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1
2
3
1 2 3
4 5 6
EARLY SETTLERS
OF
AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY,
With sketches of the habits and customs of the
ahoriqines, and syiiopsu of the Zoology
indigenous to tnis portion
of Canada.
HISTORY
OF THE
EARLY SEnLEMENT
OF
BOWMANVILLE
AND VICINITY.
■♦ ■ «»» . ».
-^M BY J. T. COLEMAN. «
f—
PRICE
THIRTY CENTS.
BOWMANVILLE :
WEST prHHAM STEAM PRINTING AND PUBLISHING HOUSE.
1875-
li
EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS.
k:^ N THE early histoty of Darlington, we find that Mr. John
'^ "eers, and first settlers of this Township. They emigrated
^together, with their famiHes, from the United States to
C:anada, in the year 1794, and on the 2nd day of October, they
landed from their boats on the beach of Lake Ontario, one mile
west of Barber's Creek, now Port Darlington.
They were induced to come to this country, by a proclamation
issued by Colonel John Cireaves Simcoe, (then Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor of Canada), that all males of the age of 18 years, who set-
tled in the country, should be entitled to two hundred acres of
land.
In their journey from the Susciuehannah River, their former
home, they met with innumerable difficulties, and many hardships.
Their families and effects were placed on board a Batteau (a large
n de boat), which was coasted around the head of the lake, nm-
ning into bays and inlets, in order to avoid storms, or for the
purpose of cooking their meals, and camping during the night ;
while the stock, which consisted of two cows and one horse, were
driven around the shore on foot, having to cross swamps, marshes,
lagoons, outlets, and rivers, as best they could. Those in charge
of the boats, having crossed the Niagara river into Canada, were
received with great kindness by the Ciovernor, who sent a man
4-
EARLY HISTORY OF SEITLERS.
back to assist in bringing around the stock as far as York, now
Toronto. In an extract from a letter written to the Hon. Harvey
Burk, I find that his uncle, Jessia Burk, was one of the persons
then engaged in driving this stock. He says, in his letter, " I was
fourteen years and one month old, when we landed in Darlington.
I came all the way on foot, and helped to drive the cattle with
one Tom , who lived with the Trull's. When we came to
Big Bay, I was to swim the three ysar-old colt, belonging to old
Conat, and Tom said, he could swim across. We waited until
the cattle got safely over ; I then, being on the colt, put forward,
and soon came to where there was a short break off into dee])
water, and the colt went down, clear under ; I saw that he
could not swim with me on his back, so I placed my left foot
against his side, and shot myself clear from him. We came ashore
again, and went around the head of the bay, where we found the
cattle on the beach. After surmounting numerous obstacles and
delays, this small band of emigrants reached their destination in
safety." They were surrounded by a primeval forest, the only
human inhabitant being the rude, savage Indian, who looked with
jealous eyes upon the encroachment of the whites.
T^anded in a new and wild country, and winter fast approach-
ing, the people comprising this settlement set at once to work, to
construct log shanties, which were plastered on the inside with
mud, and had bark covering for a roof Mr. John Burk built his
house on the bank of the lake, being the southern portion of the
farm, now owned by his grandson, Wm. K. Burk. In another
extract from the letter, before quoted, Mr. Jessia Burk says : " We
had no neighbors but the Indians for two or three years, save old
Benj. Wilson, and the Trulls, who lived at Baldwin's Creek.
There was not a house within thirty miles to the west, save an old
French trading house, that Wilson got in, and old Conat's, two
miles to the east of Wilson's ; and none east of us, short of Smith'.s
Creek," (Port Hope.) During the winter, these pioneers spent
most of their time in trapping and hunting ; the deer and bear
being so plentiful, that an abundance of animal food could be
procured with but very litde trouble. The furred animals were
also very numerous, and rec|uired but little skill to trap them, their
KARLY IIISIORY OK SKTTr.KRS.
skins being about the only thing that could be sold for money.
A very great inconvenience felt among them, was the want of
a mill to grind their grain and corn, the nearest being Myer's
Mill, situate at the foot of Lake Ontario, 60 miles distant. Those
who went to mill, usually took two weeks to go and return, usinf-
a canoe for the purpose, and hauling it up on the shore at night ,
when a storm occurred, they were weather-bound until it passed
over. (Jn their arrival at the mill, they waited till the grist was
ground, when they returned home in the same manner. As gomg
to mill was no light undertaking, and attended with so many ob-
stacles and perils, a great many expedients were resorted to, in
order to obviate this necessity. Some of the settlers had brought
large coffee-mills with them, and these were used to grind or crack
their grain. Other contrivances were improvised ; one method
very much in vogue, was to make a rude mortar, by hollowing
out a stump ; sometimes this was done by boring, or chiseling,
but it was frecjuently burnt out, and the cavity scraped with a
knife, or otl.er instrument, until all the charred spots were remov-
ed ; then they had a wooden pounder attached to a swing-pole.
They put the corn into the cavity, and pounded it with this rude
pestle. This bruised com was known by the name of Samp, and
when pounded fine, was made into Johnny Cake, the coarse being
boiled into mush. Another nutritious and wholesome article
of food, was found in the wild rice, which grew in most of the
marshes, and in great abundance at Rice Lake. This was first
parched, and afterwards pounded, and either made into cakes, or
boiled, and acted as a healthful absorbent, v/hen taken with ani-
mal food.
The Indians were very troublesome, and caused considerable
anxiety, being armed and equipped, and very different from the
remnants of the broken tribes occasionally seen at the present
time. Capt. John Trull relates an incident which occurred at this
time in his father's house, when he was a boy. His father was
absent, having gone to Myer's mill, when a squaw, with four pa])-
ooses, came to the house, and asked his mother for nah-paw-tiec
(Flour.) That article bemg extremely scarce, his mother refused
giving her any ; the squaw then searched through the house, and
found the flour in a kneading trough. She brought it forth, and
6.
HISTORY OF EARLY SETTLERS.
commenced to divide it equally to every one in the room, by giv-
ing a double handful to each, beginning with his mother, then to
herself, and to each white child, and papoose, until it was all di-
vided, when she took her share in a bag, and travelled off through
the woods.
( )pen hostilities were, as a general thing, avoided, and there is
only one instance recorded of a white man being killed by the In-
dians, although most of the settlers were in considerable dread of
them. There was, according to their history, one man (Mr. Jno.
Burk) among them, who did not share this timidity, but showed
a bold front, and when any of them attempted to take liberties,
would resent by giving them a sound thrashing. According to
all accounts, he did not reciuire much provocation to do so, but
the chastising of an Indian by him was looked upon as a pleas-
ant duty, which he was willing to perform on any occasion. For
tnis i)articular trait of character, the Indians applied a sobriquet,
to designate him from the rest of the settlers, which was not very
flattering.
Mr. Timothy Soper is another ot the very early settlers in the
Township of Darlington. His father, Mr. Leonard Soper, was
born in 1762, and emigrated to Canada in 1788. The followmg
year, the present Timothy Soper was born in the Township of
Sidney, near the head of the Bay of Quinte, and was the first
white child born in that Township. At that time, there was no
white settlement in this portion of Canada, and only one vessel,
the Mchaivk, a schooner employed in the interests of the Nordi
West Fur Company, on Lake Ontario. Mr. Soper, who, in 1795
removed to the Township of Hope, says, " there was no mill at
Smith's Creek, (Fort Hope) ; my father went once to Kingston,
and several times to Napanee, taking his grist in a canoe."
While living in Hope, Mr. Soper lost a span of horses. They
were gone one year and three months, when he learned from the
Indians where they were, and upon repairing to the place, found
the horse, and a colt which had been foaled ; the mare, was never
found.
The first Court of Queen's Bench that ever assembled in the
Counties of Northumberland and Durham, was held in a barn,
on the premises of Mr. Soper, in Hope, on which occasion, the
Ju''!^e, (Major MacGregor Rogers,) lawyers, and other officials,
EARLY HlsroRY OF SETTI.KRS.
n the
barn,
the
icials,
chose sides, .nd played a game of ball, to determine who should
pay the exj)ense of a dinner. Ki)hriam Clifford, father of the late
(lamer (lifford, acted as constable.
Mr. Leonard .Soper moved to Darlington in 1805, and erected
the first saw mill built in the Township ; but it was burnt down
the following year ; another was put up near the same place.
About this time, Mr. John Burke built a saw mill, on Harber's
Creek, from which time the place was known as Darlington Mills
until 1823, when it was changed to its present name, (Bowman-
villa).
In 1806, Mr. Soper purchased from Augustus Barber, (after
whom the Bowmanville Creek was named) the present Soper
mill projjcrty. Mr. Timothy Soper relates an incident which oc-
curred to him some time after his father had built the mill. While
engaged in cleaning some fish one morning, a bear came uj) and
commenced feeding upon the offals. Not content with this, she
began to feed upon the fish. Mr. Soper called for some one to
bring him a gun. One was soon brought, which he discharged at
the bear, but being only loaded with light shot, did not kill, but
severely wounded her, whereupon she climbed a tree. A heavier
charge dispatched her.
Mr. Timothy Soper is now in his 86th year, enjoys good health,
and has lived to see every President of the United States take
their seats.
In Clarke, Mr. Richard Lovekin was the first settler. He, with
others, left Ireland in the 21st of September, 1795, sailing from
the cove of Cork. They met with adverse winds, which took them
far out of their course, and after a tedious journey, landed in St.
Bartholemew, on the 26th of January, 1796, an.' irrived in New
York, 9th of April following. Mr. Lovekin proct .ded in advance
of his family, with two hired assistants, to locate his land, and pre-
pare a home for their reception. After meeting with numerous
adventures, incident to a new and wild country, he settled at the
mouth of what was afterwards known as Baldwin's Creek, Wil-
mot's), where he, after building a temporary shanty, commenced
to clear some land, and out timber for the construction of a house.
Soon after his arrival, himself and men took the boat one even-
ing, and ran up the marsh for the purpose of cutting grass, with
8.
