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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 32X i:- t 8 3 4 5 6 *.' * ^ METROPOLITAN -. . * \ TORONTO • ^i >«t*i LIBRARY ••-*; >;:v.v;',<< •"4 » !►.*: fc ^ i • « "'* ' '!!fanodiau. j* ^ '/ Historji ,♦ « 4 I V » TORONTO PUBUC LIBRARIES REFERENCE LIBRARY r "^n [ . '^ oG Historical Sketch OK TlIK TOWNSHIP ~ OF HAMILTON COxMl»ILEL) BY Walter Riddell, Esq., BY REQUEST OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ISQ^ PRINTED AT THE WORLD OFFICE, COliOURG. to- f^AjiL^y^'U N-'^'^ ""T.!: 'k-jjjK O-wi^ C/V l/aitXr *'! HiCTORiCAL Sketch OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON COMPILED BY r Walter Riddell, Esq., BY REQUEST OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. 1897 1 : PRINTED AT THE WORLD OFFICE, COBOURG. ,^fUB{ FEB 17 1956 ^aa.t>Bo / IgN the month of March, i8c)('>, the Council of the ^^J^ Township of Hamilton rccci\'ed a communica- tion from the Provincial Historical Association of Ontario, advising them that the 24th day of June, 1897, vvould be the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Continent of North America, or Can- ada, under British auspices, by Cabot ; that the sum- mer of that year would be made the occasion of a g'rand National, Canadian, Historical celebration, and requesting the Council to appoint the most suitable person or persons in the municipality to compile an attested history of the township. The Council there- fore decided it proper and desirable to comply with the request of the Provincial Historical Association of Ontario, and in accordance with their wishes, this work has been undertaken by Walter Riddell, Esq., a gentleman who has for over 60 years taken a promin- ent place in agricultural and municipal affairs in this township. T^HE Townsliip of Hamilton is the most westerly Township ^ in tile County of Norihuinberlund, one of the counties of the Old Newcastle Districi". This township is houndt^d on the ea'^t by the townsiiip of Haldimand, on the south hy Lake Ontario, west by the township of Hope, county of Durham, UMi-th by Rice Lake, and a small part on the northwest corner by the township of South Monaghan. The Ttjwuship of Hamilton may be described as a fairly average township for the growth of crops or the production of stock. The laud for two or three miles north from Tiake Ontario is generally level ; tlie soil heinir clay, or clay loam. Behind tliis is a series of low liills and undulating land, whicli seems to hnve been at some former period a hike beach. The soil on this rolling land is of a lighter (piality, in some cases grivelly, in ^,>thers covered to some extent with large boulder stones, such as geologists attribute to the action of ice- bergs. Behind these we reach the highest land between the lakes, and then the plains that reach nearly to Rice Lake. On these plains the top soil is of a loamy nature, with a clayey sub- soil. They produce good cro[)s of all kinds of grain and roots. The Tortnsbip is fairly well watered by springs and creeks, and water can in most cases be got at no great depth by digging. Beginning at tlie east side, the first creek is known as C(»vert's. This is a good sized creek There used to be a grist, and oat meal mill on this creek. About a mile west from this there is a small creek that used to run all the year, but now goes dry in summer. On this stream there used to be a distillery and tan- nery. About a mile further west there is a large creek — Mc- Donald's creek by name. On this creek there was a tannery. West from Cobourg there is the largest stream in the township. It has many widely-spreading branches. The east branch of this creek rises in Haldimand and enters this township i ear the front of the fourth concession, while its west branch reaches lot 24, thus draining a large part of the front of the township. HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. Upon erit«^ring the township it formerly drove Williams' saw mill, shingle and carding )nill. It also furnishes water-power for all the mills, etc., about Baltimore. Near the rear of the second concession, tliis branch is joined by Solomon's creek, which rises near the rear of the sixth concession, and used to drive Roberts' grist mill, Fisher's, Burnett's and Cochrane's saw mills, Daw.son's oat meal mill and Solomon's saw mill. Another branch of this creek formerly drove Lent's grist and saw niills and McKeyes' grist mill. Still another branch of the main stream flows past Camborne, and formerly was the ]jower for a grist mill, a saw mill and a pail factory there. There two branches unite a little south-west from the site of McKeyes' old grist mill, here they turn eastward and used to furnish the water-power for a saw mill, piil factory and distillery, formerly situated near the old court house. They then join the tna^n stream, which, after being reinforced by Solomon's creek, used to drive the Leader- hough planing, carding and shoddy machine, White's gr sr mill, Perry's mill, Ham's mill, a carding and fulling mill, axe factory, distillery, and a large woollen factory, before entering the lake. This creek was known as Jones', Henry's and Ham's. On ac- count of having so many tributary branches this creek is subject to big floods, not only during the seasrm of the usual spring freshets, but even in summer. On the 11th of July, 1838, after an exceedingly heavy rain storm, nearly all the danis atid bridges were swept away ; and on the first of June, 1889, a heavy flood carried away the railroad bridge and all the road bridges, e sting the township several thousand dollars to replace them and repair the damage done to the roads, beside the expense for loss of mill dams. On the west side of the towi ship is another creek that rises near the rear of the fifth concession and has several small branches. It used to drive Bouskill's and Dean's saw mills. It runs into the lake at a point near the boundary line between this township and Hope, and used to be known as Gage's creek. There used to be two or three small creeks which crossed the front road, west. These now (mly run in the spring and are dry during summer. Old settlers tell that whei the township