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 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
EAP 
 
 Aut/it 
 
/■■^ 
 
 J 
 
 t / 
 
 , ■ .J 
 
 / 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 • OF THE . . , 
 
 COUNTIES 
 
 OF 
 
 firaTE(IIL,0i.,*PiiEOTT,ONT., 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT. 
 
 BY 
 
 C. THOMAS, 
 
 Autncr of T„. E.3TK.N Townships, F»o»t,er Schoc-Master 
 AND History of Shefford. 
 
 ■-■, I ,1 mil J 
 
 Ir 
 
 MONTREAL J 
 
 TRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL & SON. 
 
 23 AND 25 ST. Nicholas Stbeet. 
 
 1896 
 
 (^ 
 
f'3^'iH^ 
 
 AG? 
 
 181042 
 
 3- 
 
 .4 S 
 
 Entered according to Act of Parliament ofCiinada, in the year ont thousand eight hundred anij 
 ninety-six, by C. Thomas, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture and Statibtics at Ottawa! 
 
(« 
 
 t\. 
 
 
 ,ii' 
 
 ' 
 
 
 1 , 
 
 ^ • 
 
 * 
 
 
 .'K, 
 
 .' 
 
 
 
 '^:a 
 
 
 
 " ', !'J 
 
 BRRAXA. 
 
 hundred anJ 
 ics at Ottawa! 
 
 Page 109, line 6, the legal right vof any protestaiU clergyman except those of 
 ,0 established churches of England and Scotland to keep registers of civil status or 
 [to officiate at marriages. 
 
 Page 123, line 8, The late James Middletoii. " ,, 
 
 Page 125, .ith line from bottom, Lord Reay. 
 
 Page 147, line 19, For Catherine McLean, read Catherine McLaurin. 
 
 Page 222, last line, read Mr. Walker's present dwelliug. 
 
 Page 223, line 25, for an Elder read Manager. 
 
 Page 461, ist line, for Western read Eastern. - 
 
 Page 46('i, line 19, for this company, read their company. 
 
1 
 
 x:n"idex:. 
 
 l.c Oitawa 9 
 
 hainiilain's Astrolabe !i 
 
 lie Heroes of the Long Sault 15 
 
 he Indians descent of the Ottawa with furs 20 
 
 do do do 21 
 
 lenirif; of the fur trade on the Pacific.... 21 
 
 li-. riiiiemon Wright's ascent of the Ottawa 24 
 
 avigation on the Ottawa 26 
 
 laces of interest on the Ottawa 32 
 
 ounty of Argenteuil 34 
 
 ensus of 1891 34 
 
 eology of Argenteuil 35 
 
 epresentatives 39 
 
 irj. I.e. Abbott 42 
 
 gricultural Society 45 
 
 ounty Council 48 
 
 rgenleuil Rangers 48 
 
 cnian raids , 51 
 
 he Schools of Argenteuil 58 
 
 nhabitants of Argenteuil 60 
 
 cotch settlers of Argenteuil 63 
 
 leiguiory of Argenteuil 66 
 
 i r John Johnson 67 
 
 t. Andrew's Parish 70 
 
 do Village 70 
 
 Churches , 103 
 
 nglican Church 103 
 
 resbyterian Church 104 
 
 \onian Catholic Church 114 
 
 aptist 117 
 
 Jongregational 119 
 
 'ethodist 122 
 
 ible Society 123 
 
 . E. Society 123 
 
 C. T. U. Society 123 
 
 Oman's Missionary Society 123 
 
 asonic Lodge 1 24 
 
 ircantile 131 
 
 ute du Midi and the Bay 1 38 
 
 iver Rouge 147 
 
 eech Ridge 151 
 
 entva 1^6 
 
 »arillon 162 
 
 mployees on Carillon Canal 186 
 
 lunicipal Council 190 
 
 Tie Dam 191 
 
 sleaux Chats 193 
 
 'ownof Lachute 194 
 
 .eminiscences of early days 213 
 
 rofessional 227 
 
 ise and Progress of Education 232 
 
 achute Academy 233 
 
 ise and Progress of Religion 237 
 
 resbyterian Churcli 23S 
 
 Henry's Presbyterian Church 242 
 
 Anglican Church 243 
 
 Baptist 244 
 
 Methodist 246 
 
 Roman Catholic Church 248 
 
 W. C. T. U. and C. E. Societies 248 
 
 Mechanics Institute 249 
 
 Manufactures 250 
 
 Paper Mills 253 
 
 Newspapers 262 
 
 Bridges and railroads 263 
 
 Mercantile establishments , 263 
 
 Hotels ?66 
 
 Parish of St. Jerusalem d'Argenteuil ... .... 269 
 
 East Settlement 272 
 
 Bethany 277 
 
 Videsac 278 
 
 Hill Head 279 
 
 Chatham 280 
 
 Cushing 297 
 
 St. Mungo's Church 302 
 
 Greece's Point 307 
 
 Stonefield 309 
 
 St. Phillip 313 
 
 Roman Catholic Church 316 
 
 Staynerville 322 
 
 Brownsburg 324 
 
 Dominion Cartridge Factory 326 
 
 Mount Maple 333 
 
 Dalesville 336 
 
 Baptist Church 343 
 
 Edina 365 
 
 Grenville 366 
 
 Grenville Village 367 
 
 Anglican Church 378 
 
 Presbyterian 379 
 
 Roman Catholic 379 
 
 Methodist 383 
 
 Baptist 384 
 
 Mercantile , 388 
 
 La Belle Falls 396 
 
 Calumet 398 
 
 Augmentation of Grenville 403 
 
 Point au Chene 404 
 
 Avoca 407 
 
 Harrington 4 " 
 
 Lost River ... . 416 
 
 Lake View 418 
 
 The Glen 421 
 
 Wentworth • 422 
 
 Louisa 424 
 
 Wentworth Glen 425 
 
 Laurel , 428 
 
 Montfort 428 
 
vl 
 
 INDEX. — Continued. 
 
 Goro 430 
 
 Lakclield 432 
 
 Slircvvsbuty , 436 
 
 Mille Isies 438 
 
 Cnnihri.i 441 
 
 Morin 444 
 
 Mdi in l''lnts 445 
 
 Arundel 447 
 
 Montcalm 460 
 
 Howard 460 
 
 Prcacott 461 
 
 Census of I S9 1 46 1 
 
 Repiesont.ilivcs of I'rescolt 462 
 
 Inhabitants 464 
 
 Militia oflicerp of 1 83S 467 
 
 l8lh iiatlalion of Militia 467 
 
 Schools of I'lt'scott 468 
 
 Progress of the tiinher imlustry 47 j 
 
 Agricultural Society 475 
 
 Point Fortune 477 
 
 The 11. H. and N.W. Companies 485 
 
 A Canadian I leroine 495 
 
 Longueull 502 
 
 L'CJrignal 5 13 
 
 Methodist Church 515 
 
 Presbyterian 5 1 7 
 
 Roman Catholic . , 520 
 
 Anglican Chin ch 520 
 
 Professional Men r"id Oflicials 520 
 
 Mercantile and lUib.ness Men 524 
 
 Newspapers 528 
 
 Cassburu 529 
 
 llawivesbury Mills 533 
 
 Chi; rches 542 
 
 Presbyterian Church 542 
 
 A nglicnn Church. .. . 543 
 
 Manuf.ictures 5.(7 
 
 Mercantile , 549 
 
 Evandalt 351 
 
 Green Lane 553 
 
 West Hawkesbury 554 
 
 Henry 563 
 
 VanUleek Hill 564 
 
 Presbyterian Church 570 
 
 Anglican Chu'-'h , 571 
 
 Methodist Chuicl/. .. , 572 
 
 Itaptist Church 573 
 
 Roman Catholic Church 574 
 
 Schools 575 
 
 Hotels 577 ., 
 
 Manufactories 57^1] 
 
 Newspapers 580 
 
 East Hawkesbury S-Sfl 
 
 Chute au IJlondeau 5SS 
 
 Little Rideau 597 
 
 Stardale 604 
 
 St. Eugene 609 , 
 
 do R. C. Church 610 
 
 Barb. Mj 
 
 Caledonia (>n\ 
 
 Fenaghvale 621 1 
 
 do St. Paul's Church .... 625] 
 
 St. Amour 6aj| 
 
 Caledonia Springs ('2gl 
 
 Alfi'ed 630J 
 
 do R. C. Church 630? 
 
 Lafaivre 631 / 
 
 Holmes Settlement ^Ssl 
 
 Alfred Village ^'35 j 
 
 James Settlement ^3U 
 
 North Plantagenet Hn 
 
 Plmtagenct Mills ; ^jS! 
 
 do Churches 641 J 
 
 do Hotels 642 j 
 
 Treadweli ^'44 j 
 
 Hughes Settlement 645 J 
 
 Jessup's Falls ''451 
 
 Curran 646 j 
 
 Cente. field "471 
 
 Rockdale ''491 
 
 Pendleton tiS'I 
 
 Smith Settlement ^Sl\ 
 
 do I'rest. Church ''54| 
 
 South Plantagenet ^Ssl 
 
 Riceville ('f\ 
 
 Franklin's Corners "Wl 
 
 Leniieux '^'^jl 
 
 Fournier , ^^3" 
 
571' 
 572 
 
 573 
 
 575 I PREKACK. 
 
 577 ' 
 
 5;s 
 
 .S.So 
 
 5''*' I Tn a volume of ordinary size it wovld be impossible, of course, to give 
 h,'.\ %. sketch of all the pioneers in a district of much extent ; in the outset of the 
 g '-'^^ipresent work, therefore it was the intention of the writer to give biographi- 
 615 Heal sketches of only the *'ery early pioneers and those who, in different ways> 
 ((2J whad become prominently identified with the history of the two Counties. It 
 ''-S^vas in pursuance of this plan that a few of the longer sketches were written ; 
 f,28M|but among so many of the early settlers who ai rived in the country abou^ 
 ^-^°™the same time, it was no easymatter to decide wliich was the more justly 
 631 Sentitled to notice. To obviate this difficulty, and to avoid the very common 
 f,^'H:omplaint against Local Histories — that they mention only the rich and 
 ^JsHfortunate— it was determined to notice, by giving shorter sketches, all who 
 63jHEvinced sufficient interest in the work to subscribe for it. But in pursuing 
 ^^'H this plan, we have by no means neglected to mention any individual oi* 
 f^44He\ ent whose history is at all likely to add interest to the work. Numbers of 
 (,^« individuals, therefore, who have passed away, leaving no descendants in the 
 ^4^Hcountry, have been accorded quite as much space as those surviving. In our 
 649Bciesire to do justice to all, and record every incident brought to our notice 
 ^5'B\v]iich seemed worthy of preservation, we have enlarged the book considerably 
 ''Swbeyond our intention at first, and, beyond the size stated in the prospectus. 
 JmIh a book of so many and VL-ied subjects, it would be scarcely less than a 
 ''<>2Bniiracle should not errors be found and, especially, when the writer in several 
 firtWiiiiitances has discovered serious mistakes in notes which the individuals who 
 [gave them regarded as perfectly correct. It is believed, however, that what- 
 [ever errors meiy yet be discovered, if any, will be of so trifling a nature t lat 
 they will not seriously affect the value of the work. 
 
 That the work has been a very laborious one, the reader will at 
 jonce perceive, — indeed, the writer, from ill health, has more than once almost 
 despaired of completing it ; but He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb 
 has enabled him to persevere through many discouragements and bring 
 it to completion. He would acknowledge himself profoundly grateful for 
 the assistance rendered by the different clergymen whose contributions 
 appear in these pages, as well as for that extended by W, J. Simpson, M.P.P. ; 
 
VIII 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 G. W. Parmelee, Secretary of the Council of Publ-'c Instruction ; G. F. Calder, 
 lOsq., Cols. Shields and Fligginson, Sheriff Hagar, G. J. Walk.r. Ksq., Colin 
 Dewar. Ksq, Duncan Dewar, Esq., T. T. Higginson, Esq., and several 
 others. 
 
 " lie that writes 
 Or makes a feast, more certainly invites 
 
 Misjudges than his friends; there's not a guest • ' 
 
 IJut will find something' wanting or ill-drest." 
 
 However true the above lines, the value of locil history increases with 
 the progress of culture, and its benefit no one wifl deny. This volume is 
 presented to the public with the belief that it will be accorded a reception 
 sufficiently cordial to save the author the unpleasant reflection, that his labor 
 has been performed in vain. 
 
 I 
 
/-T^ 
 
 1 MK Ottawa. 
 
 ■ V^S this n()l)Ie river is the dividing line between the two Counties to the history 
 jTYJ ofwhicli this vohime is devoted, and, moreover, is the stream upon whicli 
 lliousands of their inhabitants have toiled for the maintenance of ihem- 
 selves or families, it naturally deserves more than a passing notice. 
 
 Fine, charming, beautiful, lovely, wonderful river, are expressions any one 
 )r ;i'l of whicii may be heard daily on the steamers which ply its waters; and ex- 
 travagant and ridiculous as seem these adjectives when applied to many objects, no 
 j)iu: ever regards them inaiijiropriale when applied to the Ottawa. 
 
 Coming from the far N( "th, from regions almost unknown, there is a certain 
 jnystery about it, whicii awakens our curiosity and engenders a spirit of romance. 
 jiVhile its beautiful islands and the picturesque scenery of its shores arc continually 
 Jcmanding our admiration, as we ascend its current, its breadth is an ever-present 
 lource of wonder. 
 
 I'rom the moment we leave Lake St. Louis, where it unites with the St. Law- 
 [eiice, till we have passed two hundred miles beyond the Dominion Capital, we 
 |ook in vain for any perceptible decrease of its breadth and volume ; tliere is the 
 i.imo oft-recurring change from river to lake, from lake to rivi_i. The Ottawa is 
 emphatically a river of lakes, and of the last fifty miles of its course, they form no 
 ^niall proportion. 
 
 Scarcely have we left Lake St. Louis, ere we enter the beautiful Lake of Two 
 lilountains, every square rood of whose shores is replete with historic interest. Leav. 
 |ng tins, we are soon on the expansive bosom of St. Placide Bay, and anon on 
 vigaud Bay, each vying with the other in beauty and area, as well as in the importance 
 ^fits historic associations. And thus we may sail, seeing river after river, and some 
 them large in size, adding their waters to those of the mighty Ottawa, without 
 busing the slightest apparent difference in its size ; indeed, it is said that it is broader 
 |8o miles from its mouth than it is after receiving twenty tributaries, and several of 
 lem such streams as the Gatineau, the Lidvre, the North and South Nations, the 
 louge and the River du Nord. Wonderful indeed ! But our interest increases as we 
 bst our eyes along the history of the past, and see the important events with which 
 [lie Ottawa has been connected. It was the highway of the early French explorers, 
 
I©. 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 traders and missionaries who brought the first tidings of the Gospel to the natives of 
 New France. It was traversed by the red man when he first in peace bartered the 
 products of the chase with the whites at Montreal; also, when he stole stealthily upon 
 them to dye his tomahawk in their blood. This was the route pursued by the coureiin 
 du bois, as they went to and from their far-off haunts for game, and many decades 
 later the Ottawa bore the canoes^of the Nor' Westers, and returned them with ri( !; 
 cargoes of peltries. 
 
 Tiie earliest event with which the Ottawa is associated, which we find mentioned ,;, 
 Canadian history, is its ascent by Champlain, in 1613, on a wild goose chase, tc 
 discover the North Sea. A person named Vigneau had accompanied him on several 
 visits to the Indians, and spent a winter among them. He reported that the river, 
 the Algonquins (the Oitawa) issued from a bke connected with the North Sea ; tl.,. 
 he had visited the shores of this sea, and there witnessed the wreck of an Enghbl 
 vessel. The crew — eighty in number — had reached the ohore, where the inhabitan;s 
 had killed and scalped tliem all except a boy, whom tliey offered to give up to him, 
 with other ruphies of their victory. Champlain had this declaration made in writ' 
 ing, and signed before two notaries, at the same time warning Vigneau that if it wiri| 
 false, he would be liable to punishment by death. Vigneau adhered to his statements,] 
 and Champlain, having learned that some English vessels had been wrecked on lbs 
 coast of Labrador, no longer doubted, and j^repared to depart for die North ;o 
 explore that section of the country. 
 
 With two canoes containing four Frenchmen — including Vigneau— and one Indiu 
 he proceeded up the 0;tawa, during which voyage he experienced severe hardshi] 
 and encountered many difficulties. Owing to frequent rapids and cata'acts, thei 
 were obliged, often, to carry their canoes and stores overland, and so:netimes tlii 
 was impossible, on account of the dense forests and undergrowth. The latter diffii 
 culty was overcome only by dragging their boats through the rapid current, wherj 
 their lives were in constant jeopardy. .Another danger, also, continually menaced 
 them, — that of meeting wandering bands of Iroquois, to whose ferocity they wou'i| 
 doubtless have lallen victims. At last they were obliged to abandon their corn aiiij 
 trust entirely to their success in hunting and fishing for provisions. 
 
 They finally reached the habitations of Tessonat, a friendly chief, wliusj 
 country was eight days journey from that of the Nipissings, whce the sliipwreck w; 
 said to have occurred. Ife received them cou'teously ; but in a council v.hicn wi 
 hfcld later, he prom!:>ed, only on the most earnest entreaty, to comply with Char 
 plain's requc'Jt for an escort of four canoes. Findmg the India.is still reluctant 
 fulfill this promise and averse to accompany him, he demanded another meeting, 
 which he reproached them with their iiUcnded breach of faith ; and to convince tiiei 
 that the fears which they expressed were groundless, referred to the fact of Vigneaj 
 having spent some time among the Nipissings. 
 
 Vigneau being then called on to state whether i^uch was the case, after sor 
 hesitation and evid»;nt reluctance replied in tlie affirmative. The chief immedi. 
 
 Iledhin 
 Ind dccla 
 aniinati 
 as true, 
 ips, and 
 #iili the 1 
 somi after 
 
 -I In i3 
 wp Astrola 
 pie Oitawi 
 We ar 
 fie ..^ •:- 
 
 1!: ea 
 
 I067, givii 
 
 Tliis wa 
 
 am]il.iin 01 
 
 lort. and tc 
 
 ir a tin'.e wi 
 
 lire tlie pi 
 
 iiir.iteiy wa 
 
 te ..J. Rus 
 
 '•^blic Woiks 
 
 en by Mr. 
 
 ivill he both 
 
 In the prel 
 mblication ; ! 
 iililitional lig 
 
 liavebeen in 
 f it piiblished 
 
 Mr. Russei 
 ■hev. n to me \ 
 .'assells, Esq. 
 Knowledj 
 ham plain's jt 
 
 " Tliis Astrc 
 colli 1 range 01 
 ver Ottawa, b 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 "%t 
 
 ille-lhim a liar, asserted that he had never been lieyond the limits of their own country, 
 id declared that he deservM torture for his dishonesty. Being submitted to a rigid 
 lamination by Champiain, Vigneau was obliged to admit that what thelnd'ans said 
 fas true, and that his Ule, by which Champlain had been led to encounter such hard- 
 lips, and neglect matters he had so much ai iicait, was a fabrication. Leaving him 
 fitli tiie Indians as punishment for his perfidy, Champlain returned to Quebec, and 
 3on afterward to France. 
 
 In 1S67 no little interest was awakened among antiquaiians by the finding o^ 
 Astrolabe, whicli there very is good proof was lost by Champlain on Im's trip up 
 le Ouawa which is described above. 
 
 Wc are indebted to Mr. Colin Uewar, of Ottawa, for the account which follows, 
 le si' ■ : — 
 
 1!: e a distinct recollection that an nrticle appeared in the Montreal Jri//Hss, in the summer 
 I067. giving an account of the finding of an Astrolabe near Pc tage di' Fort, on the Ottawa 
 
 This was a inosi interesting relic, on account of its being (as was conjectured) the one used by 
 laiiiplain on his voyage of exploration up the Ottawa in 1613. ^" order to ascertain the truth of the 
 port. ;^nd to obtain, if possible, the fullest information regarding it, I instituted a vigoruus search 
 pr .1 tin.e with very little prospect of success) ; but considering that no trouble would be too great to 
 cure the prop tr information regarding such a valuable relic, I persevered in my endeavors, „,, 
 liiii.tely was rewarded by fmdi.ig a very complete accojnt in pamphlet form, fiom the pen of the 
 1: ..]. Russell, Esq., Crown Timber Agent in Ottawa, whose son, John Alex. Russell, Esq., of the 
 ^blic Woiks Department, h.is also contributed some exceedingly valuable information. The account 
 ^en by Mr. Russell is so very interesting, and deals with the subject in such a scientific manner, that 
 kvill be both pleasii.j and profitable to th: readers of these sketches to haye.it faithfully transcribed. 
 
 CHAMPLAir'S ASTROLABE. 
 Lost on the 7Tn June, 1613, 
 and 
 FoiJNi) IN August, 1867. 
 
 In the preface, Mr. Russell says : " This brief treatise was not originally wiiiten with a view to 
 publication; but as th; subject is connected with the early history of Canada, and throws a little 
 Ulitional light on an obscurity in a part of Cha"iplain's journal of his first voy-^ge up the Ottawa, 
 have been induced by the tlattering recommendations of a few friends to have a very limited edition 
 Df it imblished, trusting it may be in some degree interesting to Canadian readers." 
 
 Mr. Russell now goes onto say : ''The .Astrolabe which is the subject of this treatise was 
 thev.n to me by Cajitain Overman of the Ottawa Forwarding Co. lie afterwnrdsgave it to R. W. 
 ['assells, Esq., then President of that Comjiany, now of Toronto, who obliged me with the loan of 
 Knowledge of the Portage on which it was found led me to believe that it was the one that 
 phamplain's journal contains evidence 01" his having lost there, in 1613. 
 
 Ciiamplain's Astrolabe. ^-,^^-— — ^.A— — — -- 
 
 "This Astrolabe, of which aphoto is prefixed, was found in 1867, on the rear half of lot X2, in the 
 econd range of the township of Ross in the county of North Renfrew, Province of Ontario, on the 
 liver Ottawa, b) Captain Overman's oeople in cultivating api-'-'e of ground, at a small lake near the 
 
 f^f 
 
 v\ 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUir. 
 
 " road from the Ottawa to Muskrat Lake, and is believed to have been lost by Champlain in traver 
 " sin(» that portage on his way up the Ottawa in the year 1613." — " 'J he following particulars respect. 
 " ing it, and reasons for believing it to be Champlain's, may perhaps be found interesting to Cana 
 " dian readers. Its diameter is 5^ inches, of plate brass, very dark with age, and }4 of an inch thici 
 •' above, increasing to 6^\- ol an inch below, t) give it steadiness when suspended, which apiiarentli 
 " was intended to be increased by having a weght on the ring at the bottom of it, in using it on shi-.| 
 " i)oard. Its suspending ring is attached by a double hinge of the nature of a universal joint. Ii 
 " circle isdivided into single degrees, graduated from its perpendicular axis of suspension. The dot 
 " ble bladed index, the pivot of which passes through the centre of the Astrolabe, has slits and eyelet 
 " in the projecting sights that are on it, and by turning the index direct'y to the sun at noon, so tlia 
 " the same ray may shine fully through both eyelets, while the Astrolabe hangs freely. The sun' 
 " Meridian altitude, and thereby the latitude of the place of observation, can be taken to withisj 
 " about ,'4 of a degree, or even less, which is as close as Champlain's latitudes generally were takenJ 
 "The dale of 1603 is engraved on the face of the Astrolabe. 
 
 " Champlain made his first voy- ,^e up the Ottawa in i6[3, and his journal contain!, conclusir 1 
 ■' evidence that he lost his Astrolabe on the 6th or 7tli June of that year, in passing through the po: 
 " lage on which this Astrolabe was found. It is singularly remarkable that this evidence lies chiel;^ 
 " in an error in Champlain's latitude of what is now the village of Pembroke, which attracted the sr| 
 " cial attention of our Canadian historian, Mr. Ferland, and is the subject of a copious note on paf| 
 "307 of the splendid illustrated 'edition of the works of Champlain, edited v.-ith copious and interestiij 
 " notes by Abbd I.averdifere of die Laval University, and published by Mr. Uesbarat in 1870, whil.T 
 " it is equally worthy of remark that the loss of his Astrolabe accounts sufTiciently for Champla- a 
 " not afterwards detecting and correcting this error of his by subsequent observations, and his havirfi 
 "lost it accounts also for his having made no more observations for latitude on that voyage, which 
 ' certainly otherwise would have done. It will be Feen on examination that Champlain's error in ol| 
 " servation of latitude took place near Gould's Landing, below Portage du Fort (which seems to hail 
 '•'escaptd the notice of Mr. P'erland and others), and that his error in speaking of the latitude of Peg 
 "broke is simply a continuation of his first error, arising from its being merely an estimation or roiiri 
 "dead reckoning of his Northing from Gould's Landing, in consequence of his not having the nieaiiif 
 " determining it by actual observation owing to his having lost his Astrolabe. 
 
 " This will be more clearly apparent by following the course of Champlain, and noting wli.^.t J 
 "s.iys about his observations for latitude. 
 
 " He left the Island of Ste. H61^ne, where his barque lay at anchor, on the 27th May, 1613, wii 
 " a p.irty of four Frenchmen and one Indian. (There was no Montreal iu those days.) Being dtLi™ 
 "by bad weather, he did not lea'.e Sault St. Louis till the 2pth. On the 30th he took an observatiJ 
 "for latitude at Lachine. His words in the French of his time are : ' Je prius la hauteur de ce lid 
 " qui est par les 45 degrez iS minutes de latitude,' which is only about five minutes less than the ttj 
 "latitude of the place, a very insignificant error when it is taken into consideration that the VertiiJ 
 " we now have on all scientific instruments for reading the sub-divisions of degrees were not tlienj 
 "common use, though invented about that time. Giving a brief but vivid and highly interestij 
 " description of the danger he experienced in towing his own canoe up the Long .Sault Rapids, of 1 
 " fair and spacious tributary rivers, the beautiful islands and magnificent woods as he passes aloij 
 "and exchanging one of his Frenchmen for an Indian of a war party that he met at an island nil 
 " what is now the site of the antique-looking and picturesquely situated manor house of the late Hi 
 " Louis Joseph Papineau, and passing the Rideau Falls, which excite his admiration, he reaches{ 
 "great ' Asticon,' as his Indians called it, and which in their language meant ' Chaudi^re,' and ( 
 "cribes that great waterfall of the Ottawa, in all its native grandeur, which all old Bytonians so vt 
 "remember, though now impaired and desecrated. On passing it on the 4th Jure, he took an oij 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 t3 
 
 Dlain in tiaver 
 iculars respect- 
 jsting to Canj 
 if an inch thid 
 lich apparent!] 
 ising it on shi-, 
 jrsal joint. It 
 ion. The doc 
 iUls and eyele; 
 It noon, so llu 
 elj'. The sun' 
 taken to witb.i: 
 lly were taker, 
 
 tain;, conchisit 
 hrough the po: 
 lence lies chiel; 
 Itracted the sp - 
 lus note on paj j 
 5 and intercstir.l 
 It in 1870, \vL 
 y for Champlaj 
 , and his havii^ 
 oyaRC, wbichl:| 
 lin's error in ol| 
 h seems to 
 latitude of Petj 
 mat ion or roua 
 ing the nieanil 
 
 noting whr.t'^ 
 
 May, 1613, 
 ) Being dtlajij 
 an observatiJ 
 uteur de ce li(i 
 ess than the tij 
 hat the Vernid 
 were not thenj 
 ighly interestij 
 
 Rapids, of 
 lie passes aloij 
 an island nJ 
 of ilie latp. Ha 
 1, he reaches^ 
 udi^re,' ami 1 
 ytonians so 
 took an olu 
 
 Ivation for latitude at what is now the overgrown busy village of Hull. He says ; ' Je prius la hauteur 
 jdu lieu, et trouvay 45 degrez 38 minutes de latitude,' that is only about 12)^ minutes in excess of the 
 [true latitude, which is 45' 25' 33" N. Passing the Chaudiire Lake and the Eardley mountains on 
 [the 51I1, and the great falls of the Chatts, where, singularly enough, they left their provisions and part 
 [of their clothing, to avoid the fatigue of carrying them, he ascends the Chats Lake and camps on an 
 [island at the head of it, where he first meets the Ottawa red pine trees, and admires their beauty. He 
 [there erected a cross made of one of them with the arms of France cut upon it. Leaving it on Uie 
 |6th lie paddled -ip the Cheneaux Rapid. The reader w'lo has passed that way will remember the 
 narrow passage between the rocky islands and the lol'ty precipitous rocks, whose shadows darken 
 khe swift and surging waters through which the steamer sways and st-uggles before entering the pic-' 
 Ituresque reach of smooth water leading to Portage du Fort. 
 
 " Here Champlain says he crossed to the west side of the river, when it turn's to the north, 
 land landed for the purpose of taking the route by the Muskrat portage and lake to Pembroke, by 
 Ithe advice of his Indians, — to avoid the many rapids and falls on the main river. The place of his 
 [landing is very Jdefinitely apparent on the sketch with this, which is copied from the plan of the 
 lOttawa canal survey, and here he says he took an observation of the latitude : ' Nous traversames 
 [done a I'ouest la riviere qui courait au nord, et pris la hauteur de ce lieu qui estoit par 46° 2' 3" 
 Ide latitude.' 
 
 " It is here that he makes the error of a full degree, in addition to the usual amount of error due, 
 Ito ilie imperfection of the instrument, for the latitude of his landing place is only about 45" 35'', and 
 |this, it is to be observed, is the last observation that he says he took during the voyage. He then 
 ays: ' We had much hardship in making our way by this land route, being loaded, for my own 
 Ipart, only with three Arquebuses, as many paddles, my capot and some little bagatelles. I 
 [encouraged my people, who wer? a little more heavily loaded, and more harassed by the mosquitoes 
 Itlian by their burdens. Thus after having passed four small lakes or ponds {petits c'tangs), we were 
 |£o fatigued that it was impossible for us to gc further, as tor nearly 24 hours we had eaten nothing 
 [but a little roasted fish without sauce, for, as I have said, we had left our p;io visions ; we rested on 
 Ithe banks uf a little lake, which was pleasant enough, and made a fire to drive away the mosqui- 
 [tots. The next day, June 71I1, we passed this pond, which may be a league in length, and then made 
 [our wav by land for three leagues through a more difficult country than any .ve had yet seen, owing 
 [to the wind having blown down the pines one over tlie other, which is no small inconvenience, 
 [having to pass sometimes over and sometimes under these trees. Thus we came to a lake 6 
 [leagues long (Muskrat Lake).' 
 
 ■ Tlie four little lakes tlint he passed on the 6th are shown on tiie sketch, and his distr.nce made 
 Ithat day of 2% leagues from the Ottawa is very nearly correct, so also is the length of the lake he 
 Itra versed on the morning of the 7th, but the distance from it to the Muskrat Lake is estimated by 
 [him at nearly double what it really is, but that is exactly 'vhat might be expected from any person 
 [little accustomed to the woods in struggling tine ugh windfalls. 'I'he small lake near which, I was 
 linforuied by Capt. Overman, the AstroL be was found, and which is most accessible at thnt end, 
 Iwould be i. most suitable hailing place. He reached Muskrat Lake early cnougli in the diy to 
 Ibe entertained formally with the pipe of peace , 'id friendship in Indian fashion, followed by a 
 Ispeech and '•efreshments from Nebachis, the chief (.' the Indians, who .leared and cultivated land 
 [tiiere, niid had fields and gardens which they took liim to see. 
 
 " Nebachis had n couple of canoes equipped, and look him down Muskrat i^ake, and across the 
 [short portage of three miles by a well beaten easy path (now the stage route to Pembroke), to see 
 [the Chief Tessonat. He arrived there on the 8th June, so early that after visiting Tessonat, and 
 [making some arrangements with that chief, he had time to go over to Aliuniette Island, the chief 
 [a)x)di and stronghold of that branch of the Algonquins called the ' Kichsipim ' (men of the Grand 
 
hIjTory of argenteuil. 
 
 The 
 
 bly on( 
 
 strolab 
 
 f the V, 
 
 f cle(,'re< 
 
 oiiveuu 
 
 xplained 
 
 lood l)y i 
 
 oiild si'i 
 
 as found 
 
 '" liver), chaiacterizL'd in ' Les Relations des J^suites' as extremement superlie. There exaniiii- 
 " ing at leisure their land and burying grounds, he conferred with their chiefs and principal men, and 
 •* invited tiieni to attend the feast or public dinner that the • bon vieux Capitaine Tessonat ' was to 
 " give on the 9lh at Pembroke, on which day, after Tessonat's formal state dinner had come oft in 
 " its various courses, such like as they were, attended by the chiefs and great men, eajh bringing with 
 " iiini his own wooden bowl and spoon, and after solemn smoking and speechification, Champhiin, 
 '• to pass the rest of the day, walked about in their gardens. JJui neither during tliis time nor the da; 
 '" after, nor indeed during the remainder of the voyage, does he speak at all of taking any niun 
 "observations for latitude. What he says of Pembroke is simply that it is about the 47th degree oi 
 " latitude : ' Elle est par les 47 degrez de latitude,' that is, in speaking of Allumette Island and tlit 
 '' foot of Allumette Liike. In noiicing this as an error of fully a degree in the absenc of any oilur *^s it is co 
 " means obvious to him of accounting for it, M. Ferland, in page 164 of his ' Cour^ d'Histoire d: ^Tliaraoh '. 
 " Canada ' says: ' P.Treille erreur n'a rien qui doive surprcndre dan,-, une expedition oil il lui devait it: *fijpf de (iair 
 "difficile de faire des observations exactes ' Hut we cannot accept of this explanation as adequai: •;^,jind their ] 
 " to account for the difference between the true latitude of Pembroke, which is about 45° 50' W W'lhe Indian 
 " and that of 47° given by Champlain, for in examining his errors in latitude in the cases quoto : *',' Alchemy 
 " and those made on his voyage to Lake Huron two yeais later, after having been again in France ( 
 " it be riglu to designate as errors ditferences, his instruments were not graduated minutely enough t 
 " indicate), we find that they are comparatively insignificant, teldom amounting to the third 1 ,i: 
 "of a degree, which conebponds closely with the cipacilyof liie Astrolabe found. We see thru 
 " fore that this error of a degree in the latitude of Pembroke could not ariie from imperfect power ■ 
 " his instrument, as M. I'erland's explanation seems to suggest. In fact, a little further consi ki 
 " tion enables us to see that ihe circumstance of this great error of a degree having been originnl! 
 " made below Poitage du Fort, demonstrates conclusively that betook no ob^ervation at all 
 ' Pembioke. For we all know, especially those of us who are accustomed to the use of instrunun 
 " for the observation of altitudes, or have even the orcMnary knowledge of the doctrine of chances, ilia 
 " as Ciiainplain knew well that he was travelling northward, the certainty is, that if he had made ;. 
 " observation of Pembroke at all, he would have assuredly detected his eiror made on the 6th, for ! 
 " it he would be neeessaiily made to appear to have been going south. We are not at liberty : 
 " suppose he would Iiave made the error of a degree a second time accidentally, for we know thc.t c; 
 " the common principle of chances, tiie probability was more than ten thousand to one that h 
 " would not make the same accidental error twice in succession. Also, as we see that he was in ib 
 " habit of taking observations for latitudes of less important points, as he went along, and ver 
 " formally noticing his observations, we may be very well assured that he would not have (uiledt. 
 " determine, by actual observation as usual, the latitude of a positio.i so important as the extreni; 
 " point he had reached, if he had had the means of doing so, and no other cause that can I e assigne. 
 " accounts sufficiently for bis not having the means of doing so, and for his having taken no observa 
 " tion on this voyage after the 6th of June, excepting the loss of his Astrolabe on th-j portage when 
 " this one was found. 
 
 " Taken altogether, therefore, there is strong circumstantial evidence that this was his Astrolabe, 
 " and that his loss of it, there and then, was the cause of the extraordinary error in his latitude oi 
 " Pembroke which attracted the attention of his commentators. 
 
 '• While we look upon this Astrolabe as a relic of the founder of civilized society in Canada, lit" 
 " greatest man and most daring explorer, the founder of her most ancient cities, of her great con 
 <' mercial metropolis ; and while we regard it with additi<>nal interest as a memento of early adver, 
 '' ture on what was even then Canada's great interior highway of commerce, and is by the same di 
 " tiny now the site for her great Pacific Railway, we may also look upon it as a relic of ancient an! 
 ■" even pic-historic science and civilization. 
 
 •ficiences ca 
 
 Cham 
 Huron am 
 country to^ 
 The n 
 defence on 
 her. 'ic figh 
 port their 
 believing ll 
 nsarly opp. 
 many Indij 
 s honor. 
 The fo 
 )man :- 
 
 In Apr 
 
 ntreal, a: 
 inst tlie 
 quois \va 
 lilac prop 
 
 reg:..d 
 
 :c and 1)0 
 
 consent. 
 
 Adam 
 
 ee years I 
 
 'France, t] 
 
 long tlie y 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 '5 
 
 " Tl'.i day of Astrolabes, like that of the men who used them, has long gone by. This was pro- 
 bably one of the la-st of them that were used. One of the last works on them is Clavius' ' Treatise on 
 
 Astrolabes,' printed at Mayence in i6i I. They were soon after superseded. Vernier, the inventor 
 
 the Vernier scale now in use on tlie indexes of all scientific instruments for reading s^ublivisions 
 
 of dei^rees, jjublished a tract on ' La Construction, I'Usage et les PropriiStds du Quadrant 
 
 'Joiiveau de Mathdmatique ' at Brussels en 1631. In it the nature and use of tlie Vernier is 
 fcxplained, and it had indeed been known for a number of years before. It will be readily under- 
 Stood by all acqjainted with scientific instruments that the ' Quadrant Nouveau ' with its Vernier 
 
 joiild speedily supersede so imperfect an instrument as the Astrolabe before us. Tlie Astrolabe 
 
 vAs found in general use among the Southern Arabians by Vasquez de Gama, when he discovered, 
 it is commonly held, the way round the Cape of Good Hope to India, known in the days of 
 
 Pharaoh Necho. The origin of the use of it by them is 1 >st in the remote past. From the days 
 >f de Gama back to the earliest notices of commerce in existence, the commerce of the Arabians 
 pind liieir predecessors, the Cushile Arabians, extended to every coast, ;ind almost to every island of 
 
 he Indian Ocean ' from India to Abyssinia,' as Rawlinson says in his work on Herodotus. Our 
 
 Alchemy,' ' Arabic figures,' ' .\lmanac ' and ' Algebra,' indicate the channel through which our 
 
 ciences came." 
 
 Champlain returned to Canada in 1815, and the same year, in company with his 
 iron and Algonquin allie.«, once more ascended the Ottawa, and explored the 
 jiintry towards Lake Nipissing, and thence to Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. 
 
 The most important event, however, associated with the Ottawa is the brave 
 ^ence on its shores by the " Heroes of the Long Sauh." The exact site of this 
 ic fight is unknown — different parties locate it in different places, and all sup- 
 tlieir opinions with arguments equally good. But there are stiong reasons for 
 Sieving that the fight occurred in wliat is now known as Greece's Pt., or at a spot 
 irly oppCiite, in the township of Hawkesbury, Ont., tradition, and the finding of 
 Indian weapons there, strongly sustaining the claims of th^ latter place to 
 is honor. 
 
 The following account is taken from " The Old Regime in Canada " by Francis 
 'onan : — 
 
 Thk Heroes of the Long Sault. 
 
 Ill April, 1660, a young officer named Daulac, commandant of the garrison at 
 iitrcal, asked leave of Maisonneuve, the Governor, to lead a party of volunteers 
 insl the Iroquois. His plan was bold to desperation. It was known that 
 quois warriors in great numbers had wintered among the forests of the Ottawa, 
 lilac proposed to waylay them on their descent of the river, and fight ihenti with- 
 reg;..d to disparity of force; and Maisonneuve, judging that a display of enter- 
 |sc and boldness might act as a check on the aud icity of the enemy, at last gave 
 consent, 
 
 Adam Daulac was a young man of good family, who had come to the colony 
 ee years before, at the age of twenty-two. He had held some military command 
 [France, though in what rank does not appear. He had been busy for some time 
 long the young men of Montreal, inviting them to join him in tlie enterprise he 
 
g6 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 meditated. Sixteen of them caught his spirit. They bound themselves by oath to 
 accept no quarter ; and having gained Maiso .iieuve's consent, they made their wills, 
 confessed, and received the sacraments. 
 
 After a solemn farewell, they embarked in several canoes, well supplied with 
 arms and ammunition. 'I hey were very indifferent canoe-men, and it is said that 
 they lost a week in vain attempts to pass the swift current of Ste. Anne, at the head 
 of the Island of Montreal. At length they were successful, and entering the mouth 
 of the Ottawa, crossed the Lake of Two Mountains, and slowly advanced against 
 the current. 
 
 About the ist of May they reached the foot of the formidable rapid called the 
 Long Sault, where a tumult of waters, foaming among ledges and boulders, barred 
 the onward way. It was needless to go farther. The Iroquois were sure to pass 
 the Sault, and could be fought here as well as elsewhere. Just below the rapid, 
 where the forests sloped gently to the shore, among the bushes and stumps of a 
 rough clearing made in constructing it, stooii a palisade fort, the work of an Algon- 
 quin war-party in the past autumn. It was a mere enclosure of trunks of small trees 
 planted in a circle, and was already in ruin. Such as it was, the Frenchmen took 
 possession of it. They made their fires, and slung their kettles, on the neighborin.; 
 shore ; and here they were soon joined by forty Hurons and four Algonquin: 
 Daulac, it seems, made no objection to their company, and they all bivouacked to. | 
 gcther. Morning, noon and night, they prayed in three cMfferent tongues ; and when, 
 at sunset, the long reach of forest on the farther shore basked peacefully in the level 
 rays, the rapids joined their hoarse music to the notes of their evening hymn. 
 
 In a day or two their scouts came in with tidings that two Iroquois canoes were 
 coming down the Sault. Daulac had time to set his men in ambush among the bushes 
 at a point where he thought the strangers likely to land. He judged aright. Canoe?, 
 bearing five Iroquois, ai)i)roache(l, and were met by a volley fiied with such precipita. 
 tion that one or more of them escaped, fled into the forest, and told their mischance tc | 
 their main body, two hundred in number, c n the liver above. A fleet of canoes suddeiilj | 
 appeared, bounding down the rapids, filled with warriors eager for revenge. The 
 allies had barely time to escape to their fort, leaving their kefles still slung over the 
 fires. The Iroquois made a hasty and desultcry attack, and were quickly repulsed 
 They next opened a parley, hoping, no doubt, to gain some advantage by surprise. | 
 Failing in this, they set themselves, after their custom on such occasions, to building 
 a rude fort of their own in the neighboring forest. 
 
 This gave the French a breathing time, and they used it for strengthening thei 
 defences. Being provided with tools, they planted a row of stakes within their pal-| 
 isade, to form a double fence, and filled the Intervening space with earth and stone'' 
 to the height of a man, leaving some twenty loop-holes, at each of which, three m;irks| 
 - men wt e stationed. Their work was still unfinished when the Iroquois were upo: 
 them again. They had broken to pieces the birch canoes of the French and thei 
 allies, and kindling the bark rushed up to pile it blazing ag?.inst the palisade ; but 5(| 
 
 ^risk and 
 lame on a 
 ground, at 
 
 This 
 five liundr 
 These wer 
 in for a 
 ig to see 
 laltry rcdc 
 flVont as 
 Mean 
 lefenders 
 hus five t 
 if the Fre 
 nd prayec 
 irushed In 
 :over of a 
 ut this pi' 
 ewarded a 
 Amon 
 .ghiing on 
 fort. Half 
 time din 
 rations of 
 lephew joii 
 uins, who 
 On the 
 iiingled wi 
 einforceuK 
 Iriors miiste 
 heir eneni) 
 has usual w 
 ide, and ft 
 lole darted 
 e fence, fel 
 letely und 
 n a series i 
 laulac anc 
 iiartyr's re' 
 
 The ui 
 
 itsell". Son 
 nd declart 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 I? 
 
 by oatli to 
 their wills, 
 
 plied with 
 said that 
 t the head 
 the mouth 
 ed against 
 
 '. called the 
 srs, barred 
 ire to pass 
 the rapid, 
 ;umps of a 
 " an Algoii- 
 small trccj 
 imen t()o!^ 
 eighborin; 
 Ugonquiii: 
 ) Hacked to 
 and when, 
 n the level 
 mn. 
 
 frisk and steady a fire met them that they recoiled, and at last gave way. They 
 ime on again, and again were driven back, leaving many of their number on the 
 round, among them the principal chief of the Senecas. 
 
 This dashed the spirits of the Iroquois, and they sent a canoe to call to their aid 
 %ve hundred of their wariiors, who were mustered near the mouth of the Richelieu. 
 ?hese were the allies .vhom, but for this untoward check, they were on their way to 
 )in for a combined attack on Quebec, Three Rivers and Montreal. It was maddon- 
 g to see their grand project thwarted by a few French and Indians ensconced in a 
 S)altry redoubt scarcely better than a cattle-pen ; but they were forced to digest the 
 iffront as best they might. 
 
 Meanwhile, crouched behind trees and logs, they beset the fort, harassing its 
 Jefenders day and night with a spattering fire and a constant menace of attack. 
 Thus five days passed. Hunger, thirst, and want of sleep wrought fatally on the strength 
 %{ the French and their allies, who, pent up together in their narrow prison, fought 
 •|in(l prayed by turns. Deprived as they were of water, they could not swallow the 
 i|;rushed Indian corn, or " hominy," which was their only food. Some of them, under 
 '|;over of a brisk fire, ran down to the river and filled such small vessels as they had ; 
 )but this pittai^i":e only tantalized tiieir thirst. They dug a hole in the fort, and were 
 Rewarded at last by a little muddy water oozing through the clay. 
 'l Among the assailants were a number of Hurons adop.cd by the Iroquois, and 
 ighiing on their side. These renegades now tried to seduce their countrymen in the 
 fort. Half dead with thirst and famine, they took the bait, and one, two, or three at 
 time climbed the palisade, and ran over to the enemy, amid the hootings and exe- 
 :rations of those whom they deserted. Their chief stood firm, and when he saw his 
 lephcw join the other fugitives, he fired his pistol at him in a rage. The four .^Igon- 
 juins, who had no mercy to hope for, stood fast with the courage of despair. 
 
 On the fift'-' day an uproar of unearthly yells from seven hundred savage throats, 
 singled with a clattering salute of musketry, told the Frenchmen thiit the e.xi)ectcd 
 Reinforcement had come ; and soon, in the forest and on the clearing, a crowd of war- 
 riors mustered for the attack. Knowing from flic Huron deserters the weakness of 
 leir enemy, they had no douI)t of an easy victory. They advanced cautiously, as 
 vas usual with the Iroquois before their blood was up, screeching, leaping from side to 
 ^ide, and firing as they came on ; Init the French were at their posts, and every loop- 
 lole darted its tongue of fire. The Iroquois, astonished at the persistent vigor of the 
 Sefence, fell back discomfited. 1 he fire of the French, who were themselves com- 
 letely undercover, told upon them with deadly effect. Three days more wore away 
 |n a series of futile attacks, made with little concert or vigor, and during all this time 
 paulac and his men, reeling with exhaustion, fought and prayed as before, sure o( a 
 [uarlyr's reward. 
 
 The uncertain, vacillating temper common to all Indians new began to declare. 
 Itself. Some of the Iroquois were for going home. Others revolted at the thought, 
 Ind declared that it would be an eternal disgrace to lose so many men at the hands 
 
"^ 
 
 i8 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 of SO paltry an enemy, and yet fail to take revenge. It was resolved to make a general 
 assault, and volunteers were called for, lo lead the attack. No precaution was 
 neglected. Large and heavy shields, four or five feet high, were made hy lashing to- 
 gether, with the aid of cross bars, three split logs. Covering themselves with these 
 mantelets, the chosen band advanced, followed by the motley throng of warriors. 
 In spite of a brisk fire, they reached the palisade, and crouching below the range of 
 shot, hewed furiously with their hatchets to cut their way through. The rest followed 
 close, and swarmed like angry hornets around ihc little fort, hacking and tearing to 
 gel in. 
 
 Daulac liad crammed a large musketoon with powder and plugged up the muzzle. 
 Lighting the fuse inserted in it, he tried to throw it over the barrier, to burst like a. 
 grenade among the crowd of savages without ; but it struck the ragged top of one o( 
 the palisades, fell back among the Frenchmen, and explo led, killing or wounding 
 several of them, and nearly blinding others. In the confusion that followed, the Iro- 
 quois got possession of the loop holes, and thrusting in their guns fired on those 
 within. In a moment more they had torn a breach in the palisade j but, nerved with 
 the energy of desperation, Daulac and his followers sprang to defend it. Another 
 breach was made and then another, Daulac was struck dead, but the survivors kept 
 up the fight. With a sword or a hatchet in one hand and a knife in the other, they 
 threw themselves against the throng of enemies, striking and stabbing with the fury of 
 madmen ; till the Iroquois, despairing of taking them alive, fired volley after volley, 
 and shot them down. All was over, and a burst of triumphant yells proclaimed the 
 d.'ar-bought victory. 
 
 Searching the pile of corpses, the victors found four Frenchmen still breathing. 
 Three had scarcely a spark of life, and, as no lime was to be lost, they burned them 
 on the spot. The fourth, less fortunate, seemed likely to survive, and they reserved 
 him for future torments. As for the Huron deserters, their cowardice profited them 
 little. The Iroquois, regardless of their promises, fell upon them, burned some at 
 once and carried the rest to their villages for a similar fate. Five of the number had 
 the good fortune to escape, and it was from the ii, aided by admissions made long 
 afterwards by the Iroquois themselves, that the French of Canada derived all their 
 knowledge of this glorious disaster. 
 
 The story of the Heroes of the. Long Sault has been admirably told by Mr. George 
 Murray, B.A,, F.R.S.C., in his celebrated poem, IIoiv Canada was Saved. 
 
 Daulac, the captain of the fort in manhood's fiery prime, 
 Hath sworn by some immortal deed to make his name sublime ; 
 And sixt.en soldiers of the Cross, his comrades true and tried, 
 
 Have jdedged theii faith for life and death, all kneeling side by side. ' ' 
 
 And this their oath, on flood or field, to challenge face to face '.,.:-^.:.::.._ ,k:.-.:.:.-^.X--'' 
 
 The ruthless htirdes of Iroquois — the scourges of their race — :', 
 
 No quarter to accept or grant, and loyal to the grave, 
 * - '""^ " To die, like martyrs, for the land they had shed their blood to save. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 19 
 
 Sofi was the breath of balmy Spring in that fair month of May, 
 The wild flower bloomed — the Spring bird sang on many a budding spray — 
 A lender blue wos in the sky, on earth a tender green — 
 And peace seemed l)roo(ling, like a dove, o'er all the sylvan scene, 
 ■ When loud and high, a ihriliing cry dispelled the magic charm, 
 
 And scouts came hurrying from the worwls fo bid their romraJes arm. 
 And bark canoes skimmed lightly down the torrent of the Saull, 
 Manned by three hundred dusky forms — th; long expected foe. 
 
 •' Eight days of varied horror passed ; what boots it now to tell 
 
 How the pale tenants of the fort heroically fell ? 
 
 Hunger and thirst, and sleeplessness, Death's ghastly aids, at len^,'th 
 
 Marred and defaced their comely forms, and quelled their giant strength ; 
 
 The end draws nig —they yearn to die — one glorious rally more, 
 
 For the sake of Ville-Marie, and all will soon be o'er ; 
 
 Sure of the martyr's golden crown, they shrink not from the cross. 
 
 Life yielded for the land they love, they scorn to reckon loss." 
 
 The fort is find, and through the flame, with slippery, splashing tread, 
 
 The Redmen stumble to tiie camp o'er ramparts of the dead. 
 
 There, with set teeth and nostrils wide, Daulac, the dauntless, stood 
 
 And dealt his foes remorseless blows, 'mid blinding smoke and blood, 
 
 'Till, hacked and hewn, he reel'd to earth, with pioud unconquered glance. 
 
 Dead — but immortalized by death — Leonidas of France ! 
 
 True to their oath, his comrade knights no quarter basely caved — 
 
 So died the peerless twenty-two — So CaitaJa was saTed. 
 
 A visit by tlie French lo the scene of this obstinate fight confirmed the story of 
 losc Hurons who had escaped, and for many years, subsequently, Daulac was re- 
 lembercd by his countrymen in Canada as their deliverer, and his name was rever- 
 |nced as tliat of a hero and martyr. ' 
 
 The fact thai the Iroquois, i;fter this fight, returned to their homes without mak- 
 
 ig their contemplated attack on the cities, also confirmed another report of the 
 
 Iiirons, viz., that the Iroquois were completely disheartened with their victory, and 
 
 lad no relish for another contest with the French. If twenty of the latter without 
 
 jiipport or comfort — almost without food and water — could perform such a prodigy of 
 
 [alor, what might they expect when confronting nundreds s'ipplied with abundant 
 
 tores of food, arms and ammunition ? Such was the question pondered by the 
 
 Iroquois, and the consideration of which induced them to abandon the war path 
 
 Ind seek their homes. 
 
 But to the shame of Canada, be it said, no monument marks the spot of this 
 nemorable defence, and even its location is now a subject of conjecture. Indeed, it 
 surprising lo find how great the number, even in this section of Canada, who declare 
 Dial they never heard of the event. We can well understand why Daulac's contem- 
 loraries failed to mark the spc with an appropriate monumjnt, as they were few in 
 lumber, and waging incessant warfare wilh poverty, as well as Indians. For a cen- 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OV ARCF.NTEiriL. 
 
 tury after this event, also, its site was remote from civilization, in an unbroken wildi r- 
 ness; and anything of the kind erected there would, doubtless, have been destroyed 
 by the savage. But for a century past, no such obstacle to a proper recognition of 
 this gallant band has existed, and every patriotic Canadian should desire to show 
 to the foreign visitor who passes up and down the Ottawa, that Canada has her Th: r 
 mopyla2. 
 
 Let him read on enduring material, the fact, that on the shores of this beautiful 
 river, long ago, died twenty heroes, as brave as ever Spartan mother nursed, as patrio- 
 tic as those of whom Roman or Grecian poet ever sung. 
 
 'J'he French are proverbially proud of their heroes, and ever ready to perpetuate! 
 the fame of their honored dead. They point with pride to the statues adorning their J 
 galleries of history, and gladly expatiate on the deeds performed by their great anil 
 good. IJut let the patriot Frenchman, when he points to the monuments of Maisoii- 
 neuvc, Montcalm and Chenier, remember that Daulac and his nineteen comradLS, 
 deserving the highest niche in the temple of fame, have never been duly honored; — j 
 that for nearly two and half centuries, the only reminder of the hallowed spot wlurc] 
 these martyrs fell has been the swift, roaring, turbulent waters of the Long Sault. 
 
 * 
 
 * 
 
 We are indebted to Parkman, also, for the account of the two following incidentsl 
 with which the Ottawa is connected. 
 
 During the second administration of Frontenac as (lovernor of Canada, he leftj 
 Quebec for a visit to Montreal, at which j^lace he arrived July 31st, 1690. 
 
 A few days after his arrival, the officer commanding the fort at La Chine seiitj 
 him a messenger in hot haste, with the startling news that I,ake St. Louis was " ;illj 
 covered with canoes." Nobody doubted that the Iroquois were upon them agaiiil 
 Cannon were fued to call in the troops from detached posts ; when alarm was siul-| 
 denly turned into joy by the arrival of other messengers, to announce that the new- 
 comers were not enemies, but friends. They were the Lidians cf the upper lakes! 
 descending from Michiliimacinac via the Ottawa to trade in Montreal. Nothingj 
 so auspicious had happened since Frontenac's return. The messages he had seiul 
 them in the spring by Louvigny and Perrot, reinforced by the news of the victory onl 
 the Ottawa and the capture of Schenectady, had had the desired effect; and the IroT 
 quois prisoner, whom their missionary had persuaded them to torture, had not beonj 
 sacrificed in Vain. Despairing of an FJnglish marktt for their beaver skins, theyj 
 had come as of old to seek one from the French. On the next day all came down 
 the rapids and landed near the town. There were fully five hundred of them— I 
 Hurons, Ottawas, OjibwayF, Poltawtamies, Crees, and Nipissings, with a hundred andl 
 ten canoes laden with beaver skins lo the value of nearly a hundred ihousandl 
 crowns. Nor was this all, for a few days after, La Diirantaye, late commander atj 
 Michiliimacinac, arrived with fifty-five more canoes manned by French traders, and 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 31 
 
 ?lled with valuable furs. The stream of wealth dammed back so long was tlowing 
 j|)Oii the colony at the moment when it was most needed. Never had Canada known 
 
 more prosperous trade than now, in the midst of her danger and tribulation. It 
 I'asa triumph for Frontenac. If his policy had failed with the Iroquois, it had found 
 
 rrowning success among the tribes of the Lakes. 
 
 Four or five years later, wlien the couniry was again iii a great stale of destitution 
 
 i aicount of the frequent raids of enemies, which compelled the settlers or colonists 
 jo neglect the implements of agricu'ture for those of war, another arrival of furs (piickly 
 
 liangcd the country from misei_, and destitution to happiness and plenty. 
 
 It was shortly after lhi_ epulsc of Phipps at Quebec, and some other successes of 
 
 he I'lcncli, that " the Governor achieved a success more solid and less costly." 
 
 'ihe indispensable but most difficult task of all remanicd : that of opening the 
 ;)itawa for the descent of the great accumulation of beaver skins which had been 
 
 ithering at Michillimacinac for three years, and for the want of which, Canada was 
 
 inkrupt. More than two hundred Frenchmen were known to be at that remote post, 
 )r roaming in the wilderness around it; and I'"rontenac resolved on an attempt to 
 misicr tiiL-m together, and employ their united force to protect llie Indians and the 
 [raders in bringing down this mass of furs to Montreal. A messenger, strongly es- 
 corted, was sent with orders to this effect, and succeeded in reaching Michillimacinac, 
 h.ough there was a battle on the way in which the officer commanding the escort was 
 tilled, 
 
 Frontenac anxiously waited the issue, when, after a long delay, the tidings reached 
 
 im of complete success. He hastened to Montreal, and found it swarming with 
 
 Indians and coureurs du hois. Two hundred canoes had arrived filled with the coveted 
 
 k-aver skins. It is impossible, says the chronicle, to conceivr the joy of the ])eople 
 
 ,hen '.hey beheld these treasures. Canada iiad awaited them for years. The mer- 
 
 hants and the farmers were dying of iiunger. Credit was gone, and everybody was 
 
 afraid that the enemy would waylay and seize this bst resource of the country. 
 
 Ihercfore it was that none could find words to praise and bless him by whose 
 
 catcall liiis wealth had arrived. Father of the People, rrcscrver of the Country^ 
 
 Ecemcd terms loo weak to express their gratitude. 
 
 Few, comparatively, arc aware of the fact, that the Ottawa was the route pur- 
 Sued I)y one of the partners and his voyageurs, in the great enterprise of opening up 
 lefur trade on the Pacific. The following account of this enterprise is of interest 
 > the citizens of Argenteuil, from the fact that Capt. McCargo, a pioneer of Beech 
 Hidge, St. Andrews, before settling here was ronnecied with one of the expeditions 
 ko the Pacific, described below. 
 
 liK 
 
 In 1810 articles were entered into between John Jacob Astor of New York, and 
 Jour other gentlemen — Alexander McKay, Duncan McDougal, Donald McKenzie 
 and Wilson Price Hunt — for the purpose of prosecuting the fur tiade on what was 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 then almost a terra incognita — the Northwest coast of the United States ; the company^ 
 was chartered under the name of " The Pacific Fur (Company." 
 
 In piosc'cutiiig liis great scheme of comnierce and col jni/.uion, two expeditivHis! 
 were devised by Mr. Astor, — one Ijy sea, die other by land. The former was to carryl 
 out llie people, stores, ammunition and merchandise re([iiiiite for esiahlishing a foiti-| 
 fied trading post at the mouth of the Columbia river. 
 
 The latter, conducted by Mr. Hunt, was to proceed up the Missouri, and acrovij 
 the Rocky Mountains to the same point, exploring a line of communication across tliei 
 continent, and noting the places where interior trading posts might bo established. 
 
 A fine ship called the " I'ontiuin " w.-.t provided, carrying an assortment of mer- 
 chandise for trading with the natives of the seaboard an J the interior, together withi 
 the frame of a schooner to be omployed in the coasting trade. She was commandi-(i 
 by Jonathan Th irn, a lieu'.enant in the United States Navy, on leave of absence. 
 
 The " Tonquin," after a long voyage around the C ipe, and much trouble between, 
 the captain and his passengers, and an interesting though dangerous visit to the Sand- 
 wich Islands, arrived at the mouth of tlie Columbia. Several days were spent iiij 
 attempting to cross the bar and effect an entrance into this river, and some of thob 
 crew were lost. 
 
 The object, however, was finally accomplished, the men and stores landed, audi 
 then the " Tonquin," according to instructions, put to sea with the purpose of sailing! 
 to other more northern coasts to obtain furs, before returning to the mouth of the j 
 Columbia and thence to New York. She arrived in a few days at Vancouver Island, 
 and very much against the advice of his Indian interpreter, who warned him against! 
 the perfidious character of ti'e natives of that part of the coast. Captain ThornI 
 anchored in the harbor of Neweetee. He was a very harsh, headstrong, conceitedl 
 man, tiiough brave and a thorough seaman, and regardless of the cautions to himj 
 by Mr. Astor, that he should never allow but a few of the Indians on shipboard at al 
 time, he allowed boat-load after boat-load with furs to approach and come on deck. I 
 Nor was this all — he spread his wares before them, making a tempting display ofl 
 blankets, cloths, knivr- , beads, fish-hooks, etc., expecting a prompt and profitable! 
 sale. But the Indians were not so eager and simple as he had supposed, having! 
 learned the art of bargaining and the value of merchandise from the casual traders! 
 along the coast. Finally, angered at the insolent way in which they reproachedl 
 him for not trading with them according to their ideas of the value of articles, hej 
 kicked their furs to the right and left, and ordered them from the vessel. They] 
 accordingly left, scarcely concealing their vengeful feelings for the indignity with| 
 which Captain Tiiorn had treated their chief. The next morning they returned, 
 apparently in a pleasant mood, seemingly unarmed, and soon the deck was once morel 
 svvarn..ag with them. The interpreter notice.! that many of them wore sno't ipantlosj 
 of skins, and intimated his suspicions that they were secretly armed ; but the captain, 
 pointing to his cannon and muskets, merely laughed and made light of any intimaii ml 
 of danger from a parcel of filthy savages. A brisk trade vvas opened, and the Indiaiisl 
 
HISTORY OV AKdKNTEUlL. 
 
 »3 
 
 ;re soon all supplied with knives. Meanwhile the crowd had been constantly increas- 
 
 j;, and seeing lluit otlier l)()al-lo.uls were putting oiT lioui the shore, Cap'' \in Thorn 
 
 Ecame alarmed, and ordered the vessel to be cleared and put under way. At this, 
 
 lycU from a savage gave the signal , ilie Indians fell upon the crew with knives and 
 
 ir clubs, and a terrific fight ensued. Hut greatly out numbered and taken unawares, 
 
 \e latter were soon nearly all slaughtered. 
 
 Capi. Thorn fought bravely, aiul be'ug a powerful man he laid several dead at his 
 
 Lt, but at length, weak from his wound*, he was stabbed in the back and then thrown 
 
 iri.r the side of the vessel, where the squaws dispatched him with knives and hatchets. 
 
 ir of tlie sailors had the goul fortune to escape into the cibin, where llicy found 
 
 r. I.iwis, ihe ship's clerk, I)adly wounded, and barricading tiie cabin door, they broke 
 
 les through the companion way, and with the muskets and ammimition which were 
 
 hand, opened a brisk fire that soon cleared the deck. The survivors now sal- 
 
 Eci forth and discharged some of the deckguns, which did great execution, and drove 
 
 the savages to the shore. 
 
 Alter this, the four who were still alive endeavored to persuade Mr. Lewis to 
 [tcmi't with them to escape in a boat to their friends at the mouth of the Columbia. 
 |e refused, saying that his wounds would not permit him, and that he was deter- 
 led to entice as many savages as possible on bonrd and then blow up the ship. They 
 ft iiiin, therefore, but they were captured the next day, and put to death with tlie 
 lost terrible tortures. The following morning after the tragedy on the "Tonqiiin," 
 }erylhing appearing quiet on her, a boat-load of the Indians drew near. Mr. 
 Ewis was on deck, and made friendly signs for them to come on board. 
 
 After a considerable interval of time, other canoes iiaving joined them, they did 
 
 i; the decks were soon crowded and the sides covcied with clambering savages, all 
 
 It.nt on plunder. No one was to be seen on board, for Mr, Lewis, after inviting 
 
 |eni, had disappeared. In the midst of their eagerness and exultation the shi[) blew 
 
 with a tremendous explosion. Arms, legs and mutilated bodies were blown into 
 
 |e air, and dreadful havoc was made in the surrounding canoes. Upwards of a 
 
 jndred savages were destroyed by the explosion ; many more were shockingly 
 
 Jutilated, and for days afterward, the limbs and bodies of the slain were throvvn 
 
 poll the beach. The fate of the '' Tonquin,"and ail the details connected therewith, 
 
 ere made known to the whites by tiie interpreter, who, being an Indian, had been 
 
 bled by the natives, and was therefore a witness of the destruction of the vcisel 
 
 M her crew. 
 
 As before stated, the land expedition of the Pacific Fur Company was in charge 
 Mr. Wilson Price Hunt. About the end of July, 1810, he, in company with his 
 badjulor, Mr. Donald McKenzie, an experienced Nor'wester, and a capital shot, 
 [paired to Montreal, the ancient emporium of the fur trade, where everything requi- 
 
 for the expedition could be procured. One of the first objects was to recruit a 
 t)mplemenv of Canadian voyageurs from the disbanded herd usually to be found 
 |itering about the place. The Northwest Company, however, who maintained a 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 long established control at Montreal, and knew the qualities of every voyagcur 
 secretly interdicted the nrime hands from engaging in this new service ; so tha; 
 although liberal term'^ were offered, few presented themselves but such as were nt 
 woith having. From these Mr. Hunt engaged a number sufficient for present pu; 
 poses, and having laid in a supply of ammunition, provisions, and Indian good' 
 embarked all on board one of these great canoes at that time univeraully used by tr 
 fur traders for navigating the intricate and often obstructed rivers. The canoe \va 
 between thirty and forty feet long and several feet in width, constructed of birch bars 
 and capable of sustaining a freight of upward of four tons, yet it could be readi! 
 carried on men's shoulders. 
 
 The expedition took its regular departure as usual from St. Anne's, near il: 
 extremity of the island of Montreal, the great starling place of the traders to i: 
 interior. Here stood the ancient chapel of St. Anne, the patroness of the Canadi,, 
 voyageurs, where they made confession and offered up their vows previous ; 
 depp.rting on any hazardous expedition. Mr. Hunt with the crew made his way ; 
 the Ottawa river, and by the ancient route of tlie fur traders, along a succession 
 small lakes and rivers to Michillimacinac. Their progress was slow and tedi.. 
 Mr. Hunt was not accustomed to the management uf " voyageurs," and he iiac 
 crew admirably disposed to play the old soldier, and balk their work, and ever rea 
 to come to a halt, land, make a fire, put on the great pot, and smo):e and gossij) a: 
 sing by the hour. It was near the >:nd of July wiien they reached Mackinaw, the r. 
 French trading post. Here Mr. Hunt sjjcnt some time in obtaining recruits for i: 
 expedition, and when supplied, they followed the Fox and Wisconsin rivers to ti; 
 Mississippi, descended to St. Louis, thence up the Missouri, crossed the plain:. 
 went over the Rocky Moinitains, and after many months of the severest trials reachej 
 the members of the other expedition at the mouth of the Columbia. 
 
 For a detailed account of these expeditions the reader is referred to " Astoria,''! 
 long and intensely interesting narrative to be found in the works of Irving. 
 
 The approach of the war of t8i2 prevented the carrying out of the plans of Mi 
 Astor, and he lost heavily in this first effort; but with characteristic energy, he subsj 
 qucntly puslied his plans to a successful issue. 
 
 The following sketch of Mr. Philemon AVright's ascent of the Ottawa, and h| 
 pioneer labors, together w'lh 'he comments of the editor, is taken from The OUavi 
 Free Press : 
 
 " The north shore of the Ottawa river deserves more than a passing glance 
 reference as we gave at the outset. It was the beginning, the centre, the very so| 
 and life of the whole settlements of the Ottawa Valley. The belt of table-land 
 tween the river and the mountain range is perhaps not surpassed in beauty and ftj 
 tility on this continent. The rich deep alluvial soil with its clay bottom, protected ( 
 the north by the Laurentian hills, 1,750 feet above the sea level, with easy availalJ 
 passes into the back country, so likely to reward the toil of the cultivators, must liai 
 appeared to one brought up in the hills and narrow valleys of New lingland as ti| 
 
 ladow al 
 ^esl san' 
 isswooo' 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 25 
 
 li 
 
 ladow at least of an agricultural paradise. It was an untouched, unbrobm forest of the 
 ^est samples of lurrber ; white pine, oak, elm, ash, white walnut, spruce, cherry, poplar, 
 |ss\\ cod, with vast groves of maple, bird's eye and curly, must have delighted the eyes 
 id filled the mind of a sharp lumberman with dreams of wealth absolutely incalcul- 
 ^If. This was the enchanting scene presenting itself to the eye and mind of Mr. 
 lilemon Wright, a man of mature judgment, and in the very prime of life, verging 
 rards40. His practised eye, his keen intellect, took in the whole as equalling the 
 jad acres of an English dukedom. The value of the timber on the stump was 
 lual to twice the expense of clearing the lands. The ashes of the refuse to be burned, 
 hen converted into potv^sh, would realize enough in Montreal to cover the erection 
 [the necessary buildings for all farming purposes in those days. There we^ e many 
 Istacles in the way, all to be got over, that >vould have appeared fatal to many a 
 Im. ■ '. ■ - -• " .- ''>':;'■-■ " '■ ■ ■■■• ' , ■■': '''■ ■ "/---v-'' . ■'■',.■' I - ■ 
 
 " But a descendant of heroes that followed Harold the Second to the defeat of so 
 |iny foes, and made such a stand on the field of Has'.inga, giving so mighiy a work 
 le Normans — yielding at last, it is adai'Ued, but not so much vanquished as 
 laried out with slaughtering — was not to be deterred by difficulties and trials, and 
 right was of Kentish descent, though now Americanized. The courage has not 
 ..lost in his posterity, as everyone knows the late M.F., the Gatineau's monarch, 
 Exposed, would sway his sceptre with as undaunted unconcern as any other, in calm 
 iance of his foes. 
 
 " The squire had made several explorations of the St. Lawrence on both sides and 
 )ve and below Montreal, but pitched on Hull and the Chaudi^re Falls, at last, as the 
 of ')is future operations, delighted equally with its forests, its soil and its river. 
 t\as not easy to induce men, even for a large reward, to enter his employ and settle 
 m to labor in the woods 75 or loo miles from civilizution of any kind. In October, 
 J9. 'Mr. Wright is said to have reached Hull with two trusty neighbors from Woburn, 
 |iss., and having explored the township returned and reported progress. Four fami- 
 unitcd with his own, and with twenty-five men, seven span of horses, four yoke of 
 ^n,and probably a cow or two, sleighs, implements and provisions, began their jour- 
 to Montreal on 2nd February, 1800, and passed through it and the settlements 
 )ve it, cut their way in the woods and deep snows for some days, camping out at 
 ht, till they met an Indian, who, becoming their guide, took them by the ice on the 
 i] till they reached the Chaudicre Falls on the 7th March, — 33 days. It is said that 
 ^ry mar. took a hand chopping down the first tree. 
 
 riius the clearing away of the woods commenced and continued. The sounds 
 khe axes and the falling trees brought the Indians from their sugar-making on the 
 iny slopes of the hill sides, to wonder and ask themselves Nyhat brought these 
 Itroyers of the forest into their hitherto quiet and silent retreats ? This led to a long 
 wow. Mr. Wright had plenty of the Jamaica spirits on hand, treated them all to 
 I good horn,' as Conroy would have said, and they returned — some full, others 
 rious. Gifts blind the eyes. A season was spent in friendly intercourse, exchanging 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 presents, and there being no old Anchises to interpose h'n ' Timeo Danaos et don 
 ferentes,' the Indianr continued to come with sugar anl venison and get in retur 
 what rare things to tiiem the new comers freely gave them. The unlimited map; 
 forests ran sugar for the evaporation, and deer flocked in plenty to be shot for ;! 
 occasion. Tiiis pleasant condition of things was not_of long duration, for the Indiai: 
 beginning to see that their sugar groves would disappear, and the de';r probably follo« 
 took an interpreter, Geo. Brown, who was a Nor'wester, antl had married a squaw, ai 
 marched in grand procession to demand the reason for all these new things, ii 
 negotiations began, and the proceedings were sometimes amusing, at others thiea 
 ening, Mr. Wright, as the chief of his party, vvas up to the exigency, and gavr ! 
 authority for everything. They expressed their amaze'iicnt that their Great Fati; 
 King George, v/ould permit, without consuhing them firs,t, any men to cut down tlu 
 sugar plantations and chase away their game. 'I hey were assured that all was ih- 
 by autiiority ; that if any harm came to his men, Sir John Johnson, the Indian age 
 would hold back their rations, so with firm maintenance of his dignity, as well a- 
 rights, using soft answers,the Indians were brought to terms on payment in cash be; 
 promised for all the sugar they could spare, and they wou.d not have to carry it 
 Montreal. 
 
 "The nearest market had its attractions for the Indians, as well as for the (.; 
 who hates to portage to England, and compete there with the whole world ; sp 
 save their backs and limbs, and especially their rations, they agreed. So they « 
 plied once more with the Jam.aica, and went back happy. They soon brought 
 mense quantities of sugar, and asked only $5.00 for what was perhaps worth 
 They were promptly paid, treated again, and returned home in high good hiiM 
 after a long palaver. Afterward they demanded a small payment for their land-, 
 that was refused till Sir John of Montreal would be consulted. They regarded ; 
 lands as merchantable as the sugar. Mr. Wright on coming from Montreal delivr 
 them Sir John's reply that they must not disturb tiie colony. 
 
 "The redskins now took a new turn, made Mr. Wright their chief, and we siii)] 
 put him through all the ceremonies of a barbarous coronation — the squaws are s 
 to have all kissed him. The ciironiclers do not say how mi'ch Mrs. Wright hci- 
 admired the ceremony. But the braves buried tiie hatchet, and feasted Mr. Wii. 
 and parly for a week on all the delicacies of an aboriginal cuisine^ from roast dog n 
 muskrat to boiled rattlesnake and skunk." 
 
 The author of this extract must have been an expert in natural history, or; 
 tribes, like St. Patrick, must have exhausted the stock, as rattlesnakes have iicv 
 been very common in the Province of Quebec, since or before, as far as we arc awaij 
 
 For the following history of navigation on the Ottawa we are indebted to t1 
 late R. W. Shepherd, sr., president of the Ottawa River Navigation Company : — 
 
 The first steamer on the route between Lachine and Carillon was the " Wil 
 King," Captain De Hertel. This steamer began to run about the year 1826-27. 
 
 \ 
 
 :ar latt 
 
 iptain 
 leight a 
 Id settl 
 
 ontrca 
 umberl 
 
 unty o 
 ter lane 
 .nded i 
 earners 
 lid St. 
 ndievvs, 
 lid St. A 
 
 I833. tli^' 
 rniuiny 
 ;ockhoid 
 ;J|Dlin Moi; 
 Iprnierly c 
 ■ *. ihis 
 |rrang'd 
 lirhere the 
 j|» the spri 
 %Ouawa,' 
 ttic conipr 
 Ottawa wi 
 River and 
 ^arillon, t 
 vy steamer 
 •Aree days. 
 ^ Previc 
 ^k1 Ottaw 
 .^rant : Tli 
 ■as the pt 
 i^ants sh 
 on. John 
 lushing w; 
 37 Messi 
 II from til 
 [as pilot ; 
 len. 
 
 in 183 
 fas prorno 
 
HISTORY OF APOF.NIEUIL. 
 
 27 
 
 laos et (lor, 
 ;et in retut 
 mi ted m^), 
 
 shot for t'; 
 
 the Indiar, 
 Da.h\y follo« '| 
 a siiuaw.ai 
 things, 'il 
 )thers ihiea 
 and gave ! 
 jreat Falhi 
 lit clown ilk 
 : all was dn: 
 Indian age: 
 as well as i 
 
 in cash bci 
 to carry ii: 
 
 ; for the ('•■ n 
 
 world ; so 
 
 So they wv 
 
 1 brouglu i: 
 
 worth £: 
 
 good hum 
 
 leir lands, 1 
 
 egarded il 
 
 real delivt.' 
 
 |d we siippoj 
 Maws are ^ 
 
 'right licb 
 fd Mr. Wii, 
 
 roast dog £ i 
 
 (listory, ot ' 
 have iici 
 Iwe arc -i\v.i 
 
 Idebled to t| 
 kiny : — 
 [he "Will 
 1826-27. 
 
 »ar later the " St. Andrews " was built — Captain C, J. Lighlhall — who had been 
 
 iptain of one of Judge McDonnell's Durham boats, thjt were enii)Ioyed carrying 
 
 leight and passengers between Montreal and Point Fortune. I remember one of the 
 
 Id settleis named Parsons saying to me, a few years sl.xe, that his family came to 
 
 [onircal from the north of fjigland, having sailed from Mary Port in ihe county of 
 
 lumberland in the year 1829. They were going to join friends in Cote St. Charlc«, 
 
 )unty of Vaudreuil, not far from where the village of Hudson is now. The family^ 
 
 jfter landing in Montreal, took passage by Captain Lighihall's Durham boat, and were 
 
 mded in a couple of days at Harvey's Point near the village of Hudson. The 
 
 teaniers " H'm. King " and "St. Andrews" were owned by merchants in Montreal 
 
 i^d St. Andrews ; during high water they ran between I.achine, Carillon and St. 
 
 Lndiews, and during the low water season the "St. Andrews" ran between Lachine 
 
 |id St. Ann's, and the " Wni. King" between St. Ann's and Carillon. In the year 
 
 133, the Carillon and Grenville canal was opened for traffic, and in the meantime a 
 
 )mpany was foimed, called '* The Ottawa & Rideau Forwarding Com|)any." The 
 
 [ockholderj numbered among others Hon. John Molson, father of the i)resent Mr. 
 
 >hn Moisc'.i, Thomas Phillips the brewer, John Redpath and Emery Cushing, who 
 
 >rmerly owned the stages that formed a line to St. Andrews by St. Eustache. 
 
 This company, knowing the difficulty of the St. Ann's channel in low water, had 
 rrang' d with Hon. R. N. Howard of Vaudreuil for the right to build a lock near 
 [here the Grand Trunk R. R. now passes. This lock was finished and ready for work 
 the spring of 1833. In the meantime, the new company had built the steamer 
 jOiiawa," — Captain Lyman, who came from Lake Charnplain. About this lime 
 \e company built a steamer called the " Shannon," to ply between Grenville and 
 |ttawa with other small steamers forming a through line to Kingston tui the Ottawa 
 iiver and Rideau Canal. Stages from Montreal to Lachine, boat from Lachine to 
 [arillon, thence to Grenville by stage, and from Grenville to Ottawa and Kingston 
 steamer. The trip to Ottawa occupied two, and from (Ottawa to Kingston about 
 kree days. The freight was generally carried in baiges towed by these steamers. 
 
 Previous to 1833, ''^^ steamer " Union " plied on the route between ILawkesbury 
 id Ottawa ; this boat was built in the year 1819 and was commanded by Captain 
 [rant ; Thomas Johnson, afterwards M.P., an extensive merchant at Vanklcek Hill, 
 IS the purser. This steamer was owned by some Montreal and Hawkesbury mer- 
 lants he had two heavy marine engines, side leveis that had b'?en imported by the 
 Ion. John Molson, grandfather to J. H. R. Molson of this city (Montreal). Emery 
 ;'iing was the first agent of the Ottawa 6*^ Rideau Forwarding Cv^mpany. In 
 [37 Messrs. MacPherson and Crane became the managers. Li 1835 Captain Light- 
 ill from the Island of Arran commanded the steamer " Ottawa," and Archie Stewart 
 [as pilot; Kenneth McLeod, an old man-of-wars man, was second pilot — both good 
 ien. 
 
 In 1836 John Grossman was captain of the " Ottawa ; " in 1837, R- S- Ro'^'ns 
 las promoted to the command of this steamer. He had been captain on one of the 
 
 m 
 
':?% 
 
 28 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 I r 
 
 Rideau Canal steamers in 1835-^6. In 1834 the Company built a steamer called th: 
 " Non-Such" ; and she was well named, for there never was one of the sort before c 
 since. She was built square, with recess in the stern for the wheel to ply. This bos 
 was built at Ottawa, and was taken through the Rideau canal to Kingston, anidow: 
 the St. Lawrence. It was supposed she would draw less water and be able to tak 
 the route in low water. The en3ines of the " Union " were placed in this boat, j 
 need hardly be said she proved a failure. After being kept in commission three c 
 four years, flie was used as a boarding house for the men, in spring. A few yea; 
 later, she was laid on the beach near the present house of the late Sir Antoine I)or;o 
 at Vaudreuil, and served as wharf for some years under tlie management of McPhersc 
 and Crane. Nearly all the carrying trade passed by the Ottawa, the barges heir.. 
 towed by the steamers of the Otta\ ,1 & Rideau Forwarding Company. I may nur 
 tion that the " Non-Such" was commanded by Capt. J ames Greaves, afterward « hi, 
 of Rural Police at Vaudreuil, whose headquarters were in the old seigniorial Mane 
 House on the site of the W. Lotbiniere hotel, lately destroyed by five. 
 
 Capiain Robins continued to command the " Ottawc." The writer joined tk 
 steamer under him in 1838, and remai ned three years in the service. In the yi.; 
 1841, I engaged with Messrs. II. & S.Jones, and Hooker & Henderson, as captaiiu 
 one of their steamers. In April of that year I was appointed to the steamer 'j 
 David," then being built at lirockville, and was ordered early in May to proceed : 
 Brockville to superintend the finishing of the steamer. Late in the month of June w 
 made a trial trip to Prescolt and back. We had no regular crew, but picked up soir 
 men for the purpose. One Russell, a clerk in Messrs. Jones' store, insisted onacti:, 
 as pilot. We managed to get to Prescott all right, and went along.sidc the steair; 
 " Canada," property of the late Hon. John Hamilton of Kingston. This steamer w,. 
 about finished, and intended to ply between Dickinson 's Landing and Kingston. .S: 
 was afterward commanded by Captain Lawless. On our way back to Brockvii! 
 Russell was steering and taking the Maitland steam mill for a steamer, he kept to i 
 right hand side, and I only discovered the mistake just in lime to save the 1m 
 from running high and dry on the Maitland shore. I made up my mind never 
 start on a trial trip again without having a proper crew. 
 
 In the month of July we left Brockville, this time with a full crew from Lachine 
 Mr. Sidney Jones, _cne of the owners (a fine old gentleman of the olden times), wa 
 on board. After running all the rapids successfully, we arrived at Lachine th 
 same evening. The next day, I started for Ottawa by the St. Ann's route, and picke 
 up all the barges belonging to the different owners, and made the first tripby steame. 
 with barges through the Grenville canal. After this, the company placed il: 
 steamer " Albion " on the route between Grenville and Ottawa, so that we were em| 
 ployed on the route between Lachine and Carillon. 
 
 Pearly in September, 1841, I towed the first raft on the Lake of Two Mourtaini 
 belonging to Messrs. Hamilton and Low. John Waddel, who managed that part 
 their business, acted as pilot, as I had n:^ pilot on board that knew the route toward: 
 the " Dutchman's (raft) Channel." 
 
 Towai 
 
 to get 
 
 nder. 
 
 mer " '^ 
 
 low, by 
 
 ply barf 
 
 son, wh 
 
 l)arges 
 
 he old \( 
 
 t over I 
 
 ying out 
 
 c delaye- 
 
 er wc lefi 
 
 rapids ; 1 
 
 if he wi 
 
 angemcn 
 
 nage. O 
 
 Montreal 
 
 ffce ITous 
 
 is was on 
 
 ended tlie 
 
 very, he s 
 
 h 1 did, 
 
 flpDiton wert 
 
 "'^iidrtuil ; t 
 
 'i^inireuii ir 
 
 b^d of then 
 
 t'tl^ rapstan 
 
 bil-ge, attach 
 
 sayfe alongsidi 
 
 also. Till 
 
 )tli of wate 
 
 rs, ai range 
 
 inpany's ba 
 
 rge, and fi 
 
 )llawa,'' be 
 
 towing be 
 
 fill Messrs. 
 
 I'idtield." 
 
 This, I o 
 lamer "St. 
 iw to the " ( 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 39 
 
 r called ih- 
 rt before 0. 
 This boa 
 1, anidowi 
 ible to tak 
 is boat, i 
 ion three c 
 A few yea: 
 
 Towards the middle of August the water became so low at St. Ann's that we 
 h to get another steamer, the " Grenville," Captain John Fraser, of Prescott, com- 
 Inder. The "Grenvi.le" towed the barges between Lachine and St. Ann's ; the 
 imer " St. David " between St. Ann's and Carillon. However, the waier became 
 [low, by the end of August or beginning of September, that we could not get an 
 jjpty barge up tlirmigh the gap that had been left outside the dam by Mr. H. VVil- 
 Ison who had the contract for the lock. The New Company was at a stand still; 
 l)arges and steamer were idle. I iiad an idea that there was a channel outside 
 aine Doru ofitho old lock at Vaudreui! so, after waiting for a day or two, I decided to run my 
 McPhersi jj^^j over there and try to find a channel. After a hard day's work sounding and 
 arges beir, Jj^jfeoyinq out the passage, I became convinced there was a good cliannel, Wliile we 
 I may nu;. «rc delayed at St. Ann's, a barge from Perlii came along, — Captain McQueen, I tliink. 
 ;rward «:hi. ;^er nx' left for Vaudreuil he sailed over tliereaiid begged of me to run iiis barge over 
 orial Man (^ rapids ; she was drawing three feet of water. I replied that I would not run the risk^ 
 b^: if he would assume the responsibility, I would do mybest. He agreed to this 
 uigemcnt, ard I sleet 3 barge ovc. ; we nearly touched on one side, but did no 
 
 nn"e. Of course, the channel was an accomijlibhed fact, and tliat evening I i ift 
 Montreal to inform my employers. I called on Mr. Sidney Jones at the Exchange 
 ffee House, then one of the best hotels in Montreal, kept by Doolittle & Mayo^ 
 is was on a Sunday morning, just as Mr. Jones was getting ready for churcli ; he 
 ended tlie old church Cathedral. on Notre Dame street. After telh'ng him of my dis- 
 vcrv, lie seemed vi.ucli pleased, and invited me to dine with him at six o'clock, 
 ich I did, and returned on Monday morning to Vaudreuil. ^fr. Jones and Mr. 
 Iton were to leave on Tuesday with the steamer " Grenville " and two barges for 
 udrtui'i ; the Ivarges were not to draw over three feel of water. They reached 
 udrcuil in ihe afternoon. I had attached a roi)e to an anchor dropped at the 
 
 r joined t!.. 
 In the yu 
 IS captain I 
 eamer ''J 
 3 proceed ; 
 1 of June w 
 :ed up soli; 
 d on aciJL 
 the steanit 
 teamer w:; 
 ston. Si: 
 Brockvi'i;. 
 kept to i', f] 
 ve the l)u: 
 Ind never 'i 
 
 |m Lachir.c 
 times), wi 
 .achine ti: 
 [and pickt 
 by steaiiK 
 [placed li: 
 |e were en; 
 
 MountLur,: 
 Ihat part c> 
 lite toward! 
 
 w 
 
 1^(1 of the rapids with a buoy attached to a rope at the foot, to be ready to fasten to 
 
 capstan of the barge. I gol all my crew and rhe crews of the barges on the one 
 
 ge, attached rope to the capstan, and in ler^s than half an hour had tiie barge 
 
 'e alongside the " St. David," and within another half hour had the second bai-ge 
 
 also. This, of course, showed that we could take barges u[y outside, with same 
 
 th of water that they had in the lock, which was private property. Within a \cw 
 
 s, airangements were made between the old and new companies to allow the new 
 
 mpany's barges to pass tlie lock by the payment of a toll of eight dollar:, for «;ach 
 
 ri;e, and further, that the old company should tow all barges witii the steamer 
 
 itawa," between Vaudreuil and Carillon, and the new company would have all 
 
 towing between Lachine and Vaudreuil. A k\v days later, I received a letter 
 
 111 Messrs. H. & S. Jones, saying that I had been promoted to the steamer 
 
 )ldfield." 
 
 This, I considered the greatest promotion I ever had. I was ordered to take the 
 ainer " St. David " to Lachine, which I did without delay, and transferred my 
 w to the " Oldfield," Captain John Chambers taking command of the " St. "David." 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ■ Mi 
 
 We continued to tow between Lacliine and Vaudreuil, the remainder of the season oi 
 1841. In the winter of 1841-42, I was employed fitting up the " Oldfield " as a 
 passenger boat. In tiie spring of 1842, we began a regular passenger line between 
 Montreal and Ottawa; the " Oldfield" plying on the lower reach between Lacliine 
 and Carillon, and the steamer " Albion," Caj)tain Johnson, on the upper reach 
 between Grenvillc and Ottawa — a daily line (Sunday excepted). Tins was the first r?gir 
 lar passenger line on the Ottawa ; steamers running without barges. This continued 
 till 1846, when the St. Lawrence canals were C'pcned, and the old proprietors wanteii 
 to carry on their business by the St. Lawrence route. 1 with other friends piii 
 chased the '' Oldfield " in 1846, and began business on my own account. 
 
 The St. Ann's locks were opened in 18-13. ' '^^ i)roprielors of liie steamer 
 "Oldfield" were Sir George Simpson, A. E. Monlmarquette, J.J. Gibb and tlv. 
 writer, wlio was appointed captain and manager; this was not a joint slock company 
 but the ship owners rcgisteied at the Customs Department as to their respective 
 shares. 
 
 The business continued profitable, and, in the autumn of 1847, ^^ ^^^^ decided ti 
 build a new steamer for the route between Lachine and Caiillon. A contract \va 
 made with Mr. Merritt, shipbuilder of Montreal, for the hull of a new steainer, 15; 
 feet keel and 26 fett beam. We also made arrangements with Mr. George Bru^ 
 (father to the present G. S. Brush) for a beam engine 34 inch diameter cylinder anc 
 10 feet length of stroke. This steamer, a very fast one, was called the ' Ottaw.: 
 Chief," and made a triul trip to Carillon in November, 1848. 'i'his boat after a trial \va- 
 found to draw too much water for St. Ann's channel. The contract called for 3 fee, 
 3 inches, and instead it was 4 feet 8 inches, much to the disappointment of all ili; 
 ])roprietors, as well as the travelling public. In the spring of 1849, we decided ; 
 sell or charter this boat and build another one suitable. In March of th^it year 
 the Hon. John Hamilton of Kingston came to Como to see the" Ottawa Chief" 
 he was much pleased with her, and made us an offer to charter her for five y?ars, bj; 
 would not buy her. Arrangements were finally completed, and a charter was passec 
 between our company and the Hon. John Hamilton of Kingston, who then controller 
 the steamers of the mail line between Montreal and Kingston. 
 
 The next thing to do was to arrange for the building of another fteamer for thq 
 route. On the nth of April, 1849, ^ started Irom Como for Montreal on horseback: 
 the only way to travel at that time of the year, owing to the bad state of the road 'I 
 I had to cross two terries, viz., Vaudreuil and St. Ann's. It took me all day to reaciil 
 Lachine, where I called on Sir George Simpson to arrange the finances for the iiew^ 
 boat. This done, I proceeded to Montreal, and bargained with Mr. A. Cantin for thfj 
 building of a hull of a steamer to draw only 3 feet of water, with wood and water oi] 
 board ; also, with Mr. George Brush for an engine of 32 inch diameter cylindel 
 and 8 feet stroke, all to be ready by the month of August of the same years 
 However, we made a trial trip in October, 1849. '^'h's boat was called the " Lad( 
 Simpson," after the wife of Sir Geo. Simpson. She was laid up for the winter aj 
 
 mo, an 
 
 49S'3 
 well-k 
 
 iipson,' 
 dies for 
 ,e travel 
 In th 
 d Card 
 ich at 
 new lui 
 r. Geo. 
 t in 1S5 
 s callec 
 iriricriy 
 id good 1 
 tvners, ac 
 e " Lady 
 [artly fron 
 illiam, w 
 Lady Sin 
 ;^as qualifii 
 ry popul; 
 Afier 1 
 anagemer 
 ic liomest( 
 iear 1857, 
 c if I w 
 iecome o\v 
 Phcenix," 
 I agre( 
 in 1S59, we 
 [Iso to bu 
 aptain Be 
 S57 or i8j 
 ictoria," : 
 larket bu! 
 iteainer " I 
 Prince of 
 w years h 
 [ormerly en 
 8O4, we 1 
 ohn J.C. 
 
HISTORY OF AROENTEUIL. 
 
 3« 
 
 e season oi 
 field " as a 
 ne between 
 en Lacliiik 
 ipper reach 
 le first vmr 
 s conlinucti 
 tors wanted 
 friends imi 
 
 he steamer ; 
 bb and tht 
 k company 
 r r^spcctiv: 
 
 3 decided i 
 an tract wa' 
 steamer, 15: 
 eorge Brusi: 
 y Under iu\t 
 le 'Ottaw, 
 ;r a trial wa^ 
 ed for 3 fee: 
 :lt of all 111: 
 
 decided ; 
 
 tlvit year 
 .1 Chief" 
 
 y?ars, bu: 
 was passec 
 1 controlieL 
 
 linier for tl:; 
 horseback 
 If the road' 
 [ay to reac, 
 Ifor the neiii 
 Intin for thc^ 
 Id water 01 
 ;r cylinder 
 tame yearS 
 tlie " Ladf 
 le winter a| 
 
 mo, and the joiner work was finished and the boat furnished during the winter of 
 
 4950 ; the joiner work was all done by hand, by the day, and Mr. James Shearer, 
 
 le well-known manufacturer of Montreal, was the foreman. This boat, the " Lady 
 
 m')son," answered every purpose. She drew 2 feet 10 inches aft, and 2 feet 6 
 
 dies forward, and could run during the lowest water, and was a great favorite with 
 
 c travelling public. 
 
 In the spring of 1850 the " Lady Simpson " took the route between Lachine 
 
 d Carillon, and the " Oldfield " was put on the Lake of Two Mountains to low rafts, 
 
 lich at that time was a profitable business. In 1852, I contracted with Mr. Cantin for 
 
 new hull to take the place of the "Oldfield,"' 150 feet long, 25 feet beam ; and with 
 
 r. Geo. Brush for a new engine, 32 inch cylinder, 8 foot stroke ; this boat came 
 
 I in 1S53, when we sold the " Oldfield " to Captain St. Louis. The new tow boat 
 
 s called the " Atlas," and proved to be a splendid boat ; Captain Jos. Blondin, 
 
 rmerly of the " Oldfield," was her captain, and a good faithful man, excellent pilot 
 
 d good manager for the towing business. Mr. A. E. Montmarquelte, one of the 
 
 ivners, acted as agent for the towing business at Carillon. I continued to command 
 
 e "Lady Simpson " till the fall of 1853, when I retired, partly fiom ill health and 
 
 rtly from a wish to visit my native country, which I did in 1854. My brother 
 
 illiam, who still commands th.e " Sovereign," was appointed to the command of the 
 
 Lady Simpson "; having served nine years under me on the different steamers, he 
 
 as qualified for the promotion. He has now been forty years commander, and a 
 
 ry popular and exceedingly fortunate one. 
 
 .\fier my return from England, in the fall of 1854, I had to undertake the 
 
 anagement of the estate of my late father-in-law, P. F. C. Delesdenier, as well as 
 
 e homestead farm. Between the farm and the estate I was fully occupied. In the 
 
 I ear 1857, Sir George Simpson, who was the financial agent of the company, asked 
 
 I ie if I would take charge of the company as general manager. We hud now 
 
 ecomc owners of the upper portion of the route, by the purchase of the steamer 
 
 Pluenix," formerly the property of MacPherson & Crane. 
 
 I agreed to undertake this work, which I performed until the spring of 1882^ 
 n 1859, we began to build the steamer " Queen Victoria," to replace the '" Phoenix ; '' 
 ho to build the steamer "Prince of Wales" to replace the "Lady Simpson.'' 
 Captain Bowie, who had been purser on the " Prince of Wales " since 1854, was in 
 S57 or 1858 promoted to the captaincy of the " Phoenix," afterward to the " Queen 
 ictoria," and in 1873 to the " Peerless," now called the " Empress." In 1865 the 
 laiket business became so important a factor in our business, that we built the 
 learner " Dagmar " for the trade. Captain Peter McGowan was promoted from the 
 Prince of Wales," where he acted as pilot to the command of the " Dagmar." A 
 ."w years later, we built the steamer " Maude " as an extra boat ; Thomas Ryan, 
 fonnerly engineer of the " Prince of Wales," was appointed captain. In the year 
 864, we purchased the shares of the Carillon & Grenville Railway from Hon. 
 ohn j. C. Abbott, afterward Sir John J. C. Abbott, ]udge Cross and Courtland 
 
3« 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 and Freer, and formed a joint stock company under an act of Parliament, The Hon, 
 John Rose, afterward Sir John Rose, took charge of the Act, and procured the cliar- 
 ter. The company was, and is to tliis day, called The Ottawa River Navigation 
 Company. On my giving up the management of the company, my son, R. \V, 
 ^'lepherd, jr., was appointed general manager, and has continued as such until ihe 
 present time. Mr. John Mcdowan was appointed manager of the Carillon I'i 
 Grenville Ry., in i860 or thereabout ; and has continued so to this day, and hi: 
 been a faithful servant to the company, as I may say of all our present captains and 
 officers. 
 
 The principal boats for the Ottawa River Navigation Company, which have be, i 
 in use in recent years, are the " Sovereign," " Empress," " Princess " and "Maude," am; 
 during the summer 1895 a new boat, the " Duchess of York," has been constructed. 
 
 The "Sovereign," which succeeded the '' Prince of Wales," has been running \m\ 
 a few years. Siie is a fine boat commanded by Capt. Wm. Sheppard, and dui m. 
 the season of summer travel plies between Montreal and Carillon. 
 
 Passengers are conveyed from Carillon to Grenville by rail and thence to Ottaw: 
 by the commodious steamer " Empress," commanded by Capt. A. Bowie, Caj>;, 
 Bowie was bori; in Montreal; his father was a railway contractor, and besidt-s ni,ii;v 
 other railroads, he constructed that from St. Johns to Laprairie, the first one buili 
 Canada. The ("aptain engaged as Purser on the "Lady Simpson" in 1854, and ii- 
 held the position of Captain since 1 S59. 
 
 The "Princess," commanded by Capt. Peter McGowan, has been both a maikc'J 
 and passenger boat for many years. Under the present arrangement for the Fall ofl 
 189s, the " Prmcess " makes a weakly return trip from Montreal to Ottawa, and ihel 
 " Ducness of Yoik," commanded by Capt. John McGowan, makes a semi-weekly triij 
 between Montreal and Carillon. 
 
 PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE OTTAWA, 
 
 Brief mention is here m ide of a few places along the lower Ottawa, besides those 
 described in the succeeding pages, which are located in Argenteuil and Prescott. 
 
 The first point of interest after leaving Lachine is St. Ann's, which contains manyl 
 beautiful residences and is a favorite summer resort. Rapids in the river at tliisi 
 point necessitated the construction of a canal and lock. The canal is about ani 
 eighth of a mile in length, and was constructed in place of one built early in the prej 
 sent century. It was rebuilt by the Ottawa Forwarding Company, but, as tliei 
 claimed the right of use. thus causing much inconvenience, the Legislature of Uppel 
 Canada took the matter in hand, and constructed the present canal. At St. Ann's] 
 also, are the costly and imposing iron bridges of the C. P. R. and G.T, Railway Cora] 
 panics. Here, too, is the chapel of St, Anne, the patroness of the Canadian voyag' iirJ 
 whfre, as stated above, they made confession and offered up their vows before start] 
 ing on a dangerous expedition. 
 
 
 The 
 
 lung up 
 leliveran( 
 
 It Wi 
 
 Jhe voyag 
 Und{ 
 
 fepcliing 
 f'ui i)e fo 
 rtificatio 
 
 Some 
 csidoncc 
 ) of the 
 rounds ar 
 ses Moun 
 fti'u make 
 Mm anil o 
 etc:-. Fer 
 oiiverse w 
 emg their 
 
 Many ^ 
 tend divin 
 
 Still fu 
 
 lountain al 
 
 d down th 
 
 cuiu'es an 
 
 On the 
 iientists. ' 
 L'd to an ! 
 is said tlia 
 pth of fort 
 iiat is still 
 m the nv 
 :neraliy kn( 
 ;licrs. 
 
 The nej 
 'oscott is M 
 
HISTORY OK AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 33 
 
 The shrine formerly, it is said, was decorated witli relics and votive offerings, 
 
 ijung up by the voyageurs to propitiate her favor, or in gratitude for some signal 
 
 4< liverance. 
 
 I It was liere that Tom Moore witnessed enough of the fur-trading vocation and 
 
 jlu' voyageurs to gain inspiration for the writing of the " Canadian Boat Song." 
 
 ! Under the French ri/^ime, a fortification was erected here, whicli did service in 
 -. |ft 
 
 and In- Jepclling tiie attacks of the fierce Iroquois. A brief account of one of their raids 
 .-,t.,;r.= .,„^ l^iii be found in this volume, in tlie history of Calumet. The remains of this 
 " rtification are still to be seen here. 
 
 Some distance farther up the river is Oka, celebrated not only for being the 
 sidencc of the Oka Indians — a remnant of the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes — but 
 I) of the Trappist monks. An imposing Roman Catholic church, with beautiful 
 I muds and stately trees, is in the foreground, and at a short distance in the rear 
 ^I's Mount Calvary, whose summit lias several shrines to which devout Catholics 
 ten make a pilgrimage. The occupation ot these monks is the cultivation of a large 
 rmand orchard; their life is one of seclusion, and their rules are of the strictest char- 
 ter. Females are not admitted to the monastery, nor are the monks permitted to 
 nvcrsc with each other. Tiiey rise at 2 a.m., and soon afterward breakfast, this 
 iiig their only meal during the day : ^nd they retire at sunset. 
 
 Many of the Indians at Oka are Protestants, and have a chapel in which they 
 tend divine worship. 
 
 Siill further up the Ottawa, and on the opposite side from Oka, is Rigaud, its 
 ouniain at a little distance from the village forming a prominent landmark far up 
 tl down the river. Rigaud College, also, which is an institution of con; iderablo note, 
 cupies an elevated plateau, and can be seeil from a longdistance. 
 
 On tlie slope of this mountain is a /usiis natui\e. of great interest to visitors and 
 
 ientists. This is a spot embracing two or three acres, entirely destitute of soil, and 
 
 led to an unknown depth with stones abo '' the size of a man's head, and smaller. 
 
 is said that certain parties, prompted by curiosity, explored this singular spot to the 
 
 pth of forty feet, and finding nothing, still, but stones, abandoned their undertaking. 
 
 hat is still more remarkable, the stones, chiefly, are of a character entirely different 
 
 m the mountain rock. Geologists class this curiosity with Moraines, but it is 
 
 nerally known as " Devil's Garden," and it is often visited by picnic parties and 
 
 hers. 
 
 The next place of interest after passing beyond the counties of Argenteuil and 
 escott is Montebello, the town of the great patriot, Louis Papineau. 
 of Up perl" 
 St. Ann's J 
 |iway Com! 
 . voyagi urJ 
 lefore startJ 
 
 The Hon, 
 1 the char 
 ^favigatio:; 
 on, R. W 
 h until I lie 
 "arillon \ 
 
 have bd 
 Iaude,"anL 
 onslruciit!, 
 unning b :. 
 and during 
 
 e to Ottawa 
 wie. Capt. 
 ;sides maiiyi 
 one buili ir, 
 554, and 1Kb- 
 
 •escott. 
 tains m 
 
 
County of Argenteuil. 
 
 The territory cmbiaccd by this county was formerly included in die county of 
 York, sul)se<iuenlly in tlie county of Two Mountains; but, in 1855, the county of 
 Argenteuil was formed, which is bounded on the north by the county of Terrebonne; 
 on the cast, partly by the county of Terrebonne and partly by the county of Two 
 Mountains; on the south by the Ottawa River, and on the west by Ottawa county, 
 It comprises the following municipalities : 
 
 Villages. — Grenville and Carillon. 
 
 J'aris/tcs.—'&X. Andre d'Argenteuil, St. Jerusalem de Lachute, Mille Isles. 
 
 Townships. — Arundel, Chatham, Gore, Crenville, Howard, Montcalm, Went' 
 worth and Harrington. 
 
 Part of a Township. — Morin. 
 
 Chef -Lieu. — St. Jerusalem de Lachute. 
 
 RELIGIONS— CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 Argenteuil 
 
 Arunde' , 
 
 Caiillon (Villatje) 
 
 Chatham , 
 
 Gore , 
 
 Grenville , 
 
 Grenville (Village) 
 
 Harrington 
 
 Howard 
 
 Lachute (Town) 
 
 Mille Isles, 
 
 Morin 
 
 St. Andrew's .« 
 
 St. Jerusalem 
 
 V?ntworthand Montcalm 
 
 - « 
 
 
 a u 
 
 a 
 
 « :s 
 
 X. <A 
 
 p 
 
 1- 
 
 3 C 
 
 0: rt 
 
 ■= W 
 
 U 
 
 
 
 6,681 
 
 2,»73 
 
 337 
 
 «3i 
 
 217 
 
 12 
 
 1,623 
 
 166 
 
 «7 
 
 314 
 
 9i5 
 
 306 
 
 277 
 
 118 
 
 88 
 
 74 
 
 418 
 
 30 
 
 828 
 
 159 
 
 5J 
 
 249 
 
 296 
 
 SO 
 
 688 
 
 270 
 
 372 
 
 36 
 
 514 
 
 258 
 
 
 3,626 
 
 94 
 
 24 
 
 720 
 
 16 
 
 579 
 69 
 
 454 
 
 348 
 159 
 36 
 536 
 508 
 
 83 
 
 J2 
 
 1,529 
 
 «54 
 
 2 
 
 237 
 «77 
 226 
 
 ?3 
 52 
 
 251 
 
 57 
 
 15 
 
 198 
 
 107 
 
 30 
 
 "5 
 
 14 
 
 5' 
 
 42 
 
 
 713 
 «3 
 
 39 « 
 
 9 
 
 108 
 
 '5 
 
 38 
 
 90 
 I 
 I 
 
 10 
 24 
 >3 
 
 c S 
 o .2 
 
 53 
 
 A 
 
 2I2| 
 
 91 
 
 42 
 8 
 
 Irgcnieiiil 
 Iniiiik'l . . 
 Earill'in (V 
 uiallinin . 
 
 koje 
 
 frfiiville. 
 Jruiiville ( 
 l;iriinj,'lon 
 Jowanl . 
 
 icllillf ( I'l 
 
 lillc Isles. 
 
 Iiiiin , . , 
 A 111 I lew 
 lem^alt 
 
 IfciiUMiitll ; 
 
 rfjeiileiiil. . , 
 Mindel .... 
 arilldn (Vil 
 lialham .. . , 
 
 ore 
 
 reiiville. . ., 
 rtnville (Vi 
 airington.. 
 o« ard .... 
 Imte (Tow 
 illes Isles. 
 
 orin 
 
 • .X 11(1 lew's 
 ■ Jeiusalem 
 ciitwoith ai 
 
 Lnc 
 
 The intiii 
 ccur in many 
 ' investigatioi 
 Rsscs are a i 
 
53 
 
 212 
 
 I 
 
 179 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 ... 
 
 2 
 
 19 
 
 I 
 
 42 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 .... 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGKNTEUIt., 
 CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 35 
 
 3 o 
 
 ir{;enteiiil 
 
 iriindel 
 
 arillon (Village) 
 lialliam 
 
 e county of 
 county of 
 'errebonnc; 
 inty of Two s 
 awa couiUv 
 
 Isles, 
 aim, Went' 
 
 ^ ii , ?) c 5 
 ■4, 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 : iS.'5» 
 
 743 
 
 255 
 
 • 3.37ii 
 
 ">f 53.V, 
 
 riMiville 2,1831 
 
 iRnviUe (Vill.ific) 502 
 
 lariiiiKton 720 
 
 iowanl .44H 
 
 ncluilo (Town) 1,731 
 
 Iille Isles 519 
 
 (iiin 471 
 
 t. Aiidiew's 1,702 
 
 leui--alt.ni 1,062 
 
 .898 
 
 1 
 
 ifciilwDilli and Moiitcilm , 
 
 8// 1 4 
 
 >^3 
 
 48 
 
 5«7 
 100 
 
 364 
 
 94 
 '25 
 
 '9 
 344 
 
 8.^ 
 
 98 
 334 
 198 
 
 »37 
 
 2.657 
 119 
 
 45 
 
 93 
 363 
 
 94 
 122 
 
 77 
 
 342 
 
 83 
 
 97 
 
 334 
 
 192 
 
 '30 
 
 3,263 
 119 
 
 37 
 475 
 
 91 
 349 
 
 71 
 121 
 
 70 
 
 2)8 
 
 83 
 96 
 
 259 
 124 
 
 130 
 
 
 
 J, 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 rick. 
 
 
 to I 
 Roo 
 
 ts 
 
 iri 
 
 >o 
 
 197 
 
 90 
 
 849 '. 
 
 16 , 
 
 5 
 
 .1 
 
 19 
 
 - a 
 
 66 25 
 
 . . .. 2 
 
 n I 3 
 
 »4 i 9 
 
 « I 4 
 
 95 I 9 
 
 . ■ .. I 
 
 57 18 
 
 48 : 20 
 
 209 
 39 
 90 
 
 45 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 162 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 129 
 
 U)l 
 
 7 
 
 8S 
 
 G 
 
 *o 
 
 99 
 
 21 
 
 4 
 
 
 .■) 
 
 2 
 
 21 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 I 
 
 '3 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 5 
 
 I 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 •4 
 
 6. 
 
 '3 
 
 2 
 
 
 I 
 
 CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 Lri^eiUeuil. > 2,425 
 
 liumlel I 118 
 
 larillon (Villayc) ! 13 
 
 iliatham 1 522 
 
 lore 1 III 
 
 Irenville 1 302 
 
 Irenville (Village) 
 lairington , 
 
 loward 
 
 acluiie (Town) 
 
 iiles Isles 
 
 lorin 
 
 It. .Andrew's 
 
 It. Jerusalem 
 
 Ventwoith and Montcalm, 
 
 54 
 132 
 
 78 
 
 3''4 
 
 88 
 
 95 
 274 
 198 
 136 
 
 ,121 
 
 114 
 
 I I 
 
 442 
 106 
 
 275 
 
 42 
 
 126 
 
 77 
 
 193 
 
 87 
 
 94 
 
 233 
 
 186 
 
 ■35 
 
 
 in 
 
 c 
 
 'J . 
 
 Z at 
 
 ?8 
 
 Ul C 
 
 N 
 
 c a 
 
 
 i> 
 
 d 
 
 :a 
 
 
 301 
 
 666 
 
 4 
 
 40 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 79 
 
 •45 
 
 •S 
 
 40 
 
 26 
 
 83 
 
 12 
 
 
 6 
 
 48 
 
 I 
 
 23 
 
 III 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 49 
 
 I 
 
 25 
 
 40 
 
 ''S 
 
 12 
 
 80 
 
 I 
 
 62 
 
 « s 
 
 00 
 
 141,815 1,004 
 
 '6, 533' 37 
 
 215 
 25,<;82 
 
 9.354 
 26,089 
 
 324 
 
 12,414 
 
 10,651 
 
 882 
 
 8,379 
 6,281 
 5,062 
 5,417 
 '4,632 
 
 II 
 
 308 
 
 52 
 
 74 
 
 5 
 
 23 
 
 17 
 
 159 
 
 8 
 
 38 
 
 •45 
 
 94 
 
 33 
 
 GEOLOGY OF AKGENTKUIL, 
 
 rrom the Cn'ological Sumy of ^ir ll'illiaii' I.oi^au^ 1863, 
 
 The intrusive masses of the I.aurentivi serie? consist chiefly of syenite and {jreen-tone. They 
 Ccur in many parts of the country, hut their relative ages have been ascertained almost altogether 
 !)• investigations in the counties of Ottawa and Argenteuil. What appear to be the olde-it intrusive 
 r.sses are a set of dykes of a rather fine-grained, dark, greenish grey greenstone or dolerite, which 
 
 
3< 
 
 HJSTORY OF ARGENTEUII- 
 
 l!l| 
 
 weatheri greyish white, and consists ufgreyish-while feldspar mixed with pyroxene, occasional scalei 
 of mica, and grains of pyrites. Their width varien from a few feet to a hundred yards, and they possoiij 
 a well maikcd columnar structure. Their j;enerul bearing appears to approach oast and west, liut 
 the main dykes occasionally divide, a branch striking off at an angle of from twenty tn forty degrees. 
 
 One of thefi" dykes cuts crystalline limestone on tic thirteenth lot of the fourth range of Gren-l 
 ville. Its breadih is about thirty yards, and it has been traced across the limestone and gneiss for aj 
 mile and three-quarters, in which, with a few nioderntc zig-zags, it m.iintains a course of N. 85° E,,| 
 until it is interrupted by a mass of syenite on the eighth lot of the range already mentioned. Acrosi I 
 the limestone it forms a ri(lf,'i' ; but across the f;n''i^s it is usually found in a depression, sometimes aj 
 very dtop one. When it mounts the side of any hill which rgns with the stratification, the columiiarj 
 structure gives it the aspect of a flight of gigantic steps, well presenting the character from which the] 
 Swedish name of /m7/ is derived. The columns are so truly at light angles to the plane ofihed)ke 
 that they are a sure means of determining the under lie, which is towar<ls |l:>; north. .\ branch strikcsj 
 off from the dyke on the eleventh lo: of the range, and, after proceeiling about a quarter ofa mile inj 
 the direction S. 30" E., it turns S. 50° V.., and conlimies for three quaiters of a mile more, chit-nyl 
 across limeslone, in a remarkably straight line, to liie eighth lot, wheie, liaving gi.'uliially diniinishtil 
 from the width of eighteen yards to live, it seems to split up into a brush-like arrangement of smalil 
 dykes, and is lost. In a westerly directiort from the thirteenth lot of the fourth range, the ni.TJiij 
 dyke has been traced between four and live miles, and in its whole course from the syenite, the be.rr.j 
 Ing is about five degrees north of west. 
 
 Another dyke of the same character, with a width of twenty-live yards, occurs in the eleventh lotj 
 of the liali range of Grenville, and runs for about a mile in the bearing N. 67° E., when itisinter-| 
 rupted by the same mass of syenite as before, on the eighth lot of the .same range. A proiiable con- 
 tinuation of the dyke in an opposite direction is seen crossing the gntiss on the lift li range, reaching! 
 the seventeenth lot, with a bearing N. 75" W., and thence crossing the River Rouge. 
 
 From the sixth lot of the fourth range of Chatham Gore, where it cuts the crystalline limestouel 
 another of these dykes has been traced for upwards of two miles to tlie first lot of the third range ofl 
 Wentworth. Its width varies from fifty to a hundred yards, but it appears to maintain a very unif(jrni| 
 course, and though an interval of seven miles is a long one at which to recognize it again, yet nnl 
 exposure of giienstone on the front f the first lange of Wentworth, in the division between tliel 
 twentieth and twenty first lots, is sufficiently near the line to make it probable that it is a continuation! 
 of the same dyke. At the latter spot it is from i to to 120 yards wide, and about eleven chains to the! 
 westward it is cut olT by the syenite. It has been met with again, however, on the western side of it,! 
 and traced across the nortliwest corner of Chatham into Grenville, and is probably continued to tliej 
 twelfth lot of the ninth range of the latter township, where there is a dyke of the same character,! 
 The whole distance from Chatham Gore is about lll'teen miles, and the bearing about five degreeil 
 south of west. Still another of these dykes has l)een ob-erved in the seigniory of Argenteiiil, about! 
 mile and a half from the North River, on the road from Lachule to Chatliam Gore. It appears to I 
 about twenty-five or thirty yards wide, and it bears N. 80° W., for about a mile and a half to thtj 
 town line of Chatham, which it crosses towards the rear of the ninth range ; and although it would! 
 require a change in its course to bring it to a dyke seen on the road betw cm the seventh and eiglitU 
 ranges on the ninth lot, it appears probable that the two will be found to be the same. Running westJ 
 ward from the latter spot, it comes against the syenite in the eleventh lot of the seventh range, ami i.1 
 there cut off. These greenstone dykes being always interrupted by the syenite, when they have leeij 
 found to come in contact with it, it is plain the syenite must be of posterior date. This mass ol 
 intrusive syenite occupies an area of about thirty-six square miles in the townships of Grenville, CliatI 
 ham and Wentworth ; and a glance at the accompanying mop, showing the distribution of the crysJ 
 tal line limestone, in the counties of Ottawa and Argenteuil, will show its shape and disttibutionJ 
 
1 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 sr 
 
 In its litholngical character, tlie rock is very uniform, Ijeing composed for the most part of orthoclase, 
 [illiLT offonif tinge of fleth-red or a ilull white, with hlack liornllende, and a rather sparing iiuantily 
 If greyish, vitreous quart/.. Tiie retl tinge prevails more on the west sulc, the white on tlie east. In 
 Vi --pur which runs into Wentworth, mica is occasionally found accompanying the hornblendet 
 he lock is rather coarse grained in the main body, lidt dykes of it are sometimes observed cuttin|r 
 bt limestone and gneiss, in which the grain is finer ; these have not as yet been traced to any great 
 listntice from the nucleus. 
 
 The syenite is cut and penetrated by masses of a porphyritic character, which are therefore of a 
 ^iU Liter date. 'Ihefe masses belong to what has been called felsite porphyry, hornstone i)orphyryi 
 ht ()illio|ihyre, having a base of pctrosilex, which may be regarded as an intimate mixture of ortho- 
 Base and ijuartz, coloied by o.xyd of iron, and vaiying iii colors from gieen to vaiious shades of 
 ihuk, according to the ox)<lation of this metal. Ihroughout the paste, which is homogeneous and 
 Dnclioidal in its fr.ncture, are di^seminaled well-delined crystals of a rose-red or flesh- red feldspar, 
 ppauiitly orthoclase, and, although lefs fiequently, small grains ol nearly colmless translucent 
 uarli. Tlie larger masses of this porphyry have a finegrained, reddisli-bufT 1- ise, n which well 
 tliiied crystals of llesh-red feldspar of various sizes, from oneeigiith to thiee-eigliths ..,.' an inch, are 
 hickly dis^seniinated. In addition to the crystals offeld>par, the base often contains a nnltitude of 
 ngnicnts of gneiss, greenstone and syenite, varying in size from small grains to masses several feet 
 [diameter. These are occasionally so abundant, as to give to the rock the character of a breccia, 
 ^hiii the base is green, it is rather more compact, and it does not usup.lly contain so many imbcdiled 
 ystals of feldspar. 
 
 The principal nucleus of this porphyry occupies a pear-shaped area, thesmail end pointing south, 
 
 I the tl lid and fouith lots of the fifth and six ranges of CJienville, from which, on the eastern side, a 
 
 Ditiun projects into the second lot of the fifth range. This mass is wholly surrounded by syenite^ 
 
 kd a large part of it constitutes a mountain or grouii of hills intersected by one or two ravines. In 
 
 Jilt ik centre of the mass on the summit of one of the hills, th^re is a circular dejiression of about 
 
 hundred yards in diameter, nearly surrounded by a tufaceous porphyritic rim, ofa'jout thirty feet in 
 
 light. In this depiession there is a turf bog, supporting a grove of good sized evergreen trees. On 
 
 luiKliiig the depth of the bog with a boring rod, the rock beneath was found to present the shape of 
 
 Iciii), with the depth of twenty-five feel in the centre ; so that, including the rim, the denression 
 
 bukl l)c about fifty feet deep, with the exception of a break down to the level of the bog on the east 
 
 Be. 'Ihe nature of the rock constituting the rim gives to the depre^sion, in some degree, the aspect 
 
 I a small volcanic crater. But if it be the remains of one, it can only represent some deep-seated 
 
 ofllie vent ; for there can scarcely fail to have been here a great amount of denudation of the 
 
 cient Laurentian surface, while the ice groves in the neighborhood shew that there has been much 
 
 <\o\\ over the whole country in comparatively recent times. In this vicinity, some entangled beds 
 
 [gneiss occur, one of vhich, running N. 80' W. for upwards of a hundred yards is completely 
 
 i:rounilcd by tl-: jiorphyry. 
 
 Fiom this porphyritic nucleus, one or two porphyritic dykes can be traced, cutting the syenite 
 tlioil distances ; and some of a similar character are met with at such a distance as to make it 
 bbable that there are other porphyritic nuclei. One of these dykes, about seven yards wide, con- 
 ning beautiful red feldspar crystals set in a black base, occurs on the south side of the road between 
 ■^evemh and eighth ranges of Chatham, on the eighth lot. Its bearing S. 8j° \V. would carry 
 lo the >uuth of tlie porphyritic mass above described, from which the position in which the dyke 
 b the j^neiss is removed seven miles, though it is not more than one mile from the syenite. 
 
 Another dyke of this aspect is seen in the ninth range near the line between the thirteenth and 
 Irteenlh lots ; but in addition to the elements mentioned, it holds disseminated grains of transparent, 
 lorless quartz. Its course appears to be S. 44° W., and it inter :cts a mass of porphyritic rock of 
 
 J«V 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTELML. 
 
 the same color and texture as iLe porphyry of the pear-shaped nucleus, which, however, like the dyke, 
 contains [grains of vitreous quartz. Grains of this mineral ?re also observed in another porphyriiic 
 mass, whose course is N. lo ^ W., about a quarter of a niil^; from the front of llie twenty-fifth lot in 
 the seventh range. A porphyritic dyke is observed on the road between the sixth and seventh rannc; 
 on the tweniy-third lot. It en loses grains of quartz and crystals of flesh-red feldspar, some of thrm 
 half an iiii-h in diameter, in a re(lili>li, finely granular base. Of ll e lufaceo porphyritic rock a lenticu- ;* 
 lar rrafs cros-ses tl e tevenlh and eij^liih lots, close upon the rear of the fifth range of Grenville. It has 
 a lengih of nerrly half a n)ile by a breadth of about 150 yards in the niitk'le, and lies between gneis; 
 on the nortii and syenite en the south. 
 
 In the viciiiilv of the pcar-fcliai)cd porphyritic intrusion, there are met with two veiiis of a special 
 character, cutting the syenite, that deserve to be noticed. They consist of a white, yellowish-brown 
 or flesh red cellular chert, the Colors in some cases running in bands parallel to one another, and 
 sometimes being rather confusedly minj^led. giving the aspect of a breccia. The cells are unequallj 
 djstiibuttd, sonie parts of the veins being nearly destitute of them, while in others, they are very 
 abundant, and of various sizes, from that of a pin's head to an inch in diameter. On the walls of! 
 some of these cells, small transparent crystals of quart/, are implanted, and in some there aie the im-| 
 pressions of cubical fotmf, resulting probably from crystals of fluorspar which have disappeared 
 The store has the chemical chnracters and the cr^mposition of flint or chalcedony. 
 
 One cf these veins is on 1 he north half uf the fir.>t lot of the sixth range of Grenville, where it w.i 
 traced for about a hundred yards, running about east and west, and the other in the south half of i! : 
 first lot of llic sixth range, belonging to Mr. James Lowe, who was the first person who drew attcn 
 tion to it as alTordinij buhrstone. On iiis ground, the vein has Ijeen more examined than elsewhere 
 it appears to lun in a very straight nearly east and west bearing, and stands in a vertical attitude, I 
 while rts breadth variej from about four to seven feet. Where tiie vein is banded, the colors run parailt 
 with the sides. The altitude and associations of the mass clearly show it cannot be of sedimenlar. 
 origin, and its composition, taken in connection with the igneous character of the district, suggest 
 the probat)ility that it is an aqueous deposit which has filled up fissures in the syenite, ar.d is similv 
 in its origin to the agates and chalcedony which, in smaller masses, are common in various rocks. 
 
 For a distance of perhaps 200 yards on each side of these veins of chert, wlnle tiie quartz of t'. 
 syenite remains unchanged, tl.e feldspar has been more or less decomposed, and been converted ii i 
 a sort ofkaoliir. As this process involves a separation of silica from the feldspar, it is not improba! 
 that it has been the source of the veins of chert. 
 
 The intrusive rocks which have been described have a date anterior to the deposit of the .Siluiii: 
 series. None of a similar character have been met with breaking through this series, and the ii!;. 
 tions of the base of the Lower Silurian group along the foot of the hills composed of the syenite a: 
 such as to make it evident that the Silurian beds in some placer, overlie eroded portions of the int:, 
 sive rock. IJut all these inirusivc masses are cut by a set of dykes whose relations to the Silun i: 
 series are not so ceitain. These dykes are composed of a fine granular base, withan earthy fracture 
 consisting of feldspar and pyroxene, and having a dark, brownish-grey color. In this base ,1 
 imbedded rounded masses of black cleavable augi:e, varying in size from a pin's head to several inc' i 
 in diameter. These are associated with various size I nodules of calcspar filling cells that do n^ 
 attain the diameter of the laigest masses of augite, and with small scales of mica, grey in fresh ir 
 tureSj but weathering brass yellow on the sides of cracks and joints. Small crystals of sphene .1 
 grains of titaniferous iron occur in the rock. 
 
 Oneof these dykes, having a width of from three to ten feet, is traced from the first lot of ■ 
 sixth range of Grenville, near Mr. Lowe's buhrstone , where it cuts the syenite, to the third and fuu.; 
 lots of the same range, where it cuts the pear-shaped mass of porphyry ; thence, it crosses to 1 Jul 
 eighth lot of the fifth range, where it cuts both syenite and porphyry, and farther to the tenth lot o' 
 
 [the same 1 
 •»of two mil 
 llimestone 
 [dykes bea 
 [the neighi 
 Ith^m have 
 
 Nan 
 [Two Mo I 
 
 Fron 
 
 11 
 (I 
 
 Fron 
 (I 
 
 From 
 
 From 
 
 (I 
 
 i< 
 
 r rom 
 Re-el( 
 From 
 
 tited for tl 
 From 
 From 
 Sidney 
 
 23rd June, 
 
HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 39 
 
 Ithe same range, where it intersects the quartzite and the limestone. The whole distance is upwards 
 of two miles and a half, and the l)earin{,' S. 82° VV. Another dyke of this description intersects the 
 llimestone on the ihiiteenth lot of the sanie range, and is traced for half a mile running east. These 
 [dykes bear a strikii-g resemblance to some of the doletifes which intersect the Lower Silurian group in 
 [the neighi)Orhood of the mountain of Monlieal, ar.vl may possibly be of the same age, bi ' none of 
 Ith'^m have yet been traced, continuously, from the Laurentian into the Silurian rocks. 
 
 REPRESENTATIV^ES. 
 
 Names of the members of the Legislative Assembly of the County of York, 
 [Two Moimtains and Argc^teiiil — the latter having been detached from the former. 
 
 I. County of York, 31 c Geo. Ill, Chap. 31. 
 
 From 1792 to 1796, Mr, C. de Lotbini^re, Mr. P. A. de Bonne. 
 " 1797 to i8co, Mr. H. Lacroix, Mr. Hctien (J.). 
 
 " 1801 to 1805, 
 
 " 1805 to 1808, 
 
 1809, 
 
 1810, 
 
 From 181 1 to 1814, 
 
 " 1815 to 1816, 
 
 " 1S17 to 1S19, 
 
 1820, 
 
 From 1820 to 1824, 
 
 " 1825 to 1827, 
 
 " 1827 to 1829, 
 
 Mr. J. Bedard, Mr. L. C. Foucher. 
 
 Mr. J. Mure, Mr. E. L. Diimont. 
 
 Mr. j. Mure, Mr. J. J. Trestler. 
 
 Mr. J. Mure, Mr. .St. Julien. 
 
 Mr. F. Bellet, Mr. St. Julien. 
 
 Mr. E. L. Dumont, Mr. W, Forbes. 
 
 Mr. Dumont, Mr. J. B. Fare. 
 
 Mr. E. L. Dumont, Mr. A. Perrault. 
 
 Mr. E. L. Dumont, Mr. A. Perrault. 
 
 Mr. E. L. Dumont, Mr. J. Simpson. 
 
 Mr. J. L. Labrie, Mr. J. B. Lefebvre. 
 
 f i',lit 
 
 :1^ 
 
 II. County 01 Two Mountains, 9c Geo. IV, Chap. 73. 
 
 Mr. J. Labrie, Mr. \V. H. .Scott. 
 
 Mr. J. J. Girouard, Mr. W. H. Scott. 
 
 Mr. C. RobtTtson, Mr. C. J. Forbes. 
 
 Mr. W. H. Scott. 
 
 Mr. W. H. Scott. 
 
 Mr. Mr. W. H. Scott, Hon. Louis J. Papineau. 
 
 III. County OF AuGENTEun., 16 Vict., Chap. 152. 
 
 From 1830 to 183^1, 
 " 1834 to 1838, 
 " 1841 to 1844, 
 " 1844 to 1847, 
 " 1848 to 1851, 
 " 1851 to 1854, 
 
 Irom 1854 to 1857, S. Bellingham, his election declared ni:ll. . . 
 
 Re-elected in 1855 — election again declared null ; reelected in 1856. 
 
 Fiom 1858 to i86r, S. Bellingham. The name of J. J. C. Abbott is swbsti- 
 [tilted for the name of S. Bellingham in i860. 
 
 From 1861 to 1863, Mr. J. J, C. Abbott — re-elected as Solicitor in 1862. 
 
 From 1865 to 1866, Hon. J. J. C. Abbott. 
 
 Sidney Bellingham was elected by acclamation 27th August, 1867 — re-elected 
 123rd June, 187 1, and re-elected by acclamation 30th June, 1875. 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Robert J. Meikle of Lachute was elected ist May, 1878. 
 
 \Vm. Owens was elected 2nd December, 1881 ; re-elected by acclamation, yth 
 October, 1886; re-elecled 17th of June, 1890, and resigned. . 
 
 William J. Simpson elected 8th March, 1892, 
 
 Biographical sketches of several of the representatives named above — Colii: 
 
 Robertson, C. J. Forbes, R. J, Meikle, VVm. Owens and Wm. J. Simpson wii; 
 
 be found on succeeding pages of this volume ; of tliree others — Scott, Papineau anc 
 Bellingham — the sketches given below were gathered in part from Borthwick's I 
 " History and Gazetteer of Montreal." 
 
 W. H. Scott was the son of a baker, who was located on St. Lawrence street, 
 Montreal, very early in the present century. The son engaged in mercantile busi 
 ness in St. Eustache, and was one of the prominent rebels of 1837. He was arrestee 
 and indicted for high treason, but after remaining in prison some time, was dis 
 charged. Like several other rebels of that time, he afterward became a supporter i 
 the government he had attempted to subvert, and endeavored by his devoted loyahi 
 to atone for the errors of the past. In the latter part of his Parliamentary cuiee; 
 he became a great admirer and friend of Sir George E. Cartier. 
 
 Louis J. Papineau was a man of almost world-wide fame, and he is one of tl,- 
 most prominent characters in Canadian historv, F men outside the circle c 
 royalty have been the subject of more pen pictur-. \\.i.i, ne, and none, perhaps, ar; 
 subjects of sketches so widely different in character. Eulogy and anathema liav: 
 been bestowed on him in turn ; he was a heio or a coward, a patriot or a traitor,: 
 statesman or a demagogue, just according to the views or political tendencies of 1,: 
 biographer. 
 
 All, however, concur with the opinion, thai he was a rnan of brilliant talen: 
 possessed of great personal magnetism, courtly manner, and was an orator. As tin,- 
 recedes, also, from the stirring events which called him into prominence, and animo.->i; 
 and pre'udice give place to reason and justice, he is no longer regarded as t! 
 rash, selfish, irrational being that he once was, and even his bitterest foes are incline 
 to denounce his methods rather his aims, and even admit that we to-day are n;r 
 ing some benefit from both. The more charitable even of his political adversaria 
 endeavor to find excuse for a/l that he did, and ascribe to his e' ;ts and that 01 Ir 
 followers all that is good in our government to-day. 
 
 He was born in Montreal, 17th Octobei, ly^^i, and v a.^ v s. n ofToseiij 
 Papineau, a prominent nolaiy, and for many years a member l .'e Legislaliv 
 Assembly, in which he was distinguished for his ability and eloquence. 
 
 The Hon. Louis J, Papineau, after receiving his education ciiiefly at t!: 
 Seminary of Quebec, studied Law, and was admitteu to the Bar of Lower Canada i| 
 181 1. Two years previous to this, or in 1S09, so popular had he become, and s 
 flattering were his prospects, that he was elected to the Assembly for the Count v c 
 Kent, now Chambly ; and in 1815 he was appointed to the responsible posiiio:! 
 of speaker, which position he retained with little interruption till 1837 a period 0; 
 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 41 
 
 ition, ytl; 
 
 )ve — Colir 
 pson — \vi. 
 pineau aiK 
 3oith\vick'; 
 
 ence str«: 
 :antile bus, 
 >'as arrestee 
 ne, was dh 
 lupporter r 
 oted loyali; 
 iilary caree: 
 
 s one of il : 
 he circle c 
 )erliaps, ai; 
 Itliema liav: 
 
 a traitor,. 
 
 ncies of hi 
 
 iant tak'n: 
 
 As till!: 
 
 animosii 
 ed as li 
 re incliiic. 
 
 are i\ a: 
 adversaii 
 
 that of hi; 
 
 of Josepl 
 Legislativ 
 
 tire iity years. J n November, 1827, when Mr. Papineau, according to the custom of 
 t^ Assembly, had again been chosen speaker, Lord Dalhousie, the Governor of 
 fBiom Papineau had spoken disrespectfully, refused to ratify their choice. Some 
 ^ys of excitement and trouble ensued, the Assembly would not yield, and, in con- 
 Ifquence, its members were sent home. The Governor soon after^vard returned to 
 lingliiiKl, and became Governor General of India. He was succeeded in Canada 
 Sir James Kempt, whose conciliatory policy allayed, in a measure, the bitter 
 lings in the Province towards the Government. This was only a delay, however, 
 the coming storm : troubles which had long since commenced between the 
 "erenl branches of Government continued to mcrease, till they culminated in 
 Rebellion of 1837-38. The important part wliich Papineau played in all these 
 nts is well kno^'-n. 
 
 After a residence of two years in the United States, whither he had fled in 1837, 
 
 removed to Paris, where he lived till 1847, when the issue of the proclamation of 
 
 nesty permitted him to return to Canada. He was again elected to Parliament, 
 
 which he remained till 1854, when he retired from political life — his last years be- 
 
 devoted chiefly to horticultural and literary pursuits. 
 
 He c'.ied at Montebello on the Ottawa, 23rd September, 187 1, at the age of 
 
 ihty-tlve. 
 
 Sidney Robert Bellingham, who was long a popular figure in Argenteuil, was a 
 
 of Sir Allan Bellingham of Castle Bellingham, Louth County, Ireland, and was 
 
 irn 2nd August, 1808. He was educated in Ireland, and married to Arabella 
 
 hues, the daughter of a citizen of Quebec. He was a loyal actor in the Rebellion 
 
 1837-38, and, as a magistrate, accompanied the valiant Col. Wetherall to St. 
 
 arks, whither he had been sent in command of a few soldiers. In 1841, Mr. Belling- 
 
 11 was called to the Bar of Lower Canada, and, some years subsequently, he was for 
 
 ngtime political writer for the press of this Province, chiefly of the Montreal Times 
 
 Daily News. He became endeared to the people of Argenteuil County, not 
 
 ily from his association with them as their representative, but in enterprises with 
 
 lich he was connected. He was interested in the construction of the Carillon & 
 
 •enville Railway, and in colonizing the northern section of the County. 
 
 His residence for many years was on tlie north brow of Mount Royal, where he 
 chased a valuable tract of land, beautifally located, and erected a dwelling. Not 
 ig after his last election to the Legislative Assembly, in 1875, he returned to Castle 
 [llingham, Ireland, where he was living in December, 1895. 
 
 Members of the Dominion Parliament for the County of Argenteu.u.. 
 
 iefly at tlij 
 Canada iij 
 
 me, and : 
 County 
 
 e posiliol 
 a period ol 
 
 I'lom 1867 to 1874, 
 " 1874 to 1875, 
 " 1875 to 1880, 
 " 1880 to 1886, 
 " 1886 to 1890, 
 " 1891 to 1895, 
 
 Hon. J. J. C. Abbott. 
 Lemuel Gushing. 
 Thomas Christie. 
 Hin. J. J. C. Abbott. 
 J. C. Wiison. 
 Thomas Christie. 
 4 
 
 1 
 
42 
 
 HISTORY ()!■ ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 SIR J. J. C. ABBOTT. 
 
 (From the Watchman of Nov. 3, 1893, Lacluite.) 
 
 The tidings that have readied the horaes of the County of Argenteuil, this wlck 
 cause great and deep sorrow. The greatest of our sons, the truest friend this coum 
 ever had, has passed away. None but an old resident can fully appreciate what li. I 
 was to the County of Argenteuil. In almost every good and public work wiiich ha; i 
 for its object the interests and progress of our jieople, Mr. Abbott was there with h; 
 advice — always golden — and with his tinancial aid. The Agricultural Society li. 
 lost perhaps its oldest and best friend, for whether in Parliament or out of it, M- 
 Abbott's liberal donation was always forthcoming. 
 
 But while his services to public objects liave been innumerable, what must be sai- 
 of the kindness, the patience, tjie ability and readiness wliich he displayed in listenir 
 to the private troubles and difficulties of a long list of his Argenteuil brethren? Ti 
 legal advice which he gave to his County gratis would have been worth a small fo | 
 tunc to any lawyer. The widow and orphan, the poor and friendless, always had : 
 him one who would lay aside for a few moments the most weighty affair of State: 
 listen to their wants and clear away their difliculties. 
 
 But in no way did his character shine out more brightly than in his treatmeri 
 of political opponents. The same kind word, the same free advice, the same paiii| 
 taking consideration of the case before him, was meted out to Argenteuil men, in: 
 spective of whether they were political friends or opponents. In this respect 1, 
 example is one that should never be for<^otten. The retention of political spite arj 
 animosity is very unfortunate, not only because of the harm it does, but because 
 is foolish and senseless. On several occasions, when the flames of political e.\ci:| 
 ment had been fanned by hot-headed partisans on both side'=. Mr. Abbott was iiea; 
 to plead with the people not to quarrel with their neighbors over politics, 
 declared tluil his opponent and himself would remain good friends, and why shoJ 
 others make their battle so personal as to be unneighborly ? 
 
 The history of the life of the first Canadian born Premier will form an inipd 
 tant cliapter in the history of our Dominion. But there is one fact that is peii 
 overlooked, viz., that to Mr. Abbott, more than to any other man, do we owe tlie Carj 
 dian Pacific Railway. There is no doubt that the scheme of a great trans-continciij 
 railway was originated in tiie fertile mind of this gentleman, and the success of" tj 
 enterprise, the opening up of the North West, and all :he great benefits arising the] 
 from, are due in a great measure to Sir John Abbott. 
 
 It has been said that he was a greater lawyer than a politician. Such was the ca^ 
 for he was at the very head of the legal profession in Montreal, and, consequei 
 did not spend the greater portion of his lime in studying politics. At that time, ihij 
 was the old chieftain, Sir John Macdonald, to conduct the affairs of the party, al 
 time and again did he show the confidence and dependence he placed \\\\ 
 the advice and counsel of Mr. Abbott. But, had the occasion arisen, w,; 
 
, this \\\x- 
 this couii 
 ate what 1 
 : which \].. 
 ere witli i. 
 Society 1 
 It of it, .M 
 
 must be ;' 
 i in listcii 
 thren? '1. 
 a small to 
 Iways had 
 - of State • 
 
 lis treatiik; 
 
 same pai: 
 
 iiil men, ir; 
 
 respect : 
 
 al spite a 
 
 t becauv. 
 
 tical exc. 
 
 tt was 1km 
 
 )olitics. i 
 
 why shoul 
 
 m an inipcj 
 Lt is perhaj 
 we the CaJ 
 s-conlinciJ 
 iccess of tj 
 arising liiej 
 
 was the caa 
 onsequeii'J 
 it time, tha 
 lie party, al 
 1 placed iil-l 
 Isen, w>: 
 
 SIK .(. J. C. AHIJOTT. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 43 
 
 re that Mr. Abbott possessed the qualities, tact, discrimination, foresight and 
 fveriess which would have made him the peer of his great leader, Sir John 
 icdons'd. When that gentleman passed away, how instinctively the party fell 
 Ick upon him in the hour of need ; and he did not fail them. Never was there a 
 tfeic in the history of the Conservative party when its success was more doubtful, 
 ftQd wiicre a strong, courageous hand was more needed to turn the tide than at the 
 t^f when Sir John Abbott became Premier. JJut age was upon him, and, burdened 
 with ilie cares of State, the old man felt his strength going. It was hoped that rest 
 wciHd make a change ; but the only rest that came was the long last rest, upon which 
 hi t ntered on Monday evening, October 30th, at half-past eight, 1893. 
 
 : Any attempt to estimate the loss Argenteuil has sustained would prove utterly 
 (\A\a:, but we are sure th tt, from the most remote corner to the Ottawa River 
 boundary, the general feeling is one of the deepest sorrow. Looking at the 
 pj|st and gazing into the future, we feel like saying : — " We shall never see his like 
 again." 
 
 ' Sir lolin Abbott was born ai ."t. Andrews, in the county of Argenteuil, Lower 
 Canada, 121I1 March, 1821. His father was the Rev. Joseph Abbott, M. A., first 
 i^ijglican incumbent of St. Andrews, who emigrated to this country from England in 
 101 S, as a missionary, and who, during his long residence in Canada, added consider- 
 ^y to the literary activity of the country. He had not been long in Canada before 
 married Miss Harriet Bradford, a daughter of the Rev. Richard Bradford, first 
 plor of Chatiiam, Argenteuil County, 
 .Sir John was Dean of the Faculty of Law in the University of McGill College, 
 af).C.L. of that University, and Lieut.-Colonel of the "Argenteuil Rangers," known 
 ii^lhc Department of Militia as the nth Battalion, a corps raised by him during the 
 Mti iotic time of the '' Trent " excitement. He was also president of the Fraser 
 Iiptitute of Montreal, and director, or law adviser, to various companies and corpor- 
 3ns. Sir John's name came twice before the puMic, in a manner which gave him 
 Lit notoriety. He was a prominent figure, after Sir Hugh Allan, in the famous 
 ]^cific scandal episode. Being the legal adviser of the Knight of Ravenscrag, all 
 teliisactions were carried on through him, and it was a confidential clerk of his who 
 Kalcd details of the scheme, which culminated in the downfall of the Macdonald 
 l)inct. His second conspicuous appearance on the public stage was in connection 
 tlie Letellier case, when he v.ent to England, in April, 1879, as the associate of 
 Hon. H. L. Langevin, on the mission which resulted in thedismissal of the Lieut.- 
 |v rnor of Quebec. In 1849, '^^ married Miss Mary Bcthune, daughter of the 
 iy Rev. J. Bethune, D.D., late Dean of Montreal. 
 
 Sir John's political life may be saiu to have commenced in 1857, by the 
 
 Jtest of the County of Argenteuil, at the general election held in that year. He 
 
 I elected a member of the Canadian Assembly, but was not returned until 1859' 
 
 [continued to represent the constituency in that House until the union of 1867 
 
 En he was returned for the Commons. He was re-elected at the general elections 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUiL. 
 
 of 1872 and 1874. In October of the last named yea. he was unseated. Mr. L,;| 
 Gushing, who had been his opponent at the preceding election, again became ilit J 
 Liberal candidate, but Mr. Abbott retired. Mr. \Vm. Owens ran against .Mr | 
 Gushing, and was defeated. Upon Mr. Gushing's election being contested and v. iii jj 
 ed. Dr. Ghristie was chosen by acclamalion. At the general election of September|| 
 1878, he was again a candidate, but sustained defeat at the hands of his old antagonist I 
 Dr. Ghristie. The latter, however, was unseated in February, 1880 ; Sir John wa:| 
 again elected for the Gounty. Then followed the most celebrated election trial i:| 
 the history of Canada. It lasted about three months, the enquete being one of tht| 
 longest ever presented to a judge. The Gourt was presided over by Justice Belanger 
 Mr. N. W. Trenholme, now Dean of the Law Faculty of McGill, conducted the ca' ' 
 for the petitioners, Thos. Hickson et al. Mr. Tait, now Judge Tait, and Mr. Lacostel 
 now Chief Justice Sir A. Lacoste, were associated with Mr. Abbott himself in 
 defence. The result was that the election was annulled, and Mr. Abbott was rtf 
 elected by acclamation, and sra until 1887, when he retired. In 1862, he was mac 
 Solicitor General in the Sandfield-Mucdonald-Sicotte Administration, and prior to h 
 acceptance of office he was created a Q.G. In 1864, while in opposition, he w 
 instrumental in introducing two bills, which have added greatly to his legal laiihj 
 The first of these was the Jury Law Consolidation Act for Lower Canada. \\ 
 principal provisions were, to simplify the system of summoning jurors and the pr^ 
 paration of jury lists. The other law which he added to the statute was the bill 
 collecting judicial and registration fees, by slami^:s. This was the most complel 
 legislation that had taken place on the subject, and, as in the case of his iiiha 
 measures, the main principles have been retained in the subsequtnl legislation whia 
 has followed. Sir John's political labors also consist of useful amendments to billl 
 suggestions and advice as regards measures affecting law and commerce. H| 
 advice at such times always proved of the greatest value, and in this departmeJ 
 it was that he achieved the most success. Upon the death of Sir John Macdoiia| 
 May, 1891, Sir John, then Mr. Abbott, was chosen to succeed him in the leadersls 
 of the Conservative party and as Premier of the Dominion. The onerous respd 
 sibilities of this high oflice were accepted by Sir John as a duty to his Party al 
 the country. His services in this connection, if not brilliant, were able and conscrf 
 tive, and, added to his weak state of health, doubtless helped to shorten his life. 
 
 In the fall of 1892 he retired from active politics, and sought by foreign ir,; 
 and the services of skilled physicians to banish the disease that racked his {x\\r\ 
 but it was too late, and he grew gradually worse until the end. 
 
 In 1887, Mr. Abbott was elected Mayor of Montreal by a majority of aoi 
 2,000 votes over his opponent, Mr. Rainville. In 1888, he was re-elected by accl 
 raation, and the same year was appointed president of the corporation of the koj 
 Victoria Hospital, an institution which has recently been endowed with about $i,i(( 
 000 by Lord Mount-Stephen and Sir Donald A. Smith, in commemoration ofl 
 Majesty's Jubilee. The construction of the stately hospital building, costing abj 
 $500,000, was conducted under Mr. Abbott's supervision as president. 
 
 
 ,Slr Jo 
 
 If tl 
 
 )e Ban 
 
 
 It is 
 
 ll 
 
 at a cc 
 
 ttle 
 
 |)am])l 
 
 and 
 
 s. from 
 
 n it- 
 
 cover 
 
 'lu'n fo 
 
 jen 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 45 
 
 Sir John was also president of the Citizens Insurance Company, and director 
 ^f the Bank of Montreal and of the Standard Life Insurance Company. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
 
 It is to be regretted tliat the records of this Society liave not been kept, 
 Id i!i;it a connected history of it could be giver, from its formation. Fortunately, a 
 \{[k ;)ami)hlet, 6 by 4 inches in size, and embracing four pages, has fallen into our 
 lands, from which we learn the date of the l)irth of this Society. This relic has 
 In iis cover the following : — 
 
 RULES AND REGUL.VITONS 
 
 OK THE 
 
 CouNTv (JF York Agricultural Society. 
 TlK'n follows a picture — emblem of Agriculture — and underneatii, the words — 
 
 Montreal. 
 Printed at the Office of the C. Courant. 
 1828. 
 JJelow, we give the entire contents, verbatim : 
 
 At a general meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of York, held in St. 
 Indrews on the 2nd February, 1826, Mr. John McMartin being called to the chair, 
 le purpose of the meeting was explained, and the following Resolutions were un- 
 finiously adopted, viz. : — 
 
 Ri. SOLVED, ist. That the i)ersons present form themselves into a Society, to be 
 lied the " County of York Agricultural Society," the object of which will be to im- 
 lovc ihe mode of Agriculture in the said County by every means in their power. 
 
 Re-solved, 2nd. That the officers of this Society shall be a President, two Vice- 
 tesidonts, a Treasurer and Secretary, and that a Committee of ten shall manage the 
 jlsuicss; all which officers shall be elected annually. 
 
 Resolved, 3rd. That James Brown, Esq., be President, Mr. John McMartin and 
 [lomas Barron, Esq., Vice-Presidents. 
 
 Edward Jones, Duncan McNaughton, Henry Chapman, \Vm. Tennison, Jacob 
 lagel, Stephen Burwash, Thomas Cooke, John M'Ewen, Doctor C. Rice were 
 Jcted to form the Committee, 
 Mr. Guy Richards, — Treasurer. 
 Mr. James Murray, — Secretary. 
 
 RKiiOLVED, 4th. That the Committee draw up Rules for the better Regulation of 
 Society. 
 Resolved, 5th. That those present immediately enter their names as members 
 
 ^his Society. ,,, .'- ■-.'',', __ :,:... ^ ■■ ■-■■— -.^-- 
 
 Which Resolution was unanimously complied with. 
 
 (Signed), James Murray, 6*^^. 
 
 *■$ 
 
 i^a 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 ■l : [| "S 
 
 On the 25th March, 1826, pursuant to public notice, a general meeting look piactj 
 when the following Regulations were unanimously adopted : — 
 
 ist. The object of this Society is to promote, by its efforts and examp.j, li 
 science of Agriculture tliroughoul the County ; to give premiums in money or pici 
 of plate, agricultural publications or implements, to the practical farmers who shaj 
 excel in the art of ploughing, cropping, raising stock of all kinds, in the dairy, plana 
 ing of fruit trees, and the general improvement of Farms and Home Manufacturi.ij 
 
 2nd. There shall be a general meeting annually, on the Twentieth day 
 January (or day following if it should fall on a Sunday), for the election of a i'rr 
 dent, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer, and ten members for a C< ::[ 
 mittce to superintend the g'meral interests of the Society, and six of these witli 
 President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, will be sufficient to proceed to busiiu 
 call extrao.dinary meeting, etc. 
 
 3td. The Committee shall remain in office for one yeai, and one-half of tliosj 
 comprising it maybe re-elected, but may retire after serving one year, then the Conj 
 mittee may elect others in their stead. 
 
 4th. Tiie said Committee shall meet quarterly, or oftener, if required by the h\ 
 sident. 
 
 5th. Any practical farmer or gentleman in the County may become a membij 
 of the Society, by paying the sum of five shillings, annually. No exi)ulsion can ta'J 
 place unless at a general meeting, when two-thirds of those present may expel ai 
 member for misconduct towards the Society. 
 
 6th. No person, unless a practical farmer, within the County, can partake 
 the benefit of premiums. 
 
 ylh. All decisions to be made by a majority of members present, and the Prej 
 dent to have the casting vote. 
 
 8th. The rules of competition to be similar to those adopted by the Highlari 
 Society of Scotland. 
 
 9lh. The judges shall be named by the Committee from among the membel 
 who shall determine in all cases. 
 
 toth. .At the annual general meeting of this Society in January, the proceedini 
 of the year shall be read, a statement of the funds exhibited, the list of subscribtj 
 read, and the annual subscription received previous to the election of officers. 
 
 11th. No member entitled to vote on any subject, till the preceding articlej 
 complied with. 
 
 1 2th. That the general meeting in January shall serve for the first quartel 
 meeting; the second quarterly meeting will take place on the second Tuesdayf 
 March ; the third, on the second Tuesday of June ; the fourth, on the second Tiij 
 day of September. At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the County of Yoij 
 held on the 21st January, 1828, the following additional resolution was agreed to:i 
 
 Resolved, — That in order to extend the benefits to be derived from the As -ocj 
 tion, ten new members from the neighboring Parishes be added to the number! 
 
HISTORY I'V AKdENTKUIL. 
 
 47 
 
 [liv Committee, and that the twenty do constitute, in future, the number of the Com- 
 iiilU'c, exclusive of the president, two vice-presidents, the secretary and treasurer. 
 
 James Brown, Jr., Secy. 
 
 From this time onward for many years, the records are lost, but the Society con- 
 
 iniied to exist, and " Cattle Shows " and plowing matches were held annually. Com- 
 
 lissary C. J. Forbes was president tor some years, and Wpi. Beaton, a teacher and 
 
 faiiiff of St. Andrews, was secretary, succeeded by Errick Harrington, who in turn 
 
 ■as succeeded by Henry Howard. 
 
 The earliest records we have been able to obtain after the above were those of 
 meeting held in Lachute, 31st Decemljer, ICS69. 
 
 Officers. 
 ^resiJcnt, Edward Jones ; Vice- President^ John Hay ; Secretary y Henry Howard. 
 
 Directors. 
 
 \Vm, Albright, John McGregor, Thos. Noyes, Geo. B. Hooker, Walter McOuat, 
 An. (lordon, VVm. McOuat. 
 
 In 1870 there were 95 ivicmbers. Amourt subscribed, $113. In December, 1874, 
 Dhn Burwash was appointed president, and Wm. McOuat, vice-president ; Gavin 
 V'alker, who was appointed secretary in December, 1875, still holds the office. 
 
 Presidents. 
 John Hay. 
 Geo. B. Hooker. 
 John Morrison. 
 John Martin. 
 P. Lane. 
 
 From 1876 to 1895. 
 
 Vici-Presidents. 
 
 VV^^l. McOuat. 
 
 Nelson Albright. 
 
 Geo. B. Hooker. 
 
 Geo. Morrison. 
 
 John Martin. 
 
 P. Lane. 
 
 N. Albright. 
 
 (jCO. Fraser. 
 1S80. — No. of members 191, amount subscribed $335.00. 
 1S90. — No. of members 240, amount subscribed $495.00. 
 1886. — Amount paid for premiums $743.75. 
 i8v4- — Amount paid for premiums, $950.00. 
 
 \ Government grant of $2.00 is now received for every $1.00 subscribed. 
 The grounds and buildings which are leased to the Agricultural Society for its 
 |hibitions are neat and spacious, and their annual fairs are second only to those of 
 large cities of the Province, and invariably attract a large concourse of people. 
 
4S 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 COUNTY COUNCIL. 
 
 ')n the a3r(l July, 1845, '"^ nieeting was held in a room at M. D. Beattie's. Th 
 councillors acting at this lime were John Wainiight, Charles Macdonnell, Aim 
 Cameron, Stephen Tiurwash and Andrew McGregor. John Wainright was unanimous 
 elected Mayor of the Municipality of Argenteuil. 
 
 1'he.sknt Municipal System. 
 
 Copied verbatim from the Records, 
 
 On 2;?rd August, 1855, the first meeting of the County Council of Argent c;:' 
 
 was held, at which meeting the following councillors were present : — 
 
 Edwin Pridhani, Esq., Mayor of Grcnville. 
 
 Lemuel Cushing, Esci., Mayor of Chatham. 
 
 Robert Simi)son, Esq., Mayor of St. Andrews. 
 
 Thomas Christie, Esq., Mayor of St. Jerusalem Parish. 
 
 Giorge Rogers. Esq., Mayor of Township of Gore. 
 
 .'\ndrew Elliott, Escj., Mayor of Mille Isle. 
 
 Samuel Smith, Esq., Mayor of Wentworth. 
 
 George Hamilton, Esq., Mayor of Morin. 
 
 Thomas Christie was elected Warden, and served to March, 1858. 
 
 Thomas J^arron, sen., was then appointed, and served to March, 1864. 
 
 Richard D. Byers, from March to December, 1864. 
 
 Lemuel Cushing, to Marc' 868. 
 
 Thomas Barron, jr., to '\ 1881. 
 
 Alexander Pridham, froui ..larch, 1881, to March, 1895. 
 
 James B. Brown, from March, 1895, to the present. 
 
 The names of the present County Council are : — Patrick A. Dunbar, Josepj 
 
 Derrick, John Chambers, Wm. D. Graham, jr., Oliver Woods, John Wade, ^ 
 
 Desjardins, Hugh Walsh, James B. Brown, James Millway, Ed. Christie, Matthew 1 
 
 Strong, George Scale. 
 
 ARGENTEUIL RANGERS. 
 
 TheCou.ity of Argenteuil is deservedly proud of her rangers, though, like fo] 
 tresses scattered here and tliere in our land, once regarded as a bulwark of safety 
 they are now less an object of necessity, and serve more as a reminder of dangers! 
 have escaped than of those anticipated. 
 
 A troop of cavalry was organized in this County by McRobb in 1816. He lil 
 served in the British Army, and held the rank of sergeant, and on petitioning Gol 
 ernmcnt for a grant of land, as a reward for his service, he was granted two !- 
 Chatham, which are now owned by John Kelly. He was always known as " Bed 
 McRobb" ; lie died not many )ears after forming the Troop and becoming captaij 
 Since that period, the command of the St. Andrew's Troop has devolved on the \\ 
 
HISIORY UK ARUKNTEUIL. 
 
 49 
 
 tic's 
 
 lell, Alexii| 
 naiuniou5i?i 
 
 Argenteul 
 
 64. 
 
 )ar, Josep 
 
 Wade, 
 
 Matthew! 
 
 g\\, like ft j 
 'k of safety 
 'dangersi 
 
 6. He 111 
 
 ioning GoJ 
 
 two 1-';»| 
 
 as " Seri 
 
 ing captaij 
 
 on the fa 
 
 3^yj„g : — Capt. Donald C. McLean, Capt. John Oswald, Capt. John Hurwash, Capt. 
 la It in Wanlcss. 
 
 (Japt. McLean had been a Nor'wcster, and lived on Beecn Ridge. He was a 
 prominent, public-spirited, brave man, and was a J. P. of St. Andrews. During the 
 listurbanccs of 1838, lie marched with his company to St. Eiistache, on the day that 
 Ihc rebels were vanipiished. Some years later, he sold his property on the Ri<l;4e, 
 Ind moved to Quio, where he died. One of his sons, a prominent business man, still 
 K'sides there. 
 
 Capt. Oswald, who was afterwards promoted to the rank of lieut. -colonel of Mili- 
 
 |ia. was m command of tins troop several years ; Iiis home was in tlie County of 
 
 [Vd Mi^untains. During tiie Kebeliion he was one of the most active of the Loyalists, 
 
 ( onsequence of which he was particularly obnoxious to the rebels. 
 
 In 1879, the St. Andrew's troop and several troops were formed into a regiment, 
 
 rhich afterward received the name Duke of Connaught Royal Canadian Hussars. 
 
 Another troop of cavalry was formed in this County a numl)er of years ago by 
 
 !;ol. John Simpson of Lachute, but the organization was not of long duration. 
 
 'I'lie Argenteuil Rangers were organized in 1S62, the Hon. J. J. C. Abbott, it is 
 flaimed, being instrumental in the formation of the Battalion. He was lieut. -colonel 
 y it for several years, and was succeeded by James 15. Gushing, who still holds the 
 posiiion. 
 
 Henry .Abbott, brother of Sir J. J. C. Abbott, was sen. major till 1866, when he 
 ^as succeecK d by Allen McDonald, who, in 1883, was succeeded by William Hoy. 
 First Jun. Major, Sam Rogers. This posiiion was vacant from 1883 to 1888, 
 rlien Isaac Jekyll was appointed, succeeded in 1893 by (leo. B. ALirtin. 
 
 Paymaster, Archibald McDonald, till 1872 . succeeded by Thomas Lamb. 
 Batt. Surgeon from 1862 to the present, Dr. Mayrand. 
 The Companies were as follows : — 
 
 Co. No. 1, by Capt. John McDonald, St. Andrews. 
 Co. No. 2, by Capt. William Smith, Gore (West). 
 Co. No. 3, by Capt. Geo. McKnight, Gore (West). 
 Co. No. 4, by Capt. A. Cleland, Lachute. 
 Co. No, 5, by Capt. Sam Rogers, Gore. 
 Co. No. 6, by Capt. Geo. Sherritt, Gore. 
 Co. No. 7, by Capt. Edward Pridham, Grenville. 
 Co. No. 8, by Capt. John Pollock, Mille Isles. 
 The following changes have occurred among the captains of the different com- 
 [anie^ since the Battalion was first organized : 
 
 Co. No. I. '■ ,_._.,._._„, .^,-...-1 ^ -:-- 
 
 Capt. John McDonald died in 1864, and was succeeded by his brother, Allen 
 IcD maid. Li 1866, tlie latter became Major, and his brother Samuel McDonald 
 iiccceded him as Captain. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of Adjutant, 
 
|0 
 
 HISTORV C ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 and H. W, Kempley succeeded hirn as Capta;;i; and after the latter left St. Andrews, 
 Archibald LeRoy held the captaincy till 1883, when he was succeeded I)y Capt 
 Thomas Weiglitman. 
 
 Co. No. 2. 
 Capt. Wm. Smith was succeeded in 1866 by Capt. Jas. Smith, who, dying in| 
 1891, had as successor Capt. Win. Good. 
 
 Co. No. 3. 
 
 Gee. McKnight was Captain till 1882, followed by ("apt, Isaac Jekyll, \vho dying! 
 was succeeded by his own son, Henry Jekyll. 
 
 Co. No. 4. 
 
 Capt. A. Cleland wps Captain till 1866. From 1S66 to 1883, Capt. John Simpj 
 son. Since 1883, Capt. Geo. D. Walker. 
 
 Co. No. 5. 
 
 Samuel Rogers was Captain till 1866. The Company was disorganized this year.l 
 Co. No. 6 became No. 5 at this time, No. 7 was disbanded, and No. 8 became No. d,j 
 
 Co. No. 7 (form.^ri.y No. 9). 
 
 Capt. Wm. T. Forbes till 1872, Capt. W, Hoy till 1883, ^'i^n Capt. Edwardj 
 Hodgsoi'. 
 
 Co. No. 8 (formerly No. 10). 
 
 Capt. Jas. B. Gushing till 1883, then Capt. Geo. B. Martin.till 1887, Capt. JolinJ 
 Sittlington till 1890; from 1893 to the present, Capt. John Karl. 
 
 The first camp was held in 1868, at the Roman Catho'ic Church, St. Andrew;,! 
 eight Compoiiies and the St. Andrew's Troop present. In 1869, the camp wn 
 Hill Head. 
 
 In 1870, the Battalion, on account of the Fenian e.vciiement, narrated elsewherej 
 was divided and sent to different places. 
 
 187 1, Camp at Laprairie. 
 
 1872, Camp at St. Andiews. 
 
 1874, Camp at St. Andrews. 
 
 1875, Camp at Bellevue, Carillon. 
 1876-) 
 
 1877 f Local drills at Head-quarters of the different Companies, 
 1878) 
 
 1879, Compam'es 1, 4, 7 and 8 (part of Bait.), at Lachute. 
 
 1880, Companies 2, 3, 5 and 6 (part of Batt.), at Bellevue. 
 
 1881, Camp at St. Johns. 
 
 1883, Camp at St. Johns. _ - . . -.-„-_,._ ^_ 
 
 1884, Camp at St. Johns. .- 
 
HioTORY OF ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 s» 
 
 1886, Camp at Richmond. 
 
 i83S, Camp at Sherbrooke. • 
 
 1 89 1, Camp at East P'arnham. 
 1893, Camp at Laprairie. 
 1S95, Camp at Laprairie. 
 
 W'lien the second camp was at BelL , iie, on the suggestion of the late I . Miiiel 
 ICushing, M.P., a tent was erected by the Y. M. C. Association, and ever since, this 
 Ihas been an important feat-ire in the camp. The opportunity thus afforded tlie Vol- 
 linitccrs of obtaining good reading matter and attending reh'gious exercises in the 
 levening has been improved by many of them, and it is to be hoped that good has 
 Ircsulted. At all events, the suggestion of Mr. Gushing was a noble one, and the 
 custom which resulted from it cannot be too highly commended. 
 
 In tlie years 1872 and 1874, when the camps were at St. Andrews, there were 
 present besides the usual companies of the Battalion, the " Prince of Wales Rifles," 
 Victoria Rifles," the 6th Reg. of Cavalry, 6ih Fusiliers, and tliree independent 
 companies from the region of the Gatineau. 
 
 When at Richmond in 1886, the Rangers were presented with standard colors — 
 )uecn's and Regimental — by the ladies of Argentcuil. 
 
 The Rangers have gained no little celebrity for their success in competing for 
 rarious prizes. On the 25111 May, 1885, ^ tug-of-war contest occurred at Lachute, 
 jelwecn the Rangers on one side, and the 5th Royal Scots and 6ih Fusiliers on the 
 jtlier. The prize was an ornate silver cup. Ten or a dozen men were chosen from 
 facli party, and after a vigorous contest, the Rangers were awarded the prize. In 
 1893, when the camp was at Laprairie, a magnificent and valuable silver cup was 
 j)iTcred by Sir Donald A, Smith to the Regiment displaying the best proof of pro- 
 Scieiicy in the qualities essential to a soldier. The prize was again borne off by the 
 dangers. [In 1887, on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee, another tug-of-war 
 itest occurred between two different companies of the Battalion. A (hallenge 
 ras made by Co. No. 8, to any other one in the Battalion, and was accepted by Go. 
 ilo. i, commanded by Capt. Thomas Weightman. A prize of a silver cup was offeied 
 the victor by Jas, Johnson, a lumber merchant living near Quebec. Five men 
 Irere selected fiom each company ; the team was commanded by Gapt. Weightman, 
 whose company the cup was awarded. 
 In 1866, the first Fenian invasion of Canada occurred. For some years certain 
 jrish demagogues in the United States, with the object of gaining notoriety and filling 
 eir pockets, had been concocting a scheme whereby — so they persuaded the ignorant 
 -Irel'.nd would be released from British thraldom. The plan proposed was to raise 
 idequip a grand and invincible army in the States, walkover and subjugate Canada, 
 nd after England had thus been crippled, and the Irish patriots had acquired ter- 
 [tory on which to plan and prepare for future operations, the people of Ireland were 
 rise in their majesty, and declare themselves forever free from the yoke of English 
 espotism. 
 
 m 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OK ARCENTEUIL. 
 
 Such was the ridiculous scheme proposed and advocated by these demagogues, 1 
 under the name and pretence of patriotism. Numerous individuals — generally thej 
 ones most blatant in their advocacy of the scheme — were appointed to receive contri- 
 butions towards its furtherance ; and, forthwith, money began to How into their coffers! 
 from the pockets of their deluded followers. Many a poor servant girl contributed^ 
 to this hare-brained project the wages for which she had toiled for years. 
 
 The disbanding of the I'ederal armies, at the close of the American Rebellion, 1 
 gave an impetus to the cause of Fenianism. Thousands of men were thrown upon the! 
 country without occupation or means of support, and many of tiiose whose social 5| 
 status is fitly described by the term vagaboiul were only too glad to enlist in anyi 
 crusade, which promised food and raiment and an opportunity to plunder. "Thef 
 Army of Ireland," as it was ostentatiously called, afforded the desired refuge, and to! 
 this they hied. Their number was augmented by many from the cities — loafers and^S 
 tramps — who had never seen a day of military service, and who, in their ignorance,^ 
 had been led to believe that it would be but pastime to conquer Canada, and that 
 they would riot in the spoils. 
 
 It is but just to say, that tlie Fenians who crossed the boundary, and made 2 
 raid into Ontario, seerned to have more the appearance of men, and displayed more 
 of the bravery rjf soldiers. But the description given above is a true one of the 
 majority of the Fenians who crossed the Line into the Eastern Townships in i8u6, 
 The discarded Springfield muskets of the Federal Government of the States prO' 
 vidcd the I-enians witii cheap arms, and in the month of June, 1S66, several hundred 
 of this fraternity suddenly appeared on the Frontier on the northern boundary oi 
 Vermont, and crossed into St. Armand, Que. So quietly had they done their work 
 for a while, and so quietly had they gathered, that our people had no idea they were 
 so near, until they were actually crossing the border. Notwithstanding all tlieS 
 boasts and threats of invasion made by the Fenians, the people of the Townships 
 never really believed that it would be attempted, and, consequently, hud made no pre] 
 parations to meet them. Great was the surprise and consternation, therefore, when thi 
 news flashed through the country, one Sunday afternoon, that 2,000 Fenians hai 
 crossed the border, and were marching toward the village of Frelighsburg, about threi 
 miles distant from the Line in the parish of St. Armand ICast, 
 
 Most erroneous impressions were current among our pfiople, both as to th, 
 number and character of the Fenians. It was firmly believed, for a while, that tlii 
 fiist detachment comprised two or three thousand, that this would be speedily aufj 
 mented, and that they were the veteran soldiers of the Union army — men who, ii 
 every way, would prove formidable foes to British soldiers on the field of battle 
 Great was the mistake ; their number was less than a thousand, and that numbe: 
 was largely composed of mere boys and such men as we have described. 
 
 It took but two or three days to undeceive the people of the Townships itii 
 restore confidence. The Fenians soon gave evidence that their chief object was 
 obtain what they could eat and drink, and what booty they could carry away wit: 
 them. 
 
HISIORY oK AKGENTEUIL. 
 
 53 
 
 lagogucs. 
 erally the 
 ve comri 
 eircoffer- 
 )ntributec 
 
 Rebellioi; 
 1 upon thi: 
 ose socia 
 list in any a 
 ;r. "The I 
 ige, and to J 
 oafers andj 
 ignorance,! 
 a, and iha;"^ 
 
 nd made 
 
 layed morej 
 one of ihC; 
 
 ps in i8u6,| 
 States pro- 
 al hundred! 
 oundary oil 
 their worlj 
 Llicy were! 
 
 |ing all the? 
 rownship^l 
 adc no \>xt 
 c, when tJK 
 "enians h;it| 
 labout tiirci 
 
 ie 
 
 h as to th' 
 , that tlii 
 eedily aufj 
 en who, it 
 Id of batllel 
 at nunibej 
 
 mships Mi 
 [ject was ti 
 1 away wit; 
 
 They v ere careful not to venture far into the Province, but camped near the 
 
 Inrdcr, and spent their time between robbing stores, drinking the liquors found in 
 
 groceries and hotels, and slaughtering such animals of the farmers an they found 
 
 iiK essary for the supply of their commissariat. Horses were taken inconsiderable 
 
 1) umbers, both from farmers and from such travelers as had the misfortune to meet 
 
 tl, Mn. PUit these marauders were not destined to prolong their carousal on Canadian 
 
 Hnil. Only a few days elapsed, when the red coats marched into tlie west end of St. 
 
 Aunand parish, and simultaneously the Fenians made their exit from the east end ; 
 
 ■jMieven stopping to get a glimpse of the British soldiers, much less did they attempt 
 
 \o wrest Ireland from their grasp. Several stragglers were taken prisoners and tried 
 
 Ls criminals, but were finally released — it being the general impression that the Govern. 
 
 lent deemed it more generous, in view of their insignificance, to release them, after 
 
 iome months' imprisonment in jail, than to mete out to them severe punishment, 
 
 md thus give them an opportunity to ])ose as martyrs. 
 
 The raid made simultaneously with the above, on the Niagara Frontier under 
 leiieral O'Niel, was of larger pro])ortions, and resulted in more serious consequences. 
 il was the design of the P'enians to assail Canada from three points — one from 
 :hicago and places on the Lake Huron coast, a second from Buffalo and Rochester, 
 iiid a third from Ogdensburg. The latter, wiiich was to be tlie most formidable of 
 [hcsc undertakings, was to threaten Ottawa, capture Prescott, and overrun the country 
 [oward the Eastern 'J'ownships. They soon found, however, that their plans were far 
 loo great for their resources, and ere they could put the least into execution, the places 
 iroposed to be captured weie well i)rotected by thousands of our loyal Volunteers. 
 After O'Niel had crossed the Niagara frontier with a large force, a body ofCana- 
 lians — I Socmen — composed of 750 regulars and tlie rest of Volunteers, with a Battery 
 il' Aitillery, all under command of Col. Peacock, took post at Chippewa, and awaited 
 |he .irrival of Lieut. -Col. Booker. The latter was a Volunteer officer, with a force of 
 learly 900 men, composed < 1 the Queen's Ow" — chiefly college students and other 
 )atrioiic young men of Toronto, — the 13th Hamilton X'oluntcers, and the York and 
 l.ilcdonia Volunteer Companies. 
 
 While marching toward Chippewa to join Peacock, this force under Booker 
 
 Inexpectedly met the Feni ins at Limeridge, where the a ere strongly fortified. As 
 
 looker liad no military experience, and possessed more bravery than skill as a 
 
 [oinniander, lie immediately commenced an action with this largely su[)erior force. 
 
 he (Queen's Own was thrown out in skirmishing order, and gallantly drove back 
 
 Niel's advanced line on his main body. But the Volunteers were all inexperienced ; 
 
 lere was no force to support them ; mistakes were made in the orders ; a panic 
 
 iisued, and tlie force was soon in full retreat. The Volunteers lost in killed, one 
 
 [fficer and six men ; while the dangerously us well as slightly wounded comprised 
 
 )ur officers and nineteen men. The Fenian loss was known to be larger than our 
 
 wii, though it was never accurately ascertained, as they had possession of the batlle- 
 
 |c!d, and buried their dead there. As several of the killed on our side were college 
 
 indents and memijers of good families, their loss was greatly deplored. 
 
 I* 
 
 1 
 
 . i 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Soon after this, O'Niel retreated to Fort Erie, whicli post he found in possession 'v|Bianded tli 
 of Lieut. Col. Dennis, with seventy Volunteers. A little before this. Col. Dennis liad JBommand 
 arrived from Port Colburnc with a tug-boat, in the hold of which were stowed sixty /W^''''''''''"'' ' 
 Fenian prisoners. An action at once ensued, which, as might be supposed, ended in^^B«i>'tcned t( 
 the defeat of the small company of Volunteers, thirteen of whom were wounded and '^ On tli 
 forty made prisoners. ^M^^U a mile 
 
 But O'Niel had been disappointed. Instead of finding any in Canada to join iiiiiv | 
 as he had anticipated, the inhabitants rose as one man to drive him and his niai | 
 auders from the country. The spirit displayed by tiie few VolunteL-rs he had \m '' 
 showed him what he might expect when they had all gathered, and he lost no time 
 in returning to the States, where he was arrested by order of the U.S. Government, , 
 and his followers disbanded. 
 
 The trial of the Fenian prisoners took place in Toronto in October following 
 Many were discharged, but true bills were found against a large number, and sevura 
 Were convicted, and sentenced to death ; but their sentences were afterwards com 
 muted by the Queen to imprisonment for a period in the P vincial Penitentiary. 
 
 But the lesson had been a useful one to Canadians. The great expense to wliic;| 
 the Fenians had put their country, and their wanton acts of robbery and cruelt)^B^'^"^S "^''" 
 incensed our people, and confirmed their resolution not to be caught again unpre 
 pared. The next two 'or th'ie years, consequently, the Volunteer companies, raisc(!| 
 in different parts of the IJominion, were thoroughly drilled and exercised in target 
 practice, till every company, when occasion required, could turn out a full complemcn; 
 of sharp shooters. 
 
 In 1870 the Feniansj encouraged, no doubt, by their previous ])leasant sojouir 
 in the Eastern Townships, again paid us a visit. As before, also, no one knew the)« 
 were coming till they were near the border. They assembled in a large body in thfj 
 town of Franklin, Vt., and intended to enter Canada by the road leading to Si 
 Armand East, on which they had formerly encamped. Although no Volunteer co 
 panies were just at hand, the telegraph had conveyed the news of their approach, am 
 before they reached the Line, our Volunteers were hastening from every point of th; 
 compass to meet them. 
 
 The road enters the Province at this point by a somewhat lengthy and gradu 
 descent, at the foot of which is a brook of considerable size, then several rods 
 comparatively level road which soon crosses the slope of a hill. On the left of t 
 road, coming from the south, the hill rises to quite an altitude, and, at that time, 
 of its summil. which is broad and uneven, was partially covered with a grove of laia 
 trees, while its soutliern slope, towards Vermont, contains several huge bouldiTij 
 affording admirable breastworks which our men were not slow in utilizing. This 
 known as Eccles' Hill ; and on the day in question, about sixty members of \li 
 Rome ( "ruard, w ho lived in that section, and who comprised leading farmers, nieij 
 chants and business men of the locality, took possession of tlie hill. Col. As 
 Westover, an influential and intelligent farmer, who lived contiguous, usually co 
 
 ti the road 
 
 III orderii 
 
 cries Hill 
 
 bservc wit 
 
 ho was bo 
 
 ;s house. 
 
 iihout any 
 
 ci seek ref 
 
 Ireland " 
 
 Anothe 
 
 command 
 
 Geiier 
 
 id here I st 
 
 gagcments 
 
 ake war on 
 
 nding him 
 
 d drove off 
 
 The inci 
 
 doubt tha 
 
 'i'he Fei 
 
 ick, crossc. 
 
 tol to warn 
 
 the Fasten 
 
 tile hill befc 
 
 ong them. 
 
 the moon,- 
 
 'Sooii can 
 
 rmy of Ire 
 
 and might 
 
 he shot at, 
 
 ow, who wa 
 
 de a vapid j 
 
 The secor 
 
 ting back 
 
 iiess the " 
 
HISTORY OK ARGKNTF.UIL. 
 
 55 
 
 landed the Home Guard, but on this occasion, all yjlaced themselves under the 
 [onimand of Col. Brown Chamberlain, one of the projjfietors and editors of the 
 \h'ntri'a/ Gazette, wiio had received information of tlie intention of the Fenians, and 
 |a?,tened to the defence of his forn er home and friends. 
 
 On the same side of the road that the Home Guards occupied, a little more than 
 [air a mile distant on the Vermont side, stood at that time the house of a Mr. Rhicard. 
 he road in front of this house, the Fenian general drew up his men in two columns, 
 Ll ordering them to cross the line on the double quick, and obtain possession of 
 js Hill, he withdrew to the house of Rhicard, ascended the stairs, and prepared to 
 Ibscrve with his field-glass from a cliamber window, the result of his orders. Rhicard, 
 [hu was born and reared in Canada, promptly followed him, and ordered him from 
 ks liouse. •' You have brought these poor fellows here," he said, " to invade Canada 
 [iihoul any cause, and now, instead of facing the danger with them, you come back 
 id seek refuge in my house. Yoa cannot stay here ;" and the General of the " Army 
 Ireland " walked out. 
 
 Another incident, related by an eye-witness, deserves notice. Before the general 
 command had formed his men to cross the Line, one of his captains, a soldierly- 
 [oking man, ap])roached him and addressed him thus : 
 
 "General, you have deceived us. You said we were to meet a regular army 
 id here I see no enemy. I claim to be a soldier : as you know, I have been in many 
 igagements, and 1 do not shrink from danger, but I have not yet sunk so low as to 
 lake war on women or children or defenceless farmers. I tender you my sword ! " 
 knding him which, he jumped into a buggy near at hand, in which a man was sitting, 
 [d drove off. 
 
 The incident shows that there were some men among the Fenians, and. there is 
 
 doubt tliat many others felt that they had been deceived. 
 
 The Fenians, according to instructions, went down the decline on tlie double 
 
 kick, crossed the bridge, and still went on, without hearing even the report of a 
 
 Btol to warn them of any obstacle to their triumphant entrance into tlie fair fields 
 
 ; the Eastern Townships. They crossed the line, when lo 1 from the summit and side 
 
 the hill before them, a sharp and loud report and the messengers of death fell rapidly 
 
 long them. They halted and returned the fire ; but they might as well liave fired 
 
 jihe moon, — trees and rocks being the only enemy in view. 
 
 boon came another volley, ar.'l then another, and by ihii time the valor of the 
 
 Umy of Ireland" was on the wane. " Discretion is the beltir part of valor," and 
 
 land might take care of herself; they were not going to stand longer on the road 
 
 [he shot at, and taking their wounded and dead, with the exception of one poor 
 
 llow, wiio was left in the road, all, save a few who sought shelter beneath the bridge, 
 
 jlde a rapid movement toward Vermont. 
 
 The second Fenian raid into St. Armand was ended. One of the Fenians, on 
 tting back out of rifle range, remarked to the bystanders who had followed to 
 t!u ss the " Invasion," that he had been in several engagements in the great 
 
 
56 
 
 K::;TORy ok argenteum. 
 
 Rebellion, but had never been in one where the bullets fell faster than they dicjj 
 from Eccles Hill. Well might he so remark, as every man on the Canadian side was aj 
 crack shot. 
 
 The writer with a friend drove on the battle ground that day, but the firing liacl 
 ceased. With a glass we could see distinctly two Fenians who had been shot — on| 
 lying in the road and another in the field in the rear of Rhicard's house, where 
 was shot while running across the field. 
 
 .Several reporters of the New York papers were present, and many companiei!^ 
 of Volunteers had now arrived, and others were constantly coming, till orders wer;. 
 given them to return. 
 
 It was never known what the casualties among the Fenians were during this raiui 
 as they carried away their wounded, some of whom died subsequently. It is al!!|i 
 stated that they carried away some who were killed. 
 
 Toward nightfall, our Volunteers buried the Fenian who was shot on ti; 
 Canadian side. He was a young fellow, and the next day his father and motlia 
 arrived, nearly heart-broken, from their home in Burlington, Vt., and took back \vit| 
 them his remains. They had made every effort to dissuade him from coming i| 
 Canada, but without p.vail. 
 
 In March, 1866, the nth Battalion, being called out on account of an anticijjatel 
 Fenian invasion, assembled at St. Andrews ; Companies i and 7 were sent to Ottiwal 
 2 and 5 to Lacolle. As the other companies were not properly officered, having beej 
 newly re-organized, they remained at St. Andrews. 
 
 The companies that were ordered to Ottawa rode up in sleighs, and remaimi 
 there a month ; on their return in April, they went to Prescott, where special lal 
 were to meet them. As they were boarding the two cars, they noticed eight meiH 
 strangers — occupying seats in one of them. As the cars were designed speciaEj 
 for the Volunteers, some one objected to taking other passengers, but the strange] 
 maintained their seats, and expressed their determination to do so till they h<| 
 reached their destination. 
 
 The cars went on to Cornwall, when, on arriving there, to the surprise of til 
 Volunteers, their two cars were quickly surrounded by soldiers of the Prescott lii 
 talion. 
 
 The civil aulhoriti^s at Cornwall had received a telegram from Toronto, inforij 
 jng them that there were Fenians on the train. The Mayor and Sheriff of Coriiws| 
 therefore, visited the train, and informed Capt. McDonald of the telegram. Beliova 
 that tlic eight strangers must be the Fenians referred to, he stationed Sergts. Thoinl 
 Lamb and Timothy iMtzgerald at one door of the car, Martin Weightman J 
 another man of his comi)any, at the other door, with strict orders to let no one eni 
 or pafs out. The Sheriff and one or two others were soon admitted, and the strpiiga 
 — much to their astonishment and chagrin — were arrested on the charge of heij 
 Fenian spic s. 
 
 They loudly disclaimed any connection with the Fenian Order, or knowledj 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 57 
 
 they d;': 
 
 ftrin{; ha:; 
 ihot — out 
 where litj 
 
 companie:; 
 rders vverv| 
 
 g this raici 
 It is alsl 
 
 lot on \\]i 
 and moih^ 
 c back witi 
 coming i| 
 
 1 anlicipatel 
 t to Ottawa! 
 having l)eei 
 
 id remaind 
 pecial call 
 ight men- 
 ed specialj 
 he Strang^ 
 ill they hi 
 
 J-prise of il 
 rescoit V,. 
 
 Into, intotij 
 lot" Corn\v;| 
 Believii 
 Igts. Thor 
 Ightman ai 
 Ino one ciil 
 Ithe strf ngj 
 rge of iit^'l 
 
 Ir knowleiil 
 
 it, but on being searched, every one was found to be armed with tv/o revolvers, 
 Id tlieir valises were packed with ammunition and cartridges. They finally ac- 
 lowledged themselves Fenians, and .verc marched off in irons to Cornwall jail. 
 iro was taken by the otflcers engaged in the arrest to conceal the matter, as far as 
 isible, from the Volunteers, being apprehensive of violence to the prisoners, such 
 [s the hatred borne toward Fenians by the Volunteers. These, it is said, were the 
 tt Fenian prisoners taken in Canada, but tliey afterwards escaped from jail. 
 
 In June, i866, the Battalion was again called out, and the companies arrived at 
 
 Andrews on Saturday evening. The following Monday night, they took a special 
 
 It to St. Anns, and the next day went to Cornwall, from which place they were 
 
 It, llie ne.xt Sunday, to St. Johns, Que. After remaining there several days they 
 
 irned. 
 
 Abou. the first of August, i866, two companies, i and 4, which were formed 
 
 Volunteers from all the companies of the Battalion, went to Cornwall, to relieve 
 
 companies of Prescott Volunteers, that for some time had been stationed there. 
 
 relief companies were there till November. 
 
 In April, 1870, the Battalion was again called to St. Andrews, and from that 
 :e to Montreal, where they were despatched to different parts of the Eastern 
 rnships. 
 
 In the moiilh of May following, they were once more called together at St. 
 
 Irews, but many of the officers and men being absent to aid in supi>ressing the first 
 
 Rebellion, the companies were not in proper condition to be sent out. Col. 
 
 |sey, who was then captain of the Prince Consort Rifle Brigade, came to drill them ; 
 
 l^vhen they were prepared, the trouble in the Northwest had subsided, and they 
 
 sent home. 
 
 A ritle match was formed in connection with the Battalion, several years ago. 
 held annually at St. Andrews, and receives for prizes a grant from Government 
 |oul $50 yearly, and this is increased to $120 by private subscriptions. These 
 has are always well attended, and have been the means of developing many 
 jg men into crack shots. There are six different matches: the " Nursery match," 
 fsideni's," " Vice-President's," " Military," " Association," and " Extra-Scries," 
 ich of which there is a special prize. 
 
 ENT OfKICKRS of THE I ITII 1j\TTAM0M OF INFANTRY — Ar jENTEUIL RaNGERS. 
 
 James B. Cushing. 
 
 Majors. 
 
 George B. Martin. 
 
 Captains. 
 Albert E. Hodgson. ■ Henry Jekyll. 
 
 John Rogers. William Williamson. 
 
 William Gurd. John Earle. 
 
 5 
 
 'I 
 
 William Hoy. 
 
 John Pollock. 
 Thomas Weightman. 
 Geo. Dunbar Walker. 
 
58 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 John McMartin. 
 Lemuel Berron. 
 
 Abr. Watcliorn . 
 John A. Morrison. 
 Adley Shirritt. 
 
 Paymaster. 
 Thomas Lamb. 
 
 Quarter Master. 
 \Villiam Pollock. 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 William Watchorn. 
 Samuel E. Smith. 
 
 2n(i Lieutenants. 
 Andrew Ralhwell. 
 Walter A. Brown. 
 B. J. Williamson. 
 
 Isaiah Bows. 
 Robert Evans. 
 
 Osmond Le Roy, 
 F. dishing. 
 
 Adjutant. 
 William Williamson. 
 
 Surgeon. 
 Wm. H. Mayrand, M.D. 
 
 THE SCHOOLS OF ARGENTEUH.. 
 By Inspector McOuat. 
 
 The history of education in Argenteuil begins with the struggles of the fJ 
 settlers in the county. All efforts to provide an education amongst the early inliaJ 
 ants were, as in all other parts of Canada at that time, purely voluntary. Wheel 
 number of inhaljitants felt the need of a school, a subscription list was opened, 
 the purpose of raising sufficient means wherewith to pay the salary of some perJ 
 who should be selected to conduct the proposed school. Such school was often LI 
 in the homes of some of the people, who gave the use of a part of their house a| 
 contribution for the support of education. Another form of assistance was the [d 
 tice of boarding the teacher for a period in turn, according to the number of pt; 
 the person sent to the school. Still another plan of supporting the school wasl 
 supplying wood for heating the school room. There were also other ways of coil 
 butingto its maintenance. Instead of paying:; cash, subscriptions were often paidj 
 produce, especially when the teacher was a householder with a family. There ' 
 always a part of the salary paid in cash. In this way an exchange of serJ 
 was made, and while the pupils on the one hand received an education, the leaa 
 on the other hand obtained a living, which is about all those who become teaci| 
 receive at any time. Under such circumstances the continuance of a school i 
 very imcertain and irregular, but such was the practice which obtained for iJ 
 years, until a system of education was provided by government. 
 
 In these early days there were no diplomas to guide in the selection of a leatj 
 yet in most cases a person could be found who had sufficient education to codi 
 the school. Such persons knew little of the methods of teaching, and often adoj 
 inferior methods, yet many of their pujjils were successful in study, and later, inj 
 life's occupation. 
 
 The subjects taught in these e.irly schools to which most attention was I 
 
HISTORY OF AKGKNTEUI'.. 
 
 59 
 
 Ivero reading, writing and arithmetic. Geography and grammar were taught, — the 
 Ifornicr without maps, the latter as a series of rules of speech and composition, — a prac- 
 tice too common at the present time. 
 
 In these days of which we write, it was quite necessary that the teacher should 
 be able to rule the school in every respect, since there were no school laws and no 
 aiilhorilies to whom the tc.ncher could appeal for assistance. Hence, we fnid that 
 AS there were many difficulties hard to overcome, especially in the discipline of the 
 School, most of the teachers were masters, who are fittingly described by Goldsmith, 
 Vhen he writes of the master of Lissoy, thus : — 
 
 •' A man severe he was, and stern to view, 
 " I knew him well and every truant knew ; 
 " Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace 
 " The day's disasters in his morning face ; 
 " Full well they laughed wiih counterfeited glee 
 " At all his jokes, for many a joke had he ; 
 " Full well the busy whisper, circling round, 
 " Conveyed the dismal tidings, when he frowned ; 
 " Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught, 
 " The love he bore to learning was in fault." 
 
 The experience of many of these men was very difiicult and trying, and they are 
 Host properly characterized by the last two lines of the above quotation. The build- 
 ngs provided for school purposes were often small, cold, unhealthy, and poorly pro- 
 fided with furniture and appliances for teaching ; nevertiieless, much of the work 
 ^one was noted for thoroughness. 
 
 This condition of things, however, gradually improved, and was finally replaced 
 1829 by a .oluntary system of educatioI^ Under this system a community which 
 desired a school had to provide a suitable building for school purposes, and had to 
 lay a fee of admittance for each pupil attending the school, while the Government 
 faid the teacher directly, upon the joint certificate of the clergy and the member for 
 be county. 
 
 This system was abolished in 1841, and the present ^educational system estab- 
 Ished, whereby taxes are imposed for the support of education, while the Government 
 Ixpends annually a large sum of money, paid to schools in proportion to the latest 
 lensus returns. By the system of 1841, all teachers were to be examined and certi- 
 |ed, and although such test of scholarship was but simple at first, the examination 
 )r diplomas at present is a fair test of proficiency in the work prescribed. Much 
 Opposition was offered to the introduction of the new school system, chiefly owing to 
 le taxation, and in some of the municipalities considerable physical force and threats 
 rere used to prevent the establishment of public schools. The better cause pre- 
 vailed, however, and public schools have for many years been in operation in each 
 L,'."nship of the county. 
 Some of these schools in the more populous parts are well attended, and accomplish 
 
«0 
 
 msroRV OF akgenteuil. 
 
 good work ; others in less favorable parts are not so well attended, yet the work 
 the less favored scliool is often equal to tliosc which have greater advantages. OiHf| 
 the great hindrances in the establishment of an elementary school system in our pn. 
 vince was the difference amongst the people in race, language and religion. Maiij 
 efforts were made to devise a suitable system, but none succeeded until 1S41, wh; 
 the present system was established, giving to Protestants and Roman Catholics aliil 
 the right to provide an education for theii children. Thus we have what may l\ 
 called a Dual System of education and two classes of elementary schools. For niai 
 years in the earlier days of the country':; history, the inhabitants were entirely En 
 lish-speaking, but for some years past the remaining portions of the county havo bei 
 occupied by people of French origin, and lluis we have both kinds of schools est 
 lished. There are at the present lime 19 Protestant school municipalities, contain; 
 60 elementary schools, and 13 Roman Catholic municipalities containing 18 eletri: 
 tary schools. The total number <( schools therefore is 78, while the total enrolhiie 
 of pupils last year (1894) was 3,403, giving an average of 43 to each school. T 
 total value of the scliool buildings of the county is estimated at $64,790, while the tc 
 assessment of taxable property is $1,903,624. The amount of taxes collected in it 
 was $16,576, to which nnist be added the Government grant of $2,631, making ;: 
 total coht of education $(9,207. 
 
 The average salary of elementary teaciiers in English schools is placed at $1:1 
 and those of the French schools at $127 per year. Of the teachers in the elementi] 
 schools, 6 were witliout dii)lomas, — 2 being in the English schools, and 4 in :: 
 French. Sucli is a brief outline of the efforts which led to the establishment of 
 elementary schools supported by public contributions and Government aid. 
 
 INHABITANTS OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Less than a century ago, the ancestors of the present inhabitants of Argent.] 
 were chietly beyond die sea. Bravery and determination are qualities which, atj 
 times and in all nations, have deservedly been admired, but usually they are soj 
 sociated with war, or rendered conspicuous by impending danger or serious calami 
 that we are apt to disregard their presence in the peaceful pursuits of life. TheScoi 
 are proverbially a brave people ; their deeds of valor have been commemoratedl 
 sculpture, history and song. No more striking examples of heroism are recorded ij 
 those of Scotia's sons, when they gathered to repel Edward's invading hosts : 
 rescue their country from a foreign yoke. 
 
 From that to the present time, the martial glory of Scotland has not 
 eclipsed. The annals of a thousand battles fought in the wide domain of the l!ri:j 
 Empire attest the stoicism with which Scottish clans have marched to deal 
 uphold the prestige of St. George's cross. 
 
 And have the sons of Erin no share in martial fame ? Are there no fields wlieri| 
 Irish valor has vied with English and Scottish prowess to sustain the glory of Bi itaj 
 
 t a change 
 t juesented 
 
 t seems to 
 
 rant was I 
 K' knowled 
 n(-'ci, and co 
 
 II i money, 
 K .:.al hun 
 I'livaiionw 
 
 persisted in 
 pied into I 
 filiation 
 it was the 
 
 
 |norkl)u 
 
 rn, ai 
 
 :fo!' Luckno\ 
 
 <ii"g pages 
 
 insular war, 
 
 Ai,mnteuil, t 
 
 |iir present sui 
 
 ''-"'iih distr 
 
HISTORY Ol- AROENTEUIL. 
 
 ;c 
 
 Argc: 
 lich, .'it I 
 
 are soi 
 
 i calani.| 
 The So 
 moraledj 
 
 ordoil t1 
 hosts! 
 
 IS not 
 fthe Hrl 
 
 to dciiti. 
 
 ;? Every British engagement, from tlie clays of Cromwell to the present, refutes 
 
 imputation. Side by side, in India, Afglianistan, tlic Crimea and Kgypt, have 
 lull h and Irish soldiers with equal bravery marched to victory or defeat. 
 
 Was the spirit of these men wanting in those of their countrymen who crossed 
 
 ocean to become pioneers in the wilderness of this distant and strange land ? Did 
 
 require no bravery, determination or self-denial to sever the dearest associationsi 
 
 |d leave for ever tiie home of their fathers, to engage in new struggles in foreign 
 
 ;;, ! Was there no act of heroism in all this, which would compare with that of 
 
 tir brethren, who had volunteered to fight the battles of their country ? 
 
 Let us rctlect. A sea voyage in those days was widely different from what it is 
 :,v,v From two to three montlis was the time required for a sailing vessel to cross 
 
 Atlanuc, and those vessels were but poorly constructed, compared with the 
 lunch steamers of today, to resist the shock of the billows and storms of the deep 
 Irinj,' all this lime, the hapless emigrant had naught to engage his mind but the' 
 frowful recollection of tiie loved ones and scenes left behind ; naught to attract his 
 
 but tlic dreary waste of waters around, which became more and more mono- 
 [ous as day succeeded day. 
 
 And when, at last, weary and dispirited from his long voyage, he reached port, 
 kck or more was requi'-ed lor the conveyance of himself and family to the cabin o^ 
 friendly countryman contiguous to the wilderness, where he was to pitch his 
 It, and, doubtless, remain for life. Here he leaves his family till he can erect a 
 \\\\ on liis own land, or take .sicpa 'o secure a place that he can call his own. But 
 It a change from the comforts and appearance of an old and poi)ulous country to 
 It presented in the wilderness! Comforts of almost every kind were wanting. But 
 jit seems to us of the present as the greatest impediment to the happiness of the 
 [grant was his total ignorance of the work it was necessary to do — his destitution 
 Ihe knowledge on which all his future success depended. Everything had to be 
 [ncd, and comforts — unless he had money — he was obliged to forego. As very 
 
 lad money, their lives, for many years, were a period of privation, and when we 
 |\v .;.at hundreds of these emigrants — chietly Scotch, but many Irish — endured all 
 
 |uivalion'with fortitude ; that year after year, through tropic heat and arctic cold, 
 
 lersisted in their endeavors to subdue the forest and transform the land they 
 Jl)ied into productive fields, we can but regard it as a disjday of bravery and 
 
 rniiiiation of a most exalted character. 
 
 It was the same spirit which animated tiicir ancestors to chivalrous deeds a 
 
 knorkburn, and ai a modern date compassed the downfall of Sebaslopol and the 
 
 Kol" Lucknow. Indeed, many of the pioneers of Argenteuil, as v.ill be seen on 
 
 .'cding pages, were battle-scarred veterans, who had won laurels in India, in the 
 5niiilar war, or on the field of Waterloo. 
 
 Ai-enteuil, the legacy which they bequeathed to their descendants, is the object 
 jiir present survey. 
 
 I'hjugh distant from the seaboard, her frontage upon one of the broadest and 
 
nge 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 grandest rivers upon the continent brings her into easy communication with tin 
 chief cities of the Province and the markets of the world. Two railways now crosi 
 ing broad sections of iicr territory increase still further her commercial facilitieij 
 and bring together the people of districts that were remote. 
 
 The strength and fertility of her soil conii)ensate in part for the roughness f J 
 her exterior, while the beauty of her scenery is a scource of wealth more lasticJ 
 than that of the mines and the productive plains of the West. The marvellous beaiis 
 of her inland lakes, the picturesqueness of her mountains, the wild gorges and watcij 
 falls of her rivers, arc but in the infancy of their attraction. When they are bctta 
 known, and the facilities for reaching them are improved, they will form a permand 
 magnet for visitors — the mountains will be dotted with villas, and the lokes with skiq 
 and yachts. 
 
 Though Argenteuil has some good grain-growing sections, and usually produd 
 good crops of oats, corn and potatoes, it is evidently a country better adapted!^ 
 dairying and stock-raising than to other purposes. 
 
 She has cheese factories and creameries, the produce of which holds fair rank wi: 
 any in the Province. Her cattle, sheep and horses are of the best, and the anim 
 fairs which are held at Lachute, the chef-lieu of the county, exhibit a variety arj 
 (juality of animals, as well as farm products of all kinds, that would be a crtMli'. 
 any agricultural district. 
 
 ( The inhabitants of Argenteuil still retain the prominent characteristics of:| 
 races whence they sprang — thrift, honesty and hospitality forming striking features 
 their character, which a stranger will not fail to observe. The farmer of Argcntej 
 is determined to live within his means, consequently there is but little, either alvj 
 his home surroundings, his wearing ai)parel, or his travelling equipage, that .savcj 
 of a love of display or extravagance in the use of money. If, now and then, onel 
 in the enjoyment of an expensive dwelling or a fine carriage, it is conclusive eviderl 
 that he has been blesssed with fortune or shrewdness above his neighbors, and \l 
 what he enjoys is paid for. It is not exaggeration to say that all, or nea.'y all,: 
 in comfortable circumstances, far better than the inhabitants of some sections of :| 
 Province where there is more outward display of wealth. Honest dealing, aiij 
 desirt to observe the Golden Rule of doing as they would that others should do] 
 them, is a prevalent trait. Hospitality is a quality found in every household, 
 whatever family the stranger enters, he is welcome at the board, and a lefcj 
 to partake of refreshment, which is immediately proffered, is very likely 'o f 
 attributed to fastidiousness or to want of geniality. However cautious and exictj 
 our subject may be in making a bargain, he never wants sympathy for the need)] 
 afflicted ; and let him once become assured that a petitioner for help is desrrv| 
 assistance is never delayed. An additional quality of the inhabitants of Arguntl 
 is the love of their homes and their native land. 
 
 It may be a knowledge of the alacrity with which their fathers responded tol 
 call to arms in 1812, or the eagerness with which they rallied to the loyal st in; 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 63 
 
 1837, '"^"^ ^'^^''' f'"'^"''*- '■"^'^ '° Atm'i to preserve their liearlh-sloncs from Kenian 
 Ucli. yet one cannot resist the impression, tliat a patriotic class is tliat vvhicii inlial)it3 
 be hills and valleys of Argenteiiil — a danger menacing their homes and freedom would 
 ill forth a class of patriots as brave as ever responded to the call of Liberty. 
 
 '• Princes and lords may tlourish or may fade, 
 A breath can make tlifni, as a breath lias made j 
 But a bold peasantry — their country's pride — 
 When once destroyed can never be supplitd." 
 
 While the yeomanry of Argenteiiil arc brave, hospitable, moral and industrious, 
 [want of facilities for education in i)ast years siiows too plainly its baneful effect, 
 Lci ially in a few secluded rural districts ; but the present encouragement given to 
 
 hools will preserve the rising generation from the bane of illiteracy. 
 
 While speaking of the inhabitants of the County, we should not omit notice of 
 lie I'rcnch, who, liirough constant increase during recent years, have become no 
 ^considerable part of the population. It is generally conceded that the habitant 
 I a good citizen. 
 
 He is simple in his habits, jilodding and industrious, with little ambition save 
 
 supply the immediate needs of his family and to be regular in his attendance at 
 Is cluirch. 
 
 Of his brethren who possess a little more education or ambition, many develop 
 Jto able business men, and become prominent farmers, shrewd speculators or man- 
 
 icturers. Many embark with success in commercial life, and become popular 
 [rough their affability and the courtesy with which they supply tiie wants of their 
 iistomers. Another class who fill the higher positions of life — public offices or 
 rofcssions — are those who consider and discuss the social and political problems of 
 |e day, and desire the progress of their race. The representative of the latter 
 
 iss, like the natives of his mother-land, is proud-spirited. If the situation of his 
 
 |>untrymen in Canada is subordinate, he knows that it is an exception to the parental 
 
 Dck — he springs from a land that acknowledges no superior. If piqued— as he 
 Jnictimes is — at Anglo-Saxon boasts, he consoles himself with a glance is. the fields 
 
 bercoii the cross of St. George has bowed before \.\\Qjleur dc lis of St. Uenis. 
 Whatever chagrin he may feel at the recollection of Quebec is dispelled by a 
 
 ji)gcr llight of memory to the battle of Hastings. The Englishman may sing the 
 
 ings and boast the exploits of Merrie England, but the Frenchman has equal coin- 
 
 rt in the deeds and ditties of La Belle France. 
 
 SCOTCH SETTLERS OF ARGEiNTEUIL. 
 By Colin Dewar. 
 A remarkable feature of the Scotch settlers of the county was the distinct sep- 
 latioii of the two races : the Higlilatulers settling on the banks of the Ottawa 
 jer and around St. Andrews, while the Lowlandcrs settled at and around Lachute, 
 here for years the names of the Barrens, Doigs, Drennans and Buchanans, together 
 
■NiiiiPiiiiiiiiiHK::: 
 
 -^..-JLJUJ 
 
 6 + 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 with Hie McOuats, McKimtnies, McGregors and McCkires, and a host of other equally] 
 worthy names, are remembered as household words. 
 
 The tarly settlers in that i)art of the county, before the arrival of the Scotch, 
 had very little knowledge of farming, their chief dependence for a living being in! 
 the manufacture and sale of potash ; but when the timber was all ciu off iheir farms, ofj 
 course, the supply of material was exhausted, and then they had to pay more attention 
 to their farms ; but as the soil was of a light, sandy nature, and their facilities for| 
 cultivating it very few and of the most primitive character, they had uphill work, 
 Their only implement in the shape of a plough, during the first and second decades ofj 
 this century, was very properly called the "hog plough," which, as its name indi- 
 cated, was not conducive to a successful course of farming, and in a short time their 
 farms were completely worn out and exhausted. 
 
 About that time, a few Scotch emigrants came to the place, and finding that farni< 
 could be bought cheap from these men who were glad to get rid of them at ,iiiv 
 price, secured their own, and wrote for their friends to come, and in a short dme :,| 
 small colony of thrifty, industrious farmers was established, who brought not oiJi 
 knowledge of the best system of agriculture known and practised in the Lothiaib 
 — which even at that time was considered liie best in the United Kingdom, — but \vh 
 also brought the best and most imj)roved agricultural implements, and also the bi- 
 tradesmen, representing the different handicrafts required in a new country, and| 
 being careful and frugal, as well as of the most industrious habits, a marked chaiiu'c 
 was soon visible in the appearance of the country, and in a short time the " dcsci: 
 rejoiced and blossomed as the rose." 
 
 In addition to all these worldly possessions and thrifty habits which they broiightl 
 from their native land, they also brought the love and veneration for their veligiousl 
 institutions and privileges in which they had been nurtured and brought up. Tiiei 
 remembrance of those bhssful associations, with which they had been so familiar,] 
 particularly in the rest and observance of the Sabbath, was something tliey were vcryj 
 thankful for, as a Scottish Sabbath, as it was known to them, was a day of rest andj 
 gladness, a day wherein man held converse with his Maker, free from worldly carci 
 and anxieties ; and as they wended their wuy to the Kirk, which to them was the voryl 
 gate of heaven, and the morning psalm went up in a grand, slow surge, perhaps to tliei 
 tune of " Elgin " or "Dundee" or plaintive " Martyrs, worthy of the name," thcrel 
 was a sense of hallowed days in the very air, and in the words of the Psalmist llicyj 
 could say, " I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go into the house of tliej 
 Lord." 
 
 In their new homes they had to forego these pleasures for a lime ; Zion was iioti 
 forgotten, and in due lime they had the extreme pleasure and satisfaction of haviiigl 
 their religious privileges as they were wont to have them in their native land. M,inv[ 
 a time, no doubt, their hearts ached with a home sicknessand longing, as they listei)cd 
 to the words of a simple ballad written by one of their own poets, " O 1 why left I ni)| 
 hame ?" one of the most plaintive and pathetic ballads in the Scottish dialect, begiiif 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 65 
 
 ning willi a wail in tlic minor key, in whicii ihe liome life, the family and social rcla- 
 tuiiis are bemoaned, and closing with a wild, weird burst of sorrow, in which their 
 religious privileges arc lamented. The following story, which was published many 
 
 [years ago in one of the leading Scottish journals, illustrates the power of music and 
 
 itlic effect it has on the Scottish peasant : — 
 
 An emigrant vessel lying at the part of Leith, bound for Australia, was visited 
 
 [liclorc sailing by one of these balhui singers, and the above-named simple ditty was 
 sung as only could be sung by one of these singers, and the result was, that in a 
 
 Islinri time the greater part of these emigrants were weeping and wailing at the thought 
 )r leaving their native land, and it was only that better counsefs ])revaile'', i-r 'hey 
 icjiild have deserted the vessel, their feelings were so wrought upon by this 1; but 
 pouching song. 
 
 Scotland is famed for a class of national airs of a jieculiar style anr ..ucture, 
 jnd the martial music possesses a wild, spirited, strongly marked expression of char- 
 K ler, which has often turned the tide of victory on many a bloody field of battle. 
 Some of the descendants of the Scotch farmers are living in comfort and aftUi- 
 ^nce on the old homesteads, others are occupying positions of trust and responsibility 
 difleicnt parts of the Dominion, while others have left home and friends and native 
 md to carry the glad tidings of salvation to heathen lands, and it does not require 
 ; great stretch of imagination to connect these devoted workers, who have given their 
 Ives to spend and be spent in the Master's service, with the religious training of their 
 jiefathers and their love of the Sabbath and Gospel ordinances. 
 
 '• If Ihou turn away thy foot from tlie Salibath, from doing tliy pleasure on my holy day, and call 
 I tlio Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honorable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own 
 Iwxys, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight 
 Ithyselfin the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed 
 IlLcf will) the heritage of Jacob, thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." 
 
 Mr. Dewar also pays the following comi)limcnt to the French : — 
 A tradition exists, which, in the main, is supported by history, that Argenteuilwas 
 [oseii as the trysting place or rciidez-vous of American emissaries (or Bostonnais, as 
 
 .'V were called by the French Canadians), who endeavored to fan the tiame of dis- 
 
 ilein ;nnong the French habitants, with a view of helping the American nation in 
 
 :ir subjugation of Canada. 
 They did not succeed in their mission, especially in the rural districts, as the 
 
 (ii.uis remained firm in their allegiance to the British, and the French Canadians, 
 lieir lionor l)e it narrated, remained equally firm aiid true, as was witnessed a 
 years afterwards, during the war of 1812-14, when the flower of their best families 
 
 listood and repelled witli great loss, the invaders of the Province at Chateauguay 
 Chrysler's Farm. On this subject, the Archivist's report for 1888 says : — 
 '• Hut the appeals (of these emissaries) to the better class of French Canadians 
 
 jad little effect, as is strikingly shown by the list sent byCarlcton to Lord George 
 
 Siriii.iiu on the 9th May, 1777, in which there does not appear the name of one 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 " French Canadian. 1'hose of that nationality who took part with the Bostonnais 
 " were of the lower class in the rural settlements." 
 
 The term *' Bastonnais " seems to be a corruption of the word Bostonnais, as 
 Arnold's expedition was known to have started from Boston, and the corruption has 
 extended to our day, for up to the last forty years, in speaking to old Frencli Cana- 1 
 dians in reference to tlie American invasion, they would invariably designate it as i 
 " la guerre des Bastonnais." We like these national solecisms, and we have retained] 
 this one. 
 
 SEIGNIORY OF ARGEN'IEUIL. 
 
 On the 15th of June, 1682, a promise of a grant of this fief to Sieur Chas. Jos.| 
 D'Aillebout was signed at Quebec by Count de Frontenac, Governor of New France.j 
 The grant was to include "a tract of land lying on tiie north side of tiie Ottawa, 
 extending from the foot of the Long Sault two leagues towards Montreal, and fourj 
 leagues back from the Ottawa, including all the islands, points and sand-bars oppositej 
 of which the island named Carillon forms a part." 
 
 In 1697, Sieur D'Aillebout and iiis wife, Catherine Le Gardeur, sold the grantj 
 to their son, Pierre D'Aillebout Sieur d'Argenteuil. The latter in 1725 took the oathl 
 of fealty, and fyled the promise of Count de Frontenac. The heirs of Louise Denis! 
 widow of Pierre D'Aillebout Sieur d'Argenteuil, sold this fief to Louise Panet, who! 
 took the usual oath in 1781. In 1800 Panet sold to Major Murray, who sold toj 
 Sir John Johnson in 1814, and the only Seigniorial claim against Argenteuil now| 
 existing is held by his heirs. 
 
 This Seigniory was erected into a parish by proclamation of loth May, 1822. 
 
 The following if-: a description of the Seigniory copied l"rom Bouchette's Top»j 
 grai)hy of Canada published in 1815 : — 
 
 " The Seigniory of Argenteuil is on the nt)rth i)ank of the Ottawa, in the count)| 
 of York. It adjoins the seigniory of the Lac des Deux Montagnes on the eastward 
 the township of Chatham on the westward, and a tract of waste Crown lands on tliJ 
 northward ; its front extends two leagues along the river, by four in depth. It waj 
 granted 7th March, 1725, to Mons. D'Aillebout. The present proprietor is Sir Joh:| 
 Johnson, Bart. Perhaps through all the up])er part of the district of Montreal, \ 
 tract of equal extent will be found of greater fertility, or possessing more capabiiti 
 of being converted, within a few years, into a valuable properly. The land is luxu 
 iantly rich in nearly every part, while the different species of soils are so well variei 
 as to afford undeniable situations for raising abundant crops of every kind, 
 lower part bordering on the Ottawa is tolerably well cleared of wood ; thert' ai) 
 large patches of fine meadows and pastures; from hence the ground rises with 
 gradual ascent towards the rear. In the back parts the woods run to a great e\ten| 
 and yield timber of the different kinds of first-rate size and goodness, which hitherti 
 have been very little thinned by the labors of the woodman. The Riviere du Xorj 
 
 ■Sir John 
 !its ill the 
 beautiful 
 I'i ^vhere m 
 >ea(x-and hat 
 'f^uperintcnc 
 |i>H-'( ure, as h 
 roiu Johnson 
 ravelled exlei 
 ■itii the gaini 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 67 
 
 I crosses the upper part of the Seigniory in a direction ftom east to west, discliarging 
 
 itself into the Ottawa, about four miles below the great falls, and nearly half way 
 
 I)et'.veen the lateral boundaries ; it is navigable as high up as the first mill — a distance 
 
 ()f tlirec miles. There is a small stream called Riviere Rouge, running in the same 
 
 direction across the lower part of the grant as the Riviere du Nord, and falling into 
 
 the navigable part of the latter. The settlements that are already formed in Argen- 
 
 iteuil hardly amount lo a third part of the whole; the remainder, however, presents 
 
 jinany temptations to agricultural speculation. Of the present concessions, some are 
 
 situated on the bank of the Ottawa, where they seem to be the most numerous as 
 
 Iwell as the best cultivated ; others on the Riviere Rouge, in a range between it and 
 
 Riviere du Nord, and along both banks of the latter; all showing strong indications 
 
 of a thriving industry in their occupiers. There are twogiist mills, two saw mills, 
 
 land a paper mill, the only one, I believe, in the province where a large manufixcture 
 
 [of paper in all its different qualities is carried on with much success, under the 
 
 idircction of the proprietor, Mr. P.rown of Montreal. Not far below this mill is a 
 
 [good bridge, over which the main road to the township of Chatham and the upper 
 
 [townships upon the Ottawa leads. On the left bank of the Riviere du Nord, upon a 
 
 |l)oint of land near its mouth, is very pleasantly situated the residence of Major 
 
 JMurray, formerly owner of the Seigniory ; this stream and the bays of the Ottawa 
 
 that indent the front abound with a great variety of excellent fish, as do the low 
 
 [lands thereauouts with wild fowl and game of several sorts. The island of Carillon, 
 
 |tlirce miles long by three-quarters broad, is very good land, but not put to any use ; 
 
 tliis with a smaller one near it, and another at the entrance of the Riviere du Nord, 
 
 lie appendages to the grant. If fertility of soil and easy access to water conveyance 
 
 30 deemed of influence in the choice of situations wherein to clear and break up 
 
 lew lands, probably it will not be easy to select a tract where these advantages are 
 
 Detter combined than in the Seigniory of Argeuteui)." 
 
 SIR JOHN JOHNSON. 
 
 By Colin Dewar. 
 
 Sir John was a son of Sir Wm. Johnson, an officer in one of the King's regi- 
 
 ■iits in the then Province of New York, and who resided at "Johnson Hall," in 
 
 beautiful valley on the banks of the Mohawk, where he had a large tract of land, 
 
 111 vhere many of his countrymen and others had settled and lived together in 
 
 [>eace and harmony for many years. Sir William had also received the appointment 
 
 bf Superintendent of Indian Afiairs, which does not appear to have been much of a 
 
 jinciure, as his letters or despatches are dated from different parts of the country, 
 
 )"oin Johnson Hall to Oswego, Niagara and Lake Champlain, thus showing that he 
 
 ravelled extensively. On the breaking out of the troubles which eventuaPy ended 
 
 nth the gaining of their independence, many of his neighbors (under liis advice and 
 
68, 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 influence, no doubt) refused to join the movement, preferring to sacrifice all tin y 
 possessed, and remain loyal to what they called their king and country ; and as it 
 was impossible to remain neutral, the only alternative was to flee to Canada, which, a 
 short time previously, had passed into the hands of the British. 
 
 Arrangements were tlierefore made by which they were escorted by Indians to | 
 Oswego, whence they went to difl'erent parts of the country. 
 
 I would not have dwelt so long on this subject were it not that I am descended 
 from one of these so called U. E. Loyalists, my mother's grandfather, Arch. 
 McDeirmid, having left his comfortable home on the Mohawk river, and, after suffer- 
 ing almost incredible hardships, arrived at Caldwell's Manor, on Lake Champlain, 
 where he had to begin life anew, witiiout deriving any substantial benefit for his 
 loyalty to iiis king and country. 
 
 To Sir Wm. Johnson belongs the honor of capturing Fort Niagara in 1759 — and 
 on the 8th .September, 1760, the whole of Canada was surrendered to the British. 
 
 Sir William has been accused of being the instigator, if not the actual leader, of 
 the raid made by Indians on the peaceable inhabitants of the valley, when so many 
 were ruthlessly massacred, Indian fashion, and their houses and property destroyed by 
 fire. There is no proof whatever, that he was in any way connected with tiiat raid; 
 besides, his inllucncc and actions •> were always on the side of clemency and mercy. 
 However, it is a well authenticated historical fact, that a raid by Indians and others 
 was perpetrated in that place, as above described. There could not have been any 
 glory or honor attending it, as Colonel Guy Johnson, St. Claire and Brant all deny 
 having any part in it. 
 
 Sir William's intimacy and connection ^with Mollie Brant, which has furnish-.^d 
 material for writer-; of fiction as well as history, may have been an advantage to him 
 in his dealings with the Indians, but it "must have bee» a root of bitterness in his 
 own family, as she lived with him as his wife, and was always regarded as such by 
 the Indians, and after his death was treated as his relict. (Archivist's Report B. 114- 
 
 63.) _ _ _ . 
 
 As a woman, she had great influence among the different tribes, and one word i 
 from jier is more taken notice of by the Five Nations than a thousand from any I 
 white man without exception. {Ibid.) 
 
 Sir William died in July, 1774, after a few months severe illness, and was much 
 and deservedly regretted by all classes, and especially by the British Government, 
 who had great confidence in him, both as an ofticer in the army and in filling the 
 important ofiice over the Indians. 
 
