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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film^s en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols y signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est filmd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^/0/f^/S/lLf > !ii»i>g » »>o » » » »»»»att»ttOiii»i» » ( ''S«tit %mx f atriae/' NIAGARA Historical Society, No. 5. 5CPM0N bij Rev. RoDcrl Addison. HISTORY of rirs. JcaiA Bapristc Rousseaux. HISTORIC Houses.- CVOLUTION Of an lilsrorical Room. THE TIMES Book and Job Pamsmm- NIAOMItA'ON-THm-LMHE, ONT. 1899. J I I ■I t I ■g^.-^atir-r I fl ..^, 1! ''Sttcit ^mor fatriae/' NIAGARA Historical Society, No. 5. SEPnON Du Rev. Robert Addison. HISTORY of Mrs. Jean Baptlstc Rousseaux. HISTORIC Houscs.- EVOLUTION Of an Historical RoonA. f: I ii THE TIMES Book amo Job Pnmama- NIAOARM-OH-THB-LAKK, OUT. ia99. K €€ CCiCC€!CCCiENTS. MRS. ROE. CHAS. A. F. BALL. COMMITTEE. REV. J. C. GARRETT, MRS. ASCHER, MISS CLEMENT, W W. IRELAND, B. A. MRS. T. F. BEST. HONORARY MEMBERS. DR. SCADDING, REV. CANON BULL, WM. GIBSON, M.P. MAJOR CRUIKSHANK, CAPT. R. O. KONKLE, MAJOR HISCOTT, DR. JESSOP, M.P.P. ¥{ \ll ¥^ PREFACE. THE fifth pamphlet of the Niag^ara Historical Society, will it [s hoped be received as favorably as the preceding num- bers. The sermon by Rev. Robert Addison wUI be a pleasing surprise and will form a worthy companion to those of the other early mm.sters of Niagara which have been preserved l^ound almost by accident, its leaves yellow with age, it has been a pleasing task to prepare it for the printer. For some time "t has been desired that there should be some description of several historic houses, built before the war whose history ^s closeTv that the history of many others may be told before these deeds are lorgotlen, ere The race of yore Who told our marvelling boyhood legions store, Ut their strange ventures, happed by land or sea. Are blotted from the things that be. ' So many ot the early homes of the Niagara region were destroyed by fire in the War of 1812, and so many precious relics and valu- able records thus perished that it is all the more incumbent on us o gather up all that can now be gained of the stories of pioneer lite. Any who can assist in this way will confer a benefit on the Societies which are now endeavoring to make up for the lonir indifference of the past ^ Room is open eveiy Saturday afternoon THE Historical from 3 to 5. The pamphlets issued by our Society are : No. I. Taking of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara River, 27th May, 1813, by Major Cruikshank. 20 cts. No. 2. (With three illustrations.) Centennial poem by Mrs. Curzon ; Fort Niagara, by Canon Bull ; Slave rescue in Niagara, 1837, by Miss Carnochan. 20 cts. No. 3. Blockade of Fort George, with illustration of Niagara 1806, by Major Cruikshank. 25 cts No. 4. Memorial to United Empire Loyalists, by Jas. H. Coyne, President of the Provincial Historical Society ; History taught by Museums, by David Boyle, Curator of Arch- aeological Museum, Toronto ; Battle of Queenston Heights, by Hon. J. G. Currie; Monuments, by Janet Carnochan. 20 cts. No. 5. The present issue. 20 cts. The residence of Jas. McFarland, Esq., built in 1800. Used as a hospital durinjj;- war of 181 2- 14. Residence of Geo. Field Esq. Used as a Hos- . pital during^ war of 181 2-14. 4' I\.\ Old Time Sermon. Serm. n pre!ich«-d hy the Rev. Robert A' his circumstances by honest and laborious industry. But alas, such is the uncertainly of human life and everythinyf con- nected with it, so thin the partition between h:ippiness and miser'-. life and death, that in one short moment the wliole scene can be chan<^ed and sadly reversed, to-day all joy and suiishine, lo-mor- row afflictions and clouds, and which of us can say even the most affluent that such reverse of fate is not impendini4- over au'i readv to burst upon our head. Is it in the power of man to avoid or avert the wise dis- pensations ot Providence, I trust there is none so mad as to think so, tho' 'tis too evident that poor, blind unthinkint;f creatures there are who act as if they did. May the Almii>ht\' illuminate their minds with His Heavenly knowledi^-e, that they may turn from their evil ways and flee from the wrath to come. Believe me, the best way to avoid the just and deserved punishment of our sins both here and hereafter by the Almi_i>hty disposer of all events is to humble ourselves before Him, to implore in fervent prayer with minds abstracted from every earthly consideration, his pardon, jjrace and mercy, and to copy the example and precepts of His Blessed Son, our Lord and Redeemer, and althoui^h we cannot at- tain to His spotless, pure and holy life, yet our endeavors in the trial shall not lose their labour nor reward. In my present discourse I will inquire how this ^reat duty of charity is recommended to us in the Holy Scriptures. There was nothintjf our Saviour inculcated more strongly into the minds of His disciples for the 3— iformccl. I me here • bravely ly taken lly piov- e means , one of I not, lie ly joined mble af- in hopes ndiistry. ling- con- 1 tnisei''. e can he , ii'j-mor- lic most n'i reaJy vise dis- to think es there te their rn from me, the ur sins ents is er with pardon, of His nnot at- in the how to us Saviour for the instruction and blessinj^ of all g-enerations than that brethren should love one another and have charity, and here I beg" to re- mind you of the following^ passage in the 19th chapter of Mat- ihevv, 16, 17, 20 and 21st verse, "And behold one came and said to him. Good Master what gfood thing shall I do that I may have eternal life, and He said unto Him, why callest thou me good ? There is none gfood but one that is God, but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. The young- man said unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up, what lack I yet ? Jesus said unto Him, It thou wilt be perfect ^o and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven, and come and folio vV me," We find the young man went away on hearing the conditions of his salvation, exceedingly sorrowful, for he had g" eat possessions. The question asked of our Lord at first might seem equivalent to the enquiry, what must I do to be saved. Hut our Lord saw that His judgment was erroneous and liis heart unhumbled and carnal. He therefore first objected to his giving him whom he supposed to be a mere man, the title of good as all men are evil m themselves, and none is strictly and abso- lutely go:>d but the one living and true God, the fountain and per- fection of goodness and excellency. The remark was the more needtul as the Rabbis affected this title and it intimated that the inquirer was not properly sensible of the depravity of his heart or the dignity of the person whom he here addressed, to whom the title of good belonged in a far higlier sense than he supposed. He then directed him to keep the commandments oi' God if he meant to enter life by the good things he should do. He ignor- antly replied by inquiring which of the commandments he was to keep. Whereas a perfect obedience to all of them is the indis- pensable condition of life according to the covenant of works, and cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them. The young man, regardless of the first table and ignorant of the spiritual precepts adduced, answered, he had ki;pt them