Domesday Book" as follows:-
I800-:-Elijah \Velch.
1801-John \Veddle, Ebenezer \Veller, Elijah Robinson,
I802-Reuben Richardson, Joseph Hill, Samuel Haight, A. Howard,
Daniel Travis, Joel Bigelow, \Villiam Anderson.
I803-]osiah Coolige, George Cutter, Edward Taylor Collins, John
Eves, Ge?rge Holinshead, Levy Vanbleck, Thomas Young, Abijah Mack,
Esther Frisbee, Jeremiah Moore, jun'r, Jacob Reel', jun'r.
180f-Nehemiah Hide, Theodore \Vine, Kathan Farr, Joseph Pearson,
Timothy Rogers, Frederick Harrick, Jacob Johnson, Adam Lepard, \Villiam
Huff, Jacob Lepard, J esse Bennett, Zebulon Ketchum, Ephraim Talbut.
'"'V-
Tile COUllty of York.
17 1
IBos-Obadiah Griffin, Bela Clark, Obadiah Huff, Elisha :\Iitchell,
Bernard Velie, John Dunham, Henry Proctor, Isaac Kitly, David \Villson,
Joseph Sutherland, John Hodgson, Peter H. Vanderburgh, Jeremiah
Traviss, Philip Chinger, Job Cogsele, Jesse Ketchum, Peter Emery, Richard
Banks, Thomas Price, Christian Hershey, jun'r, Henry Huber, Frederick
Ashbough, Joseph Dobinger, Aveng Stiles, Augustus House, George Buck,
Philip Buck, Anna Connor, Catharine Rouset, Le Chevalier de l\Iarseul,
Nathaniel Gager, Bethnel Huntley, \Villiam Phillips, Daniel \Vilson,
Stephen Howard,
IB06-Catherine Smith, Mary Parry, Elizabeth Laughlan, Andrew
11cGlasham, Mary Adams, Catherine Pallit, Mary Kreen, Catherine Rood,
Elsy Sherrard, Nancy Barnum, Rebecca Chysdale, Ann Hoiks, Elizabeth
Harriss, Sarah Storer, Jane Huffman, Elizabeth Beech, Rachel \Voolcutal,
Nancy Black, Samuel Pickel, Catherine Elsworth, Phæbe Cornwall, D,
Cox, 'Mary Robben,. James McCaul, Robert Nichol, James Pettibon,
Charles Hill, Benjamin l\Iosley, Elijah Howley,
1807-Peter Anderson, Conrad Gostman, Calvin \Vashburne, Henry
Lepard, John Johnson, \Villiam Coldwell, Hermanus House, Lewis House,
John Hall, James Kinsey, Peter Anderson.
IB08-Sarah Grant, Ann Tiffany, John Secord, jun'r, Benjamin Dun-
ham, Henry Zufelt, J. Osburn, Mary Brown, Rachel Drown, George Bond,
Nathaniel Dennis, Catherine Bisenbery, John Benedick.
180g-Samuel Dean, Humphrey Finch, Jean Louis Vicomte de Chalus.
IBI I-Amos \Vest,
IBl2-Nathaniel Sherrard, Gideon Veron, Eunice Scorils, Thomas
Selby.
IB13-John Titus.
IBl6-Peter Robinson.
1Bl7-Joseph Robinson, Edward Foreman.
IB22-Daniel Cox.
IB2B-R. l\IcCarthy, George McCarthy.
I
2g-l\Ioses Knight.
1B31-John Doan, sen'r, Ebenezer Doan.
1B33-John \Veddel, Samuel Hughes, Samuel Johnson.
1B3s-John McKay, Obadiah Rogers.
IB40-J. B, Spragge, Benjamin O. N. Lyster.
IB42-Texty \Veller.
1B43- Thomas Leighton, \Villiam H. \Vilson.
1B4s-John Bromer.
1846-Charles Kinsey, \Villiam Langton, George Heron.
17 2
The COUllty of York.
1847-\Yilliam Pegg.
1848-\Villiam Elmer.
1849-\Yilliam Hutall, Henry Shuttleworth, John Snarr.
18 5 0 - \Villiam Hawkins, Robert Culverwell.
1855-H, Proctor, T, J. O'Neill.
The soil of East Gwillimbury is generally of a light character, about
two-fifths of the total area being sandy loam, one-fifth sand, three-tenths
clay loam, and one-tenth heavy clay. Considei-ably more than half is
rolling land, about 2,000 acres being so hilly as to render cultivation
difficult or impossible. About II ,600 acres, principally in the north-east
of the township, near the mouth of the Holland River, are low-lying, a
good deal of it being swamp land. The amount of first-class land is smaller
in proportion to the total area than in any other township except King,
one quarter being classed under this head. An equal proportion ranks as
second-class, another quarter as third-class, the remainder being considered
,
practically useless for agricultural purposes. The price of land is about
$60 per acre for first-class, $+0 for second-class, and $15 for third-class
land. Two-thirds of the farms are under first-class fences, cedar being the
material principally used. About one-third of the dwelling-houses are first-
class in construction and materials; two-thirds being inferior. The out-
buildings are about equally divided in point of quality. Under-drainage is
not generally practised. About 26,000 acres is still wooded, the leading
kinds of timber being maple, hemlock, tamarack, birch, pine and beech,
The proportion of the acreage under cultivation devoted to the leading
crops is as follows :-Fall wheat, one-tenth; spring wheat, one-tenth;
barley, one-twentieth; oats, one-fifth; peas, one-tenth; potatoes, one-
hundredth; turnips, one-fiftieth; hay, three-twentieths; pasture lands,
three-twentieths and orchards one-half of one per cent.
The agricultural produce of East Gwillimbury in 1849, when the town-
ship was somewhat less in area than at present, amounted in round numbers
to 50,000 bushels of wheat, 46,000 bushels of oats, 14,000 bushels of peas,
34,000 bushels of potatoes, and 27,000 bushels of turnips. According to the
Dominion census of 1881, the yield was 100,614 bushels of wheat, 42,III
bushels of barley, 147,537 bushels of oats, 46,394 bushels of peas and beans,
57,708 bushels of potatoes, 218,383 bushels of turnips, 20,434 bushels of
other roots and 4,955 tons of hay, The number of live stock in the town-
ship in 1881 comprised 2,575 head of cattle, 1,620 horses, 3,006 sheep and
1,103 hogs, The thoroughbred stock was about one-fifth of the whole.
The population of East Gwillimbury in 1842 was 1,796, which in 1850
had increased to 2,616. In 1871 it was 3,934, and increased during the
The County of York.
173
decade, 1871-81, to 4,143. The number of native Canadians was 3,390. It
is one of the most purely agricultural communities of any in the county-
no fewer than 600 being occupiers of land. Of these 385 are also proprie-
tors. The total area of land in occupation is 50,996 acres, of which 36,15+
are improved and 29,585 under tillage, 5,773 acres being pasture land, and
796 in gardens and orchards. .
According to " the first book of the proceedings of the township com-
missioners, agreeable to an Act of the Provincial Legislature passed 1835,"
which is still in preservation, the township officers for 1836 were:-
Samuel Hughes, John H. \\-ilson and John Fletcher, commissioners, and
John \Yeddel, town clerk; J. H, \Vilson and \Villiam Nelson were two of
the commissioners the following year. In 1838 R. F. Nelson was chairman
of the board of commissioners, which comprised Israel Lundy, Findlay
McFarlane and John Fletcher; James Aylwood was assessor, and John H.
\Vilson, collector. In 1839 \Villiam Nelson was chairman, the board being
composed of \\ïlliam Sloan, Peter Rowen, and \Villiam G. Dunham, with
Moses Knight as assessor, and John Reed, collector; \Yilliam Nelson
retained the chairmanship of the board for the two following years. In
1842 Hugh D. \Vilson and \Villiam Nelson were elected district coun-
cillors; \Ym. Reed, sen'r, being chairman of the township commissioners.
In 1843 the chairmanship reverted to Mr. \Villiam Nelson, who held, it
.
until 1849, when Moses Knight held the office for one year. In 1850, when
the new system came into operation, Mr. Nelson was the first reeve of the
township; Moses Knight and Samuel Harrold were the district commis-
sioners for some years previous to the change, John \Veddel continued in
the office of town clerk from 1836 until 1846, when he was succeeded by
H. D. \Yilson, who in 1850 gave place to \Villiam l\Ioore. In that year
the members of the Council consisted of \\ïlliam Nelson, ree\e, John H.
\Vilson, Thomas Drothers, Jesse Doan and \Villiam Millar. In 1851 Joshua
Harrison was rceye; councillors, R. T, \Vilson, Moses Knight, Henry D.
Stiles and Charles Traviss. In 1852 H, J. \Vilson was chosen reeve, and
Charles Traviss, deputy-reeve; Henry D. Stiles was elected reeve in 18 53,
and held the position continuously for six years. The deputy-reeves during
his term were: J, R. Harrison, l\Ioses Kpight, R. Powell and \\. D,
l\IcLeod, the latter of whom succeeded to the reeveship in 1859, retaining
it for two years. James Panham was chosen reeve in 1861, and continued
in office until IS68, when J. DoaI! who had been deputy the previous year
was elected to the chair. Among the occupants of the position during
later years have heen Messrs. Mosier, \V. Cane, \Yilliam II. I{owen, John
Hamsdeh and \\7. \ \ . Pegg, The township ofiìcials for 1 st\+ are as follows:
Iï4
The County of York.
Reeve, \Y. H. Rowen, Sharon; 1St deputy-reeve, Charles Traviss, Holt;
2nd deputy-reeve, J. Holborn, Ravenshoe; councillors,
Iahlon Doan and
John A. Ramsden; clerk and treasurer, John T, Stokes, Sharon; health
commissioners, B. Cody, J. T. Stokes, James Silver, \V. H. Rowen, and
John Leek, the first named being chairman of the Board. "\Ir. S.tokes has
now occupied the position of township clerk for a period of twenty-nine
years.
The most considerable village in East Gwillimbury is Holland Landing,
situated on Y onge Street, about four miles abovE. Newmarket. It is of suffi-
cient importance to require a separate notice, East of Holland Landing,
on the line between the 1st and 2nd concessions, is the smaller village of
Sharon, formerly known as Hope. It was at one time a more important
point than at present, as, before the completi<2"n of the northern portion of
Yonge Street, the line of travel to the upper part of the country diverged to
the east at Holland Landing, and passed through Sharon, The construction
of the Northern Railway, which passes within about a mile of it, following
the west bank of the Holland River, has considerably decreased the amount
of traffic along this thoroughfare. A good deal of local travel
till
goes northward by the stage route. The great feature of Sharon, however,
is the conspicuous temple of the local sect known as the "Children of
Peace," founded by David \i\Tillson. This remarkable char
cter, whose
name is indelibly associated with the early days of Sharon, was an American,
of Presbyterian parentage, his native place being Dutchess County, in New
York State, In his younger days he was a sailor. In ISOI he settled in
Upper Canada, and after a few years became a member of the Hicksite
branch of the Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, and adoptcd
the profession of school teacher. On account of some peculiarities of belief
or conduct he was disowned by the Quakers, and several others who held
similar views withdrew from membership at the same time. The outcome of
this secession was the establishment of a new body under the designation
of the Children of Peace, of which \Villson became the leader. About the
year 1825, \Villson erected the Sharon Temple, which was designed to sym-
bolize the mystical views held by the sect. This structure, which at once
strikes the eye of anyone entering the village, is a frame building painted
white, and seventy feet in height, It comprises three stories. The first is
sixty feet square, with a door in the centre of each side, and three large win-
dows on each side of every door. On two sides of the building the setting
sun is depicted, with the word "Armageddon" inscribed beneath it, The
second st
ry is twenty-seven feet square, with three windows on each side,
and the third nine feet square, with one window looking in each direction,
The COllnty of York.
175
the edifice being crowned by a large gilt ball. At the corners of each of
the stories were square lanterns with gilt mountings, The interior of the
building was painted fawn-colour, green and white. There was no pulpit
or platform from which to speak to the congregation, but in the centre were
sixteen pillars surrounding a square cabinet of black walnut. This con-
tained a table covered with black velvet, and hung with crimson merino
and fringe, on which was deposited a Bible, The four central pillars were
inscribed with the words" Faith," "Hope," " Charity" and" Love"; the
others bore the names of the twelve apostles,
In constructing this temple, \Villson, in imitation of the method of
building Solomon's temple, had the framework prep
red at a distance, and
put up without the use of tools as far as possible. On the first Friday in
September in each year the Children of Peace held an annual feast, on
\vhich occasion the temple was illuminated with over a hundred candles.
David \Villson was for some time under the impression that he was an
object of dislike to the Government, and at the close of the \Var of 1812
addressed a remonstrance to the British Crown against the intention, which
he supposed them to hold, of subjecting him to exile or imprisonment. It
is needless to say that his apprehensions wer.e entirely unfounded. Periodi-
cally the Children of Peace were in the habit of coming to Toronto, driving
down Y onge Street in their wagons in procession, Services would be
held in some public place as previously announced, \Villson's favourite
topic was the corruption of public affairs, and his addresses were delivered
in instalments, between which hymns ,of his O\yn composition were sung by
a company of females dressed in white, who occupied one side of the room,
while a band of music on the other rendered an accompaniment. Patrick
Swift's Almanac for 1834 contains the following notice of the Children of
Peace:-" This society numbers about 280 members in Hope: east of New-
market. They have also started places of preaching at the old Court
House, York, on Y onge Street, and at l\Iarkham, Their principal speaker
is David \Villson, assisted by :\Iurdoch l\IcLeod, Samuel Hughes, and
others. Their music, vocal and instrumental, is excellent, and their
preachers seek no pay from the Governor out of the taxes."
A more comprehensive account of David \Villson, and the peculiar
sect founded by him, is given in an article entitled, "A Visit to the House
of David," published in a recent number of the Rural Canadian. "About
the middle of last century, " says the \\riter of this article, "there lived in
the City of Carrick Fergus, County Antrim, one Hugh \Villson, a merchant
.and extensive dealer in linen, an occupation followed by his father before
him. He had two sons, Hugh and John. \\ho came to America in 1770.
12
17 6
The COllllty of York,
They landed in New York; then proceeded up the Hudson, and afterwards
settled in Dutchess County. Here David \Villson (son of John) was born
in the year r780; here he grew to manhood, and married about the begin-
ning of the century, Phæbe Titus. Soon after marriage he made a trip to
Cuba, and on his return came to Canada, where he settled in the year 180r,
on the uncleared lands where is now the village of Sharon, \Ve will not
dwell upon that trip, a portion of which was by Indian trail, or upon the
privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Our subject, being of a
religious turn of mind, became at once, on his arr.ival in Canada, identified
with the Friends, as the most of the settlers in this region at that time were
Quakers from Pennsylvania. David \Yillson was a ready and an impressive
speaker. He advocated opinions that were not in accordance with those
held by the Friends, for which he was formally expelled from the Society
that gathered at that time for worship on Yonge Street. He, with three or
four other families, then established the Church of the Children of Peace,
at Hope, They held their meetings first in the houses of the settlers, after-
wards in the school-house; but soon after erected what is now known as
the old meeting-house, which has long since fallen into disuse, Between
the years 1825 and r830 they erected the Temple, called by them the Upper
:l\Ieeting-house. This was opened only twice a year, at the. first Saturday
in June, called the seeding feast; and the first Saturday in September,
called the harvest feast. It is a structure of sixty feet square, with a height
of main or outside part of about twenty-two feet. This is surmounted by a
central second story, or crystal music room; and this by a dome twelve
feet square. At the top of the dome are four central spires, across which
are wires, and from these is suspended a large metallic globe; at the corners
of each of these a crystal spire or lantern. The Temple is composed
largely of windows, and the night before the harvest fea
t the whs>le
building was illuminated, The belief of David \Villson -and his followers
seems to be one about midway between that of the old Jewish belief and
that of the Quakers, and flourished up to about 1840, when, it is thought,
nearly 200 souls gathered there for worship. In the year 1843 they built
their largest house of worship, called the Town ::\Ieeting-house, The
building has a frontage of 100 feet, and a depth of fifty feet. It is of much
the same style of architecture as the one already described, and is sur-
rounded by a colonnade or row of pillars about four feet from the building.
They are arched between, forming a sort of balustrade around the entire
edifice. The two buildings seem to represent in a way the Old and New
Testament, as inside there is a central colonnade, and upon each of the
pillars is engraved the names of the' principal characters in the Old Testa-
The COltllty of York.
177
ment; and on the corresponding pillars in the temple are the names of the
twelve apostles, and the four central ones are made to represent Faith,
Hope, Love and Charity. One of the principal points of difference with
the Friends was the introduction of music. This was made a principal
feature, and there was at one time at this place one of the finest silver
bands in the Province, At the time of the harvest feast the people gathered
from near and far, assembling in the Lower Meeting-house, where tables
were already spread with every dainty the country afforded. They then
marched in procession to the Temple, headed by the band, where an
especial half-yearly service wa
held; afterwards returning to the Lower
House, where feasting and good cheer prevailed, This people have be
n
friends of an honest and economical administration of Government, and
were strongly opposed to the Family Compact. Several of them were with
11r. Mackenzie in 1837, The Patriarch was not; yet he and his two sons
were arrested and taken from their homes. The father was soon after
released, but the two sons (Hugh D. and John D., who are the only sur-
viving members of the family, and now fourscore years or more) were
confined each five months in Toronto jail; and the former was then taken
to Kingston, where a further incarceration of seven months was endured.
Although styled the Children of Peace, and for many years a most har-
monious body, dissensions have at last arisen, and the congregation has
diminished from time to time, until scarcely a dozen families assemble on
the Lord's day; yet we deem it not more than justice to this worthy people,
many of whom are now departed to the Land of the Children of Peace, to
say that a more intelligent, well-to-do and moral people can not be found
throughout the length and breadth of the land."
Mr. \Villson died in 1866, at the good old age of eighty-nine years and
seven months, his son taking his place as head of the sect, the members
whereof still retain many of their peculiarities. .
East Gwillimbury contributed largely towards the rising in 1837. One
of the most prominent leaders of the agitation-the patriotic and ill-fated
Samuel Lount-resided near Holland Landing. He was appointed to a
cOlllmand in the insurrectionary force a short time before the outbreak, and
one of the principal causes for the miscarriage of the movement was the
nlisunderstanding between Mackenzie, Dr. Rolph and himself as to the day
upon which the rising was to take place. He organized the movement in
the north-eastern part of the county, and raised about eighty or ninety
men, who were the first to begin operations in Upper Canada, and bore
the brunt of the fighting in the neighbourhood of Toronto. 1\1r. Lount \vas
a blacksmith by trade, and many of the pikes which formed the only arms
liS
Tlte CClt1lty of York.
procurable by a large portion of his followers were of his manufacture, He
was captured on the 18th of January, 1838, and was sacrificed to the
blood-thirsty vindictiveness of the Government, being executed on the 12th
of April, 1838,
Other villages in the township, in addition to those already mentioned,
are: Queensville, about four miles north of Sharon; Ravenshoe, on the
northern boundary, five miles east of Y onge Street; and Hartman, Holt,
and Mount Albert, in the south-eastern part of the township. The last
named village, which has a population of about 380, is a station on the
Toronto and Nipissing Railway, which runs northward within a short
distance of the eastern boundary,
East Gwillimbury has fourteen school-houses and two unions with
other townships.
No, 1 stands on lot 5 (or 100) on Yonge Street, co'ncession I, west. It
is a good frame structure. The average attendance from East Gwillimbury
is 20, from the part of King therewith united, 5, The teacher is Robert
Irwin Terry.
No, 2 stands on lot 30, in the 3rd concession, two miles north of
Queensville. It is an attractive and comfortable frame building, The
average attendance is 27. It is in charge of Henry Johnston,
NO.3 is built of brick, on the west end of lot 10, in the 2nd concession,
The average attendance is 14' Miss Frances Kelty is the teacher.
NO.4 is situated on the east end of lot 9, in the 2nd concession, on
Queen Street, a little south of Sharon. It is a roomy and comfortable,
though not modern, frame buIlding, well kept and furnished, The teacher
is Ira D. Breals. The average attendance is 40,
NO.5, on lot 20, in the 3rd concession, is in Queensville, a double
frame house, comfortab,le in furnishing and accommodation. Only one
teacher, Robert price, is at present employed. Average, 50.
No.6, the Eastville School, is situated on the east end of lot 13, in the
6th concession. It is an old frame building, enlarged to meet legal require-
ments, not well furnished according to later ideas, but fairly comfortable.
The teacher is George \Velsh, The attendance averages 30.
NO.7 is on the south-west corner of lot 8, in the 4th concession, It is
a recent brick structure of good appearance and fair comfort. The teacher
is \Yilliam L. Bond. The average is 23'
No.8 is also on Union Street, east end of lot 20, in the 3rd concession,
It is a fairly preserved frame house, well lighted and ventilated, '\vith good
furniture recently introduced. The average is 35. Teacher, Miss Lizzie
Ross.
The COU1lty of York.
Ii9
NO.9, on the east end of lot 30, in the 3rd concession, on Union Street,
is an oldish frame building, rather poorly furnished and situated, The
teacher is Hattie E. Lewis, Her attendance is IS'
No. 10 is located near the centre of lot 29, in the Sth concession, on its
south side, The building is a plain frame house, with only moderately
comfortable furnishings. NIiss Eliza Sheppard, the teacher, has an average
attendance of 32.
No; II, a recently built frame house, is situated on the west end of lot
14, in the Sth concession, on Silver Street. The attendance averages 2S.
Teacher, Minnie Steele,
No. 12, a new school in the Ridges, is a frame building on lot 26, in
the 8th concession. Miss Jessie Toole is the teacher. The average is 10.
Owing to the poor soil and the surrounding swamps this is one of the'
weakest sections in the inspectorate, .
No. 13, situated on lot 16, in the 8th concession, is directly north of
Mount Albert, about three-quarters of a mile. The house is a frame struc-
ture, having two apartments. Mr. James A. Breuls and Miss 1\1. Smith are
the teachers, The average attendance is 60.
No. 14, a large, but badly kept, frame house, stands on lot S' in the 8th
concession, a mile and a quarter south of Mount Albert. The teacher,
l\Iiss McPhail, has an average of 2S'
t .
.
-
,
l' -,--:....--1
THE TO\VN OF NE\Vl\IARKET,
\t
<:D
.
'r E\Y-:\lARKET is the only town in the County of York, and is a
r. ,.. ',.-; place of historical and commercial importance. It is situated
, \ in the Township of \Yhitchurch, close to the northern boundary,
, and a short distance east of Y onge Street. It is about twenty-
;' eight miles from'Toronto, with which it has communication by
-<ë. th
Northern Railway. Newmarket became a centre of trade at
a comparatively early period. The foundation of its prosperity
was laid by Elisha Beaman, who came here from New York State in r806,
and.established mills and stores. Other pioneers of industry were Mordecai
::\Iillard, who, about the same time, built mills upon a branch of the Holland
River, and Joseph Hill, who started a tannery. A great impetus was given
to its growth by the advent of Peter Robinson, who purchased a mill in
r8r2, and went extensively into business. In r8r4, according to the testi-
mony of one of the early settlers, there were two frame and several log
buildings in the village. ì\Ir, Robinson occupied one of the frame houses,
and Timothy Millard, who was in his employ as miller, the other.
Ir.
Robinson afterwards became one of the representatives of York and Simcoe
in the Provincial Parliament, and was appointed Commissioner of Crown
Lands in r827, His brother, \V. B, Robinson, also resident in Newmarket,
attained Parliamentary honours likewise. The Robinsons were famous for
their open-handed hospitality. Among the distinguished guests whom they
entertained were Sir John Franklin, Sir John Ross and Captain Jack, the
Arctic explorers, Their old time residence was one of the landmarks of the
village until carried away by a freshet in r878, The convenience of doing
their trading at Newmarket, instead of taking their produce to York to
exchange it for supplies, was appreciated by the settlers in the neighbour-
hood. As trade sprang up, the name of" Kewmarket" gradually came into
use as an appropriate designation for this outpost of traffic.
The COU1lty of York.
ISI
One of the earliest settlers, who survived until a recent period. was
\Yilliam Roe, who, for over forty years, was postmaster of the village. :\11'.
Roe was born at Detroit, while it was in the possession of the British, his
father being an Englisþman from London. \Vhen in pursuance of treaty
stipulations, Detroit was handed over to the Americans, it was l\1r. Roe,
sen'r, who officially delivered the key of the fort to the officer of the United
States deputed to recei,ve it. He and his family afterwards removed to
\Vindsor, where he died. John Loughton, l\Ir. Roe's maternal grandfather,
as a naval officer took an important part in the capture of Quebec. In 1807
\Yilliam Roe came to York. During the war of 1812, he was instrumental
in concealing from the invading American force, under General 'Dearborn
and Commodore Chauncey, a large portion of the conterits of the public
treasury, He was at that time employed in the office of the Receiyer-
General, and by the order of the Government he buried three bags of gold
and a quantity of army-bills, on the farm of Chief Justice Ròbinson, on the
Kingston Road, The enemy afterwards. secured the bills, þut the gold was
safely restored to the authorities by -:\1r. Roe when the Americans had with-
drawn. He also removed the iron chest of the Receiver-General's office to
the house of Donald l\IcLean, Clerk of the Assembly. The latter was killed
in battle, and his house phmdered, about one thousand silver dollars being
taken from the chest.
After the war, l\Ir. Roe removed to Newmarket, where, in partnership
with Andrew Borland, he was engaged for many years in the fur trade.
The Indians at that time came to Newmarket in large numbers to exchange
their peltries for supplies, These parties sometimes numbered as many as
three or four hundred, and the value and extent of the trade may be realized
from the fact that sometimes :\Iessrs, Roe and Borland obtained fnrs at one
time amounting to fifty thousand dollars.
Ir. Roe died in April, 1879, at
the age of eighty-four.
:\Ir. Andrew Borland, who was associated with him in the fur trade,
was in active sen'ice during the war of 1812, He was made prisoner by
the Americans when York was taken in 1813, but his capture was not
effected before he had received six wounds, the results of which he con-
tinued to experience for the remainder of his life, He also participated in
the. battles of Queenston and Detroit. The Loyal and Patriotic Society
of Upper Canada, at a meeting held on the 11th of June, 1813, voted him a
donation of sixty dollars, in the words of the report, H for his patriotic and
eminent services at Dctroit, Queenston and York, at which latter place he
was severely woundcd," The petition to the society reqncsting this g-rant
to be made was presented by D'
\rcy Boulton, in whose employmcot
Ir,
.
182
Tile COU1lty of York.
.
Borland had been. The latter afterwards recei\red a pension of twenty
pounds a year. The troubles of 1837-8 found Mr. Borland still ready to
take up arms in defence of his country, He was placed in command of two
hundred Indians, who were stationed at Holland Landing, but their ser-
vices were not needed, Mr. Borland had a thorough knowledge of the
Indian character, as well as of the language of the neighbouring tribes, and
had acquired considerable influence over them.
Another of the more conspicuous names among the early settlers is
that of l\Ir. John Cawthra, who, with his brother Jonathan, was at the front
during the \Var of 1812, and was engaged at Queenst(;m and Detroit. He
was subsequently in business at N ewmarket for a considerable time, and
was elected
Iember of Parliament.
ewmarket was one of the centres of the. agitation against the Family
Compact, which preceded the insurrection of 1837. The first of the series
of public meetings held by l\Ir. Mackenzie throughout the country, in pur-
suance of his scheme for organizing the Reformers of Upper Canada, was
held hère on the 3rd of August, 1837- After l\Ir. Mackenzie had spoken
for an hour and a-half, resolutions were passed approving of the Toronto
Declaration of Independence, and declaring that the constitution was" con-
tinually violated and trampled upon by the Executive, and countenanced
by the Colonial Office and the English Parliament." The resolutions also
pledged the meeting to abstain, as far as possible, from the consumption of
articles upon which a duty was imposed, and to unite with the Lower Can-
adians, whose cause was declared to be the cause of 'C pper Canada, "in
every practicable measure for the maintenance of civil and religious liberty,"
Delegates were appointed to the convention which it was proposed to hold
in Toronto, These were Samuel Lount, afterwards executed for his partici-
pation in the rising; Nelson Gorham, who was also involved, and who sought
refuge for a long time in the United States; Silas Fletcher, another refugee;
Jeremiah Graham, and John l\IcIntosh, M,P,P, The latter, although com-
mitted to the insurrection, was never called to account for his participation
in the preliminary movements, The Ne\\nnarket meeting resulted in the
formation of a political association and a vigilance committee, At Lount's
suggestion, three cheers for Papineau and the Lower Canadian Reformers
were given, and when Lieutenant Carthew, an ex-officer of the British
army, called on those opposed to Papineau to separate themselves by
moving to the right, he was followed by only two persons,
ewmarket in 1851 was described by \V. H. Smith, in his" Canada:
Past, Present and Future," as" a considerable village, containing nearly
eight hundred inhabitants. It has been long settled, and to tell the truth,
.
.
The County of York.
18 3
it has rather an old-fashioned look about it. It is divided into two distinct
positions, at some little distance from each other, . The east branch of the
Holland River runs through the village, and two grist mills are erected on
it. There are also in N ewmarket a foundry, tannery and brewery; seven
churches: Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational, \Vesleyan-Methodist,
Baptist, Christian, and Roman Catholic; a court-house and a grammar-
school. Newmarket is situated in a fine section of country, and IS sur-
rounded by excellent farms,"
The first Episcopal church in Newmarket was built in 1834. It was
an unpretentious frame structure, to which, some time afterwards, a school
room and two transepts were added. The first clergyman to hold serVIce
in this church was the Rev, l\Ir. \Villiams, who was followed by the Rev.
(now Canon) Ritchie, Both of these were travelling missionaries, Rev.
Robert Taylor was the first incumbent of the church, His successor was
the Rev, George Street. In 1848 Rev, Canon Ramsay became incumbent,
and continued in charge for twenty-four years, during which period Aurora
anù Holland Landing were made distinct missions, anù N ewmarket became
a parish, In 1873 Rev. Dr, Tremayne succeeded to the pastoral office, and
on his resignation the Rev, Canon Givins temporarily supplied the vacancy
for a year. The Rev. H. B. Owen was appointed incumbent in J UIle, 18 79.
The present rector, the Rev. Albert \V, Spragge succeeded him in May,
1882. The old frame building was demolished in the summer of 1883 in
order to make way for the erection of a substantial stone edifice in its
place, On the 26th June, IR84, fifty years after the building of the old
chlirch, the corner-stone of the new structure of St. Paul's Church was
laid in the presence of a large assemblage by l\Iiss Rosamond
Iulock,
assisted by the church officers, in accordance with the customary cere-
monies observed by the Church of England, Addresses were delivered hy
the Rev, \V, \V. Bates, Thornhill, l\Ir, Clark, of Dolton, the Rev. Albert
\Y. Spragge, rector of the Church, \Villiam :\Iulock, l\I,P., Lieutenant
Armstrong, of King, and others, The new church will be a handsome
huildin
, with sitting accommodation for three hundred people in the IM\-C.
Newmarket possesses a flourishing l\Iechanics' Institute, which was
incorporatc<.l in 1856. It has thirty-five memhers, and 82
volumes in the
library, the number of volumes issued last business year being 810, It has
received since 1869 Government grants amounting to $72 I. fhere dre Ì\\ 0
excellent weekly journals published in the town-the Newmarket Era and
the Nortlt York Reformer-the latter, as the name implies, being an ex-
ponent of Liheral views, while the fonner, though of similar tendencics, i,s
non-partisan.
IS-+
TIlc COUllty of York.
The town was former;yembraced within the Parliamentary constitu-
ency of N orth York for Dominion as well as Provincial electoral purposes,
but the Dominion re-distribution measure of 1882 detached it from that
Riding, and constituted it, together with \Vhitchurch Township and the
Village of Stouffville, a portion of \Vest Ontario.
The incorporation of Newmarket as a village took place in 1857- The
following were the first officials :-Donald Sutherland, reeve; George H.
Bache, E, Jackson, \Villiam Roe and \Villiam \Vallis, councillors; Edwin
P. Irwin, clerk, and \Villiam Trent, treasurer. In 1880, Newmarket was
incorporated as a town with three wards: St. George's, St. Andrew's and St.
Patrick's, The officials for 1884 are as follows :-\Villiam Crane, mayor;
Erastus Jackson, reeve; Thomas H. Lloyd, deputy-reeye; H. S. Crane,
elson Johnson, B. T. Reesor, T. G. Robertson, John Eves, Dr. Stanley
Scott, John H. :\lillard, \Villiam Bowden and John Gascoigne, councillors;
David Lloyd, town clerk and treasurer. The population was 1,760 accord-
ing to the census of 1871-in 1881 it had inc;reased to 2,006, Among the
prominent architectural features of the town is the high school, which is a
handsome brick building, situated in a conspicuous position upon a hill.
:\Ir. J, E, Dickson, B.A., of Toronto University, is head-master. It has a
favourable reputation for thoroughness and efficiency, and many of its
graduates have attained leading positions in the country.
The ::\Iodel or Public School consists of a large one-story frame
building with three wings, furnishing accommodation for the Principal,
\Yilliam Rannie, and three assistants, George Rose, Annie Birnie, and
Jennie Fidell, There is also a Model Class Room, where students-in-
training receive instruction, The spacious grounds are much improved
by plank walks and flower-beds in front of the building and shade trees.
The average attendance here is about 150.
The Primary, conducted by :\Iiss Johnston, is a good frame building
in the western part of the town, with an average of about forty pupils in
the first two books.
THE VILLAGE OF AURORA.
.
....
:-;?
._
;l .
t fj,
U RO.R..:-\., being situat
d on y on
e Street, abou
twenty:fi:ve miles
ê
north of Toronto, lIes partly In the TownshIp o f \\ h Itchurch
J ì and partly in King. It is the largest village i
th e- co tiñty,t:l"ie
population, according to the census of 1881, being 1,5+0, It
was formerly known as I\lachell's Corners, and in 1851 the num-
ber of inhabitants was estimated at about a hundred. In 1871
the population numbered 1,132. Aurora was incorporated as a
village on January 1st, 1863, the first municipal officials being Charles
Doan, reeve; Seth Ashton, Robert Boyd, James Halladay and G, S.
Stevenson, councillors; Charles York, clerk and treasurer. The officials
for 1884 are, A. Yule, reeve; \Villiam Ough, deputy reeve, and S, H,
Lundy, clerk and treasurer.
One of the most noteworthy events in the history of the village was
the delivery of Mr. Edward Blake's celebrated "Aurora Speech," at a
political demonstration held here on the 3rd of October, 1874, which waS
intended to foreshadow a new departure in the Liberal policy, and caused
much political controversy at the tÍlne. The gathering took place in the
drill shed at the head of l\Ioseley Street, about 2,000 persons being present.
The chairman of the meeting was l\Ir. Nelson Gorham, of Newmarket, a
veteran Reformer, who in his younger days took a prominent part in
connection with l\Iackenzie's immrrection. 1\1r. Blake, in what he then
described as a "disturbing speech," took strong ground in fa\-our of the
encouragement of Canadian national sentiment, and the assertion by Cana-
dÍans of the right to more complete self-government than hitherto accorded
them. On this point he said:
"For my own part, I believe that while it was not unnatural, not
unreasonable, pending that process of development which has been going
on in our new and sparsely-settled country, that we should have been quite
186
The COUllty of York.
willing-we, so few in numbers, so busied in our local concerns, so engaged
in subduing the earth and settling up the country-to leave the cares and
privileges to which I haye referred in the hands of the parent State, the
time will come when that national spirit which has been spoken of will be
truly felt amongst us, when we shall realize that we are four millions of
Britons who are not free; when we shall be ready to take up that freedom,
and to ask what the late Prime Minister of England a
sured us should not
be denied-our share of national rights," The speech created a sensation
in political circles, and the controversy which ensued inspired strong hopes
.
among men of progressive yiews; but the repressive influences were too
powerful, and the movement, though exciting a temporary enthusiasm
among the younger element, came to nothing.
Aurora is an enterprising and stirring business community, It contains
several factories and mills, five churches, and .two weekly newspapers are
published there, the Banuer, of Reform politics, and the Aurora Borealis,
Conservative.
The recent erection of a handsome white brick Episcopal place of
worship, upon an attractive site, has contributed materially to the architec-
tural beauty of the vilIage. It takes the place of the church opened on the
27 th of September, 18+6, The first Church of England service in Aurora
was held in 18+3, in a private house, by Rev, George Street. After the
building of the church the Rev. Septimus Ramsay officiated from 18+8 to
18 59. In 1860 the Rev, H. \V. Stewart was appointed incumbent, and the
year following he was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. M
Collum, during whose
pastorate the present parsonage was erected, l\'Ir. McCollum being a large
contributor to the fund for that purpose, It was built by the united sub-
scriptions of the three congregations of Aurora, Oak Ridges and King, and
cost $3,000. In 1871 the Rev. A. J. Fidler succeeded to the incumbency,
and remained in charge until 1878, when the Rev, C. \Y. Paterson was
appointed. During his incumbency the parish of King was separated from
Aurora and Oak Ridges, On the death of 1\1r. Paterson, in 1881, the Rev,
E, Horace M ussen, the present incumbent, succeeded him. Mr. M ussen is
a graduate of Trinity College, Toronto.
In this village the school-house, though substantial, is old and out of
keeping with the improvements growing up around it and the unusually
rapid development of the place. It is of brick and affords insufficient
accomI1)odation for the school population, The teachers are :\1. H. Thomp-
son, principal, and l\Iisses Bretta Barron, E. Ruth Dickson and
Iary E.
Lough. Average attendance, 210.
.
THE VILL.AGE OF \YESTO;\,
1:
-
BOUT eight miles from Toronto, in a north-westerly direction, is
::ar the picturesque and busy Village of \Yeston, which lies in a
v ' I
\ " valley formed by the Humber River. The larger portion of the
village is in York Township, that on the west side of the river
: 'íÞ.f
being in Etobicoke, The village stretches for some distance
?' along the mam street, which is a portion of one of the oldest
roads of the county, and diverges from the Dundas Road near
Carleton. At \Veston it runs parallel to and within a stone's throw of the
rIver. The fall in the river at this point is sixteen feet and a-half, the
excellent water power being available for the mill and other industries
pursued here. The banks are largely composed of thin horizontal layers
of limestone, suitable for some of the purposes for which stone is required
other than building, with clay interposed, and a surface soil of sandy loam,
\Veston has a population of about 1,200. It was incorporated as a
village in 1882, \\Then \Villiam Tyrrell was elected reeve, and \V. J. Conron,
clerk and treasurer, which positions they still retain. The other officials
for 1884 are as follows :-Councillors, John Barton, Jacob Bull, David
Rowntree and James Conron; assessor, John Gram,
The village has a fine puhlic hall, erected in ItJS3, which occupies a
central position on the west side of the main street, and is a conspicuous
feature. It is a handsome building of red brick, two stories in height,
surmounted by a tastefully designed mansard roof, with fancy iron \\ork
and a dome in front. Here are the council chamber and municipal offices,
the library of the l\Iechanics' Institute, and a large hall for publio meetings
and entertainments, known as Dufferin Hall, Its erection is justly
regarded as a marked improvement, both from the standpoint of practical
convenience and architectural taste. There are four churches in 01 near
the \ illage. The Methodist church, a brick building erected in 18+9,
188
The County of York.
which has a large and flourishing congregation under the pastoral care of
Rev. Peter Campbell; the Presbyterian church, also of brick, built a fe\v
years ago; the Catholic church, a capacious frame structure, and the
Episcopal church, situated within a short distance from \Yeston, in
Etobicoke. The three latter churches are at present without resident
pastors, being supplied from Toronto.
\Veston has a High School of noted efficiency, the head master of which
is l\Ir. George \Yallace, B.A., of Dublin University. It is attended by
about fifty pupils.
Sixty years ago, on the York side of what is now the Village of \Yeston,
then known as "Farr's Mills," there were only three houses, all occupied
by farmers. The village was almost entirely on the Etobicoke side of the
river, being mainly situated upon a narrow strip of land, containing between
two and three acres, bounded on the west by \Vadsworth's mill and tail
race, and on the east by the Humber. About fifteen houses, besides stores
and other business places, constituted the village. It comprised two stores,
a tavern, and blacksmith's, weaver's, cooper's, and saddler's shops, This
locality was gradually abandoned, owing to the damage caused by spring
freshets, Several buildings were greatly injured from this cause in 18+2,
and in 1850 the buildings remaining in that part of the village were entirely
destroyed, \Veston has latterly been almost entirely o.n the York side of
the stream,
In the year 1818, Mr. George Dixon constructed a saw-mill on the
Etobicoke side, a short dIstance below Eagle's Bridge, On the adjoining
lot below, his brother, Thomas Dixon, put up a savv-mill in 1823, which
afterwards passed into the hands of a man named Keating, being purchased
in 18+0 by Gibson Brothers. They pulled down the old building, and
erected a flour mill in its place. It was afterwards sold to l\Ir. Somerville,
and twice destroyed by fire, Opposite this point, on the York side, where
the extensive mills of the \Veston \Voollen l\lanufacturing Company now
stand, a saw-mill was erected in 1827 by Joseph Holley, who two years
afterwards sold out to John Chew. The property was successively trans-
ferred to James Clifford, J. N, Coons, and James Magee, the latter of whom
erected a flax-mill adjoining the saw-mill. In 1853, the property came into
the possession of l\Ir. John Dennis, who put up a woollen factory of brick
and stone on the site of the old mill. This was run by John \Vardlaw, and
afterwards by l\Iessrs. Farren and
Iiles. About thirteen years since the
place 'was purchased by Messrs. Smith and \Yilby, who made extensÏ\-e
iJ1provements, and established the business on a much larger scale. :\Ir.
Smith withdrew from the concern in 1879, leaving Oliver \Yilby sole pro-
The County of York.
18 9
prietor. The factory was three times destroyed by fire wit hin two years,
but rebuilt owing to the indomitable energy of Mr. \Vilby, Latterly it has
been turned over to a joint stock company, under the title of the \Yeston
\Voollen l\lanufacturing Company, Mr. \Vilby still retaining the manage-
ment of its affairs,
Further up the river, on the Etobicoke side, just above Eagle's Bridge,
a brewery was built about fifty years ago, which ran but a very short time
before it was burned down. Opposite this site, on the York side, an oil
refinery was establisl
ed in 1863 by Messrs. Tyrrell and Noble, Two
years later the refinery was consumed, though afterwards rebuilt, Some
distance up stream, a saw-mill was put up by 1\1r. Porter in 1830, which ten
years later became the property of 1\1r, Burr, who added a flour mill and
woollen factory under one roof a few rods west of the saw-mill. It was
destroyed by fire, and .in 1849 1\1r. Robert McDougall became the owner of
the property, and the year afterwards built a flour mill four stories in
height, with three run of stones. This mill is yet in operation. He pulled
down the old saw-mill, and replaced it by a new one, which was worked
until 1870, 1\1r. Gracey erected a brewery a little way above, which was
burned down fourteen years since.
\ tannery business was carried on in
this immediate neighbourhood by John Lawrence from 1842 to 1855. On
the Etobicoke side, somewhat further up, two brothers, Edward and Thomas
l\Iusson, þuilt a small distillery in 1820, which was pulled down in 18+2, and
a larger one constructed on the site, This was burned down two years
later, and immediately rebuilt,
During the latter years of the eigOhteenth century, a grist mill was built
by Mr. Countryman, on a site just above that now occupied by \Yads-
worth's mill. -It met what appears to be the usual fate of mills-destruction
by fire-and was rebuilt by Joseph Holley, who also put up a saw-mill
adjoining the first building. In 1815, these mills, together with 150 acres
of land, fell into the hands of 1\1r. James Farr, from whom the locality took
the title of " Farr's l\Iills," by which it was known for a long time. Alex-
ander l\Iilne, of l\Iarkham, in partnership with Jacob l\IcKay, of York,
subsequently carried on carding and fulling in a portion of the flour mill,
The :\lessrs, \Vadsworth purchased the property in 1828, and two years
afterwards put up a new saw-mill, which remained until 1870, when it was
pulled down. The firm ere
ted a distillery in 18+0, which was in operation
for twenty years, haying been burned down and rebuilt during that period,
In 1856, the \Yadsworths erected a new flour mill, fiye stories in height.
and with six run of stones, below the old building. On the cast side of the
mill-pond a tannery was built, in 18{0, by \\ïlliam and Peter Gihson, who
19 0
The COUllt)' ('./ York.
carried on the business for a long time, Joseph Holley put up a saw-mill
just opposite, in 18+1, which the \Vadsworths afterwards purchased and
worked until about twelve years since,
The industries of the village have done a great deal to advance the
progress of the place, and make it one of the most prosperous villages in
the county. Its excellent railway facilities are an important factor of
its growth, It is a station on the main line of the Grand Trunk, and
on the Toronto, Grey and Bruce line, now a branch of the Canada
Pacific, \Veston is a noted resort for sleighing parties from the city, being
within convenient driving distance, and having first-class hotel accommo-
dation,
One of the most notable of the old-time residents of \Veston was 1\1r.
Joseph Dennis, who was born in New Brunswick in 17 8 9, his father, John
Dennis, having been a U, E. Loyalist refugee. The family removed to
Upper Canada in 1792, 1\1r. John Dennis receiving a grant of land on the
Humber as a compensation for his losses, He subsequently removed to
Kingston, on his appointment as superintendent of the dock-yard in that
city. This secured to his son a thorough knowledge of ship-building, but
he found sailing a more congenial occupation. Joseph Dennis owned a lake
vessel at the outbreak of the war of 1812, which he placed at the disposal of
the Government, and which was attached to the Provincial marine. In one
of the naval engagements on the lake his vessel was lost, and he was cap-
tured by the Americans, and remained a prisoner of war for about fifteen
months, 1\Ir. Dennis afterwards commanded the Princess Charlotte, sup-
posed to have been the first steamer ôn Lake Ontario, which plied between
the Bay of Quinté, Kingston and Prescott, On returning from active
pursuits he made his home at \Veston, where he passed his declining years,
dying respected by all who knew him in the year 1867, aged seventy-eight
years.
@;
)jd
C;-
4
.
THE VILLAGE OF RICHl\10KD HILL.
.
ftff:
V
RYBODY has h
ard of the ,beautif
l
nglish landscape. bear-
.
mg the name of RIchmond HIll, and It IS often asserted III off-
;\
" hand conversation that our Canadian village was so named in
M'''' consequence of its close resemblance to its trans
Atlantic pro-
fW" totype. As matter of fact, nothing could be much further from
1
ef the truth. The two places bear about as much resemblance to
each other as a hawk bears to a handsaw, But, though our
Canadian Richmond Hill has little or nothing beyond its elevation in
common with the fair Surrey landscape, it has charms peculiar to itself,
and is one of the most beautiful villages to be found anywhere throughout
the length and breadth of "this Canada of ours." As its name indicates,
it stands on an eminence, and it overlooks a wide expanse of richly culti-
vated farm land, Its situation is on Y onge Street, about sixteen miles
north of Toronto, and nine miles south of the Yillage of Aurora. Y onge
Street forms its principal thoroughfare, and diyides it into two parts, the
portion to the west of the street lying in the Township of Vaughan, and
that to the east being in Markham. It is a long, straggling place, the
houses principally fol
owing the line of the great northern thoroughfare,
instead of grouping round a centre, so that it extends over a more con-
siderable area of ground than might be expected from its population,
Richmond Hill is referred to in Smith's ., Canada: Past, Present and
Future" as a smart little place, the population of which it is difficult to
calculate, on account of the houses being so scattered, but which contained
at that time (1851) a steam grist-mill, a steam saw-mill, a tannery, and two
churches, Presbyterian and
Iethodist.
But we must go back to a date long anterior to I
5I in order to dis-
cover the origin of its name, A settlement seems to ha\ e sprung up here
eluring the carl) years of the present century, and to have recei\ed the
13
19 2
T lie County of Y01'k.
appropriate name of l\lount Pleasant. It made reasonable progress, anù
in 1819 it became necessary to erect a Presbyterian Church for the accom-
modation of the profes
ors of that faith resident in the neighbourhood.
\Vhile the work of construction was in progress a very distinguished per-
sonage visited the spot, and his visit proved to be an important historical
event in its history, for it was the means of conferring upon it the name
which it has borne ever since, The visitor was no less a personage than
Charles Gordon Lennox, Fourth Duke of Richmond, who was then Gov-
ernor-General of Canada. His Grace was engaged in making a tour of
both the Provinces, in the course of which he drove from York to Penetan-
guishene. The Village of l\lount Pleasant being situated midway between
the two ends of Yonge Street, was a frequent place of tall for travellers,
who generaIJy stopped there to rest and bait their horses, The Governor-
General and his retinue followed this example, and remained in the village
s
veral hours on their upward progress. The Duke inspected the little
church which was building, and conversed with the workmen with the
utmost affability. The people of the village, impressed by his Grace's
dignified yet pleasant bearing, resolved to commemorate his visit by
re-christening the place in his honour, and accordingly bestowed upon it
the name of Richmond Hill. The Governor's visit took place in the month
of July, 1819, It was not destined to be repeated. He died from hydro-
phobia, in a little hovel on the banks of the Goodwood River, near its
confluence with the Rideau, in the County of Carleton, on the 28th of the
following month, and within six weeks after his vice-regal progress up
Y onge Street.
Fifty-three years elapsed between the time of the Duke of Richmond's
visit and the incorporation of Richmond Hill as a village. The latter
event took place in 1872. The first council comprised Abraham Law,
reeve; and \Villiam \Varren, David Hopkins, Jacob Brillinger and \Villiam
Powell. l\1atthew Teefy was appointed village clerk and treasurer, and
still retains that position. The reeve for the present year is J. Brown.
The population of the village, according to the Dominion census of 1881,
was 867, and is now about 900, Richmond Hill has no immediate railway
connections, but the Northern Railway passes within four miles to the
west, and there is a station at this point, known as Richmond Hill station.
Stages run regularly to Toronto and other places on Y onge Str
et.
There are several spots in the village which are of special interest to
students of our local history and topography. Not the least interesting of
these is the office of
1r. Teefy, the village postmaster, which is situated on
the west side of the main street, in a central and convenient locality. ::\Ir,
The COllnty of York.
193
Teefy is the gentleman already referred to as the clerk and treasurer of the
village corporation. He is an enthusiastic archæologist and antiquarian,
and probably knows more of the history, topography, traditions and folk-
lore of Richmond Hill and its neighbourhood than all the rest of the
inhabitants put together. He is a gentleman of upwards of three-score
years of age, but his physical and mental vigour are those of one in the
prime of life, and he presents the appearance of a man of forty or forty-five.
He has been postmaster for thirty-four years, having been appointed to
that position in 1850. He has also been a magistrate for a period of thirty-
one years, and has during all the interval been one of the most popular and
useful citizens. His private office is immediately to the rear of the post-
offi.ce, and is crammed full of objects of interest. In tQe centre of the room
is his desk, from which he dispenses magisterial justice. The wall to the
right is lined with volumes of the Dominion and Provincial Statutes, and
other law books and works for technical reference. Another side of the
room is largely taken up by files of the Colonial Advocate and other rare
old Canadian newspapers which have long since been practically unpro-
curable. Around, set in suitable frames, are various old documents, the
sight of which is eminently calculated to gladden the heart of anyone
sufficiently versed in Canadian history to know their value. Conspicuous
among them is a printed Address from :!.\Ir. \Villiam Jarvis, dated " York,
I+th July, 1800," 1\1r. Jarvis was for many years Provincial Secretary of
Upper Canada, and was the gentleman referred to elsewhere in this volume
as having been sharply admonished by Lieutenant-Governor Peter Hunter
for neglect of duty. The document now under consideration is addressed
"To the Free and Independent Electors of the Counties of Durham,
Simcoe, and the East Riding of York." It sets out that 1\Ir. JarvIs will be a
candidate for the
r suffrages at the ensuing elections; that he has not
relinquished his intention of so doing, and that all reports to that effect are
utterly unfounded. Next, we find a framed broadsid.e issued as an advertise-
ment by Peter Perry, dated at \Vhitby, on the 20th of December, 18+1.
1\1ost readers of these pages doubtless have some knowledge of ::\lr, Perry.
"From forty to fifty years ago," says the author of "The Canadian
Portrait Gallery,"* "there was no name better known throughout the
whole of Upper Canada; and, in Reform Constituencies, there was no
name more potent wherewith to conjure during an election campaign,
Peter Perry was closely identified with the original formation of the Reform
Party in Upper Canada, and for more than a quarter of a century he
.Vol. iii., p, 212.
194
Tlte COllnty of York.
continued to be one of its foremost memb
rs. During the last ten or
twelve years of his life he was to some extent. overshadowed by the figure
of Robert Baldwin, whose lofty character, unselfi'sh aims, and high social
position combined to place him on a sort of pedestal. But Peter Perry
continued to the very last to be an important factor in the ranks of his
party." He died at Saratoga Springs, New York State, on the 2+th of
August, 18 51. At the time when he issued the broadside which hangs
framed in 1\1r. Teefy's office, he kept a general store at \Yhitby, originally
named Perry's Corners, The broadside is headed" 0 yes! 0 yes! 0 yes!"
and contains a pressing injunction to his debtors to pay up their several
liabilities or take the consequences, It is too long for quotation here, but
is very suggestive throughout to anyone who remembers the man and the
times, \Ve next come to a framed .Address from the Irish inhabitants of
Upper Canada to the Queen, printed in 1838, It is headed" Erin Go
Bragh !" and deplores the recent rebellion, at, the same time avowing the
loyalty of the Irish inhabitants, 1\1r. Teefy also has a number of volumes
of rare and unprocurable Canadian pamphlets, concerning which it is not
an exaggeration to say that they are worth their weight in gold. But
space fails to describe the multiform out-of-the-way objects which are here
exhibited. Anyone who feels sufficiently interested in the matter should
call on 1\Ir. Teefy and see them for himself. '
On the northern outskirts of the village, on the east side of Y onO"e
ð
Street, and about twenty feet from the road, stands the whilome residence
of Colonel
Ioodie, who was shot by the rebels at Montgomery's, while
trying to force his way southward, in December, 18 3 8 , The house is an
antiquated looking structure, which has undergone various modifications
since the impetuous Colonel's days, but the identical frame is still there,
and forms a sort of connecting link between the past and the present. It
is the property of the Robinson estate, but is at present occupied by a
tenant, and seems to stand in need of repairs.
About two miles further north, on the opposite side of Yonge Street,
stands the former residence of Thomas Kinnear, where the frightful
murders described in a former portion of this volume were committed in
the summer of 1843::- ·
Some of the buildings in Richmond Hill are of a character not often
found in country villages. The :\Iethodist church, for instance, is a
:-.tructure which would do no discredit to any street in any cit) in the
Dominion. It stands on the east side of Y onge Street, near the centre of
"Allte pp. 32-50,
Tile County of York.
195
the village, and is conspicuous for miles in every direction by reason of its
lofty and imposing spire. The building, which is of white brick, was
erected in 1880. Unnecessary to say that the congregation attending
worship there is a wealthy and numerous one. The resident ministers are
the Rev. \\ïlliam R. Barker and the Rev, \Villiam B, Booth. The Pres-
byterian church, another large and imposing structure of white brick,
stands on the west side of Y onge Street, some distance from the road, and
near the southern outskirts of the village. It was erected four years ago,
near the site of the little church already referred to as having been in
course of erection during the Duke of Richmond's visit in July, 1819. This
also has a high massive tower of white brick, which is a conspicuous object
from the surrounding country. A few yards further south, and on the same
side of Y onge Street, is the Episcopal church, a neat and tasteful structure
of white brick. The Roman Catholic church is of frame, and occupies a
more northerly situation than those already described.
\mong other important public buildings, the village can boast of a
:Jlasonic Hall, a Temperance Hall, and an excellent High School.
Ir.
:\IcBride, the principal of the last-named institution, is a graduate of the
Cniversity of Toronto, as also is his assistant, Mr. T. H. Redditt. The
average attendance at the institution, which was established in 1851, is
about eighty pupils. The Public Schools are not well suited to the wants
of the place, being crowded together on the front part of a long narrow lot.
The Principal, Miss Emma Spragge, and third assistant, Miss Cruick-
shanks, occupy the more modern and convenient brick building, built
originally for High School purposes; while 1\1rs. \\ïley and Miss Ruther-
ford occupy, one a room in the old High School (a frame building), and the
other a room in the brick building, properly the Public School-house.
.\ verage attendance, 144.
The village also possesses a Mechanics. Institut
, incorporated in 186 9.
which last year had a membership of 66, and a library comprising 5+6
volumes. The number of b"oks issued during the year was 5+7. There
are two weekly ne,'}spapers published in the village-the Liberal, and the
York fIt. raid-the first being a Reform journal and the latter Consen ative,
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THE \TILLAGE OF \YOODBRIDGE,
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(OODBRIDGE is situated on the Humber Riyer, in the Town-
.\ ,I ship of Vaughan, about fourteen miles from Toronto. It has
i \' -
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. a population of about 1,100. It was formerly called Burwick,
'.
' , I ; after Rowland Burr, who settled in the neighbourhood in 18 37,
I
' , having exchanged a hundred-acre farm on Yonge Street for an
e::-
uncleared
ot on the Humber, the property of \Vashington
Peck. A considerab1e migration' of labourers took place at
the same time, most of whom obtained building lots in the new village.
The irregular manner in which the lots are now divided is accounted for
by a tradition of its early settlement, ,according to which 1\1r. Burr meas-
ured each man's property by the primitive mode of taking so many paces
in each direction, the ground being staked C?ff accordingly. The first mill
erected was a flour-mill put up by 1\1r, Durr in 1837. Other industries
rapidly follow,ed, including a saw-mill, a distillery, and a woollen factory,
erected the following year. The factory latterly passed into the hands of
Ir. Abell, and was utilized by him in the manufacture of shoddy. In 18+0
:\1r. Burr built a con
derably larger woollen factory, further down the
stream, This factory passed through many changes of ownership. It was
first operated by Hart & Burr, and afterwards by Self & Burr, who were
succeeded by the firm of :\litchell & )'lcN ally. After remaining unworked
for a' considerable period it, together with the rest of the Burr property,
fell into the hands of John \V, Gamble. The factory was again operated
by :\1r. :\1cNally for a time, and subsequently by Duncan McIntosh and
the Roe Brothers, successively. In 1874 the property was purchased by
John Abell, who leased the factory to J, :\lcIntosh, by whose son the busi-
nëss was still carried on at a recent date.
:\1r. John Abell, whose enterprise has done a great deal for the pros-
perity of \Yoodbridge, settled in the ,'illage in 18+5,' His first business
\
The County of York.
197
venture here was undertaken in partnership with Messrs. \Yood & Ethe-
ridge, in the wagon and carriage manufacture. The first stage-coach
that made regular trips between the city and \V oodbridge was constructed
at their factory. In 1847 Mr. Abell put up another shop on a small scale
for the manufacture of mill-irons and similar articles. Here he made a
lathe, by the aid of which he constructed for his own use the first steam
engine used in Vaughan Township, which is still preserved. In January,
1862, Mr. Abell opened an agricultural implement factory employing about
twenty men. The business rapidly increased, and to meet its growing
wants additional buildings were erected; in 1874 the number of men
employed was over one hundred. In that year the establishment was
visited by burglars, who, after blowing open the safe and stealing a quan-
tity of valuable securities, fired the place, which was destroyed. The loss
sustained by Mr. Abell on this occasion was estimated at two hundred
thousand dollars. Nothing daunted by this misfortune, however, he set
vigorously to work to rebuild, and in two months afterwards the manu-
factory was in running order, employing a larger number of men than
before the fire, About 1831 a saw-mill was built by Samuel Smith on his
property, in what is now the northern portion of the village, but, owing to
the result of litigation with lVIr. Burr respecting the water privileges, the
mill was removed to a site higher up the Humber. This mill was worked
by Mr. Smith until 1856, when the building, having become unserviceable.
was pulled down. A new structure was put up on the same site, which
was intended to be used as a foundry by Mr. Abell, but a disagreement
arose, and the project was never carried out. It was occupied by Louis de
Rouche, and afterwards by \Villiam Towers, for the manufacture and
repairing of machines. In 18 79 it was purchased by \Villiam Mackie, who
ran it as a shoddy factory for a few months, and then sold out to Hardy &
Burkholder, who were succeeded by Keys, Hallett & Rea.
For some years previous to Mr. Burr's advent \Vashington Peck had
been in business as a cooper, which he relinquished.on selling out to Burr,
and left the place. After his departure a cooper-shop was started b)
Francis J. Bunt on the 8th concession of Vaughan. A year afterwards he
sold out to Nathaniel \ \' allace, whose son George is still engaged in the
business,
The first school was started in \Voodbridge about 1830. The present
school-house is a brick structure, with a frame addition. The avcragt
attendance is about 112. The teachers arc George Deacon, l\Iaggie
Smithers, and Lucy \Voolley. The village was incorporated in 1882, Mr.
John Abell is reeve for the current ) car, and 1\1r. C, J. Agar clerk and
treasurer.
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THE VILLAGE OF
IARKHAl\I.
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HE Yillage of 1\Iarkham is located in the sQuthern portion of
.':
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, the township of the same name, on the line of the Toronto and
'v t..
Nipissing Railway, and about three miles from the line diyiding
'\ that township from York. Settlement in this l1eighbourhooc1 was
commenced almost at as early a date as in the Town of York,
'-"V- the pioneers following the banks of the Rouge River, which
for some time formed their readiest means of access to the
front. The village is agreeably situated, and on entering it by the main
road, which runs north and south, the charms of its natural surroundings
are at once apparent, The soil in the neighbourhood is rich, and the
farmers prosperous and wealthy, and consequently the village as a centre
of local trade is a thriving and comfortable community, although latterly it
has not increased much in population, owing to the centralizing tendency
of our modern industrial and transportation system, which builds the
larger cities and towns at the expense of the smaller places. The upper
portion of the village to the northward is built on level land, the lower part
where it is crossed by the Rouge being uneven and hilly. In 1851 .. Smith's
Canada" described l\Iarkham as" a considerable village, containing between
eight and nine hundred inhabitants, pleasantly situated on the River Rouge,
I t contains two grist mills with three run of stones each, a woollen factory,
oatmeal mill, barley mill and distillery, foundry, two tanneries, brewery,
etc., a temperance hall, and four churches-Episcopal, Presbyterian, Con-
gregational, and \Vesleyan 1\Iethodist." The population given by the census
of Ì881 was 954' The village was incorporated by by-law of the County
Council, passed on the 20th day of November, 1872, to take effect on the
1st of January, 1873. The following were the members of the first :\Iuni-
cipal Council, which held its first meeting on the 20th of January, 18 73:-
James Speight, reeve; Captain Thomas A. l\Iilne, John Jerman, Henry
Tlte COU1lty of York.
199
Tam
, and Hugh McGill, councillors, Henry R. Corson was appointed
clerk and treasurer; John D. Smith, police inspector; Levi Jones, license
inspector, and John Doherty, assessor. 1\1r. Corson still retains the clerk-
ship and treasurership. The reeve for the current year is G, R. Vanzant.
l\Iarkham Village has an excellent High School, the head master being
l\Ir. Dion. C. Sullivan, LL,B. The number of pupils is about seventy.
The school house, which is of brick, occupies a conspicuous position, and is
an ornament to the village.
The Markham Economist, a well-known weekly journal, of Liberal
politics, is of long standing, and exercises considerable local influence.
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THE VILL.A.GE OF HOLLAND LAI'\DII'\G
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! OLLAND LAKDING is the northern terminus of Yonge Street
and was a noteworthy point in the line of travel between the Lake
Simcoe region and Lake Ontario long before the settlement of the
country, A historic interest attaches to it as the spot where the
Indians were accustomed to embark and land when going on, or
returning from, expeditions to the great lakes. The old Indian
trail ran from this neighbourhood to the west of Yonge Street.
following the main stream of the Holland River and afterwards the valley
of the Humber,
The Holland River, from which the Landing is named, and on the
east branch of which it is situated, received its appellation from Major
Holland, who was Surveyor-General of the Provmce of Quebec, before
Upper Canada became a separate Province. This officer distinguished
himself in the war which resulted in the conquest of Canada by the British,
and after the cession of the country was appointed Surveyor-General, and
made extensive explorations in tha.t capacity. He penetrated from Toronto
Bay through a then unknown region to the river which now bears his
name. l\Iajor Holland died in 1801.
At the Upper L;J.nding, where the village proper is located, only small
boats can land. The Lower Landing, for steamers and larger craft, is
some distance further down the stream, which is much obstructed by the
swampy and weedy nature of its banks, At the Lower Landing, near
which Yonge Street strikes the river, there were formerly a number of
Government buildings, built of logs, and used as military and naval store-
houses. This cluster of buildings was known as Fort Gwillimbury.
l\Ir. Jöhn Galt's" Autobiography" confains the following references to
Holland Landing, Speaking of his journey from Toronto to Goderich via
Penetanguishene in 1827, the author narrates how, after leaving Ncwll1arket,
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The County of York.
201
" we went forward to a place on the Holland River called Holland's Land-
ing, an open space which the Indians and fur-traders were in the habit of
frequenting, It presented to me something of a Scottish aspect in the
style of the cottages, but instead of mountains the environs were covered
with trees. \Ve embarked at this place."
In 1832 the project of a steamer for the Holland River and Lake
Superior was advanced, In order to carry out the scheme subscriptions
to the amount of {2,000 were called for by advertisement in the York Courier
of February 29th of that year, it being intim::tted that Captain McKenzie
would take up one-fourth of the amount required to construct the boat.
The shares were placed at {12 10S. each, .A number of well-known names
in the early history of York County appear on the list of shareholders,
including those of Hon. Peter Robinson, J. O. Bouchier, John Powell,
Grant Powell, Samuel P. Jarvis, James E. Small, G. Ridout, T. G. Ridout,
Thomas Radenhurst, Jesse Ketchum, and Samuel Lount. The movement
resulted in the construction of the steamer Simcoe, which was built at the
Upper Landing, and when finished was with great difficulty dragged through
the swampy accumulations in the river to deep water, This vessel plied
for some years between the Lake Simcoe ports and Holland Landing.
Other steamers built at an early date were the Peter Robinson, Captain
Bell, and the Beaver, Captain Laughton.
The population of Holland Landing in 1851 was about 500. At that
date it had a grist mill and two saw-mills, one of them worked by steam
power, a foundry, tannery, and brewery. The population has not increased
much since then, as the census of 1881 gives a total of 5 80 .
Holland Landing is a station on the Northern Railroad, and about
thirty-two miles from Toronto. It was incorporated in 1861. Its first
reeve was \V. D. l\IcLeod, who held office for two years. Among others
who have subsequently held the position are R. T. \Vilson, B. Thorne, \V.
II. Thorne and James McClure, the latter being the present occupant of
the civic chair. Frederick J. Kitching is the clerk and treasurer. There
are places of worship in the village in connection with the Church of
England, Methodists and Plymouth Brethren, The Public School is a
double frame house, with large class-rooms and ante-room, and teachers'
retiring-rooms, The teachers, Douglas G, \Yiley and ::\Iiss \Yoodington.
have an average of fifty pupils,
',-- -:::::::-=
,
THE VILLAGE OF STOUFFVILLE.
J"I '
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TOUFFVILLE lies partly in the Township of :\larkham and
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\ partly in \Vhitchurch, the main street of the village being the
i '
r-Z\. township line. It is near the eastern boundary of the county,
L';'; and is a station twenty-eight miles from Toronto on the Toronto
{
and Nipissing Railway. The Lake Simcoe Junction"Line:con-
(, nects with the former road at this point. The village derives
its name from Abraham Stouffer, the original proprietor of
the site, The orthography was for some time unsettled, the family name
often appearing as " Stover," or " Stofer," and the locality being known as
"Stoversville," or "Stauffville," under which latter designation it is referred
to in " Smith's Canada," as a flourishing little village of recent date, con-
taining about 350 inhabitants, a grist and oatmeal mill, saw-mill, fdundry,
and tannery, and a Congregational church. This was in 1851. Since that
time the growth of the place has been steady, and the census of 1881 gives
the population as 866. It has now, in addition to the Congregational place
of worship, l\lethodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Baptist churches.
Stouffville became an incorporated village in .1877, the first municipal
officers being, James Dougherty, reeve; J, G, Reesor, \Villiam Leaney,
G, L. Freel, and J. Gibney, councillors, and H. \V. \Voodgate, clerk.
The present reeve is W. B. Sanders, and Mr. \Voodgate still retains the
clerkship. Stouffville has a flourishing Mechanics' Institute, incorporated
in 18 7 8 , and according to the latest returns comprising II I members. Its
library contains 793 volumes, the number issued during the year being
999. The l\Iasonic body is represented by Richardson Lodge, No. 13 6 ,
Formerly Stouffville was divided in the matter of Parliamentary repre-
sentation by the township line, the \Vhitchurch section belonging to North
, York, and the -Markham portion to East York. By the Act of ÒS32, for the
redistribution of the Dominion constituencies, the village as a whole was
annexed to \Vest Ontario, together with \Vhitchurch and Newmarket.
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,1,1
THE CITY' OF TORONTO: HISTORICAL i\ND
D ESCRI PTI\TE.
CHAPTER 1.
.
THE TOWN OF YORK FOU
DED.
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" T the yme of the ,erection of Upper Canada into a distinct
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Provmce, as mentIOned elsewhere, a separate government was
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assigned to it, and an administrator was appointed, with
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the tit1
of Lieutenant-Governor. The, office was confer,red
.
; upon LIeutenant-Colonel John Graves SImcoe, whose appomt-
. -
ment led to his crossing the Atlantic in 1792, and taking up his
residence at Newark (now called Niagara), the provisional
capital. Newark, at this time, if we except Kingston, at the other end of
the lake, was the only place of importance in Upper Canada, and it naturally
became the cradle of the \Vestern Province. It had, therefore, some claim
to become the permanent capital. Unfortunately for the town, its nearness
to United States territory and the dangerous proximity of Fort Niagara
dashed the hopes of its inhabitants in this respect. To Governor Simcoe's
surpI ise, he found that the fort at the mouth of the river was shortly to be
garrisoned by American soldiery, and that it did not belong to King
George. Having made this discovery, and not approving the idea that
the chief town of a Province should he placed under the guns of an
enemy's fort, he turned his attention to other parts of the Province for
the site of a capital. From the Gazette, published at Newark, \ve learn that
"On Thursday, the 2nd of May (1793), his Excellency the Lieutenant-
Governor, accompanied by several military gentlemen, set out in boab
for Toronto, round the head of Lake Ontario by Durlington Bay"- From
Durlington Day he proceeded eastward to the Humber, and thence to
20-+
The County of York.
the harbour of Toronto, of which he had heard favourable accounts from
the Provincial surveyors. Here, despite the lowness of the land, there
were many-and positive attractions, The spot had already been the site of a
fort, U a place of meeting," and a mart for trade. It was sheltered from the
lake, and in its harbour a fleet might safely ride, The geographical situa-
tion, moreover, was excellent, The die at length was cast: Toronto was
to be the future capital.
Returning to Niagara, the Governor busied himself with the task of
removal, and proceeded to make arrangements for taking formal possession
of the sit
of Toronto, and getting the troops across to assist in laying the
foundations of the town. \Yhatever counter-attracti<;ms other sites pre-
sented, there is no doubt that Simcoe, in his heart, accepted Toronto.
\Ye say Toronto, but this was not the name he chose for his newly-found
capital. The King's army was then in Holland, and his second son, the
Duke of York, had command of the continental contingent. He it was
that our soldier-governor had it in his mind to honour, Hence, York, and
not Toronto, came for a time to be the name of the capital. Reporting
to Quebec his having found a suitable site for the future metropolis,
Governor Simcoe writes in the following strain: U It is with great pleasure
that I offer to you some observations on the military strength and naval
convenience. of Toronto, now York, which I propose immediately to
occupy. I lately examined the harbour, accompanied by such officers,
naval and military, as I thought most competent to give me assistance
thereon, and upon minute investigation, I found it to be without com-
parison the most proper situation for an arsenal, in every extent of the
word, that can be met with in this Province." Again, in writing to the
Secretar.y of \Var, in London, the Governor speaks with equal warmth
when he says that u York is the most important and defensible situation
in Upper Canada, or that 1: have
een in North America, I have, sir,
formerly entered into a detail of the advantages of this arsenal of Lake
Ontario. An interval of Indian land, six-and-thirty miles, divides this
settlement from Burlington Bay, where that of Niagara commences, The
communication with Lake Huron is very easy, in five or six days, and will
in all respects be of the most essential importance."
In ,Such terms, which to us, in these piping times of peace, seem an
exaggeration, did the first Governor of the Province speak of its infant
capital. One would suppose that he was about to construct some Alex-
andria or Sebastopol, rather than a quiet city for the home of commerce,
and a safe haven for the Provincial Parliament. Put to the test of 1813, the
Goyernor's naval citadel- u the arsenal ". of which he proudly speaks-cut a
The City of Toronto.
20 5
sorry figure, whatever disaster befel the invader. But there is much in the
naming of a thing, as we may see in the appellation of our "Gibraltar
Point," which, if it ever put the town's enemies to flight, must have done
so more by the terror of its name than by its frowning battlements, The
times, however, were 1:hen warlike, and there was need of the cities of the
lake being fortified. Moreover, we must remember that Simcoe did not
stay in the country to put all his plans into effect. Had he done so, York
might have become the Quebec of the Lakes, \Vhat it has become we
know to-day.
\Vith such pomp and circumstance as were possible to the occasion,
Governor Simcoe set out from Navy Hall, Newark, on board His l\Iajesty's
ship, JIississaga, to take formal possession of the incipient capital. The
date-for the event is worthy of a minute chronicle-was the evening
of l\Ionday, the 29 th of July, 1793. Some portion of the troops had
preceded the Governor by a few days, to make the necessary prepara-
tions for the State landing, and, doubtless, to act as a guard of honour
in receiving his Excellency, As convoys of the J.1Ii'ssissaga, others of
the King's 'ships-the Onondaga and Caldwell-set out to cross the lake,
with, as we are told, a favourable gale, and having on board the remaining
companies of the Queen's Rangers, As the interesting fleet leaves Niagara's
dark stream, the sinking sun paves the water with gold, Cleaving their
way over the lake, the forest-crowned Heights of Queenston, which in a
score of years \vere to become forever famous, hide the reddening orb from
view. Night falls upon the historic scene. \Vith the morrow the fleet
rounds the mole which forms a natural fender in front of the city and comes
to moorings in the harbour of Toronto.
\Vhat a scene of bustle and commotion must the land-locked bay then
have witnesseù, its solitudes broken in upon by the intrusion of some com-
panies of a regìment which was to hew a town out of the forest, and in
time give place to the serried ranks of industry, and the march of incoming
battalions of many-tongued commerce. Bouchette's often-quoted pictnre
of the harbour at this time will bear another transcribing. It is a reminis-
cence of his hydrographical survey of the ports of Ontario, as detailed in
his. account of "The British Dominions in North _\merica." Says
Surveyor Bouchette: "It fell to my lot to make the first survey of York
harbour in 1793' Lieutenant-Governor the late General Simcoe, who
then resided at Navy Hall, Niagara, having formed extensive plans for the
improvement of the colony, had resolved upon laying the foundations of a
provincial capital. I was at that period in the naval service of the lakes,
and the survey of Toronto (York) harbour was entrusted by his Excellency
206
The COU1lty of York.
to my performance. I still distinctly recollect the untamed aspect which
the country exhibited when first I entered the beautiful basin, which thus
became the scene of my early hydrographical operations. Dense and
trackless forests lined the margin of the lake, and reflected their inverted
images in its glassy surface. The wandering savage had constructed his
ephemeral habitation beneath their luxuriant foliage-the group then
consisting of two families of i\lississagas-and the bay and neighbouring
marshes \vere the hitherto uninvaded haunts of immense coveys of wild
fowl. Indeed, they were so abundant," adds l\1r. Bouchette, "as in some
measure to annoy us during the night,"
In this sanctuary of nature Governor Simcoe proceeded to build his
civic and legislative altar, and to rear, under the name of Castle Frank, a
domestic shrine among the sombre pines of the Don. \Vith the erection of
primitive buildings for the meetings of the Provincial Legislature, a begin-
ning was made to clear a site for the town. Under the Governor's eye the
building of the new capital had its first start, and what at a later date was
to be marked as the path of the sword \vas meantime being wearily won
for the axe and the plough. Outside of the little clearing the spirit of the
woods rested upon the whole scene, for the forests covered the Province as
with a garment. But the soldier-administrator had a practical eye for his
work, and speedily set the troops-the Queen's Rangers-to the necessary
task of road-making, and the opening of lines of communication with the
interior. Y onge Street, an arterial line connecting the infant capital with the
Holland River and the water-way to the west, was the first great achievement
of the troops, Dundas Street, a main post-road traversing the Province,
and giving access to the large and fruitful region of settlement in the penin-
sula, was another sagacious undertaking. But we are somewhat anticipating.
As yet the Governor, his officers and officials were, with the troops, only
effecting a landing at the new capital-an historic proceeding of which we
have no detailed account from an eye-witness. Each reader may therefore
form his own idea of the significant scene-of the troops landing material
of war at the entrance of the harbour, to be stored in the fort which was
to command the approaches to the town; a company of stalwart soldiers
cuttmg a pathway from the garrison to the Don; and the Governor
nd
his suite disembarking by the stream on the banks of which he was to hoist
his canvas tent, and on the heights to the north subsequently erect his
summer home. But if the scenes connected with the formal landing and
laying out of the town had no special chronicler, and, so far as history
relates, were attended at the time with no ciyic or military display, within
a few weeks occasion arose for general rejoicing in an event which
.
The City of Toro1lto,
2 0 7
happened in the outer world, advantage of which was taken to baptize the
Town of York, and mark the natal day of the infant capital. Just a month
after the occupation of the .place, news came from England of successes
over the French in Flanders, in which the Duke of York and the English
troops had taken part, though the lustre of victory was not fated to last.
Having determined to call the town by the appellation of York, Governor
Simcoe, on hearing the news of th
Duke's engagement with the enemies of
the Crown in' Holland, conceived the idea of a military demonstration,
which would not only commemorate the event, but associate it with the
naming of the town and harbour. Hence was issued the following General
Order :-
"York, Upper Canada, 26th August, 1793. His Excellency the Lieuten-
ent-Governor having received information of the success of His Majesty's
armies under His Royal Highness the Duke of York, by which Holland
has been saved from the invasion of the French armies, and it appearing
that the combined forces have been successful in dislodging their enemies
from an entrenched camp supposed to be impregnable, from which the most
important consequences may be expected, and in which arduous attempt
the Duke of York and His Majesty's troops supported the native glory; it
is His Excellency's orders that on the raising of the union flag at twelve
o'clock to-morrow, a royal salute of twenty-one guns is to be fired, to be
answered by the shipping in the harbour, in respect to His Royal Highness,
and in commemoration of the naming of this harbour from his English title,
York. E, B. Littlehales, Major of Brigade:'
\\ïth this military pageant, and the salute from garrison and harbour,
which must have scared the wild fowl from the bay and dumbfoundered
the :\Iississaga hanger-on in the camp, the rough, un hewn site of the future
capital rose to the dignity of a town, while the old oaks by the marge
of the lake bowed their heads in recognition of the honour. The echoes
of the cannon's thunder, we can well suppose, would carry ne\vs to
the rival but provisional capital across the lake, which would be hadly
received, and jaundice the liver of every inhabitant of Niagara, Not yet,
however, was its full-blown conceit to be humbled, York was still unpre-
pared for the assembling of Parliament. Though the first meeting of the
Executive Council of the Province was held at York nearly a month before
the military demonstration we have chronicled, th'ere was as yet no build.
ing in which to give the honourable gentlemen shelter. \\'e must imagine
therefore that the weighty affairs of State were discussed in that canvas tent
of the Goyernor's which had done duty for the great discoverer, Captain
Cook, in his historic voyages. The Council, we learn, remained in session
14
.
208
TILe COU1lty of York.
until the 5th of September, when it broke up, and the Government returned
to Niagara. I\leantime, the work of laying out the town advanced; and
ere the woods had put on their aùtumnal glory several huts were built, and
some portion of the region surveyed. In October we find the ever-active
Governor back on the north shore of the lake, where he and his family
wintered. Before the close of the season he personally conducted an explor-
ing expedition to Lake la Clie, or what WiiS thenceforth to be known as Lake
Simcoe. Shrewdly discerning the importance of commuilication north-
ward, he determined to open up a highway to its waters. Ordering the
surveyors to mark out a practical route thither, the winter was spent by
the troops in felling part of the timber. This highway to the north, how-
ever, was not constructed until the winter of 1795-6; and the early years
of the succeeding century had arrived before it was opened out to the shores
of Ontario. The road, which is thirty-two miles in length, was called after
the English Secretary of \V ar, and has ever since borne the name of Y onge
Street. Other expeditions throughout the year 1794 were undertaken by
the Governor, and nearly every portion of the Province was embraced in
the circuit of his travels, The Governor periodically returned to Newark
to summon and prorogue Parliament and direct the affairs of State. The
buildings which he had ordered to be planned for the Legislature at York
meantime had been proceeded with, and streets were beginning to branch
out from the site of the new \Vestminster. \Vith all his enthusiasm and
practical energy, however, the development of the town was necessarily
slow, The plan of the city was extensive, and before it could be 'built the
forest had to be cleared, Yet there was progress as the years went by.
Of the year 1795 there is little to chronicle, save the going and coming
of the war-ships on the lake, and the occasional expeditions of the Governor.
The legal machinery of the Province seems this year to have been put in
motion, for we learn for the first time of the arrival at York of Chief Justice
Osgoode, accompanied by Attorney-General \Vhite, who were going to dif-
ferent parts of the Province to hold circuit, \Ve also learn that the prosaic
round of life in these early times was enlivened by the occasional festivity
of " a ball," and the reception of some Old \V orld visitor. '\t Navy Hall,
and in his famous tent at York, the Governor's hospitalities were both lavish
and kindly. It was in June of this year that the Duc de Liancourt and
his travelling companion paid their historic visit to the provisional seat of
Government, and were treated with marked consideration and courtesy by
the Governor. Alas! the return for this was the noble Duke's babbling
about desertion among the troops. and his defamation of the character of
the people of the new capital.
The City of Toronto.
20 9
The following year is notable for the definitIve surrender of Fort
Niagara to the Americans, together with other posts on the frontier held by
Britain, To Governor Simcoe, as an old campaigner in the Revolutionary
\Var, this no doubt was distasteful, and must have increased his antipathy
to the people of the Republic. To the Six Nation Indians, who were now
settled on their reserve on the Grand River, this also was repugnant, for
it meant the abandonment forever of their ancient territory. It also brought
home to the chiefs of the confederacy the conviction that they had gained
little by their fealty to Britain, and had benefited nothing by their alliance,
on many a hard-fought field of battle, with the troops of the British Crown.
The improvident character of the concessions of the Treaty of ,1783 were
now becoming apparent, and there was much involved in the sacrifices that
Simcoe, doubtless, could ill bear. \Vhether his known dislike to his repub-
lican neighbours engendered the fear in the British Cabinet that this might
lead to interñational complications, or whether the Governor had to thank
the Duc de Liancourt for more of his politeness, it would be difficult to say,
but suddenly the news fell upon the young colony that its first adminis-
trator was to be transferred, In September, 1796, Simcoe left Navy Hall
for San Domingo, and the Province that owed so much to him was to see
him no more, \Vith what devotion and sturdy fidelity he had served the
King in his new Province of Upper Canada there is no need to tell. He
gave the colony his every thought, and worked resolutely to put it on its feet,
Could he have had his own way, it is not too much to say that it would
not long have remained a mere stripling by the side of the nation to the
south of it, But he was too independent to be an official truckler, and had
been brought up in a school that knew little of dissimulation. The student
of history can have nothing but respect for the bluff old soldier.
CHAPTER I I.
YORK AT THE CLOSE OF THE LAST CENTURY.
(
./
A
Þ ' I N the withdrawal from Upper Canada of Governor Simcoe the
(\
i ' administration o
its affairs devolved upo
Pres.ide
t Russell,
t;. <
, who was the semor member of the Executive CouncIl, and had
] ..;"'"11
also acted as Inspector-General. The charge of the Province
....... onl y fell temporaril y , however, to this functionar y , until the
'r
.r
arrival from England of a new administrator. This did not
take place until 1799, when the Crown appointed Lieutenant-
Governor Pete]" Hunter.
One of the last official acts of Governor Simc0 7 was to prorogue
Parliament at Newark (Niagara), on the 3rd of June, 179 6 . On the I rth
of the following September, President Russell issued a proclamation setting
forth his proyisional appointment as administrator. \Vith this change of
régime, what, it may be asked, was the attitude of the acting Governor in
regard to the removal of the capital? Fortunately there is a letter of his
extant to some one in authority at the new capital, which shows not only
what he designs to do, but reveals the inadequacy of the provision which
York was as yet able to make for the meeting of Parliament. "As the
Legislature," writes the President, "is to meet at York on the 1St of June,
it becomes absolutely necessary that provision shall be made without loss of
time for its reception. You will therefore be pleased to apprize the inhabi-
tants of the town that twenty-five gentlemen will want board and lodgings
during thè session; which may possibly induce them to fit up their houses
and lay in provisions to accommodate them," To those familiar only with
the Toronto of to-day, and having before their eyes the mammoth hotels
and multitudinous boarding-houses of the modern capital, the necessity
that compelled the administrator of the Province to see in advance to the
housing and feeding of the members of the Legislature will hardly seem a
serious one, But serious the necessity then was, as the President no doubt
.-
The City of Toronto.
2 I I
would have discovered had he omitted the precautionary measure, \Vhat
body of men, need we ask, could be got to sit through the" Speech from
the Throne," who had only the planks of the Council Chamber the previous
night for their couch, or would consent to vote the supplies on empty
stomachs? There were uses in those days for a Lieutenant-Governor!
The matter of the removal. of the capital to York having been thus
definitely settled, we find Parliament summoned in due course for the
dispatch of business, The date of meeting, as we have seen, was the 1st of
] une, 1797. The Houses of Parliament which had been planned by
Governor Simcoe, and which he no doubt took pleasure in seeing gradually
rise on the site he had chosen for them, he was fated not to inaugurate.
The honours of the occasion fell to President Russell. The buildings were
situated close by the bay, not far from the Don River, at a point almost
due south from what is still known as Parliament Street, at the intersection
of Front, or what was then termed Palace Street. The site was long
marked, in modern times, by a massive grey stone building used as a jail.
This New \Vorld \Vestminster had very indifferent surroundings, and was
itself of a primitive type, though contemporary documents describe it as
consisting of " two elegant halls, with convenient offices for the accommo-
dation of the Legislature and the Courts of ] ustice." They were built of
brick, and might have seen length of years, and been preserved to later
generations as a sacred relic, but unfortunately, in 1813, they fell a prey to
the torch of the invader.
\Ve return to the first meeting of Parliament, and to Administrator
Russell's
umI1:Îons -to Council and Commons to perform their legislative
functions for the first time in York. Here is the edict which calls them to
their duties: "The King convokes, and by these presents enjoins
you and each of you, that on the First day of ] une, in the year of Our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, you do meet Us in Our
Provincial Parliament, in Our Town of York, for the actual dispatch of
Public Business, and to take into consideration the state and welfare of
Our Province of Upper Canada, and therein to do as may seem necessary."
In such kingly phrase does his Excellency summon his Councillors and
faithful Commons to meet him, in furtherance of their legislative duties, in
what, by a euphuism only, could be considered "the Royal Town of
York." The population of the place, exclusive of about two hundred
soldiers, did not at the time exceed some ten or twelve families, It is not,
therefore, to be wondered at that these- were ill-prepared to house and feed
the Legislature. Despite the high-flown call of the President, the country's
law-makers seem to have kept their heads, and sellsib.ly to have got through
.
212
The COUllty of York.
their '\vork. \Vith the primitive surroundings of the place the ceremonial
of opening and closing the House according to British use and wont must
have been apt to raise a smile. But the gravity of the times gave it a
dignity, and the simple needs of the Province lent it a grace, in sharp con-
trast to the levity and absence of decorum which wait nowadays on much of
the legislation of even the Imperial Parliament. The stately dignity of our
early law-makers, and the grave decorum with which they conducted their
legislative duties, would put to shame the honourable members who in these
modern days, in the far-off British metropolis, make a bear-garden of the
historic Hall of \Yestminster. There is a delightful passage in Dr.
Scadding's " Toronto of Old" in reference to the historic scenes which our
Canadian \Yestminster was witness of, and which imparts such a rich
colouring to the picture which the genial historian has drawn for us of our
humble St. Stephen's, that we cannot refrain from here quoting it. It is a
reminiscence of a later time: "Objectionable as the first site of the Legis-
lative buildings at York may appear to ourselves," says the Doctor, "and
alienated as it now is to lower uses, we cannot but gaze upon it with
a certain degree of emotion, when we remember that here it was the first
skirmishes took place in the great war of principles which afterwards with
such determination and effect was fought out in Canada. Here it was that
first loomed up before the minds of our early law-makers the ecclesiastical
question, the educational question, the constitutional question; here it was
that first was heard the open discussion, childlike, indeed, and vague, but
pregnant with very weighty consequences, of topics, social. and national,
which, at the time, even in the parent State itself, were mastered but by few.
"Here it was, during a period of twenty-seven years (1797-1824), at
each opening and closing of the annual session, amidst the firing of cannon
and the commotion of a crowd, the cavalcade drew up that is wont, from
the banks of the Thames to the r
motest colony of England, to mark the
solemn progress of the Sovereign or the Sovereign's representative, to and
from the other Estates in Parliament assembled. Here, amid such fitting
surroundings of state as the circumstances of the times and the place
admitted, came and went personages of eminence, whose names are now
familiar in Canadian story, Never, indeed, the founder and organizer of
Upper Canada, Governor Simcoe himself, in this formal a.nd ceremonious
manner, although often must he have visited the spot otherwise, in his
personal examinations of every portion of his young capital and its environs.
But here, immediately after him, ho'\\'ever, came and went repeatedly, in due
succession, President Russell, Governor Hunter, Governor Gore, General
Brock, General Sheaffe, Sir Gordon Drummond, Sir Peregrine :\laitland,
The City of Toronto,
21 3
"And, while contemplating the scene of our earliest political conflicts,
the scene of our earliest known State pageants in these parts, with their
modest means and appliances, our minds intuitively recur to a period farther
removed still, when under even yet more primitive conditions the Parlia-
ment of Upper Canada assembled at Newark, just across the lake. · \Ve
picture to ourselves the group of seven Crown-appointed Councillors and
five representatives of the Commons, assembled there, with the first
Speaker, ,McDonell, of Glengarry; all plain, unassuming, prosaic men,
listenmg, at their first session, to the opening speech of their frank and
honoured Governor, \Ve see them adjourning to the open air from their
straitened chamber at Navy Hall, and conducting the business of the
young Province under the shade of the spreading tree, introducing the
English code and trial by jury, decreeing roads, and prohibiting the spread
of slavery; while a boulder of the drift, lifting itself up through the natural
turf, serves as a desk for the recording clerk. Below them, in the magnifi-
cent estuary of the River Niagara, the waters of all th
Upper Lakes are
swirling by, not yet recovered from the agonies of the long gorge above
and the leap at Table Rock. Even here, at the opening and close of this
primæval legislature, some of the decent ceremonial was observed with
which, as we have just said, the sadly inferior site at the embouchure of
the Don became afterwards familiar."
The scene of these historic ceremonies in York fast rose to importance,
The town grew and spread itself; streets were opened out which, though
they have now long become unfashionable, were in their day the home of
wealth and the dress-parade of fashion. Even their regal names-Palace,
Princes, Duke, Duchess, Frederick, Caroline, George, and all the string of
them-that sought to honour the person and family of the reigning king,
have not saved them from desertion or stayed the hand of decay, But
they and the town were then new, and anticipation gilded the future and
every hope seemed hright. In addition to the Houses of Parliament there
had been erected close by a building which long served the purposes of a
Government House, though it afterwards bore the monastic title of Russell
Abbey. It was erected for President Russell, by whom and his maiden
sister it was long occupied, and subsequently it became the residence of
the Roman Catholic Bishop, l\IcDonell, IIere and there the recesses of
the neighbouring forest were invaded by courageous settlers, who wished
to found a home for themselves and their families in the woods. From
these homesteads were erelong to come forth the men \\,-ho were to guide
the destinies of the country and become notable figures in the town. :\Iean-
21 4
The COU1lty of York.
while the century crept to its close, and the Town of York began to show
that it had an existence other than on paper. To what length it had grown
and what were its prospects we may learn from a contemporary volume
now before us-the u Topographical Description and Gazetteer of U pp.er
Canada," prepared by Surveyor-General David \V. Smyth. \Ve will close
the present chapter by quoting from it. Says the Gazetteer: " York is
in about 43 degrees and 35 minutes of north latitude,* and is the present
seat of Government of Upper Canada. It is most beautifully situated
within an excellent harbour of the same name, made of a long peninsula,
which confines a basin of water suHiciently large to contain a considerable
fleet; on the extremity of the peninsula, which is called Gibraltar Point,
are commodious stores and block-houses, which command the entrance to
the harbour; on the mainland, opposite to the Point, is the garrison,
situated in a fork made by the harbour and a small rivulet, which, being
improved by sluices, affords an easy access for boats to go up to the stores;
the barracks, being built on a knoll, are well situated for health, and com-
mand a delightful prospect of the lake to the west, and of the harbour to
the east, The Government House is about two miles above the garrison,
near the head of the harbour, and the town is increasing rapidly; the River
Don empties itself into the harbour a little above the town, running through
a marsh, which when drained will afford most beautiful and fruitful meaJ-
ows. This has already been commenced in a small degree, which will, no
doubt, encourage further attempts. The long beach, or peninsula, which
affords a most delightful ride, is considered so healthy by the Indians that
they resort to it whenever indisposed; and so soon as the bridge over the
Don is finished, it will, of course, be most generally resorted to, not only
for pleasure, but as the most convenient road to the heights of Scarborough.
The ground which has been prepared for the Government House is situated
between the town and the River Don, on a most beautiful spot, the vicinity
of which is well suited for gardens and a park. The oaks are in general
large; the soil is excellent, and well watered with creeks, one of which, by
means of a short dam, may be thrown into all the streets of the town.
Vessels of all sizes may be conveniently built here, and a kind of terrace
or second bank in front of the town affords an excellent situation for a rope
walk. The remains of the old French fort, Toronto, stand a little to the
.. :\lore accurately the situ:l.tion of Toronto is as follows :-Latitude, 43 0 49' 4" north;
longitude, 79071' 5" west, or five hours seventeen minutes and twenty seconds slower than
Greenwich time.
The City of Toronto,
21 5
westward of the present garrison, and the River Humber discharges itself
into the Lake Ontario about two miles and a half west of that; on this river
and the Don are excellent mills, and all the waters abound in fish. In
winter the harbour is frozen, and affords excellent ice for the amusement
of northern countries, driving in traineaus. The climate of York is tem-
perate, and well sheltered from the northerly winds by the high lands in
the rear. . The Y onge Street leads from hence to Lake Simcoe, and the
Dundas Street crosses tþe rear of the town,"
_____
(J
=- .:-
"!:
-
"N e eo '
:r'J/I!
J:"" I I )
\J(\'__..7
]f; " ' ,..
.
-
..,..,
\ . ?'-
\
" "
CHAPTER III.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF GOVERNORS HUNTER AND GORE.
r;,
.....