was first taken up the bateaux and schooners on the lake used to come up the HISTOIIY OF HAMILTON TOWXSHIV. creek at Cobourt? i.'oarly as far as the hridiie at the woollen fac- tory. The first grist mill in the townsliip was built on this creek sometime previous to the year 181S. It is stated that at one time vessels could come in and find shelter in the old harhoi" nearly opposite the (iull Island lighthouse. There are other sttv^ams running north into Rice Lake. On one of these near Havwood, grist and saw mills aie situated. Another stream near (ore's Landing, formerly furn shed the wa'er-power for a carding ai^l fulling mill. Another, somerimes called Cold creek or (Joose creek, runs across the seventh con- cession, driving Sackville s saw and shingle mills, ;ind runs into Rice Lake east ^>f i-Jewdley. FIRST skttli:k8. Parts of the Township of Hamilton were surveyed in 1701 by H Mr. Jones, and part in 1795 by a Mr. Handy. About a century ago settle;s began to conie in, and two crown patents, possibly among many others, were grunted in 17^8 to Messrs. rjeorge Shaw and Joseph Ash. To this brief history of our well- known towiishi[) we have appended a list, containing the names of 120 pers(»ns who received patents before 1812, thiity-five at least of these were granted by the year 1805. It re(]uired about fifty years to complete the settlement of the township. Of this early colonization the writer of these notes knows little, and that little only by tradition and by conversation with pioneer settlers. The first person to erect a residence within the cor- poration of the town of Cobourg was a Mr Elias Nicholson. His small cabin, built in 1798, is believed to have been the first house erected in this neigh b()rhot)d. The first store had its site on or near where King-st. now is, in 1802 just four years after the first dwelling house was erected in our town. This small general store was started by Elias Jones, who also, with assist- ance from Government, built the first grist mill on the large creek north of the bridge at the woollen factory. The first wag- gon ever run through the Township of Hamilton was built by Elijah Brock, who came into the country about 1808. The Par- ker and Stanton families were among the first to settle here. The late Oliver Stanton is said to have been the first white child born in this township, about the vear 1800 or 1801. The colon- 6 HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. izutirtn of lliis coiinfy seems to have taken place from the east, westward ; the townshiiis of Murray, Cramahe and Plaldimaiid havihi; heeii settled before Hamilton. As far as we can judge, the settlement of the township procieded at tirst on two lines, first between concessitjns A and B as far as lot 20, and then be- tween concession A and the first concession. The other line of colonizati])e of working tht-mselves out to the light of day, making fringing his wife with him, the young couple having taken their wedding jaunt over a blazed track through the woods, carrying all their worldly pos- .seseionon tliair backs, making their bed of cedar orheudock boughs, setting themselves down in the forest- to subdue the wilderness and by patient industry and perseverance hew out a home. 8 HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. I'i A lite writer in reference to this subject, and his statement is just as applicable to Hamilton as to any other township says : '* The pioneer days of Ontario's early settlement are fast reced- ing from view, but I sometimes tliink it would he well to recall some of the heroes and heroines of that past, for theirs' was a life-lonn consecration to the good of those who succeeded to the rich inheri'ance, conquered from the forest. The luxuries which we no-.v demand as necessities, were to them unknovvn, and their toil was long and ardu»»us. Mechanical appliances to liuhten labor were almost unknown, but theirs was a comniunity (tf in- terest that united siattered settlements in one common brother- hood. And then there were social gatherings where hilarity was unbounded. Bees for every conceivable purpose were or- ganized-husking corn, paring apples, cutting logs, raising bu Idings, logging, quilting, were each in turn the occasion of festive gatherings. And wlien lads and lassies gathered in the large kitchen and danced to the rt»llicking tunes of some ama- teur tiddler, there was no occasitm for pity nor anyone who thought their lot a hard one." It has often been ren)arked of Upj er Canada, that the first settlers were i.ot destined to be the permanent occupiers of the land, and that in the course of a few years the original colonists were almost superseded by an entirely different class of perscais. Some became discouraged by the hardships they were called upon to endure and left, >? ' MtXICIPAL CiOVER\MEKT. Up to the year 1842, our municipal government was of the oil town meeting t)'pe, when all householders were expected to attend at the court house, or some other i entral place, on the first Monday in January to electa clerk, pathmasters, pound- keepers, fence viewers, and an assessor and collector. These all held office for one year and were eligible for re-election. When required, the Quarter Sessions had power to lay out and open roads, and to grant sums of money to repair roads and bridges. The rest of the work on the roads had to be done and the roads kept in repair by statute labor In the year 1841, a Bill waa passed creating Dstrict Councils, this municipal body to be composed of two members from each township. The first rep- resentatives elected from Hamilton township were Wm. Weller and John Creigbton. This District Council existed until 1850, HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 11 when a new law creating County and Townsliip Councils came into force. Tae reeves of Township Councils, and where these sub divisions had more than five hundred ratepayers, the deputy reeves, formed the County Council. This law, although much altered from its original reading, is still in force. Until the year 18(56 the Council elected the reeves and deputy reeves ; since that time the township has elected them. There have been in all twenty reeves ; eleven of these were elected by the Council and nine by the township. The first township clerk was Oeo Stewart, Camborne, who was succeeded by Charles Bourn. In 1859, George Stewart was again appointed to the office. On his death, his son, George Stewart, Jr., succeeded him. In the year 1807, James ^Vilgar was appointed clerk and held the office until his death in 1887. He was succeeded by A. R. Eagleson, who in turn was succeed- ed by James Stewart, the present clerk of the Council. In all six persons have held the office since 1851, the year in which Township Councils were first instituted. The first township treasurer was Robert Harstone, Balti- more. When he left the township, his sonin-Uw, Wm. John- .ston, w^as appointed to the oflice, which he held for about two years. Then, in the year 18H7, Chas. Neill was appointed treas- urer, making in all four persims who have held the office."