all from his youth. He could only mean the letter and that he was free from the grosser violations ot it, for doubtless he had infringed several ot them and he certainly was very far T.om loving his neighbor as himself. To this he added an enquiry, what was yet wantinjj to complete his rij^^hteousness, but our Lord, to discover to him and others the evil that lurked under these false appearances, told him he yet lacked one things and that if he would be perfect he must g"o and sell his estate, dis- tribute the maney to the p.'yor and follow Him, and then he should have everlasting^ treasure in Heaven. The reward offered for the sacrifice of this man's riches when he found it was indeed his wealth that should purchase it by bestowing- it as our Lord desir- ed and his sorrowing- at the terms and of course refusal of them shjwjJ that the true spirit of Cliristianity was not in him, nay, that the devil indeed had yet power over his heart, for if he had faith in Christ he never would have declined an immortal crown of gflorv for any earthly riches whatever. In the 9th and loth verses of the chapter I have taken my text from are also these words, "use hospitality, one to another without grudgfing- as every man hath received the g^ift, even so minister one to another as g^ood stewards of the manifold grace of God." Whatever be our cir- cumstances in this world, whether wealthy or poor, we are un- doubtedly stewards of the Great Lord of all, and as undoubtedly will have to render an account of our stewardship at the dreadful day of reckoning" and jud^^fment, everyone according" as hath been given unto him. Yet alas, how few think of this moral certainty and are still more criminal in the eyes of God, if knowing it they neglect it, if they know it not they are ignorant of the great word of truth, the Bible, but let them I pray take heed ere too late lest they should be called to render an account tliat would doom them to eternal misery. There are few of r.s so blind but we must per- ceive the superfluous expenses mankind enter into t > gratify their pride and their passions. The very expense of superfluities that are unnecessary to their comfort or happiness would be sufficient to support many poor, honest and industrious families. But there are many men such gross and brutish sensualists as disgrace the beautiful order of our creation, that it seems nothing would rouse them to either a sense of their own infamy or induce them to per- form one heavenly act of charity, to mitigate one crime of their — 5- ess, but d under ng- and \te, dis- ; should I for the ;ed his d desir- f them n, nay, ■ he had rown of chapter words, ry man as good our cir- are un- )ubtedly ireadful h been ;rtainty it they it word ate lest n them t per- ify their ies that Lifficient it there ace the d rouse to per- of their miquitous and useless lives, or hide one of the multitude of their sins. May the Almighty in His great mercy open their ears to wisdom and their hearts to understanding ere He calls them from this life of evil and temptation. The more we think on the pro- digality of those stores entrusted more or less to man for the pru- dent aud useful benefit of all, the more must we ever censure such lavishers of them. If they have a spark of that grateful and de- lightful feeling in their hearts that good men have when they per- form a good and generous action, an approving^ conscience, they would acknowledge 'twas beyond all the satiating luxury and empty pomp this world oould bestow. There is an inward satis- faction in doing a benevolent act without ostentation that a good man would not barter if he could for wealth. Innumerable are the opportunities my friends of thus indulging such gratifications. If we do not meet them immediately under our own eyes or even in our daily walks, still if we have the will to learn we too truly shall find out the abodes of penury and disease, The lowly, glorious and blessed Jesus, the Redeemer of us miserable sinners, condescended to minister consolation to the afflicted of every description, Will men then that were lost and condemned but for the sufferings of their Saviour refuse to follow His Heavenly example or think it a shame or reproach to them and beneath their dignity to be found alleviating the distresses of the poor and needy. If of such we are ashamed, I fear our Lord will pronounce at the dreadful Day of Trial an irrevocable sen- tence, the awful and condemn'ng words, when we would vainly ex- cuse ourselves, * 'Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, I know you not, ye are none of mine." Awful, truly awful indeed, will be such a declaration. Let us then my friends in time bring forth fruits meet for re- pentance, for every sin we may have thoughtlessly or wilfully com- mitted. Hear the declaration of the most patient man in the depth of his affliction : "When the ear heard me then it blessed me." The heart I would wish cheered by your present bounty is that of a widow, and a helpless, young and numerous family. She lost her husband soon after her arrival, she still had a son, he also fell, she has a daughter x x x x As the subject of my discourse is one I have peculiar pleasure in ever bringing to your notice, I wish to shew further the blessing to be derived from it and how far your contributions this day may rescue an afflicted family from present and future poverty, and yet more and of greater and happier consequences, possibly miserable lives and untimelv ends, I do not apprehend this would be the case with these poor people in particular, I trust in God it would not, nor ever will be. But too frequently do we hear of men driven by the desperation of their circumstances to desperate means with the destructive view of bettering them, and even wretched unhappy misguided females lost to virtue and respectability by the bribe of money to overcome momentary want, and in either case what is their inexpressibly miserable end — remorse and ignominy. And what does a cold and regardless world say of such victims ? Vagabonds, they deserved their fate ! True, their lives deserved to become a sacrifice for their crimes. The laws of Justice de- manded it. But here let us pause and dispassionately reflect, might not the kind assistance of some generous soul to have stretched out their hand with relief at the critical moment of need severed destruction from them and saved them to the community as good and honest members of society ? Now my friends may not Providence in His all wise dispensations make us this day by our exertions in behalf of this family, instruments for their welfare here, and glorious immortality hereafter. Can we have a strong- er inducement to excite us ? Let us be this day at leasts to those poor helpless infants a kind indulgent father, and to the disconso- late widow'd mother as it were, a tender and affectionate husband, providing for her and her family's necessities. Let her grief if possible be soothed thro' your protection of herself and infants. Let their cry for bread (by your bounty) be no more heard, and if anything in the world can repay your heart with satisfaction and sacred joy, it would be to behold these little helpless innocents kneeling round and with their yet almost desponding mother with hearts and hands gratefully lifted to Heaven imploring the God of Mercies to shower blessings on you and yours, and whatever -7— ict of my ig to your e derived rescue an more and • lives and case with not, nor en by the 5 with the 1 unhappy bribe of e what is ly. And victims ? deserved istice de- y reflect, 1 to have t of need )mmunity ends may 5 day by ir welfare a strong- to those disconso- husband, jr g-rief if infants, d, and if tion and nnocents her with the God vhatever you do, do it heartily to the Lord and not unto men, "knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ." Now to God the Father, etc. [At the North end of St. Mark's Church is a tablet with this inscription : — '•In memory of the Rev. Robert Addison, first missionary of this district, of the Venerable the Society for the Propaj.'