UST pnor to the beginning of the present century the infant
settlement at York was honoured with the presence of a new
Lieutenant-Governor. President Russell, who provisionally suc-
ceeded Governor Simcoe, was relieved of his adminIstrative
duties by the arrival at the capital of Lieutenant-General Peter
Hunter, of whose antecedents, it may here be said, little was
known. He was a Scottish gentleman, possessed of the charac-
teristic qualities of his nation, and, as it turned out, had those additional
virtues which we associate with the military man, and which were needed
in his official capacity-discernment and decision. Governor Hunter
arrived at York on the 17th of August, 1799, and presently took up his
residence in the garrison. The event is duly chronicled in the press, the
Niagara Constellation of the 23rd instant supplying us with the following
interesting paragraph: "His Excellency, Governor Hunter, arrived at
York on Friday morning last in the Speedy, On landing he was received
by a party of the Queen's Rangers; and at one o'clock p.m, was waited on
at his Honour's, the President's, by the military officers, and congratulated
on his safe arrival and appointment to the government of the Province,"
After a brief visit to Niagara, Governor Hunter seems to have returned
for a time to Lower Canada, for we presently find the direction of affairs
again committed to the hands of President Russell, with whom is now
associated the Hon. J. McGill, J. Elmsley and Æneas Shaw. The official
Gazette continues from time to time to report the going and coming of Gov-
ernor Hunter, and the various movements of Government schooners on the
lake, as they carried to and" fro, on the business of the Crown, the law officers
of the Province, and such naval and military magnates as were in this part of
the world on His Majesty's service, The entries are varied by the adver-
tisements of sailing packets, plying between different ports on Lake Ontario,
r r:
.
'.
-
f/
_: ,
-
L
The City of Toronto,
2[7
in the il'lterest of the growing commerce of the Province. Occasionally
there is a paragraph in the Gazette which records some calamitous ship-
wreck on the lake, the foundering or running ashore of some Government
or merchant vessel, or other dire mishap which brings grief and dismay to
the young colony, The naval architecture of the shipping on the lakes was
at this period of a very primitive type, and few came to commit themselves
to any extended voyage on the lake without serious apprehension and grave
misgiving, Abroad, His Majesty's navy was making Britain" mistress of
the seas;" but in the inland waters of Canada English commerce had as yet
done little to give the colony trustworthy boats. Among the casualties
recorded in the journals of the time we find that which overtook the schooner
Sþeedy, late in the season of 1802, At the period above referred to she foun-
dered off Presqu' Isle, and the \vhole of her passengers, including many nota-
bles of the Province, were lost. In Dr. Scadding's " Toronto of Old," he who
has a love for the eventful may gratify his taste by reading the account given
in the volume of the loss, some twenty years earlier than the period we are
writing of, of the Ontario, Captain Andrews in command, which" went
down with all on board wh
le conveying troops-a detachment of the
KiÚg's Own-under Colonel Burton, fron1 Niagara to Oswego," The vessel
carried twenty-two guns, the weight of which, when she became disabled.
soon sent her to the bottom of the lake. Dr. Scad ding tells us that one
hundred and seventy-two persons perished on this occasion, The calami-
tous story has long SInce passed from memory or tradition among us,
though it deserves to be worthily commemorated in some modern epic.
Presently the announcement is made that the Legislature has enacted that
lighthouses shall be established round the lake, one of which is to he con-
structed on Gibraltar Point. This, in some measure, lessened the risks of
navigation on the waters of Ontario,
For the next few years we meet with little of moment in the announce-
ments of the Gazette. The colony, indeed, was at the time living through hut
a humdrum existence, Events that were occurring in the outside world
took long to reach the colony, and the inhabitants as yet were so few that
their significance failed to make that impression which might otherwise be
expected. \Vithin the country we find record of a few events which, to the
good people of York, were of absorbing interest. Among these may be
men"tioned the opening at the capital of a weekly public market, the necessity
for which had now become urgent. Governor Hunter had set aside nearly
five acres, in the region of the present St. Lawrence Hall, for this laudable
purpose, and the market was opened by official proclamation on the 5th of
November, 1803, Henc(.forth it was not necessary to send to K iagara, as
218
The County of York.
we have an amusing record of, for a few pounds of butter, In the same year
we find several notables of the town elevated by royal proclamation to the
rank of the legal profession. This honour fell upon Dr. \V. W, Baldwin,
father of the Hon. Robert Baldwin-the noted later-day Liberal-William
Dickson, of Niagara, D'Arcy Boulton, of Augusta, and John Powell, of
York. Dr. Scadding tells us that these gentlemen used to be referred to as
the " heaven -descended " barristers,
Another historic announcement appears in the Gazette of the period, in
the hoisting, for the first time since the union of Great Britain and Ireland,
of the Royal Standard-the flag of the now United Kingdom, This national
emblem was first given to the winds in Upper Canada one day about the
middle of Novemger, 1801, from the flagstaff of Fort George. In 1
03 the
Duke of Kent, uncle of Her Present Majesty, paid his second visit to
Canada, and was entertained at York by the Hon, Æneas Shaw, now be-
come a general. In this year, for the first time, we come upon an instance
of the benefits which "our coloured brethren" derived from Simcoe's
humane Act, in forbidding the further introduction of slaves into Canada,
and the freedom that was to be granted those born in the country on attain-
ing a certain age. On record in the Registry Office of Toronto, under the
year 1803, is a registration of the sale, by Robert Franklin, York, yeoman,
free black nian, of "the front half of lot number five in the second conces-
sion east of the Township of York." On file, in the same depository, is also
to be seen the will of Isaac de Gray, Solicitor-General of Upper Canada,';:
by one of the clauses of which he gives freedom to a slave in his possession,
and leaves a handsome sum for her support. The clause reads thus:
" Thirdly, I feel it a duty incumbent upon me, in consequence of the long
and faithful services of Dorinda, my black woman servant, rendered to my
family, to release, manumit, and discharge her from the state of slavery in
which she now is, and to give her and all her children their freedom. My
will, therefore, is that she be released, and I hereby accordingly release,
manumit, and discharge the said Dorinda, and all and every of her said
children from slavery, and declare them and everyone of them to be free,"
The provision :\1r. De Gray made for them was the funding of -J;I ,200, " the
interest of which was to be paid to the said Dorinda, and her heirs and
assigns forever."
Three years later, in sharp contrast to the humanity of Governor
Simcoe, we find ::.\h, Administrator Peter Russell offering for sale in the
. For these facts the writer is indebted to the courtesy of Mr, Charles Lindsey. the
present Registrar,
The Cit.,v of Toronto.
21 9
advertising columns of the" Gazette and Oracle,>:: "a black woman named
Peggy, aged forty years, and a black boy, her son, named Jupiter, aged about
fifteen years, both of them the property of the subscriber, The woman,"
so sets forth the advertisement, " is a tolerable cook and washerwoma:n, and
perfectly understands making soap and candles," The price set upon Peggy
is $150, and upon Jupiter, junior, $200, "payable in three years, with
interest from the day of sale, and to be secured by bond." His Excellency
is good enough to say, however, that "one-fourth less will be taken for
ready money,"
F or the first time we now hear of what used often to be referred to as
" the Church at York." The" meeting-house for Episcopalians," as it was
also for a period termed, though subsequently the church was to develop
into the Cathedral of St. James, had its origin in the year 1804, and was, as
we learn,'" a plain, barn-like structure of framed timber, forty feet by fifty,
. .
standing east and west." The building was put up with the ass
stance of
some troops from the garrison, by permission of Colonel Sheaffe, the
commandant. Its first clergyman was the Rev. G, O'Kill Stuart, who
afterwards became an archdeacon in the church, and for a time was master
of the Home District School at York. In the records of both church and
school we meet with the names of estimable citizens who, with their
families, have been long associated with the town, and been instrumental,
in large measure, in advancing its prospects.
Society at the capital was presently, however, to receive a shock in the
receipt of a despatch conveying intelligence of the death at Quebec of the
Lieutenant-Governor, General Hunter. As commander-in-chief of the
forces he had gone to the capital of the Lower Province on a tour of
military inspection, and there fell ill and died, His body was buried at
Quebec on one of the last days of
\ugust, 1805, His temporary successor
in the governorship was Commodore Alexander Grant, ,vho is chiefly known
by his zeal in establishing for a while at York an institution for the promo-
tion of Natural Science, anrl in procuring a grant from Parliament for the
purchase of the necessary apparatus.
In the following year there came to the Province from the governorship
of Bermuda the Hon. Francis Gore, who for the next five years was to
figure in provincial history as Lieutenant-Governor. During this period
York made slow but steaJy progress, and the Province continued satisfac-
torily to advance in settlement. Parliament voted sums for the construction
of roads and bridges, and made laudable efforts to open up new sections of
· Cited by Dr. Scadding, in his" Toronto of Old," page 293,
..
220
The COU1lty of York.
the country, Postal facilities were also increased, and communication with
LO\ver Canada and the outer world became more practicable, The popu-
lation of the capital had by this time grown to 2,000. In George Heriot's
wQrk on British North America, he says of York in 1806 that" many houses
are already completed, some of which display a considerable degree of taste.
The advancement of the place to its present condition," he adds, "has been
effected within the lapse of six or seven years, and persons who have
formerly travelled in this part of the country are impressed with sentiments
of wonder on beholding a town which may be termed handsome, reared as
if by enchantment in the midst of a wilderness." 1\1r. Heriot filled the
office of Deputy Postmaster-General of Bpitish North America, The mail
between Montreal and York, we learn, was at this time so light as .. to be
carried by pedestrian white men between these two places, and by an Indian
between York and Niagara, all of whom carried axes to enable them to
cross streams. The number of post-offices in Upper and Lower
anada at
this date was less than twenty, and only about eight hundred miles of post
road were open, of which not more than one hundred and fifty were in
Upper Canada,"
" No country in the world-" we quote from a modern source-" was less
burdened wIth taxes than was Upper Canada at this period. A small direct
tax on property, levied by the District Courts of Session, and not amounting
to sixteen thousand dollars for the whole country, sufficed for all local
expenses, There was no poor-rate, no capitation tax, no tithes or ecclesias-
tical rates of any kind. The chief check to the great prosperity of the
country was the want of paper currency, there being no bank then in
Canada, Gold and silver were the only circulating mediums, and, as the
exports did not balance the imports, the little money brought into the
colony by settlers, or paid out by Government, was insufficient to meet the
increasing wants of the community, A system of barter was thus originated
between merchant and farmer, highly prejudicial to the latter, and which
frequently led him into debt.
"Nor were the public morals as much calculated to advance the wel-
fare of the country as could be desired. Intemperance was a prevalent
vice. The rough backwoodsmen, too, were often quarrelsome in their cups,
and pugilistic encounterS very frequently took place, The mass of the
people may be described as a rough, homespun generation, with little
religion, still less education; but honest in their general demeanour;
steady, yet simple in their manners, and exceedingly hospitable in their
homes. In the early days of York the vice of intemperance was punished
in a somewhat summary though certainly utilitarian way: all persons guilty
The City of Toronto.
221
of drunkenness were made to give a certain amount of labour in pulling
out tree-stumps in the public streets,"
Such is the picture of York on the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor
Gore. In some respects the country was an "earthly paradise," where
there was abundance for all, with quiet enjoyment and reasonable pleasures
to him who would dress the land and till it. But paradises, historically,
have not been able to keep out discord. How much of this came to be
introduced into Upper Canada, and what evil from the outside threatened
to befall the young colony, we shall in the next and following chapters
discover. Europe was at the period in the throes of a conflict which was
putting Anglo-Saxon pluck and British manhood to the severest test.
Nearer hand, the clouds of war were stretching their murky curtain over
British possessions in Canada, and the mutterings of a portentous storm were
already disturbing the land, In the Governor's address at the opening of
Parliament, in r80g, occurs this presage of the coming conflict: "Hitherto,"
says His Excellency, "we have enjoyed tranquillity, plenty, and peace,
How long it may please the supreme Ruler of Nations to favour us is wisely
concealed from our view. But under such circumstances it becomes us to
prepare ourselves to meet every event, and to evince by our zeal and loyalty
that we know the value of our Constitution, and are worthy the name of
British subjects," Two years afterwards Governor Gore, obtaining leave
of absence, quitted the country, and there now comes upon the scene the
memorable figure of Brock.
.
"
-..
CHAPTER IV,
BROCK, AND THE \V AR OF 1812.
.........
,
r
-... T can hardly be said that the thirty months' conflict, in which the
"...(,
, Canadian 'Militia took so large and honourable a part, between
1: the forces of Great Britain and those of the United States, holds
iij ,.
\, è
that high place in history which its importance claims for it.
....t1:;;;i Occurring so soon after the struggle of the American colonies
"r
for Independence, and while Britain was at the time passing
through the throes of a terrible conflict in Europe, we can partly
understand why it is that what is known on this side the Atlantic as the
"\Var of 1812" has not had its due share of recognition, Recognition
from writers in American educational text-books it certainly has had; but
this is a recognition which has done justice more to the American faculty
of appropriating honours than it has done justice to Canadian patriotism
and the cause of truth. Canadians are quite content that the struggle so
long and bravely maintained on their soil through the
errible years of
1812- 1 4 should be dwarfed in .the greater struggle of which the continent of
the Old \Y orld was at the time the witness; but they are not content that
the prowess of their forefathers anp the rightful honours of the contest
should suffer eclipse at the hands of mendacious historians. Fortunately,
however, the history of the struggle is now becoming better known, and if
American writers are not wholly taking back their words, their assumptions
are not quite so vainglorious; and Canada is allowed to have her share
of credit. 'Moreover, among American writers who have given careful
thought to the subject, an uncomfortable feeling is beginning to betray itself,
in finding justification, if not for precipitating the war, at least for invading
Canada. \Vhat the Americans expected to gain by this step they very
quickly discovered was not to be realized; and the incensed protest of
Randolph, of Virginia, against "converting Canadians into traitors, as a
preparation for making them good American citizens," many of theIr
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The City of Toronto.
223
historians and public men now wish they had given heed to, Troubles
enough Canada at this time had, and she had many and weighty reasons
for being dissatisfied with her political rulers; but this did not lessen her
loyalty to Britain, nor dissuade her from doing what she could to keep her
soil inviolate.
For a moment let us look at the work that lay before her. The total
population of Canada at this time did not exceed 300,000, of which number
only about a fourth was settled in the Upper Province. The regular troops
of all arms in the country did not quite number 4,500 men, less than a third
being in Upper Canada. \Vith this small body of troops Canada had to
rely upon her own militia, ?ctively aided by the patriotism of her people,
to defend a frontier of over 1,500 miles, threatened at many points' by a
large anù disciplined army, with a population to draw upon of nearly eight
millions! Yet such was the spirit of her sons that, hopeless as seemed the
undertaking, she did not hesitate to take -the field at the first signal of
danger,
\Vith the return to England of Governor Gore, in the autumn of 1811,
Lieutenant-General Isaac Brock became President and acting Adminis-
trator of the Province. Throughout this year the growing hostility to
Britain shown by the United States, which had never got over the acrimony
of separation, rose to a flame over some unauthorized acts of British naval
officers in command of vessels on the Atlantic coast. Previous acts in
asserting England's" right of search" on the high seas for deserters and
contraband goods, which the United States had resented, had aggravated
public feeling, and intensified the .bitterness between the two countries.
President Madison's non-intercourse policy, and his establishment of a
close blockade over
\.merican ports, so as to cut off all trade with Britain,
were portents of the coming storm, \Vith remarkable prescience General
Brock saw that trouble was impending, and he set :about making prepara-
tions for defence. At the opening of the Legislature at York, in February,
1812, he presses upon the House the importance of adopting at once" such
measures as will best secure the internal peace of the country, and defeat
every hostile aggression." He expresses the hope, at the same time,
" that cool reflection and the dictates of justice may yet avert the calamities
of \Var." This, however, was not to be. On the 18th of June, 1812,
Congress declared war against Great Britain, and took instant steps to
invade Canada. Canada, with equal promptitude, proceeded to call out
her militia, and determinedly braced herself to resist invasion.
It is the fashion among many American writers of to-day to deny
that the \Var of 1812 was a war of aggression, But nothing Cdn well be
15
224
Tile COU1lty of York.
further from the truth. There was at the time a bitter hatred of England
and increasing jealousy of her maritime supremacy. To humiliate her on
the seas was a difficult undertaking, but not so difficult, it was thought,
would be the task of snatching from her her colony on the North. That
this was the design in invading Canada there can be no manner of doubt.
From a volume published at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1820::: we find the
following emphatic corroboration of the aggressive intent of the United
States in declaring war against Britain. It was nothing less than to secure
possession of the rich peninsula of Upper Canada, and obtain control of
the entire trade of the St. Lawrence. After enumerating the advantages
of the latter river as a highway to the sea, the writer speaks thus frankly of
the forcible annexation of Canada. "From these considerations," says
"i\Ir. Niles, " as well as from those of a political nature, the annexation of
the Canadas to the United States, which would give us the whole of the
great valley of the St. Lawrence, and the entire control of the extensive
water communication which forms its natural outlet to the ocean, must
always be an object of primary importance; and ought never for a moment
to be lost sight of by the councils of the Republic. Our extended and
extending Republic can never be considered as complete and consolidated
until this object is accomplished, \Vas there nothing else to awaken our
solicitude, to arouse our fears and provoke our pride, in relation to this
subject, the great angle or peninsula of Upper Canada, which projects
nearly six degrees into the very heart of the United States, ought to be
sufficient, It remains a standing monument, admonishing us of our duty
to ourselves, our country and posterity.
" The annexation of the territory of the Canadas to the United States
would open to the future millions that will inhabit the American borders of
the vast interior waters a free and natural channel of commerce down the
St. La\vrence; give us a north-western frontier, guarded by impenetrable
barriers of frost which would save millions that will be required to defend
the present extended and exposed frontier; and remove a permanent cause
of differences and wars between the two countries.
" But here is another reason, perhaps more important than any which
has been noticed: the acquisition of the Canadas is necessary to preserve
the political balance of this Union, and to countervail the immense terri-
tory \vhich has been acquired to the south and west by the cession of
.. Life of Commodore Perry, with biographical sketches of General Pike (who wa
killed at the attack upon Toronto) and Captain Lawrence (commander of the Chesaþ('ake),
by John M. Niles, Hartford, 1820.
The City of Toronto.
225
Louisiana. In addition to these considerations, it is an object worthy of a
free, an enlightened and magnanimous nation, which boa
ts of its liberty,
its laws and civil institutions, to extend, by all just and proper means, the
inestimable blessings of a free press, free suffrage, and the principles of
repuhlican government, to all who are in a condition to recei\ e and enjoy
them; and especially to a brave and hospitable people, whose contiguity to
our l\.epublic renders them special objects of our sympathy, and whose
destiny seems to have been identified with our own by the common Parent
oj the human family."
This delectable extract there is no need to enshrine in these pages as
very exceptional evidence, from a contemporary American source. of the
designs of the United States in invading Canada, The frank remarks of
:\Ir.
iles are no solitary confession of the feelings and desires of his
countrymen at the period. It was, of course, very kind of the .. free,
enlightened and magnanimous nation" to take that hearty intere:,t in a
young colony which led it to treat it as "a special object of sympathy," and
to desire, "by all just and proper means "-i.e., by a war of conquest. blood-
shed and pillage-to extend to it "the inestimable blessings of
H.epublican GO\-ernment." It was, further, a most laudable undertaking to
aid "the common Parent of the human family" in his either unwilling or
too difficult task of shaping the destinies of this country. But these
orth
.\merican possessions of the British Crown did not appreciate this gratui-
tous kindness of the good people of the neighbouring Republic; neither
were Canadians particularly anxious to avail themsekes of the" inestimable
blessings of Republican Government." Nor was Canada merely
coy and waiting to be wooed, She did not like the suitor, and from the
mouth of many a matchlock she hotly told him so,
Spar.e will not permit our following, \\-ith any detail, the forttlllès of the
war, nor does it specially lie in our way to do so. T\vo incidents of the
conflict, however, York had special interest in, and with one of these, at
kast, we must in the present chapter deal. Of these incidents \\e need
hardly say that one connects itself with the York militia and their heroic
leader; the other with the attack upon and surrender of Fort Toronto, and
the raiding of the capital.
Early in 1812 the Governor-General, Sir George Prevost, had received
instructions to permit the return of General 13roch. to England, that the
army of the continent might have the benefit of his services. Of this the
Governor-General advised Brock from Quebec. But the latter, impressed
with a sense of the critical position of the country, and believing- that
preferment was dS likely to come to him in the fulfilment of duty at his
226
.Tlle County of York.
present post, decided to remain and share with Canadians the honour, as
well as the risk,. of preserving the Province of Upper Canada to the British
Crown. \Vhat the risk was to him we shall presently see: the sentinel
column that stands to-day on Queenston Heights is a sad memorial of the
risk, while it perpetuates the memory of a deed of undying renown,
Less than a month after the declaration of war, the American general,
Hull, with an army of 2,500 men, crossed the Detroit River and entered
Canada. On hearing of this, Brock at once called an emergency meeting of
Parliament, despatched some companies of the 4 1st Regiment, then in
garrison at York, to Niagara, and thither, within a few days, followed them.
Colonel Proctor, with the remaining companies of the 4 1st , was ordered to
reinforce the troops at Amherstburg; and Captain Roberts, in command at
Fort St. Joseph, was instructed to re-take the old trading-post of Michili-
mackinac, \Vith the 3rd Regiment of York militia Brock himself set out,
on the 6th of August, for Amherstburg. Here he was joined by the Shawnee
Chief, Tecumseh, with whom and his Indian followers Brock concerted for
the capture of Fort Detroit.
By this time General Hull had withdrawn his army from Canada, and
retired upon the stronghold of Detroit. Promptly carrying out his project,
Brock put his small force in fighting array, and crossed the river into
1\Iichigan. Before assaulting the fort he summoned the garrison to sur-
render. The summons, to Brock's surprise, was complied \vith, and 2,5 00
American soldiers gave up to him their arms. Elated at his unlooked-for
success, and enabled by the capitulation of the fort to more efficiently arm
the Candian militia, he resolved at once to return to York, thereafter to
crç:>ss Lake Ontario and sweep from the Niagara frontier other detachments
of the enemy. By the 27th of August we find him and his troops back at
the capital, where he was received with the warmest acclaims of the
populace,
Unfortunately, when about to set out again, Brock's design to prevent
the enemy from massing on the Niagara River was for the time frustrated
by an ill-timed armistice, which had been agreed to by Sir George Prevost,
who held supreme command in Lower Canada. This delayed action till
the following October, and gave the Americans time to concentrate a force
of some 6,000 men, under Van Rensselaer, in the neighbourhood of Lewiston,
At daybreak on the 13th the advance-guard of this force effected a land
ng
on the Canadian bank of the Niagara River, despite the heroism of its
defenders. ' General Brock, hearing at Fort George the cannonading, gal-
loped with his aides to the scene of action, and at once found himself in the
thick of a desperate onset.
The City of Toronto.
227
The story is now a brief one. Two cOl!lpanies of the 49th Regiment,
under Captain Dennis, with about a hundred of the Canadian militia, had
for sometime been holding the enemy in check. The engagement speedily
hecame general. A portion of the invading force, gaining the heights
unobs
rved, from the
r vantage-ground began to pour destruction upon the
defenders. Brock, with characteristic gallantry, instantly placed himself
at the head of the troops, with whom were two companies of the militia of
York, and hastened to dislodge the enemy from the heights. Conspicu-
ously leading the storming-party, and with the cry, u Push on the York..
volunteers !" on his lips, Brock was struck by a musket-ball, and fell
mortally wounded. Maddened at the death of their heroic leader, the
troops twice essayed to clear the invaders from the flame-clad heights.
Twice, however, were they driven back; and the gallant column, of
barely three hundred men, was compelled to retire upon the village,
waiting reinforcements, Presently these came up, and under General
Sheaffe they now oucflanked the Americans, and on the brink of the
river forced them to surrender. Victory once more rested upon British
arms, though its lustre was grievously dimmed by heavy losses sustained
by the victors, and by the death of Brock, their loved commander. Three
days afterwards they laid his body temporarily to rest in a bastion of Fort
George, and the Canadian people mourned for their dead hero.
t-
{.Z
-j \'
CHAPTER V.
.
THE ADVENT OF DR. STRACHAi\', AND THE FALL OF YORK.
I]
i -Ý URING the remaining months of the year 1812 nothing very
. ì " notable happened to the arms of the two nations. The success
o. won on Queenston Heights, though it had cost the life of the
j.,'. ." gallant Brock, was a serious blow to the Americans, as nearly
t;-
W a thousand men surrendered to Sheaffe, with \Vadsworth, their
... general. Small as was the Canadian force opposed to the
invader, its losses shed a gloom over the capital. \Vith Brock
there fell the Provincial Attorney-General, John McDonnell, who was acting
as aide-de-camp to the Governor, together with many a gallant militiaman.
York gave of its best blood to the war, and few who were able to fight
shirked the duty the sword imposed upon them.
To mitigate the horrors and alleviate the sufferings of the conflict,
there was now established at the capital an association called the "Loyal
and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada,.' the principal objects of which
were to make provision. for the widows and orphans of the war, to tend the
wounded, and give succour to those whose homes had been made desolate.
The founder of this society, and one of the most active citizens of the still
young capital, was a reverend diyine who had but recently come to take up
his residence in York, and whose profession well fitted him to act the part
of the Good Samaritan. \Ve refer to the Re..v, Dr. John Strachan, a name
that was to become a household word throughout the Province, and its
owner one of the most notable figures in its history.
Born at _\berdeen, in 1778, this young Scot, who was to become the
first Bishop appointed by the Crown in Upper Canada, left the charge of
a parish school in the neighbourhood of St. Andrews and came to Canada,
in 1799, to devote himself to the work of teaching, It had been wisely
proposed by Governor Simcoe that the Province should encourage the
estahlishment of an acarlemy, to grow in time into a college, and that some
The City of Torol1 to,
229
capable person should be obtained from Britain to take charge of the insti-
tution, The offer of the principalship, tradition has it, was first made to
the notable divine, Dr. Chalmers, and being refused by him, young Strachan,
the Aberdeen graduate, was induced to accept it. On the last day of the
century, the young Master of Arts arrived at Kingston, and presented
himself at the house of Mr. Richard Cartwright, a gentleman of much local
repute, who was afterwards heartily to befriend him. . Here he learned
that with the departure of Simcoe, and other intervening events, the project
of founding an academy under the auspices of the Government had been
abandoned, Undeterred by this mischance, and aided by his good friend
Cartwright, Strachan opened a private school at Kingston, and immediately
met with success. For the first time was now set in motion that educa-
tional machinery which erelong was to overspread the Province, and bear
the lamp of learning into every village in the land.
\ Vhile at Kingston Strachan determined to take orders in the Church
of England, and being admitted by Bishop :\lountain to the priesthood, he
was given a charge at Cornwall. Thither Strachan and his now celebrated
school removed, and for a time we find him imparting more than the con-
ventional rudiments of education to a group of young men who from the
Grammar School at Cornwall were erelong to go forth to the highest positions
in the Province.
In I8I I there died at Kingston an intimate friend and correspondent
of Strachan, the Rev. Dr. John Stuart, who for a quarter of a century
had ministered to the people of that town. The man looked to as his
successor was the schoolmaster at Cornwall; but just then Governor Gore
was inducing the worthy dominie to come to York, and engage in clerical
and educatiqnal work. For a time Strachan wavered in his chOIce, but the
incumbency of York being pressed ufJon him by many prominent people of
the town, he finally accepted the charge, and removed to the capital.
Through the favour of Major-General Brock he was also appointed to the
chaplaincy of the troops, and offered some official post in the Provincial
Council.
Dr. Strachan's biographer, and his successor in the See of Toronto,
gives us a brief but interesting picture of York at the period of Strachan's
advent. "Y ork, at this time," writes Dishop Bethune, "was a little town
of a few hundred inhabitants; the houses all of wood,' and of very unpre-
tending dimensions. Seven years later, when first seen by the writer of
-This was a slip on the part of the Reverend biographer. The buildings
ppropriated
to the Legislature, as already mentioned, were constructed of brick.
.....
23 0
The COU1lty of York.
this memoir, its population hardly exceeded 1,000; and there were but
three brick houses in the whole place. In 1812 it might be regarded as a
quiet little parish, affording sufficient but not severe labour to the incum-
bent, and quite within the compass of one man's pastoral ministrations.
But now it was shaken and disturbed by the din and turmoil of war; it was
the residence of the Commander of the Forces, and the centre, conse-
quently, of all military arrangements. No sooner was war proclaimed
than there followed the active preparations and energetic movements of Sir
Isaac Brock; and before many months we had the bloodless triumph at
Detroit, and the sanguinary, yet not less glorious, contest at Queenston
Heights-having, however, one most calamitous result, the death of the
gallant Brock himself. After this, as the wintry season drew on, there was
comparative quiet; but far and near were the notes of preparation on either
side, and thickening anxieties for the coming spring. In such a stirFing
time it was not in the nature of Dr. Strachan to be idle; burning with love
of his country, and full of indignation at this unrighteous aggression, he
was active and judicious in his counsels; and if he could not take the lead in
the field, he was foremost in devising means to ameliorate the calamities
which the war was inducing,"
Among the means devised by Dr. Strachan for the relief of the victims
of the war was the founding, as we have already narrated, of the Upper
Canada Loyal and Patriotic Society, which, though established at York,
had branches throughout the Province. Of this benevolent institution,
to the funds of which large contributions had generously been forwarded
from England, the writer we have just quoted remarks that" it contributed
more towards the defence of the Province than half-a-dozen regime,nts, from
the confidence and good-will it inspired amongst the population at large,
and the encouragement it gave to thë young men of the country to leave
their homes and take their share in its defence." The events of the following
year, unhappily, called into requisition all the aid the society could offer
for the relief of the wounded, and to meet the necessities of the families of
those who had fallen. \\ïth the spring of 1813 the Americans renewed
their military and naval operations against Canada, and more actively by
way of the lakes. Here the enemy was stronger, and the water boundary
between the two countries now became, in great measure, the scene of
hostilities, Towards the end of February the Legislature of Upper Canada
was called together by General Sheaffe, the Provisional Administrator,
and in concert with Sir George Prevost and the Parliament of the Lower
Province, active measures were adopted and money votes passed for the
continued defence of the country. Efforts were also made to strengthen
The City of Toronto.
23 1
the weak marine on the lakes, for the command of which Sir James Yeo
had arrived at Kingston, But the Americans were earlier prepared to
renew hostilities, at least on the water. They had also planned demonstra-
tions by land, both in the east and west, with the hope of .recovering their
lost military prestige, and of effacing the recollection of the previous year's
disasters, A flotilla was even now read" to leave the eastern end of Lake
,
Ontario with designs against York. Unfortunately for the Provincial capital,
its slender defences and the handful of troops in the garrison-now com-
manded by :\Iajor-General Sheaffe-could not avert the fate that menaced it.
On the 25th of April, Commodore Chauncey set out from Sackett's Harbour
with a fleet of fourteen armed vessels and some 1,600 troops, with the object of
capturing Fort Toronto and raiding the capital. The attacking force was
under the command of Brigadier Pike, directed by General Dearborn, who re-
mained on board the flag-ship, On the evening of the 26th the fleet appeared
outside the harbour, and on the following day the troops detailed to attack
the fort were landed in the neighbourhood of the H umber River, and, under
fire from the ships, proceeded to take th
outworks, and to scale the inner
defences, which interposed but slight obstacles to the enemy. Conscious
of the weakness of his position, General Sheaffe had concluded to evacuate
the fort, ?nd had already fallen back upon the town, Passing through it
with his few "regulars," he proceeded eastward, ignominiously leaving the
militia to make what further defence they could, or to treat with the enemy.
The latter, finding that the fire from the fort had suddenly ceased, and anti-
cipating a surrender, pushed on in column to take possession. The ne
.t
moment there was a terrific e}...plosion, General Pike and oyer two
hundred of his command were shot into the air. The powder magazine
had been fired by an artillery sergeant of the retreating force, to prevent
it falling into the hands of the Americans, and the fuse was lit, from
all accounts undesignedly, at a horribly inopportune moment. \Yith
the evacuation of the fort came the surrender of the town and its subse-
quent pillage-a grim pastime which seems to have been carried out in the
spirit of the Reyolutionary formula: "In the name of the Great Jehovah
and the Continental Congress! "
For a few days after the event just narrated, the Americans held
possession of York, and received the submission of Colonel Chc\\ ett and
the handful of militia who had not fallen in defence of the town, The
CanadIan loss, including that of the troops, was ahout 130 men; and nearly
300 militia surrendered themselves prisoners. The casualties also included
a number of Indians, who had been of much service, under :\Iajor Givins,
when the enemy were in the act of landing. The loss to the Americans, in
23 2
The COUllty of York.
killed and wounded, was not short of 350 men, more than a half of whom
had been blown up in the fort. The exploding of the magazine and the
calamitous loss to the invaders, as may be expected, put them in no humour
to treat with apy generosity either the townspeople or the town. The
Houses of Parliament, with the library and public records, were burned;
one or two vessels on the stocks, with the dockyard, and a quantity of
marine stores, were
lso given to the flames; and everything of value that
could be removed was put on board the fleet. Life only was not sacrificed.
The Canadian militia were released on parole, and articles of ca'pitulation,
after some little friction, were duly drawn out and signed. There is extant
some memoranda of Bishop Strachan, written at the time, which give a
graphIc account of scenes connected with the capitulation, and the diffi-
culties he had to contend with in getting the enemy to restrain their lawless-
ness and respect private property. Some extracts from this diary may not
be without interest to the modern reader, and we here append them. Says
the Doctor: "On hearing the tremendous explosion of the magazine,
hurried home and found :\1rs, Strachan greatly terrified, and off with the
children to a neighbour's house; sent her to a friend's a little out of town.
Go up towards the garrison, which we had by this time abandoned; find
the General and his troops in a ravine, the militia scattering, The General
(Sheaffe) determines to retreat to Kingston with the regulars, and leaves the
command with Colonel Chewett and Major Allan, two militia officers; and
desires them to make the best conditions they can with the enemy for the
protection of the town. Offer my services to assist them. Go to Mr.
Crookshank's house, and meet :\Iajor King and Colonel :\litchell, on the
part of the enemy. Our Attorney-General, :\1r. Robinson,* also went with
us, and assisted us to discuss the points of capitulation, A difficulty arose
from a ship and naval store having been set on fire during our negotiations;
this considered very dishonourable. At length a capitulation is agreed
upon, suhject to the ratification of the commanding officer. Soon broken
through; Major Allan, though under the protection of a flag of truce, is
made prisoner, and deprived of his sword. I accompany him to town in
the midst of the enemy's column. The militia on our side ground their
arms. The enemy return to the garrison, with the exception of the rifle
corps, which is left under pretence of protection to the town,
,. \Vednesday, April 28, inet Major King at the Hon, Mr. Selby's;
complain of the indignity offered :\Iajor Allan, and th:l.Ì the capitulation
had not been ratified, nor a copy so ratified returned in a few minutes.
* Afterwards Chief Justice.
The City of Torollto.
233
according to promise; and declared that the whole thing appeared a decep-
tion. Major King was sorry, would do everything that lay in his power, and
desired us to go to the garrison, and everything would be amicably adjusted.
\Vent to the garrison, but the commanding officer, Colonel Pierce, can do
nothing, The militia had been detained in the block-house without victuals,
and the wounded without nourishment or medicine. Complain to Colonel
Pierce, who ordered rations for the prisoners.
leet a deputation from
General Dearborn, to discuss the articles of capitulation; find that they
cannot parole the militia officers and men.
.. Demand an officer to take me on board the principal ship, where
Dearborn was. :\Ieet him coming ashore, and present him with the articles
of capitulation. He read them without deigning an answer. Request to know
whether he will parole the officers and men, and de
1and leave to take away
our sick and wounded. He treats me with great harshness; tells me that
we had given a false return of officers; told me to keep off, and not to follow
him, etc., he had husiness of much more importance t,p attend to. Com-
plained of this treatment to Commodore Chauncey, the commander of
flotilla; declare that if the capitulation was not immediately signed we
would not receive it; and affirmed that the delay was a deception, calcu-
.
lated to give the riflemen time to plunder, and after the town had heen
robbed they would then perhaps sign the capitulation, and tell us they
respected private property, But we were determined that this should not
be the case, and that they should not have it in their power to say that they
respected private property, after it had been robbed. Upon saying this, ]
broke away. Soon after. General Dearborn came to the room where his
deputation was sitting, and having heen told what I had said, settled the
matter amicahly. The officers and men were released on parole, and we
began to remm"e the sick and wounded.
,. Spent the whole of Thursday, the 29th, in removing the sick and
wounded, and getting comforts for them. On the following day "the Gov-
ernment building- on fire, contrary to the articles of capitulation, and the
church robbed. Call a meeting of the judges and magistrates; draw up d
short note stating our grievances, and wait upon General Dearborn with it.
He is greatly embarrdssed, and promises everything.'
This extract introduces us at an early stage to many of the charac-
teristics of a remarkable man, who was to become a notable figure in
the history of the Province, and, in time, the first Bishop of Toronto, For
over half a century he was to be closely identified with the development of
Upper Canada, the affairs of which he thus early took into his own hand,;
to manage. :\I,tttcrs politicdl, as well as educational and ecclesiastical,
234
Tlte County of York.
were, In large measure, to come under his control, and be more or less
moulded by his forceful and practical mind. In many respects his influence
was objectionable, and the dominance of the party with whom he worked
pernicious; but, on the whole, he may be said to have served his countr)
faithfully, and from the best of motives. Curt and stubborn, at times even
to rudeness, many often found him; and no doubt it was to this trait of his
character, with, perhaps, a little officiousness, that Dearborn's impatience
with him is to be traced; though his doggedness and incensed manner
would, we may be sure, get all the indulgence possible for the militia and
citizens of York from the town's rude captors,
After the submission and humiliation of York, Chauncey's fleet set sail
for the mouth of the K iagara River, with the intention of attacking Fort
George. Though gallantly defended by a small force under General Vin-
cent, the fort was at last abandoned by its garrison, which then fell back
on a strong position, between Niagara and Burlington Heights. Besides the
loss of the fort, over 400 men fell on the sharply-contested field. This loss
was, however, more than atoned for, and the account squared, by the heroic
engagements at Beaver Dam and Stony Creek, and, later in the year, by
the descent upon Black Rock. Eastward, there had been a brilhant exploit
at Ogdensburg, and seyeral engagements on Lake Champlain; while, in the
Detroit region, Proctor had been successful, with the aid of Tecumseh and
his Indians, in harassing the American" Army of the \V est." On the lakes
fortune was capricious, now playing into the hands of Chauncey and Perry;
anon into those of Barclay and Yeo,
Taking advantage of aid sent from the capital to General Yincent at
Burlington Heights, which depleted the already slender garrison, Chauncey
in July-three months after his first yisit-made another descent upon
York, and gave much of the town to the flames. The war-scarred capital
now presented a sorry spectacle, for what of value was not burned was
carried away. Among the loot of York, it is worthy of mention, was a fire-
engine, which was long treasured at the
avy Yard, \Yashingtoll, as part of
the spoil of the town. The trophy had been presented to the inhabitants
of York by Lieutenant-Governor Hunter in 1802, In the reprisals from
the seaboard in the following year, when the British captured \\T ashington
and burned the capitol, it is comforting to think that there was occasion
given the Americans, for its use.
Canadian history has in 1813 to chronicle two other successes, which
more than counterbalanced the loss to its arms in a year of untold hard-
ships and much bloodshed, Chrysler's Farm and Chateauguay has to be
added to the roll of honour on the war banners of the young colony,' The
The City of Toronto.
235
year closed, however, amid woe and desolation. The American General,
:\IëClure, in command of'the captured stronghold of Fort George, being
hard pressed by Vincent's troops, decided to winter in Fort Niagara, on
the other side of the river. Thinking his safety even there endangered by
the proximity of Newark, he committed the inhuman act of t{lrning out of
their homes, in the depth of winter, about 150 families, including 400 women
and children, and fired the town at thirty minutes' notice. For this bar-
barous act the Americans were held to a terrible account in the reprisals
which instantly followed-the surprise and capture of Fort Niagara, and
the consigning of all American villages, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie,
to the flames,
There is little to record in the events of 1814, save the failure of the
British attack on the strong position of the \.mericans at Chippewa, and
the crowning victory of the war, the Battle of Lundy's Lane, with which
the \Var of 1812 may be said to have practically ended. The Treaty of
Ghent, which was signed on the q.th of December, 1814, terminated the
protracted struggle, and left Canada in possession of her own, The
country had been devastated, innumerable homes made desolate, and
thousands of lives sacrificed, in an inglorious attempt by the American
people to subjugate Canada, and supplant the Union Jack by the Stars
and Stripes. The ordeal was a trying one for the country, but her sons
were equal to the occasion, and she acquitted herself with honour, and
carried to the credit of her national life that which has since strengthencJ
and ennobled it.
CHAPTER VI.
YORK: 1813-1823.
fl
.
J,.
"' ORK, which for three years, as we have seen, had been passing
through the agonies of a long and unequal contest, now hailed
with fervour the return of peace, and set herself the task of
laying anew the foundations of her material advancement.
The harrow of anxious times and the sword and torch of the
invader had ruthlessly gone over the town, and desolated
hearts as well as homes. \Vith peace in Europe there camE'
large accessions to the .troops in Canada; and apprehension ga\re up it
fears at the coming of better times and returning confidence,
At the close of the year 1813, Lieutenant-General Drummond, who
had commanded at Lundy's Lane, arriyed at the capital to take charge of
the civil and military affairs of the Province. In the following February
we find him calling the Legislature together in a hall used as a ball room.
in the York Hotel, situate on King Street East-the Houses of Parliament
having been burned during Chauncey"s first descent upon the town. In
April, 1815, Sir George Prevost, the Governor-General, was recalled to
England, to answer charges ret1e( ting on his military character during his
operations with the troops in Lower Canada. General (now Sir Gordon)
Drummond was appointed in his place. Until the return of Francis Gore,
in 1815, the administration of the Upper PrO\'ince was entrusted to
Generals Murray and Robinson. In September, however, Governor Gore
returned and resumed control of affairs, His presence was not altogether
acceptable to the people, who were now turning their attention to defect!'
in the government of the Province, and with good reason. The affairs of
Upp-=r Canada had hitherto been almost wholly administered by the Gover-
nor-in-Council. In legislative matters representatives were not well versed,
and for a time there were few men who were familiar with Parliamentary
systems, or had given them even a thought. l'\ecessarily, therefore, the work
..:: "
i",
.
.1
. 'rl:'
,- '
"",
t
....
The Czty of Toro1lto.
237
of administration fell largely into the hands of the Governor for the time
being, and his advisers. \Yhat more natural, then, that having hitherto
enjoyed exclusive power, the advisers of the Crown were loth to share it
with the people's representatives? But the time had come for a change,
The Province was making headway, and the country was being opened up,
The militia were disbanded, and many of the troops of the mother country
had either been granted or had acquired their discharge, Immigration, more-
over, had set in, and settlers desired to take up land. Now came the
conflict between the people and the Government, its creatures and officials.
\Ve are on the eve, it will be seen, of the period of the" Family Compact."
But though political discontent was beginning to show itself, York and
the young colony were making substantial progress. Trade was springing
up, and the first steamer ever seen on the waters of Ontario, the Frolltell11C,
had been launched on the Bay of Quinté. The Session of Parliament held
in the spring of 1816 is notable for haying laid the foundation of the
Common School system of the Province, An Act was passed authorizing
the establishment of schools "in such town, township, village, or place,"
at each of which the attendance of pupils should not be less than twenty;
and [6,000 were appropriated to provide the machinery of education. The
measure also provided for the election of school trustees-" fit and discreet
persons," who were "to examine into the moral character and capacity of
any person willing to become a teacher, and to nominate or appoint him,"
Considerable sums were voted for building roads and bridges; for the support
of a provincial agent in London; for the purchase of books for the Parlia-
mentary Library, which had been burned, ,,\ grant from the Provincial
Exchequer of {Z,500 was also made for the purposes of ci,'il government, and
permission to expend {3,000 was asked of the Crown for the purchase of a
service of plate for the Governor. This latter investment seemed to not a fe"
of the representatives a lavish and unnecessary one, in view, particularly,
of the absence of the Governor during the whole period of the war, and the
many other more laudable objects on which the money could be e}...pended,
In the following session provision was made for a modest system of police
supervision of the town, and for some measure of municipal g-o,-ernment.
Before this session closed an effort was made by the Lower House to take
into consideration" the present state of the Province." But the spectre of
Reform, the Governor and his friends had decided, should not be lon
allowed to show itself. Presently down came a message fIom the Gov-
I'rnor, summoning the House to the Bar of the Upper Chamber, where,
without waste of words, the country's representatives were dismissed to
their homes. .. I will send the rascals ahout their business!" were the
23 8
The County of York.
irate words of the Governor, when he heard the nature of the House's
deliberations, and he almost literally put his threat into execution, In
May, ISI7, Governor Gore, however, was recalled to England, and the
relations between the administrator and Parliament for the time escaped
rupture,
\Vith the return of :\Ir, Gore to England another interregnum occurs
in the consecutive order of Lieutenant-Governors of Upper Canada,
during which Colonel Samuel Smith acts as President, and for the time
being administers the affairs of the Province. Gore left the capital. in
the spring of ISI7, and his successor did not arrive until the summer of
the following year. Colonel SmIth was a retired half-pay officer, who had
been appointed a member of the Executive Council by the Prince Regent,
acting for His..1VIajesty, George III. Among the appointments made at
thIS period (7th October, ISIS), we notice that of Dr. John Strachan, " to
be an Honorary Member of the same Counci1."
In the month of August, ISIS, his Excellency, Sir Peregrine Maitland,
Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath,
Lieutenant-Governor of the Province 9f Upper Canada, and Major-General
commanding His Majesty',s Forces, arrived. This officer was the son-in-
law of His Grace the Duke of Richmond, with whose daughter, the
charming Lady Sarah Lennox, he had eloped from Paris, The Duke
himself had just been appointed Governor-General of Canada, and had
come to the country with his son-in-law and daughter, Here, a year
hence, he was to meet with a painful death, from the bite of a pet fox, as
has often been told,
The coming to York of Sir Peregrine and Lady Sarah Maitland, it
may readily be imagined, raised no little flutter in society circles in the
young colony. He was stately, and she was fair, and about both there
was a romance which would endear them to the hearts of the young and
gushing in the prosaic capita1. But the society of Little York was to see
little, comparatively, of their Excellencies. They made their residence
mainly at Stamford, not far from the Falls, where Nature was bountiful and
life more quiet. At intervals a visit would be paid, however, to the capital,
where they were always received with state ceremonial, and interest would
now and then be added to the occasion by the presence of some notable
visitor from Europe, There were also the ceremonies to be witnessed in
connection with the opening and proroguing of Parliament-new Legis-
lative Buildings having been erected. On occasional Sundays there would
also be the unpretending, but nevertheless attractive, spectacle of the
presence of the mimic court at divine service in "the Church of York."
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Tlte City of Toro1lto.
239
St, James's had by this time been enlarged. At the southern end of the
church a pew of state had been erected, with an elaborate canopy, and the
symbol of the Royal Arms overhead. \Vithin the building, as Dr. Scad-
ding, Toronto's genial historiographer, takes pleasure in telling us, "used
to assemble periodically the little world of York; occasionally, a goodly
proportion of the little world of all Upper Canada," Here the troops and
townspeople would assemble, with the judges, members of the Legislative
Council, and those of the Lower House, together with the state officers, and
the Provincial and town officials, And here the reverend oligarch, Doctor
John Strachan, would try to solemnize his mind for the performance of his
ministerial duties, and endeavour to forget the evil that was incarnate in
politics, and the tribulation that daily beset him in his dual care of the
State and the Church,
Meanwhile York was extending its boundaries. The once infant capital
was now growing up to adolescence, and those who had been born in
the town to young manhood. The settlement that had at first hewn itself
a home by the banks of the Don was now spreading north and \vestward,
.\bout the market had sprung up a number of public buildings, stores,
taverns, and land and steamboat offices, and more than one denomination
had begun to build itself a sanctuary. The judges had erected residences
outside the town limits, and the Reverend incumbent of the parish had
domiciled himself in what was long known as "the Palace," situate on
Front Street, to the west of York. Newspapers had come into existence,
and there was already talk of founding a college, in addition to the District
Grammar School, of which Strachan was still Principal. The professions
also were beginning to establish themselves, and legislation had been
enacted to regulate their practice. In legislation we \lso find the evidence
of growth and prosperity. In 1820 increased representation was granted
to the House of Assembly, Counties which had attained a population of
{,000 were gIVen two members to represent them; while towns of 1,000, in
which Quarter Sessions were held, were given one member. In 1822 the
Dank of Upper Canada came into corporate existence; and steps were
taken to establish a uniform currency. The following year saw the erection
of a jail and court-house; an
l the unexpended monéys of the "Loyal
and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada" were devoted to the building of
an hospital.
The revenues of the Province, besides the moneys raised from land-
sales, were mainly obtained from a share in the duties levied by the Lower
Province on :goods coming into the country. This sum was yearly increas-
mg; though the Province at the time had difficulty in getting the .amount
16
24 0
TIle County of York.
regularly paid over by the Lower Canada Government. Goods entering
the Province ft;:om the United States of course paid duty directly into. the
Upper Canada exchequer, It may not here be amiss to see what was then
the tariff.
At the first settlement of Upper Canada, it was not uncommon, we are
told, for soldiers to sell their zoo-acre lots of land for a bottle of rum,
This favourite beverage of the other branch of the service was not then
high-priced in consequence of the tariff, but rather from the primitiveness
of trade and the dearth of importers. In 18z1 circumstances had changed.
The tariff of that year placed a duty of zs. 6d. a gallon on distilled spirits,
and 6s. a dozen on beer, in bottles. Sheep paid IS., live hogs zos., cows z5 s .,
and oxen 50S. per head. Clothing, cotton goods, books, paper, and pictures
were taxed 35 per cent, ad valorem; snuff had an impost put upon it of 7t d .,
manufactured tobacco, 7d., and unmanufactured, 4d, per pound. On soap
there was levied zd" and on hair powder 4d. a pound, while their comple-
ment, looking-glasses, \vere taxed 40 per cent. Boots and shoes paid 25
cents per pair; while all other manufactured goods, the growth and pro-
duce of the United States, were subject to a duty of 30 per cent.
\Ve are at this early period without information of the amount of
revenue these imports yielded at York; but the sum could not have
been large, as the tr
de of the town as yet had not assumed any great
proportions, and most imports were still entered at Niagara. The local
traffic at the port, however, was annually growing; and steamboats, which
had repla:ced the old-fashioned Durham packets, were now actively plying
between the capital and various towns on the lake. It was still, however,
a primitive time in York; and the annalist can with truth make nothing
more of the place tftan to reveal it in its real colours, True, from the
travellers of this period, and even from some of its long-time residents,
the town has had bare justice done it. The former have too often
written from caprice, or from the impressions formed by a hasty, and
perhaps an accidentally unpleasant visit. The latter have not unfrequently
described the place with a temper soured by failure in the colony, or with
teeth gnashed against some one individual who has unluckily given them
offence. A collection of criticisms on the capital, which appear in print
from contemporary writers, would be curious reading, They would be as
varied as the humours of the visitor, and often as tart as a green apple.
But everything must have a b.eginning, and the beginnings of York, we
may as well confess, were unlovely,
The modern tourist, who has his first view of Toronto kom the water,
and lands to drive through its elegant streets, or to take a coupé to one or
TIle City of Toronto,
24 1
other of its fashionable hotels, can have little notion of what scenes were
presented to the visitor at the water-front, or in the streets of " muddy
Little York," in the years prior to the Rebellion, Here is a picture, exag-
gerated perhaps, certainly not over complimentary, of York in 1823, It is
from the pen oLl\Ir. Edward Allen Talbot, described as of the Talbot Set-
tlement, Upper Canada, but who is not to be confounded with the hermit
Colonel, with the same patronymic, who in 1803 founded the colony on the
northern shores of Lake Erie,>;: Says l\'Ir, Talbot: "The streets of York
are regularly laid out, intersecting eacb other at right angles, Only one of
them, however, is yet completely built; and in wet weather the unfinished
streets are, if possible, muddier and dirtier than those of Kingston. The
situation of the town is very unhealthy; for it stands on a piece of low
marshy land, which is better calculated for a frog-pond, or beaver-meadow,
than for the residence of human beings, The inhabitants are, on this
account, much subject, particularly in spring and autumn, to agues and
intermittent fevers; and probably five-sevenths of the people. are annually
afflicted with these comp.laints, He who first fixed upon this spot as the
site of the capital of Upper Canada, whatever predilection he may have
had for the roaring of frogs, or for the effluvia arising from stagnated
..
waters and putrid vegetables, can certainly have had no very great regard
for preserving the lives of His Majesty's subjects. The Town of York," he
half-graciously adds, "possesses ore great advantage, which is that of a
good, but defenceless, harbour."
The contrast between this picture and what would be sober truth, in
describing the Toronto of to-day, each one can draw for himself. As the
city has improved æsthetically, it has improved sanitarily; and in this
respect the modern resident has cause to be grateful for the transformation
which time and labour have produced. Not by enchantment, we may be
sure, but by the toil of brain and muscle, and the slow evolution of weary
years, has the change been brought about,
And what has been done for the cities has been done at large for the
Province. The whole face of the country has undergone change. \ Vhat,
emphatically and universally, was a wilderness, is now, in large measure, a
cultivated garden,
ature has yielded up its tyranny, and the soil is yearly
giving of its abundant increase, At what cost this change has been brought
about, and how much of individual toil it represents, only the pioneers of
the country adequately know. Nor was the toil alone that of the labouring
man: often, indeed. it was that of the delicately nurtured, and the privation
.. .. Five Years Residence in the Canadas," vol. I I PP, 101-2.
24 2
The County of York,
fell hardest on gentle blood. The work we have just referred to supplies
signal proof of this, In a passage dealing with the Talbot Settlement the
writer gives us this picture of its celebrated founder; and its local reference
must plead excuse for our quoting it: "The Colonel" (Talbot), says his
relative, " is perhaps one of the most eccentric characters on the whole
continent. He not only lives a life of cheerless celibacy, but enjoys no
human society whatever. So great was his aversion to the fair sex, that,
for many years after his arrival at Port Talbot, he refused to hire a femal
servant, but milked his own cows, made his own butter, and performed
every other function of kitchen-maid, cook, and dairy-woman. Is it not
strange, that a British officer of such high rank in the army, and respectable
connections in civil life, should be induced to settle in the pathless wilder-
ness, where he is totally excluded from society, unless he should associate
with a class of people whom he considers entirely beneath him, and with
whom he has never yet in any respect confederated? Being a member of the
Legislative Council of U pp
r Canada, he goes to York once or twice in the
year; these visits, and an occasional one to England at intervals of five or
six years, serve to rub off the rust contracted in his lonely cottage, and to
remind him that the wo
ld is still as merry as it was when he figured in its
gayest circles."
Before closing these social pictures of the time, and as a sort of antidote
to Mr, Talbot's depreciatory sketch of the capital, let us quote another
authority in regard to the condition of York under the régime of Sir
Peregrine Maitland. In Bishop Strachan's memoirs, published in 1870,
by Bishop Bethune, his successor in the Toronto episcopate, we find the
following reminiscences of York in 1820. Says the Bishop: "Though
inferior in size and condition to many of our present villages, York took 'a
high rank as to social position. From its being the seat of Government,
the society was excellent, having not less than twenty families of the highest
respectability, persons of refinement, and many of high intellectual culture.
To these were added a small sprinkling of military. For the size of the
place there was a large amount of hospitality exercised, and on a handsome
and bountiful scale.. . Sir Peregrine and Lady Sarah took the lead,
of course, in the hospitalities of the place. They had their regular dinner
parties during the Parliamentary Sessions, and once or twice a year there
was a grand evening party with dancing, which gathered in all the respect-
ability of the community in a mass. Sir Peregrine was reserved, but
courteous and agreeable; had not a shade of superciliousness; and would
at times be very animated in conversation. Lady Sarah was of a
more lively temperament, but remarkably gentle and amiable, She held
.
The City of Toro11 to.
243
her position as became a Duke's daughter; but, like a genuine member of
England's nobility, had no pride, and maintained an intercourse on very
kindly and familiar terms with the ladies of the place.
"The unpretending, old-fashioned wooden house of Chief Justice
Powell, with its two-storied verandah facing the bay, was a great attraction
to residents and visitors; because it contained a lively, amiable, and
hospitable family. And the residence of the rector of the parish-then
the best in the place, and aftenvards by courtesy "the Palace "-was
renowned for its frequent and elegant hospitalities. So, too, the abode of
Attorney-General Robinson, then of small dimensions; but whose inmates
possessed, what they ever after maintained, the esteem and love of all who
knew them.
"The public buildings were not out of keeping with the modest pre-
tensions of the town in general; they presented no envy-pròvoking contrast
with the abodes of ináividuals. The Court-house was a small, unpainted
wooden building, a little to the north of King and east of Y onge Street-
the site, and sunburnt aspect of which, some of our old inhabitants may
remember; and the jail was a homely and rickety structure on the south
side of King Street, where now some of our proudest' shops are exhibiting
their attractive wares, The Parliament House was a cottage-looking edifice,
near the mtersection of York and \Vellington Streets; afterwards transformed
into public offices, and subsequently i,1to a private residence, with neat and
tasteful grounds around it. The district schoolhouse was a capacious
wooden building, standing on an open common a little in rear of St. James's
Churchyard.
"There was at that time throughout Upper Canada but a mere
sprinklir:g of clergymen; though the members of the Church bore a large
proportion to the general population, and everywhere its ministrations
were very cordially accepted. There were in those days but few Presby-
terian places of worship-not one either in York or in Kingston; and the
ministers of that body were correspondingly few. The Methodists
were a more numerous body, and had at that time a large chapel in York,
which was pretty well filled on Sunday evenings.
" To extend our view as regards the position of the Church of England
in Upper Canada, it will surprise many to hear that, in 1820, the first
clergyman you came to west of Toronto was at Ancaster. On the Niagara
peninsula there were three-at Niagara, Chippewa, and Grimsby. Going
westward frolll Ancaster, you found none until you reached .Amhcrstburg
and Sandwich. All that vast interval-now comprehending a large diocese
with nearly ninety clergymen-was, as regards the ministrations of the
244
The COlt1lty of York.
Church, a blank. Going eastward from York, the first clergyman we came
to was at Cobourg; and north of this, in Cavan, another was settled. Then
a blank, until we reached Belleville, then Bath, then Kingston. The next
was at \Yilliamsburg, and the last at Cornwall; sixteen in all. There was,
besides, a chaplain to the forces stationed at Niagara, a chaplain to the
navy at Kingston, and a clergyman at the latter place in charge of the
Grammar School. They had but a small revenue to deal with-
merely the rents from the (Clergy Reserves) leased lots; but it was con-
sidered the hopeful beginning of good days for the extension and strength
of the Church,"
CHAPTER VII.
\\"'ILLlA:\I LYON :\1ACKESZIE AND THE RULE OF SIR JOHN COLBORNE.
1
:
,
N the annals of C pper Canada the period covered by our last
, }: chapter is perhaps the least interesting of any with which the
':.' historian has to deal. The era of commotion and disorder which
W was to follow not only saw much intellectual activity in Parlia-
..-w J. ment and in the press, but saw even considerable progress in the
, r-v building up of the capital.
All places have their local prejudices, and the infant Town of York was
no exception to the rule. Founded near the banks of the Don, its citizens
had determined even thus early to get away from the place of its birth,
The town was now growing' to the north and to the west. From \\Ïndmill
Street, to the east of Parliament, the place had extended westward as far as
York, or even Graves (now Simcoe), streets; while northward from
Palace (now Front), King, Duke, Duchess, and Lot (the modern Queen)
streets had been surveyed and in part opened out. \Vest of Church Street
ran ::\larket (now \Vellington)
King, Newgate(now Adelaide), and Hospital
(now Richmond) streets; while intersecting them, at right angles, were
Jordan, Bay, and York. Already, it will be seen, the town was beginning
to assume some proportions.. and justify its selection as the capital city.
The year 1824 is notable for the initiation of two enterprises which
were fraught with beneficent results to the Province. One of these w,as the
proposal to construct the \Velland Canal, to cross the peninsula which
lies between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie; the other was the forma-
tion of the Canada Land Company, under Imperial Charter. The \Yelland
Canal project was the conception of 1\1r. \V. II. ì\Ierritt, a gentleman of
U. E, Loyalist parentage, who had been an officer of militia in the \Yar of
1812. He was engaged in large business operatIOns, the importance of
which led him early to note the commercial value of an unbroken water-
way between the two lakes. Bringing his scheme before the Government,
24 6
The COllllty of York.
he, after some delays, obtained the aid which justified his forming a com-
pany and proceeding with the work. In five years the enterprise was
completed, and it stands to-day a monument to his memory,
The Canada Company was organized with the design of acquiring lands
in the Province, and of promoting its colonization, The original agreement
was for the purchase from the Imperial Government of tracts of the Crown
and Clergy Reserves in Upper Canada, to the extent of over two million
acres, for which three shillings and sixpence an acre was to be p.aid.
Owing to objections made to the sale of the Clergy Reserves by the Upper
Canada Executive, a block of one million acres of land in the Huron district
was sold to the Company in lieu thereof, one-third of the purchase money
being allowed the Company for the construction of public works and
improvements in the district. To the operations of the Company is due
the settling of a large portion of what is now Huron County, The
Company was given sixteen years to carry out its contract with the Gov-
ernment, and to pay over the value of the lands in annual instalments
ranging from {I5,000 to [20,000, \Vithin ten years the Company paid
into the Upper Canada Exchequer [250,000, and, mainly through its
operations, 5,000 people were settled in the County of Huron.
It was in conection with the Canada Company that York and the
Province came to know John Galt, the genial author of .. Lawrie Todd,"
the much-prized contributor to Blackwood, a
d the father of the present
Sir Alexander and Mr. Justice Thomas Galt. Mr. Galt came to the
Province in 1826 as commissioner for the Canada Company, and for a
time had his home at "The Priory," Guelph, where he and Dr. Dunlop,
the witty and eccentric surgeon of the Company, with other kindred
spirits, held "high holiday," while at the same time actively organizing
Scotch settlements along the valley of the Grand River and its tributary,
the Speed,
In the capital, Galt does not seem to have .found congenial society, for
the social circles of York deemed him proud and reserved in his inter-
course-the result, perhaps, of failure to establish cordial relations with
Sir Peregrine Maitland and his little court. This want of harmony between
him and the Provincial Executive finally led to his recall to England,
though at headquarters he was deservedly held in high esteem for his
probity.
\ Vhile a resident of York, notwithstanding his moods and his indiffer-
ence to the people of the capital, Galt, in the winter of 1827, gave an
entertainment, which, considering the prosaic times and the small number
likely to be available to take part in the proceedings, was of a rather
to
The City of Toronto.
247
unusual chrarcter. Conjointly with Lady l\Iary, the wife of 1\1r. \Villis,
who had recently been appointed to the Bench of Upper Canada, he
gave a Fancy Ball, "at which, for once," as Dr. Scad ding tell us, " the
potent, grave and reverend seigniors of York, along with their sons and
daughters, indulged in a little insanity." The ball, as we learn from
Toronto of Old, was held in the assembly room in Frank's Hotel, on the
corner of :\Iarket Square, which is now known as Colborne Street. The
hall used to do duty for the citizens as a concert and ball-room, and was
occasionally of service as an extemporized theatre. For an account of the
ball, and a list of the characters pres.ented, we must refer the reader to the
work we have already quoted, where those who relish a mild bit of scandal
may learn of an incident which formed a dé1lolte11le1lt of the ball, and of its
remoter consequences,
The year before these frolics of the elders of the town took place,
a frolic of another sort had been indulged in by the younger blood of the
capital, which was attended with like unpleasant consequences, In the
wrecking of l\Iackenzie's Printing Office-the escapade to which we have
reference-we have a bit of history which, with the ball, somewhat relieves
the dull chronicle of those early times, but which, properly to introduce,
it will be necessary to go back to the first coming on the scene of him
who was thenceforth to fill a large section of the canvas of Upper Canadian
history.
. \Villiam Lyon Mackenzie was born at Dundee, Scotland, in 1795, and
five years later, so poor was his then widowed mother, that we are told she
had to part with the tartan plaid of the family clan, in exchange for a little
coarse barley meal, to tide over for a time the necessities of herself and her
youthful son. Humble as was his origin, and nurtured, as we have just
said, on the scant fare of a Scottish peasant, ::\Iackenzie, like many a sturdy
Scot, determined at an early age to rise from the poverty of his surround-
ings, Deficient as was his education, he made up for the lack of schooling
by a zealously pursued course of self-training and omnivorous reading,
Between the years 1806 and 1819, he himself tells us he read nine hundred
and fifty-eight volumes, in almost every department of literature. His
mother used to say of him that he would he found at his books every
evening till midnight, until she thought "the laddie would read himsel' oot
o' his judgment." And what he read he remembered,
In 1820, he came to Canada, though prior to this he had seen some-
thing of the world, in England as well as in Scotland, and had even
ventured upon a visit to Paris. He possessed good business abilities, had
a clear, and for his age, well-stored brain, and was a shrewd critic of his
24 8
Tlze County of York.
fellow-men and a keen observer of the world. ::VIr, Charles Lindsey, his
son-in-law and biographer, thus describes his personal appearance.::: "He
was of slight build and scarcely of medium height, being only five feet six
inches in stature. His massive head, high and broad in the frontal region
and well-rounded, looked too large for the slight and wiry frame it sur-
mounted. He was already bald from the effects of a fever. His keen,
restless, piercing blue eye, which threatened to read your most inmost
thought, and the ceaseless and expressive activity of his fingers, which
unconsciously opened and closed, betrayed a temperament that could not
brook inaction. The chin was long and rather broad; and the firm-set
mouth indicated a will which, however it might be baffled and thwarted,
could not be subdued."
For a time Mackenzie was engaged in the combined business of
druggist and bookseller, first in York, then in Dundas, where he married,
and, at a somewhat later date, in Queenston. At the latter village he
renounced trade and espoused journalism, for which he was not unfitted, as
he had the gifts of a ready and forcible writer, and was not unfamiliar with
politics and political literature, At Queenston, on the 18th of May, 1824,
appeared the first number of the Colonial Advocate, :\Iackenzie's earliest
effort in journalism. The character of the publication may be judged from
its editor's views of the state of the country at the time of its appearing.
It had not come into existence to add to the number of Government
bulletins or official gazettes. It was a new departure in journalisrh.
Previous to his taking up the pen of a journalist, he had never, as he tells
us, " interfered in the public concerns of the colony, until the day on which
I issued twelve hundred copies of a newspaper, without having asked or
received a single subscriber." In the first number of the paper he adds:-
" I stated my sentiments, and the objects I had in view, fully and frankly.
I had long seen the country in the hands of a few shrewd, crafty, covetous
men, under whose management one of the most lovely and desirable
sections of America remained a comparative desert. The most obvious
public improvements were stayed, dissension .was created among classes,
citizens were banished and imprisoned in defiance of all law, the people had
been loug forbidden, under severe pains and penalties, from meeting any-
where to petition for justice, large estates were wrested from their owners
in utter contempt of even the forms of the Courts; the Church of England,
the adherents of which were few, monopolized as much of the lands of the
colony as all the religious houses and dignitaries of the Roman Catholic
*.. Life of \V, L, ::\Iackenzie, with an Account of the Canadian Rebellion;" vol. i., p. 35,
.
The City of Toronto,
249
Church had had control of in Scotland at the era of the Reformation; other
sects were treated with contempt, and scarcely tolerated; a sordid band of
land-jobbers grasped the soil as their patrimony, and with a few leading
officials, who divided the public revenue among themselves, formed the
· Family Compact,' and were the avowed enemies of common schools, of
civil and religious liberty, of all legislative or other checks to their own
will. "
\Vith this severe indictment of the then rulers of Upper Canada,
:\Iackenzie set out as a public censor, and bravely began the agitation for
those reforms which, after years of unparalleled toil and wrecked happiness,
he was yet to see secured to the country. But for a time Reform was to
accomplish little, \Yhat, indeed, could it accomplish, with so radically
defective a system of administration? To attack abuses in detail was only
to court annoyance, and in the end to suffer defeat. And for long this was
the fate of l\iackenzie, as it had been that of Gourlay. The Executive was
supreme and impregnable, and hardly less so was the Crown-nominated
Upper Chamber. The popular Assembly, even when it really represented
the people, was powerless against the ruling party. The latter could snap
its fingers at the polls, and reject every bill the Assembly saw fit to pass.
As Mackenzie's biographer remarks: "The difficulty was that these repre-
sentative Assemblies were mocked with the semblance of that legislative
power, with the substantial possession of which they were never endowed."
Against Mackenzie and his journal there was now directed unceasing
malevolence, which, when both were transferred from Queenston to the
capital-which transfer shortly took place-was to find expression in a
thousand acts of hostility and petty annoyance. Two instances of this
hostile feeling may be cited, The first is connected with the re-interring
of the remains of Sir Isaac Brock at Queenston Heights; the second, with
the wrecking of his printing office and the throwing of the type into Toronto
Bay, At the ceremony of laying the remains of General Brock finally to
rest, under the column which th
country had erected to his memory, it
séems that some friend of l\iackenzie had clandestinely deposited a copy of
his journal, the Colonial Adt'ocatc, in the cavity where the customary coins
and official journals were placed. This fact was presently bruited about,
and, coming to the ears of the authorities, the foundation-stone of the
structure was ordered to be remO\'ed, and the contaminating paper cast
forth from its place of honour.
The other incident took place on a summer evening, in June, 1826, and
shows how deeply l\Iackenzie had cut into the personal susceptibilities of
the" Family Compact ,. by his free.lance criticism in the Colonial Ad'i'ocatc.
25 0
TIle COllnty of York.
Two years before" this period, the general elections of 182+ had returned a
large Reform majority to the House. Seriously affected by this circum-
stance, and much exasperated by the crusade Mackenzie had actively
eñtered upon in his journal, the position of the ruling powers was beginning
to be exceedingly uncomfortable. The fact was patent, the high-handed,
unrighteous stewards of the Upper Cånada vineyard were now having an
uneasy time of it. Nor could the troubles of the precious junto be con-
cealed. T
e younger generation, sons of the placemen and pensioners who
were mis-ruling the country, had got to know pretty well the facts, and the
quarrel was taken up by the hot-bloods among them. Mackenzie they held
responsible, and he it was who was to suffer. Taking advantage of the
latter's temporary absence from the town, a band of thes
lawless youths
effected an entrance into his office, broke up his "forms," scattered his
type-much of it they threw into the bay-demolished his printing press,
and generally wrecked his establishment. This act of valour on the part
of the young chivalry of York, if not actually encouraged, was at least
winked at, by two magistrates who were said to be close by the scene of
the outrage at the time of its occurring, To these representatives of
Justice blindfold, as well as to all the members of the" Family Compact,"
the summer evening's escapade was, doubtless, a joyful one, though the
young rioters, or their fathers for them, had, after process of law, to
indemnify Mackenzie for the loss sustained 1)y him, The amount he
recovered, after a good deal of haggling, was {625, a sum which enahled
him to make good his loss, and to equip his office more efficiently.
But beyond the legal satisfactior.. he was fortunate enough to obtain in
Court, :\Iackenzie had a more substantial solatium in the sympathy of the
people, who were greatly incensed at the affair, and whose denunciations
of the act, and of those high in authority who connived at it, were both
loud and deep. The hostility of the party in power against their critic and
censor wofully miscarried, and the effort to crush l\Iackenzie and his
journal only recoiled upon those who had instigated the foul act.
The year 1828 witnessed a change in the administration of the affair's
of the Province. Sir Peregrine Maitland was transferred to Nova Scotia,
and Sir John Colborne reigned in his stead. The latter, like his prede-
cessór, was essentially a military man, having been distinguished both in
the Peninsula and at \Vaterloo. His régime wa
, almost from the very
outset, characterized. by stormy s
enes in the Legislature, and may be
regarded as the transition period in the political history of the Province. The
new Governor met his first Parliament on the 9th of January, 1829, in the old
brick hospital on King Street \Vest, which had been the scene of its deliber-
TIle City of Toro1lto,
25 1
ations since the destruction of the old buildings by fire five years before.
During this session the attitude of the Reformers became more aggressive
than ever; the forc
s of the Compact were reduced in numbers, and the
tone of the debate on the Address .was a significant warning as to the state
of public feeling, l\Ir. :\1ar;kenzie was a member of this House, having been
elected for the County of York in 1828. The House adjourned towards the
end of 1\Iarch, and shortly afterwards the editor of the Colonial Ad'vocate
once more came into prominence. In j uly of this year Sir john Beverley
Robinson, the Attorney-General, was raised to the bench as Chief-justice
of Upper Canada. This created a vacancy in the representation of York,
for which Robert Baldwin, then twenty-five years of age, presented himself
as a candidate and was elected. During the campaign he was vigorously
supported by the Colonial Adt'ocate, which published a series of fierce
attacks upon Mr. Small, 1\1r. Baldwin's opponent, and upon the Compact,
of which he was the nominee. Mr, Small retaliated with an action for libel;
and the increased bitterness thus engendered culminated the following year
in the expulsion of l\Ir. Mackenzie from the House, by virtue of an obsolete
rule which prohibited the unauthorized publication of the Parliamentary
proceedings. This was followed by a popular demonstration in his favour
in the streets of York, and by his re-election and re-expulsion no less than
five times in succession. Finally the constituency was punished by being
deprived of one of its members, and Mr. Mackenzie disappeared for a time
from the scene of his struggles and triumphs, having embarked on a mission
to England as the bearer of petitions to the Home Government in his favour.
It may not be out of place here to quote a description by l\Ir. ::\1ackenzie
himself, given in his "Sketches," of the demonstration above alluded to, as
giving an idea of a scene in those days not unfrequently to be witnessed on
the streets of York: "A procession was formed (at the Red Lion Inn on
Yonge Street, Price's or Tiers', where the hustings were). In front of it was
an immense sleigh belonging to 1\1r. Montgomery"-on which stood the
hero of the day, wearing a gold chain and medal just presented to him by
his constituents-" which was drawn by four horses, and carried between
twenty and thirty men and two or three Highland pipers. From fifty to one
hundred sleighs followed, and between one and two thousand of the inhabi-
tants. The procession passed by the Government House, from thence to
the Parliament House, thence to :\1r, Cawthra's and then to l\Ir. :\1acken-
zie's own house, giving cheers at each of these places. One of the most
singular curiosities of the day was a little printing-p
ess, placed in one of
the sleighs, warmed by a furnace, on which a couple of boys continued,
while moving through the streets, to strike off their
cw Year's .\ddress
25 2
The COU1lty of York.
and throw it to the people. Over the press was hoisted a crimson flag, with
the motto' The Liberty of the Press.' The mottoes on the other flags were:
· King \Villiam IV. and Reform'; 'Bidwell and the Glorious l\Iinority'
'1832, a Good Beginning'; 'A Free Press, the Terror of Sycophants.'''
The first two years of Sir John Colborne's administration were marked,
in so far as York was specially concerned, by notable additions to its public
buildings. In 1829 Upper Canada College-an institution on the model of
the great English public schools-was founded, and was formally opened
in January of the following year in the York Home District Grammar
School, on Adelaide Street, pending the completion of the embryo of the
present college buildings. The College Avenue, the Don tubular bridge
and the St, James' Church which was destroyed by fire in 1839, also
date from this period. In 1829, too, immediately after the close of the
session, advertisements appeared asking for tenders for the construction of
Legislative buildings on what was then known as "Simcoe Place."
\.nd,
finally, in the same year the construction of "Lawyers' Hall," the original
of the present Osgoode Hall, was commenced. Further and fuller accounts
of these and other public buildings and works will be found in the chapter
which treats of the institutions and industries of Toronto.
\mong other noteworthy events occurring during this period of the
history of York, may be mentioned the establishment, in 1829, of what is now
the oldest journal in the City of Toronto, viz., the Christia1l Guardian, which,
whil.5t pre-eminently the organ of a special religious body, at the same time
devoted considerable space to the publication of the current news and of
general reading,
\nother noteworthy event-as being rare in the society
annals of York, if it were not indeed the first of its kind-was the opening,
in 1832, of a fancy bazaar, the proceeds of which were intended to be applied
to the relief of the cholera sufferers. It was l:mder the patronage of Lady
Colborne and was held on September 2nd, in one of the C9mmissariat store-
houses near the foot of John Street. The proceeds of the sales amounted to
i 3 11 . The cholera visitation paralyzed, for a time, the business enterprise
of York, but it had a good effect in paving the way for much-needed sanitary
reforms.
:::::::-
......... - -::::--.:=:::--
CHAPTER VII 1.
THE BIRTH OF TOROXTO,
cr---: ;U
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,......
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i < HE population of York in 1834, the year which witnessed the
\, (f\
' birth of the City of Toronto, was, in round numbers, ten thou-
t -
.
sand souls. \Yithin its contracted limits nearl y ever y industrial
oJ
-4
. ,
, occupation was represented; there were steam sawmills, iron
.
; Î....'f:r foundries, and steam-engine manufactories, starch, candle and
--v. soap, and paper factories, besides a theatre, schools, and half a
dozen printing offices, a fire department, and an artillery com-
pany. The management of the affairs of the town, however, was still unsatis-
. factory, and the feeling of the majority of the inhabitants upon the subject
had, by the end of 1833, become so strong that it was decided to obtain
incorporation. This proposition chiefly met with favour from the Conserva-
tives, on the ground that the increased area of taxation would cause a
corresponding increase of revenue; while the Reformers opposed it on the
ground that the expense of a separate administration for city and count)
would more than counterbalance any benefit which the citizens would
derive therefrom. In February, 1834, a Bill embodying the proposed
measure was introduced in the Legislature by
Ir. Jarvis, the member for
the town, and carried through the House. On the 6th of ::\Iarch it received
the Royal assent and became law. The main features of the .\ct, which
was a formidable document, containing no less than ninety-seven clauses,
were provisions for constituting the place a city, under the name of the
City of Toronto, and dividing it into wards, with two
\ldermen and two
Common Councilmen for each ward, to be elected by thc citizens, and a
:\Iayor, who should be clectell by the
\ldermen and Common Councilmen
from among themselves-such l\Iayor, Aldcrmen and Common Councilmcn
to undcrtake the management of the affairs of the city, and the levying of
such moderate taxes as should bc found necessary for improvemcnts and
other public purposes.
54
TIle COU1lty of York,
On the 15th of March a proclamation appeared in the Gazette appoint-
ing the 27th of the same month for the first election of aldermen and
common councilmen for the five wards into which the young city had been
divided. As was to be expected in a place where party feeling ran so high,
much excitement prevailed over the election, which was virtually a trial of
strength between Reformers and Conservatives. The former won the day,
a majority of their nominees-among them Mr. Mackenzie himself-being
returned to the new Council. The names of the successful candidates were
as follows :-
St. Andrew's TVard.-Aldermen, Dr, Thomas D. Morrison and John
Harper; councilmen, John Armstrong and John Doel.
Sf, D{l'vid's TVard.-Aldermen, \Yilliam Lyon Mackenzie and James
Lesslie; councilmen, Franklin J ackes and -Colin Drummond.
St. George's Ward.-Aldermen, Thomas Carfrae, jun'r, and Edward
\Yright; councilmen, John Craig and George Gurnett.
St. Lawrence TVard.-Aldermen, George Monro and George Duggan,
sen'r; Councilmen, \Villiam Arthurs and Lardner Bostwick.
St. Patrick's TVard.-Aldermen, Dr. John Rolph and George T. Deni-
son, sen'r;' CouncIlmen, Joseph Turton and James Trotter.
Of the above gentlemen, whose names, as those of the first rulers of
the City of Toronto, have been judged worthy of þeing preserved in these'
pages", only two survive at the time of writing, viz" Mr. James Lesslie and
:
\'Ir, John Harper.
Great as had been the victory of the Reformers at the polls, their
triumph was not yet complete. The crowning event of the civic campaign
was the election of 1\1r. Mackenzie to the honour of the Mayor's chair. The
Reformers had it all their own way, and, although it was generally under-
stood that Dr. Rolph, a prominent and deserving member of the party,
would be its candidate, it was finally decided to give the party vote to :\Ir.
:\.lackenzie, as a set-off to the wrongs he had endured both at home and
abroad, and as a triumphant reply to the contumelious assertions of his
enemies, Dr. Rolph at first seemed unwilling to make way for Mr. l\Iackenzie
-a man whom he appears at no time to have held in very high estimation-
hut he finally bowed to the will of the majority, not, however, without giving
evidence of his dissatisfaction by resigning his seat in the Council, and
this notwithstanding the fact that he had been offered the support of the
Conservative members in his candidacy for the mayoralty, On the 3rd of
April, the day appointed for the election of mayor, the CO,uncil met and by
a vote of ten to eight-Dr. Rolph being absent and 11r. Mackenzie abstain-
ing from voting-raised the expelled member for York to the highest position
I
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The Cit;, of Toronto.
255
in the gift of the city. The same day Mr. :Mackenzie took the prescribed
oath, and was formally invested,
The new Council soon set to work wIth a will; and there was plenty
for it to do. The city's finances were in a deplorable condition; it was
burdened by a debt of over nine thousand pounds, due to the Bank of
Upper Canada; its treasury was practically empty, and money was
urgently needed for public buildings, and still more urgently for the repair of
the streets, which were in a vile condition. In the whole city there was
not such a thing as a plank sidewalk. The situation was embarrassing, but
it had to be grappled with, The first action of the Council, after electing
its officers-among whom were James H, Price, City Clerk, and l\Iatthew
\Valton, City Chamberlain-was to appomt commIttees to report upon cer-
tain matters, in dealing with which no time was to be lost. Prominent
among these was the financial question, as a partial solution of which the
Council, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, resolved to
levy an additional tax of two pence in the pound upon the assessed value of
all property, real and personal, within the city. An attempt was also made to
effect a loan of one thousand pounds, in anticipation of the taxes, in order
that the repair of the streets might be commenced forthwith. Negotiations
to this end with the Bank of Upper Canada-already the city's creditor-
were unsuccessful; but, finally, the money was obtained from the Farmers'
Bank, upon the personal security of the l\layor and the individual members
of the Council. The result was that 2,618 rods of sidewalk were laid on the
principal streets-miserable causeways they would appear in the present day.
consisting merely of two twelve-inch planks-laid side by side longitudinall",
This work completed, the city again found itself at the end of its
resources, and it was decided to levy on the taxpayers an assessment of
three pence in the pound, The proposal roused considerable popular
indignation, and was the occasion of two public meetings, one of \vhich,
the later, terminated tragically, A balcony in the market, upon which a
number of spectators were standing, gave ;way under the staB1ping of the
crowd and precipitated them into the butchers' shops below, where man\,
were impaled upon the hooks, others broke their'limhs, and some seven
r
eight received fatal injuries. The wisdom of the unpopular measure was
abundantly proved when the first collection of taxes was made, as at the
increased rate of three pence in the pound the revenue was raised to the
substantial figure of [;2,336, and from this time the question of municipal
ways and means was no longer found to he an embarrassing one.
The year 1834- will long be rememheed in Toronto as the cholera
year, and the sights that met the eye on every hand during the visitation
17
25 6
The COU1lty of York.
are still fresh in the memory of those who witnessed them. Five per cent.
of the population of the city fell victims to the plague; and many of these,
it is to be feared, owing to the absence of proper organization and treat-
ment, although an association of noble men and women, which included
the Mayor, was formed for the purpose of visiting and assisting the sick so
far as lay in their power.
Old citizens will also remember this year as having been that in which
the public pillory and stocks were used for the last time. The fact of the
Mayor having caused a dissolute woman to be imprisoned in them caused
these old-fashioned instruments of punishment to fall into disFepute, and
would seem to have led to their abandonment.
The municipal elections of 1835 considerably changed the political
complexion of the Council. Mr. Mackenzie had no seat in it, having been
defeated by l\1r. Robert Baldwin Sullivan, who successfully opposed him in
St. David's \Vard, and who was subsequently elected to the mayoralty.
Mr. Sullivan-an eloquent abd brilliant lawyer-had professed Liberal
principles, but had of late years evinced a decided leaning towards Con-
servatism. 1\1r. Mackenzie, however, who had been returned to the
Assembly in the previous October as member for one of the four ridings
into which the County of York had been divided, received, on his retire-
ment from office, a public vote of thanks for his services, The year 18 3 6 is
but little remarkable either in the political an-"nais of the Province or in the
history of the city, It witnessed the appointment of Mr. Mackenzie's
famous Committee of Grievances and the close of Sir John Colborne's term
of office. Sir John, however, continued at the head of the Administration
until the early portion of the following year, almost his last official act
being the endowment of the forty-four rectories from the Clergy Reserves-
a measure which completed the growing disfavour with which he had of
late been regarded,
In 18 3 6 Mr. Thomas D. Morrison was chosen to fill the Mayor's chair.
The city had steadily progressed in prosperity, and its population had
proportionately increased. On the. 2Jfd of January the new Lieutenant-
Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, arrived in Toronto, and with this
day commences the more immediate history of the Rebellion, \\ïth Sir
Francis' connections with his advisers, his futile attempt to conciliate the
Reformers by the bestowal of empty office, his contemptuous reply to the
address of a number of citizens of Toronto, the no less sarcastic retort
which this piece of blundering evoked from the Reformers, and the gradual
steps by which the Rebellion was brought about, we have nothing to do in
a chapter which pretends merely to deal with the annals of the City of
The City of Toro1lto.
257
Toronto, But for some months after Sir Bond Head's arrival, the events
which agitated the entire Province were closely connected with Toronto's
history. Those events, however, have been sufficiently dealt with in
former portions of this work, wherein the story of the Upper Canadian
Rebellion has been told with some circumstantiality of detail.
The Municipal Council's choice of Mayor for 1837 was l\Ir. George
Gurnett. Alderman Powell, who did the city and the Provincial Govern-
ment such service by his courageous conduct, as related in the account of
the Rebellion on former pages, on the memorable night of the 4 th of
December, received his reward at the hands of his fellow-citizens by his
return for St. Andrew's \Yard at the municipal elections in 1838, and by
his subsequent elevation to the mayoralty, to which he was again elected in
1839 and 1840.
.
' \l
'_(",
F
}
.
.!f:...S
L.)t
\
CHAPTER IX.
FROM 1838 TO 1851.
6--
Þ
,........ _ : ..i"'l.....
: - - _
HE year 1838 witnessed the trials in Toronto of those implicated
, ,cr
\ in the rising of the previous year. I t also witnessed the removal
:
J 1.
of the man who by his fatuous policy had contributed in no
'
" ;, small measure to bring about the events of 1837. Sir Francis
... Bond Head had prO\'ed himself eminently unfitted to cope with
...
the task with which he had been entrusted, and he was per-
mitted to resign. On Friday, the 23rd of March, 1838, he left
the city on his way homewards, a few hours after his successor, Sir George
Arthur, had assumed the reins of office. Sir George's fir
t public utterances
subsequent to his assumption of hi's new dignity were on the occasion of the
presentation to him of a congratulatory address by the mayor and aldermen
of the city. His reply, in which hé urged a policy'of justice tempered with
mercy, created a most favourable impression, and excited great hopes-
which were doomed to be disappointed-of the success of a petition, signed
by 30,000 people, praying for the commutation of the sentence of death
passed on Lount and Matthews.
A question now arose, however, invoh'ing interests of far greater im-
portance to the city than either the arrival of the new Governor or the
trials of the rebel prisoners. This was nothing less than a proposal for the
removal of the seat of Government from Toronto. The agitation had its
origin in Kingston, which aspired to supplant Toronto as capital of the
Province, It was urged by the advocates of the removal 'Scheme that recent
events had proved that Toronto's unprotected position unfitted it to be the
centre of government: whereas, in view of the existence of fortifications at
Kingston, the latter city offered every security for the safety of the Govern-
ment. The- press of both cities took up the matter, and for some time
waged a fierce war of words. The supporters of Toronto argued that as a
matter of fact her citizens had amply proved their ability to defend the
capital; that Kingston was not as central as it was desirable the seat of
The City of Toronto.
259
Government should be; and that, if the Government must be removed, it
should be westward rather than eastward; that it would be folly to abandon
the existing buildings in Toronto, and either hire or erect new ones elsewhere;
and that, finally, such a removal would be ruinous to the business of those
who had invested in property in Toronto on account of its being the seat of
Government. And so the wordy conflict raged. But in the meantime
events elsewhere were slowly paving the way for the change so much
dreaded by the Toronto folk.
In July of the current year, Toronto received a visit from Lord Durham,
the statesman who had been entrusted by the Imperial Government with
the task of solving the Canadian problem. On the 17th His Excellency
landed, and was conducted in great state to the Parliament buildings,
where he was presented with an address by the l\Iayor and Corporation.
The next day he left the city, and a few months later returned to England,
having resigned his office._ Doubtless :the enthusiastic citizens of Toronto
who so vigorously cheered His Excellency had little idea of the grave
results for their city that his mission would indirectly be the means of
hringing
bout.
In October of this same year arrived in Canada the Right Honourahle
Charles Poulett Thomson-afterwards Lord Sydenham-who had been
despatched hither by the Home Government to carry out the recommenda-
tions of Lord Durham with a view to effecting a union of the Canadas. On
the 21st of November,
Ir. Poulett, having gained the assent of the Special
Council of Lower Canada to his plans, arrived in Toronto with a similar
object in view in regard to the 'Cpper Canadian Legislature, Parliament
was convened on December 3rd, and before the end of the month both
. Houses had, in compliance with the evident wish of the Imperial authorities,
passed resolutions in favour of union, on the understanding that the capital
of the united Provinces should be in Upper Canada, a proviso which the
Governor-General undertook to carry into effect. So far as the people of
Toronto were concerned the project was unpopular, A scheme which
included the removal of the capital from Toronto had nothing to recommend
.it to them. But, satisfied or not, there was nothing for it but to submit
and to put the best face on the matter possible, But ,vhen it became
known that Kingston had been, selected as the new capital, then indeed it
was felt that a crushing blow had overtaken Toronto. A general panic
prevailed; people refused to believe that the city could continue to flourish
after being stripped of her glory as the premier city of the Province. It
was expected that a tremendous fall in lands and rents would be the inevit-
able result of the change, and not a few merchants began to contemplate
260
The County of York,
the advisability of removing to Kingston. \Ve shall see that all these fears
were utterly groundless; Toronto's prosperity was too well founded to be
dependent for its continuance upon the presence in her midst of a staff of
Government clerks. After the passage of the Union resolutions by the
Upper Canadian Legislature the Imperial Parliament lost no time in pass-
ing a Union Act; a royal proclamation dated February 5, 1841, gave effect
to its provisions, and on the loth of the same month the union of the Prov-
inces was consummated. ·
In Toronto, as in many other cities of the Province, the first year under
the new régime was marked by sanguinary election riots, in order to quell
which it became necessary to invoke the assistance of the troops, But the
first excitement over, the city settled down to a long period of quiet, marked,
notwithstanding the occurrence of periods of commercial depression, by a
steady advance in progress and prosperity. During the eight years from
1841 to 1849 the growth of the city was rapid, and the improvements, of
which the principal will be noted here, numerous,
At the time of the incorporation of the city in 1834 its population was
somewhat under 10,000; in 184"I, the first year of the Union, it was slightly
in excess of 15,000. Sir R. H. Bonnycastle, who visited Toronto in 184-5,
describes it as " a city in earnest, with upwards of 20,000 inhabitants-gas-
lit, with good plank sidewalks and macadamized streets, with vast sewers
and fine houses of brick or stone. The main street-King Street," he adds,
"is two miles and more in length, and would not do shame to any town,
and has a much more English look than most Canadian places have." Gas
had been introduced in 1840, under contract with 1\1r. Albert Furniss, a
Montreal gentleman largely interested in the gas works in that city. But
this subject will be referred to again in connection with" The Industries of.
Toronto," In the following year, 1846, a local chronicler stated that the
city-the entire length of which was three miles-contained ninety-two
streets, twenty-one churches and chapels, fifteen common schools, and ten
newspapers; it enjoyed the privileges not only of gas but of waterworks;
it was connected by steamboat with Kingston, Hamilton, Niagara and
Rochester; property had increased wonderfully in value, and buildings in.
good business localities commanded rents as high as
1,000 and $1,250 per
annum. Truly the removal of the seat of G:.overnment had been ineffectual
to interfere with the progress of Toronto. And equally resultless had it
been in affecting for good the fortunes of Kingston. Three years after the
change which struck with panic the business men of Toronto, Kingston
ceased to be the capital, and the seat of Government was again removed,
this time to Montreal-soon, however, to return once more to Toronto.
The Czty of Toronto.
261
But before Toronto was to be permitted to assume the proud position
of capital of Canada, she was destined to be visited by the double scourge
of fire and pestilence, Fires of some magnitude occurred during the early
months of 18+9, but in April of that year the city was visited by a confla-
gration which did infinite damage to property-which, indeed, has been
regarded as the most disastrous known in Toronto. It broke out early in
the morning, on Saturday, the 7th of April, in some outbuildings in rear of
a tfi,vern on the corner of King and Nelson Streets. It then spread to the
main part of Nelson Street, on the east, consuming Post's Tavern and the
Patriot Office. A contemporary account, quoted by l\Ir, J. C. Dent, in the
Semi-Centennial Memorial Volume, thus describes the progress of the
flames: "The fire extended from King Street to the south of Duke Street,
where it consumed nearly all the back buildings and the office of the
Savings Bank. It then crossed to the west side of Nelson Street to Rolph's
Tavern, destroying the whole block, including the J/irror Office, to Mr.
N asmith's bakery. Proceeding from Rolph's Tavern, the flames laid hold
of the corner building, occupied by l\Ir. O'Donohue, which was speedily
consumed, and then they ran alóng the whole block to l\1r. O'Neill's, con-
suming the valuable stores of Messrs. Hayes, Harris, Cherry, O'Neill and
others. About three o'clock the spire of St. James's Cathedral took fire,
and the building was entirely destroyed, About the same time the flames
broke out in the old City Hall, consuming the greater part of the front
building, including i\Ir. McFarlane's small store, The fire then extended
from the Cathedral across to the south side of King Street, where a fire
had lately occurred, The shops of Mr. Rogers and others were with
difficulty saved; all that block was in great danger. Some of them had
most of their goods removed, and great injury to property was sustained.
About five o'clock the flames were in a great measure subdued. The
exertions of the firemen were for a long time retarded for want of water.
The soldiers of the Rifle Brigade from the garrison were extremely active,
and deserve the highest gratitude of the citizens, The loss by this fire is
estimated at the lowest computation to be [IOO,QOO sterling. It is not
easy to describe the gloom which this calamity has cast over the city, or
the ruined appearance of the ground so lately occupied by many respectable
and industrious individuals, who, by the work of four or five hours, were
suddenly thrown out of business or seriously injured in their circumstances.
In whatever light this serious event be regarded, it must be acknowledged
as a heavy blow anù sore discouragement to Toronto; the heaviest it has
received, There cannot be a doubt. however, that the activity and enter-
prise of the inhabitants will soon surmount the loss. The season is
262
Tile COll1lty of York,
favourable for rebuilding, and many improvements will doubtless be intro-
duced in the formation of new streets." And so it proved. The present
noble cathedral of St. J ames rose from the ashes of that destroyed in the
great conflagration, and around it sprung up a better class of buildings
than those which had succumbed to the flames. But it was not only the
loss of property that cast a gloom over the city. Several casualties
occurred, and one valuable life was lost. Mr. Richard \Vatson, Queen's
Printer, a man generous and generally beloved, perished in th
flames wl
ile
attempting to save his stock.