^ /■ , THE FIRST C'OIKT. Wj^^ ^ilA i P^^^'^^^ We cannot say when the first court house and gcjal was l>uilt in this township. The present one wa.s built in the year 1830, ior a place in which to hold court for the Newcastle district, and all courts, councils, etc., were held there until after the Cobourg town hall was built, which since then has been the conveninti place for all such assemblies. There was a Court of Assize and Nisi Prius for the Newcastle district held in 1803, but it was probably held at Presque'Isle, as tliere was a town laid out there, called Newcastle, at that time. We have been shown some ruins, said to be the foundation of the first f'aol for the district. In the ^ • ar 1804, Judge Cochrane, with his court, councillors, crown officer, sheriff, and prisoner to be tried, were all lost in the schooner Speedy on their way to Presque'Isle to try an In- dian accused of murder, said to have been committed in the f 12 HISTORY OF HAMILTON" TOWNSHIP. Newcastle district. It is very prohnble thnt they moved here after that sad event. Courts of Oyer and Terminer, general gaol delivery, were held in the district in 180T and 8, and they may have been held in this township. In that part of the town where the gaol is now situated, was at one time a considerable village, called Amherst in all old legal documents. VILLACES. There are several villages in the township. Baltimore, uii the main line between the 2nd and 3rd concessions, on l(»ts 7 and 8, is the oldest. The late John McCarty used to say that he was the father and founder of this village. There are three grist mills in Baltimore, Lapp's being the oldest. Then there is Mann's, formerly McDougall's, and before that Foley's ; and McDougall's new mill, now owned and operated by Mr. John Ball. There is also a woollen factory, a carding and fulling mill, a pump factory, cheese factory, .''everal carriage and wag- gon shops a"d blacksmith, harness and shoemaker shops. This village formerly had a tannery, two saw mills and an axe factory. Baltimore has several stores, a post ottice, school, two churches, two taverns and a number of pretty private dwellinus. As it is situated on a leading gravel road, with a wide back country, there is a large amount of travel through this place and it also does a good conntrj' trade. The village of darwood is situated on lots 3 and 4, in the 9th concession, on the south shore of Rice Tiake. tiVhen the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway was first built, there was a station erected at this place aod that formed the nucleus of this village. Harwood has a church, school, post office, and several stores, while all the various trades usually found in villages, are represented. It has two hotels. During the season, many sportsmen resort here for boating, fishing, shooting, etc. A large steam saw mill during the summer used to furnish employ- ment for quite a number of workmen, but sometime within a year it was torn down and removed. There is a grist mill near the village. On the Rice Lake road, on lots 20 and 21, 2Ld c«)ncession, is Precious' Corners, where there is a post office, .store, .school, blacksmith shop, etc. Proceeding north from here on the gravel HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 13 ral fey •n .le road we come to Cauiborne, which in addition to its p<^isra1 de- livery, has a church, store, school, blacksmith and carpenter shops. There used to be a saw mill, pail factory and grist mill at this place. The latter mill was at first driven by water, then by steam. It was burned down some time a^ LI4;HT HOUSE. An account of the public works in the township would not be complete without referen e to Gull Island Light House, which is de:jcribed in volumes of naval reference as beinii situated in 4.3., 54 .1 16, north latitude, and 78 n 10 n 04, vest longitude— on Lake Ontario, about; two miles from land, nearly opposite lot 30 of the township of Hamilton. It is a round structure, built of stone, 48 feet high, with one large tixed light. Tho HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 15 )pe. iam- arge height of the light above the water is 45 feet and can be seen ten miles in clear weather. Work was begun on this baikling in 1836 but it was not completed until the year 1840. The first keeper of this light-house was William Owston, Jr. ; the next was George Roddick. Tradition says that there was a small island where the liglit-honse now is, which was washed away by the storms on the lake. We have heard of some old settlers who recollect the island with three trees growing on it. Sever- al steam-boats got on this rock before the light house was built. On one occasion, the " William 4th, ' on her way to Toronto got on a rock here and her cargo had to be taken off in sniall boats. After being liglitened she floated, the lake was calm, but the stoppage detained her for a whole day. On another occasion the " Constitution," of Oakville, was stranded here for a day and had to be lightened before she could proceed on her course. Be- side these several other vessels at different times have got on this r(»ck. The most ser'ous casuality tus denom- are within imed. I to encoun- lony enough mce of each is were very his purpose, nths in win- ure suitable do any other