HISTORY OF EARLY SETTLERS,
which to make their beds. While so engaged, they heard the
wolves howling around them, which, at first, the men began to
mimic ; but the noise contiiuiing, and the wolves increasing in
numbers, became so bold as to approach within a short distance
of thetn ; the men got frightened, and pulled for the outlet. As
they passed along into the lake, the wolves, thirty or forty in
riumber, ranged themselves on each side of the sand bank, snap-
ping and howling like a lot of furies, to see them escape. After
arriving at their shanty, they did not think proper to land until
they had seen the last of the dusky forms retire in the shade of
t'je woods ; whereupon, they repaired to the shanty, and kept up
a large fire the remaining pari; of the night.
Having, during the summer, cleared some of the land, and con-
structed and completed a house, with the exception of the doors
and windows, Mr. Lovekin thought of returning to his family,
and, on the following spring, to bring them to their new home.
He had about a hundred and fifty dollars in silver, with him,
which, <j.. account of its weight, he thought unnecessary to take
back, so he concluded to place it in a 1 ollow tree ; and for that
purpose, wrapped it in paper, put it in a stocking, and securing it
Nvith a strong cord, hung it up in a hollow tree, which he had se-
lected, and left tne place. On his arrival the following year, with
his family, he was somewhat astonished, on entering his house, to
find it already occupied by an old bear, who rushed down stairs,
without ceremony, and jumped through the window. On inspec-
ting the house, it was found, from the quantity of leaves and br >h
]Mled up in a corner of the room, that th*" bear had taken up its
winter quarters there.
After having, in a manner, settled his effects and family m the
house, he went to the tree to see if tht money was all safe. He
found a small piece of the string, v/hich had been secured to a
knotty protuberance within the hollow, but the stocking, and its
conients, was gone from where he had placed it. He felt disap-
pointed, and considered it lost ; but occasionally it would revert
to his mind that he was not sure of this, and so, some time after-
wards, to satisfy himself, he set to work and cut down tne tree, at
the bottom of which, he found portions of the paper, and stock-
EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLHRS.
eard the
)egan to
asiug in
distance
;Iet. As
forty in
k, snap-
'. After
nd until
jhade of
kept up
and con-
\}ti doors
I family,
w home.
^ith him,
to take
for that
curing it
: had se-
iar, with
louse, to
n stairs,
I inspec-
id br >h
1 up i^s
y m the
e. He
ed to a
and its
t disap-
1 revert
le after-
tree, at
stock-
ing, cut up fine, and mixed with grass* and leaves, which formed a
wood-mouse's nest. After removing the nest, he fouiid all his
money liuried in loose, rotten wood, and mould.
Mr. Lovekin drew his land from the (iovernment, and became a
permanent citizen in iSoi. He took the oath of allegiance, was
appointed Chief Magistrate of the home district, (which embraced
the country from Coboyrg to Toronto), and he'd many offices of
trust under the Government.' During the war of 1812, he admin-
istered the oath of allegiance to manv brave and patriotic persons,
who took up arms in defence of the country. The following is a
form of the oath, and a list of the names of those to whom the
oath was administered :
(affidavit.)
County of )
Durham, to Wit. )
Be it remembered, that, before Richard Lov.^kin, one of His
Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the district of Newcastle, the
non-commissioned officers and privates of the first regiment of the
Durham Militia, whose names are underwritten, haven taken and
subscribed the following oath, as prescribed by the Act of the Pro-
vincial Parliament, passed the fifth day of August, in the fifty-sec-
ond year of His Majesty's Reign, entitled an Act " to repeal pan
of the laws now in force for the training and warning the Militia
of the Province, and to make further provision for the raising and
training of *-he said Militia." and which oath has been duly admin-
istered to the said non-commissioned ^ffi( ers and ])rivates in obe-
dience to the order of His Honor, Major (ieneral Shrafife, Presi-
dent administering the (government of the i'rovince of Upper Can-
ada, communicated through Major (General Shaw, Adjutant Gen-
eral of Militia, to William Warren Paldwin, the Lieutenant-Col-
onel Commanding the said first Regiment of the Durham Militia.
(oath.)
I do sincerely promise and swear, that I will be faithfiil and bear
true allegiance to His Majesty King ( leorge, and him will defend
to the utmost of my power, against all traitorous cons[)iracies and
attempts whatever which shall be made again.,t his person, crown,
or dignity, and I will do my utmost endeavor to disclose and
make known to His Majesty, his heirs and successors, all treasons
and traitorous conspiracies and attemj)ts, which I shall know to
be against him or them — .So help me Cod.
lO.
HISTORY OF EARLY SRTTLERS.
li:
m
MILITIA ROLL CALfc FOR l8l2, BY R. LOVEKIN.
Ebenezer Hartwell, Daniel Lightheart, Norris CaiT. Augustus
Barber, Waterman A. Spencer, James Burke, Nathan Pratt, Sam-
uel Burk, Enoch Davis, John Trull, John Dingman, William
Pickle, Matthew Borland, John Wilson, Eliphalet Conat, Richard
Martain, Michael Coffun, David Burk, Jeremiah Conat, Thomas
Powers, James Flannigan, David Seron, William Preston, Tim-
othy Johnson, Dyer Moore, James Grant, Reuben Grant, Jr.,
James Hawkins, Jr., Thomas Hartwell, John Paine, Lanson So-
per, Caleb Raymond, Joel Byrns, Jr., William Bebee, Nehemiah
Vail, Aaron Hills, John Brown, Nathan Haskell, Joel Byrns, Sr.,
Jonathan Bedford, Jr., John Odell, Nathan Watson, Alexander
W. Ross, Luther McNall, Gershom Orvis, Jered Kimball, Jona-
than Rodgers, John Potter, Abraham Bowen, Stadman Bebee,
Daniel Wright, Israel Bowen, Daniel Crippin, Dorous Crippin,
Luke Smades, Joshua Smades, John Walker, Joseph Barden, Ple-
tiah Soper, James Merrill, John Perry, Adna Bates, Francis Light-
foot, Samuel Marvin, William Carr, William Borland, Jr., Roger
B. Wolcott, John Spencer, John Hartwell, Myndert Hanis, Senr.,
John Burn, Alexander Fletcher, Robert Clark, John D, Smith,
Leonard Soper, John Haskill, Samuel W. Marsh, Thomas Gaige,
Jeremiah Brittain, Daniel Porter, James Hawkins, Sr., Gardner
Gifford, Elias Smith, Jr., Roger Bates, James Stephens, Samuel
Gifford, F.zra Gifford, Peter Bice, Christopher Merkley, Josiah
Caswell, David Gage, Joel Smades, George Potter, David Bed-
ford, Samuel Willet, David Crippin, Benjamin Preston, Reuben
Grant, Sr,, Abell Allen, Isaac Hagerman, Justin Johnson, Jere-
miah Hays, Hiram Bedford, Joseph Caldwell, Stephen Morse,
Benjamin Root, Benjamin Preston, Warren Munson, Edward Mc-
Reloy, Myndert Harris,Jr., Asa Callendar, Joseph Haskell, James
Lee, Zephaniah Sexton, Cornelius Daly, Jonathan Sexton, Zacha-
riah Odell, William Munson, Timothy Haskell, Ephraim Gifford,
John Voree, Josiah Wilson, Stephen Bedford.
This oath was administered in })ursuance with an Act of Legis-
lature, pa.ssed in Lower Canada, empowering the Governor Gen-
eral to embody the whole militia force of the country ; also en-
dorsing his army bills to the extent of $r, 000,000, and providing
tor $60,000 per annum, for five years, to maintain the defences of
the countrj'.
Just before, and immediately after, the declaration of the war
of 181 2, by the American Congress, was a period of great peril
to the Canadian people, "and required, not only all the skill,
bravery, and tactics, of both the civil and military leaders, but al-
EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS.
If.
peril
skill,
}ut al-
so a great portion of the wealth of Canada had to be made avail-
able, in order to sustain the country against an invading foe ; nor
was this all that had to be contended with. Many persons who
had lately settled in the country, were from the United States, and
naturally retained a warm regard for the American Government,
and its institutions ; but from the generous policy of the Gover-
nor General, in granting 200 acres of land to all male settlers, in
the hour of peril, the majority of these stood firm for the cause of
their adopted land, while others reciuired something more than
gende words to induce them to come forward in its defence.
In the correspondence of Colonel Baldwin (who was then on
military duty in New York) to his friend, Mr. Richard Lovekin,
he repeatedly urges upon him the necessity of requiring all per-
sons who had taken government grants of land, to take the oath,
saying, that those who refuse to help def'^nd the country, should
in fair j-istice, forfeit their lands, so granted.
This measure, no doubt, had the salutary effect of enabling
many to decide promptly, in favor of the Canadian Government.
Still, there were a few persons, even in the loyal Township of
Darlington, who underook to shirk the responsibility, by fleeing
to the swamps, where they engaged, or pretended to be engaged
in the manufacture of baskets and shingles. They were, however,
interrupted in these industrial pursuits, brought back, and after
being heartily laughed at, joined with their neighbors in the de-
fence of the commonwealth, and afterwards remained honored
and respected citizens.
In another letter from Col. Baldwin, in reference to the death
of General Brock, which occurred at Queenston heights, he says,
Dear Richard :
I have only time to say that we have gained a most decisive
victory over our invaders, though we have dcej^ly to deplore the
loss of our brave and worthy (ieneral, and Mr. McDonell. It is
now supposed, that not less than 400 of the enemy fell, in killed
and drowned. There were not more than 700, in regulars, militia
and Indians, opposed to 1500. We took upwards of 900 prison-
oners. I will, at another opportunity, wiite to you the particu-
lars, but have not time now. God bless you.
W. W. Bai,dv\in.
At the termination of this war, which was settled by treaty,
signed at Ghent, on the 24th day of Dec, 1814, the finances
12.
HISTORY OF EARLY SETTLERS.
both of Upper and Lower Canada, were very much exhausted.
It had, however, the effect of developing to a very high degree,
the patriotism and loyalty of the provinces ; party spirit was hush-
ed, and the people were cemented together for general good, and
the prosperity of the country.
Money at this time was very scarce among the settlers, who, as
a general thing, only raised produce enough for their own con-
sumption. But neither hard times, or war, appeared to deter
them from engaging in matrimony, as may be seen from the fol-
lowing, taken from the marriage record of this early period. (I
might here say, for the benefit of those wishing to see the origi-
nal register, that it is in the keeping of Mr. James P. Lovekin, of
Clarke.)