 His son, Sir John Johnson, was also an officer in the 28th Regiment of New 
 York, and shortly after his father's death was appointed to the position which his late I 
 lather had held, as Superintendent of Indian Aflairs — a position which he faithfully | 
 filled for many years, even to the detriment of his own pr.vate business. 
 
 He was at onetime nominated for Lieut. -Governor of Upper Canada; audi 
 Lord Dorchester, in a letter to the Home Secretary, also recommended him, but 
 before tiie letter arrived, Simcoe had been appointed. 
 
HISTOKV OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 69 
 
 In 1808, he wrote to Mr. Granville, stating that lie wished to resign his office of 
 Sui)erintendent, and asking that his son, Lieut. -Col. Johnson, be appointed in his 
 stead; but the Home Government did not entertain the application, as they consi- 
 dered Col. ijohnson was not sufficiently acquainted with the peculiarities of the 
 Indian tribes. It was, therefore, given to Col. Clans, a son-in-law of Sir Wm. John- 
 son, who had been for some time acting as Deputy Superintendent. It was a great 
 disappointment to Col. Johnson, as his father, ^ir William, considered that this 
 api)oinlment was to remain in his family. {Ibid^ 311-11.) 
 
 About the year 1814, Sir John Johnson purchased the Seigniory of Argenteuil 
 from Major Murray, and built the manor house on a beautiful spot on the left bank of 
 the North River, near where it flows into the Ottawa. It was built on the same 
 model (only of smaller dimensions) as " Johnson Hall," the residence of his father 
 on the banks of the Mohawk. In that manor house he resided for several years, 
 surrounded by comforts and luxuries far in excess of what might be expected in a 
 comparatively new country, and was very free and affable in his deportment, and was 
 noted for his kind and hospitable treatment to all who sought his acquaintance. 
 
 The " dinner bell " that hung in the belfry of liis coach house, and which was 
 I used ot summon the family and guests to the spacious dining room, he presented to 
 I the Rev. Arciid. Henderson, who placed it on his chuich, where it was used to sum- 
 mon his congregation to worship, but after a few years was taken down and i)laced in 
 I the care of the late Guy Richards. 
 
 As he had decided to leave St. Andrews, ho appointed an agent to look after 
 [the business of the Seigniory, and went to Montreal, where he resided until his death. 
 ITasse, in his life of Philemon Wright, mentions these facts: "In 1774, Sir John 
 I" Johnson was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs, a position which his late 
 I" father, Sir Wm. Johnson, iiad also held. He had won the entire confidence of the 
 I" Indian tribes, and was highly esteemed among them, as was witnessed at the time 
 ['' of liis death in January, 1830, when a great number of Indians went to Montreal to 
 I" take part in the funeral services which were held in t!ie Anglican Church. An 
 Iroquois Indian chief even made an oration in his mother tongue on the virtues 
 I" of the deceased. At St. Regis, the Indians, when informed of his death, went 
 1" around the village, uttering cries and lamentations, and the whole population 
 ['• followed them in a crowd, giving signs of the greatest sorrow." 
 
 His eldest son, Gordon Johnson, never assumed or inherited the title, as he had, 
 ^oars previously, incurred the displeasure of the family, by his marriage with a 
 ^>ench Canadian woman. After the death of Sir John, the Seigniory came into pos- 
 session of his son. Col. Charles Christopher Johnson, who held it for many years, 
 ind was succeeded by Capt. Johnson, the present proprietor. 
 
St. Andrews Parish. 
 
 St. Andrews was erected into a Parisli in 1S22, and at that time it embraced the 
 entire Seigniory of Argenteuil. In 1852, the parish of St. Jerusalem d'Argenteuil 
 was formed, which — much to the dissatisfaction of many of the inhabitants of Si. 
 Andrews — included considerable more than half the original seigniory, leaving tiic 
 northern boundary of St. Andrews about five miles from the Ottawa instead ol 
 twelve — llic distance from this river of its original northern boundary. 
 
 At some time, about or during the fifth decade of the present century, another 
 small tract of territory — a mile in width from the Ottawa, and two miles in length 
 from the cast line of the Seigniory — was taken from St. Andrews, and annexed 
 to the parish of St. Placide. 
 
 The surface of ihis parish is somewhat uneven tiiough its diversities are noi 
 abrupt, nor does it contain any land tliat is not adapted to cultivation. Its soil is 
 good, scenery attractive, and its different sections — especially the River Rouge, 
 Beech Ridge, and the Lachute Road — present many fine, well tilled farms. 
 
 It was here tliat tlie first settlers of this County pitched tiicir tents ; indeed. Si. 
 Andrews, more especially the River Rouge settlement, seems to have been a sort of 
 preparatory place for settlers before going elsewhere, the number of those born 
 there, or whose ancestors were born dierc, and who are now settled throughout the 
 Dominion being legion. 
 
 It is said, that so little did the first settlers on the Rouge know of the topo- 
 graphy of the country, or understand the way of economizing space, that m reaching 
 the St. Andrew's Mill, for a long time they conveyed their grain to the Ottawa, 
 thence by boat to the North River, and up that to the mill. Major Murray, the 
 Seignior, happening at this time to visit the settlement, and learning this custom, 
 pointed out to them the amount of toil they were needlessly expending ; and then, 
 showing a maj) of the Seigniory, convinced them that, in a direct course, they were I 
 about as near the Mill as they were when they had reached the mouth of the North | 
 River. After thi , they opened a road through the woods to the mill. 
 
 ST. ANDREWS VILLAGE. 
 
 Few, if any, country villages or parishes in the Province are more widely Oi| 
 favorably known than St. Andrews. 
 
 Settled at a comparatively early period, and possessing among its inhabitants! 
 many of intelligence and refinement, it naturally soon enjoyed a distinction seldonil 
 attained in the early history of country localities. Many of its business men, alsoj 
 were those who had gained experience and formed an extensive acquaintance jdI 
 other^ places, and their journeying to and fro naturally helped to extend the fame ol 
 
r. 
 
 5 
 
 CO 
 
tlieir] thrlvin 
 widely know 
 is navigable 
 ply tlic largt 
 [jleusure, sa 
 low to admii 
 able point It 
 the 'i)asscng 
 turns from t 
 about to ma 
 finds suffici( 
 their flocks, 
 bridge which 
 the steamer 
 beach on the 
 contribute, v 
 
 Back a I 
 pretentious 
 demoiselles, / 
 and daughte 
 
 Nearer , 
 are waiting t 
 valises and f 
 are present t 
 has purchase 
 
 Though 
 as the cargo 
 quantity deli 
 that it takes 
 taining a do 
 plank is aboi 
 and attracts 
 drives hurrie 
 boxes out wi 
 stupid emph 
 this message 
 suit, arrives, 
 Dobbs &|Fe 
 sage, which 
 away. 
 
 The ste: 
 imagines tha 
 she gracefull 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 7' 
 
 llieir] thriving village. But not least among tlie things which contributed to make it 
 widely known was its location. Situated near the Ottawa on the North River, wiiich 
 is navigable a portion of the season as far as this village for most of the craft which 
 ply the larger stream, it is visited by many who, either in the course of business or 
 [jlcasure, sail up and down the Ottawa. When the water in the North River is too 
 low to admit the passage of steamers, they stop on the Ottawa at the nearest avail- 
 aijle point to St. Andrews. The sail up the North River is extremely pleasant, and 
 the 'i)assenger who has never before made this journey wonders, when the steamer 
 turns from the broad Ottawa towards a forest of willows and alders, whether she is 
 about to make a trip overland; but as s.ie soon glides into the smaller stream, he 
 finds sufficient interest in observing the various farms that lie along the shore with 
 their flocks, herds and diversified crops. Just before reaching the imposing iron 
 bridge which spans the stream and connects the east and west sections of the village, 
 the steamer glides to her wharf. A half-dozen or more skiffs, drawn up on the stony 
 beach on the one hand, and a garden descending to the water's edge on the other, 
 contribute, with surrounding objects, to form an attractive picture. 
 
 Back a little on shore, area fancy dog cart, a newly painted buggy, and a more 
 pretentious two-horse carriage, all in readiness with their drivers to receive the two 
 demoiselles^ petite madamc with her two children, and the portly, elderly mm, his wife 
 and daughter, all of whom are just returning to their homes after a visit to the city. 
 Nearer and closer to the edge of the wharf are several liabitcvits, some of whom 
 are waiting to convey freight to the freight house, while others have come to carry the 
 valises and parcels of lady passengers who reside in the village, while two or three 
 are present to drive home the cows and young stock which the portly old gentleman 
 has purchased for his country domain. 
 
 Though the quantity of freight landed here by the boat is not quite so extensive 
 as the cargo brought by an ocean steamer to one of our city wharves, yet that the 
 quantity delivered at St. Andrews is not insignificant is proved by the length of time 
 that it takes several active hands to discharge it. But the last article — a coop con- 
 taining a dozen l>rown Leghorns — has been transferred to the wharf, and the gang 
 plank is about to be drawn in, when a loud " Halloo " stays proceedings for a litile time 
 and attracts all eyes shoreward. An express, containing two moderate-sized boxes, 
 drives hurriedly to the wharf, a gentleman, evidently a merchant, alights, throws the 
 boxes out with no little excitement, and then turns to inlorm the purser that those 
 stupid employees of Smith &: Jones have sent him the wrong goods. Scarcely has 
 this message been delivered, when another middle-aged merchant, in a smart 
 suit, arrives, and desires to know if the hardware he ordered last week from IVIessrs. 
 Dobbs &| Ferguson has arrived. On being assured that it has not, he sends a mes- 
 sage, which is calculated to sharpen the wits of Dobbs & Ferguson, then hurries 
 away. 
 
 The steamer is soon at right angles with the curr.-'nt, and just as the passenger 
 imagines that she is about to butt head foremost into the opposite bank of the river, 
 slie gracefully swings into mid-channel, and, anon, is once more on the Ottawa. 
 
7* 
 
 HISTORY OF AROF.NTEUII,. 
 
 Such is a scene ihat may often be witnessed on the arrival of the steamer at St. 
 Andrews, — an event wliich is always regarded with pleasure, relieving, as it does, the 
 monotony of village life, and affording to the inhabitants for a time a much desired 
 convenience. 
 
 That the cliannel of the North River will some time be deepened, so that it will 
 be navigable for steamers the whole season, there is little doubt. But until the pro- 
 per interests are awakened and the proper capital invested, this work of public 
 utility will be unaccomplished. 
 
 It seems strange to us, who know so well the various stages through which a new 
 settlement passes before it engages in im])ortant manufacturing enterprises, that St. 
 Andrews, in the very outset of her history, siiould have had a paper mill ; yet that such 
 is a fact is shown by '' Bouchette's Topography of Canada," as well as the testimony 
 of many still living, who s.aw the mill in operation. The following account of this 
 manufactory is given by Colin Dewar : — 
 
 " The ])aper mill was started by a company of Americans, who obtained a 30 
 years lease from ilic Seignior for the necessary water power ; but as James Brown 
 was the owner of the land where they intended to build the mill, it is quite probable 
 he was aparlner from the start, as it was always spoken of as ' Brown's Paper Mill.' 
 The can ' was dug to provide water ]iower, and a dam built across the river from 
 theshoix 11 the east side to a point near the foot of the little island, and as a large 
 quantity of timber and lumber would be required in the erection of the paper mill, 
 they first of all built a saw mill at the head of the canal and extending along the river 
 bank, thus giving plenty of room for the piling of the lumber and storing saw logs ; 
 and as business increased, the space between the canal and the main road, now occu- 
 pied by the railway depot, was utilized. The paper mill was built on the site where 
 Alex. Dewar's store now stands, and had sufficient water power to drive the machin- 
 ery required for doing a large business, and employment was given to many girls and 
 boys, as well as men. One of the foremen for some time was Mr. G. A. Hooker (father 
 of the late Mr. G, A. Hooker), and who was ably assisted by the late William Zearns. 
 
 "These industries continued for several years, and were of great benefit to the 
 village, in giving employment to many hands, — besides, there was no other saw mill 
 nearer than Lachute ; and it was regarded as a public loss, when the busines of both 
 mills came suddenly to a stop in the spring of 1834, by the dam giving way, owing 
 to the high water and ice. During the summer, 'neparations were made to rebuild it ,; 
 but as the Seignior protested against it, and threatened all sorts of litigation if per- 
 sisted in, it was deemed advisable to suspend operations. After two or three years 
 cross-firing between them, the trouble ended by the Seignior's making an offer to Mr. 
 Brown for the purchase of all his properly (which was accepted) ; extending from L( t 
 29 to Lachute Road, and from the Beech Ridge lots to Davis' line, and including 
 both mills and dwellings. Some of the machinery was afterwards used; when the 
 River Rouge saw mill was erected." 
 
HIJJTORY OK AROENTEUIL, 
 
 73 
 
 Mm- 
 
 both 
 
 Idi 
 
 rears 
 Mr. 
 
 L'lt 
 lldin;^ 
 
 lie 
 
 Among the very first of the pioneers who settled at St. Andrews were a number of 
 Americans. Whether one of them came first and induced the others to follow, or 
 Iwhclher they came together, it is now impossible to say, i)ut it is quite certain that 
 jthere was very little if any difference in the time of their advent. 
 
 They were Peter Benedict, who arrived in 1799, Benjamin Wales, John Harriiig- 
 |ton and Elon Lee, who was always known as Captain Lee. All that is known of 
 lis military career, however, is that he had been a Drum Major in the American 
 irmy during the recent struggle for independence. Two at least of the other 
 imericans mentioned above had served in the same army ; and it strikes us, us an 
 Incident somewhat peculiar, that th<'se men had no sooner seen the object acconi- 
 )!islicd for which they were fighting, than they again sought a home beneath the 
 Jritish Hag. 
 
 Capi . Lee bought the lot, and built a hotel on ground now occupied by the 
 ;ongregational Church. He purchased all the land between the village and the 
 >rescnl Roman Catholic Churcli, lying between the road to Carillon and the Ottawa. 
 His house was quite a rciidez-vottsiox Americans who desired to escape military 
 lervice during the war of 1812, and it is said that "jolly times" often occurred here 
 rhile they remained. 
 
 Captain Lee had the reputation of being a Christian man, and of keeping a good 
 
 fiiblic House. In the absence of any church building, it was sometimes found con- 
 
 ;nient to hold religious meetings at his house, when he generously opened his rooms 
 
 ^r the occasion, and otherwise did what he could for the encouragement of 
 
 ligion. But, financially, he was not successful — his debts having accumulated, after 
 
 lumber of years, to an extent that rendered the surrender of his estate into the hands 
 
 his creditors necessary, and he soon afterwards left the country. 
 
 Benjamin Wales, who married Susan, a daughter of Peter Benedict, had also 
 
 [en a musician in the American Army. He was extremely fond of music, and sought 
 
 ncourage its study among the young people of St. Andrews, a number of whom 
 
 night vocal music. He was a paper maker by trade, and for a number of years 
 
 foivman in the paper mill in this village. He was retiring in habit, and has left 
 
 us the reputation of being an earnest, consistent Christian ; he died in 1836. By 
 
 marriage with Susan Benedict he had five children — Henry, Lemira, Charles, 
 
 izabcih and Mary D. In 1839, 28th August, Charles Wales was married to L?etitia 
 
 »tt, daughter of Nathaniel Hazard Trcadwell, I'lsq., of whom a sketch will be 
 
 >iid in the history of L'Orignal. Mr. Wales, like his father, was a Christian man, 
 
 his influence was always on the side of morality. He opened a store, where 
 
 son Charles now trades, and nearly his whole life was given to the mercantile 
 
 fsuit. He was a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for the trial of small causes, 
 
 for forty years a Major of Militia. Owing to his position as magistrate, his good 
 
 ;meni and pacific disposition, he was often consulted by those in trouble, and his 
 
 often resulted in the amicable settlement of disputed accounts and contro- 
 
 sies, which otherwise would have ended in serious trouble and litigation. 
 
 6 
 
 V\ 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGKNTEUII. 
 
 Ill ihc Rebellion of 1H37-38, when there was a, great scarcity of money m the 
 community, lie and A. K. Monmarquelte, of Carillon, issued private notes, — or " shin 
 plasters," as they were called — payable at their respective stores, which, being freely 
 circulated in the community, proved at once a great convenience and a blessing. 
 
 Mr. Wales died 30iii May, 1877, and it was said of him : — " The fragrance 
 his memory can never die, and nwuiy a man and woman will cherish it, as that of a| 
 sympathizing friend and in lionest man." Mrs. Wales, who survives him, iMheriiinjI 
 the characteristics of her ancestors, is in every way a wortliy partner of such a man,! 
 and is still active in temperance and all other Christian work. hey h d six childj 
 ren who grew up, — two sons, Charles Treadwell and Benjamin Nathaniel, and foarf 
 daughters, Margaret Susan, Anna Lrctitia, Mary Maltbie and Grace IMatt. Charlesl 
 follows the mercantile business in the store occupied so long by his father, whosti 
 reputation he well sustains. He was married 21st July, 1875, to Martha W. StoweJ 
 of .Sheffield, Conn., who has been an important acquisition to the temperance anoj 
 Christian workers of St. Andrews. 
 
 Benjamin, the second son of Charles Wales, sen., studied medicine, taking 
 degree at McGill University in 1874. A few years later, he took up his residena 
 in Robinson, Que., where he still remains in the enjoyment of an extensive practiaj 
 He was married 19th November, 1878, to Emma T. Osgood, at Sawyerville, Qatj 
 
 Margaret S. is married to Thomas Lamb, merchant of St. Andrews. Mary Jlf 
 married Win. Drysdale, publisher of Montreal, ist January, 1880. She died in iS^ 
 lamented by a large circle of friends, her amiability and deeds of kindness and benij 
 volence being widely known. 
 
 Anna Laititia, married to Rev. D. W. Morrison, 15th September, 1881, resides^ 
 Ormstown, P.Q. 
 
 Grace Piatt was married 6th February, 1895, to Mr. Kilgour, furniture dealer, 
 Beauharnois, Q. 
 
 The descendants of few men have reflected more credit on their fathers Ci 
 have those of Chas. Wales, sen., of St. Andrews. 
 
 The following sketches of two more of the American pioneers named abo| 
 have been contributed by Colin Dewar. 
 
 Ottawa, 7th February, 1894. 
 Mr. C. Thomas, 
 
 Deak Sir, 
 
 When the American Revolution broke out, Mr. Peter Benedict left his stuiS 
 
 in Yale College, and entered the Army as orderly sergeant, and went with GJ 
 
 Montgomery to Canada, to the reduction of St. Johns. Returning to his m 
 
 place, he was promoted to the rank of ist Lieutenant in the 3rd New York Coj 
 
 nenfal Regiment, and remained some years in the service, but declined further fJ 
 
 motion. The pension laws of the United States were not as strict then as noJ 
 
 regard to the place of abode, as Lieut. Benedict lived in Canada and drew a pena 
 
 I St. Andrews, 
 Tlie follow] 
 
 ai 
 
 m^ 
 
HISTORY OF AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 n 
 
 in Ik I 
 " shin 1 
 ; freely] 
 
 incc of^ 
 lat of a| 
 her'uinjj 
 
 a nun, 
 iX child'l 
 nd fouil 
 
 Charlal 
 r, whostl 
 !. SluwJ 
 ince an(| 
 
 iking 
 residency 
 
 praclial 
 ■ille, Qu} 
 
 Mary 
 d in iS^i] 
 
 and bcB 
 
 residcsi 
 dealer, 
 
 |,ihers t'a: 
 lied M 
 
 lliis slui 
 with 
 his ua; 
 fork Col 
 further 
 as no«] 
 a peni] 
 
 (II his services from the U.S. Government up to the lime of his death in 1830, and 
 itcrvvard his wife drew the pension allowed to officers' widows up to the time of 
 [hci dcatli in 1846. 
 
 IK' was originally from North Salem, N.Y., where all his family were born, but 
 line from lUirlington, Vt., in the spring of 1800, with his wife and family, consisting 
 I three sons and two daughters, and settled on a farm, where he resided till his 
 cUli, 20th May, 1830. He was a man of superior abilities, of a strong, cultivated 
 nd rcllcciivc mind, well qualified to till any position; and it was only a short time 
 I lure he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for nearly twenty 
 cars. Of his family, one daughter married Dr. Beach, and the other married IJenj. 
 A'.ilcs ; ids two eldest sons died shortly after his arrival. His youngest son, Charles, 
 (ini 2jnd October, 1785, lived with him and carried on the work of the farm for 
 iny years. Having formed a jiartnership with his brother-iu-iaw, Mr. Wales, as 
 uilders and contractors, they continued for several years to carry on the farm and 
 luir other work to their mutual advantage. 
 
 Mr. Benedict, on the nth May, 181 2, was married to Damaris Capron, daughter 
 i Xatlian Capron, of Keene, N.H., and after the birth of their eldest son, George, 
 moved to the Bay, on what was known as the last farm in the Seigniory. After 
 veral years' residence there, he removed to St. Andrews, to a property purchased 
 dm Mr. Nolan, where he resided until his death. He always took an active part 
 all public matters, having held the office of Justice of the I'eace for many years, 
 (1 was a Commissioner for the trial of small causes, and for apprehending fraudu. 
 lit debtors, as well as for administering the oath of allegiance. He was appointed 
 bitrator on a streams case in the Parish of Cote St. Pierre, which proved to be both 
 fticiilt and complicated, but was finally surveyed and adjusted to the satisfaction 
 all concerned. He also took an active part in church matters, and was for many 
 ais one of the Elders of the Presbyterian Church. He resided in the County for 
 years, and died on the 31st May, and his wife on the 1st June, 1872, having lived 
 ether for the long space of over 60 years; and in death they were not divided. 
 
 Ilis family consisted of four sons and three daughters, that lived to grow up. 
 
 is eldest son, George, born 4th July, 1814, was the only one who settled in his 
 
 tive place ; he married, 14th February, 1844, Eliza Beattie, daughter of Mr. 
 
 vid Beattie of St. Andrews, by whom he had a family of five sons and five 
 
 lighters. He removed from St. Andrews in 1869 to Ogdensburg, N.Y., where he 
 
 d 2nd December, 1892. His three other sons left home, when quite young, and 
 
 tied in the United States, where Peter died in October, 1892. Chas. and Henry 
 
 still living in New York. His eldest daughter, Susanna, married George G. 
 
 rpc in 1842, and died i6th January, 1858, in the 42nd year of her age, leaving a 
 
 ily of three sons and two daughters. The eldest and only surviving son, George, 
 
 s in the State of Nebraska. The eldest daughter married the Rev. Dr. Paterson 
 
 St, Andrews, and the youngest married Mr. Robert Stewart of Ottawa, 
 
 The following is an extract from a diary kept by Mr. Charles Benedict, of what 
 
76 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 was long remembered as the " cold summer": " Sunday, 12th May, 1816, heavy rain 
 began to fall, and continued without cessation all night, turning cold, but still raining 
 all day Monday. On Tuesday, very cold, with snow squalls, ground almost covered with 
 snow. Wednesday, so cold, obliged to wear mitts and great coat ploughing ; heavy 
 frost at night. Thursday, rather fine sowed wheat and began planting potatoes ; kept 
 cold with hard frost at night up to the 28th, when another cold rain set in. 29111, 
 ground frozen two or three inches deep ; 30th, 31st, finished planting corn and pota- 
 toes ; June 6th, cold with snow ; 7 th and 8th, cold not abated, ground covered with 
 snow, dressed the same as in winter ; cold all through the month ; woods and fields 
 turned a pale green ; July ist, frost killed cucumbers, etc., then cold rain set in; the 
 6th, 7th and 8th, very cold, had to put on mitts and overcoat, hoeing potatoes; loth, 
 nth, hard frost ; and so on tlirough the greater part of the month." 
 
 It must have been very discouraging for them to go on ploughing and sowing in I 
 such very unseasonable weather, but they relied upon God's promise " that seed time| 
 and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night siiould not cease" 
 — and the promise was fulfilled by the ingathering of a good average crop. 
 
 There is no record of any sucii cold season, as above recorded, known in the | 
 history of Canada since that time. 
 
 John Harrington, sen., was an American by birth, and canv to Canada cailyin] 
 the first decade of this century, when quite a young man. He married .". daughter ofl 
 Mr. Peter McArthur of Carillon Hill, and had a family of four sons and five daughters.] 
 He was a first class millwright and aii excellent mechanic, and superintended the! 
 erection of mills in various parts of the country, and especially those mills erected b)| 
 his son-iu-law, D. McLaughlin, at Eytown and Arnprior. He settled on the farnil 
 known by his name, and built that large, substantial, brick residence tiiat lias stood fo.l 
 so many years, aad is, to all appearances, as sound as ever. He died about the yeaij 
 1846, and his wife about twenty years after. Of his sons, John, the eldest, carried oiil 
 the farm for many years before and after his father's death, and was a pattern oil 
 neatness and thrift to all the farmers in the vicinity, and it was a pleasure to waJ 
 around his large farm, and see the convenien'. farm buildings, all in good order ai;il| 
 condition, clean, neat and in good taste. He held many important county and ntuiiiJ 
 cipal offices, which he was well qualified to fill. 
 
 William, the next son, left home when quite a young man, went to Montreal. ai;£| 
 entered a hardware establishment, where, in a '.'.lort time, he became a partner, and 
 married Miss Laura Seymour, and had a family of one son and four daughtcrsj 
 After a time,'he left Montreal and took up his abode in St. Andrews, where 
 received the appointment from Capt Johnson as acting agent for the Seigniory, whic 
 position ,e filled up to the time of his death a few years ago; his estimable wife d;e| 
 a few years previously. 
 
 The other sons, Eric and Armaiid, also 'eft home early, and began business 
 Arnpriir^ where they have remained to the present. 
 
 His eldest daughter, Sarah, never married, but kept house for her brother joii'l 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 77 
 
 at the old homestead. She was an excellent woman, an exemplary Christian, a kind 
 friciiil, and charitable to those in need, and h?r death was sincerely regretted by a 
 largo circle of friends. The third daughter married Dr. Van Cortlandt, one of the 
 leading medical men of the days of old Bytown. The seconU daughter married 
 Daniel McLaughlin, one of the leading lumber manufacturers of his day, and who;' 
 also represented the County of Renfrew, both before and after Confederation. The 
 fourth daughter married Nathaniel Burwash, merchant of Arnprior. The youngest 
 daughter died in the spring of 1S54 after a short illness. Her death was a great 
 shock to the family and to her large circle of young friends, 
 
 Uf the childien of William, his only son, Bernard, as is well known, is one of 
 
 [the Trofessors in McGill College; lie is a young man of more than ordinary ability, 
 
 [as his position in life fu i • demonstrates. 
 
 The tiiree eldest daughters died within a few years of each other, and seme time 
 
 [prior to the death of their parents. 
 
 The youngest daughter, Laura, resides within a short distance of her old home. 
 
 C. I). 
 
 Itrea!. M 
 Lner, aix 
 [augli^i;-! 
 |\vhei" 
 
 )l-y, \viut| 
 Wlft d'.cl 
 
 lisiiv " 
 
 Iher loll 
 
 Of those who lived in St. Andrews in the early days of her history, probably no 
 lone did more for her advancement or was more noted for enterprise than James 
 5k()WN'. He was a Scotchman who had been engaged in the printing business in 
 Montreal, where he published a weekly paper called the Canada Courant. In 
 [812, after coming to St. Andrews, he organized a company of militia, of which he 
 became captain. Among the first, if not the first, of hio acts on coming here was to 
 )ur( hase the paper mill. He enlarged it, as he did, also, the c;inai on which it was 
 located, built a new ?aw mill and a new dam across the river, below the old one, just 
 kt the lower end of the island. Owing to his enterprise; a good many found employ- 
 tient not only at his mills but in other branches of his business. He purchased five 
 3ts of land along liie North River running northward from the River Rouge, some 
 listance along the Lachute road. He also i)urcliased several village lots on the 
 [pposite side of the river, where he had a house and store both in one building, 
 fhich occupied the site of the present brick house of Mrs. E. Jones. 
 
 Mr. Brown is remembered by many of the oldest citizens of this section, and all 
 jver that he was a clever and an u[)righL man. He was a Justice of the Peace, and 
 |ischarged the duties of his office in a manner which enhanced the respect which 
 commanded in his varied intercourse with his fellow-men. One of his daughters 
 |as married to Royal, a son of Moses Davis; another in 1829 to C. H. Castle, 
 kshier of the Bank of Montreal. The Earl of Dalhousie, who was then Governor of 
 ^e Province, was on a tour to this section to inspect the work on the Grenville 
 mal, tlien in process of construction. Being a friend of Mr. Brown, he cheerfully 
 ccmpl!. d with his retjuest to him to be present at the marriage of his daughter^ 
 iich occurred in the house now owned and occupied by Alexander Dewar. A few 
 
78 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 years after this mafriagc Mr. Brown donated to his son-in-law, Mr. Castle and his 
 wife, a lot of land, No. i King's Row, which he himself had purchased in 1809. 
 
 It is said that some regarded Mr. Brown imprudent in pecuniary matters, and 
 accused him of extravagance. Whether there was valid ground for this accusation 
 or not, it is certain that in his later years he was in much poorer circumstances than 
 he was in earlier life. One work, especially, which he performed, was referred to by 
 some as proof of his extravagance: this was the building of an expensive stone wall 
 around the Island above the grist mill, and another along the Lachute Road on his 
 larm. It was his design to ma'c'i a park of the Island, andwitii this design, he paid 
 out no little money. But from tlie removal of the trees near tiie margin, so that the 
 wall might be constructed, their roots soon decayed, the water undermined the wall 
 and the whole work was scon destroyed. Mr. Brown left St. Andrews after th( 
 Rebellion of 1837. 
 
 Moses Davis, from Chesterfield, N.H., was one of the ve.y early settlers here 
 his advent being in 180 r. .Soon aftei his arrival, he opened a store, where the she; 
 of Daniel Siv'ierland now stands. Though it would doiiblles.-) bear little comparisor, 
 to similar establishments of the present day, yet it contained what the community id 
 those days demanded, and, like many another, possibly laid the foundation fur 
 broader and more lucrative business. 
 
 That Mr. Davis \v.t' . man of enterprise, and one who was ready to see nn 
 take adviintage of an op^jortunity, is obvious from the way in which he started, am 
 engaged in manufactures of which the new settlement stood in need. There beiii;! 
 no tanneiy in the place, he opened one, suon after beginning his mercantile venttiri 
 on a site near th'" present house of Thomas Fournier. and this he kept in operatioj 
 till 1847. 
 
 ll.irnesj making and shoemaking were other industries in which he engaged au 
 continued for many years. In 1806, he purchased a lot of ninety acres of land, aJ 
 subsequently added one hundred and fu'ty more. While tliese dilferent branches I 
 business no doul^', repaid him for the trouble, expense, and attention they requirii 
 they must have been a blessing to many others, especially to those labo ers to whoi 
 they gave employment. 
 
 Li 1832, he buiU the stcne hodse in whicii his son Theodore now resides, 
 will be recollected that this was the year in which the cholera made such ravages] 
 the Province. \ ni m named Pitt, who was employed in the construction ofi 
 house, in going to his dinner, while crossing the oridgc in the village, was seized wj 
 pain which portended the dread visitor, and at three o'clock the same day he wai 
 corpse. During the troubles of 1837-38, this house, on account of its size, '.vasi 
 lected by the military authorities for a barracks, in which the soldiers were quartersj 
 The family of Mr. Davis patriotically granted it for the purpose, and found a tfj 
 porary domicile in a smaller house in the village. 
 
 Mr. Davis was for many years a Justice cf the Peace, and a Commissioner! 
 the trial of small causes. He was married in .April, 1806, to Lurena MacArif 
 
 daughter ol 
 Davis .eurvi 
 a large fan 
 daughters g 
 recent date, 
 eldest son, ; 
 during the ' 
 duties dema 
 where for so 
 youngest of 
 And lews. 1 
 hie i)osition 
 daughter of ^ 
 residing in C 
 and lucrative 
 ably known i 
 filling the sar 
 their jjarents, 
 I-'Urena, 
 a sketch is gi' 
 for a number 
 where they ii 
 Kellogg died. 
 resides. 
 
 Theodoi-( 
 paired jihysic 
 'iig "'»t only t 
 tein|ierance, n 
 late Rebellion 
 ofCavalry con 
 many years, Ju 
 'f^45 hemarrie 
 They have hac 
 ceeded to the 
 •''gent. Hisyo 
 TntoDoRi 
 nnl^t have beei 
 a survey and/ 
 not he Was a 
 P'-'f:od subsequ 
 seiviies were 01 
 became an inq 
 
i:^g^w«?wkV»sTO^ra 
 
 HISTORY OK akge:::euil. 
 
 daiigliter of anothei pioneer. He died at St. Andrews, i2tli Dec, 1851, but Mrs. 
 Davis survived him nearly thirty years, having lived till 13th June, i88i. They had 
 a large family of children, two of whom died in childhood ; six sons and two 
 daughters grew uj). Three of the former left this .section long ago, two at a more 
 recent dale, while Theodore, the fifth son, remained on the homestead. Nelson, the 
 eldest son, served as cornet in the Volunteer Cavalry Company of Capt. McLean, 
 during the Rebellion of 183738, and, like his comrades, cheerfully performed the 
 duties demanded of him during that stormy time. In 1841, he removed to Montreal, 
 where for some time he was employed as customs and shipping agent. Crosby, the 
 youngest of the family, was for many years engaged in mercantile business in .St. 
 Anthews. In 18S7 he removed to Ottawa, where he still resides, filling a responsi- 
 ble ])osition in one of the largest establishments in the city. He marricl Margery, 
 daughter of William McEwen, Esq., of River Rouge, .St. Andrews. Their only son is 
 residing in Chicago, where he is established as a dentist, and is doing an extensive 
 and lucrative business. Their second daughter married Mr. Paton, well and favor- 
 ably known in Montreal in connection with the Y. M. C. A. work, and who is now 
 filling the same position in the city of Winnipeg. Two of the daughters reside with 
 their jiarents, and one is at present in Chicago. 
 
 Luiena, the eldest daughter of Moses Davis, married Robert Simpson, of whom 
 a sketch is given on a succeeding i)age. Eliza, her sister, married Joseph Kellogg, 
 for a number of years a merchant in I'Orignal. In 1843, they came to St. Andrews, 
 where they lived on a fLirm till 1857, when they removed to Illinois, where .Mr. 
 Kellogg died. His widow subsequently moved to Iowa, in which State she still 
 resides. 
 
 Theodore, as stated above, has always remained on the homestead, his unim- 
 paired physical and mental powers after threescore and ten years of service testify- 
 ing not only to the healthfulness of the climate in this section, biikto the fact that 
 timjierance, morality and industrious habits are infallible aids to longevity. In the 
 late Rebellion, like his elder brother, he also enlisted in the Volunteer Company 
 ofCavalry commanded by Capt. McLean. After acting as School Commissioner for 
 many years, he accepted the position of secretary-treasurer of the School Board. In 
 1S45 'i'-' married Helen, daughter of Duncan McMartin, a pioneer on the River Rouge, 
 They have had eight children, Moses their eldest son is in Montreal, having suc- 
 ceeded to the business followed by his uncle. Nelson, that of customs and shipping 
 agent. His youngest fon is in business in Tacoma, Washington. 
 
 THtoDORE Davis, a brother of Moses Davis, who came to St. Andrews in 1801, 
 
 liinisi have been here previous to that date, judging from the fact that records refer to 
 
 (asi;r\ey and proccs vcrlxi/ of St Andrews, which he made in 1799. But whether or 
 
 I not 1k' was a citizen of the place at that date, it is certain that he was at a short 
 
 period subsequently. Being for soine years the only surveyor in this section, his 
 
 seivii es were often called in requisition, and possessi.ig an enterprising spirit, he soon 
 
 became an important addition to the bu^^iness men of the i)lace. 
 
8o 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTP:UIL. 
 
 When steamboats began running to Carillon, they found great difficulty in get- 
 ting up the rapids at St. Ann's, and to overcome this difficulty, Mr. Davis constructed 
 locks at Vaudreuil, which were in use for several years, after which the route was 
 changed to the north side of the river, and locks at St. Ann's were built, thus making 
 the route more direct. The remains of thc^^ old locks at Vaudreuil are still visible. 
 Another work of public utility he performed was removing boulders from the Ottawa 
 above Carillon, so as to facilitate navigation. He married a daughter of Colonel 
 Daniel Robertson, who was the widow of — De Hertel, and the mother of Colonel 
 De Hertel of ft. Andrews. Mr. Davis purchased a lot of land on the west 
 side of the North River, and on it erected a two-story house on the site of the present 
 residence of Mr. De la Ronde, advocate. He sold this i)roperty, not many years 
 later, to Guy Richards, and removed to Point Fortune, where, in company with a 
 man named Tait, he opened a store. They traded there for a few years, when Mr, 
 Davis, having purcliased the farm of McRobb in Carillon, now owned by Mr, John 
 Kelly, removed thither, and lived here till jiis death, which occurred in Hull, i6th 
 March, 1841, at the age of 63 years. 
 
 The following sketch of other members of the Davis family has been sent to us 
 by Colin Dewar : — 
 
 '* Simeon Davis, with his wife and family of four sons, Roswell, Asher, Lyniaii 
 and Asahel, together with liis two brothers, Theodore and Moses, came from Mas- 
 sachusetts, and settled at St. Andrews in 1801, where he remained for several years. 
 
 "Roswell, the eldest son, married Miss Annie, daugiiter of Nathan Capron oil 
 Keene, N.H., by whom he had a family of six sons, viz., Edward, Alfred, Whitconib, 
 Simeon, Roswell and Nathan. About the year 1S40, he removed from St. Andrews 
 with his family to the Township of Osgoode, which at that time was opened up for 
 settlers. He purchased a farm on which he and his wife resided until their death inj 
 a good old age,*bout the year 1866. 
 
 " His son Edward, who is now in the 84tli year of his age, and in possession ofl 
 all his faculties, can recount many stirring incidents of the early days, and remembersj 
 quite distinctly when the first steamboat made its appearance at Carillon, and as a 
 stage driver on the route between Montreal and Grenville (mentioned in anolherl 
 part of this work) has had a varied experience in both summer and winter travel. Hel 
 relates with pride and satisfliction, that he never met with an accident in crossing tliej 
 rivers on bad ice, dnd although he had to drive through bad roads on dark nights! 
 not one of his passengers ever received an injury. In relating this part of his experience, 
 which is not given in a spirit of boasting but in that of gratil 'de to the Father cfl 
 mercies for His watchful care over him, he attributes his part of tiie success to his| 
 habits of sobriety, which could noi be said of some of his confreres. 
 
 " After his father left St. Andrews, Mr, Davis went up the Ottawa river, audi 
 engaged in the lumber business for some years, and being of an active, pushing spiritJ 
 was engaged in .several imi)ortant public works, sucii as ojjcning up new roads, buiid-j 
 ing bridges, ct..., besides having considerable experience in mining and boating. 
 
 " Lyma 
 1884, at the 
 
 '• The 
 
 J;uiu,iry, 179 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
 he Was drafts 
 
 charged with 
 
 villa^e of Hu 
 
 years, and at 
 
 of Mope no-. 
 
 he gave uphi 
 
 And two ye;i 
 
 Bahiock of 
 
 and <:ontinue< 
 
 
 /i»M ■'■ 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 8i 
 
 lerience, 
 "alher of 
 tss to liii| 
 
 ver, aii<i| 
 ng spirit,] 
 ds, build'j 
 ting. 
 
 " He married comparatively early in life, and had a family of four sons and one 
 daughter, all of whom are married and have families of their own. He has resided for 
 the last thirty years at Quio, Province of Quebtc, where the greater part of his 
 family also reside. 
 
 " About four years ago, a sad misfortune overtook him, in the destruction of his 
 house by fire, together with the greater part of his household goods, which was a great 
 loss ; but, sad to relate, his wife, who had relumed to her room to get, as was sup- 
 posed, some valuable papers, was prevented by the rapidity of the fire from returning, 
 and was not missed, until it was too late to render any assistance. 
 
 " Roswell's third son, Whitcomb, took an active jxart in suppressing the Rebellion 
 ot 1837, being a Volunteer in the LacluUe Road Comj^any, under Captain John 
 Deiinison. He marched to Grand Brule with tiie other Volunteers and Regulars 
 under the command of Captain Mayne, of the 24th Regiment, to meet those coming 
 from Montreal on the 14th December, 1837. He served in that Company until it was 
 disbanded in 1840, when he joined the rest of the family, and settled on a farm near 
 his father, where he and his wife brought up a large ftimily of sons and daughters, 
 and where he died in July, 1894, aged 77 years. 
 
 " Roswell's other sons are still living in the immediate neigh Ijorhood of the old 
 homestead. 
 
 '' Asher, the second son of Simeon, was brought up to tiie blacksmithing business, 
 which he carried on for several years, at Carillon, where he resided until the death of 
 his wife in 1872, wlien lie removed to Trenton, where he diedjn the year 1880. His 
 wife was a Mrs. Cameron, a daughter of ^Vm. Atkinson, who resided for many years 
 at Carillon ; they had no family." 
 
 'I'iie following obituary is copied from the Belleville Intdli^enccr, of March, 
 18S4 ;— 
 
 "Another Old Pioneer Passed Away. 
 
 "Lyman Davis died at the residence of his son in Trenton, on the 24lh March, 
 1884, at the advanced age of 90 years, 2 month.s and 6 days. 
 
 'The subject of this notice was born in Massachusetts, U.S.A., on tiie 19th 
 January, 1794. He came with his parents to Lower Canada in 180 [, and loi ated at 
 St. Andrews in the County ot Argenteuil. At the breaking out of the war in 1812-15, 
 he was drafted, and served three years. At the expiration of the war, he was dis- 
 charged with the other Militia. About 1825, he again removed witn his parents to the 
 village of tlope, where he worked with his father at the blacksmithing trade for three 
 years, and at the expiration of that period he removed to that part of tiie Township 
 of Hope now called Port IJritton, where he still worked at his trade till 1830, when 
 he gave up his business, removed to the Township of Clark, and commenced farming. 
 And two years later (in 1832) he married Catherine Babcock, a daughte.' of VVm 
 Babrock of Ameliasburg. In 1840, he removed his family to Ameliasburg, 
 and continued farming till 1848, whe.i he removed to Trenton, five years before the 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 village was incorporated, where li> omimied to reside till his death. Mr. Davis hud 
 many warm friends, was very unassuming, and never took an active interest in 
 ])ublic affairs, 
 
 " He leaves a widow 72 years old, two sons and three daughters to mourn his 
 loss, all of whom are comfortably situated. 
 
 " Mr. Davis was a pensioner, and has regularly drawn his pension since the grant 
 was made. Thus, one by one, our old veterans pass away." 
 
 In 1804, two brothers named Peter and Duncan Dewar from Glasgow, Scotland, 
 made St. Andrews their home, and many of their numerous descendants are still in 
 the County of Argenteuil. 
 
 Duncan Dewar, the younger of the two b.'Olhers, purchased a hundred acres of 
 land which is known at the present time as the Harrington Kstate, but believing he 
 could add to his income by a modest venture in the mercantile line, he built a store 
 on the site of the present store of Mr. La Fond. Not fmding this busine-ss suited to 
 his tastes, however, he sold his stock, and, during the remainder of his lite, contincd 
 his attention to farming. He was a man much respected, very quiet, and so domes- 
 tic in his tastes, that he kept aloof from politics and everything calculated to attract 
 him away from liome or the care of his domestic concerns. He died in 1869, leaving 
 six sons, Peter, John, Duncan, Donald, Hugh and Alexander, and two daughtt-rs. 
 Three of the sons, John, Duncan and Hugh, the only ones who had children, settled 
 in St. Andrews. The latter, after living on the homestead till 1856, sold it, and two 
 or three years later went to Ottaw where he still resides. His eldest son, William, 
 is manager of the large mercantile establishment of John ^^fc//c///tf|/| ^ Co. in 
 Toronto. John, another son, is book-keeper for an extensive lumber cotitjiMfiif ih 'he 
 same city. 
 
 Mary, one of tli.^ daughters of Mr. Dewar, /naf/ied John Lamu, foreman in .1 
 manufacioiy of Judge Hamilton of f fawkesbury. Pos.sessing considerable ingenuiiy in 
 the way of invention, Mr. I. amb devoted much of his time to tl)i.s work, and iuyenied 
 a water-wheel, which is now in use in various parts of Canada. Afterwards, he be< uia; 
 the originator of several other machines, which .irc in p(i^/iilar u.se. Soon after b,; 
 marriage he removed to (/(t,ma, where he died in /894 ; Mrs. t/dmh died in 18-7 
 They ha/| six chil(|ren — three ^luu and three idvightcr:,. The sons, James H.. 
 William and /ohii H. f.amb, engnge'l in the occupntion ffjllowed by their tither, and 
 seem to have ini()e^(ted much of his skill at invention. 
 
 Jane, a daughter of Duncan Dewar, sen., married William Kneeshaw, and settled 
 on iJeech Ridge ; both are deceased. They iiad one son, Robert, and one daughter, 
 .Sarh, vvh) now reside in Illinois. 
 
 Alexander, the youngest son of Duncan Dewar, sen., met his death by asada^ei 
 dent in the spring of 1837. He and a young man named .Vbner Rite, who was I 
 studying for the notarial profession, when together one day, were asked by a citi/en 
 to aid him in gelling a heavy canoe over the mill dam. The water was high, and tlie 
 work was one involving no little risk. 'I'hey brought the boat down, however, but 
 
HISTORY OK ARGF.NTEUII.. 
 
 83 
 
 in the act it upset, and Dewar swam 10 the shore. Rice cliing to the boat and 
 endeavoured to right it, but seeing he could not, Dewar jumped in and swam to his 
 assistance. It was no easy matter, however, to handle the boat in that boiling caul- 
 dron, and with the view, no doubt, of getting it into more quiet water, they both 
 clung to the bow. As it glided along with the swift current, it had acquired no little 
 momentum by the time it reached the bridge, and the young men being forced against 
 the middle pier were both killed. 
 
 John, the eldest son, purchased land in Buckingiiam, and in company with his 
 brother Donald, was preparing for himself a home, when circumstances occurred 
 which led him to make his home in St. Andrews. In January, 1836, he was married 
 10 Elizabeth Wales, and her father dying some months later, her mother prevailed 
 on tiie newly married cou[)le to make their home with her, and take charge of the 
 farm. The following obituary published at the time of Mr. Dewar's death, 23rd April, 
 1875, cx|)resses the popular .sentiment, in the vicinity of St. Andrews, and shows thai 
 the lives of this couple were not spent in vain : — 
 
 " Died at St. .Andrews, on th.- 23rd inst., after a few days' illness, Mr. John 
 Dewar, aged 69 years, the eldest brother of Duncjui Dewar, Esq., J. P., of that village, 
 leaving a family and a largo circle of friends to wrestle with a sorrow, which would 
 bo infinite if they sorrowed as those who have no hope. 
 
 " Mr. Dewar was converted when a young man, and soon after, vv-hilc living in 
 Buckingham, embraced Baptist views, and was immt^sed by the Rev. John Edwards, 
 sen., the pioneer Baptist of the Ottawa Vsuley. He married Elizabeth Wales of St. 
 Andrews, a lady of great amiability, whose soul was in lively sympathy with his own 
 in tespect tr every j'^od vork. About a year after his marriage he removed to St. 
 Andrews, wiierc he united with several kindred spirits in forming a Baptist church. 
 Hi: was . hosen one of the Deacons, and continued faithfully to discharge the duties 
 ul his oince till called by the Captain of his salvation from the field of labour to the 
 rrsi that remaineth for the people of God. 
 
 '~ I'iFotiier Dewar was a man of large heart and warm sympathies, and while he 
 oved irod supremely, he loved men univtr-ally. .Ahhorringcvery evil way, he pitied 
 vil doers and laboured for their recovery from sin. He was a man of peace, much 
 more willing to endure wrong than to do wrong. From the commencement of the 
 teniiierance enterprise, he was a consistent and warm advocate of the cause. He 
 lus left an afflicted widow, three sons and three daughters, with a large circle of 
 fntnds to mourn his absence, but to rejoice in the belief that he has gone to serve 
 ' 'fiii. i ly and night in his temple. — W. K. A." 
 
 Mrs. Dewar died in i88r. Their children were Duncan Wales, Henry, Charles 
 A \ander, John Edward, Mary Lemira, Estht-r, Jane Ehzabeth, and Susannah. 
 Two of the sons, John and Henry, lived on the homestead till 1889, when they sold 
 i' to J. A. N. Mackay, Esq Those of the children now alive are widely scattered ; 
 the only ones living in this County are two daughters, Mary and Jane, whose good 
 wurks are a reproduction of those of t'leir patents. The former is the wife of Mr. A. 
 1, Sharman, a most estimable citizen of Carillon. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Duncan Wales, the eldest son of Mr. Dewar, died in 1873. two years before tin 
 demise of his father. lie left a widow and two sons, Ethelbert and Ford, who are 
 honourably employed in Duliith, Minn. 
 
 Duncan, the third son of Duncan Dewar, sen., was born May, 1807, and, as he 
 has been a i)romini'nt figure in his native village through nearly all of his active and 
 useful life, he is entitled to more than a passing notice in these pages. It is but fair, 
 also, to acknowledge that, but for his great age and retentive memory, many of tii'' 
 incidents herein recorded would have been lost to the future. His birthday was 
 rendered memorable by tiie election of the first bridge that was ever built across the 
 North River at St. Andrews. Until the age of fourteen, he regularly attended the 
 village school, which was a building occupying the site of the i)resent town hall, his 
 first teacher being a young man by the name of Joseph Vv'hilcomb, son of a mason, 
 who had been brought to the village by Thomas Mears. At the age mentioned 
 above, the subject of this sketch was seized with an ambition to take care of himself. 
 
 A man named Timothy Bristol had a wlieelwright and blacksmith shop, in a 
 long building which stood on ground now occupied in part by the post-office. With 
 this man young Duncan had become well acquainted, and as he was frequently in his 
 shop, he soon formed the oi)inion that the lot of a mechanic was more pleasant and 
 profitable than that of a farmer, iiencc he besought his father to jjcrmit him to learn 
 the trade of blacksmitii, a trade for which his small stature and delicate constitution 
 seemed scarcely fitted. After due consideration, his father consented to his proposal, 
 and apprenticed him to Bristol for the term of three years. .Some of tlie neighbours 
 ])ronounced the arrangement foolish, declaring that lie would get disgusted with the 
 work, and wish to return home within two weeks, but Mr. Dewar, knowing his boy's 
 qualities better than they, said he knew that if he began the work he would stick to 
 it — the correctness of which statement was proved by the sequel. 
 
 In those days muscular strength and ability to defend one's self by physical force 
 were in high esteem, wiiile those who lacked these qualities, the young especially, 
 could not forbear feeling that they were destitute of some of the essential elements 
 of manhood. Now, though young Dewar had no reason to repine at his want of 
 strength, he felt that public opinion, on account of his slight form, would naturally 
 consign him to the weak class, and he retained tiiis impression, till one day, btiiiti 
 assaulted in the shop by a burly habitant, he soundly thrashed him. Doubtless iic 
 was indebted for this victory to strength acquired at the anvil ; but be tliis as it ma) , 
 from that time onward he seemed to hold a higher place in the esteem of his com 
 panions. But before he had completed his apprenticeship, another incident occurred, 
 whicii was fraught witii much more important interests to him, and which to tiie 
 present has had much influence on the actions of his life. 
 
 A few prominent men of St. Andrews, having heard the noted Evangelia, Re\ 
 Mr. Christmas, preacii in Montreal, invited him to hold a series of meetings in St. 
 Andrews — which invitation he accepted. It is said that, as a result of these meetings, 
 twenty-eight individuals, a few of whom were of profligate character, were reclaimetl 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 85 
 
 from the error of their ways. Mr. Dewar was one of the converts, and henceforth 
 liis feelings and aspirations were f^r different from what they had been. It is usual 
 for the new-born Christian to cherish respect and love for tlie clergyman under wliose 
 preaching he has been converted. This feeling, in part, induced .Mr. Dowar to seek 
 employment in Montreal, where he might enjoy the acquaintance and preaching of 
 the Rev. Mr. Christmas. He soon found work in an iron manufactory, where he 
 remained several months, during which time he was a regular attendant at the churcli 
 ol iMr. (Christmas, and he induced a cousin of his to go with him, who, in the end, was 
 also converted. A cliancc to obtain better wages next led him to Grand Isle, Ver- 
 mont, and after working there nearly a year he came home to attend school. Me had 
 always been anxious to obtain an education, and he determined to devote what 
 money he had earned to tiiis end. After this sujjply had been exhausted, he went 
 to Ottawa, and procured work in a government shop at $1.25 per day, making irons 
 wliich were used in the construction of canal locks. In the society into whicli he 
 was there thi )wn, his temperance pi:,iciples were pretty strongly tested. In the 
 afternoon of his first day in the shop, lie saw one of his fellow-workmen collecting 
 money from the others, and presently he came to him. Asking the purpose of the 
 collection, he was told that it was to purchase liquor. He replied, " I do not drink, 
 and it is against my principles to encourage it." " Well," was the answer, " no man 
 can stay here unless he joins us." Mr. Dewar then gave them money to assure 
 them that he was not actuated by parsimony, but expressed his determination not 
 to taste any spirituous liquors. They never asked him for money again, nor did they 
 invite him to drink, althougii they all continued to use liquor themselves;, and often 
 to excess. One thing, however, they would not permit, • but doubtless they were 
 prompted more by a spirit of fun than of ill-will. A milkman came around daily, 
 and raising a winduw of the shop, passed a pint of milk througli it to Mr. Dewar, but 
 soon, before he could get it, a sly tap would send the contents on the Hoor, and after 
 this had occurred several times, the attempt 10 obtain milk was abandoned. When 
 he had earned $100, he once more returned to St. Andrews, and attended school, 
 and in this manrer secured a degree of scholarship rather above wiial was accorded 
 at that time to tiie young men of his age. 
 
 .Vbout 182S he entered the sloie of Mr. Guy Richards as clerk, nnd remained 
 uiih him six years, and lie nilributcs much of the knowledge of business and moral 
 beiKtit he received to the wise instructions and good example of Mr. Richards. In 
 18 i4, he and Jiihn Richard Hopkins, nephew of Mr. Richards, bought Richards' stock 
 of merchandise, and Mr. Dewar for many years followed tiie mercantile business, 
 though, as his means increased, he added other branches of business, yet without 
 much ready profit. About 1850, he built a tannery, and then a bark mill. The 
 li'lliwing year he received a diploma from the Provincial Industrial Exhibition in 
 .MoiUreal, for the best specimen of iiarness leather manufactured in Canada. In 1856 
 his tannery was burnt, and his insurance policy having lapsed, it was an entire loss, 
 hut he immediately rebuilt. He met with various other losses during his earlier 
 lareer,— one of a boat for which he had paid $6do. 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 In December, 18,36, Mr. Dewar was married to Margaret Trcailwcll, daugluerof 
 Nathaniel Hazard Tr.adwell, Esq., Seignior of Longueuil. Miss Treadweli and .1 
 sister had been for some timj livini^ at L'Orignal with their brother, Charles, and 
 they often came to St. Andrews to visit the family of Mr. Ridurds. It was thus thai 
 Mr. Dewar became acquainted with his future wife. After a courtship of two years, 
 they married at her latiier's resideiu e in Plallsburgh, N.Y. 
 
 Mrs. Dewar possessing much of the ability of her family was a help-male in tiiL- 
 most significant sense of dial word — a woman whose counsel was wisdom, whose 
 example was virtue. Her father and her distinguished sister, Mrs. Redfield, often 
 visited ihem at their home in St. Andrews, and these wjre occasions of no liltif 
 enjoyment, for no man could better appreciate cultured society thin Mr, Dewar. 
 
 In his ycuthful days, he was a schoolmate of the late Sir J. J. C. Abbott, though 
 some years his senior. Though tht-y differed widely in political princi[)les in after 
 years, a warm friendship alwayi- subsisted between them, and letters thai Mr. Dewar 
 received from Mr. Abbott, wliich he sliil retains, show that the statesman esteemed 
 him as an honorable and able political foe. 
 
 Some years ago he was instrumental in obtaining a grant of /"900 from Parlia- 
 ment, for the ])uri)ose of improving the navigation of the North River ; but owing to 
 some i)olitical chicanery, this sum was diverted from its proper object, and used fur 
 other jjurposes. Though a confirmed Lijjeral, he has never sougiit jjolitical office ; 
 the only public position he has held being that of magistrate, in which office he acted 
 ably and conscientiously for nearly a quarter of a century. His attention during the 
 last fifteen years has been chiefly confined to his drug store, the first and only one 
 ever opened in this village. 
 
 He has three sons now living ; Guy Richards, his second son, has been postal 
 clerk for the last sixteen years between Montreal and Toronto ; the two others, Dun- 
 can Everett and Alexander, have long been engaged in mercantile business, the for- 
 mer in Aylmer, Quebec, the latter at St. Andrews, where he has followed his present 
 vocation many years. Retiring in liabit, he has never sought public positions, and is 
 respected for his moral Christian character. He has two children, — a son and daugh- 
 ter ; the former, Alexander, is studying for tiie ministry, and for the past three years 
 has cr.rnestiy devoted himself to Christian work, spending some months in this work 
 in New York in the summer of 1893. He is president of both the St. Andrews and 
 Argeuteuil C.E. Societies. 
 
 In the beginning of the present century, John McMartin of Genlyon, Perthshire , 
 Scotland, decided to try his fortune in the New World. His wife having relatives ai 
 the Bay of Chaleurs, on the north of New Brunswick, thither he went, and prepared 
 for himself and family a home. A year or two subsequently, learning that tw^ ol 
 his brothers, farmers in Scotland, were about emigrating to Canada, he deci ded to 
 seek with them, when they arrived, a more suitable place for n^riculturists than could 
 be found near the Bay of Chaleurs. In that locality the inhabitants subsisted almost 
 wholly by fishing; but as this method of procuring a livelihoo- was not congenial 10 
 
HISIOUV Of ARGENTKUII-. 
 
 87 
 
 15 
 
 t 
 
 his tastes, and ihe lind there was generally sterile, h'- gladly availed himself of a 
 ( luince to dispose ot what he had purchased. This he exchanged with his wife's 
 1 oles for land which they had received for service rendered the (lovernmcnt, and 
 M .iich was situated in the County of Huntingdon, Quebec. On reaching Montreal, 
 liowcvcr. he learned that his estate in Huntingdon was in an unbroken wilderness, 
 and that should he settle there, his nearest neighbour would be thirty mils di:.lant. 
 
 At til' . time Major Murray was in Montreal, endeavouring to obtain Scotch set- 
 tlers for his Seigniory on the Ottawa, and Mr. McMartin was induced to sell his land 
 in Huntingdon, and with his brothers take up his residence in theSeignioiy. Accord- 
 ingly in 1801, or the year following, he came hither, and puichased two lots on the 
 south side of the River Rouge which are now owned by the family of the late Geo. 
 Hyde. The inevitable log house and small clearing were here on his arrival, but in 
 a lew years, about t8io, lie built anollicr house, which, with some alterations and 
 additions, is still standing and occii|)icd by the family of Mr. Hyde. Mr. McMartin 
 added another lot to ihose which he first purchased, ami with the help of his sons 
 cleared up the greater part of these three lots ; he died in 1847. I'^our of his sons, 
 I'inley, Duncan, Daniel and Martin, joined the Cavalry Company of Capt. McLean 
 in the Rebellion of 1837-38, and all remained in it, till advancing years induced them 
 10 yield their places to younger men. Mr. McMartin had fifteen children, tiiirteen of 
 whom arrived at maturity ; eleven of them setthd on the River Rouge ; the youngest 
 son, Martin, lived ind died on the homestead. 
 
 FiNLEv McM KTiN, the sixth son, after living and working on the homestead till 
 liu was about thirty-four years of age, entered tiie store of Mr. Charles Wales, sen., of 
 > . Andrews, as clerk. 
 
 At the expiration of a year, believing that trading on his own account would be 
 more profitable than his present work, he hired the store across the street opposite 
 liiat of Mr, Wales, which was occupied by Frederick McArthur, and purchased his 
 it')(k of goods. Subsequently, he purcliased tiie store and house, botii being under 
 the same roof; but in about ten years liom the time he began to trade, this building, 
 together with his entire itock of goods, was burned. He then hired another store, 
 in which he traded till 1858, when he built a large brick store, which is now owned 
 I'V Wm. D. La'montli, and is used as a boarding house. 
 
 In 1868 he disposed of his store, and the next year purchased the grist mill and 
 three hundred acres of land adjacent. At the expiration of fourteen years he sold 
 the mill to Mr. Walsh, its present proprietor, and since has confined his attention to 
 hi-: farm. Although an octogenarian, he is so well preserved physically and mentally 
 that few would imagine him to be more than sixty. His honesty, sobriety and dili- 
 gence in business have won the respect of his fellow-citizens, yet, the only secular 
 oliice he has accepted at their hands is that of School Commissioner, — a position he 
 lias held for many years. He was secretary of the Baptist Church Society for a long 
 time, as well as a member and generous supporter. He has been twice married, — the 
 liist time in 1847 ^o Christy McFarlane, who died in 1865. His second marriage 
 
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 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 was to Amanda Wales. By the first marriage he had three children, — John F., 
 Elizabeth and Kate. Elizabeth married E. M. Kneeshaw, and Kate, J. S. Buchan, 
 a rising young lawyer of Montreal, son of Wm. Buchan, Esq., of Geneva, Mrs. 
 Buchan died in 1894. 
 
 John P\ McMartin at the age of sixteen engaged to a firm in Montreal as clerk, 
 and subsequently became a commercial traveller, a position for which his rectitude, 
 affability and fin^; address eminently fitted him. .\fter an experience of eight years 
 in this line, he entered the firm of J. W. McKeddie & Co , on Victoria Square, as 
 partner. 
 
 Guy Richards was another man prominent and influential in the youthful days 
 of St. Andrews. He was born in Norwich, Conn., on 8th November, 1787 ; he went 
 from there to New York, and after a few years came to Montreal. His ability soon 
 secured him many friends among the Americans in that city, and through them he 
 became established in a thriving business ,'\s merchant. In the war of 1812, believing 
 that he could make much profit by pioviding clothes for the Volunteers, he invested 
 largely in woollen fabrics, paying a high price for them ; but just after he had embarked 
 in this venture, peace was declared, liis scheme collapsed, and if not financially 
 ruined, he wrr. at least in embarrassing circumstances. Previous to this, he had 
 formed the acquaintance of a Miss Graham from Massachusetts, who was on a visit to 
 an aunt residing in Montreal, and the acquaintance ripened into friendship, and 
 finally terminated in marriage. 
 
 With the view no doubt of imitroving his financial condition, Mr. Richards 
 removed to St. Andrews ; here he also engaged in trade. He bought the property of 
 Theodore Davis, the surveyor, enlarged the house, and used one part of it as a .store. 
 After trading here for about thirteen years with good success, and doing considerable 
 business meanwhile as a lumber merchant, he sold his real esta*:c, ai d then, about 
 1827, built the brick store which is now occupied by Mr. La Fond. He was very 
 successful, financially, while he lived here, yet, owing to his benevolence and severe 
 losses, it was found at his death that he was not worth as much as had been supposed. 
 He was highly esteemed as a citizen, and his ])urse was always open to encourage 
 evciy good work. One young man was educated for the ministry through the means 
 of money that he supplied _: he died 21st September, 1839. 
 
 Cynthia Graham, a sister of Mrs. Richards, born in Conway, Mass., 17th Decem- 
 ber, 1800, came to St. Andrews to live with her sister In 1819. While living here, 
 she became acquainted wuh Henry Benedict Wales, and in 1829 they were mar- 
 ried. Scon afterward they moved to Pt. Fortune, and purchased the fiirm about .1 
 mile below the village, now owned by Mr. Williamson. A quarter of a century later, 
 Mr. Wales sold the farm, and built a steamer, known as the " Buckingham," which 
 for seven years did duty on the Ottawa under his own management. 
 
 He then sold it to his brother, and purchased a farm in Alfred, Ontario, which 
 he al'd sold in a few years, and returned to St. Andrews, where he died in 1889. 
 One of the daughters of Mr. Wales married the Rev. John Dempsey, a Baptist min- 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTi:UIL. 
 
 89 
 
 ister, who labored many years in St. Andrews, and another was married to Finlay 
 McMartin, with whom lier mother, I\Irs. Wales, who has just celebrated her ninety- 
 third birthday, now lives. 
 
 It is impossible to speak of this lady, who still retains her mental faculties to a 
 remarkable degree, without pondering for a moment the mighty changes that have 
 taken place in the world's history within her recollection. She was seven years old 
 when Robert Fulton made a voyage from Albany to New York in the first steam 
 boat the world had ever seen. She had attained an age when the events of the war 
 ot'iSi2, the battle of Lundy's Lane, Queenstown Hcigii^'S and Plattsburgh must have 
 aroused her imagination and stamped themselves upon her memory. She was bud- 
 ding into womanhood when the battle of Waterloo was fought, an event which oc- 
 curred nearly two decades before tlie birth, of tliose who are now threescore years of 
 age. Statesmen and warriors whose achievements have startled the world have 
 begun and finished their parts in the drama of life since the days of her childhood. 
 She was nearly thnty years old when the first railway in America was con- 
 structed, and forty before the invention of the electric telegraph, and, yet, she has 
 lived to see the social and commercial world revolutionized through the mighty agen- 
 cies of steam and electricity.* 
 
 RoBT. J. Simpson, from Mascouche on the St. Lawrence, was another man who 
 may be classed with the pioneers of this section, as he was here and keeping store as 
 early as 1S07, in a large wood house, occupying the site of the present dwelling of 
 Mr. Howard, notary. His career, however, was soon terminated by death. 
 
 Trustees of h's estate ajjprenticed his son Roberi, eleven years of age, to James 
 Brown, who had a j^rinting house in Montreal, to learn the trade of printer. After 
 finishing iiis term of apprenticeship — seven years — young Simpson engaged to work 
 for Mr. Brown another year, at 'lie expiration of which time he returned to St. 
 .■\iidrews, and i)urchased a farm on tie River Rouge, now known as the Blsnchard 
 farm. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Moses Davis being occupied with his plan of erecting a 
 tannery, accepted Mr, Simpson as partner in the work, and, henceforth, the 
 latter was one of the enterprising spirits of St. Andrews. In 1824, he formed a closer 
 alliance with Mr. Davis, having entered into a contract of marriage with his eldest 
 daughter. A few years afterwards, deciding to engage in the business of tanning on 
 his owii account, he erected a building for the purpose, on the site of the present 
 tannery which is in disuse. Some y vars later, this having fallen a prey to fire, Fiis 
 sons built the one mentioned above, which is now standing. Mr. Simpson, like his 
 father it: law, in addition to his business of farming and tanning, added that of harness- 
 making and shoemaking. He seems to have been a man of much influence in the 
 place, one of those whose advice is sought by neighbors in the troubles and disputes 
 into 'vhich they sometimes fall, and one who by force of character is able to sway 
 others. -. 
 
 ; i 
 
 Mrs. Wales died a few months after the above wab written. 
 
 7 
 
90 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 He was a Justice of Peace, Commissioner fov the trial of small causes, and for 
 some ti.ne Mayor of tlie Parish. 
 
 At one period, during the construction of the Grenville Canal, he had a con- 
 tract for sujiplying the Royal Staff Corps at Grenville with beef — a contract which, 
 on account of the distance and state of the loads, involved, in summer especially, 
 no little hardship. The beef must be in Grenv.lle before 9 o'clock a.m. daily, 
 thus necessitating constant worry and watchfulness on the part of Mr. Simpson, lest 
 the man he employed to carry it should oversleep, and trouble arise in consequence. 
 A few years later, during the Rebellion, he took another contract to supply the 
 soldiers stationed a; Carillon with bread. The carrying out of this contract, though 
 not without its vexations, was less irksome, on account of the shorter distance to be 
 travelled. During this exciting period, ]\Ir. Simpson's services were called in 
 requi^ition in many ways and en various occasions. He was especially serviceable 
 in obtaining llic restitution of such property as the bcUigercnt parties took from each 
 other at the t'me of the greatest excitement. 
 
 Being well acquainted in the neighborhood of St. F.ustache and St. Benoit, and 
 having friends there among the Radicals, he was often visited by some of the latter, 
 and solicited to use his influence in securing the restoration of articles which, in those 
 days of recklessness with regard to the laws of mcuin and iuum, had suddenly changed 
 hands. More than once, also, he was solicited to visit the above localities to secure 
 the return of pioperty which had mysteriously slipped from the possession of some 
 of his loyal neighbors. On one occasion howeve., his mission v/as a higher one. 
 His old employer, James Brown, who now lived in St. Andrews, and MontmarquetlJ, 
 a merchant from Carillon, while returning from Montreal, were taken prisoners by the 
 insurgents, and held at St. Benoit. i>tr. Simpson's object was to obtain their release ; 
 and having been successful in his purpose, he returned in company with them to St. 
 Andrew.s, where they received quite an ovation. It has been stated that the dwellirg 
 of Mr. Davis was used as a barracks for soldiers wlio were quartered in the vilbge 
 Another large building used for the same purpose was the house already mentioned, 
 which was formerly the house of Mr. Simpson, and which stood where M:. Howard's 
 brick house now stands. 
 
 Several prisoners had been taken at St. Eustache and in that vicinity, and they 
 were tried for treason by court martial, the sessions of which were held in this house. 
 Nothing very criminal being proved against them, they were released ; but such 
 was their fear of bei.ig ill-treated by the crowd gathered there to listen to the pro- 
 ceedings, that they earnestly entreated Mr. Simpson to escort them some distance 
 beyond the village — a favor he cheerfully granted. 
 
 Mr. Simpson died 24th May, 1870, but his widow survived till 19th September, 
 1895. She was a woman of much intelligence and activity, and though she attained 
 the age of eighty-eight, her mental and physical faculties were well preserved. 
 
 They had eight children, of whom one died in infancy, Robert, the eldest son, 
 spent some years in New Zealand^ engaged in mining. He returned, married, and 
 
 Geokgk 
 ;ind besides \ 
 ilicCrillon ; 
 I" 1S77, Jiew 
 '■" tlie f)omii 
 honor ; 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 91 
 
 ibei, 
 line J 
 
 son, 
 and 
 
 died in St. Andrews, where his widow still resides. Moses Davis is one of tlic enter- 
 prising farmers of tlie parish. He has been twice married : first, to a daughter of the 
 late James Barclay, the second lime to Lucinda, a daughter of Martin McMartin. 
 Emery, the fifth son, married Rebecca Kempley, and afier many years spent in 
 farming has retired. 
 
 Lester F., the youngest son, is a prosperous farmer near Ottawn ; he has been 
 twice married; first to Miss Ayhner of Montreal, and next to Lizzie Ewen, daughter 
 ofl»r. Ewen of Hawkesbury. Of the two daughters of the late Robert Simpson, 
 Plialie married Edward Jones, and Mary Ann, now deceased, miiried David Suther- 
 kuul, both gentlemen of St. Andrews. 
 
 CIkokge Simpson, the eldest son, always took an active interest in p.ib'ic affiir.s, 
 !ul besides being Mayor of the Parish Council, was for some years suoerintendent of 
 ;1k' Ci-rillon and Orenvillc Canals — a position which ill-health induced him to resign. 
 In 1S77, he was nominated as candidate for the oflice of Representative of Argenteuil 
 iiithe Dominion Parliament; but the following letter shows tiiat he declined the 
 lioiior : 
 
 St. Andrews, 23rd March, 1877. 
 Jo Mr. ly. /. Simpson, Secretary Liberal-Conservative Associatio'i, Lxchute. 
 Di-AK Sir, 
 
 After mature consideration, which, unfortunately, I did not give the subject before 
 [allowing myself to be nominated for a candidate, I have come to the decision that 
 jit would be ruinous fur me in my business position to go in for Parliamentary 
 Ihonours at present. I exceedingly regret that sucn is my position, but I can assure 
 Ithe Conservative party of my hearty support for the candidate who may be 
 nominated. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Geo. Simpson. 
 
 Mr. Simpson was married 5th September, 1861, to Eliza, daughter of Thomas 
 lig;;inson, Esq., of Vankleek Hill. She died 6th January, 1881, leaving eight 
 Children. 
 
 George Herbert, the eldest son, a gcntlemi.n of much energy and geniality, was 
 pmployed nine years as connnercial traveller, and was one of the first of that frater- 
 pity who visited British Columbia and the North West. He was appointed to the 
 (josiiion vhich his father resigned — Superintendent of Canals, November 1st, 1893, a 
 ^ostion he still holds. 
 
 Robert S. is a dental surgeon in Montreal. 
 
 Thomas Crawford, the third son, received his degree as Veterinary Surgeon 
 Jem McGill, in 1892 ; he won the Gold Medal, and graduated with high honors. He 
 as quite an extensive stock farm in St. Andrews, known a^ ''Craigvvood Farm." 
 
 Wm. H. and Bernard, two more sons of the family, are employed in Montreal- 
 lie former as commercial traveller Tor D. Morrice & Co., the latter in the wholesale 
 
 HUPl 
 
99 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 house of Jas. McDoiigall & Co. The youngest of these brothers, George F., is still 
 at school, ukI of the daughters, Agnes L. and Jane Klyne, the former was married 
 i6th March, 1895, lo D, A. Mclniyre, of Calumet, and tlie latter resides wiJi lier 
 brother at The Willows, their home in St. Andrews. 
 
 Martin Jones was one of the very early settlers at Carillon Bay, and his advent 
 must have been about the beginning of the present century ; he settled on land now- 
 owned by Raymond. It is related that one winter, while lie resided here, he 
 
 found it necessary to go to Lachine for provisions, and so destitute was the country 
 at that time of means of travelling, that he was obliged to go on foot. Takinga 
 neighbor, a habitant, with him, and a hand sled to convey his supplies, he performed 
 the journey by way of the Ottawa on the ice. 
 
 The mid was excessive, and they suffered severely, the i)otatoes being tVozen 
 before they had accomplished. half the distance; but their return was hailed with far 
 more delight by their families than is the one who new returns in a palace car, with 
 numerous boxes of presents and delicacies for the Christmas cheer. In 1803, Mr, 
 Jones purchased lot No. 3 on the cast side of the North River, where A, C. 
 Robi'.lard now lives, which had been granted by the Seignior, 17th May, 1793, to 
 Ignace Samson. He lived here till his death in 1838, leaving one son and three 
 daughters. The eldest of the latter was marr'.J to Wni. Le Roy ; the second, in 
 1820, to^l'homas Wanless ; but the third never married. The son, Edward Jones, 
 spent many years of his life in keeping a public house — the building used for the 
 purpose being one opposite the store of Mr. Wales, In 1843 he purchased | 
 Carillon Island, in the Ottawa, comprising about 1000 acres, since which it has 1 
 generally been known as ''Jones' Island." He never lived on it himself, but his son 
 Edwa'd resided there for many years, and then leaving it in possession of his own 
 son, Robert, he came to St. Andrews and lived in the house still owned by his 
 widow, till his death, i7lh June, 1890. He was quite successful in financial 
 matters, and was a man of respectability and inthience. He was Justice of the Peace] 
 for several years aiid a member of the Local Council. 
 
 Thomas Wani.ess mentioned above came from Velholm, Roxburyshire, Scotland. 
 and settled in St. yVndrews about 1812, and did business here as an artisan many years. 
 He had twelve children, but only one son now remains in this section. One ol| 
 his sons was living in Denver, Colorado, and while on a visit to him, Mr. Wanlesj 
 died in February, 1873. 
 
 The son, Martin Wanless, now living here, has been one of the active citizensofj 
 the place, and piominentin both civil and military affairs. He was a member of thel 
 village Council eight years, and one term its Mayor, and has officiated as Secretanj 
 Treasurer fourteen years. A.fter acting nine years as chairman of the School Boardj 
 he was chosen as its Secretary-Treasurer, and has held the position seven years. 
 
 In 1849, '1^ joined the St. Andrews Troop, and in 1867 became its Lieutenant.l 
 In 1880, lie received his commission as Captain, and in 1890 was promoted tothtj 
 rank of Major. • 
 
 Andrews was 
 ing was erect 
 the cottage o 
 for one or mc 
 in this, t 
 iheir success 
 inijiortance ai 
 period being 
 attractions to 
 younger brotl 
 it in hecomini 
 H'hilo they \v< 
 intt-rests of the 
 prietors, and 
 ple.isure, pres^ 
 
 lOS.'i, 
 
 As may h 
 
HISrORY OK AnG'-NTEUIL. 
 
 93 
 
 Early in ihe present century a young man whose Iiome was in Bath, England, 
 decided to visit Canada with the view of settling here, eventually, should the 
 country please him. A confectioner by trade, it is quite probable that he designed 
 establishing his business in the new colony, provided conditions weie favorable. 
 However this may be, influences more potent than pecuniary interests induced him 
 to remain. He formed the acquaintance of a young German lady in Montreal, who, 
 like himself, i.ad recently left her native land, so John Teasdale and Mary Dock- 
 stadter became one. He engaged in his former business of confectioner, and pros- 
 pered ; then he bought a fine house with a large garden attached, and this was made 
 to contribute in no small degree to his 'ncome. He planted a nursery, sold stock, 
 ciillivated choice flowers, imported rare plants, and thus gradually swelled his coffers, 
 till he was reputed well off in this world's goods. But if his business expanded, so 
 likewise did his family, and in time he became, in the language of Grecian mytho- 
 jogy. the father ;■♦" a beautiful offspring. In consequence of too fully realizing this 
 fact, however, and thi-i becoming an over-indulgent parent, he was destined to ex- 
 perience much sorrow, His eldest son, William, and another one, John, were young 
 men of romantic nature, with a strong predilection for fashionable and gay society ; 
 they had rf'ceived good advantages, and were passionately fond of music, as the 
 number of musical instruments provided for them through paternal kindness abund' 
 antly attested. But notwithstanding all this indulgence, parental wisdom was not 
 entirely inert, and it was decided that the sons must have something to do, — some 
 useful occupation to employ their minds and provide means for future requirements. 
 A little more oarental discretion and authority at this juncture of affairs might have 
 Drcvented misfortune, but, unfortunately, the choice of vocation was left to the 
 younger minds, and for ihem nothing short of mercantile life would sufUke. St, 
 Andrews was the location selected for this mercantile venture, and, forthwith, a build- 
 ing was erected for this purpose. This stood on ground now occupied, in part, by 
 the cottage of Mrs. Meikle ; it was a long structure, designed not only for a store, but 
 for one or more tenements. 
 
 In this, then, die young men were soon established as merchafM; but whatever 
 their success and habits at first, it was soon evident that the store was of secondary 
 importance and that their minds were "on pleasure bent." The country at that 
 period being new, and the forest abounding in game of various kinds, presented great 
 attractions to one inclined to sporting. The pleasure thus afforded to the two 
 younger brothers was one they were not likely to ignore. Bin in order to pursue 
 it ill becoming style, they must have horses and dogs, and thes° were soon provided. 
 While they were employed with the delight of the chase, business did not thrive ; the 
 iiittrests of those left in charge of the store were not identical with those of the pro- 
 prietors, and the losses thus sustained, added to expenses i.icurred in the rounds of 
 pleasure, presented in the end a discouraging spectacle in the account of profit and 
 loss, 
 
 .\s may be supposed, and as the citizens of St. Andrews had prophesied, the new 
 
 
 : I 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF AROENTEUIL. 
 
 mercantile firm soon failed ; but parental pride and affection willing to give another 
 trial, their debts were paid, the store restocked, wholesome re])rehension and advice 
 were given, and the sons started anew. But they had not had tiiat experience 
 necessary to success. It is an admitted fact that very few men are qualified to 
 handle money unless ihey have earned it. The second trial was begun, no doubt, 
 witli good lesolutions, which for a time were carried into effect, bui the final result 
 was failure more disastrous than the first. 
 
 The elder Teasdale, collecting together what remained of his property, moved to 
 St. Andrews, deciding that he could support his family at n.uch less expense here 
 than in the city, while the sons now adopted a course which developed their latent 
 energies and ability, and ])roperly fitted them tor the battle of life. 
 
 Willi A Ji, tlie elder son, studied with Col. Fortune, a provincial land surveyor 
 and civil engineer, who at that time was also agent for the Seigniory of Argenteuil, 
 and lived at the Manor House at the Bay. His pupil being an apt scholar, thoroughly 
 mastered his profession, and for years was employed in surveying lands in this section 
 of ihe Province. He surveyed much in Argenteuil, and it is said that he named 
 some other beautiful lakes. But he finally suffered from an affection of the eyes, and 
 eventually became blind ; he died at Rigaud about 1862. John, his brother, studied 
 medicine with the late Dr. Wolfred Nelson, and subsequently settled in Rigaud. In 
 the rommer.ccment of his last illness, he visited Montreal for treatment, and died 
 therein 1870. Hisobituaiy says: "Dr. Teasdale has been living and practising 
 in Rigaud for the last forty yearr, where he was much esteemed by a large circle of 
 fiiends, not only as a physician, but as a true friend. His loss will be deplored, not 
 only by the people of his own parish, but by all me surrounding district, and the 
 name of Dr. Teasdale will be remembered for generations to come." 
 
 The father for a time traded in the store which his sons occupied in St. Andrews, 
 and died therein 1830. Mrs. Teasdale survived till 1870. Julia, their sixth child, 
 married Gaspard de Coligny Denvs de la Ronde, a notary, 8th February, 1829. Mr. 
 de la Ronde, who was born in St. Anne, descended from a lineage that might satisfy 
 the most ambitious, — his ancestry on the maternal side running back through illus- 
 trious families to the King of Portugal, and on the other, through houses equally 
 famous ; the last of his distinguished paternal ancestors being General de la Ronde, 
 who, connected with the army of Burgoyne, fell at the battle of Ticonderoga in 
 1777. 
 
 Gaspard de la Ronde studied for the notarial profession in Montreal, and 
 immediately after passing his examination came to St. Andrews and practised. He 
 had an extensive business for many years, and besides attending to the duties of liis 
 profession, often acted as counsel for litigants, pleading their cases in the lower 
 courts. He died 8th June, 1882, at the age of 78. His widow is still at St. Andrews, 
 and, though fourscore years of age, her mental faculties are intact. They had ten 
 children — five sons and five daughters, who lived till past the age of twenty, though 
 but few of them are now alive. , 
 
HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 95 
 
 J. '1'. de La Rondo, llie eldest son now living, after spending some years in the 
 States, employed in commercial business and as proof-reader in a newspaper office 
 ill I'lattsbiirg, N.Y., returned to Canada, and now resides at St. Andrews. 
 
 R. P. DF. LA RoNDK, his brother, in his youth learned telegraphy ; he then studied 
 law in the office of Chapleau, Ouimet cS: Mathieu, and was admitted to the Bar in 
 1067, and the following year was married to Martha McMarlin, daughter of Duncan 
 Mc.Martin, J. P. He lives at St. Andrews, where he has built up an extensive prac- 
 tice as an able and honorable barrister. 
 
 Stewart K., another son of the late Gaspard de la Ronde, lias beer, engaged for 
 the last nineteen years in the commission business in Ottawa. Margaret, a lister of 
 the above, married J. H. P. Dkown, son of Dr. E. H. Brown of St. Anne. Mr. 
 Bniwnhas for several years been a mail clerk, und is now employed as such on the 
 Canada Atlantic between Montreal and Ottawa. 
 
 Hi-NRY Alrrigiit, a Ocrm.m, was ouc of the U. E. Loyalists who sought an asy- 
 lum in Canada at the beginning of the American Revolution. In Montreal he engaged 
 to Dr. Meyers to take charge of a farm, wliich he owned on the opposite side of the 
 S Lawrence. But he soon experienced much trouble with Indians, whose thievish 
 propensities seemed likely to leave him but little personal properly, and after he had 
 one day driven away several of them, a friendly chief advised him to leave the place. 
 Believing this to l)e judicious counsel, he followed it, and engaged the friendly chief 
 to convey his family across the river in a canoe. His young boy, Martin, on the 
 voy:ige across, fell out, and was savd only by the activity of the chief, who caught 
 him by the hair as he rose to the surface. 
 
 Mr. Albright came to the Bay, and settled on land until recently occupied 
 by Matthew Burwash. Not long afterwards, he purchased the lots on the North 
 River now owned by Alphonse Dorion and Charles Hunter, where he lived until 
 he died in 1820 ; he left two sons and four daughters : Valentine, one of the former» 
 lived and died on the homestead. Martin, another son, who owned a farm adjacent 
 to his b; 'ther's, sold it, and moved to the farm now owned by his own son Nelson 
 He suent the greater part of his life here, and died in 1872. He married Jane Hyde, 
 and their ten children have helped to swell Canadian population, and extend the fame 
 for thrift and industry of Canadian citizens. Nelson Albright, mentioned above, is 
 one of the leading men of the parish ; betakes a lively interest in the Agricultural 
 Society, and his fine farm, on which he has recently been awarded a silver medal, 
 always displays, among other things, a choice stock of cattle. 
 
 Angus McPhie came with his family from Foit William, Invernessshire, Scotland 
 in 1802 ; two brothers, Ewen and Ronald, also making the journey with him. He 
 first went to Pte. Claire near Montreal, and lived there a few years, learning to speak 
 French fluently, and then settled in Chatham, on land now owned by the Fitzgeralds. 
 While living there, he was, in company with Noyes and Schagel, carrying freight from 
 (Carillon to drenville. He had three sons and three daughters : John, the second 
 son, bought a farm on Beech Ridge, and lived there till his death. He was married m 
 
96 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 1827 to Mary Cameron, sister of the Cameron who first settled at Pt. an Chenc, 
 and had five sons and five daughters ; — three of the former and four of the latter grew 
 up. Besides his military aiid other offices, Mr. McPhie was president of the Agriciil. 
 tural Society several years. He was an extremely enterprising man, taking a deep 
 interest in farming, and improved his own land to such an extent, that he was awarded 
 three medals by the Agricultural Society, besides gaining several prizes ; he died in 
 187^. 
 
 John McPhie, jun., the fourth son, in his younger days spent three years in 
 California, then travelled a few years in tlie commercial line. In 1872, he bought 
 the farm of 270 acres where he now lives, and was married the same year to a 
 daughter of Charles Albright. Mr. McPhie has been School Commissioner several 
 yeais, and is one of the influential and respected citizens of St. Andrews. 
 
 The following letter may properly be inserted here, as it treats of the caily 
 history of St. Andrews : 
 
 Ottawa, i8th January, 1894. 
 Mr. C. Thomas. 
 
 Dear Sir, — In writing a sketch of St. Andrews, as well asof tlie inhabitants before 
 my time, it may as well be said here, that the information given is partly from tnhii- 
 Hon and partly from personal observation, and is written entirely from memory. 
 
 Before the advent of steamboats on the Ottawa river, between Carillon and 
 Lachine, it wrs no easy matter to iravel between these points, and paddle your own 
 canoe. A decided improvement wa^ made, when a line of covered stages (eacii drawn 
 by four horses) was started to run from Montreal via St. Eustache and St. Andrews 
 to Grenville. The trip was intended to be made in three days — or two trips per week 
 each way. They also carried the mail, and the stage driver's capacious hat contaiiu:d 
 what letters and newspapers were to be delivered between the different offices, and 
 which were usually thrown out in passing. The stage house in St. Andrews (wliere 
 they changed horses) was kept by a Mr. John Russell, and was a large, two-story 
 wooden building next to Mr. Guy Richards' store, and about where Janvier Soulier's 
 house now stands. After a time, he removed across the river to premises sitiialed 
 between Robt. Simpson's garden and Edward Jones' house, where he died. His widow- 
 kept the house for a time, when she mairied a Mr. Bowman, and removed to Buck- 
 ingham. The arrival of the stage in the village was always heralded by the driver's 
 horn, and was as great an event to the gossips and idlers then, as the arrival of a last 
 train in these days at a rural station. After the steamboats were fairly established, 
 the trade was diverted from the land route, and the stages were taken off the through 
 line, and placed between Carillon and Grenville, and between Point Fortune and 
 L'Orignal. There vas also, for many years, a winter line of stages on the same route 
 from Montreal to St. Andrews, and at certain seasons of the year the trip was not j 
 accomplished without great difficulty and frequent loss, as many fine horses were 
 drowned crossing on the treacherous ice at St. Eustache. , .;.,—,. .,-,^ ,.,,.:_ 
 The industries of St. Andrews consisted of two general stores, an ashery, ai 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENIEUIL. 
 
 99 
 
 tannery, with Faddlers' and shoe-makers' shops, a pai)er mill, saw mill and grist mill, 
 with the usual village blacksmiths. The taverns were also there, but they could not 
 be properly classed among the industries. 
 
 One of the stores was kept by Mr. Guy Richards in a large, two-story frame build- 
 ing, next to John Russell's stage hotel (which was afterwards occupied as a residence 
 and registry office by Col. De Hertel). 
 
 After the main street, as it now stands, was opened up past where the Uaptist 
 and Episcopal churches are situated, down to where the bridge spans the river, Mr. 
 Ricliards removed his store, up to a la ge, two-story stone building (which is still 
 standing), where he did a large and p)Osperous business for many years, retiring 
 from active life a short time before his djath in September, 1839. 
 
 The other store was kept by Mr. W. G. JJlanchard, who also conducted the 
 ashery, where the iiihahitants could send their ashes and get a fair price for tlicni. 
 And as tl.e country was new, each farmer would have a good many bushels of ashes 
 saved up after burning his /og heaps. Many a poor family enjoyed little luxuries, 
 such as tea and sugar, and other articles, from the sale of their ashes, that they 
 otherwise would have had to do without. Mr. Blanchard was a kind-hearted, easy- 
 going man, \'ho put too much dependence on some of his unscrupulous neiglibors, as 
 it was currently reported that he paid more than once for the same ashes. 
 
 Mr. Davis' tannery was a long, low building nearly opposite where 1). Sutherland 
 has his tailor's shop ; the saddlers and shoemakers were on the other side of the 
 street, and a brisk business was carried on in all of them. 
 
 The Seigneur had at one time a sawmill situated on the west side of the island, 
 but it was either burnt or otherwise destroyed several years previous. The grist 
 mill was a short distance above the present one, and was one and one-half i^ lories high, 
 built of cedar logs and clapbcarded; the water wheel and other machineiy were of a 
 somewhat primitive construction, perhaps as good as it was possible to get in those 
 days, but they could not compare with the "Lamb" or Leiffel of these days. 
 The corn was ground, but not bolted or sifted; — that had to be done at hrme 
 with a sieve, made from a partially tanned sheepskin, stretched over a hoop, and per- 
 forated. The miller who presided over that institution for many years was ccrt;iinly 
 not in advance of his surroundings. He was a Highlander from Argyleshire (not far 
 from that celebrated spot where the horrible " Glcncoe" massacre was perpetrated), 
 by tiie name of MacCallum, but who rejoiced in the not very euphonious sobriquet 
 of "Goch-cuin-ga7i>" 
 
 The blacksmiths, in the earlier days, were not noted for fine work, and the hoes, 
 axes and forks made by them, and which have come down through several decades, 
 to say the least, had no scarcity of material in them. But later on, there was a great 
 improvement in all farming tools, and a large business was done in making axes, 
 which were then in great demand, one firm having a " grindstone " run by water 
 power to grind, polish and finish them up ready for use. 
 
 The members of the medical profession, as they styled themselves, had nothing 
 
98 
 
 HIS-^ORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 to boast of in regard to ability or skill, and it would be difficult to tell what college 
 they graduated from. All diseases were, for the most part, treated with liberal doses 
 of calomel and jalap, together with the free use of the lancet, and, in cases of sur- 
 gery, heaven help the jioor wretch who required their services ! After i few years, 
 a better educated class settled in the country, viz., Drs. Beacli, Kllis, and Rice; 
 the last named also carried on a farm, which is now owned by Mr. T. Davis, and 
 he lived v/here George Simpson's house now stands. About the same time Dr. Rae 
 came to the village ; he was a young Kdinburgh graduate of high standing and pol- 
 ished manners, and in a very siiort time was a general favorite and a successful practi- 
 tioner, being consulted in all serious cases, and sent for fiom Lachute, Cii.'»ham and 
 Grenville. 
 
 In those day;, wheel carriages were not in use, the only means of travelling was on 
 horseback, consequently, acounliy doctor had a hard life and required a good strong 
 constitution to sand the wear and tear and exposure to all weathers, so that in i 
 short time Dr. Rae's health began to give way, and at his death he was much 
 regretted. 
 
 He resided lor many years in the house which is now occupied by I'tr. Mayraiid, 
 and, after his death, his wife and family went to Montreal. Sliorlly before this, another 
 young Scotchman by the name of McCalluni, a graduate from the same college, 
 opened an office and began the practice of medicine, and very soon had the reputa- 
 tion of being very skillful and energetic. He enjoyed a large and growing practice, 
 and when the cholera broke out in 1832, he did good service among the poor, and 
 was very successful in his treatment of all those infected with that terrible dibease. 
 His career of usefulness was brought to a sudden termination by an accident which 
 in a short time carried him off. During his residence in the county he made many 
 warm friends ; and as he was a single man, and had no relatives in the country, lic 
 was well and tenderly cared for in his last illness, and his untimely death was much 
 lamented. 
 
 There was not a single representative of the legal profession in the county in 
 early times, not but what there was plenty of law going on, but it was all carried 011 
 through the Magistrates' Court, which had plenty to do with some of the residents of 
 Chatham, who spent a good part of the proceeds of dieir potash in law. 
 
 There were several notaries in the county before Mr. Nolan came; he practised 
 for many years, and was regarded as a careful, reliable man in his profession. He 
 owned an'l resided on the propcrtySwhich he afterwards sold to Charles Benedict. 
 About the lime Mr. Nolan left St. Andrews, two other young notaries — Larue and 
 Goudie — opened aii office on the corner^where Mrs. Caution's house now stands. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Colin Df.wak. 
 
 In order to show the difference between the prices of articles eighty years ago 
 and the present, the following are copied fron a well preserved Day Book that was 
 
II ..ORY OK ARGKNTEUIL. 99 
 
 u>L'd in Si. Andrews in 1814. 'I'lie items are drawn from sever il different accounts, 
 
 af there is not a single account in the book in whicli four fifths of the items cliarged 
 are not for Mquors of v?.rious kinds, by the glass, gill, half-pint, pint, quart, etc. 
 
 This is r.ot surprising, whenVe relKct that traders all sold spirituous liquors, and 
 tlicir patrons all used it. 
 
 The ciiarges were ail made, of course, in pounds, shillings and pence, but 
 iiave been changed into dollars and rents. The merchant seems to have sold every- 
 thing from a jews harp to a log cabin : — 
 
 181.) Feb. 6 1 1> I liiislii'l Corn ni $200 
 
 I I'l. Socks " 75 
 
 '• li •> I I'r. Scissors " 5^ 
 
 " •' " ;,>^ Lbs, Loaf Sii|>.ii- '• 1 40 
 
 Mnr. 3 '' I Uush.S.nb. " 240 
 
 " '• '• I Mug Cider " 20 
 
 " " " /i Lb. Chocolate " 25 
 
 " " " J liushels Kyt- •' 5 ik) 
 
 " " " I I'iiit of Rum " 40 
 
 Ai>r. I '• I Lb. Tob.icco " 60 
 
 '• *' " I " Raisins " ^4 
 
 " " I '• Tea " I So 
 
 '• 5 " I "Powder " 6S 
 
 •• ■' I " Shot " 40 
 
 Jiiiu 21 •• I I'intCin j^o 
 
 " '• " 6^4 Yds. Canilirir, at 7.10 500 
 
 July 9 " I Lod(;ing and ^i ."-hcct Taper 15 
 
 " " " ^'i' I int Kun), 1 supper 50 
 
 " " " I Almannc 25 
 
 '■ 29 " So I '.oard Nail.s 34 
 
 '• " " 2500 Sliin^le N.'ils 1 30 
 
 '' '' '• ■■,i>oo Large Nails 9 00 
 
 " " '■ 1; Yds, Lining, at i;oc 250 
 
 ■'^"K- 5 " J " Sheeting i 50 
 
 " *• '■ 100 lioard Nails 40 
 
 " " " 5 Yds. Blue Cotton 3 00 
 
 " " " I Gill Pepiierniint 15 
 
 '• " •' I Set Cups and Saucers 4 15 
 
 1815 Oct. 3 " I Tumbler broken 15 
 
 " " '■ 2 Candles , 15 
 
 " " I Lb. Putly 15 
 
 1814 April 5 •• \}i Hush. Oats 1 00 
 
 '• '• " r Quart Brandy 75 
 
 •' " '• 2 Slings 25 
 
 " " ■• I Skein Silk 10 
 
 " " " Yds. Co ton atsocts. 300 
 
 " '' " I Cil.^ss Bitters 5 
 
 " " " '2 Pint Pepp-rinint 25 
 
 " 12 " I Bush. Barley 2 c'o 
 
 " " •' I Hair Comb 30 
 
 " '' " I Spelling Botk 30 
 
 " " " I Lb. Rice (by wife) 15 
 
 May 4 " ^2 Doz. Plates and 2 Tumblers 80 
 
 " " " 2 Bowls and I Pepjjer Box 77 
 
 " •' /i Lb. Pepper 25 
 
 " " " yi " Spice , 25 
 
 ." " '• 1 ^■ard Gingham , 40 
 
 * " '" " 1 ().. Heer 20 
 
 " " " I l^nt Port Wine 45 ' 
 
nm^ 
 
 lOO HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 i8 ■ June 7 To lo Yds.^alico $5 20 
 
 " " •' I Paper I'ins 30 
 
 " •' " 2 Ozs. Cinnamon 25 
 
 " " "I Dinner (St. John's Day) 100 
 
 " 9 " '/2 Lb. Copperas (by Betsy) to 
 
 "17 " yi " " (by Tack) 10 
 
 " l8 "I Pair Overalls 370 
 
 " " *' I Slick Twist 10 
 
 " •' " I Scythe 200 
 
 " " " 2>2 Yds. Cotton I 50 
 
 " «' " I Lb. Diied Apples 20 
 
 Cr. 
 
 Nov. 9 Jiy 6 Bushels Onions, at $1.50 900 
 
 " " " 169 Lbs. Beef, at 7c 1 1 83 
 
 " " '• 600 " Poik,ati8c loS c 
 
 The earliest physicians of this place have already been mentioned in the lotter of 
 Mr. Dewar. 
 
 Among the other prominent men belonging to the medical profession who liavc 
 lived in the parish was Dr. Thomas James Howard. 
 
 He wa.sboin atE.. e.er, Devon County, England, in February, 1796, and in his early 
 life entered the Royal Navy as midshipman on His Majesty's frigate " Canopus." 
 He was in active service three years in the Mediterranean, during the wars with 
 .France, Turkey and other powers, but was obliged to retire from the Navy on 
 account of ill healtji. Subsequently, he held the commission of Lieuten lat under 
 Colonel Rolle in the South Devon Militia, and afterwards practised as ph>.iician and 
 surgeon in Devonshire. In 1844, with his wift. and twelve children and ina-d servant, 
 he sailed for Canada, a part of the vessel being fitted up for their special usc: and 
 accommodation. After a voyage of seven weeks, during the months of April and 
 May, this sailing vessel Tarrived in Quebec. The following summer Dr. Howard 
 spent in Montreal and in travelling througli Ontario, seeking a desirable place for 
 location ; but he finally settled in St. Andrews, and began the practice of medicine. 
 His coufreres were Dr. Pyke, Dr. Lawrence — succeeded by Dr. VVm. Robertson, Dr. 
 Fenwick and Dr. Mayrand. Having purchased a farm on the River Rouge, iic 
 retired to it after a practice of three or four years, and thence removed to Lachute, 
 where he died in 187 1. 
 
 HiCNRV Howard, his second son, born in 1828, was fifteen years of age 
 when he crossed the Atlantic witli his father's family; he remained two years in St. 
 Andrews, and then went to study Frencn and the Notarial profession intlie office of 
 Mr. T. J. Girouard at St. IJen^it. Mr. Girouard had been one of ti^e active promo- 
 ters of th^ I<ebellion of 1837-38, and the village of St. Benoit, which had been burned 
 by Sir John Colborne, had then just been rebuilt. Travelling vehicles were of a 
 primitive and rustic style ; a buggy being a thing unknown, while homespun tuques 
 and beef-skin moccasins wi.'re articles deemed indispensable in the attire of the habi- 
 tant. Very few understood a word of English- -an advantage, no doubt, to ths yourg 
 student, in view of the ubject at which he aimed. 
 
HISTORY OK AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 lOI 
 
 On receiving his commission as notary public for the Province of Quebec, in Nov- 
 ember, 18511 he settled in St. Andrews, with which place his h'story since has been closely 
 identified. He has filled many responsible offices, somf* of which have been either 
 itiHOved or al)olished. Active in the formation of the County Agricultural Society, 
 he was appointed Secretary-Treasurer, and held the position for twenty-three years, 
 when the office was removed to Lachute. He has at different limes been Deputy 
 Clerk of the Circuit Court, lias been Deputy Coroner. Official Assignee of the Coun- 
 ties of Argeateui! and Ottawa, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Local Council ; in all 
 of which he has su;;tained a reputation for efficiency in business, while commanding 
 aspect as an intelligent, p.iblif -spidted citizen. 
 
 Mr. Howard was married in 1853 to Mnrie Aurelie Clouthier, of St. Eustache ; 
 they have tliree sons and one daughter. William Henry, the eldest son, a graduate 
 of McGill, i'^ now superintendent of the Pueblo Smelting and Refining Company, 
 Colorado ; i iiest, the second son, is a member of the Montreal Slock Exchange ; 
 Herbert, the youngest, is a bank clerk, and the daughter, unmarried, remains with 
 her parens. 
 
 Dr. Robertson is a name that has been fiimiliar to the inhabitants of the Ottawa 
 Valley for two generations ; Dr. Patrick Robertson, who has won honorable distinc- 
 linn during his life long residence in this county, beii.g the son of a doctor who was 
 in iuccessuil practice here for more O.ian a third of a century. 
 
 Tb_ latter. Dr. William Robertson, a graduate of King's College, Aberdeen, 
 Scotland, and of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, London, came from 
 Penh, Scotland, to this country about 1834. He first practised a year in Williams- 
 burg, Dundas Co., Ontario, and then, for the purpose of looking after the business of 
 his iialf brother, Colin Robertson, wlio represented the people of this County in Parlia- 
 ment, he removed to Lacljute. Soon after this, he opened an oflice on Little St. 
 James street, Montreal, and practised there a year. About 1842, he was married to 
 Miss Tiernay, c'aighter of a' gentleman connected with the Customs Department, 
 caid in 1847 '^^ removed to St. Andrews, where he spent his remaining days, dying 
 6t'n March, 187 1 ; Mrs. Robertson died 6th February, 1S90. They had two sons 
 and four daughters. Dk, Patrick Roisertson studied medicine, and graduated at 
 McGill in 1868. He then settled i:^ St. Andrf^ws, where, with the exception of one 
 or iwo years spent in England, he has since resided, and built up an extensive and 
 uccessful practice; he has recently removed to Montreal, 
 
 Of the remaining children of the late Dr. Robertson, William, the second son, 
 became general manager of the London Life Assurance Company, and died in 1889. 
 OiH- daughter was married to Col. MacDonald, Indian agent of the North West 
 Territories ; another married Bruce Harman of Toronto ; a third wedded Chas. Handy- 
 side, of the firm of H. & A. Allan, Steamship Co. of Montreal ; and one died when 
 but ten years of age. 
 
 1: . i 
 
 I » 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Dr. George Flanigan Shaw, a rising young practitioner, associated with Dr. 
 Robertson, is from a family in the Dominion Capital whose members are represen- 
 tatives of the most honorable occupations and professions. 
 
 He was born in Ottawa in 1862, and is a son of Charles Shaw, one of the oldest 
 officers of the Post Office Department. Henry S. Shaw, one of the brothers, is also 
 an official of the same department ; and of his three: remaini ig brothers, the eldest, C. 
 S. Shaw, is one of the prominent business men of Ottawa. Dr. W. F. Shaw is G. T. R. 
 physician, located in Gravenhurst, Out. ; and Rev. J. Arthur Shaw, M..\., of 
 Bishop's College, Lennoxville, is Rector of Cobden in the Diocese of Ontario. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was educated in Ottawa, and at Bishop's College, 
 Lennoxville, and graduated with honors at McGill University, Montreal, taking his 
 degree of M.D., CM., and while there, was for a year editor of the McGill Fort- 
 nightly. 
 
 He has travelled extensively in Europe, visiting hospitals both in England and 
 on the CoHiinentj and thus keeping pace with the rapid advancement in knowledge, 
 which of late years has signalized the march of medical and surgical science. He is 
 a member of the Montreal Medical Society and of the College of Physicians and Sur- 
 geons of Quebec and Ontario. 
 
 Since the wiiting of the above, Dr. Shaw has dissolved partnership with Dr. 
 Robertson, on account of the latter's departure for Montreal, and is now established 
 in St. Andrews upon his own responsibility ; he has recently been appointed Health 
 Officer of the parish, and church warden, to fill places rendered vacant by the depart- 
 ure of Dr. Robertson. 
 
 William H. Mayrand, M.D., is another oi' the physicians who have earned 
 a livelihood and reputation in St. Andrews and vicinity, and he is one of the few 
 remaining who were prominent in the generation past. He was born at Louiseville, 
 Rivii>re du Loup, and is a son of the Hon. Etienne ALayrand, who for several years 
 was an M.P.P. After spending two years at St. Hyacinlhe College, he went to 
 Nicolet College, and remained five years. On leaving that Institution, he studied 
 medicine a year with Dr, Morin of Quebec, and then entered the Medical Depart- 
 ment of McGill University, and graduated there in May, 1847, i" the same class -wilh 
 Dr. Christie of Lachute. He immediately settled in St. Andrews, and in April, 1848, 
 was married to Catherine Sophia Pecco, a daughter of the late Commissary General 
 Pecco, of Corfu, Ionian Islands, and a niece of Commissary General Forbes of Carillon. 
 The social qualities of the doctor, united with his skill as a physican, soon pro- 
 cured a good i)ractice, and for nearly half a century he has been a familiar figure in 
 this section. Though preferring to give over his practice to younger men, he is stili 
 the dependence for medical treatment of many households. 
 
 Mrs. Mayrand died August 8, 18S8, leaving two sons. Henry Wellington, one of 
 these, is employed in the Merchants Bank at Halifax ; Geo. C. is in business in 
 Nelson, B.('. 
 
 A recent addition to the medical men of St. Andrews is Dr. Walter W. Avlen, 
 
History ok ARCENTLurL. 
 
 105 
 
 who was born in 1865 at Aylmer, Que. He received his early education in Aylmor, 
 Ottawa and Gait. In 18.S5, he entered the .Medical Faculty of McGill College, and 
 received his degree of M.D., CM., there in 18S9. In 1890, he went to Slieldon, N. 
 DaktMa, and during his stay there enjoyed an extensive practice. In 1)91 he was 
 married to Eva, daughter of Finley McMartin, of St. Andrews. In 1895, desiring to 
 come East, he sold his practice in Sheldon, and bought that of Dr. Robeitson of this 
 place. Dr. Aylen is a worthy son of a clever family, tlie Aylens of Aylmer iiaving given 
 the medical and legal professions some of their most g'ited members. 
 
 Dr. Willia.m S. Allen, who has also but lately visited St. Andrews prcfession- 
 ally, was born in Montreal, his parents coming from Nottingham, Eng., where his 
 mother, Jane Stanley, belonged to one of the leiding families. He was left an 
 orphan at the age of four years, and while still very young, began life as junior clerk 
 
 [for the Canada Paper Co., Montreal. A year later, he became private secretary to 
 lohn Macfarlane, Esq., president of the Company, in which position he remained two 
 years, and afterward acted as|privale secretary to Jas. Bryce, Esq., superintendent of 
 
 I the Canadian Express Co. He was indentured to Dr. J. B. V'osburgli, Montreal, and 
 began the study of dentistry in the fall of 1S91, and also took a partial medical course 
 ill ihc University of Bishop's College, Moutrial ; he received the degree of L.D.S. in 
 
 [Oclolv.r, 1895. 
 
 Dr. Allen is a young man of much geniality as wjjl as enterprise, and as his pre- 
 
 Isencc in St. Andrews fills a long felt want, it is to be hoped thfil he may meet with 
 
 Idcscrved success. 
 
 Dr. Legault is another physician who has been here for the last six or eight 
 years, and has practised very successfu'ly daring the time. 
 
 V ■ I 
 
 \e of 
 s in 
 
 LEN, 
 
 CHURCHKS. 
 
 Though considerable ]iains were taken to obtain a more complete hislory of the 
 \iiglican ("hurch here, they we're fruitless. Fjr the sketches of the remaining 
 bhurches, we are chiefly indebted to the courtesy of othc'-s ; the biographical sketches 
 |)fi!ieir pastors being, of course, from our own pen. 
 
 iiinerant ministers visited St. Andrews, and preached in tiie early years of her 
 [istory ; but the first church formed was the Cluirch of ?^ngland, by the Rev. Richard 
 Bradford, as early as 181 r. 
 
 Tiie fust resident clergyman was the Rev, Jo,-eph Abbott, who was barn in the 
 [orth of England, and who graduated at a Scotch University. He arrived in St. 
 jiiidrcws in 1818, and the services, until 1821, were Meld in aschool house. The Rev. 
 Ir. Henderson, a i^resbyterian clergyman, who cainj about the same time that Mr. 
 [bboti did, also held services in the same schooldiouse j but as Mr. Abbot' had littie 
 kgard for dissenters of any creed, it is not surprising that these different services 
 [id not continue in the same building in the strictest harmony. Serious differences, 
 Ortever, were avoided by the withdrawal of the Presbyterians to a private dwelling, 
 hd both clergymen were provided with church edifices the same year, 182 1. 
 
204 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 After remaining here a few years, the Rev. Mr. Abbott removed to a field in the 
 Eastern Townships, which, from his own name, is now known as Abbottsford, end left 
 the church at St. Andrews in charge of his brother, the Rev. William Abbott. Tiie 
 latter remained hero till his death, which occurred in 1859. 
 
 Not long after coming to Canada, the Rev, Joseph Abbott was married to 
 Harriet Bradford, a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Bradford of Chatham, and their descen- 
 dants are among the most influential citizens of the Province. The late Sir J. J. C. 
 Abbott, their eldest son, was born here 12th March, 1821, The Rev. Mr. Abbott 
 exchanged his properly in Abbottsford with iiis nepliew for that in Chatham, lateiy 
 owned by his father, the Rev. Mr. Bradford, and returned to this section, settling in 
 Grenville, accepting the pastorate of the Anglican church there, till he went to Moii- 
 treal. He was appointed Bursar of the McGiil University in that city, in 1843. 
 
 The Rev. Richaid Lonsdcll, M.A., accepted the charge in St. Andrews after Mr, 
 Abbott's death, and held it for many years ; he won the esteem of his parishioners, 
 and the number of communicants increased during his ministrations. He removed 
 in October, 18S5, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. O'SuUivan, but an affection of 
 the tiiroat caused the hitter's resignation in a few months. 
 
 The Rev. F. N. Bourne was the next clergyman in the field, who, after supplying 
 it til! the fall of 1S93. relinquislied it fortiie rectorship of iJimham, Que. ; he has also 
 since accepted tlic princip-ilship of Dunham I.adies' College. 
 
 In January, 1894, the Rev. J. W. Dennis became incumbent, and his ability, geni- 
 ality and courtesy have secured for him much popularity. 
 
 THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ST. ANDREWS. 
 
 15v THE Rev. Dr. Paterson. 
 
 The first recorded move ment lowaids tlie establishment of the Presbyterian 
 Church in Argenleuil is embodied in the following document, which is without date. 
 but evidently a copy made at the time, and belonging to the year 18 16 : — 
 
 " We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the Seigniory of Argenleuil, deeply imi)resse(i 
 with a sense of our destitute condition with respect to the regular ordinancesof divine I 
 worship, and sensible of the important benefits which we and our families would derive 
 from the labors of a faithful minister of the Gospel, have agreed to use our endea- 
 vors in order to attain this desirable object, trusting to the Great King andHcsdj 
 of the Church for crowning our endeavors with success. 
 
 " As we are under the paternal care of the British Government, and are therefore I 
 strictly connected with Great Britain in politics, commerce, and similarity of 
 manners, so it is natural for us to look to that quarter for a pastor who may take[ 
 the oversight of our spiritual concerns. 
 
 " We appoint the following gentlemen to be a corresponding committee, with! 
 such friends and promoters of Christianity in Britain as may be deemed by them the] 
 most active and influential in promoting a design of this nature, to wit, Messrs. Rev, 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 105 
 
 Robert Easton, John and Phineas Hutchins, Benjamin Wales, and Wm. G. Blan- 
 
 chard." ' ' ": ■ ::. - . . :; :. • - , . • ,■ • ■ , - 
 
 And they promise, the document further says, to pay to the clergymi-n who 
 should come the sums opposite their names, yearly ; and at the end it is stated that 
 the number of subscribers was sixty-four, and the "sum total subscribed, ;!^ioi j" 
 bill unfortunately the names are not given. 
 
 The Rev. R. Easton was minister of the Presbyterian Church in St. Peter street, 
 Montreal, then in connection with the Associate (or Burgher) Synod, of Scotland ; 
 the Messrs. Hutchins belonged to Lachute, and Messrs. Wales and Blanchard to St. 
 Andrews. 
 
 Mr. Easton, to whom doubtless the original document was sent, wrote to Dr. 
 lames Hall, of Edinburgh, a leading minister of the Associate Synod, who brought the 
 tnalter before liis Presbytery. At llie same time, a similar application was sent by the 
 Presbyterians of RiJeau in Upper Canada ; and the Presbytery, in compliance with 
 these requests, appointed the Rev. Wm. Taylor of Falkirk to Argenteuil, and Mr. 
 Wm. Bell, a probationer, to Rideau. Application was made to the British Government 
 for assistance, and as that government was desirous of encouraging a good class of 
 emiurants to settle in Canada, a salary of ;^ioo stg. a year was promised to each 
 of those ministers, "in addition to such provision as might be made for thtm by the 
 
 settlers."* 
 
 In due course, Mr. Bell was settled at Perth in the Rideau district; but Mr. 
 Taylor, instead of coming to Argenteuil, went to Osnabruck on the St. Lawrence, and 
 litched his tent there. On learning of this, Dr. Hall corresponded with the Rev. 
 Archibald Henderson, M.A., of Carlisle in England, who, after due consideration, 
 accepted the appointment thus vacated (the same provision being made for him by 
 i the Government, as had been made for Mr. Taylor), and came to St. Andrews in the 
 i summer of 1818. 
 
 Mr. Henderson was born at Doune near Stirling, Scotland, on the 27th September, 
 
 J1783. He attended the Grammar School of Stirling under the famous Dr. Doig, from 
 
 whom he imbibed that love of learning and that accurate scholarship by which he was 
 
 Idistinguished. At the age of 16, he entered the University of St. Andrews, the most 
 
 laiicientof the existing seats of learning in Scotland. There he studied under another 
 
 lenlhusiastic scholar, Dr. John Hunter, whose editions of Virgil and Horace and other 
 
 Iclassics used to be so familiar in the Scottish grammar schools. Mr. Henderson was 
 
 Ian able mathematician, as well as scholar, and was advised by the Professor of that 
 
 Ibranch of science ") devote himself to it. He had, however, higher views, and went to 
 
 Selkirk to attend the Divinity Hall of the Associate Synod, which was presided over 
 
 by the well-known Dr. Lawson. That great man was Principal and Professor of all the 
 
 * As stared in a despatch to Dr. Hall from Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for War, the adminis- 
 iration of Colonial affairs being at that lime in the hands of the War Department. The salary was 
 aidoui of the Military Chest at Quebec, afterwards at Halifax, when the British Garrison had been 
 fcniovtd from Quebec. 
 
 8 
 
io6 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 departments of Theology, in his single person, and trained an able and well-furnished 
 race of ministers. Mr. Henderson had thus the advantage of sitting at the feet of 
 three teachers of the very first eminence in the country, and he showed himself a pupil 
 worthy of them. Dr. Hall, in a letter to Mr. Kaston, in September, i8i7,says of Mr. 
 Henderson : " If he will come, I could not point out one in all the Synod better quali- 
 fied. He is pious, modest, active, and perseverinj^. He composes elegantly, pro- 
 nounces the English language unexceptionally (a rare thing, I suppose, for a Scotch- 
 man in those days), delivers himself with a manly fluency and grace, and, lastly, is an 
 admirable classical scholar, and completely fitted to superintend an academy. I can 
 stake our credit on him." 
 
 He had been settled in 1810 over achurch in the City of Carlisle, and from thence 
 he came to this country, at the call of the inhabitants of Argenteuil, to take the 
 oversight of their souls and preach to them the Gospel of the Grace of God. 
 
 He sailed from Greenock at the end of May, 181 8. and arrived in Canada in 
 July. He brought with him a letter from Earl Bathurst to the Governor General, 
 Sir John C. Sherbrooke, by whom he was kindly received. Leaving his wife and 
 three small children in Montreal, he came to St. Andrews, and preached to the 
 people, wlio were much pleased with him, even beyond their expectations. He was 
 speedily recalled to Montreal by the sickness and death of one of his children. With a 
 sorrowing lieart he returned with his family to the village which was to be the scone 
 of his labors and his home for nearly fifty-nine years. St. Andrews, beautifully 
 situated at the foot of a rapid, on both sides of the North River, was a small place. 
 and, to the new comers from the crowded Old Country, scarcely visible. Mrs. Hen- 
 derson used to tell how she asked on arriving and looking round : " Where is the 
 village?" and received the reply : "It is on the other side of the river." When on I 
 that side, she still asked : "But where is the village?" Again the answer came: 
 ♦' On the other side of the river." 
 
 The district was in much need of Gospel ordinances, no minister having ever] 
 been settled in it. Mr. Easton of Montreal occasionally came to attend to the Pres- 
 byterians. An Episcopal minister preached once a fortnight to the people of that I 
 body, while a good man, Hugh Cameron, of Cote du Midi, was wont to exhort the 
 people, and even, it is said, sometime to baptize children. He was usually spoken of 
 as " Hughy the Minister," and his descendants are still distinguished by the cognome!i| 
 of " the minister." 
 
 There was now, however, an abundance of clerical provision, for on the samel 
 day with Mr. Henderson, and in the same building, the Rev. Joseph Abbott of the! 
 Church of England began his labors. Fora time, the two congregations held seivicel 
 at different hours on the Lord's Day in the village schoolhouse, the Presbyteiianij 
 meeting in the forenoon and the Episcopalians in the afternoon. 
 
 The people who formed Mr. Henderson's congregation were chiefly of twol 
 classes, both of vigorous and reliable character. The greater part were Scotch seillersj 
 
 mostly Higl) 
 or who had 
 same spirit. 
 
 On the : 
 
 in I he schnoll 
 
 Capt. EUm 
 
 motioned, se 
 
 a committee ' 
 
 and to examii 
 
 Messrs. John 
 
 Blanchard, Jl 
 
 Davis, Charle: 
 
 Dewar. Thej 
 
 busy nuarryirij 
 
 III 1820-2 
 
 son, IJart., on 
 
 "hicli still stai 
 
 'I he builders a 
 
 Malcolm McCi 
 
 Montreal gave 
 
 with £25 ill mt 
 
 10^148 1 2s 6d. 
 
 ing in Montrej 
 
 Johnstone, Gib 
 
 Ilench. 
 
 One of Mr. 
 
 register for the 
 Lower Canada. 
 ■' This boo 
 by the Reveren( 
 St. Andrews, A 
 Burial, to be by 
 James Reid, ont 
 [trict of Montrea 
 " Montr E A 
 
 *The " Red H 
 [tion on the shore 
 louses have disappe 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTF.UIL. 
 
 lOT 
 
 niosily Highlanders ; the other families were chiefly of United Empire Loyalist stock 
 or who had more recently crossed the lines from the neighb jring Republic in the 
 same spirit. 
 
 BUILDING OK THE CHURCH. 
 
 On the 26th January, 1819, ameetingof Mr. Henderson's congregation was held 
 in the schoolhouse, to consider " the necessity of building a place of public worship." 
 Capt. Elon Lee was appointed Moderator, and Guy Richards, Secretary. It was 
 motioned, seconded and unanimously voted, that a church ought to be built, and 
 a committee was appointed to determine whether it should be built of wood or stone, 
 and to examine various proposed sites for the ':1 urch. 'I he committee consisted of 
 Messrs. John Iirush, James Brown, Charles Story, Duncan Dewar of Chatham, \Vm. 
 Blanchard, Judah Center, John Mc^Lirtin, Hugh McLachlin, John McLean, Moses 
 Davis, Charles Benedict, Phineas Hutchins, 'Phos. Barron, G. A. Hooker and Peter 
 Dewar. They wisely decided on stone, and in the fall of that year, the people were 
 busy quarrying near the Red House, and in drawing the stone and other materials. -f^ 
 
 In 1820-21 the church was built, on a site given by the Seigneur, Sir John John- 
 son, Bart., on the west side of the North River. It was a plain but solid structure, 
 which still stands as strong as ever, but enlarged and greatly improved in appearance. 
 jhe builders appear to have been A. Graham for the stone work, ana Archibald and 
 Malcolm McCallum for the woodwork, and they built faithfully and well. Friends in 
 Montreal gave generous assistance, a subscrii)tion list being headed by the Seigneur 
 with £25 in money and material, and W. McGillivray with £10, and amounting in all 
 to £148 12s 6d. It is interesting to see on the list the names of families still flourish- 
 ing in Montreal, prosperous and liberal, such as Torrance, Frothingham, Ogilvie, 
 lohnstone, Gibb, and that of George Fyke, afterwards one of the judges of the King's 
 Bench. 
 
 REGISTRATION OK ACTS OF CIVIL STATUS. 
 
 One of Mr. Henderson's first acts on settling in the country was to get an oflicial 
 [register for the due recording of "Acts of Civil Status," according to the laws of 
 1 Lower Canada. It was authenticated on the first page in the following form : — 
 
 " This book, containing eighty-eight folios or double i)ages, was this day presented 
 I by the Reverend Archibald Henderson, ir-nister of the Presbyterian Parish Church, 
 [St. Andrews, Argenteuil, to serve as a register of the Acts of Baptism, Marriage and 
 iBurial, to be by him performed, and the same was this day paraphed by me, the Hon. 
 ijames Reid, one of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench for the Dis- 
 jtrict of Montreal, pursuant to the Act in such case made and provided. 
 
 "Montreal, 12th day of August, 1818. 
 
 "J. S. Reid, J.K.B." 
 
 *The " Red House" was an old post of the Hudson's Bay Co., and stood in a conspicuous posi- 
 Ition on the shore of the Ottawa River, some distance higher up than the Manor House. Both these 
 
 nouses liave disappeared. 
 
^O^ HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 . Five days later the first entry was made : it was of a marriage, in these terms - 
 
 Daniel de Hertel of St. Andrews, Argenteuil, Esquire, 
 
 Marriage of and Lydia IJrown, minor daughter of James JJrown of the city 
 
 Daniel di Hkrtei. of Montreal, Stationer, were married by License on the seven- 
 
 *''"'' teenth day of August, in the year of Our Lord one thousand 
 
 eight hundred and eighteen, in the presence of the undersigiicd 
 
 witnesses, by me. 
 
 Lydia Brown, 
 
 JA.MES Brown, 
 T. Davis, 
 
 Arch. Henderson, A.M. 
 Daniel de Hkrtel. Minister. 
 
 Lydia Brown 
 
 The next entry is of the baptism of a child a month old, as follows : — 
 
 Baptism of 
 SAMUiii. Whistle. 
 
 A son of Zechariah A\'histie and his wife Eve, born on 
 the twenty-tiiiid day of July, in the year of Our Lord one 
 thousand eight hundred and eighteen, was baptized on tlic 
 twenty-third day of August following, by the name of Samtiel. 
 in ihe presence of the undersigned witnesses, by me. 
 
 Samuel Liscom, 
 George Roi5ERTson. 
 
 Arch. Hinderson, A.M., 
 
 Minister. 
 
 The next entry is of the baptism of (leorge, son of George Robertson of St, 
 Andrews, papermaker, and his wife Margaret, It is not till a year after, that the 
 maiden surname of the mother is given, as well as Iier Cliristian name. Nor arc the 
 names of the parents of the j^arties recorded in the entries of marriages, as has to be 
 done now, and the want of which has caused disputes in matters orpro])erty. The 
 first burial entered is not till a year has passed, when on the 13th August, 1819, occurs 
 the burial of a child who had died the day before, viz., James, the sixteen month old 
 " son of the late Amos Blanchard of Montreal, cabinet-maker, and his wife Susan.'' 
 
 While deaths were so few, Mr. Henderson in the first year baptized fifty children 
 and married twenty couplts, people coming to him for those services from consider- 
 able distances all round, from Lachute, Chatham, Rigaud, River du Chene, and even 
 from Montreal in several instances. Lachute is called " the Chute," or " the Chute 
 settlement," and our familiar River Rouge is translated into " the Red River." 
 
 These fifty marriages were all " by banns " or "after proclamations of banns 
 
 except two, which were *' by license." The number of marriages by license eradiiallyBt.>i;i ,..;,/ 
 
 , , , ,, ... .J , '■'t^Jii, With much 
 
 increased, engaged couples apparently growing in shyness or pride, as the countrvBgt l^,,]. 
 
 grew in wealth and society developed itself, /.t length, about 1846, banns ano" ' 
 
 licenses balance each other, and a dozen years later, marriage by license had becomeH • 'I'hose whoJ 
 
 general, and for more than thirty years banns are almost unknown to the record. ver)B>i7i3n,'|' ^^'^''5°"' i| 
 
 few being willing to have their matrimonial intentions publicly announced in churchj'"'^^' in Xova Scotial 
 
 Xij one h.i 
 liiai where 1 
 and not, as 
 
 The R( 
 
 less so for a 
 
 there were 
 
 Scotland to V 
 
 Court of Ap 
 
 vindicating t 
 
 Lcirislatiire c 
 
 .■\ssociate Syr 
 
 to that body, 
 
 tlie Church of 
 
 was passed, .i 
 
 others were c, 
 
 A Presbyi 
 Ac( ordingly at 
 Messrs. Wni. 
 appointed in af 
 Cook and Guy 
 •M^i'di, 1863, J, 
 '')'i (formerly 
 Benjamin AValt 
 Robertson (fori 
 ifier completing 
 ^^U, as .Ministd 
 i:nS87,Chailesl 
 .foil 11 !•'. K. McN 
 of Elders in sul 
 although it onghl 
 t'leir Codly fathf 
 
 -■^fr. Henderl 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 109 
 
 Xu: one has been so announced since the law was authoritatively declared to mean 
 that where banns are published they must be published on three successive Sundays 
 and not, as had been the ususal practice, three times in one day. 
 
 The Register is very carefully kept all through in regard to marriages ; but it is 
 less so for a few years after 1S24, in regard to ba[)tisms and burials. At that time 
 there were some wiio questioned tlie legal right of the clergy of the ^Juirch of 
 Scotland to keep registers or to officiate at marriages, and in a particular case the 
 Court of Appeals decided against them. Mr. Henderson took an active part in 
 vindicating the rights of himself and his brethren. A Bill was brouglu before the 
 Legislature of the Province, "for the Relief of Ministers connected with tlie 
 .Associate Synod," and when the Legislative Council desired information in regard 
 to that body, he drew up a Men rial setting forth the history and principles of 
 the Church of which he was a minister, and its high standing in Scotland. The Act 
 was passed, and the disabilities which it had been attempted to impose on him and 
 others were cast aside, and tl-.eir claim to " Kqual Rights " publicly recogni/ed. 
 
 RULING ELDERS. 
 
 A Presbyterian Ciuirch is not completely organized without Ruling Eiders. 
 Accordingly at an early period three were chosen and ordained to that office, to wit, 
 Messrs. Wm. G. Blanchard, Benjamin \Vales, and — Cummins. Oilier Elders 
 appointed in after years were in August, 1832 : Wm. .\[cEwen, John McConnell, Wni. 
 Cook and Guy Richards; in May, 1836, Charles Benedict and Peter .McMartiii; in 
 March, 1863, John McGregor and Alex. McLachlan ; in March, 1877, James Middle- 
 toii (formerly an Elder in Stanley St. Church, Montreal), ("harles Wales (son of 
 Benjamin Wales above named), and James McOuat ; in February, 1881, John 
 Robertson (formerly an Elder in the Free Church of Scotland, and subsequently, 
 after completing his theological studie-. at Queen's College, Kingston, ordained Dec, 
 1884, as Minister of Mill Haven and I>nestown in the Presbytery of Kingston) ; 
 
 [i:i i887,Chailes T. Wales* (son of Charles Wales above named), David Rodger* and 
 John F. K. McMarlin.* Thus in the Wales family ti'.ere have been three generations 
 of Elders in succession, a circumstance not unprecedented, but yet not coumion, 
 
 lalthoiigh it ought to be of frequent occurrence, the sons wr.Iking in the footsteps of 
 
 [their Godly fathers. 
 
 GROWTH 01'' THE CHURCH. 
 
 Mr. Henderson labored, as Presbyterian Minister of the Seigniory of Argen- 
 |teuil, with much activity. Besides his work at St. Andrew.';, he pieached regularly 
 at Lachute, where he establislied a Temperance Society ; at Chatham also, travelling 
 
 • Those whose names are marked with an asterisk (*) furm the present session along with the 
 Rev. I'r. I'aterson, the Moderator. Mr. MIddleti n, a man mucii beloved, died at the a<^e ot 86, while 
 'is book was passing through the press, all the lest having gone before except Mr. Robertson, who 
 fives in Nova Scotia. 
 
 M 
 
_ .J ,m 
 
 I 10 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIl, 
 
 the seven or eight miles to those places by roads which were mere bridle paths throuL,'h 
 the forest, beset som'.'times with wolves and bears. He had service also in the dis. 
 tricis round the village )n the Sabhalh artcrnoons, as there was only one diet (f 
 worship in the cluircli on that day. Tiiroiigh his pastoral care and fidelity the 
 Presbyteiims of his wide field were nourished and stren^incned till, in 183 j, a separ.re 
 congregation was formed at i.acluile. One of the few minutes of Session ex'.un 
 of the early period relates to this niatter. It is dated St. Andrews, i ith July, 185.', 
 and bears that ; " A petition w.is presented from the following church members re- 
 siding ;it Lachute and the neighborhood, viz.: [the names are not given), pray- 
 ing the Session to disjoin them from ihis Church, tiiat they may be formed into a 
 distinct church of the same deiominalioii under the pastoral care of the Rev. Wm. 
 Brunton,wiio now ministers among them. The Session agreed lluit tiie prayer o' 
 this Petition l;e granted, and the petitioners are hereby disjoined." 
 
 After some years, the congregation of Lachute divided into two, one of iliom 
 becoming connected with llie Free Church. A third was formed al Chatham, in 
 connection with the Church of Scotland, and al a later period, a church was built at 
 Pt. Fortune also, for the accommodatio'.i of the members of the Chatham congrega- 
 tion residing there. Thus the St, Andrew's Church grew after the manner of the 
 banyan tree, the branches of wiiich stretch out on all sides, and by and by reaiji 
 to the ground, where they take root and grow up into so many distinct trees, nta 
 distance from the parent stem, yet vitally connected with it and with each other, and 
 spreading one wide umbrageous shelter. /Mthough of three different sections of iln; 
 Presbyterian Church, yet all these congregations were alike in doctrine, governnu'iii, 
 and worship, and they were all united again ; three of thetii at the union of the Free 
 Church and the United Presbyterian Church in 1861, and the others at the memonibli 
 and happy union of the ;5lh June, 1875, when all the Presbyterian b )dies in the 
 Domim'on, with the exception of a few congregations here and there, were fonneJ 
 into one, under the name of " the Presbyterian Church in Canada," 
 
 THE PKESliVTERY. 
 
 In the meantime, although Mr. Henderson and his congregation were Presby- 
 terians, they were fj; many years without the oveisight ( f any Presbytery. He, luw- 
 ever, had been in thehabit of meeting with his ministerial brethren for mutual fellowship 
 and counsel. In 1S43, the " Missionary Presbytery of Kastern Canada" was formed! 
 by authority of the United Secession Synol of Scotland. It consisted of the Rev, 
 Andrew Kennedy of Lachute and the Rev. Alex. Lowdcn of New Glasgow, with 
 their respective Elders, Messrs, John McOuai and John Murray. It was strengthened | 
 in 1845 by the accession of the Kev. Dr, Wm. Taylor, of Montreal, and his con- 
 gregation in Lagauclieti^re street, which had been organized in 1833, but had hitlurioj 
 been in Presbyierial connection witli Upper Canada. 
 
 When this Presbytery was formed, Mr. Henderson desired to become a memberj 
 of it, and sent a memorial to the Synod in Scotland, stating his position, and reqiiest-j 
 
HISTORY OK AROESTEUIL. 
 
 II I 
 
 iiiu; to be Jidmitted, witli the condition that lie should be allowed to retain his annual 
 grant from the government. But the Voluntary Controversy had been agitating the 
 Churches of that country for a number of years, the ministers and people of the 
 Secession generally taking strong ground against the establishment and endowment 
 of the Churi h by the State. They were, therefore, unwilling to admit him unless he 
 gii\e up the j^overnment salary, but offered to guarantee him an etpial amount. Me, 
 however, did not wish to be a burden on their Mission funds, and declined the pro- 
 posal, continuing in his former isolated cor Jtion till the year i860. 
 
 A COLLEAGUE OI!TAINEn. 
 
 In that year, fai'ing sight and strength compelled him, now in his 77th year, to 
 seek assistance in his work, and he made application for a preacher to the L'nited 
 Presbyterian (formerly the United Secession) Presbytery of Montreal. They were 
 not able at the time to send one, and he applied to the Montreal Presbytery of the 
 Presbyterian Church of Canada, which was in connection with the Free Church of 
 Scotland. In due course, he and his congregation were received into that body, and 
 a 1 readier was obtained from them, who gave satisfaction to the congregation and 
 was duly called ; but his settlement did not take place. In the same week in which 
 he was expected to be ordained, the present pastor arrived in Montreal from Scot- 
 land. He was at once sent up to St. .Andrews to sui)])ly the vacancy, and preached 
 on the next two Sabbaths, 29111 July and 5th August, i860. Having received an 
 appointment to preach in another place, he left for five weeks, and returned to begin 
 his regular work on the i6th Sept., and has continued ever since, tlirough the help of 
 God, to go in and out among the people till this day. He belonged to the United 
 Presbyterian Church, but the two bodies were to be united shortly, a basis of union 
 having been mutually agreed upon, and he had no conscientious difficulty in antici- 
 pating the Union by a few months. He therefore ])ut himself under the care of the 
 Free Church Presbytery, and on the 24th October he was ordained, "by the laying 
 on of the hands of the Pres'oytery," to be Assistant and Successor to the venerable 
 servant of God, who had been himself ordained, just fifty years before, at Carlisle, and 
 had borne the burden of pastoral duty at St. Andrews for two and forty years un- 
 aided, save by the grace that is promised to every true worker, and by the sympathy 
 and help of the able and faithful Elders and other members of his church, who had 
 mostly grown up inider his ministry. 
 
 MR. HENDERSON S LAST DAYS. 
 
 Mr. Henderson now practically retired, the work baing left entirely to the young 
 minister ; but he retained the status of Senior Minister and his position as a member 
 of t!ie Presbytery. Only three weeks after this happy settlement, as it was to him, a 
 ^re ii sorrow came upon him in the brief sickness and death of his wife. She was the 
 daughter of the Rev. Mr. Morton, the Relief Minister of Leslie in Fife, and a woman 
 
IM 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 of piety and shrewdness and kiiid-lieartedness, with a touch of racy humor, in whu 1» 
 her husband also abounded, and a spirit of hoi)efuhK'ss which was a stronj{ suppur, 
 to him in the despondency to which he was somewhat prone. She died on the i^iih 
 November, being will in a ir.onth of eighty one years of age. 
 
 Two years later lie lost th-' only remaining member of his family, his son Pein, 
 who was a physician in Oitawa, and died unmarried, 26th November, 1862, it 
 Burritt's Rajjids, where he had some property, and to which he had gone for his heallli. 
 He was 44 years old. 
 
 Mr. Henderson preached occasionally in the absence of the pastor, usually tak 
 ing part also in the quarterly communion services and in" the prayer meetings. His 
 91st birthday happening on a Sabbath, he preached an en.rnest and affeciionate dis- 
 course to the young, addressing them as from the borders of the eternal world, ami 
 testifying that it was only the fear of God and the faith of Christ that could make 
 their lives truly useful and their end happy. Towards the end of 1S76 his health 
 rapidly rleclined, and on the 19th January, 1877, he sudd. Miiy passed away, having 
 lived ninety-three years and nearly four months. He died in the house of his col- 
 league, where he spent the last eight years of his life. He had been very reticent, 
 like most of his countrymen, as to his inward thoughts and feelings, but a day or 
 two before the end he began to open his mind a little, saying in reference to his hopes 
 foi eternity : " I cast myself, as a sinner ready to perish, on the mercy of Him who is 
 mighty to save." He did not remember when or where he had " cast his first in. 
 chor,'' to use an expression of John Knox's, but he had cast it long ago on safe 
 ground, and his hope was sure and steadfast and entering into that which is witliin 
 the veil. 
 
 however, stO( 
 
 THE CONGREOATION. 
 
 The history of the Congregation had been one of harmony, except at one period., 
 in the 30's, when misunderslandin.,^ arose between the minister and some of the jico- 
 pie, resulting in a number of them leaving the Church ; but, in course of time, most 
 of these returned to their former fold. With that exception, the Church had a 
 peaceful and prosperous existence, their accomplished pastor feeding them with 
 knowledge and understanding from the stores of his biblical and theological learning, 
 and his deep, though unobtrusive, spiritual life. Liberal himself and large- mini Id, 
 he taught them to take an interest in Bible Society and missionary work, having a 
 weekly prayer meeting, and, once a month, a "monthly concert" or missionary 
 meeting, which h-^s been kept up to this day. The money raised was sent for many 
 years to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ; but when the 
 Canada Presbyterian Church established foreign missions of its own in Formosa, 
 China, India, the New Hebrides, and other parts of the world, the members thought 
 it their duty to give their contributions to the support of their own Church missions. 
 
 The Congregation still has over sixty families connected with it, although its fiold 
 
HISTORY OK AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 ".^ 
 
 has been contracted by the establislimfjnt of other four or five Prcsl)yterian congre- 
 gations witliin its original hounds, besides a number bL'h)nging to uihcr denomina- 
 tions ; and, aliiiough there has also been a consl.int drain of the young men to the 
 ever inviting and largely promising West, besides tiie freijuenl removal of families to 
 other localities, lessening the Protestant population in its different branches. 
 
 The membership lias increased to above one hundred and forty, through the 
 orcasional incoming of new fanjilies and liie steady growing up of mxny of the yoaUji 
 (wliy should it not be so written of all ?) into a solid Christim life. On several occa- 
 sions, through means of special services, largj addili)ns were made to the number of 
 (ommunicants. ' . 
 
 The Congregation has grown in the grace of liberality in giving to tlie cause of 
 (iod. Ik'fore 1.S60, they gave little for the support of the Church, the salary which th^-ir 
 minister received from the military cliest seeming to them to relieve them from almost 
 all responsibility on this behalf. By their enjoymJiU of (r)spel orduiances with so 
 little chaige to themselves, they lost the privilege of exerting themselves for the sup- 
 port, of Christ's cause and the blessing which is promised to those who are faithful in 
 this duty ; and when, all at once, the whole burden of supporting their minister was 
 laid upon them, som.\ faint-hearted, wore ready to shrink from it. Tae greater part, 
 however, stood manfully forward, and by bearing became stronger to bear. " For to 
 liini that hath shall be given." They found a new pleasure in new duties and 
 new relations, and were ready to acknowledge that Christ's way was tlie best, viz., 
 that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Oospel. Tliey undertook to liive 
 their new minister $600 a year, and in 1S61 their contributions to all church purposes 
 wne $728, a large sum for a people that had probably not given more than $150 in 
 any one year before. 
 
 Since that time the stipend has been increased twice, while the contributions to 
 the schemes of the Church have also increased. In iSyo they raised :{ii,2S5, includ- 
 ing subscriptions for some special objects, and for the last four years the congregation 
 has contributed, for all purposes, from $1,100 to nearly $1,300 each year, being an 
 average of $20.00 per family. This may seem large to some, but it is less than the 
 average over the whole Presbyterian (-luirch in Canada, which was in the latest report 
 $22.82. But what is that to what is still due to God? If all the tithes that are 
 unpaid were brought into His storehouse in the spirit of consecration, the world 
 would soon be changed. The truth is that the Church of Christ has only bc:^nii to 
 give. 
 
 In 1877 th^ church building was greatly im[iroved from its former unadorned, 
 barn-like appearance, by having a new and handsomj front erected, wi '1 corner 
 tower, and much work done inside, costing in all $2,500. Four years later, in iSSt, 
 the manse also und/rwent a much needed renovation, at a cost of nearly $600. In 
 both cases the Ladies' Association contributed a large proportion of tiie expenses. 
 The manse, with garden and small meadow attached, is the house which Mr. Hen- 
 
114 
 
 HISTORY OF ARqENTEUIL. 
 
 der?on built for himself shortly after .lis arrival here, and v/hich he made over before 
 his death to the Congregation, as their property for the use of the minister. 
 
 The Congregation has, doubtless, much to lament over in its history and expeii- 
 euce, while there is much for which to give God thanks. Many men a.id women 
 who luve been brought up in it, now scattered over the Dominion and the United 
 States, are in their spheres, some of them prominent, supporting the cause of truth 
 and righteousness; and thus its iniUience is widespread. It has helped tc keep ihe 
 Gospel light shining here for seventy -seven years, and borne its part with otLer 
 churches in testifying for Christ and in training the people for His Kinp;doni." 
 
 The Rev. Daniel Paters dn, D.D., was born in Greenock, Scotland, and studied 
 at the Grammar School of that place, under the tuition of James Lockart Brown, LL.D. 
 an excellent teacher and scholar. He next went to the University of Glasgow, where 
 one of Ills profe.".sors was the great scientist, Wm. Thomson, now Lord Kelvin, and 
 there recei\ed the degree of A.M. He studied theology in the United Presbyterian 
 i)ivinity Hall, fidinb irgh, and came to Canada in the summer of i860, and was 
 ordained at St. Andrews, October 24th of that year. He has been connected with the 
 Presbyterian College of Montreal since its commencement, as a trustee and member 
 of the Board cf Management, as one of the examiners fur eight years, and as a member 
 of the College Senate for thirteen years. He 'eceived the degree of D.D. from the 
 College in 1892. He was appointed one of t'-c- representatives of the Montreal Pres- 
 bytery in the Campbell heresy case, to defend the action of the Presbytery before the 
 Syi.od of Montreal and Ottawa, and did so with the other representatives, who were 
 Drs. McV'icar, Scrimger, and Robert Campbell. 
 
 ' ; Dr. Paterson is one of those quiet, unostentatious men, whose godly life is a more 
 powerful sermon to the unconverted than usually falls from the pulpit. Though schol- 
 arly and thoroughly well-informed res])ccting current events, his sermons are anything 
 but pedanliu : he jireaches only Christ, and Him crucified, in a simple, convincing man- 
 ner. He is, in short, a minister whom the unregenerate man would prefer at his bed- 
 side, when he feels that he is drifting out upon tne great unknown. 
 
 It is but just to add that, in his many years of faithful labor at St. Andrews, 
 Dr. P.iterson has been ably assisted by Mrs. Paterson, who is devoted to temper- 
 ance, benevolence, and every Christian work. 
 
 THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHL RCH OF ST. ANDREWS. 
 
 By Rev. F. A. Dugas. 
 
 •' About midway between the villages of St. Andrews and Carillon, at an angle 
 formed by the king's highway, and a few rods from the noble Ottawa Rive'-, rises a 
 modest stone church. The solitude of its position seems to invite to meditation and 
 prayer. The young but sturdy greenwood about it is a proof of the respect with 
 which it is regarded; it is the Catholic Church of St. Andrews parish, vhere meet in 
 
i^^ 
 
 HISTORY OF AUGENTFUIL. 
 
 "5 
 
 j)rayer the Catholic populatioi of St. Andrews, Carillon and Point Fortune ; the date 
 of its construction is 1835. Prior to that period, the Catholics of the locality were 
 ministered to by the parish i)riest of Rigauc". Theii- number having sufficiently in- 
 creased to claim a resident curd, in 1830, they applied to Mgr. Jean Jacques Lartigue 
 to obtain permission to erect a church. The proceedings were not a little protracted, 
 iiowever; but in 1835 work was fully under way, and Messrs. Owen, Quin, Gaspard 
 de la Ronde, William Byrnes, A. E. Montmarquet, O. de Hertel and Edouard Dorion 
 petitioned Mgr. Lartigue to send a delegate to bless the corner-stone and the cross 
 of the new church. 
 
 The church then built was sixty feet in length and forly-one in breadth. It was 
 blessed on the 17th of March, 1836, by the Rev I\I. Archambault, arch-priest, cure 
 of Vaudreuil. The text of the •A.ct is as followr. : 
 
 ' On the 1 7 ill day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, in the 
 ' torenoon, we, arch-priest and cure of S^ Michel do Vaudreuil, have solemnly 
 ' blessed a church dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, built in the Seigniory of 
 ' Vrgenteuil, and for the use of the inhabitants of the said Seigniory ; in the presence 
 ' of .Messr.s. Pierre Jacques de Lamothe, parish priest of St. Anne du Bout de ITle 
 ' de Montrdil; of Nicolas Dufresne, priest of St. Sulpice, missionary at the Lake of 
 'Two Mountains; of Jacques Janvier Vinet, parish priest of Ste. Magdeleine de 
 ' Rigaud ; and of Edouard .Montmarouet, Esquire, merchant of the said Seigniory of 
 ' Argeiiteuil, who have signed with us, the day and the year as above.' 
 
 It is this same church that still exists, with however, an extension of ;hirty feet, 
 and a sacristy added to it. . 
 
 The registry of the parish begins in 1833. The first act mentioned therein is that of 
 tiic marriage of Eustache Perrault and Sophie Maheu. Arcording to these acts, we 
 find eighteen i)ricsts who have discharged the functions of parish i)riest up to the 
 luc'siMit time. There are actually 260 Catholic families, with a population of 1400 
 souls. Seven Catholic schools are in steady, active work. The- best attended are : 
 ist. tho St. .Andrews village school, — 120 children are inscribed on the roll-call ; 2nd, 
 ti'.e Carillon oohool, whose roll-call numbers 85; 3rd, the convent, with 40 boarding 
 l>upi!5. These thtee institutions are under the direction of the Sisters of i'rovidence. 
 
 Behind the church, and towards the Ottawa Rivtr, rises another substantia 
 l)uilding in stone, three stories high, with mansard roof ; it i-. Fa'.her Bonin's College 
 If ''..e Piovince of Quebec be visited, and the question asked : who were the founders 
 of all the educational establishments noticed in so many pari.shes ? the answer wovld 
 almost invariably be : it is the work of our parish priests. 
 
 By economical living. Father Bonin had been able to lay aside some savings ; 
 and, like so many of his brother priests, his desire was to advance the cause of the 
 education of youth. Therefore on the 9th of August, 184S, the Rev. Father 
 Biiiiin, an ex-Sulpician, the ])arish priest of St. Scholastique, piO[)Osedto the members 
 of the Fabrique of Saint Andrews, that they grant him land whereon to build; and 
 he iTomised to erect, at his own expense, a college for the instruction of youth. His 
 
ii6 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 wish was to procure for the children of the place the advantages of education with- 
 out obliging ihem to leave their homes ana their parents. Tiiere was not, at tiun 
 date, any establishment of the kind i'l the neighborhood. This proposal of father 
 Bonin was accepted on the 13th of August, 1848. 'l"he ground was given to him 
 on which he built ihe house, to-day occupied by the Sisters of Providence. 
 
 At its inception, this Institution was confided to the Clercs of St. Viateur. Ii 
 was very prosperous for some seven or eight years, counting, in fact, as many as 150 
 to 200 pupils, who received a superior education, and even a classical course was 
 inlioduced. A college had been built at Rigaud one year after tlie jpeni'ig of the 
 fionin Academy ; tiiese two houses were in too great proximity to both flourish. The 
 number of pupils decreased rapidly in the Bonin Academy. Classes were continued, 
 however, up to the month of .April, 1878 ; then, there were not more than 20 young 
 boys in attendance. 
 
 The Reverend Father L. Z. Champoux, at that time parish priestat St. Andrews, 
 saw that Father i5onin's generous gift to the parish would benefit a L-vger number, 
 and that the bequcather's intentions would be more truly carried out, If the college 
 were transformed into a convent. He therefore called the Sisters of Providence to 
 the place, with the permission and authorization of the Bishop of Montreal. The 
 Reverend Sisters tcok ])ossession 011 the 14th of Septeriiber, 187S. 
 
 Father Champoux had wisely consulted the best interests of St. Andrews : to- 
 day, the Sisters have 250 pupils in their classes, and it may be said without exaggeia 
 tion, that they perCorrn admirable work in the parish, both by education and by the 
 rehef of the sick. 
 
 The priest's residence was successively the sacristy of the church, Father Bonin's 
 house, and, since 1S89, ^'^^ actual handsome presbytery. 
 
 A fact worthy of note, and which proves the good will of the Catholics of St. 
 Andrews, is, that all thai has been done by ihein was by voluntary contribution ; 
 recours'i has never been had to the legal means provided by the statutes." 
 
 Rev. F. A. Dugas was born at St. Jacques de I'Achigan, Co. of Montcahn. He 
 took a ch' sical four years' course at the College of I'Assomption, and afterwards, 
 till July, 1878, was professor of Belles Lettres in the same institution. He was ordained 
 priest, 7lh February, 1878, and was vicar of St. Roch de I'Achigan from July to 
 October of the same year; and of Chambly from the latter date till May, 18S4. 
 During 1884 and 1885, he was for a year Director of the Classical College of St. 
 Boniface, Man., and then curd of the Cathedral till July, 1889. After this, he was 
 employed as lecturer in behalf of colonization till February, 1890, since which he luis 
 been cure uf St. Andrews. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. D.ig;;s is a courteous and affable gentleman, and is respected by 
 all. He IS devoted t) his work, and is a stiong advocate of temperance among Ins 
 parishion:;rs. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 117 
 
 . ?:'V:*.'Sii>^-;:^"" BAPTIST CHURCH. nft. .-v ,,;;,,, .■;-<.■-,-,. v,-,!'--- . -'^ :,- 
 {Copied chiefly from the Church records.) * " ' ' 
 
 "The Baptist Church at St. Andrews, Lower Canada, commenced in the follow- 
 ing manner: 
 
 "In the year 1835-36, Mr. Gilmour, having resigned his charge at Montreal, 
 f-pent some time with the people at St. Andrews, and preached the Gospel much to 
 their satisfaction, and, it is hoped, not without some success, either as to the awaken- 
 ing of the careless or the comfort and edification of believers. 
 
 "Eut in June, 1836, Mr. Gjimour left on a mission to Boston, to procure assist- 
 ance to the newly formed Institution at Montreal for t'le education of young men 
 for the miiiiislry, and for the more general ditTusion of religious instruction through 
 the Province;; of Upper and Lower Canada. 
 
 " In the month of July, tlie same year, the Rev. Mr. Tapscott, who had just 
 arrived from Engb.id, was directed by the i)rovidence of God to visit this place. 
 The meetings held here, and in surrounding neighborhoods, were well attended, and 
 some good seenicd to be effected. ^ ,..,-■ 
 
 '' There were several persons, members of the Cluirc'i of Chatham, who were 
 regular worshippers with us ; some others had been baptised by Mr. Gilmour — three 
 on the loth, and two on the r5th August, in the North River. 
 
 "August i5lh. A discourse was delivered relative to the nature of a Christian 
 church, after which those present, who had been baptized on a profession of their 
 faith, give to each other the right hand of fellowship, in token of their union with 
 each other as the Church of Christ. 
 
 "Thecburch being formed on the principles of free communion, two i)ersons 
 were received, the same evening, without being baptized. The church, at present, 
 consists of sixteen members. May we walk together in the fear of the Lord and the 
 comfort of the Holy Ghost, and be multiplied. 
 
 "March 12th, 1837. ^'^'^- Tapscott having received an invitation to spend some 
 time in Toronto as an evangelist, and conceiving it his duty to comply with it, 
 signified his intention of leaving us as soon as the term of his engagement expires . 
 
 " March 26th. A letter to the Ottawa Association was read, asking to be received 
 into the Association. 
 
 '' March )th, 30th. The Ottawa Baptist Association held its second annual 
 meeting with us at St. Andrews, and we were received into the Associaiion according 
 to our request. 
 
 "The meetings were well attended and were interesting. The letters contained 
 little information of an animating nature ; in some of the churches unhappy differ- 
 ences exist; in others, great apathy. Much important business was transacted, and 
 great harmony prevailed. 
 
 "April 2nd. At a church meeting it was resolved: that an invitation be sent 
 to Rev. John Edwards, jr., requesting him to spend one half his lime as a minister 
 of the Gospel among the people of St. Andrews. 
 
ii8 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 
 " The records show that Mr. Edwards f.ccepted the call, and began his regular 
 labors on the 7th day of May, 1837, and continued till October, 1843. After his 
 resignalion, the Baptists attended the Congregational Church, of which building they 
 were joint owners wi'h the Congregationalists ; but in 1849, ^'^^ Baptists hecame 
 sole proprietors of the church, and the Congregationalists prepared^to build a new one. 
 
 •' In June, 1848, in compliance with an invitation from the Baptist Ciiurch, tlie 
 Rev. John Dempsey arrived, and on the fourth day of that month began his regular 
 labors. 
 
 " A difficulty of rather grave import stood in the way of Mr. Dempsey's becom- 
 ing their pastor. The Church was open communion in practice, and the majority of 
 its members in princi[)le. He, on the other hand, was a close Communionist, and 
 could consent to be nothing else. 
 
 " A meeting w?<: called on Friday evening, ist .September, 1848, to consult on 
 what piinciple tiie Church could proceed in future with respect to the subject ol' 
 communion. In this meeting, not only the members of the Church, but all the 
 baptized who attended, took a part. The question was then put .vhether the Church 
 should proceed in future on the open or close communion principle, and a vote beini,' 
 taken, it was carried in favor of close by a majority of one. 
 
 " Afte*- the departure of Mr. Dempsey, theBaptist Church seemed never to reach 
 the degree of spiritual health and firmness that she had before possessed. A decline 
 began, numbers decreased, and after a few spasmodic efforts to rekindle the early 
 zeal and establish vigor, the church as an organization ceased to exist. 
 
 " Early in the year 1865, the Rev. J. W. Manning was .engaged as pastor, and his 
 pastorate continued to 1869, when another minister officiated till 1872. The Church 
 was supplied the next six years by students, when the Rev. Mr. .Moyle accepted a 
 call. His pastoral services terminated in about a year, however, and with them ended 
 all regular services in the Baptist Church of St. Andrews." 
 
 The ibllowing sketch of Rev. Mr. Dempsey is an extract copied from the 
 Canadian Baptist oi M.diy i^ih, i?>q2>'- — , , * 
 
 " Mr. Dempsey was born near a small hamlet, called Resharkin, in the county 
 Antrim, Ireland, December 28th, 1822. With his parents he came to Canada, and 
 settled in the township of Oxford, county of Grenviile. From his earliest years, his 
 religious training was of the stern, unlovely kind, which was, unhappily, not uncom. 
 mon in Scotch Presbyterian families of an earlier day. Though trained in a rigid 
 morality, diligent in the study of the Bible, and strictly attentive to ail the ^xterna's 
 of religion, God was to him a God of terror rather than a God of love. At seven 
 teen years of age, his eyes were opened to the necessity of the spiritual change by 
 which alone he could become a child of God. After weeks of intense mental strug- 
 gle and anguish, ' the gracious Father sent him the light, and joy came to him/ so 
 real and gladsome, and peace so full and sweet ! 
 
 " Being fully persuaded of the necessity for thorough preparation for the great 
 
 work befoi 
 
 and graduj 
 
 ful WOik. 
 
 llie work u 
 
 had been g 
 
 sixteen, ov 
 
 years he cc 
 
 ing the wor 
 
 he did the 
 
 Andrews in 
 
 " A sk( 
 
 the evangeli 
 
 pastor at St 
 
 with brethn 
 
 the old Otta 
 
 mentation,, 
 
 Thurso, Pap 
 
 to liis earne; 
 
 and hardshi] 
 
 " M r. r 
 
 all denominj 
 
 Woodstock. 
 
 ern Convent 
 
 beginning. 
 
 their inceptic 
 
 respon^abilitj 
 
 work of the ( 
 
 " The C( 
 
 this denominj 
 
 In its early hi 
 
 career has be( 
 
 for steadfastni 
 
 terest in the w 
 
 propagation o 
 
 The Rev. 
 
 ministers of C 
 
 annual or bi-ai 
 
 denomination, 
 
 'lad the joy of 
 
 "'estern part 
 
If 
 
 11^ 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 119 
 
 work before him, he entered Montreal Baptist College, took the full four years course, 
 and graduated June ist, 1848, having made a record for earnest, patient and success- 
 ful work. His first field of labor after graduation was St. Andrews. Entering u|)on 
 the work under great difficulties, caused by divisions and bitter contentions wliich 
 had been going on in the church for years, he finally got together a little band of 
 sixteen, over which he was ordained pastor on September i8th, 1848. For sixteen 
 years he continued in St. Andrews, being instant in season and out of season, preach- 
 ing the word of life. He baptized there over 400 people. During all these years 
 he did the work of an evangelis throughout the neighboring country. He left St. 
 Andrews in 1864, having received a call from the church in Port Hoi^e. 
 
 " A sketch of Mr. Dempscy's life would be incomplete without some allusion to 
 the evangelistic work he accomplished, apart from his regular pastoral duties. While 
 pastor at St, Andrews, he travelled on foot or on horseback, alone, or in company 
 with brethren King, F.dwards, McPhail or Anderson, throughout the entire region of 
 ihc old Ottawa Association. B'-^adalbane, Nolfield, Osnabruck, South Ciower, Aug- 
 mentation, Riceviile, Lanarl-, .^^mptville, Osgoode, Kenmore, Orniond, Clarence, 
 Thurso, Papineauville, and many other places from Quebec to Kingston, have listened 
 to his earnest preaching of Christ. These preaching tours involved much hard work 
 and hardship, yet it was gladly engaged in, and God abundantly honored it. 
 
 " Mr. Dempsey, besides being pastor and evangelist, was intensely interested in 
 all denominational matters. Dr. Fyfe found him a steady friend to the work in 
 Woodstock. He was secretary of the Ottawa Association ; secretary of the East- 
 ern Convention from 1858 to 1864; secretary of the Superannuated Society from the 
 heginning. He has been ofiicially connected with our missionary organizations from 
 their inception , and perhaps to no man among us has been given a larger share of 
 responfability and work, in connection with the planning and advocacy of the united 
 
 work of the churches." . , 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 
 
 By Rev, J, McAdie. 
 
 " The Congregational Church in St, Andrews, which is the only representative of 
 this denomination of Christians in the county of Argenteuil, was organized in 1838. 
 In its early history the Church was beset with many difficulties, and its subsequent 
 career has been a chequered one; yet, here have been nurtured men and women who, 
 for steadfastness of purpose, loyalty to principle and to conscience, intelligent in. 
 terest in the welfare of the community, and activity in the service of Christ for the 
 propagation of His kingdom, will not be easily surpassed. 
 
 The Rev. Wm, McKillican of Indian Lands, one of the pioneer Congregational 
 ministers of Canada, and a devoted servant of Christ, had for many years paid an 
 annual or bi-annual visit to St. Andrews, preaching, not the special beliefs of his own 
 denomination, but the simple Gospel of a full and free salvation; and, at length, he 
 had the joy of forming, in what was then one of the most thriving villages in thg 
 western part of Lower Canada, a Church of his own faith and order. 
 
120 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 In a house, that has since disappeared, on the east side of the North River, 
 occupied by Mr. Blanchet, the Church was formed; the only clergyman present being 
 the Rev. Mr. McKillican. The little Church shewed signs of vigorous life, and was 
 soon engaged in building a house for the worship of God. But scarcely had their 
 meeting house been completed, when trouble arose, owing to some arrangements for 
 a joint occupancy and ownership with the Baptist denomination, and it was not 
 until a separation had been effected, that harmony was restored. This took place in 
 1848, the ]}aptists retaining the building. 
 
 On October 25th, 1845, the Church, on the outlook for an under shepherd, called 
 the Rev. Charles McKay, who had just graduatod from the Congregational 'i'heolo- 
 gical Institute in Montreal, — as the Congregational College was then called. That 
 most interesting and solemn occasion, when the minister is set apart for his work, 
 which is losing much of its meaning amid the innumerable pastoral changes, now so 
 common, is one neve,' to be forgotten iiy the young pieacher. It forms a climax 
 and a turning point in his life. It is for this he has struggled and hoped cir.d prayed. 
 Amid the discouragements of later years, he often looks back for inspiration to that 
 huppy occasion. There were present, besides theCiiiircii and CuugregaLioii, the Rev. 
 Thomas Bayne, some day to become successor of Mr. McKay; the Rev. Mr. Mc- 
 Killican, that aged soldier of the Cross, and s.-'.inted father of the Church ; the Rev. I. 
 J. Carruthers of Gosford street church, Montreal, so .sympathetic and eloquent. They, 
 with due solemnity, set the young man apart with the laying on of hands to the 
 ministry of the word, and the Church rejoiced in the newly formed relation. Mr. 
 McKay endeared himself to all by his straightforward and manly conduct, his inde- 
 pendent bearing and his faithful preaching of the Gospel, and his name is still held 
 in loving remembrance by some of those who heard the Gospel from his lips. Never 
 robust in body, it soon became evident that he could not long sustain the strain of 
 the severe climate of this new country. He was advised to try the sea coast, and 
 left St. Andrews at the close of 1848 for St. John, New Brunswick, and was pastor 
 of the Congregational Church there for a number of years. 
 
 The Church was three years without a pastor, when the Rev. Thomas E. yne^ 
 who had been in charge of the churches of Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill for several 
 years, was called to fill the vacant office. He did so in the beginning of 1849, ^^^^ 
 remained until 1852; but did not lay hold of the affections of his people, as did his 
 predecessor. During this period the Church was engaged in choosing the site lor 
 their new meeting house and in its erection, which was not done without some in- 
 ternal disturbance. A beautiful site was chosen on the west bank of the North River, 
 and the church, a beautiful brick edifice, was, for the time, one of the best appointed 
 village churches in the Ottawa Valley. Its erection was not completed until 1851. 
 For a year after Mr. Bayne left, the Church was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Chase, 
 Rev. John McKillican and the late Mr. Hibbard, until in 1854, when the Rev. Akx. 
 Sim, M.A., was called to the pastorate. Few records remain of the spiritual con 
 dition of the Church during this period, but the membership is said to have been 32 ; 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 IJ[ 
 
 some of these res'ding in Point Fortune, Lachute Road, Beech Ridge, River Rouge, 
 Cote du Midi, Cote St. Pierre, as well as in St. Andrews. Mr. Sfm, who was a gra- 
 duate of the University of Aberdeen and of the Congregational Theological Academy, 
 Glasgow, was ordained to the "Ministry of the Word," at Aberdeen, on the 12th 
 day of July, in the year 1853. He came to Canada to fill a position as Professor in 
 (lorham College, Nova Scotia ; but that institution was reduced to ashes before he 
 arrived, and has never been rebuilt. Mr. Sim remained for about eleven years, and 
 during this period the Church exercised an extended influence throughout the com- 
 munity. In addition to his ministerial amies, he added others of a scholastic charac- 
 ter, as teacher of a private and also of the public school. On leaving St. Andrews, 
 he went to Franklin Centre, where he stayed for a short time, and finally took up a 
 sc( lion of land in Western Ontario, where his fiimily still reside. Mr. Sim passed 
 away a few years ago to his final rest. 
 
 P'rom 1868 to 1885 is a long period, but fi;w records remain to tell its story. The 
 shcpherdless flock held together for a long time, though diminished in numbers. The 
 Sunday School was faillifully conducted by Mr. Dewar, the senior deacon of the 
 rhurrh, who remained true to the cause, amid storm and sunshine, in good and evil 
 report. Among the students who supplied the pulpit during college vacations, we 
 may mention Mr. Nighswander and Mr. Cossar. 
 
 At length, in the summer of 18S5, prospects brightened, and tiie little company 
 wore encouraged by the Rev. Thomas Hall to make another effort. TIic Church was 
 supplied during this and the succeeding winter by students of the Congregational 
 College!, and in the fall of 1S87, the Church called a graduate of the College, who had 
 siieiu the previous summer as student supply, to be its pastor. In the presence of 
 many beloved fathers and brethren, Mr. McAdie was set apart for the ministry of the 
 Word. During this period the church was renovated and partly rebuilt, at a cost of 
 over $1600, all of which, save about $100, has been paid. Mr. McAdie's relation 
 to ihe Church, first as student supply, and then as pastor, continued over six and one 
 half years, i'at other events are too recent to be discussed at the present time, and 
 must be left for a future historian. One member of the Church remains who saw its 
 beginning. We trust he may not see its close." 
 
 Mr. McAdie still lives in St. Andrews, where he has many warm friends. His 
 lime is devoted to teaching and literary work, — chiefly to writing for religious period- 
 icals. Mrs. McAdie also has displayed ability in the same work, and during the 
 past year or two has delivered an occasional lecture, which was both interesting and 
 instructive. 
 
 Since Mr. McAdie retired from the pastorate, the Church has been supplied by 
 studentf, Frederick Leitch being the first. He ofticiated for nearly two years, with 
 much ability and popularity. He graduated from McCill in 1894, and is now pastor 
 of a church in Portland, Maine. - . . ; .. ... 
 
 He was succeeded by Charles Ashdown, a clever young man, earnest in his 
 work, and discharging his duties to the great satisfact'on of his congregation. 
 
 f ' 
 
(32 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTKUlt. 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 Methodists, like the Baptists, were once very r.umeroiis in St. Andrews, and 
 this place was the head of the circuit; but, after this honor was transferred to 
 Lachute, the < -ch at the latter place increased in numbers, while that at St. 
 Andrews steadily diminished, though there are still a goodly number in the parish — 
 the census of 1891 giving it as 198. ; 
 
 This denomination erected a church here in 1845 or 1846. The most active con- 
 tributors to this work were Hugh Stewart, a tinsmith, of St. Andrews ; John Scofield, 
 
 merchant ; Adam Burwash, Barber, of the East Settlement ; and Richard Knec- 
 
 shaw, of Beech Ridge. There is now neither Methodist Church building nor 
 Methodist service in St. Andrews, all belonging to this denomination attending 
 services at Lachute. The church was used till about the year 1880, when it was sold, 
 and afterwards transformed into a schoolhouse, and is the building still occupied by 
 the schools of this village. 
 
 The following is a list of the ministers and their assistants, who were appointed 
 to the St. Andrews Circuit, the number of members, and contributions to different 
 funds from the year 1841 to 1865 inclusive : 
 
 1841 
 1842 
 
 1843 
 1844 
 
 184s 
 1846 
 
 J847 
 1848 
 1849 
 1850 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 *i854 
 
 1855 
 1856 
 
 1857 
 1858 
 1859 
 i860 
 1S61 
 1862 
 186? 
 1864 
 1865 
 
 John Avmstronr;^ \Vm. Dignam 
 
 ijolin Armstrong, \Vni. Morton 
 
 |\Vm. II. Williams, John Gemley 
 
 |Wm. li. Williams, '1 homas Ilanna , 
 
 Ij. Hughes, M. Baxter, J. Ainistrong 
 
 JMichael Baxter, Charles Taijgart 
 
 David B. Madden, David C. McDowell 
 
 David B. Madden, Richard Wilson , 
 
 Francis Coleman, John Armstrong 2nd 
 
 Francis Coleman. Erastus Ilurlburt 
 
 Francis Colemar, Richard M. Hammond 
 
 I homas W. Constable, Richard M. Hammond. 
 
 Thomas W. Constable, Silas Huntington 
 
 Thomas W. Constable, Wm. Scales 
 
 James H. Bishop, Andrew Armstrong 
 
 Edward H. Dewart, Edmund E. Sweet 
 
 Edward H. Dewart, Edmund E. Sweet ....... 
 
 Robert Brown, Henry F. Bland 
 
 Robert 15rown, Henry F. Bland 
 
 Alfred Andrews, Wm. M. Cooly 
 
 Alfred Andrews 
 
 Wm. D. Brown, Alex. Campbell, 2nd 
 
 Wm. D. Ihown, Richard Robinson 
 
 Cornelius A. Jones , 
 
 Now called LaduUe Circuit 
 
 B B 
 
 V 
 
 OS' 
 
 s 
 U 
 
 8 
 c o 
 
 U 
 
 315 
 365 
 377 
 319 
 278 
 264 
 280 
 267 
 277 
 280 
 330 
 
 353 
 440 
 
 351 
 164 
 
 175 
 167 
 248 
 244 
 266 
 258 
 260 
 217 
 220 
 
 C . 
 O T3 
 
 ■^ e 
 
 rt 3 
 " lb 
 
 W 
 
 $8 56 
 6 94 
 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 II 
 8 
 3 
 7 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 3 
 
 23. 
 
 271 
 46! 
 
 50 
 so; 
 30; 
 3> 
 
 45 
 12 
 
 25 
 
 50 
 58 
 
 2 97 
 
 3 30 
 3 35 
 
 $7 70 
 9 12' 
 
 9 20] 
 
 6 83: 
 
 7 S3l 
 
 8 oo| 
 16 001 
 12 38: 
 
 12 90 
 
 13 07 
 >3 27 
 12 37 
 
 12 98 
 
 13 75 
 7 32 
 
 10 12 
 7 16 
 7 75 
 S 75 
 7 24 
 
 2 33 
 2 83 
 
 5 00 
 S 10 
 
 i<'3 
 c 
 
 3 
 
 (r. 
 
 ,$5 00 
 
 $1 79 
 
 2 50 
 
 3 76 
 
 2 63 
 
 3 CO 
 
 3 72 
 8 50 
 
 «3 3^ 
 II 48 
 
 11 bfi 
 
 12 00 
 
 12 CO 
 
 7 CO 
 
 7 3; 
 5 25 
 7 
 4 
 
 8 CO 
 
 10 00 
 
 13 26 
 
 14 15 
 
 11 00 
 
 12 00 
 12 50 
 
 /J 
 
 * Grenvllle set off. 
 
 Beside 
 formation j 
 1841, and 
 cliosen wei 
 president ; 
 was appoint 
 a few years. 
 'l\\Q sue 
 Lamb, vlce-j: 
 The late 
 and was sue 
 Middleton. 
 
 A Chris 
 
 County of Ar, 
 
 It was o 
 
 labored assidu 
 
 with a niembei] 
 
 to removals f 
 
 Congregatioi 
 
 denomination 
 
 Alexand 
 
 Local Union 
 
 The W. C 
 
 '""■.St president 
 »-lio iield tlie 
 subsequently— 
 St. Andre\ 
 Angus AlcPhie, 
 
 On the afte 
 St. Andrews wa 
 from the pulpits 
 Auxiliary to the 
 
 There were 
 Wales, Miss Cla 
 Miss M. Wales 
 
HISTORY OK ARUENTEUII-. 
 
 123 
 
 BIHLE SOCILTY. 
 
 Besides her generous support of churches, St. Andrews has been active in the 
 formation and maintenance of Ciiristian societies. The IJible Society was formed in 
 1841, and ever since has b^en in a fairly prosperous condition. The first officers 
 cliosen were as follows: W. G, Blanchard, president; Charles Benedict, vice- 
 president; Charles Wales, treasurer : T. Fdwards, jun., secretary. Duncan Dewar 
 was appointed depositary, and has filled the office ever since, with the exception of 
 a fert' years. 
 
 The succeeding officers were : — The late John Middleton, president; Thomas 
 Lamb, vice-president ; C. T. Wales, treasurer ; and Rev. Dr. Paterson, secretary. 
 
 The late Rev. Mr. Henderson was president from 1850 until his death in 1877, 
 and was succeeded by Mr. Finlay McMartin, who was in turn followed by Mr. 
 Middleton. The latter held the office until his death. 
 
 C. E. SOCIETY. 
 
 A Christian Endeavour Society was organized here in 1887, the first in the 
 County of Argenteuil, and one of the first formed in the Province. 
 
 It was organized through the efforts of ^tiss H. Hibbard, who has ever since 
 labored assiduously to promote its growth and the success of its object. Beginning 
 with a membership of eight, it increased till its members numbered eighty ; but, owing 
 to removals from the place, it is not now so large. The meetings are held in the 
 Congregational Church, though its members represent all the different Protestant 
 denominations of the Parish. 
 
 Alexander D. Dewar, president of the County Union, is also president of the 
 Local Union at St. Andrew's. 
 
 W. C. T. U. SOCIETY. 
 
 The W. C. T. U. organized a Local Union in St. Andrews in ALarch, 1883 ; the 
 first president was Mrs. (Rev.) Moyle ; she was succeeded by Mrs. Finley McMartin, 
 who held the position several years. Mrs. Chas. T. Wales followed, and three years 
 subsequently — 1804— she was succeeded by Miss Julia E. Davis. 
 
 St. Andrews has also supplied three presidents for the County Union— Mrs. 
 Angus McPhie, Miss Julia E. Davis and Mrs. Wm. Barclay. 
 
 woman's missionary society. 
 
 On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 8th, 1875, a meeting of the ladies of 
 St. Andrews was held at the Presbyterian Manse, in accordance with the notice given 
 from the pulpits of the several churches in the place, for the purpose of organizing an 
 Auxiliary to the Montreal Branch of the Woman's Board of Missions in Boston. 
 
 There were present : Mrs. Paterson, Mrs. C. Wales, Mrs. A. McPhie, Mrs. C. T. 
 Wales, Miss Clare, Miss Barclay, Miss H. Davis, Miss M. Sharpe, Miss A. Wales, 
 Miss M. Wales. 
 
 f > 
 
 { i : 
 
124 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 The following officers were chosen : 
 
 I' 
 
 President, 
 Vice-Preside 
 
 nts, I 
 
 Mrs. A. McPhie. 
 
 Mrs. C.Wales. 
 
 Mrs. Patcrson. 
 Secretary, Miss Wales. 
 
 Treasurer, Miss Barclay. 
 
 In November, 1891, the Canadian Woman's Board (of which the St. .Andrews 
 had been an Auxiliary for sixteen years) disbanded, having accomplished the object 
 for which it had been organized ; leaving the members free to enter more fully into 
 the missionary work of the Churches with which ihey were connected. 
 
 We decided, however, not to disband, but continue as a Union Society, working 
 together in the cause of Foreign Missions. We have raibtd, each year, sums varying 
 from $12.21 to $83.79 > the average being, in the first six years, $21.56, and in the last 
 six years, $73.20. Some years ago we adopted the plan of placing Mission bags, 
 marked " I'or the Lord," in each family, asking the women to put one cent a week 
 in it, which had the effect of increasing the subscriptions. In this way, we have 
 been enabled to send sums, yearly, to the Missions of the Presbyterian, Congrega- 
 tional and Bc'plist Churches. Although never a large Society, it has been a means ot 
 contubuting something towards the spread of the Gospel abroad, and has been 
 Ound very helpful to the members themselves. 
 
 B. Faterson, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 A Masonic Lodge was organized in St. Andrews in 1S13 ; the following record 
 of the event is copied from the old Masonic Register : — 
 
 Maich ist, 181 3. 
 Murray Lodge No. 17, Register of Lower Canada. 
 
 This day being appointed for the formal installation of this Lodge, ihe reliiioning 
 Brethren having assembled at the house of Brother Benjan in Wales in th" village ot 
 St. Andrews, at i p.m., the Worshipful Jabez D. Dewitt, Past Master of St. Paul's 
 L)dge No. 12, accompanied by the Worshipful J. D. Turnbull, Master of Union 
 Lodge No. 8, Montreal, arrived from that city, and produced the authority of the 
 Grand Lodge of Lower Canada, as below specified. 
 
 QuEiiEC, 20th February, 1S13. 
 Brother : — 
 
 You are hereby authorized and directed to install this Worshipful Master of 
 Murray Lodge, No. 17, agreeably to ancient custom, and to deliver over to him the 
 warrant of Constitution, etc. With brotherly regard, 
 
 ■ - I am yours in truth, • - 
 
 ■^ --'--• - ■ . . _ (Signed), Willam Downs. 
 
 Yo Bro. Jabez Dewitt of Paul's Lodge, No. 12, Montreal. 
 
i Tai. 
 
 I m 
 
 J. A. N. MACKAY. 
 
 t 
 
■ 
 
 Lodge c 
 
 WorsI 
 Bro. 
 
 .ft 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 At a mc( 
 " agreed tluu 
 " ful discharg 
 
 Bnnlier 
 Grand Lodge 
 Lodge. 
 
 Among t 
 
 \Vm. I 
 Julin I 
 Timet 
 Archil 
 Peter J 
 Daniel 
 \Vm. S 
 
 1-ater, ap 
 H. Maguire. 
 
 This was 
 called '-St. Ai 
 
 ■ J. A. N. I 
 besides Mr. di 
 colleges in M( 
 h^ studies we 
 The ancei 
 in the service 
 of Lord Roe, 1 
 youth served 
 who was then 
 Hungary, in tl- 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Lodge Opened in the first Degree of Masonry by 
 
 Worshipful Jabez D. De Witt, M. J>ro tint. 
 Worshipful J. D. Turnbull, J. W./z-oAv/i. 
 Brother S. Goodrill, J. W. pro tern. 
 
 Brethren Presknt. 
 
 125 
 
 Worsliipful B. Wales, Master Elect. 
 Hio. Klon Lee, S. W. Elect. 
 ' Reub'-n French, J. W. Elect. 
 " Ames Matthews, Treas. Elect. 
 
 Hro. J. Masham, Sec'y. Elect. 
 
 " Arthur Jackson, S. D. Elect. 
 
 " Gust. A. Eiooker, J. I). Elect. 
 
 " I). Flint, Tyler, //v tern. 
 
 At a meeting held 6lh Jan., 1824, " It was moved, seconded, and unanr'inis'.y 
 "agreed that the thanks of this Lodge be given Brother Thomas Barron for the faith- 
 " ful di.->i:liarge of the duties ot liis otfice in tlie Provincial Grand Lodge." 
 
 Brother Thoma.'s Barron was unanimously elected to be sent to the Provincial 
 Grand Lodge ai Montreal, to assist in framing By-Laws for the government of that 
 Lodge. 
 
 Ainong the members of this Lodge previous to 1826 appear the names of 
 
 Win. Beaton 
 John Harr'.igton 
 Timothy Bristol 
 .\rchib:tKl Rae 
 I'eter F. LeRoy 
 Daniel Foss 
 Wm. Strecter 
 
 Wm. Strecter, jun. 
 James Proctor 
 James Volla 
 R, chard Mears 
 Benj. Wales 
 Andrew Simmons 
 Wm. McDole 
 
 John McArthur 
 Elijah Kcilogg 
 Judah Center 
 Justus Barnet 
 Wm. Dixon 
 P. F. Peabody 
 W. G. Blanchatd. 
 
 Later, appear the names of Wm. Zearns, John Oswald, Hugh Dunlop, D. Beattie, 
 H. Maguire. 
 
 This was called "Murray Lodge No. 5 " until April, 1825, after which it was 
 called ''St. Andrews Lodge No. 5." 
 
 J. A. N. Mackay is the only representative of the legal fraternity in St. Andrews 
 besides .Mr. de La Ronde. He was born 1840, in St. Scholastique, and educated in 
 ccilleges in Montreal, Ottawa and St. Hyacinthe, — the latter being the place where 
 h!> studies were completed, ■ 
 
 The ancestors of Mr. Mackay were men of military proclivities, and distinguished 
 in the service in which they were engaged. Francis Mackay, who was a near relative 
 ot Lord Roe, had three sons — Stephen, Francii; and Samuel ; the two former in their 
 youth served under the Prince of Orange, as lieutenants of The Guards. Samuel, 
 who was then too young for military service, subsequently, distinguished himself in 
 Hungary, in the service of Maria Theresa. In 1756, the three brothers all entered the 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 " Royal American Regiment,'' which afterward became the 6oth Reg. of Col. 
 Alexander Mackay ; Steplien, the eldest, died while captain in tliis Regiment, before 
 the Conquest of Canada. The two remaining brothers served during the Conquest, at 
 Montreal, where they remained, .■amuel served at tlie blockade of St. Johns, and 
 was with Burgoyne during his unfortunate expedition to the States He was buried 
 at the foot of Mount Royal, Montreal, near the garden of the Seminary, where he had 
 formerly commanded a picket at the taking of Montreal. 
 
 The brothers all married French ladies belonging to the most prominent and 
 aristocratic families of Canada. Samuel Mackay left two sons — Samuel and Stephen ; 
 the former settled in the States ; the latter, as captain and major, served in the war of 
 1812. He married Miss Globensky, settled at St. Eustaciie, and died tiiere in 1859. 
 He left several children, of whom one son was Augustus Mac kay, who practised the 
 notarial profession for forty-seven years, and died in 1872. J. A. N. Mackay, one of 
 his sons, and the subject of our sketcli, studied law under the Hon. Wilfrid Prevost, 
 the. late Hon. L. T. Drummond, and the Hon. Tjouis Bclanger, Judge of the 
 Superior Court. During the year 1862, he practised with Mr. Drunmiond, and the 
 same year was admitted to the Bar. The ])rospects for business at that time being 
 much better in St. Andrews than in the city, he settled he.e, and has since practised 
 with niuch success. 
 
 He has been employed in several murder trir.ls, in which his success lias given 
 him no little celebrity. The following are the most important uf these cases witli 
 which he has been connected — Queen z's. James and John Byrne, for the murder of 
 Valiquet in 1S67 ; — this trial was conducted at St. Scholastique, before Judge Monk, 
 and lasted fifteen days ; Queen ts. Barnard Cain, for the murder of James Xagle ; 
 Queen vs. Pierre Durocher and wife, for the mmder of John Mullin ; Queen vs. Mrs. 
 Lacroix and daugiiter, for the murder of a child. 
 
 In most of the above cas-s, and especially the first, Mr. Mackay was .he only 
 lawyer for the defence, and in every case he was successful. Jn 1S94, he went to 
 England, and argued before the Judicial Committee and Privy Council of Her 
 Majesty an important w,ut'r-power case between Ilamelin t!^ .Vyre and the Banner- 
 mans. Sir Richard Webster, Attorney General, was Mr. Mackay's C'ounsel, with 
 Vernon Smith, Q.C. ; rhe former argued tlv^ case personally with \fr. Mackay. 
 
 He was married in 1864 to Miss Papineau of Montreal ; she died in 1870, 
 leaving one son Alfred, now a barrister in Montreal. In 1874 lie married Miss 
 Desjernier of St. Hennas; tb.ey have tnree sons: the eldest, Adolphe, is in the 
 employ of Messrs. Hodgson, Sumner & Co., Montreal ; the other two are in college. 
 Mr. Mackay has an attractive residence surrounded by well laid out grounds in St. 
 Andrews, and a fine farm near this village, which he has brought to a high state of 
 cultivation. 
 
 Col. D'Hertel was, for quite a number of years. Registrar of the County of 
 Argenteuil, and relincpiished the office when it was removed from St. Andrews to 
 Lachute, He enlisted at the age of eighteen, and was in the battles of Plattsburgh 
 
 and Chrys 
 
 commissio 
 
 residence 
 
 At ihi 
 
 I'cen calle( 
 
 other poin 
 
 naturally ■ 
 
 full six fei 
 
 uniform, bi 
 
 uith tile r( 
 
 returner! to 
 
 and had sc. 
 
 Jn 183 
 
 house of Ja 
 
 father of M 
 
 bet\vfeen Gl; 
 
 Capt. Drysc 
 
 astronomv n 
 
 for knowled< 
 
 Adam I 
 
 Me was engt 
 
 satisfactory, 
 
 .Mouireal w 
 
 Margaret. ( 
 
 of Isle aux C 
 
 Will I A 
 and publishe 
 and it is no 
 with whose 
 has had larg 
 ill the devcio 
 His est 
 stories high 
 useful books 
 respected in 
 Willi \A 
 Many years 
 ^vith the Can 
 Andrews, wh 
 it^52 to Saral 
 in'nncy ; two 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 137 
 
 and Chrysler's Farm. Deserving promotion, he was eventually rewarded with the 
 commission of Colonel. He came from Montreal to St. Andrews, and during his 
 residence here was esteemed for his intelligence and jjrobity. 
 
 At the time of the Fenian Raid in i860, several companies of Volunteers having 
 been called out, they assembled at St. Andrews, preparatory to their departu'e for 
 other points. Col. D'Hertel, on account of iiis position and military experience, 
 naturally was requested to address tliem. He w is a fine, soldierly-looking man, 
 full six feet in stature, but the days of Iiis military prowess had i)asscd. In full 
 uniform, but tren^bling from weakness and age, he spoke a few words, and then closed 
 with the rennrk : "You k-jw I cannot always be with you, boys." He then 
 returned to his home, which was the present residence of Mr. De la Ronde, barrister, 
 and had scarcely reached the threshold when he expired. 
 
 In 1837, ^^''- AuAM Dkysdalk and Mary Black weremanied in Montreal at the 
 house of James Roy, merchant, and they immediately removed to St. Andiews. The 
 father of Mr. Drysdale, who was a retired sea cnptain, having for many years sailed 
 bet\/een Glasgow and Montreal, came with them. While living at St. Andrews; 
 Capt. Drysdale taught J. J. C. Abbott, afterwnrds Premier, the use of the compass, 
 astronomv and higher mathematics — subjects for which young Abbott, in his thirst 
 for knowledge, had a great liking. 
 
 Adam Drysdale was a wheelwright by trade, and a g0(;d c:^rpenter and builder. 
 He was engaged in manufacturing plows while he lived here, and as they proved very 
 satisfactory, many were sold to the farmers in Argenteuil. In 1842, he returned to 
 .Montreal with his family — then increased by three children, Adam, Thomas and 
 Margaret. One of his daughters— Grace — was married in 1879 to Joseph B. Taylor, 
 of Isle aux Chats, Argenteuil County ; she died a few years since. 
 
 William Drv.sdale, another son of this family, is the well-known bookseller 
 aiy.l publisher of Montrf al. He married a laJy of St. Andrews, as stated elsewhere ; 
 and it is no discredit to .Argenteuil that in the phalanx of prominent and worthy men 
 with whose associations she is blended may be numbered William Drysdale. He 
 has had large experience in his present business, and has ever taken a lively interest 
 ill the development and promotion of Canadian liteia'ure. 
 
 His establishment on St. James Street, 1(2 X 20 ft. in dimensions, and four 
 stories high, is fitted up with all the requirements of the trade, and every variety of 
 useful books may here be found. David Drysdale, lis brother, who is also much 
 respected in Montreal, has a large hardware store on Craig street. 
 
 Wii.Li.VM R. HiiiBARD is another of the esteemed citizens of St. Andrews. 
 Many years of his life have been devoted to railroad affairs, and he is now connected 
 with the Canada Atlantic. In 1853, he purchased a farm for his parents in St. 
 Andrews, where they spent the remainder of their days. William K. was married in 
 1852 to Sarah Cameron, of Montreal ; they have had six children, of whom one died in 
 in'incy ; two sons and three daughters are now living. The sons ore in business. 
 
I2» 
 
 HISTORY 01' ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 and of the daughters, the eldest, the widow of George May, sen., resides in Los 
 Angeles, California, and the two others live with their parents. 
 
 Mr. Hibbard came with iiis family to St. Andrews in 1876, and daring his 
 residence here he has been an earnest advocate of temperance, and active in 
 Ciirislian work. Mrs. Hibbard and iier daughters have also won the esteem o\ 
 Christian peoi)le by their acts of benevolence, and the earnestness with which they 
 have encouraged and aided every moral reform. 
 
 Hugh Walsh, the present Mayor of St. Andrews, and proprietor of the flourish- 
 ing grist mill, came to this village from Ormstown, Que., in 1883. 
 
 His grandfatlicr and two of his sons enlisted in the British Service, and lost their 
 lives in the Peninsular War. His father, R. J. Walsh, was educated in Dublin, 
 entered the British Navy as midshipman, and after serving seven years^ came to 
 Canada, and was one of the early settlers inChateauguay. He was in Monireal at the 
 time of the Riot of 1849, ^"'^ ^^''^^ writing in the Parliament House when it was 
 mobbed and set on fire ; he died at Ormstown. Pie had seven sons and two daughters 
 that grew up. 
 
 Hugh, next to the youngest son, was married 16th February, 1869, to Catherine 
 M. Campbell of Ormstown, and was engaged in mercantile busi less r. 'hat piace for a 
 number of year*--. He purchased the grist mill on coming to *u .^rews, and has 
 improved it and increased its capacity for work. It is now one of the best equipped 
 manufactories in its line in this ])art of the Province, and it does a large business. 
 Mr. Walsh is a public-spirited, enterprising gentleman, and takes much interest in 
 local affiiirs; he has been mayor of the Parish, and chairman of the Model School 
 BoaiG several years. 
 
 James Martin from the County Down, Ireland, came with his family to Montreal 
 in 1828, and after living there till 1830, he settled at St. Andrews on the River Rouge. 
 In the fall of 1S38 lie removed to a small farm on ihe Lachute Road, hut as lie \.as 
 a carpenter by trade, his time was almost constantly devoted to this occupation. 
 Mrs. Martin died with the cholera in 1832, leaving three sons — Edward, Charles ami 
 James, and three daughters— Mary, Martha and Jane. 
 
 Edward died in Illinois in 1894; Charles is still living in Marquette C Mich.. 
 and James died in 1854 — aged about 22. Mary married John McMartin 0: , . 'v'/er 
 Rouge ; Martha married George Powers, and died in Ottawa , Jane 1. a. ' ic'in 
 Parker, and after living i.i St. Andrews a number of years, they removed to L t v&, 
 where Mr. Parker died. Mrs. Parker now lives in St. Andrews with her sister Maiy, 
 the widow of John McMartin. 
 
 Mr. Martin's second marriage was, in 1835, ^o Clarissa Flint, daughter of a 
 merchant of yt. Andrews, whose store occupied the site of the present dwelling of Mr. 
 Hibbard. They had five sons and two daugiiters — two of the former and one of the 
 latter died in childhood ; the other daughter died at the age of 20. Of the remaining 
 ll.r^e so:is, Thomis B. lives in California ; George H., the youngest in Vandalia, 
 
 li ■ Julin, 1 
 
 it comprises 
 
 Mr. Ma 
 
 estate, cdmj; 
 
 on ihis estat 
 
 and aecrelat 
 
 Simpson's T 
 
 th.: St. Andre 
 
 front dtiring 1 
 
 Agrictiltural i 
 
 tliinng wliich 
 
 t" ice married 
 
 aiKJ he was n 
 
 I'Sijr. Since 
 
 Caliicrnia. 
 
 'J'ho.mas ' 
 Ihe Rebellion ( 
 "nun Dinibartc 
 living there a 
 removed to thi 
 — .Mr<. luriiei 
 Tliev settled in 
 Turner g[h Dei 
 Tiiey left 
 UViister, and 
 fainter of St. a| 
 arc a'nong the 
 Peter Wi 
 a tailor, and al 
 dishing for a yl 
 
 He then 
 
 lot and erectedl 
 
 years of his lifel 
 
 Ho died 2ist a| 
 
 i?'''i 65- The^ 
 
 ^ViiJiam, 
 
 I 'II August, J 89c 
 
 Thomas, a| 
 
 John W., 
 
 [llarrieJ i^th m\ 
 
 I's formation, at) 
 
 perv.din that, J 
 
 P'-'tiiii-y and an] 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 129 
 
 Hi. John, the eldest of those living, remained on the homestead, and added to it till 
 il comi)rises about 120 acres. 
 
 Mr. Martin having also become joint owner with A. Le Roy of the Harrington 
 estate, comprising 240 acres, has recently removed to tlie commodious brick dwelling 
 on this estate in the village. He is one of the leading men of tlie parish, is a J. P., 
 and secietary of the Model and Elementary School Boards. He joined Maj. 
 Simpson's Troop when it was organized, and after serving in it eight years joined 
 tli>; St. Andrews Troop, with which he was oinected sixteen years, and was at the 
 ficint during the Fenian Raids. Mr. Martin lias taken a lively interest in the County 
 Agricuituial S iciety, of which lie was vice-president four years, and president five years, 
 dtiring which i)eriod the Society was in a most prosperous condition. He has been 
 twice married — fust, to . nn ^^cInt) re, 6th August, 1S64 ; r,h ; died 19th October, 1890, 
 ami he was next married to Kate Mclntyre — Iiis first wife's sister — in December, 
 1S91. Since the above was written, Mr. Martin has sold his property and removed to 
 Califcrnia. 
 
 Thomas Turner, from London, Rng., came to Montreal a short lim.- previous to 
 the Rebellion of 1837, and was married there, 22na May, i8;^7, to Ellen Walker 
 !"roin Dunbartoii, Scotland. A few years later, they removed to Toronto, and after 
 living there and at Stowville and Clareinont about a quarter of a century, they 
 removed to this section, being interested in the settlement of tlie estate of Mr. Walker 
 —Mrs. Turner's father — who had lived near Belle Riviere, and had recently died. 
 They seUled in St. Andrews, where Mr. Turner died nth February, 1875, and Mrs. 
 Tinner 9th December, 1878. 
 
 They left three daughters — Elizabeth, Mary and Helen. Mary married John 
 Wclister, and Helen was married, 25th November, 1884, to Wm. Somerville, a 
 tanner of St. Andrews ; Elizabeth lives with her sister, Mrs. Somerville ; these sisters 
 arc anong the respected Christian ladies of this locality. 
 
 Peter Webster from Leeds, England, settled in St. Andrews in 1839. He was 
 a tailor, and after plying his trade here eighteen years, he conducted an hotel at 
 Gushing for a year, in the present stone dwelling of R. Hartley. 
 
 He then returned to St. Andrews, and about three yeors later purchased the 
 lot and erected the brick house where his son J. \V. now lives. During the later 
 years of his life lie was much interested in religion, and was active in religious work. 
 He died 21st March, i89t, at the age of 82 ; Mrs. Webster died 16th June, 1877* 
 ag.d 65. They had eight children ; three sons and two daughters grew up. 
 
 ^Villiam, the eldest son, a steamboat engineer of long experience, died in Toronto 
 .August, 1890. 
 
 Thomas, a merchant tailor in Montreal for many years, died 28th June, 1890. 
 
 John W., who has long been a popular tailor and citizen of this place, was 
 
 married 15th May, 1873, to Mary Turner. He joined Co. No. i of the Rangers at 
 
 I its formation, and served seven years. He then joined the St. Andrews Troop, and 
 
 hcrvi d in tliat, also, seven years. Mr. Webster has a good farm of about 200 acres in 
 
 jRethuiy and another of 100 acres on Beech Ridge. 
 
130 
 
 HISTOJIY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Daniel Sutherland was born in 1819, in Cromarty, Rothsliire, Scotland, 
 wiiere his fatlier, William Sutherland, was a contractor, and owner of a jrranite quarry. 
 In his youth, the younger Sutherland had the good fortune to enjoy the friendship of 
 the celebrated geologist and author, Hugh Miller, who worked in the quarry ; Mr. 
 Ross, who built the St. Ann's Bridge, was also his school-mate in Cromarty. 
 
 Mr. Sutherland's brother-in-law conducted a large military tailoring establishmeiu 
 audit was here that Daniel learned his trade. He came to Canada in 1842 and 
 settled in St. .\ndrews, opening a shop in the brick building opposite the hotel ; he 
 afterwards built the house in which he has since resided. Mr. Sutherland was married 
 April nth, 1852, to Mary Ann, daughter of the late Robert Simpson. Mrs. Suther- 
 land died in 18S7, leaving two sons and one daughter; the youngest son, William 1.. 
 D., died 1S94 in Pasadena, Cal., whither he had gone h.oping to benefit his health 
 leaving a widow and one child. He was interred in St. Andrews' cemetery. 'I'he 
 eldest son, Robert S., is a commercial traveller in Chicago, and the daughter, 
 Catherine Mary, is living in St. Andrews with her father. Mr. Sutherland is one of 
 the respected citizens of St. Andrews ; owing to advanced age he has retired from 
 business. 
 
 William Caution, from Perthshire, Scotland, came to Canada in 1843 > 'ic was 
 a cabinetmaker by trade, also a carpenter. In 1851 he was married in Point 
 Fortune to Agnes, daughter of the late John Pitcairn, and the s ime year lie settled 
 in St. Andrews. He opened a cabinet shop here, and did an extensive lousiness as 
 contractor and builder, employing many men and several apprentices. He died m 
 March, 1891, aged 70 ; his widow still lives here. 
 
 They had four children — three sons and one daughter, but only one son and the 
 daughter are now living. 
 
 Alexander, the son, i-esiding here with his mother and sister, stui industriously 
 prosecutes the business followed by his father. 
 
 W. J. MoRAw, second son of John Moraw, was born 24th July, 1S56, in Cenier- 
 ville. He remained on the farm until twenty-five years of age, when he started i'l the 
 cheese business with Thomas Ross, at Point lortune, and remained with him a year. 
 He has continued in the business ever since, and has bought one factory and built 
 four in this county. Mr. Moi'aw has also a creamery in this village, which has been 
 in ojjcration four years. He was married September 7th, r8S7, to Mary, daughter of 
 Martin Puncheon, of Beech Ridge. They have one son and or ■> daughter. 
 
 Joseph Robinson, from the County of Antrim, Ireland, came to St. Andrews in 
 1845 ; he was married 23rd July, 1852, to a widow, Mrs. Klizabeth Collighani. Tliey 
 have had five children — three sons and two daughters. Joseph, one of the fornier, 
 when seven years old met a sad death by the destruction of the St. Andrews bridge. 
 an account of which is given elsewhere. 
 
 Margaret, the eldest daughter, was married 15th June, 1887, to Joiin Hender.soi!, 
 a brass finisher by trade, of Montreal. He died 14th May, 1891, leaving one child, a 
 
 boy three y« 
 beautifully k 
 guests. 
 
 James J 
 
 Lord Monbc 
 
 After leaving 
 
 and was yet , 
 
 Semple. Mr 
 
 and with his ' 
 
 his arrival, hi 
 
 and grounds. 
 
 He then cam 
 
 the managenii 
 
 three years. 
 
 the fact that, I 
 
 grape culture, 
 
 He was one o 
 
 one of their j 
 
 handicraft, am 
 
 finely carved c 
 
 wood, and a d 
 
 He died 
 son, Mr. T. M 
 
 The men 
 ness in this p 
 who are still tr 
 
 Besides t 
 that C'f Mr. W 
 Tho'nas Lamb 
 Dorion and L 
 
 Thomas 
 Fortune. He 
 remained in th 
 ander Dewar, , 
 of Mr. Wales. 
 pied for some 
 business. Ha 
 good share of 1 
 position in il 
 
 y< .,7's: 
 
m 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 131 
 
 boy three years old. Mrs. Henderson resides in a fine, commodious, brick dwelling, 
 beautifully located on the bank of the North Rive*, »• here she ably entertains summer 
 guests. 
 
 James Middleton was born 9th April, 1809, in Cortachy, at the county seat of 
 Lord Monboddo, Monboddo House, parish of Forden, Kinkirdineshire, Sciiland. 
 After leaving school, he received thorough training in agriculture and arboriculture, 
 and was yet a young man when he managed these departments of an estate at Castle 
 Semple. Mr. Middleton left Glasgow in March, 1842, on the sailing ship " .\[o;i;i\vk," 
 and with his wife and family reached Montreal after seven weeks. A short time after 
 his arrival, he took the position of superintendent of Judge Reid's house, property 
 and grounds, on the spot where .Sohmer Park now stands, remaining here uunl 1S4S. 
 He then came to St. Andrews and farmed for five years, after which he entered into 
 the management of the late Mr. William Lunn's estate, taking char;'e of it twenty- 
 three years. His reputation as an arboriculturist maybe somewhat appirenl from 
 the fact that, from 1847 ""''' '^^ ceased active labors, he had gained 650 prizes. In 
 grape culture, he almost invariably won first prizes, and had no superior in Canad.i. 
 He was one of the earliest members of the Montreal Horticultural Society, and was 
 one of their judges for many years. Mr. Middleton possessed much ingenuity in 
 handicraft, and some articles of furniture made in his spare moments — especially a 
 linely carved clock and a centre-table, which was made from 1500 diiTcrent [)icce.sof 
 wood, and a diminutive summer house — are well worth seeing. 
 
 He died at his home in St. Andrews, 2nd November, 1895, leaving a widow, one 
 son, Mr. J. Middleton of Point Fortune, and a daughter, .Mrs. Smale, of Montreal. 
 
 MERCANTILE. 
 
 The men who in past years were for some time connected with mercantile busi- 
 ness in this place have already been mentioned, as well as Mr. Dewarand Mr. Wales, 
 who are still trading here. 
 
 Besides the stores of these two gentlemen, which are of long standing, especially 
 that cf Mr. Wales, which is almost coeval with the village, there are the stores of 
 Thomas Lamb, J, H. LaFond, the grocery of Chas. Ladouceur, and the tin shojis of 
 Dorion and Ladouceur. 
 
 Thomas I.amb is a son of the late Wm. Lamb, noticed in the iiistory of Point 
 I'ortune. He came to St. Andrews as clerk for the late Charles Wales, in 1856, nnd 
 remained in this position five years. In 1866, he entered into partnership with Ale.\- 
 ander Dewar, and in 1877 became a partner of Charles Wales, jr., in the present store 
 of Mr. Wales. In 1886, he commenced trade on his own account, in the store occu- 
 pied for some years by the late Thomas Meikle, and where he still continues the 
 business. Having the unqualified respect and confidence of the public, he receives a 
 good share of public patronage. He is also Postmaster, having been appointed to the 
 position in 1870. He joined the Rangers in 1862, at their organization, and was 
 
 ; w 
 
132 
 
 HISTORY OF AROEMTEUIL. 
 
 promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieut, in 1866, to that of Captain in iS-'o, and to the 
 rank of Major in 1880 ; he has been Paymaster of the Battalion since 1870. 
 
 He was married July 15th, 1869, to Margaret S., daughter of the late Ch:is. 
 AV'aks, sr. Like her husband, Mrs. Lamb is well kmwn for her interest and acliviiy 
 in Temperap.ce and Christian work, and esteemed for her deeds of kindness and 
 benevolence. Their only son, W. H. Lamb, is assistant in the stort hnd post oftice. 
 
 Thomas Meikle, mentioned above, was for several years a prominent man in 
 this place. On his monument in tiie cemetery is the following: 
 
 " Thomas Meikle — a native of Glasgow — was for many years Postmaster and 
 merchant at St. Andrews. He perished wilii his aged father by tiie burning of the 
 steamer ' Montreal ' near Quebec, 26th June, 1857. He was 45 year.'^ of age." 
 
 V. H. LaFond is comparatively a newcomer, having opened his store in this 
 place in 1893. He is a native of St. Hernias, and after spending some years as clerk 
 in .Montreal, lie began trade in Lacluite in 18S7, where lie remained till he came to 
 St, Andrews. He has quite an extensive stock of merchandise, and seems to he pros- 
 pering in !iis business. 
 
 The sto;e he occupies is that built and occupied so long by Mr. Guy Richards, 
 Frank Farish also was a merchant in the same store for many years. He took quitea 
 prominent part in local affairs, and was secretary of the School Board for some time. 
 Some of his letters, which are still extant, show elegant penmanship, and are also very 
 *^orrectly written. It was he who built the present dwelling of Mr. McKay, advocate. 
 
 Charles Ladouceur who has a grocery here, has been in the grocery business 
 and a successful dealer in live stock for the past twenty years. 
 
 Hercule Ladouceur is proprietor of a bakery, which he has successfully 
 conducted for many years. His father, Joseph Ladouceur, came to St. Andrews from 
 the county of Two Mountains nearly sixty years ago, and died here about 1867. He 
 had four sons and six daughters who grew up. 
 
 Hercule, the third son, spent several years of his youth on the Ottawa, after 
 which he found employment for four years in the States. Returning in 1865, he took 
 up the mason's trade, which he followed a number of years, erecting, besides the l)rick 
 hotel of John Kelley in Carillon, many other good buildings in this part of the coun- 
 try. As Mr. Ladouceur has always been inclined to work, whenever he had oppor- 
 tunity, during the winters of the period when he followed the mason trade, he was era- 
 ployed in different ways, and sometimes as clerk in a store. 
 
 In 1878, he opened a bakery, with which he is still engaged. He was married 
 in March, 1S64, to I'lsther Haspeck, whose grandfather, from Germany, was one of 
 the early settlers of St. Andrews. Of their four children, three are married. Mr 
 ladouceur has been Municipal Councillor nine years, and Churchwarden three. 
 
 VV. A. LaFond, who came from St. Hernias in 1894, is the only barber in tin 
 village. _,__,, . ,, _ _ , . . ■ 
 
 Edwar] 
 
 generation p, 
 
 Miss Ladou( 
 
 through life, 
 
 and two dau{ 
 
 Ferdinar 
 
 successfully f 
 
 in the work 
 
 attractive in t 
 
 of stoves and 
 
 Council, but, 
 
 uas married 
 
 seven daughte 
 
 luui of Provid 
 
 St. Andn 
 
 one which wai 
 
 than Carillon. 
 
 In i8r,i, ( 
 
 tion of a railw 
 
 railway station 
 
 form part of a 
 
 running to sor 
 
 .Vndrews, but 
 
 of travel and 
 
 expense of rur 
 
 are only a few 
 
 dations. 
 
 A daily si 
 Andrews ; this 
 torship of Ma, 
 mail. 
 
 The Tow I 
 
 Members 
 
 system ; the n- 
 Robert Si 
 »asli. River R 
 h;u iuite Road. 
 Secretary-Trea 
 Among th 
 that of a newsj 
 — Chambers ; 
 
m^ 
 
 HISTORY OF AROENTEUIL. 
 
 tu 
 
 after 
 
 : took 
 
 brick 
 
 couii- 
 
 oppor- 
 
 -as era- 
 
 "iiarrieiil 
 (UlC of I 
 
 . Mr. 
 ee. 
 
 in the] 
 
 Edward Douion was one of the active business men of St. Andrews in the 
 generation past. He came here a yoimg nan from St. Eustache, and married a 
 Miss Ladouceur of this village. He was by trade a tinsmith, and followed this 
 through life, much of the time doing quite a prosperous business. He had four sons 
 and two daughters that grew up. 
 
 Ferdinand, his third son, learned the trade of his father, and has followed it very 
 successfully for many years. During the last decade, he has employed several hands 
 in the work of furnace setting, plumbing, roofing, etc. His house is one of tiie most 
 attractive in the village, and his shop contains a good stock of tinware and a variety 
 of stoves and other hardware. He was for several years a member of the local 
 Council, but, owing to the demand of his business, he declined further service. He 
 was married Sth April, 1861, to Margaret Hanigan ; they have had six sons and 
 seven daughteis, but three of the former are deceased. Their eldest daughter is a 
 nun of Providence of the Sacred Heart at Great Falls, Montana. 
 
 St. Andrews has not been fortunate 'n her efforts to obtain a railway — the first 
 one which was to have passed through t. ■> parish never having approached nearer 
 than Carillon. 
 
 In 1891, the Parish Council granted a bonus to C N. Armstrong, for the construc- 
 tion of a railway from Lachute to some point on the Ottawa near St. Andrews, and a 
 railway station within half a mile cf the iron bridge. It was supposed that this would 
 form part of a railway crossing the Ottawa not far from St. Andrew?, and thence 
 running to some point in Ontario. The road was constructed from Lachute to St. 
 Andrews, but the other terms of the contract were not fulfilled ; and as the amount 
 of travel and freight to be carried between the two places is insufficient to pay the 
 expense of running a train and keeping the road in repair, especially in winter, there 
 are only a few months in the year at present when St. Andrews has railway accommo- 
 dalions. 
 
 A daily stage conveying the mail runs between (Carillon and I.achute via St. 
 .•\ndrews ; this line has been in operation for the last fiftjen years under the i^roprie- 
 torship of Magloire Campeau of this village^ who also has a contract for carrying the 
 mail. 
 
 The Town Hall, a fine, brick building, was erected in 1881. 
 
 Members of the Municipal Council of 1855 — the first under the present municipal 
 system ; the meeting was held in Jones' " white house " : — 
 
 Robert Simpson, John Hoy, Carillon; Edw. Jones, jun., La Baie ; John Bur- 
 wash, River Rouge ; John McPhie, Fred. H. McArthur, La Baie; Thomas JetTerson, 
 Lacliute Road. Robert Simpson was elected Mayor, and Thomas Wanless appointed 
 Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 Among the difTerent enterprises which have been started in St. Andrews was 
 that of a newspaper, T/ie Fro^i^ress, which was first published in 1873, edited by 
 - Chambers ; Thomas Dorion, proprietor.' Mr. Chambers subsequently was con- 
 
134 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTIiUIL. 
 
 nected with 2'hc Chronicle (Quebec). During the early part of its existence Tiie 
 Frogress was Conservative in politics, but afterwards it came wxv.tx the editorial 
 management of R. P. de La Ronde, advocate, when it became politically identified 
 with the Liberal pany. It appears to have been a lively, well conducted, local 
 sheet; but owing to the removal of the printer, its publication ceased in 1876. 
 
 A Model School was established in St. Andrews about 1850, Adam Walker 
 being the first teacher. For some reason this school did not prosper in after years ; 
 the Government grant was withdrawn, and the school closed in 1876. It was 
 reopened in 1891, in a substantial, commodious brick school building, since which it 
 has been in a flourishing condition ; many good scholars having been fitted here for 
 the higher institutions of learning, the counting-room, or other business vocations. 
 The teachers who ha/e officiated since the opening of the school in 1891 are as 
 follows ; — John Proctor, A. E. Rivard, Thos. E. Townshend and F, W. Vaughan. 
 
 Frederick W. Vaughan, the present Principal, was born in Coaticook, Stan- 
 stead County, Que., in 1875. He attended the village school in Ayer's Fiat, to 
 which place his parents moved in 1876. Until fifteen years of age, his academical 
 education was acquired at Hatley Model School and Coaticook Academy, from the 
 latter of which he graduated, and matriculated at McGill. He received his Academy 
 diploma in 1894, and has since been teaching in St. Andrews with a marked degree 
 of success, the standard of scholarship under his tuition having materially advanced. 
 Mr. Vaughan's energy and ability give promise that he will be an important addition 
 to the educators of the Province. 
 
 The village was erected into a separate school municipality in March, 1891, and 
 the Mode" and Elementary Schools are taught in the same building. 
 
 Mr. Colin Dewar contributes the following history of the bridges: — 
 " The maintenance of the bridge across the North River at St. Andrews has 
 always been a heavy tax upon the inhabitants, especially since some of the adjoining 
 parishes were released from their Hability to contribute to it. 
 
 The first bridge was erected in 1807 ; it was a bridge of very moderate dimen- 
 sions and i)rimitive design, consisting of five spans, supported on four trestles, and 
 occupying a much lower level than the present structure ; as the country was not 
 then cleared up and drained, the spring freshets were not so great. 
 
 This bridge, with occasional repairs and renewing of portions in whole or in 
 part, sui)plied the wants of the inhabitants until 1833, when a new one was erected 
 alongside of the old one, higher up the river. 
 
 It was on this old bridge that a sad accident occurred, by which a man lost his 
 life ; it was caused by two of the stringers slipping off the trestles, taking a portion of 
 the covering with them, leaving a large open space, which, unfortunately, was left 
 unguarded. A tanner by the name of r3aggett (who was the owner of the first 
 tannery that started working in St. Andrews) was coming home late on Saturday 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 '35 
 
 niglil, and not knowing that i)art of the bridge had fallen down, fell through the open 
 s])ace, striking his iiead on a boulder, and was kilkd. On Sunday morning, there 
 was quite an excitement when his dead body was discovered by individuals on their 
 way to clnirrh. The testimony of at least two living witnesses confirms tlie above 
 facts, and places the date of the occurrence at about 1817. 
 
 In 1832-33 a contract was given to a man by the name of Pierce, for the con- 
 struction of a new bridge of larger dimensions and different design, consisting of four 
 spans resting on three cut stone piers and abutments. The plan and specifications 
 were drawn up by a well-known land surveyor ; but they, unfortunately, exposed his 
 ignorance of architecture, as tiie specifications were in the main points very defec- 
 tive, and, in consequence, the work was not well done. 
 
 The bridge was opened for traffic in the summer of 1833, and in the spring of 
 1S37 a large j)ortion of one of the piers was broken up by the action of the ice and 
 high water, causing the bridge to topple down. It was temporarily repaired to allow 
 traffic to be carried on, and in the month of September a heavy trestle was substi- 
 mied for the pier, and with other necessary improvements and occasional repairs it 
 stood until the 19th March, 1859, when it was swept away as before. A temporary 
 foot bridge was made by stretching three strong chains across the open space, cover- 
 ing them with planks, where people could cross in safety ; while a ferry above the 
 mill dam, and another at McMartin's, served for horses and carriages, until the bridge 
 was ready for traffic on the 27th August the same year. 
 
 It was not for any great length of time tiiat the rate payers were exempted from 
 fuiiher expense, as in the early part of March, 1863, a large portion of the bridge was 
 again swept away ; this time, unfortunately, attended with loss of life, two young 
 lads who were on ii at the time being drowned. A temporary structure for the con- 
 venience of people on foot was placed opposite Mr. Duncan Dewar's and Mr. 
 I'.dward Jones', while the ferry was again opened above the mill dam, and at Col. De 
 Herlcl's for horses and carriages. This arrangement continued until 1865, when a 
 new bridge of a more pretentious and different style of architecture was built by 
 Messrs. Moody of Terrebonne. It was supported on piers of close crib zvork filled 
 with stones, and strengthened overhead with short trusses, and was opened to the 
 public in September of that year, and lasted until the present beautiful light iron 
 structure was completed in 1885." 
 
 The present bridge was erected at an expense of $10,200 ; the iron part of the 
 structure costing $5,950, and the abutments and approaches forming the balance of 
 the cost. 
 
 The following, the writing of which was suggested by anolherletter in The Star, 
 uns copied from that paper: — 
 
 " Your reminiscences, of course, deal principally with the Rebellion, as it existed 
 in another part of the country from where I was living at the time : but I have a 
 distinct recollection of the events (being about 14 years of age) from reading the same 
 ill the public journals of the day, and your account brings all these scenes very vividly 
 back to my remembrance. , '- .; 
 
13* 
 
 HISTORY OK AR(;ENTEUIL. 
 
 "I see that you meniion the attack and burning of the village of St. Benoit. I 
 may stale in this connection, thnt seven or eight companies of Volunteers from St. 
 Andrews and vicinity were there at that time, having been ordered to meet those 
 coming from Montreal, as you relate. As you may not know wiiy llicie were so many 
 companies of Volunteers organized in St. Andrews, a short statement may not he out 
 of place. Tiie village at that time was 'argely settled by I'-nglish-speaking peojile, 
 not many Trench being among them ; but on two sides — the east and south — weic 
 ♦he French parishes of Cote St. Pierre and Les Eboulies. In tiie latter place, tiny 
 were red hot ' Patriots,' meeting, drilling and getting ready for the fray; and on a 
 hill a short distance from the Ottawa River, not far from St. Placide, on Point Aux 
 Anglais, they had formed a barricade or fort, with trees and brush, which would liave 
 been of great service had a small number of men come against them. Early in the 
 month of November, i«37, a courier came galloping u]) to St, Andrews with the intel- 
 ligence that the ' Patriots ' were preparing to make u raid on the village and 
 country adjoining. We well knew they meant to plunder, burn and kill ; and well do 
 I remember hearing him cry out, 'They are in the Bay ; will be here in a short time! 
 Anything you have put it out of the way ! ' etc. In less than an hour, all who were 
 able were marching into the village, and such a crowd 1 Among two or three hun- 
 dred men, there were not even fifty fowling pieces. The remainder were armed 
 with pitchforks, clubs, broken scythes, etc., and nothing but an overruling and kind 
 Providence saved us from attack. If they had come on, as was intended, they would 
 have had their own way, as there was not sufficient force with suitable arms to stop 
 them. There was at that time a small detachment of the 24th Regiment stationed 
 at Carillon, under the command of Capt. Mayne, who supplied a few old, flintlock 
 muskets ; and with these, all the roads leading out of the village were guarded, night 
 and day. Companies of Volunteers were formed as (piickly as possible, so that by 
 the lothor 12th of December seven or eight companies were regularly enrolled, armed 
 and drilled, and, as already stated, were marched to Grand Brule, according to ordeis 
 from headquarters. The expedition was not attended by any loss of life, the ' Patriots' 
 wisely keeping out of the way, but it was attended with a great deal of hardship and 
 exposure to the rigors of a Canadian wiiiter. Owing to inadequate clothing and want 
 of proper food and shelter, many of them were not the better of that trip for many a 
 day. A few of the companies were disbanded and allowed to return to their homes, to 
 be ready, if wanted, at a moment's notice; the rest were kept in barracks and thoroughly 
 drilled, so as to be ready in case of another outbreak, which, happily, did not occur 
 in our part of the country. I think the few remaining Volunteers of that period 
 who took up arms to defend their country are entitled to some compensation lor 
 rvice which ought to have been acknowledged long ago. I have no personal 
 interest in this movement. My father and two brothers who took an active part in it 
 have long since passed away to the silent majority ; but I have an old friend who 
 was among the first to join the ranks, and on his account, as well as on that of others, 
 I should like to see them paid a small sum in cash, to sustain their declining years, 
 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "Colin Dkwar." 
 
i^ 
 
An in 
 
 noiice, ilf 
 
 was a loya 
 
 day that p 
 
 "crc marcl 
 
 liim at his ( 
 
 lie leaned. 
 
 " Com 
 
 " Ifyc 
 
 • 'It the sanu 
 
 :i 1)0 tit to he 
 
 'I'll tn in 
 
 curner of il 
 
 standing ere 
 
 What ( 
 
 "liat hope 
 
 H-liom he wa 
 
 hesitated, an 
 
 to the rendL 
 
 moDiued his 
 
 tiny need no 
 
 " Never 
 
 tidings than _ 
 
 A" tar the 
 
 die ruins of , 
 
 ■'^tignior, Sir J 
 
 s"ivice for nia 
 
 transformed it 
 
 tlie other giist 
 
 Ahoiit i8i 
 
 old mill above 
 
 'filled to a ma 
 
 'fll into disuse 
 
 remembered as 
 
 aci:,e for the p 
 
 lie died siiddei 
 
 engraving. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTKUII.. 
 