To the fire succeeded the pestilence. Cholera made its appearance
among the immigrants landed at Quebec early in the season, and rapidly
swept across the country, reaching Toronto towards the end of June, All
possible precautions were adopted to stay its ravages, but in vain; it
pursued its course unchecked until the cool weather set in, when it abated,
but not until it had occasioned a mortality of sixty per cent. of those
attacked.
In political as in general affairs, 1849 was a memorable year for
Toronto-more especially in connection
ith matters arising out of the
Rebellion of 1837-8. Shortly after the middle of March, in consequence
of the passage of the Baldwin-Lafontaine Amnesty Bill, \Villiam Lyon
Mackenzie returned to Toronto, where he was the guest of l\Ir. John
1\IcIntosh, of Y onge Street. His return gave great offence to the ultra-
Loyalists of the city, a party of the more hot-headed of whom assembled
on the evening-of Thursday, the 22nd of March, with the object of making
an anti-amnesty demonstration. After parading the streets they burnt in
effigy Messrs. Robert Baldwin and \Vm. Hume Blake, the law officers of
the Government, in front of the residence of the former gentleman. They
then marched to McIntosh's house, which some of the noisier of the rioters
threatened to pull down; but, fortunately, they contented themselves with
storming the building and burning 1\Ir. Mackenzie in effigy. Mr. George
Brown, editor of the Government organ, the Globe, next came in for a
share of their attenti.ons. His house was also besieged and stoned, after
which the mob dispersed, without a single effort having been made hy the
authorities to put a stop to its lawless doings. It would appear, indeed,
that some of the leading city officials at heart sympathized with the rioters,
for we are told that Mr, George L. Allen, Chief of Police, and at least one
member of the City Council, were unconcerned witnesses of the outrages,
while other members of that body called the :Mayor, l\Ir. Gurnett, roundly
to task for having incurred the expense of providing special constables to
save the life of such a "scoundrelly rebel" as Mackenzie. Another
The City of Toronto.
26 3
alderman went even further, and declared in the presence of the assembled
City Council that, if it were not for the law, he would not scruple to take
Mackenzie's life.
Fortunately the anti-Amnesty riot in Toronto had no serious results
for the city in which it occurred. I t was otherwise with the disturbances
in lVlontreal, during the following month, arising out of the passage of the
Rebellion Losses Bill, and which culminated in the burning of the Parlia-
ment Buildings and the mobbing of Lord Elgin-the former on the 25th,
and the latter on the 30th of April. l\Iontreal's loss in this case was
Toronto's gain. It was decided to remove the seat of Government fröm
the former city to the latter for the two remaining sessions of the existing
Parliament, and then to transfer it alternately to Quebec and Toronto for
periods of four years. But, previous to arriving at this decision, the Governor-
General deemed it advisable to pay a personal visit to Upper Canada, for
the double purpose of satisfying himself as to the state pf public feeling
there, and of holding a conference with the President of the United States
on the subject of reciprocity. His Excellency arrived in Toronto on the
9th of October, and though his reception was generally characterized by
good feeling and enthusiasm on the part of the citizens, its hearti.ness was
somewhat marred by the disposition of certain individuals, during the
Governor's progress from the wharf to his hotel, to repeat in Toronto the
scenes which had disgraced Montreal on the last day of April. There was
some stone and rotten egg throwing; but a baker's dozen of the offenders
were arrested, and as the grand jury was then in session, the rioters were
forthwith presented and committed to gaol. Toronto was evident
y in no
mood to put up with any follies that might endanger its chances of becoming
the capital of Canada.
During the following month (November) the removal took place, and
the administrative departments were lodged in the Parliament Buildings on
Front Street-the same which had been in use by the Legislature of Upper
Canada previous to the Union, and which are now occupied by the Ontario
Legislature, Of course the buildings had been renovated and fitted up for
the reception of their new occupants, The Governor-General, soon after
his arrival, established himself at Elmsley Villa, once the residence of
Chief Justice Elmsley, and years later on to be converted into Old Knox
College. It occupied the site on which the Central Presbyterian Church
now stands. In Toronto the Government remained until 1851, when,
pursuant to the arrangement agreed upon, it was removed to Quebec.
The municipal affairs of the city during the period under consideration
may now fairly engage our attention. It has been seen that l\Ir. Powell,
26 4
The COU1lty of York.
of Montgomery's Tavern fame, occupied the chief magistrate's chair during
the years 1838-'39-'40. The successive occupants of the chair, from the
latter year until 1851, were as follows: 1841, Mr, George Monro; 1842-
'43-'4+, the Honourable Henry Sherwood; 1845-'46-'47, Mr. William Henry
Boulton; 1848-'49-'50, Mr. George Gurnett. Until the last-mentioned
year the municipal elections had been held under the Act of 1837, by the
provisions of which the aldermen and common councilmen held office for
two years, the representative of each class in each ward who received the
smallest number of votes retiring at the end of one year, but being eligible
for re-election. In 1849, however, an Act was passed reducing the number
of aldermen for each ward to one: but this was repealed by an Act of the
following year. The number of wards at this time was six, an additional
ward, that of St. James, having been formed in 1847 from St, David's \Vard.
In 1851 1\Ir. Gurnett-who, shortly after the expiration of his term of
office, accepted the position of Police Magistrate-was succeeded in the
occupancy of the chief magistrate's chair by Mr. John G. Bowes, a gentle-
man described by one of those who knew him best, as "by far the ablest
man who had ever filled the chair." During his last year of office (1853)
1\1r. BO\
es's name was brought into unpleasant prominence in connection
with a transaction in Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railway stock, but his
fellow-citizens testified that their confidence in him was unshaken by elect-
ing him to the civic chair in 1861-'62-'63.
.
'
",ee
' -
r
, ",,, ,
_
'..:J
CHAPTER X.
FROM 1851 TO 1859.
-
fa) ET\VEEN the above mentioned years is included a period which
{
was of no great importance in the local history of Toronto,
'r _ W. f It was pre-eminently a political period-a season of ministerial
CI f' change, of bitter encounters in the parliamentary arena, of
. , incisive diatribes in the columns of the party organs. Perhaps
the city was more closely identified with these matters than
she might otherwise have been, inasmuch as in 1855 the
Government offices were again removed to Toronto. But with politics a
history of Toronto pure and simple,. such as this, has little to do, except
where political action directly influenced the prosperity or the repute of
the city. It will not, therefore, be within the province of these pages to
deal with the political duels which were fought within the walls of the
Legislative buildings between 1855 and 1859, nor to descant at any length
upon the manæuvre by which Ottawa was finally selected for the honour
of being the permanent capital of Canada. These matters belong to the
history of Canada; our business is with Toronto. ..
The first year of the period which forms the subject of this chapter
was marked by the inception of a work which would place the city in close
relations with the towns of \Vestern Ontario, would narrow down to nothing,
as it were, the distance between Lakes Ontario and Huron. and would, hy
making Toronto the receiving house for the products of the north-western
part of the Province, contribute largely to her importance and her progress.
This was the inception of the first railroad in the western half of the Pro-
vince, the Ontario, Simcoe, and Huron Railway, an inconveniently long
title which was soon after exchanged for the simpler one of" the Northern."
On the 15th of October Lady Elgin turned the first sod for the new highway
on a spot nearly opposite the Parliament Buildings on Front Street. The
road was completed and opened to Aurora in May, 1853, and to Collingwod
266
The County of York.
in 1855, in which year also Toronto obtained direct railway communication
with Hamilton by the Toronto and Hamilton, and with Montreal by the
Grand Trunk road. The latter line Vias extended westwards to Guelph
in the early part of the following ye?-r, and soon after to Sarnia.
Towards the close of 1854, Sir Edmund Walker Head succeeded Lord
Elgin as Governor-General, and in November of the following year, a
month after the removal of the seat of Government to Toronto, he entered
into the occupancy of the old Government House, which stood on the site
of the present building, and which, as well as the Legislative Chambers,
had been repaired and decorated for the use of the four-year visitors. On
the 15th of February, 1856, a memorable session of Parliament was opened,
It was a fortnight old when the famous altercation arose between the Hon.
John A. l\Iacdonald and Mr. George Brown, in the course of which the
latter was accused by the former of grave delinquencies in connection with
the Penitentiary Commission, of which Mr, Brown was secretary. \Vith
those charges, and with the investigation that followed, and the personal
enmity' between the two gentlemen concerned in the matter, we have
nothing to do here, any more than with another celebrated altercation
between l\Ir. l\Iacdonald and Colonel Rankin, which very nearly led to a
duel. One matter, however, did come up during this session, in which the
City of Toronto was immediately interested, This was a motion, intro-
duced by 1\1r. John Sandfield Macdonald, in favour of discontinuing the
system of alternating the seat of Government between Toronto and Quebec.
This motion was carried, and, thanks to Lower Canadian influence, the
Assembly decided, by a vote of 64 to 56, that after 1859 Quebec should be
the permanent capital of Canada. Another political event which marks
the last stay of the Government in Toronto, was the celebrated" Double
Shu
," by which, within the space of a few days, two changes of ministry
occurred, the Macdonald-Cartier Government making room for the short-
lived Brown-Dorion 1Iinistry, which in forty-eight hours was followed by
the Cartier-Macdonald Administration. It is scarcely necessary to remind
the reader that to the unpopularity of Her Majesty's selection of Ottawa as
the permanent seat of Government were due these rapidly shifting scenes
on the political stage. The time had now come when Toronto had for the
last time been the arena on which were fought out the battles of Upper and
Lower Canadian politicians. In 1859 the Government offices wel'e finally
removed, to remain at Quebec till 1865, and then to be shifted, for the last
time, to Ottawa. During November of this year, Toronto was the meeting
place of a great Reform Convention, attended by nearly six hundred
members of the party, who adopted resolutions condemnatory of the union
Tlze City of Toronto,
26 7
in its then existing state, and in favour of Local Governments for the
management of local affairs, and of a " joint authority" to regulate matters
of interest to the Province at large.
In municipal affairs the period with which we are engaged was as
uneventful as its political aspect was eventful. In 1853, during l\Ir. Bowes's
term of offic
as Mayor, a seventh ward, known as St, John's, was formed
from St. Patrick's, The following year l\fr. Bowes was succeeded by l\Ir.
Joshua G. Beard, who had represented St. La,vrence \Vard in the Council
almost continuously since 1834, the year of the city's incorporation; but
Mr. Beard falling ill shortly after his election, his place at the head of the
Council board was temporarily taken by Mr. John Beverley Robinson. In
1855, Mr. (now the Hon.) G, \V. Allan succeeded to the chief magistracy,
and was followed in 1856 by Mr. J. B, Robinson. In 1857,
Ir. John
Hutchison was elected, and in 1858 Mr. \V, H. Boulton succeeded to the
civic chair. The latter gentleman, however, resigned early in November,
and his place was taken by Mr, D, B. Read, Q.C. Mr. Read was the last
Mayor elected by the City Council until the revival of that system in 186 7.
During 1858 an Act-known as the" Upper Canada Municipal Institutions
Act"-had been passed, by which it was provided that mayors of cities and
towns should thereafter be chosen by the electors of such cities and towns
at the annual election to be held on the first Monday in January, This
system prevailed until 1866, and under it 1\1r. Adam \Vilson, who now
occupies an honoured position on the Bench of Ontario, was elected; but
,
inasmuch as he had also been returned to Parliament, :\Ir. John Carr, a
representative of St. Patrick's \Vard, was appointed President of the
Council, to represent the Mayor during the latter's absence.
The city's progress from 1851 to 1859 was very far from being such as
its well-wishers would have desired, Already in 1856 there were evidences
of commercial depression and monetary stringency, hut 1857 will long be
remembered as the gloomiest epoch in the history of the commerce and
industries of the country. Solvency and enterprise seemed to be things of
the past. -:\Iercantile houses of long established reputation went by the
board; the factories were idle, trade was stagnant, and the streets swarmed
with beggars and vagrants, Even those who had hitherto been in ordi-
narily comfortable circumstances now tasted for the first time the bitterness
of poverty, and there is reason to believe that not a few deaths from starva-
tion occurred. _\s usual, in such times of depression, drunkenness was rife.
and during the year close upon two thousand people were committed to
gaol. During 1858 the conditiun of affairs underwent a slig-ht imprO\oement,
but it was not until the following year that confidence was re-established.
and the city resumed its normal business-like aspect.
268
The COU1lty of York.
In 1851, at the opening of the period under consideration, the popula-
tion of the city was 30,775. In 1856 this had increased to 45,000. The
average daily attendance at the city schools in 1854 was 1,459, and in 1857,
only 1,863, although the population now numbered over 45,000, The unsatis-
factory attendance at the schools at this time was the subject of bitter
comment by the Superintendent of Education, who despairing
7 contrasted
the returns with those of 1844, when, with a population of only 18,500, the
average daily attendance was 1,194, at a cost of i1 10S. per head, whereas
the cost in 1857, with the above meagre result, was i3 5s. per head. In the
year last mentioned the number of houses in the city was 7,476, and the
real and personal property assessment value i515,806, yielding a gross sum
of [74,962,
,'-" ,'';.->- ..
.'
-,,\k... '!"!Vl
') /t'
CHAPTER XI.
THE SIX YEARS BEFORE CONFEDERATION.
er--F
J:. .'
- ....
éi ,: <: HE year 1860 was marked by two notable events-the visit of
, (T
. H. R. H. the Prince of \Vales, and the .Anderson Extradition
. Case. The first of these took place early In September, and was
: .
, .1--
the occasion of festivities on a scale seldom, if ever, equalled in
- .
.. Toronto. The Prince, accompanied by the Duke of New-
4À.
castle, Colonial Secretary, the Governor-General, Sir Edmund
Head, and a numerous suite, reached Toronto from the east
on the 7th of September. For days and weeks previous the citizens had
been busy with preparations to do honour to the Royal visitor; a series of
magnificent triumphal arches had been erected on the
treets, flags and
bunting in in1mense quantities had been purchased, addresses had been
drawn up, programmes of banquets and entertainments prepared-in fact
neither trouble nor expense håd been spared to make Toronto's reception of
the Prince a brilliant and splendid affair. At half-past six o'clock in the
evening
f the 7th of September the steamer Ki1lgsto1l, with the Royal
party on board, reached the landing-place at the foot of John Street, where
a huge amphitheatre had been erected and was now crowded by thousands
of the wealth and fashion of the city. The roadway from the landing-
place to the Esplanade-where a handsome arch had been erected-was
also lined with tiers of seats, in which not a vacant space was to be found,
while the entire neighbourhood was black with eager and loyal people, who,
undaunted by the threatening aspect of the sky, had turned out to do
honour to the city's Royal guest. As the /{ iugstoll approached the wharf a
storm of cheers broke from the assembled multitudes, The Prince, on
leaving the steamer, ,vas receiYEd by the city magnates, and an address of
welcome was read by the
Iayor, 1\Ir. \\ïlson. \Yhen the Prince had
replied, over a thousand children of the Public and Sunday schools, "ho
had been specially trained for the occasion, raised the strains of the
270
Tlze COUlllJI of York.
National Anthem, The Prince and the Governor-General were driven to
Government House, which had been specially prepared for their reception,
In the evening the city was brilliantly illuminated, and the royal party
drove through the streets amidst the cheers and acclamations of a vast
crowd. The Globe, speakinf{ of the illuminations at the time declared that:
" As a whole it is doubted if the display of that night was ever excelled ip
America in extent, variety, and brilliancy of decoration," Speaking of the
arches the same journal remarked: "The arch erected on the crest of the
amphitheatre at the landing will be a lasting monument to the fame of its
designer, Mr. Storm. Fine as were the arches erected at Quebec, Mont-
real and Ottawa, the finest of them could not for a moment enter into
competition with it."
I t would be impossible, in the space at our disposal, to give anything
like an account of the festivities during the Prince's stay-frOln the 7th to
the 12th, The entire six days. were one prolonged fête. The principal
features of this carnival time were a levée at Osgoode Hall, a regatta on
the bay, a review of the active militia force, a visit to the University, and
the formal opening of the Horticultural Gardens by His Royal Highness,
who planted there a young maple which still flourishes, though 110 longer
young. During his visit the Prince also made a hurried trip to Colling-
wood, and on the 12th bid the city farewell.
The only unt.oward event which occurred during the Prince's stay was
a foolish escapade by a few young hot-heads who assembled on Colborne
Street and burnt in effigy the Duke of Newcastle and Sir Edmund Head,
The objects of the demonstration having set their faces against the exuber-
ant Orange decorations at Kingston and Belleville, the effigy-burners
resorted to this method of expressing their dissatisfaction. .
The second event which signalized the year 1860-the Anderson Case
-was one which will long be remembered for the intense interest it
awakened throughout the length and breadth of Canada, and scarcely less
in Great Britain. Anderson was a runaway slave from Missouri, who,
while making his way to Canada, slew a man named Diggs, who was in
pursuit with intent to capture him. In April, in the year mentioned, a man
who had tracked Anderson to this country caused his arrest fo.r murder,
with a view to extradition, The case came up at the l\Iichaelmas Term of
the Court of Queen's Bench, on a writ of habeas corpus, Anderson being
defended by leading members of the Bar-for such was the excitement
throughout the country that funds poured in for hIS defence. The decision
of the Court-one of the three Judges dissenting-was in favour of the sur-
render of the prisoner. Anderson's counsel, however, determined to make
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The City of Toronto.
27 1
a further effort, and a writ of habeas corpus was obtained from the Court of
Queen's Bench in England to bring the prisoner before the Judges there-
a decision in his favour from that quarter being beyond a doubt. A con-
flict between the British and Canadian Courts seemed imminent, but
fortunately it was avoided by the issue of a third "Tit of habeas corþus from
the Upper Canadian f:ourt of Common Pleas, which liberated the prisoner
upon a technicalitj, without entering into the merits of the case, The
excitement which had prevailed while Anderson's case was still sub judice
was only equalled in intensity by the rejoicings over his release, The
coloured community was especially jubilant; but the whole of Canada,
Great Britain, and even New England, shared in their satisfaction,
The breaking up of the ice in the Don in the spring of the following
year (1861) solved a mystery which for sixteen months had seemed impene_
trable, A battered, bruised and partially decomposed body was discovered
in the water near the mouth of the little river, entangled in some weeds,
G pon eX3.mination it was identified as that of John Sheridan Hogan, a pro-
minent Toronto journalist and Reform member of the Legislature for the
County of G'rey, who had unaccountably disappeared in December, 18 59,
No end of theories had been broached to account for his disappearance-
among others that he had fled "to the United States to avoid the importuni-
ties of his creditors; but the idea that he might have been foully dealt with
\
does not seem to have struck the public mind. Such, however, upon inves-
tigation, proved to have been the case, From the evidence it appeared that
on the night of his disappearance the murdered man crossed the Don bridge
in pursuance of an intention to visit a friend who lived on the Kingston
Road, \Yhen in the act of crossing the bridge he was accosted by a woman
who engaged him in conversation, while a second female struck him on the
head with a stone placed in the foot of a stocking, Both women belonged
to a notorious band of ruffians who infested a wood on the east side of the
Don-from which they took their name, the Brooks' Bush Gang, Other
members of the gang then came up, a considerable sum of money was taken
from the body of the murdered man, and the body itself was thrown over
the bridge railing into the river. Although several members of the gang
were arrested, there can be no manner of doubt that the really guilty parties
escaped punishment, while a comparatively innocent man underwent the
extreme penalty of the law. One of the ruffianly set turned Queen's evidence,
others succeeded in proving an alibi, while one, named Brown, less success-
ful, was found guilty and hanged. Brown, although present at the murder,
does not seem to have had any actual hand in it. The revelations at the
trial had the effect of completely dispersing the gang, one member of which,
18
.
27 2
The Coimty of York.
an infamous woman, is now said to be a notorious resident of Buffalo,
Another member, also a woman, was, until comparatively lately, an inmate
of Toronto gaol.
The year 1861 witnessed the death of \Villiam Lyon
lackenzie, one of
the most prominent figures in the history of the city of which he was the
first Chief l\Iagistrate. The story of the great agitator's declining years is a
sad one, From the time of his return to Toronto in 1849, he continued to
reside there till his death, supporting himself chiefly by journalism. From
18 5 1 to 18 5 8 he represented the County of Haldimand in the Provincial
Legislature, but i
the latter year he resigned his seat, and devoted himself
entirely to the management of his journal, A/ackenÚe's Weekly ]Iessage,
The profits, however, were small, and the editor's life was one of hardship,
debt, and deprivation, Some of his Reform friends, becoming a ware of his
unfortunate situation, opened a subscription-ostensibly for the purpose of
presenting him with a testimonial in recognition of his services; really with
the object of relieving his necessities-not an easy object to attain without
wounding his feelings of independence and self-respect. A, considerable
amount was raised, and with a portion of this a house and lot on Bond
Street were purchased and presented to l\Ir. Mackenzie, Another sum was
handed to him as a loan-nominally, of course-by the subscription com-
mittee; but as no small part of this was employed by him in paying debts, it
was not long before he was again in distress, But the end was not far off.
Utterly hroken down in body and mind, careless of the approach of death,
refusing medical aid, the great Reformer gradually sank, till, on the 28th
of August, death put an end to the restless, busy life-within less than four
years of the allotted span of three-score and ten.
Towards the close of 1861, Toronto was in a ferment. The seizure of
the Confederate envoys, l\Iessrs. Mason and Slidell, on board the British
mail steamer Trent, had just taken place, and everyone was discussing the
probabilities of a war with the United States. The entire population seemed
to burn with a sudden military ardour; thousands of volunteers enrolled
themselves as recruits; drill was a regular every day matter; new com-
panies. were added to existing regiments; and speculations were freely
indulged in as to the probability of Toronto becoming the great military
centre for Upper Canada, and even a naval station, in view of the proba-
bility of operations by water. Sympathy with the South, in which, previous
to the Trent affair, the citizens of Toronto, like Canadians generally, were
by no means a unit, now became general, and a war with the United States
would have been extremely popular. Happily there was no occasion to put
to the test the enthusiasm of Canadians; the Confederate envoys were
.
The City of Toronto,
273
surrenùered, and the excitement in Toronto, as elsewhere, cooled down.
But the seed had been sown, the emergency had taught the people a lesson;
and from the crisis brought about by the Trent affair, the military spirit
which has given Canada its present militia force may be said to date.
Outside of the events just related, the local history of Toronto from
1860 to 1865 was that of the proverbial happy country that has no history.
The close of the decade of the fifties had witnessed commercial depre
sion
stagnation in trade and manufactures, starvation and misery. The first
half of the decade of the sixties brought commercial vigour, activity in trade
and manufactures, abundance and prosperity. It was the story of Pharaoh's
kine reversed. The cause of this state of things was to be looked for in the
American civil war. The country was overrun with commissariat agents
purchasing stores for the army, .\merican gold poured in, in a steady
stream, and produce of all kinds could not be supplied with sufficient
rapidity to meet the demand. Farmers and' merchants-wholesale and
retail- reaped a golden harvest, and many a fortune was accumulated by
trader and speculator. Toronto of course had its share of the general
activity, and the condition of the city, in those days when war prices ruled.
was one of unexampled prosperity,
\Ve now come to one of the saddest chapters in the whole of Toronto's
history-a story 'of events which threw the entire city into mourning.
During the morning of Friday, the 1st of June, 1866, intelligence was
received in the city that a body of one thousand Fenian
had crossed the
1'\ iagara River at Black Rock, landed near Fort Erie, and \vere ravaging
the country in the vicinity. l{egular troops were at once despatched to
the spot, and the city volunteers were called upon to furnish their quota to
repel the invader. It was now that the military spirit evoked among the
citizens ùuring the Trent excitement came into play. The call was
promptly responded to, and by two o'clock in the afternoon a force of six
hundred men of the Queen's Own-many of them University students-
had embarked on board the steamer City of T(}yonto, which was to convey
them across the lake, The force was under the command of Major
Gillmor, and consisted mainly of young men. \\ïth what happened on
the banks of the
iagara River \ve have nothing to do here-it is matter
of Canadian history, with which every Canadian is familiar. _\ conflict
took place at Ridgeway, the brunt of which had to he borne by the volun-
teers, owing to the failure of the regulars to put in an appearance in time,
and some of the Toronto contingent lost their lives on the battle-field,
The news, in an imperfect form, reached the city on the Sabbath morning,.
and it wås a sad Sabbath that the Toronto people spent. ,\ writer in the
274
The COU1lty of York.
'Varsity for J nne 2nd, 1883, gives the following grê-phic description of that
memorable day: "That Sunday was one such as Toronto had never seen
before. The most contradictory rum ours were afloat in the city, The
churches presented a most extraordinary spectacle. Instead of the usual
attendance of quiet worshippers-of the hymn of praise, the calm discourse-
the attendant throng was assembled in deep humiliation and earnest prayer.
I doubt whether a single sermon was preached in Toronto that day. Excited
people came rushing into the churches and announcing the latest news from
the front. Then a prayer would be offered up by the pastor, or the congre-
gation would bow their heads in silent supplication, The merchants, on
word being received that the volunteers were suffering
rom want of food,
ransacked their warehouses for supplies to be sent to the front by the
steamer that was to go to Port Dalhousie that afternoon for the dead and
wounded; and all the young men were hastening to the front."
About ten o'clock that: night the steamer above alluded to, with her
mournful freight, reached the Y onge Street wharf, where an immense
throng had congregated, and where several hearses and stretchers borne by
men of the 47 th Regiment were in waiting. A writer in the Globe of the
following day thus describes the scene on board the steanier: "At one
end of the vessel lay arranged together the rough coffins enclosing the dead.
Near the other, laid on couches and shakedowns, tenderly and thoughtfully
cared for, were the wounded, No word of complaint escaped them as they
were severally mbved by strong arms and feeling hearts to the cab or the
stretcher, as their case might require. Ten were severely wounded and
were carefully sent to the hospital; the remainder were sent to their respective
homes. \Vhile the wounded were being thus disposed of, the dead were
deposited in hearses and carried to their several destinations, The <?offins
in which they were enclosed were formed of rough plain timber, the name
of the sleeping occupant being chalked on the cover." The following are
the names of the dead who were brought to the city: Ensign Malcolm
McEachren, NO.5 Company, Q.O.R,; Private Christopher Alderson, No,
7 Company; Private \Villiam Fairbanks Tempest, No. 9 Company;
Private Mark Defries, No, 3 Company; and Private \Vïlliam Smith, No. 3
Company,
On the following Tuesday, the 5th, the remains of the fiv.e heroes were
accorded the honours of a public funeral. During the forenoon of that day
the five bodies lay in state in the Drill-shed, which was draped in black,
the coffins being covered by flags, About four o'clock the procession
started for the cemetery, headed by the band of the 47 th Regiment.
Following the private mourners came the funeral committee, the- troops-
The City of Toronto.
275
regular and volunteer-the mayor and corporation, and a long procession
of citizens on foot and in carriages. All the shops were shut, the bells
tolled, the streets were lined by silent crowds, many people wearing badges
of mourning, And so the solemn procession wended its way to St. James's
Cemetery, where the bodies 'vere committed to the earth,
A week after the funeral two,of the wounded, Sergeant Hugh )latheson
and Corporal F, Lackey, of No.2 Company, Queen's Own, succumbed to
their injuries. They also were buried with public honours, In addition to
these, two other members of the regiment, who were not residents of
Toronto, had fallen on the battle-field, and were buried at the places to
which they respectively belonged. Thus the total death-roll of the Queen's
Own on this fatal occasion was nine. It is almost unnecessary to add that
their devotion to their country was suitably honoured, Pensions were
granted by the Province to the bereaved widows and orphans, and the
monument in the Queen's Park-of which a description will appear in its
proper place-testifies to the loving regret with which the country cherishes
the memory of her devoted sons.
The Chief Magistrate of the city in these stirring times was l\1r.
Francis H, 'Medcalf, who had succeeded NIr. Bowes in 1864, and who
retained office until the close of 1866. In the latter year the municipal
law of the Province again underwent a change. The election of mayors in
cities by popular vote was discontinued, and a return was made to the
system of election by the Council. The office of councilman was also
abolished, and three aldermen were allowed to each ward, The first Mayor
of Toronto elected under the new Act was 1\lr, James E, Smith, in i867,
CHAPTER XII.
.
TORONTO A CAPITAL ONCE MORE.
r /
, -, HEN the clock stnIck midnight on the night of the 3 0th of
t<, June, 1867, the joy-bells of St. James's Cathedral rang out.
,'J ,
.
......
It was the 1st of July, the birthday of the New Dominion;
..'fi1:n/i-
Confederation was accomplished, and Toronto was once
,
f:c;.
A more a capital-the capital of a Province only, it is true, but
\, ..fC;:
that Province the wealthiest, the most enterprising, and the
most populous in the Union. The day was observed by the greatest
rejoicings in the city. \Vhat with bonfires, fireworks, illuminations. excur-
sions, military displays and musical and other entertamments, the citizens
and the thousands of strangers who crowded the streets did not want for
amusement. Our allotted space is nearly filled, so it will be impossible to
describe the manner in which the new capit
l celebrated the occasion,
Since the visit of the Prince of \Vales no such day had been witnessed in
Toronto.
On the 27th of December, in the same year, the Lieutenant-Governor,
::\Iajor-General Stisted, opened the first session of the First Parliament of
Ontario in the old buildings which had seen so many administrative changes,
The approaches to the buildings were thronged with people, eager to witness
a ceremony familiar to most Toronto people of to-day. The procedure
differed in no important particular from that observed on such occasions,
and the usual postponement was made-to allow of the election of a
Speaker-until the next day, when the formal opening took place. This
was the only ceremony of the kind at which General Stisted presided, as
he was succeeded in the following July by the Honourable \\'illiam Pearce
Howland, the well-known merchant prince of Toronto,
In 1869 the city was once more honoured by the presence of royalty,
in the person of His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, who had been attached
to a corps then stationed in Montreal, and who visited the Provincial
The City of Toronto.
277
Capital on his way back from London, where he had opened the Provincial
Exhibition. The preparations that had been made in his honour were much
on the same scale and of the same character as those by which the city had
testified its loyalty on the occasion of the Prince of \Vales's \Ïsit in 1860,
.\ series of triumphal arches had been erected, and the streets were decked
with flags, streamers, evergreens and bunting. The Prince, accompanied
by the Governor-General, Sir J ohn Young, Lady Young, and a numerous
suite, arrived in Toronto on Saturday, the 2nd of September, hy Great
\Yestern train, From the station they were conveyed in carriages to the
Cit) Hall, where the civic address was to Le presented, As in 1860, the
streets were packed, and the Prince's progress was one continuous ovation,
Every window, balcony, parapet and roof was occupied, and it IS estimated
.that from thirty thousand to thirty-five thousand people had assembled to
witness the demonstration, At the City Hall addresses to the Prince and
the Governor-General were read by the l\Iayor, :\1r. Harman; and after
suitable replies had been made the party were driven to Government House.
where His RoyallIighness remained during his stay, as the guest of the
city, During his visit, which was one round of festivities, the Prince, on
the 5th, turned the first sod of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway. The
next day the royal visitor left the êity for the east.
It may be mentioned here, that during this year the Society of the
York Pioneers-an association composed of residents of the County of
York previous to the incorporation of the City of Toronto, and their
descendants on attaining the age of forty years-was founded, The society,
which at the present time has a membership of abou.t four hundred, has
done good work in preserving documents and other mementoes of the early
days of the county.
The l\.1Onument erected in the Queen's Park to the memory of the
volunteers who fell during the Fenian Raid of 1866 was formally unveiled
on the 1St of July, 1870, by the Goyernor-General, who was then visiting
Toronto, '\. large crowd thronged the neighbourhood of the monument,
and the three city volunteer corps, the Queen's Own, Tenth Royals, and
Grand Trunk Brigade, were present, The ceremony consisted merely of
the reading of the report of the secretary of the :\Ionument Committee, a
short speech by His Excellency, who then unveiled the monument amid
loud cheers, and of eloquent addresses by the Hon, 1\1. C, Cameron and Dr.
l\IcCaul.
\Ye have seen that ðlr. J. E, Smith was the first 1\Iayor elected under
the Ac
of 1866, by which a return was made to the system of election by
the Council. The same g-entleman occupied the civic chair during the
27 8
TIle COU1lty of York.
following year, and was succeeded in 1869 by NIr. S, B, Harman, who also
held the position for two years; but owing to his absence in England during
a part of his second term, the Council was for some time presided over hy
l\Ir, George D'Arcy Boulton, In 1871, Mr. Joseph Sheard was elected, and
the same mark of confidence was bestowed upon him in 1872, He was fol-
lowed in. 1873 by
1r. Alexander l\Ianning, who was the last Mayor elected
by the Council. During this year the Municipal Election Law was again
changed, and the election of Mayors in cities was once more vested in the
people, who have ever since continued to exercise this right. The Chief
:\Iagistrates of Toronto since (hat time have been as follows :-1874-75, 1\1r.
Francis H, Medcalf; 1876-78, Mr. ..\ngus Morrison; 1879-80,
1r. James
Beatty; 1881-82, 1\1r. \V, B. l\lc"i\Iurrich; and 1883-84, Mr. A, R. Boswell.
The following were the occupants of Government House during thi
period:-:\Iajor-General Stisted, Hon, VV'. P.Howland, Hon.John Crawford,
Hon, D, A. :\Iacdonald, and Hon. John Beverley Robinson, the present
Lieutenant-Governor, who entered office on the 30th June, 1880.
The progress made by the city since Confederation has been amazing,
1'\ ot only have its 'area and population been largely increased, but it ha
been greatly beautified by the erection of huge business establishments and
palatial private residences; and it has developed a commercial enterprise
and energy which seriously endanger the pretensions of Montreal to the
mercantile supremacy of the Dominion. Since 1873 five additional wards
have been created, viz" St. Thomas's, formed in that year from St, David's;
St. Stephen's, in 1875, from St. Patrick's; St. Paul's, in 1883, consisting of
the annexed VillageofYorkville; and, in 1884, St. Mark's and St. Matthew's,
formed respectively of the Villages of Brockton and Riverside, which had
also cast in their lot with the city, Of the growth in population an idea
may be formed from the following figures :-In the census of 1871 the popu-
lation was given as 56,092, being an increase of I 1,271 during the previous
decade, In 1881 the census gave 86,415, showing an increase of 30,)23
since 1871; but at the present time, in consequence of the annexation of
the three suburbs of Y orkville, Brockton and Riverside, the population
may be fairly estimated at something over 100,000,
It was during the years 1872-4 that Toronto began to make those rapid
strides in commercial enterprise that have placed her in the proud position
she now occupies, They were years of unusual prosperity, and trade of
all kinds received a remarkable impetus, Happily the foundations then
laid of the city's mercantile greatness were sufficiently solid to resist the
shock of the reaction that followed. In 187-.5 there set in a period of depres-
sion, reflected in great measure from other parts of the world, and more
.
The City of Toronto.
279
especially, owing to the close trade relations between the two countries,
from the United States, But bad harvests, extravagant living, long credits,
and persistent over-importations had no small share in bringing about the
change, The depression continued until 1878, when the city began slowly
to recover from the effects of the evil times, As a measure of the volume
of business at the present time the following figures may be acceptable,
being those of the imports and exports for the year 1873 :-Imports, $18,-
634,451; exports,
3,481,813.
A comparison of the city assessment figures in the year before the era
of prosperity set in, and in that after the return to prosperity which followed
the depression period, may also prove interesting. Thus in 1871 the realty
was placed at $22,037,470; personalty and income, $7,239,665; total, ::;;29,-
277,13 8 , In 1880 the figures were :-Realty, $+2,020,155; personalty and
income, $8,146,484; total, $5 0 ,166,639.
Figures such as these tell their own story, .\s Dr. \V. H. Russell says,
describing his impressions of the city in 1881 : "Toronto has increased in
all the elements of wealth and consequence by springs and bounds; and
since 1861, when I was there, its population has doubled, and it is increasing
still very rapidly." Of the futnre that is before it, a future of prosperity
and greatness, to which its present prosperity and greatness are as very
trifles, there can be little doubt, In that future its citizens firmly believe,
and it is pleasant to know that their belief is shared by outsiders, a
d that,
as the author above quoted says, " some day, surely, this' place of meeting,'
which is, I believe', the meaning of the name, must be of greater importance
than it is now, rapid as has been its growth, and great as is its present
prosperity. ..
There remain yet two events in the city's history to chronicle, and our
story is doi1e. The first of these is the opening of the Industrial .\ssocia-
tion Exhibition in September, 1878, by Lord Dufferin. As the story of the
circumstances under which the Association was organized is related in the
succeeding section of this work, it will be sufficient in this place to record
the fact. The second event-the latest in the history of the city up to the
time of writing-was the great Semi-Centennial celebration,
The year 1884 being the fiftieth since the incorporation of Toronto,
Mr. \V. B, ì\Ic:\-Iurrich, ex-Mayor of the city, suggested the propriety of
celebrating Toronto's Semi-Centennial in a manner worthy of the Pro-
vincial capital. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm, and arrange-
ments were made during the latter end of 1883 for a great civic demonstra-
tion, to be held in June and July, and to e"Xtend over an entire week. The
280
The COU1lty of York.
.
actual date of incorporation was March 6th; but as that time of the year
was unsuitable for out-door festivities, it was deemed advisable to postpone
the celebration until the week within which Dominion Day should fall.
The 6th of :\larch, however, was not allowed to pass unheeded, the main
events of the day being the opening of the Free Public Library by the
Lieutenant-Governor in the afterno
n, and a reception held by the Mayor
in the City Hall in the evening, There was also a liberal display of flags
throughout the city" and some firing of cannon and ringing of bells.
Monday, June 30th, was the first day of the great celebration proper,
Its dawn found the city in gala array, Flags, bunting, mottoes and ever-
greens had all been pressed into the service of decoration, and the scene,
looking down one of the principal streets, was simply a vista of fluttering
colour, which almost hid the buildings on either side from view. From this
day until the end of the week the city was wholly given up to pleasure,
and was the relldez
lol{S of thousands of sight-seers from all parts of the
Province, from Montreal, and from many cities in the United States, The
streets were thronged from early morn till late at night, and the hotels and
lodging-houses were hard put to accommodate the immense influx of visi-
tors, The event of the first day was the historical procession, of which
the great feature consisted of a number of tableaux representing events in
the early history of York. The Mayors of the City, of Philadelphia
and Port Huron, the members of the existing and of past City Councils, of
the Celebration Committee, of the School and Library Boards, the York
Pioneers, the Police Force, the Fire Brigade, and seven bands of music
took part in the pageant. The procession finally brought up at the Exhibi-
tion grounds, where addresses were delivered by the Mayor, Mr. \Y. B.
l\1cl\1urrich, Dr. Daniel \\ïlson, the orator of the day, and Mayor Smith
of Philadelphia. An address and medal were then presented to the Rev,
Dr. Scadding on behalf of the York Pioneers, In the evening there was a
fancy dress ball at the Horticultural Gardens, the city was illuminated, and
the firemen held a torch-light procession,
Tuesday, July 1st, was Dominion Day, and consequently the crowds
who turned out to witness the festivities were enormous. This was" Mili-
tary Day," its main feature being a march through the city of all the avail-
able troops, including the Governor-General's Body Guard, the Toronto,
Hamilton, and \Velland Canal Field Batteries, "C" Company, Infantry
School, the Governor-General's Foot Guards (Ottawa), the 6th Fusiliers
(Montreal), the 7th Fusiliers (London), the Tenth Royals, the 12th, " York"
Rangers, the 34th, 36th and 77th Battalions, the Queen's Own, 14 th ,
" Prince of \Vales" Rifles (Kingston), and the 13th Battalion (Hamilton).
The CilJI of Toronto.
281
There were also minor attractions in the form of bicycle races and athletic
games; and in the evening a promenade concert and fireworks display
at the Horticultural Gardens.
On \Vednesday there was a Trades' and Industrial Demonstration, in
the form of a procession illustrative of the trades and industries of the city.
It consisted, in part, of wagons in which various mechanics were plying
their daily avocations, and also of displays of manufactured goods and raw
material. The procession was fully four miles in length, and occupied two
hours in passing a given point. In the evening the oratorio of "The
Creation" was performed at the Horticultural Gardens.
On Thursday morning the U. E, Loyalists and their descendants from
all parts of the Province held a gathering in the Horticultural Gardens in
honour of the looth anniversary of the settlement of Upper Canada by their
ancestors, Dr. Canniff occupied the chair and delivered an appropriate
address, In the afternoon the Loyalists attended a reception held in their
honour by the Lieutenant-Goyernor at Government House. In the evening
there was a brilliant display of fireworks on the Bay, and at the Horticul-
tural Gardens the Philharmonk Society rendered Gounod's pratorio, "The
Redemption," before the largest audience of the week.
Friday had been set apart for a parade of the benevolent societies, but
a steady downpour of rain rendered this impossible, and the procession was
postponed until next day. This was the more unfortunate as nearly ten
thousand people were to have taken part in the parade, hundreds of
whom were compelled by their engagements to return to their homes the
same night. In.the evening the Semi-Centennial Committee entertained
the visiting uniformed societies in the dining-hall on the Exhibition
Grounds,
Saturday morning brought ,,-ith it another deluge of rain, but towards
eleven o'clock the storm had sufficiently abated to allow of the postponed
benevolent societies' parade taking place. The societies represented were
the Oddfellows-uniformed and otherwise-the Knights of Pythias, the
Ancient Order of Shepherds, the Foresters and the Sons of England. In
the afternoon the uni;onned societies held a drill-competition on the Exhibi-
tion Grounds. But the feature of the day was the chilrlren's parade, The
little ones mustered shortly after noon in the Queen's Park and marched to
the Lacrosse Grounds, where drill and calisthenic competitions were held;
and in the evening a children's festival-in which si)". hundred took palt-
was held in the pavilion in the Horticultural Gardens. This closed the
celebration, which fully realized the expectations of its promoters and passed
off without any hitch in the arrangements.
282
The C01t11ty of York.
In connection with Toronto's Semi-Centennial it will not be out of
place to refer to an interesting relic which was discovefed by Mr. Thomas
Hodgins, Q.C., in 1884, while engaged in making researches for documents
bearing upon the Ontario Boundary question, and which he at once for-
warded to l\Ir. \V. B, Mcl\rlurrich, Chairman of the Semi-Centennial Com-
mittee. It is a curious plan of the Harbour of Toronto in 1788, executed
by Captain Gother Mann, of the Royal Engineers, and dated Quebec, 5 th
December, in that year. It was accompanied by a report by the same
officer, which was sent to Lord Dorchester, and in which the author
describes the conditions and bearings of the harbour. He says: u The
Harbour of Toronto is nearly two miles in length from the entrance on the
west to the isthmus between it and a large morass on the eastward. The
breadth of the entrance is about half a mile, but the navigable channel for
vessels is only about five hundred yards, having from three to three and
a-half fathoms water," .L\.fter describing the peculiarities of the Bay he goes
on to say: .. From what has been said it will appear that the Harbour of
Toronto is capacious, safe and well sheltered; but the entrance being from
.
the westward i;; a great disadvantage to it, as the prevailing wind is from
this quarter, and, as this is a fair wind from hence down the lake, of course
it is that with which vessels in general would take their departure from this
place; but they may frequently find it difficult to get out of the harbour."
The plan also shows" the proposed town and post by the settlement," a
perfectly square plot, with a broad esplanade on each of the four sides. The
document will form a valuable addition to the historical relics of the city
whose story has just been related.
.
TORONTO: HEI{ HIGI-l\V A YS, HER INSTITUTIONS,
AND HER INDUSTRIES.
-m)
1 ROl\I an architectural point of view Toronto is in eyery way
'. LÂU worthy of her position as capital of the leading Province of the
I v.ft Dominion. To 1'Iontreal only, of all the cities of the Dominion,
. ....L, ''4 does she yield the palm in this respect-and that too with a
: decided, though perhaps not decidedly expressed, opinion, that
the day is not very far off which will see the Queen City of the
. \Vest outstrip her Eastern sister in this as in her other claims to
supremacy. Already she is treading hard on the heels of the latter in the
race for the commerciallea.dership; and in point of population her progress
has been so marked as to give well-grounded hopes that Toronto will, before
many decades have rolled past, stand at the head of the list of Canadian
cities in this as in all other respects.
To the stranger approachmg the' city, whether by land or b
' water,
Toronto scarcely offers much promise of what she has to shmv, It is only
when the visitor drives through her streets that he can form any adequate
idea of her beauties. From an artistic point of vie,v tl;e site
:m which the
city stands is an unfortunate one. The ground lies low, gradually rising as
it leaves the lakeshore, until the upward slope terminates in the ridge which
bounds the view on the north. And it is only from this ridge, crowned b}
the residences of some of the wealthier citizens, that anything like a com-
prehensive view of the city can be obtained. But this point of \"antage
is little known, even to many life-long residents, though the prospect
from its summit is not unlike that to he obtained from the mountain
that keeps guard over :\Iontreal. It is tnie that it lacks the marked
features of the latter, the broad St. Lawrence, spanned by the Yictoria
Bridge, and the deep blue hills of Vermont in the far distance, The out-
look from Toronto's little mountain covers an unbroken background of
.
28 4
The COUllty of York.
shining water, except on an exceptionally clear day, when the dim coast-
line on the other side of the lake is barely visible, and towards the right the
" pillar of smoke" which overhangs Niagara Falls is just distinguishable.
Dut it is the only spot fron
which a Pisgah-like view of the entire city can
be obtained, and this being the case it is surprising that its advantages
have not yet been utilized. Views of Toronto, so-called, have hitherto
generally been taken either from some steeple or tower, from which only a
limited portion of the city can be seen; or from the bay or island-the
result in the latter case being merely a representation of the water front
and the buildings in the immediate vicinity, backed by a sprinkling of
spires and chimneys, Yet even viewed from the bay there are bits of
perspective which
re far from being unattractive, notably the glimpse
afforded of Spadina A venue, lined on either side by foliage and terminating
in the buildings of Knox College. Simcoe Street, with Erskine Church in
the distal)ce, is another case in point,
Speaking of foliage it will scarcely do to leave unnoticed one of the
special beauties of the streets of Toronto-the trees. True we have no
giant elms such as Oliver \Yendell Holmes loves; nor any historic oaks to
delight the antiquarian and move the poet's soul to song, But trees we
have in plenty. It used to be said that there was not a spot in London
from which a tree could not be seen. Surely there is scarcely a spot in
Toronto's streèts where trees in abundance do not meet the eye. The
chestnut is by long odds the favourite, though the elm, the poplar, the oak.
and Canada's own maple are by no means wanting. The more fashionable
thoroughfares are lined with them, while the less pretentious by-ways, the
home of the artisan and the mechanic, give goodly promise of refreshing
greenery in the near future, even every bandbox of a cottage having before
it its sapling or two and its bit of boulevard.
The artist and the æsthete would doubtless be no more inclined to go
into raptures over the arrangement of the streets of Toronto than over the
selection of its site. But the former, like the latter, is eminently convenient
and practical, and admirably s\lited to the requirements of a city of com-
mercial aspirations. As is the case with most modern cities, the streets of
Toronto run north and south, or east and west-a main artery starting at
the edge of the lake and extending due north for thirty miles, from Lake
Ontario to Lake Simcoe. Crossing Y onge Street at its outset are the two
great thoroughfares King and Queen Streets, and nearly a mile further
north Bloor Street, formerly the dividing line between the city and the
suburb of Y orkville, stretches a way westward far beyond the city limits
into the open country. For convenience of topographical description these
Tile City of Toronto.
28 5
four streets may be accepted as dividing the city into five great divisions.
The first of these is that lying to the south of King Street and extending as
far as the waters of the bay. The second would consist of the long torpedo-
shaped strip extending from the junction of King and Queen Streets at
High Park, in the west, to the point where they again converge on the
banks of the Don, in the east. The third would include the area east of
Yonge, north of Queen and south of Bloor, but extending beyond the
extremities of the two latter streets across the Don. The fourth would
cover the corresponding district west of Y onge Street; and the fifth the
quondam Village of Yorkville, now forming part and parcel of the city,
Before entering upon any detailed description of these arbitrary dis-
tricts, it will be well to take a cursory glance at the main thoroughfares
which form their boundaries, leaving fuller accounts of their principal archi-
tectural features to be dealt with later.
To King Street be given the þas. It is more aristocratic, more frequented
and more business-like-in so far, at least, as its central portion is con-
cerned-than any of its sisters. It can also lay claim to greater antiquity,
ha ving been the first thoroughfare of the future city-the village street of
Muddy Little York. King Street extends almost the entire length of the
city, from High Park to the Don, where it joins Queen Street and, after
crossing the bridge over the river, becomes the Kingston Road, It is on
King Street, from York Street to Church, that the fashionable stores are
situated; and here that, of a fine afternoon from three till six, the fashion-
abIes and would-be fashion abies of the city most do congregate to display
their charms and their attire, affecting especially for that purpose tht: south,
or "dollar" side. It is in this portion of the street that are situated the
Rossin House, for ma
y years one of the leading hotels, and the principal
dry-goods, millinery and jeweUery stores, on the south siùe; while on the
north side are the offices of the Canadian Pacific Raihvay Company, in the
building erected and formerly occupied by the ill-fated United Empire
Club; the stately building of the ,Hail Printing Company, \vhich suffered to
a consIderable extent by fire on the 2+th of
lay last; the less pretentious
and older Globe office, the scene of the shooting of the I Ion. George Drown;
besIdes restaurants and stores, the latter of a more staid appearance than
the fashionable shops across the way, and devoted to the sale of the neces-
saries rather than of the luxuries of life, On the north-east corner of King
and Church Streets stands the Anglican Cathedral of St. J ames, and a little
further eastwarù, on the south side, the St. Lawrence lIall and :\Iarket.
This part of the street is almost entirely given up to the fanners and those
\vho supply their wants; here the je\'\;ellery and millinery stores g"iyc place
286
The Coullty of York.
"
to emporiums for the sale- of substantial clothing, seeds and agricultural
implements, and to hotels of the class chiefly frequented by the farming
community. Beyond, the St. Lawrence Hall King Street East is utterly
commonplace. Probably the malaria \vhich is known to infest this portion
of the city is an obstacle to its progress and prosperity, \Vest of York
Street, as far as Spadina Avenue, King Street still presents noteworthy
features, more especially 5t, Andrew's Church, Upper Canada College and
Government House, Beyond the avenue this end of the street is as dead,
as deserted and as colourless as the opposite extremity.
Y onge Street ranks n
xt to King in importance as a business thorough-
fare, stretching from end to end of the city-and even far beyond as a
'country road-and, forming the dividing line behveen East and \Vest
Toronto, it might be compared to the backbone of the city, while the lesser
thoroughfares that intersect it form the ribs. From the Esplanade to King
Street it is lined by handsome buildings, chiefly occupied as banks, insur-
ance offices and wholesale business houses, one of its most prominent
features being the Custom House on the the corner of Front. Above King
Y onge Street is not rich in architectural specimens, though here and there a
lofty building of recent construction towers above its neighbours. Until,
say, within the last ten years, the structures lining this portion of the'
thoroughfare were of the plainest description-mainly two-story buildings
of the ordinary brick-and-mortar or rough-cast type. But of late several
handsome stores have been erected, notably the Arcade, just finished, a row
of retail stores just above Queen Street on the west side, and another row
on the opposite side just below \Vilton Avenue. Unpretentious as its
buildings are, however, Yonge Street is no whit behind King Street as to
the amount of business transacted -if it does not even surpass its more
fashionable sister in this respect. _\long its ,whole length as far as Bloor
Street, and for several hundred yards beyond this point, it presents an
almost unbroken succession of stores, taverns and restaurants.
Queen Street, another important retail business thoroughfare, presents
a singular combination of splendour and squalor, which cannot fail to strike
the observant peripatetic. It presents, side by side, some of the finest
buildings and some of the most wretched hovels in the city. Osgoode Hall,
one of the noblest architectural monuments to be found in Toronto, is
jostled by the miserable slums of St. John's \Vard and the low dives of York
Street. Shaftesbury Hall, another imposing structure, is surrounded by
contemptible shanties and vis-a-vis'd by the tumble-down rookeries of Jew
dealers in second-hand furniture and cast-off clothing. ' Trinity College and
the Lunatic Asylum are more fortunately situated, though the contrast they
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,
The City of Toro1lto.
28 7
offer with the structures in their immediate vicinity is sufficiently striking.
By far the larger portion of the business of Queen Street is transacted west
of Y onge, the dead-alive condition of the eastern section being the very
antithesis of the bustling, business-like air that pervades the section
between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street. Still further westward Queen
Street runs through the suburb of Parkdale, which has hitherto persistently
resisted all attempts to inducè it to follow the example of its sister suburbs
and link its fortunes with those of the city. A feature worth noticing at
this end of Queen Street is the subway-now nearly completed- that dips
beneath the railway tracks at what used to be an exceedingly dangerous
crossmg.
In the district south of King Street almost the entire wholesale trade
of Toronto is concentrated, as well as the greater part of its heavIer manu-
facturing industries-the former grouped especially in the immediate vicin-
ity of Y onge Street, the latter scattered over the outlying districts, Crossing
Y onge Street at right angles are, in order from the Bay upwards, Front,
\Vellington and Colborne Streets, the two first-named lined with imposing
structures erected by private enterprise, the last narrow, dirty and gloomy,
but all three" full of business," as will be seen when we come to speak of
Toronto's financial and mercantile institutions. In the eastern half of this
. division are the City Hall, the St. Lawrence Hall and Market, the Northern
Railway Station, the Drill Shed, the Gas \Vorks, a great distillery, a brewery
. or two, and several factories, The extreme end of this eastern section is a
dreary wilderness, into which no man ever seems to venture except the
aborigines, and in which all the refuse of the city seems to accumulate. It
has already been hinted that the unsavoury reputation it bears from a
sanitary point of view is probably at the bottom of its want of prosperity.
Certain it is that if the curious pedestrian wishes to see the ahomination of
desolation standing at his very gates he need only take a stroll through this
unsavoury region of a Sunday morning. \Vest of Yonge Street, and run-
ning parallel to it, Bay and York Streets are almost entirely given up to
business, the succeeding streets being as exclusively reserved for private
dwellings. At the foot of York Street stands the Union Station-the centre
of nearly all the railways of the Province-surrounded by hoteis, both
great and small. \Vest of the Union Station are the freight sheds, and
from this point westward a large slice of this section is monopolized by
railway tracks, cattle sheds, round-houses, immigrant sheds, etc. To the
north of the freight sheds are the Parliament Buildings, and still further
north Government House. _\t the exheme western end of this division
are the Central Prison, the Exhibition Buildings, and the Old and
ew
19
288
TIle County of York,
Forts. The Esplanade, with its numerous tracks, forms the southern
boundary of the division, and is fringed with elevators, wharves, coal-yards,
and boat-houses,
Between King and Queen Streets lies one of the most important sec-
,
tions of the city. Not only does it embrace a large portion of the retail
trade of the better class, but being the habitat of the minor courts of law,
it is much affected by lawyers, whose offices cluster thickly about Adelaide,
Church, and Toronto Streets. The latter thoroughfare-a somewhat ambi-
tious title for a street not much over fifty yards long-is perhaps the
busiest in the city; it certainly is so for its size. It is the immediate
approach to the Post-office from the south, which perhaps accounts for a
portion of the activity manifested; but apart from this it is, from end to
end, emphatically a business street, lined with large and costly buildings,
which are chiefly occupied by lawyers, financial and insurance companies
and brokers. On the south side of Adelaide Street, to the west of Toronto
Street, stands the Court-house and County building, of which t'he less said
the better; and further on, on the north-east corner of Adelaide and Church,
the Public Library, formerly the Mechanics' Institute. On Court Street,
an allpy leading from Toronto to Church, stands the Police Court building,
a wretchedly inadequate structure, which also contains a police station and
fire hall. From Church Street eastwards there is little to interest the.
stranger; the streets, which higher up become broad ana beautiful
thoroughfares, being, below Queen Street, squalid and unpicturesque. To '
the west of Y onge, on Adelaide Street, is the Grand Opera House, and just
beyond this, running parallel with Yonge, Bay Street, formerly Bear, near
the north-west corner of which stands a portion of Doel's brewery, in which
the reformers of 1837 used to hold their meetings previous to the outbreak
of that year. The next street to Bay is York, which in this portion bears
perhaps a worse reputation than any other street in the city, Its low dives
are the resort of all the worst characters of both sexes, and it is in this
vicinity that illegal liquor-selling and midnight brawling have tneir fullest
swing. The street itself has possibilities in the way of making a handsome
thoroughfare, but its broken sidewalks, tumble-down shanties, and frowsy
second-hand stores give it at present an appearance as unenviable as its
reputation. Notfling less than a clean sweep of the ricketty tenements
that cover it would be necessary to prepare the way for its regeneration
and purification. For some distance beyond York Street this section is
characterless-colourlessly respectable; but proceeding eastwards, and
more especially on the further side of Spadina Avenue, the evidences of
comfort decrease, the dwellings are of a more humble class, and we are
once more among the homes of the less fortunate citizens.
,
The City of Torollto,
28 9
Above Queen Street-with the exception of Y onge, Church, Parlia-
ment, Spadina A venue, and other thoroughfares of a similar type-the
business character ol the city disappears. Private houses are now the
rule, and shops-barring the ubiquitous corner grocery and the tayern-
the exception. In the section lying east of Y onge Street are some of the
finest residences in the city. In this particular, Jarvis Street, with its
costly mansions, carefully tended grounds, and lu}",uriant shade-trees,
stands pre-eminent. Sherbourne Street and some of the cross-streets-
notably Carlton and \Yellesley-are not far behind; while nearly the whole
section, and notably that portion lying north of \Vilton Avenue, is neatly
laid out in blocks of private houses of a superior class, The streets are
well paved and broad, the situation elevated, the air pure, and these many
advantages have caused this portion of the city to be regarded as one of
the most desirable positions for private residences, In fact, the whole
district has within the last ten years been built over with amazing rapidity,
so that it is fortunate that two breathing-spaces, the Horticultural Gardens
and Riverside Park, have been secured to the residents. In this section,
towards its north-east corner, are the General Hospital, the Medical Schools,
St. James' Cemetery and the' Necropolis, Among its public buildings it
also numbers the :t\ ormal School, Boys' Home, Girls' Home, and Collegiate
Institute, besides a number of handsome schools, and, across the Don, the
J ail. Its eastern boundary is Greenwood's side-line, running north from
the Kingston Road just below Leslieville. The other section of this diyision
. -that to the west of Y onge Street, extending to the western bounùary of
the former suburb of Brockton-presents a fantastic mélallge of poverty
and wealth, of ramshackle shanties and princely residcnces, of gross igñor-
ance and 111gh culture. Immediately adjoining Vonge Street, and c)"tendipg
to the Queen Street Àyenue, is the notorious St, Johr.'s \Yard, at once the
negro quarter, the Five Points, and the St. Giles' of Toronto, This descrip-
tion at least applies to its southerly half; its northern portion contains
many elegant residences and handsome streets, But below the Y onge
Street A venue, Chestnut, Centre, ang Elizabeth Streets hear a reputation
that is only excelled in unsavouriness by that of York Street, and equalled
hy that of \\ïlliam Street to the west. In the" Noble" \Yard-so called
pre,';Ulllably on the luclts a non lucclldo principle-an: Osgoodc Hdll, the
] louse of Intlustry, the Hospital for Sick Children, and Shaftesbur} Hall,
To the north-west of it lie the Queen's Park and Provincial Uni\'ersity,
with thc spacious grounds surrounding the lattcr stretching northwdrds to
Bloor Street and westwards to St. George. In the ill1medidte vicinity of
the University, and lying to the south, are the School of Practical Science,
,
290
The COUllty of York.
:\Ieteorological Observatory, and \Vyckliffe Hall, the latter a Church of
England Divinity School of the Evangelical type, To the east of the Park,
on St. Joseph Street, is St. Michael's (R,C,) College, and north of the Uni-
versity, on Bloor Street, f..lc::\laster Hall, the Baptist Theological College.
All the above mentioned institutions are either connected with or affiliated
to the University, Crossing the Queen Street Avenue, a noble drive shaded
by chestnut trees, another region of respectability is reached. That portion
of this district which lies between Queen Street and College Street is well
built up with a substantial and in many cases superior class of residences,
Above College Street the land is more open, but building operations are
in constant progress, Knox College, the Presbyterian Theological Hall,
stands at the head of Spadina A venue, which is probably the widest, and
might be one of the finest thoroughfares in the city, Architec'turally
speaking, however, it is beneath contempt, if we except one or two recent
additions. From Spadina Avenue to Bellwoods Avenue all is dead com-
monplace.' In this vicinity is Claremont Street, that has of late acquired
an unenviable reputation in connection with a settlement of recently
imported Irish paupers who achieved som,e notoriety during the latter
portion of 1883' Then come the Bickford grounds and those of Trinity
College, spreading north as far as Arthur Street, above which the land is
entirely open. From Trinity College to the western limits the &"round has
of late years be"en rapidly broken, and a class of private houses erected
very similar to those that cover the north-eastern portion of the city,
North of Bloor Street lies the beautiful suburb of Rosedale and the
former suburb of Y orkville, the latter now forming a part of the city and
kn.own as St. Paul's \Vard, Its western section is laid out in well-kept
avenues, in which not a few residences of the better class have been erected.
Bloor Street, on "both sides, is also well endowed in this respect. To the
north of Y orkville lie ,Mount Pleasant and St Michael's cemeteries and the
waterworks basin. The only features in this section specially deserving of
mention are the former town hall and the Magdalen Asylum.
.
PUBLIC BUILDINGs,
.
It is a singular anomaly that in a city of the size and importance of
Toronto, the chief çity of the county and of the Province, the three build-
ings which might have been expected to present a
appearance commen-
surate with the dignity of the seyeral bodies of which they are the material
representatives, should be the least attractive and least imposing of all the
public edifices which grace its streets. Yet such is the fact. The Parlia-
ment Buildings, the County Building and Court House, and the City Hall;
.
The City of Toronto.
291
representing, respectively, the Provincial, the County, and the City Gov-
ernments, are, each and everyone, structures of uninviting exterior-to
use no stronger word-and totally inadequate to fulfil the purposes for
which they were intended,
The Parliament Buildings occupy the block formed by Front, Simcoe,
\Vellington, and John Streets, They consist of a range of squat red-brick
buildings, forming three sides of a quadrangle, and stand in a large open
space, one-half of which appears to have been converted into a market
garden. Any description of their architectural features is out of the
question, for they have none. The question of erecting a more suitable
structure has for some years past been mooted, but the scheme has not
assumed any tangible form, which is the more to be regretted, inasmuch
as within the building, which offers no security against fire, are stored the
valuable library of the Ontario Legislature and the title-deeds of all lands
held from the Crown, the loss of which would be irreparable. The buildings
were erected in 1830, a vote of seven thousand pounds having been made
for this purpose in 1826,
To the north of the Parliament Buildings stands Government House,
the grounds surrounding \vhich are tastefully laid out and extend north-
\vards to King Street. The building itself is of red brick with white stone
facings, and stands out in strong contrast with the massive gray walls of
St. Andrew's Church on the opposite side of Simcoe Street. The present
structure was erected in 1t)6g on the site of the old Government House.
The Custom House, on the south-west corner of Front and Yonge
Streets, is one of the most ornate specimens of architecture which the city
possesses. It is built in the Renaissance style, of white pressed brick, with
white stone façades, the basement being constructed of Georgeto\" n stone.
The decorative work is exceedingly elaborate and intricate, without, how-
ever, being bewildering. The main entrance on Front Street consists of
an enclosed porch, over the cornice of which is a balustrade from which
rise columns with richly carved caps and moulded bases. .\ rich block
cornice-each bracket of which presents a different design in carved foliage
-separates the. ground floor from the first story; and a plainer cornice
separates the latter from the second. Below the windows of the ground
floor are panels filled with carved heads of animals, while on the keystones
are similarly carved heads representing Commerce, Agriculture, etc., and
heads of eminent men of the fifteenth century. The coats-of-arms' of the
principal seaports throughout the world are carved on the transoms of the
windows, and on the windows of the second story dppear medallion heads
of famous navigators of the l\Iiddle .\ges, The huilding was completed in
.
29 2
The County of York,
1876, its construction having occupied two years. Hon. James Patton.
Q,C" LL.D., is the present Collector of Customs,
The General Post-office is, as regards architectural beauty and elabo-
rate detail, only second to the Custom House, It stands on an admirably-
selected site on the north side of Adelaide Street East, facing Toronto-a
position that could scarcely be improved upon, as the imposing appearan.ce
of the edifice is much enhanced by the many rich buildings which line the
approach to it, The façade is in the Italian style, faced with wrought Ohio
stone, and is fifty-six feet high to the eaves, It consists of a central break,
relieved with coupled columns and pilasters, wIth foliated caps and moulded'
bases and cornices, On each side of the central break is a recessed bay,
and beyond, at each angle, a tower, with mansard roof and cast-iron
cresting, The main cornice is surmounted by a handsome clock, with
moulded frame, flanked by canoed ,trusses, Immediately behind this rises
the central dome, thirty-six feet high, giving an entire height of ninety feet
to the building. The doors and windows have richly foliated imposts, and
tarved heads for keystones, The frontage of the main building is seventy-
five feet and its depth sixty-six feet, continued back to Lombard Street, a
distance of one hundred and eight feet, by a one-story building used as a
sorting and mailing-room, :\1r. T. C, Patteson is Postmaster. The General
Post-office has four branch offices-in the eastern, western, and northern
portions of the city, and at Parkdale, respectively, ·
The Provincial Lunatic Asylum, with its huge dome, is one of the
most striking features of the city when viewed from a distance, It is a
massive building of gray brick, situàted in the midst of spacious grounds
on the south side of Queen Street \Vest, about three miles from the City
Hall. It consists of a main building nearly six hundred feet in length,
flanked at each end by a wing extending two hundred and forty feet to the
south. The front elevatiolJ consists of a centre building, five stories high
and surmounted by a dome, and two side-wings, which, like the rear wings,
are four stories high. The maintenance of the institution entails a yearly
outlay of between eighty and ninety thousand dollars, which is met by an
annual parliamentary grant of a tax of one penny per pound on the ratable
property of each municipality. Nearly one hundred officials are employed
in the huilding, the :\Iedical Superintendent being Dr. Daniel Clark, who
succeeded Dr. John \Vorkman, the well-known Canadian alienist. The
Provincial Asylum has, under the management of Dr. Clark and his prede-
cessor, acquired a reputation which is continental.
Few of the public institutions in Toronto have undergone such a
marked transformation within the last decade as the Generål Hospital.
.
The City of Toronto.
293
Ten years ago the Toronto Hospital was anything but a credit to the city;
to-day, thanks to efficient management and increased resources, it bears
a reputation second to none in the Dominion, The building, or rather
buildings, for it consists of no less than five, exclusive of laundry, mortuary,
and other adjuncts, stands amid spacious grounds which occupy the entire
quadrangle formed by Gerrard, Sumach, Spruce and Sackville Streets, and
on an elevation of over eighty feet above the level of the Bay, The main
building is constructed of white brick with stone dressings, and is three
stories high, with mansard roof and a central tower one hundred feet high,
and smaller towers at each angle of the front elevation, I t is used for the
accommodation of ordinary medical and surgical cases, and contains some
seventeen or eighteen public wards, besides a number of private wards for
patients who can afford to pay for treatment and attendance, The operat-
ing theatre forms an L in the centre and behind, and is flanked on either
side by a wing. Connected with the main building by bridges on each
side are the Fever Hospital and the l\1ercer Eye and Ear Infirmary, the
former on the west, and the latter, which also contains the apartments of
the Medical Superintendent, on the east. In the north-west angle of the
grounds is the Burnside Lying-in Hospital, which is supported by yolun-
tary contributions, by the fees of students in attendance, and by a yearly
Government grant of
400, This building, as well as the Eye and Ear
and Fever Hospitals, is of the same style and material as the main building.
Between the Lying-in Hospital and the main buildings a structure has
recently been erected which serves as a resort during the day for c.onva-
lescent patients, and immediately to the east of this are the mortuary.
laundry, etc. The main buildings are one hundred and seventy feet in
length by one hundred and twenty in depth. The wards are roomy and
well ventilated-the latter having been a subject to which special attention
was paid in the construction of the edifice, The entire institution is under
the charge of Dr. Charles O'Reilly, :\Iedical Superintendent, assisted by a
matron and a staff of four assistant house surgeons, the latter selected from
the graduating classes of each year in the two principal medical schools.
Osgoode Hall, the headquarters of the Superior Courts of Ontario, is
perhaps the greatest architectural triumph ever achieved in the city of
Toronto, Its stately façade excites general admiration among visitors to
the Provincial capital, and this admiration is increased by the admirable
appointments and tasteful decorations of the interior. If Toronto possessed
no other monument of the architect's art, Osgoode Hall alone would repay
the visit of the lover of the beautiful. 1\1r. \V. G, Storm, after whose designs
" the Hall '. was built, will leave behind him in this magnificent structure
.
294
The COllllt')' of York,
an enduring memorial of his name and skill, and one of which his fellow-
citizens are justly proud. Osgoode Hall stands on the north side of Queen
Street \Vest, at the head of York Street, on a plot of ground some six acres
in extent-now beautifully laid out as garden and lawn-which was donated
to the Toronto Law Society by Sir John Robinson, father of the present
Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, and at whose suggestion the proposed
edifice was named after the Hon. \Villiam Osgoode, the first Chief Justice
of Upper Canada. The first building erected was.a modest structure of
brick occupying the site of the present east wing. It was completed in
1832, In 1845 the west wing was built, and subsequently the two isolated
edifices were connected by an intermediate range of buildings, which were
surmounted by a dome. From 1857 to 1859 the central structure under-
went a modification, the dome was removed, and the present handsome
façade of cut stone was added. The general style of the façade is Ionic,
with some Renaissance modifications, Fortunately the building stands
well back from the street, so that none of its imposing characteristics are
lost. Of late years considerable additions have been made in the rear, so
that the actual structure almost extends to the northern limit of the grounds,
The interior is no less remarkable than the exterior, containing some fine
tesselated stone work in the atriulIl and vestibules. u The Hall, '. as it is
called by the members of the legal profession, is the property of the Law
Societ'y of Upper Canada. The grounds are surrounded by a handsome
open iron railing-a plan that might be adopted with advantage in the case
of several other public buildings, Notably do the grounds of Government
House and Trinity College, both hedged in by unsightly board fences, suffer
by comparison with others which are more liberally displayed,
From Osgoode Hall to the Court House is from the sublime to the
ridiculous-from one of the most magnificent buildings in the capital to
one of the meanest and most poverty-stricken. It is a shabby-looking
edifice, Roman in style, faced with Ohio stone, and stands on the south
side of Adelaide Street East, between Toronto and Church Streets. It
contains the Assize, County and Division Court-rooms and the County
Council chamber, with the offices of the various officials attached to each.
Happily the present building will not long continue to disgrace the county
at least, as it is proposed to erect a new and more appropriate edifice on
Queen Street \Vest.
The jails and reformatories of the city are four in number, viz., the
Central Prison, a gloomy gray stone building on the west side of Strachan
Avenue; the Toronto Jail, situated on an eminence on the north side of
the extension of Gerrard Street, beyond the Don; the Industrial Refuge
The City of Torollto.
295
for Girls, on the south side of King Street, near Dufferin Street; and the
Mercer Reformatory, standing to the north-west of the Exhibition Grounds,
also on King Street, near Dufferin Street. Of the two last mentioned insti-
tutions the former is intended for the reclamation and industrial training
of girls committed under the penal laws of Ontario; the latter for the
reception and reformation of girls and women sentenced to a term of im-
prisonment therein by the police magistrate, and more especially for fallen
women.
The Free Library building is a plain, unpretentious structure on the
north-east corner of Adelaide and Church Streets. It was formerly occu-
pied by the Toronto Mechanics' Institute, the committee of which made
over their building and library to the Free Library Board upon the passage
of the Public Library by-law by the citizens. The building has been
entirely remodelled internally and wa,s formally re-opened, under the new
auspices, on the 6th March, 1884, Branches of the library have also been
opened in the northern and western portions of the city, In this connec-
tion a few facts relating to the inception and growth of the organization
which gave place to the Free Library, may not be considered to be out of
place. The Toronto Mechanics' Institute was established in January, 1831,
at a meeting of influential citizens called by Mr. James Leslie, now of
Eglinton. During its early days the meetings of its n
embers were held
in the" Masonic Lodge" rooms on Market (now Colborne) Street, Here
a library and museum were formed, lectures delivered, and evening classes
held for the improvement of its members. In 1838 a suite of rooms in the
Market Buildings-now the St, Lawrence Hall-wcre obtained from the
city corporation for the accommodation of the Institute. Six years later a
move was made to rooms above the store, No. 12 \Vellington Buildings.
just east of the \Vesleyan Book-room, and the winter lectures were held in
the County Court Room. During the year 1846, a second move was
made-this time to entirely new quarters in the second story of the fire-
hall, just erected (on the site of the present police court), an extension of
the original plan of the building having been made on pnrpose to accom-
modate the Institute, the latter paying- the difference between the original
estimate and the actual cost of the extended building. In 1853 the site of
the present Free Library was purchased, and an appeal made to the
citizens for assistance to enable the association to erect a suitable building.
The result of the appeal was so gratifying that operations were commenced
during the same year. During the year 1855 the Provincial Governtnent
leased the unfinished building for four years for departmental pnrposes,
and the revenue derived from this and other sources was sufficient' to
296
The County of York.
enable the Institute to discharge its liabilities. On the expiry of the
Government's lease some necessary alterations were made in the building
and it was finally taken possession of by the Institute in 1861. During the
following winter a more complete system of evening-class instruction was
inaugurated, and these classes were carried on with marked success until
the winter of r879-80, when they were discontinued in consequence of the
establishment, by the Public School Board, of similar evening classes. In
1
71 the Institute building was purchased by the Ontario Government for
the purposes of a School of Technology, the Institute being, however,
allowed to retain, free of rent, the use of their library, reading and board-
rooms. On the removal of the School of Technology to the new bUIlding,
in the Park, the Church Street property was re-sold by the Government to
the Institute, in whose hands it then remained until handed over, as already
stated, to the Free Library Board. ,
The Canadian Institute, a literary and scientific society of a high
class-the only one in Ontario in fact worthy the name-have their head-
quarters in a handsome red brick building, with white stone facings, on the
north side of Richmond Street east, a little to the west of Church Street.
The edifice, which is in the Parisian R
naissance style, contains a museum,
lecture and reading rooms and a well stocked library. The Institute was
established in 18+9 "for the purpose 3f promoting the physical sciences,
for
ncouraging and advancing the industrial arts and manufactures, for
effecting the formation of a provincial museum, and for the purpose of
facilitating the acquirement and the dissemination of knowledge connected
with the surveying, engineering and architectural professions," The
Society meets every Saturday during the season, and meetings of other
scientific associations, such as the Toronto :\Iedical Society, the Entomo-
logical Society, etc., are also periodically held in its rooms,
The Young :Men's Christian Association have their headquarters in
Shaftesbury Hall, a convenient and tasteful building on the eastern corner
of Queen Street \Yest, and James Street. It contains a large and a
smaller hall for public meetings and lectures, besides parlours for the use of
members of the Association, and a free reading-room and employment bureau,
The Drill Shed is a plaiu but massive structure at the foot and on the
west side of Jarvis Street. It is the headquarters of the city regiments of
militia,
The Industrial Association Exhibition Buildings are pretty well-known
to most people in the County of York, to say nothing of the thousands from
other parts of the Province who have attended the yearly exhibitions held
there since their opening by Lord Dufferin in 1878. The buildings, with
The City of Toronto.
297
their annexes, occupy a tract of land of some sixty acres in extent on the
lakeshore, at the foot of Dufferin Street, and on the site of the old Fort
Rouillé, the exact spot occupied by which is now marked by a monument,
whose foundation-stone was laid during the Semi-Centennial Celebration,
The main building is a .. crystal palace," constructed of glass and iron
upon a solid brick foundation. In addition there are special structures for
the machinery, agricultural, dairy, flower and fruit, carriage, stove, and
other departments, as well as extensive pens and stalls for cattle, sheep, and
pigs, and a well-laid race track and cattle ring. The whole of these build-
ings were erected in the comparatively brief period of ninety days. The
grounds are tastefully laid out and carefully "kept, and are within easy
access of the city, while the railway conveys visitors from abroad to their
very gates, So far the .buildings and grounds have cost nearly a quarter
of a million dollars. The buildings were erected in 1878 in consequence of
a pledge given by the Toronto deputation to the annual meeting of the
Agricultural and Arts Association of Ontario in 1877 to the effect that
if the Provincial Exhibition for the following year were promised to Toronto,
that city would provide suitable accommodation therefor. The pledge was
accepted and the promise made, much to the disgust of the Guelph deputa-
tion, who were desirous of securing the Exhibition for their own city. But
here a new difficulty met the Toronto Council-they were unable to obtain
a suitable site for the proposed buildings, Finally, after much loss of time,
the present site, a portion of the Ordnance lands, was secured from the
Dominion Government, and after considerable further difficulty and delay,
owing to the opposition of a portion of the citizens, the buildings were put
up and the grounds laid out in time for the exhibition, .\t the following
meeting of the Agricultural and Arts Association, however, it was
ecided
to hold the next annual exhibition at Ottawa. Thereupon the Toronto
committee, under the leadership of Alderman \Yithrow, finding themselves
left with an expensive set of buildings lying idle on their hands, set to \vork
with a will, and in a short time a new organization was formed, composed
of representatives of a number of societies and bodies, both local and Pro-
vincial, and received incorporation under the name of the Industrial Exhi-
bition Association, under whose auspices yearly exhihitions have since been
held in Toronto, with the most gratifying and with ever-increasing success.
Before quitting the subject of the miscellanf'ous public buildings of
Toronto, a few words may he said in reference to the Grand Opera House,
which is situated on the south side of Adelaide Street, nearly midway
between Yonge and Bay Streets. It is a fine fonr-storied building, with a
façade in the Parisian Renaissance style, an<l e
tends l>.Lckwanls neally half
298
The COll1lty of York.
the distance to King Street, Its erection was undertaken in 1872 by a
joint-stock company, and its management entrusted to Mrs. Morrison, a
lady as well known in the social as in the theatrical circles of the city.
V nfortunately the venture did not prove a success, and the theatre passed
under the hammer, being purchased by Mr. Alex. Manning, who engaged
f..1r. A, Pitou, of New York, to manage it. On Nov. 29th, 1879, disaster in
a new shape overtook the theatre, which was destroyed by fire, The
proprietor, however, nothing daunted by his ill-fortune, at once commenced
re-building, and in ten weeks the present structure was opened by the late
Miss Adelaide Neilson, Since then the Grand Opera House seems to have
enjoyed unbroken prosperity under the management of 1\1r. 0, B. Sheppard.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
In the unpretending building which stands on Front Street, to the
south of the S1. Lawrence Market-but which, it is .10 be hoped, will soon
be replaced by a structure more befitting the dignity of the capital of
Ontario-is centered the machinery which directs the municipal affairs
of the City of Toronto. A writer on the city and its history characterizes
the edifice as one of the ugliest in the city, and one does not feel disposed
to quarrel with him for his plain-speaking. The City Hall, in its present
state, is simply an eyesore, though little more favourable can be said of its
surroundings, while its unsanitary condition is a perennial source of dis-
comfort and danger to its occupants, It is a plain building of brick, faced
with stone, with a frontage of 140 feet, and is about as co'mmonplace as it
is possible for any building to he, Some interest, however, attaches to its
site, as being that of the original Town Hall of Little York.
The government of the city is vested in a l\layor, elected by the people,
and thirty-six _\ldermen, three representing each of the twelve wards. The
mayor is in receipt of a salary of :;;;2,000, but the Aldermen serve without
remuneration, Until January of the year 1884 the city consisted of
but ten wards, but by the annexation of the suburbs of Riverside and
Brockton-now known respectively as S1. Matthew's and S1. Mark's
\Vards-the area of the city has been greatly extended and the mem-
bership of the Council correspondingly increased, until, as a prominent
daily recently remarked, it outnumbers that of many of the Provincial
Assemblies of Canada. The following is a list of the wards of which the
city is at present composed :-To the east of Yonge Street: S1. Lawrence,
S1. James, S1. David, St. Thomas, and S1. ::.\fatthew. To the west of
Yonge Street: S1. Andrew, S1. George, St. John, St, Patrick, S1. Stephen,
and St. Mark; and to the north, S1. Paul's \Vard, formerly the suburb of
Y orkville.
The Czty of Toronto.
99
The civic departments whose headquarters are in the City Hall, are:-
City Clerk's Office, City Solicitor's Office, City Treasurer's Office, Engineer's
Department, City Commissioner's Department, \Vater \Yorks, Assessment
Department, License Inspector's Department, Medical Health Office,
Registration Office, and Fire Department.
City Clerk's Office,-Robert Roddy, the' present City Clerk, was
appointed to this position in 1875, upon the death of the late Stephen
Ratcliffe, after having held several important positions in the service of
the Corporation.
City Solicitor's Of}ìce.-\V, G. Mc\Yilliams, City Solicitor, is a native
of the County of Brant. He completed his education at the Cniversity of
Toronto, where he graduated in 1863, and subsequently commenced the
study of the law in the office of l\Iessrs, Crooks, Kingsmill & Cattanach,
and later on with 1\Ir, Thomas Hodgins, Q,C. After being admitted to
practise, in 1869, he entered into partnership with :Messrs, Hodgins & Bull,
the firm being known as Hodgins, Bull & l\Ic\Yilliams, and continued
this connection until 1872, when the firm merged into that of Bull &
l\Ic \Villiams. In October, 1875, Mr. l\Ic \Yilliams formed a partnership
with Mr. Foster, under the style and title of Foster & 1\1c \Yilliams, and
continued in business in this connection until l\T ay, 1876, when he was
appointed one of the City Solicitors, being associated in that office with
the present Lieutenant-Governor; and on the appointment of the latter to
office l\Ir. l\1c\Villiams assumed sole charge of the legal affairs of the CIty,
City Treasurcr's Office.- The present Treasurer, 1\1r. S. Bruce Harman,
was appointed in 1873. R, T, Coady, Assistant City Treasurer and Chief
Accountant, is a native of Toronto, his father having removed to this city
in 1827. He for some years held the position of accountant in a local
lumbering firm, and in 1872 accepted the position of Deputy-Assistant
Treasurer, from which he was promoted, on the death of the then Assistant
Treasurer, to the office he now holds.
John Patterson, Cashier, was born in Toronto in 1848, His father,
the late Thomas Patterson, came from County Cavan to settle in the city
in 1847. Mr. Patterson was appointed a junior clerk in the City Clerk's
Office in 1872, and was promoted to his present position in 1873.
George Kimber, jun'r, Clerk, was born in London, England, in 18+9,
and emigrated to Canada in 1870. He was appointed Clerk to the Assess-
ment Commissioner in 1873 and was transferred to the Treasurer's Oftice
in 1877.
City Enginecr's Departmcnt.-Charles Sproat, City Engineer, has held
the office since September 2+, 1883' Some years preyious to that datc he
3 00
Tile COltll
J/ of York,
had occupied the position of Deputy Surveyor, having received this
appointment at the time Mr. Frank Shanley assumed the duties of City
Engineer, and under his directions the present sewerage arrangements of
Toronto were carried out. An account of Mr. Sproat's professional career
is given in the biographical section of this wor
.
Joseph Jopling, C.E., Assistant City Engineer, was born at \Yest-
minster, London, England. He studied his profession under the present
Sir John Ha}vkshaw, from whom he received his diploma. His pro-
fession has taken him through nearly all the principal Oriental cities,
much of his time having been spent in travelling in the East. He
also spent several years in Italy and was subsequently stationed for a
time at Constantinople, He came out to Canada for the purpose of
assuming a position on the Canadian Pacific Railway, hut in consequence
of a change in the managem
nt of the road, he found it necessary to alter
his plans, and soon afterwards accepted the position he now holds. 1\1r.
Jopling is a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers.
\Yilliam H, Schutt, Accountant, is a native of England. He studied
engineering at Limehouse, London, England, and was subsequently for
several years Inspecting Engineer for the Metropolitan Board of \Yorks,
and was also engaged on the main drainage. He came to Canada in
1870, since which time he has been connected with the City Engineer's
Office.
Charles H. Rust, Assistant Engineer in the City Engineer's Depart-
ment, was born at Chatham Hall, Great \Valtham, Essex, England. He
emigrated to Canada in 1872 and held consecutively positions on the
township survey in Muskoka and on the preliminary survey of the Toronto
& Ottawa Railway, He was appointed rodman on the City Engineer's
staff in 1877, and to his present position in 1883.
City Commissioner's Department.- The City Commissioner, who presides
over the Department of \Vorks and Health, is Mr. Emerson Coatsworth, a
native of Yorkshire, England. He was born in 1825 and came to Canada
when only seven years old. His family selected St. Catharines as their
future home, and here Mr. Coatsworth, who adopted the calling of a
carpenter, remained until 1846. From that year until 1851 he engaged in
yarious contracts, chiefly for the construction of bridges, dock works, saw-
mills, etc., in various parts of the Province. His first prolonged visit to
Toronto was in 1851, when he undertook the construction of a bridge across
the Don; and he subsequently for six months superintended the laying of
the plank road running north from the city, The following year he
returned to Toronto and engaged in general contracting and building.
The City of Toronto,
3 01
Among the many public works in which 1\11'. Coatsworth had a guiding
hand, at this time, may be mentioned the wharf at Collingwood, constructed
in 1852-3; the first bridge over the Northern Railway, on Dundas Street,
in 1852; and the gravel road bridges throughout the County of Grey, In
1873 he was offered the position of City Commissioner, which he accepted,
and in this capacity he continued to act until his appointment, in 1881, as
Commissioner of \V orks anQ Health-an office for which his previous
extended experience in construction works peculiarly fitted him.
TVater TV orks Department,- T. J, lvlcMinn, Assistant Engineer and
Draughtsman, entered the service of the city in 1874. He has been largely
identified with the construction of the water works system, having been
employed in nearly all the various departments of this undertaking, as the
reservoir, pumping mains, distribution, wharf, engine house and conduits,
and having held the position of resident engineer on the lake extension works.
George Burton Morris, Secretary of the department, is a native of
Li
erpool, England, He came to Canada in 1873 and settled in Toronto,
and soon after his arrival entered the office of the City Clerk. Here he
remained five years, and at the time of the abolition of the \Vater \Y orks
Commission he was promoted to his present position.
Joseph Raffan, head accountant, has been identified with this depart-
ment since its organization in 1872. He came to Canada in childhood, and
has ever since been a resident of the city,
J ames Hutchinson, rating clerk, is a native of Montrose, Scotland,
where he was for some time connected with municipal affairs. He came
out to Canada in 1873, and was soon afterwards attached to the Assessment
Department, but was subsequently transferred to the \Vater \Vorks.
John H. Venables, chief engineer jn charge of the engine house, is a
native of England, where he served his time as a mechanical engineer. He
came to Toronto in 1868, and followed his profession both in tlÚs city and
in the \Vestern States, He was engaged for some time on marine and
locomotive works in Detroit, and later on served as foreman in the shops
at Muskegon, Mich. In 1872 he returned to Toronto to take charge of the
works of Messrs. Dickey, Neil & Co., and two years later he entered the
service of the city in his present position.
E. Foley is foreman of the street water mains, in which capacity he
has acted since 1856, being the oldest employé in the department. lIe is a
native of Tipperary, and emigrated to the United States in 1853. In 1855
while in the employ of a New Jersey company, he came to the city to
superintend the laying of some cement mains, and has remained ever since
in connection with the outside work of the \vater system. both before and
.
302
The COU1lty of York.
since its transfer to the city corporation, In October, 1883, Mr. Foley was
presented by the employés of the department with a gold watch and an
illuminated address.
Thomas R. Skippon, foreman and manager of the press house, and one
of the oldest employés of the department, is a native of Old London, He
came to Canada in 1854 and learned his trade as a mechanic in Toronto,
where he was employed by Messrs. Dickey, Neil & Co, He was inspector
of the engine-house building and adjacent wharf, and also of the pipes
manufactured for the company both in the city and in Buffalo. The duties
which specially fall under Mr. Skippon's department are the supervision
of the repair of engines and valves for the different parts of the city, and
the distribution of stores, An idea may be formed of the magnitude of the
operations included under the latter head alone, from the fact that in 1883
no less than $16,000 worth of stores left the press-house.
Assessment Deþartmcnt.- This important branch of the civic gove
n-
ment IS in charge of l\Ir. N. :Maughan, Commissioner.
Fire Dcpart11lent,-The history of the Toronto Fire Department is so
closely interwoven with the story of the career of the present Chief, Mr.
James Ashfield, that it is next to impossible to disassociate them. Mr.
Ashfield's history for the last forty-five years is the history of the Fire
Brigade, of which he has always been a prominent member, and in the
improvèment of which he has ever been largely instrumental. His connec-
tion therewith dates since 1839, the days of the old" bucket brigade."
Previous to, and for some time after, that date, :\1r. Ashfield, who came to this
country from the north of Ireland with his parents in 183 I, carried on the
business of a gunsmith-his father's trade-after having served for two
years as foreman with Ira Smith, and his successor, Wm, Gurd. On the
outbreak of the Rebellion in 1837, 1\1r. Ashfield was entrusted with the duty
of putting in order and serving out to the volunteers the muskets and small
arms then in store in the city, for which purpose he was authorized to
engage a competent force of workmen. In 1839, when his connection with
the Fire Brigade commenced, the appliances for extinguishing fire were of
the rudest description; wells and barrels were the sole reservoirs for water,
and the only engines in use were four small hand machines-one of which
is now at Riverside-manipulated by an unpaid volunteer corps, Mr.
Ashfield's personal courage, added to his mechanical skill and executive
ability, soon gained for him the confidence and respect of the members of
the brigade and of the citizens generally, He rapidly rose, from private
to captain, and in 1851, after twelve years of gratuitous service, he was
unanimously elected Chief Engineer, a position which he has since held
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TIle City of Toro1lto.
3 0 3
uninterruptedly until the present time, Other honours had already fallen
to his lot, for in 18 4 8 his fellow-citizens had sent him as one of their repre-
sentatives to the City Council-a mark of confidence which was renewed
year by year until 1854, when his acceptance of a salary as Chief Engineer
of the Fire Brigade necessitated his resignation, In the meantime he had
every year been confirmed in the latter position, which in those days was
elective, though subsequently the appointment was made permanent and
vested in the City, Council. In 1855 l\Ir. .-\shfield was sent on a tour of
inspection of the fire brigade systems in use" in the principal cities of the
United States and Canada, and the result of his observations was the
purchase by the City Council, upon his recommendation, of two first-class
hand engines, one of Montreal, the other of Boston make. These continued
in use until the introduction of steam fire engines, the first of which was
brought to the city in 1861, and was followed by a second the succeeding
year. The innovation, including the emplöyment of a small paid brigade,
created some dissatisfaction in the city, and gave rise to a public demon-
stration of hostility to the new order of things, during which the Chairman
of the Fire and Gas Committee was paid the honour of being hanged in
effigy, The malcontents, however, soon became reconciled to the march of
progress, and in 1871 Toronto was in possession of four Silsby steam fire
engines, three of which are yet in the city, though one only, the " J. B.
Boustead," is in commission. It is gratifying to be able to state-on
Ir,
.\shfield's authority-that the water pressure at the hydrants has been so
good that the services of this relic of a by-gone system have not been
required more than three or four times since l\Iarch, 1876. Another
improvement that the Chief Engineer was mainly in
trumental in intro-
ducing was the electric alarm system, As late as 1871 alarms were given
by striking on some of the church or other bells the number of the ward in
which a fire had broken out; a very inefficient mode of indication, as in
many cases the locality of the fire was not known to the brigade until
revealed by the glare in the sky. Regularly for seven or eight years had
l\1r. Ashfield inveighed against the inadequacy of this method, and urged
the adoption of the electric system as the only one adapted to the needs of
the city, But in. the year mentioned, Alderman Bousteaù, Chairman of the
Fire and Gas Committee, took the matter in hand, anù before ..\ugust of
that year the GameweH Automatic system was in successful operation. In
1873 another reform was effected, in the construction r>y the city of its own
water works, which in 1876 were so far advanced that the fire engines were
no longer required to respond to the summons to a fire, Under the old
system, when the water works were the property of a private company,
20
3 0 4
Tllc County of Y01'k.
there were but eighty-five fire hydrants. and from these the water was
turned off on Tuesdays and Fridays, and at such other times as the neces-
sity for making repairs might require. At the present time there are in the
city 1,260 hydrants, from any of which a good supply of water may be
obtained at a moment's notice, And now for a bit of contrast. In the old
Fire Brigade, before the introduction of steam fire engines, there were six
engine companies, one hook-and-Iadder company and one hose company-
in all about 320 men, \Vhen the alarm was rung the .men had to go from
their several places of business to their respective fire halls, and thence
haul their respective apparatus to the scene of the fire; and this once
reached the probability of securing a sufficient supply of water was, to say
the least, small. The present brigade consists of one company of sixty-
four men, including the chief and his assistants. This company is told off
into thirteen sections, ten of which consist of branch and hose, and three of
hook-and-ladder men, The several sections are stationed in comfortable
fire halls in different parts of the city. and nineteen horses and fourteen
drivers are employed to convey them and their apparatus to the scenes of
their operations, Horses and drivers are under contract, and cost the city
about $8,800 per annum, The entire cost of the department for the year
1883 was $54,000. :\Ir, Ashfield, who has taken an active and prominent
part in all the measures which have contributed towards bringing the
brigade to its present high degree of efficiency, is now in his seventy-third
year, but is still as active and as fit for work-after forty-five years' service
in the department-as most men of fifty, Since 1876, in consideration of
his long and faithful services, the City Council has relieved him of that
portion of his duties which necessitated his attendance with the brigade at
fires. Mr. Ashfield has been a member of the Orange order for many years,
and has been connected with the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society since
its organization.
Donald Gibson, City Electrician, is a naÌIve of Glasgow, Scotland.
He came out to Toronto in 1854 under an engagement with the Gas Com-
pany, with whom he remained eleven years. He then carried on a plumbing
and gas-fitting business for several years, and in 1872, on the establishment
of the electric fire-alarm system, accepted his present J2osition. He was
connected with the volunteer service for twenty-eight years, having joined
the Queen's Own at the time of its organization, In 1867 he was transferred
to the Artillery, in 't\'hich he successively held the rank of lieutenant and
captain, the latter for a period of thirteen years, until his retirement in
188 4. He has had the honour of competing on four occasions at \Vim-
hledon as a member of the Canadian team of marksmen.
The City of Toronto.
3 0 5
Police Departmellt.- The City of Toronto is singularly fortunate in its
police force, which is composed of as fine a body of men as may be seen in
any similar corps in the world, and even perhaps in any military organi-
zation, The majority of them have, previous to their Canadian experience,
served in the Royal Irish Constabulary, and as they are thus already indi-
vidually well drilled and discip
ined, the handling of the force, whIch is
carried out on strictly military principles, becomes a comparatively easy
matter. The physique of the men and their soldierly bearing evokes the
admiration
f all visitors to the city, and especially of those from the other
sIde of the border, accustomed to the anything but martial-looking patrolmen
of the American cities. The management of the force has been, since the
year 1859, in the hands of three Commissioners, viz., the Police Magistrate,
one of the Judges of the County Court and the Mayor. Previous to that
time it had been invested in the City Council. but the mismanagement and
jobbery under this arrangement were so glaring that the Local Governmcnt
interfered and instituted the régi11le which now prevails. The headquarters
of the force are in the Central Police Station on Court Street, with four
subsidiary stations in different quarters of the city, The present Commis-
sioners are Co!. G. T, Denison, who is also Police l\Iagistrate, chairman;
Judge McDougall, of the County Court, and A. R. Boswell, Esq" :\Iayor.