Third March, 1807, married, Thomas Conat, of Darlington, to
Hannah Stoner. Present, Peter Stoner, her father, Abel Conat,
Polly, his wife, and Phoebe Lightheart.
Twenty-first April, 1807, married, John Carr, of Darlington, to
Betsey Woodruff, of Pickering, with the written consent of her
father. Present, N orris Carr and wife, James Burk and wife, and
Mr. Woodruff's son.
Twenty-eighth December, 1807, married, John Burk, Junior,
of Darlington, to Jane Brisbin, of Whitby, with the consent of
her sister and brother-in-law. Present, John Burk, Senr., David
Stevens, and David Burk.
Third October, 181 1, married, William Pickel, of Darlington,
to Nancy Wilson, of Whitby, being first duly \Hiblished. in pres-
ence of William Smith, and Waterman A. S))encer, &c., &c.
Twenty-eighth October, 181 1, married, James Bates, of Clarke,
to Elizabeth Burk, of Darlington, in piesence of John Burk, Sr.,
her father, David Stephens, Jessia Burk, Adna Bates, and Stod-
dard Bates.
Sixteenth June, 1805, married, Luke Burk, of Darlington, to
Nancy McBane. Present, James Burk. John Hartrode, Francis
Lightheart, and Rachel Lightheart.
Fourth March, 18 17, married, Icabod Hodge, to Elizabeth
CooUey, both of the Township of Whitby, being first published
by Alexander Fletcher, Escp, in presence of Francis Lightheart,
of Darlington, William Maxson, and John Stevens, of Whitby.
In speaking of the scarcity of money among the early settlers,
the present Mr. Richard Lovekin narrates an incident which oc-
EARLY HISTORY OF SETJLFRS.
13-
oc-
curred soon after the war. Being a young man, he had to go to
Smith's Creek to answer the Roll Call on training day, the 4th of
June, and concluded to take a pack of furs, thes_' being the only
commodity for money, with him. It was a very hot day, and as
he trudged along, with his pack on his back, thinking of this prim-
itive mode of transporting fur, his reflections upon the i)roducts
of the country, military operations, and things in general, were
not of the most gratifying nature. He was not sure whether he
couid reach there in time to answer his name, without abandon-
ing his pack. However, he finally reached Smith's Creek, cover-
ed with perspiration, and very much fatigued. Having performed
his military duty, he sold his fur, receiving, amongst the money, a
Doubloon, sixteen-dollar gc^ld coin, which he kept for six or eight
years before he could find a person able to change it. At last,
this was done by Mr. Mcintosh, who came to Darlington and
opened a store, many years afterward.
Mr. Thomas Lovekin relates an incident that occurred in 181 5.
He had invited some friends to a corn husking bee, and upon re-
pairing to the field for that purpose, they surprised an old bear,
Avho had forestalled them, and was busily husking corn on
his ov/n account. The party having dogs with them, the can-
ines attacked the bear, and, amid the contusion and uproar, it es-
caped to the woods. Some of the i)arty gave chase, while others
went for guns. Mr. Lovekin saw, with some chagrin, that his
husking party was a failure for that nigiit, and determined to have
satisfaction from Bruin ; procuring his ritle, and following through
the woods, he came upon and shot him on the brow of the hill,
where the Bowmanville Cemetery is now situated. He had the
skin, which was a large one, dressed and made into an overcoat.
The late Samuel S. Wilmot, of Clarke, settled m this countrj
at an early date. He was born in the State of New York, at a
place called the Nine Partners, in the year 1795. His father.
Lemuel AVilmot, emigrated to the province of New Brunswick,
and there settled with his family. The late Mr. S. S. Wilmot re-
mained with his father until he was 2r years of age,when he migrat-
ed to Canada, and settled in York. He there became acquainted
with the late John Steigman, a Crerman, and surveyor, by profts-
i
14.
EARLY HISTORV OF SETTLERS.
sion. Mr. Wilmot served his time with him, as a surveyor, and
after a time, married his daughter. He then engaged with him
as a chain bearer. They were employed by the Government to
survey the main road leading from Kingston to York. This road
was cut four rods wide, and grubbed two rods, it was constructed
by Captain Danforih, and though being the main post road, was
a very indifferent one ; during summer, after very heavy rains, it
wai almost impassable. The first mail carried over this road was
taken on a mule, and arrived every two weeks, from Kingston to
Darlington.
On the 3rd of April, 1816, Mr. S. S. Wilmot moved from Yonge
Street, Toronto, to the Township of Clarke, having purchased
400 acres of land, now known as the Wilmot Homestead, from
John Hartwell. At the time Mr. Wilmot moved to Clarke, the
Danforth road was impassable through Clarke and Darlington, in
the fall and spring, and good travelling was only found during the
winter by sleighs.
In a diary kept by him at the time, the settlers then Hving on
the main road in Darlington, (this does not include persons who
lived on the lake shore) were as follows, commencing lom the
west : Stevens, Thos. Powers, Solomon Tyler, David Stevens,
John Burk, Squire Fletcher, and John Borland ; in the Township
of Clark, were R. Lovekin, J. P., Avery, Bates, Blair, and Hart-
well. There were no settlers north of the main road, in Clarke
or Darlington. It was a dense, unbroken forest, inhabited only
by Indians and wild animals.
The land known as the late Bowman Estate, and which com.
prises the principal site of the town of Bowmanville, was first
drawn from Government by Mr. John Burk, who, after having
built a grist and saw mill upon it, sold it to a Mr. Purdy ; but af-
ter a time, it again came into the possession of Mr. Burk, who
sold it to Mr. Lewis Lewis, who, in connection with the milling
business, opened a store. This was the first store opened in Dar-
lington. Mr. Lewis remained in business for four years ; he then
sold out to Mr. Charles Bowman. This appears to have been
about the year 1824. The Post Office \\as located at Black's
Hill, (the late Youal Homestead, now occupied by A. Scott)
EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS,
15-
Col. James Black, Postmaster. It was opened soon after the war
of 1812. The mail was brought from K igston to York, once a
week, on mule-back, or when travelling was good, during winter,
in a sleigh. Wm. McMullen was mail carrier. His mule, it is
said, on good authority, died about twelve years ago in Markham.
A Post Office was established at Darlington Mills, in 1829 ihe
late Mr. Robert Fairbairn, then in charge of the Bowman bus
ness, being appointed Postmaster. His house was situated on the
east bank of the millpond, where an old orchard may now be
seen. This orchard he planted soon after his arrival in Darling-
ton. The first mail that came to this place was opened by John
Simpson, (the present Hon.) a young man, who was then clerk
for Mr. Fairbairn. The mail was carried in an open wagon, with
passengers, the passengers usually sittmg in the wagon while the
mail was changed, it being passed through an open window for
that purpose. On one occasion, it is said, the mail came through
without the ceremony of heving the windows opened, taking «-he
glass and some of the sash along with it. I do not know the pre-
cise time that this occurred, but the late Mr. Wm. (ilover was
then mail carrier. The first person who contracted to deliver the
mails at Darlington Mills, was a Mr. Odgen, of Clarke. About
this time, Mr. Simpson took the census of Darlington, which
amounted to 1 1 8 persons ; only one house was then erected north
of the main road.
Mr. Fairbairn, after retiring from the Bowman business, was
succeeded by Mr. John Lester, who conducted 'j'^e affairs of the
firm for five or six years, and then went into business for himself,
on the hill, west of the creek.
Mr. Geo. Smart next took charge of the Bowman F>state, and
business, and about a year afterwards was accidently thrown from
a horse and killed. After Mr. Smart's death, Mr. John Simpson,
then a young man eighteen years of age, took upon himself the re-
sponsibility of transacting the business of the firm. The business
of Bowman & Co., now extended in proportion to the increase
of the population, and from the generous system adopted by them
in their business relation towards farmers generally, but more
especially to those, who. with limited means, had lately arrived to
settle in the country. To such as these, the l o. extended an al-
1 6.
EARLY HISrORY OF SKITLERS.
most unlimited credit, thus affording them the necessary means to
prosecute their daily avocations, and agricultural j)ursuits. Dur-
ing a long continued business, embracing half a lifetime, this firm
rarely or ever, resorted to legal measures to adjust claims. There
are many persons now living, in easy and affluent circumstances,
who can trace the foundation of their prosperity to this cause.
In a record, kept by Mrs. David Burke, widow of the late Da-
vid Burke, of Darlington, it is shown that her ancestors, along
with a number of other families, emigrated from Hamburg, Ger-
many, in 1794, under the guidance of a person named Boursey.
Instead of taking them to Canada, as he agreed to, he brought
them to Genesee Valley, N. Y., where they remained two years,
l)efore making the discovery that it was not British territory. Be
ing dissatisfied, they then applied to Gov. Simcoe, who gave them
grants of land in Markham, and compelled Mr. Boursey to fulfil
his agreement. He conveyed them by ox-sleighs, during winter,
around the lake.
In 1 84 1, the principal part of the village was on the west side
of the creek : — A large hotel, two or three stores, a blacksmith
shop cabinet shop, and several fine residences. Had the adjoin-
ing real estate been put into the market, the town would, in all
l>robability, have been built on that site.
One of the customs very much in vogue, was the Charivari.
On the occasion of a wedding, the young men of the neighbor-
hood, provided with horns, bells, tin-pans, itc, Ac, always made
their appearance, a la masque. This custom first originated in the
French rural districts, and it is probable that, at first, it was pro-
ductive of more good than harm, as it was only resorted to when
l)ublic decency was considered to have been outraged, through
some ill-chosen or disgraceful match. But this feature in charivari
companies was soon lost sight of, after its introduction into the
upper province. No distinction was made between a wedding,
every way proper and unimpeachable, or one of an opposite char-
acter. Many of these demonstrations were indulged in by the
early settlers, and there are many holding honorable positions
among us to-day, who will remember, with regret, the part they
took in them.
One of these charavaris occurred on the occasion of the mar-
EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS.