-ation of the Gospel in Foreij^n parts. He commenced his labors in 1792, which bv the blessin- of Divine Providence he was enabled to continue for 37 years. Besides his stated services as minister of St. xMark's in the town, he visited and olliciated m different parts of this and adjoinincr districts until other missionaries arrived. He was born in Westmoreland, Enj-land, and died Oct. 6th, 1829, in the 75th year of his n^e. 'Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considerincr the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to-day and forever.' Heb. 13, 7,8." This tablet was erected as a testimony of respect and aflec- uon by friends of the deceased. | HISTORY OF Mrs. Jean Baptiste Pousseaux. BY ALEXANDER SERVOS. Marjjaret Kleine was born of German parentag^e in the year i7i)9, in the Mohawk Valley, now the State of New York, then a British colony. She was taken by the Indians, when a child about one year old, during* the war with the Indians. The Indians killed her father by tying him to a tree and whipping- him to death with the ramrods of their rifles. From the shock of witnessing- such an awful death his wife fell dead. The young- child was then taken, along with her sister who was then fourteen years old, by the Indians. On the loss of her mother she cried and was threatened with death by the exasperated Indians, and, in order to keep the child quiet Elizabeth filled her mouth with leaves so she could not make a noise. A short time after that Chief Joseph Brant seeing these two white children with the Indians, took them himself and brought them along with him to Niagara, andfrom there in due course of time they were taken to Brantford on the Grand River, where they lived with the Brant family until Margaret was fourteen years old. During this time Brant had discovered some of her near relatives, at or near King-ston. Mrs. Brant being unwilling to give up the young girl, Chief Brant arranged to let her go to her relatives. He fitted out a bark canoe with blankets and provisions, and the girl, canoe and out- fit were conveyed across the country from Brantford to Burlington Bay at night by the Indians, and he directed her how to proceed by keeping along the shore of the lake, she being alone during all the voyage. At night she pulled the canoe on shore, made a fire and slept in her. blankets. The time occupied in going that dis- — 9- ux. the year ork, then n a child ins. The whipping- the shock rhe young- 1 fourteen she cried ans, and, 3uth with that Chief Indians, Niagara, antford on nily until irant had Dn. Mrs. ief Brant it a bark and out- Jurlington proceed luring all ide a fire that dis- tance was sixteen or eighteen days. On reaching Kingston she had no difficulty in finding her relatives. Chief Brant having given her full particulars how to find them. She was well qualified to paddle a canoe, having been taught that art by the Indians through living so long with the Brant family. On arriving at Kingston she found her relatives and lived with them until she married Jean Baptiste Rousseaux in 1780, who was a Frenchman, born and educated in Paris. He had gone to England and from there came to America with General Wolfe, and was with him at the taking of Quebec. After a short time he became intimately acquaiiited with Chief Joseph Brant and very quickly learned the Indian language and became proficient in speaking it, so much so that thr«.ugh the influence of Chief Brant he was appointed interpreter to the Indians, and held that position until his death in 181 3. He died in the town of Niagara and was buried in St. Mark's cemetery. After marriage Rousseaux and wife went to the village of Ancaster, a small village in the then Gore District, now the county of Wentworth, and kept a general .store. About the year 1793 he built a grist mill in the village for grinding wheat for the farmers, and, for chose days, did a large and thriving business, and acquired a good deal of wealth, besides large tracts of land throughout the country. Their family consisted of four daughters and two sons, namely : Elizabeth, who married House of the county of Norfolk. Rainet married Elijah Secord, who afterwards kept a store in Ancaster, and finally settled in the township of Barton, where he and his brother, John, built the Albion mills. A number of their descend- ants are still living. Margaret married Thomas Davis, who settled in the township of Saltfleet, and left a large family, many of them still living. Catharine, or as she was called, Kate, the youngest daughter, married Daniel Kerr Servos of Niagara in 1 816, who at that time belonged to the barrack department at Niagara, where he was employed from the close of the War of 181 2-14 to 1 81 8, in which war he served as private, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant, after which he removed to the head of the lake and purchased a farm, lots 3 and 4 in the township of Barton -JO" county of Wcntvvorth, where he resided until his death in 1857. His widow died in 1882. They raised a family of four dauf^^hters and three sons, besides two sons who died when quite youn.i^. The daughters were Marj^^aret Ann, who married Matthew Brock Secord, both living- to an old age, leaving many descendants. Elizabeth Gertrude, who married Alexander Rennie of Toronto, who had a large family, and died several years ago in Hamilton, where his widow now resides. Mary Euretta, who married Andrew M. Crooks, is now a widow living in Plainsville, New Jersey, Amelia Jane married Philip Perry, both dying in Buffalo, N.Y. , William, the eldest son, married Margaret Crooks, Alexander, the writer of this short sketch, hns been living at Niagara for the past forty-four years, and Ethelbert, who died three years ago in Hamilton. George Rousseaux, the eldest son, married Mary Rogers of Niagara and left a family of one son and five daughters, some of whom reside in Hamilton and others in Toronto,. Josepli Brant, the youngest son, married Margaret Davis of the township of Barton. Now we return to say what became of Elizabeth Kleine, the sister of Margaret. She lived with the Brant family for several years. Mrs. Brant, being a very passionate woman, Elizabeth ran away from them, assisted by Chief Brant in getting away. Meet- ing Daniel McCrimmon, a young Scotchman who lived near where the town of Cayuga is now situated, she married him and after a few years they settled on a farm in the township of Binbrook, county of Wentworth, where she lived to a very great age. Daniel McCrimmon, about the year 181 5 while on a hunting expedition got lost in the woods, and his remains were found along with his rifle, two years afterwards in a hollow tree, where he had climbed to protect himself from the wild