The Chief of Police is Major Frank C. Draper, and the Deputy-Chief John
Macpher.son, The latter officer has had a life-long experience in police
matters, and his selection for the position he holds was regarded on. all
hands as a most wise one. He is a native of Scotland, where he serveØ
for six years on the Edinburgh and
\rgyleshire police forces, He came to
Canada in 1855, and was attached to the new city police, then just reor-
ganized under the management of Chief Sherwood.
1r. :\Iacpherson
served two years in the police office, and was promoted in 1862 to the rank
of Sergeant; in 1865 to that of Sergeant-l\Iajor, and in IR76 to the position
of Depu ty Chief.
As already stated, the Police Magistrate is Co!. G. T, Denison, and
the Clerk of the Court Mr. J. T. Nudel, who has held the position for
many years, but has of late, in consequence of the increasing amount of
business entailed by the growth of the city and its population, been assisted
hy 1\1r. M. J.
Ieyerfey. The latter gentleman is a Hungarian, having been
born at Buda-Pesth in 1848. He emigrated to the United States in 1862,
and came thence to Canada in 1874, He was appointed to assist Mr.
udcl in 1877.
The five police stations distributed over the city are as follows :-:r\ o. I,
headquarters, Court Street, under the charge of "p. E. Stuart, .\ssistant
3 06
TIle COU1tty of York.
Deputy-Chief of Police; No.2, Agnes Street, between Yonge and Teraulay
Streets, Inspector \Vm. \Vard; NO,3, St. Andrew's Market; Inspector
R, Leith; No. 4,
Tilton Avenue, east of Parliament Street, Inspector
David Archibald; NO.5, in the former Y orkville Town Hall, Inspector
Joseph Johnson,
Assistant Deputy-Chief Stuart is a néttive of County Leitrim, Ireland,
and was connected with the force in that country for seven years. He
came to Toronto in i 861, and soon after joined the force as a constable;
passing successively through the grades of patrol-sergeant, sergeant, ser,-
geant-major and inspector, he was finally appointed to his present position
in May, 188 4.
Inspector \Vm. \Vard, of No.2 Division, who is also drill-instructor
to the force, was born in Devonshire, England. He is an old soldier,
having seen ten years' service in the Coldstream Guards, He was with
his regiment in the Crimea, and was present at the memorable siege of
Sebastopol. In 1861, being then a sergeant in his old corps, he was sent
to Canada to assist in drilling the volunteers, He landed at St. John, N,B.,
and was stationed for three months at Quebec and for some length of time
in Montreal. H
was then ordered to the western division of this Province,
going from place to place to drill the militia forces, In 1864, his term of
service having expired, he was recalled to England and received his dis-
charge, hut immediately returned to Canada, and in December of the same
year joined the Toronto police force, then under Captain Prince, Like
Inspector Stuart he was rapidly promoted, and in 1876 received his inspec-
torship, -:\1r. \Vard has been in charge of the police-drill since he joined
the force, and is the author of a work on that subject.
Inspector David Archibald, of No. 4 Division, is a native of Tipperary.
,-\fter s.erving for over four years in the Royal Irish Constabulary he came
to Canada in 1865, and joined the city force in October of that year. Two
years later he obtained special promotion to the rank of patrol-sergeant;
was made sergeant in 1872, sergeant-major in 1876, and inspector in 18 7 8 .
He has had charge of No, 4 station since 1877, Inspector Archibald is well
known as a zealous and earnest worker on behalf of the temperance cause,
his services in connection with which have been recognized by his fellow-
workers by his election this year as lay representative at the First United
\onference,
Inspector Joseph Johnson, of NO.5 Division, was born in 1842, near
Armagh, Ireland. He came to Toronto in 1867, and in March, 18 74,
joined the Y orkville police force, of which he became chief constable two
The City of Toronto.
3 0 7
months later. He continued to hold this position until the annexation of
Yorkville to the city in 1883, and was appointed inspector for that district
in May of the following year.
The Detective Force consists of the following members:- John New-
hall, chief; detectives, JohI?- Hodgins, John Reid, Stuart Burrows, Edward
Brown, Henry Reburn and Philip Sheahan, The detectives' headquarters
are also in the Police Court building, of which James \Voods is caretaker.
The latter is a native of. County Down, Ireland; he came to Canada in
1873, and was appointed to his present position in 1876.
Gas TV orks,- The gas supply of the city, although not strictly coming
under the head of City Government, may be dealt with in this place, inas-
much as the relations of the city with the Gas Company are under the
control of one of the committees of the City Council.
The Consumers' Gas Company, which supplies all the gas used in the
city, has its headquarters on the north side of Front Street East, the works
and offices occupying a considerable area of ground on either side of
Parliament Street. It also has an office for the convenience of the public
at 19 Toronto Street. The company was formed in 1847, but it was seven
years previous to this that gas was first introduced in the city, A
movement with this object in view was set on foot in 1839, when a joint
committee of citizens and members of the City Council was appointed to
enquire into the feasibility of the scheme. It was not intended, of course,
to light the whole city with gas, but merely the business portion; and that
rather as an expenment than as a permanent arrangement, Upon the
recommendation of the committee the Council despatched :\1r. Cull, a
civil engineer, to lVIorHreal, in order to obtain information as to the practi-
cability of the scheme, From l\[r. Furniss, a gentleman largely interested
in the gas works in that city, :i\1r. Cull received much assistance, and
finally the fonner made an offer to supply the City of Toronto with the
. light it required for [7,500. At the same time other tenders were recei,'ed
from different quarters. These offers were submitted to a public meeting
of citizens, at which :\Ir. Furniss was present by special invitation and
entered into a full explanation of the necessary details, The upshot of the
matter was that a private company was formed by :\[r. Furniss, and the
Council granted a site in the eastern end of the city for the erection of
works, The following year the works were in operation. but on a limited
scale only. In 1841 the company undertook the duty of supplying the city
with water as well as with gas, and was incorporated under the style of
H The Toronto \Vater and Gas Light Company." Its operations in the
matter of gas could not have been very extensive. ,lS it only had twelve
3 08
The COU1lty of York,
lamps to supply, and the quantity of gas manufactured in its first year was
less than four million cubic feet. In 1845 the company entered into a
twenty-one years' contract with the Corporation, undertaking to light the
streets at [6 13S' {d, per light per annum, and to bear the expense of
erecting the lamps and keeping them in order. Not very long after this
Mr. Furniss became sole proprietor of the works, and in 1847 he sold out to
the present company. The twelve lamps and four million feet of gas of
1841 have since increased to 2,540 public and private lamps, and nearly
two hundred and forty million feet of gas per annum, with 110 miles of main
pipes, supplying 5,600 consumers. The present price of gas is from
I .25
to $1.60 per thousand cubic feet, which is in marked contrast to the $5
which consumers were charged in 1848.
Mr. \V. H, Pearson, sen'r, secretary of the Company, has been con-
nected with that organization for the last thirty years. He is a native of
London, England, and came to Canada with his parents in 1834, and to
Toronto in 1839, For seven years he held a clerkship in the Post-office,
the staff of which at that time consisted of the Postmaster, three clerks
and one carrier. He subsequently entered the employment of the Gas
Company as chief clerk, and in 1874 was appointed secretary-a position
which is virtually that of manager. Mr. Pearson has been for many years
a valued and esteemed member of the Richmond Street Methodist Church,
and has devoted much attention to the Sunday School in connection with
that congregation, having been class-leader for twenty-nine, and superin-
tendent for twenty-seven, years, His son, \V, H. Pearson, jun'r, holds the
position of Superintendent of \Vorks in the company which Mr. Pearson
.
manages.
F, B. Whittemore, chief clerk since 1874, is Toronto-born, and has
been in the employment of the Company since 1864.
THE CHURCHES.
Few cities of the same population are more liberally endowed in the
matter of churches than Toronto, At a distance the city seems to bristle
with spires, and in the streets they meet the eye at every turn, Of late
years church-building has received a great impetus, and many congre-
gations that were content to worship in modest edifices of wood or brick,
have either been comp
lled by the narrowness of their accommodation and
the increase of their membership to enlarge their quarters, or else, fired to
emulation by the example of their neighbours, have launched out into
building operations in order to keep pace with the times. Toronto is
thus eminently a city of churches, counting within its Jimits upwards of a
The City of Toro1lto.
309
hundred places of worship. Some of these-such as are especially notice-
able either for architectural beauty or historic association-will be briefly
described in the following pages:-
I.-Eþiscoþal.
The Anglican body have about a score of churches within the city
limits, chief of these being St. James' Cathedral, on the north-east corner
of King and Church Streets. This metropolitan church-as a congre-
gation, not an edifice-is the oldest in the city. Previous to 1803 ser-
vices were held in a secular building, but in that year the first edifice,
subsequently to be dedicated to St. James, was erected, It was an
unassuming frame structure, but answered all the purposes of the then
scanty congregation. In 1832 it was ,replaced by a plain stone structure
with a square tower at its southern end. This was destroyed by fire in
1839, and in the same year a third edifice, also of stone, but with a
wooden spire, was erected, The flimsy character of the spire subsequently
proved fatal to the church, for, ten years later, during the conflagration of
1849, the spire was ignited by the showers of cinders from the burning
houses and the entire chùrch fell a prey to the flames, Thanks to the
energetic efforts of Bishop Strachan, a new building-the present cathedral
-was soon under way, and in 1853 the congregation of St. James' once
more worshipped under their own roof. At this time the cathedral pre-
sented a very different appearance to that with which the present genera-
tion is familiar. It was a plain, unadorned structure, without tower or
spire, the former being only completed in 11%7, and the latter, together
with the pinnacles and porch, in 1
74'
Ir. T. \V. Cumberland was the
architect. The present building is about two hundred feet long, and has
seating capacity for about two thousand persons, It is of white brick with
stone facings, in style a modified Early English, and its entire cost, including
that of the peal of eight bells, was $218,000, The tower is one hundred
and forty feet high and the spire one hundred and sixty-six. The latter,
with its illuminated clock, is visible far and wide, and forms a prominent
feature in the distant view of Toronto. Internally the church consists of
nave and transepts; the chancel, an apse in form, contains a richly-carved
altar and reredos, erected by the cong-regation in memory of Bishop
Strachan, and the choir is enriched with carved oak stalls. The rector of
the cathedral is the Rev. Canon Dumoulin, who succeeded the late Dean
Grasett in this high but, in view of recent litigation, onerous position.
The Bishop of the diocese and President of the Synod is the Rt. }{ev. \.
Sweatman, In rear of the church, on the corner of .:\delaide Street, is the
P drochial School-house.
3 10
The County of York.
Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Square, was for many years con-
spicuous among the Anglican places of worship in the ci
y òn account of
the ornate character of its ritual and the beauty of its musical services.
Under the present incumbent, however, the former has been considerably
modified, the cathedral (or choral) service being alone maintained in its
entirety, The building is in the so-called debased Gothic style, of white
brick, and cruciform in shapë, with a shallow chancel and two shallow
tré\,nsepts. Its western end is adorned váth two battlemented turrets. The
circumstances attending the foundation of the church are of more than
usual interest, and as much doubt seems to exist on tþe subject it may
not be out of place to give the correct version, In 1845 Bishop, Strachan
received a letter from the Rt. Rev, Dr. Longley, then Bishop of Ripon,
informing l1im that [5,000 had been given by an anonymous donor-now
generally supposed to be a lady-for the purpose of erecting a church in
Toronto, It appears that the munificent founder had been so impressed
by the statements made by the Rev. Geo. Hills-afterwards first Bishop of
British Columbia-who had been deputed by'the Society for the Propa-
gation of the Gospel to advocate the claims of the Church in the colonies,
that he-or she-was led to devote [10,000 for the benefit of the Colonial
Church. Half of this sum was appropriated by the donor for the purpose
already mentioned, with the stipulation that the new church should be
called .. The Church of the Holy Trinity," that it should be built in the
form of a cross, and that the seats should be entirely free. The anonymous
founder further carried her generosity to the extent of presenting the future
cluv- ch with a set of beautifully-worked altar linen and surplices and costly
silver communion vessels. It was also provided that a money gift of [50
.
sterling, or $250, should be presented on the altar on the first occasion of
the administration of the Holy Communion, and that three similar sums-
should be offered respectively for gifts for the poor, for an altar-cloth for
the chqrch,
nd for beautifying the font. The plans of the church were
prepared by 1\1r. H. B, Lane, an English architect, who had settled in
Toronto, and who also designed S1. George's and" Little" Trinity; and
the building was erected on a site given by Co!. the Hon. John Simcoe
Macaulay, the corner-stone being laid by Bishop Strachan on July 1st,
18 4 6 . The opening and consecration service took place on October 27 th ,
18 47, The first incumbent was the Rev. Henry Scadding, who was assisted
by the Rev, \Valter Stennett, these gentlemen, who were the
engaged in
scholastic work at Upper Canada College, ha vin
offered their services
gratuitously, Subsequently the Rev. \V, Stewart Darling was appointed
assistant minister, and on the resignation of Dr. Scadding succeeded to
The City of Toronto.
3 11
the incumbency, with the Rev, John Pearson. of Fredericton, N.B., as
assistant. In 1881 l\Ir, Darling gave up the entire parochial charge to
1Ir. Pearson, under whose admiñistration it still continues.
St. George's Church, on John Street, and of which the Re\'. J, D.
Cayley is incumbent, was built 111 1845. It is of white brick, with Ohio
stone dressings, and is surmounted by a spire one hundred and sixty feet
in height. The seating accommodation is about eight hundred, This is
one of tl:e few Anglican churches in the city that possess a surpliced
choir.
St. Stephen's, on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and College Street,
was built in 1857 by R. B. Denison, Esq" son of Col. G. T, Denison. It
is one of the prettiest specimens of the Early English style of architecture
that .the city possesses; it is built of red brick with stone facings, and
consists of a nave with shallow transepts and a deep chancel. The service
is semi-choral. Rev, C, J. Broughall is the rector.
Grace Church, on ,the south side of Elm Street, between Teraulay and
Elizabeth, is an outcome of the Low Church movement in the Anglican
Church in the city, It is a handsome edifice in second-pointed Gothic,
and consists of a large nave and transepts. The most noteworthy of its
architectural adornments are the "wheel" window in the northern façade
and the mediæval iron-work adorning the doors of the main entrance.
Rev, J. P. Lewis is the rector.
Trinity Church-commonly known as "Little Trinity," in contra-
distinction to Holy Trinity-is one of the oldest Episcopal Church edifices
of the city, It is situated on the south side of King Street East, a little
east of Parliament, It was erected in 18+3 as a "chapel of ease," to
accommodate the overflow from St. James', and was opened for service
early in the following year. At that time it was a fine specimen of pictur-
esque Gothic-the designs from which it was erected being by l\Ir. H, B,
Lane, already mentioned in connection with Holy Trinity. Since then it
has been twice improved and somewhat enlarged, The present incumbent
is the Rev. Alexander Sanson, who has held office since 1852, and who is
the oldest clergyman in charge of any city congregation of the English
Church.
The other noteworthy Anglican churches are All Saints', on the corner
of \Yilton Avenue and' Sherbourne Streets, an edifice of a modified Early
English Gothic; the Church of the Ascension (Baldwin l'lemorial Church)
on Richmond Street, west of York; the Church of the Redeemer, corner of
Bloor and A v
nue Streets-both good specimens of early English Gothic;
St. Paul's, Bloor Street; St. Peter's, corner of Carlton and Bleeker Streets,
3 12
TIle Count)' of York.
.
one of the prettiest ecclesiastical structures in the city; St. Luke's, corner
of S
. Joseph and St. Vincent Streets, a handsome building of red brick;
St. Philip's, corner of Spadina Avenue and St. Patrick Street, another red
Lrick building, but without any pretensions to architectural beauty; St.
:\latthias', Bellwoods Avenue, the "ritualist" church par excellence; St.
Bartholomew's, River Street; St. John the Evangelist's, Portland Street;
St. Thomas', Huron Street; St. Anne's, in St. Mark's vVard, formerly
Brockton Village; and S1. Matthew's, in St.
latthew's Ward, formerly
Riverside.
I I.-Roman Catholic,
This body owns eight churches and two chapels in the city, including
the mother church or Cathedral of St. Michael. The latter is one of the
finest Gothic edifices in Canada, and its graceful spire, surmounted by a
huge gilt cross-said to enclose a portion of the true cross-is a prominent
feature of the city from all approaches, The cathedral, which is built of
white brick, stands on the north side of Shuter Street, between Church
and Bond Streets, with its main façade on the latter. The interior of the
huilding is highly decorated, and contains a beautiful painted window,
representing the Crucifixion, over the high altar. The musical portion of
the services, under the direction of the present rector, the Rev, J. l\I.
Laurent, who is well known in Toronto musical circles, has of late years
assumed a high character, and attracts large crowds to the evening offices,
To the north of the cathedral, facing Church Street, is the archi-ep'iscopal
palace, standing amid spacious grounds; and further to the north, on Bond
Street, is the Loretto Convent, also in connection with the cathedral.
Thus nearly the entire block enclosed by Church, Shuter and Bond Streets
and \Vilton A venue is occupied by the cathedral and its dependencies,
To St. Paul's Church, on Power Street, belongs the honour of having
been the first Roman Catholic church built in Toronto. It was erected
in 1826, services having, previous to its construction, been held at the
residences of private members of the Church. It has in connection with
it a large separate school on Queen Street, and
hospital, orphanage and
refuge for the aged-all three under one roof, and known as the House of
Providence, The area occupied by this church and the buildings connected
with it is even larger than in the case of St. Michael's. St. Paul's is under
the charge of Bishop O'Mahoney,
The other RonJan Catholic churches are St. Patrick's, on \Villiam
Street, served by the Redemptorist Fathers; St. Basil's, in connection
with St. Michael's College, which is in the hands of the Basilian Fathers;
51. :\lary's, on Bathurst Street; St. Peter's, corner of Bloor and Bathurst
The CilJl of Toro/lto.
3 1 3
Streets; St. Helen"s, in St. l\I
rk's Ward, and St. Joseph's, in St. Matthew's
\Vard, St. Patrick's and St. :Vlary's each have a separate school attached,
Besides the above are the Chapel of St. Vincent, attached to the archi-epis-
copal palace, and that of St. John, on Bond Street, opposite the :\Ietro-
politano The latter was formerly a Baptist church, but was purchased by
the Roman Catholi"cs and dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
I I I.-Jleflzodist.
The l\Iethodists are, both numerically and financially, one of the
strongest religious bodies in the city; and their importance has been materi
ally increased by the recent consummation of the union of the various
sub-divisions of the Church. They own twenty places of worship within
the city limits, the chief of these being the well-known Metropolitan, the
most happily situated of all the city churches, It is built of white brick,
with cut stone dressings, and is in style a modernized Gothic, At the south
end is a massive square tower one hundred and ninety feet high, which
is flanked by numerous pinnacles and spirelets. To the north end is a
pseudo-chancel, separated from the auditorium and containing lecture
and class-rooms. The seating capacity of the church proper is about
two thousand five hundred, The building stands in the centre of spacious
grounds, between two and three acres in extent and occupying the
entire space-formerly known as McGill Square-enclosed by Shuter,
Bond, Queen, and Church Streets. Over $IO,OÖO have been expended
in laying out and beautifying the grounds, in addition to $150,000 spent
upon the church building. The l\Ietropolitan owes its existence largely
to the energy of the Rev. \Villiam Morley Punshon, who was its first
pastor, and who, on his arrival in Toronto in 1868, devoted much time
to raising the funds for its construction. The task of preparing the plans
was entrusted to 1\1r. \V. G. Storm, the well-known Toronto architect, and
the result was so satisfactory that Dr. Punshon himself pronounced the
:\Ietropolitan to be unequalled among the Methodist churches of the world,
The present pastor is the Rev. H, Johnston. The choir of the :\lctropolitan
is one of the best in the city, and the special musical services which from
time to time are held in the church never fail to attract large and apprecia-
tive audiences,
The Elm Street Church, under the ministrations of Re\". \V, H, Laird,
is a handsome building in Early English Gothic style, built of white brick,
faced with stone, and surmounted by a graceful spire. It was erected in
1861 -2 to replace the church which previously stood on the same site, but
WdS hurnt down on October 29th, 1861,
3 1 4
The COU1lty of York.
The Sherbourne and Carlton Street churches, also belonging to this.
body, are specially worthy of notice as specimens of ecclesiastical architec-
ture. The latter, Norman Gothic in style, is another of Mr. Storm's
productions, of which the city may be proud.
The other principal churches of this denomination are those situated
on, and taking their names from, Bloor, Berkeley, Queen, and Richmond
Streets and Spadina Avenue.
I
y .-p resbyteriull.
The first Presbyterian church in Toronto was erected in 1821, on the
site of the present Knox Church, the land having been given for that pur-
pose by Mr. Jesse Ketchum. At the present time the Presbyterians possess
over a dozen church buildings, some of them among the foremost in Toronto
for architectural beauty or boldness of conception. Especially noticeable
is St. Andrew's, on the corner of King and Simcoe Streets, a massive edifice
in the Middle Norman style of architecture, with a battlemented tower and
flagstaff, which, at a distance, give it the appearance of a feudal castle rather
than that of a church. The material used in its construction is Georgetown
rubble, with Ohio stone dressings, The northern façade of the building,
with its three highly decorated arches, supported by polished red granite
columns, and flanked at eIther side by a massive tower with pointed roof, is
singularly imposing. This church, which is presided over by Rev, D. J.
Macdonnell, is an outc
me of the division of the congregation which used
to worship in the Adelaide Street Presbyterian Church, on the corner of
Church Street, also dedicated to Scotland's patron saint. Of this congre-
gation, one portion, under Mr. Macdonnell, moyed to Simcoe Street, while
the rest continued to worship on Adelaide Street under the ministrations of
the Rev. G. l\I, :\lilligan, until the erection of their new church, known as
" Old" St. Andrew's, on the corner of Jarvis and Carlton Streets. The
latter is built of reddish-grey freestone with Ohio stone dressings, in second-
pointed Gothic style, but treated with a
unusual simplicity that gives the
building a severe character all its own.
St. J ames' Square Church, on the north side of Gerrard Street east, is
one of the purest specimens of Gothic architecture in the city. It is built
of Georgetown rubble, with dressings of Ohio stone, and is surmounted b}
a massive tower one hundred feet high.
Knox Church, on the south side of Queen Street, near Y onge, was
erected in 18+7 to replace the church of the same name destroyed by fire in
that year. The material is white brick, and the spire is highly decorated;
The Cit}1 of Toronto.
3 1 5
but within the last few months the appearance of the church has been
entirely altered-by no means for the better-by painting it an unlovely
chocolate brown,
Erskine Church, on Caer-Howell Street, at the head of Simcoe, was
partially destroyed by fire early during the present year (1884), but has
since been restored according to the original plans of the architect, :\1r. \\ .
E. J, Lennox, It is a neat Gothic edifice, built of white brick, with Ohio
stone dressings and Kingston stone base. It has a frontage of eighty-three
feet, by a depth of ninety-seven feet-rhe latter including church and
Sabbath-school room. The main feature of the building is a large and
handsome tmver on the south-east corner, nineteen feet square and one
hundred feet in height, to balance the effect of which there is a small gable
on the opposite corner. The roof is of slate, and the stone dressings of the
façade are-so arranged as to give the latter a very striking appearance.
\Vithin, the main building is divided into a vestibule, extending the whole
width of the frontage, and the auditorium, which has a depth of about sixty
feet, with seating capacity for about nine hundred people, though provision
is made to increase the accommodation by three hundred by means of
slIding seats. The auditorium is in form an amphitheatre, the floor having
a gentle downward slope towards the platform and pulpit at the north end,
The organ also occupies this end of the church, standing behind the pulpit,
while a gallery, supported on iron columns contmued to the roof, fills in the
other three
ides, the ceiling above the gallery being groined, Over the nave
is one span ornamented with moulded ribs and bosses. Immediately in rear
of the church, but under the same roof, are t11e Sabbath-school room and
offices, this portion being thirty feet long by eighty-five wide, and consisting
of two stories; of these the lowér is divided off into lecture and class-rooms,
library and vestry, and the upper into infant and Bible-class rooms, visitors'
gallery, and a large school room. The entire cost of the whole building
was
28,000. The Rev
John Smith is pastor.
The Central Presbyterian Church stands on the corner of Gros\"enor
Avenue and St. Vincent Street, formerly the site of old Knox College. a
huilding of historic interest as having been, as Elmsley Villd, the residence
of Lord Elgin on the removal of the seat of Government to Toronto from
Montreal, after the burning of the Parliament buildings in the latter city. The
church is built in a moderÌzed form of Gothic. and is an exceedingly hand-
some white brick structure, with the additional advantage of being situated
in a commanding position. Other Presbyterian churches are Cooke's, on
Queen Street East, erected in 1857-8, and those on ColIege. Charles, King,
and Queen Streets and Denison A venue.
3 16
TIle COU1lty of York.
V,-Baptist.
The principal of the half-dozen churches which belong to the Baptist
denomination is the fine Gothic building on the north-east corner of Jarvis
and Gerrard Streets, which owes its existence largely to the munificence of
the Hon \Villiam Mcl\Iaster.
The Alexander Street Baptist. Church congregation was organized in
1866, and was composed chiefly of members of the old Bond Street Church,
who resided in the northern portion of the city. Its present membership is
24 6 , and its revenue for the year 01884 was $3,861. The church building is
a modest but convenient brick structure, in \Vhich Rev. Joshua Denovan
has ministered since 1878.
The Bloor Street Baptist Church, on the corner of North Street, was
built from the plans of l\h, E. J. Lennox, architect. It is a neat modern
Gothic structure of red brick, with Ohio stone dressings, and includes under
the one roof the church proper, with a frontage of seventy-seven feet and a
depth of seventy-five and a-half, and the Sunday-school, etc" in rear,
measuring forty-three by seventy-nine feet. One of the principal features
of the exterior is a handsome tower with a short spiral roof, and, on one side
of it, a circular turret with mock winding-staircase-windows and short spiral
roof. The effect of the tower is counterbalanced on the other side of
the church by large buttresses and a wing, Leading to the tower and
forming one of the principal entrances to the building is an open brick
porch, with an open timbered roof and heavy projecting gahles, and closed
on the outside by a very fine pair of wrought-iron gates, The auclitorium is
in form an amphitheatre, fifty-eight feet in depth, and provides seating accom-
modation for about one thousand persons. Opposite the entrances is the
platform, with the baptistry-entirely constructed of marble-behind, and
above, a handsome choir and organ gallery, supported by carved columns,
A gallery for the general accommodation of worshippers runs round the
other three sides of the building. The ceiling is. plastered, with groined
ribs, dome-shaped in the centre and ornamented with carved capitals,
bosses, etc. The Sunday-school building in rear contains the usual lecture
and class rooms, which, by an ingenioùs arrangement of sliding doors, may
be thrown into one large hall, The entire cost of the building, including
organ, upholstering, heating, etc., will be about ::Þ30,000. Among the other
Baptist churches the principal are those situated on Parliament, Beverley
and College Streets.
V [,-Congn.gatiollal.
The Congregationalists have five places of worship in the city, viz.:
Bond Street Church; the 1\ orthern Congregational, on Church Street.
The City of ToroJlto.
3 I ï
between Alexander and \Vood; Zion Church, on College Street, at the
head of Elizabeth; and modest edifices on Spadina and Hazelton Avenues,
The Bond Street Church, on the north-east corner of that street and \Vilton
Avenue, was designed by Mr. E. J. Lennox. It is a substantial modern
Gothic building, of Georgetown stone, with Ohio stone dressings and slated
roof, and has a frontage on \Vilton Avenue of eighty feet, and on Bond
Street of ninety feet, It has two towers, the principal one on the south-
west corner, rising to a height of one hundred and thirty feet; the other,
on the north-west corner, being about sixty-five feet in height, On the
north and south sides, and between the towers on the west side, are gables
with large tracery windows and a number of small ones beneath; the space
between the gables and the towers is also filled in with windows, The roof
forms an octagon from the cornice, and from that there is a second octagon,
rising several feet and roofed to the
ame pitch as the church roof. This
serves the double purpose of lighting the dome and ventilating the body of
the church. The main entrances are through the towers, with additional
doors through the old Sunday-school building to the east of the church,
At the east end of the auditorium is the pulpit platform, with the organ and
choir in a groined recess behind. A gallery with six rows of seats runs
round the remaining three sides of the church, and is supported on columns
which are continued to the groined ceiling, The centre of the ceiling forms
a large dome of fifty feet span, terminating at its crown in a second orna-
. "
mental stained glass dome eighteen feet in diameter and receiving its light
from the external octagon lantern, The ordinary seating capacity of the
ch"urch is one thousand four hundred, with additional accommodation by
means of sliding seats for six hundred, The total cost of the building,
including organ, upholstery, etc., was in the vicinity of
32,000,
In addition to the above denominations the Unitarians have a neat
church on Jarvis Street, above \Vilton Avenue; the Catholic ApostoliC'
body, a handsome white brick edifice on the corner of Gould and Victoria
Streets; and the Lutherans, an unpretending but commodious building on
Bond Street. The Reformed Episcopal congregation have erected a white
brick church; in the Byzantine style, on the corner of Simcoe and Caer-
Howell Streets, and the Hebrews possess a red brick synagogue on the
south side of Richmond Street, east of Victoria, The New Jcrusalem
Church and the Society of Friends each have a small place of meeting,
and the Christadelphians hold services in the Temperance Hall, on Tem-
perance Street, and in a private house on Alice Street. ,,\ purely undc-
nominational organiza tion, not possessing any distinctiye appellation,
meets in Jackson's Hall, on the corner of Y on
(' and Bloor Streets. It i<;;
.
3 18
The COUJlty of York.
under the ministrations of the Rev, \Villiam Brookman, and was organized
in June, 1881, when about thirty of the present members with their families,
nearly all of whom had seceded from the Y orkville Baptist Church,
formed a new congregation, unattached to any religious sect. Previous to
the separation-which was based upon the rejection of the doctrin.e of
endless life in misery being the punishment for sin-l\Ir, Brookman had
been in charge of the above-mentioned church for about a year, and prior
to that again had ministered in the Church of England for nearly a quarter
of a century, The main features of the belief professed by this little con-
gregation, which numbers only fifty-six members, are, in addition to that
already mentioned, the adoption of the great central truth of life only in
Christ; the acceptation of the \Vord of God as the sole rule of faith and
practice, and, whilst holding alone to the immersion of believers as true
baptism, practising loving fellowship with all who love the Saviour.
U:--JIVERSITIES A
D SCHOOLS,
.
In its wealth of educational institutions Toronto justly claims to be
far and away ahead of any of its sister cities in the whole Dominion, In
this even Montreal is eclipsed; and it is significant that Toronto's progre
s
in matters educational has been almost elltirely made within thè last
forty years. In 1844 Upper Canada College and the Grammar School
were the only institutions that made any pretence at training in the higher
branches of learnmg. At the present time, in addition to the Provincial
University, the city contains five denominational universities and colleges
for advanced students, the Normal and Model Schools, three schools' of
medicine, and one each of pharmacy, chemistry, dental' surgery, practical
science and veterinary medicine.
At the head of the entire educational system of the Province stands
the Provincial University, or, as it is commonly called, the University of
Toronto. It is one of the most magnificent piles of buildings in the whole
country-if not on the entire continent-and its architectural beauties are
enhanced by its position in the midst of spacious and well-wooded grounds
lying to the west of the Queen's Park. The structure was completed in
1859 from designs by Messrs. Cumberland and Storm, architects, of
Toronto, The style of architecture is Norman, and the material a gray
freestone, for the most part undressed, which harmonizes admirably with
the massive outlines of the edifice, The front of the pile faces to the south,
is about a hundred yards in length, and is surmounted by a huge square
tower, which adds greatly to the mediæval appearance of the building,
The rest of the outline is rectangular, enclosing on three sides a quadrangle
The City of Torollto.
3 1 9
of some two hundred feet in width, but open to its north end. The central
tower is one hundred and twenty feet in height, and from its summit an
admirable view is obtained. On the east front is another, but smaller and
pointed, tower. In the interior the entrance-hall and grand staircase are
worthy of note, and the fine library will at once attract all lovers of litera-
ture, The present President of the University is Dr. Daniel \Vilson, who
succeeded Dr.
lcCaul, of Trinity College, Dublin, The University, in the
first stage of its existence, was known as the University of King's College;
it owed its existence in great measure to the exertions of Dr. Strachan,
later on Anglican Bishop of Toronto, and was entirely in the hands of that
body. Its denominational character gave great offence, and its unpopu-
larity on that account was so great that in 1850 this grievance was abolished
and it became a purely un sectarian and State institution. For some years
previously to the erection of the present edifice the University had its
headquarters in the Parliament Buildings on Front Street. The present
Chancellor of the University is the Hon. Edward Blake, and the Vice-
Chancellor l\Ir, \V. l\Iulock,
The University of Trinity College is a Church of England institution,
a-nd, like King's College, was the outcome of the untiring energy of Bishop
Strachan, in whose honour the avenue leading up to the College building
from the south has been named, On the abolition of the sectarian character
of King's College, the Bishop, failing to secure the repeal of that measure,
successfully appealed to the members of the Churches of England and
In
land for aid towards erecting a Church University in Toronto, and in
April, 1851, the foundation of the present building was laid, In January
of the following year the regular course of classes was thrown open, and
six months later the University was constituted by royal charter and
empowered to grant degrees in divinity, arts, law and medicine. To these
have since been added music and theology, the first degree of "licentiate
in theology" having been hestowed in the summer of 188+. Though a
purely Church of England institution, it does not necessarily require its
students, with the exception of those taking the divinity course, to be
members of that denomination. The University building, which is situated
on the north side of Queen Street \ Vest, imme.Jiately to the east of the
Lunatic Asylum grounds, is a two-story white brich. edifice in the Third-
pointed style of English, with a frontage of two hundred feet, and sur-
mounted by a handsome turret in the centre and similar turrets, one at
each wing. A new chapel has just been erected in front of the east wing,
which, by obscuring a portion of the main building, detracts considerably
from its general appearance. The present Chancellor of the University is
21
.
3 20
Tile County of York.
the Hon. G. \V. Allan, D.C,L., and the Provost, who is also Vice-Chan-
cellor, the Rev. C, W, E. Body, D,C.L.
Knox College is the theological training-school of the Presbyterian
body in this Province. It was founded in 1844, but the present edifice at"
the head of Spadina Avenue was not erected until 1875, the College having
previously to this had its headquarters in the old Elmsley Villa, which
occupied the site of the present Central Presbyterian Church, It took its
origin in the disruption of the National Kirk and the consequent formation
of the Canadian branch of the Free Church of Scotland, The existing
building is an extensive Gothic structure of white brick with stone dressings, .
and contains, in addition to the usual lecture-rooms, ample accommodation
for eighty resident students. It has a frontage of two hundred and thirty
feet to the south, and three wings, each of about one hundred and fifty
feet, running to the north. Surmounting the main entrance is a massive
tower one hundred and thirty feet in height, Rev. W. Caven, D.D" is
Principal of the College, and is assisted by a staff of prominent clericai
members of the Presbyterian Church as professors.
McMaster Hall, which occupies the same position in the educational
system of the Baptist Church as Knox College does in that of the Presby-
terian body, is situated on the south side of Bloor Street, on grounds that
formerly formed part of the Queen's Park. It owes its existence to the
liberality of the Hon. \Villiam McMaster. It is a massive building of
Credit Valley stone with dressings of red brick, forming a curious and
unusual blending of colours,
To the south of the Provincial University, and on College Street, is
Wycliffe Hall, or the Protestant Episcopal Divinity School, an institution
organized in 18 79 by the Evangelical branch of the Church of England,
and affiliated with the University of Toronto, its professed aim being to
impart "sound and comprehensive theological training, in accordance
with the distinctive principles of evangelical truth as embodied in the
Thirty-nine Articles."
In connection with the educational institutions of Toronto a word may
be said of the buildings of the Education Department and Normal and
Model Schools, which stand in pleasant grounds of their own, occupying
the entire block enclosed by Church, Gerrard, Victoria and Gould Streets,
The main building, occupied by the offices of the Education Department,
faces the last mentioned street. It is of brick faced with stone, and the
style of its architecture is a Roman Doric. Its frontage measures one
hundred and eighty-four feet, and the façade presents in the centre four
pilasters of the full height of the buil
ing, with pediment, surmounted by
an open Doric cupola ninety-five feet high. Within this building, in
The City of Toronto,
3 21
addition to the offices mentioned, is an interesting museum and art gallery,
()pen to the public free of charge. The Normal and ::\Iodel Schools are in
the same block of buildings, The former, Intended for the training of
Public School teachers, dates from 1847, and owes its e}",istence to the
efforts of the late Egerton Ryerson, the father of the educational system
()f Ontario. It at first had its habitat in the Government buildings, but
was subsequently, on the transfer of the seat of Government from Montreal
to Toronto, removed to the Temperance Hall, and later on, in 1852, to the
present building, then just completed. In the Model School, which is
merely a complement to the Normal, the teachers who have received
instruction in the art of teaching in the latter have an opportunity of
putting their experiences to a practical test, The Principal of the Normal
· School is the Rev. \V. H. Davies, D.D, The Ontario School of Art, which
is doing good service in supplying much-needed instruction in the various
branches of art, is also contained in these buildings,
The Ontario School of Practical Science, or School of Technology,
another Government institution, and in close connection with University
College,.is situated to the south of the Provincial University building. In
its curriculum special attention is given to instruction in chemistry, engin-
eering, mining and assaying, with important practical results to the Province.
Upper Canada College was founded in 1829 by Sir John Colborne,
then Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. It was at first known as
Minor College, and was intended to impa
t education of a class only
inferior to that of the university type. It occupies, with its grounds. the
entire square formed by King, Simcoe, Adelaide and John Streets; and is
at present an imposing red brick building of a modified Elizabethan style,
having been largely remodelled and added to within the last few years.
:\lany' of the most prominent public men in the Province received their
early education at Upper Canada Col1ege,
Other educational institutions worthy of notice are the Collegiate
Institute, on the east side of Jarvis Street, just south of Old St. Andrew's
Church; St, Michael's College, on St, Joseph Street.. a Roman Catholic
Seminary in the charge of the Basilian Fathers; and the Bishop Strachan
School, on the south side of the College Avenue, a high-class \nglican
establishment for the education of young ladies, The latter institution is
affiliated with the University of Trinity College, where some of its alumnæ
have matriculated in the .\rts course.
The Medical Schools of the city are:- Trinity :Medical School, on
Spruce Street, in affiliation with the Universities of Toronto, Trinity
College, Halifax and Manitoba; the Toronto School of Medicine, on the
corner of Gerrard and Sackville Streets, in affiliation with the Universities
3 22
Tile COUllty of York.
of Toronto and Victoria College; and the recently established Woman's
:\Iedical College, on Sumach Street-all in the immediate vicinity of the
Toronto General Hospital.
The Public Schools of the city are at present twenty-two in number
but the supply is scarcely equal to the demand, and many of the classes
are unavoidably overcrowded. The latest school edifices are built in a
uniform style of a modified Italian Renaissance. The class-rooms are
large, lofty and well ventilated, and to each school are attached two
spacious playgrounds, one for the boys and the other for the girls. The
schools are managed by trustees elected annually in each ward, \Vithin
the last few years the Kindergarten system has been introduced in one or
two of the Public Schools, ·
In addition to the Public Schools are the Separate Schools, eleven in
number, for the education of Roman Catholic children, They are supported
by the members of that faith, whose payments on account of school tax are
not applied to the maintenance of the Public Schools. The Roman Catholics
also have several educational institutions of a higher class, such as the
Loretto Abbey, on Clarence Square; the Loretto Convent, on Bond. Street;
the Convent of St. Joseph, De La Salle Institute, St. Mary's Institute, and
others.
PARKS, PUBLIC SQUARES, AND CEMETERIES.
In the matter of what have been aptly termed "the lungs of a city,"
Toronto is amply endowed, She has an abundance of open spaces, carpeted
with green and canopied with welcome shade trees, scattered amidst the
bricks and mortar. Of these the chief, because the best known, the most
central, and the most frequented, is the Queen's Park, which extends from
Coll!;ge Street northward to BloÇ>r Street. It is approached by two avenues
which meet at its entrance. That from the east, which begins at Y onge
Street, and which is v"ariously known as College Avenue, College Street,
and Y onge Street A venue, although it is arcaded by umbrageous trees, and
possesses all the possibilities for a noble avenue, is an unspeakably wretched
thoroughfare, The roadway is continually being torn up for water-pipe
laying, gas-pipe laying or drain construction, and in consequence it is
emphatically the very worst in the city, its wretchedness being only equalled
by that of the neighbouring sidewalk. The avenue which runs from
Queen Street north to the park entrance, is, on the other hand, a thing of
beauty-a broad, smooth road, edged by green boulevards, and fringed on
either side by a line of stately chestnuts, On entering the park, the first
object that meets the view is a mound, rockery and fountain, all of insig-
nificant proportions, it is true, but forming a pleasant enough object on a
hot summer's day, for the grass is always of a vivid green, the miniature
The City of Toro1lto,
3 2 3
garden is scrupulously well kept, the flowers fill the air with perfume, and
the plash of the fountain sounds cool and refreshing, In front of the
enclosure are two Russian guns captured at Sebastopol. Originally the
Park contained considerably more than one hundred acres of ground, but
its area has been some\
hat curtailed by the leasing of lots for building
purposes, . The road in front of the guns divides, and sweeping round on
either side at the edge of the park the two roads unite again a little to the
south of the Bloor Street entrance, The road on the eastern side is
bordered by handsome public residences, while that to the west skirts the
University Grounds, The two roads thus enclose an oval space, on the
eastern side of which is a dilapidated old building-an eyesore to the place-
used a few years ago as an asylum for the incurable insane, Nearly on a
line with this, on the western side, and close to the University Grounds, is
the" Soldiers' Monument," erected in memory of the volunteers who fell
at Ridgeway in 1866; and close by, to the north, is a plain granite pedestal,
upon which stands the monument recentlx. erected to the memory of the
late Honourable George Brown.
The" Soldiers' :\Ionument," as we have already seen, was erected in
I 870, and unveiled on the 1st of July in that year. It is from designs by
Mr. Robert Reid, of the firm of Mavor & Reid, l\Iontreal. It stands on
a terrace of earthwork four feet high, and consists of a three-storied struc-
ture of Nova Scotia sand-stone, surmounted by a figure of Britannia in
white-yeined Italian marble, of. the variety commonly used for garden
statuary. Its total height is thirty-six feet. The first story contains a
panel 011 each side, the front, or eastern panel hearing the Royal .\rms, the '
southern the arms of Toronto, the northern those of Hamilton. and the
western the following inscripdon :
. CAN ADA
ERECTED THIS MOr\U:'.IEXT
AS A MEMORIAL
OF HER BRAYE so
s, THE YOLl1XTEERS,
WHO FELL AT LIMERIDGE.
OR DIED FRO:'.I WOUr\DS RECEn"ED IN ACTION,
OR FRO:'.I DISEASE COr\TRACTED IX SERVICE,
WHILST DEFE
DIXG HER FROr\TIER
IN JU
E, 1866,
In the second story are niches, surmounting tht; panels on the first. and
each containing a statue of the same material as that of Britannia. The
statue on the eastern side represents Grief, that on the \\ estern. F.lith,
3 2 4
The County of York.
.
while on each of the remaining sides is the figure of a rifleman, The third
story is ornamented with wreaths and military insignia, Each story is.
surmounted by a cornice, The steps and base are of Montreal limestone.
The mo
ument is surrounded by a fence, consisting of a most unartistic
grouping of piled rifles, bayonets and sabres,
The Horticultural Gardens occupy the greater part of the. quadrangle
enclosed by Gerrard, Sherbourne, Cår1ton, and Jarvis Streets, extending in
the latter direction as far as the rear of the buildings on the east side of
Jarvis Street. They contain ten acres of ground, beautifully laid out in
lawns, flower-beds, and walks, and most sedulously cared for. They are
plentifully provided with seats, and are a favourite resort-especially for
children-Sunday and week days; and although visitors are allowed perfect
freedom to roam where they will, it is very seldom that any act of vandalism
is complained of, In the centre of the grounds is a fountain, the largest
and finest in Toronto-which, however, is not saying much; and on the
western side a handsome three-story pavilion, constructed chiefly of glass
and which is largely used for concerts and dramatic entertainments. The
Gardens are the property of the Toronto Horticultural Society, to whom
half the grounds were conveyed by deed of gift in 1856 by the Hon, G. \V.
Allan, and the other half were leased for ninety-nine years by the City
Council, who had purchased them for that purpose.
The Island, although not a park in the strict sense of the term, is the
most frequented of all the "breathing-praces" of Toronto, and is rapidly
developing into a summer colony, Perhaps a greater number of people
· visit the Island during a fine week in summer than are attracted in the
same time to all the parks, inside and outside the city, put together. One
of the greatest attràctions of this resort are the free baths, established in 1882
by :\1r. Erasmus \Viman, of New York, and named after him,
The other parks of the city are, Riverside Park, on the corner of \Yin- .
chester and Sumach Streets, facing the Don, a well-laid-out plot of land
but lamentably destitute of trees; and High Park, at the western limits of
the city. Outside the city are, Victoria Park, lying four miles and a-half to
the east, on the lake shore; and Lorne Park, to the west, and also on the
lake shore.
The public squares of Toronto are only two in number, namely, the
Normal School grounds, of which mention has already been made, and
Clarence Square, a large, sodded, open space in the 'west end of the city,
on the east side of Brock Street.
There are four cemeteries in Toronto, of which two, St. James' and the
Necropolis, are beautifully situated Ïn close proximity to each other on the
The City of To rollto.
3 2 5
right bank of the Don. The former-the Church of England cemetery-is
much the larger, containing sixty-five acres, beautifully laid out and kept in
admirable order. In the centre is a chapel in the florid thirteenth century
Gothic style. The grounds slope downwards to the Don, opposite the
declivity of Castle Frank. In this cemetery lie Chief Justice Powel, Chief
Justice Morrison, and the late Hon, John Hillyard Cameron, The Necro-
polis lies to the south of St. James', between Sumach Street and the Don,
and contains about fifteen acres. It was opened in 1850, and is entirely
undenominational. l\1any prominent actors in the history of the Province
rest beneath its sod; among others, \Villiam Lyon Mackenzie; Samuel
Lount and Peter Matthews, both officers under Mackenzie in 1837; and
the Hon. George Brown. There is yet no monument to mark Mackenzie's
resting place. Beyond the city limits, on Y onge Street, is St 1\Iichael's-
the Roman Catholic-cemetery, and 'still further north ::\Iount Pleasant, an
undenominational burying-ground, opened within the last few years. It
covers fifteen acres of ground, and is tastefully laid out in parterres, lawns,
and drives, with miniature lakes and rustic bridges.
Before quitting the subject of the cemeteries, a word must be said about
the Old l\1ilitary Burying Ground. It is situated to the west of Bathun;t
Street, in the vicinity of the Old Fort, and contains the remains of the
British soldiers who died while their regiments were stationed in Toronto.
The Potter's Field, another old cemetery, used to be situated on the north
"ide of Bloor Street, but its last vestiges have been obliterated, and the
remains which were once interred there now lie in the Necropolis,
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The House of Industry is a white brick building on the south side of
Elm Street, between Elizabeth and Chestnut Streets, Its object is to
supply an asylum to the indigent poor, but it is a very different kind of
institution to the British workhouse, Here many a homeless waif obtains
a night's lodgIng, with supper and breakfast, to invigorate him for the
coming day's search for work. The superintendent is Mr, \V. K, N utt.
One of the most deserving institutions in the city is the Hospital for
Sick Children, an unpretentious building-formerly occupied by a Protes-
tant Si
terhood-on the corner of the C'ollege Avenue and Elizabeth Street.
It is conducted by a number of charitable ladies, who depend entirely, for
the support of the institution, upon voluntary, unsolicited contributions, It
contains five wards, with an average of about six beds to each ward. The
hospital is attended gratuitously by a staff of six physicians, In connection
with it is the Lakeside Home, on the Island, where such of the little patients
as can bear removal are taken for the sumlller months,
3 26
The COllllty of York,
...
The Boys' Home, on George Street, is intevded for the reception and
training in industrial pursuits of destitute boys who have not been convicted
of any offence against the law, The Girls' Home, on Gerrard Street, serves
a similar purpose for destitute girls under the age of fourteen, but destitute
little boys under four years of age are also admitted. The building is a
handsome edifice in the Tudor Gothic style.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society, an association of benevolent gentle-
men of the Roman Catholic faith, have their headquarters in the building on
the south-east corner of Shuter and Victoria Streets. It is a benevolent
society pur:e and simple, without respect to creed, its object being to relieve
suffering wherever found, Another Roman Catholic "institution, the House
of Providence, has already been spoken of in connection with St. Paul's
Church. In addition to the abov
, the tnembers of this faith also conduct
the Notre Dame Institute, on Jarvis Street, where young ladies employed
in the city, but without homes of their own, are provided with lodging at a
small cost, or even gratuitously; and the St, Nicholas Home, a similar
institution for young boys, ,
The Asylum for the Incura.ble affords a refuge to those to whom the
General Hospital-which only admits cases supposed. to be capable of im-
provement by treatment-is closed. The building/ a large and commodious
one, with cheerful rooms for the unfortunate sufferers who are past hope, is
situated on Dunn A venue, Parkdale.
Other public charities are the Toronto Dispensary, attended gratuit-
ously by a staff of well-known city physicians; here the poor obtain advice
gratis and medicine at a merely nominal rate, the institution being supported
by private subscriptions aided by a small grant from the city; the News
Boys' Home, on Frederick Street; -the Infants' Home, on St. Mary Street;
the Orphans' Home, north of the Brockton Road; the Magdalen Asy
um,
on Mcl\lurrich Street, iu St. Paul's \Vard; and the Catholic l\Iagdalen
A.sylum, at Parkdale,
THE PRESS,
The oldest daily newspaper in the city is the Toronto Globe, the first
number of which appeared on Tuesday, the 5th of March, 1844' Its founder,
the Hon, George Brown, who was at that time twenty-five years of age,
had originally emigrated with his fåther from Scotland to New York, but in
1843 the family removed to Toronto. Here father and son commenced the
publication of the Banner, a weekly journal of a semi-secular, semi-religious
character, but wholly devoted to the interests of the Free Church party,
A.t the time of the memorable struggle between Sir Charles Metcalfe and
Messrs, Baldwin and Lafontaine, the Messrs. Brown, who had strong poli-
tical convictions, warmly espoused the cause of the latter, and to further
The City of Toro1lto,
3 2 7
that cause the Globe was brought into existence. At first it was a weekly
sheet, but two years later it made its appearance twice a week. In 1849 a
tri-weekly as well as a weekly edition was published, and in October, 1853,
it became a daily, of four pages, six columns each. It gradually increased
the size of its pages to ten columns, and then abandoned the " blanket n
sheet style altogether and adopted its present form of eight pages, six
columns each-just double the size of its first issues, It need scarcely be
said that the Globe is the leading Reform organ in the country, - It
has always enjoyed a large advertising patronage; and, previous to the
establishment of the 'frI ail, was the only newspaper worth the name in the
Province. Under the old regime the managing editor was the Hon, George
Brown, who was shot in his own office on the 25th Marc!:, 1880, by an
employé named George Bennett, and died six weeks later.
Ir, Gordon
Brown had superintended the editorial department, and on the death of his
brother took the latter's place, which he held until December, 1882. Since
that time
Ir. John Cameron, founder of the London Advertiser, has been
chief editor and manager. The Globe office is at 26 and 28 King Street
East. The original building, consisting of the south half of the present
structure, was paid for by subscriptions, furnished by the Reform Party in
Canada, and presented to the Hon, George Brown in recognition of his
services to the party. The northern extension was added many years later
when the premises were found to be too small for the business,
The .
Iail, the Liberal-Conservative organ, was started 'as a morning
dally in 1872 by a joint-stock company with a paid-up capital of $100,000.
It then occupied the three-story building on the north-west corner of King
and Bay Streets, formerly known as the :\Ietropolitan Hotel. Its manager,
and subsequently proprietor, was Mr. T. C. Patteson, now Postmaster of
Toronto, After a creditable display of enterprise and a brave struggle
against adverse circumstances, the journal finally succumbed to its difficul-
ties and came under the sherift's hammer in 1877, when it was purchased
by the late 1\Ir, John Riordan, the well-known paper manufacturer of St.
Catharines, Shortly afterwards the present Jlail Printing Company was
organized, with l\Ir. C. \V, Bunting as managing editor; the old offices were
pulled clown, and the present imposing edifice erected. The
\Iail building
has the name of being the finest newspaper office on the continent outside
of New York City. On the 24th May, 1884, it was censiderably damaged
by fire, but th'e damage was completely repaired before the end of the year,
new additions and improvements being introduced. The speciai features
of the Jlail are its extensive exclusive cable despatches, its literary critiqucs,
and its sporting intelligence.
3 28
The COUllty of York.
The News is an off-shoot of the 1J.fail, having been issued in May, 1881,
from the same presses as its elder sister. In February, 1883, it severed its
connection with the .v[ ail, and in November of the same year removed to
offices of its own on Y onge Street. Under the management of its present
proprietor and editor, Mr. E, A. Sheppard, it has undergone a complete
change of tone, and has become an advocate of Canadian independence and
an exponent of democratic principles.
The first number of the Evening Telegram was issued on the 17th of
April, 1876, from offices on the east side of Yonge Street, just below King.
It is, and always has been, entirely independent in politics, and has devoted
much attention to municipal affairs, subjecting the actions of the civic offi-
cials to the closest scrutiny, and unhesitatingly exposing and denouncing
anything that savoured of jobbery or corruption, In 1881 the proprietor,
"NIr, John Ross Robertson, erected the handsome building on the south-west
corner of King and Bay Streets, where the paper has since been published.
The Telegram has a large local advertising patronage and circulation. It
aims especially at avoiding long-winded articles of any kind, and supplies
its readers with comments in the" paragraph" style.
The JVorld made its first appearance as an evening paper, under the
auspices of Messrs. Horton & Maclean, in February, 1880, but shortly after-
wards the proprietors formed a joint stock company. This arrangement
continued for nearly a year, and in October, 1881, the journal passed into
the hands of the Messrs. 1'Iaclean, Soon after this it became a morning
paper. Although always bright and chippy, it had a hard struggle for
existence, and finally on the 14th of April, 1884, it was compelled to suspend
publication. Its disappearance from the field was but a brief one, and it
speedily resumed its place among the Toronto dailies, as an advocate of
Canadian independence, The edItor of the World is Mr, W. F. Maclean,
,
one of a family of journalists,
Among the denominational weeklies, the Christian Guardian, the
Methodist organ, stands foremost, as b
ing the oldest journal of any
description in Toronto, It was iounded in 1829, and was long edited by the
Rev. Egerton Ryerson. The other weekly church publications are the
Dominion Churcll11la1l and the Evangelic
l Cllllrclmwn, the former High
Church, the latter Evangelical in tone; the Canada Presbyterian, a high
class journal, edited with marked ability, and enjoying a large circulation;
the Canadian Baptist,. the Tribune, a Roman Catholic organ, with a tend-
ency to the Reform side of politics; the Sentinel, the champion of the
Orange body; and the Citizen, the organ of the Temperance cause.
Of the secular weeklies, the principal are :-The Jlonetary Times, the
standard authority on financial amI commercial questions; the H'eek, a high-
The City of Toronto.
3 2 9
class literary periodical; Truth, a family paper of a more popular type; the
Canadian Sportsman; the A d'vertiser; GriP, an illustrated satirical paper,
etc. Besides these there are several monthly periodicals.
BENEVOLENT AND SECRET SOCIETIES,
I t would be impossible within the restricted limits of a work like this, to
make anything more than the briefest reference to the Secret and Benevo-
lent Societies of Toronto. The mere mention of the names of the different
lodges, and of their officers, occupies eight pages of the City Directory, An
exception may, however, be made in the case of the Masonic Order, an
account of whose progress in the city will doubtless prove acceptable to
many readers of this volume. At the present time the Order has fourteen
lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada; seven Royal
Arch Lodges, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter; one Chapter of
Royal and Oriental Freemasonry; two lodges of Cryptic Masonry; two
lodges of the Ancient Scottish Rite, and four lodges of Knights Templar,
Previous to 1820, the only lodge in the city was Rawdon Lodge, which
worked from 1793 until 1800 under a military warrant, which it surrendered
in the latter year, and received another from the Grand Lodge of England.
Subsequently the lodge merged into St. Andrew's Lodge, which in 1825
absorbed St. George's Lodge, At this time the meetings were held in a
frame building on what IS now known as Colborne Street, and which was
also used as a church, a school-room, and a public hall. From 1843 to 1854
the quarters of the lodge were shifted three times; in the year first men-
tioned to Turton's Buildings (afterwards Lamb's Hotel) on King Street
'Vest; then in 1848 to the upper story of Beard's Hotel, on the north-west
corner of Church and Colborne Streets; and finally, in 1854, to the third
story of the St. Lawrence Buildings. King Solomon's Lodge, which had
been formed in the meantime, in 18+5, at first met in the Tyrone Inn, on
Queen Street 'Vest, and subsequently moved to the Ionic Lodge Room on
King Street; and still later, in 1850, to the Odd-Fellows' Hall, on the
corner of Church and Court Streets, Three years later it moved to the
hall over the 'Vestern Assurance Building, on the corner of Church and
Colborne Streets. Finally, in 1857, Mr. A, Nordheimer, a member of the
Craft, offered the upper part of the Canada Permanent Building, on Toronto
Street, for the use of the Order, and in April, 1858, it was taken possession
of. The building, which is now far better known as the Masonic Hall than
by any other name, was erected in 1857-8 from designs by :\Ir. \Vm. Kauff-
man, It is an Imposing edifice of Ohio Freestone and iron, with a frontage
of 101 feet. The Hall itself is on the third story, and is the meeting-place
33 0
Tile COU1lty of York,
of nine lodges, one Chapter, and one Knights Templar Preceptory. Other
Halls in the city are the Victoria Street Hall, in Victoria Chambers, used
by two Chapters, one Preceptory, a Council of Cryptic Masonry, the Con-
clave of the Order of Rome and Constantine, and a Lodge of Royal Ark,
Mariners; the Hall of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, on King
Street \Vest, over Coleman's; Occident Hall, on the corner of Queen and
Bathurst Streets; and halls respectively in St. Paul's and St. Matthew's
\Yards, and at Parkdale,
Of the other orders the Odd-Fellows have eight lodges and two uni-
formed encampments; the Orange body three District lo
ges; the United
\Vorkmen, seven lodges and two legions of Select Knights; the Good
Templars, eight lodges, and the Sons of Temperance three divisions; the
Knights of Pythias, two lodges; the Foresters, twelve courts; the Sons of
England, ten lodges; the Sons of Scotland, three camps; and the Knights
of St. John and :;\Ialta, one commandery,
Of the purely Benevolent Societies, the principal are the St, George's
and St. .Andrew's Societies, the Irish Protestant Benevolent Socjety, the
Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, and the Emerald Beneficial Association.
In addition to these each trade has its own beneficial union,
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS,
A word may be said here as to the volunteer military organizations
which have their headquarters in Toronto. Foremost among these is the
historical Queen's Own, to whose experiences at Ridgeway reference has
already more than once been made, and whose share in that unfortunate
business has forever endeared them to their fellow-citizens. The Tenth
Royal Grenadiers, since their reorganization two years ago, are a magni-
ficent regiment, and at the time of their annual inspection last November,
were the subject of most gratifying critiCIsms by the Major-General in com-
mand of the forces, Other military bodies are the Governor-General's
Body Guard-glittering warriors in scarlet coats and burnished helmets;
the Toronto Field Battery, the Toronto Garrison Artillery, the Ontario Rifle
Association, and the recently established SchC?ol of Infantry.
THE CITY CLUBS,
The purely social clubs in Toronto are but three in number, but those
devoted to special objects, as sporting, music, literature, etc" are legion.
At the head of the former stands the Toronto Club, an exclusIVe institution,
composed of wealthy members, situated on York Street, immediately south
of the Rossin House. The National Club, on the west side of Bay Street,
..
The City of Toronto.
33 1
south of the Telegram office, is less exclusive and more political, being of a
decided Reform stripe. Nearly opposite it is the Albany Club, on the
west side of Bay Street, between ::\lelinda and \Vellingt')n Streets. It was
formed by the Liberal-Conservative party upon the suspension of the U. E.
Club about two years ago,
THE CITY HOTELS,
\Vith the thousand and one hostelries which are scattered over the
length and breadth of the city we have nothing to do in this place. Since
the change in the liquor license laws, which requires that every applicant
for a license must provide accommodation for a certain number
f gue
ts,
every tavern has become an " hotel." But in dealing with the city hotels it
will be unnecessary to go beyond the half-dozen or so which are known all
over the country, and whose names are more or less familiar to travellers in
the United States, Of such establishments there are four in the city espe-
cially deserving of notice, viz,: the Queen's Hotel, the Rossin House, the
American Hotel, and the \Valker House, None of these have any preten-
sions to architectural beauty, but what they lack in this direction, they
make up by the elegance of their internal fittings, and by thê superior class
of accommodation with which they furnish their guests.
The QUEEN'S HOTEL stands on the north side of Front Street \Vest, at
the head of Lorne Street, and overlooking the waters of the bay and lake.
Its situation from a purely business and matter-of-fac
point of view, is an
admirable one, being in close proximity, on the one hand, to the Union
Station and the Parliament Buildings and Government offices, and, on the
other, to the wholesale houses which cluster around the lower end of Yonge
Street. Its reputation may be said to be continental, its 6\merican guests
hailing from every part of the Union, from Portland to San Francisco, and
from the Sault to New Orleans, It has also on several occasions been
pcttronized by royalty, and has numbered among its guests Lord and Lady
lJufferin, the Marquis of Lorne and the Princess Louise, H, R, H, Prince
Leopold, the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, General Sherman and Jefferson
Davis. Throughout Canada its name is familiar as a household word,
The internal fittings of the hotel are of the most perfect and luxurious kind,
and accommodation is provided for over three hundred guests, though on
several occasions four hundred have been comfortably quartered beneath
its roof. Previous to l\1ay the 1st, 1874, the Queen's had been under the
management of the late Captain Dick, but on the date mentioned it passed
into the hands of Messrs. McGaw & \Vinnett. These gentlemen are also
proprietors of the Queen's Royal Hotel at Xiagara-famous for its Saturday
.
33 2
The COU1lty of York.
night" hops" during the summer; and they possess a controlling interest
in the Tecumseh House, the leading hotel in London, Ontario.
The ROSSIN HOUSE has the most central pösition of all the hotels in the
city, It is situated on the south-east corner of King and York Streets. It is
a solid-looking building forming two sides of a quadrangle, and surmounted
at each corner by a mansard-roof turret. The greater portion of the front-
age of the ground-floor is occupied as stores,. the hotel having two spacious
vestibules leading from the office to King and York Streets respectively,
The building contains two hundred sleeping-rooms, and can furnish accom-
modation for three hundred guests. It is so constructed as to be practically
fire
proor: and the safety of the guests in the event of fire is further secured
by the fact that every room in the house is provided with a fire-escape.
The Rossin House, under the management of the present proprietor, 1\1r.
Mark H. Irish, has become a great rendezvous for Americans, who there
find all the comforts and conveniences to which they are accustomed in the
great hotels of New York and Chicago, .
.
The AMERICAN HOTEL, on the north-east corner of Y onge and Front
Streets, is admirably situated for the convenience of business men, in the
very centre of the wholesale trade quarter, opposite the Custom House, and
almost within a stone's throw of the wharf at which the Montreal, Niagara
and Rochester steamers arrive, This proximity to the centre of lake travel
has secured for it a large share of tourist patronage, and it is also a favourite
resort for commercial travellers, The proprietor of the American is 1\1r.
James H. Mackie, a well-known hotel man, formerly of New York and New
Orleans, who succeeded his father a little over a year ago, the latter gentle-
man devoting his entire time to the management of his hotel at Port Hope,
the St. Lawrence Hall. Mr. Mackie, jr" also manages the large hotel on
the Island, erected, and until recently controlled, by Edward Hanlan, the
famous oarsman,
The vV ALKER HOUSE, on the corner of Front and York Streets, and of
which l\ir. David \Valker, is proprietor, is another favourite hotel with the
travelling public, its close proximity to the Union Station making it espe-
cially convenient for those who arrive by late, or depart by early trains.
Other of the principal hotels are the St, J ames, opposite the Union Station;
the Continental, on the corner of \Vellington and Simcoe Streets, opposite
the Parliament Buildings, and on this account much frequented by countr)
members; the Revere, the rendezvous for members of the dramatic profes-
sion, on the south-west corner of King and York Streets; the Shakespeare,
diagonally opposite the Revere; and the Albion Hotel, on the east side of
the :\larket Square.
Tile City of Toro1lto,
333
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
Under this head three classes of institutions have to be considered-
the Chartered Banks, Savings Banks, and Trust and Loan Companies. Of
the first named class there are over a dozen in the city, the majority of them
having their headquarters in Toronto, and occupying large and beautiful
buildings,
The BANK OF BRITISH N ORTH A
IERICA, one of the oldest financial insti-
tutions doing business in Canada, has its headquarters in London, England,
with branches in every city, and most of the larger towns throughout the
Dominion, Its Toronto office is on the north-east corner of Yonge and
\Vellington Streets, an imposing building which forms one of the prominent
features of the approach to the city from the wharf at which the lake
steamers arrive. The capital of the bank is IiI,ooo,ooo sterling, and the
Toronto Manager is Mr. \Villiam Grindlay.
The BANK OF MONTREAL, whose name is familiar in almost every country
where the English language is spoken, is the wealthiest and most influential
bank in the Dominion, It is in fact to Canada pretty much what the Bank
of England is to Great Britain. \Vith the enormous subscribed capital of
$12,000,000, and a rest fund of $5,750,000, its influence in financial and
commercial circles is immense. Its headquarters are in :\lontreal. The
Toronto office-a substantial stone building on the north-west corner of
Front and Y onge Streets, opposite the Custom House-is managed by l\Ir.
C. Brough.
The BANK of TORONTO has its headquarters in a massive stone building
on the north-west corner of \Vellington and Church Streets-one of the
stateliest edifices in the city, Its capital is $2,000,000, with a rest fund of
$1,900,000. Mr. George Gooderham is its President, and Mr. D. Coulson
Cashier. The Bank of Toronto, by aiding legitimate enterprise, has con-
tributed in a very great degree to building up the commercial prosperity of the
city whose name it bears, and with whose interests it is so closely identified.
The CANADIAN BANK OF COM
IERCE is another institution that has given
substantial aid towards the promotion of the commercial and industrial
interests of the city, It has a paid-up capital of [6,000,000, and a rest fund
of $1,900,000, Its president is the Hon. \Villiam McMaster, anù its general
manager, l\Ir. \V. N, Anderson. The offices of the Bank are at 59 Yonge
Street,
The CENTRAL BANK is the latest addition to the chartered banks of
Toronto, It has been in existence for over one year and occupies a fine
new building on the cast side of Yonge Strect, a few yarùs north of \\'clling--
ton Street.
334
TIle COU1lty of York.
The beautiful new building of the DO:\>IINION BANK, on the south-west
corner of King and Y onge Streets-the very centre of activity and bustle-
is one of the landmarks of the city, and is in keeping with the high reputation
enjoyed and the unbroken success achieved by the institution it shelters.
The Dominion Bank has a capital of $1,500,000, and a rest fund of $85 0 ,000;
its President is Mr. James Austin, and its Cashier Mr, R. H. Bethune,
The FEDERAL BANK, Nos, 17 and 19 \Vellington Street West, is one of
the younger banks of the city, having commenced business in 1874. Its
present capital is
3,000,000, with a rest fund of $1,500,000. Mr. S. Nord-
heimer is President, and Mr. G. \V. Yarker, formerly of the Bank of
Iontreal, Manager.
The I MPERIAL BANK, on the corner of \ \T ellington Street and Exchange
Alley, has a capital of $1,500,000. It too has made a name and a standing
by the liberal policy it has pursued towards the business interests of the
city, under the judicious management of the Cashier, l\lr. D, R. \Vilkie,
l\Ir. H. S. Howland is President of the institution.
The branch office of the MERCHANTS' BANK-which has its head-
quarters in .:\iontreal-is on the south side of Wellington. Street \Vest,
opposite Jordan Street; it is managed by Mr, W. Cooke. This bank has a
subscribed capital of $5,798,330, with a rest fund of $1 ,150,000.
The MOLSONS BANK-another branch of a Montreal bank-at present
occupies offices at No. +6 King Street \Vest, but it is to be moved to the
Arcade, now in course of erection on the north side of King Street, in rear
of the Grand Opera House. This institution has a subscribed capital of
. $2,000,000, with a rest fund of
500,000,
The ONTARIO BANK BUILDING is a beautiful structure of cut stone on
the north-east corner of \Vellington and Scott Streets, The President of
the bank is Sir \V, P, Howland, and l\1r. C, Holland is its General
l\Ianager, Its capital is $1,500,000, with a rest fund of $335,000,
The Toronto agency of the QUEBEC BANK is housed under the same
roof as the Bank of Toronto, The former is one of the oldest financial
institutions in Canada, having been incorporated by Royal Charter in the
year 1818, It has an authorized capital of $3,000,000, .:\ir. J. \Valker is
Manager of the local branch,
The STANDARD BANK-another institution closely identified with the
commercial ir.terests of the city-at present has its offices at 46 Y onge
Street, but will shortly remove to the new stone-fronted building erected
for its accommodation on the north-west corner of \Vellington and Jordan
Streets. Its capital is $2,000,000. President, Mr. \V. J, Cowan; Cashier,
:\Ir. J, L. Brodie,
.
The City of Toronto.
335
In addition to the Government and Post-office Savings Banks-
with offices respectively in the Inland Revenue and Post-office buildings-
the city is amply provided with institutions where the thriftily inclined may
make small deposits, Of this class are the Home Savings and Loan Com-
pany (Limited), 70 Church Street; the People's Loan and Deposit Co., 26
Adelaide Street East; the Dominion Savings Bank, 429 Queen Street
\Vest; the Freehold Loan and Savings Co" 54 Church Street; the Union
Savings Bank, 30 Toronto Street; the Western Canada Loan and Savings
Co., 90 Church Street; and the Farmers' Loan and Savings Co., 17
Toronto Street. Upon many of these depositors may draw by cheque, as
in regular banks.
LOAN AND SAVINGS COMPANIES,
THE BRITISH CANADIAN LOAN AND INVEST
IENT COMPANY, though a
comparatively young organization-having only been in existence seven
years-is doing a large and steadily increasing business, It was formed in
July, 18 77, and was incorporated und
r a special Act of the Dominion Par-
liament, with an authorized capital of $5,000,000, Its first President was
Sir Alexander T, Galt, and its first Vice-President, :\Ir. A. H, Campbell,
The Honourable D. A. Macdonald, formerly Lieutenant-Governor of
Ontario, the Honourable John Simpson, the Honourable C, F. Fraser,
Commissioner of Public \Vorks, the Honourable S, C. \Vood, ex-Provincial
Treasurer, l\Iajor Greig, Messrs, William Ince, Donald l\lcKay, John Burns,
J. K. Kerr, Q,C" and other Toronto business men were among the organ_
izers of the company, of which Mr. James Turnbull was appointed l\lanag
r.
The company commenced operations by taking over the business of the
Provincial Loan and Savings Company, amounting to about $350,000, On
the appointment of Sir A, T. Galt to the position of Canadian High Com-
missioner in London, Mr. _\. H, Campbell succeeded to the Presidency,
and Major Greig was elected to the Vice-Presidency. Both these. gentle-
men were re-elected at the last annual meeting, On the 1st of
Iay, 1881,
a change occurred in Jhe management; Mr. Turnbull having resigned, his
place was filled by l\Ir, R. H, Tomlinson, the present Manager, who for
eleven years had held a responsible position in connection with the Canada
Permanent Loan and Savings Company. During the last financial year
the company, under Mr, Tomlinson's management, effected loans to the
amount of $123,778, upon real estate valued at $376,725, making the total
amount of loans on mortgage $1,015,574,32. The net revenue for the year,
after paying expenses, was $27,764.92-equal to ten and two-fifths per cent.
on the paid up capital. Since its formation the Company has paid a half-
22
.
33 6
The County of York,
yearly dividend at the rate of six per cent., and has accumulated a reserve
fund of $27,000, During the past year it has absorbed the business of the
Canada Mortgage Company, involving mortgages to the amount of $365,-
248.51, and it has also considerably extended its operations in Manitoba.
The solicitors of the Company are Messrs. Blake, Kerr, Lash & Cassels;
and Messrs. Scott, Moncrieff and Traill, \;V,S" of Edinburgh, are its
general agents in Britain.
THE BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION was established on the 1st of
March, 1870. Its offices are at 13 Toronto Street. Dr, Larratt W, Smith
is President, Mr. John Kerr, Vice-President, and 1\1:r. Walter Gillespie.
Manager. The capital of the association is $750,000, all paid up, and its
assets amount to $1,614-.000, During the fiscal year ending on the 31st of
December, 1884, the earnings of the company amounted to $109,691.89.
out of which sum, after all expenses and two dividends had been paid-
the latter amounting together to $44.866,20-$15,000 were added to the
reserve fund, making it $68,000, and $3,360.43 to the contï"ngent account.
The net cash value of the mortgages held by the association at the
close of the year exceeded that of the preceding year by $137,124,44,
This company has also of late years established an agency in Manitoba.
with most satisfactory results. Mr. \;V alter Gillespie, the Manager of the
Building and Loan Association, is a native of Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland
In 1852 he settled in the United States, but in 1877 removed to Toronto.
,
where he held the position of Commissioner of the Trust and Loan Company.
In 1881 he assumed the managership of the Credit Foncier, and in the fol-
lowing year he entered upon the position which he now holds,
The CANADA LANDED CREDIT COMPANY was established in 1858, and is
one of the o
dest of its kind in the Province, The object specially aimed at
in its formation was to aid the agricultural interests, then in an extremely
depressed condition, by the introduction of the cheap money of England,
and lending it to the farmers
ere on such terms as to repayments, as
would enable them to avail themselves of the advantages offered by it with-
out undue anxiety as to their ability of repaying the loan, and so of redeem-
ing their farms; eight per cent, per ann UIll was the uniform rate charged by the
company from its inception, and the special feature as to repayment which
distinguished it was the Sinking Fund, to which two per cent. per annum
of the loan was payable, and on which interest at six per cent. per annum.
compounded half yearly, was allowed, and which extinguished the loan in
twenty-three years, While the borrower had the money from the company
for that period, and so could not be unexpectedly called upon to repay it, he
Tlze City of Toronto,
33ï
had, what has also been and is now a distinguishing feature of the company,
the privilege of paying off his loan on giving six months' notice, For
many years after its commencement all the loans made by the company
were on this plan, which was well adapted to the circumstances of the
country at the time, but latterly the principle of straight loans has been
largely substituted for it, \Vhile the company has thus been of advantage
to those who borrowed from it, it has also done well for its shareholders,
and besides paying them liberal dividends has accumulated a reserve fund
of $130,000, The company has throughout been characterized by its fair
dealing with its borrowers, The President of the company is Mr. John
L, Blaikie, who was elected to that office in 1871 upon the retirement of
l\1r. Lewis Moffatt. The present General Manager and Secretary, Mr.
David McGee, succeeded 1\1r. John Symons in 1876,
The CANADA PER:vt:ANENT LOAN AND SAVINGS COMPANY has its offices
in the company's building on Toronto Street. It has a subscribed capital
of $3,000,000
of which $2,200,000 are paid up. Its total assets are
$8,000,000, and it has a reserve fund of $1,100,000, The President is
Ir, E, Hooper, aud Vice-President Mr. Samuel Nordheimer. A feature
in this Company is its Savings Bank branch, It also receives money for
investment, for which debentures are issued in currency or sterling, with
interest coupons attached, payable in Canada or in England. 1\1r. J,
Herbert Mason is Managing Director.
THE FARMERS' LOAN AND SAVINGS COMPANY has its office at 17 Toronto
Street, It was established in 1872 with a capital of $250,000, which has
since been increased to $1,057,250; of this latter amount $6II,OOO are
paid up. The net profits of the company's business for the year ending
April 30th, 1884, after deducting expenses of management, and aU charges,
commissions, etc., amounted to $51,242,II, out of which two half-yearly
dividends-one of four and one of three and one-half per cent.-were
paid, amounting together to $45,857.25, and leaving a balance of $5,3 8 4. 86
to bé added to reserve, making the sum of $87,768.25 now to the credit
of that fund, At the last annual meeting of the Board of Directors,
Mr, \Villiam Mulock, l\l.P., was re-elected President, and Mr. James
Scott, Vice-President. The Secretary and Treasurer is Mr. George S, C.
Bethune, who has held that position since the Company was formed, l\Ir.
Bethune is a native of Canada.
The head office of the FREEHOLD LOAN AND SAVINGS COMPANY is on
the corner of Church and Court Streets. The company has been in exist-
ence a quarter of a century, and has a paid-up capital of
839,680, with
33 8
TIle COU1lty of York.
a reserve fund of $364,250. Its President is the Honourable \iVilliam
:\lcl\Iaster; Vice-President, Mr. A, T. Fulton, and l\Ianager, the Honourable
S. C. \Vood, The net profits for the last financial year were $9 8 ,7 2 4. 62 ,
from which have been paid two half-yearly diyidends of five per cent. each,
amounting to $78,330.75, and leaving a surplus of $20,393.87. Ofthis sum
$10,000 were carried to reserve, and the balance transferred to contingent
account. During the year the company effected loans on mortgages to the
amount of $846,840.73, on property valued at $2,260,454; and at the present
time it holds mortgages of the net cash value of $2,805,152.17. A portion
of the company's business is done in Manitoba, the oversight of which is
attended to by a branch office at \Vinnipeg.
The LONDON AND CANADIAN LOAN AND AGENCY COMPANY (Limited) com-
menced business in 1873. At the present time it has a paid-up capital of
$5 60 ,000, and a reserve fund of $260,000; its investments, made almost
entirely on mortgages, amount to $3,547,216,50. During the first two years
of its existence it paid dividends of seven and eight per cent. re
pectively, but
since then it has paid ten per cent. During the fiscal year ending on the 3 0th
of August, Ü
84, it effected loans to the amount of $414,574.51, on property
valued at $944,598, and the net result of the year's operations showed a
profit of $83,920,49, The President of the company is Sir \iV, P. Howland;
Vice,Presidents, Co!. Gzowski, and Mr. A. T. Fulton; and Manager, Mr.
1. Grant Macdonald, formerly of Inverness, Scotland. The company's head
offices are at 44 King Street \Vest, Toronto, but it also has an advisory board
in Edinburgh,
The NATIONAL INVESTMENT CO:\IPANY OF CANADA (Limited), which was
established in 1876, is an off-shoot of the private investment business of the
financial firm of Blaikie & Alexander, so well and favourably known both
in Canada and in Great Britain, It is largely a Scottish company, The
i\Ianager is
Ir. Andrew Rutherford,
Messrs, Osler & Hammond-General ::\lanagers in Canada for the NORTH
OF SCOTLAND CANADIAN MORTGAGE COMPANY (Limited), home office
at Aberdeen, Scotland-are also financial agents and dealers in stocks,
municipal and railway debentures; and are members of the Toronto Stock
Exchange, The agency of the first mentioned company was established
same ten years ago under the management of the present firm, and now
enjoys a full share of the public confidence.
The UNION LOAN AND SAVINGS Co., of which Mr. \Villiam Maclean
is
Ianager, commenced operations in 1863, Mr. Maclean is a native of
.
TIle City of Toronto.
339
Aberdeen, Scotland, and was sent out to Canada in 1856 by the London
Board of Direètors of the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway to take the
positions of secretary, treasurer and director of the Company at Brantford,
which he held, severally for twelve years. He has been seventeen years
with his present company.
In connection with the financial institutions of Toronto it will not be
out of place to refer to "THE INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANTS AND ADJUSTERS
OF ONTARIO," The object of this association, which is to a great extent
modelled on the same lines as a similar institute in England, is to improve
the standing of those who are actively engaged in accountants' work, or
who may be looking forward to it, It includes in its ranks the majority of
the leading financiers of the Province, and is steadily growing in numerical
strength and in importance,
The TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE was incorporated in 1878, It meets
at 2+ King Street East, but none but members of the Exchange are
admitted to its meetings, even members of the Press being excluded. The
President is Mr. Henry Pellatt; Vice-President, Mr. H. R. Forbes; Treas-
urer, l\Ir. James Brown; and Honorary Secretary, Mr. H. L, Hime. There
are in all about thirty-one members of the association,
The TORONTO CORN EXCHA
GE was incorporated in the year 1872, but
during the summer of 1884 was amalgamated with the Toronto Board of
Trade, the united boards having their headquarters in the Imperial Bank
building, on the corner of \Vellington Str8et and Exchange Alley.
ACCOUNTANTS.
J. J, PRITCHARD, 28 and 30 Toronto Street, accountant, insurance
and commission agent, has been engaged in his business since 1878, He
has also had charge of R, \V. Prittie's real estate and emigration business.
He was born in England, and came to Canada in 1871.
LEWIS REFORD, accountant, native of Belfast, Ireland. Came to
Canada in 1845, settled at once in this city, and has been connected with
its business interests to the prescnt time, He is a brother of Robert
Reford, of the firm of R" Reford & Co,
BROKERS,
J. ICK EVANS, financial agent and patent right brokcr, 26, 27 and 2
Union Loan Buildings, is a native of Hereford County, England, and located
in Toronto in 1863. He commcnced in the hotel and restaurant busnress.
34 0
TIle County of York.
afterwards establishing the well-known "Headquarters" in Post-office
Lane, He became connected with the firm of Evans, \Valker & Roe,
wholesale shirt makers, and in the year 1880 commenced his present
business, and in 1883 became Manager of the Union and Hand-in-Hand
Ranching Colonization Company,
.
W, \VHITE, STEWART AND Co., \'Tanagers of the Exchange and Mercan-
tile Company of Canada, and Business Brokers, 58 King Street East, took
over in 1884 the business established in 1881 by \y, \Vhite & Co. They
are engaged in buying and selling businesses, negotiating partnerships and
organizing joint stock companies. :!\Ir. \Vhite is a native of Aylmer, ant.,
and has always been engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Sturgeon
Stewart is a native of Simcoe County, ant, He published for five years
the Liberal newspaper at Richmond Hill, and has also extensive experience
in professional and mercantile life,
A, R. VV ILLIAMS carries on at 36 and 38 Melinda Street the business of
manufacturers' agent and machinery broker. The business was established
in 1877 by Morrison :Bros., who were succeeded by Mr. \Villiams in 1883'
He deals in all kinds of wood and iron-working machinery, both new and
second-hand, handles all the iron-working machinery made by the London,
ant., Machine Tool Company, consisting of iron lathes, planes, drills, mill-
ing machines, etc. In woodwork machinery he is agent for Cant, Gorley
& Co., of Galt, and in shingle machinery for Goldie & McCulloch, also
of Galt. He keeps a full line of machine supplies, consisting of French
band saw blades, band saw files, planer knives, " Sweetland lathe chucks,"
twist drills, taps, dies, etc, He also holds the Toronto agency for J. C.
McLaren's oak-tan leather belting, which was awarded the only medal
in 1883, An important feature of the business is the exchange of machinery
-new for old and vice versa. An extensive import business is done on
special lines of machinery not manufactured in Canada. Mr, Williams has
lately purchased the Soho Machine Works in front of the Union Depot, on
the Esplanade, whither he is about to remove.
INSURANCE.
The BOILER INSPECTION AND INSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA has an
authorized capital of $500,000. Its officers are :-Sir Alexander Campbell
President; John L, Blaikie, Vice-President; John Galt, General Manager;
George C, Robb, Chief Engineer; and Â. Fraser, Secretary-Treasurer,
The head office of the company is in the Free Library Building, Toronto,
and it has a branch office at 237 St. James St" :\Iontreal. The company
The City of Toronto.
34 1
was formed about nine years ago under the name of" The Canadian Steam
Users' Insurance Association:' which name was afterwards changed to one
more readily understood by the public, Its business is similar to that of
companies in Britain, Germany and the United States, and consists of the
regular periodical inspection of steam boilers, and the granting of policies
of insurance, covering such loss or damage as may be directly caused by
the explosion of steam boilers. The object aimed at is to assist owners of
boilers in preventing accidents, and in diminishing the cost of steam power.
The company not only makes regular inspections, but also sends to the
owners written reports of the condition of the boilers inspected, with advi
e
as to the proper means to adopt to remedy any defects affecting the safety
or economy which may have been discovered, The system has proved of
great benefi t to owners of hoiler;-s and users of steam power. All the steam
boilers in the various public buildings belonging to the Dominion and
Ontario Governments are under the inspection of this company, and most of
the large and important manufacturing establishments throughout the
country have their boilers insured and regularly examined and reported
upon. No better means have yet been found for the prevention of steam
boiler explosions, and in addition to the increased safety ensured, it has
been found that the directions given for the construction, arrangement, and
management of steam machinery have resulted in reduced expenditure for
fuel and maintenance. The company, in addition to the insurance and
inspection of steam bOIlers, furnishes plans and specifications for steam
machinery, iron roofs, etc., and also carries on business as general con-
sulting engineers.
The CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, which has its head offices in
Hamilton, is represented in Toronto by Mr. j, D, Henderson, This gentle-
man's identification \vith insurance dates back to 1869, and he has been a
resident of Toronto since 1876, This company is the oldest and largest
in the Dominion; their assets and capital are over $7,000,000, with an
income of $1,200,000, Mr. A, G. Ramsay is President of the company as
well as Managing Director, and has had a general supervision of the
company since 1859. "\Ir, Henderson is a native of Scotland.
Mr. C, B. Boughton represents the CITIZENS' ACCIDENT INSURANCE
COMPANY OF CANADA, the head office being in Montreal. This is one of the
leading insurance institutions of this country, and has been doing business
in Toronto since its incorporation some twenty years ago. 1\1:r. Boughton
was connected with the Travellers' Insurance Company of Hartford, Con-
necticut, for about five years, and joined the Citizens' in November, 1883,
He is General Agent for the Province and city.
34 2
The County of York.
Mr. Richard Wickens, of the firm of Wickens & Mitchell, at present
represents the COMMERCIAL UNION FIRE INS.URANCE COMPANY in Toronto.
He is an Englishman by birth; came to Canada in 1836, and arrived in
Toronto in 1854. He was for nearly nineteen years connected with the
British America Fire Insurance Company, He then in 1873, in connection
with !'vIr, Westmacott, undertook the management of the first-mentioned
company, and on the decease of Mr. vVestmacott, five years later, he was
joined by the late Mr. Mitchell, the firm being general agents for Ontario,
and sole agents for Toronto. The agency enjoys a large share of the under-
writing of the city,
The CONFEDERATION LIFE ASSOCIATION is a Home Company, having
its head office in Toronto, with agencies in various parts of the Dominion,
It was incorporated in 1871 by a special Aét of the Dominion Parliament,
and commenced to issue policies on the 1st of November of the same year.
The company has made excellent progress, and stands high in the estima-
tion of the public. Its popularity is well attested from the fact that for
some years it has ranked second amongst the life companies operating in
Canada in the matter of new business. The management has been careful
and conservative, and the Directors have been more anxious to have a good
strong balance-sheet than to do a large business, though it may be fairly
claimed that both objects have been attained. At the time of writing its
assurances have reached $12,500,000, and its capital and funds $2,250,000;
$390,981.11 have been paid to the heirs of deceased policyholders; $25,348.63
to the holders of endowment policies; $63,670 for surrendered policies;
$153,040.20 as profits to policyholders, in addition to which during the later
years 10 per cent. has been paid as dividend to the stockholders. The
directorate of the company is composed of the best known and most
successful business men in the several Provinces. The President is Sir
\V. P. Howland; Vice-Presidents, Honourable William McMaster and
\Villiam Elliot, Esq.; Managing Director, J. K. Macdonald, Esq.
The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY has its head office in Broad-
way, New York. The company first did business in Canada in 1868, and
in Toronto shortly after. They are now carrying on the largest business of
any company in the world, and are doing in Great Britain alone more than
ten of the largest native companies there. They have general offices 111
Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax. Mr. \V, J. Smyth, Manager
of the Toronto office, is a native of Hastings, a descendant of aU, E.
Loyalist of Teutonic ong111, His grandfather came to Canada just one
century ago.
The City of Toro1lto,
343-
THE GUARDIAN ASSURANCE COMPANY: of London, England, is repre-
sented in Toronto by Mr. Henry D. P. Armstrong. He is a native of
Ireland, and was born at Holy Cross House, in the County of Tipperary.
After his arrival in this country, he was for some six years with \V. J. G.
vVhitney, the well-known rèal estate agent, The Toronto agency of the
Guardian Company was established in 1869, 1\1r, Armstrong becoming
connected with it in 1878, He is the sole agent for the city, and also
places a large amount of business outside.
1\Ir. \Villiam Henderson, city representative of the HARTFORD FIRE
I:-JSURANCE COMPANY, of Connecticut, U ,S., was born in the County of
Caithness, and educated at Thurso School, Scotland. He came to Canada
in the year 1833, and first learned the business of a grocer, under Alexander
Ogilvie, when he commenced business on his own account, and was for
upwards of thirty years a wholesale and retail grocer. He represented the
\Vard of St, David for two years as an Alderman, and is also an ex-President
of St, Andrew's Society. He has been a member of the Board of Trade,.
and was for many years on the Board of Arbitration. He is a J ,P. of the
City of Toronto and County of York. Some sixteen years ago he turned
his attention to insurance, and is now agent for the Hartford for the City
of Toronto, as well as General Inspector for the Dominion, His son,
Christo.pher M. Henderson, is connected with him in the business of the
agency.
Mr. Joseph B. Reed, represents the LIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND GLOBE
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, and the LANCASHIRE FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY of
Manchester, England; also the DOMINION PLATE GLASS INSURANCE COMPANY,
of Montreal. Mr. Reed has been engaged in insurance for upwards of ten
years, The companies he represents have been doing business in the city
for from twenty to thirty-five years, Mr. Reed is à Canadian by birth,.
and is descended from one of the oldest settlers in York County, his grand-
father coming from Staten Island at a very early day in the history of the
county.
The Toronto agency of the LONDON GUARANTEE AND ACCIDENT COM-
PANY (Limited), of London, England, of which :Mr. Alexander Cromar is
Local Manager, was established in 1880, A. T,
IcCord being :\Ianager for
Canada. Mr, Cromar is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, whence he came
in 1882, to look after the interests of the company in Canada. He is now
General Agent, Inspector and Superintendent of agencies in the Dominion.
Mr. R, :N. Gooch represents the NORTH BRITISH AND MERCANTILE
I;.JSURA
CE CO:\-IPANY, of Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England. The
344
The COU1lty of York.
company was first established in 01809, and is doing a large business both
in Fire and Life. The Toronto agency was opened some twenty years ago,
Mr. Gooch, who had been for some five years previously interested in
insurance matters, taking the management, ,He filled the position of
Chairman of the Board of Underwriters for twó years.
The NORTHERN FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY, for which Mr. E. P. Pearson
is the agent for Toronto and vicinity, is one of the oldest and wealthiest of
the British Fire Companies. The offices of the company are situate at
No. 17 Adelaide Street East. Mr. Pearson now controls the business of
many of the largest business firms in the country. There is no better
company than the Northern, and no more experienced !vlanager than
Mr. Pearson.
.
1r. Alexander Dixon is the Manager for the Dominion of Canada of the
NORWICH UNION FIRE INSURANCE SOCIETY, and the NORWICH AND LONDON
ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY, both of Norwich, England. The Toronto
agency of the former Company was established in 1880, and that of the
latter some three years later. Mr, Dixon is a native of Toronto, and
previous to taking up insurance was connected with the Toronto Mail for
about six years,
Mr, John Haldane, who was for many years general manager. of the
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, now represents as special
agent, the ONTARIO MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, of\Vaterloo, Ontario.
He is also largely interested in N orth- West lands, He is a native of
Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1833. For pearly fifteen
years he was Manager of the Connecticut Mutual, which company was
the largest Life Company ever doing business in Canada, and the second
in the world, The company discontinued business here on account of the
Insurance Act, requiring conditions with which they could not constitution-
ally comply, Its annual income at that time was ten millionso Mr. Hal-
dane's brother, Bernard Haldane, was, during his lifetime, one of the most
prominent insurance men in the city, and was for many years connected
with the vVestern Insurance Company, which largely owes its present posi-
tion to his efforts.
1r. Lewis Moffatt, of the firm of Lewis Moffatt and Son, representatives
of the PHCENIX FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, of London, England, for which
they are the sole agents of this city and district, was born in Montreal in
1810, of English parentage, His father, the late Honourable George
Moffatt, came to Canada in the spring of 1800, and in 1812 he became
.
The City of Toro1lto,
345
a partner In the leading mercantile firm of Parker, Gerrard & Ogilvy,
with which he remained connected till his death, in February, 186 5,
Mr. Moffatt was the first President of St, George's Society established in
Montreal, a member of the Legislative and Executive Councils of Lower
Canada, and a member of the Special Council under Lord Syd
nham. He
was instrumental in promoting the Union of Upper and Lower Canada,
and represented the City of :\Iontreal in the first United Parliament, which
met a
Kingston. Mr. Lewis Moffatt joined the firm of Gillespie, Moffatt
& Co, in 1837, and came to Toronto in May, 1842, to establish a branch of
the Montreal house, with which he remained connected until 1875, when he
continued the branch of fire insurance that had been carried on by the late
firm, His son, Lewis Henry Moffatt, came into the business in 1872, and
another son, Frederick Covert Moffatt, is a barrister-at-Iaw in the city.
The PHENIX INSURANCE COMPANY, of Brooklyn, N, y" has a capital
of $1,000,000, and its annual statement shows gross assets amounting
to $3,759,035.98. It first opened an agency at Toronto in 1874, and Mr.
L. C, Camp, the pr
ent Manager, was at that time appointed local agent,
In 1881, he took charge of the management, and was succeeded in the local
agency by his son. The Toronto offices of the company are at 26 \Velling-
ton Street East. Mr. Camp is a native of the County of Peel, and is the
youngest surviving son of Garry Camp, a citizen of the United States, who
came to Canada in 1810 and started business as a millwright at St. Cathar-
ines, where he died in 1880, Mr. L. C, Camp married, in 1855, ::\1iss
Adeline Hopkins, eldest daughter of Obadiah Hopkins, a farmer, of St.
Catharines.
George Graham represents the QUEEN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, of
Liverpool and London, England, I t is one of the oldest agencies in this
city, and has been doing business in Toronto about twenty-five years.
Mr. Graham is sole agent for this city and district; he is a native of
Toronto, and has been connected with its mercantile interests for upwards
of twenty years.
Capt. Chas. Perry, sole agent for this. city of the ROYAL CANADIAN
INSURANCE COMPANY, of Montreal, is a native of Somersetshire, England.
He came to Canada in 1832, and was in steamboating on the rivers and
lakes for twenty-four years. Since 1873 he has been identified with his
present company and the insurance interests of the city.
l\lessrs. Maughan, Kay & Banks represent the ROYAL FIRE AND INSUR-
ANCE COMPANY, of Liverpool, England, the city agency of which was
established in 1852. They are general and sole agents for the city and
"
.
.