17.
riage of Mr. T to Miss H . Nothing was objection-
able in this match, but the company assembled in considerable
force, and after having demanded the fee, which was refused, pro-
ceeded in the usual manner to make as much noise and confusion
as possible. The married couple were located in a house, the
upper portion of which was unfinished. The doors and windows
below had been bolted, and barricaded, but the windows in the
upper story had not yet been put in. Some of the company soon-
perceived this, and climbing up, entered through the window ;
they then found their way down stairs, unfastened the door, and
let in the crowd, who rushed into the room occupied by the bride
and bridegroom, laid hold of Mr. T — — , and brought him, m-
deshabille, to the street, where they placed him on a rail, with the
intention of giving him a free ride. He then consented to com-
ply with the niles of the company. The money being in the pos-
session of his wife, he asked permission to go to her room to get
it, which request was planted. In the meantime, some of the
party, with a view of rendering his appearance as ridiculous as
possible, had blackened his face with lamp-black ; but his mind
was so much occupied with other matters, that he did not think
of this, and when released, hurried to his wife's apartment, and,
in a hasty and confused manner, demanded the amount. The
lady, whose natural amiability of character had given away to one
of hostile feeling, did not recognize her husband in his changed
appearance. She seized a brass candlestick, and dealt him a blow
over the eye, which produced a very ugly flesh-wound, causing the
blood to run freely, and placed herself in an attitude to repeat the
blow ; he shouted to her not to strike him again — that he was her
husband, her dear William. Aware of what she had done, she
expressed her regrets in the most piteous tones — took him in her
arms, kissed him, and called him by the most endearing names ;
the whole forming one of the most affecting scenes, probably, ever
witnessed by a charavari company.
A case of practical joking is related of two old residents, one
of whom is still living in Bowmanville. Mr. G who had been
out shooting, observed Mr. S— - standing near a field, in which
a horse was quietly grazing. Having first loaded his gun with a
1 8.
EARLY HISTCIY OF SETTLERS
heavy charge of buck shot, he ajiproached Mr, S , who in(|uir-
ed what Kick he had met with. He replied, that therewas plenty
of game, but his fowling ])iece was so weak in the breech, that
she would scarcely kill. For instance, said he, " I will bet you
the licjuor, you cannot make that horse look up, or even wink, by
shooting at him from here. " Done," said Mr. S ,*' Give me
the gun;" whereupon the gun was handed to him, and after tak-
ing good aim, he fired. It made a terrific report, the recoil of
the gun sending him to the right about ; the horse ran a short
distance, and dropped dead. Mr. G said," You have won
the liquor, I will pay for the whiskey, and you pay for the horse."
This story can be vouched for by many residents, and the owner
of the horse, Mr. Thomas Hall.
There was a certain class among the old settlers of Bowmanville
that had a keen relish for fun. Some of them had such a high ap-
preciation of a good joke, that they considered it one of the best
of human attrfbutes to be able to take a joke, as well as to give it.
On one occasion, a choice lot of these spirits met in the old dis-
tillery to discuss passing events, and to while away a few fleeting
hours in convivial pleasantries. One of their associates, Mr. G.,
was absent that evening, having gone down the creek to spear
salmon. It was a usual thing at those primitive gatherings, to
wind up the evening's doings with a collation of some kind, im-
provised for the occasion ; in consequence of which, dark hints
had been frecjuently thrown out about hen-roosts being denuded,
and duck-pens visited ; but whether there was any truthful foun-
dations for these insinuations, will now, most likely, ever remain
doubtful ; but there Is not the slightest doubt that, if poultry of
any kind had ever found their way in there, the red-hot furnace
afforded one of the most commodious and expeditious places
known for cooking them. On this occasion, some of the parties
present conceived the idea that, as Mr. G was the owner of
a very fine gobbler, it should, for the present, be sacrificed to ap-
l)ease the cravings of appetite ; and, in order not to steal it, they
concluded to take the turkey, have it cooked, and then invite Mr.
G to help them eat it, as he would most likely be very hun-
gry after fishing. About midnight, he returned, and was agree-
F.ARI.Y HISTORY OF SETTLERS.
19.
i »
ably surprised whtn he received the invitation to come and take
lunch with a few friends, to which he readily assented.
On joining h's friends, he beheld a sight fit to tempt an ei)icure,
and enough to make a hungry man's mouth water. A si)lendid
roast turkey was laid out on the board, with trimmings and extras,
and something hot to wash it down. He pronounced the affair a
capital get-up, and the whole thing a complete success. His friends
intimated that as he was absent in the fore part of the evening,
and therefore not responsible for anything that had been done, he
should give his word of honor, to keej) mum on the sul>ject. With
feelings of wounded pride, at their seeming lack of confidence, he
said he most assuredly would.
Everything being thus satisfactorily settled, and supper waiting,
they requested him to take the head of the table, and do th^' car-
ving, which he did in a very creditable manner. Meanwhile, the
party, after discussing the merits and demerits of the gobbler, his
live weight, dead weight, probable age, and by whom he was
raised, became so pointed in their remarks, as to leave very little
doubt on Mr. G.'s mind, as to who was the owner of the turkey.
He immediately arose, and said, " You are a set of scoundrels ; I
believe you have taken my turkey," to which they replied, " Ves,
we have ; but you gave your word of honor to be mum." " (ien-
tlemen," said Mr. G., after a few moments' reflection, •' I am sold,
but don't let this interfere with the enjoyment of our supper."
MORMONS.
In 1839, Bowmanville was visited by Mormon delegates, hold-
ing forth great inducements to converts, to follow them to the
land of promise, situated somewhere in the United States. The
Mormon interests were represented by Messrs. Babit and Taylor.
The former, in one of his lectures, (which was largely attended,
and in which some of the farmers began to take a very great in-
terest) tried to establish, by comparison of the Hebrew and Indi-
an languages, that the Indians of America were the descendants
of the ten lost tribes of Israel. Having concluded his lecture, he
asked if any one present could controvert the position taken by
him. Whereupon the Rev. Mr. Tapscot, Baptist minister, arose
and asked him, whether or not, it was essential for a person en-
deavoring to establish such a point, to possess a knowledge of the
20.
EARLY HIS I OR V OK SF.ITF KRS.
Hebrew language, to which Mr. liahit replied, that it was. Mr.
Tapscot then asked him if he possessed a knowledge of that lan-
guage ; he replied that he did to a certain extent. After being
([uestioned for sometime, and showmg total ignorance in refer-
ence to the subject, he tried to excuse himself by saying that,
being on a journey, and not able to refer to his books, he
was not so well posted as he otherwise should have been. Mr.
Tapscot then remarked, that however limited a person's know-
ledge of a language might be, they very rarelyforgot the alphabet,
and asked him if he could repeat it, or tell him the first letter of
it ; which he was forced to acknowledge he could not, and
with confusion and chagrin, he saw the tables turned against him,
and himself and colleague, ex])osed as false i)rophets and hum-
bugs. They soon left the town. Thus ended disastrously the first
attempt to establish Mormoni&m in Bowmanville.
BURIAL PLACK.S OK KARLV SE'ITLER.S.
Of the Burial places of early settlers, many occur along the
shore of Lake Ontario. One of the first places of interment in
this Township, was at Port Darlington, a little to the South of
Peter Hambly's house. Indians, as well as whites, were there
buried. Most of the latter were afterwards removed, but while
Mr. Dillon was engaged some years ago in building, and grading
the wharf road, human remains, in considerable quantities, were
brought to the surface.
A similiar place was known to have existed on the Base Line,
near the rise of ground west of the quarry. Mr. W. K. Burk re-
lates an instance of a man, and wife, who were buried on a farm
near the lake shore, and twice, during his younger days, he fixed
the palings around their graves. Years ago these had disappear-
ed, and the precise place of the graves can no longer be traced,
as the whole field has for many years been under a state of culti-
vation.
Those facts show the necessity and propriety of establishing
public burial places, in the form of Cemeteries, the ground of
which cannot afterwards be controverted, or applied to other uses,
INDIAN BURIAL PLACES.
Of burial places, or repositories for the dead of the aborigines,
several have, fronj time to time, been discovered throughout the
< t
INDIAN HISTORY. 21.
t:ountry. Soon after the settlement of the Township of Manvers,
one was discovered on Lot No. 3, nth Con. situated on a pro
niontory of high table-land, which projected out in the form of a
pear, elevated about forty feet above the flat sv imp, by which it
was partly surrounded. On the top of this place was a depression
of about six feet, in which the Indian remains were found buried,
from five to six feet below the surfiice. This was the condition
in which it was found in 1839, by Mr. Jas. P. Lovekin, Mr. John
Wilmot, and others, at which time there were two trees growing
in the soil that covered the bones.
Among all classes of Indians, these places are held in great
veneration, and by them are never disturbed. This, however, is
not thv, case with the white men ; some of wMiom visit these places
for the laudable purpose of gaining knowledge, that might tend to
inform us of their curious habits, customs of life, and past history,
while others go from mere idle and wanton motives, and desecrate
them, by mutilating and carrying off large quantities o( the re-
mains, for no other purpose than, after satisfying their vulgar cu-
riosity, to be thrown carelessly aside ; thus, they are either lost or
destroyed. This has, undoubtedly, been the case with the one in
Manvers, which, from its size and general character, would indi-
cate that a large number had been buried there. It cannot now,
without diffitulty, be determined, whether this has been an ordi-
nary place of burial, or whether they are the remains of those who
have fallen in battle. In the former case, it is usual to find the
bones laid in some usual form, while in the latter, they are found
heaped and thrown together, promiscuously. As, in their primi-
tive mode of warfare, tomahawks and war-clubs were commonly
used, a number of indentures and fractures may be traced upon
' ' the craniums, produced by scalp wounds received in their hand
to hand conflicts.
Another of these places of interment is found at Ball Point,
Scugog (Indian, crooked devil) Lake. For a long time after its
discovery, it bore the reputation of containing the reniains of a
gigantic race. The truth of this, however, is not borne out by
subsequent investigations. All the bones that I have seen from
that place, are of the ordinary size. Dr. Rcid, a well-known }»hys-
22.
INDIAN HISTORY.
ician of this town, who visited the locality twenty years ago, and
who has some of the bones still in his possession, in a good state
of preservation, did not find any that were of an unusual size.