 '.V/ 
 
 An incident of the Rebellion, which has never before appeared in print, deserves 
 notice, if for nothing more than to perpetuate the name and fame of Joe (liroiix. He 
 was a loya! Frenchman, living a few miles from St. Andrews. On the morning of the 
 day that proved so disastrous to ihc P.itriots at St, Kiistache, a large number of them 
 were marching toward St. Andrews. On arriving at the house of (liroux, and seei g 
 him at his door, they halted, and the leader of the party demanded his gun on whicii 
 lie leaned. 
 
 " Come and take it I ' was the reply. 
 
 " If you don't come and join us, we'll shoot you," was the stern rejoinder; and 
 at the same instant more than one gun was leveled at liim, as if the tlireat were 
 about to be executed. 
 
 'I'uining to his wife, he bade her seek safety beneath llie bed which stood in a 
 corner of their single apartment, and tl.en, exposing his broad chest to view, a;id 
 standing erect in the doorway, he coolly invited ihem to shoot. 
 
 What did this mean? They knew Joe to be a brave, manly ft How, but 
 what hope could he have with such odds against him, unless tiie loyalists, wiib 
 whom he was in constant communication, were in force at no great distance? 'i'licy 
 hcsitaied, and a whisi)ered consultation was held, which resulted in their hasty retreat 
 to the reiules-vons whence they had come. As soon as tht-y had di.i)arted, Joe 
 mounted his horse, and gallo|)ed to St. Andrews, to assure the teriified citizens that 
 they need not fear; the rebels had gone back. 
 
 " Never," said our informant, " was there a more welcome herald of more joyful 
 tidings than ]oi^. Gioux." 
 
 -«. 
 
 Near the bridge which crosses the River Rouge to the south side may be seen 
 ihe ruins of an old mill. This, which was originally a saw mill, was built by the 
 Seignior, Sir John Johnson, in the early years of St. Andrew's history. After doing 
 service for many years, a man named Samuel Dale, son of Daniel Dale of Dalesville, 
 transformed it into a grist mill ; but a few years later, the machinery was removed to 
 the other giist mill ii. the village, and this mill was abandoned. 
 
 About i8eo, an American named John Glines built acarding mill, just below the 
 old mill above mentioned, on the same stream. After a decade or more, this mill was 
 rented to a man named Leonard Clark, who kept it in operation a few years, when it 
 tell into disuse, and it is now in ruins. Mr. Clark had a large family, and he is 
 remembered as a good citizen, a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, and 
 aci:,e for the promotion of schools. He removed from this place to Lachute, where 
 he died suddenly from paralysis. The mills referred to above are shown in the 
 engraving. ^ .; , - r • • - • . . ' ; t- : : ...•■: 
 
Cote du Midi and the Bay. 
 
 The above localities are in the parish of St. Andrews, between the River Rouge 
 Settlement and the Ottawa, Cote du Midi Deing, as its name indicates, a hill or 
 ridge of land lying north of the Bay Settlement ; the latter settlement is g';nerally 
 designated as "The Bay," bordering, as it does, on a very pretty bay formed by the 
 Ottawa. 
 
 Though the land is considerably diversified in both these locaHties, and the road.s 
 hilly, there are some fine farms whicli are comparatively level, and the scenery in 
 certain parts is romantic. The farm of Charles Hunter, a prominent and respected 
 citizen on the Bay road, Vvith its neat buildings, is attractive, and another large one 
 adjoining it, owned by A. C. Robillard, one of the ex-Municipal Councillors of the 
 parish. " Glencoe," the estate of Mr. John McGowan, the old homesteads of the 
 Hydes, Burwashes and Albrights are all valuable farms located at the Bay. "Silver 
 Heights," and the farms of Johr McMartin and Archibald Graham, are among the 
 most attractive am' valuable estates at Cote du Midi. 
 
 Captain John Wainwr;ght of the Royal Navy, came to Canada with his 
 family in 1833, He was born in Wicidiam, Hampshire, England, 3rd May, 1800, 
 his father also being a captain in t.'ie Royal Navy. When he w^as only eight years 
 of age, his father took him on his ship to India ; but while there, he was ordered to 
 proceed up the Persian Gulf, and thinking that the mission might be attended with 
 danger, he sent his son back to England on an East Jndiaman. Soon after this, he 
 was sent to a Naval School, from whicii he entered the service as midshipman, and 
 l)assing the different grades of promotion, in time, secured a Lieutenant's commission. 
 While holding this rank, he sailed with Captain (subsequently Admiral) Beecher, 
 who was sent, in the interests of science, on an expedition to the Pacific and Arctic 
 oceans. On this voyage they came near a small island in the Pacific, which some 
 of the young devotees of science insisted on visiting. A heavy surf rendered the 
 approach to it dangerous, and their boat was smashed in the effort to land, though all 
 reached the shore in safety. But now a difficulty arose as to the manner of returning 
 to the ship. One boat only remained, and this the Captain positively forbade hi. 
 men to lower, fearing that this, too, would be ruined ; but he gave orders to construct 
 a raft with which to bring the men off, and when it was finished, Lieut. Wainwright, 
 v;ith some others, went to the re'ief of their stranded friends. They had to remain 
 for some time a little distance from the shore before all were embarked, and mean- 
 while Lieut. Wainwright, stripped to the waist, had to stand in the water exposed to 
 a boiling surf. The exposure was more than his constitution was able to bear, and 
 he was soon seized with a severe illness, from the effects of which he never entirely 
 recovered. Eventually, he was awarded a medal for the part he took in this expe- 
 dition. 
 
 Not long after his return to England, he was married to Elizabeth Powers, 
 daughter of Samuel Poweis, Esq.j of Harley street, London, and soon afterward lie 
 
 sai'ed for th 
 
 however, he 
 
 to his former 
 
 1829, his eld( 
 
 sion as captai 
 
 never accepte 
 
 C. J. Foibes, 
 
 cousin, he car 
 
 iie purchased 
 
 known as "S 
 
 Wright. 
 
 This spo 
 
 ;»eauty, he ad( 
 
 Possessed, as 1 
 
 naval oflScer, i 
 
 and been regar( 
 
 lie performed 1 
 
 tialily, careful ( 
 
 James Era 
 
 Kear Admiral 
 
 Vessel which for 
 
 ''iWe. In 18^ 
 
 ^■it-^r he removi 
 
 >Vainwright die 
 
 iiiey were Joh 
 
 I Catherine, and ( 
 
 Eiuily, the 
 
 ■'larriod to Lier 
 
 [George H., unm 
 
 John W., tl 
 
 '■'tent with the 
 
 J1.1S liud little to 
 
 iKIi^heth Caroli 
 
 i'hey have 1 
 
 I E. R. is empi 
 
 j«ith honors from 
 
 pa student in th 
 
 I'iNLAY Mac 
 
 fviiiada with his 
 
 ^ar St. Eustach, 
 
 hpied from the 1 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTiiUIL. 
 
 139 
 
 Ml all 
 rning 
 e hi- 
 inict 
 •ight, 
 main 
 lean- 
 ed to 
 and 
 Itiiely 
 lexpe- 
 
 Iwcrs, 
 
 he 
 
 sai'ed for the Mediterranean in His Majesty's ship " Melville." Within a year, 
 however, he was again taken ill from the same cause, it was believed, that gave rise 
 to his former illticss, niid invalided home. During his absence at sea, 20th December, 
 1829, his eldest son, John Wroughton, was born. Though he received his commis- 
 sion as captain, Mr. Wainwright, on account of the debilitated condition of his health, 
 never accepted command of a vessel. In 1833 'hrough the influence of Commissary 
 C. J. Foibes, who was then in England, and of whose wife Mr. Wainwright was 
 cousin, he came with his family to Carillon. After remaining a year with Mr. Forbes, 
 he purchased of Archie McViv.ar, a Nor' Wester, for ^looi, the farm of 400 acres 
 known as " Silver Heights," which is now owned by his son John Wroughton Wain- 
 wright. 
 
 This spot, which he chose for his homC; possessing naturally rare features of 
 i)eauly, he adorned in many ways which characterized it as an English homestead. 
 Possessed, as he was, of English ideas with regard to social status, and having been a 
 niual officer, it is not surprising that he should have formed one of an exclusive circle, 
 and been regarded an aristocrat. But whatever may have been his ideas of social rank, 
 he performed the duties of Justice of the Peace, for many years, with strict impar- 
 lialily, careful consideration, and to public approval. 
 
 James Francis Ballard, the youngest brother of Captain Wainwright, became 
 Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, and was in command of the " Black Prince," a 
 vessel which formed ihe escort of the ''Great Eastern" when she was laying the Atlantic 
 cable. In 1851, Captain Wainwright visited the Great Exhibition in London, and 
 later he removed with his wife and daughters to England, where he died; Mrs. 
 Wainwright died in 1881. They had six children — two sons and four daughters. 
 They were John Wroughton, Emily, Harriet P'orbes, Mary Elizabeth, Charlotte 
 [Catherine, and George Iladden Richmond. 
 
 Emily, the second child, died at the age of 8; Mary Elizabeth, the third, was 
 Iniarriod to Lieut. Penelhorne, of the Royal Artillery, but died soon afterwaid. 
 [George H., unmarried, is a broker in Montreal. 
 
 John W., the eldest of the children, has always remained on the homestead; 
 
 ontenl with the society of his family and with the enjoyment of his rural abode, he 
 jtis lad little to do with public affairs. He was married May nth, 18O4, to Amelia 
 JElizabeth Caroline Carter, daughter of the late Dr. Edward Carter, of Sore), P.Q. 
 
 They have had seven children — three sons and four daughters. Of their sons, 
 1]. E. R. is employed in the Merchants' Bank at Calgary; J. G. R., who graduated 
 lv.i'.h honors from McGill in 1892, is a civil engineer in Hamilton, Ont., and S. F. A. 
 
 :; a student in the Medical Department of McGill University. 
 
 liNLAV MacMartin was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 181 2, and came to 
 ICiiiada with his father, Donald MacMartin, in 1827, and settled in Grand Foamier, 
 
 tear St. Eustache. The following interesting letter, written by his sister, was 
 
 [""liied from the British Whig (Kingston), of October 28, 1890: — 
 
140 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 "THE REBKLLION OF 1837-38. 
 
 " MoNTRJ.AL, October 23, — . 
 " To THE Edi rok, — My brother, Fiiilay MacMartin, served as a Volunteer ur.der 
 Captain Globensky, of St. Eustache, County of Two Mountains. He was at the 
 battle of St. Eustache, 14th December, 1837, and was one of the party finding the 
 body of the rebel leader, Dr. Chenier, shot down trying to escape, his followers 
 having taken refuge in the Catholic church, hoping thus to save their lives. I well 
 remember my brother's tale of the exciting times they had, while waiting at the village 
 of St. Martin (nine miles from St. Eustache), for the ice to become strong enough to 
 enable soldiers to transport their cannon and ammunition across the Riviere du 
 Ch6ne, a branch of the Ottawa. The Regulars were commanded by Sir JohnColboino, 
 who afterwards became Governor-General of Canada. After imprisoning all who 
 surrendered, the troops fired the church and village of St. Eustache, then marched 
 to the village, twelve miles west, St. Benoit, another stronghold of the rebels. Here 
 lived Dumoucholle, a noted rebel, father of the late Senator Dumouchelle, of Two 
 Mountains. Although only six years old at the time, I well remember passiiisr 
 through St. Denoit, when it was a heap of smouldering ruins. My mother, ban:; 
 very nervous, left home with the younger members of the family, to reside with an 
 uncle at St. Andrews, where the English population was more numerous; my two 
 elder brothers were enlisted as Volunteers. My father, then over six<-y years of age, 
 ,ind a farmer, located in the very centre of a rebel community, was placed in a trying 
 position. He could hardly leave home, and by remaining would be forced to join 
 the rebels, or be put under arrest by them. He and my only surviving brotiur. 
 James MacMartin, now living on the homestead at St. P2ustache, betook theinse!vcs| 
 to the woods, then pretty dense, and made dismal by the howling wolves, which they 
 kept off by burning fires day and night. As the night advanced, they would venture! 
 out as near home as they deemed safe, then ray sisters, aged respectively eighteen 
 and twenty, who had brave'y volunteered to remain at home, would set out a signal, 
 when it was safe for them to come to the house. My father finally got things satis- 
 factorily arranged, such as putting all his threshed wheat into barrels, and concealing 
 it where the rebels never thought of looking for it. There was not much to conceal, 
 as threshing was a slow process in those days. All had to be done with the flail, aiil 
 implement of which the farmers of to day know little. He placed his highly prized 
 gun (after taking it apart) in an old metal pot, and buried it in the earth. No vile) 
 rebel would ever get that into his hands. He then statted off, accompanied \>\ 111; I 
 brother, who Was then a young boy, to rejoin mother and family at St. Andrews, 
 They had to keep under cover of the woods, as they were sure to be arrested il thtyl 
 ventured on the highway. The hardships and sufferings ihey encountered worej 
 terrible, wending their way through snow and half-frozen swamps, up to their kncesj 
 in water. My brother was taken il! with inflanimatory rheumatism shortly after, and 
 has been a martyr to thrt disease in a chronic form ever since. After wandering foil 
 
 two days anc 
 
 part of the se- 
 
 a hearty welcc 
 
 and sent thetr 
 
 at Iionie and , 
 
 Ontario, is stil 
 
 and Crown Att 
 
 of i:den Grove 
 
 service as a ■\ 
 
 years ago. 
 
 •'Shortly I 
 
 "hiic my sister 
 
 Here very civil, 
 
 window, for wli 
 
 srnih, money, e 
 
 I liarness, and ar 
 
 I sheep pen, they 
 
 note to the effe< 
 
 I declared and es 
 
 ■' The lead 
 
 I morning of the 
 
 saddle or bridle, 
 
 i inlay Mac 
 
 !(•' bjught from 
 
 April 9tfi, 1850, 
 
 settler of that ph 
 
 nth December, 
 
 jold homestead. C 
 
 in Ontario; Jean 
 
 M- E. Playfair 
 
 >mcs A. P., the • 
 
 I'li'.hat line; he \ 
 
 after spending fu 
 
 hsiness, went to 
 
 lie same line of L 
 
 ^^^<^ in that citj 
 
 ork- While in 
 
 'loiis^hot of Quel 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 141 
 
 elves 
 ih 
 
 cv 
 
 /enturo 
 lueciil 
 signal, 
 IS salis-l 
 
 ceahiig 
 
 ;onceal, 
 
 flail, n 
 
 priz.d 
 
 No vile 
 
 b\ my 
 
 Indrcws 
 ■ the) 
 
 id were] 
 liv kncesj 
 Iter, and 
 
 Iriiv;: foil 
 
 '.wo days and a night, they reached Lnchiite (instead of St. Andrews) in the early 
 pan of the second night, well nigh exhausted by fatigue, hunger and cold. They got 
 a he.irty welcome from the loyal-hearted Scottish farmers, who attended to their wants, 
 and sent them on their way rejoicing to St. Andrews. Of the sisters who remained 
 at home and attended to the cattle, the youngest, Mrs. Alex. Patton, County Bruce 
 Ontario, is still living; the other, Mrs. Maxwell, mother of John Maxwell, barrister 
 andCrown Attorney for Prescott and Russell, also of Robert Maxwell, carriage builder, 
 of Kden Grove, Bruce County, Ontario, died ten years ago. Finlay MacMartin, whose 
 service as a \'olunteer is above recorded, died sixteen, and his brother died nine 
 years ago. 
 
 "Shortly before the battle of St. F.ustache, a party of rebels came to our home 
 while my sisters were alone, and asked where my father and brothers were. They 
 were very civil, with the exception of one, who shoved his old rusty gun through the 
 window, for which he was sharply reprimanded by his loader. They asked for fire- 
 srnis, money, etc. ; not getting this, ihey went to the stables, took the best horse, 
 harness, and an old iraineau, — for sleighs were not in use in those days. From the 
 sheep pen, they took of the fattest. Returning to the house, they gave my sisters a 
 note to the effect that payment would be made when Mie ' Republic of Canada was 
 declared and established.' 
 
 '•The leader of this party, named Jerod, was recognized by my sisters on the 
 I morning of the battle of St. Eustache, making his escape on horseback, without 
 [saddle or bridle, but a halter made of his military sash. 
 
 " Respectfully yours, 
 
 "Je\ne MacMartin." 
 
 ; inlay MacMartin came to Cote du Midi "in 1848, and settled on a farm which 
 b.)ught from Archibald McCallum, one of the first settlers here. He was married, 
 [.\p:il 9th, 1850, to Christi.ia, daught r of Donald McK^racher, of Dalesville, the first 
 settler of that place. 'Jiiey had four sons and four daughters. Mr. MacMartin died 
 iith December, 1874, agel sixty-two ; Mrs. MacMartin still survives him, living on the 
 oldh.jmestead. OfthechilJren, Margery A., the eldest, married to W.G. Cameron, lives 
 lilt Ontario ; Jean O., married to M. L. Foley, in British Columb' Maggie L., married 
 Ito J. E. Playfair, in Ontario ; and Eugenia, who is a teacher, is also in Ontario. 
 Ijamcs A. P., the second son, learned his trade as bridge builder, and was a contractor 
 linthal line; he was last heard from when in New Mexico, six years ago. Geo. D., 
 lafier spending four years with Mr. Chas. Wales of St. Andrews, in the mercantile 
 |business, went to Montreal and spent six years — part of this time in travelling — in 
 same line of business. In 1 891, he went to Chicago, and now has charge of the 
 sffice in that city of J. W. Goddard & Sons, wholesale woollen merchants of New 
 I'ork. While in Montreal, he was a member of the Victoria Rifles, and was cham- 
 pion shot of Quebec for two years. Colin B., the youngest son, lives at home- 
 
^*i 
 
 14a 
 
 :*lSTORY or ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 John F. K., eldest surviving son, was born in Cow du Midi. It wm his inten- 
 tion to prepare for business or a profession ; but the father dying when the family 
 was young, it became necessary for him to take the management of the farm, in which 
 he is still engaged. Being a teetotaler from infancy, he early became an active 
 temperance worker, taking a prominent part in attempting to secure the passing of 
 the Dunkin and Scott Acts, and also by working as a member of the Sons of Temper- 
 ance, I. O. G. T., and Royal Templars of Temperance, having filled the leading 
 offices of the different societies for various terms in succession. He was Master of 
 St. Andrews L. O. A., No. 52, for a number of years, and was also an officer of the 
 County L. O. A. of Lachuie. He became a member of the active militia cl Canada 
 at an early age, and served as a private and non-commissioned officer ; in 1880, he 
 went to a Military school, and, having obtained a certificate, was given the commission 
 of Second Lieutenant in No. i Company, Eleventh Battalion, A. R., and three years 
 later, the commission of First Lieutenant ; he is also a commander of the Colors 
 party. . ; 
 
 He early took an active part in religious matters, became a member in full com 
 munion of the Presbyterian Church, and, a few years later, was elec jd to the Elder- 
 ship. Since the introduction of the Patrons of Industry, he has been President of one 
 of the Associations, and has successfully organized a number of Associations through. 
 out the (bounty and Province. 
 
 In the summer of 18 17, ALEXAt-iDER McGregor, of Breadalbane, Perthshire, 
 Scotland, came to Canada, and found employment at Chute au Blondeau, Ontario, 
 On the last day of the following April, he crossed the Ottawa on the ice, and made his 
 way to Cote du Midi and purchased the two lots now owned and occupied by his son 
 John. He was a weaver by trade, and with that thrift characteristic of his country- 
 men made a hand loom earn many a penny during the long winter evenings and days 
 when he could not wage war on the forest with which much of his land was covered. 
 Owing to the scarcity of cloth manufactories, his loom was an implement of groat 
 utility to his neighbors, for whom he wove many of the fabrics then in common use, 
 In the Rebellion of 1837, ''^ ''■"^ '^'^ eldest son, Alexander, promptly enlisted in the 
 Company commanded by Captain Robert Simpson. 
 
 He had eight chiKlien, but only two of the sons, Alexander and John, respected] 
 citizens, live in this section. The latter, who lives on the homestead, is a prosperous] 
 farmer. 
 
 The history of Thomas Hvde, whose descendants are numerous in this section, 
 is replete with romantic incidents. His home was in Exeter, England, and his fatliei 
 was a captain in the Royal Navy. 
 
 Thomas had spent some years on the ship of Admiral Rodney, and in compan; 
 with a young friend nanud Ramsey he left the service and came to New York. Botl 
 had money supplied them by their parents, and they purchased a stock of goods, an( 
 went to the North West to trade witli the Indians. But they met different tieatraenj 
 from what they had anticipated, and learned the treachery and barbarity of tb 
 
 savages J the 
 danger. H) 
 according to 
 back, strippe 
 knives, and t 
 hand. TJiey 
 slumber, leav: 
 scious conditi 
 a tomahawk, 
 Kngland, but 
 by that love of 
 he colored his 
 His disguise, I 
 means, of whi( 
 and was granii 
 Some years si 
 was then ot St. 
 settle near him 
 Indians, Hyde 
 went to Michil 
 'iftiirs, as clerk 
 young woman 
 superintendent, 
 ^'ii-' opening of 
 '111 U. E. Loyc 
 ''•iny. it is said 
 txilcd hy the s 
 Montreal. Thi 
 Srant, was also 
 I^rant, kno 
 counted and del 
 '.rime by the sig 
 s unknown ; bii 
 I'ogs in the hou 
 couch when the 
 «i<lo\v with her 
 ■^I.irgaret, to the 
 Tlion.as Hyde w 
 i\ few years 
 huperintendent a 
 jl'ieuH- of his hoi 
 ['lis dislike and d 
 
 •'it .V 
 
HISTORY Ok' A»eENT¥Ul^ 
 
 141 
 
 ten- 
 
 nily 
 
 hich 
 
 ;tive 
 
 igof 
 
 >per- 
 
 ;er of 
 
 f the 
 
 mada 
 
 So, he 
 
 ission 
 
 years 
 
 Colors 
 
 1 com- 
 Elder- 
 of one 
 irough- 
 
 hshire, 
 niario. 
 ade his 
 his sou 
 oumiy-! 
 lid daysj 
 overed.l 
 f greatj 
 lion use, 
 in the] 
 
 fspectedl 
 Isperoiii] 
 
 I section, 
 lis fatlici 
 
 [ompaiv 
 
 Bot 
 
 )ds, ai" 
 leatmen 
 
 of ih 
 
 savages; they ver« robbed of their goods, and soon spw that th^k lives were in 
 
 danger. Hyde made good his escape, but R*i»jsey was captured, bound, and then, 
 
 according to the custom of the Indians, was subjected to torture. While lying on his 
 
 back, stripped, his tormentors amused themselves by pricking his body with their 
 
 knives, and then wiping the blood from them on iiis lips. But his revenge was at 
 
 hand. They had been drinking, from the effects of which they were soon in deep 
 
 slumber, leaving him, as tJiey supposed, securely bound. When he saw their uncon. 
 
 scious condition, however, by grea* exertion he freed himself from the thongs, seized 
 
 a tomahawk, dispatched fourteen of his captors, and escaped. He finally reached 
 
 England, but not receiving the welcome from his family which he desired, and induced 
 
 by that love of adventure which young men having once experienced, seldom abandon. 
 
 he colored his red hair, came to America, and once more mingled with the Indian*. 
 
 His disguise, however, was not so complete as to prevent recognition, but by some 
 
 means, of which we are ignorant, he gained the esteem of the Indians, married a scjuaw^ 
 
 and was granted by her tribe a large tract of land in the vicinity of the Great Lakes. 
 
 Some years subsequently he corresponded with his old friend Thomas Hyde, who 
 
 was then 3t St, Andrews, and made him liberal offers of land, if he would go out and 
 
 settle near him ; but having too vivid recollections of his former experiences among the 
 
 Indians, Hyde declined the tempting offer. After escaping from the Indians, Hyde 
 
 went to Michilimackinac, and was there employed by the superintendent of Indian 
 
 affairs, as clerk in liie Indian Store. While there, he married Margaret Ande.son, a 
 
 young woman who had been indentured, when quite small, by her mother to tlie 
 
 superintendent, and whose term of indenture had now expired. Her father lived, at 
 
 ;he opening of the American Revolution, on the Susquehanna River; and being 
 
 .111 U. E. Loyalist, his property wis confiscated, and lie came to Canada in com- 
 
 'any, it is said, with two families named Ogilvy and Glassford — both having been 
 
 exiled hy the same fate — and whose descendants are no'.v prominent ciiizens of 
 
 Montreal. These loyalists were at Michilimackinac, and the celebrated Indian chief, 
 
 Brant, was also there at the same time. 
 
 Brant, knowing Mr. Anderson, borrowed of him a sum of money, which was 
 cou,ntcd and delivered in jjresence of a number of Indians. Whether incited to the 
 trinie by the sight of the g )ld, or whether they were led to it by some other mr/.ive, 
 is unknown ; but soon at'terwar.l, they shot Mr. .\ndeison between the crevices of the 
 logs in the house where he resided. Being iniwell at the time, he was lying on a 
 cou( li when the dastardly act was commuted. Mrs. Anderson being thus left a 
 widow with her young children, was prevailed on to indenture her eldest child, 
 Margaret, to the superintendenf, and it was to her, now arrived at wommhood, that 
 Thon.as Hyde was wedded. 
 
 A few years after this marr'age, some dissatisfaction having arisen between the 
 
 superintendent an:l the Government, he left his position, and ihou^^h he ofTerc 1 Hyde 
 
 uf-e of his house, furnished, if he would remain at Michilimackinac, on account of 
 
 [liis dislike and distrust cf the Indians, he declined the offer, and with his wife and 
 
 m ; 
 
5!EI9 
 
 144 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 two children came with the superintendent to Montreal. There he was introduced 
 by the superintendent to Sir John Johnson, Seignior of Argenteuil, these two gentle- 
 men being cousins ; and by Sir John he was ind ced to purchase two lots of land at 
 St. Andrews Bay, to which place he removed about 1792. 
 
 In the war of 1812, he became Captain of a Militia Company, and his eldest son, 
 Mio was born at Michilimackinac in 1789, was Sergeant of the same Company. In 
 1815, they were ordered with the Company to .Montreal, but before arriving there 
 ])eace was declared, and they returned home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hyde, whose early life had been one of so much romance and 
 sorrow, lived Jierc until their deatii. They h^d twelve children ; George, the eldest, 
 bought a farm at the Bay about a mile from the homestead ; he also had twelve 
 ciiildren, who grew up; he died in 1887. J^ns, the eldest daughter, born at Micliili- 
 mackinac, married Martin Albright ; she died in 1879. Sarah, the second daugluer 
 married Edward Jones. Alexander, another son, bought a farm and settled on ihe 
 River Rouge; he had cigiu children, — three sons and five daughters; his own son 
 Ck'orge, who remained on the homestead, and still owns it, has recently purchased the 
 fine old homestead of John McMarlin. Charles, another son of Thomas Hyde, pur 
 chased a f;irm on the River Rouge near his brother Alexander ; but he had no children. 
 Nelson, the youngest son of this old family, never married, and rem.iined on the home- 
 stead till 1880, when he sold it, and now lives in the village of St. Andrews. He is 
 another of the octogenarians in this section, who are witnesses, not only of the salu- 
 brity of the climate, but of the benefit resulting from industry and temperance. 
 
 John Camkron came from Fort William, Inverness-shire, Scotland, and after 
 living a year in Lachine, came to Cote du Midi about 1802. He was a Presbyterian, 
 and the first, or one of the first, who preached hereabout ; the reader will find him 
 alluded to in Dr. Paterson's sketch of the Presbyterian Church, St. Andrews, as one 
 of the early workers for the Christian cause; his sermons were delivered in Gaelic. 
 As there were so many of the same name in this section, he was distinguished by the 
 name of " Preacher Cameron," and one of his sons in turn by the same cognomen. 
 
 Mr. Cameron took up the lots of land now owned by his grandson John. While 
 he was away six weeks in Lachin.', on duty as a Volunteer in the war of 1812, a large 1 
 number of his she.ep died from cold and starvation. 
 
 His eldest son Hugh, v/ho was in Capt. Simpson's Company in 1837-38, lived on, 
 the homestead. He had seven sons and six daughters; he died about i86j.| 
 
 John and Alexander are the only two living in this section ; Hugh, a farmer, lives 
 in Ottawa. 
 
 SiMKON T.eRoy was the earliest pioneer of whom we have received any record jj 
 he located here as early as 1785. 
 
 At the opening of the American Revolution, he, with two or three brothers, I 
 lived in Genesee County, N.Y. ; but their loyalty to the British Government fori 
 bidding their casting in their lot with those who had thrown off their allegiance, they] 
 felt that safety demanded a removal. Simeon first went to No/a Scotia, and afte 
 
 spending a 
 
 on the Rive 
 
 At the 
 
 effort to. sell 
 
 The countrj 
 
 tlie sacrifice 
 
 —owing to 1 
 
 i:ut many ye 
 
 by the LeR( 
 
 descendants 
 
 believing the 
 
 regarding it 
 
 decided to hj 
 
 Mr. Sim 
 
 till his death 
 
 —Sophia and 
 
 The hon 
 
 lot now own( 
 
 and moved tc 
 
 was the only ( 
 
 Jones, an ear 
 
 They had ten 
 
 three daughte 
 
 jMontreal, anc 
 
 married to M: 
 
 They had twe 
 
 Mr. LeR( 
 
 children, six s 
 
 Malcolm, the 
 
 Martin LeRoy 
 
 Alexand 
 He is one of t 
 matters of mc 
 Justice of the 
 He married Hi 
 living, and Osi 
 A.ademy Dipl( 
 
 The BuRv 
 tiiiifty and inc 
 
 Nathaniel 
 was very youn^ 
 Marine. He w 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 M5 
 
 ,'6(1 o;i 
 
 i86;. 
 
 T, lives 
 
 jrd; 
 
 spending a few years there, and in other places, he cams to St. Andre^vs and settled 
 on the River Rouge, on land now owned by John McGregor and Stephen Biirwash. 
 
 At the time the LeRoys left Genesee County, haste prevented their making any 
 effort to. sell their property, hence they left all, glad to escape only with their lives. 
 The country then bsing new, and land worth but little, they probably did not regnrd 
 the sacrifice they were making as a great one. Since then, however, the same land 
 —owing to the rapid growth of villages and cities — has become very valuable, and, 
 not many years ago, an effort was made to find the heirs to the real estate vacated 
 by the LeRoys. An agent visited this section of Canada, and endeavored to induce 
 descendants of the LeRoy brothers to bok up their claims to the property ; but 
 believing they had no right to the improvements whicii had been m ide thereon, and 
 regarding it of little value when their ancestors abandoned it, they, conscientiously, 
 decided to have nothing to do with the matter. 
 
 Mr. Simeon LeRoy lived on the land where he first settled on the River Rouge 
 till his death ; he had three sons — William, Sim.^on, Henry, and two daughters 
 —Sophia and Hannah. 
 
 The homestead was divided between William and Simeon ; Henry bought the 
 loi now owned by John McMartin. He sold out not many years subsequently, 
 and moved to P^asl Hawke.'bury, where he spent the remainder of his days. William 
 was the only one who remained in this section. He married a daughter of iNLartin 
 J( nes, an early pioneer at St. Andrew's Bay, and spent his life on the h )m -stead. 
 They had ten children — five sons and five daughters ; six of these — three sons and 
 three daughters— settled in Last Hawkesbury, Ont., one son and two daughters in 
 Montreal, and another son, Martin, bought a farm on the Riv.'r Rouge. He was 
 married to Mary, daughter of Malcolm McCallum, a worthy pioneer of this locality. 
 They had twelve children — eight sons and four daughters. 
 
 Mr. LeRoy died ist January, 1893; ^'"^- LeRoy, ist November, 1889. Of the 
 children, six settled in the State of .Michigan ; one daughter in Manchester, N. H. ; 
 Malcolm, the eldest, in Calumet Island ; Archibald C, and Mary, who married 
 Martin LeRoy, in Hawkesbury; Ont. 
 
 Alexander is the only one who has remained in the neighborhood of his birth. 
 He is one of the highly respected citizens of the parish, whose counsel is sought in 
 matters of moment to the municipality; and he has served it in the capacity of 
 luslice of the Peace for a decade, and as School Comnissio;ier about the same time. 
 He married Hannah, a daughter of Henry All-right, in 187 1. They have three children 
 living, and Osman Edgar, their eldest, is a graduate of McGill and has obtained an 
 A.ademy Diploma. Mr. LeRoy has lately purchased the Harringt)n Estate. 
 
 The BuRWASHES, of whom there are many in this section, are aming the sober, 
 tlirifiy and industrious citizens who do credit to their country. 
 
 Nathaniel Burwash was born in Kent, England, and his father dying while he 
 was very young, he was adopted by an uicle — captain of a vessel in the .Merchant 
 Marine. He was employed several years on this vessel, during which time it was 
 
 i-.: 
 
ff^y 
 
 146 
 
 HISTORY OP ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 captured by the French and rqtaken by the English. Finally, he came to the United 
 States, married, and settled in Vermont ; but preferring to live under the British fla::, 
 and induced by the cheapness of land, in 1802, became with his eldest son to Canada 
 to prospect for a location. They had but one horse, and this they rode by turn^. 
 They came to Carillon, and after surveying different lots, selected three on the River 
 
 Rouge. ■•••:,.; n;,\:'-i;:^' -^ .•■ >^ ■ ■ •'■•■i-^.I ^ 
 
 After returning home, Mr. Burwash learned that his mother had recently died 
 in England ; and on going there, he received as legacy a sum of money, which plac. d 
 him in good circumstances, and enabled him to purchase lands in Canada for ins 
 sons. Soon after returning from England, he moved witii his family to this section, 
 and took up his residence on the River Rouge, on land now owned by his grea- 
 grandsons, Martin Burwash and Martin Albright. A few years subsequently, he 
 divided this farm between his two elder sons, Adam and Stephen, and purchased 
 another tract which forms a part of the farm long known as " Silver Heights." Later. 
 he bequeathed this to his youngest son, James, who soon sold it to Archie McVicar, 
 a Nor' Wester, and moved to Plattsburg, N.Y., where he died. 
 
 Mr. Burwash, sen., after seeing his sons well settled, made his home with tiic 
 eldest, Adam, and lived with him till his deah, 7th November, 1831, at the age of SS. 
 
 Adam Burwash had ten children — seven sons and three daughters, but only one 
 of these, John, is now living. Four grandsons of Adam Burwash arc clergymen, 
 three of the Methodist and one of the Baptist denomi lalion. 
 
 Stephen Burwash, the second son of Nathaniel Burwash, had eight children 
 who grew up — six sons and two daughters. Of the sons, Matthew and John still live 
 here, — the former in St. Andrew's village, though still owning his ftirm ; the latter, 
 on the River Rouge. Mr. Bui wash died 18th January, 1887, aged 60. 
 
 Matthew, the third son of Narhaniel Burwash, whose farm given him by his 
 father was located at St. Andrew's Bay, was drafted in the war of 1812, and thoui^li 
 not a participant in that engagement, was within hearing, marching toward it, wlien 
 thebatile of Chrysler's Farm was fought. Two years previous to his death, he was 
 awarded a pension by thi Government. He died 13th September, 1876, aged 8- ; 
 Mrs. Burwash, in 1890, aged 95. He was married to Mary, daughter of Eweii 
 McI achlan, who came from Scotland and settled on the River Rouge in 1802. Mr, 
 McLachlan sold hi'; farm and purchase I one in Point Fortune, on which his great 
 grandson, Victor Angus, now resides. One of his sons, Ewen, built the mill at Arn- 
 prior, which is now owned by his own sois, Hugh F. and Claude McLachlan. 
 
 The only children of .Matthew Btirwas'', sen., now living are Maiia in Si, 
 Andrews, and William at Southampton, Ont. Hi; soa Matthew remained 011 
 the homestead, and during his lifetime was one of the influential farmers of this 
 section. His widow still lives on the homestead, which is now managed by her son 
 Thoma'-. a Municipal Councillor, and a member of the St. Andrew's Troop. His 
 brother Harry, also a member of the Troop, is c'erk in the store of Mr. Banfuid, 
 Lachute. Thomas, the fourth son of Nathaniel Burwash, though very young, was 
 drafted during the war of 181 2, but he soon died from the measles which he caught 
 in camp. 
 
;r ••;. 
 
 k-i 
 
 :; 'A- 
 
 River Rouge. 
 
 This settlement is an important and beautiful district of St. Andrews parish, 
 about five miles in length, commencing about a mile east of St. Andrew's village, and 
 terminating at the east line of the county. It embraces two ranges of lots — one on 
 each side of the river called the Rouge, a small stream about ten miles in length, 
 rising in the county of Two Mountains, and pursuing a devious course westerly 
 into the North river near St. Andrews' village. The locality is elevated, affording an 
 extensive view, and as an agricultural section it is rarely equalled, the farms being 
 beautifully located and possessing a strong and productive soil. Among the fine 
 farms here — many of which are mentioned in the following sketches — is that of R. P. 
 De La Ronde, barrister -af St. Andrews, wliich contains over 300 acres with good 
 buildings. 
 
 William S. Todd, eldest son of Andrew Todd, was born in 1852, in St. 
 Eustache; he was married in 1882 to Agnes, daughter of Joseph Rodgcrs, In 1890, 
 lie bought his present farm, the old Peter McMartin place, on the nortli side of the 
 River Rouge. 
 
 William McKwen came from Perthshire to Canada in 1818 : he was a carpenter, 
 and worked at his trade in Montreal for some time, then came to River Rouge, and 
 bought the farm now owned by James McOuat. He was married in Montreal to 
 Catherine McLean, of Breadalbane ; tliey had thirteen children — eight sons and five 
 daughters. Doivild, the eldest son, born 1820, always remained in this locality. In 
 i8,?8, he became a member of Captain Simpsou's company of Volunteers, and was 
 married the same year to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter McMartin. They hid three 
 children, — one son and two daughters. Catherine, the eldest, married John McGivern, 
 and died in Montreal in 1877, leaving one daughter. 
 
 Margaret, the second daughter of Donald McEwen, married to J. C. Lock, is 
 now living in Montreal. William A., the son, remained at home ; he was married 
 June 4th, 1884, to Catherine, daughter of Alfrel Center, of Centerville. They have 
 four children, — three girls and one boy. Mr. Donald McBlwen now lives on the old 
 homestead, his father having retired from active work. 
 
 James, eldest son of Walter McOuat, was born 1818, in Montreal. In 18^5, 
 he removed, with his father, to Lachute, and in 1844, was married to Jeannette, 
 daughter of the late John Christie, of tlie East Settlement ; she died 25lh August, 
 1888. In 1845, ^^^- McOuat came to the River Rouge, and bought the farm now 
 owned by Mitchell Fournier; he afterwards sold this, and bought iiis present fine 
 farnio^ Charles Albright. Mr. McOuat has six children — three of each sex. Of the 
 daughters, Elizabeth, the eldest, lives at home ; Jane is the wife of Nelson .'Vlbright ; 
 
 i4 
 
 ' ! 
 
C' 
 
 148 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIl. 
 
 and Jeannette, who married Gavin J. Walker of Lachute, is deceased. Henry, the 
 youngest son, remains at home : Jolm R. is a merchant in Lachute ; and James, the 
 eldest, lives 0:1 the south side of he River Rouge ; he w.is |)orn 8tli November, 184S, 
 and removed to his present farm, Lots 28 and 29, in 1876. On the 21st November, 
 1888, he was married to Agnes, daughter of the Kite James McAdam ; they have two 
 children — both boys. Mr. McOuat has a good farm, fine brick residence, and all \m 
 surroundings betoken enterpri.se and thrift. He circi lated a petition to have a Post 
 Office established here, and that object was accomplished in July, 1894. The Post 
 Office, bearing the name of Kilowen, is at the east end of the River Rouge settlement, 
 and from it the mail is distributed twice a week. Mr. George Giroux is postmaster. 
 Peter McMartin, whose ances'.ors were Highland Scotch, came to Canada 
 from Stirling, Scotland, with his family in 1830. They were eleven weeks making 
 tlie voyage across the Atlantic, being shipwrecked durin;; their passage, Mr. 
 McMartin first began work in Vaudreuii, remaining there two years. He then came 
 to Carillon Hill, ond hiied the farm of Peter McArthur, r.ow owned by Henry Bar- 
 clay, dying there at the end of eleven years. He had five children, of whom two 
 daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, and one son, Peter E., are no.v living. Catherine 
 is the wife of Dr. Cliristie, M.P., of Lachute, and F'Jizabeth is married to Donald 
 McEwen. Pett McMartin, the sen, who was born 1822, October 6th, came with 
 the family to River Rouge in 1.S44, and bought the farm now occupied by Andrew 
 Doig. He afterwards sold it, and bought his present farm from Thomas Foinnier. 
 He was married in 1849 ^o Susan, daughter of the late William McEwen, and lias 
 seven children - four girls and three boys. Peter James, the eldest son, after spending 
 several years in New '\ork and Montreal, where he was employed three years as 
 shipping clerk for William Johnson &: Co., returned home in 1890, and is now man- 
 aging the farm ; .Alfred, the second son, is living in Iowa ; and Norman, the youngest, 
 is with Wm. Johnson vS: Co., Montreal. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is in 
 Montreal; Charlotte, a teacher, is at home; while Caroline and Priscilla, the 
 younger daughters, who are both trained nurses, are working at their professions— 
 the former in New York and the latter in Massachusetts. Mr. McMartin, their 
 father, and the subject of the latter part of this sketch, has taken an active ] art in 
 military affairs, having been Sergl.-Major of the 6th Cavalry Regiment, of which he- 
 was a member thirty years, and he was in the Eastern Townships with the Volunteers 
 during the Fenian Raid, 1870. He has been Municipal Councillor of St. Andrews 
 Parish for seven years. 
 
 William Young, a Scotchman, was an actor in the American Revolution, and 
 also served under Admiral Nelson, as sailor in a British man-of-war, and was in the 
 battle of Trafalgar. He retired from a sea-faring life, and came from Stirling, Scot- 
 land, about 1825, first settling in Chatham; he afterwards sold out here, and went to 
 Huron County, Ontario, where both he and Mrs. Young died. They had six sons 
 and two daughters ; of these, Elizabeth, married to William Eraser of Bethany, and 
 Thomas, the second son, born 1821 in Stirling, Scotland, are the o )ly ones in this 
 
 country, 
 same year 
 larm," Up| 
 Son, of who 
 Elicn live ir 
 of James M 
 Mr. Young 
 side of the 
 
 NfCdOL 
 
 on the Hive 
 to Miss Clar 
 and has not 
 Catherine M 
 Nicholas, is 
 married in i 
 weeks after t 
 of his son Ni 
 has a fine far 
 in 1802, settl 
 du Midi. 
 
 James G 
 
 Caii.eriiie, da 
 
 si.\ daughters- 
 
 of Charles Mc 
 
 si.\ years of aj 
 
 of the sons, 1 
 
 Howard aboui 
 
 li^es on the o 
 
 Paul, of Betha 
 
 Ja?,...s M 
 
 place, coming 
 
 of John Mclnt' 
 
 are living. Aj 
 
 McAdam died 
 
 ■^IcOuat, is liv 
 
 Elizabeth live 
 
 David in Kans 
 
 rado, and John 
 
 John Eras 
 here. James, h 
 bought the farr 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIt, 
 
 149 
 
 ;nt to 
 
 aiic 
 
 country. In 1849 Thomas came to River Rouge, a'ld bought his present farm ; the 
 same year he was married to Jeannette, daughter of John McOuat, of '• Burnside 
 Tarm," Upper Lachute ; she died 26ih June, 1886. I'hey had six daughters and one 
 S(»n, of whom ail l)ut one daughter are now living. Of the others, Klizabeth and 
 Ellen live in Kansas; the former being the wife of Alexander Mustard, and the latter 
 of James Mustard. Margaret, the eldest, Janet, Mary and William live at home. 
 Mr. Young has a large farm, owning one lot on the south side, and two on the noith 
 side of the river, also one hundred acres bush land in the rear of Lachute. 
 
 Nicholas B. McKerriciikr, a Highland Scotchman, was one of the early settlers 
 on the Kiver Rouge, coming here about 1831. He was twice married — the first time 
 to Miss Clark; by this marriage they had one son, who went to Missouri years ago, 
 and has not been heard from since. Mr. McKerricher married tho second time 
 Catherine McOuat, and became the father of three children, of whom only one, 
 Nicholas, is now living. The iatler, born in 1843, has always remained here; he was 
 married in 1S85 to Mary, daughter of F2wen Cameron. Cote du Midi ; she died tive 
 weeks after the marriage. Mr. McKerricher's father having died soon after the b'rth 
 of his son Nicholas, the latter lives with his motiier on the old homestead, where he 
 has a fine farm of 270 acres. His grandfather, Donald .McKerricher, came to ('an ida 
 in [802, settled on the south side of the River Rouge, and afterwards went to Cote 
 du Midi. 
 
 James Gordon came fi'om Scotland to this place about 1835 > ''^ ^^''^^ married to 
 Cail.erino, daughter of John McMaitin ; they had tliirteen children — seven sons and 
 six daughters — all of whom are living. Of these, Peter A., John, and Ellen, the wile 
 of Charles McGregor, live in this place. Mr. Gordon died 5th March, 18S6, at eighty- 
 si.\ years of age, and his wife died 27th January, 1886, age i seventy-nine. John, on 
 of the sons, bought his present farm on the north side of River Rouge from e 
 Howard about 1875; his brother, Peter .\., the youngest son, born February, 1.S47., 
 lives on the old homestead. He was married in 1894 to Anna, daughter of D.ivid 
 Paul, of Bethan)'. 
 
 Jai.-^s McAdam, from Ayrshire, Scotlau'l, was one of the early settlers in this 
 I)lace, coming here about 1849. He was married in Lachute to Catherine, daugliter 
 of John Mclntyre ; they had ten children — eight sons and two (Luighters — all of whom 
 are living. Mr. Mc.Vdam died February 51I1, 1884, aged seventy-three. Mrs. 
 Mc.A.dam died 25th March, 1888. Of the children, Agnes J., married to James C. 
 McOuat, is living on the south side of River Rouge ; Alexander, Thomas .V. and 
 Elizabeth Hve on the homestead, and the other sons are in the Western States, — 
 David in Kansas, William and Andrew in Nebraska, James and Quintin R. in Colo- 
 rado, and John in California. 
 
 John Eraser came from Inverness-shire, Scotland, and was one of the first settlers 
 here. James, his second son, was married to Ann, daughter of John McMartin, and 
 bought the farm now owned by Alexander, his son, and lived here until his death, 
 
 'If- 
 
 this 
 
'5° 
 
 HISTORY OK ARUENTEUIL. 
 
 wliich occuired 6lh January, 1876. Mrs. Fraser died 25th October, 1882. They 
 had eiglit cliildrcn, of whom three daughters and four sons are now livinsj ; the 
 daughters and two sons, Angus and Alexander, l)eing on the homestead, while James 
 and Samuel are, respectively, in California and Missouri. 
 
 Duncan McGrecor came from Perthshire, Scotland, and settled in the States. 
 On the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, being too loyal to fight against King 
 (leorge, he came to Canada, and remained in or near Quebec city until 1802. In 
 tiiis year he removed to River Rouge, and bought the farm now occupied by his 
 grandson, John McGregor. Mr. McGregor was a Captain of the Mililia during the 
 war of i8i3 j he died in 1819. His son, Gregor Mc(iregor, remained on the houic. 
 stead ; he was married to Susan Robertson, and had five sens and two daughters ; the 
 latter are both living; but of tiie sons, only one remains. Mr. McGregor died in 
 1850, aged fifty-two, and his wife died ten years later. 
 
 John McGrkgor, their son, now living here, has always remained on the home- 
 stead. In !848, he was married to Miss McArthur, daughter of Archibald McArthur 
 of Dalesville ; they have eight sons and one d uighter. Of the sons, Gregor A., ti)e 
 eldest, is with Sheppard, Knai)p iS: Co., and Arthur A. is with Oppeniieim & Sons, 
 both in New York city , Roberts, is studying medicine in Columbia College, New 
 York; John R. is with J. C. VV^ilson & Co., Montreal; Peter C. is studying for the 
 ministry in McMaster University, Toronto ; Harold VV. D. is with Dobson Bros., 
 New York ; and Herbert D. and Norman F. are at home. Miss McGregor is attend- 
 ing college in Montreal. 
 
 Malcolm McCalluai came from Argyleshire, Scotland, located in the River Rouge 
 Settlement in 1820, and bought the farm now owned by Mrs. David McAdam. 
 Donald, his son, who was born in 181 7, always took an active part in the military 
 affairs of the country, and in 1837 was a member of Captain Jones' Company. After 
 the Rebellion, he became a member of the militia, and held the rank of Captain, when 
 ilie soldiers were disbanded. He was married to Mary, daughter of John McMartin, 
 of Ri' Rouge, in 1850. They had two sons and five daughters, of whom one son 
 and three daughters are now living. 
 
 i'his loc 
 li.une from tli 
 I'ost oftice W£ 
 a])|iointed po 
 o'liis fellow-c 
 o'tlie Parish, 
 ''"he first 
 t'lvid Bond, 
 ^Villiam Drew 
 Smith. A ma 
 "hose brother 
 ;i' res of land i 
 " •'^!- Andrews 
 i'-ing able to s 
 "'"ihis section 
 "ig in mercanti 
 (iiiest and most 
 '^'Id the land h 
 "here his two si 
 '-■ 'iie days of ] 
 ■'"J his sons, \ 
 'live continued 
 ' iinforts. 
 
 J" 1825, th 
 "10 in compan> 
 Jiirm was known 
 J Look, however, 
 jo" a visit to Mc 
 |Tlioinas remain ( 
 ^» 1834, Dc 
 •l^^^37> bought 
 jThere were only 
 t'w", in common 
 "oviding for tJ)( 
 Nuent raids on 
 pinfolds, fro 
 p may be suppoj 
 
Beech Ridge. 
 
 ke son 
 
 This locality is in the eastern part of the parisli of St. Andrews, and received its 
 name from the qiianlity of beecli growing here at the lime of its early settlement. A 
 po^t ofhce was established liere in 1878; A. H. Hell, who settled here in 1851, being 
 a])|>oinled postmaster — a position he still holds. Mr. Bell lias also won the eileem 
 of his fellow-citizens — the fact being attested by his election as Municipal Councillor 
 o''the Parish. 
 
 I'he first settlers here -were Nichols, Jacob Minkler, William, Stephen and 
 Divid Bond, and another, whose surname was Borden. Nichols settled where 
 William Drew now lives ; Minkler on the lot now owned by William and Malcolm 
 Smith. A man named Ward Smith had located on land now owned by G. W. Bond, 
 whose brother, Stephen Bond, purcliased it of Smith. In 1824, tiie latter sold 200 
 ,i( res of land to VVili.iam Catton, wlio for some years })revious had been in business 
 at St. ..\ndrews. He had been an officer in the British army, and was a good linguist, 
 b.'iiig able to speak several different languages. He rather astonished the inhabitants 
 of this section by the stock of merchandise which he brought, with the view of engag- 
 ing in mercantile pursuits — having, besides a lot of fancy goods, a large stock of the 
 finest and most expensive silks. A few years later, deciding to engage in farming, he 
 ^ild the land he had bought of Bond, and purchased a tract about a mile further east, 
 where his two sons, George and James, now live. The old log house which he erected 
 111 the days of his pioneer labors is still standing. He remained here till his death, 
 aid his sons, who are among the industrious and respected citizens of the locality, 
 I have continued the improvements he began, developing good farms with corresponding 
 I comforts. 
 
 In 1825, the improvements made by Borden were purchased by Tho.mas Cook, 
 I'uio in company had been engaged in the jewelry business in London, Eng. The 
 lirm was known as Cook & Walker, and they had a branch house in Montreal. Mr. 
 [Cook, however, did not live long after his removal to Beech Ridge, for in 1832, while 
 I oil a visit to Montreal, he was suddenly seized with the cholera, and died. His son 
 JThonias remained on the farm at Beech Ridge, and cleared much of it. 
 
 In 1834, Donald Lovnachan, from Argyleshire, Scotland, came to Canada, and 
 
 [ill 1837, bought a lot on the Ridge, now owned by John Webster of St. Andrews. 
 
 |Tliere were only two acres cleared on it at the time of his purchase, and Mr. Loyna- 
 
 jdwn, in common with the other pioneers, endured many hardships in clearing it and 
 
 (■roviding for the wants of his family. Bears were not numerous, but wolves made 
 
 frequent raids on the cattle and sheep, rendering it necessary that the latter should be 
 
 ept in folds, from which they were not released till late the next morning. Wood, 
 
 ^mjy be supposed, was not of much value. Mr. Loynachan in those days bought 
 
 •I 
 
I^ 
 
 152 
 
 HISTORY 0¥ ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ^ COW valued al $30, agreeing to pay thirty cords of hard maple wood for Iier, and 
 deliver it at the village of St. Andrews. About twenty years afrer he came here, one 
 of his small boys, one day in summer, finding a large wasp's nest in a stump near the 
 house, and little knowing the consequences, set it on fire. The wind soon blew the 
 fire into another stump, which in turn kindled others, from which the fire was com- 
 municated to the wood?. It continued to rage for six week;>, covering a h^ge area of 
 forest land, deslioying much timber, bark, shingles and cordwood. Mr. l.oynachaii 
 died in 1886 ; his widow slill lives here. 
 
 Angis D. Lovnachan, one of his sons, an intelligent farmer, married tlic 
 daughter of Mr. Thomas C. Cook, and until recently li"ed at the Ridge, his time 
 being employed between the duties of farmer and that of auctioneer ; lie removed to 
 Montreal about a year s'nce. 
 
 Through the influence of Donald Loynachan, a friend of his, named Angus 
 Ldynachan, also originally from Argyleshire, Scotland, setUed at Beech Ridge in 
 1842. He arrived in Canada in 1837, and a short time subsequently joined the 
 Glengarry Volunteers. In the fall cf 1838, he joined a Volunteer company of artilleiy 
 in -Montreal. On coming to the Ridge, he purchased two lots of land, where he Ftill 
 reside-. Through strict industry, integrity and good judgment, he added to his 
 estate, and provided a competency for his declining years. His wife died in 1889 and 
 henow lives with his son-in-law, K. Morin.^'~ He has had ten children, six of whon — 
 four sons and two daughters — are new living. 
 
 The eldest ton, Duncan, and second, John B., are with the Shedden Company, 
 Montreal ; the third, Angus A., is in company with Ford, and they are milk dca'ers. ;9 
 Coursol street, Montreal ; the youngest, Donald H., is in company with Scriver, and 
 they are wholesale commission merchants, 321 and 323 Commissioners street, in tlie 
 same c'ty. Mary Jessie — second in the family, now Mrs. Robert C. Morin — lives 
 on the old homestead ; Flora Jane, fourth in the family, lives in the same place will her 
 sister. 
 
 As above mentioned, one of the first settlers in Beech Ridge was Stephkn Bond, 
 who came with his family, among whom were three sons — William, David and 
 Stephen — from Randolph, Vt., about 1797, and bought five hundied acres of land on 
 the road from St. Andrews to the Ridge. He afterwards returned to Vermont, and 
 died there. Stephen, the youngest of the three sons, was boin in 1792; he was 
 married in 1827 to Miss Dorinda Powers of Bethany, and took i)art of his father's 
 farm, which is now owned by John Lcynachan. He lived there a number of years, 
 and afterwards sold it; buying the lot opposite, where he died in 1858, aged sixty-j 
 five; Mrs. Bond died in 1844, aged thirty-eight. Mr. Bond was drafted into the; 
 militia in the war of 1812, and was stationed three months on Isle aux Noix : he 
 served a year altogether. Mr. and Mrs. Bond had two daughters and four sons; of] 
 these, George W., the second son, is the only one of this family now living in Quebec. 
 He was born nth June, 1835, and has always lived in Beech Ridge ; in i860, he wasl 
 married to Eliza, daughter of the late Walter McVicar, of Chatham. They have w\ 
 
 * Mr. Loynachan died and Feb., 1896. 
 
 sons, George 
 beiiig in Wae 
 
 Sa .lUEL 
 
 engineer by 
 (In ling that 1 
 Johnson. H( 
 business. Ht 
 son, with who 
 born 1852, wl 
 Montreal mar 
 Oxley of Mont 
 Councillor of S 
 
 Thomas 
 1829. He was 
 by this marria 
 Smith came to 
 hged 37. of dip] 
 married the se 
 died in 1875, a 
 I the" had two s 
 daughter, marrifl 
 |iii ihe milk busi 
 Malcolm, 
 linjime, 1887, tc 
 jchiidren. Mr. S 
 Jin the County Aj 
 Is also licensed ; 
 |Carriage Co. II 
 niedai ; he ];as al 
 po trees ; 25 dif 
 |!i94. 
 
 William Sc( 
 ''id was marrie'. 
 'rquiiart, ofGlci 
 Mt of the old h( 
 
 Niard of severa 
 
 James Cowa 
 
 "s country in is 
 
 flieie he lived for 
 
 ['efarm, Lot No. 
 die movements 
 
 Mi" 187 1, aged 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ^53 
 
 Ian 
 
 d on 
 
 It, a 
 
 K' \V35 
 
 Ifallier's 
 
 y 
 
 ears, 
 
 11 10 
 
 ay 
 the 
 
 oix; 
 
 he 
 
 ons 
 
 ;o( 
 
 ;jiie 
 
 bee, 
 
 , he 
 
 was 
 
 ave 
 
 two 
 
 sons, George VV. and P'ranklin, who are both niercliants in New Mexico, the former 
 being in Wagon Mound, and the latter in Espanoia, about 185 miles apart. 
 
 Samuel Rennie came from Belfast, Ireland, to Canada in 1838. He was an 
 engineer by occupation, and was employed as such in Montreal for seventeen years ; 
 during that time he was with William Dow, J. H. Molson, Handyside and Wm. 
 Johnson. He was also a distiller, but owing to ill-health was obliged to give up this 
 business. He came to this place in 1851, and bought the farm now occupied by his 
 son, with whom he is living, still active at ninety-three. George, the youngest son, 
 born 1852, who remained a^ home, deals extensively in live stock, taking it to the 
 Montreal market. He was married in 1879 to Jennie, daughter of the late John 
 Oxley of Montreal; they have one son and one daughter. Mr. Kennie is Muni iDrl 
 Councillor of St. Andrews. 
 
 Thomas Smith was bora in Dundee, Huntingdon Co., Que., May 2.1 lii. 
 1829. He was twice married — the first time, to Catherine Stewart of Huntin^ jn ; 
 by this marriage, they had two sons, Malcolm and William Scott. In 1855, Mr. 
 Smith came to this place, and bought Lots Nos. 4 and 5. Mrs. Smith died in 1867, 
 aged 37, of diphtheria — one of the first cases known in the country. Mr. Smith was 
 married the second lime in 1864 to Mary Ann Ford, of Huntingdon ; Mrs. Smith 
 died in 1875, aged 37, and Mr. Smith died ten years later, on his 66th birthday; 
 th'-"' had two sons and one daughter — one son is now deceased. Janet L., liie 
 daughter, married to F. McArthur, lives in Montreal ; and Thomas F,, the son, is 
 in the milk business in the same place. 
 
 Malcolm, the eldest son, born June, 1855, remained at home, and was married 
 
 in June, 1887, to Jane, daughter of HughCleland, jun., of Jerusalem ; they have three 
 
 children. Mr. Smith lives on Lot 4 — the old homestead ; he has taken an active part 
 
 tin the County Agricultural Society, having been director of it for several years. He 
 
 [is also licensed auctioneer for the District of Terreboinie and agent lor the Canada 
 
 arriage (-'o. He has a fine farm, on which he has this year been awarded a silver 
 
 nedai; he has also engaged extensively in fruit growing, having an orchard of about 
 
 octrees; 25 different varieties of fruit from these were shown at the County Fair m 
 
 11894. 
 
 William Scott, second son of Thomas Smith, was born 12th September, 1S58 
 id was married loth September, 1884, to Ellen, daughter of Captain Kenneth 
 Jrquhart, of Glengarry ; they have four children, — all boys. Mr. Smith lives on Lot 5, 
 lalt of the old homestead ; he also takes much interest in fruit-growing, having an 
 rchard of several hundred trees. 
 
 James Cowan was born in Co, Antrim, Ireland, in 1792. On first coming to 
 is country in 1823, he settled in Jerusalem, and in 1S41 removed to Beech Ridge, 
 here he lived for eighteen years on a farm owned by David Bond. He then bought 
 efann, Lot No. i, now owned by his son Thomas. Mr. Cowan took an active part 
 the movements of the Militia, being with them at St. Eustache in 1837-38. He 
 ed in 187 1, aged seventy-nine; he had five sons and three daughters, of whom three 
 
 II 
 
'■I.. 
 
 m)' 
 
 154 
 
 H TORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 sons are now living. James is living in New York State ; William in Vermont ; and 
 Thomas, the youngest son, born 1833, remains at home. He was married in i 63 to 
 Isabella, daughter of the late Francis Carson of East Settlement ; they have three sons 
 and one daughter, all at home. Mr. Cowan has been Municipal Councillor and School 
 Trustee for several years, also a member of the St, Andrews Troop of Cavalry for 
 eighteen years. 
 
 John Francis Mitchell was born in Brussels, Belgium, and when 10 years of 
 age came to Canada with his father's family. He was married to Hannah M, Lawson 
 of Sheffield, England, and came to this place, hiring the farm, Lot 22, on the south .side 
 of Beech Ridge. This he bought a few years later, and has since put it under a tine 
 state of cultivation, making many improvements, and building anew residence; he 
 keeps a stock of sixteen head of cattle and three horses. Mr. Mitchell has three hoys 
 and three girls ; Hannah, the eldest, married to William Hume, lives in Bethany; 
 Harriet is in Montreal ; Hugh B., the eldest son, in Minnesota ; John F. is in Montreal: 
 and the two youngest remain at )iome. 
 
 The following sketch of pioneers of this locality was prepared at our request bv 
 a former citizen of the place : 
 
 " About the year 1829, Beech Ridge was inhabited chiefly by New Englanders, 
 whose habits of neatness and thrift, with fair practical knowledge of farming, resulted 
 in giving the locality a prominent position in tlie county. , 
 
 " The Pecks, the Bonds, the Minklers, the Greens, Centers, McArthurs, Coles and 
 other pioneers of that comparatively olden time had cut away the forests, erected 
 comfortable dwellings and substantial out-houses, planted orchards, laid out gardens, 
 and, generally, created one of the prettiest rural settlements in Lower Canada. The 
 very few who remember the widow Peck's residence and surroundings, some sixty- 
 seven years ago, will have difficulty, even now, in finding an equal in all respects even 
 in progressive rural Ontario. The homestead with its immense barns, byres, stables, 
 sheep houses, cheese room, corn house, swine pen, driving sheds, and all necessan- 
 buildings, large orchards and gardens, well tilled and fenced fields, and fine sugar 
 bush, was too attractive to umain long without a purchaser, after the owner had 
 decided to cast her lot in the embryo village of Chicago. The new proprietor, 
 anxious to have early possession, had already sent in some servants with furniture; 
 before the widow, her two sons, and old " Uncle Bill " had fairly started for the newj 
 home in the far West. 
 
 " Capt. McLean about tliis time bought the Dr. Green property ; Thomas (]ookJ 
 Esq., the farm opposite Peck's, besides the disposal of several other farms to neiv, 
 comers, among whom were M-. Catton, Capt. McCargo and Major May ; buttliej 
 Yankee settler made no objection to this foreign invasion. 
 
 " No man could be more respected and beloved by his neighbors than Janie! 
 Kennedy Johnstone, Esq., of Ayreshire, Scotland, who succeeded Mrs. Peck. Thoucj 
 highly educated, by birth an aristocrat, and son of an aspirant to the titles and cstati 
 of Annandale, yet he appreciated the quiet, honest, pious, respectful people anion] 
 
 whom he had 
 
 active part, XY 
 
 whom his sm 
 
 pression. In 
 
 vative. At tl 
 
 during the sur 
 
 of his forefathi 
 
 left to mourn 
 
 and VVashingt( 
 
 " James, ■ 
 
 business ; Wei 
 
 Toronto, — dev 
 
 every real refo 
 
 front. He soi 
 
 economy evinc 
 
 statesmen. Q 
 
 Ont., leaving a 
 
 resided in New 
 
 the same nam< 
 
 mea.'jures, the i 
 
 Sla*^c of New \ 
 
 deeply regrettc( 
 
 hungry. Her 
 
 good, and not r 
 
 "The resi 
 
 grounds, still he 
 
PliF 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL 
 
 155 
 
 whom he liad come, and in their reHgious meetings and Sunday School he took an 
 active part, thus gaining the affection of old and young, especially of the latter, upon 
 whom his smiling countenance and pleasant words of advice made an indelible im- 
 pression. In religion, Mr. Johnstone was Scottish Episcopalian ; in politics. Conser- 
 vative. At the time of his death in March, 1833, he had arranged to visit Scodand, 
 during the summer, witli the object of pushing his claim to the Marquisate and estate 
 of his forefathers in Annandale. Five sons and two daughters with their mother were 
 left to mourn his death. '''!ie sons were James Kennedy, Wollesley, Quintin, Samuel 
 and Washington Joseph, and the daugliters — Matilda and Elizabeth. 
 
 " James, without issue, died at St. Andrews, after having long retired from active 
 business; Wellesley, \\ltli a family in the West — his son James being inspector of gas, 
 Toronto, — devotes himself to the political press, favoring responsible government and 
 every real reform, entire free trade, beginning with the Mother land, standing in the 
 front. He sometimes expresses serious dissatisfaction with the ignorance of political 
 economy evinced daily by Canadians in the House of Commons, who claim to be 
 statesmen. Quintin adopted the profession of land surveyor. He died at Thorold, 
 Ont., leaving a family ; one son — James Kennedy Johnstone, M.D. Samuel had long 
 resided in New Orleans, where he died leaving a family. Washington and his son of 
 the same name entered the Civil Service — the former as inspector of weights and 
 measures, the latter in the Post Office Department. Matilda and family resid^in the 
 Sta*e of New York. Elizabeth died early, at the old homestead on Beech Ridge, 
 deeply regretted. Like her mother, she never sent the beggar away empty-handed or 
 hungry. Her chief happiness in the absence of children of her own was in doing 
 good, and not refusing ' the cup of cold water' in His name. 
 
 "The residence of W. J. Johnstone, Esq., with its orchard and well laid out 
 grounds, still helps to preserve the fair name long enjoyed of Bonny Beech Ridge." 
 
Geneva. 
 
 This is the name of a Post Office established in i86o,neirly midway between St. 
 Andrews Village and I. achate. It is on the road connecting these places, and which 
 has always been designated as the " Lachute Road" — the name being much more 
 frequently used to distinguish places, even in proximity to the Post Office, than Geneva. 
 
 The Lachute Road settlement has always been an important district, both in tr.e 
 parish of St. Andrews and in the County — from the fact that it possesses superior 
 agricultural qualities, and for two or three generations has been inhabited by a class 
 of most intelligent, upright and thrifty farmers. There is neither a poor farm nor a 
 poor farmer on this road, in St. Andrews parish; and a drive along this route in 
 sunnner is one of intercut to any individual interested in agriculture. Those of 
 whom the following sketches are given reside in St. .Andrews, and have good farms, 
 and besides these are the fine farms of William Todd, — Wood, Jas. Bradley and 
 sonit others. 
 
 Early in this century, Gustavus ApoirHUS Hooker, a young man who had worked 
 in a paper manufactory in Boston, came to St. Andrews, and was employed for a 
 number of years in the paper mill in that village. He was born in Boston, ;rd 
 April, 17B4, and was the son of one of the revolutionary heroes, whose name was 
 Zih'^'on Hooker. History informs us that the latter was born in Sherburne, Mass., 
 I2th February, 1752, and that he was one of a company of " Minute men " organized 
 in the place of his nativity, who proved themselves deserving the title assumed, by 
 proceeding to Lexington on the 19th of A|)ril, 1775, as early as intelligence of the 
 battle at that place reached them. They were not in season, however, to aid the 
 inhabitants in defending their homes from the invading foe. From the same source 
 we learn that Mr. Hooker commenced his military career at the age of seventeen, as 
 a musician. During the eng;igemenl at Bunker Hill, the drum which he carried was 
 pierced by a shot of the enemy. Divesting himself of this now useless instrument. 
 he seized the musket of a fallen companion and rushed into the heat of the balile. 
 This circumstance attracted the attention of the commanding oflicer, and he was 
 raised above the rank of a common soldier, from which a[)poiniment he eventually 
 succeeded to a lieutenantcy. Having joined the Continental army under General 
 Washington, he never grounded his arms until peace was concluded in 1783. From 
 a sermon delivered at his decease, we copy the following : 
 
 "As a man, our departed ftUher possessed great moral worth, the strictest inte- 
 grity, I'ucommon purity of character, and in the most exemplary manner dischargetl 
 the relative duties of life. Such was his peaceful disposition that, during an unusually 
 protracted life, never was he known to he at variance with any hu nan being. Of Iran 
 it can with truth be said, he had not an enemy in the world. Above all, uiir 
 
 departed fa: 
 of his own 1 
 Not lor 
 gore in this 
 is now owne 
 On Jan 
 McArthur u 
 his farm, anc 
 with which t 
 'ind in the 
 probable, th( 
 bravery ofh 
 They had twi 
 and four dau 
 in Illinois am 
 George i 
 lived till a f( 
 Andrews. J^ 
 cipal Council: 
 Agricultural S 
 North of Eni 
 15th Novemb 
 Hoare, from i 
 Gustavus 
 tion to his fan 
 and accepted 
 it until his de 
 He was marrii 
 Settlement; fo 
 Mr. Hooker d 
 JAME.S Bv 
 Scotland, sett 
 of which is nc 
 Mr. R. W. Mc 
 He was followi 
 taken up by Ja 
 John brought \ 
 one daughter, 
 and settled ne, 
 father, John Bi 
 upwards of nin< 
 David, son 
 in the possessio 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 157 
 
 departed father was a sincere Christian ; no man entertained a more becoming sense 
 of his own unworthiness than this Israelite, indeed." • 
 
 Not long after, his son, Gustavus Adolphus, came to St. Andrews, he purchased a 
 gore in this parish, known as Lot 5, comprising about 200 acres, and a part of which 
 is now owned and occupied by the family of his son, G. A. Hooker. 
 
 On January 6th, 1808, he was married to Pamelia McArthur, daughter of Peter 
 McArthur of Carillon Hill. After the paper mill was closed, he gave his attention to 
 his farm, and, like the other pioneers of those days, he made many a barrel of potash, 
 with which to procure the necessaries of life. He was Captain of Militia many years, 
 and in the troubles of 1837-38 was a member of the Home Guard. It is quite 
 probable, therefore, that, had the opportunity been gii^en, he would have emulated the 
 bravery of his father. He died 7th April, 1870; Mrs. Hooker, ist April, 1876. 
 They had twelve children who grew up — six sons and six daughters. One son, George, 
 and four daughters are now living. Of the latL?r, Mrs. Giles resides ''n Lachute, one 
 in Illinois and two in Glengarry, Ontario. 
 
 George in his younger days bought a farm in Centerville, Chatham, on which he 
 lived till a few years since, when, selling it to his son George, he moved to St. 
 Andrews. He has been one of the substantial men of Chatham, has served as Muni- 
 cipal Councillor, two or three times as Assessor, and as President of the County 
 Agricultural Society. He was married June 14th, 1845, ^^ Sarah Jefferson from the 
 North of England, by which marriage he had eight children. Mrs. Hooker died 
 15th November, 1870, and he was again married in September, 1873, to Annie M, 
 Hoare, from Surrey, Eng., and by this marriage has three children. 
 
 Gustavus Adolphus, who remained on the homestead, preferred to give his atten- 
 tion to his farm rather than to public affairs ; he, however, was a School Commissioner, 
 and accepted the positionof Post-Master when the post-office was established, holding 
 it until his death. It was at his suggestion that the office received the name Geneva. 
 He was married in 1864 to Alice, daughter of Peter McMartin of the River Rouge 
 Settlement; four children — two daughters, twins, and two sons — were born to them. 
 Mr. Hooker died 20th August, 1895, and his loss was deplored by a large community. 
 
 James Buchan, with his wife, his sen David and three daughters, from Perthshire, 
 Scotland, settled on the Lachute road in 1817, taking up a large tract of land, part 
 of which is now owned by his grandson, William Buchan, and the balance of it by 
 Mr. R. W. McGregor, who still occupies the stone house built on it by Mr. Buchan. 
 He was followed, in 1823, by his son, John Buchan, who settled on part of the land 
 taken up by James Buchan, and which part is still in the possession of the family. 
 John brought with him his wife, four sons, Thomas, Peter, James and Andrew, and 
 one daughter. Andrew died soon afterwards. Thomas and James went to Ontario 
 and settled near Hamilton ; the former died in 1895, James is still living. Their 
 father, John Buchan, died in 1876, and their mother in 1873, both of them being 
 upwards of ninety years of age. 
 
 David, some years after their arriv^al, purchased land at L'Orignal, which is now 
 ill the possession of his son Andrew. D^yjd married Flora McLachlan, sister of 
 
5=E 
 
 «58 
 
 HISTORY OF ARCENTEUIL, 
 
 Hugh McLaclilan, Esq., of Arnprior, and had a large family, of whom two, David and 
 Daniel, died, the former early in 1896, and the latter about 1877. Anotlier son, 
 William, lives at Wiiile Lake in Ontario, and Andrew and a daughter, Mrs. Campbell, 
 still b've in L'Orignal. William, the youngest son of John Buchan,, and his sister 
 Mary were both born in Canada, and both have remained at the homestead. In 
 December, 1851, William married Katherine Stewart; they have had five sons and 
 four daughters, but four of the sons are deceased. Peter, aged twenty-one, died 
 July 2nd, 1875. William, aged eighteen, died April 21st, 1882; Andrew, aged 
 sixteen, died at Los Angeles, California, the 28lh of November, 1888, and another 
 died in infancy. ■ . ■ 
 
 John S., the only son now living, graduated from McGill University in 1884 and 
 is now a successful Barrister in Montreal. He married on the }^\h September, 1885, 
 Katherine, second daughter of Mr. F. McMartin, of St. Andrews. She died in 
 August, 1894, leaving two children, John Stuart and Katherine McMartin Buchan. 
 
 Katherine, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Buchan, married David 
 Todd, and lives on the farm adjoining the homestead. Annie, another daughter, 
 married Duncan McGibbon, and lives in Brownsburg. Mary and Margaret, the two 
 remaining daughters, live with their parents. 
 
 ^, ■; Mr. Buchan is one of the thrifty, intelligent and highly respected residents of the 
 county, and for a number of years filled several public offices with great ability. 
 
 Among the early residents of the parish was "Johnny " Blais, who was for many 
 years almost the only French sjjeaking settler in Lachute Road. He owned the farm 
 next to that belonging to John and afterwards to William Buchan, where he lived 
 with a large family until his death, about the year i860. His funeral was attended 
 by almost the whole of his neighbors, by whom he was held in the highest respect 
 in his lifetime. 
 
 Walter Galloway lived on the farm adjoining that of Mr. G. A. Hooker. Flc 
 was a typical Scot, and very popular with his neighbors. His son James lived for 
 some years in Carillon, but died in middle age. His daughter Isabella married J. A. 
 Sharman, who lived until the time of his death, in 1874, O" ^^"^^ Galloway farm, 
 where he also carried on tailoring business. After his deatii his son, Walter d, 
 Sharman, lived in the same place, and carried on the business until about the year 
 1884, when he sold the farm and removed to Montana, where he is now living. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson was a typical English Squire. He owned the large and fertile 
 farm now the property of Mr. Robert Watson, where he employed a large number 
 of people, and prospered from year to year. He always practiced the best metho is 
 of farming, and by iiis success demonstrated the truth that business methods pay in 
 farming as in any other pursuit. After selling his farm to Mr. Watson he lived for 
 some years on a jiiece of land opposite the homestead, which he reserved, and 
 eventually removed to St. Andrews, where hi died. This sketch would be incom- 
 plete without a reference to James Foley, long the trusted foreman for Mr. Jefferson. 
 ** Jinuny," as both young and old loved to call him, was capable, hard-workirg, aird 
 of sterling integrity. Wlien the Jefferson farm was sold he moved to Point Fortitnc, 
 where he purchased a fam, and farmed ic with the success which he well deserved. 
 
 Benjami 
 Lac'nite Roai 
 
 Willard, 
 lives ; he was 
 sons and sev 
 arc now living 
 iitither of the: 
 hia cattle and 
 
 RiCHARr 
 
 1815 ; he thei 
 ui.en he came 
 lie worked at 
 riS4S, he was 
 c;ime to live c 
 [ivviously. 
 
 Mr. and : 
 li\ing. Marg 
 ricd to Wm. ; 
 lives in Brown 
 in Mini-.ea])oli 
 
 Mr. McG 
 having been ( 
 i-ioners fifteen 
 causes for twt 
 and held the r 
 of the Argentt 
 
 John Fr; 
 and eleven cli 
 and then wen 
 Lachute, and I 
 he spent seve 
 tnd of that tin 
 Hill Head, Mr 
 
 George F 
 which age he \ 
 seventeen year 
 of the victims 
 buttermilk, car 
 who attended 
 doctor remark( 
 to ihem." As i 
 
HISTORY OF AUGENXEUIL. 
 
 >M 
 
 Benjamin Cole, from New Hampshire, was one of the earliest settlers on the 
 LacViute Road, and he lived here till his death. 
 
 Willard, one of liis sons, bouglit the lot on which his own son Benjamin now 
 lives; he was marri'.d in i8iS to Susan McLaughlin, of St. Andrews. They had two 
 sons and seven daughters — of whom only one son, Benjamin, and three daughters 
 are now living. Benjamin lives on the homestead with one of his sisters, Isabel Cole ; 
 neither of them has ever married. Mr. Cole is vc" particular respecting the care of 
 ills cattle and horses, of wliicli he always has a superior quality. 
 
 Richard Wilson McGregor was born in Perthshire, Scothmd, in October, 
 iSis ; he there learned tiie carpenter's trade, and followed it until the spring of 1841, 
 when he came to Canada, remaining for a time with his brother on the LachuteRoad. 
 He worked at his trade in this locality, St. Andrews and Carillon, for five years. h\ 
 1848, he was married to Jane, daughter of tlie late Dr. McGregor, of Lachine, and 
 came to live on his present farm, which he had bought from David Buchan,lwo years 
 liveviously. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McGregor have had three sons and five daughters, all of whom are 
 li\iiig. Margaret, the eldest daughter, and Anna, are both in California ; Mary, mar- 
 ried to Wm. Elliott, grocer, lives in Montreal; Isabella, married to Wm. McOuat, 
 lives in Brownsburg ; and Catherine is at home. Norman P. is a Commercial Traveller 
 in Mini.eapolis ; John and Andrew live at home. 
 
 Mr. McGregor has taken an active part in the affairs of St. Andrews Parish, 
 having been Councillor several terms, Chairman of the Board of School Coramis. 
 sioners fifteen years, and Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for the trial of small 
 causes for twenty years ; he was also a member of the Militia for a number of years, 
 and held the rank of Sergeant when the Militia was disbanded; he was (^luarlermaster 
 of the Argenteuil Rangers, ai.d retired with the rank of Major. 
 
 John Fraser came from Banffshire, Scotland, to Canada, in 1S34, with his wife 
 and eleven children. He first settled in Thomas' Gore, remaining there one year, 
 and then went to Hill Head, where he lived seven years ; he afterwards came to 
 Lachute, and bought the place now owned "l^y his youngest son, Hugh. After this^ 
 he spent seven years on a property near Back River, Montreal, returning at the 
 tnd of that time to the Lachute farm, where lie and Mrs. Fraser both died. While in 
 Hill Head, Mr. Fraser conducted a distillery five years. 
 
 George Fraser, the third son, born 1824, remained at home until sixteen, at 
 which age he went with his father to Montreal, remaining on the farm at Back River 
 >evcnteen years. During that time, he had opportunity to help back to health some 
 of the victims of ihe terrible ship fever raging in Montreal, by supplying them with 
 buttermilk, carrying to them 140 gallons, daily. He was asked one day by the doctor 
 who attended the emigrants if he was not afraid ; ujon his answering •' No," the 
 doctor remarked — " 1 do not want to stop you, for taking the buttermilk means life 
 to them." As is well known, hundreds, even thousands of these poor people perished ; 
 
i6d 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Mr. Fraser says, he has seen lliem die by the dozen in the large emigrant shed. He 
 at last gave up supplying with buttermilk from fear of spreading the disease. He 
 was married in 1848 to Miss E. Carmichael, daughter of Donald Carmichael of St. 
 Eustache, and in 1864 came to I.achute Road, and bought from the late Andrew 
 McGregor his present farm, on which he lias made many improvements. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Fraser have had three sons and three daughters, of whom only two sons are 
 living, — Daniel, the elder, is fiirming on the Island of Montreal, and John, the younger 
 son, remains at home. Miss Jessie Carmichael, sister of Mrs. Eraser, also makes 
 her home with them. 
 
 Andrew Todd, third son of the late \\m. Todd of East Settlement, was born .Au- 
 gust, 183 1, at Lachuie. When sixteen years of age, he commenced learning the black- 
 smith's trade with John McAllister of East Settlement. He was married in 1851 to 
 Margaret, daughter of the late David Roger of the same place, and first started iii 
 business for himself in St. Eustache. He opened a shop there remained two ytarsj 
 and was afterwards in Lachute ten years, and in Beech Ridge the same length of 
 lime. ]n 1874, he bought his present farm from John McConnell, but still lias 
 found time to work occasionally at his trade. Mr. and Mrs. Todd have six sons and 
 four daughters ; Robert, the youngest of the family, and Jennie, are at home. The 
 former, having taken a course in the Military School at Quebec, is 2nd Lieutenant in 
 Captain Wanless' Company of Cavalry at St. Andrews. 
 
 David, third son of David Rodger, was born in East Settlement in 1838. In 
 1868, he bought his farm here, and in 1869 was married to Alice Young, adopted 
 daughter of the late Dr. Barr of Belle Riviere. Mr. Rodger has been one of the 
 prosperous farmers of Argenteuil, bringing his farm into a fine state of cultivation. 
 Mrs. Rodger died in 1S78, and her death was followed, twelve years later, by that of 
 the oldest son, David John. The latter was an exemplary young man in evi, ry 
 respect, and his early demise at the age of twenty years was deeply deplored. 
 
 Agnes H., the daughter, was married in July, 1895, to David Taylor of Isle aux 
 Chats. William George is attending Military School in Toronto, and holds a coiir 
 mission in the St. Andrews 'I'roop. Mr. Rodger has retired from farming, having 
 sold his farm to his brother in 1893. 
 
 JAME.S Armstrong was born in 1803, and came from County Monaghan, Ireland, 
 to Canada about 1825, and died May 7th, 1873. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1878, at 
 the age of seventy-five. 
 
 James, their second son, was born April 17th, 1836, in tlie Seigniory, and 
 remained at home until about twenty-six years of age ; he was married Feb. 25th, 
 1862, to Margaret, daughter of the late James Scott of Lakefield, and after living ten 
 years on the farm given iiini by his father, sold it and bought his present one from 
 Dr. Christie. Mr. Armstrong has erected several new out-buildings since coming 
 here, and made other improvements ; he has always been a liberal supporter of ihe 
 Presbyterian Church, and has been Elder in Henry's Church, Lachute, for the past 
 
 tuenty-five y( 
 ol whom two 
 an active par 
 the Society v 
 CIcneva schoo 
 I.iicinda J. an 
 The follo' 
 
 John De: 
 Road at the b 
 cil that time w 
 and intelligent 
 the position to 
 faction of his c 
 atrly fond of h 
 were very num 
 capturing quite 
 oacli. 
 
 He left St 
 part of the con 
 iiiin, and in a s 
 I noticed an ; 
 Dcnnison, and 
 Iiiin as the forr 
 say that Mr. De 
 iiad left to visit 
 "Sual time, sear 
 very much muii 
 ilie dead body c 
 have been to a 1 
 Mr. Dewai 
 Ship Fever,' ii 
 westward landec 
 friends living be 
 chute Road, anc 
 ivho, with the he 
 ing, and nursed 
 succumbed to tl 
 His wife eventu 
 «hu nursed and 
 '^iio had their o) 
 but they never 
 
 I c 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 t6i 
 
 11 
 
 ited 
 
 ihe 
 
 ion. 
 
 lal of 
 
 ivcrv 
 
 and, 
 ?«, at 
 
 and 
 
 2 5tll, 
 
 g ten 
 from 
 niing 
 )f ihe 
 past 
 
 tuenty-fivc years. Mr. and Mrs. Armslrong liave had four sons and six daughters ; 
 of whom two sons and five daughters arc now living. James, the elder son, has taken 
 an active part in the Y. P. S. C. E. of Lachute, having become a member soon after 
 the Society was organized, and was President of it for a year; IJella teaches the 
 Geneva school ; Catherine A. attends the Lachute Academy ; and Mary, Elizabeth E., 
 I.ucinda J. and George S, remain at iiome. 
 
 The following sketch is contributed by Colin Dewar: 
 
 John Dennison was the man chosen for Captain by the Volunteers of Lachute 
 Road at the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1837 ; he was a cooper by trade, whicli 
 at that time was a good paying business. He was a man in the prime of life, active 
 and intelligent, and although moving in the hum!)]er walks of life, war, well fittcil for 
 the position to which he had been chosen, and w lich he filled to the complete satis- 
 faction of his commandinfj officer, as well as that of his Comi)nny. He was passion- 
 ately fond of hunting and fishing, a circumstance he turned to good account, as wolves 
 were very numerous and a great nuisance to the farmers ; and he was successful in 
 capturing quite a number, for which he received the Government bounty often dollars 
 each. 
 
 He left St. Andrews a few years after the close of the Rebellion, and as the 
 part of the country he went to had few postal facilities, there was very little heard of 
 him, and in a short time he was in a measure forgotten. About the year 1880 or 1881, 
 I noticed an article taken from a Renfrew paper mentioning the death of John 
 Dennison, and giving some details of his previous life, which sufiliciently identified 
 him as the former Captain of the Lachute Road Volunteers. The article went on to 
 say that Mr. Dennison, although well up in years, still kept up his habit of hunting, and 
 had left to visit his traps at some distance from his house, and not returning at the 
 usual time, search was instituted, wiili the terrible result, that his dead body was found 
 very much mutilated^and every indication of a fearful encounter having taken place, as 
 ihe dead body of a large bear lay close beside him ! What a fearful struggle that must 
 have been to a man n?arly eighty years of age, and at what a cost ! 
 
 Mr. Dewar says: " Tne summer of 1847 brought that terrible scourge, the 
 'S!iip Fever,' into Canada. A few emigrants from an overcrowded steamer going 
 westward landed at Carillon, and two of them, a man and his wife, left there to seek 
 friends living beyond Lachute. They got as flir as Andrew Shield's house on La- 
 chute Road, and being unable to proceed any farther, were cared for by his wife, 
 j'.vhu,wiih the help of some of the neighbors, placed them in a nice, ::lean, airy build- 
 ing, and nursed them for many weary weeks. But with all their care, the husband 
 succumbed to the disease, and was decently buried in the cemetery on Carillon Hill. 
 jHis wife eventually recovered, and was sent on to her friends. In this case, those 
 who nursed and cared for this suffering i)air, for so many long weeks, were tiiose 
 hvho had their own daily tasks to |)erform, which at times were none of the lightest, 
 but they never shirked the duty, faithfully attending them, night and day. Truly, it 
 
16; 
 
 HISTORy UK ARGK.NTEUIL. 
 
 was a labor of love, for there was no reward in prospect, only the satisfaction of a 
 good conscience ; and it is worthy of remark that none of them took the disease." 
 
 John Watson came from Glasgow to Canada, and started in business hi Mom 
 real, in the loot and shoe trade. He was married in this country to Miss Jaiict 
 Cuindiiff, by wh(jm he had tliree sons and three daughters. After leaving .Montreal, 
 he went to Kast Hawkcsbury, and bougiit the Island at the foot of the Long .Sauli, 
 now owned by Henry Stevens. He afterward removed to .Melbourne, Que., and 
 became superintendent of the slate quarry in thai. i)lace. 
 
 Robert Watson, his eldest son, born in 1845, lemaincd with his father until 187; ; 
 he was married in that year to Jane, daughter of .Mr. George Hooker of St. .Andrews, 
 and Went afterward, with his wife, to California, where they remained six years. On 
 his return, Mr. Watson bought the old Jefferson farm on the Lachute Road. His 
 father lived with him until liis death, which took place in 1883; his mother is .slil' 
 living. 
 
 Mr. and Mn-. Watson have four sons ami three daughters all living ai home, waii 
 the exce^'tion ot Roy, the eldest son, who is in the milk business in Montreal. 
 
 Carillon. 
 
 This place, the name of which in French denotes a chime of bells, is located 01 
 the Ottawa, two miles west of St. Andrews, and is famed for tiie beauty of its scenery. 
 It is a part of 8t. Andrews' Parish, and was incori)orated as a village in 18S7. 
 
 Land here had been granted to individuals by the Seignior previous to 1800, but 
 there is no evidence tiiat they ever settled on it. Peter McArthu" was undoubt- 
 edly the first actual settler in the limits of what is now the corporation; hence wt 
 are to understand that the subject of the following sketch was the first in what ii 
 generally regarded the village, i.e., the most populous part. 
 
 Capt. Jacob Schagel is said to have been the first settler, and to have built thu 
 first house in Carillon ; this house (of course a log one) was located on the r.»ci's 
 bank, just in rear (jf the present hotel of Jolin Kelly ; this occurred about the year 
 1804. He came from the States, and lived a while in Stanbridge, one of the Easieir. 
 'i'ownships, before coming to Chatham. Soon after this he sent to Stanbridge for j 
 his brother Samuel, who, on joining him, erected for an hotel the long, low builJiii-'i 
 now owned by Mr. Kelly, which stands a little to the west of his present hotel. This 
 building he used as a public house fora number of years ; he died at Carillon in 1839. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Schagel, soon after his arrival, took a contract from Government for | 
 carrying freight between Carillon and Grenville, — a business he followed several years. 
 
 )f' 
 
 
u- 
 
 .»H, 
 mcl 
 
 7.5 ; 
 :\vs, 
 
 On 
 
 His 
 
 still 
 
 wllh 
 
 3d 01 
 
 o 
 
 bul 
 uiibt- 
 ce wc 
 lat is 
 
 ,ilt the 
 
 .v'cr's 
 
 vc.v: 
 
 :asieru 
 
 
 igc for 
 
 
 liklinr 
 
 
 Thb 
 
 i 
 
 1 1839. 
 
 1 
 
 ent lur 
 
 
 vcar^. 
 
 1 
 
 
Ill 1809, 
 came from Kn 
 foinpany, ;inc] 
 Ion. Quite a 
 he died some t 
 of his son-in-la 
 there, i6'ih Ma 
 on him a short 
 •Militia J his Ci 
 activity during 
 ihc rank of Ma 
 Tn the earl 
 joining that of C 
 on it till he sold 
 much respected, 
 name is always 
 (.very impoitant 
 ivhoni one son a 
 Jacob D. Sc 
 Mount Stephens, 
 rtich he still r 
 by his grandfathc 
 but owing to the 
 fell into disuse, a 
 lure, and now, c( 
 iustains the fair 1 
 :ultivalion and ir 
 the mora! and 
 ach sex ; two of 
 William Niche 
 i>es in Ottawa ; i 
 ounty, Minnesota 
 ied 6th Septembe 
 'ence as a I>ocaI 
 uil County C. E 
 Peter McAr- 
 ttted on Carillon 
 f site of the pre 
 "5 ivell known ; 
 »!ch immigrants 
 
 Mr. Schagel du 
 
HISTORY OK AROENTEUIK. 
 
 163 
 
 In 1S09, April 2nd, he married Polly, adiuit^hter of (-aplain Noble. The latter 
 (anic from I'-ngland, where he obtained his title from liaving ooninuiid of a militia 
 louipany, and had settled in Chatham on a lot of wild land, a few miles from Caril- 
 lon. Quite a good sized creek crossed this land, and on this he erected a saw mill ; 
 he died some time previous to the Rebellion of 1837. '^^'^ f^^'"^ became the property 
 of his son-in-law, Captain Schagel, who spent many yeais of his life on it, and died 
 llicre, i6ih May, 1874, attheage of88. Captain Schagel's military title was conferred 
 on him a short time previous to the Rebellion, he having been appointed Captain of 
 Militia; his Company was ordered to the front, and he gained much credit for his 
 activity during the troubles of that jjcriod. Before his cKath, he was promoted to 
 ihc rank of Major. 
 
 In the early part of his residence in Chatham, he purchased a tract of land ad- 
 j joining that of Captain Noble, and which is now owned by William Graham ; he lived 
 1 on it till he sold it in 1851, That Captain — or, more properly, Major — Schagel was 
 I much respected, and a man of influence, is evident from the manner in which his 
 name is always mentioned by those who still remember him, and its association with 
 [every important local event of the generation past. He had fourteen children, of 
 Iwhoni one son and eight daughters grew up. 
 
 Jacob D. Schagel,* the son, was married, 17th December, 1850, to Phillippa Grace 
 
 iMount Stephens, and in 1856, or the following year, he bought the homestead on 
 
 livhich he still resides. He built a new saw mill on the site of the old one erected 
 
 I'jy his grandfather, Captain Noble, and it answered its purpose well for several years ; 
 
 lilt owing to the partial drying up of the stream, as the land was cleared, the mill 
 
 into disuse, and the only vestige now remaining is the dam ; this is a stone struc- 
 
 |jif, and now, covered with soil, makes an admirable bridge. Mr. Schagel ably 
 
 tustains the fair reputation of his ancestors, and while giving due attention to the 
 
 pltivation and improvement of his farm, he has not neglected those things tending 
 
 the moral and intellectual growth of his family. He has had ten children — five of 
 
 Jach sex ; two of the sons are deceased. Of the daughters, Charlotte Amy, married 
 
 William Nichols, lives in Ottawa; Julia Agnes, married to W. S. Gliddon, also 
 
 fves in Ottawa ; Alice Phillippa, the wife of George VV. Bixby, resides in Steele 
 
 iinly, Minnesota; George S., one of the sons, living on the homestead, was mar- 
 
 y 6th September, 1894, to Justina Elliott ; he was licensed by the Methodist Con- 
 
 tteiice as a Local Minister, 22nd I'ebruary, 1892; he is also Secretary of the Argen- 
 
 fuil County C. E. Union. • ' 
 
 PtTER McArthur was one of the very early pioneers in this section, having 
 
 K'lted on Carillon Hill. His house, which was a large two-story building, occupied 
 
 site of the present residence of Henry Barclay. The hospitality of the family 
 
 |i5 well known ; and for a mimber of years this house often afforded a home for 
 
 lotch immigrants until they could secure homes of their own. - . v - .' 
 
 ' Mr. Schagel died in December, 1895, since the above was written. 
 
■i«l 
 
 164 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Mr. McArthur had lived in the States previous to coining here, and had njarried 
 ill Vermont, Phoebe Lane, a sister of Jedediah Lane, who purchased the tract of | 
 land in Lachute known as " Lane's Purchase." 
 
 They had six sons — Lane, Royal, Peter, Erick, Arniand and Arthur ; and four 
 daughters, Lurena, Charlotte, Phoebe and Pamelia. 
 
 Of the latter, Lurena was married to Moses Davis ; Charlotte, to John Harring- 1 
 ton ; Phoebe to Robert Simpson ; Pamelia to G. A, Hooker. 
 
 Erick McArthur remained on the homestead till he sold it to James Barclay in 
 1835, when he went to Ottawa, opened a public house, and remained there until he| 
 died. Lane McArthur, the eldest son, erected a large building in St. Andrews, 
 where he kept hotel for a number of years, and owned a stage line. 
 
 His two sons, Crosby and [Frederick, followed mercantile life — the former in 
 Ontario, the latter in St. Andrews, having purchased the store of W. G. Blanchard, 
 whose adopted daughter he married. He was killed by accident, in Montreal, leaving! 
 one son, William, now living in St. Andrews, and a daughter who married William f 
 Larmonth, a merchant in Montreal. Arthur McArthur, the youngest son of PeterJ 
 bought a lot in Lachute, and lived there some years ; but he finally sold out and leftf 
 the county. 
 
 Royal, another son, studied surveying, moved to Ohio, and surveyed much ofj 
 the wild land of that State. 
 
 Mr. C. THOMAS, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Ottawa, January 23, 1894. 
 
 A history of Argenteuil would bt^ incomplete without more than a passing notice 
 of that lovely spot well known as Carillon Hill. 
 
 In point of situation, nothing can surpass its loveliness. Standing on the brow 
 of the hill, and taking a survey up and down, whichever way you turn, your eyes rcsl 
 on the natural beauties of both land and water — the view of the Rapids and countr) 
 away to the west, the lovely appearance of the country to the south, the course oj 
 that magnificent expanse of water, as it flows on until it seems to be lost or shutii 
 by the Rigaud Mountain -, and the pure invigorating breeze as it rises from tin 
 majestic stream of water, always spoken of in early days as the " Grand River." 
 
 No wonder this lovely spot could alwuys boast of an intelligent and industrioiij 
 class of honest yeomen ; and if it be true that " he who makes two blades of grai 
 to grow instead of one " can be called a benefactor, so well might they be called bytiij 
 same name, as all of them did their best, not only to beautify their homes, butali 
 to benefit future generations (and it was from no fault of theirs that, in after yeai 
 their lab"; "s were destroyed). 
 
 Thia thrift could be witnessed by the splendid gardens and orchards surroundinj 
 
 filled by n.it b 
 
 more, could b 
 
 father Dewar, 
 
 •• IJellevue "— 
 
 Bciij. Wales, a 
 
 now held by E 
 
 It was a s 
 
 see the beautil 
 
 orchards and h< 
 
 fusion, scarcely 
 
 the cause of tlii 
 
 remains that tli 
 
 From the ( 
 rounds a hcadlai 
 ili^ liver. Cuhi 
 front stretch alo 
 trees around, giv 
 SOILS of taste. Tl 
 on;but just ahea 
 ion, stretching 11 
 2ici meadow, an 
 recedes from ihv 
 The steaniei 
 of the foot, so ei 
 i'-rred to, reccdi 
 ^Tound near tlie 
 ^"ick growth of 
 fi^'er are tlie snia 
 '1' which, with lli 
 t''''lly at sunset, 
 
 A number of 
 I'd especially tin 
 [Kcted with the c, 
 p!«iii(;i's wharf is 
 loth steamers anc 
 entrance to the vi 
 
 ('vhich 
 
 a sign pro( 
 
 their homes — the shade trees and cherry trees growing along the highway, the pastur«lias been known tl 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 165 
 
 tilled by n>it-bearing trees, as the hickory, oak, beech and butternut; all of this, and 
 more, could be seen in the first decade of this century, when such men as my granu* 
 father Dewar, Major Muir and Aiier Mathews occupied the property now known as 
 " IJellevue" — Peter McArthur owned where Mr. Barclay lives, Peter Penedict whcie 
 Utnj. Wales, and in later years John Dewar liv d, and Mr. Donnelly was on the farm 
 now held by Hugh Robertson. 
 
 It was a sight well worth witnessing for one to pass through tiieir gardens and 
 see ihe beautiful flowers and vegetables, and to go tiirough their large and extensive 
 orchards and see the lovely and delicious apples and ph"iis growing in such rich jjro- 
 fusion, scarcely a vestige of which is to b'^ seen now. Scientists may be able to explain 
 the cause of the destruction which came upon the fruit treesin that locality — the fact 
 lenuiins that they have nearly all disappeared. 
 
 C. Dewar. 
 
 From the deck of a steamer ascending the Ottawa, the traveller notices as slie 
 rounds a headland, away on his right, a high ridge, or bluff, descending abruptly to 
 the river. Cultivated farms with good looking dwellings and white picket fences in 
 front stretch along the brow of this ridge, and these, with the fruit and ornamental 
 trees around, give the impression that the proprietors are welllo-do as well as per- 
 sons of taste. The river, still prese.ving its noble breadth and volume, flows quietly 
 on ; but just ahead are rapid, tumbling waters, and, beyond, the imposing Damof Caril- 
 on, stretching from sh re to shore. On the left, the land, for the most part pasture 
 .lid meadow, and clothed here and there with groves of trees, rises gently as it 
 recedes from tlie river. 
 
 The steamer now draws nigh to the wharf, yet the iravelier is scarcely conscious 
 of the (itct, so engrossed is he with the scenery around him. The ridge above re. 
 llrred to, receding at this point a little farther from the shore, leaves a level space of 
 ground near the river, at the eastern end of which is Carillon Park, shaded with a 
 I thick growth of hickory, oak and maple. Standing visa-vis on oi)posite sides of the 
 river are the small, quiet villages of Carillon and Point Fortune, the white cottages 
 of which, with their green fields and evergreen trees in the background, form, espe- 
 ially at sunset, a most beautiful picture. 
 
 A number of substantial brick and stone houses are also found in each village, 
 land especially the Government houses in Carillon, in which dwell the oflicials ton. 
 Iiiected with the canal, are attractive, as well as the grounds around them. At the 
 pteamer's wharf is a long, low building, which serves as station and freight house for 
 ill steamers and the railway. Several rods distant, and the first structure at the 
 hntrance to the village from the east, stands a very large and imposing stone building 
 hhicli a sign proclaims is the " Sovereign Hotel," but which for several decades 
 jtias been known throiigh all the country side as " The Parracks." 
 
asH 
 
 r66 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 But directly back of the station, on tlie brow of the ridge, one hundred feet or 
 n-iore above the river, is a ckmip of buildings to which the traveler ascends in order 
 to enjoy the wide view which their location commands. But his attention is soon 
 engrossed by the buildings and surrounding objects ; everything has such an evidence 
 of care and prosperity in years bygone, that he will inevitably wish to know the 
 history of the early ])roprietor. 
 
 A delightful grove of pine, butternut and acacia trees, in which squirrels chatter 
 and gambol, nearly approaches the buildings on the east. Passing through this, one 
 enters an extensive pasture, where a number of norses, sheep and cattle are grazing, 
 or seeking shelter from the sun, in the shade of gigantic elms, oaks and maples. A few 
 yard'j in front, a lakelet, formed partly by nature and ])artly by art, sends its waters 
 in a babbling stream down through a deep gorge, rendered dark by overhanging trees 
 across the park to mingle with the OUawa. On the farther side of this gorge, located 
 in a bower (jf everi^recns, stands the cottage of Mr. John Halsey, the engineer on t!ie 
 Carillon & Grenville Railway. Twenty yards in front of this are the roofless walls 
 of a sione '••ructure, enclosing trees whose tops shoot many feet above t'lem. 
 
 And thus one may wander fir n day, over a tract of land stretching from the Ottawa 
 half a league back to 'le North River; and at every step will l)e discovered some 
 memento of a time when energy andweaUh were rx))ended with lavish hand to render 
 this a beautiful and productive homestead. Here and there tumble-down stone walU 
 ;ire found in woods where once were cultivated fields. Here, the last decaying timbers 
 of an old mill; and there, in th" krest, are moss-covered mounds, which tradition 
 says are the resting places of the r,ervilors of the "Lord of the Manor " — the toilei'; 
 who helped to clear these Irnds and rear the structures now in ruins., 
 
 During this survey of so many vestiges of the past, the impression has been stead- 
 ily growing, that the ea'ly proprietor of this estate must have possessed means far 
 exceeding those of mo^t of the early pioneers, and that he used it in opening up hiisi- 
 ness, the extent and character of whicii seem unique in the features of a new soitlu 
 rnent. The researches incited by our curiosity develop the following facts : — 
 
 One hundred and six years ago, or in 1790, the lot on which the house and out- 
 buildings stand was granted to a man named L'Olive. In May of the same year, I 
 however, it was reunited to the domain, by a judgment of the Court of Coinipoii 
 Pleas ; and on the 3rd of May, 1792,11 was granted anew to M. J. I.adouceur. Itj 
 seems, however, that it must nave once more returned to the Seignior, as it was again] 
 granteil, Jan. 7th, 1800, by M..j. Murray to J. Whitlock. Eight years later, it uas| 
 ?old to Peter Dewar, who retained it till the year 1819, when he sold it to Maj. .Muir,| 
 On the 27th May, 1827, Maj. Mtiir conveyed it to Commissary General C. J. Forbes, 
 during whose ownership the buildings — house, barns, hotel, brewery, malt house and! 
 saw mill — were erected, and the large improvements made, the place receiving the liamej 
 " Bellevue," by which name it has been known for more than three scot c years. B.v| 
 
 request, the 
 history of 
 
 " Char 
 during his li; 
 I ircle of frier 
 College of A 
 England, on 
 tination, he v 
 memory and J 
 a song, sung 1 
 ment, but ren 
 year. On iiis 
 H-ent into the 
 under Sir John 
 citadel of Cain 
 tViendshipstru^ 
 year, .le again : 
 arms was victo 
 present at the ( 
 daring enough 
 die Admiral ol 
 ■igold snuff-bo 
 lar war, where 
 tliere, he was s 
 ill'? battle of N, 
 :i'i imcle in Em 
 "iid tile misap] 
 such a small fo, 
 Jackson. 
 
 " On Iiis re 
 
 garct Browne, ;i 
 
 diately after tha 
 
 ^'iL'nna, to take 
 
 '"•-■lit for the j)a 
 
 iifart-rending sc 
 
 saw Women whc 
 
 'athcrs and sons 
 
 " The peaci 
 
 continued to resi 
 
 'heir sojourn in 
 
HISTOPY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 request, the following interesting sketch has been prepared by one familiar witii the 
 iiistory of 
 
 " BELLEVUE." 
 
 " Charles John Forbks was born in Hampshire. England, Feb. loth, 1786, and 
 during his life on the Ottawa, the loth of February was as well known to his large 
 circle of friends as Christmas or New Year. At an early age he was sent to the 
 College of Altona in Denmark, and when only fourteen, was wrecked in returning to 
 England, on the coast of Holland. While wailing for a ship to carry them to their des- 
 tination, he was taken by the Captain to a country Fair, and such was his wonderful 
 memory and genius for picking up languages, even at that early age, that he learnt there 
 a song, sung by the peasantry, and afterwards discontinued by order of the Govern- 
 ment, but remembered and repeated by him in a visit to Holland in his seventy-third 
 year. On his return to England, he entered the Navy ; but when he was nineteen he 
 went into the army, and first saw active service in that unfortunate affair in Egypt 
 under Sir John Stuart. He was taken prisoner and confined in the dungeons of the 
 citadel of Cairo, but was fortunate enough to attract the notice of Mahomed AH, and a 
 friendship struck up between the English boy and the powerful Pasha. Tiic following 
 vear, .le again served under Sir John Stuart, at the battle ofMaida, and liien the English 
 arms was victorious. For several years he saw service in the Mediterranean, being 
 present at the taking of the Ionian Islands and the taking of Sicily. He was also 
 daring enough, on one occasion, to swim out under a heavy fire witli despatches to 
 the Admital of the fleet, for which service he received the thanks of Government and 
 a gold snuff-box. He served in the Commissariat department through the Peninsu. 
 ,ar war, where his knowledge of languages made his services very useful. From 
 there, he was sent to join the army under Sir James Packenham, and was present at 
 tht; battle of New Orleans. In a letter, now in possession of his family, written to 
 an uncle in England, immediately after the battle, he describes that unfortunate affair 
 and the misapprehension of the feeling in the Floridas and Louisiana, which led to 
 such a small force being sent ; but he always retained a profound respect for General 
 Jackson. 
 
 " On his return to England, the following summer, he married Miss Sophia Mar- 
 garet Browne, and their bridal tour was from the church door to Waterloo. Imme- 
 diately after that decisive victory, Mr. Foibes, accompanied by his wife, was sent to 
 A'iiiina, to take charge of the money lent by the Rothschilds to the British Govern- 
 ment for the payment of the Prussian troops. Mrs. Forbes often described the 
 iieart-rending scenes they witnessed ; whenever tliey stopi)ed to change horses, they 
 saw women who, having heard of a great battle, were hoping to get news of husbands, 
 lathers and sons. 
 
 "The peace of Europe being now established, they went to Florence, where they 
 continued to reside for some years, their eldest children being born there. During 
 'icir sojourn in that delightful city, they made acquaintance with some very cele- 
 
''l£ 
 
 i63 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 brated people, — among them, the Countess of Blessington, Lord Byron and the Ablie 
 Mezzofanti, known as the greatest linguist of liis own or any other day, being able 
 to speak and write seventy different Kinguages. In 1825, Mr. Forbes was ordered to 
 Nova Scotia, leaving Mrs. Forbes in Fngland. She followed him as soon as possible 
 under the escort of an old friend, whose son was afterwards Principal of the Lennox- 
 ville College. From Halifax, Mr. Forbes was transferred to Montreal, but as thai 
 town was not healthy for his children, they decide 1 to buy a place where ihey might 
 be sent. Accordingly, they bought the property known as Belltvuc at Carillon, on 
 the Ottawa, from Major Muir. They liked their home on the Ottawa so mucli, 
 that they bought two other farms, one from Major Burke and tlie other back of the 
 village of Carillon from Mr, Cameron, which was ever after.vards known as " Cam- 
 eron's Land. 
 
 " The society of Montreal was at that time exceedingly good, as, besides the mili- 
 tary, there was the old aristocratic French elenient, — the De Montenachs ; the De 
 Lotbinieres, whose daughters inherited the seigniories of Rigaud, Vaudreuil and De 
 Lotbiniere \ and many more of th.e old French families who formed at once the most 
 exclusive and charming of societies. There were, besides, the Scotch merchant 
 princes of Montreal, whose dignified hospitality added so much to the delight of 
 Canadian life, 
 
 "This pleasant style of life continued, partly in Montreal and partly at Belleviie. 
 till Mr. Forbes was ordered to the West Indies, at the lime of the emancipation of 
 the slaves. While thete, he had two attacks of yellow fever in three months, and 
 was invalided home. He returned to Canada, and took up his abode permanently at 
 Bellevue, His only official duty from that time was acting as adviser to Sir Jolin 
 Colborne, Governor General and Commander of the Forces, during the Rebellion in 
 1837-38. He also acted for many years as Paymaster to the old pensioners, and was 
 once unanimously returned as Men^ber for the county of ArgeiUeuil. A curiijus 
 thing happenea in connection with his election. At a dinner given at Bellevue to 
 his constituents, a quantity of silver was stolen, but wa:> shortly afterwa.ds returned 
 by the priest, who requested that no questions should be asked, as it was restored 
 under the sea! of confession. Families of old friends and relations had, in the mean- 
 time, come out from England, and settled in the neighborhood ; the society was 
 delightful : Mr. Wain.vright, R.X., bought a place which he named '' Silver Heights,'' 
 from the white daisiec growing on the hill at the back of the house; Mr. Cunning- 
 ham, afterwards bu' Francis, at Milnecraig, called after the family residence in Scot- 
 land, and whose house — as they insisted on being their own architects — was found 
 to be minus stairs or a support for one of the gables, which had to be built on a 
 heavy beam through one of the bedrooms ; Mr, Stikeman, at Rose Cottage, across 
 the river, one of whose sons married Mr. Forbes' second daughter, Florence; and Mr. 
 William /.bbott, the genial clergyman of the parish, without whom no festivity in the 
 neighborhood was complete. His still more talented brother, the Rev. bJ^eph .-Xbh -it, 
 was also a constant visitor, while his son— afterward Sir John Abbott — spent a great 1 
 
 deal of his ear 
 Ion to Grenvi 
 which general; 
 soldiers were 
 ment adding r 
 wilii military n 
 the ' House of i 
 going off to jc 
 the cellars, wh; 
 which no adve; 
 and other Jiinj 
 within hei, rer 
 Giraud, one of 
 place was viclu 
 intentions, how( 
 leers. Mr. Foi 
 company, in wli 
 liant service, bo 
 by heroes from t 
 on the ice and c 
 iiis sleigh. Qui, 
 for builJing, was 
 " His fancy 
 ivhichwas built 
 built in 1830, be 
 liad only the ad 
 only led to a feu 
 [seigniorial law at 
 'anyone's benefit 
 Iprofi table, except 
 itised. Arthur Yo 
 ight have suite 
 [transplanted ; a 1 
 'nd; large lioles 
 'lie farm inchided 
 tniployed to make 
 for turnips. Ho\ 
 ■ound there ; tho 
 'i-m or their f\im 
 'cial life was of i 
 'IV. Sir John C 
 fir Charles Metcai 
 
 '^:hW 
 
 -♦■■■is^ 
 
HISTORY OF A^OENTEUIL. 
 
 169 
 
 deal of Ills early life at Jkllevue. Prior to this, the building of the canal from Caril- 
 lon to Grenville brought a large military force into the neighborhood, the officers of 
 which generally made their headquarters at Bellevue ; and for many years afterward, 
 soldiers were stationed at Carillon for the protection of the canal — the military ele- 
 ment adding much to the social enjoyment of the neighborhood. In connection 
 will) military matters, may be mentioned that, during the Rebellion, Bellevue became 
 the ' House of Refuge ' of tlie ladies who were left defenceless from their male relatives 
 going off to join the volunteer companies then formed. Some of these ladies thought 
 the cellars, which run the entire length of the house, would be a hiding place, in 
 which no adventurous rebel would ever find them, and insisted on dragging bedding 
 and other Jiings down there. Mrs. Forbes, however, who felt the warlike spirit strong 
 within hei, remained on deck, spending one whole night casting bullets, as Mr. 
 Giraud, one of the leaders, and who had been tutor to her sons, knowing how well the 
 plat:e was victualed, declared his intention of eating his Christmas dinner there. His 
 intentions, however, were frustrated by the determined defence made by our Volun- 
 teer?. Mr. Forbes' son-in-law, Mr. Edward Jones, immediately formed a Cavalry 
 I company, in which Mr. Forbes' eldest son, Carlo, served as cornet. 'I'hey did va- 
 liant service, both at Grand Brule and St. Eustache. Many deeds of valor were done 
 [by heroes from that section, a son of Judge McDonell, of Point Fortune, driving down 
 on the ice and capturing some of the enemy's cannon, and dragging them up behind 
 his sleigh. Quiet was at last restored, and Mr. Forbes, who always had a mania 
 [for biiilJing, was able to pursue his favorite occupation in peace. 
 
 " His fancy for building and agriculture never proved i)rofitable, the brewery, 
 luhichwas built in 1833, being a constant bill of expense, and the Barrack, which was 
 [built in 1830, became useless after the troops were removed ; the powder magazine 
 Ihad only the advantage that it blew up without hurting anybody, and the saw mill 
 louly led to a feud with his old friend, Col. Johnson, the Seignior. In right of the 
 [seigniorial law as at that time established, he prevented his using his saw mill for 
 linyone's benefit but his own. The agricultural arrangements were not much more 
 Iprofitable, except so far as it enabled unbounded hospitality to be at all times exer- 
 Icised. Arthui Young, the great English authority, was constantly consulted; but what 
 [inight have suited English farming did not suit Canadian, all root crops hail to be 
 planted ; a lime kiln was built, to keep a constant supply of lime on hand for the 
 land; large holes were dug in the bog to extract the marl at tlie bottom ; and though 
 fce farm included 500 acres of woodland, a number of Irish laborers were constantly 
 pployed to make peat to burn in the house, as the ashes were supposed to be good 
 turnips. However, all these theories gave constant employment to the people 
 iraund there ; those who wanted work were never denied it ; and if sickness overtook 
 pern or their families, they were always generously provided for, A'l this tim,', the 
 Bcial life was of the pleasantest : people of distinction constantly coming there to 
 lay. Sir John Colborne, the F.arl of Dalhousie, Sir James Kempt, Sir Charles Bagot, 
 : Charles Metcalf and Lord Sydenham — all Governors of Canada — have beenenter- 
 
 12 
 
170 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 tained at ihe old homestead. Sir Gi ge Simpson, Governor of the Hudson Ihy 
 Company, was a frequent visitor, whik ^fonsignor Forbin de Jonson, the Caiiiolic 
 Bishop, who put up so many of the crosses on the Catholic churches in Canada, 
 stayid at Bellevue, and even claimed relationship, as he said his family were origin- 
 ally Forbes, but the French pronunciation had changed it lo Forbin. Of the E])is- 
 copal Bishops, Suiart, Mountain and Fulford always made 13ellevuc their stopping 
 place on their parochial visits up the Ottawa. While, in spile of political differences, 
 Mr. I'apineuu was a wclcoir.e guest, his courtly French manner being delightful. 
 
 " Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, only four are alive. The oldest son, 
 Charles, or Carlo, became a civil engineer, and is now living at St. Paul, Minn, 
 The youngest, Frank, is in the City Engineer's office in Chicago. The second 
 daughter, Mrs. Stikeman, removed after her husband's death lo California, as did the 
 youngest daughter, Elizabeth ; while of the two nieces of Mr. Forbes, whom ho took 
 as children and brought up as his own, the eldest married Captain Powell, oflhc 
 9th Regiment, and the youngest married Dr. Mayrand, of St. Andrews, who is related 
 to some of the old French families. Bellevue, as a home of the Forbes family, lias 
 long ceased to exist; and the life in the ol^ homestead is only a pleasant memory 
 of a by-gone time to many scattered in various parts of the world." 
 
 F. 
 
 Mr. Foibes died 22nd September, 1862 ; Mrs. Forbes died 23rd June, 1869 
 The latter had b'.-en < n a visit to " Silver Heights," accompanied by one of herj 
 nieces. In returning, liie liorse, a spiri 1 animal, took fright, the carriage was over 
 turned, and Mrs. Forbes being thrown violently against a rock was i/igfao^ly i'd 
 Her untimely death was the cause of much sorrow in the comrri'uhijy, tsf/'in 
 among those who had experienced her kindness uinji benevolence. She \\'d> 
 woman of excellent judgment, active temperament, generous and kindly dispositioii, 
 
 Mrs. Palliser, now living in Carillon, spent several /edrs of her early life in t, 
 service of the Forbes' family, and has many interesting reminiscences of BelleviK 
 She remembers particularly the benevolence of Mrs. Forbes, and how generou: 
 she always supplied poor families with fruit it the season of fruit-gathering. 
 
 In diose early days, serious -ind bloody fight.-; were of frequent occurrence anioii| 
 the raftsmen qfi the river, which Vi/efk f/sW/jHy followed by the arrest of one or morj 
 of the most vitious torflbafants on their iittivn\ at Carillon. 
 
 The culprits wero usually brought bffore Mr. Forbes for trial, and astrong-rooi 
 in the basement of Bellevue (onlincd the prisoner till the hour of his trial arrival 
 The door of this " lock-up, ' together with a padlock, which looks as if it rnigluha 
 done service in the i^astile, still remain as mementoes of those rude scenes whid 
 hapi)ily, no longer occur- 
 In 1.S64, the llellevue proper!), consisting of 700 acres of land and four nou-ci 
 was purchased by the Ottawa River Navigation Company, of which the laic R. \| 
 Shepherd, sen., was president, and his son R. W. Siilimieri*, jun., in now managerl 
 
 i he Jal 
 Inuring the t 
 i" the Comp 
 —knowledge 
 " Dagmar " c 
 years, when 1 
 position till i 
 tlie same ye 
 occupied till 1 
 The cons 
 entirely under 
 l^y him, after s 
 for river steam 
 (lantly proven 
 traveling putli 
 Mr. Sheph 
 daughter of Hi 
 Military a, 
 raids, he was ei 
 'he ai)proach to 
 Prince of Wales 
 ;iolive service w 
 CJmbord in term 
 He has ta, 
 several years w; 
 "'I is now vict. 
 ^"< leiy indeblc. 
 0' his atteniioi 
 tJble apples, an. 
 1^0 1 11 in ion. f-ft 
 '* '"^-"go, and tfe 
 Isup-'A-jsian. 
 
 Canlion, e-. 
 ter -shopcomp" 
 and but ane > 
 'iie Protestants t 
 "^■'J occastianaii; 
 
 ^hit notwth 
 
 [!'"■" I'g'l thcp,,icc 
 '""• Ihe aspect o 
 'f' 111 in us of the s; 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 lyi 
 
 The latter left school in 1865, and entered tlie office of the Company as clerk. 
 During the time thus employed, he overlooked the building of the steamer " Dagniar,'' 
 in the Company's shipyard, learned much about boats, their speed, construction, etc., 
 —knowledge which was of much service to him in after years. In 1866, when the 
 '' Dagmar " commenced running, he was appointed purser on her, and remaineil two 
 years, when he became purser on tlie mail steanur " Prince of Wales," and held the 
 position till 1S70. In February, 1871, he made a trip to Europe, and on his return, 
 tlic same year, was appointed assistant manager of the Company — a position he 
 occupied till 1882, when he became general manager. 
 
 The construction of the palatial iron steamers "Sovereign "and " Empress " was 
 entirely under his control and supervision, and the designs for them were prepared 
 by him, after several trips to the States to obtain the most modern and suitable plans 
 for river steamers designed for pleasure travel. That he attained his object is abun- 
 dantly proven by the fine appearance of these steamers and their popularity with the 
 traveling pu Dlic. 
 
 Mr. Shepherd was married 26th June, 1879, to Miss Margaret A. Robertson, 
 daughter of Hugh Robertson, of " Milncraig," Carillon Hill, Quebec. 
 
 Military affairs have also engaged a share of liis attention, and during the Fenian 
 raids, he was ensign in the Como Rities, and was statiosted with his company to guard 
 the approach to the bridge at St. Ann's. For eight y^ars, he was an officer in the 
 Prince of Wales Rifles, is* Battalion, and retired w\m rank of Captain. He saw 
 active service when connected with this Battalion, durnig the Fenian excitement, the 
 Guibord interment, and the Bread Riots in Quebec, in 1878. 
 
 He has taken great interest in horticultural naatters and fruit growing, and for 
 several years was director and vice-president of the Montreal Horticultural Society, 
 and is now vice-presi«^ ^nt of lire PoHMlogical Society of the Province of Quebec — a 
 jo( lety indebted cliietly to him for its formation. Fruit growing has engaged much 
 of ins atteniion I r more than twenty years, especially the cultivation of the best 
 table apples, and is fine nurseries at Como are now well known in this part of the 
 jDoaiinicsai- He was assistant Commissioner of this Province for the World's Fair at 
 Ci;u:ago, aind tint- mie collection uf fruit sent from Quebec was collected under his 
 supL^r\Tsian. 
 
 laiiiig'-'i 
 
 Carfllon, even tor a country village, is remarkably quiet ; a bakery and a carpen- 
 ter shop comprising all its manufactories. It has neither church, minister, or lawyer, 
 land but ane store. Tiie Roman Catholics attend their church at St. Andrews, and 
 the Protestants the different denominational services of the same place, or the service 
 [held occasioBaily at the residence of Mr. Sharman in this village. 
 
 Hut notwithstanding the lack of mills and stores, there is considerable travel 
 
 |i;r> tigh the place even in winter ; and when the spring opens and the boats begin to 
 
 run, the aspect of Carillon, as a business place, is greatly improved. This being the 
 
 jterminus of the steamboat line from Montreal, as well as that of the railway running 
 
172 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 to V. nville, il is a depot for both passengers and freight ; and when summer advances, 
 and ])eople seek the refreshing air of the country, numbers flock to Carillon ; its 
 beautiful and expansive water front and otherwise charming scenery attracting num- 
 bers which, through July and August, greatly enhance the life and gayety of llie 
 villnge. 
 
 The store referred to above is worthy of notice, not only on account of its ami- 
 quily, but from the events which have therein occurred ; more than one of the occu- 
 pants having acquired a competency, while others have experienced the lot of bank- 
 rupin. 
 
 It was built, sometime in the third decade of this century, by A. E. Monimar- 
 quel from Montreal. Having no comi)etitors in the place, he soon became forehand- 
 ed, and possibly, it may have been from the ojjportunity he had, of making what the 
 Scotchman called " four per cent." profits, really four limes the cost. However this 
 may l)c, he acquired much influence in the County, and tlie following letter, copied 
 from one in the archives of Quebec, shows that he was not devoid of public spirit. 
 
 Carillon, Sept. i6th, 1846. 
 To the Supt. Schools, 
 
 Canada East. 
 Sir, — We have received a petition from the inhabitants of the school district of 
 Carillon, asking for help towards erecting a school-house^in said district ; and as we 
 are not aware that there is any money in the Government hands to be appropriated 
 to this district, we would feel extremely obliged if you will let us know whether you 
 have any to spare, and what will be the amount you will be able to grant them. An 
 answer will greatly oblige the inhabitants of Carillon school, particularly Mr. A. E, 
 Montmarquet, who is taking great interest in having a school-house erected in said 
 
 village. 
 
 We are, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 G. N. Benedict, Moses Davis, 
 
 Secretary- Treasurer. Chairman. 
 
 When Mr. Montmarquet left CariPon, rumor claimed that he was worth the snug 
 sum of $100,000 ; it is said that he was one of the founders of the People's Bank at j 
 Quebec. 
 
 In 1837, '^'^ store was the scene of a startling occurrence. At the time wheiij 
 the greatest excitement prevailed in St. Eustache, many of the inhabitants of that 
 place fled from their homes, leaving them to be plundered by any who might feci sol 
 disposed. Very soon, therefore, the work of pillage began. Slock was drawn olT.J 
 hen roosts and pig stier were rifled, houses broken open, and their contents cairied] 
 off or scattered along the street. In such a condition of things, il was quite natural! 
 that many who would scorn to be the first to enter a house to appropriate its effect^:, 
 should pick up and carry off" things which they well knew would otherwise soon bej 
 come the prey of others. 
 
 On tlie 
 
 was \n the s 
 
 those who w 
 
 ■Wi-. Jamieso 
 
 I'Mibes' estat 
 
 f'"m St. Kiis 
 
 csty and achi 
 
 ii|» with the s 
 
 furious phijip 
 
 dtcnied i)imst 
 
 On the .s 
 
 quantity of hi 
 
 ■'ii"i that he cc 
 
 therefore, H03 
 
 li'i" was still r 
 
 Mortmarquet, 
 
 were : " How 
 
 and at the sarr 
 
 ivord of warn i I 
 
 crowd soon col 
 
 TOund fatal. 
 
 Hoyle qui( 
 the two compai 
 I Jignant citizens 
 do not know," 
 I yet recover ; " 
 Forty- one 
 [Ijuckle which it 
 
 FRO.\ 
 
 Mr. Janiiesci 
 liesiiknce of his bisti 
 jaoiii uhicli he was 
 jniiilf f,ir a pistol 
 |»illiin liini for ahou 
 
 I" iS.U. tl". 
 Jsiront; man, reiideii 
 jargujt g politics witi 
 pr. JiiiiiieFon siniciv 
 poke the iron bud 
 >Mrl\ proved fnial 
 I'asncaily well ajja 
 
HISTORY OF ARGK.NTEUIL. 
 
 173 
 
 On the Saturday night following the fight at St. Eustache, a man named Iloyle 
 was in the store of Mr. Diuican Dcwar of St. Andrews, declaiming loudly against 
 those who would appropriate tiie property of the absent proprietors. At that moment 
 Ml-. Jamieson, a brotiier-in-law of C. J. Forbes of Carillon, ani wiio lived on the 
 Forbes' estate, chanced to pass with a single sleigli load of the confiscated i>ro|)erly 
 from St. Eustache. The opportunity was favorable for Hoyle to advertise his hon- 
 esty and achieve notoriety; and abruptly leaving his auditors, he rushed out, caught 
 up with the sleigh on the bridge, seized the horse by the head, and launched into a 
 furious ])hilippic against the astonished Jamieson. 'IMie latter merely replied that lie 
 deemed himself quite responsible for whatever property he had taken, and drove on. 
 
 On the succeeding Monday, Hoyle inquired at the .itore of Mr. Dewar for a 
 quantity of his favorite brand of tobacco, and Mr. Dewar having none, he informed 
 him that he could procure it of Montmarquet, at Carillon. To the latter's store, 
 therefore, Hoyle proceeded, and Jamieson, in whose breast the insult recently offered 
 him was still rankling, seeing him pass, and divining that he had gone to the store of 
 Moptmarquet, followed. His first words on ei tering the store and seeing Hoyle 
 were : " How dare you insult me, sir, as you did Saturday night in St. Andrews .-* " 
 and at the same moment he struck him across the back with his cane. Without a 
 word of warning, Hoyle instantly drew a pistol from his pocket and shot him. A 
 crowd soon collected, in which there were three physicians, who pronounced the 
 wound fatal. 
 
 Hoyle quickly placed himself under the protection of Maj. Mayne, commanding 
 the two companies of soldiers at the Barracks, who refused to deliver him to the in- 
 dignant citizens clamoring for his trial, according to the code of Judge Lynch. " You 
 do not know," Le said to them, " that Hoyle has committed murder ; Jamieson may 
 yet recover ; " and he did recover. 
 
 Forty-one years afterwards, when he died, the bullet and a part of a suspender 
 j buckle which it carried with it were found in his body. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 FROM THE FENELON FALLS (ONT.) GAZETTE OV DEC, 1878. 
 
 RiLics ov 1837. 
 
 Mr. Jamieson, of Point Fortune, Quebec, who died in this villaj^e on Monday last, at the 
 
 lesiikiice of his sister, Mrs. Cunningliam, requested a few days ago that if tlic attack of lieart disease 
 
 i'lom wliicli he was sulVering should prove falaj.his bodyshould l)e opened before burial, and a search 
 
 Imade for a pistol bullet and a portioa of a IxacL- buckle which lie lul been carrying somewhere 
 
 Ifliihin him for about foilyone years. 
 
 In 1837, the nieniorahlc year of the Rebelliop in Canada, Mr. Jamieson, then a young and 
 liironi; man, resided at Carillon in the Lower Province. One day in the post office there, he got to 
 litguii fj politics with a rebel, whose language became so insulting or otherwise provoking that at last 
 iMr. Jauiiei-on struck him, whereupon he drew a pistol and fired at his loyal opponent. The bullet 
 We the iron buckle of the right suspender, and then entered liis breast, inflicting a wound which 
 parly proved filial, and from whicii he was laid up for six weeks. At the expiration of that period, he 
 l«as neaily well again, and never afterwards felt any ill effects from the hurt ; but as the bullet had not 
 
174 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII . 
 
 heen extracted, !»nd as it was believed to Imve taken the missing part of the buckle witii 'tiMr. Jamie- 
 son oftin expressed tlie wish during; liis last illness, that, after his death, the locality of the "foreinn 
 bodies," as medical men would call them, should be ascertained ; and Drs. Allen and Hryson searched 
 for and were successful in findiin; tliem on Monday last. 
 
 They were near together and close to the spine — the bullet resting on the liaphragni, and entire. 
 ly enveloped by a cartilaginous formation of considerable size, while the otlier article was partially 
 hidden by a deposit more nearly resembling flesh. The bullet is for a pistol of rather large size, 
 and was originally round, but is much damaged at one spot, no doubt where it struck the buckle, wlTich 
 was broken by the blow. The part with lie tongue or tongues attached probably remained fa-t to 
 tlie suspender. The portion driven in by the bullet formed three sides of the buckle, and is of the 
 simplest description, being merely a piece of iron wire about two inches long and l)ent al right angles, 
 a little more than half an inch from each end. It is only rusted in spots, and not deeply, and the mark 
 made by the blow of the bullet is still plainly visible. 
 
 Mr. Jamieson died 28th December, 1S7K. 
 
 After two weeks, Hoyle was sent to Montreal to be tried, but received bail the 
 same day, and nothing ftinher was heard of the case. 
 
 A. K. MoNTMARQum' sold his store and otlier property in Carillon to Mr. Scluiei- 
 der, and left the jjlace in i860. In 1 87 1, Schneider sold to John Fletcher, a young man 
 from Rigaud, wlio had spent tlie four jirevious years in Scotland in acquiring a know- 
 ledge of mercantile business. He died, however, a short litiie subsequently, and his 
 brother, Wm. L. Fletcher, became his successor in the store and post office. The 
 latter was married in Jime, 1872, to Miss O. Charlebois, daughter of tlieposlmiister at 
 Rigaud. During the few years that he survived, Mr. Fletcher was an active citizen, 
 and filled municipal offices. He died 23rd November, 1877, ^"<^ ^^'S- Fietclier was 
 appointed postmistress, a position whicii she still retains, a.ssisted by her daughter 
 Maud. 
 
 Five or six years ago, the Montmarquet store was purchased by M, Dwyer, of 
 Kingston, wlio had been in trade in tiiis village for several years. Succes.' .tlended 
 him, and after si.\teen years' residence in Carillon, he left in the Spring of 1894 for 
 Kingston, several thousand dollars better off than he was when he came here. As he 
 had always dealt fairly witii his customers, and on leaving took special pains toi 
 accommodate his debtors, the good wishes of the community \vent witli him. Ahoiitl 
 two years before his departure, he sold his store and stock of goods .0 R. V. Gauihier, 
 a young gentleman who iiad acted as clerk for him during thi six piecc'ding year: 
 
 Mr. Gauthier springs from stock whose energy and loyalty form an heir-loom ol 
 honor to tiieir descendants. His grandfather, John Baptiste G.mjthiiir, was hori 
 2 1 St October, 1796, at Montreal Junction. At the age of 18, he enlisted at Monire; 
 in a regiment of Voltigeurs, and took an active part in the battle of Chateaugiiay, foi 
 which service he subsequently received a jiension. In the Rebellion of 1837 
 joined a company of loyal Cavalry, and was often employed in tarrying dispatche; 
 After the Rebellion, he settled at St. Anne, where hm died in 1886, upward'i of 91 
 years of age. He left two sons and two daughters. 
 
 Victor, one of the former, a man of much enterprise and inte'igence, learned 
 
 tra'le of rarp( 
 
 Montreal I'eli 
 
 the lines -if th 
 
 Company, seti 
 
 ■\nne. Durin 
 
 its prosperity. 
 
 .'School Commi 
 
 education, he \ 
 
 He seems 
 
 tioii compensati 
 
 ^kill as a dratig 
 
 '(I politeness r 
 
 His eldest 
 
 I from which he j 
 
 While there 
 
 Iciieer, enabled I 
 
 jlioiDrs of which 
 
 Itiighest prize offe 
 
 land bookkeeping 
 
 I'SS; he won the 
 
 pcic-iicy in the stl 
 
 •'^incehis pni 
 
 jers being attracte 
 
 llie merchant. 
 
 I'liiics Leggatt of 
 
 jlrj 0! ing for the 
 
 |n hi; slore. 
 
 Jamej Barci 
 |(iiterj)rising and ii 
 -«"'"}'■ His fill 
 :o:land was agita 
 ^"""^•iit, his j)ro 
 escaping, and in 
 '".''imes, then i 
 •\Iuntrcal,andt 
 ff^red but little 
 fsidrnce there of 
 iinerica. With 
 Jiplc events whici 
 pn and remain in 
 
 J ho younger 
 '" named Joiin \\ 
 
HISTORY or ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 '7!? 
 
 trade of carpenter, and for some lime was employed by the Gre it North Western and 
 Montreal Iclegraph Company. In charge of a number of men, he erected many of 
 tlic lines ')f this Company in Ontario, and in 1872, as a stationary mechanic of the 
 Company, settled in C irillon. In 1S67, he was iiiirrieJ to Hermine Crevier of St. 
 Anne. During his life in this Village, he took an active part in whatever promoted 
 its iirosperity. He was a member of the Municipal Council, and also of the Board of 
 School <'^f)mmissionrs ; in the latter, owinu; to his desire for tlie encouragement of 
 education, lie was p.i, licularly active. 
 
 He seems to have been one whose natural endowments and j)0weis of observa- 
 tion compensate for the lack of a liberal ed ication, and his charts display ao little 
 ^kill as a draughtsman. He died in 1890, leaving a family of children whose modesty 
 .iid politeness reflect no small degree of credit on their parental training. 
 
 His eldest son, R. V. Gauthier, took a C(Mnmcrcial course at Rigaud College, 
 from which he graduated in 1887. 
 
 Wliile there, the same devotion to duty which has characterized his subsequent 
 cueer, enabled him always to take cither first or second place in his classes, and win 
 lion )rs of which a young man less modest might s )metimes boast. He won the 
 highest prize offered for proficiency in the study of commercial law, political economy 
 and bookkeeping ; the first prize in science, grammar, analysis and themes; and in 
 1S87 he won the silver medal offered by Messrs. Fogarty \- Co., of Montreal, for pro- 
 kicncy in the study of commerce, besides the $30 prize awarded by the Institution. 
 Smce his purchase of ll. .tore in 1892, his '.rade has steadily increased, custom- 
 ers being attracted, not m >re by the fair prices than by the probity and courtesy of 
 the merchant. His younger brother, Thomas, entered the boot and shoe store of 
 lunes Leggatt of Monti\'al, in 1889, as clerk ; he has been their manager, and is now 
 lira oiing for the same firm. Donat, a brother still younger, is the assistant of R. V. 
 a hi ; store. 
 
 James Barclay, who lived for many year'- in Carillon, was one of her most 
 iiterprising and influential citizens, and was well l^nown and popular throughout tiie 
 ounty. His father had taken an active part in the political troubles by which 
 AboiitBco'.land was agitated, and his radical principles incurring tlie animosity of the Gov- 
 LUihierMiiuncnt, his pro cily was confiscated and a price set on his head. But he succeeded 
 ears. Biiescaping, and in 1820, with iiis wife by a second marriage, and his only surviving 
 com offcii James, then 17 years of age, came to America. He remained two or three years 
 is bon™ Montreal, and then removed to New Glasg.)W ; but tlie place, at that time especially, 
 oiitreaBfi'red but little encouragement to men of enterprise and ambition ; and after a 
 lay, fofcdence there of three or four years, the father and son decided to go to South 
 merica. With 'his design they had gone as far as Montreal, when, by one of those 
 pie events which sometimes effect great changes, they were led to throv.- up their 
 n and remain in Canada, 
 riij younger Barclay happened, unexpectedly on the street, to fall in with a 
 hica ili^i named Joini Wanless, whom he formerly knew in Edinburgh, but who then lived 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 ^^^ 
 
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 <\ 
 
 
i?6 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 in St. Andrews. On learning Barclay's intention of going to South America, so 
 eloquently did he portray the risk he was incurring in going to that semi-barbarous 
 and tropical country, and so effectually did he plead the advantages afforded by Canada, 
 that young Barclay and liis father decided to return with him to St. Andrews. 
 
 One Sabbath morning, while living in this Village, James strolled out on the road 
 leading to Carillon, and as he passed over the " Hill/' and saw the beautiful gardens 
 and the fine orchards just tiien gorgeous with a profusion of blossoms, he thoaglit he 
 had seen no other spot in this country so attracuve, or one which reminded liim so 
 forcibly of Scotland ; and he then r-aid to himself that, if he ever purchased a farm in 
 Canada, it would be on Carillon Hill. After a resideiice of afewyearcN in St. Andrews, 
 he removed to Carillon Village, where for a long time his enterprise contributed to 
 the activity of the place. Besides opening a boot and shoe shop, he started a sUigo 
 line between this Village and Grenville, which at that time, before the construction of 
 the railway, was an enterprise of great utility* 
 
 In accordance with his deterniinatien mentioned above, in 1835, ''^ purchased 
 the farm on Carillon Hil! which had been owned by Peter McArthur. It was some 
 time, however, before he lived on this farm, though he employed men to cultivate it, 
 He was for some years agent for the McPherson & Crane Forwarding Company, 
 When the Carillon & Grenville Railroad was completed, he was the first conductor 
 on it ; but soon afterward, advancing age cc repelled him to resign this position, and 
 his last years were spent in quietude on the pleasant farm still occupied by his 
 children. 
 
 During tiie Rebellion of 1837, his knowledge of the country and extensive 
 acquaintance with its inhabitants, added to his good judgment and activity, rendered 1 
 him a very useful servant of the Government, and he was frequently employed to 
 carry despatches between Montreal and St. Andrews. One night, having occasion to [ 
 stop at a wayside tavern to have his horse fed, he found there a number of rebels 
 who suspected him, and intended to take him prisoner ; but one of tlieir number, who I 
 some time previously had_ been in his employ, followed him to the stable, revealed 
 the plot of his fellow rebels, and advised him to escape. Truj;ting the ma'\ and 
 deciding to follow his advice, he mounted his horse, 'and putting spurs to him, w^s] 
 soon clear of the place, but only in time to escape the volley of shots fired after him. 
 It is perhaps needless to say that he did not draw rein until he was well outof their| 
 reach. The despatches were carried between the soles of his boots. 
 
 In politics, he was a staunch Conservative, being a warm admirer of the late Sirj 
 John A. Macdonald, and his influence in behalf of Conservative candidates was ahvayj 
 displayed, in no small degree, in times of elections ; indeed, he was one whose abilitieij 
 were worthy of a broader field of action. He was a man of sterling integrity andj 
 inflexible will, yet he possessed a great fund of humor, and enjoyed a good practicalj 
 joke. 
 
 Mr. Barclay was twice married : the first time in 1832, to Ann Hayes of LiniericU 
 Ireland, who died in 1839, 3"<^ ^^^ t^^" married her sister, Joanna, who died in i866,l 
 
 By the fi 
 
 lie is eng 
 
 riage, he 
 
 are now £ 
 
 Willi 
 
 the house 
 
 Haines ol 
 
 i'arclay ii 
 
 their elde 
 
 Geor 
 
 liunberme 
 
 ^\Iontre?,l 
 
 his sisters, 
 
 community 
 
 dealer in 1 
 
 Alex. 
 
 England, a 
 fever was a 
 ada and be 
 was then tl 
 Mr. A 
 children — a 
 him, living 
 The la 
 Naughton ( 
 perty of Mr 
 tiful place 
 Dr. M( 
 daughters. 
 
 The e!c 
 Eliza, marr 
 nianied to J 
 iJunham I, a 
 
 Miss A 
 years. 
 
 Her pai 
 Scotland in 
 after his arri 
 Rebellion wc 
 lengcd by se 
 word. He 
 Taylor died 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 177 
 
 By the first marriage he had four children, but only the eldest, John, is now alive ; — 
 he is engaged in an extensive commission business in Glasgow. By the second mar- 
 riage, he had a large family of children ; but of these, only four sons and two daughters 
 are now alive 
 
 ^Villiara, the eldest of these, and a man of ability, is a commercial traveller for 
 the house of Frothingham & Workman, Montreal; he was married in 1S73 to Adria 
 Haines of that city. His family resides in S;. Andrews, where the influence of Mrs. 
 ]>arclay in support of temperance ^nd Ciiristian work is strongly exerted. Hanam, 
 their eldest son, is pursuing a course of study in mining and engineering, in Chicago. 
 
 George, the second son of James Barclay, is engaged with McLaughlin Bros., 
 lumbermen, in Arnprior, Ont. Henry, the third son, after spending some years in 
 Alontrepl ".s machinist, returned to Carillon ; and now lives on the homestead with 
 his sisters, Joanna and Florence — all, like their parents, deservedly esteemed by the 
 community around them. Colin 'Jampbeil, the fourth son, is in Rico, Colorado — a 
 dealer in hardware and mining supjilies. 
 
 Alexander McIntosh, from Lochaber, Scotland, spent part of his early life in 
 England, and in 1850 went to Australia, being in the latter country while the gold 
 fever was at its height. He afterward returned to Scotland, and in 1866 came to Can- 
 ada and bought the "Prioty" on the " Field Farm" in St. Andrews. This building 
 was then the })ioperty of Mrs. Abbott, widow of the late Rev. William Abbott. 
 
 Mr. Mcintosh was married in England to Miss Ward, and they had three 
 children — all daughters; he died in St Andrews in 1884. Mrs. Mcintosh survives 
 him, living with her daughter, Mrs. McNaughton. 
 
 The latter, who is the youngest of the three si.. :ers, married Dr. Donald Mc- 
 Naughton of Hudson ; tl.ey removed to Carillon, and purchased the present pro- 
 perty of Mr?. McNaughton, " Dundera*/,"' formerly known as " Milncraig," a beau- 
 tiful place on the road leading from Carillon to St. Andrews. 
 
 Dr. McNaughton died in December, 188S, leaving a widow, one son and five 
 daughters. 
 
 The eldest daughter, Anna, married to C. V. De Boucherville, lives in Ottawa; 
 Eliza, married to Martin S. Albright, lives at Prospect Place, La Bale ; Eleanor, 
 married to James Machan, lives in Grenville ; Grace M. and Flora are attending 
 Dunham Ladies' College; Duncan, the son, is in the States. 
 
 Miss Agnes Taylor, of Carillon Hill, has been a resident of this place for several 
 years. 
 
 Her parents, James and Elizabetu (Beattie) Taylor, came to this country from 
 Scotland in 1837, ^"<^ ^^^^ settled in St. Andrews. Mr. Taylor was employed, soon 
 after his arrival, as foreman on the estate of Commissary Forbes, Carillon ; and as the 
 Rebellion was then in progress, in going to and from his work he was daily chal- 
 lenged by sentinels posted between the two villages, and compelled to give the pass- 
 word. He afterwards removed to Isle aux Chats, where he died in 1883; Mrs. 
 Taylor died in 1888. 'J hey had four sons and six daughters. 
 
178 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 James, the eldest son, is tlie proprietor of a fine farm in East Hawkesbury ; 
 David, the second son, is in Independence, Oregon ; Joseph, tliird son, lives on the 
 homestead ; and Robert, tiie youngest, in British Columbia. Of the daughters, five 
 married, and ail wlio are now living remain in Canada. .Mary A., one of tlic 
 daugiiters, married to James Taylor, lives at Isle aux Chats. 
 
 Agnes R., who is tlie fouilh daughter, came to this: place in 1889, and purcha'-ed 
 tiie residence of her brother David, who was about leaving for the West. Miss Taylor 
 has made many imi)rovements, and her pretty residence, known as " Rosebank 
 Cottage," with its fine view of the Ottawa and profusion of flowers in sammer, adds 
 much to the attractiveness of the street. 
 
 John A. Shakman, a native of Norfolk, England, a tailor by trade, came to 
 America in 1830. He soon returned to his native country, but came bavck again in 
 1833, and before 1849 ^^'^^ crossed the Atlantic with his family nine times, on a few 
 occasions as super-cargo, thus saving the ex])enses of the voyage. On one of these 
 trips, the vessel, when returning to England, her.vi'y laden with lumber, encountered 
 a severe gale, ard sjjrang a leak. The storm conlinacd three days ; the hands were 
 all set at the pumps, and to encourage them, the captain supplied them liberally, as 
 well as himself, with rum, till, with the exception of the carpenter, they were all 
 drunk. Mr. Sharman, seeing the condition of things, and knowing that their escai/e 
 from death depended entirely on the ability of the sailors to work the i)umps, assumed 
 command, and with the aid of the carpenter managed, widi much difficulty, to keep 
 the sailors at work. Sc badly did the vessel leak, that for some h.ours he could not 
 sec that the water in the vessel diminished. Concealing this fact, however, from the 
 sailors, and exhorting them to persevere, the ship out-rode ihe storm, and even- 
 tually, badly water-logged, reached port. 
 
 During the year that Mr. Sharman lived in thiG country, he plied his trade in 
 different places : New York State, East Hawkesbury, Ont., Chatham and St Johns, 
 Que., and lastly on the Lacliute Road, St. .'\ndrews, where he died, 24th January, 1875, 
 aged 79. 
 
 He lived in New York about the time the Canadian Rebellion was approaching ; 
 and his outspoken English opinions were not calculated to make friends in thai 
 locality, hence he came to Canada. Mrs. Sharman, his second wife, died [4th 
 November, 1852, aged 44. He married a third time, but had no children, save by 
 the second marriage ; these were two sons and two daughters. 
 
 Alonzo L., the eldest son, followed the trade of his father, which ha still pur- 
 sues in Carillon. He was married 26th October, 1865, to Mary Gordon. She died 2oh 
 June, 1875 ; they had two sons and a daughter. He married a second time, 25th 
 Eebruary, 1878,. Mary L., daughter of the hte John Dewar ; they have one i;on and 
 one daughter. Mr. Sharman is a Christian man and an earnest advocate of temper- 
 ance. In the fall of 1894, aided by Mrs. Sharman, he organized a Sabbath School 
 in this village, which is held at his residence. 
 
 Th c ( 
 built from 
 si:ccess, it 
 It was 
 both skillfi 
 for the tn 
 C>., of wl 
 member. 
 
 Labor 
 
 St. Andrew 
 
 Rouge, to s 
 
 were sunk t 
 
 The wc 
 
 had been pt 
 
 bhor had b 
 
 whole |).\:,ie( 
 
 Immedi 
 
 took passag 
 
 work in whii 
 
 board, was h 
 
 which the d 
 
 requesting h 
 
 The ord 
 
 were without 
 
 work, they in 
 
 the work, fro 
 
 Others 
 perhaps, moi 
 The only 
 and this com 
 managers, wa 
 John M(. 
 prominent cit 
 land. He ca 
 near the city 
 Thomas Mass 
 t'eclinmg heal 
 in tliis countrj 
 "here he was 
 McCuish, who 
 I and two more 
 io the Ottawa 
 
HISTORY CF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 179 
 
 The Carillon & Grenville Railway is only a section of a road which was lo be 
 built from Montreal to Ottawa ; and though it commenced with a fair prospect 0' 
 success, it ended disastrously for its projectors. 
 
 It was begun in 1857 by two brothers from England, William ar.d Samuel Sikes, 
 both skillful mechanics, and one, at least, being a mechanical engineer. The money 
 for the enterprise was to bo provided by an English banking firm, Sikes, DeBerg &: 
 C'>., of which firm, Alexander Sikes, a brother of the two named above, was a 
 member. * 
 
 Labor on the road was commenced at different points, Moi.treal, St. Eiislache, 
 St. Andrews, etc., a steam mill being erected at the latter place, near the River 
 Rouge, to saw lumber required m the construction of the road, and artesian wells 
 were sunk to provide the mill with water. 
 
 The work had progressed fcxvorably for ner.rly two years — th.,' men employed 
 had been promptly prid, and the money to pay the last sum of indebtedness for 
 labor hid been sent from England, when a sad accident ibru^tly terminated the 
 whole p.v/'ect. 
 
 Immediately after the last instalment of money had been sent, Alexander Sikes 
 took passage on a vessel for America, with a view, it is supposed, of inspecting the 
 work in which his company had i:. vested so much money ; but the vessel, with all on 
 board, was lost. When this sad accident became known in England, the company of 
 which the deceased, Mr. Sikes, had been a member sent to their representative here, 
 requesting him to return the money he had lately received. 
 
 The order was obeyed, and thus the Sikes biothers on tl.is side of the Atlantic 
 were without means to accomplish their object. Unwilling, however, to abandon the 
 work, they invested what little capital they possessed, which being soon swallowed uj), 
 the work, from necessity, was abandoned. 
 
 Others besides the Sikes brothers lost heavily in this unlucky venture ; none, 
 perhaps, more largely than Sydney Bellingham, M.P.P. for Argenteuil. 
 
 The only completed portion of the road was that between Carillon and Grenville, 
 and this coming into possession of the late Hon. J. J. C. .Abbott, solicitor for its 
 managers, was, by him, sold to the Ottawa River Navigation Company in 1863, 
 
 John McGowan, the present superintendent of theab jve Railway, and one of the 
 prominent citizens and business men of Carillon, was born in "Balmagh parish, Scot- 
 land. He came to Montreal in 1842, and was first employed by a farmer lesiding 
 near the city, with whom he remained two years. He then engaged as clerk to 
 Thomas Masson, Notre Dame street, Montreal ; but at the e; piration of three years, 
 c'eclining health compelled him to abandon the store. His father's family was then 
 in this country, and in connection with his father, he bought a farm at Hudson, P.Q., 
 where he was engaged till about 1858. In the year previous, he was married to Jane 
 MeCuish, who died in 1870, leaving eight children. Four of these died in infancy) 
 and two more after reaching the age of eighteen. In 1859, Mr. McGowan engaged 
 to the Ottawa River Navigation Company, and for five years was located at Ottawa. 
 
Slli: 
 
 1 80 
 
 HISTORY OF A?,GENTEUIL. 
 
 In 1863, the Company purchased the Carillon & Grenville Railway, and ihe following 
 year he came to Carillon to act as superintendent for the Company. 
 
 While thus engaged, he has not been indifferent to the public affairs of the 
 village, and has tiken special interest in schools. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the 
 School J}oard when living in Hudson, and is now Secretary-Treasurer of the dissen- 
 tient school of this village. He was Miyor of the village in 1S93, and once since has 
 been elected to the same office. In 1874 he went to Scotland, and while there was 
 married to Jane Edgar. Mr. McGowan is a man of much energy and activity, and a 
 very proficient and careful manager of the interests committed to his charge. John, 
 his eldest son, who was employed several years as purser on the steamer " Princess," 
 the duties of which position he discharged to the unqualified approval of the Com- 
 par.y and the public, has recently been appointed Captain of the new steamer 
 " Duchess of York." 
 
 George, the only son by his second marriage, wh>) has lately attended a Com- 
 mercial College in Montreal, is now at home. 
 
 Isabella, his only daughter, was married in May, 1893, to Ernest Howe, of the 
 firm of Howe & Mclntyre, commission merchants of Montreal. 
 
 John Halsev, the engineer on the C. & G. Railroad, was born uf English 
 parents in Dublin, and cam," to Canada in 1870. His father and grandfather had 
 been in the Navy, and the former served at tiie blockade of Kiel, and in Egypt won 
 three medals for his proficiency and bravery. He afterward entered the Coast Guard 
 service, and moved to Dublin. 
 
 Mr. John Halsey served his apprenticeship as locomotive fitter on the Great 
 Southern &: Western R.R., and received the most flattering teitimonials from the 
 officials. 
 
 After going to Montreal, he worked two years in the Grand Trunk shops, then 
 three years in Erockville for the Can. Central R. R., after which he v,'orked another 
 year in the Grand Trunk shops at Montreal. He then accepted the position of 
 Locomotive Engineer for the Ottawa River Navigation Company, and has held it, to 
 their great satisfaction, for eighteen years. He was married, 22nd June, 1876, to 
 Margaret, eldest daughter of James Beaton, of Her Majesty's Customs, Stornoway, 
 Island of Lewis, Scotland. They have had nine children — eight sons and one 
 daughter, of whom six sons are living. The eldest, Robert, who is learning the trade 
 of machinist, has been with the IngersoU Sergeant Drill Co. of St. Henri, since 
 March, 1893. 
 
 Kelly's Hotel, which has been known to the public for nearly fifty years, is the 
 only one besides the Sovereign, in Carillon. Large as these two houses seem for so 
 small a place, they are inadequate in the summer season to accommodate the number 
 applying for board. 
 
 JoHX Kelly, the oldest English-speaking resident of Carillon, is a son of J. 
 Kelly, one of the early settlers of Grenville, and he came to Carillon in 1848. Patrick 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 18 r 
 
 Murphy, who 1 ,1 kept a public house in this village, was now dereascd, and Mr. Kelly 
 married his widow, and became proprietor of the hotel. Being active, and pos:sesscd 
 of an enterprising spirit, as well as shrewdness, he engaged in whatever kinds of 
 business besides hotel keeping presented to him an opportunity of making money. 
 
 In those days, before the advent of railways, the travel through Carillon far 
 exceeded w.iat it has since. The large number of lumbermen who were emjdoycd 
 on the upper Ottawa and its tributaries all passed to and fro through Carillon, and the 
 lumber manufactured at the Hawkesbury and other mills, which now is borne off by 
 locomotives, all came down the Ottawa in rafts, manned by a number of men whose 
 patronage added not a little to the profits of the hotel-keeper. At that time, the 
 business of towing, in which Mr. Kelly largely engaged, was not the least profitable 
 source of his income, and, besides, he also became a dealer in wood. He had several 
 horses, and their constant employment in conveying travellers, towing and drawing 
 wood and freight, together with his farm, secured to him a good income. While 
 others slept, or whiled ..way their time to no purpose, Mr. Kelly was hard at work — 
 three and four o'clock in tin morning being not an unusual hour for him to begin. 
 
 In those days of greater financial prosperity, his income from different sources 
 often exceeded $150 a day — .$8od sometimes being realized between Monday 
 morning and Saturday night. To the credit of Mr. Kelly it can also be said that, 
 while he was economical, his economy never bordered on penuriousness, his purse 
 always being ready to encourage charitable objects or public improvements. " Money 
 is power;" and when to this its possessor adds shrewdness and affability, he exerts 
 an influence among his fellows which those who seek favors at the hands of the 
 public arc always sure to court. For this reason, the aid of Mr. Kelly has not infre- 
 q"ently beci. sought in election campaigns ; and a histo-y of the scenes of political 
 excitement and political chicanery he has witnessed would alone fill a volume. In 
 1S75, he was induced with some others to place a steamer on the Ottawa, to run in 
 opposition to the old line between Carillon and Montreal, he advancing the money 
 for the purpose. The first boat purchased was the "Manitoba,'' at a cost of $;4,ooOj 
 which, after running for four years, was condemned by the inspector. The company 
 then purchased the " T. B. Maxwell," but after a while financial difficulty arose, in 
 [consequence of which the shareholders — with the exception of Mr. Kelly and Nelson 
 Burwash — withdrew, Mr. Kelly again advancing money to purchase the shares of 
 the retiring partners. i\fter running the boat five years longer, and not finding it a 
 [remtinerative investment, they sold out to a company in Toronto. 
 
 Mr. Kelly was a member of the Municipal Council of St. Andrews for a period 
 loftil'teen years, but seeing the necessity of sidewalks and other improvements in his 
 own village, he took steps to have it incorporated into a separate municipality, which 
 levent was secured in the fall of 1S88, against determined opposition ; he was M'lyor 
 I the first four years after its incorporation, and has recently been elected Mayor by 
 [acclamation. In 1874, he erected his present hotel, which is of brick, and the finest 
 Ibuilding in Carillon ; lie has. retired from active business, having given ihe manage- 
 Iment of his business affairs to his son, T. P. Kelly. The latter was married 5th 
 
l82 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUP.. 
 
 FLl)rur,ry, 1890, to Emma Barrows, of Ptospect, Ont. They own considerable real 
 estate in this section, the taxes on whicli amount to a large share of all levied in tlic 
 municii^ility. 
 
 Mr. Kelly's first wife died 19th September, 1870; lie was married, 27thOctoberi 
 1875, to Julia, second daughter of the late William Lawler, Es([., of Hawkesburv; 
 she died i8th October, 1889. 
 
 The "Sovereign Hotel," which, as stated elsewhere, has long been called "The 
 Barracks," is a fine commodious stone building located near the Ottawa. Though 
 erected for an hotel in 1830 by Commissary Forbes, it was found to be too large and 
 expensive for that period, and has not been used as a public house until recent years_ 
 For the last thice years it has been under the management of N. L. Ladouceur, an 
 active young min, who lias discharged the duties of iiis calling efficiently, and to tlie 
 satislaclion of his patrons. He is the youngest son of Odilon Ladouceur, noticed in 
 the succeeding sketch, in bis early days lie learned the trade of machinist, which 
 trade he followed ten years, and then conducted a grocery for a while in Ottawa. I le 
 was married, 17111 January, 1893, to Victoria Clairmont of Rigaud ; she died J4th 
 March, 1894; and Mr. Ladouceur was next married, 15th July, 1895, to Helen 
 Deschamps of Montreal. 
 
 In 1858, Odieon Ladouceur came from St. Scholastique, his native place, to St. 
 Andrews, where he still resides, He is a builder and contractor, and has followed 
 this occupation throughout this section ever since his arrival. He married Mdllc, 
 Mathilde Lalonde ; they have had seven sons and three daughters tliat have 
 arrived at maturity. 
 
 One of the sons, Edmond A. B. Ladouceur, is a member of the Montreal Bar. 
 He was born at St. .Andrews, 8lh October, 1866, received his early training at the 
 school of the Viateur Brothers in tliat place, and entered the Bourget College, at 
 Rigaud, in 1879. His course there was a very successful one; he was at the head 
 of his classes, and thus, naturally, won the approbation of his professors. He also 
 displayed a taste for literary work, and several of his essays, some of wiiich were in 
 verse, secured for him many compliments. 
 
 In 1885, having completed his studies, he settled in Montreal, where he was suc- 
 cessively attached to L' FJentiard 3.n<\ La Patrie. 
 
 In 18S6, he was admitted to the study of law, took his law course at Laval 
 University, being attached at the same time to the office of Hon. J. J. Curran, now 
 judge of the Superior Court, and to that of Mr. J. L. Archambeault, the Crown Pro. 
 secutor. While a student, Mr. Ladouceur wrote for several publications, contributing 
 to the Monde Illustre^ under the tiom de plume of Lorenzo ; several of his poenij 
 were accorded much credit. 
 
 He is a tluent and ready speaker — a talent that he has used efTectively on the | 
 political hustings in behalf of the Liberal cause. 
 
 He has spent some time in the New England and Western States, and, while i" 
 Michigan, took part in the presidential campaign of 1892. He afterward settled: 
 Biy City, where for a time he had editorial charge' of the French newspaper! 
 
al liAr. 
 at the 
 llegc. at 
 
 he lii-a'! 
 He als.i 
 Wi'AC in 
 
 /as sue- 
 
 I, aval 
 
 i-an, now 
 
 ht 
 
 bwn 
 
 Pro. 
 
 Itributins 
 Is poems I 
 
 on tiie 
 
 while 1" 
 [eitkd in 
 bwspapei I 
 
 E. A. U. LADOUCEUR. 
 
Lc ratrii 
 was adnii 
 
 Dfc- 
 
 n: 
 
 men, IS at 
 1827, whe 
 Govern mc 
 
 clue 
 
 fly 
 
 wit 
 
 juclgmeiit 
 and many 
 hill) to sill 
 boats and 
 plied betw 
 received a 
 in 1 89 1, ar 
 luid before 
 been empk 
 Mr. ( 
 sister of his 
 one of the 
 account of 
 Carillon. 
 
 'J'liougl 
 
 supplied by 
 
 on it, ever s 
 
 of its aid to 
 
 as a work of 
 
 that adorn i 
 
 traveled rout 
 
 It was tl 
 
 pondence an 
 
 by the follow 
 
 reply to an a 
 
 respecting th 
 
 r^EAR Mr. D 
 
 At th 
 
 e re 
 
 in front of the 
 
 reports in this 
 
 Ml. B. sa 
 
 *vould have gi 
 
 tha 
 
 I some of t 
 
 in view. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTF.UIL. 
 
 183 
 
 Lc Fairiote. AllaclMiicnt to Canada, however, led liim back to Montreal, wlier.^ lie 
 was admitted to tlie Bar, i3ll» January, 1893. 
 
 Dh'MNis Gahertv, a gentleman well known among contractors and business 
 men, is at present a resident of Carillon. He came from Dublin with his father about 
 iS27,wlien he was but three years of age. In 1843 he was given an important 
 (lovernment contract on the Ottawa, and since that time has been employed 
 cliiefly with large contracts of various kinds. His extensive experience and correct 
 judgment with regard to labor have caused his services to be largely sought; 
 and many difficult and dangerous jobs given \\\> by others have been brought by 
 hini to successful comi)lction. He lias also engaged (pi'te extensively in running 
 boats and in boat building, having at different tim.'s owned thirteen boats which 
 plied between Quebec and Kingston. In 1879, in company with two other.*, he 
 received a contract on the new canal at Carillon, nnd lived here ten years ; he returned 
 in 1891, and was superintendent of repairs on the Dam — a structure in wl icii he 
 had before made extensive repairs on account of breaks. For nearly a year he has 
 been employed at Lachine and St. Anns. 
 
 Mr. Gaherty has been twice married ; the 'ast time to Miss Ellen Davis, a 
 sister of his first wife. 15y ihe first marriage, he had two sons and three daugiiters ; 
 one of the i-ormcr is deceased; the other, D. G. Gaherty, is an M.D., who, on 
 account of ill health, gave up an extensive practice in Montreal, and now resides in 
 Carillon. 
 
 Though Carillon has no important manufactory, this want is in a great measure 
 supi)liedby the Canal — agoodly number of men having found permanent employment 
 on it, ever since its completion, sixty years ago ; and while this benefit, added to that 
 of its aid to commerce, renders it a work of great public utility — its value to the place, 
 as a work of art, is a matter not to be ignored — its massive cut-stone locks, the trees 
 that adorn its margin, with the pleasure always afforded by running water along a 
 traveled route, make up a feature in th; landscape of which the visitor never tires. 
 
 It was the hope of the writer, that he would be able to publish soaie of the corres- 
 pondence and documents relating to the canal at its beginning ; but, as will be seen 
 by the following letter, such papers arc not in existence. The letter was written in 
 reply to an application of Mr. Colin Dewar, on behalf of the writer, for information 
 
 respecting the subject in question : — 
 
 Ottawa, 20th July, 1894. 
 Dear Mr. Dewar, 
 
 At the request of Mr. Brophy, I send you some informition regarding the canals 
 in front of the County of Argenteuil, the most of which was extracted from printed 
 reports in this oflice. 
 
 Ml. B. says some valuable ;apers which belonged to his late father, and which 
 
 would have given many details not now available, cannot hz found ; but he trusts 
 
 tiiai some of the dates furnished may not be too late for the object Mr. Thomas has 
 
 in view. _,....-. j--, ^^-■■-.-- •--:-'--" -•'■ "^ 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 ... ■ "^ * D. Scott. 
 
 ! - 
 
M! 
 
 184 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGEN'lEUIL. 
 
 Enclosed with tl^e above letter was the following brief but valuable history of tiie 
 canals : — 
 
 " The (Jrcnville Canal lies on the north shore of the Ottawa, and carries naviga- 
 tion around ihc ' I-cng Sauk Rapids." It is excavated .)artly tiuough solid rock ami 
 partly through cartii ; the locks are of cut-stone. It was designed md coninienccd 
 by the Royal StalT Corps, for the Imperial Government, in 1819; but owing to the 
 limited amount ajjpropriated to this work each year, its progress was very slow. As 
 in the Carillon and Chute au Hlondeau canals, the original designs contemplated locks 
 corresponding in size to tiiose of the Lachiue Canal. 
 
 " Three of the iocks were commenced and completed on these dimensions ; but in 
 1828, the enlarged scale of the Rideau locks was adopted for the four remaining. 
 
 " All records relating to the establishment of these tiiree canals— the Carillon, 
 Chute au Jilondcau and the (Irenville — wer-; kept in the Ordnance office in Montrcil, 
 and were destroyed by fire in 1849. ^^ appears, however, from infor;nation given by 
 parties engaged in the construction of the works, that the Grenviile canal was 
 comuleUd in 1829, the Chute au Blo.ideau in 1832, and the Carillon in 1833; and, 
 further, that on the 24th of April, 1834, the canals were opened, and the steamer 
 ' St. Andrews,' with two barges iii tow, made the first passage through them. 
 
 " 'i'hese canals were transferred to the Canadian Government about forty years 
 ago, and since that time their capacity has been greatly enlarged." 
 
 It will be seen by this that there were three different canals, though the Chute au 
 Blondcau has not been used since the erection of the dam. Two of them — the 
 Carillon and Chute au Blondeau, however, are short, the former not being more than 
 half a milt in length, and the latter about one-third of a mile. The Grenviile Canal 
 begins at Grenviile and terminates at Greece's Point, the distance between the two 
 places being six miles. 
 
 Previous to the erection of the Carillon D.an, in order to increase the depth of 
 water in the canal, a channel was dug from the North River, near the Isle aux Chats. 
 about a mile to the canal. This ingenious device, to augment the value of the canal 
 to commerce, was aptly termed the " Feeder," a name that still not infrequently 
 rouses the curiosity of strangers. 
 
 After the dam was constructed, a new canal also was made, a little shorter and 
 nearer the river than the first; and as the water has since been quite sufficient in 
 quantity, the " Feeder " has fallen into disuse. 
 
 As stated abovcj the canal was constructed by the British or Imperial Govern- 
 ment, the Canadian Government at that early day scarcely being able to afford the 
 outlay for such public woiks. Two companies were enlisted in England for this 
 purpose, composed chiefly of sappers and miners, and were called the Royal Staff 
 Corps — a name that will often be mentioned on succeeding pages. Besides these, 
 many othe/ transient laborers were also employed on the canal. Labor was first 
 coinmenced on the canal at Grenviile, and it was several years before work was begun 
 at Carillon. The present Sovereign Hotel, formerly known as " The Barracks," was 
 
 occupied 
 the name 
 
 of ilie j)rci 
 shore of il 
 a jimction 
 owing to t 
 ivater. Ti 
 tlie\' may ei 
 Here, 
 tiilery. Fa 
 raided; bu 
 "iii-,key int 
 •-onietimcs 1 
 and, meetin 
 li-'aving. won 
 P'ietor. JJii 
 prosper; ;iii, 
 liam. and bc( 
 more success 
 ofliii life, he 
 Mr. C. I 
 "At the 
 incident that 
 !lie instinct ai 
 iiension. Mt 
 pets as if the) 
 "One da 
 "id on his ret 
 iK'pes of findii 
 j :o liiid it. 'i'i) 
 i'^lleii ; he wa> 
 ["■ords '///,/ /, 
 miration of joy 
 ''"•■iiig could r,c 
 'J'lie build 
 jniembers of ilu 
 JArouoli frame 
 lilie men of the 
 J'" I'roximity t( 
 Ifiouse, and suL 
 jwnal iab^ ers c 
 I'lieiroun work 
 
HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 185 
 
 ras nii>' 
 begun 
 
 i)<:c iipiccl by the ofticcrs of tliis Cor|)s diiriiiy die lime they were in Carillon, hence 
 the nninc " mrracks." 
 
 .' jmentoes of those days and those who were employed here, and of which few 
 of ihe present inhabitants of Carilion have ever heard, arc still to be seen. On the 
 shore of ihe Ottawa, at .1 point nearly opi)()sitc that where " 'I'he Feeder " formed 
 a junction with the old t^aiuil, are the stone foundations of an old building, novr, 
 owing to the encroachments of the ri^er on the lardj almost |)erpendicular with the 
 water. Trees and bushes have grown up so thickly in and around these walls, that 
 tlicv may easily be overlooked. 
 
 Here, about ihc year 1824, a Scotchman named Hugh Chisholm creeled a dis- 
 lillLiy. Farmers, in those days, found a good market at this for tiie little grain they 
 raised ; but, unfortunately, thoy nearly all accepted, as compensation for it, the 
 whiskey into which their grain was converted. It is staled as a fact, that men 
 .sometimes took a quantity of grain there, hoping to obtain with it a little money, 
 and, meeting congenial com|)anIons, would begiv. with a social glass, and before 
 leaving, would exhausl not only the price of the grain, but be in debt to the pro- 
 piietor. Eut though lie had such patrons, the business of Mr. Chishohn did not 
 prosper ; and, after a period of four or five years, he abandoned it, went to Hucking- 
 hani. and became the partner of Mr. lligelow, a lumberman. In thir: vocation, he was 
 moie successful, so that in a few years he was able to .elire. During the last years 
 of his life, he was a Christian and an active supporter of the cause of temperance. 
 
 .Mr. C. Dewar thus writes : — 
 
 " At the time of giving you the sketcli of Mr. Chisholui, I forgot to mention an 
 incident that occurred when he lived at the Old Distillery, an.d which goes to siiow 
 the instinct and sagacity of the brute creation, and their wonderful powers of compre- 
 i.cnsion. Mr. Chisholm always lived alone, and was in tlie habit of talking to his 
 peti as if they were human beings, a fine collie dog being his constant companion. 
 
 "One day lie had been at work in the hayfield on the Island with my fatiier, 
 .ind on his return home found tha,t he had lost the key of his house. He had small 
 iuipcs of finding it, but, calling the dog, told liim he had lost it, and ordered him off 
 ;o liiid it. The dog started off, but returned in a short time, very- dejected and crest- 
 lalleu ; he was scolded and sent off again, his master repeating over and over the 
 l«ords -find it.' In a short time became bounding over the hill witii every demon- 
 ^tration of joy, having the key in his mouth, thus performing a feat that a human 
 [being could not do." 
 
 The building used as a distillery by Mr. Chisholm was afterward occupied by 
 Iracmbers of the Toyal .Staff Corps, during the time they were employed on the canal. 
 .\roui;h frame work for a bell tower was erected near it, and a bell was rung to warn 
 I the men of the hour of beginning and closing work and to call them to their meals, 
 proximity to this distillery was a log building, which was originally used for a 
 Ihouse, and subsequently for a blacksmith shop. It was vacant at the time the 
 lonal labf ers came here, and they used it as a blacksmith shop in connection with. 
 Iiiieirown work till_,lhe completion of the canal. 
 
 13 
 
 I 
 
 i! 
 
 II 
 
i86 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 FORMER -ND PRESENT EMPLOYEES ON THE CARILLON CANAL. 
 
 John Fourks? wlio had been in the British ser"ice, connected with an Artillery 
 Company, came to Carillon about 1842, and soon afterward was appointed Lock 
 Master; he died about i860, leaving three sons and three daughters, 
 
 William B., one of the former, succeeded his father as Lock Master, and, later, 
 was promoted lO the position of Sui)erinter,dent. A short time before his death, 
 svhich occurred in 1889, he purchased the homestead of the late Lemuel Cusiiing, and 
 repaired and embellished it at much expense. He le'"t one son, John William, who 
 was married to Alice Rodger. 
 
 George Thomas Forbes, brother of William B., succeeded the latter as Lock 
 Master. He died April 2Gth, 1872, I'^-aving a widow (who, before her m:rriage, was 
 Miss .Schneider) and three children — two sons and a daughter. Of the former, G'jorge 
 Archibald, the elder, married to Elise Bissette, of Quebec, is employed as Bookkeeper 
 with James Whitham & Co., boot and shoe manufacturers, of Montreal. Arthur 
 Thomas, the second son, has early in life attained a responsible position, being 
 manager and buyer in \]\c retail department of J. Eveleigh Sz Co., whohsalc trunk j 
 and bag manufacturers of Montreal. He was narried i4ih June, 1894, to Mpigare;, ! 
 daughter of the late Captain J. H. Leslie. .: 
 
 Daniel Murphy, the present Collector of Tolls on the Canal, is a son of Patrick j 
 Murphy, who was bom in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1774; the father became a sailor 
 early in life, and came to St. John, N.B., in 1798, and was for some time Captain c! 
 a fishing vessel connected with that port. He iifteiward returned to his native land i 
 entered the navy under Nelson, and was in the battle oi Trafalgar. Subseqiitntlyj 
 he came to Quebec, where he was stevedore, and then conducted an hotel till about,] 
 1840, when he came to this section and jived on a farm a while, -"n Chatham, whichj 
 he left to keep hotel iii Carillon. He died here in 1848, leaving one son, Danielj 
 His widow, a woman of much tact and energy, married Mr. John Kelly, who con- 
 tinued the hotel business. ■> , 
 
 After his school days were ended, Daniel became manager in the hotel. Business! 
 at that time was most lively in Carillon, and his activity and faithfulness in iliedis] 
 chaige of his duties being noticed by Mr. Sipple, chief engineer on the Canal, the latieij 
 gentleman suggested that Mr. Murphy should apply for his present position, thalj 
 of Collector. After some deliberation, he acted on the suggestion, and, aided by tha 
 influence of Mr. Kelly, received his appointment in 1872. It will thus be seen thij 
 he has held the po qtion tweiity-four years, and during this long period has disl 
 charged his duties faithfully, and to the approval of commercial men and the publicj 
 he has also served several times as Assessor for this municipality. He was niairieij 
 p8th January, 1891, to Emma Jane, daughter of Patrick Kelly of Granville. 
 
 William Brophy came from Queen's County, Ireland, to Montreal in 1.S2JJ 
 .\bout two years later, he went to Hawkesbury, Ont., where he remained ilrej 
 
 years, anc 
 
 liis trade ( 
 
 and enlist 
 
 to Cornwa 
 
 Margaret, 
 
 son, at an ( 
 
 until his n 
 
 in the R(.i 
 
 Master oi 
 
 daughters 
 
 and Susan,. 
 
 —live in C 
 
 xMr. B 
 
 of his life ; 
 
 the positior 
 
 have provec 
 
 John C 
 
 Wanlesj of 
 
 in 18S5 ^^''t 
 
 prize in evei 
 
 Theology, hi 
 
 where he .n 
 
 'eturning to 
 
 Europe. O 
 
 Professor of 
 
 'J'he tw( 
 
 employed ir 
 
 and the latte 
 
 Mary J 
 
 Lachine, wh 
 
 John A 
 on the 24th 
 company, wh 
 her husband 
 this maid an 
 Canada, and, 
 by the Colo 
 prosperity, at 
 John Mason 
 could not be 
 endeavoring t 
 
HlSroRY OK akglnteuil. 
 
 187 
 
 a sailo;H 
 
 ajjlain oil 
 
 ive land! 
 
 eqiitntivB 
 
 ill about,B 
 
 m, whichP 
 
 hi ;ln' ii'"| 
 llhc laue| 
 
 td by M 
 
 I seen tbil 
 
 liasdisj 
 
 • piiblicj 
 
 iiKuricl 
 
 in iS;3J 
 ie(i i!''«| 
 
 years, and then removed to St. Andrews, in which village he worked several years at 
 liis trade of shoemaker. About the beginning of the Rebellion, he moved to Lachute» 
 and enlisted in Capt. Qiiinn's Company of Volunteers. He "./ent with that Company 
 to Cornwall where he becaiue ill, and died in 1838 , he left one son and four daughters. 
 Margaret, one of the latter, taught school in Lacluite for a number of years. John, the 
 son, at an early age, went to live with dn uncle in St. Andrews, and remained with him 
 until his marriage to Mary B.infield in 1864. Miss Banfield's father was a sergeant 
 in the Royal Staff Corps, and after the canal was completed, he was appointed Lock 
 Master oi Lock No. 2, Carillon. He died in 1841, leaving two sons nnd three 
 daughters ; the sons are now deceased, and the two sisters of Mrs. Brojihy, Anna 
 andSus.xn, — the former married to Rufns Lamkin, and the latter to William McKeever 
 — live m Cimbridge, Mass. 
 
 Mr. Brophv is a carriagemaker by trade, to which he has devoted many years 
 of liis life ; in }■ .e, 1872, he was appointed Lock Master at this place, and still holds 
 the position. He has most carefully provided for the education of his children, who 
 have proved themselves w >rthy of his solicitude. 
 
 John C, the eldest son, received a thorough training at the private school of George 
 \Vanles3 of C.irillon, and then attended Montreal College, from which he graduated 
 in 1885 with the highest honors, winning the Linsdowne Medal, and taking first 
 prize in every branch of the curriculum. After a few years' study of Philosophy and 
 Theology, he received his degree of Bachelor of Divinity, and in 1890 went to Rome, 
 where he .nirsued his studies foi two years, and received the degree of D.D. Before 
 returning to Canada, he visited France, Kngland, Ireland, and other countries of 
 Europe, On his return, i.e accepted a Professorship in his Alma NLiter, and is now 
 Professor of Theology in the Grand Seminary. 
 
 The two remaining sons of Mr. Brophy — Thomas J and William P. — are both 
 employed in the General Post Office at Montreal, the former in the Money Order, 
 and the latter in the Registry Department. 
 
 Mary J., the d.iughter, attended the Convent of the Sisters of St. Ann's, at 
 Lachine, where she also received the Earl of Derby Medal, in 1893. 
 
 John Mason of WolveHiampton, England, at the age of 18, enlisted at Charlton, 
 on the 24th April, 1820, in the Royal Staff Corps. He was made a corpora! in his 
 company, which w^rs commanded bv Col. Duvernay. Mrs. Duvernay accompanied 
 her husband to Canada, and her maid was a girl named Mary Ann McCue. Between 
 I'lis maid and John Mason, an attachment sprang up after they had arrived in 
 Canada, and, in time, they were married. The young couple wert, deservedly esteemed 
 by the Colonel and Mrs. Duvernay, who, cherishing the best wishes for their 
 prosperity, advised them, when the canal was finished, to remain in Canada. But 
 John Mason had decided to return to England with a number of his Corps, who 
 could not be induced by the offer of free grants of land to remain. After vainly 
 endeavoring to dissuade him from his purpose, his wife appealed to her mistress and the 
 
x88 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Colonel to intercede more vigorously in her behalf^ so her husband was finally induced 
 to remain. The Colonel offered him any position on the canal, not already filled, tiiat 
 he might choose, and as a Lock Master was required at Chute au Hlondeau, he accepted 
 that ajjpointment. He remained there until his children were old enough to attend 
 school, when, tor the purpose of j^iving them better educational advantages, he 
 removed to Carillon. He acted as Lock Master at the latter place for a number of 
 yeai-s, and then was succeeded by his son Henry, who still occupies the position. He 
 die 1 23rd November, 1873 ; Mrs. Mason died in the January preceding. They had 
 eight children — two sons and six daugliters. John, tlie eldest of tlie children, is in 
 the employ of the Government. ;'S a mechanic, in Ottawa. One of the daigliters 
 married James ]>arron of Grenviile. Theresa, the youngest daughter, was married 
 in 1866 to Joseph Bryarton, bailiff of Carillon. 
 
 Henry, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, after being employed many 
 years on the O'tawa, was appointed, 1st Augu. t, 1871, to his fiither': position as- 
 Master of Lock No. 2, Carillon. He was married i^Uh February of the same ve.ir 
 to Agnes Doyle of Hawkesbury Village. Like his father, .\[r. Mason is desirous of 
 educating his children, and has sent his son Herbert to Rigaud College. 
 
 P. GiRARD, who lives in Carillon, is foreman on tiie canal, and also Secreuuy- 
 Treasurer of the ^'illage Council and Board of .School Commissioners. His native 
 place is Point Levis, Quebec, and there he learned tlie trade of his father who was 
 a boat builder. In connection with him, he built many of the fine boats nowplyinj; 
 the rivers and lakes of Canada. In the fall of 1871 he came to Carillon to build the 
 steamer"' Princess," and in the following May was marr-ed to Mary Boyerof this vil- 
 lage; they have eight children — four of each sex. Since that period, his home has 
 always been at Carillon, though for a year he worked in Ottawa, and was also throe 
 years in li^e North West, building boats for the North West Navigation Comjjanv, 
 In 1884, he was appointed foreman on llie canal, and after the Superintendent, 
 Mr. George Simpson, was incapacitated through illness, Mr. Girard performed ihc 
 duties of ihe office for sixteen months, 01 until the appointment of the present superin- 
 tendent, Mr. Herbeit Simi)son. 
 
 Mr. Girard is a careful and eflicient business man, and possesses the geniality 
 and courtesy of the people of his nationality. 
 
 Frederick Poci.in, who has a farm and a fine brick residence in Caiillon, has 
 been an employee on the canal for many years ; he was formerly foreman of the 
 mechanical department ; he married Miss Boyer of Carillon. Godfrey, his eldest 
 son, is employed in the boot and shoe store of Mr. Mallettc, McGUl streei', Montreal; 
 Alphonse, his second son, is checker for the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co. 
 
 John Hodc.son, a native of the county of Vaudreuil, has been employed as 
 n>echanic by the Government, for several years ; he has recently erected a {^ood 
 residence in Carillon. Mr. Hodgsoh was married 15th June, 1887, to Eli/.aheth. 
 
 daughter 
 are staun 
 
 \Vai. 
 
 emj)lnyee 
 
 removed t 
 
 Thoa 
 
 Academy, 
 
 descend tc 
 
 "'ith life III 
 
 pation a cc 
 
 Alex. 
 been empio 
 i" ihe Jum 
 
 'ihe rii 
 
 ISIDORI 
 
 son, Isidore 
 Florimoud, 1 
 is one of the 
 
 Alfrkd 
 
 L'eon in the e 
 
 Carillon 
 
 "'liter, has a 
 
 Raymond ; h 
 
 's ill the offic 
 
 .'. B. Gai 
 
 of telegrapli i 
 Company, i 
 t»'o eldest so 
 Posi'ion, rnd 
 i'iisiness. Vict 
 3i'c' also in th 
 much median i( 
 Hie succe 
 sent us by Coli 
 The wate 
 considerable di 
 '"ii'il, as the 
 I ""JHcy was exj 
 'hh which, he 
 In X842, Jc 
 'and Grenviile 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 189 
 
 iuighter of the late James Beggs, of East Hawkesbiiry, Both Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson 
 are staunch and worthy niemWers of the Methodist Church. 
 
 Walter McGregor, a young man of industrious habits, has been a faithful 
 employee here for the last eight years. His parents formerly lived in Carillon, but 
 removed to Ottawa in 1S89, where iiis father has since died. 
 
 Thomas Fagan, who owns the stone residence formerly known as the Wanlcss 
 Academy, is enii)ioyed by the Governnient as divei ; it often being necessary to 
 descend to the bed of tie canal to make repairs. A water-tight rubber suit, supplied 
 with life line and hose, through which air is pumped to the diver, renders the occu- 
 pation a comparatively safe one, though somewhat grue-omc to the novice. 
 
 Alex. Berniquier and C. Raeferty are lock-men at No. 3 ; the former has 
 been employed on the canal 10 years. During this time, he has r-pent his winters 
 in iiie lumber-woods, where he formerly worked. 
 
 'Ihe river boats, also, obtain several employees from Carillon. 
 
 Isidore Lekebvre has been an engineer on the Ottawa 32 years. His eldest 
 SJii, Isidore, is assistant engineer on the steamer " Hall," and his second son, 
 Floiimond, holds the same position on the " Olive ;" Olier, another son of Mr. Lefebvre, 
 is one of the noted cheese-makers of Argenteuil. 
 
 Alfred Boileau, a very industrious and skillful mechanic of this village, has 
 been in the employ of the Ottawa River Navigation Co. for 32 years. 
 
 Carillon, besides being supplied with three mails a day in summer, and two in 
 winter, has a telegraph and a telephone office. Tiie fonner is in the house of N. 
 Raymond ; his daughter. Miss Donalda Raymoiid, being the operator. The telephone 
 is in the office of the Canal -SuperiiMendent. 
 
 J. B. Gauihier, a brother of the late Victor Gauthier, has long been in the employ 
 of telegraph companies as a mechanic, and is now in the employ of the G. N, W. 
 Conijiany, He came to Carillon from New Brunswick ia 1889, leaving there his 
 two eldest sons, Edmund and Joseph ; the former has si. receded to his father's 
 posiiion, rnd tiie latter is engaged quite extensively in the electric light and telepiione 
 ii.isiness. Victor and John, two younger sons of Mr. Gauthier, who live at Carillon, 
 are also in the employ of the G. N. W. Telegraph Co. Victor, besides possessing 
 much mechanical ingenuity, is also quite a sicillful taxidermist. 
 
 The succeeding i)aragraph or two, and account of the robbery at Carillon, are 
 sent lis by Colin Dewar. 
 
 The water was very low in the North River duriiij.- the summer of 1840, and 
 
 considerable difficulty was experienced in passing heavily laden barges through the 
 
 [anal, as the " Feeder" could not get the supply. To remedy this, a large suu. of 
 
 [money was expended on the dams at the mouth of the "Feeder," in the spring of 
 
 [1841, which, however, was not of permanent benefit. 
 
 In 1842, John Brophy, Esq., C.E., was appointed Superintendent of the Carillon 
 [andGrenvJIle canals, a position which he held for many yeors. 
 
9 
 
 190 HISTORY OK ARGENT'^^UIL. 
 
 Owing to the'constantly increasing traffic through the canals, the old-fashioned 
 system of working the lock gates by means of a ciipstan was too slow and tedious, 
 and Mr. Brophy iiad them removed, and the windlass introduced instead whidi 
 proved a great benefit. Under his diiections the dams on the North River wcr- 
 greatly improved by filling up, and prt-venting the waste of water, thus keeping up 
 a uniform height. It was also under his directions that the Upper Locks were taken 
 down and rebuilt, a defect in the " 1 udJling " when thc-y were constructed causing a 
 continual leakage. 
 
 On the night of the " Cattle Show " in September, 1844. the Government office 
 at Carillon was broken into, and robbed of a large sum of money. 'I'he robbers liad 
 procured an old ricketty ladder, whicii they placed against one of the upper windows 
 in the rear, and entering the cashier'.s office, secured the small iron chest, whicli at 
 that time contained over (jne thousand dollars, as i)ay day was near at hand. Tluy 
 threw the chest out of the window, where the marks were visible, and carried it down 
 near the locks, where it was found in the morning, broken open and empty. 
 
 Three or four suspected persons were arrested, and sent to Montreal ; but as 
 nothing could be proved against them, they were discharged, and that was the end of it 
 
 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. 
 
 Mayor, John Kelly ; Councillors, Mercien Desjardins, ex-mayor, Andre Vivarais, 
 Fred. Poulin, Gddeon Thibodeau, Emile Rochon. 
 
 M. Desjardin:^, owner of a pleasant brick cottage in this village, has long ke|)t 
 a boot and shoe shop here, assisted by his son Gedeon ; the latter received a two 
 years' course in the Commercial Department of Rigaud College. Hilaire Desjardins, 
 father of the ex-mayor, now 88 years of age, lived at St. Eustache during the Rebellidii 
 of '37, and was wounded in the leg while watching the combat. 
 
 Mr. Thibodeau was engaged in teaching for many years ; he was also Secretarv- 
 Treasurer of the School Board at Hochelaga, previous to coming to Carillon. .\ feu- 
 years since, he married Miss Boyer, of this village, sister to Mrs. Poulin and Mrs, 
 Girard. 
 
 E. Rochon has long been a skillful blacksmith in this village ; he has a penchant 
 for fr.e horses, of which he always has one or more. 
 
 ANDRfe Vivarais, eldest son of Andr6 Vivaiais, was born in Brown's Gore. .Ar- 
 genteuil County, in i>'4S ; he lived tliere until March, 18S6, when he s.old his farm.j 
 and bought from Robert White the one on which h ■ still lives in Carillon. He lia 
 been twice married, first to Agnes Ploof, who died in 1883, leaving two sons ; and the] 
 second time in 1885, ^" Adele BeaudrVj widow of Baptiste King. Mr. Vivarais liasj 
 been Municipal Councillor of Carillon for the pas' five years. His father died herej 
 in 1894, and Mrs. Vivarais, sen., resides with her son, who is one of the industrio'jjj 
 farmers of the community. 
 
 Willi 
 
 native of C 
 
 He has live 
 
 with a good 
 
 satisfaction, 
 
 Amonj 
 
 erected a be 
 
 wards was 1 
 
 many yeyr.s. 
 
 Mr. W; 
 
 versities. ( 
 
 and afterwa 
 
 inivatc scho 
 
 married a ci 
 
 strict discii)! 
 
 and daughte 
 
 being of the 
 
 tiiemory, eret 
 
 .Andrews ceir 
 
 The Ca 
 
 triinnphs of e 
 Government, 
 canal, constrt 
 it cost $1,350 
 the ])roject, a 
 structure was 
 came into ofii 
 The Dan 
 ill 1873, the e 
 
 W 
 
 oiks; and t 
 
 «'ith stone, w 
 yard. Near t 
 feet long, and 
 ihe slide, regu 
 purpose in the 
 slide, is quite 
 of strangers. 
 
 The sirii< 
 closed, and 
 "'ater at Greed 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 191 
 
 William Manson is proprietor of tlic l)akery referred to elsewhere. lie is a 
 native of Como, and was married ist June, 1880, to Miss Louisa Parsons, ff Hudson. 
 He has lived in (Carillon but four years, during which lie has prosecuted his business 
 with a good deal of energy, and the productions of his manufactory have given general 
 satisfaction. Mr. andM:s. Manson have three children, — one son and two daughters. 
 
 Among the several fine stone dwellings of Carillon is that of T. Fagan. Tliis was 
 erected about 1830, by Rinaldo Fuller, contractor, for an academy, and soon after- 
 wards was bought by John Wanless, who lived in it, and conducted a i)rivate school 
 many years. 
 
 Mr. Wanless was Irom Scotland, and was a gratluate of one of the Scotch Uni- 
 versities. On coming to America, he was first employed in teaching in New York, 
 and afterward, about 1827, came to St. Andrews, and for a year or two conducted a 
 vuivatc school in the building which is now the Anglican parsonage. While there, lie 
 married a cousin named Wanless, and moved to Carillon. He was a fine scholar, a 
 strict disciplinari.in, and his-schodl was highly i)opular, being paironizfd by the sons 
 and daughters of all the leading citizens of this section, the late Hon. j. J. C. Abbott 
 being of the number. He died in 1882, and his former pupils, from respect to his 
 memory, erected at their own expense a tombstone at his resting place in the St. 
 .\ndrews cemetery. * 
 
 THE DAM. 
 
 The Carillon Dam, across the Ottawa, is one of the great works of art and 
 iriuinphs of engineering skill of the present century. It was built by the Canadian 
 Government, in the interests of commerce, to increase the depth of water in the 
 canal, constructed at this point to overcome the obstruction of rapids in the river; 
 it cost $1,350,000. On account of tlie great expense, there was much opposition to 
 the project, and for this reason, during the McKenzie administration, work on the 
 structure was wholly suspended ; but it was resumed when the successor of McKenzie 
 came into office. 
 
 'i'he Dam is 2,400 feet long and 12 feet liigh ; its construction was commenced 
 in 1S73, the engineer being Horace Merrill, late Superintendent of the Ottawa River 
 Woiks ; and the contractors were F. B. McNamee & Co. It was made of cribs filled 
 «itli stone, which was supplied by the neighboring farmers, at 45 and 55 cts. i)er 
 yard. Near the middle, is a s'ide for the passage of timber; this is 28 leet wide, 800 
 feet long, and appioached by 2800 feet of boom ; an apron, at the toj) and foot of 
 the slide, regulates the quantity of water required, and " stop logs" serve the same 
 pur|iose in the passage of timber. A house, painted red, covering the entrance of the 
 slide, is quite a conspicuous object on the Dam, and serves to attract the curiosity 
 uf strangers. 
 
 'I'he structure was completed in the fall of i88r, and when the sUii:es were 
 closed, and the water had reached its full height, it was found that it raised the 
 water at Greece's Point — six miles up the river — two feet. 
 
192 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 In 1883 a portion of the Daiii gave way, and was repaired at an expense of 
 $20,000. Altliougii the bed of the river, where the Dam crosses it, is entirely of 
 rock, it was found to be so soft in character, that the water had undermined llie 
 Dam, thus causing the breakage. Since that, much money and labor have been 
 expended to add to its strength and durability, and it is believed it will now 
 efToctually withstand the assaults of water or ice. 
 
 Mr, John Middleton, of Pt. I'ortune, slide master, reports that in 1882, 73 rafts 
 passed through the slide ; in the years following, the number varied considerably, and 
 in 1895 only 6 passed through. JUit the rafts of late years have been much larger 
 than formerly; one composed of 50 cribs used to bj regarded a raft of goo J si/.e, 
 while now one of 210 is not uncommon. 
 
 Notwithstandi'tg the large number of men employed for so long a time, and the 
 danger of the work, only one serious accident occurred during the construction ol 
 the Dam. On the day the sluices were closed, a man named Dernier, who had been 
 employed on the work, slipped as he was walking on the Dam, fell into the river, and 
 was drowned. 
 
 A few years later, however, an accident occurred, which, though not attended 
 with loss of life, escape from so sad a result seems due to nothing short of a miracle, 
 
 Late one summer night, a steam tug came down the river, having in tow several 
 barges laden with lumber. Just as the tug entered Lock No. 2 at the Dam, t'le nearest 
 barge struck the end of the pier; the tug gave a vigorous pull, but instead of bring- 
 ing the barge into the lock, the tow line parted, and the barge swung outward into 
 the swift flowing river, a few rods above the Dam. Capt. Smith, the owner of the 
 ill fated barge, and his wife, both quite aged people, v/ere on board. 
 
 Like an electric shock, news flew througn this little fleet that Capt. Smith and 
 his barge were going over the Dam. Quick hands seized ropes, and soon the men 
 were on the broad pier running at right angles to the Dam, and several feet above it. 
 Through the vapor and darkness, they descried the outline of the barge fast hasten- 
 ing to its doom. But there was no need of light to show them where 10 direct their 
 aid, the cries of Capt. Smith and his frantic appeals for help defined the spot, A 
 rope thrown by dexterous hands falls on the barge at the Captain's feet. He is safe, 
 Alas I he is not ; h ; sees it, but the roaring of the grim monster, now but a few yards 
 distant, which he feels will in a few seconds devour him and all that he holds most 
 dear, has filled him with an awful dread, and rendered him powerless to act. The 
 barge is gliding on, and the rope falls into the water, astern ; but still there is ,1 
 moment left, which the anxious, beating hearts on the pier are determined to 
 improve. Again the rope shoots out, and, fortunately, this time rests on the Captain's 
 shoulder ; now, surely, he will grasp it and be saved, but no, he sees it slip downward, 
 glide across the deck, and drop into the water ; he is too paralyzed to move. His 
 last chance has flown, the awful moment has arrived, yet, strange to relate, his facul- 
 ties return, — reason resumes her throne. He knows that his wife has descended to 
 the cabin, and believes it to be the most dangerous place. He calls her, and I hen. 
 
 t.hrowing \ 
 
 ujiright pla 
 
 The other ; 
 
 were not kc 
 
 s'.nick the 
 
 Tiie water, 
 
 deck load c 
 
 The barge, 
 
 that it resie 
 
 ing waters, 
 
 yards or mc 
 
 tu'o parts, 1 
 
 till they foui 
 
 their strang( 
 
 It is to be p 
 
 God devoutl 
 
 JJut lik< 
 
 story. Afte 
 
 nearest poin 
 
 tained any li 
 
 rowful heart 
 
 sad tidings tl 
 
 Lock Master 
 
 river rose oc( 
 
 barge ; but, t 
 
 morning, he ; 
 
 then learned 
 
 drowned by 
 
 We may 
 
 ilous adventu 
 
 The Isle 
 from Carillon. 
 mills for manj 
 "ear it, has re 
 the settlement 
 if is said, was 
 ^vlien the coun 
 it) ;is many In : 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 193 
 
 tirosving himself flat on the deck, he thrusts his arm tluough a large hole in an 
 ui)right plank before him, bends his elbow, and to this object clings with desperation. 
 The other arm encircles the waist of his wife, who has thrown herself beside him. They 
 were not kept long in this awAil suspense. Fortunately, the water was low ; the barge 
 struck the Dam, and quickly swung around, so that she lay broadside against it. 
 The water, thus checked, raised tiie opposite side sufficiently to throw her entire 
 deck load of lumber, consisting of many thousands of feet, into the abyss below. 
 The barge, now buoyant, rose to the surface, and so quickly followed the lumber, 
 that it rested fairly on it. and thus was prevented from being submerged. The boil- 
 ing waters, however, soon carried away the lumber ; the barge, borne down twenty 
 \ards or more, struck broadside against a large rock, and there, nearly broken into 
 two parts, remained. The Captain and his wife retained their recumbent position, 
 till they found the barge moored against the boulder, when they rose to take notes of 
 their strange situation, and calculate the probabilities of once more seeing New York. 
 It is to be presumed, however, that, like Christian people, their first act was to thank 
 God devoutly for their late miraculous escape from death. 
 
 But like the novelist, we must now invite the reader to another scene in this 
 story. After the barge wei t over the Dam, the men on shore hastened to the 
 nearest point whence they could see the barge, and shouted to ascertain if it con- 
 tained any living occupant. No answer being returned, they turned away with sor- 
 rowful hearts, to ponder and discuss the awful doom of their companion and the 
 saJ tidings they must bear to his friends. But not long afterward, Mr. Mason, the 
 Lock Master, who had been roused from his sleep, discovered, as the mists from the 
 river rose occasionally and floated away, that there were living people on tiie wrecked 
 barge ; but, to his surprise, he could obtain no answer to his shouts. The next 
 morning, he and one or two more with a skiff rescued the ship-wrecked couple, and 
 liien learned that their shout.-> luJ not been heard, every other sound having been 
 drowned by the roaring waters of the Dam. 
 
 We may add that Capt. Smith made tv/o or three trips up the Ottawa, after his per- 
 ilous adventure. His barge was insured, but the lumber it carried was a total loss. 
 
 ^ v*l 
 
 ISLE AUX CHAT.S. 
 
 The Isle au.\ Chats is a small island in the North River, located about a mile 
 Udm Carillon. It contains no inhabitants, but the fact that it has been the site of 
 mills for many decades, and that there is a small settlement of intelligent farmers 
 near it, has rendered the locality quite noted. The Island itself is in Chatham, but 
 the settlement, which is always called " Isle aux Chats," is in St. Andrews. The name, 
 K is said, was given to the Island on account of the number ui wildcats infesting it 
 when the country was new. It is quite evident, also, that Indians used to frequent 
 it, as many Indian relics have been found here. : 
 
194 
 
 HIST )RY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Hugh Roiier tson came to C anadix from Glasgow, with Iiis wife and family, in 
 1857. After spending some time in Quebec and I'hree Rivers, he came to Carillon, 
 iind bought the pro])erty owned by Mrs. McNaugiiton, giving it the name of" Ottawa 
 Lodge." J.ater, he came to Isle aux Chats and bought the Island, and the saw, grist 
 and woollen mills, which did quite an (.Mcnsivc business, giving employment to a 
 iiumber of hands. Mr. Robertson had six sons and two daughters, cf whom all but 
 one son are now living. Hugh William, the eldest son, born June, 1848, in Glasgow, 
 was nine years of age when his father came to Canada. He was educated in 
 Bishoi^'s College, Lennoxville, Que., and afterwards took the mills and farm from his 
 father, who went to Owtn Sound, where he still resides. Mrs. Robertson died there 
 16th Maici), 1S95, ''"*^' ^^''i^ interred at St. Andrews. Hugh, the subject of our pre- 
 sent sketch was married in 1874, to Miss De Hertel, daughter of Daniel De Hertel, 
 of Centerville. They have six sons and three daughters, all of whom, with the excep- 
 tion of the eldest son, are still at home. The son, also, Hugh William, after spending 
 some time in the oflice of Molsons Bank, Montreal, went to Owen Sound, where he 
 has a position in a branch office of the same IJank. 
 
 Mr. Robertson continues to keep his mills in operation, and also manages his 
 farm, which comprises Isle aux Chats and half a lot in Centerville. 
 
 Town of LachuteJ 
 
 This place, the cheflieu of the county of Argenteuil, is located en the North 
 River, 9 miles from the Ottawa and 44 north of Montreal. It is also on the line of 
 the Canadian Pacific Railway, — foraierly tlu- Q. M. O. & O. Railway. Its location 
 is very pleasant, level, high, the center of a good agricultural di-trict, and the scenery 
 around, especially along the river, is picturesqae. The name was first derived from 
 the fall or 6-/^w/t', and was formerly written La Chute (The Falls), but afterwards the 
 two words were united, hence the nirae Lichute. No one seems to know how the 
 name of the Parish — St. Jerusalem d'Arg enteuil — of which Lachute forms a parti 
 
 * Lachute Town sliall be that poilion of the parish of St. Jerusalem in the county of Argenteuil, 
 conlainetl witliin a lint- lirawn as follows, to wit ; 
 
 Commencing on the line dividing the said paiish fiom the township of Chatham, at a point due 
 west of the south-west coriur of lot 14 19 of the official plan and book of reference of the said p.iiish 
 (rope-walk), thence northerly, along the said line to where it intersects the base of the mountain on 
 Jot 1692, and on said plan, eigiit hundred and fifty-eight feet English, f;rni the centre of Chntli.nm 
 road north ; thence eastward, along the b.rse of the saul mountain (east of Leggo's farm house), to 
 where it joins the North River, thence ascending the centie of said river, to a point formed by the inter- 
 ection of the northerly continuation of the eastern boundary line of lot 329 A on said plan with the 
 
 originated 
 was sugge; 
 As tht 
 ally has a 
 one part of 
 over it, one 
 The m 
 length, and 
 dwellings, 1 
 some of rl 
 Hotel, the 
 immense sti 
 P'ortun 
 facts with rt 
 use. Comn 
 mitted, it is 
 extensive. 
 
 While V 
 Jericho, Ver 
 -Mr. Clark, 11 
 only for spec 
 particular pi 
 by forests ju: 
 and Jericho. 
 "■hat is now 
 did he come 
 ed that he w; 
 Christian on 
 soiiic of the 1 
 .IS easily havi 
 The mo: 
 lie calculated 
 places, they \ 
 lie find such ; 
 ed Ijv the No 
 
 saul ce 
 maiu ri 
 lots 31 
 lioneij 
 Henry 
 forined 
 thence 
 Ihcnce 
 
 ntre of li' 
 oad ; thei 
 2 and 32! 
 line, to a 
 street on 
 by its int 
 southerly, 
 to sai.; p( 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 195 
 
 originated ; but it has been stated — we know not on what authority — that the name 
 was suggested by Governor Metcalfe. 
 
 As the place has grown up chietly witliin the last quarter of a century, it nnUii- 
 ally has a youthful appearance, nearly all the best buildings being new. From no 
 one part of the corporation can a view of much of it be obtained, hence, un traveling 
 over it, one finds it much larger than he had supposed. 
 
 The main street, from the West Knd, through Upper Lachute is two mile:i in 
 length, and there are several shorter streets well po|iuiated. Many of the priv.ite 
 dwellings, both from their location, and architectuial neatness, are attractive, while 
 some of the public buildings — the Registry office, Ville Marie Bank, Argentcuil 
 Hotel, the Academy, the establishments of J. Roby and J. A. Bedard, besides the 
 immense structures of J. C. Wilson, are most imposing in ap|)earanc ;. 
 
 Fortunately for us, nearly half a centu; ago an effort was made to collect a few 
 facts with regard to the early settlem^mt of this place, and preserve them for future 
 use. Commendable as was this act, and valuable as are the few facts thus trans- 
 milled, it is to be deplored that the researches were not far more thorough and 
 extensive. 
 
 While we are told that, in 1796, a man named Hezekiah Clark came from 
 Jericho, Vermont, with his family, and planted the first cabin here, the antecedents of 
 Mr. Clark, and his motive in coming so far into the wilderness, are left as matters 
 only for speculation. It would, indeed, be interesting to know why he sought this 
 particular place for a home, inasmuch as many leagues of land just as fertile, covered 
 by forests just as dense, with scenc^ry equalling it in beauty, lay between this place 
 and Jericho. Within half the distance from that town to Lachute, lay a great part of 
 what is now the Eastern Townships, but then an unbroken wilderness. Why, then, 
 did he come so far? Was he a fugitive iVoni justice ? Not at all ; for we are inform- 
 ed that he was soon followed by a number of others, and Ihil all were observant of 
 Christian ordinances. We can no more answer the question, ihan we can tell why 
 some of the pioneers located on rough, stony, rock-bound hind, when they could just 
 as easily have procured the finest land in the country. 
 
 The most probable I'eason that we can assign for the course he pursued is, that 
 he calculated the chances for getting to market, and found that, compared with other 
 jjlaces, they were decidedly in favor of Lachute. In no other unsealed section, did 
 he find such a natural highway to other settlements and to Montreal, as was present- 
 ed by the North River and the Ottawa. It is possible also, that with that prophetic 
 
 said centre of liver (Morrison's 15 ridge) ; thence southerly, along the said last mentioned line to the 
 main road ; thence to a point on the sourh side of said road, wh.-re it is joined by the lines, between 
 lois 3r2 and 325 of said plan (Lane's) ; thence southerly, alonj; the continuation of the said last men- 
 liuni-ij line, to a point formed by its intersection with the easterly continuation of the centr-e line of 
 Httuy street on plan 15 of said parish ; thence westerly, along the said hast mentioned line to a jioint 
 formed by its intersection with the centre line of Isabella street on said plan li (Barron's bush) ; 
 thence southerly, along the last mentioned line, to a point d. -. east of the point of commencement ; and 
 thriice to sai.i point of comme.icement. 
 
 .ji i 
 
196 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 vision which charactorized, now and then, one of tliose early settlers, he foresaw some- 
 thing of what really has occurred — the rapid opening up of the country along the 
 great river, the utilizing of the admirable water-power, and decided tliat no olher spot 
 presented such a fair prospect to himself and })()slcrity. Ikit whatever were the in- 
 ducements, the fact iliat he came ij unquestioned, and we can judge only frmn 
 that fact, that he wns a man of superior energy, great cnduranc- and courage, and 
 was skilled in woodcraft. Withoul these qualities he never would have come, nor 
 could he have maintained his family, while surmounting the difficulties frequenily 
 intruding. 
 
 His family, consisting of his wife, three sons and two daughters, can.e through 
 the woods with an Indian sled from St. Andrews, not even a cow path, at that lime, 
 leading to the ])lace of his future home. No house, not even a bark shanty was tiicnj 
 to receive them, and the first night was passed beneath the shelter of a few branches 
 of trees hastily gathered. The next day, with that tact and energy characteristic of 
 a woodsman, Mr, Clr.rk constructed a hut, or wigwam, which answered the purpose 
 of a domicile, till opportunity was given to erect a better one. Tradition claims, as 
 the site of this habitation, a spot near the present Lachute mills. 
 ? But who does not envy the lot of this pioneer? What a chance for enjoyment! 
 On the threshold of summer, when nature has donned her richest garb, and we are 
 entranced by the melody of her voices, what seems more akin to paradise than a 
 home in the boundless forest ? The woods in summer ! What visions of undisturbed 
 retirernent, blissful solitude, do they not suggest? 
 
 Hardship and privation are ascribed by general repo t to the lot of a pioneer. 
 But what life is there among the laboring class free from those perplexities and sor- 
 rows incident to a life of toil? Though the first settlers had to work hard, and 
 sometimes, especially in the beginning of their career, were saddened at the small 
 stock of provisions in the hrder and the condition of their wardrobe, yet, who ever 
 saw a pioneer that did not look back on his life in the woods as a pleasant one? 
 Who did not regard with pride every acre of land reclaimed from the forest, ."nd 
 broi:ght to a Slate of cultivation? And how many pleasant memories are associated 
 with those -^arly struggles? What stories the old nun will tell of the feats of lahor 
 in chopping or logging in this spot or that on his farm. With what pride, too, In.' 
 will recount the number of bushols of corn or potatoes he raised on yonder acre— 
 the first croj) produced by the virgin soil. 
 
 ^Ve are not favored witli an account of Mr. Clark's experiences while he lived 
 here, yet we cannot forbear thinking that he had many pleasant ones, even though 
 there might have ijeen many discouragements. Of one thing, at least, he had an 
 abundance, and that was fuel. Then, too, past his door flowed a fine stream, 
 whose waters teemed with fish, and the forest was alive with a variety of game — all of 
 which not only prevented the possibility of famine, but provided means by which the 
 taste, even of an epicure, might be gratified. The seed planted in the new soil grew 
 as if by m.igic ; and the crops were of a quantity well calculated to satisfy and glad- 
 den the hearts of their possessor. 
 
 How( 
 
 forth from 
 
 dilapidatec 
 
 iiiha'ation 
 
 of licaven's 
 
 many trees 
 
 birds, — sol( 
 
 through p.Il 
 
 And w 
 
 anxieties wi 
 
 collected in 
 
 •he bonds 
 
 The wi 
 
 of danger to 
 
 how much t< 
 
 orders, and j 
 
 fall, to dole 
 
 one but then 
 
 tion and plen 
 
 and, conseqii 
 
 the expandin 
 
 pasture, ihe r 
 
 But wha 
 
 >|iot, far reuK 
 
 Mhbalh I Bii 
 
 j this and St. A 
 
 I foot, even th 
 
 to take a neec 
 
 I scene of vice i 
 
 'be led thro 
 
 hears, they hac 
 
 gratitude to ih 
 
 percd the .Sab I 
 
 Mezekiah 
 
 hhat they are a 
 
 I distant places. 
 
 According 
 
 l^yMr. John M 
 
 jyears, when he 
 
 I of Lachute, by 
 
 I'iientions but 01 
 
 He says : ' 
 
HISTORY OK ARGKNTEUir. 
 
 <97 
 
 How different, too, must Iiave been his emotions wlien, in the morning, lie stepped 
 forth from his cabin to begin his daily task, from those of the laborer (hvelling in a 
 dilapidated tenement on a narrow street of a city. No vitiated, smoke-laden air for 
 inha'ation here; no sound of cars or carts rattling over the pavements, but the purest 
 of lieaven's air, exhilara'ing from its burden of ozone, and fragrant with the odor of 
 many trees and forest i owers. No discordant sounds, but, instead, the songs of 
 birds, — solos and duetts, and then the whole choral harmony, amusing and cheering 
 through p.ll the sunmier day. 
 
 And what relief from care ! No watching f'^'- callers at that cabin. No feverish 
 anxieties with regard to the toilet, or fears that mesdan-.es will find too much dust 
 collected in the parlor ; on the contrary, the inmates realize their emancipation fiom 
 the bonds of fashion. What liberty ! What comfort ! Perfect abandonment to ease I 
 
 The wild animals, though giving no real cause for apprehension, suggested enough 
 (if danger to relieve this life from monotony, and tinge it with romance. And withal, 
 bow much to encourage and s|)ur to renewed exertion ! No surly employer to issue 
 orders, and growl at the manner and amount of work performed, and then, at night- 
 fall, to dole out with grudging hand the wages of their toil. Free from restraint, no 
 one but themselves to please, in the most beautiful locality, labor it^jlf was a recrea- 
 tion and pleasure, giving as it did strength to the muscles, vigor to the whole fram..', 
 and, consequently, buoyancy to the spirits and happiness to the mind. Every day, 
 t!ic expanding clearing encouraged to another day of labor, and gave promise of the 
 pasture, the meadow, the flocks and herds, and wtdl filled barns. 
 
 But what of the Sabbatli ? Could there be any moral growth ui this isolated 
 Mot, far removed from cluitch and the sound of church going bell? Ah I yes, the 
 jabbath ! But perhaps tiiey attended church. Seven miles only, intervened between 
 this and St. Andrews, and women, as well as men, often pert'ormcd longer journeys on 
 foot, even though the labors of the previous week inclined them on the Sabbath 
 to take a needful rest. Who can doubt that peojde of moral habits, distant from every 
 scene of vice and wickedness, in commtniion with the fairest scenes of nature, should 
 "be led through nature up to nature's God ? " Who can doubt if, in their early 
 [years, they had been taught to respect things divine, that in their |)resent abode, their 
 gratitude to the Author and Giver of their blessings increased, and that they remem- 
 ■eicd the Sabbath to keep it holy ? 
 
 Hezekiah Clark has no descendants in this part of the country, but report says 
 I'.hat they are an intelligent and reputable class who occupy responsible positions in 
 [distant places. V:. ■'■...:.,:'■ ; , ...-v- , ' ."i^, ■';■.■ 
 
 According to a brief History of Lachute referred to above, which was compiled 
 I'uy Mr. John Meikle, sen., '' Mr. Clark remained the sole inhabitant of Lachute for two 
 [years, when he was joined by six more families from the same place." J'ut a sketch 
 jofLachute, by F. C. Ireland, published in T/iv Watchtiian of 3rd September, 1886, 
 |inentions but one fiimily which came within two years after the arrival of Clark. 
 
 He says : " The next pioneer was also one of the hardy sons of Vermont, who 
 
t^S 
 
 HISTOKY OK ARGENTEUIL, 
 
 came about two years later, or ill 1798. His name is familiar to most of the resi- 
 dents of Lacluite to day. » 
 
 "John S. Hutciiins had married Miss Cutter, in their native State, and migrat- 
 ed to Canada, to join hands as ncighl)ors witli the Chirks at Lacliutc. They endiiied 
 all the hardslii])S, privaticns and vicissitudes incident to such a journey and y.uiU a 
 life. They worked hard on a coarse diet, but the labor brought sweet rest, and the 
 diet gave strength to the constitution, as they and their children have proved, for 
 where is there to be found a family witii more active frames, better develo|)e(l 
 muscles, firmer limbs and stronger minds tiian the descendants, who still live and 
 move among us, of these early pioiieers. 'I'he organ of continuity was so largely dev- 
 eloped in this family, that tliey remained on the site of their early choosing, and 
 bioughtup sons and daughters, many of whom became the first men and women of 
 the place, in position as well as in ])oint of time." 
 
 There arc none, jjrobably, who will deny, that the above tribute to the Hutchins 
 family is well deserved. Two brothers, John S. and Phineas Hutchins, seem to have 
 settled in Lachutc about the same time. The former located on a lot now owned by 
 David McFirlan? ; the latter on om owned by Mr. McGregor. Both have transiiiittid 
 to us the reputation of being energetic, intelligent, Christian men, with a strong desitc 
 to encourage whatever promised to enhance the physical, social and moral prt gress I 
 of their adopted country. 
 
 John .S. Hutchins had learned the printer's trade in Boston, and on first coming i 
 to Canada, he engaged as compositor in the office of T//c Courant, in Montreal. He| 
 soon began to write articles fur that journal, and for some time was a regular contri- 
 butor to its columns. After coming to Lachute, he took an interest in religious! 
 woik, and it was through his efforts that the Rev. Mr. Osgoode, mentioned on an- 
 other I'age, came here and organized a Sabbath School. He was a member of thel 
 Methodist Church, and his house was always a home for the ministers who, fronil 
 time to time, visited the place. For many years, he was Clerk of the Circuit Courtl 
 which held its sessions here. In 1801, his '• .fe died, and it being the first time death] 
 had visited the new settlement, we can well imagine the gloom his advent created. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins haa one son at this time, whose name was Osman. He married! 
 and after living some yeu;s at Hawkesbury, Ont,, moved West. His father alsol 
 married again, and by this marriage had three sons and five daughters : Hawkvl 
 Phineas and Benjamin ; Eliza, Maria, Catherine, Matilda and Mary Ann. Of tlie| 
 latter, Eliza was married to Milo Lane, Maria to Geo. Glines, Calnerine to I.er 
 Gushing, and Mary Ann to Geo. Holland. Matilda, who never married, died a fenj 
 years since in Montreal. Mrs. Gushing and Mrs. Holland, both widows, reside inj 
 that city. . '"■■''' .' ' : ; - ; - : 
 
 Hawley R. Hutchins, the eldest son by the second marriage, married 15th C 
 ber, 1835, Harriet, a daughter of Dr. Rice, of St. Andrews. He engaged in tradJ 
 a while at I,achute, then at Carillon, and finally was in business in Montreal. Heliaj 
 but one child, which died, and this was followed by the death of his wife ; he thenweaj 
 -to California, and died there 12th June, 1882, at the age of 62. 
 
 n 
 
 had eig 
 • irciimi 
 eiigagc( 
 >5th Ja 
 
 Be 
 
 iicss in 
 estate, 1 
 years ol 
 hilt he 
 I'f Repi 
 defeated 
 'list, in 
 
 ■Slierwooi 
 hoyalist. 
 