animals. The remains were found there by some men who were hunting in the bush. It was proven by the rifle and knife that he carried and the steel and tinder box. in 1S57. Jaufjhtors jw Brock icendants. Toronto, t^amilton, married 2 w Jersey, Buffalo, t Crooks, IS been Ethelbert, oiisseaux, t a family Hamilton n, married leine, the yr several zabeth ran Meet- ear where d after a nbrook, e. I huntings re found e, where s. The g- in the ried and Historic Houses. JiV ALEXANDER SERVOS. History of the George FieM's Farm, 011 the River Road, Lot 15, In the year 1785 Georjj^e Field, a U.E. Loyalist, came from the state of New Jersey, then a British colony, and settled on Lot 15, River Road, township of Niagara. He built a house in the villajje of Queenston, where he lived and carried on a blacksmith shop and wajjon making^ business. He did not work himself at the trade but employed men to do the work while he would oversee the business. He placed his sons Gilbert, Nathan and Daniel on the farm which they succeeded in clearing up and cultivated suc- cessfully, earning a livelihood for the large family. About the year 1795 the father and sons built the brick house now standing on the said farm, opposite Mrs. George Durand's residence. River Road, which is part of the original Field farm. During the War of 1812-14 there was a battery placed on what was then called Field's Point, just about where the Durand house now stands, and on the morning of the day of the Battle of Queenston, the Americans placed a battery on the opposite side of the river, opened fire and tried to silence the battery on Field's Point. While doing so they sent a cannon-ball through the roof of the brick house, (the Field house) which had at that time a very steep roof. When they repaired the house some years afterwards, they made the roof very much lower, as it is at the present time. While the Field family were taking breakfast on that morning, the Americans sent two more shots through the brick work of the house which caused the family to beat a hasty retreat and find shelter in some other quarter. The present owner and occupant of the house and farm, Mr. George Field, i2— BOW an old gentleman, is a grandson of CJeorge Field, who settled the property. His father was also named George Field. George Field died in Queenston and was buried in the plot of ground now owned by Mr. — ot Buffalo, N.Y., where there are a number of persons buried who were residents of the village and surrounding country. He had a large family, Hiram, Nathan, George, Daniel, James, Crysler, David, John, Ralph and one daughter, Rebecca, who married John Middaugh of the Ridge Road west of St. Davids, township of Niagara. The name was originally De la Filday, they being of Norman descent. George Field's father's name was Gilbert. [In addition to the above it may be mentioned that in the pos- session of Mr. Geo. Field is a silver medal, which, from the following letter, must have been obtained throu;^''h the intervention of Hon. Wm. Hamilton Merritt. On ol^e side are the words "To the British Army 1793-181 4" and on the other the Queen's head and the words "Victoria Regina 1848." The letter is as follows : QUEBEC, 23rd AUG., 1832. Mr. Geo. Field, Sir: It gives me much pleasure to be the means of present- ing you with the enclosed medal as a reward for your gallant conduct in defending our common countiy, and I hope the day is not far distant when the same mark of distinction will be extended to your companions in arms, who, in other engagements were instrumental in successfully repelling the numerous invasions on the Niagara frontier as well as other parts ot Canada during the campaign of 181 2-14. It is my intention to present an address in a few days to attain that object. In the mean time I will thank you to acknowledge the receipt of this, hoping you may long liv2 to wear it. I have the honor to remain your friend and servant, WM. HAMILTON MERRITT. In the grave yard now used by the Brown and Field families are many head-stones, one marking the grave of Daniel Field, who died 1873 aged 82 years, and Gilbert Field, who died 1815, aged 50. The dwelling is a large, dark-red brick house, originally three stories, with a high, pointed roof, but when partially butnt down —iZ- ho settled le plot of ., where :s of the , Hiram, .alph and he Ridj^-e ame was Georj^e n the pos- foUowin^ I of Hon. "To the J head and lows : G., 1852. ir present- ^••allant le day is extended nts were islons on Lirin^ the address ne I will you may Viend and ITT. families 'ield, who , asfed 50. illy three int down it became a two-story house with a much flatter roof. The family came from New Jersey in canoes and landed near this spot. It was the first brick house on the River Road and shows the solid work of those days, its walls being mostly six bricks thick. It was built by Gilbert Field. Mr. Murray Field, living \t\ Niagara was born in this house, which was at one time used as a hospital. The spot is still pointed out where a soldier died at the head of the stair. The British officers were at one time quartered here and Mr. Murray Field is named from Col Murray. Jas. Mc- Farland and Daniel Field piloted the force over to Fort Niagara in December 1813. In the Niagara Historical Room is a copy of a paper read at a family gathering by Mr. Daniel Field on his 80th birthday, in which he mentions having fought at Queenston Heights, Lundy's Lane and at the capture of Fort Niagara, having been a prisoner there previously. The wife of Mr. Murray Field is the daughter of the late John McCarthy and their children can say that their grand parents fought on opposite sides at Queenston Heights, and at Chippewa they were prisoners on opposite sides.] J. C. History of the old white y tlie Sc.hoolchildtMi of CiiiiiKla in the prize competition insiitiitfd by that paper. The house in which I live is situated on the banks of the lieautiful Niayfara River. It was built in 1800 and has witnessed many slranyfc scenes, especially durinj^ the stirrinj^ times of 181 2-14. As it was one of the larj^est and most comfortable houses of those times it was used as a hospital by both Uritish and Americans, as each had possession of it. The hall was sometimes so filled with the dead and wounded that it was almost impossible to reach the upper story without treadinj^ on their bodies, A few yards to the north of the house is a ravine which was no doubt at that time covered with shrubbery, in which the boats were concealed which were intended to be used in the capture of Fort Niajjara. The fort was captured without the firinjc of a g-un on Dec. 19th, 1813. Col. Murray came from Burlinj^ton to Niajjara with portions of the looth and 41st rej^-iments, they did not cross at Niagara but about two miles up the river. My uncle who had been taken prisoner by the Americans, made his escape out o{ the fort early one morning and walked up the river along the shore until he came to a house where he was well known. There, kind friends hid him in the cellar until nightfall when he crossed to his own country. Col. Murray hearing of his return, sent for him and he was appointed pilot of the expedition to take the fort. They embarked a little below the house, then went up the river for a short distance and landed on the opposite shore where two — J6- pine trees now sUmd. It was ten at night when they started off, they walked down on the other