dered but an lught by wo- do good, had t was one of jourt place on o, were very every pupil, It to raise the families, and } now thought lut was board- .ngement that sometimes was not very pleasa't for either teacher or people. There are now eighteen schools in the tctwnslnp and all are free. So, if their is any lack of education, it is not for want of places of learning and well-trained teachers. AI^KH'I l/ri K.4L E\TKKI*UI8I<:. The people of the township have always taken an active, in- telligent interest ii all agricultural improvements. The first Agricultural Society was formed on the 17th of May, 1828, ami although the meeting was at Colborne and the roads were in a very bad state, at least seven or eiglit of the twenty directors were from this township. When the |>resent county society was formed at Grafton in 1837, of the 102 members for that year, there were at least 42 from Hamilton township, including Co- bourg. At the first agricultural show ever held in this county, on Oct. 19th, 1829, of sixteen successful exhibitors two were from this township, viz., Christopher Hinds, who won Hrst prize on best cow, and Elijah Brock, who showed the best yr)ke of working oxen. In the year 1830, the County Agricultural So- ciety offered tive prizes for the best managed farms in the coun- ty. Of these prizes, two were awarded to farms in the town- ship of Hamilton. At a show held in Cobourg on the 18th of May, 1831, of the 35 awards offered, 11 \^ere given to residents of this township. Of the amount of money offered in pr zea, at least $57 was paid to farmers in Hamilton township, and there may have been more, as there are several names on the list that we do not know in which township they lived. At all our coun- ty shows this township has got its full share of prizes, and also at the provincial exhibitions they have carried off a considerable number of awards. At the first sixteen exhibitions for the pro- vince, residents of Hamilton township secured in all 530 prizes. vVhen the preeent County Society was formed, the committee appointed from this township were Hon. Zacheus Burnham, chairman, and Robert Wade, VVilliam Brown, and A. A. Burn- ham, with H. Ruttan as one of the general vice-presidents. The first Township Agricultural Society was formed in 1847 and held its first show in 1849 near the old court house. This society held an annual show for many years, until they merged their funds with the County Society. During all the time this /f^'/ 18 HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. I ! Ill ' organization existed they gave prizes for roots and corn growing in the field, and w' en they amalgamated with the County So- ciety they arranged with them that this practice should be con- tiiiued. This Township Society always had more members than any other organization in any sub-division of the county. The Canada Company's prize for the best 25 bushels of fall wheat was once awarded to Thos. Cullis, and the second award was given six times to T. McEvers, the third y-rize three times to T. McEvers and once to J. Cullis. We cannot ?!ay as to the prizes for spring wheat, barlev, oats, peas and heans awarded to residents of this township. Three gentlemen from this place have been presidents of the Pn)vincial Association, viz., H. Ruttan in 1849, John Wade in 1860- -the year the Prince of Wales visited the exhibition, and A. A. Burnham in 1863. For many years all our roads were such as could be kept by statute labor, the soft places made of corduroy and the rest graded with earth. The Quarter Sessions occasionally granted a small sum to help bridge some large creek cr mend some very bad place m the road. In 1825 this Court voted a grant of $200 to improve the road to Rice Lake. The highways, especially in spring time, were ofteti in a very bad condition, in some cases almost impassable, so it was necessary that something should be done to improve them. In the year 1847, Acts of Parliament were passed for the Cohourg and Port Hope uravel road, the Co- bourg, Grafton and Colborne gravel road, and for the Cohourg and Rice Lake plank and Ferry Company, and for the Balti- more gravel road sometime afterwards. The Cohourg and Port Hope gravel road was made in the summer of 1848. Toll was first taken on this highway in October of that year and has been exacted ever since. The Cobourg and Grafton road was planked when first made, but as the plank soon wore out it was found necessary to gravel it. The Cobourg and Rice Lake road was at first planked to the bridge on the 3rd concession, the remain- der was gravelled This highway, although there was a heavy travel on it, never paid well, as it was costly to keep up and there were many other adjacent roids .vhich could be travelled in summer time and during the season of sleighing, and by doing HISTOllY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 19 n growing ouiity So- d be con- ibers than >ty. lels of fall and award iree times ,y as to the awarded to this place I, viz., H. ce of Wales be kept by id the rest ally granted d some very rant of $200 especially in some cases VI should be Pnrliament ■oad, the Cb- the CoJxmrg >r the Balti- urg and Port I Toll was and has been was planked it was found ike road was , the remain- ! was a heavy keep up and 1 be travelled , and by doing this the tolls were avoided. The Company finally abandoned it in 1881. About the year 1847, the (iovernnient built a t>ravel road from Port Hope to Bewdley. Ii touched the boundary line between this township and Hope at the fourth concession and run into this township at the tifth concession, reaching from thereto Rice Lake. This road cost §29,527.50 Wliuu the Counties gravel road was built, a part of the northern gravel road was on tlie boundary between Hope anct Hamilton. There is also a gravel road from the vilLige of Baltimore to the llaldi- mand town line. Our Cou cil has always voted a large expend- iture for the improvement of our roads and for building bridges, and our highways are now mostly in good condition for common roads. The Upper Canada Legislative Council gave grants for much needed roads and bridges in 1831, when $4160 was voted for roads in the