 Johi 
 1:76, an( 
 
 Phin 
 
 I'ait in e 
 
 lu'ar of hi 
 
 war of i; 
 
 Andrews, 
 
 was a ma 
 
 in comm( 
 
 'iction, ha 
 
 one .son a 
 
 of Montr 
 
 He died 2I 
 
 in trade 
 
 "*AiJ 
 
 strong, w| 
 i'l building 
 ei'gagemen 
 beautiful 
 family, \vh( 
 find a new 
 lioni 
 
 cs 
 
 ">r 
 
 In tht 
 comprising 
 
 * From .- 
 
HISTORY Ol' AKGKNrEUII.. 
 
 '99 
 
 he rcsi- 
 
 . mi Krai- 
 cnduicd 
 I such a 
 and ihe 
 ivid, for 
 evclopcd 
 live and 
 gely dcv- 
 sing, ;uul 
 womi.li of 
 
 Hutrhins 
 iTi to liave 
 
 owned by 
 ransniiikd 
 ong desitc 
 il progress I 
 
 rst coming I 
 ureal. He] 
 idar coniri- 
 in religious 
 ned on an- 
 [iber of tliel 
 
 wlio, froffi! 
 •cuii Counl 
 
 time deaihj 
 
 creatcu. 
 
 :e married! 
 
 father alsol 
 Hawkyj 
 
 .n. Of tliej 
 to Leniutlj 
 
 I, died a k^ 
 , reside 
 
 15th Ocw| 
 Ted in t"' 
 feal. Heliafl 
 le then weal 
 
 riiincas R., his hrotiier, married Jessie Walker of Lachute, 4ih May, 1838. They 
 li.id eight children, the most of whom, at the present lime, arc said to be in prosperous 
 circumstances in California. Mr. Hutchins always remained on the homestead and 
 engaged in farming until he moved with his family to the Golden State, where he died 
 i5lh January, 1875, aged 75 years. 
 
 Benjamin, tl e third son of John S. Hutchins, has spent nearly all his life in busi- 
 ness in Monlreal, where he is much esteemed. He is at present a broker in real 
 estate, having an oflice in the New York Life Insurance building. He was but 14 
 years old when he came to Montreal, and he worked for some time without s dary, 
 but he soon made his way upward. He was a Candidate in i>S67 for the (jffice 
 iif Representative for Argenteuil Comity in the Dcminion I'arliament, and was 
 defeated only by a small majority. Mr. Hutchins has been twice married; 
 lirst, in 1841 or 1842,10 Miss Felion, of Sherbrooke ; the s'^cond time, to Miss 
 Sherwood, daughter of Adiet Sherwood, SherilT of Brockville, and an U. E. 
 Loyalist. 
 
 John S. Hutchins, the fatlier of the children named above, was born 15th .\ugust, 
 1776, and died 4th May, 1865, at the age of 88. 
 
 Phineas Reed Hutchins, like his brother last named above, took a prominent 
 pait in every important public movement, soon after coming to Lachute. We first 
 hear of him as Capt;iin of a Volunteer Rifle Company, which he organized during the 
 war of 181 2. We ne.xt find him assiduously laboring to erect a church edifice at St. 
 Andrews, and contributing liberally towards the cost of its erection. Evidently, he 
 was a man with the requisite energy and ability to push to completion whatever work 
 he commenced, — one of the kind who, with better opportunities, broader fields for 
 action, have won for tliemselves enduring names. He was thrice married, and had 
 oiie son and six daughters. James Reed Hutchins, the son, married Elizabeth Ross 
 of Montreal; and, for a number of years, was in mercantile business in that city. 
 He died 28th June, 1856, leaving one son, Joseph Ross Hutchins, who is also engaged 
 in trade in Montreal. 
 
 "* Among other settlers from the American side was a young man, handsome and 
 strong, whose services were secured by Mr. Hutchins in clearing away the forest and 
 in building up a comfortable and pro.sperous home. This was George Glines, whose 
 engagement with Mr. Hutchins was severed by an engagement with one of his most 
 beautiful daughters, and resulted in a long, felicitous life, and a large and beautiful 
 family, whose record is a credit to any community. In fact, it would be difficult to 
 find a new settlement peopled with a better class of residents than first made their 
 homes ^''^ng the banks of the North River at Lachute." 
 
 In the year 1796, Jedediah Lane, also from Jericho, purchased a tract of land 
 comprising several thousand acres, on which Lachute is located. Having a sister at 
 
 * From a sketch by F. C. Ireland in TAe VValchniaii of 17th September, 1886. 
 
200 HISTORY OK ARCENTHUIL. 
 
 Carillon, '.he wife of Feter McArthur, he doubtless had been here before, and selected 
 the tract he desired to buy, as, at the time he made the purchase, he came on horse- 
 back, according to ihe custom cf those days, with saddle-bags, in whicli was the gold 
 to pay for the land. All that we know respecting this pioneer, may be summed up 
 in the few following facts. He was a prosperous farmer, had a good education, 
 was tall and prepossessing in appearance, a widower and the father of seven sons 
 and two daughters ; only Iwo of the sons, however, settled in this country. He was 
 a college graduate, ar. J for a number of years after coming here taught .schoo] 
 in the school-house occupyiiig the site oi'" the one near the store recently burnt of his 
 grandson, P. H. Lane. He also taught in St. Andrews, but how long it is impossihle 
 to say; it is certain that he taught there in the years 1S37-38. 
 
 Although so brief is his biography, he has an enduring memorial in the tract of 
 land which he tirst bought in J.achute; for '• Lane's Purchase" * is familiar to the 
 citizens of Argenteuil, and will continue to be ''while trees grow and water runs." 
 His fame was also enhanced, no doubt, by a famous law-suit to which his purchase 
 gave rise. By the terms cf the contract between him and Major Murray, the Seignior, 
 of whom the land was purchased, thi:- particular tract was to be e.xempt from the rent 
 imposed on other lauds in the sei..;niory ; but not so understanding the agreement. 
 the succeedipg Seignior, in 1807, brought suit against the settlers for the amount m 
 the unpaid rent. The time in which this suit was dr.^gged through the Courts lias:i 
 parallel in the case of " Jarndyce & Jarndyce," d>...LTibed by Dickens in Bleak House. 
 After seven years of litigation, it was decided in favor of the Seigiiio'-. The settlers, 
 however, satisfied that their case was one of equity, appe;Jed it to the higher court, 
 by which, after five years more, the decision of tiie lower court was reversed. 
 
 Catherine, the eldest daughter of Mr. Lane, was married to John N. Hutchins: 
 Maria ^L, the youngest child, married William Gibson, a contractor : she is now a 
 widow, and resides in Montreal. 
 
 Jedcdiah, his eldest son, settled in St. Andrews, and died there. 
 
 MiLO, the second son, born in Jericho, Vt., i8th July, iSoo, married Eliza, the 
 eldest daughter of John S. Hutchins, in 1825. After living a few years on a farm, he 
 
 * Records which we have examined since the alxne sketcli of Afr Line was written show that lie 
 purchased liis tract from M.njir Murray, seignioi, 31.I December, 1 796. The following show< tie 
 nanifs cif several win) purchasetl, the quanliiy purchased, and dale of the transaction. 
 J. l.ane sold lo ; — 
 
 Date. Price. .\cre<. .:; 
 
 P. Mc.\rthur ... 6ih Dec, 1797 ^'25 500 
 
 " 2Slh Feb, 1820 100 1500 
 
 Dudley Stone 1 ilh .Sejit., 1709 ^^^Q 
 
 " i5lh Mar., iSoo .. ;; , ; MO 
 
 • • • - s 
 
 Joell-eonanl " " .. ado 
 
 '' II. Clark 17th Nov., 1800 .. ->■'--.- 200 
 
 Kofjer Lane 71I1 M ir., iSoi .. 600 
 
 loel Hixhy 2istApr. " ' V. i|0O 
 
 N. Billi.igs 18th June " * .. ' g^--:;— --- 
 
 J. Holdry 29th Feb., 1804 .. 597 
 
 W.Thompson i8th Aug., 1814 , ., 200 
 
 opened a , 
 
 these until 
 
 children, t 
 
 daughter, • 
 
 but he diec 
 
 married to 
 
 Mrs. C 
 
 brity, had f 
 
 eldest d^ugi 
 
 Cameron is 
 
 .Vew York. 
 
 Catheri 
 
 who conduci 
 
 .Montreal, ar 
 
 H-ent to Otta 
 
 much succes: 
 
 A third 
 
 Robinson, a , 
 
 Phineas 
 
 I vived the age 
 
 and qualities. 
 
 ham. In 1857 
 
 which had bei 
 
 I Lane traded h 
 
 J1887, -sold the 
 
 jlife. He has 
 
 Ipositions, amoi 
 
 jierms, but that 
 
 ICharlotte Owe 
 
 |dren died in in 
 
 3ivens by his i 
 
 karried Farqui 
 
 pntreal. 
 
 -Mr. F. C. 
 
 '■ i'^vo ye.,r 
 jetiled here, ant 
 p River du No 
 I:ss Cutter, anc 
 pi aspirations 
 W on a trip t^ 
 Iiurney through 
 erienced by tho 
 
HISTORY OF AKGENTEUIL. 
 
 101 
 
 liza, 
 
 Ifarm.l 
 
 ,• thatl.-; 
 shows tk 
 
 bw 
 
 opened a grocery and hotel in the west end of the village, and gave his attention to 
 these until his death, which occurred 6th April, 1857, at the age of 56. He had eight 
 children, but oniy one son and three daughters arrived at maturity ; Eliza, the eldest 
 daughter, was married to Archibald R. Cameron, who owned the " Struan Farm," 
 but he died four years after marriage, leaving one daughter, Margaret Ellen, who was 
 married to Thomas Gushing. 
 
 Mrs. Cameron, by a acco'^d marriage to W. H. Quinn, a surveyor of much cele- 
 brity, h?d five children — two sons and three daughters. Of those now living, the 
 eldest dTUghter married John R. McOuat, a merchant of Lachute ; one son of Mrs. 
 Cameron is a compositor in Ottawa, and another is in mercantile business in Buffalo, 
 New York. 
 
 Catherine, another daughter of Milo Lane, married John Taylor, a Scotchman, 
 who conducted a store many years at what is now Lachute Mills. He removed to 
 Montreal, and opened a fur store ; his wife died there about 1887, and he afterward 
 went to Ottawa, where he is at present conducting a Gold Cure establishment with 
 much success. 
 
 A third daughter of Mr. Lane married, i8th June, r867, the R.ev. Richard 
 Robinson, a Methodist clergyman ; she died 31st August, 1880. 
 
 Phineas Hulchins, the youngest son of Milo Lane, and the only one who sur- 
 Ivived the age of childhood, is a gentleman of ability, and possesses rare business tact 
 and qualities. In his youthful days he was cierk six years for Mr. Gushing in Chat- 
 ham. In 1857, lie opened a store in Lachute which belonged to his father's estate, but 
 which had been rented for a long time to John Brunton, and then to his sister. Mr. 
 Lane tradgd here for twenty-nine years, doing a most successful business, and then, in 
 1887, sold the store and stock to Mr. William Banford, and retired from mercantile 
 liife. He has taken an active interest in local affairs, and held different responsible 
 Ipositions, among which was the presidency of ihe Agricultural Society for several 
 Iterms, but that of Mayor, which was offered Iiim, he declined. He married Miss 
 Icharlolte Ov/ens, a sister of Senator Owens ; she died 17th March, 1890 ; their chil- 
 dren died in infancy, but they adopted Charlotte Maria, only daughter of Senator 
 3wens by his first marriage, her mother having died when she was an infant. She 
 carried Farquhar Stewart McLennan, a prominent and successful barrister of 
 fclontreal. 
 
 Mr. F. C. Ireland gives the following sketch : — 
 
 '•Two yc.rs after tne Hutchins family came, and four years after theClarks had 
 bled here, another hardy sun of Vermont came to join his friends by the banks of 
 l.e River du Nord at Lachute. This was William Powers ; he had married another 
 |liss Cutter, and sister of Mrs. Hutchins. They started out on their married tour 
 ith aspirations as full, and hopes as bright, as a modern newly married couple could 
 ijoy on a trip to somp of the most fashionable resorts cf the present day. Their - 
 lurney through the uncleared woods combined all the novelty and incidents ex- 
 Vienced by those who had preceded them along t^e same rugged pathway. The 
 
 14 
 
 I 
 I 
 
202 
 
 HISTORY OK AUGENTEUIL. 
 
 [.;f 
 
 1 J- 
 
 
 !'•:< 
 
 Vf 
 
 reader can fancy the joyous meeting of tlie two sisters at Lachute. The incidents of 
 the journey were recounted in detail; iiumerou? enquiries of the friends in Jericho 
 were made and answered with pleasurable gusto ; and so the days, weeks and niontlis 
 passed; the two sisters were an happy as sifters could be. The two men sought oui 
 a homestead for the new comer with as much interest as if it were to belong to both. 
 Place after place was minutely examined, resulung in a home for the Powers upon 
 the site now occupied by Mrs. Paul in Bethany; this was in the year 1800. 
 
 " It was spring time, and all nature was beautiful around the wilderness, or so it 
 
 seemed ^o these pioneers, for they were contented. Though a little late. Powers 
 
 comni^nced vigorously to clear a small garden spot for vegetables, and oucceeded in 
 
 planting quite sufficient, as they turned out, for the frugal wants of the si^.all faniilv, 
 
 A house also was built as soon as possible, and became the residence of as happy a 
 
 couple as ever lived. The summer and early autumn passed without either doors or 
 
 windows to their habitation. This afforded them plenty of light and air, which only 
 
 seemed conducive to their health and vigor. As autumn advanced, there had to be 
 
 a change, and so Powers started off in search of windows and doors, which would he 
 
 necessary to their winter safety and comfort. Mrs. Powers, during his absence, spem 
 
 the nights with her sister ; but on the third evening, as she expected her husband back, 
 
 she remained alone in the open house, where their sleeping apartment was in the 
 
 loft, which they reached by means of a rudely constructed ladder. On this occasion, 
 
 Mrs. Powers waited and watched until long after dark, and had ascended to the loft 
 
 pulling up the ladder after her, feeling safe though very lonely. She had not been 
 
 long in her seclusion, until she heard the noise of wolves howling in the distance. 
 
 They came nearer and nearer to the house, howling in their dismal way around the 
 
 dwelling, until they actually made bold to enter, and prowled through the lower aput 
 
 ment, howling dreadfully with rage at being unable to find their human victim, whicii 
 
 their keen scent told them was so very near. Mrs. Powers, in breathless fear, coverd] 
 
 herself in bed, holding her beating heart lest it should break, o- its sound tell the 
 
 wolves where she was. Hours passed in this way, and that long and dreary nighl 
 
 seemed to have no end ; but as the light of morning broke, the wolves disappeared, 
 
 but it v/as 1' ^e in the day when Powers returned, finding his wife still in the loft, bill 
 
 happy and joyous to greet his protection, and relate the experience she had gom 
 
 through. No wonder she received a gentle chiding for venturing to stay alone. Siid 
 
 were some of the ordeals of pioneer life in Lachute. This account of the wolves i| 
 
 the house was frequently related by Mrs. Powers to her children and grandchildrei 
 
 down to her latest day, and always with a pathos of untiring interest to both gram 
 
 mother and children." w 
 
 About 1801, prices of produce were so low that we cannot doubt the new settli 
 ment was blessed with food in plenty ; and, doubtless, the chief discomfort was tl 
 trouble experienced in reaching mills and market. The market report of 1801 is 
 follows : Pork, $7.00 per cwt. ; beef, $4.00 ; butter, 25 cents per pound ; cheese, 12 
 cents ; corn, 75 cents per bushel ; wheat, $1.00. 
 
 Roac 
 
 Andrew's, 
 
 so that, c( 
 
 even with 
 
 Weh; 
 
 to reach Si 
 
 Seignior. 
 
 iiig or aniu 
 
 place where 
 
 thence to I 
 
 shorter rou 
 
 A man 
 
 instituted a 
 
 erous erran( 
 
 abouts, they 
 
 Pursuing thi 
 
 i.iquiring of 
 
 they were ki: 
 
 ing this, the 
 
 and long one 
 
 In 1803, 
 
 succeeding y 
 
 the war of 18 
 
 11" small influ 
 
 of a class not 
 
 "At the 
 
 "the Militia I 
 
 panics, two c 
 
 Bixby and ,V[( 
 
 Phineas Hutcl 
 
 As 111 all ; 
 
 I'le only mean 
 
 great amount i 
 
 potash grew sc; 
 
 removed to otli 
 
 In the yea 
 
 sions went up t 
 
 \Ht<:r fainilias. 
 
 lere was a cor 
 
 otherwise the ci 
 
 About this 
 
 scanty crops, ar 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 5-03 
 
 Roads, there were none ; the North River afforded communication with St. 
 Andrev,'5, yet the rapids and other obstructions rendered frequent/^r/fz^^ necessary, 
 so that, conveying grain to mill, and returning witli the products thereof, required, 
 even with the aid of the river, strong backs and firm muscles. 
 
 We have shown what a circuitous route the oettlers on the River Rouge pursued 
 to reach St. Andrews, until a much shorter route was pointed out to them by the 
 Seignior. The mistake committed by the inhabitants of Lachute was no less surpris- 
 ing or amusing. To reach St. Eustache, which, besides St. Andrews, was the only 
 place where ihey went to mill or store, they travelled to Grand B ml ^ (St. Benoit), 
 thence to Belle Riviere, and from tiiat jDJace to St. Eustache. Accident revealed a 
 shorter route. 
 
 A man named Uriah McNeal lost his cow. His sympathizing neighbors at once 
 instituted a search, and after having travelled miles through the woods on their gen- 
 erous errand, they ran across a few cattle grazing. Uncertain as to their where- 
 abouts, they determined !o wait till nightfall, and follow the cattle to their owners. 
 Pursuing this plan, they were led to the French settlement in Cote St. Louis. On 
 i.iquiring of the settlers there, if they could show them the way to the Nortii River, 
 they were kindly led back by an Indian path, four miles north, to the river. Descend- 
 ing this, they soon reached home, and ever after used this route instead of the old 
 and long one via Grand Brul6. 
 
 In 1803, the settlers had increased in number to thirty tamilies ; and for several 
 succeeding year*^ the population was increased by the arrival of American?. During 
 the war of 181 2 especially, fear of the draft and consequent military service caused 
 no small influx of settlers from the New England States ; but as they were generally 
 of a class not likely to remain long in any place, they soon departed from Lachute. 
 
 '' At the time of the war of 1812," says Mr. Meikle in his chronicles of Lachute, 
 •'ilic Militia Roll numbered 150 able-bodied men ; these were formed into three com- 
 panies, two of which were regular militia, commanded respectively by Captains 
 Bixby and VIcNeal, the other a Volunteer Rifle company commanded by Captain 
 Phineas Hutchins." 
 
 As m all the new settlements of this country, the making of potash was about 
 the only means by which the pioneer could obtain money, and as this required a 
 great amount of wood, e land was soon denuded of forest, and, as the timbc- for 
 potash grew scaica, the inhabitants who relied on its manufacture for their subsistence 
 I removed to other parts. 
 
 In the years 1810 and 181 1, a severe famine occurred, and the prices of provi- 
 Isions went up to a degree that must have occasioned anxiety in the heart of many a 
 \ldto- familias. Pork at that time was $30 per barrel, beef $14; providentially, 
 Itlioie was a corresponding advance in the price of potash during the same years, 
 IntlKTwise the circumstances of the settlers would have been much worse. 
 
 About this time also, the land which first had been cleared began to yield more 
 licanty crops, and this impediment to prosperity, united with the scarcity of timber 
 
#1 
 
 do4 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Thorn 
 ^^^'"ig Regi 
 to Oftce. 
 
 Thoua 
 ^^chute, an 
 B-'^rron. I.j 
 
 pniish—mor 
 
 'iciiuitted hit 
 
 in 1858 
 
 f" March of 
 
 1866, on the 
 
 '" office. He 
 
 )'e'"s. On tJi 
 
 of the Jate Ler 
 
 dreii~coe dau 
 
 Thomas J 
 
 ■'■"iirse at the 
 
 Lemuel C. 
 
 and the period of famine, indnced many to emigrate. But their places were soon 
 filled, as will be seen by the foiiowing paragraph, copied from F. C. Ireland's sketch 
 of Lachute in TAc Watchman of 24th September, 1886 : — 
 
 " It was in 1809 that a few Scotch settlers joined tlie Americans at Lachute, and 
 they continued coming in for many years, until about 1818, a lot of Paisley weavers 
 came out, and so the Pollocks, Morrisons, Fultons, Christies, Wilsons and 
 others joined the settlement; The?e were a hardy, industrious class of people, who 
 took well to the new country and new employment, and succeeded in building up 
 comfortable homes along the North River, reminding them of the little Catt which 
 flowed through their own Renfrewshire at home ; but the contrast was great — Paisley, 
 Glasgow and Greenock were not close by ; the fact ries for shawls, thread, gauzes, 
 velvets, flannels, cottonc, with their dye-houses, printing calicoes, foundries for iron 
 and brass, distilleries, soap works, alum and copperas works, and timber yards were 
 not here. The pursuits of business were new; the country was new ; everything was 
 new. But the stirring life of Paisley had awakened, as it still awakens, an honorable 
 spirit of inquiry and a desire for improvement, and these Scotch settlers plodded on 
 with increasing success as farmers, and soon became masters of the soil and owners 
 of everything .necessary for its cultivation." 
 
 About one of the first of the Scotch settlers was Thomas (afterwards CoL.j B^iid in August 
 Barron, a title he received from holding the rank of Lieut. -Col. of Militia. He canii ■Jte Rev. 'J'honi 
 from Morayshire, and lived a while after his arrival with his uncle James at Hawkesfti'e now Jivfnrr 
 bury. He came to Lachute in 1809, and by the possession of those qualities which ■ Robert H 
 always bring a man to the front, in whatever community he may be placed, he wixsBAe '-aw Examfri- 
 soon a leading spirit among those with whom he had cast his lot. Iitinn at Quebec 
 
 He was married *o Eliza Hastings, sister of Guy Hastings, who was one of thcBonors. He is 
 prominent citizens of Lachute in early days ; but they had no children. He seeins] 
 to have soon become quite prominent in military affiiirs, as in 1812, ar Adjutant, li 
 took command of two companies of Militia under Captains Bixby and McNali, an J 
 Volunteer company under Captain Phineas Hutchins, and mrrched with them t 
 Point Claire, where they were given over to the charge of Col. Kell, who commande 
 the Division enlisted in Lachute, Chatham, Grenviile and Petite Nation 
 
 About the year 1825, he was appointed Justice of tlie Peace, which office he hel 
 for many years, discharging its duties with a faithfulness that won the esteem of goo 
 men and instilled wholesome fear into the breasts of evil doers. For many yean 
 also, he was Crown Land Agent for this place, Chatham, Gore and Wentworth ; latei 
 also, for Morin and Howard. In 1836 he erected, and chietly at his own expense, 
 bridge across the North River near his own dwelling, which has ever since he^ 
 known as " Barron's Bridge." In like manner, he performed many other acts whi 
 
 JOHV Meiki 
 e^-ijoymentof 
 "^ '" 18.^0, with 
 « I'liichased a fe 
 f«"ed ". building 
 ^'■""y continuec 
 '^'>' part of lifs ,1, 
 »nias, who came 
 ^-ong after he 
 ■' '"s with his en 
 '"'s goods in th( 
 '^^ were large qud 
 
 K11U.Y.. «o ^. o ^..^t,- — - »— " J -_ jBnce to take in- 
 contributed either to public or priv,\te benefit, and which secured to hmi the gratit.K5jj|i 'h ^ 
 of his fellows. He died in Jaiaiary, 1864, lamented by a large community. Jol'Xfi ^ custor 
 
 Barron, a brother of Col. Thomas Barron, came fr'^m Morayshire, Scotland, 
 
 1 tlie new settle 
 
 rJarron, a urumci ui v^ui. j.iiuiii<ia uctiiun, (.uuic n mi xviuia^amic, otuiiaiiu, ■jfi,- 
 
 Lachute in 1832. He lived with his brother, and found employment in the maiiai , . ' ° "i cl 
 
 ment of his estate till his death, which occurred in 1866. 
 
 they requ 
 
HISTORV OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ^'iomasJ3arron,jun and R«. «0S 
 
 ^" "' i»e same year h^ «,. . »-ircuit Court and Qf-Hi », u . 
 
 '866, on the death of Co D'H -'?"'" '^^ deputy Registry, o a ^ ' °'^''^- 
 
 I '" office. He hi, nl«. k '■'^'' ^'^^ former Remstmr a7 r. ^'■^^"^^"''' ^-^^d in 
 
 * now living. '"'^V ^^" *-|dm, resuUed fro™ .{r; '"''«'■'" °f 'l'^ 
 
 I r> u '""' f"'s marriac-e PI■(T^^ ^r i 
 
 J Robert H,, ,l,e eldese of ,he,e , . ^ 
 
 l*el,awExaminationoftli,fi„ .*'■'"''""'">'■ McGill-iva., I, r- ., " 
 
 ¥"« at Quebec in 1° ,! , '"""«'o« in the s,,rin» of Sn ^ °" '"'"'•■>"!»' « 
 
 h>ajoymentofsociala,d I !,'"""• ''°'- "«"/ years ,!,.„, '','™'' ^'°""-"l 
 
 h IHirchased a few ac e , f** ■'"'''■ '^f' *« city ,„.,!, u ^ '^°"'' «™"--""i. 
 f «ed . bnilding fe,™:; '"■■' "f ^ol. Barron (at th ",™ "" ?■= '" ''-'»"=■ 
 
 [>^partof,n;:tr„:;,fei:e::L^:r"-"--^"'''^^^^ 
 
 I "°"S ^"er he began tradine- fh 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 vided whese, placing them in suitable locations, and charged the individuals using 
 them a small fee for each barrel of potash they made. In this way, though he charged 
 barely sufficient to remunerate himself for the wear and expense of the materials 
 provided, he put many a poor fellow in the way of making a little money which he 
 otherwise could not have made. After the potash was brought to Mr. Meikle, he 
 sent it to Inspector Stone in Montreal, and, as soon as thequality was ascertained, he 
 paid the full market price for it in cash. 
 
 In 1836, Mr. Meikle was appointed Postmaster, and held this position for half a 
 century, and was also Justice of the Peace for many years. He was a liberal suppoi tor 
 of Henry's Church, of which he was long an Elder, and felt a deep interest in the 
 College, to both of which in his will he left a legacy. 
 
 He is held in kind remembrance by his old customers and acquaintances — ,ill 
 believing him an honest, upright, Christian man; he died in August, 1877; Mrs. 
 Meikle in August, 1870. They left five sons — John, William, George, Robert and 
 Thomas, and one daughter, Mrs. J. D. Wells. John and Robert reside in MernCk- 
 ville, Ont.; William in Manitoba ; George, Robert and Mrs. Wells in Lachute. 
 
 After conducting the business some years, Mr. Meikle, sen., sold out to his two 
 
 sons, George L. and Robert G., and retired from active life. The sons prosecuied 
 the business in company till 1878, when Robert retired and entered politics, being 
 that year elected Representative of Argenteuil in the Provincial Legislature, in the 
 interests of the Joly Government. He was a candidate for the House of Commons 
 in 1887, but was defeated by J. C. Wilson. 
 
 Ti. business which was established by his father in 1830 is still conducted in 
 George L. Meikle and his son-in-law, H. M. Gale. G. L. Meikle was appoimcd 
 assistant postmaster in 1844; he now has had charge of the office fifty years. 
 
 Abner Stearns and two brothers, Philander and Ebenezer Stephens, were 
 among the quite early pioneers of Lachute. They came from Vermont, and located 
 in what is known as the Hill Settlement. Stearns, having a family of four sons and 
 three daughters, procured five hundred acres of land, with the design of providing his 
 sons with farms from the homestead. The realities of pioneer life, however, he found 
 quite different from the view enjoyed in anticipation, and in about a year after hisj 
 arrival he had become so thoroughly disheartened from his hardships and sjiare 
 diet, that one day he abruptly started b^.ck to Vermont. After a year's absence | 
 from his family, he returned and resumed his labors, but died a few years subse- 
 quently. His children all settled in this section. One of his daughters, Mary, mar- 
 ried Alvah Stephens, and Mrs. Emslie, one of the well-known citizens of Lachute, isj 
 a daughter resulting from this union. We may remark incidentally, that the motherj 
 of Mrs. Emslie was a cousin of Senator Stearns. 
 
 Mrs. Emslie remembers many of the tales of hardship and destitution related! 
 by her mother, and one incident especially, the sale of her side-saddle, which was aj 
 source of much grief to her mother. 
 
 In 
 
 in the se 
 
 were not 
 
 side-sadc 
 
 ^'ermont 
 
 ant one; 
 
 would he 
 
 for her fa I 
 
 corn for i 
 
 tired. 
 
 J\frs. 
 lion, that 
 ficuities tl 
 to Montrej 
 the fact, tl: 
 "■eie of the 
 and he mui 
 those days 
 Fraser's, an 
 (lays to get 
 **'aiiing for 
 \veb was no 
 spouse soon 
 f''"-sty spinn 
 iMrs. K 
 foils as the} 
 desired. It 
 t'lc cloth ha 
 they were m 
 ■0 Montreal. 
 •^'I'liest, faith 
 I'le rest in ] 
 ■brothers nai 
 »aged in the 
 built a brick 
 utensils for f. 
 '"Stead of gri 
 
 Pliilande 
 '"^er life, and 
 |*'i"i him fron 
 ''^•"'iy, suppli, 
 ■'onie profit. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 -'07 
 
 ismg 
 irgcd 
 erials 
 :h lie 
 le, he 
 ,ed,he 
 
 1 absence 
 
 [ary, mar- 
 L,acluue, is 
 le moibei 
 
 Ion reiatet 
 kiich was 
 
 In the early part of their residence here, there was a great scarcity of provisions 
 in the settlement, and a still greater scarcity of money. The family of Mr. Stearns 
 were not the only sufferers, and, fortunately for them, Miss Stearns had a valuable 
 side-snddle, on which she had ridden all the long distance irom their former home in 
 Vermont, which could be exchanged for provisions. The sacrifice was an unpleas- 
 ant one; the saddle had become endeared by many associations, — but what woman 
 would hesitate to part with any inanimate object, in the necessity of procuring food 
 for her family ? The late Col. Barron wanted ine saddle, and was willing to exchange 
 corn for it, so the bargain was concluded, and discomfited famine, shame-faced, re- 
 tired. 
 
 Mrs. Emslie also relates an incident which occurred within her own recollec- 
 tion, that illustrates the manner in which the early settlers surmounted little dif- 
 ficulties that were often occurring. Her father was obliged, unexpectedly, to go 
 to Montreal, and an examination of his wardrobe, by his careful helpmate, revealed 
 the fact, that a pair of drawers was needful to its projjer completion, — in fact, they 
 were of the utmost necessity, — the journey could not be undertaken without them, 
 and he must go to-morrow. What could be done ? Recollect, kind reader, that in 
 those days one could not jump into a buggy, ride down to Meikle's, McOuat's or 
 Eraser's, and buy drawers at 5octs. a pair. But trust a thrifty housewife of those 
 (lays to get out of such a dilemma, Mrs. Stevens had the cotton warp in the loom, 
 waiting for the woof to be woveu into cloth ; but, unt'ortunately, the latter part of the 
 web was not at hand. But Mr. Stephens had that morning killed a lamb ; his active 
 spouse soon denuded the skin of its fleece, and then made ready her hand-cards and 
 trusty spinning wheel. 
 
 Mrs. Emslie, who, though young, was an adept at spinning, received the plump 
 rolls as they fell from her mother's cards, and soon transformed them into the woof 
 desired. It will suffice to say that before the mother and daughter retired that night, 
 the cloth had been woven, the drawers cut out and made, and the next morning 
 they were ministering to the physical comfort of the husband and father, on his way 
 to Montreal. Mrs. Emslie is the widow of James Emslie, who for 44 years was an 
 earnest, faithful and successful teacher ; sixteen years of this time he taught in Quebec, 
 the rest in Lachute. Her mother and two of her sisters were married to three 
 brothers named Stephens. The two named above, Philander and Ebenezer, en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of brick in the early part of their pioneer life, and each 
 built a brick house for himself, which is still standing. Having no mill or any 
 utensils for grinding, neither horses, they used their oxen as substitutes, tramping 
 instead of grinding the clay. 
 
 Philander Stephens seems to have been well versed in the requirements of pio- 
 neer life, and to have been well fitted for it by nature. He brought a shoemaker 
 with him from Vermont, who, besides doing the work required by Mr. Stephens* own 
 lamily, supi)iied the wants of neighboring families, and thus brought to his employer 
 home profit. 
 
T^^wspiil 
 
 208 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ' Mr. Stephens being skillful in the use of tools, and quite ingenious, found am- 
 ple opportunity to exercise these abilities in his new home. First, he made a lull 
 set of farming tools for himself, then his wife lamenting the want of a loom, he hct 
 to work and made one. en to the shuttle. These utensils would appear crude, no 
 doubt, compared with the machine-made articles of the present, yet they answered 
 every requirement, saved the maker many a dollar, and illustrated the adage, 
 " Necessity is the mother of invention." 
 
 The following article is contributed at our request : 
 
 THE FAMILY OF SAMUEL ORR. 
 
 Bv HIS Son, E. S. Orr, Registrar of Compton County, Cookshire, P.Q. 
 
 In the summer of 1817, an emigrant ship sailed from Belfast, Ireland, and after 
 a thirteen weeks' voyage, arrived at Quebec. On board the ship was James Orr, 
 a respectable Scotch-Irish farmer and Methodist local preacher from Downpatrick, 
 with his wife Sarah Swail, and their sons, James, Samuel, John, Edwards and 
 William. A daughter, Sarah by name, had married Matthew Coulter, and remained 
 in Ireland. James Orr came to Canada with his family, with the hope of bettering 
 tiieir fortunes ; but was not destined to remain long at their head. The family set- 
 tled on a leased farm at Laprairie, where the husband and father died about 1819, 
 after a short illness (inflammation of the bowels), aged about 56. Samuel, the 
 second son, being " lame on both his feet," was unfitted for farm work, and became 
 the apprentice of a Montreal snoemaker, named Kiest. Early in the twenties, the widow 
 and four of her sons removed to Argenteuil, and settled in Thomas' Gore, Samuel 
 remaining behind in Montreal. The shop where he acted as salesman, at the cor- 
 ner of Little St. James Street, is, or was lately, still standing. My father was well 
 acquainted with old Montreal, and pointed out to me many places of interest, as he 
 knew them. He told me that he helped to clear out the second place of Methodist 
 worship, when the workmen were done with it. It stood on St. James street, and 
 was long known as the "Medical Hall." I remember being in it when it was still 
 used as a place of worship. Rev. Robert L. Lusher was the first minister who 
 occupied the pulpit (181 9). So 1 opular was Mr. Lusher, that though the church 
 was comparatively large, people v. l.o could not get in were oftentimes listening on 
 he outside. About 1839, I saw Mr, Lusher at an evening service in the third 
 Methodist place of worship; he was :< broken-down, trembling paralytic; my father 
 said it made him sick at heart when he saw him, and contrasted what he then was 
 with what he had been. All of James Orr's sons except Samuel moved to Upper 
 Canada about 1836; they have all passed away, but some of their descendants are 
 still in Toronto and Hamilton. About 1826, Samuel removed to St. Andrews, where 
 he entered the employment of Messrs. Davis & Simpson, tanners and shoemakers. 
 In 1828, he commenced business for himself at Lachute, where he continued to live I 
 
 till his c 
 
 Some ti 
 
 among i 
 
 tlicy can 
 
 but wen 
 
 alxnit 18, 
 
 and RoL 
 
 1 1 icks w 
 
 and their 
 
 pit ly and 
 
 •Methodisi 
 
 guests. I 
 
 strong, Mt 
 
 (''instable, 
 
 "'iiose nan 
 
 Samue 
 School, for 
 amounted t 
 'iii'L'sa])art. 
 till- only d( 
 On- was als 
 ">t'c] to ta] 
 "ii'i for pn 
 sei tiers in tli 
 'i«-'ni, that tl 
 a letter from 
 "1 maple sug 
 armoury . 
 Johnson, use 
 i'ess " muske 
 taiice. In th 
 of rebels intei 
 ''it^ road lies 
 alarmed for t 
 some bedding 
 I niained the gr 
 |rciurned to th 
 ^Viiliam Clark 
 I "icre, an alam 
 I helieve, was 
 Hasten came I 
 
HISTORY OK ARGKNTEUIL. 
 
 309 
 
 he third 
 y father 
 hen was 
 Upper 
 tnts are 
 ;, where 
 Imakers. 
 to live I 
 
 till his death, 29th Marcli, 1875, when he had nearly completed his seventy-third year. 
 Some time after the Orr family came to Canada, another emigrant ship brought 
 among its passengers the family of William and Fanny Hicks, of English origin; 
 they came from the County P'ermanagh, and settled for a while in the East Settlement, 
 but were attracted by the good reports of lands in Upper Canada, where they went 
 aliout 1831. The Hicks family consisted, I think, of foi.>r sons — Johii George, William 
 ai>d Robert, and three daughters — Francis, Mary and Jane. Samuel Orr and Jane 
 Hicks were married by the Rev. William Abbott at St. Andrews, 6th August, 18281 
 and their wedded life lasted nearly forty-seven years. Their home was one where 
 piciy and industry ruled the lives of the inmates. They were both members of tlie 
 Methodist Church, and were always ready to entertain Methodist preachers as their 
 guests. I have seen in that home, Carroll, Poole, Black, Adams, Playter, Arm- 
 strong, Musgrove, Taylor, the two Barbers, Hatman, Shaler, Willoughby, Mclntyre, 
 Constable, Greener, Brownell, Huntin don, and the two McDowells, and others 
 wliose names do not now occur to nie. 
 
 Samuel Orr was for several years superintendent of the Old Union Sunday 
 School, for many years the only Sunday School at Lachute. The attendance often 
 amounted to a iiundred at nine o'clock on Sunday mornings, gathered from points six 
 iiiiies apart. Presbyterians and Methodists worked cordially together, they being then 
 tin- only denominations who had an organized existence in the place. Samuel 
 Oir was also, for several years, a Class and Prayer leader. I renieniber that he 
 iistd to take dry wood in a b.ig before him on his mare's back, to kindle fires 
 wii 1 for prayr;r meetings. My father was a trusted friend and favorite of the 
 sealers in the North Gore. I remember that such was the scarcity of money among 
 them, that they often asked and got the favor of the loan of a few i)ence to " relt ase 
 ;i li.lter from the Post Office." Their payments were madi t^ a considerable extent 
 in maple sugar and oatmeal. In the Rebellion, my father's house was a kind of 
 armoury. Two Volunteer companies, commanded by Captain Evans and Captain 
 lol'.nson, used to come to Lachute to drill ; niost of the men left tlie heavy " Brown 
 Bess " muskets in our garret from week to week, to save carrying them so great a dis- 
 tance. In the fall of the year, a report was started, without foundation, that a party 
 of rebels intended to invade Lachute. Guards were sent to the " dugway," where 
 the road lies between the hill and the river, to intercept them. My father, feeling 
 alarmed for the safety of his small family, harnessed up the mare and cart, and with 
 some bedding and provisions, drove into the woods on the Hicks' farm, where we re- 
 mained the greater part of the night ; but finding that no invasion had taken place, we 
 returned to the house again. Afterwards, we spent a fortnight at the house of Mr. 
 [William Clark, in Chatham, whose wife was a cousin of my fiither's. While we were 
 there, an alarm was raised, which called Mr. Clark and his hired man — whose namci 
 1 1 believe, was Husten — away from home. After they had been away some time, 
 JHusten came back for food. A large pan full of doughnuts was hastily empt'ed out 
 
 i \ 
 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 for liiin, in my presence. I thought the horrors of war were considerably miti- 
 gated by the chance of getting such luxurious fare. When the cruel war was over 
 we returned home, and on the night of our return we saw from Carillon the flames of 
 the burning church of St. Eustache. It stood in ruins for some years, and I 
 remember seeing the ruins as I went to Montreal. Dr. Chenier's death occurred ai 
 the battle of St. Eustache, and I remember a gruesome report, that his body was rut 
 open, and his heart laid on the counter of Addison's hotel ; but I think the story was 
 likely without foundation. In the winter of 1848-49 a sad calamity happened to the 
 family. The smallpox was communicated to them by a French family livint; at 
 Vide Sacque, from whom they bought some onions, a vegetable which never after- 
 wards was used in the house. The first three children had been vaccinated ; only 
 one of them was at home, and he escaped, — a most convincing proof of the efficiency 
 of vaccination. All the other children, six in number, took the disease, and Sarah 
 Phebe, the pet of the household, in her fifth year, died. I was then living at St. Andrews. 
 I came home to attend the funeral, but did not enter the house. I saw through a bed- 
 room window the scarred and bloated face of the little darling. 
 
 My father died in hi:; seventy-th'rd year; his funeral service was conducted by 
 Rev. S. G. Phillips. When I went home to the funeral, I called on John MeiAle, 
 Esq., who sa'd in all sincerity, that my father had not left liis equal b''hind him in 
 Lachute ; this referred of course to his reputation for honesty, morality and religion. 
 My mother died in her sixty-seventh year ; her funeral service was conducted by 
 Rev. Mr. Robson. 
 
 The family consisted cf eight sons and two daughters : Elias Samuel, horn 
 in 1829; Wesley Fletcher, born in 1831; James Edwards, born in 1833; George 
 Matthew, born in 1835 ; Priscilla Jane, born in 1837 > Adam Clarke, born in iS;,9; 
 William Edgerton Ryerson, born in 1842 ; Sarah Phebe, born in 1844; Watson Coke, 
 born in 1846 ; and Marcus .Arthur, born in 185 1. I will briefly mention some events 
 in iTiy own life. 
 
 My education was limited to the common school ; my first teacher was Jedediali 
 Lane ; another, a Mr. MacPherson ; another, Lachlan Taylor ; another, John W. H. 
 Brunton ; another, Adam Walker. I attended also, for a little while, a French school 
 at St. Andrews, taught by Antoine Moret. 
 
 On the 25lh day of October, 1839, being the centenary of Methodism, a prayer 
 meeting was held in the old school-house led by Mr. Taylor ; he prayed that snme 
 who were present might remember the blessings of the day, fifty years afterwards. 
 The prayer has been more than answered in the case of my brother, W. F., and my-elf, 
 as we have been spared nearly fifty-six years from that day. In that month of October, 
 1839, revival services were held at Lachute, as a result of which, several young persons I 
 joined the Methodist Charch. Henry Shaler and William Willoughby conducted 
 the meetings; they both lived for over half a century after. Mr. Shaler died atf 
 Kemptville, Ont., less than a year ago, aged over ninety. 
 
 Kobert 
 
 ' >( my c 
 
 ill the yi 
 
 front of 
 
 a Iter ware 
 
 ' ''47, I e 
 
 ' became 
 
 ill April, 
 
 ■Street, M 
 
 The issue 
 
 '0 moniii 
 
 ■\'iainosa, 
 
 •Montreal 
 
 ^Sawyerviil, 
 
 I'lc appoin 
 
 Wesle 
 tlie employ 
 oil for a wi 
 lumberng ,1 
 'low resides 
 'Harried, an« 
 entered the 
 Finley Mc]V 
 ivas also eng 
 "1 Calgary, i 
 some time as 
 Thomas Mei 
 some time ; 
 daughters liv 
 at Riviere R( 
 "nie in loving 
 s'le occupied 
 slie now resi 
 celebrated coi 
 •^tJge : he read 
 ^tv. James M 
 •^d;'m replied, 
 ' found discussi 
 and theopposi 
 V'Why does th 
 
HISTORY CK ARUEMtUIL. 
 
 311 
 
 Ipei;- 
 
 died Ai 
 
 There are but few living now who joined tlie Church at the time I reftr to. 
 Robert Kneeshaw, Esq., of Ingersoll, (.)nt., my brotlic-r and myself were among them. 
 Of my old school-fellows, Dr. Christie, G. L. Meikle and Thomas Harron yet survive. 
 In the year 1843, my brother, W. F., and myself assisted in drawing bricks from the 
 Iront of Chatham to St. Andrews, for the Methodist Cliurch ; a church in which I 
 iiiterwards worshipped and preached for thirteen years On the 8th day of March, 
 1 S47, 1 entered the service of the late Charles Wales, as clerk in his store. In 1854, 
 I became the junior member of the firm of Charles Wales & Co,, which was dissolved 
 m April, 1864. On the 9th September, 1856, I was married at No. 10 St. Joseph 
 Street, Montreal, to Miss Jane Colclough White, daughter of Mr. John I). White. 
 1 he issue of that marriage was William Arthur, who died in i860, aged 2 years and 
 10 months; James Edward, who als.^ died in childhood ; John Samuel, who died at 
 Anamosa, Iowa, in his 29th year ; Alfred Elias, now known as Dr. A. E. Orr, of 
 Montreal ; and Florence Lilian, teacher and artist. In i860, I left St. Andrews for 
 Siwyerville, P. Q., where 1 carried on a country trade till 1S68. In 1869, I received 
 the appointment of County Registrar, which I still hold. 
 
 Wesley Fletcher, next in age to me, left home early for St. Laurent, where he was in 
 the employ of the MacDonalds; he went to Ontario many years ago, where he carried 
 on for a while the manufacture of saleratus. He was engaged in country trade and 
 Itunbering at Lynden, Barrie, and elsewhere. He subsequently went to Alberta; he 
 now resides in Calgary, of whicn city he was, and is siill, the tirst Mayor. He is 
 married, and has two daughters and one son. James Edward also left home early ; he 
 entered the en)ployment of Chas. D. Proctor in Montreal, was also in the employ of 
 Finiey McMartin at St. Andrews, and the late Mi. St. Denis at Point Fortune. He 
 was also engaged in country trade in Ontario, at Lynden and elsewhere; he now resides 
 in Calgary, is married, and has a son and daughter living. Gjorgo Matthew spent 
 some time as clerk for Chas. Wales & Co., at St- Andrews, and also in the store of 
 Thomas Meikle. He removed to Cookshire, P.Q., where he carried on trade for 
 some time ; he now resides in St. Catharines, Out. ; he is married and lins two 
 daughteis living. Priscilla Jane studied at the Normal School in Montreal, and iaught 
 at Riviere Rouge and in the Lachute \cademy. She did not marry, but spent her 
 time in loving ministrations to the declining years of our parents. After their death, 
 she occupied the old home for some years, then went to Montreal and to Ontario; 
 she now resides in Chicago with Adam C. Orr. Adam Clarke, named aftcT the 
 celebrated commentator, was noted for his early love of books and pursuit of knowl- 
 edge : he read the New Testament through at a very early age. When very small, the 
 Rev. James Musgrove called on the family ; the children wert asked their names ; 
 .\dam replied, " Dr. Adam Clarke ;" the reply caused the minister to smile. A pro- 
 found discussion arose between Adam and a younger brother on the origin of evil, 
 and the opposite forces of God and Satan. The yotmger boy propounded the question ; 
 I "Why does the Lord not kill the devil? " Adam's reply was : " If he did, the Jews 
 
 ■til 
 
ai? 
 
 HISTORY OK AUOENTKUII.. 
 
 would have no father," At the age of i8, Adam was a successful teacher at Hi!i 
 Head, hachutc. He has lived for many years in Chicago, his portrait and biograplii 
 cal record appear in an American publication, from which I will make some extracts : 
 " Adam C. Orr is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Park Ridge. His home is 
 the centre of sociability, and there men of culture delight to gather .md discuss topics 
 which tend tomental advancement. On the patcrnalside, our sibject came from the old 
 McLean family of Scotland. At lengiii, however, the family became divided in the 
 Scottish feuds, and those who located in the Lowlands took the nimeof Ayrs, which was 
 subsequently changed into the present mode of spelling. In the common school of 
 his native country, Adam C. Orr acquired a good English education. In his father's 
 country store, he received his first lessons in business, but he l<;ft mercantile pursuits 
 to engage in teaching, which prcfession he successfully followed for thirteen years in 
 Canada. In 1863, he spent a term at the Normal School, affiliated to Mcdill College, 
 Montreal, and bubsequeutly, while engaged in teaching, read the Art:? Curriculum of 
 that University, and made translations of the Satires of Juvena and Odes of Horace 
 into English verse ; the manuscripts of which were destroyed in the Chicago fire. Hu 
 was for some time employed as teacher of the French language and literature in 
 Lachute College, P.Q., and later, as principal of the Central School, St. Mary's, Ont. 
 It was in 1870 that he came to Chicago, where soon after he engaged as superin- 
 tendent with the Gillct (Chemical Works. On the ist October, 1876, Mr. Orr was 
 united in marriage with Miss Cleo Petne. To Mr. and Mrs. Orr was born a son, 
 .Samuel Henry, who died at the age of thirteen years. He was a boy who attracted 
 almost universal attention because of his perfect physique, fine intellectual attain- 
 ments and gentlemanly bearing. He was a member of a company of Zouaves, in 
 which he held the highest offices, and was laid to rest in their uniform. Both Mr. 
 and Mrs. Orr hold an enviable position in social circles, where true worth and intelli- 
 gence are received as the passports into good society. They have made their home 
 in Park Ridge since i88r. Socially, Mr. Orr is connected with the Independent Order 
 of Odd Fellows and with the Royal Arcanum ; he is also a member of the Astronomical 
 Society of the Pacific." 
 
 William Edgerton Ryerson, thus named after two members of the celebrated 
 Ryerson family. It is seldom that Sweet Williams blossom in midwinter, but this one 
 did, as he was born in the month of January. He had the good fortune lobe taught 
 writing by Mr. Gibson, :. teacher of Lachute, who boarded with the family, and has 
 made Bookkeeping tie -.rincipal work of his life. He was in business at Cookshire 
 and at Durham for shtit periods ; he now resides at Teeswater, Ont. ; has been twice 
 married, and has several children. 
 
 Watson Coke bears the name of two distinguished Methodists. He went to 
 Ontario early in life, and is now engaged in fruit farming at Winona. He sells grapes 
 by the ton, and is successful also with many other fruits. 
 
 Francis Arthur, the tenth and last child, was born twenty-one years after the 
 present writer. He learned photography while quite young, and has pursued it ever 
 
 since. I 
 nine out 
 writing s 
 moderate 
 For 1 
 liave all h 
 •Sauuiel O 
 
 I was 
 the Count) 
 
 An I AT 
 
 of the Revi 
 
 the earliest 
 
 bed for fiftj 
 
 the first \vh 
 
 -Methodists, 
 
 must have c 
 
 hood of La 
 
 originally s 
 
 among whor 
 
 a Luckey an 
 
 in the crops 
 
 home in a m 
 
 but very few 
 
 always been 
 
 cipal one of t 
 
 as he was ca 
 
 were spendin 
 
 communicate 
 
 to stay, settir 
 
 consequent g 
 
 devotion arri' 
 
 the subject w 
 
 prayed first, i 
 
 away. To ea 
 
 Mighty God ! 
 
 could not aflb 
 
 and to reward 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTKUK 
 
 m 
 
 si. ice. He is at present a resident of Chicago. The family present an instance of 
 nine out of ten who grew to maturity, and whose members are at the date of tliis 
 writing still unbroken. For the must part, they have had good health, and all of tlicm 
 iiiodt-rate prosperity. 
 
 I'or about sixty years, the name of Orr was a familiar one at Lacluite, but ihey 
 have all left it, except those who are quietly sleeping in the old cemetery,— that is, 
 Samuel Orr, Jane Orr, his wife and " little Sarah." 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS. 
 Kindly contrihuted uy E. S. Orr. 
 
 I was born in 1829, and have recollections of some <>f the early inhabitants of 
 the County of Argenteuil who have long since passed away. 
 
 Abiathar Wai.uron was my father's next-door neighbor; he had been a soldier 
 of the Revolutionary War, I think, on the American side. He must have been one of 
 the earliest settlers of Lacluite. He used to say that the sun had never found him in 
 bod for fifty years. Mr. VValdron's wife was a Hutchings, and was said to have been 
 the first white woman at Lachute. The Waldrons were, like many of the first settlers, 
 Methodists. A story is recorded by Carroll in his " Past and Present," as follows : (It 
 must have occurred about 1816.) There is a beautiful tract of land in the neighbor- 
 hood of Lachute, on the Nortli River, which falls into the Ottawa. This was 
 originally settled by an interesting class of people from the United States, from 
 among whom a large and prosperous society was laised up by the labors of a Sawver 
 a Luckey and others. But a succession of blighting frosts had caused such a fail. ire 
 in the crops for several years, that one family after another liad left and sought a 
 home in a more genial climate, till the society was not only much reduced in numbers, 
 but very few homes were left to shelter the hapless itinerant in a place whicii had 
 always been considered '' head-quarters " on the circuit ; and the occupant of the prin- 
 cipal one of the few remaining " lodging places for wayfaring men," " Father VValdron," 
 as he was called, had also resolved to leave. The two preachers (Ferguson and Peel) 
 were spending a night under his hospitab'c roof, but the intention of their host to leive 
 communicated to them, had made- ihem sad ; they did their utmost to persuade him 
 to stay, setting before him the evil that would result to the cause if he left, and the 
 consequent good he would be the means of doing if he remained. When the hour of 
 devotion arrived, both the preachers engaged in prayer, one after the other, and ni;ide 
 the subject whicn lay near their hearts giound of earnest supplication. Ferguson 
 prayed first, and earnestly besought the Lord to prevent Bro. Waldron from going 
 away. To each petition. Peel subjoined the expressive response, " Hedge him up, 
 Mighty God ! " And when the time came to plead in prayer, 'le told the Lord they 
 could not afford to part with Bro. Waldron — besought him to induce him to itay — 
 and to reward him for so doing with an abundant crop. He enumerated every kind 
 
214 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 of produce he could think of by name, and prayed that Bro. Waldron's hay and 
 potatoes, and wheat and rye, and oats and peas, and barley, etc., might beabundam. 
 Mr. Waldron was induced to stay another year, and by a very remarkable coincidence 
 witli Mr. Peel's request, he had an abundant crop of everything both in field and 
 garden, excepting onions. When this fact was mentioned to tlie preacher, " Oh," 
 said Peel, " I forgot the onions." To my personal knowledge Mr. Waldron remained 
 m.uiy years after this incident at Lachute, —perhaps twenty. His wife above mentioned 
 was a second wife, and not the mother of Linus, Silas and Abiathar, his sons. Her 
 first husband's name was Clark. It was said that he took a grist to the Lachute mills 
 to be ground, and that, while waiting for the grist, he went to fish for salmon, which 
 were then to be had below the dam, and was drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron, at a 
 very advanced age, finally returned to the States, I think, about 1836. 
 
 John S. Hutchins was a man whose personality made a deep impression on 
 my mind. He was small of stature, with partially bald head, the remaining hair 0,) 
 which was bleached by many winters' snows ; he was Clerk of Court, and I suppose 
 possessed a monopoly of the legal knowledge of the settlement. He used to come in 
 a camlet cloak from his residence on the north side of the river, to lead the four 
 o'clock prayer-meetings on Sunday afternoon, where I have often listened to his prayers 
 and exhortations. When I knew him, he was living with his third wife. He survived 
 till about the middle of the century i.ow drawing to .. close, and has been sleeping 
 surrounded by his wives in the old burying ground for more than forty years. 
 
 The Rev. William Brunton. — This hoary, reverend and religious man is no doubt 
 still remembered by some who knnw him when they were children. He was the 
 Minister of the Secession Congregation in the old stone church. I was sent to his 
 house on an errand, when I was about six years old. I remember well his venerai)ie 
 appearance as he stood in the doorway and handed me a tract entitled, " The Spoiled 
 Child," which made a deep impression on my mind ; it lies before me as I write. 
 
 I have also before me " The Judgment of God — a Call to Repentance," a 
 sermon preached at Lachute, Lower Canada, on Tuesday, the 26th of June, 1832, 
 which day was devoted to the exercise of fasting and prayer in that settlement, on 
 account of the alarming progress of the cholera morbus in various parts of the 
 Province, by the Rev. William Brunton, Montr-eal ; published by Thomas A. S'arke, 
 1832. The following prefatory notes are reproduced from the pamphlet : — 
 
 " Lachute, 2nd July, 1832. 
 "At a quarterly meeting of the Lachute Temperance Society held here this day, j 
 the Rev. George Poole in the Chair, it was resolved tinanimously : That the Rev. 
 William Brunton be requested to furnish to a committee of the Society a copy of his I 
 Sermon preached here on the 26th ult., in order that it may be primed for the] 
 benefit of the Soc'ety. It is now, accordingly, published by their authority. 
 
 "Thomas Barton, Vice-President. 
 "Jedediah Lane, Secretary." 
 
 (Barton is a misprint for Barron.) 
 
 "To 
 
 " Till 
 it was del 
 ill compli; 
 hy their 
 
 The t 
 gives an ai 
 2nd May, 
 -^fass., in J 
 abstaining 
 iiig as a m( 
 purpose, ci 
 a niember c 
 and to othe 
 Mr. E 
 l^iiilt. I m 
 sure of the 
 
 i^\37- His 
 
 formed part 
 
 leaf is a nea 
 
 was told, wi 
 
 «a,s a solen 
 
 decease, by 
 
 ^''i'hQ hour c 
 
 In 1834 
 
 excellent me 
 
 new comers 
 
 he engaged t 
 
 industry sooi 
 
 the work, wit 
 
 liis life is now 
 
 Peace many j 
 
 former a retin 
 
 John Ha 
 
 citizens of thi; 
 
 .'tffairs. He 
 
 yea'-s, and wa 
 
 'So?, he was r 
 
 defeated by th 
 
 of -Mr. Hay ar 
 
 I "1 this town. 
 
HISTORY OK AUGENTKUIL. 
 
 215 
 
 •ite. 
 
 ince, a 
 
 e, 1S32, 
 
 neni. on 
 
 s of the 
 
 S'arke, 
 
 ^2- 
 
 [his d^iV; 
 
 [he Rev. 
 
 )y (if hi? 
 
 for the! 
 
 "//. 
 
 " To the Lachute Temperance Society : — 
 
 "The following Sermon, which was hurriedly prepared for the occasion on which 
 it was delivered, without any idea whatever of its being printed, being now published 
 ill compliance with their unexpected and unanimous request, is respectfully inscribed 
 l)v their obedient servant, 
 
 ^'^'^HK AUTHOR." 
 The text of the sermon was Joel, 2d chap., 12th and 13th verses. An Appendix 
 gives an addiess delivered by Mr. Brunton before the Lachute Temperance Society, 
 2nd ATay, 1832. In this "t is stated that the Temperance Society was formed at Boston, 
 Mass., in July, 1826. I quote a fc\v words to show the gist of the address : " Your 
 abstaining from drinking such intoxicating liquids, though ever so moderately, except- 
 ing as a medicine, can do you no harm. Your drinking thus, unless for a medical 
 purpose, can do no good to yourself. But your abslaintng from them, and becoming 
 a member of a Temperance Institution, may do much good, indeed, both to yourself 
 and to others." 
 
 Mr. Brunton preached in the old school-house before the stone church was 
 buik. I may have heard him there, but have no distinct recollection of it. I am not 
 sure of the date of Mr. Brunton's death, I it think it must have been in the fall of 
 1837. H'^ library with other effects was sold at auction. I have some books which 
 formed part of it. One which lies before me now is a collection of tracts ; on the fly- 
 leaf is a neatly written tabic of contents, dated 28th August, 1809. It was written, I 
 was told, with a crow-quill, the kind of pen which he preferred to use. The funeral 
 was a solemn event. I remember a funeral sermon preached some time after his 
 decease, I)y whom I cannot say, and the singing of the paraphrase which begins, 
 " The hour of my departure is come." 
 
 In 1834, came another Scotchman, John Hay, from Inverness shire. He was an 
 excellent mechanic, a stone-h^'^-, and a man of intelligence, yet, like iriost of the 
 new comers in those times, he was obliged to accept the wages mat were offered, hence 
 he engaged to Uolin Robertson for $5.00 per month. His skill, however, and his 
 industry soon attracted notice, and it was not long before he was made foreman of 
 the work, witn a proper increase of salary. The lot on which he settled and spent 
 his life is now owned and occupied by his son, John Hay ; he was a Justice of the 
 Peace many years. Two of his sons, George and William, now live in Ottawa, — the 
 loriner a retired merchant, the latter an accountant, 
 
 John Hay, the son, who has always remained in Lachute, is one of the prominent 
 citizens o^ this place, and has always taken an active and important part in municipal 
 affairs. He has been a Schv)ol Commissioner and Municipal Councillor for thirty 
 years, and was Mayor of the parish until he resigned, declining longer to serve. In 
 1892, he was a candidate for the Legislative Assembly on the Liberal ticket, but v/as 
 defeated by the election of the Conservative candidate, W. J. Simpson. Two sons 
 of Mr. Hay are doing a prosperous business in a flour and feed store on Main street 
 in this town. 
 
m 
 
 216 
 
 HISTORV Ol' AUGKNIKUIL. 
 
 James Fish, Postmaster of Lachute Mills, has been a familiar figure in Lachiitc 
 for half a century, and to-day feels that his life is an illustration of the vicissitudes (jf 
 fortune. A sketch in T/ie Watchtnan, that delineates him as he appeared in the days 
 of his youth, after having engaged a while in the grist mill of the Seignior, says : 
 
 " His was a hobby to play the clarionet, and, scarcely ever absent from churcii, 
 he led the choir with this musical instrument for about half a century, and was always 
 in his place, which, to his mind, was as important as that of the minister." * 
 
 To be explicit with regard to dates and events, Mr. Fish came, when at 
 yoimg boy, with his father, Wm. Fish and family, to Lachute from England in 18 :;2. 
 His father, however, soon moved to St. Andrews, where he was employed in the gtint 
 mill as miller for four years. He then went to Cobourg, Ont., where Mrs. 1 isli 
 died. 
 
 James, in 1838, returned to St. Andrews and engaged to R. King, proprietor of 
 the grist mill there, for some years. In 1844, he was married to Ellen, daughter of 
 Thomas VVanless of that village, and, after finding employment in mills at Hawkcs- 
 bury and other places four or five years more, he came to Lachute, and for three 
 years tended the grist mill for Col. Macdonald, agent for the Seignior of Argenteuil. 
 For the nine years following, he acted as superintendent of all Macdonald's mills- 
 grist, saw and woollen mills. Afterwards he obtained a lease of ther. for a t'::im of 
 yea;"s, and then bought them, his income having been so carefi,!'^ ! ' nded that 
 he now had quite a snug sum to invest in property. After keeping these mills in 
 successful operation some time longer, he rented them to different parties ; but the 
 carding and fulling mills were soon destroyed by fire. Mr. Fish rebuilt them, and 
 added another two-siory building, designed for the manufacture of wooden-waic. 
 Within two years, however, the latter manufactory was burnt, by which fire he 
 suffered u loss of $7,000 ; and after this, he sold all the other mills. ,; ^ , 
 
 Li 1877, with that public spirit which has characterized his at' ions, he built uie 
 bridge, which is known as Fish's Bridge, at his own expense. Though very ind!; 
 trious, and much devoted to his business, he has found time to serve his parish in 
 different positions ; he has long been Commissioner for the trial of small causes, 
 Councillor both for the parish and town, Mayor of the latter two years, and post- 
 master and mail contractor since 1880. In 1890-91 his real estate was appraised 'y 
 the v.ahiators al $25,525. Misfortune, however, has since deprived him of tl 
 perty — the accumulation of a life of industry and economy. 
 
 Mrs. F'ish died 2nd January, 1891. I'heir only child, a daughter, was m<>rr- -. .■■ 
 F. C, Ireland. h\ 1892, i3tli January, Mr. Fish was again married, to Miss M. . 
 Barley, daughter of John Barley of Lachute. 
 
 Henry Hammond, who owns a large farm near the village, on vvhich the County 
 Agricultural buildings are located, was one of the pioneers of this County. He was 
 born in the ('ounty of Monaghan, Irel-nd, in 1818. His father's family tame tj 
 
 * From a sketch by F. C. Ireland. 
 
 America i 
 
 five years 
 
 wild j.ind 
 
 wore three 
 
 ing there f 
 
 came to L; 
 
 were in wh 
 
 what is noi 
 
 purpose of 
 
 Wolves stil 
 
 the sheep-fc 
 
 had nothing 
 
 to his farm, 
 
 ticket. H« 
 
 thousand ac 
 
 missary Fori 
 
 residence he 
 
 His bro 
 1591, and ga 
 married to ? 
 ! Chatham, 
 estate, after ^ 
 'if^cided to fo 
 
 I^AVID 1 
 
 native of V\\\ 
 J and afterward 
 
 Artillery, in w 
 
 iiis company f 
 P'len purchase 
 " Gunner 
 I ill the corps, a 
 
 "d one whom 
 
 " Dischar^ 
 |''ie (lood Cone 
 
 -Vr. Raitt 
 
 iMontreal. 
 
 On the 7th 
 
 |He bought 100 
 
>><- 
 
 HISTORY OI' ARGENIEUIL. 
 
 2T7 
 
 • ind' 
 
 1 
 
 arisli 
 
 in ■ 
 
 cau^ 
 
 .., 1 
 
 dl.> 
 
 I 
 
 isf^d 
 
 1 
 
 America in 1831, and settled in the North Settlement ; but after living with his inicle 
 five years, Henry went with his brother Jolin to Mille Isles, and took up a lot of 
 wild land. They were the first settlers in that parish, and their nearest neighbors 
 were three miles distant. Settlers soon began to come in, however, and after remain- 
 ing there five years, receiving a good offer for their land, in 1S41, they sold it and 
 came to Lachute. Mr. Hammond says, even at that date, the only buildings there 
 were in what is now the West End of Lachute were the Seigniorial. Mills, a part of 
 what is now the Victoria Hotel, and a school-house, which answered the two-fold 
 purpose of an educational institution and a place for holding religious worship. 
 Wolves still prowled in the surrounding forests, and occasionally made an attack on 
 the shcep-fcld. Mr. Hammond was a Volunteer in the Rebellion )f 1837, but has since 
 had nothing to do with either lilitary, public or civic affairs, giving his attention entirely 
 to his farm, save at times of election, when he has always voted the Conservative 
 ticket. He has added to his farm from time to time, until it now comprises a 
 thousand acres. He says that he drew many a load of grain to the Brewery of Com- 
 missary Forbes, at Carillon, for the purpose of raising money, in the first years of his 
 residence here. 
 
 His brother John, who never married, always lived with him till his death in 
 iSiji, and gave valuable assistance in clearing up the faim. Henry Hammond was 
 married to Miss Eliza Bradford, g'and-daughter of the Rev. Richard Bradford, of 
 Chatham. Their son, Henry R. Hammond, who now has the management of the 
 islate, after graduating at McGill, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar ; but then 
 ilecided to follow the more quiet and healthful vocation of agriculture. 
 
 David Raitt is another who may be styled a pioneer of Lachute. He is a 
 native of Fifeshire, .Scotland, and in his youthful days learned the tailor's trade, 
 :ind afterwards enlisted at Edinburgh, 23rd October, 1 835, at the age of 18, in the Royal 
 Artillery, in which his services as tailor were called in requisition. He sailed with 
 lis (ompany from Woolwich for Montreal, and arrived there 20th August, 1839. He 
 ihen purchased his discharge, which reads as follows : 
 
 " Gunner David Raitt of the Royal Artillery has always borne a good charictCf 
 n the corps, and I believe him to be a sober, iionesi and indisstrious young man, 
 nd one whom I conceive in every way to be trustworthy. 
 
 " J. Turner, 
 " Capt. Royal Artillery. 
 
 M. 
 
 I County 
 
 tie was 
 
 ;>me '-" 
 
 " Discharged in consequence of having paid the sum of £25 under item 12 of 
 [the Good Conduct Regulations." 
 
 Mr. Raitt previou.i to his discharge had been master tailor in the garrison at 
 
 iMontreal. 
 
 On the 7th January, 1842, he came to Lachute, where he has ever since resided. 
 iHc bought 100 acres of land, on which he lived some years, and then selling it, he 
 
 15 
 
2lS 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 t'l 
 
 removed to the village, devoting his time chiefly to his trade. On account of failing 
 health, however, he accepted the office of bailiff — thus obtaining ample exercise in 
 the open air — and he has held the position over forty years. Although 79 years of 
 ago, on the 10th of October, 1895, ^I'"- ^.aitt is still active and intelligent, and enjovs 
 relating his early experiences here, and describing the old landmarks and characters 
 of Lachute. 
 
 Mrs. Raitr, also, whose maiden name was Isabella Dixon, and whom he married 
 before coming to Canada, is still aHve and active. They have four sons and one 
 daughter living, two sons and two daughters ar-^ deceased. 
 
 James W., one of their sons, learned the trade of tinsmith, and followed it till i8yo. 
 when he was appointed Secretary of Lachute and Clerk of the Commissioners' Court 
 — offices which he has filled to the general satisfaction of the public. He is also agent 
 for several Fire, Life and Accident insurance companies, as well as agricultural 
 implements. He was married 5th October, 1871, to Janet Isabella Walker. 
 
 John Raitt, his brother, is also a tinsmith, pUunber and roofer, and has a shop 
 here on Main Stieet, in which he keeps a variety of tinware. He married Margaret 
 a daughter of Nathaniel Copeland. 
 
 Andrew McConnell who died in 1893, anl who had then been living a few years 
 in Lachute, was for several decades a prominent and influential figure in Argenteuil, 
 
 His father, Andrew McConnell, came from Glasgow to Canada, with his family. 
 of John, Mary, Andrew, William and Agnes, in 1819, and settled on a farm on the 
 Lachute Road. 
 
 The son, .\ndrew, was married to Mary Jane Bradford, grand-daughter of the Rev, 
 Richard Bradford, 31st October, 1851. He settled at Cushing in Chatham, on the 
 farm now owned by J. B. Clerihue ; he erected fine buildings, and lived tiie,>; till 18S7, 1 
 when he removed to Lachute. He was a very successful farmer, and was careful to 
 educate his children. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for many years with j 
 great ability, and when he died he was the oldest Justice of the Peace in the County. 
 He was also a Commissioner for the trial of small causes, and was appointed Cap- 
 tain of militia during Lord Monk's administration. He died in November, 1893, audi 
 the funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Lachute. He had eight children- 
 John Biadford, Gilbert Smith, Richard George, Andrew William, Jessie Ann, James | 
 Quinton, Jennie and Hugh. 
 
 Gilbert, Andrew and James settled, a few years ago, in the North West — firsij 
 at Qu'Appelle; but they are now residing in Vancouver. Andrew acted as courier| 
 for General Middleton during the Riel Rebellion, and was one of the nine prisonerij 
 rescued at the battle of Batoche. Richard G. is a B.A. of McGill College, and noivj 
 holds a prominent position in the Geological Survey of Canada. 
 
 John Bradford McConnell, M.D., CM., was born at Chatham, 28th August! 
 1851 ; educated at Wanless Academy, at Carillon ; entered on his medical studiesai 
 McGill in 1869, and graduated in 1873. In 1871, he went through the Militan| 
 
 School at ! 
 
 ot" Argcnte 
 
 of Wales R 
 
 — nrst, as ] 
 
 Dominion ; 
 
 summer of 
 
 Dublin, Loi 
 
 at Paris. ] 
 
 paj.ers have 
 
 to i heodort 
 
 Natha: 
 of the Royal 
 of Gore, and 
 •Mrs. Boyd c 
 daughters ; t 
 sons, and his 
 for Marquett 
 
 Stewart, 
 
 Henry Uamn 
 
 settled in Goi 
 
 bought roo a( 
 
 the varied rot 
 
 drawing wood 
 
 liardship, rear 
 
 End Farm, a 
 
 ^till very activ 
 
 Unking care of 
 
 of cattle. He 
 
 'in Orange Lo< 
 
 [and two daugh 
 
 hvilliam S., th 
 
 |Mary,oneof tl 
 
 (daughter, marr 
 
 John W., 
 |nii!ler, a trade 
 'oived to the pr 
 |a lumbering fi 
 jiiiown as the 
 pars, doing an 
 Phn W. \\-a.s co 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 219 
 
 est— firstj 
 
 ,s courier] 
 
 prisonet5| 
 
 and now! 
 
 AugustJ 
 |studiesa| 
 
 Militsni 
 
 Sc'nool at Montreal, and the same year was appointed Lieutenant in the nth Battalion 
 of Argcnteuil Rangers. Subsequently, he was for eight years surgeon in the Princc 
 of Wales Rifles. He has taught many yeais in the Medical Facultyof ]>ishop's College 
 — nrst, as professor of Botany, his collecticn of plants being one of the largest in the 
 Dominion ; he has filled several important positions in the University. During the 
 summer of 1886, he made an extensive European tour, visiting the hospitals of 
 Dublin, London, Paris and Berlin, taking a course on Bacteriology, under Prof. Koch 
 at Paris. He has contributed frequently to the Montreal Medical Journal, and his 
 papers have been read at the Medico-Chirurgical Society. He was married in 1875 
 to Theodora Lovell, daughter of Robert Miller, publisher and stationer. 
 
 Nathaniel Bovd, from the north of Ireland, came to this country as a member 
 of the Royal Staff Corps. After the canal was completed, he settled in the north part 
 of Gore, and died there, not many years since, within a it^ months of 100 years old ; 
 Mrs. Boyd died a few years later, at the age of 93. They iiad six sons and two 
 daughters; three of the former and the two latter are still living. Hugh, one of the 
 sons, and his descendants live in Winnipeg; his son Nathaniel is the present M.P. 
 for Marquette. 
 
 Stewart, the eldest son of the pioneer, married Margaret Hammond, aunt of 
 Henry Hammond of Lachute ; she died about 1890, at the age of 93. They first 
 settled in Gore, but a few yeufs afterward removed to Chatham, where Mr. Boyd had 
 bought TOO acres of wild land. On this land, and at that time, of course, he had all 
 the varied rough experience of pioneer life ; he earned many dollars in those days, 
 j drawing wood to Carillon and selling it for 90 cents per cord. But he survived all this 
 hardship, reared his family, cleared two farms, on one of which, known as the Mile 
 End Farm, a fine tract, he lives with his son James. Though 83 years of age, he is 
 ^tiil very active and ambitious. So great is his desire for work, that he insists on 
 I taking care of the stock, and threshing grain, daily, with a flail for over a dozen head 
 of cattle. He was one of the loyal actors in the Rebellion of 1837 > '^^ is Master of 
 an Orange Lodge, a position he has held over forty years. His children — three sons 
 [and two daughters— are all living. James, the eldest son, resides on the homestead. 
 William S., the youngest, is connected with the Customs Department in Montreal, 
 hlary, one of the daughters, is married to John Earl, of Lachute j Sarah, the other 
 Idi'jghler, married to T. B. Johnson, resides in Lennoxville. 
 
 John W., third son, .at the age of fifteen, was apprenticed to learn the trade of 
 Itiviller, a trade which — sometimes in connection with lumber business — he has fol- 
 |i9\ved to the present. When about ar, he went to California, and was there engaged 
 'umbering five years. After his return, he and his brother bought the old mills 
 [known as the " McKenzie Mills," at St. Canute, with which they were engaged fifteen 
 pears, doing an extensive business. They sold out in 1886 for $14,000, after which 
 llohn W. was connected five years with the new lumber firm of Owens, Lane & Boyd; 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 he, also, in 1892, in company with W. J. Simpson, >[.]'.?., bouglit the grist mill and 
 saw mill at Lachute, which, during the past fall, 1895, tliey sold to J. C. Wilson. 
 
 Mr. lioyd was married in October, 1892, to a daughter of Dr. Stackhouse of 
 Lachute. 
 
 James Henderson, a venerable old gentleman, with kind and pleasant i'dcc, 
 who lives in a neat cottage near McGibbon's mill, has many recollections of the infant 
 days of Lachute. He came with his father, Peter Henderson, from Callander, Perth- 
 shire, Scotland, in 1820 ; his father settled on a lot in St. Canute in the county of 
 Two Mountains, which is now owned by Wm. Boa. At tiiat time, Mr. James Hender- 
 son says, the only l)uilding., where now the village is located were the gristmill and 
 saw mill, and two or three houses ; one occupied the site of tlie present residence of 
 Dr. Ch:istie, a man named Proctor lived near the site of the Rev. Mr. Mackie's 
 residence ; and there was a school-house where G. J. Walker, Esq., now lives. The 
 only road to St Andrews was by way of Beech Ridge. 
 
 Mr. Heivderson, who is 82 years old, has spent thirty-five years of his life in .Mon- 
 treal. He gives a graphic description of an election that occurred in this county 
 some time during the forties. Among other incidents, he relates that one of the candi- 
 dates had a barrel of wliiskey rolled to the place of polling ; liie whiskey was served 
 in a wooden pail, supplied with a tin cup, and then carried around, so that every one 
 so inclined could drink to his heart's content. The elder Mr. Henderson died in 
 1841, and his son was married in 1843 ^^ Elizabeth Vart, of England, who died 
 in January, 1884 '• f'^^y liad four sons and three daughters. The eldest, Peter, and 
 third son, John, are in business in Montreal; the second son, William, is farming 
 near Montreal, and the youngest, James, is also farming in Brandon, ]\Lan. Mary. 
 the eldest daughter, and Elizabeth, the youngest, are married, and live in Montreal, 
 and Jean, the second, lives with her father. 
 
 John Scholefikld, son of the Rev. William Scholefield, a prominent clergyman 
 in England, came to this countrv when quite young, and labored for many years as 
 local preacher. He married Amelia, a daughter of Robert Knceshaw, an early settler 
 at Lachute. They lived a while at St. Andrews, and their son William was horn 
 there; after this, they removed to Ontario, where ^Tr. Scholefield died, not many 
 years later, 
 
 William Scholefield, the son, some years since, became Bookkeeper for his cousin, 
 Robert Kneeshaw Summerby, who had erected two lumber mills and a grist mill at 
 St. Canute. Mr. Summerby was accidentally drowned in his mill pond 31st May, 
 1886; his loss was widely and deeply lamented. 
 
 Mrs. Summerby, his widow, and Mr. William Scholefield, were married i8i!i 
 August, 1887, and Mr. Scholefield continued the business; but he died 9th January 
 1891. Mrs. Scholefield still owns one of the lumber mills at St. Canute, and ha 
 two lots and a fine brick residence in Lachute, where she lives. She 
 daughters— Minnie Summerby and Amelia Scholefield. Another daught( 
 
 -')■ 
 
 first marri 
 favorite, w 
 
 :\rrs. 
 
 President. 
 P>EN]A 
 
 Lanes, Hu 
 Burch. Ti 
 Biirch. H 
 and lived h 
 
 His el< 
 
 186S. 
 
 Alvah 
 Vaudreuil ; 
 which marri, 
 second mar 
 'ot in Lach 
 here thirty 
 bakery, groc 
 wealthy, and 
 
 Henj. B 
 of Ilarringto 
 and settled o 
 Some years 
 iSs^. He h; 
 One dauglite; 
 to David Ogi 
 
 Alfred A, 
 w'a.s married ; 
 Qui'. In 188 
 year he return 
 liad been the 
 to Elizabeth 
 
 Th O.MAS 
 
 «'hu came fror 
 '^ the employ 
 arrival, he was 
 acres of land i 
 «'as one of th 
 dau;,hters. T 
 Sth February, 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTF.UII.. 
 
 221: 
 
 r^ears as 
 V settler 
 :as born 
 )t nvaiy 
 
 s cousin, 
 
 t mill a; 
 
 [St May, 
 
 ied i8t!i| 
 
 January, 
 
 and ha; 
 
 has tw( 
 
 ;r bv ilie 
 
 nrst marriage, Ruby Summerby. a bright little girl, nine years old. and a general 
 fa\orite, was drowned at Lachute, in the North River, 6th June, 1895. 
 
 ^frs. Scholefield is devoted to Christian work, and lias been President, Vice- 
 President, and Secretary of the C. E. Sociely, and is now Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 IIenjamin Biirch came from Vermont to Jyachute with the earliest settlers, the 
 Lanes, Hiitchins. and others, and settled on land now owned by his grandson, Alfred 
 Burch. 'I'he maiden name of his wife, whom he married in Vermont, was Annie 
 Biirch. He took up 3 :o acres of land, which he afterward divided among three sons, 
 and lived here till his death. He had five sons and two daughters. 
 
 His eldest, N. F. Burch. was killed on the railw.ay at Carillon, loth November, 
 
 186S. 
 
 Alvah Burch. one of the three sons mentioned above, married Miss Clrout. of 
 Vaudreuil ; she died leaving two sons, and he then married Margaret Matthews, by 
 which marriage he had seven children— five sors and two daughters. .Soon after his 
 second marriage, he sold his farm to the Rev. .Villiam Henry, and bought a village 
 'ot in Lachute, now occupied by Rodrigue's hotel, and conducted a i)ublic house 
 here thirty years. He was also engaged quite largely in other business — had a 
 bakery, grocery, and dealt extensively in cattle. It is said that, at one time, he was 
 wealthy, and was alwaj's benevolent and kind to the poor. 
 
 Benj. Burch, an account of whose sad death by drowning is given in the history 
 of Harrington, was a son of Benjamin Burch, the pioneer. He married Eliza Clark, 
 and settled on the farm in Upper J/achute now owned by his son. Alfred A. Burch. 
 Some years later, he went to Harrington, took up land, and was drowned there in 
 1858. He had two sons and three daughters; one of the former died in childhood. 
 Oiii; daughter, married. lives in Manitoba, the other two in Grenville ; one, married 
 to David Ogilvy ; the other is the widow of the late Richard Hoare. 
 
 Alfred A. Burch, the only surviving son, when quite young, w ent to the States, and 
 
 was married 7th August, 1873, in Slatersville, R.I., to Margaret Smiley, of C'latham, 
 
 Que. In 1883, he moved to Manitoba; his wife died in 1892, and the following 
 
 year he returned to Lachute, and bought the old homestead of about 150 acres, which 
 
 I had been the home of his father and grandfather. In 1893, July 4th. he was married 
 
 jto I'.lizabeth Eraser, youngest daughter of Amaziah Burch. 
 
 Thomas Shepherd, who now resides in Lachute, is a son of William Shepherd, 
 
 Uho came from Yorkshire, lingland, to St. Andrews about 1825, and for a year was 
 
 in the employ, as farmer, of the Rev. Joseph Abbott. About two years after his 
 
 arrival, he was married to Margaret Graham. In 183.;, or thereabout, he bought 135 
 
 acres of land in the East Settlement, on which iie lived till his death. Mr. Shepherd 
 
 (was one of the loyal actors in the Rebellion of 1837. He had eight sons and four 
 
 jdauuhters. Thomas, the eldest son, remained on the homestead, and w.as married, 
 
 ISth February, 1864, to Mary Ann Shaw. They have two sons and six daughters. 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Mr. Shepherd sold the I.omestead to his eldest son, William, and moved lO Lachiiie 
 in 1891. The son was married, ist of March, 1892, to Grace Griffith. 
 
 Mr. Shepherd has been a very successful farmer, and has a fine ^..operty in 
 Lachute. Before moving here, he was for nine years a member of the Parish Coum il. 
 
 James Campbell came to Canada in 1823, landing in Quebec city on the 2;rd 
 of May ; he was accompanied by his wife, two sons, the family of one of the latter, 
 and a daughter. • • ", • ■ '■■' ■■'j-.- v; ^ ■. ,- r 
 
 The married son, Samuel Campbell, settled in November of the same year on 
 100 acres of an uncleared lot in Gore, on the shore of Clear Lake, but before lie 
 came to this section, his wife (Nancy McLean) died in Lachine. He remained in 
 Gore a )ear and a half, then moved to the nth Range, Cliatham, where he lived tuur 
 years. His father, who resided with him, died during their stay in Chatham, and 
 willed to him the lot in Gore, to which he then returned, and lived there for twenty 
 years. He then removed to Papineauville, and afterwards to Grenville, dyiiig in the 
 latter place at the age of 91 He was twice niarried ; by the first marriage he had 
 two sons and a daughter, and by the last, two sons and four daughters, 
 
 Joseph, the eldest son by the first marriage, was born in Co. Antrim, 4th Novem- 
 ber, 1815; he, also, has been twice married: the first time, 6th April, 1841, to hme 
 McArthur ; six sons and four daughters were born to them. Mrs. Campbell died 
 6th February, 1888; and Mr. Campbell was again married, 12th July, 1892. to 
 Catherine A. Smith, widow of the late Captain William Smith. Mr. Campbell is 
 now 81 years of age, and can write steadily, and walk five or six miles a day. He 
 has done much work as a mechanic during his long life, and still keeps busy, 
 usually in the manufacture of light articles of furniture, which are executed with 
 neatness and taste. John Campbell, one of his sons, is proprietor of the mills a: 
 Dalesville. 
 
 Peter Cai' bell, another son, lived with his father in Chatham till the age of 17, 
 when he came to Lachute to learn the trade of miller. He worked five or six years 
 with James Fish ; his employer then leased the mill to him for five years, and after- 
 wards he bought both grist mill and saw mill ; in connection with the latter, he also 
 engaged in the lumber business. He sold the mills, however, at the expiration of] 
 three years, and followed the lumber business till the fall of 1895. when the Lachute 
 mills having been purchased by J. C. Wilson, this genl'eman engaged Mr. Campbell 
 to resume his former vocation of miller, in which position he is now employed. He I 
 was married 13th September, 1876,10 Catherine Matilda Palliser ; she died 4th Feb- 
 ruary, 1892 ; he has been a member of the Town Council three years. 
 
 James Walker from Ayrshire, Scotland, came to Lachute in 1832; he w.is rJ 
 miller, and was first employed a year in the St. Andrews mill, and then a year in the| 
 mill at Lachute. After this, he purchased of Johnson, a son-in-law of Benj. BiirchJ 
 the farm of 170 acres, which is now owned by his son, G. J. Walker. A portion ofj 
 Mr. Johnson's present dwelling was erected by Johnson. 
 
 Soon 
 
 Qiiinn — 01 
 
 in those d; 
 
 ercign. S 
 
 missiles, th 
 
 amputated 
 
 many yean 
 
 Walker die 
 
 ters ; of th 
 
 ■Scotland, d 
 
 of 18. Tv 
 
 and Thoma 
 
 Gavin 
 
 connected \ 
 
 :lie j)osition 
 
 Secreta 
 
 leni, appoini 
 
 Society, ai)[; 
 
 also Secreta 
 
 active part i 
 
 M.P.P. H< 
 
 Peace, and i 
 
 Fire Insuraii 
 
 charged effic 
 
 Church, and 
 
 '875, to Jar 
 
 daughters. 
 
 Mr. W; 
 interval meac 
 the comforts 
 In 182;] 
 Scotland, set 
 and occupiet 
 prove their c 
 ville, where, 
 brothers, Join 
 James C 
 John, Robert 
 John, on 
 Gospel, and 
 tlic family, an 
 ■!i'(r ignoianc 
 
HISTORY Of AROENTEUIL. 
 
 ^ 
 
 miUr- 
 
 1 
 
 ^0 
 
 1 
 
 ;ix years | 
 
 id • 
 
 .t'tcr- ■ 
 
 he 
 
 also 1 
 
 lation ot 
 iLachuio 
 
 'ampbell 
 (ed. He ] 
 
 tth Feb- 
 
 lie \^^^s A 
 ir in the] 
 Buich, 
 )rtion of| 
 
 Soon after settling here, Mr. Walker met with a seiious accident. Patrick 
 ( hiiiin — or, as he was usually called, Paddy Quinn — a noted character in L.ichute 
 in those days, with devoted loyalty, determined to celebrate the birthday of his sov- 
 ereign. .Securing an old cannon, he charged it so heavily with slugs and a variety ^f 
 missiles, that it burst, injuring Mr. Walker so badly, that one of his legs had to be 
 amputated. He spent his remaining days heie, clearing up his Hum, and was for 
 many years Clerk of the Commissioner's Court; he died 26th .\pnl, 1868; Mrs. 
 Walker died 3rd November, 1876. They had si.\ children — four sons and two daugh- 
 ters ; of those, Gavin J. is the only one now living. The eldest, a daughter, born in 
 Scotland, died soon after their arrival in Canada ; the second, a son, died at the age 
 of 18. Two daughters, Jessie and Eliz.i, who married, res pectively, G. L. Meikle 
 and Thomas Patlon, are now deceased. 
 
 G.WIN W.VLKER has always remained on the homestead, and has been closely 
 connected with all the affairs of the Town and County. The following is a list of 
 the positions he still holds and those he has filled : 
 
 Secretary County Council, appointed March, 1868 ; Secretary Parish Si. Jerusa- 
 lem, appointed 1879 ; Secretary School Board, appointed 1S67 ; Secretary .Agricultural 
 Society, appointed 1869 ; Clerk of Commissioners' Court, appointed 186S. He wa.s 
 also Secretary of the town of Lachute for a year after it was formed, and took an 
 active part in its formation ; he then resigned in favor of W. J. Simpson, the present 
 M.P.P. He was Ofticial Assignee for a number of years, is also a Justice of the 
 Peace, and has been Curator for several estates, and is agent for different Life and 
 Fire Insurance companies. The duties of these different oftices Mr. Walker has dis- 
 charged efficiently, and to public satisfaction. He is a supporter of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and for some years has been an Klder. He was married, 29th October, 
 1875, to Janet McOuat j she died 25th January, 1890, leaving two sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 Mr. Walker's commodious residence, beneath stately trees, with its view of 
 interval meadows across the road in front, is peculiarly atlr.ictive, and suggestive of ' 
 the comforts and pleasures of an old-time, model homestead. 
 
 In 1827, t.vo brothers, James and John Cai.dep, weavers, from Paisley, 
 Scotland, settled in Lachute, on the b.mk of the North River, on land now owned 
 and occupied by the family of the late James Pollock. Finding that they could im- 
 prove their circumstances, they soon removed to Chatham, hi the vicinity of Dales- 
 ville, where, in the history of Mt. Maple, will be found a skelcli uf one of these 
 brothers, John Calder. 
 
 James Calder, whose wife was a Miss Macfarlane of Paisley, had three sons, — 
 John. Robert and James, and two daughters, — Margaret and Elizabeth, 
 
 John, one of these sons, at an early age, manifested a desire to preach the 
 Gospel, and had decided to enter the minisliy ; but, owing to the circumstances of 
 lite family, and their hardshipr in the new country — due, in some measure, to their 
 utUr ignorance of pioneer life — he was compelled to relinquish his cherished desire. 
 
2a'4 
 
 VIISTORY OK ARGENTEUII,. 
 
 As he was the eldest son, his services were sorely needed at home, hence he re 
 niaincd. lUit this (hd not prevent his preaching the Gos])cl : and from that time 
 till liis death in 187!') he never neglected an o]ip(rlunity to make known the glad 
 tidings of salvation. In tiiose days, churches were few ; and in log school-houses, 
 on winter nights, .titer the day's work was over, and in neighhors' houses, on 
 Sunday, he conlinied to hold meetings and expound the Scriptures. He had a 
 natural talent for preaching and singing — the latter c;ift contributing much toward 
 awakening and sustaining interest in the meetings. 
 
 He married Sarah Kerr, daughter of an old Irisii pensioner who had passed 
 his days in the army fighting the battles of his country. The old veteran often 
 boasted of his campaign in Egypt, under Aliercrombie against Na])olcon. He livrd 
 until he was 97 years cfage, and died at the iiome of his daughter. John Caldor 
 prospered, and became one ol the leading farmers in his settlement. For several 
 years before his death, he was a colporteur for the Montreal Auxiliary Bible Society, 
 travelling over a large section of this province, especially in the Eastern Townships, 
 preaching Christ and distributing His word. It was on a trip of this kind that he 
 contracted the cold which resulted in his death. The sudden death of his eldest 
 son, James, and the failing health of his wife induced him to sell his property and 
 move to Lachute in ' May, 1875. In the following winter, while on a trip to Har- 
 rington, he fell ill, and returning home, was seized with an attack of inflammation 
 of the bowels, which, at the end of a week, proved fiital. His wife, who had Ikcii 
 an invalid for over a year previous, survived him only a few months. Of him there 
 was much good and^little ill that could be said. A kind-hearted, generous disposi- 
 tion, a sterling Christiancharacter, no more fitting epitaph could be written th.iii 
 " he was a good man." 
 
 The family consisted of four sons and three daughters. The eldest son, James, 
 dropped dead (2nd Sept., 1875) from heart disease, at the residence of the late John 
 Douglas, Front of Chatham, while waiting for the train which was to take him on a 
 visit to his brother John, then in Tiverton, Ont. The latter married Elizaheth, 
 second daughter of the late Finlay McGibbon of Dalesville, and now resides in 
 Montreal, where he is City Inspector of the Fire Underwriters Association. George 
 ¥. and Charles, the other two sons, are the editors and proprietors of the LaciuUe 
 Watc/i/)ur/i. Of the sisters, Mary, the eldest, married Archibald Murdoch of 
 Dalesville, and died in June, 1895, leaving a large family. Elizabeth married Mr. ■ 
 Wm. Heailie of Stonefield,|and Susan married Mr. W. J. Thompson, of Lake VieW' 
 P.Q., all of whom are yet alive. , 
 
 G. F. Caldek, B.A„ was born 22nd December, 1862, on the eighth concession j 
 of Chath; :. In his early years he attended school in the old log school-house known 
 as " Warwick School," being situated near the residence of the late David Warwick, 
 but now commonly called Mount Maple. When the family left to reside in Lacluite, 
 he commenced to attend Lachute Academy, then under the principalship of Mr. k- 
 Monroe. It is needless to say, the lad was far behind those with whom he now had I 
 
HISTORY OK ARGF.NTEUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 to lUiidy, for ii must be remembered that our elementary scliools in those days were 
 not wiiat tlicy now are. He tlien learned the printer's trade in the I P^(itc/i>/i a u office, 
 which at Jial tune was under tlie management of D. Kerr, and in 1880 returned to 
 tin; Academy, of which C. S. Huhd.iy, H.A., was then Principal. To this gentleman, 
 Mr. Calder feels himself deeply indebted for his earnest and painstaking efforts in 
 preparing him forcoile-'e. He entered McGill in r88i, matriculating in Arts, received 
 his degree of I>.A. in 1885, and the same year obtained a first-class Academy 
 diploma from the McGill Normal School. He then accepted the principalship of the 
 A( adcmy at Aylmer, Que., and after teaching there successfully two years, entered 
 into partnership with W. J. Simpson (now M.P.P.), in the publication of the IVatc/i- 
 ;//(f/;, and removed to Lachute, where he has since resided. In 1892, he was married 
 to Miss J. C. Roger, one of the staff of leaciiers in the dirls' High Sciiool, Montreal, 
 and daughlerof Mr. Jos. Roger, then of Wickham, but now of Laciuite. In 1891, he 
 was appointed a Commissioner of the Superior Court for taking affadavits, and in 
 1892 was admitted to the Bar for the study of Law. .s ? 
 
 In polities' Mr, Calder has always been an active Conservative, and is able to 
 express himself on the platfoim in clear and forcible language. He is a member of a 
 (Christian church, and an earnest advocate of temperance and every moral reform. As 
 a writer, he has a clear and vigorous style, and when he sets out to answer an oppo- 
 nciit, he does it wi'h an array of facts and force of logic that are not easily overcome. 
 
 Charles Calder, a younger brother of G. F., and assistant-editor of the U\xfc/i- 
 Wdii, was born 13th May, 1865. After attending school in Cliatham and Laciuite, 
 he spent four years in the Baptist College at Woodsiock, Ont., from which place he 
 entered the IVatcfnnan office in 1891. He was married 7th June, 1893, to Margaret, 
 daughter of Archibald Graham, Cote du Midi, St. Andrews. In the publication of 
 the iVatcliiiiaii, his labors are confined chiefly to the mechanical work ; he is also 
 auiiu for several Fire and Life Insurance Companies. 
 
 'I'he following obituary is taken from The IV( khwan of 2()\.\\ A.\m\, 1870. Col. 
 Simpson was the father of the present member of Argenteuil, in the Local House. 
 
 if 
 
 DEATH OF LIEUT. COL. JOHN SIMPSON. 
 
 " Death has been very busy in and around Lachute for the last few months, taking 
 many of the old and prominent residenlers. The last to fall under his stroke is the 
 gallant officer whose name heads this article. 
 
 " Col. Simpson w.iS born at Auchenterran, parish of Keith, Banffshire, Scotland, 
 on 9ih February, 1811, and died at Lachute on 29th April, 1890. He joined the Royal 
 Artillery in June, 1^36, and on the breaking out of the Rebellion in Canada, sailed 
 from Woolwich for this country, on the 7lh April, 183S. and airived in Montreal on 
 the 15th of June. After the close of the Rebellion, in which he took an active part, 
 he received his discharge, and came and located in Lachute. Here he formed a troop 
 of Cavalry, which was reckoned the best disciplined in the Province, and at the time of 
 
 %. 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGKNTEUIL. 
 
 its disbandmeiU, tlie troop presented him wilh a sword, belt and sword knot, in ,i' 
 knowledgment of liis worlli, and tl>e esteem in wiiich he was held by the individu il 
 members of the Troop. Su! ^ijiiently, he was urgently solicited to take command i| 
 the 4th Company of Argenteuil Rangers, which Company he has been the Captain ni 
 for eighteen years, during which time he has on every occasion of the calling out nf 
 the Regiment accompanied it on active service. 
 
 ''Colonel Simpson was a gentleman held in great esteem in this community, ami 
 in his official capacity as a magistrate his judgments were always respected ; h:-. 
 object being to examine carefully into ail cases brought before him before decidiii:; 
 upon them. We speak open to the corrective when we say that Col. Simpson \va> 
 the oldest magistrate in the County, or it may be in the district of 'I'errebonne. One 
 fact we do know, that in the early days of this County's history no man occupied i 
 more prominent position in the administration of local justice, when that admini.,i! i- 
 tion was more in the hands of the magistrates than at present. The Colonel wis 
 always a warm and enthusiastic supporter of the Hon. Mr. .Vbbott and the Coiiscr. 
 vative party. 
 
 " The Funeral. 
 
 • 
 
 " Ll.-Col. Cashing, Commandant of the nth Battalion, and all the Otticers and 
 men in the immediate jjroximity of Lachute, together wiili the Band of the Reginuiu, 
 attended the funeral. Lt.-Col. Simpson's horse, with his boots fastened in front of 'Jio 
 saddle, was led by one of the men belonging to the deceased's Company. The pro- 
 cession was the largest ever witnessed in Lachute, an e^ '''ence of tiie esteem in which 
 he deceased was held in tiii< community. The pall' rs were the Officers of the 
 nth Battalion, and on the coffin were three beauli; ...Mths of lilies and niytilo. 
 
 The corpse was taken to the First Presbyicrian Church, of which the deceased w.i^ ; 
 member, the Rev. John Mackie, pastor of the church, oftii iating. As the funeral en 
 lege entered the church, the organist began playing tlie dead march in Saul. Alter 
 the people had all got seated, Mr. Mackie gave out the 276th hymn, a very appropriate 
 one, at the clo ;e of which the pastor offered up a most feeling and impressive prayer. 
 Then followed an appropriate address, the preacher's text btring taken from ^^ith 
 Psalm and 15th Corinthians, at the close of which the 23rd Paraphrase was sung, '.he 
 Rev. Mr. Higgins closing with prayer, a very solemn and impressive one. 
 
 " The officers present wero Lt.-Col. Cushing, NLijor Lamb, Captains Weightiii m 
 Walker, Adj. ^Lartin, Lieuls. Pollock, McPhail, McCallum and McMartin, Scrg;. 
 Major Earle, and Capt. Wanless of St. Andrews Cavalry." 
 
 William John Simp.son, M.P.P. for Argenteuil, has always taken an active in- 
 terest in the affairs of the County, and has been a staunch and influential suppoier 
 of the Conservative party ; he was for several years Secretary of the Conservative \ 
 Association, and three years Secretary of the Lachute Municipal Council. He joined | 
 the Rangers when quite young, as bugler during the Fenian Raids, and subsequently 
 was Lieutenant of the same Company for twelve years. 
 
S of till 
 
 ral t 
 
 roni-; v. 
 
 ni\u J! 
 
 MllL 
 
 jhtni.i 
 
 ktivc in- 
 lippo'ior 
 
 Icrvative 
 
 le jo 
 
 lied 
 
 W.M. .lOlIN SIMPSON, M.IM'. 
 
 ;qUL'ii 
 
 tlv 
 
In 
 
 He 
 
 Mr. 
 
 uier of 
 
 exciting 
 
 Legislati 
 
 choice ol 
 
 united fo 
 
 time unci 
 
 Hay, a n' 
 
 cing his ( 
 
 the Libe 
 
 Christie 
 
 apparent! 
 
 every adv 
 
 In th 
 
 Bills Com 
 
 Good Go; 
 
 amendmei 
 
 with the t€ 
 
 Among th 
 
 act to abol 
 
 l-ublic, anc 
 
 The W 
 
 by a Trooi 
 
 in connecti 
 
 " Hav 
 
 of Mr. Johi 
 
 at St. Augi; 
 
 I feel it my 
 
 documents 
 
 Stirling Yec 
 
 '^loop of Ci 
 
 John Col bo 
 
 '0 a Captai 
 
 Lord Moncl 
 
 ve.'y much e 
 
 ^'.. John 
 arrived in th 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 227 
 
 In 1881, he formed a partnership with Dawson Kerr, for the publication of The 
 Watchman, wldch continued till ist January, 1892, when they sold to Messrs. Calder. 
 
 He was married April 22nd, 1874, to Miss Mary Fitzgerald. 
 
 Mr. Simpson's first experience of political life was when he was Secretary-Treas- 
 urer of the Liberal Conseivative Association, during which time there were many 
 exciting political contests in the County. When r. Owens resigned his seat in the 
 Legislature, the Convention called to select a candidate were unanimous in their 
 choice of Mr. Simpson. He won the victory alter an exciting conflict, in which the 
 united forces of the Liberal party were arrayed against him. Tiie issue seemed for a 
 time uncertain, as his opponents had selected a most popular candidate — Mr. Joiui 
 Hay, a man of well-known integrity, and a prosperous farmer — the latter fact enhan- 
 cing his chances of success, as tv/o-thirds of the constituency are farmers. Moreover, 
 the Liberals were fresh from a cheering victory; in which they had elected Dr. 
 Christie to the Dominion Parliament by a lai^e majority. These considerations 
 apparently affected Mr. Simpson's chances seriously, but his popularity over-balanced 
 every adverse influence, and he was returned. 
 
 In the I,cgislature, he has been one of the most useful members in the Private 
 Bills Committee, and has received, on several occasions, the grateful thanks of the 
 Good Government Association of Montreal for the aid given them in obtaining proper 
 amendments to their Charter. He has always supported the legislation popular 
 witli the temperance people, notably the " Tobacco Bill," the license amendments, etc. 
 Among the measures he has ii.lroduced, are amendments to the Municipal Ct Je, an 
 act toabolisii lotteries, an act to open the meetings of School Commissioneis to the 
 I ublic, and the extension of the franchise to spinsters and widows. 
 
 The following notice, which was taken from the Montreal Witness, was written 
 by a Trooper of St. Joseph du Lac. It should hiive been inserted on a former page, 
 in connection with the St. Andrew's Troop, but was overlooked : — 
 
 " Having observed, in a January number of the Montreal Daily Witness, the death 
 of Mr. John Oswald, a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland, aged 86 years and 6 months, 
 at St. Augustin on the 16th inst.,and having served as a trooper under his command, 
 I feel it my duty to narrate, through your vahnble paper, the following, I'rom olHcial 
 documents: — The deceased, John Oswald, when in Scotland, was a trooper in I he 
 Stirling Yeoman Cavalry, and in 1830 came to Canada and joined the Argenteuil 
 Troop of Cavalry. On ist December, x837,he was commissioned Lieutenant by Sir 
 John Colborne, and was inactive service during 1837-38. In 1848 he was promoted 
 to a Captaincy by the Earl of Elgin. In November, 1856, he was appointed by 
 Lord Monck, LieutCol. of the Militia, until declining years caused him to retire, 
 vc:y much esteemed and respected by all his troopers." . .. .. 
 
 PROFESSIONAL. 
 
 ^^•.. John Meikle, sen., says: — "About this time (1831) also, the first doctor 
 arrived in the settlement — Dr. McDowell, who, however, did not remain long. But 
 
22S 
 
 IIISTOKY OF ARGENTEUII.. 
 
 previous to liis coining the settlers Iiad enjoyed tlie services of a Mr, Ellis, who, 
 llioiigh not an M.D., had nuicli skill in medicine." Mr. Robertson succeeded him, 
 but soon removed to St. Andrews. 
 
 Thomas Christie, M,D.,and the present member for Argenteuil in the Dominion 
 Parliament, is doubtless the oldest medical practitioner in the County. He is the 
 son of the late John Christie and his wife Elizabeth Nichol, both of Stirlingshire, and 
 was born in (Jlasgow, Scotland, in 1824. He came to Canada with his parents in 
 1S27, was educated at McGill University, and obtained his degree in 1848. He was 
 married in October, 1849, ^o Catherine, daughter of the late Peter McMartin, of St. 
 Andrews, Que. During the terrible ship fever in 1847-48, the Doctor was assistant 
 surgeon at Point St. ('harles, and the exi)erience amid such constant scenes of misery 
 and death must have been severe for one so young, and in the outset ot his pro- 
 fessional career. Six thousand immigrants, it is claimed, are buried lliere, who died 
 from that dreTidful scourge during the years 1847 '^"^ 1848. Besides his professional 
 duties, and those devolving upon him as a member of Parliament, he has taken a 
 deep iiiicrest in local affairs, and been called upon to fill responsible local positions. 
 He has been Chairman of the Board of School Commissioners of the parish, Secre- 
 tary of Lachute Academy, Warden of the County, etc. An account of his different 
 elections to Parliament will be found in a list of the representatives of the County 
 on preceding pages. 
 
 The tbllowing sketch of the Doctor, found in F. C. Ireland's " Sketches of 
 Lachute," published in The Watckmaii, in 1886, will doubtless be endorsed by all 
 who know him : — 
 
 ■' Dr. Thomas Christie commenced his professional career in Lachute under 
 discouraging circumstances, owing to the sparseness of the population and the bad 
 roads, extending to the far away settlements of the north and west. But from con- 
 stant attention to duty and very moderate charges, he soon entered upon a successful 
 cdreer which has continued to the present day. No physician can be held in 
 higher esteem for faithfulness in the discharge of his professional duties than l)r. 
 Christie ; while, as a public citizen, his life and influence have shown an untarnisln;d 
 record on the side of morality, temperance and religion. He has reared sons and 
 daughters to occupy responsible positions in society, several of the former following 
 the profession of their father, with success shining brightly before them, while they 
 all seem to jiartake jf the same sterling principles of character, 
 
 ■' The first really creditable-looking dwelling in Lachute was that erected by Dr. 
 Christie, and it still stands — a most comfortable residence — suitable for anyone in 
 this last qi'arter of the iQlh century. It is sh.-'ded by stately trees, while the grounds 
 contain beds of flowers of brilliant hues, and graveled walks ; and it needs only a 
 fountain of sparkling water to complete a most beautiful picture." 
 
 Dr. Christie has had eleven children — seven sons and four daughters ; one of 
 each sex died in infancy, and the others arrived at maturity. Four of the sons — Jolni, 
 Edmund, George H. and William — graduated from the Medical department of McCiill; 
 
 Juhn ani 
 
 and had 
 
 His two 
 
 succeedc 
 
 drug stoi 
 
 Of I 
 
 to Mr. C 
 
 1). Stewa 
 
 The 
 
 t ember, i 
 
 "Dr 
 
 attended 
 
 Afterwart 
 
 -McGili, hi 
 
 graduatiuj 
 
 t.;-.ued up 
 
 Jane Han 
 
 children. 
 
 his wife. 
 
 lather. K; 
 
 Rangers, r 
 
 militaiy af 
 
 however, \ 
 
 time nninif 
 
 and his ti[{'o 
 
 please a h'u 
 
 confidence 
 
 cigc of his < 
 
 se(|uences 
 
 successive 3 
 
 aCommissi( 
 
 self a painst 
 
 ihc School ] 
 
 missioner. 
 
 " As a 
 County, and 
 lee. Born 
 >vhen his co 
 fell that the 
 iiis allegianc 
 'lie Conserv 
 year, he was 
 
HISTORY OK ARGRNTEUIL. 
 
 229 
 
 under 
 ;he bad 
 ini con- 
 
 ICCCS^Ull 
 
 held 111 
 lian l>r. 
 .rnishi'd 
 ms and 
 jUowing 
 le tliey 
 
 by Ur. 
 kyone in 
 [grounds 
 only 2 
 
 one ot 
 
 —John, 
 :Mc(lill; 
 
 luhn and William also graduated in Arts. Tlie former, who was a clever physician, 
 and had secured a large and successful practice in Chicago, died in that city in 1S84. 
 His two brothers, PMmund and William, are practising in Chicago, pnd G. H. has 
 succeeded to his father's practice in Lachute. Thomas, the tiiird son, has a fine 
 drug store here, and James P., the fourth, is in business in San Francisco. 
 
 Of the daughters, the eldest remains with her parents ; the second is married 
 10 Mr. Crawford Ross, merchant in Ottawa ; and the yoimgest is married to Dr. A. 
 1). Stewart, of Richmond, Que. 
 
 The following obituary of Dr. Wii.i.iam Smith, who died at I-icIuUe, 4th Sep- 
 tember, 1895, is copied from T/w IVatchmaii (Lachute) : — 
 
 "Dr. Smith was born in the parish of St. Jerusalem on 4th April. 1S51. He 
 attended school for several years in Brownsburg, being with his aunt, Mrs. Stalker. 
 Afterwards, he prepared for McGill at Lachute College. During his course at 
 McGill, he was chaiaclerized by his honest and careful preparation of his work. After 
 graduating in 1876, he commenced the practice of liis profession here, which he con- 
 tir.ued up to the time of his death. On 5th Stptember, 1883, he was married to ^Lary 
 Jane Hammond, daughter of Henry Hammond of I,achute, by whom he had two 
 children. In February, 1S91, the Doctor sustained a grievous loss by the death of 
 his wife. His only regret at going was to leave his two little girls witliout mother or 
 father. Karly in his career, lie became connected with the iilh Battalion Argcnteuil 
 Rangers, and, finally, became their medical officer. He always took great interest in 
 niilitaiy affairs, and was no mean shot w!ih the rifle. His real entry into public life, 
 however, was in the year 1889, when he first became Mayor of the town. At that 
 time municipal waters were exceedingly troubled ; the Doctor sought to calm tlicm, 
 and his efforts were successful; for, while he never would swerve from a principle to 
 please a friend, lie did his duty in such a firm and kindly spirit, that he so.)n won the 
 confidence of the public. It was recognized, thit here was a man who had the cour- 
 age of his convictions, and would do what he felt to be right, regardless of the con- 
 sequences to himself. Such a man is a rarity ; and he was continued in office five 
 successive years. During these years, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and 
 a Commissioner of the Commissioners' Court, in both of which offices he proved him- 
 self a painstaking and careful official. Oiily last July, when a \ ancy occurred on 
 die School Board, the iniblio again turned to him, and he was elected .Scliool Com- 
 missioner. 
 
 " As a physician, he was frequently called upon by the poor of this town and 
 County, and he never refused to give his attendance through fear of not receiving his 
 fee. Born among Liberals, for years he followed that party ; but there came a lime 
 when his convictions compelled him to sever his connections therewith, because he 
 felt that the course then being pursued by the leaders of that party was not right ; 
 his allegiance was to principles first, and party afterwards. He became attached to 
 the Conservative party, and was looked upon as one of its coming leaders. Last 
 year, he was elected President of the Argenteuil Liberal-Conservative Association; 
 
 M 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 m. 
 
 but it must not be supj. jsed that Dr. Smith was wedded to the Conservative party 
 any more tlian he had been to the Liberals. He freely criticized the actions of 
 the Government, and was ready again to sacrifice his party ties in order to maintain 
 his convictions of what was right. Nevertheless, the party felt that they would never 
 need to look outside for a candidate while Dr. Smith remained with them. 
 
 " Resolutions were adopted by the Town Council of Lachute, expressing their pro- 
 found respect for the deceased, and sorrow for his death, and all attended his funeral." 
 
 A sketch of the family of Dr. Smith is given elsewhere in these pages. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin S. .Stackhouse, son of the late John Stackhouse, a well-known 
 citizen of St. Andrews, has for many years been one of the leading, and, in fact, t.ie 
 only Dentist of Lachute. He has a fine residence and office on Main street. Of his 
 three brothers, Dr. Charles Stackhouse, who also adopted Dentistry as a profession, 
 has his office on Sparks street, Ottawa, and a beautiful residence on O'Connor street, 
 in tlie same city ; John Stackhouse, the eldest, who succeeded his father in the chair, 
 making business in St, Andrews ; and Gilbert, the youngest, who was a photographer 
 in the same village, are both deceased. 
 
 Dr. L. p. .Alexander Rodrigue, third son of Pierre Rodrigue, was born 
 17th December, 1869, in St. Scholastique, Que. He attended school in Lachute, 
 and in 18S3 entered tiie College in St. Th^rese. After passing his examination 
 before the Quebec Medical Board in May, 1891, in Montreal, he entered Laval Uni- 
 versity of that city, and graduated in 1895, taking his degree of M.D. ; and also 
 obtaining his license to practise medicine and surgery at the same time. He then 
 came to Lachute, where he has many influential friends, and has opened an office in 
 '* Rodrigue's Block," on Railway Avenue. 
 
 J. B. Menzies, M.D., one of the medical practitioners of Lachute, has quietlv 
 and modestly won the esteem of the people of this section, and built up a good 
 practice. He is a son of J. B. Menzies, Registrar of the County of Lanark Ont. 
 from which place he came to Lachute in 18S7 ; he is a graduate of McGill, and 
 received his degree in 1879. 
 
 W. W. Alexander, M.D., now occupies the office of the latnented Dr. Smith. 
 Dr. Alexander was born in Prince Edward Island, and received his education at the 
 Prince of Wales College, Cliarlottetown. In 1887, he entered the Medical Depart- 
 ment of McGill University, and received his degree of M.D., CM., therefrom in April, 
 1891. After some months of post-graduate work in Boston and New York hospitals, 
 he returned to Canada, and began practice in Hemmingford, Huntington County, 
 Que., where he remained till recently, when he came to Lachute. The recommend- 
 ations he has received, and the interest he takes in religious work, give promise of 
 a useful and successful career. 
 
 Joseph Palliser, barrister, is a native of Lachute ; his grandfather, Robert 
 Palliser, came from Yorkshire, England, to Lachine, in 1832, with three sons and two 
 daughters • he was killed at that place during an election riot in March, 1841. 
 
 The 
 lie was a 
 In 1844, 
 'liiomas 
 He had 
 second sc 
 The year 
 he joined 
 with the 
 from McG 
 to Lillian 
 afQtirs ; h< 
 and has b 
 introduce t 
 public imp 
 
 G. E. 
 
 cf the Bar 
 
 Augustus 1 
 the towns c 
 
 G. E. : 
 
 tive years o: 
 took a Law 
 liar in 1879 
 began pract 
 rdlock, thi, 
 Hampton di 
 
 Mr. Ba 
 
 Dominion C 
 I'^ent, in 18c 
 eiTcctive ad\ 
 1 arty, and I 
 ' t jmblic in 
 
 Joseph 
 in the Collog 
 ■'lid passed h 
 - Notary in 
 remained in 
 -cholastique, 
 I'lnglois, of 1 
 cl 'ixteen me 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 23* 
 
 Thomas, his eldest son, was married in Lachine, in 1838, to Margaret Baird ; 
 1;l was a member of the Lachine Troop of Cavalry during the Pai)ineau Rebellion. 
 i I 1844, he settled in Lachute, and lived here till 1893, when he visited his son 
 1 iiomas in Morris, Man., and died there, the r7th December of the same year. 
 He had two sons and three daughters, who arrived at maturity. Joseph, the 
 SL-cond son, attended Military School in Montreal, and received his certificate in 1869. 
 'll-.e year following, while holding the rank of Sergeant-Major in the nth Battalion, 
 he joined the expeditionary force to the Red River. After his return, he studied Law 
 with the late Hon. J. J. C. Abbott, being admitted to study in 1876, taking his degree 
 fiim McGill in 1878, and was called to the Bar in 1879. He was married in 1879 
 to Lillian Margaret McGibbon. Mr. Palliser takes an active interest in all local 
 aff.iirs ; he drew the Charter when the Town of Lachute was incorporated in 1885, 
 and has been Chairman of the School Board several years. He was the first to 
 introduce the electric light into Lachute, and has always been desirous of promoting 
 lublic improvements ; he has charge of the telegraph office here. 
 
 G. E. Bampton, Q.C., for several years has been one of the prominent members 
 cf the Bar in this County. He was born in Plymouth, Eng., and is a son of the late 
 Augustus Bampton, Civil Engineer, M.T.C.E., Chief Surveyor of the Corporations of 
 the towns of Plymouth and Davenport, England. 
 
 G. E. Bampton was educated at Christ's Hospital, London, and afterward served 
 tive years on the Pacific, and at other stations, as an officer in the Royal Navy. He 
 took a Law course at McGill, graduating with first-class honors, and was called to the 
 Bar in 1879; '^^ studied with D. Macmasler, Q.C., Bernard Devlin, and others. He 
 began practice in Lachute in 1879, '^"^ ^^^^ married 13th August, 1884, to Ann Louise 
 Pollock, third daughter of the late Thomas Pollock, Postmaster at Hill Head. Mrs. 
 Bampton died 29th November, 1891, at the age of 27, leaving three children. 
 
 Mr. Bampton was appointed Revising Officer for the County in 1885, by the 
 Dominion Government, and Provincial Revenue Attorney, by the Quebec Govern- 
 nx'nt, in 1892. He has always taken a prominent part in politics, being one of the 
 effective advocates during election campaigns of the interests of the Conservative 
 party, and has been retained in most of the law cases in the county which were 
 I f public interest. 
 
 Joseph EvaristeValois was born in Vaudreuil, Que, He spent three years 
 ill the College of L'Assomption of that place, then went to the College of Montreal, 
 and passed his examination for the Notarial Profession in 1878. He was admitted as 
 a Notary in May, 1882, and began practice in St. Stholastique the same year. He 
 remained in that village until March, 1890, when he came to Lachute. While in St. 
 ^cliolastique, he was married in September, 1885, to Corinne, daughter of Joseph 
 l.anglois, of that place. Mr. Valois organized a Band in May, 1895; it is composed 
 of sixteen members, and he is instructor. 
 
 1':;^. 
 
232 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 
 A. Berthelot is also a Notary who has practised liis profession many years in 
 Lachute. 
 
 The following history and statistics of schools in this section, during the fust 
 decade of this century, was recently found among the old papers of J. S. Hutchins 
 by his daughter, Mrs. Gushing, of Montreal, through whose courtesy they are now pub- 
 lished : — 
 
 KISE AND PROGRESS OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN THE 
 SEIGNIORY OF ARGENTEUIL, COUNTY OF TWO MOUNTAINS. 
 
 In 1798, this Parish contained but five families, numbering al)out thirty souls . 
 jn 1800, fifteen families, numbering about seventy-tive souls. In tiiis year, one 
 school was put in operation, and taught by a female in a private house near the Chute 
 Mills — numbering about fifteen scholars — for the term of six months. In 1801, a log 
 school-house was built, half a mile above the Chute Mills, and taught by a young 
 man six months, thirty scholars attending daily. In 1802, the settlement increased 
 to more than thirty families, and several small schools were started, located from two 
 to three miles from each other, and generally taught by females. This mode nf 
 education was continued up to the year 18 10, when, at the request of the inhabitants, 
 a school was established by order of the Governor General, under the Royal Insti- 
 tution, a mile and a half above the Chute Mills — a good, substantial, school building 
 having been previously erected. Joiin D. Ely was duly commissioned by the Governor 
 General to leach in the same, wiiii a salary of sixty pounds per annum. Mr. Ely, 
 being a first-rate elementary teacher, soon raised his school to a respectable standing' 
 and the average number of scholars in daily attendance amounted to sixty. Mr. Ely 
 taught this school for four years very successfully, many children being sent to his 
 school from the neighboring parishes to receive instruction in the higher branches 
 of education. The inhabitants made his salary nearly e([ual to one hundred pounds 
 per annum; but, unfortunately for him and the parishioners, too, he was obliged to 
 relinquish his trust, and Mr. Aaron Wood was subsequently commissioned to teach 
 the school. The latter continued it for two years, and then resigned his position, in 
 consequence of the Board's reducing their teachers' salaries to twenty pounds per 
 annum. They, likewise, multiplied thc'.i schools; and another was established, aboii 
 four miles distant, under the name of the Upper Lachute School. Shortly after this 
 change by the Board of the Royal Institution, the Government bounty was distributed 
 to all the schools in the Province; and its allowance was equal to that of the schools 
 under the Royal Institution. Mr. Carpenter succeeded Mr. Wood as teacher, and 
 taught for three years successfully. I would here note that, after the salaries of the 
 teachers were cut down to twenty pounds, the trustees were obliged to raise the fee j 
 of tuition from is. 3d. to 3s. 9d. per scholar, each month, in order to provide competent i 
 eachers. The school of which I have been particularly speaking has been continued 
 
 up to tne 
 said that i 
 neither is i 
 The c 
 number six 
 eight schoo 
 fifty childre 
 one was twi 
 
 The fo 
 
 ages of 4 a 
 papers of J. 
 
 Numbe 
 
 John h 
 
 Joel Bixby, 
 
 Wm. Evans 
 
 Powers, juii 
 
 Sampson, Ai 
 
 Hutchins, Sa 
 
 John Sparroi 
 
 Pool, John E 
 
 Thompson, ' 
 
 Reed, Wm. 
 
 I man, Charles 
 
 McNall, Elijr 
 
 -\Ic{;ioughlin, 
 
 I Samuel Black 
 
 Sanders, Israt 
 
 Brooks, Jonal 
 
 Lachute 
 \h' the late Re 
 for the young 
 jance increased 
 |ofthePresbyt( 
 jnieeting, 23rd 
 instruction, by 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 233 
 
 up to tiie present day by various teachers, generally competent ; but it cannot be 
 said lliat it is in as flourishing a condition as when it was under the Royal Institution, 
 neither is it so numerously attended. : ,<: 
 
 The ciiildren under the age of fourteen and over seven, belonging to this district 
 number sixty-one. but they do not all attend school. 'I'here are, at the present time, 
 eight school districts in this pirish, numbering altogetiier about three hundred and 
 fifty children. In the year 18 10, the number of children over four and under twenly 
 one was two hundred and eleven, male and female. ,; ' /- 
 
 The following is a list of the inhabitants, and the number of children between the 
 ages of 4 and 2r, in I.achute, in 1810, copied from a document found among the 
 papers of J. S. Hutchins : 
 
 Number of childrv;n, 2ti. 
 
 John Kelly, Abiathar Waldron, Francis Bureau, Silas Bcldry, Samuel Orti)n, 
 Joel JJi.xby, Osias Hosilton, Benj. Burch, Benj. I. Burch, Asa Kimball, VVm. Powers, 
 Wm. Evans, Jonathan Burch, Jonathan Hart, Isaac Thompson, John Dunlap, Wm. 
 
 Powers, jun.. Ward Stone, Augustus Stone, Benj. Cutter, David Hubbard, 
 
 Sampson, Amaziah Church, Knot, Jolm S. Hutchins, Nathaniel Davis, Phineas 
 
 Hutchins, Samuel Sanders, Jonathan Burch, jun., Hezekiah Clark, Wm. Perkins, 
 John Sparrow, D. Hitchcock, James Draper, Richard Dilly, Daniel Pool, Timothy 
 Pool, John Blanchard, Philander Stephens, Ebenezer Stephens, Cyrus Calkins, James 
 Thompson, Wm. Thompson, Abiram Bcldry, John Jacobs, Nathan Jacobs, Alex, 
 Reed, Wm. McNall, Samuel Thompson, Curtis Stone, E. Blackman, Osias Black- 
 man, Charles Ellis, David Bell, James Hubbard, Aaron Stone, Aaron Hamblin, Uriah 
 McNall, Elijah Woodworth, Joseph Hcrrimon, Rufus Herrimon, Benj. Alien. Wm. 
 McCrloughlin, David Taslin, Timothy Richardson, Moses Snider, John Snider, 
 I Samuel Blackman, Isaiah P. Barber, Robert Partlow, Isaiah Hyatt, B. Cramton, Asa 
 j Sanders, Israel Brooks, Charles Perkins, .\sa Starnes, Gideon Blackman, David 
 Riooks, Jonathan Brooks, Daniel Starnes, Nathan Brooks. 
 
 tion. m 
 nds per 
 d, aV)ou 
 fter this 
 iribuied 
 schools 
 her, and 
 of the 
 the fee I 
 
 bmp' 
 
 ;tent 1 
 
 )ntinue' 
 
 LACHUTE ACADEMY. 
 
 Bv J. W. McOuAT, ScHOor. Inspector. 
 
 Lachute Academy had its origin in the free classes conducted in his own house, 
 Ibythe late Rev. Thomas Henry, who felt the necessity of providing higher education 
 Ifor the young people of the community. These classes were popular, and the attend- 
 laiice increased, so that it was soon necessary to remove the school to the basement 
 jofthe Presbyterian Church, of which the Rev. Mr. Henry was pastor. At a public 
 [meeting, 23rd February, 1855, the people manifested their appreciation of such 
 liiistruction, by establishing a superior school governed by five directors. These 
 Idireciors organized a school, outlined a course of study, and appointed a staff of 
 ■teachers, and thus the pastor's piivate classes became the well-known public instilu- 
 Ition, " Lachute Academy." 
 
 t6 
 
m 
 
 234 
 
 HISTOKY OF ARf.ENTEUIL. 
 
 The Academy classes were continued in the basement of the church until 
 proper buildings could be erected. Rev. Mr. Henry was appointed first Princijial 
 of the Academy, with the following assistants: Dr. Thomas Christie and Mr. John 
 M. Gibson. John Meikle, Esq., was President of the Board of Directors, and Mr. 
 John M. Gibson was Secretary. 
 
 After a year and a half of faithful work, the Rev. Mr. Henry, John Meikle, Esq., 
 ,tk1 Dr. Thomas Christie were successful in obtaining from govertmient, through 
 the kind services and loyal support of Sydney Bellingham, then member of 
 Parliament for the County of Argenteuil, an Act of incorporation and a government 
 grant of £t5. 
 
 This Act of incorporation was obtained on the first day of July, 1856, when the 
 following gentlemen were incorporated a " body politic and corporate in deed and 
 in name," to be known as " Lachute College," viz. : " John Meikle, Thomas 
 Christie, Rev. 'J'homas Henry, Rev. Walter Scott, Rev. James Bishop, Thomas 
 Lockie, Thomas Pollock, John McAllister and Thomas Morrison, all of the village 
 of Lachute, County of Argenteuil." Thus was Lachute Academy established, on 
 23rd February, 1855, and incorporated by Act of Parliament, passed at Toronto, ist 
 July, 1856, during the second session of the fifth Parliament of Canada, and assented 
 to by Sir Edmund Walker Head, Governor General. 
 
 The Academy was established in the municipality of St. Jerusalem, which con- 
 tained, in 1856, 471 heads of families and 740 children from 5 to 16 years ot age. 
 The attendance at tiie Academy in 1855-6 was 210, of which number 94 pupils were 
 under 16 years, and 116 pupils were over 16 years of age. These figures prove 
 clearly the need of a superior school, and the wisdom of those who labored so earn- 
 estly for its establishment. 
 
 The course of study outlined by the directors comprised Latin, Greek, Natu- 
 ral History, Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Mathematics, English Grammar and 
 Composition, Geography, Elementary Astronomy, Drawing, Design and French. In 
 1856, the directors purchased a fine set of chemical apparatus valued at £40, and 
 later, in 1859, they added a complete set of maps and an orrery to their appliances 
 for teaching geography. The public library of the " Mechanics Institute" afforded 
 the students many opportunities of reading, and served as an excellent reference 
 library. In the long period of partial leisure from autumn to spring, how pleasant 
 and profitable it must have been for the young people to attend such classes, and] 
 receive instruction from such disinterested and loyal teachers, most of whom werej 
 men of zeal for the cause of education, and labored free of charge to the institution: 
 the total cost of teaching, in 1856, being only £120. Rev. Mr. Henry continued toj 
 be connected with the Academy, for several years after its establishment, as teachei 
 and adviser, while Dr. Christie labored faithfully and gratuitously, for many year;, 
 as demonstrator in chemistry, and the late John Meikle, Esq., continued Prcsideiii 
 of the Board of Directors, and befriended the school in various ways. 
 
 On 20th April, 1858, the directors resolved to erect an academy building m J 
 
 ii-ntral p 
 
 ^vard of ] 
 
 'i'hcse tw 
 
 tile lower 
 
 bringing t 
 
 into the si 
 
 Ther 
 
 ill charge . 
 
 from iiis c 
 
 new buildi 
 
 Kmslie anc 
 
 became pa 
 
 -■^fr. John I 
 
 Ooverniner 
 
 in-stitution i 
 
 stances, tlu 
 
 schools and 
 
 on conditio 
 
 C/iJSS/cS, 'PI 
 
 time. Mr. , 
 succeeded b 
 Tlionison Ik 
 Inspector, a; 
 •^lex. Stewar 
 succeeded M 
 Ibllowed by ] 
 '875. and lie 
 l)o.sition of p 
 principal of 
 to accept scr' 
 ■McOiiat, unti 
 -^•T. Trueh, 
 numerous ass 
 tlie oldest anc 
 In 1875 ' 
 ' wing 
 j«as only carri 
 departments 
 school Avas es! 
 school, No. V 
 lentil a much 1; 
 '^lis re la I 
 
 erect a "■ 
 
HISTORY OF ARr.ENTEUII,. 
 
 235 
 
 lasses, 
 
 istiiuuon; 
 
 as tea( 
 [any yc 
 
 Presideni 
 
 lilding in 
 
 tLiitral place, and selected the site on which the old academy now stands, in the east 
 wMid of Lachute town, midway between two of the parish schools, Nos. I and Vill, 
 These two elementary schools were united by the school commissioners, who built 
 the lower storey of the new building, while the directors built the upper part, thus 
 bringing the pupils of the two elementary schools, and the classes of the Academy, 
 into the same building. 
 
 The new buildings were occupied in 1859, and the Rev. John Mackie was placed 
 
 in charge at a salary of $350 (to be paid in silver at par) and all the fees arising 
 
 fnnn iiis classes. The staff of teachers in 1858-9, which was the first year in the 
 
 new building, v.'as Rev. John Mackie, principal; Dr. Christie, lecturer ; Mr. James 
 
 Knislie and Mr. Adam Orr, teachers. After two years Rev. Mr. Mackie resigne(l and 
 
 became pastor of the First Presbyterian Churcii. He was succeeded in i860 by 
 
 .Mr. John Reade, who held the position for three years until 1863. In 1862 the 
 
 Government grant wys reduced by one-half, and a still further reduction left the 
 
 institution in debt, and unable to continue its educational work. Under these circum. 
 
 stances, the directors concluded to amalgamate the academy classes with the public 
 
 schools and make over theGovernment grant, now ;^44, to the school commissioners, 
 
 on condition that they should engage a head master who was competent to teach the 
 
 d<fss/is. This arrangement was made in 1864, and has continued to the present 
 
 lime. Mr. Alex. Stewart was principal after Mr. Reade from 1863-4, when he was 
 
 succeeded by Mr. George Thomson of Queen's College, Kingston, in 1S64. Mr. 
 
 Thomson held the position until February, 1867, when he was appointed School 
 
 hispector, and Mr. G. H. Drcwe became principal until February, 1868, when Mr. 
 
 Alex. Stewart was again engaged as principal until 1870. In 1870 Mr. C.S. Holiday 
 
 succeeded Mr, Stewart, and remained principal until 1874, when he resigned and was 
 
 followed by Mr. Murdock Munroe for one year, 1874-ci. Mr. Holiday returned in 
 
 1875. ''^"d held the positiu:i for nine yeais, until 1S84, in \\W\ch year he accepted the 
 
 position of principal in Huntingdon Academy, and Mr. H. M. Cockfield became 
 
 principal of Lachute Academy, which position he filled until 18S6, when he resigned 
 
 to accept service under the Montreal School Board, and was succeeded by Mr. J. VV. 
 
 McOuat, until 1892. In 1892 Mr. McOuat was appointed School Inspector, and Mr. 
 
 X. T. Truell, who now (1895) holds the position, was made Principal. Amongst the 
 
 numerous assistant teachers are Mr. James Emslie and Mr. Thomas Haney, two of 
 
 the oldest and best known teachers of the County. 
 
 In 1875 a proposal was made by the directors to the school commissioners, to 
 erect a "wing" to the east side of the original building. This suggestion, however, 
 pvas only carried into effect in 1879, when the increased attendance in the elementary 
 idepartments made an enlargement necessary. At the same time an elementary 
 school was established in the " West End " of the village, thus restoring the former 
 school, No. VIII. The upper portion of the *' wing " was used for various purposes 
 [until a much later date, 1888, when it also became a classroom of the Academy. 
 This relationship existed between the two boards (the College Directors and the 
 
23^ 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTFUIL. 
 
 Parish Commissioners) until the incorporation of Lachute Town in 1885, when the 
 parish board withdrew, and re-estabhshed their former school, No. i, now calkd 
 ''East Knd School." The directors, however, established the same relationship wiih 
 the school board of the Town, and the whole institution became one sciiool and 
 adopted the course of study for academies. In 1891-2 the school commissioners 
 unanimously determined to build a new school building worthy of the large attend- 
 ance, which was rendering the old buildings far too small. This school board was 
 comjjosed of the following gentlemen : — Jciseph Palliser, chairman ; Hugh Fraser, jun., 
 Thomas McOuat, Teter Cruise and Rev. W'm. Sanders, while W illiam Henry was 
 secretary-treasurer, and J. W. McOuat was principal of the school Four acres of 
 land were purchased for a playground, and one of the finest school buildings in the 
 province was eiccted thereon, at a cost of $12,000. In this new building, situated in 
 the centre of the town, large numbers of students continue to attend from all parts 
 of the county and surrounding districs. 
 
 Amongst the benefactors of the school are Sidney Bellingham, tiie late John 
 Meikle, and, in recent years, }.C. Wilson, Esq., not to mention the numerous friends 
 and students who have contributed to the library, nor the zealous principals who 
 devoted many extra hours to prepare stuuonls tp enter courses of study not in line 
 with the Academy work. As a result of the Academy's inlluence, men are to be 
 found in every profession who must attrinute their start in life and much of their 
 later success to the instruction which they received in its classes, while the whole 
 county must confess that the school has been a public benefactor and a blessing to 
 the community in which it stands. 
 
 NtWTON T. Truell, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest son of Valorous 
 Truell, Esq., a prosperous farmer in the Eastern Townships. He was born at Ways 
 Mills, Stanstead County. May 8th, 1866, and received his preliminary education at 
 Stanslead Wesleyan College. At the age of fifteen he went to the CoUcii^c t/c St, 
 Hyaciiithc to comi)lete a course in French, after which he pursued a classical course 
 in St. Francis College, graduating from that institution at the age of nineteen, and 
 obtaining, the same year, an Academy dijjloma for both English and French schools. 
 Mr. Truell has since devoted himself to the profession of teaching, and has attained] 
 ahigh position among the educators of the Province. He was for several years Prin- 
 cipal of the St. John's High School, but resigned that position in 1892, to accept the 
 Principalship of I.achute Academy, which position he now holds. He is President 
 of the Argenteuil Teachers' Association, Vice President of the Provincial Teachers'! 
 Association, and a member of the Protestant Committee of the Council of Public| 
 Instruction. 
 
 Mr. Truell is a strong believer in the theory, that the physical nature and tliej 
 mental nature of the child should be developed simultaneously, and he was the lirstj 
 head master to introduce an organized system of Calisthenic exercises into any of thej 
 academies of our Province. On 27lh Dec, 1892, he was married to Miss H'\ 
 Maude Fulvoye of St. John?, Que., second daughter of Mr. I. B. Futvoye, Siipe;- 
 intendent of the Central Vermont Railway. 
 
 In t 
 
 an officia 
 divine sc 
 a sermon, 
 bun, dire 
 Tiiese ser 
 dist preac 
 through tl 
 I'ci^ple, foi 
 and /Vrgen 
 boats for ( 
 portmante; 
 and L'Orij 
 but thinly 
 the Rev. p 
 considerabl 
 Those who 
 received it 
 adininistere 
 Mr. Pi 
 tivo years, 
 tile same C' 
 United Stat- 
 to leave the 
 A Sunt 
 Thaddeus O 
 J: numberec 
 for seven ye 
 mer months 
 From tl 
 dists had coi 
 other denom 
 service was 
 members oft 
 minister, wh( 
 occasions, to 
 'vas in a barn, 
 '0 he one of) 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENT KUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 RISE AND PROGRESS OE REMGION. 
 
 A sketch fouiui ainot^:, the papers of the late J. S. Ifittc'iins. 
 
 In the year 1799, when there were but few families in the place, Dudley Stone, 
 an official member from the Congregational Society, invited the people to attend 
 divine service on theSabbalii. 'i'iie service consisted of singing, prayers, and reading 
 a sermon, and hj was generally assisted by others ; the i)lacc of worship was in a log 
 barn, directly opi)Osile the present meeting chapel, on the nortii side of the river. 
 These services were regularly observed for about one year, when an itinerant Metho- 
 dist jireacher, by the name of Picket, from the Troy Conference, N.V., found his way 
 through tlie woods to the settlement, and commenced to preach the CJospel to tlie 
 people, forinin;,' a circuit e.ub-acing L'fJrignal, E. and W. Hawkesbury, Ciiatham 
 and Argenteuil. As there were no roads at this lime for riding on horseback, /.or 
 boats for crossing horses over the rivets, he walked from place to i)lace, carrying his 
 portmanteau on his siioulders. He preached alternately every fortnight at Lachute 
 and L'Orignal, and through the week at the other places above named, as these were 
 but thinly inhabited. Thus he continued his labor for six or seven months, when 
 the Rev. Elder Jewel came to look ifter him and his flock, which amounted to a 
 considerable number, there being no other minister to dispense the Bread of Life. 
 Those who had j)reviously tasted that Bread were not so particular as to whom they 
 received it froin, as are many at the present day. Elder Jewel was the first who 
 administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in this place, in October, 1801. 
 
 Mr. Picket was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Sawyer, who traveled the Circuit for 
 two years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Madden, and other ministers from 
 the same Conference up to the year 181 2, when the war between E'lgland and the 
 United States broke out, and the ministers, being .American subjects, were all obliged 
 to leave the Province, leaving the sheep without a shepherd, to do as best they could. 
 
 A Sunday School was founded in this district, in the year 1818, by the Rev. 
 Thaddeus Osgood, :..issionary from the Congregational Missionary Society, of Boston, 
 It numbered about thirty scholars, and was superintended and taught by the writer 
 for seven years, subsequently by others ; and it has b2en continued through the sum- 
 mer months up to the present time. 
 
 From the time of the first preaching of the Gospel here, up to 1812, the Metho- 
 dists had control in religious matters in the above mentioned places, there being no 
 other denomination. During the war, which lasted more than two years, divine 
 service was kept up by a worthy local preacher, Mr. Kellog, assisted by the official 
 members of the Methodist Society, and the Rev. Mr. Bradford, Church of England 
 minister, who was situated in the front of Chatham. He visited this place on several 
 occasions, to administer the sacrament to the people. Though the place of meeting 
 Was in a barn, the reverend gentleman, after the close of one of the services, declared it 
 to he one of the happiest seasons of his life. After the close of the war, the preachers 
 
 T--. 
 
 ■.\i 
 '■i 
 
 I 1 
 
 '?■ ■ 
 I'ii • 
 il 
 
»38 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII,. 
 
 returned to tlieir several circuits to look after their flocks ; and now commencLd 
 great difficulty and damage to the cause of Christianity; however, we arc now writ- 
 ing for the benefit of generations yet unburn. Tliese difficiillies nee I not be detailed. 
 Suflice it to say, that they have all been overcome, and that the cause of religion is 
 slowly advancing." 
 
 UNITED ASSOCIATE CONGREGATION, OR FIRST PRESBYTRRIW 
 
 CHURCH OK LACHUTE. 
 
 ITS RISE AND PKOGRKSS. 
 
 By Rev. J. Mackie, 
 
 A few families came out from the west of Scotland about the year 1819. One 
 young man from Stirlingshire, John McOiiat, gave an impL-lus to the cause of "Christ 
 'n this neigliborh'jod. On arriving at Montreal, he remained some lime working 
 about the city, but his ambition was to have land, as he had been brought up a 
 farmer, and desiring to follow that occupation, he went to St. Euslache, and worked 
 there for a siiort time with a farmer. Hearing that a Presbyterian minister preached 
 in St. Andrews, he came to Lachute, and bought a farm on the banks of the Nonli 
 river, and sent home to Scotland for his friends. Many of them came out to this 
 country, and settled in and around Lachute ; but a great want was felt, as the Sabbath 
 came round. They had no church, and tlieir desire for religious instruction was so 
 great, that many of them went down to St. Andrews — a distance of six miles — m 
 the Sabbath to hear Mr. Archibald Henderson, who was the only Presbytoii in 
 minister at tliat time in tiie county. So many of the people waited on his ministry, 
 that he was induced lo come up to Lachute, once a month, and preach in the school- 
 house, as there was no other place of meeting. 
 
 The people of 'le neighboriiood were drawn together to hear the Gosjicl 
 preached by Mr. Hen«jerson, and as the congregation increased, they experienced a 
 desire to have a minister settled over them; but that was not easily accomplished at 
 that time. In the year 1831, they invited the Rev. William Brunton of St. Theresc to 
 become their minister; and promised him an annual stipend of $264. He accepted 
 the call, and became their pastor. The people rallied around him in great numbers, 
 so that they were encouraged to build a church, and a subscriptio.i paper was circu- 
 lated among them. 
 
 '! here was very little money in circulation among the farmers, and the people, 
 generally, were very poor, many of them having left the Old Country with little 
 means. In Scotland, there was great depressio;i among the farmers, after the battle 
 of Waterloo ; they were not able to pay the high rents the landed proprietors were 
 accustomed to receive during the Peninsular war, and many of them were forced to 
 leave their farms and seek homes in Canada. They had their trials in this new land: 
 
 but by pe 
 
 cleared ar 
 
 one great 
 
 and godly 
 
 same advi 
 
 money ; ! 
 
 liberally. 
 
 a great sui 
 
 and it was 
 
 and Andr 
 
 the sashes 
 
 bought the 
 
 them in ; 
 
 praise to ( 
 
 l)r()claimec 
 
 no claim t 
 
 who built i 
 
 For : 
 faithfully ai 
 up to the 1 
 to his mem 
 William T;i 
 
HISTORY Oir ARGKNTEUIL. 
 
 n9 
 
 bui by perseverance and industry they overcame them. 'I'hiiy roared their homes, 
 cleared and cultivated their fields, and were soon in comparative comfort. Tliere was 
 one great want — they had no church nor minister, while at home they had churches 
 and godly ministers, who labored faithfully among them. They aimed to have the 
 same advantages here, but there were many difficulties in liie way ; they had little 
 money ; some gave work, and a few gave money, one or two subscribing very 
 liberally. Mr. John McOuat headed the subscription list with a hundred dollars^ 
 a great sum in those days. They were encouraged to proceed in erecting the church, 
 and it was commenced without a plan, in the year 1S33; it was built by Willi.im 
 and Andrew Mc(Juat. After the walls were up, they had grtMt difticulty in getting 
 the sashes for the windows made and glazed. Mr. McOuat came to the rescue. He 
 bought the glass and putty, and kept the joiner till he finished the windows and put 
 tliem in ; then the church was tit to meet in. (ireat was tlu joy when the songs of 
 praise to God were heard within its walls and the glad tidings of salvation were 
 proclaimed. The building was a striking copy of an original Secession Church. It lays 
 no claim to artistic beauty, yet it is a substantial structure, characteristic of the men 
 who built it and of the times in which it was built. 
 
 For a number of years the congregation i)rospereJ. Mr. Brunton labored 
 faithfully and successfully a uong the people, but in a few years the Lord look him 
 up to the higher sanctuary. He died in the yeir 1839. The tombstone erected 
 to his memory by his congregation bears the following inscription, written by Dr. 
 William Taylor, of Montreal : — 
 
 " Sacred to the memory of the Rev. William Brunton, 
 Minister of the United Associate Congregation of Lichute, 
 who departed this life 12th August, 1839, ''"• 'he 73rd 
 year of his age and the 45th of his ministry. ' 
 
 '• As a minister it was his chief desire to be found faithful, 
 and so to preach the Gospel to save both himself and 
 those that heard him. 
 
 "As a Christian, he exemplified, In his daily conduct, 
 the virtues which he taught in public, being distinguished 
 for the humility of his disposition an-.i the patience which 
 he displayed in many trials. 
 
 He being dead, yet speaketh, 
 
 " The Congregation of Lachute have erected this stone 
 
 in testimony of their veneration for his memory. He 
 
 was born in the parish of Newbaitle, County of Edinburgh, 
 
 , .. Scotland, 4th May, 1767. He was ordained to the office 
 
 of the Ministry in 1795. He arrived in this country in 
 
 ^ • 1820, and, after preaching the Gospel in various other -• ■ • — ? 
 
 ' " places, undertook the pastoral care of this Congregation 
 
 in 1831, where he spent the last seven years of his .^. -, -.v.- 
 valuable life." .-.,,. 
 
 I 
 
 
240 
 
 HISTORY OV ARGEXTEUIL, 
 
 After Mr. Brunton's death, a dark cloud settled upon the congregation ; most of 
 ' , people belonged originally to the Church of Scotland, and they wanted a minister 
 of that communion. The few Seceders were strong for remaining ii. connection with 
 the .Secession or United Associate Synod. 
 
 An inducement was held out by the Presbytery of Montreal, in connection with 
 the Church of Scotland, that, if they would join the latter, thev (the Piesbytcry) 
 would give fifty pounds a year towards the minister's salary. A meeting of the 
 people was called to decide the matter ; the Church of Scotland l)arty, being in tiic 
 majority, thought that they should letaiii the building, and wished the question to 
 be decided by vote. Mr. McOuat, before i)utting tiie question to the meeting, re- 
 minded them that there was an arrearage of salary, which must be paid before deciding 
 the matter. Tb.ough the church was crowded before the motion was made, before 
 the vote was takea there were very few remaining, principally Seceders, and it was 
 decided that they should have the church. The party wishing to join the Church of 
 Scotland thought it was very hard to lose the church they had heljied to build. In 
 a most generous manner, John and James McOuat gave the Old Kirk party a vote, 
 promising to pay them the sum of forty pounds — the amount they ( ontribuled towards 
 building the church — to be given when they built one in connection with the Church 
 of Scotland. When they commenced to build the Free Church, they applied for the 
 forty pounds, Mr. McOuat said : " Na, na ; I promised to give it, when you built a church 
 in connection with the Scottish Church." Thus they forfeited not only the forty pounds 
 from the Seceders, buf also the fifty pounds promised by the Presbytery of Montreal. 
 These things caused hard feelings between the two parties. 
 
 The congregation of the First Church was for some time without a minister : 
 there was no Presbytery in the Lower Province, hence they were without a preacher. 
 Dr. Taylor, of Montreal, the only minister in connection with the United Secession 
 Church of Scotland at this time, was about to pay a visit to the Old Country. 
 They requested him to present their case to the Synod at home ; but he was not suc- 
 cessful in securing a minister. After waiting for some time, two were sent out : Mr. 
 Louden, who was settled at New Glasgow ; and Mr. Andrew Kennedy, who was 
 placed at Lachute. At this time the congregation was very small, and could not L;ive 
 him a salary sufiicient to keep him and his family, so the church at home gave con- 
 siderable help, which enabled him to remain som.* time with them ; but at length he 
 resigned his charge. Thus, again, they were without a settled minister, though oc- 
 casionally one was sent to them. At length they gave a call to the Rev. Walter .Scott 
 to become their pastor, which he accepted. He remained a few years, and resigned 
 liis charge. This was very much against the prosperity of the congregation ; a few 
 families left the church, as they thought they would never get another minister. The 
 small remnant was very much discouraged, but still were sturdy Seceders. True to 
 their principles, they stuck firm and fast together, and could not be bribed to leave 
 their denomination. By this time, a few ministers had come out to Canada ; a Pres- 
 bytery was formed, and preachers were sent to the vacancies. After hearing a fi w. 
 
HISTORY or ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 241 
 
 t ley gave a call to Mr. John Mackie, a licentiate of the United Presbyterian Church 
 ol' Scotland. He came to Lachute in the month of November, 1858, and preached 
 to them that winter. When navigation opened, the Presbytery of Montreal — com- 
 ] rising three ministers— came to Lachute on the iSth day of May. They met in 
 tiie Church, after hearing Mr. Mackie's trials for ordination, with wiiich they were 
 iiighly pleased. The call that was presented to him was signed by fifteen members 
 and twenty-five adherents. The stipend promised by the congregation was forty 
 pounds — $160. The Presbytery hesitated to place Mr. Mackie on so small a salary, 
 lie would take nothing from the missionary fund, so he commenced his ministry with 
 little pciuniary recompense, and a very small congregation. Tiie people were kind 
 to him, and he labored among his little flock with some degree of success, preach 
 iiig every Sabbath morning in the church at Lachute, and in the afternoon, al ' . .. 
 ately at the East Settlement — a distance of six miles — and at Brownsburg — adis i.icr 
 of five miles. By faithful preaching, and steady perseverance in visiting tlie fani. . ■" 
 his flock increased from twenty-five members to two hundred and ten, ana the 
 salary of $160 rose to $750. Thus, the material success was considerable. The 
 regular attendance of liie peoi)le, and their marked attention to the instructio is given, 
 showed that they appreciated the ministrations of their pastor. In this short and 
 imperfect sketch, reference has been made ciiiefly to the material progress of the 
 congregation. But who can estimate the spiritual results, or the value and import- 
 ance to the people, of the faithful preaching of the Gospel, and witnessing for Christ 
 for over sixty years, by the servants of the Lord? 
 
 The Rev. John Mackie, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Lachute, was 
 born in Hamilton, Scotland, in 18 i2, educated at G.asgow University, and received 
 his theological training in the United Presbyterian Hall, Edinburgh. He was licensed 
 to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Hamilton in 1854; a few years sub- 
 sequently he came to Canada, and was ordained at I-achute in 1859. Li 1864, he 
 uas married to Agnes, daugluer of the late Capt. Robert Dunlop, of Greenock, Scot- 
 land, who is a faithful helpmeet and a lady highly esteemed in the community. Mr. 
 ^lackie, during his long pastorate, has become much endeared to the people of 
 I.achute ; he is a good reasoner, and this advantage is enhanced by his pleasing 
 delivery from the pulpit. He is a typical Scotchman, and, while possessing a fund of 
 humor, he is quick to feel for the afflicted, and is always a welcom: and sympathetic 
 visitor at the bedside of the sick. Mr. and Mrs. ^Lackie have had nine children — 
 three sons and six daughters — the eldest daughter died in infancy ; the third son, in 
 18S8. The eldest son, John McOuat Mackie, is manager of the Gould Manufacturing 
 Company, Boston, Mass.; the second son, Robert, is an engineer in New Jersey. 
 Tiic second daughter, Mary, was married in 1S87 to William Scott, Esq., of the 
 Mackay Milling Co., Ottawa The four youngest daughters are still pursuing their 
 st.idies. 
 
»43 
 
 HISTORY V ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 HENRY'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The begiiipj'ng of this church has already been given in the i)receding sketch of 
 Mr. Mackie, and we have no data from which to compile an elaborate history. 
 
 The Rev. ']'homas Henry was inducted in 1843, ^i^d continued to minister to the 
 spiritual wants of his people till the year 1862, when he was succeeded by the Rev. 
 John Eadie, who was pastor for seven years. After his removal to another field of 
 labor, the Rev. William Furlong was called to the pastorate, and labored for nearly 
 twenty years. He resigned in the year 1892, and was succeeded by the present 
 pastor, Rev. N. Waddelf., fJ.D. 
 
 Mr. Waddell, whose ability and geniality have rendered him popular with his 
 parishioners, was born in tlie township of Osgoode, Carleton County, Ontario, in 1S5;, 
 and educated at the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, McGill University, and the Presby- 
 terian College, Montreal, graduating in 1887. He was ordained by the Presbytery 
 of Montreal, 23rd May, 1887, and inducted to the charge of Russeltown and Covey 
 Hill, Que. After a pastorate of nearly six years, he was transferred to Lachute. 
 and inducted to his present charge, 9th February, 1893. He was married to Miss 
 Mary Jane Eraser of Morewood, Out., in 18S5. 
 
 The Rev. Tho.mas Henry descended from the Kenmore Gordons of Lochinvar, 
 was born in the parish of Anwoth, Scotland, in 1798, and was educated at the Edin- 
 burgh University ; he was married 12th August, 1840, to Helen Dawson of Alloa, 
 Clackmannanshire, Scotland. He taught in the family of Hannay, of Rusco, in the 
 Parish of Anwoth, and was tutor for several years in the family of John Stein, Esq.. 
 of Kilbage, Clackmannanshire, one of his pupils being James Duff, nephew of Mr. 
 Stein and son of the Hon. Sir Alexander Duff, G.C.H., Colonel of the 37th Regiment 
 of Foot. The same James Duff was the father of the present Duke of Fife, son-in-law 
 of the Prince of Wales. In 1840, the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland 
 sent Mr. Henry to Montreal, where he resided for a few months in charge of a city 
 mission, when he was called to the Church of Scotland congregation at Lachute. At 
 the Disruption in 1S44, ^^^ severed his connection with that Church, c.isting in his lot 
 with the Free Church. His congregation, with the exception of one or two families, 
 went with him, and, later, every one of these families joined the Free Church. 
 Henry's (Church was then formed as the Free Church, of which Mr. Henry was 
 pastor for twenty-four years. He always took a deep interest in education, and was 
 the first Principal of Lachute .Vcademy, commencing that institution in his own 
 study, the room at present occupied by his son, William Henry, as an office. It w:i, 
 subsequently removed to the basement of Henry's Church, until suitable buildin-s 
 were erected for it. Mr. Henry died in Lachute, 15th July, 1868; Mrs. Henry, 
 also, died in Lachute, 18th June, 1884. They had six children: Robert Hugh died 
 in infancy; Grace Jane married '1 homas Barron, Registrar, of Lachute ; Thomas 
 Hugh died 1889; Helen, a teacher, died 1887 ; William, Secretary-Treasurer of I. a 
 chute School Commissioners ; Katherine Stein, teacher, of Lachute. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGEiNTEUIL. 24$ 
 
 ANGLICAN CHURCH. 
 
 By Rev. A. B. Given. 
 
 A brief skelcli of the Mission of L icliute, in the County of Argenteiiil, may not 
 prove uninteresting to many of our readers, Tlie town itself is IjeautifuUy situated, 
 lying in a valley of tiie Laurentian Hills, forty-five miles distant from Montreal, and 
 seventy-six from Ottawa, via the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The population is esti- 
 mated to be about 1,700. The first church services were held about the year 18 15 
 by a travelling missionary, who occasionally officiated in a barn or school-house, as 
 opportunity presented itself In the year icS68, the Rev. Mr. Codd was appointed a 
 missionary, with headquarters at Lachute, and a number of townships, among others 
 tJKit of Arundel, then in the initial stage of its settlement, uiider his charge. Let us 
 bear in mind this fact, that this mission is still in its infancy, so to speak, as com. 
 pared with many other parishes in the Diocese of Montreal. Real church life only 
 bej^an here, we may say, in the year 1S78, when the Rev. H.J. Evans was appointed 
 the first regularly constituted Incumbent of the Mission. Regular services were held 
 Iiy liim at Lachute, Lake Louisa, New Ireland, Glen of Harrington, Arundel, Rock- 
 away and Ponsonby. He was a man who was highly esteemed and loved by all 
 classes of people. To his untiring zeal and energy, Lachute may well feel proud and 
 happy in possessing such a nice, neat, comfortable church in which to worship " the 
 Lord our Maker." Deep regret was felt at Mr. P>ans' departure irom this Missiort 
 His successor was the Rev. R. \V. Brown, M.A., who held the parish for a short 
 period, viz., January, 1884, to April, 1885. On the twenty-third day of August of the 
 same year, the Rev. W. Sanders, B.A. (at the present time, Rural Dean), was ap- 
 pointed by the Lord Bishop of Montreal, Incumbent. Rev. W. Sanders worked 
 hard and zealously for the cause of his Master here, and largely through his efforts 
 and generous assistance can Lachute offer to-day a very comfortable home to its 
 clergyman. During his tenure of oftice, /.c, in the year 1886, a wise arrangement 
 uas effected — to wit — the formation of Arundel and parts adjacent into a separate 
 mission, the Rev. \V. Harris being made the first Incumbent thereof. This made 
 the work somewhat lighter, though arduous enough, and permitted Mr. Sanders to 
 concentrate his efforts m e upon his work at Lachute, Lake Louisa and Edinr, 
 thes;» fotniing, at that date, the paiish of Lachute. Owing to poor health the 
 Incumbent • It obliged to place his resignation in the Bishop's hand=. in order to obtain 
 the rest whi( was needful. This was in the spring of 1S92. At the same time, the 
 Rev, Alex. B< d Given (the present Incumbent) was appointed to succeed him. 
 Fho church \\\ k goes on slowly, but steadily, we believe, in the name of Him who 
 hath said, "My word shUl not return unto A[j void, but shall accomplish that which 
 1 jlease." Lachute itself is not a Citurch of England town, it is essentially a 
 Presbyterian settlement. The church is not strong — it is to be feared, for some time 
 at least, we shall have to depend much upon outside help for assistance to maintain 
 her ministrations. Would that it were otherwise, indeed. Two services are held 
 
Ill 
 
 244 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 regularly every Sunday, with an average attendance of 44. An occasional week-day 
 service is also held. Our people do well, on the whole, to maintain the church, 
 taking into consideration their numbers and their own property. By the bye, the 
 cluirch, which was always considered to be a "Union Church " at Edina, was burnt 
 down in the year 1890, and so the services were consequently discontinued tiiere. 
 Lake Louisa, in the township of Wentworth, 12^ miles distant from Lachute, is the 
 only really out-mission station belonging to Lachute. Here, service is held evc'ry 
 Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. We are ylad indeed to have a church there of our own, 
 I,argely, owing to the many kind friends in Montreal and elsewhere, tliis has 
 become an accomplished fact — built and paid for at a cost of $1,000. Apiece of land 
 has also been procured as "God's Acre," wherein the dead may rest until the resur- 
 rection morn, when the trumpet of God shall sound — " Arise ye dead and come to 
 Judgment." Many things are still reeded for this mission — such as a " church bell," 
 ^- font," surplices, etc. We have, indeed, great cause to be thankful for the past. 
 Many have helpe:i us most willingly and cheeifully, and ibr this " we do, indeed, 
 thank God for the past, and we do, indeed, take courage for the future." 
 
 a statemeii 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 CopieJ from Church records. 
 
 Lachute, 8th June, 1S86. 
 
 For ^ver a year, the Board of the Convention East have been anxious to have a 
 Baptist Church organized in the thriving town of Lachute. At the earnest request of 
 the Board, Rev. J. Higgins consented to spend two weeks here, in gathering the 
 few Baptists together, and preparing the way for the student who has been appointed 
 to labor here during vacation. Pastor Higgins came here about the 1st of May, 
 and was nearly a month in the field. The Lord was with him, and gave him an 
 "open door." Special services were held in Olivet Hall, twenty-two sermons were 
 preached, ])rayer meetings were held from house to house, and the congregation 
 increased from 50 to 100, as the few Baptists were quickened and refreshed by the 
 Holy Spirit. Five believers applied for baptism, and were baptised by Pasior 
 Higgins in the North River, on the last Sabbath of May. Several persons are 
 enquiring and searching the Scriptures to find their path of duty. Bro. Alex. Dcuar 
 has now entered i;pon b.is labors, and may the Lord bless him abundantly. 
 
 D. BENTLEY. 
 
 Lachute, June 4, 1886. 
 
 At a special meeting held in th^ homt^ of Bro. D. McPhail, for the purpose of 
 taking into consideration the advisability of uniting ourselves in a regular Ba[)tist 
 Church, it was agreed by the brethren present to hold Recognition services in Olivet 
 Hall, on Tuesday, 8th June. 
 
EY. 
 
 1.S86, 
 
 -pose of 
 
 Baptist 
 
 in Olivet 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 245 
 
 ORGANIZATION AND RECOGNITION SKRVICES IN OLIVET HALL. 
 
 Tlie following persons responded to the call to a Recognition meeting : — Dales- 
 ville Church, Pastor J. King, Deacon P. McArtlnir and Bro. John Campbell; 
 Osnabruck. Rev. J. Higgins ; First Church, Montreal, Rev. i^r. Welton, Deacon 
 Kennedy, brethren J. S. lUichan and D. K. McLarin ; Olivet ('huich, Montreal, 
 Pastor A. G. Upnam, Deacon D. Rentley, \V. D. Stroud, W. D. I/armonth. The 
 new church was represented in the Council by Brethren D. McPiiail, 1'. Cruise and 
 Alex. McGibbon, also the student, liro. Alex. l)ewar. On motion, Rev. A. G. Upham 
 was appointed Moderator, and D. Bentley, Clerk. Prayer was offered by Pastor 
 Higgins. The twenty-tiiree persons present adopted the New Hampshire articles, as 
 a statement of their faith and practice, believing that to be in harmony with the 
 teaching of God's Word. There are in all twenty-eight baptised believers who have 
 united in forming this Church. The recpiest to Council is here given, as follows : — 
 
 AVe, the undersigned, having been led by God's spirit to receive the Lord Jesus 
 Christ as our personal Saviour, r.^d having been buried with him in baptism on pro- 
 fession of faith, hereby present ourselves before (iod, and one another, desiring to be 
 orgam'zed and iccognized as a regular r>aptist Church, and we do hereby adopt, as a 
 statement of our faith and practice, the summary of Scriptural doctrine, the New 
 Hampshire Confession. 
 
 D, McPhail, Alex. McGibbon, P. Cruise, Mrs. 'J". Jackson, Miss Margaret 
 McGibbon, Mrs. P. Cruise, Mr. and Mrs. \Vm. Buchan, Miss M. C'ruise, Mrs. C. 
 Barker, Miss K. McGibbon, Mrs. Jas. McGibbon, Miss E.C'ampbell, Mrs. S. Dunne, 
 Mr. B. S. Stackhouse. Miss L. Siackhouse, Mr. A.xMcArthur, .NIrs. Peter McGibbon, 
 Miss S. McGibbon, Miss E. McCiibbon, Miss Maria McGibbon, Mrs. A. McArthur, 
 R. Dunne and John Cruise. 
 
 After hearing this request and the statement of the doctrine by the peojile, it 
 was moved by Dr. Welton, and seconded by Pastor King, that the Council gladly 
 recognize the body of- believers who have presented themselves to-day, before this 
 Council, as a regular Baptist C'hurch. This was carried unanimously. The following 
 committee — Pastors Kirg and Higgins, and Deacon Bentley — were requested to 
 make arrangemcnls for public Recognition services in the evening, at 7.30 o'clock. 
 Rev. J. King addressed the Church members on their new responsibility and duties 
 to each other. The Moderator, Pastor Upham, gave the right hand of fellowship to 
 1)10. Dewar (student) in the name of the new Clui;ch, welcoming the Lachute Church 
 into the body of Baptist Churches of Canada. After prayer, the Coiuicil adjourned. 
 
 During the winter of 1887, a gracious work was accomplished from special ser- 
 vices held by the Pastor, and John Currie, Evangelist, of Montreal. About thirty 
 persons professed conversion. The present membership is 51. 
 
 Mr. Higgins remained as Pastor of this Church till the fall of 1895, commanding 
 the respect of the people by his able exposition of the Scripture and his consistent 
 Christian life, and winning their affections by his kindly, genial manner. 
 
 The late Rev. Mr. King, of Dalesville, in his reminiscences, says : — " John 
 Higgins was a remarkable boy. In his early years, by the death of his parents, he 
 was left a helpless orphan, but the Lord, true to His ))romises, raised up for him 
 friends. He lived in Chatham with Andrew Duncan and his wife, who were 
 childless. Afrer he had been some time with Duncan, he came to Sabbath School, 
 and proved himself a bright and diligent pupil. People felt interested in him, and 
 predicted that, if spared, he would make his mark in the world. It was while attend- 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL, 
 
 ing this school, that he became impressed with divine things, and, along witli others, 
 was baptised and added to the Church. He had a strong desire to do good and 
 preach the Gospel, yet, doubt of his own ability and his want ol means to obtain an 
 education were obstacles in the way; but these difticuUies were overcome, when he 
 decided to give himself to the Lord's work — Clod provided him means and raised up 
 friends where he did not expect them. After attending school some time at Lachuie, 
 he went to A\'oodstock, where he studied the usual time under Dr. Fife, with honor 
 to the doctor and crec'il to himself. During the vacation at Woodstock, he went to 
 preach at Cote St. George, where there is a small church, and his preaching was 
 blessed to the conversion of souls. After completing his studies at Woodstock, be 
 accepted a call from the church at Petite Nation. Between that place and North 
 Nation Mills, his labors have been greatly blessed of God. He has since removed to 
 'J'hurso." 
 
 A good many years have passed since Mr. King wrote the above sketch of Mr. 
 Higgins, during whicii the latter has labored in different places, with credit to himself 
 and the good of others. He married a daughter of Mr. McGregor, of Dalesville, who 
 has been a worthy partner in his toils — a woman esteemed for her kindnes.s, bene- 
 volence and earnest Christian character. 
 
 When Mr. Higgins resigned his pastorate at Lachute, a call was given to Rev. 
 J. R. Cresswell, B..-^., who had just completed his university course in Toronto, and 
 was then in Montreal. Mr. (,'reswell was born in Derbyshire, England. He took a 
 Theological couise at Nottingham iiaptist College, completing which, in the spring of 
 1890, he came at once to Canada, and entered McMaster University, 'i'oronto, from 
 which he graduated in i S90. During the time that he remained a student of tlie Uni- 
 versity, he preached one summer in Clarence and Rockland, the next summer in St. 
 Catharines, Ont,, and also the following summer, after graduating, in Montreal. 
 He then visited England, and on his return accepted, November, 1894, the pastorate 
 at Lachute, and was ordained the same month. He was married, 3rd July, 1895, to 
 Miss M. ]\L Howell, of Montreal. Mr. Cresswell is highly popular in the commuiuty: 
 his sermons arc clear and logical, diction good, and his delivery iluent and effective. 
 
 A very neat and comfortable Baptist Church building was completed on Main 
 street in 18S7. It is brick, and posser.ses all the improvements and conveniences 
 found in our most modern city churches. 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 Notwithstanding considerable effort to obtain data with regard to the above 
 organization, we have gathered but the few following facts. 
 
 It will be seen by what has already been stated by Mr. J. S. Hulchins, that the 
 Methodists were the first Christian laborers in this field; a long blank in their his- 
 tory follows, and it was no* till 1852 that they erected a church edifice. As the body 
 was neither large nor wealti.y, it is not surprising that in building it, they should have 
 contracted (juite a large debt ; but all contributed, as far as they were able, toward 
 defraying the expense — none, probably, more generously than the late Thos. Jackson. 
 This church building was erected so far from what now constitutes the main part of 
 the village, that another was erected in a more central and convenient location, in 
 1882. This is the fine brick church on Main street which this denomination still 
 occupies. The old church was destroyed by fire with the store of P. H. Lane, Esq,, 
 near which it stood, in September, 1894. A substantial and commodious parsonage 
 has also been erected contiguous to the new church. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 247 
 
 As stated in the history of St. Andrews, Lachute l)ecame the head of the 
 Circuit in 1865. The following are the names of the first few ministers who 
 rame after the change was made, with a table whicii shows the state of the 
 Church at that period. 
 
 1S65 
 
 1S66 
 1867 
 
 o « 
 
 3 S 
 
 Wni. Shaw, B.A 220 
 
 Gvenville united with it. 
 
 Joseph Kilgour, Wm. S. McCullougli, B.A 234 
 
 Josei'li Kilgour * t j 250 
 
 B 
 
 _ 
 
 ■f, = 
 
 OJ . 
 
 au. 
 
 M-5 
 
 z: vm 
 
 = C 
 
 J- V 
 
 w a 
 
 Wt 
 
 S^ 
 
 Ci 
 
 
 335 
 
 Sio 
 
 .136 
 
 5 "5 
 
 460 
 
 520 
 
 c 
 
 o . 
 
 rt C 
 
 O 3 
 
 S' 
 
 <* c 
 . s 
 
 I -I 
 
 I 
 
 210 
 
 210 
 
 217 
 
 1250 
 
 «27S 
 1361 
 
 ' North Gore set off. t Grenville again set off. 
 
 The ministers who have had charge of this Circuit during the last few years are 
 ilic Rev. John Walton, John Armstrong, J. V. McDowell, B.A., \V. Craig and the 
 present pastor, Rev. Mr. Clipsharn. 
 
 It should be stated that the late Thomas Jackson, besides contributing liberally 
 towards the erection of the new church, also gave the ground for its site. He was 
 one of the early settlers of Lachute, was highly esteemed, and died in tlie spring of 
 1S95, at an advanced age. He left one son and four daughters; the former, whose 
 iKime also is Thomas Jackson, is one of the prosperous and respected farmers of 
 Lachute. Mr. F. C. Ireland, in his ".Sketches of Lachute," gives the following ad- 
 ditional history of Methodism in this section of the country, which we regard as well 
 worth preserving : — 
 
 "In 1810, the Rev. Thomas Madden was appointed to the Ottawa Circuit of 
 the United States. This Circuit embraced all the territory between Montreal and 
 Kingston. Mr. Madden had just married a daughter of David Breckenridge, Esq., of 
 Bmckville, a man of considerable standing in the communiiy, and his daughter had 
 bi^cn brought up tenderly, and was accustomed to all the comforts and many of the 
 rel'inements of good society. Mr. Madden took his bride with him on the rounds of 
 the Ottawa Circuit — one appointment of which was in the East Settlement near 
 Lachute. A few Methodists who had come from the American side lived here, and 
 among them was a Mr. Hyatt, whose rudely constructed barn was the first chapel 
 in which the settlers from many miles around assembled to hear the Gospel preached. 
 Li the loft of Mr. Hyatt's new log-house, the minister and his wife found a comfort- 
 able lodg'ng place for the night. Tiie Hyatts were an intelligent and interesting 
 couple, and their house was the home of the itinerates for many years, and was en- 
 joyed and looked forward to with pleasing anticipations when traveling for miles, 
 liirough the uncleared country, over the roughly constructed roads and bridgeless 
 livers, from Bytown to Montreal." 
 
 Mr. Ireland also records another incident: "The Rev. Mr. Luckey, who had 
 closed his labors for the year, by i^reaching his last sermon to the people of the East 
 Settlement in Mr. Hyatt's barn, left the next day, to attend the Conference in New 
 York. In crossing the Ottawa river at Point Fortune, his horse got into the water, 
 and was nearly drowned. Mr. Luckey also narrowly escaped, but was /ucky enough 
 to get safe on the other side. Being fatigued, he went to a French house, to seek 
 
tUl^n: 
 
 248 
 
 HISTORY OK AKGENTEwIL. 
 
 rest and somclhing to cat. His appearance was not very clerical just at that tiiiic. 
 His beard had grown out considerably since his last shave, some weeks previouslv, 
 and wlien he asked for something to eat, ihe simple-minded 1 ut kind French peo|)if 
 mistook his meaning, and brought him a razor, and it was some time before he could 
 get them 10 understand that he was hungry. Rev. Mr. Hibbard was another of the 
 Itinerates who followed. On one occ.ision, while attempting to preach at Hyatt's 
 barn, and ihe people had just settled down to hear a good sermon, as they had been 
 accustomed to, poor Hibbard suddenly became embarrassed, and " broke down,'' as 
 many aclever young man has done in iiis first efforts at public speaking. Mr. Hyait, 
 being a local preacher, took up the text, and held forth to the great delight of .11 
 present, some of whom had traveled many miles to attend t'^e service." 
 
 'Ihe Methodists have always ha-1 a flourishing .Sunday School. Olivet Hall, buiit 
 by Mr. James Fish, was used for some time by this School, but finding it too small 
 for their accommodation, in 1S77, Mr. Fish enlarged it by an addition at the end, ^4 
 feet scjuare. 
 
 RiiV. William Warne Clark, D.D., is a member of an Argenteuil taniih. 
 He is a son of Orange Clark and Ann Warner, !ms wife, and was born i6th Man ii. 
 1838. He entered the Methodist ministry when 18, was ordained by Dr. Stenson at 
 Kingston, in i860, went to the United States in 1870, and joined the New York East 
 Conference, of wiiich he is still a member. Dr. Clark received his honorary degree 
 from the Wesleyan University, IJloomington, 111., in 1880. He is a member of tiie 
 Committee of the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and pastor of F'rooklVii Sixth Avenue 
 Church. His sermons are illustrated by large paintings, and among the titles are 
 such as these : — "The House that Rum built," "Mr. Tongue of Tattle Town."-'^ 
 
 R.C. CHURCH. 
 
 The first regular Roman Catholic services in Lachute were held by the Rev. 
 Calixte Ouimet, cure of St. Andrews, who also erected a church building and pres- 
 bytery. This church was destroyed by fire in 1S76, shortly after its erection. Tiio 
 present church was immediately erected, though it has since been enlarged ; ii i^ 
 brick, 80 feet in length, 35 feet in width, with seats for 400 people. 
 
 Rev. Arthur Derome succeeded Mr. Ouimet at I^achute, and was the first resi- 
 dent clergyman ; he remained here fifteen years, extended the church twenty feet in 
 length, and added the sacristy. He removed to Montreal, and was succeeded by the 
 Rev. Anthime Carriere, on the ist of January, 1891. 
 
 'I'he Rev. Mr. Carriere, who still remains incumbent, was born at St. Benoit, 
 educated at the Seminaty of St. Therese, and ordained in August, 1878. Previous 
 to coming to Lachute, he was engaged as assistant in different churches, being thus 
 employed ten years in Montreal. He has recently made extensive repairs on the 
 interior and exterior of the fine brick presbytery at Lachute. His congregation is a 
 large one — the communicants numbering 700. 
 
 THF: W. C. T. U. AND C. E. .SOCIETIES. 
 
 The W. C. T. U. of Lachute was organized by Mrs. Youmans in January, iSSj, 
 with Mrs. W. A. Leggo as president ; Mrs. H. Eraser, jun., secretary; and the late 
 Mrs. H. M. Gall, treasurer. It was, with the other unions, formed into a Provin- 
 cial Union in September of the same year, 1883. 'Ihe present officers are: — Mrs, 
 Mackie, President; Mrs. A. J. Simpson, secretary ; and Mrs. Barley, treasurer. 
 
 In O 
 Tile 
 i/ed in 18 
 James Arr 
 of ;he Coil 
 A sho 
 furmed an 
 ivjs re-org£ 
 In 185 
 The 01 
 meetings e; 
 A Me( 
 heiiig Dr. '] 
 tii'^i preside 
 .{'33 ics. 
 «iiich uni(L'( 
 'vc learn tlij 
 ^a;ued at ^ 
 For a ti 
 Institute wa; 
 '■iie> organ izai 
 hccnmadeat 
 heen awaken 
 Barron, vice- 
 "y, it posses; 
 'ibiary is slil 
 Lachute 
 pcrance. W 
 ^ut it is wel 
 ^'He in 1 85 2 
 The erec 
 urge and flon 
 hndpopularit 
 I pcrance sociei 
 jliut the good 
 jiwtions, pied<; 
 I ! le W, C. T 
 [Church of C 
 [shows to him 
 For many 
 l^^ys. A Ban( 
 T'liich a simila 
 Inoldiiig to life 
 I I'here are 
 |"ilier of Frencl 
 A Masojii 
 - ^ fi^^" Wilh 
 ■cfficc three yea 
 
 * Contributed by E. S. Orr. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 249 
 
 'revious 
 
 bon IS a 
 
 fy, I 
 
 ss 
 
 ihe laie 
 Provin- 
 :— Mrs. 
 Irer. 
 
 In October, iiSgs, Lachute entertained the Provincial Union. 
 
 The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, a Union one, was organ- 
 i/ed in 1889 ; Malcolm McCallum was the first president of the Local Union, and 
 James Armstrong, of the l-achute Road, is the present president. The first president 
 ol" the County Union was John Loynachan. 
 
 A sliort time after the organization of the Y. P. S. C. E., the Methodist Church 
 formed an Epworth fiCague, which, after about a year, fell through ; but, in 1894, 
 wMs re-organized, and is still carried on. 
 
 In 1893, a junior Y. P. S. C. E. was formed in connection with Henry's Church. 
 
 The original Christian Endeavor Society has never lapsed, but continues to hold 
 meetings each Monday evening in Raitt's Hall. 
 
 A Mechanics' Institute was formed in Lachute, ist of March, 1855, the trustees 
 being Dr. Thomas Christie, John Meikle, and Samuel Hills, John Meikle was the 
 tiisi president. It began witii a membership of 21, and the amount subscribed was 
 /,'3o I OS. It soon received quite an addition from the District Library .\ssociation 
 u'iiich united with it. From a Report to the Provincial Secretary, 5th January, 1856, 
 uc learn that the Institute had 140 members, and i)Ossessed a library of 1,000 vols., 
 valued at ;^20o, and that the total revenue was ^160 15s. 
 
 For a time the records were ke[)t regularly, which shows that the interest in the 
 Institute was alive; but later, the blanks that occur grow longer, until it is evident that 
 the organization existed only in name. An effort on the part of a few individuals has 
 been made at different times to resuscitate it, and recently, some interest has once mare 
 been awakened. The present officers are ; Dr. Christie, M. P., president ; Thomas 
 Huron, vice-president and C. D. Dyke, secretary. During the height of its poi)ular- 
 :',}. it possessed a library of 1,700 volumes ; many of these have been lost, but the 
 ibr.iry is still in existence, and contains very many valuable books. 
 
 Lachute has always possessed quite a goodly number of people devoted to tem- 
 ; crance. We have no data to show when the first movement in this direction began, 
 out it is well known that it was long before the organization of the Sons of Temper- 
 ance ill 1852. 
 
 The erection of Victoria Hall by this Society shows that it must have been a 
 arL,eand flourishing organization, but, as in all other places, it had its day of progress 
 nd popularity, and then its period of decline. The Good Templars and other tcm- 
 ;irance societies have since followed, and been attended with more or less success. 
 but the good work of temperance still goes on, not alone by the influence of organ- 
 lotions, pledged only to abstain from the use of spirituous liquors, but by those like 
 liiieW. C. T. CJ. and Christian Endeavor Societies, which, hand in hand with the 
 Church of Christ, lead the erring one to the light which reveals his weakness, and 
 1 shows to him a habitation whose foundation is rock. 
 
 For many years Lachute has not wanted for music to cheer her citizens on gala 
 [Qays. A Band was formed by the Sons of Temperance, about the year 1855, since 
 rvhicli a similar organization has usually been in existence here, though sometimes 
 olding to life with a precarious tenure. 
 
 There are now two Bands — one composed of English-speaking members, the 
 Iwher of P'rench; the latter was but recently organized. 
 
 A Masonic Lodge was opened here in September, 1880, called " Argenteuil 
 •lodge." William Hay was the first Master; W.J.Simpson, M.P.P., filled this 
 loffice three years, and Harry Slater is the present Master. 
 
 n 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUll.. 
 
 MANUFACTURKS. 
 
 One has but to gain a view of the West End, or Laclnite Mills, as the post ofilce 
 is named, to comprehend the fact, that Laclnite is a manufacturing town of no little 
 imi)ortance. Its water i)ower is unsurpassed; up and down the river on cither si<le 
 are mills and factories, the din of whose machinery, combined with the roar of the 
 falls, is an index of the many industries by which hundreds of families are main- 
 tained. 
 
 By whatever road one enters the west part of the town, the first object that 
 meets his eye will be the tall chimney and massive stone buildings — the ])aper mills 
 of J. C. Wilson. They rise conspicuously — a grand witness, not only to the possi- 
 bilities within reach of a young man's industry and energy, but to the progress of 
 Canadian manufacturers. 
 
 J. C. WILSON. 
 
 The first view of Mr. Wilson will assure the most casual observer that he i)os- 
 sesses more than ordinary ability ; his clear penetrating eye, and quick, dignified 
 movements, at once declare him a business man, and one whose executive ability 
 gives him the right to command. He rather enjoys relating tiie story of his early 
 struggles, and is pleased to remember that, through the blessing of God, his (iwn 
 foresight and industry have brought him to his present slate of financial indepen- 
 dence. He was born in 1S41, near Resharkin, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, 
 and soon afterward his family came to .Montreal, where h"s father obtained a 
 position as pattern 1 er in St. Mary's Foundiy. 
 
 The taste of the younger Wilson inclining to n.echanics, ho was apprenticed, at 
 the age of twelve, to leain the trade of machinist. A severe accident, however, pit'- 
 vented his completing the full term of apprenticeship, and then, through the kindness 
 of friends, he became a pu])il for a year and a half in the McGill Normal .School. Sodii 
 after this, the family in which he then made his home moved to Beauharnois, Que. 
 
 On arriving there, not wishing to depend on his friends for his maintenance, he 
 at once found employment at painting in a furniture manufactory. 
 
 One evening, soon afterward, when he had finished his work for the day, two 
 gentlemen called to see him. Having heard, they said, that he possessed a (li])lrinia 
 from the Normal School in Montreal, and having also lieard of his industrious and 
 steady habits, they had come to engage him to teach the village school, the former 
 teacher having left. Though reluctant, on account of his youth and inexjicrience 
 in teaching, to accept the position, after some deliberation, he closed with their offer 
 of twenty dollars per month, for one month, on trial. To one knowing hitn. it is not 
 surprising that he was highly popular with his pupils, and that he remained in the 
 school for three years. 
 
 One of his greatest anxieties during the first winter was to save money ei.ough to | 
 discharge certain debts he had contracted for clothing before leaving Montreal. 
 With his wages and several dollars earned by his mechanical skill during his even- 
 ings, he had enough left, after paying his board, to meet these accounts, and, as soon | 
 as his school closed, he visited the Metropolis and paid them. 
 
 "Never," said Mr. Wilson, "have I felt prouder or more happy than I did when I 
 I fulfilled this promise, and my mind was relieved of these debts." 
 
 The reflection, that the profession of teaching gave little scope for the e.xercise of I 
 his ambition, now induced him to abandon it, and going to Belleville, Ont., he obtain- 1 
 ed a position in a book store. He remained there some time, gaining that experiencej 
 
av, two 
 
 iplmm 
 
 oiis and 
 
 former 
 
 icricncc 
 
 fir iiffcr 
 
 it is not 
 
 in I ho 
 
 cercise o' 
 le obtain- 
 c peri dice j 
 
 .1. ('. WILSON. 
 
i 
 
 and knov 
 
 next einp 
 
 in 1863, I 
 
 lliirty-fou 
 
 i(i Strang 
 
 nor empk 
 
 liy c 
 
 out mone 
 
 in I he sj 
 
 employiTK 
 
 At la 
 
 work in a 
 
 accept till 
 
 manager t 
 
 as lie stai 
 
 and heat i 
 
 when lie n 
 
 " Yoi 
 
 terday for 
 
 coiiibiiud 
 
 on ob.servi 
 
 if you will 
 
 •• Very enc 
 
 was at the 
 
 letters \vhi( 
 
 visitor witi; 
 
 " VVlia 
 
 "Twe 
 
 " Here 
 
 With im 
 
 was seekin, 
 
 anxiety, as 
 
 and bad sp 
 
 of salary. 
 
 dollars per 
 
 and fears, h 
 
 liim, and, n 
 
 dollars ? " 
 
 " 1 trii! 
 
 " Well, 
 
 len dollars ] 
 
 till after a 
 
 tliat salary, 
 
 ^' AVell, 
 
 pose you coi 
 
 " Very 
 
 than when h 
 
 His fri( 
 
 and was scat 
 
 accept the j 
 
 dollars per w 
 
HISTORY or AROKNTEUII.. 
 
 a%t 
 
 and knowlfdgc of llio hiisimss which equipped him tVu belter positions. Me was 
 next employed in a large i)ul)lishing and newspaper house in Toronto, and fron) this, 
 in 1863, he went to New York. His pecuniary capital at that lime consisted of just 
 thirty-four dollars— a larger sum than that of many other young men who have land- 
 ed strangers in the great city, yet not a sum encouraging to one, with neither friends 
 nor employment. 
 
 By chance, he fell in with another young Canadian of good parentage, hut with- 
 out tiioney, who for some lime had been in vain seeking a position, 'iliey roomed 
 in the same hotel, and spent several days between sight-seeing and looking for 
 employment. 
 
 At last, one morning Mr. Wilson received an offer of four dollars per week to 
 work in a subordinate position in a warehouse; but resolving that he would not 
 accept this paltry sinn until all hopes had failed of doing jjetter, he arranged with the 
 manager to keep the place oj)cn for him for a week. Fortunately, the next inorning, 
 as he started out in <|uest cf work, he noticed the sign of T. W. Strong, publisher, 
 and he at once entered and enquired for the proi)rii tor. He was shown into his otrtce, 
 when he made known the object of his visit. 
 
 " You have seen the advertisement, I suppose, that I ]-ut into 'J'/it' Herald yes- 
 terday for an assist. ml," said Mr. Strong, who, according to Mr. Wilson's opinion, 
 combined tlie qualities of sternness and dignity. " No," was the reply, " I came here 
 on observing your sign." " Well," he said, " 1 have advertised for a young man, and 
 if you will come in again this afternoon, I will tell you whether I want you or not." 
 •Very encouraging," thought the young ajiplicant, an(', pursuant to the request, he 
 was at the office that afternoon. The jjroprietor had just received a large number of 
 Idlers which he had began to peruse. After reading two or three, he addressed his 
 visitor with : 
 
 " What wages do you expect, sir? " 
 
 " Twelve dollars a week," was the reply. 
 
 " Here, look over some of these," said Mr. Strong, handing him some letters. 
 With many misgivings, perceiving that they were applications for the position he 
 was seeking, Mr. Wilson tcjok the letters and read. 'I'iie fust one did not allay his 
 anxiety, as the writer offered to work for six dollars per week ; still, his crude style 
 and bad spelling might counterbalance the effect produced by his moderate demand 
 ot salary. The next letter was more assuring, as the writer wanted twenty-five 
 dollars per week. After reading two or three more, with the same alternation of hopes 
 and fears, he returned the bundle to Mr. Strong, who had been carefully observing 
 him, and, no doubt, forming an estimate of his capability. "So you want twelve 
 dollars ? '' he c[ueried, as he took the letters. 
 
 " 1 trust I can make myself of that value to you," was the modest reply. 
 
 " Well, you see what offers are made in these letters, but I can afford to give you 
 ten dollais per week." Though highly elated with the offer, he did not accept it 
 till after a few minutes delay. On expressing his willingness to begin work at 
 tluit salary, his employer said : 
 
 '' Well, now, this is Friday ; you will want a day to look about the city ; sup- 
 pose you come next Monday ? " 
 
 " Very well," said Mr. Wilson, " I will do so; " he then departed much happier 
 iha!i when he entered. 
 
 His friend who had accompanied him was outside, anxious to hear his report, 
 and was scarcely less pleased at the result than Wilson himself. He now decided to 
 aett-pt the position first offered to Wilson, which commanded the salary of four 
 dollars per week. Not long after Mr. Wilson entered the service of Strong, the book- 
 
'■5^ 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 keeper of the cslablishment was taken sick, and Strong insisted that Wilson should 
 manage the books till the bookkeeper recovered. To hie surprise, in going over the 
 books, he discovered the startUngfact, that one account contained an error of several 
 thousand dollars in favcr of Strong. The fact was reported to his employer, but he 
 was so reluctant to believe it, he asked Wilson to go over the account again very 
 carefully. Though perfectly satisfied that his figures were correct, he did as requested, 
 and with the same result as before. Still doubtful, the proprietor now called in the 
 aid of an expert accountant, and his labors fully confirmed the truth of Wilson's 
 statement, and Air. Strong had the satisfaction of knowing that he was richer bv 
 several thousand dollars than he had sup])osed. He now insisted that Mr. Wilson, 
 with a proper increase of salary, should take sole charge of his books, and he shortly 
 after lelt for a visit to Europe. Not long after his departure, a fire broke out in Bar- 
 num's Museum, destroying a building on Fulton street and another on /\nn street. 
 both belonging to Mr. Strong. 
 
 With the energy and promptness peculiar to him, Mr. Wilson at once set about 
 rebuilding, and, before his employer returned, he had the new buildings, with many 
 improvements, neaily completed. During the remaining years he was with Stroni.', 
 he had entire charge of his establishment, enjoying his esteem and confidence, as well 
 as that of the other employees. But he married, during his slay here. Miss Jeanie 
 Kilgour, of the town of Jkauharnois, Canada ; and Mrs. Wilson having a strong love 
 for the home of her youth, and being desirous to exchange New York for Monireal, 
 her husband decided to return to the latter ciiy — a step which he was the more fullv 
 inclined to take by the solicitations of friends. 
 
 On his return, he entered the employment of Angus, Logan &: Co., wholesale 
 stationers and pai)er manufacturers, as bookkeeper. Three and a half years sub- 
 sequently, a desire to enlarge his sphere of action led him to begin busi.icss on his 
 own account, and with the assistance of his employers he began to make paper i);igs 
 — the first ever made in Canada by machinery. The business proved a success, ^o 
 that Mr. Wilson soon repaid his old employers for their assistance, and became one of 
 their largest customers. His business, begun on a modest scale and sure basis, at 
 first required only two fiats of a building, lut, in process of time, a whole block of 
 stores, with six fiats each, was secured. In 1880, his business demanded that he 
 should make his own paper. He purchased the waier power at Lacnute, and erected 
 the mills — whose history is given below. 
 
 Mr. Wilson has not selfishly confined his time and talents to his own personal 
 business ; but, whenever they have been called into requisition by the public for a 
 salutary purpose, they have never been withheld. The people of the County of 
 Argenteuil, in consideration of his ability, elected him to represent their interests in 
 the Dominion Parliament. Ir. this new position, fortune, which thus far had been 
 so prodigal of her gifts, did not desert him, and his reputation as a good reasoner, 
 debater and politician largely increased. He contributed much toward the reorj^an- 
 ization of the " Fish and Game Protection Club ol the Piovince of Quebec," and lor 
 two years was its presidetU. For the same length of lime, also, he was president of 
 the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society, and has been an alderman of Montreal, and 
 chairman of many important civic committees. He is also a Life-Governor of the 
 Ci^nerai Hospital, the Protestant Insane Asylum, the Montreal Dispensary, and the 
 Maternity Hospital. He has taken an interest in the educational institutions of 
 Montreal, and v. s for some time a member of the Board of Protestant School Com- 
 missioners. Religious and benevolent institutions have profited by his generous 
 donations. 
 
 He has always manifested a fondness for tools, .1 taste enhanced, no doubt, by 
 
an 
 ill 
 
 ta 
 
 o 
 u 
 
 ;?; 
 o 
 
 1-^ 
 
iii 
 
 m*^ 
 
 '#/ 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 253 
 
 his use of them in his early days. He has quite a number wliich he then made, and 
 exhibits them to his friends with no little pride. Possessed of an accurate eye and 
 much mechanical taste, he dislikes to see any work, no matter iiow trivial, bear the 
 appearance of having been done in haste, or with indifference to method. 
 
 The following story, which he sometimes enjoys telling, illustrates how well his 
 peculiarity of wanting his work well done is known to his employees: — 
 
 On a certain occasion he had at his mills, in Lachute, one of his favorite handy 
 men, a carpenter whom he had brought from Montreal to do some special work in 
 his office. This man, it seems, had been lold that Mr. Wilson was just as particular 
 about his work in Lachute as in Montreal, and knowing how quick was his eye to 
 discern levels and uprights, and that everything must be done by level, square and 
 plumb, he thought to have a laugh at Mr. Wilson's expense. 
 
 The wood-work around a wash-basin needed rei)airing, and, on being ordered by 
 Mr. Wilson to repair it, the man came into the office with a spirit level under one 
 arm, a square over the other, a plumb-bob in one hand, and hammer and nails in the 
 other. 
 
 " What are you going to do with all these tools, Richard? " asked Mr. Wilson. 
 
 "Repair the wash-basin, sir," replied Richard. 
 
 " Nonsense, you want nothing l)ut the hammer and a few nails." 
 
 " Indeed, sir, I know when you want a job done, you want it level and square 
 and plumb, and, by golly, we must use these tools on every job." 
 
 Mr. Wilson saw and appreciated Richard's humor. 
 
 " Mr. Wilson is an ardent disciple of Isaac Walton, .-uid annually seeks the seclu- 
 sion of shady river banks and mountain streams and lakes with rod and line ; but 
 that he is strenuously opposed to the wanton destruction of the fumy tribe, is witness- 
 ed by the efforts he put forth in aiding to organize the Fish and (lame Protection 
 Society of the Province of Quebec.'* 
 
 He l.as five children living — three sons and two daughters. The sons are all 
 connected with him in business. 
 
 William W. (\, the eldest, has charge of the pulp mills at St. Jerome, and also 
 looks after the manufacturing ;ind the factory, Montreal. 
 
 F. Howard, the second son, occupies the position of assistant cashier in the 
 Head Ohice, Montreal. 
 
 Edwin H. is at the paper mills, Lachute, learning the art of pnper-niaking, with 
 the intention of having charge of the mills at some future dale. 
 
 His daughters are Ethel F. and Annie L. ; the three boys being the eldest, and 
 the two girls the youngest of the lamily living. 
 
 "LACHUTE PAPER MILLS." 
 
 The illustrations represent "Lachute Paper Mills" as they now are, in 1896 
 elected at a cost of over $300,000. 
 
 As stated in the sketch of Mr. Wilson's life, he w;is seized with the idea in 1S79, 
 
 that, to place his bu&iness in a front position in the trade, it would be necessary for 
 
 i him to own his own paper mills, and he made several visits to different i)arts of the 
 
 country near Montreal, where water-powers exist, knowing that a good water-power 
 
 ind proper facilities for getting the raw material into the mill, and the product out of 
 
 I were the first and most essential points to consider. 
 
 ♦ For the last par.ijjraph, as well as for some others in the al) )ve sketch of Mr. Wilson, we are 
 indebted to " Borthwick's Gazetteer of Montreal." 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY Ol- AROF.XTEUIL. 
 
 'I'lio Townships were visited, and liie country east and .vest of Montreal, but 
 none of them seemed to suit. 
 
 As the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa ^: Occidental Rai'way had just I)'?en completed 
 from ,\runtreal to Ollaw.i, and parties in the parish wc-rc desirous of establishing 
 manufacluiing industries tliero, Mr. Wilson was led to I.achute. After smveying the 
 water-powers, he decided tliat if a purchase could be mado on reasonable terms, he 
 would locale his paper mills here. He did not come to '.his conrlusion until he had 
 found thai there was anij'le water-power for a mill suc'i as he intended at thai time 
 to build. Lachute was then a village of about 650 inhabitants, and the site 011 
 which the paper mill stands to day was a forest of pines, oaks and ma])les. After 
 consideiable bantering between the owners of the land, they agreed with Mr. Wilson in 
 the muter of terms. He then made plans for his first mill, and appeared before the 
 Mayor and Council of the Parish of St. Jeiusaiem d'.Argenteuil, Tnoinas Hirroii. 
 Esq., being the Mayor. .\t a meeting convened in the old Court House, where 
 the Council sat, Mr. Wilson exhibited his i>lans, and petitioned the Parish for exemp- 
 tion from taxation for twenty years, providing he built the mills as he designed. Tiie 
 Council, with very lii tie delay, complied with his recpiest, and, certainly, they have 
 n(j reason to regret their action of the fall of 1879. 
 
 In June, i8<So, the first mill of the four, which the block of buildings now repre- 
 sents, was started. It was a great task to undertake — excavation-^, tlimies, whecl-i)its, 
 quarrying stone, and getting the siding in : but the mill — /. c, the building — was com- 
 pleted some time in November. The machinery was 1)1. iced in it during the Fall of 
 1S80 and the Winter of 1881, and the first paper run on the machine (which was a 
 double cylinder machine, made by Kice, Harton & Fales, of Worcester, Mass., after 
 Mr. Wilson's special jdans), on or about ist April, 1S81. 
 
 During the years iSSi and 1882, Mr. Wilson had great difticiilty in procuring a 
 pi opcr foreman for the mill; — he was intent on manufacturing a class of mai.illa 
 papers such as were manufactured in the United Slates. Not until the winter of 
 1S83 di 1 he solve the i)roblem, wiiy he did not succeed in making the class oi paper 
 he wished, and not till he had obtained the second expert from the States, It nny 
 be a secret in the trade, still it is none the worse for being told, and may help some 
 other paper maker olaced in the same | osiiion that Mr. Wilson was. The kind of 
 lime for boiling ihe jute stock was the secret of the trouble and the secret of the 
 success. Lime tVom Montreal, from Hull, and from Lachute was tiicd, but it did 
 not prove saiisfactcuv. Not until Mr. Wilson ordered his hrst carloail f)f lirne from 
 Dudswell (aw.iy beyoiid Sherbiooke), and boiled his Inst boiler of stock with it, did 
 he succeed, and then the mystery was unravelled. The component parts of the lime 
 are a very important mailer 10 consider in boiling jule or manilla stock. 
 
 ihe Lachute paper mill took a tirst rank in the Canadian market for manilla 
 pajjcrs from ihat lime forth, and has maintained it ever since. Not only did he manu- 
 facture manilla paper, in rolls, for his paper-bag machines in Montreal, but also ni.ide 
 sheet or ream ])aper for his growing trade wiih the grocers and general dealers all 
 over the countiy. 
 
 In 1885, the business had grown so much, that it was necessary to build anotiier 
 mill. o\- add another paper machine, with .Ji its attendant machinery. »'!iat mill 
 was commenced in May. 1885, and was completed in the fall of tluit year. 
 
 '] lie first paper made on the new machine (which was a Harper Fourdriii;er) 
 was made on the 7th January, 1886, and after that had hxw running two or three 
 years, Mr. Wilsoii saw that it would he necessary, in the verv near future, to idd 
 ■".'il another mill, and ofmu'^h larger dimensions. Tiie stone was there 0:1 the grimml 
 waiting to b^ quarried. '!"iic cut stone, of cuirse, for trimmings iox windows md 
 
 ■f^^:^^em■'^''m■*'■■ 
 
 f<:-:^:W--^- 
 
 v'f:^^%^ 
 

 
 irdiiu 
 
 ier) 
 
 ) or ti 
 
 ,ree 
 
 e, to 
 
 idd 
 
 !e gill 
 
 ,ind 
 
 ows 
 
 iiid 
 
 .• :.4£^iu5U'«<Ujti^ -*■— ■^'■^-'-'■^•■■"'■^ft'h'n'i ■ 
 
 •^iiiiSS,itiS&. 
 
corners — 
 
 largest a< 
 
 I'hotogra 
 
 siill fintli 
 
 pleted. 
 
 over the i 
 
 ill the coi 
 
 Tlie 
 
 future, pli 
 
 ihe room 
 
 pulp eiigi 
 
 The 
 
 tlie ainoui 
 
 Not ' 
 
 have beer 
 
 Canadian 
 
 the hnislu 
 
 raw mater 
 
 slock out I 
 
 them. Ti 
 
 in any mil 
 
 When 
 
 going to c 
 
 was a very 
 
 placed a hi 
 
 same, and 
 
 as the sum 
 
 or. rather, 
 
 About 
 
 ffmjmes t 
 
 celebrated 
 
 purpose, th 
 
 lactory ihei 
 
 as well as 
 
 tiai'cr bag r 
 
 chiuc-sat th 
 
 40iOoo. Ti 
 
 niilhou hmfi 
 
 While ail " 
 
 of hands a..^ 
 
 lie j*eoj>k. 
 
 The tw 
 
 Mr. VVi 
 
 be; i-iful hig 
 
 tains and o 
 
 months ever 
 
 Among 
 
 retain any oi 
 
 Ills paper mi 
 
 Mr. Sl/ 
 firsi employ^ 
 
mSTORV OK ARGENTEUIl.. 
 
 ass 
 
 corners — lime stone — is from Montreal. So, in 1891, Mr. Wilson commenced the 
 largest addition, and the completion of th» block of buildings, as represented in the 
 photograph picture of thess mills. Tail-races were cirried out in 1891. In 1S92, 
 still further work was accomplished, and the lower Hats of the addition were com- 
 pleted. In 1893, the whr)le mill was finished, and in 1894, 2 rst May, paper was run 
 over the new machine. This new machine, a straight Fourdrinier, one of the largest 
 in the country, specially adapted for fast running, Mr. Wilson '---izes very much. 
 
 The business now has grown so much, that he contemplates, in the very near 
 future, placing the fourth machine in tiie mill; the building is already there (thnt is, 
 the room for it), and all that will be required will be to place the machine and the 
 pulp engines ; — the water-wheels and wheel-pits are all complete and ready. 
 
 The Lachute l^aper Mills now have a daily output of about 15 tons, and when 
 the amount reaches 20 tons, Mr. Wilson's idea of a perfect mill will be accomplished. 
 
 Not without proper storage could such a mill be carried on, consequently, there 
 have been built, on the hue of the siding whicli comes from the main line of the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway, (ivn large storehouses and a stone warehouse for storing 
 the finished paper. There is also a siding ruiming down in front of the mill, so that 
 raw material may be placed in t'le mill, or in the storehouses, by just handing the 
 stock out of the cars, or the finished product from the s tone warehouses or mill inio 
 them. The facilities for loading and unloading, and for shipping, could not be excelled 
 in any mill in the country. 
 
 When doubling the mill, in 1885, Mr. Wilson conceded the idea, that he was 
 going to draw heavily upon the water-power, and as his business up to that time 
 was a very exact one, and he could not afford to shut down for any length of time, he 
 placed a large steam engine of 250 horse power, with boilers to supply steam for the 
 same, and tiiis he has found to be a very wise precaution, for in dry summers (such 
 as the sunnnerof 1895), ''^'-' steaui-engint- had to bedrawiiupon to supply the power, 
 or. rather, to help the jwwer, and so the business gies on widiout interruption. 
 
 About three years ago, he conceived the idea of piacing not only the paper bag 
 ///i/hines that were in Montreal, buc a ssi of the most improved, to manufacture the 
 Celebrated self-opening square boi^, in the building which he had erected for the 
 purpose, that is, for tiie paper bag factory, at one end of the mill. In this paper bag 
 faciory there are fifti-L-n paper bag m chines, and three flour sack tubing machines, 
 as well as cutters, eic. The paper is brought in from the mill in rolls, and the 
 [/jjM'r bag machines take these continuous rolls and turn out bags, some of the ma- 
 chiuL-s at the rale 01' do. 000 per day others at the rate of 70,000, 6o,oco, 50,000, and 
 40,coc. Tbenx is ,1 capacity in his paper bag factory of about three quarters of a 
 million hag's per day and it is now turning out an average ot about ;55o,ooo bags daily. 
 While all uik increase w.as going on in the way of buildings, of course, the number 
 of hands alsD incre;i3ed, and to-day there are employed in tiiis manufactory about 
 lie iieople. 
 
 The town of Lachute has grown since 1880 from 650 people to about 20on. 
 
 .Mr. Wilson has his private residence on the height of land behind the mill, a 
 be:' iiiful high kmoli. aji«l from his verandah a beautiful view can he had of the moun- 
 tains and of nht town generally. Here he enjoys, with his family, about three 
 months every summer. 
 
 Among thefrrricient and reliable employes of Mr. Wilson — and he will not long 
 rei.iin any other xind — are his Bookkeeper, Harry Slater, and the Superintendent of 
 his paper mill and bag factory, Robert Daw. 
 
 Mr. Slater was born in London, Kng., and canv *o Canada in 1890. He was 
 first employed by the Moffati Blacking Company, Montreal, as Bookkeeper, but 
 
2s6 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 eighteen rr-^nths afterwards, he engaged to Mr. Wilson, with whom he has since re 
 mained. He was married 2nd Feb., 1880, to Sarah Mary Wenborn, Upper Holio 
 way, London. Mr. Slater is a great reader, is familiar with the English authors, and 
 withal, an active Mason; he is the present Master of the Argenleuil Lodge. 
 
 Robert Daw was born in JJradninch, Devonshire, England, and at tnL" age (t 
 eleven commenced work in his native place, for Mr. Wni. Drew, in Kentham Mill . 
 In 1878, he rame to America as Superintendent for the Hon. (ieo. West, also a 
 native of llradninth, who had worked himself up from a machine tender till he 
 became proprietor of several laige pa])er mills ; he is now one of the most extensive' 
 bag manufacturers in this country. Mr. Daw came to Canada in 1893, as the Sujie:- 
 inlendent of Mr. Wilson. He is a devoted member of the IJapiisl Church, and is 
 Superintendent of the Sabbath School connected with that church, whose pu|)ils 
 number sixty; he was married in 1880, to Elizabeth Crowley, of Milton, Northauii, 
 tonshire, England. 
 
 As one ]msses up Main street, more quiet scenes prevail, yet here on the IcR is 
 one of the oldest manufactories of the place — one which, for many years, has annually 
 supplied vehicles of almost every kind to the citizens of the county — the carriage sho|) 
 of A. Mitchell & Sons. 
 
 Mk. Archiijald MiTCHELi,, the senior partner of the fiim, was born in Belgium, 
 whither his family removed from Scotland. His grandfather was Rev. Hugh Mitclull, 
 of Glasgow, a graduate of the University of ihaicity, in which institution he recciwd 
 the medal for elocution, and afterwards was professor of elocution. He also piil. 
 lished several books and translated others. Mr. Mitchell still has copies of boMk; 
 written by his grandfather, the title of one of which reads as follows : '" Scotticisns. 
 vulgar Anglicisms and grammatical Improprieties corrected." 
 
 " Hugh Mitchell, A.M., Master of the English and French .\cadenii'js, 
 Glasgow." 
 
 His wife's. maiden name was Emily Nesbitt, and her brother was a surgeon 11 
 the British Navy. After the death of Surgeon Nesbitt, his widow married Nelson, tio 
 hero of Trafalgar. This lady was also a relative of the Hamilton Brothers of Hawk.- 
 bury, Ont. 
 
 The Rev. Hugh Mitchell removed to Belgium, and was there, when the battle oi 
 Waterloo was fought. One of his sons was engaged in that contlict, liy which he Ids'; 
 an eye. The father taught elocution there some time — receiving a guinea for each 
 lesson — his pupils coming from France, Germany, England, etc He had three .smis 
 and one daughter : the latter was married to '<obert Cochran, of whom a sketch is 
 given in the histoty of St. Philippe. 
 
 Two of the s>>ns, Archibald and Benedict, each erected a factory in Belgium for 
 the manufacture of cloths ; they failed in the enterprise, and then came to Can uia, 
 the father of the subject of our sketch arriving in 1848. He settled first at Hill Hid, 
 then at Beech Ridge, at which place both he and his wife died. They had i 111 
 sons and five daughters. Francis, the third son, still lives at Beech Ridge. 
 
 Archibald, the yoinigest son, who was eighteen when he came to Canada, wo- ked 
 on the farm at Hill Head for a time, but farmers assuring him that he would acco:n- 
 plish little there, on account of the sterile nature of the farm, he turned his attention 
 to the manufacture of machinery, for which he had peculiar aptitude, and he S'on 
 made fifteen fanning mills for neighboring farmers. He then learned the carriage- 
 maker's trade at Lacliute with the Duddridge Brothers, for who.ri he worked till 1856, 
 when he entered into partnersiiip with them, the firm becoming Duddridge \' 
 
HISTORY OF AROENTKUIL. 
 
 257 
 
 Alitchell. This conlimied till 1888, wlien the copartnership was dissolveil by the 
 death of Mr. Duddridge. Mr. Mitcl.cU was in business alone till 1892, when he took 
 liis second son, John, into partnersiiip, and as another of his sons now works here, 
 the firm is styled Mitchell iS: Sons. Mr. Mitchell married Grace, a daughter of Mr. 
 Dewar, of Dalesville. His third son, William Mitchell, who graduated at Mc(iill in 
 1S94, is now an M.I)., of Mansonvilie, I'.Q. 
 
 Mitchell ".'",ns have a good-sized factory here, employ several hands, and 
 make all kinds of carriages and sleighs of the latest style, and ihcir work has won a 
 wide reputation for neatness and durability. 
 
 Another manufactory, adjacent to the above, on Main street, is that of Johx 
 Hope, baker and confectioner ; he is also proprietor of a Spool, .SInUtle and Bobbin 
 Factory at the West End. 
 
 Mr. Hope was born in Kdinburgh, his father being an officer in the Scotch 
 Fusilier Guards. He came to Canada in 1870, and after remaining in Montreal 
 seven years, he came to Lachute, arriving on .St. Patrick's Day, 1S77. He at once 
 opened a bakery, and as the railway was then in i)ro(ess of construction, and business 
 active, he was very successful in his venture, and his business has been a progressive 
 one to the present. He supplies a large portion of the village with bre.id, and much 
 of the surrounding country. In 1880, he bought tl Factory referred to above, and 
 has since enlarged and improved it, so, that he is prepared to fill orders for shuttles 
 bobbins, spools, button moulds, brush backs and everything required for cotton and 
 woollen mills. 
 
 He was fortunate in securing the service of trustworthy and efficient assistants 
 in these mills, who have long and faithfully served him ; these are E. G. Spaulding, 
 manager, who has recently gone to the States ; ¥. K. Carter, bookkeeper, and S. Duff. 
 Engineer; the ingenuity and skill of the latter in repairing machinery and inventing 
 tools for special purposes rendering him a handy man of inestimable value 10 an em- 
 ployer, 
 
 Mr. Hope is a man of great enterprise and energy, one who is determi cd to push 
 to successful issue whatever he undertakes ; a typical Scotchman, generous, public- 
 spirited, and much attached to the games and sports of his native land. He erected 
 a fine curling rink on his premises in the fall of 1S93, which is a source of great 
 attraction during the winter evenings — the Curling Club now formed, of which Mr. 
 Hope is president, being a large one. He was Cnptain of the Team of Argenteuil 
 Boys, in the fall of 1894, in their Tug-of-War contest at Montreal with the J5oys of 
 Glengarry.* He is a prominent Mason, and has been President of the Argenteuil 
 Lodge three terms. He has been a member of the Municipal Council six years, and 
 is a Deacon of Henry's Presbyterian Church. He was married 15th September, 
 1871, to Jane F'.nnis, daughter of James Ennis, of Tienland, Morayshire, Scotland. 
 
 Since the above was written, a copy of the Caiiadiaii Journal of Fabrics has 
 (onie to hand, from which we take the fuilowirg paragraphs : — 
 
 " The machine shop is a perfect one. The Factory gives employment to a large 
 miniber of hands, and the output is steadily increasing month by month. The woods 
 wliich are made use of are beech, birch (yellow and white), maple, ironwoo<l, poplar, 
 white ash, apple, persimmon and dogwood; the two last named having to be sought 
 for in North Carolina. In addition to the wood obtained from outside markets, be- 
 
 * Names of those comprising the Argenteuil Tea:n which was victorious : Rol)l. Silverson, John 
 Hoa. Omer laquette, David Black, Eugene Theiien, Edouard The lien, \Vm. John Moore, Hirani 
 Nicll, Duncan McOuat, Edward lierniquier, Capt. Charles Gardner, .Samuel Clifford, John Pest, 
 David Lindley, Wni. John Rodgers, 
 
 
258 
 
 HISTORY OF AKGENTEUIL. 
 
 
 iween 400 and 500 cords are annually i)iirclKised in tlie vicinity, and are brought in 
 in tile shape of logs and cord wood, being cut up into stock as required. I?etv 
 being used, it undergoes a thorough |)rocess of curing in the steam drying room-;, 
 whicli are most effective and convenient. 
 
 " Among the special products of this establisment, we would call attention to the 
 shuttles, this being the only factory in the Dominion where these are made. Pre- 
 viously, the mills had to look across the border for their supplies of these needful 
 articles; but finding that the Liuhute works are rpiite able to compete successf;illy 
 with th'.' Ameri( ans, both as to quality and price, the mill^ are finding it to their 
 advantage to patronize the home manufaclorv." 
 
 Hamelin and Avers is a name familiar in every h-)usehold, not only in Argoii- 
 teuil, but in iheCouiity of Prescott — their woolen mills bc-ingone of the most important 
 manufactories in this section. 
 
 Thomas Henrv Avkrs is a son of the late Thomas Aycrs, who, in 1858, came 
 with his family from Cornwall, l-'.ngland, to Coliinibus, Ontario, and was employed 
 there, in the Mmpire Woolen Mills, till his death in 1891. Thomas, the son, served 
 his apprenticeship in the same mills, then worked in different places till 1868, when 
 he entered into partnership, in Perth, with Mr. Felix Hamelin. They first conducted 
 a carding mill at Perth. In 1870, they hired the McGill Woolen Mills in Hawks- 
 bury, Out., for eight years. In I076, they purchased of different parlies in Lachute 
 about twenty acres of land and water ])ower for their present mills. At that time 
 there was no road to the site of their present buildings — nothing but a thick growth 
 of iorost all along the river side, where now there is a village, fine dwellings, gardens 
 and cuhivated fields. In 187S, they constructed the dam and roads, and ereced a 
 dwelling; and the following year built the mill, and put it in operation in 1S80. 
 
 Mr. Ayers was married to Olive Paqueite, a niece of Mr. Hamelin, in August, 
 1S71. He has had four sons, three of whom are living — Johii 'I'homas, William 
 Henry and Ernest Francis L. All are active, intelligent young men, and take a 
 hvely interest in the business. 
 
 Mu. Felix Hamelin was liorn in St. Hernias. When he was very young, his 
 father moved to the Seigniory of l-ongueuii, Out., where he resided on a farm till 
 April. 1865, when he died at the age of 98. Felix, the eldest son, was early engaged 
 in the woolen manufacturing business, and spent some years in mercantile pursuits. 
 ^Vhen in the County of Prescott, he look considerable interest in public affairs, and 
 his influence was often courted during eleeti(>n cami>aigns. He recently spent a 
 year in Kngland in connection with his business. That both he and Mr. Ayers are 
 remarkably intelligent and sl'.rewd business men, is obvious, from the manner in 
 which they iiave enlarued their business and increased their capital. When they 
 formed a CO partnei .ship m Perth, twenty-five years ago, each partner invested his 
 entire capital — $200. Since thai period, they have made no division, their eanv.ngs 
 having been devoted either to the enlargement of the business, or invested m real 
 estate. Iheir jjroperiy now — including real estate indifferent localities — is appraised 
 at $125,000, whicli is unencumbered. They have in their principal mill two roll 
 cards for farmers' work, four sets of manufacturing cards, one thousand spindles, 
 eighteen looms, and al! other machinery necessary for finishing and dyeing cloths. 
 They manufacture a fine class of tweeds, flannels, blankets, paper and pulp maiui- 
 facturers' felts, and lubricating and |)rinters' felts. When the mill is run to ils full 
 capacity, it will manufacture 600 pounds of wool in ten hours. The goods of *^his ftnii 
 are sold throughout the Dominion, from Nova S:otia to British Columbia. They 
 also hive a mill for the purpose of manufacturing pulp from spruce and oth r light 
 
 \W)OllS. 
 
 Hiih fami 
 power to 
 there is ii 
 On I 
 factory, 
 being in < 
 Cordage ( 
 
 The 
 ("ounty (M 
 Dientionei 
 I laser, of 
 Mild has I 
 I •>64 ,0 N 
 ind he w; 
 
 The 
 Watihiiiti 
 he staled 
 the size ol 
 •' Tin 
 surprised 
 business I 
 Thomas N 
 had been I 
 man ])alt(. 
 hrought w 
 toria ; ' so 
 building 2\ 
 enclosed tl 
 nioiive po 
 steam, bui 
 they had 5 
 lietore a } 
 installed. 
 
 '•Star 
 the i.ieman 
 the biisinei 
 it. ;ind iwc 
 site, and tl 
 prise, and 
 instal'ed, 
 again and 
 and drill.'i, 
 shops in th 
 they now c 
 the river i 
 fire engine 
 mill, and w 
 ol new wor 
 outside mil 
 have also j 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 259 
 
 woods. 'I'hty employ from forty five t(j fifty hands, lialf of whom are married men 
 wiih f.unilies. The pay roll aiiioiinis to about $f.ooo monthly. 'I'hc-y lease water 
 power to other manufacturers, and still have as good water-powernot utilized as 
 there is in the < ninty. 
 
 On theopi isite side of the river from the mills of Hamelin and Ayers is a Rope 
 lactory, which was built in 1.S82 by the late Robert lUmierman, of Montreil. After 
 luing in operation a few years, it was leased for twenty-one years to the Coniiimers' 
 Ciirdage Company, by w'lom it was closed, and it now stands idle. 
 
 The iron foundry McOuat iS: McRae lias gained celebrity in the entire 
 County of Argenieuii. 1 nomas MoOuat is the youngest son of Andrew McOuat, 
 mentioned on another pav^e. He was mirried i6th June, 1875, to Annie Fligginson 
 Iraser, of Ottawa. John M( Rae was born in Ottawa, learned the moulder's trade, 
 ;uid lias foilowe i it the greater part of liis life. He was married in the spring of 
 1S64 10 Margaret McLean Johnson, of Scotland. She died the 12th November, 1874, 
 and he was next married in June, 1876, to Elizabeth Scott. 
 
 The following history and de-scription of theii business is coi)i'*d from The 
 WatilunaH's\t\>o\\. of the County Fair held at Lichute in October, 1894. It should 
 he stated, however, that since the publicUion of tliat rejiort, this firm has doubled 
 the si/e of their machine and pattern shops : — 
 
 " The exhibit of Messr-. McOnai iV McRae was a most creditable oi;e, and 
 sur|)rised many of ouv jjeople, who really were not aware to what extent this firm's 
 h.isiness has spuead and developed, since it was first organized in 1879. Messrs. 
 Thomas McOuat and John McRae came from Ottawa, in that year, to I/ichtite. \V->X\\ 
 had been for years empioyed in the Victorii Foundry, Ottawa, Mr. McOuat as fore- 
 man ]jallern maker and machinist, and Mr. McRae as foreman moulder. They 
 biuught with them not only their xperienre, but rcso'ved to retain the name ' \'ic- 
 toria ; ' so the Victoria Foundr;. , I.achute, was launched forth. It was born in a 
 building 28x45, on Foundry street, on the site of the present furniture faciory. This 
 enclosed the whole foundry and machine shop, and was only one storey high. Tiie 
 motive |)ower was neither electricity, then unknown as a motive power, nor was it 
 steam, but one of the old-fashioned swee]) horse-powers. Ii was soon evident that 
 they had supplied a want in coming to l.achute, and business became sobri^k that, 
 before a yeai- had expired, the horse power was cast aside, and a boiler and engine 
 installed. 
 