side, killing the sentries with their bayonets as they went along so as not to alarm the garrison at the fort. It was at the top of this same ravine in which the boats had been concealed that General Brock on his way from Fort George on the morning of Oct. 13th, 1812 to command at the battle of Queenston Heights spoke to my grandfather. One day as my grandfather and great grandfather were at work in the field each with a pair of horses, three American dra- goons rode up and tried to capture both men and horses ; but my two grandfathers each seizing a rail from the fence near at hand, soon put them to flight. However it was not long before they came back considerably reinforced. This time they seized the horses, took my great grandfather prisoner and carried him away to Greenbush, New York State, but my grandfather fortu- nately made his escape. It has been reported that money was buried in the cellar, and it seems there was some foundation for the rumor, for my grand- father being in the cellar one day, noticed something bright where the '•ats had been scratching up some earth on the floor, and on picking it up it proved to be a gold Spanish coin, nearly twice as Inrge as an English guinea. We have an old clock in the house now which tradition says was buried during the time of the war, but as Uiis is a true story I cannot vouch for the truth of the "clock" story. Another Description of the Same House. BY CHARLES V. TAGGART. The farm and homestead situated on the banks of the Niagara River about two miles south of the town of that name was purchased by my great great great grandfather from the crown and has remained in the family to the present day. The dwelling house was built in 1800 by my great great grandfather —17— ted off, ith their rison at )ats had George battle of were at can dra- gs ; but i near at ig before :y seized ried him ;r fortu- llar, and L grand- ht where ) and on wice as le house the war, of the use. of the \t name rom the The dfather and was used as a hospital during the wpr of 1812-14 Ijy both British an d Americans, as each had possession of the place. A little to the north is the ravine in which were concealed the boats which were used in the taking of Fort Niagara. On the bank behind the house a battery was built where three British soldiers were buried, During the war of 1812-14 the cellar was used to store the grain and my great grandfather on going down one day saw an olhcer helping himself withoul permission to the oa:s. lie unceremoniously kicked him out, said officer was afterwards high in rank, who, I suppose, kept to the old adage, "Everything is fair in love and war." It was my great grand uncle who gave information which led to the faking of Fort Niagara, and who crossed Niagara River after being a prisoner in the American Fort, crossing on a raft, and led the British soldiers to the capture of the fort. My great great grandfather and his son were one day busy working in the fields when three soldiers tried to seize the hi>rses, but my great great grandfather and son each seized a rail and put the soldiers to flight. They soon returned with a larger number and took them prisoners to Greenbush, N.Y. After his release he died from the exposure. After the war, when the family returned to their home they found the house greatly dam- aged, as neither doors, windows nor mantles were left remaining, .ilso from the farm twenty one horses had been carried off. [On a tombstone in St. Mark's graveyard is the following in- scription which must refer to that member of the McFarland fam- ily who was taken a prisoner to Greenbush and is said to have died from' the effects of the exposure. "Sacred to the memory of John McFarland, a native of Paisley, Scotland, he was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort George and escaped from Greenbush near the close of the war. He returned to his place, Niagara, and finding his property burnt up and destroyed by the enemy, it enervated him so much that he died in a few months after, in the 64th year of his age." In the Historical Room, Niagara, are several documents framed, grants of land to or from J no. McFarland, showing him to have been tlie possessor of many hundreds of acres in different parts of Upper Canada. The earliest document is one dated 1 794. — J8— Several^of the jjrants are from Peter Russell, one for fxjo acres ; another for 500 acres, one in 1799. The document of 1794 is made at Newark and is from Peter McFarland and Benaiah Gibb of Montreal, making- John McFarland of Niagara their attorney for the Home District to collect all sums of money due. Another document shows the kindness of the eldest brother (and of course in those days the heir,) in giving his brother, from brotherly aflfec- tion, a deed for 200 acres of land. Major Duncan McFarland who as a boy took part in the war of 181 2, was an uncle of the present proprietor, who is a genial, hale and hearty octogenarian.] J. C. 6oo acres ; jnt of 1794 is Benaiah Gibb :heir attorney le. Another and of course otherly aflfec- n McFarland 1 uncle of the ctogenarian.j J. C. ■ii JZ u J= ^ ^^ 2i *J L. .*ii * X o. ** . c X (U > E u c (U u r/i 01 rO ^ X >, o !>• u O H X S c4 X S • rS u (U X <*. 3 o X a> > u > c 0) "O X a» OJ Palarine Hill. JiY JAXET CARXOCHAN u O c (U B c u (U > o CO X ^^.S T. X t3 (U X 3 Perhaps the oldest house in Niafjara Township is that owned by Mrs. Mary Servos, widow of Col. Peter Servos. A beautiful situation truly, the house built on an eminence commanding^ a view of the meandering^ Four Mile Creek running through an old beaver meadow, beautiful forest trees, immense pines, elms and maples havingf been left to add to the beauty ot the scene. The house has had many additions but the larg-e room with its heavy ratters <»fthe olden time dates back to 1783 and was at one time a Government store. Two old account books from 1784 to 1779 gfive many "^curious particulars of the sale of flour, wheat, elk skins, bear skins, etc. A saw and grist mill did good service here. In different Goverment records we find that the Home Gov- ernment sent machinery to help, and from many miles distant came early settlers to have their grain ground. A few submerged timbers show the spot still. The Servos family were of Prussian origin, a parchment pre- served by some members off the family, and signed by Prince William, of Weid, dated 1726, witnesses that Christopher Servos entered military service in 16H7, serving honorably for forty years, and recommending him to the Governor of New York. Some of the sons were present at the siege of Fort Niagara, in 1759, under Sir Wm. Johnson, and the gnndsons served in Butler's Rangers. The old account books are exceedingly interesting, for the names, prices, articles sold. On the first page is an index very neatly done, giving names and pj\ges. It must have been an ex- tensive business involving large interests, as the sums of money mentioned are very large, all in L.S.D. The oldest book is a little private account of Daniel Servos from 1779 to Dec. 12th, 1804* mmmm — 2o— ! m ^'j.M The prices are interesliiij;^, as 43 panes of jflass 3;^', 5s, 6d, one bottle oi rum 4/, 9 lojfs, sawing', at 5s — 2^ 5s ; 30 lbs. flour, ';6 '3^' ^" the year 1784, Messrs. Street and Butler are charjj- ed with flour and grain bags, the lumber at 8;^ per thousand, 100 lbs flour to Mrs. Frey, ^-^ » Captain Bernard Frey, a bushel of bran 4s ; Mr. Jm. Clement in 17X5 paid J^x os 7d for three pecks of salt ; Mr. Jesse Pawliu}^ boutj^ht tea at \2^ per lb. Lapl. PjtvM' Fen Brojk boui^Iit deer skins at 5>^ ^,\c\\ ; .