34 6
The County of York.
county. The members of this firm have been engaged in the business of
underwriting from twenty-five to thirty years, Mr. Maughan has been
connected with insurance in Toronto for the past thirty-two years, and in
1880 joined the Royal; subsequently Messrs. Kay & Banks (who had repre-
sented the British America for thirteen years) entered the firm, and now
have full control of the local interests of the company,
l\Iessrs. Banks Bros. are the local agents of the SCOTTISH UNION AND
NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, of Edinburgh, Scotland. They also do a
real estate business in connection with underwriting. They have been
identified with the above named company since the establishment of the
agency here in 1882, and are its sole agents for the city. They have
been connected with the insurance and real estate business for about
sixteen years.
:\1r. A, H. Gilbert is Manager for Western Ontario and General Sgent
for Toronto for THE SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, of Canada, who have
been doing business about twelve years in the city. Mr. Gilbert commenced
with this company in January, 1883, previous to which time he was engaged
with the Canada Life. He is of U. E. Loyalist stock; his grandfather,
Stephen Gilbert, having settled on the Bay of Quinté, where he was one of
the earliest residents,
Mr. H, O'Hara, who does a general brokerage, estate and insurance
business, was formerly, for several years, manager of the Toronto branch
of the Sun Life Assurance Company, and at present takes an interest in
the formation of the TEMPERANCE AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
OF NORTH AMERICA, for which a charter has just been granted, Mr. O'Hara
is a native of the Emerald Isle, and came to Canada in 1843, at the age of
eight years; and after spending a year in Kingston he, with his parents,
removed to Bowmanville, He has been over twenty years engaged in the
insurance business, fifteen of which were spent in the Town of Bowmanville,
where he carried on an extensive retail book, stationery and general mer-
chandise establishment, and was the founder and first President of the
Dominion Organ Company, of that place. He has held several offices of
trust and confidence, among which were those of Councillor, member of
the Board of Education, Grand \Vorthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temper-
ance of the Province of Ontario, etc" etc, He came to Toronto in 1879.
1\1r. C, T, R. Russell is the city representative of the TRAVELLERS' LIFE
AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY, of Hartford, Connecticut. The agency
was established in the year 1868. Mr. Russell's connection with the Com-
.
.
The City of Toro1lto.
347
pany commenced in 1873, and he is now general agent for the Dominion
and sole agent for the city, He is a native of the Province of Ontario, and
came .to Toronto in 1875. His father, \Villiam Russell, who came to
the County of Lennox when a young man, is a pioneer, and still a resident
of that county,
The city agency of the UNION MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, of
Maine, U,S" is managed by Mr. R, K. Freeman, son of Isaac Freeman,
aU, E. Loyalist, who settled in the County of Halton many years ago,
and is said to be the only Loyalist now living in that neighbourhood, The
son was born in Halton, where he resided and followed, agricultural pur-
suits till 1875, when he engaged in insurance, and in 1883 accepted the
management of the Union Mutual, having jurisdiction over the city and
the greater part of the Province. The agency was established in the
Province in 1850.
:\Ir. James Pringle is general city agent for the \VESTERN FIRE ASSUR-
ANCE COMPANY, of Toronto. He has been engaged in the insurance business
thirty years, twenty of which he has spent in this city. He has represented
the \Vestern for twenty-five years, He is a native of Roxburghshire, Scot-
land; came to Canllda in 1853, and has been President of the Caledonia
Curling Club for several years, He has always taken a great interest in the
pastime of curling.
\\'111. A, Lee & Son are city agents for the \YESTERN ASSURo\NCE Co., of
Toronto, and do in connection with the same a general real estate and loaning
business. They also represent the ONTARIO MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE Co.,
of vVaterloo, Ont, l\Ir. \V. A. Lee is a native of Canada, of Irish parentage.
He has been engaged in underwriting since 1873, previous to which time
he was a builder and contractor. He occupied the position of City Collector
from 1873 to 1883, and served as Councillor for St. Patrick's \Vard for one
year. His father, Patrick Lee, came to this country in 1826, was employed
as a surveyor for the Canada Company, and surveyed the Township of
Guelph. In 18+3 he settled in Toronto, where he taught school for
several years and had for his pupils many who are among the city's most
prominent men, ,
l\Ir. Isaac C. Gilmor represents the CALEDONIAN FIRE INSURANCE
COMPANY, and the SCOTTISH IMPERIAL. He is of Scotch descent, and was
born in Quebec. He was for many years engaged in the wholesale dry
goods business of the country; and in 185 I was one of the founders and
heaviest shareholders of the Western Fire Insurance Company, and sub-
.
34 8
The County of York.
sequently was for many years its President. He has been actively engaged
in the business interests of the city since the year 1839,
Messrs, Medland & Jones are the city representatives of the AcèlDENT
INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH A
IERICA, which has its home office in
Iontreal. This firm are general agents for Western Ontario, and sole
agents for the city. The agency was established in 1872, and the firm took
the same in 1881. They are also city agents for the NORWICH UNION FIRE
INSURANCE SOCIETY, of Norwich, England. Mr, Medland is an Englishman
by birth and came to Canada in 1867, since which time he has been engaged
in insurance business. Mr. Jones is a native of the County of Halton, and
has been connected with insurance matters since 1.874. His father, Charles
Jones, M,R,C.S., came to Canada in 1844.
Josiah Barnett, general accountant, auditor and insurance agent, acts
specially for the COMMERCIAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPA-NY, He is
auditor for the. Toronto Paper Company, of Cornwall, and the Speight
Manufacturing Company, of Markham. He is an Englishman by birth and
came to this city in 1874, and has held the position of head bookkeeper for
some of our leading merchants. .
REAL ESTATE AGENTS.
E. W. D. BUTLER, real estate and financial agent, valuator and arbi-
trator, etc. The business of this firm was established in 1860, by the late
\Vilkin B. Butler, and since its commencement has been in active operation,
enjoying its share of Toronto real estate transactions, and retaining the
confidence of all doing business with it. The steady growth of the business
shows the reliability of the firm in the transaction of confidential and general
business, in the purchase, sale, valuation, rental and management of proper-
ties. The clients of this firm embrace a number of the most wealthy and
influential citizens and land corporations of Toronto, besides a large number
residing in the United States, England and other countries. Mr. Butler also
transacts a large business in investment of private and trust funds, in real
estate, mortgage security, municipal debentures, etc" negotiation of loans,
securing investments, management of estates, etc" etc. Intending investors
in Toronto, Parkdale, Rosedale and suburban real estate will consult their
interests by securing reliable valuations, giving full particulars, plans, etc.,
special and personal attention being devoted to this important branch. A
large list of city and suburban properties for sale, exchange, etc., is con-
stantly on hand; printed catalogues containing all details and information
are furnished free of charge to investors. The offices of this firm are complete
The City of Toronto.
349
and commodious and in keeping with the steady growth and requirements
of the business, and'are situated on the ground-floor of 66' King Street East.
JAMES HEWLETT was born in Somerset, England, on November the
13th, 1845, and settled in Toronto in 1871. He was a butcher on Yonge
.Street for nine years; but lately has been in the real estate business at
24 Toronto Arcade. In September, 1878, he married Elizabeth Margaret
Carter, who was born in Toronto in 1858, being the daughter of John
Carter, born in Toronto about 1820.
ROBERT KIDNEY, who carries on business as a real estate agent, on the
corner of Victoria and Adelaide Streets, was born in the County of Elgin,
and is the eldest son of Thomas Kidney, a native of Ireland, who came to
Canada in 1844, Mr. Kidney carried on a hardware business until 1882
when he took up his present occupation. .
\VM, McBEAN, real estate owner and dealer, 452 Y onge Street, has
followed the business of property speculator for the past twenty years,
during which time he has built about 200 houses for himself and a great
number of other people. His real estate business is almost entirely confined
to his own property, it being only occasionally that he acts for outsiders.
He is generally considered as the pioneer of the north-eastern section of the
city, though he has erected buildings in the other districts.
RICHARD McDoNELL, estate agent, Queen Street and Gladstone A venue
is a native of Toronto, being the youngest son of the late Richard McDonell,
of Scotch descent. Before taking to his present business Mr. McDonell
was a railroad contractor, and constructed the Lake Simcoe J unction and
other roads.
PEARSON BROS., real estate brokers and valuators, are among the longest
established and-best known firms in the City of Toronto. They have been
engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate for the past ten years.
They number among their clients a great many of the largest property-
holders and incorporated companies and associations in Toronto and the
Province, also owners of Canadian property residents of other countries,
The Real Estate Journal, Building and Insurance Record, publi3hed by this
firm, contains an extensive list of properties for sale, and a number
of useful and well written articles in connection \vith the real estate,
insurance and building businesses. Each number of the Joltrtzal contains
a most complete plan of a house, with estimated cost of erection. This firm
have again extended their premises, and now occupy the entire ground floor
of No. 17 Adelaide Street East. In the last number of their Journal, under
the head of u Real Estate," they say :_u There should be no difficulty in
35 0
The COUllty of York.
the. mind of anyone in determining where the safest investment and best
security can be obtained. The issue in the past has been between stocks
and real estate. The present appears to be essentially a panic in stocks,
and their decline has been heavy and irresistible, the reason being that for
the past few years they had been forced up beyond their true commercial.
value, There was no margin for a rise, as all the 'rise' had been taken
-out of them. Stock speculation in Canada is dull, but no duller than it
ought to be, The market being so, many a hundred dollars of hard-éarned
money lies in the pockets of former stock speculators instead of in the
speculation, The New York Herald says that speculation both in stocks
and grain is knocked on the head. This follows: that the attention of
investors will be more and more drawn to sound, solid investment in real
estate, This will undoubtedly prove to be the case not only here but else-
where. There can never be a panic or anything akin to a panic in real
estate, There have been some severe collapses of prices where misplaced
judgment has overreached itself, or too heavily discounted the future, In
really desirable pr<?perty there Cdn be no such severe crisis as affect the
financial markets, because it is not capable of being inflated with' water'
anù other kite-flying expedients which are ::tdopted for making a large
portion of our securities worth par on one day and old paper the next,
People with inclination to speculate in stocks are held back by the failures
of some of the largest and boldest of the stock handlers and brokers. One
day a card castle, believed to represent millions tumbles over, and is found
to represent nothing, A few days more and another tumble comes, and
several other supposed millions vanish like the baseless fabric of a dream.
The turn in the tide of investment to real estate instead of stocks is rapidly
going on, This is not surprising, for if we look around among our own
citizens we cannot but observe the many men who have been ruined
through stock speculating; and, on the other hand, it is apparent that our.
wealthiest and most independent men are ou'r largest property owners,
Some of our depressionists prophesied that the failure of the stock market
would reduce the price of real estate, but the sales for the past summer
show that the public took exactly the opposite and correct view, and acted
on the belief that when stocks were unsafe then was the very time to invest
in real estate. Instead of real estate weakening under the pressure, the
contrary has been the effect. Torontonians have just reason to be proud
of their city and its growth; they have no cause to loo
forward with fear
to the outlook, for in every direction residences and stores for commercial
purposes are rapidly going up and are to be occupied as soon as ready.
The public Ipust fall back on real estate as the most solid thing to 'stick
to.' This view will be confirmed the more carefully it is considered."
The City of Toronto,
35 1
JOHN POUCHER, real estate and financial agent, No. 3 Court Street, has
been largely engaged in the erection of houses, having built about sixty for
himself. He retired from the building business about a year ago, after
having been engaged in it for twelve years, and now devotes his entire
attention to the real estate business. The style of the firm is "John
Poucher & Co,"
\VM. B, POULTON real estate owner and house painter, has been in
business since 1874-, from which time he has been a resident of Toronto,
During the past two and a-half years he has erected five stores on the
Kingston Road, at the corner of Boulden Street, costing over ;;;5,000,
Mr, Poulton was born in Hertfordshire, England, 1857, and came to
Canada in 1874.
THOMAS SHORTISS, broker and real
state agent, Imperial Bank Build-
ings, was born at Bristol, England, and is a son of Thomas Shortiss, a
native of Clonmel, Ireland, who came to Canada with his family in 1826,
being induced to do so by his personal friend, Sir Peregrine Maitland, the
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, l\Ir. Shortiss, jr., was one of a
family of eleven children; he received his education at the Grammar School
and Upper Canada College, and commenced the business of life in the
mercantile profession. He has engaged successfully in lumbering and
mining, a,dopting his present occupation oflate years. 1\1r. Shortiss married,
in October, 1855, Miss Hester \Vakefield, of Toronto, whose parents came
from England.
THOMAS UTTLEY, J ,P" real estate agent and general advertising agent.
He has for some two years been connected with the real estate business in
this city. His native place is Summitt, near Manchester, England, and he
came to Canada, settled in this city in 1881, and was appointed by the
Proyincial Government in 188+ a
1agistrate for the County of York.
A. L. \VILLSON, l\I.A" real estate agent, 37 Arcade, is the son of
Lieutenant-Colonel \Villson, grandson of a U, E. Loyalist, who settled in
the County of York at the period of Governor Simcoe's 'Administration.
On coming from the United States his great-grandfather first settled in
New Brunswick; thence he went to Niagara, removing afterwards to his
location on Y onge Strèet, in York Township. l\Ir. \Villson was the fourth
son of Captain \Villson, and succeeded his father in the offices of Township
Clerk and Treasurer for said municipality, which offices they held continu-
ously for half a century. The \Villson family are related by marriage to
several of the pioneer families of Toronto.
23
,
35 2
The COU1lty of York,
'lor
AGENTS, FREIGHT AND STEAMSHIP, MERCANTILE, ETC,
BRADSTREET & Co.'s mercantile agency was established in New York
in 1849, and js under the Presidency of Chas, F, Clark. The Toronto office
was opened in 1865. Thomas C, Irving became superintendent five years
ago, when he succeeded Joseph Priestman, who is now manager of the
company's Canadian offices, This office has charge of all places west of
Hastings County (inclusive), Ontario,
JOHN Foy, general manager of the Niagara Navigation Company,
who own a line of passenger boats plying between Toronto and Lewiston,
N,Y., calling at Niagara, This Hne was taken from the upper lakes
in 1877-Mr. Foy representing them for the past five years. He is a
Director in the Home Savings Loan Company, and the Toronto Printing
Company, Is a native 'of this city, and has been coimected with its business
interests nearly his whole life. .
SAM OSBORNE, general passenger and freight agent, representing the
famous Cunard Steamship Line, State S,S, Line, Dominion S,S, Line,
North- \Vest Transportation
ompany, Ocean Steamship, Niagara Naviga-
tion Company. Business established in 1882, For 1883 they sent out
seven hundred and twenty-nine passengers, and from present indications
expect to double that amount this year. He is a native of London,
England, came to Canada in 1869, and has for thirteen years been con-
nected with the steamship and transportation business.
DONALD MILLOY, financial agent, representing the Richilieu and Ontario
Navigation Company, First established as the Canadian Inland Steam
Navig-ation Company, with a line of steamers running from Montreal to
Hamilton, About 1857 this amalgamated with the above company, and is
the largest inland steamship company in the Dominion of Canada, with a
business of a half million dollars per year. There are some twenty-five
steamers in the fleet, six of which ply between Montreal and Toronto two
are leased to the Owen Sound Steamship Company, and ply between Owen
Sound and Lake Superior points, and the balance do a trade on the St.
Lawrence River, with Quebec as a t
rminal point. These were all side-
wheel steamers, upper cabin steerage, built of iron and steel, and are con-
sidereß one of the best equiped steamship lines in .tne world.
WEBSTER & BAIN,general railway and steamship agents, representing the
following railway lines: "N ahonal," " Anchor," Hamburg American Lines,
Owen Sound S.S, Co.; Quebec S.S. Co.; Niagara and Canadian Pacific
Railway and Steamship, The agency was originally established in 1860 by
The City of Toronto.
353
,
Charles E, :Vlorgan, the present firm taking possession of the same in 188 3.
Mr. Bain has be
n connected with the railway and ste.amship business for
twenty years, and Mr. \Vebster has had ten years' experience as Great
\Vestern Ticket Agent, between Hamilton and Toronto.
WHITE STAR LINE-ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS,-:Vlr. T. \\" Jones, generål
agent of this line, has filled various positions in the late Great \Vestern
Railway, and in 1875 became passenger agent of that company at Toronto,
\ Vhen that road became fused with the Grand Trunk he declined a similar
position in London; preferring to accept from the Oceanic Steam N aviga-
tion Company (Limited) (whose local agency he had held since 1875) their
general agency for Canada, The launching of that company (usually
known as the \Vhite Star Line) in 1870, came with all the effect of a start-
ling surprise upon the commercial community of Liverpool. The manner in
which it was introduced exhibited a boldness and energy which showed
that a new enterprize of the most extraordinary character had been brought
upon the scene, The shares of the company for {I ,000 each, were taken
up by the managers of
he line, Messrs, Ismay, Imrie & Co., and their
friends, including some of the best and most substantial names in Liver-
pool and elsewhere. It was an innovation also that the \Vhite Star Com-
pany should instead of resorting to the Clyde, upon which all the first-
class American liners then existing had been built, betake themselves to
Belfast, where they placed themselves in the hands of Messrs, Harland and
\Volff, and instructed them to commence at once the construction of a fleet
of powerful and magnificent vessels to be engaged in the trade between
Liverpool and New York. The only stipulation made with the builders
was that the ships were to be constructed of a strength, size and power to
equal, if not to surpass, anything which had yet been seen upon the Mersey,
The builders were not limited by any contract, They were left to themselves
to fulfil the general instructions given, and no one acquainted with the
vessels of the \Vhite Star Line can fail to admit that Messrs. Harland and
\Volff have acquitted themselves in a manner which does the highest credit
to British ship-building. The first admission which was made was that
the vessels, whatever else they might do, would soon become remarkable
for their speed, Subsequent events proved that the builders in designing
these vessels have reached a high degree of perfection in speed, and what
is more important, safety, No other transatlantic vessels afloat having
proved hetter able to cope with the winter storms, so frequent in the
North Atlantiç than the \Yhite Star Liners, as their average passages in
all weathers plainly demonstrate, The innovation of placing the saloon
and state-rooms amidships was introduced by this company, and as there
"
354
The County of York.
are none below the saloon deck, or within one hundred and thirty-three feet
of the stern, every state-room is strictly first-class. The system by which
they are ventilated is absolutely perfect, The Atlantic mail steamers
between Liverpool and N ew York, via, Queenstown, are the Germanic and
Britannic of 5,000; and the Baltic, Republic, Celtic and Adriatic, of 4,000
tons each, They are all four-masted vessels, full ship-rigged, i,e., carrying
square canvass, and top-gallant sails on three masts, thus giving them an
amount of sail-power fully equal to that of a first-class sailing ship, and
rendering them entirely independent of machinery, The New Zealand fleet
consists of Arabic, Coptic, Ionic and Doric, of 5,000 tons each, now
regularly making the hitherto unprecedented time of forty-three days to the
Antipodes; as against sixty days previous to their advent; while in the
North Pacific, Oceanic, Belgic, and Gaelic, are making relatively fast time
between San Francisco, Y okahama and Hong Kong, The" red burgee
with a white star," also flies at the main truck of a fleet of fast and
powerful clipper sailing ships from Liverpool to all parts of the world.
These vessels form an admirable training school for officers and men for the
ocean steamers of the company, The marvellons success of the \Vhite
Star Line is one of the most remarkable instances upon record, of what
þ pluck and business ability will do under apparently adverse circumstances.
ARCHITECTS AND SURVEYORS.
EDWARD JAMES LENNOX, architect, was born in Toronto, 1856, being the
son of Edward and Eliza (Smith) Lennox, His father was born in Ireland,
near Belfast, Mr. Lennox, sen'r, emigrated to Canada when a young man,
and after several years of prospecting in different parts of Upper Canada,
settlêd in Toronto, and started business as a general produce merchant
in partnership with a man named Bell; the firm also speculated in real
estate, in which they became largely interested, Mr. Lennox afterwards
engaged in the hotel business for about twenty years on Francis Street, and
lastly in the grocery business on Church Street, whence he finally retired
from business and is now living in Toronto. J\Ir. Lennox met and married his
wife in Toronto. Mrs. Lennox was born in Ireland in the same neighbourhood
as her husband. She emigrated tothe United States with her parents, and
settled in Rochester, N.Y., where to this day several of the family still
reside. Our subject, Edward J, Lennox, when a ve:t;y young boy, possessed
strong artistic taste and originality. He attended the architectural drawing
class in the
Iechanics' Institute in 1874, and carried off first prize and
diploma at the head of about sixty pupils, although he was about the
youngest pupil in the class, which was mostly composed of experienced
...
-- .
---.
, '}
""'---
,
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The City of Toronto.
355
mechanics. After this his father decided to allow him to study architecture,
and placed him in the office of the lated \Villiam Irving, with whom he
remained for five years. l\Ir. Lennox's next step in life was to enter into
partnership with l\Ir. McCaw for a term of five years. At the expiration
of the partnership l\1r. Lennox started for himself in offices on the corner
of King and Y onge Streets, where he has had a continued success, his
business steadily increasing every year, until at the present time it is one of
the largest of the kind in Canada. Mr. Lennox has been very successful in
competition against his fellow-professionals. The following are some of the
many buildings his plans were accepted for on competition, and carried out
under his supervision: Bond Street Congregational Church, Erskine Pres-
byterian Church, Bloor Street Baptist Church'. Stratford and Owen Sound
High Schools, and several City Public schools. His plans were also
accepted, "although the competition was thrown open to Canada and
United States," for a large fire-proof hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, to cost about
$35 0 ,000. Outside of competition Mr. Lennox has done, and is doing, a
very extensive business, both in private and public buildings. He was also
architect for Manning's Arcade and Office Building, King Street \Vest,
which cost about $100,000, He has also under preparation plans for a large
public hall, 'etc., for the Orange Association, which will probably cost
complete
4-0,000; and has also been appointed architect to the Toronto
Tenement Building Society, whose schemes, when carried out, will be in
the neighbourhood of about $2,000,000, Mr. Lennox has about two years'
work ahead, so this speaks well for his skill, energy and perseverance. He
never sought any l\Iunicipal or Government office. l\Ir. Lennox was
married in 1881 to Emeline, second daughter of John \Vilson, of Cobourg,
Ontario.
JA:\1ES S:\IITH, architect, 31 Adelaide Street East, was born in l\Iacduff,
Banffshire, Scotland, in 1834. He settled in Toronto in 1851, and com-
menced the practice of his profession in 1857, Since Mr. Smith has been
in business he has designed many of the churches and colleges in Ontario.
He is considered an adept at his calling.
\VILLlA
I GEORGE STOR:\I, architect, Toronto, The Storm family are of
English origin. Thomas, the father of our subject, was born at \Vintering-
ham, Lincolnshire, Eng., in 1801. His mother, :\Iary (Hopkins) Storm, .
was a native of Horkstow, of the same shire. In early life l\lr. Storm, sen'r,
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and was extensiyely engaged as a
master-builder at Burton-upon-Stather until 1830, when he came to York wIth
his family of one son and two daughters, He took up his residence on
.
35 6
The County of York.
Church Street, north of the present Mechanics' Institute, where he resided
only a few months, when he removed to Richmond Street and remained
until 1848. In 1840 he went into partnership with the late Mr. Richard
\Voodsworth and the late Mr. Alexander Hamilton in a contract for the
erection of the I1ew garrison, At an early day he carried on business jointly
with
1r. Sheldon \\lard (a bricklayer), each conducting their own separate
trades, until the death of the latter in 184+, l\1r. Storm was for many
years engaged contracting and building; during which time he erected a
large number of the finest public and private buildings in the city. After
the incorporation as a city he was chosen Councilman for St. David's \Vard.
At the formation of the old" NO.3," or British American Fire Company,
he joined the old volunteer fire brigade. During the rebellion he carried
his musket in connection with the company, was on duty at the Don
Bridge, musket in one hand, working the engine with the other. In
religion he was a
ethodist, all his life being identified with that body, and
the church he attended was situated on the south side of King Street,
nearly opposite the present site of Thomas' hotel. He passed peacefully
away in December, 1871, universally respected by all, having contributed
no small share to the substanti
l growth and present prosperity of Toronto.
His only son, \Villiam George Storm, was born in \Vinteringham, England;
came to York with his father, and received his early education here. \Vhen
a young man he worked at the bench under his father's instruction, where
he served his apprenticeship, Step by step he acquired a thorough
knowledge of every detail for the construction of public and private
buildings, which laid the foundation of his success in after years, Nature
seems to have endowed him with more than an average share of mechanical
in 6 enuity, for before completing his apprenticeship he displayed rare ability
and a strong desire for architecture. After a few years he discontinued the
building business and devoted his entire attention to the latter profession.
:Many of the public buildings 0f the city have been constructed from designs
prepared by him. In the spring of 184-9 he had about closed arrangements
to leave for California, but just before his departure a disastrous fire destroyed
the old St. James' Church, and the following day, while walking over the
smouldering ruins, he met the late Col. F. \V, Cumberland, who had just
established himself in the city, and, through his intercessions, Mr. Storm
was induced to remain in Toronto and assist in preparing the designs for
the present St. James' Cathedral. He accordingly entered his office,
prepared the designs (competition, drawings and working plans), and
remained until it was completed. In 1852 he entered into joint partnership
with Mr, Cumberland, which existed for thirteen years, during which time
Rolph. S ,. .. C
,-
- ....
t
.,..
--.
.
('
..
.,
The Cz'ty of Toronto.
357
they designed Osgoode Hall, the University of Toronto, the Normal School,
the old Post-office, Mechanics' Institute, and many other public and private
buildings in the city, as well as throughout the Province of Ontario, As
Toronto grew in importance as a manufacturing and a commercial centre,
a demand for larger and better buildings rapidly increased. In 1857, with
a view of meeting the. wants of the public, he made a tour of inspection
through the British Isles, devoting one year's time to the thorough examina-
tion of public and private buildings in foreign countries, during which period
h
visited some of the principal towns of England, France, Germany and
Ireland, returning home the following year. Mr. Storm is at present one
of the ablest architects in Toronto, of which he has been a resident for more
than half a century, having grown up with it from early boyhood. His
great experience in designing and constructing the better class of public
and private buildings throughout Ontario, has pre-eminently fitted him for
the position he now occupies at the head of his chosen profession, and
caused his services to be eagerly and widely sought.
KIVAS TULLY, architect and civil engineer, was born at Garrarucum,
near Maryborough, Queen's County, Ireland, He is a son of Commander
John Tully, who figured conspicuously during the years when the" wooden
walls" of England were gaining their reputation and adding to our country's
naval supremacy. In command of several vessels during the war with
France in the beginning of the present century, his name is on the list of
those who contributed materially to the subjection of the navy of that
country, A complete record of his naval career will be found in the Official
Gazelle, Kivas Tully was educated at the Royal Naval School, Cumber-
well, London, Eng., after which he spent four years with a Mr. \V, H.
Owen of Limerick, where he acquired a knowledge of his profession. After
being appointed to a position and serving under the Irish Poor Law Com-
mission he emigrated to Canada in 1844, and at once commenced the
practice of his profession in this city. In 1856 he accepted a position in the
Ciyil Service, and in 1868 he was appoinied Architect and Eng-ineer of the
Public \Vorks Governmental Department, in which office he still continues,
The designs for Trinity College, Toronto, Town Hall, St. Catharines,
Victoria Hall, Cobourg, Bank of Toronto in this city, are from his con-
ception, and are architectural examples to all future students of this art.
He celebrated the year of his arrival in Canada ,by marrying Elizabeth
Drew, who died three years afterwards. In the year 1852 he married Maria
Elizabeth Strickland, who died in 1883. He has a family of four daughters,
two of whom are unmarried. He is a member of the Church of England,
and also belongs to the Freemason body.
35 8
The COU1lty of York.
UNWIN, BROWNE & SANKEY, surveyors, engineers, etc., located at 17
Toronto Street. The firm consists of C. Unwin, H. J. Browne, V, Sankey,
and \V. A. Browne. Charles Unwin is of English birth, and came to
Canada in 1843; Messrs. Browne are the same nationality, while Mr.
Sankey comes from Ireland. Mr. Unwin for four years after his arrival
attended the U. C. C.ollege, and has followed his profession since 1852.
He became a member of the above firm in 1882.
CHARLES A. \V ALTON, architect, 36 Toronto Street, was born at Leed
,
England, January, 1845, and came to Toronto in 1856. He studied his
profession with the late \Villiam Kauffmann, architect, of Toronto. He
afterwar
s travelled through the United States., and returned to Toronto in
18 7 6 , where he commenced the practice of his profession, He is at present
engaged on the Toronto "Arcade" Building, which is being erected
between Y onge and Victoria Streets. He has attended strictly to his
business, and has been very successful. He married Emily \Valton, grand-
daughter of Matthew \Valton, the first City Chamberlain,
RICHARD C. \VINDEYER, architect, 20 IVlasonic Hall, is a native of
Chatham, Kent, EI1gland, being the youngest son of A. C. \Vindeyer, of Her
IVlajesty's Civil Service, who died in 1865. Our subje<!t's grandfather and
great grandfather were both in their turn mayors of the City of Rochester,
Kent, England. Mr, vVindeyer came to Toronto in 1855,' Jmt immediately
after left for United States, where he remained for seven years in the practice
of his profession, returning again to Canada in 1862. The time from that
year until 1871 he spent in 1iontreal, and on his return to Toronto he
established himself at his present address.
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS,
\VILLlA
1 ADAMS, builder and contractor, 119 Bleeker Street, Native
of Frogmore, Devon, England; came to Toronto in 1870, and after working
at his trade, commenced business in 1875, which he still continues.
JOHN ATKINSON, builder and contractor, was born in Yorkshire, England,
in 1815, and in 1814 came to Canada, and at first located in Montreal, where
he remained for some five years, then came to Toronto, and has followed
building to the present time. In 1849, :Mr, Atkinson married Miss Sarah
Stringer, who died in 1863, leaving two children; he married for his second
wife, Mary Jane f!urdle, by whom he has five children.
FRANK BABY, stone merchant and contractor, 2 Victoria Street, is a
native of Toronto, being the youngest son of James Francis Baby, whose
family originally came from Marseilles, in the south of France. His quarries
.
. The City of Toronto.
359
are situated on lots 2 and 3, in the second concession, King Township, York
County, and produce mostly flags and foundation stone. Employs from
five to twelve teams and seven to ten quarrymen.
\VILLIAM BAILLIE, builder and contractor, 80 and 82 Albert Street, is
a native of Belfast, Ireland, and came to Canada with his parents in 18 54.
He learned his trade with l\Ir. John Greenleese, and then commenced
business for, himself, Private residence, 89 \Valton Street.
THOMAS BEAVER, contractor and builder, born in England, and came
to Canada with his parents at an early day. He has been engaged in his
present business for many years, having served his time and been a resident
of the "City since. He was foreman for James Farrell five years, and for the
la
t five years has been in business for himself, doing fine ornamental work
and plastering,
\VILLIAM BRAND, contractor and builder, was born in the County of York,
and remained at home until 1862, when he went to the United States and
engaged in the cattle and mining busÜless till 1869, and afterwards to
Kansas, continuing in the cattle trade there until 1869. Since his return
to Toronto he has engaged in contracting and building, and erected some
of the finest and largest structures in the city, and at one time was in part-
nership with \Villiam Thomas. Employs from thirty to fifty hands.
JOHN \V, BOWDEN, 38 \Vinchester Street, contractor, etc., was born
in London, England, 1829, and is the son of John and Rachael (\Vilson)
Bowden. His father came to Toronto in 1842, having followed the business
of builder and contractor in the Town of Holworth, Devonshire, England.
After his arrival in York he carried on building business forty years, and
died in 1884 at the age of eighty-three years. John is the eldest in a
family of twelve children, and the only one living. He learned his trade
with his father, and began contracting and building in 1850, and has been
extensively engaged ever since, having in the eastern portion of the city
erected a large number of private buildings. Mr. Bowden married a
daughter of Mr. Purdy, one of the early settlers of York. 1\Ir. Bowden IS
a member of the All Saints branch of the English Church.
BROWN & LOVE, proprietors of steam stone saw mills and building
contractors, occupy the old Bay Street \Vharf. The business was estab-
lished by John \Vorthington, about 1840, and is the oldest establishment of
its kind in Toronto. !\Ir. \Vorthington was succeeded by Benjamin \Valton,
and Brown & Love took the place of the latter in 1875. The present firm
since their advent have erected some of the finest structures in this ,city,
3 60
The COUllty of York,
among which we would mention the British American Assurance Company,
the \Vestern Assurance Company, the St. James Square Presbyterian Church,
the Dominion Bank Building, North of Scotland Chambers Building, and
Loan Chambers and Gas Offices on Toronto Street. In 1880 they erected
the Marl Building, Jones Brothers' Block, on Front Street \Vest, Baldwin's
Chambers next Dominion Bank-since taken down for additions to the
latter building, They have erected two :fine buildings in Hamilton, viz. :-
The Canada Life Assurance Company's Offices, and are at present engaged
on the Post Office and Custom House Buildings, and Examining Ware-
.
houses in this city, and Manning's Arcade Building, King Street West. A
great portion of Toronto's finest buildings, justly celebrated for their archi-
tectural beauty, have been prepared at this establishment.
\VILLlA
vr CARLYLE, contractor and builder, was born in Dumfnes,
Scotland, in 1820, and in 1850 he came to Canada and settled in Toronto,
where he has resided ever since. In 1852 he engaged in contracting and
building, and has erected houses in every ward of the city. Resides at 157
Seaton Street. In 1849 he married Miss Margaret McKay, by whom he
has two children, 1\1r. Carlyle represented St. Thomas' Ward for the past
SIX years.
ARTHUR COLEMAN, builder and contractor, II Hayter Street,..was born
in \Valton, England, in 1833, and came to Canada with his parents in 1846,
settling one year afterwards in this city. He learned his trade with
\Villiam Bell, and began contracting and building on his own account in
1857, since which time he has been principally engaged erecting private
houses. He employs from eight to ten men.
\VILLIAM COULTER, 75 Jarvis Street, is a builder and contractor, born
in Toronto in 1849. His father was George, his mother was McL, Henney,
from York Mills. His father came to Canada at the age of twenty-one,
about the time of the rebellion of 1837. He was a builder by trade, and
sat in the Council in St. David's \Vard for many years, \Villiam learned his
trade with Mr. Hathaway, Queen Street \Vest; he was foreman for John
Fletcher for a number of years. In 1880 he began contracting and building
for himself. He married a Mrs, E. A. Doran, He belongs to the Ancient
Order of United Workmen.
W. ST, CROIX, 7 North Street, Toronto, Among the many who have
settled in Toronto in the past thirty years, and added to its substantial
growth and prosperity, there are but few who have overcome greater diffi-
culties in achieving an honourable success in business than the subject of
this sketch, Mr. St. Croix was born on the Highlands of Jersey, in Scot-
The City of Toronto.
3 61
land, in 1834, of French parentage, In early life he learned the trade of
bricklayer and mason, and later travelled through France, England, and a
portion of the United States, arriving in Toronto in 1854 with only one
York shilling, which constituted his entire wealth, together with his scanty
wardrobe, He not only struggled with poverty, but being in a strange
country and wholly unable to comprehend the language of the people.
For the first year after his arrival he worked as a journeyman during
which time he improved his leisure hours in the study of the English
language. He soon after began business for himself in a small way, which
gradually increased until it assumed vast proportions, with honesty, indus-
try, and frugality for his motto, his labours have been crowned with
success, During the past thirty years he has erected many public and
private buildings, among which were the present Police Station near the
Post-office, Phænix Block on Front Street, and several warehouse blocks
on Yonge Street. In 1880 he purchased a portion of the Elmsley Estate,
west of Y onge Street, consisting of one thousand feet frontage on Bloor
Str
et North and St. Mary Street, upon which he has erected about seventy-
five handsome two-storey brick residences, a portion of which he has sold
and rented, besides many other private residences in various parts of the
city, He has annually employed from sixty to seventy-five men. As an
instance of the amount of labour performed in one branch of his business
-plastering-in one year, his contracts amounted to $35,000, The average
wages he has paid his men has been from :;;1.25 to $2,00 per day, l\lore
recently he has enlarged his business, and now contracts for the construction
of buildings from the digging of the cellar to the finishing and turn of the
key. . At the present time he owns over fifty beautiful residences and stores
in various parts of the city. In politics he is a Reformer; in religion, a
member of the Bond Street Congregational Church, where he has acted in
the capacity of a deacon for many years, 1\1r. St, Croix married a daughter
of James Kerr, an old resident of Toronto, of Scottish extraction.
THO
IAS \V. CRUTTENDON, builder and contractor, 380 Gerrard Street
East, is a native of London, England, where he learned his trade. He came
to Toronto in 1870, a.nd four years later commenced business as contractor,
which he has since carried on, He has erected several public and private
buildings, including the masonry and brickwork of the new sugar refinery,
and employs about twenty men. 1\1r. Cruttendor. has had on hand about
80,000 worth of contracts during the late season.
RICHARD DINNIS, contractor and builder, 271 Simcoe Street, was born
in Cornwall, England, and came to Toronto in 1856. For eleven years he
3 62
The County of York.
was engaged with \V orthington Bros" builders, and for two years on rail-
way works in Ohio. He made the patterns for the cut-stone for the
University, and worked on many of the chief buildings in Toronto. He
erected the Industrial Exhibition Buildings in ninety days. His last year's
operations amounted to òver $150,000, Being a contractor, Mr. Dinnis
has avoided taking any part in municipal matters.
JAMES FARQUHAR, contractor, II \Vilton Crescent, was born in Aber-
deenshire, Scotland, 1813, married in England in 1838, and settled in
Toronto in 1842, The City Hall and St. Michael's Cathedral were among
some of his first contracts in Toronto,
S. FAWKES, builder and contractor, was born in Gloucestershire, Eng-
land, in 1829, and came to Canada in 1850, He first engaged in general
grocery business on Queen Street West, afterwards removing to Yonge
Street and went into the undertaking trade, which he carried on for some
,
years, and is now li,'ing retired,
JOHN FLETCHER, builder and contractor, 526 Yonge Street, was born
in County Down, Ireland, 1834, and is the eldest son of William Fletcher,
a farmer, who cáme to Canada and settled in Simcoe County in 18 44.
John learned his trade with his brother Robert, who at -present carries on
contracting in Barrie, and after doing a little in the neighbourhood of his
home came, in the year 1872, to Toronto and established the business he
has since ca
ried on. Among the buildings erected by Mr. Fletcher may
be mentioned the Grand Opera Houses of Toronto and Hamilton, the l\Iail
Building, Church of the Ascension, the Methodist Church on Y onge Street,
and the Central Presbyterian, and a great many private residences,
among which may be mentioned l\Ir. Northrop's on Carlton Street, and
Mrs, Cawthra's, Jarvis Street, together with several Sunday school builq.-
ings, and is at present engaged on a new Chapel for Trinity Coqege and an
additional wing to Osgoode Hall. His contracts amount to over $200,000
annually and he employs from thirty to sixty men in winter, and sixty to
ninety in summer. l\1r, Fletcher is one of the most efficient builders in
Ontario,
JAMES GAYLARD, builder, 340 Parliament Street, settled in Toronto in
18 74, during which time he has superintended the building of Jarvis Street
Baptist Church, Church of the Redeemer on Bloor Street, St. Andrew's
corner of Carlton and Jarvis Streets, Methodist Church corner Spadina
Avenue and College Street, Mail Building on King Street, Jones' wholesale
store on Front Street and an addition to the Custom House warehouse,
The City of Toro1lto,
3 6 3
and now is s
perintendent of the Custom House and Post-office In Hamil-
ton, also the Life Insurance building in this city,
GEORGE HARDY, contractor and builder, born in the Isle of \Vight,
England, where he remained until 1856, when he emigrated to Canada,
afterwards going to the United States, In 1867 he came to Toronto and
engagep in his present business, that of contractor, and for the past fifteen
years, being largely engaged in real estate, erecting over one hundred houses
in this city, employing about thirty hands.
JOHN HERBERT, contractor and builder, was born in the County of
Tipperary, Ireland, 1831, and in 1849 came to Canada. Having previously
learned the trade of bricklayer and mason he continued in that" trade after
his arrival here, working as journeyman until 1866, About this date he
commenced contracting and building on his own account, and among the
buildings erected by him may be mentioned the Equity Chambers, Girl's
Home, the tower and spire of St. l\Iichael's, the new Arcade, and many
others, Employs from fifty to sixty hands, In 1851 ì\1r, Herbert married
Ann Boyd, who died in 1852, leaving two sons and one daughter. Our
subject has held the office of separate School Board Trustee for the past ten
years,
\VILLIAM J, HILL, 85 Bloor Street \Vest, builder and contractor. The
business was established by his father, \Villiam Hill, it" 1843, who retired
in 1878, and is now conducted by \Villiam J. Hill. He employs from
fifteen to forty men, and contracts for the entire completion of his struc-
tures. Has also been extensively engaged in block paving, l\Ir. Hill is
a school trustee for the \Vard of St. Paul.
\VILLIAM L. HUDDART. contractor and builder, Davenport Road, was
born in Cumberland, England, and came to Toronto in 1866. He com-
menced his business in Y orkville. He has been employed in connection
,
with the manufacture of brick machines for E. & C. Gurney for a number
of years, and does a large business in tile and drain pipes, and the con-
struction of private drains. He made the interior fittings of the :\lechanic's
Institute Buildings, now the Public Library, In connection with private
drains he has had a large experience, and is always ready to advise and
attend to same,
\VILLIA\f IRESON, contractor and builder, was born in Northampton-
shire, England, in 1822. In 1855 he came to Canada and settled in Toronto
where he has resided ever since. EÌ1,:{aged in contracting and building,
and has sometimes employed as many as eighty hands, In 1852 he married
Elizabeth \Vyles. His private residence is 9 13readalbane Street.
.
3 6 4
The County of York.
DANIEL LIVINGSTON, contractor and builder, was born in Scotland,
1830, and at the age of eighteen came to Canada in the year 1848; and
worked at his trade of bricklayer and mason. After ,six years' experience
as a journeyman, in 1854, he commenced business on his own account,
contracting, etc" and up to the present time has continued successfully in
that line, and usually employs seven to twelve hands. In 1860 he married
Miss Jeannette Bowm.an, from Peel County, by whom he has six sons and
one cÌaughter, of whom four sons are now living,
.
\VILLIAM LUNEY, contractor and builder, born in England in 1848, and
in 1868 came to Canada, and for some years has been engaged in contract-
ing and building all kinds of stone and brick work in this city. and employs
about fifty hands. Mr. Luney was married in England to Miss Jeannette
Cudlip, a native of same place, by whom he has five children, Resides on
Armenia Street.
MARTIN & HAR
IMAN, builders and contractors, 14 Yorkville Avenue
and Shaftsbury Avenue, North Toronto, This enterprising firm do a large
and thriving business in general contracting, and make a specialty in the
erection of private residences.
T, Y. PARKER, contractor and builder, third son of James Parker, who
came to Toronto .in 1832, and engaged in the butchering business at the
old log market, Since 1870 Mr. Parker has been engaged in contracting and
building in all portions of the city, In 1868 he married Miss Sarah Jack-
son, by whom he has two sons. Resides at 405 Church Street, also owns
property on Bleeker and Cumberland Streets and Yorkville Avenue,
PHILLIPS & LEAN, contractors and builders, lVIr. Lean was born in
Cornwall, England; came to Canada in 1869, and located in Toronto, where
he first engaged as carpenter, and has been in the contracting and, building
trade since 1878, Mr. Phillips was also born in England, came to Canada
in 1868, and was foreman on the building of Custom House, Western
Assurance, and other buildings, and has been engaged in contracting and
building for the past six years, The partnership has existed since 185 I,
Employs on an average twenty hands.
A. H, RUNDLE, builder and contractor, was born in Devonshire,
England, and came to Canada in 1871, where he has resided ever since,
Is engaged in building and largely interested in real estate. He has built
nineteen houses on Sherbourne, Huntley and Selby Streets. Mr. Rundle
married Miss Hockridge, of Toronto,
The City of Toronto.
3 6 5
CHARLES R, RUNDELL, builder and contractor, was born in Devon-
shire, England, and came to Canada in 1871. He first landed in New
York, and was at Buffalo for a short time, then came to Toronto and
worked at his trade of plasterer for three years. Since then he has been
engaged in contracting and building. He married
iss Sarah Tozer,
native of England, by whom he has one son and daughter.
E. STEPHENSON & Co., 139 to 147 Queen Street East, contractors and
builders, The business was established in 1854 by Thomas Storm, and
came into the hands of the present firm in 1871. Employ from fifteen to
fifty men. It is perhaps the oldest established business of the kind in
Toronto, Among the edifices which have been built by Stephenson & Co.,
may be mentioned, Trust and Loan Company Office, Gas Company Office,
McMaster's residence and St. J ames' spire, also oak work in the chancel.
BENJAMIN TOMLIN, proprietor of the Lily of the Valley Hotel, Gerrard
Street East, was born in Wellinborough, Northamptonshire, England, and
cam
to Canada in 1870, Was a contractor on excavation and sewerage
up to 1878, when he bought some land at his present location, He takes
considerable interest in municipal affairs of the village and of the ward in
which he lives; he was manager for some years for Sir Joseph Thornton
on the Belfast Central Railway.
THOMAS TUSHINGHAM & SON, builders and contractors, 84, 86 Ade-
laide Street \Vest. Established, 1867, Employ from fifteen to twenty
men. commenced on a small scale and steadily increased, having done
more than double his former business within the past two year.
LION EL" YORKE, builder and contractor, and proprietor of Steam Stone
works-office and wharf, foot of Jarvis Street. Business established about
1870, He is a native of Wisbeach, England, and came to America in
1
59' \Vas one year in the Southern States, anq ten years in Peterboro',
Ontario. At the latter town he engaged in contracting and stone quarrying.
He has done a great amount of stone and brick work in this city, and has
erected a number of its best buildings; including sixteen churches, pro-
minent among which is St. Andrew's, Church of the Redeemer, Grace
Church, Mrs. Cawthra's residence, Jarvis Street, the new Standard Bank
building, and others, He also built the Lieutenant-Governor's residence,
which was his first contract in Toronto. Mr, Yorke employs from seventy-
five to one hundred and twenty-five men, and uses for his work the Ohio
and Credit Valley stone.
3 66
The County of York,
COMMISSION MERCHANTS, PRODUCE, AUCTIONEERS, ETC.
D. \V. ALEXANDER, dealer in sole leather and hides, 65 Front Street
East. This business was established in 1877, and has assumed such
dimensions that Mr. Alexander now does the largest sole-leather trade in
\Vestern Canada, He has tanneries located in Bracebridge and Port Elgin,
His warehouse on Front Street has a frontage of forty-four feet, is one
hundred and fifty feet deep, and four storeys high. Mr. Alexander was
born in Scotland and coming to Canada in 1866, carried on a commission
business until 1877.
\VILLIA:\'1 BARRETT, produce and commISSIon merchaut, 81 Colborne
Street.
1r, Barrett first opened out at 42 George Street, where he remained
for five years, He then removed to Colborne Street and in 1883 purchased
his present warehouse which is five storeys high, and has a frontage of.
twenty-five feet by ninety feet deep. Mr. Barrett was born in the County
Cavan, Ireland. He came to Canada in 1858, where he engaged in the
wholesale and retail liquor business at the corner of St. Urbain and Vitre
Streets, Montreal, known as the "Royal Oak Inn." He came to Toronto
in 1870. 1\Ir. Barrett is one of the oldest members of the Prince of \Vales
Rifles, and held for ten years a certificate issued by Co!. Bond, He was to'
the front with No, 6 Company during the Fenian raid.
E. BENDELARI (Vice Consul of Italy), was born in the City of
Naples, Italy. He came to Canada in 1868, and commenced business in
Toronto as a commission merchant and importer of Mediterranean and
\Vest Indian produce. Since 1878 he has devoted his energies entirely to
the commission business, buying direct from places of growth for account
of the leading wholesale houses throughout Canada. This business has
grown to such importance of late years that the purchases from England
and New York, which were the main sources of supply, have been almost
entirely superseded by direct importations, In addition to his Canadian
business Mr. Bendelari also imports for some of the leading houses in the
\Vestern States,
L. COFFEE & Co" produce and commISSIon merchants, 3 0 Church
Street. The business was established in 1845, being first located on Front
Street East, then known as Palace Street. In 1858 it was removed to 80
Front Street East. In 1873 the present premises on Church Street were
first occupied. The firm, which is composed of Lawrence Coffee and
Thomas Flynn, makes a speciality of grain and flour, and is the oldest one
in this line in Toronto. Mr. Coffee was born in Ireland, and came to
.
The City of Toro1lto.
3 6 7
Toronto at an early date. Mr. Flynn is a Canadian, and became associated
with Mr. Coffee in 1857,
G, S, DONALDSON, commission merchant and grocery broker, represent-
ing Henry Chapman & Co., of :Montreal. Mr. Donaldson was the senior
member of the firm of Donåldson, Sinclair & Co" wholesale grocers, and
for the past seven years has been engaged in the g
ocery brokers business,
He is agent for a large number of Old Country houses, Mr, Donaldson
travelled through the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, representing a
hardware firm of Montreal as far back as 1850, and thinks at that time there
were not more than a dozen travellers in' Canada, He is a Canadian by
birth, and has been a resident of Toronto for the past nineteen years,
\YM, GALBRAITH, commission merchant, flour and produce dealer, 80
Front Street East. This business was established in 1859 by the firm of
Swan & Galbraith on Colborne Street, where it was continued for two years.
It was then removed to Church Street, In 1866 1\1r. Swan retired, leaving
the business to be carried on by l\Ir. Galbraith. In the following year l\Ir.
Galbraith removed to the Manning Block on Front Street East, and in
1870 he purchased the warehouse in which he is now located, This ware-
house has a frontage of twenty-six feet and is ninety-eight feet deep. !\Ir,
Galbraith has a flouring-mill at Allandale, Ontario, and makes a speciality
of flour and grain. He was born in Scotland, and coming to Canada in
1856 located in Toronto.
J. GOODALL, grain, seed and commISSIon merchant, first located at 83
Front Street East, where he established his business in 1873, and remained
ever since. He makes a specialty of grass seeds and grain, and exports
barley, wh
at and clover seed, The warehouse has a frontage of thirty
feet and is one hundred feet. deep, 1\1r, Goodall was born in Toronto.
HAGARTY & Co" steamboat owners and commission mercha-nts, Mr.
Hagarty was formally a partner in the firm of Clarkson & Hagarty, which
continued up to 1874, when it was known as Hagarty & Grasett. In
March of the present year, Mr. Grasett retired from the firm. The firm
of Hagarty &. Co" own the Cuba and Armenia, both large steamers
Ir. John Hagarty is the son of Chief Justice Hagarty,
.
-
JAMES & FURNACE, general produce and commission merchants, 72 and
74 Colborne Street. This bus
ness was established in 1860 under the name
of J, B. Boustead & Co, In 18 7 0
lr. James entered the firm, and on the
retirement of Mr. Boustead in 1876, it was continued by l\Ir. Crawford and
24
3 68
Tile County of York.
:\1r. James, 1\1r, Furnace succeeding the former gentleman. The warehouse
has a frontage of 50 x 120 and is -three storeys high. For the last four
years the business has been conducted by ::'th. John James.'
, \V. H. KNOWLTON, general commission merchant, 27 Church Street.
This business was established in 1852 by S, A. Oliver, and was located at
317 Queen Street \Vest. In 1860 1\1r. Knowlton entered the employ of Mr.
Oliver, and in 1866 was taken into partnership, the style of the firm being
S. A. Oliver & Co, This continued up to 1872 when 1\1r. Oliver retired
leaving Mr. Knowlton to continue the business which is now quite extensive.
The warehouse has a frontage of thirty feet, is one hundred feet deep and
five storeys high. ::\1r. Knowlton was born in Montreal and came to Toronto
about 1848,
J A:\-IES LOBB, 56 Front Street East, Lloyd's agent and COmnlISSlOn
merchant, was born in Plymouth, England, 1832, and is the eldest son of
James Lobb, of that city. In 1855 he came to Canada and settled in
Toronto. In 1857 he went to Oshawa and entered into partnership with
:\Iessrs. T, N. and \V. H. Gibbs of that town under the style of Gibbs,
Lobb & Co. He returned to Toronto in 1872, and established the present
business, representing several eminent English exporters in teas, sugars,
hops, etc, In 1880 and 1881 l\1r. Lobb was elected to the City Council
for St. David's \Vard, He then retired from municipal work, but in 1884
was brought out tor St. Lawrence \Vard, by an influential requisition, the
result being that he was elected at the head of the poll. He is a member of
the Finance, Railway, and other important committees of the Council.
P. McINTOSH & So
, produce dea1ers and commission merchants, 93
Front Street East, established their business in 1875. Their warehouse has
a frontage of 40 x 400 feet, and is composed of three flats, This firm
makes a syecialty of feed and grain and have a mill in connection with their
warehouse. Mr. McIntosh is by birth a Canadian, and since 1875 has been
, a resident in Toronto.
\V. D, McINTOSH, general flour and produce merchant, 209 Yonge
Street, established his business in 1857 at his present warehouse, which has
a frontage of 25 x 80 feet, and is four storeys in height, part of which is
occupied and known as the" Orange Hall." Mr. :i\1cIntosh is a native of
Roxburgshire, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1857, it being worthy of
note that he is not located at the same place he commenced business thirty
years ago. As a neighbour he is held in high esteem; as a trader hIs integ-
rity is thoroughly recognized,
.
The City of Torollto,
3 6 9
OLIVER, COATE & CO, This business was established by 1'1r. \"m.
\Vakefield and Fred, \Vm. Coate in 1834. The firm was first known as
\Vakefield, Coate & Co" which continued up to the retirement of l\Ir. \Vake-
field in 1868. l\1r. Oliver then went into partnership with 11r. Coate as
general auctioneers, commission merchants and real estate agents. This
well-known firm still occupies the same store in which the business was
started fifty years ago, Mr. \Vakefield and :\Ir. Coate were both born in
EI1-gland. The former came to Canada in 1833, the latter in 1834. :\1r.
Oliver was born in Hamilton, Canada, in 1847; 1\1r. Coate retired from
business in 1880, since which time l\Ir. Oliver has been the sole member of
the firm under the name and style of Oliver, Coate & Co.
R, H, RAMSAY & Co., wholesale produce and commission merchants'
68 Front Street East. The business was established in 1864 under the
name of Gardner & Ramsay, and was continued up to 1874 when the former
retired. l\1r. Ramsay has since carried on the business, The firm deal
largely in all kinds of country produce and provisions; also hops, baled and
pressed. Their large warehouse has a frontage of thirty feet, is one
hundred and thirty feet deep, and is four storeys high. Mr. Ramsay
was born in Scotland, and came to Canada in 1859, when he located in
Toronto,
.
REFORD & HUGHES, 28 Church Street, brokers and commISSIon mer-
chants, dealers in teas, sugars, and dried fruits. The firm is composed of
William Reford, and J, \V. Hughes. The business was established in 1875
at 76 Colborne Street. In 1881 it was removed to 65 Front Street East.
In the present year
Iessrs. Reford & Hughes removed to the quarters they
now occupy, l\1r. Reford was born in Ireland, and came to Canada some
thirty years ago, locating in Toronto. Mr, Hughes was born in the County
of York, and has resided in Toronto since 1866.
\VILLIAM RYAN, produce, commission and provision merchant, 72 Front
Street East. This business was established in 1870, being first located at
23 Church Street. In 1875, Mr. Ryan removed to his present warehouses,
which have a frontage of sixty feet, is one hundred and twenty feet deep and
four storeys high, 1\1r. Ryan was born in County Limerick, Ir
land, and
came to Canada in 1840. lIe has been in Ontario since 1855.
\V, H. SMITH, fruit dealer and commission merchant, 86 King Stred
East. :\1r. Smith established his business in his present quarters in 1 Hï-t-.
He does a large retail as well as wholesale business, The premises have
a frontage of twenty-four feet and a depth of one hundred and nmety.
37 0
Tile COllnty of York.
Mr. Smith was born in the County Antrim, Ireland. He went to AustralIa,
and after returning to Ireland, came to Canada. .
l. H. SPROULE, grain and, commission mercJ:ant, and exporter of
barley, 19 Wellington Street East. Business was established in 1867, Mr.
Sproule was born in Toronto, and the eldest son of lohn Sproule, deceased,
who came to Canada in 1824. At one time was one of the leading grocery-
men in Toronto.
N, \VEATHERSTON & Co" dealers in grain, flour, hops, and imported
malt, This firm is composed of N, \Veatherston. The business was
established in 1875, and was located on Church Street until 1879, when it
was removed to its present quarters, No, 8 Exchange, Imperial Bank Build-
ings. Mr. vVeatherston was previously engaged in railway management.
For seven years he was general agent for the Great Western Railway Com-
pany. He was in their service for about eighteen years. He was afterwards
General Superintendent of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway, and
Grand Junction Railway, having the management of the last-named until
it was sold to the Grand Trunk Railway, He also carried on a grain
business, and was connected with steamship lines, representing the" \Vhite
Star" and" Anchor" lines for passenger business and for freight traffic to
Europe, on through Bills of Lading, before the present bu
iness had grown
to such an extent that the despatch companies now have their own indepen-
dent agents, :\ir. \V eatherston wa
born in Scotland, and came to Canada
in 1834.
WILLIAM WERDEN, general grain and commission merchant, 60 Front
Street East. Established in 1883, His specialty is grain and flour, in which
he does a large trade in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces, :.\1r. Werden
is a native of Devonshire, England, and came to Canada with his parents
in 1847, Before commencing business in this city he was engaged as buyer
and seller for A. \V. Oliver & Co., of Montreal, thirteen years, and for
A. P. Howland five years,
lAMES YOUNG, commission merchant and broker, 32t Church Street,
came to Canada in 1837, in company with his father, Captain James Young.
In 1845 he entered the employ of \Villiam P, Howland, and' remained with
him untit" 1852. He then went to Holland Landing to take charge of a
store and a mill. In 1854 he returned to Toronto and established his
present business in 1856.
JOHN YOUNG & Co" commISSlOn merchants, 60 Front Street East,
and 23 Church Street. This firm makes a specialty of salt, sugar and cured
The City of Toro11 to.
37 1
meats. The business was established in 1873, and was first located on
Colborne Street, Since 1877 it has been at the present quarters, l\Ir,
Young was born in Scotland, and came to Canada in 1857. In 1867 he
returned to Scotland and remained there until 1873, when he came back to
Toronto,
WHARFINGERS,
ALFRED CHAPMAN, proprietor City Elevator, Esplanade, built in 1873'
It was badly burned in January of this year (I884)-damage over $8,000--
since which time he has very much improved his whole property. The
capacity of the elevator is 120,000 bushels, Mr. Chapman was born in
England, and came to Canada in 1859.
GEDDES' \Vharf, located at the foot of Yonge Street, 240 x 150 feet
front. This is a general merchandise and passenger wharf, and has been
leased by Mr. \V. A, Geddes since 1876. It is one of the oldest in the city.
Mr. Geddes is a Canadian by birth and resident in Toronto since 1873.
ROBERT B. HAMILTON, of 22 Earl Street, and George Street Elevator, is
by birth a Canadian, and eldest surviving son of Sidney S, Hamilton, also a
Canadian (Little York), of Scotch descent. Joined his father in business in
1878, in which he still remains. He was Alderman in 1879 for St. Lawrence
\i\Tard, and School Trustee in 1881-84 for St. Thomas' Ward, l\Ir. Hamilton
married l\Iary Kate, daughter of Henry Pellatt, broker, Toronto,
SYLVESTER BROTHERS, Church Street \Vharf. This is more commonly
known as Sylvester's Wharf, and is nearly half a century old. The present
firm have been proprietors since 1869, doing a large storage an
general
forwarding business. The firm is composed of Solomon and David Syl-
vester.
THE CATTLE TRADE,
The Live Cattle Export Trade,
This business, which now forms one of the principal branches of the
general export trade of Ontario, is comparatively new, but of rapid growth-
its inauguration only dating some ten years back. At an earlier date than
this-somewhere about I872-the tariff changes in the United States
seriously interfered with the exportation of dead meat to that country, and
Canadian exporters began to look about for another market, England was
tried, and for a couple of years considerable consignments were shipped
thither. The venture, however, proved unsuccessful, and in 187+ :\Ir,
37 2
The County of York.
Gurett F. Frankland determined to attempt the exportatio:1 of live stock
to Great Britain. B2fore maturing his plans, he took the precaution of
visiting the Mother Country, and in the year m2ntioned he visited in turn
London, Liverpool, !\lanchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Derby,
Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh. During this trip he became convinced
of the profit to be derived from Canadian stock-raising for the purpose of
exportation to England, and on returning to Canada lost no time in carrying
out the idea he had originated, On the 1st of 1 uly in the following year
(1875), 1\1r. Frankland shipped 190- head of live stock from Montreal-the
first shipment of the kind made from any port on this continent. The
industry, once'started, assumed enormous proportions, 1\1r. Frankland and
his associates exporting in some years as much as one and a quarter million
dollars' worth. He has also done the country a signal service by raising
the price of cattle from $25 to $30 a head. He was also instrumental in
causing the Corporation of Liverpool to expend over $200,000 for the
accommodation of live stock upon arrival at that port, thus relieving the
suffering caused by the exposure of the cattle during the twelve hours'
detention in quarantine required by the Imperial Government. In recog-
nition of his valuable services, Mr. Frankland was entertained at a banquet
at the \Valker House in 1876, on which occasion he was presented with an
illuminated address, He was also presented with a valuable clock at the
City Arms Hotel, Toronto, and with a service of silver plate at Liverpool
in 1879,
The following is a list of the principal Toronto firms engaged in the live
cattle export trade:
ANDREW \V ALLACE AIKENS, a native of Peel County, and a farmer by
occupation, has been extensively connected with the export cattle trade
from its first inception. From the year 1863 until he engaged in the Euro-
pean exportation of cattle, he had been engaged in shipping stock to the
United States. Mr. Aikens is one of the few engaged in this line of business
who has made a success of it, He is at present engaged in exporting to
Europe and in the feeding of stock.
lAMES CRAWFORD, 86 Givens Street, cattle exporter, commenced to
export cattle in 1876 on his own account, and has ever since been engaged
in the same business, shipping in some years over six thousand sheep and
four thousand cattle. He settled in Toronto in 1864; and has spent his
entire life in the cattle trade.
THOMAS CRAWFORD, 97 Givens Street, cattle dealer and exporter, com.
menced his occupation while very young in connection with his father, and
The City of Toronto.
373
at present is a large dealer, sending to Montreal several car-loads weekly,
as well as being engaged in exporting since 1877.
JOHN DUNNE, 106 Givens Street, cattle exporter, commenced to ship
cattle to the V.S, in 1867, and to the Old Country ten years later. He
is one of the pioneers of this industry, and is still engaged, along with
others, in the exportation of cattle and sheep,
C, FLANAGAN was born in the County of Limerick, Ireland, in 1844, and
settled in Toronto with his father's family in 1848. He early learned his
trade of butcher, and commenced on his own account in a small way in
1864, He has since been engaged, both as a wholesale butcher and live
stock exporter, being connected with the firm of Thompson, Flanagan &
Blong,
\VM, J. MCCLELLAND, 31 Dundas Street, cattle dealer, established his
business in 1869, He exported stock to the V,S, in 1870 and 1871, and to
England in 1877 in connection with Rogers, Lambert & Hallam, in which
trade he has ever since been engaged, He also ships store steers to Buffalo,
G. D. MORSE was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1834, and settled in
Toronto in 1837, In partnership with his brother he commenced butcher-
ing in 1848, and continued the business for four years, after which he went
to Australia, where he remained until 1859, On his return he resumed his
old business, which he carried on for two years, afterwards entering into
the more extensive undertaking of shipping to the V nited States, On the
burning of Gooderham's Distillery in 1869, 1\1r, Morse purchased the
Chippawa Distillery and conducted the same for two years, feeding stock
there, He sold out in 1871 and returned to this city, commencing the
Morse Soap \\" orks, which he operated until April, 1878. On 1\1orrison &
Taylor becoming proprietors of this establishment, Mr. Morse again
commenced feeding, his shipments being, however, to the Old Country, and
in connection with others he still continues in the trade, He owns a farm
of two hundred and twenty-five acres on Yonge Street, where h.e feeds his
cattle.
FRANK ROGERS, 57 Dundas Street, cattle dealer, commenced his business
as early as 1859. In 1877 he was interested in the export trade in connec-
tion with 1\1r. McClelland and Alderman Hallam, and has heen engaged,
more or less, in that line ever since.
A. J, THOMPSON was born in the County of Armagh, Ireland, in 1
4-2,
and settled in Toronto in 185R. He has throughout his career been chierly
374
The County of York.
connected \\ ith the cattle trade, and from 1867' to 1870 was engaged in
exporting cattle to the United States, In 1877, in connection with George
Denoon, A, Reeve, Edward Lemon and \Villiam \Villiamson, he commenced
, exporting to England, and during the first year shipped about seven thou-
sand head of cattle. The firm is at present known as Thompson, Flanagan &
Blong.
The Local Cattle Trade.
\VM, CREALOCK, 28 Foxley Street, cattle drover, was born in Toronto,
and has always been engaged in buying and selling stock. He was in the
export trade in 1881-3, as dealer in sheep, with Mr, Grabtree.
P. J, FLANAGAN, cattle dealer, St. Lawrence Market, buys and sells
stock of all kinds: He has generally been engaged in butchering and cattle
dealing.
\V, \V. HODGSON was born in Toronto in 1844, and was early initiated
in the butchering business. He is at present care-taker of the Toronto
Cattle
'larket, and resides on \Vellington Avenue, His father, \Villiam
Hodgson, was a native of Newcastle-on- Tyne, England, settled in Toronto
in 1834, and died in 184-8,
WILLIAM KINNAR, cattle drover, 6 Dufferin Street, settled in Toronto in
1863. He started immediately to buy and sell stock, exported largely to the
United States cattle, sheep and hogs, etc, He was engaged in shipping
dressed hogs to Belfast in 1879. He now buys and sells,
-
WILLIAM LEVACK, cattle dealer and wholesale butcher, 54 Givens Street,
established his business in 1869, He buys and sells cattle in the country,
and his business is principally butchering. He employs seven men for
slaughtering cattle and sheep, They slaughter from ninety to one hundred
and twenty cattle and from three to four hundred sheep a week, besides
calves,
JAMES MURTON, cattle dealer and wholesale butcher, Dundas Street,
established his business in 1870. He l<ills about forty head of cattle
weekly, and does a local trade.
R. PUGSLEY resides at Davisville,- being a drover and wholesale
butcher. He kills about twenty head of stock weekly, and sells as many
more on foot. He has been at times interested in the export trade.
SIDNEY H, SMITH, cattle dealer, Avenue Road, was born in Toronto
in 1857. His father, Henry Smith, was a native of Hull, Y?rkshire, Eng-
The City of Toronto.
375
land, and settled in Toronto in 1849, and died April 19th, 1882, The latter
was also engaged in cattle dealing. Sidney commenced business about
1875, and buys for the Toronto and Montreal markets.
J: E. VERRAL, commission merchant, deals in cattle, sheep, lambs and
hogs. Stock bought and sold on commission. Commenced business 18 75.
Office, 615 King Street \Vest. All orders promptly attended to,
THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES,
Agricultural Implements,
THE MASSEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, corner of King and :\Iassey
Streets, the largest manufacturing firm in Toronto. In 1847 Daniel Tvlassey
established the business in a small way at Newcastle, In 1852 he admitted
as partner his son, H. A, Massey, who, in 1855, became sole proprietor.
In 1857 Mr, H, A, Massey began the manufacture of the Manny Combined
Reaper and Mower, and, in 1862, the celebrated \Vood's Rake Reaper,
bèing its first introduction into Canada. In 1864 the entire establishment
at Newcastle was destroyed by fire, but afterwards rebuilt, A
lassey
Mower and Self-Rake Reap
r were selected by a Government committee,
in 1866, to represent the manufacturing interests of Canada at the great
Paris Exhibition held in the following year. In 1867 they were the first in
Canada to manufacture and introduce the steel tooth wheel horse-rake with
automatic dump, The business was incorporated in 1870 under its present
name, with H, A, Massey as president, and C, A, Massey as vice-president
and manager. In 1874 they commenced the manufacture- of Sharp's Rake,
which won high honours at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in
1876, and in 1878 the manufacture of the celebrated Massey Harvester was
commenced, In 1879.the entire business was removed from Newcastle to
Toronto, where new and extensive buildings had been erected, In 1881
th.e business and good-will of the Toronto Mower and Reaper Company was
purchased. In the same year the factory was enlarged and a knife and
bar department added, thus making this the only firm in Canada that
manufactured their own knives and sections, They also make their own
special tools, employing five men for that purpose. There is a repair depart-
ment and spacious show-rooms showing machinery in operation. The
main building has a front on Massey Street of 492 feet, with a branch of
258 feet, making a total length of 750 feet, with a width of from fifty to
sixty feet. The building is four stories high, There is also a foundry and
37 6
The COllnty of York.
blacksmith shop, 310 x 60 feet; an engine room and boiler house, 7 0 x 50 ;
a too] room and pattern-makers' department, 40 x 20; a knife, bar and
tooth department, II5 x 36 feet and two storeys high. All these are brick
buildings, Besides, these there are frame store-houses, stables and d
iving
shed
, and an oil cellar, 27 x 33, All these buildings are heated by steam
and accommodated by two private railroad sidings, The machinery is
propelled by twû el1.þines, one of the Brown & Carliss pattern of 100
horse-power, being as fine an engine as can be found anywhere, Five large
steam elevators are used for carrying goods from one flat to another, while
all the rooms are supplied with the best tools and machinery, As an indi-
cation of the extent to which this business has grown, it may be ,noted that
4,939 reapers, mowers and binders and 4,000 horse-rakes were turned out in
1882, while in 1883 the output was 6,000 machines and 4,000 rakes, the work
of 400 men. On February 12, 1884, Charles A. Massey died, and the 27 th of
the same month the following officers were elected: H. A. Massey, presi-
dent and manager; C. D, Massey, vice-president; Geo. Medcalf, secretary
and treasurer; 1\1, Garvin, assistant manager; \V, F. Johnston, superin-
tendent. There is now completed an extensive office building, 52 x 65 feet,
four storeys high. The basement is devoted to dining-rooms and janitor's
quarters; the first flat to offices; the second flat for reading-room and
library, and the third flat for a lecture room and concert hall. The two
upper flats are expressly for the accommodation of the operatives.
The Biscuit Manufacture.
A correspondent sends us the following touching the rise and progress
of biscuit-making in Toronto :-My first acquaintance with biscuit manu-
facturing in Toronto was riding a lever called a brake in a building
somewhere between Sherbourne and George Streets, on King Street East,
in the year 1848, For some time previous to that date-how long I cannot
say-Mr. Cubitt made and peddled hand-made crackers and" horse-cakes"
around among the stores. I do not think that more than a hundred weight of
flour was made into crackers a day in Toronto at that time. John Nasmith,
corner of Adelaide and Jarvis Streets, made a few biscuits for his retail
trade; and Daniel Cleal about that time bought a machine for biscuit
making, but seldom used it, except for making what has since been known
as "hard-tack." A little later one Edward Lawson began the manufacture
of biscuits on a rather more extensive scale, as did also Mr. N asmith,
l\Ir. Lawson finally selling out his Toronto business and removing to Bolton
Village, where he proposed making flour and biscuits to supply the rising
city. Dodgson, Shields & l\Iorton bought out Mr. Lawson's Toronto busi-
The City of Toronto,
37ï
ness in groceries, baking and confectionery, and pushed it with vigour.
About that time 1\1r. Nasmith put in new and improved machinery, and did
a good trade for the time. In the year 1858 a new aspirant appeared on
the field, viz., vVilliam Christie, In the fall of that year an exhibition was
held in the old Exhibition grounds, a few yards south-east of the Lunatic
Asylum; they were then the n
w Exhibition buildings of which Toronto
was justly proud. An effort was made by all the biscuit-makers in the city
to carry off the much-coveted "First Prize" for "the best collection or
biscuits," offered by the "Arts and Agricultural Association of Upper
Canada," Mr. Christie was the fortunate winner, a fact which at once
brought him into prominence, although he manufactured on a very small
scale and did a small portion of the business of Toronto, dividing it with
those mentioned above, In 1868 \Villiam Christie and Alexander Brown
commenced biscuit-making"on a rather more extensive scale than had here-
tofore been done by Mr, Christie alone, under the name of Christie, Brown
& Co., at 626 Yonge Street (old number). \Villiam Hessin, a confectioner,
concluded to add biscuit-making to his other business shortly after-about
· 1869 or '70, A little later on Robertson Bros. also ad ded biscuit-making
to their confectionery manufacturing, I overlooked the mention of James
Girvan, successor to David Maitland, who was a maker of biscuits in addition
to bread-making, Mr, Girvan was contemporaneous with Mr. Nasmith,
Dodgson, Shields & Morton, and G. S. & A:\Vills who also tried their hands
at the biscuit business, commencing about 1865, as well as a number of others,
viz" George Coleman, George Constable, L, Gibb, Beaty & Sleiman, and
1\1r. Slatter, but all found more profitable occupation of their capital in
other businesses, except \Villiam Hessin and \Villiam Christie. The former
still continues the business along with his confectionery. etc., and the
latter-under the name of Christie, Brown & Co.-devotes his attention
exclusively to biscuit making, The progress of the business will be seen
when the fact is known that the quantity of flour now used in the manu-
facture of biscuit is close on twenty thousand barrels per annum, finding sale
from the Rocky Mountains to Prince Edward Island.
Blue Manufactory.
MICH\EL A. HARPER was born in the County Monaghan, Ireland,
Iarch 17, 1850, He early learned the business of a. general storeman,
and also filled the position of travelling salesman for a Belfast house for
two years. III 1871 he cam
to Toronto, and in 1881 established the
manufacture of blue, receiving a diploma at Toronto in the same year, a
bronze medal in 1882 and a silver medal in 1883, He employs three men,
..
37 8
The COllnty of York.
Boat Builders.
V\T M . GOLDRING (of Goldring & Sons, boat owners), was born in Sussex,
England, in 1812, and settled in Toronto in 1832. He has always been
engaged in the boating business. At present he owns three boats. His
office is on the Esplanade at the foot of Frederick Street.
GEORGE \VHARIN, boat builder, Esplanade and Front Street, was born
in England, and came to Canada in 1831 with
is brother James, He
learned the trade of boat-building from Robert Rennardson (who was one of
the first to follow that industry in Toronto) and worked for him about
eighteen years. In the year 1872 George and his brother James com-
menced business for themselves, manufacturing boats, etc., and during
their career had the honour of constructing those boats with which Edward
Hanlan won his principal races, chief of which may be mentioned the
" Canada "-the one used on the Thames in England-and the" George
VJ'harin," which he used at Philadelphi
during the U. S. Centennial. In
the beginning of the year 1884 James died, since which the business has
been entirely in the hands of George \Vharin, He usually employs six men,
and constructs boats for exportation to all parts of the world, He manu-
factures a patent hollow oar, which is giving great satisfaction; also a patent
rowlock and patent roller seat. '
.
Boiler Makers,
CURRIE, MARTIN & Co" boiler makers, Esplanade, foot of Frederick
Street. This business was started in 1852 by Neil Currie, being the first
of the kind in Toronto, It came into the hands of the present firm in 1880.
About twenty-five hands are employed.
Brewers,
JOHN BALL, brewery, 129 Vanauley Street. The premises were erected
and business established by Mr. Craig, in 1844, on land owned by Mr.
Henry Sproat, W m. Lennox & Co. and Charles Sproat succeeded the
original founder until 1868, when the business was sold to Mr. Ball, who,
since he has had possession, has largely extended the working capacity of the
brewery to meet the requirements of increasing trade. Malting is carried
on in addition to brewing and gives employment to from seven to ten men.
The main buildings are 80 x 200 feet, with cellars under the entire premises,
On St. Andrew Street the buildings are 14 x 200 feet, with shed accom-
modation for waggons, etc, Mr, Ball has been an alderman for six years,
chairman of the Board of \Vorks four years, and chairman of Markets,
The City of TorolltQ,
379
Health and License Committees, He settled in Toronto in 1849, and
formerly did a large grocery and provision trade in the city, working three
separate stores at one time,
THE COPLAND BREWING COMPANY OF TORONTO, Parliament Street, was
established In 1830, President: H, L. Hime, Esq. Secretary and Treas-
urer, James E, Millett. Brewer, \Villiam Haldane. Assistant Brewer,
H. C. Haldane. The travelling agents are Mr. John Millett and :\Ir. J,
w. C. Bedson.
CORNNELL'S BREWERY, 737 Queen Street \Vest. This brewery was first
established by John Fan in 1819, being the first and oldest brewery in
Toronto. It was called at that time the" Fan Brewery." It was leased
to John Moss and John \tVallis, M,P,P., in 1854, who carried on the
business until 1867, when Mr. Moss died, John Cornnell then entered into
partnership with Mr, \
r allis, Mr. \tVallis died in 1872, when Mr. Cornnell
obtained full control. He died in 1879, and the business was managed by
his son, J no. S. G. Cornnell, and A, Jardine, executor of the Estate. Mr,
Cornnell was in the City Council for several years; also a Justice of Peace
until his death, He settled in Toronto in 1847.
THE EAST END BREWERY, at the rear of River Street, was built in
1864 by Mr, Defries, and in 1868 was purchased by the present owner,
Thomas Allen, who was bórn in the County Armagh, Ireland, in 1830, and
settled in Toronto in 185 I. Mr. Allen is now serving his fifth term as
alderman from St. David's \Vard.
ONTARIO BREWING AND MALTING Co. The brewery (125 x 125 feet and
elevator 120 x 45 feet, and seventy-seven feet high) is at from 281 to 289 King
Street East. The business was established in 1882, under the style of the
Queen City Malting Co, In 1884 the present extensive buildings were
erected and the name changed to the Ontario Brewing and :Malting Co.
The elevator, which is entirely fire-proof, has a storing capacity of two
hundred thousand bushels, Taken altogether, the building covers a space
of ground two hundred and sixty feet square, and ehtending from King to
Front Streets, facing on Ontario Street. Fifty men are employed in malting
some three hundred thousand bushels annually, Three engines of ninety
horse-power are used. As an indication of the extent of the business, it
may be noted that, in 1883, two hundred and sixteen thousand bushels of
malt were exported to the United States, The capital stock is S250,ooo,
and the officers are: \V. J. Thomas, President; T. B, Taylor. Vice-Presi-
dent, and Thomas Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer.
3 80
TIle COlUZty of York.
REINHARDT & Co., brewers, 87 to 93 Duchess Street. This brewery was
established in 1859 by John \Valz, and came into the hands of l\Ir. Rein-
hardt in 1881. He manufactures only lager beer, and employs fifteen men
and two travellers, He was in the employ of Thomas Davis for five years
before commencing business for himself, and is said to be the real intro-
ducer of the manufacture of lager beer into Toronto,
L, REINHARDT was born in Bavaria in 1843, and came to Canada in
1876. He was the first one who manufactured lager in the City of Toronto,
and was first employed by ],\'1r. J. Davis for some years, He then started
in 1880 their business, known as the Reinhardt Brewery, located on Duchess
Street. He ships his beer all through Canada, and has increased his trade
from eight hundred gallons daily to two thousand five hundred, The firm
is composed of L, Reinhardt and Ignatius Kormann.
GEORGE SEVERN, brewer and maItster, 815-819 Yonge (Yorkville brew-
ery); established by his father, John Severn, in 1832, who died in 1880.
George and Henry Severn became renters in 1854, continuing till 1864, then
continued by their father till 1879, when George Severn became proprietor.
There are from eight to nine acres in the property, The buildings occupy,
brewery 80 x 225, five storeys; malt-house 35 x 115, containing three storeys.
Cellar room the whole extent of the brewery. Employ five hands in the
bottling department, five in brewery, three in malt department. two travelling
salesmen, and one clerk. Does all his own maltmg. Brews annnally about
two hundred thousand gallons. His father, John Severn was born in
Derbyshire, England, 1807; settled in Toronto in 1830,
Brick Manufacturers.
THOMAS BEATY, proprietor of Beaty's brick-yard, Leslieville, came to
Canada with his people when young, and settled in St. Ann's, New Bruns-
wick. He resided there until 1850, and afterwards drove a horse and
calèclze in this city, He engaged first in the nursery business, and has
had a varied career, He kept an hotel fourteen years, and ran a line of
busses. It was in 1880 he established his present business, where he owns
about eighteen acres of land, employs thirteen hands, and manufactures
about one million bricks per yeår. He married Ellen \Vinnett, daughter of
John \Vinnett, of London, Ont.
BOOTH & PEARS, trading under the head of the Y orkville and Carlton
Brick Manufacturing Company, brick-makers, Avenue Road, cam
into the
possession of their business in 1880, it having been established thirty years
I
\
The City of Toronto.
3 81
before. They employ sixty men, and make four and a-half million bricks a
year. They also have a brick-yard at Carlton, where they make two million
bricks a year and employ twenty-five men,
H, BUTTELL, proprietor of the brick-yard near Clinton Street, where
he employs about twenty-two hands, and turns out annually two million of
bricks (common stock). Our
ubject is a native of Oxfordshire, England,
and came out in 1857, He learned the business at home, following the
same since his arrival here,
CE
TRAL PRISO
BRICK- YARD is one of the largest in this city; annual
output about three millions per year; employing about sixty convicts.
GEORGE COOK, brick manufacturer, Leslieville, was born in Chelten-
ham, Glouc
stershire, England, and came to Canada in 1851. For several
years he worked at his trade, and his first establishment in his present
business dates from 1874. The yard at present gives employment to about
ten hands, who turn out about eight hundred thousand bricks per year.
:\Ir. Cook owns two farms to which he devotes the greater share of atten-
tion, and is about retiring from the brick-making in favour of his son-
John Cook.
PATRICK HORTO
, proprietor of the brick works located near Curzon
and Clifford Streets, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to Canada
in 1847. He has been connected with the manufacture of brick for thirty-
seven years, having been in business for himself since 1874, He commenced
first on Leslie Street, but three years later he bought and took possession
of his present premises, where he employs about ten hands and turns out
about one million bricks per year,
THOMAS NIGHTINGALE, brick manufacturer, is a native of Skipton,
Yorkshire, England, where he was born in 1828, He came to Canada
with his parents in 1831, they settling first on a farm at \Villowdale,
Thomas lived at home till the year 1855, when he commenced farming on
his own account, and three years later commenced the manufacture of
bricks. He began the latter industry in a. small way, but the success he
met with in that branch was such, that, he decided to give up farming, and
devote his whole attention to it, which he did, and has since successfully
carried on that business. :\Ir. Nightingale was the first in Toronto to
make sewer pipes from clay, and now does a great trade in that line. He
6inploys thirty-five hands, and his out-put has amounted to $50,000
annually, He married
Iargaret Townsley, daughter of James and l\Iary
Townsley, who came to Canada in 1830.
"'82
..)
The County of York.
LEONARD PEARS, brick manufacturer, is a native of Yorkshire, England,
and came to Toronto in 1851. For the first two years after his arrival he
laboured at brick making in the yard of Mr. Townsley. In 1856 he com-
menced to make brick by contract, which he continued for five years. He
went to Quebec in 1865, where he remained two years, completing a contract
for the making of brick for a firm there, He again returned to this city
and opened out in a small way for himself, and by dint of perseverance and
industry his business has increased to such an extent that the firm-the
Y orkville and Carlton Brièk Manufacturing Company-now turn out about
six million bricks annually. l\Ir. Pears has been in the Y orkville Council,
and is the owner of a fine property in North Toronto.
JAMES PRICE, brick manufacturer, Leslie Street, is a native of England,
where he learned his trade of brick maker. On coming to Canada in 186 9,
he engaged first in farming, but eventually returned to his own trade at
which he worked until 1878, About this time he took. an interest in the
firm of Price & Co., which continued under a company until January, 188 4,
Since that date
Ir. Price has carried on the business by himself and
employs from eight to ten men, who turn out from eight to nine hundred
thousand bricks annually, 1\1r. Price visited the Old Country in 18 74,
bringing back with him his present wife,
JOSEPH RUSSELL, proprietor of brick yard on the Kingston Road, was
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and brought up in l\lonaghan, Ireland,
where he resided forty-one years. He came to this city in 1849, and in 1857
he established himself in brick-making, which he has since continued, He
employs eight hands, and the yearly output of his yard aggregates upwards
of nine hundred thousand,
JOHN SHEPPARD was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1817, and came to
Toronto in 1835, He learned the trade of a brickmaker, and in 1851 com-
menced to manufacture bricks at Y orkville. He has since added toile-makinO'
o
to his business, and in the summer season employs twelve men, turning out
over a million tiles annually. He was married in r843 to Sarah Stibbert.
\VILLIAM TOWNSLEY was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1827, and
came to Toronto with his father's family in 1829. In 1855 he commenced
at Y orkville the manufacture of bricks and brick machines, the latter of
which he patented, He died Nov. 22, 1877, leaving his business to be
carried on by his wife, Forbes Ann \Vatt, to whom he was married in r857,
DAVID \VAGSTAFF, brick-maker, Kingston Road, is a native of this city,
being the son of Robert Wagstaff, who came to Canada a soldier in a regi-
The City of Toro1lto.
3 8 3
ment sent from England to assist in quelling the Rebellion of 1837-8, He
remained here and followed the occupation he had been accustomed to in
the early portion of his life-that of brick-maker-and continued at that
until his death, in 1844, David also learned and followed his father's trade
until 1864, when he commenced business at his present location, which he
has since continued successfully to conduct, He employs ten men, and
turns out one million bricks annually, In 1865 Mr. Wagstaff married
Matilda Sear, daughter of Charles Sear, of English birth, The handsome
brick residence where our subject now resides was built in 188 3,
Brush and Broom Manufacturers.
E, \V. BARTON, broom manufacturer, 84 8 Queen Street \Vest, succeeded
to the business established by his father in 1863. He became propriett>r in
18 7 0 , and employs from fifteen to twenty hands in the manufacture of his
goods, and in 187
commenced to make brushes of all descriptions, He
has one representative, who introduces his goods throughout the Provinces,
1\1r. Barton is alderman for St. Stephen's \Vard.
CHAS. BOECK & SON, brush, broom and wooden-ware manufacturers,
80 York Street. The building where the business is conducted has a front-
age of 30 x 200 feet and is four storeys high, the front premises being used
for manufacturing and the rear for storage, The business was originally
established, in 18 5 6 , for the making of brushes alone and was the first of its
kind in Toronto, the broom and wooden-ware industry being added in 18 7 8 .
The firm have full control of the Newmarket Pail and Tub \Vorks. The
manufacture of brooms is carried on at 150 Adelaide Street, where twenty
hands are employed; seventy-five hands are engaged at the York Street
factory, Four travellers look after the interests of this firm.
ONTARIO BRUSH MANUFACTORY, 106 Front Street East, Sanderson, Bailey
& Pillow, proprietors. Established in 1880, Employ from fifteen to twenty_
five hands and one traveller, and introduce goods all over the Dominion.
JAMES \VILSON, brush manufacturer, was born in Burnley, Lancashire,
England, and came to Toronto in 1863, when he established his present
business. In 1882 he was burned out. He then employed fifteen hands;
now he has only seven, :\1r, \Vilson is prospering in his business and
attributes his success to the National Policy,
.
Carriage and Waggon Makers.
T, BREWER, waggon-maker and carpenter, 1\0. 8 Gould Street. Busi_
ness was established in 1882,
25
3 8 4
The County of York,
\Vr-.r. BRISCOE, waggon and sleigh-!TI
kel., 139 Queen Street \Vest,
established his business in 1842 and now employs nine men. He was born
in Staffordshire, England, 1816, and settled in Toronto in 18+2.
C
RRIAGE, ::\I.-\NUFACTORY, 14 and 16 Alice Street, two doors west of
Yonge, J. P. Sullivan, proprietor. Established in 1879, and employs from
eighteen to twenty-two men. Makes all kinds of carriages and sleighs, as
well as hook and ladder trucks for the Fire Brigade, His works are new
and of brick, built in 1883, 52 x 85 feet in size and three storeys with base-
ment, l\Ir. Sullivan was born in Prince Edward's County, Canada, and
has had extended experience in his calling, having worked several years in
New York and New Haven, U. S.; retured to Canada in 1872.
.
CARRI-'\GE MANUFACTORY, \V. Mahaffy & Son, proprietors, 130 Front
Street East. Established in 1883, and employs from five to eight hands;
does general waggon-making, horse-shoeing and blacks
ithing.
'MATTHEW Guy, steam carriage and waggon works, 103 and 105 Queen
Street East, established his business in 1871. He employs about twenty
men. His specialties are cartage, grocery, express and delivery waggons
and railroad lories,
F. JOBIN, No, 93 Richmond Street \Vest, manufacturer of carnages
and waggons, etc., both light and heavy; established in 1879. Employs
fourteen men; does custom work and repairing in the retail business. The
wood and blacksmith shop is 100 x 30 feet, Paint and trimming shop,
60 x 37 feet,
Corset Manufacturers.
.
THE CROMPTON CORSET COMPANY, 78 York Street, Incorporated on the
15 th of March, 1880. President, F. Crompton; Vice-President, T. James
Claxtón; Secretary and Treasurer, John \\Talker. This establishment gives
employment to about three hundred and fifty hands, who are engaged in
the making of hoop-skirts, corsets, bustles, etc, The travelling department
includes five representatives, The firm has a branch hõuse in Montreal,
the management of which is entrusted to T. J. Clahton & Co" who look after
the interests of the company east of that city, while the Toronto office
attends to the business west. They received a gold medal in 1881. and 1882,
and also silver and bronze wherever their goods have been exhibited. They
manufacture fourteen diff
rent lines of goods, ,their specialty being "The
Coraline Corset;' for which they hold a Dominion patent.
The City of Toronto.
3 8 5
.
Electricians.
ELECTRIC LIGHT.- The first electric light machine in Toronto was con_
structed by J. J. \VRIGHT, in the summer of 1882, at the premises of the
Rawbone Manufacturing Company, 81 Yonge Street. Mr. \Vright now has
three machines supplying light on King and Y onge Streets, He
employs the arc system of lighting, devised by himself, and covered by
patents. One of the advantages of this system is that the lights can be
turned on and off independently of the machine. He has examined all the
:lifferent electric light machinery in the United States, and experimented
with Professor Thompson, of the Philadelphia High School.
T, J. FRAME & Co" 120 King Street East, manufacturers of telegraph
and electric goods, harness ornaments, and dealers in electric supplies, and
opticians' goods, etc. This firm was established in 1879 by T. J. Frame, who
in 1883 admitted T, C. Elwood as a partner. The business is wholesale,
and gives employment to fourteen men,
Furniture Manufacturers and Dealers,
GILMOUR & TWEEDIE, manufacturers of furniture, 75 Richmond Street
\Vest. Established in 1883; employ five hands and do a wholesale
business. Bedroom sets a specialty.
ROBERT HAY & Co" furniture manufacturers, 19 and 21 King Street
\Vest, This old established firm was originally known under the appella-
tion of Jacques & Hay; but on the retirement of the former, in 1872, it
became known by its present title, They employ on an average five hun-
dred and seventy-five hands, most of whom are engaged in the manufacture
of furniture. About three hundred thousand feet of lumber are a
nually
used for this purpose, from which is manufactured about $500:000 worth of
furniture, Charles Rogers, one of the partners connected with the above
firm, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1816, and came to Canada in 1851,
and entered the service of the firm under the old dispensation. He was a
carver by trade, and took charge of that department. After the retirement
of l\1r. Jacques in 1872, Mr, Rogers became a partner of the firm. George
Craig, another member of the above firm, was born in Glasgow, Scotland,
[ 81 9, and came to Canada in 1842, He was from the time of his arrival
associated with the firm as machinist and in 1872 became a partner.
Iron Founders.
EDWARD BECKETT, iron-founder, Queen Street \Yest, is a native of
Staffordshire, England, came direct to Toronto in 1843 and has been In
3 86
The COU1lty of York,
business here ever since, At one time he did a large and extensive trade;
but commercial panics and other cause3 led to a collapse from which he
honourably issued, but with diminished capital. l\Ir. Beckett's business
motto is sound: "No man is ever exempt from the payment of a Just debt
when he is able to pay in the future." At present he only employs eight
men at his foundry.
, :\lATTHEWS & BELL, proprietor of cornice works, 30 Adelaide Street
\Vest. Firm composed of Asa :\Iatthews and \Yalter Bell. They manu-
facture galvanized iron cornices, window caps, dormer windows, eave-
troughs, and general tin and iron work.
RICHARD RABJOH
, iron and brass founder, Tecumseth Street, Estab-
lished in Hamilton in 1874, with a Toronto agency. ::\10ved to Toronto in
1880. Employs from twenty to fifty hands, l\Ianufactures ornamental
goods in bronze, brass and iron. Received thirteen first-class prizes in
Hamilton in 1876 in ornamental bronze, brass and iron work, also in Toronto,
London and other places has received first-class prizes,
ST. LAWRENCE FOU,
DRY CO:VIPA
Y, 206 to 222 Front Street East,
Established in, 1851 by \Vm. Hamilton, father of the present manager. In
18 79 the present company was formed. John Leys, president; A. B. Lee,
vice-president; \Vm. Hamilton, manager and secretary. Employ about
one hundred "and fifty hands, with capital stock of
IOO,OOO, \Vater and
gas-pipe and building and general casting specialties, .
J ewellery Manufacturers,
P, \V, ELLIS & Co., manufacturing jewellers, 31 King Street East.
This business was established at 4 Toronto Street in 1877, and was moved
to its present location in 1880. Employment is given to one húndred
hands and three travelling agents, l\Iessrs. Ellis & Co, have the only
factory of any importance in the Dominion, They also have a whole-
sale department, in which they handle watchmakers' and jewellers' tools
and supplies, also lines of American and English Jewellery, \Vatches,
Diamonds and Precious Stones.
Knitting Factories,
JOSEPH SI:\IPSON, proprietor of the knitting factory, Esplanade East,
was born at Charlestown, South Carolina, United States, 1825, His
father, :\1.
1. Simpson, was of German extraction; his mother was a
daughter of \Villiam Cohen, of Nova Scotia. :\1r. Simpson's parents died
when he was but a mere lad, and he was thrown upon his own resource
.
TIle City of Toro1lto.
3 8 7
he attended the public school at Charlestown until he was sixteen years
of age, then engaged in mercantile business in the State of Georgia until
1864, when he came to Toronto and embarked, in the manufacture of
woollen underwear, without having had any previous experience. He
first purchased from :i\Ir. Burton, on the Dundas Road, a carder and spin-
ning-jack of one hundred and twenty spindles, and began business, His
business rapidly increased, and a few years later he purchased the most
improved machinery, "and from time to time has added to the same until at
the present time he has eighteen carding machines, seven spinning jacks,
and eighteen knitting machines, upon which he turns out from seventy-five
to eighty dozen garments per day, of every grade and variety; his estab-
lishment is the only one of the kind in Toronto. He employs about one
hundred and twenty hands, seventy-fi\-e of whom are ladies. He manu-
factures shirts and drawers of wool and
nion. His shop is situated at
the foot of Berkeley Street. He takes the wool or raw material from the
sheep's back, and after being cleansed, it is carded, spun, coloured, aDd then
knit upon the most improved form of spiral knitting machine into a long
seamless sack, which is afterwards cut up into the desired length for the
garment; sleeves are adùed, and it is then transferred to the shaping and
drying room, where each garment is placed upon .wooden forms and
stretched to the proper shape and size, then dried and finished. His
building is of brick, 55 x 145 feet upon the ground, and three storeys in
height; the third floor is used for carding or working the raw material,
the second floor for spinning and knitting, and the first floor .for finishing,
store-room and offices. He has the very best machinery manufactured,
He has the pioneer estahlishment of Canada, being the oldest in the
Dominion. He consumes about twelve hundred pounds of woo] and
cotton per ùay; the value of his manufactures for one year has e'\.ceeded
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
Leather, F'ancy Goods, etc.