 '• Starting out with the intention of keeping pace .'. ith the times and abreast with 
 the demands of their ])atrons, the firm has never hesitated to invest their earnings in 
 the business anil extend their works ; so when an opportunity occurred, they seized 
 it. ;ind two years later found them building a new and larger foundry on its present 
 .site, and they commenced to run by water power. " Success attended this new enter- 
 prise, and a new era dawned. .As the town grew, and more machinery became 
 instal'ed, the machinery department developed quickly, and the foundry liad to be 
 again and again extended. New machines were obtained, large planers and lathes 
 and drills, until now there is here, in Facluite, one of the best equipped jobbing 
 shops in the country. Starting in a building 28 x 45, one storey and a horse sweep, 
 they now occupy a large, two-storey building of two wings, one extending towards 
 the river 84 feet, besides outbuildings 105 feet in length, and a power house with 
 fire engine. Few ])eople have any idea of the quantity of machinery in the paper 
 mill, and will be surpri ed to learn that McOuat & McRae hive supplied forty tons 
 ol new work therefor. Besides this, they i.ave done the work for a large number of 
 outside mills, 'Ihey are now specially well adapted for all kinds of castings. Tney 
 have also gone somewhat into i^chool desks, and during the past year have supplied 
 
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 260 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 seats for nine schools. Their specialty, however, is machinery and machine su|) 
 plies, a very important thing for the people of this locality, as it is the only place 
 between here and Montreal where such can he procured. 
 
 " In thus giving the history of one of our industries here, we desire to show our 
 readers that, notwithstanding the croakings of those who are constantly protestin.; 
 that the country is going to the dogs, we have here in our midst positive proof that 
 Lachute has made good progress as far as her manufacturing interests are concerned, 
 and in the case of this particular firm, it has not dona so at tlie expense of any other 
 class of the comuiunity, but by energy, hard work and fiiilh in our country." 
 
 Traveling along tlie Lachute Road, about a mile west of the village of Lachute. 
 one reaches a branch road, whicu leads, as the sign announces, to Earle's Mills. 
 Following this road for the distance of half a mile, the traveler comes to the Nortii 
 River, near which, in a deep g'llly, stand the grist and saw mills of Earle Brothers- 
 John, Edward and Harland. 
 
 The grist mill was built about 1836 by Geo. Hoyle, who had been agent for the 
 Seignior, sn-J had erected mills for him at St. Andrews and Lachute. Througii some 
 disagreement with the Seignior, however, Hoyle decided to put up a mill on his own 
 recount, and accoidingly built one on this site, which is iusi outside the Seigniory, 
 in Chatham. After running the mill some years he sold it to John Earle, uncle of 
 the present proprietors, and it was afterwards conducted for 25 years by James I'^arle, 
 their father. This was one of the mills to which the settlers brought grists on their 
 backs ; the manufacture of oatmeal was one of its principal feat ires. 
 
 James Earle came from Yorkshire, England, and first settled in the County of 
 Two Mountains. He was living near St. Eustache at the time of the Rebellion, and 
 decided to remain when the other settlers were leaving; but the place soon bccimc 
 too hoi for him, and he also was obliged to make his escape. After hiding a day in 
 the woods, he staiied on his jouiney at night-fall, and finally reached Lachute jn 
 safety; here, in a short time, joining Capt. Quinn's Company of Volunteers. He 
 afterwards came to the mills, and died here in May, i886, leaving hi.i wife, who still 
 survives him. Of their five sons, Charles died in Nevada, and James, already mei,- 
 tioned, lives in Bethany ; John, one of the proprietors of the mills, was married in 
 187 1 to Mary, daughter of Steward Boyd, of Chatham. Mr. Earle is Cajjtain ot" 
 Co. No. 8 Argenteuii Rangers, and has been a member of the Battalion since 186 t ; 
 he has been Municipal Councillor of Chatham for si.x years. Edward, married to 
 Mary, daughter of William Boyd, Montreal, resides at t!ie mills, and Harland, un- 
 married, lives here also ; the daughter, Evelyn E., is married to John A. Patterson, 
 of Calgary, N. W. Territory. 
 
 In 1885 ^'1^ d'^'^i ^^'^s washed away, and in 1886 they built their present one. 
 
 The lumber bu'jiness is one of the important indiistries of the place, connected 
 with which is the steam mill of P. i\: A. McGibbon, sons of the late Kinley .Mr- 
 Gibbon, noticed in the history of Dalesville. These two enterprising young men 
 engaged in the lumber business here in 1881, having obtained a lease of a mill tor 
 five years. Ambitious, however, to do a larger business, and in a mill of their ou ii, 
 they purchased a mill site, and built their presuit steam mill in 1889. 'I'hey have a 
 planing mill also, and prejjare a large quantity of lumber for finishing. The numi)er 
 of logs sawn annually by this mill is about 20,000 — three-fourths of which beloaj; 
 to the firm, the remainder to customers. Last year, they shipped 100 car loads of 
 lumber. The energy displayed by this firm, and their honorable way of transacting 
 business, has secured the esteein and good will of the commtmity. 
 
 A blacksmith is a necessity in every community, and when he combines skill at 
 his trade with good judgment ^nd respectability, he acquires no little popularity in tlic 
 place. Such an one is Alexander Riddle. 
 
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HISTORY OF ARGENTF.UIL. 
 
 201 
 
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 His father, William Riddle, was born in Scotland, but he lemoved to Ireland, 
 and several years afterwards — in 1849- -came ^^ Canadr., and settled in Mille Isle, 
 on a farm of 100 acres, which is now owned by his son Robert. He was married 
 twice before coming to Canada, and by the first marriage he had six sons and one 
 daughter ; and by the second, two sons and two daughters. Alexander, the youngest 
 ot'all, began learning the blacksmith trade, at the age of sixteen. Aftei- serving his 
 apijrenticeship, he spent six years in the States, then returned to Lacliute, bought 
 a house and lot, and has ever since followed his trade with success, and has been a 
 inember of the Town Council for two years. He was married 6th June, 1877, to 
 Margaret Carpenter. 
 
 Simon McKimme, who has an undertaker's establishment here, came from 
 Morayshire, Scotland, with his father, John McKimme^ in 1851. The father settled 
 not far from the present Lachute Mills, and one of his sons, Joseph McKimme, now 
 lives on the fine old homestead. Mr. McKimme died x ith October, 1882 ; he had five 
 .■,0ns and six daughters. Simon, the fourth son, followed the carpenter's trade till 
 live or six years since, when he engaged in his present occupation of undertaker. He 
 'eeps a hearse and afidl supply of everything connected with his business. The author 
 of the saying, " Solemn as an undf-rtaker," could never have seen Mr. McKimme, for 
 his humor is plea^ar.t, and his greeting a smile. He was married 22nd August, 
 i."59, to Janet Pollock. 
 
 Andrew Joss, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was one whose history is identified 
 with the early history of Lachute. He came here with his wife and throe sons — 
 William, James and George. He was employed in the grist mill a few years, and he 
 ilicn bought a farm in the vicinity of Brownsburg, on v/hich he lived till his death, 
 
 George, the youngest son, learned the cooper's trade, and after following it 
 ^everal years, he also opened a brewery in Lachute, which occupied the site of the 
 ]. resent store of the Giles brotheis. He married Ma-y Jane, a daughter of Patrick 
 Rice ; they had four sons and two daughters. 
 
 Mr. Joss died 17th July, 1865. Three of his sons now live in Lachute ; another 
 one, James, resides in Nebraska. Duncan, the eldest of the sons, was married 24th 
 August, 1875, to Mary H Hutchins. He is a carpenter by trade, and is now in 
 Lonipany with his brother George, the firm being known as " Joss Brothers, Contrac- 
 101 s and Builders." They have a shop here, and supply all kinds of lumber for building 
 and house finishing, and they have erected many of the dwellings in this section. 
 ITey also build bridges — the Westover bridge, constructed in 1884, and the Barron 
 'iridgein 1892, are monuments of their handicraft. George Joas was married, 21SI 
 .April, 1886, to Elizabeth Stalker. Daniel Joss, the youngest of the brothers, is a 
 painter by trade, and the fact that he has been in the employ of the firm now known 
 as .Mitchell & Sons, for 28 years, is evidence of his faithfulness and efliciency. He 
 har- been a member of the Municipal Council of Lachute, and was married 13th 
 June, 1888, to Carrie Hutchins. 
 
 E. H. McCoy is proprietor of the Marble and Granite business in Lachute, 
 which is well known. His grandfather, John McCoy, came from Ireland to Hin- 
 chinbrooke, Huntingdon ('ounty, about 1820, and conducted a store there till his 
 death in 1852. He had five sons and two daughters thai grew up. Matthew S., his 
 Second son, continued the mercantile business in the same store, located on the Pro- 
 vince Line, till 1872, when he removed to Huntingdon village, and was engaged dur- 
 ing the rest of his life as Auctioneer and Agent for the Law firm of McCormick & 
 Major; he died in 1893. He was married about 184910 Harriet Howard ; they 
 had three sons and two daughters. Edmund H., the youngest son, went to Califor- 
 
 ^m 
 
262 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 nia in 1876, and u'as engaged in gold mining ten years. He then returned, came to 
 Lachute, and entered into partnership in tiie marble and granite business with George 
 L. Moir. Mr. Moir died in 1891, and Mr. McCoy has since conducted the business. 
 Some idea of its extent may be inferred from the fact, that within nine years tlie 
 value of the woik he has done in St. Andrews cemetery alone is $22,000. Mr. 
 McCoy was married in 1886 to Mary, daughter of the late John Arnott, of Lakefteld : 
 he represents the East Ward of Lachute in the Municipal Council. 
 
 Besides the manufactories rbove noticed, O. B. Lavleur has quite a large 
 Furniture Factory on Foundry street. 
 
 David (Christie is one of the citizens of Lachute whose faithful i.iduslry haS 
 supplied him with eno.igh of this world's goods, and whose integrity has secured him 
 esteem. His father, David Christie, came from Ireland, and settled on a farm m the 
 north part of Gore, about 1830; he there married Mary Good, also from Ireland. 
 He was one of the militia who served in the Rebellion of 1837. He had ten children- 
 five of each sex. David, the fourth son, began at the age of iJ to learn the shoe- 
 maker's trade, and has followed it successfully to the present. He was married 2StIi 
 September, '8^6, to Margaret J. Johnson, daughter of the late C apt. Johnson of 
 Lakefield ; they have had three children ; the eldest, a girl, died when three years old ; 
 Gilbert D., the elder son, is a clerk in Victoria, B.C. ; Wm. H. is clerk in Lachute 
 for J. R. McOuat, 
 
 np:wspapers. 
 
 For the history of the newspaper enterprise we arc again indebted to the pen ot 
 Mr. Ireland. 
 
 He says that a citizen of Argonteuil, living in Montreal, sent a man hero from 
 that city, with the sum of $50, and letters of introduction to the principal citizens, 
 which resuUed in sufficient money being raised to start what was called \.\\c /Irgciiteuil 
 Advertiser. 
 
 '"The understanding between our Montreal resident and the Advertiser man \va-. 
 that the paper should be non-political and purely independent, and run on these 
 principles, so as to be a means of good to the greatest number. 
 
 " The establishment of this paper caused a pleasant furore of e.xcitement in tlie 
 county. It was the first newspaper started on the north side of the Ottawa River, 
 between Montreal and Ottawa, and was designed to advocate the interests of ihc 
 Ottawa V'alley, and be a welcome visitor, once a week, to every home in this and the 
 adjoining counties. 
 
 " It was in June, 1872, tliat the first issue of the Argenteuil Advertiser appeared," 
 
 But, according to the further account of Mr. Ireland, the editor of the Adviv 
 User, after a time, abandoned his non-political attitude and became a most aciivo 
 champion of the Liberal ])arty. In consequence of this, The Wa'-Jiman and Otta:od 
 Valley Advocate was established in 1877, ^^i*^'^ Dawson Kerr as editor and proprietor. 
 
 W. J. Simpson (the i)resenc M.P.I',) was for some time connected with this 
 paper, and, in 1892, it passed into the hands of the Calder Brothers, by whom it is 
 still published. As is well known, it was started under the auspices of the Con- 
 servative party, of whose principles it has ever been a devoted and able advocate. 
 
 In 1887, or thereabout, another paper, called The Independent^ was started in 
 Lachute, Several copies which are before us show that it was a vivacious little 
 sheet, but decidedly bellicose in character. Its publication was not long continued, 
 and the Watchman has remained the only newspaper in the county until recently 
 
HISTORY OF ARGF.NTEUIL. 
 
 In 1895, *lic proprietor of Tht JViws (St. Johns, Que.) began to issue the 
 Ldchute News — a sheet which devotes considerable space to the affairs of Argentcuil. 
 Tlie publication of another paper, called the Ar^eiite/iil Neivs, has just beei. com- 
 menced in l.achute, but we have not as yet had the pleasure of seeing it. 
 
 BRIDGES AND RAILWAY. 
 
 " There appears no record of how local affairs were administered in l.achute ; but 
 ill 1825, the North River was spaiined by the first bridge, and this was away to the 
 east v/here White's bridge now stands. This was a great boon to the Scotch settlers, 
 many of whom had located on the north side of the river, and also to the Irish settlers, 
 who had located in the Gore. This most necessary improvement was not accom- 
 plished without o,- position and difficulty from persons interested in other parts of the 
 river, but had not enterprise enough to begin their work. In ten years tiine another 
 ■,)ridge was built, which was known as Power's bridge. This name was taken from 
 the fact that Orlando Powers, whose birth was referred to in an early sketch, lived 
 on the north bank of the river directly facing the bridge. The building of this bridge 
 was amid opposition and difficulty also. In 1840, a Mr. Hoyle, an eccentric but 
 very enter|)rising Englishman, built a bridge at the mills, on the site where Fish's 
 bridge now stands. For twenty-five years there was not a single bridge across the 
 river, while, fifteen years later, three bridges were built, each one being opposed, and 
 a strong and, in some cases, bitter rivalry existing between interested parties." * 
 
 For several years, Lachute has had good railway accommodations ; there ate now 
 four passenger trains each way daily, three of which stoj) nere regularly, tiie other 
 only occasion-.lly, and there are two regular freight trains. 
 
 Phileas Monette, the first station agent appointed here, still holds the position. 
 
 The railway first took shape under the naine of tlie Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa 
 ;c Occidental Railway. It was graded as far as Lachute, and the stone abutments 
 for the bridges here were constructed in 1873 and 1S74. At"ter that, work was sus- 
 pended for some lime, but. in the fill of 1876 the rails were liiJ as far as Laciuito. 
 
 The Q. M. O. & O. Railway being unable to complete tlie road, the Quebec 
 Government became the owners, and the contract for construction as (ar as Hull was 
 given to Duncan Macdonald, wlio ran the trains to Lachute lor a number of years. 
 
 A dispute arose between the Government and Macdonald, and the Joly govern- 
 ment seized the road and i)laced all the stations in charge of the Militia, who were 
 called out. The Goverimient then sold the road to the C. P. R. 
 
 The County granted no bonus, but the Parish of St. Jerusalem d'Argcnteuii, 
 which then included the town of Lachute, voted to the Q. M. O. & O. Company a 
 bonus of $25,000. This was as an inducement to have the road come by Lachute 
 instead of through St. Andrews. This bonus never was paid . The ground for 
 objecting to payment was, that the Company had failed to carry oat their obligations 
 in constructing the road, that the bonus was not |)romised to the Government, and 
 inasmuch as public money was being used for its construction, part of which was 
 the contributions of this Parish, it would not be fair to ask them to pay this bonus. 
 
 Through the influence of the late Sir Jol.n Abbott, legislation was passed at 
 Ottawa exempting the parish from payment. 
 
 MF:RCANT1LE ESTABLISHMENT.S. - 
 
 Like most other country towns and villages at the present day, Lachute has its 
 quota of mercliants, — too many, is the general impression of strangers visituig the 
 
 * From Ireland's sketches. 
 
264 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 place i yet, the fact that they are all accorded sufficient patronage 10 encourage their 
 continuance in the business, is conclusive evidence of the large amount of trade 
 carried on here. It is much less, however, than it was a few years ago. Previous 
 to the construction of a new railway in 1894, the farmers of Harrington, Arundel, 
 and other parts in the rear of the County, all came to Lachute to trade ; but when 
 the new railway was completed as far as St. Jovite — a place in Ottawa County, 
 conliguous to Aiundel— several stores were erected there, affording the farmer;- 
 of the localities referred to a much more convenient market than Lachute ; the dis- 
 tance to the latter place being more than twice that to St. Jovile. 
 
 " The first store in Lachute,' says Mr, Meikle in his history, "was opei.ed by 
 Mr. Robertson in 1813." 
 
 The following paragraph is from a sketch of Mr. Ireland, published in 1886 : 
 
 " For many years the centre of trade was at Si. Andrews. The people from all 
 parts of the country went there to do their trading. The principal store at Lachute 
 was, as we have already seen, what the people familiarly called ' Meikle's,' until 
 Mr. P. Lane started at the old stand, where he still resides ; but long sir.f e retired 
 on a competency from many years of incessant attention as a country merchant. 
 Shortly after Mr. Lane's store was opened, his brother in-law, Mr. John Tayh ., a 
 clever and energetic young Scotchman, began a store in the west end, near the mill, 
 and did a laige business. Up to this period, the citizens seemed contented to trudge 
 on in the old way of doing business by buying goods on ciedit, and selling on credit, 
 at very high price'", and allowing accounts to remain fc" one, two, or more years by 
 adding interest, and so, when Mr. Taylor coinmenced on the cash or ready pay 
 system, and gave goods at a moderate profit, there was quite a revolution among the 
 country people in favor of Mr. Taylor's store, which became the centre of attraction, 
 and was talked of all ever the country." 
 
 The stores are chiefly on Main street, and some of them are attractive in appear- 
 ance and contain large stocks. 
 
 That of Mr. Meikle, which has already been noLiced, is die oldest one in the 
 place, and occupies a commanding position, and doubtless holds as large a stock and 
 receives as much patronage, as any in Lachute. 
 
 Not far from this is the imposing brick store of J. R. McOitat. 
 
 Mr. McOuat, in 1875, entered into partnership in the mercantile line with Hu-h 
 Fraser, jun., which partnership was continued till 188 i, when he purchased the 
 interest of Mr. F'raser, and in 1885 erected his present store. This structure has an 
 attractive front of plate glass, the first in the place which presented this luxurious 
 embcUishmen*. Mr. McOuat is one of the influential men of Lachute, and is a mem- 
 ber of the School Board and Municipal Council. 
 
 A well stocked and neatly kept store is that of Hugh Fraser, Jun. This gentle- 
 man was born in Montreal and came to Lachute when a child. In his youthful days, 
 he was clerkforG. & R. Meikle five years, tlien spent three years in Morrisburg, Out., 
 and after his return to this place was in partnership with J. R. McOuat six years. 
 In 1 88 1, he opened his present store, in which he has since been engaged. He has 
 an influence in all local and municipal affairs, and has aerved as School Commis- 
 sioner and Town Councillor six years. 
 
 McFaul Bros. — James C. and John M. Their great-grandfather, Archibald 
 McFaul, came from County Antrim, Ireland, and settled on the farm now occupied 
 by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Hugh Morrow. He lived here many years, and died at 
 the home of his son William, in Wallace, Ont.; he had four sons and three daugh- 
 ters. Archibald, the eldest son, married Mary, daughter of James Carpenter, and 
 
 jf 
 
 li\edon 
 six ;;oni 
 (;t our I 
 one hui 
 ing. F 
 Jam 
 with" Ro 
 bought 
 [ohn St 
 boots, s 
 
 Roi 
 
 receivet 
 north of 
 took up 
 farm in t 
 then mo\ 
 Robert, t 
 the Cava 
 daughter; 
 1885. R 
 Lachute, 
 1887 to 1 
 
 A. J. 
 
 ten years 
 chant taild 
 June 22nd 
 Mr. Periai 
 twenty ye; 
 has preacl 
 also did rr 
 while in M 
 
 Will 
 
 street ; he 
 his'ory of 
 for D. J. Ji 
 caine to L 
 remained : 
 purchased 
 removed to 
 Bethany. 
 
 X. M( 
 
 street. N( 
 (•■arly settlei 
 second sen 
 lor some ye 
 189.1 he pui 
 charge of 
 oils, etc. 
 
 ROKER 
 
HISTORY OV AKGENIEUIL. 
 
 265 
 
 appear 
 
 is genUe- 
 ful days, 
 rg, Out,, 
 ix years. 
 He has 
 ]oramis- 
 
 rchibald 
 jccupied 
 
 lived on a farm in Chatham till his death, which occurred utli February, 18S7. He had 
 six sons and four daughters, who grew up. James, the eldest, father of the subjects 
 of our present sketch, married Janet McPhail about 1868, and settled on a f.;rm of 
 one hundred acres at Brownsburg, and has since bought three hundred acres adjoin- 
 ing. He had five sons and five daughters. 
 
 James C. left the farm in .September, 189 1, and entered into partnership in f,ichute, 
 with Robert Banford in the latter's store, remaining here till September, 1893. ^^"^ ^lie'n 
 bought out Banford, and took as partner his brother, John M.; they are still here in 
 lohn street, doing a good business in general merciiandise, dry goods, groceries, 
 bouts, shoes, etc. John M. was married to Annie .Stuart, 25th Sejjtember, 1894. 
 
 Ror.ERT Kettyle, Sen., a soldier who fought at Waterloo under Wellington, and 
 received his di^charge soon afier, iiaving seen 21 y ars' service, was jjirn in the 
 north of Ireland. He come to Canada about 1830, and, receiving a location ticket, 
 took up a lot in Wenlworth, but finding that tliis was poor land, he then bought a 
 farm in the north part of Gore, Lakefield. He lived in this place a few years, and 
 then moved into the Seigniory where he died. He had one son and two dauglr.ers ; 
 Rol)ert, the son, was a young man when his father came to this country. He joined 
 the Cavalry in Montreal, also married in that city, and had three sons and three 
 daughters. He finally settled in Lacluile near Hill Head, where he died about 
 1885. Robert, his son, followed farming till 1885, when he opened a grocery in 
 Lacluite, which he still conducts. He has been married twice, the last time in 
 1887 to Harriet A. Knox. 
 
 A. J. Periard was born at St. Benoit. He learned the tailor's trade, and spent 
 ten years in Montreal and Ottawa; he came to Lachuie in 1880, and opened a mer- 
 chant tailor's establishment, which he has ever since conducted. He was married 
 Iiine 22nd, 18S0, to Miss Brown, daughter cf James Brown, contractor, of Montreal, 
 Mr. Periard was reared a Roman Catholic, but was converted to Protestantism about 
 twenty years ago, since which he has been actively engaged in Christian wirk. He 
 has preached, and still preaches, in different parts of the County on the Sabbath. He 
 also did much in the way of Christian labor in Sunday Schools and like gatherings 
 wiiile in Montreal. 
 
 William Bankord is a courteous and public-spirited merchant on Main 
 street; he is the eldest son of William Banford, of whom a sketcii is given in the 
 liis'ory of L'Orignal. He was born in 185 1, and began his mercantile life as clerk 
 for D. J. Jamieson, of \ankleek Hill, with whom he remained two years. He then 
 canie to Lachute, and was clerk for James Fish & Co. two years, after which he 
 remained four years as clerk in the emi)loy of P. H. Lane, Esq. About 1880 he 
 purchased the store of Mr. Lane. This was burnt in the fall of 1894, and he then 
 removed to his present store. Mr. Banford was married in 1879 to Kliza Fraser, of 
 Bethany. 
 
 N. McGlLLis & Son, from Lancaster, Ont., have a hardware store on Main 
 street. Norman McGillis, who came witli his family from Scotland, was one of the 
 early settlers of Lancaster. He had five sons and five daughters. Neil McGillis, his 
 second sen, has been engaged many years in mercantile business in Lancaster, and 
 lor some years has been one of the Board of Aldermen of that place. In the fall of 
 189.1 he purcliased the store and stock of A. J. Fraser in Lachute, which is now in 
 charge of Mr. McGillis' son ; they keep a full line of hardware, tinware, paints, 
 oils, etc. 
 
 RoKiERT Ckesweli. has a fine brick block on Main street, in which he has a flour 
 
 18 
 
266 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 und feed store. His father, Wm. Creswell, came from Donegal, Ireland, with iiis 
 family to l.achiitc in 1852, being 13 weeks in crossing the Atlantic — an unusual time 
 at that late dale. He settled on a farm of 100 acres in the Seigniory, and afterward, 
 bought a lot in Lachute and erected a house on it, but never resided here ; he died 
 about 1864. 
 
 'I he following obituary is copied from an Illinois paper, published in Ma-cli, 
 
 1893 :— 
 
 " Mrs. Sarah Creswell died here at 2.30 last Saturday morning after a few da V 
 
 illness. She was bcrn in Ireland in 1816, and came to Canada in 1852, where Mr. 
 
 Creswell died about 1864. She moved 10 Illinois with her children in 1872, and 
 
 lived at Randolph ; eighteen years ago she moved lo Hey worth. She is the mothe- 
 
 of eleven children, of whom nine are living, viz., William and John in Montana, 
 
 James at Paxton ; Robert in Canada; Mrs. Matthew Smith at Lytleville ; Mrs. J. M. 
 
 Minion at Downs ; Mrs. Isabella Happins in Ohio ; and Maggie and Jennie at home. 
 
 Mrs. Creswell belonged to the Episcopal Church." 
 
 Robert, the second son, was married ist November, 1866, tD Eliza Miller. He 
 
 followed harness-making ten years, and was also engaged in farming till 1875, when 
 
 he er.gaged in his present business. He has another block near the one in which 
 
 he trades. 
 
 John Stewart is proprietor of one of the meat markets with which Lachute is 
 well "provided. His father, Donald Stewart, came from Stirlingshire, near Glasgow, 
 to Lachute in 1832. He was in the employ of James Walker about a year, then went 
 to Ontario, where he was employed as miller for several years. He returned to 
 Lachute, and married Janet Mclntyre, whose family came from the same place in 
 Scotland, and at the same time, that Mr. Stewai t did. After his marriage, he settled on 
 the farm now owned and occupied by Edmund Smith, and lived on it till his death 
 in 1872. He left five sons and one daughter. John, the eldest, married, in April, 
 1877, Margaret Barron, and engaged in farming till 1887, when he bought a good 
 house in this village, built a commodious brick shop, and has since been engaged in 
 his present business. 
 
 David Wilson is proprietor of a meat market at the west end of Fish's bridge. 
 He came from Yorkshire, England, in 1872, He was married 13th April, 1881. to 
 Agnes McFarlane, from Paisley, Scotland, and settled in Lachute in 1888. He was 
 employed three years in the market of Patenaude & MacArthur, and then, in the 
 winter of 1891, opened a market himself. 
 
 Besides the establishments above mentioned there are several others, the stores 
 of the Gii.es Brothers, Boyce, Hav Brothers, A. Cleveland, the book stores of 
 D. Kerr, Boa, etc. 
 
 losEPH Augustus Bedard, one of the Municipal Councillors, has an attractive 
 boot and shoe store on Main street, where he also sells a variety of musical instru- 
 ments. 
 
 G. RoEY, merchant tailor, who came here in 1893, during the past summer 
 (1895), erected one of the finest looking buildings in the place, on Main street. x\n- 
 other attractive place on the same street is the store of T. JoussR, jeweller. 
 
 A very fine building also la the hardware store of C. Charlebois, near the 
 R. R. Station. 
 
 HOTELS. 
 
 Lachute has four hotels, and though the number seems large for the place, they 
 are all commodious, respectable looking buildings, and apparently prosperous. 
 
HISTORY OV ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 267 
 
 vith his 
 lal lime 
 ;er\vard. 
 he died 
 
 March, 
 
 :w da -i' 
 lere Mr 
 B72, and 
 e mothc 
 [untana ; 
 lis. J. m! 
 at honiL'. 
 
 Her. He 
 75, when 
 in which 
 
 .achute is 
 Glasgow, 
 then went 
 Uirned to 
 l)lace in 
 ettled on 
 his death 
 in April, 
 t a good 
 ngaged ni 
 
 's bridge. 
 
 1881, to 
 
 He was 
 
 Pfin the 
 
 Ithe stores 
 stores of 
 
 lattraclive 
 lal instrii- 
 
 summer 
 reel. An- 
 
 near the 
 
 |lace, they 
 
 )US. 
 
 Jamks Currik is proprietor of the V'ctoria Hotel, the only one at Lachute Mills, 
 and the oldest one in the town — a portion of the building being one in which Milo 
 Lane conducted an hotel when Lichiite was in her infancy, it has a large share of 
 tlif pationai^c of the travelling public, owing both to the correctness of its appoint- 
 nunts and the popularity and extensive acquaintance of its proprietor, who has had 
 an experience of fifteen years in his present hotel. 
 
 Mr. Currie's grandfather on the maternal side, John Williamson, was a soldier 
 umler Wellington, fought at Waterloo, and uas in several other engagements. After 
 serving twenty-one years he obtained his discharge, came to Canada, settled in Gore, 
 and served in the Rebellion of J837-3.S. Mr. Currie's father, Charles Currie, tame from 
 Castle lilarney, County of Moiiaghan, Ireland, in the spring of 1831. He first found 
 employment on the " Feeder" at Carillon, on which his brother Isaiah, who had pre- 
 viously come to this country, had a contract. Intiicfallof 1832, he took up a lot in 
 the second range of Gore, on which he lived twelve years. In 1837, he was married 
 to IJizabeth Williamson. He sold out in 1844, and bought a farm in Wentworth, on 
 ui.ich he lived till his death in 1879. He had three sonsand two daughters. James, 
 the eldest, at the age of 17 went to the States, where he spent twenty years. Return- 
 ini:. he purchased a farm on Beech Ridge, and engaged in farming, meanwhile serving 
 three years in the St. Andrews Parish Council. In 1880, he sold his farm and 
 en.:aged in his present business in Lachute. He was married in January, i860, to 
 Catherine, daughter of Valentine Swail, of Wentworth. They have one son, Valentine, 
 married, and living in British Columbia, and three daughters. 
 
 An imposing building is the " Argenteuil House," towards the upper end of 
 Main street, of which Pierre Rodrigue, the present Mayor of Lachute, is proprietor. 
 The house is brick, 70 x 40 feet in size, three stories besides the basement, with a 
 twiistorey extension, 60 x 25 feet in size, flat roof, and encircled by three galleries. 
 It has three parlors, two sitting rooms, thirty-five bed rooms, a large office, and dining 
 room with seating capacity for too guests. The grounds and stables connected 
 therewith are equally spacious. 
 
 Mr. Rodrigue was born inSt. Scholastique, and his early days were spent on his 
 father's fiirm. He took a classical course at the .school of Rev. Father Bonin, after 
 which he taught five years in the same school and two years in the public school. 
 He was married 17th October, 1853, to Margaret, daughter of the late Alexandre 
 Foriier, and spent the following eleven years on his father's farm. After devoting a 
 few years to mercantile life and hotel keeping, he sold out in 187 1 and bought the " Bee 
 Hive" — the hotel of Alvah Burch in Lachute. This was burnt 7th January, 1892, 
 and, the same year, Mr. Rodrigue built his present hotel. He has been very success- 
 ful financially since coming here, his real estate, within and outside of the Corporation, 
 being valued at $25,000. He has been in the Council five or six years, and in 1894 
 was elected Mayor, and has been Chairman of the Roman Catholic School Board 
 since it was established in 1875, and is a trustee of the Roman Catholic Church. He 
 has three sons and one daughter, two of the former, E. D., married to Mary Poitras, 
 and L. P. Rodrigue, being employed in the hotel. Alexandre is an M. D. 
 
 The daughter of Mr. Rodrigue is married to Charles Charlebois, proprietor of 
 the Lachute Foundry. 
 
 There are two other hotels near the railroad station, of one of which Alfred 
 Iakleur is proprietor. This building also is of brick, three stories, 60 x 40 feet 
 in size. Commodious stables are attached, in which Mr. Lafleur has a good 
 number of horses. He is a native of Ste. Ad^le, County of Terrebonne, where he 
 was engaged in hotel keeping and lumber business. He spent ten years in connec- 
 1 tion with the lumber traffic in California and the tVestem States — three years in 
 
268 
 
 HlbTOkV OK ARCIENTKUII- 
 
 Marquette, Michigan, where he and his fatht-r erected several houses. He came lo 
 Lachute in 187H and built his present hoti , which he has ever sinrc conducted, 
 
 'I'he other hotel near the R. R. stuion, and als(i on Foundry street, is that ot 
 MoisE Paquette. Mr. I'aquetle was born-in Si. Scholastique, lived on the homestead 
 farm till 1878, when he came with his father to Lachute, built his |)reieiit hotel, ami 
 moved into it in 1879. His fiither, Moise Paquette, died 14th December, 1891, at 
 the age of 68. I.iUe the other public houses of Lacluite, tiiis is of a good size and 
 appearance, and has ample yard and stables attached. H. l'a(iuelle, a brother of 
 the hotel proprielor, has a barber shop in the establishment. 
 
 About two miles above the Lachute Post Office, toward Hill Head, in a good 
 farmi.''g section, is a settlement where, in former years, there was a thriving businc^s 
 conducted, of which the tannery of Samuel Hills was the nucleus. 
 
 Mr. Hills was from New Hami^shiie, and after living two years at St. Andrews, 
 he came, about 1830, to Lachute. He was a man of i.iuch enterprise, and his 
 descendants are people of s\nrh and intelligence. Soon after his arrival, he erected 
 a tannery, with which he did an active business, besides conducting a farm, till his 
 death. The business thus started grew in importance, until " Hills' Tannery," by 
 which name the locality was soon designated, became quite a noted place. Leatlicr 
 of different kinds was manufactured here, and slioemakers, harness m.tkers.and other 
 men were employed, till it was said the Hills would have a villaije of their own. 
 
 The founder of this business had four sons — Frederick, Samuel Scott, William 
 Matthews, and Reuben Watson. The latter died at the age of 14, and PVederick, the 
 eldest, died at Hancock, N.H. Samuel S. and William, each of whom had a good 
 farm belonging to the homestead, continued together the management of the tannery. 
 Samuel married Elizabeth Hastings, and Wiliani mariied her sister, Frances J. 
 iiastings, who died 10th August, 1891. William was also, for a time, conducting 
 quite a business at Portage du Fort ; but he relinquished it and confined himself to 
 that at Lachute ; he is now connected with an extensive lumber firm in Montreal, 
 though he still has a residence in Lachute. 
 
 Samuel S. Hills always lived in Lachute, and died here i6th April, 1878; he IkuI 
 three sons and two daughters that grew up. 
 
 Frederick VV., the eldest, lives in the dwelling occupied by his grandfather; he 
 married Miss E. A. Grant, and has two daughters. Watson S. resides at Brainard, 
 Minn. ; Julia is deceased ; and Mary F., married to Albert L Green, resides in Miniio- 
 apolis, Minn. George H. was married 18th June, 1879, to Jessie Muir; they liavo 
 three children. He engaged in farming on the Iiomestead till August, 1882, when liie 
 farm was sold. After following agricultural life till 1888, he bought the brick house 
 and lot where he now lives, and, in 1892, opened a store. His dwelling and store 
 are those erected and occupied by Samuel Orr, noticed on a former page. 
 
 Samuel Edmund Smith, one of the enterprising and leading farmers of Lachute, 
 resides in this locality. William Smith, his great-grandt'ather, came from Yorkshire, 
 FJigland, and was the first settler at what is now Dunany, in Wentworth. He received 
 a grant of Lot i, Range i, for marking out a road by blazed trees from Sir John's 
 Lake to Clear Lake. He had two sons and three daughters that grew up. 
 
 Samuel, the eldest, married Margaret McDonald, of Gore, about 1828; settled 
 near the homestead, and lived there till his death. He was the first Postm:.ster at 
 Dunany, the post oflice being established there in 1853; was Mayor of Wentworth 
 and Major of Militia ; he was a loyal actor in the events of 1837, and was at Grande 
 Brule with the Volunteers. He died nth June, 1893, aged 96, and so remarkably 
 healthy had he been, that he never employed a physician till his last illness. His 
 widow is still living ; they had twelve children, six of each sex, that arrived at maiur- 
 
^F 
 
 HISTORY OV AROENTEUIL. 
 
 269 
 
 me ii> 
 i. 
 
 hal of 
 estead 
 c'l, and 
 891, ai 
 zc and 
 .her ot' 
 
 a .^ood 
 )usinc^s 
 
 ndrews 
 
 and his 
 I erecied 
 ^, till Ii'h 
 cry." I'y 
 Leather 
 ,nd other 
 \vn. 
 
 , William 
 erick, the 
 id a good 
 : tannery, 
 'ranees J. 
 inducting 
 limself to 
 [Montreal, 
 
 he had 
 
 ither; lie 
 
 iBrainard, 
 
 lin Minno- 
 
 |lhey have 
 
 when the 
 
 l-ick house 
 
 1 and store 
 
 Lachute, 
 
 Yorkshire, 
 
 received 
 
 ^ir John'-i 
 
 setded 
 |tm:..^ter at 
 ^entwoilh 
 it Grande 
 .■maikably 
 less. His 
 at inauir- 
 
 ity. James, their eldest son, was married in April, 1S58, to Mary Jane McLean, of 
 lachute, and settled in Gore, adjacent to Diinany. Sixteen years later, he bought 
 210 acres in lyachute, to which he removed in 1874 ; this is the farm no>v owned and 
 occupied by his son, Samuel E. Smith. He was a School Commissioner for some time, 
 and took much interest in the military affairs of the County ; he joined the Rangers at 
 their organization as Lieutenant, and was promoted to the rank of iMijor. He died 
 24th January, 1887, and was buried with military honors. He had two sons and 
 four daughters that grew u)). 
 
 Samuel E., the only son now living, was married 30th April, 1890, to Janet 
 Pattison, of Lachute. He has always remained on the homestead — a tine farm — 
 which I.e has improved so that it sustains a large stock. Mr. SmiHi is 1st Lieutenant 
 ill Company No. 2 of the Rangers. 
 
 JcaN McClREiiou came from Dumbartonshire, Scotland, to Lachute, with his 
 family, about 1826, and bought 100 acres of land, which is now owned :uul occu|)ied by 
 Robert ]}eatty. Subsequently, he jjurchased 90 acres adjacent to his first nurchase, 
 which is now owned and occupied liy the widow of his son, John Mc(iregor. He moved 
 to the latter farm, and lived there till his death, about 1864, at the age of 87 ; Mrs. 
 McGregor died about ton years later, aged 97. Six sons and three daughters arrived at 
 maturity. James, ll-.e fourth son, now living with his son Thomas, has followed the mill- 
 tt'iight trade fortyhve years in this section, l)uilding and repairing many mills. He 
 was married in 1846 to Ellen Hay; she died i^th April, 1885. Mr. McGregor's first 
 jiermanent residence, after marriage, was at IJrownsburg, where he bought a saw mill 
 and carding mill, which he conducted for twelve years. He then, about i860, sold 
 them, and purchased So acres of land in I,achute, which he sold to David Pollock in 
 1S90. He has had three sons and two daughters, who grew up. His eldest son, 
 Robert J., lives in Kansas; George is employed in the store of the Hay Brothers; 
 and Thomas, with whom he. lives, is on a farm which belonged to the paternal estate; 
 he was married 2nd January, 1884, to Margaret Parker, of Montreal. 
 
 Near this locality is what may be termed a /usus natiira;, a singular change 
 having occurred in the physical features of quite a tract of territory since the country 
 was first settled. A tract two miles or more in length and many rods in breadth is 
 nothing but a field of drifting white sand, where, not many decades ago, were culti- 
 vated fields. This strip of worthless land extends across the middle of several farms, 
 on the south side of the North River. The soil which covered this sand must, of 
 course, have been very shallow, but still it is said that it once produced fine crops of 
 rye. The sand, like snow, drifts with the winl, and a fence crossing it doss not long 
 remain visible or effective against cattle. This stratum, it is claimed, is about twelve 
 feet in thickness, succeeded by a si'bstratum of blue clay, beneath which is abundance 
 of water. 
 
 PARISH OF ST, 
 
 JERUSALEM D'ARGENTEUH., 
 BETHANY.* 
 
 EAST SETTLEMENT, 
 
 This parish, as will be seen below, was not erected till long after Lachute had 
 become a thriving village. As stated in the history of St. Andrews, it embraces the 
 larger part of the Seigniory of Argenteuil, and besides the town of Lachute, it contains 
 oUier districts designated as the East Settlement and Bethany, which will be noticed 
 in ihe proper place, 
 
 * That tract or parcel of land, situate in the seigniory of Argenteuil, in the County of Two Moun- 
 tain, in that part of the Province of Canada called Lower Canada, bounded and abutted as follows, 
 to w'A \ on the south by the southern line of lot number fifteen in the west settlement, the rear of the 
 
270 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Patrick Strachan Dunbar, Mayor of the Parish of St, Jerusalem d'Argentciiil, 
 was born in Forres, Morayshire, Scotland, 7th March '824. His father -.vas Georuo 
 Dunbar, wlio was a Captain i; the Inverness Militia; his mother was Katheriiii, 
 daughter of Major Patrick Strachan, of Drumduen, Morayshire, w! o, on one or tw.) 
 occasions, was in active service. Mr. Dunbar came to Canada with iiis parents in 
 1832, and settled in Brownsburg ; the family remained there for two years, and then 
 came to Jerusalem, where the son has ever since resided. He was employed on tlie 
 first railroad ever built in this County, and helped to run the first engine that went 
 from Carillon toGrenville in 1854; in 1856, he was first mate on the steamer " Atlas,' 
 plying between Lachine and Carillon. Mr. Dunbar took a most active part in helping 
 to secure the line of the present C. P. Railway — then the Montreal, Ottawa & Occi- 
 dental — through this parish, and, in 1872, i?ok part with the late Thomas C. .Quinii, 
 Provincial Land Surveyor, in running a trial line from Grenville Bay to St. TherLso. 
 This line proved to be the shortest and most direct, and was afterwards adopted by 
 the R. R. Company. Mr. Dunbar has been a Municipal Couicillor in the Parish tor 
 thirty-two years, and has filled the office of Mayor since 1880 ; he married, in 185^, 
 Jessie, youngest daughter of the late Walter McOuat. Mrs. Dunbar is still living, and 
 ha<: three daughters. Mr. Dunbar has also filled the office of President of the Board 
 of School Commissioners, here, since 1885. He is now ir. his sevenly-third year, .md 
 has been a resident of this parish for upwards of sixty years. 
 
 Rohert Gordon, from County Down, Ireland, came to the Parish of St. Jeru- 
 salem, in 1824, and bought one hundred acres of land, which is now owned and 
 occui)ied by his son Robert, The latter, who is now upward of eighty years of ai;;', 
 has cleared U\t much of the paternal estate, and also another one hundred acres, i'v 
 which he has augmented it. He has been one of those industrious, sober men, wiio 
 exert a good influence, and whose presence as a neighbor is always desired. He l.is 
 
 middle settlement or Beech Ridge, the southern part of Duel's purchase, and the line separat-ni; ihc 
 East .Settlement from part of Brown's Gore, and tliat rear of lot number thirty-five, on the \<\\rr 
 Rouge ; on the east by the seigniory of Two Mountains ; on the north by the township of Gore : mi 
 the .vest by the township of Chatham. Beginning on the line between Chatham and Argenteuil at ilio 
 distance of three miles and three-quarters from the shore of the Ottawa River ; thence, alont; the >i.lo 
 line between lots numliers fourteen and fifteen, in the west settlement, magnetically south sixty-iuno 
 degrees thirty minutes east, one mile, eight arpents and six perches more or less 10 an angle ; thence, 
 along the noitherly rear line of lots numbers five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten of the middle soUlc 
 ment or Beech Ridge, north, 86 degrees east, nineteen arpents more or less, to .th angle; thence, alon^ 
 the rear line from the noiihwest corner of number eleven, to the north-east corner of numl)er twe^.tv- 
 two, or the last lot of the miildle settlement, to a point about seven miles and one-quarter from the 
 Ottawa River ; north 68 degrees, one mile, six arpents rind two perches more or less ; thence, along ihe 
 line between the ta>t side of the midd'e settlement and the tract of laml known as Duel's purchase ti. 
 the southern extremity of the said tract ; south eleven degrees and ten minutes east, two miles more or 
 less ; thence, along the line lietween part of Brown's Gore and Duel's purchase south, eighty-three 
 degrees east, seven arpents and six perches more or less to an angle ; thence, along the eastern line of 
 Duel's purchase, to the south-western angle of the East Settlement, six arpents more or less; theiice, 
 along the southern side line of lot number one in both ranges of the East Settlement, till it meets the 
 eastern line of the seigniory of Argenteuil, at a point distant about five miles from the Grand orOttiiw.i 
 River south, sixty-nine degrees thirty minutes east, two miles five arpentu and five perches, more or 
 less ; thence, along the line between the seigniories of Argenteuil .ind Two-Mountains, to the north- 
 eastern angle of the said seigniory of Argenteuil north, twenty degrees thirty minutes east, seven 
 miles, eight arpents and seven perches more or less; thence along the rear line of the seigniory 01 
 Argenteuil, which is also the front line of the township of Gore, to the north-western ang'e of the 
 seigniory to a point on the Clear I^ke north, sixtj -two degrees thirty minutes west, six miles iinl 
 fourteen arpents more or less ; thence, along the line between Chatham and Argenteuil south, twenty 
 degrees thirty minutes west, eight miles and seven arpents more or less, to the place of beginning. 
 
 Approved by Order in Council of the isth July, 1852, minus: The limits of the town of Laclute 
 by 48 V.j c. 72. 
 
 been a 
 -Miinicij 
 
 1 1 Ices ni 
 gr.mt o 
 n-ad in 
 nine of 
 
 Roi, 
 
 C.iiiada 
 
 M Chatl 
 
 bcring r 
 
 Martjare 
 
 chased a 
 
 bought n 
 
 tour sons 
 
 all marric 
 
 only chile 
 
 and was , 
 
 large lant 
 
 to Lachui 
 
 ness. Ti 
 
 «'as a trut 
 
 lu lives wi 
 
 seventy-ni 
 
 John 
 
 this sectioi 
 
 of Thomas 
 
 Crozier fin 
 
 bought a f 
 
 '!Oine to as: 
 
 on which li 
 
 "ash's troc 
 
 tlie Militan 
 
 David 
 
 His father, 
 notorious tl 
 »'itli a stone 
 f,Ua!. 
 
 The SOI 
 
 \ mother, abo 
 Craik, sister 
 ■le came to 
 ■ierc 20th Mi 
 live dauglitei 
 J'liiet, the la 
 pecch Ridge 
 
 I remained abc 
 
 [■^f:iry, daughi 
 
 JTesent farm 
 
 I'liio all live ; 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 C7I 
 
 ntcuil, 
 leor^o 
 leriui . 
 or two 
 en is in 
 id then 
 on tlie 
 it went 
 Alias," 
 helping 
 S: Occi- 
 .Quinn, 
 "herc'^o. 
 )tecl by 
 irish tor 
 ill 185.', 
 ing. and 
 e Board 
 ear, anil 
 
 St. Joru- 
 iied and 
 s of aLv', 
 acres, i'V 
 pen, wiio 
 He l.As 
 
 Iicen a Magistrate for a quarter of a century, and has also been a member of the 
 Mimicipal Council of his Parish, Although an octogenarian, he is still active, and 
 t ikes much interest in public afTairs, One of the latest of his works was to secure a 
 gr.int of $50 from Government, to pay for placing gravel on a low, marshy piece of 
 road in this section — a work of much utility, Mr. Gordon has iuid ten children, 
 nine of whom are still living. 
 
 RoiiF.RT Crozier was born in CountyCavan, Ireland, 6th May, 1814, and came to 
 Canada when four years of age. His parrots first went to Montreal, and a year later 
 to Chatham, where the son lived for several years, three of which he spent in linn- 
 bcring on the IJlack River and Ottawa. He was married 30th October, 1S38, to 
 Margaret, youngest daughter of tl.e late Andrew Walker, of Lane's Purchase. He pur- 
 chased a farm adjoining that of his n\thcr-in-law, remaining thero until 1S4S, wh^n he 
 bought a farm in this section from Chauncey Davis. He had eight caughtera and 
 tour sons, of whom seven daughters and two sons are now living. Tiie daughters are 
 all married, and Catherine, wife of Simon McGilvray, and John Alexander, are the 
 only children of the family in this Comity. Mr. Crozier was at Grand J^nile in 1S37, 
 and was a member of the Volunteers and Cavalry for over twetity years. He was a 
 large land owner in this parish, but in 1894 sold his farm, and soon afterward went 
 to Lachute to live a retired life, but died there 1st June, 1895, after only a week's ill- 
 ness. The Montreal Witness idi\<\ of him in a leigihy obituary notice . " Mr. Croz-ier 
 was a true husband and kind father, and the loss of his presence to sorrowing re- 
 Ltives will not be easily or quickly repaired." His wife still survives, at the age of 
 seNcnty-ninc 
 
 John A., eldest son of Robert Crozier, was born 1845, and always remained in 
 this section. On 21st Feb,, 1878, he was married to Miss Ryan, a teacher, daughter 
 ofThomas Ryan, wiio was a ship carpenter, living at the lime in Mille Isles. Mr. 
 Crozier first settled on the farm now owned by Thomas Ulack, jun,, which he had 
 bought a few years previous to his marriage, but he afterwards sold it and returned 
 home to assist his father, who was alone. In July, 1890, he bought his present farm, 
 on which he has since made man}' improvements. He was a member of Capt. Hur- 
 wash's trooj) of Cavalry ten yeArs, joining it in i860, at"ter receiving a diploma from 
 the Military School in Montreal. He was Corpn-al of his company when he retired. 
 
 David Thomas Morin was born 8tli February, 1S20, in Dumfrieshire, Scotland. 
 His father, who was a guard in Dumfrieshire Jail, was killed while on duty by the 
 notorious thief and i)ick-i)Ocket. Davie Hagart. He struck Mr. Morin on the head 
 with a stone concealed in a s'.ocking, intending only to stun him, hut the blowproved 
 fatal. 
 
 The son, David Thomai, who was a carpenter by trade, came to Canada with his 
 mother, about 1833. In February, 1S43, he was married in Montreal to Miss Janet 
 Craik, sister of Dr. Craik, Dean of the Medical i'aculty, McGill University. In 1S49, 
 he eame to this parish, and bought the farm now owned by his son David ; he died 
 here 20lh May, 1873, and Mrs Morin 17th April, 1890. They had five sons and 
 
 j five daughters ; three of the latter are deceased. Thomas, David. John, Jane and 
 Janet, the latter married to William Davidson, lives in this parish — Robert C. on 
 
 1 Beech Ridge, and William in Prescolt County, Ont. Tiiomas, born 31st Dec, 1843, 
 
 j retrained at home until twenty-four years of age, when lie went lo Nevada, where he 
 remained about five years. On his return, he was married i2lh February, 1873, to 
 
 I Mary, daughter of the late James Gordon, of River Rouge. He then came to his 
 present farm, adjoining the old liomestead ; he has two daughters and one son, 
 
 h'ho all live at home. David, born 7ih July, 1850, remained on the homestead; 
 
272 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEHIL. 
 
 he married Miss Dunbar, daughter of Patrick Dunbar, Esq. ; they have one son. Mr. 
 Morin has a fine farm, and in 1890 received a bronze medal and a diploma from the 
 Quebec Government in the competition of that year. 
 
 Anduew Walker came to Canada from Barrackshire, Scotland, witli his family 
 in 1833, and first settled on T,ane's Purchase in Lachute, where he and Mrs. Walker 
 both died, on the farm new owned by Kenry Drysdale. Tney h.id five sons and four 
 da\ightcrs; among those now living are Margaret, widow of the iate Robert Crozier; 
 Alice, widow of William Blow, living in Manitoba ; and George, living in Ontario. 
 
 Andrew, the fourth son, born 4th May, i82i,was married in 1 851 to Catherine 
 A., daughter of Ccipt. Dunbar ; they liad eight children — five sons and three daugii 
 ters, of whom all but one son are now living. Mr. Walker remained on the home- 
 stead until i8<)5, wh.eii his son Andrew bought the farm of his late uncles Roberi 
 Crozier, in Jerusalem, and Mr. ana Mr. . WalVer, retired, are now living with hini, 
 Mr. Walker has been very active in the affairs of the County, having bet-n Municipal 
 Councillor of }.achulc for tweniy-one years ; he was also a mem Ijer of "^tajor Simp- 
 son's company of Cavalry, having been sei^eant at ine time they receiv J the Prince 
 of Wales at Carillon. George f3unbar, the eldest- son, lives in Hill Head; Janet I., 
 married to James R;iiit, lives m Lacluite ; Catherine .N., married to William C oe- 
 land, lives in Lane's Purchase ; Andrew is on the farm in Jerusalem ; William B. and 
 John R. L. live in Manitoba ; and Maggie, married to D. McPhail, lives in Chatham. 
 
 Hugh Cleland, son of James Cleland, was born in the parish of St. Jerusalem, 
 and lived on the farm now owned by Thomas Black ; he was married to Mary Ann 
 Cotter. They had five children, of whom two boys and two girls are now living. 
 Mr. Cleland bought the farm now owned by his son, William J. and for the last 
 eighteen years has shipped milk to Montreal, buying from a ^ood many in this 
 vicinity. Mr. Cleland is now retired, and, with his wife, remains on the old 
 homestead with their second son, William. The latter still continues the milk busi- 
 ness ; he was born January, 1867, and 23rd June, 1893, was married to Mary, diuguter 
 of William Brown, of Martintcwn, Ont. Jane, the eldest, is married to Malcolm 
 Sniith, of Beech Ridge ; Mary F. to Thomas Sm'tu, lives in Montreal. Robert 
 James, the '^Idest son, was born 1857, '^"d always remained at home. In 1887, 
 he was married to Isabella, daughter of Andrew Bell, Postmaster of Beech 
 Ridge ; the same year he took his present farm of his father. He has sin'.e erected 
 new buildings, and mide many improvements on it; with his biother, he continues 
 the milk business commenced by their father. 
 
 James Leishman, Jun., eldest son of James Leishman, was born in Upper 
 Lachute, 26th May, 1864; he remained at home until 1886, and then v/ent to Caii- 
 fornia, where he remained eight years in the lumber business ; on his return he 
 bought the farm of John McGilvray, Jerusalem, and is now living here w:ih his sister 
 Mary. 
 
 EAST SETTLEMENT. 
 
 A Post Office was established here in i8y i, and given the name of Genoa ; James 
 Gordon was appointed Postmaster, which office he still holds. Mr. Gordon con- 
 ducted a general store here some time, but having to devote his time to his trade—] 
 that of carpenter — he discontinued the store, in 1890. 
 
 The first school-house was built on the farm now owned by Mrs. Black. In iS4i. 
 a log school-house was built on the site of the present brick one, near the fciir| 
 corners. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 273 
 
 A neat wooden church was erected in i86i,on land given to the Wesleyan Metho- 
 dist Conference by Mr. John Burwash, and it was built by the Methodists of this 
 vicinity. Mr. Griffith to"^': an active part in its erection, and has been a staunch sup- 
 Iiwrter of it ever since. It is used as a Union church now, and services are held on 
 alternate Sabbaths by Revs. Clipsham and Mackie, of Lachute. The Church is 
 always open to any Protestant minister who wishes to hold service in it. 
 
 'I'iie first settlers known in this place were Barber, Draper, and Hyatt, U. E. 
 Ijoyalists, who came iiere about the beginning of t!ie present century. Bnrber was 
 ([uite a large land owner, having about 700 acres ; he built a three-story, stone build- 
 ing in 1850, on the faim novv owned by Mrs. Wm. Black, intending that his sons 
 should occu])y it with him, after being married. 'I'hey, however, being dissatisfied, 
 left this pirl of the country, and none of the descendants of the above-named men 
 now live in this section. 
 
 A few years ago, considerable business was done in the East Settlement by govern- 
 ment contractors, who bought several acres of land from Messrs. John Rodger, Arm- 
 strong and Todd. A very fine quality of gravel was discovered here, and a side 
 track was laid from the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railroad to take away the 
 gravel Jug by ihe large gang of men employed during one summer. About twenty 
 miles of the C. P. K. were b.Ulastod with the gravel, and a great many carloads were 
 taken to Montreal. Th:; gravel pit is quite a freak of nature, being a high ridge with 
 k'vel land on either side. The ridge is about half a mile long and three acres wide ; 
 tiic centre, where e.xcavated, has the appearance of having been under water at one 
 time, there being towards the bottom several feet of fine gravel, and then a layer of 
 stone similar to the dry bed of a river. At the bottom is a very fine quality of build- 
 ing sr.nd ip which are found springs of pure cold water. 
 
 Thom.\s Miller, a cabinetmaker by trade, was born in Scotland, and came to 
 Canada about 1800 ; he remained about seven years, tlien returned to Scotland, and 
 married Miss Anna Murdoch. He then came back to Canada, and settled at River du 
 Loup, Que,, keeping store there for several years, after which he removed to River 
 Rouge, remaining several years on the farm of Gregor McCiregor. He then came to 
 this place, and bought the farm now owned by his son, Tiiomas G. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Miller botli died here. Thomas G., the eldest son, born in 1816 at River du Loup, 
 was married in 1851 to Mary E. Green, from County Sligo, Ireland ; they have five 
 daughters and four sons, all living. Catherine, the eldest daughter, lives in Chicago ; 
 Mary and Amanda in Montreal; Martha and Eliza are at home. Of the sons, 
 'Ihomas, the eldest, John H. and William, are in California, and James, the youngest, 
 remains at home. 
 
 John Gkiffith was born in Ireland in 1819, his parents who were Welsh, having 
 l^reviously settled there: the family came to Canada about the year i8a6, and first 
 settled in St. Canute. '\\'hen about eighteen years of age, John went to Ontario, and 
 was employed for two years on the Cornwall Canal ; he then returned to St. Canute, 
 and soon afterward joined the St. Andrew's Voluntv-ers, Capt. Quinn's Company, 
 going with them to St. Schol'istique. He was in this Company when orders were 
 received to march to St. Eustache. Mr, Griffith afterward went to Thomas' Gore, 
 where he was married to Mary, daughter of the late William Hume, Hill Head, They 
 had eight sons and four danghters, of whom five sons and all the daughters are still 
 living. William, the eldest, is a farmer in Watertown, N.Y.; Henry is mining in 
 Nevada ; John W. is Professor in a San Francisco College ; Isaac lives at home ; and 
 Albert L. is in Montreal ; Eleanor, u^arried to Roderick McDonald, lives hi Vide Sac ; 
 Mary J., married to Henry Hadley, lives in Montreal ; Sarah A. is at liome ; and 
 Grace, married to William Shepherd, lives in East Settlement. 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 '«t 
 
 James Armstrong came to Canada in 1824 from County Monaghan, Ireland, 
 and settled in North Settlement, on the farm now owned by William Walker ; he 
 afterward bought the farm now owned by his son Robert, where he died 7th May, 
 '873, aged seventy-five years. James, the third son, born in 1837, was married 5th 
 September, 1856, to Jane Canton, of Lakefield ; he then settled on the farm now 
 owned by John Graham, Thomas' Gore, and remained there five years, when he sold 
 it, and in 1872 bought his present one from the late William Todd. He has three 
 daughters and two sons ; Julia A. is married to John McOuat, and lives in Lachute ; 
 Mary E., the second daughter, after being a very successful teacher for four years, 
 is now in the Post Office at Lachute ; Alice J., John E., and Albert J. are at home. 
 
 William Black, born 1830, was a son of Handyside Black, who came from Scot- 
 land; William, who was the third son, bought the farm now occupied by his widow 
 and chilc'ren — the old Barber place, on which was built the large stone house men- 
 tioned above. Mr. Black was married in 1872 to Elizabeth, daughter of William 
 Dickson, of this place ; he died 22nd March, 1891, aged sixty-one. Mrs. Black sur- 
 vives him, and has four children — one daughter and three sons, named respectively 
 -Aggie, John, A'^illiam and David. Mrs. Black, with her children's assistance, has 
 continued to manage tlie farm since her husband's death. The eldest son, John, 
 bids fair to be one of the successful farmers of Argenteuil, having already begun to 
 purchase thoroughbred stock. 
 
 William Todd was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, in 1808, and came to 
 Canada in 1830, with his wife, Elizabeth Wilson, and two children; he settled in 
 Beauharnols, where he remained five years, then came to Lachute, and bought the 
 farm now occupied by the family of James Pollock. He remained in Lachute six 
 years, and afterwards — about 1841 — came to this place, and bought the farm now 
 occupied by James Armstrong, and lived here a number of years. Mrs. Todd died 
 in 1S60. They had four sons and one daughter ; the latter is deceased. William, 
 the eldest son, is in Wisconsin ; Thomas lives in Lachute ; Andrew, on tiie Lachute 
 Road; and Henry in this place. Mr. Todd was married a second time, in 1865, 10 
 Mary, daughter of Andrew McLean, of Montreal. After selling his farm to Mr. 
 Armstrong, Mr. Todd bought the cottage of James Gordon, at the four-corners, and 
 died there i8th April, 1894, aged eighty-six years. Mrs. Todd still lives here. 
 
 Joseph Roger, whose father also bore the name of Joseph, was born in Scot- 
 land in 1795. He came to Canada in 1833, and the same year bought the farm in 
 this place now occupied by his children ; he purchased this of Is,'cac Hyatt, one of t'.c 
 first settlers in this section. In 1836, Mr. Roger was married to Miss Jean McOuat; 
 they had seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters — Joseph, Janeti .■. 
 Margaret, William, Elizabeth and John — are now living. Mr. Roger died 1870, 
 ageu seventy-five ; Mrs. Roger in 1888, a^ed seventy-seven. Margaret, the second 
 daughter, went to India in 1873 as a missionary for th'=' Presbyterian Church >>( 
 Canada, spending eighteen years there, with the exception of one furlough. Mi-^s 
 Roger has the honor of being the first missionary sent by the Presbyterians to India 
 from Canada. Mr. Roger's children are all living on the homestead. 
 
 David P.orjt-R came from Glasgow, Scotland, about 1833 ; he bought the fanii 
 now occupied by his son John from L. Barbe^ Mi. Roger was married to Mi-s 
 Jane McOuat in Scotland, and had two children when they came to Canada. Sk 
 more were born to them after coming here; four sons and two daughters are now 
 living. Mr. Roger died 24th May, 1892, aged ninety-six years, and Mrs. Roger 
 died 1872, aged seventy-six. Joseph, the eldest son, lives in Laohute. Janet, the 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 275 
 
 widow of James McCUire, and mother of the celebrated missionary, Dr. McClure, of 
 Honan, China, lives in tipper Lachute. Margaret, married to Andrew Todd, and 
 David, live on the Lachute Road. William, and John, the youngest son, reside in this 
 place. The latter, who was born in 1841, has always remained on the homestead ; he 
 was married in 1891 to Jemima, daughter of the late Thomas Bilsland ; they have one 
 son. 
 
 James Wood, a blacksmith by trade, came, with his wife, from Scotland to 
 Canada about 1830 ; he first worked at his trade on the old Carillon and Grenville 
 Canal, and from this work went to St. Placide, from which place he was obliged to 
 remove to St. Andrews on the breaking out of the Rebellion of 1837. This journey, 
 made on the ice, proved a dangerous one, as the river had but just frozen ; Mr. Wood 
 was obliged to go on foot before his horse, testing the ice. He left Iiis wife and 
 children in St. Andrews and returned with the troops to St. Placide. Some time later, 
 he came, with his family, to this section, and bought the farm now owned by his son 
 Robert. Mr. AVood died in 188', aged seventy-seven, and Mrs. Wood in December, 
 1890, aged eighty-three. They had eleven children, of whom seven sons and two 
 daughters reached maturity. 
 
 Robert, the fifth son, born 1845, remained at home until twenty-one years of 
 age, when he went to Nevada, remaining five years a>ogether in that State, but making 
 a long visit at home during the time. After his final return to Canada, he went into 
 partnership with Robert Summerby, and erected a steam saw mill on the North River 
 at St. Canute. He managed this for two years, then sold out and bought his present 
 farm from his father. In 1872, Mr. Wood was married to Miss McGregor, daugliter 
 of John McGregor, of Lachute Road. They have four sons .^nd one daughter living. 
 Mr. Wood has made many improvements on his farm, and it is uow one of the best 
 equipped in East Settlement. 
 
 William Roger, second son of David Roger, was born in this Settlement in 
 1S33, and has always remained here ; he was married in 1866 to Miss Ann Robertson, 
 of Montreal, whose father came from Aberdeen, Scotland, with his wife and children. 
 Her mother died during the voyage, and Mr. Robertson died a year after reaching 
 Montreal. 
 
 Mr. Roger bought his present farm, which had previously been owned by James 
 Draper, from his sister, Mrs. McCluie, in i860, and has since made many improve- 
 ments on it, besides building his present brick residence. All the surroundings of the 
 place betoken intelligence and industry. Mr. Roger has taken an active pare in the 
 .Agricultural Society, having been Director for several years ; he has also been Coun- 
 cillor of the Parish. Mrs, Roger died in 1890, leaving a family of nine children ; 
 one son has since died — five daughters and three sons are now living. 
 
 James Wilson came from Roxburyshire, Scotland, to Canada, in 1831 , and 
 settled here, being one of the first to arrive in this section. 
 
 William, his fecond son, was born in 1842, on the farm where he now lives; 
 he has always remained at home, with the exception of one year, which was spent in 
 lumbering in AVisconsin. He was married 6th January, 1891, to Jessie B., daughter 
 of .Simon MoKimmie, of Lachute. Th^y have two daughters. In 1892, Mr. Wilson 
 obtained the farm, hiL- lather dying in that year. 
 
 William Todd, eldest son of Thomas T dd, was born in February, 1858, in East 
 Selilement ; he has been twice married, first to Margery M., daughter of Thomas 
 Young, of River Rouge, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. Mrs. Todd 
 died in March, 1889. I" 1881, the father of Mr. Todd, wishing to retire from active 
 business, gave up to his son the management of his farm, which he purchased about 
 half a century ago from Milo Barber ; he then went to live in Lachute. 
 
276 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Mr. Todd was married the second time, in June, 1891, to Ida Catherine^ daughter 
 of Charles McGregor, of River Rouge ; he has two sons by this marriage. 
 
 Felix IUgras came to this place in the early years of its history, and settled von 
 the farm, then entirely covered with bush, which is now owned by his son Peler. 
 The latier was born in 1855, and has always remained on the homestead ; he was 
 married in 1876 to Miss P. Touchette, of Cote St. Louis. They have two sons living. 
 Mr. Bigras has made many improvements on his farm, and, in 1895, was appointed 
 Director of the Agricultural Society of Argenieuil. He, as was his father, is a mem- 
 ber of the Belle Riviere Presbyterian Church. - -., 
 
 The following sketch has been kindly given us by r. young friend of Mrs. Gordon, 
 it having been written at Mrs. Gordon's dictation ; — 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gordon came out from Scotland about 1835, and settled in the 
 bush in (ienoa. They had to erect a cabin at once, which was square in shape and 
 covered with "scoops." Their only stove was tin. They had to clear their land by 
 first cutting down the trees, and then rooting up the stumps by means of a pry about 
 ten feet long. This, of course, was very hard work, and, on one occasion, when Mrs. 
 Gordon was helping, she pulled so hard on the pry, that she could see " stars," and 
 her sight was so injured that, from that time, she has had to use spectacles. The first 
 year, they cleared only two acres, Inirning the stumps when they were pulled, then 
 nlowing the land and sowing their seed. As their fields became larger, they some- 
 times worked in harvesting till eleven o'clock at night, binding their gruin and putting 
 It into •' stooks " before the rain came. During the first years of their settlement 
 thev had but one child — a little girl — whom they carried to the field and home again, 
 when they were drawing hay or grain, and put her on the mow till the wagon was 
 unloaded. When they had drawn in all their grain, they threshed it with a flail, and, 
 after being ground, it was carried on Mr. Gordon's back to the mill at Lachute. 
 \\'hen returning home, it was sometimes so dark that he was obliged to hang the bag 
 of tiour or meal on a tree and return for it in the morning. The only place they had 
 to keep their potatoes was a hole in the ground, well covered over. Their only means 
 of travelling was with a horse and a little, low, flat-bottomed traineau, with a bundle 
 of pea-straw for a seat, and no robes. They had to drive to Montreal with a h )rse 
 and cart to sell their produce, and often the roads were so bad that the mud and water 
 came up to the axle. Their load consisted chiefly of pork and butter; the genera! 
 price of pork was $4.50 per hundred, and of butter i2^c. per pound. Whatever 
 money they received had all to go in payments on their farm. 
 
 They lived here at the time of the Rebellion, and were often afraid thai the rebels 
 would come and kill them. Once, while trying to take home some of his sheep, the 
 rebels took Mr. Gordon prisoner, and his sheep were killed. The next day, however, 
 he obtained a stick, broke the windows of his prison, and escaped. Another time, 
 a wolf caine along in the night,"and began fighting with the dog, and they ti. ought it 
 was some of the rebels trying to set fire to the buildings, and were nearly frightened 
 to death. 
 
 Wolves were very numerous, and used to come in crowds every night, so that 
 they had to shut up their sheep. One little pet lamb did not want to be shut up, so 
 it ran away in tho bush and across a ditch. It was never seen alive again ; but they 
 found a piece of its leg, where a wolf had killed and eaten it. For three or four years 
 after they came here, the wolves used to disturb them very much at night by their 
 howling. Mrs. Gordon tells of an encounter she once had with a wolf. 
 
 She 
 early in 
 way thre< 
 and they 
 Lachute. 
 and in a 
 night, bu 
 bush whe 
 was abou 
 instead, 
 about 12 
 
 In th 
 sewing an 
 a year, 
 buildings, 
 ran were £ 
 and built 
 They have 
 hajipily tO) 
 which the 
 
 a 
 
 Tins 
 Beech Rid 
 his tent, it 
 Andrews, 
 grandson, 
 brick, he ] 
 dwellings ii 
 Hume, Avh( 
 and fifty : 
 H'as an indi 
 incident to 
 the early y< 
 distant. 
 
 Amoni 
 Imd. The] 
 respectively 
 ind, a few ; 
 returned to' 
 tour brothe 
 vived her hi 
 remaining 11 
 Bethany Re 
 
 DUNCA 
 
 now owned 
 daughter of 
 
 town, N.Y., 
 homestead i 
 on which he 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 277 
 
 •lighter 
 
 tied on 
 . Peter. 
 he was 
 ; living, 
 pointed 
 a niem- 
 
 ijordon, 
 
 d in the 
 lape and 
 land by 
 ry obout 
 hen Mrs. 
 irs," and 
 The first 
 led, then 
 ley ?omc- 
 d putting 
 ettlement 
 ne again, 
 igon was 
 ail, and, 
 ,achute. 
 the bag 
 they had 
 y means 
 a bundle 
 a h )rse 
 nd water 
 e genera! 
 Vhatever 
 
 ;he rebels 
 jieep, the 
 (however, 
 ler time, 
 loiight it 
 lightened 
 
 It, so that 
 lut up, so 
 ] but they 
 )ur years 
 by their 
 
 She was .iway from home, and had about twenty miles to walk, so she started 
 early in the morning, on a bush read, v.ot. very well marked out. After losing her 
 way three times, she at length reached a house where her sister promised to meet her, 
 and they wa'ked along together until they reached the North River flowing through 
 Lachute. Tliere was no bridge, but they got across in a scow with some school girls, 
 and in a short time reached the home of her friends. Tliey wanted i)er to remain ail 
 night, but she was anxious to get home, so she went out again, till she came to a 
 hush where she lost her way, and presently saw a wolf among a loi of sheep. She 
 was about to strike him with the sickle carried in her hand, but gave a loud scream 
 instead, which so frightened him that he ran off. She then went on, reaching home 
 about 12 o'clock at night. 
 
 In the winter evenings, Mrs. Gordon often sat up while the others were sleeping, 
 sewing and knitting for the children ; she often spun one hundred pounds of wool in 
 a year. By hard work and industry they cleared up a good farm, put up comfortable 
 buildings, and took care of a large family, who are all doing well. When their child- 
 ren were all settled in homes of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon sold their homestead, 
 and built a pretty little cottage at the four corners, which is surrounded by trees. 
 They have a small piece of ground which they cultivate themselves, and live very 
 happily together in their old age, and delight in talking of the hardships through 
 which they have passed. 
 
 BETHANY. 
 
 This place, so called, it is claimed, because it is "nigh unto Jerusalem," bounds 
 Beech Ridge on the east. I'he ubiquitous John Smith found his way heri , and pitched 
 his tent, in or about the year 1819, on the lot now owned by J. \V. Webster, of St. 
 .\ndrews. A Tew years later, he purchased the lot now owned and occupied by his 
 grandson, William Hume. Finding clay on this, of the right kind for manufacturing 
 brick, he purchased the necessaiy machinery and began the work. Many of the 
 dwellings in thi-J section weie made from the brick purchased at this yard, and Mr. 
 Hume, who is still engaged in the enterprise, turns out annually from one hundred 
 and fifty to two hundred thousand of superior quality. Mr. Smith, evidently, 
 was an industrious man, and learned, in the most difficult way, the varied hardships 
 incident to the life of a pioneer. He cleared up the greater part of two lots, and in 
 the early years of his life here, carried his grain on his hack to Lachute — three miles 
 distant. 
 
 Among the first settlers here were the Pauls, who came from Morayshire, Scot- 
 luid. The family consisted of the father, mother, one daughter and four sons, named, 
 respectively, Jane, James, Alexander, John and David. They first stttled in Chatham, 
 and, a few years later, came to this place. James, who married Janet Ker, afterwards 
 returned to Chatham, and died there, leaving children. Alexander, another of the 
 four brothers, married Margaret Lowe ; and John, Maria Chapman. The latter sur- 
 vived her husband, and now lives on Bethany Road with her family. David, the only 
 remaining member of the Paul family, married Elizabeth Doig, and also resides on 
 Bethany Road. ,. - >. ', 
 
 Duncan, second son of Alexander Paul, was born 9th April, 1856, on the farm 
 now owned by Mrs. Jame> Kettyle. He was married 28th June, 1882, to Isabella, 
 daughter of the late Henry Griffith, of Vide Sac. In 1887, Mr. Paul went to Water- 
 town, N.Y., where he remained three years. After returning, he worked on the old 
 homestead until 1893, when he sold it, and bought his present farm of eighty-five seres, 
 on which he has erected new buildings and made many improvements. 
 
!78 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUrL. 
 
 M 
 
 James R. Earle, third son of James Earle, was born 14th September, 18(9, on 
 tlie farm where he now lives. In 1883, he was married to Mary, daughter of the late 
 Alexander Paul. They have had two litte girls, who are both deceased; the elder 
 dying at tiie age of one year and nine months, and the younger at the age of five 
 years. Mr. Earle is living on ihe old homestead. He has been a Councillor of the 
 l)arish during the last eight year.^. 
 
 Thomas Morrison was born in Scotland in 1798, and rame to Canada in i82-\ 
 He was married here to Jemima Brown. They had seven children, of whom four 
 sons arc now living. After first remaining some time in Lichute, Mr. .Mornson 
 went to the Hill Settlement, where his youngest son, Robert, was born in 1841. In 
 1870, the latter bought his present farm — the old Sleyberg place — in Bethany. He 
 was married the same year to Mary Ann, daughter of the late Wm. Barron, of Upper 
 Lachute. They have had five children. Two sons and two daughters are now living. 
 The eldest son, Thomas B., is married to Janet, daughter of John Doig, of Hill 
 Farm, Upper T.achute. The other children are at home. Mr. Morrison has made 
 many improvements on his f.irm. He has been Director of the Agricultural Socictv 
 of this County for several years, and also valuator of this parish. The people of 
 Bethany and vicinity built a cheese factory, in 1895, ^'^ •^''- Morrison's farm. It 
 is managed by J. R. Ro«s & Sons, of Hawkesbury. 
 
 James K. Eraser, youngest son of William Eraser, was born August 3, 1861, 
 and has always remained here. In 1891, he was married to Kathleen, daughter of 
 Wm. Henderson, of Arundel, and the same year took his father's farm, known as 
 " Highland Farm," Bethany Road, on which he hws made many improvement.'. Mr. 
 Eraser has served as School Trustee for several terms. He has kindly provided for 
 the comfort and instruction of several orphans, and four have, at different times, 
 found a good home in his own family. Mr, and Mrs. Eraser have one son and one 
 daughter. 
 
 VIDE SAC. 
 
 Alexander Smith, from Ayrshire, came to Canada a short time previous to th'^ 
 War of 1812, and during that war lived at Lachine, and was employed in the winter, 
 conveying artillery between Montreal and Kingston. Soon afterwards, he came to 
 Lachute, and ix proces-verbal of the road between that town and Beech Ridge shows 
 that he was here in 18 16, and owned the lot on which the railroad station and the 
 most populous part of Lachute is now located. Subsequently, he changed this lot 
 with Colonel .Barron for one near Hill Head, on which he lived till his death. He 
 had three sons — John, William and Alexander — and four daughters, that grew up. 
 Alexander left the country, and no tidings of him have ever been received. John, 
 the second son, remained on the homestead, married, and had a large family. 
 
 William, the second son, in 1848, settled on a wild lot in Vide Sac — a name 
 signifying Empty Sack, which was given to the place by the Erenchmen of !r^., 
 Hermas, who came here to clear tJieir land, each bringing his provisions in a small bag 
 or sack, which was pretty sure to be empty at night. Mr. Smith spent his days here 
 and cleared up a fine farm. He married Janet Henderson about 1845, ^"d died in 
 1882, aged 68. They had five children ; two died in infancy, three sons grew up, 
 but only one is now living. Alexander, the eldest of the three sons, died, unmarried, 
 in California, in January, 1874. 
 
 William Smith, M.D., another son, of whom a sketch is given in the history of 
 Lachute, died in that place in September, 1895. 
 
 Mr 
 
 St 1 1 ent 
 
 this pur| 
 
 remaine 
 
 engaged 
 
 d.iiighte: 
 
 tanners 
 
 l^'liiical 
 
 his .'"arm 
 
 Ciuincil 
 
 is ]'resid( 
 
 tinn of th 
 
 iniereste( 
 
 ■Siiperinic 
 
 Arci 
 
 farm now 
 
 and work: 
 
 18,38, he ' 
 
 bought till 
 
 Mr. J 
 
 are all livi 
 
 Amel 
 
 second, Jiv 
 
 lives in Ez 
 
 Andr 
 
 different p; 
 
 is an enter 
 
 plowing m 
 
 Robert, ih( 
 
 '"iirth son. 
 
 This I( 
 ^ide of the . 
 Ipnt popul: 
 i rot hers we 
 I Pioneers no 
 ''"Hock, wh 
 I Lc-cded him 
 J data necessa 
 A chees 
 section is a 
 romantic litt 
 sre now own 
 
 About 
 
 iiid two yea 
 .lames McOu 
 cared 135 ac 
 curing the R 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 19, on 
 le laie 
 elder 
 of five 
 of the 
 
 182J. 
 n four 
 jrnson 
 I. In 
 r. Ho 
 f Upper 
 • livinu. 
 
 of Hiil 
 IS made 
 Socicly 
 eople of 
 irm. It 
 
 Mrs. Smith was particularly desirous of having their children well educated, con- 
 si |ijntly, both she and her husbanr' woiked hard to provide the funds requisite for 
 ihis |)urpose, Walter, the ynuntrest son, after leaving the Montreal iJusincss College, 
 iLiiiained on the homestead, with the exception of two or three years, when he was 
 L-.Ljaged in teaching in Aljiena, Michigan. He was married, ni 1881, to Janet, 
 d.iughter of John Nicol, of Lachute. He is one of the influential and respected 
 tanners in Argenteuil, and takes an interest in whatever affects ner moral, .social or 
 ]-( litical welfare. He is devoted to farming, and, in 18S9. was awarded a piiz'^ on 
 his Taim by the County Agricultural Society. He has been a member of the Paiish 
 Ciiuncil for several years, twice has made out the Valuation Roll for the parish, and • 
 is President of the County Association and Vice-President of the Provincial Associa- 
 tion of the Patrons of Industry. In Church and Sabbath School work, he is equally 
 interested and active, being Elder in the Second Presbyterian Church at Lachute, and 
 Superintendent of the Sabbath School. 
 
 Archibald Boa, youngest son of .Andrew Foa, was born April, 1838, on the 
 farm now owned by Paul Smith, Upper Lachute; he learned the trade of carpenter, 
 and worked at this in Lachute and other places in the vicinity for several years. In 
 1S58, he was married to Jessie M. W., daughter of Thotiias Buchanan. In 1867, he . 
 bought the farm now occupied by his son Andrew. 
 
 Mr. Boa died in 1893, aged 55. Mrs. Boa and the five sons and five daughters 
 are all living. 
 
 Amelia D., the eldest daughter, m.trried to Frank Bickerstaff, and Flora H., the 
 second, live in Illinois. Lydia H., the third daughter, married to William A. Gordon, 
 lives in East Settlement ; and Alice \V. and Jessie, the two younger, remain at home. 
 
 Andrew Boa, the eldest son, after spending some time in Manitoba and in 
 different parts of the United States, returned home and took the farm in 1893. He 
 is an enterprising farmer, and for several years has taken the first prize at the Coimty 
 plowing matches. Thomas B., the second son, is married and lives in Montreal ; 
 Robert, the third son, resides in Atlantic Highland, New Jersey ; and John S., the 
 fourth son, and Paul, the youngest, are in Illinois. 
 
 " HILL HEAD. ■ • ■ ' ^ 
 
 listcry of 
 
 This locality, which is located about four miles from Lachute, on the opposite 
 J side of the North R.'ver, has fine farms and has always sustained a thrifty and intelli- 
 jgent population. As shown on a preceding page, Philander Stephens and his 
 Irothers were very early settlers here, and he is the only one of the early American 
 pioneers now remainmg. A Post office was established here in 1880. Thomas 
 Pollock, who was the first Postmaster appointed, died in 1892, and Mr. Drew suc- 
 ceeded him as I'ostmaster. We regret that disappointment in not receiving the 
 jdata necessary prevents our giving a biographical sketch of Mr. Pollock. 
 
 A cheese factory was erected here, in 1888, by Frederick Cook, and though the 
 section is almost wholly an agricultural one, there is a grist and saw mill here in a 
 [romantic little glen. These mills, which were formerly known as the McOuat Mills, 
 [are now owned by Thomas Hammond. 
 
 About 1820, William Drew, from Sterlingshire, Scotland, came to Montreal, 
 [and two years later he came to this section, where he married Janet, daughter of 
 jjames McOuat, He bought 100 acres of Lot 19, 2nd Range, and afterward pro- 
 jcared 135 acres more, adjacent to his first purchase. He was on military duty 
 Iduring the Rebellion of 1837, ^"^ faithfully performed all his duties as a worthy 
 
?8o 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 citizen till his deatli, 13th October, 1809. He had seven children — two sons and 
 five daughters — that arrived at maturity, but two of the daughters are now deciased. 
 James, the elder son, has always remained on tli.- homestcid — a b.'autifu! and 
 productive farm of 235 acres, with commodious, substantial i)uildings. Mr. Drew 
 was married 17th April, 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of William Muir, of Lachut;. 
 They have but one child, a daughter, Elizabeth, living. She has a Model School 
 Diploma, and has taught successfully several years. Another .laughter of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Drew, Maggie, died in 1895— a great bereavement to the family and i 
 large circle of friends. Mr. Drew joined the Troop of the lati Col. Simpson, and 
 remained in it till it was disbanded. 
 
 fames Drew, the other son of William Drew, the pioneer, married in .-^pril, r863, 
 Eliza Pollock. He has a fine farm on iicech Ridge. 
 
 Among other valuable farms at Hill Head are those of George Morrison and 
 Mr. McOuat. 
 
 Adjacent to Hill Head is " Thomas' Gore," a section comprising two ranges of 
 lots, which is also inhabited by an industrious class of farmers, .\mong these are 
 James Berry, Thomas Hume, Henry Padgett, John Smith and others., 
 
 Tne most, if not all, of these live on the homesteads selected by their fathers, 
 and have brothers and sisters residing here, and in other parts of the Dominion. 
 
 Chatham. 
 
 (Erected into a township by Proclamation, 13th July, 1799) 
 
 This township is bounded on the north by Wentworth, east by the parishes of St. 
 Andrews and St. Jerusalem d'Argenteuil, south by the Ottawa and west by Grenville. 
 
 At just what time the first settler located in Chatham, or who he was, are ques- 
 tions we are unable to answer, but trom information obtained from different sources 
 we are led to the conclusion that the advent of the first pioneer'' must have been 
 about the beginning of the present century. 
 
 We cannot find a more appropriate introduction to the history of this township 
 than the following letter of our esteemed friend, Mr. Dewar of Ottawa. 
 
 *Tahle of Lois paiented and sold in the 
 Township of Ciiatha.m. 
 
 Pierre L. Panet 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Guy Richards 
 
 Pierre L. Panet 
 
 do 
 
 T. A. Stayner and Louisa Sutherland 
 Maria and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 part. 
 
 LOT. 
 
 RANGE 
 
 I 
 
 S 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 S 
 5 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 5 
 
 ID 
 
 5 
 
 II 
 
 S 
 
 12 
 
 5 
 
 >3 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 5 i 
 
 «S 
 
 5 ; 
 
 VCRES. 
 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 281 
 
 mid 
 •a seel . 
 
 and 
 Drew 
 
 chut-". 
 
 3Chl)ill 
 
 f Mr. 
 
 and I 
 n, aud 
 
 I, >S^v 
 iO'.i and 
 
 ingcs ot 
 lese are 
 
 • fathers, 
 lion. 
 
 hcs of St. 
 
 }renville. 
 
 are ques- 
 t sources 
 ave been 
 
 township 
 
 lES. 
 
 too 
 too 
 koo 
 
 EGO 
 
 koo 
 
 too 
 koo 
 poo 
 too 
 koo 
 
 200 
 
 zoo 
 200 
 
 200 
 200 
 
 Tahi.e of Lois patknted and sold in the 
 Township of Chatham. 
 
 T, A, Stayner and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Daniel Sutherland and John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 T. A. Stayner and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 Daniel Sutherland and John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 John 'i'hompson 
 
 John Tliompson, jun 
 
 Dapiel Sutherland and John Robertson. 
 
 do 
 
 i. A. Stayner and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 Wm. Fortune 
 
 Thomas Barron 
 
 William Fortune 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 'i". A. Stayner 
 
 William Fortune 
 
 do 
 
 Maria and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 Thomas A. Stayner 
 
 do 
 
 4o 
 
 do 
 
 Maria and Louisa Sutherland . . ^ 
 
 do 
 
 T. A. Stayner 
 
 Daniel Sutherland and John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Thomas A. Stayner 
 
 Daniel Sutherland and John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 T. A. Stayner 
 
 Daniel Sutherland and John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 James Heatly 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 John Meikle 
 
 James Walker 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Thomas Barron 
 
 James Walker 
 
 do 
 
 Henry McDowel 
 
 James Walker 
 
 Maria and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 do 
 
 Matthew Johnston 
 
 James Baxter 
 
 19 
 
 W 
 
 W i 
 E i 
 
 16 
 
 »7 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 S 
 6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 9 
 10 
 II 
 12 
 
 13 
 «4 
 
 '5 
 16 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 »9 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 
 23 
 24 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 -1 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 9 
 10 
 II 
 12 
 12 
 
 RANGK 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 
 ACRES. 
 
 200 . 
 
 200 • 
 
 200 
 
 200 ' 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 too 
 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 20G 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 100 
 100 
 
282 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Table of Lots paten ted and sold in 
 TowNsiiii' OF Chatham, 
 
 THE 
 
 Maria and Luuisa Suth^^'land 
 
 Larety I'ooley 
 
 Guy Richards 
 
 John McE'.ven 
 
 George Brown 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 'i'homas P'ullips 
 
 Jonathan 1 . Moss 
 
 John Robe tson 
 
 do 
 
 Lemuel ( ' ishing 
 
 John Rob :rtson 
 
 do 
 
 dj 
 
 lawc Goodland 
 
 William Bowden 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 4o 
 
 d6 
 
 James M. Perkins 
 
 Lewis Breigher 
 
 John Meikle 
 
 Thomas Barron 
 
 William Ricliardson , 
 
 Andrew McConnell 
 
 Henry Purse 
 
 James Henry 
 
 I^wis Stalker ; . . . 
 
 Slater Clark 
 
 Thomas Barron 
 
 Kenneth McDonald 
 
 Maria and Louisa Sutherland 
 
 Lewis Stalker 
 
 Archie Murdoch 
 
 James McKenzie 
 
 Archie Murdoch, jun 
 
 William Hutchins 
 
 Charles Green 
 
 do 
 
 Archie Murdoch 
 
 James Mclntyre 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 James Calder . , 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 I^al Representatives of John Quiry. 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Thomas Stayner 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 W i 
 E J 
 
 E .] 
 W .'. 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 «9 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 24 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 I 
 
 • • • • 
 
 2 
 
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 3 
 
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 4 
 
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 S 
 
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 5 
 
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 6 
 
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 6 
 
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 7 
 
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 7 
 
 
 8 
 
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 9 
 
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 10 
 
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 12 
 
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 13 
 
 W .', 
 
 13 
 
 E :. 
 
 14 
 
 W J 
 
 14 
 
 li i 
 
 15 
 
 W A 
 
 15 
 
 • • • • 
 
 16 
 
 . * . . 
 
 17 
 
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 18 
 
 .... 
 
 19 
 
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 20 
 
 
 21 
 
 .... 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 23 
 
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 24 
 
 • • • • 
 
 2S 
 
 .... 
 
 26 
 
 .... 
 
 27 
 
 . • • • 
 
 28 
 
 ... I 
 
 I 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 ACRES. 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 IOC 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 IOC 
 
 TOO 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 ICC 
 
 ICG 
 
 200 
 
 ICO 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
HISTORY OF ARCENTEUIL. 
 
 283 
 
 Table of Lots patentep and sold in the 
 Township ok Chatham. 
 
 John Robertson 
 
 do 
 
 William and John Roger and Andrew Todd 
 
 Alexnnder McGibbon, 
 
 John Re' rtson 
 
 do 
 
 A'^'colm Mclntyre 
 
 Donald McPhail 
 
 Peter Uewar, jr 
 
 Daniel Dale 
 
 VVm. Young.. 
 
 do 
 
 Duncan Mc Arthur 
 
 John Loggie 
 
 Peter McFarlane , 
 
 John McArtluir , 
 
 Peter Grant , 
 
 Thomas 1 'uncan 
 
 Donald McMartin 
 
 Peter Gilmour 
 
 Francis Duffy 
 
 Thomas Spencer 
 
 Geo. Blair 
 
 Wm. Hlair, jr , 
 
 John Morrow , 
 
 Henry 1 )ixon 
 
 do , 
 
 Frank Connor 
 
 Mathe w Connor 
 
 Henry Connoi 
 
 James Kennedy 
 
 Allen Cameron , 
 
 Duncan McCallum 
 
 Robert Mc Naughton , 
 
 Richard Farren -. 
 
 Hugh Smith 
 
 Peter Jesmin 
 
 D. Sinclair 
 
 James Pinkerton 
 
 Walter Kirconnell 
 
 Hugh McCallum 
 
 Arch. Mc Arthur 
 
 Alex. McGibbon 
 
 John McFarlane 
 
 Joseph Sale E 
 
 Duncan McPhail W 
 
 do 
 
 Malcolm McGregor , 
 
 John McGibbon 
 
 Donald McKercher , 
 
 Duncan McMartin 
 
 do 
 
 George Moncrieflf 
 
 Peter McArthur 
 
 lliomas Duncan , 
 
 LOT, RANGE ACRIS. 
 
 
 19 
 
 • • ■ • 
 
 20 
 
 Ei 
 
 21 
 
 \V \ 
 
 21 
 
 • • • > 
 
 22 
 
 w'a 
 
 23 
 24 
 
 E.', 
 
 24 
 
 E r 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 W .', 
 
 26 
 
 • • • • 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 
 I 
 
 . ... 
 
 2 
 
 N V 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 S \ 
 
 4 
 
 .... 
 
 5 
 
 . . . . 
 .... 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 \ 
 
 9 
 10 
 
 II 
 12 
 
 13 
 13 
 I4 
 
 «S 
 16 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 19 
 20 
 20 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 ') 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 too 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 30G 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 ICO 
 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 10 
 
 100 
 
 10 
 
 200 
 
t84 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII-. 
 
 Taplk ok Lois i'ATKnted and goLD in tiik 
 Township oi- Chatham, 
 
 William HIair 
 
 Thnmas < ar|>cnter 
 
 John Caldci' 
 
 Jnnies Sweeney 
 
 Mattiicw Connor 
 
 I^t-'i' '^<-'l'' "f Joim Ikirke 
 
 John Howe 
 
 W . Andctson 
 
 Artliiir McArtliur 
 
 James Camplicll 
 
 Joseph McCallum 
 
 Sarah l''aton, widow Wm. Mason 
 
 John Sinclair 
 
 William Myers 
 
 Nathaniel Hammond 
 
 Legal Kep. Wm. Lenthall. .... 
 
 John Kein 
 
 Alexander retillo 
 
 Thomas liarron part of 
 
 Andrew Walker 
 
 Thomas Barron pait of 
 
 Francis Miliar 
 
 Robert Meikle South f, of 
 
 Peter Mc Arthur North I of 
 
 James Hair:liaw 
 
 Thomas Owens 
 
 William Claustick 
 
 Thomas Owens 
 
 Daniel Honner 
 
 David Marshall 
 
 James South (Sergeant) 
 
 Samuel Murphy 
 
 Patrick Kelly 
 
 George Carpenter 
 
 Martin Shannon 
 
 James GofT 
 
 James Connor 
 
 John Barnet 
 
 Martin Oates 
 
 John Fitzpatrick 
 
 Richaid Seddon 
 
 James Douland 
 
 Michael Shea 
 
 Patrick Moynack 
 
 John Kelly 
 
 James Kehoe 
 
 James Carpenter 
 
 David Uateman 
 
 Samuel Moore 
 
 Jeremiah O'Brien 
 
 Alexander Millor , 
 
 Eliza Holmes , 
 
 Widow S. Woods 
 
 James M. Perkins 
 
 Duncan McDougall 
 
 John McDougall , 
 
 PART. 
 
 W }, 
 Ei" 
 
 W"i 
 
 S i 
 S i 
 
 w ^ 
 w J 
 
 Ei 
 W ^ 
 E\ 
 
 eV 
 
 W'.] 
 E^ 
 E.} 
 W J 
 W .1 
 
 Ei 
 W i 
 W i 
 
 E^ 
 W J 
 EJ 
 W i 
 
 EJ 
 
 EJ' 
 W i 
 
 EJ 
 W i 
 
 w i 
 
 EJ 
 
 EJ 
 
 LOT. 
 
 RANGE 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 2S 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 27 
 
 10 
 
 28 
 
 10 
 
 I 
 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 7 
 
 I I 
 
 8 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 II 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 »3 
 
 
 '3 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 'S 
 
 
 'S 
 
 
 16 
 
 '7 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 19 
 >9 
 20 
 20 
 21 
 21 
 22 
 22 
 
 23 
 23 
 24 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 28 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 II 
 12 
 12 
 12 
 
 ACRES. 
 
 300 
 200 
 200 
 20U 
 200 
 200 
 2r ^ 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 100 
 100 
 200 
 200 
 200 
 65 
 
 loo 
 
 35 
 100 
 
 50 
 SO 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 200 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 200 
 100 
 100 
 100 
 ifx) 
 
 ICO 
 
 100 
 200 
 200 
 100 
 
 the la 
 
 COUIltl 
 
 ill St it II 
 
 on tile 
 
 vohmti 
 
 .111(1 pr 
 
 i're|)ar< 
 
 iiice. 
 
 oj)enly 
 
 course, 
 
 tlic'ir pi 
 
 making 
 
 '"r otlie 
 
 will nit'i 
 
 vacant | 
 
 ants siill 
 
 among tl 
 
 (."asses a 
 
 " T 
 
 '^mps fail 
 
 Lachine. 
 U'ini/l>onii 
 "An 
 '>'i<l game 
 called, '( 
 could Jay 
 specimen.' 
 course, w; 
 "Tlu 
 H'liile the 
 •\fter a ti 
 duced; bi 
 the 'Scofc 
 good farini 
 that ill a { 
 I sny part of 
 " Amoi 
 .' '■'|>l>- A Mt 
 sionally in 
 'tated time 
 I'^^nsonabl 
 erected, w] 
 I liouse. 'I'll 
 Chatham th 
 '"id it obvia 
 I'leld in the 
 , " An P 
 l/ohn J. C. 
 I^ewar, and 
 "'1818, of( 
 
HISTORY OF AROENTEUIL. 
 
 »85 
 
 " The front of Chatham was largely settled by Americans, in the latter part of 
 the last century ; some of them being n/ugces, who liad left their country for their 
 country's good, and who were remarkable for nothing but their haticd of liritish 
 institutions and love of IJrother Jonathan. This was well exemplified a few years later, 
 on the breaking out of the war of 1812, when all the loyal inhabitants of the County 
 volunteered as one man, leaving their families and homes, and, amid mu( h suffering 
 and privation, marciied to headquarters, which was th:^n at Pointe Claire, where tiiey 
 prepared themselves, as best they could, to repel the ///vi/zVi./ iniiK/i-rs o{ i\vi Prov- 
 ince. Many of the above mentioned men refused to join the ranks with the others, 
 openly declaring that they were not going to fight against their own friends. Of 
 course, no action was taken against them, but they were marked for all time, and as 
 their principal employment and means of subsistence was the clearing of land and 
 making /('/(rv//, as the timber began to get scarce, they found it convenient to leave 
 for other parts ; and, for years, their names have been almost forgotten, and I 
 will mention only a few, viz., the Bennetts, Iktes, Parchers, and Smiths. Their 
 vacant places wer- soon dlled up by a better class of men, niany of whose descend- 
 ants still occupy the old homesteads, and are a credit and an honor to any country ; 
 among the.se may be reckoned the Schagels, Fullers, Noyeses, J5r:idfo:ds, Ostroms, 
 Casses and many others. 
 
 " The early settlers were often put to great straits for breadstuffs ; whenever the 
 c;roi)S failed from any cause, there were no means of supply, except by the luitural 
 Jw^liway — the Grand River, — and nothing but canoes for transport to and from 
 Lachine, The trip was often very much protracted, especially by the boats getting 
 uiiiiH'oiinii. 
 
 " Any scarcity in the matter o{ (creah was made up by tiic pientcousness of fish 
 and game. In each year about the first of June, the shad (or, as they came to be 
 called, 'Carillon JJeef ') made their appearance, when each family, in ashort lime, 
 could lay in their yearly supply. T'or many years, the North River fnrnisiied tine 
 specimens of salmon, when they regularly ascended that river to s|)awn ; that, of 
 course, was before the river was obstructed by dams. 
 
 "The system of agriculture was, for many years, of a very primitive character. 
 While the country was being cleared, all their dependence was on the new /a/u/crop. 
 .\her a time, when the land rerpiired breaking up, the ' hog plough ' was intro- 
 duced; but tliat implement did little more than euf and cover, and it was not until 
 the 'Scotch' plougii was introduced, about the year 1825, that anything approaching 
 good farming was done. And from that time, the improvement was very rapid, so 
 that in a few years there were as good ploughmen in the County of Argenteuil as in 
 any part of Canada. 
 
 " Among the early settlers the state of religion was, for many years, at a very low 
 ebb. A Methodist minister, travelling from place to place, would hold services occa- 
 sionally in private houses t_no other place of worship being then available), and at 
 stated times camp meetings were held in the open air, at which t,.\ ministers within 
 1 a reasonable distance were expected to attend. After a time, a large building was 
 erected, which was intended to be used as a place of worship and also as a school- 
 I house. The Methodist denomination had the honor of erecting in the township of 
 Chatham the first building dedicated so/e/_y to the worship of God ; this was in 1830, 
 and it obviated the necessity of holding eam/> meetings, the last of which, I think, was 
 [held in the year 1829. 
 
 " An Episcopal minister, the Rev. Rich. Bradford (grandfather of the late Sir 
 
 |]ohn J. C. Abbott), resided in Chatham on a farm now occupied by Donald M. 
 
 jDewar, and supplied occasional services in St. Andrews; this was prior to the arrival, 
 
 ill 1818, of the Rev. Archibald Henderson. As you will, no doubt, have the assist- 
 
286 
 
 HISTORY CF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ance c ■" abler pens than mine, I will not enlarge on this, or the two following subjects, 
 leaving to them the task of completing what I have begim. 
 
 '' There is very liitle that can be chronicled in reference to Sunday Schools. A 
 few pious, earnest men had endeavored to establish one in the front of Chatham, 
 but owing to the poveity of the settlers anc* other difficulties in the way, it was kept 
 open only a few months in summer, each year. It was different in villages, where 
 they had greater facilities, but, still, there were many drawbacks. 
 
 "The temperance question, as we understand it, was scarcely known by name 
 until after the year 1820, when a society was formed allowing tiie use of wine, bcei 
 and cider. After a time, more stringent rules were adopted, but for many years 
 ihere was a determined opposition ; those known to be favorable to the cause were 
 subjecled to nil sorts of ridicule, reproach and contempt ; but the cause gradualh' 
 increased, many good, earnest, zealous workers kept u|) the agitation, holding meet- 
 ings, and disseminating temperance literature, until a very different feeling was 
 brought about, and many strong opponents silenced. We have not yet got prohi- 
 bition, but we expect it; may the Lord hasten il, in His own good time. 
 
 " I do not know whether it was owing to hoitil'dy of nice, whicii always had been 
 prevalent among tlie French, and which was the principal element of discord in the 
 whole of Lower Canada, or from some other cause, but in the early settlement of tlie 
 Cwunty, tliere was something remarkable in the fact tiiat, up to tiie year ^829, there 
 Wi),s not one French Canadian larmer in the whole of the township of Chatham. In 
 that year, Pierrk Rouert look up land in the second Concession, and about the 
 same time, (ir perhai.s a few years ])rior, one by .lie name of Mai.lktte settled on a 
 farm in the River Aouge settlement, and in my early days was noted as the onh 
 fanner that iicki the ('/v^'/z/a/ deed of concession. It was somewhat different in what 
 is now known as the County of Two Mountains, as many old country farmers settled 
 down among the French ; but it was not until after the Rebellion of 1837 that the 
 French settled unong the F.nglish. 
 
 '• The causes which kd u]) to the troubles of 1837 ^''^» o^ course, matters of his- 
 tory ; but whatever feeling the Liberal party had in common with them, was essentially 
 different, because of their loyalty to the British Constitution. 
 
 '• The Carillon canal was opened for traffic in 1834, when small vessels could go 
 through to Kingston ; prior to that date ail goods and supplies were brought tVom 
 Lachine -at first by bateaux and Durham boats, and afterward by steamer — landed 
 at Carillon, and carted by teams of horses and oxen to Grenvillf, and thence shipjied 
 to Bytown 
 
 " I will close this rambling sketch by relatinf^ an incident which will shou the 
 past and present modes of transit, and also record an item of history. 
 
 '• It was on his visit to the Maritime Provinces in the summer of 1840, that the 
 Governor General of Canada, Charles Pouktt Thompson, Esq., afterward Lord Sydtn- 
 lian), left Kingston via the Rideau Canal to By*own, thence by s earner tc Grenville; 
 and as the roads over the intervening link between Grenville and Carillon were too 
 rough for a delicate man like Lord Sydenham, he was taken in a carriage along the 
 banks of the canal to Greece's Point, where he embarked on the steamer ' St 
 Andrews' (which was used as a tug for barges between that place and the upper 
 locks), commanded by Captain Lighthall, of Chute au Blondeau fame, and was; 
 taken through Carillon Canal, at the rate of about three miles an hour. Think 
 of this, ye votaries of lapid transit, who cannot travel without a parlor, Pul!nhv> 
 and iliiiiug car attached, and bounding along at the rate of fifty miles an hour. 
 while the Governor General of Canada was carried along Cii the deck of a tuJ 
 steamboat, at the rate of about three mites an hour. Truly the lines have fallen] 
 to us in pleasant places. •' Yours truly, 
 
 •'COLIN DEWAR." 
 
 Ai 
 
 uc hav( 
 
 ill the fi 
 name E 
 "7 
 well as 
 recount 
 appointc 
 Abbott, 
 the 7th 
 " B 
 nocled v 
 which ta 
 which es 
 family sii 
 finned h) 
 a bye-go I 
 year i86( 
 it in poss 
 year, was 
 had brou 
 and faithf 
 the name 
 
 " H,n,V 
 
 liie family 
 
 family, co 
 
 ind one c 
 
 at Greeno 
 
 the vessel 
 
 and findin 
 
 only an er 
 
 treating th 
 
 exi)eiience 
 
 tenant in c 
 
 «'ho gen ere 
 
 departure 
 
 ^vhen the c 
 
 stars, as a ; 
 
 that abomit 
 
 as soon as t 
 
 'le had seer 
 
 formation, 
 
 emigrants a 
 
 I the Privatee 
 
 '^Ic Donald. 
 
 different pa 
 
 families of tl 
 
 Canierons w 
 
ubjocls, 
 
 >ols. A 
 hatham, 
 vna kc\)\. 
 s, wheiL' 
 
 by name 
 ine, bcei 
 ny ye.irs 
 .use were 
 jradually 
 ng meet- 
 ling was 
 ot prolii- 
 
 had been 
 3rd in the 
 ent of the 
 ^29, tliere 
 thani. In 
 about the 
 ;ttled on :'. 
 I ihe only 
 lit in what 
 rs settled 
 that the 
 
 IS of his- 
 essentially 
 
 could go 
 
 )Ught from 
 
 —landed 
 
 i:e shipped 
 
 sho\' the 
 
 that the 
 
 rd Sydtti- 
 
 Grenville; 
 
 were too 
 
 along the 
 
 ■amer " >!■ 
 
 the upper 
 
 and w.ij 
 ■. Think 
 
 Pul!iihV> ! 
 1 an hour. 
 : of a tu- 1 
 liave fallen ] 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGIiNTEUIL. 
 
 287 
 
 As the Dewars were as early settlers in this part of Chatham as any of whom 
 we have heard, we insert with pleasure the following letter : — 
 
 '• Ottawa, December 27th, 1893. 
 
 '' As you request me to give a. sketch of my ancestors, who were early settlers 
 in the front of Chatham, I will endeavor to do so, hut will first give the origin of the 
 name Dewar, which simply means, in plain English, 'custodian' or 'keeper.' 
 
 "The name is sometimes spelt ' Deor ' (whicii is presumably the Gaelic form) as 
 well as ' Deweer,' and is invested with quite a romantic and historic interest on 
 account of its origin, which was, that one family of the Cian Macnab was selected or 
 appointed to be the custodians of the 'Qtiigrich' or pastoral staff of St. Fillan, the 
 Abbott, who lived about the year of Our Lord 720, and held his yearly festival on 
 the 7th January. 
 
 " His principal Church or Priory in .Scothnd, and which was most closely con- 
 nected with his memory, was in the upper part of Glendochart, in Perthshire, and 
 which takes from him the na'.M"^ oiSt'athji/lan. There are well authenticated records 
 which establish the fact, that ihe ' Quigrich ' has been in possession of the Dewar 
 family since the time of King Robert Bruce, and in 14.87 the charter was again con- 
 firmed by King James III to Malise Dewar and his successors. Tlie precious relic of 
 a bye-gone age has thus come dovvn through successive generations, until about the 
 yer.r i860, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, iiaving traced it to Canada, found 
 it in possession of Alexander Dewar, of Plympton, Ont., who, being then in his 87th 
 year, was induced by them to execute a deed, transferring the custody of the relic he 
 had brought from his native land to that Society, thus disposing of the trust so long 
 and faithfully discharged by this Highland family, and of whicii I am proud to bear 
 the name. 
 
 •' Hfi.vingsaid this mtich in reference to the name, I will now give a short sketch of 
 the family. In the month of July, 1804, my grandfather, Peter Dewar, his wife and 
 family, consisting of six sons and three daughters, also his brotner Duncan, his wife 
 tnd one child, together with some two or three hundred other emigrants, embarked 
 at Greenock on a vessel bound for the port of Quebec, A few days after leaving port, 
 the vessel was captured by a French Privateer, who, after examining the ship's papers, 
 and finding there was no valuable cargo on board, and being satisfied that it was 
 only an emigrant vessel, allowed them to proceed on their voyage ; the captain first 
 treating the Privateer's men to a liberal supply of Highland whiskey. The passengers 
 experienced the truth of the proverb that ' blood is thicker than water,' as the lieu- 
 tenant in charge of the boarding party was a Highlander of the name of McDonald, 
 «'ho generously took pity on his countrymen and let them go. A short time after the 
 departure of the French vessel, another was sighted bearing down upon tnem, and 
 when the captain saw the * Union Jack ' (lying at the peak, he cursed Iiis unlucky 
 stars, as a British man-of-w?r was more to be dreaded th'.n a French, on account of 
 that abominable system, the ' Press Gang,' which was then in full swing. However, 
 as hoon as they came within speaking distance, they demanded of the captain whether 
 he had seen a strange vessel, and in what latitude. Having received the desired in- 
 formation, they crowded all sail and were soon out of sight. On the arrival of the 
 emigrants at Quebec, in the early part of the month of September, they learned that 
 the Privateer had been captured, and great sorrow was felt for "^^liefatc of Lieutenant 
 McDonald. On leaving the vess.l at Quebec, the passengers separated, going to 
 different parts of the country. The two families of Dewar, with six or seven other 
 families of the name of Cameron, were in due time landed at St, Andrews, whence the 
 Canierons went to the township of Clutnam and settled on farms there. 
 
fl-= 
 
 iiiilf 
 
 288 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 *' My gicindfather lived for a time on the farm that is now called ' Bellevue,' 
 afterwards removing to the front of Chatham, on a property purchased from Colonel 
 Daniel Robertson, and which is still in possession of his grandchildren, while he and 
 all his family have long since passed over to the silent majority. 
 
 " The hifitory of the Dewar family migiit vtiy properly close here, were it not 
 that you particularly desire a further sketch of my father's famUy. 
 
 " On the first day of March, 1807, he was married to Margaret McCalluni, of 
 Caldwell's Manor, and settled on what is known as Lot No. 4, front of Chatham, 
 which is now in possession of Mr. Fitzgerald. His family of five daughters and four 
 sons, and of which I am the youngest, were born there. My mother died on the nth 
 October, 1826, aged 45 years. My father died on the 4th September, 1869, in the 
 94th year of his age. I am the only surviving member of his family — the last leaf on 
 the family tree, all the others having long since passed away. 
 
 " Of my grandfather's six sons, John, the eldest, was the educated man of the 
 family. He graduated from Edinburgh University, and was for some time tutor in a 
 gentleman's family in Scotland. A short time after he came to Canada, he received 
 from the Government t'.ie appointment of teacher in the public school at Chatham, 
 and held that position for over twenty yea s, being the only teacher receiving full 
 salary ever appointed by the Government. He was a man of supen'or abilities, well 
 read in all the literature of the day, of a reflective and cultured mind ; but, owing to a 
 retiring disposition, would take no part in the struggles of public affairs. In person 
 he was of slight build and delicate constitution, in singular contrast to the rest of his 
 brothers, who were all strong and rugged. He married Myra Noyes, and settled on 
 lots Nos. I, 2 and 3, his house standing a, little in rear of Mr. Fitzgerald's house. He 
 had a family of two sons and one daughter, and after the death of his wife in August, 
 1827, he and his family resided with his brothers until his death, July i6th, 1859. 
 As he did not have to depend upon the proceeds of his farm for a living, nearly 
 the whole of his large farm was let out in pasture. His eldest son, John, lelt 
 home when quite a young man, taking up his residence in New York, where he 
 married, and died in 1855. His son Peter married Ann Gordon in 1849, ^"^ died 
 in 1851; His daughter Eliza Jane married Wm. Douglas in 1846, and after a tew 
 years' residence in Chatham removed to the State of New York. 
 
 " Of the rest of my grandfather's sons, Donald and Peter never married, living 
 together on the old homestead with their sister Margaret as housekeeper, until her 
 death in 1857. Donald died in June, 1854. and Peter in 1872. 
 
 " Alexander married Agnes Dodd, and settled on a farm, and did a flourishing busi- 
 ness with an oatmeal and grist mill for many years, until it was rendered useless by 
 the improvements made to the Grenville Canal. He had a larg'^ family of sons and 
 daughters, who are, for the most part, living in the immediate vicinity o their old 
 home. He died in May, 1876, being over 90 years of age at the tmie of his death. 
 
 "Colin, the youngest son, married jane Mclntyre in April, 1840, and settled on 
 the farm, where his son Donald still resides. He died in September, 1866, in the fifith 
 year of his age. 
 
 " As already narrated, Duncan, my father, married Margaret McCalluni, a 
 descendant of one of those families who left their homes in the valley of the Mohawk, 
 at the breaking out of the troubles which led to the separation from Great Britain. 
 After their marriage, they settled on Lot No. 4 (next to my Uncle John), which was 
 then, like most of the other farms at that time, an almost unbroken wilderness. True, 
 the potash makers had been over a good part of the front of Chatham at that time, 
 but they had only cut down what suited their purpose for making ashes, leaving the 
 rest as it was. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 2S9 
 
 " Whether it was law, or custom only, that pave to the Indians the right to all tiie 
 Islands in the river, it was from an Indian Chief at the Lake of Two Mountains that 
 my father obtained, for a yearly rental, the privilege of occupying and cultivating tlie 
 large island in front of his property, and which was afterward called after his name. 
 The produce from that island was sufficient for the support of his family, year after 
 year, as he raised good crops of fall v/heat, potatoes, corn, hay, etc., besides apples, 
 plums and other small fruit in abundance, which seemed to be indigenous to the place. 
 Having this island to depend on for the support of his family, gave him quite an ad- 
 vantage over some of his neighbors, and, also, an opportunity to get his form cleared 
 up. He was what would be called in those days a stock fancier ; he was not satisfied 
 without having the best breed of cattle and horses that could be obtained, and no 
 expense or trouble was spared in order to get them. He brought home, at one time, a 
 small herd of cattle and horses which he bought in the State of V'ermoni and Eastern 
 Townships, and their descendants graced both his own and his brother's barn yards 
 for many years. 
 
 "When my parents began life together, there was only a small log house and 
 barn on the farm, and not sufficient accommodatioi. for the stock. Siiortly after, a 
 stable of sided cedar was built, and which, a few years ago, seemed to be as sound as 
 ever; this is merely mentioned to show the durability of cedar. In that old log house, 
 nearly all their family were born, as it was not until the year 1819 that he had finished a 
 snug, comfortable, two-storey stone house, where my youngest sister Kate and myself 
 first saw the light of day, and where my dear motlier breathed her last nth October, 
 i826. 
 
 "The face of the country is very much changed since then. At that time, the 
 main road ran along the bank of the river from Carillon to our place. The view from 
 our house was splendid ; away to the west, the river and farm houses were in full 
 view ; down the river could be seen the rapids and part of the village of ir*oint Fortune ; 
 nearly in front of the house was a most magnificent elm tree, who-.e wide-spreading 
 branches made a very inviting shade on a hot day. 
 
 " I\Iy mother was a woman of a strong and indomitable will, with much native 
 energy and ambition, blended with great mildness and gentleness of character ; cool 
 and collected in the time of danger, as the following little incident will show : 
 
 " While engaged in her domestic duties, it was customary for the eldest child to 
 take charge of the younger ones; and one day, as usual, she had taken them out, and 
 was amusing them for a time under the sliade of the elm tree, whence she got them 
 into the canoe, thai was always moored al the landing place. In their fun and play, 
 the boa', was soon loosed from shore, and floating out into dangerous water. ^Iy 
 sister^ seeing her danger, made a great outcry, which not only brought my mother to 
 the scene, but was also creating a panic among the younger ones. My mother seeing 
 the peril, at once, spoke to ihem in a sooihing, gentle way, and, by hci cool and 
 collected mcnner, quieted the little ones ; while she, with the aid of a pole, and by 
 wading into the deep waior, managed to bring them safely to shore. It was in the 
 same place where my youngest brother, Daniel, was drowned a few years afterward. 
 My three brothers were in bathing, and he, not knowing the danger, climbed on a 
 sunken rock, and slipped off into deep water, and was never after seen alive. The 
 body was recovered in a few days in an eddy, near Carillon. 
 
 "When the Government expropriated the land required for the canal and high- 
 way, and which included his dwelling house, my father sold the remainder of his 
 farm to Wm. Cook, a contractor on the canal, and removed in die spring of 1830 
 to a rented farm, a short distance away, where he resided until 2Sth June, 1835. 
 He then removed to the property he had purchased on the Lachute Road, which 
 
290 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 was then almost in a state of nature, so that, for the second time, he began 
 clearing up a new farm ; and although he was pretty well advanced in life, he 
 lived to see it brought to a high state of cultivation, with large and commodious 
 farm buildings, comfortable dwelling, etc. When the farm was sold in 1862, he 
 retired from active life, and spent the remainder rf his days on the old homestead 
 in Chatham, where he died 4th September, 1869, in the 94th year of his age. 
 Of his family of five daughters, the eldest. Christian, born 6th October, 1809, married 
 Tames Fraser, 26th October, 1854; died loth July, 1858. Mary, born i4lh April, 
 1811, married James Thomson, 30th December, 1834, and died 28th September, 1872. 
 Helena, born 14th November, 1813, married Robert Thomson (no relation of 
 M'try's husband), 2nd January, 1838, and died 26th November, 1887, leaving u 
 family of two son^^ and two daughters, who reside in Ottawa and vicinity. Margaret, 
 born 2nd Januar\ . 18 15, died February, 1883; Catharine, born 3rd January, 1821, 
 died 19th May, 1883. 
 
 "Of his four sons, John, born 26th April, 181 7, was accidentally killedin my father's 
 barn, by falling from the top of the hay mow, and was impaled on a sharp stake ; he 
 lived about twenty-four hours, and died 14th August, i8v ■ He was a young man 
 of great promise, of agreeable an^ gentle disposition, quiet and unassuming manner; 
 he had a splendid voice and was fond of music; heavy, muscular build and splendid 
 physique, Ftanding over six feet in height, and weighing 220 lbs. His sudden, untimely 
 and dreadful death A/as a terrible shock to his father and all his family; and I cannot 
 recall the sad circumstances, even now, without a shudder. ' Peace to his ashes. 
 Honour to his memory.' Peter, his twin brother, lived on the farm with his father 
 until his death, 22nd November, 1847. Daniel, born 28th March, 1819, was drowned 
 in July, 1827, as previously narrated. 
 
 " 1 was the youngest of the family, and was born 12th September, 1823, at the old 
 homestead in Chatham, where my uncle John laid the foundation of what little education 
 1 ]30ssess, as I never had the ad''antage of a classical or college education, but hsd 
 to put up with what was taug'n in the common schools (and some of them .vere cot.v 
 nion enough); our textbooks being the Bible and Mavor's speUingbook. Those wl 
 were fond of jjoetry had the Scottish version of the Psalms to revel in, and when the 
 ' English Reader' was added 10 the list of school books, it was thought we were 
 very extravagant. At that time, the greatest part of the ink used in country schools was 
 made by boiling the bark of the soft maple; we used goose or turkey quills to write 
 with. As my father had not the means ;o pay help in clearing up and doing the 
 work on the farm, each one of his sons had to turn in and help, and, in consequence, 
 I was taken from school before 1 was thirteen years of age, and never returned. 
 
 '' As I did not relish a farmer's life, I left home, and served in a store three years ; 
 but on the death of my brother John, in 1841, thinking it was my duty to help my 
 father, I went back to the farm, and after a few years took entire charge of it, and 
 relieved him from all responsibility. He deeded one-half of the property for my own 
 personal benefit; on the land thus obtained I built a house, and on the 13th Sept- 
 ember, 1854, was married to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Charles Benedict of 
 St. Andrews, who was born iiih August, 1823. We went iiome, and lived thereuntil 
 the spring of 1863, when, having sold the farm in the fall of 1862 to Charles Albright, 
 we remained two years in Si. Andrews, and then -emoved, in 1865, to St. Eugene, in 
 the township of Hawkesbury. My wife died ther. nth October, 1866, leaving to my 
 care four sons, our third son, James, having died previous to his mother, of scarlet 
 fever, 24th January, i ^^65. During my residence at St. P^ugene, I received the appoint- 
 ment of Commissioner for taking affidavits in the Queen's Bench, and was also 
 appointed local superintendent of schools, which office I held for two years until I 
 left the place in 1868. 
 
 
 tiie offi 
 tiie san 
 Andre\ 
 
 part of 
 lor over 
 Water 
 but rep 
 Jp polit 
 honest 
 ■I were 
 with the 
 nation.' 
 but am 
 vored, £ 
 iiTe in wl 
 livin 
 a niachii 
 and rec< 
 in the In 
 locomoti' 
 Agent an 
 ol Aid. ^ 
 "Ge 
 New Yorl 
 daughter 
 ^" Ch 
 nger of th 
 Klectric R 
 ^V'estmeat 
 "Col 
 College, a 
 years. H 
 and they 1 
 
 We tl: 
 notice, ina; 
 great bless 
 erection cc 
 1^ rid ham o 
 ill the con 
 
 '^35- Its 
 vliich was 
 ''iumeal it : 
 iged citizei 
 mill, in the 
 Colin 
 tioned in tl 
 tame to Cc 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 291 
 
 " In the spring of 1869, I came to Ottawa, and having obtained a situation in 
 the office of Captain Young, lumber manufacturer, sent for my family in November of 
 tiie same year, was married to Esther, thescconc" daughter of Charles Benedict of St. 
 Andrews, wlio vra.z born ist January, 1819, and died 22nd April, 1892. 
 
 " I renip.'ned in the employ of Captain Young for seventeen years, the greater 
 part of the lime as cashier and confidential clerk, nnd remained with his successors 
 for over two years after he sold out ; and am now and have been for five years in the 
 Water Works department in the City Hall. 1 never aspired to municipal honors, 
 but represented Victoria ward, as public school trustee, for a period of nine years. 
 ]p politics, I am a Liberal, but not slavishly bound to either party ; would support an 
 honest government, no matter by what name it was called, if the men at the head of 
 'I were men of honor, who could not be bought with the spoils, nor contaminated 
 wilii the lust of office, who have in them that 'righteousness which alone exalteth a 
 nation.' In religion, 1 can worship with any who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, 
 but am identified more closely with the Presbyterian denomination, and have endea- 
 vored, although with much feebleness and faltering, to do my duty in that state of 
 life in which it has pleased God to call me. My family of four sons are all married, 
 
 living in Ot.awa. John, the eldest, born ist November, 1855, served his time as 
 a machinist, afterward taking a course of mechanical dra\ ing in Richmond College, 
 and received an appointment from the Government as maciiinist and draughtsman 
 ill the Intercolonial shops at River-du-Loup. He lelt that place for a situation as 
 locomotive foreman at Ottawa, wliich he resigned to open an office as Insurance 
 Agent and Real Estate Broker. He married, June, 1880, Catharine Isabella, daughter 
 (it Aid. Masson of Ottawa. 
 
 " George, born 28th July, i<S57, is now Agent for tlic Export Luml)cr Co. of 
 New York and Boston. He was married loth December, 1891, to Mary, youngest 
 daughter of Mr. Wm. Robertson, of Ottawa. 
 
 " Charles, born 13th February, 1862, for the past eight years has been local man- 
 ager of the Bell Telephone Co. at Ottawa, and is one of the Directors of the Ottawa 
 Klectric Railway. He married Annie, youngest daughter of Mr. Arch. Acheson of 
 Westmeath, 9th June, 1886; they have three children. 
 
 "Colin, the youngest, born 27th October, 1863, is a graduate of McGill Medical 
 College, and has been a i:.'actisiiig physician and surgeon in the city for the last six 
 years. He married, ist January, 1890, Laura, daughter of Rufus Filer of Montreal, 
 and they have two children 
 
 ./ " Yours truly, 
 
 "C. DEAVAR." 
 
 We think the mill referred to in the above letter of Mr. Dewar deserves furthei 
 noiice, inasmuch as it performed a most im[)ortant function in its day, and proved a 
 gicat blessing to the inhabitants. Only a vestige of it .emains, and the date of its 
 erection could not be learned, till it was discovered in the diary of the late Captain 
 Pridham of Grenville, who refers to it in speaking of the masons who were employed 
 in the construction of his own house ; it is thus learned that the mill was built in 
 1S35. Its location was near the Ottawa, not far above Stonefield, on a small stream, 
 viiich was then much larger than at present. It was famed for the excellence of the 
 oaimeal it manufactured, and was patronized by farmers even from Glengarry. An 
 iged citizen in the vicinity remembers that many teams were often waiting at the 
 mill, in the days of its usefulness. 
 
 Colin Dewar, the youngest of the sons of Peter Dewar, and who is briefly men- 
 tioned in the above sketch of the Dewar family, was three years old when his parents 
 came to Canada. His father had lived on the Duke of Argyle's estate in Scotland, 
 
392 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 and the aged Duchess sometimes called at the house. Slie took great interest in the 
 wee bairn Colin from his birth, and expressed a hope that his hair would be red. Slie 
 presented him with a suit of kilts when the family was about leaving, and he was in the 
 full enjoyment of this Highland costume when the vessel was stopped by the Privateer. 
 
 The kilts were long preserved by the family, and we believe that portions are 
 still in existence. Mr. Dewar (the happy recipient of this suit) was lieutenant in tlic 
 company of Captain Ostrom, in the Rebellion of 1837, ^"d was an active, esteemed 
 member of this community, serving it for some time as .School Commissioner. 
 Mrs. Dewar died in 1895; they had four sons — Peter, James, Duncan and DonaM, 
 and four daughters — Annie, Christina, Mary and Margaret : Peter lives in this sec- 
 tion, James in Minnesota, and Duncan is deceased. Annie, the widow of Wni. .Scoit, 
 lives in California; Christina, widow of Geo. Noyes, in this locality; Mary died in 
 infancy ; Margaret, nv.irried to James Hawring, lives in Britisii Columbia. 
 
 Donald Dewar resides on the homestead— a fine farm with an attractive brirk 
 lesidence which commands a beautiful view of the Ottawa. Mr. Dewar was appointed 
 commissioner for tlie trial of small causes in 1892, and soon afterward was appoinieil 
 Justice of the Peace; he married Eliza J. Mullen, of St. Andretvs parish. 
 
 Mr. Dewar in a later letter says : 
 
 " I believe I did not mention the fact of a saw mill having been built on lot No. 
 3, a short distance up the river fiom Mr. Chisholm's distillery, and a little below my 
 father's house ; it was the first mill erected in that part of Lower Canada. There is 
 no documenlary evidence to show when or by whom it was built, or the lengtli of 
 time it was in existence, how or by what means it was destroyed, which was, most 
 likely, by the ice in the spring. It must have been destroyed in the closing years of 
 the last century, as there was not a vestige of the mill to be seen (except a pan of 
 the mill dam) when my father settled on his farm in 1807. Mr. Duncan Dewar 
 remembers seeing the remains of the dam when he was a boy, and is of the opinion 
 that it was built by Ebenezer Clarke, a well-known millwright in those days, whose 
 family resided in the township of Chatham. I also frequently saw the remiins of ilie 
 dam in my younger days." 
 
 Great changes have occurred in the appearance of this locality since the d;ns 
 when Mr. Dewar lived here; the large elm to which he refers has disappeared, as 
 well as many other of the old landmarks. 
 
 On the fi\rm ot Mr. James Edward Fitzgerald, at a little distance from tiie hiL;h- 
 way, on the left, are the ruins of a house, which, iudging tVom its interior finish and 
 the grounds around it, was the home of some person of taste and means. \t tiie 
 time of its erection the road passed between it and the river, so that the neat fence 
 and shrubbery, of which vestiges may stiil be seen, that were then in front of the 
 dwelling, are now in the rear of its ruins. This house was erected about 1830. In- 
 William Cook, a Scotchman, who had been a contractor in his native land. ()ii 
 coming to Chatham he took a large contract in the construction of the Canal, made 
 money, with which he purchased 500 acres of land, that was formerjy owned byjoim 
 Dewar, in this section, and erected the dwelling referred to above. He afterward 1 ist 
 heavily on a contract he had taken for the construction of the locks at Chute an 
 Blondeau. 
 
 Thomas Fitzgerald, one of the pioneers of Beech Ridge, in the Parish of St. 
 Andrews, received a classical education, preparatory to entrance to the priesthood; 
 but, for some reason, he gave up the design of following this vocation. He was a 
 nephew of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, whu was executed for complicity in the Irish 
 Rebellion of 1 798, and was himself an exile for nine years in France, for his connection 
 with the same Rebellion. But, being pardoned by the British Government, iie 
 
 returnee 
 
 Ridge. 
 
 lots of 
 
 L'elaney 
 
 nor, Jun 
 
 ScptemI 
 
 Hawkes 
 
 resides i 
 
 of St. Co 
 
 went, wi 
 
 returning 
 
 a very re 
 
 he purch 
 
 He died 
 
 J A. Ml 
 
 Ireland, 1 
 moved to 
 and farmi 
 he sold in 
 where he 
 Mr. MiUe 
 Board fift 
 died. Th 
 was marri 
 is now em 
 
 Martin Fi 
 Previous 1 
 McLaughl 
 and forem: 
 Piers, and 
 married : t 
 marriage. 
 
 Mr. F 
 with his b 
 by Mrs. Fi! 
 
 Antoi 
 being the s 
 and was 01 
 children, w 
 there in i8{ 
 seven daugj 
 
 Edwai 
 son of the A 
 the feat of 
 patent for tl 
 Barron emi 
 i|^c old hon; 
 six sons anc 
 iive in this s 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 2 , 
 
 returned to his native land, and, in 1836, came to Canada and settled at Beech 
 Kidge. His son, John Fitzgerald, came to Chatham, and, in 1868, bought three 
 lots of land, on which his sons now live. He was nrarried in 1848 to Elizabeth 
 I'elaney, and iiad three sons and two daughters. James, married to Joanna O'Con- 
 nor, June loth, 1879 ; John, who was married to Martha Dixon, of Little Rideau, in 
 September, 1881 ; and Edward, married in 1880, to Mary Ellen Barron, of P^ast 
 Hawkesbury, all live in Chatham. Margaret, the widow of John Lennon, also 
 resides in this place ; Elizabeth, the other daughter, is the wife of Richard Puncheon, 
 of St. Columba. Their father, Mr. John Fitzgerald, after buying his farm, about 1872 
 went, with one of his sons, to California, where he earned money to pay for iiis land, 
 returning in 1874. He was an intelligent man, a great reader, and possessed 
 a very retentive memory ; he was also a man of much energy and industry. The land 
 he purchased at this place he divided among his sons, giving to each a good farm. 
 He died very suddenly, 6th May, 1894 ; Mrs. Fitzgera'd died 29th January, 1896. 
 James Miller came, in 1831, with his family, Irora the County of Monaghan, 
 Ireland, to Carleton County, Ont. Four years later, his son, James Miller, jun., 
 moved to Pembroke, where he remained till 1870, successfully engaged in lumbering 
 and farming. He then came to Cushing, Que., and bought the Mair property, which 
 he sold in 1888, and, in the spring of the next year, moved to another part of Chatham, 
 wiiere he bought 90 acres, known as the " Feeder P'arm," on which he still lives. 
 Mr. Miller has always taken an interest in schools, and was a member of a School 
 Board fifteen years. He was married in 1858 to Susannah O'Brien, who has since 
 died. They had ten children, of whom only one — James Henry — grew up. The latter 
 was married, 28th February, 1894, to Miss Christina McMartin, of River Rouge, and 
 is now employed in Montreal, in the office of the Traveler's Insurance Company. 
 
 Philabert F. FiLioN, a very successful business man of this section, is a son of 
 Martin Filion, and was born near Rigaud, Que., and came to Chatham in 1865. 
 Previous to this, he attended college in St. Andrews, and worked some time for 
 McLaughlin & Son, lumbermen, on the Ottawa, being wiih them, altogether, as clerk 
 and foreman, ts'enly-one years ; he was also foreman on the Carillon Dam, the Lachine 
 Piers, and in the stone quarry three years at Port Arthur. He has been twice 
 married: the first time in 1866 to Mary Robert, who died about a year after her 
 marriage. His second marriage was in 1871 to Miss Dinah Sauvie, of Montebello, 
 
 Mr. Filion, for a number of years, has been engaged in the lumber business 
 with his brother Joseph, his fine farm, meanwhile, being to a great extent managed 
 by Mrs. Filion. 
 
 Antoine Robert, who has lived here for nearly thirty years, has the honor of 
 being the son of a centenarian. His grandfather, Joseph Robert, came from France, 
 and was one of the very early settlers at St. Andrews. Joseph, the eldest of his 
 children, who had lived for nearly fifty years on the River Rouge, St. Andrews, died 
 there in 1885, upward of 100 years old. He was twice married, and had one son and 
 seven daughters. Antoine is the only son by the last marriage. 
 
 Edward Barron is one of the respected farmers of this section ; he is a grand- 
 son of the Mrs. Ba.-ron mentioned in the history of Chute au Blondeau, who performed 
 the feat of riding on horseback, through the wilderness, to Toronto, to obtain the 
 patent for their farm. It is but just to say, that the industry and perseverance of Mr. 
 Barron emulate those of his maternal relative. His father, Joseph Barron, lived on 
 1*^0 old homestead at Chute au Blondeau, and died there a few years since. He had 
 six sons and three daughters ; three, only, of the sons — James, John and E» ward — 
 live in this section. James conducts an hotel in Grenville ; John is a farmer in the 
 
!94 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 
 same township. Edward Barron, in 1882, married the widow of John 'I'hompson, 
 daughter of the late John Mason, lockmaster, and settled in Chatham. Mrs. Barron, 
 by her first marriage, had five children, of whom two sons and one daughter are now 
 living. By the second marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Barron have one son and one daughter. 
 Mr. Barron's present farm was foimerly owned by Dr. Jameson, one of tlie 
 succtssful and prominent physicians of Waterloo, Shefford County, Que. 
 
 Capt. John Stephens, whose early career way singularly eventful, and who, as 
 his various ])roinotions proved, did honorable service in fighting for his country, 
 was born in Wexford County, Ireland, in 1789. He joined the army ut the age of 
 17, entering the 87th Regt. Foot, in 1806; he was transferred, in 1808, to 4tli 
 G. B., and, in i8io, to the 66th Foot, commanded by his second cousin, General Sir 
 Oliver Nicolls. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Quarter Master, while under 
 service at Calcutta, 14th September, 1815. His length of service in the regular army 
 was twenty-six years, four of which were spent in India. From India, he 
 went to the Island of St, Helena, where he acted as one of the Guards of 
 Napoleon I. His family had in their possession for years a ring presented to him by 
 the ill-starred Emperor. He left St. Helena in 1821, retired from the 66th Regiment, 
 came lo Canada in 1827, and in 1830 settled in Chatham. At his own request, he was 
 retired on half-pay gih December, 1831,. In 1833, he received a grant of land in 
 Litchfield, County of Pontiac, for military service, but did not remove his residence 
 from Chatham. !r. 1837, '^^ ^^^^ request of Sir John Colborne, he raised a company 
 of volunteers, and served as Regiment Adjutant in 1838. It was at this time he won 
 his title of Captain. He became connected with the Presbyterian Church, under tlie 
 Rev. William Mair, in 1839, and was appointed Deacon of the same in the following 
 year ; he was approved by the session of the Church as Eider, but seems to have 
 declined appointment to that office. His death took place 9th October, 1868. 
 
 The Rev. Richard Bradford was one of the most prominent of the early settlers 
 in Chatham, chiefly because he was the first to plant the Church of England in the 
 valley of the Ottawa, and was the first clergyman resident in the County. These two 
 facts alone entitle him to a long biographical sketch ; but, notwithstanding the efforts 
 that were made to obtain more facts with regard to him, we simply learned that he 
 came from England to New York about 1782, and was there engaged in a business 
 partnership with a Mr- Smith. A few years later he came to Canada, and was Chaplain 
 in the 49th Regiment. We do not know just when he came to Chatham, but that ho 
 was here in 1811-12 is evident from the Church Records at St. Andrews. He pur- 
 chased from. Col. Robertson his estates on the Ottawa and North River, the first 
 comprising 5,000, the latter 1,000 acres. He left two sons in the States ; the remain- 
 der of his children, four sons, Richard, George, Charles, and William, and two 
 daughters, afterwards Mrs. Abbott and Mrs, Fisk, came with him to Canada, 
 
 George, his eldest son, married Martha Smith, daughter of a neighbor, Captain 
 Johnson Smith, and he first settled on the homestead near his father ; but, not long 
 afterward, he removed to Upper Canada, and there bought a farm. Three years later, 
 in 1820, his father died, and he returned to Chatham to obtain his share of the 
 patrimony. His brothers, at that time, had all left this section, and his brother-in- 
 law, Rev. Joseph Abbott, who was executor of the estace of the deceased, prevailed 
 on George to take the 1,000 acres of land on the North River, instead of money, for 
 his share of the paternal estate. In consequence of so doing, he had to give up his 
 farm in Upper Canada, on which he had paid jC'JS, and he then returned and settled 
 on his new one, his house being located not far from the site of Earle's Mills, in 
 Lachute. Here he lived, till near the close of his life. His children, who arrived at 
 
 mature 
 who was 
 Lachute 
 Ibimer \ 
 In 1838 
 Menry 
 nf Capt 
 George, 
 liis gran 
 About I 
 and, in 
 alive, the 
 followed 
 seventy-f 
 while ills 
 saw mill, 
 brothers 
 P-ndford 
 liis own c 
 for a few 
 lumber, m 
 1S77, wli< 
 Mr.Bradf 
 reserving 
 Mr. ] 
 killed ove 
 men from 
 hunting to 
 Heh 
 Xornian. 
 stead. 01 
 Chute au I 
 Thompson 
 of Chathar 
 Thom 
 New Ham 
 and three < 
 the homesi 
 built the la 
 marquet, a 
 John, 
 and had sh 
 Ofthe 
 brick reside 
 five sons ar 
 on the Otta 
 which plies 
 ^vhich he is 
 )c'jngest bi 
 steadT 
 
 * Killed 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 295 
 
 5arr<)ii, 
 re now 
 ughtor. 
 of the 
 
 mature age, were George M., Henry, now living in Brandon, Man. ; Charles, 
 who was accidentally killed on the railway a few years since ; and John, now living in 
 Lachute, where he has a lime kiln. The daughters were Eliza and Martha Jane ; the 
 toimer was married to Henry Hammond, the latter to the late .'\ndrew McC'onnell. 
 In i838,George married Matilda Stephens, a daughter of Capt. John Stephens, and 
 Henry Bradford married Mary Ann, her sister. These two brotiicrs were members 
 uf Captain Stephens' Volunteei Company, and went with it to Grande Bruld. 
 George, the elder brother, purchased a lot on the Ottawa, formerly belonging to 
 his grandfather's estate, and built a house contiguous to that of his father-in-law. 
 About 1846, he opened a store here in a part of the house where his graudsire lived, 
 and, in company with his brother Henry, did a large business. George, who is still 
 alive, though ujjward of ei^lity, engaged in lumbering and piloting at an early age, and 
 tollowed this many years. He employed many men, and, at times, had as many as 
 seventy-five in his employ. After opening the store, he still followed his old vocation, 
 while his brother Henry managed the store. A few years afterward, (ieorge built a. 
 saw mill, a few miles away from his home, on a stream called Muddy Branch. The 
 brothers then dissolved partnership — Henry and his nephew John (a son of George 
 P-ndford) taking the saw mill, and George prepared to build a large steam mill near 
 his own dwelling. This he erected on a small bay on the Ottawa in 1871-72, and 
 for a few years did a large business manufacturing laih, shingle, and all kinds of 
 lumber, which he sold to dealers and others. These mills were destroyed by fire in 
 1877, when they were owned by the Owens Brothers, of Stonefieid. At one time, 
 Mr. Bradford owned eighty-six square miles of timber in Ottawa County, which, after 
 reserving a strip nine rods wide, he sold for $13,000. 
 
 Mr. Bradford has been an ardent disciple of Nimrod, and during his lifetime has 
 killed over five hundred deer, about a dozen bears and three or four lynxes. Sports- 
 men from the cities have often employed him as a guide and companion in their 
 hunting tours, and many times he has spent weeks alone in the forest. 
 
 He lias five sons now living — John, George, William R., Edmund* and Frederick 
 Xornian. Thiee of these live in Hawksbury, one in Lachute and one on the home- 
 stead. Of the three daughters, Edith married to James McAllister, Postmaster at 
 Chute au Blondeau ; Gertrude to Jas. Cook, farmtr , of Arundel ; and .Martha to Joseph 
 Thompson, a farmer of Portland, Que. The Noyeses have always been active citizens 
 of Chatham. 
 
 Thomas Notes was a U. E. Loyalist, and before coming to Chatham lived in 
 New Hampshire. On removihg to this place, accompanied by his wife, three sons 
 and three daughters, he bought two lots of land. John, his eldest son, took part of 
 the homestead, on which he lived till his death. Clark and William, his brothers, 
 huilt the large brick house now owned by Edward Brtrron. This they sold to Mont- 
 marquet, and he sold to Dr. Jameson. Both these brothers also died in Chatham. 
 
 John, the eldest son, mentioned above, was married to Lydia Dexter, of Vermont, 
 and had six sons and two daughters. 
 
 Of the sons, Thomas, the eldest, married Mary Ann Ostrom, and lives in a pleasant 
 brick residence on a fine farm, about half a mile from the homestead. They have 
 live sons and three daughters. John, their eldest son, who has spent much of his life 
 on the Ottawa, and is regarded as a skillful engineer, is engineer on the steamer " Hall," 
 which plies between Montreal and Ottawa, and is much esteemed by the Company by 
 which he is employed. His wife was Miss Fanny Roe, of Montreal. Benjamin, his 
 \c'.'ngest brother, and Ida, h's youngest sister, remain with their parents on the home- 
 stead. 
 
 * Killed in a mill in 1895. 
 
296 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 John, the second son, and Charles, fourth son of John Noyes, sen., Hvc in Buito 
 City, Montana, the former being one of the pioneers of that place. Wilh'am, their 
 brother, lives in Muskegon, Mich. Benjamin, their youngest brother, when last heard 
 from was in Africa. 
 
 George, sixth son of the same family, was married in 1868 to Ciiristina, daughter 
 of the late Colin Dewar, of Chatham, and moved to Minnesota, where he died in 
 1870. His widow, with her two children, returned, and bought a part of her family 
 (Dewar) homestead, on which she still resides with her son John and daughter 
 Gcorgina. 
 
 Of the two daughters of John Noyes, sen., Frances, the eldest, unmarried, lives 
 with her brother Thomas, l.ydia, the second daughter, married Mr. Williams, of 
 Burlington, Vt., and died at that place. When but a young child, Frances was one 
 day playing on the bank of the river, not far from the house, and a band of Indians 
 ascending the Ottawa enticed her into a canoe and carried her away. By good fortune 
 tl.2 Indians at Grenville met Mr. Noyes and Mr. McPhie, his partner in the lumber 
 business, coming down the river. The child, recognizing her father, gave a joyful 
 cry, and was thus rescued from captivity. 
 
 About a mile on the road leading from Mr. George Bradford's, on the Ottaw.i, 
 to St. Philippe, the traveller comes to a good farmhouse and commodious barns. 
 Descending a small hill, he crosses a bridge over a creek and, at his right, lies 
 a .small picturesque pond, in a tract of level ground, encircled by gentle hills, and at 
 a point where these hills so nearly meet as to leave only a narrow outlet for the 
 stream is a mill for sawing wood. Farther off, at some little distance beyond the 
 hills, the upper part of a wind mill frame looms in sight. The whole surroundings, 
 the creek, the pond, the well-tilled fields, good fences and sleek herds, afford a picture 
 and suggest a phase of happy farm life on which the traveller delights to linger. 
 
 This was the home of Ephkaim Fuller, a pensioner of the United States Govern- 
 ment for service in the Revolution, and here he subsequently settled, the earliest 
 l)ioneer, it is believed, in this immediate section. On the spot where now his grand- 
 son has his mill for sawing wood, he also had a saw mill for transforming the pines, 
 spruce, hemlock, etc., into lumber — a single instance of the enterprise of which he 
 was possessed. He had thirteen children — eight sons and five daughters; three of 
 the former, Rinaldo, Ivory and Calvin, were the only ones who remained in this 
 section. Rinaldo lived on the homestead, and had two sons and one daughter. The 
 latter, Marion, married to Dr "''el, a son of their neighbor, John Cass. 
 
 Albert, the son, who married Minnie Douglass, lives on the homestead, and 
 is engaged in farming on improved plans. He has a silo, cuts his ensilage and 
 all his feed by water power, and the same motor is employed to thresh his grain, 
 He keeps a large stock of cattle, and under his able management his farm will soon 
 be in condition to sustain more. Mr. Fuller is a young man of great energy, and his 
 enterprise is a worthy example to the other farmers of Chatham. 
 
 At a little 'distance farther west — where we saw the wind mill, which is used for 
 hydraulic purposes — on a fine farm, resides the widow of Ivory Fuller and her son 
 Frank. Her maiden name was Marietta Schagel. She is a daughter of Captain 
 Schagel, and her married life has been spent on this farm. Mr. Fuller died in Sep- 
 tember, 1887. They had eleven children, two sons and nine daughters. 
 
 Albert, the eldest son, is in Carievale, Assiniboia. Frank, the younger, and lliej 
 only one of the children unmarried, remains on the homestead. 
 
 Calvin, the third son of Ephraim Fuller, who remained in the vicinity of his 
 early home, married, and raised a large family, but was accidentally killed whi! 
 engaged in lumbering. His family afterward sold their homestead and went tc 
 the West. 
 
 Pa: 
 
 j;ri)Wth 
 .isi)ect a 
 
 Jos 
 
 \ .iliey a 
 
 cK's Cha 
 
 ruil, anc 
 
 up 400 
 
 had one 
 
 at which 
 
 ill 'JVcad 
 
 Chatham 
 
 John. A 
 
 work ren 
 
 liclp and 
 
 i!rundag( 
 
 seived as 
 
 This 
 
 besides th 
 
 raids on t 
 
 and the Ji' 
 
 Mr. I 
 
 youngest 
 
 mained or 
 
 iiad nine 
 
 youngest, 
 
 Sever; 
 
 farming ir 
 
 iibu ranee. 
 
 mi.ssioner ; 
 
 It sho 
 
 H'Uled, anc 
 
 ilif proces- 
 
 'ou'nship. 
 
 No on 
 
 ftion ofci 
 
 Ifjiildings, 
 
 'at will atl 
 |ii"cm the be 
 umiber, wil 
 jDervades th 
 lactivity. T 
 Jcentury, was 
 [complete bi 
 [obituary, co 
 
 " Mr. 
 arly settlers 
 t Peacham, 
 [district of Ch 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 297 
 
 Passing onward toward St. Philippe, through a low lying belt of thick, second 
 i^rowlh forest, we arrive at another fine level farm, attractive from its intensely rural 
 aspect and (juiet seclusion. 'I'liis is tiie home of Mr. John Cass. 
 
 JosiAH Cass, his grandfather, was one of the U. E. I.oyalists who left tiie Genesee 
 \ alley at the breaking out of the Revolution, and he first made iiis home at the Baie 
 dcs Chaleurs. The.e his wife died, leaving four sons and two daughters. He again mar- 
 ried, and some years later, yet previous to iSoo, came to Hawksl)ury, Ont., and took 
 ii]) 400 acres of land at tlie head of the Rapids, liy his second marriage, he 
 had one son and ti)ree daughters, to whom he betpiealhed the bulk of his jiroperty, 
 at which his children by the first mariiage, being displeased, left home. Two settled 
 in Treadwell's Seigniory, and Daniel, the youngest, came to the second concession in 
 Chatham, and took up 160 acres of land, now owned and occupied by his son, 
 John. Another man had made a small beginning here, but the great amount of pioneer 
 work remained for Mr. Cass. For twenty years he prosecuted his labors without the 
 help and companionship of a wife, but about 1821 he married a widow named Kleanor 
 llnindage, who had five children. In 1837-38 he and his stepson, Levi Brundage, 
 seived as volunteers in the Company of Capt. Schagel. 
 
 This locality seems to have been a fiivorite resort for wolves in early days, as, 
 besides the loss of sheej) by Leavitt, mentioned elsewhere, they continued to mike 
 raids on the flocks of Messrs. Cass, Fuller and others, the former having lost ten, 
 and the latter twenty, sheep, at different times, in one night, 
 
 Mr. Cass had, of his own children, three sons and one daughter. Jacob, the 
 youngest of the former, now lives in Illinois. John, another of the sons, who re- 
 mained on the homestead, married in August, 1845, ^^ Elizabeth Ramsey, and has 
 had nine children, of whom three sons and four daughters are still living. The two 
 voungest, Johiel and Amelia, still live with their parents on the homestead. 
 
 Several years ago Mr. Cass sustained a heavy loss by fire, his buildings, hay, grain, 
 fanning implements, wagons, five horses and five cattle all being burned, without 
 iibiirance. He has the respect of his fellow-citizens, and has been a School Com- 
 missioner a number of years, and Assessor fifteen. 
 
 It should be stated that the road on which the above mentioned families have 
 sealed, and which is known as the " Fuller Road," was settled at a very early period ; 
 •^K proces-verbal, which is dated 1821, being the oldest known in this part of the 
 township. 
 
 CUSHING. 
 
 i No one, who travels the road from Carillon to Grenville will fail to admire the 
 
 I kit ion of country through which he passes. The stately trees by the way-side, gAod 
 
 Iffildings, well-lilled farms, the neat stone church with its pretty manse, are objects 
 
 'at will attract one's attention. But he will soon arrive at a spot which, not only 
 
 li'cm the beauty of the scenery, but from the elegance of the buildings, though few in 
 
 Isumber, will enhance his interest and arouse his curiosity. An air of profound quiet 
 
 iDervades the place, but it is evident, that it was once a locality of business and 
 
 [activity. This is Gushing, a name which belonged to its founder, who, for half a 
 
 (century, was a leading spirit in the County of Argenteuil. We cannot give a more 
 
 Icomplete biographical sketch of Mr. Gushing, than will be found in the following 
 
 lobituary, copied from the Montreal Herald oi May 2otIi, 1875 : — 
 
 " Mr. Lemuel Gushing, whose death we announced yesterday, was one of the 
 ;atly settlers of the Ottawa Valley. He was born at Three Rivers in 1806, educated 
 It Peacham, Vermont, and commenced business for himself in the then lumbering 
 iistrict of Chatham, County of Argv^nteuil, at the early age of seventeen. Like all 
 
 30 
 
[3 1 
 
 «^ 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTiiUn, 
 
 the pioneers and settlers of a new country, lie hid to struggle hard, and to overcome 
 difliculties which appeared almost insurnioiintablc ; but, by active and persevering 
 industry and energy, he soon earned for himself a i)it;':e and position among tiie people 
 of thai section of the county, and, for many years, he filled successively llie offices of 
 Councillor and Mayor of the Townshij), and Warden of the C-oimiy. For more 
 than fifty years, he acted as Justice of the Peace; his jurisdiction at one time 
 extending to, and including the ciiy ot Montreal. He look nn active part, on the 
 bieaking out of the troubles of 1837, in collecting and furnishing arms for the use 
 of the Militia. ilnrolling himself as a volunteer, he marched with his fellow settlers 
 to St. luistache, where he was instrumental in clucking pillage and devastation, and, 
 with shrewd foresight, jireserved ihe records and documents which would otherwise 
 have been destroyed in the sacking of Mie Registrar's Office at St. Benoir. As a 
 business man, he was eminently succcss<";il. Three tinn s he became owner of the 
 celebrated Caledonia Springs, and. about t"ifleen years ago, purcli.nsed the i loperty 
 now known as Cushing Island, in Portlai.d Haibor, Me., which soon became a 
 fashionable summer resort, and which remained in his possession up to the time of 
 his death. He was married in the Spring of 1836 to Catherine, daughter of the late 
 John S. Hutchins, of I.achute, by whom he had thirteen children, .and he lived to see 
 all his sons— eight in number — established in business. For several years past, he 
 has liimself taken no active pait in business. Respected and esteemed by all who 
 knew him, his death has snapped another link of the chain which uniles us wit 
 the early history of the country.'' 
 
 The following extract from his funeral sermon is copied from the Argenti'uii 
 Adrctiiscr, of 9th June, 1875 : — 
 
 The solemn funeral service was conducted in St. Mungo's Church, Chatham 
 by the Rev. Donald Ross, 15. D., who, after discoursing on the Resurrection, paid the 
 following well-merited tribute to his deceased parishioner and friend : — 
 
 " In the providence of God, we have come together to-day to pay the last token 
 of respect to one whose name has been more closely identified with this district, for 
 upwards of half a century, than that of any other one man, who formed a link between 
 the present generation and the early settlement of the Ottawa Valley. '1 hough he had 
 not quite attained to the allotted threescore and ten years, he really lived longer 
 than many ..1.0 fill up the term of fourscore years, for his was a life of intense^t 
 activity. He lived in deeds, not years — in thoughts, not bi-eath? — in feelings, not 
 in figures on a dial. If we count time by heart throbs, he longest li\es who thinks 
 most, feels the noblest, acts the best. A man of strong mdividuality of cha:acter,lie 
 made his influence felt throughout the community, whose development and pro-' 
 he strove to advance His unwearied industry, his indomitable persevera^c;; 
 shrewd speculative turn, crowned him with great success in the sphere of effort whi 
 he had chosen for himself. He was fearless in the expression of his opinion, wl 
 occasion demanded its expression ; iiflexibly just, scorning anything mean, alwa^l 
 setting before himself a high ideal of manhood ; recognizing and appreciating bono 
 and justness, and uprightness in anyone who exhibited these virtues. As a citi/ei 
 he occupied positions of public trust; and how conscientiously he discharged th 
 duties which these entailed on him you all know. To him this church and parisi 
 are deeply indebted. From facts which have come to my own knowledge, and on the| 
 authority of those who are competent to speak upon the matter, it is due to him tcj 
 say, that this church would, in all probability, not have an existence but for his activ 
 eflorls, his wise counsel, and his generous aid. 
 
 " Throughout its history of forty years, in critical and trying days, he has alway 
 been its staunch supporter, always willing to assist in promoting its advancemen 
 
 ami jMi 
 which 
 myself 
 pabK 
 I \voul( 
 s 110 
 iiisbanc 
 •'I 
 that so 
 will stil 
 and de\ 
 
 to uO, 
 
 so rapii 
 It 
 
 every re 
 Jetermir 
 
HisroRV OK ar(ien:euii.. 
 
 299 
 
 I to overcome 
 1 |)crsevering 
 iifj tlic |)eo[)lc 
 llie offices of 
 r. For more 
 
 at one time 
 e part, on the 
 \s for the use 
 fellow settk-rs 
 'astation, and, 
 )uld otherwise 
 Jcnoit. As a 
 owner of the 
 
 the iirojjerly 
 )on became a 
 to the time of 
 ter of the late 
 lie lived to see 
 years past, he 
 ed by all wlio 
 miles us wiih 
 
 the Argent 
 
 jaml prosperity, and, so long as these walls stand, they will bear witness to the interest 
 Iwhich he took in the welfare of the congregation. In him, both my predecesKors and 
 Jmyself had a warm friend, who, in reason of his large and varied experience, wis 
 Icapable of advising us in matters of dilttculty. Into his private and domestic relations, 
 |I would not presume to intrude, though, on these points, I could also speak. Hut it 
 
 is no breach of jiropriety to say what yoa all know — that he was a faithful and loving 
 |hiisl)and, and a kind and affectionate father. 
 
 '' He is now gone ; quietly he fell asleep, having finished his work, and the place 
 [that so long knew him shall know him no more ; but his memory will live, his influence 
 [will still be felt. Tlioiigh dead, he will yet speak to us. May his example of diligence 
 jand devotion to duty stimulate us all to do with our mir'ht whatsoever our iiand fmdeth 
 
 to uo, ' for there is no device, nor work, nor wisdom, in the grav';,' to which we are 
 |so rapidly hastening." 
 
 It is but just to say that, in his marriage, Mr '^iishing obtained a companion in 
 jcvery respect worthy of the position — a woman, ! in ' intelligent, pious, active and 
 
 determined; there was no situation in which they wtiv, placed during tlieir conjugal 
 [.^(gi relations in which she did not act her part with true womanly spirit and devotion. 
 
 She is a daughter of Joiin S. Hutchins, prominent in the history of Lachute, and the 
 
 i[ualilies she inherited from intelligent ancestors, combined with her early Christian 
 [training, eminently fitted her for the station she has been called to fill. Mrs. Gushing, 
 
 for some time, has resided !n Montreal, where she has a fine residence on Metcalfe 
 [street. She has been a devoted worker in the cause of temperance, and her benevo- 
 [leiiee has given many a poor orphan and widow cause to biess her. 
 
 Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Gushing, seven sons and two daughters are now 
 
 Cllh 
 
 ich, Ghathani.l 
 :tion, paid tliel 
 
 the last tokeiil 
 lis district, fori 
 a link hetweenl 
 lOugh he ha(l[ 
 lived long«[ 
 e of intensest 
 feelings, iiot| 
 s who thinks 
 eha;acter,he| 
 nnd pro-^i 
 veraoc:;, 
 f effort whij 
 pinion, wIii 
 
 )■ 
 
 lse\ 
 
 I mean, alwa^ 
 :iating honol 
 As a citizeii 
 [scharged th( 
 :h and parisii 
 and on the! 
 lue to him tcj 
 for his activ( 
 
 he has alway 
 ladvancemenu 
 
 James Brock (Gol.) Gushing, the eldest, has been more closely identified with 
 
 jthe history of this County than any of the other children — as they went to Montreal 
 
 and engaged in business quite early in life. James B. ei. tered his father's store as 
 
 derk in 1856; about five years subsequently, Mr. Gushing, with his two sons, James 
 
 [and Thomas, formed a copartnership in mercantile business ; but, a iQW years later, 
 
 Thomas withdrew, and, not long afterward, the father, entering political life, removed 
 
 llo Montreal, and James continued the business alone till 1891, when he also removed 
 
 Ito Montreal. He was very active and influential while he lived here, and the fine 
 
 Is'.oue store at Gushing is but a single instance of his enterprise. In i865, hi organized 
 
 a Company of Volunteers, of which he became Captain, and, on the retirement of the 
 
 IHon. J. J. C. Abbott from military life, the ofticer? o*' the Battalion unanimously 
 
 ose Mr. Gushing for their Lieut.-Colonel. When his father removed to Montreal, 
 
 resigned his local offices — that of Postmaster, Municipal Councillor, J. P., etc., 
 
 k1 Col. Gushing became his successor, and, during the last few years of his residence 
 
 ere he was Mayor of the Township. He was married 31st March, 1869, to Elizabeth 
 
 Hill, daughter of the late Francis M. Hill, Barrister, of Kingston ; he is now in 
 
 |al estate business in Montreal, 
 
 Lemuel, second son of the late Lemuel Gushing, was long a Barrister in Mon- 
 |a], and represented Argenteuil County in the Dominion Parliament. He died 
 
 3Ut 1880. 
 
 Thomas, the third son, is proprietor of the Montreal Brewing Company ; Francis, 
 [rth son, is manager of the Gushing estate, including Gushing Island, Me. ; Charles, 
 
 fifth son, has long been a leading and popular notary in Montreal, and is the 
 jiior member of the firm Gushing, Dunton & Barron, which does a large business ; 
 ed., sixth son, is a brush manufacturer, and lives at 143 Metcalfe street, Montreal; 
 llliam M., seventh son, is a merchant, notary and J. P., in Elkhorn, Man. ; George 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ■ill 
 
 Pii 
 
 the youngest, Is proprietor of a gold and silver mine in Mexico, where he has jiisl 
 erected a crushing mill. Of tne two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gushing, one is mar- 
 ried to the Rev. Donald Ross, Professor in Queen's College, Kingston ; the other to 
 Mr. "ochran, and lives in Denver, Colorado. 
 
 A factory for the manufacture of edge tools was erected at Gushing about the 
 year 1850, by a man named Forsythe. Oil of smoke was also made here, and sent to 
 England to be used in tlie printing of calico. The business was conducted for 
 some time, with considerable success by different parties, but after a period of about 
 fifteen years, the factory was burnt, — supposed to be the work of an incendiary. 
 
 Col. James Gushing also erected a saw mill and grist mill here; the former is still 
 in successful operation, but the latter, being out of repair, has fallen into disuse. 
 
 Derrick Ostrom from Utica, N. Y., settled here in the early part of this century, 
 on a lot adjacent to that on which his grandson, John Ostrom, now dwells. As there 
 was no road, he came up the Ottawa on the ice, bringing his family and household 
 effects on a sled drawn by oxen. His first dwelling — a rude shanty — was built very 
 near the river, in this he lived until the present road was established farther back on 
 the shore. An incident occurred while the family remained in the cabin, wliich the 
 children and grandchildren of Mrs. Ostrom never wearied of asking her to relate. 
 
 One evening, Mr. Ostrom returned to his humble cabin with a fine string of fish, 
 and threw them down outside, with the intention of soon dressing them. Soon after- 
 wards, one of the family discovered the glaring eyes of a wolf not many yards distant, 
 which, tempted by the scent of the fish, was evidently in aniicipation of a daintv 
 meal. Mr. Ostrom got his gun, and by ihe light of the lantern held by his better- 
 half, soon had his wolfship lying beside the fish he had so foolishly coveted. 
 
 After the road was established and opened, Mr. Ostrom built a large, three-story 
 house a few rods from his less pretentious abode, and in this opened a public house 
 and general store, in which he accumulated property to an amount which won for him 
 the appelation of" rich." Before his death, which occurred in 1823, he had added tliree 
 lots to his estate. He left three sons and three daughters, but John, tiie eldest, was the 
 only son who remained here ; ard he received, as his part of the real estate, the lot 
 on which his own son, John, now resides. The two remaining sons, William and 
 Derrick, each received a lot, but they soon sold them and removed to Alumelte 
 Islar;d, where William is still living. 
 
 The following sketch from the pen of Mr. Colin Dewar gives a more compkne 
 history of this fiimily : — 
 
 "The old ' Militia Act ' of Lower Canada, which was in force in 1837, g^'^^'^' '0 
 the Cajnains the power of ordering out and compelling all able-bodied men, be- 
 tween the aiics of 18 and 45, to attend muster, and perform active duty. In many 
 instances, these officers had not been appointed on account of their knowledge 
 of military tactics, but fion being in favor with the officer commanding the Jxit- 
 talion. As a result of such a course, a great deal of dissaasfaction was minifested, 
 on the breaking out of the troubles of 1837, when -liey were called out for active 
 service; the men not hanherijig after x military experience under the com- 
 mand of such officers. 
 
 " The Government, knowing well the axiom that 'one Volunteer is worth more 
 than ten pressed men,' got over the difiicalty, by allowing all enrolled comp,.iiiesof 
 volunteers the privilege of choosing their own officers, and all such companies to 
 be under the control of the chief officer of the District. Two companies in the town- 
 ship of Chatham were quickly formed on these lines : the first, under the command 
 of Captain John Ostrom and Lieut. John Noyes ; the second, under Captain John 
 
 Schagel, 
 comman 
 active s 
 was the 
 The 
 the lattei 
 stripe d< 
 Tlieseco 
 dress anc 
 Itm 
 companit 
 Wh( 
 man of g 
 position, 
 given. T 
 left: their 
 of the Re 
 County, r 
 country, a 
 of this sk( 
 the first d 
 i:: u'liat wi: 
 himself, w 
 Robertson 
 ill a comu' 
 well-knowi 
 '"rom Chat) 
 that when 
 one peculi£ 
 bottom, an 
 Mr. O 
 country stc 
 died in 182 
 and Derric 
 On th( 
 un which h 
 1829, was 
 recently co 
 Ostrom wa* 
 the most su 
 zenith of its 
 of shad asc 
 custom for 
 their familii 
 fresh or sal 
 lost his life 
 /('/•//«, or, as 
 iiank, whic'- 
 stagings hac 
 'he surface 
 Owing 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ^ 
 
 has jusl 
 
 2 is niav- 
 
 other to 
 
 .bout the 
 
 d sent to 
 
 jcted for 
 
 of about 
 
 ary. 
 
 ler is still 
 
 suse. 
 
 i century) 
 As there 
 liousehold 
 built very 
 ;r back on 
 which the 
 elate. 
 11 g of fish, I 
 30on after- | 
 ds distant, 
 )f a dainty 
 his better- 
 id. 
 
 iiree-slory 
 jlic hoiise 
 on for him 
 tided three 
 was the 
 ite, the lot 
 liam and 
 Alumelte 
 
 ; complete 
 
 7, gave to 
 men, he- 
 In many 
 knowledge 
 the J!at- 
 manifested, 
 for active 
 the com- 
 
 rorth more 
 
 liip.viiies ot 
 
 Inpanies to 
 
 the town- 
 
 I command 
 
 )tain John 
 
 Schagel, and Lieut. Levi Brundage ; besides, one company of sixty men, undei* the 
 command of Captain John Stephens and Lieut, George M. -Bradford, designed for 
 active service, being stationed in Barracks, and thoroughly drilled. 'I'he barracks 
 was the h )use now owned by Mr. Fitzgerald. 
 
 The Governmer«t supplied all Volunteers with arr^s, ammunition and clothing ; 
 the latter consisting of white blanket overcoats, heavy dark cloth trousers, with reJ 
 stripe down the seam, beefskin moccasins, bearskin caps, and buckskin mittens. 
 Thesecoinpanies, when on ^larade or march, made a very creditable appearance, their 
 dress and uniform showing off their fine stalwart figures to perfection. 
 
 It may here be stated, that Mr. Geo. M. Bradford is the only officer of these three 
 companies living at the present time, the others having long since passed away. 
 
 When the company in the front of Chatham was organized, John Ostrom, a young 
 man of great promise, active and intelligent, and in every way well qualihed for the 
 position, was unanimously chosen captain, a brief sketch of whose life will here be 
 given. The Ostrom family are of Dutch descent ; they settled in the United States, but 
 left their homes, and came to Canada with other U. E. Loyalists, at the breaking out 
 of the Revolutionary War. On their arrival in Canada, one son settled in Hastings 
 County, near Belleville ; the others were separated, going to different parts of the 
 country, and they have long since lost iMce of each other. The father of the subject 
 of this sketch was Derrick Ostrom, who arrived in the township of Chatham, early in 
 the first decade of this century, and purchased a block of six hundred acres of land, 
 in what was then the "Col. Robertson grant," and on which he built a residence for 
 hunself, which, for many yeais, was the finest in the townshi|), and far ahead of Col, 
 Robertson's, which, up to that time, had taken the lead. It stood on rising ground, 
 in a commanding position, on the top of the hill, in a beautiful situation, and was a 
 well-known landmark, until it was burnt down a few years after the family removed 
 '':om Chatham. It may here be mentioned, in reference to Col. Robertson's house, 
 that when it was built, many years previously, sawn lumber was a scarce article, and 
 one peculiar feature in its construction was, that it was shingled all over, from top to 
 bottom, and fastened with small tlat-he.ided, hand-m?.de nails. 
 
 Mr. Ostrom not only carried on the business of farming, but also kept a general 
 country store for many years, in a house afterward sold to Mr. John MuUan. He 
 died in 1823, leaving a widow, three sons and three daughters, viz., John, William 
 and Derrick, Jennie, Christie and Elsie. 
 
 On the settlement of the estate, John, the eldest son, received one of the farms, 
 
 un which he haii built a house and suitable farm buildings, and on :;th September, 
 
 1829, was married to Miss Dorcas, daughter of Dennis Parsons, Esq., who hacl 
 
 recently come from the United Siales and .settled in Chatham. .-^ t this time, Captain 
 
 Ostrom was engaged in the square timber business, and was, for i.iany years, one of 
 
 the most successful pilots on the Grand River, that industry being then .learly at the 
 
 zenith of its prosperity. Mention has been made in a previous article if the quantities 
 
 of shad ascending the river in the spring of the year, and, at that season, it was the 
 
 custom for all well-to-do farmers to take advantage of this circumstance, and provide 
 
 their families with a supply of this excellent fish, which was always a treat, either 
 
 fresh or salted. It was while attending to this important duty that Captain Ostrom 
 
 I lost his life on the 2nd June, 1840, at what was kaown as the " Fishing Ground " ; plat- 
 
 forms, or, as they were called, stagings, which were erected at different spaces along the 
 
 I hank, which, at that place, was a perpendicular rock, along the face of wiiich these 
 
 [stagings had to be built and secured, and were thus hanging over the river, and near 
 
 the surface of it. 
 
 Owing to the formation of the new canal and dam at that place, the whole face 
 
\mW' 
 
 '1 
 
 302 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 of the river is changed, and it is only tliose who remember it as it was before ihise 
 improvements were commenced, that can form any idea of the dangerous ])lace it then 
 was. On the morning of thai eventful day, Captain Ostrom had left liome very early, 
 as usual, and had taken his turn with the others of his gang (as, owing to the heavy 
 work of scoopi/i;^, they required frequently to change). It was pretty well on in the 
 forenoon, when, no doubt, being fatigued with the arduous labor of the morning, as- 
 well as weak from exhaustion, he was either struck by his scoop in swinging it round, 
 or the breaking of part of the staging caused him lo be thrown off, and into the 
 surging, seething swells, as they ruslied furiously down those nngry rapids. 
 The cry was at once raised that Captain Ostiom had fallen in, when those on the 
 bank ran down to try to assist him; but he must have been stunned in the fall, or 
 perhaps was paralyzed by the action of the cold wale.' on his heated body, as he never 
 tried lo help himself, and sank in a few moments. His comrades ran down to the fool 
 of the locks, and had a boat round the poir:«. in a few minutes, hoping he would 
 found tloating on the surface. But, alas ! he had sunk long before leaching them. 
 
 After long and anxious searching and watching, the body was recovered, and ihi 
 news was conveyed to the family, that they would arrive witii it in a short lime. As 
 arrangements had been made for a military funeral, no lime was lost in sending out 
 notices, and on the day appointed, a firing party was selected from his own company. 
 A large concourse of people assembled lo pay the last tribute of respect lo one who 
 was held in the highest estimation. The religious services were conducted by the 
 Rev. Wm Mair, Prcsbyteriaii mir, •• of Chatham, af'er which the body was con- 
 veyed to the family burial pi ., \ 1 .ic the usual ihi'ee volleys were discharged over 
 the grave, and all that was mortal of a beloved husband and fiither was consigned to 
 the tomb. Mr. Ostrom left one son and three daughters; the eldesi daughter, Mary 
 Ann, was married to Thomas Noyes ; the other two, Jane and Dorcas, live on the 
 homestead with their mother and brother. The latter, John Ostrom, has a fine pro- 
 perty here, and is an active man; he has been Clerk of the Commissioners Court a 
 third of a century, Secr'^tary-Treasuier of the Municipal Council sixteen years, and 
 of the ]5oard of School Commissioners twenty. 
 
 Robert Tait, son of a '' ^Jor- Wester " of some celebrity, was a neighbor and 
 warm friend of the late Captain John Ostrom, and both were active in 1837 in encour- 
 aging and drilling the militia lo resist the rebels. At the burning of Grande Hrule, 
 learning that a child was lying in its coffin in a church whicii was on fire, with niucli 
 risk to iheir own lives ihey rushed into the building and snatched the coffin, witii its 
 burden, from the flames. 
 
 ST. MUNGO'r -.liURCH. 
 
 1^. 
 
 St. Mungo's Church (i'resbyterian), " ^ .■ .one structure, built after the fashion 
 of the old style Scotch country-parish chuicl-c . s ..ids in a fine position on the bank! 
 of the Ottawa River, about midway between liie 'illages of Grenville and Carillon. 
 Internally, it is neat, harmonious in all its parts, comfortable and commodious, seating 
 easily about three hundred jjersons. Its large side windows, Gothic in style, are ol 
 rolled cathedral-stained glass in leaded quarries, with pretty patterns of sash, andl 
 harmonizing schemes of color. The end windows, each panel having a beautifiiil 
 tloral design and text of Scripture burned in, on a ground graduated from deep ycllowf 
 to white, are exceedingly pretty. Though much has been done of late years, in tliel 
 way of improvement, as to beauty and comfort, the old-fashioned characteristics "l[ 
 the edifice have been but little interfered with. 'J'he old-style gallery around three! 
 sides of the c'.uirch, the old-style pew-ends, and the old-style pulpit, lowered a littlej 
 
 A.' 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTRUIL. 
 
 303 
 
 are thi'se 
 ce it then 
 ery early, 
 ihe heavy 
 on in ihe 
 orning. as 
 r it. louiid, 
 i into the 
 •y rapids, 
 ise on the 
 the fall, or 
 s he never 
 
 to the fool 
 ; would 
 ig them. 
 '.d, and the 
 
 lime. As 
 ;ending out 
 1 company, 
 to one who 
 ;ied by the 
 y was con- 
 larged over 
 Dnsigned to 
 p^hter, Mary 
 
 ive on the 
 
 a fine pro- 
 s Court a 
 
 years, and 
 
 ghbor and 
 ill encour- 
 
 ande l^rukS 
 with nuicl; 
 n, with its 
 
 the fashion 
 )n the l):uikl 
 id Carillon, 
 ous, seating I 
 ityle, are of 
 )f sash, and! 
 
 a beautif'i 
 :1eep yellow I 
 ■ears, in the I 
 cteristirs "i\ 
 round three 
 
 >red a little| 
 
 from its former towering lieight, are as a link binding the present to the past — a past 
 full of the hallowed remembrance of the self-denying labors, energy, perseverance, 
 piety, and realized hopes of worthy forefathers, in providing f r themselves and suc- 
 ceeding generations a fitting house for the worship of Almighty God. The churc.t 
 was erected during the year 1836, but thoiigh, as soon as possible, used for service, 
 it was some lime before it was all finished, and some few years later, before the cost 
 was all paid. 
 
 The first jjastorof this church was the Rev. William Mair, an alumnus of Glasgow 
 University, and for some six years after his Licensure, Sabbith Lecturer in his college. 
 Coming to Canada, he was ordained and inducted to this char^ : on the 2 5th July, 
 1S33. At the time of his advent to Chatham, a scho tl-house, fitted up to serve both 
 for school and preaching, stood beside the highway, somewhere near where No. i 
 District School now stands. Here the first congregations gathered to hear the Go3|)el 
 ]iroclaimed by their own oCt'.ed pastor, and who had come to cast in his lot with 
 them. The charge was a large one. Grenville and Hawkesbury villages were regular 
 preaching stations. '' Eighteen miles in front, and as far back as lean win," was the 
 way in which he usually described his parish. That he did win, far back, is manifest 
 from the church recoids, for, besides the Klders in Chatham, Grenville and Hawkes- 
 bury, two, Messrs. John Crawford and Archibald McCallum, were ord.iii-.ed to t'^is 
 office, in the Augmentation of Grenville, on the loth August, 1834; and other two, 
 Messrs. Archibald Kelso in 1837, ^'*<1 Jo''"'' Doig in 1838, both livir.g in the vicinity 
 of Lachute, were appointed as coadjutors in the same office. The first Elders of the 
 ;h.irge were Messrs. Neil Stuart, Peter Stirling, Farquhar Robertson, and Archibald 
 CampbelK To follow out minutely the whole history is not within our present scope, 
 but the difficulties overcome, the hardships endured, the discouragements suffered, 
 we, in the present, have but little conception of. Suffice it to say, that the long and 
 faithful work of the Rev. Mr. Mair, carried on at so great cost to himself, have con- 
 tinued to exert an influence on the religious life of the townships in which he labored 
 that cannot be estimated. 
 
 A mural tablet, with the following inscription, occupies a place in the church, to 
 the right of the pulpit : — 
 
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 REV. WILLIAM ^L\IR, 
 
 Born on the 29th of March, 1793. 
 
 Died on the 17th of October, 1S60. 
 
 A man of childlike simplicity, unaffected modesty, sincere piety, and 
 
 high intellectual attainments. 
 
 He was the first minister of this charge, and for 27 years faithfully preached the 
 Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ to an attached congregation ; and with untiring zeal 
 endeavored to imbue their minds with the heavenly spirit of his Divine Master. 
 
 In gratitude for his faithful services, they haveerev-tcd this memorial of his worth, 
 within the walls of this church, for the building of which, they are indebted to his 
 generous efforts. - - . , 
 
 " ISehokl an Israelite indeed, "The memory of llie 
 
 in whom there if no guile." ;- just is blessed.'' -i- --- 
 
 Jno. i. 47. Puov. X. 7. 
 
 The Rev. James Black, an M. A., of Glasgow University, was the next minister of 
 this charge. He was inducted on the 4th September, i86t. During his incumbency 
 
304 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 the present Manse, a large house of true ecclesiastical design, was built. It is near 
 the church, in a fine situation, commanding an extensive view both up and down tlie 
 river, Mr. Black, after a short pastorate of three years, resigned the charge and 
 returned to Scotland. 
 
 The Rev. Donald Ross, D.D., at present one of the professors in the Theologica! 
 department of Queen's College, Kingston, was the next minister. His educatidii 
 both in Arts and I heology was taken in Queen's College, Kingston, of which college 
 he was the first " Fellow" ever appointed. A sad remembrance of the loss of his 
 wife, a lady beloved by all the congregation, lies in a mural tablet to the left of the 
 pulpit : 
 
 IN mp:mory 
 
 of 
 
 MARY R. HILL, 
 
 wife of 
 
 REV. DONALD ROSS, B.D., 
 Minister of this Congregation. 
 
 Died 26th March, 1871, 
 ?et. 35. 
 "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." Rev. xiv. 13. 
 
 Ordained and inducted to the pastorate of the congregation on the 3rd October, 
 1865, he labored with great success for a period of eleven years. A beautiful little 
 stone church at Point Fortune, called St. Columba, was erected during his incumbency, 
 by the part of the congregation there. Hawkesbury village had been detached from 
 this congregation, and joined to L'Orignal by an Act of the Synod of i860. In 1876, 
 Mr. Ross demitted the charge. For several years thereafter, he was pastor of St. 
 Andrew's Church, Lachine, whence he was called to exercise the duties of professor 
 in Queen's College. 
 
 The present pastor of this congregation is the Rev. James Fraser, B. A. In Arts, 
 he studied at Queen's College, Kingston ; in Theology, at Morrin College, Quebec. 
 Called from Litchfield in the Presbytery of Ottawa, he was inducted to the charge of 
 Chatham and Grenville in October, 1877. 
 
 His ministrations have now continued almost twenty year?, during which period 
 he has steadily gained the affection of his people and the esteem of the public. .Mr, 
 Fraser's sermons are always prepared with scholarly care. He married Miss Tredwell 
 — a daughter of the l:ite C. P. Tredwell, Escj., of L'Orignal — a lad} who vies with 
 her husband in self-denying, devoted labor in the Master's vineyard. 
 
 The Methodists erected a stone church at Cushing in 1830, size 35 by 50 feet, 
 and two stories in height. It was used for service something over thirty years, wlicn 
 it was sold to Mr. Cushing, who built another church at a short distance from the 
 former 
 
 RoiiERT Nichols, who has a nleasant brick residence and good property here, 
 came from the County Antrim, Ireland, to Canada in 1844, ii"d three years subse- 
 quently, bought the lot where he now lives. In his younger days he followed the trade 
 of blacksmith, and a shop stands by the roadside in which he has done many a hard 
 day's work. His industry and probity have gained for him much influence in this 
 locality. About 1846, he was married to Esther Gascon ; they had seven children, 
 of whom six — two sons and four daughters — are now living. The eldest son, James, 
 who lives in the neighborhood, is Sergeant in the St. Andrews' Troop. One of the 
 daughters is married to Mr. Davison of St. Philippe, another to Robert Dobbie of 
 Laciuite. Mr. Nichol has been School Commissioner, and for many years Sergeant of I 
 militia. ' f : - - ^ -■ , , • 
 
HISTORY or ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 305 
 
 IS near 
 \vn tlio 
 ge and 
 
 (logical 
 ucation 
 coUci^e 
 3 of his 
 rt of the 
 
 October, 
 liful little 
 imbeticy, 
 ;hed frtim 
 
 In 1S76, 
 or of St. 
 
 piofessoi 
 
 In Arts, I 
 Quebec. 1 
 Icharge of 
 
 ;h period 
 
 lie. Mr. 
 
 Tredwell 
 
 Ivies with 
 
 |y 50 feet, 
 
 jars, wlicn 
 
 from the 
 
 |erty here, 
 irs subse- 
 I the trade 
 lay a hard 
 lice in ihis 
 children, 
 jn, Janie?. 
 |ne of the 
 lOobbie of 
 lergeantof I 
 
 Samuel Web.ster, one of the aged citizens of Gushing, is a son of Samuel 
 Webster, one of the heroes who survived the battle of Waterloo, Not long after that 
 famous victory of Wellington, Mr. \Vebster came to Canada, and that he remained 
 for a whii" in Quebec is inferred from the fact that he joined a Masonic locW there. 
 From that city he went to Montreal, where he was married to Euphemia, a daughter 
 of Dr. Spink. In 1824, he came to Greece's Point, and as the canal was then in pro- 
 cess of construction, he opened a grocery and boarding house, but died about six years 
 subsequently. He had four children — two of each sex ; but all, save Samuel, died 
 young. In his youth, he was clerk in the store of his uncle, Peter Spink, at St. Denis 
 In 1850, he was married to Amelia Gardner, and the same year he bought the lot at 
 Gushing where he now lives ; several years of his life have been spent as pilot on the 
 Ottawa, He has seven children, — one son and six daughters. 
 
 In 1883, Nellie Webster, one of iiis daughters, wrote the following family sketch 
 as dictated by her aunt, Mrs. R. Le Roy, not long prior to Mrs. Lc Roy's death; — 
 
 " My father, Dr. William Spink, who had a wooden leg, kept a grocery and 
 drug store at our home, on Perth Roao, near Dundee, Scotland ; he was an Elder in 
 the Methodist Church at Dundee for thirty years. He had a brother unmarried, who 
 died in the East Indies, where he was surgeon in a British regiment. He also had a 
 sister, Grace, who was married to Mr. Patrick, and another sister, whose name I have 
 forgotten, that became insane. Mother's maiden name was Euphemia Watt ; their 
 children born at our home on Perth Road, Scotland, were : Andrew, Jihn, Ellen, 
 Euphemia, Peter, Jane, William, Thomas and Catherine. All these, save Andre'v, 
 who remained with his uncle, Mr. Patrick, sailed from Dundee in the brig ' Todds ' 
 in 181 7. In nine weeks ancl four days, we came to Quebec. Uncle Thomas Wise 
 Spink wanted to keep my brother Thomas and myself, when die family were about 
 to sail for America, but mother would not listen to it, as she thought leaving one of 
 her children was enough. Father had a letter of introduction and recommendation to 
 a Mr. Miller, book-binder, in Upper Town, Quebec. We spent a day with Mr. Miller, 
 and then sailed to Montreal in the ' Lady Sherbrooke.' Andrew, who was left with 
 his uncle, Capt. Patrick, while bringing a cargo of wheat from France to Dundee, on 
 the captain's own boat, was lost; their boat being struck by another vessel in the 
 night, sank, and all on board perished. Father and his wife are interred at St. 
 Andrews, Quebec; the only ones of my brother's children now living are Peter, 
 Thomas, Margaret and myself." 
 
 Near the store of Mr. Gushing, on the left, is " Burnside Collage," with its beau- 
 tiful grounds and shrubbery— the home of Edmund Neve. This property formerly 
 belonged to the late Wra. Forbes, Canal Superintendent, and the cottage was a 
 work of his own design and erection. 
 
 Mr. Neve is a son of the Rev. Frederick S. Neve, who for some time had charge 
 of the Anglican Church in Grenville. He came to Canada from Kent, Eng., about the 
 year 1840, and first was assistant of the Rev. Mr. Whitwell at Philipsburg, Que. ; he 
 then was stationed at Clarendon, Huntington County, and thence, in 1859, came to 
 Grenville. He was superannuated in 1871, and subsequently resided six years in St. 
 Andrews ; he died in 1878, in Montreal. He had three sons and five daughters ; his 
 second son is a merchant in L'Orignal. Mr. Edmund Neve purchased this property, 
 consisting, besides the buildings, of about seventy acres of land, and has i-.ince been 
 engaged in farming. 
 
 Adjacent to this place is the post office in charge of Thoma.s Weir. 
 
 Mr. Weir, who is by trade a machinist, came to this country from Glasgow in 
 1872, in charge of the material for two iion bridges at Ottawa. After the comple- 
 tion of those bridges, he came to Grenville in the employ of Mr. Goodwin, wha 
 had the roniract for the construction of the bridges, and worked on the canal. 
 
3o6 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL, 
 
 
 ^ff: 
 
 He was married to Miss Davison, fb.iigluer of joseph Davison, of Grenville. 
 In 1881, lie came to dishing, where lie has had charge of the post office for the 
 past seven years, though he was rrot appointed Postmaster till 1893; he is also 
 telegraph ojjerator here, and has a small grocery. 
 
 Horatio E. HARi'L'i:Y, who has been quite an extensive dealer in caitb and 
 horses, came to this section with his father, Christopher Hart'ey, who had served his 
 time, and obtained his discharge from the Royal Artillery, in which he was color ser- 
 geant. After his discharge he was Lockmasler for a while on the Rideau Canal at 
 Ottawa, and was then appointed Lockmaster at Stonefield, but, after a few years' 
 service, was superannuated, and was succeeded in his position of Lockmaster by 
 his son, Horatio K., who served twenty-two years, when he, also, was superannuated. 
 
 The father died 4lh August, 1S77. Horatio was married in 1876 to Mary M. 
 Dinsmore. 
 
 At the time the factory was erected at Cusliing, ;\ Scotchman named Jamfs 
 Watson, a brass finisher by trade, who had been a soldier in the 93rd Regiment, was 
 employed to set up the machinery. After the factory was completed, he returned 
 to Montreal, leaving his two young children at Cushing with a nei.'hbor, Mr. John 
 O'Brien. Not long afterward his wife died, and he never returned or sent for his 
 children, nor has anyone in this section since heard of him, William, the younger of 
 the two children, died when four years old, James, the elder boy, lived with Mr. O'-Brien 
 till old enough to earn his own living. He was married in 1876 to a daughter of 
 Samuel Webster of Cushing, and lives in a pleasant cottage near the Presbyterian 
 Manse. 
 
 Among the faithful employees of the Canal is Robert Pinkerton, who was 
 appointed lockman on the Upper Locks at Carillon, in 1889 ; his home is in Cushing. 
 He is son of John Pinkerton, of Chatham ; he was married ist January, 1887, to 
 Mary J. Sittlington, also of this place, and has three children, all daughters. Mr. 
 Pinkerton's residence here is situated opposite the pretty village of Chute au Blon 
 deau. 
 
 James Roy Gaston came to Canada from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1843 ; ho 
 soon settled in Chatham, buying the farm on which his widow and children now livc;. 
 He was married 22nd June, 1S58, to Margaret McFarlane, of Perth, Ont. 
 
 That he was a valued and trustworthy Government employee is proved by the 
 fact that, for thirty-eight years, he was employed on the Canal; and, in conneation 
 with this work, he managed his farm. He also had charge of the Chute au Biondeau 
 lighthouse, and it was while attending to this that the sad accident occurred by whicii 
 he lost his life. On the evening of 24th September, 1884, accompanied by some of 
 his children, he proceeded to the lighthouse, near the river, intending to make ready 
 the customary signal ; and, preceded by his son, Alexander, started to mount the ladder, 
 which is ^6 feet in height. The son was lighting the lamp, when he felt the lad ler 
 shake, and, looking down, saw his father lying on ihe ground at its foot. He imme- 
 diately descended, finding that several rungs had been broken ; but, when he reached 
 his father's side, life was extinct. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gaston had eleven children, — eight sons and three daughters; two 
 of the latter died after reaching womanhood. 
 
 John, the eldest son, is lockman at Greece's Point ; James R. is employed by the 
 Hawkesbury Lumber Company; George has charge of the lighthouses here ; William 
 is in Chicago ; Alexander, after spending five years in the same city, returned home 
 in 1895. Leonard M. and Andrew E. live at home, also the daughter, Eliza L. 
 
 On a load leading north from the Ottawa, and about a mile distant from it, live a 
 (tw thriving farmers, one of whom, Jacob Schagel, has been noticed in the history oi 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIl,. 
 
 im 
 
 enville. 
 for the 
 is also 
 
 tb and 
 ved liis 
 )lor ser 
 filial ai 
 / years' 
 LSter by 
 imiated. 
 lary M. 
 
 1 James 
 lent, was 
 returned 
 Ir. John 
 , for his 
 )iinger of 
 O'Brien 
 ghter of 
 ibyterian 
 
 who was 
 Gushing. 
 1887, to 
 rs. Mr. 
 au Blon 
 
 1843 ;_hc 
 low live. 
 
 |d by the 
 nneation 
 
 iondcaii 
 by which 
 
 some of 
 ike ready 
 le ladder, 
 lie lad ler 
 
 [c imnic- 
 reachetl 
 
 Iters ; two 
 
 illon ; of the others, two brother 
 
 le 
 
 ed by il 
 
 William 
 led home 
 a L. 
 
 it, live a 
 liistory ol 
 
 ANDREW and William Graham, an; i^rand 
 sons of an early pioneer. 
 
 Andrew Graham came from Scotland to Chatham, about ihe year 1816, and 
 liought 120 acres of land, which is now owned by his grandson, Andrew Graham ; 
 I wo sons and two daughters accompanied him. With the help of the former, he 
 cleared up the greater part of his land. Tne youngest daughter, Jennie, married 
 Andrew Grey, of Hawkesbury. The sons, Richard and Archibald, wore both enrolled 
 ill Ca])t, Sctiagel's company during the Rebellion. Archibald, in 1S41, was married 
 t(j Jennie Black, and remained on the liomestead. They had ten children, — five of 
 each sex that grew up. The father died in 1863. There are but two sons and one 
 d:uighter now living in this section. Andrew, one of liie former, lives on tlie iiome- 
 siead, which, though stoney, has been made, through Scotch perseverance and in- 
 dustry, to yield abunda it crops — a fact attested by a fine herd of eighteen cows, a 
 good number of other animals, and commodious buildings. Mr. Graham was 
 nurried in 1865 to Mary Smitli. He and one of his sons, William Archibald, have 
 lately purchased another farm, which they work together. 
 
 William, a brother of Andrew Graham, also a thriving farmer, lives adjacent ; his 
 mother and si-ter, Christina Elizabeth, live with him. 
 
 In ti. =i nei^^hborhood aho dwell descendants of Daniel Brvne, who came from 
 Kilkenny, Ireland, to Richmond, Ont., and in 18 16, three years later, he ca.ne to 
 Chatham, and bought the land now owned and occupied by iiis son William and 
 grandson, Daniel J. Byrne. He was married loih October, 1822, to Bridget Roach. 
 'i'hey had but one son, who has always remained on the homestead. Mr. Byrne 
 l)elonged to Capt. Schagel's company during the Rebellion. He died 3rd May, 1879. 
 'Mvs. .Byrne died 3rd April, 1852. 
 
 William Byrne, the son, was married 28th April, 1851,10 Catherine, daughter of 
 the late John Byrne, of Grenville ; they had four sons and three daughters ; of these 
 only three sons and one daughter are now living. Two of the former, Edward and 
 John, reside in Michigan. The remaining son, Daniel J., and liis sister Bridget, live 
 with their father in a pleasant stone cottage amid trees and shrubbery, on the 
 homestead. 
 
 : GREECE'S POINT AND STONEFH'XD. 
 
 Greece'.'. Point, which though but a scattered hamlet, eight miles west of Carillon, 
 is at the western terminus of the Grenville Canal, hence, a place of c )nsiderable 
 business importance. A line of railway, specially for the use of lumbermen, also 
 connects the i)lace with Grenville. It is vested with much historic interest, as it is 
 supposed by many to be the spot, or very near the spot, where Daulac made his 
 heroic svand. The scenery about is very pretty, an attractive feature being the 
 elevated farms across the Ottawa at Little Rideau and Chute aa Blondeau. 
 
 Greece's Point, from the earliest settlement of the country, has become an 
 important part in its history. 
 
 On the 31st December, 1788, a location ticket, signed by the Surveyor General 
 of this Province, "'as granted to JJrig.-Gencral Allan McLean, 84tii Regiment, author- 
 izing him " to improve and settle certain lots of land, comprising 5,000 (five thousand) 
 acres, located in Chatham, County of York." On the 29th May, 1790, this land was 
 conveyed by deed of sale to Major Lachlan McLean, First Major of His Majesty's 
 60th Regiment of Foot, who, i6th September, 1803, conveyed the same to John 
 ^ViLLiAM Greece for the sum of ;^i,25o, or $1.00 per acre. 
 
 Portions of this land, from time to time, have been sold, until there now remains 
 
Hi! 
 
 308 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 but about I, coo acres, wliich are leased to occupants by the agent employed by Mr. 
 Greece, grandson of the early purcha. »■. It would be gratifying to know more of the 
 nistory of one who was so large a land holder in the township for many years; but 
 the following story, which is true, will show that he had a penchant for land jjurchasing, 
 whatever may have been his other characteristics- He lived in England, and, one 
 day, when strolling ahout, he, from curiosity, entered an auction shop ; the auctioneer 
 was expatiating on the beauty, fertility and great value of a piece of land he had just 
 put up. There were very few present, and the bidding, at fiist, was confined chiefly 
 to the auctioneer himself- Becoming interested, however, Mr. Greece began to bid, 
 and the competition was lively for a time between the auctioneer and himself, until, 
 most une.xpectedly to Mr. Greece, it was struck off to him at $600. 
 
 A few days after this he set out to view his newly acquired property, which was 
 located some distance from the place where he resided. Just at nightfall, he reached 
 an inn in a rural hamlet, and made some enquiries of the landlord respecting his 
 proi)erly. Without giving him the required information, the landlord quietly advised 
 him to wait till morning, when he could see it and judge of its value himself. He 
 accepted the advice, and early the next morning, in high spirits, walked out to view 
 his purchase. Some little time after his return the landlord asked him how he liked 
 the property, and his only reply was, that he wished he could blow it and all recollec- 
 tion of it into oblivion. This same property, however, developing its hidden treasures 
 cf Fuller's earth, i-i the short period of four years paid the owner ;^2,3oo; and, in 
 18G2, it scld at public auction for ^10,050. 
 
 Chas. Claude Greece, a son of the first proprietor of this estate, lived here 
 many years, on the lot now owned by his grandson Thomas Welden, and died here. 
 He was appointed Justice of the Peace, and on this account soon received the title 
 of "Squire," by which title he was always spoken of and addressed throughout 
 the County. He was much respected both lor his integrity and sound judgment. At 
 his suggestion, the Post-office here was established with the name of Stonefield, and 
 he also named one in Grenville, Eden Dale ; the position of which, and the name also, 
 were subsequently changed to Calumet. That Mr. Greece was a well educated, clever 
 man, is evident from letters he wrote, which are still preserved among the records of 
 the Anglican Church at Grenville. 
 
 Reuben Welden is the present agent of this estate for Mr. Greece. 
 
 Thomas Welden, his father, came from England to Chatham in October, 184.:. 
 The winter after his arrival he spent on the North River, above the Isle aux Chats, 
 where the antics of wolves must have given him rather an unfavorable impression 
 of the new country. 
 
 His son says, that a neighbor of theirs named Wilson, on returning home one 
 evening with a span of horses from St. Andrews, wa> followed by a pack of these 
 marauders. His horses were good ones, and he urged them to their utmost speed, 
 but they and Wilson himself were saved only by his two dogs, wliich fell vie i ns to the 
 rapacity of these brutes. In the quarrel which ensued among the wolves over their 
 feast, Wilson fortunately escaped. The same winter, wolves broke open the door of 
 a stable in which Wilson's sheep were enclosed, and killed several of them, 
 
 Mr. Welden, from the North River, moved a few miles farther west in Chatham, 
 to what is now known as the Noyes neighborhood. Here, on land owned by the 
 late John Noyes, and now occupied by Philabert Filion, he found good clay for makin.,' 
 brick, and as that had been his business in England, he, in company with Mr. Noyes, 
 opened a brick yard. Their brick were of superior quality, and most of the ma^iy 
 brick buildings found in this section of country were made from bricks of their 
 manufacture. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGFNTEUIL. 
 
 309 
 
 )y Mr. 
 of the 
 s ; but 
 lasing. 
 d, one 
 tioneer 
 ad just 
 chiefly 
 to bid, 
 f, until, 
 
 ich was 
 reached 
 ling his 
 advised 
 :lf. He 
 
 to view 
 he liked 
 recoUec- 
 reasures 
 
 and, in 
 
 /ed here 
 
 ied here. 
 
 I the title 
 
 oughout 
 
 t. At 
 
 d, and 
 
 lie also, 
 
 clever 
 
 cords of 
 
 ;r, 1842. 
 
 Chats, 
 
 jression 
 
 )me one 
 of these 
 speed, 
 is to the 
 ver their 
 door of 
 
 About 1846 Mr Welden moved to Grenville, and for a number of years follow- 
 ing, took charge of the farm of the late Joseph Abbott. He died in 1872. His last 
 vears, as well as those of Mrs. Welden, were spent in the family of their son H.eu.-en 
 ill Chatham. They left four sons, James, Reuben, William and Fred. C. Three of 
 tliese, intelligent and respected farmers, live in this County. William is Harbour 
 Master at New York. 
 
 Reuben married Roweno, a daughter of the late C. W. (ireece, Esq. She died, 
 and he then married Maria Louise, a sister of the deceased. 
 
 By his first marriage he had two sons, Thomas and Henry ; the former, as stated 
 above, is now proprietor of the maternal homestead, and the latter is in business with 
 his father. 
 
 Alexander Cameron, from Lochaber, Argyleshire, Scotland, was the first settler 
 at what is now Greece's Point. He came here in 1808, and built a house on the site of 
 the present hotel of J. Duchesne, A year afterward, however, he moved to the place 
 now occupied by his grandson, Allan Cameron. His learest neighbour was Major 
 ,\[acmillan, nearly five miies distant, in Grenville ; but Indians frecjuently came here 
 on their trips up and down the river. 
 
 He did considerable lumbering, taking his rafts of timber to the Quebec market. 
 He sometimes went .0 mill at St. Ann's, and sometimes to Lachute. It was no uncom- 
 mon thing for him to take a bushel of grain on his back to the latter place, and, after 
 it was ground, return home with it in the same manner, Mr. Cameron died in May, 
 1S38. His son Allan remained on the homestead, but was also employed on the 
 river, acting as pilot several years for the Hamilton Bros., as well as for others. On 
 account of his stature, he was generally called " Big Allan." He died in May, 1882, 
 at the age of 82. His widow, who was born on St. Patrick's day, 1805, and is, there- 
 fore, 91 years of age, still survives. She usually converses with her son Allan in the 
 (i.ielic tongue. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Cameron had five sons and two daughters — Allan, 
 fohn, Hugh, Daniel, Ciiarles, Mary and Flora. Daniel died recently. Flora married 
 Thomas Johnson, of Calumet, who died suddenly two or three years ago. Mary 
 married Donald McVean, and both she and her husband are deceased. Hugh died 
 ijy accident in Montreal. Charles, the youngest, has the homestead, 
 
 Allan Cameron, jun., like his father, has spent his time between the homestead 
 farm and the river, having followed the latter as pilot for fifty years. It is a pleasant 
 retlection to him that he has been so long a pilot, not only on the Ottawa, but on the 
 (iatineau and other streams, in the spring, when swollen and boisterous, without ever 
 having lost a man. Many of his winters have been spent in lumbering, and, years 
 ago, when the vast wilderness along the tributaries of the Ottawa was first invaded by 
 iuinbermen, a life in their camps must have combined much of romance, as well as 
 hardship and toil. 
 
 Mr. Cameron says that of the many animals he has seen in the forest, no sight 
 uas more beautiful or interesting to him than the following : — 
 
 He and an Indian, one day, had strolled a long distance from camp, when they 
 unexpectedly came to a yard containing nine elk. The snow was very deep and 
 quite hard, so that the poor animals had no means of escape. They reared their 
 i.'X[)ansive antlers, and with their large lustrous eyes, gazed in wonderment at the in- 
 truders. The Indian raised his gun, but Cameron forbade him to fire on the defence- 
 less herd, and hurriedly passed on, leaving them unmolested. 
 
 Stonefield is a small village, little more than a mile east of Greece's Point, but 
 tile fine Canal Locks contribute much toward the business activity of the place, 
 besides forming a most attractive feature in the landscape. The large and imposing 
 brick store of Thomas Owens, Esq., is also an object which attracts the attention 
 of visitors. ■ -. ■ , , 
 
310 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 About iStg, Owen Owkns, of Denbigh, Wales, came to Montreal, and a year or 
 two later to Clialhnm, settling at wlial is now Stoncfield, on land still o^vned and 
 occupied by liis son 'I'liomas Owens. Like all the settlers of that period, in the 
 absence of roads, he made his way here by the river, everything he possessed being 
 conveyed by battcaux. The canal was then in process of construction, and the pros 
 pect for business appearing favourable, he opened a store and hotel, boih of which 
 he carried on in connection with farming, for many years, ilis house was burnt 
 about 1847, ^^"^^ '^^" ^''^''' built the brick one, in which his son Tiiomas now resides. 
 In 1858, a jKJS I office was established here, and Mr. Owens was ap[)ointed Post- 
 master ; he (lied in 1870. lie had six sons and two daughteis. One of the former 
 was drowned in the canal at nine years of age. Another son, many years ago, went 
 to California, since which no tidings have been heard of him. Three sons — George, 
 William and Owen— have always remained in ihis section. Tiic former resides on 
 his farm, about one mile fiom Stonefield. 
 
 William and Thomas remained on the homestead, and, in company, engaged 
 largely in mercanti'e affairs. A few years since, they purchased the I'apineau Seigniory 
 in Ottawa County, consisting of 80,000 acres, and engaged extensively in the lumber 
 business. They also oi)ened a store at Montebeilo, in that Seigniory. In 1884, 
 Thomas Owens built the store mentioned above at Stoneiield, in which he now trades, 
 doing an extensive busines-. He succeeded his father as Postmaster, and has also, 
 for some years, been Commissioner for the trial of small causes. He has been 
 twice married ; the last cime lo a widow, daughter of Theodore Davis, of S^. Andrews. 
 
 The firm, which was long known under the name of " T. & W. Owens," is now 
 designated as that of "T.Owens & Sons," John F., the second son of Thomas 
 Owens, now being in the store with his father at this place, and 'thomay,- his elder' 
 son, in the store at Montebeilo. H. A. Villeneuve, the proficient and genial book- 
 keeper of Mr. Owens, has been in the employ of the firm twenty-five year.s. 
 
 William Owens always took much interest in the affairs of the township, and for 
 a time held the position of Mayor. At the time of the Fenian raids, he was active in 
 organizing a company of Volunteers, of which he became Lieutenant and J. Cushin- 
 Captain. In 1881, he entered more actively into the political arena, as is shown by 
 the following paragraph, copied from a Montreal paper of 1893 : — 
 
 " A large and influential portion of the Ccr.servatives are hoping that Mr. 
 William Owens, ex-M.P.P. for Aigenteuil, will receive the appointment to the vacant 
 seat for Inkerman in the Senate. Mr. Owens, in 188 r, redeemed the County tor tho 
 Quebec Conservative |)arty in the Quebec Legislature. In 18S6 he was re-elected by 
 acclamation, and in 1890 carried the county by 700 majority. Mr. Owens was ono 
 of the most trusted leaders in the Quebec House. He was true to his party and true 
 to his promises, on all occasions and under every circumstance. In all probability. 
 Mr. Owens will not press forward for the appointment, as some are doing ; but the 
 best friends of the Conservative party hope his claims will not, on this account, be 
 overlooked." 
 
 In the fall of 1895, Mr. Owens was appointed to theSenatorship, rendered vacam 
 by the death of the Hon. J. J- C. Abbott. 
 
 Michael Derrick, from the County of Sligo, Ireland, came to (Chatham in Junr, 
 1820, and was first in the employ of Angus McPhie, who, in company with Noyes 
 & Schagel, had a contract for transporting all the supplies for the canal laborers- 
 provisions, implements, money, etc., from Carillon to Grenville. McPhie lived in a 
 log house located between the present house of the late John Fitzgerald and the 
 river; he afterward built the stone house now occupied by Mrs. Lennon. 
 
 In 1824, Mr. Derrick took up 100 acres of Lot 11, Range i ; in 1827, he was 
 
HlVruRV OK AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 3" 
 
 year or 
 lied and 
 , in the 
 d beiny 
 he pros- 
 jf which 
 as burnl 
 
 resides, 
 jd Post- 
 c former 
 ,go, went 
 -George, 
 sides oil 
 
 engaged 
 Seigniory 
 ic lutnt)er 
 
 111 18S4, 
 )\v trades, 
 
 has also, 
 has been 
 Andrews. 
 i," is now 
 )f Thomas , 
 ^phis elder' 
 nial l)Ook- 
 
 ]), and f<iv 
 
 active in 
 
 . Cushin,^ 
 
 Ishown by 
 
 that Mr. 
 
 Lhe vacant 
 
 |ity tor the 
 
 ilected by 
 
 Is was ono 
 
 and true 
 
 •ob.abilitv. 
 
 but t'nc 
 
 icount, be 
 
 l-ed vacant 
 
 Im in Jun •, 
 
 1th Noyes 
 
 laborers — 
 
 llived in a 
 
 and liic 
 
 !7, he was 
 
 married to Alice Shields ; they had six children — two sons and one daiigliter grew 
 ii|). Mr. Derrick belonged lo dipt. C)str()m'H Company during ihc Rebellion of iS;,; ; 
 he died in December. 1877; Mrs. Derrick died November, 1874. Joseph, the third 
 son, was married in September, 1S72, to Mary McAndiew, and h.is remained on the 
 homestead. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of Chatham ; lie lias added 100 acres 
 lo the homestead, and bought 168 acres in Kast Hawkesliury. He has been Municipal 
 (Councillor since 1872, four years of which time he has served as Ma\or of tiie town- 
 ship. He was also appointed Jur'ice of the Peace, but has always declined to serve. 
 Thomas Foricman, a memlier of the Royal Staff Corps, was the first I.ockmaster 
 .;|)pointed at Greece's Point, and held 'he jjosition till his death — a period of about 215 
 years. He married Elizabeth Garret, daughter of a British :.oldier; they had thiee 
 sonsandonedaiighterthatgrew up. Tiie suns— John, Thonvis andGeorge — are active, 
 intelligent men, who, nearly all their lives, have been employed on the canal 
 
 John, the eldest, succeeded his father as Lockmastei, but a ii:\{ years after- 
 ward was appointed Superintendent of the Canal Work-; at St. Ann ; this position 
 he left some years ago, and went to IJritish Columbia. 
 
 'J'homas, the second son, succeeded his brother John in iSC)7 as Lockmaster at 
 Greece's Point, and still holds the position ; he is also Commissioner for the trial of 
 Miiall causes. He was married in October, 1875, to Caroline Douglass; they have 
 four children — two of each sex. 
 
 Georok Fukkman, the youngest son, was married September 2nd, 1S74, to Annie 
 Dinsmore ; they have three sons and two daughters living. Lillian Edna, their eldest 
 daughter, is teaching the Carillon Dissentient School. It should be said to the credit 
 of the two l)roihers, Tnomas and George Foreman, that, like their lather, they take 
 much pains to educate their children. Mr. George Foreman has spent many years 
 of his life in the towing business, keeping a number of horses for this purpose, which 
 in winter are usually employed in the lumber woods. A {^w years since he jiurchased 
 the stone house and 50 acres of land in Grenville, which was formerly the home and 
 l>roperty of the Rev. Josei)h Abbott. Mrs. F'oreman's maternal grandfather, Archi- 
 bald Canning, came to Canada about 1825. He was a stone-mason, and followed liis 
 trade many years in Chatham and vicinity. He died in Stonefield in 18S1. His 
 widow, 92 years of age, is still living, and, what is remarkable, she has never used 
 spectacles. 'I'wo of her sons, William and John Canning, farmers, reside near Stone- 
 tield. Elizabeth Foreman, sister of the brothers noticed above, married John 
 Cameron, who is engaged in the lumber business. They reside at Stonefield. 
 
 Geo. Lindley, a young man from Leeds, Yorkshire, F'ngland, came to Chatham 
 about 1830, and bought 100 acres of Lot 10, ist Range, and soon afterward sent for 
 his Cither's .'"umily. His father had been a cloth manufacturer in Englaiid, employed 
 many hands, and when he came to this country, he brought quite a t)uantity of tine 
 bioad cloths with him to sell. It is said he was a man of very prepossessing appear- 
 ance. Not long after the arrival of the family, George, who was the eldest of the 
 ten children --seven sons and three daughters — started with a quantity of wheat to be 
 ground, across the river. By some means not well understood, the boat was upset, 
 and he was drowned. The occurrence gave a great shock to the little community, 
 and especially to his parents, as on him they mainly depended, although, as regards 
 property, they were in comparatively good circumstances. Only four sons and two 
 daughters settled in this country. Michael, the youngest son, married Jane Dowd, 
 and settled on the homestead ; he belonged to Capt. Schagel's company during the 
 Rebellion of 1837. He died about 1874. He had three sons and four daugiiters. 
 David, the second son, lives with l.is mother on the homestead. He belongs to the 
 Rangers, and is one of the athletic young men who, in 1894, won the victory in the 
 " tug-of-war " contest between the Argenteuil boys and those of Glengarry. 
 
312 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGF.NTKUIU 
 
 Mdward Wiii'.i.EiiAN came from King's County, Ireland, to ib.is part of Chatham 
 in 1844. Ik- first worked for Mr. dishing several years, and, in 1855, bonglii ot him 
 100 acres of Lot 11, ist Range. 'I'iie first settler on this land and tlie one who cm 
 the first tree wa.s Jo!ni Jiowring. Finding a quantity of lime on this lot, he opened a 
 lime-kiln, and burned the lime with which, about 1815, he built his stone-house — 
 the same that is now occupied by Mrs. Whelehan. When he sold his land to Mr. 
 Cushing, he reserved a small piece, and on it built another house, in which he died 
 in February, 1856. His wife died in November, 1850. Mr. VViielehan was married 
 in 1849 ^" Mary Dunn. He lived here till his death, 24th Marcli, 1894, in iho 
 80th year of his age. He had nine children, of whom three sons and tour daughters 
 arc now livip'^. 
 
 Mrs. Whelehan's father, Andrew Dunn, came to Canada in 1826. He lived in 
 Quebec till 1830, when he came to St. Andrews, where his wife died with cholera in 
 1832. He then, in 1836, married Ellen, the only child of John Kelly, wiio had been 
 a soldier in the British service, and now lived in tiie iith Range of Chatiiam. Mr. 
 Dunn, after his last marriage, settled on the farm of his father-in-law, where he lived 
 till 1845, wlien he removed to Ikownsbnrg and worked at his trade — shoemaking — till 
 1863, when he went to Montreal, where he died in 1867. Mrs. Whelehan's youngest 
 son, Edward, and daughter, Margaret, live with her on the homestead. 
 
 CH.\Ri,bs H. Wadk is one of the respected farmers of this section. His father. 
 who owned a farm in Hawkesbury, sold it about 1857, and caine to (ireece's Point, 
 where, for several years, he kept a public house. He afterwarr s removed to Gren- 
 ville, where he died. He had eight sons and three daughters. Two of his daughters — 
 married respectively to William Kirby and William Cook — live in the township of 
 Grenville, Que. One of his sons is a merchant in Grenville village. Charles H. 
 Wade, in his younger days, served as pilot on the Ottawa ; but the greater P' lion 
 of his life, ih' r, has been spent in farming. The maiden name of iVIrs. Wade was 
 Elizabeth M ne. They have three sons and one daughter. William, the eldest 
 
 of the formei, .0 one of the trusted employees in the Dominion Cartridge Factory at 
 Brownsburg, Que. 
 
 Robert Sittlington, Lockmaster at this place, came here from the County. of 
 Antrim, Ireland, in 1857. He was employed on the locks for twenty-three years, and 
 in 18S2 was appointed to the charge of Lock No. 5, which position he has ever since 
 held. He has one son and three daughters now living. His eldest son, Capt. John 
 SittlingtoUj died in Stonefield in 1888, aged 28. He held the Captaincy of Company 
 No. 8, of the Arger.teuil Rangers, and was keeper of the lighthouse at Carillon. His 
 early death was deeply deplored, not t..;:ly by the Rangers, with whom he was 
 deservedly popular, and his relatives, but by a large circle of friends and acquiintar.ces. 
 He was buried at Stonefield with military iionours. His brother, William Sittling- 
 ton, who had been an employee on the locks, succeeded him as lighthouse keeper, 
 and is still in the position. His wife was Miss Pinkerton. Robert Sittlington's 
 eldest daughter, Mary Jane, was married ist January, 1887, to Robert Pinkerton, an 
 employee on the locks. 
 
 Edward Dawson^ who has for many years been a faithful employee on the 
 Soulanges Canal, was born in Mille Isles, soon after that place was first settled, and 
 remembers when it was principally forest. His father, Willio:.. Dawson, one of the 
 early pioneers of Mille Isles, lived near the lake, which was usually designated as 
 " Lake Dawson."' Mrs. Dawson (mother of Edward) died loth December, 1857, ^^ 
 the age of 36 ; end Mr. Dawson was again married in i860 to a widow, Mrs. Ryan, 
 who survived him. Mr. Dawson's death took place about 1890, in the 6Sth year 
 of his age, and that of Mrs. Dawson in March, 1895. 
 
 I'd 
 
 »!;ere 
 'i his V,' 
 u,i- coi 
 In i87( 
 cngagec 
 li.ive sb 
 AL 
 (tL^dcns 
 (i,!!;den ( 
 tor, Hal 
 
 JA^ 
 ago. 13 
 cillor. 
 modern 
 
 A f 
 Diimbere 
 a|'; ointe 
 
 This 
 
 erected ii 
 
 la.stein \) 
 
 is level, 
 
 tnmsforni 
 
 beautiful 
 
 chased a '. 
 
 I-ostmaste 
 
 of much c 
 
 The ( 
 
 record, w; 
 
 Tuwni-iiip 
 
 Catholic p 
 
 biscuits, a 
 
 these artic 
 
 i^ere all b: 
 
 family, cle; 
 
 ■iniioyance 
 
 liis sheej) i 
 
 RoiiEF 
 
 settlers iiei 
 long since 
 One o 
 native of tl 
 Md came ( 
 'our years. 
 % settled 
 «'hich, at th 
 neatly and 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUir,. 
 
 313 
 
 lialluvm 
 L ot hiiu 
 who cui 
 l)cncd a 
 house — 
 
 to Mr. 
 he died 
 
 married 
 , in llic 
 ;uigl\ters 
 
 ; lived in 
 l.olera in 
 luid been 
 im. Mr. 
 he lived 
 king— till 
 youngest 
 
 lis father. 
 ;e's Point. 
 1 to Grcn- 
 lughlers— 
 wnship of 
 Iharles H. 
 er pi lion 
 Wade was 
 the eldest 
 factory at 
 
 jCounty.of 
 'ears, and 
 iver since 
 lapt. John 
 iCompany 
 lion. His 
 n he was 
 |iintar,ces. 
 
 ISlTTLING- 
 
 ;e keeper. 
 Itilingion's 
 kerton, an 
 
 te on the 
 litled, and 
 ]ne of the 
 linated as 
 
 1857, -^'^ 
 Lrs. Ryan, 
 iSth year 
 
 Edward Dawson left Mille Isles at the age of ai and canio to Stonefield, Chatham, 
 wliere he engaged on the Canal works with the contractor, James (loodwin, Esq. 
 '1 his was in 1873, and Mr. Dawson remained in Mr. CoodNvin's employ till the work 
 was completed, being married in the meantime to Miss Eizzie Canning in Jidy, 1875. 
 in 1876 he bought a farm in UlockC, front of Chatham, where he still resides, being 
 engaged in connection with his farming on the Public Works. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson 
 have six sons and two daughters living. 
 
 About five miles north of Stonefield, in Chatham, is a settlement known as 
 Ogdensburg — a name derived from an early settler named ( )gden, a relative of Capt. 
 C>i;den of Vankleek Hill. Other early settlers there were the Mullins, Strongs, Fos- 
 ter, Hatley, McPhadden and IMair, but they have all left. 
 
 James Heatme and his son William, Scotchmen, located there several years 
 ago. Both are much res])ected men of Chatham, and the son is a mimicipal coun- 
 cillor. He now has the management of the homestead — a fine farm witii all the 
 modern inii)rovements. He married a daughter of the late John Calder. 
 
 A family named 'Iownsend has also lived in Ogdensburg many years, and is 
 lunnbered with its intelligent citizens. James Townsend, a good farmer, was 
 appointed Justice of the Peace, and has held municipal offices. 
 
 ST. PHHJFPE. 
 
 This Parish, which embraces quite a portion of the Township of Chatham, was 
 erected in 1856. The small village which bears the same name is located in the south- 
 eastern part, in one of the finest farming sections in the County. The land around 
 is level, free from stone, and some of it, which was formerly marshy, has been 
 transformed by thorough drainage, so that the entire section now possesses dry, 
 beautiful and productive farms. It will be recollected that Colonel Robertson pur- 
 chased a large tract of land in the front of Chatham ; Thomas A. Stayner, Deputy 
 I'ostmascer General, married a daughter of the Colonel, and thus became possessed 
 of much of the land in the vicinity of St. Philipi)e. 
 
 The earliest settler wiio remained here any length of time, of whom we have any 
 record, was a man named Levi Levitt. He came from Dunham, in the Eastern 
 Townships, about the year 1S20, and built a house on the site of the present Roman 
 Catholic presbytery. He was a single man, and brought with him only his axe, some 
 biscuits, and half a quintal of codfish. There was no road at the lime, consequently 
 I these articles were brought on his back, and, for a long time after this, his supplies 
 [were all brought to his home in the same manner. He afterward married, reared a 
 family, cleared uj) a farm, and died here many years ago. Wolves caused him great 
 j annoyance, and, about the time of the Rebellion of 1837, they killed thirty-five of 
 I his sheep in one night. After his death, his family sold the farm and left the country. 
 
 RoiiERT Allen, whose father lived in Thomas' Ciore, was one of the quite early 
 I settlers here, and he remained and raised a large family of children, but they have 
 lloni; since departed. 
 