\Ir. Isaac Vroo- inan boui^ht wheat at 8s per bushel ; Mr. Sam Street is charj^ed with elk skins at 14s each, 6 bear skins 20s each, 3 martin 5 s each. Capt. Ralph Clench has a large blacksmith bill in 1791^ In 1784 a mare is charged £3X2. A record r, are quite suitable for these ancient documents. There are now almost one hundred of these lian^"inj.j on the walls of our room. The first article put into our hands was a larj^e medal, rather battered and discolored but still in j^-ood preservation, par- ticularly interestinj^^ at this jubilee time, the in.scriplion beinj,'^ "In cotnmemoration of the visit of Queen Victoria to the city of Lon- don, 9th November 1837", on the other side the Queen's youthful profile of sixty years a^^o. To a Londoner the date would ex- plain the raison (Vetre, but to us the recent reading- of Hall Caine's Christian with its reference to 9th November, Lord Mayor's day afforded an explanation. The medal was found near Fort Missis- saj^ua and presented by Master Hamilton Garrett. A larj,^e heavy key with brass taj^ attached with words stamped "Tower Majjazine", in beinjj shown to visitors is always said to represent the "power of the press," a well deserved name. When in begin- ninjf our collection a larjj^e case was kindly presented, a notice was inserted in our local paper that now articles presented could be safely preserved. In a few days this key was sent l»y post all the way from Wisconsin, the owner havings picked it up when the the fort was deserted and lyin^ open ; taken to Wisconsin and now restored by mail in answer to our appeal, by this loyal son of the old borouj>^h. Our local paper travels to many distant spots and this has been truly shown to represent the "power of the press." A sword hints a tale of the "cold steel" encounte** when the lejjend tells us the cry was "What is trumps" and the answer "Bri- tish bayonets." When Fort Niagara was taken 19th December 181 3, while Niagara town was a smoking ruin, this sword was handed to Col. Murray by the American officer in charge. The christening bowl used by Rev. Robert Addison who came here in 1792 shows long use, but still the bunch of pink flowers on each side may be plainly seen and this brings to mind St Mark's he room alls dat- cominis- ed from tlie par- hcre are s of our e medal, ion, piir- c\ui^ 'In of Lon- ; youthful vould ex- ill Caine's yor's day 3rt Missis- A large "Tower represent 1 in bey^in- a notice ted could ost all the when the nsin and oyal son [tant spots r of the Iwhen the >wer "Bri- iDecember Ivord was re. The |e here in on each It Mark's -25 rcj^ister with the quaint remarks inserted at baptism, wedding cr funcr;il by its (irst rector, who sometimes, from that vast parish reaciiing horn Niagara to Long Point, baptized dozens, nay Scores, using this simple china bowl. A pocket book gives us a pathetic reminder of the day Niagara was taken, 2'j*h May, 1813. On a tablet at the north door of St. Mark's is an inscription to the memory of four heroes who were killed while defending the town, llie first name being Capt. Martin McClelland, and hert' is the name in his own hand in this pocket book, Dec. 181 2. It was thought at first that the purse was found on the dead body, but a clin"creiit explanation is now given, no less pathetic and striking : the captain went to Virgil where his wife then was, to bid her good-bye, having a presenti- ment that the morrow would be his last day on earth, an engage- ment being expected, the American force having anchored in sight of the town. To the wife were given the pocket-bi>ok and watch an.! t!ie presentiment proved true, for in spiking the guns while rjlre;iling the fog lifted and he was slain. liut perhaps the article which attracts the most attention is the cocked hat of (icneral lirock uiili white ostrich plumes, red and wiiife cockade and gold plated chain. Since like George Wash- ington, we cannot tell a lie, it must be confessed that Gen- eral Brock never wore the hat as when it arrived for him from Kngland he lay in a hero's grave in Fort George. A letter is m existence written by liini to his brother "All the articles I ordered have arrived except the cocked hat for which I am sorry, as on account of the enormous size of my head I find it difficult to obtain a hat to suit me." The ladies of the Historical Society, Toronto, wrote to have it measured inside, and the result quite justified the use of the descriptive adjective as the measurement was twenty-five inches. A military order oi iSii thiit the ostrich plumes be inside the flaps, and anuther in 1814 repealing this order justify the position of the trimming. The hat was used at the different funerals, being placed on the coffin in 1824 and again in 1855 when many old soldiers asked permission to try it on. Here is the Upper Canada Gazette 1794, Newark, published 26 » by Roy aiul a lalcr one by Sylvester TilTati) with curious aclvertise- inents aial vistas opened up into the life of a hundred years a^H> when g;ay assemblies, and l*'rench Counts, and American Com- missioners, Governor Simcoe himself, and his secretary, that re- markable anti inexplicable man. Col. Talbot, danced with Niaj^arn belles. Two liocinnents show the heads of families and number in the famil) of the ci.n^re;;'ations o{ St. Andrew's and St. Mark's, the fnsi beinj,'^ a parchment petition to tiie Queen m 1842 com- I")laininj4^ that they had not received their share of the Cler};y Reserve Fund. O^ all the autoj.;^raphs found here not one is that of a liviii^' person. The Census linumerator's report of the families of St. Mark's in 1848 }^ives a total 01 1060 people exclu- sive of the military in barracks, or the country people. The comnussions of Robert NcUes, an ofhcer in the Lincoln Militia, from 1788 to 1813 as successively lieutenant, captain, lieutenanl-colonel, colonel, show the signatures of Lord Dorches- ler. Gore, Sir Peregrine Mailland, Lord Colborne and Col. Butler. What story is hinted at in the coat of arms and parchment containing the freedom of the burgh of Dumbarton and another that of Paisley to John Hamilton for ^oo<.\ deeds done and to be done, dated 1748- How little thought the gi\er or the leceiver that we in this distant land should now be wondering what those good deeds could have been and what mean those mysterious words to be done. Could those canny Scots have thus been sii|Hi- lating that no future reward was to be given for any further devo- tion to duty ? Here is a "tump line" one hundred years old, skilfully decorated with porcupine quill work, which had been used by some Indian woman to fasten her silent, solemn-eyed papoose and carry it on her back or perchance to carry a heavier load of food or game. And here are articles which show how our grandmothers followed the description in Proverbs, "She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands, she layeth her hand to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff," a large wheel, a small wheel, reel, carders, hackles. A number of these last show that raising flax must have been an industry here, as in one barn were -27 found five. One hackle is old, having been broiijjht in 1784 by the family of one ot Butler's Ranjjers. Numerous documents, now