Newcastle district. Ihe grants relating to the township of Hamilton were : — On the road leading from Cobourg to Rice Lake, $300. Dr. John Gilchrist and John McCarty were appointed commissioners to see the amount properly ex- pended. On tlie road leading from Burns tavern in the town- ship of Hamilton to the boundary line between Northurnberhmd and Durham, $100, to be paid out under the direction of the same commissioners. On the road from Stewart's Settlement to Baltimore, $100; John Brisbin and John McCarty, commission- ers. To cut down a hill and repair a bridge on a back road in the township of Hamilton in the rear of Levi Bates' farm, $100 ; Wm. Faulkner and Levi Bates acting as commissioners. On the boundary line between Northumberland and Durham, $400; Here, E. Perry, John Hall and John Huston were appointed commissioners. IMPORTED HORSES. Our notice of the first introducers of iniprovea stock and implements must necessarily be brief. There was no great im. provement in our horses until the County Agricultural Society brought in " Ploughboy," who left some good stock. The Township Society also gave prizes to "King Alfred," "Rain- bow," "Rockingham," and other horses. Robert Brown trav- elled two good horses, " Sir Charles " and "Grey Highlander." 20 HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. m Jolin Mason travelled "Clyde Briton." Messrs. Underwood owned two, *' Prince of Wales " and "Lord Byron" R. Cop- land imported a tine Clydesdale horse, that was kept in the township for some time. N. Orimshaw imported "Suffolk Punuh." Many other residents imported and brought in a;ood horses, which they travelled through the township. <.ITTLK. Robert Wade was the first to introduce the Durham breed of cattle. "Forrester," a bull owned b^ him, was a fine ani- mal and left some good stock. Ralph Wade, who was killed at the DesJardines bridge accident brought in some fine stock. His brother, John Wade, followed in his fatlier's steps, and the fam- ily were long successful exhibitors at our local and provincial ex- hibitions. George Roddick also imported some good Duihams, and A. Alcorn and J. Pratt had small herds. Of late, W. West- ington, C. & J. Carruthers, D. E. Boulton, H. Carruthers and n)any others have bred herds of stock that have secured nifiny awards at the Provincial Exhibitions. The first Devi^n bull was introduced by T. Eyre and afterwards owned l)y J. Mason. When in the latter's possession, this bull, " Billy," won many prizes, both local and provincial. A. A. Brrnham, Wm , Mason and Wm. Eagleson formerly owned herds of Devons, but S. Harper has the only herd of them in the township at present. One of his Devons carried off first prize for the best milch cow at the Industrial Exhibition, Toronto. Robert Brown was the first resident of the township to bring Ayrshirea, and as they were successful, others soon got them. P. R. Wright was for a lor.g time the largest breeder of them. He secured many prizes, lo- cal and provincial, winning twice the herd award for Ayrshires at the Provincial Fair. John Newton, J. Pratt and others own- ed herds of this stock, but now M. C. Fox has probably the largest herd of them i-. the township. Galloway cattle were imported into Hamilton township in 1854 by Wm. Roddick. They did not prove co be favorites with our agriculturists and 80 did not spread much. We think there are none of the breed now in the township. Of late, Holsteins and Jerseys have been brought in. Time will tell whether they will supersede all oth- er stock or not. .'.artiiim-iiiAj HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 21 nderwood R. Cop- 5pt in the "Suffolk lit ill c;ood lain breed a fine ani- is killed at itock. His id the fani- ivincial ex- Duihauis, , W. West- ruthers and !ured many on bull was ason.When lany prizes, Mason and t S. Harper t. One of cow at the ^as the first s they were 18 for a loi.g y prizes, lo- jr Ayrshires others own- ►robably the cattle were n. Roddick, ilturists and of the breed ys have been 'sede all oth- 8hi:kp. The common sheep in the township wore a very useful breed, white faced, with fine rather sh(»rt wool, and when killed proved to be in better condition than one would judge from tluMr ap- pearance. The first to brin^ in an improved breed was Robert Wade, who. , 1837, brought in the Teeswater class, and soon afterward Wm . Brown imported some Leicesters. This was the beginning of improvement in the township's stock of sheep. George Roddick, R. Hume, A. Alcorn, P. R. Wright and Ralph Wade also made importations of sheep, jirincipally Leicesters, and many of our farmers still have flocks sprung from these. A number of years after this, about 1854, Wm. Roddick brought in some Cheviot sheep, these were not as popular as the Leices- ters, although one or two of the residents of this township had small flocks of them. We do not know of any pure Cheviots in . the township now. Thomas Taylor imported some of the South- /i d *< w«i variety, but this class did not seem to take well and con- setpieiitly did not spread much throughout the township. The fine-wooUed sheep seem to have never been favorites here. A, A. Burnham used lo have a small flock of Southdowns, and we think Wm. Eagleson had a flock. D. E. Boalton owned some S!>ropshires. There have never been any noted breeders of swine in Ham- ilton township, although P. R. VVriglit has been the successful exhibitor of some fine Suff''3lks at both the local and provincial exhibitions. The breeds most common in the township are Berkshires and Yorkshires, with their crosses. Very little stock, except horses, were stabled before 1840, but the great losses of stock by the severe winters of 1835 and 6, and again in 1843 and 4, turned the attention of farmers to the advisability of providing better shelter for their stock. Now cows, calves and feeding cattle are housed during winter. IMFROl'ED IMPLEMENTS. The first settlers in the township needed but few imple- ments. An axe, a log-chain, a neck-yoke, a drag and a home- made sled usually made up the list. But every year more acres 9uy<* mm i!i:! 