 One of the oldest settlers still living in this section is Michael Brearton, a 
 Illative of the County of Kilkenny, Ireland, He landed in Quebec, 12th June, 1845, 
 land came directly to Carillon, where he remained with his uncle, Patrick Murphy, 
 Ifoiir years. On the 29th April, 1852, he was married to Mary Robert, and the next 
 [day settled on the farm where he now lives, which contains seventy-two acres, and on 
 Iwhich, at that time, there were but ten acres cleared. This is now all cleared up, and 
 [leatly and conveniently fenced off into three and five acre lots. He has comfortable 
 
^^^^p 
 
 314 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTKUII,. 
 
 buildings, and, at different times, has taken a ])rize on his iaim, at tlie County Agri- 
 cultural Fair. Other land which he has purchased, located not far from the home- 
 stead, makes him now a farm of two hundred and ten acres. Mr IJrearton, in 1S3S, 
 before leaving Ireland, took ihe temperance )iledge from Father Matthew, and has 
 faithfully kei)t it to this day ; and, though his frosted hair and whiskers bespeak 
 advanced age, his fresh complexion, erect form and elastic step give evidence of 
 youthful vigor, and hcahh well jireserved. He is a man much respected, and has 
 held the position of ScIkjoI Commissioner eighteen years. He has live sons, but 
 only one of them — Peter, who lives on the ho.iiestead — remains in this section. 
 
 Many years ago, a boy, son of a man named Hately, living in the front of 
 Chaliinni, was lost, anei, after wandering eight days, he was found in the woods, not 
 far from the house of Mr. Lea"'itt. He cla;i..cd lo have had no nourishment in all 
 that lime, save water and a dozen beech nuts — all he could find. 
 
 The next settler after Leaviit was James Smith, a man from the States, between 
 whom and Mr. Stayner a law-suit arose, for non-pa} ment of the money due on his 
 land. Others encouraged and aided Smith, and it was some time before he was dis- 
 possessed, and his farm, which was then of considerable value, was sold by Slayner to 
 Ror.ERT Cochran. 
 
 Mr. Cochran came, with his family, fioni Brussels, lelgium, where he had boon 
 foreman in a factory, and it was one of his duties to pay the weavers there emploved. 
 He married there a Scotch girl named Amelia Mitchell, sister of Archie Mitchell .\ ho 
 wf s a Commissary in the British service at the lime the battle of Waterloo was 
 fought. The two soi s, Columbus and Sidney, and two daughters, Jane and Emma, of 
 Mr. ('oehran, received a good education in Brussels l)efore coming to this country. 
 so that they were regarded by their less fortunate neighbors in Challiam with acertaiii 
 degree of awe and respect. They arrived at Chatham about 1S24. One of the sons, 
 Columbus Cochran, was a man of great enterprise, and he erected a brewery and tlis- 
 tillery lure, bought a large tract of land, and was about carry iiig out other plans 
 when he was accidentally drowned in the Ottawa. Jane, one of the daughter^ 01 
 Robert Cochran, was married to James Patton. 
 
 Some years after the death of Columbus Cochran, the lomaining members of Ins 
 father's family sold the homestead, and it is now owned by ^\'lLI,l.\.M Davidson, one 
 of the prominent and respected fanners of St. Philippe. His method of farming is quite 
 in advance of the old style. He has all the imjjroved farming implements: keeps 1 
 only good slock, swine, etc., and the care that he devotes lo feeeling them makes ,1 
 visit to his premises pleasant to those interested in such matters. Before coming 
 here, Mr, Davidson had considerable experience in n.arket gardening at Cote St. Paul 
 and still gives some attention to this industry. While at Cote St. Paul, he was 
 married to an intelligent Christian lady, the widow of William Broml y. 
 
 John Davidson, his father, who lives in this vicinity, may be classed among those 1 
 settlers who came after the migraiion of the squatters or potash makers. He airiveiil 
 in Canada from Yorkshire, England, in 1833, and remaineel at CoieSt. Paul a few years, 
 where he married Hannah Bromby, He seived in one of the Volunteer companies 01 1 
 Montreal in 1837-38, and afterward came to Chatham. He first took up but one 
 lot; but has since added two or three more — the last being purchased in 1848. Hef 
 now has a large farm well stocked, which is managed by his son Robert, who is mar- 
 ried to a daughter of Rolieit Nichols, of Cushing. One of his daughters is also marrinl 
 to Mr. James Nichols, brother lo Mrs, Robert David'-^'n. Mr. Davidson has had| 
 eleven children — eight sons and three daughters — but, besides the children alow 
 mentioned, George, one of the sons living in Lachine, is the only one now residini; ir.| 
 this section of Canada. 
 
HISTORY OK AUGENTEUIL. 
 
 315 
 
 nty Agri- 
 he lionie- I 
 , in 1 S3'S, 1 
 , and has 
 ; bespeak 
 idence of 
 1, and has 
 : sons, but 
 iclion. 
 £ front of 
 .voods, not 
 lent in all 
 
 s, between 
 
 due on 1 is 
 
 he was dis- 
 
 Siayner lu 
 
 c had been 
 ; employed, 
 [itchell .vho 
 Literloo was 
 d Emma, of 
 his coimtry, 
 illi acenaiii 
 of the sons, 
 y and clis- 
 ther I'lans 
 aughtc!'^ 'I 
 
 nbcrs of !iis 
 iDSON', one 
 ning is quite 
 cnts ; keeps 
 111 makes a 
 fore coining 1 
 oieSt.Paiil.] 
 aui, he was 
 
 imong those 
 He ai rived I 
 a few years, 
 lompanies oil 
 up but one 
 1848. He I 
 Iwho is mar- 
 rilso married I 
 [son has bad! 
 Idren aliovel 
 residinti in| 
 
 Jamks Pat'j'ON, from St. .Andrews, in Scotland, came to tliis country about 1834. 
 After staying with his brother Robert at Vart's Corner a year, and working in different 
 places till 1837, he bought tiie land at St. P]\ilip|)e now owned and occupied by his 
 son, Robert C. Patton. rle was mariied about this lime to jane Cochran, jjut the 
 Rebellion soon called him from the peaceful pursuits of an early settler to those of a 
 Volunteer. There was a log-hou.se and barn, but only a smal. clearing on the land 
 uhen Mr. Pattc purchased it, so that the work of '-'earing up a fiirm of one hundred 
 and fifty acres furnished himself, with the aid of his boys, a life-long work, 
 lie was appointed a Justice of the Peace, but always declined to exercise the 
 duties of his office, that of School Commissioner l)cing the only one in which he 
 served, and that he held fwr many years. He had four children — sons ; one of these 
 died in childhood, another at the age of twenty-eight. His youngest son, Charles [., 
 who is a physician, lives in San Francisco, Califo.-'"!ia. Mr. Patton died 26th May. 
 1877; Mrs. Patton i6lh September, 1853. Robert t^, the only son in this section, 
 has always remained on the homestead, and is one of the respected and substantial 
 fanners of Chatuam. Ho has been Municipal Councillor seven or eight years, and 
 a School Cor.-missioner three or four. He was married to Agnes Dobbie in 1865. 
 
 besides a small shop or two, there is one good-sized general store at St. Philippe, 
 which is the property of Pierrf, CarriilUK & Son. Mr. Carriere came from St. 
 Scholastique to this place in 1855, took his uncle's farm at Staynerville, giving him a life 
 lease. Five years afterward he went to California to earn money to pay for additional 
 land h.e had bought. Aftsr an absence of nearly five years he returned and paid for 
 his land, and once more devoted himself to farming. Believing, however, that he could 
 make money faster in other business, in tS68 he sold his ^Jersonal properly, rented 
 his farm, and went to the region bordering on Lake Superior. There, at his trade of 
 carpenter and by taking boarders, he clearer' $2,200 in eighteen iiicnthi. Returning, 
 lie worked his farm till March, 189O; when he sold it and bought t!ie store in which 
 he is still engaged. The first wife of Mr. Carriere, Bridget O'Keirfy, died in 1857, 
 leaving one daughter, who is now married. In 1865 he married Marie Cyr, by which 
 marriage he has four sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Arthur, who is with 
 him in the store, received a good academic education at St. Scholastitpie and Lachute. 
 He was married in January, 1893, to Lia Foucault. Mr. Pierre Carriere is a member 
 of the Disseniicnt School Board, Board of Health, is .Assessor, a Director of the 
 Laurentian Granite Quarry, and lias been Municipal Councillor several years. 
 
 Tavi.or L\framboise came to St. Philippe from St. Scholastique in 1879, and 
 opened a small carriage shop on his arrival, but his business has so prospered that he 
 has enlarged his premises, and now usually employs a dozen rricn. He has a paint 
 shop, harness and blacksmith shop, so that he is prepared to make all kinds of vehicles, 
 and he annually sells a number of fine buggies of the most improved and latest style. 
 He is also an undertaker, and agent for all kinds of agricultural implements, besides 
 hciiig Manager and Secretary of the Laurentian Granite Quarry Company. The 
 enterprise of Mr. L^framboise has brought him success, and he has e-ected a neat 
 and attractive residence here. 
 
 At a distance of about half a mile west from the village of St. Philippe, on a good 
 farm, lives B. Chambers, jun. 
 
 His father, James Boyd Chambers, came from the County of Tyrone, Ireland, to 
 Chatham in 1841, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Thomas. 
 There was only a rude hut on it and a small clearing at the time, and he soon erected 
 a more comfortable house, which is still standing, and he also, with the assistance of 
 his sons, cleared up the farm. Mr. Chambers had received a pretty fair education in 
 his early days, which was of good service to him in this country. He was a School 
 
 :U; 
 
m 
 
 316 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Commissioner for some time ; but his principal business was buying and selling 
 cattle and sheep— a pursuit he followed for thirly-tive years. He died in January, 
 1893. in the 90th year of Iiis age. He had six sons and four daughters; one of the 
 latter is now dead. Four of the sons live in Chatham and two are in Montana, 
 
 James B. Chambers, one of the sons, in his younger days was employed in the 
 lumher business, and thus earned money, with which, in 1868. he purchased of hi;, 
 father the farm of 100 acres on which he now lives. He has erected fine commodious 
 barns, keeps a good stock of cattle, horses and sheep, and everything about his 
 ]. remises gives evidence of thrift and prosperity Mr. Chambers was married in 
 September, 1873, to Margaret Scarborougli. He has been a member of the School 
 Board a number of years. 
 
 John Chambers, another son of the late James B. Chambers, is proprietor of a 
 good farm adjacent to that of his brother named above, though on another road 
 leading from St. Philippe to the front of Chatham. He was married loth Sejitember, 
 1875, to Nancy Smith, daughter of the late John Smith, of Chatham. 
 
 historical; NOTES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. 
 
 PHILIPPE. 
 
 BY REV. P. CHATILLON. 
 
 The following few notes have been gathered, for the greater part, from the 
 mouths of several of the most ancient Catholic parishioners of St. Philippe still 
 living. Any one of my successors may, if he wills it, give them a literary form, and 
 complete them. 
 
 The beginning and developments of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Philippe, 
 County of Argenteuil, Province of Quebec, would be very interesting to be traced up 
 in an historical ])oint of view, the mucli more interesting, as they would show us how- 
 were formed through time most of the Roman Catholic parishes situated on the two 
 banks of the Ottawa River, in the Counties of Argenteuil, Ottawa, Prescott and 
 Russell. 
 
 The parish of St. Philippe is situated in the centre of the County of Argenteuil, 
 48 miles from Montreal, and 72 miles from Ottawa, reckoning from Staynerville 
 station. It contains thus nearly the whole of the township of Chatham, from the 
 township of Wentworth to the north, to the Ottawa River to the south. Its territory, 
 consequently, as it is shown by the local geographical map, is found half in the valley 
 of the Ottawa River, and half in the Laurcntide Mountains. 
 
 It is exclusively in the south part of the township of Chatham, from the foot of the 
 mountains, that is 10 say, in the valley of the Ottawa River, that Catholic people have 
 gathered up to the present time, where they find themselves mixed with an English 
 and Protestant population ; but they have managed to live always in harmony with 
 them, owing to their remarkable spirit of liberality, peace and charity. 
 
 The parish of St. Philippe is generally known under the name of St. Philippe of 
 Argenteuil, from the name of the county, or of St. Philippe of Chatham, from the name 
 of the township, or of Muddy Branch (La Branche), from the name of a small brook 
 on the Stayner road, to the north of the present village, which brook discharges its 
 whitish and muddy waters mto the North River, at Lachute, thus forming a branch 
 of that much more important stream. Whence follows, that saying that you go to 
 St. Philippe, or to Chatham, or to " La Branche," comes to the same thing, and you 
 ■will be understood by everyone in the neighborhood, and even far away. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 317 
 
 selling 
 anuary, 
 
 of the 
 na. 
 
 1 in the 
 i of hi; 
 nodious 
 bout his 
 jried in 
 i School 
 
 ;lor of a 
 lier road 
 ptember, 
 
 OF ST. 
 
 from the 
 
 ilippe still 
 form, and 
 
 Philippe, 
 traced up 
 ■)\v us how 
 n the two 
 scott and 
 
 Ligcnteuil, 
 
 [aynerville 
 
 from the 
 
 territory, 
 
 [the VviUey 
 
 Ifoot of the 
 2ople have 
 [n English 
 juony wiih 
 
 Miilippe of 
 
 tlie name 
 
 jnall brook 
 
 Eharges its 
 
 Ig a branch 
 
 ion go 10 
 
 r, and you 
 
 The Roman Catholic population of the parish of St. Philippe, numbering 
 230 families and 1,400 souls, are nearly all of French-Canadian race. Thare are 
 only about a score of Irish families, living, the most of them, in the southern part of 
 the parish. The first Roman Catholic families who came to settle in the township of 
 Chatham do not trace up the origin of thep;^rish of St. Philippe farther back than about 
 threescore years, from the most accurate relatioas of the old j^ople of the afore- 
 said place. The French-Canadian families, for the greater part, came hither from the 
 various parishes of the county of Two Mountains, where they were already too crowd- 
 ed, to form settlements, and they fixed themselves, in preference, at the foot of the 
 mountain, and in the west of the township, where the land seemed to them better and 
 easier to be cultivated. French colonist-^, generally speaking, are not so very well 
 off, although steady, as the English-speaking settlers, because they are not such good 
 farmers, and spend more money for their table, clotlies and carriages. Let that be 
 said <?« passaut as a piece of good advice, to be fair and impartial, and to furnish 
 them with a good opportunity of improving their morals and methods. 
 
 Among the French-Canadian families who came successively and settled in the 
 township of Chatham, we may name, specially, the families Trudeau, Sarrazin, 
 Leclaire, Saintonge, Poireur, >5ellefeuille, Raymond, Labrossc, Bricot, Lamarche, 
 Lacasse, Desjardins, Lalande, Latreille, Leblanc, Laurin, Blais, .Nlauricette, Laurence, 
 Pilon, B'oucault, Rochon, Giroux, Ouellet, Carriere, Cleroux, Robert, Morin, Lapointe, 
 etc. Some of those families, in the course of time, left the place, but others are 
 represented there now by a good many members. The most ancient Irish or Scotch 
 Catholic families established in the township of Chatham are : the families Byrne, 
 lirearton, Cameron, Lennon, Derrick, McCoy, Farrell, Wellingham, Baxter, Hart, 
 Kelly, etc. The last three have left the place, or are extinguished at the present 
 time. There, as elsewhere, in general, they have not kept the naive and strong faith 
 of their mother-country. In that point of view, the free soil of America was some- 
 what harmful to them. 
 
 Whence and how were those first colonists attended to in the first years of their 
 settlement? According to the testimony of the old people of St. Philippe, quite 
 unanimous on that point, during the interval from 1835 ^^ 1836, they were obliged to 
 go to Saint Andr6 most of the time, to jfet religious assistance. In fact, the first mass 
 was said to them by one of the former missionaries of the latter parish, possibly and 
 ptu.iably, the Rev. L. D. Charland, parish priest of Rigaud, in the house of Joseph 
 Larose, in the row of " La Branche," a house rebuilt by Charles Raymond Labrosse. 
 There, also. Bishop Guigues put up, when he came to fix the place of the first Roman 
 Catholic chapel of the township of Chatham. The Roman Catholic colonists of the 
 township of Chatham, during 1 same interval, from 1835 ^'^ 1836, were also attended 
 to by the missionaries while passing through Grenville, and holding service in the old 
 wooden chapel of that mission, situated about a mile below the present village, 
 between the Queen's Road and the Ottawa River. You may see still the ruins of 
 that old chapel which was burned later on. The records of baptisms, marriages and 
 i)urials, for the mission of the township of Chatham, up to 1856, must be found both 
 in the parochial registries of St. Andre and Grenville, according to the case. 
 
 The Canonic il erection of the parish, of St. Philippe, which had been till then a 
 simple mission, took place on the 24th of January, 1856, through a decree of Bishop 
 ]. E. B. Guigues, fitst bishop of Bytown, and the civil erection, on the 6th of August, 
 1861, through the means of Mr. Justice Lafontaine. Those proceedings gave it a 
 regular and legal existence, and contributed a great deal to its spiritual, moral and 
 material progress. One could guess already what it was to become later on. Accord- 
 ing to the contents of the decree, that parish contains that part of the township of 
 
318 
 
 HISTOPV OF AT',r;ENTEUIL. 
 
 Chatham which is limited to the south by the Ottawa River, to (tie east by the 
 line thai separates the township of Chatham from the Seignio'-y of Argenteuil, includ- 
 ing that pait of "I'lsle aux Chats" which is situated in Chatham, to the nortli by 
 the township of Wentworth, and to the west by the hill which is called Broon's Hill, 
 a territory of about 27 square miles. 
 
 'J'he first election of wardens, under the curacy of Rev. E. H. Ebrard, curate 
 to that parish (the reverend gentleman was drowned some years later in taking a 
 bath at Masham Mills), was held on the 25th of May, 1856 ; that document, as well 
 as the certificate of marriage between Jos. Lacombe and Olive Leclair, dated 21st of 
 July, 1856, are the two first parochial documents of St. Philijjpe. The three first 
 waidens elected were: Martin Sarrazin, Ama.Me Trudeau lUid VVm. Byrne. The 
 warden in charge for the balance of the aforesaid year was Martin Sarrazin. The 
 fourth warden elected was Leon Bricot-Lamarche, on the 6th of January, 1837, ^'^• 
 
 The Rev. Arthur Mignault, a Frendi-Canadian, was the first parish priest of Si. 
 Philippe. Appointed in July, 1856, he did not fix his residence in that place befoic 
 October, 1837. He occupied at first, till the following spiing, the wooden house at 
 the corner of the street, belonging now to Joseph Corbeil, merchant, then the present 
 priest-house, — which became his property — for about two months, at the end of 
 which he left the 1 arish in May, 1^58 He left behind him the name of a great 
 preacher of the Roman Catholic faith — dead at the jjresent time. 
 
 The second parish priest of St. Philipps was the Rev. Laurent jouvcnt, a French 
 man l)y birth, afterwards a vicar-general of the diocese of Bytown. He came hither 
 in the first days of June, 1858, and left the parish ar, the end of March or at the 
 beginning of Ai)ril, 1862. He returned to France, in the diocese of Paris, where he 
 is still living at the [tresent lime. 
 
 The third parish priest of the same parish was Rev. P. 8. Mancip, a Frenchman, 
 who came here in the last days of March or the first days of April, 1862, and leu 
 the parisli on the 2oih November, 1873. He was afterwards appoin.ed parish priest 
 at L'Orignal, where he died and was buried. 'I'he parishioners of St. Philippe, who 
 were acquainted with him, have the best remembrance of him, and are unanimous in 
 their jjraise. His dei)arture was deplored by everybody, and people speak sliU of 
 him with emotion. 
 
 The fourth parish i)riest was the Rev. J. C. Comminges, a l'"renchman, who 
 arrived here on the i7tli of November, 1873, and left at Michaelmas, 1877. Hedied 
 suddenly in Manitoba some years ago. 
 
 The fifth parish priest was Rev. Gabriel Joseph Motte, a Frenchman, who came 
 here at Michaelmas, 1877, and left the parish at the end of October, 1880, now— 
 Septemb'-T, 1894 — a professor at Bourget College, Rigaud. (See reg. fol. 46, p. 92.) 
 
 The sixth parish priest was Rev. Charles Larose, a French-Canadian, who was 
 ai)pointed at the end of October, 1880, and left the parish at Michaelmas, 1886, to 
 go to the parish of Wendover, to-day parish priest of " The l^rook." He succeeded 
 among a lot of difticulties to fix the legal repartition for the construction of the present 
 stone church. He war. esteemed by his people, specially on account of his sympathy 
 for sick people. 
 
 The seventh parish priest was the Rev. Peter Godin Chatillon, a French-Cana- 
 dian, who arrived here at Michaelmas, 1886. He returned to the diocese of Montreal 
 on the 3rd of October, 1894, to become a chaplain of the Monastery of the Good 
 Shepherd, Sherbrooke street. 
 
 The paiish ofSt. Philippe, which had grown pretty j^opulous, resolved to builda 
 chapel for their own use. A generous citizen of the place, Joseph Leclair, madi' ;i 
 gift, at first verbally, of an acre of land for that object ; the deed of the gift was not 
 
 signed 
 
 J'uller, 
 
 The br 
 
 Carrie: 
 
 e\clusi 
 
 Desvo) 
 
 Joseph 
 
 s.un th( 
 
 I'jclair 
 
 to the 
 
 Reignai 
 
 by Rev 
 
 of Plard 
 
 a relic ii 
 
 Th 
 
 parish j; 
 
 Piiilippc 
 
 U'entwc 
 
 ])riests 
 
 1 89 2, ih: 
 
 there on 
 
 dining tl 
 
 The mis 
 
 priests ol 
 
 and buri 
 
 parochia 
 
 . Up 
 registers 
 
 house at 
 the missii 
 struction 
 llishop G 
 1866; tht 
 jid of Jul 
 eighth on 
 tlu; 24th o 
 llie 23 rd 
 
 Meai 
 worthy of 
 the Roma 
 June, r88i 
 the new 
 decree intc 
 La march e, 
 the place, 
 man. The 
 architects ( 
 and the ve: 
 Bi-^ard Isl; 
 
by the 
 
 includ 
 orth by 
 I's Hill, 
 
 curate 
 aking a 
 as well 
 [ 2ISt of 
 ree first 
 te. The 
 in. The 
 837, etc. 
 est of Si. 
 ce befoic 
 house at 
 e present 
 e end of 
 f a great 
 
 a French- 
 
 me hither 
 
 or at the 
 
 where he 
 
 nchman, 
 and leu 
 sh priest 
 1)6, who 
 ninious in 
 k still of 
 
 man, who 
 He died 
 
 ,vho came 
 o, now— 
 
 p. 92-) 
 who was 
 1886, to 
 succeeded 
 he present 
 sympathy 
 
 nch-C ana- 
 Mont real 
 the Good 
 
 to build a 
 jir, mad'' ;i 
 ift was not 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 319 
 
 .signed till the 10th of May, 1859. The contractor of the building was Rinaldo 
 luller, a farmer of the neighborhood. The pews were made by J. B. Beauchamp. 
 'I he brick chapel, 45 X 31 outside, built in 1877, and converted into a store by P. 
 Carriere & Son, was used as a parochial church up to the 6th of January, 1889, 
 cxclusive'y. Tne land where it was erected was sold, in part, in 1889 to Telesphore 
 Desvoyaux-Laframbroise, carter, and, in part, in 1890, witii the ch.apel itself, to 
 Joseph Mathias Dorion, a merchant of the place, for the sum of $1,000, out of which 
 Slim the Trustees' Board of St. Philippe was obliged to pay a hundred dollars to Joseph 
 I>:clair. The ground where were erected the present church, presbytery and cemetery, 
 to the east of the town, containing 35 acres, was bought from the Rev. Arthur 
 Reignault by the trustees, on the 3rd of February, 1859. The little steel bell, bought 
 by Rev. F. I. Mancip for the Church Corporation, was sold in 1892 to the mission 
 of Eardly, connected with Aylmer. The wrought iron cross of the steeple is kept as 
 a relic in the small cemetery established in the vault of the present church. 
 
 The mission of Grenville, from July, 1856, up to the appointment of the first 
 IKuish priest. Rev. D. I. Foley, in 187 1, was attended to by the parish priest of St. 
 I'hilippo, who used to say mass there once or twice a month. The mission o f 
 Wentworth was also in charge, from July, 1856, to October, 1884, of the parish 
 priests of St. Philippe, at first without any curate, and afterwaids from M'Jiaelmas, 
 1892, through the mear.s of a curate, Mr. Dieudonne Belanger, who went to say mass 
 there once a month. The records of baptisms, marriages and burials of that mission, 
 during those two intervals, were then kepi in the parochial registers of St. Philippe. 
 The mission of S . Joachim, Chute A Blondeau. was attended to by the parish 
 priests of St. Philippe up to ist January, 1887. The records of baptisms, marriages 
 and burials of the said mission were also kept, during that period of time, in the 
 parochial registers of St. Philippe. 
 
 Up to ihe present time, according to the testimony of the old people and the 
 ngistors of St. Philippe, there have been twelve episcopal visits: the first in June, 
 1857, by Bishop Guigues, who put up that time at Joseph Leclair's, whose stone 
 house at the entrance of the village is still in existence. It is in that same house that 
 the missionaries of Grenville put up and said mass for several years before the con- 
 struction of the chapel, The second visit took place on the lothofjune, 1861, by 
 llisiiop Guigues ; the third on the 2nd of June, 1864; the fourth on the 6th of June, 
 1866 ; the fifth on the ist of July, 1872, always by Bishop Guigues ; the sixth on the 
 3id of June, 1875, by Bishop Duhamel ; the seventn on the 9th of July, 1879; the 
 eighth on the 23rd of June, 18S1 ; the ninth on the 3rd of July, 18S4 > the tenth on 
 the 24th of July, 1887 ; the eleventh on the 28th of June, 1890 ; and the twelfih on 
 the 23rd of July — all of them by Bishop Duham-l. 
 
 Meanwhile, the chapel, that had become too small, called for a new temple 
 worthy of the Divine Majesty, and large enough to contain, for a long period of time, 
 the Roman Catholic people of St, Philippe. The dioce.San Bishoj), on the 23rd of 
 June, 'S81, gave to the i)arishioi-.ers the order, to get themselves ready to construct 
 the new church in the near future. Tne five wardens elected to put the said 
 decree into execution were: Gedeon Sarrazin, chairman : John Robert, Leon Bruot 
 Lainarche, Joseph Dowick, and Toussaint Lacroix. Later on, Gedeon Sarrazin left 
 t'lc place, and was replaced by Philibert Filion, and John Robert was elected chair- 
 man. The outside plan, in Roman style, was made by Perrault & Mesnard, 
 architects of Montreal, according to which, the church was to be 115 x 50 feet outside, 
 and the vestry 36 x 26 feet inside. The contract was given to Athanase Lauzon, of 
 Bizard Island, for the amount of $t 1,800 cash, and the work began on the 25th 
 
 1 
 ill 
 
i 
 
 320 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 of April, 1888. The said contractor did not give satisfaction in many parts of the 
 building. The blessing of tiie first stone took place on the 115th of the next May, 
 under the direction of JJishop Duhamel, Arclibishop of Ottawa. The building was 
 completed the next fall, apart from the steeple, whicii was not l)uilt till the followinu' 
 spring. The first mass was said in the new chureh on the 6th of January, 1889 i three 
 bells of the foundry of Mears iv: Stainbank, London, giving the notes fa sol la, and 
 weighing 2466 pounds, were bought at the same time, by the Fabrique of the churcii, 
 through the means of a bazaar, and cost $1,170.52. Let us praise the 
 generosity of the parishioners of St. Philippe and of their friends, on that occasion. 
 The solemn blessing of the church and the bells took place on the 15th of June, 18S9, 
 and was presided over by Bishop Duhamel. The big bell, weighing 992 pounds, was 
 given the names of Mary, John the Baptist, Joseph, Anne, Joachim, Victoria ; the 
 next one, weighing 809 pounds, the names of Elizabeth, Elzear, Alexandre, Theresa, 
 Bruno, Thomas; and the little one, weighing 665 pounds, the names of Rose, Pliilip. 
 Patrick, Pierre, Agnes. Everyone of them bears a Latin inscription, adapted to the 
 occasion. The sermon in French v/as given by Rev. J. Rouleau, a professor at the 
 Little Seminary of St. Teresa, and the sermon in English, by the Rev. VVm. Whelan, 
 parish priest of St. Patrick, Ottawa. The sponsors were Messrs. Simon Labrosse, 
 N.P., of St. Eugene, and lady ; W. Owens, M.P.P., of Lachute, and Mrs. John 
 Lennon, of St. Philippe; H. Berthelot, N.P., of Lachute, and Miss Sauvd ; Phineas 
 Lane and Mrs. Philibert Filion of St. Philippe ; Jolin Kelly, of Carillon, and Mrs. 
 Kelly; Michael Dwyer, of Carillon, and lady; Hugh Robert, of St. Philippe, and 
 lady; Joseph Mathias Dorion, of St. Philippe, and widow Honore Desjardins, of St. 
 Philippe ; Cyrille Perier and widow Isidore Legault, St. Philippe ; John Fitzgerald, 
 sen., and lady, Chatham; John Fitzgerald and lady; John Robert and lady; 
 Augustin Prevost and lady ; Toussaint Lacroix and lady ; Celestin Leclair and 
 lady. A fine number of the neighboring priests were also present. The collection 
 amounted to $229. 
 
 The inside of the church and the vestry were completed in 1F91, according to the 
 plan of Messrs. Perreault, Mesnard & Venne, three eminent architects of Montreal. 
 The joiner's work by Ph. Boileau & Broiliers, of Bizard Island, cost the sum of 
 $4000, and the decorative painting by F. E. Meloche, a painter of Montreal, cost 
 the same amount. Those gentlemen gave full and entire satisfaction to their 
 employers. On the occasion of the inauguration of those final works, a pontific;il 
 mass was celebrated by Bishop Duhamel, Archbishop of Ottawa, on the 12th of 
 November, 1891, in presence of a great number of priests belonging to the archdioceses 
 of Montreal and Ottawa, The fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross, which were 
 also blessed on the same occasion, were generously given by the parishioners of St. 
 Philippe. Each station cost $1500. The stained glass windows, which cost in all 
 $362, were generous gifts. They were made by Castle & Son, of Montreal, accord- 
 ing 10 the plans of E. Aleloche.. and cost $20 each, except the one of the front gat*^, 
 that cost $35.00. The Church of St. Philippe has not yet been consecrated, but 
 everything is ready to that end. The said consecration, we may hope, will take place 
 in the near future. 
 
 The school question did not fail early to attract the attention of the Catholic 
 people of the township of Chatham. P'or that very reason, as soon as the ist of July, 
 1861, the school municipality of the dissidents of Chatham was established, and the 
 three first wardens elected were Leon Bricot-Lamarche, chairman ; Etienne Maheux 
 and Moise Clemcuc, with Fernandez Naubert as secretary-treasurer. The first school- 
 house was built on^the land of Nap. Pilon, near to the village on the " La Branche" 
 row, and the first emale teacher was Adeline Cote, the wife of Cyrille Perier, of St. 
 
 place, 
 
:s of the 
 ;xt May, 
 ;ling was 
 'oUowinu' 
 $9 ; three 
 il la, and 
 e churc'n, 
 raise the 
 occasion, 
 lie, 1889, 
 uids, was 
 Dria ; the 
 Theresa, 
 e, Phihp. 
 ed to the 
 ;or at the 
 , Whelan, 
 Labrosse, 
 Irs. John 
 ; Phineas 
 and Mrs. 
 
 ippe, 
 
 and 
 
 iins, of St. 
 
 Fitzgerald, 
 nd lady; 
 clair and 
 collection 
 
 ing to the 
 
 iMontreal. 
 
 lie sum of 
 
 real, cost 
 
 to their 
 
 pontifical 
 
 iC 1 2th of 
 
 hdioceses 
 
 hich were 
 
 ers of St. 
 
 cost in all 
 
 , accord- 
 
 Vont gate, 
 
 [rated, but 
 
 ake place 
 
 Catholic 
 Ist of July, 
 I, and the 
 le Maheux 
 
 |rst school- 
 
 jranciie" 
 
 her, of St. 
 
 HISTORY Ol" ARGENTEUII,, 
 
 321 
 
 Philippe. Six schools were in full v/oiking in 1S94. French and Englisii are taught 
 simultaneously in one school. The throe i)resont wardens are : Ai. Morin, chairman ; 
 Pierre Carriere and Ambroise Blais, with Hyacintiie Paquin as secretary-treasurer. 
 All the Catholic people to-day are dissidents. 
 
 The village c f St. Philippe, all French and Roman Catholic, numbered, in 1894, 
 :S houses, one of which is unoccui)ie(l, and 29 families, three stores, one flour 
 merchant, a post office, one currier, two shoemakers, threj blacksmiths, two joiners, 
 one hotelkeeper, one baker, one tailor and two dressmakers. Several private and 
 public improvements have been made during the last fev years. 
 
 In fine, let us say it appears that to the parish of 3t. Philippe is connected a 
 glorious record in liie annals of the French domination in Canada. It would appear 
 that it was at the foot of " Long Sault " at Greece's Point, or in the neighborhood on 
 either bank of the Ottawa River, that took place the heroic struggle of Dollard and 
 his twenty-six companions, with forty-six Hurons and .\lgonquins against eight hun- 
 dred Iroquois, in May, 1660. According to my humble opinion, the Provincial 
 (lovernment of Quebec should not delay ordering thorough explorings in the snid 
 place, in order to try to discover the very spot where was acted that heroic deed of 
 our national history. 
 
 C. 
 
 The locality in which the pioneers next mentioned spent their last days is about 
 two miles west of St. Philippe, 
 
 Captain Johnson Smith, who had been a" soldier in the American Revolution, 
 came from New Hampshire to Stanstead, Que., about 1799, and in 18' 5, to the 
 front of Chatham, and bought 100 acres of land, which is now owned c,i(i occupied 
 by Geo. M. Bradford. In the war of 1812, he became Lieutenant of Militia, and 
 after the war, he was promoted to the rank of Captain — a tifle by which, subse- 
 quently, he w,^.. tlways known and addressed. He had five sons and five daughters. 
 His two eldest sons, Walter and Johnson, were also soldiers during the war of 1812, 
 and the former was wounded at the Battle of Lacolle Mill. Captain Johnson Smith 
 died 30th November, 1857 ; his wife died 19th February, 1850. Three of their sons, 
 Johnson, Daniel and David, all remained in Chatham till death, and reared large 
 families. 
 
 Daniel, the third son, at the age of eighteen, bought a lot in the 2nd Concession, 
 on which he spent his life, and which is now owned and occupied by his own son, 
 Johnson Smith. About 1828, he married Esther Dale, daughter of Daniel Dale, of 
 Dalesville, who built the first mills there. Mr. Smith was an industrious, thrifty 
 farmer, and erected a good stone house with tin roof, in which his son still resides. 
 He died 23fd April, 1889, aged 88 years and 11 months ; Mrs. Smith died i6th 
 December, 1884, aged 72 years iind 6 months. They had twelve children, nine of 
 whom — seven sons and two daughters — grew up. Johnson, the son living on the 
 homestead, married 20th April, 1881, Elizabeih McArthur ; John, his brother, lives 
 with him. He has a fine farm of 140 acres, well stocked, and all the agricultural 
 implements employed by a thrifty, intelligent farmer. 
 
 Daniel, another brother, married in November, 1882, a widow, Mrs. H. .V. 
 Hooper. In 1880, he built a powder mill at Brownsburg, which has since become 
 the property of the Dominion Cartridge Company, and Mr. Smith for several years 
 has been their agent. He lives at Brownsburg, and is widely known as a public- 
 spirited, energetic gentleman. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Captain Smith, married 24tli November, 1S62, Fllizabeth 
 Chambers J he settled near the homestead, and died there nth September, 1891. 
 
 II r. 
 
322 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL, 
 
 His widow Still resides there with her ciiildren, of wliom they had seven — four sons 
 and three daugiiters. Milhe, one of their daiigliters, in 1890, at the age of 13, 
 received a medal from the Montreal IVitnas, for a story she wrote for the paper, 
 concerning her grand-father Smith's life as a pioneer. 
 
 Robert Mautin, from or near Bury, St. Edmunds, England, came to Chatham 
 in 1845, ^"d '" ''*^5° settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, George 
 B. Martin. He had been married in England, but his wife died, and he left his two 
 children — a son and daughter — there, when he came to this country. In 1849, ''^ 
 married Mary Bothwcll ; they had three children — two sons and one daughter — I)ul 
 one of the former died in infiviicy. Mr. Martin died in July, 1859; Mrs. Martin in 
 January, 1891. Their only remaining son, George Broke, received his second name 
 after Captain Broke, whocommandeJ i\\^ British vessel " Shannon," which captured 
 the United States ship " Chesapeake," near Boston, in the American War; Captain 
 Broke being an old and esteemed friend of Mr. Martin. 
 
 George B. Martin, the son, has always remained on the honustead with his 
 sister, Mary Jane. He has a good-sized farm, as well as a g<)od library. In 1S67, lie 
 joined the Argenieuil Rangers, and has passed through the different grades of pro- 
 motion, till he now holds the rank of Major. In 1891, he was appointed Secretary- 
 Treasurer of the Clui'ham Council, and two years later. Secretary- Treasurer of the 
 School Commissioners of Municipality No. i, comprising the first six ranges of lots 
 in Chatham. The rural abode of Mr. Martin and liis sister, and the possession of a 
 library, hive enabled tiiem, without the distractions incid -nt to a less secluded life, 
 to i)rofit by extensive reading — a fact pleasurably apparent to those who meet them. 
 
 STAYNERVILLE. 
 
 A little more than a mile from St. Philippe, and at the railway station, a post 
 office has been established with the above name, a name of a former Post-master 
 General, who once owned a large tract of land here. There is no village here, the 
 station and an hofel comprising all the buildings, except farmers' houses 'scattered 
 at various distances along the iiighway. At a short distance from the Station running 
 through a narrow valley with steep, sloping sides, is a small stream known as Muddy 
 Branch, on account o' the turbid water caused by clay soil. On the opposite bank 
 of the stream from the ctation stand the buildings of two comparatively early settlers, 
 on different sides of the highway ; their names are William Scarborough and 
 William Davis. 
 
 The father of the former, who was a tailor, came to Canada about 1830, and first 
 lived in the front of Chatham on the farm of Colin Dewar, but about two years later 
 he was engaged by the Rev. Joseph Abbott, who then owned the Bradford estate in 
 that section, to go. 10 St. Andrews, and act as sexton for his church. A year subse- 
 quently, he was induced to obtain a piece of land that he could call his own, and on 
 which his children could do something toward the support of the family, while he 
 could still follow his trade. With this object in view, he took a lot on Muddy Branch, 
 so marshy at the time, that the proprietor, Mr. Stayner, had great difficulty in finding 
 anyone who would purchase it. At the time of the Rebellion, Mr. Parish, merchant 
 of St. Andrews, took a contract for suj)plyingthe Volunteers with clothing, and Mr. 
 Scarborough was employed in cutting and making it, and from that time forward 
 obtained all the work he desired. 
 
 William, his son, who now owns the homestead, when a boy worked some years 
 for his neighbors. Levi Leavitt and Robert Allen. He was employed by the latter 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 323 
 
 during the Rebellion, and as Mr. Allen belonged to the Cavalry, and was stationed, 
 simetinies at the " Barracks " in Carillon, and sometimes at St. Andrews, it was a part 
 of young Scarborough's work to bring to Allen, every week, one of the farm horses, 
 and take bat^k the charger used in service the week previous. Mr. Scarborough says 
 he was kept pretty busy at that time, and during the days when the fight occurred at 
 St. Eustache, and the Volunteers marched to Grand Brule, he haJ to look after the 
 stock and chores of a number oftiie Volunteers who lived in proximity to Mr. Allen. 
 
 Subsequently, he worked a good deal with lumber men, and on one occasion, 
 when in a camp with a few men, back from the river on the Upper Ottawa, he was 
 kli entirely alone for ten days. One of the men cut his knee, and from want of proper 
 ticatment the knee swelled, and the man was in danger of his life, so that some 
 ol' his companions had to convey him on a stretcher to the river, thence by boat to a 
 l)'ace where he could receive pro])er medical aid. In the meantime, Scarborough 
 was left in charge of the camp, and he found the first night or two ratlier trying to 
 his nerves, as wolves surrounded and seemed determined to attack him, but were pre- 
 vented by the bright fire, which he kept burning continuously all nigiit. 
 
 At another time, when carrying the mail from Grenville to Hull, lie was in danger 
 cit being drowned. Bridges had been carried away, and the land was overflowed during 
 a spring freshet, so that he had lo use a canoe in making his trip. While thus jour- 
 neying near the mouth of the Gatineau, his boat was suddenly entangled in a great 
 mass of tloodwood, swept down by the breaking of a dam above. After much diffi- 
 culty, he succeeded in gaining an island, from which he was rescued. But .Mr, Scar- 
 In, rough seems to have borne the hardships and surmounted die difficulties of 
 pioneer life successfully, as he is still active, and performs mucli hard labor. His 
 farm — the same which his father obtained from Stayner — is no longer a morass, but 
 all cleared and drained, and ])roduces fine crops. He has four children — one son 
 and three daughters; the latter, all married, live in distant parts ; John, the son, with 
 his family resides here on the homestead. 
 
 Richard Davis came to Chatham from Gloucester, England, about 1832, and 
 lor some time found employment on the canal, which was then in process of construc- 
 tion. One method then employed to procure rum afforded him some amusement, and 
 was an incident n. his early experience in this country he used subsequently to re- 
 late. 
 
 A few of the horses of the canal laborers, tempted by the fresh feed in the road 
 or fields adjacent, often broke out of their enclosure. A certain foreman of a gang 
 watched for such opportunities, put the hort.es in pound, and with the poundage thus 
 secured bought rum for his men. 
 
 Subsequently, Mr. Davis bought the lot adjoining Mr. Scarborough's, which is now 
 owned and occupied by his rephew, William Davis. These two men began work on 
 their land, and built houses about the same time. So marshy was the ground at that 
 time, that they were obliged to quit woik while it was quite light, otherwise they would 
 tind it necessary to remain over night in the woods, not being able to pick their ,>aths 
 through the morass in the darkness. On one occasion, Mr. Davis, having prolonged 
 his work till it was quite late, was overtaken by night, in attempting to reach the 
 house of Mr. Allen, which he made his temporary residence ; he then kindled a fire, 
 and lay down on a log beside it to sleep. He was prevented, however, by three wolves 
 which kept him company the entire night, often venturing so near, snapping and howl- 
 in^;, that he was in constant fear of becoming their prey. For several years, these 
 animals and lynxes were very destructive to the sheep of these two pioneers— the 
 latter, on account of the stealth with which they carried off lambs, being more dreaded 
 than wolves. 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 The children of Mr. Davis all died in infancy, and a few years after the death of 
 his wife, he went to England, where lie also died. 
 
 Previous to this, in September, 1853, his nephew, Wii.f.iam Davis, came to tliis 
 country, and lived with him eight years. He then worked out a few years, married 
 to Ann Chambers, and returned, obtaining his .mcle's farm by means of a life lease, 
 He is one of the sul)staiUial farmers of this section, and has two children — a son 
 and daughter — who boiii live with Iiim. Mrs. Davis died in 1894. 
 
 In this neighborhood, on the 6th Range, is also the fine farm of David, the fourth 
 son of David McOuat. 
 
 In 1879, he purciiased 120 acres here, the greater part of which he has cleared 
 and brought to a good slate of cultivation ; hi, level and well tilled fields and good 
 buildings indicating the presence and management of a thrifty farmer. He has within 
 a few years purchased 150 acres m )re in tiie adjoining Range. He was nurried 41:1 
 November, i8;r, to Ellen Kerr. 
 
 BROWNSBURG. 
 
 This pleasant Httle village or hiralet, which has recently sprung into some pro- 
 min-^nce on account of being the site of the Cartridge Factory, and near the lately 
 discovered granite quarry, was, in early years, made a place of no little importance 
 by the erection of Brown's mills. 
 
 George Bruwn came from England to Lachute, and was for several years 
 employed as miller in the old seigniorial mill at that place. Ti.e exact time of his 
 advent is uncertain, but the fact that, in 1818, he received a grant of land at what 
 is now known as Brownsburg, shows that he was liere at that date. He was a man 
 of enterprise, and very soon after locating his land, he began the erection of mills, 
 which were of priceless benefit to the early settlers of this section — a benefit which 
 their descendants still enjoy, after the lapse of threescore years. 
 
 There is good evidence that his dwelling house, which is now occupied by his 
 grandson, D. D. McGibbon, was entered by his family, as a residence, in 1829. Much 
 of the lumber whicii was used in its construction was floated up the stream on which 
 the mills were built, from Lachute, 
 
 Mr. Brown became a man of great influence here ; he was a Magistiate and Captain 
 of Militia, from which, on the 21st May, 1857, he was promoted to the rank of Major. 
 Much credit is due him for his perseverance under the most discouraging circiiin- 
 stances, it being autiientically stated that, when the family reached St. Andrews, on 
 coming from England, they had only money enough left to purchase a single loaf of 
 bread. Before closing his career, however, he surrounded his family with all the com- 
 forts of affluence, and was able to relieve the necessities of m my others. He left b it 
 two daughters, one of whom married Alexander McGibbon, ihe other married Jamos 
 Duddridge. 
 
 Alexander McGibugn was a distant relative of John McGibbon, the second 
 settler at Dale«ville, and he cama to that place very soon after the arrival of John. 
 The latter was a carpenter by trade, and Alexander worked with him. and learned 
 the trade, before they left Scotland. 
 
 Alexander had a fine, melodious voice, and was an excellent singer — a talent 
 that was often exercised at religio is meetings andsociil gatherings, after he citiie lo 
 
HISTORY UK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 325 
 
 death of 
 
 e to this 
 ,, mairicd 
 life lease. 
 n — a sun 
 
 the founh 
 
 s cleared 
 ind good 
 las witliin 
 irricd 4ih 
 
 some pro- 
 
 the lately 
 
 mportance 
 
 eral years 
 inis of his 
 d at what 
 as a man 
 1 of mills, 
 lefit which 
 
 lied by his 
 
 9. Much 
 
 on which 
 
 Id Captain 
 jof Major. 
 ig c ire urn- 
 Idrews. on 
 le loaf of 
 the coni- 
 left 1) It 
 led Jamjs 
 
 lie second 
 
 of Joliu. 
 
 learned 
 
 -a talent 
 cime 10 
 
 Italesvilk'. Possessing considcrnhlc skill, also, in treating and nursing tlie sick, his 
 SLiviccs were highly estimated by the community around, tiie members of wiiich he 
 vomited and bled — according to the i)athological views of those days — to their iieari's 
 content. A much loved man was Alex. McGibbon. His wife died soon after he 
 came to tiiis country — a btreavement he felt very keenly. He determined never to 
 marry again, and finally moved, with most of his family, to Ontario, where lie died. 
 
 Mrs. McGibbon was the first woman buried in the cemetery at Dalesville ; they 
 had four sons — John and Duncan, twins, Alexander, Daniel, and one daugliter, Cathe- 
 rine, or " Kitty," as she was always called. 
 
 Alexander, their third son, married Jane, daughter of George Brown, Esq,, nth 
 June, 1845, ''*'''d canic into possession of his father-in-law's estate, consisting of the 
 mills and about 1000 acres of land. He rebuilt the mills, and his enterprise and intlu- 
 tnce for many years showed him a worthy successor of the one whose place he had 
 assumed. In 1855, loth T'ebruary, he was appointed Postmaster — the Post-office being 
 llitn established, wi<.h the name Brownsburg ; and besides other local positions, he 
 held that of School Commissioner many years. He died 25th June, 1883, aged 62 
 years, 11 months ; Mrs. McGibbon died, loth May, 1889, aged 70 years, 2 months. 
 
 They had ten children — five of each sex. The homestead was divided between 
 the two sons, Alexander and Duncan D. McGibbon. The iormer has 300 acres of 
 land, much of which is valuable and in a good state of cultivation, and the saw mill ; 
 the latter has 325 acres, and the grist mill. Alexander was married, 30th June, 1886, 
 to Mary Jane Warwick ; she died 27th July, 1891. 
 
 Duncan McGibbon was married to Annie, daughter of William Buchan of 
 Geneva, 20th June, 1888. Alexander has been a member of the Board of School 
 Commissioneis for the past five or six years ; and both the brothers, who are 
 admirable types of physical form and vigor, are esteemed for their genial qualities 
 and public apirit. 
 
 George Brown McGibbon, another son of Alexander McGibbon, died at Butte 
 City, Montana, 15th A])ril, 1S87 I ^"<J James W. McGibbon, another of his sons, died 
 i6ih March, 1892, at Victoria, B.C. Catherine, a daughter of Alexander McGibbon, 
 who was married to Archie J\IcArthur, died 23rd October, 1882. 
 
 The scenery in the vicinity of the Brownsburg mills is romantic in the extreme; 
 the liver on which they are located, and v/hich provides admirable water power, 
 rushing over its rocky bed through deep chasms and woodland bowers, is not the 
 least attractive feature of the landscape. 
 
 John Macdonald from Sutherland, Scotland, not far from 18 12, engaged as clerk 
 to the Hudson Bay Company, and was thus employed for some years m the North- 
 west. He came to Lachute about 1821, engaged in mercantile business, and acted 
 as land agent for Colin Robertson, whose wife's sister he had married. In 1835 '^^ 
 tcok up at Brownsburg 200 acres Lot 9, Range 7, which is still owned and 
 occupied by his children. His selection of land was a good one, as the farm is now 
 a beautiful one, and has been awarded the first prize more than once by the County 
 Agricultural Society. At present, it sustains 32 head of cattle and 8 horses. Mr. 
 Macdonald took an active i)art in quelling the Rebellion of 1837, ^"d «it that time 
 was Captain of a Company of Militia; he died nth July, 1879; his wife died i5lh 
 January, 1890. They had thirteen children, of whom twelve grew up. Two sons, 
 George and James, and two daughters, Mary, and a widow, Mrs. James Thornton, 
 live on the homestead, James, for some time, belonged to the Argenleuil Rangers, 
 ^'nd George, to the St. Andrews Troop. 
 
 Mills or manufactories usually form the nucleus of a village ; but the little village 
 
 li.H! 
 
336 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII., 
 
 of IJrownsburg, instead of following tiiis time-honored rule, has siiown a profereni c 
 for four " Corners," and grown up at some distance from the mills. 
 
 ihere are two stores here, owned respectively by Mr. McArlhur, wlio is llf 
 Postmaster of the place, and H. E, 'I'iio.mi'.son ; the store of the Intter being an 
 imposing brick struciure that would do credit to a city. Mr, 'I'iiompson was bfun 
 in liochelagi, his grandfatlier, who did a large lousiness, !)enigan early trader in tliai 
 place. Mis father was a grocer, and, after living with him lill he was thirteen years 
 of age, he learned tclfgraiihy, and for a few years was employed by the Dominion. 
 Monlre.il and (). N. \V. '["clegra|)h Companies, and, afterwards, was on tlie QuebLi, 
 Montreal iv Occidental Railway. .Subsequently, he was for ten years station 
 agent and telegraph operator at 8t. Philippe. He left this in 1S90, to engage in 
 trade at St. Philippe, receiving on his resignation a flattering reconunendalion fmm 
 the assistant Superintendent, H. P. Spencer. Two and a half years later, liavii.i; 
 bougiit his present store and 160 acres of land at Prownsbiiig, he removed hithei in 
 February, 1892. He was married 19th September, 1893, to Eliza Nichols ofStayiicr- 
 viile. Que. 
 
 Among the few dwellings here is the neat brick one of Daniel Johnson, who is 
 mentioned in the sketch of St. Philippe. 
 
 There is a Methodist church here, in which service is held regularly by tlie 
 minister at Lachute. The land for this church was given by George Brown, J-lsi]., 
 " to the Rev. Francis Coleman and others, on behalf of the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Church," in 1852. 
 
 John McLi;od, the village blacksmith at this place, descends from one of ih-,' 
 pioneers of Harrington. His grandfather, Hugh McLeod, also a blacksmith, caiic 
 from Sutherlandshire, Scotland, to that township among the early settlers, and 
 worked at his trade there till his death, about ten years ago. He had four .sons and 
 an equal number of daughters who grew up. Donald McLeod, his youngest sun, 
 married Bella Dewar, bought 150 acres of land near his home, and still lives on it, 
 engaged in fiirming. He has five daughters and four sons. John, second son. 
 married Mary McI,eod, 26th June, 188;, and for the last five years has plied his 
 trade with ample encouragement at Brownsburg. 
 
 DOMINION CARTRIDGE FACTORY. | 
 
 Traveling westward from Brownsburg, one first climbs quite an ascent, and 
 then, after passing through a strip of pleasant woodland, descends a short dis- 
 tance, when a scene abruptly meets his eye, which, if he is a stranger in the locality, 
 will both please and surprise him ; this scene comprises the grounds and building; 
 of the Dominion Cartkidge Company. All the buildings neatly painted, and the 
 main ones imposing in sizq, located in a romantic dell, on a stream abounding in 
 scenery the most picturesque — the picture is one to which the memory in after days 
 will often revert. 
 
 In 1886, a joint stock company was formed, with Hon. J. J. C. Abbott as pre- 
 sident ; capital $10,000. The erection of the buildings was completed in 1887, 
 and work commenced. 
 
 Mr. Abbott held the presidency two years, when he resigned, and Thomas C, 
 Brainard, president of the Hamilton Powder Co., became his successor. 
 
 Capt. A. L. Howard, famous for his connection with the Gatling Gun, was 
 instrumental in forming the Company, and had charge of the works four years, when 
 he was succeeded by F. G. Verity, who for ten years had been connected with the 
 Hamilton Powder Company ; he is now General Agent for the Cartridge Company. 
 
picfereivc 
 
 iio is ll'c 
 being an 
 
 was boni 
 ilcr in that 
 itccn yens 
 
 Doniininii, 
 10 Qiiclii-i , 
 irs stalioii 
 
 engage in 
 ialioii from 
 ler, havii.i; 
 id Iiilhci ill 
 
 of Stay nel- 
 son, who is 
 
 Illy by the 
 
 ■own, l'",si]., 
 
 Methodist 
 
 one of the 
 nitli, came 
 ptllers, and 
 r .sons and 
 ngest son, 
 ives on it, 
 econd son, 
 pHed iiis 
 
 ascent, and 
 
 short dis- 
 le locahty, 
 
 building-; 
 
 , and the 
 Qunding in 
 
 after d.us 
 
 HISTORY OK AKCIKNTEUIL. 
 
 3«7 
 
 ;d 
 
 ott as pre- 
 i in 1887, 
 
 Thomas C. 
 
 Gun, was 
 ears, when 
 d with the 
 
 Company. 
 
 Mr. Verity is a gentUnian of high intclhgence, and his activity, forctliought, 
 ;ind care of the men and works in his charge, contribute hirgcly to the i)rosptriiy of 
 tlie ("( Mpany. 'I'hcy were fortunate, too, in securing liie services of a caitridge 
 I Xpert, v.. \V. Kelly of Lowell, Mass , in whose charge are thj details of the whole 
 nianufacluiing department. 
 
 '1 here are 23 buildings connected with this manufactory, besides the factory 
 and ofti(e ; the former is 50 ft. by 140 ft. in size, and four storits in hei<{ht. The 
 hoarding house is too ft. by 30 ft., three stories, and contams forty bedrooms ; it is 
 luated by steam, and is supplied with all the modern conveniences. The fictory 
 ;ind ofhce arc lighted by electric light. iMiiployinenl is givt-n to a good number of 
 both sexes, and the pay-roll averages about $2,<Soo a month. 
 
 This is the only factory of its kind in the Dominion ; all kinds of cartridges for 
 small arms and all kinds of military and sporting cartridi^es are manufactured here, 
 i'.xtreme care to guard against accident is exercised throiighoLit the establishment. 
 
 'i'he i)lan of erecting tenements for their employees is now under consideration 
 by the Company, and, no doubt, will be carried into effect. 
 
 The fine boarding house at Biownsburg is under the able manngement of Mus. 
 R. Hardie, who belongs to a family deserving special notice in these pages. 
 
 James Carpentkr, her paterral grandfather, was a soldier in the British service 
 21 years. He served in the war of iSu, was t.iken prisoner, and escaped ; he was 
 on a vessel with his Company, sailing to join the force of Wellington, but before their 
 arrival the victory of Waterloo had been won. On receiving his d;scharge, he was 
 awarded a pension and a grant of Lot 27, i ith Range, in the rear of Chatham. On this 
 land he settled in 1.S32, and for a nimiber of years often had his early military ardor 
 and courage rekindled in the war he was obliged to wage against the bears of Chath .m. 
 He died in the house of his son George, with whom he lived, in December, 1878. 
 He had a large family of children, but only six of them —three sons and three 
 (laughters — settled in this section. Thomas and Robert, the eldest sons, were twins ; 
 George, the third and youngest son, remained on the homestead, and increased it by 
 200 acres, which he purchased in the loth Range; he also erected a saw mill. 
 He was for a lime member of the School JJoard of this Municipality; he died in 
 August, i88j. In 1850, he married Sarah Haney ; they had three sons and seven 
 daughters who grew up. 
 
 Letitia Annie, the eldest, was married to Richard Hardie, 9th November, 1870. 
 Mr. Hardie, who had previously followed farming, has been in the employ of the 
 Cartridge Company about seven years. DiiriPj the greater portion of this time 
 Mrs. Hardie has had charge of the boarding department. 
 
 James Carpenter, the eldest brother of Mrs. Hardie, learned the millwright 
 trade, at which he is regarded as an expert ; he has followed it in this section for the 
 past twelve years. Ten of these he has spent in the employ of J. C. Wilson, with 
 whom he still remains at Lachute. He was married 22nd June, 1880, to Elizabeth 
 Robinson. 
 
 Thomas Carpenter, one of the twin sons of James Carpenter, the pioneer, 
 married Margery Sweeney, and bought Lot 24, loth Range of Chatham, on which he 
 lived a few years till the death of his wife. He then rented his farm, married again, 
 and died in Ottawa a few years ago. By the last marriage he had no children, but 
 by the first he had two sons and five daughters who are now living. The two sons 
 are Silas Huntington and Robert ; the former is chief of the detective secret service 
 of Montreal ; the latter, a merchant in Ottawa. 
 
 Silas H. Carpenter is a name familiar to everyone in the Dominion who 
 reads the newspapers, as that of a man who has been earnest and successful in thedis. 
 
 il 
 
328 
 
 HISTORY OV ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 covcry of criminals, and in bringing tliam to the Bar of Justice. In tl.a execution of 
 this work, he lias traversed land and sea ; in various disguises he has visited the 
 resorts of fashion and the abode of jirverty, the gilded saloon and the dark and 
 noisome den of the tenement. In jau and ne;.ilenliary, he has listened to the tale of 
 the gambler, tlie thief and the mur lerer. Ah life has not only been threatened, but 
 he has been assaulted wiih slung siiot, bowie knife and revolver; and yet, notwith- 
 standing these unpleasant experiences, and the years in which he has witnessed so 
 much of the dismal side of life, Mr. Carpenter is a man of remarkably youthful appear- 
 ance ; he is tall and of fuie phyrique, and though nearly forty-five, very few would ven- 
 ture to jilace him above thirty. He reads character by intuition, and as he is genial 
 and afn^ble in maimer, it is not surprising that he is successful in winning the con- 
 fidence of those whose assistance he requires. 
 
 John Wade, a son of Charles H. Wade, of Cushing, is one of the efficient and 
 trusted men of the Cartridge Company, in whose employ he has been for six years. 
 He was married 5th July, 1890, to Katie Alma O'Byrne, of South Indian, Ont. 
 
 George and David McAllister, brothers, are two young men employed in the 
 factory, and they live on the homestead farm, in a pleasant cottage adjacent to it. 
 Their grandfather, William McAllister, came from Paisley, Scotland, to Canada about 
 1828. He was a blacksmith by trade, and, after coining here, was for some time 
 employed on the Rideau Canal. In May, 1833, he married Isabella Gray, of East 
 Hawkesbury, and settled at Hill Head, where he followed his trade ten years. He 
 then turned his attention to farming in Thomas' Gore, where his wife died, and a year 
 subsequently he married Elizabeth W. ight. By the first marriage he had four boys 
 and two girls ; by the second, two boys and four girls. His last years were spent in 
 Chatham, where he died in the house of one of his daughters, Mrs. John Clark. 
 William, his eldest son, married Christy Green, daughter of Charles Green of 
 Brownsburg, in September, i860. About 1866, he bought 100 acres, east half of Lot 
 II, Range 8, at Brownsburg, on which he still resides. Mrs. McAllister died i3tlr 
 June, 1877 ; they had four sons and three daughters tl). it grew up. James, the second 
 son, a young man highly respected, died 13th December, 1877, aged 22 years, 6 
 months. George, the third son, who is employed in the factory, was married 25th 
 June, 1894, to Sarah Delacourt, of Montreal. 
 
 Near the (Cartridge Factory also resides William Polson, who, in April, 1894, 
 sold the Cartridge Company his farm of 100 acres, half of Lot 10, Range 8, reserving 
 one acre in front, on which he has jusi erected a cottage. His grandfather, John 
 Poison, belonged to the 21st Highland Regt. of Infantry, and was in active service 
 during the American Revolution, tiie war of 181 2, and in Spain. He was Sergeant, 
 and while at Gibraltar, when in charge of a fatigue party, they met a squad of Span- 
 iards, who attacked them. The Spaniards were defeated, and a brass pistol, which 
 Sergeant Poison took from the body of the Sjianish commander, is now in possession 
 of his grandson. He was wounded at the battle of New Orleans, and, in 1816, was 
 discharged with a pension, after serving sixteen years. He then came to Canada, 
 and for several years was Barrack Sergeant at St. Helen's Inland, Montreal, but was 
 finally drowned by the capsizing of a boat, when crossing the St. Lawrence. He 
 left one son, John Poison, who married Alice Smith, daughter of a mnn who had 
 lately come from England and settled at St. Philippe. Mr. Poison had learned 
 the tailor's trade, and he went to the New England States, where he worked for some 
 time, and then went to Charleston, S. C, from which place he shipped on a whaling 
 vessel, and spent five years in the whale fishery on the Pacific. Returning to Canada, 
 he bought the farm described above, on which he lived till his death, 6ih July, 18S1. 
 
 He lefi 
 reiiiaine 
 
 '■ -.lA > 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL, 
 
 329 
 
 ilioii of 
 .ed the 
 rk and 
 ; tale ot 
 ed, but 
 iiolwith- 
 ssed so 
 appear- 
 uld ven- 
 is genial 
 the con- 
 
 ;ient and 
 ;ix years, 
 'nt. 
 
 ;d in the 
 ent to it. 
 ida about 
 ome time 
 y, of East 
 :ars. He 
 nd a year 
 four boys 
 
 spent in 
 Clark. 
 Green of 
 
 r of Lot 
 I 
 second 
 
 years, 6 
 
 ricd 25th 
 
 ied i3tlT 
 
 )rit, 1894. 
 reserving 
 ler, John 
 service 
 Sergeant, 
 of ^Span- 
 :ol, which 
 lossession 
 [816, was 
 Canada, 
 , but WIS 
 rce. He 
 Iwho had 
 learned 
 for some 
 H whaling 
 Canada, 
 \\y, 18S1. 
 
 He left seven sons and two daughters, of whom William Poison, who has always 
 remained on the homestead, is the only one living in this section. 
 ' liA valuable Granite Quarry was discovered a little west of J5ro\vnsburg in 1892. 
 A'mountain of considerable size, ai)parentiy being a solid mass of an excellent quality 
 of graniie. A. Trudeau, of St. Phihppe has the honor of being the discovi rer. A 
 company called the La uenlian Granite Qaarry Company, composed of A. Trudeau, 
 P. Carri^re, T. Laframboise and Joseph JJrunet (Montreal), was formed in 1893. 
 Ai. order for 200,000 paving blocks for iMontrcal was sooii given, since which the 
 company has received many important orders, and have many hands constantly 
 employed in the Quarry. 
 
 About h.alf a mile west of ilie Cartridge Fac» v - one descends a hill, miy be 
 seen on the right a tract of sterile, stony land oo'i'r'.'d with a scrubby growth of 
 tiiniarac. On this inhospitable looking trad, A. . ^fTALD Murdoch, from Moray- 
 shire, Scotland, settled as a ])ioneer about 183^-,. He came to this country about 
 1825, ajid was in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company five years, " where," says 
 Mr. Iving, "he became well acquainted witli the hardships of that region, having, as 
 well asother poor fellows, to carry heavy loads, exposed to cold and hunger in those 
 distant wilds." 
 
 '• Archy was very poor," continues the same writer, '• when lie came to Chatham, 
 and, unfortunately, settled on a lot wirich consisted of nothing but rocks and swamps, 
 and which, after spending his strength to little purpose, he was forced to leave. It was 
 I Will lie did so, for he found a much better place, where, after enduring many hard- 
 ships, he began to thrive." 
 
 After leaving the North-West, i\Ir. Murdoch returned to Scotland, and the vessel 
 ion wliich he sailed being wrecked, he lost his trunk, a gun he highly prized, and his 
 wiitch. He was not satisfied, however, with his past experience of this country, and 
 returned to it again, after an interval of two years. On leaving the land where he 
 hirst located, he removed about a mile further west, to a lot in the 7th Range, which 
 lis now owned by his son George. As stated by Mr. King, here he began to thrive, 
 ]jnd. in time, possessed a f;\ir competence. He was a man of intelligence, as well as 
 jje.il energy — ciualilies which, combined, are very likely to secure success. He was 
 Iraarried about the year 1834 to Mary Ann Bain, daughter of a bookbinder in the 
 rw',vn of Forest, Scotland. He died in September, 1869, leaving three sons and two 
 [daughters. 
 
 .\rchibald, the eldest son, after two years s])ent in lumbering, married 15th Sep- 
 
 mb 'r, 1864, NLary, daughter of John Calder. In 1868, he bought the old farm near 
 llU'c-ville, known as the McPhail farm, 200 acres, part of Lots 13 and 14 in the loth 
 I Ran ■;e, and has since added to it 200 acres in the nth Range. His farm is well 
 
 '.Mcked, and he is one of the intelligent farmers who has become well off by industry 
 |.;nd Llirift, without parsimony. The counsel and energy of an intelligent wife has, 
 
 10 doubt, cc.iiribuled materially to his prosperity. His farm, noted for being the 
 |!'.ome of the Rev. Daniel McPhail in his youth, has many points of picturesque 
 Iscenery. Mr. Murdoch has been a School Commissioner several years, and also has 
 pen('hairman of the Board, and for a long time has been a Deacon of the Dalesville 
 Iwij'.i-t Cliurch. RL-. and Mrs. Murdoch have five sons and six daughters living, 
 
 Jet tiiey have experienced sad affliction. In November, 1887, their eldest son, 
 j^'ciii , aged 22, a young man universally respected, was killed by a falling tree in 
 Plichi^an. His body was sent home for interment, and the esteem in which he 
 
 '*as held and the sympathy felt for his parents was. in a measure, evinced by the 
 
 funeral cortege, in which eighty carriages followed his remains from tiie house. The 
 
 pciUs have also lost another boy, aged eight, and a girl of three years of age. 
 
 2Z 
 
 H 
 
33° 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 George, the second son of Archibald Murdoch, sen., who has always lived on 
 one part of the homestead, is also one of the enterprising and popular farmers (jf 
 Chatham. He has added loo acres to the loo he received from the homestead, and 
 keeps a large stock. He was married about 1872 to Betsy Marshall ; in 1892 he 
 was appointed Justice of the Peace. 
 
 His brother, William Murdoch, who received one-half of the paternal estate, on 
 which he still lives, has added to it, until he now owns 325 acres. He was married 
 in December, 1872, to Mary Conley of East Hawkesbury. 
 
 The good buildings and comfortable circumstances of these brothers are a tacit 
 rebuke to those who sagely repeat the expression, " Farming in this country does not 
 pay." 
 
 At a short distance from Brownsburg post office, on the road leading to Lachute, 
 are the woollen mills of the Morrison Brothers, and the saw mill of Lane & Owens, 
 which, wiih a numl)er of dwellings, form a diminutive vilhge. A creek which crosses 
 the road here ])rovides good water power for the mills, and the business done in 
 former years, as well as at present, renders it a place of some little importance in the 
 township. 
 
 Peter McOuat built a saw mill, where the woollen mill now stands, about 1S38, 
 which i)assed through two or three hands, and finally came into possession of James 
 McGregor, who erected a carding mill here about 1848. He sold out to William 
 Foreman, who added a tannery to his business, and continued it till 1864, when he 
 sold to Robt. Morrison. 
 
 On the opposite side of the road, near these mills, a carding mill was erected by 
 John Hutchins, but it did not long continue in operation. He then, about the year 
 1846, built a saw mill, which was under the management of himself and son till 1884, 
 when It was bought by Lane & Owens, and is still in their possession doing a gocd 
 business. 
 
 Robert Morrison came from Paisley, Scotland, to Canada in 1845, and was 
 married 31st October, 1828, to Euphemie Chapman. He first hired the woollen mill 
 of Mr. Crooks, in Grenville, and, after having charge of it ten years, obtained a lease 
 of a woollen mill in Hawkesbury for five years. La 1864, as stated above, he bought 
 the mills in Brownsburg, also a house and a few acres of land. The saw mill, whicli 
 was of little value, soon fell into disuse, but he kept the woollen mill in successful 
 operation till 1889, when he gave it to his two youngest sons, William and Albert, 
 and moved to Lachute, where he died in December, 1891. He had four sons and 
 three daughters. William and Albert, who own the woollen mill, have always 
 followed the occupation in which they are now engaged. In 1887, 22nd Dt ■niber, 
 William was married to Mary B. McGibbon. On the 7tl November, 1890, i.heiri 
 mill was burnt, but, with their characteristic energy, ihcy at once set about rebuild' 
 ing, and the new mill was in operation the following Octobe They manuHxcturej 
 flannels, tweeds, blankets and etoffes, and perform the ordinary stom work usually 
 done in factories of this kind. They have added new and in. roved machinery 
 which, with their long experience, enable them to manufacture coths of excelleni 
 quality and appearance. 
 
 Several of the family of McOuats live ai this place, and although it cannot w 
 strict propriety be said that the name in this country is " legion," there are so man; 
 that, with pleasure, we transfer to these pages a sketch of the McOuats, which oppot' 
 tunely came to hand. 
 
 The author of the sketch evidently is one of the family, but his identity has no(J 
 as yet, been revealed. 
 
 The most remote period at which dates can be given in the ancestral histo 
 
 of th( 
 
 other 
 
 as the 
 
 one su 
 
 genera 
 
 At the 
 
 meant] 
 
 nient a 
 
 establii 
 
 H 
 
 except 
 
 The otl 
 
 register 
 
 Jai 
 Jean E 
 Cafheri 
 where I 
 married 
 and fou 
 He lea^( 
 at " Hal 
 daughtci 
 daughter 
 came to 
 Of 
 age in G 
 taught n 
 bookkee] 
 McAllistt 
 River Ro 
 .lames hit 
 pears to 1 
 pounds St 
 The I 
 111 1829, V' 
 death of t 
 mason tra( 
 two for a ' 
 i"g the wo 
 
 0' 17. was 
 all the var 
 cutting an( 
 
 John 
 "'itl) the.n, 
 on liie Ri( 
 Lake, Walt 
 near Mud . 
 
 John ; 
 Lacliute, an 
 and Andre\ 
 both of Hi 
 
HISTORY OF ARGLNTEUIL. 
 
 331 
 
 ; lived on 
 farmers of 
 stead, and 
 1 1892 he 
 
 1 estate, on 
 IS married 
 
 are a tacit 
 ry does not 
 
 to Lachute, 
 le & Owens, 
 nich crosses 
 ess done in 
 tance in ilie 
 
 about 1838: 
 ion of James 
 t to William ] 
 ,64, when he ] 
 
 IS erected by ] 
 pout the year] 
 ion till 1884, 
 doing a gocdl 
 
 845, and was 
 woollen mill' 
 lied a lease 
 , he bought 
 mill, which 
 
 SUCCCsSflilj 
 
 and Albert,' 
 ur sons and] 
 have alwaysj 
 d Dt v^^ml)er, 
 r, 1890, tlieii] 
 bout rel)uM- 
 
 nianufai:ture| 
 ,vork usually] 
 1 machinery 
 
 of excellent 
 
 v'e 
 
 m 
 
 cannot witk 
 
 are so ma") 
 
 Iwhich opporj 
 
 Intity has notj 
 
 lestral histor 
 
 of the McOUATS is fixed by the Montrose wars in Scotland, but, from tradition and 
 other evidence, it is clearly established that they possessed a valuable property knoA'n 
 as the Barns of Clyde for eight generations previous to that date, there being only 
 one surviving son in each generation during all that time. The son of the eighth 
 generation served for several years in a dragoon regiment under Lord Montrose. 
 At the close of the Montrose wars, he returned to his estate to find that, in the 
 meantime, his father had died, and his mother again married, which led to a disagree- 
 ment as to their respective rights in the jiroperty, with the result that the son was 
 established on a leased farm named Almarrack, six miles farther north. 
 
 His sons were John, James, William and Walter; of these, all nr ly be dropped 
 except William, who was the father of the original settlers of our family in Canada. 
 The other brothers may be mentioned, only to show where the records of the parish 
 registers may be found, if required. 
 
 James leased a farm named " Craigvern," twenty miles from Glasgow ; married 
 Jean Edmond, by whom he had two sons and three daughters — John, William, 
 Catherine, Elizabeth, and Marion. He leased another farm, named " Balfunning," 
 where he lived fourteen years, during which time his first wife died. He afterward 
 married another lady of the same name, Jean Edmond, by wiiom he had three sons 
 and four daughters, viz., James, Peter, Walter, Jean, Janet, Christian and Margaret. 
 He lea-ed a third farm, and took his brother Walter into partnership, leaving William 
 at " I'alfunning" farm. Coming back now to William, he married Janet Buchanan, 
 daughter of a neighboring tenant fanner, by whom he had eight sons and five 
 daughters — three of the daughters died in youth. Of the eight sons, all except two 
 came to Canada, and settled in tlie County of Argenteuil. 
 
 Of the two who remained, Thomas, who was a cooper by trade, lived to an old 
 age in Glasgow, where he has a son in the provision business. The other one, James, 
 taught music for several years, afterwards going also to Glasgow, where he acted as 
 bookkeeper and mining engineer in the working shaft of a coal mine. His wife, Jean 
 McAllister, died at the birth of a daughter, the present Mrs. Nicol McKerrichiT of 
 River Rouge, Argenteuil. Their only other child, a son, died when a year old, and 
 James himself survived hi:5 wife only about eight months. All the property he ap- 
 pear? to have left was his instruments and library, which sold for about one hundred 
 pounds sterling. 
 
 The father of this large family died a few years previous to the mother, who died 
 in 1829, when the youngest child, David, was a little over nine years old. On the 
 death of the motiier, the home was broken up. John and Walter having learned the 
 mason trade, wrought for some years in Glasgow. William, after working with these 
 two for a year or more, went to the Highlands to take charge of a lime works. Enter- 
 ing the works in 1818, he remained in charge for thirteen years. Andrew, at the age 
 of 17, was indentured to Mr. David Brim, builder of Glasgow, with whom he learned 
 lall the various branches of the trade, from common mason work to plastering, cornice 
 ciitliiig and moulding, lettering, mill stone building and architectural drafting. 
 
 John came to Canada in 1830. Leaving William at Lachute and taking John 
 I with the.n, they proceeded to Bytown to work on a contract for Mr. Thomas McKay, 
 Ion the Rideau Canal. In June, 1831, while laying the last stone of a lock at Mud 
 I Lake, Walter got his knee joint crushed, which resulted in his death. He was interred 
 [near Mud Lake, and a stone erected over his grave by the Government Staff. 
 
 John and Andrew, being seized with ague, returned as speedily as possible to 
 [Lachute, and were unable to work during the remainder of that year. In 1832, William 
 and Andrew built a house for Mr. John McRuer, and a.iother, *^or Mr. Thos. Pollock, 
 Iboth of Hill Head. In 1833, they built a house for Mr. Colin Robertson at his 
 
332 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTKUIL. 
 
 "Stiiian Farm." In 1834, Andrew bought Iiis fiirm from Mr. Rol)crtson (west half of 
 Lot 7, 7th Ran;;e, of Chatham, about three miles from Lachute), agreeing to finish 
 the i;rouiid Hat of his farm house. This, together with about ^^30 worth of work done 
 prLviously. paid for his fLirm and left him a balance of j£e,. This farm — now one of 
 the finest in the county — and which still bears many evidences of the skill and fore- 
 sight of its original settler, was reclaimed by him from the primeval forest, without 
 ])is using either axe or plow, but by judiciously exchanging- skilled tor unskilled 
 labor. 
 
 In 1S35, William and Andrew contracted to build the Cedar Mills, and the fol- 
 lowing year William built Mr. James McOuat's house on the north side of North 
 River, ab )vc Lachute; aiul Andrew built a house for Mr. Wainwright at Cote du 
 Midi, and buiU the first house on his farm. During the winter, Andrew built a sett 
 of "burr" for St. Andrews' Mills; in the spring of 1837, he built two pairs for 
 McLaughlin of Ottawa. He went to Burlington in 1838, where he built three pairs 
 " burr," and at various times afterwards put in setts in the St. Andrews' Mills, St. 
 Scholastique Mills, the mills of Geo. IJrown of Chatham, and several others. 
 
 Peter McOuat, of whom little is said in the above sketch, came to Lachute in 
 1820. He worked in different places and on leased farms a few years, and then 
 went into the lumber woods up the Ottawa, but he cut his knee and had to return. 
 His employer, to whom he liad loaned all he had earned since coming to the country, 
 also failed, and w as unable to pay him anything till after the lapse of 20 years. 
 
 Mr. McOuat now bought 90 acres of land in Lane's Purchase, and about 1827 
 was mariied to Margaret McOuat. He opened a lime-kiln here, which may still i)e 
 seen on the land of the late John McGregor. An incident which occurred in con- 
 nection with the kiln illustrates the hardships which people in those days frequently 
 endured, as well as their physical ability to endure them. 
 
 One day, in the absence of Mr. McOuat, a woman from a farm in the rear of 
 Dalesville carne to his house for a bushel of lime. As there was no man present, 
 Mrs. McOuat went out with her, and helped to measure the lime, and put it into a sack, 
 
 " Where is your horse ? " she asked of the woman. 
 
 " I have no horse," was the reply. 
 
 '' Well, but how are you going to take your lime home ? " 
 
 " On my back, indeed. What is the price, please ? " 
 
 After regarding her for a moment in amazement, Mrs. McOuat replied : 
 
 " My good woman, if you really mean to carry that lime home on your back, I 
 think you will pay dearly enough for it ; I will take nothing for it." 
 
 Grateful for the kindness she had received, the woman, without thinking she was 
 doing an extraordinary thing, took her load and departed for her home, eight or nine 
 miles distant. 
 
 In 1837, Mr. McOuat took up 200 acres. Lot 8, Range 7, at Brownsburg, on 
 which is the present house of his son William, and later he bought 200 acres more, 
 adjacent to it. He was an energetic and efficient business man, well known in diffe- 
 reiit townships. He was extensively engaged in lumbering, and, besides erecting his j 
 own mills, he took contracts for erecting many others, as well as other buildings. He 
 died 31st December, 1874; Mrs McOuat died 4th September, 1871. They liad j 
 four sons and five daughters. 
 
 William, the eldest son, remained on the homestead, and, like his father, has taken! 
 many contracts for building as well as lumbering. He was employed on the first 
 mill erected in Harrington ana in Morin, and construrt.d the steeple of Henry's 
 Church at Lachute. He was married, yih January, 1862, to Mary Duddridgc, a 
 
 Aboiii 
 .Maple, wl, 
 
 coniparati\ 
 
 James 
 'oca ted hei 
 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 333 
 
 U half of 
 to finisli 
 ork done 
 w one of 
 and foro- 
 ^ without 
 vinskillod 
 
 id the fol- 
 of Norlh 
 
 Cote du 
 iii\t a sett 
 
 pairs for 
 hree pairs 
 
 Mills, bt, 
 
 Lachute in 
 , and then 
 to return, 
 le country, 
 'ears. 
 
 about 1827 
 lay still l)c 
 fed in con- 
 frequently 
 
 le rear of 
 present, 
 into a sack. 
 
 d: 
 
 3ur back, I 
 
 ing she was 
 igiit or nine 
 
 vnsburg, on 
 eras more, 
 wn in diffe- 
 erecting his 
 dings. He 
 They liaa 
 
 |r, has taken 
 )n the first 
 luf Henry's 
 
 liiddridgc, »! 
 
 V, Oman of most ainiable and excellent qualities ; she died in .August, 1871. 'I'liey had 
 six children — two sons and four daughters ; the two former died in infancy. Two of 
 the daughters, Mary and Margaret, live with their father in a very jjretty cottage 
 which he erected on the homestead. Mr. McOuat has a retentive memory, and his 
 fund of anecdotes — humorous or otherwise — relating lo pioneer life would alone fill 
 a volume. 
 
 Contiguous to the home of William McOuat is that of James, son of Andrew 
 McOuat, noticed in the sketch above; the latter was married to Elizabeth Robson ; 
 ill.' died 14th December, 1856. They had five sons and three daughters who arrived 
 a! maturity, fames, the son who remained on the homestead, was married, 29th 
 February, 1872, to Jane McOuat. The homestead consisted of 100 acres at this 
 place and 100 acres in another Range, to which he has added 300, makint; a fine 
 farm of 500 acres. Mr. McOuat's enterprise and success in the agricultural line is 
 interesting, and rarely equalled. ffe has a commodious brick house, equipped with 
 modern conveniepces, with all the outbt'ildings requisite for systematic dairying and 
 farming. A new barn, with galvanized iron roof, which he has just erected, is too 
 by 43 feet in size, with stone basement, and manure and root cellars. It is supplied 
 with both hot and cold water, which is brought from the house kitchen in i^-inch 
 gas pipes. Water is conveyed to the kitchen in 4-inch metal pipes. He also has 
 another barn with tin roof, 30 x 4ofeet in size. Mr. McOuat believes in progressive 
 farming, and ado])ts new systems and purchases new implements, only after he 
 become well convinced that triey are an improvement on the old ones. While 
 adhering to this principle, he has become possessed of many agricultural implements, 
 which indicate his determination to practise first-class firming. His brother, John, 
 who is a man of infiuence here, resides on an adjacent farm, and with him lives 
 his mother, who, though of very advanced age, has a clear recollection of the scenes 
 through which she has passed, and graphically describes them. 
 
 John Stewart was one of the pioneers who settled in this section. He came 
 from Perthshire, Scotland, in 1830, or the following year, and about two years later 
 bought 80 acres of Lot 6, in the 7th Range, to which he added 90 acres adjoining it, 
 some years afterward. He was a shoemaker, and followed this trade, although he 
 cleared up the land he had purchased; he died about the year 1881. He had four 
 sons and three daughters who grew up. John, the eldest son, bought the iioinestcad, 
 and has since lived on it. In 1856, 19th July, he was married to Mary Ann Brown ; 
 she died 4th July, 1868, and he next married l-'Jizabeth McLeod, 6th June, 1872. 
 Mr. Stewart has fourteen children living, and has recently received a grant of 
 100 acres'of land from the J'rovincial Government. By lis first marriage he had 
 seven children, but only five — three boys and two girls — are living; by the second, 
 he has five boys and tour girls. He has taken much interest in local affairs, and has 
 served as School Commissioner 13 years, and Valuator 16 years; he is a staunch 
 Patron of Inchistry. 
 
 MOUNT MAPLE. 
 
 About two miles west of Brownsburg is a post office with the name of Mount 
 Maple, which was established in 1881. The land in 'lie vicinity, though stony, is 
 j comparatively level, and there are many good farms hereabout. - - - - 
 
 James Calder, a silk weaver from Paisley, Scotland, was one of the first who 
 located here. He came to Canada with his brother John, in 1827, and bought 
 
 i 
 
 II! 
 
 lil 
 
 111 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 m 
 
 150 acres of land in Lachute, which is now owned and occupied by the family of 
 the late James Pollock. Seven years subsequently he so'd it, and bought 200 acres 
 of wild land — Lot 20, Range 8 — at what is now Mount Maple, and which is still 
 owned and occupied by his son James. 
 
 Mr. Calder's occupation had but poorly fitted him for the labors of a pioneir, 
 and it is not surprising that he surrendered the chief part of such work — chopping', 
 especially, -to his boys, and sought other means of earning money. He tauglit 
 school in his own and in an adjacent district for five years. Soon after coming here, 
 one morning the family found that their fire had gone out, and having neither flint nor 
 spunk to kindle one, they had 10 send before breakfast to their nearest neighbor, two 
 miles distant, to obtain it. Mr. Calder died 14th April, 1880 ; Mrs. Calder died 
 ist October, 1873. They had three sons and two daughters who grew up. 
 
 James, the youngest son, received one-half the homestead, — 100 acres, — to which 
 he has since added another 100 acres. He has himself cleared over sixty acres of 
 this land, and now has a good, well-stocked farm, and good buildings. He is pleased 
 to compare his present surroundings with what they were when, a boy, he first came 
 here. At that time there was neither a road nor a school anywhere near their farm, 
 and now a good road passes along its northern boundary, a good school-house is 
 convenient, and a post office equally near. 
 
 Mr. Calder was married, 17th May, 1864, to Johanna Healley. He has never 
 sought municipal offices, though he has accepted that of Inspector of Roads and 
 Bridges, holding it three different terms of two years each. A recent copy of 'f/ie 
 Watchman announces the death of Mr. Calder. He died i6th March, 1896 — a man 
 highly respected, and his death was lamented by the entire community. 
 
 In 1828, the year following Mr. Calder's arrival in Canada, his sister and her 
 husband, Patiick Gilmour, from Paisley, with their four children, arrived, and took up 
 Lot 20, Range 8, near Dalesville. He lived here till about 1841, when he sold his 
 farm and removed to Hawkesbury, Ont., and was engaged for thirteen years at his 
 trade, that of weaver, when he returned to Chatham, and bought Lot 23, in the 8th 
 Range. About 1883, he sold out again, and spent his remaining days at the home of 
 his youngest daughter, Mrs. Samuel McLennan. He had one son and three daughters 
 who grew up. 
 
 Margaret, the eldest daughter, was married to William Mott, 29th April, 1845. 
 He iiad been a soldier in the British service, enlisting at Chelmsford, England, 14th 
 September, 1818, at the age of 17, in the 73rd Regmient of Foot. He served : 2 years 
 and 3 months in the East Indies ; 2 years and 7 months in Ciibrallar; 4 years and 3 
 months in Malta ; 3 years and 10 months in the Ionian Isles; 2 years and 10 months 
 in North America. He was in a company of soldiers sent from Montreal to Grande 
 Brule in 1837, and received his discharge soon afterward, after twenty-one years of 
 service, in which he was commended for good character. A year previous to his 
 mariiage he bought, in this part of Chatham, the west half of Lot 21, 8th Range, to 
 which his family, since his death, have added the other half. He died 29th Novem- 
 ber, 1866, at the age of 94. He had seven children — two sons and five daughters. 
 Joseph, the elder son, and Maggie, the youngest daughter, live on the homestead 
 with their mother, engaged in successful farming. Maggie Mott has spent ten years in 
 teaching, having received her diploma in 1879. 
 
 Mrs. David Warwick is Postmistress at Mount Maple. Her father, James 
 McKenzie, from Morayshire, Scotland, came to Lachute about the year 1834. \ 
 .year later, he look up 200 acres in the 8th Range of Chatham, which he sold seven 
 years later, and bought 300 acres in the same Range a little farther west, on which 
 he lived until his death in November, 1869; his wife died in 1875. They had six 
 children — three of each sex. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 335 
 
 amily of 
 00 acres 
 h is still 
 
 pioneir, 
 hopping, 
 ;e taught 
 ling here, 
 r flint nor 
 hbor, two 
 Ider died 
 
 -to whicli 
 y acres of 
 is pleased 
 irst came 
 heir farm, 
 l-house is 
 
 has never 
 loads and 
 )py of Till 
 96 — a man 
 
 r and ber 
 
 nd took up 
 
 ie sold his 
 
 ars at his 
 
 in the 8th 
 
 |he home of 
 
 daughters 
 
 [l)ril, 1845. 
 dand, 14th 
 m : 2 years 
 fears and 3 
 10 months 
 to Grande 
 ke years of 
 |ous to his 
 Range, to 
 \{h Novell!- 
 dauyhlcra. 
 homestead 
 ten years in 
 
 i8.S4- A 
 Isold seven 
 ], on wliich 
 ley had six 
 
 Jane, the second daughter, was married, 9th January, 1857, to David, son of 
 Jolin Warwick, one of the pioneers of Chatham. Before his marriage, Mr. Warwick 
 iiad bought 300 acres in the 7lh Range — a part of which is still owned and occupied 
 jiy his widow. He was ai)pointed Postmaster at Mount Maple in 1881, when the 
 oflice was established ; he was also School Commissioner several years. He died 29th 
 iXcember, 1882, and Mrs. Warwick was appointed Postmistress. 
 
 Though but a c!-"'d at the time, Mrs. Warwick has a keen recollection of the 
 exciting events of the Rebellion of 18,37. Her father had a large Newfoundland dog 
 — :i fine watch dog — and so strong was the faith of the neighbors in his sagacity to 
 tt'am them of the approach of foes and to protect them, that the women, during the 
 greatest excitement, often spent a night at Mr. McKenzie's house, that gentleman, as 
 well as their own husband';, being away with the Volunteers. Mrs. McKenzie would 
 not allow a light in the house after dark, fearing that it would be more certain to 
 attract foes than friends. Her husband returned home unexpectedly one night, and, 
 after quieting the dog, entered the house, only to fall over some one sleeping on 
 the kitcien floor. The accident awakened others, who, at once, set up cries of terror, 
 under the impression that the rebels had made their long expected raid. Mrs. 
 McKenzie tremblingly struck a light and repaired to the kitchen, when, instead of 
 meeting blood-thirsty foes, she found her husband trying to extricate himself from the 
 crowd on the floor. 
 
 Mrs. Warwick has had eight children, all daughters; four of whom are now 
 living — three of them, married, live in Chatham. Clara, her youngest daughter, 
 received a diploma in 1893 for teaching, and has since been in charge of a school. 
 
 James McKenzie, a brother of Mrs. Warwick, who now lives V/ith her, has a 
 farm on Manitoulin Island, in Lake Superior, and has lived there for many years. 
 
 John Warwick came from Dublin to this country at an early date, and, after living 
 
 in Quebec a while, came to Chatham and took up land, which is now owned and 
 
 occupied by George Martin and Wm. Forester. He engaged as pilot on one of the 
 
 boats plying the Ottawa, and died from cholera in 1832. He had three sons and one 
 
 daughter. John, the youngest son, married Mary Murdoch, and about the year 1852 
 
 bought a farm of 100 acres in this locality, which is now owned and occupied by 
 
 his son. William J. Warwick ; but he died a few years subsequently. Three of his 
 
 [sons and one daughter grew up. William J. was married 4th September, 1884, to 
 
 i Elizabeth Warwick. He has since added to the original estate, until he now has a 
 
 [fine farm of 210 acres, the most of which is level and in a good state of cultivation. 
 
 I His land produces good crops and sustains a large stock, which is well protected 
 
 I by commodious buildings, the main barn being 80 x 46 feet in size. 
 
 -Among other fine farms in this section is that of David Black. Wm. Black, his 
 [father, came from Dunfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland, and settled at St. Scholasticpie, 
 
 County of Two-Mountains, on a farm of 166 acres, the greater part of which he and 
 lliis s(in David cleared up. He died there 23rd April, 1844. David was married 23rd 
 
 December, 1853, to Sarah Vart. He lived on the homestead, located at what is now 
 [known as St. Canute, and for several years was a member of the School Board and the 
 iMimiripal Council. In 1881, he sold his farm there, and bought 200 acres of Lots 
 jiSand 19 in the 6th Range of Chatham. He has cleared many acres of this, of 
 [stumiis and bushes, and made many other improvements which portray his energy 
 land skill as an agriculturist. Besides enlarging and improving his residence, he has 
 lerected a barn 100x30 feet, a cow stable 100 x 18 feet, a horse stable 45 x 25 feet, 
 
 and a granary 40 x 20 feet. He has 32 head of cattle, 9 horses and 34 sheep, and 
 
336 
 
 HISTORY OF AKGENTEUIL. 
 
 besides the usual farming implements, such as a mower, horse-rake, seeder, horsc-foik, 
 etc., he has a threshing mill, circular wood saw, self-binder, straw cutter and proven- 
 der mill. The fact, that in little more than a decade he has brought a neglected and 
 half cultivated farm into so good a condition, and made it pay for sucii improvements, 
 is strong evidence of his enterprise and skill in management. In 1894, he took the 
 first prize for the best managed farm, and a prize on clover. 
 
 Mr. Black has nine children — four sons and five daughters. Robert, the thiid 
 son, who lives on the homestead, was married 25lh April, 1894, to Ellen Pollock. 
 
 DALESVILLE. 
 
 hi Iiis annals of this place, the Rev. Mr. King says : — " This section should have 
 been left to wild animals, and as hunting ground Icr the Indians, as it is evideni 
 Nature never intended it to be an agricultural country, and ihatany population seeking 
 to live iierc by agriculture must be a poor one." 
 
 The one vvhc, for the first time, visits this section, and looks around on the rough 
 land thickly strewn widi boulders, will imagine that there is much truth in Mr. K'uv/i 
 remark. He will feel, too, that there is peculiar significance in the name — L)ales- 
 ville— until he learns that there is no relation between the name and the physical 
 features of the place — for there are as many //u/es and hills to tlie square mile here as 
 can be found in almost any other place in the Province. But a more intiniaic 
 acquaintance with the place and its inhabitants will convince him that botli his t)\yn 
 first impressions of it and those of the reverend clergyman were erroneous. 
 
 The fact that, in this rough, inhospitable-looking place, men have reared large 
 families, and surrounded them with all the comforts that others in more fixvored 
 places enjoy, is only additional evidence of what perseverance under difiiculties mav 
 accomplish. 
 
 A ride along any of the roads leading to Dalesville affords one but a very narrow 
 view of its population, or of the farms it includes, for the best of the latter and the 
 greater number are entiiely hidden by intervening hills and forests. 
 
 Let any public meeting be announced which affects the moral, social or pecuniary 
 interests of the inhabitants, and from every point of compass will gather a body of 
 men as speedily as ever clan responded to the summons of its chieftain in the High- 
 lands of Scotland . The stranger who has spent a day or two in this little hamlet, and 
 noticed the quiet that reigns, will naturally wonder whence all these people come; 
 but he will eventually learn that the varii us roads which branch off here and there 
 from the main read all lead back to well settled districts. 
 
 The people, also, who come to public meetings have not the appearance of tiiosi 
 in perpetual conflict with want, but well clad, with good horses, respectable vehicles, 
 many of which are covered buggies — they give evidence that the days of early stnigijles 
 with penury, happily, have long since passed. 'I'his indication of prosperity is enhanced 
 by a visit to their homes — plain, indeed, in exterior, but within plenty abounds— the 
 crops, the flocks and herds of his rough but fertile and wide-spreading acres enalding j 
 the farmer, from a well-filled board, to dispense genuine hospitality — the delight 01' j 
 the Dalesville household. 
 
 The first settler at Dalesville was Donald McKerricher, from Glenlyon, Perth- 
 shire, Scotland. He came some time between 1820 and 1825, and, no doubt, attracted I 
 
HISTORY OF ARGKNTEUIU. 
 
 337 
 
 (orsc-foik, 
 id proven- 
 cctcd and 
 ovcnieiits, 
 
 i took the 
 
 , the third 
 'ollock. 
 
 hould have 
 
 is evidont 
 
 on seeking 
 
 I the rough 
 Mr. King's 
 lie — Dales- 
 le physical 
 lile here as 
 e inliniali' 
 ih his ovn 
 us. 
 
 [;ared large 
 
 re favored 
 
 cullies mav 
 
 cry narrow 
 ter and the 
 
 r pecuniary 
 r a bc)dy of 
 the High- 
 unlet, and 
 pie come; 
 and there 
 
 ice of tlio.ic 
 e vehicles, 
 y struggles 
 is enhanced 
 ounds— the 
 es enaliliiig 
 deliulii 01 
 
 )t, attraeted 
 
 to this section by its resemblance to the liills and glciis of his native shire, he took 
 up Lot 17, Ml the lojh Ran^-e. For three weeks he pursued his labor here in the forest 
 with no neighbors nearer 10 iiim than Lachutc, when one day lie Iieard the sound of an 
 axe in tin; woods adjacent. Astonished, yet no doubt glad to know that some 
 other human being was near, he repaired to the spot whence the sounds proceeded, 
 and found a man named John Mc(}ibbon, who had come from his own native place, 
 Glenlyon, Perthshire, and taken up Lot 16, 10th Range, adjoinii g his own. Soon after 
 the advent of these two pioneers came two brot'.iers, Peter and John McFarlane, 
 and al)out the same time also came Archie and John McArthur. Among others 
 who scon followed were Peter and Alexander McGibbon, Malcolm McGregor, John, 
 Hugh and Duncan McCalhun, Donald and Dtmcan .\IcPhail — all from Glenlyon. 
 
 John McGibbon came to Lachute in 1820, and lived iheie a few yean; before 
 settling on the 1 )t above named. That he was a man of i)ublic spirit is inferred from 
 the promptness vith which he ])ut an end to dissatisfaction and clifferences among his 
 neighbors concerning the land for a graveyard. Having learned that this was a 
 cause of dissension, he promptly offered to give the land requisite for this purpose, 
 and the offer being accepted, several men soon after collected, rolled off the logs, and 
 otherwise i)repared the land for the interment of the dead ; this was the beginning of 
 the present graveyard. 
 
 Mr. McGibbon was a Christian man, and was very earnest in his efforts to do 
 good— often preaching in private houses before the erection of the Baptist Church, 
 and alter that he held service in the church when there was no minister present. He 
 died comparatively young, and the day of his funeral was a solemn one in Dalesville, 
 — work was wholly suspended. He lived here till his death, March, 1831. He had 
 eight sons and two daughters. 'I'he homestead was divided between two of the eldest 
 sons — Finley and Peter. The hitter married Klizabetlr iJrown, of Glengarry, Ont. 
 and remained on his f;rrm till he died, iQlh November, 1884. They had seven 
 children — four sons and three daughters. John, the eldest son of the family, in 
 1875, bought 300 acres on the adjacent i ilh Range, on which he now resides. This 
 land was first granted to Stewart Ovens, who had been a British soldier. Mr. King, 
 in his graphic pen pictures of early settlers at Dalesville, says : — 
 
 " Then there was Sergeant Ovens and his little wife, Rachel. A martial looking 
 man was the Sergeant, as he proudly raised his head, stood erect and elevated his voice, 
 to relate his experience on battlefields in Spain ; he had been in sixteen battles, besides 
 S'jveral skirmishes, without receiving a wound" He also received a pension, in 
 addition to the land granted him ; he lived on this land till his death. Aficr his 
 decease, his widow removed to Ontario, with their two sons and daughter. 
 
 John McGibbon, who nowowns the Ovens farm, married, loth May, 1881, Isabella 
 Hairshaw, and is one of the industrious and prosperous yeomanry of this section. 
 
 Of the cemetery mentioned above, Mr. King thus writes: — 
 
 " That burying-ground has become a very interesting place ; in it, and in the lives 
 of those wiio rest there, may be read a iiistory of the Settlement from its begiiming, 
 near half a ctntury ago. 'ihere was laid there, not long ago, the remains of a man 
 close on 90 years of age. He was an Irishman named Kerr, who had been a soldier, 
 and fought ih." French in Egypt, under Abercrombie. He had never been a Christian 
 till a short time before liis death, when he was converted and died happy." 
 
 William, another son of Peter McGibbon, was married 30th October, 1878, to Mary 
 Lothian. He had previously been in Nevada, and, after his marriage, again spent a 
 few years there, in the lumber business. He returned in the fall of 1883, and settled 
 
538 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTEUn.. 
 
 near iIk old Iiomeslead on 200 acres, Ii)t 15, Range 9, wliicli is generally known as tiie 
 " McKailane Lot," a good farm, and it sustains a large stock. In 1890, lit- erected 
 an attraclivc-lcjoking and coninioJiniis dwelling. wl)i( li is shared with iiis mother. 
 'J"he above was wriilen more thnn a year ago, Jlie IVdtchtnan (Lachute) of March 
 lyih. 1896, contains the following : — " Aj: aniici|)aled in last issue in announ- 
 cing the deatii of Mrs. Wm. McGibbon of Dalesville, the separation between 
 husband an I wife was not long. Mrs. Mc'libbon died on Saturday and her husband 
 passed away on the following Friday. This is one of the saddest bereavements ever 
 known in this district. Seven small and comparatively helpless children are left 
 without fath-^r or mother. Sympathy can do but little in sucli a trial. Tiie funeral 
 took place on Saturday last, Rev. Mr. Crcswell conducting the services in the 
 Baptist church." 
 
 Peter J. McCiibbon, a brother of those named above, on leaving the homestead, 
 spent four years in Michigan, and alter his return lived three years on the homestead 
 with his mother, of whoai he bought one-half of it. He was married 2nd May, 1888, 
 to Catherine, daughter of Alexander Calder. He has bought, since his first purchase, 
 200 acres. Lot 15, Range 10, known as the " .Malcolm McGregor Farm." His present 
 quantity of stock, and tlie thrift and energy he displays, augur a prosperous future. 
 
 Alexander, another brother of the above, has recently returned to Dalesville 
 from Michigan, where he has spent some years in lumbering. 
 
 Finlay, the eldest son of John McGibbon, removed with his wife from this sec- 
 tion to Lachute a few years ago ; two of their sons, Archie and Peter, proprietors of 
 McGibbon's Mills, living there. 'I'liis aged couple, who were highly respected, 
 passed away in the fall of 1895. 
 
 Alexander, the third son of John McGibbon, also a man highly esteemed, has 
 made his home for the past few years in Lachute. 
 
 Of Malcolm McGregor, mentioned above, and his wife, Mr. King thus speaks: 
 
 " Malcolm had been for a number of years a deacon in the church. He died an 
 old man, full of years, and had the pleasure of seeing all his children, and some of his 
 grandchildren, professing an interest in Christ. One of his grandsons is a preacher 
 of the Gospel, and two of his daughters are married to ministers. Malcolm's end was 
 peace, and tliey buried him beside his wife in the burying-ground on the hill." He 
 died 29th April, 1869, at th^ age of 86. His wife died a few years previous. 
 Mr. King says : "A woman of whom it might truly be said, she was a mother in Israel. 
 Her delight was to see the cause of Christ prosper. She had great care over the young, 
 gave them much kindly advice, and they all loved her. Though sickly in her latter 
 days, and unable to attend the church, she was, for all that, a pillar of strength in it ; 
 the afternoon meetings were often held in her h )use, an 1 the young people would 
 gather round her chair, to get a shake of her hand and a few kind, cheering words." 
 
 Archibald MAC.'\RTHUR,one of the pioneer:; of th' ; section, was a man of marked 
 individualiiy of character, and his descendants are noted for enterprise and ability. 
 He came to this country from Glenlyon, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1819. 
 
 His only language w..s Gaelic, and when he arrived in Montreal he found it 
 dift^.cult both to understand and to render his id 'as intelligible to others. Learning, 
 however, Uiat there were two Highland families in Lachine, named Fraser and Grant, 
 he went thither, and engaged to work for Grant at $5 per month. But Mrs. McMartin, 
 a relative of his, who lived in St. Andrews on the River Rouge, hearing that he 
 was in Lachine, went there and took him to her home. Induced by the offer of 
 $8.00 a month, he engaged to work for Mr. McMartin. Mr. Dewar, of " Bellevue," 
 Carillon, however, a few weeks later, offered him $12.00 to work for him in haying — 
 an offer too tempting to be refused. He had learned the blacksmith's trade in 
 
HISTORY OK AROF.NTEUIL. 
 
 339 
 
 speaks : 
 died an 
 of his 
 )reacher 
 end was 
 He 
 revious. 
 Israel, 
 young, 
 alter 
 1 in it ; 
 would 
 words." 
 marked 
 ability. 
 
 und it 
 irning, 
 Grant, 
 Martin, 
 that he 
 offer of 
 evue," 
 aying— 
 rade in 
 
 Scotland, and ihe next fall he engaged to Flynn, a blacksmith of Lachute, for 75 
 ■ ents per day. He worked a year, and all«)wed Flynn to keep his entire wages 
 at 6 ])er cent, interest. At or near the end of the second year, Mynn become 
 insolvent, and the young Scotchman lost all he had earned. IJut his svas not a 
 nature to be easily discouraged, and in ihe winter he went with the Dewars to 
 ilu hunber woods on the T.itivre to learn to choj). In the spring became down with 
 a raft, and soon afterwards accepted a grant of 200 acres, in Chatham, in the 
 I 2th Range. On going to see it, however, he found that liis nearest neighbor would 
 l)c miles distant, hence he left the land, and for $60 bought 200 acres of a man named 
 >oui;la.i, at what is now Dalesville. Here he began the struggles of a pioneer. 
 He was married 23rd November, 1822, to Margaret .Stewart. Some years after he 
 had settled here, and hen he was comparatively well off as regards property, 
 Mrs. McDougall, an aunt of his wife, from Indian Lands, visited them, and 
 (ensured him severely for settling on such rough, stony, rock-bound land, and, 
 Inialiy, offered to sell him 200 acres of her own land, in Osgoode, for $120. 
 He i)aid her the money without seeing the land, and shortly after, without selling his 
 liiin at Dalesville, went to Osgoode and built a shanty. But, in doing this, he ex- 
 hausted the supply of provisions he had taken with him, and, as he could not pur- 
 iliase any in Osgoode, not even milk, nor find any water on his newly purchased estate, 
 lie decided to sell it, and returned in disgust to Dalesville. Not many years later he 
 sold his land in Osgoode for $800, and bought 200 acres more near his home farm. 
 Like most of the early settlers, he suffered losses from the raids of wild animals. 
 At one time wolves were killing many sheep at Dalesville, and Mr. Mac.Vrthur was 
 warned by his neighbors that he must shut up his sheep or they would be killed. 
 Not acting promptly on this advice, that night the wolves killed eleven of them. 
 Mr. MacArthur died ist February, 1878; Mrs. MacArthur, 29th May, 1882. They 
 bad eleven children — four sons and seven daughters; the former and five of the 
 la tier are still living. 
 
 Peter, the eldest of the sons, in April, 1845, went to Montreal, and engaged 
 as clerk, 'i'he following year, he went with the firm by which he was employed 
 to Perth, Oni., and remained there till May, 1849. In August following, he 
 fijiened a store in Dalesville — the first one started here, and has continued to trade 
 JKMe ever since, with the exce])tion of eight years, when he lived in Perth, having 
 rented his store to his son. He was married 15th May, 1849,10 Nancy Stone ; 
 she died 2olh May, 1888. Mr. MncArthur was a])pointed Postmaster here, in 1854, 
 wlien the the post office was established, and he still holds the position. He has 
 li.en Municipal Councillor and School Commissioner a number of years, and has 
 been Secretary-Treasurer of No. 2 School Municipality of Chatham, tinrty-eight years. 
 During the forty-seven years that he has been engag^-d in business, he lias experien- 
 ced some of the vicissitudes of fortune, yet he has been universally respected, and 
 to day commands the esteem of his fellow-citizens as a reliable business man. He 
 has, in his business transactions, dealt to some extent in real estate, and, at pre- 
 sent, owns 1668 acres in Chatham, and 400 in Wentworth. 
 
 His brother, Rev. Roberp Stuart MacArthur, D. D., is a man in whom his 
 coantrymen, as well as his family, may well feel pride. 
 
 He was converted at the age of nine, and at thirteen years joined the church of 
 his mother. When only sixteen he was accustomed to conduct religious meetings, 
 ;ui(l spoke to the people with an unction, force and intelligence which foreshadowed 
 ill. coming divine, ile prepared for college at the Canadian Literary Institute at 
 W'lodstock, Out.; was graduated at the University of Rochester in 1867, and at 
 
340 
 
 IlISTOKY OF ARGENTKUn.. 
 
 the Rochester Tlieological Seminary in 1870. As a scholar he took liiglj rank, and 
 was especially tlislingiiished for oratorical power. During his Theological course in 
 the Rochesier Theological Seminary — where he won distinction as a thinker and .: 
 writer — he siiitplied different i)iili)ils, and became well known as an effective sernun- 
 i/.er. After receiving and declining flattering and enthusiastic inviialions to other 
 pastor.Ui s, he decided to accept the unanimous lall of the Calvarv Jiapiist Church of 
 New \oik city, which was extended to him on 25th February, 1870. Immediately 
 upon his graduation from the Seminary he went to Calvary chnich, and began his 
 oflficia! services, and from that time until the present he has labored without cessa- 
 tion. The dcgiee of J ).]). was conferred iip(jn him by the University of Rochester 
 in 1880. For nearly twenty-five years Dr. MacArthur has filled his present position, 
 and the success which has attended his ministry durii g this time has been phenrr 
 menal. When he assumed the pastorship of Calvary church the congregation wa^ 
 small, and all church interests were in a waning condition, [n a short time, there 
 were signs of im])rov(ment and of advancement along all hues under his activr 
 ministry. Not only did the audiiuces increase, but very soon the finances of tin- 
 church were much iin|)roved. Large offerings were made for benevolent objects ; 
 one offering for Home & Foreign Missions amounting to the amazing sum of 
 $71,000. From the commencement of his labors to the i)rcsent time, there has been 
 extraordinary t;rf)Wth in mnnbers and financial strength. The edifice in which his 
 people now worship- a inagiuficent structure on 57111 Street, belwien 61I1 and 7tli 
 Avenues — is the most costly church that was ever erected by BaDtists on this 
 continent. During his ministry of nearly twenty-five years, the church has given lor 
 benevolent and missionary purposes more than two million dollars. 
 
 Dr. MacArthur has proved, during his ministry, that great congregations can be 
 gathered and held without the use of scnsation.'^l methods, and by i)reaching simply 
 the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the membership of his church there are hundreds uf 
 men and women of wealth, culture and intelligence; in the same membership there 
 are the poor, who are recognized and made as welcome as the rich. Pastor and 
 people believe in a Christianity which reaches and blesses all classes in the com- 
 munity. Uy ])en and by voice the pastor speaks upon all social, economic and 
 national quest'on^,, l)elicving that the Gospel means the salvation and purification of 
 every form of life. During his jiastorate Dr. MacArthur has received into the church 
 over 3000 persons ; its present iiiembershi|) is over 2000. The influence of this great 
 church reaches out in every direction ; and its i)astor, Dr. R. S. MacArthur, is widely 
 known as one of the most eminent and popular divines in the American pulpit. 
 
 John MacAuihi/r, another brother, bought, in 1850, a farm of 200 acres, near 
 the homestead, on which he still resides, and the greater ijart of which hj has himself 
 cleaved and brought to a stale of cultivation, which enables him to keep a gci^d 
 stock. He was married 27th June, 1S55, to Elizabeth Dewar, froin Scotland. 
 
 Archie, their sec jid son, a graduate of McGill, is now principal of the ^^ul!lt 
 Royal School, Montreal. 
 
 Mr. MacArthur well recollects the chopping out of the present road, in iS,;'^, 
 leading from lirownsburg to Dalesville. Previous to this, in coming from Lacluiit-'. 
 the settlers had followed concession lines, which were all marked by blazed trees. 
 
 Archie MacArthur, third son of the pioneer of the same name, spent a few 
 years in California, and after returning, married 8th April, 1868, Catherine McGeocli. 
 She died about five years later, and he then married Christina McGibbon, 22nd Septem- 
 ber, 1874. Soon after his first marriage he bought a farm of 200 acres at Brown's What, 
 Plantagenet, Out., where he resided twenty years, and during quite a portion of 
 this time he was a member of the Board of Health and chaiiman of the Board of 
 
HISTORY OF ARGKNTEUIU 
 
 341 
 
 xttk, and 
 unirse in 
 
 ;er and .i 
 scrm ju- 
 
 to OtllLl 
 
 Miurch of 
 iiediatoly 
 
 jegan lii^ 
 
 Hit cessa- 
 
 iocheslcr 
 
 ; position, 
 
 ii phono- 
 
 ition was 
 
 Tje, tlieii! 
 
 his activr 
 
 es of the 
 
 t objects ; 
 
 g sum <it 
 
 lias been 
 
 \vhicl\ his 
 
 h and ytii 
 
 ts on tliis 
 
 s given tor 
 
 ns can he 
 ng simply 
 indreds of 
 ship there 
 ;^astor ami 
 the coni- 
 ■inniic and 
 hcalion nt 
 lie cliufch 
 "this great 
 I, is widely 
 jlpit. 
 
 icres, near 
 las hinisell 
 m a gf"'d 
 jnd. 
 Ihe ^^)^l!lt 
 
 |, in iS,; • 
 Lacluitc. 
 
 [d trees. 
 
 hent a tV-v 
 iMcGeoi iu 
 id Septciii" 
 fn'sWha 1', 
 ]|)ortion •<[ 
 ]}oard if 
 
 School Commissioners. He was quite an extensive dealer in wood nearly all the 
 time he resided there, and after selling his farm, about 18S2, his time was confined to 
 the wood traffic. Having i)urcliased the claims of the oilier heirs to the paternal 
 iiomestead in Dalesvillc, he removed to it in 1889, ai d still resides iiere. 
 
 Of his sisters, Catherine, the eldest, the widow of John Loggie, live- in Cilen- 
 -arry, Ont. Elizabeth, the widow of K. Hendrie, lives in J-ondon, Out., and Annie 
 Klizal)eth, married to Daniel McKerricher, resides in the same city. Jessie, married 
 to Duncan McKerricher, lives in California. Jane, married to John McCircgor, 
 lives on the River Rouge, in St. .Andrews. 
 
 Daniel I3ali;, "good old Dan Dale," as Mr. King sjieaks of him, came to Pt. 
 I'orlune from Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1818. Some years later, about 1S29 or 
 1830, he moved to Dalesvillc, where he soon afterward erected a saw mill. About 
 1S38. he also built a grist mill ; they were the fust mills here, and th<iiigli simple and 
 crude, compared with the mills of the present day, they were a great blessing to the 
 settlers, the grist mill especially, saving, as it did, many a weary trudge and back 
 load to the pioneers. The saw mill was subsequently destroyed by fire,.and a new 
 one built; but the grist mill, remodeled .tiuI improved, is still doing good work. 
 These mills arc now the j)roperty of John CAMPiifci.L, a sketch of whose ancestors 
 is given in the history uf Lachute. 
 
 Mr. Campbell, whohas spent much of his life in lumbering and in mills, was 
 married in 1863 to Christine, daughter of James Dewar. After living in Harrington 
 two years, where he had a saw mill and grist mill, he purchased the mills and 100 
 acres of land in Dalesvillc, with which lie has been eUL^aged many years. He has 
 ptii in a circular saw and a planer, and does an active business, sawing between two 
 and six thousand logs annually, and always having a large quantity of lumber of 
 various kinds on hand. His grist mill also receives the patronage of a large section 
 of country — one season 14,000 bushels of oats being brought to this mill from Gore. 
 
 Mr. Campbell is a man of influence in this place, and has been a Municipal 
 Councillor and School Commissioner several years, and is now Chairman of the 
 School Jioard. He is a staunch supporter of the Baptist Church, and is now a 
 Deacon. He has eight sons and three daughters ; three of the former are married. 
 
 William Morrow aiwl three of his brothers came from Ireland to Canada about 
 1S30 ; two of them settled in Hawkesbury, Ont., and \V'illiain and the other located on 
 adjoining lots at Dalesvillc. Previous to thi-, however, William was employed two 
 years by Commissary Gen. Forbes of Carillon, and he then took up the west half of 
 Lot ifi. Range 11, in Chatham, and some years later became proprietor of the other 
 half of the same I,ot. He died here about the year 1847 > bis wife died 21st August, 
 1R77 .\fter the death of her huslmnd, Mrs. Morrow experienced much sorrow and 
 many hardships. Her eldest son live-l with his grandmother in Hawk sbury, and her 
 eldest daughter was helpless. Her house was buint, and she then moved into the 
 barn ; soon afterward, she, one day. heard the limbers cracking, and sei/,ing her invalid 
 daughter, she had barely escaped from tiie door, when the barn fell with a crash. In 
 her despondency, she sometimes threw herself on the grave of her husband, praying 
 for deliverance by death from her great troubles. Bui He who never ])ermits 
 aftliction without a wise purpose had still work for her to do, and strength and 
 ability were given her to rear her family, and in after years she enjoy';d the comforts 
 of which she had been so long deprived. It was no unusual thing for her to walk to 
 bachute, about eight miles distant, and carry a pail of butter, and Mr. Morrow often 
 brought 100 lbs. of flour on his back from the mill at Brownsburg. They had three 
 sons and two daughters, the younger sons, Hugh and Thomas, being twins. Hugh 
 
342 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII.. 
 
 bought out the other h^irs, and remained on the homestead, thougli he worked 
 nine winters in tiic himber woods. He was married 26th January, 1874, to Jaiict 
 McFaul, and in 1881, he bought the claims of the other heirs to the Mcl^aul home- 
 stead— 200 acres — and subsequently purchased 200 acres more, for all of which he 
 has paid with money made from his faim. Mr. Morrow is a striking example ot 
 thrift and industry, and generously acknowledges the credit due Mrs. Morrow for 
 the help she has contributed towards their i)rosperity. In her younger days, Mrs. 
 Morrow had an opportunity of visiting Italy, Switzerland, and other countries of 
 Europe, and the facts with which her mind is stored concerning the renowned places 
 visited attest that her time was well improved. 
 
 Donald Dkwar, from Abcrfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, came to Dalesvillc witii 
 his parents and four sisteis in 1854. Though a shoemaker by trade, he owns 100 
 acres of land at Dalesville, and since i860 has devoted his time chiefly to fanning , 
 he is esteemed for his sobriety, industry and honest principles. He was married 26ih 
 January, 1X89, to Margaret Robertson, from Glenlyon, Scotland. His lather, James 
 Dewar, who lived with him, died in July, 1870, at the age of 88. His mother, who 
 was a sister of the elder Archie McArthur, died 22nd November, 1888. 
 
 Antoine Brunet, who can boast of a progeny of nineteen children, is a citizeii 
 of this place. He was born at Belle Rividre, and came to Lachute in 1853, where 
 he attended school some tmie, and then engaged as clerk to R. J. Meiklc, with 
 whom he remained eighteen years. Having learned the cooper's trade of his father 
 in his boyhood, he now opened a shop in Lachute, but in about two years he was 
 appointed l)aggageman at the railway station at Lachute, which position he held 
 twelve years. After thai, he lived five years i,i Arundel, where he followed hi'; 
 trade, and then in 1893 removed to Dalesville. He has been twice married: first, 
 in July, 1862, to Marceline i^a Belle, of St. Andrews ; she died in 1879 ; and 8ih 
 September, 1889, he was married to Catheiine McAuliffe. Of his many children, 
 but lour are now living. 
 
 Charles Vary was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 8th March, 1822 ; in 1844, 
 though strongly opposed by his family and friends, he came to this country. He was 
 first employed as clerk for a lumber company, and while thus engaged in New 
 Glasgow, Moses Williams, a foreman, invited him to accompany him to his home in 
 Lancaster, Glengarry, and there he formed the acquaintance of his sister, Amerilli 
 Williams, to wlium he was married 3rd February, 1848. Mr. Vary afterwards engaged 
 in teaching, and followed this occupation some time in (ilengarry. On account i>f 
 ill-health, h(Avever, he decided to engage in farming, and with this object he settled 
 on a lot in Wentworth, on Lake Louisa. He lived tliere eight years, experiencing 
 great hardships from the absence of roads, and having to cross the lake every timo 
 he found it nccesrary to leave home. He therefore came to Chatham, and after 
 teaching a few mouths at Dalesville, he settled on a half lot in die 12th Range, where 
 his widow still lives. 
 
 Mr. Vary was a man of intelligence, and was much respected. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Municipal Council and the Board of School Commissioners several yearr» ; 
 he took the census of the County two or three times, and fo: some time was Secretary- 
 Treasurer of the Council and School Board. He died i5ih December, 1893. During 
 the last two years of his life he was blind, and, as he had always been a great reader, 
 .some member of his family, after this affliction, was often engaged in reading to him. 
 
 He had four sons and five daughters, but only three of the latter are now livin.ii. 
 The other children are married, save the youngest son, Alexander, who lives on tlie 
 homestead with his mother. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ,543 
 
 : worked 
 
 to Jant.:t 
 ul liomi:- 
 
 whicli hf 
 ample of 
 orrow for 
 lays, Mrs. 
 mtrics of 
 led places 
 
 vilk with 
 owns 100 . 
 ) farming , 
 rried 26ih 
 ler, fames 
 other, who 
 
 13 a citizen 
 353, where 
 eiklc, wiili 
 ■ his father 
 irs he was 
 n lie held 
 lUowed hi- 
 ried: first, 
 ; and 8th 
 y children, 
 
 ; ill 1844, 
 He was 
 led in New 
 s liome in 
 |r, Amerill:i 
 Is engat^nl 
 iccount "t 
 
 he settled 
 Iperienciiii; 
 [every tinv.> 
 
 and a fill" 
 Inge, where 
 
 ras a mem- 
 ;ral years ; 
 
 Secretary- 
 I13. During 
 leat reader, 
 Ing to hini. 
 
 low livinii. 
 
 /es on the 
 
 Another family ofpioneer,s is thus mentioned in tlie writings nf the Rev. Mr. 
 King when he was stationed at Notfield. 
 
 " Tidings came lately from Dalesville,of the death of Artiuir McArthur, son of the 
 big miller of Gle lyoii. He was one of the first settlers in the rear of Chatham ; he 
 and his brother Duncan, with their sister Margaret, located five miles east of tlie 
 Ciiapel. Arthur and Margaret never married ; Arthur was for a long tinit- in posses- 
 sion of the hope of eternal life, and entertained Baptist sentiments, but for some 
 reason never joined the church. He was a man wiio lived a very quiet and inoffen- 
 sive life, sustaining a good character. Since his death, Archibald, the only son of 
 Duncan, on whom his father, aunt and sister depended, has been removed by death ; 
 it is to be hoped he died in the Lord. His death was a double affliction, since he 
 was the only earthly dependence of those mentioned. Sucli are the ways of ilie 
 Lord, and who can comprehend them ? " 
 
 DALESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 In giving a history of this church, we have thought proper to copy largely from 
 the writings of Mr. King. He left with Mr. G. F. Calder, of Ihe Watclnuun, two 
 volumes of MSS., of which that gentleman has kindly given us the use. This manu- 
 script contains not only a history of the Dalesville church, but of his own life and 
 travels, from the period when he wa« about leaving Scotland up to the later years of 
 jiis life. It has been our desire to use only such portions of the MSS. as show the 
 condition of different churches and communities where he labored, the progress of the 
 countrv, and the lives of individuals who were woithy examples to others. 
 
 If he was Baptist in his views and sentiments, Mr. King was very piopular 
 wherever known, and we are 3ure that many will read with interest tiie reminiscences 
 of one who was go much respected and beloved. 
 
 " Mr. King was born of Presbyterian parents in Edinburgh, Scotlarid, in 1819. 
 At the age often he was senc to learn the lapidary trade with an uncle who kept a 
 shop on Princess street. These were the days in which the powerful and evangelical 
 preaching and teaciiing of the Haldane brothers were permeating Scotland, especially 
 its cajiitcil. 
 
 " Through the influence of John Terbot, a companion, young King was persuaded 
 to attend the Baptist meeting on Niddery street, wiiere, according to his own words, 
 his mental eyes were opened : he saw himself in a new light, and was enquiring what 
 he must do to be saved. In a few days, he was led to understand the new birth, and 
 was resting his hope of salvation on Christ alone. Through th*" teaching of John 
 Terbot's father, young King was led to study the subject of belit er's bafuism, as was 
 found in the Word of God, and at the age of seventeen he was Daptized by Pastor 
 Robert Anderson, and united with the church. He was gifted with a remarkable 
 memory, read much, especially the Bible, and stored away a large sto'k of useful 
 knowledge, wliich became of much practical value to him in after I'fe, 
 
 " He began to exercise his gifts in the churcii, and made known to many in the 
 hy-ways and lanes of the city the way of salvation through Christ." 
 
 The above account of his early history is taken from a Memor'.d Sermon, 
 preached by the Rev. John Higgins in Dalesville, 17th September, 1893. The remain- 
 ing part of his biography is drawn chiefly from his own manuscript. 
 
 While Mr. King was traveling about Hdinburgh and other places in Scoiitiid, 
 engaged in evangelistic work, 'e was not indifferent to the iiistory of those pla,;es he 
 visited, and in later years, published several well-written articles, descriptive and 
 
344 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 hisloi ical, of St. Andrews, Glasgow, P'alkir!:, Kirkaldy, etc. Not long aft(.'r beginning 
 his labors as an PIvangelist, in speaking of meetings held in Bristow Street Chuich, 
 Edinburgh, he says: — 
 
 " One week day eveningthere entered the pulpit, along withone of the Elders, an 
 aged man, whom 1 had never seen before. He was venerable in appearance, bald- 
 headed, with a ruddy complexion. When he rose to speak, it was soon discovered 
 that l^e was no oidii ary man ; it was evident that he had not studied in the divinity 
 hall, yet nature had bestowed on him a great gilt. He was one of nature's noblemen 
 — his iheme was missionary work ; the duty of Christians to send the Gospel to those 
 who wer-i perishing in their sms. Then he told us he was from Canada, from the 
 banks of the Ottawa ; he described the greatness of the country, the hardships 
 endured by the settlers in the back woods, and their destitution of tlie Gospel. 
 How that many had lived there a long time without hearing a sermon, and that 
 young reoiile had been born there, grown up to be men and women, without 
 having seei-. the face of a minister of the Ciospel. He said he had been sent to 
 Britani by the ljai)tist Missionary Society, .'or the i)urpose of procuring men and 
 money — men to j)ivach, and money to sustain them. His heart seemed full to 
 ov( rfl;*wing with his subject. This aged man was the Rev. John Edwards, or, 
 as he was called in Edinlnirgh, the ' Canadian Farmer.' He was a Scotchman 
 from lite Shire of Moray. * * * He emigrated to Canada in i 822, and settled 
 in Clarence on the uank.s of the Ottawa, where, after a few years, a chuich vva.s 
 formed, of which he became j^astor. 'I'he discourse of this aged servant of God 
 in Bristow street made a great inii)ression on my mind. Of money I had little, but, 
 theii, '.:i were wanted. The thought i)assed through my mind, might not I go to 
 Can.iGa ? might not I devote myself to mission work? 'I'his thought did not leave 
 me, but under its impulse, I found myself, some time afterward, on board the good 
 siiip ' Mohawk,' iii ectrpany with Mr. Edwards and the Rev. John Girdwood, con- 
 tesiding with the waves of the Atlantic, on our way to the new world." 
 
 It was some months after first meeting Mr. Edwards and ])romising to return 
 with him to Canada, tiiat they en.baikedon the " Mohawk," during which time Mr. 
 Edwards continued his missionary work. At Anstrulher, where he had tor some 
 time laboied, a nuinlterofthe brethren thought he should break his engagement with 
 Mr. ]',dwar(ls and slay where he was, saying tluit "charity sliDuld begin at home, 
 and the Gospel was as much needed in Anstruther as in Canada." " But finding 
 my mind made up to go, they all wished me Godspeed. I found the members of 
 the church at Anstruther vcrv kind, and received from them in parting many tokens 
 of kindness, and among t'lem was a large broadcloth cloak which they had made for 
 me. Thei idea of Canada was that it was a very cold country, and that a missioii- 
 i.ry would, at times, be under the necessity of camping out at night in the woods, 
 Th's cloak was given me, that I might wrap myself in its ample folds, should I ever 
 need to do so. The good p^oj^le's fears jjroved groundless, as the cloak iiad never 
 to be used for this purpose." 
 
 It would be a pleasure to give Mr. King's account of his journey to the port 
 whence he sailed, his description of his fellcw-passengers, their life on ship-board, 
 nail up the St. Lawrence, and his impressions of the new country and its people, all 
 rcL'-ted in a vivacious and fascinating manner ; but space forbids. He sailed from 
 Greenotk 1st of April, 1841, and landed in Quebec, after a six weeks' voyage; and 
 the next day witnessed a sad disaster caused by the falling of a portion of the cliff, 
 crushing houses and their inmates in the Lower Tov/n. 
 
 He says : — "When we landed in Montreal, we were received and heartily wel- 
 comed by the venerable Ebenezer Muir, and the warm-hearted and affectionate James 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 345 
 
 inning 
 hutch, 
 
 ers, an 
 , bald- 
 overed 
 jivinity 
 biemen 
 
 those 
 om the 
 >rdships 
 Gospel, 
 nd thai 
 svithoui 
 sent to 
 
 (len and 
 
 1 full to 
 irds, or, 
 otchman 
 d settled 
 iich was 
 
 of God 
 ittle, but, 
 t I go to 
 not leave 
 he good 
 
 )od, con- 
 
 lO return 
 .ime Mr. 
 Itor some 
 
 lent with 
 lat home, 
 
 It finding 
 imbers of 
 
 ly tokens 
 
 linade for 
 mission- 
 
 le woods. 
 
 lid I ever 
 
 I ad never 
 
 the poll 
 
 |ip-board, 
 
 H)ple, all 
 
 tied from 
 
 |age; and 
 
 the cliff, 
 
 litily wcl- 
 [ite James 
 
 Mihie, botii deacons in the Baptist Church, St. Helen street. Both of these biethren 
 iuive since finished their course, and joined the church above. As I intended to 
 spend some time in tlie Baptist College, Mr. James Milne kindly conducted me 
 there to spend the night, 'i'he College was tlien kept in a house in Bonaventu.e 
 street, at the head of McGill, near the Hay Market. It was presided over by Dr. 
 1 Navies, an excellent scholar, and a humble Christian, but who has since returned to 
 bis native country, England. As students generally entered the college after the 
 Christmas vacation, it was thought best by the Doctor and others that I should 
 sjjcnd the summer and fall up the Ottawa, preaching the Gospel, as I had oppor- 
 tunity, and return lo Montreal after Christmas. Accordingly il was arranged that I 
 sliould proceed to Clarence, on the Ottawa, to Fox's Point, the residence of Mr. 
 l-.dwards, and make his house my home." 
 
 After describing his trij) up the Ottawa by boat he continues : 
 
 " It was dark when the boat reached Carillon, and there were twelve miles 
 further to Grenville Head, where the other boat lay, and this distance had to be 
 travelled by stage. It was very slow and disagreeable riding, the road which ran 
 beside the canal in the front of Chatham being very rough. As the stage biuiiped 
 along in the darkness, I heard a strange noise, and on inquiry, learned that it was 
 made by frogs. iMrst, one would lift his voice, then he would be joined by many 
 others, and thus they kept up their song all the night long. As the stars began to 
 glow dim, and daylight to streak the eastern sky, we came rumbling into Grenville 
 Mead; then the king of day arose in all his majesty, and revealed the beauties of 
 the scene which burst u])on the view. The Bay of Grenville in the rear, the rapid 
 called the Long Sault, the noise of the waters as they dashed against the rocks, all 
 were noted by me, and made a lasting impression. The Head is a collection of 
 houses on both sides of the canal ; there are two places of worship — one for the 
 Ciunch of Engl.md, and the other the Scotch Church. But there seemed to me to 
 ho too many taverns in it to give one a high opinion of the morality of the place. 
 The river is very wide here, and on the opposite shore is the lumbering establishment 
 dtihe Hamilton Brothers, surrounded by the houses of the village. The Head is a 
 great resort lur raftsmen employed in hmibering and in bringing rafts down the 
 (Jtiawa." 
 
 Passing over a page in which he describes people he met and his passage over 
 the river in a canoe, we begin at the following paragraph : 
 
 •' When we landed tve were informed that we were iii Upper Canada. I went 
 10 the house of Mr. Edwards, which was the only stone house in the place at that 
 lime. The old gentleman was not at home, having remained to spend the Sabbath 
 with his son John, who was ])astor of a Baptist church in the village of St. Andrews, 
 Canada East ; but I was kindly received by his son William and the old lady, and 
 for the time being ; was made welcome to make my home at their house. 'I'he next 
 day being the Sabbath. I preached to a large congregation, in the house of Nicholas 
 Edgar, from John iii. 3 ; this was the first lime 1 had preached in Canada. 
 
 " There was in Clarence, at the time, a Baptist church, but it was in a disor- 
 ganized state ; neither ihe ordinance of the Supper nor discipline were attended to. 
 They, however, met on the Lord's Day to hear the Word of God preacheil. 
 
 " Tiiey had neither Chapel nor school-house, hence they met in a house facing 
 the river on P'ox's Point. To this house, in the summer time, on Sabbath morning, 
 lame people from different i)arts of the neighborhood to hear the Gospel. As the 
 roads at that time were bad, and in some places there were no roads at all, the greater 
 iiiimher of people came in canoes on the river. It was a beautiful sight to see a fleet 
 of these primitive boats, loaded with people from different parts, approaching Fox's 
 
 23 
 
346 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII,. 
 
 Point on Sabbath morning, and after sermon, when they were returning home, it was 
 delightful to hear from a distance the sound of some well-known hymn, sung by them 
 in concert, as they paddled along. I also enjoyed the singing very much in the 
 meetings at this place, instruction in which art was given to the young people by 
 Andrew Shirreffs, or, as he was called, " Daddy " Shirreffs. He was a weaver by 
 trade, and had been a member of the Baptist Cluirch in Aberdeen, Scotland, of 
 which Mr. Gilmour was pastor. He was a short, stout man, with a fine voice, and full 
 of music, — indeed, music seemed to be th'* element in which lie delighted to live and 
 move. He took great trouble with the young people, and succeeded in making them 
 excellent singers. 
 
 "When I came to Clarence there was no scliool, and a large number of children 
 in the settlement. The parents requested me to open a school and leich the children, 
 while I remained in the place. To this I consented, and as they had no school 
 house, it was arranged that the school sliould meet in an old shanty that belonged tu 
 " Daddy" Shureffs. Behold me, then, installed as Dominie, in that liumble shanty 
 on the banks of the Ottawa, having around me many of tiiose who are now the he.uis 
 of families in the .'settlements, whom J had the honor of first leaching their letteii. 
 
 "While I was teaching, some of the friends in Lochaber invited me to go over 
 there and preach, and, as I had learned to low a canoe, thus being able to cross t'le 
 river when 1 liked, I consented, I used to low over after my school had closed lor 
 the day, sail up the Blanch, land on Donald McLean's place, preach in the sch(;oI- 
 house in the evening, and after passing the night either at Neil Campbell's or 
 McLean's, return to my canoe in the morning. At other limes, I would cross in 
 Neil's canoe, after the meeting at Fox's Point on the Sabbath, and preach in ilie 
 afternoon and evening at Lochaber. The fruit of my labo'' in Lochaber was the 
 conversion of a woman named Campbell, whom I baptized in the Ottawa before a 
 number of spectators — the first baptism I performed in Canada. 
 
 " After teaching about three months, a jtroposal was made lu me that 1 should 
 spend my time till Christmas preaching between Lochaber Bay and Petite Nation; 
 and the work of preaching the Gospel being more congenial to my mind than teach- 
 ing school, 1 assented to the j^rojiosal. The distance between the two places being 
 fifteen miles, wi;h the Norlh Nation to cross, it was arranged that 1 should spend 
 alternate weeks in each jilace. In Petite Nation, or Papincauville, as it is now 
 called, there was then a small Baptist chrrch. Instead of the handsome chapel m 
 which they now meet, they then met in the school-house; the Methodists also using 
 it one-half the time. In what is now called the village, at tliat time there were very 
 few houses and only one store; now there are several houses, stores, a town huli. .■ 
 Roman Cath'/lic church, Anglican church and a Baptist chapel. Traveling betwciii 
 Lochaber and Petite Nation I found rather a laborious undertaking, on aceu; 
 of the state of the roads — the only one that was fairly passable being that from iliej 
 Nation to Papincauville. From the Nation to Lochaber, in the spring and fall, ii was [ 
 little better than a quagmire. Sometimes I would gel a ride from Pa[)ineauvilii. in 
 the Nation and walk the rest of the way, and often was half up to the knees in mud. 
 Occasionally, indeed, I did procure a I ^rse ai Loc' abcr Bay, but gelling a saddl 
 was another thing; horses were pleniiful enough, but saddles were few and farj 
 betVi'cen ; and as for a buffalo robe in sleighing time, that was out of the question; 
 the only robes they used were bed-quills. When I had the honor of ridini, oiij 
 horseback; ir.y usual saddle was a bag filled with hay or straw, fastened on the lior jI 
 with a rope, the ends of which served as stirrups. This kind of saddle answered vorvj 
 well, as long as h remained in the right place, but I nxollect one day, as my iiorscl 
 was descending a clay hill into a gully, he slipped, and the saddle quickly turned 
 
 •m^-^in 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 347 
 
 tie, it way. 
 f by ihcm 
 ch in the 
 people by 
 veaver by 
 lOlland, of 
 ce, and full 
 
 live and 
 iking them 
 
 of children 
 le children, 
 
 no schoul- 
 jelonged U) 
 nble shaniy 
 ,\v the heails 
 their lelters. 
 
 to go over 
 
 to cross the 
 .d closed lov 
 11 the sclioi)!- 
 ^impbeH'i ui 
 uld cross in 
 reach in the 
 ^iber was the 
 
 wa before a 
 
 hat I should 
 letite Nation; 
 Id than tccich- 
 
 1 places being 
 
 under his belly, while I was pitched, head foremost, into a pile of br'ish by the way- 
 side. The only damage I sustained was a large rent in my coat, which I had to go 
 back, five miles to get mended, and then I resumed my journey. When I traveled 
 that road there was no Thurso and no mill at tlie Blancli ; but it is not so now — 
 great changes have occurred at Lochaber Bay : there are good roads, good houses, 
 saddles and vehicles for summer and winter's use. The last time I visited tire place, 
 after the lapse of years, the old school-house was still standing, in which I had the 
 pleasure of preaching to the people, but many wilii whom I had been acquainted 
 were gone — good old James Lamb and his wife, Donald Lamond and the womm I 
 had baptized had all crossed the Jordan. Those who had been strong and active 
 were getting old, and the young children had become men and women, and many had 
 removed to other places. Such are the changes constantly 'aking place in every part 
 of the world, and such they will continue to be as long as the world stands." 
 
 In the early pari of the winter follcv.'ing his laboiS in Lochaber and Petite 
 Nat on, Mr. King returned to Montreal to enter the Baptist College. As it may be 
 a pleasure to many, as it was to the writer, to read of ministers whom they knew or 
 uf whom they often heard in their youthful days, the brief de.-cription of his college 
 mates, given by Mr. King, is next copied : — 
 
 " There were several young men, at that time, in the college, studying for the 
 Christian ministry. Some of these have since become able ministers of the Gospel 
 and pastors of churches, while others turned out failures, either from want of ability 
 or some defect in their moral character. Among the f rmer was Mr. Gilles, who 
 settled in Eaton, in the Eastern Townships, and \ ho has been very useful in the 
 vineyard of the Lord ; Titus Merriman, who became pastor of a church in Potton ; 
 the two McLeans — Allen and Hector — the former went to Michigan, the latter to 
 Canada West; Archibald H. Campbell, who became pastor of a church in Chatham, 
 C.W. ; and Peter McDonald, a ni;in of good parts and an excellent preaciier, who has 
 been settled over different churches since leaving college. There was also Aaron 
 Slaght, pastor of a church in Watcrford, C.W., and a young man named Leach, who, 
 after preaching a short time, fell a victim toconsinnption, leaving behind him a young 
 widow and a child. Then there was Davidson, now Dr. Davidson, of Canada West, 
 
 and Lorimer, A.M., at one lime pastor of a church in Kingston, and editor of a 
 
 little pajjer called 21ic Freeman^ but who has since died. Another man, Charles 
 Smith, from St. Armand East, C.E., was one of our students. Me was partially 
 paralyzed on one side, yet, as he was a good man, he was the means of doing much 
 good during the short time he lived. There were other youn • men in the college, 
 Kome before and some afterward — such as John McLaurn, who has since died ; Peter 
 Wilson, John Dempsey and W. K. Anderson, now in Breadalbane — men whose praise 
 is in all the churches." 
 
 Omitting an account of those students who, for various reasons, left the ministry, 
 and other unimportant matters, we proceed to a subsequent part of Mr. King's nar- 
 rative ; — 
 
 " When the snow disappeared and as the spring advanced, melancholy tidings 
 reached us from the banks of the Ottawa — good, old Mr. P^dwards was no more These 
 tidings took us all by surjirise, as he had been in the city that winder, apparently in 
 the best of healtii and high sjiirils. Mr. Edwards was a wonderful man ; he had 
 not the advantages of education ui his youth, but he possessed an active mind and 
 sound judgment. His information was extensive. He re\d much and studied well j 
 one could not be long in his society without perceiving that he was born to be a 
 leader among men. He was a fluent speaker, yet, his sermons, like those of all 
 luitrained men, were not systematically arranged, though sound in doctrine and 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 abounding Scriptural quotations. Wlien lie and his brethren first settled in 
 Clarence it \\\i.. Iiotha natural and a moral wilderness — there was no Baptist Church, 
 Baptist minister or Baptist in all the Ottawa region, and Mr. Edwards, under these 
 circumstances, opened a Sabbath School and held meetings for religious worship in 
 his own house. After a few years the church in C'larence was formed, though he 
 was not ordained to the work of the ministry till 1831, nine years after his settlement 
 in Clarence. On that auspicious occasion he had the pleasure of receiving into the 
 church, by baptism, his son John, who afterwards became pastor of the Baptist 
 Churches in St. Andrews and Chatham. Mr. Edwards possessed a large amount 
 of missionary .spirit. He did much to promote the cause of ('hrist along the 
 Ottawa ; in summer's heat and winter's cold he travelled about, preaching the glad 
 tidings of salvation. Many a time lie paddled iiis canoe up and down the Ottawa, 
 and, at other times, journeyed on foot over bad roads and in places where there 
 were no roads at all to communicate the Word of Life to the settlers iti tlie back 
 woods. For these works of faith and labors of love he riceived no remunera- 
 tion, but labored with his own hands for the support of himself and those 
 depending upon him. This he did, not because he thought it wrong for the preacher 
 of the Gospel to live of the Gospel, but because the country was new and tlie ]jeoplc 
 ■were poor; and, like Paul, he felt pleasure in the thought of being burdensome to no 
 one. 
 
 "The labors of Mr. Edwards, though appreciated in iiis lifetime, were not so 
 much so as they ought to have been. It is only m looking back upon that moral 
 waste, and comparing it then with what it now is, tliat we can know the value of such 
 a man. His mind was deeply impressed with the importance of obtaining a supply 
 of ministers, to enter upon the many destitute fields around ; but this could not he 
 obtained with it money ; and to obtain this. Mr. Edwards made up his mind to leave 
 his family and isit England and Scotland, y/fiu]) he /(Jid in 1829. He set before the 
 churches there the spiritual destitution of Cr^n it^a gll4 >)'>f' great want of laborers 10 
 enter the fields ready for the harvest. His encrgcij/: //^/<///fl)s had a powerful effect 
 U' m Christians there; he '/)/tained money, and, what was still better, through his 
 m'::)s. Mr. Gihnour, from AJ/crdccn, and Mr. Eraser, from liiverness-.shire, were in- 
 duced to come and labor in C:i,ua/|a. These g()od men, in connection with inmseii, 
 did more than any others to advance the cause of C'hrist in the Ottawa region. Mr. 
 Gihnour was the means of the f(jrmation of the Baptist Church in Montreal, uuile Mr. 
 Eraser settled with the Baptist Church in Brcadalbane. Li Mr. Eowards a.d done 
 nothing more tha// induce these men to am'- to Canada, he had diim- a go,>d wori^; 
 thfeir Iribors have been gr'.atly blessed by (jod to the conversion *ji many s<-uls , and 
 the /c(/)' l()b/;in<;e of th(;i/ <n}is and their preaching is dear 10 the hearts of their 
 spiritual Lhlklli'n Mr. Edw/ifds again visited Britain in 1839. H-e w:. , sent hy 
 the C( inmittee of the ]!aplist Missionary Society to solicit aid is enab... ihem to 
 carry. on iheir inissionar) operations in Canada. He was very successiul, having 
 obtained seven hundred and fifty pounds sterling. He was at tiiat tim; very well 
 received, and many turned out to hear the 'Canadian faimer' from tiie banks of 
 the Ottav/a. He returned in the spring of 1841, bringing with hiai iki- Rev. John 
 Giidwood and the wiiler. Mr. tJirdwood took great interest in maswonary opcr.i 
 tions, and, vfttr remaining a i'^w years in Montreal, wiiere he did mi.ch good, lie 
 removed 10 the States, where he li\ bored several years vvith good suc< ess. He has 
 since gone to his reward." 
 
 The summer of 1842 passed away, and, when the Christmas vacation arriviJ, 
 Mr. King decided to visit Lochabci. He received a cordial welcome from his friends 
 there, and, after spending two weeks, he set i)\\\ for Montreal. Arriving at St. Andrews, 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 349 
 
 tied in 
 Church, 
 ;r these 
 rship in 
 )iigh he 
 ;tlement 
 into the 
 Baptist 
 iimouni 
 ong the 
 he glad 
 Ottawa, 
 re there 
 the back 
 emunera- 
 id those 
 preacher 
 le jjeople 
 )me to no 
 
 ;re not so 
 hat moral 
 ue of such 
 ; a supply 
 Id not be 
 to leave 
 before the 
 borers lo 
 rful effect 
 rough his 
 were in 
 imseh, 
 :. Mr. 
 lie Mr. 
 A done 
 ,d work; 
 uls ; and 
 s of their 
 , sent by 
 I'nem to 
 liavuig 
 very well 
 baak.5 of 
 •-v. John 
 . ope 
 food, v; 
 He na- 
 
 lu arrived, 
 
 Ihis friends 
 
 Andrews, 
 
 1 
 
 d, 
 
 to was induced to remain a few days to take part in a series of religious meetings in 
 Point Fortune He says: — 
 
 "After this mee' ing, I was intending to return to Montreal, but, as Mr. Edwards 
 was about to go on visit to Upper Canada, and would be absent a few weeks, he 
 persuaded me lo remain and fill his appointments in St. Andrews and the Rear of 
 Chatham, until his return. Though Mr. f^dwards was, at this time, pastor of two 
 churches — the two churches, strange to relate, had no fellowship with each other — the 
 church at St. Andrews being open, and tliat at Cliatham close in principles of com- 
 munion — a state of things that did not contribute to harmony. As I had no horse, 
 I was taken to Chatham by Archibald Campbell, a deacon of the church who resided 
 on Caiillon Hill. He took me to the house of Malcolm McGregor, where I was 
 received witli Christian kindness. I preached on the Sal)bath, and returned to St, 
 Andrews on Monday. 
 
 " I had heard of the Rear of Chatliam before. Old Mr. Edwards, when in 
 F.dinburgh, in speaking of the Lord's woik in certain parts of Canada, mentioned the 
 Rear of Cliatham as a place where his son John was pastor of a IJaptist Church. 
 Little did I then imagine, when listening to him in Bristo Street, that I should visit 
 the place. The appearance of the place made an impression on my mind which is 
 difficult to describe. I had read of the Alps ; but then the mountains of Chatham, 
 Mough numermus, were not high enough, and so with the Highlands of Scotland, yet 
 they had a faint resetublaace to both ; they had ,i romantic appearance, and the 
 uncleared parts vver; cohered with timber to tlieir very tops. The ground was covered 
 from view by the nuia^^rmis stones which lay scattered in ail directions. It was evident 
 that Nature never mtended it lo be an agricultural country, and that any po])ulation 
 seeking to live by agriculture must be a poor one ; and 1 found it to be so. But 
 thoug]-; the country was rocky and Uiiinviting, it was not so with the people ; they, at 
 that time, were simiiie, warm-hearted and truly pious — the pride of life, .he vain show 
 and fashions which nde society had not found their way, at that time, to the back- 
 woods of Chatham. They seemed to feel towards each other as brothers and sisters 
 JiiiiCst to feel; although, even then, the old people were talking of a good time that 
 i.ad passed away, as the Ancients talked of the Golden Age. That good time was, 
 when the little church first planted here in the wilderness went from house to house ; 
 when every man was a teacher, and. in his turn, acted the part of an elder ; when men 
 leld forth the Word of Eifo, not in black broad-cloth, but in home-made grey, and for 
 wa;,t of shoes in summer went to meeting with bare feet. 
 
 " Ihey were talking of a great work of grace that had taken place in Chatham, a 
 t'ew years before I came, through the labors of Messrs. Gilmour and ]''raser, when a 
 number of the yoitng people, and old ones, too. had made a profession of religion — 
 thi: they called the Great Revival ; and, indeed, it was a great and glorious work of 
 the Tjord : for, in that yea:, seventy-nine were baptised and added to the Church. 
 ■Shortly after the revival, they were visited by a Baptist Doctor of Divinity, an unusual 
 occurrence in these parts — he was Dr. Cox, of Hackney, England. He had hf^ard the 
 rt;i>ort of the marvellous work of grace, and wished to see some of the young converts. 
 
 "They met in the old school-house, and gave the doctor an account of their 
 conversion and Christian experience. He and Mr. Gilmour lodged in the house of 
 Dt-'acon McFarlane, who had the horn of an ox. which was blown at meal time to call 
 the men from the field. 'I'he doctor, thinking it was used to call the people to meeting, 
 took it as a memento of the place, Mr. Gilmour blowing it, as he and the doctor rode 
 aloi i,r ii, the bush on their way to Grenvillc Head. The doctor being very corpulent, 
 M(i the weather very warm, and the mosquitoes, liioreover, seeming to hive a decided 
 prtlerence for the blood of an F^nglishman, he found his ride through the woods 
 itltiiued with much discomfort. 
 
liMi 
 
 350 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 " At my first visit I had not much lime to get acquainted with the people in the 
 Rear of Chatham, but I found they were a mixture of Highland and Lowland iicotcii, 
 with some Protestant Irish. The Highland Scotch were chiefly from (ilenlyon, in 
 Perthshire, and some of them had been members of a Scotch Baptist Church there. 
 Still, the impression left on my mind by my first visit, in regard to the people, was a 
 good one ; they appeared to me to resemble the peoijle of Scotland more than any 
 others 1 liad nitt in Canada. 
 
 " In St. Andrews I met a man named John Calder, who had come from the Rear 
 of Chatiiam to tliat place on bu.siness, and was about to return. He invited me to go 
 bark with iiim and jMcach i he ihouglu it migiu be well to hold meetings a few nights, 
 and hoped that good would be done. Having little to do in St. Andrews, and a liking 
 for Chatham, I consented to go, and when we arrived at the Settlement, a meeting was 
 announced for that evening. A number of p':'0])le gathered in the chapel to hear the 
 preaching, and J was mucli inteicsted in the prayer of an aged man named McFaul, — 
 that prayer filled me with the hope that good would be done ; there was about it such 
 an earnestness, and it breathed such a desire for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, tiiat 
 I was emboldened to give notice of a meeting for the next night. 'I'he chapel at that 
 time was a very cold place in winter; the inside walls had not been plastered; some- 
 times tlie stove wood was green and would not burn ; the stove-pipes leaked and 
 sm ked — all which made it very disagreeable. The next night there were more people 
 at the meeting, and they seemed very alteiuive to the sermon. As the news spread 
 that a stranger from Scotland was preaching in the Settlement, the jjeople came from 
 all parts of the neighborhood every night, st) that the chapel was full. Some of the 
 old members were awakened and began to take an interest in the souls of other.><. 
 
 " At the end of a week it was evident that the Spirit of God was at work ; sinners 
 began to inquire ' What shall wc do to be saved ? ' 
 
 " It was our practice, alter sermon, to invite any who felt concern for their souls 
 to remain to converse with me. Many of those whose minds were impressed fell 
 shy about doing this ; but at last one came, and then another, until quite a number 
 professed to find peace through faith in Ciirist. J'.very night, for weeks, some one 
 was brought under conviction of sin, or professed to find a hope through grace. 
 There were at that time among the young people some good singers, who sang 
 hymns while enquirers were counseled. As the number of enquirers increased, it 
 took considerable time to talk with them, so that it was often twelve or one o'clock 
 at night before the meeting broke up. These meetings continued five weeks ; between 
 fifty and ^-ixty professed to entertain a hope, and of these, fifty were baptised. All 
 this time. Mi. Edwards was absent from the settlement; but one day, as wc were 
 coming down from the < hapel to our Joidan, to baptise some young converts, lie 
 came along, and, like some in olden time, when he saw the grace of God, was glad. 
 
 ■' This was the second great revival since the formation of the church. The 
 settlement had in it at that time more inhabitants than now ; several of the families 
 were large— such as the McGibbons, the McGregors, the McKerichers, the McArlhius, 
 McPhails, Youngs, Lougies, Dales, and many others. Many of these have left the 
 place, and some have crossed the Jordan. There were some of the old members oi' 
 the church cajmble of giving an exhortation, and did so when the pastor was absent; 
 among whom were John Calder and Archibald C — , a weaver by trade, but who, if 
 he had had his choice, would have done very little at it. He had a wonderful gilt, 
 both for prayer and exhortation, and was a warm-hearted, friendly man ; and thoiiL,'h 
 some of his neighbors professed to see laults in him, yet, with all his faults, oiip 
 could not help loving him as a »arm-hearted Christian. 
 
 "The most of the people in the neighborhood of the Chapel were Baptists, or 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 35« 
 
 held Baptist sentiments ; but there were a few connected with ihc auld Kirk — these 
 felt displeased when anything was said aboii": baptism. I had with me at that time 
 Campbell & McKnight's translation of the New Testament for my own |)rivate 
 use. This I .J,, iiaving been seen by some one disaffected to the Baptists, it was re- 
 [lorted all over the place that the Baplists had got a new Bible ; and, of course, this 
 was an awful thing; but they did not know tliit this work was not the work of the 
 Haptists, but of a Presbyterian minister — in this way prejudice sometimes overshoots 
 the mark. Afler this series of meetings in the Chajjel was ended, I went for a short 
 time to hold meetings in Wentworth, an adjoining township. Close to that place, In 
 Chatham, lived Duncan McDougall. Me was a Baptist, and had been a member of 
 the Church in Chatham before they had any ordained minister, thou.L,'h he was not 
 a member at the time of ,ny visit. He was one of those wlio taught and baptised at 
 the time, when every gifted brother was a jjreacher. His wife, her sister, and another 
 person were all out of the Church, liecause tiicy did not think it was Scriptural that 
 i!ie Rev. Mr. Edwards should be |)isiorof bothan open and close communion church 
 at the same time. I preached a. few nights in No. i .School-house, and also in a few 
 private houses — the Lord blessing the effoit to the con\'ersion of souls ; and I had the 
 jjjeasure of bi'tising seven persons, tlie stream flowing through the farm of Arthur 
 McArthur beiug used for this purpose. Among those bai)tised was an old soldier, a 
 lli-lilander, who was in the Forty-second at Waterloo. In that battle, George was 
 very nigh ending his days — a nuisket-ball went through his bonnet, barely missing his 
 liead, and he was one of four — all that were left of the company to which he belonged ; 
 yet these wonderful csca])es did not lead him to rei'tntr.nce ; he had to repent and 
 fnid Christ in Duncan McDougall's barn. As Duncan and liis wife were not in com- 
 munion with theClnitch. they, and the few who had been baptised, formed themselves 
 into a church, and Duncan became their leader. 'J'liey attended to the Lord's 
 Supper every Sabbath, and continued to do so for nearly two years, when the 
 little church was broken up and most of the members joined the Chatham Church. 
 While I)u;iran liad charge of this church, lie was very attentive, and did all he 
 (iiuld to keep them together; and, indeed, they were m a better state than they 
 iifieiward were, for Ixing so far from the meeting-house, they found it inconvenient to 
 attend ; but while they remained united in a church at home, with Duncan to 
 watch over them, tlity were always faithful to jierform all their Christian duties. 
 
 " At Icn.'th, navigation openeJ, and I pr^-pared to return to Montreal. I received 
 a few presents fii^m the peojjle, and tiiough I was not a robber of churches, 1 have 
 to confess that I carried off with me at that time ail the fiinos of the church at 
 Cliatliam, consisting of a small bag of coj)pers, — and many of them bad. 
 
 ''My vacation, wiiicli 1 intended siiould last only two weeks, had continued 
 till May; but I felt that what I had lost in one way I had made up in another — 
 hiving gained moic knowledge of human nature and more courage to preach the 
 (jospel. 
 
 "In the fall of that year I was informed that Mi. Edward, had resigned the 
 rharge of the churches at St. Andrews and Chatham, and had gone to Canada West, 
 Meetings being conducted in the Chatham church by John Calder and Archibald 
 Campbell. At length, in the month of November, tjie Church at Chatham invited 
 !iie by letter to come and labor among them, offering to raise ^25 a year towards 
 lay salary. The committee of the Baptist Missionary Society thought this too 
 small a sum, and informed them that they could not consent to my coming unless 
 they added my board to the sum of ^£2^, ; and said if they would do that, the 
 S HJety would also give ;i(^io a year, for a year or two, to help. To this tlie Chat- 
 ham Church agreed ; and it was arranged that I should board at the house of 
 
 4 
 
352 
 
 HISTORy or ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Deacon McGibbon. His son Kinlcy beiny in Montreal, I jjacked my small stock 
 of personal property into his slcigli, and proceeded with him, in the latter part of 
 December, to Chatham, where I received a hearty welcome. 
 
 " 1 was then in my 26th year, and in the enjoyment of excellent 1 allh. 1 found 
 the Church in rather a cold s:atc, tliough the meetings were well ni. ended. Then 
 was a large Sabbath School which met in the Chapel with a IJibkciass, and there 
 were meetings every Tuesday and I'riday evenings ; these were held from house to 
 house, in private dwellings. The deacons of the church then were Malcolm 
 McGregor, the father in-law of two ministers — Danul McPhail and John Hi^, 'ns — 
 Peter McGibbon, John Stewart and Donald McKerricher. The settlers at that time 
 were still clearing their lands, and but few had begun to plough. While they con- 
 tinued to clear, the land being new, they raii-ed excellent crops of giain— wheat, oats 
 and other kinds; they also ol)tained ready money for tin' potash they made, and 
 sheep supplied them with clotlnng — all manufactured by themselves, so that their 
 wants were few; they avoided getting into debt, and were comparatively happy. But 
 when they ceased clearinj,', a great change came over the place — then their difficul- 
 ties began — it was found impossible to plough to any extent, the ground was so full 
 of stones and rocks. What fields they were able to make were so small, that it was 
 little use trying to follow the rotation of crops. It was then that they discovered 
 the mistake they had made in settling in such a section cf country — a section which 
 should have been left to wild animals, and as hunting ground for the Indians. By tliis 
 time their primitive manners had somewhat changed — that simplicity which, in early 
 times, rendered them happy was giving way to love of dress— they wished to be like 
 other people. This led them into debt and danger, so that instead of toiling for 
 independence, many of them were toiling for the storekeeper — and might be thank- 
 ful if, at the end of the year, there was not a balance on the books against them. 
 
 " This unpromising state of things led many to think of removing to more favored 
 sections, and when this idea once got possession of their minds, it worked its way 
 until one family after another broke up and moved away. In this way, many lot.- 
 were left to grow up to fore:;t again, and many houses to fall into ruin. 
 
 " In regard to the Church, though they had greatly changed in some of iheir 
 views and practices since the first Bapiisis from Glenlyon settled in the place, still the 
 old people retained a fond recollection of the past, and would fain make Glenlyon 
 the model. They adhered to weekly communion, and made a law prohibiting believ 
 ers from uniting themselves in marnige with unbelievers, 'I'lu'v were, no doubt, 
 right in regard to their view^s respecting marriage ; but it is doubtful if the Word of 
 God would bear them out in excommun'.'^ating church members for taking such a 
 step. They claimed to find spiritual autl )rity for the exercise of such stern discipliiu; 
 in the passage which reads : 'If he will not hear the Church, let him be unto thee 
 as a heathen man and a publican.' But a Church should be sure that it is the 
 will of Christ for which they are contending, before going to the length of excluding, 
 for a Church may err. While the Church adhered to this rule it had made, with 
 regard to marrying with unbelievers, many were excluded, and much harm was done, 
 for not only was the individual lost to the Church, but often the entire family to 
 which he belonged — all being affronted by what they regarded the ill-usage of their 
 relative." 
 
 Fortunately, it would seem, for the existence and well-being of the Church in 
 the Rear of Chatham, these descendanis of the Covenanters, who had been fightin:; 
 over again in a new country the battk.> in polemics of their forefathers, discovrred 
 an error in their theology, and, like wiso men, at once set about correcting it, for 
 Mr. King's historical narrative next a.- ures us that — " At length some of tli , 
 
 nienil 
 believ 
 til cor 
 a man 
 e.^cliK 
 meet i I 
 persoi 
 uiiders 
 consec 
 
 front c 
 
 John ( 
 
 iield a 
 
 hr use 
 
 gratific 
 
 h' use, 
 
 p> opie 
 
 withsta 
 
 iMptisn 
 
 gave 1, 
 
 were bi 
 
 wlu) Wc 
 
 tised in 
 
 ihe Ch 
 
 McPiiai 
 
 tivcs in 
 
 l'a|)tists 
 
 to the k: 
 
 Cluircii, 
 
 the Eldt 
 
 couversi 
 
 of the E 
 
 in publif 
 
 ro( ks of 
 
 twij ,spe 
 
 of i)reacl 
 
 his ai( 
 
 tiic ]nirpi 
 
 night for 
 
 rnsu'ered 
 
 aiul Eras 
 
 Iiad hegu 
 
 This 
 
 foriiit-r pa 
 
 liad close 
 
 invited M 
 
 where he 
 
 Osgoode- 
 
 in it was 
 
 " Th( 
 
 of Scotlan 
 
HISTORY tJK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 353 
 
 all stock 
 • pari of 
 
 1 found 
 . There 
 nd there 
 house to 
 Malcolm 
 
 that time 
 they con- 
 heat, oats 
 nadc, and 
 that their 
 ppy. Bui 
 ir difficul- 
 as so full 
 hat it was 
 liscovered 
 .ion wliicli 
 3. By liiis 
 h, in early 
 to be like 
 toiling for 
 be thank- 
 t them, 
 favored 
 its way 
 many loi^; 
 
 of iheir 
 :, still the 
 (jlenlyon 
 believ- 
 no doubt, 
 
 Word of 
 
 ng such a 
 
 discipline 
 
 unto thee 
 
 Lt it is the 
 
 ;xcluding, 
 
 lade, with 
 
 was done, 
 
 family to 
 
 of their 
 
 iiurch iii 
 
 fight in;.: 
 
 .iscov'ired 
 
 ing it, for 
 
 ne of tli 
 
 members began to inquire into the propriety of excluding for the marrying with un- 
 believers, and came to the conclusion, that though it was not exjiedient for ("hristians 
 til connict themselves with unbelievers, yet as marri ige was a civil contract between 
 a man and woman, and neither against the law of (lod nor man, it was wrong to 
 exclude for doing it. This idea spread among the menibets, until at last, in a church 
 meeting, it was agreed by a large majority, that if there was nothing else against the 
 person than such marriage, it would be wrong to exclude. They would not havo it 
 understood, liowevcr, they approved of irreligious marriages, but would leave the 
 consequences resulting therefioin to the i)ersons contracting them. 
 
 " About this time, I conuncnced a protracted meeting in a schooliiouse in the 
 front of the Townsiiip, within four miles of the Ottawa river. I was accompanied by 
 John Calder, who was able in leading meetings and in exhortation, and who had 
 iield a few meetings in the same place. He was also an excellent singer, and 
 hv used to sing hymns from Hills' selection before and after the sermon, to the 
 jjiatification of t'ose present. The meetings were held every morning in the sciiool- 
 h' \se, and, in the day time, Calder and I visited from house to house. The 
 people here were mostly from the north of Ireland, and Protestants ; but, not- 
 withstanding, the Gospel way of salvation was new to them, and the mo<le of 
 l.iptism and Church order. They came out, however, to hear the Word, the [,ord 
 .;.ive His blessing, a glorious revival occurred, and many, both old and young, 
 were brought to the feet of Jesus. I had the pleasure of baptising twelve persons, 
 who were added to the ('hurch. .Since that time, several others have lieen bap- 
 tised in the same place, through the labors of the Rev. John Dempsey — pastor of 
 the Church of St. Andrews. After the revival, we were visited by the Rev. Daniel 
 McPiiail, pastor of a Ba|.tist Church in Osgoode, C. W., who came to visit hi; rela- 
 tives in Cliatlv m. His father, Daniel McPiiail, had been a leading man among the 
 l!a])tists who first unfurled the banner of the Cross in the wilderness. Daniel came 
 to the knowledge of the truth while yet a boy, was bapiisetl, and added to the little 
 Church, wiiere he soon began to exercise his talents, and though but a child among 
 the Elders, he soon excelled them all in speaking. He had a strong desire for the 
 conversion of souH, and was much pained at the cmtentions and frequent disputes 
 of the Elder brethren. Daniel McPhail soon became a jiowerfid pleader with God 
 in public and piivate. He was often heard in midnight hours, among the hil's and 
 rocks of his moMi.ain home, callnig to God in strong cries and le.irs — pleading for 
 two special objects : that God would direct him to devote his whole life to the work 
 of jtreaching Christ to a perishini; world, that some faitliful messenger might be sent 
 to his aid in leading the unrenewed young ])eoi)lc around hinr to the Saviour. For 
 tiiL purpose of obtaining the aid so much desired, a few, with him, set apart a whole 
 night for prayer, and when they sei)arated it was day-break ; their pleadings were 
 r.nswered quickly and fully. The news soon spread that Bros. Ciihnour, of Montreal, 
 and Eraser, of Breadalbane, were on their way t) assist them; the great awakening 
 had begun." 
 
 This was the beginning of the Great Revival, mentioned by Mr. King on a 
 former page, and which occurred before became to Chatham. Afrer Mr. McPhail 
 had closed his visit to his relations in Chatham, and was about returning home, he 
 invited Mr. King to accompany him, and make a tour dirough the section of c mntry 
 where he labored. Mr. King continues : " Accordingly, we started in his sleigli for 
 Osgdode — a township which at that time had not been long settled, though the land 
 in it was good, and formed a striking contrast to that in the rear of Chatham. 
 
 " The people among whom Mr. McPhail labored were chiefly from the Highlands 
 of Scotland— a hardy and industrious race, and, like all the Highlanders, warm- 
 

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 23 WEST MAiN STREET 
 
 WEPSTER,N.Y. 14580 
 
 (7:6) B73-4S&3 
 

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354 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ■i » 
 
 hearted and kind to strangers. Their Baptist chapel was a log building, and in 
 this I preached in the morning of the first Sabbath after our arrival, and in the 
 at'ternoon in a private liouse, on the bank of the Castor — which house, if I mistake 
 not, belonged to a man named McDonald, whose son is now a Baptist minister. 
 As my stay in Osgoode was short, I had but little time to get acquainted with 
 the people, but what I saw of them left a fa'" rable 'mpression on my mind. As in 
 Chatham, I understood that the spirit of God was with His people, and with their 
 psstor had wrought i)owerfully in the conversion of souls. " I Iiad heard old Mr. 
 Edwards speak of Mr. McPhail in Edinburgh, and now I had the pleasure of seeing 
 him and many of his spiritual children, who were a goodly number then, but have 
 since greatly increased. From Osgoode I passed througli a part of VVinchester, 
 a township adjacent. In this township, at this time, there were a few Baptist 
 believers connected with the Osgoode church. Now, there is a Baptist churcli in 
 both E.xst and West Winchester — one formed by some of the membeis of the 
 Osgoode Church, the other gathered through the efforts of Erastus Rainboth — a 
 youML.": man brought to Christ by the labors of Rev. J. Dempsey while in St. Andrews, 
 and whose labors have since been highly blessed to the conversion of souls. 
 While in Winchester, 1 preached in the house of Edward Fox, who had removed 
 from Fo.x's Point, in Clarence; the point received its name from his father, wlio 
 resided there. The glorious doings of the Lord at that place, in the conversion of 
 souls, hcis made it a memorable place on the banks of the Ottawa. From Winchester, 
 I passed through Mountain, and came to South Gower, which appeared to be a fine 
 township, and the pe()i)le doing well; they had fine farms, good liouses, and large 
 orchards. Many of tnem were from the States, and had been settled there for a long 
 time. Four miles from this place was the village of Kempt 'ille, in which, at that time, 
 there were a few Baptists. Mr. Leeming. a merchant here, and a man of ability, 
 preached to the people. There is now, in this place, a stone chapel, and a house for 
 the pastor. When I came to South Gower I found a church, but they worshipped 
 in the schoolhouse ; now they have a good chapel, and the church has much increased 
 in number, tluough the labors of the Rev. W. K. Anderson, who, for a time, became 
 pastor of the churches of Keniptville and South Gower. The people here seemed to 
 hove a strong attachment to Mr. McPhail, to many of whom he stood in the relation 
 of si)irilual father. 
 
 " From Soutia Gower we proceeded to Osnabruck, fronting the noble St. Law- 
 rence. In the third concession, back *"rom the river, there is a Baptist church, which 
 then met in a sclioo'house ; but they now have a good chapel. Many of the people of 
 that settlement were of Dutch and Irish origin, and before the introduction of the 
 Gospel were living without God and without hoj^e. We lodged in t!ie house of 
 George Morgan, oi,as he was called. Captain Morgan — Captain of Militia. He was 
 the first convert in the place, and seemed to be full of the love of Christ. Ilegaveinca 
 long account of his conversion, and how the Gospel was introduced into the settlement. 
 While leading a careless life, indifferent to the interest of his soul, he somevvheie 
 heard that there was such a thing as a new birth, and that a person could not be saved 
 without it. But how to get this he could not tell, and there were none about him 
 who could. In this trouble he asked his wife if she could find a Bible, for they had 
 none in the house — except a fev/ detaciied leaves of the New Testament, tied together 
 with a string. This was sought for, and at last found among some odds and ends 
 jn a shelf. They looked it through, but could not find what they wanted ; still, in 
 his meditative moments, thoughts of a new birth continued to haunt Capt. Morgan's 
 mind. He resolved that he would procure a whole Bible, on the first opportunity. 
 cost what it might. At length, he heard of a man in a distant settlement, who had 
 

 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 355 
 
 'g, and in 
 and in tlv; 
 ■ I mistake 
 t minister, 
 ainted witli 
 ind. As in 
 d with their 
 :d old Mr. 
 re of seeing 
 n, but have 
 Winchester, 
 few Baptist 
 t churcli in 
 oeis of the 
 ^ainboth — a 
 St. Andrews, 
 1 of souls. 
 lad removed 
 
 father, who 
 onversion of 
 
 Winchester, 
 [ to be a fine 
 !S, and large 
 ;re for a long 
 
 at that time, 
 n of ability, 
 d a liouse for 
 
 worshipped 
 icli increased 
 
 me, became 
 
 re seemed to 
 the relation 
 
 ble St. Law- 
 nirch, which 
 lie people of 
 ctioii of the 
 >ie house of 
 ia. He was 
 le gave me a 
 e settlement, 
 e somewhere 
 not be saved 
 :; abuut him 
 for they had 
 tied together 
 ds and ends 
 |ued; still, in 
 )t. Morgan's 
 o;:portunity. 
 nt, who had 
 
 come from the States, that kept Bibles for sale, and he started off to get one. But 
 when he arrived they were all sold ; the man, however, promised to procure one and 
 send it to him — a promise which he fulfilled, net forgetting to charge enough for it 
 to repay himself for the trouble. Having at last become the owner of a whole ]5ible, 
 he and his wife sat down together, and, beginning at the first chapter of the New 
 Testament, they turned over page after page, till they came to the third chapter 
 of St. John's Gospel, and there, sure enough, they found the New Birth. But 
 now, how was this /ie7a birth to be obtained? This they could not tell' his 
 wife advised him to pray, but this he had never done. He went to the barn, 
 however, to try, but returned without effecting his object. In this way he re- 
 nipined a long lime, someli.mes troubled in mind, and then seeming to forget it 
 altogether. 
 
 ■'There lived on theothf r side of the St. Lawrence the pastor of a Baptist church, 
 who was known as Polder Fiy — one of a class of ministers f;ist passing away, who, 
 though not ricii in classical lore, were rich in scriptural knowledge, and full of zeal for 
 the conversion of souls. This good man, while laboring for hi' Master, was deeply 
 impressed, from time to time, with the thought of ciossing tlie St. Lawrence to jjreach 
 the Gospel. Finally, his mii:d was made up to go, and he hmded in Osnabruck. 
 15einga stranger in the place, as he journeyed along he wentiiito a blacksmith's shop, 
 a. id inquired if there were any Baptists in the place. He said there weie none. The 
 KIder then asked if he could tell him where he could find lodging for the night, being 
 an entire stranger in the locality. The blacksmith informecl him that Captain 
 Morgan, he thought, would be the most likely to entertain him. It seems that the 
 h'lacksmitn mentioned the name of Ca])t. Morgan, as he had heard that theCai)tain 
 had a tract "irging the duty of infant baptism, and that he had been searciiing in nis 
 new Bible for confirmation of the principles ad ocated in the tract, wahout fimJing 
 any : hence he concluded that the Captain must be friendly towards the Baptists. 
 
 •' While the Lkler and blacksmith were talking, Captain Morgan chanced to be 
 ssing the sho[) on his way home, in his sleigh, 'riie blacksmith called him in, and 
 
 informed him that a man wished to stay with him over night. 'J'lie Ca[)tain at once 
 offered to accommodate him, but on his way home, having learned that his guest was 
 a Baptist pieacher wishing to preach in the place, he began to regret his hasty ofTer 
 to entertain him. ' What will my neighbors think and say of me ?' he thought, ' for 
 introducing a Baptist preacher into the neigliborhood? ' lie feared — so lillle did 
 Ik- know of Ba;nists — that the minister would . j or say something that would 
 oU'tnd the people. Another thing also troubled him — he had a keg of rum 
 uiiiler the seat of his sleigh, and lie fearei thb,; this niigiit be seen by the Elder, 
 When they arrived at his home, the Captain managed to remove the keg, and 
 give it to his wife to put away, 'vithout letting the Elder see it ; but when she asked 
 what man lie h.ad with Iiim, and he answered, 'A Baptist preacher,' she said : ' Oh 
 (It orge ! why did you bring sucn a person to our house? ' 
 
 " He told her he did not like to do it, i)ut he could not well do otherwise, and 
 that, as he seemed a good sort of man, she must do the best she could under the 
 circumstances. As the Captain was one of the tiustees, he had no difficulty in obtain- 
 ing the use of the schoo house, for which the Elder had asked for a meeting ; but as for 
 announcing the meeting, he could not think of doing it, as h.e had great fear of intro- 
 ducing a Baptist and of being blamed by his neighbors Tor so doing. The Elder, 
 when asked who would introduce him, uttered these sub ime words : ' My God and 
 ii:y Bible ! ' Accordingly, in the morning, he set out to visit from house to house, and 
 to anrounce the meeting for the evening. It was his practice, on entering a house, 
 to inipiire if any in it feared the Lord ; then he would read a portion of Scripture 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 i 
 
 
 11 
 
 m 
 
 and offer prayer. In some houses he was well receivedj while in others th^ good 
 won-,.!!! would con;'nue at her wheel, i)aying i.'o attention, and in some, also, one or 
 two of the inmates would continue their work and the rest would kneel, so little hail 
 the people, at that time, even the form of religion. At length the evening arrived, 
 and the schoolhouse was well filled. Captain Morgan had a desire to hear the stranger, 
 but was afraid to be seen, not knowing how he might act, so he got into a corner 
 behind the door. The preacher discoursed on man's sin, the d^jiger of tiie soul, aivl 
 declared that all must be born again or be eternally lost. He r.lso showed what the 
 new birth was and liow it could be obtained. The Captain feit condemned; lie 
 thought the preacher had been made acquainted with liis whole life, and that scane 
 one had informed him of all his circumstances and mental troubles. So great 
 was his distress, that, at the end of the sermon, he was forced to come out of 
 his corner and confess tliat he was a lost sinner. As he was among the fii-t 
 convicted, he was among the first that obtained peace with God in !)elieving ihr 
 Gospel ; then his wife and several of his relations were brought to Christ. Tla\ 
 were all baptised, and the good work went on until a goodly number were formed 
 into a church. Thus the Captain found tiie new birth, and found it in a way he d'd 
 not expect. 
 
 " As Mr. McPhail had to return to Osgoode, lie left me iir Osnabruck to find my 
 way back to Ciiatham as I could. Having no conveyance of my own, Capt ;n. 
 Morgan kindly offered to take me part of the way, and said it was a pleasure to do i., 
 and that his team had carried many a Baptist load. V/e first proceeded to Marti 
 town, arriving there that evening ; there was no Baptist church there, an 1 only three 
 Baptists, with wliom we stayed. From this place we went to the Rear of Roxborougii. 
 and remained over night with a man named John Fraser, who had seen a good deal 
 of the world. He was a Scotchman fro.n the Shire of Moray ; in his youth he liad 
 been in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, in the Norlli-West. When he and 
 his wife came to settle in Canada, they were connected with the Independents, but 
 afterwards became Baptists. John was a very intelligent man, and used his talents in 
 preaching at home, in the schoolhouse, and in the Baptist Church, in Indian Land^ 
 of which he was a meniuer. He was very fond of niiisic, and something of a 
 musician himself. We spent a happy evening with him and his fiimily in religious 
 conversation and singing hymns of which I had a number that were new to him. He 
 brought out his fiddle, an old companion, and which, like himself, bore the impre^-^ 
 of advancing time. It had ministered to his folly in the day when GoJ was not in 
 all his thoughts, but then, as its owner's mind was changed, it was made, under 
 his hand, to give forth sweet sounds of jiraise to God. John, being fond of old 
 Scotch tui.>.s, proposed lo sing a hymn to the tune o'i AiilJ Ldiig Syne, but thoueh 
 I had no objection either to the fiddle or tune if used in the service of Christ, we 
 found that such wa.; not the case with Capt. Morgan. Both the fiddle and tiie 
 tune brought to him painful recollections of the time and scenes when he was spoitirn,' 
 with ungodly comp.Miions in the broad road which leads to ruin. In deference to his 
 feelings, therefore, the fiddle was consigned to ;ts bo.v and the tune was unsung. 
 
 " It is now a long time since I was in the company of good, honest John Frasei, 
 but I have a letter of his, containing a call to me from the Church in the Indian Land . 
 to become their pastor, which I saw fir, at that time, to decline. This good man li.^ 
 lately gone to join the Church above. Great changes hive taken place in Ru\- 
 borough ; not only has the wilderness been turned into a fruitful field, but after i 
 great revival, a church was formed, which has a fair prospect of being enlarged and a 
 blessing to tiie j)lace. I preached in a schoolhouse to a large and attentive congre- 
 gation. Since then, however, they have a small but neat chapel, which is entirely pa:J 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEJIL. 
 
 357 
 
 th' good 
 so, one or 
 ) little IkuI 
 g arrived, 
 e stranger, 
 
 a corner 
 •i soul, and 
 d what ill'-' 
 ;mned; he 
 [ that some 
 
 So great 
 me out of 
 ig the fn-t 
 :lieving th" 
 rist. Tlicy 
 ere formed 
 way he did 
 
 to find my 
 •n, Capt 11! 
 ire to do i:. 
 
 to Marl; 
 
 1 only three 
 oxborougli. 
 I good d ,al 
 )ntli he liad 
 hen he and 
 ndents, but 
 
 lis talents ni 
 ian Lands, 
 ithiiig of a 
 In religious 
 ) him. He 
 [lie impress 
 was not in 
 kde, under 
 pnd ot old 
 Kit thouuii 
 Ichrist, we 
 le and the 
 as spotting 
 lence to his 
 nsung. 
 ihn Fraser, 
 ;ian Landr, 
 id man has 
 :e in Rox- 
 lut after a 
 Irged and a 
 e congn - 
 tirelyp.i J 
 
 for. From Roxborough I proceeded to what was called the Indian Lands, wliere 
 there was a Baptist Church. It was located in what is now called Notfield. This 
 was an old church, but it had little influence in tlie neighborhood. While tluy had 
 a large field in which to labor, they slept — and while they slept, the field was entered 
 by others, who were not friendly to Baptist principles. The Church here was, for a 
 long time, without a pastor, and made but little progress. They were occasionally 
 visited by Mr. Fraser from Breadalbane, who preached and dispensed the Lord's 
 .•^upper, the meetings being held in i log chapel, which at that time was unfinished 
 in the inside and was very uncomfoi trble. They kept up Iheir meetings, liowever, 
 and exhorted one another. The people were Highland .Scotcn, and it was in this 
 place Mr. McPhai! first labored after leaving c ollege and before he settled in Osgoode. 
 Here Captain Morgan left ni" and returned home. I preached on the Sabbath, and 
 spent a few days in the Settlement, the guest of James Mclnlyre, a deacon in the 
 cliurch — a kind, good man, who, by care and industry, seemed to be getting on in the 
 world. I preached a few nights in his house. The Cliurch in the Indian Lands, 
 like many other churches, had its datk and bright times, its sunshine and shadow. 
 It was a long time without any regular i)aslor, and, in its early days, suffered some 
 trouble respecting the communion question. During the pastorate of Mr. Rainbotl , 
 a powerful revival of religion took place among the young, and a number were baptised. 
 anvl added to the Church. At"ter the revival, Mr. Rainboth — much to the regret of 
 the young people — left and settled with the Osnabruck Church. 
 
 " As Deacon James Mcintyrc had occasion to go to Breadalbane on business, I 
 went with him, as I was thus brought twenty-one miles nearer Chatham. On our way 
 we passed through Alexandria, a large village, inhabited chieily by Highlanders, many 
 of them from Glengarry, Scotland. They were Roman Catiiolics, and descendants of 
 the men who, in Scotland's troubles, fought the battles of the .Stuarts, and who were 
 with Charles at Prestonpans, Falkirk and CuUoden. They have long since become 
 loyal to the House of Hanover, as they proved during the late Rebellion in Canada 
 by turning out with the Loyalists, and at Prescott and at other places, showing that 
 they had lost none of the courage which their ancestors displayed on many a bloody 
 tiekl. In Alexandria there was a Roman Catholic chapel, several stores, flour mills 
 and public buildings. The country around seems to be a fine one and well suited to 
 farming purposes, but much of it not well cultivated. 
 
 " Karly in the afternoon we arrived at Breadalbane and stopped at the house of 
 Mr. Fraser, the respected pastor of the church there ; he was not at home, but I was 
 kindly received by his wife. As it was the evening of the weekly prayer-meeting, I 
 proceeded to the chapel, where I preached. There were not many present, so that I 
 had little opportunity of forming acquaintance with the Brethren, finding none there 
 whom I knew, save my old friend Sandy Campbell. Breadalbane, which is in the 
 townshij) of Lochiel, was settled by Highland Scotch, who gave the name to the 
 Settlement, from the fact that most of them came from Breadalbane, in Perthshire, 
 Scotland. 
 
 " Probably there is no other race of peojjle under the sun more attached to then 
 country than the Scotch, especially the Highlanders. Nothing but dire necessity will 
 drive them from their native glens and mountains, where every spot is sacred from 
 association with the heroic deeds of their forefithers. But when they must go and 
 make for themselves a home in a distant land, they delight in giving it the name of the 
 plac e of their birth. 
 
 '•'When I first visited Breadalbane, many of the first settlers were alive, and, 
 though advanced in years, were healthy and active. Such was Peter Stewart, Duncan 
 McArthur, Allen McDiarmid, John McLauren, Allen McKay, Millar McLauren, 
 
358 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 
 Duncnn Ray, Duncan Campbell, the Lolhians, and a number of others, wiiii 
 their wives. 
 
 " Well might it now be asked — the fathers, where arc they? The little hillocks 
 in the burying ground before the old chajiel have increased greatly in number within 
 the last twenty years. Under these hillocks sleep many of the fathers and mothers 
 of the Settlement and founders of the Church, and many whose voice was heard m 
 praise and exhortation in that forsaken building, now sleep among that silent congre- 
 gation of the dead. They once bore the burden and heat of the day — a noble race- 
 men who lovtd the truth for its own sake, and women whose adorning was of more 
 value and more beautiful than silver and gold. Of the original church which was 
 .ormed when the place was a wilderness, only one aged widow now survives, and she, 
 too, will soon cross the Jordan. 
 
 " And that old chapel, now deserted, and, which, like its builders, will soon 
 crumble into ruins — how many friendly greetings have occurred around its door? 
 How many sermons have been preached from its pulpit ? There tlie Spirit of God 
 has, on many occasions, mraiifestcd His power in the convtrsion of souls, and angels 
 have often borne to Heaven the tidings of souls born anew, causing joy among tht; 
 redeemed in the presence of the Angelic Host, There good old Mr. Fraser labored 
 many years and with good success ; he was succeeded by W. K, Anderson, under 
 whose ministry many souls were brought to Christ ; then McNab labored a lew- 
 months, and was succeeded by Cameron, who had been a missionary in the Highlands 
 of Scotland. After laboring there a few years, he removed to JJruce, C.W., where 
 he died. Their next pastor v.'as Mr. McKee, during whose i)astoraie a great revival 
 took place; meetings were held every day for nine or ten weeks, and a great number 
 was added to thj Church. He left after the revival, and their old pastor, W. K. 
 Anderson, returned. Often has the writer preached within the old chapel to large 
 congregations and on revival occasions, with Boyd, Anderson, McDonald, McKee, 
 Dick, and others. 
 
 " Eternity alone will disclose the good done in that old building ; it has been tlie 
 spiritua birthplace of many, for which reason its very dust is dear to us, and we take 
 pleasure in looking on its decaying timbers and stones. As Mr.T'raser had occasion 
 to visit Point Fortune, on the Ottawa, I rode with him to that place, whence I crossed 
 the river and made for home, which I reached, after an absence of six weeks ; during 
 which time 1 preached a number of sermons, saw many ];)eople.> and, 1 hope, was the 
 means of doing some good. The country through which I passed was a fine one. 
 which led me to wonder why the Chatham people were so unwise as to settle in sucli 
 a place when better land was to be found not far off. After returning, I continued to 
 preach the Gospel, and had the pleasure of receiving into the Church, now and then, 
 a convert. 
 
 "In the month of July, 1845, I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry as an j 
 evangelist, though I filled the place of pastor. This was done at my request, as I had 
 objections at that time of assuming, permanently, the care of a pastorate. 
 
 " Tlie ordination took place on the Ford's Day, in the presence of a large con;.;rp 
 gation ; the ministers present being Mr. William Dick, of Ottawa, and Mr. McPhail, ] 
 from Osgoode. 
 
 " Mr. Dick had been placed in Ottawa City by the Baptist Missionary Society, 
 as there were a few Baptists there; he was a learned man and a good preacher; ye:| 
 he met with but little success in Ottawa. After laboring there a while he left the city,] 
 and has sinc2 died. 
 
 " As I had been two years in the Settlement — the first of which I boarded witlil 
 Deacon McGibbou, the second with Archibald McArthur — I concluded that I couldl 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENT EU I L. 
 
 359 
 
 )tliers, Willi 
 
 tie hillocks 
 [iher withi'i 
 lid motliLTs 
 as heard m 
 ent congre- 
 oble race — 
 vas of more 
 li which was 
 es, and s! e, 
 
 rs, will soon 
 id its door ? 
 jpirit of (lod 
 s, and an;;cN 
 y araoiig ihc 
 :aser labored 
 erson, uiKicr 
 abored a few 
 he Highlands 
 C.VV., where 
 great revival 
 "real number 
 Dastor, \V. K. 
 lapel to large 
 lald, McKee, 
 
 has been the 
 1, and we take 
 
 had occasion 
 Ince I cros-ed 
 leeks ; during 
 fiope, was the 
 
 as a fine one. 
 Isetlle in such 
 continued to 
 
 low and tlien, 
 
 |linistry as au| 
 liiest, as I had j 
 e. 
 
 large conure 
 iMr. McPhail,] 
 
 )nary Society, 
 [preacher; ye; 
 Tie left the city, 
 
 boarded m(\\ 
 Id that I couldl 
 
 obtain a house and lot of my own, and I purchased a lot which had been deserted by 
 a man who had gone to Canada West. On it was a house and bitn ; but, like much 
 of the land around this place, it was very stoney, and of little value for farming pur- 
 poses. 
 
 " I repaired the house, which was a I05; one, and moved into it late in the fall. 
 I was now what, in Scodand, would be called a laird and a landed proprietor ; I 
 could now sit down in my own house and wahv over my own estate. But, still, there 
 was a want ; it had been decreed that it was not good for man to dwell alone. 
 Feeling the truth of this in my own case, I had been reflecting on the subject for 
 some time. Tliere was a young woman in the place, a daughter of Deacon McGibbon, 
 and granddaughter of Archibald McArthur, pastor of a Baptist Church in Glenlyon, 
 Scotland — known there a.s Afui'/Zer AI<ji'. She had encleared herself to all by her 
 kindness, devotion to the church and assistance in the Sabbath School and in 
 protracted meetings, and to this young woman, after gaining the assent of her parents, 
 I was married thct winter. 
 
 " In the catechism of the VVestminster assembly of Divines, it is said that God has 
 foreordained whatsoever comes to pas<. However much some may question the 
 truth of this assertion, i must say that my going to Chatham and ray marriage seems 
 to confirm it, for before I was known in the place, before she had ever seen me, my 
 wife beheld me in a dream, '.''hinking nothing about the matter, she went with others 
 to church thr>t Sabbath morning, when, to her astonishment, the very person she had 
 seen in her dream rose in the pulpit, and addressed the people. This was the first 
 time I had preaclied in the place, and why the vision had appeared to her, since she 
 had never seen me and had no knowledge of me whatever, let those who are skilled 
 in the interpretation of dreams explain. This circumstance came to my knowledge 
 only sonic time after we were married. 
 
 " Time rolled one, and there were additions to the church ; indeed, every year 
 since I came to the place, more or less additions were made ; but owing to the pov- 
 erty of the country, people were always moving away, which circumstance kept the 
 church ])oor with regard to numbers. 
 
 " Theie lived, in the 8th concession of Chatham, a man named Hendrie, a Scotch- 
 man, by trade a carpenter, from Elgin in Morayshire. When he lived there, lie did 
 considerable business, but failed, ;ind came to Canada. James was an intelligent 
 man ; he had good education, good judgment, and a turn for public business. He 
 professed to be a religious man, and took an active part in bringing ministers to 
 the settlement, though he was not particular as to the denomination. He was 
 elected School Commissioner, and subsequently Secretary-Treasurer. About this 
 time, a great deal of dissatisfaction arose in the community with regard to the 
 location of a new school-house ; bitter things were said, friends were estranged, 
 and animosity among neighbors generally prevailed. The School Board naturally 
 came in for a share of the abuse, and especially James Hei.drie, because he 
 was supposed lo have the most influence ; but he was not to be swerved from what 
 he sui)posed was right. He had just built a new house, in which he was living on a 
 reserved part of his land, having parted with the rest to one of his sons. 
 
 " It was Saturday night, and the family had retired after completing their usual 
 work preparatory for the Sabbath, and were in deep sleep, when it was discovered 
 that the house was on fire. There was but little chance to save it, and it was soon 
 in ashes ; poor James Hendrie and his wife were consumed in it. As it was sup- 
 posed that he had considerable money at the time belonging to the School Corpor- 
 ation, there were strong suspicions, heightened by certain circumstances, that the fire 
 was incendiary and was started v>ith a view to robbery. However this may be, the 
 
1: 
 
 360 
 
 HISTORY' OF ARGENTEUn,, 
 
 Ha 
 
 end of Hendric and liis wife was sudden and awful. In the evening preceding ihe 
 fire, James was shaving, and his wife asked a person present, ' Didna' he think her 
 gudcman looked yoimg yet?' Little did she think that neither she nor her 
 gudeman would ever see the Sabbath for which they were preparing, and tiiat instead 
 of going to church the next morning, peo|)le at the iiour of service would be .searching 
 among the smoking ruins for their remains. A boy and girl, who slept ujjstairs, 
 escaped by jum|nng from a window on the snow ; the last words they heard were 
 lorn Hendrie saying, 'The house is on fire,' which they supposed was a warning 
 addressed to themselves. It is remarkable that some years after this, the son of 
 James Hendrie came near meeting the same fate that befell his parents. In the 
 dead of night his house was enveloped in flames, and he, his wife and children 
 barely escaped through a window — a moment longer in the house, and they would 
 have peri-hcd in the flames. 
 
 " It is pleasing to turn from such painful events to a revival of religion, in 
 which fourteen persons made a profession of religion, were baptised and added to 
 the Church. Among the converts was an old soldier, John A., who had fought ih 
 French under the Iron Duke, in Sjiain, and met them in many a bloody field, for 
 which his country had rewarded him with a pension. At the time of the revival, he 
 was an old man, had buried two wives and all his children, and was alone in the 
 world ; his home being with a blacksmith who kept him for his pension. He was an 
 irreligious man and had no respect for religion, but when the revival occurred, he 
 was broken down on account of his sins. Though he had been in many a battle, he 
 had never been in one like this, when the arrows of conviction were slicking fast in 
 his soul, af.d all his sins seemed to rise up like armed men before him. He con- 
 tinued in this state a few days, when at last, hearing that wonderful passage, 
 ' Though your sins be like scarlet, I wil! make them like the snow, and though they 
 be red like crimson, I will make them like ihe wool,' he was enabled to believe it, and 
 so found the forgiveness of his sins. The prayers of his wife were an:,wered ; she 
 had made a ]irofcssion of religion when I first came to the place, and before her 
 death prayed much for her sinful husband. He was baptised, joined the Church, 
 and has since joined the Church above. 
 
 " In i860 the Lord blessed the Church with a revival of religion, which resulted 
 in the baptism of sixteen, and their addition to the Church. This revival began 
 among the young people in the Sabbath School. From the number, two young men 
 — John Higgins and Robert McArthur — felt moved by the Holy Spirit to devote 
 themselves to the work of the Gospel Ministry." 
 
 As sketches of these gentlemen are given elsewhere in this volume, Mr. King's 
 notice of them at this point is omitted. He pays a high compliinent to the citizens 
 of Dalesville for their loyalty to temperance. 
 
 ■' In regard to our settlement, we had reason to be thankful that whatever the 
 faults of the people may have been, they had not that of intemperance. The Temper- 
 ance Reformation had taken a firm hold here at a very early period, and most of the 
 young people had enlisted under the icir.perance banner. There were a few indivi- 
 duals, living at some distance from the settlement, who, occasionally, when away 
 from home, indulged immoderately in drink — a fact that was pro^'n-'med by Bac- 
 chinalian songs and shouts, as they passed through our hamlet on their return home. 
 
 " In 1863, the Lord again favored the Chatham Church with a revival of reli- 
 gion, and one of the most remarkable that had occurred here. The converts were 
 mostly young people, of whom there were many in the place. The Church had 
 seemed for some time to be in a cold state, and I had begun to fear that my work were 
 was done ; there were a few, however, who p- lyed for a revival of religion. There 
 
 t«^i.; 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 36r 
 
 ;ding ihe 
 hink her 
 ; nor her 
 at instead 
 searching 
 upstairs, 
 :ard were 
 a warning 
 tlic son of 
 !. In the 
 d children 
 ley would 
 
 -ehgion, in 
 d added to 
 fought til 
 iy field, for 
 ; revival, he 
 done in the 
 He was an 
 iccurrcd, he 
 a battle, he 
 ;king fast in 
 1. He con- 
 I passage, — 
 hough they 
 ieve it, and 
 wered; she 
 before her 
 \Q Churcli, 
 
 icli resulted 
 
 vival began 
 
 young men 
 
 t to devote 
 
 Mr. King's 
 the citizens 
 
 liatever the 
 |lie Temper- 
 nost of the 
 few indivi- 
 Iwhen away 
 [ed by Bac- 
 Iturn home, 
 lival of reli- 
 Inverts were 
 :hurch had 
 'Work were 
 lion. There 
 
 was one young woman, who had expressed a desire to become a Christian, yet seemed 
 reluctant to come out publicly and acknowledge it ; I thought that if I commenced a 
 series of meetings, it might be the means of bringing her to a decision, and in case she 
 should come out, others might follow. I feared, however, that the churcli members 
 uould not heartily second my efforts as I was not a stranger, and had nothing new 
 10 engage the thoughts of the lovers of new things. It is to be lamented tliat cliurches 
 too often discourage their mmisters by failing toco-operate w-th them in their labors, 
 forgetting that it is the duty of every member to work with his pastor instead of 
 seeking only his own ease and convenience. 
 
 " But I began the meetings, and after a few nights' preaching, a young woman 
 expressed an interest in Christ, and soon after that the young woman before men- 
 lioned, and from that time tiic work went on. It was soon evident that a greater 
 ilian man was at work ; — the congregation increased in number, the Church members 
 became interested, and rendered much aid in speaking to anxious souls and in holdini^ 
 ])rayer meetings. One night, after the sermon, I requested those who had found 
 peace in believing in Christ to sit by themselves in a corner of the chapel, so that we 
 might have some idea of their number. To my surprise and great joy, the most of 
 the seats in that corner were filled with rejoicing converts. This was a night 
 liiug to be remembered, and one of the most glorious sights I had ever seen. 
 Tliis band of converts soon united in singing a beautiful hymn, which had a 
 powerful effect on the unregenerate who remained in the other parts of the house. 
 W eek after week, the good work went on, till six weeks passed away, and neither 
 preacher nor hearer seemed weary ; it was a blessed time — a time of harvest. As 
 some of the converts were pupils in the school, the happy influence of the revival 
 was felt there, and the teacher herself became a subject of divine grace, and took 
 great niterest in the conversion of others. After a number had professed conversion 
 they were examined by a committee appointed for the purpose, and such as gave 
 evidence of a change were baptised according to the command of Our Lord and 
 tiic ])raclice of the Apostles. The baptisms were performed on the Lord's day, after 
 a sermon preached on the subject. On these occasions, the chapel, which is a large 
 building, was full of people, some of whom had come from a distance, so that many 
 had to stand during the service, from want of room. 
 
 " On the first Lord's day 1 baptised 28 persons ; the next Sabbath others followed 
 their Lord into the watery tomb, and the next again, imtil, as the fruit of the revival, 
 tifty-two were baptised and added to the number of believers. Through the influence 
 1 of parents and friends, others were induced to join other bodies. All through this 
 vork I received no help from any other minister, nor did I feel that I required any ; 
 tor the members of the Church were alive to the good of souls, and did their part in 
 carrying on the work. This I found to be more beneficial to the members than it 
 would had ministers been brought from a distance; for had this been done, the 
 [people would have depended on the ministers and remained idle themselves. 
 
 " The blessed effect of tl-.e revival was felt all through the summer and the next 
 jwinter. I was induced to commence a new series of meetings in a school-house about 
 Ifive miles west of the chapel. Quite a number in this neighborhood had formerly 
 Imade a profession of religion, and had united witlr different denominations, but were 
 Inow generally careless and indifferent. " After preaching a few nights, the congre- 
 gation increased in number, and it was evident that the spirit of God was at work. 
 IThis meeting continued five weeks, when thirty-seven were baptised. 
 
 " About this time died Duncan McDougall. Duncan was a member of the first 
 
 irch, and a man well acquainted with his Bible. He had a talent for exhorting, 
 
 [i^'hich improved greatly cy practice. Ho preached a great deal in the back country, 
 
 24 
 
36a 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 I 
 
 and with great acceptance. For years he travelled through a rough section, labor- 
 ing among the poor jjcople, with no reward save a good conscience, and in this way, 
 he became well known through Gore, Morin and Mille Isle, where he was much re- 
 spected. He could explain clearly tlie way of salvation, and always spoke from the 
 heart to the heart ; and being of a cheerful, friendly disposition, he was made welcome 
 by all. He preached in school-houses, and had large gatherings, and there is reason 
 to believe that his labors were blessed to many. But at last he was attacked by 
 an incurable malady, which interrupted his labors, and after three years carried 
 him off, to the great loss of his neighborhood and the Church. He now sleeps in 
 ihe burying ground on the hill, there to abide the coming of his Lord." 
 
 In a succeeding part of his annals. Mr. King thus notices the death of the wife 
 of Duncan McDougall, which occuired about 1873 • 
 
 " Not long after, died Eliza McArthur, daughter of the' Big Miller ' of Glenlyon. 
 She had been a member of the Glenlyon church, and, after coming to Canad 
 married Duncan McDougall, who, through her influence, became a Christian and a 
 preacher of the Gospel. They had three sons and one daughter, and after the death 
 of her husband, she lived with a son. Her strength and memory failed, and, from 
 an affection of the eyes, became blind. She could not recognize her friends, but 
 when asked if she remembered Jesus, replied that she did, and could never fop.'ct 
 what He had done for her. She n-as a good woman, and one thoroughly acquainted 
 with the Script;'res ; indeed, she and Mr. McDougall knew the Bible far better tlian 
 many ministers. 
 
 "In the spring of 1864, there was again an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on cur 
 Church, and though the congregations were not so large as they had been om former 
 occasions, many listened to the Word and were blessed. A young man, whose 
 brother had attended the meetings and been converged, said he did not know how 
 it was, but he thought people who went there got bewitched, but lie felt that he was 
 wise enough not to be caught. But he was caught, made a profession, and was 
 baptised. With the exception of a man who was nearly eighty, and his wife, the 
 converts were quite young. The contrast between the aged and the young, going 
 down into the water together, was great, and had a good effect. In that revival, 
 twenty made a profession, and were baptised. 
 
 '' In the summer of that year, tlie Ottawa Baptist Association met wiili the! 
 church in Dalesville. It was said to be the largest meeting of th..' Association up to 
 that time, and it was the 29th annual meeti.ig from its formation. Among the] 
 ministers present were Langridge, from Ottawa city — a new man — an Englishman, 
 and a very good speaker. He continued a few years in Ottawa, during which tiiiii 
 the church was enlarged by several additions by bai)tism. He preached a sermoi 
 before the Association, on behalf of the claims of widows and orphans of deceasec 
 pastors and ministeis. He has since removed to Nova Scotia, There were al; 
 present Daniel McPhail, John Dempsey, about to leave St. Andrews for Port Hopi 
 Peter McDonald, W. K. Anderson, at that time in Kemptville, W. McKee fron 
 Breadalbane, and John Ross from Thurso, who preached an excellent sermon froii 
 Numbers xiii. 30-31. Then there was John Alexander, at that time pasior of tlij 
 church in Montreal, under whose pastorale tiiat church increased more than it liaj 
 at any former period." 
 
 Not long after this, he says : " We were startled by news of the death 
 Rev. John Edwards. He was struck down by paralysis, near Port tlopc, wl 
 on his way to visit his brother James- at Peterboro. He had an attack of the san 
 while in Britain, but recovered. John Edwards was a good man, and a devot^ 
 aborer in the vineyard of the Lord. He was, at his death, the oldest minister 
 
 impress 
 accept 
 villc cai 
 had lab( 
 church. 
 left then 
 "I 
 bad bee 
 and owi 
 many fai 
 those wl 
 cows anc 
 Imibs at 
 from Dal 
 from the 
 The 
 ■Vottield, 
 "Al: 
 Md am 01 
 died i;th 
 i'le yea.- 
 Chatham, 
 liardships 
 |severe as 
 ig iiis tlo 
 Archibald 
 liluller M( 
 'iiich tool 
 
 10 : 
 
 l^ftla 
 
HISTOFY OK AKoENTEUIL. 
 
 363 
 
 tion, labor- 
 in this way, 
 as much re- 
 »ke from the 
 .de welcome 
 2 re is reason 
 attacked by 
 fears carried 
 aw sleeps in 
 
 h of the wife 
 
 of Glenlyon. 
 g to Canad 
 iristian and a 
 fter the death 
 sd, and, from 
 r friends, but 
 J never forget 
 ily acquainted 
 far better than 1 
 
 y Spirit on cur 
 :)een o'l former 1 
 r man, whose 
 not know liow 
 ,lt that he was ! 
 ,sion, and was 
 id his wife, llid 
 young, going 
 i that revival,] 
 
 11 met willi \k 
 lociation up to! 
 i. Among the] 
 m EngHsliiiian 
 |ing which tiun 
 iched a sermoi 
 .ns of decease! 
 'here were al; 
 for Port Hop 
 McKee froi 
 tnt sermon froi 
 e pastor of th| 
 l-i()re than it hal 
 
 lof the death 
 lorl tlopc, whi 
 lack of the sa 
 md a devoti 
 
 the Ottawa Association. In his younger days, he had b€.:;n pastor of the Baptist 
 chtnches in Dalesville and St. Andrews, after which he became pastor of a church 
 in Peterboro. After laboring there a while, he removed to (^laience, where his 
 honored fatiier had labored so lonj;, and while there he gave part of his time to 
 Thurso and Petite Nation. He remained there till he became agent for the Grande 
 iJgiie Mission, in which service he was very successful, collecting money for it in 
 Kngland and Scotland, which he twice visited. He had to struggle through many 
 difficulties in life, yet, through them all, he conducted himself in a manner becoming 
 a ministe • of the Gospel. He died away from home, without the pleasure t f seeing 
 his wife or children ; his work was done, and the Master called him home. 
 
 "Among those who were called away about this time was Robert McNaughton, 
 one of the five who sat down to break bread in the wilderness ofCh.itham. He hud 
 been a deacon in tlie church in Glenlyon, Scotland. On account of differences 
 with some of the brethren, Robert withdrew from the church, and did not return till 
 a short time before his death. As he was not able to go out, the Churcii met at his 
 house, where he joined them for the last lime in communion. To them and to him 
 it was a very happy season. Robert was a good man, though for a time he had 
 entertained mistaken views about that forbearance which brethren should exercise one 
 toward another. 
 
 " In 1869 I received a call to leave the church at Dalesville, and labor with the 
 churches of Notfield, Roxboro and Riceville, in Ontario. A few years previous I 
 ha>] received a call from Notfield, but did not see my way clear to accept it. This 
 time, however, considering that so many had left the place, and laboring under the 
 im])ression tliat my work was done at Dalesville, it seemed to me the path of duty to 
 accept the call. Thus a connection of nearly thirtv years with the church in Dales- 
 ville came to a close. During this period I had seen both dark and bright times ; I 
 liad labored in the Gospel, and with my hands, that I might not be btirden some to the 
 church. I loved the people, and I believe they respected me, and I would not have 
 loft them only for«tlie reasons I have staled; we parted in the best of friendship. 
 
 *' I left and came to Notfield on the 7th of May, 1869. That winter the snow 
 had been very deep and was long in disappearing ; the roads were almost impassable, 
 ;uul owing to the dry summer of 1S68, (ood for both man and beast was very scarce ; 
 many farmers had to part with more than half their stock. It was hard to get hay ; 
 those who had it to sell asked $30 a ton, and some $40. Many managed to bring 
 cows and sheep through the winter by cutting down trees and giving thein the small 
 linibs at the top to eat. I never saw such a display of brush as I saw in my journey 
 from Dalesville to Notfield; every barnyard had piles of it. The labor of bringing it 
 from the woods must have been great, owing to the depth of snow." 
 
 The above closes Mr. King's account of his labors in Argenteuil. While at 
 Xottield, in the year 1872 or 1873, he thus speaks of the death of Peter McGibbon : 
 "About this time came tidings of the death of some dear friends in Dalesville, 
 and among them that of Peter, or, as he was generally known, Capt. McGibbon ; he 
 (lied i;lh January, 1873. He was a native of Glenlyon, Perthshire, Scotland, and in 
 the yea; 1817, in company with others, came to Ganada and settled in the Rear of 
 jChalham, then an unbroken wilderness. Like others, he had here to endure all the 
 hardships of bush life, which, though new to him, might not have seemed quite so 
 |severe as it would to a weaver, as he had been a shepherd in his; younger days, tend- 
 jing his flocks on the mountains of Scotland. He was married to Janet, daughter of 
 Archibald McArthur, ])astor of the Baptist church of Glenlyon, better known as the 
 IMuller Moir. Peter came to a knowledge of the truth in 1835, during the revival 
 
 est minister •'hich took place under the preaching of John Gilmour, William Fraser and John 
 
S«4 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Edwards. He took an active part in the building of the chapel, and for 3onie yc-.us 
 was deacon of the chinch ; indeed, he took an active part ii'. every \\ork of piil)lic 
 utility, such as tlie opening up of roads and building of schoolhouses. He had tlinc 
 sons and six daughters, ail of whom he had the pleasure of seeing profess an intercut 
 in Christ and uniting with the church at Daksville. His eldest son, Finiey, died at 
 the age of 26, a fine young man, who died happy in the Lord, Two of his sons and 
 three of his daughters are married and have families. He had been a remarkably 
 healthy man, very active even in his old age — few men could excel him in walkinj^ 
 when he was far advanced in years. He was a man noted for uprightness in all ins 
 dealings, and his promise was as good as his oath ; he des[)ised a mean action. I!e 
 continued a consistent member of the Church till the day of his death." 
 
 The following is Mr. King's notice of the death of Mrs. McCiibbon, who 
 died March isl, 1874: — "In the spring of this year came word of the dcatli (>f 
 Janet McArthur, daughter of the Muller Moir of Glenlyon, and wife of Peter 
 McGibbon. She had been a member of tlie cuurch in Duiesville over forty 
 years. Duncan McArthur, a brother of the deceased, is now 92 years ofage, and is 
 yet healthy and active, and placing his hope of future happiness in Christ." 
 
 The Kev. Mr. King returned to Dalesville in 1877, after an absence of eight 
 years, and once more accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church, which he held till 
 within three years of his dcatli, which occurred in the summer of 1893. He was 
 pastor of the Dalesville church over forty years, which, with the time of his minis- 
 trations elsewhere, made up a period of half a century that he labored as a minister 
 of the Gospel, and during this time he baptised fifteen hundred converts. Tlie Rev. 
 Mr. Higgins, in his memorial sermon, says: — 
 
 '* Physically, Pastor King was tall, stout, a large, strong-looking man, and tor 
 many years he possessed a splendid constitution, well adajited for hard toil among 
 the rocks, hills and rivers of Chatham Township. Though not iuaving the advantage 
 of much scholastic training, he was gifted with more than average intelligence and 
 powers of utterance. He w:is a calm, easy, fluent speaker. Natifre and grace did | 
 much for him, and few speakers could excl him as a plain, practical preacher, or in 
 platform temperance addresses. While he held most tenaciously, and boldly pro- 1 
 claimed Baptist principles, he was ready to unite with all who loved the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, in his efforts to do good." 
 
 Mrs. King, witli some of her children, still resides on the homestead, now a 
 well-cultivated farm, with good buildings. She is still young in appearance, and 
 retains the respect and affection of all who know her. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 King were : Peter, Alexander, Janet Louiie (deceased), Finiey, Jam?s, Elizabeth, I 
 John (deceased), Archibald and Daniel. Two of the sons are in Nebraska:! 
 Elizabeth, the only daugiUer living, married to Daniel J. Burwash, lives in Sawyer- 
 ville, Que. 
 
 The Baptist Church of Dalesville — a large stone building — was erected in i;;j5. 
 During Mr. King's absence in Notfield, the Rev. Alex. McFayden held the pastorate 
 four years, then students F. Dann and Adam (now Rev. Adam) Burwa'-h, followed. 
 Students Herbert Grimwood and J. C. Cameron supplied the pulpit for a time| 
 preceding Mr. King's death, then came Rev. T. C. Sowter, a graduate of the Tiieoj 
 logical department of McMaster University, Toronto, who held the pastorate a year. 
 when he was called to the Baptist Church at Groton, Vt. At the end of that tiiii'- 
 he was recalled to Dalesville, and has been pastor here until quite recently. 
 
 
HISTOKY or AKGENTKUIL. 
 
 365 
 
 3ome ycais 
 rk of public. 
 -le had thnc 
 
 s an inlLTc^i 
 iley, died a 
 
 lis sons and 
 L remarkably 
 Ti in walking 1 
 ess in all liis 1 
 
 action. I'-c 1 
 
 libbon, who 
 the dcatli of 
 nfe of Peter 
 e over forty 
 of age, and is 
 ist." 
 
 cnce of eiglit 
 ch he held till 
 I93. He w;is 
 of his minis- 
 1 as a minister 
 ts. The Rev. 
 
 I man, and lor 
 id toil among 
 c advantage 
 ligence and 
 k1 grace did 
 acher, or in 
 boldly pio- 
 Lord Jesus 
 
 jstead, now a 
 )carance, and 
 Mr. and Mrs. 
 :s, Eli^abetii, 
 in Nebraska: 
 es in Saw\er- 
 
 ected in 1S35. 
 the pastorate 
 K-h, followed, 
 it for a tune 
 ; of the Theo- 
 i to rate a year. 
 of that tin.c, 
 .tly. 
 
 EDINA. 
 
 About four miles west of Dalesville is a ijost-office wi'Ji the name Edina, which 
 w. s establisl-ed in 187.}, Wim.iam 'r().M.\LTV being the first i)osl-master. He died, 
 anl his brother, Joseph lonialty, was appointed post-master in his place. Arthur 
 Ti'iiialty, their father, was one of tiie pioneers in the Rear of Chatham, settling in 1S34 
 or 1835 on Lot 25, nth Range. He came to Montreal from the North of Ireland in 
 ;8 ,0, and a little later went to Sillery, where he married Catherine Grey from Sligo, 
 Iri land, and then came to Chatham, as stated above. He died in April, 1862 ; his 
 uite, May i 2, 1893. They had seven sons and four daughters. 
 
 Joseph, the youngest son, lives on the homestead of 200 acres, though he spent 
 a few years in Michigan and California. He was married February 6, 1877, to 
 .Margaret McMahon, of Harrington, and the same year was appointed jiost-mc^ster of 
 Kdina. 
 
 Thomas Tomalty, an elder son of the late Arthur Tomalty, lives about three 
 miles west of Dalesville, where hs has a small grocery and a hostelry for the accom- 
 modation of travelers. He was married July lo, 1862, to P^lizabeth Burns of Sligo, 
 Ireland, and settled on a farm here of 313 acres, which he has lately divided between 
 liis two eldest sons, Artlnir and William. He has for twenty years been actively 
 engaged in buying farm i)roduce and cattle and sheep, and selling them in ^[ontreal, 
 to which city he tiiakes frequent trips. 
 
 James, the fifth son of Arthur 'I'o.maltv, was marned 22nd May, 1873, to Grace 
 jane Green, of Harrington, and afterward spent three years in California. He was 
 employed, after his return, in a mill and in lumbering, till 1882, when he settled on 
 his present farm of 200 acres — parts of Lots 19 and 20, 8th Range — where he gives 
 evidence of prosperity ; he has been a member of the Board of School Commissioners 
 lour or five years. 
 
 Alexandkr Caldkr, who has been active and influential in local affairs, is a 
 
 [resident of Kdina. His fatlier, John Calder, from Paisley, Scotland, a weaver by trade, 
 
 pnj to Chatham in 1827 and look up Lot 24, loth Range, on which he lived till 
 
 1S37, when he removed to Lot 8 in the same range, on which he lived till his death 
 
 in 1S72. In November, 1829. he was married to Catherine McDonald, by which 
 
 inrriage he had seven sons and three daughters: Alexander, wiio lives in Edina ; 
 
 ev. James G., pastor of the Baptist Church in Alvinston, Out. ; VVillian:, living in 
 
 1 Amedee, Ottawa County; Robert, living in North Nation idills; John, who is in 
 
 ;nc Tnited States. Peter and Archibald both died young. Of the daughters, only 
 
 argaret, the wife of William McQuaig, is now living; Bella, who niarried Willinm 
 
 ot;, died in the summer of 1894; and Kate, who married Malcolm Mclntyre of 
 
 .'jiper Lacluitc, died about fifteen years ago. 
 
 .Alexander, the second son, worked on a farm and in the lumber woods in his 
 outliful days, till his marriage, 27th April, 1858, to Jane Mullen, when he settled on 
 lis own farm of 87 acres — Lot 20, Range 10 — which he purchased in 1856, and on 
 hich he still resides. He is Master of the Orange I^odge at this place ; is a member 
 if the Board of Health ; has been Valuator six years. Rural Inspector eighteen, and 
 member of the School Board since t868. 
 
 Murdoch Graham was one of the pioneers who came from Scotland and settled 
 le Rear of Chatham previous to 1835. He took up a lot in the 12th Range, and 
 like others who settled in that Range, concluded, after living there a while, to 
 nigrate, and bought 100 acres in the nth Range, on which he lived twenty years, 
 kiien he removed to PetroHa, Ont., where he died in July, 1879. Mr. Graham was 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Pf 
 
 a brick and stone mason, and he built many of the iiouses in this part of Chatliam. 
 He acted as musiciD'i, playing the bagpipes in o'leof the companies in the RebelJidii 
 of 1837. TTe had six children — three of each sex. Murdoch, the third son, married 
 Catherine Coniin i6ih January, 1S65, and soon afterward went to Petroiia, Ont., 
 where he worked several years in the oil region. In 1887 he bought 200 acres in the 
 loth Ranj/e of Chatham, on what is known as McFaul's Flats — a very nice tract (if 
 level land — en w',ich he still resides, ^c has been a Deacon of the Baptist Churdi 
 several years. 
 
 Samuel Broadfoot, a millwright, from New Glasglow, Scotland, came to Mon- 
 treal about the year 1842, and after working in that city a year or two, came to 
 Lachute, where iie married a widow, Mrs. Sarah Kerr. Her maiden name was Moore. 
 Her father, Samuel Moore, an early settler at Dalesville, had been a soldier in the 
 British Service, and diew a pension. His wife was the widow of a soldier who fell at 
 Waterloo. Mr. Broadtoot worked in many different places, his services being widely 
 sought on account of his skill and ingenuity. He was employed on the Locks on the 
 C:;rillon Canal, in the Dalesville and Brownsbury mills, in Planington ; several years 
 by Owens at Stonefield ;also by Eddy ^s: Booth, of Ottawa. He died ist February, 
 1887 I '^i^ ^^''f*^ <^'^^' ''^^ ^''^ '^^ ^'^"^ same month, in the same year. He had two sons 
 and four daughters ; his wife by her first ma'riage had one son — Joseph Kerr. 
 
 Jane, the eldest daughter of Mr. Broadfoot, was married 22nd May, 1876, to 
 John V. Smith, a carpenter, who had recently arrived in this country from Englaiid, 
 In 1889, he bought 290 acres — Lot 19, Range 10 — at Edina, where he still reside?, 
 though his own time is spent chiefly in Montreal, where he follows his trade. 
 
 Qrenville. 
 