framed, recall stirring' timef? as the proclamation of Wm. Lyon McKenzie from Navy Island 1H37. Amony; other names may be seen that of Samuel Lount, so ruth- lessly executed. Another proclamation o( a reward of $500 for the capture of James Morreau, a rebel, evidently a Frenchman, and on inquiry we learn that he was actually hanj.;cd at Niaj,'ara jail and a record in the Roman Catholic rey^ister j^ives the fact that he was baptized provisionally, he not knowing whether this had been done before. Some curious old books and pamphlets j^ivc interestinjj^ j,''Iimpses of early life in Canada. A book containing letters to Archdeacon McCrath, Dublin, has engravin^^s by the novelist Samuel Lover, showing- the log house of 1832, the bear hunts and fishing expeditions. One item referring to the scauitv of drug stores says that "one woman in Niagara compounds mc^ 1. incs and puddings with equal confidence, but not with equal >..iil." The formidable speech of Bishop Strachan on the Clerg'-y Reserve question recalls the memory of that vigorous ecclesiastical states- man who gave and received such mighty blows, and who was so vigorously denounced by Robert Gourlay, who lay at one time a prisoner in Niagara jail, a picture of which now hangs on the wall, a contrast to its present appearance as "Our Western Home." A scrip ol Pennsylvania in 1773 for four shillings, re- calls the time when that state was a British colony, and a curious deed of land has on it the coat o\' arms of the Canada Company in the Huron tract. A Mavor's spelling book printed in Niagara in 1824 gives some astonishing statements, but this is far eclipsed as a school book by the Agricultural Reader by a vice-president of the Agricultural society, since learned to have been Bishop Fuller. Whether the pupils of any school were ever condemned to use this book is not known, but in the interest of humanity it is hoped not, as the book consists of disquisitions on mangel wurzel, manures, sheep-raising, soils, etc., actually, however, enlivened by two lessons in verse, one stanza of which we cannot* refrain from quoting, called "The Farmers' Fair." 28 "Hrin^ heifers, steers and stately calves, Lei bulls and j^'-oats be there, Briiij^ natives, lonj^ horns, short horns, no horns, All to the The Farmers' Fair." riiree sermons preached by ministers of the town in war time, will compare favorably with sermons ot the prescnt-day, one durin.:^- t!ie War of 1812 by Rev. John Burns, tiu others in the Rebellion of 1837 by Rev R. McGill and Rev. T. Creen, The manuscript of a fourth is 'lovv in the possession ot the Society and appears in this pamphlet, that of the first minister of St. Mark's sent-out in 1792, byS. P.G. Rev. R. Addison. "Brothers of the craft" are all interested in the old Masonic apron, hand-painted on silk. It is not known how old or whether done here or in Scot- land. A heavy, leather-covered book, the inside p.ij^es yellow and water-stained, tells the storv of tlic Niuirara Librarv from 1800 to 1S20. As the library fell into the hands of Mr. Heron, ;> book- seller, and who kept a lending"" library, the books must be scatter- ed over the country, but for a lons^ time no i^limpse could be obtained of any of those books, thoui;"h the library numbered 1000 volumes. But another stranj^e coincidence throws a ray of lit^'ht. In asking- information from an old lady, who as a child was at the second funeral of Brock in 1824, she had the previous day received a card inquiriiiij about the Niaj,^ara library of 1800, as tlie writer had a book snatched from the flames in 1813. Since then a book has been sent to the collection with the label "Niagara Library 1801, Number 81" and corresponding with the catalogue number 81. Here are pictures of a few who have been connected with the history of t!ie town. General Sir Isaac Brock, Col. Butler, Laura Secord, Sir VVm. Johnson, Capt. Thos. Dick, Samuel Zimmerman and here is a sweet faced old lady, the daughter of a heroine who on the day when 6000 men menaced our town, en- couraged tiie soldiers by servirtg out cotTee and refreshments. The ivife of the lighthouse keeper, Dominick Henry, it is mentioned in a pamphlet of the Loyal and Patriotic Society, was voted ^£2^ as —29 an acknowledgement of her services. The delij^ht of her ^rand- daug^hter in being sent the extract relating to her grandmother, Mrs. Quade, is one of the compensations for the labor of these investigations. A picture of a log house built in 1814, is a con, trast to the modern dwellings. A friend in presenting some articles said, "I give you this as seed, some one uiil see it and say 'I have something like that at home which I will bring you'," and within a week this was twice verified. On seeing a few wampum beads from an ossuary, a visitor said, "My wife has a wampum necklace, given when her grandfather was made a chief, which she may lend you," and so another contribution came. On seeing an iron tomahawk, a gentleman said, *' Yesterday something exactly similar was ploughed up, wiiich I will bring, as I now know what it is," and so one contribution leads to another. A late contribution is a collection in a large picture frame, which may be said to be a complete history of the military occu- pation of the Niagara Peninsula, being about two hundred mili- tary buttons of different regiments, British, United States, Canadian, picked up at Fort George, all neatly labelled. In the centre a belt buckle, 49, recalls the regiment of the noble Brock, "The Green Tigers." Nor is the list still exhausted, a Labrador seal skin coat from the Northwest Rebellion and the scarlet coat of a captain in the War of 1812 form a striking contrast. Indian pipes with beautifully worked stems, hammer stones, household utensils of other days, waflic irons, warming pans, snuffers, tell a page of forgotten history to the children of the present day. A battle-axe from an Ayrshire bog, and a perfect trilobite from England, with some beautifully polished flint arrow heads of early British work- manship show that not alone is this continent under tribute. Gleaner newspapers, old letters, seals, all speak to us of the past. Among the strange coincidences in life which give color to the saying that truth is stranger than fiction the following may be re- corded : A letter received from Mr. Eakin, the librarian of Os- goode Hall, asked inforiTiation about the ten members of the law society founded in 1797, of one '(rarticuUiily could nothing be 30— j^leanecl, VV. D. Powell, jr., oi Queenston. Just that day our secretary, Mr. Alfred Ball, brought in a letter belonj^ing^ to his wife, a jj^randdauj^hter of Robert Nelles of Grimsby, and which proved to be a letter from W. D. Powell himself, and g^ives a glimpse of a romantic runaway match. The letter is addressed to Robert Nelles, 40 Mile Creek. QUEENSTON, 28th JULY, 1802. Dear Sir : — I should be unpardonable if I lost any time re- turning the hearty thanks which are so justly due from me to you for your kind and friendly assistance in rendering me one of the most happy of men. After leaving your house on F^riday night we had an uncommonly fatiguing ride to Runchey's and arrived at Niagara on the following morning, where, by Mr. Addison's as- sistance, we were soon out of the fear of pursuit. Mrs. Powell joins with me in her professions of gratitude to yourself and Mrs. Nelles, and requests that you will take the trouble of apprising