22 HISTORY OP HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 1 were cleared and made ready to crop, and soon other imple- ments were needed beside these primitive ones, and waggons, plough i, etc., had to be procured. At tirst all grain was cut with the cradle, or if badly lodged, with tbe scythe or reaping hook. The hay was cut with a scythe and rpked with a baud rake. The first plough that came into use was the old Bull plough with only one handle and a wooden mould board. These clumsy implements were succeeded by iron ploughs — Lapfur- rows, and many other kinds. The greatest improvement was the substitution of steel for cast metal mould boards. These, with steel or iron beams and wooden handles, are used on all our ploughs now. Previous to the years 1832 and 3, all the thresh- ing was done with the flail or by treading out with horses ar cattle. In 1833 a small threshing machine began to travel through the township. This machine was very inferior to the ones now in use. It was driven by four horses and could hard- ly ever thresh one hundred bushels of wheat in a day. Every year after 1833 some new and improved thresher was brought out. In the year 1843 a Pitts machine was brought in. This was considered a great invention as it separated the straw from the grain, and all threshing machines previously used in the county, sent out the straw and grain together, necesaktatiny a great amount of shaking and winnowing and plenty of barn room. Soon after this a straw carrier, or stacker as they were at first called, was attached to the threshing machines. All grain was cut by hand until 1843, when Daniel McKyes brought in a Hussey reaper, which we believe was the first reap- er brought into this Province. This proved successful, and the Messrs. Wjide brought in another of the same kind. In the year 1847, several McCormick reapers were brought into the tow ship, but th^ did not work well. In 1848, Mr. Helm of Cobourg, began manufacturing reaping machines very similar to the McCormick. About 1860 a great improvement was intro- duced, and this was the self-raking reaper. Now nearly all our grain is harvested by self-binders. We do not know who brought the first of these machines into the township. The mowing machine was several years later in coming into use than the reaper. About 1850, John Wade brought in che HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 23 tlier imple- d waggons, aiii was cut or reaping with a hand the old Bull ard. These hs — Lapfur- venient was ds. These, ed on all our 1 the thresh- th horses or an to travel iferior to the i could hard- day. Every was brought »ht in. This le straw from used in the ecessktatin^ a enty of bani • as they were nes. aniel McKyes the first reap- issful, and the ind. In the ught into the Mr. Helm of ;ery similar to jnt was intro- nearly all our w who brought in coming into ?irought in the first one of these implements, a Ketchum mower. Those ma- chines cut the hay well, but were clumsy and awkward to man- age, although they were afterward improved . Many other var- ieties of mowers were invented later and came into use. Previous to the year 1840, all our hay was raked by hand, but in that year the old revolving wooden horse rake was brought in. A. Crawford had the first one of these rakes we ever saw. It was a great labor-saver, and as the cost was small, they soon came into use in the township. Two-liorse cultivators came into use about 1854. Drill cul- tivators were used some years earlier. Although there had been some seed drills used, they never came into general use until the Combined Broadcast Seeder and Cultivator was introduced about the year 1872. These machines, S(jme of which had drills attached, soon spread oyer the town- ship and are now in general use. The first turnip sted drill ever seen in the township was made by ^ Burnet, Sr. , about 1837. It was used by the whole neighborhood. - The first silo in the township was built by Samuel Philip. €IIEESK FA(TORIK!!l. In the year 1864 or 5, the first cheese factory in the town- ship was built by John Wade & Son. After working for several years very successfully it was given up. The next building of this kind was erected by James Benson iu 1867, in the 7th con- cession. This factory, after being used ft»r some years, was sold and removed. In 1872, the Baltimore cheese factory was start- ed, and has continued work ng ever since. A factory was built on lot 22, 7th concession, but only run for a few years. There was another cheese factory built in the same concession, but af- ter a time was removed to Coldspr.ngs, where i'f^till stands and is running quite successfully. Stili aiother cheese faccary was ))uilt on lot 30 of the 2nd concossion, and is still in use. There has never been a cre.imory in the township. FAKMRRM* ClillB. There has been a Farmers Club in the township for many years. This society, which may fittingly be termed the nucleus r \ I : li 1 i.'i 24 HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. of our present Farmers' Institute, was tirst organized in the year 1845, chiefly through the insfrumentiility of Sheriff Ruttan. In the year 1852 the club took a fresh start, and some of the papers read to this society by Messrs. Wade, Huuie,^ Wright, Suther- land and others, were widely copied at the time, and niiglit still be read with profit. This club was sometimes (juite dormant, then it would take lively starts and hold sonietnnes as many as eight or ten meetings in a season APPENDIX. Among the earliest grantees of land in the Broken Front and along the Lake Shore were : — Liberty White, Thos. Flem- ming, Jfjseph Purdy, James Benson, Richard Bentvon, Asaket Jerome, Rcmner Perry, Geo. Ash, Sr., Geo. Ash, Jr., Stan- borough Stanchlitte, Nathaniel Herriman, Nathan Williaujs, Elias Jones, Blind Nickersun, Janies McColl, John Eastman, Jas. Small, Geo Chislom, Abner Stevens, Geo. Wolcott, Samuel Ash, John A^aughan, Zaccheus Burnham, David Hamlin, Chas. Shaw, John Burley, Asa Burnham, John Taylor, Christopher Hagerman, Joseph Harris Those on the Ist concession were : Samuel Parker, Wm. McKeague, Elijah Ketchum, John Wallis, Eli Hull, Daniel Tubbs, Moses Martin, Daniel McKellyes, Aaron" Greely, Christian Whitney, Robert MacDowell, Joseph Smades, David Kerr, Humphrey (Jifford, Samuel Gifford, Abner Hager- man. On the 2nd concession and further back, commencing at the 2nd concession :— Andrew Johnstone, Samuel Purdy, John Wilson, Charles Peters, Walter Wilson, Martin Rush, John Mc- Carty, Robert Sherriff, Charles Shaw, James Fisher, Handen Elsworth, Noah Dean, Daniel Haze, Nathaniel Hollenbeck, Asa Callander, Paul Hayward, Thomas Goheen, Alesier Fisher, Peter May bee, Richard Wilkinson, Lydia Baker (afterwards Ferris), John Moneyean, Henry Rcdner, Richard Wilkinson, Thomas Schofield, Widow Andersim, Timothy Thompson, John Carscallen, Levi Barnum, Joel Culver, David Ferris, Banjamin Dean, John Vanatco, Wm. Griftin, George Crookshanks, Daniel K. Servos, Jeremiah Britton, Miles McDonald, Joshua Hicks, HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 25 Boltus Harris, Philip Reddick, Bernard Dyer, Martin Drader, Garrett Dingman, Elizabeth Devoe, David Dulniage, Susannah Dawson, Michael Kip; ler, Jane Oneit, Wni. Shepherd, David Williams, Mrs. Danforth, Nancy Rogers, Samuel Farrington, Catherine Edwards, Myndhert Harris, Samuel Sherwood, Alex. Dutf, James Grant George Leith, Benjamin Nichols, Asa Brown, Isaac Hagerman, Thomas Mallory, Sally Jones, Wni. Ranseer, John Sharp, C. Bouchette, John Moore, John McLaughlin, George Storing, John McDougall, Guy Carlton Wood, and George Crookshanks — 120. .IIISTICES OF THE PEACE. Justices of the Peace of the Townshi[> of Hamilton in 182(», Cobourg included : — Wm. Faulk ener, Wm. Sowden, Archibald McDonald, James G. Bethune, Elias Jones, Zaccheus Burnhani, Robert Henry, John Spencer, Walter Boswell, and John Covert. Justices of the Peace of the Township of Hamilton in 1855 : Archibald McDonald, Willis McKyes, John C. Boswell, James Philips, Angus Crawford, Thos. Page, Caleb R. TMallory, J(»hn Wade, Austin B. Carpenter, John Creighton, Samuel Campbell, Oliver Stanton, Geo. G. Boswell, William Burnett, Wm. G. Strong, James A. Gilchrist, Peter McCallimi, Andraw Milne, George Stephens, and Harris Burnham. Justices of the Peace of the Towhship of Hamilton in 1897 : Archibald Ainslie, Coldsprings ; John Bowman, Coldsprings ; Richard Cullis, Camborne ; Thomas Cole, Plainville ; Richard Henderson, Plainville; Alex. McLeod, Plainville; Charles Neil, Plainville ; Wm. J. Westington, Plamville ; James Rosevear, Port Hope. MEMBERS OF DISTRICT lOIIM'Il FOR IIAMII.ro.\. 1842, 3 and 4 John Creighton ana Wm. Weller 1845 John Creighton and Joseph Phili[ia 1846 G. S. Boulton and Joseph Philips 1847, 8 and 9 John Creighton and Joseph Philips 1850 J< hn Creighton and A. B. Carpenter 26 HISTORY OF HAIMILTON TOWNSHIP. h, I ! , f [I'll (" lilt!' 1 il II I j i i iti:i:vi:!S ov ha:iiilto\. ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL. 1850 A. B. Carpenter. 1851 John Creighton. 1852 Joseph Philips. 1853 Sidney Smith. 1854-6 J. B. Fortune. 1856-7-8 Joseph Pliilips. 1859 J.imes Staples. 1860 C. R. Malh)ry. 1861-2 Tames Benson. 1863 Th(.mas Grin»«haw. 1864 Allan Mcintosh. 1865-6 Charles Bourn. ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, 1867 Charles Bourn 1868-9 Richard Benson 1870-1-2 Walter Riddell 1873-4 J. a. Hagerman 1875-6 Peter Sidey 1877-8-9-80-1-2, WalterRiddell 1883-4-5-6,... A. R. Eagleson 1887 8-9 John Bowman 1890 Samuel Purser 1891 John Bowman 1892-3-4-5-6. .George Mitoiiell 1897 J C, Rosevear DKFITY KKKTRS. 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1856 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1873 1874 .'. John Creighton John Wade James B, Fortune A. B, Car|)enter 5 Joseph Phillips 7 Richard Benson Jaraea Staples Allan Mcintosh James Benson James Staples Charles Nichols 4-5-6 James Benson Walter Riddell James Benson Truman McEvers J, G. Hagerman Truman McEvers J, G. Hagerman J. G, Ha£;erman Truman McEvers 2 Truman McEvers J.(t. Hagerman Henry Lapp John Henderson Henry Lapp Peter Sidey 1875..., Henry Lapp vVm. Eagleson 1876 . . .Robert Drope J. G. Hagerman 1877-8-9-80-1 . . .J.G, Hagerman A. R. Eagleson 1882 A. R. Eagleson Robert Prooks 1883 4,,. . . W. J. Westington John Bowman 1885 , , . . JamPM Bfjitfv Thos. Davidson 1886..,.. Thos. Davidson John Bowman 1887-8,.. . . W. J, Westington Samuel Purser 1889 Geort/p IVTif-pVipll Samuel Purser 1890-1 , . , George Mitchell J. C. Rosevear 1892-3... . .John Bowman W. J. Westington 1894-5-6.. ... .J. C. Rosevear J. L. Grosjean 1897 . ...J. L. Grosjean James Davidson HISTOUY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 07 PEOPLE. les Bourn rd Benson ter Riddell Hagerman 'eter Sidey IterRiddell I. Eagleson ni Bowman nuel Purser m Bowman •ge Mitchell C. Rosevear itxry Lapp ni. Eagleson rt Drope . Hagerman 'j. Hagerman R. Eagleson K. Eagleson >l)ert Prooks . Westington Bowman mes Beatty los. Davidson los. Davidson lin Bowman , Westington >el Purser irge Mitchell [luel Purser orge Mitchell C. Rosevear I Bowman r. Westington C. Rosevear L. Grosjean L. Grosjean ines Davidson t'OI\<'ILLOKS. 1850 J. C. Phillips, Allan Mcintosh, John Wade 1851 Joseph Phillips, A. B. Carpenter, Allan Mcintosh 1852 Tohn Beatty, A. B. Carpenter, John Creit,'hton 1853 Joseph Phillips, Thomas Scott, John Rowe 1854 Sidney Smith, Wm. McDougall, John Rowe 1855. . . . A. S. Arnott (resit^ned), Richard Hcnson, Wil iaiu Mc- Dougall, John Rowe. 185(i. . . . Willirtin McDougall (resigned), Wm. Peters, Truman McEvers, Noble Brown. 1857 Wm. Peters, Allan Mcintosh, Noble Brown 1858 C. R. Mallory, Allan Mcintosh, Noble Brown 1859 C. R. Mallory, Harris Burnham, James Benson 1800 Joseph Hagerman, James Staples, John Henderson 18(U C. R. Mallory, Charles Nichols, John Henderson 1862 C. R. Mallory, James Staples, John Henderson 1863 Charles Nichols, James Staples, Allan Mcintosh 1864 Charles Nichols, James Staples, Charles Bourn 1865 Charles Nichols (resigned) J. G. Hagerman, John Baptiste, John Henderson. 1866 John G. Hagerman, John Baptiste (never took his seat, died), Wm. Mann, John Henderson. 1867 John Henderson, Robert Brooks, .James Benson 1868 Robert Brooks, Henry Lapp 1869 Wm. Eagleson, Henry Lapp 1870 71-72 Henry Lapp, John Cook 1873 Peter Sidey, Robert Brooks 1874 Robert Brooks, William Eagleson 1875-76 Robert Brooks, A. R. Eagleson 1877-78-79-80 John Bowman, Herbert Carruthers 1881 James Beatty, Robert Brook. 