 Proclamation of the 28th January, 1808, 
 
 This township is bounded on the north by Harrington ; east, by Chatham ; 
 soi;th, by the Ottawa ; and west by the Augmentation of Grenville. Its surface i: 
 generally rough, being traversed by the Laurentian mountains ; yet there are portions 
 of it level and well adapted to agriculture. Its scenery is remarkably fine, the rear 
 abounding in small lakes, charming in appearance, reposing in the solitude of mouivain 
 glens. Surpassing these, ho\.ever, in scenery of savage grandeur, is that of the R'ver 
 Rouge, which, in Grenville, adds its powerful current to the Ottawa. No wonder ihat 
 the Indian fomd in the wild features of this stream something allied to his uwn 
 untamed nature, a kindred character that constrained him to regard it as sacred, 
 
 An expansive bay, formed by the Ottawa, which is here very wide, combined 
 with the Canal, and ita fine locks form a beautiful front to the village. It was formerly i 
 a point of much importance — a rcnJcz-vous for raftsmen and lumbermen ; but the great 
 decrease in the lumber business has, of late years, rendered it riuch more quiet. Itsi 
 reputation half a century ago is said to have been none of the best. But however 
 his may be, the wave of social progress and m.orality, which has so effectively stiuck 
 other places within Jhat period, has not missed Grenville. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIl.. 
 
 36. 
 
 if Chatham. 
 e Rebelliun 
 on, married 
 :rolia, Out., 
 acres in the 
 nice tract (if 
 )tist Churcli 
 
 ,me to Mon- 
 wo, came to 
 : was Moore, 
 oldier in ihc 
 :r who foil at 
 leing widely 
 jOcks on the 
 several years 
 St February, 
 lad two suns 
 Kerr. 
 
 [ay, 1876, to 
 3m Englaiid, 
 still reside?, 
 rade. 
 
 ly Chatham ; 
 
 ]s surface i] 
 
 [are portions 
 
 ine, the rear 
 
 jOf mouniain 
 
 lof the River 
 
 wonder that 
 
 to his own 
 
 sacred. 
 
 combined 
 
 Ivas formerly 
 
 mt the great 
 
 quiet. Its 
 
 tut however 
 
 :ely sluick 
 
 The theological structure of Crenville is given in tlie report in the first part of 
 this volume ; but since ihat repurt war, first published, some effort has been made to 
 develop the mines and ']uarries in the mountains of this township, which are doubtless 
 of value. An American company was for some time employed in the rear of the 
 township in obtaining mica ; but, though considerable quantities were obtained, tne 
 work for some reason was abandoned. An asbestos company, recently formed, are 
 about erecting extensive works at Point du ChSne, in the Augmentation of Grenville, 
 and there is good reason to believe that the mines and quarries of this section will 
 yet be regarded as the most valuable of its possessions. 
 
 .'2'/'' GRENVILLE VILLAGE. ; 
 
 Erecti;d into a Municipality, ioth December, 1875. ' 
 
 ARCHin ld McMillan, who for many years was a most prominent and influential 
 man in Grenville, was a native of Lochaber, Inverness-shire, Scotland, and his father 
 and uncle fought undt. the banner of Prince Charles. When quite young, lie was a 
 clerk m an East India House, in London, and while there, in 1780, witnessed the 
 Lord George Gordon Ricts. In 1802, he determined to come to Canada. He was 
 very ))opular with his clansmen, and when they learned his determination, many 
 wished to accompany him. He, therefore, chartered Miree 3hips to convey himself, 
 family and emigrants to Montreal, where they landed in the fall of the above year. 
 Ht; imm'^t'iately applied to Government for grants of land for iiimself and associates ; 
 but, ow'.ig to red tape and other obstructions, the patents were not -ssued until three 
 or fou. years lat«r. Before that time, however, the emigrants found homes in Glen- 
 gar>-y and Lochiel, Ontario, where they obtained free grants of land, without difficulty, 
 and found a company of Highlanders who had already settled there. The Ottawa 
 Valley, from Grenville westward, was little els" than an unbroken wilderness, and 
 presented few attractions to induce any one to settle there. The lands acquired by 
 Mr. McMillan and his associates were located in the Townships of Grenville, Temple- 
 ton and Lochaber. Mr. McMillan gave the latter its name, as the settlers came from 
 Lochaber, Scotlard. It was in the year i8io, that Mr. McMillan took up his residence 
 in Grenville, havmg remained until that peiiod in Montreal. He was responsible for 
 the cost of survey, fees of office, and other expenses, amounting to something over 
 $35 for each grant of 200 acres. To relieve themselves from expense, the settlers 
 ir.ade ever to him their 'ots, and he contracted to hold them until the patents were 
 issued, as they were liable to be escheated to the Crown for non-settlement. This 
 forfeiture the Gc>vernment threatened to enforce, so that he was obliged to make con- 
 siderable improvements on some of the lots actually settled ; yet, notwithstanding, a 
 11 iHiber of them returned to the Crown. All the lands are now occupied by a thriving 
 community of settlers. When Mr. McMillan first came to Grenville he moved into a 
 good-sized log house, which he had erc'ted the year previous. It stood just opposite 
 tiie Hawkesbury mi'ls, and was called the "Old Abbey." At that time his nearest 
 neighbour on the one hand lived in Hn'l, and, on the other, was Allen Camero.), 
 .vhose house was five miles distant in Chatham. The only road between the two points 
 was a foot-path along the river side which, in the winter, could be travelled with sleds ; 
 on the opposite side of the river there was not even a foot-path. 
 
 To transport freight from Montreal, in summer, was a work in\olving both time 
 and labor. Everything had first to be carted from Montreal to Lachine ; then, in 
 bateaux, rowed or /^'/<?(/ up to Carillon, and then hauled up the rapids by ropes ; — ilie 
 l?tter being a difficult nnd dangerous task. On one occasion, when Mr, McMillan, 
 
368 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENT EUIL. 
 
 vfith his family ard some freight, was returning from Montreal in this way, in sur- 
 mounting a dangerous rapid, one of the bateaux came near foundering. As it was, 
 she shipped considerable water, damaged part of the freight and several valuable 
 books. On another occasion, where the rapids were very swift and rough, a large 
 tree had fallen into the river, and instead of cutting out this obstruction, the men in 
 charge of the bateaux tried to pole and watp the n around the tree. In doing so, the 
 bateaux that took the kad capsized, i»vo pilots on board were drowned and most of 
 the freight was losf. 
 
 In 1812, Mr. McMillan received a Commission as Major of the Argenteuil 
 Militia. They were called to tlie Front during the war that was then ^arried on 
 between Great Britain and the United States, but when they had reached Pointe Claire, 
 they heard of the battle of Chattauguay, and that peace w:)s declared, and ihey 
 returned home. Major McMillan was the first postmaster in Grenville, and received 
 his appointment in 181 9, and held it until 1829. He was also Justice of the Peace, and 
 was freiiuently called upon in those early d-ys to exercise the duties of his office. 
 Especially v s this the case when the canal was excavated, quarrels and assaults 
 being not infrequent. So averse, however, was the Major to lingation, and so 
 conciliating in spirit, that he nearly always succeeded in inducing the belligerents to 
 settle their difficulties, shake hand.«, and go home. Major McMillan and George 
 Hamilton, Esq., the pioprietor of the Hawkesbury Mills, and who was generally 
 known rij Judge Hamilton, were warm friends. Judge Hamilton belonged to a family 
 highly connected in Ireland, and was himself a thorough gentleman of the old school. 
 He was very fond of company, and whenever he had visitors of some note, he used 
 to raise a flag near his residence, as a signal to his friend, Major McMillan, to come 
 over and join them. In like manner when the Major had distinguished visitors, a 
 flag was displayed at the " Old Abbey," to invite Judge Hamilton lobe present. 
 Major McMillan was also on very friendly terms with the officers of the Royal Staff 
 Corps, when the canal was in process of construction, and u«ed frequently to be 
 invited to their mess, and, whenever he rei)aidthe compliment, and the officers dined 
 with him, the flag was unfurled at the " Old Abbey," as a hint to Judge Hamilton. 
 One of these occasions was rendered still more auspicious by the presence of the 
 Governor General, Earl of Dalhousie, who had come up to insjioct the work on the 
 canal, and to whom an address on behalf of the citizens v.-as p.e.icntcd by Major 
 McMillan. The latter and his eldest son, Alexander, who was an advocate, died in 
 Montreal from cholera in 1832. 
 
 Major McMillan had nine children — six sons and three daughters — who arrived 
 at maturity. The eldest daughter in 1822 married Thomas Kauis, who had been a 
 Paymaster in the Royal Navy. For several years he was Captain of the steamer 
 " Shannon " which ran between Grenville and Bytown (Ottawa). The second daughter 
 married Wm. Hamilton, one of the company of Hamilton IJros., proprietors of the 
 Hawkesbury Mills, and who was subsequently Collector of Customs at Stanstead, 
 O.ue., where he died in 1833. '^'^"^ youngest daughter married George Kains, who 
 for many years was a merchant, and one of the leading men in Grei.ville. During 
 the Rebellion of 1837-38, he was an officer of the Grenville Volunteers, and as 
 Captain Pridham could not leave the Post Office, Mr. Kains took command, and 
 marched towards St. Eustache ; but on reaching St. Andrews, they heard of the 
 defeat of the Rebels, and returned; he died in 1877. George, his eldest son, is a 
 railroad official in St. Thomas, Ont. ; Joseph his second son, has retired from business, 
 also lives in St. Thomas; John, the third son, is proprietor cfa fine farm near St, 
 Thomas ; Robert, the fourth son, after having studied medicine and practised mi: h 
 in Europe, settled in St. 'ihomas, where he now enjoys a good practice ; Robcii, 
 the fifth son, is a Surveyor (ieneral, and resides in Victoria, B.C. 
 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 369 
 
 ay, in sur- 
 As ii was, 
 il valuable 
 gh, a large 
 tlie men in 
 )ing so, the 
 nd most of 
 
 Argenteuil 
 ,,arried on 
 )inte Claire. 
 -], and they 
 nd received 
 ; Peace, and 
 af hib office, 
 md assault? 
 on, and so 
 lligerenls to 
 and George 
 as generally 
 d to a family 
 e old school, 
 ote, he used 
 Ian, to come 
 ,ed visitors, a 
 be present. 
 Royal Staff 
 uent'ly to be 
 fticers dined 
 c Hamilton, 
 sence of the 
 work on the 
 icd by Major 
 cate, died i" 
 
 l-who arrived 
 had been a 
 the steamer 
 
 pnd daughter 
 
 j-ietors of iho 
 
 Stanstead, 
 
 Kains, who 
 
 ,le. During 
 
 i^ers, and as 
 
 Inmai^d, and 
 ;ard of the 
 lest son, is a 
 Im business 
 brm near St. 
 Ictised mu 'h 
 ; Robert, 
 
 The sons of Major McMillan, with the exception of the one who diedjn Mont- 
 ,eal, lived in this section, and niost of them engaged in the lumber business. Here 
 Duncan, the youngest of them, still resides on the old homestead. He is an 
 ctogenarian, but still retains the clear intellect by which he has ever lieen charac 
 ; rized. He has been a man of remarkable energy, and very successful in business. 
 On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he joined the Montreal Royal Cavalry, com- 
 prising two companieT of sixty men each. His first employment was to go with 
 several of his comiiany toCliambly, to escort from that place to Montreal some lead- 
 ing men connected with the rebellious party. But on the road to Longueuil, the 
 escort was fired on by a party of rebels concealed in the woods near the ro-adside. 
 In the confusion whicli ensued, the carriage encloEing the i)risoners capsized while 
 turning round, and the prisoners escaped. The order was then given for every man 
 to look out for himself, — an order which was promptly obeyed. .\few of the escort 
 were slightly, and Sergeant Sharp, an old soldier of tlie Imperial .Army, was quite 
 severely wounded. After the rebels had been driven from St. Ch-irles and St. Denis, 
 on the Richelieu, those places were occupied by several compi;nies of ImpTial 
 troops, and Mr. McMillan and another trooper were also sent there, their duty bcaig 
 to carry dispalchcF to Sorel, Chambly and other places. Tl-.ey were there but a 
 short time, however, when tlipy were relieved by two other troopers. Early in the 
 month of December, 1837, ^^^'^ Company of Cavalry to which Mr. McMillan belonged 
 was ordered with otliers to accompany the Imperial Troops to St. iv.istache. Tiiey 
 ])assed the first night at St. Martin, and the next morning, at lo o'clock, they pushed 
 on to St. Eu'.itaciie, and crossed the river a little to the east of the village. The 
 church in which the rebels had taken refuge was at once attacked and burnt. 
 
 The following is copied from a letter of Mr. McMillan : " I saw in the evening, 
 after the hght, about twenty-five of these poor deluded people lying in the cliurch- 
 yard, just where they had been shot; it was a sad sight. The same evening I s.iw 
 the body of Dr. Chenier lying in what was called a hospital. Ho had on a striped 
 cambric shirt, and two small red spots on it showed Avhere the bullets had passed 
 tluough his body ; he was a very eood-looking man. Our Cavalry were ordered 
 round the outskirts of the village to capture runaway rebels ; several were captured 
 and biought in. The next day we proceeded on fiuth=:r west, about ten miles, to the 
 village of St. Benoit. As we approached the village, son.e of the Rebels met us, hold- 
 ing un white fiags. The village was occupied that night by the t.oops, and the next 
 day ve were ordered back to the city. Our cavalry and the (Queen's were appointed 
 to accompany Sir Joiin Colborne as guard. Sir Joini rode on horseback, but with 
 much speed, so that only a few of us were with him when we arrived in the city. 
 .\niong those was Mr. Johnson, son-in-law of the late Col. De Hertel of St. .Andrews ; 
 he was a fellow trooper, and we rode into town together. During the rest of the 
 iMiter and the following summer we underwent a course of drill and discipline, and 
 occasional outpost .^^crvice. As fall advanced, symptoms of another outbreak began 
 t(i show themselves in the direction of St. Schoia 'icpie and Napier' ille, on the 
 south side of the St. Lawrence ; but they were not of long continuance. I carried a 
 disi)atch from Col. McCord, Montreal, addressed to Col. De Hertel, who w. ; on his 
 w.iy to St. Scholastique with a portion of the Argenteuil Militia, ordering him to return 
 home with his men. I arrived at St. Scholastique in the evening, and Col. De Hertel 
 tame in a little afterwards. The next day we all re'.urned home, assured that the 
 Reliellion in that direction was at an end. Soon after my return to Montreal, it was 
 rcjiorted that a large body of sympathizers had crossed over from the States, 
 in 'die direction of Napierville, to join the Canadian Rebels. Sir John Colborne, at 
 ihc head of two regiments of foot guards, the 71st Regiment of Dragoons and other 
 
570 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Imperial Troops, crossed over from Montreal to Laprairie, and proceeded on towards 
 Napierville. 1 accompanied lliese troops as guide. It was late in November, and 
 the roads were a sea of mud, causing the soldiers much hardsliip. That niglu they 
 occupied the deserted houses and outbuildings alon<; the road, to w.tliin about a mile of 
 the village of Napierville. Next morning word came that the sympathizers had re- 
 crossed the line, and that the Rebels had disappeared. The troops marched into the 
 village, the horse taking the lead I was that morning to carry a despatch from Sir 
 fohn Colborne to headquarters Montreal, announcing what iiad taken place. ^Wlien 
 I arrived at the wharf at Montreal, it was crowded with people anxious to bear the 
 news. 'I'he despatch was delivered at headquarters in good time, and I was veryghid 
 to get back, after the discomforts experienced in going to Napierville. During the 
 winter and following spring, I was employed in the office of Col. Harcourt of the 
 Guards, who was appointed commandant of all the Volunteer and Militia forces of 
 Montreal. In the summer, I retired from the Cavalry service, and accepted a clerkship 
 with a wholesale firm in the produce line, in Montreal, with whom I remained three 
 years." 
 
 About this time the late Mr. McMillan's family, which had been living in Monl 
 real several years, returned to Grenville, and induced Duncan to accompany 
 them, to take charge of their lands in this township, since which time Grenville has 
 been liis home. 
 
 In 1851 lie visited the great Exhibition in London, and, at the same time, visited 
 Scotland and Ireland. In 1859 he succeeded his brother-in-law, Geo. Kains, as 
 Crown Lands Agent for Grenville and other townships, which agency he retained 
 about ten years. He has held many of the local offices — that of School Commis- 
 sioner, Councillor of both the village and townshij), and could have held mucii mon: 
 prominent positions in the county had he not declined. He was married in i860 to 
 Harriet, daughter of C. E. Greece, Esq. They have five sons and three daughters. 
 
 Captain P^dwin Pridham, who for many years was a prominent figure in 
 Grenville, may be numbered ainong her pioneers. Fortunately, he lefi for his family 
 and friends a brief autobiography, and as his son, Alexander Pridham, Esq., has 
 kindly granted the use of this to the writer, he has copied freely from it, such por- 
 tions, especially, as throw light upon the history of the township and this section of 
 country. Had others acted as wisely as did Mr. Pridham, in writing the sketch 
 referred to, the labor of preparing this present work would have been immeasurably 
 less, and the interest added thereto would have been correspondingly greater. Capr. 
 Pridham was born in Half Moon street, London, Eng., 17th December, 1795. After 
 attending school till he was sixteen years of age, his father obtained a situation for 
 him on the London Docks, where he was employed at making out accounts and 
 clerking. Not long afterwards he expressed a wish to his father, that he might learn 
 to be a cabinetmaker, and his father having a brother in the Engineer Department 
 of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, through his uncle's influence the young man w.ui 
 placed in the Government cabinet shop, to learn the trade. Mr. Pridham says : 
 " After I had been in the Engineers' Department nearly two years, I saw a notii e 
 put up by the Government, offering to give any employees of the works a free passage 
 to Canada, and two hundred acres of land. Peace had just then been concluded 
 between the United Stites and Great Britain, and the Government was anxious to 
 get settlers to go out to Canada, so I, with twenty more of different trades, went at 
 once to the office, and put down my name. This was in March, 1815. The t'lr-t 
 time I went home I told my father what I iiad done. He did not say anything 
 against it then, but when I was leaving, he would give me only five dollars, saying 
 that I ought not to have taken that step without first acquainting him with my inten- 
 
II towards 
 mber, raid 
 light they 
 it a mile of 
 ;rs had re- 
 ;d into the 
 1 from Sir 
 ;e, ,\Vhen 
 
 hear ihc 
 s very glad 
 During the 
 3urt of the 
 ia forces of 
 a clerksliip 
 ained three 
 
 ig in Monl- 
 accompany 
 renville has 
 
 ime, visited 
 , Kains, as 
 he retained 
 )ol Commis- 
 miich more 
 
 1 in i860 to 
 aughters. 
 
 t tigiire in 
 r his family 
 , Esq., has 
 , such pov- 
 |is section of 
 the sketch 
 iimeasurably 
 ter. Capt. 
 [7 95- After 
 tuation for 
 counts and 
 [might learn 
 epartment 
 |ig man was 
 Jham says : 
 iw a noti( e 
 free passage 
 concluded 
 anxious to 
 |es, went at 
 The ivA 
 ly anything 
 |ars, saying 
 my inten- 
 
 HISTORV OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 371 
 
 tion, and that now I must make the best of it. We sailed in a large transport vessel, 
 named the ' Phoenix,' on the 5th of May, 1815, a company of soldiers embarking with 
 us. The voyage was long and tedious, so that we did not arrive at Quebec till the 
 15th of July. On the banks of Newfoundland the captain lay to for two hours, to 
 allow ail hands to fish for cod. A good many were caught, and I caught seven. It 
 was a great treat to us to obtain fresh fish, after living so long on salt provisions. 
 On arriving at Quebec we reported ourselves to the Governor, and, to our astonish- 
 ment, lie told us no instructions had been sent out to iiim about us. After talking 
 a while to us, he said he would write home to the Government, and ascertain wliat 
 was to be done for us ; and as it v/ould take two or three months to get an answer, 
 he would advise us to go on to Montreal and get employment, until such time as he 
 could receive an answer. On telling him that we had no means of getting there, 
 being destitute of money, he said he would send us up in a Government bateau, and 
 provide provisions for us. The next morning, therefore, we started on our jouriiey 
 of one hundred and eighty miles, and as we made but a few hours a day, stopping at 
 farm houses over night, we were twelve days in reaching Montreal. Arriving there, 
 every one had to look out for himself. 1 happened to fall in with Mr. John Fry, the 
 principal rraster builder in Montreal, who was at the wharf on the lookout for 
 carpenters when the boat came up. Though there were plenty of wheelwrights, 
 blacksmiths, coopers, etc., on board, I was the only carpenter. After talking a while 
 with Mr. Fry, I accepted his offer to me, of one hundred dollars a year and my board; 
 and as all the money I had was one Fnglish half dollar, I was glad to commence 
 work next morning. My employer was finishing a large stone building opposite St. 
 Gabriel Church, adjoining the Champ de Mars, and on that 1 first went to work. 
 The first Sunday I was in Montreal, I strolled about looking for the different places 
 of worship, which we-e very few in 1815. There were two Presbyterian churches, 
 one small Methodist chapel on the narrow street that ran down by the big French 
 ( hurch, and one Episcopal church. I had been brought up strictly to the Church 
 of England, but while I was at Woolwich, which is nine miles from London, where 
 my parents resided, I attended the Baptist church, and felt a determination to serve 
 (iod in future, so on the first Sunday I was in Montreal, I strayed into the little 
 Methodist chapel, and being much pleased, I continued to attend there regularly, 
 during the five years I remained in the city. I also soon began to attend the 
 Wednesday and Friday evening meetings held there, and tuen became one of the 
 teachers in the Sunday School, which was the means of keeping me out of mischief 
 and bad company, so that I passed four years and a half very pleasantly. In Septem- 
 ber, 1818, I formed the acquaintance of a young woman whose name was Elizabeth 
 McKercher, and who lived in Lachine.' 
 
 It is only necessary here to say, this young lady and Mr. Pridham were married 
 on the 26th January, 1820. Lack of space forbids the relation of the incidents of 
 the next ten months, which are narrated in the biographical sketch, bi.t Mr. Pridham 
 was living on St. Henry street at the time he next mentions. He says : " One Satur- 
 day evening, Mr. Moody, a man with whom I was well acquainted, came in and said 
 to me : ' I have been engaged to-day to go up to the country, to finish the inside work 
 of a new house belonging to a Mr. Grant. I have to get another man to go wijth 
 ine, and if you like logo, I will engage you ; I am to get 7s 6d ($1.50) per day, and 
 you will get 5s 6d ($1.10) per day, a house to live in, and firewood.' I at once 
 agreed to go. He said a boat would be down from Point Fortune in a few days, 
 which would take up our tool chests and baggage. The boat, however, did not come 
 further than Lachine, and so we got two carts, and conveyed our things there, on 
 Saturday, the iilh of November. The next day there being a fair east wind, the 
 
37 2 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 men in charge of the boat were anxious to get off, so about eight o'clock a.m. we 
 started. The men, who were farmers, were not very skillful in managing the boat, 
 and it took them a long time to get up the sail. Tlie wind being a side wind, and 
 very strong, we were blown half across the lake ; and as it began to snow, and was 
 very cold, they had to pull down the sail, and row back to shore. We reached it, 
 nearly frozen, about three jj.m., two and a half miles above the point where we 
 started. That night we arrived at Pointe Claire, the next day we reached St. Ann's, 
 the third day we came to C'^mo, and the next to Point Fortune. The following day 
 our things were conveyed up to Mr. Grant's, the place where he lived being now 
 called L'Orignal, and we took up our quarters in the kitchen of the new house we 
 were to finish. It was very open, but we laid boards overhead, and made it as com- 
 fortable as we could, but still it was very cold. The next day Mr. Grant sent up a 
 barrel of poik and a barrel of flour, and we went to work. After working here four 
 or five weeks, we found it too cold, and Mr. Grant, finding that it took too much 
 wood to keep the place warm, hired one part of a log house, about two and a half 
 miles from there, and had us move into it, while the Canadian who owned the house 
 lived in the other part. Our room was only ten by twelve in size, but as Mr. Grant 
 had put up an old stove in it so that we were warm, we felt very contented. 
 
 "In the latter end of January, Mr. Moody, who boarded with me, wanting to 
 go to Montreal to see his family, liad to hire a man with his horse and sleigh to lake 
 him, and Mrs. Pridham went with him to buy groceries, there being no store in our 
 vicinity. They were absent about a week, during which time I worked alone, and had 
 to cook my own food. I was very glad when they returned. The Sundays, when 
 there were meetings there, we used to walk to the Seigniory, a distance of five and a 
 half miles, but it was only every fortnight that service was lield there by the Metho- 
 dists. It was in going there we became acquainted with the Smith family, who were 
 English, and had been out here about two years. Mr. Smith brought .£500, and was 
 living about three miles from Mr. Grant's, on what was known as the ' Mile Square.' 
 His daughter and Mrs. Pridham being of the same age, a warm friendship sprang up 
 between them ; but in the spring of the year 1822, Miss Smith was married to James 
 Evans, who owned a farm near St. Scholastique, and they went to live there, but two 
 years aftenvards they went to live in Upper Canada. 
 
 " About the first of June, finding it necessary to go to Montreal for things I 
 could not obtain where we lived, I walked the whole distance, as there was no means 
 of conveyance at that time. Staying the first night at Point Fortune, the next morn- 
 ing I started, and that day got as far as St. Ann's, and the next I finished my journey. 
 I started to return on the following Thursday, and reached home Saturday afternoon. 
 Before arriving, however, I heard that a son liad been born to us during my absence, 
 and I was much pleased to find that the report was true. , the spring of 1823, as I 
 saw but little chance of getting on where we then lived, I decided to change our place 
 of residence ; and having heard that Mr. iMacmillan, of Grenville, had a house to let, 
 at the head of the canal, I went to see him. It was not a regular dwelling house, but 
 had been built as a store house for the lumbermen ; it was two stories high. Mr. 
 Macmillan wanted p/^60, but when I demuried at the price, he said he would allow 
 me jC^5 ^ y^''^'', the first year, for putting up partitions in it, and /,'io a year, for the 
 four following years, for building a stable and shed. These terms I accepted, and 
 moved into the house igth March, 1823. 
 
 " A steamboat had been bailt that winter, at Hawkesbury, by a Mr. Mears ; it was 
 to run from Hawkesbury to Hull and Bytown, but it was a very poor affair. The 
 first year it made one trip per week, going up on Saturdays and returning on Wednes- 
 days. .. ..; ,,.,,. ,.; ,..•■■-.:.-,;•■- 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 373 
 
 a.m. we 
 he boat, 
 ind, and 
 and was 
 ached it, 
 rhere 'we 
 it. Ann's, 
 wing day 
 :ing now 
 house we 
 t as corn- 
 sent up a 
 here four 
 too much 
 lid a half 
 the house 
 Mr. Grant 
 I. 
 
 'anting to 
 gh to take 
 ore in our 
 e, and had 
 lavs, when 
 five and a 
 fhe Metho- 
 who were 
 and was 
 Square.' 
 prang up 
 to James 
 but two 
 
 things I 
 no means 
 ext morn- 
 y journey, 
 afternoon, 
 y absence, 
 1823, as I 
 our place 
 use to let, 
 louse, but 
 igh. Mr. 
 )uld allow 
 ar, for the 
 pted, and 
 
 lars ; it was 
 
 [fair. The 
 
 Wednes- 
 
 " We had been in the house only about a month when the river began to rise, 
 and the water came into the house to the depth of eigliteen inches on the first floor, 
 and we could neither get in nor out without a canoe. Tlie current around it, also, was 
 very strong. As I had fitted up the house for an hotel, I had to go to Montreal, on 
 foot again, for a license. When I left home tlie waterway- not in the house, but when 
 I returned I had to enter by means of a canoe. Tliis state of things continued until 
 the first week in June, and as our second oliild was born during the high water, it 
 may be imagined that our situation was anytliiiig hut pleasant. 
 
 " On the second of June, there was a terrible hurricane, and the river was so 
 rough that the waves dashed into the second story windows of our house, and nothing 
 saved the house from destruction by the wind but a very large chimney built at the 
 east end of it. During this heavy storm on Sunday, there was no one but my wife, 
 myself and our two infants in the house. We were much frightened, as a great many 
 trees were blown down in different directions. At this time there were only two 
 houses at the point, besides the one in which we lived. I had done no business for 
 some time and now there was a quarter's rent due, which, in addition to the gloom 
 cast over me by the storm and high water, made the prospect very sad. But the 
 water soon began to fall, rafts began to come down, and the canal laborers commenced 
 work, and thus business became brisk, and so continued till the close of navigation, 
 when work on the canal ceased, and tlie two com])anies of soldiers mover' to Montreal 
 lor winter quarters. There was a little business during the winter, however, as people 
 were always passing up and down the river, and so I made enough to pay the rent, 
 .uid had something left besides. 
 
 '' The next spring, the water did not rise so high, it being but nine inches in depth 
 on the floor of our house, and remained only a fortnight. That summer there was 
 .1 good deal of rafting, and the usual number of laborers on the canal. The steamer 
 continued to make one trip per week, and another small steamer was put on the river 
 at Lachine to run to Carillon 7'ia Vaudreuil. Business was very good, so that, besides 
 paying the rent, I was able to save something. In the fall of 1S24, Mr. Macmillan 
 induced me to buy a village iut from him, which was situated near the first lock, it 
 consisted of half an acre, for which I was to pay ;^ioo ($400), jQ(> ($24) annually, 
 till I could pay the principal. 
 
 " Having bought the lot, I began to make preparations for building ; as soon as the 
 snow fell, I hired three or four Canadians to get out timber, which cost me nothing as 
 woods surrounded us on every hand. By the 2nd of February, I had enough timber 
 1. ut and squared, to enal)le me to go to framing the building, which was to be fifty by 
 ihirty-two feet in size, and two stories in height. It was ready for raising by the 
 middle of March, and as there were very few people living on this side of the river, I 
 had to get men from Hawkesbury to help raise it. The first day we put up all the 
 frame except the plates, and as no one came over from Hawkesbury, the next morning 
 we undertook to put on the plates ourselves. In doing this, we knocked off too many 
 of the braces, and while the men were moving a long plate it struck a bent, pushed it 
 over, and down came all the frame together. Two men were badly hurt, one had 
 tlie calf of his leg torn off, and a splinter ran into the side of the other. I sent to St. 
 Andrews for a doctor, and he came up and dressed their wounds. The one who had 
 the wound in his side, a Canadian, got well in a few weeks, and the other, a .Scotch- 
 man named McDonald, was getting on nicely, when we were startled one mornmg 
 to find him dead. It seems that he became frightened from some cause in the night, 
 and getting up started the wound to bleeding again, and the fact being imnoticed by 
 his wife, he bled to death. I paid the expenses of his burial. 
 
 " After some days I had the carpenter examine the fallen frame, and get out new 
 
374 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 pieces to replace the broke.i ones, and also to lengthen the frame to fifty-six feet. 
 When this was done, we tried a second time to raise it, and succeeded to satisfaction. 
 In the winter I got some pine logs, and hired two men to saw them into boards, and 
 these 1 used to cover the building, Through skilful management I finally got the 
 house enclosed, and so far completed, that 1 used one end of it for a grocery store, 
 hiring a young man to manage it, and rented the other end to a man who employed 
 shoemakers to work in it, while my wife and myself continued to reside in the 
 house at the Point. The year 1825 was a sad year for us, for in addition to the 
 disaster of the new house on the 12th of July, our eldest little daughter, two years and 
 two months old, died, and Mrs. Pridham was also very sick, yet between the two 
 houses we did a pretty fair business. 
 
 " At the close of navigation I commenced to work at the new house, beginning at 
 daylight and working until nine o'clock every evening. There were three or four 
 soldiers left here to take charge of the Government tools and workshops. One of 
 them was a carpenter, and I hired him to work for me every evening after his own 
 work was done, from five to nine o'clock. In this way I had all the lower flat finished 
 by the first of May, so that we moved into it, and very glad were we to do so, and 
 escape the annoyance of the high water in the other house at the Point. In the early 
 winter previous to our removal, I walked to Montreal, and obtained a settlement of 
 my account with the merchant with whom I had been dealing, and found I owed him 
 above ;^i30. I told him I was building a large house and had it covered and clap- 
 boarded, and that as I had no funds to i)ay I would give him a mortgage on it, pay- 
 able in two years, and he was to furnish me with groceries and what other things I re- 
 quired. He accepted my offer, and we immediately went before a notary and had the 
 mortgage executed and signed. This year, a man named James Inglis came to 
 Grenville, and hiring a house called the ' Old Abbey 'from Mr. Macmillan, he opened 
 large store in it, and made a good deal of money. On moving into the new house, 
 i rented the old one to Levi Le Roy. and continued to rent it until my own lease expired 
 in 1828, when I gave it up. The summer following our removal I spent in finishing 
 the house, but did not get it entirely completed till the following spring. During the 
 winter I put up a stable and shed on the west side of the house, but as the Govern- 
 ment wanted to build a bridge at the east end of the lock, and my stable and shed 
 were in the way, they tore them down and i)ut up much better ones for me at the 
 cast side of my house. This last spring Mr, Macmillan made me his assistant in tlie 
 Post Ofiice as he was about moving to Montreal, and he also sold me one hundred 
 and ten acres of land at $10 per acre, giving me time for payment at six per cent, 
 interest. I sold one-half of it to Solomon Morris at t]>e same price I paid for it, and 
 the next year 1 sold one acre to Richard Mears, for a mill site, for ;^ioo. 
 
 " This year I did a good l)usines?, so that I was able to pay off some of the debts. 
 In the winter of 1827-28 I go; about twenty acres of the farm cut over, and the next 
 summer got it ready for a crop. The next winter, the Quebec Government granted 
 ;^5ooo to open a road from Grenville to Hull, and Thomas Kains and Benjamin 
 Papineau were appointed commissiorers to look after the work, and pay out the 
 money, Mr. Papineau having the upper half, and Mr. Kains the lower half of the 
 road. This winter I got out lumber to build a barn in the village, having succeeded 
 so well during the past year or two, that I was well nigh out of debt, and it was nol 
 long before the debts were entirely i)aid. In March, 1829, Mr. Stayner, the new 
 l)ep. Postmaster General, came here and found me in possession of the Post Office. 
 He visited every Post Office in Canada, which was not many, there being but eighty 
 in the two Province.s. After learning how I was in charge, he said that would not do, 
 as the postmaster must be a resident at his oflftce, and that he would have to make a 
 
HISTORY OF ARGKNTEUIL. 
 
 375 
 
 -six feet, 
 isfaction. 
 irds, and 
 y got the 
 ery store, 
 employed 
 ie in the 
 ion to the 
 years and 
 n tlie two 
 
 ;ginning at 
 e or four 
 One of 
 er his own 
 iat finished 
 io so, and 
 :n the early 
 ttlement of 
 I owed him 
 d and clap- 
 on it, pay- 
 things I re- 
 and had the 
 is came to 
 , he opened 
 new house, 
 ;ase expired 
 in finishing 
 During the 
 the Govern- 
 and shed 
 r me at the 
 Istant in tlie 
 ne hundred 
 |x per cent, 
 for it, and 
 
 Lf the debts. 
 Iind the next 
 ;nt granted 
 Id Benjamin 
 Ipay out the 
 1 half of the 
 succeeded 
 it was not 
 ir, the new- 
 Post Ofiice. 
 ^ but eighty 
 )uldnot do, 
 to make a 
 
 new appointment. In the year 1815, when I came over, Mr. Stayner was on the 
 vessel in which I came to Canada, he tlien being in the Commissary Department, I 
 Decame acquainted with him on the voyage, though he had quite forgotten me till I 
 mentioned the circumstance of our meeting. He said he would make inquiry res- 
 pecting me of the officers on the canal, and if they gave me a good cliaracter he might 
 ap])oint me postmaster. On the 1st of April, about two weeks afttr he was here, I 
 was gazetted postmaster of Grenville, and 1 have held the office ever since. I'lie mails 
 used to go up on the Hawkesbury side of the river from Montreal ; they came vid 
 St. P2ustache and St. Andrew's, and crossed at Carillon to Point Fortune, and so up 
 the south side of the river. The engineer officers advised Mr. Stayner to have the 
 mails come up on this side of the river, which he consented to do, and directed me 
 after my appointment to forward tham by the north shore, which I did. Mr. Mears, 
 who was postmaster at Hawkesbury, did ot like that, as he had to send his mail for 
 Montreal and Hull to the Grenville office. 
 
 " Mr. Stayner wrote me, that if the postmaster at Hawkesbury did not send his 
 mail over, I should hire a courier and send on the mail to Hull, and as the postmaster 
 did not send over his mail at the appointed time, I hired a courier and sent on to 
 Hull and Ottawa (then By-Town). The man I sent took the mail on his back as 
 it vvas not heavy, and tiie roads were beginning to break up. It took him two days 
 to go up and the same to return, the mail being sent only twice a week, and his 
 salary was $8 a trip. Mr. Stayner approved my course, and 1 learned that Mr. Mears 
 had represented to him that, on account of the bad state of the roads, it would be ira- 
 l)0ssible to send the mail on the north side of the river. The steamer commenced 
 running about the 19th April that year, and immediately after her first trip Mr. Mears 
 wrote to the Postmaster General that the steamer picked up the courier 1 had sent 
 on the 5th of April. Mr. Stayner wrote me at once to learn if this was the fact. I 
 tlien wrote to the Postmaster at Bytown (Ottawa), asking him to inform me at what 
 lime tiie courier I had despatched on the 5th of April arrived at his office. He im- 
 mediately wrote me that he arrived on the evening of the 6th. Tins letter I forwarded 
 to Mr. Stayner, and he then wrote a letter to Mr. Mears, reproving him sharply. 'I'he 
 letter answered, making an humble apology for his mistake, saying he had understood 
 liic captain of the steamer, that the courier he ])icked up left Grenville on the 5th. 
 
 " This spring (1829), I had my barn framed, raised and covered, and let two Cana- 
 dians have the land I cleared the previous summer, to sow wheat, giving me one- 
 lialf the crop, and I furnishing the seed. The crop was a fine one, and when the wheat 
 was cut the new barn was ready for storing it. This was a very good summer for 
 l)usiness, and I was quite successful. In the fall Mr. Stayner visited my office, and a 
 gentleman named Noah Freer, of Quebec, the attorney of Mrs. Taylor, wV.o had charge 
 ot her late husband's estate, came with him. He wanted some one to look after Mrs. 
 Taylor's lands in Grenville and collect the rents, and said Mr. Stayner had recom- 
 mended me for the purpose. I accepted his offer to me, and he soon afterward sent 
 me a power of attorney and a list of Mrs. Taylor's lands. Till the winter following, I 
 was kept quite busy looking after these lands, ascertaining who lived on them, com- 
 l)romising with them for the rents they owed, and granting new leases, which were 
 to continue in force ten years. This winter I did a good business, and, happily, got 
 clear of debt. In the spring of 1830, the steaner began to run three trips a week, 
 and the road fiom Grenville to Hull was opened up and made passable. Where the 
 river interfered, they established ferries, so that people could now travel with horses 
 and carriages. In the summer I employed a surveyor to trace out the lines on Mrs. 
 Taylor's estate, the whole quantity of land belonging to her in the townships was five 
 
376 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUtL. 
 
 thousand five hundred acres,* and I also leased much of it this season. I did mucl. 
 towards clearing the farm this year, and was blessed with good crops on the pan 
 already under cultivation. In the winter of 1831-32, I got out limber for another barn, 
 as I had men working at the one I formerly built, turning it iuto a dwellin- 
 house. 
 
 " In June of 1832, the cholera broke out, and everybody was greatly alarmed. 
 Very many died in Cirenville, and no city or town in Canada escaped it. One day, as 
 it was known that she had a case of cholera on board, the steamer was not permiiied 
 to land. It continued till the end of .September, when ihv country began to assumr 
 a more improved appearance. Notwithstanding the chohia, our business this year 
 was good, and the following winter 1 finished my new ban , which was 75 by 24 feel, 
 in size, and completed the work of turning the ether barn into a dwelling. The ex- 
 pense of doing this work was considerable, still I man; ged to keep clear of debt. 
 The next summer, as there was no cholera, people were once more in good spirits, 
 and our business prosjjered ; but we were soon toexperieice misfortune. In Decem- 
 ber, I K33, our little daughter Mary was so baaly scaldid, that for a while wc despaired 
 of her life; but by care she reccvertd, and on January 30ti), 1834, our house caught 
 fire from the chimiiey, and burned to the ground. There were plenty of peoi)ic 
 present, but it was so dry, and the fire had got under such headway, that it could not 
 be saved, md everything except what was in the lower story was lost. The evcniijL; 
 being fine, the fire was seen at St. Martin's near Montreal, and as far uj) as Buckin:;- 
 ham. Fortunately I saved everything belonging to the post office, books, etc, I 
 had now to build a house again, and I decided to build this time with stone, and in 
 such a way that I could add to it, as I should feel able. Accordingly, I prepared to 
 put up a house 42 by 2S feet, and meant to have it completed, so that we could move 
 into it in the fall ; but the masons I had engaged to build it were building a mill for Mi. 
 Dewar. and as they were much longer in completing it than they had anticipated, 
 they did not begin to work at mine till near September, 1835. It was the latter end 
 of March before we moved into it, and then Mrs. Pridham and I went to Montreal to 
 buy our stock of goods. 
 
 "The expense of building had been so much, that I had only about ;^i5o IcU 
 with which to purchase goods, so that I had to obtain them largely on credit. Whtn 
 we had them all packed up, Mr. Penner engaged fifteen trains to take them to 
 Grenville. As soon as they were opened out, we commenced business, in a smaii 
 way, and pjjpted the motto, 'Slow, but Suie,' and in this manner met the bills of 
 our merchants as they came due. In the winter of 1835-36, I put up a stable and 
 granary, 75 by 24 feet, which gave ample room to store the grain, of which I look in 
 a great deal from our customers. There was considerable wheat grown in those days. 
 in the adjacent townships, and I sometimes had several hundred bushels to disposr 
 of in the spring, as well as a large quantity of pease and oats." 
 
 The remaining pait of Mr. Pridham's autobiography, being more confined io 
 his own personal interests, is here condensed into a few brief facts. For a number ui 
 winters, until wood began to get scarce, he got out a large quantity of it each winter 
 lo supply the steamboat company, and from this source realized some profit, besides 
 clearing off his land. In 1831, he was gazetted Captain of Militia, and in 183S, 
 appointed Captain of a company of Volunteers, which numbered seventy-four. They 
 used to drill every Monday during the year 1838, after they were organized, and also 
 during the year 1839. I" ^853, Mr. Pridham was promoted to the rank cf Major, 
 
 •These lands were granted to her late husband, Col. George Taylor, who had been an ofllcci 
 in the British Army. He also purchased several more lots from settlers in Grenville, This Ian i, 
 or a portion of it, is still held by his heirs. 
 
I did mucl 
 
 on the pait 
 
 notherbarii, 
 
 a dwelliu., 
 
 ly alarmed 
 One day, a. 
 ot permilicd 
 n to assumi.' 
 ess this year 
 5 by 24 feel 
 ig. The ex- 
 ;lcar of debi. 
 guod spirits, 
 In Dcccm- 
 wc despaired 
 house caught 
 ,iy of people 
 . it could not 
 The eveniijL; 
 I as Budiin:;- 
 ooks, etc. I 
 (tone, and in 
 I prepared to 
 e could move 
 a mill for Mr. 
 anticipated, 
 e latter end 
 Montreal to 
 
 I ^150 lell 
 ■edit. When 
 ake them to 
 in a small 
 the bills of 
 a stable and 
 ich I took in 
 in those days. 
 Is to dispone 
 
 confined to 
 a number ot 
 each winter 
 rofit, besides 
 nd in 1838, 
 y-four. They 
 zed, and also 
 ik of Major, 
 
 been an officer 
 lie. This land, 
 
 HISTORY OF ARORNTEUIL. 
 
 377 
 
 and, the same year, was gazetted Lt.-Col. of Militia. In 1833, he was appointed 
 Justice of the Peace. He devoted considerable attention to his farm, and it is worthy 
 of note that he did not declare farming an unprofitable business, as many farmers of 
 tlie present claim. 
 
 An account he kept of this branch of his business for a few years, between 1845 
 and 1S50, shows that his farm, which was not a large <^ c, gave him a net profit of 
 nearly $300 annually. In April, 1864, his wife died, and about two years subse- 
 quently, he married a widow, Mrs. Evans, who. •• maiden name was Marv Smith, 
 mentioned in the first part of >he above sketch. She died in 1875, and he afterward 
 married Mrs. Dunn, a widow lady, well known to the writer, whose good works have 
 endeared her to many. She is still living, but Mr. Pridham died t3th February, 
 1S85, leaving eight sons and three daughters, Kdwin, Frederic, Daniel, Charles, 
 Richard, Ale.vander, George and James, and the daughters were respectively married 
 to the Rev. Mr. Sutton, Thomas Wilson, a merchant of Clarence, Ont., and John 
 Stewart, telegraph operator in St. Paul, Minn. Kdwin was for a long time in the for- 
 warding business in Montreal, and is now in the same business in the West ; 
 Frederick ii a superannuated employe of the Montreal Post Office ; Daniel is a rail- 
 way employe (adjuster of claims) in Denver, Colorado j Charles, deceased, was purser 
 on a boat ; Richard is a mail clerk in Manitoba; George, now deceased, was a Post 
 Office clerk in Winnipeg ; James is a railway clerk in Chicago. 
 
 Alexander Pridham, who still lives in Grenville, is one of the most prominent 
 and respected men of the county. He has been Mayor of Grenville village ever since 
 it was 'iicorporated in 1875 ; was Warden of the county ten or twelve years, and 
 once, in acquiescence to a recjuisition signed by a very large number of the influential 
 rate-payers, he consented to become the candidate of the Conservative Party of 
 .Argenteuil for the House of Commons ; but, later, resigned in favor of J. C. Wilson. 
 In 1879, he was appointed collector of canal tolls at Grenville, and about the saine 
 time was appointed Consular Agent of the United States for the Ottawa Valley. 
 
 Reuben Cook from Ticonderoga, N.Y., a U. E. Loyalist, is said to have found 
 his way into this section of the country about the year 1807. ^^ ^'■^^ settled in 
 Chatham, on what is now the farm of J. D. Clerihue. He sold out there and went to the 
 Islana in the Ottawa near Hawkesbury, and lived there for a time, but it is said that 
 Mears, the proprietor of the Island, failed to keep his promise to deed it to him, and 
 instead thereof, sold it to the Hamilton Bros. Surely we can but think, on learning 
 this fact, and another misfortune which befell Mr. Cook in placing loo much 
 confidence in others, that he must have been tempted with Job to exclaim, " All men 
 are liars." From the Island, he came to this township and took up the two lots of 
 land near Calurnet, which are now owned by Thomas Johnson and Nicholas 
 W'ainfield. Scarcely had he and his boys cleared the ground rerpiired for their 
 poti.toe patches and cornfields, when, late in the fall, one day, ayoung I-ishman, with 
 sad countenance, emaciated frame and tattered apparel, came to the house and 
 craved the hospitality of the family. Having been sick, he said, and unable for a while 
 to work, he wished, if they would kindly permit him, to remain until he recovered. 
 when he would gladly work to repay them for their trouble and expense. It was a 
 universal custom in these early days, among the pioneers, never to refuse to help 
 those who seemed in need ; and James Anderson, the young man referred to, found 
 an asylum in the house of Mr. Cook. He was a stranger ; no one knew anything 
 respecting him, save what he saw fit, himself, to reveal. He spent the entire winter 
 Viith Mr. Cook, never being asked to work, and working only when he felt so 
 inclined. He was there provided with a comfortable home, and common humanity 
 
 111 
 
 in 
 
 
378 
 
 HISTORY or AROENTEUII., 
 
 
 ■15 
 
 "i i -i, 
 
 should have prompted him to embrace every convenient occasion to show his 
 gratitude, instead of stinging, like the adder, the hand by which he had been warmed 
 and nourished. 
 
 During the winter Mr. Cook and his sons cut considerable timber, and wlu n 
 the river was free from ice, they formed it into a raft to take to the Quebec market, 
 It was arranged that his eldest son and one younger should go with the raft, and 
 thai young Anderson should accompany them. As Mr. Cook had compl ed with the 
 provisions of the law, and made the improvements on his lots necessary to secure liio 
 patent, he directed his son to go to the Crown Lands Office in Quebec, pay the 
 required 'ee, and secure it. But, unfortunately, the elder son was taken sick, and 
 remained at a house at the Back River near Nlontrcal. sending his younger brother 
 and Anderson on with the raft. At what particular time Satan entered into the heart 
 of this wily young man is not known, but it seems that the prospect of obtaining two 
 lots of land for nothing was a temptation which his moral nature was too weak to 
 resist. On arriving at Quebec, he went to the Land Office, represented himself as 
 the occupier of the lots of Mr. Cook, took oath to the improvements that had been 
 made thereon, and with the money which he in some way had obtained, jiaid the loo 
 demanded. He then, with the most brazen impudence and effrontery, returned to 
 Grenville, and demanded from Mr. Cook possession of the lots to which he had thus 
 fraudulently obtained the patent. Justice in these days, it can easily be imagined, 
 could be obtained only through the most indefiUigable efforts, and aftermuch lai)se of 
 time ; and so to , void further ve.xation and expense. Cook granted .'\nderson peaceful 
 possession of his ill-gotten land, and began to make improvements on another lot 
 adjacent, the same on which his grandson, Elisha Cook, now resides. 
 
 Tradition says that Anderson spent his life iiere. Ht never married, and in 
 consequence of his litigious proclivities, was usually involved in a law suit, and, 
 naturally, died poor. The descendaiits of Cook claim that Mrs. Cook was the first 
 person who ever sowed wheat in the township. On cleaning out a box for some ])ur- 
 pose, she found a small quantity of wheat in it, and a sudden whim to sow it occur- 
 ring, she selected a spot for the purpose in an enclosed field, and the yield being 
 remarkably large, the settlers in the vicinity at once decided in future to raise wheat. 
 
 Hiram, one of the sons of Mr. Cook, after l'*'ing in various places, retu'iied to 
 Grenville. He had several sons, but all save one found homes long ago in the West. 
 William, the one of Hiram Cook's sons who remained here, was appointed Secretary- 
 Treasurer of the Council when the village was incorporated in 1870, and still holds 
 the office. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 i^NGLlCAN CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest records that can be obtained of religious work in Grenville are those 
 m connection with the Rev. Joseph Abbott, the first Church of England clergyman 
 who settled in St. Andrews. We are ignorant of the date of his first arrival in 
 Grenville, but it is said he left this place for Abbottsford in 1828, and from that time 
 till his return, the Rev. Andrew Balfour conducted service in the schoolhouse. How- 
 ever thi;; may be, the following record shows that Mr. Abbott was here in April, 
 1831 : 
 
HISTORY OV AROENTEUIL» 
 
 379 
 
 show his 
 :en warmed 
 
 and will 11 
 )ec niarkei. 
 ie raft, and 
 'ed witli the 
 
 secure the 
 lec, pay tin; 
 n sick, and 
 iiger brother 
 .lo ihe liean 
 btaining two 
 loo weak to 
 i himself as 
 lat had been 
 
 paid tlie fee 
 returned to 
 
 1 he had thus 
 )e iniagineci, 
 niich la\>se of 
 rson peaceful 
 1 another lot 
 
 rried, and in 
 aw suit, and, 
 was the first 
 |for some j)!"- 
 sow it occur- 
 e yield being 
 raise wheat, 
 retunied to 
 in the West, 
 ted Secretary- 
 id still holds 
 
 /ille are those 
 id clergyman 
 Irst arrival in 
 Irom that liaie 
 llhouse. Hciw- 
 lere in April, 
 
 *' Faster Monday, 
 
 (luENViM.K, 4th April, i8,^t. 
 
 " At a vestry meeting held in the school house of this place, this day, pursuant 
 ** to public notice, were present : — 
 
 " Rev. Joscpli Abbott, Thomas Kains, F^scp, Kil Pridhain, Owen Owens, [ojin 
 " Ta>'or. Henry Atkinson, James ,\nderson, Joseph Hambly, Jas. Wheeler, Joseph 
 " Marshal, William Cousins. Samuel Ogiivy, Kdward Moreton, Robeit Anderson, 
 ■' Christopher Kdie. James Williamson, William William-^on, David Williamson, Ralph 
 " Horner, Benj. Patterson, Robert Rt-ason, Richard Ritchie, James l.oughlin, James 
 '' Cousins, Thomas B. White." 
 
 Edwin Pridham and Joseph Hambly were appointed church wardens. 
 
 Mr. Abbott, having been appointed Ihiriiar of Mctiill University, left for Montreal 
 in 1845, ^"<^' ^'^^ succeeded in tlrenvillc by the Rev. K. G. Sutton, who was followed 
 in September, 1847, ''Y '''^' ^*''^' Charles Forest, whose successors were as follows . 
 
 Rev. Frederick S. Neve, in 1859 ; Rev. J. H. Dixon, ir, 1871 ; Rev. John Rollit 
 (July), in 1875. 
 
 Mr. Rollit resigned in December, i8."^6, and was succeeded by Rev. A. J. (Ireer, 
 who was followed by the present incumbent, Rev. William Harris, in 1S89. 
 
 The church was erected in 1832, at a cost of $1 loo ; of this sum the l,orcl Jlishop 
 first gave $200, and subsecpientiy $100 ; (>ol. Taylor first subscribed .$roo, and after- 
 ward $40 ; members of the Royal Staff Corps were also liberal subscribers. 
 
 IM^RSHVTKkl.VN CHURCH. 
 
 A Presbyterian church edifice was erected in Grenville during the ministrations 
 of the Rev. Mr. Mair, while that clergyman was pastor of the church at Chatham. 
 As the church here has ever since been supplied by the minister located at Cliatiiam, 
 the history of the church at that place is believed to contain all that would be of 
 general public interest. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF GRENVILLE. 
 History ok its foundation, *v Rkv. J. Gascon. 
 
 The history of the Roman Catholic parish of Grenville is so intimately con- 
 nected with that of the whole County of Argenteuil, that it is impossible to study the 
 l)rogrcss of the former without admiring the rapid development of the latter. Besides, 
 it is an immutable principle admitted by all nations, that the foundation of happi- 
 ness and true progress are only lound in religious and Christian spirit. 
 
 Grenville was only an immense forest, inhabited by a few bold adventurers, when 
 the first missionaries came thither to pitch their tent and at the same time erect the 
 cross of Chi. 3t. Attracted as by an invincible loadstone, colonists gathered imme- 
 diately and settled around this symbol of their Redemption, around which they made 
 a rampart with their hearts and bodies against all outside attacks. Charmed by 
 the beauty of the country and the fertility of the soil, those first pioneers set cour- 
 aueously to work, resolved to make a " home for themselves." 
 
 Of course, we may presume that among the first who came to settle in this 
 part of the county of Argenteuil, there were men of difierent creeds and nationalities. 
 Irishmen, Scotchmen, Englishmen, Frenchmen vied generously one with the other, but 
 the struggle was peaceful, fair and loyal. Many of them were ignorant of the teachings 
 
 ill 
 
 ■#' 
 
38o 
 
 HISTORY OP ARGSNTEUIL. 
 
 of our divine and holy religion, but all were endowed with those noble and manly 
 qualities which make a man courageous, sympathetic and kind-hearted The 
 Roman Catholic Church, always filled with care for the spiritual and tempor.-t", 
 welfare of her children, sent some of her missionaries to soothe the griefs of those 
 brave colonists, sustani their courage and revive their hopes. Till then the wood- 
 cutter's axe alone had disturbed the silence (if that vast solitude ; henceforth, he 
 who will may repeat in nis seclusion the sublime and beautiful hymns of our divine 
 religion. 
 
 We do not possess any authentic document to fix the date when the first mission- 
 ary came to preach the Gospel in this part of the county of Argenteuil. The archives 
 of the Roman Catholic Church of Grenville do not nni any fartlier back than 1839. 
 The first official act was signed on the 17th of February of that year, by the Rev. J. B. 
 Bourassa, then in charge of the mission. But there is no doubt that several good 
 and zealous missionaries had visited this region many years before the date men- 
 tioned. Ihe first priests who in 1839 ministered to the new born colony were the 
 Revds. J. B. Bourassa, VVm. Do'an and J. D. Chariand. Rev. H. L. Girouard 
 became their successor in 1840, Revds. J. N. Papineau and Lefaivre in i84i,and 
 Revds. Fathers J. Henkendries, Wtn. Brady^ Morrisset and J. Colgan in 1842. Revd. 
 Mr. Colgan was then appointed parish priest of St. Andre, and administrator of the 
 mission of Grenville, up to the 2nd of May, 1845. 
 
 Revs. J. Theoret, Richard and G. Huberdcau wtre successively put in charge of 
 the mission in 1845, '^46 and 1847. Then iii TS4S and 1849, Rtvs. A. McDonell 
 and .\. M. Bourassa continued the apostolic work of their devoted predecessors. Rev. 
 Mr. Bourassa, who, some months ago, celebrated with g. uat pomp the 50th anniver- 
 sary of his ordination to the priesthood, has not forgotten the arduous beginnings ot 
 the Grenville Mission. How many good works were accomplished, how many griefs 
 sooilied, how many obstacles surmounted by those brave and pious soldiers of Christ. 
 They held an unshaky faith in the following words of the Holy Writ : " If God is for 
 us, who will be against us ? " 
 
 Rev. Mr, Bourassa remained in charge of the Grenville Mission till i85r, when 
 Rev. Father Tabaiet, O.M.I., succeeded him. The Roman Catholic people of 
 Grenville cherish the memory of that pious missionary, who was chosen in the 
 counsels of divine Providence to play so important a part in educational work in 
 Canada. The modest missionary of 1851 Vv-as to become, some inonths later, the learned 
 doctor, the distinguished economist, the great philosopher appointed to govern the 
 College of Ottawa, which has now become, owing to the kind patronage of His Grace, 
 Archbishop Duhamel, one of the finest Universities in North America. The people of 
 Grenville are loud in praise in speaking of the virtues and zeal of that humble mis- 
 sionary, whose memory will last forever among them. Rev. P. Molloy, O.M.I., so 
 well known an'l so dear to all the citizens of Ottawa, was a devoted assistant to the 
 Rev. P. Tabaret. At Grenville, as everywhere he ministered, l.e left behind hint 
 the memory of his givat charily and admirable humility. 
 
 From 1852 to 1857, the mission of Grenville was successively in charge of Revds. 
 M. Byrne, J. David, A. O'Mailey, J. GilHe, G. A. Ebrault, J. J. Collins and Trudeaii, 
 O.M.I. Rev. L. Jouvent was then appointed missionary on the 28th of March, 1858, 
 where he remained till 1862. A devoted priest, a loyal and honest citizen, he wa 
 destined to occupy a more important position. Several years later he was chosen 
 to be Vicar General of the diocese of Ottawa. He filled this important positi n up to 
 the time when he returned to France, his native country. His successor to the 
 mission of Grenville was the Rev. Mr. Mancip, parieh priest of L'Orignal. The first 
 official act bearing his signature is to the date of the 30th March, 1862. The Colony 
 of Grenville, which had already existed for several years, made great strides in the 
 
lid manly 
 ;d The 
 temporrt'. 
 i of those 
 the wood- 
 :'.efo'-th, he 
 jur divine 
 
 St mission- 
 le archives 
 ;han 1839. 
 Rev. J. B. 
 veral good 
 date men- 
 ly were the 
 ,. Girouard 
 \ 1841, and 
 842. Revd. 
 tator of the 
 
 n charge of 
 . McDonell 
 ssors. Rev. 
 Dth anniver- 
 :ginnings ot 
 many griefs 
 s of Christ, 
 f God is for 
 
 1 85 1, when 
 people of 
 [sen in the 
 Inal work in 
 the learned 
 govern the 
 His Grace, 
 lie people of 
 liumble mis- 
 , O.M.I. , so 
 Isiant to the 
 ichind him 
 
 [e of Revds. 
 id Trndean, 
 [arch, 1858. 
 sen, he wa 
 livas chosen 
 siti. n up to 
 bsor to the 
 The first 
 JThe Colony 
 [rides in the 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 W. 
 
 way of progress nnder the administration of Rev. Mr. Mancip. Up to that time, the 
 religious services were held in a small chapel, situated on the shore of the Long 
 Sault, a few steps only, it appears, from the spot where Doliard des Ormeaux and liis 
 sixteen companions generously shed their blood for the ;ialvation of New France. 
 That glorious soil, where are undoubtedly buried the relics of those brave and [ious 
 soldiers, is at present nothing more than a pasture for domestic animals. No stone, 
 no monument of any kind to tell the place where the niorlal remains of those brave 
 men are wailing for the great day of the general resurrection. Yet the devotion of 
 those 17 heroes, writes an historian, excels all that ancient aiiJ modern history con 
 show to us. It tells us to what sublime heroism \h.e souls of tlic first colonists of 
 Montreal had risen, those soldiers of the Virgin Mary, more anxious about Ciiristian 
 martyrdom than about human glory. We look witn impatience for the day when 
 gratitude and patriotism will determine the exact spot of that illustrious fight, and will 
 erect to the 17 heroes of " Long Sault " the monume-U "v)iich their generous sacri- 
 fice deserves. The reader will forgive us for the present aigression, inspired, not by 
 ;i spirit of vainglory, but in the hope that the heroism and virtues of our ancestors 
 related to, and remembered by all, will enlighten and guide future generations. 
 
 In i86c, as the Roman Catholic population ot Grenville had considerably in- 
 creased, they resolved to erect a church adapted to the wants of the people, 'i'he way 
 was opened, and the parishioners of Grenville went boldly and rapidly forward. They 
 would not let the missionaries enjoy alone the delicious fruits of sacrifice. After 
 much deliberation, the place of the ancient church was abandoned, and they chose for 
 the consiruction of the new temple a spot near the village, admirably situated at the 
 head of the " l^ong Sault." The work of constn:ction was completed in 1863. the 
 pastor and the faithful could look with pride upon a pretty stone church, built owing 
 to the pious devotion of the former and the great generosity of the latter. Ai the same 
 time the mission of Grenville was converted into a canonical parish, under the title of 
 " Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs." The new church was solemnly dedicated by His 
 Grace, Bishop Gingues. The ceremony took place in presence of immense crowds 
 of people, who were greatly affected when coniemphuing the results of their labors. 
 Their enthusiasm was certainly quite natural, for the colony of 1839 '""^^ made 
 great strides during that short period of time. Tlie colony had given place to the 
 mission, and in that day so much longed for, the mission was being replaced by a 
 canonical parisii. The events accomplished during that period are far in the past, 
 and now there remain onlv a few venerable witnesses of the beginnings of the Gren- 
 ville mission ; but tradition has transmitted from the fathers to the sons the pious 
 memory of the devoted missionaries who first ministered to the Catholic ))eopIe of 
 (irenville. We must here pay a grateful tribute of piaiseto the following gentlemen, 
 who, n the religious and civil order, left behind them some very precious examples 
 of disinterestedness, generosity, and patriotism. They always advocated good under- 
 standing, union of all men of good will for the benefit of the country. Who has not 
 heard of the good citizens of whom Grenville is proud, Messrs. John Howard, Patrick 
 Kelly, Thomas Mackam, Peter Trainer, Charles Johnstone, James Burns, sen., Orphir 
 Pilon, James Barron, James Grace, A. B. Philion, Michael Morane, Martin Lowe, Joseph 
 Seguin, John Johnstone, and many others, who for many reasons commanded the 
 esteem and respect of their fellow-citizens. Henceforth, young people may be inspired 
 nith their example, and. in their turn, walk in the way so nobly traced. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Foley, now paiish priest of Alu'onte, was the first parish priest of Gren- 
 ville. Beginning a new parish always requires of the priest who takes charge of it a 
 considerable amount of work, a constant disinterestedncsi, and much self sacrifice. 
 
 '1 he first parish priest of Grenville was endowed with all these qualities in no 
 
38 = 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 small degree. A man of duty, he devoted the ihree years of his ministry, not only 
 to the spiritual, but also to the temporal welfare of his parishioners. For this 
 reason, the people of Grenville cherish a fond remembrance of their fir.st pastor. 
 Mr Foley was appointed a canon and a member of the Chapter of His Grace the 
 Archbishop of Ottawa. 
 
 Rev. J. L. Chemiz succeeded Canon Foley in 1874. People are loud in their 
 praise of that good man for his wise and prudent aJministration. He left the parish 
 in the month of July, 1S77, and had for his successor Rev. M. O. B6rube, now parish 
 priest of 1/Orignal. Rev. Mr. Berub6, whose courtesy has become proverbial, is 
 the model of a i^ood parish priest. Endowed with a kind heart, a loyal and tVank 
 character, he was not long in gaining the affections of his people. When, in i88o, 
 his superiors aiipomted him |)arish priest of the fine and important place of L'Origna'. 
 it was not without regret that the jiarishiotiers uf Grtnville were separated frotn that 
 good priest whom they esteemed so highly. He left in Grenville some precious 
 examples of disinterestedness, devotion to sou!?, and public spirit and love of 
 pr. gress. 
 
 From iSSo to 1883 iluee devoted priests were successively parish priests of Gren 
 ville. Rev. ). J/. Fi;incoeur was appointed the first in 1880. He remained lI. ?re three 
 yiars, and dining that time worked energetically for the sjjiritual and temporal welfare 
 of liis ])arisii. Rev. i). J. Halde succeeded him on t!ie 15th of May, 1883, and Rev. 
 E. Dacier. on the 22nd of May, 1884,— all of whom left beiiind tliem a good name 
 and rtputalion. Zealous prit sts as they were, they had only the ambition of working 
 faithfully and successfully in the vineyarJ of the Lord, and winning souls to (}od. 
 
 Rev. Messire Sauve airived at Grenville in the month of ( )ctober, 1885. 1'^ 
 a])poititing Mr. .Sauve parish priest of Grenville, Arclibishop Dtihamel was aware 
 that he was pulling the right man in the right place. His kindness, his piety, mod- 
 esty and charity h.ive become proverbial in Grenville. J. IJ- Hormisdas Sauve w.is 
 born on ;he ijiliMay, 1851, of truly Christian jjarents. After a brilliant course of 
 studies at the Colleges of Montreal and Ottawa, he lisiene.i obediently 10 the voice of 
 God, who called him to the priesihood. When a student at the .Seminary of Ottawa 
 he held first rank, owing both to liis ability and \irtues. He was ordained to the 
 priesthood on the 30th of December. 1884, and appointed curate to La Pointe 
 Gatincau — a position which he orrnpied u]) to the month of October, 1885 — when 
 he was appointed to Grenville. A virtuous priest, he was also a loyal and disintere.-ted 
 citizen. As a priest he was a wise guide, a prudent adviser, a charitable pastor, 
 always read; 'o help the poor and console the unhai)py ones. " Love, poverty and 
 humility," was his moito. His constant fidelity to that golden rule gained for him 
 the esteem and popularity which he always enjoyed among his pari^hioners. 
 In i87or, when a regiment of Poniifica! Zouaves was enlisted to defend the illus- 
 trious Popo Pius IX, Messire Sauve, although still a young man, was one of the first 
 to generously offer the sacrifice of his life. He Wi.s the first Canadi;in wounded 
 under the walls of Rome, at the time of the capture of that city by the Piedmontese. 
 
 li becomes the priest to recount these things to his |)arishioners with ei'thusiasm, 
 always keeping in remembrance the devoted missionaries who have evangelized the 
 population of Grenville. May this brief sketch, inadequate as I deem it, help to 
 acquaint the present generation with many events in the history of Grenville which 
 must necessaiily be of interest. I would also that ii tend to prove diat which can 
 be attained by industry when our lives are governed by faith and guided by its 
 blight light. 
 
 The Rev. J. Gascon, the present priest at Grenville, was appointed to this 
 mis^ion in October, 1892. He was born at St. Agathe, County of Terrebonne, in 
 
 
 
:, not only 
 
 For this 
 
 irst pastor. 
 
 i Grace the 
 
 )iid in their 
 c the parish 
 now parish 
 roverbial, is 
 1 and frank 
 n, in 1880, 
 ifL'Orignal 
 d from that 
 ne precious 
 md love of 
 
 st3 of Gren 
 i il. ^re tiiree 
 loral welfare 
 53, and Rev. 
 good name 
 1 of working 
 1 to God. 
 r, 1885. In 
 1 was aware 
 piety, mod- 
 Sauve w.is 
 lit course of 
 the voice of 
 ' of Ottawa 
 ined to the 
 La Pointe 
 885— when 
 isiiuere.-ted 
 able pastor, 
 loverty and 
 Ined for him 
 nri>hioners. 
 d the illus- 
 of the first 
 im wounded 
 liedmonlese. 
 'tluisiasm, 
 igelizod the 
 it, help to 
 liville wiiich 
 It which can 
 |ded by its 
 
 ited to this 
 rebonne, in 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 383 
 
 1863, reared in Ottawa, and educated at the University of that city. He was ordained 
 priest in February, 1891, and after having served as assistant priest eighteen months, 
 he came to Grenville, where he has since remained, each succeeding year securing 
 more firmly and largely the affections and respect of his people. He is very 
 
 energetic, 
 
 METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 The first church formed in Grenville by this denomination was in 1854. There 
 are now three church edifices on this mission — one at Grenville village, one at 
 Chatham, and another at Calumet. There is also a good parsonage and outbuildings 
 at this village, which is the head of the mission. There is a good choir and Sabbath 
 School at every point on the Mission, and the Church generally is in a prosperous 
 condition. 
 
 GRENVILLE. 
 
 1854 
 1S55 
 185b 
 
 '857! 
 1858' 
 
 1^59 
 1S60 
 1861 
 1862 
 1863 
 1864 
 1865 
 1S66 
 1867 
 
 James Roy , . . 
 [r.nies Roy... 
 [ames Morris. 
 
 u u 
 
 MX: 
 
 ■^ E 
 s u 
 
 40 
 67 
 
 65 
 69 
 67 
 
 47 
 48 
 
 u ■ 
 
 s 
 
 •5 '^ 
 
 3 >— 
 
 $ 
 
 John V. Wilson 
 
 Kobert Graham , 
 
 Kobert Gralnni 
 
 Jose|ili Hill i 49 
 
 Joseph Hill : 64 
 
 George H. Kenny | 64 
 
 George H. Kenny 
 United with Lachute. 
 hbez B. Keough. . . . 
 
 56 
 
 CO 
 
 43 
 75 
 50 
 
 75 
 00 
 
 '5 
 07 
 6i 
 
 s 
 
 ■« 1 
 
 tinge 
 und. 
 
 calic 
 "und. 
 
 1 §^ 
 
 = *• 1 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 w I 
 
 $ 
 
 $ ! 
 
 I 50 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 60 
 
 SO 
 
 ' 75 
 
 50 
 
 ' 50 
 
 75 i 
 
 I 72 
 
 I 00 
 
 ' 79 
 
 I CO 
 
 2 55 
 
 I 01 
 
 I 76 
 
 7,S 
 
 0.,= 
 3 ^ 
 
 ! r^ 
 
 $ 
 
 4 82 
 
 5 00 
 
 4 00 
 
 2 90 
 
 3 00 
 
 3 00 
 I 97 
 
 5 IS 
 
 I 60 
 
 4 59 
 
 In 1872 the parsonage was burn*' and the .•■ecords destroyed, so that we are 
 unable to give the names of the ministers between that date and 1867. Rev. John 
 Corbett was the n 'nister then (t872) in charge, a id the following are his successors : 
 Revds. W. Nortoi R. G. Feek, Alex. Campbell, A. Raley, R. VV. Kechnie, ^V. Smith, 
 las. Watson, Chas. Deeprose, K. F. Oliver, \Vm. Howett, M..^., Andrew Galley, 
 E. A. Davis, B.A., A. Logan, \V. H. Stevens and D. Brh' 
 
 The Rev. David Brill, pastor of the Metiiodist Church at Grenvilh and Calu- 
 met, was born in Bagot, Renfrew County, Ontario, 27th November, 1859, and is a 
 son of John Brill and his wife, Elizabeth Hazlewood. 
 
 His early years were spent on a farm, and he received his higher scholastic 
 training under special instructors in his native county. He was converted and united 
 with the Methodist Church in 1859, and was soon made a class leader. In 186: he 
 was licensed as an exhorter, and the following year as local preacher, and soon after 
 this supplied as a young preacher, in the Renfrew and Clarendon .circuit, while he 
 was preaching in Thorne, Que. In 1863 he was stationed at Riceville Mission under 
 Rev. Z. B. Hitchcock as superintendent, and in the same year was removed to 
 
 1 
 
384 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 MJ 
 
 Osnabruck, with Rev. F. B. Slratton. On the 4th June, 1865, he was ordained Deacon 
 by Bishop D. Smith, and in June 1867, was ordained Elder by Bishop Richardson. 
 
 He was married, 7th February, 1866, to Miss MaryAmeh'a Pake, of Sheffifld, by 
 the presiding Elder, Rev. Benson Smith ; they have one son, John Wesley, and three 
 daughters— Emeline Jane, Clara Eliza and Nancy A. E. 
 
 Mr. Brill has been stationed by authority of the several conferences on the fol- 
 lowing circuits, viz. : Derligh, Mississippi, Huntley and Fitzroy, Renfrew, Edwards- 
 burg, Verona, Cannifton, Milford Bay, Hollovvell, Tweed, Cloyne, Toledo, Lombardy 
 and Burwick. 
 
 In California he was stationed at Bonan Church, in the city of San Jose, in 
 Brentwood, Byron and at Martine;., county seat of Contra Costa County. 
 
 When at Cannifton, in 1875, he received .t sunstroke, which so affected his 
 health, that under doctor's certificates the conference held at Kingston, in 1888, 
 gave him a superannuated station and a release to live by the sea coast for a time, 
 hence his stay in California. The change of climate had Uie desir-jd effect, and in 
 a few weeks he was able to do some work as a supply. 
 
 The Rev. D. Brill has served the conference as Registrar of Baptisms for two 
 years. Gracious Revivals have attended his ministry ; he has built and repaired 
 twenty-eight churches and parsonages, perhaps the greatest number of any minister 
 of his age in his conference. 
 
 When in Calitbrnia, as an invalid, he raised about $13,000 for church building, 
 etc. The following letter shows the esteem in which he was held. 
 
 F. F. Jewell, D.D., Presiding ") 
 Elder of Oakland District, I 
 925 Valencia St., San Fran- ,' 
 Cisco, Cal. j San Francisco, Cal., 22nd Feb., 1894. 
 
 The Rev. Wm. Jackson, D.D., President Montreal Conference of the Methodist 
 Church of Canada. 
 
 Dear Sir and Brother: — 
 
 Our esteemed brother, Rev. D. Brill, is about to leave us to return to the Con- 
 ference, where his membership has rem?-ined, while he has been with us in person and 
 useful work. His humble, faithful, untiring devotion to the cause of Christ, and our 
 common Methodism, has greatly endeared him to his brethren in the ministry and 
 laity here, and makes his going from us an occasion of tf/uc/i regret. He has evinced 
 remarkable qualifications in creating and improving church property, and leaves 
 monuments of his skill and industry in several fields of labor. Without exception, 
 he has been faithful in labor, kindly in spirit, and a Christian gentleman everywhere. 
 His family has maintained the same spirit and character, and will also bear with them 
 the affectionate regards of those who have known them. We would fain detain them 
 here, but the orderings of a Divine Providence seem to indicate otherwise. 
 
 We trust that this brother beloved may be spared many years to honor God in 
 effective service in his chosen and loved profession and calling. 
 
 Sincerely and cordially, 
 
 F. F, Jewell. 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 {Contributed.) 
 
 " In the month of May, 1887, Mr. A. J. Vining, a student of McMaster Hall, 
 " Toronto, visited this neighborhood and held evangelistic services in Betts' School- 
 " house (Gauley Settlement), about six miles northeast of Grenville Village. He wis 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 38: 
 
 Ined Deacon 
 chardson. 
 Sheffitld, by 
 y, and three 
 
 :s on the fol- 
 rt', Edwards- 
 0, Lombardy 
 
 San Jose, in 
 
 affected his 
 on, in 1 888, 
 t for a lime, 
 ,'ffect, and in 
 
 lisms for two 
 
 and repaired 
 
 1 any minister 
 
 Lirch building, 
 
 Feb., 1894. 
 he Methodist 
 
 :n to the Con- 
 in person and 
 jhrist, and oiu' 
 
 ministry and 
 te has evinced 
 
 ', and leaves 
 
 mt exception, 
 |n everywhere. 
 
 ;arwith them 
 h detain them 
 lise. 
 
 lonor God in 
 
 '. Jewell. 
 
 tMaster Hail, 
 Jetts' School- 
 Ige. He WIS 
 
 '• very successful, and many professed faith in Christ. Some old Baptist rnembers, 
 ■ and those recently converted, were formed into a regular Baptist church, ; nd, 
 •' having decided to accept the offer of Mr, John Stewart of a piece of land for a 
 '• church, they commenced at once to build. Ey 19th December of the same year, the 
 ■' edifice was completed, and on that day was dedicated to the service of God. 
 
 " It was built about 30 by 40 feet, with a seating capacity of 200. Commodious 
 " vestries have since been added. 
 
 '' Mr. Vining left in the fall, and the work was carried on by Rev. P. H. 
 '■' McEwen till May, 1888, when l.^r, A. N. Frith, student of McMaster Hail, took 
 " charge for the summer. He was followed by the Rev. George Brock, who served 
 " the church from October, i8i?, to May, 1889, and then gave place to the Rev. 
 '■ George Leehy, of McMaster, who remained until the following October. During 
 " the time of the latter's ministrations, a small building was ])urcliased in theGauley 
 '■* Settlement for week evening services, and was fitted up for that purpose. 
 
 " In October, 1889, the present pastor. Rev. J. Robinson, received an invitation 
 '' to become their pastor, and ^c^oted. He was born in England in 1845, entered 
 ' the ministry at the age of 23 , in 1881, came to Canada. Since that time he 
 
 " ha? been pastor of the Lewis Street (now called First Avenue) Baptist Cluuch, 
 " Toronto, the Sidney and Stilling churches, and of the present one at Grenvillc. 
 
 " Since settling at Grenville, a branch cause has been started at Avoca, where a 
 " student labors every summer. In November, 1892, a new church was opened at 
 "• Stonefield; it is the same size as that at Grenville, and the land for its site was given 
 " by Messrs. T. Owens and Reuben VVeldon. The membership, including Grenville, 
 " Stonefield and Avoca, is about 127. Thus, in six years, the Church has erected 
 " two new churches, purchased one building, sustained a pastor and kept a student 
 '• at work during the summer. They receive a small grant per year from the Baptist 
 " Mission Board, and are almost free from debt." 
 
 Since the above history of the Baptist Church was contributed, the Rev. Mr. 
 Kobinson has removed to another place, and he was succeeded at (rrenville, in May, 
 1895, by the Rev, J. Bonner, the present pastor. 
 
 David Williamson, sen., was one of the pioneers of Grenville, whose enterprise 
 contributed toward the activity of business, and whose descendants are among the 
 active business men of the township at the present. He was born in the County of 
 Down, Ireland, and when seven years of age, crossed tiie ocean with his father's 
 family in the sailing ship " Ploughman," which reached Quebec after a three months' 
 voyage. 
 
 The family consisted of eleven members; but he was the last survivor. They 
 first settled in Caledonia, Prescott County, Ont. ; but shortly afterward, in 1817, Ciime 
 '0 Grenville. In his earlier years he was engaged in transportif.g freight, and, later, 
 was in the forwarding business, his energy and genial nature causing his services to 
 be much sought by the lumbermen along the Ottawa. For a number of years he had 
 a line of stages between Grenville and Bytown, and carried the mail. In 1837 '^^ ^^'^^ 
 one of the first in the township to offer his services to his country, enlisting in the 
 company of Capt. Pridham. In 1838, he married Sarah Mclnnes, of Argyleshire, 
 Scotland. They had nine chilrden — five sons and four daughters ; of the latter, one 
 died in 1887. The remaining four sons are among the active men of Grenville Village. 
 David, the eldest, having quite early decided to follow commercial life, entered the 
 store of Messrs. Owens, of Stonefield, at Montebello, as clerk. In 1875 he opened a 
 store on his own account in this village, and is still in thesame business. He has 
 taken much interest in local affairs, and has been Municipal Councillor several years. 
 
386 
 
 HISTORY OK AKGENTEUII, 
 
 also School {Commissioner. He is telegraph operator, and has been postmister since 
 1875. Of his three brothers, Thomas has been a lockmaster at the village of Gren 
 vilie for 23 years. James, who is (\iptain on one of ih; river steamers, is also in the 
 {' rwarding business. 
 
 John \. is foreman on ilie canal. He belongs ii the Argenteiiil Rangers, and, 
 in 1866, at the time of tlie first Fenian Raid, was in C.ipt. R. Pridham's company, 
 which was sent on duty to St. Johns, Que., and Cornwall, Ont. 
 
 David Reeves, a member of tlie Royal Staff Corps, when a young man, in 
 1S04, enlisted in the J3rd Regmient of Light Dragoons. He served in the Peninsulai 
 war ; was wounded at tiio battle of Salavera, and subse([ucnily fought at \Vaterloo. 
 He received a pension from tlie British Government for his military services of .'s. 6d. 
 s'lcrling per day. After his regiment was disbanded, he enHsted in the Royal Staff 
 Corps, and arrived in Grenville in 1825. He was one of the members of this corps 
 who remained in the country after the canal was completed. He died in Lacliine, 
 and his wife died of chole.a in Grenville, in 1832. 
 
 Tiiey left three sons, one of whom died in K.ingston ; the other two, Christoiiher 
 and Daniel, still live iii Grenville, and are men much esteemed. Christopher, after 
 being engaged a number of years in the lumber business, purchased a farm, and on 
 this he now resides. Daniel was clerk in the store of George Kains for twenty-seven 
 years. He then, in 1859, hiied the store of Mr. Kains, bought iiis stcck ol goods 
 and continued in trade for himself. In 1876, having been quite successful in busmess, 
 he retired. He lias been Municipal Councillor and School Commissioner, but has 
 preferred to keep aloof from politics and public affairs. He was appointed Justice, 
 of the Peace, but declined to (jualify. 
 
 John Kelley, from Ireland, settled in Grenville, 1825, on a lot of land now owned 
 by Job" Howard. The house v\hich he built and used for an hotel is still standing. 
 Hf was accidentally drowned in 1X35, while fishing at the head of the Long Sault. 
 He left three scms and three daughters. One of his sons died many years ago. The 
 other two, Patrick and John, have been energetic, successful business men ; the former 
 in Grenville, tlie- latter in Carillon. Patrick Kelley, at the age of 12, enlisted in the 
 company of Volunteeis, commanded by Captain Pridham. He was very active, and 
 his youth, ])erhaps, rendering the excitement and equipage of military life more 
 fascinating to his mind, he :^oon outstripped his older comrades in knowledge and 
 practice of the drill. On one occasion, when Major Mayne was present, reviewing 
 the Volunteers, not liking the manner in which they were handled by the drill master, 
 an old soldier of the regular army, exclaimed : " Here, Kelley. step out and drill these 
 men.' The order, which was not more complimentary to Kelley than it was mortifying 
 to the drill master, was obeyed in a manner that gave much satisfaction to the major. 
 Mr. Kelley has been proprietor and manager of an hotel in this village for many years, 
 and has also engaged in the forwarding business. He has been interested, as well, 
 in the ])ublic affairs of the village, having served as Municipal Councillor, and was 
 Commissioner for the trial of small causes till he declined longer to act. His two 
 sons, John and E. P. I elley, contractors and forwaiders, also reside in the village. 
 Wm. H. Kelley, a third son, resides in Montreal, where he is engaged in the lumber 
 business. He exports large quantities, some years sending ten million feet to the 
 Slates. He lecenliy took a contract for supplying lumber for the Montreal Harbor 
 Inipiovements. He was married 13th September, 1887, to Estella Ann Carney, 
 daughter of P. Carney, of Roxton Falls, Que. 
 
 Lkvi Leroy, a son of Peter Francis LeRoy, whose father was one of the pioneers 
 at Chute au Blondeau, came to Grenville in 1827, anJ, as his vocation haJ been 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII.. 
 
 ^t7 
 
 ister since 
 ;e of Gren- 
 also in th^^ 
 
 iigers, and, 
 compar.y, 
 
 jg man, in 
 Peninsulai- 
 t Waterloo, 
 esof iS. 6d. 
 Royal Staff 
 f this corps 
 in Laclnne, 
 
 Christopher 
 topher, after 
 arm, and on 
 Lweniy-sevcii 
 ;ck of goods 
 1 in busmess, 
 )iK'r, but has 
 )inted Justice 
 
 d now owned 
 
 lill standing. 
 Long Sault. 
 rs ago. The 
 [v, liie former 
 Inlisted in the 
 y acuve, and 
 ry life more 
 lowledge and 
 nt, reviewing; 
 drill master, 
 ,nd drill these 
 as moriitying 
 to the major. 
 |r many years, 
 ■sled, as well, 
 [illor, and was 
 ct. His two 
 |n the village. 
 in the lumber 
 n feet to the 
 treal Harbor 
 Ann Carney, 
 
 If the pioneers 
 Ion hal beeu 
 
 h ielkeei)ing at the former place, he engaged in the sumo busmess at Grenville, his 
 lidusc standing on wjiat is known as the " Point." He h id also been a i)ilot, and, 
 it is said, lie was one of the very first wliose services were called in recpiisition on the 
 Ottawa. His house was frequented by lumber men and raftsmen, and thougii we do 
 !va know what the inteiior of this particular inn was like, we cannot refrain from 
 pietiiring in our imagination the scenes that must liavc greeted a traveller in the 
 luinil)Ic tavern, in those days of primitive simp'icily. What a contrast tlie house and 
 all its api)ointments must have been to the village hostelry of the present. No car- 
 I'Ctcd jjarlor with mahogany "ofa, gilded mirror, lace curtains, and highly polished 
 coal stove, awaited the traveller in those days. On tiie contrary, a large room, whose 
 only furniture was a few chairs and benches, and warmed by a rough stone fire-place, 
 in v,'hi<:h blazed a pile of logs and woo ] sufficient for many days in a stove of the 
 present manufacture. And what groujjs gathered around that blazing hearth. How 
 many tales of prowess, hardship, combats with wild beasts, or other adventures were 
 |ioiired forth during the wild stormy nights by the hardy men there assembied. 
 
 Mr. LeRoy was one of the number in Grenville who fell a prey to the cliolera in 
 1S32. After his death, his widow, who was a daughter of Reuben Cook, mentioned 
 on another jiage, continued the management of the hotel a dozen years or more, 
 when his son Orrin succeeded her. The latter, like his father, besides keeping hotel, 
 ,il?<) acted as pilot, and h vs followed the business for fifty years. He has vivid recol- 
 lections of the hardships recounted by his father and grandfather, which they 
 L'xjjcrienced in taking their grain to mill — the nearest mill being located on the one 
 hand at Hul', and the other at St. .Ann, 
 
 Hugh Ci.afk. — His irivndfalher, Clark, came from Scotland to this township, 
 when the canal was in process of construction. Ho afterward settled on a farm 
 ahuiii two miles' north of Gtenville Village, on a firm now owned and occupied by 
 his son, Robert Clark, and spent the re mainder of .,is days here. He had eight sons 
 and two daughters, of whom only his son Robert and one daughter now live in this 
 siction. His eldest son, John, who was emijioyed in different places, made Grenville 
 his home till he died in January, 1863. He liad three sons and two daughters, of 
 whom only two sons now live iiere. 
 
 Hugh, one of the latter, a carpenter by trade, was married in May, 1878, to 
 .Margaret Kllen Dewar, and lives in Grenville Village. 
 
 Mrs Emkrv Cushini;, now living in Grenville, is one of iho.ic remaining who 
 [saw ihj country soon after it merged from its primeval state, and now witnesses tie 
 i8;riiggles of the third generation, well advanced towards middle life, since she was 
 jbdrn. 
 
 Emery Gushing, as well as his brother Lemuel, was for many years a well-known 
 |ti;.;iire aUnig the Ottawa, also in Montreal. He was proprietor of an hotel in that 
 CUV. was largely engaged in the forwarding trade on the Ottawa, and had a line of 
 Icnai hes between Ottawa and Monireal. He died in ih-i latter city, where he spent 
 n\Q>\ of his life ; he had five sons and one daughter. His eldest son, F^niery, was for 
 iume lime clerk for his uncle, Lemuel Gushing ; he married Mary Ann McGuire. and 
 icttled ill Pembroke, Ont., where they lived many years. They had seven chil- 
 Iren — three sons and four daughters— two pairs of twins among the number. 
 
 .Arthur Gushing, the eldest s">n, has spent most of his li'"jon the Ottawa, being 
 •romoted by his emjiloyers as his faithfulness and ability gained their confidence. 
 Ill 1892, he was appointed Captain of the steamer " Ida," running between Ottawa 
 md Kingston, and the following year became Captain on the " Harry Bates." He 
 
 >> ti 
 i 
 
 <ui 
 
388 HISTORY OF AkGENTEUlL. 
 
 has recently abandoned the river, however, and is now proprietor of a public hou c 
 in Ottawa. He was married 261!) December, 1881, to Florence Graham of Ottawa; 
 she died in Novemb' 1882, and he was again married 2nd November, 1886, to 
 Mary Jane Burrows, 01 Chelsea, Que. 
 
 MERCANTILE. ' ^ ' ^ ■ 
 
 Besides David Williamson, who has already been mentioned, the following either 
 have been or now are engaged to a greater or less extent in mercantile life. All are 
 men accorded a VDice in the affairs of the township. 
 
 John Wilson, who came from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1816, with his family, 
 consisting of wife and five children, was for a number of years a prominent and suc- 
 cessful merchant in Grenville. He first settled near Montreal, and in a short time 
 opened a handoome store in that city. About 1828 ho removed to Greece's Point, 
 Chitham, from whicli place he came to Grenville in 1832. He engaged in mercantile 
 business on his arrival, and pursued it successfully till 1848, when he went to Cum- 
 berland, Ont., and died there a few years since at the advanced age of ninety. 
 
 Robert, his third son, remained in Grenville ; continued the business begun by 
 his father, and also took an interest in the schools and municipal matters of the ])lacc 
 — having served as School Commissioner and Municipal Councillor several years. In 
 1847, he married Jane Smart, and four sons were the fruit of this tnarriage — three of 
 whom are n^w alive. Mr. Wilson died in 1879. J"'^''' L. Wilson, one of the sons, 
 entered into partnership with his father, and soon succeeded to the entire business, 
 and continued it till 1882, when he retired. In i'^79, he was married to Eliza]. 
 Mooney; and still resides here, preferring the quiet of domestic, to the cares and 
 vexations of public life. 
 
 John Wade, one of the merchants, came here and opened a store about 18/5, 
 His grandfather was one of the early settlers of P>ast Hawkesbury, Ont., and after- 
 wards conducted an hotel at Greece's Point. Not long afier coming to Grenville, .Mr. 
 AVade built his present store, in which he keeps a good stock, and his enterprise has 
 led him to engage in other business which he vigorously prosecutes. He has a car- 
 riage and blacksmith shop, is engaged quite largely in the lumber trade, and owns a 
 tug boat called the " H. M. Mixer," He finds time also to serve his fellow-citi/eiis 
 as Sc.iool (Commissioner and Municipal Councillor In 1862, Ire married Catheriiii 
 Eraser, a granddaughter of Reuben Cook, of whom a sketch is given on anoaier 
 page. Mrs. Wade remembers many of the incidents of pioneer life related by iier 
 grand parents, one, particularly, which made a deep impression on her mind in the 
 d^ys of her childhood : Her grandfather, one day, espied a canoe coining down the 
 Ottawa, the only occupant of which seemed to be a woman. Seeing him at work oiil 
 shore, she rowed the canoe towards him, and when she landed, he learned, to Ins 
 surprise, that the canoe bore the dead body of her husband. This couple lived fatj 
 up the Ottawa, the husband sickened and died, and as there were no neighbors 1101 
 minister to bury him, his stricken wife determined to convey his body to a jtlaci 
 where it could receive Christian burial. This was her mission when she met Mrj 
 Cook, and he at once secured her all the aid required, and she had the consolition ol 
 seeing her husband properly interred in Grenville. 
 
 John Howard, who died in 1894, had been in business since 1855. He was 
 member of the Village Council for a decade or more, and was also a School Commii 
 sioner. He was much liked by all. 
 
 Jam 
 
 e-\t yeai 
 
 tter, M 
 
 is trait 
 
 'iJccess 
 
 as not C 
 
public house 
 1 of Ottawa; 
 l)er, i8?)6, lu 
 
 jllowingeitlior 
 . life. AU are 
 
 iUi his family, 
 uient and suc- 
 1 a short limt; 
 iveece's Point, 
 i in mercannle 
 ; went to Cum- 
 [ ninety, 
 iness begun by 
 Lers of the \>\i\ci 
 jveral years, hi 
 rriage — three of 
 jne of the sons, 
 entire business, j 
 rried to EUza .1 
 ) the cares and 
 
 ore about iSjj. 
 Ont., and alter- 
 
 Grenville, Mr. 
 is enterprise lu\s 
 
 1 He has a car- 
 bide, and owns a] 
 
 is fellow-citi/eiii 
 .anied Catherine 
 iven on another 
 [e related by m 
 Iher mind in M 
 :oming down M 
 him at work on 
 learned, to M 
 couple lived fat 
 JO neighbors iw( 
 )ody to a pUu* 
 len she met M' 
 le consjlitiono! 
 
 ,835. He was! 
 School Con\iws| 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTF.UII. jS^T' 
 
 James Barron, who is a son of Joseph Barron, a pioneer of Hawkesbury, has 
 been in the grocery business here for twenty-six years. He is clerk of the Commis- 
 sioners' Court, and has been bchool Commissioner several years. He was Captain for 
 some time on the steamer" Aid," for Col. George Smith, of Montreal. He married a 
 daughter of the late John Mason, lockmaster at Carillon. 
 
 John Cook has been in trade here for about thirty years. He aho has a 
 carriage, blacksniiih and harness shop, and has engaged to some extent in the 
 lumber business. He has been a Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, also a member' 
 of the Municipal Councils and of the Boai-1 of School Commissioners; his wife is a 
 granddaughter of Reuben Cook, mentioned on another page. 
 
 W. ']'. White, from Dairsee Muir, Fifeshire, Scotland, opened a store in Gren- 
 ville in 1877, in which he still trades. He, too, has been Municipal Councillor and 
 School Commissioner. He is also agent ''or the Ottawa Navigation Company, and 
 coiiduclor on the railroad train which m summer runs between Gtenville and 
 (heece's Point. Mr. While is a man of public spirit and much geniality. 
 
 James Miller came from Ireland to Canada in 1873, and to Grenville in 1875, 
 He has been in trade most of the time since, and has bee: a member of the Village 
 Council for several years. 
 
 Thomas and William Morrow, grandsons of a member of the Royal Staff 
 
 Corps, and sons of George Morrow, a farmer in Grenville, are doing a thriving 
 
 lusiness here in the mercantile line. They were formerly clerks in the store of Mr. 
 
 Pridham, and being enterprising young men they soon purchased his stock of goods 
 
 |,^nd engaged in trade on their own account. 
 
 William Bradshaw, who came from England in 1880, was employed about a 
 year in the bakeiy of Mr. Hope, at Lachute, then came to Grenville, maiTied, and 
 entered into business. A few years afterwards he went to Washington Territory, 
 iiiid was in Seattle during the great fire in that place. He rtairned to Grenville, 
 however, after an absence of two years, and began the manufacture of bread and 
 Icontectionery. He supplies not only the villagers, but many of the inhabitants of the 
 neighboring district. He also has a flour and feed store, and has recently opened 
 la grocery. 
 
 James Burns, jun., who ^-as been a general jobber in Grenville for more than 
 [twenty years, has a grocery and market on Canal Square. 
 
 William Thomas Hall came from Hawkesbury Village to Grenville in 1889, 
 
 |aiid entered mercantile life, which he had previously followed. Soon after his arrival 
 
 built the store in which his widow still trades, but he died two years subsequently. 
 
 LUbcrt E., one of his sons, with his mother, still continues the business, keeping a 
 
 jood stock of general merchandise. W'illiam S., another son, is studying dentistry 
 
 [11 the Royal College, Toronto. 
 
 James Gauley also opened a store in this village in 1875, but having died the 
 bexi year, his wife and sister, Elizabeth S. Gauley, continued the business. The 
 kter. Miss Gauley, very early displayed a penchant for trade and speculation, and 
 Ills trait having developed into rare business tact, has contributed much to the 
 luccess of the firm, yet she believes that no business can be truly prosperous that 
 p not Christian principles for its base. 
 
tgy. t ".' 
 
 ^ O' .'S 'W 
 
 390 
 
 HISTORY OF ARCENTKUIL. 
 
 PROFESSIONAL. 
 
 m 
 
 Dk. William Albert Mackay is of the same lineage as Mr. J. A. N. Matkay, 
 barrister of St. Andrews — a family of social and military distinction. The father (jf 
 Dr. Mackay was z Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia, and a notary for many years in 
 the county of Two Mountains The subject of our j)resent sketch was born at St. 
 Eustache, in 1861, and was educated at St. Laurent, at Hishojj's College, taking his 
 degree from the latter in 1884. After practising eight years in Pontiac, Que, Ik- 
 came to Grcnville, where he enjoys a large practice. He is a brother-in-l;nv of Mr. 
 Dansereau, I'oslmasier of Montreal, and his wife is a niece of the R. C. Bishop ni 
 Glengarry, Ont. A hrolher of the doctor is i)roprielor of the Belmont Retreat, .i 
 Gold Cuie establishment in Quebec city. 
 
 Ge( R<;k W. Prpntiss, i\LD , was born at Chelsea, Que., and studied medicine 
 withihe late Dr. Ri;ggles Church (late Attorney-General). He took a three yeais' 
 course at McGill, then atten<led lectures at Jiellevue, New York, returned, and took 
 his degree at McGill in 1803. After practising in Wisconsin, and in different parts 
 of Canada a few years, he settled in Greiiville in 1869, where he has since resided, 
 receivnig a fair share of i)atronage. He has, for a nutnber of years past, also had a 
 drug store in connection w'th his ofiticr 
 
 C. L. Bkauuuin, N.P., who has had considerable experience in the notarial 
 business in ot'-er places, located in Grenville a few years since He is proficient in 
 his professioiial practice ; writes both French and English. 
 
 A. B. FiLiON, who is one of the prominent public men in Grenville, has a fine 
 farm and residence about a mile from the village. He went from Western Ontario 
 to Arundel in 1866, and took up 600 acres of land, which is now occupied by his 
 second son. He came to Grenville in 1872, and two years later was appointed 
 Justice of the Peace, Forest Ranger of Argenteuil and parts of two adjoining coLinties, 
 and Secretary-Treasurer of the township and augmentation of Grenville. 
 
 Thomas Cumminos, a member of the Gordon Relief Expedition of 1884, is one 
 of the enterprising business men of this village. He was born in Grenville, and 
 found employment on the Ottawa early in life. In 1870 he became purs •• on a small 
 boat called the " Canada," which ran between Ottawa and Whitehall, N.V., stopping 
 at all the intermediate places. Two years later he became cai)tain of the same boa;, I 
 and afterwards held a similar jjosition on different tug boats. For some years he had 
 a contract for carrying the mail between Montebello and Carillon. In 1884 he 
 joined t!ie expedition that was sent to the relief of General Gordon, and sailed from 
 Quebec for London in the steamer "Circassian;" thence crossed to Calais, passed 
 through the north of France, Belgium, Germany and Austr-a, and sailed from 'rriest.I 
 for Alexandria. At Wady Haifa he was placed in command of the steamer " Mahala,' 
 which carried mails and soldiers between this place and another far up the Nile, 
 He was engaged six months on this expedition, and when the Relief Corps was dis , 
 ! ^nded Mr. Cummings received a medal from the British Government, and one aisoj 
 from the Khedive of Egypt, made from a cannon captured from Osman Digna. Hej 
 has several souvenirs of this trip, and among the curios brought from Egypt is al 
 copper coin, discovered i.. one cf her ancient tombs. Mr. Cummings, besides! 
 having a contract for conveying the mail between Grenville and Lost River, ail 
 p.esent keeps a boarding house and livery stable here. 
 
 Samuel J. Murray, a son of James Murray, mentioned elsewhere, married Elizal 
 Crooks in 1885, and opened a carriage and blacksmith shop here in 1887. He iT 
 also Municipal Councillor and School Commissioner. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 39 > 
 
 N. Matkay, 
 'he fallKT i)t 
 lany years in 
 i born a I S'. 
 le, taking his 
 iac, Quf., he 
 in-law of Mr. 
 
 C. Bishop itf 
 nt Retrtat, a 
 
 died medicine 
 [I three years' 
 ned, and took 
 different parts 
 since resided, 
 xst, also had a 
 
 m the notarial 
 s proficient in 
 
 le, has a fine 
 estern Ontario 
 ccupied by liis 
 was appcinled 
 )iningcoanties, 
 
 .le. 
 
 I of 1884, i^oiie 
 Grenville, and 
 ^r? >■ on a small I 
 N.'i., stopping I 
 the same boa'., 
 le years he IkuI 
 In 1884 he 
 Imd sailed from 
 Calais, passed] 
 hd from Triesto 
 Imer " Mahala," 
 Jir up the Nile, 
 Corps was dis I 
 It, and one also 
 |an Digna. Hej 
 from Egypt is al 
 [mings, beside? 
 Lost River, ail 
 
 , married Eliza 
 1887. He b[ 
 
 J(»SRPH DvvisON is one of the respected artisans of this village, who for forty 
 years has quiet iy and faithfully ministered to the comfort of his patrons. Fie i ame 
 from Donegal, county of Antrim, Ireland, to Canada in 1847. He was married in 
 1853 to Ellen Wyatt, of Hawkesbury Mills, and in May of the folio ving year settled in 
 (Irenville. They have had ten cliildren — eight sons and two daughters ; of these four 
 sons are deceased; tliree more and one daughter live in Vancouver, B.C.; William, 
 the remaining son is a farmer living in Grenville, and the otiier daughter is married 
 to Thomas Weir, postmaster at Cushing in Argenteuil. 
 
 Until recently there were two good hotels in Grenville — one owned by Mrs. 
 Mclntyre. which is now rented by La Belle, and the other by Louis Cham|)anc'. The 
 latter building was burnt a few months since. Mr. Champane has had considerable 
 experience in conducting hotels and liveiy, and in the hew building that he is about 
 erei:ting will, no doubt, sustain his reputation for efficiency in his business. 
 
 It is of great disadvantage to this village that the C.P.R. station is distant from 
 it about two miles ; yet this disadvantage is in a measure counterbalanced by the 
 convenience of having, during a portion of the year, ready communication with 
 Montreal l)y l)oat, or another branch of railway, and with Ottawa by boat. The 
 C.P.R. station is very pleasantly located on a level tract of land, to which a mountain 
 forms a most beautiful background. 
 
 James H. Hali'Knnv is the respected young station agent. He was born in 
 Ottawa, h arned telegraphy at Brittania, add entered the eini)loy of the C. P. U. in 
 1889; since that date he has been operator at different stations 0:1 this railway from 
 Alberta to Ottawa. He was appointed agent al Grenville in September, 18^2, and is 
 now also telegraph operator. 
 
 David Gill came from the county of Down, Ireland, to Hawkesbury Village, 
 about the year 1835. He afterward married Mary Eraser from Scotland, and about 
 1850 came to Greiiville, and bought 175 acres of land on the north shore of the Bay, 
 at the base of the mountain. He cleared up the greater part of this land, and it is 
 now a beautiful and productive farm. Mr. Cjill served as municipal councillor for 
 the Township, yet he had little desire for municipal offices. He died in 1875 ; Mrs. 
 Gill in 1858. They had six children — four sons and two daughters. The latter have 
 a millinery store in Grenville village ; two of the sons are in California ; John, another 
 son, who lives on the homestead, was married in 1883 to Janet P>skiije, of Montreal. 
 His farm and good buildings, with the Bay in front and the mount tin in the rear, is 
 sure to attract the notice of the passing traveler. James, liis eldest brother, who also 
 has a good farm in Grenville, was married in 1874, to Sarah Hayes, of East Hawkes- 
 bury, Ont. He belongs to the Argenteui' "^ "ngers, and both the brothers h.ave 
 scived as School Commissioners and Municipal Councillors. 
 
 Alexander Eraser, came from Banffshire, Scotland, to this country in 1832, 
 and first settled near Lachute, but two years later came to Grenville, and bought the 
 lot now owned and occupied by his son Alexander. He spent his remaining days 
 here, cleared up the greater part of his land, and died about i860. He left fi\'e sons 
 and four daughters. Alexander and his sister Isabella still live on the homestead ; 
 James, their brother, lives in Breadalbane. John, another brother, and the only one 
 besides those named above who lives in this section, resides on a farm of 120 acres 
 in a most pleasant rural locality, a little more than a mile from Grenville Village. In 
 1865 he married Mary Spratt of Hawkesbury, and the same year settled on his present 
 farm -vhich he has industriously cleared of the principal part of its virgin forest. 
 Fourof thechildien of Mr. and Mrs. Eraser, two sons and two daughters, are deceased, 
 
 Alexander G., their eldest son, when eighteen years of age, was caught by the 
 
I*.;i 
 
 392 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTF.UIL. 
 
 belt of a shaf. in a grist mill at Cahimel, and killed. They have eight children — three 
 sons and five daughters — now living. The home of Mr. Fraser, beside a babbling 
 brcok, with cozy dells and trees adjacent, is very pleasant, and one in which is 
 found genuinp Scotch liospitaliiy. 
 
 About a mile east cf the C. P. R. railway station of Grenville arc the Kingsev 
 Mills. Many years ajo a man named McMullen bought the land on which these 
 mills are located, and built n saw mill on the large brook which crosses the estate. 
 Ho afterward sold to a man named Wilson, who converted the saw mill into a grist 
 mill, or at least ground oat mill, leaving the boiling of it to be done by his customers. 
 
 It is claime(l that this was one of the first mills in the country, but Wilson scld 
 the property to James Hutchison, who in 1846 sold it to J(MIN J. Crooks who had 
 previously lived in Montreal. The land, consisting of 120 acres, Mr. Crooks has 
 chiefly cleared, and brought into a state of cultivation. The mill having been burnt, 
 he rebuilt it, putting in three run of stones, and, besides, manufactures oatmeal. But 
 as mills became more numerous in the country, he decided to grind only i)rovender, 
 and changed the mill into a woolen factory, which for a number of years has been of 
 great service to the farmers of this locality. Another enterprise in which Mr. 
 Crooks has engaged is that of brick making — having found a good quality of clay 
 on his farm for the ])urp()se, and there being no other brickyard in the Township. 
 He was married, in 1846, to Clementina Lummis, who came with his father's family 
 from England when she was but seven years old, her trip from Quebec to Montreal 
 being made on the " John Bull," one of the first steamers that ever plied between 
 these two cities. They have .six sons and four daughters, and to the former, the farm, 
 mill and brickyard provide ami)le employment. The commodious dwelling of Mr. 
 Crooks, which is nearly hidden by trees and shrubbery, is known as " Kingsey Hall." 
 
 About half a mile distant, and nearly north from Kingsey Mills, are the sawmill 
 and carriage shop of James Murrav. His father, John Murray, came from Belfast, 
 Ireland, to Grenville, soon after the construction of the can.1i had been commenced, 
 and being a carpenter by trade, he at once was employed in the locks. Not long 
 afterward, he look up the lot where his son now lives, and about 1846, erected thereon 
 a saw mill which continued in operation till ten years since, when the present circular 
 sawmill was erected. Mr. Murray died many years ago ; he had three sons and 
 three daughters ; all of the former and one of the latter are now living. Two of the 
 sons were members of Captain Pridham's company of Volunteers in the troubles 'i{ 
 1837-38. 
 
 James Murray is the only one of the sons who remained in this sef:tion. He 
 has always lived in the ho?iiestead, and in addition to the great amount c f work he 
 has jjerformed in clearing Ji his farm, and with his saw mill, carriage and blacksmith 
 shop — the two i::.i.er ci wj.ich he erected forty years ago — he has for a number of 
 years made an efficient iohool Commissioner. He was married, in 1851, to Sarah 
 Ogilvy; they have four sons and two daughters now living. The large piles of 
 lumber of almost every kind which Mr. Murray has for sale in his mill yard give 
 evidence both to the quantity of timber still found in this section, and to the energy 
 with which his mill is run. The country all about here was a wilderness when the 
 father of Mr. Murray came, and his only neighbor, who had settled here a short time 
 previous, was Mr. Hambly. 
 
 Abigail, a sister of Mr. Murray, married Andrew Stuart, and settled on a farm of 
 200 acres, about a mile distant from her parents. Mr. Stuart died here 27th January, 
 1892. They had twelve children who grew up ; one son, James A., and his sister 
 Sarah, live on the homestead — a fine estate — with their mother. Another of the 
 sons and two of the daughters settled in Grenville. 
 
mSlOKV OK ARGENTELML. 
 
 393 
 
 ren— three 
 ,1 l).ibhling 
 , which is 
 
 e KlNGSEY 
 
 hich these 
 the estate. 
 
 into a grist 
 
 customers. 
 
 tVilson scld 
 
 Ls who had 
 
 Crooks has 
 
 been burnt, 
 
 imeal. But 
 
 ! provender, 
 has heen of 
 
 1 whicli Mr. 
 
 lality of clay 
 
 n; Township. 
 
 ilhcr's family 
 10 Montreal 
 
 lied between 
 
 ner, the farm, 
 lling of Mr. 
 
 ingsey Hall." 
 
 ; the saw mill 
 from Belfast, 
 commenced, 
 s. Not long 
 xted thereon 
 isent circular 
 roc sons and 
 Two of the 
 c troubles ni 
 
 section. He 
 [u ( f work he 
 Id blacksmith 
 I a number of 
 1551, to Sarah 
 [large piles of 
 liU yard give 
 to the energy 
 [ess when the 
 a short time 
 
 Ion a farm of 
 L^ih January, 
 Id his sister 
 Lother of the 
 
 lo-Ei'M Hambiy, a sergeant in the Royal Staff Corps, came from Bodman, 
 Cornwall, England. I, ike many others wiio belonged to this Corps, lie determined 
 to remain in this country and take u|) land ; and so anxious was he to do so, that ho 
 l)urchised liis disch.itgc, when, in a short time afterward, to his surprise and chagrin, 
 the whole corps was discharged. .Mr. Hambiy iiaii six children — three sons and three 
 (liuigiiiers— who grew up. John, tlie son, who lias always lived on the homestead, 
 uliich consists of 2C0 acres, was married in 1S47 to Jane Clark ; she died in 1864, 
 and in 1S70 he mariieil Kupiiemia Cameron, he has eight children — four sons and 
 
 fiiur dau^ihlers — still ip'in^ 
 
 One of his daughters, S. J. Hambiy, is Postmistress at 
 
 Calumet ; Catherine, another daughter, was married ist June, 1856, to William 
 Me Iniyre, grandson of a pioneer on Beech Ridge, St. Andrews. He lives near Mr. 
 Hambiy, his fatiier-in-Iaw, and now manages tlit farm. He has two brotliers at 
 Cammet; one is proprietor of mills in that place; the other foreman of the Boom 
 Company at the mouth of the River Rouge. 
 
 Mr. Hambiy was a member of Captain Richard Pridham's company of Volun- 
 teers, at Cornwall. He has been a bailiff for many years, and has seen much of the 
 rough life in Crenville in the past ; but his interest is now centered in the future and 
 higher life. Baptist clcigymen, in recent years, have labored with some success in 
 this section, and Mr. Hambiy and wife, with their daughter, .Mrs, Mclntyre, and iier 
 liusband, united with the Ba[)tist Church. 
 
 It seems somewhat singuhtr, that while wolves infested localities only a few 
 miles from this place, when the country was new, they were seldom seen here, although 
 bears were quite numerous, and "re even yet occasionally seen on the adjacent 
 mountain, and now and then one is killed. 
 
 Andrew Kerr was one of the Royal Staff Corps, and came from Scotland with 
 his family. After his discharge he took up one hundred acres, which is now the 
 lionie of his grandson, Andrew Kerr. He had one son, Andrew, and three daughters. 
 As he knew but little about chopping, this work devolved chiefly on the son. The 
 latter was married 5th August, 1851, to Callierine McGillivray, and as the homestead 
 was several miles from the Ottawa, and there being no road, lie had many liardshii)s 
 10 contend with, such as carrying grists on his back to tiie river, and after he had 
 crossed into Hawkesbury carrying them some distance farther to the mills. But like 
 other men of tiiat time, he did not falter, and in process of time enjoyed the reward 
 of iiis labor. He has had twelve children — five sons and seven daughters ; three of 
 the latter, married, live in Cirenviile. Andrew, one of the sons, was married 12th 
 July, 1886, to Jane Nickerson ; his parents live with him on the homestead. The 
 farm sustains twenty-four head of cattle, forty-two sheep, with horses ; and the home, 
 most pleasant and rural in aspect, gives evidence that peace and plenty abound in it. 
 
 Methodist ministers found their way, occasionally, into this part of Grenville 
 I many years ago, but they have held service regularly in school houses for the last 
 live or six years. Presbyterian clergymen, or students, have lieid service here fort- 
 nightly for twenty years. Their old church was replaced ir. 1890 by a neat new 
 joiie called " Mountain Church." . ,., , 
 
 JAMES McArthur lives in the rear of Cirenviile, about a mile east of the road 
 Ininiiing to Lost River; his sister Mary, and his father, Lachlan McArthur, compi'.-;- 
 liiig the entire family. The hardships through which the latter olJ gentleman has 
 Ipasscd are calculated to awaken our astonishment at the capacity of human endur- 
 jancc. He was born in Kilciioman Parish, on the Island of Islay, Argyleshire, Scot- 
 lland, but had lived in Glasgow a few years, and left his wife and two children there, 
 Iwhen he sailed for this country, June, 1S46 ; he was six weeks on the voyage. An 
 
 26 
 
394 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 uncle owned and occupied the property where he now lives in Grenville, and to iiis 
 house he first came. He found emplo^ ment in Grenville and Harrington for a few- 
 years, and had been here six, wlien his wife and children arrived. In 1857. he took 
 up two hundred acres of land in Harrington Glen, in the loth Range, at the south 
 end of Bevin's Lake. Although at so recent a date, owing to his distance in the 
 forest and the absence of roads, he had to meet all the hardships and privations 
 experienced by pioneers in the first decade of this century. 
 
 I'he cabin which he had built for his family, and to which in October he first took 
 them, was five rn iles north of their nearest neighbor, John McCuUoch. In March 
 following, William Thompson became his nearest neighbor, six miles distant, in 
 Arundel, on the north. It was a cold day when he started with his wife and infant, a 
 bag of oatmeal, a bag of salt, an axe and gun, for their future home. At Mr. Donald 
 Fraser's he engaged Mr. Eraser's son, Colin, then fifteen years old, to row them some 
 distance down the lake. The canoe was old .nnd leaked badly, and their condition 
 was in nowise improved by a violent storm of sleet which struck them soon after they 
 had embarked. Mr. McArthur threw a shawl over his wife's head and the infant in 
 her arms, admonishing her to keep it there, to protect the child from the storm. 
 AV'hile anxious that this should be done, he was more anxious that his wife should 
 not notice the rapidity with which the boat was filling, and become frightened, 
 hence, he tVequently exhorted her to keep her face and the chi'd covered. The high 
 rocky shore jirevented their landing, and the only hope was that the boat would float 
 till they reached a jioint where they could land. At last, as they drew near shore, but 
 where the water was still six feet deep, the canoe sank. The boy was brave and 
 strong, and did all he could to assist, and Mr. McArthur, being a capital swimmer, 
 soon had his wife and child, as well as everything else, safe on shore. Here 
 Mrs. McArthur and the child remained, while he and Fraser went a mile 
 and a half and procured another canoe. In this, they continued their journey some 
 distance further, till they reached McDonald's deserted shanty, when Fraser returned 
 with the boat. Mr. McArthur's matches being wet he could not kindle a fire, so, 
 leaving his wet oatmeal, salt and tools in the shanty till the next day, he and his wile 
 travelled in their wet garments through the cold wind, three mi'es to their new 
 home. Happy indeed would they have been, had this been the last of the hardships 
 they were to encounter in this place. The next spring he had enough land cleared, 
 with his wife's help, to enable him to plant and sow. Having neither horse nor 
 oxen, they hoed in their giain — six bushels of oats — and planted ten bushels ol' 
 potatoes. In a year or two afterward he obtained a yoke of oxen, and then felt that 
 he was quite independent. Dalesville — twenty-six miles distant — was the nearest 
 point where he could reach a mill; and to this place he used to go in the winter j 
 through tlie woods, making his own road most of ihe way through the snow, three or j 
 four feet deep. His oxen at such times were yoked singly, each drawing a smal 
 sled, the journey occupying two or three days. 
 
 On one occasion, taking a quintal offlouron his back at his uncle's, in Grenville,! 
 he star'.ed for home, which v/as also about twenty-six miles distant; his course was; 
 marked only by blazed trees. When he reached the lake, at a point called tk' j 
 Narrows, where it was not more than half a mile in breadth, the boat happening (0 be 
 on the opposite side he had to swim the lake to get it, and then return for his hour, 
 After taking dinner at Mr. McCulloch's, he once more took up his load and traveller; 
 on, reaching home that evening. To us of the present day, the thought of carryind 
 a load of one hundred and twelve pounds twenty-six miles, on one's back, i 
 appalling — indeed, it seems incredible that the feat could be accomplished by a rnanj 
 of ordinary size unless endowed with superhuman strength. Mr. McArthur is nol| 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 395 
 
 .nd to liis 
 
 for a few 
 -7 , he took 
 
 tlie soutli 
 ice in the 
 
 privations 
 
 e first took 
 In March 
 distant, in 
 nd infant, a 
 Mr. Donald 
 ,' ihem some 
 ;ir condition 
 on after they 
 the infant in 
 n the storm, 
 wife should 
 . frightened, 
 1 The high 
 at would float 
 ear shore, but 
 'as brave and 
 ,ital swimmer, 
 shore. Here 
 went a mile 
 journey some 
 Iraser returned 
 inJle a fire, so, 
 lie and his wite 
 to their new 
 the hardships 
 land cleared. 
 [her horse nor 
 |en bushels of 
 then felt iIki'^ 
 s the nearest i 
 ' in the winter 1 
 snow, three or 
 [rawing a sniai. 
 
 L in Grenville, 
 [is course \ni 
 tnt called the 
 ippcning to be 
 In for his flout; 
 Id and travellea 
 ^ht of carrying 
 one's back, is 
 tshed by a niaBl 
 IcArthur is n"' 
 
 an exceptionally large man, his height not exceeding five feet nine or ten inches, and 
 his average weight in those days being one hundred and seventy-five pounds. 
 
 On another occasion he took a barrel of flour at his uncle's, and putting it in 
 tn-o sacks, placed them on his horse, and started on a br-'le path for home via Lost 
 River. Coming to a morass, through which he dare not lead liis horse, he hitched 
 hinir took the two sacks — 196 lbs. — on his back, carried them half a mile around, 
 left them, and then returned for his horse. 
 
 Mr. Mc.Vrtlii'.r had cleared asuace of forty acres on his new f.irm, all of which he 
 and his wife logged, had obtained a team .ind cows, and was beginning to feel that 
 ':11s days of penury had passed, when he suddenly lost everything he possessed — the 
 result of an unlucky venture in lumbering. 
 
 '■ Juilge not the Lord by feeble sense, 
 Hilt trust Him for His grace ; 
 liehind a frowning Providence, 
 He hides a smiling face." 
 
 Mr. Mc.Artluir, by a sudden turn of fortune, was, not long afterward, set on his 
 feet again, and now enjoys a happy home with his son and daughter. Mrs. Mc- 
 Arthur died April 25th, 1893. She had been a remarkably strong and industrious 
 ^voman, and a nelp-meet in every sense of the word. Lizzie, the child who came so 
 near being drowned in Bevin's Lake, is now Mrs. Jolnison Smith, of Chatham — the 
 mistress of a pleasant and comfortable home. James, the sou, who now manages the 
 homestead, has lately returned from British Columbia, where for five years he was 
 industriously employed in a lumber camp ; he now has a good farm of one hundred 
 and sixty acres, with stock and sheep in ])lenty. 
 
 Farther back, towards Harrington, near the roadside, is a very pretty little body 
 of water known as Cook's Lake, Mr. Hugh Cook's fine nev/ house fronting it. 
 
 Such lakes or ])onds are quite numerous in this part of (irenville — three or four 
 lying near tlie road. In this section are the homesteads of other pioneers, Living- 
 stone, McVic.ir and McLean. 
 
 ARCHiiiAi.n Livingstone, from the Isle of Mull, Argylcshire, Scotland, was a 
 member of the Royal Staff Corps . After his discharge he took up 300 acres of land, 
 wiiich is now owned and occupied by Archibald Steele. He lived and died at this 
 place, his last days being spent with his son Alexander ; he had tiiree suns and v>vo 
 daughters. 
 
 Alexander, his second son, married Catlierine McDonald, and took up 350 acres 
 near the homestead, which is now the home of his own son, John Livingstone, He 
 ciearedabout 15 acres of this, and died 23rd February, 1890; Mrs. Livingstone died 
 4tli May, 1884. They had twelve children ; eleven — three sons and eight daughters, 
 a'rcw up ; one of the former and four of the latter are married Archibald, tne eldest 
 sou, married; lives in \\'yoming ; Catherine, one daughter, manied to Charles 
 Webster, lives in Ottawa ; Jane, married to William S. Hall, lives in Cumberland, 
 Ont.; Flora, married to Frederick Rodgers, lives in Montreal ; Isabella, the young- 
 est, w"iose husband, A'^uibald Cameron, died recently, now lives on the homesfcad 
 \vi;h her brother. Annie lives in New York ; Maggie in Hawkesbury, Ont.;and Mary 
 with her brother on the homestead, all forming a respected Christian family. 
 
 Hugh McVk ar came 10 Chatham, Que., in 182 1, and for six years was em- 
 ployed on the canal. He afterward obtained 100 acres of lai.d in the rear of Gren- 
 v'lle,on which his son Hugh now lives. He and his sons cleared the land, which is 
 new a part of a good farm of 200 acres. Mr. McVicardied in 1^57. The son, Hugh, 
 was married September 5th, i860, to Mary McLean. They have one son, Hugh, and 
 one daughter, Catherine, who live with them. 
 
39^ 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 On an adjoining farm lives Ciiarles McLean, who is mentioned in the history of 
 Avoca. The farm is the old homestead where the father first settled ; a good farm and 
 a ])leasant home. 
 
 James McKnight, from tlie County Down, near Belfast, Ireland, came to 
 Canada in May, 1850, and settled in the west part of Gore, on a (ivrm now owned by 
 his sun John. He died there in October, 1879; his wife died in November, 1S77 
 They had but two sons. John and Robert ; the latter lives in Manitolxi. 
 John lived near the iiomestead till the spring of 1885, when- he removed to Gren- 
 ville, though he still owns his farm in Gore, as well as that which belonged to his 
 father, — in all. 200 acres. He was married i6th March, 1856, to Jane McMahon ; 
 she died 9th July, 1893. They had five sons and three daughters— ail still 'iving. 
 The eldest daughter, married to James McKnight, liv^s in Manitoba. One son, 
 Robert, 27 years old, was drowned while bathing at La Belle Falls, in July, 1889. 
 He was a young man highly respected, and his sad death was a severe blow to his 
 parents, and caused mucii sorrow in a large circle of friends. 
 
 When Mr. McKnight lived in Gore, he was for some time engaged as foreman 
 in the construction of railways, and an active member of the Argenteuil Rangers, 
 being ensign of Company No. 3. During the Fenian raids, he was called with th.e 
 Volunteers to Cornwall and several other places. Besides his propt •' ' in tlie Gore, 
 he has a good farm of 350 acres in the 9th and loth Ranges of Grcn -l] lere he now 
 lives. 
 
 It was hete that the son of Mr. McKnight lost his life in July, 1889. Just at the 
 base of the cliffs which form the fall, a cold mountain stream enters the bay. Mc- 
 Knight, very warm from work in the hay-lield, with two other young men, approached 
 the bay, and he at once prepared to take a swim. Making his way toward a ])art 01 
 the beach near the fall, he had just reached the place where the ccld brook water 
 enters, vhen he was seen to throw up his hands and disappear. As he \/as a capital 
 swimmer, his companions supposed he was merely perlorming oi-e of his feats ; bat 
 when, in a few moments, he did not reappear, their fears were aroused. Diligent 
 search was kept up fo. a day or two before his body was recove'-cd, and this v/as ouiy 
 accomplished by means of grappling irons. It is supposed that cramps were pro- 
 duced by the action of the cold water on his heated body. 
 
 This section is the home of Edward Allen, M.D., who came to Avoca in 1S81, 
 and who now lives in Grenville ; he has quite a practice here and in adjoining towr,- 
 ships, as Well as in the neighboring county, Ottawa. He was born in San Fr? ■-■-ci\ 
 educated in Harvard University, and began practice in Boston. 
 
 LA BELLE FALLS. 
 
 Near the farm of Mr. McKnight, the river Rouge, which thus fur runs parallel 
 with the highway, and near it, makes a sudden turn, nearly forming a right angle. Tlie 
 river expands into quite a bay at this point, along the shore of which for some dis- 
 tance in the summer season is a broad, sandy beach, not unlike the sea shore. On the 
 farther side of this picturesque bay, from the road, rise sleep mountain cliffs, throuuh 
 a narrow gorge of which, the river, compressed into one-eighth its usual width, poms 
 with a wild rush, and falls several feet into the boiling caiddron below. There is a 
 wild grandeur in the scene, which is not a little enhanced at times when f!ie river is 
 swollen, and the logs of lumbermen with a mad rush come through, dive perpen- 
 dicularly into the seething abyss, then, as in a battle of demons, roll, wrcbUe, and 
 pound each other, till stripped and scarre(l, they are forced into more quiet waters. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 397 
 
 e history of 
 id farm and 
 
 J, came i'> 
 iv owned by 
 nber, 1877 
 Manitoba, 
 jd to Gren- 
 nged to his 
 McVlahon •. 
 1 still living. 
 . One son, 
 1 July, 1S89. 
 . blow to his 
 
 i as foreman 
 
 nil Rangers, 
 
 lied with the 
 
 in the Gore, 
 
 lere he now 
 
 ;), Just at the 
 he bay. Ml- 
 >, approached 
 ard a part 01 
 brook water 
 \,'as a capitnl 
 lis feats ;. but 
 tl. Diligent 
 this was oniy 
 jiips were pio- 
 
 ,voca in ibSi, 
 Jjoining town 
 Ian FrPi'^'.sco, 
 
 ■- runs paraliei 
 lilt angle, 'l'''^' 
 [or some di-^ 
 shore. On il.t 
 Icliffs, through 
 width, pom? 
 There is a 
 In the river !■- 
 dive perpeiv 
 I, wrebUe, and 
 iqtu?i waiciN 
 
 .lul drift silently away. As only a front view of the river and falls can be obtained 
 without clirrbing midway of the mountain, and out on the rocky p'ateau twenty-five or 
 thirty feet above the falls, curiosity sometimes impels one to do so, and he is well 
 rei)aid for his trouble. Another fall, very similar to the lower one, occurs a few rods 
 back, beyond which is another bay, only the lower part of which is visible, on account 
 of a turn in the stream around high projecting cliffs. These falls have a gruesome 
 liistory : 
 
 About the ye.r 1857, a young Presbyterian student, who was preaching in this 
 section, went out fishing one day. Not returning at nightfall, se-jch was made for 
 him, and his boots and stockings were found on the heigiits above the falls, where it 
 was supposed he had removed liiem to approach the brink ')f the cliff to look over. 
 His body was found the . ;xt day near tiie siiore below liic lall, and it was generally 
 bcHeved he had slipjiedon the cliff and fallen off. 
 
 Near the La Delle Falls by the roadside stands the cottage of Joskph Gf.kgan, 
 a very intelligent old gentleman, who for many years was keeper of the McTavish 
 Light House, near Point an CiiC'ne. He was married 22nd November, i86o, to Ann 
 McCallum, eldest child of Captain Alexander Mc(?alluni. Archie, the eldest son of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Geegan, died i4lh November, 1892, at the age of 29. He was an 
 exemplary young man, beloved by all who knew him, and his death was a severe 
 hi n\- to his parents and friends. Alexander, their remaining son, still lives with them. 
 Jdn. their only daughter, is a very successful and popular teacher. Mr. Geegan has 
 been a great reader, and is very familiar with Burns and other poets, and it strikes 
 one that a couple more appreciative of their location than he and hi', hospitable and 
 genial wife could not iiave settled amid these romantic surroundings. 
 
 DuGALD McCai.lum, a brother of Mrs. Geegan, lives on an adjoining farm. His 
 f.ulier, Cajitain Alexander McCallum, after leaving the employ of Messrs. McPherson 
 ^: Oanc, engaged with Messrs. Robertson, Jones & Co., successors to the former 
 Company, in the forwarding business, and held a responsible position with them until 
 1859, when he retired to his farm in Grenville, now owned and occupied by his son 
 Dugald, where he spent the balance of his life. He had besides his daughter, Mrs. 
 Geegan, three sons. Archie, Dugald and Dona'd. Archie, who was Captain of a 
 host, lived and died in Ottawa; Donald lives in Arnprior. Dugald, the second son, 
 spent his early years on the Ottawa, being at one tine ciptain of the steamer 
 '' Whitehall " five years, for the McNaughlons. He also placed the first lighthouse on 
 ihe river, between Grenville and Ottawa. He was married ifxh April, 1864, to Mar- 
 garet McArthur. and settled on the homestead five years later. They have two sons 
 and five daughters now living ; Archibald J., the elder son, is married, and is in the 
 Life Saving Station on Lake Superior. 
 
 Joseph McMahon, from the County Down, Ireland, came to the north part 
 of (ioce, in this county, in 1823. The ship in which be crossed Hie ocean was burnt 
 iie.ir Quebec, but the passengers were saved. He worked the first summer after 
 his arrival on the Grenville canal, and in the fall took up 100 acres of land in Gore. 
 He lived there till 1872, and then, selling his property, he and his wife lived the 
 remainder of their years with t!ieir son, John, in Grenville, on the i nh Range. 
 He died here 9th December, 1878 ; his wife died in March previous ; they had four 
 sons and five daughters. 
 
 John, the eldest son, was the first child born in the north of Gore. He and 
 liis brother Samuel, and two sisters, who live in the Augmentation, arc the only ones 
 ot ilie family living in this section. John married 8th February, 185 1, Harriet 
 MeGregor ; they have three sons and five daughters now living; five of the datigh- 
 
398 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUH. 
 
 ^il 
 
 ters are married ; three of these live in this county, one in Maine, and another ir 
 Michigan. In 1883, the eldest son, 23 years of age, was killed, while loading a 
 large stick of timber ; the cant hook slipped, and the timber rolled on and crushed 
 him. He was a you.th of promise ; he had niiny friends, and his death was thecaust 
 of great sorrow. Mr. McMahon was for many years one ofthe Argenteuil Rangers, 
 and went to the front during the Fenian raids. He has a fine fiirm here of icc 
 acres. 
 
 CALUMET. 
 
 This place is located on the Ottawa, about three and a half miles west of 
 Grenville, and it is doubtful if the scenery around it is surpassed in beauty by that of 
 any other village in the province. It is situated on a high, level tract of ground less 
 than half a mile in breadth, which is 'jounded by the river on the south, and on lli ■ 
 north by a mountain rising abruptly, and running parallel with the river. The 
 mountain, which is mostly v ooded from base to summit, is the most prominent and 
 beautiful feature of the landscape; and from one or two rocky prominences a grand 
 view may be obtained of the country along the Ottawa, and far into Ontario. it 
 requires onlv a little effort on the part of the citizens here, in the way of preparing 
 suitable accommodations for boarders, to make this one of the favorite summer 
 resorts of Quebec ; for while the scenery at hand is most striking, it is contiguous to 
 other scenery which is wild and grand in the extreme. 
 
 The Calumet is a small siream tunibling down the mountain side, but such is 
 the height from which it comes, that it affords excellent water jjower, and the 
 numerous cataracts formed in its descent are ever present objects of admiration 10 
 visitors. Sixty years ago, the Calumet Falls were the property of the Montreal Water 
 Works Company, and it was their intention to convey the water in pipes to that cii\ , 
 but the plan was never executed. 
 
 The history of the place is not ancient, the little village, which seems to be 
 growing, having sprung up since the advent of the railway. About forty-f-ve years 
 ago a man named Charlebois opened a marble quarry here, a short distance up the 
 mountain side, and erected a mill on the Calumet, for sawing and dressing the 
 marble quarried. It is said he got out and shipped quite a quantity to Montreal 
 during the few years he worked, but his venture was abruptly terminated by his death. 
 He was accidentally drowned in the Ottawa, at the mouth of the Calumet. Tlie 
 timbers which formed the foundation of his mill may still be seen here ; but no attempts 
 have since been made to continue the work he began, though there appears to be a 
 large quantity of marble here. 
 
 Mr. Richard Lanigan gives the following graphic description of the place : — 
 
 " In 1870, when I came to Calumel, you could count the dwelling houses on i!ie 
 fingers of one hand, minus the thumb ; to-day we can count ten times that number, if 
 we include the Island. Then we had no railway accommodation ; to-day, those 
 living in Calumet can visit either the political or the commercial metropolis of the 
 Dominion, leaving home after breakfast, transact their business, and be back again in 
 time for lea ; or, you can leave for Montreal by the early train, spend twelve hours 
 in the city, and be home by bedtime. Then we had no accouimoda.ion for travellers : 
 now we have two well kept, comfortable hotels ; and, in connection with the railwiv, 1 
 a refreshment room, which is a model for all restaurants along the entire line. Tiieii 
 we had no public means of transport across the Ottawa; now we have steamers 
 plying daily between here and the towns of Hawkesbury and L'Orignal, in additior. 
 to which, there is an hourly ferry just esiablished. Then there was bu; al 
 tri-weekly mail, and we had to drive or walk four miles for our letters mdl 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL, 
 
 399 
 
 i another ir 
 le loading o 
 and crushed 
 vas the cause 
 uil Rangers, 
 here of loo 
 
 niles west ot 
 
 iity by that of 
 
 of ground less 
 
 ih, and on llv- 
 
 river. The 
 
 rominent and 
 
 ences a grand 
 
 Ontario. li 
 
 of preparing' 
 
 /orite sumnui 
 
 contiguous to 
 
 e, but such i? 
 ower, and the 
 f admiration lo 
 [ontreal Water 
 es to that ciiv, 
 
 I seems to he 
 orty-f've years 
 listance up tiie 
 dressing li.e 
 y to Montreal, 
 d by his deal'n. 
 :alumet. 'Hie 
 >ut no attempt^ 
 [ip[)ears to he a 
 
 he place : — 
 L houses on i x 
 [that number, ii 
 I; to-day, tho>e 
 ptropolis of liie 
 
 back again in 
 lid twelve hour^ 
 |i for travellers : | 
 lith the railw iv, 
 lire line. Tien I 
 
 liave steamers j 
 lial, in addiiii 
 Ire was bu' 
 lur letters aiidl 
 
 newspapers ; nov,' we have a daily mail with a post-office at our doors. Tlien 
 there was no smithy or i)lace where you could hire a horse ; to-day we have 
 uvo blacksmith shops and three livery siables. Then we had not a single store; 
 lo-day we have six. Then we had only a small saw mill ; now we have a grist mill 
 and two saw mills; one of which, the Ottawa Lumber Company, furnislies employ- 
 ment during the summer to over a hundred men, and, in the winter, to an equal 
 number in their log shanties. Then there was only the firm of the Hamilton Brothers 
 lumbering on the Rouge ; this summer, logs and timber belonging to thirteen different 
 firms were sorted out at the booms. Then we had no place of worship ; now we 
 I'.ave two churclies and one resident minister. This is doing fairly well ; but, with 
 the wealtii of gifts with which nature has endowed us, we should have done far 
 better." 
 
 Mr. Richard Lankian was born in Donegal, Ireland, and, in 1836, came with 
 his father's family to Three Rivers, Que., at which place his father died. In 1854, he 
 and his brother, George T. Lanigan, established T//e /'u/uirer at Three Rivers; but 
 the following year, Richard withdrew from it, and engaged in other business. In 
 1S60, he was married to Margaret Kiernan, and in 1870 came to Caiumet, as 
 the agent of J. K. Ward, who was engaged in extensive lumber business and owned 
 large timber limits on the River Rouge. .Since 1874, Mr. Lanigan has been 
 Secretary-Treasurer of the Rouge Boom Company until quite recently, when he 
 resigned on account of ill health. In 1878, he built a store here, and has 
 >ince been successfully engaged in trade. He is a man of more than ordinary 
 ability, and has found time, amidst his business calls, to write occasionally for 
 the press, and to give us a story entitled "They Two," which reflects no small 
 degree of credit on his skill as an author. The story — the scene of which is in this 
 Province — illustrates life in the Canadian forest and in the lumber camp, and it is told 
 in a concise and easy style that never wearies the reader. It is claimed, moreover, 
 to be true ; but however this may be, it is certain that if more widely known — only a 
 small edition of it having been published — it would be accorded a prominent place in 
 ('anadian literature. 
 
 Mr. Lanigan's home is in a romantic, rural spot at Calumet, just the place one 
 imagines to encourage the cultivation and pursuit of literature. He has taken an 
 active interest in the cause of Methodism, and has contributed liberally towards its 
 support. Owing to infirm health, his business now is conducted chiefly by one of his 
 sons. 
 
 His brother, George Thomas Lanigan, was regarded as one of the ablest writers 
 and newspaper men in Canada. His first hterary venture was " National Ballads," 
 published in 1865, when he was quite young, and about the same time he jniblished 
 ihe I'ree Zance in Mon\rei\]. He was instrumental in connection with Mr. Hugh 
 Graham in starting the Montreal Sfar, and, subsequently, was employed for some 
 time as editor of the Sherbrooke Examiner. Afterward, he joined the editorial staff 
 of the New York IVorld, and next removed to Philadelphia, Pa., in connection with 
 the Record of that city, and died there a few years ago. He was brimful of wit, and 
 wielded a facile pen. 
 
 Oneof the prominent industries of this locality are the mills of Rgi'.ert MlTntvrk, 
 which he purchased a few years since of Hon. J. K. Ward. The water which forms 
 the motor of these mills is brought in an iron pipe from the Calumet, under the C. P. 
 Railway. The mills consist of a grist mill, containing three run of stone and one of 
 rollers, a circular saw mill, a planing and shingle mill— all of which are kept in active 
 operation. About a million and a half feet of lumber and a large quantity of squared 
 timber are turned out here annually. 
 
 EJi 
 
400 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII., 
 
 [Si; 
 
 Mr. Mclntyre was born in Lacluitc, and is a descendant of one of tlie early 
 pioneers of Eeecli Ridge, in St. Andrews. He came to Cirenville in 1870, and built ;i 
 steam saw mill, wiiich lie kept in operation about fifteen ye irs, when lie sold it, and 
 built another on the island opposite Calumet. Two years afterward this was burnt, 
 and he then purcliased his present mills. He is a man of much enterprise and 
 industry ; he now receives valuable assistance in his business from iiistwo sons, Daniel 
 A, and William. 
 
 A post-office was opened at Calumet in May, 1887. Previous to this, it had been 
 ke]>t at Kdeii Dale, a short distance from Calumet. Mrs. H. Burch was Postmistress 
 at that place ; she died in i8p2, and Miss S. J. Hambly, her adopted daughter, was 
 appointed Post-mistress, and biill holds the position. In connection with the office, 
 she also has a small stoic, in which she keeps a variety of articles for the accommoda- 
 tion of the nublic. 
 
 S. M. Brennan is a prosperous merchant of Calumet; he came to this country 
 from Ireland when a child, and, until a few years ago, followed fanning near 
 Pembroke, Ont. He sold his farm^ and in 18S4 engaged in uiercantile business in 
 Calumet. In 1886, he built his present store, and, by his fair dealing and urbanity, 
 has secured a large trade. In 1892, he opened a branch store in Harrington, near 
 the Riviiigton post-office; but this was burnt in May, 1894 — the work, no doubt, of 
 an incendiary. The esteem, however, in which Mr. Brennan is held in that section 
 secured him much sympathy in his loss, and has gained for him much larger patronage 
 in the new store, which he speedily erected. He takes an interest in all local affairs, 
 and is one of the School Commissioners of the township. 
 
 The Ottawa Lumber Comp.vnv, which has a large mill here, is a joint stock 
 company, of which Mr. A. Baptist, of Three Rivers, is the principal shareholder. The 
 mill was erected in 1886, under the supervision of the late James Dean, a brother-in- 
 law of Mr. Baptist. This mill cuts over one hundred thousand logs ])er season; two- 
 thirds of which are spruce, and all are cut on the Rouge. The mill now employs 
 about 150 men. Mr. S. A. Dean, son of the late James Dean, is the present manager ; 
 he lives here in an attractive cottage amid romantic scenery. 
 
 Henry Walker is the foreman of the mechanical department of the mill. He 
 was reared in Monireal, and learned the trade of millwright in that city. He was 
 emi)loyed three years in British Columbia, and, after that, engaged to the Ottawa 
 Lumber Co., and has been in their employ seven years. 
 
 The quantity of lumber and freight of various kinds handled here gives quite a 
 scene of activity around the railway station, and i)rovides employment to several men. 
 Trains stop here, giving passengers time for refreshment; the fine restaurant referred 
 to above by Mr. Lanigan is in charge of Mr. Fred. Weac.er, a gentleman who has 
 traveled extensively on this Continent, and who, for some years, has devoted much 
 of his time to Christian work. He is a licensed Exhorter in connection with the 
 Methodist Church, and on the Sabbath usually supplies one of the ])ulpits cf ihit 
 denomination. 
 
 Alered Brigden, baggageman at this station, came from Woolwich, England, 
 to this country in 1869. He has served as baggageman twenty-one years, seven of 
 which he was in the Bonavenlure Station, Montreal. 
 
 The two hotels at Calumet are owned respectively by La Belle and John 
 
 Millway ; that of the former is an imposing brick structure, and is one of the attractive 
 objects in the village ; its appointments are such as meet the approval of the traveling 
 public. The other is a commodious building near the railway station, the proprietor 
 of which is devoted to his guests and friends, and supplies them with home comforts. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 401 
 
 f the early 
 and built ;i 
 sold ii, anil 
 was Inirnt. 
 erprise and 
 sons, Daniel 
 
 it had been 
 ost- mistress 
 Aighler. was 
 h the office, 
 accoMnioda- 
 
 'his country 
 iirming near 
 : business in 
 .nd urbanity, 
 ring ton, near 
 no doubt, of 
 1 that section 
 rer patronage 
 [ local affairs. 
 
 a joint stock 
 holder. The 
 a brother-in- 
 season ; two- 
 now employs 
 nt manager ; 
 
 [he mill. He 
 lily. He \va> 
 the Ottawa 
 
 I gives quite a 
 sevcr.il men. 
 Irant referred 
 (■nan who has 
 levoted much 
 lion with the 
 (ilpits cf that 
 
 Ich, England, 
 lars, seven ol 
 
 lue and Join 
 Ihe attractive 
 nhe traveling 
 lie proprietor 
 bie comforts. 
 
 The Methodist Church edifice was erected in 1SS4 by the Hon. [. K. Ward, and 
 donated by hiin to tne Methodist Church of Canada. 
 
 The Anglican Church was built in 1887 by public subscription. 
 
 The Hon. J. K. Ward, though a citizen of Montreal, has been so intimately 
 associated with niany of our business men in the lumber trade, and the county, more- 
 over, has such a monimient of his liberality in the church at Calumet, that a sketch of 
 liis life may very apjjroprialely have space in these pages. 
 
 The following sketch is taken chiefly from Borthwick's "Gazetteer of Montreal." 
 
 " Hon. James K. Ward, M.I..C — His father was a native of Dunham, England. 
 After serving in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, from 1799 to 1816, and ])assiMg through 
 many skirmishes and battles, he retired after the battle of Waterloo, and settled in the 
 isle of Man, wliere he died in 1834. The subject of our sketch was born in Peel, 
 Isle of Man, 9th .September, 1819. He was educated at Douglas, the capital of the 
 Island, served his ai)prentici.'sliip as a practical mechanic in the Island, and emigrated 
 to New York in 1S42. After spending ten years of his life in the United States, 
 lie at last settled in Montreal, Canada, where ' e has evr since been engaged in the 
 lumber business, selling and manufircturing. ho is a Justice of the Peace and a Life 
 (rovernor of the General Hospital, the Women's Hospital, the House of Industry 
 and Refuge, and the Protestant Hospital for the Insane. He has been Commissioner 
 of the Protestant School of Cote Si. .Antoine, and the President and Vice President 
 ol' several important and industrial corporations in Montreal. Like so many Manx- 
 men, he is a Liberal, and has always gone against the absorption of the smaller 
 States by the greater and more influential, as lias been seen on the Continent of 
 I'.urope for the last quarter of the century. The Hon. Mr. Ward has greatly improved 
 the south-east of Montreal, by his connection with the large cotton mill there erected. 
 He was married, in 184S, 10 Eliza King of London, England, who died some years 
 afterward. When he arrived in T'anada, he married, the second time, Lydia Tren- 
 holme, of Kingsey, P.Q. This family is well known in Montreal," 
 
 About two miles further west from Calumet is the confluence of the Rouge and 
 the Ottawa — a place which no visitor to this section of the country should fivil to visit. 
 The Rouge, coming from the almost unknown regions of the North, and still main- 
 taining its attachment to mountain defiles, shoots into view arouwd a ])recipice, a few 
 rods above the bridge, and between massive ledges rolls onward into the larger 
 stream, at this point an expansive bay more than a league in breadth. A wooded 
 island lies in mid channel of the Rouge, a short distance from the Ottawa ; below 
 this, just at the jioint where the two streams meet, heavy booms with their iron liga- 
 ments stay the further progress of the logs, till they are separated and formed into 
 rafts by the respective lumber companies to which they belong. Above, and on 
 both sides of the island, the channel is filled with logs, piled tier above tier. Between 
 the island and the booms, the broad surface is filled in the same manner from shore 
 to shore. 
 
 Two or three dwellings occupy the beautiful level tract on the eastern shore 
 ot the Rouge, at its mouth, in one of which dwells Mr. Mclntyre, foreman of the 
 iJoom Company. 
 
 * Here, many years ago. lived Stephen Bevin, of whom more will be learned in 
 ihe history of Arundel. He bought from the Government, at this place, Lot 22, 2iid 
 Range, built and traded for furs. A man named Heatley lived on Lot 23, west side 
 of the Rouge, and a man named David Kimble built a tavern close by Bevin's house ; 
 both these buildings were burned. Bevin sold his land — 200 acres — to Messrs. 
 Hamilton, lumber merchants, of Hawkesbury, for the sum, it is said, of $25.00. 
 
 * The facts with regard to Bevin were obt.iinpd from Mr. R. Lanigan. 
 
402 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 The road leading to this place parses along the base of the mountain, a short 
 distance from the Ottawa, and just i)efore reaching the noble iron bridge which spans 
 tiie Rouge, it passes tlirough an enchanting grove. Below tiie bridge, at a higher 
 altitude and nearer the island, is the costly bridge of the C. P. R. A foot bridge, 
 beside the railway track, accommodates the visitor, and the one whose nerves are ot 
 the requisite stability obtains a view which rewards him for the venture — the rapid 
 stream far beneath, tiie mountains, the evergreen island, tiie level tract with its groves 
 of beautiful trees, and the wide spreading bay with the glittering spires of L'Orignal 
 on the plateau beyond — all form a scene wliicii defies the pen of the jioet and mocks 
 the pencil of the artist. Tiie following description of this place, with the account 
 of well authenticated events which have transpired here, is taken from the story, 
 " They Two," of Mr. Lanigan ; tlie quotation being a tale recounted by " Old 
 Casper," one of the characters in " They Two." 
 
 •' He hinted that he knew sometliing of the Rouge or the River of the Great 
 Spirit, as the Indians called it. It was sacred to them, and there lived tlieit 
 ^ianitou. There were seven fa'ls or chutes near its mouth, and at tlie seventh 
 there was 'Table Rock,' wiiere, in the old time, they offered sacrifice. On the 
 east bank, and north of the house built by old Bevin, are the graves of three men. 
 seven feet ai)art from one another. One was a white, one an Indian, and one a 
 negro. * * -■^' '■' * ^ SoLith of the high eastern bank, wl.ere these graves are, it is 
 thickly grown with white oak ; and below the slope, a sandy plain runs down to the 
 Ottawa river, part of which is covered with white and Norway pine. The eastern part 
 of the plain, fronting the Ottawa, has been the camping grounds of the Indians, time 
 out of mind, 
 
 " Towards the close of the 17th century, the French Fori of St. Anns, at the head 
 of the Island of Montreal, was unprotected for a time ; the garrison having gone to 
 quell Indian disturbances on the Richelieu. The Iroquois on the Upper Ottawa, 
 hearing this, made a descent on the Fort, carrying off arms, spoils and some of the 
 women, and did not cry halt till they put the portage of the Long Sault between 
 them and their enemies, the French. Tliey camped at the mouth of the Rouge — 
 their sacred river, arr' commenced to feast on the good things they had carried oft". 
 Word soon reached Montreal of the sacking of the Fort of St. Anns, and a force 
 was at once despatched in pursuit. It overtook the Indians in the midst of their 
 feasting, and a deadly struggle ensued, with the result that all the Indians were 
 massacred, except their chief. When he saw that all was lost, he turned and tied 
 for the seven chutes, on the Rouge, well known to him when a boy. He was as fleet 
 as a deer; and striking through the pines and the oak trees on the higher level, on 
 the east side of the Rouge, he gained the Table Rock befc e his pursuers espied 
 him. He flung his eagle plumes into the roaring torrent, as an offering to the Mani- 
 tou, and bounding from cliff to cliff like an antelope, iiurried on his way. There 
 were those on his track as fleet as he. Two 'Braves ' of the Abenaquis, allies of 
 the French, were foremost in the chase; and as they neared the highest of the seven 
 chutes, the Iroquois was seen to fall ; and in a moment after, his enemies were upon 
 him. As his foremost pursuer sprang forward to bury his tomahawk in the prostrate 
 man, his weapon came down only on the grey rock, the Iroquois having disappeared 
 in a deep fissure." 
 
 or. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 4OJ 
 
 lin, a short 
 k^hich spans 
 It a higher 
 foot bridge. 
 ;rves are ot . 
 —the rapid 
 Lh its groves 
 »f L'Orignal 
 L and mocks 
 tlie account 
 n the story, 
 d by " Old 
 
 )f ihe Great 
 ; lived theii 
 
 the seventh 
 ice. On iho 
 of three men, 
 1, and one a 
 ives are, it is 
 
 down to the 
 e eastern part 
 Indians, time 
 
 is, at the head 
 aving gone to 
 Jpper Ottawa, 
 I some of tlie 
 ;ault between 
 the Rouge— 
 d carried off. 
 and a force 
 [nidst of their 
 Indians were 
 Irned and tied 
 e was as fleet 
 ^her level, on 
 irsuers espied 
 to the Mani- 
 way. There 
 ^quis, allies of 
 of the seven 
 es were upon 
 the prostrate 
 ig disappeared 
 
 Augmentation of Qrenville. 
 
 /,;,.; Proclamation OF 12th December, 1810. 
 
 Tliis Townsln'p is bounded on the north by Harrington, soutli by the Ottawa 
 Kiver, east by Grenville, and west by the Seigniory of La Petite Nation. It contains 
 :ibout 22,300 acres of land and the usual allowance for highways, equal to nearly 
 U/'8 square miles. 
 
 To the majority of people, the Augmentation of Grenville is a firm iiit-(\\;iiittx . 
 Seventy years ago, a number of hardy and determined emigrants plunged into the 
 A'ilderness here, and during the remainder of their lives were almost as effectually 
 removed from the outside world as it they had been dead and buried. Possessed of 
 those physical attributes which shrink from no hardship, and that fortitude which 
 never despairs, they toiled on for the accomplishment of their object — securing a 
 iiome — with the determination of heroes and the endurance of martyrs. 
 
 Their children, who in many instances were partners in their toils, have extended 
 tlie work begun by their fathers, until now fields of waving grain and luxuriant 
 meadows are found where so recently stood the dense, sombre forest ; and tlocks 
 and herds repose upon the spot where savage beasts stalked and devoured their 
 prey. 
 
 Many of the younger generation have either removed permanently to distant parts, 
 or, having earned money in their absence, have returned to invest it in farms around the 
 scenes of their childhood. But, wherever they are, their vocations are pursued with the 
 same patient spirit and determination to succeed which characterized their ancestors 
 — qualities which, as a legacy, are of more value, a thousand fold, than bank stock and 
 real estate. The inhabitants of the Augmentation, isolated as tiiey were, from 
 necessity, for many years, and which, from long habit and location, they still con- 
 tinue in a great measure to be, have seldom, if ever, married outside of their own 
 locality, in consequence of whicli, the families are nearly all allied to each other. 
 Some seem to have gained the impression that the land here is rough, stony, hard, to 
 cultivate, and that, the people likewise, are poor and rough in manners. Never did 
 a more erroneous opinion find credence. As already siiown, the farms are for the 
 most part fine one*., and the soil is fertile. The majority of the dwellings are small 
 and plain, yet, let a stranger enter one, and he will find nearly all the comforts, and 
 some of the luxuries, that are supposed to be found in the habitations of the wealthy ; 
 nearly every house contains an organ. The farm buildings are generally better than 
 the houses, the reason for which is, that the farms are large, and as the stock and 
 crops have increased, the farmer, in order to protect them properly, has been obliged 
 to build new and larger barns. On some of the older farms commodious frame houses 
 were erected long ago, and, when others feel that they can afford the luxury, without 
 incurring debt, they will erect larger and more imposing dwellings. 
 
 It is the strongest evidence of the good judgment of the farmer in this section 
 tliat he buys nothing till he can afford it. He knows the extent of his capital and 
 whence he derives his income ; consequently, before indulging in a luxury, he con- 
 siders carefully the ways and means by which his inconie can be increased. His 
 dwelling, however humble, still answers the purpose of its erection ; but his horses, 
 cattle and sheep, his chief support, must be improved in quality and increased in 
 number, and he is not slothful in adopting means by which triis end mc,y be attained. 
 He, thc-efore, secures the best farming implements, horse rake, mowing machine, 
 arm wagon, etc., and when he has all these necessaries, he will build a new house. 
 
\-if.iViT' 
 
 404 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTKUII. 
 
 In adlicringto this plan, ihe fanners have all kept clear of debt, and it is a matter for 
 congratulation in the Augmentation, tnat there is not a mortgaged farm in the locality. 
 The peojjje are all in comfortable circumstances, have good horses and respectable 
 buggies. They arc not only nominally Protestants, but church going, religious people. 
 Few, if any, are the households in wiiich grace is not sa-'d at meals. Hosi^itable and 
 friendly in the extreme, vigorous in frame, yet retiring in manner, with stroi g love for 
 their kindred and homes, they are people on whose hearilistones the fires of patriotism 
 are ever aglow- iien who would hasten from every hill and valley, from every field 
 and cottage to repel an invading foe. 
 
 POINT All CHftNE. 
 
 Tlie first settler in the .Augmentation is said to have been Archibald Campbell, 
 who came here about x8i6, and lived here many years. Other jjarties — Scotch 
 settlers — .sometimes remained with him while they were erecting cabins fartlier back 
 in the wilderness, McRae and the Cam|)bells, the first settlers in Harrington, being 
 of this number. Notwithstanding the fact that it was so early setlletl, the place has 
 the appearance of being new — mountains and woods encroach so closely as to leave 
 only a narroNv strip of cleared land along the river. 
 
 Ev.\N Cameron, a descendant of one of the pioneers of this place, has a store 
 here and a lliree mile tract of land a short distance away, and is well known in this 
 section as a m?n of enterprise and public spirit. He was much interested in having 
 a railroad station and post office established here. His grandfather, Alexander 
 (Jameron, who lived across the Ottawa, had purchased five hundred acres of land at 
 this place, and on this his son Donald settled about 1830, and his children, of whom 
 Evan is one, still own and occupy the property. He was married in September, 1836, 
 to Mary McDonald, of Inverness-shire, Scotland, and they spent their lives here. 
 Mr. Cameron died 5th March, 1850; Mrs. Cameron, 9th September, 1879. He was 
 a man of enterprise and infiuence ; was a Volunteer in 1 837, and, later, became Captain 
 of Militia. They had five children — four sons and one daughter, — whogre'w up. The 
 latter, Hannah, and her brother Donald still remain on the homestead, about a mile 
 from the station. Evan lives at the village of Point au Chene, and Archibald, the 
 younger of the family, lives in Wyoming Territory. 
 
 Alexander, eldest son of Donald Cameron, was married 19th October, 1866, to 
 Annie McCusker, and settled near the homestead. He died 25ih April, 1S87. His 
 widow, an intelligent, hospitable lady, who takes much pains in the rearing of her 
 children, still resides here. They had four sons and five daughters. Jennie, the eldest. 
 married to Alexander O'Neil, lives in Ottawa. Ella, the third daughter, married to 
 John Johnson, lives at Calumet. Emma, fourth daughter, married to William Allison, 
 lives at Vankleek Hill, Ont. 
 
 Andre St. Amant, who has charge of the store of Mr. Evan Cameron, was born 
 at Caledonia Springs, Ont. He was employed three years as clerk in Grenville, and 
 in July, 1879, engaged to Mr. Cameron, Avith whom he has since remained, with the 
 exception of the v • ter of 1882-83, when he attended the Business College in Ottawa. 
 He is an efficient and reliable salesman and bookkeeper. He has been twice married : 
 first, in October, 1866, to Jane Campbell ; she died 25th February, 1889, and he 
 next married Jane Matthews, 22nd October, 1891 ; who died 22nd September, iSyj. 
 
 The first post-office was established at I'oint au Ch&ne about 1854, Alexander 
 McTavish being postmaster. 
 
 Thcmas Matthews, who is Postmaster now, appointed in May, 1878, also has i 
 store here. Mr. Matthew.s was born in Quebec ; his father dying while he was i 
 
HisTOUy OV ARdENTEUIL. 
 
 405 
 
 malter for 
 he locality. 
 resi)ectablf 
 Diis people. 
 |)ital)le and 
 Jig love for 
 ■ patriotism 
 
 i:very field 
 
 1 Campbell, 
 ies — Scotch 
 farther back 
 igton, being 
 he place has 
 ! as to leave 
 
 , has a store 
 nown in this 
 ed in havini: 
 r, Alexander 
 28 of land at 
 en, of whom 
 [ember, 1836, 
 lives here. 
 He was 
 ame Captain 
 e'w up. The 
 bout a mile 
 chibald, the 
 
 )er, 1866, to 
 1887. His 
 
 aring of her 
 
 the eldest, 
 
 , married to 
 
 iam Allison, 
 
 )n, was born 
 renville, and 
 led, with the 
 ;e in Ottawa, 
 ice married : 
 589, and he 
 ^mber, i8yj. 
 Alexander 
 
 J also has i 
 lie he was i 
 
 lere. which nfTonls ample 
 Mr. Galipeau came from 
 
 rliild, his mother removed to Montreal, and there he attended si hool. He learned 
 the trade of millw right, and was employed at tliis in \',iudrcuil when tlie Rebellion 
 of 1837 broke out, and he joined the Volunteers there, .-^fterw irds, he followed Iiis 
 trade, being emi)loyed chieHy on public works — the Victoria Uridge, Carillon l>ain, 
 and on the C. P. Railway. After the completion of the Victoria IJri.lge, he wei.t to 
 tiie States and was employed in the construction of the (Irand Rapids and liidiii'ia 
 Railways. Bclote coming toPoiiU au Chfine, he lived ten years in East Havvkesbury, 
 Ont., of which he was a Municipal Councillor the whole time, and one term Mayor, 
 as well as Schcol Commissioner. He came to Point au Chene in iS77,and used his 
 mnuence in securing a daily mail and a railway station here. He soon opened .1 
 store, in wliicli he still keeps an assortment of goods siicii as are found in country 
 stores, and in which, also, is the post-office.* 
 
 Frank G.\lii>eau is the jiroprietor of the iiotel 
 accommodation for the traveller ; livery is also attached. 
 
 I'luirso to Point au ChC'ne, and opened a public house in 1S64; lie was married the 
 same year to Lizzie Khol. 
 
 The following is an article taken from the lVafc:/nnan, Lachute, 13th I'ebruary, 
 1896 : — 
 
 " The Non-Macneiic Asmestos Company has been formed, with a capital of 
 $15,000 (^which is proposed to be increased to $75,000 at a very early date), with 
 headquarters at Point au ChSne, Qae., and operated on the property owned by 
 Messrs. E. A. Coivley, of Montreal, president of the Xorth Lake Fish & Game 
 Club, and of C. H. Wells, L. I).S.. of Huntingdon. Xine carloads of lumber for 
 workmen's houses have already been sent to Point auCh&ne, and building operations 
 are in full blast. The foimdalion of a mill 100 x 50 feet, and four storeys in height, 
 is about completed, and in a very few weeks a loo-horse power engine and boiler will 
 be in place, with all the necessaries — cyclones, crushers, grinders, blowers, dryers, 
 etc., and will be in complete operation. .V boiler house is also being erected, together 
 with outbuildings, etc. 
 
 " It is anticipated that about seventy-five men will be employed in the working of 
 the mine, and that a very large amount of money will be put in circulation in the 
 county. The credit of the successful issue of the enterprise is entirely due to Mr. J'.. 
 \. Cowley, one of the directors and owners, and who is one of the most successful 
 yuung business men of Montreal. The thanks of the entire community are due to him 
 for his indefatigable enterprise and push in this matter. 
 
 "The principal stockiiolders in the Company are Messrs. W. T. Costigan. \Vm. 
 Sclater and L. A. Cowley, Montreal ; F. McCall and P. Seed, of Brooklyn, N.Y. ; 
 also Dr. C. H. Wells, of Huntingdon; the mine manager and superintendent being 
 Capt. Drysdalc, of Cape Breton, a man well known to the asbestos world. The con- 
 tractor lor the buildings is Mr. J. S. Murray, of Hawkesbury, who, with a large gang 
 of nier, are very busy getting matters into shape at Point au Chene. The county 
 should congratulate itself upon this accession to its wealth, and as the mine is in 
 reliabh hands much may be expected from it." 
 
 'J he best road, doubtless, there is in the County of Argenteuil passes from the road 
 along the Ottawa, northward, the whole length of the Augmentation. Two mountain 
 ranges, or chains of high hills, connected with the Laurentian mountains, also traversv* 
 the Augmentation from north to south, running parallel, and enclosing a tract of level 
 ground, averaging, probably, a mile and a half in width ; sometimes they so neaily 
 
 ■* Mr. Matthews died recently. 
 
4^6 
 
 HISTORY OK AROENTKUII. 
 
 approach cacli other tluit they ai\. scarcely luilf a mile apart, tlien receding only t( 
 draw nearer together again, in one place nearly forming a circle. The whole tract tlni> 
 inclosed is divided into many fine well-cultivated farms. In many places, also, clearing 
 luve been made on tlu lower slopes and among tin- giens; so that there is ([uitc ,i 
 number of thrifty farmers some distance from llie main road and out of sight of those 
 who travel it. One peculiarity of the land is that it is nearly free from stone, so thai 
 one can plow up to tlie base of the mountain, even where it is a perpendicular ledge, 
 without iiindrance. The scenery is fine ; the mountains are not high, and tiie summit.-, 
 are rounded and generally well wooded and covered with dense foliage. In places 
 the ledge protrudes, assuming bold and fantastic sha|)es, and is decorated wiiii 
 enough of vines and low shrubbery to give additional beauty to the landscape, 
 (.'rawford, Bates, Kelly, McArthur and McNiel were the first who entered the wilder- 
 ness here to make for themselves and families a home. 
 
 Traveling northward from Point au ChOne, after leaving the Cameron 
 estate, we soon come to the farm of IIui.ii McNeill, whose grandfather, 
 of the same name, came from the County of Antrim, Ireland, to L'Urignal 
 in 1818. h^ 1827 he came to Point au Chtne, and bought the land — 30c 
 acres — now owned and occujjied by his youngest son, Joseph McNeill, sen. 
 Mr. Hugh McNeill was one of the first Justices of the Peace ai)pointed here, 
 and was also a Municipal Councillor; he died sth September, 1867 ; his wife died 
 25th April, 1871 . They had seven sons and two daughters, who grew up. Three 
 sons and one daughter remained in the cour.ty. David, the fourth son, settled near 
 the homestead and spent his life here, dying October 22nd, 1887. Me married 
 Klizabelh McNeill in 1851. They had six children — tour sons and two daughters. 
 Hugh, the youngest child, who was married 5th August, 1891. Martha Ann Kelly, 
 lives OL the homestead. 
 
 Joseph McNkill, sen., the youngest child of Hugh McKv...., nves on the adjoin 
 ing farm, the old homestead. He was marricci to P^lizabeth Crawford, daughter of 
 John Crawford, Esq., i8th March, 1868. Mr. McNedl has been oneof theCouncillor^ 
 of Grenville; has a good farm on whicli everything indicates prosperity. 
 
 John Crawford came from the County Longford, Ireland, to Canada, in 1S2J, 
 and settled on the North River, al St. Columban. He had a good education ; ad 
 been a surveyor in Ireland, and, after coming here, traveled and surveyed with Col. 
 liouchette two or three years; surveying, meanwhile, Buckinghan:, Templeton, and 
 other townships. Owing to Jiouchette's recommendation, he was granted a hundred 
 acres of land, in addition to that which he had already acquired in the Augmentation 
 to which he came in 1827. He was also one of the first Justices of the Peace 
 appointed in the township ; he died m August, 1877. He had three sons and six 
 daughters who grew up. John Gordon Crawford, his fourth child, was the first child 
 born in the Augmentation ; he married 28th March, 1865, Melissa Howe, of L'Orignal, 
 and scaled on a farm of 300 acres near the homestead. They have had ten children 
 — se\ i-n sens and three daughters ; four of the former are deceased. Thomas William, 
 their stcond son, and a fine looking exemplary boy, was drowned while fishing in .1 
 small lake, two and a half miles from home. 
 
 Thomas, the eldest son of John Crawford, the surveyor, was also drowned in tLe 
 Gatineau, 25th May, 1853. 
 
 William Crawford, fifth son of the surveyor, was married ist June, 1865, 10 
 Jane McDowell, from the County of Antrim, Ireland. They have had eight children 
 — three sons and five daughters. One of the two eldest daughters, twins, is married 
 to Thomas McMichael. Mr. Crawford lives on the homestend in a pleasant cottage, 
 
 
HISTORY i)V ARdENTEUlI.. 
 
 407 
 
 ing only u 
 leliacltlui- 
 io, clearing 
 re is (luilc .1 
 ^hi of ihosc 
 one, so iha; 
 iciilar ledge, 
 the summits 
 In place- 
 orated wil'u 
 ; landsca])e. 
 d the wilder- 
 lie Canieioii 
 grandfather, 
 L'Urignal 
 le land — 30c 
 IcNeill, sen. 
 jointed here, 
 his wife died 
 vv up. Three 
 1, settled near 
 lie married 
 wo daughters, 
 la Ann Kelly, 
 
 on the adjoin 
 d, daughter of 
 le Councillor- 
 
 |uida. in 1822, 
 lucation ; ad 
 [yed with Col, 
 impleion, and 
 Ited a hundred 
 .ugmentation 
 of the Poac<: 
 sons and six 
 the first child 
 i.ofL'Orignal, 
 ten children 
 lomas Willian., 
 lie fishing in .< 
 
 Irowned in llie 
 
 lane, 1865, 10 
 
 2ight children 
 
 lis, is married 
 
 lasant cottaLjc, 
 
 surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Jlolh he and his broliier, John (I.Crawford, are 
 among the thrifty, prosperous farmers of this locality. 
 
 .Mrs. Klizaheth Young, who lives in this neighborhood, is the daughter of 
 Daniel McMichael and his wife, Martha Crawford, second daughter of John Crawford, 
 surveyor. Mr. McMichael died in January, tSScj. The daughter, Kli/abeth, married 
 jjlh September, 1871, Robert Young, the youngest child of Thomas Young, who 
 scttk'G in the Augmentition in 1827. He came to Canada from the County Dcrry, 
 Ireland, in 18 16, and took u\> 200 acres of land, on which his son Robert also lived. 
 I he latter died 4th April, i8S.i. His widow, Mrs. I'Mi/abeth Young, with her family, 
 still lives on the homestead. Tiiey had seven children— three sons and one daugiiter 
 
 nrc now living. 
 
 AVOCA. 
 
 Although this was only the name given to the post-ofticc, which was established 
 in October, 1861, the name is now applied 10 all the section which is nearer to the 
 lost-oftlce than it is to that of Point au ChOnc. Individuals living in the Augmenta- 
 tion claim to belong to whichever place they receive their mail, Point au Chfine or 
 Avoca. 
 
 John McC.vllum was the first Postmaster api)ointed here, and he still holds the 
 position — the ofiice being in his dwelling. Mr. McCallum was born in Argyleshire, 
 .Scotland, and came to Canada in 1S35. Two of his brothers, Archibald and Alexander, 
 had come to this country a few years previous, in 1832. Archie, the elder, was a 
 teacher by profession, and taught m .ly years in Clrenville Village, and died there. 
 Alexander was employed by McPlierson & Crane, who owned a line of steamers 
 running between Montreal and Kingston, and were e.Mcnsively engaged in the forward- 
 inu; business. He worked for them several years, iiavii.g command of a boat much of 
 the time, for which reason he was always subsequently known as Capt. McCallum. 
 
 With John, also, came out his brother Donald and sister Mary ; the latter lived 
 with John till her death. Donald, after living some years in Montreal, went to New 
 Orleans, where he died. 
 
 In 1S42, Mr. John McCallum bought his present farm of 200 acres at Avoca, and 
 has since lived on it and cleared it of its forest, having now a fine farm with good 
 buildings and all the .surroundings of a cheerful, happy homestead. He is one of 
 those men whose sound judgment and unswerving rectitude secure influence in what- 
 ever community they dwell: hence, a tl ing is not likely to be unpopular in Avoca 
 which has his endorsement. Possessing a fund of anecdote, as well as humor, he is 
 never at a loss to entertain, which gift, combined with his generous hospitality, pro- 
 claim him tlioioughly a Scotcliman. He has long filled the office of Councillor as 
 well as School Commissioner. He was married 2 ist December, 1843, to Ann, daughter 
 of James McArlhur, one of the pioneers of this section. For more than half a century, 
 Mrs. McCallum has been the partner of all her husband's toils ; and, now, 
 villi him enjoys, in the company of intelligent children, the repose she has 
 nobly earned. They have had fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living. 
 Archibald, the eldest son, lives in Alpena, Micli, Dougal, another son, whose 
 wife is deceased, lives in the same section. One son and two daughters live in British 
 Columbia. Alexander, married, lives in Lachute. 
 
 James McArthur, from the Isle of Mull, Argyleshire, Scotland, came to Point 
 au ChSne in 1820, and to Avoca in 1826, and settled on the farm of two hundred 
 acres, which is now owned and occupied by his son, Neil McArthur. At that early 
 period, in the entire absence of roads, he naturally experienced much hardship, yet 
 
4o8 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 he endured it willi characteristic Scotch fortitude and secured the object of his labor:, 
 — a comfortable liomc. At one time, in tlie spring of the year, he went to Point au 
 Cliene, six miles distant, on foot, for seed i)Otatces. Placing a bag fuil on iiis ba:k. 
 he conveyed them to his residence; yet, eo great was the heat from his body in 
 executing this task that the germ of half ti'-.e potatoes — those nearest iiis person — 
 was destioyi-d, and they never sprouted. Mr. Mc.'\rtlnir died i6lh .'\])ril, 1374; his 
 wife, 2ist January, 1878. He was twice married. \iy his first marriage he had one 
 child, a daugliler ; by the second, he had twelve children, who grew up. Only two 
 sons and two daughters settled in this county. 
 
 Neil, the Tounh son, remained on the homestead, and married, .79th March, 1863. 
 Ann Arthurs. They have had thieesons and three daughters. Jessie, t'ne eldest of tht 
 latter, married, 18th July, 1892, George E. Walker, and now lives iii Missoula, Mom. 
 James McArthur, one of the sons, on the 28th June, 18S6, went to Vancouver, B.C.. 
 on the first through train of the C. ?. R, from Montreal to tlie Pacific. He married 
 in March, 1890, Miss Douglas, formerly of Pictou, N.S. He lived some years at 
 Kamloops, and died there at the age of 26, 23rd Jamiary, 1.S91. 
 
 The following is from an obituary published in ihG //i/aiui Sentine/ : — "Mr. 
 McArthur has been a resident of Kamloops upwards of four years, having been in the 
 employ of Mr. W. R. Megaw until the spring of 1S89, when he associated himself 
 with Messrs. Stevenson & Mclvcr, and bought ot'.l Mr. Megaw's business. He was 
 known as a straightforward, energetic and iionorable .business man, and, in con- 
 junction with his partn.ers, was fast working up a large and rai)idly increasing 
 business." 
 
 James McArthur, another son of the pioneer of the same name, lives on a farm 
 adjoining that of his brother Neil. He was married 22nd June, i86S, to Jane Arthurs, 
 sister of Mrs. Neil McArthur, and the following April liiey settled on tlie farm of 
 150 acres, where they now live, and to which 100 acres have since been added. A 
 fine brick house, recently erected, conveys the impression that Mr. McArthur is a 
 successful farmer. 'I'hey have lost one child. 1 heir remaining children — two sons 
 Dugald and Gainpson, and one daughter, Maggie C, live with them. Mrs. McArthur 
 and her sister, Mrs. Nei' McArthur, are daughters of Sampson Arthurs, who lived in 
 this section, and who died k-aving a widow and nine children. Both sisters are intelli- 
 gent Christian ladies, memliers of the Baptist church. Their husbands — members of 
 the Presbyterian church — are liighly respected, and both have filled responsible local 
 positions. 
 
 John Bates came fiom the County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1S26, and settled in wliat 
 is now known as Avoca, on the land now owned and occujiied by his son ol the same 
 name; he had eight children — four 0. each se.x. He died July 4th, 1867. Joseph 
 Bates, one of the sons, married Margaret McNeill, 22nd July, 1851, and settled near 
 the homeste?d on a farm of 300 acres. There was no road to it at that time, and 
 there were less than ten acres cleared. Mr. Bates cleared nearly all of this large tract 
 before his boys were old enough to render much assistance ; and his widow, who i'. 
 still living and active, thinks, with good reason, that few know more of the privations 
 and hardships incident to j)ioneer life than herself. The farm is now a very fine one, 
 located in the midst of romantic and beautiful Kcencry. 
 
 The buildings are situated near the centre of a tract of level ground, little more 
 than a mile in diameter, mountains almost forming a circle around it. Mr. Bates 
 was a Municipal Councillor and School Commissioner for some years, and a member 
 of the Orange Lodge. He died 13th April, 1892. His widow still lives on the 
 homestead, nt. son, David R., and her daughter Kuphemin, living with her. She 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 409 
 
 his labor;, 
 Point an 
 [ his VxT:k, 
 is body in 
 i person — 
 
 1874; bis 
 lie had one 
 
 Only twu 
 
 arch, 1863, 
 eldest of the 
 oula, Mont, 
 aaver, B.C.. 
 He married 
 lie years at 
 
 „,/.■-" Mr. 
 r been in the 
 ated himself 
 is. He \va< 
 and. in con- 
 ly increasing 
 
 es on a farm 
 Jane Arthurs, 
 the farm of 
 n added. A 
 Arthur is a 
 Ivi — two sons 
 Irs. McArthur 
 who lived in 
 rsare inlelli- 
 -inembers of 
 onsible local 
 
 Ittled in wliat 
 
 o) the same 
 
 [67. Joseph 
 
 settled near 
 
 lat time, and 
 
 Is large tract 
 
 Jdow, who ;-- 
 
 lie privations 
 
 |ery fine one, 
 
 little more 
 
 Mr. Bates 
 
 Id a member 
 
 llives on the 
 
 \\ her. She 
 
 lias iuid nine children — six sons and three daughters — five of the former and two of 
 the latter are now living — all doing credit to their training. ( )ne daughter, married 
 to Ihomas William Kelly, 41I1 July, 188S, lives adjacent to the homestead, on a 
 good farm. Joseph William, the eldest son of thr now alive, also live'5 contiguous, 
 on a farm of 200 acres. He was married 15th July, 1889, to Martha Reid ; he is a 
 Municipal Councillor, and has been Master of the Orange Lodge at Avoca for 
 several years. 
 
 Jonathan Kelly, from the County of Tyrone, Ireland, settled in this place in 
 1S26 or 1827, on the 200 acre tract now owned by his son Jonathan, who has since 
 added another 200 acres ; he died here, ist of August, 1866. He had nine children 
 — seven sons and two daughters- -three of the former settled in this neighborhood. 
 
 Jonathan, the son who remained on the homestead, was married i2;li July, 1859, 
 to Isabella Bates. They have had eight children — four of each se.< ; tv/o of the 
 sons are deceased. Sarah June, the eldest daughter, was married 2Sth April, 1886, 
 to Henry Hannah, a brass founder of Montreal. Mr. Kelly about forty-four years 
 since organized an Orangemen's Lodge at this place, and they held their meetings 
 ; . his house until their hall was erected, in 1884. He has served as School Com- 
 missioner, and, like most of the farmers of this section, appears to be in good cir- 
 cumstances. A violent storm and hurricane, which swept over this place in the 
 latter days of June, 1894, i)rostrated two of his barns, but he soon rebuilt. 
 
 George, the fifth son of Jonathan Kelly, sen., who also lives in Avoca, was 
 married 22nd August, 1859, to Kezia Bates. Two years later, he settled on the 
 lot of 150 acres, where he stil! lives, and which he has almost cleared of its lorest. 
 lie has served as School Commissioner of the township, and is a pillar of the Baptist 
 Church, which v.-as organized here forty years ago. He has had eight children — 
 three sons and five daughters; two of the former and three of the latter are now 
 living. Tiie eldest daughter, married to IJuncan McVicar, lives in Lancaster, Ont. 
 One son, married, lives in Wisconsin. 
 
 Alexander McLean lives here on a 200 .-'.ere farm in a secluded a. id a most 
 
 rural part of Avoca, to which a good road leads froin the main settlement back through 
 
 a beautiful stretch of forest. The clearing, comprising doubtless a hundred acres, is 
 
 , enclosed on almost every side by the everlasting mountains, much of the way by 
 
 j pel pendicular cliffs, so that one may easily imagine himself within the v.'alls of a 
 
 [gigantic castle. Nor are pinnacles or projections, vines and shrubbery wanting to 
 
 complete the jjicture of ivied towers and battlements. A good farm of fertile soil, 
 
 I comparatively level and free from stone, could not again be foiuid amid scenery of 
 
 [such wild grandeur. Mr. McLean's father, Charles McLean, from the Isle of Mull, 
 
 |.'\rgyleshire, Scotland, came to Canada about 1820, and first lived in Lachute. A 
 
 Ifew years later he settled in Grenville, on the land where his son Charles and 
 
 Idaugii'ier Isabella now live, and was a Volunteer in the Rebellion of 1837 i he died 
 
 |2iid June, 1866; his wife, Mary McArlhi:r, died 21st April, 1888. They had ten 
 
 thikiren — eight sons and two daughters ; two of each sex settled in this County. 
 
 lexander married Mary Arthurs, daughter of the late Sampson Arthurs, 28th 
 
 ^epiember, 1875, and the same fall they settled on the farm in Avoca described 
 
 fbovc. Tlieir genial friendliness and hospitality accords harmoniously with the 
 
 [eauty j{ their surrcmdings. 
 
 Avoca is the home of Arthur J. Wilson, one of the heroes of the Kiel Rebel- 
 Ion in 1885. When but ten years of age, his ambition prompted liim to see the 
 rorld. Going to Montreal, he shipped on ?. vessel of the Allan Line, went to Liver- 
 ool, tlience sailed for another port, and for seven years on different vessels visited 
 
 27 
 
^£9£a£ 
 
 i 
 
 410 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 many countries of the Globe — Australia, Japan, South Annerica, etc. In the North 
 AV^est RebelHon, he served as a trumpeter in " A '• Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, 
 and was so badly wounded at the battle of Fish Creek, that one of his arms was 
 amputated. He was awarded for his services, by Her Majesty the Queen, a medal 
 on which is engraved the word " Saskatchewan." On a recommendation of a Board 
 of Officers, he was also awarded, by the Governor General, a pension of 55 cents a 
 day — $200 per annum. 
 
 The River Rouge, in its tortuous course, approaches in one place the settlement 
 of Avoca, and here are the farm and mill of David McNeill, eldest son of David 
 McNeill mentioned in a former sketch. Mr. McNeill bought 100 acres of land here, 
 in 1882, on which was a saw-mill. 'Die mill he has almost wholly rebuilt, added 
 machinery for making shingles, and has a carpenter's and blacksmith's shop, and is 
 evidently a man of enterprise ; he was married 14th March, 1882, to Jemima Trinnecr. 
 
 The scenery is wild and romantic ; a ledge running from one bank of the river 
 to the other, which is here quite wide, forms a natural dam, affording an excellent 
 mill site. Two or three rounded j)rojections of rock rise a few feet above the water, 
 and between these the current rushes with a roar, and falls in a miniature Niagara. 
 
 When the Rev. Mr. Mair, Presbyterian, and his successor, the Rev. Mr. Black. 
 were located at Chatham, in this County, they occasionally visited the Augmentation 
 ofGrenville, and held services. After ihe termination of Mr. Black's pastorate, 
 students from Queen's College Kingston, and afterward, from the Presbyterian Col- 
 lege, Montreal, preached to their followers here. In 1874, the Rev. Robert Camp- 
 bell (now Dr. Campbell of Montreal) and F. M. Dewey, a student laboring liere 
 at that time, succeeded in arousing the Presbyterians to the importance of erecting a 
 church, and it was done the following year. John McCallum, David McNeill and 
 Hugh Craig were members of the building committee, and subscribed largely towards 
 the erection of the building. 
 
 N. D. Keith, from Glencoe, Ontario, who is now in his fourth year at McGil! 
 University, is the present incumbent of the Presbyterian Church here.* 
 
 He seems to have been very successful in gaining the respect of the people of j 
 Avoca, and his prospect of future success is flattering. 
 
 A Church of England edifice was erected in Avoca, as far back as 1854. There | 
 are quite a number here connected with it, and services are held regularly. The jire- 
 sent incumbent — a student — lives in Ottawa county. 
 
 As before stated, a Baptist church was organized here forty years ago. Though 
 they have always conducted their services in a school-house, there are a good many 
 Baptist people here and they intend soon to erect a church building. 
 
 J. I. Manthorne, a student at McMaster University, Toronto, and who has 
 also attended at Woodstock, has charge of the Baptist Church at Avoca and Har| 
 rington, and is laboring to the general acceptance of his people. 
 
 * The above sketch of the churches at Avoca w?s written in 1894. 
 
 •f-: 
 
HISTORY OF ARGF.NTEUIL. 
 
 411 
 
 1 the North 
 an Artillery, 
 is arms was 
 een, a medeil 
 n of a Board 
 of 55 cei^ts a 
 
 le settlement 
 5on of David 
 
 of land here, 
 2built, added 
 i shop, and is 
 ■ima Trinneei . 
 k of the river 
 
 an excellent 
 ,ovethe water, 
 ature Niagara. 
 ev. Mr. Black, 
 Augmentation 
 ,ck's pastorale, 
 ssbyterian Col- 
 Robert Camp- 
 t laboring here 
 ce of erecting a 
 d McNeill and 
 largely towards 
 
 year at McGil! 
 the people 
 
 IS 1854- Tli^"^^ 
 |larly. The [>k- 
 
 s ago. Thoug'ii| 
 Ire a good many 
 
 and who has 
 lAvoca and Uar- 
 
 Harrington. 
 
 Proclamation of 6th March, 1841. 
 
 Harrington is bounded on the north by Arundel and Montcalm, east by Went- 
 worth, south by Grenvilie and Augmentation of Grenville, and west by Ponsonby. 
 
 A mountain range, passing thrcagh the Township from north to south, divides 
 West, or what is usully called Old Harrington, from the part which has been more 
 recently settled, and though the land in the west is somewhat broken, it is mostly 
 free from stone, and is divided into many fine farms. In the western part also, the 
 River Rouge passes through the Township from north to south. This Townshi]) is 
 divided into two School Municipalities, designated as No. i and No. 2 ; the School 
 Board of the former meets at No. r School house at Lost River. 
 
 The Municipal Councillors i,t Harrington are: Jos. Milway (Mayor), John 
 Fraser, Pete"" McCrimmon, William Morgan, David Green, Henry Morrison and 
 Donald Dewar. 
 
 Presbyterians, of whom there are 
 
 good 
 
 many, have held service here many 
 
 years. There had been mucli talk and a strong desire in this body to build a church 
 edifice here ; but owing to their inability to agree on a location, they divided into two 
 factions, and in 1893 each one erected a church building. Unable, however, to main- 
 tain two pastors, one of these buildings is now occupied by the Methodists, who hold 
 service in it regularly. 
 
 A cheese factory has lately been built here, which is patronized by all the 
 farmers of this section. 
 
 The first settlers of this Town hip were Murdoch McCrae, Dugald Camp- 
 bell and William Campbell. Ihey had not been here long, however, before 
 the settlers named below followed. 
 
 Andrew Fraser came from Inverness shire, Scotland, and first settled at Cale- 
 donia, Ont., tlien at Lost River, Harrington, on the farm w owned by John 
 McMillan, He had four sons and five daughters who came , ith him to Canada ; 
 the sons bought 500 acres of land at Lost River, and on this they and the father 
 settled, 
 
 Alexander, one of the sons, worked on the Ottawa a few years, and, about 1854, 
 bought 100 acres of land in West Harrington, on which he now lives. There had 
 been but five acres cleared at the time, but he has since cleared the whole of it, and 
 bought fifty acres more of woodland in Grenville, He has been a Municipal Coun- 
 cillor, and is a staunch member of the Presbyterian Church, Soon after buying his 
 farm in Harrington he married Christie, daughter of Dugald Campbell, Seven of 
 their children — five daughters and two sons — are now living. Three of the former 
 are married ; one lives in Montreal, and two in this County, John, the eldest son, 
 who now has charge of the homestead, was married, in January, 1892, to Jennie 
 McLean. 
 
 John Shaw, from the Isleof Skye, Scotland, came to Canada in 1832, and died 
 the same year, in Onta'io, from cholera. His wife, not knowing of his death, with 
 
412 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 her boy, John, and a young daughter, came to Canada the following year, expecting to 
 find him. Learning that 1 e was dead, she settled in Dundee, where she lived ten 
 years. John, her son, having bought a tract of land in Harrington in 1843, and built 
 a house, she came here and lived with him till her death, 17th February, 1875. 'Ihere 
 were but twenty acres cleared on this land when Mr. Shaw purchased, but he has 
 cleared nearly all of the home farm, comprising 120 acres, and has purchased 260 
 more. He has been one otthe active, substantial citizens of the locality, and served 
 as School Ccmmissioner and Municipal Councillor a number of yiars, and for a Ion;,' 
 time has been Secretary-Treasurer of No. 1 School Municipality, of this township. 
 He has also been an Elder of the Presbyterian Church over thirty years. He was 
 married 22nd February, 1851, to Sarah Mcl'hail; she died 22nd April, 1862. Six of 
 their children — one son and five daughters — are now living. The son, John Shaw, 
 jr., married to Miss C. A. McCuUoch, lives on the homestead. Two daughters of 
 Mr. John Shaw, married, live in Hariington. 
 
 Robert Dobrie, a weaver by trade, came from Glasgow to (-'anada, about the 
 year 1832. He first lived in Lachute, then at Hill Head, till 1846, when he bought 
 ■ a farm in Chatham, in the 6th range, whicii is now owned and occupied by is son, 
 Thomas Dobbic. He lived there till his death, nth June, 1881 j his wife died in 
 May, 1848. Six children — four sons and two daughters — grew up ; one of the former 
 is now deceased. 
 
 John, oneof their sons, in 1863 bought the farm of 250 acres on which he now 
 lives, nearly all of it then being forest land. A great part of this he has since cleared, 
 and he now has one of the finest farms in the County. Mr. Uobbie is a striking 
 example of energy, industry and physical vigor. Going into the lumber camp when 
 a young man, he worked until he had money enough to buy his present farm, and with 
 what energy he has since woiked to clear up and bring his land 10 its present state of 
 cultivation, they alone know who have had similar experience. A few years since, he 
 built a fine, commodious, brick dwelling; and he has all the barns and outbuildings 
 indicative of successful faiming. He has all the improved farming utensils, and 
 besides horses, sheep and a lot of young stock, keeps a fine herd of thirty cows. He 
 has added largely to his original farm, and erected a saw mill and grist mill on his 
 premises. He was married i ilh February, 1865, to Jane McOuat, a lady of much 
 intelligence and amiability. She died 24th October, 1893. Seven of their children 
 are now living; two sons, Robert and Peter, and five daughters, Maggie, Jennie, 
 Aggie, Jessie and F.llen Maud. Harold 1. and William G. Crabbe are two boys 
 that Mr. Dobbie has kindly adopted. 
 
 While Mr. Dobbie has been a model of industry, and very successful in the 
 accumulation of this world's goods, he has not, like too many others, retained his 
 means with a miserly grasp, but his house has ever been the dispensary of free- 
 hearted hospitality, and his purse open for the support of religious instruction, schools 
 and public improvements. Like himself, his sons and daughters all appreciate the 
 value of industry, and practise it; consequently they are intelligent, strong and 
 healthy, with skill to perform different species of handiwork. Two of the daughters, 
 Aggie and Jessie, aie successful teachers ; the latter being a graduate of the Normal 
 School, Montr.'al ; a younger sister has also attended the same school. Mr. Dobbie 
 has long served as School Commissioner and Councillor, and one term as Mayor of 
 Harrington. 
 
 Altogether, his farm, with its broad meadows, luxuriant crops, and most beautiful 
 mountain scenery around, is one which even the passing traveller will not be likely 
 to Ibrget. . . M. .:.,.. ' 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 4n 
 
 pecting to 
 
 lived ten 
 , and built 
 75. There 
 )Ut he has 
 hased 260 
 and served 
 3 for a long 
 
 township. 
 
 He was 
 
 i62. Six of 
 
 ohn Shaw, 
 
 laughters of 
 
 , about the 
 
 he bought 
 
 by IS son, 
 
 ^ife died in 
 
 f the former 
 
 lich he now 
 nee cleared, 
 is a striking 
 r camp when 
 m, and with 
 sent state of 
 ars since, he 
 outbuildings 
 tensils, and 
 cows. He 
 mill on his 
 dy of much 
 eir children 
 gie, Jennie, 
 e two boys 
 
 ssful in the 
 etained his 
 ;ary of free- 
 tion, schools 
 ireciate the 
 strong and 
 |e daughters, 
 the Normal 
 Ir. Dobbie 
 as Mayor of 
 
 lost beautiful 
 liol be likely 
 
 DuGALD CampiiilLL Came from Scotland, and was one of the three first settlers 
 in Harrington. He remained at Point auChdne a while, and then, doubtless, about 
 1845, came to Harrington and took up the land now owned and occupied by Alexander 
 Campbell. He lived here till his death, 28th April, 1881. He had several children, 
 but only two sons, Donald and Alexander, and one daughter, Christina, grew up. 
 Alexander married 5ih August, 1 866, Mary McRae ; they had nine children — six 
 sons and three daughters — who are now living. Two sons, married, live in the States, 
 and one daughter, married, lives in Montreal. , 
 
 Mr. Campbell died 5lh May, 1881 ; his widow, with her younger children, still 
 lives on the homestead. 
 
 Kenneth Cami'Isei.l, from the Highlands of Scotland, came to Ontario, and 
 later, about 1837, "-o Harrington, and took up the land now owned and occupied by 
 his grandson, Alexander Cnristie Campbjli. He died here about 187 1 ; he was 
 twice married. Four of his sons, by UiO first marriage, settled in this County; 
 Kenneth, the eldest son, married, loth April, 1867, Ann McKae. He lived on 
 the homestead until 1886, when he bought the farm of 121 acres, where he now 
 lives. He has four children, two of each sex, no v living. His elder son, Alexander 
 Christie, married Mary Fraser. Mr. Campbell (Kenneth) has had much of the 
 unpleasant exji^rience and hard labor of those living in new and secluded settle- 
 ments, but he now has a good, well cultivated farm, with all the comforts of life. 
 
 Walter McVicar, from the Isle of Islay, Argyleshire, Scotland, engaged as 
 clerk for the Hudson Bay Company, and went to the Nordi-West. On his return, he 
 bought the farm now owned by J. W. Wainwright, St. Andrews. In 1826, or there- 
 about, he married Mary Dockstadter. They had eight sons and five daughters , three 
 of each sex settled in this section. In 1836 he sold his farm in St, Andrews, and 
 subsequently bought a farm of 200 acres, in the rear of Chatham, which is now owned 
 by his son William : he died there about 1866. Walter, his second son, 5th February, 
 1 85 I. married Hannah Williams, and, about 1868 bought 100 acres of wild land in 
 Harrington, near the Grenville line, on which he still lives. There was no road 
 here at the time, and now his house is located near the junction of two excellent 
 roads ; a store is adjacent, while his well cultivated farm looks as if ii -might have 
 been cleJlred for a century. He has five sons and two daughters, all married save 
 one. William, his eldest son, married to Emily K.Stewart, December 15th, 1874, 
 lives on the homestead, and has a blacksiTiith's shop here. 
 
 At the junction of the roads mentioned above stands the new store of S. M, 
 Brennan, of Calumet. Another one, in which he was doing a good business, was 
 Imrned in June, 1894, it is generally believed, by ai. incendiary. Sympathy for his 
 loss and indignation at the villainous act h^^ve s-cured Mr. Brennan a large increase 
 of trade in his new store. 
 
 At a short distance from this store lives James Bennett, on a good farm of 275 
 acres, which he bought in 1889. He was married the same year, 19th March, to 
 Charlotte Bigrow. Mr. Bennett's father, Louis Bennett, was an orphan, and was 
 reared by James McOuat, of Lichute. He settled, in 1875, near Calumet, on a farm 
 of 200 acres, where he now lives. He has six sons and two daughters ; two of the 
 former are married. About half a mile north of Mr. Brennan's store a bridge crosses 
 the River Rouge, which still preserves its full width amid wild mountain scenery. 
 
 About the same distance farther on is the house of Donald McIntosh, in which 
 is the Post office, established in 1877, with ^'^^ name of Rivington. Mr. Mcintosh 
 came from the Parish of Pelty, Inverness-shire, Scotland, in i860, with his father's 
 family of seven children. They lived two years in Ontario, and then moved to 
 
 if 
 
414 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Harrington, where the father died in 1863. They were the first settlers in the town- 
 ship on that side of the Rouge. Donald, the third son, bought 200 acres of land here, 
 but relinquished part of it to make the payments more easily, and afterward bought 
 in smaller quantities, till he now has 350 acres. The original farm was wild land, in 
 what, at that time, must have been an exceedingly wild place; but through the 
 industry of Mr. Mcintosh the forest has disappeared, and his farm abounds in prolific 
 crops of grass and grain. He was married 6th January, 1863, to Sarah, daughter of 
 George Bates, of Avoca. Mr. Mcintosh gratefully acknowledges the help he has 
 received from her, and believes her counsel, prudence and industry have contributed 
 to their success as much as his own. Though threescore years of age, Mr. Mcintosh, 
 notwithstanding his decades of toil, is still in the full vigor of his strength, and attends 
 to his work with step as elastic as that of youth. Besides being Postmaster, he has 
 been Municipal Councillor, School Commissioner and Mayor of the township. They 
 have one son and five daughters now living. The eldest daugliter is married to 
 Walter McVicar, jr., and lives near her parents. 
 
 Donald Fraser, in 1847, came with his family from Glenelg, Inverness-shire, 
 Scotland, to Glengary, Ont., where he lived two years, and then moved to the 5th 
 Range in Harrington, and settled on 100 acres of land, which is now owned by his 
 nephew, William Fraser. He died 19th August, 1876. On his arrival at this place 
 he was twenty miles from mills and market, without roads ; and half of this distance, 
 for a long time, was traveled only by means of blazed trees. 
 
 Colin, his second son, says that he had lived there three years before ho ever saw 
 a horse at his father's door, all their provisions having to be brought on their own 
 backs, and their seed to be put into the ground with a hoe. Even after the lapse of 
 three years, when they owned a horse, it was customary to plant their grain on the 
 rough ground with a hoe. Colin Fraser was married 28th March, 1863, to Margery, 
 sister to Donald Mcintosh noticed above. They first lived in the Augmentation of 
 Grenville, nth Range, where Mr. Fraser cleared twelve acres of his wild land; but 
 after three years he sold it, and bought 200 acres in Harrington, 2nd Concession, 
 where he now lives. This also was forest land, and ico acres of it he has himself 
 chopped and even logged alone, save now and tiien, when he has obtained a few 
 days' help by exchanging v.'ork with his neighbors. His sons, after they ♦were old 
 enough, gave him a little assistance, but the wo;k of chopping and clearing was 
 chiefly done before they could render much aid. 
 
 It will be seen that few men have had more knowledge of the hardships of pioneer 
 life than Mr. Fraser ; he has persevered in the face of obstacles before which thousands 
 would have quailed, and, smgle-handed, accomplished an amount of work that seems 
 incredible — and yet he is still young lo-^'iing, though past fifty, and continues to 
 labor with strength apparently unimpaired. It is a fact on which he may be con- 
 gratulated, and of which he has reason to feel proud, that there have never been spirituous 
 liquors on his premises in all the years he has lived here. Mr. Fraser is not only a 
 temperate man, but one whose love for the Golden Rule, " Do unto others as yoii 
 would that they should do unto you," renders him a man whom one likes to meet. It 
 should also be said that, in the practice of this rule, he has the hearty encouragement 
 of an intelligent Christian wife. Until the age of fifteen, he could not speak a woid 
 of PInglish, Gaelic being his native tongue, and the latter is still the language in 
 which he and Mrs. Fraser often converse. Owing to the entire absence of schools 
 here in his early days, he did not receive the advantages which they confer ; yet his 
 wife, being a great reader, and he an attentive listener, and, withal, possessed of.i 
 remarkable memory, his mind became stored with a degree of knowledge, especially 
 Scriptural, which many a good scholar might covet. Like others already mentioned, 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 415 
 
 a the town- 
 if land here, 
 ,'ard bought 
 ild land, in 
 through the 
 Is in prolific 
 
 daughter of 
 help he has 
 
 contributed 
 r. Mcintosh, 
 , and attends 
 is*er, he has 
 iship. They 
 married to 
 
 'erness-shire, 
 d to the 5 til 
 )\vr.ed by his 
 at this place 
 this distance, 
 
 •e he ever saw 
 on their own 
 pr the lapse of 
 '- grain on the 
 to Margery, 
 mentation of 
 d land ; but 
 Concession, 
 has himself 
 lained a few 
 ihey#\vere old 
 was 
 
 le 
 
 ps of pioneer 
 ich thousands 
 rk that seem> 
 continues to 
 ; may be con- 
 een spirituous 
 is not only a 
 others as you 
 s to meet. It 
 icouragement 
 speak a wo:d 
 e language in 
 nee of schools 
 nfer : yet his 
 ossessed of ;i 
 ge, especially 
 y mentioned, 
 
 lie now enjoys the reward of his privation and toil, possessing a good farm and stock, 
 with all modern labor-saving machinery — reaper, horse rake, mowing machine, etc. 
 Mr. Fraser has been an Elder of the Presbyterian church, as his father also was, 
 for several years. Their youngest child, Maggie, is a successful pupil in the Normal 
 School, Montreal, and in their household may be found a variety of books and papers 
 — the Montreal Witticss, Christian Herald, N'orthcrn Messenger, etc. 
 
 The reader will, doubtless, remember that in the sketch of Mr. James McArthur, 
 in the history of Grenville, mention is made of Colin Fraser, a boy who rowed the 
 unlucky canoe on Bevin Lake. He and the Mr. Fraser noticed above are identical. 
 That incident, as will be seen, was not the last of his unpleasant voyages in a canoe. 
 
 Until the bridge was built across the Rouge here, about fifteen years ago, Mr. 
 Kraser and all the settlers that side of the river, whenever they went to mill or market^ 
 iiad to experience an amount of trouble, sufficient, it would seem to most men, to 
 induce them to sell out and leave the locality. On reaching the river bank with his 
 horse and cart, each man had to detach the horse, unload the cart and row the latter 
 across. He would then return, get his grist or whatever comprised his load, row over, 
 and then return and make a third trip for his horse, which always swam beside the 
 l)oat. On returning home, he had the same labor to perform, iind, in case it was 
 dark, not unfrequently hitched the horse to a tree, and left him and his load till morning. 
 Il seems incredible that here, less Than half a century ago, and within thirty miles of 
 :! long settled country, was a community enduring all the hardships and privations 
 experienced by our ancestors, when they first opened up the country. 
 
 Charles Bain was an orphan, reared in the old Protestant Orphan Asylum, 
 2409 St. Catherine street, Montreal. He was indentured 28th February, 1853, for 
 six years, by the directresses of that institution, to a man in Hawkesbury, Ont. Like 
 many another homeless and friendless boy, he had a sorry time of it, being compelled 
 to work early and late, in sunshine and storm, in heat and cold, and often at labor 
 far too severe for one so young to perform. After enduring this treatment for some 
 time, he determined to return to the Asylum, lay his case before the directresses who 
 had placed him there, and ask them to get him another place where, at least, he 
 would be accorded treatment more humane. On his way there, he was offered good 
 wages and a pleasant home, if he would go to the States ; but being too conscientious 
 to run away without the permission of his guardians, he refused. .\s might be sup- 
 I'osed, his complaint to the directresses was unnoticed, and he was sent back to com- 
 jilete the term of his indenture. Five months before the term of his indenture expired, 
 feeling that forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, he left the place ; his only reward 
 for his five and a half years' labor being the few old clothes which he was compelled 
 to wear during that period. Fortunately, he next engaged to work for an old couple, 
 where kindness was the rule rather than the exception. After working in Kenyon, 
 Ont., and other places, till 1862, he bought 200 acres of land in the 2nd Range of 
 Harrington, where he now lives. In order to earn money to pay for it and make 
 improvements, he subseciuently worked for J. P. Wells, Vankleek Hill, and John Bell, 
 of Pembroke, Ont., lumbermen — ten years. He was married 7th September, 1864, 
 tc Rachel, daughter of the late George Bates, of Avoca. They have had nine children 
 — seven sons and two daughters. Five of the sons and the daughters are now living. 
 
 Mr. Bain, like his neighbors, has seen many hardships. But like them, also, 
 he has persevered and cleared up a large part of his farm ; he has twenty-two head of 
 cattle, three horses, and all the comforts which bespeak prosperity. He and his wife 
 are members of the Baptist church. He has served as School Commissioner and 
 twice as Valuator of the township. 
 
4i6 
 
 HISTORY OK ARdKNlEUIL. 
 
 Wii.i.iAM Stewart is another of the men who fell upon the wild forest in this 
 I)art of Harrington, and literally conquered for himself a home. He cime from Colc- 
 raine, in the County of J)erry, Ireland, in 1847, to (Quebec, where he remained two 
 years. His mother, brother and two sisters came with him; but the mother died on 
 the voyage. A few years later, he bought 100 acres of laud in the Augmentation of 
 Grenville, which is now owned l)y John (». Crawford ; cleared it and erected buildings. 
 Selling this property about i(S6S, he jnirchased 200 acres in Harrington, in 4th Range, 
 where he now lives. Not a tree had been felled on this property, where now he has 
 eighty acres under a good state of cultivation, twenty-four head of cattle, five horses 
 and eighteen sheej}. As he began life in (Irenville without a dollar, his success 
 affords ample proof that farming, even under many discouragements, may be followed 
 widi profit. Mr. Stewart has served his township as Municipal Councillor ; he has five 
 sons and four daughters. Two children — a boy and girl — are deceased. Robert W., the 
 eldest son, who now has charge of the homestead, is married to Hannah McV'icar. 
 Two dauglUers, married, live in the County. 
 
 RoiiKRT Harrison lives farther on, and near the western line of Harrington. 
 He came from the County of Antrim, Ireland, about 1869 ; since which time he has 
 lived chiefly in St. Henry, Montreal. He was married loih September, 1873, to Eliza 
 Jane Brombey, of Si. Laurent. In the spring of 1893 they came to Harrington ; and 
 he is now engaged in farming, assisted by his son William H. Harrison. 
 
 John J. Kevs, checker at Montreal for the Merchants' Line of Steamers between 
 Montreal and Kingston, came from the North of Ireland to Canada about fifty years 
 ago — 1S45. Not many years subsequently he wav engaged to fill his jjresent position, 
 and has held it ever since — valid proof of his efficiency. In October, 1856, he married 
 Sarah Woodhouse, and they have eight children — one son and seven daughters. 
 In 1879, ^^''- I'^ey^s bought 245 a( res of land in Harrington, bordering on Ottawa 
 County, and his wife and children came to live on it. There was but one acre cleared 
 at the time, and the family, with the exception of the son, Walter A. Keys, did not 
 long remain here. Walter A. was married, loth April, 1888, to Annie Isabella Dodd, 
 of Grenville, Que. He now manages the farm, which is nearly all tillable, and has 
 cleared over sixty acres, so that it now sustains fifteen head of cattle^ twenty sheep 
 and three horses. 
 
 LOST RIVER. * 
 
 From the fine farming section known as " Old Harrington," a road leads through 
 a wild mountainous section, several miles into the south-eastern portion of the town- 
 ship known as Lost River. On this road, about two mnes from the old settlement, in 
 a rough dell, shut in by woods and mountains, is a saw-mill and a large frame dwell- 
 ing, in which is the Harrington Post Office, which was established in September, 1856, 
 Alexander Campbell being Postmaster. A year later, I). B. Campbell was appointed 
 Postmaster, and still holds the position. For the next three miles, through a coun- 
 try equally wild and chietiy wooded, past three or four small ponds, the road conti- 
 nues, before reaching a more habitable section. The rest of the distance to Lost 
 River is through a narrow valley between mountains, in which are a number of fairly 
 good farms. 
 
 About a mile before reaching this suggestively named stream, on the summit of a 
 hill, is the dwelling of Murdoch Bethune, who was appointed Postmaster at Lost 
 River in 1882. 'Ihe Post Office was established at this place about 1875, Roderick 
 McLennan being the first Postmaster. 
 
 The first settlers at Lost River were Neill Bethune and Donald McQuaig, 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 417 
 
 rest in tliis 
 : from Cole- 
 maincd two 
 her died on 
 nentation of 
 :d buildings. 
 4lh Range, 
 now lie has 
 ', five horses 
 his success 
 be followed 
 ; he has five 
 ;)bertW., the 
 ah McVicar. 
 
 Harrington. 
 1 lime he has 
 1873, to F:iiza 
 rington ; and 
 
 iners between 
 3ut fifty years 
 ;sent position, 
 f;6, he married 
 n daughters, 
 g on Ottawa 
 acre cleared 
 veys, did not 
 sabella Dodd, 
 able, and has 
 twenty sheep 
 
 leads through 
 of the town- 
 Isettlement, in 
 frame dwell- 
 lember, 185C, 
 }as appointed 
 pugh a coun- 
 |e road conli- 
 lance to Lost 
 Imber of fairly 
 
 summit of a 
 laster at Lost 
 I75, Roderick 
 
 who came from Glenelg, [nverness-shire, Scotland, to Lochiel, Ontario, in 1849, ^^^ 
 I he following year to Lost River. 
 
 Alf.xani^er Bkthune also came from Glenelg, Scotland, in 1849. He lived five 
 \ears in Lochiel, and in 1855 bought 100 acres of land at Lost River, which is now 
 nwned and occupied by his son William, and which he and his sons cleared. He 
 (lied at the house of his son Murdoch, with whom he had lived a few years, 25th May, 
 [S77 ; his wife died 15th January, 1870. They had four sons and five daughters; 
 all except -one of the daughters, who died, live in this section. Murdoch, the third 
 son, in i860, bought 150 acres of wild land, on which he now lives, and a part of 
 which he has cleared. He spent some time in a lumber camp in the State of Michi- 
 i;an. In 1870, aQlh December, he married Sarah Cameron. He lias been a School 
 ( ommissioner and Councillor, and, besides being Postmaster, is recording Secretary 
 of the Orange Lodge at Lost River. 
 
 Neill Bethune (or JJeaton, as the name is usually called in this locality) died 
 ;il)out 1872, leaving six sons and two daughters. His son Donald came to Lost 
 River with him or in the same year, 1849, and bought half of Lot 4, in the 4th 
 Range. A few years later, however, he let his own son Donald L. have this, and 
 he removed to Kincardine, Bruce Countv, Ont. Donald L. Jiethune was married 
 :.)lh September, 1870, to Christina McCaskill, from Glengarry. He sold the home- 
 stead about 1 87 5, and bought 100 acres contiguous to it, Lot 4, 4th Range, where by 
 industry he has made farming profitable. He has been one of tiie members of the 
 School Board. 
 
 Descending a long hill on a road entirely shut in by hills and wood.s, about a 
 mile from the Post Office, we reach Lost River and the littk' hamlet of the same 
 name. This small, daik stream is so called fiom the fact that, soon after leaving one 
 of the little lakes or ponds, a few miles above, and of which it is the outlet, it passes 
 under a natural bridge or rock, three or four rods in width, and covered with soil 
 and trees. This bridge is k el with the surrounding land and, of course, in its pas- 
 >age under it this short distance, the stream is lost to view — i.v.>nce. Lost River. 
 
 A saw-mill, store, hotel, Orangemen's Hall, a shop or two, and three or four 
 dwellings, com])rise all the buildings of this place. The hotel, located at the end of 
 the little bridge which crosses the stream here, is owned and occupied by Geokge 
 W. BuRCH. He is a grandson of Benjamin Burch, and a son of Alva Burch, both of 
 uhom are noticed in the history of LacluUe. He went to California in 1S71, where 
 he spent five years. He was married 22nd November, 1882, to Janet C. Thom ; they 
 lived in Lachute till 1889, when Mr. Burch bought 200 acres of land at Lost River, 
 iiuilt and opened a public-house, in which he still resides. He also has 200 acres 
 about ten miles from this place in the nth range of Wenlworth, at Sixteen Island 
 Lake. To this tract, also, belongs an i.-land of six acres, which is a great resort for 
 qiortsmen. 
 
 William Fraser, a son of Andrew Fraser mertioned in the history of Harring- 
 ton, followed work on the river Ottawa about ten years, married Margaret McRae, 
 i;th June, 1857, and settled at Lost River, on a farm of 200 acres, on which they lived 
 I till six years since, when they removed to this little village. Mr. P'raser is one of 
 J the prominent citizens of this township, and has been Municipal Councillor and 
 (School Commissio;'>f!r several years. Alexander W. Fraser, his son, in 1886 built a 
 [Store here, in which he is doing a good business ; he also erected a saw-mill here in 
 1S93. I" 187 1, a fire swept over this place and quite a tract of country around, des- 
 Jtroying McLennan's dwelling and store, and other buildings ; in all, four dwelling- 
 McQuAiG, Ihouses and three barns, Mr. Fraser's buildings among others. Mr. Fraser and his 
 
4i8 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII.. 
 
 family are staunch Presbyterians, and with them, at present, is living the Rev. Robert 
 B. Thomson, who came as missionary with his family to this country in June, 1887 
 from Dundee, Scotland. He has been engaged in missionary work for thirty years, 
 and has labored in different fields in Canada since his arrival. He came to Lost 
 River in 1892, and is building a church here. 
 
 John McCuli,och came to Lost River from Kintelle, Scotland, about 1853. In 
 185s, he married Kitty McRae. They have two sons and five daughters. About 
 twenty years ago, or in 1874, he moved to Old Harrington, to a farm of eighty acres, 
 where he now lives, and which is in a good state of cultivation. In 1884, he sold his 
 farm of 175 acres at Lost River, to his son, Murdoch McCulloch ; the latter war, 
 married at Christmas, 1886, to Mary Mott, of Chatham. He now lives here, and is 
 among the enterprising and prosperous young farmers of Lost River. 
 
 NiEL McCrimmon came from Glenelg, Inverness-shire, Scotland, to (ilengarry, 
 Ont., about 1852. He lived there five years, then settled on 200 acres of land at 
 Lost River, whicli is now owned and occupied by his son. Peter McCrimmon; he 
 died here i6lh November, 1889 He had ten children, who grew up ; three sons ami 
 five daughters arc now living ; two of the former live at Lost River, and one in Bri- 
 tish Columbia ;two married daughters, also, live in this County, and one in Chelsea. 
 John, one of the sons, an energetic young man, was employed profitably five years 
 in Minneapolis, Minn. About the year 1876 he bought 200 acres of land adjoining 
 the homestead, on which he lives, nd which with his large acreage of grain, his stock 
 of cattle, horses and sheep, gives evidence of industry and prosperity. He was mar- 
 ried i8th August, 1886, to Bella McMillan. He is a member of the Orange Lodge, 
 which erected a Hall at this place about ten years ago. Peter McCrimmon, who 
 lives on the homestead, and is a brother of John, noticed above, spent ten years 
 in Michigan, and three in Wisconsin, in lumber camps — the proceeds of which labor 
 he has prudently saved. There was not a tree felled on this land when his father 
 came here ; two-thirds of it is now cleared, and on it the son has 23 head of cattle, 
 horses, and thirty-five sheep. He was married 17th April, 1892, to Diana McMillan. 
 His mother, who can speak nothing but Gaelic, lives with him. 
 
 LAKE VIEW. , 
 
 About six miles from Lost River, in a northeasterly course, is a Post office 
 which was established in 1878 with the name Lake View. William T. Highinson, 
 who lives here, was appointed Postmaster, and his family, with a very few more, com- 
 prise the population of the locality. The land between this place and Lost River, 
 though less broken than it is at the latter place, is but sparsely settled, and consider- 
 able of it uncleared. The cleared portion at Lake View borders the eastern end of the 
 Lake bearing the same name, which, until within recent years, has always been 
 known as Macdonald's Lake. It is six miles long with an average width of ij{\ 
 miles, and its location among such wild mountain scenery renders it to the lover of 
 nature an object of great attraction. Were the means of communication better 
 be ween this locality and the cities, there is no doubt that it would become a noted] 
 summer resort. a 
 
 William T. Higginson is a grandson of George Higgiuson, one of the four I 
 brothers who came from Lome, County of Antrim, Ireland, in 1817, and settled in| 
 Hawkesbury, Ont. He was first employed by Thomas Mears, then by Mears' suc- 
 cessors, the Hamilton Brothers; and after living two years in South Nation, he piir-l 
 chased a farm in West Hawkesbury, on which he lived until his death. He had ijj 
 children, six of each sex ; only two of his sons remained in that section. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 419 
 
 Lev. Robert 
 June, 18S7 
 liny years, 
 ne to Lost 
 
 lit 1853. 1'^ 
 ers. About 
 eighty acres. 
 ^j he sold his 
 5' latter war, 
 here, and i^ 
 
 Glengarry, 
 es of land a t 
 :rimmon; he 
 ,ueo sons ami 
 d one in Bri- 
 le in Chelsea, 
 blyfive years 
 land adjoiniiiK 
 ;rain,his stock 
 ' He was mar- 
 Irange Lodge, 
 ilrimmon, wlu) 
 )ent ten years 
 3f which labor 
 hen his father 
 Jicad of cattle, 
 Lna McMillan. 
 
 a Post office 
 
 [r. HiGtilNSON, 
 
 jfew more, com- 
 |nd Lost River, 
 ,, and consider- 
 Item end of the 
 |s always been 
 width of i,'i 
 [to the lover uf 
 tiication better 
 lecome a noted 
 
 "e of the four 
 and settled m 
 by Mears' sue- 
 ation, he pur- 
 11. He had 12 
 lion. 
 
 William T., his third son, was married to Mary D. Byers, 13th May, 1S50. He 
 had learned the carpenter and millwright trades, and after working a few years in 
 North Nation and Huckingham, he bought a farm in Hawkesbury, near the home- 
 stead, on which he lived from 1856 to 1873, when he sold it. He followed his trade 
 till 1878, when he purchased 300 acres of land in Harrington — Lots 8 and 9, in tl e 
 8th Range, of which only ten acres were cleared. The creek, which is the outlet of 
 Like View, crosses this land, and on it, at the time of his purchase, was an old saw 
 mill. Mr. Higginson, soon after coming here, erected a grist mill, and in 1886, built 
 ,1 new saw mill of the most improved style and machinery, to which he has added a 
 Miingle mill. The saw mill, owing to the large quantity of timber hereabout, is of 
 great utility to the locality, and the grist mill is scarcely less important. 
 
 Mr. Higginson and his son, William C, who lives here, and now has the chief care 
 of the business, have cleared up many acres of the land, and have a good farm which, 
 in connection witli their mills, gives scope for the exercise of the energy and industry 
 for which the Higginsons have generally bccii noted. Mrs. Higginson died 8th 
 January, 1892 ; they had ten children, but only three sons and four daughters arrived 
 at maturity. Mary D., one of the daughters, now the widow of Edwin Brown, lives 
 with her father and brother. 
 
 At the end of Lake View, and contiguous to the dwelling of Mr. Higginson, lives 
 Donald K. Campiiell. His grandfather, William Campbell, was one of the three 
 tirsl settlers in Harrington. He came with his family from Glenelg, Scotland, and 
 til St settled in Kenyon, Ont. His son, Kenneth, about the year i<S56, bought 400 
 acres of land at what is Lake View, one-half thi^ quantity comprising his home farm, 
 on which he lived till iiis death about 187 1. He was one of the loyal actors in the 
 sujipression of the Rebellion of 1837. He was twice married : first to Christy 
 Campbell, by which marriage he had ten sons and two daughters ; she died in 1866, 
 and he then married Catherine P'raser — five sons and one daughter were tlic fruit of 
 this union. Donald K., his fifth son by the first marriage, about 1874, bought 200 acres 
 of wild land adjoining the homestead, and the following year, i6th November, was 
 married to Mary Jane, daughter of John McCulloch. He is one of those hardy, 
 persevering Scotchmen, to whom no physical labor seems impossible or a hardship. 
 He has cleared about 100 acres of his land, chopping it all himself, and is yet young 
 in appearance and in the vigor of manhood. He possesses the stock of cattle, horses 
 and sheep usually seen on the premises of a thrifty former, and has a shop in which 
 he performs not only his own blacksmithing, but that of his neighbors, and, withal, 
 has time to serve his townsmen as School Commissioner. 
 