her sister, Ellen, of her love and obligations to her for the part she tooK in forwarding our escape. Believe me dear sir, your obliged and obedient servant, W. D. POWELL, JR. Another interesting document is the subscription list of the children of St. Mark's to procure a chair for the old clerk, to whom we find an inscription in the graveyard, John Wray, who had been clerk of the church for fifty years and died in 1846. This is the quaint heading to the list : "Whereas the old clerk has re- turned to town and expects to occupy his place in the church, so long as he lives and is able to attend Divine service, it has been observed that his se:it on a stool is not easy nor suitable for him, and an easy chair has been thought of. This has been made to order and will be an appropriate present to honorable age from the young as a mark of respect for his grey hairs and Jong ser- vices." The list of youthful contributors will be carefully preserv- ed among the records of St. Mark's Church. Niagara, Sept. 20th 1844, The cost is J^k 15s currency. The surplus for Sunday School books." Of the thirty-seven names signed here there are now, after fifty-five years, only eight living. The sums signed are from7)/^d to 2s 6d, the whole sum contributed being ;^3 5s The i — 3J— n receipt ot the maker of the chair, John Andrews, is on the back of the paper. Such well known names as Boulton, Dickson, Ball Creen, Melville, Campbell, McCormick, Hall, Willson occur. Mr. Wray is described by an old lady, an octogenarian, as a little old man. The chair is low, and may be seen in the choir, having" been lately treshly upholstered. An oil painting oi' Col. J no. Butler has a curious history: painted in Niagara in 1834 from the original oil painting (which is now in Ottawa) by Henry Oakley, the son of the Baptist minister, it has after being in Bronte for sixty years now come back to Nia- gara. The vane on the steeple of St. Andrew's Church, put on in 1831, and bent in the tornado of 1855, the figure of an angel blowing a trumpet, called often the "Angel Gabriel," after lying in a barn for over forty years has here a resting place. The collecting and arranging of so large a number of articles in so short a time has not been accomplished without much labor and we have to acknowledge the liberal contributions of Messrs. Charles Ball, Alexander Servos. Alfred Ball, Miss Creen, Miss Crouch and many others. A short historical article has appeared in the Niagara "Times ' each week and the acknowledgment of all articles contributed, and this perhaps has helped somewhat. The distribution of the yearly reports with partial catalogue, and now a complete to-date catalogue ot twelve pages, has been print- ed for us by the kindness of Mr. John Ross Robertson, who has taken much kindly interest in our work, the publication of our pamphlets Nos. 1,2, 3, 4, all these have no doubt helped in the evolution of our room. We should not have been able to print so many pamphlets had it not been for a grant for printing pur- poses from the Ontario Government. The tea caddy of Laura Secord, a curiosity in itself, even had it not been the property of such a heroine, came by post from Winnipeg, loaned by the grand daughter of Laura Secord herself. Copies of the Canadian Punch, 1848-9, give curious glimpses of the feeling to Lord Elgin. The Gleaner for 1832-3 and SIX months of the first year 1817-18, Gidding's Almanac for 1 83 1 giving all the evidence of the trial at Lockport ot those con- cerned in the abduction of Morgan, give us curious reading now. -32 A pjMcil outline by General Seatoii Gorcion, with watermark 182J, of buildiii^'-.s then, 1824, at Fort Mississag-ua was ft)und by the son while examining his father's papers, and was sent to Mr. Win- nett of Queen's Hotel, and thus our collection increases. A powder horn with Indian hieroglyphics, formerly the property of Ciiief Brant, Thayendane^ea, havinj^- been presented to Jean Baptiste Rousseaux, Indian inlcipreter, isnow the property ot Mr. Alexander Servos, the writer of the life of Mrs. Jean Baptiste Rousseaux in this pamphlet. Two silhouettes framed gfive us the faces of two U.E. Loyalists, Hannah Ball and John Secord. A plate with brij,'-ht scarlet tlowers, was formerly owned by Mrs. Law, whose husband was killed at Queenston. She is described by a lady wlio remembers her, becoming excited when talkinj^ of the war as taking snuff and snee;iing and crying in succession. A buckle with Scotch thistles and the figures 93 tells of the time when that famous regiment marclied proudly through the streets, with philabegs and tartans and the bagpipes followed by the ubiquitous small boy. The value of such a room has already been shewn as num;;r- ous letters have been received asking information to be found in our old newspaper files. One great want is an isolated building fire proof, on the ground floor, but whether this great object of our ambition will be attained is an unknown quantity. We have petitioned the Ontario Government to give a grant to erect a monument at the lauding place of the United Empire Loyalists here, and have suggested that this memorial should take the form of a building to contain t!ie collection of our society, the names of the Loyalists to be placed on the walls. A circular has also been sent out to descendants of U.K. Loyalists asking advice and as- sistance in this direction. Some may be disposed to smile at a collection of this kind and underrate its value, but Mr. David Boyle our Provincial Arch- aeologist who has given us much valuable advice and assistance, who has done such noble service in the evolution of the Archaeol- ogical Museum, Toronto, who has dtvoted days and nights, nay, years of his life to this object, whose influence has brought flowing into his collection from all parts of the world such valuable addi- U —33— tions, whose admirable reports, appreciated first in Britain and the United States have now at last convinced Canadians of the value of their archaeologist, Mr. Boyle in a paper read on 17th Sept. at the anniversary of the Society used these words, "For local history purposes there is nothing- superior to the local museum. Wherever there is a good library there should be a good museum ; one with- out the other is incomplete, it should supplement the library and be supported by the country as well as the library. Object teach- ing is the oldest kind of teaching, and every object should illus- trate a point, enforce some statement, or elucidate something otherwise obsecure." 34— Since vvritinjjf the above, the old account book of a family living^ on the banks of the Niaii;fara River has been presented, dating^ from 1806, one pa^e of which may be reproduced here. In readings of the War we often meet with accounts ot property destroyed, sometimes by the enemy, sometimes by our own troops to prevent it tailing' into the hands ot the invaders. Claims were afterwards made of war losses, some of which were paid, in part, after tedious delay, for some no compensation was received. In many cuses claims were bought up for a small sum from those n uHi, need. The amounts claimed as damages seem large but we must remember that prices in war time ran enormously high. The following is the list : Statement of property lost and destroyed by the army since the conMiien^ement of the war from 1812 to 181^ : — One pie'^e -^f broadcloth, 30 yds. at 40s 12 blaiii