CHARLES CHA:\mERLAI
(.\merican Novelty \Yorks) was born at I{ich-
mond Hill, York County, 18+5, His father, Ryal Chamberlain, was born
in the United" States in 1796; he came to Canada in 181+, and settled at
Richmond Hill, where he engaged in the business of farming and building,
which he carried on there until his death, _\ugust 5th, 1867, The mother
of the subject of our sketch was a daughter of Colonel James Fulton, a
U. E. L., who served in the \Var of 1812. He was born Lit St. John's, and
came to settle in York County in the year 1792, They were the first family
who located on Y onge Street, a fdmily of the name of :\1 iller being the
econd
3 88
TIle COU1lty of York,
Colonel Fulton first went to Elgin Mills, but eventually settled in Markham.
He died in 1834. \Vhen twenty years of age, :\1r. Chamberlain began
business in Toronto as builder, of which trade he had acquired a knowledge
from his father. He continued in this business until 1875, when he com-
menced as a property speculator. A great many buildings have been
erected in various parts of the city by :\lr, Chamberlain, notably the block
where he at present resides, called Chamberlain's Block. He has also built
in the north-east part of the city one hundred houses, forty-three on Guilder-
sleeve A venue, of which he sold twenty-four to C. F. Guildersleeve, of King-
ston. During the present year l\Ir. Chamberlain has entered upon quite a
new line of business to that he has hitherto conducted, At the American
Novelty \Vorks, 90, 92 and 94 Duke Street, are manufactured children's toys
and useful domestic articles, baby carriages, velocipedes, express waggons,
wheel-barrows, sleds, etc. A large amount of can
and willow is used in t,he
construction of these articles, which is imported from the United States,
The establishment is in charge of a most skilled workman, and the work
turned out excels anything seen in this market, and equals any in the world.
The American Novelty \V orks is the largest of its kind in Canada. Mr.
Chamberlain married Esther, second daughter of Edward Smith, of \Vhitby
Township.
A. R. CLARKE & Co" leather manufacturers, 153 to 159 Eastern Avenue;
office and salesroom, 28 Front Street East. This business was removed
here from Pet
rborough in 1882, and employs forty-five hands. The factory
is 40 x 90 feet and four storeys, and has a large storehouse attached, and
engine-house 15 x 30 feet, with a fifty horse-power engine, Armington & Sims'
automatic cut-off pattern, made by Doty, As a specialty they manufacture
black and colou,red sheep, calf and morocco, as well as all kinds of fanc}
leathers, The firm has agencies in :\lontreal and Quebec cities.
FREDERICK E. DIXON, manufacturer of leather belting, 70 King Street
East, is a native of Toronto, being the youngest son of .\lexander Dixon,
born in Carlow, Ireland, in 1792, and came to Toronto in 1830, commencing
business as a saddlery hardware merchant, In 1840 he built the premises
at 72 King Street East, where he afterwards conducted his business. This
building was erected in front of the old Jail and Court-house block, and
running through to Court Street, covered the spot where Lount and
:\latthews were executed for participation in the Rebellion of 1837, The
late Mr. Dixon was for several years Alderman of St. George's \Vard. He
died in 1855. F. E. Dixon, the present head of the firm of F. E, Dixon
& Co., commenced business at 81 Colborne Street in 1872, under the ,style
.
Tile City of Toronto.
3 8 9
of Dixon, Smith & Co, In March, 1883, he removed to his present
premises, 70 King Street East, the firm in 1877 haying changed to F, E,
Dixon & Co, Their principal manuf
cturing specialties are the "Star
Revit Leather Belting," also the" Patent Lap Joint:' Goods of all kinds
and various sizes are sent by this firm to all parts of the Dominion, from
New Brunswick to British Columbia, having three travellers constantly on
these routes, The factory machinery is driven by steam-power, and they
employ on an average about fourteen men,
Ir. Dixon was formerly an
officer in the Queen's Own Rifles, and was gazetted :\lajor in 1866, retiring
in 1869, retaining rank.
JULIAN SALE & Co. Firm composed of Julian Sale and \V. J. Somer-
ville. Business established in 1874 by Mr. J, Sale.
lanufacturers of
po
ket-books, satchels, bill cases, and all kinds of fancy leather and plush
goods-exclusively for the wholesale trade throughout Canada, Employs
about twenty hands, This was the first firm to engage exclusivel)' in their
line of goods in the Dominion. Address: 169 Bleeker Street.
P. STRAUSS, leather manufacturer, etc" 436 King Street East, is a
native of Belgium, and came to America with his parents in 1845. In 1876
he located in this city and engaged in his present business, viz.: manu-
facturing mats from all kinds of skins, and including also the trade of wool-
buying. Twelve hands are employed by l\Ir. Strauss in this business,
which is the only one in the production of this class of goods in the city.
Lime and Stone,
D. D. CHRISTIE, proprietor of stone quarries and lime manufacturer.
The works and quarries are situate three miles west of l\Iilton Station, on
the C,P ,R., and there from thirty to forty men are employed. The material
finds its chief market in Toronto and the surrounding districts, tl.lOugh con-
siderable quantities are shipped to other localities. He has three lime-kilns,
with -a capacity of nine car loads (3,600 bushels) weekly. In the year Ib83
the stone shipped from the quarries amounted to three hundred car loads.
J, & G . FARQUHAR, contractors and lime merchants, 70 Esplanade East.
This firm manufactures lime and cement at " Limehouse," near Guelph,
and during the past year have sold over fifty thousand bushels of lime in
Toronto alone, besides a similar quantity collectively to the other towns of
the Province, They also import a vast deal of stone, and take up contracts
for the making of roads, having paved several streets in the city.
EDWARD TERRY, dealer in Portland and Thorold cements, fire-brick,
sewer pipes, lime, plaster, etc., 23 and 25 George Street. This business was
39 0
The County of York.
first established by T. \V, Coleman, and was taken possession of by the
present proprietor about twelve years ago. Mr. Terry was born in Kent,
England, in 1839, and came to Canada in 1857 and located in Toronto,
where he has since resided, He has the city agencies for Thorold cement
and New Brunswick Plaster of Paris, the latter of which he makes a
specialty,
Machinists,
. lAMES FINDLAY, 50 Esplanade, machinist, manufacturer of 'steam
engines, shafting and general machinery, established business in 1871, and
employs from six to eight men. Is the patentee of a car replacer, or railway
dog; alsp of an improved hose fastener. Mr. Findlay was formerly an
enþineer on the Grand Trunk Railway.
FREDERICK IDE
DEN, machinist, Duke Street, was born at Hythe,
En
land, and learned his trade in Brighton. He came to Canada in 1870,
and worked first as journeyman fo
Dickey, Neil & Co., with whom he
stayed three years. He then entered the shop of Fensom & Co., elevator
manufacturers, where he has charge of the mechanical department, com-
prising a force of twenty-eight men, where is turned out good and efficient
work. 1\1r. Idenden was married in England, He is a member of St.
George's Lodge of Freemasons; attends the English Church; and his
political views are Conservative.
lAMES MARTIN,mechanical engineer and machinist, 15 Sorauren Avenue,
Parkdale, was born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1820, and is the son of Peter
Martin. He came to Canada in 1848, and located in Toronto. He was
sent out from Scotland to -;\Iontreal to fit up two locomotive engines, the
ses::ond and third in Canada, on the Lachine Line, manufactured by
Kinmond & Co" of Dundee, Scotland. He afterwards engaged in the St.
:\Iary's foundry for some time, and came to York in the fall of 1848, and
entered the service of the late F, H. Medcalf, machinist, Queen Street
East, Toronto, where he remained a considerable time, and then went to
Brampton, Ontario, and entered the employ of Haggart Bros., foundrymen.
After three years he came back to Toronto, and engaged in the Soho
Foundry, from which he entered the service of the Grand Trunk Railway
contractors, and remained there till near the completion of the line, when
he went to the St. Lawrence Foundry, where he was some nine years;
after which he started business for himself in the engine and machine lin
,
and carried on in Toronto the works known as the Ontario Engine \V orks
for some fifteen years, when he left the business in the hands of his son
1 ames. He represented the \Vard of St. David in the Municipal Council,
The City of Toronto.
39 1
Toronto, for two years, 1874 and 1875. He is a member of. the Presby-
terian Church, and Independent in politics. After a married life of
forty-four years, his wife, l\lary 1\1 udie, of Lochie, Scotland, died in Park-
dale on the 19th of October, 1884, Of his family four sons and two
daughters survive,
\VILLIAM POLSON & Cb" 81 Esplanade Street East, engineers, machin-
ists and machinery brokers, makers of engines and boilers. Steam yacht
machinery a specialty, Established in 1883, and employ from twenty to
thirty hands,
Mineral Waters.
CLARK BROS., mineral water manufacturers, 34 and 36 \Villiam Street.
The business was established in 1879, and was first located at 229 Queen
Street \Vest, removing to theIr present premises in 1883, The property
has a frontage of 41 x 126 feet, and the manufactory gives employment to
si
teen hands,
JOHN VERNER, soda and mineral water manufacturer, 124 Berkeley
Street. The business was established in 1867, the present owner purchasing
in 1881 from
\. Burns, and in 1883 from James \Valsh. The factory is
40 x 100 feet, and two storeys high, and employ from ten to fourteen hands.
1\1r. Verner came to Canada in 1881.
CHARLES \VILSON, manufacturer of aërated waters, 481 Sherbourne
Street, was born in Ireland, and came to Canada with his parents in
1839, He was engaged in this business in 110ntreal previous to his settle-
ment in Toronto in 1875. His place has a frontage of 30 x 86, three storeys
in height, and gives employment to sixteen hands. :\lr. \Vilson has a medal
from Philadelphia, and one from Sydney; his business extends from Port
Arthur to Kingston.
Miscellaneous Manufactures.
JAMES ADA:\IS, sail maker, Tinning's wharf, is a native of London,
England, where he learned his trade, He came to Canada in 1840, and
first was engaged at his trade in Quebec, afterwards removing to Kingston,
where he stayed seven years, He came to Toronto in 1851, and estab-
lished himself in business on Tinning's wharf, but was burned out after he
had been there three years, He next removed to a tannery building which
then occupied the site of the present \Valker House, where he rcmained
four years, returning again to Tinning's wharf at the expiration of that
time, where he has since been extensively engaged as a sail manufacturer,
filling large contracts for Government, in tents, flags, etc, He is the only
one in this line of business in Toronto,
39 2
TIle County of York,
Do
nXION SAW AND LEAD \VORKS, 253 to 271 King Street \Vest.
Established in 1870 by J as. Robertson, of Montreal. This firm has
increased its business to such an extent that they now employ fifty hands.
They manufacture all kinds of saws, white lead, putty, lead pipe, shot and
colours, A. :\Icl\Iichael is Manager,
MESSRS. T. FANE & Co., bicycle manufacturers and importers, Sole
makers of the celebrated" Comet" bicycle, the only machine manufactured
in the County of York. Also sole agents for the well-known "Invincible "
and other first-class English bicycles and tricycles,
Iessrs. Fane have
earned for themselves a wide and well-deserved reputation.
THE FENSOM ELEVATOR \VORKS, 34 to 38 Duke Street, John Fensom,
proprietor, established in 1872, employs about twenty-five m..en ; manufac-
tures hand, hydraulic, and steam elevators. He does business not only
in Toronto, but in adjoining cities, :\1r. Fensom settled in Toronto in
1846, and for several years carried on the business of a machinist.
GRAHAM & Co., proprietors of the Graham File \Vorks, 73 Adelaide
Street \Vest, Toronto, manufacturers of files and rasps, The following list
of awards at the exhibitions named testify to the reputation of the pro-
ductions of this firm: First prize and bronze medal at Toronto, 1879 and
1882; first prize at Kingston, 1882; and at Guelph first prize in 1883,
Sales last year $9,000, Give employment to ten hands, l\Ir. T. Graham,
founder of the firm, was born near Sheffield, England, in 1834, where his
;lncestors had been engaged in the file trade for a century and a-half,
1r. Graham came to Toronto and established his business here in 1874,
from which period to the present time he has devoted himself to the
devolopment of this trade.
GROSVENOR, CHATER & Co., paper makers, Their paper works are in
ßngland and \Vales, and established as early as 1690. Their Toronto
branch was established at 26 Church Street in 1882, Canniff Haight,
manager, does exclusively a wholesale business, supplying jobbers.
GEORGE IBBOTSON & SON, manufacturers of cutlery, 12 Francis Street,
started business in 1868. Three men are employed. 1\1r. Ibbotson learned
his trade in Sheffield, England, and came to Toronto in 1862.
LAUDER BROS" 39 Adelaide Street \Vest, manufacturers of steam gauges,
vacuum gauges, engineers' and plumbers' brass goods, etc, Established in
1881 ; employ four men.
H, SELLS & SON, manufacturers of apple cider and cider vinegar, estab-
lished in 1881. They were located at 55 Adelaide Street; but they removed
to their present quarters, 952, 954 and 956 Queen Street \Vest, where they
The City of Toronto.
393
are also engaged in manufacturing Sell's improved corn huskers and cider
mills, controlling the trade in that line, having patents on five different mills,
which they have managed for the past twenty years. They are also manu-
facturers of Sell's patent friction clamp, which can be used for straps, ropes,
etc. The factory has a frontage of fifty feet and is four storeys in height.
JULIUS SILVERSTEIN, manufacturers of tassels and fringes, being the
only one in this line of business in the Province, Established in 1880 at
No, 29 Front Street, Employs a staff of forty-one hands. Mr. Silverstein
only sells his manufactured goods to wholesale houses. His trade has
grown from the smallest dimensions, and is now doing a business of over
$+0,000 per year, 1'1r, Silverstein was born in Hungary, and came to
Canada in 1880, since which time he has been resident in Toronto.
\V, J. SUTTO
& Co" hair cloth manufacturers, 962 Queen Street \Vest.'
was established in 1882, the firm being composed of \V. J. Sutton, sen'r.
and \V. J. Sutton, jun'r, who are both of English birth. Previous to
commencing business in this city they were for twelve years engaged in
the States. Their factory is one of the first in the Dominion, where eight
hands are employed, and five hundred yards of hair cloth is produced
weekly, woven by seventeen of the finest improved American looms.
TAYLOR BROTHERS, paper manufacturers, warehouses and offices 30
\Vest Market Square, In 1845 John Taylor & Bros, erected their first mill
on the Don River, and from that modest commencement may be dated the
connection of the name of Taylor with the manufacture of paper in this city,
On the death of John Taylor the
rm became Thomas Taylor & Bro., and
on the retirement of Thomas and George, the business was assumed by
the three sons of George, viz,: John F" George A. and \Villiam Taylor,
who now compose the present firm. They at present own three mills and
employ one hundred hands, their output being four tons every twelve hours,
R, THOJ3,ÑE & Co., 79 Richmond Street \Vest, manufacturers of woven
wire, spiral spring mattresses, and exclusive manufacturers of" Johnson's.
waggon gear and Newton's patent shaft coupling. Established their busi-
ness in 1880, being the first of the kind in the city, Employ from six to
twelve hands, and three travelling agents. The firm received the highest
award given in 1882, viz., a bronze medal.
The TORONTO GUN AND CLIMAX SKATE ì\IANUFACTURING COMPANY,
851 Yonge Street, was established in 1883. Twelve men are employed.
The goods are sold on commission all over Canada, besides which there is
a good business done in the gun repairing line, The following are the
394
The County of York,
officers :-Orlando Dunn, president and manager; John Hoskins, H. S.
Strathy, John Dunn, and \V. C. Adams, directors,
ELIJAH \VESTMAN, manufacturer of butchers' tools, saws, etc., 177 King
Street East. This manufactory is the only one of its kind in the cIty, and
gives employment to six men. 1\1r. \Vestman also keeps general hardware,
and superintends all work done in his shop.
\VESTMAN & BAKER, prmtmg press manufacturers, II9 Bay Street.
This business was established in 1874 by James H. and Samuel R. Baker,
both natives of Toronto. They are the only makers of this class of work
in Canada, and turn out Gordon presses, Beaver's cutting machines,
Baker's binding machines, and other work of a similiar kind. Mr. \\' est-
man is a native of Toronto, was born in 1848, and learned the trade of
machinist with John Fensom. Mr. Baker was born in Toronto in 18 4 6 ,
and learned his trade with Dickey, Neil & Co.
. Mouldings and ,Picture Frames,
J AMES CASH & Co., manufacturers of mouldings and picture frames,
r I Colborne Street. This business was first established on Gerra'rd Street
by James Cash, in 1873. The present co-partnership was formed in thé
spring of 188+. They employ from ten to fifteen hands and do a wholesale
business.
THE COBBAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 47-61 Hayter Streeet, This
business was established by C, G, Cobban in 1874, and came into posses-
sion of the present firm in June, 1881, being composed of the following:
John Bacon and Frank J. Phillips. About one hundred and twenty-five
hands are employed in the manufacture of mouldings, looking-glasses, frames
and all kinds of cabinet work. The firm also imports platt?, German and
sheet-glass, making a specialty of plate-glass and silvering. In 1882, they
received a silver medal for mirrors at the Industrial ExhibItion, Toronto.
The building has a frontage of 200 x 50 feet, and contains three storeys,
besides which there is alarge yard for the storage of lumber, etc. This firm
ranks as one of the largest in the Dominion, having a trade which eÀtends
from the Atlantic to'the Pacific ocean.
Overalls,
LATHAM & LOWE, manufacturers of clothing, 35 Scott Street, estab-
lished their business in 1881. They employ 100 hands, and two travelling
salesmen, who traverse the counties from Halifax to British Columbia,
TIle CÜy of Toronto.
395
.
Paints and Oils,
McKE
ZIE, l\Iusso
& Co" Toronto Varnish
Ianufactory, corner of
Strange Street and Eastern Avenue, This business was established in
1873. Their manufactures include all kinds of varnish and japans, with a
specialty of a high-class carriage, cabinet-makers', musical and japanners'
instrument varnishes,. Their producing capacity is from four hundred to
five hundred gallons daily, and they are the sole firm in the city in this
line, Two travellers introduce their goods over Ontario and a portion of
the Lower Provinces. They were awarded extra prizes at the Provincial
Exhibitions of 1874, 1878 and 1879; diploma in 1880; bronze medals in
1881, 1882, 1883 and 1884 at ths Industrial Exhibition, being the highest
prizes given at those exhibits.
The PEOPLE'S OIL COMPANY, 5 and.7 Church Street, was established
in 1882 by \V, J, Nichol. The building, which is of brick, is 100 X 40
feet. The specialties are N.P, engine machine oil, and gilt-edge burning
oil. The business, which amounts to $25,000 annually, has doubled since
it was started. J\Ir. Nichol contemplates enlarging it to a considerable
extent.
A. G. PEUCHEN, paint manufacturer, corner of Front and Princess
Streets, In the spring of 1879 this industry was commenced in a small
way on the Esplanade, It attained such proportions that it was doubled
each succeeding year. In 1883 Mr. Peuchen erected his present
ommo-
dious factory, which is 64 x 100 feet and four storeys high, He employs
from twelve to fifteen men-and four travelling salesmen,
QUEE
CITY OIL COMPANY, 30 Front Street East, was established in
Toronto by Samuel Rogers & Co., in January, 1877, under the name of
the Queen City Oil \Vorks, which was changed to its present style in
1882, with Samuel Rogers as manager. The works were on the Esplanade
till 1882, when they were removed to their present location. The manu-
factory is situated on Sherbourne Street, and is a brick structure 66 x 119
feet, with a wing 60 x 22. There are two brick warehouses on Princess
Street, being respectively 60 x 22 feet and 40 x 80 feet, the latter having a
wing 25 x 80 feet. There are also offices and cooper shops. Eighteen men
are employed at the works; nine in the office, and twelve on the road in
Ontario, At l\Iontreal there is a branch warehouse, where a large quantity
of oil is sold annually, The business has increased from time to time
until at present it reaches fully half a million of dollars a year. All kinds
of lubricating and refined oils are manufactured, and sold in e\ ery part
39 6
The COll1lty of York,
"
of the Dominion, The company owns six tank cars, which are constantly
kept busy on the road. In 1883 they received gold medals at Toronto,
Guelph and London.
Pianos, Organs, etc.
AGENCY OF THE SPEIGHT MANUFAéTURING COMPANY, 501 Yonge Street,
C, Chapman, manager. He is a native of Lincolnshire, England, and came
to Canada in 1846, He has been manufacturers' agent for the last twenty
years, handling pianos, etc,
lAMES COLEMAN, organ builder, 173 Dalhousie Street, is a native of the
Isle of \Vight, England, and came to Canada in 1848. He settled in
Toronto in 1851, and commenced as carpenter and builder, which business
eventually developed into the present firm of organ builders, trading under
the name of Coleman & Sons.
CROSSIN PIANO
1ANUFACTURING COMPANY, 85l -Yonge Street. Estab-
lished in 1883, Employ about thirty men, and turn out about three instru-
ments per week. ·
THE DANIEL BELL ORGAN COMPANY was established on King Street in
18 75, In 1881 the business was removed to 56-64 Pearl Street, where the
manufacture of the Excelsior Organ is carried on. Forty men are en
ployed
in turning out from fifteen to eighteen organs weekly. In 1884 J\Ir. loseph
PriestII1an became owner of the business. The factory is three storeys in
height, and has every accommodation for doing good work.
GERHARDT HEINTZMAN, piano manufacturer, 86 York Street. l\1r.
Heintzman first commenced business in 1878 on Little Richmond Street,
where he made his first ten pianos, doing all his own work. In the following
year he moved to 365 Queen
treet, where he remained till 1881, when he
removed to his present location, He has so extended his business that he
now employs from fifty to sixty hands, and turns out eight pianos a week.
He makes a specialty of the Upright Piano. At the Industrial Exhibition.
of 1881 he received a silver medal for producing a superior quality of tone
in the Upright piano. This was repeated in 1882 when he also received a
bronze medal for elaborate design and finish of case, In 1883 he received
an illuminated address for excellent exhibit. 1\1r. Heintzman contemplates
making still further enlargements to his factory. He employs a force of the
very best workmen, among whom may be mentioned lacobF, Quosig, tone
and fine action regulator; 0, ::\lartin, foreman in the action department;
Ir. Louis Schreiner, foreman in the varnishing and p.olishing department.
The City of Toro1lto.
397
THEODORE A. HEINTZMAN, piano manufacturer, 117 King Street \Vest,
first established his business on York Street in 1860, In 1862 he moved to the
corner of Duke and George Streets, and in 1861 located at his present place.
He now employs about one hundred and fifty men, and makes from twelve
to fifteen pianos weekly, Four travelling salesmen are employed, besides
local agents throughout the Province. 1\1r, Heintzman was born in Berlin,
Prussia, in 181 7, and in 1850 s
ttled in New York City, where he was fore-
man in Lichte & Newman's piano manufactory for two years, He then
removed to Buffalo where he remained till he came to Toronto. From his
early youth he has been a practical piano-maker.
· E. LYE, 18 St. Albans, manufacturer of pipe organs, Established his
business in a small way in 1865 on Yonge Street, and moved to his present
location in 1874. He does work principally to order for churches,
OCTAVIUS NEWCOMBE & Co" manufacturers of square and upright
pianos, 10 7 and 10 9 Church Street; warerooms corner of Church and'
Richmond Streets; piano-case factory, 15 Queen Street East. This business
was established in 18 7 1 by 1\1r, New
ombe and two others, and continued
until 18 7 8 when the present firm was formed, the present commodious
factory being soon after erected, The leading upright styles are thp
Boudoir, the Salon and the Cabinet-Grand. The Square pianos are also
made in different styles. The firm employs four travelling agents,
\VAGNER, ZEIDLER & Co., key-board manufacturers, and dealers in
piano and organ materials, factory 59 to 63 Adelaide Street \Vest, offices
and warerooms I16 Bay Street. This business was established in 18 79 by
Carl Zeidler, and in May 1880 was first carried on by the present firm
which now gives employment to forty-five men, l\Ir, Zeidler was the first
in the Dominion to establish this particular line of business, He was born
in Berlin, Prussia, in 1852, and settled in Toronto in 18 7 8 ,
S, R, \V ARREN &" SO
, manufacturers of church organs, etc., corner
\Vellesley and Ontario Streets. This business was established in 1836, by
S. R, \Varren, in
lontreal, and was removed to this city in 1878. The
main workshop is a building two storeys in height, measuring 80 x 100 feet;
office and voicing rooms are 35 x 100, and thirty-seven feet in height. The
establishment also contains engine and boiler house, store and dry rooms
(operated by Patent Common Sense Dry Apparatus), this block heing 4 0 x 3 0
feet. The buildings are heated by steam, thirty horse-power boilers, and fifteen
horse-power engine, and the business gives employment to about thirty
men. Their pipe organs received the gold medals in Ib79,'80 in Toronto;
39 8
TIle COllnty of York.
silver medals in l\lontreal in 1861 ; and ten diplomas at various fairs and
different dates, There are nearly a thousand of the firm's organs in use
between Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
R. S. \VILLIAMS & SONS, manufacturers of pianos; factory 31 to +1
Hayter Street; offic
and salesrooms, 143 Y onge Street, This business was
established in 1854, in a small way, from twelve to fifteen hands being
employed. It has been increased from time to time to such an extent that
at present employment is given to about one hundred and fifty skilled work-
men, who turn out about twenty pianos and six organs per week. In 185+
this firm was the first to introduce the making of melodeons, subsequently
introducing harmoniums and organs, being the first in the Dominion in thqt
line. Their factory is 40 x 230, and is six storeys high. They have sales-
rooms at 229 Dundas Street, London, besides local agents in other places.
Ten travelling salesmen are employed.
Pump Manufacturers,
NORTHEY & Co" pump manufacturers, proprietors and sole makers of
" Northey's Patent Steam Pump," patented in 1878. Thomas Northey first
established his business in Hamilton and removed it to Toronto in 18 7 8 ,
John P. Northey, the son of the patentee, carries on business at the present
time, and employs from twenty-five to fifty hands añd two travellers, The
works are situated at the corner of Front and Parliament Streets,
ONTARIO PUMP COMPA
Y, corner Spadina Avenue and Cecil Street;
president, Mr. O. R, Peck. The business was established in 18 73 for the
manufacture of wooden pumps, In 1882 was commenced the manufacture
of iron pumps also; and recently, in addition, the firm began to make auto-
matic windmills of one to forty horse-power, for use in pumping or forcing
water, grinding grain, cutting wood and running all kinds of machinery,
They employ in all about twenty-five men at the works, and have about
thirty-five agents in different parts of the Dominion, sending their machines,
etc" to all districts between British Columbia and the Maritime Provinces.
Size of the factory 200 x 30 feet, with two and three flats. Mr. 0, R, Peck,
President and Manager, is the eldest son of \Villiam Peck, a native of
\Vindfarthing-, Norfolk, England, who came to Canada about 1840, and
commenced farming in Leeds County, Mr, 0, R. Peck married Alice,
fourth daughter of the late John Hitchcock, of Sudbury, Suffolk, England.
Planing Mills, etc.
\V, BURKE, manager of planing mill, 75 Richmond Street \Vest. This
mill was first built in 1869, was burned in 1873, and was partly rebuilt the
The CilJI of Toronto.
399
.
same year, The present building is built of brick and stone, thre.e storeys
high, with basement, and extends 208 feet on Sheppard Street and 16 4
on Richmond. It contains twenty different shops, which are rented to
various parties, The machinery is propelled by a one hundred horse-power
" Corliss Engine," built by Inglis & Hunter.
HENRY Fox & Co., manufacturers of sashes, doors and blinds, and all
kinds of building materials, 32+ to 330 King Street \Vest. The business
was established in 1871. Messrs, Fox & Co. are also builders and con-
tractors, and during the building season employ a much larger force than
ordinarily, which is from twenty-five to fifty men, They also do an exten-
sive business in the manufacture of show cases,
H. JOSLIN & Co., planing-mill", Severe. Street, commenced business in
18 7 8 on Ontario Street. They moved to their present premises in 188 3,
They make sashes, doors and blinds, employing fifteen to twenty-five hands,
The machinery is propelled by a twenty-five horse-power engine.
KENNEDY & Co., planing-mills, l\IcDonnell Square, manufacturers of
sashes, doors and blinds. The business was established by Mr, \Valton in
18 7 2 , the present firm obtaining possession about three years ago. Thirty
hands are kept employed in this factory, and amongst the various materials
supplied, builders' materials and supplies may be noted as a specialty, The
firm uses annually about one n\illion five hundred thousand feet of lumber,
besides planing custom work to a like amount. In the year 1882 they
dressed nearly five hundred "thousand feet of lumber for the l\Ianitoba
market.
MOIR & MCCALL, 26 Sheppard Street, manufacturers of sash doors,
blinds, mouldings, flooring and sheeting, established their business in 18 7 2 ,
and employ in this department about twenty-five hands, The firm also
conducts a building and contracting trade in whi
h it employs from twenty-
five to forty hands. '
GEORGE RATHBONE, 1038 Queen Street 'Vest, proprietor of planing
mill, where are manufactured sashes, doors, blinds, etc, Established in
1881, and at present employs from twenty to thirty hands. Dresses custom
lumber and keeps a general stock of house furnishing,
JOHN SIM
fI
GTON, proprietor of planing mill anù circular saw works,
Esplanade, established his business in 1879; the machinery in his building
being driven by a fifteen horse-power engine. He makes a specialty of the
manufacture of cigar boxes. 1\1r. Simmington settled in Toronto in 18 57,
and was for many years engaged in ship-work.
26
4 00
TIle' COUllty of York.
.
THE. TOROKTO PLA
IKG MILL COMPANY, corner Niagara and Tecum-.
seh Streets, was established in 1879 on Lisgar Street, by Messrs, \y, H.
Essery & Reed, and formed into a joint stock company some four years
later, under the Presidency of James Tennant, with a capital stock of
$100,000. They employ fifty hands, who are engaged in the manufacture
of sashes, doors, blinds, and hard and soft wood flooring. The size of the
main building is 140 x 70 feet, and is two storeys high, In addition to a
substantial boiler and engine room of brick, there is another shed I+OX 30
feet, and a dry kiln 19 x 70 feet (Rundell's). The machinery is propelled by
a two hundred horse-power engine, with three boilers, The yard is accom-
modated with two switches which connect with the railway, Lumber, kiln-
dried, dressed and re-shipped, a specialty.
J. P. \ V AGN ER, contractor, etc., was born in Rhine Province, Prussia,
182 5, and settled in Rochester, N .y" in 1837, He early learned the trade
of a builder, and subsequently became a contractor, He came to Toronto
in 18 55, and undertook the erection of the Rossin House, which he com-
pleted in 18 57. Since then he has been steadily engaged as a builder and
contractor, and has erected many of the better buildings and residences in
Toronto, among which are the houses of l\1r. Perkins on College Street, and
of 1\1r. McMaster, Bloor Street, and \Valker's store, King Street; he also
finished the Central Prison. In connectiol1Jwith his business Mr. \Vagner
has a manufactory of sashes, doors, blinds, etc" at 59 to 63 Adelaide Street
West, He is also senior partner in the Dominion Piano and Organ
Keyboard Company, and senior partner in the Dominion Show-case Manu-
facturing Company, . In the three businesses there are on an average about
one hundred and twenty hands employed.
JOHN \VOOD was born in Kent County, England, in 1815. He early
learned the use of tools, and became a thorough mechanic in different lines,
principally as a carpenter and millwright. He settled in Toronto in 18 44,
and in 18 7 0 started a planing-mill on the corner of Front and Erin Streets,
45 x 100 feet, the machinery of which is propelled by a thirty horse-power
engine. The firm of John \Vood & Sons also manufactures boxes and
packing cases, In 1835
1r. Wood married Elizabeth Steers, who was
born in Kent, England, in 1815. Of his family three sons and three
daughters are living, viz,: James, Philip, Amos, Emily, Sophia and Correna,
Scale Makers,
O
TARIO SCALE \V ORKS, 123 Berkeley Street, S. E, Durnan, Proprietor;
established, May, 1883. He manufactures all kinds of scales from counter
to platform. Local trade,
TIle City of Toro1lto.
= 4 01
C, \YILSON & Co., Toronto Scale \Vorks, 45 Esplanade. This is one
of the oldest businesses of the kind in the Dominion, having been established
i
1851. Employment is given to twenty-five men and eight travellers,
1\Ir, C. \Vilson was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1818, and settled in
Ottawa in 1840, obtaining a position in the department of the Surveyor-
General. He came to Toronto in 1849,
Stained Glass.
,
Do
n
ION STAI
ED GLASS COMPANY, Burke's Block, 77 Richmond Street
\Yest. N. T. Lyon, President; John Harrison, :\Ianager in cutting depart-
ment; \V, \Vakefield, :Manager in lead, glazing, etc., department. This
business was established in 1882, and is at the present time one of the
leading firms in the Dominion, They do a large business in cut glass, and
an extensive amount of church work, and employ from fifteen to twenty
hands, Mr. Lyon commenced the manufacture of stained glass in this city
in 1863, having then entered the employment of 1\1r. J, McCausland, with
whom he remamed eighteen years,
JOSEPH MCCAUSLAND, glass stainer, house, sign and ornamental painter,
established his business in 1852, and added the stained-glass works in 18 57,
being the first of the kind in the city. He is now employing 0\ er fifty
hands. Mr. McCausland was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 182 9,
and came to Toronto in 1836,
Stone Works,
TORONTO STOr-;'E CO.,95 Queen Street East. Campbell, O'Brien & Co.,
proprietors, manufacturers óf all kinds of artificial stone, crocks, arches,
keystones, etc. Concrete floors a specialty, Established 1870; came into
the present hands in 1873. They received the first prize at the Ontario
Industrial Exhibition in 1883 for concrete flooring.
Surgical Appliances.
CHARLES CLUTHE, surgical machinist, inventor and sole manufacturer
of the patent perfected Spiral Spring Truss for cure of rupture. Any
invention tending to lessen human suffering, or assisting to ameliorate the
unfortunate condition of those who are crippled or deformed, is deserving
of patronage, and the inventor is worthy of being ranked. among the bene-
factors of his day and generation. Toronto, in the fifty years of her
existence, has produced many men of sterling worth, while others have
taken up their abode within her boundaries and done work reflecting credit
upon themselves and on the place of their adoption, Such a one is :\lr.
4 02
The COllnty of York.
Charles Cluthe, the well-known ,surgical machinist of 118 King Street \Yest.
He is thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its details, having
served his apprenticeship to it in his fatherland, Germany, He landed on
this continent seventeen or eighteen yeãrs ago, and .having worked at his
trade for some time in several of the leading cities of the States-New York,
Cincinnati, Indianapolis-he came to Canada in 1870, commencing business
in a small way among his compatriots in Berlin. Here he acquired the
reputation of being a conscientious, hard-working man, and his business
increased in its proportion to such an extent that after three years he
determined to remove to Hamilton. Mr. Cluthe's good luck accompanied
him there. Gradually he extended the field of his operations, making
periodical visits to outside towns, and by judicious advertising, which is
" the keystone of success," from possessing a merely local reputation, he
began to acquire a provincial one. Then it was that he recognized the
necessity of locating at so
e central place, where he would have the best
facilities for shipping goods and carrying on his operations. Accordingly
about four years ago he located in this cIty, where he keeps seven men
constantly at work in making different apparatuses for the relief or cure of
deformities of the human frame, Chief among these is his patent Spiral
Spring Truss for ruptured persons. The untold suffering from this complaint
. '
goes without saying; thousands are unable to pursue their daily toil, and
endure tortures of a terrible nature from hernia or rupture. It has there-
fore been Mr. Cluthe's object to invent an instrument which should relieve
the suffering and restore them to health and strength, His long experience
in treating cases of this kind, especially among farmers and working people,
led him to experiment and make various improvements, so that he has been
enabled to perfect a truss which challenges competition. The very best
spring wire is used for its manufacture. The top plate, which revolves
freely, and gives to every side motion, turns on a solid brass shoulder three-
sixteenths of an inch, resting on a washer on either side in brass, nickle-
plated, making the lightest, strongest, coolest, and most perfect truss pad
in existence, In speaking the tongue acts as a valve in the mouth, which
causes a pressure immediately on rupture, This pad is so perfect as to
imitate instantly the motion of the tongue on rupture, It is so arranged as
to have down-up pressure as holding with the finger. \Vhen pressure is
brought to bear on it a perfect contraction of the opening made by the
rup!ure is the result. For instance, press the hand with fingers and thumb
extended over the rupture, then draw fingers and thumb together, bringing
the flesh with them, and an exact illustration is afforded of what the spiral
pad does. In addition to this the air can circulate freely under and around
TIle City of Torollto,
4 0 3
the pad; in fact, as regards ventilation, the pad is not to be excelled. The
charge for this instrument is moderate-cheap, in fact, to the sufferer, as
thousands of persons in this country and the States can affirm, Mr. Cluthe
has agents all over the Dominion, and a branch office at Buffalo, l\,Y, He
pays periodical visits to London, Hamilton, St, Thomas, Peterboro',
Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville, O\ven Sound, Stratford, Guelph, and other
places, and at each of these does a large business. It is estimated that
since he commenced operations in Canada, nearly 50,000 trusses have been
made and sold by him, In speaking of the instruments he manufactures
reference should be made to the machines for curing curvature of the spine,
distorted or disjointed bones, bad arms, legs, club feet, etc, They are
marvels of simplicity, and the benefit derived from them is incalculable.
Those who are so fortunate as to possess sound bodies may perhaps
question the fact that instruments such as these can fulfil the functions
ascribed to them, but if they take the trouble to call at Mr. Cluthe's estab-
lishment, opposite the Rossin House, that gentleman will doubtless be
willing to, exhibit his large and yaried stock to the incredulous, Managing
his business on legitimate mercantile principles, honourable and liberal
in his policy, never refusing to afford substantial assistance to the suffering
poor, it is a pleasure to refer to his establishment as a representative one
in its line, and to the proprietor as a man of whom any place might be
proud in calling him one of her citizens,
Tanneries,
,
BECKETT & \VICKETT, tannery, corner Cypress and Front Streets,
office and warehouse, 30 Front Street, East. ThIs business was established
July, 188!. The size of the buildings IS respectively 40 x 80 feet and
40 x 65 feet, all four storeys in height. They tan all kinds of common
leather, and as a specialty make coloured bag leather. They have also
secured Dobson's patent for the manufacture of grain, upper and lace
leather, which is considered the best wearing"material marle, the firm being
the sole manufacturers of this kind in the Dominion. They were a warded a
silver medal of merit in 1873. They employ about forty men and run fifty.
five vats. The tannery was originally located in \Yhitby Township, being
started there by 1\1r. \Vickett in 1
69, who was awarded a silver medal at
the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. J. n. Beckett, the first-mentioned
namc in connection with the above firm, was born in Devonshire, Eng-
land, in 1828, and settled in Canada in 18+6. He is a miller by trade, and
for some years managed the mill of the Hon. John Simpson at Bowman.
viIle, and while engaged there was awarded thc first prize at the Ehhibition
4 0 4
The COU1lty of York,
held in London, England, in 1851, for the best barrel of flour. He
subsequently owned mills at \Vhitby, and while there was awarded a silver
medal and
ploma at the Paris (France) Exhibition of 1867, He was
Reeve of the Township of\Vhitby for twenty years, and was highly esteemed
in that section as a friend and neighbour. He settled in Toronto in 1882,
and joined 1\1r. \Vickett in the above business.
.
Window Shades.
\V. G. BLACK, manufacturer of tents, awnings, window blinds, etc.,
8 King Street East, established his business in this city in 1880, having
conducted a similar business in Hamilton several years. He is a native of
Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1851. 1\1r. Black employs six
hands in his manufactory, and during last year cut over 4,000 yards of
material for awnings alone.
::\IACFARLANE,
lcKINLAY & Co. (Union \Vindow Shade Company),
3 1 and 33 St. Alban Street. This firm manufacture and deal largely in
ornamental oiÏ shades, shade cloth and spring rollers, tassels, cords, fringes,
shade pulls and ornaments. The business was first established in \Vood-
stock, Ontario, in 1878, by 1\1r. l\IacFarlane who removed to this city in
1880. They employ thirty-five hands, and two travelling agents, who
secure orders from Halifax to \Vinnipeg. In the years 1882-3 the firm
received a silver medal at the Toronto Industrial Fair; also bronze medal
in 1882. They received two bronze medals and diploma at the St. John,
New Brunswick, Exhibition in 1883, From a small beginning the business
of this firm has rapidly increased, and at present they do fully $60,000
annually. Their specialty is the Hartshorn spring roller, of which they
hold the sole agency in Canada. Their building is 45 x 200 feet, with a
height of two storeys,
1\1. J. OTTMAN & Co" 417t Queen Street \Vest, trading under the
name of "The Toronto \Vindow Shade Company;' manufacturers and
dealers in plain and decorated oil-finished hand-made cloth shades and
spring rollers for stores and dwellings. The business was established in
1882, and has extended greatly since its commencement, doing a rapidly
increasing trade in the rural districts. The members of the firm fl.re
practical decorators and designers-no small advantage in these days of
competition..
1r. Ottman is a native of the United States,
JOH
\VOOD, manufacturer of window shades, 464 Yonge Street.
Tlte Czty of Toronto.
4 0 5
THE \VHOLESALE TRADE.
Booksellers and Stationers.
BROWN BROTHERS, stationers, bookbinders, account book manufac-
turers, publishers of diaries, etc., 66 and 68 King Street East, and 7 and 9
Court Street, Toronto, commenced business in May, 1856, succeeding their
father, who was established in the same line within a door or two of the
present house, in the year 1846, The firm have now some binders' tools that
have been in use in the same family for over a century, their ancestors having
been engaged in the same business for generations in Newcastle, England.
Since their establishment, over twenty-eight years ago, the business has
gradually increased, so that they now make use of every inch of room
in the large premises they occupy. The business is divided into several
separate departments; and in the manufacturing department alone they
employ upwards of one hundred hands, many of whom entered the house
when young and have grown up with the business, Their specialties are the
manufacture of Account-books and Leather goods, Book-binding, Publishing
of Diaries, which they have published for the past twenty-one years, They
can well claim to be the premium manufacturers in these lines. They
have exhibited at many exhibitions, and have always taken the lead in
prizes: Medal, Exhibition opening of Victoria Bridge, Montreal, 1860;
diploma at Dublin, 186 5; Paris Exposition, 1867 and 1878; silver medal
and diploma at Toronto Exhibitions. Their Stationery business has very
largely developed, Th,eir stock comprises everything in the general sta-
tionery line, made up from the principal markets in Britain, Europe,
\merica and Canaùa. _\nother special feature in their business is the
Book-binders' material department, where are kept large supplies of leather,
cloth, etc" for binders' use. The' book-binding department is very com-
plete with steam power and the addition of every known new device in
tools and machinery; it has grown in efficiency second to nOlle on the
Continent, They turn out large editions.for publishers, for which they enjoy
peculIar facilities. Almost every bank, insurance or loan company and
merchant can testify to the superiority of the account books manufactured
by this firm,
COPP, CLARK & Co., 7 Front Street \Vest, wholesale dealers in books,
stationery and fancy goods, They are also manufacturers of stationery and
pocket books, publish text-books for schools and colleges, law books, etc.
In their manufactory they employ from seventy to eighty hands, and about
the warehouse and office from sixteen to twenty hands. The business was
,
.
4 06
The COU1lty of York.
originally established on King Street East as early as 1841, by Hugh Scobie,
who died in 1853, and was succeeded by ::\1aclear & Co. in 1854, who were
followed by Chewett & Co. in 1857, In 1869 the present firm became the
'proprietors, Their manufactory is located at 67 and 69 Colborne Street,
THE TORONTO NEWS COMPANY, 42 Yonge Street, 1\11'. A. S, Irving, Presi-
dent and Managing Director. This business was established by l\Ir. Irving
in 1864, their premises then being located on King Street \Vest. In 1874
the firm took in the respective busi
ess of Copp, Clarke & Co" and \Y. E.
Tunis, of Clifton, and since that date has been known as "The Toronto
News Company." They do a large wholesale trade (the bulk of the
periodical business of Canada is in their hands), yielding a turn-over of
about $250,000 yearly, employing four travellers, who visit all parts of the
Dominion. They have branch houses in :\Iontreal, Clifton and L9ndon,
England, and 'act as agents for the large publishing firms of the latter city,
The News Company make a specialty of Christmas and Easter cards,
being agents for " Prang's" celebrated goods in this line, and sold last
. year of that firm's manufacture over $27,000 worth. The warehouse of the
company has a frontage of +2 x 90 feet, and is five storeys in height.
.:\1r. Irving, the
1anager, -may be said to be the father of the cartoon paper
GriP, having commenced it. He is of Scotch descent, and in early life
was a resident of the United States, He has lived in Toronto for the past
twenty years.
Boots and Shoes.
CHARLESWORTH & Co., boot and shoe manufacturers, 16 Front Street
East, established their business in 1880. They employ one hundred and
fifty hands and four travelling salesmen. They manufactUIe fine goods
principally, and do an annual business 0/
250,000.
S, 1\1. SANDERSO:N, boot and shoe manufactory, 84 Bond Street, first
established his business on King Street East, in 1857, About six years ago
he moved to his present location, where he employs from eight to ten hands,
manufacturing for the wholesale trade.
THE TORONTO SHOE COMPANY, "Headquarters," corner King and
Jarvis Streets, is an old establishment. In 1882 the business was pur-
chased by Joseph Tolfree, nephew of an old York pioneer of the same
name. In 1883 the adjoining premises were added, making it the most
complete shoe house in Canada. All sales are made for cash. ::\1r. Tolfree
does a general jobbing trade and employs nine clerks. The house is known
far and near as the original one-price establishment,
..
TIle City of Toro1lto.
4 0 7
Brewers'Supplies,
AUGUSTE BOLTÉ, business established in 1880, as wholesale dealer in
brewers' supplies, some of which he manufactures himself. His trade
extends from 'Halifax to British Columbia, and his premises have a frontage
of 30 x 80 deep, located at 39 Colborne Street. This is the only house
that makes a speciality of brewers' supplies in Canada, :VIr. Bolté was born
in Montreal, and " came to Toronto in 1880.
Butchers.
EDWARD BLONG (of the firm of Thompson, Flanagan and Blong, cattle
exporters, 21 and 23 St, Lawrence l\Iarket), was born in Queen's County,
Ireland, 1838, His father came to Canada and commenced business as
butcher in 18+1, which he continued until his death in 1861, being suc-
ceeded in his business by his sons, In 1874 Edward formed a partnership
with James \Valsh, and the two conducted a wholesale business for
some time. In the spring of 1878, in connection with others, :\1r. Blong
commenced to ship live stock to England, which business he has since
been engaged in, He owns and cultivates four farms outside the city, and
is the owner of two thousand acres of land in the Province of l\Ianitoba.
JOHN GLENVILLE, wholesale cattle dealer, 47 St. Lawrence :\Iarket,
was born in Devonshire, England, 1833. He came to Canada in 1854, and
engaged with P, Armstrong in the meat market until 1859, after which he
entered into business for himself and continued for about five years, He
then became manager of the pork-packing establishment of \Villiam Davis,
with whom he remained until 1865, in which year he established the
business he at present owns,
Clothiers,
\V, E, SANFORD & Co., wholesale dealers and manufacturers of ready-
made clothing, 14 \Vellington Street \Vest, This firm was established in
Hamilton in 1860, and has been represented in Toronto since 1875, They
employ eighteen travellers, and the trade extends from the Atlantic to the
Pacific Oceans. From the I:familloll Sþectator, August 31st, 1880: "This
firm have transacted more business during the past eight months than in
any year since they have been in business. It is a pleasure to, pass through
an establishment that is arranged in departments, the indi,"iduality of \vhich
is strictly maintained, as is the case in this instance, Our citizens \\ ill be
pleased to learn of the continued advancement of this enterprising firm, and
that the prospects for a further increase are most promising,O'
.
4 08
The COUllty of York.
Confectionery.
\V. \V. PARK, confectionery, cigars and vinegar, 98 to 106 Adelaide
Street East, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 1850, and settled in Toronto
in 1863,
Druggists.
ELLIOT & Co" drug merchants, manufacturing chemists, etc" 3 Front
S
reet East. The senior partner, \\ïlliam Elliot, joined the house of
Lyman Brothers & Co. in 1853, which became Lyman, Elliot & Co" until
1870, when \Villiam Elliot and his son established the present firm. They
do an exclusively wholesale business, and manufacture at their factory,
Beverley Street, white lead in oil, putty, linseed oil, pharmaceutical pre-
parations, grind drugs, etc., and employ about thirty hands, clerks, etc,
11r. Elliot, sen'r, was President of the Board of Trade for two years;
Director in the Northern Railway eight years; is at present Vice-Presi-
dent of the Bank of Commerce; President of the People.s Loan and Deposit
Company; a Vice-President of the Confederation Life Association; Director
of the Anchor l\Iarine Insurance Company. He was born near London,
England, [8[2, and first came to Toronto in 1827, and made it his home
in 1853,
EVANS, So
s & MASON (Limited), late H. Sugden, Evans & Co.,
wholesale druggists and pharmaceutical' chemists, 23 Front Street \;Vest,
established their business in l\Iontreal in 1864, a branch of which was
opened in Toronto in 1'ö77, the warehouse at the above address occupying
150 x 30 feet frontage, and in height having three flats in addition to base-
ment. The business is managed in Toronto by Mr. James H, Pearce, who
has been connected with the firm since his arrival in Canada twenty years
ago. A staff of three travellers and ten men are employed by the company,
who are engaged in the sale and despatch of goods throughout the Dominion,
\Ye may add that this firm makes a specialty of the celebrated" l\Iontserrat
Lime Fruit Juice."
LYMAN BROTHERS & l
o., importers and general dealers in drugs, Nos,
7 1 and 73 Front Street East, This firm is composed of Henry Lyman,
G. \y, Lillie and John Henderson: a combination we have no hesitation in
affirming the drug trade of this country is indebted to for its present stability.
Their warehouse has a frontage of 45 x 200 feet. and is four storeys high.
The building itself is a handsome one, the c:ost of erection reaching $50,000,
Three travellers are employed by the firm, who push the trade through the
Provinces of Ontario, l\Ianitoba and the western districts.
.
The City of Toronto.
4 c 9
Dry Goods.
B, A. BOAS & Co,- This firm, we believe, 'are the oldest dry goods
commission merchants in Canada, They commenced business in 1860
under the name of 1. Meyer & Co., with l\Ir. B. A, Boas as managing part-
ner in Montreal, with head-quarters in New York. In 1870 the firm became
Meyer, Boas & Co" and in 1879 the New York partners were bought out
by Mr. B, A. Boas, and the firm became B. A, Boas & Co, It now has its
head-quarters in Montreal, with a branch in Toronto under the management
of :r..lr. R. J. Tackaberry, and another branch in
linden, Prussia, under
the management of l\Ir.
I. Boas, jun'r. This firm shows the productions of
some thirty to forty of the best manufacturers scattered over the continent
of Europe, They take importation orders from the largest dealers in
Cancída for kid gloves (of which they are the largest importers in Canada),
Thread gloves, hosiery of all kinds, mantle cloths, silks, velvets, laces,
knitted goods, and all kinds of trimmings, etc" etc,
BOYD BROTHERS, wholesale dealers and importers of dry and fancy
goods, 41 and 43 Yonge Street, was established in 1868, and was first
located on \Vellington Street. The warehouse has a frontage of 60 by 100
feet on Yonge, and 30 by 100 feet on Front Street. Employ six travellers
and a staff of thirty-five in their warehouse. The trade is principally con-
. fined to the Province of Ontario. The firm is composed of Alexander,
George, jun'r, and John Boyd, This firm makes a specialty of dry goods,
fancy goods, and gents' furnishing goods,
BRYCE, :\Ic:\1 URRICH & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in dI y
and fancy goods, 3+ Y onge Street, This business was first established on
King Street East, in 1832, and is without doubt the oldest dry goods house
in Toronto, The firm has also a house in Glasgow, Scotland, under the
style PIa yfair, Bryce & Co.
C.o\LDECOTT, BURTON & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in dry
goods, The firm is composed of S. Ccddecott, P. H. Burton, \V. C. Harris,
and R. \V. Spence, who established the business in 1879, locating first at 52
Front Street, from whence they removed to their present large building in
1883, which has a frontage of 52 by 120 feet, and is five storeys in height.
Seven travellers and about thirty clerks are t:mployed, and their trade
extends from :\Iontreal to Sarnia. The firm represent several French and.
German manufacturers, Messrs. Caldccott and Burton are English hy
birth, the remaining partners being Scotch.
4 10
Tile COllnty of York.
\V, H, CROSS, wholesale dealer in general goods, 42 Scott Street.
The business was established in 1872, and for seven years was located on
\\
ellington Street East. In 1879 it was removed to its present site, the
premises having a frontage of 30 x 100 feet, with a height of four storeys.
Two travellers are employed, and the trade chiefly confined to the Province.
::\lr, Cross was born in England, and came to Canada in 1863, and spent
some years in Hamilton before hIS settlement in this city,
DARLING, COCKSHUTT & Co., wholesale dealers in imported and Cana-
dian woollens and merchant tailors' goods, 34 \Vellington Street \Yest.
This firm comprises Robert Darling and Charles Cockshutt, the first namerl
being formerly one of the partners in the firm of \Yyld & Darling Brothers.
The present business was established in 1879, and has been progressive
from the commencement. There has been a continued increase in volume
done from season to season, and by the combined ability and energy of
both parties, they now stand at the head of this particular branch of trade.
Their warehouse is five storeys high, occupying a frontage of 25 x 120 feet,
and is well adapted for the woollen trade, being lighted on the north, west
and south, The first floor is devoted to heavy Canadian woollens; second
floor, to tailors' trimmings, linings, etc., etc" and offices; third floor, to six-
fourths imported woollens; fourth floor, to three-fourths imported woollens
of Scotch, English, Irish, French, and German manufacture; fifth floor, to
fine Canadian woollens. These goods find a ready market in the Provinces
of Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec, five travellers being employed by the firm
for their introduction, as well as a resident agent in Montr
al. Mr. Darling
is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and has been a resident of Toronto since
Ib7I. 1\1r. Cockshutt is a Canadian,
FORBES, \V AUGH & Co., 53 Y onge Street, wholesale dealers in gent's
furnishings, consisting' of shirts, collars, scarves, ties, braces, sIlk handker-
chiefs, umbrellas, rubber coats, underwear, etc. This business was estab-
lished in 1881, under the name of Forbes, Roberts & Co" but towards
the end of 1883 l\'Ir. Roberts retired from the firm, and was replaced by
l\Ir. \V. J, \Vaugh, of Hamilton, who did a large and successful business
in that city, The business extends throughout the Provinces of Ontario,
Quebec, and Manitoba. The warehouse has a frontage of 30
80 feet deep,
is four storeys high, and contains a large assortment of the above lines the
year through.
Co J, \v. GALE, wholesale dealer in staple and fancy dry goods, woollens,
tailors' furnishings, and gents' furnishings, 24
nd 26 \Vellington Street
\Yest. Business established in 1839, by John Robertson, afterwards known
The City of Toronto.
4 11
as John Robertson, Son & Co. In 1881 l\Ir. Gale entered the partnership,
under the name of Gale, Robertson & Co" which continued up to 1883, when
Mr. Robertson retired, since which time the business has been'continued by
l\Ir. J, \Y. Gale, under the name and style of J. \V. Gale & Co. His ware-
house has a frontage of 36 x 80 feet in depth, and was built by l\Ir. Robertson.
::\I
. Gale employs five travellers, and, a staff of sixteen clerks in the ware-
house. His trade is confined principally to the Province of Ontario. l\Ir.
Gale is also the manufacturer of the celebrated "Gale Shirt Collars and
Cuffs," and ladies' underwear, in which he employs over one hundred and
thirty-five liands. He is a Canadian by birth, and has been a resident of
Toronto for the past fifty years,
JOHN MACDONALD & Co., wholesale dry goods merchants and im-
porters, 21 to 27 \Vellington Street East, and 30 and 32 Front Street East.
This business is of extensive proportions, and was established in 18+9 at
30 \Vellington Street East, since which time the present premises have been
occupied, and at stated periods enlarged to suit the requirements of increased
trade. . The warehouse has a frontage of 100 x 140 feet, and is the largest
dry goods warehouse in Canada, and is furnished with all modern improve-
ments in heating, lifts, etc, Some ide'a of the immensity of their trade may be
gained when it is stated that they employ twen
y men in their entering rooms
alone, sending goods to, all points in Canada between the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. Ninety to one hundred hands are engaged at the ware-
house in the different departments. Appended hereto is the order in which
goods are clas
d. First flat, entering, packing and shIpping; second flat,
imported and Canadian tweeds and staple dry goods; third flat, imported
woollen stuffs, dress goods, hosiery, etc,; fourth flat, bonded ware-rooms,
silks, satins, mantles, embroidered laces, etc.; fifth flat, haberdashery,
small wares, and innumerable fancy goods; sixth flat, carpets, oil cloths
,
house furnishings, etc. l\Ir. :\Iacdonald was born in Scotland, and came
to Canada at an early day.
A, R. :\IC1\IASTER & BROTHER, importers and wholesale dealers in dry
goods, 12 Front Street \Vest. This business was established in 18-t-+ by
the Hon, \V.
Ic!\Iaster, and to his energy, skill and care, may be attri-
buted in a measure the high rank which the firm is ena bled to take at the
present day amongst the great wholesale houses of the Dominion. The
success which attended each stage of its career repeatedly caused the firm
to make alterations and extensive additions to their premises, and on the
retirement of the Hon. \V111. l\Ic:\Iaster from the business they erected the
large and commodious warehouse on Front Street yet occupied by them.
4 12
TIle COllnty of York.
Up to 1881 the members of the firm were A. R., J, S" \y, F" and S. F.
:\Ic:\laster, but on the death of A. R, McMaster in that year the business
has since been conducted by the remaining partners, The frontage of the
warehouse IS 50 x 120 feet, with five flats, each being 6,000 square feet in
area, access to which is gained by steam and water hoists. ,Adjoining the
warehouse is the engine house, packing room and shipping office, ++ x 50
feet, and two storeys high. They employ about forty warehouse hands and
seven travellers, who have charge of a trade which is confined principally
to the Province. The first flat of the warehouse is devoted to staples,
cottons and linens; second flat to tweeds, cloths, woollens and trimmings;
third flat to dress goods, laces, silks, etc,; fourth flat to hosiery, gloves,
haberdashery and furnishings; fifth flat to carpets, blankets and flannels.
All the members were born in Ireland, the founder of the firm coming to
Canada in 1835.
\y, J, :Mc:\1ASTER & Co" wholesale dry goods merchants, 41 Front
Street. The business was established in 1867 at Montreal, and was
removed to Toronto in 1878, being located at 54 Front Street until 1883,
w hen they took possession of their present premises, The warehouse has
a frontage of 30 x 200 feet, with four' flats, the first of which consists of
entry room, bonded warehouse, storage and packing rooms. The second
flat is devoted to imported woollens, Canadian tweeds, heavy linens, flannels
and cottons, and also the offices. Dress goods, prints, stuff goods, silks,
velvets, mantles, carpets, haberdashery and fancy goods occupy the third
flat, while the fourth is given up to lace curtains, Canadian. hosiery, fancy
\voollens, rubber clothing, and blankets. The working staff comprises eight
travellers and twenty-five clerks, and the trade extends from l\Ianitoba to
St. John's, Newfoundland.
OGILVY & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in dry goods, corner
of Bay and Front Streets. This business was established in 1850 at
:Montreal, and was located at the corner of St, Paul and St. Peter Streets
of that city, where a large staple trade was carried on. In 1871 they
opened a branch in Toronto; such success attended it that eight years
afterwards they entirely closed the Montreal house and concentrated
their energies on the business in this city. The building has a frontage of
35 x 200 feet, and is four storeys high. The first flat consists of entry and
packing rooms; the second flat is devoted to prints, cottons, linens, flannels
and carpets; the offices are also situated on this flat. On the third flat is
the dress goods department, which reprèsents the most celebrated English,
French and German manufactures; this department also includes Canadian
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4 1 3
and Scotch tweeds, worsted coatings, l\Ieltons, cloakings, muslins, lace
curtains, etc, The fourth flat includes gloves, laces, hosiery, ribbons,
parasols, umbrellas, gents' furnishings and small wares. The firm employs
six travellers, with a staff of thirty hands in the warehouse. The members
of the firm are John Ogilvy, Thomas Ogilvy, Thomas 0, Anderson and
A. T, Ogilvy, all being of Scotch birth.
SIMPSON, ROBERTSON & SIMPSOK, wholesale dry goods merchants, 3 6
and 38 Colborne Street. This business was established in 1879 by the
present members of the firm, and deal on general lines of Canadian and
European goods. 1\1r. James Robertson is a native of Glasgow, Scotland,
and came to Canada in 1866. He was 'three years in the establishment of
John Macdonald & Co" and eleven years with Sampson, Kennedy & Gem-
mell, and on leaving the last-named house formed the present firm.
TAIT, BURCH & Co., wholesale dry goods merchants, 64 and 66 Yonge
Street, The business was commenced in 1881 at the present premises,
which are five storeys in height, the different flats being devoted respectively
to linens and staples, silks, velvets, dress goods, mantles, mantle cloths, kid
gloves, hosiery, umbrellas, etc., with the fourth flat set apart for packing.
This firm has a large connection.
Fancy Goods,
JAMES S. RUSSELL, wholesale dealer in fancy goods, 122 Bay Street.
This business was established in 1877. He does a large trade in specialties
not kept by other houses, and deals extensively in native Indian goods,
drawing his supplies from the Province of Quebec and from Lake Superior
and the N orth- \ Vest. One of his specialties is agates from Lake Superior
in all stages of manufacturé; another is gold and silver lace and fringes,
procured from France and Germany; and manufactures of cork from
Austria. He also supplies curling stones, imported from Scotland, to all
the Provinces of the Dominion, and largely to the United States,
\ visit
to this store will prove interesting: there is always something strange and
peculiar to he seen, and frequently one comes across articles of rare and
unique interest,
Fruit and Oysters.
JOHN McMILLAN, wholesale fruit and oysters, 70 Front Street East,
established his business in 1871, as a retailer, but now has a large wholesale
trade. He is agent for nearly one hundred of the principal fruit growers of
the Province, and sells largely in the season on the wharves for the local
trade. He distributes all over Ontario, Ottawa and Montreal, and does a
4 1 4
The County of York.
large commission business, and is agent for D. E. Foote, and T. B, Schall,
the Baltimore Oyster Packers, Handles large quantities of D. \Vyer & Co's
Portland Finnan Haddies, averaging about one ton weekly, and deals in
all kinds of smoked fish. Has three waggons, and employs from six to nine
hands, Business returns $1,500 to 52,000 weekly.
Grocers,
CRAMP, TORRANCES & Co., warehousemen, 45 Front Street East,
were established in 1869. The firm is composed of Thomas Cramp and
John and G. \V. Torrance, the latter of whom is also manager of the
Canada Vine Growers' AssociatioQ. The warehouse has a frontage of
3 0 x 180 feet, and is composed of four flats. '1\1r. Torrance is a Canadian
by birth, being a grandson of John Torrance, deceased, of l\Iontreal, who
formerly carried on the oldest grocery 'Concern in the Dominion.
FITCH & DAVIDSON, wholesale grocers, 36 Yonge Street. The names
connected with the firm are John C, Fitch, John I. Davidson and \V. C.
Fitch, the business having been in existence thirty-three years. It was
only in 1881 that the firm adopted its present title, which it has since
continued t? bear, and it is doing a trade second to none in the city, The
warehouse at the above address has a frontage of 40 x 195 feet, and is four
storeys high. They employ five travellers and a staff of seventeen clerks.
The 1\1essrs. Fitch are Canadians, and their partner is a Scotchman.
THOMAS KIN
mAR & Co" 47 Front Street East, wholesale grocers.
Thomas Kinnear was born in the County Antrim, Ireland, and came to
Canada in 1862 with his father, locating in Toronto, In 186 3 he engaged
with Henry Swan, grocer, King Street East, remaining there two years.
He subsequently engaged as salesman with James Hutchinson, Yonge
Street, and with Richard Dunbar, of \Vest Market Square. In 18 7 1 he
entered into business with J, \V. Laing. They carried on a grocery job-
bing trade until 1880, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr, Kinnear
then entered into the wholesale grocery trade exclusively, occupying the
large and commodious warehouse where his business is now located.
Mr. Kinnear's trade has increased to such an extent that his house is now
regarded as among the leading ones in the city-evidence of the ability of
one of the successful young business men of Toronto,
JA:-'IES LUMBERS, wholesale grocer, 67 Front Street East, first estab-
lished his business in 1874, at No. 5 Manning's Block. In 18 7 6 he
removed to his present large and commodious warehouse, which has a
frontage of thirty feet, is one hundred and seventy feet in depth, and four
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4 1 5
storeys high. 1\1r. Lumbers does not send out travellers, but does his busi-
ness by means of circulars. He imports a large quantity of goods direct.
His trade extends over the whole Dominion, necessitating the employment
of a staff of fifteen clerks, Mr, Lumbers was born in Toronto in 18+3,
and is the eldest son of \Villiam Lumbers, sen'r, who came to Toronto
in 1837.
F. 1\1:. l\ICHARDY & Co., wholesale grocers, 69 Yonge Street. This
firm first located at 70 Front Street, where they remained five years, and
took possession of their pre!:!ent premises in 1877, and are at present doing
a business which extends all through the Province. They employ two
travellers and a number of hands, and the premises they occupy have a
frontage of 25 x 160 feet. Mr. McHardy was born in Scotland, and after
his arrival in Canada in 1853 was connected with several well-known firms
ere his commencement in the above business. 1\1r. l\IcHardy was a
member of the Queen's Own Rifles during the years between 1859 and 1867,
and in the Fenian raid which culminated in the battle of Ridgeway was
severely wounded, and also taken prisoner.
PERKINS, INCE & Co., wholesale grocers, wines, liquors, etc., 41 and
43 Front Street East, The business was established in 1836, and for
seven years was conducted under the name of Hart & Co. Upon the
retirement of 1\Ir. H<}rt in 1843, the firm was known as F. & G. Perkins,
and remained so until 1855, in which year 1\1:r. Ince, the senior member
of the present firm, was taken into partnership, and Co. was added to
the then title of the firm. In 1874 ì\Ir. F. Perkins retired, and from that
date up to the present time the business has been carried on under the
name of Perkins, Ince & Co. This is without doubt the oldest grocery
house in the city. They have a warehouse with a frontage of 60 x 180
feet, with a height of five storeys, and the extent of their trade
may be calculated from the fact that among their staff are included four
travellers and ten other employés. In 1875 Mr. G. Perkins died, and since
then the business has been conducted under the old title by Messrs, Ince
and Young. - -
\V, J, RAMSAY & Co" wholesale grocers and wine and liquor dealers,
29 Church Street. established their business in 1874, in the premises tlÍey
at present occupy, which have a frontag-e of 30 x go feet, and have a height
of four storeys. They do a large trade, which is almost wholly confined
to the Province, and employ three travellers and a staff of seven clerks.
Mr. H,amsay is a native of Toronto, and is the son oL\Ir. James l{amsay,
an early settler.
27
4 16
The County of York.
SLOAN & :MASON. The firm is composed of John Sloan and Herbert
D. :Mason, who succeeded the firm of Sloan, Jardine & :Mason in July last.
Their premises are situated at the corner of Church and Front Streets, and
are composed of three warehouses, 59, 61 and 63 Front Street, 75 x 14 0 feet,
and four storeys high, This firm is chiefly engaged in importing and
jobbing teas, and employs five travellers and a staff of fourteen men.
Hardware.
\VILLIAM BROWN, importer of, and wholesale dealer in carriage hard-
ware, woodenware and trimmings, 44 and 46 \Vellington Street East,
Toronto. This business was established in 1866, and has now become well
known as the place for carriage and waggon-makers' supplies. The stock is
large and well assorted, and compr-ises full lines in all the departments, and
well selected, and suitable for the wants of the trade, and at prices low as
regards quality of goods. Auspicious circumstances have surrounded this
house from its inception, and it sprang into prominence and became a
favourite resort for buyers of these 'goods, from the very fact that they have
found by experience that all goods coming from this establishment fulfil to
the very letter every representation made for them,
A. & T, DARLING & Co., wholesale hardware dealers, 5 Front Street
East., where they have a large and commodious warehouse 40 x 180 feet,
and four storeys high. The business was first established in Montreal in
18 39, and it was only in 1878 they opened a branch in this city. Five
travellers are attached to the Montreal house, and four to the branch in
Toronto, in addition to a staff of thirty clerks, They do a very extensive
trade, all the Provinces of the Dominion being included. The members of
the firm are by birth Canadians.
C. DAVIDSON & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in carriage and
saddlery hardware" 13 Front Street West. This, business was first com-
menced in 1866 by,Davidson, McVittie & Co., at 18 King Street East, and
was changed to Davidson & Co., in 1876. In 1880 the firm removed to
their pre
ent address, where their warehouse occupies a frontage of 30 x 165
feet, and is four storeys in height. Their trade c"overs a large area, including
Ontario and Manitoba, and gives employment to two travellers, and a staff
of seven hands at the warehouse. Mr. Davidson was born in Scotland, and
came to Canada in 1853,
H. S, HOWLAND, SONS & Co., wholesale hardware merchants, 37 Front
Street \Vest. This firm includes H. S. Howland, sen'r, H. S. Howland,
jun'r, and Peleg Howland, who established their business in 1877. The
The City of Toro1lto.
4 1 7
articles which cçmstitute their chefs-d'æuvre are builders' hardware, mecha-
nics' tools, cutlery, house-furnishings, fire-arms, garden and farming tools,
lumbermen's supplies, chains, etc, Their trade employs three travellers,
who introduce the goods of the company throughout the Province. The
warehouse has a frontage of 30 x 180 feet. 1\1r. Howland is an American
by birth, and came to Canada in 1840, He has been a resident of this city
for the past twenty years,
RICE LEWIS & SON, wholesale and retail hardware merchants, 52 and 54
King Street East. This business is a very old one, its orig'Ïn dating from the
earlier years of the city (1844). It was first established by Rice Lewis, and
up to the time of his death in 1871, was composed of G. \V. Lewis, Arthur
ß. Lee, and John Leys. For seven years after the latter date, G, \\.
Lewis continued a member of the firm, and on his retirement in 18ï8
'Messrs. Lee and Leys have since managed the business, Their King Street
warehouse has a frontage of 50 x 80 feet, and is four storeys in height, and
their trade is of such proportions as to necessitate the employment of twenty-
five clerks, Messrs, Lee and Leys are also proprietors of the St. Lawrence
Foundry, where ar:e manufactured gas and water-pipes, and general castings,
giving employment to about one hundred and fifty men, They have a
large warehouse in Globe Lane, three flats, 60 x 160 feet, in which they do
their iron and heavy hardware business-average stock over one thousand
tons in iron, besides steel, iron pipe, rope and other heavy goods, Both
members of the firm are Canadian by birth,
G. V. :\lARTIN, wholesale manufacturer of saddlery hardware, 16 and
20 Sheppard Street, is the only one in Canada who l.las established this
line, having commenced the business in 1880. lIe employs twenty-five
hands, and his goods have a market from Prince Edward Island to British
Columbia, Mr. l\[ art in is from the United States, his residence in J'oronto
having only covered the last four years,
RISLEY & KERRIGAN, wholesale dealers and importers in light hard-
ware, No. 3 0 Front Street \Vest. This is quite a new firm, but the energy
and business qualifications of its two members have been the means of
accumulating a fair share of the trade of the western Provinces. The ware-
house occupies a frontage of 30 x 120 feet and is six storeys in height. They
employ seven travellers, and a staff of thirty-five hands. The firm is com-
posed of John T. Risley and James Kerrigan', Canadians by birth, who
established the business in 1883, ,
:\1. & L, SA\fUEL, BE
JAMIN & Co" wholesale importers of hardware,
metals, house-furnishing goods, etc., 56! and 58 Y onge Street; lamp and
\
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4 18
TIle County of York.
lamp goods department, No. 9 Jordan Street. This firm carries a large
and well-assorted stock, and do one of the most extensive businesses in
their particular line in the Dominion, This business has been a growing
one since their establishing themselves in this city in 1856, when the style
of the firm was 1\1. & L. Samuel. They now employ some forty hands,
which include five representatives on. the road. They have a house in
Liverpool, England (Samuel, Sons & Benjamin), which places them in a
position to purchase to the best possIble advantage,
\VILLIAM THOMSON & Co., hardware merchants, 18 and 20 Front Street
West, have been established since 1855, their occupation of the present
premises taking place in 1868, The warehouses have a frontage of 90 x 180
feet, and are four storeys in height. In addition to general hardware, the
firm deals in china, glass and earthenware; four travellers are employed,
who cover the territory between Belleville and Thunder Bay; the ware-
house staff is composed of thirty-five hands, The members of the firm are
\Yilliam Thomson, George Hutchinson and F, J. l\1enet, The first-named
is of Scotch birth, the remaining two being Canadians,
Hats, Caps and Furs,
A. A. ALLAN & Co., wholesale dealers in hats, caps, furs and robes, and
manufacturers of cloth caps and furs. This business was established in 1877
at 32 \Vellington Street \Vest, where it is still being carried on. The ware-
house has a frontage of 25 feet, is 110 feet deep and five storeys high. The
cap factory is at 49 King Street \Yest. This well-known firm employs five
travellers, and has a staff of nine clerks, besides employing about sixty
.
hands in the manufacture of hats, caps and furs. l\Ir. Allan was born in
Scotland, and came to Canada with his parents, locating in Toronto in
1860.
T. CHRISTIE & Co" wholesale dealers and manufacturers in hats, caps
and furs, and straw goods, 20 and 22 ,Vellington Street. This firm estab-
lished their business in 1866 at Hamilton, removing to Toronto ten years
afterwards. They were for some time located on Front Street, but took
possession of their present commodious warehouse in 1878, which is four
storeys high, and has a frontage of 40 x 80 feet, and where forty hands are
engaged in the manufacture of furs, . They employ four travellers, and have
a trade which extends from :\Iontreal to the Rocky Mountains. Mr.
Christie is a Canadian by birth.
. GILLESPIE, ANSLEY & :\IARTIN, wholesale dealers in hats, caps and
furs, 28 and 30 \Vellington Street. This firm was established in 1864, under
The City of Toronto.
4 1 9
the title of J. Gillespie & Co., who carried on business first at No. 39 and
afterwards 64- Y onge Street, The re-arrangement of the firm under its
existing title was consummated in 1882, and is composed of George E.
Gillespie, A. Ansley and John ì\Iartin, The warehouse has a frontage of
forty-five feet on the ground floor, the flats above being 85 x 135 feet. Six
travellers are employed by the firm, and seventy-five hands in the manu-
facture of furs,
Leather and Shoe Supply Merchants,
P. JACOBI, wholesale leather-dealer and importer of shoe findings,
5 \Vellington Street East, established the business in 1869 at 103 Y onge
Street. In 1877 he removed to his present locality, the building occupying
a frontage of 30 x 90 feet, having a height of four storeys, He does a large and
extensive trade, in which two travellers cover the Provinces of Ontario and
:l\Ianitoba, ì\Ir. Jacobi is of German birth, and came to Canada in 1854,
KING BROTHERS, tanners, curriers, and leather-dealers, warehouse
situate at 44 Colborne Street, The tannery is at \Vhitby, where the
business was first established in 1863, About forty men are constantly
employed, To meet the requirements of a rapidly-growing business, the
Toronto branch house was opened in 1878. Their trade is largely confined
to the supply of wholesale houses with their staple manufactures.
CHARLES P ARSO
S & Co., wholesale leather and shoemakers' oil and
findings, 79 Front Street East, established their business in 1876 at the
above address, where they have a warehouse frontage of 32 x 200 feet. The
business carried on is one of the largest in the city, employing three
travellers and seven clerks.
Ir. Parsons is the son t>f \\rilliam Parsons,
who came to Canada in 1814, and originated a milling business at Thornhill.
J AMES PEPLER & SO:-l, dealers and importers of leather and tanners'
supplies, 5 I Front Street. This firm is composed of James Pepler and T.
S, G. Pepler, who established their business III 1877 at 86 Front Street
East, removing to their present place in Ib83. The
varehouse has a front-
age of 30 x 100 feet, and in addition to a basement there are three flats.
They employ two travellers, and have a trade which extends through
Ontårio, Quebec and :Manitoba.
Liquors, Wines and Spirits.
C. \V. BROWN, commission merchant, dealer in wines and spirits. This
business was established in 1872, and was first located at 32 Church Street
until 1878, It is now 10cated at 2 Leader Buildings.
I r, Drown represents
4 2 0
The COUllty of York,
the firms of J, Guest, L. Huot, Green & Houston, Dufresne & l\Iongenais,
of l\Iontreal. He was born in England, and came to Canada in 18 71.
BURNS & Co.. wines, liquors and cigar merchants, 62 Front Street East.
The leading partner in this firm, 1\1r. George A. Burns, is a native of
Ballamard, Ireland, and came to America in 1865, landing in New Y.ork:
Subsequently he came to Toronto, and in 1868 in partnership with his
cousin engaged in the wholesale grocery and liquor trade, under the title of
G,
\.. Burns & Co, This dispensation lasted two years, and on the retire-
ment of his cousin, ::\Ir, Burns conducted the business alone until the fall
of 18 7 1 , when he and 1\Ir, Adams formed a company partnership under the
style of Adams & Burns. This well-known firm existed until 1882, when
::\lr. Burns removed to \Yinnipeg, and, returning again to this city in 188 3,
he again engaged in his old business, and continues to push trade with char-
acteristic vigour. The business extends over the entire Province, and few
names are more widely or favourably known than the genial head of this firm.
\y, KYLE & Co., importers and shippers of wines and liquors, 3 8 \VeIL
ington Street East. The business was established by \V. J. Shaw in 1860,
and was afterwards taken by Charles Hutchinson until 1878, when 1\1r.
Kyle and C.
Ionroe took possession, and have since conducted the business.
They employ three travellers, and their trade extends through Ontario,
Quebec and Manitoba, The firm also ships largely to the cities of Chicago,
St. Paul, Detroit, and other parts of the United States. Their warehouse
has a frontage 30 x 175 feet, occupying two flats,
Lumber Merchants.
T. & S, BALDWIN, 4 and 5 Dundas Street, lumber dealers, established
in 1882, Handle over three million feet annually, employing from six to
eight men and eight to ten horses. Deal principally in pine lumber.
JOSEPH DAVIDSON, lumber merchant, corner Queen and Dufferin Streets,
was born near Toronto, November 24th, 1829. He early engaged in
lumbering and farming, and has built a number of saw-mills, two of which
he yet owns. He alsó constructed the telegraph line from Thunder Bay to
Fort Garry. In 1866 he established a lumber yard at Spadina Avenue,
and in 1879 moved to his present premises, where he disposes of about three
million feet of lumber annually,
,
THOMAS DOWNEY, lumber merchant and builder, succeeded to the
business of his father, Thomas Downey, sen'r, on his retirement in 186 9,
fhomas Downey, sen'r, came to this country from Ireland in 1842, and
after following his trade as carpenter and joiner for some years, commenced
The City of Toronto.
4 21
business as a builder in 1852. By close attention to his affairs he amassed
a competency and retired in favour of his son, the subject of this notice.
:Mr. Downey, sen'r, was Alderman for St. John's \Vard for five years succes-
sively, retiring in 1876. He died in 1879, His son, Thomas Downey, is
still carrying on the business, and gives employment to a large number of
men, He was also elected Alderman for St. John's \Vard for 1882-3, and
then retired. He is a brother of John Downey, a member of the well-known
legal firm of l\Iowat, 1\IacLennan, Downey & Biggar, of this city.
Estate of \V. & R. HENRY (lately deceased). This firm has mills at
Randwick, County Dufferin, and at Kagawong, Manitoulin Island, which
annually cut about six millions of lumber, one-half of which finds its way
to Toronto, James :\IcGee, financial agent, 10 King Street East, is
attorney and manager for the estate.
l\ICCRAKEN, GALL & Co., lumber merchants, Victoria Street. This firm
does a large business in lumber, and also in manufacturing, hardwoods being
a specialty, The main building of the factory is 176 x 40 feet, and with
engine house and other buildings, and their large yard at Strachan and
\'Vellington Avenues, occupies about four acres. They employ about ninety
hands, and handle upwards of ten million feet of lumber ann!Jally. At the
factory is kept in stock dressed lumber for building and other purposes.
Thomas l\IcCraken, of the above firm, was born at Bonaventure, Bay
de Challeurs, September, 1835. His father was a native of
\yr, Scotland,
and followed the business of lumber merchant, and was one of the pioneers
of the Ottawa Valley, In the early part of his career, Thomas entered the
lumber trade, but from 1869 to 1876 he occupied the position of Cashier of
the Royal Canadian Bank, the head office of which was in Toronto, after-
wards resuming his former occupation, George Gall is a native of ...\ber-
deenshire, Scotland, and came to Toronto in 1874. He first estdblished
himself on Richmond Street East, as a builder, subsequently entering the
above lumber firm.
JOHN ULIVER, lumber merchant, Esplanade, is a native of Ireland, and
on leaving there in 18+9 settled in Philadelphia, where he remained one
year, finally locating in Toronto, where he learned the trade of carpenter
and builder, which business he carried on from 1856 to 1870, when he
commenced the wholesale lumber business, together with a planing-mill, but
the latter being burned he has since confined himself to the lumber trade.
GEORGE REID, SE:-.I'R (of REID & Co.), lumber merchants, offices and
docks, foot of Sherbourne and Berkeley Streets, Esplanade Street. Son of
James and Anne Reid, Sligo, Ireland, He WdS born in the year Ið26, and
4 22
The County of York.
came direct to Toronto in 1849. He worked the first three years as a
mechanic, and afterwards carried on a building business. He did not
commence the lumber business till the year 1880, and now the firm turn
over about eight million feet of lumber per annum.
J. & F. N. TENNANT (lumber merchants, Dovercourt Road), Estab-
lished in 1880 in this city. James Tennant was formerly in the lumber
business at Barrie. F, N. Tennant was Principal of the Canada Busi-
ness.College at Hamilton, for ten years. The firm now handles about forty
million feet of lumber in the year, and by strict attention to business have
been more than usually successful. l\Ir. James Tennant occupied the
position of J.P. in his native county (Brant), but neither of the brothers
take.. rank as a general office seeker.
Millinery and Laces.
. G. GOULDING & SONS, wholesale millinery, 38 Yonge Street. This
business was commenced in 1869, by Peach & Goulding, at 40 Yonge
Street, where they carried on a general wholesale trade up to 1877, when
::\Ir. Peach retired. ::\Ir. Goulding then continued the business with his
sans under the present name. They subsequently removed to the com-
modious building at 38 Y onge Street, occupying the whole of it. They
have a very large trade, extending all over the Province, They employ
three travellers and a large force of salesmen. The firm is now composed
of George Goulding, \V, Goulding and H. Goulding.
D. ::\ICCALL & Co" 12 and 14 \\Tellington Street \Vest, wholesale deal
rs
in millinery, mantles and fancy dry goods. This business was established
in 1880, and located at 51 Yonge Street. Their trade increased so rapidly
that the firm was obliged to remove to its present handsome and com- 1
modious warehouse, which has a frontage of eighty-fiye feet, is eighty-five
feet in depth and five storeys high. This enterprising firm employs -eight
travellers and a staff of thirty clerks, besides from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty girls in the manufacturing of millinery goods, The firm
is composed of D. McCall and \Vm. Blackley. The latter was born in
Inverness, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1860, remaining in Montreal
until 1866, when he removed to Toronto.
:\IcKINNON, PROCTOR & Co. In the year 1871, l\Ir.
IcKinnon, who
was born in Halton County, came to Toronto, and in 1873 he established
this business. In the following year he was joined by Messrs. Proctor and
l\IcCall, who, with himself, continued the business up to 1880, when
Ir.
l\IcCall retired, leaving the business to be carried on by the two remaining
The City of Toro1lto.
4 2 3
partners. This well-known firm employs nine travellers, whose routes
extend over the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and :\lanitoba. A staff of
twenty-seven salesmen, clerks, etc., is employed in their wholesale house,
which is situated 011 Front Street. It has a front of 32 feet, is 110 feet deep
and five storeys high. Arrangements are being made for the erection of
another warehouse as the present premises are too small for the growing trade,
PATERSO
, McKENZIE & Co., wholesale dealers and importers of
millinery, Berlin and other wools, dress trimmings and fancy dry goods,
The business was established in 1872, and was first located at 58 and 60
\Vellington Street West, where they remained until the present year, when
they removed to their present warehouse, II \\Tellington Street \Vest. The
building has a frontage of 26 feet, depth 125 feet, and is four storeys
high. Five travellers and a staff of fifteen clerks and salesmen are employed.
The firm is composed of L. Paterson and G. l\IcKenzie. :\Ir, Paterson
was born in Scotland, and came to Canada in 1848, locating in Toronto in
1868, ':\Ir. :l\IcKenzie is a Canadian by birth.
Photographers' Supplies.
LYON &
\.LEXANDER, importers of photographers' goods, manufacturers
of mouldings, frames, etc., 110, 112 and 114 Bay Street. ThIs business was
established by E, J. Palmer in 1851, and was purchased and taken posses-
sion of by the present firm in 1878, They employ ten hands.
Provision and Commission Merchants.
H, \V, CUFF, +8 to 52 St. Lawrence Market, pork and prOVISIon
dealer, packs a large amount of pork, cures hams and bacon, which he
was the first to ship to the old country, in 185+, which he continued until
186 5, He also deals in butter, cheese and eggs. IIe was born in Bath,
England, and settled in Toronto in 18+8; and took a lively interest in
starting cheese manufacturing in Canada, and inducing farmers to embark
in the enterprise.
FRA
CIS GALLOW (of the firm of GiLb & Gallow, wholesale merchants)
is a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He came to Canada in the year
1857 and settled in the City of Toronto. He assisted his father (\Villiam
Gallow) in the market gardening for two years, and the following eight
years he spent in the wholesale grocery business. In 1869 he entered upon
his present career in conjunction with 1\Ir. Lawrence Gibb, in the whole-
sale provision trade and commissiun, which is carried on at their premises,
83 Colborne Street.
4 2 4
The COlWry of York.
JOHN GARTON, dealer in smoked and cured meats, 406 Queen Street
East, is a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to Canada in 1861. He
located in Hamilton one year before his settlement in Toronto, He is
engaged in smoking and cunng meats for the trade, his property having a
frontage of 100 x 217 feet.
l\IR. LAWREN
GIBB (firm of Gibb & Gallow, wholesale merchants)
was born in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, February 27th, 1832, He
emigrated to Canada in 1857, and came direct to Toronto, He commenced
first as grocer and baker on Queen Street \Vest, which business he con-
tinued for several years. In 1869 he formed a partnership with Mr. Francis
Gallow, and the present prosperous business at 83 Colborne Street is theresult.
In 1862 Mr. Gibb married )\rlary Gallow, sister of his partner in business.
\VILLIAM HAGUE, proyision dealer, 174 Queen Street East, Is a native
of Stillbridge, Cheshire, England. His father, John Hague, was a cotton-
spinner in that town, In 1856, lVIr. Hague came to Toronto, and estab-
lished business at 202 Queen Street East, in a small way, and in one of the
only two shops then east of Sherbourne Street; and about" 1877 removed to
his present stand, where he does a business of about $50,000 annually.
G, L. KAVANAGH & Co., 22t Church Street, produce and commission
merchants, This business was established in 1878 at 63 Colborne Street,
and was carried on there until 1881, when the firm moved to their present
quarters. This firm make a specialty of pork-packing and brokerage,
Mr. Kavanagh was born in Toronto.
JAMES PARK (pork packer, etc.) was born in Glasgow, Scotland (1831),
emigrated to Canada in 1853 and came direct to Toronto. He began in
the grocery business with 1\1r. \Villiam Hogg (son of the founder of Hogg's
Hollow) on Yonge Street, with whom he remained about two years, qn
leaving Mr. Hogg, he commenced a grocery business for himself at the
corner of Agnes and Chestnut Streets (then called Sayer Street), at which
place he continued for five or six years. He then removed to St. Lawrence
Arcade, Nos. 41 to 47, where he is located at present, carrying on a flourish-
ing business as pork packer and general provision merchant. Added to
this he has another store at 95 Front Street, where pork packing is carried
on under the name of James Park & Son, and also another store at 161
King Street \Vest. 1\1r. Park was maq;ied before he left Scotland.
Seed Merchants.
. J. A, SIMMERS, (Anton and Hermann Simmers,) importers, growers
and dealers in seeds and farmers' supplies, 147 King Street East. In 18 5 6
The City of Toronto.
4 2 5
this business was started by J. A. Simmers, who, born In Saxony, Prussia,
in 1827, settled in Toronto in 1854, In 1873 he was appointed Consul for
the German Empire, and died in 1883. The business is now conducted
by his sons, Anton and Hermann, who employ eight clerks and one travel-
ling salesman. They have a seed garden consisting of five and a-half acres,
situated just outside the city limits, where are grown all kinds of seed,
which are tested before being offered for sale.
STEELE BROS. & Co., importers, growers, dealers and exporters of all
kinds of field, flower and garden seeds, corner of Front 'ilnd Jarvis Streets.
This business was established in 1873, at 23 East l\Iarket Square, and
increased so rapidly as to necessitate removal to more commodious quar-
ters at the present location. During the working season employment is
given to about one hundred hands, Goods are shipped to all parts of the
Dominion as well as to the United States and to England. The firm imports
seeds from Europe and the United States, The bulk of their staple, agri-
cultural and vegetable seeds, are grown specially for themselves by experts
in seed culture, and are tested in a hot-bed in their establishment before
being sent out. They export clover seeds to a large extent to Britain and
the Continent, where they command a high price. The building, which is
3+ x 120 feet, and four storeys high, is accommodated by engine-po\\er,
elevator, etc. They have their own materials for manufacturing and
printing all requisites for their trade in coloured \\ork, etc.
Shirts, Collars and Cuffs,
A. II. SIMS & Co., 27 Front Street \Vest, manufacturers of shirts,
collars and cuffs. This is a branch of the Montreal house, which is one of
the largest shirt manufacturing firms in Canada, employing oycr three
hundred hands. The Toronto branch was established in 1877. Their goods
are sold only to the tradc.
Tea and Coffee,
JOHN W. COWAN & Co" importers and wholesale tea and coffce mer-
chants, 52 and 54 Frone Street East, first located at 25 Church Street,
where they established their business in IR76. The present warehouse has
a frontage of 60 x 60 feet, and .the business employs three trayellers
who solicit orders in every district of the Province. The firm is composed
of John \V. Cowan and _\, R. l\IcFarlane, the fonner of \\hom is a native of
Ireland. 1\1r, Cowan is also connected with a firm engaged in the manu-
facture of chocolate, trading under the name of Cowan, 1\1 usgraye &- Co,
This place is situate at 7 and 9 Tcmperance Street, and employs from
twelve to fifteen hands.
4 26
The COllnty of York.
J. KEER (:\Iajor-General H. M. S.), tea merchant, 58 Church Street,
commenced this business in 1883, and imports direct from India, the choicest
brands only passing through his hands,
JAMES LAUT, wholesale and retail tea merchant, 281 Yonge Street,
established his business in 1878, in London, Ont" removing to Toronto to
the above premises in 1881, where a frontage of 30 x 80 feet and a building
of four storeys high attracts public attention. An agency of 300 members
have charge of Mr. Laut's trade, which, through their energy and persever-
ance, has been extended from l\Iontreal to Sarnia.
MINTO BROS., wholesale tea merchants, 73 Colborne Street. This firm
is composed of John and \Villiam Minto, who commenced their business in
18 74, five doors higher than their present location, They import stock
direct, and their goods find a market all over the Province. Both brothers
are natives of Scotland, and after their arrival in Canada spent several
years in Montreal previous to their settlement in this city.
\V. MONTGO),fERY, wholesale dealer in teas, coffees, etc., 108 Front
Street East; business established in 1883. Trade principally confined to
city. :Mr, :Montgomery was born in Ireland and came to Canada in 1873,
and has been resident in Toronto for the past eleven years.
JA:\IES WATSON, coffee and spice manufacturer, 121 Bay Street, started
business in 1867. He employs eight men. .:\1r. \Vatson was born in Scot-
land in 1833, and came to Toronto in 1853,
R. S. \VATT & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in teas, etc., 878 Queen
Street 'Vest. This business was established in 1879, on the corner of
Y onge and Elm Streets, from which place they removed to Adelaide Street,
and from thence to York Street, where they carried on business until the
early part of the present year, Their travelling staff is composed of sixteen
members, and the warehouse gives employment to eight men, who ship
goods throughout the Province. l\Ir. \Vatt was born in Scotland and came
to Canada in 1869,
Wall Paper.
FAIRCLOTH BROS., importers of English, French and American wall
papers, artists' materials, etc. Business established in 1857 as G, S, Fair-
cloth & Son. They first located on Adelaide Street, afterwards removed to
Victoria Street, at this time carried on house painting, decorating, etc. In
December, 1881, the firm moved to their present quarters, 256 Yonge Street,
and added the paper trade to their business, since which time they have
..
The City of Toronto.
4 2 7
.
been known as Faircloth Bros. The firm is composed of J. l\I. & G. \Y. A.
Faircloth, The store has a frontage of 13 x 100 feet, and is three storeys
in height. Employs a staff of fifteen to twenty hands in the business.
Wool and Hide Dealers,
T. HEnmIcH & So
: wool and hide dealers, This firm is composed
of Tobias Heinrich and his son George, the last-named entering the business
in 1879, The business was first established in 1869 by the father, who is
a native of Germany, and came to Canada in 185+. He located in several
places before he finally settled in Toronto in 1860, and from this date to the
period of his commencement in business he acted as foreman for l\Ir. E,
Leadley.
E. LEADLEY & Co., wool and hide dealers, corner of Front and \Yest
Market Streets. On this business being commenced in 1863, it was located
at 758 Queen Street \Vest, but was removed to the present site in 1866.
The warehouses have a frontage of 35t x 135 feet with a height of four
storeys, The firm deals largely in wool, hides, skins and grain, and own also
a pulling factory situate on Queen Street \Vest, and an additional store-
house on George Street. The whole establishment provides employment
for twenty-five men, l\Ir. Leadley is an Englishman by birth, and came to
Toronto in 1856, where he has since remained.
RETAIL AND GENER,,\L.
Bakers, Confectioners, etc.
JOHN BAIN, proprietor of steam bakery, located at 339 Queen Street
\Vest. lIe is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he learned his trade and'
worked for several years. Soon after his arrival here he established himself
in the premises he now occupies, where he is doing a constantly incrèasing
trade, using two waggons to distribute his goods around the city, and
employing three men. His trade is mostly confined to supplying private
families with bread and cakes, of which he manufactures a considerable
.
variety.
G. H. BOWEN, proprietor of the bread, cake and confectioneryestab-
lishment, 84 Queen Street \Vest, has been connected with the business
since 1875. In 1879 he commenced business on his own accopnt on Yonge
Street where he only remained one year, removing afterwards to Sullivan
Street. In 1883 he changeJ his address to his present location, where by
energy and perseverance he has built up a respectable and increasing trade.
4 28
TIle County of York.