Quite a number ot interesting Indian relics have been found,
consistin<^ oi" stone hatchets, flint and bone arrow heads, some of
a very rge size, bone needles, supposed to be used in makint;
fish nets, and stone pipes.
That at one time, a system of exchange, embracing an exten-
sive trade between the different tribes of the aborigines of this
country was carried on, there is noi; the slightest doubt, Wampum
was the money used by them, and consisted of various kinds of
shells, portions of which were strung like beads, or worked into
belts, and other ornaments. Each of these shells had a determin-
ed value, and was the medium by which things were bought and
sold. Shells that were indigenous to the Pacific coast, have been
frequenily found among the relics of the Atlantic tribes, as also
have a number of the calumets, or stone pipes, made from a pecu-
liar kind of the red rock, easily worked, of a very fine texture,
and I believe only found in the vicinity of Nipigon, Lake Super-
ior, and the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers ; the Cape Diamond,
which is only found near Quebec, has been found in the posses-
sion of the far western tribes.
Of all these transactions, the jiresent race of Indians appear to
have no satisfactory record, or have they any well founded tradi-
tion respecting the'r past history. An idea prevails among them
that at one time they were a powerful and numerous race, but all
])eyond this is obscured and conjectured. They are aware that
they are diminishing, year by year, to make room foi the white
man. He sees this with apparent stolid indifference, as he can
find no way to avoid his fate.
'['heir institutions are also being changed, or entirely done away
with. The grand Pow-wov.-, or ) early feast, which lasted for sev-
eral days, and for which they were always arrayed in war costume,
is nov' only observed among the remote tribes of the North
West, nor have those of the Dominion any further use for either
the costume or implements of war, as it is many years since they
fought their last bittle, which, I believe, occurred at Point Iroq-
uois, Lake Superior, where the Ogebways protected the retreating
; '
INDIAN HISTORY,
23-
C f
Hurons, who were trying to escape from their enemies. While
the latter were encamped during the night, the Hurons, with their
allies, stole upon them, and taking them by surprise, nearly ex-
terminated the whole party. The remains of skeletons, etc., are
to be seen, bleaching on the .shores of Lake Superior.
The courtship and marriage ceremony among the Chippewas,
is very simple. After a young Indian has had an ample oppor-
tunity of choosing from among his acquaintances the young squaw-
he desires, he embraces the first opportunity to repair to a con-
cealed place, near her lodge, Avhere he beats on an instrument,
called the Tom Tom, and accompanies it by singing and shouting
in a very loud tone of voice. If his lady-love thinks favorably of
his suit, he will find, on the third night, a bell hung up in his place
of rendezvous, the meaning of which he knows full well how to
interpret. He next repairs to her father, and ascertains as to the
purchase money, which usually amounts to about twelve dollars
in furs, or other commodities ; after having paid it, the Medicine
Man is spoken to, and a feast prepared, to which the friends of
both parties are invited. Soon after, the friends assemble, and
all is ready, the intended bride being present with her mother, and
quite well aware of what is going to take place, affects to be en-
tirely ignorant, and when approached by the young brave for the
purpose of having the nuptial rites performed, api)ears not only
surprised, but very angry, and refuses, point blank, to have any-
thing to do with him. Her mother tries to persuade her, but to
no effect, when the apparently disappointed lover rushes upon her,
and takes her, by force, before the Medicine Man, who says a few
words, after which the bridegroom takes her off to his wigwam,
the bride still kicking, struggling, and fighting. A:; soon as she
reaches the wigwam, a sense of duty pervades her, and all pre-
tence ceases.
While in Green Bay. Wisconsin, I saw a very singular and in-
teresting Indian curiosity. It consisted of a section of a maple
tree, about four and a half feet in length, and ten inches in diam
eter, near the centre of which, was a large knotty jjiotuberance,
being an exact image of three Indian heads, the faces looking out-
wards from the centre ; these figures were life fize, and represen-
ted two Indians and a squaw, that had been executed. One of
24.
INDIAN HISTORY.
the Indians, evidently, had his head crushed by a blow ; the other
had a hole cut through the base of the brain, and the squaw had
been scalped, the skin hanging in wrinkled folds over her brow,
while a tomahawk wound, causing a deep gash in her forehead,
just above the right eye, had no doubt ciused her death.
The different expressions in the couiitenances of these figures,
were finely delineated, and as distinctly portrayeJ, as if done
on canvass by a good artist. The eyebrows, eyes, ears, nose, lips,
teeth and chin, were formed by the natural growth of the wood,
standing out in bold relief, and by no theory has it ever been satis-
factorily explaiiied, how these likenesses have been produced on
the living tree. This curiosity is still in the possession of a citizen
of Green Bay, who found it growing in the woods, about lo miles
from the city, and who takes pleasure in showing it to visitors.
Over the whole continent of North America, we have evident
proof of there once having been a very numerous and powerful
people. They are found scattered over the different parts of the
country, from the ice bound regions oi the Arctic Sea and Coast of
Labrador, to the sunny shores of Florida and the Pacific Ocean,
and although divided into many tribes, differing from each other
in msny respects, they are nearly ?11 of the same color, have sim-
ilar superstitions, and essentially belong to one great family. The
extensiv 2 Indian mounds found in Wisconsin, and olher parts of
the United States, show that a great number of people must have
Deen engaged for many years in their construction. But -this once
numerous family appear from some evolution in nature, to be
passing rapidly away
\^hen Nova Scotia was first discovered, it was inhabited by a
tribe of Indians, of mild and pacific deportment, known to the
whites as the red Indians, on account of their particularly red color.
The tribe then numbered several thousands, but is now totally
extinct.
The Indians have many superstitions. One that exists among
the l^ke Superior Indians, in connection with an Island, known
as the Manitou, probably had its origin in the mirage which often
occurs during spring and fall, when this island appears to be eleva-
ted much above its natural position, and aqrain to be submerged be-
neath the surface of the lake. This phenomena takes place near-
/
f<
INDIAN HISTORY.
25-
ly every night, just before sunset, during the month of June. The
Indians believe this island to be inhabited by a Manitou. TJiere
are different kinds of Manitous ; some are good, others are bad ;
this one they believe to be very wicked, and if an Indian is
drowned while out in his canoe, they, in some way, connect it
with this Manitou, and no Indian can be persuaded to set foot
upon the island, or to go near it. I was informed of this by a Mr.
Whitesides, Photographic Artist, who made a tour around Supe-
rior, for the purpose of taking stereoscopic views. When approach-
ing the island, having a Mackinac boat, and two assistants, one of
them, an Indian, when aware of Mr. Whiteside's intentions, threat-
ened to jump overboard, unless he d. uiged the course of the boat,
and put him on the main shore ; nor could bribes or threats alter
the Indian's determination.
1
200L007.
CONCHOLOGY.
The zoology of this portion of Canada has undergone a very
material change, since ks early settlement, not only relative to the
Mammals and Fish, but also to the Birds, Reptiles, and Shells.
Among the latter, quite a number of the Hellicies, or land snail?,
have disappeared, as well as several species of the Unios, fresh
■•'ater Muscles, as. in the case with Unios Striatus, and U. Gibo-
sus ; these were formerly found, in great plenty, ui Soper's Creek,
between his mill and the Grand Trank bridge. The U. Fragilis,
paper shell Muscle, is found ?.t the mouth of Burk's marsh, and
U. Complimatus, pink shell Muscles, on the mud shoals, common
to all the marshes, and at Scugog Lake. This Muscle, it is well
known, forms, during the winter, the principal food of the Musk
Rat, and the numbers devoured by a small family in one season,
would appear almost incredible ; the empty shells, lying adjacent
to their house, woi^ld amount to several wagon-loads. There are,
in all, about fifteen known species in Canada, one of which is ed-
ible. Another species, which was found in the lower St. Law-
rence, U. Margratifei-a, was taken in great numbers, on account
of a pearl which it supplied ; and at that time, the exportation of
this pearl formed quite an important branch of commerce, between
Canada and France. The Lyin^iias are still numerous in the
ponds and marshes, and they, as well as the Flanorbis, have been
appropriated by the ladies, for the purpose of making ornamental
frame-work, and shell baskets. These muscles form a large por-
tion of the food of aquatic birds and nsh.
REPTILLIA. — OPHIDIA.
As regards the reptiles, a very popular, but erroneous, impres-
sion exists, that some of the snakes and lizards, in our imm-^diate
tf(
I
ZOOLOGY.
27.
vicinity, are poisonous. With but one exception, there is not a
poisonous reptile known in Canada, and even this one is Hmited
to a very small extent of territory. It is known as Crotalis Mas-
sasauga, a small rattlesnake, found in the vicmity of Niagara, Ham-
ilton, and some of the most southern portions of Lake Erie. They
have, however, of late years, become very scarce. The average
length of this snake is from two feet six, to three feet.
The family Crotalis, comprise a great many species, and arc all
indigenous to America. They are very numerous in the Rocky
Mountains, California, and Mexico. While collecting and pre-
serving Natural History specimens, for the University of Ken-
tucky, in 1866, I received a specimen of Crotalis, C. Adamenteus,
or Diamond Ratdesnake, named from some beautiful yellow dia-
mond markings, which commence at the head, and increase in
size with the body, gradually diminishing towards the end of the
tail. This snake, when received, was alive and healthy, and meas-
ured seven feet five inches. When irritated, it threw itself into a
coil, with its head and tail erected in the centre, and kept up a
continuous rattle. The regent of the Institution, fearing that some
accident might occur, thought it best to have its fangs removed.
An apparatus was soon improvised, and after securing its head
firmly, we commenced to probe for one of the fangs. They v ere
four in number, two on each side of the upper jaw, and were folded
down in the jaw in a small grove, similar to the closing of a jac-.
knife blade. While thus engaged, the animal became excited, erec-
ted the fang, and began to eject poison from it, something in
the manner of jetting liquid from a small syringe. This was caught
in a vessel, and in color and consistency, resembled sweet oil.
About a fluid ounce of this virus was preserved for experiments.