1882 James Beatty, John Bowman 1883 James Beatty, Thomas Davidson ^884 (iavin Boyd, Thomas Davidson 1885 Herbert Carruthers, James Smith 1886 Samuel Purser, James H. Rosevear 1887 George Farr, George Mitchell 1888-89 Join.' L. Grosjean, James H. Rosevear ( I : ^ ->. ' '"; li] - \ I • ! - 4 ■ ; ! ill 7 / 28 HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. COUNCILLORS — CONTINUED . 1890 91 Thomas VV. Moore, Adam Watson 1892 John L. Grosjean, Thomas W. Moore 1893 John L. Grosjean, James Davidson 1894-95-96 Tames Davidson, David Arms rong 1897 David Armstrong, James Russell ASSESSORS. 1850 David leaman. 1851. -D. Yoaman, D.Sidey, A.J.Burnham. 1852 David Yeaman. 1353 John CreighUin, Win. Richardson. 1854 John En^leson, A. J. Burnham, James Sutherland. 1855-56-57 David Yeaman. 1858 Samuel Ash. 1859 60 David Yeaman. 1861-62 John S. Bates. 1863 John S. Bates. 1864 Joseph Hayden. 1865-66 David Yeaman. 1867 David Yeaman. 1868-69 70-71-72 A. R. Eagleson. 1873-74 A. R. Eagleson. 1875-76 William Hawkin. 1877-78-79-80-81-82 William Peters. 1883-84-85-86-87-88 James D. Stewart. 1889 John W^iliams. 1890 James D. Stewart. 1891 James D. Stewart. 1892-93-94-95-96-97 Robert Robertson. POPIIIATION. COLLECTORS. Truman McEvers Truman Truman Truman McEvers McEvers McEvers Matthew Eagleson Matthew Eagleson Truman McEvers Truman McEvers David Yeoman, Truman McEvers John Beatty. Truman McEvers David Side}'. David Sidey. George B. Nixon George B. Nixon James Benson. James Benson. James D Stewart James Benson. James Thompson James Thompson We give the number of the people in the Township for the five cenjus from 1850 to 1891 : — 1850. 1861. 1871 ,4502 .6315 .5721 1881. 1891, .5155 .4313 \: \ ./ HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 29 m Watson W. Moore } Dfividson Anns rong les Russell LECTORS. McEvers MoEvers McEvers McEvers w Eaglesoii w Eagleson McEvers \\ McEvers Yeoman, ti McEvers 5eatty. n McEvers Sidey. Sidey. 1 B. Nixon ! 13. Nixon Benson. Benson. D Stewart Benson. Thompson Thompson for the five ,5155 .4313 POPULATION — CONTINUED. In the census of 1891, No. of families, 872; No. of houses, 869. Houses of wood, 624 ; of one storey, 692. Houses of brick, 217 ; two stories, 172. Houses of stone, 28 ; three stories, 5. Houses with tive rooms and under, 258 ; over five rooms, 611. Houses uninhabited, 59 ; houses building, 2. BY RELIGIONS, 1891. Roman Catholic 361 Church of England.... 599 Presbyterian 1247 Methodist 1691 Bible Christian 2 Baptist,60; FreeWill 24 84 Congregational 277 Quakers 6 Salvation Army 7 Not Specified 39 BY ORIOINS, African 1881. 14 Dutch 3 English 1939 French 66 German 163 Irish 1882 Scotch 1042 Welsh 12 Italian 5 All others 29 Total 4313 Total 5155 The census gives the people by origins only by counties- - have copied from the 1881 census. Males 2186 Married 1388 Females 2127 Widowed 203 Single 2722 4313 4313 TOTAL ACRES, 1891. Under Crop 44880 Under Pasture 9855 Wood Lands 6036 (xarden and Orchards . . 1309 62080 Acres Improved 56044 TOTAL OCCUPIERS OF LAND. Owners 587 Tenants 238 Occupants 8 833 Occupying 10 ac. & under . 323 50 •* 95 *' 101 *♦ 174 *' 201 '' 194 " over 201 acres .. . 47 833 ■M ■ ■ill HI II 3) HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. !iJr ' M, KTOt'K IS HAMILTON TO^XililllP. 1827 1847 1851 18(J1 1871 1881 1891 Horsos . . 211 767 1251 . 1139 1864 2871 2237 4477 2087 4952 2035 3651 2234 Cattle. 3610 Slieop. .... . . . . 4478 6212 ()483 3584 2091 Pigs . . . . . . . . . . . 2611 3589 2420 1249 15<)5 - C(.l )(>urg was included in 1827. In 1826 the riorth half of the township was occupied, and little more than one-eighth cleared, viz., 8091^ acres. In 1847 about one-third of the township was cleared, viz., 20719 acres. In 1826 the rateable property was valued at 899231 ; In 1847 at .^185288 ; In 1850 at .^225621. Through the courtesy of Mr. F. Field, Registrar, Cobourg, we are enabled to give the names of a few of the first patentees and the lots of land they i)atented :■ — LOT Joseph Ash 31 Charles IShaw 24 Also Lots 14 and 16,Con. 1. In 1814, C. Shaw conveyed Lot 14, Con. A, to IJenj. Nichols. Part of it is now occupied by his yreat grand son. Martin Rush , 1798. 17»8. (.'ON. 2 A 1801. 1801. 1801. 1801. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1802. 1803. 180.?. 1803. 1803. 1803. 1804. 1804. , 29 Frederick Tubbs '. 10 David Kerr 26 Robert VVinklnson (or Wilkinson) 6 Mary Taylor 4 James Fisher 7 (ieorge Ash, Sr 12 (ieorge Ash, Jr 13 Peter Harsh 32 James Ash 12 Stephen Tuttle 17 Moses Martin 18 Aaron Greeley 21 Samuel Gifford 30 Lidia Ferris (prev.ously Lidia Baker) 7 Isaac llagerman 29 Ciiarles Kind 12,13,14 Abraham Hagerman 33 Thomas Mallory 6 Humphrey (lifford 27 1808. William McKague 3 1808. Asahal Jerome 7 2 1 1 3 2 2 B B A 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 A 1 2 1 1 A HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOM'NSHIP. ai 1881 1891 2035 2234 ii()51 3f)10 3584 2091 1249 15(55 jupied, and In 1847 10719 acres. In 1847 at -, Cobourg, it patentees LOT. (.'ON. 31 2 24 A 29 2 10 1 26 1 6 3 4 i 7 2 12 B 13 B 32 A 12 1 17 1 18 1 21 1 30 1 7 3 29 1 13,14 A 33 1 6 2 27 1 . 3 1 . 7 A FltODIICTH OF HAMILTOIV TOW\!milP. We give the products of the Township as far as we have ))een able to procure thetn for 1850, 18H1 and 1871. In the census returns f r 1871, 1881 and 1891, many of the items are i/iven by counties and not l)y townships. 1850 1861 1871 Fall VV heat )H,i..^.q ^2728 21062 S[)ring Wheat / ' ^"' ^ 153148 84243 Barley 5724 7')96 62589 Oats : 46883 102693 76605 Bye 5762 2168 1368 Peas 20125 79279 64093 Buckwheat 877 1831 1941 Indian Corn 12005 11726 7667 Beans 667 Potatoes 76229 84215 100300 Turnips 36189 146046 230352 Carrots 2877 / o««>o Mangold Wurtzels 1835 25929 \ ^^^^^^ Clover and Timothy Seed 254 2231 Hops, pounds of 437 Hay, tons of 4599 4544 9052 Maple Sugar, pounds of 11303 2890 Cider, gallons of 5356 Wool, pounds of 14785 28461 Fulled Cloth, yards of 1629 Flannel, yards of 5443 ' Linen, yards of 13 Flax and Hemp, pounds of 14829 Batter, pounds of 21584 108692 Cheese, pounds of 24080 32301 Beef, barrels of 956 Pork, barrels of 2219 Pleasure Carriages 690