A, \V, CARRICK, baker and confectioner, corner of Bay and Richmond
Streets, is the son of A. ,V. Carrick, a native of Ireland, who came to'
Canada in 1847. The father had learned the trade of baker in Armagh, and
on his arrival in this country, aft,er working a period as journeyman, com-
menced business 9n his own account in this city, which he conducted until
his death in 1862, After his demise the business was carried on by the
family, the subject of our sketch taking entire possession in 1882. He runs
two waggons, and employs five men, and is doing a prosperous wholesale and
retail trade.
j.UfES Cox & SON, pastry cooks, confectioners, etc. Refreshment
Rooms, 83 and 441 Yonge Street. The head of the firm is a native of
Devizes, \Viltshire, England, and learned his trade, working at the same in
his native town for fifteen years afterwards. He came to Canada in 1857,
and a little later established himself in business in this city, He began
only in a small way, but by perseverance, thrift and integrity the present
magnificent business is the result; an illustration of what may be acconL
plished in a growing city like Toronto by the aid of these qualifications,
\VILLIA:\I CARLYLE, baker, confectioner, and proprietor of the elegant
and commodious refreshment parlours, situate at the corner of Queen and
Simcoe Streets, was born at Stranraer, \Vigtonshire, Scotland, where he
learned his trade. In 1868 he came to Canada, and for two years worked
at his trade as journeyman, afterwards establishing himself in business at
149 York Street. He remained there seven years, and in 1877 purchased
and removed to his present premises, which have a frontage of 26 x 74 feet.
He employs in all six hands, and manufactures goods bath for wholesale and
family trade, making a specialty of a superior class of confeçtionery for his
own retail business.
GEORGE COLEMAN, proprietor of ladies' and gents' refreshment rooms,
1 II King Street \Vest, is a native of Suffolk, England, and came to Canada
in 1846, He stayed in Montreal the first five years, and then settled in this
city where he has since liyed. He learned in England the trade of baker,
and worked at the same until 1851 when he commenced in this city on his
own account. He was first for thirteen years at 69 King Street \Vest, and
nine years at 99 King Street \Vest, and commenced business at his present
location in 1874, where he has one of the finest business stands in this line
in the city. .
GEORGE CO
STABLE, proprietor of steam bakery, 450 Queen Street
\Vest, was born in Blair Gowrie, Scotland, and came to Canada in 18 53,
The City of Torollto,
4 2 9
having previously learned the trade of baker. He worked at his trade in
this city for some time, and in 1857 commenced business for himself. He
manufactures for both wholesale and retail trade, employs six hands, and
keeps three waggons for the delivery of his goods. Every vanety of bread,
cakes, confectionery and pastry are made in this establishment, and its pro-
prietor was the first in this country to manufacture common bread by steam;
having made four trips to the old country, he has all the modern appliances
used in the manufacture of his line of goods,
THE CO-OPERAT!VE UNION BAKING AND MILLING SOCIETY. This is an
outgrowth of the Bakers' Union, established in 1880, John :Mac:\Iillan,
President, James F. Crait, Secretary; have lately leased the buildings on
Parliament Street and \Vilton Avenue, where they expect to establish an
extensive baking business. They are now employing five men and require
three waggons to distribute their goods.
J, F. CRAIG, baker and confectioner, was born in Toronto, where he
has always resided, and has been engaged in the confectionery business for
the past twenty years. He first located on Church Street, afterwards
removing to Berkeley Street, and finally locating at 262 King Street East,
where he is engaged in the manufacture of confectionery exclusively for
the trade,
ROBERT CURESTON, proprietor of bakery and confectionery at 3 2 4
Queen Street \Vest, is a native of Glasgow, Scotland; came to Canada
with his parents when a child, who settled and lived in Quebec, where he
learned his trade, and has worked at the same ever since, He started him-
self in business at his present location in 1882. Employs three hands in
the bakery and one to drive a waggon around town to supply his customers.
.
R. F, DALE, proprietor of bakery located at the corner of Portland and
Queen Streets, The quality of his goods is demonstrated by the fact that
he received the first prize awarded for the best bread, at the Toronto
Exhibition in 1882. He is a native of the" Braes of Bonnie Doon," Scot-
land, and came to Canada in 1854, He learned his trade in this city, and
in August, 1878, hought out a haking business at 93 Queen Street \\g est ,
where he remained, somewhat over two years, afterwards removing to his
present quarters, where he manufactures goods for both the wholesale and
retail trade, and employs five hands. His business requires h\o waggons
for the delivery of his goods. The growth of this business can be summed up
from the fact, that his weekly output of loaves in 1881 was two thousand,
and for a corresponding week in 188+ was three thousand two hundred.
43 0
The COUllty of York.
H. 1\1. DEVLIN, proprietor of bakery, ice-cream and confectionery
parlours, 483 Y onge Street. Does a large trade, both wholesale and retail.
Employs five hands, and uses two waggons for the distribution of his goods
in and around the city. He manufactures every variety of bread, cakes,
confectionery and pastry, his chief aim being to supply only a first-class
article, Mr, Devlin is a native of Simcoe County, but has lived in York
the greater portion of his life, He carried on business in London, Ontario,
for two years and a-half, and on his return to this city, commenced busi-
ness on Church Steeet, where he remained one year, and in 1882 leased
and took possession of his present premises.
C, J. FROG LEY, proprietor of bakery store, corner of Yonge and York-
ville Avenue, is a native of London, England, where he learned his trade,
and continued at the same nine years, He came out in 1872, and in 18 74
established himself in business at 497 Y onge Street, where he remained five
years, he then moved to 768 Y onge, doing busines for another five years,
when he bought and took possession of the large and commodious bakery
and store at the above location, where he does a large wholesale and retail
trade, Runs three waggons, employing five men, also keeps ice-cream
and confectionery rooms,
DAVID GALLOWAY, baker and confectioner, 101 Church Street, is a native
of Falkland, Scotland, where he learned his traåe, and coming to Canada
in 1871, he worked in this city as journeyman two years. In 1873 he
removed to Acton \Vest, and commenced business on his own account,
from thence to Shelburne, where he remained for five years. In 1883 he
returned to Toronto and established himself at the above-mentioned address,
employing three hands in the manufacture of several kinds of bread, con-
fectionery and pastry, and using waggons for åelivering to his customers.
THOMAS GARDINER, proprietor of the Lorne Bakery, 6 Queen Street
\Vest, is a native of Scotland, and came to Canada in 1870. He acquired a
knowledge of his trade in Dundee, Scotland, in which town he worked six
years as journeyman. On his arrival in this city he worked as journeyman
two years, afterwards establishing himself in business at 3 I 6 Y onge Street,
where he remained three years. About this time he emigrated to Streets-
ville, Ontario, and carried on baking business there until 1879, when he
returned to this city and opened the premises he at present occupies. He
makes a specialty in superior pastry and manufactures only for his retail
trade. His confectionery parlour is tasteful and elegant, and is one of the
attractions of its kind Toronto.
The City of Toronto,
43 1
N. GARDINER, baker and confectioner, store, corner of King and Sher-
bourne Streets, was born in Scotland, and came to Canada in 1871. He
learned his trade with his brother, J. Gardiner, and afterwards worked for
him a considerable time, He established his present business in 18 79, and
now employs two hands, manufacturing a variety of goods for his own retail
trade, Although only recently commenced in business, l\Ir. Gardener is
fast gaining a fair .share of the trade.
R. JOSE, proprietor of pastry and fancy cake bakery, 559 Queen Street
\Vest, was born in Quebec, April 5th, 1848, and came to Toronto with his
parents two years later, where he has since resided. He served his
apprenticeship with l\Ir. J, Cox, who now carries on business on Y onge
Street, and worked with him one year after his time was out. In 186 9 he
started business on his own account, on Queen Street, four doors east of
Peter Street, and remained there about three years; he then removed to
Y onge Street and did business there for over two years, and in 18 75
removed to his present place of business, when that locality was nothing
more than open fields. l\Ir. Jose employs three men, and manufactures a
variety of fancy goods in his line of business for his own retail trade, .
EDWARD LAWSON, importer of teas and groceries, and manufacturer of
confectionery, wholesale and retail, 93 King Street East, first established
his business on Y onge Street in 1843, In 1860 he moved to his present
location 'where he employs fifteen hands, l\Ir. Lawson was born in Cumber-
land, England, in 1819, and settled in Toronto in 18 3 0 .
J, D. NASMITH, proprietor of the steam bakery, corner of Adelaide and
Jarvis Streets, is the son of John Nasmith, a native of Glasgow, Scotland.
who formerly conducted a bakery for many years in Greenock, Scotland.
and by industry and economy was enabled to retire from business. Specu-
lation combined with the great fundamental changes effected through the
repeal of the Corn Laws
absorbed his capital, and in 18.1-4 he came to
Canada to attempt the restoration of his broken fortunes. He remained a
short time in l\Iontreal, removing afterwards to this city and rented wh
lt
was then known as the old Herald building, corner of Newgate and Nelson
Streets, now Adelaide and Jarvis, where the present proprietor, J. D. N asmith.
was borr., He commenced with a very limited capital, and once more as he
thought had laid the foundation of futme prosperity, His hopes on this
occasion were doomed to disappointment. In I8{g he was burned out, losmg
nearly everything he possessed. Through the encouragement and substantial
assistance of the Hon. John :\Ic:\Iurrich, he was induced to build .lgain and
28 .
43 2
The COU1lty of York,
from that time forward fortune favoured his efforts, and in 1870 he retired in
favour of his son, to el)joy that ease which his years of labour and mental
trials certainly entitled him. His death occurred four years later. J. D,
N asmith, his third son and successor to the business, owns now one. of the
largest baking establishments in the city, and being on a recent tour through
Great Britain was astonished to find among all the large bakeries he visited"
that few could compare with his own in Toronto in variety of mechanical
appliances for use in his line of business. He employs fifteen hands and
three delivery waggons. He recently opened a branch store and lunch
counter at 51 King Street \Vest.
FRANKLIN REYNOLDS, baker and confectioner, 164 Queen Street vVest,
is a native of this city, being a son of \Villiam Reynolds, one of the first
bakers in Toronto, Our subject acquired a knowledge of the business
from his father-whose store was situate at the corner of Gould and
Y onge Streets-and continued with him until 1860. On the retirement of
hIS father in that year Franklin succeeded to the business, which he
continued to conduct at the "old place" six years longer. He then
moved to Victoria Street, remaining there but one year, however, before
he bought and took possession of his present premises, 1\Ir. Reynolds
does a large wholesale trade, employing three men and sending out two
waggons, He manufactures all kinds of bread and cakes, and the large
yearly increase of his sales is the result of careful attention to all the
details of his busine
s. '
RICHARD REEVES, baker, 52 Centre Street, was born in Dublin, Ireland,
18 I 7, where he learned the trade of haker, afterwards working at the same
in the City of \Vexford. He came to Canada in 1837, and soon after his
arrival joined the militia in Kingston, under Colonel Benson, He came
to Toronto in 1839, and established himself on York Street in the business
to which he had been brought up, and which he carried on for thirteen
years. In 1864 he located at his present address, where he has since con.
tinued to conduct his trade, He employs three men and manufactures
every variety of bread.
ROBERTSON BROTHERS, manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in
confectionery, 83, 85 and 87 Queen Street East, established their business
in 1862. They employ one hundred hands and use five thousand barrels of
sugar annually. They have five travellers.
GEORGE ROBERTSON, proprietor of confectionery and refreshment
parlours, 253 Y onge Street, is a native of Scotland, and came to Canada
.
T/ze City of Toronto.
433
when a boy. He has resided in this city since 1851, and learned his trade
with Dodson, Shields & Morton, with whom he continued to remain as
manager some years after the completion of his apprenticeship, He has
carried on his present line of business for twenty-one years at various
places in the city, and in 1880 he took possession of and opened his
. present elegant store and parlours,
CHARLES SCHMIDT, proprietor of the bakery, go Queen Street \Vest,
does a large wholesale and retail trade, employing six men, and owns two
delivery waggons. He is a native of Germany, and learned his trade in
London, England. He worked as a journeyman twenty-four years, during
that period travelling- through France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany,
England, and the United States. He came to Toronto in 1876, and for
four years worked at his trade in this city, commencing b
siness for
himself at his present address in 1880, where he manufactures all kinds
of bread, cakes, confectionery and pastry, He makes a specialty of the
"Toronto Brown Bread," for which he has a patent.
JOSEPH TAIT, 660 Yonge Street, baker, confectioner and grocer. Estab-
lished business in 1872, Employs thirteen hands and runs five waggons,
Deals in all kinds of flour and feed, canned goods, and everything in the
grocery line.
HENRY TO
IL1N, proprietor of bakery at 320 Queen Street \Yest, and
retail store at 514 Queen Street \Vest. He is a native of Hampshire,
England, and came to Canada in 1870, having previously learned his trade
at Peckham, England, and worked at the same for several years. :\Ir.
Tomlin has been connected with the baking business since his arrival
here, and the extent of it is now such as to reqUIre two waggons to
distribute his goods. Employs four hands in the manufacture of bread
and cakes. lIe also carries on a milk business in connection with the
same.
H-\RRY \VEBB, caterer and confectioner +47 Y onge Street, established
his present business in 1876. He was born in Toronto, clnd is the second
son of Thomas \Vebb, a native of Hampshire, England, who came to
Toronto in 18,p, It was after several years' absence from his natiye city
:\1r. \Vebb returned in 1876 and commenced his present successful business.
He married in 1871 Miss Z\lary Hartman, second daughter of the late
Ir. \Villiam Hartman, Vaughan.
JAME
\VILSON, baker and confectioner, 4-97-9 Yonge Street, is a
native of Inverness, Scotland, being the second son of James \\'ilson, a,
434
The COU1lty of York,
schoolmaster in that district. Our subject came to Toronto in 1868, but
it was not till 1881 that he established his present business, His specialty
is Vienna bread and rolls.
Booksellers and Stationers.
. J. S. ROBERTSON & BROS., booksellers, stationers and newsdealers,
corner of Toronto and Adelaide Streets. Also subscription book publishers,
and proprietors of the Chronicle, \Yhitby, ant. The business was estab-
lished at \Vhitby in 1874, In 1882 l\Iessrs, Robertson purchased the Post-
office Book Store of this city, the firm being represented by l\'Ir. Charles
Robertson. The store has a frontage on Toronto and Adelaide Streets of
sixty feet. This firm employs over one hundred agents in their subscription
book business, which is controlled from \Vhitby. The Messrs, Robertson
are Torontonians by birth. .
\VINNIFRITH BROS, booksellers and stationers, 6 and 8 Toronto Street.
The business was established in 1856 by l\'Ir. C. A, Backas, in a part of the
premises at present owned by the firm. In 1883 the present proprietor
added to the building, and now has one of the finest store frontages in the
city. They keep a large and varied stock of English and American works,
and import direct, l\Ir. \Vinnifrith. is a native of the County of Kent,
England, and came to Canaùa in 1871. He located in Hamilton four years
before he settled in Toronto.
Bookbinder.
CARSWELL & Co., 28 Adelaide Street East, bookbinders and publishers
of law books, Established in 1870 by R, Carswell, who in 1878 took in
three partners; the firm being now composed of R. Carswell, \V. E. Collins.,
and Arthur Poole, They employ about twenty hands.
Boots and Shoes.
H. & C. BLACHFORD, 87 and 89 King Street East, manufacturers and
retail dealers in all grades of hoots and shoes, make a specialty of the
finer classes, and are importers of French, English and American goods.
The house was first established in 1864, at 131 King Street East, under the
name of A. Blachford, and at the end of two years, the rqom becoming
too small for the increased business, they moved to 107 King Street
East; eleven years after, their largely-increasing trade necessitated their
removal to their present commodious premises. Their trade is not con-
fined to this city, but extends from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
..
The City of Toronto.
435
They carry, in ladies' and children's fine goods, the largest stock in the
Dominion, employing at the present time over twenty hands,
E, DACK & SON, 73 King Street \Vest, is the oldest and best shoe house
in Canada, having been established over half" a t:entu
y ago, by the
late Matthew Dack, and during that time has gradually increased its
business year by year, and now counts as its customers almost all the pro-
minent men of the Dominion, and sends goods from one end of the country
to the other, and throughout the United States, They manufacture and
devote their whole attention exclusively to gents' fine hand-made custom
shoes, and thereby have attained perfection in that line, and have gained 'an
enviable reputation as makers of the best wearing and fitting goods on the
Continent.
ALEXANDER G EMMELL, dealer in boots and shoes, I 15 King Street
\Vest, was born. in
\.yrshire, Scotland. In 1851 he came to Toronto, and
in 1854 commenced his present business in a shop on King Street" near
Y onge Street, having had thirteen years' experience in Scotland, He after-
wards moved to his present location, where he is doing a fine trade, In
1849, in Scotland, l\Ir. Gemmell won the first prize for the best essay hy one
of the working classes, on " The Temporal Advantages of the Sabbath."
JOHN GREEN, manufacturer of fine shoes and general dealer in all
classes of boots and shoes, N"o, 103 Y onge Street, He commenced business
in 1883 at his prese'nt place, which remains about one of the oldest stands
for boots and shoes in this city, having been occupied previously by
Mr. John Smith, for some time Reeve of Bracebridge, and before him
by \Villiam Guinane, who carried on business there for se,-eral years.
1\Ir. Green is a native of Brampton, and bas resided in Toronto for the
last ten years; his father, John Green, sen'r, was a native of Norfolk,
England, and for many years a resident of the County of Peel ip this
Province.
.
S, R, HANNA, boot and shoe dealer, 428 Y onge Street, The business
was established by his brother in 1878, and came into l\Ir. S. R. Hanna's
hands in 18th. He was formerly with the firm of J. D. King & Co" and is
a native of the north of Ireland, emigrating to this country in 1872.
PATRICK HIGGINS, wholesale and retail boot and shoe merchant, 144-
Y onge Street, is a native of Roscommon, Ireland, being the only son of
Charles Higgins, who came to Toronto in 1838, and died in 1874. :\Ir.
Higgins commenced business in 1859, near Richmond Street \Yest, and in
1864- remoycd to the premises he yet occupies.
43 6
The COll1lty of York.
THO:\IAS LANGTO
, boot and shoe maker and dealer, 307 Yonge Street,
is a native of Sligo, Ireland, and came to Montreal in 1849, He removed
to Toronto in 1854, and commenced business in the above line on King
Street, north-east corner of George, removing to his present stand in 18 75.
He is a P. 1\1., A. F, & A. 1\1., King Solomon Lodge, No, 22 G. R. C.
\Y:\I,
IOSELEY, boot and shoe dealer, corner ofY onge Street and Bismarck
Avenue. He established his business in 1873, and since that time has done
a constantly increasing trade, He was born at Stafford, England, and
c
me to Canada in 1866. He was connected with the firm of'Sessions,
Turner & Cooper, as cutter in their manufacturing establishment.
JOH
B, THOMPSON, boot and shoe dealer, 142 King Street East, is a
native of this city, born in 1830; his father, the late Thomas Thompson, being
a native of Yorkshire, England, came out and settled in thi
city, the year
of our subjects' hirth, Soon atter his arrival he engaged in 6chool teaching,
anJ afterwards, through the encouragement of friends, established the first
store for the sale of ready-made boots and shoes in this city on King Street
near Yonge. He afterwards sold out, and erected the Mammoth House,
where our subject, the father, and brother engaged for some years in the dry
goods and clothing business. In the year 1870 our subject separated
himself from the business, and taking the boot and shoe part of the trade,
established himself at the above address, where he is making extensive sales.
The death of his father occurred in 1868.
The Butchers and the Markets.
The present St. Lawrence Hall building was erected in 1849 in place
of a brick structure which had to be pulled down in consequence of
the damage it received by the great fire of that year. The edifice is
said to be a copy of the Temple of Jupiter Stator, at Rome, the façade
consisting of a portico of fluted columns supporting a pediment, upon
which the arms of Toronto are sculptured, the whole surmounted by an
open cupola. The market proper is approached from King Street by an
arcade, and lined by butchers' stores, while the outer portion is set aside
for the sale of farmers' and garden produce, Among the principal butchers
who do business in this market are the following :-
BRITTON BROTHERS, butchers, 13 and IS St. Lawrence Market. This
firm was established in 1854 by James Britton, father of the present mem-
bers of the firm, and who now resides at 221 George Street. The Britton
Brothers came into possession of the business in 1881. They buy their
stock in the country and do their own killing.
,
Tlte City of Toro1/to.
437
THO
IAS J, CAMPTON, butcher, in stall No, 5, St. Lawrence Market.
The busin.ess was established first on York Street in 1873, and was moved
to its present location in 1882, 1\1r. Campton runs one waggon. He was
born in Maroon Town, Jamaica, June 3rd, 1841, being the son of Thomas
Campton, a serjeant in the 68th Light Infantry, and came to Toronto in
company with his father in 1842.
GEORGE B. CANN, 28 St. Lawrence l\larket, was established on Yonge
Street in' 1870, and moved to his present location in 1883, He kills his
own meat and keeps poultry in season, He runs two waggons,
HENRY R. FRAKKLAND, son of G, F, ,Frankland, was born in lork
Township in 1858, He does a wholesale and retail business in St. Law-
rence ?\1arket, 22 and 2+. He is serving his second term as Deputy-Reeve
for York Township.
JOHN GALLAGHER'S meat market is at 17 and 19 St. Lawrence Market.
The stand was formerly occupied by the late Samuel Toy, who commenced
at a very early date. Mr. Gallagher worked with 1\1r. Toy from 1860 to
1880, and on his death assumed the control of the business. He, does
mostly his own killing, and runs two waggons.
JOHN MALLON & Co.. 12, 14 and 16 St. Lawrence
1arket; who are
also exporters of cattle, They do a large business in mess beef and beef
hams with the Lower Provinces; also a wholesale and retail business.
They find a great drawback to the shipment of meat to the Lower Pro-
vinces in the strong competition with American dealers, who ship in bond,
store on vesseis, and thus evade the duty of $2,00 per barrel.
St, Patrick's Market, on Queen Street \Vest, is much smaller than
St. Lawrence, and has no pretensions to architectural beauty.
CREALOCK & BROWN, 7, 9 and 10 St. Patrick's )'Iarket, established in
1874, They keep pickled and fresh meats and run two waggons.
St. Andrew's Hall and Market building, also on Queen Street \Vest,
but further west than the preceding, is a handsome white brick structure
in the French ReDaissance style, It is occupied, among others, by the
.
following butchers:
J. H, C. BROWN, butcher, 2 St. Andrew's
larket, does a wholesale
and retail business; he buys his stock in the country and does his own
killing. He employs four hands, runs two waggons, and deals in all kinds
of fresh meats, also hams, tongues, poultry, and vegetables in season. He
first established business at 336 Queen Street \Yest in 1
7+, moving to
the market in 1876,
43 8
The COUllty of York.
Jow
CHANTLER, butcher, first established on Queen Street, in 186 7,
and upon the opening of St. Andrew's l\1arket he removed to h
s present
location, I I St. Andrew's Market. He runs one wagon, He was born in
lanchester, England, in 1815, and settled in Toronto in 1866.
\VILLIA
OXEN HAM, butcher, 12 St. Andrew's :Market, first established
his busihess at St. Patrick's l\Iarket in 1855, and in 1861 removed to the
corner of Chestnut and Queen Streets, and in 1876 established himself at
his present location, He runs one waggon. He was born in De
onshire,
England, in 1815, and settled in Toronto in 18 4 8 .
The following butchers do business in their own stores in various parts
of the city:
\VILLIAM H. ARKSEY, meat market at 112 Queen Street \Vest, estab-
lished his business in 1876, and runs one waggon. The business was
formerly conducted by the late James Brown. Previous to embarking in
the meat business l\1r, Arksey was engaged in the grocery and liquor trade
at 172 Queen Street \Vest.
,
\V, J. AYLES, butcher, 91 Agnes Street, has been employed in the
business since 1878. He moved to his present place in 188 3,
G. P. BEZLEY, meat market at 387 Yonge Street, established the
business at Y orkville in a wholesale way in 1860, and at. his present location
on Yonge Street in 1870. He kills all his own stock, going to the country.
for it. He does a retail as well as a wholesale business, and runs two
waggons.
T. H, BILLS' meat market, 66 Queen Street \Vest, was established
in 1863. He dpes most of his own killing, and keeps all kinds of poultry
and vegetables. He runs two waggons,
J. H. P. BONNICK, meat market, 393t Yonge Street, was established
on Yonge Street as early as 1857. He has ever since been in the trade,
and is one of the oldest butchers in the city, He was born in the COl;mty
of Kent, England, in 1813, and settled in Toronto in 18 57,
.
G, H. BOULTON, 237 Yonge Street, established business by him
elf in
18 74, but the stand had been occupied previously by others in the same
line. He does part of his own killing, and buys part at the market, He
runs two waggons.
JOHN BROWN, meat market, 222 King Street East, established business
on King Street in 1877, and moved to his present location in 1881. He
keeps a general line of meats, poultry, vegetables, etc., and runs one waggo n .
The City of Toronto.
439
T. CHANTLER, son of John Chantler, has a meat market at 581 Queen
Street West, which was established in 1876, He runs one waggon.
JOHN DANCY, meat market, 233 Church Street, first established his
business at the corner of Chestnut and Edward Streets in 1868. He moved
in 1870 to 231 Yonge Street, thence to 453 Yonge Street, and to his present
location in 1882. He kills his own cattle, deals in poultry and vegetables,
wholesale and retail, and runs three waggons,
J. B. DAVISON, butcher and provision dealer, 451 Yonge Street, estab-
lished business in 1870 on Parliament Street, moved to 384 Yonge Street
in 1872, and to his present location in 1875. He deals in game, poultry,
and vegetables in season, and runs two waggons.
C. H, DUNNING, 359 Y onge Street, commenced business in Toronto in
18 57 on Queen Street \Vest, and is one of the oldest butchers in the city at
present in business. In 1865 he removed to the St. Lawrence Market, and
in 1870 opened a shop on Yonge Street in connection with his stall in
St. Lawrence 'l\1arket. In 1877 he located in his present commodious
premises. :\1r. Dunning has made a specialty of meat curing, in which
branch of his business he has long held first place in the city; his corned
and spiced rounds of beef, sug?r-cured hams and bacon especially are
purchased by private families over a great part of Ontario.
JOSEPHE
fERY, meat market, 597 Queen Street \Vest, established busi-
ness on Centre Street in 1857, and moved to Queen Street in 1859. He
is one of the oldest butchers in the city. He runs two waggons.
T. FOSTER, 260 Queen Street East. Established in 1872. \Yhole'sale
and retail fresh meats and provision merchant. A large supply of smoked
hams, bacon, pickled pork, lard, sausages and vegetables of all kinùs,
poultry, and other things too numerous to mention. One waggon and
one cart.
HENRY HAYNES, 101 Grosvenor Avenue, corner of Oxford Street,
butcher, established in 18fh, keeps all kinds of fresh and salt meats, vege-
tables, fruit anù poultry in season.
A, J, l\1ANNELL'S meat market, 10I Queen Street \Vest, was first
established at an early date by H. Jones, who sold. to George Griffin in
1880. 1\1r. Mannell obtained possession in IS83. He runs one waggon.
\VILLIAM HENRY :\hLLER, meat market, 206 Queen Street East, estab-
lished in IS79, keeps a general assortment of fresh and salt meats, poultry,
vegetables in season, etc, He runs one waggon.
44 0
The County of York,
]A",ms MUMFORD, proprietor of the Baldwin Street 1\Iarket, known as
No. r Baldwin Street, first established on Yonge Street in r857. and moved
to his present location in r 880, He runs two waggons, and keeps a
constant supply of fresh and salt meats, poultry and vegetables in season,
He kills small stock, cures his own hams and bacon, and manufactures
sa usages.
HENRY NORRIS' central meat market, 333 Yonge Street, was established
by James \Vard in r86r, and came into 1\1r. Norris' hands in r872. 1\1r.
N orris purchases stock amongst others from Thompson, Flanagan, Blong
and R. Pugsley, and runs two waggons.
]OH
R. OUTHET, family butcher, 451- Grange Avenue, established in
r88r, keeps salt meats, hams, bacon, and sausages; also poultry and
vegetables in season, He runs one waggon.
F, H. PEARCE, meat market, 233 Yonge Street, established in his
present location in r856, being the oldest active butcher on Yonge Street.
He also does a general trade in fresh and corned meat and general pro-
visions, He runs two waggons.
]AMES E. PITTS, meat market, 327 Yonge Street, established in r875
at 38r Y onge Street, and moved to his present location in r 876. He
runs two waggons.
F. L. PRIOR, 324t Spadina Avenue, meat market and family butcher.
The business was established by]. & ]. \V oollings and managed by Mr,
Prior, who became owner of the. establishment in r882. He runs one
waggon, and keeps poultry and vegetables in season.
WILLIAM ROBINSON, butcher, 207 Gerrard Street East, established in
r876, kills his own cattle, and runs two waggons. He deals in poultry
and vegetables.
SAMUEL T. ROSENBERG, 116 Lumley Street, butcher, established on
Claremont Street in 1882, and in his present place in r883. He keeps
all kinds of fresh and salt meats and vegetables, and runs one waggon.
\VILLIAM SCHUBAIT, r74 Brunswick Avenue, family butcher, estab-
lished in r878, keeps fresh and salt meats, poultry, vegetables in season,
and he runs one delivery waggon.
D. C. SHAEFER, meat market, 112 Church Street, established business
in r 874, He keeps poultry and vegetables, and runs one wagon.
1\1. J. STACK, corner of Lippincott and Nassau Streets, butcher, keeps all
kinds of fresh and salt meats, Established in r880. He kills his small stuff.
The City of T01'011tO.
44 1
F. B. STEPHENS, 53 Oxford Street, family butcher, established in 188 3,
keeps all kinds of fresh and salt meats, yegetables and poultry in season,
R. STONE, meat market, 379 Parliament Street, established on Y onge
Street in 1871, and m,oved to his present location in 188 3. He runs two
waggons, and keeps poultry and vegetables in season,
JOHN SYMONS, meat market, 231 Yonge Street, occupies an old stand
established as early as 18 59, having come into possession in 18 77. He
purchases at the market, and runs two waggons.
THOMAS TAYLOR, 204 St. Patrick Street, butcher. Established in
1884. Keeps poultry; bacon, etc.
THOMAS \V ATTS, meat mark
t, 331 King Street East, keeps a general
stock of provisiåns, game, poultry, flowers and vegetables in season. He
runs one waggon,
]. & J. \VOOLLINGS, l\1cCaul Street Market, at 163 and r65 l\IcCaul
Street, established in 1873. They kill all their own stock. Joseph \Voollings,
the elder brother, lives on a farm at Islington, butchers and comes to town
three times a week; he does a wholesale and retail trade. The firm deals
in poultry and vegetables in season, also hams, bacon, and pickled meats,
They employ ten hands, and run three waggons.
\VILLIAM \VORDLEY, butcher and pork-packer, corner of Church and
Carlton Streets, was established first at 325 Church Street in 1871, and
removed to his present location in r872, lIe does all his own killing, runs
six waggons, and employs eleven men. He first started in a small way
and now does íully $75,000 annually, packs about $ro,ooo of pork annually,
corns beef extensively, and does a large business in game and poultry in
season, etc.
Carpets,
JOHN KAY, importer of carpets and house furnishings, 34 King Street
\-Vest, first commenced his business in 1847, and located in his present
premises in 1880, The building is 205 x 26 feet, and is four store) s
high, Fifty hands are employed in a business that amounts to a quarter
of a million annually, Mr. Kay's carpet sewing factory is on Queen Street
\Vest,
Coal and Wood.
ROBERT ALLINGHA:\I, coal and wood merchant, r79 and 181 Bathurst
Street, was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and came to
· Toronto in r874 with his parents, both of whom are still living here. lIe
commenced his present business in 1883, anò keeps two teams.
44 2
The COllnty of York,
BELL BROS., coal and wood merchants, 166 Simcoe Street, This busi-
ness was established twenty years ago by Thomas and James Bell, who
were born in the County Fermanagh, Ireland, and came to this country in
1858, It is now carried on by James Bell. The sales average $60,000 yearly.
\VILLIAM BELL, coal and wood merchant, and real estate agent, 83
Dundas Street, is a native of \Voolwich, England, and came to Canada
with his parents during the Rebellion in 1837. He served his time to a
machinist in Montreal, and for a number of years afterwards travelled in
the United States. He finally settled in Toronto, and in 1879 was elected
School Trustee for St. Stephen's \Vard, a position he held for four years.
He was elccted Alderman for the same ward in 1881, by a large majority,
and continued to represent the constituency until 1883; when he resigned,
having been appointed Tax Collector. On the annexation of Brockton to
the city (now St. Mark's \Vard), he was elected School Trustee, and is still
on the Board. His business which has been established now two years is
very extensive, especially in the coal and wood department, and his real
estate business is greatly on the increase. He is a man highly respected in
his vicinity, and the public offices he has and is at present filling is sufficient
testimony that he is fully deserving of public confidence.
PATRICK BURNS, coal and wood dealer, Bathurst and Front Streets,
established his business in the year 1856. He handles about thirty-five
thousand cords of wood, and one hundred and fifty thousand tons .of coal
.
annually, and employs about three hundred men, and from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred horses and carts for delivery. His wood comes to
the city by all railways, and his coal both by lake and rail. ,He has several
offices in different parts of the city for the receiving of orders, which are
connected with the yard by telephone. As an instance of, l\1r, Burns' great
success in this line of business, it is only necessary to say that at the com-
mencement two horses were requisite for delivering purposes. Mr. Burns
is a native of County ;Fermanagh, Ireland, 3.nd came to Toronto the same
year in which his trade was established,
JOHN CHiSHODf, coal and wood merchant, hay, straw, and seed store
447 King Street East, was born at Kingston, Ontario, and established
business here about 1876, \Vorks two horses and carts, and handles about
I ,000 ton
of coal and an equal number of cords of wood annually.
DENNIS DANIELS, coal and wood merchant, 628 Y onge Street, was born
in England, and came to Canada with his parents in 1836. In 1854 he com-
menced his present business in Y orkville on a small scale. He now handles
about five thousand tons of coal, and five thousand cords of wood yearly.
Tlze City of Toronto,
443
\VILLIAM HALE HOWARD, cpal and wood merchant, 25 Victoria Street,
is the eldest son of \Villiam Howard, of Devonshire, England, He married
Susannah \Votton, of the same place, and in 1872 came to Toronto, where
in 1879 he opened his present business. His sales of coal average eight
thousand tons, and those of wood five thousand cords annually. He keeps
three teams of horses.
SAMUEL HUNTER, coal and wood, 245t Spadina Avenue, and 321 Queen
Street \Yest, was born in the County of "Green Bushes," Tyrone; Ireland,
May 3rd, 1831. On emigrating to Canada in 1852 he came direct to
Toronto. He has nmv been in business here twenty one years. \Vhen the
vessel" Maggie Hunter" (Captain Frank Nixon) was lost Mr, Hunter was
left behind to the extent of $13,000, there being no insurance. In spite of
this drawback however ::\1r. Hunter has accumulated by strict business
attention considerable property, and may be justly spoken of as a man of
independen t means,
NEAVIN l\ICCoNNELL, coal and wood merchant, 78 Queen Street East,
was born in the County of Peel, ant. After farming for some years in his
native county he came to Toronto in 1875, and established his present
business which has proved very successful. He sells about two thousand
tons of coal, and fifteen hundred cords of wood a'nnually.
\VrLLlAM MCGILL & Co., c
al and wood merchants, 146 Bathurst Street.
Mr. McGill was born in Berwickshire, Scotland, and came to Canada with
his parents in 1837. His father settled at Springfield, Dundas Street, where
he had a grist and saw mill, and where \Villiam remained till he was
twenty years of age. \Ve may incidently add that soon after their arnval
in Toronto the father was called out by the Government to aid in sup-
pressing the Mackenzie revolt. On leaving home, \Villiam removed to
Oakville and carried on a grocery business for some years, after\\>ard con-
ducting a similar business in Guelph for five years. In 1872 he came to
Toronto and established himself in the coal and wood trade, which has
proved very successful. They imported direct from the mines by rail last
year twelve thousand tons of anthracite coal, and received one thousand,
three hundred and eighty-five car loads of wood of all kinds by I'\orthern
Railroad, Mr. McGill married in' 1863 Eliza Jane Bullock, by whom he
had a family of seven children, six of whom are still living. His wife died
February 28th, 188+, and in her he lost, at once, a cheerful helpmate and
a wise and faithful councillor.
ELIAS ROGERS & Co. The firm whose card appears on the next page
opened an office in Toronto ill '1876, :\1r. Rogers had previously been
444
Tlte COU1lty of York.
interested in coal mines in Pennsylvania which he continued to operate.
His partner 1\1r. F. C, Dinniny, a wealthy gentleman residing in Elmira, N. Y.,
is president of two large coal mining companies. The firm have always
been in a position to procure their coal at first cost, and have supplied their
customers with the best grades at the lowest prices. This together with their
strictly honourable course, and careful attention to business, has rapidly
won for them a first place in the coal business of this province. They
supply t.he wholesale trade direct from the mines, and their facilities for
doing a retail business in Toronto are unsurpassed, Their sheðs for storing
coal on Esplanade Street are the largest in Can
da, They also do a
large wood business, and keep two steam sawing and splitting machines
constantly running. 1\1r, Rogers was born in North York, near Newmarket,
he is a comparatively young man, and it is gratifying to note his success.
His father who bore the same name was one of the early settlers, and a
man of sterling qualities.
\VILLIA
I SPEXCE, coal and wood merchant, 486 King Street \Vest,
is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, being the youngest son of \Villiam
Spence, farmer. Mr, Spence came to Toronto in 1864, and after farming
for ten years, commenced his present business, He has three horses and
carts, q.nd handles about. one thousand cords of wood and one thousand
tons of coal annually.
STINSO
& SONS, coal and wood merchants, and proprietors of express
and furniture vans, 96 Terauley Street. This business was established in
1873. Ten teams exclusive of those hired, and ten men are employed,
while six thousand tons of coal, and four thousand cords of wood are
handled annually. The firm is composed of James Stinson, who was born
in Ireland, and came to Canada in 1842, and his sons Alexander A., and
Edward Stinson,
JAMES H. TITUS, coal and wood merchant, 12 Queen Street, Park-
dale, was born in Nova Scotia in 1846, and came to Toronto with his
parents in 1849, For some time he was engaged as captain on lake
vessels, and in 1872 commenced his present business, He keeps four teams
and handles about t three thousand tons of coal, and one thousand cords
of wood annually,
THOMAS R. \VHlTESIDE, coal, wood, flour and feed merchant, 102
Sherbourne Street, was born in Toronto in 18+4. In 1867 he established a
store in the Township of Brock, and in 1875 commenced his present
business, which averages $25,000 per annum, For some time he was
School Trustee for St. Thomas' \Vard,
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ESPLAN....DE STREET DOCtlS AND Y^RDS, TORONTO, ONT.
HEAD OFFICE, 20 KING ST. W OFFICE & YARD,COR ESPLANADE & PRINCESS.
BA^NCH OFFICE. +13 YONGE ST OFFICE&YARD,ESPlANADE 8T.NEAR BERKElEVST
BRANCH OFFICE,6.36 QUEEN ST, W OFFICE & YARD. COR. NIAr...,U' & I ,
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. The City of Toronto.
445
Crockery, Glassware and Pottery,
... A. BORROWMAN, Staffordshire House, 289 Y onge Street, importer and
dealer in china, glassware, fruit-jars, plated and fancy goods, cutlery,
lamp.fixtures, etc, This business was established by John Oulcott in 186 9,
and was taken possession of by Richard Moyer, subsequently by its present
proprietor in 1
8I. He imports most of his goods from Staffordshire,
England, France and Germany, and keeps constantly on hand one of the
largest stocks in the city; all for cash.
JAMES R. BURNS, proprietor of the Toronto Stoneware Pottery, located
on Scadding Street, is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to
Canada in 1879. He had learned his trade in the land of his nativity where
in conjunction with his brother he had carried on a pottery for fifteen
years, For some little time after his arrival on this continent he worked
as journeyman, eventually purchasing his present business, where he has
six hands employed in the manufacture of all kinds of stoneware, turning
out about $10,000 worth of goods annually.
HUTCHINSON & PETERSON, 100 Front Street East, manufacturers of
bottles, stoppers, and soda water supplies. patented by Hutchinson. Estab-
lished busine,ss in 1881, and supply the trade, They employ four men,
JOHN SINCLAIR, dealer in earthenware, glass and fancy goods, 2+5 Y onge
Street, is a native of Scotland; came to America in 1850. He spent three
years in New York, and two years in Montreal previous to settling in this
city. He first commenced business at No, 315 Yonge Street, where he stayed
five years, afterwards removing- to his present address, where he does a
large business in articles as above described.
Druggists.
ARTHUR \V, AUBOTT, chemist and druggist, Rossin House, 131 King .
Street \Vest, is a native of Toronto, being the second son of Isaac and
Jane Hutchinson Ahbott, of English extraction. !\Ir. Abbott is a graduate
of the Ontario College of Pharmacy (1883), and established his business in
1882, succeeding Elliott & Co,
R. G. BREDIN, druggist, 326 Spadina Avenue, was born in Cobourg,
1850, being the second son of Rev. John Bredin, D.D. His early education
was received in the Common School, finishing with two years at the Victoria
University. He took a special course in chemistry and obtained a diploma
in 1871 from the Ontario College of Pharmacy. l\Ir, Bredin began business
in Belleville, continuing the same in Buffalo and
ew York, and locating
44 6
The County of York.
and commencing business in this city in 1882 at the present address, where
he does a flourishing business in drugs and chemicals, his specialty being
the filling of our leading physicians' prescriptions. Mr. Bredin married in
1875, Miss Augusta Moore of this city, daughter of Mr. Rodney l\Ioore, a
U, E, Loyal
st; her mother is a descendant of Sir \Valter Raleigh.
F. T. BURGESS, druggist and manufacturing chemist, 364- King Street
East and Kingston Road, is a native of Markham, and established his busi-
ness in 1883, In addition to general dispensing, the following specialties
should be mentioned: Burgess' Magnetic Oil, Burgess' Blackberry Cordial,
Burgess' Jersey Lily Tooth Powder, Burgess' \Vorm Powders, Burgess'
Liver Pills, all being in universal demand by the trade. He employs ten
hands, 1\1r. Burgess is of Irish descent.
R. l\'I. DICKSON, druggist, corner Church and Queen Streets, was born
in Ottawa in 1860. In 1881 he passed the final examination at the Ontario
College of Pharmacy, and commenced the drug business at the corner of
Queen and Sumach Streets, the firm then being under the name of R, M.
Dickson & Co, In the same year he moved to his present quarters, having
bought out the old-established business of C, A. Mitchell, which he is now
carrying on successfully.
A. B. EADIE, chemist and druggist, 237 King Street East, is a native
of Brantford, Ontario, and an undergraduate of Toronto University. In
18 3 2 he acquired the business formerly conducted by 1\1r. D, S. Thompson.
He is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, Andrew Eadie, ,having emigrated
from Paisley, Scotland, about the year 1815. His father, Robert Eadie,
formerly carried on business as a general merchant at Mount Pleasant, but
is now living retired.
S. NELSON ERBE, druggist, Queen Street East, was born in the County
of \Vaterloo in 1860, In 1882 he passeq. the final examination at the
Ontario College of Pharmacy, and started business in his present location.
ALBERT HARWOOD, 316 Queen Street West, dealer in drugs, chemicals,
and general toilet additions, dispenser of physicians' prescriptions, etc.
This business was organized by its present proprietor in 1867, and at that
time he was but the second druggist in the west end of the city. Since his
establishment he has considerably improved his position, and is at present
doing a large and prosperous trade.
GEORGE HODGETTS, druggist, 305 Yonge Street, of English parentage,
was born in Ireland, 1826, being the eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel
'"
The City of Toronto,
447
Hodgetts, who came to Canada in 1829 with the 24th Regiment, His
parents retured to England in the spring of 1837, where, the subject of this
sketch, after having received his education at a private academy, was
apprenticed to the drug business for seven years, Subsequently he pur-
chased the business where he served his apprenticeship, which he carried
on till 1.857, when he returned to Canada, and after fulfilling a bookkeeper's
engagement, resumed the drug business, which he has since continued to
conduct, and is at present doing a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Hodgetts
was one of the organizers of the Canadian Pharmaceutical Society, which
has since been incorporated as the Ontario College of Pharmacy. He was
'also \V. M. of St. Andrew's Lodge, A. F. & A.l\1.; also Grand Steward of
the Grand Lodge of Canada, and Grand Scribe N. of the Grand Chapter.
Since 1873 he has been Registrar and Treasurer of the Ontario College of
Pharmacy, and was also one of the Council of the College for three years. '
Ir, Hodgetts married, in 1850, 'Miss Gittoes, of Westbromwich, England,
by whom he has four childrep, all sons, as follows: George, Thomas,
Charle
, and Albert.
EDWARD HOOPER, 43 and 45 King Street \Vest, was born in London,
England, in 1808, He served his apprenticeship as druggist in his native
city, and emigrated to Canada in 1832, living at Kingston and other places
for several years. He finally settled in Toronto in 1838, entering into the
employ of lVIr, Beckett, then the leading druggist of Toronto, ßlr. Hooper
continued this connection until the year 1850, when he bought the business
himself, since which time he has been the senior partner, The business
has grown to immense proportions, but notwithstanding the heavy duties
devolving upon him in connection with this large business he has devoted a
great deal of his time to other important business and financial institutions.
"Vas elected President of the Canada Permanent Company last year, a
company he has served in different capacities for the past twenty-five years.
Has also been connecte<.l with the Confedcration Life Assurance Company
since its commencement. He is at present Chairman of the Insurance
Committee. Although now in his 76th year, his energies do not seem in the
least impaired, but he is hearty and strong, with indications of many years
yet of usefulness,
HE
RY A, K:-WWLES, druggist, was born at Guelph, August 29, 1839,
his father being Thomas Knowles, In 1860 he came to foronto, where
he has since resided, He has been in his present place of business since
186 9, lIt: married Mary Matilda Playter, daughter of Jamcs Playtcr by
whom he hqs had six children.
29
44 8
Tlte County of York,
J. R. LEE, chemist and druggist, corner of Queen and Seaton Streets,
also at 339 King Street East. r..1:r. Lee first commenced business at 339
King Street East in 1868, and in 1872 opened a branch store on Queen
Street, and is now doing one of the largest dispensing businesses in the
city. The business is retail, giving employment to six clerks,
NEIL C. LOVE, chemist and druggist, 166 Yonge Street, is a native
of Saltcoats, parish of Anderson, Ayrshire, Scotland, being the youngest
son of Robert Love, manufacturers' agent of that town. Mr, Love was
partially educated in Scotland, afterwards completing his studies at Omagh,
County Tyrone, Ireland. He came to Toronto in 1842, and finished his
business education with Lesslie Brothers, King Street, In 1845 he became
assistant to his brother Robert, a druggist on Y onge Street, with whom
. he remained five years, subsequently commencing business for himself on
the same street, but three months had barely expired ere he was burnt out.
He removed to a store opposite, remaining there till 18 7 0 , when, having
purchased 155 Yonge Street, he took possession and conducted business
there till 1881, since which year he has been located at his present premises.
1fr. Love has been for many years a J.P. for both city and county. He
has taken an active and important part in municipal affairs for many years,
and still represents St. James' Ward as Alderman, He has for many years
been M:anager of the House of Industry, ànd has been Chairman of the
same Institution since 1881. Mr. Love is a man highly respected both in
his public and private capacity. As a magistrate he is conscientious in
the discharge of a grave duty, and as a private citizen he is ever ready
to bestow advice and counsel on those who need it.
ANGUS MATHESON, chemist and druggist, 136 King Street \Vest, was
born in Inverness, Scotland, in 1813, He early enlisted in the 93 rd
Regiment, and was for several years Depot Hospital Sergeant. He came
with the regiment to Toronto in 1838, and received his discharge at home in
18 5 2 . He then took up the drug business, which he has since continued,
having been educated for the medical profession.
JOHN P. MAY, druggist, 212 Queen Street East, was born in Toronto
in 18 5 2 . He is the son of Dr. S., P, :\1:ay, well known in medical and
educational circles, He first began the drug business in 1867, serving with
Henry J, Rose. He is now manager for J. R. Lee,
O. H. PHILLIPS, chemist and druggist, 38 Queen Street West, is a
native of Schomberg, Ontario, his father being the first white child born
there. Mr. 0, H. Phillips was educated at the Ontario College Gf Pharmacy,
TIle City of Toronto.
449
H. SHERRIS, druggist, 444 Queen Street \Vest, was born in London,
England, 1849. He was educated in Cornwall, England, and came to
Toronto in 1873. For three years he was the manager of the drug store
which he now occupies. At the expiration of that time he bought it, and
since then has conducted a very successful trade,
D. L, THOMPSON, chemist and homæopathic pharmacist, 394 Yonge
Street, was born in Cavanville, Durham County, Ontario, He first estab-
lished his business in Huron County, Ontario, in 1859, and ten years later
commenced in thi6 city. He deals in general drugs and dispensing; also
a specialty in homæopathic medicines. His father was by trade a tanner,
and was born in the Town of Lancaster, England, and came to Cavanville,
Canada, in 1819. .
HENRY ALGERNON TURNER, chemist and druggist, 568 Yonge Street,
was born in Toronto, and is the son of Henry Turner, a native of Bath
. ,
England, who came to this country in 1849, and died in 1857. l\Ir. Turner is
a graduate of the Ontario College of Pharmacy, and established his business
in 1877. He is Secretary to the Toronto Royal Arcanum Council, No. 263,
Vv. C, \V ILD & Co., 462 Queen Street. This busmess has been estab-
lished a great number of years, the present firm buying it during the present
year. They are doing a large and thriving business in drugs, medicines,
chemicals, etc" making a specialty of filling physicians' prescriptions.
lr.
Wild, the senior partner, is the son of the Rev, Dr. \Vild, our popular
preacher, of the Bond Street Congregational Church. The College of
Pharmacy of Ontario granted Mr. \Vild his diploma in 1884 with honours,
JOSEPH WRIGHT, chemist and druggist, 100 Queen Street \Vest. This
business was established first by Mr. Samuel Howarth, who continued up
to 1862, when he was u,nfortunately burnt out, the building being entirely
destroyed, The present building, now occupied by
Ir. \Vright, was
moved to the vacant lot by Dr. Howson, who opened a drug store, which
he conducted until 1871. 11r. J. \Vright then joil1ed him in the business,
the firm being known as J. \Vright & Co" until the death of Dr. Howson in
18 73, since which time it has been wholly in the hand.s of l\Ir. "'right.
He is a native of Lincolnshire, England, and came to Toronto in 18 53.
Since becoming a resident of the city þe has taken great interest in muni.
cipal affairs,
Dry-Goods.
ARMSON & STONE, select dry goods merchants, 49 King Street \YesL
The business was established in 1881 under the title of Armson & Floyd, the
latter retiring in 1883, being succeeded by Mr. Stone. The firm deals largely
45 0
The County of York,
in foreign silks, dress goods, fine dry-goods, mantles, etc., and employs a
staff of twenty-five salesmen and ladies, and hands engaged in manufacture.
Both members of the firm are of English birth.
J. S. BODDY, dry-goods, 256 Queen Street East, established his business
in 1878, which was first located a few doors west of his present situation.
The store has a frontage of 22 x 50 feet deep, and is two storeys high, He
employs three clerks, and
oes a fair business in millinery and fancy goods,
Mr. Boddy is a Canadian by birth, and has been a resident of Toronto since
18 7 2 .
CHAS, S. BOTSFORD, retail dry-goods merchant, 486 Queen Street
West. Business established in 1\Îarch, 1878, It was first located at the
corner of Queen and Portland Streets, and removed to its present quarters
in 1883' The s
ore has a frontage of 35 x 85 feet, and is three storeys in
height. This is doubtless the finest store of its class on the street, the
establishment giving employment to a staff of seventeen clerks. The mate-
rials supplied are dress goods, staples, prints, fancy goods, gents' furnishings,
carpets, oil cloths, tweeds and woollens, silks, window shades, lace curtains,
window cornices, cornice poles, and general house-fittings.
BROOM & SON, dry-goods, 283 Y onge Street. Thi
business was estab-
lished in 1866 at 246 Y onge Street, and was removed to its present locality
in 1882, The store has a frontage of 25 x 100 feet, and is four storeys high,
Firm is composed of Mr. James Broom and his son, Mr. "Valter Broom;
the former being born in England, and having settled in Canada in 1853.
J. BROWN, 95 King Street East, dealer in dry and fancy goods, is suc-
cessor to Mrs. 1\1. Pollard, who established this business in 1854, having
occupied at stated periods stores on Bay, King and Yonge Streets, Mr.
Brown. her nephew, took possession in 1879, and is now located at the
above address. The store has a frontage of 30 x 14.0 feet, and is known as
" Kensington House." He employs a staff of fifteen hands, and is doing an
extensive trade. Mr. Brown is a native of London, England, and came to
Canada with his parents in 1858.
JOHN CATTO & Co., dry-goods Jllerchants, King Street. This business
was established in 1
64 at the present address, which has a fine frontage,
facing the Post-office, They make a specialty of silks and household
napery, and are direct importers, employing a staff of sixteen hands.
1\1r. Catto is a native of Scotland, and came to Canada in 1854, since
which time he has been a resident of this city.
The City of TOY01ztO.
45 1
J. COLLINS & Co., 3 Crocker's Block, Queen Street \Vest. Business
established in 1875. They deal largely in dry-goods, gents' furnishings,
clothing, carpets, oilcloths, etc. The dry-goods interest of Toronto is one
of such vtal importance to the sum total of our commercial wealth, and a
factor of
uch powerful influence in the development and welfare of every
other branch of trade, as to demand special recognition by any work
bearing upon the resources of this city. Prominent among the most
important houses engaged in this branch of trade, is that of J, Collins & Co.
The building occupied is 20 X 80 feet, and four storeys high, provided with
all the modern facilities for exhibiting and handling goods. The immense
stock constantly kept on hand is systematicaHy located in proper apart-
ments, each under expe.rienced and competent persons, and the whole is
managed with judgment and order. Personally 1\1r. Collins has been long
known in Toronto as a man of business. integrity and reliability, He is a
son of the late Captain Collins, of Her Majesty's navy. Mr. Collins was
born in Liverpool, England, and came to Canada with his parents when
seven years of age. He has since been a resident of Toronto, and we cheer-
fully accord him a place in these pages.
A. \V. COOPER. Business established in 1883 at his present location,
216 Yonge Street, where he has a frontage of twenty-five feet by ninety,
Carries staples and fancy dry-goods, dress and mourning goods, Trade
principally confined to the city, Employs a staff of five ladies and sales-
men.
Ir, Cooper was born in Canada, and has been a resident of the city
for the past year.
E. H, DENT, dry-goods merchant, 330 Yonge Street, established his
business in 1881. The store ,has a frontage of 32 x 60 feet, and is three
storeys high. Conducts a staple and fancy dry-goods, gents' furnishings,
etc" trade, Mr. Dent is of English birth, and came to Canada in 18+2,
and has been a resident of this city since 1860,
G, \V. DU:.1N & Co., "Golden Crown" diy-goods house, 2+0 and 242
Y onge Street. Business established in 1864. The building has a frontage
of 32 x 110 feet, and is four stories high, The firm employs a staff of four-
teen salesmen and ladies, and about forty hands in dress-mah.ing department.
They carry ladies' furnishings, millinery and mantles, and do one of the
largest fancy goods business in the city,
T. EATON & Co" general dry-goods merchants, 190-196 Yonge Street.
This well-known firm established their business in 1857, at Kirkton, Huron
County, under the title of T. Eaton, where they remained until lR6g,
45 2
The County of York.
when they opened in St. Marys, and remained there till 1869. Removing
to Toronto, they located for a short time on Front Street, afterwards
taking up the premises at 178 Yonge Street. In 1883 they opened thé
extensive store they now occupy, where are offered fashionable. dry-goods,
millinery, mantles, ladies' and children's fine shoes, carpets, house-furnish-
ings, etc. The store has a frontage of 52t x 125 feet, and is three storeys
high, The employes number ninety-two salesmen and ladies. The busi-
ness has improved wonderfully since its commencement, and now ranks as
one of the largest in the city. The building is fitted with all modern
appliances, including elevators, steam-heating apparatus, etc, Mr, Eaton
is a native of Ireland and came to Canada in 1
56.
FARLEY & Co., " The Bon IVlarché" dry-goods and millinery establish-
ment, Nos. 7 and 9 King Street East, In 1855 Mr. Arthur Farley began
business in a store on Queen Street \Vest, opposite Peter Street, removing
from thence to the corner of the two streets, where he remained until 1880
and then retired. The present firm comprises \V, \V. Farley and James
C. Farley, the eldest and the youngest sons respectively of the original
promoter of the business, Their premises front 30 x 100 feet; the class of
goods dealt in include every description of dry and fancy goods, millinery,
mantles, etc., their extensive sales necessitating the employment of a large
staff of clerks, etc. :Mr. W. \V, Farley, the eldest son of Mr. A. Farley,
was born in Toronto, and during his career has taken an active part in
municipal affairs, having at one time represented St. Andrew's \Vard as
alderman. He has also identified himself closely with the Temperance
Societies of the city, and other societies organized for þenevolent and
charitable purposes. Mr. J, C. Farley was also born in Toronto in 1863.
and is a younger brother of the above. In his care is placed the manage-
ment of the office of the firm. Like his elder brother, he is an ardent
advocate of temperance reform, and holds the position of Hon, President
of the \Vest End Christian Temperance Association.
MRs. HALLIDAY, dry-goods, 508 Queen Street West. Business was
established in 1861, and is at present the oldest dry-goods business on
Queen Street. The store has a frontage of 28 x 60 feet, in which is done a
general dry-goods trade, Mrs. Halliday has been a resident of Toronto
since 1860, and has two sons associated with her in the business, 1\1r. Alex.
and :\1r. John Halliday,
J. M. HA:\fI, LTON dry-goods merchant, 184 Yonge Street, established
his business in 1878 at 246 Y onge Street, and removed to his present situa-
tion in February, 1883, His stock includes silks, satins i brocades, velvets,
TIle City of Torollto.
453
gloves, hosiery and underclothing, The store has a frontage of 26 x 80 feet.
A staff of cler
s is employed, also hands engaged in the manufacturing
department. A large letter order trade is done in connection with this
business. l\Ir, Hamilton is a Scotchman by birth and came to Canada in
1868, and has been a resident of the city for the last six years, previous to
which he had conducted a successful business in Hamilton,
HUSBA
D & Co" drý-goods merchants, 352 Yonge Street. The business
was established in 1875, under the title of Summers & Husband, the latter
retiring from the firm in the year 1880, and commencing at the above
address. The building has a frontage ,of 25 x 84 feet and IS five storeys
high, includmg basement. Carries a general stock of dry-goods, carpets,
house-furnishings, and does both city and country trade, which gives
employment to a staff of eleven clerks, etc.
1r. Husband is a native of
England and came to Canada in 1879, having been a resident of Toronto
since that time,
LAlLEY & Co" dry-goods, etc" 582 Queen Street "Vest. Business
established in 1872. The firm carries on a general trade in dry-goods,
clothing, shirts, overalls, etc. Their store has a frontage of 18 x 75 feet
in depth. 1\Ir. Lailey was born in London, England, and came to Canada
in 18 3 2 , since which time he has been a resident of the city,
LUKES, DAGGE & Co" dry-goods merchants, corner of YOllge and
Adelaide Streets. The business was established in 1882, the firm having
taken up the stock of J, \V, Gale & Co, They deal in dress goods, silks,
velvets, laces, staple and fancy goods, and make a specialty of gents' fur-
nishings and ordered shirts, The store has a frontage of 25 x 200 feet,
and is four stories high, Mr. Lukes is of English birth and came to
Canada in 186 9. l\Ir. Dagge is a native of Ireland and came to Canada
in 1866.
THos. McILROY, retail dry-goods, 385 King Street East. Established
in Ü
78, The store has a frontage of 18 feet by 34 feet, two storeys high.
He carries a stock of dry-goods and fancy goods, tweeds, carpets, etc.
1\1r. McIlroy was born in Ireland and came to Canada in 1862, since which
time he has been resident in Toronto.
ROBERT ),IcI\:AY, dry-goods merchant, 250 and 25 2 Queen Street East
Business established in 18 74-, The frontage of the premises occupies thirty-
one feet, and the staff engaged numbers eight hands. Carries dry, staple and
fancy goods, gents' furnishings, carpets, etc. Mr. McKay is .1 Canadian
by birth, and has been a resident of this city for twenty years.
.
454
The County of York,
.
l\ICKENDRY &, FARRAR, dry-goods merchants, 278 Y onge Street. Busi-
ness established in 1883. Deals in staple and fancy dress goods, millinery,
ladies' and children's underclothing. The store has a frontage of 26 x 100
feet, with a heIght" of five stories. They employ a staff of twenty-five hands
in connection with the business, which is principally confined to the city.
Mr. McKendry is a native of Ireland and came to Canada in 1878, and
previous to his commencement in business was btIyer for T, Eaton & Co.
The store of this firm is fitted with plate glass windows thirty-five feet in
width. .
EDWARD 1\lcKEowN, 182 Yonge Street. Busine
s established in 18 75,
Deals largely in dry-goods, and has recently added drèss and mantle-
making to his business. The store has a frontage of 30 x 150 feet, with
four flats, Employs a staff of sixty hands, including clerks, and do
s a
large letter order trade, Mr. McKeown is a native of Ireland and came to
Canada in 1866, having since that time been a resident of this city,
JAMES 1\IITCHELL, d.ry-goods, 218 College Street, is a native of Aber-
deenshire, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1854. He was sixteen years
in Bryce, l\Icl\1urrich & Co.'s, and in 1872 opened a dry-goods store on
Queen Street \Vest, and in 1878 moved to the present stand.
\V. A. l\IURRAY & Co" dry-goods merchants, 21 King Street East.
This business was estabhshed in 1854, by \Vylie & Murray, at the above
address, which at that time occupied but a frontage of twenty-five feet;
:\ir, \Vylie occupying the top fla
as a residence, In 1858 :\1r. \Yylie retired
from the firm, and from that date until 1872 :\1r.
lurray conducted the
business alone. 1\1r. Drynan then entered the firm, which is at prese
t
composed of Messrs, \V. A. and \V. T. Murray and himself, The store
now has a frontage of 82 x 100 feet, and is five storeys in height. A large
business is conducted in dry-goods, millinery, house-furnishings, carpets,
etc. The staff employed includes over 30a clerks and hands engaged in
the manufacture of clothing. From small proportions the volume of trade
accumulated by this firm now reaches
5oo,000 yearly. Mr. \V. A. Murray
is of Scotch birth, and came to Canada at an early day, and during the last
thirty years has made IIg trips across the Atlantic. 1\1r. Drynan is also
Scotch by birth and came to Canada in 1857, \Vith regard to the goods
dealt in by this firm, we may add, special attention is given to silks, mantles
and velvets; the trade being chiefly confined to the city ånd adjoining
towns. The letter order department finds continuous employment for three
hands. This establishment is conducted on the regular departmental
system, each having to recognize its own profit or loss. The parcel delivery
The City of Toronto.
455
department is very methodical and well arranged, reflecting great credit on
"
the management. There are six deliveries daily.
GEORGE NOBLE, dry-goods, 701 Yonge Street, was first established at
2. 1 4 Yonge Street in 1867, where he remained till 1874, afterwards locating
at No. 349 for seven years, taking possession of his present premises in
1881. The store has a froptage of 25 x 40 feet, and carries a general stock
of dry-goods, Mr. Noble is of Caledonian birth and came to Toronto in 1862.
PAGE & PAGE, retail dry-goods, 202 and 204 Y onge Street, This busi-
ness 'was established in 1857 by Mr, Chas. Page, who retired in 1882 from
the firm, which is at present coni posed òf C, J. and J. H, Page. Their store
has a frontage of 26 x 107 feet, with a height of five storeys. They make a
specialty of fancy dry-goods, including ladies' and children's wear. The
firm employs a staff of forty clerks and other hands. l\1essrs. Page are of
English birth and came to Canada at an early day.
..
HE
RY PARRY, fancy goods merchant, Kingston Road. Business
established in 1877, and includes dry and fancy goods, stationery, etc, The
premises have a frontage of 60 x 90 feet, and are two storeys in height.
l\Ir. Parry is a native of l\1anchester, England, and came to Canada as early
,
as 1842, and has been a resident of Toronto since that year, being until of
recent years in the contracting and building business.
PETLEY & PETLEY, dry-goods merchants and clothiers, 128 King Street
East, This business was established in 185+ by Hughes Bras" and affords
a striking example of the progressiveness of this branch of trade in Toronto.
In 1872 the business came into the possession of Petley & Co" whose energy,
combined with commercial knowledge, laid the groundwork of that success
which at present marks the career of the firm. In 1883 they found it neces-
sary, in consequence of the rapidity with which the business had grown, to
greatly enlarge their premises, and in so doing pulled down the old store
and rebuilt on an extensive scale: the present store having a frontage of
55 x 130 feet, with a height of five storeys. The staff employed consists of
salesmen and. ladies, and one hundred. and fifty hands in the tailoring,
millinery and carpet thirty manufacturing departments, In. addition to a
good city trade, they gain a fair share of country custom also, and have
built up a wide-spread reputation for cheapness and durability in their
class of goods, The members of the firm are Canadians by birth, ì\Ir,
\VIll. Petley having been a resident of this city for seventeen years,
PHCX-NIX HALL. Opened in 1
83 at Queen Street \Yest. Manager:
Ur. H. Hutchinson. This store has a frontage of twenty-fiyc feet by
45 6
The COU1lty of York.
ninety deep, Does a general dry and fancy goods trade, including man-
I
tIes, etc. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to
Canada in 1881.
ROBERT H. PLATT, dry-goods, 288 King Street East, established himself
in business in 1866, at Phelpston, Simcoe County, where he conducted a
general store and performed the duties of postmaster till 1881. The following
year he opened his present store, and continues to carryon a good trade in
staple and fancy goods. He is agent for Bazaar patterns, Mr. Platt was
born in Toronto in 1835, and is the eldest son of Thomas Platt, deceased,
A. F. ROCQUE, general dry-goods merchant, 242 Queen Street East.
Business established in 1869 by P, McGraw, who conducted it in connec-
tion with a boot and shoe trade until 1876, when Mr. Rocque took charge
of the business,
J, ROWLAND, retail dry-goods, 173, N, E. corner of Y onge and Queen
Streets. Business established 1854. Carries general dry-goods, carpets,
oil cloth, house-furnishings, etc, The store has a frontage of 25 x 90 feet,
and is five storeys high, including basement. He employs a staff of six
salesmen, the trade extending both through city and country. \Ve may
mention that J\rIr, Rowland counts among his customers the third genera-
tion of families who trade with him, He was born in the Island of Jersey
and came to Canada with his parents in 1840, He has been a resident of
the city since 1842.
J, H. SHEARER, dry-goods merchant, 226 Yonge Street, established his
business in 1872. The store has a frontage of 40 x 85 feet. Does a general
dry-goods and furnishing trade, which is confined principally to the city.
Employs a staff of eight salesmen and ladies. Mr. Shearer came from
Scotland in 1866 and has since been a resident of Toronto.
R, SIMPSON, dry-goods, 174, 176 and 178 Yonge Street, established his
business in 1873, and continues to conduct a large and successful trade in
dry-goods, millinery, mantles, carpets, and all kinds of house-furnishings
His store has a frontage of 75 x 100 feet, and is three storeys high, the busi_
ness giving employment to fifty-seven clerks, etc.
THOMAS THOMPSON & SON, "Mammoth House" dry-goods establish
ment, 136-140 King Street East. This business was commenced as early
as 1834, and is now in its third generation. The commodious premises have
a frontage of 57 x 120 feet, and four storeys high, also a capacious warehouse
used for reserve stock. They employ a staff of two hundred hands in the
store and manufacturing department. The first flat is devoted to fancy
The Czty of Toronto.
457
goods, hosiery and gloves, staple and dress goods, re
dy-made and ordered
clothing, gents' furnishings, etc. The second flat to millinery and mantles,
carpets and house-furnishings, The third to manufacturing clothing,
millinery, shirts, etc, The returns are now $250,000 yearly, The firm is
composed of Thomas Thompson, Boyce Thompson and \ V. A, Thompson,
who are all Canadians by birth; and amongst the firm, we may add, one
hundred and fourteen journeys have been made to England for purchasing
purposes, The trade is about equally di\".:ded between city and country.
There are thirty-seven thousand, six hundred and twenty square feet of
flooring to the premises, which are heated by steam.
GEORGE VENNELL, dry-goods and stationery, 115 Kingston Road. Busi-
ness established in 1880, The store has a frontage of 18 x 50 feet, and is
two storeys high. 1\1r. Vennell was born in England in 1840 and came to
Canada in 1870. He has been local correspondent for one of our city daily
papers for the past five years, and has the largest newspaper trade in the
east end of the city,
R. \V ALKER & SONS, dry-goods merchants," Golden Lion" Buildings,
33-37 King Street East and 18 Colborne Street. This is one of the oldest
business houses in the city, and, as such, deserves more than a passing
notice.
n the year 1835 \V m, Lawson occupied the premises at NO.9
King Street East, where he carried 011. a clothing business, which was
purchased during that year by R. \Valker, who took possession of and con-
ducted the business until 1848. He then removed to the east half of the
present premises, which were built by Mr. Patterson and himself, this being
the first cut-stone building in the city, the firm at the same time being
joined by l\Ir. T. Hutchinson, who, however, retired in 1855, when the eldest
son of 1\1r. \Valker entered the company, which was hereafter known as R.
\Valker & Son, In 1862 two other sons entered the firm, and about this
time was purchased the west half of the lot on which the present building
stands, In 1866 was erected the
'Golden Lion" Buildings, which have a
frontage of 52 x 200 feet and a height of seventy-six feet, The whole
building is lighted by a magnificent centre dome, one hundred and thirty-
five feet in circumference, rising fifty-five feet from the floor, containing two
thousand square feet of glass, This pile of buildings was erected at a cost
of $45,000. In 1875 1\11'. R, \Valker retired from the firm, and the business
has since been carried on by Mr, Robert Irving \Valker and Mr. Frederick
\V. Walker, !\ir, II. \Valker, a nephew, becoming a partner in 18R+, The
goods dealt in by the firm include clothing, dry-goods, mantles, millinery,
carpets, house-furnishings, etc.
45 8
The County of York.
T, H. WATERS, dry-goods and millinery business. Established in
1882 at No, 138 Kingston Road, where he has a frontage of sixteen feèt þy
twenty-eight feet. Carries a stock of general dry-goods and millinery.
!\Ir. Waters is an American by birth and has been resident in Toronto since
18 77.
GHARLES WELSMAN, dry-goods merchant, was established in 1881, at
No, 13 2 Kingston Road, where he does a general dry-goods trade. His
store has a frontage of 26 x 34 fee, deep, He also owns the boot and shoe
store adjoining. Mr, \Velsman was born in Devonshire, England, and
came to Canada in 1865, and has been a resident of Toronto for the past
fourteen years. He was a car inspector on the Grand Trunk at the Union
Station for eight years,
T. \VOODHOUSE, dry-goods merchant, 123, 125 and 127 King Street
East. Established in 1871. The store has a frontage of 55 x 150 feet, and
is four storeys high, The trade carried on is in dry-goods, clothing, millin-
ery, mantles, carpets, oil cloths, etc. He employs a staff of twenty-six
salesmen, and has one hUI')dred hands engaged in the manufacture of
millinery, clothing, etc. Originally the store of Mr. \Voodhouse was only
13 x 30 feet, the business being conducted by himself and a boy. He is a
native of Ireland and came to Canada in 1866, and has since been a
resident of Toronto. '
Dyers,
or A. M. DENOVAN, 3 2 9 Yonge Street, proprietor of the Perth steam dye-
works. They were first established in 1877 by J. Eyres & Son, and came into
the hands of the present owner in 1883. Employs four hands.
GEORGE N,. LUCAS, 388}- Yonge Street, proprietor of steamßye-works,
Does all kinds of dyeing, cleans and dyes kid gloves, feathers, etc. Estab-
lished his business in 1870, and employs six hands, l\ir, Lucas is a tailor
by trade, and makes, turns, alters and repairs all gentlemen's clothing. All
clothing dyed warranted not to stain, First-class tailors employed to finish
gentlemen's clothing,
ROBERT PARKER, 824 Yonge Street, proprietor steam dye-works. Estab-
lished in 1876, Does all kinds of colouring, cleans and dyes gloves, feathers,
piece-goods and wholesale dry-goods. Employs thirty-four hands, thirteen
male and twenty-one female. Has three offices in Toronto and one in
Hamilton. It is probably the largest establishment of its class in Canada,
THOMAS SQUIRE, proprietor of the Ontario steam dye-works, located at
Parkdale; offices: 306 Yonge Street, City, The present works were
TIle City of Toronto.
459
erected in 1883 (size of building, 30 x 70 feet), and give employment to four
hands, Silks, damasks, kid gloves, feathers and other articles are dyed at
this establishment, Mr. Squire commenced his business in 1869, and has
been a practical dyer for forty years,
. Engravers,
ALEXANDER, CLARE & CABLE, engravers and lithographers, JIail
Building, This firm was organized in 1880. They do all kinds of wood
and steel engraving and general lithography, making a specialty of fi'ne
commercial, card and invitation work, and employ from twenty to thirty
hands. They are all practical men and Torontonians, but spent con-
siderable time with the best American lithographic establishments in order
to perfect themselves in their particular branches.
GEORGE E. PATTERSON, manufacturer of bookbinders' stamps and
general engraving, 31 Adelaide Street East, was born near Kingston in 1862,
and settled in Toronto in 1871.
Express Companies.
A. E. FISHER, proprietor of improved furniture and moving vans and
cartage agent, 62 Gerrard Street East, is a natlve of Kent County, England,
and came to Canada in 1870, He settled in this city two years later, and
in 1874 started his present business with one single waggon, and now owns
four single and double waggons.
THOMAS FISHER, proprietor of Fisher's Express, 539 Yonge Street,
is a native of Hampshire, England, and came to Canada in 1870. He
soon after established his present business, the extent of which can be
summed up in the fact that he keeps six waggons on the street-moving
furniture and express goods. He is also agent for the "Thomas" piano,
manufactured at Hamilton, and the" Thomas" organ, manufactured at
Woodstock; and also for Stewart's furniture.
JOHN V, IRWIN, agent in this city for the Canadian and American
Express Companies, is a native of Colborne, Onta
io, and has been identi-
fied with the Express Company for thirty years, fifteen of which were spent
at Hamilton, and the remainder in this city,
J. J, VICKERS, "Vickers' Express." This enterprising citizen's first
connection with this business was in 1852, when, on his arrival in this
city, he entered the service of the _\merican Express Company, with whom
he remained tWQ years. On the completion of the Northern H.ailroad he
4 6 0
The COU1lty of York.
embarked in the business on his own account, and from a small beginning
has, by perseverance and honourable exertion, built up the present exten-
sive concern, which employs a great number of people, He has had control
of the Express Department of the Northern Railroad since 1854, also that
of the T. G. & B. since its opening, and in connection with the service nine
messengers arrive and leave Toronto each day, His eldest son, J. A, D,
Vickers, is acting superintendent. (For further particulars of Mr. Vickers'
life, see J.l1iscellaneous BiograPhies.) ,
Florists,
W. HILL, 461 Yonge Street, florist, established in 1880, keeps a general
assortment of cut flowers and choice table plants, floral designs, has a hot-
house on the premises, and buys largely from outside parties. Hè also
deals in all sorts of foreign and domestic fruit, fish, game, poultry and
confectionery,
THOMAS VAUGHAN, Seaton Village. florist and market gardener, settled
in Toronto in 1856, and has always been engaged in the same business.
Has one green-house and one forcing-house. vVholesale and retail trade.
Employs from two to five men, and runs two delivery waggons.
Flour and Feed,
JOHN LU:\fBERS, dealer in flour, grain and produce, In 1869 Mr. Lumbers
established his business at 17 Francis Street with a very small capital. but,
with perseverance and close attention to business, through increasing trade
he was obliged to remove from Francis Street and took possession of 101
Adelaide Street East. \Vhile there, and in the year 1876, Mr. Lumbers added
to his business the" Great Devonshire Cattle Food," of which he is the sole
proprietor and manufacturer. This preparation has achieved great success,
the food being shipped to all parts of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick. In 18,]9 1\1r. Lumbers again removed and purch
sed from
Mr. John Irwin the premises 97 and 99 Adelaide Street East. which he now
occupies, the building commanding a frontage of nearly fifty feet on one of
the principal streets of the city. Mr, Lumbers is by birth a Canadian,
having been born in Tóronto.
E, G, RUST, 31 I Yonge Street, is the manager for T. & 1, N. ANDREWS,
who are large flour manufacturers at Thornbury, Ontario, where they
have for twenty years been engaged as general merchants. The Toronto
branch was opened in 1879, and is doing a business of about two hundred
dollars a day.
The City of Toronto.
4 6r
J, WILLIAMS, flour and feed merchant, 336 Queen Street \Vest, was
born in Toronto in 18 51. His father, Joshua \Villiams, was an upholsterer,
and died in 18 7 8 , aged fifty years. ::\lr. \Villiams has been engaged in his
present business some years, and is now handling about $3 0 ,000 worth of
flour per annum. He is a Reformer, and a member of the Queen Street
Methodist Church, In 1873 he married Miss Kate E. \Voodhouse.
ISAAC WILLIAMSON, flour and feed merchant, 136 Front Street East,
was born in Toronto in 1848. His father, Matthew \Villiamson, was born
in Cumberland, England, and in 1813 came to York, where he worked at his
trade, that of a carpenter. In 1851 he removed to a farm of one hundred
acres, being lot 17, in the 3 rd concession of East York, where he died in
18 77, aged sixty-seven years, His wife was Sarah Pearson, The subject of
this sketch spent the first three years of his life in Toronto, From 18 5 1
to 1879 he lived on his father's farm. In the latter year he came to
Toronto and began business life with :\lessrs, Chapman & Sons, flour and
feed and commission merchants, with whom he remained for four years. In
1883 he began business for himself at his present location. He is married
to Lydia, second daughter of Thomas Clark. l\Ir. \Villiamson is a Reformer
in politics, and is a member of the A, F. and A, M.
Fruit and Vegetables,
MRS. BILTON, fruit dealer, 188 Yonge Street. This well-known estab-
lishment, which takes high rank of its class in the city, was founùed by the
late \Villiam Bilton in 1862, 1\'1r. Bilton was born in Kingston in 1833, and
came with his parents to Toronto at an early day. His father conducted
the only first-class tailoring establishment then in Toronto. Mr, Bilton
died in 1869. the business being still successfully carried on by his widow
and two sons.
CHARLES ÐALDRY, dealer in fruits and vegetables, 123 Kingston Road.
He is a native of Ipswich, England, came to Canada in 1871, and has been
Oa prominent dealer in his line since that time.
Furniture Dealers,
J ROBERT LESLIE was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, August, 1812,
Settled in what is now Toronto in 1826. His father, \Villiam Leslie, died
in Scotland in 1813, after which his mother married John Leslie, \\ho died
in Toronto in 1879, \Vhen they settled in Toronto the combined family
consisted of eight children. Robert Leslie, the subject of this sketch, served
his time at carpenter work; subsequently lived in the State of
ew York
4 62
Tlze County of York.
for six y
ars, where, in 1837, he married Mary Ann House, and returned to
Toronto in 1840, and engaged in contracting and building. In 188 3 he
added to þis business furniture sale-rooms, at the corner of Strange Street
and Kingston Road. He has had six sons and four daughters, all alive but
one.
A, ROBERT PIPER, furniture maker, 59 Adelaide Street \Vest, started
his business in 1880, and manufactures principally office furniture, He
employs six men.
WILLIAM ROBERTS, 83 Yonge Street, manufacturer of office, library and
all kinds of furniture, started his business in 1881. He employs four men,
JAMES H, SAMO, 189 Yonge Street, manufacturer of furniture in every
style, pårlour sets, bedroom wardrobes, makes a specialty of fitting up
banks and offices, Established first at Whitby in 1863, and in Toronto
in 18 71. His manufactory and warerooms are all on the same lot. Size of
the cabinet shop is 50 x 30, two storeys high, and his upholstery rooms
80 x 3 0 feet; finishing rooms, 86 x 50 feet; warerooms, 100 x 22 feet; two
storehouses, 60 x 30 and 80 x 30. Employs thirty to forty hands in whole-
sale and retail.
H. A. SCHOMBERG & Co" 635, 637, 639 Yonge Street, manufacturers of
furniture and upholstered goods. The senior partner, H. A. Schomberg,
was born in London, England, in 1824, and settled in Toronto in 1842. He
established the business in 1863, previous to which time he had been
. foreman for Jacques & Hay for seventeen years. The junior partner,
John Weston, was born in the City of Oxford, England, and served his
time with the celebrated firm of \Vm. Roddis & Co., of that city, He
came to this country in 1866, and wis engaged with Frank Holmes & Co"
of Boston, :\lass., and J. Jung & Co., of Brooklyn, N.Y.; was admitted to
partnership in the above firm in 1878. The firm employ twelve hands, and
purchase largely from other manufacturers,
Gents' Furnishings,
F. COOPER, gents' furnishings and manufacturer of shirts, 5 1 7 Queen
Street West, established his business in 1871 at 129 Yonge Street with his
brother. In 1876 he opened a store at 493 Queen Street \Vest, and
remained there until 1880, when he removed to his present place of business.
He was born in England and came to Toronto in 1871.
1. J, COOPER, shirt manufacturer, men's furnishings, etc" 10 9 Yonge
Street, Toronto. In 1870 11't. Cooper commenced business at 12 9 Yonge
The City of Torollto.
4 6 3
Street, opposite Temperance Street, where he remained six years, but the
premises being too small for his increasing trade he removed to the large
and very prominent stand on the corner of Y onge and Adelaide Streets.
Mr. Cooper makes specially the perfect-fitting" Imperial Shirt," carries one
of the finest stocks of men's furnishings in Toronto, and imports his goods
from the best manufacturers. Mr. Cooper was born in England, and came
to Canada in 1860; settled in Toronto 186 5.
HUGH I\'IATHESON, merchant tailor and gents' furnishings, 283 Yonge
Street. This husiness was established in 1848, by the firm of McKay &
l\Iatheson, and was continued to 1861, when the partnership was dissolved,
1\1r. Matheson then continued the business. In 1866 he removed to 16
King Street East, and in 1882 to his present quarters. Mr. Matheson was
born in Scotland in 1826, and came to Canada in 1842, He studied medi-
cine for three years at Hartford, and one year at Trinity College, and has
practised more or les
since 18+8, In 18+3 1\1r. Matheson went to Connec-
ticut and remained there for five years, He afterwards returned to Toronto,
where he has since resided. He expects to relinquish his present business
this year, and will then devote the whole of his time to the practice of
medicine. Mr. :\1atheson is also the patentee of the following articles:
Matheson's system of cutting coats, vests and pants without patterns, and
takes less cloth to draft on; Matheson's Vital Magnetic
Iedicines, solids
and liquids; Matheson's Improved Compound Oxygen, etc.
ROBERT PLATT, gents' furnishings, and merchant tailor, ISI Yonge
Street, was born in Kent, England, and came to Toronto in 186+. In 18 7 1
he was engaged in his present business at 165 King Street East. In 187R
he retired from the trade and entered Thompson & Sons' ")lammoth
House" as manager, which position he held until 1881. He then commenced
business for himself in his present premises.
J. l\1. TREBLE, gents' furnishings and ladies' underwear. This husiness
was established at \Vindsor in 1865, In 1R70 Mr. Treble removed to
Toronto, and located at 53 and 53! King Street \Yest. He makes a spe-
cialty of manufacturing shirts and ladies' underwear. His shirts are known
as Treble's perfect-fitting French yoke shirts, Mr. Treble was born in
England, and came to Canada in 1850, Before corning to Toronto he
spent most of the time in London and St Thomas.
\VILLIAM \VILSON, 563 Queen Street \Vest, merchant tailor and gents'
furnishings. This business was established in IRï+ at 551 Queen Street
\Vest. Two years later :\1r. \Vilson removed to 553, and in 1883 to his.
3 0
4 6 4
The County of York,
present quarters, and is now opening a branch store at \Vest Toronto
Junction. He was born in Scotland in 1841, and came to Canada in 1868.
In 1874 he settled in Toronto,
Grocers, Retail,
A. G. BOOTH, 379 Yonge Street, grocer and provision dealer, estab-
lished in 1881. Employs one man, and one to run waggon,
H. T. BROWN, groceries, crockery, glass, fruit, etc" 752 Yonge Street,
corner of Yorkville Avenue, commenced business in 1878 at 47t Yonge
Street, Y orkville, removing subsequently to his present address, Drives
tWQ waggons and employs six hands, Size of store and warehouse,
25 x 200 feet.
JOHN BURROWS, grocer, 226 Front Street, was born in Halton County,
1834, being the son of Henry and Ann Burrows of the same county, He
followed farming until 1872, locating in Toronto the year following, where
he opened the above store, and does a nice steady business. Mr. Burrows
married Miss Eliza Clark, also a native of Halton County, by whom he
has five children.
The CENTRAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY (limited), 369 Yonge Street, estab-
lished September, 1880, John W, Carter, Esq" President; A. E, \\Thinton,
Esq" Secretary; George Welsh, Esq., Treasurer; and five Directors,
compose the Board. The business is managed by Mr. William Davis, and
a large trade is done in groceries, cutlery, crockery, sewing machines and
general supplies. They have had, and are having, a healthy growth both as
regards membership and sales, which in 1883 amounted to over $20,000.
They have federated with the Manchester, England, Co-operative \\Thole-
sale Society, who have branch houses over the world, and do annually about
$140,000,000 in business,
JOHN CHARTERS, corner of Alexander and Y onge Streets, dealer in
general groceries, provisions, flour and feed, fruit, vegetables, oysters, etc.
He commenced on the corner of \Vood Street in a small way in 1872,
removing afterwards to his present locality, the store being four storeys high
and 30 x 80 feet. Employs three clerks and runs two waggons,
J AMES DUFF, corner of Howard and Bleeker Streets, dealer in gro-
ceries, provisions and teas. Born in Toronto in 1838, Commenced the
manufactory of boilers with Neil Currie & Co" on the Esplanade in 1871,
and in 1877 commenced the grocery business, in which he is still engaged.
Runs a delivery waggon, and does a good business.
The City of Toronto.
4 6 5
H, A. EASTMAN, grocer, etc., 451 Queen Street \Yest, established in
1880 his present business, which is rapidly improving, He does a good
retail business in all articles connected with the trade,
LOUIS EQUI, 267 and 269 Yonge Street, general grocer and liquor
dealer, also deals in flour and feed; first established business on the corner
of Bay and Richmond Streets in 1858, and in 1863 moved to his present
location, where he employs five men and two waggons. He settled in
Toronto in 1854.
JAMES GOOD & Co., wholesale and retail grocers, wines and liquors,
220 Yonge Street. The business was established in 1869 by Mr. James
Good, and employs one traveller and a staff of fourteen hands, The ware-
house and store has a frontage of twenty feet, with a depth of one hundred
and nine feet. The :firm are also agents for "Labatfs," of London.
Ontario, celebrated ales, in which they do a large trade. l\Ir. Good is a
native of Fermanagh, Ireland, and came to Toronto in 1868,
\VALTER GRANT, grocer and liquor merchant, corner of York and Ade.
laide Streets, commenced business in 1871 in a small way, which has since
so greatly increased that at the present time he employs six men and runs two
waggOJls. He is sole agent for George Sleemin, ale, porter and lager bre\'.ers,
Guelph; and also deals in Pelee Island wine, He bottles his own beer.
lAMES H, GREENSHIELDS, grocer, was horn in Scotland in 1853. He
emigrated to Canada in 1868, and entered the employment of :\Iessrs, Swan
Brothers. Toronto, and remained with this firm about nine years, after
which he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, IH77.
l\Ir. Greenshields' store is 300 King Street East, where he keeps a nice stock
of goods and does a good family trade,
DAVID HUNTER, proprietor of the grocery and provision store, corner
of Leslie Street and Kingston Road. His first start in business was in
market gardening; he carried on both businesses for two years, and in I8
+
rented out the garden and devoted his attention to the grocery business,
He married Catherine Ross, daughter of the late lohn Ross, an early
settler in this county, and one of the victims of cholera.
':\IORGA
l. KELU, grocer and liquor dealer T was born 111 Toronto,
being the YOllngest son of the late Morgan Kelly, a well-known hotel kn"pcr
in Toronto. l\Ir. Kelly. jun'r, received his early education at the De La
Salle Institute, He took up the business formerly owned by Thomas Lee
& Co" and by his diligence and industry works a profitable undertaking-.
Mr.
Kelly married, in 1881, Eli1'aheth Hyan, also a nati\e of this city.
4 66
The County of York.
E, J. KINGSBURY, grocer and provision dealer, 103 Church Street, was
born in N ew York State, and commenced business in 1882, taking over the
stock of J. J. Powell. Does a general trade; has one waggon, and employs
three hands. Trade returns about $30,000 annually.
J. \Y. LAING (1, \V, Laing & Co" grocers) was born in Ireland, 18 4 8 .
\Vhen only a few months old he came with his parents to Canada and
settled in Toronto. He served his apprenticeship with J. Fleming & CO,y
and by degrees worked himself up to the position of manager. In 1865 he
moved across the line and filled situations in Toledo and Philadelphia,
remaining a few years and eventually returning to his old position of mana-
ger to Fleming & Co" Toronto. Not long after he commenced a grocery
business in conjunction with 1\1r. Kinnear, which coutinued for nine and
a-half years, In 1881 the firm was dissolved, lVIr. Kinnear retiring.
Mr. Laing held to the business, however, and its rapid increase rendering
his premises inadequate for his reqUIrements, he has recently taken posses-
sion of one of the largest and most commodious grocery warehouses in the
city, 33 Front Street East.
The LI-QUOR TEA COMPANY, 446 and 448 Yonge Street, was estab-
lished in Toronto in 1879. They have branch houses in Halifax and
\Vinnipeg, and employ two travellers, who visit the proyinces of Ontario
and Quebec, The Toronto house is under the management of 1\1r. George
Clark, a native of England, who came to Canada in 1881. '
THOMAS LUMBERS, grocery and liquors, was born in the City of Toronto
in 1850. From 1864 to 1875 he, in partnership with his brother, carried on a
grocery business at 146 King Street East, and on a dissolution at the latter
date, Mr, Thomas Lumbers continued the business on the same premises
until 1881, when he removed to 152 King Street East, where, by earnest
attention to a business conducted on cash principles, he has built up a good
and increasing trade,
PETER MACDONALD, grocer, 114 Church Street, was born in Argyle-
shire, Scotland, in 1838, and settled in Toronto in 1850. In 1859 he
commenced his present business,
IRA :\'lARKS, corner of Grosvenor and Oxford Streets, dealer in groceries y
provisions, fruits, flour and feed, Established at 575 King Street \Vest in
1883, and came to his present location late in the same year,
C. MARSLAND, corner of McCaul and D'Arcy Streets, general dealer in
groceries, provisions and liquors. Employs three clerks and runs a waggon.
The City of Toronto.
4 6 7
As specialties, is agent for Sleemin's ale, of Guelph, and Little's Stilton
cheese, manufactured in Renfrew, Perth County.
\VILLIAM JOSEPH MCCORMACK, (McCormack Brothers, grocers and
liquor dealers, 431 Yonge Street,) was born in Eglinton Village, and
served a five years' apprenticeship to the carpentering and building, In
186r he opened a grocery store in Yorkville, but at the end of twelve
months, being attacked with the gold fever, he emigrated to British Colum-
bia and afterwa
ds to San Francisco, spending upwards of seven years on
the Pacific Coast. In r869 he returned to Toronto and entered into part-
nership with his brother, the late Thomas G, McCormack, in the bu
iness
which is still carded on under'the name of McCormack Brothers. Their
first premises were on the corner of Y onge and Elm Streets, but after a lapse
.of two years they erected the building in which the business is still carried
on. In addition to their ordinary grocèry and liquor trade a considerable
business is done in the bottling line, for which the firm is specially noted,
1\1r. l\lcCormack married, in r872, Miss Barker, daughter of Captain Barker
of Kiagara, by whom he has three children,
ANDREW McFARREN, grocer, corner of Queen and Sherbourne Streets,
was born in Ireland in 1826, being the son of Andrew and :\Iary (Dougan)
McFarren. He came to Canada alone in r847 and located at York, where
he attended the Normal School for one year. The next two years he spent
teaching school: one year on Y onge Street above the old Golden Lion
Hotel, and one vear in Scarboro' Township. T.hen, having laid by $200,
he opened for himself in 1850 a small grocery store on King Street, where
he remained until 1870, when he removed to his. present location, where he
has a good business. He also deals largely in flour and feed, In r850 :\1r.
l\IcFarren married l\Iartha Mulligan, from Bonbridge, County Down,
Ireland, by whom he has three sons and one daughter. Two of his sons
are in the grocery business with him. He is a Conservative, and a member
of the Baptist Church,
RICHARD NURSE, 376 Church Street, general dealer in groceries, pro-
visions and liquors, Established on Yonge Street in 1861, anù moved to
his present location in 1867, Requires two delivery waggons and four men
to do his business.
\VALTER PAGE, 704 Yonge Street, grocer, is a son of Charles Page,
and was born .in Toronto in 1861. He began In\sincss in 1
8+, previous to
which time he was employed with Smith
Gemmel, architects. He
married a daughter of Alexander Chisholm.
4 68
The County of York,
ADAl\1 REDDOCK, 279 Gerrard Street East, grocery and provision dealer F
established on River Street in r 880, and came to his pre
ent location in
188+. Has been engaged in the milk business since 1877.
EDWARD KENT SCHOLEY, provision merchant, 35, 37 and 39 St. Law-
rence -:Ylarket, is a native of Lincolnshire, England, and emigrated to
Canada in 1853, For five years he resided in Montreal, after which he
came to Toronto and worked seven years with William Ramsay & Co.
Commenced on his own account in 1865 in his present premises, where
he does a good trade, Mr. Scholey was married in 1866 to l\Iiss Piggott,
a natÌve of Toronto.
FRANCIS SHERIFF, dealer in groceries and liquors, was born in Hunt-
ingdon, Province of Quebec, in r 848. He came to Toronto in the fall of 1870F
and for five years was employed in .the establishment of Fitch & Eby. He
commenced a grocery business on his own account at the Haymarket, which
he conducted for five years. He afterwards removed to his present address,
60 Front Street East, where he carries on a successful trade,
J nms SHIELDS & Co" wholesale and retail dealers in groceries, wines F
liquors and cigars, This business was established thirty years ago, the
present members of the firm being John and James Shields, and has always
been known under its present title, They employ two travellers, who
visit every portion of the Province, and a staff of eleven men in the store
and warehouse, They have a frontage of thirty feet on Y onge Street and
a rear width of ninety feet, with a depth of one hundred and sixty feet, with
three flats. They are sole agents for Holland & Co" of Fergus, and
Taylor & Bates', of St. Catherines, celebrated ales.
\V, J. SYLVESTER, Atlantic Tea House, 213 King Street East, com-
menced business in the St. Lawrence Market, 1881, and removed to his
present store in r883, Deals largely in tea-this being a specialty. He
has one waggon and employs four hands, and does a trade of about $30,000
annually. :\1r. Sylvester is a native of York County, and has resided in
the city for the past eight years.
Gunsmiths.