It is acid to the taste, and perfectly harmless when taken into the
mouth, and may be swallowed with impunity. It is only fatal in
its effects, when coming in contact with the blood. When this
occurs, the fluid portion is separated from the glutinous part, and
coagulation takes place. Its action on the blood is similar to
lemon juice, or strong vinegar, with fresh miljc. The poison is
generated in a ramification of small nerves, situated in the cheek,
behind the eye, and conveyed to a small sack at the base of the
28.
ZOOLOGY.
fang, which has a tube extending through it to the point, which is
formed very much like the nib of a pen ; thus, when it strikes its
victim, it tears or scratches the bottom of the wound, making a
receptacle for the virus. The flesh of these snakes is eaten by
the California Indians. At another time, I received a Crotalis
Massasauga, that had bitten a boy of twelve years of age, who was
picking currants in the garden. This boy was bitten in the second
toe of the left foot. On being bitten, he called to his mother,
who, after killing the snake with a poker, went for a doctor. In
the meantime, intense irritation and inflammation were produced,
the leg swelling very rapidly. Upon the arrival of the medical
man, convulsions had set in, which baffled all medical skill, the
boy dying in an hour from the time of his being bitten. The best
known remedy for the bite of these snakes, is to partake freely of
alcoholic spirits, and if taken immediately after being bitten, no
evil consequences follow, Another remedy, in vogue among the
hunters and western men, is, (in the absence of spirits) to cut a
portion out of the wound, and fill the place with gunpowder, which
is at once ignited.
In this portion of Canada, we have no po'sonous snakes or
reptiles, of any kind. We have four species of snakes, (three
Colubers, and one Constrictor) which are all perfectly harmless.
C. Vernalis, grass snake, which is the most common, and C. Str-
talis, also a little one, rather rare, with a ring round its neck,
.usually not more than five to seven inches in length, and Basca-
nion Constrictor, known here as the black water-snake, common
to the marshes, and Scugog Lake.
Snakes are ovoviriparous, producing eggs containing living an-
imals. From a female Coluber, I have taken thirty-six eggs. They
were contained in an ovaduct, and separated from each other by
the contraction of the egg sack, around the end of each egg, and
presented an appearance somewhat similar to a number of short
linked sausages. The eggs, on being expelled from the ovaduct,
presented a white appearance, and were covered with a tough
opaque skin ; they much resembled the egg of the small red mud-
turtle. On being cftt open, the young snake, about two and a half
inches in length, made its appearance, and was capable of crawl-
ing about.
ZOOLOGY,
29.
VERMES.
A very popular idea exists among many persons, that a horse
hair, after '•emaining for some time in water, will change to a liv-
ing animal. This, however, is a very great error. The idea, no
doubt, originated from the habit of some of the Caddice Worms,
which live inside of tubes f:onstructed by themselves, of different
materials; such as grains of sand, leaves, bits of wood, straws, and
hairs. These worms are common to fresh water streams and
ponds ; several of them can be seen together in a still, deep part
of our creeks, or springs, with their heads jirotruding from their
portable dwellings, and when disturbed, withdrawing entirely with-
in their tubes. •
* There are two worms that somewhat resemble a horse-hair —
Gorgius Aguoticus, and Tenia Filiaria — the latter is from three to
five inches in length, and, as its name indicates, is of a thread-
like appearance. It is parasitic, and frequently found in the
muscle and stomach of fish. They are very common in the large
trout of Lake Superior, and are occasionally found in the White
Fish of Lake Ontario, as well as in birds and animals. I have
also seen them in springs. This animal belongs to the class of
tape worms, and has a sucker-like mouth. The former is much
more active, and of various colors, being a dark grey or brown,
and sometimes black. It derives its name from being found in
knotty masses. In some places, they are very numerous, but 1
have only observed a few in this locality, and those were near the
head of the maish at Barber's Creek. Either of these worms can
be readily distinguished from a horse-hair, <-.ontaining a Caddice,
with its head and tore feet protruding from the base of the hair.
Of the turtles, we have two species ; the lesser one is known
as the small red, or Box Turtle, the other as the Snapping Turtle.
They were both highly esteemed by the Indians, and early set-
tlers, as an article of diet.
SAURIANS.
The Lizards are not very numerous ; probably, half a dozen
species may be found in this vicinity. One of these, the smallest, is
commonly met with in new chopped fallows, under rotten logs
and decayed chips. There are two other species, which are ter
30.
ZOOLOGY.
restrial, and two others which are aquatic. The largest cf the
latter, Membranchus Lateralis, known as mud pointer, mud pup-
py, &c., although common to all the great lakes of North
America, is very rarely met with in this immediate neighborhood.
I once saw one lying on the lake shore, near Darlington Harbor,
in a partial state of decomposition, and another, captured in To-
ronto Bay, which was ])reserved, and is now in the Museum of
Toronto University. These lizards abound in great numbers on
a shoal in Lake Superior, which surrounds Standard Rock, situate
forty miles in a south-east direction from the harbor of Marquette.
This rock, which is not discernable in rough weather, can readily
be seen when the lake is calm ; at which time, its summit remains
a few feet above the surface. This shoal varies in depth, from
three to five feet, and during the spawning season it is frequented
by salmon trout, for the jjurpose of depositing their eggs.
At this season, the bottom of the shoal is literally swarming
with these lizards, and the stomachs of those that were taken were
gorged with trout spawn. Some of the largest were about a foot
in length, and of a dark brown color above, mottled with dark
spots ; lightish grey underneath, with a lateral line running along
the side, from the head to the tail. This lizard has the gills on
the outside, which are erected like two tufts on each side of the
head.
These animals are held in much dread by the French fisher-
men, who believe them poisonous, even to the touch, and when
one gets fouled in their nets, instead of shaking it loose, or taking
it in the hand, as they would a fish or a frog, they invariably cut
away the meshes of the net, leaving a large hole to be repaired.
Although these fishermen have been acquainted with this lizard
for successive generations, and never knew a single instance of
any harm resulting from them, this silly superstition still exists
amongst them.
CRUSTACEA.
The Craw Fish, small fresh water lobsters, is one of the crusta-
ceous animals, found in our vicinity, and is common in streams
throughout the whole of America. When schoolboys, we used to
amuse ourselves by putting two t f them together, and watch their
}
ZOOLOGY.
antics, while engaged in a sort of a grotesque wrestle. These
Craw Fish are eaten by many persons, and considered a great
delicacy. Trout, and most other kinds of fish, prey upon them.
They are also taken by the racoon.
T'.iere are several species of Leeches which inhabit our marshes.
of which the Horse Leech is the largest. There are none of them
used for medical purposes.
MAMMALIA.
In all the various branches of Natural History, there are none
that have undergone a greater change in this country than the ro-
dent animals. Among them are found some of the fines*; fur-bear-
ing animals known in the world, such as the Otter, Marten, Mink,
Ermine, Fisher, and Beaver. In the early history of Canada,
those animals abounded m great plenty, furnishing a large supply
of pelts, which formed the staple production of the country. Most
of these animals have long since become extinct. The Beaver,
that noble monarch of the furred tribe, which furnished food and
clothing to the Indian, long before the intrusion of the whites on
this continent, is, like him, fated to disappear before the advance
of civilization. In different parts of the country, we still find their
remains, in the form of extensive beaver meadows ; their lodges
and dams having long since gone to decay. Having been, for
the last two years, in the Lake Superior country, where these ani-
mals still exist in considerable numbers, I have had the opportu-
nity of studying the peculiar habits and customs of this extraordi-
nary animal. They display great intelligence in the selection and
construction of their habitations, and would almost appear to
bring into action, reasoning powers, rather than instinct.
The Bank Beaver, are those which have their abode on large
rivers, where a dam can not be constructed. Such is the case
with beavers inhabiting the Missouri, Yellowstone, and other large
rivers. In their migrations, which occur from scarcity of food,
and other causes, they have been known to travel across the
country, until a suitable place was found, in which to start a new
colony ; this is generally on some small stream.
After taking a survey of the premises, and calculating the
amount of food it will furnish, they set to work under one who
is the sole director, first to build a dam, (none o^ these beavers
3a-
ZOOLOGY.
ever having seen one built) and cut canals. In the construction
of their dams, a great deal of mechanical ingenuity is displayed,
and from which some useful lessons in engineering might be taken.
No two dams are precisely alike ; they vary in form, length, and
material, according to the situation, size of stream, or number of
beavers to be acconmiodated. Very frequently, logs are morticed,
or dovetailed, together, in order to secure them more firmly in
their places; and while some are thus engaged on the dam, others
are employed in cutting canals through higher portions of ground
that will not be inundated when their dam is finished. These en-
able them to float logs (after the trees are cut down) from the ad-
jacent points of timber, to various parts of their pond, for the
purpose of furnishing themselves with food, and material to build
their lodges with. Now, it may be asked, without forethought,
consideration, and conclusion, how would the beaver know that
this canal, when finished, would be of any practical use or bene-
fit to him. Some of these canals, lately measured by a Mr. Mor-
gan, of Lake Superior, were found to be upwardsof seventy yards
in length, and were always filled with water, when the dam was
completed. It shows plainly, that the beaver, in selecting a place
for a new colony, takes into consideration the whole surroundings,
calculates the quantity of food, and material, that can be brought
into requisition, and after coming to a conclusion, proceeds to
utilize it to their own wants and requirements. While in Superior,
I received some fine specimens of beaver, one of the largest of
which weighed forty-six pounds, although, I believe, they attain a
much greater size. The beaver of Canada — Castor Canadensis —
and the beaver of Hudson Bay — Castor Fiber — are identical.
They are capable of cutting down trees two or three feet in diam-
eter, the bark of which forms their winter food. They prefer Balm
of Gilead, White Poplar, and Birch, but will eat many other kinds.
They have a very jjowerful pair of incisors in each jaw, but the
cutting is done with the teeth in the under jaw, turning their head
sideways, at right angles with the tree, for that purpose ; and after
working for an hour, are generally relieved by another beaver.
Often, two or more beavers work at the same tree. A beaver will
cut down a tree, one foot through, in two hours and a half, and
seldom more than one a day.
}
ZOOLOGY.
33-
The flesh of the l^eaver is very highly esteem.'d, both by the
Indians and white hunters. It has a flavor peculiar to itself, bear-
ing some resemblance to beachnut pork, but more sweet and
juicy.