'GEORGE F. OAKLEY was born in England in 1846, and settled in Toronto
in 1854, Being a gunsmith by trade he engaged with \V. P, :\Iarston, 132
Yonge Street. In r883 he established a business for himself at 9 Adelaide
Street East. He was married to Annie Jeffers, November 12,1867, and has
one child, Henry \Yalter, born July 8, 1870.
The City of Toronto.
4 6 9
Hair Works.
JOSEPH COPLEY, dealer in hair goods, 238 Yonge Street, was born in
Yorkshire, in England, 1816, and came to Toronto in 1862, with a little means,
and established himself in business on Y onge Street in the manufacture of
wigs and hair goods, He had previously learned the trade in Yorkshire,
England. After his arrival in Toronto, he rented the building he at present
occupies at 238 Y onge Street, and has built up a good business as an importer
and manufacturer of all kinds of hair goods. 1\1ost of the raw material is
brought from England, He is assIsted by his wife, who was a Miss Midgley,
from England, and by their united efforts they have been very successful in
supplying the wants of a large class of customers, among the best people of
Toronto and York.
J AHN & SCHWENKER, 75 King Street \tVest. Proprietors of hair works.
Have a full assortment of hair goods, Saratoga \Vaves, Star Waves, curls,
switches, ladies' and gents' half and full wigs, ladies' head jewellery, etc.
Established in 1882. Employ from five to eight hands; the business was
formerly conducted by Mrs, Ellis.
Hardware.
JAMES AIKENHEAD, of the firm of Aikenhead & Crombie, hard-
ware merchants, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1817, being fourth
in a family of eleven children. His father, Thomas Aikenhead, was born
in Kilkenny; he was a bookseller and stationer, and died in 1859, His
mother was Eliza Beal, born in Thomastown, County Kilkenny; she died
in her native county. 1\1r, Aikenhead learned the trade of a cabinet-maker,
and worked at it for ten years; then he learned the hardware business in
his uncle's establishment in Kilkenny. In 1849 he came to Canada and
settled in Toronto, where he became employed in the establishment of
Ridout, Bros, & Co. He afterwards became a partner in the business with
Joseph and Percival Ridout, and A. T. Crombie. The Ridollts ultimately
retired, leaving the business in the hands of Messrs. Aikenhead & Crombie.
In 1858, 1\1r. Aikenhead was married to Eliza, daughter of l{obcrt Higgin-
botham,
A, F. CROMBIE, of the firm of Aikenhead &. Crombie, wholesale and
retail hardware merchants, was horn in the City of Aberdeen, Scotland.
He acquired his first knowledge of business in the hardware establishment
of Hugh Gordon & Co" better known as the" Copper Company," estab-
lished in I 769, one of the most widely known manufacturing and importing
houses in the north of Scotland. He emigrated to Toronto in IR56, and was
470
The COUllty of York.
in charge of one of the departments in the firm of Thomas Haworth, in the
building afterwards occupied by the Leader. He left him in 1858, and went
into the Birmingham, Sheffield and \V oolverhampton warehouse of Ridout
Brothers & Co" and remained there until he became a partner with
Ir. J. D, Ridout and Mr. James Aikenhead on the retirement of Mr.
Percival Ridout in 1867. The present partnership was formed in 1876 on
the retirement of the late respected l\'Ir. J. D. Ridout. This business was
established in 1830 by Geo. P. and J. D, Ridout, in the building then known
as the" \Vakefield Auction Mart," which was found to bl:.. too small for
their business, and in 1833 the present premises were erected and occupied
in the following year.
JOHN R, BARRON, dealer in house-furnishings, etc" 241 Parliament
Street, was born in Bowmanville, and is a son of l\Ir. J Ohll Barron, King
Street East.
JOH
L, BIRD, hardware dealer, 313 Queen Street \Vest, is an
Englishman by birth, having first seen the light of day at Bury St.
Edmunds, in the County of Suffolk. He came to Canada in 1851, and
settled in Toronto, where he has resided ever since, Since that time he
has seen something of the ups and downs of life in this city; and now that
Toronto is on the high tide of prosperity, it is something for him to say
that he has joined in it. He commenced in the hardware business in 1880,
and notwithstanding the great amount of competition in this line it has
proven a successful venture with him. The first year his turn-over far
exceeded his expectations, the second year it was doubled, while the third
year it was doubled again, until now it stands as the leadmg retail hardware
business in the west end of the city, Entering the commodious store one
cannot but be struck with the large and well-selected assortment of goods
there visible, Builders' general hardware, paints, oils, glass, cutlery, plated
goods, wheelbarrows, grindstones, contractors' supplies, wire fencing, in fact
everything from a needle to an anchor, as Mr. Bird himself tersely put it.
In all branches of the business he keeps his stock replenished, never allowing
it to run down, His trade is chiefly confined to the city, although he does
not want for country custom, The people of the west end are fortunate in
having a store with such a well-selected stock of hardware to choose from
right in their midst. In his charges Mr. Bird will be found reasonable, and
no purchaser can complain that he does not get fair value for his money.
G. BOTTOM, hardware, etc., 258 Queen Street \Vest, was born in Shef-
field, Yorkshire, England, in 1833. After spending twelve years in N
w
Zealand, his adventurous spirit brought him to Canada inI872. He remained
The Ct"ty of Toronto.
471
In Montreal some eight or nine months, when, desirous of a change, he
went to Ottawa. In 1874 he came to Toronto, and entered upon the
business he at present successfully conducts at the above address,
\V. 1\'1, COOPER, hardware merchant and manufacturer, 69 Bay Street,
is a native of Newcastle, England, being the son of a large farmer who lived
in that district until his death in 1846. He had joined the reserve militia
during the French war, in which he held the rank of captain and adjutant,
Mr, Cooper was apprenticed and had eighteen years' experience in Birming-
ham, England, part of which time he was partner in a large hardware
manufacturing establishment. PIe came to Canada in 1870, and established
himself in business in Toronto, in the above line, where he is also engaged
in manufacturing specialties and importing a superior class of fire arms for
the Canadian market. He has been since 1875 a volunteer officer, being
gazetted ensign, and in 1878 was placed in command of NO.9 Company,
loth Royals, as first lieutenant. He retired in 1880, retaining his rank,
and in 1882 was gazetted captain of No. I Company, 12th battalion, York
Rangers, Head Quarters, St. Matthew's \Vard. In 1875 and 1879 Mr.
Cooper was selected as a member of the \\Ïmbledon team, He was a
member of the 1st Warwickshire Rifle volunteers before he came to Canada
for about nine years, and was six times a representative of that corps at
\Vimbledon.
\VILLIAM J. KNOWLES, house-furnishings and general hardware, 430
Y onge Street, was born in Guelph Township, and commenced a successful
and increasing business at the above address, which he has carried on for
seven years.
\V. H. SPARROW & Co., house-furnishings, hardware, etc., 87 Yonge
Street. The father of the present head of this firm was from Clonmel, Ireland,
and' when he settled in Toronto, initiated the present business, which he suc-
cessfully conducted until his death, about one year ago, His son continues
the business under the able and efficient management of I\[r. Charles S,
McDonald, together with a staff of workmen for the manufacture of tinware.
The firm import saleable articles from England, including mangles and
water filters, and their average yearly sales of gooùs amount to from
:;;; 30,000-to $40,000.
F. \V. UNITT, general hardware merchant, 362, 36+ and 366 Queen
Street \Vest, was born at Newcastle, Ontario, in 1845, and commenced busi-
ness as above in 1868, He has taken great interest in volunteer matters, and
was gazetted ensign in the " loth Royals" in
\pril, 1873, lieutenant in
47 2
The COU1lty of York.
April, 1874, adjutant, December, 1875, and captain in July, 1878; retiring
with his rank in 1880, In municipal matters he has also taken a prominent
part, "having been Alderman for S1. Stephen's vVard in 1876-7. He was
School Trustee for St. Patrick's \Vard in 1875-6.
Harness Makers.
, JOHN C. ALBERY (late of Horsham, Sussex, England), 802 Y onge
Street, harness-maker and saddler, established in 1875, being the oldest
in North Toronto. Employs two men, Keeps on sale complete assortment
of all kinds of harness, collars, whips, brushes, etc, Settled in Toronto
.
in 1870.
WILLIAM CHRISTIE, harness and saddle maker, 21 I King Street East,
established his business during the present year and employs two hands,
The premises have a frontage of 16 x 100 feet deep. Mr, Christie has been
a resident of the city for two years. His trade is confined principally to
Toronto,
\V. P, KEARNS, saddle, harness and collar manufacturer. Business
established in I
70, first located at King and George for several years, then
removed to his present location, No, 63 George Street, where he employs
five hands. Mr. Kearns was born in Ireland, and has been a resident of
Toronto for the past twenty-nine years.
W. A, KIRKPATRICK & SON, saddle and harness manufacturers. Busi-
ness established in 1856 at Thornhill, where they remained until 1880, then
removed to this city, and are now located at 181 King Street East Their
show rooms have a frontage of 25 x 130 feet in depth. Employ a staff of
from eight to ten hands. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born in Ireland, and came to
Canada in 1854, and has been a resident of Toronto for the past four years.
LUGSDIN & BARNETT, saddle, harness and trunk manufacturers, 115
Yonge Street. This business was established in 1868. Their show rooms
have a frontage of 35 x 140 feet in depth and five storeys high. They
employ twenty-five hands, and import a fine class of riding and driving
goods, making a specialty of sole leather trunks, for which they have taken
the first prize for three years in succession. They also hold two medals
for ladies' and gents' saddles, one received at the "Centennial" at Phila-
cklphia, and one at Paris in France. The firm manufacture largely in
saddles and harness, and do an extensive export trade to the United States
and other ports, Mr. Lugsdin is of English birth, and came to Canada at
an early day. 1\1r. Barnett was born in Scotland, and came to Canada and
took up his residence in Toronto in 1856.
The City of Torollto.
473
JOHN SAUNDERS, manufacturer and dealer In saddles, harness and
trunks, 485 Queen Street \Vest. The business was established in 1880, and
at present he employs three hands, His store has a frontage of 16 x 100
feet, with three flats, his trade being chiefly confined to the city. Mr.
Saunders has been a resident of Toronto for the past twenty years.
S, G. SAYWELL, manufacturer of saddles and harness, trunks, etc.,
16 5 King Street West, established his business in 1879. He employs
four men.
ANDREW SMITH, manufacturer and dealer in saddlery, harness and
trunks, 690 Queen Street West. Established in 1857, and has occupied his
present premises since 1859. His store has a frontage of 23 x 44 feet deep;
and he employs five hands in the manufacture of harness. Mr, Smith is a
Canadian by birth, having been a resident of the city since 1847,
J. SWALLOW, manufacturer of collars and harness; business established
in 1882, in l\Iallandine's Block, Riverside, Employs three han,ds. The store
has a frontage of twenty feet. Mr. Swallow was born in Pickering, Ontario,
and has been a resident of Toronto and vicinity for the last fifteen years,
Hatters and Furriers,
JAMES LUGSDIN, wholesale and retail dealer in hats, caps and furs, 39
Yonge Street, established himself in 1867 at 101 Yonge Street, removing
afterwards to 74 King Street \\Test, where he remained until his occupation
of the present premises. The warehouse has a frontage of 52 x 45 feet, and
is five storeys high, He employs three travellers, who visit Ontario, Quebec,
and the Maritime Provinces. He also employs some sixty hands in the fur
manufacture, and a staff of ten clerks. l\Ir. Lugsdin was born in England,
and came to Toronto in 1852.
J, & J. LUGSDIN, hatters and furriers, 101 Yonge Street. This firm is
composed of John and Joseph, who have carried on business as practical
hatters and manufacturing furriers in this stand for upwards of seventeen
years, They are the oldest firm now doing business in the block from
Adelaide to King Street, and, strange to say, this is the only one that has
stood the "ups and downs" of trade during that time, \11 the furs they
offer for sale are of their own manufacture, personally supervised by the
senior partner, who has had twenty-five years' eÀperience. They employ
about twenty-five hands all the year round for this hranch of thcir business,
Having established a reputation for making a first-class .lrticle, thcIr trade
has steadily grown, and for some years past they have done one of the leading
businesses in their line. They secured first pri.æ medals for l.H.lies' and
474
The County of York.
gents' fine furs at the Industrial Exhibition, against all competitors. The
partners are both popular men, and are always to the front with open hand,
whenever called upon to aid deserving ones, less fortunate than themselves.
Their store does not present the most imposing appearance from the front,
and the amount and quality of the goods turned out of their place would
lead one to suppose their premises were much larger; but appearances are
deceitful, as most of their room lies at the back, where they have a large
building four storeys high, in which are their work and store rooms.
JOSEPH ROGERS, manufacturer and retail dealer in hats, caps and furs,
located at 141 King Street East. :Manufactures goods solely for his retail
trade, employing seven hands, This business was established in IS30 by
his father, C, K. Rogers, who is also a native of this city. The grandfather,
Joseph Rogers, came to Canada from Ireland about IS05, He was one of
the early pioneers and was the first hatter here, establishing himself in the
business about ISI5, He controlled this line of trade many years, and
started his business on the smalle
t beginning, and it has increased steadily
to the present time. This is, without doubt, the oldest business house in
,
this city.
Hides and Skins.
J A:\IES LOWDON, 69 Cameron Street, dealer in hides. He commenced
to deal in IS72, and has been very successful in his business.
Hotel-Keepers.
R. \V. ABELL, proprietor of the popular hotel known as the" Elephant
and Castle," corner of Queen and Parliament Streets, is a native of Long-
hope, Gloucestershire, England, and came to this city in IS71. He was
engaged at his trade, that of wood-turner, for some time, and later on carried
on a wood-yard near his present location, He was afterward;; burned out,
and he bought the hotel business near his present stand. He has been
Returning Officer of St. David's \Vard for the past ten years.
JOHN A YRE, proprietor" Lake View House," corner of vVinchester and
Parliament Streets, This is one of the pleasantest public resorts in the east
end of the city, and is deservedly well patronized, l\'Ir. A yre has lately
built in connection with the hotel a large and commodious lodge-room and
public hall, in which several Friendly Society Lodges hold meetings. The
hall is 75 x 25 feet, and the size of the whole building is 125 x 125 feet. An
additional attraction in the shape of a pleasant summer garden is much
appreciated, There are also a fine billiard-room and bowling-alleys in
connection with the hotel.
--...
The City of Toronto,
475
ELIJAH BAILEY, hotel proprietor, was born in :\Ianchester, England, in
1832. He emigrated to Canada in 1852, and settled first in Kingston, and
for some time was employed on the Grand Trunk Railway as locomotive
fireman, receiving promotion afterwards to the position of engineer, which he
filled for eight and a-half years. He was appointed foreman in the Grand
Trunk Round-house at Toronto, a position which he satisfactorily filled for
two and a-half years. During a portion of the time he was employed by the
Grand Trunk he kept an hotel called "The :\Ianchester House," King
Street West. He afterwards occupied" The Old Ship," corner Douro and
Tecumseth Streets, and" The Golden Kite " on Front Street. In 1877 he
opened" The Lady of the Lake" Hotel, 21 George Street, where he still
remains. 1\1r. Bailey was twice married; his present wife's maiden name
was Agnes Hart.
FRANCIS SU:\'Il\IERVILLE BERRY, hotel proprietor, was born near Cul-
lendar, Perthshire, Scotland, December 23rd, 1843, He came to Canada in
1853, and stayed three years in Quebec, where he was employed for a few
months at a shingle machine, afterwards taking a butler's position. He
gave the latter up at the end of nine months, and betook himself to Ander-
sonville, and there learned the trade of rope-maker. The firm failing in
the year 1856, he came to Toronto, which place he made his point of
departure to different towns in the neighbouring counties, putting his
hand to a variety of industries. In 1868 he was again in Toronto, and
worked {or a short time as bar-keeper. From 1871 until 1880 he kept hotel
on King Street. After another short absence he returned to the city and
commenced a grocery business near John Street, from which he migrated. to
an hotel in the Haymarket. In 1882 he moved to the" Prince Arthur
Hotel," 609 King Street West, where he still remains. In 1871 1\Ir. Berry
married a daughter of Mr. \Vm. Brandon, Simcoe County, a native of the
north of Ireland.
THO:\IAS J. BEST, proprietor of" The\Voodbinc Park Club House." 1\lr.
Best has been in the hotel business all his life; his father, Thomas Best,
having been for many years proprietor of "The Bay Horse Hotel,"
Mr. Best, jun'r, succeeded him on his retirement. T, J, Best afterwards
took the" Globe Hotel," changing its name to the Ie Bay Horse"; this he
ran a year and a-half, when he leased and took possession of the handsome
and commodious place above mentioned.
CHARLES BREWER, " The Canadian Hotel," :\laud Street. This house
was erected in 1876, and in 18ð3 was taken possession of hy the prc
ent
proprietor, who is a native of Bristol, Somersetshirc, England, and came to
-..
47 6
The COU1lty of York.
America in 1856. Previous to his settlement in Toronto in 1875, he had
spent the time conducting hotels in the U uited States. He established him-
self at his present location in 1883, and is prepared to attend to the wishes
and comforts of the travelling public.
R, DISSETTE, hotel proprietor, was born at N ewmarket, York County,
in 1848, His commencement in business was at Orillia, in partnership
with l\Ir. Robert Hay, where after nine years' successful career he accumu_
lated a considerable competency in the harness trade, He came to Toronto
in 1875, and for a time was engaged in property speculations. In 1875 he
opened the hotel known as the" Crosby Hall," on the Esplanade, opposite
the Union Station, Here his attention to the comfort and requirements of
his patrons has necessitated a considerable enlargement of his premises to
meet the wants of his increasing business, and the hotel is now capable in
ordinary times of accommodating ninety guests; and on special occasions
is prepared to receive almost double that number,
lAMES EMANEY, hotel proprietor, was born in the English metropolis
in 1831, and served his time in the carriage department of \Voolwich
Arsenal. \Vhen on
y eighteen years of age he was despatched to the Bar-
bary Coast, to superintend the erection of gun-carriages and batteries, and
on his return home in 1853 was at once detailed on the siege train depart-
ment for service in the Crimea. The transport in which he sailed was
attacked with cholera at Gibraltar, and after losing half its complement in
the journey from that port to Malta, eventually landed its men and stores
at Varna, only to swell the list of victims who perished there from that
terrible scourge, The heroism of our soldiers during those calamitous
months is immortalized in the pages of history. After encountering the
difficulties of Alma, and the more heavy work and danger connected with
the siege of Sebastopol, and the capture of Kertch, in the Sea of Azov,
:\lr, Emaney was able to return home at the close of the war, to receive at
the hands of his countrymen in after-life that respect which is always
accorded to those whose lives have been imperilled in the defence of their
country's honour, He subsequently came to Canada, and for twenty years
conducted a carriage business at Prince Albert, in North Ontario, after
which he moved to Toronto, 1881, and commenced hotel,keepmg on the
premises he at present occupies, 172 King Street, where by attention to the
wants of his patrons he secures a fair amount of custom.
ALEXANDER GIBB, hotel proprietor, was born on Yonge Street, in York
Township, in 1840, being the eldest son in the family of the late 10hn Gibb.
He was brought up on his father's farm, and after arriving at years of
The City of Toronto.
477
maturity he embarked in the business of dairyman. During this period he
was elected to and accepted the Deputy-Reeveship of York Township, in
which office he continued for five years. 1\1r. Gibb is at present proprietor
of the" Bay Horse" Hotel, 163 Y onge Street, where seventy-five to eighty
guests can be comfortably housed,
\VIÍ.LIAM GREEN, "Simcoe House," corner of Front and Simcoe Streets,
is a native of Oxfordshire, England, and came to Canada in 1857, settling
first in Belleville, afterwards removing to Quebec, and thence to Ottawa,
where he took charge of the Ottawa Citizen, which he conducted for ten
years, and was manager of the Government Printing Office for five years.
He then removed to St. Catharines, and kept the" Russell House" for four
years, eventually taking possession of his present hotel. 1\1r. Green IS a
printer, and lea
ned his trade in Birmingham, England,
JOHN GREGG, hotel proprietor, owns the" Gregg House," corner of
Queen and McCaul Streets. He opened the house in 1875, and has since
carried on a good business. The" Gregg House" has accommodation for
twenty-five guests. 11r. Gregg was born in Ireland, and when twenty-two
years of age went to New York, where he remained a short time, finally coming
to Canada. He first settled in Kemptville, and then removed to Toronto,
VVILLIAM HALL, hotel proprietor, was born at Deptford, England, in
18 53, and came to this country with his parents in 1858, Before embarking
in the hotel business he had occupied responsible positions in the leading
hotels in Toronto, Niagara, and J\ladison, \\ïsconsin, U ,S. His hotel is
situate at 170 Queen Street \Vest, formerly known as Jones' Hotel, where
he does a good trade. In 1876 1\1r. Hall married Georgina Jones, a daughter
of his predecessor in the business.
\VILUAM HANCOCK, hotel proprietor, was born in 18+3 at Bosworth,
Leicestershire, England, within two miles of the historic battlefield where
the English King, Richard III" was killed. J\Ir. Hancock came to Canada
in 1871, and was employed in the household ofthe then Lieutenant-Governor
of Ontario (Sir \Villiam Howland) as btitler. Leaving this position he
went to work in the mechanical department of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce
Railway. He was afterwards steward of the Royal Canadian, U. E., and
Toronto Yacht Clubs, remaining with the latter club two years. He com-
menced in the hotel business first on East :',[arket Square, afterwards
removed to the" Simcoe House," corner of Victoria and Richmond Streets,
and eventually settled down at his present premIses, 252 Kmg Street East.
Mr. Hancock married before he came to Canada. his wife being also from
Leicestershire.
47 8
The COlmty of York.
JOHN HOLDERNESS, proprietor of the" Albion Hotel," was born in Hull,
Yorkshire, England, in I 834. He engaged in farming there, and on his
arrival in Canada in 1866 followed the same occupation for a short time,
Afterwards he worked as hostler at the Black Horse Hotel for six years, and
then embarked in the hotel business at Woodbridge, Returning to Toronto
at the end of about three years he bought out the Black Horse Hotel, and
successfully ran that for nine years, In 1880 Mr. Holderness purchased the
property of the" Albion," and after laying $95,000 out in enlarging, fitting
and furnishing, has an hotel which for comfort and conyenience is equal to
any in Toronto, He can accommodate three hundred and fifty guests, and
has excellent facilities for dining a great number.
THOMAS HOLMES, " Red Lion" Hotel, Y orkville, is a native of Ireland,
and came to Canada in 1840, settling in the Gore of Toronto, where for
eleven years he worked at farming, About this time he married Mary
McCourt, also from Ireland, and then opened an hotel at Thistleton, in the
Township of Etobicoke. He afterwards kept the" Albany House" for
over twenty-two years, removing in 1852 to his present establishment, which
he bought from Robert Nixon. The" Red Lion" Hotel is one of the
oldest in Y orkville, and under the efficient management of Mr. Holmes is
well patronized,
W, J. HOWELL, hotel proprietor, was born in New York City in 1844. He
came to Toronto in 1872, previous to which time he had conducted an hotel
in the city of his nativity, He purchased the " Woodbine" on Y onge Street,
which place he kept for four years, He then, in conjunction with Mr. Pardee,
laid down the Woodbine Race Track, Kingston Road, sinking about $19,000
in the enterprise. It proved a failure, however, the public interest in
the affair being small, Disposing of the track to 1\1r. Joseph Duggan,
1\1r. Howell remained out of business for some time, but in September, 188 3,
commenced hotel again at his present premises, 448 Y onge Street, the
" A ven.ue House," where he can accommodate thirty guests. He was
married in Toronto in 1871.
ROBERT IRVING, proprietor of the" Pioneer Hotel" at Seaton Village,
is a native of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, He came out in May, 1873,
and at once settled In Toronto, He learned in his youth the trade of black-
smith, and followed the same here up to September, 1883, when he leased
and took possession of the above-named house, where he is doing a good
local and constantly improving business. This is one of the oldest houses
in this location, having been established over thirty years ago.
The City of Toronto.
4;-9
. E. A, JONES, proprietor of the" 1\lorin House," 483 Kingston Road, is
one of the few individuals who, in spite of all obstacles that misfortune
places before them, have by resolution, courage and energy, emerged from
times of difficulty and failure that would have disheartened most men, He
was born in Vermont, his people having originally come from \iV ales, His
grandfather was. killed in the " Revolutionary \Var;" and when he was
thirteen years of age his mother died, and he at once started out to face the
trials and discomforts of the world alone, He went to Livonia, }.J', J" and
remained there five years; from thence to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he
was engaged in an hotel; then returned to New York State, and drove a
stage about fourteen years. He came to Canada in 1855, and commenced
as omnibus proprietor, owning twelve 'busses and twenty-four horses, but
about two years afterwards was burned out, and raided on the corner of
Duke and George Streets by cabmen and carters, By this outrage he lost
the whole of his vehicles, He managed, hO\vever, to continue his business
until the introduction of Street Railways, but on their advent he found his
occupation in this direction gone, and from that time forward until 1881 he
was variously engaged, subsequently renting his present place of business.
JOHN KEMP, proprietor of the" Commercial Hotel," Jarvis Street, was
born in England in 1835, He emigrated to Canada when twenty years of age,
settled in Toronto, and for a number of years followed farming and hostler-
ing. In the year 1860 Mr. Kemp commenced hotel-keeping, first at \Veston
for nine years, then at Y orkville for eight years; quite recently he removed
to his present locality, where he does a large and lucrative business. His
accommodation both for" man and beast" is excellent, his stables surpass-
ing any in the city, He is also greatly interested in the importation of
draught stallions, having sold lately the famous Clyde stallion" Norseman,"
which he considers one of the best horses of its kind in Canada.
H. U. LAYTON, proprietor of the" Caer Howell Hotel," was born in the
building in which he still resides, his father, the late Henry Layton, having
been proprietor from 184+ until the time of his death, The house is well-
known and popular as a summer resort. J\Ir. Layton married in 1878, his
wife being Florence Jane Mitchell.
\VILLIAM LEDLEY, hotel proprietor, was born in Stockport, Cheshire,
England, in 1832. He emigrated to Canada in 1870, and came direct to
Toronto, where he at once entered upon the hott::l business, having had
previous experience in Manchester, England. 1\lr. Lcdley occupies. the
same premi
es now as when he first commenced, 493 Yonge Street, thL'
3 1
4 80
The COlWty of York.
house bearing the name of its present proprietor, and having accommo-
dation for twenty-five guests, l\Ir. Ledley married before he left England,
and a son and daughter, the issue of his marriage, remain in England.
THO
AS LEE, hotel proprietor, 423 Gerrard Street, is the step-son of
the late Morgan Kelly (one of the old hotel-keepers of the city) who opened
out on Jarvis Street in l8Sl, subsequently building, on the corner of Gerrard
and River Streets, the hotel known as the" Shamrock." He died in l860,
and for two years the place was carried on by his widow, but her death
taking place in l862, the business has since been carried on by the present
proprietor. The hotel has a frontage of sixty-six feet.
HENRY LEMON was born in England, in l834, and came with his father
and family to Toronto in l84I. His father conducted an hotel on Yonge
Street, and the son remained at home till l8S7, when he went to Thornhill,
and commenced hotel-keeping on his own account. At this he remained
until l879, when he returned to this city and opened the hotel he at present
occupies, lS8 King Street. Mr. Lemon married in l8S7 Sarah Miller,
daughter of the late Nathan Miller, who was well-known in his section.
\VILLIAM LUSH, hotel proprietor, is a native of Dorsetshire, England,
where he was born in l847. He came to Canada with his family in l87S,
and at once entered the service of the Hon. D. L. Macpherson, as butler,
having previously occupied similar positions in England. After a few
months he was employed at the" Toronto Club," first as head waiter, but
afterwards was promoted to the position of steward, which he occupied
for three and a-half years. In l882 he embarked in the hotel known as
"Marble Hall," 66 Jarvis Street, where he is working up a respectable
trade, l\Ir. Lush married in England Maria Louise Southgate,
JOHN MCCAFFREY, hotel proprietor, is a native of Ireland, and was
brought up on his father's farm in Fermanagh, Ireland. He emigrated to
Canada in l86S, and on his arrival in Toronto joined the loth Royals, and
was present at the skirmish with the Fenians at the time of the raid, He
afterwards followed the employment of a baker, and also entered the service
of the Street Railway Company for six years, and then went to Ireland for
a brief trip, Upon his return to Toronto he opened the" Rose and Crown,"
l4 8 Front Street East, where he can room forty guests and at the, present
time averages seventy daily at dinner. He married in 1870 Ann Jane
Johnstone, a native of Enniskillen.
ANDREW l\1CCULLY, hotel proprietor, was born in North Augusta, near
Brockville, l8SI. He was the youngest son of Henry McCully, who
The City of Torollto,
4 81
.
removed his family from Augusta to Bishop's l\Iills in 1857, where they still
reside, At the latter place Andrew learned the trade of shoemaker, which
he continued to follow until he entered upon the hotel business. In 18 7 1
he came to Toronto, and in 1873 he married Amelia Marsh, daughter of
Leonard Marsh. The hotel which Mr. McCully conducts is situated on
the corner of Jarvis and Front Streets, and has accommodation for thirty
guests, He has succeeded in working up a very good and paying business,
and tries in every way to make his guests comfortable,
JAMES l\IcF ARLAND, deceased, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland,
and while yet young sought a prospective fortune in Canada, In 18 7 0 he
married and subsequently entered the hotel business. He opened the
.. Royal Arms," which he run for twelve years until his death. His widow,
Christiana McFarland, still carries on the business; the bouse being able
to accommodate from thirty to forty guests,
FRANCIS MCGARRY, proprietor of the" Duke of Conn aught " Hotel, 200
Front Street East, was born in the County of Leitrim, Ireland, in 1834. His
. father was a farmer, and young McGarry's early days were spent upon the
farm, Probably not appreciating the monotonous life of rural labour, he
entered the service of the" Irish Constabulary," and for seven years formed
one of that body, whose achievements are closely connected with the political
history of Ireland. ::Ur. McGarry emigrated to Canada in 1861, and for a
shor:t time took up his residence near Guelph, but on coming to Toronto he
immediately joined the police force, and continued in that body during
five and a-half years as constable and detective. He then removed to-
Ottawa and joined the police there, but owing to poor health returned to-
Toronto and opened a grocery and liquor store at the corner of Dorset and
King Streets, He remained here about one year, and then opened an
hotel on Church Street, stayed three years; and at the end of that time
moved to the Esplanade, where he remained five years. In October, 18 77.
1\1r. McGarry purchased his present premises, and has accommodation for
twenty guests. In 1869 he married Mary Kehoe, hy whom he has six
children.
JA:'.IES MCGINN was born in the County Armagh, Ireland, in 1835, and
settled in Toronto in 18+5' In 1861 he went to California. After remaining
there three years he returned to Toronto and commenced the hotel business
in the" Golden City Hotel," King Street \Vest. In 1871 he went into the
cigar trade, in \vhich he continued until 1875, when he opened the" Royal
Billiard Rooms," 79 King Street \Vest. In IH79 he again went into the
hotel business at 102 Bay Street, where he still remains.
4 82
The COU1lty of York.
JOHN MALLINDINE, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1837, and came
to Canada in 1859. He located in Toronto, and engaged in the upholstery
business on King Street East, which he carried on up to 1873. He
purchased vacant lots on the corner of Grant Street and Kingston Road,
and erected his present block, comprising an hotel and three stores.
MI. Mallindine carries on the hotel business, as well as a shoe store and
butcher trade. He has been identified with the improvements in St.
Matthew's \Vard, having built several fine houses in this locality, In the
rear of his hotel he has an Armoury 28 x 16, and a Hall of 22 x 50 feet.
His buildings have a frontage of 200 feet on the Kingston Road and
Grant Street.
JAMES MELRICK, proprietor of the" Alexander Hotel," 102 Queen Street
vVest, was born in Toronto, 1846, and is the eldest son of the late James
Melrick, who was one of the first to run the stage from Toronto to Holland
Landing. :\1I. James )'1elrick, jun'r, has been in the hotel business since a
boy, and was employed at the Rossin House at the time of, the fire, on
that occasion having a narrow escape, only being saved by leaping from
one of the upper windows. He next went to the Queen's Hotel, remaining
there three years, He was in Chicago from 1865 to 1877, and on his return
to Toronto during the latter year he engaged as manager for Edward Hanlan
(the famous oarsman) at his hotel on the Island, remaining with him until
he began on his own account in 1882. lVlr. Melrick's experience enables
him to conduct his business with success, at the same time paying every
attention to the comfort and requirements of his patrons, He has accom-
modation for forty guests,
JAMES NEALON, grocer and liquor dealer, was born at Newmarket, in the
County of York, in 1850. He was the youngest in a family of ten children,
and the only one of the family born in Canada. In early life he was
apprenticed with Henry Mintern, of Newmarket, to learn the business of
carpenter, At the expiration of his term he worked at his trade in Toronto
for three years, and afterwards for two years in Rochester, V,S, Returning
again to Toronto in 1875, he commenced the grocery and liquor business on
the north-east corner of \Vilton A venue and Sumach Streets, He remained
here eighteen months, and then embarked in his present prosperous business
at 197 and 199 King Street East, which is the largest of its kind in Toronto.
In 1876 Mr. Nealon married Mary Riordan, adopted daughter of Mr. Thomas
O'Connor, of Balmy Beach, east of the \Voodbine race-course,
PATRICK O'CmoJ'xoR, hotel proprietor, was born near the Village of
obleton, in King Township, York County, in 18+8. His first commence-
The City of Toronto,
4 8 3
ment in business was as junior clerk in O'Hagan & Company's grocery
establishment at Stratford, where he only remained six months. His next
employment was with \Villiam Munsie, of N obleton, and on the latter remov-
ing to \Voodbridge, he went to that place with him. In April, 18 75, 1\1r.
O'Connor came to Toronto and entered the employment of l\Ir. Thomas
O'Connor, King Street East, with whom he remained about four years.
He afterwards commenced business for himself on Front Street, near the
Haymarket. "The' O'Connor House" is well-known, and in its line of
business is unsurpassed in the éity, l\Ir. O'Connor married, in 18 77, Mary
Ann Cahill.
l\1. O'HALLORAN, proprietor of the" Deer Park Hotel," is a native of
this city, being the son of Michael O'Halloran, who emigrated from Ireland
in 18 3 2 , and for many years kept an hotel on the present site of the Ontario
Bank, which was known as the "Cove of Cork." He afterwards bought
some land on which he built the" Deer Park Hotel" in 1862, He died in
August, 186 5; the place was then leased and the family removed to the
city. In 1878 :\1r. O'Halloran returned to the hotel which his father had
erected, where he has since continued to reside.
JOSEPH O'HARA, hotel proprietor, was born in the City of Toronto, in
18 53. His early ed,ucation was received at the School of the Christian
Brothers. He commenced business in the dry-goods trade, but left it for
a few months' experience in the lumbering districts. He returned again
to Toronto, when he entered the firm of T, \Valls & Co., where he remained
six years. He afterwards took a position in the establishment of Hughes
Bros., and stayed there five years. Leaving Toronto, he commenced to
travel for :\Iessrs, Skelton Bros., of Montreal, and continued to do so until
188+, when he started the" Continental Hotel," corner of Simcoe and \\'el-
lington Streets. This property Mr. O'Hara owns, and its close proÀimity
to the Union Station renders it very convenient for travellers, It is a well
conducted and comfortable house, entirely new, with all the latest appli-
ances, heating apparatus, etc" and should be well patronized,
T, H. O'NEIL, hotel and restaurant, 60 \delaide Street East, is a
native of County Mayo, Ireland, being the fifth son of James O'Xeil, land
agent. T. II. O'
eil came to Canada in 18+1, and in 18+8 established his
present business.
J OH:-J' ORIHSO
, proprictor of the U Ulster House;' go Esplanade Street,
W'lS born in Philadelphia, U. S, II is parents were natives of the Emerald
Isle, and at the age of eight YCLl! s he accompanied thcm back to their native
4 8 4
The County of York.
r
land. In County Down he received his education and, later, was instructed
in the trade of a machinist. In 1873 he returned to this continent and
worked in various places at several branches of industry. He was employed
for six years on the Nipissing Railway, on leaving which he entered into
the hotel business, having previously married Elizabeth Leslie, daughter of
Joseph Leslie, Highland Creek, Scarboro' Township. On a pressure Mr.
Orbison can well accommodate fifty guests, and generally his success in
business is to be attributed to the comfort with which he always provides
his patrons.
JOHN OULCOTT, proprietor of the" Eglinton House," Yonge Street, is
a native of Staffordshire, England, and came to ,Canada in 1863. . He was
with Thomson & Burns as chIna packer seven years, after which he opened
a crockery stqre on Y onge Street, and continued in the business until 1
72.
He kept the" Globe" hotel at Carlton about five years, subsequently taking
charge of the" Dovercourt Road Hotel" and keeping the same until 1882.
In 1883 he built the large and commodious three-storey brick hotel, which
has a frontage of forty-eight feet and a depth of one hundred feet, with
large sheds and stables, and took possession the same year. This house is
a credit to the locality in which it is situate, and stands on the site of
"Montgomery's Hotel," one of the most historic spots in this yicinity.
JOSEPH POWER, proprietor of the" Power House," corner of King and
Brock Streets, was born in Halifax, N. S" and has been a resident of
Toronto since 1854. He first kept the hotel known as the" Royal George,"
corner of Queen and Bathurst, subsequently removing to the" Hamilton
House," King Street, and in 1879 he erected his present large and com-
modious hotel, which has a frontage of 25 x 125 feet. and is three storeys
in height.
ALEX. PURSE is a native of the North of Ireland and came to Canada
with his father, \Vm. Purse, in 1845, He has been identified with hotel
interests in this city for the last twelve years, His place of business is
located on Adelaide Street \Vest, and is known as ".Purse's Hotel."
Retired in 1 881.
R. H, REID, proprietor of the" City Hotel," is the eldest son of Joseph
Reid, who came to Toronto in 1837, He was colour-sergeant in the 66th
Regiment, and was in the hotel business from 1854 to 1870. He died in
1873, R. H., his son, has been engaged in the hotel business for the past
five years, His hotel is situate at the corner of Front and Simcoe Streets,
has a frontage of 40 x 75 feet, and is three storeys in height.
.
The City of Toro1lto.
4 8 5
SAMUEL RICHARDSON, hotel-keeper, is from the County of Antrim,
Ireland, being the eldest son of Robert Richardson, a man well-known in
that county. Samuel served in the 13th Hussars from 1858 to 186 9, having
during that time seen a great deal of foreign service, His regiment came to
Canada in 1866, and on its being ordered home again two years later, through
the medium of friends in Toronto (his period of service not having expired)
he was allowed to remain in Canada as
a military settler. The first position
he obtained was in connection with the survey party on the Nipissing Rail-
way, with whom he continued until the running of the first train, In 18 7 1
he returned to Toronto and commenced the hotel business on Teraulay
Street, where he remained two years. He then purchased the property on
which his present hotel stands, corner of King and Brock, known as the
"Richardson House," where, when necessity arises, he can room nearly one
hundred guests, To industry and perseverance Mr. Richardson owes his
continued success: possessing nothing on his arrival, he is now worth
$4 0 ,000. He was married in 1872 to Emma Moore, who was born in the
County of Grey, though of English parentage; her father still living in that
district.
W OLSTAN RILEY, proprietor of the "Victoria Hotel," at the corner of
Caer Howell Street, was born at the Cape of Good Hope. His father,
\Villiam Riley, was for many years a cattle dealer at that port during the
Kaffir war. The son visited England in 1856, and soon after came to
America and was three years in Buffalo; in 1859 he came. to this city and
carried on the butcher busIness for two years. He was one year at sea on
the "Anglo-Saxon," and was shipwrecked and washed ashore at Cape
Bbght, Newfoundland, He then came back to Ontario and engaged in
the hotel business. He has kcpt seventeen different hotels, thirteen of
which were in this city. He established himself at his present location in
1882,
SUSANNA ROBINSON, proprietress of the hotel known as the" Gladstone
House," situated at 1068 Queen Street \Vest, was born in Lincolnshire,
England, in 1825, and came to Canada with her grandfather in 1837. She
lived with her grandfather until her marriage with 1\[r. Nixon H,obinson.
brewer, of Toronto, which took place in 1846, Mrs, Robinson has had
considerable e}.perience in the hotel business, her husband having kept an
hotel at Kleinburg, "The Red Lion Hotel," Yorkvillc, " Globe Hotel,"
city, and the house occupied by her at present.. Her husband died some
time ago, leaving her with a family of thirteen childrcn.
Irs, Robinson
has accommodation in busy timcs for fifty gUest
.
.
4 86
The County of York.
THOMAS E. SCHOLES, proprietor of the "Sch
les Hotel," situated at
86 4 Queen Street \Vest, Dundas Street corner. He was born in Quebec,
but came to Toronto with his father and family in 1857, then being only
three years of age. He served his apprenticeship at Gurney & Co's at the
trade of a moulder, and after leaving there worked for four years with his
brother on Albert Street, after which he commenced business at the hotel
above mentioned, His success has been marked, and his strict attention
to the requirements of his patrons is well known. Recently J\'Ir. Scholes
built the large hotel at Parkdale (plans by Mr. James Davis), on the corner
of
ing and Queen Streets, which was only opened in December last, and
at the present time an addition of fifty rooms is being made to it. In
1877 Mr. Scholes married Ann Jane Scholes, daughter of the late Richard
Scholes.
JOHN SHANNESSY, proprietor of the" Royal Hotel," Y onge Street, is a
native of Ireland, and was born in 1834, in the County of Limerick. He
came with his father and family to Canada in 1840 and settled in Toronto,
and for twenty-five years navigated the lakes in different steamers. About
eighteen years ago !\Ir. Shannessy commenced the hotel business at the
"Niagara House," Yonge Street, and afterwards removed to the" Royal
Saloon" on King Street. In 1876 he opened his present premises, which
he owns, and conducts a prosperous business, As President of the Toronto
Branch of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, Mr. Shannessy is deservedly
popular, his energy and perseverance being of material assistance to that
society. In 1862 he married Jane Thompson, by whom he has four children,
RICHARD SLEES, proprietor of "Slees' Hotel," 789 Yonge Street, is a
native of Devonshire, England, and came to Canada in 1872. He waS
engaged in the brewing business about ten years, and in 1882 bought the
suburban hotel where he is at present located, and is doing a good local
and country trade.
D-\.NIEL S:\IALL, hotel proprietor, was born in Adjala, Simcoe County,
18.B. About ten years ago he came to Toronto and commenced business
at an hotel on Queen Street \Vest, which he conducted for about five years.
At the end of this period he entered on his present venture-the "Grand
Opera House Saloon," 13 Adelaide Street \Vest, where he has excellent
accommodation for fifteen guests, Mr. Small married in 1862 Ellen Brazell
whose family were residents of Bond Head.
\VILLIAM S:\IITH, "Osgoode Hotel," corner of Chestnut and Queen
Street \Vest. The proprietor of this establishment has been in the hotel
business about ten years, his first venture being as caterer at the Union
..
.
The Cz"ty of Toronto,
4 8 7
Station, where he remained until 1879, taking possession of the" Osgoode
Hotel" in that year. The premises have a frontage of 50 x ISO feet, and
are three storeys high.
JOH:-.l SOMERS, proprietor of the" Sportsman Hotel," No. II and 13
Albert Street, is a native of Ireland and came to Canada in 18+2, He first
located in Quebec, where he "remained until 1850, and afterwards coming to
Toronto worked at his trade, that of a cabinet-maker, until 1853, He
engaged in the cab business for nine years, and, on giving up that vocation,
commenced an hotel at the corner of Elm and Elizabeth Streets known as
the "Dove Hotel," continuing there for two years, He next took charge
of the "Prince of Wales'" hotel, Y onge Street, and before he opened his
present premises had charge of the" Durham House."
S. STROUD, hotel-keeper, 54 Bay Street, was born in Kent, England, in
July, 1821, and settled in Toronto in 1837. In 1844 he commenced the
hotel business at the corner of King and Sherbourne Streets. In the same
year he married Sarah \Vilson, the daughter of aU, E, Loyalist.
ARTHUR GERARD TAYLOR, proprietor of the" Taylor House," corner of
Agnes and Elizabeth Streets, is a native of Banffshire, Scotland, and came
to Canada in 1873, taking up his residence in this city. He was four years
on the Scotch police, and was eight years on the police force of this city,
In April, 1882, he succeeded l\1r. Patterson in the above popular hotel and
restaurant.
CHARLES \V ALKER, proprietor of the" Crown Hotel," 81 Bay Street,
was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 1847, \Yhen quite young he was
employed by a firm of tube-makers in Glasgow, with whom he remained ten
years, afterwards working for a M r. Richmond in the same business. He
emigrated to Canada in the year 1871 and came direct to Toronto, remaining
but a short time however, Port Hope being his next destination, There he
was engaged with Mr. Smart, postmaster; but ultimately he returned to
Toronto and served for eleven years at the" \Valker House" under
Ir,
David \Valker, his half-brother, He commenced hotel-keeping on his own
account in 1882 at the premises he at present occupies, where he has good
accommodation for twenty-five guests; including also a fine billiard room,
Mr, \Valker married, in 1872, Elizabeth Moore, from Southampton, England,
He intends shortly to enlarge his hotel; his increasing business necessitating
this outlay.
DAVID \V ALKER, proprietor of the well-known and high-class hotel
named after its owner. This building was erected by James Smith in Ib73.
4 88
The Coullty of York.
and since that time has been enlarged on two occasions, viz., 1875 and 1878,
the alterations at the latter date doubling its accommodating capacity.
Since its erection the hotel has been entirely under the proprietorship of
1\1r. \Valker, who in the management has the able assistance of Mr. \Vright.
whose connection with the travelling community is well-known. There are
one hundred and twenty-five rooms at the U Walker House," and excellent
accommodation for three hundred guests.
JOHN HENRY \VESTMAN, hotel-keeper, was born in Toronto, January
loth, 1856, His father (the late Samuel \Vestman) was a York pioneer,
and in the early days of the city kept hotel on Adelaide Street, Church
Street and Market Square. Mr. \Vestman learned the trade of machinist
with Mr. John Fensom, which occupation he followed up to the tIme of his
father's death. His first venture in the hotel business was on Colborne
Street, from which (after a trial of eighteen months' duration) he removed
to his present hotel on Jarvis Street, U The Westman," where he does a good
trade, Mr. Westman married in 1879 Anna \Villiams, daughter of the
Inspector of the Esplanade.
E, \V. \VILLIAMS, hotel proprietor, was born in Newcastle, England,
in 1833, In 1861 he came to Canada and located in Toronto, where he
engaged in the hotel business, having built the house on Front and Bathurst
Streets, Three years later he purchased the "Algeria Hotel," corner
of Niagara and Bathurst Streets, which he is carrying on at the present
time. His hotel has a frontage of 104 x 105, and is three storeys in height,
built of brick.
GEORGE \VILLIAMS, Esplanade Inspector, was born at Petty Harbour,
Newfoundland, July 31st, 1831. He came with his parents to Toronto
when only seven years of age, Brought up to no particular business, he
engaged in various occupations during the early portion of his life, some
time of which he spent on the lakes, owning a trading schooner, which he
ran for some years, He entered the hotel business at No.6 \Vest Market
Street, " Williams' Hotel," which he conducted successfully for twenty-one
years. Discontinuing the hotel business he still retains his office of Esplan-
ade constable (to which he had some time previously been appointed), and
by his urbanity and general kindliness of disposition earns the respect .of all
who know him, Mr. \Villiams was twice married, first in 1855 to Eliza
Boyd, and secondly to Jane, widow of the late Samuel \Vestman.
JOHN \VILSON, proprietor of the U \Vilson House," III York Street, was
born in Dublin, Ireland, 1846. He came with his father and family to
Canada in 1850 and settled in Toronto. He early learned the trade of a
The Cz"ty of Tor01lto.
4 8 9
machinist with F, H. Medcalf, after which he followed his business in New
York State, U, S. Again he came to Toronto and became foreman for
Joab Scales, tobacconist, till 1875, when he embarked in the hotel business
at the above mentioned house, where he can accommodate sixty guests,
In 1870 IVlr. Wilson married Barbara
lurray, daughter of Peter Murray,
one of the first settlers in the Township of Mono.
JOHN R, \VILSON, "Durham House," 624 Yonge Street, was born at
Thornhill Village, York County, 1848, Served an apprenticeship to harness
making at his birthplace, but did not follow it up, He travelled for the firm
of Taylor & Wilson about nine years, and was agent for Thomas Davies &
Co. about one year. In the year 1880 he entered upon his present business
at the above mentioned add
ess, where he has accommodation in crowded
times for twenty-five guests. He married, in 1875, Diana Hardy, who is a
native of this county.
THO:\IAS \VILSON, hotel proprietor, was born in Yorkshire, England,
1834. His father, George \Vilson, emigrated to the United States in 1837
and settled in the Village of Antwerp, Jefferson County, N, Y. At the
end of one year's residence he removed from there to Guelph in Canada,
Mr. Thomas \Vilson, served his apprenticeship in Galt at carriage-making,
and on completing his term returned to Guelph, where he worked at his
trade for Scott & Watson, Eighteen months afterwards he commenced
business on his own account at \Vl1son's Corners (the place being named
after him), where he remained from 1856 to 1860. Subsequently he removed
to Mount Forest, staying there about eleven years, conducting during that
period first the "Anglo-American" and afterwards the "Palmerston"
hotels. The' enterprise of 1\1r. \Vilson next took him to Durham, the
" British" hotel falling to his management for two years, after which he
went to Orangeville and secured the control of the Toronto, Grey & Bruce
Refreshment Rooms, where he remained until burnt out six years later, In
1879 he came to Toronto and opened the well-known '. \Yilson's Hotel,"
15 1 - 1 53 Bathurst Street, where he accommodates thirty guests. :\Ir,
\Vilson married, in 1854, Mary Channing, whose relatives belong to Devon-
shire, England.
\VILLIAM \VOODS, proprietor of the" Leslie Hotel," Kingston l{oad, was
born in King's County, Ireland, and came to Canada in :\Iay, 1853. For
seven years he occupied a position in the warehouse of Robert Rcford,
establishing himself in the grocery and liquor business at the corner of
Caroline and King Streets afterwards. From this locality he removed to
the corner of Sackville and King Streets, remdining there till he bought
49 0
The County of York,
and took possessIon of the above hotel in 1876, In connection with this
hotel he has a garden and conservatory, and also owns a lot near the lake
for the use of guests desirous of boating or fishing. His premises have a
frontage of 81 x 230 feet.
JETHRO \VORDEN, hotel proprietor, was born in Kingston Township,
Addington County, the birthplace also of his parents. His father, John
\Vorden, was a prominent farmer in that neighbourhood and in the eariy
pays owned a large amount of property. His son, Jethro, adopted the trade
of a machinist, and was the first to establish an organ reed manufactory in
the Dominion. He selected Toronto for his venture, and in 1878 opened
the place on Adelaide Street \Vest, now known as Augustus Newall & Co:s
In 1881 Mr. \Vorden purchased his present premises and embarked in the
hotel business-17 and 19 Adelaide Street \Vest, "Grand Opera Hotel,"
where twenty guests can be made comfortable. He married in 1867 Sarah
Hudson, whose family originally came from Devonshire, England.
House-Furnishings.
\VILLIAM COTTRELL, manufacturer and dealer In copper, iron and tin-
plate hardware. Established in 1866.
ROBERT 1\1, LARTER, house-furnishings, etc" 433 Yonge Street, was
horn in the County of \Vellington, and served twelve years in the stove
manufacturing business, commencing for himself in the early part of 1882
at the above address where he does a general and increasing trade in stoves,
tinware, etc,
THOMAS J. SPINK, house furnishings, stoves, etc., 92 Queen Street
\Vest, was born in the Town of Dundas, and came to Toronto in 1878.
He has been four years in his present business, and by close application
and earnest attention thereto has made it successful. l\Ir. Spink employs
from five to seven hands.
Ice Dealers.
DO:\fINION ICE DELIVERY, 320 and 322 King Street East, Charles Burns,
proprietor. Established in 1866. Mr. Burns has two ice-houses on King
Street East, 50 x 100 feet each; four on \Vater Street, three of which are
4 0X 60 feet, and one 40 x 96 feet; one on Carlaw Avenue, 30 x 135 feet,
Stores from thirteen ,to fourteen thousand tons annually, and runs six
double and several single waggons, Employs about fifteen men in the
summer time; in the winter time, eighty men and twenty-five teams, . He
secures his ice mostly from the lake, and has testimonials from Thomas
.
The Czty of Toro1lto.
49 1
Heys, Professor of Chemistry in the Toronto School of 'Medicine, as to the
purity of his ice for 1884, l\lr. Burns was Grand President of the Emerald
Beneficial Association of Ontario, assembled at St. Catharines in 188.};
also President of the Toronto Ice Association, Chairman of the Finance
Committee of the Separate School Board of Toronto, of which he has been
a member for twenty-four years, and a Justice of the Peace for the County
of York. He was born in the County \Vicklow, Ireland, in 18.}0, and settled
in Toronto in 1849. H
first engaged in the flour and feed business, subse-
quently in grocery and liquors, both of which he is still engaged in together
with his ice business.
JOHN C. GRAHAM, 81 Esplanade East, proprietor of ice delivery,
established in 1874' Ice-house, 87 Esplanade (MetropolItan Ice-house),
63 x 152 feet and 30 feet high, capacity, six thousand tons; one on Cecil
Street, 96 x 43 feet, and 20 feet high, capacity one thousand, eight hundred
tons; one on Lake Street 110 x 50 feet and 18 feet high, capacity two
thousand, two hundred tons. Employs eight delivery waggons; and in
summer eleven hands. In winter he elevates by horse-power and runs two
gangs of men, eighteen each and six horses, Puts up about tons annually.
Settled in Toronto in 1857, and is an iron founder by trade, in which
capacity he was engaged for twelve years,
MRS. CATHERINE GREENWOOD, Kingston Road, ice dealer and hotel
proprietor, established in 1864 by John Greenwood, who was also a carriage-
maker and painter.
Jewellers and Watchmakers.
BE
JAMI
CHAP:\UN, watchmaker and jeweller, 261 Yonge Street, is
a native of Belfast, Ireland, where he learned his trade and carried on
business for sixteen years. He came to Canada in I K64, and ten years
later established himself in business at his present store, where he has a
first-class connection, his specialty being fine work.
J. E, ELLIS & Co., jewellers, etc, I King Street East. This business
was established in 1836, and does a large retail trddc in all kinds of
jewellery, watches, clocks, etc, The firm is composed of Jamcs E, Ellis
and 1\1. T. Cain.
G, GOWLAND, watchmaker and jewcller, 17+t King Street East, estab-
lished his business ill 187+, and does a general retail trade, rCJMiring, etc.
JOHN MARSHALL PARKINSO
, manufacturing jewellcr, I3! Richmond
Street East, was :)orn in Toronto. Iwing- thc dell ,
t son of Rcuhcn Parkin-
49 2
TIle County of York,
son, a native of the United States, who carne to Toronto in r8r9 and died
here in 1879, aged eighty-six years. l\1r. Parkinson commenced business
in 1860 at his present address, where he does all kinds of solid work for the
trade,
J, SE,GSWORTH & Co., importers of Swiss and American watches and
English and American fine gold jewellery, 23 Scott Street, The business was
established on Yonge Street in 1860, and removed to its present location
in 1874. It is exclusively wholesale, two travelling agents being employed.
Mr. Segsworth was born in Toronto in 1837, His father, John Segsworth,
was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1806, and settled in Toronto in 1831 ;
he died in 1872,
CHARLES \V ARD, 223 Queen Street East, is a manufacturing jeweller
and electro-plater, conducting business at this address, He first com-
menced business on Queen Street \Vest in 1856, removing in 1876 to his
present premises.. Mr. \Vard is a native of New York City, and came to
Toronto in 1841.
GEORGE \V ARD, manufacturing jeweller, 27 Colborne Street, is a native
of N ew York State, and first commenced business in this city on Toronto
Street in 1853. He remained here five years, subsequently removing to
King Street, and in 1876 occupied his present place of business, 27 Colborne
Street, Toronto, Ontario. He treats with the trade wholesale, but does a
retail trade as well.
HENRY T, WINDT, gold chain manufacturer, 38 Scott Street, is a
native of New York City, and in 1881 commenced business in Toronto
in the above line.
Law Stationers,
DAVID H. DOUST, manager for the Toronto Law Form Company,
lithographers, printers and law stationers, 326 Adelaide Street East, is
a native of London, England, having there learned his business, He came
to Canada in 1868 and soon afterwards commenced business at the Masonic
Hall, Toronto Street. He was with 1\1r. Carswell for about five years, and
in r877 took the law stationery part of the business, which he continued
for a time. He established himself in business at his present location in
r883.
J. 1\1. DRANSFIELD, law book and law form stationer, 28 Front Street
East, was born in Manchester, England, and came to Canada in r862, but
two years later returned to England, and on corning back to Canada in
r866 travelled for a Montreal firm, On his settlement in Toronto he opened
.
The City of Toronto,
493
a wholesale fancy goods store on Y onge Street. He moved to Kingston and
took charge of the Bonded Vinegar \Vorks at that place, staying but a
short time however, and returned to Toronto and became connected with
Mr. Carswell in the law book and law form stationery business. In 18 77
Mr. Dransfield took possession of the business of James G, Owen, in which
line he has since continued,
Livery Stables.
ALLAN BOLTON, proprietor of the cab, coupe and livery stable at 33 1
Y onge Street, is a native of London, England, and came to this city in
May, 1884, Established himself at once in this business. Keeps twelve
horses, runs five cabs and a variety of new and tasty turn-outs, and trusts
by attention to his customers to merit a fair share of the trade.
FRANK CAMPBELL, veterinary surgeon and proprietor of sales and
boarding stables, 30, 32 and 34 Richmond Street \Vest. This gentleman
graduated in 1874 at the Ontario Veterinary College, and practised his
profession at Rochester and Canandaigua, N.Y" up to 1878. His father,
Duncan Campbell, President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Ontario, dying that year, :\Ir. Frank Campbell came to Toronto and located
at the address above, and at present is in the possession of a large city
practice.
FREDERICK DOANE, proprietor of livery, cab and boarding stables, 61 9
to 623 Y onge Street, is a native of this city, being the son ofthe late Henry
Doane, who came from England to this country in 1851, and followed the
occupation of blacksmith for several years in this city, In 1866 he started
the livery stable business, subsequently building the premises where the
trade is now carried on. At his death, which occurred in 1868, Frederick
assumed control of the business, which he still successfully conducts, He
owns thirty horses and runs six cabs.
GRAND & \V ALSH, proprietors of th extensive sale stables, 47, 49, 51
and 53 Adelaide Street West. This justly celebrated firm has established
a world-wide reputation, and is fast becoming one of the prominent insti-
tutions of this country-being the largest business of its kind on this
continent. They sold over four thousand horses by auction last year, the sales
taking place every TuesddY and Friday. They buy and sell large numbers
of horses, aside from doing an extensive commission business; they also do
a large business in selling blooded horses on commission, and this branch,
though lately established, is becoming one of the important features of their
trade, They also run in connection with their business t\\enty-five horses
494
The COU1lty of York,
in liveúy and twenty-five one-horse cabs, running night and day, They
have telephone communication with all parts of the city, The business was
established by the late Joseph Grand in 1855, who was an Englishman by
birth, and carne to Canada about the above date, doing a business on a
small scale at the start, his attention being devoted to the sales business.
His death occurred in 1877, \V. D. Grand taking the business soon after;
the firm of \Valsh & Grand was formed in 1879. Their trade extends
throughout the Dominion, United States and England, They h
ve supplied,
and contmue to supply, the garrison at Halifax. Capacity of their stable is
for one hundred and fifty horses. Their buildings have a frontage of 90 x 25 0
feet. lVII', Grand is the auctioneer and manages the office department;
l\Ir. \Valsh doing the buying outside. The sale business is carried on after
the plan of the famous" Tattersall" stables in England; horses are sold by
guaranteed catalogue,
C, G. LONGBOTTOM, proprietor of livery and boarding stables, 16 Ade-
laide Street \Vest, has been a resident of this city since he was three years
of age, In the year 1884 he bought out the livery business where he is at
present located, and he is now prepared to give satisfaction to the general
public,
JA:\IES MCCARRON, Jr., proprietor of livery, cab, sales and boarding
stables, 19 to 21 Queen Street East, is the son of the late James McCarron,
a native of Ireland, who took up his residence in this city in 1852, and
engaged in various occupations, finally entering the hotel business which is
yet in the hands of the family, His son J ames was born in Toronto, and
started his present business in 18
o, He owns nine horses and two cabs,
and is doing a largely increasing business,
JOHN MITCHELL, proprietor oflivery, sales and boarding stables, 16 and
18 Duke Street, is a native of Clare County, Ireland, and carne to Canada
with his parents when very young, His father died of cholera soon after
his arrival here in 1832, l\1r, Mitchell, during his long residence in the
city, has in turns adopted other branches of business besides the one he is
at present engaged in, having been in the grocery and also hotel line,
He commenced as livery stable proprietor in 1855, and has done a con-
tinuous business for nineteen years, He owns from twenty to thirty
horses, and does a large trade.
J, L. SCOTT & Co., proprietor of boarding, livery and sales stables,
8 and 10 Duke Street. Business established by the above firm in 1880.
where they keep about twenty horses for the use of their customers, and
are prepared to give the best accommodation in their line.
TIle Cz"ty of Toro1lto,
495
ISAAC STUTTEN, proprietor of hack and coupé business, 550 Y onge
Street, was born in Perth, and came to this city in 1864, He was con-
nected with the hosiery business for several years, and in 1880 retired from
the same and started his present business, He runs a hack, coupé, and
rockaway, owns the building, and is about to increase his stock,
GEORGE C. TUMLIN, proprietor of sales and commission stables, 56
George Street, is a native of the State of Maryland, and came to Canada
in 1865, settling at once in this city, and stårting the business he still suc-
cessfully carries on. In 1868 he established himself at his present location,
where he does an extensive horse trade, having large contracts with
Michigan lumber firms, and also with the Buffalo Street Car Company,
GEORGE VERRALL, cab, coupé, and boarding stable proprietor, 1 I to
19 Mercer Street, was born in Sussex, England, and came to Canada in
1846, settling at once in this city, Before commencing in his present
business he was in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, first
in connection with the survey party, afterwards as an official. His livery
business is one of the oldest in the city, and as an instance of what may
be accomplished by perseverance and energy we may mention that he
started business with a single one-horse cab, while at the present time he
owns thirty-two horses and fifteen cahs and coupés. 1\1r. Verrall is Alder-
man for St. Georg"e's \Vard,
Locksmiths,
THOMAS HICKS, locksmith and bell-hanger, II Richmond Street East,
was born in England, and came to Canada in 1867, He had before this
worked at his trade of locksmith in New York for two years, and on his
arrival in Toronto he located on Yonge Street, removing four years later to
his present address. l\Ir. Hicks has the sole agency for the ProvInce of
Ontario of Zindar's patent pneumatic bell, which has a large and increasing
sale, He has done most of the bell-hanging in Toronto for this patent,
which has given great satisfaction, During the last three years he has
taken the prize for locks at the Exhibition.
JOHN & E. H. ROBERTS, proprietors of the" Beaver Lock \Vorks,"
established 1868, manufacture keys and locks to order. Locksmiths to
Toronto Post-office, Dominion Postal Service, Central Prison, Mercer
!{eformatory, Toronto Jail and Public Schools. Also manufacture white
metal, house door numbers and street corner tablets, for which they are
contractors to the City of Toronto, Employ six men, At the Industrial
Exhibitions of 1883-4 they were awarded four first prizes, two diplomas and
two bronze medals.
3 2
49 6
The County of York.
"
Marble Works.
J. G, GIBSON, proprietor of steam marble works, 417 to 425 Parliament
Street, Established in 1868. He imports from Italy and the United
States, and supplies to smaller dealers in the rough, He makes a specialty
of marble mantels. This is the only steam works in the city, and gives
employment to twelve men. Mr. Gibson received the first prizes at the
Toronto Exhibitions of 1876,. 1880 and 1882 for mantels, those being the
only years he exhibited, He deals largely in slate also,
FREDERICK B. GULLETT, granite and marble works, 100 and 102
Church Street, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1842, and came to
America in 1857, He remained in New York until 1868, and removed in
that year to Toronto, and commenced business at the above location, He
executes monuments, sculpture and carved work of all aescriptions in
marble, granite and stone, He first introduced the celebrated Bay of
Fundy red granite, for monumental and building purposes, and is also
wholesale dealer in all kinds of granite and foreign marble, He employs
from fifteen to twenty men, and distributes his work over Ontario, and
various parts of the United States. The carved work of the New Post-
office, Queen City Insurance Company's office-; McMaster's warehouse,
and numerous public buildings of. the city was executed, by Mr. Gullett,
J, E, PEAREN, 535 Yonge Street, importer of marble and granite.
Imports marble largely from Italy, having the chief share of this business
in the cIty. He makes a specialty of furniture tops, mantels and building
class works, Established in 1875, and employs six hands. Received first
prize at Toronto Exhibition for mantel works in 1881, Sells to the trade
wholesale marble, in the raw.
-
Millers,
ALEXANDER B>\RCLAY, oat and corn meal mill, 192 King Street East,
established his business in 1879. I n connection with this he has a flour
and feed mill, which was established in 1873,
Milk Dealers,
FRED. SOLE, -t-81l Y onge Street, Oakville Milk Depôt, Established in
1877, and deals exclusively in country milk, Runs three waggons, and
supplies two hundred gallons of milk to hIS customers daily.
Miscellaneous.
'VVILLIAM ARMSTRONG, general smith, 53 Sherbourne Street, is a native
of Roxburghshire, Scotland, being the eldest son of George Armstrong, of
--
The City of Toronto.
497
Newcastleton, also a general smith, who died at \Vhitby, Ontario, in 18 78,
Mr. William Armstrong came to Canada in 1862, and established business
at Darlington, Ontario, and in 1872 removed to his present place of business,
GEORGE F. BOSTWICK, 50 Church Street, agent for Goldie & McCulloch,
safe manufacturers, Galt, commenced business in Toronto in 1874 as a
coal merchant, and in 1884 took charge of his present business, He is a
native of Toronto, and only son of Mr. George Bostwick, of this city.
N. P. CHANEY & Co" feather and mattress renovators, 230 King Street
East, established their business in 1880, In 1882 they received a diploma
for superior mattresses, feathers and pillows.
A. H, DIXON & SON, 305 King Street \\'est, Catarrh specialists, The
head of the firm is a native of Jedburgh, Scotland, and came to Canada
in 1857, Previous to establishing his present business he had for a short
period followed the profession of accountant, afterwards doing a large trade
in wholesale picture dealing.
W. H, FERGUSON, builder and contractor, 81t Bay Street.
JAMES W, INGHAM, modeller and designer, 28 Victoria Street, was
born in London, England, and came to Canada in 1871. He first located
on \Vood Street in this city, and engaged in his profession. The orna-
mental work of the Metropolitan Church, together with several other
buildings in Toronto, are the product of his skill. In 1879 1\1r. Ingham
married Miss Jane Beamish, of this city, by whom he has one daughter.
ADDISON NORMAN, proprietor of Norman's electro-curative appliances
and curative baths, 4 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario.
Ir, Norman
is a native of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to Canada in 1863, and
for the past twenty years he has been actively engaged in the application
of electricity as a curative to the human system. He has also invented
several appliances, among which are the Norman Truss and the .\cme
Electric Belt, brought out in 1879, the only appliance in use that combines
galvanism with magnetism consecutively, This appliance transmits two
kinùs of currents to the body-galvanic and magnetic. The first strengthens,
rebuilds and heals the weak and suffering organs; the other charges the
iron particles of the blood and causes it to resume its proper circulation;
and both have a soothing, strengthening effect upon the nervcs. lIe has
also invented a variety of galvanic belts, which have been used with great
success in thousands of cases, His magneto-electric belts are manu-
factured of silk, satin anù flannel, the magnets being hermetically seale(l
and scientifically arranged with appliances. The electrical condition of
49 8
The County of York.
the blood is now a well-established fact; also in proportion to its electrical
condition is the circulation vigorous, and all the functions of life efficiently
performed. He has also in connection with his business established
electric, sulphur, vapour, steam, herbal, mercurial, hot, cold and shower
baths, which are wetl adapted to the various diseases that the human
family are heir to, The utility of these baths has become so general that
there is scarcely a large city without one or more, The effect is so marked
and permanent that no person can fail to appreciate their value,
THOMSON & SONS, dealers in wall paper, etc, 364 Yonge Street. The firm
is composed of James Thomson, sen'r, James B" and John G. Thomson.
Music Dealers,
THOMAS CLAXTON, importer and dealer ÏJ1 sheet and book music, band
instruments, violins, guitars, etc., and all kinds of musical merchandise,
located at 197 Yonge Street. Business established in 1869, first located at
24 Adelaide Street East, where he remained a short time; then removed to
his present location, His show-rooms have a frontage of 25 x- 125 feet
and occupy three flats, 1\1:r, Claxton is one of the oldest music dealers in
the city; born in England; came to Canada in 1850.
Nurserymen.
HENRY SLIGHT, city nurseries, 407 Yonge Street, is a native of Lincoln-
shire, England, and came to Canada in 1862, soon after settling in this
city. He established himself in his present line of business in 1876, He
has conservatories and sales yard at the above location, where he keeps
on hand a full assortment of fruit and ornamental trees, plants and shrubs,
including a choice variety of roses, vines, cut flowers and decorative plants.
Painters, etc,
ALEXANDER & SON, painters and sign painters, This firm does a good
business, employing from ten to twenty hands during the year. It is com-
posed of Henry S. Alexander, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland,
and came to Toronto in 1857, and his son, John Alexander.
E, H. BODDY, painter, 245 Queen Street East, is the son of James S.
Boddy, a native of County Leitrim, Ireland, who came to Canada in 1830,
and followed his trade of carpenter and builder for many years. He died
in 1872. His son learned the trade of painter with the late Mr. Alexander
Hamilton, and worked for nineteen years after as journeyman, He then
established himself in business, which up to the present time he has worked
successfully.
The City of Toronto.
499
GEORGE H, CLAYTON, house painter and decorator, 57 Y orkville
Avenue, is a native of Lancashire, England, and came to Canada in 186+ ;
settled in this city and commenced his present business, which he has
since successfully carried on.
CHARLES D, S. CORIN, sign painter, was born in Devonshire, Eng-
land, in 1834. He is the eldest in a fal1).ily of ten children, and came to
Canada with his parents when only ten years of age. He received his
early education in this city, and on leaving school decided to follow the
same trade as his father-that of a painter; accordingly he was put under
the care of Mr. Charles March, from whom he learned his business. In
1861 he married Miss Rebecca Allen, of Scarboro' Township, Mr. Corin
belongs to the Orange body, and is a Conservative in politics; he is a
member of the English Church.
M, O'CONNOR, painter and decorator, 95 Church Street, was born in
Ireland in 1830, and at the age of ten years came to Canada with his
parents, He learned his trade with Hart & March, of this city, and at the
expiration of his apprenticeship commenced business for himself, which he
has since carried on. During his business career he has done the painting
and decorating of some of the largest buildings in the city, among which
may be mentioned the new Post-Office, Central Prison, Inland Revenue
Office, Grand Opera House, All Saints' Church and the New Arcade, He
also does a large business in the importation of plate glass, and we may
safely say that his trade in this line fully equals that of anyone else in the
city, Mr. O.Connor is a J.P, for the County of York, and besides fulfilling
this public duty with conscientious care, likewise takes a deep interest in
the temperance cause. In his business he employs from forty to sixty men.
T, E. PHILLIPS, house decorator, I IS Church Street.
JEREMIAH SEARS, painter and decorator, 139 Church Street and 22, 24-
and 26 Dalhousie Street, was born in Kent, England, in 1823, and came to
Canada in 1842, He first located in Quebec, where he worked at his trade,
and in 1850 removed to Toronto, commencing the business which he has
since successfully conducted. :\lr. Sears has done some of the finest work
in the city, and is the only one who produces the enamelled white letter
signs. He employs from eight to ten hands. He was an officer of the first
Painters' Union, established in 1854, and later on in conjunction with
Mr. Fairclough organized a second Union.
R. J. STANLEY, painter and decorator, 410 Yonge Street, was born in
Toronto in 18.-1-+, and is the son of Robert Stanley, of Irish hirth, who
5 00
The County of York,
emigrated to Canada in 1832, and followed his trade of mason in this city
for a number of years; he is still living on Seaton Street, being seventy-
nine years of age. R, J. Stanley learned his trade with his brother
\Villiam (late Alderman for St. John's \Vard), with whom he worked as
journeyman until they formed the partnership which continued till the
death of Alderman Stanley in 1877. Since that date Mr. Stanley has
conducted the business alone, and the possession of a thorough practical
knowledge of his trade enables him to give every satisfaction in all contracts
he undertakes.
ANDREW VVIDDOWSON, painter and decorator, 89 \\Tilton Avenue, is a
native of N ottinghamshire, England, and came to Canada in 1842, He
first located at Kingston, where he worked at his trade, afterwards removing
to Toronto, In 1854 he established himself in the grocery business on
the corner of Y onge and Shuter Streets, and continued the same for five
years, subsequently returning to his original business, which he has since
continued to follow.
Paints, Oils and Varnish,
\VILLIAM ELLIOTT, dealer in plate glass, etc., commenced business in
Toronto in 1859 as a painter and glazier. In 1878 he began importing
British plate glass, and about the same time began the business of staining
and enamelling on glass, sand cutting and embossing, figure painting on
glass for church and other purposes, which he sends to all parts of the
Dominion. Fresco painting, and all kinds of decorative work, etc., are also
executed at this establishment, which had heretofore been done by foreign
labour. The name of the firm is now Elliott & Son, and they employ on an
average from seventy to eighty men, and transact business to the amount
of about $60,000 annually. <?ffice address: 94 Bay Street,
THE E. HARRIS CO:\fPANY (Limited), 44 King Street East, importers
and dealers in paints, oils, varnishes, window glass, artists' materials,
etc" etc. In 1852 the business was established by Dr. F. H, Simpson, who,
a year or two later, admitted \V. H. Dunspaugh as partner. On account
of ill-health Dr, F. H, Simpson sold his interest to his brother, Dr. E.
Simpson. A few years later Dr. E, Simpson sold his interest to James
Watson, the style of the firm being Dunspaugh & vVatson. Some years
after J. L, l\Iargach bought Dunspaugh & \Vatson out, and he in turn sold
to E, Harris, In 1875 E. Harris formed a co-partnership with Henry
Burden and E. B. Taylor. In 1878 E. B. Taylor died, and in 1881 E. Harris
died, leaving Henry Burden, who formed the present company, of which he
is President,
The City of Toronto,
501
ANDREW l\I UIRHEAD, importer of paints, colours, varnishes, glues,
chamois skins, brushes, sponges, bronze powders, etc., 96 Bay Street.
Patent Medicines.
G, G. GREEN, sole manufacturer of" Boschee's German Syrup," Green's
August Flowe; and Ague Conqueror, at \Voodbury, New Jersey. Branch
House, 37 Front Street East, Toronto. Established in 1878. 1\1. 1\1. Pitcraft,
manager, Sold by wholesale, and by travelling agents.
NORTHROP & LYMAN Co. (Limited), general agents and dealers in
patent medicines, 21 Front Street \Vest. The business was established
in 1854, and was located in Newcastle, Ontario, for twenty years, being
then removed to Toronto, where they at first occupied premises on Scott
Street, and in 1879 removed to their present building. The warehouse has
a frontage of 30 x 160 feet, with four flats. The firm employ four travellers
and about thirty employés in the house, and do a very extensive business,
Their trade extends from British Columbia to Halifax.
THE CHARLES A, VOGELER COMPANY, of Baltimore, Md., U. S, A.,
sole proprietors of "S1. Jacob's Oil," the "Hamburg" medicines, and
other standard specialties. Canadian branch established in Toronto in
1881, of which E, H, \Voolley is the manager.
Photographers,
THO:\IAS ADA:\IS, 145 and 147 Yonge Street, photographer. Established
on King Street East in 1880, and removed to his present location in 1883.
Makes a specialty of life-sized portraits. He has been an artist for fourteen
years, and worked with Stanton and Vicars in Toronto, and. with the Cen-
tennial Photograph Company, Philadelphia, I
S. J. DIXON, photographer, corner of King and Yonge Streets, Estab-
lished in 1872, and at present employs ten hands. He exhibited at the
Photographers' Convention at Indianapolis in 1882, and at Milwaukee in
1883, and has received favourable notices in all the journals of art, Received
" First Prize" in Toronto in 1883. Mr. Dixon was the first to successfully
produce pictures by the Electric Light. He is a member of the Photo-
graphers' Association of America.
ELDRIDGE STANTON, photographer, 13+ Yonge Street. This business
was established by Stanton and Vicars, in 1877, on King Street East,
and was moved to its present location in 1881. 1\Ir, Stanton commenced
as a daguerrotypist as early as 1855, and for some years was in business in the
United States, being a member of the firm of Stanton & Butler, of Balti-
5 02
The County of York.
more, Amongst the work executed by them may be mentioned portraits of
Generals Grant, Hancock, and Sherman, for which they received $1,000
each, The present firm is doing a good business, and employ five hands.
Mr. Stanton is a lineal descendant of Thomas Stanton, of England, who
settled and founded "Stonington," Conn., in 1620. The grandfather of
Eldridge settled in what is now Cobourg, ant" in 179+, and took up a
large tract of land. His father, Oliver Stanton, was born at Cobourg in
1801, and is still living.
Picture Frames, etc.
COOK & BUNKER, manufacturers of mirror and picture frames, 36 King
Street West, established their business in 1879, and do a good local trade.
They have also commenced the manufacture of rubber and metal stamps
of all descriptions for banks, railroads, business offices, etc, They are
doing well in this new line, and are getting in all the latest machinery for
the purpose of giving the public the very best kind of stamps that it is
possible to manufacture. Operations in this branch of the business were
begun on the 1 st of October last, and the department is now in full
working order,
W, J. HUSTON, picture frame maker, 18 Adelaide Street \Yest, was
born in Toronto in 1851. In 1867 he went to the United States, where he
remained until 1880, when he returned to Toronto, He established his
business about two years ago.
Plasterers.
EDWIN BUTT, plasterer, was born in Gloucester, England, in 1812,
and emigrated to Canada in 1832, taking up his abode in Toronto, where
he has since remained following his trade, In 18.4-6 he married Miss
Sarah Davitt, of County Fermanagh, Ireland, by whom he had three
children, two of whom are living.
Plumbers.
BENNETT & WRIGHT, plumbers and gas-fitters, 72 Queen Street East;
established in 1875, This firm do all classes of work in connection with
their trade, and employ from fifty to sixty men, and make a specialty of
steam and hot-water heating, :Mr. Bennett died in 1878, and since then
the business has been conducted by his surviving partner, Joseph Wright,
He has taken first prize for plumbers' and engineers' brass work, silver
medal for best sanitary arrangement of water-closets, and bronze medal
for hot-water heating,
The City of Toronto,
5 0 3
W. J. BURROUGHS, plumber and gas-fitter, 315 Queen Street \Vest,
established in 1878, employs from twenty-five to forty-five hands; works
about equally in plumbing and steam-heating; makes a specialty of fine
sanitary plumbing.
JAMES CRAPPER, plumber and brass founder, 32 Duke Street, was born
in Yorkshire, England, in 1808, He learned his business in London,
England, and became a sub-contractor with one of the largest gas and
water-works contractors of the time, by whom he was sent to Montreal to
construct gas and water-works. In 1841 he was sent to Toronto with a cargo
of pipe and machinery, being under a three years' contract with Turner,
Mason & Co., and having the entire control of the machinery until disposed
of to a new firm. He then commenced his present business on what is now
called Jarvis Street, and continued it there until he was burned out by the
great fire of 1848, after which he located at his present stand,
SAMUEL HOBBS, 184 Queen Street (Parkdale), plumber, tinner, etc.
Established on Agnes Street in 1877, and moved to present location in 1878,
In connection ;with plumbmg he manufactures tin and copper-ware, of
which he keeps a general stock, as also of house-furnishings and hardware,
He employs from three to five men,
R. H, LEAR, sanitary plumber and noted Gas-fixture Emporium,
15 and 17 Richmond Street vVest, first commenced business in Toronto
on Victoria Street in the year 1874, and in 1875 moved to Bay Street, and in
1877 moved to what
oon took the lead as the noted Gas-fixture Emporium,
171 Yonge Street. Early in 1884 he bought the old Catholic \postolic
Church, Richmond Street, on which he has built his present factory
50 x 100 feet, which with a splendid plate glass front makes one of the
most attractive stores in his line of business in the Dominion.
W, B, MALCOLM, plumber, 89 Church Street,
QUIGLEY AND SIM, plumbers, 124 Bay Street. Firm composed of \V,
G. Quigley and John Sim,
J, & N, RICHARDS, 248 Queen Street East, plumbers, tinners, and house-
furnishers, established in 1874, employ from seven to ten mcn, and do a
general business in their line; manufacture all kinds of tin-ware, such as
eave-troughing, cornice-work, etc,
JOHN RITCHIE, JUN'R, plumber, Toronto, was born in Aberdeen, Scot-
and, October 9th, 1849. His father, ex-Alderman John Ritchie, is still
living in Toronto, His mother, Margaret Hanan, died when he was three
years old. He first learned the plumbing trade, and afterwards engaged in
5 0 4
The County of York.
the piano and organ business for some time. He is now largely interested
in real estate, On January 8th, 1875, he married Lillie Dunn, whose
parents, Jonathan and Jane (Wallis) Dunn, are both dead; she was horn in
Toronto, September 5th, 1854, By his marriage he has had five children,
John Harrow, Lillie Dunn, Irene Louise, Herbert Percy, and Edith Laura.
Mr. Ritchie is a Presbyterian, and a Reformer.
STEWART WELLS, plumber, steam and gas-fitter, 173 King Street West,
was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1822, emigrated to Montreal in 1841,
and came to Toronto in 1850,
Restaurants,
JEWELL & CLOW, proprietors of restaurant, 56, 58 and 60 Colborne Street;
established in 1874. This is the largest establishment of its kind in the city,
where five hundred meals are served daily. The building is five storeys
high, and has a frontage of 80 x 100 feet, and the staff of hands in connec-
tion with the business numbers nineteen. Mr, Jewell was born in England,
and came to Canada in 1854, and has been engaged in the restaurant
business for twenty years. Mr, Clow was also born in England, and came
here in 1867, since which time he has been engaged in the hotel and
restaurant trade.
WILLIAM YOUNG MARTIN, hotel and restaurant, was born at Wimble-
don, England, in 1843. His early life was spent in the English metropolis,
his father at that time being proprietor of " The Feathers" Hotel, Drury
Lane, \Vhen a young man the subject of this sketch entered the service of
the East Indian Company, afterwards the" Black Ball Line," and con-
tinued for seven years on board the" Result," commanded by Captain
Cowes, and afterwards by Captain Dickinson. 1'.1r. Martin arrived in
Toronto in the year 1867, and after trying his hand at a variety of occu-
pations finally settled down to the hotel business. He first commenced at
the "Half \Vay" House on Front Street, where he remained four years,
He then erected his present establishment, 62 King Street \"^l est, which is
considered one of the most complete of its kind in the city, his restaurant
accommodating daily between two and three hundred guests.
THE ST. CHARLES RESTAURANT, 68 and 70 Yonge Street, Abner Brown,
proprietor, This business was started by George Brown in 1871. Adam
Brown succeeded his brother in 1873. He employs from twelve to twenty
hands,
M. A, THOMAS, proprietor of Thomas's Restaurant, 30, King Street
\Vest, commenced business in his present location in 1861. In IS79 he
Tile City of Toro1lto.
5 0 5
built his present commodious establishment, 20 x 174 feet, and three storeys
high. It contains a fine bar-room, restaurant, dining-room, and forty bed-
rooms. He employs from twenty-five to thirty hands, and accommodates
a large number of guests.
Roofing and Slating.
GEORGE DUTHIE, slate roofer, is a native of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, and came to Canada, settling in Toronto about 1855, and for six
years engaged in slate roofing, In 1861 he removed to the County of Grey,
where he stayed eight years and engaged in farming. He then returned to
Toronto and recommenced the business of slate roofing, Mr. Duthie is
of opinion that since he began the business has increased seventy-five per
cent. He employs on an average about nine hands, Uses Canadian and
American slate. His residence, office, yard, etc., are located at 261 Adelaide
Street \Vest, under the name and firm of G, Duthie ò::. Sons,
DUNCAN FORBES, roofer, settled in this city in 1842, and commenced
business as builder and contractor, which he continued for several years,
having during that time assisted in and constructed many of Toronto's
noblest architectural triumphs. He was the first to establish the felt and
gravel-roofing business here, which was in 1856; and up to the time of his
death, which occurred December I I th, 1881, he followed that hranch of trade,
His son \Villiam, who had formerly been in partnership with him, succeeded
to the business, which he carries on at 163 Queen Street \\'est. Amongst
the buildings which bear witness to the superiority of this kind of roofing,
we may mention Osgoode Hall, Bank of Toronto, Bank of British North
America, Rossin House, New Exhibition Building, and the New Arcade.
Some of these roofs have been up eighteen years and will still bear favour-
able inspection.
R. G. RENNIE, slate roofer, was born in .\berdeenshire, Scotland,
in 1822. He came to Canada in 1854, and located first in Montreal,
where he engaged in roofing, remaining there two years, and afterwards
coming to Toronto, where he has continued to fo]]ow the same husiness,
which is one of the oldest in the city.
HOWARD \VILLIAMS, was born in Lorain County, Ohio, Januar} 21st,
1841. He spent four and a-half years in the United States regular service
during the Rebellion, and ranked as lieutenant. In 1878 he settlcd in
Brantford, Ontario, and engaged in the slate and gravel-roofing business,
He moved to Toronto in 1881 and carries on the business of gravel-roofing',
slating, and manufacturing and dealing in roofing materials at 4 Adelaide
Street East.
5 06
The County of York.
L. A, \VISMER, slate roofer, 167 Strachan Avenue, was born in Mark-
ham, Ontario, July 5th, 1844. He was married in 1878. His father, Jacob
\i\lïsmer, who was born in Bucks County, Penn., in 1798, settled in Mark-
ham in 1806, where he still resides on the seventh concession.
Rubber Goods.
CANADIAN RUBBER Co" of Montreal, was established there in 18 54,
and does an extensive business, employing eight hundred men, The
Toronto branch at 21 Y onge Street, and I Front Street East, under the
management of Robert Houghan, was established in Ü
79' Employment
is given to two travelling salesmen and seven clerks.
THE GUTTA PERCHA AND RUBBER MANUFACTURING Co" whose Toronto
warehouse and office is at 10 and 12 King Street East, under the management
of T. McIlroy, jun'r, does perhaps the largest business of the kind in the
world. They have manufactories in Brooklyn, N ,Y., and San Francisco,
and warehouses in New York, Portland, Oregon, and other places, The
Toronto branch was established in 1878, and has been so prosperously
conducted that the company is erecting a large manufactory at Parkdale,
which will give employment to about one hundred men. ·
Tailors.
JAMES ALISON, merchant tailor, 264 Yonge Street; established business
in 1876, and employs twenty-five hands,
JAMES AUSTEN, 304 Queen Street East, merchant tailor and dealer in
gents' furnishings, established his business in 1877, He is a native of
London, England, and came to Canada in 1870, His store has a frontage
of 20 x 50 feet, and has increased from a small beginning to a large and
prosperous concern.
JOHN BLAND, importer and merchant tailor, 108 Y onge Street, estab-
lished himself in 1866 at 176 Y onge Street, removing to his present store in
18 79, He has a frontage of 18 x 60 feet, with three storeys in height. He
employs a staff of twenty-one hands. Mr, Bland is a native of Castle
Douglas, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1855, since which year he has
been a resident of Toronto.
JOHN BRIMER, merchant tailor and importer, 210 Yonge Street, estab-
lished his business in 1868 at 171 Y onge Street. Before taking possession
of his present premises in 1880, he had carried on business at No. 202 on
the same street for some little time. His show-rooms have a frontage of
The City of Toronto.
5 0 7
25 x 150 feet, and are three storeys high.
his stock direct. Mr. Brimer was born
in 1867.
J. \V. CHEESEWORTH, merchant tailor, 106 King Street \Vest, first
located on Y onge Street in 1874, and removed to his present premises in
188 4, His show-rooms have a frontage of 18 x 65 feet. He employs from
eighteen to twenty hands, and imports his stock direct. l\Ir. Cheeseworth is
a native of England, and was for some time connected with a paper in
London called the Tailor's Cutter.
P, M. CLARK, merchant tailor, 95 King Street \Vest, This business,
which was started in 1853 by Gibb & Co" came into the hands of Mr. Clark
in 1858, He gives employment to about thirty men.
PHILIP DWYER, merchant tailor, 98 Seaton Street, is an American by
birth, and only son of Michael Dwyer, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, lie
commenced business in Toronto in 1874, with the present house, the" Flags
of all Nations."
He imports the greater portion of
in Scotland, and came to Canada
\VILLIAM GIBSON, merchant tailor, 205 Yonge Street, is a native of
Belfast, Ireland, and came to Toronto in 1876. He established his present
business in 1882, and employs on an average about thirty hands, who are
engaged in all kinds of tailoring.
GEORGE HARCOURT & SON, importers and merchant tailors, 43 King
Street East. This business was established in 1842, and for twenty-five
years was conducted in premises situated at the corner of King Street and
Leader Lane, This is now the oldest tailoring establishment in the city,
The present store has a frontage of 25 x 100 feet. Their specialties are,
barrister's gowns, college caps, surplices, stoles, cassocks, etc" in which
line they have a large connection, Georgè Harcourt and his son, Robert B.
Harcourt, constitute the firm. Mr. Harcourt, sen'r, is a native of England,
and came to Canada in 18+2,
PHILIP JAMIESON, manufacturing tailor, etc" 180, 180! Yonge Street.
This business was estahlished in 1873 under the name of Spain & Jamieson,
and was located at 38 Queen Street \Vest. In 1875 1\1r. Spain retired from
the firm, since which time 1\[r. Jamieson has carried on the business alone.
In 1877 he removed to his present premises at the above address, which
have a frontage of 60 x 100 feet, on Yonge and Queen Streets respectively,
where are employed a staff of one hundred and fifty hands. This is one of
the largest houses in Canada retailing their own manufactures. 1\[r. Jamieson
is a native of Scotland, and came to Canada in :\Iarch, 1873, since which he
has been a resident of this city.
508
The CPUllty of York.
J, :\L\LONEY & SON, importers and merchant tailors, 89 Eay Street.
The firm is composed of J. 1\1, and Richard Maloney, who established the
business in 186 7, Their show-rooms have a frontage of 20 x 80 feet, and
are three storeys high, the internal arrangements being complete with all
modern improvements. They employ about thirty-five hands, and work up
only the finest fabrics,
. NEIL McEACHREN, merchant tailor, 191 Yonge Street, established his
business in 1852, at 201 Yonge Street, removing afterwards to his present
location, In 1874 Mr. McEachren rebuilt the premises he last occupied,
and now has one of the finest blocks on the street, the "Albert Hall"
being included, His store has a frontage of 37 x 208 feet. He employs
about fifteen hands and imports his goods direct, He' makes a specialty of
military tailoring, Mr. l\1cEachren was born in Scotland and came to
Canada in 1842,
JOHN F, :\IcRAE, merchant tailor, 200 Yonge Street, commenced busi-
ness in 1880. His show-rooms have a frontage of 18 x 103 feet, and are
four storeys 111gh, He employ s a staff of thirty hands, Mr.McRae is a
native of Inverness, Scotland, and came to Canada in 1868,
\VILLIAM NOLAN, tailor and manufacturer of ordered clothing, 39 Col.
borne Street. This business was established by himself in I8
0, and was
situated until 1882 at 33 Scott Street, from which place it was removed to
its present address, He employs a staff of hands, Mr. Nolan was born in
Montreal, and came to Toronto in 1875.
PRICE EROS, merchant tailors, 282 Queen Street West, This business
was established by the present firm in 1882, at 197 Queen Street \Vest, and
is composed of S, & A. Price, who removed to their present store in 188 4'
The building is three storeys in height, and has a frontage of 14 x 125 feet.
Their trade is confined principally to the city, and gives employment to
twenty people. The brothers are Canadians by birth,
R. SCORE & SON, importing tailors, and dealers in gents' furnishings,
77 King Street West. This firm was first known as R, Score, in 18 4 2 -
his son, R. J. Score, entering the firm later on, since which it has gone under
its present title, The store has a frontage of 35 x 200 feet; the business
employing a staff of about sixty hands. :\1r. R, Score, sen'r, is of English
birth, and came to Canada in 1832, NIr. R, J, Score was born in Toronto,
ROBERT \VILSON, tailor, 39 Adelaide Street \Vest, was born in Roxburg-
shire, Scotland, in 1821, and settled in Toronto 18 54.
The City of Toronto.
509
Tinsmiths,
JAMES MURRAY, tinsmith, 224 and 313 Yonge Street, is a native 01
Glasgow, Scotland, and on his settlement in Toronto he engaged in this
business at the above addresses, both of which are now occupied by his'
sons, Mr. Murray owns the above property, and in addition is the pos-
sessor of two fine residences.
Undertakers.
\V, H. INGRAM, undertaker and dealer in funeral supplies, 213 Queen
Street East, Business established in 1881. The show room has a frontage
of 25 x 120 feet deep. Mr, Ingram is a native of Portsmouth, England,
where he formerly conducted a similar business, and on his arrival in
Canada in 1868 he at once settled in Toronto, and owns now a nice little
business,
M. MCCABE, undertaker and dealer in funeral goods, 333 Queen Street
West. Business established in 1862 un,der the name of Thornhill & McCabe.
Mr. \1cCabe has been on Queen Street for the last twenty-two years, and
has been city undertaker for fourteen years, being one of the oldest in
the city. His show-rooms have a frontage of 30 x 100 feet. lIe is a
Canadian by birth.
F, ROSAR, undertaker and dealer in fine funeral goods, 240 King
Street East, Business established in 1861. 1\1r. Rosar is the oldest under-
taker in Toronto, and has occupied his present premises for fifteen years.
The show-room has a frontage of 22 x lIS feet, and is four storeys in height.
Mr. Rosar is a native of Germany, and has resided in Toronto since his
arrival in Canada in 1862.
H. STONE, sen'r, undertaker and importer of funeral goods, 239 Y onge
Street. This business was established in 1869 at 347 Yonge Street, and
removed to its present locality in IHRo, The show-rooms have a frontage
of 25 x 100 feet, and contain a fine stock of funeral regalia and goods.
lVIr. Stone is a native of Ireland, and came to Canada with his parents
1Il 1831. He has been a resident of this city since 1840.
J, YOUNG, undertaker and importer of fine funeral goods, 3+7 Yonge
Street. Business established in 1868, :\1r. Young commenced business in
this city as a perfect stranger, and since his advent has built up an exceed-
ingly fine trade, lIe had been at two different localities on Y onge Street
before removing to his present premises in 1881. The show-rooms, which
5 10
TIle COllllty of York,
are 25 x 130 feet, are elegant, and contain a large and varied stock of funeral
goods, 1\1r. Young was b.orn in Montreal, where he served eighteen years
with George Armstrong, the leading undertaker of that city.
Upholsterers,
GEORGE COLE, upholsterer, 348 Queen Street East. Established in
1872 at 262 King Street East, and removed to his present quarters in 1878,
:\1r. Cole does a general jobbing business and employs three hands. His
shop has a frontage of 16 x 40 feet. He is of English birth, and has been
a resident of the city since 1855.
END OF VOLUME I.
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