The Indians have several superstitions in connection with the
beaver. The Chippewas will, on no occasion, i)artake of beaver
meat until they know that a bone, in one of the fore-legs, is taken
out and buried. The cause of this, I have never been able to
ascertain, though Jack La Pette, a Chief living with the remnant
of his tribe, sixteen miles below Manjuette, explained to me a
tradition which they believe in, in regard to the creation of the
world. He says that, previous to the creation, all was water, and
that the (ireat Manitou made three animals, the Muskrat, Otter,
and Beaver, and told the Muskrat to dive down to the bottom,
and bring up some mud. He dove, and on coming up, said that
he could not find bottom ; whereupon, the Manitou got angry,
and changed his tail, which was formerly like the otter's, to an
angular shape, and denuded it of fur. He then sent down the
otter, who returned, and said that he had found the bottom, but
had nothing to carry up dirt in. Then the Manitou made the beav-
er's tail of a flat oval form, and the animal disappeared beneath
the surface, and came up with a quantity of mud on his tail (with
which he has carried mud ever since.) This dirt the Manitou
took, and with it, created an island, which has been gradually in-
creasing, until it has attained its present size, known to the white
man as the terrestial globe.
Beavers, while migrating, are sometimes met with by the Indi-
ans, who usually, on such occasions, exterminate the whole lot of
them. Tile bank beaver does not construct lodges, but tunnels the
bank of the river. The entrance of the tunnel is always below
low water mark, and after running ten or fifteen feet into the bank,
extends upwards above water level, often under the roots of a
tree, or bottom of a large stone, and near enough to the surface to
admit air. Where the roots of a tree are not convenient, they
erect a pile of sticks, having first eaten of the bark. These piles
of sticks are often found by the Indians, who at once recognize
them, and search along the bank for the entrance of the tunnel,
34.
ZOOLOOV.
where they place a trap. They then remove the sticks, and drive
the beaver into the trap.
Another method, very successfully practised by the Indians, is
to make a breach in the dam, well knowing that the beaver will
turn out, and repair it as quickly as possible. Along this breach
the Indians place their traps, in such a manner, that the beaver is
sure to be taken, being, through excitement, rendered less wary
and watchful. The castoreuin of the beaver is contained in two
glands, near the Anal Canal. It is of a brownish yellow color,
having a strong peculiar odor, and was considered by the ancients
to possess strong medical virtues. It is now generally used to de-
coy animals into traps.
The otter, although a few are still found in the wild northern
part of Canadian forests, are scarce in all the front Townships.
The last that I have seen were in Lake Scugog, about twelve
years ago, while engaged in duck shooting, on which occasion
three came swimming within gun-shot, I was at this time stand-
ing on a piece of bog, below Staley's landing. This animal fur-
nishes a very fine article of fur, but its flesh is never eaten, even
by the Indians, being dark, and giving off a very foetid odour.
They are very tractable when young, and make nice pets. One
that a squaw brought down the river and sold to a oentleman in
Ottawa, was remarkably clever at catching fish. He was some-
times taken in a boat to a place in the river, where the red fin
suckers would run in shoals. On approaching them he was al-
ways on the alert, and certain to capture some of the first that
tempted to pass the boat, apparently enjoying the sj^ort as much
as any of the i)arties present. The principal food of this animal
is fish, but they will eat, if occasion requires, all kind of mohisks,
crawfish, and even carrion.
The Pine Martin, once as plentiful through the country as the
squirrels have been of later years, have been exterminated, and
are now completely extinct.
The Mink is still very highly esteemed, on account of its fur,
and are so prolific, that they still remain in considerable numbers
along the creeks and swamps. These animals have from five or
six, to eight or nine young at a litter, each season, and in some
places in the United States they are propagated in a partially do-
i
ORNITHOLOGY.
35-
mesticated state, with consideral>le l)enefit to those so engaged,
and there is not the slightest doubt that their propagation might
be conducted on a more advantageous jjrincipa! in this country,
where their fur is of a much superior (luaHty.
»H»^«
ORNITHOLOGY.
The birds of North America have all been descril)ed, and writ-
ten upon, by various authors ; and there has been no new species
added for a number of years. It is, therefore, supposed that the
birds of North America have all been discovered ; and in refer-
ence to the treatment of this subject, I do not intend to give the
individual history, but to treat upon the different groups and fam-
ilies of birds, frequenting cur locality, and propose to divide them
into three divisions, the first comprising the resident birds, the
second, birds that migrate from the north, and the third, consist-
ing of the true migratory birds, that visit our country each year,
upon the apjiroach of spring.
The resident birds are those that remain with us the whole year
round. Among them are found the Rough Grouse, or Partridge,
and the Spruce Partridge. This last named bird is not found in
the front townships, but is common in Manvers and the adjoining
country north. It is a very unsuspicious creature, and allows it-
self to be taken very easily, by placing a noose on the end of a
light pole, while sitting on the low branches of the spruce tree,
which is their favorite place of resort. The Quail, once quite
plenty, were also residents, as well as the Hairy and Downey
Woodpecker, Nut-hatch, or Sap-sucker, and the Chicadeedee.
36.
ORNITHOLOGY.
tn
These last named birds are never found associating together, save
on the approach of winter, after all the other feathered songsters
have left, and the forest is denuded of its foliage, and everything
wears a dreary and lonely aspect. Birds that are then the sole
tenants of the woods, band together in mutual good fellowship,
and a company of tiiree or four woodpeckers, half a dozen nut-
hatchers, with a dozen or twenty chicadeedces, may frequently
be seen going through the woods, keeping up a continual and in-
cessant chorus, twittering, chirping, and piping, which contrasts
very singularly with the surrounding solitude, that, at this season,
pervades the Canadian forests.
The biidc that migrate here during winter, are more numerous
than the resident birds, and, unlike the true migratory birds, many
of them are irregular in their visits, as in the case with the Cross
Bills, of which there are two species, the red, and the white-
winged. TLey are quite plenty during some winters, and then
are not to be seen again for tvvo or three years. The Snow Bun-
ting is more regular in its migration, and may be seen in large
flocks every winter. On the approach of spring, they retire to the
far north to breed, their nest and eggs having been found on the
coast of Lapland. The Lesser Red Pole, is another winter visi-
tant, and may be seen in flocks, feeding upon the seeds of the
different kinds of weeds, left in the gardens and fields. They are
a sprightly, active little bird, and appear at a distance to be of a
grey color, but on a nearer approach, the male will be observed
to have the uppci portions of the neck and breast,, as well as
rump feathers, marked with a rich deep carmine. This is more
noticeable towards spring. Its notes somewhat resemble those
of the cock yellow-bird, and have led many persons to erroneous-
ly suppose them to be the yellow-bird, in its winter plumage, but
the migration of the yellow-bird south, dunng our winter, is so
well known, as to preclude any possibility of its being the same.
The Ptarmigan, or white grouse, frequently migrates from the
coast of Labrador and Hudson Bay, into the northern range of
our Townships. In the year 1862, they came within 15 miles of
Ottawa, and were killed in considerable numbers, while feeding
upon ihe willow tops.
ORNITHOLOGY,
37-
The Snowy Owl, one of the largest of this family of birds and
an inhabitant of the Arctic regions, comes here occasionally, dur-
ing intense cold weather. Their food consists principally of small
quadrupeds and grouse, but they are also excellent fishers, and
will watch at an open place in the ice on lakes and rivers, for the
approach offish, which they seize with their talons, and devour.
The Ptarmigan has a peculiar habit when the weather is intensely
cold, of burying themselves in the loose snow, and remaining
there until the cold snap is past, when they again emerge from
their place of shelter.
The great Cinerous Ow] is an occasional winter visitant but
very rarely met with in this part of Canada. Having been for
many years collecting birds, and visiting various museums, I have
only seen two stuffed specimens, and one live bird. One of the
stuffed specimens was sent to the French Exposition, by the \or-
mal School Natural History Department, Toronto. The live bird
was captured in Cartwright.
The Jer Falcon is one of the most rare and beautiful of the
Hawk family. Only one or two specimens have ever been killed
in Darlington. They occasionally come here late in the fall, or
early in winter.
The Canada Jay (Perisoreius Canadensis) is another winter vis-
itor. This rather singular bird has some traits of character, pecu-
harly its own, being readily domesticated, and full of antics. He
known to the shanty-men and trappers, by the name of Whis-
ky Jack, Venison Bird, and Carrion Bird. As soon as he discov-
ers the smoke of a shanty, he is sure to make his appearance; ana
if any meat, bones, or slops are thrown out, he commences tohelji
himself to whatever comes in his way, and will readily take a piece
of meat off the end of a stick, a few feet in length, tlwt is held
out to him ; and if a person is carrying a piece of meat on his
back, he will not hesitate to alight on it, and eat his fill. One of
those birds was brought to me while in Ottawa. It had received
a slight injury on the tip of the wing, from a gun-shot wound, re-
ceived about an hour before. I placed it in a cage, which it' ex-
amined very minutely. After a short time, I offered it some n.eat
on the end of a stick, of which he was a little shy but after a
time, he took it, and in an hour from the time he was placed in
VI
38.
ORNITHOLOGY,
the cage, it would eat from my hand. When let cut, it would go
to the window and catch flies, which it would keep in its mouth
until a sufficient quantity was collected, when it would go and de-
posit them, with a number of other things, in the corner of the
cage. When left to itself, it v/ould bring them all out, look them
over, and try to hide them in a more secure ])lace. While hav-
ing this bird in my possession, I was presented with a young
robin, about half grown, which I put into the cage, and turned the
venison bird out ; but it appeared to show such great solicitation
on account of the robin, being continually watching it, that I put
them both together in the cage ; when the venison bird com-
menced to feed the robin, and continued to do so for many weeks,
until the robin could take ample care of himself This bird had
frequent opportunities to escape, being often on top of the house,
but would always return when called.
The true migrating birds are by far the most numerous, and it
is by them that our lakes, ponds, rivers, forests, fields, and^' ^\'
are each year re-animated, on the return of spring. Some of those
attract us by their graceful movements, or the beautiful markings
of their plumage, while others charm us with the sweetness of
their melody. It is also interesting to watch them while engaged
in the construction of their nest, or the feeding of their young.
( jo where you will, those welcome visitors are constandy engaging
our attention. To give an individual history, or even sketch of
each species, would require a much greater space, and more time
than 1 can here devote to it. I shall therefore merely numerate
the birds that are to be found in our own locality, with a few re-
marks u])on some vhat I think are the least known or understood.
Commencing with the Hawks, we have about twelve differ-
ent specieii ; of the Eagles, two species — the Bald Headed Eagle,
and (lolden Eagle, one Fish Hawk, eleven species of Owls, and
nine varieties of Woodpeckers.
In the early settlemenv of Canada, a very large woodpecker,
which at that time was quite numerous, has not been seen in this
Township for the last thirty or forty years, this bird was known
to the old settlers by the name of Woodcock, or Logcock. I first
got an account of it from Mr. E. Silver, of this town, several years
ago, while being engaged in making a collection or birds. He
)
i
1
ORNITHOLOGY,
39-
1
I
describe it to me as a climber, and also said it was in the iiabit
of makmg a loud noise before rain. I havin- associated tiie name
of diis bird with the true Woodcock, and not finding the slightest
resemblance in their habits as described by him, I gave the sub-
ject no further thought, considering the identity of such a bird a
myth. When some time atterwards, I mentioned the subject lo
Mr. Enoch Stevens, who had removed from Darlington to the
Rondeau, he informed me that he not only remembered then,
well, in his younger days, in Darlington, but had occasionally seen
them near his place, in the large woods at the Rondeau, and
promised when he returned, to send me a couple of specimen,
which in time, I duly received, and found to be (Hylotomus Pil-
eatus) or Peliated Woodpecker.
These woodpeckers were once quite plentiful through the woods
of the front Townships, but have long since retired to the inner
recesses of the more primeval forests. It is third in .size to any
that IS yet known. The largest of the species is the Mangrove
Woodpecker, of California ; the second, the Ivory Billed Wood-
pecker, found on the Mississippi river ; the third, the Pileated
Woodpecker, found in the most northern portions of Canada
When seen flying, it is fully as large as a crow ; it has a white
streak running down each side of the neck, and a red r.atch on
the top of the head.
The Gralatonal birds comprise the waders, and we find the-,
well represented in our locality. They inhabit the margin ot iv-
ers and lakes, while some a-c found in the tall grass and rushe«.
that grow so abundantly ia our -r.^irshes. The Blue Heron is the'
largest of the waders that visit us ; it is found frequently in the
marshes, and nests in considerable numbers on Burr's Island
Scugog Lai*. Of the Bittern, we have two species, the American
Bittern, and the Least Bittern. The former is known also, as the
Indian Hen, Dunkadoo, and Stake Pounder. It may be heard
during the summer months, just before sunset, making a loud and
booming noise, which it repeats at regular intervals. Its flesh is
considered delicate and good.
The Plovers, Sandpipers, Curlews, Coots, and Water-Rails, also
belong to this order. Of the last group, we have three .species •
the Virginia Rail, Clapper Rail, and Sora Rail, all of which in
40.
ORNITHOL J\.
the Southern States, are highly esteemed on account of their deli-
cate flavor. Here they are not generally known ; and as they
possess the habit of skulking through the grass, and rushes, and
can hardly be induced to take wing, even when not more than a
few feet distant, they are .lot likely to come under the fretiuent
notice of a casual observer. The Rails migrate during the night.
They lay from four to five eggs, of a white ground color, speckled
with light brown ; the nest is secreted in the thickest part of the
rushes and bog, that cover our marshes.
The Coot and Galinule are sometimes found in company with
the rails. They are known to hunters by the name of Mud Hens»
they breed in our marshes, and are polygamus in their habits, of-
ten three or four birds laying their eggs in the same nest. These
are gene/aliy in the most conspicious places, but are so disguised
that an v •■jenced person would suppose, upon seeing one,
that it nev*. s intended for a nest, but was merely a pile of
dead rushi.s, or rubbish, thrown promiscously ♦ gether by the
action of the water ; upon removing several layei of t^his material
the eggs are found from six to seven inches below the surface.
Of the AV' ild Goose, we have only one species that visits us ;
this is known as the Canada Goose, and passes regularly every
spring on its way to the north; and in the autumn, it is again seen
returning to the south, to spend the winter. This bird was found
to be numerous in the early times in this part of Canada, and it
was then usual to see large numbers of them feeding in the marsh-
es and rivers. This, however, of late years has become a circum-
stance of very rare occurrence. Occasionally flocks are seen, and
are immediately recognized by their peculiar form of flight, as
well as by tlft continual hanking or clanking noise that they in-
cessantly keep up ; but they are now no longer seen irt large num-
bers feeding about our inland lakes and marshes, nor is this the
only change that has taken place in reference to large aciuatic
birds. The Pelican and Swan were once numerous, and made their
regular visits each spring and autumn, enlivening the bays and
waters of this portion of Lake Ontario, but have long since ceas-
ed to make their appearance.
The Duck family embrace a large and varied class of very
beautiful plumaged birds. Some of these have, in addition to
h
ORNITHOLOGY.
4'-
their elegant markings and delicate tints, a showy crest, that can
be raised or depressed at will; we have in all, twenty-two different
species of this family that visit this locality.
The whole of this class of birds are highly esteemed as an arti-
cle of food, and are much sought after by gunners. They, how-
ever, differ very much in point of excellence, some being so ex-
ceedingly delicious, juicy, and fine flavored, as to command a very
high price in markets where they are known and appreciated ; as
is the case with th- Canvas Back Duck, which is allowed thei)rt-
cedence in point of flavor by all epicures, and readily sells for five
or six dollars per pair in Baltimore or New York, while others
are lean, dry and tough, and of doubtfiil taste. Others again are
of a decided fishy flavor, and can scarcely be eaten. As a general
rule the wide billed birds should be chosen, and the narrow bill-
ed, especially the serated or sawbilled ones, should be rejected,
as the latter live principally upon fish.
Among the wild duck, we find many gay and handsomely
plumaged birds, but without doubt the Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa)
is, by far, the aiost beautiful of all this group of birds. The rich,
changing lustre of its plumage is not surpassed by any duck in
the world. Unlike most other ducks, the Wood Duck builds its
nest in a tree, from which it carries its young as soon as they are
hatched, and places them in the water, which is usually close at
hand.
The whole of the birds of North America compose seven hun-
dred and thirty-eight (738) different species.
EXTT03C0L0a7.
The insects of this portion of Canada comprise a great many
that are injurious to vegetation ; some attack and destroy the trees
of the forest, while others are ravaging upon the succulent plants
and bulbous roots of the vegetable garden. Again, some are feeding
upon the cereals and fruits, and others are destroying flowers and
ornamental shrubs. Most of these pests are natives, but many of
them have been imported along with foreign plantr, or have mi-
grated into the country, as is the case with the Colorado Beetle,
which has proved so destructive to the potato crop ; during the
past few years. To many who have never made a study of in-
sect life, it might at first appear very wonderful for ,!.ose creatures
to appear in such great numbers ; but, on the contrary, to those
who have made it a special study, it is but the fulfilment of a
natural law. This insect was known by Entomologists to exist
many years a£;o, in Colorado, and on the Upper Missouri River,
when it fed upon a species of wild potato (Solanum Rostratum)
which this animal found to be an equal, if not superior article of
food to the wild species, thus following back in the wake of civil-
ization, and finding an abundance of food in its onward march,
it has multiplied and spread until it has completely inundated the
country.
THE NEW COUNTRY.
i|^
BY AN OLD SETTLER, OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE.
In Darlington was my abode.
Full seventy years ago ;
And when good meat we wished to eat,
We killed the buck or doe ;
For fish we used the hook and line.
And pounded corn to make it fine ;
On Johnny Cake we used to dine.
In the New Country.
I
THE NEW COUNTRY.
43.
Our occupation was to make
The lofty forest bow ;
With axes good, we chopped the wood,
For well we all knew how ;
Wi ijleared the land for rye and wheat,
^ For strangers and ourselves to eat ;
From maple trees we gathered sweet.
In the New Country.
Our roads were winding through the woods,
Where oft the savage trod ;
They were not wide, nor scarce a guide.
But all the ones we had.
Our houses, too, were logs of wood.
Rolled up in squares, and corked with mud ;
If the bark was tight, the roof was good.
For a New Country.
The Indians ofttimes rr.ide us fear
That there was danger nigh ;
The shaggy bear was ofttimes where
The pig was, in his stye.
The savage wolves our children dread—
Ofttimes our fearful mothers said,
Some beast of prey will take my babe,
In the New Country.
We lived in social harmony.
And drank the purling stream ;
No Lawyer, Priest, nor Doctor there.
Was scarcely to be seen.
Our health it needed not repair —
No pious man forgot his prayer—
And who could fee a lawyer there,
In a New Country ?
Of deerskins we made moccasins,
To wear upon our feet ;
The checkered shirt was thought no hurt,
Good company to keep.
And when a visit was to pay.
On a winter's night, or winter's day.
The oxen drew the ladies' sleigh,
In the New Country.
In bringing this pamphlet before the public, I regret to say that
it is not so coiT.plete or perfect as I would desire it, a great deal
of the information being received and noted in a fragmentary
manner. Many of the old residents from whom I received infor-
mation, were kind and obliging, but as most of the events trans-
pired in their younger days, when writing material was scarcely
ever used, they had to trust entirely to memory, and required
time to consider, and compare dates with their neighbors. 1 tind
that, since putting this in press, a great many persons have wish-
ed to contribute valuable information, which, 1 am sorry to say,
is offered too late.
I wish to return my thanks to Mr. I'imothy Soper, Richard and
J. P. Lovekin, Captain Trull, Hiram Borland, Allan Wilmot, and
others, for their kindness in furnishing documents, and other as-
sistance.
JOHN r. COLEMAN.
ERRATUM.
In Entomology, on P. 42, after Solanum Rostratum, read,
" and in all probability would still be confined to that region,
had not civilization encroached upon its territory, introducing
the cultivated potato, Solanum Tuberosum."
1 1
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