 In August, 1894, bears, five or six in number, attacked one of the oatfields of 
 Mr. Campbell, and though considerable effort was made to destroy them, they con- 
 tinued their destructive work. Just as the inhabitants were thoroughly aroused and 
 resolved to unite in a war of extermination, the marauders cunningly left the place, 
 "for fields and pastures new." 
 
 A lover of the wild and beautiful in nature could scarce find a retreat where the 
 enery would minister more fully to his gratification than at the home of M>". 
 Campbell. At the left, a short distance down the meadow slope, the placid lake reposes 
 between farms and woodland on the one hand, and a chain of high rounded hills on 
 the other ; their sides and summits clad with a dense forest of evergreens where lone- 
 hness and silence reign undisturbed. In front, and near at hand, a thousand cedars 
 rear their spar-like trunks, and scatter their tVagrance far and wide, while in the 
 rear, and at the right, mountains with wooded sides and bald, jagged fire-swept cliffs 
 add to the wild grandeur of the scene. But wild and grand as is the scenery, it is 
 surpassed by that which meets the eye in traveling the next three or four miles 
 
4ao 
 
 HISTOPV or AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 toward Arundel, i-'rom theheight of land a road descends for some distance, tlirouf,'li 
 a dense wood ; the heavily timbered mountain slope rising abruptly on tlie left, while 
 on the right, the tree lops sinkmg rapidly in height give evidence of a lake, or a deep 
 chasm, between the road and the steep mountain ridge which rises at no great dis- 
 tance beyond. A little further on, and the curiosity is in a great measure gratified hy 
 a glimpse, through ilie branches, of water far below, and a little further drive to a turn 
 in the road and a cleared si)ace reveals a wonderful lake, stretching back in the coui <• 
 we have just come, till lost to view among precipitous cliffs. It is not more than li.ilf 
 a mile in widtii ; but its location, beauty and solitude fill one with wonder and admir.i- 
 tioii. The right shore, looking backward, rises gradually, till it becomes a mountain 
 cliff, and tlie left is one steep mountain slope from the watei's edge, so steep, indeed, 
 that we wonder if it has ever been trodden by human foot. In the distance, and just 
 before the lake recedes from view behind j^rojeciing cliffs, midway between the shores, 
 lies an islet, bewitching in its garment of evergreens. 
 
 Has that islet ever been visited by a human soul? Have tlie waters of this 
 solitary and beautiful lake ever been ruffled by tlie oars of civilized man? Did the 
 canoe of the red man ever glide over its surface? What was its appearance at the 
 time the Algonquin warrior was struggling to repel the hated Iroquois from his soil? 
 Such are the questions suggested to the mind by the solitude of its isolation. No 
 house, no barn nor human being is in sight ; a crane, as he rises from the margin and 
 wings his solitary flight along the base of the mountain, is the only indication of 
 animate nature. Loneliness indeed ! 
 
 But what lake is this ? Even of its existence we had never heard. Is it possible 
 that people living hereabout are so accustomed to the wonderful ;\nd beautiful in 
 natuie that tht-y never speak of it ? Surely, a lake like this in some countries would 
 become the theme of every tongue, and writers and artists, in the portrayal of its 
 beauty, would exhaust the cunning of their art. We take a reluctant leave of this 
 awe-inspiring sample of nature's work, with the impression that we shall not see it 
 again ; but to our surprise, after another drive of a mile or less among the hills, we 
 come again upon its shore, when it spreads out much broader than before, and new 
 scenery for admiration meets the eye. Later still, we drive along its margin, where 
 its waters are nearly level with the road, and we learn that it winds around among 
 the mountains, for a distai , ; of three or four miles, in most fantastic shape. We 
 learn, too, that instead of some romantic Indian name, of which it seems so well de- 
 serving, it is known only as "Green's Lake." While we are still retlecting on the 
 peculiarity of its form and location, we come upon another lake, on the border of I 
 Arundel. Though beautiful and far more regular in shape than Green'a Lake, it 
 lacks the wild sionery which renders the otiier so attractive. The drive along its! 
 shore is romantic, a cliff having been cut down so as to leave a space just wide 
 enough for the road between the base of the cliff and the water; this has received 
 the euphoneous name of Matilda Lake. 
 
 In Harriiiglon, near the end of the lake wiiich bears his name, lives DavidI 
 Green. His grandfather, James Green, came with his family from JLngland, about! 
 the year 1830, and settled in Thomas' Gore, where he spent the remainder of his I 
 days. His son William married Margaret Humes ; they had eleven children— I 
 six sons and five daughters. About 1864 he bought 100 acres of wild land iiij 
 Harrington, Lot 13, 9th Range, of which he and his boys cleared eighty acres. Hej 
 died 26ih September, 1S81, at the age of 61 ; Mrs. Green died 27th January, 1886.J 
 David, one of the sons, remained on the homestead, and has added to it 100 acres.[ 
 He was married 12th May, 1879, to E'.izabeth Cameron. 
 
 Romantic as is the location of his home, and prosperous as seems his presentl 
 
HISTORY OF ARCENTEUIl.. 
 
 481 
 
 ice, througU 
 ;e left, while 
 ,e,or a deep 
 o great dis- 
 ; gratified l)y 
 rive to a turn 
 ill Uie coui '■ 
 ore than half 
 r and admira- 
 ls a mountain 
 steep, indeed, 
 vnce, and just 
 :n ihe shores, 
 
 condition, one cannot forhear thinking what must have been the isolation of Mr. 
 ("iieen's family on their arrival here, thirty years ago. There was no road, and 
 ili(r difticiilties of obtaining necessaries was a repetition of wliat many otiiers ex- 
 pirienced half a century before. Ihit the way m wliich lie has succeeded shows 
 til It he lacked none of the essential riualities of a pioneer, 'i'he absence of a school, 
 however, is still a great detriment to his children; in order to reach one, they have 
 to travel a distance of three miles. 
 
 THE GLEN. 
 
 In the norlh-castern part of Harrington, at the southern extremity of Hevin Lake, 
 is a tract of level land shut in by mountains, which is known as "The Glen." It 
 is divided into several farms, each of which includes a iiortion of this level tract, as 
 well as many acres of the wooded heights in the rear, into which lliey reach. A 
 romantic stream, a large brook, the outlet of Lake View, witii swift current and many 
 I turn and cataract, flows through "The Glen," a distance of three or four miles, into 
 Hivin Lake. The mountains so nearly approach each other at the western end of 
 'Ihe Glen," that only a narrow gap intervenes, and through this gap, beside the 
 stream, amid scenery of the wildest nature, a road leads tVom Lake \'iew to " The 
 Glen." 
 
 It was in this remote corner of Harrington that Mr. Lachlan McArthur had 
 the rough experience of pioneer life related in the history of (jctnville. He was 
 also connected with an incident that occurred while he livefi here which cast a 
 gloom over the community of scattered settlers through all this region, and which 
 IS still related by the aged people here with unabated interest. 
 
 Near the dwelling of James Colquhoun, beside the road at the entrance to " The 
 Glen," is a single grave — ihat of Kknjamin Burcii, who was drowned at this place 
 and buried here nearly foity years ago. 
 
 It was in the Spring of the year, when the creek connecting the two lakes was a 
 
 AvoUen torrent, more dangerous, from its rapid current, than many of our navigable 
 
 [tivcrs. Mr. McArthur, a man named Kimball, and Burch, were about to set out from 
 
 The Glen," to obtain seed grain and potatoes, and, on account of the absence of a 
 
 oad and the difficulty of travelling, Kimball and McArthur wished to row up the 
 
 reek in a bark canoe. Burch, not being able to swim, rather opposed the scheme, 
 
 ut being assured that if he would but sit quietly in the boat he would incur no 
 
 langer, he laid aside his objections, and embarked. .Soon afterward they had to 
 
 as; under the trunk of an uprooted tree, which lay a few feet above the water. All 
 
 ere obliged to bjw their heads low, but Burch, probably, through nervousness, 
 
 ught hold of a projecting limb, which caused the boat to upset. After much 
 
 niggling against the current, Kimball and McArthur gained the shore, and on 
 
 iving for Burch, found him clinging to a tree, whose top lay in the creek and 
 
 e, lives David Re trunk reaching at an inclined angle to the shore. I^lr. McArthur thrust a 
 
 ngland, aboutiole towards him, with the request that he would take hold of it and be drawn 
 
 nainder of liislhore; but the poor fellow was too paralyzed with fear to comply, and then 
 
 en children--Br. McArthur cautiously walked out on the tree, extended his hand and begged 
 
 wild land ii^iai to reach out his own hand and seize it ; still, he was unable to accept 
 
 lily acres. Helc proffered aid. Finally, McArthur in desperation made a dash at the coat 
 
 1 January, iSSO.llJar of Burch, intending to drag him by force to the land. Being a powerful man, 
 
 |to it too acres. J would, no doubt, have efTected his object, but, unfortunately, his foot slipped, he 
 
 1 against Burch, andboth were again in the wild current. McArthur had a harder 
 
 :ms his presentluggle this time to regain the shore than he did before; but he finally regained it, 
 
 waters of il>is 
 lan? l)idil>c 
 carance at the 
 from his soil? 
 isolation. No 
 he margin and 
 y indication of 
 
 Is it possible 
 rnd beautiful \n 
 :ountries would 
 portrayal of its 
 Ini leave of this 
 lull not see u 
 g the hills, we 
 efore, and new 
 margin, where 
 around among 
 ic shape. \Ve 
 ms so well de- 
 Ikcting on the 
 the border of 
 jeen'i; Lake, it 
 llrive along its 
 l])ace just wide 
 lis has received 
 
4' 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 after being carried some distance down the stream. Tlie body of Barch was found, 
 after a search of two or three days, in which several joined, nearly covered by sand, 
 just where the bridge now crosses t'ae stream. The slate of travellinpf was such that 
 it was impossible to take the body for interment to a cemetery, and it wr.o Duried 
 therein the wilderness, close by the scene of disaster. 
 
 James Colquhoun, whose house is noticed above, came from the County of 
 Donegal, Ireland, with his father's family to Canada in 1845 > and both he and his 
 father worked in the Seigniory of Argenteuil the three foUowipg years. The father, 
 then, bought 200 acres of land in Chatham, parts of Lots 4 and 5 in the loth Range. 
 He 'ived there till 1866, when he moved to Harrington Glen, and settled on 100 
 acres of I,ot 8, 9th Range, which is now owned and occupied by iiis son John ; he died 
 here about three years later; Mrs. Colquhoun died about 1881. 
 
 The son, James, was for some time in the employ of Peter MoArthur of Dales- 
 ville At the age of 2 1, he engaged to work in lumber camps, and was thus employed 
 five or six years. In 1858, he bought 200 acres in "The Glen," parts of Lots 7 and 
 8, 9th Range; half of wliich had been owned by his father ; of this he has cleared 
 75 acres. When he first commenced work here in the fo-est, he often walked back 
 and forth to his father's house, in Chatham, 24 miles distance, carrying loads on hi; 
 back varying in weight from 40 to 80 lbs. The first year that he began work here 
 he covered wilh his hoe six bushels of oats, from whicii seed he raised nearly 100 1 
 bushels. His nearest mill was at Dalesville, about 25 miles distant. He was married! 
 ist May, 1S60, to^Dura Clifford ; they have five sons and four daughters ; two of each 
 sex are married. 
 
 Mr. Colquhoun has served for several years as Municipal Councillor aiuij 
 School Commissioner. 
 
 Wentworth. 
 
 Proclamation op the 3RD of June, 1809; organized ist of July, 1855. 
 
 Proclamation of the 3rd of June., 1809 ; organized ist of July, 1S55, 
 
 This township is bounded on the north by the township of Howard, on the easij 
 by the townships of Gore, Morin and Mille Isle, south by Chatham, and west byf 
 Harrington. It contains about 6t,6oo acres of land, and thousands of acres ofwati-r, 
 A mountain range enters it from the township of Gore on the third Range, and riinil 
 westerly on the north of Lake Louisa, into Harrington, and there are also sevenij 
 other mountain peaks within its limits. 
 
 Wentworth may be truly said to be a land of lakes and mountains, a townslii;j 
 replete wilh scenery wild and picturesque. It contains thirty lakes, varying in size 
 from ^'2 a mile to 5 miles in length. Of these, Sixteen Island Lake and Lake Luuis^ 
 are the largest ; the former, which is about 5 miles long, with an average width of 
 mile, is located in the north-west part of the iownship ; the latter, 3 miles long and i'; 
 wide, is in the south-west. It is a beautiful sheet of water, surrounded by hills arJ 
 mountains, and contains several attractive islands, clothed with evergreen trees, 
 number of people have, for several years, resorted to it, in the summer season, and t! 
 late Hon. J. J. C. Ab'^ott had a summer house on its margin. 
 
 There are also the Upper and Lower Rainbow Lakes ; the former is on tiic4t| 
 and 5th Lots of the 6th Range ; and the latter is on the 8th and oth Lots of the saiiij 
 Range. West River is the outlet of these two lakes, and it passes through two moil 
 lakes before leaving Wentworth ; the first being Round Lake, about a mile in circuij 
 
 iiiatut 
 McLc 
 occup 
 to La( 
 V 
 do no I 
 rough 
 
 G 
 
 water, 
 locatec 
 pied bj 
 In the 
 the lioi 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 423 
 
 :h was found, 
 ered by sand, 
 was such that 
 it wr.c Duried 
 
 the County of 
 3lh he and his 
 „ The father, 
 le loth Range, 
 settled on 100 
 ^john; he died 
 
 rthur of Daies- 
 , thus employed 
 ,s of Lots 7 aiici 
 ; he nas cleared 
 ten walked back 
 ■ing loads on hi: 
 egan work here] 
 ?.ised nearly 100 
 He was niarned | 
 ters ; two of cac., 
 
 [ Councillor auc 
 
 ,F July, 1855. 
 
 855. , 
 
 Ikvard, on the eas'J 
 
 am, ar.d west by] 
 
 of acres of water! 
 
 Range, and runi 
 
 are also sevenB 
 
 lain 3 
 
 a townshiij 
 L varying in sua 
 [and Lake Louis^ 
 
 erage width o( 
 liles long and ijj 
 Ided by hills arj 
 ^rgreen trees. .1 
 
 fr season, and i!i| 
 
 Jiricr is on the 4>l 
 I Lots of the sawl 
 Ji rough two mol 
 ; a mile in circuil 
 
 which is between the 5th and 6th Ranges, and the second is West River Lake, on Lots 
 16 and 17, in the 3rd Range ; it is about one and a half miles long, and Iialf a mile 
 wide. West River, continuing its course into Chatham, is utiHzed by the Cartridge 
 Factory, and the Miils at Brownsburg, and, finally, flows into the Nortli River at 
 Lachute. Williams Lake, in '* The Glen " of Wentworth, is the source of Dalesville 
 Creek, and Clear Lake has the honor of uniting the angles of Wentworth, Gore, 
 Chatham, and the parish of St. Jerusalem d'Argenteui! — all meeting in its waters. 
 
 Lake Louisa was the scene of a sad accident about the year 1863, a shor 
 account of which is extracted from the writings of the Rev. Mr. King : — 
 
 " A new settler living on the margin of the lake had a ' bee ' for the purpose ■ 
 lelling trees on land he inteuded to clear. Whiskey, of course, as at all ' bees,' v aa 
 supplied in abundance, and after the men had finished their evening meal the mosi .'" 
 them went home. Two P"renchmen, however, and a young Irish lad were somewl. . 
 delated in their desire to experience all the enjoyment to be had on sucli occasions, 
 and doubtless were in a condition wholly unfit to venture on a lake in a canoe on a 
 (lark night. But there was no one to prevent them, and in the morning the bark 
 canoe was found bottom upward, and near it a man's cap, but the men themselves 
 could not be found, though diligent search was made and the lake dragged for several 
 days. As it was late in the fall, the lake was soon frozen over and tlie search was 
 abandoned, and in the spring, after a long dreary winter, it was again renewed, but to 
 no avail. It was not till summer, when the water was low, that two of them — one of 
 the men and tiie Irish lad — were found. These were discovered near the shore, one 
 of them on a flat rock, as if the body had been dragged there by some animal ; the 
 other never was found, and the body doubtless sank in the mud or floated under a rock, 
 
 "The following spring the body of a man was found beside an uprooted tree on 
 the shore of the same lake. He was a stranger in the place, and had called at some 
 of the dwellings the fall previous, but he suddenly disappeared and none knew whither 
 he had gone. He had, no doubt, got lost in the woods, lay down to rest, and died 
 from hunger and exhaustion." 
 
 William Smith, from Yorkshire, England, of whom there is a sketch in the 
 history of Lachute, is said to have been the first settler in Wentworth, He came 
 about 1815, and located in the north-east part of the township, at what is now called 
 Dunany, a Postoftice having been established there with that name in 1853, and Mr. 
 Smith was appointed Postmaster. 
 
 Other early settlers of Dunany were James Stephenson, Watson Guy, Duncan 
 McArthur, Arthur McArthur, Duncan McDougall and Robert Smith. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Smith had twelve children — six of each sex — that arrived at 
 maturity. James, their eldest son, in April, 1858, was married to Mary Jane 
 McLean, of Lachute, and settled on Lot i, Range i, in Gore, adjacent to that first 
 occupied by his grandfather. After a residence there of sixteen years, he removed 
 to Lachute, in the history of which place he is further noticed. 
 
 With the exception of that part of VVent>vorth in the vicinity of Dunany, settlers 
 do not seem to have entered till after 1832 or thereabout, deterred, doubtless, by the 
 rough and stoney appearance of the land. 
 
 George Seale, the present Mayor of Wentworth, came from the parish of Black- 
 water, King's County, Ireland, to Morin, where his brother Joseph had previously 
 located in 1847. He took up 100 acres of land there, which is now owned and occu- 
 pied by A. Watchorn, but sold it some years later, without having cleared any of it. 
 In the fall of 1847 he came to Wentworth, and, after making his home for a year in 
 the house of a friend, working meanwhile, he purchased the west half of Lot 9 in the 
 
424 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII, 
 
 2nd Range, to which, some years subsequently, he added the adjoining Lot lo ; these 
 300 iic'Ts form his present home farm. He afterward bought 100 acres located on 
 Lake Louisa, which is contiguous to his first purchase, and, still later, purchased the 
 summer residence and 73 acres of the Hon. J. J. C. Abbott, which is on tlie margin 
 of the same lake. J3esides this, a few years since, he bought another hundred, for 
 which he jjaid $2,000, for his son. 
 
 Mr. Scale had only good judgment and a vigorous constitution when he began 
 his career in Wentworth, and when he bought his first land he had but $50 to pay 
 down ; the price was $400, and the balance he was to pay at the rate of $50 per 
 annum. This iie paid with the proceeds of his potash, and we can understand the 
 amount of labor ihis involved, wiien we recollect that it takes sixty large maples to 
 make ashes enougii for one barrel of potash containing from six and a half to seven 
 quintals, for which he received $8.50 a quintal. Fortunately, there was a man livin- 
 in the Seigniory of Argenteuil who knew Mr. Sealc in Ireland ; and when the latter 
 made his first purchase of land, this man sold him a horse and cow, accepting his 
 verbal promise to pay at a future period, which promise was faithfully fulfilled. 
 ]}efore buying his second lot of land, he had finished making potash, and relied on 
 his crops and stock for income. About the time of commencing his pioneer life, his 
 brother Joseph sold his land in Morin, came to Wemworth, and the two brothers 
 worked in partnership. After a lapse of nine years, their property was apprized at 
 $1,500, and the co-partnership was dissolved, George paying Joseph $750 for his 
 share. In 1S60, he was married to Jane, daughter of Peter Cruise, who emigrated 
 from Ireland and settled in Wentworth in 1844. Mr. Seale ascribes much of his 
 prosperity to the wise counsel, careful management, and good judgment of his wife. 
 He has Iieen a School Commissioner and Municipal Councillor many years, and has 
 been Mayor of the township fifteen years. He has commodious buildings, keeps a 
 large stock, several horses, and has all the improved farming improvements and 
 wagons that indicate successful farming. 
 
 He has had twelve children, but only six — three of each sex — are now living. 
 One of his daughters, Hannah Maria, married to Walter H. Spencer, lives in 
 Morin, Manitoba ; Thomas, the eldest son, lives with his father on the homestead. 
 
 William P., the second son, was married 6th May, iSgr, to Ellen Cleland, 
 and he lives on a farm of 100 acres, near the homestead. He has recently erected 
 a good barn, is making many improvements, and seems to have inherited a good 
 share of parental enterprise. He was employed in 1891 in taking the census oi" 
 Wentworth and Montcalm, and has stored his mind with much interesting in- 
 formation respecting these townships. 
 
 LOUISA. 
 
 A Post-office was established in the south-western part of Wentworth in 1880 
 with the name Louisa, and William Watchorx was appointed Postmaster, which 
 position he still holds. His father, William Watchorn, came from Ardoin, County 
 of Wicklow, Ireland, in July, 1833, and took up 100 acres of land in Gore. In 
 1837, '^^ removed to Wentworth and took up 200 acres, Lot 5, in the ist Range. 
 He was Municipal Councillor some time, and was a Volunteer in Capt. Quinn's 
 Company in the Rebellion of 1837; he died, 22nd December, 1865. He had foia 
 daughters and three sons who grew up. William, his second son, when a young man, 
 spent a year or two in Ontario, and after his return, worked two or three years on 
 the homestead. On December loth, 1868, he married Mary Elizabeth Robinson, 
 of Wentworth, and the following year bought 200 acres in the 2nd and 3rd Ranges, 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 42s 
 
 I 10 ; those 
 located on 
 ■cl>ased ihf 
 tlie margin 
 jndred, for 
 
 n he began 
 $50 to pay 
 of $50 per 
 erstand the 
 ;e maples to 
 alf to seven 
 a man living; 
 ;n the latter 
 ccepting his 
 ally fulfilled, 
 md relied on 
 jneet life, his 
 two brothers 
 IS apprized at 
 I750 for his 
 ho emigrated 
 much of his 
 (It of his wife, 
 ears, and has 
 ings, keeps a 
 ivements and 
 
 |e now living, 
 er, lives in 
 \c homestead, 
 ^llen Cleland, 
 :ently erected 
 ^riied a good 
 the census ot 
 Ueresting iiv 
 
 kvorlh in iSSo 
 Imaster, whicJi 
 1-doin, County 
 in Gore, In 
 tie ist Range. 
 :apt. Quinn's 
 He had fov.r 
 h. young man, 
 Ihree years on 
 Ih Robinson, 
 l '.rd Ranges, 
 
 in this township, on which he still lives. He has cleared and improved his land, so 
 that it sustains a good stock of cattle, horses and sheep. He has been a School 
 Commissioner fifteen, and Municipal Councillor over thirty years, and, some years 
 ago, was Ensign in Company No. 2 of the Argenteuil Rangers. 
 
 RoisERT Boyd, an aged farmer of this section, came to this country from Hazle- 
 wood, Sligo County, Ireland, in June, 1853, and was employed in different places — 
 Chatham, Lachute, Thomas's Gore, Toronto, etc., fot fifteen years. He was married 
 3rd December, 1867, to Dorothy Brown of Gore. In May, 1877, he bought 300 
 acres in the 12th Range of Chatham. Soon after settling on it, while clearing land, 
 a limb of a tree penetrated his ear, causing partial deafness, and so affecting his 
 liealth that he fell himself unable to manage so large a farm, hence he exchanged 
 it for 50 acres in Wentwortli, parts of Lots 5 and 6 in the 2nd Range. This was in 
 May, 1879, and he has since lived on it, but, owing to the infirmities of age, is 
 obliged to yield tiie management cliiefly to his children, and he, resignedly, awaits 
 the peace and rest of another world. 
 
 An Anglican Church edifice was erected in this locality in 1894, at ,wi expense 
 of $1,000, which has been fully paid. (Jeorge Scale, James ]\Iorrison and Robert 
 Rowe formed the building committee, and subscribed very liberally towards defraying 
 the expense of its erection. All w!io took an active interest in the work were also 
 liberal subscribers. 
 
 Religious services of other denominations are occasionally held here in the 
 school house. 
 
 An Orange Lodge »vas formed in this part of the township, more than half a 
 century ago, and an Orange Hall was erected here in 1886. 
 
 WENTWORTH GLEN. 
 
 In the eastern part of Wentworth, on the 4th and sth Ranges, adjacent to 
 Shrewsbury, in Gore, is a moderate depression of land which has long been known 
 as the Glen, and which is itself considerably diversified by hill and dale. A road 
 leading from Louisa to Shrewsbury passes through it, and Dalesville Creek also 
 runs through quite a portion of it. 
 
 John Quinton and Patrick Rice, who located here about the year 1833, were 
 the first settlers, but neither '>f them remained more than a year or two. Quinton was 
 an Englishman, and was a vays known among his neighbors, who were Irish, as 
 '• English J'hn," to distinguish him from others who bore the name of John. A 
 small field, wl !ch he cleared, is still designated as " English John's field." 
 
 On the re 1 leading to The Glen from Louisa is a farm, on which Joseph 
 Creswell, froi the County of Donegal, Ireland, settled in 1840. He took up one- 
 half of Lot 4, 3re. '\.ange, and several years later bought the other half of the same lot. 
 In May, 1846, th > family suffered a terrible affliction, their house being burnt, and 
 three of their children — two little girls, one three and the other five years old, and a 
 boy of three — were consumed in it. Mr. Creswell cleared up the first 100 acres he 
 purchased, and a lime kiln liaving previously been opened on the other Lot, he 
 repaired and worked it for some years, when it again fell into disuse. He died 20th 
 September, 1885 ; his wife died the 22nd of the same month and year. Five of their 
 children — three sons and two daughters— lived to maturity. Joseph, tlie second son, 
 now living, in his youthful days went to Michigan, and was employed there in lumbering 
 live years. After his return he worked the same length of time on the homestead, and 
 then, 4lh August, 1875, was married to Annie Scarborough of Staynerville, Chatham. 
 
 »8 
 
 ■5 1 
 
 i.8 
 
 i 
 
■■■»"«r®.!(»M<aS;t.'.-. 
 
 426 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 In 1877, he went to California, where he spent two years ; but since his return he 
 has worked on the homestead, of which he owns all save 25 acres, which has been 
 sold. Four or five years ago, he reconstructed the lime kiln, and has since kept it in 
 active operation, his farm possessing a large quantity of superior limestone. Mr. 
 Creswell was for some years a member of Company No. 2 of the Argenteuil Rangers, 
 and has also been a Municipal Councillor. 
 
 Henry Morrison, from Bella Bay, County Monaghan, Ireland, came to Canada 
 in 1833, worked on the Canal at Carillon three months, spent a year in Gore, and 
 then came to The Glen and bought one-half of Lot No. i, in the 5th Range. 
 Several years afterward, he bought 200 acres more adjacent in the 4th Range of 
 Gore. He and his boys cleared up the greater part of the first and a portion of the 
 second lot. He was a member of the Municipal Council a numbers of years, of 
 Capt. Quinn's Company in the Rebellion of 1837, and of Capt, James Smith's Com- 
 pany during the Fenian raids. He died 3rd October, 1873, at the age of 75 ; his 
 wife died 3rd June, 1877. They had four sons and three daughters that grew up. 
 
 William, their eldest son, now living, was married, i8th March, 1857, to 
 Elizabeth Parker, sister to Mrs. James Morrison — his brother's wife — who was mar- 
 ried at the same time. He settled on one-half of Lot i, 5th Range, in Gore, and has 
 since bougl.t half of the adjoining Lot No. i, 6th Range, in Wen*. worth. He has 
 constantly resided here since, and has a good farm well stocked. He has been a 
 Justice of the Peace about 2c years, is Deputy Master of the Orange Lodge, and has 
 also been Master, and was P^nsign of Company No. 2 of the Argenteuil Rangers, and 
 went with them to the different places to which they were ordered during the Fenian 
 raids. He has five sons and three daughters ; two of the former are married — one 
 resides ir Carson City, Nevada ; the other, William J., lives near the homestead : 
 James is in Boston ; and Edward and Richard, the two youngest, live with their 
 parents. 
 
 James, the second son of Henry Morrison, was married, as stated above, i8th 
 March, 1857, to Jane Parker. She and her sister, Mrs. William Morrison, were 
 daughters of Edward Parker, who came from the County of Carlow, Ireland, and 
 settled in Gore, in 1829. Mr. Morrison, a year previous to his marriage, bought 
 half a lot, near the homestead, on which he settled and has always lived, and has 
 since purchased 400 acres more, adjoining it. Though he has devoted mucli lime to 
 hunting, he seems to have given enough of it to farming to improve his land and 
 acquire the quantity of stock and other things usually possessed by the majority of 
 farmers. He has also found time to serve his country as a soldier, having for several 
 years been 1st Sergeant in Company No. 2 of the Rangers, and was with them in 
 their famous endeavors to encounter Fenians. | 
 
 The truth is, Mr. Morrison is a man of great muscular power and vigorous 
 health, a tramp of twenty miles, with a gun, through woods and over hills and moun- 
 tains being yet but pastime for him, though upward of threescore years of age. He 
 is not above medium height, but broad chested, with muscles and nerves of iron, and 
 an eye that never fails to send a bullet to a vital part. He has killed a quantity of I 
 game that might rouse the envy of Nimrod, and no doubt has had some exciting 
 adventures, but he is not a man of l)oastful spirit, and speaks of his experience as a 
 hunter with extreme modesty. He shot his first bear when he was 18 /ears old, and I 
 the number of animals he had killed up to ist October, 1894, were as fo.lows : bears, 
 47 ; deer, about 50 ; foxes, over 40 ; 5 caribou and about the same number 01 
 wolverines. He once had an unpleasant experience with an animal, of which we have 
 forgotten the name. He had set a steel trap in the hollow of a fallen tree, and onl 
 visiting it afterward, he thoughtlessly thrust in his hand to pull out the trap fori 
 
HISTORY OF AROENTEUIL. 
 
 427 
 
 his return he 
 lich has been 
 nee kept it in 
 lestone. Mr. 
 euil Rangers, 
 
 me to Canada 
 in Gore, and 
 e 5th Range. 
 4th Range of 
 portion of the 
 IS of years, of 
 5 Smith's Corn- 
 age of 75 ; his 
 hat grew up. 
 .rch, 1857, to 
 -who was mar- 
 Gore, and has 
 'orth. He has 
 He has been a 
 Lodge, and has 
 il Rangers, and 
 ring the Fenian 
 e married — one 
 the homestead . 
 live with their 
 
 ed above, iStli 
 Morrison, were 
 w, Ireland, and 
 [arriage, bouglit 
 ; lived, and has 
 :d much time to 
 ^e his land and 
 
 the majority of 
 [ving for several 
 
 s with them in 
 
 \r and vigorous 
 Ihills andmoun- 
 irs of age. He 
 Ives of iron, and 
 Id a quantity of I 
 ■ some exciting 
 experience as a 
 .ears old, and | 
 Ifo.lows : bears, 
 ame number 01 
 . which we have j 
 pn tree, and on 
 tut the trap for 
 
 examination. Unluckily for him, a victim which had been caught in the trap by the 
 hind leg was only too ready to avenge its wrongs, and buried its teeth in Iiis hand 
 witii a death grip, from which he could not release himself, though he made strenuous 
 efforts. He bethought him of his knife, but it was in the right pocket of his pants, 
 and his right hard was the one seized by the animal. After several fruitless efforts 
 lie finally succeeded in getting his knife with his left liand, and then, opening it by the 
 aid of his teeth, he actually severed the head of the animal from its body before its 
 grasp was relaxed. Mr. Morrison is as familiar with every square acre of the forest 
 land of Wentworth and other new townships as he is with his own farm ; and we are 
 indebted to him for several facts respecting their physical features. He has had eleven 
 children, of whom six are now living — three of each sex. His sons are all married — 
 jldward, the eldest, lives in Manitoba, and the other two, Henry and Thomas, have 
 irms near the lioniestead ; both are members of the Orange Lodge and have belonged 
 \ daughter of Mr. Morrison, married, also resides in this section. 
 
 I'j tlie Rangers 
 
 Valentine Swail came from the County of Down, Ireland, to Thomas's Gore 
 as early as 1820, and took up 100 acres of land there. He sold it, and removed to 
 '•The Glen," not far from 1842, and took up 200 acres in the 4tli and 5th Ranges, 
 on which he lived a number of years, when he sold out and went to the Eastern 
 Townships — Compton County — where lie died in April, 1870. He was a man of 
 intelligence, and was much respected while living in " The G!en ; " his advice 
 respecting legal as well as other matters being often sought by his fellow-townsmen. 
 He had formerly taught school in Ontario, and no doubt his education gave him 
 considerable influence among the illiterate of that day, rendering him a desirable 
 leader in municipal and military affairs. He was one of the loyal actors in the 
 Rebellion of 1837, ^"^ became a Captain of militia. His wife died here in 1S70. He 
 was twice married, and had seven children, by whom he was much respected and loved. 
 In his last years he was much interested in spiritual matters, it is said, and died a 
 Christian. By his first marriage he had one son and two daughters, who grew up. 
 His son Valentine, when quite young, bought 100 acres here, which is now owned and 
 occupied by James Morrison. About 1847 he married Annie Lister, and after living 
 on his farm a number of years sold it, and rem.oved to Morin, where he became pro- 
 prietor of 200 acres, which is now owned by his son, Ebenezer Swail. He lived here 
 till his death, 26th April, 1894, and was for some lime one of the Argenteuil Rangers. 
 He had six sons and three daughters, who grew up. James Swail, his second son, 
 when 18, went to Michigan, and after an absence of two and a half years returned, 
 and on 14th June, 187 1, was married to Mary Ann Davis. She died in 1889, on 
 the anniversary of her marriage. From this time to the 15th of May, 1893, when he 
 was married to Mrs. Sarah Morrison, lie was engaged in farming or lumbering in Papi- 
 neau Seigniory, Alberta and Wisconsin. His present wife was the widow of the late 
 John Morrison, and they now live on the farm where she resided before her hus- 
 band's death. Mr. Swail once belonged to the Rangers, and was with them during 
 the Fenian excitement. By his first marriage he had five children, three of whom 
 arc now living ; one daughter, married, lives in Wisconsin j his two boys are with 
 him. 
 
 Samuel Clifford, from Fermanagh, Ireland, took up 100 acres in Mille Isle, 
 i but being dissatisfied with his choice of land, sold it and purchased of a British 
 pensioner a Location Ticket for 200 acres of land in " The Glen of Wentworth ; " this 
 lot is now owned and occupied by his youngest son, William, who has added 100 
 acres to it. William was married, 23rd March, 1875, to Sarah Armstrong; he has 
 been Municipal Councillor ten years, School Commissioner eight, a member of the 
 
 i' 
 
428 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Orange Lodge and of the Rangers several years. He has two sons and one daugh- 
 ter; the former, Samuel and John, aged respectively i8and i6, belong to the Rangers, 
 and Samuel was one of the " Reserves " at the late " Tug-of-War " between the 
 Argenteuil boys and those cf Glengarry. Harriet, the daughter, also lives with her 
 parents. Like others, Mr. Clifford in early years suffered from raids of bears and 
 wolves, the former especially being numerous in this section. About ]882, lie 
 received a visit from one, which seemed to have the combined impudence and auda- 
 city of all the rest of his race. It was in the sjjring, one evening at tarly twilight, and 
 Mr. Clifford was milking in the stable. He had a fine calf, about two months old, 
 on the bain floor, which was sejiarated from the stable by a partition. Suddenly the 
 calf gave aloud piteous bleat or two, as if in pain. Mr. Clifford rose leisurely from 
 his milking stool, and started with his milk jsail in his hand to learn the ci.use. To 
 his amazement, as he emerged fiom the stable door, IJruin, a monstrous fellow, walked 
 out of the other on his hind feei with the calf in his mouth, having seized it with his 
 teeth about midway of the back, so that he could easily balance it. He seemed in no 
 wise disconcerted by the shouts of Mr. Clifford, but trotted off with an air which 
 portrayed the following thought — "You must be a fool if you think, after all my 
 trouble, 1 am going to give up this fine veal, on account of a little noise." He did 
 give it up, however, but not till after Mr. Clifford had secured an axe and his doj.', 
 and was again at his heels. He had not lime to load his gun, hence Bruin escaped, 
 and the calf was so badly injured that soon afterwaid it had to be killed. 
 
 LAUREL. 
 
 In the western part of Wentworth is a rew settlement which, on account of the 
 number cf Irish who have located there, has long been called New Ireland ; but a 
 Post-office was etablishcd there in 1886 with the name Laurel, by which name the 
 locality is now known. , 
 
 About half a century ago, Edward McCluskev came with his family from Ireland 
 and settled in Chatham. Years afterward, or about i860, his two sons, James and John, 
 took up 300 acres of uncleared land in Wentworth. Lots 23 and 24, in the 7th Range. 1 
 Their improvements formed the nucleus of a settlement to which many have since 
 gathered. The McCluskeys and others in the locality have made good progress as 
 pioneers. About 1861, James McCluskey was married to Mary Wilson of Lachuie. 
 and their progeny alone are likely to keep undiminished the population of Laurel, 
 They have had fourteen children — twins at one time and triplets at another. Ten of 
 the children are living, of whom one son and two daughters are married. Matthew 
 McCluskey, the second son, who las spent some years in Michigan and Wisconsin, 
 is Postmaster, and Edward, younger brother, is his assistant. ' 
 
 MONTFORT. 
 
 The following account of the Montfort Colonization Railway and the Montfortj 
 Orphanage is taken from Ihe Watchman: 
 
 *' Had the early settlers among the forests and mountains of Wentworth been toldl 
 that one day the puffs of the engine and its shrill whistle would startle the wild aninialJ 
 of that region, it would have been deemed a most unlikely story. But this age off 
 progress has produced many wonders, and a railway in Wentworth is not one of tl.s| 
 smallest. This has been accomplished by the energy, pluck and perseverance of i 
 band of French Canadians in Montreal, who several years ago conceived the idea( 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUH,, 
 
 429 
 
 f.oljnizing the uninhabited regions of Quebec. A charter was obtained, a survey 
 '.iiade as tar as Arundel, and after seeking and obtaining aid from both govern nents, 
 the work was commenced and is now completed as far as Sixteen Island Lake. 
 
 "The officers of the Monlfort Colonization Railway are K. Senecal, President ; 
 Joseph Brunei, Vice-President; Messrs. F. Froideveau'^ Godfrey Chapleau and 
 E. D. Porcheron, Directors ; A. S. Hamelin, Secretary-Treasurer. The Railway is a 
 narrow-gauge line at present, althougii tlie road-bed, grades and curves have been 
 made the same as on the standard gauge. O.ving to the wildness and roughness of 
 the country the construction of the Railway was very expensive. 
 
 " At Montfort, we found, to our surprise, a large, commodious and well furnished 
 hotel. This hotel was built last year by Mr. Froidevcaux, and is kept by Mr. Piouff. 
 It is situated on the side of a high hill, overlooking lake St. Frangois-Xavier. Just 
 below this lake is another called Lake Chevreuil (Deer lake), the lalc^r being several 
 iumdred feet below the former. Between the two on the stream which connects 
 them is situated the Orphanage, and mills and out-buildings attached thereto, which 
 are under the direction of the P^res de la Society de Maiie. The origin, work and 
 present state of this institution deserves more than a passing note. 
 
 "The question naturally arises, 'how came this institution to be planted in such 
 a strange place ? ' for it must be remembered that when the work was first inaugurated 
 there was no railway, no clearance, and not even a cart road — nothing but the primeval 
 forest, 
 
 "It seems that a number of French Canadians in Montreal conceived the idea of 
 taking several lots of land in the bush and forming a colony for the purpose of set- 
 tling the country. They made their idea known to the late Cure Rousselot of Montreal, 
 who became interested therein. Messrs. Froideveaux and Montmarquet were select- 
 id to go in search of a location, and cliose the nth Range of Wentworth. In the 
 meantime, Cure Rousselot, who as rector of a large congregation in Montreal came 
 into daily contact with much suffering, degradation and crime among homeless children 
 thrown upon the streets, was seized with the idea that it might be possible, in some 
 of the unsettled lands of this province, to establish an institution, which would take 
 these children in their tender years before they had become injured by the vice of the 
 city, and feed, clothe, educate and teach them how to cultivate the soil, and finally 
 place them as proprietors on lots of land to do for themselves. The population of the 
 city was congested, there was no path but that of crime open for homeless waifs there, 
 but the country needed a rural population, and thus the scheme took shape in the 
 good priest's mind. Friends came forward with help, and in 1881 first a mill and 
 then an orphanage was built, known as the Agricultural Orphanage of Montfort. 
 
 "An order of priests, brothers and sisters in France, whose special work is that 
 of agriculture, was brought out to take charge of the work, and under their excellent 
 management its success has been assured. Some time later a large property was 
 bought in Arundel, where they have now an immense establishment. 
 
 " We were conducted through the institution by Pere Albert, who in the absence 
 of the Superior, P6re Boucher, was in charge At present there are over 200 children 
 I (\ the Momf^ortB being cared for, the youngest being about five years old. In the school room was 
 
 one daugh- 
 he Rangers 
 between the 
 ^es with her 
 ot beats and 
 ut 1882, he 
 :e and auda- 
 iwilight, and 
 
 months old, 
 sucMenly the 
 eisuvely from 
 le Cuuse. To 
 ellow, walked 
 ^ed it with his 
 ; seemed in no 
 
 an air which 
 , after all my 
 lise." He did 
 e and his dog, 
 Bruin escaped, 
 ed. 
 
 account of the 
 
 reland ; but i 
 
 ■hich name the 
 
 |ily from Ireland I 
 ames and John. | 
 the 7th Range. 
 lany have since 1 
 lod progress asj 
 [son of Lachute. 
 .lion of Laurel, 
 lother. Ten oil 
 iiied. Matthew] 
 and Wisconsin. 
 
 Iworth been toll 
 the wild animaliT 
 But this age oil 
 ., not one of the| 
 Irseverance of: 
 lived the ideaci 
 
 found a large classof the smaller ones under the charge of one of the sisters. They 
 all looked well fed, well clothed, bright and happy. 
 
 "The Superioress conducted us into the dormitories, where the little cots were 
 ranged in rows and seemed very comfortable. Another room is fitted up as an hos- 
 pital ward, but happily it was unoccupied. One of the sisters is skilled in the use 
 01 medicines and has a drug shop in the building. In another room we found a 
 number of young lads learning the tailoring business, and specimens of their work 
 
 I 1^ 
 
y ^ 
 
 430 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 were exceedingly creditable. In a large room perhaps a dozen sisters were engaged 
 mending clothes for the boys. The kitchen was a model of cleanliness and conve- 
 nience. There, an immense range, covered with large copper kettles and pots from 
 which delicious odors came, gave some indication of the amount it takes to supply 
 such an institution with a meal, especially when its inhabitants are blessed with a 
 Wentworth appetite. In the kitchen is the only fire in this large building. The 
 whole is heated by hot-water furnaces, and all the rooms hghted by electricity. Some 
 of the larger boys work in the saw mill, to which is connected a run of stones. There 
 is also a planing machine, a blacksmith and carpenter shop." 
 
 Gore. 
 
 Proclamation of 19TH October, 1840. 
 
 This township is bounded on the north by Mille Isles, east by the Seigniory of 
 Two Mountains, south by the Seigniory of Argenteuil, and west by Wentworth, and 
 contains about 23,660 acres and the usual allowance for highways. It has several 
 beautiful little lakes, and much fine scenery. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that Gore is a rough, stony township, containing, in 
 fact, scarcely any of what might be termed level land, men have settled here, 
 prospered, and become well-to-do farmers. Neither is their number small ; there 
 being very few who ?re not proprietors of at least 100 acres, with the buildings, 
 and stock of cattle, horses and sheep, which supply them with the comforts of 
 life. Wonder at what men through determined perseverance have accomplished in 
 other localities, mentioned in these pages, here grows into astoni=iiment, and espe- 
 cially when we learn that, little more than half a century ago, the inhabitants- of Gore 
 were struggling with poverty and all its attendant ills. But they were a hardy race, 
 large in stature, giants in strength, and gifted with almost superhuman endurance : 
 indeed, the well authenticated accounts of the feats of labor individuals sometimes- 
 performed, and the privations they endured, almost stagger credulity. 
 
 The carrying of loads on the back weighing from 50 to too lbs. from Lachute to 
 the different abodes in this township was a matter of so common occurrence, that it 
 incited little wonder or comment. It was only in drawing a parallel between hard 
 ships of which their children complained years afterward, and what they themselves 
 endured in the first decade of their pioneer experience, that these incidents were 
 men*'oned, and they were thus retained in memory to edify and instruct thei: 
 posterity. 
 
 The following true story is related of a msn who lived in a remote part of Gore : 
 
 He was one day carrying home, on his back, from Lachute a sack of flour weigh- 
 ing 112 lbs., expecting that his sons would meet him on the way and relieve him nf 
 this heavy burden. He had arrived within two miles of his house, however, before 
 meeting the sons, and so indignant was he that they had not sooner come to his 
 assistance, that he refused to let them touch his load, and bore it to his door before 
 putting it down. ..^ 
 
•e engaged 
 ,nd conve- 
 pots from 
 ; to supply 
 sed with a 
 iing. The 
 ity. Some 
 es. There 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 431 
 
 Seigniory of 
 itworth, and 
 t has several 
 
 ontaining, in 
 settled here, 
 small; there 
 le buildings, 
 
 comforts of 
 jomplished in 
 
 t, and espe- 
 
 ants- of Gore 
 hardy race, 
 endurance ; 
 
 Is sometimes 
 
 L Lachute to 
 lence, that ii 
 
 ;t\veen liard 
 themselves 
 
 :idents wer- 
 Instruct thei:- 
 
 Urt of Gore : 
 flour weigli- 
 elieve him ff 
 Ivever, before 
 Icome to his 
 door before 
 
 Hard labor, with scanty and poor diet, was the lot of many, potatoes often 
 being the only food some of them could obtain for days and even weeics. It is said 
 that a man living in Mille Isles named Robert Carruthers often related a feat he 
 iccompiished, and which no one doubted, viz., chopping and burning the wood, and 
 performing the other labor requisite for manufacturing two barrels of potash, having 
 nothing in the way of nourishment meanwhile but potatoes and water. The tim- 
 ber required for this was 120 maples of largo size, or their equivalent ; and when we 
 consider the amount of chopping and other labor this task involved, it seems incred- 
 ible that the physical powers could be supported by such nutrition sufficiently long 
 to perform it. 
 
 A family named Rogers, who had lately arrived from Ireland, on their way to 
 Gore, remained over night at St. Andrews; at this place an addition was made to 
 tlie family by the birth of a son. The third morning afterward, the mother, taking 
 the young infant in her arms, walked the entire distance — twenty miles — that day 
 to Gore. 
 
 For a long time, the only horse in Gore was one which belonged to a pioneer 
 whose name was Hazlitt Hicks, and it is doubtful if any horse has become as 
 famous since the days of Bucephalus — the war horse of Alexander. His services 
 were not so much required in clearing or tilling the land, for the men, by uniting 
 their efforts, performed much of the labor tliat in later years was done by oxen or 
 horses, but in conveying grists to and from the mill this particular liorse was of price- 
 less value, not only to his owner, but to all his neighbors. So many were the loads 
 of corn he drew to the mill at Lachute that he began to be called "Cobby," and the 
 name is as well known to-day in Gore, and in adjacent localities, as that of John A. 
 Macdonald, The price of " Cobby " for a day was a day's work, to be given to 
 his own owner by the one who hired hitn ; and many a day's work did he earn 
 for his master during the thirty years "Cobby " is said to have lived. 
 
 It is a subject for regret, that the great strength of many of the pioneers of this 
 section was not always used in the wisest manner, nor for the promotion of good; 
 especially was this the case when they attended bees, cattle fairs and elections, or 
 on festive occasions, where a free use of liquor invariably led to quarrels, or to the 
 settlement of old feuds, by pugilistic encounters. So well established was the fact, 
 that a cattle fair always resulted in intemperance and disgraceful fights among some 
 of the men of this section, that it became a custom with one of the clergymen of 
 Gore to preach a powerful temperance sermon to his congregation on the Sabbath 
 preceding the fair. From the number of times this sermon, or one of like import, was 
 heard, it became so familiar to one young man of retentive memory, that he often 
 rehearsed it for the edification of his companions. It is to be hoped, however, that 
 although they made it a subject for levity, it was not altogether void of influence on 
 them for good. 
 
 An aged eye-witness of the scene describes a humorous incident which occurred 
 al Grand Brule during the troubles of 1838. The Registry Office among other 
 public buildings had been sacked, and when our informant arrived, a herculean Irish- 
 man from Gore stood at the open door of the vault with a score of his companions 
 around him, wliom he was addressing, as follows : 
 
 " It's hard, boys ; we've worked for many a day, and little we have to show for it, 
 and sure we might as well now have a dade for a farrun' ; " and with serene gravity 
 hu took up a pile of papers, and walking through the crowd, gave to each person a 
 document with the exhortation, " Take a dade, sir." 
 
 The strength and courage of the men of Gore made them important ailies to the 
 politician who anticipated trouble on the day of nomination or election ; indeed their 
 
432 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 fame for carrying every cause they espoused rendered tliem about as important u 
 factor in election campaigns as was tlie Irisli lirigade, in tlie I'cdcral Army, durini, 
 the Great American Rebellion. 
 
 But all this has i)assed away ;g>cat infked is the change that a third of a century 
 has wrought in Gore, in llie moral and social condition of its ])coi)le ; the disgrace 
 and other evils of intemperance are as well understood and abhorred here as in an) 
 township in the ]>rovince. Even those who still adheie to the custom of taking a 
 social glass when away from home do it with that rcgaid for decency and economy 
 which prevents their absence from their families an unreasonable time, a.id restrains 
 from the foolish expendituie of money. A higher degree of intelligence is now found 
 among the peojjle ; sobriety has taken the ])lace of intcmjjerancc ; prudence has sup- 
 l)lanted recklessness, and the many dwellings in which a family altar has been estab- 
 lished proclaim that the people of Gore understand, and arc trendmg toward that 
 higher life, without which existence is nonentity. 
 
 Lovell's Gazetteer of British North America, published in 1881, says : 
 
 " 'J'he men of Gore are a sturdy loyal class, mostly descendants of and settlers from 
 the north of Ireland. They are nearly all Orangemen, and are famous for the fine 
 appearance they made when, as a part of the Argenteuil Rangers, they hastened to 
 the front to repel the Fenian invasion." 
 
 The first settlers in Gore were James Stephenson and Robert Smith, who came 
 from Ireland, and located in the extreme west of what now forms the townshij). Robert 
 McMahon about the same time settled in another part, and William Henderson. 
 Alexander Johnson, James Arnr^'rong, William Boyd and his brother James soon 
 located at what is now the cent f (iore, which is crossed by the present road frou) 
 Lakefield to Lachute. They were all from Ireland, and their descendants may still 
 be found in the township, as well as the descendants of other pioneers whose names 
 will be mentioned in the proper place. 
 
 WiLi-iAM Hknderson came from the parish and county of Sligo, and settled here- 
 in 1824, in the 2nd Range, very soon after the arrival of Robert McMahon. He 
 lived here till his death, 20lh August, 1870. He had fourteen children, eight sons and 
 six daughters, all of whom save one son lived till maturity. Samuel, the eldest one, 
 now livmg, was married 26th March, 1837, to Hannah Hunter ; they had three sons 
 and three daughters who grew up. William, one of the sons, and the only one now 
 living, has been connected with the Methodist Church as a clergyman lor thirty years, 
 and is now stationed at Danville, Que. About a year after the death of his first wife, 
 Mr, Henderson married Mary Ann, daughter of the late Capt. Johnstone. By this 
 marriage he has had ten childien, of whom nine — two sons and seven daughters — arc 
 now living. John, one of the former, has been a minister of the Methodist Church 
 fifteen yeais, and is now stationed at South Woods, Lake Ontario. His twin brother, 
 who was a fireman on a railway train, was killed in California in a wreck caused by 
 train robbers. Another son of Mr. Henderson, who had charge of a gang of thirty 
 men in a quarry in New Hampshire, was killed by the premature explosion of a blast. 
 Mr. and Mis. Henderson are still living, and though aged, are active in mind and 
 body, and are much respected for their good words and works ; he was one of tlie 
 loyal actors in the Rebellion of 1837. 
 
 LAKEFIELD. 
 
 This is a small hamlet in the southern part of Gore. Its buildings comprise two 
 churches — Anglican and Methodist — a school-house, blacksmith shop, grist mill, s iw j 
 mill, and four or five dwellings. 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTtUIL. 
 
 433 
 
 importanl ;i 
 rniy, dunnu 
 
 of a century 
 the disgrace 
 ;re as in any 
 1 of taking a 
 nd economy 
 i.id restrains 
 is now lound 
 ;nce has sup- 
 s been estab- 
 toward thai 
 
 I settlers from 
 IS for the ftnc 
 y hastened lu 
 
 ith, who came 
 iiship. Rol)en 
 1 Henderson. 
 : James soon 
 sent road from 
 ants may still 
 whose names 
 
 Ind settled here 
 IcMahon. He 
 eight sons and 
 khe eldest one, 
 Ihad three sons 
 only one now 
 [or thirty years, 
 f his first wills 
 tone. By this 
 [.laughters — are 
 hodist Church 
 s twin brother, 
 Ireck caused by 
 gang of thirty 
 Ision of a blast, 
 in mind arid 
 as one of iIk 
 
 [s comprise two 
 grist mill, siW 
 
 A Post-office was established here about 1S44 ; George Rodgers was the first 
 liostmaster. Mr. Rodgers was a very prominent man in the township, and for several 
 years was its Mayor. 'I'he place is so called from the i)roximity of two small lakes — 
 the smaller one, lying witliin a few yards of the street, is about three-fourths of a mile 
 long and a little less in width. The larger one, liarion's Lake, so called in honor 
 of Col. Barron of Lachute, is about thiee miles long, with an average width of half a 
 mile. It is a beautiful body of water, and much of the scenery around it is very 
 uitractive. 
 
 The first settlers here and in this vicinity were Frederick Rodgers and two 
 brothers, Samuel and George Rodgers, Hazlelt Hicks and Michael Ci 'ig. 
 
 Frederick Roduers came from the County of Mayo, Ireland, about 1824, and 
 look up the east half of Lot ic, 3rd Range, which is now owned and occupied by his 
 urandson, CJcorge Rodgers. He was Ensign in Capt. Kvans' Company, and was on 
 duly during the Rebellion of 1S37-38, and was also a staunch Orangeman. He died 
 in February, 1878. Three sons and five daughleis of his fourteen children arrived at 
 maturity. 
 
 Frederick, the eldest sun, after living twenty years on two different farms which 
 he had purchased , settled on llie homestead. He has recently given this to his second 
 .son George, and now lives'with his third son, Matthew J., on a farm of 200 acres 
 lately purchased, located about i J/^ miles from the homestead. Mr. Rodgers joined 
 the Rangers on theirorganization, and was always with them when they were on duty 
 until a few years since ; he was Municipal Councillor fourteen years. He has been 
 twice married, first to Eliza Rodgers in November, 1844, by which marriage he had 
 three daughters who grew up ; his second marriage was to Kliza I'arker, 26lh July, 
 1S57, by whom he had eight children, four of each sex. He claims to have been 
 the first male child born in Gore, and though he is now nearly threescore and ten, 
 he still continues to drive 10 miles daily to Lachute, carrying the mail, for which 
 lie has had a contract ten years. 
 
 Mr. Rodgers has many reminiscences of pioneer life, one of which was his first 
 trij) to Montreal, when he carried a barrel of potash. In returning, he slopped at a 
 house just at dark, to inquire the way. Falling asleep, soon afterward, he rode 
 till past midnight, when coming to a house he roused the proprietor and once more 
 isked the way. To his surprise and chagrin, he found that it was (he same house 
 at which he first called. AVhile asleep, he had struck a road on which he had long 
 been travelling back toward Montreal. Besides the two sons mentioned he has one 
 ill Toronto and another, Wm. J., in Lachute. 
 
 Samuel RoDOER.scame from the County of Connanght, Ireland, with his wife, 
 two sons and a daughter, in the summer of 1828. His elder son, John, married 
 l-^lizabeth Nicholson in 1832 ; she is now 82 years of age, and in the enjoyment of a 
 t'air degree of health. 
 
 Mr. Rodgers was an active Cluirchman, and for years ofticiated as Lay Reader, 
 often walking many miles to distant places to hold services ; he died in June, 1845. 
 
 He had three sons and four daughters, of whom the eldest was the late Col, 
 Samuel F. Rodgers, of the nth Battalion. Capt. John Rodgers is the second son 
 of ihe late Samuel Rodgers, Lay Reader ; he was married in March, :872, to Harriet, 
 tburth daughter of the late Captain George Sherrit, who commanded a Company in 
 the nth Battalion for twenty years. Mr. Rodgers is Captain of Co. No. 5, in the same 
 Battalion, and has been Secretary-Treasurer of the Municipal Council of Gore and of 
 the Board of School Commissioners, since Nov., 1876. He has three sons and one 
 ilaughter; the latter is a teacher in her native township. 
 
434 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 James Arnott, from Scotland, was one of the very early settlers at Lakefield. A 
 man named Robinson iiad taken up land and made a little improvement when he 
 sold out to Arnott. The latter erected a grist mill and saw mill here about 1835, 
 and kept them in operation many years. 
 
 Other early settlers in Gore were William Byrnes. William McMannis, James 
 Bennett and James McDonald, who was for a long time Secretary of the Municipal 
 Council ; he died in 188 1, at the great age of 103. 
 
 WiLMAM Evans, frqm the County of Mayo, Ireund, came to Gore with his 
 family about 1834, and settled on a lot of 200 acres, which is now owned by George 
 Rodgers. During the Rebellion of 1837-38, he organized a Company of Volunteers, 
 of which he became Captain. He had several children, of whom Thomas was the 
 eldest son. He was married about the year 1847 to Miss S. Moore, and settled on 
 the east half of his father's lot, which he had purchased. He joined the Rangers at 
 their organization, as Lieutenant, in Capt. Sherritt's Company, and after the death of 
 the latter he succeeded to the Captaincy. He was also chairman of the School Board 
 several years, and was Lay Reader at Lakefield and in Arundel, a long time. He 
 died in December, i868. He had seven children — five sons and two daughters — that 
 grew up. Two of the sons are deceased, two are in California, and one and the 
 two daughters live in this township. Robert, the eldest son, who still lives here, 
 bought ICO acres of Lot 11, 5th Range, and some years later, in 1884, ''^ bought the 
 same quantity of Lot 7, 2nd Range, on which he now lives, though still owning the 
 other. He was married ist May, 1883, to Louisa Bennett. He joined Capt. Rodgers' 
 Company of Rangers at its organization; has been with them at all the different 
 places to which they have been called, and is now Lieutenant of that Company. 
 
 Anthony Copeland came from Enniskillen, Fermanagh County, Ireland, to 
 St. Andrews in 1822, and in 1833 came to Gore, and took up a Lot of 200 acres in 
 the 6th Range, on wiiich he lived till his death about 1874. He had three sons and 
 four daughters who arrived at maturity. Nathaniel, his eldest son, learned the car- 
 penter's trade, and followed it, with the exception of a few years spent in farming, till 
 1868, when he bought a farm of 200 acres in the parish of St. Jerusalem, on which he 
 now lives. Tliomas, his eldest son, went to California in 1868, and was employed 
 there about 17 years, as foreman in a quartz mill. He returned in 1884, and bought 
 a store at Lakefield, where he still trades. He has since built a new store, and has 
 both stores well stocked with general merchandise. He also has the Post-office, having 
 been appointed Postmaster in 1885, and as he is the only one engaged in mercan- 
 tile business in Lakefield, he receives large patronage, which may be attributed, in 
 part, doubtless, to his genial nature, public spirit, and general confidence in his 
 integrity. He was married 23rd December, 1887, to Elizabeth Boyd, and was ap- 
 pointed Justice of the Peace in 1893, and for several years has been master of an Orange 
 Lodge at Lakefield. 
 
 Michael Craig, a local preacher, was the first to devote his time and energies 
 to religious labor in Gore. He came from Ireland with Samuel and George Rodgers, 
 in the summer of 1828, and very soon, it appears, engaged in those earnest efforts for 
 the moral improvement of his fellows which was his characteristic through life, and 
 owing to which he is still held in grateful remembrance. It may be said that he was 
 the father of Methodism in this township. He was a peace-maker, and through his 
 influence many local disputes and differences were settled without litigation, and 
 amicably. About the year 1829, he induced the people to erect a place of worship, and 
 although it was a log structure, many a reverential band of worshippers gathered 
 there, and the good wrought within its humble walls was not less, doubtless, than 
 that effected at grander and more costly shrines. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 43S 
 
 efield. A 
 t when he 
 )out X835, 
 
 nis, James 
 Municipal 
 
 re with his 
 1 by George 
 Volunteers, 
 lias was the 
 i settled on 
 I Rangers al 
 the death of 
 :hool Board 
 ; time. He 
 ghters — that 
 »ne and the 
 1 lives here, 
 le bought the 
 owning the 
 ipt. Rodgers' 
 the different 
 Company. 
 I, Ireland, to 
 200 acres in 
 iree sons and 
 Irned the car- 
 [n farming, till 
 on which he 
 as employed 
 ^, and bought 
 jtore, and has 
 office, having 
 Id in mercan- 
 attributed, in 
 idence in his 
 and was ap- 
 of an Orange 
 
 and energies 
 )rge Rodgers, 
 lest efforts for 
 nigh life, and 
 that he was 
 through his 
 litigation, and 
 worship, and 
 pers gathered 
 Hibtless, thaa 
 
 William Henderson and Capt. Alexander Johnstone were on the building com- 
 mittee of this first house of worship. Mr. Craig travelled through several townships 
 in the course of his labors, and his memory is cherished as gratefully in Morin, 
 Mille Isles, and other places, as at Lakefield. 
 
 About the year 1867, the Rev. William McCuUough began to collect funds for a 
 new church, but it was not completed till 1869, during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. 
 is.ussell. It is a frame building, bricked up inside, and finished- neatly with ash ; the 
 umIIs and ceiling being entirely of this wood. 
 
 This place first belonged to St. Andrews Circuit, then to Lachute ; but, during 
 the pastorate of Mr. McCullough, it was formed into a circuit of itself, called 
 Lakefield, which embraces Gore, Mille Isles, Thomas's Gore, and a school-house in the 
 Seigniory, known as Hammond's School-House. 
 
 The first Church of England clergyman that came to Lakefield was the Rev. 
 William Arnold, who was sent by the S. P. G. in the beginning of 1838. He awak- 
 ened sufficient interest to secure the erection of a church edifice here, but left near 
 the close of the year, and was succeeded by the Rev. John Macmaster, whose first 
 record of Baptism was 27th December, 1838. He was here several years, as liis 
 last record of l?aptism was 30th January, 1849. Rev.William Abbott of St. Andrews 
 officiated a short time till the arrival of Richard L. Stevenson, travelling missionary 
 of the District of Montreal. The first record of Mr. Stephenson was 14th March, 
 1850 ; his last ist January, 18^ r. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Griffin, missionary, succeeded, and his first entry in the Register 
 was i9tii January, 1851. He was a very energetic man, and was instrumental in 
 scouring the erection of a new church building at Lakefield and at Shrewsbury, 
 liut a mental disease destroyed his uscfnlness, and he died at St. Andrews 6th May, 
 1867. 
 
 The church here is of stone, firmly and thoroughly built, and of good size. In it 
 is a tablet, on which is inscribed the following : 
 
 " Erected to the memory of Rev. Joseph Griffin, who built this church. 
 
 " A man of energy, self-denial and truthfulness, who, for many years, as beloved 
 t lergyman of this parish, bravely served his Master. Who went about doing good." 
 
 The following are the names of the clergymen who have been on this mission 
 since the incumbency of Mr. Griffin : 
 
 Rev. Mr. Taylor, Rev. J. Empson, B.A., Rev. Mr. Kittson, Rev. John Rollit, 
 
 Rev. Mr. Richmond, Rev. 
 Irwin, Rev. Mr. Mount. 
 
 Charles Boyd, LL. D., Rev, James Senior, Rev. R. D. 
 
 George Pollock, from the County of Derry, Ireland, came to Gore about the 
 year 1837, ^"^ was soon afterward engaged as a loyal Volunteer in tlie Rebellion. 
 He settled on the lot which is now owned and occupied by his second son. Captain 
 John Pollock. He died here 2nd February, 1891. 
 
 He had two sons who arrived at the age of manhood — William, who lives in 
 Lachute, and John, who is Captain of No, 6 Company of Rangers, and Master of an 
 Orange Lodge — the latter position being one which was also held by his fatiier. 
 He married Jennie, a daughter of William Riddle, one of the pioneers of Mille Isles. 
 
 The following obituary notice of Hazlett Hicks is taken ♦rom the Lachute 
 Watchman of February 25th, 1887 : " By the recent demise of Hazlett Hicks, Esq., 
 of Gore, that part of our community has lost one of its oldest and most respected 
 members. The deceased was one of the first enterprising men who settled in this 
 section of the country. He was born in the County Fermanagh, Ireland. Mr. Hicks 
 and wife emigrated to Canada somewhere about the year 1825. He took up his resi- 
 
 i'-'f 
 
43^' 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUII,. 
 
 dence in East Settlement, on the farm of Mr. Barber, for whom he worked two years. 
 Subsequently, and as one of its first settlers, he moved into the north part of Gore, 
 and became the proprietor of two hundred acres of land in the 3rd concession. For 
 several years after his occupancy of his farm, he was, in consequence of the absence 
 vi roads, necessitated to make his own road to Lacluite Mills, a distance often miles, 
 and being the only owner of ahorse in the community, for several years, lie found his 
 services in almost constant requisition for conveyance of grist, etc., for his settlement, 
 to and from Lacluite Mills. As a farmer Mr. Hicks was successful. He was always 
 a constant and worthy member of the Church of England, and an unswerving adherent 
 of the Conservative party. About eight years ago his wife passed into eternity. Of 
 their family of eight children, four survive to mourn the loss of those who have been 
 called hence, it is to be hoped, to a brighter and happier home. The survivors have 
 the heartfelt sympathy of the community in which they are well known. The 
 remains were taken to Trinity Church, Lakefield, where the service was read by the 
 Rev. J. Senior ; tiie funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. G. Rogers, of St. 
 Luke'.s Church, Montreal." — G'w. 
 
 "Lakefield, Febiuary 23, 1887." 
 
 John Scott is the proprietor of one of the finest farms in Argenteuil ; his 
 buildings aie located back a little from the main road leading from Lakefield to 
 Lacluite at tlie boundary between Gore and the parish of St. Jerusalem d' Argenteuil. 
 His father, James Scott, came from the County of Mayo, Ireland, in 1847, ^.nd 
 settled in Gore on 100 acres in the 6th Range; he lived there till hi.s death, 21st 
 November, 1885. He had six children — tiiree of each sex— all of wiiom, sa\c one 
 son, live in this county. 
 
 John Scott, his second son, was married 24th March, 1864, to Elizabeth Arm- 
 strong ; they have fou> sons and three daughters ; one of the latter, married, lives near 
 the homestead. Mr. Scott first bought 300 acres in the first and second Ranges of 
 the i)arish of St. Jerusalem, where, evidently, he had followed farming with much 
 success. In 1894, he purchased another well-improved farm of 200 acres adjoining 
 his own, and now has a tract of 500 acres, with good buildings. The latter arc 
 located near the outlet of the lake called Sir John's Lake — from Sir John Johnson — on 
 a good-sized creek, which supplies admirable water-power. Mr. Scoit has so utilized 
 this that it is made not only to saw his wood and grind his grain, but do all his 
 threshing and cutting of ensilage. His barns are located several rods from the 
 creek, but power is transmitted to them by means of wire cables. Altogether, Mr. 
 Scott's farm and improved methods of agricultural work are extremely interesting, 
 and are strong evidence of his entei/rjse. 
 
 At the time of the organization of the Argenteuil Rangers, four Companies were 
 formed in Gore, though many of them were Mille Isle men, and were respectively 
 commanded as follows : Company No. 2, by Capt. \Vm. Smith ; Company No. 3, by 
 Capt. Geo. McKnight ; Company No. 5, by Capt. Geo. Rodgors ; Company No. 6. 
 by Capt. Geo. Sherritt. 
 
 Capt. Sherritt distinguished himself during the Rebellion of 1837. He was an 
 energetic, brave man, one who always stood fearlessly for right. 
 
 SHREWSBURY. 
 
 A Post office was established at this place, which is in the extreme west of the 
 township, in i860, : nd John Chamhers was ap])ointed 'Postmaster. His father, 
 James Chambers, cauii' from the County of Sligo, Ireland, to Montreal, in 1831, and 
 remained there in the employ of the " Board of Works," nineteen years. About 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUTL. 
 
 437 
 
 two years, 
 ri of Gore, 
 sion. For 
 he absence 
 ften miles, 
 e found his 
 settlement, 
 was always 
 ng adherent 
 ernity. Of 
 ) have been 
 vivois have 
 lown. The 
 read by the 
 gers, of St. 
 
 renteuil ; his 
 Lakefield to 
 d'Argeiiteuil. 
 in 1847, and 
 death, 21st 
 one 
 
 abeth Arm- 
 d, lives near 
 nd Ranges of 
 with much 
 es adjoining 
 le latter arc 
 ohnson — on 
 as so utilized 
 t do all his 
 ds from the 
 together, Mr. 
 interesting, 
 
 npanics were 
 
 ; respectively 
 
 ny No. 3, by 
 
 npany No. f'. 
 
 He was an 
 
 fe west of the 
 
 His father, 
 
 in 1 83 1, and 
 
 [cars. About 
 
 1850 he came to Gore, and bought a farm of 100 acres ; ten years later he bought 100 
 acres more adjoining it, and 100 adjacent, in Mil' Isles. He lived here till his 
 death, loth July, 1882 ; he had three sons and two daughters that grew up. John, 
 the eldest son, who owns the homestead, with 250 acres he has since bought — having 
 in all 550 acres — has long been a prominent and influential man in this section of the 
 county. He was married 19th March, 1857, to Jane Morrell, of Lachute. Besides 
 his of^ce of Postmaster, which hehcs held for thirty-four years, he has been a School 
 Commissioner and Municipal Councillor thirty, and Mayor of the township fifteen 
 years. For more than a decade he has been a Justice of the Peace, Captain of 
 Militia nearly as long, and Color Sergeant in Company No. 3 of the nth Battalion, 
 a quarter of a century. For thirty-cight years he has been Master of the Orange 
 Lodge in this locality, has been District Master of the Orange Association of 
 Argenteuil twenty, and was " Knight in Command " of the Scarlet Order uf the 
 Orange Association about tw<r "-'-seven yeats. 
 
 Mr. Chambers is a staunch supporter f the Church of England, and was largely 
 instrumental in securing the erection of the church edifice at Slirewsbury, and has 
 been connected with Sal)bath School work for a third of a century. In politics he 
 is Conservative, though, as in his religious principles, he is very charitable, and has 
 many warm friei ds in tlie opposite party; in short, he is a gentleman whose intelli- 
 gence, obliging disposition, and social qualities render him eminently congenial. He 
 has six children — two sons and four daughters ; tiiree of the latter are married. 
 
 Since the above was written, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers and one of their daughters 
 have died. 
 
 VViF.LiAM RoTHWELL, oome time in the last century, moved from Margate, Kent, 
 iLng., to Ireland, where he reared his family. Charles Rothvvell, one of his sons, who 
 had fought against the rebels at Castle Comer in the Rebellion of 1798, came to this 
 country in 1831, and took up parts of Lots 2 and 3 in the 6lh Range of Gore. He was 
 Sergeant inCapt. Alex. Johnstone's Company in the Rebellion of 1S37, and lived here 
 till he died, in August, 1846 ; his wife died in July, 1868. They had nine children, 
 of whom two sons and four daughters grew up. 
 
 Samuel, the youngest son, wa.s married in February, 1845, ^^ Margaret McCullough, 
 of Gore. He and one of his brothers were also in (^apt. Johnstone's Company in 
 1837-38, and were at the burning of Grand Brule. He also joined Capt. McKnight's 
 Company of Rangers at its organization, and went with it to the various places to 
 which it was ordered during the Fenian raids. Mr. Rothwell was for soine time a 
 School Commissioner, and has been Church Warden thirty-six years ; he is the 
 oldest Orangeman in the lownshij), having belonged to the organization fifty years, 
 and he has held all the offices in his Lodge. He has two sons and six daughters ; 
 two of the latter are married. 
 
 The sons, Andrew and Samuel, and one daughter, Eliza, live with their 
 parents. Andrew is Lieutenant in Capt. Good's Company of Rangers, and is 
 Secretary of the Orange Lodge. Though age prevents the performance of the labors 
 they once enjoyed, Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell are fortunate in the possession of kind 
 and intelligent children, to whom they have surrendered the management of their 
 estate, which comprises 400 acres, with a good stock. 
 
 There is a school house here and an Anglican Church building, which was 
 erected in 1858 during the incumbency of Rev. Joseph Griffin nt Lakefield — the 
 latter place being the headquarters of the mission. 
 
t 
 
 438 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 MILLE ISLES. 
 
 
 fix 
 
 Organized ist July, 1855. 
 
 This municipality, which is very irregular in shape, is bounded, north by Morin 
 and the County of Terrebonne, east by Morin and Terrebonne, south by Gore and 
 the County of Two Mountains, and west by Wentworth and Howard. 
 
 Like the other townships and parishes of Argenteuil, Mille Isles contains a num- 
 ber of small lakes, \>ell stocked with fish, and son": .^ of them are rendered attractive 
 by picturesque scenery. A small stream known as Cambria River, whose source is 
 in lakes in the parish of St. Sauvevr and in Gore, Hows through Mille Isles near the 
 centre, into the North River in the parish of St. Columban. 
 
 The first settlers in Mille Isles were Joh:; and Henry Hammond, as is shown 
 in a sketch in the history of Lachute. They lived in the north part of the parish 
 some time, after oth", settlers came in, and, as they owned a yoke of oxen, in winter 
 after heavy snowfalls they often kindly broke out the road past their neighbors' dwell- 
 ings. Charles More says he recollects Inat, when he was a small boy, H nry Fam- 
 mond, on his return home, aftei these hard trips of breaking roads, sometimes came 
 into his father's house, and threw himself on the floor, before the bright fire in the fire- 
 lilace, to rest. At such times it was a custom of a brother of Charles, older than 
 himself, to steal out and use Hammond's oxen to haul wood, which, otherwise, iie 
 had to draw on a hand sled. 
 
 The old settlers of Mill*^ Isles, who an still alive, all have iheir stories of hard 
 work, performed in winter's cold and summer's heat, and ofttimes with but a scant 
 supply of even coarsest fare. It will b^ recollected that it was in Mille Isles Carruther.s 
 made two barrels of potash on a diet of potatoes and waier. All the differeni 
 methods of conveying grists to and from the mill, which were adopted by early settlers 
 in older localities, were here repc vted. John Hammond, for want of a horse, once 
 brought a grindstone weighing 80 lbs. on his back from Lachute — 20 miles. A man 
 named James Good, cailea " Little Jim," to distinguish him from another man known 
 as " Big Jim," once started to carry two bushels 01 corn on his back to the house of 
 a man, who had kindly offered to take it with his own grain to the mill at Lachute. 
 The distance to his neighbor's dwelling was long, but '•' Little Jim " bravely bore his 
 load of 120 lbs. two miles, when, in crossing a stream on a log, the well filled sack 
 fell off into the water. The poor fdlow then had nothing to do but fish it out and 
 return with it to his house. 
 
 A Post-office was established in >Tille Tsl'.s many years ago, William Pollock 
 being the first Postmaster , ivir. Westgate is the present one. 
 
 William Good, from the Covir.ty ot Cork, Ireland, in 1S47 ^^'^^ "P 300 acres of 
 land in Gore, acjoining Mille Isles; he lived on it till his death, 23rd October, 1878. 
 He had three sons and one daughter, of whom one son, Philip, and the daughter, 
 Mrs. Samuel Pollock, arc now living. Philip Good now owns the homestead, and has 
 bough 1 150 acres adjoining it in Mille Isles, on which he has lived many years ; he is 
 much respected in the parish. He was in Capt. McKnight's Company of Rangers 
 during the Fenian raids, has been School Commissioner, Municipal Councillor, and 
 an active promoter of all local improvements. He is a staunch supporter of the 
 Methodist Church, of which also he is one of the class leaders, and a trustee. 
 
 His son, William Henry, who is married and lives with him, is also active in 
 Church work. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 439 
 
 by Morin 
 Gore and 
 
 ins a num- 
 altractive 
 
 e source is 
 es near the 
 
 IS is shown 
 [ the parisl, 
 n,in wint-r 
 ibors' dwell- 
 l nry Fam- 
 itimes came 
 ; in the fire- 
 older than 
 therwise, no 
 
 )nes of hard 
 but a scant 
 s Carruthers 
 the different 
 :arly settlers 
 horse, once 
 ,les. A roan 
 r man known 
 the house of 
 at Lachule. 
 ,'ely bore his 
 ■11 tilled sack 
 [sh it out and 
 
 liam Pollock 
 
 300 acres of 
 :tober, 1878, 
 the daughter, 
 [ead, and has 
 J years ; he is 
 [y of Rangers 
 kmcillor, and 
 Iporter oftb 
 
 rustee. 
 lalso active m 
 
 Samuel Campbell, from the County of Derry, Ireland, about 1837, took up 200 
 acres of land in this i)arish, which land is now owned by his son John ; he died in 
 May. 1875. ^^ had six sons and two daughters that grew up. 
 
 Thomas, his third son, learned the blacksmith's trade, and after working some 
 time in Montreal, returned to Mille Isles and was married in February, 1867, to 
 Esther Lee of Lachute. He was a man of intelligence, and held prominent local 
 positions, and belonged to the Orange Order, as his father had also. His first wife, 
 by whom he had two boys and one girl, died in September, 1872. About a year 
 afterward he married Mary Riddle of this parish, by which marriage he had one 
 son and one daughter. 
 
 Samuel, the youngest of his first wife's children, learned his father's trade, and, 
 after spending two years in New Hampshire, returned in October, 1893. He has 
 erected a fine shop in a central location, and his thriving business, with his energy, 
 indicates that he is one of the rising young men of the parish. 
 
 Mattlew Hammond, from the County ofCavan, Ireland, settled in the east 
 part of Gore in 1830, and lived there the remainder of his life. He had four sons 
 and three daughters, who arrived at maturity. In 1840. his eldest son, James, also 
 came with h.s family, and settled in Mille Isles on 200 acres, which is now owned by 
 James Patterson. He arrived in June, and on the 17th of the following month his 
 wife was suddenly seized with illness, and died within two hours. 
 
 The next summer, towards evening one day, he started out with his little son, 
 David, to look for his cows. They lost their way in the woods, wandered into 
 Morin, which was then an unbroken wilderness, and, finally, came out in St. Colum- 
 ban, ten miles distant, in a direct line from home. There, at Phelan's store, Mr. 
 Hammond learned where they were. In their wanderings they had traveled many 
 miles in a circuitous route, and though they came to a shanty or two in the forest, 
 they could learn nothing, as they contained only women, who could not speak 
 English ; and, indeed, they were too much frightened at the appearance of a stranger 
 to say anything. The lost man and hoy were absent three days, and their neighbors 
 had been oi^t searching for them in all directions. Mr. Hammond had the honor of 
 owning the first wheeled vehicle in Mille Isles, which was a cart. After the death of 
 his wife, he married Nancy Pollock of Gore, by which marriage he had ten children 
 that grew up. By the first marriage, he had six sons and one daughter ; the latter 
 was married to Pl.ilip Good ; the sons, also, settled in this section. Mr. Hammond 
 died in 1874. 
 
 James, his second son, three years after coming to Mille Isles, began work on Lots 
 21 and 22, 3rd Range, on which he now lives — at that time covered with a dense 
 forest. He has cleared 160 acres, which he chopped nearly all himself. The old arch 
 where he made potash, and earned his first money, may still be seen in his meadow, 
 a poplar tree, 18 inches in diameter, growing close beside it. He was married 13th 
 August, 1845, ^o Matilda, daughter of Henry Maxwell of Mille Isles. Mr. Hammond, 
 as well as his neighbors, during all the early years of his pioneer life, had to go to 
 Lachute to get a horse shod ; and all his loads were drawn on the " slide tar," the 
 most primitive of all means for conveying loads. He belonged to Capt. Pollock's 
 (Company of Rangers, and has served as Municipal Councillor and valuator. He has 
 liad twelve children, of whom six sons and five daughters are living. Mr. Hammond 
 luis good farm buildings, a goodly number of horses, cattle and sheep, and though 
 the labor he has performed during the last half century seems enough to wear out 
 any human frame, he still can accomplish in a day an amount of work from which 
 most young men would shrink. 
 
440 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 William, his youngest brother, by hia father's first marriage, was married iitli 
 October, i860, to Rebecca Ford. He owns 100 acres — Lot 28, 2nd Range, and 100, 
 near it. in the ist Range. He joined Capt. PoUoclt's Co. of Rangers, was Municipal 
 Councillor some time, and is now a School Commissioner. 
 
 Christie Carruthers, from Fermanagh County, Irelr.ad, came to Chatham 
 about 1830, and was employed in different places for a few years ; but died while 
 engaged at work, some distance from home. After his death, his family, consisting; 
 of his wife, four sons and three daughters, came to Mille Isles, where the sons and one 
 daughter always remained. Matthew, thf; second son, settled on a wild lot in the east 
 part of this parish, which is now owned by his youngest son, \'alentine. He married 
 Ellen Matthews, and lived on this land till his death in 1890. He was one of those 
 who joined the Rangers at their organization, and was with them during the Fenian 
 raids. He had six childien — three of each sex — who grew up, though one of the daugh- 
 ters is now deceased. William, his ddestson, married Elizabeth Poid 30th August. 
 1881, and lives on a farm of 300 acres near the homestead, on which farm is a small 
 body of water known as '' Carruthers' Lake." 
 
 Mr, Carruthers has been a Ranger, and is another of the hardy pioneers who, 
 with but his hands and head for capital, entered the forest and made for himself a 
 comfortable home. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Griffin, who was stationed at Lakefield, was the first Church of 
 England clergymar who ca.-.ie to Mille Lsles, but he held only an occasional service. 
 The Rev. H. B. Wray, who came here about i860, was the first minister of this 
 denomination who was stationed here; the mission comprised Mille Isles and Morin, 
 as it still does, Mille Isles being the head. Mr. Wray built the church here which is 
 still used, his first service in it being held 13th October, i86[. It is a neat and 
 commodious building, on high ground, and commands one of the most extensive and 
 beautiful prospects in the country. Rev. Joseph Merrick succeeded Mr. Wray, his 
 first entry in the register of baptisms being xst November, 1863; and a parsonage 
 was built during his incumbency. 
 
 The following is a hjt of the succeeding ministers who have been on this mission, 
 with the date of their first entries in the register: Rev. J. H. Dickson, 3rd July, 187c; 
 Rev. C. Boyd, 31st March, 1872; Rev. Jas. Fox, 9th January, 1873; Rev. Edw.'.rd 
 Archibald, loth January, 1875 ; Rev. C. Lummis, 23rd July, 1877 ; Rev. Josiah Ball. 
 9th April, 1882 ; Rev. Chas. Troitman, 28th November, 1886. 
 
 R. F. Taylor came next, as lay reader ; his first entry as incumbent was 15th 
 April, 1889 j ^^v- Jas. Elliott, 4th November, 1892 ; Rev. Henry Arthur Meek, ist 
 October, 1893, 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Meek, the present incumbent, was born in Darby County, 
 England, in i860. After spending eight years in teaching in public and private 
 schools, he came to this country in 1883, and was educated for the ministry at the 
 Diocesan Theological College, Montreal, being ordained in 1887. He was married 
 in 1889 to Janet Maria, daughter of H. Budden, Quebec. His former charges .'fcie 
 Glen Sutton, in 1887 ; Buckingham, in 1889. Mr. Meek is an energetic young man; 
 a fluent speaker, profound reasoner, and his affability and liberal principles have | 
 made him popular with ah. 
 
 At no great distance from this church are the cijurch and manse of the Presby- 
 leripr, body in Mille Isles. Rev. John Irvine was the first resident clergyman of tliisj 
 denomination, and lie settled here in 1863. His pastorate continued through a period 
 of 1 7 years, up to 1880, when he resigned. Durmg ne^ifly the whole of the next I 
 decade the church was supiMied by theological studer 1 I ' ^'^ the Rev. S. F.| 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 441 
 
 rried nth 
 , and 100, 
 Municipal 
 
 Chatham 
 died while 
 , consistiivj; 
 ns and one 
 t in the easl 
 He married 
 )ne of those 
 
 the Fenian 
 f the daugh- 
 ■oth August, 
 ni is a small 
 
 oneers who, 
 or l\imself a 
 
 rst Church of 
 
 ,ional service. 
 
 ister of this 
 
 ;s and Morin, 
 
 here which is 
 
 a neat and 
 
 extensive and 
 r. Wray, his 
 a parsonage 
 
 11 this mission, 
 ■djuly, 187c:. 
 Rev. Edw.'.rd 
 
 IV. Josiah Ball. 
 
 lent was 15^'^ 
 luir Meek, ist 
 
 )arby County, 
 and private 
 Iministry at the 
 was married 
 |r charges -eve 
 lie young man, 
 lininciples have 
 
 J the Presby- 
 [rgyman of this 
 ]rough a period! 
 
 le of the next! 
 
 he Rev. S. F'l 
 
 McCusker became pastor 3 he at once, with a good deal of energy, began to collect 
 funds for the erection of a church, which object he accomplished after extensive 
 travelling for the purpose. 
 
 He also was the means of erecting another churcii in the County of Terrebonne, 
 on the border of Mille Isles, some of the congregation of Mille Isles residing in that 
 county. This is called Knox Church of Cote St. Gabriel. In 1893 Mr. McCusker 
 removed to another place, and was succeeded l)y the Rev. John McCartkr, the 
 present pastor. He was born in Scotland, and educated at the High School and 
 University of Glasgow. In 1862 he went to South Africa, 'oy invitation of the Dutch 
 Reformed Church, and was settled in charge of one of their congregations, in Natal, 
 till 1874. In 1869 lie published a small volume, entitled " The Dutch Reformed Church 
 of South Africa" — an interesting and well written historical sketcli, which shows that 
 Mr. McCarter possesses no slight degree of literary ability. This work, afterward 
 remodelled by him, in Dutch, was published in Switzerland in 1876. 
 
 Mr. McCarter returned to Scotland in impaired health, and in 1877 came to 
 Canada, and for some years had charge of a Presbyterian congregation in Redbank, 
 N.B. Since 1887 he has been occupied with home mission work. 
 
 The first Methodist minister who lal)ored to any extent in Mille Isles was the 
 Rev. Arthur Whiteside, who began holding a series of revival meetings in No. 2 
 School-house, in March, 1877, and, it is said, many were converted under his preach- 
 ing. After this he held service in School-house No. 3, till the erection of a church. 
 Immediately after the revival, land for a church site was given by Robert Beattie, 
 who also contributed liberally towards the erection of the building. Chief among 
 the other contributors were Henry Hammond, William Good, Philii) Good, Rev. 
 David Megahy, William Kerr, Valentine .Swail and James Thompson. 
 
 After the completion of the church, which was in the fall of 1878, the inhabitants 
 living adjacent to it, of all denominations, generously helped to pay the debt which 
 still remained. It was dedicated near Christmas of i8y8, by the Rev. T. Pitcher. 
 
 Mr. Whiteside left in June, 1879. He was a man of great energy, a sincere 
 Christian, and he won much credit for the way \n which he prosecuted his labors, in 
 tlie face of many discouragements. The following is a list of his successors, with the 
 time they remained on the circuit — the head of which, 
 hakefield : — Rev. William Smith, 2 years ; Rev. F. W. 
 Roadhouse, 3 years ; Rev. W. W. Weese, 3 years ; Rev, 
 Rev. T. Brown, 2 years ; Rev. J. Holt Murray, 3 years, 
 present pastor. 
 
 CAMBRIA. 
 
 A post-office was established here with the above name m 1872, and the late 
 Mr. Stuart was appointed Postmaster. 
 
 Henry Maxwkll came with his family from tiie County of Derry, Ireland, to 
 
 Mille Isles, in 1837, and took up 200 acres. A few years later he took up 100 acres 
 
 more, adjoining this. He lived here till his death, about a quarter of a ccuiury ago, 
 
 and was a member of Capt. Evans' Company in the Rebellion of '37. He had three 
 
 sons and two daughters — all but one of whom grew up. John, his second son, 
 
 j married Mary Taylor, August 6th, 1863, and settled on the homestead, which now 
 
 contains 300 acres, with the indications of thrifty and successful management. Mr. 
 
 1 Maxwell joined Capt. Pollock's Company of Rangers, and was with it at the time of 
 
 Ithe Fenian raids ; he also has been a member of the Municipal Council and School 
 
 [Board several years; has been valuator, and, for a long time, member of the Orange 
 
 lodge. Mrs. Maxwell died iSth Febru.^ry, 1887. 
 
 39 
 
 it will be remembered, is 
 \. Myer, i year; Rev. Job 
 
 T. J. Wilkinson, 2 ye,us; 
 
 Rev. :\. S. Morrison is the 
 
 
442 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII 
 
 Only two of their children — sons — are living. Ti, ^ns, the younger, is in the 
 States ; Willi.-' n, the elder, who was married 4th January, 1888, to Mary Elliott, lives 
 ■on the home ;ad. When Mr. Henry Maxwell came to Mille Isles, there were but few 
 families living here. Thomas Woods, from Ireland, who still has descendants here, 
 was about the first to arrive; he and Samuel Moore had been here about two years 
 before the arrival of Mr. Maxwell. 
 
 William Stuart came from near Coleraine, County of Derry, Ireland, to 
 Canada, in June, 1843, ^"d the same fall took up 200 acres in the west part of 
 Mille Isles. He was appointed Postmaster in 1872, and was School Commissioner 
 and Secretary-Treasurer of the Municipal Council several years. He died 12th 
 January, 1877, ^8^^ 69 — a man of intelligence, who was greatly missed. He had 
 two sons and two daughters, but only one son, William, and his sister Rachel, who 
 live on the homestead, are now alive. 
 
 William succeeded to the offices held by his father, viz. : Postmaster and Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer of the Council and Secretary-Treasurer of the School Eoard, but ho 
 resigned all in a few years, so that he might devote himself more fully to his other 
 labors. 
 
 Matthew Strong, Mayor of Mille Isles, who has considerable property here, 
 received the Post-ofRce on the resignation of Mr. Maxwell, and still retains it. 
 AVilliam Strong, his father, came Tom Sligo, Ireland, to Gore, arriving loth July, 
 1830. ile took roc acres in the 5lh range, and subsequently bought 400 more 
 adjoining it. He opened a store and started an ashery and distillery on his 
 premises, soon after his ariival; the use of the latter, however, he abandoned after a 
 brief interval. The two former continued till 1859, wl n he bought the saw mill in 
 Mille Isles, of the Seigneur, J. L. de Bellefeuille, and i o lots of land, with a water 
 power i)rivilege of William Stuart, and erected a grist mill. Mr. Strong was 
 prominent man in this section of the county, and was a Councillor before the presei . 
 municipal system was established, and a School Commissioner ii) (inre many years. 
 He died 30th November, 1881, aged S3; Mrs. Strong died loth July, J&^Sj ^'so 8.^ 
 Their children, who arrived at maturity, were four sons and three d ni^/uers. 
 
 Matthew, the youngest son, in his earlier years, went to Iowa, and bought a farm 
 located near the railway station in Pomeroy ; but, from the conviction that he cou'd 
 do better financially in this country, he returned and succeeded to the milling busi 
 ncss of his father. He was married 15th July, 1874, to Martha Beckham, one of 'Ic 
 intelligent daughters of Lacjiule. He has hee/i very successful in business, and 1 .0 
 enterprise fi^ljeen of much benefit to Mille infnH, 
 
 saw mill, he f^i isa planer, anff manufactures shingle (////jJ.itli — in shorf, //Veparesall the 
 lumber required for building, and, as he has purchaser n thousand acres of timbered 
 
 tp addition t(/ffh grist mill and 
 itl> — in s 
 ft ihousa 
 land, he is well prepared to .supply any local dem«nd foi lumber. 
 
 Mr. Strong is one of the martial-looking Rangers, whose appearance has won so 
 many compliments for the Battalion ; he joined Capt. Sherritl's Company No. 6, .is 
 Ensign, at its organization, and still holds the position. Besides being Postmaster, lie 
 has been for a long time a member of the School Board, the Chairmanship jf which he 
 declined, and has been Mayor of the parish 24 successive years. 
 
 Samuel Moore, from Connaught, County of Mayo, Ireland, settled in Mille IsiC: 
 about the year 1837, taking up 200 acres of land near the centre of the parish. He i 
 was a Volunteer during the Rebellion of 1837-38, and was at Grand Brule ; he ilied 
 about the year 1880. He had six pons and six daughters ; the latter and four of the] 
 former are now living ; two of the daughters, married, live in this section. 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 443 
 
 i in the 
 ott, lives 
 ; but few 
 US here, 
 ;wo years 
 
 eland, to 
 t part ot 
 imissionev 
 iied 1 2th 
 He had 
 chcl, who 
 
 and Secre- 
 rd, but he 
 .o his other 
 
 ,perty here, 
 1 retains it. 
 lolh July, 
 t 400 move 
 jevy on his 
 ioned after a 
 |saw mill m 
 svUh a water 
 ,lrong was a 
 the presLMV. 
 many year>. 
 - also 8,v 
 .giicers. 
 „;ughtafarm 
 
 ,at he coil' 4 
 milling bus; 
 
 ni, one of tl^e 
 ness, iiiid ' '; 
 trrist mill auu 
 epares all tht 
 of timber- 1' 
 
 e has won ;(> 
 ny No. 6, vs 
 'ostntabter, 
 ^ip of which A 
 
 I \n 
 e p 
 
 Millc h 
 
 arish. 
 
 He 
 
 krule 
 
 he dv 
 
 Charles, his eldest son, lives on a farm of 250 acres, near the homestead, with 
 good buildings, and all the comforts of a successful farmer. He joined Capt. Sherritt's 
 Company of Rangers, and was at St. Johns, Cornwall, etc., during the Fenian raids. 
 
 Thomas M. Wilson, a substantial farmer, lives in this section. His father, James 
 Wilson, came from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Canada about 1825. He 
 was a baker by trade, and he started in this business at Chambly Basin, and during 
 the Rebellion supplied the Commissariat Department of the loyal forces stationed 
 there with bread, and also with wood, and did a successful business. Soon after com- 
 ing to this country, he married Janet Hislop of Isle aux Noix. They had one son 
 and two daughters who are still living. Mrs. Wilson died about 1834. A year or two 
 afterward, he married Ann Jane Walker, of Montreal, by which marriage he had four 
 sons and one daughter who grew up. A few years after the Rebellion, he removed to 
 Montreal, where he followed his trade about ten years. His wife died in June, 1852, 
 and the next year, having a daughter living in Mille Isles who was married to Richard 
 McMuUen, he brought his son, Thomas M., to Mille Isles ta live with them. About a 
 year later, the father came, and in 1857 he and the son settled on a farm of 200 acres, 
 which the latter now owns. The father died here, 3rd July, 1868. 
 
 Thomas married, 25th January, 1865, Annie Hu.ney of Lakefield. He was a 
 member of Capt. Sherritt's Company of Rangers, and had all ils \ aried experiences; 
 ire was a member of the Orange Lodge and has been on the Sc:,iool Board for twenty 
 years, and is now Chairman ; he is also an Elder in the Presbs'terian Church. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Wilson have had twelve children, of whom two sons and six daughters are 
 now hving. 
 
 Proclamation of the iqth February,. 1852, 
 
 fj)e original boundary of Morin as given in the Surveyor's Report is as fol- 
 Ui'ff^ - Ail that tract or parcel of land bounded and abatted as follows: on the 
 northeast, partly by the township of Doncaster, partly by the township of Wexford, 
 and partly by the townshu) of Abercrombic ; on the south-east, partly by the town- 
 ship of Abercrombic. and uartly by the Augmentation of the seigniory of Mille Isles , 
 nd on the west, partly hy the township of Beresford, partly by tiie jirojected town- 
 ship ijf Howard, and r.artly by the township of Wentworih, — //linus that part 
 comprised m Ste.-Agatiit uid Ste. Adele. 
 
 But the fotowiing Act was assented to in i88i : — " Whereas, according to the 
 •»rovisions 01 cnapter of tiie Consolidated Statutes for Lower Cana.ia, regulating the 
 division ot" Lower Ganaaa into counties, the county of Argenteuil includes that por- 
 tion of the towusirip of Morin, situate to the south-west of the line between the lots 
 ■ ambers twenty-four and twenty-five of all the ranges of that township, and that a 
 j-art of the count}' of ^ errebonne is bounded by the line between lots Nos. twenty- 
 six and twenty-five of tne same township ; and whereas the said lots, that is to say, 
 No. twenty five of tht ranges i, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the said township of Morin, 
 ihusforrn part of botri the counties of Argenteuil and Terrebonne, it is necessary to 
 ; ctify the said boundaries. Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and 
 Lonsent of the Legislnure of Quebec, enacts as follows : 
 
 " Sub-section 14 of section i of chapter seventy-five of the Consolidated Statutes 
 for Lo\yer Canada is amended by striking out the words 26 and 25, in the fifteenth 
 'me of the said sub-section, and substituting therefor the words 24 and 25." 
 
 lud lour o 
 llion. 
 
 f the 
 
444 
 
 HISTORY OK ARGENTEUII.. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 - V 
 
 H- 
 
 MORIN. 
 
 Morin, like Mille Isles, was settled in pari by those who had first started as 
 pioneers in Gore or other older townships, but quite a number of the early settlers 
 were direct from the Old Country. Like Mille Isles, also, the land is very uneven 
 and stoney, yet the farms are not few that produce fine crops and sustain a large 
 stock. The inhabitants are all in comfortable circumstances, and not only moral, 
 but much interested in the different churches to which they belong; quite a propor- 
 tion of them, through the efforts of Evangelists, being most actively engaged in 
 religious work. 
 
 The first settlers in Morin were Joseph, John and Thomas Scale, brothers from 
 Connaught, Ireland. They first settled in Lachute, but about the year 1850 they 
 came to this township and took up land in the first range ; they lived here the re- 
 mainder of their days. 
 
 George Hamilton, originally from the County ofCavan, Ireland, came here 
 from Gore in 1852. He was a man of ability, a good speaker at the hustings, and 
 soon became a leader in the township. He was Postmaster in Bretouville, a Justice 
 of the Peace many years, and was appointed Superintendent of Bridges by the Pro- 
 vincial Legislature; he also served some time as Mayor of Morin. 
 
 James and Lawson Kennedy from County of Monaghan, Ireland, came to 
 this country in 1847, ^^^'^ settled in Morin in 1850. The former, James Kennedy, 
 first went to Port Hope, Ont., where lie spent three years. He died in Morin in 
 1890, leaving four sons and four daughters; two of each sex settled in Morin. 
 
 William Gilmour, an old soldier without family, also was one of the pioneers 
 who lived and died here. 
 
 ARCiniiALD DoHERTY from Movale, Donegal, Ireland, came to Canada in 1S46, 
 and after living seven years in Shawbridge and vicinity, in 1852, bought parts of 
 Lots 44 and 45, ist Range — 200 acres — in Morin on which he still lives. He was 
 married 4th November, 1848, to Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Robinson, of 
 Shawbridge. 
 
 There were only three acres of his land cleared at the time he settled on it, and 
 though he had a horse he soon hrd to sell him from lack of hay in the place to feed 
 him. The only roads in Morin then were scarcely visible footpaths, and everything 
 required by the -etllers had to be brought in on the back. For two or three seasons 
 after selling his horse, Mr. Doherty had to plant all his seed-grain, as well as veget- 
 ables, with a hoe, but being a good type of the pioneers who came to win, he did not 
 despair, and to-day lias his land cleaied up, a good stock of caitlc, with comfortable 
 buildings in which to house them. He and his wife have experienced many hard- 
 ships, but now enjoy the comforts they have nobly earned. 
 
 Mr. Doherty is a man of intelligence, a great reader, and has served as Munici- 
 pal Councillor many years ; he was also for some time Sergeant of a Coi.ipany of Ran- 
 gers. He is an active member of the Methodist Church, and is always glad to do any- 
 thing that may contribute to the promotion of the Christian cause. 
 
 They have had ten children — four sons and six daughters ; only two of the former 
 are now living. The daughters are all married, one of whom lives in Manitoba, the 
 rest in this .section; Archibald, the youngest son, now has the management of the iiome- 
 stead. 
 
 John Reilly, from the County of Ca"an, Ireland, with his family, settled in Gore, 
 about 1834. His son John was married to Martha Clarke, August 15, 1853- She 
 came to this country from the County of Monaghan, Ireland, with her talher in 1848. 
 
HT-TORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 445 
 
 rted as 
 settlers 
 vineven 
 a large 
 r moral, 
 propor- 
 raged in 
 
 ers from 
 i5o they 
 re the re- 
 
 ime here 
 iTigs, and 
 a Justice 
 ; the Pro- 
 
 came to 
 
 Kennedy, 
 
 Morin in 
 
 rin. 
 
 le pioneers 
 
 in 1S46, 
 -It parts of 
 He was 
 linson, of 
 
 , on it, and 
 ice to feed 
 everything 
 ree seasons 
 1 as veget- 
 he did not 
 omfortabld 
 iiany hard- 
 
 as Mvniici- 
 anyof Ran- 
 [ to do any- 
 
 jf the former 
 anitoba, the 
 ofthehome- 
 
 Itled in Gore, 
 
 [853. She 
 I her m 1848. 
 
 The ship "Miracle," on which t'uey sailed, was wrecked near the Magdalen Islands, and 
 eighty of the passengers and crew were drowned. About 1854, Mr. Reilly settled in 
 Morin, where he and his wife still live ; they have five sons and two daughters. The 
 latter live in Montreal, three of the sons are in Manitoba, one in Toronto and the 
 other in the States. 
 
 William Watchorn, nei)hew of the one of the same name who settled in Morin 
 in 1852, came fiom Ardoin, County of Wicklow, Ireland, to this country in i860. The 
 next decade, he was employed at different times by Colonel Barron,of Lachute, Rev. 
 Wm. Abbott of St. Andrews, Commissary Forbes of Carillon, and Mr. Robertson of 
 Isle aux Chats, and then, about 1870, lie bought 50 acres of land in the first Range in 
 Morin, and has since bought 200 acres more adjoining it. Before leaving Ireland, he 
 joined a regiment called The Carlow Rifles, and was with it as Sergeant five years ; 
 this Regiment subsequently saw service in the Russian war. He joined the Argen- 
 teuil Rangers at their organization, and has been with them at all the different places 
 where they have since been on duty. He was Sergeant M.'ijor sixteen years, and in 
 1893 was made first Lieutenant. For long and efficient s. 1 vice, Mr, Watchorn surely 
 deserves the medal which was long since promised the Volunteers, but which promise 
 as yet has not been fulfilled. He was married in 1870 to Catherine O'Brien, of 
 Brownsburg ; they have had ten children, of whom! one son is deceased. Mr. 
 Watchorn is a staunch churchman, and has been churchwarden. 
 
 MORIN FL.\TS. 
 
 This is the name given to a ])art of the township which more nearly approaches 
 a level than any other portion, but with the exception of a few acres which border the 
 stream flowing through it, the land here is quite the reverse of flat. As it recedes 
 from the stream it rises more or less abruptly in almost every direction, is broken by 
 hills of various degrees of height and irregularity of surface. The soil, however, is 
 good and the herds of cattle that graze on the hillsides and the number of commo- 
 dious barns in view show that the energy of the settlers has not been expended here in 
 vain. 
 
 The Montfort Colonization Railway, which is to be coiistructed through Went- 
 worth to Arundel, passes through Morin Flats, and will be of inestimable value to 
 this whole section of country, located as it is so far from the chief market of the pro- 
 vince, and with which it has heretofore had no convenient means of reaching. 
 
 William Jekvll was one of the pioneers from Ireland who settled in Gore, and 
 he died there. After his death, his family, consisting of his widow, a son Isaac and 
 a daughter, canie to Morin, and took up Lots 38 and 39 in the 3rd Range. That 
 they were here at a very early dale is obvious, from the fact -that Isaac Jekyll pre- 
 sented one of these lots to James Kennedy to induce him to settle on it that he might 
 have a neighbor. 
 
 Mr. Jekyll was a man of ability and great enterprise ; not long after coming to 
 Morin, he organized an Orange Lodge, of which he became Master, and held the posi- 
 tion till his death, nth February, 1894. He was married in 1856 to Matilda Stapleton 
 of St. Sauveur. 
 
 A post office was first established in Morin at what was called Britonville. In 
 May, 1877, one was established in Morin Flats, and Mr. Jekyll was appointed Post- 
 master. He always took an active interest in municipal matters, and for about 20 
 years was Mayor of the Municipality, he was also Secretary-Treasurer of the Council 
 and School Board for some time, and was a Justice of the Peace for many years. He 
 
446 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 enlisted early as a Ranger, and during the F'enian raids was Sergeant in Company 
 No. 3 — Capt. McKnight's — and after the Captain's death Mr. Jekyll was promoted to 
 his position, September 29th, 1882, and subsequently to the rank of Junior Major. 
 
 He had two sons and two daughters. Henry, the second son, who is now Rector 
 of St. Mary's Church, Hochelaga, on the promotion of his father to a higher rank, 
 succeeded to the Captaincy of Company No. 3. 
 
 William H., the eldest son, was also one of the I'-mgers, and was bugler in 
 Companies Nos. 3 and 8j he was married in February, 1886, to Margaret Jane 
 Stevenson. His father opened a store at this i)lacc in 1884, and William now con- 
 tinues the trade, and has also succeeded to the former's position as Postmaster. He 
 is a gentleman whose intelligence, public spirit and genial nature render a worthy 
 successor, and one well fitted to fill the void in social and business life created by his 
 father's demise. He is loyal to the Church of England, ainl is one of the Church 
 Wardens of this place. 
 
 William Watchorn, a brother of Frank mentioned in the sketch of Louisa, 
 came with him to Gore, and settled in 1833. In 1852, William came to Morin, where 
 he spent his last days. He was twice married, by which marriages he had four sons 
 and two daughters. Joseph, his second son, by his last wife, was married, nth SeiJtem- 
 ber, i86' to Deborah Ann, daughter of Valentine Swail, noticed in the history of 
 Wentwortn, and he settled on a farm of 200 acres near the homestead, which he 
 had bought in 1865. He has since bought a farm of 160 acres in Manitoba, which is 
 in charge of his two sons, William J. and Valentine Henry. 
 
 Mr. Watchorn is an active member of the Methodist Church, and has held all 
 the different offices in it, and is now steward ; he has also been a member of the 
 School Board many years. Mrs. Watchorn is also a devoted member of the Church 
 and zealous in the observance of the Golden Rule, They have three sons and two 
 daughters ; one son is still with his parents, and the daughters are employed as type- 
 writers — one in Montreal, the other in Manitoba. 
 
 Abram, a brother of Joseph Watchorn, lives on the homestead, and is also one 
 of the iniluential men of Morin Flats, and a pillar of the Methodist Church. 
 
 The mills of the Newton Brothers arc a very important f.ictor in the business 
 of Morin. John Nkwton, from Connaught, Ireland, came to Montreal about 1830. 
 He was employed as foreman by Dawe, the brewer, and uied in that city about 1836. 
 He left two sons and two daughters. His widow came to Wenlworih, when she 
 married William Watchorn, and spent her days there. John, her youngest son by 
 her first marriage, came toLachuteat 12 years of age, to learn the trade of blacksmith. 
 After following this trade a while, he opened a shopat Stonefield, where he manufac- 
 tured plows. In 1855, 6th September, he was married to Isabella Kidd, and three 
 years later he moved to Morin. He opened a store here, bought 500 acres of land, 
 on which he kept a dairy of 30 cows, and erected the first mill built in Morin. He 
 lived here 18 years, during which he served as Justice of the Peace, School Trustee, 
 and, for a time, as Mayor of the township. Mr. Newton has been a man of much 
 activity and enterprise, and has erected mills in various parts of the county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Newton have had eleven children, of whom four sons and four 
 daughters are now living. One of their sons met a sad death by drowning at his saw 
 mill in Wentworth. Mary, one of their daughters, married to Arthur Davis, lives on 
 the homestead in Morin. Mr. Newton, for a few years past, has resided in Lachuto. 
 
 These mills in Morin are now owned by two sons of Mr. Newton, John and 
 Albert E. ; the former has the grist mill and planing mill, the latter, the saw mill 
 John Newton, after spending two years at the Wesleyan College, returned to this 
 place in the spring of 1894, to co-operate with his brother in the management of tlic 
 
HISTORY OK AROENTEUIL. 
 
 447 
 
 )mpany 
 lotcd to 
 ajor. 
 
 Rector 
 2r rank, 
 
 ugler in 
 ret Jane 
 low con- 
 iter. He 
 a woiiliy 
 ed by his 
 e Church 
 
 )f Louisa, 
 rin. where 
 1 four sons 
 th Sepiem- 
 
 history of 
 
 which he 
 la, which is 
 
 as held all 
 ,il,cr of the 
 ihc Church 
 ns and two 
 ed as lype- 
 
 is also one 
 
 Ih. 
 
 Ihe business 
 about 1830. 
 [about 1836. 
 when she 
 [rest son by 
 blacksmith. 
 \^e manufac- 
 1, and three 
 :res of land, 
 iorin. He 
 ^ol Trustee, 
 ^n of much 
 
 ns and tour 
 g at his saw 
 |vis, lives on 
 in Lachuto. 
 In, John and 
 ]he saw mill 
 jrned to th'o 
 ^nent of the 
 
 mills. They have rcpla< .'d all the old machinery with new, and have added a new 
 featlier-edge clap-board aiachinc, the only one in this section ol country, and also 
 have an improved shingle mill. Their water wheels are of the most improved pattern, 
 and witii new buildinijss and entire new machinery, they are well prepared to do a 
 large amount of busiui-s. The n tor power for these mills is supplied by a rapid 
 stream .)f considerable volume— ,.e outlet of lakes in Wentworth. At the point 
 where I lie mills are located it makes a descent of many feet over a solid ledge of 
 rocks, foiming, especially in high water, a scene of wild grandeur, and supplying 
 immense and exhaustless walcr-power. Tlie proximity of the new railway affords a 
 ready market f<^r all the lumber manufactured here, and everything augurs a suc- 
 cessful busines.. for the voung men whose capital is here invested, and the ])iospcct 
 is not a little enhanced by their genial manner, upright princi[)les, and great energy. 
 Albert E. was married, 2nd July, 1890, to Mary Ann, daMi;hter of William 15oyd of 
 Mille Isles. He takes contracts for building, all the lumber for which is supplied 
 and fully prepared at their mill. 
 
 The Anglican and Methodist are the only church edifices in Morin, both of 
 which are located at Morin Flats. 
 
 The Rev. Joseph (Irikkin was the first Church of England clergyman who 
 labored in Morin. The i)resent church building was cfected during the incumbency 
 o{ Rev. H. B. Wray, and Morin and Mille Isles being in one Mission, as staled in 
 the history of Mille Isles, the ministers who have supplied it have .ilready been 
 noticed. 
 
 The first work in Morin iu connectiL.! with Methodism was commcnred in 
 iS53by the Rev- Mr. Coleman, who preached on alternate weeks at the house of 
 James Westgate. This continued about a year, when a minister was sent specially 
 ior the place, since which regular weekly service has been maintained. In 1S66 a 
 church was built during the pastorate of Rev. Erastus Currie. The principal sub- 
 scribers to this work were the laie George Hamilton, a local preacher, Robt. Newton, 
 John Newton, Cornelius Brown, Charles, Richard and John Seale,jun., Joseph, Abram 
 and Francis Watchorn, Archibald Doherty, sen., John Davis, Ti,nes Westgate, John 
 burns and Matthew Hammond. Tiiis church was burnt ab .at 1880, and soon 
 afterward, during the ministry of Rev. John Lawrence, a subscription was taken for 
 a new one, and the present church was completed in 1882. The chief contributors 
 were William Sloan, merchant of St. Sauveur, ilie late Robert Newton, Jos. and 
 Abram Watchorn, John Newton, sen., all the Seales, Cornelius Brown, Archibald 
 Doherty, David and F'.benezer Christie, James Westgate, William Burns, John Con- 
 nolly, John Davis, Thos. Dale and John Hammond. The Ri;v. Mr. Allison is the 
 present minister in charge of this church. 
 
 Arufddel. 
 
 Proclamation of the 8th of July, 1857. 
 
 Arundel is bounded on the north by De Salaberry, east by Montcalm, south by 
 liarrington, and west by Amherst and Ponsonby, of Ottawa County. 
 
 Up to 1857, Arundel was a /erra incognita ; not a man had located there for the 
 1 irpose of making a home j the only individuals who had penetrated its wilds were 
 ivinters and trappers, or lumberman driving their logs through the many turns and 
 over the cataracts of the Rouge. 
 
^T. 
 
 
 A 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUAUON 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 ! I.I 
 
 
 K6 |3j2 
 
 H: 1^ 112.0 
 
 2.2 
 
 L25 II 1.4 
 
 1.8 
 
 1.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 73 WEST MAIN STitEEl 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 ^■c 
 
 s 
 
 
 V 
 
 ^v^ 
 
 Xl 
 
 
 
 or 
 

 
448 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 Stephen Jakes Bevin is said to have been the first white man who came into 
 this township, and he had lived so long with the Indians, and followed so closely 
 their mode of life, that he was moie generally regarded as belonging to the red men 
 than to the Anglo-Saxon race. He was a hunter and trapper, and traded largely vvitli 
 the Indians, and in the pursuit of this vocation he frequently traversed many square 
 leagues ofterritoiy along the Ottawa, becoming familiar with all the streams and 
 lakes with which it abounds. He was born in Englaiul, but came very early to this 
 country with his father, and in =ome way had oppcrtuniiy to become so familiar with 
 the Indian tongue that he was employed by the Hudson Bay (Company as interpret^^r 
 and clerk. While thus ading, he had ample opportunity to see that large profits 
 accrued to those who purchased the product.s of the chase from the Indians, and 
 realizing that lie might enjoy a share of these profits, he ]e(*. his employers, started 
 trade on his own account, and added to it the profit and pleasure resulting from his 
 own labor as hunter and trapper. In 1822 he first entered what is now the township 
 of Arundel, proceeding i"p the Rouge, and built a shanty and storehouse, which served 
 as his trading post, at the junction of the creek which now bears his name with the 
 Rouge. This place is now the site of the mills of theOblat Fathers. 
 
 Bevin's object in locating here was to intercept the Indians as they came down 
 the Rouge laden with furs, for which they were seeking a market. Meeting them 
 here, so far from the pale of civilization, and beyond the route of other traders, Bevin 
 had a decided advantage. Game, too, was abundant here, and as the lakes and 
 streams provided profitable trai)ping, his location seemed to have been happily 
 chosen. 
 
 The stream known as Bevin's Creek is the outlet of Bevin's Lake, a most beauti- 
 ful body of water, six miles long, with an average breadth of a mile. Thus it will be 
 seen, this lake and its outlet form a lasting memorial of the old hunter who lived so 
 long upon iheir shores. 
 
 Of tl-e very early history of Bevin we are in somewhat of a mystery, though it is 
 said his father, whose name also was Steplien, once owned a ropewalk in Quebec, 
 and that he was killed in Belleville, Ont., by getting caught in the machinery of a 
 grist mill, which lie had erected on contract. The son, after leaving the Hudson Bay 
 Company, had a partner in his business, at least some of the time, and one year, 
 whicii they regarded as their most piofitable, they killed, besides many other animals, 
 180 deer and 40 beaver. Bevin died in this section in 1886, at the house of his 
 youngest son, George, ac the aged of 87. He had five sons and one daughter. 
 Stephen B., one of the sons, in early youtli evinced a strong desire to follow the 
 exciting vocation of his father, and, as '.his desire was soon intensified by the shooting 
 of a bear, he persisted in his object, and has since had the pleasure of spending many 
 years in haniing and trajiping. 'IMiough now well advanced in years, every fall finds 
 him seeking hunting grounds vemofe from settled districts, where he is more or less 
 successful. 
 
 The first actual setter in Arundel was William Thomson, who located here in 
 March, 1857, having purchased of Sidney Bellingham, M.P.P., who owned a large 
 quantity of wild land in the township, 300 acres— Lots 10, 1 1 and 12 in the 2nd Range. 
 Mr. Thomson came to this country from Glasgow in 1828, and bought a farm in 
 Lachute, with wliich he was engaged some years. In 1833, April 20th, he was 
 married to Margaret Carrie, a lative of Greenock, Scotland, and soon afterward 
 opened a general store at Van's Corner. He abandoned this business about 1846, 
 to engage in teaching, which he follov.'ed successfully for the next twelve years, at 
 Upper Lachute, New Glasgow, Brownsburg and Belle Riviere. His removal to 
 Arundel is thus detailed by his son William, now Postmaster in this township : 
 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 ^49 
 
 lio came into . 
 
 :d so closely 
 ihe red men 
 
 i largely witn 
 
 many square 
 streams and 
 early to this 
 familiar with 
 
 as interpret^^r 
 
 t large profits 
 Indians, and 
 
 oyers, started 
 
 Iting from his 
 the township 
 
 , which served 
 
 >ame with the 
 
 ry came down 
 Meeting them 
 traders, Bevin 
 the lakes and 
 : been happily 
 
 a most beauti- 
 rhiis it will be 
 r who lived so 
 
 ry, though it is 
 Ik in Quebec, 
 nachinery of a 
 i Hudson Bay 
 nd one year, 
 other animals, 
 le house of his 
 one daughter, 
 to follow the 
 :-)y the shooting 
 spending many 
 every fall finds 
 is more or less 
 
 llocated here in 
 lowned a large 
 Ithe 2nd Range. 
 Vight a farm in 
 |l '20th, he was 
 
 soon afterward 
 }ss about 1840, 
 Iwelve years, at 
 [is removal 10 
 
 lownship : 
 
 " In March, 1857, we came to Arundel from Belle Riviere, where my father had 
 been teaching for two years. He vas induced to come by the lepresentations of 
 Sidney Bellingham, Esq., who was then member of Parliament tor the county of 
 Argenteuil, and very much interested in colonizing this lownship. At that time there 
 was no road leading to Arundel, and after leaving Lachute we passed through the 
 rear of Chatham, Grenville, and a part of Harrington, and struck the River Rouge 
 at Ml". Jamt'S i\lillway's. Following up this stream, we reached the mouth of Bevin 
 Creek, where a small shanty had been built by Mr. George Albright and his party, 
 who had finished a survey of the township a 'ew weeks previous. The shanty, at the 
 lime of our arrival, was occupied by a man named Delorm, his wife and two hired 
 men — the men having been employed by Mr. Bellingham to build a house on the 
 Fitzailan farm. The horses t'lai brought us up, of which there were seven or eigiit, 
 had to stand in the woods over night, tied to trees, with very littU; to eit, and the 
 snowbeneaMi them nearly three feet deep. The next morning, when the men who 
 came up with us started to return, very little, I think, would have iiiduced father to 
 return with them, — indeed, I believe he was prevented from so doing only by his 
 Scotch pride. 
 
 "It may be of interest to some to know the names of those who assisted us in 
 moving; they were Mr. William Drennan, John Smith, David McAdam, George N. 
 Albright, the M'rveyor of this township, and poor Andrew Millar, who, though at that 
 time a very clever man, has since died in a lunatic asylum. After they left we had a 
 very lonesome time ; none of us knew anything about bush farming, and conse- 
 quently worked to great disadi'anlage ; but we learned it all in time, so that we 
 succeeded in rnal ing a living, and in clearing up the farm." 
 
 The nearest settler to ?.fr. Thomson, ai this time, was Lachlan McArthur, of 
 whom a sketcli is given in the hi-tory of Grenville ; he lived in Harrington Glen, 
 about six miles distant. However hard the first few years of Mr. Tiiomson's exper- 
 iencet; in .Arundel may have been, he bore it bravely, and, with the help of his sons, 
 soon had his ibrest la:id transformed into fruitful fields ; before his death he had 
 cleared 75 acnjs. As it was necessary that a Post-office should be established here, 
 it was done at once, and Mr. 'I homson was appointed Postmaster — a position he 
 held till his deaih, 29th December, 1873. Subsequently he was appointed Crown 
 Uaiid Agent, and, about i860, Captain of Militia. Mrs. Thomson died 7th July, 
 1885 ; they had two sons and four daughters who arrived at maturity. The homestead 
 was divided between the two sons — John and William. 
 
 William married, 3rd August, 1876, Mary Drennan, of Lachute. He succeeded 
 to the Postoft^ce after his father's death, and still has the position. He has been 
 Secretary-Treasurer of the Municipal Council since 1877, and of the School Board 
 since 1882. He is a gentleman of much industry, intelligence and public spirit. ,0f 
 the daughters of the late William Thomson, ihe second one, Maggie, died 3rd Novem- 
 ber, 1859 — the hi St death in the township. I'he eldest daughter, married to Henry 
 Porter, lives in Brooklyn, N.V, Agnes, the third daughier, married Reuben Cook, 
 i5ih March, 1869 ; she died 3rd June, 1875. Mary, the youngest, married Wm. 
 Slaniforth in 1871. 
 
 William and David Staniforth, who arrived in the spring of 1858, were the 
 next settlers in Arundel. Their father, George Staniforth, with his family of three 
 sons md two daughters, came to Canada from Yorkshire England, in 18.15, ^"d 
 after spending a year or two in Montreal, came to the county of Argenteuil. Soon 
 afte:ward Mr. Staniforth and his son William purchased 700 acresof land in Arundel, 
 and in the spring of 1858, as stated above. William, and David, his brother, became 
 l)ioncers in this townshiji, William was the first to take a wheel vehicle into Arundel, 
 
h 
 t 
 
 450 
 
 Hi'^TORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 a.id, though it was nothing more imposing than a cart drawn by a yoke of ox ;n, it 
 was an achievement of no little importance to its author, and elicited many congratu- 
 lations. He started on this journey from Dalesville, and accomplished it after a 
 variety of vexations and hardships of three days' duration. 
 
 David Staniforih bought 250 acres, located at no great distance from that of his 
 brother, and they cleared their land by exch-'^nge of labor. In about ten years 
 William had cleared 100 acres of his tract, during which he had manufactured 
 many tons of potash, the greater part of whica he sent to Montreal. Before the 
 clearir.gs became large, he found it difficult to raise buckwheat and corn, on nccouni 
 of the prevalence of frosts, — a drawback which disappeared as the country became 
 cleared and settled. His first building was a shanty, but this was succeeded two 
 years later by a house. In 1883 he erected a saw mill on his premises, and the 
 following year a grist mill. It will be seen that Mr. Staniforth was a man of much 
 enterprise and industry, and besides all the labor he performed in clearing a largo 
 farm and building mills, he took a contract from Government for $2,500 for building 
 a long bridge across the Rouge — a structure which is still in use. He was a servant 
 of the public all the time he resided here, being a member of the Municipal Council 
 and of the School Board, for some time Mayor of the former and Chairman of the 
 latter. He was married to Mary, daughter of the late William Thomson, in 1873. 
 His father followed him from Lachule soon after he went to Arundel, and died at Ins 
 house in 1872; his mother died about 1880. His father, as will be seen on a suc- 
 ceeding page, had been a local preacher, and did much for the cause of Methodism 
 in Arundel. 
 
 In 1888 Mr. William Staniforth sold his tarm of 700 acres, mills, farming rtensils, 
 wagons, fifty head of cattle and six horses, to the Oblat Fathers, for $1 2,000. During 
 the next three or four years he engaged in lumbering, and then bought a farm of 500 
 acres in Lachute, where he is now engaged in farming. He also has the oversight of 
 the fine farm in lachute of his brother Joseph, who died in 1892. William and 
 two of his sisters are the only survivors of his father's family. 
 
 Samuel and James McCrandle also settled in Arundel in 1858, and the 
 McCrandles are now among the enterprising and independent farmers of the town- 
 ship. 
 
 Coral Cooke, whose sons are among the leading men of the township, settled 
 here in 1859 ! '^^ ^^as the youngest son of Reuben Cooke, of whom a sketch is given 
 in the history ofGrenville; in 1837 he married liuphemia Black, ihe sixth of a family 
 of seven daughters. The following year he was with the Volunteers at St. Eusiache. 
 Having a farm in Hawkesbury, he lived there several years, and then bought 100 acres 
 in the rear of Grenville, to which he removed m 1846. Bequeathing the latter pur 
 cha^e to his eldest son Hugh, who still lives on it, in 1859, he moved to Arundel 
 where he had bought 700 acres, and erected a house — the second or third in number 
 in .he township. He lived here till i ith June.. 1883, when he died at the 'age of 70; 
 Mrs. Cooke died in February, 1892. Both were devoted members of the Methodist 
 Church, and their house was always a home for Methodist ministers. The farm was 
 divided among four sons. Reuben, tae second son, was first married to Agnes 
 Thomson ; she died 3rd June, 1875, and 25th September, 1877, he was married to Mary, 
 daughter of the late Donald Loynachan, of Beech Ridge. Mr. Cooke has a fine farm 
 of 300 acres, with a large stock and all the buildings and farm implements which in- 
 dicate successful farming; he has himself cleared 150 acres of his land. Like his 
 parents, he is an active supporter of Methodism, takes much interest in the Sabbath 
 School, and heartily encourages any work calculated to promote the Christian cause. 
 He was a School Commissioner a long time, and Mayor of the township nine years. 
 
 si: 
 
 m- 
 
ke of oxjii, it 
 laiiy coiigratu- 
 iied it after a 
 
 r>m that of his 
 lOUt ten years 
 manufactured 
 1. Before the 
 rn, on iiccount 
 auntry became 
 succeeded two 
 nises, and the 
 
 1 man of much 
 learing a large 
 00 for building 
 e was a servant 
 licipal Couiicii 
 hairman of the 
 mson, in 1873. 
 and died at his 
 seen on a suc- 
 
 2 of Methodism 
 
 irmmg rtensils, 
 
 |2,ooo. During 
 
 a farm of 500 
 
 le oversight of 
 
 William and 
 
 [858, and the 
 of the town- 
 
 nship, settled 
 ketch is given 
 xth of a family 
 St. Eusiache, 
 ught 100 acres 
 he latter pur 
 ed to Ar'Midel 
 lird in number 
 the "age of 70 ; 
 the Methodist 
 The farm was 
 ried to Agnes 
 arried to Mary, 
 has a fine farm 
 ents which in- 
 md. Like his 
 m the Sabbath 
 hristian cause, 
 niiip nine years. 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 45 1 
 
 Samuel Cooke, a brother of Reuben, was married to Lizzie, daughter of the late 
 Samuel Stewart of GrenviUe, 3rd November, 1873, and settled on 100 acres of his 
 father's estate. He afterward purchased 100 more of his brother John, and now has 
 a farm of good size, well cultivated and sustaining a large stock. In March, 1893, he 
 opened a store near his dwelling, and seems to be progressing as well in the mercan- 
 tile as in the agricultural line. He ha? been a member of the Council and of the 
 School Board a number of years. 
 
 Adjacent to the two brothers noticed above, resides their brother. John, on a good- 
 sized productive farm. Like the others he i.^ a respected citizen, and has an influence 
 in local affairs. .- . 
 
 William D. Graham, juN.,is the present Mayor of Arundel. His father, bear- 
 ing the same na^le, when a small boy, came from Ireland with his parents, who settled 
 in Gore. In 1853 he was married to Amanda Johnson, and some years afterward 
 caiTie into possession of her father's estate. About 1870, he bought 2ooa<'res of land 
 in Arundel, on which his son Alexander now lives ; a few years later, lie bought the 
 farm of 120 acres of Lots 11 and 12, 3rd Range, on which he has himself settled. He 
 has spent much of his life in lumbering, and, regarded financially, his business lias 
 been quite successful. Four of his sons who live in Arundel are all enterprising, 
 well-to-do far'iiers and respected citizens. 
 
 William D. Graham, jun., was married Augiist i8th, 1880, to F.uphemie 
 McVicar, a*d the next spring he settled on the farm of 100 acres in Lots 13 and 14, 
 4th Range, where he still live-^. In the same spring, t88i, he erected bis present house 
 and store, and commenced trade. He is a man of great energy tind has devoted 
 much time to lumbering ; in the winter of 1893-94 he cut 20,000 logs. 
 
 The only cheese factory in Arundel he and his brother Edward erected in 1S93. 
 He has also been a dealer to some extent in cattle, sheep and horses. A man of pub- 
 lic spirit, he has no sytnpathy with the penny-wise policy, which retards progress ; he 
 lias been a Municipal Councillor twelve years — nine of which he has been Mayor — 
 and is Master of the Orange Lodge, a position which his father had previously 
 held several years. 
 
 Levi V. Graham, a brother of the above, was married 17th July, 1889, to 
 Eliza Morrison. He resides on a fine farm of 120 acres, which he purchased in 
 1887, ^"'i o" which he has made considerable iinprovement, and recently erected 
 a large barn. In 1893, he bought another farm of 130 acres, well miproved. He has 
 all the improved farming implements, and devotes himself to agricultural pursuits in 
 a manner which renders the vocation at once a pleasure and a profit. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Orange Lodge and of the School Board. 
 
 John Graham, brother to the two named above, was married 25th June, 
 1S76, to Emma Boyd, and the same year bought 200 acres. Lot 7, 2nd Range, in 
 the north part of Gore. In 1891, he purchased 200 acres more adjacent, in the ist 
 Range. In March of the same year, he suffered a serious loss by fire, his house and 
 chief part of its contents being burnt, with no insurance. In August, 1894, he sold 
 his property in Gore, and purchased a well improved farm of 300 acres in Arundel, 
 in the 4th Range. The greater part of it is level and entirely free f:om stone, and on 
 it are two good barns — the larger of which is 80 x 45 ft. He also has all the improved 
 farm utensils and keeps a large stock of cattle, horses and sheep. While living in 
 Gore, Mr. Graham was for 12 years a member of the Municipal Council ; but though 
 he desired to perform all the secular duties of a citizen properly, his inclinations for 
 a number of years past have led him to engage more actively in rehgious work. He 
 was appointed an exhorter by the official Board of the Methodist Church, was a 
 niember of the Camp Meeting Association, and a steward and class leader. He is 
 
i ., i W > uLijrt J LLjaii ' u 
 
 452 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTE'JII, 
 
 Superintendent of the Sabbath School in the Methodist Church at Anuidel, and at all 
 times is very much interested and actively engaged in Christian work. 
 
 Among the several fine farms in Arundel is that of A. B. Filion, one of the 
 prominent officials of Argenteuil residing iti Grenviile. In 1866, he came to Arundel, 
 and bought 600 acres of land which he still owns, though it is under the "lanagement 
 of his sonj Arthur W. Filion. At the time of purchase it was forest land, and Mr. 
 Filion has cleared nearly 300 acres of it, and brought it into a good state of cultivation. 
 The buildings erected on it are new, and the barn is a structure deserving the attention 
 of farmers ; it is 80 x 22 ft. with a high, well-lighted basement, and a stable attached 
 16 X 80 ft. It contains two good silos, and the stables have a constant supply of pure 
 water provided by a hydraulic ram. The farm is located on a ridge between the 
 valley of the Rouge and another ridge running parallel to it, something more than a 
 mile to the^ eastward, so that the farm not only commands an extensive view of the 
 surrounding country, but is itself conspicuous in the sight of many inhabitants. It 
 sustains, at present, fifty head of cattle, eleven horses and forty sheep ; and besides 
 other fields of grain, sixty acres in the summer of 1894 were devoted to oats. 
 
 Tames Bennett, who owns and lives on a farm near the Anglican Church, is a 
 son of one of the pioneers of Gore, and one who, for sixteen years from their organ- 
 ization, served as Ranger. His father, James Bennett, came from the county of 
 Cavan, Ireland, to Canada al jut 1820. After working a while on the Carillon and 
 Grenviile canals, he took up 100 acres of land in Gore, and was one of nineteen who 
 were tiie first in that township to receive their patents. He married Catherine Mc- 
 Fall, and lived in Gore till his death, about 1883 , his wife died three days after his 
 own de-.aise. They had eight children— four of each sex — that grew up. James, the 
 youngest son, married twice — first, 8th January, 1867, to Annie L., daughter of the 
 Rev. A. O. Taylor; she died in November, 1876, and he was then married 19th 
 September, 1877, ^" -■^"''' .T'l"^ Nickson, of Grenviile. He is by trac^e a carpe iter, and 
 has followed it in Arundel since the year of his arrival, 1877 ; he bought his land, 100 
 acres, in i38i. 
 
 Charles Mooke, who lives here, is also the son of a pioneer of Gore. His father, 
 Charles Moore, came from Connaught, County of Mayo, Ireland, to Gore about 
 1834, and took 100 acres in the 3rd Range, and a few years later he bought an ad- 
 joining tract of ICO acres. Both of these he cleared up, and they are now owned 
 and occupied by Jiis youngest son, Thomas Moore. He was a Volunteer in 1837 ; 
 he died in the spring of 1S88, and Mrs. Moore in 1890. 
 
 The son, Charles, when thirteen, was apprenticed to a blacksmith in: Lachute, 
 and has since followed that trade. In February, 1854, he was married to Margaret 
 Bennett; she died m May, 1881, and in September, 1887, he married Sarah Ann 
 Bevin. In the spring of 1875, he moved to Arundel, and opened a blacksmith 
 shop — the first in the township. He bought 16 acres of wild land, for which, on 
 account of its location, he paid $10 per acre. He has had the misfortune to have 
 two shops burned down since he lived here, without insurance. He was connected 
 with the Rangers some years, was Sergeant of Company No. 5, and was with them 
 three mon :hs at Niagara, and was also at Cornwall, St. Johns, etc., in i866- He was 
 a Municipal Councillor for some time, but resigned. By his two marriages he has 
 five sons and six daughters ; Charles, his second so*i by the last marriage, lives 
 with him. 
 
 William Riddle, from the County of Uerry, Ireland, about the year 1848 took 
 up 200 acres in the first Range of Lots in Mille Isles. In 185a, he married Mary 
 Ann Curren, and not long afterward, gave one-half his land to his father, who had 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 453 
 
 indel, and at all 
 
 OS, one of the 
 ame to Arundel, 
 he "lanagement 
 land, and Mr. 
 te of cultivation, 
 ing the attention 
 , stable attached 
 t supply of pure 
 ge between the 
 ing more than a 
 sive view of the 
 inhabitants. It 
 ;ep ; and besides 
 to oats. 
 
 an Church, is a 
 
 •om their organ- 
 
 a the county of 
 
 the Carillon and 
 
 of nineteen who 
 
 i Catherine Mc- 
 
 ree days after his 
 
 up. James, the 
 
 daughter of the 
 
 n married 19th 
 
 a carpciter, and 
 
 ht his land, 100 
 
 ore. His father, 
 to Gore about 
 |ie bought an ad- 
 are now owned 
 unieer in 1837 ; 
 
 hiith in Lachute, 
 ied to Margaret 
 ried Sarah Ann 
 id a blacksmith 
 for which, on 
 Ifortune to have 
 was connected 
 was with them 
 i866- He was 
 larriages he has 
 marriage, lives 
 
 year 1848 took 
 ^e married Mary 
 father, who had 
 
 arrived in this country with the rest of the family; the father di'^d there, but William 
 Riddle still lives on the same farm, and has added to it another 100 acres. He has 
 three sons and seven daughters. James, his second son, went to California in 
 1876, and after an absence of ten years, returned, and in 1887 bought 150 acres 
 of land in Arundel — parts of Lots 15 and 16 in the 6ih Range; he has since spent 
 about two years more in California. He was married, November 28th, 1883, to 
 Maggie Moore, of Chatham, Que. In 1893 he added 100 acres of improved land to 
 his original farm, and his surroundings, and enf.rgetic, industrious habits attest that 
 he is one of the rising farmers of Arundel. For some years he has been a Muricipal 
 Councillor and School Commissioner. 
 
 About the year 1834, James Scott came from Armagh, Ireland, with his family, 
 and settled in East Frampton, Que.; he died there, about 1871. He had six children 
 —three of each sex. John Scott, his eldest son, was married to Ann McNeely, 25th 
 March, 1855. Her father, Robert J. McNeely, was a relation of the wife of Sidney 
 Bellingham, M.P.P., and Mr. Bellingham gave him an interest for ten years in ihc 
 5th, 6th and 7th Ranges of Lots in Arundel, and he settled here. His son-inlaw, 
 John Scott, also came and bought 200 acres. Lot 13, in the 6th Range, of which, 
 before his death, 4th February, 1890, he cleared 75 acres. He was a maij much 
 respected for his kindness and benevolence, and was chaplain of the Orange Lodge, 
 and a School Commissioner. He had twelve children, si.x of each sex, but only four 
 ot each are now li\ing. 
 
 William, the second son, was married 19th June, 1889, to Mary, eldest daughter 
 of Thomas Dobbie of Lachute. He bought 100 acres of his lather tiie year previous, 
 and has since erected buildings and is making improvements with an energy which 
 foretells success. 
 
 Frederick W. Brown is one of the individuals of this section who for some 
 years has been engaged in the work of a pioneer. He was born in Cumberland 
 County, N.S., and at the age of 13, went on board a vessel coasting chiefly along the 
 Maritime Provinces, though she sometimes crossed the ocean. His wages were 
 given to his mothsr, and at her solicitation, in 1880, he left the sea, went to the 
 States, and found employment in Boston. He was married, 6th June, i88[,to 
 Charlotte Kidd of Morin, Que. In the spring of 1883, '1^ bought 160 acres of land in 
 Arundel, on which there were no buildings, and only ten acres cleared, In the fLill 
 of the same year, they returned to Boston, where they remained two years, and then 
 returned to Arundel. Through industry and economy, Mr. Brown has effected a 
 good beginning ; he has cleared many acres, erected comfortable out-buildings, and 
 keeps considerable stock. He is an active laborer in the Methodist church and a 
 devoted teacher in the Sabbath School. 
 
 Mrs. Brown is the youngest daughter of William KidJ, who came from ('ooper, 
 Fifesh.ire, Scotland, to Montreal about 1844. He remained there some time, working 
 at his trade — blacksmithing — and in a brass foundry. He then moved to Grenville, 
 and bought a small farm near Chatham line, not far from Greece's Point. He erected 
 buildings and worked at his trade about 14 years. He was a man of fervent piety, 
 and during his residence there often acte'l as lay preacher in churches of different 
 denominations, though he was himself a staunch Scotch Presbyterian. About the 
 year 1862, he bought 100 acres of land in Morin, erected buildings, and lived there 
 till he died, 1 ith November, 1883. He had one son and six daughters ; the son and 
 three daughters arc now living ; the former in Arundel, where he has a farm and a 
 saw mill. 
 
 A post-ofiice was established in the north part of this township, about 1880, 
 
^ymiitT 
 
 *^MM^^SHiM9^«HlNi!A 
 
 454 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 with the narr.e Antoinette. Charles Boom vas appointed postmaster, a position lie 
 still holds, and he also his a contract for carrying the mail between his office and 
 Lost River. 
 
 The mills erected by Mr. Staniforth, and the land on which he expended so much 
 physical energy, came into possession of the Jesuit Fathers in 1888. They are doing 
 an active business here, and ihe little 'i.imlet will, no doubt, soon develop into a 
 thriving village. The Rev. Armand Bouchet, superior of the Orphanage at Montfort, 
 who purchased the mills, is about completing an orpl anage at this place, and designs 
 bringing a large number of the orphans herefrom Montfort. The Rev. P'athers have 
 a largo farm here and a creamery, and their object is to instruct the orphans in the 
 principles of farming. They have added a shingle mill, planer, etc., to the saw mill, 
 which is a large one, and turns out annually a large quanity of lumber. 
 
 There is but one store here as yet, the proprietor of which is Mr. Ferdinand 
 Brosseau, who is one of the prominent men of Arundel. He was born in St. Jerome, 
 and, at the age of 17, engaged as clerk in a store at Si. Sauveur, and remained s:\ 
 years. In 1884, July 24th, he was married to Marie Louise Proulx, and a few days 
 later, entered mercantile life in Arundel, where he has worked up a good trade, and 
 recently erected a new and neatly finished store. He purchases farm produce ol" 
 every kind, and hai bought many cattle and sheep. He has two farms in Arundel, 
 of 100 acres each, and one in Amherst of 86. He subscribed liberally towards the 
 erection of the Roman Catholic Church, and is a liberal contributor toward all local 
 improvements. 
 
 Tiie first Church of England clergymen who came to Arundel were those stationed 
 in Lachute or Grenville, and the distance and bad roads caused much irregularity in 
 their visits. The Rev. Mr. Codd was the first who undertook to establish regular 
 service here, which was about the year 1869. Rev. James H. Dixon was his suc- 
 cessor, and he made an effort to have service monthly, but, for the reasons named 
 above, they were subject to inter. uptions ; his ministry continued from 1871 to 1S75. 
 He was followed by Rev. L. O. Armstrong, who remained about a year, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Rev. H. J. Evans, whose ministrations extended through several years, 
 during which time the present church was erected. The following are his successors: 
 Rev. Mr. l^iown. Rev. Mr. Harris, Rev. Mr. Warden, Rev. W. C. Dilworth, Rev. 
 R. F. H'.itchings. 
 
 Mr. Hulchings is from Arichat, C.B. ; he v/as educated at King's College, N..S., 
 and at the Theological College in Montreal. In iSg^ he came to Arundel, where he 
 still remains devoted to his work and popular with his people. He has recently 
 erected a parsonage, which, like the church, is commodious, and occupies a sighHy 
 and romantic location. The glebe comprises several acres, a part of which is wood- 
 land, dry and pleasant, and affording convenient and beautiful grounds for picnics, 
 The shed, too, is high, so that the upper part has been finished and furnished, making 
 a most convenient room for the various purposes for which it is utilized. 
 
 George Staniforth was the first to labor in Arundel in the cause of Methodism, 
 He had been a local preacher in England, and soon after settling in Arundel, in 
 1858, he began those labors among his fellow-townsmen which resulted in the build- 
 ing of a house of worship in 1866. Th^s was a log structure, but, nevertheless, the men 
 who built it and worshipped in it were' of that class who worship " in spirit and in 
 truth." The same building, remodeled, clap-boarded and painted, is now the neat 
 little church in which the Methodists of Arundel still worship. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Maudsley, who has long and faithfully labored in Argenteuilandin 
 adjoining counties, is said to have been the first, after Mr. Staniforth, to preach in this 
 township; his labc.s commencing in 1861. Rev. Mr. Bell followed, and he was sue- 
 
HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 455 
 
 
 ;r, a position lie 
 his office and 
 
 pendedso much 
 They are doing 
 develop into a 
 ige at Montfort, 
 ace, and designs 
 ev. Fathers have 
 i orphans in tlie 
 to the saw mill, 
 ber. 
 
 i Mr. Ferdinand 
 ,rn in St. Jerome. 
 ,nd remained six 
 ;, and a few days 
 good trade, and 
 farm jiroduce of 
 arms in Arundel, 
 rally towards the 
 r toward all local 
 
 re those stationed 
 ich irregularity in 
 
 establish regular 
 xon was his sue- 
 
 e reasons named 
 
 om 187 1 to 1875. 
 
 car, and was sue- 
 
 gh several years. 
 
 re his successors; 
 
 . Dil worth, Rev. 
 
 |ig's College, N.S., 
 Lrundel, where he 
 He has recently 
 
 [occupies a sighfly 
 
 'of which is wood- 
 
 junds for picnics. 
 
 [furnished, making 
 
 lilized. 
 
 jise of Methodism, 
 [ing in Arundel, in 
 lulted in the build- 
 rertheless, the men 
 " in spirit and in 
 i, is now the neat 
 
 Argenteuil and in 
 
 |i, to preach in this 
 
 and he was sue- 
 
 (Ceded by the Rev. Daniel Connelly, whose field of labor embraced Arundel, 
 tirenville and Harrington. 
 
 The present church building was begun in 1889 Ly the Rev. Peter McGregor, 
 and completed two or three years later, during the pastorate of Rev. F. H. Morrison. 
 The following interestmg sketch, in which the history of the Presbyterian Church 
 111 Arundel is embodied, was prepared at our request by the Rev. James Stewart, 
 who was the first Presbyterian minister stationed in this township, but who now resides 
 in Montreal : 
 
 •' Having had the pastoral charge of those in connection with th; Presbyterian 
 Church in three of the northern Town? hips of die County of Argenteuil, for many years, 
 I am well acquainted with those p'aces and with many of the people there. The 
 general aspect of the country is picturesque and romantic, abounding in a variety of 
 objects which cannot fail to interesl the mind of the lover of nature. His attention is 
 attracted to something new and striking in almosL every step he takes. Mountains, 
 valleys, rolling uplands, level flats, ravines, jirimeval forests, and many hills made bare 
 through the ravages of tires, often carelessly kindled in the hot and dry season of the 
 year, break forth to his view from all directions ; and, in addition, mil-js of green bush, 
 occasionally, and lakes, rivulets and streams, clearings and farms in different states of 
 cultivation. 
 
 •' Starting from the front of Harrington, say, at McCuaig'.s Corner, he enters by 
 the highway betv/een two mountain ranges ; the one on the left stretching nurth-east, 
 a distance of about eight miles, and then turning due north., about the same distance 
 to Arundel ; and the other on tiie right, eastward, passing Lost River on the south, till 
 it enters a few miles into Wentworth, and then i;oes east again to the vicinity of the 
 )6 Island Lake, after which, it takes its course due north, passing in the rear of Lake 
 Settlement, Lake Bevin and Bark Lake, and far beyond the f^ojndary line between the 
 counties of Argenteuil and Terrebonne. The chain of r.ountains, chiefly on the east 
 side of the River Rouge, and near the western bounda:y of Harrington, frills in the far 
 nort'.i, on the line just described, and this junction forms a triangle, having the front of 
 Harrington for its base. By dividing this tiiaiigle into four sections, we have Old 
 Harrington, East River and Lake Settlement, Arundel, and in fine, DeSalaberry, 
 where the English and d'elic-speaking people of those townships reside. 
 
 '' This part of the county is remarkably healthy, so much so that there is no resi- 
 dent doctor between the villages of St. Jovite and Grenville — a distance of over forty 
 miles J and the rate of mortality has, hitherto, been low. The climate is excellent ; the 
 temperature is moderate, and even in winter it generally escapes the devastating 
 elTects of the violence of the storm in other parts, being protected much by surround- 
 ing mountains. The scenery is beautiful in several parts, but especially in Arundel, 
 which was more recently settled than either of the other townships. If one stands 
 on a fine day in July on the road opposite the post-office, with his face turned east, he 
 beholds Lake Bevin about one mile distant, stretching from north to south for several 
 miles, like a sea of glass under the glare of a vertical sun, with the mountains behind 
 U'wering to the clouds ; or, if looking north, he can survey, almost with one glance of 
 t!ie eye, the lovely panorama stretched from beneath him in the valley of the Rouge, 
 extending for miles, so far as the eye can see the outlines, and the well laid out farms 
 atljoining each other, in regular succession, covered with good grain ripening fast for 
 lie harvest, now at hand. Or, if looking to the left over the River Rouge, about a mile 
 distant, he sees the home of the Oblat Fathers — now a plain village, but evidently 
 destined in the future to have a commanding influence in the surrounding country. 
 1 xpensive improvements are carried on, new buildings erecteci md beautiful gardens 
 a^e laid out, and the range of hills in the background extending their arms north and 
 
456 
 
 HISTORY OP ARGENTEUII., 
 
 soulh, and covered with living green, he cannot fail to admire the scene, and this, in 
 a place where, not many years ago, the wild beasts of the forest roamed with impunity 
 and the Indian felt himself to be ' monarch of al! he surveyed.' 
 
 " With the exception of some French families, and one or two from the United States, 
 the settlers are of British and Irish origin. A few of themselves and the parents ol 
 the rest have emigrated to this country ; ;ind how sadly some of those who went direct 
 to the bush, on their arrival in Canada, repented the step they had taken ; and how 
 soon they would have hastened back tc their native hills, had they possessed the means 
 to enable them, and especially when they called to remembrance the blessings they 
 enjoyed there, as compared with their prospects in the w.iods ; and how heartily they 
 could sing with Scott, when under the intluenceof the spirit of Scottish patriotism, the 
 following lines : — 
 
 " • O Caledonia, stern and wild — 
 Meet nurse for a poetic child ; 
 Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, 
 Land of the mountain and the Hood. 
 Land of my sires ! what mortal hand 
 Can e'er untie the filial b.ind, 
 That knits me to thy rugged arand ? ' 
 
 "The difiiculties they had to encounter, when striving to make for ihemselve-; 
 comfortable homes, were, to most of them, many and great. There were no roads 
 for a time. They were only narrow paths and an occasional ' blaze ' to guide them 
 through the extended forest, till preparation wa? made for oxen. Many here had to 
 carry their scanty provisions on their back. The distance was great, the prices 
 charged for flour and other necessaries were high, the means to purchase were very 
 scanty, the work to be done was heavy. The ordeal to go through in trying to make 
 ends meet was often painful to flesh and blood. But years silently, yet surely, rolled 
 on, one burden after another they were enabled to carry. Sotiie of them often thought 
 they would sink under them, but in their greatest extremity a way of escape was opened 
 up. They bravely and courageously kept their shoulder to the wheel, and by thf 
 blessing of God came out of the conflict not the worse of the struggle, but greatly 
 benefited thereby. God prospered and helped those who helped themselves. Theii 
 lands mostly are cleared ; the old system of farming is being abolished, and dair> 
 fartiiing, a better and a more profitable one, is being adopted. The soil that was run 
 out is enriched with manure ; cheese and butter factories are erected in suitable 
 localities. The country roads are, upon the whole, good in all directions. Railways 
 will soon reach them all, at the points most convenient and acceptable to them, and 
 almost before they are aware of it ; they have splendid properties, comfortable homes, 
 and now can live in a state of comparative independence. 
 
 " Beyond the boundary stated, in the townships adjoining Arundel, in the west 
 and north, the great body of the people are French. Of late years, they have been 
 increasing in number very fast, and occupying the land for a long time possessed by 
 the lumberer. Hitherto they have conducted themselves well, is neighbors of the 
 Protestant element, and are a quiet and industrious people, minding their own busi- 
 ness, and consistent adherents of the Roman Catholic Church. In the rear of 
 Harrington, east of the Rouge, there is a small settlement of French Protestants, who 
 have been provided with a teacher for many years past, to educate their children and 
 to hold religious meetings amcng them. The rest of the population are all Protest 
 ants, and divided among Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches. The 
 latter two Churches, chiefly in Arundel and the townships west, are doing a good work 
 for the Master. Their ministers seem to be busy and earnest laborers in the Gospel 
 
HISTORY OK ARGENTK^II,. 
 
 4$7 
 
 e, and this, in 
 with impunity 
 
 United States, 
 the parents ol 
 ho went direct 
 ken ; and how 
 ssedlhe means 
 blessings they 
 kV heartily tliey 
 patriotism, the 
 
 for themselves 
 ; were no roads 
 to guide them 
 my here had to 
 •eat, the prices 
 :hase were very 
 trying to make 
 :t surely, rolled 
 m often thought 
 ape was opened 
 leel,and by the 
 gle, but greatly 
 nselves. Their 
 hed, and dairy 
 il that was run 
 led in suitable 
 ns. Railways 
 lie to them, and 
 ifortable homes, 
 
 lei, in the west 
 (they have been 
 \e possessed by 
 [eighbors of the 
 Iheir own busi- 
 
 [n the rear of 
 
 rotes tants, who 
 lir children and 
 
 ire all Protest 
 liurches. The 
 
 ig a good work 
 in the Gospel 
 
 vineyard, and encouraged by the help of their people. The Presbyterians are, for 
 tlie most part, in Harrington, (^uite a num))er of tiieir families and of those in 
 DeSalaberry, believing that they would ^ct on better in lh(. world elsewhere, soid their 
 farms, and left, some for Manitoba and some for British Columbia and other pjrts 
 several years ago. The blank thus occasioned as yet has been only partially filled up. 
 Nevertheless, the Presbyterians are still in the majority, and if not numerically in- 
 creased from without, they are so throu^jh additions of growth from within. (Ircnville 
 and Old Harrington were settled many years before the northern townships were, and 
 many of the settlers were Gaelic-speaking people, requiring a preacher able to speak 
 (iaelic and Knglish , with this they were generally supplied. In the course of time a 
 large number of families from Glen<;lg, Inverness-shire, .Scotland, belr.nging to the con- 
 gregation of Rev. Mr. Beilli, afterwards Rev. Dr. IJeith, Sterling, and one of the lead;-r3 
 of the Free Church, settled in the Lost River district. Being entirely (iaelic people, they 
 united with the other stations of Gienvillc and Old Harrington, and received a third of 
 the missionary's service. 'I'his arrangement continued till the new Central Church was 
 built, when they all worshipped together, as one congregation, for a few years. By 
 and by, the Grenville township section became a distinct congregation, and was 
 joined to the French Church, near the village of the same name, and many of the 
 people in Old Harrington, and especially Lost River and beyond, found out from 
 experience, that the Church was to be practically useless as a place of worship, 
 because they lived so remotely from it that tliey could seldom attend it. The old 
 Kirk of Scotland in Canada being united with the Canada Presbyterian Church, 
 about this time, new changes, as might be reasonably expected, took place with respect 
 to some of the Home Mission Stations; hence Avoca was united to Old Harrington 
 ;Mid Lost River. Bui again this union continued only for a year or two. Tiie 
 l)reachers sent could not preach in Gaelic, and, with a very few exceptions, the Lost 
 River people absented themselves frcni church, on the ground that they could not be 
 benefited by the seivice in English, and without wearying the reader l)y further 
 details, the result was that they turned round and joined themselves to the northern 
 pastorate of Arundel, and through some differences which arose, the Old Harrington 
 people separated from Avoca, having sent a petition to the Presbytery of Montreal, 
 requesting to be joined to the same charge; their recpiest was favorably responded 
 to. 'Ihis union was effected and continued a long time, till within two years of the 
 close of the pastor's coniiection with the whole field. Then he had no alternative 
 than to hand in his resignation to the Presbytery, feeling that his health was declining 
 and the work too b-avy for his strength. During this period of the people's history, 
 they had to undergo many changes, some painful to the feelings and perhaps to 
 the interests of individuals and families. Households began to break up — young 
 men and women to quit the old homesteads. One, here and there, of the old 
 pioneers was gathered to his fathers, and friends and relatives mourned over their loss, 
 and especially over those who had left an example worthy of imitation by surviving 
 connections; for some of them did good in their day and generation. But in some 
 respects, the changes were favorable, not merely in regard to their jirosperity in the 
 wu'-ld, in their progress towards securing for themselves a competence to live upon 
 by the blessing of God, but also in their character and conduct. Their social, moral 
 uid religious life could compare well with that of many who boasted of their virtues, 
 integrity, intelligence and outward moral conduct — striving to carry out the golden 
 rule in their lives to do to others as they would that others should do to them. They 
 had not had the advantages which others in more favorable circumstances enjoyed ; 
 they possessed not much of this world's goods. They were not favored with material 
 riches, with great learning, power or a name of distinction among men. They have 
 
 30 
 
458 
 
 HISTORY OV ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 had but little or nothing earthly to boast of perhaps, save good he^ Ji, common fare of 
 living, strong arms, self-reliance, lionesty o.' purpose, and faith in the kind Providence 
 of God. 
 
 " Not a few were gentle and lovMig in their disposition, and just and generous in 
 their dealings with others. They sympathized with the afflicted, and, according tc 
 their ability, liberally helped the poor and outcasi, the cause of God among men ; while 
 a few were no credit to society at large or to themselves, and continued without muili 
 change for good. The rest went on in the right direction. As progress was made 
 in the cultivation of their farms in the world of nature around them, so it hapjjened 
 in the cultivation of the heart and mind, and manifested itself in the conduct of daily 
 life. Education, according to the Common School .Jystcm of this country, made 
 considerable progress among the settlers in the course of years. As might be reason- 
 ably supposed, it was a slow and up-hill work, for seme time. Many difficulties were 
 to be met with and overcome ; hindrances, not a few, to be removed ; and many 
 hardships to be borne. 'I'he necessiuies of life, in the case of most, could only be 
 provided through much toil and self-endurance. The education of the young and 
 rising generation was, in the meantime, lost sight of and kept in the background. But 
 the time at length arrived when public attention was drawn to it. The preliminaries 
 were gone through with as soon as convenient. .School sections were marked out. 
 school commissioners appointed, and school-houses built and teachers employed. A 
 Government inspector began to visit the schools once, and sometimes twice, a year, 
 doing his duty faithfully, yet at the same time kindly and patiently, and thus elicited, 
 through examination on the different branches taught, the state of education in eacii 
 school. The encouraging advice given on such occasions, whatever the progress 
 might be, was often followed with good results, stimulating both teacher and pupils to 
 greater diligence in time to come. It is amazing, after all that is published in the 
 local and provincial press of the Dominion, about the necessity of such a course of 
 instruction as is given in our public schools, its im[)orlance, advantages, and the high 
 position not a few have reached, chiefly through its instrumentality, to find not a few 
 practically disregarding it. 
 
 " But, notwithstanding the benefits to be derived from the Common School Sys- 
 tem, it is defective in its provisions for the education of the whole of man. It is 
 good as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. It is merely secular, securing 
 advantages often of great value in the present life, but not what is of the greatest 
 importance and moment, — what is necessary to prepare us for the life to come. To 
 the Christian religion, as revealed in the Word of God, we must go to get the know- 
 ledge of that preparation and exercising (^-ligence in the use of the means of grace. 
 We must deny ourselves, bear our cross, and follow Christ in the way He has marked 
 out for us, and we shall then grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. 
 
 " What we need for our own spiritual good, we require for the benefit of our 
 children and young people. While paternal instruction is very much neglected in 
 our day, Sabbath Schools are a great necessity, and this being felt in the North, 
 they were kept up for many years in a state of efficiency, and much good was being 
 done through this agency, as acknowledged by those who experienced it in their own 
 souls." 
 
 It is unpleasant to turn from the annals of churches, religion, and the peaceful 
 pursuits of rural life, to the records of revolting crime. 
 
 One travelling through Arundel, and observing its many points of attractive 
 scenery, fields of waving grain, quiet, grazing herds, and above all, the peaceful, 
 friendly manners of its industrious people, would scarcely believe that in this scene 
 of peace was once committed a murder as atrocious as any ever recorded in the 
 annals of crime. 
 
HISTORY OF AROKNTEUIL. 
 
 nimon fare of 
 id Providence 
 
 d generous in 
 , according tc 
 ng men ; while 
 widiout much 
 CSS was made 
 ;o it hapi)eneu 
 nduct of daily 
 country, made 
 ight be reason- 
 iifficulties were 
 ;d ; and many 
 could only he 
 the young and 
 ckground. But 
 e preliminaries 
 e marked out. 
 employed. A 
 twice, a year, 
 id thus elicited, 
 lucation in each 
 er the progress 
 ;r and pupils to 
 iblished in the 
 uch a course of 
 ;s, and the high 
 find not a few 
 
 ion School Sys- 
 of man. It is 
 ;cular, securing 
 of the greatest 
 2 to come. To 
 get the know- 
 •neans of grace, 
 e has marked 
 
 Lord, 
 benefit of our 
 ;h neglected in 
 in the North, 
 :ood was being 
 it in their own 
 
 the peaceful 
 
 ts of attractive 
 the peaceful, 
 in this scene 
 
 [ecorded in the 
 
 459 
 
 In 1875, between the months of August and November, a man employed altern- 
 ately as a farmer and as a shantynian, named Dan. Narbonne, abruptly disappeared 
 from this tov.'nship. Though a few entertained suspicions of foul play, no search was 
 made for the missing man, and the matter was soon forgotten, in October, 1880, 
 a woman named Mary Quinlevin, wife of Martin Samson, apjiearcd before Thomas 
 liarron, J. P., of Lachute, and made oath that she beiieved Dan. Narbonne had been 
 .nurdcred by Jean Baptiste Narbonne, his brother. 
 
 This oath was given on account of admissions that, she claimed, had been made 
 to her by Genevieve Lalleur, the aged stepmother of the deceased. Warrants were 
 at once issued, and Jean Baplisle Narbonne, his father and stepmother were arre? :ed 
 — the two latter being accessory to the crime. Besides the woman, Mary Quinlevin, 
 who lodged the comi)laint, there was another witness, George McKenzie — at that 
 lime a merchant in Arundel. He testified that on recently questioning the old man 
 as to where he had obtained the money to buy certain goods of him, in 1871;, 
 the old man confessed that it was money obtained from his son Dan., who had been 
 murdered by his brother, Jean Baptiste Narbonne. The accused, finding the evi- 
 dence so strong against him, at once made a full confession of the shocking deed, 
 which, related concisely, was as follows : 
 
 The father, Francois Narbonne, his wife and the two sons, occupied a small 
 loghouse together. The deceased had a little money which he had earned, and 
 wliLn he had entrusted to the care of his stepmother for safe-keeping. Un- 
 friendly feelings had subsisted between the two brothers, and it was shown 
 that the stepmother had counseled Baptiste to put Dali. out of the way ; and 
 had actually obtained some poisonous herb, herself, to mix wrt!) Dan.'s food 
 or drink. For some reason, this method of despatching him was a'DariOoncd, 
 and the murderer then borrowed a gun of a neighbor to execute the fiendish 
 act. Coming into the house one evening, where his father and stepmother 
 were in bed, but awake, and his brotlier was asleep on the floor, Jean Baptiste 
 deliberately raised the gun, and shot his brother, unconscious of the fate awaiting 
 him. The victim started, and partially rose from his . .sition, when the brute 
 completed his fiendish work, by striking him over the head with the gun and thus 
 hreaking the stock. Impervious to remorse or shame, the three slept through 
 the night, with the murdered brother and son lying beside them in a pool of 
 blood. In the morning the murderer and his worthy sire dragged the body 
 by the feet a few yards from the house, and buried it, while the stepmother 
 washed up the blood and removed the stains where their victim lay. It was not pro- 
 bable, however, that people so ignorant and depraved would forever keep a secret so 
 important ; indeed, it is surprising that five years elapsed ere this foul deed was 
 brought to light, but "murder will out." Quarrels ensued between the guilty 
 parties, and, no doubt, the aged sinners thought that by revealing the crime they 
 might get rid of the surviving son, and escape punishment themselves. The sequel, 
 however, proved their mistake. After his confession, the murderer conducted the 
 officers of justice to the grave of his victim ; the remains were disinterred, a trial of 
 the guilty trio before Judge Johnson, at St. Scholastique, soon followed, and they 
 were all sentenced to be hanged. 
 
 The sentence, however, was afterward commuted to imprisonment for life, and 
 the old couple have since died in the penitentiary, and the son is still at work there. 
 It is to be hoped that, during the long period of his imprisonment, he has been able, 
 through reflection, to realize the enormity of his unnatural crime. 
 
 >^ 
 
460 
 
 HISTORY OF ARGENTEUIL. 
 
 MONTCALM. 
 
 Tliis township, which is of recent formation, is not mentioned in the list ot 
 Municipalities in the Province of Quebec, published by Government in 1886. it is 
 bounded on the north by the north line of Argenteuil County, Ctast by Howard 
 30ut!i by Wentworth and Harrington, and west by Arundel. It is as yet but thinly 
 settled, and the population consists chiefly of French, though it contains a few English- 
 speaking people. Of the latter there is a small settlement on Bevin a Lake next to 
 Arundel. Bevin Lake, as well as Bark Lake, boih of which extend into Arundel, lie 
 chiefly in Montcalm. ,, ■• v , 
 
 .,_,■-.■■ '■'•■■' - HOWARD. :;V-"-'' "^-"- 
 
 i Proclamation of thk, 14TH NovEMnER, 1873. 
 
 Organized in 1883, in virtue of article 35 of the Municipal Code. 
 
 Like Montcalm, this township is a new one, and but thinly settled. It is 
 bounded on the north by the north line of the County of Argenteuil, east by Morin, 
 south lV Wentworth, and west by Montcalm. Until its organization, Howard, for 
 Municipal purposes, was attachad to Morin. 
 
 The first settlers in Howard were Joseph and Pierre Millettc, who settled in 
 the south part of the township aboul 1864. In the nortil part; where the Munir.ij?^.) 
 business is transacted, the first settjcro Were Huhert Paquet and a man aame-:' 
 Corheii. 
 
 The following cLTC tiie names of those who have served as Mayors of How aid 
 since its or-ganizatioa : Messis. Hubert Paquet, Ciiari.es Brunet, Alexis 
 Chi'jOine, and Oliver Wood. 
 
 A post-office was established in Howara a few years since, and Hubert Paquet 
 was appointed posimaster ; he vv^as succeeded about 1892 by Fredekk; Senegal. 
 
 Like all the other townships ol Argenteuil, Howard contains several small 
 attractive lakes, Lake St. Joseph and Lake St. Marie being the most noted for their 
 beautv. 
 
in the list ot 
 1 1886. it is 
 t by Howard 
 yet but thinly 
 a few Engiish- 
 a Lake next to 
 to Arundel, lie 
 
 ;> 
 
 settled. It is 
 east by Morin, 
 m, Howard, for 
 
 who settled in 
 
 ; the Munir.ij?^.' 
 
 a man aamei' 
 
 ors ot" How .lid 
 
 flUNET, ALEXIS 
 
 Hubert Paquet 
 u: Senegal. 
 ; several small 
 noted for their 
 
 Prescott. 
 
 liiis County is located in the extreme western part of Ontario, and is bounded 
 north by the Ottawa River, east by the County of Vaudreuil, south by (jlengarry 
 and Stormont, pnd west by Russell. It is divided into the townships of Longueuil, 
 East Hawkesbury, West Hawkesbuiy, Alfred, Caledonia, North Plantagenet, South 
 Plmiagenet, and the villages of Hawkesbury and L'Orignal. 
 
 With the exception of a few quairies, whicii are noticed elsewhere in these pages, 
 the geology of Prescott is unimportant ; hence it has been deemed unnecessary to 
 devote space to a subject of so little interest. 
 
 The physical features of the County are mo;e interesting from an agricultural 
 point if view than from n.ny other, for though there are many jjoints of scener) that 
 are ])icturesque, the County is generally very level and adapted to cultivation. The 
 only excepcions are marshy portions, and the greater part of these, which were once 
 regarded worthless, have been so far reclaimed, that it is now believed that nearly all 
 will yet be rendered tillable. 
 
 Fortunately, the French settlers, on coming into the County, preferred the low 
 land which the English-speaking portion discarded, consequently the marshes have 
 been drained and transformed into productive fields, so that the greater part of 
 Prescott is thoroughly cultivated. As a farming section it can scarcely be excelled 
 in the Dominion, and it is doubtful if there ic another County of equal extent which 
 contain J a greater number of independent farmers. 
 
 CENSUS OF 1891. 
 
 Roman 
 Catho- 
 lics. 
 
 Church 
 of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Prescott 18,534 
 
 Alfred . 
 
 Caledonia 
 
 1 1 awkesbury East . . . 
 Hawkesbury West . . . 
 Hawkesbury Village. 
 
 LoHj^ueuil 
 
 L'Orignal Village . . . 
 riantagenet North. . . 
 riantaoenet South.., 
 
 2.927 
 '.250 
 3)690 
 1.346 
 1 482 
 1,061 1 
 734! 
 3.7:'= 
 2.3091 
 
 1,163 
 
 61 
 
 240 
 
 250 
 
 240 
 
 167 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 29 
 
 88 
 
 Presby- 
 terians. 
 
 2,566 
 26 
 
 393 
 564 
 734 
 281 
 29 
 
 '33 
 162 
 
 24 r 
 
 Metho- 
 
 Bap- 
 
 dists, 
 
 tists. ■ 
 
 1,17.1 
 
 354 
 
 18 
 
 i.S 
 
 49 
 
 I 
 
 272 
 
 104 
 
 323 
 
 71 
 
 34 
 
 29 1 
 
 32 
 
 J 
 
 7» 
 
 8 
 
 90 
 
 27 
 
 285 
 
 96 
 
 Congre- 
 gational. 
 
 49 
 
 6 
 II 
 
 28 
 
 ^ 
 
 \ 
 
463 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 CENSUS OF iSgi .—CoMtwtieJ. 
 
 Prescott 
 
 Alfred 
 
 Caledonia 
 
 Hawkesbury East. . . 
 Hawkesbury West.. 
 Hawkesbury Villagej 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 L'Orignal 
 
 I'lantagenet North. 
 Plantagenet South. 
 
 Popu- 
 lation. 
 
 No. of 
 families. 
 
 Total 
 dwellings 
 occupied. 
 
 Wood. 
 
 Brick. 
 
 Stone. 
 
 One 
 Story. 
 
 Two 
 Stories. 
 
 24,173 
 
 4,138 
 
 ^1,005 
 
 3,473 
 
 443 
 
 87 
 
 3,006 
 
 975 
 
 3'053 
 
 51S 
 
 484 
 
 441 
 
 33 
 
 8 
 
 367 
 
 1 10 
 
 1,943 
 
 325 
 
 324 
 
 303 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 •73 
 
 151 
 
 4.896 
 
 «3« 
 
 803 
 
 677 
 
 106 
 
 20 
 
 783 
 
 18 
 
 2,740 
 
 504 
 
 490 
 
 330 
 
 138 
 
 22 
 
 327 
 
 '57 
 
 2,042 
 
 355 
 
 351 
 
 307 
 
 35 
 
 9 
 
 I 
 
 345 
 
 1,172 
 
 •95 
 
 178 
 
 148 
 
 23 
 
 7 
 
 171 
 
 7 
 
 1,002 
 
 180 
 
 '65 
 
 «35 
 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 145 
 
 17 
 
 4,245 
 
 706 
 
 686 
 
 6." 8 
 
 33 
 
 5 
 
 563 
 
 123 
 
 3,080 
 
 1 
 
 527 
 
 524 
 
 484 
 
 40 
 
 .... 
 
 476 
 
 47 
 
 Three 
 
 Stories. 
 
 22 
 5 
 
 Prescolt 
 
 Alfred 
 
 Caledonia , 
 
 Hawkesbury East . , 
 Hawke.sbury West. 
 Hawkesbury Village. 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 L'Orignal Village. . , 
 Plantagenet North . , 
 Plantagenet South . , 
 
 Total 
 
 
 occu- 
 
 Being 
 
 piers of 
 land. 
 
 owners. 
 
 3,461 
 
 2,937 
 
 473 
 
 42! 
 
 3'» 
 
 68s 
 
 274 
 634 
 
 399 
 77 
 
 323 
 67 
 
 197 
 
 165 
 65} i 
 
 496 
 
 155 
 
 99 
 
 556 
 
 428 
 
 Being 
 tenants. 
 
 487 
 47 
 27 
 50 
 
 63 
 10 
 
 38 
 
 63 
 122 
 
 67 
 
 loi 201 
 
 acres acres 
 
 to I and 
 
 200. OTer. 
 
 525 
 84 
 40 
 
 115 
 
 77 
 
 >5 
 46 
 II 
 
 72 
 65 
 
 Acres 
 under 
 crops. 
 
 148 
 
 9 
 
 '5 
 
 36 
 
 16 
 
 7 
 18 
 
 7 
 
 '9 
 21 
 
 127,097 
 25,404 
 n,527 
 28,928 
 
 9. 171 
 1,559 
 
 II, III 
 
 2,598 
 21,057 
 15.732 
 
 Acres in 
 
 Acres in 
 Woodland 
 
 V'"'''''^- and Forest 
 
 '59.761 
 5,250 
 5,37' 
 
 •5,136 
 7,039 
 1,607 
 4,388 
 1,065 
 
 12,962 
 6,943 
 
 63,241 
 
 4,73' 
 
 10,015 
 
 8,988 
 
 9,214 
 
 2.925 
 2,796 
 
 2,508 
 
 8,468 
 
 13.596 
 
 REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY OF PRESCOTT. 
 Upper Canada. 
 
 Members Elected, 
 
 Name of Constituency. 
 
 Prescott , 
 
 Prescott and Russell, 
 (( It 
 
 John McDonnell ^Glengarry 
 
 John McDonnell , j " 
 
 Alexander McDonnell iGlengarry and Prescott , 
 
 Angus McDonnell 
 
 W. B. Wilkinson 
 
 Alexander McDonnell 
 
 Alexander McDonnell 
 
 John McDonnell 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 R. P. Hotham 
 
 John Kearns , 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 Neil Stewart 
 
 Donald McDonald 
 
 T. H. Johnson 
 
 T.H.Johnson 
 
 Henry Wellesley McCann 
 
 Henry \V. TvicCann , 
 
 Henry W. McCann 
 
 Thorn as Higginson , 
 
 Prescott . 
 
 Gardens 
 
 and 
 orchards. 
 
 1.231 
 
 137 
 
 65 
 192 
 2C9 
 
 48 
 124 
 
 58 
 182 
 
 156 
 
 Year. 
 
 1792 
 
 1796 
 
 1801 
 
 1801 
 
 1805 
 
 1809 
 
 1813 
 
 1817 
 
 1820 
 
 1825 
 
 1829 
 
 i8m 
 
 1836 
 
 1836 
 
 1841 
 
 1844 
 
 1847 
 
 1848 
 
 I051 
 
 1854 
 
 1858 
 
 186 1 
 
Two 
 
 tories. 
 
 Three 
 Stories. 
 
 975 
 
 22 
 
 uo 
 
 5 
 
 '5' 
 
 
 i8 
 
 2 
 
 157 
 
 6 
 
 345 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 
 17 
 
 3 
 
 123 
 
 
 47 
 
 I 
 
 icres m 
 oodland 
 id Forest 
 
 63,241 
 
 4,73' 
 
 10,015 
 
 8,988 
 
 9,214 
 
 2,925 
 2,796 
 
 2,508 
 
 8,468 
 
 13.596 
 
 Gardens 
 
 anil 
 orchards. 
 
 1 ,23 1 
 137 
 
 65 
 192 
 269 
 48 
 124 
 58 
 182 
 156 
 
 CY, 
 
 Year. 
 
 1792 
 
 1796 
 
 1 801 
 
 1801 
 
 1805 
 
 1809 
 
 1813 
 
 1817 
 
 1820 
 
 1825 
 
 1829 
 
 l87t 
 
 1836 
 
 1836 
 
 1841 
 
 1844 
 
 1847 
 
 1848 
 
 I051 
 
 1854 
 
 18^8 
 
 t86i 
 
 1863 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Province of Ontario. 
 
 463 
 
 J.Hoyd, 
 
 Geo. W. Hnniiltoii 
 
 William llarkin 
 
 William Harkin 
 
 Albert Magar 
 
 Albe. t Hagar 
 
 Alfred F. E. F.vanturel . 
 Alfred F. E. Evanturel, 
 Alfred F. E. Evanturel . . 
 
 Prescott. 
 
 1867 
 1871 
 1875 
 
 1879 
 1882 
 
 1884 
 1887 
 1890 
 1S94 
 
 ME.MBERS OF THE DOMINION PARLIAMENT FOR THE COUNTY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 From 1867 to 1878, Albert Hagar. , 
 
 From 1879 to 1882, Felix Routhier. 
 . '■>■. From 1883 to 1890, Simon Lahrosse. 
 From 1 89 1 to 1895, Isidore Proiilx. 
 
 Although the list of Representatives given above was sent by the Clerk of the 
 Legislative Assembly, we find that the names of Thomas Mears, William Hamilton, 
 and Dr. David Pattee are not mentioned. At a Court of General Quarter Sessions 
 held at L'Orignal, 24th September, 1816, it was ordered that Thomas Mears, Esq. 
 do have a draft upon the Treasurer for ;^4i for his wages as member of Parliament 
 Following the copy of this order is this statement : — 
 
 " I hereby certify that I have given a draft for the above amount. 
 
 " Jos. Fortune, C. P." 
 
 A document among the papers of the late Judge Macdonnell also states that 
 Thomas Mears was a member of two Parliaments. 
 
 It is a fact well known also, that when Prescott and Russell were united for 
 purposes of representation, about 1,^22, William Hamilton and Dr. David Pattee 
 were candidates; Pattee received the majority of votes, but owing to the prejudice 
 and trickery of the returning officer, enough voti^s were thrown out to give Hamilton 
 the seat. An investigation, however, followed, which resulted in giving Pattee the 
 scat. 
 
 When Neil Stewart was elected, the following letter of congratulation was sent 
 by the Governor-General : — 
 
 ''■-'::-. Government House, October 17th, 1844. 
 Sir, 
 
 I am advised to acknowku^'e the receipt of your letter of the 13th inst., 
 announcing the election of Neil Sttwart, Esq., for tne County of Prescott, and to 
 convey to you the expression of Bis Excellency's thanks for the satisfactory intelli- 
 gence it conveys. 
 
 The Governor-General heartily congratulates the freeholders of the county upon 
 the worthy selection that they have made. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your faithful servant, 
 C. A. Lowe, Ensign. . T. M. Higginson. 
 
464 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 , l=iil 
 
 INHABITANTS 01" PRESCOTT. 
 
 A description of the character and habits of the people of Prescott would be 
 simply a repetition of what has l)een said in a former part of this volume of the 
 people of Argcnteiiil. Of the same race, from the same country, and often from the 
 same district and neighborhood, even in many instances c f the same kindred, they 
 naturally possess the same characteristics. Loyalty, patiiotism, honesty and hospi 
 talily may be said without exaggeration or flattery to be tlie distinguishing traits of 
 the inhabitants from Vaudreuil to Russell, from the Ottawa to Stormont and 
 Glengarry. 
 
 A larger American element remained in Prescott than there did in Argenteuil, 
 and their descendants are among the thriving and influential citizens of the present. 
 U . E. Loyalists formed no insignitieant part of the early settlers of Ontario. Scattered 
 here and there, also, were not a few who had aided, to a greater or less degree, in 
 securing American independence. It is woithy of note that these two classes, who 
 had settled here under circumstances and with motives so entirely different, dwelt 
 side by side in harmony. Each had acted conscientiously, and according to his own 
 views of what was right ; hence, in the new position tliey forgot political differences, 
 and each respected the rights of the other. I'"ar different was the feeling against the 
 one who, though now claiming to be a loyalist, had long borne the stigma of traitor. 
 
 Benedict Arnold, it will be remembered, was one of those who enthusiastically 
 espoused the Amcricnn cause, on the declaration of Independence. It was he who 
 led the force u]) through the dense New ICngland wilderness to capture Quebec, but 
 which expedition ended disastrously for the Americans, and cost the life of their 
 gallant officer, the young Richard Alontgomery. .Arnold was equally brave in other 
 campaigns against the Ikitish, but suddenly incensed at some fancied slight or 
 reproof from his superior ofificer, he deserted, and, subsequently, fought with his usual 
 deternnnation and bravery against the Americans. At the close of the war he sought 
 safety in England, and we learn from the Report of 1891, on the Canadian Archives, 
 the lollowing : — 
 
 Among other applicants for large tracts of land in Upper Canada was Benedict 
 Arnold. In a letter to the Duke of Portland, dated 2nd January, 1797, he writes : — 
 "There is no other man in England that has made so great sacrifices as I have 
 done, of property, rank, prospects, etc., in support of Government, and no man who 
 has received less in return." Jn July, 1797, in a petition to the King, Arnold asks for 
 10, coo acres of land in Upper Canada, for himself, and 5,000 acres each for his wife 
 and seven children, being 50,000 in all. One condition on which .'\rnold was very 
 pressing was, that he should not be obliged to come to Canada to take possession of 
 his land. Another was, that it might be made general, so that he could select his 
 land in any part of the British provinces in which land was available. In a letter of 
 General Simcoe to John King, Under-Secretary of State, dated 26th March, 179^). 
 he fays; — " To answer your first query, 'is there any objection to Arnold and his 
 childien having any grant of land in Upi)er Canada ? ' I say there is no legal impedi- 
 ment (on American grounds), provided they have not already had any grant in tlu' 
 Province of New Brunswick; but General Arnold is a character extremely obnoxious 
 to the original loyalists of America ; his not intending to reside in Upper Canada 
 does away, in some measure, with that objection." 
 
 It will thus be seen that though the Ontario loyalists could condone what they 
 regarded an error of judgment and want of loyalty in others, they could not tolerate 
 the presence of one who had iraitorously deserted the cause they abhorred, even 
 though he had espoused their own. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 465 
 
 ;ott would be 
 olume of tlic 
 often from the 
 kindred, they 
 :siy and hospi 
 ishing traits of 
 Stormont and 
 
 1 in Argenteuil, 
 
 of the present. 
 
 irio. Scattered 
 
 less degree, in 
 ,vo classes, who 
 different, dwelt 
 ding to Ids own 
 ical differences, 
 :ling against the 
 ligma of traitor, 
 enthusiastically 
 
 U was he who 
 ure Quebec, but 
 ,he life of their 
 y brave in other 
 ancied slight or 
 lit with his usual 
 
 e war he sought 
 
 adian Archives, 
 
 la was Benedict 
 ^, he writes :— 
 kes as I have 
 ||,nd no man who 
 Arnold asks for 
 _;ach for his wife 
 [Arnold was very 
 Ike possession of 
 could select his 
 In a letter oi 
 March, 1798, 
 lArnold and his 
 Vo /ega/ impedi- 
 ]iny grant in the 
 finely obnoxious 
 Upper Canada 
 
 lone what thev 
 
 )uld not tolerate 
 
 abhorred, even 
 
 As Prescott formed a part of Glengarry up to 1817, we do not know how many 
 of the gallant fellows belonging to the Glengarry corps in the war of 1812 really lived 
 in what is in.w known as Prescott. That there were some, there can be no doubt, 
 and we sinceiely regret our inability to give their names and places of residence. 
 One fact should not be forgotten, that in that war, as well as in the Rebellion of 1837, 
 there were Frenchmen whose loyalty and bravery stood out as conspicuously in defence 
 of the British flag, as that of tiieir English-speaking brethren ; several young French 
 Canadians walked all the way from Sorel to take part in the battle of Lundy's Lane. 
 
 Since the above was written, the following has been received : — , 
 
 . " ; ; " Hawkesburv, April 15, 1896. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — 
 
 "With a desire to preserve the names of the good, true men of the County 
 of Prescott, who bore arms in their country's cause, I send you the enclosed list of 
 pensioners of the war of 1812, who received a share of the $50,000 granted by 
 Government. Most of them took part in the battles south of the St. Lawrence, 
 Chatcauguay, etc. Hoping that lliis may be of service to you in the preparation of 
 your valuable work, 
 
 " I remain, yours respectfully, 
 
 "T. T. HiGGlNSON." 
 
 *' 'I'lMOTHV Pool,, who engaged in farming after the war ; Baitistf. Roy, whose 
 death took place at an advanced age ; Michfl Sec;uin, who also engaged in farming, 
 became totally blind and died at ihe age of 86 ; Fran^ols Dechamp, who received a 
 grant of land for his services, and lived to the age of 95 ; Joseph Manard, a farmer, 
 who also lived till he was 95 ; .Alexander Boudrie, who owned an ashery, and was 
 reputed to have lived to the great age of 100 years j all settled after the war in East 
 Hawkesbury, and died in that place." 
 
 " Charles Routhier and Julian T..E Blanc also settled in East Hawkesbury, 
 but the former died in L'Orignal in 1878, and the latter in St. Eugene, aged 94. Mr. 
 Routhier was on the river between Montreal and the Sault, forwarding stores, when 
 the battle of Chrysler's Farm look place." 
 
 " Another iJtnsioner was Joseph Chatelain, a farmer who settled in South Plan- 
 tagenet, and died in that place in January, 1896, aged 105 years." 
 
 " Among those who took an active part in the stirring events of the war of inde- 
 pendence, and the wars of the first Napoleon, two of our townsmen who ended their 
 days here might be worthy of a short notice. 
 
 "The first was Sylve.ster Cohb, the village blacksmith, who came here in the 
 wake of the U. E. Loyalists. His stories of llie Green Mountain Boys' heroic deeds, and, 
 of course, Ins own, were startling. Like most veterans, he had a long lease of life, dying 
 here at the age of 90. The other, William Hc^.liday, was born in London, Eng., 
 and left home at the age of nine. He enlisted on a man-of-war, and served in the 
 vleet till 1815. He was at Corunna when the remnant of Sir John Moore's army was 
 saved by the embarkation of the men and stores ; and had the ill luck to be a prisoner 
 of war for five years in a French prison before an exchange could relieve him. He 
 died in Hawkesbury at the age of 80, leaving no family." 
 
 " Francois Larocque was born at Sorel, Que., in 1796. At sixteen he joined 
 a company composed chiefly of young P'rench Canadians ; these young recruits, at- 
 tached to a small body of regulars, reached Kingston by fc.ced marches. From 
 Kingston they pushed on to Niagara, arriving in time to share to the full the hard 
 fought field of Lundy's Lane." 
 
 tit-i 
 
466 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 " The young soldier came out of his first battle with three wounds, the most severe 
 being caused by a rausket bullet, which passed through his leg near the knee At'tcr 
 receiving his discharge, Mr. Larocque settled in East Hawkesbury, on a fine little farm 
 of 60 acres, three miles from the Ottawa river ; here he reared a large family of indus- 
 trious and respectable children. His death took place in Hawkesbury in May, 1883, 
 at the age of 87." 
 
 Mr. T. T. Higginson also relates the following incident, which is worth pre- 
 serving : 
 
 Finlay McRae, one of the pioneers of West Hawkesbury, and a veteran British 
 soldier, had been in the balUe of the Nile, Trafalgar, and other engagements without 
 receiving a wound. In the war of 18 12, he was taken prisoner by the Americans 
 and received treatment which he could not forget. One Fourth of July, when en- 
 tering Hawkesbury Mills, he saw a flag-pole, from which the Stars and Stripes were 
 gaily floating in the breeze. His blood was up. His cooper's axe was in his hand, 
 and with this he cut down the flag-pole, tore the flag in shreds, and set the crowd at 
 defiance. " Mad dogs !" was his favorite expression when angered, and one tliat 
 was oft-repeated till the American flag was destroyed and no one saw fit to interfere 
 with him. It is said that at the battle of the Nile, when both armies were nearly 
 exhausted, and Finlay McRae and an artillery-man were the only ones left of this com- 
 pany, McRae charged the gun alone and fired the last shot which turned the tide of 
 victory. 
 
 Among the papers of Judge Macdonnell, we find the reports of the several com- 
 panies of Prescott militia that annually met for dr'll. The names of all the men in 
 each company are given with their ages, the lot and concession where they lived, and 
 in case a man was absent, the cauie thereof is carefully reported. We can give the 
 names of only the officers, and a few of the companies. 
 
 Co. No. 2. — Muster of Capt. Alexander Grant's Company ist Reg. Prescott 
 Militia, 20th Dec, 1827. Capt. Alexander Grant, Lieut. Philo Hall, Ensign John G. 
 Mcintosh, Sergls. Alex. Marston, Waters Mills, 76 men, rank and file, 2 men absent 
 without leave. 
 
 Co. No. 4. — Capt. Alexander Cameron, Lieut. Clias. Waters, Ensign W. Z. 
 Cozens, .Sergts. John McMaster, Daniel Johnson, Josiah Jackson, 51 men, rank and 
 file, mustered 27th Oct., 1827. 
 
 Co. No. 5. — Mustered at Vankleek Hill, Monday, 17th December, 1827. 
 
 Capt. Donald Roy McDonald, Lieut. Kenneth McCUisket, Ensign John McRae ; 
 Sergts. Barnabas Vankleek, Ewen McLachlan, Donald Campbell, 67 rank and file. 
 
 The following are reports of companies "mustered at Wade's," in 1832. 
 
 Capt. P. Le Roy, Lieut. G. H. Macdonnell — Ensign vacant. Total rank and 
 file, 66. 
 
 Co. No. 4— -Capt. Alexander Cameron, Lieut. Ciiarles Waters, Ensign Alex. 
 Cameron, Sergts. John McMaster, Josiah Jackson, Anson Center, 62 rank and file; 
 
 Capt. J. Harrigan's Co., 52 rank and file. 
 
 Co. No. 6. — Capt. Elijah Brown, Lieut. C. A. Low, Ensign Joseph S. VVhitcomb, 
 Sergts. Hugh Lough, William Bailey, Thomas Higginson, 147 rank and file. 
 
 Co. No. 5. — Capt. D. K. McDonald, Lieut. Farquhar Robertson, Ensign John 
 McRae, Sergts. Barnabas Vankleek, Hugh McLachlan, HoUis Grifl^n, 78 rank and 
 file. 
 
 The following list shows that the Militia were «reU organized and ofticered in 
 1838. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOIT. 
 
 467 
 
 ; most severe 
 knee. After 
 me little farm 
 ,Tiily ofindus- 
 m May, 1SS3, 
 
 is worth pre- 
 
 eteran British 
 nents without 
 ,e Americans 
 uly, when en- 
 i Stripes were 
 is in his hand, 
 t the crowd at 
 and one that 
 fit to interfere 
 IS were nearly 
 eft of this com- 
 led the tide of 
 
 le several com- 
 all the men in 
 they lived, and 
 (i can give the 
 
 leg. Prescott 
 isign John G. 
 2 men absent 
 
 Ensign W. Z. 
 men, rank and 
 
 1827. 
 
 John McRae ; 
 ank and file. 
 
 1832. 
 'otal rank and 
 
 Ensign Alex, 
 rank and file; 
 
 h S. Whitcomb, 
 id file. 
 
 Ensign John 
 , 78 rank and 
 
 lid officered in 
 
 List of the officers of the ist Regiment of ?rescott Militia, with their places of 
 residence, and the dates of their appointments, taken April, 1838: — 
 
 Rank. 
 
 C'olonel. 
 I.t.-Col. 
 Major. . 
 Captain. 
 
 IC 
 
 (C 
 
 ({ 
 
 (C 
 
 11 
 
 Lieut... 
 >( 
 
 i( 
 
 Ensign. 
 
 
 Adj ^. 
 
 Qr. 'I>isi'i 
 Surg2on. 
 
 NA.MES. 
 
 Mc. Macdonnell 
 
 Geo. Hamilton 
 
 Alex. Grant 
 
 Jeremiah Harrigan . . . , 
 
 folin Keains 
 
 Donald R. McDonald. 
 
 Elijah Hrown 
 
 James Molloy , 
 
 C.Johnson 
 
 John Chesser 
 
 William Coffin 
 
 Wm. Shearman 
 
 Chas. A . Low 
 
 G. L H. Macdonnell... 
 
 Wm. Z. Cozens 
 
 Alfred Chesser 
 
 Far(|. Robertson 
 
 John McRae 
 
 Jofctph S. Whitcomb.. 
 
 John W. Grant 
 
 Jno. Wiirtcle Marston. 
 
 Neil Stewart 
 
 Simeon Cass , . . . 
 
 Elijah Kellogg 
 
 L li. P. Macdonnell... 
 
 Basile St. Julien 
 
 John Kearns 
 
 Residence. 
 
 DATIOS ()K 
 Ari'ClNTMENT. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Pt. Fortune 
 
 Hy. Mills 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 W. Hawkesbury. 
 
 Plantat^enet 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 W. Hawkesbury . 
 
 Plantagenet 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 Caledonia Flats. 
 
 Hy. Mills 
 
 W. Hawkesbury. 
 
 Hy. Mills 
 
 Pt. Fortune 
 
 L'Orignal 
 
 Jessup's Falls. .. 
 W. Hawkesbury, 
 
 L'Orignal. 
 
 Vankleek Hill. 
 Head Port.... 
 
 Longueuil 
 
 'Pt. Fortune. . . 
 
 I Longueuil 
 
 'Plantagenet. . • 
 
 1st .\pril, 1822. .. 
 iSthJune, " .. 
 23rd Aug., 1833.. 
 26th Feb., 1812. .. 
 
 6th May, 1820 
 
 27th April, '• .. 
 28th " " .. 
 loth March, 1824, 
 25th Feb., 1826... 
 26th '• " .. 
 23rd April, 1833.. 
 25th " r82o.. 
 loth March, 1824. 
 
 1st Feb., 1832 
 
 2iid " " ... 
 3rd " " ... 
 4th « •' ... 
 2nd — 1820. . . 
 28th Feb., 1826.. 
 23rd Aug., 1832. . 
 24th •• '•'" .. 
 251!! «' « ,. 
 27th " •' .. 
 28lh " '• .. 
 
 23rd " 1833. 
 
 I.Sth Jan., 1836. ... 
 9th March, 1824. . 
 
 Received Commission. 
 
 ; (( ii 
 
 1 
 
 (I (< 
 
 1 
 
 .1 u 
 
 Mot rec'd. Commission. 
 
 >( a 
 
 Received Commission. 
 
 Not rec'd. Commission 
 
 I i< « 
 
 i « .< 
 
 Received. Commission. 
 Not rec'd. " 
 
 Received " 
 
 Not rec'd. " 
 
 Received Commission. 
 
 Ahes. 
 
 70 
 
 58 
 64 
 54 
 54 
 5 + 
 
 56 
 45 
 39 
 67 
 39 
 31 
 48 
 
 40 
 4' 
 
 23 
 32 
 43 
 4^ 
 53 
 24 
 42 
 
 The formation of the i8th Battalion of Prescott Militia was prompted by the 
 same war cloud that caused the organization of the nth Battalion or Argenteuil 
 Rangers. We cannot give the exact dates at which the different companie"? — except 
 the first — were formed, but in 1866 the promptitude with which they responded to tlie 
 call issued from head-quarters showed that they lacked neither the martial spirit nor 
 patriotism which had always been the distinguishing traits of their ancestors. To 
 tiieir credit, too, it should be remembered that the reports whicli had been long in 
 circulation led them to believe that they were to meet no insignificant foe, but 
 veteran soldiers — the greater part of whom had seen service in the armies of Grant 
 and McLellan. The first company of the i8th Battalion was formed in 1862 at 
 Hawkesbury Mills, the officers of which were as follows : — 
 
 Captains. 
 Co. No. 1, Wm. Higginson. 
 " «' 2, John Shields. 
 " " 3, A. I.Grant. 
 " " 4, Geo. McBean. 
 " " s, H. W. McCann. 
 " " 6, Angus Urquhart. 
 
 I St Lieutenants. 
 Angus Urquhart. 
 Hugh Lough. 
 John Miller. 
 Wm.Ogden. 
 Donald Mcintosh. 
 John W. Higginson. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 Jas. Higginson. 
 John Mclnnis. 
 Sturgis M. Johnson. 
 Joseph Grant. 
 Wm. C. Willis. 
 Geo. N. Robertson. 
 
468 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 The Hon. John Hamilton was appointed J t.-Col. in 1863, and William Higgin- 
 son Major. 
 
 On Sunday morninp, the third day of June, 1866, a telegram was received by 
 Captain (now Lt.-Col.) bliields, to call out the Battalion, and proceed forthwith, 
 by Steamer" Queen Virtoria," to Ottawa. Captain Bowie, commander of the steamer, 
 had been ordered to p occed to 1,'OrignaI, and convey the Vohinteers from that place 
 to Ottawa with all possible dispatch. The Volunteers were at once duly notified by 
 the non-commissioned officers and officers of the several companies ; the morning 
 was favorable for thf purpose, as many of the Volunteers had assembled at the differ- 
 ent churches in the villages for public worship. Although the time for assembling 
 was brief, between three and four o'clock p.m. of the same day the order was re- 
 ceived, Companies i, 2, 3, 5, and 6 reported at the L'Orignal wharf, and boarded the 
 steamer, which started immediately for Ottawa, stopping on the way to take in other 
 Volunteers that were waiting ; the steamer arrived at Ottawa about 1 1 p.m. Com- 
 pany No. 4 of the BaUalion, having a longer distance to travel, did not arrive at 
 Ottawa until the following day — Monday. 
 
 On the arrival of ihe Companies in Ottawa, the commanding officer. Captain 
 Shields, immed'ately veported 10 the Adjutant General, Col. P. L. McDougall, who 
 was anxiously awaiting ihcm. All were at once billetted, with orders to report (sharp) 
 at 7 o'clock on Monday, June 4th, at the Ottawa and Prescott Railway Station, and 
 proceed to Prescott on the St. Lawrence. Arrivingin Prescottat 10 a.m., and report- 
 ing to Col. Atcherly, the officer commanding the garrison at Fort Wellington, they 
 were immediately stationed — one-half at the Railway Station — the other in the Town 
 Hall. 
 
 The following, copied from the Battalion Order Book, shows the names of the 
 officers when they were called out in 1870 : 
 
 .., . . Head-Quarters i8th Battalion, 
 
 • Dominion Hall, 
 
 Cornwall, 27th May, 1870. 
 
 i8lh Battalion arrived at Cornwall this evening, and reported to Col. Atcherly. 
 commanding the Garrison. 
 
 Major Shields, in the absence of Lt.-Col. Higginson, commanding the Battalion. 
 
 The marching in state showed the strength of the Battalion to consist of 20 offi- 
 cers and 155 men, as follows : — 
 
 No. I, Capt. C. L Higginson, two subalterns and thirty-six men. 
 
 2, " Donald Mcintosh, two subalterns, 38 men. 
 
 3, " Pattee, two subalterns, 27 men. . : ... ^ -. 
 
 4, " Ogden, two subalterns, 30 men. ..;..' ^.^v .; .;''.- 
 
 5, " McLean, two subalterns, 24 men. v. '/,;•;./ 1 s .r.:.;'; ; 
 
 ; : '> SCHOOLS OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 ' By W. J. SuMMERiiY, School Inspector. 
 
 J. Graves Simcoe, the first iJeutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, shortly after 
 his appointment in 1791. wrote to Sir Jos. Banks, President of the Royal Society, as I 
 follows : — 
 
 " In a literary way I should be glad to lay the foundation stone of some society! 
 that I trust might hereafter conduce to the extension of science. Schools have been 
 shamefully neglected. A college of a higher class would be eminently useful, and wou]d| 
 give a tone of principle and manners that would be of infinite support to government.' 
 
 (I 
 (1 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 469 
 
 illiamHiggin- 
 
 is received by 
 eed forthwith, 
 of the steamer, 
 from that place 
 uly notified by 
 ; the morning 
 id at the differ- 
 for assembling 
 ; order was re- 
 nd boarded the 
 to take in other 
 1 1 p.m. Com- 
 id not arrive at 
 
 officer, Captain 
 IcDoiigall, who 
 Lo report (sharp) 
 vay Station, and 
 i.m., and report- 
 Wellington, they 
 iher in the Town 
 
 the names of the 
 
 h Battalion, 
 Inion Hall, 
 27th May, 1870. 
 to Col. Atcherly, 
 
 !ng the Battalion, 
 [consist of 20 oftV 
 
 nada, shortly after 
 Royal Society, as| 
 
 lie of some society 
 Schools have beecl 
 ' useful, and wouldj 
 
 Irt to government,' 
 
 This is the starting point of the educational history of Ontario. During the 
 whole period that he remained in Canada, Gov. Simcoe continued to press upon the 
 Imperial authorities the importance of this work, urging them to make provision for 
 tlie establishment of a university for the province and a grammar (classical) school 
 for each district. But the Colonial Office was slow to act. and the Governor Ind to 
 leave the province on account of ill-healih before iiis ideas were destined to bear 
 truit. 
 
 After some years of agitation, grammar schools were finally established in each 
 district, and subsequently (1816) an act was passedfor the estabHslnnont and encour- 
 agement of common school education. Six thousand pounds ($24,000) was granted 
 from the provincial funds, and apportioned among the ten districts of the province. 
 I'he District Boards were to apportion it among the schools in tlie several districts 
 according to e number of their scholars; none was to be given to asciiool witii less 
 than twenty scholars, and no school was to receive less than one liundrcd dollars. 
 In this same year (1816) Ottawa district was organized. Tins district com- 
 prised the territory now included in the counties of Prescott and Russell and also 
 part of the present county of Carleton. 
 
 In the journals of the House ol Assembly for 23rd January, 1823, we find a record 
 that Mr. David Pattee asked for leave to bring in a bill to establish a Public (Gram- 
 mar) School in the District of Ottawa. Leave was granted and the Act was assented 
 to by the Lieutenant-Governor. Sir Peregrine Maitland, on the 19th March, 1823. 
 One hundred i)0unds a year was granted, to be "disposed of in paying the salary of 
 the teachers of the said school." And among other things it was enacted '" that the 
 said school shall be opened and kept in the Township of Longueuil, in the County of 
 Prescott, at or near the place of holding the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for 
 the said district, at such place as the trustees appointed may think proper." 
 
 Four years later (1827) we find an Act i)assed authorizing the Reverend John 
 McLaurin to grant to the trustees of this school, one acre of land for a site. 
 
 Mr. McLaurin's report for the year 1827 tells us that he had then 27 scholars. 
 He also states that some of his most iidvanced pupils had gone to Burlington College 
 in the United States, " there being," he says, "a great tendency in this place to send 
 their children to finish their education in the States." He speaks of their " excellent 
 schoolhouse, built of stone and lime, well fitted up and large enough to accommodate 
 from 50 to 60 scholars." 
 
 His assistant, Mr. Gates, is mentioned, and the report ends by informing us that 
 he had " given every encouragement to education by making my fees very low." 
 
 This is the only classical school iu this part of the province for many years, and 
 all the leading men of the district sent their boys to school here. 
 
 George Hamilton, Alexander Grant and Philo Hall were members of the Dis- 
 trict Board at this time (1827), and they reported the common schools of the district 
 as eleven in number, " kept by masters duly qualified." They " recommended an 
 appropriation of ;;^i26 los for the support of tiie said schools.'' 
 
 The province increased rapidly in population ; but the Legislature did so little 
 towards aiding the common schools, that a committee of the House of Assembly in 
 1S31 stated that the schools were in a "deplorable" state. There is reason to 
 believe that in Prescott things were not so bad ; as, in comparison with other districts, 
 the population was mall, and each district received the same share from the fund. 
 Nearly everything, however, was left to voluntary effort. 
 
 Dr. Ryerson was appointed Chief Superintendent of Education in 1844, ^"^^ 
 at once he bent his energies to the establishment of a really national system of 
 Education. *' Free schools " were denounced as " legalized robbery " and as a 
 
470 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 " war against property." Lord Elgin, wlio was Governor during this period, gave 
 much valuable aid to the popular cause. Finally, in 1850, a school law was 
 passed adapted to the municipal system of the province. The leading principles 
 of the system were local control ; local taxation, aided and stimulated by governm nt 
 assistance ; education free to all, and compulsory ; systematic inspection untior 
 government control. The Act of 1850 did not give us all this; but it went a long 
 way towards it, and subsequent amendments have given us the system now practically 
 completed. In 1852, 2,300 pupils attended the schools of the counties ; these pupils 
 were taught by 50 teachers, who were paid something less than $5,000 in salaries. 
 
 The two Grammar schools at L'Orignal and Vankleek Hill at this time had 51 
 pupils between them. Their income is put down at ^220. Twenty years later, 
 1872, the public (common) schools contained 6163 pupils taught by no teachers who 
 received $13,726 in salaries. The High (Grammar) schools in 1872 were attended by 
 76 pupils. 
 
 At present there are 200 teachers in the Primary schools (public and separate) 
 teaching 10,766 pupils at a total cost of $58,000 yearly. 
 
 The two High schools at Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill are educating about 
 250 pupils at an annual cost of nearly $5,000. 
 
 There are 81 R.C. Separate school teachers in the count! most of these schools 
 have been established of late years. The St. Eugdne Separate school is the oldest in 
 the counties, having been established about 1852. 
 
 We have 3 Protestant Separate schools. 
 
 The old Grammar school at L'Orignal was discontinued in 1873, after the estab- 
 lishment of the Hawkesbury schools. 
 
 In 1877, Training schools for third-class teachers weie established in every 
 county. Since then every teacher in Ontario has received professional training. 
 
 William J. Summerbv, the author of the above sketch, and through whose earn- 
 est and judicious labors the schools of Prescott and Russell are advancing, is a son of 
 William Summerby, who came to Canada in 1853, and for many years was a foreman 
 on the Grand Trunk and Great Western Railways ; he died in 1892. 
 
 The son, W. J., received a thorough training for teaching at the Toronto and 
 Ottawa Normal Schools, and became Head Master in the Kingston Model School. 
 
 He was married in 1874 to Miss Loucks of Russell— a descendant of a U. E. 
 Loyalist. Mr. Summerby was appointed School Inspector for Prescott and Russell in 
 1880 — an appointment for which his ability, geniality and experience in teaching 
 eminently fitted him. 
 
 The following will give some ideaof the way in which school affairs were managed 
 fifty-four years ago : 
 
 " Pursuant to act of Parliament relative to common schools, at a quarterly meet- 
 ing held by the School Commissioners for the eastern and western division of the town 
 of Hawkesbury, at the Red School House, near Wm. Wait's stone house, on Tuesday, 
 tiie first day of March, 1842, Rev. Franklin Metcalfe, Joseph S. Whitcomb, George 
 Higginson, Dr. James Stirling, Peter Roy McLaurin, Archibald McBain, and Nath- 
 aniel Burwash, being School Commis&oners, 
 
 " Resolved, — That Rev. Franklin Metcalfe take under his charge to superintend 
 three divisions, viz.: — Nos. i, 2 and 3, designated as follows: — No. i, commencing at 
 the town line at Point Fortune, including the ist and 2nd Concessions, thence westerly 
 as far as the west side of the Gray property. No. 2, from thence westerly to west 
 side of Christopher Campbell's farm near the Clay Hill, including the ist and 2nd 
 Concessions. No. 3, thence to the west side of the Commons, including the ist and 
 2nd Concessions." 
 
HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 
 
 47' 
 
 ; period, gave 
 liool law was 
 ing principles 
 )y governm nt 
 )t;ction urx.cr 
 it went a long 
 low practically 
 3 ; these pupils 
 in salaries, 
 lis time had 51 
 uy years later, 
 o teachers who 
 ;re attended by 
 
 c and separate) 
 
 ducating about 
 
 Df these schools 
 is the oldest in 
 
 , after the estab- 
 
 )lished in every 
 
 training. 
 
 gh whose earn- 
 
 icing, is a son of 
 
 was a foreman 
 
 le Toronto and 
 Model School, 
 idant of a U. E. 
 tt and Russell in 
 nee in teaching 
 
 s were managed 
 
 . quarterly meet- 
 iion of the town 
 ise, on Tuesday, 
 itcomb, George 
 lain, and Nath- 
 
 to superintend 
 I commencing at 
 
 thence westerly 
 Westerly to west 
 Ithe ist and 2nd 
 ling the ist and 
 
 Then follows a description of the various divisions assigned to other Commis- 
 sioners, who, it seems, were also Superintendents, but it is noticeable that while the 
 Rev. Mr, Metcalfe has three divisions, the others have only two divisions eacli. It 
 was then Resolved, " That the Rev. Franklin Metcalfe and Dr. James Stirling i)e the 
 Commissioners to examine all the teachers in the several divisions, and qualify them 
 accordingly. 
 
 ^'Resolved, — T' .It each Commissioner appointed to the several divisons under 
 tiieir charge shall visit such schools monthly, and report thereon to the next quarterly 
 meeting." 
 
 At an adjourned quarterly meeting, held 3rd October, 1842, the following was a 
 part of the business transacted : 
 
 Schools Reported. 
 No. 7 taught by Robert Hamilton 
 
 8 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 Alexander Bagsley 
 " Mr. McDonald 
 " Thomas White 
 " Wm. Lough 
 " James Gambell 
 " George Gray 
 " Miss Mclntyre 
 " Miss Schagel and Miss O'Brien 
 " Mr. Watson 
 
 Reported dv 
 
 \ Dr. Jas. Stirling. 
 
 \ Joseph Whitcomb. 
 
 ) George Higginson. 
 \ Nathaniel Burwash. 
 
 \ Rev. F. Metcalfe. 
 
 Moved by Rev. Mr. Metcalfe, seconded by Mr. Joseph Whitcomb — " That 
 owing to the fluctuating nature of the population and the serious loss that will accrue 
 to the teacher, from tJie collector not being able to < illect all the school fees of is. 3d. 
 per month, the School Commissioners hereby recommend and permit the teachers 
 themselves to collect the above fee from each scholar attending their respective schools, 
 and that intimation be given to the teachers to that effect, and in case of receiving 
 such fee, the teacher grant a receipt." 
 
 At a meeting held by the Board, 8th December, 1842, it was Resolved " that the 
 several school teachers shall take upon themselves to collect the school fee of is. 3d. 
 per month, and, in case of refusal to pay, the teacher may apply to the Commis- 
 sioners for authority to enable the collector to collect the same." 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. 
 
 By Colin Dewar. 
 
 A history of the square timber industry of the Ottawa Valley since its inception 
 in 1S06 is interesting in its character, whether regarded as a source of revenue to the 
 Provinces, or as individual enterprises, or in its more extended form as a business 
 furnishing employment to the laboring classes, and through them promoting the 
 general welfare and prosperity of the country. 
 
 The intrepid pioneer of the square timber business, as well as the heroic settler 
 
 I of the Township of Hull, was Philimon Wright, Esq., who, on the iilh of June, 1806 
 
 I (Bouchette says, 1807), started from the mouth of the Gatineau with the first raft of 
 
 square timber ever floated on its surface. This was an undertaking of far greater 
 
 magnitude than at first sight appears to be. There were the dangerous and almost 
 
 'i 
 
47 » 
 
 HISTORy OK I'RESCOIT. 
 
 
 unexplored rapids which they had lo pass, 'ind which were unknown to the men he 
 liad with him ; true, /ic had several limes surveyed them from the shore in i)asHing up 
 and down, but was in |)rofound ignorance as to the proper channel to be run. There 
 was this in his favor, a good pitch of water, which enabled him to pass in safety the 
 dangerous rocks whicl; obstruct the channel. Mr. Wright must have been a man of 
 good, sound, common sense, ofindomitable courage and perseverance, of keen observa- 
 tion and -lOund judgment, and with a practical turn of mmd. 
 
 When he left tlie mouth of the ('atineau river en that morning in June, it was 
 with a raft poorly ecpiipped and constructed, and as poorly prepared for tlie storms and 
 dangers incident to a voyage to (Quebec. He had neither anchor-;, chains nor snub- 
 bing ropes, nothing but oin// iiut/us to lash or lie the crtbs together, and two kinds of 
 wooden anchors : one kind made with a large stone fastened round with split [jieces of 
 wood and tied with hempen cord ; the other kind was cut from tlie fork of an e'm 
 tree, whicii was used to fasten the raft ashore, when it became necessary to effect a 
 landing. lUil with all the deficiences of a well-eipiippcd raft (for he was ignorant of 
 what was refpiircd, even if he had ihe means of acquiring it,) he cast off, and was soon 
 slowly drifting along on ihe quiet waters of the Grand river. Every point and head- 
 land was carefully noted ; his men were put in proper training to iiandle their oars, 
 and keej) in unisoii ; any defects in tlie construction were remedied, and in due time 
 they drew near to that turbulent surging rapid which, to aH of them was an unknown 
 passage. As their frail structure is brought to shore for the night, tiieir ears are 
 saluted by the roar of the walers of the Long Sault, and as they gather around the 
 caboose for their evening meal, the usual sounds of merriment are suppressed ; they 
 have no heart for fun or levity with tiiat dismal sound in liieir ears, and as they 
 creep into their cabanes li'icorce, it is not to sleep, but to talk of their probable 
 chances on the morrow, and sjjcculate on the success of the undertaking. 
 
 After an early breakfast, the moorings are cast off, the oars are manned, and in a 
 short time the point is rounded, and they are almost within sight of the breakers; and, as 
 the white caps oi \w\\Ai has since been called the tV/'/rt/- become more distinct, is it any 
 wonder that with blanched faces and bated breath they calmly survey the scene, and 
 drifting on with the current, prepare themselves as best they can for the descent? 
 
 As usual Mr. Wright's keen eye takes in the situation at a glance, and with the 
 same alacrity which marks all his movements, he gets his raft brought into the 
 desired channel, and they begin to descend die waters of the Long Sault. 
 
 In due time they arrive at iht foot, or what is now called " Greece Point," where 
 for a short distance the water is quite smooth, thus enabling them to get a little breath- 
 ing spell before running the "Chute aa Blondeau." During the passage down these 
 rapids Mr. Wright is not idle; he has gained a good deal of knowledge andexpericnci' 
 in that short time ; he finds he does not '■equire oars at the sides of the raft, but only ai 
 the bow and stern, and thus he is ever on the alert to profit by past experience. 
 Having made the raft secure in one of the sheltered bays, a proper survey was made, 
 and damages and defects repaired and remedied before running the Carillon rapids, 
 which, although much shorter than the other rapids, is equally i : igh and turbulent. 
 
 At length they are passed, and a long stretch of calm, smooth water is before 
 them, giving them an opportnnity for getting a much needed rest, as well as repair- 
 ing any damages sustained. As a raft of timber had never been seen on the river, 
 it was regarded as a great curiosity, and the few settlers along the banks would 
 gather at it when they would tie up for the night, anxious to find out where he was 
 going, etc., and were almost horrified when Mr. Wright informed them of his destina- 
 tion and the route he intended to pursue. Here again Mr. Wright showed his goo i 
 sound judgment in deciding to take the north channel, instead of keeping soutli, 
 
HISTORY i)K I'RESCOTT. 
 
 473 
 
 » the men lie 
 in passing up 
 run. There 
 in s;ifety ilie 
 )cen a in:in of 
 keenol)serva- 
 
 1 June, it was 
 lie storms ami 
 ains nor snub- 
 d two kinds of 
 split pieces ot 
 ork of an e>m 
 ary to effect a 
 as if^norant of 
 , and was soon 
 oint and head- 
 die their oars, 
 ind in due lime 
 IS an unknown 
 
 their ears are 
 iher around the 
 )prcssed ; they 
 rs, and as ihey 
 
 tlicir probable 
 
 anned, and m a 
 lreakers;and,as 
 stinct, is it any 
 the scene, and 
 le descent? 
 e, and with the 
 rought into tlie 
 ult. 
 
 . Point," where 
 t a little breath- 
 age down these 
 and experience 
 •aft, but only ai 
 ast experience, 
 [rvey was made, 
 "arillon rapids, 
 and turbulent. 
 Ivater is before 
 well as repair- 
 n on the river, 
 banks would 
 where he was 
 . of his destina 
 lowed his gooi 
 keeping soutli, 
 
 and running the T.achine Rapids. His course has been followed ever since by all 
 rafts coming down the Ottawa ; of course, all square timber rafts from tlie St. 
 Lawrence go through the Machine rapids, but at th.at time it was deemed an impossible 
 feat. 'I'he north channel divides the Island of Montreal from the Isle Jesus, and opens^ 
 at the lower end of the Lake of Two Mountains, and was at iluil time com|)aratively 
 unknown, even to the voyageurs. Nolhwithstanding all efforts to dissuade iiini from 
 the course he had adopted, he entered the narrow and turbulent waters of the north 
 channel, or, as it is now called. Riviere des Prairies. For a considerable distance the 
 water is swift and rough, but about midway are those dangerous rapids of Sault 
 au Recollct, which compare with any on the river. In due time the rapids are 
 passed, and they have floated out into the St. Lawrence at IJout de I'lsle. Although 
 lie has passed all the rapids, the danger and trouble is still with him ; he has now to 
 depend upon his oars and a fair wind, there being little or no current to help him 
 onward, and it is a slow, tedious journey, often delayed or driven back by contrary 
 winds , but at length, at the end of 35 days, he has the satisfaction of arriving at the 
 port of Quebec with the first laft of square timber ever brought down the Ottawa ; 
 and it was with a feeling of pride that he could point out to the members of Govern- 
 ment and others who came to view it, and could demonstrate clearly, that it was an 
 accomplished fact, that timber could be brought from the Ottawa Valley to Quebec — 
 that they could ])ass tlirough those dangerous rapids with comparat'"'"' safety ; and the 
 experience that Mr. Wright gained in this venture was of great benefit to him in each 
 subsequent one. 
 
 The running of the rapids is not the greatest danger that raftsmen have to con- 
 tend with, great as these dangers and difficulties are. it is when .1 storm arises wlien 
 a raft is in an exposed situation, such, for instance, as being overtaken in a storm 
 on Lake .St. Peter (whicii is an expansion of the river twenty five miles long, and 
 nearly nine miles broad), when their chances of weathering it '.re small indeed, and 
 which has well been called "The raftsman's graveyard." A meniorablc storm 
 occurred on this lake in the summer of 1839, when a large number of rafts were 
 wrecked, and the greater part of the crews lost, among whom was Jerry Campbell, 
 from Chatham, one of the oldest pilots on the river, and which cast a gloom over 
 many families. 
 
 Mr. Wright continued for several years to take down timber to Quebec, each 
 year increasing his store of knowledge and tlie requirements of the trade, no other 
 competitors engaging in the business until after the close of the war, when a few 
 farmers from the township of Chatham ventured their all in this new industry, among 
 whom were the families of Burch, Allan Fish, J.iyley, Smith and Campbe'l ; after 
 them came the Dewars, Noyes Brothers, McPhee, Thomsons, Douglas, Ostroms, 
 and others, who carried on lumbering operations between Grenville and Bytown. 
 The years 1824-25 were marked by great depression in commercial circles, and 
 especially in the timber trade, owing to the Baltic timber being admitted into 
 Britain at a lower rate of duty. This depression completely ruined the first named 
 lumbermen, who all, with the exception of the last, emigrated to the United States. 
 With the return of prosperity others engaged in the business, among whom were John 
 Waddell and Allan Cameron, a/ias " Big Allan," who for many years were the best 
 /'i/ofs on the river, and who afterwards filled the same responsible positions with 
 Hamilton Brothers. 
 
 Later on came a host of others, viz., Major McMillan, Tucker, Edwards, Culbert 
 and many others, together with Windsor and Beckett, whose names are synonymous 
 v'ith anything but what was good. The Falls of Chaudiere at Ottawa, with the rapids 
 above, are too well known to require any description in this article ; it only remains 
 
 31 
 
474 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 to say that to Wm. Noyes, of Chatham, belongs tiie honor of taking down the first 
 timber that was made above these falls, which feat was accomplished about 1827-8. 
 The first slide for the passage of single sticks of timber w^s built on the north side 
 of the river by Mr, Wright, in the year 1829. The furnishing of ''withes" for the 
 use of the rafts was quite an industry of itself, giving employment to men and learns, 
 as, owing to the want of ropes and chains, especially when the business was in its 
 infanc-', their places had to be supplied with them, but v.hicr., of late years, has been 
 superseded. It was in the latter part of the ^r.f/ decade of this century that Mr. 
 Wright took out the first raft of square timber from the township of Hull, and floated 
 it down to Quebec, and as we look back to the latter part of the last decade, what 
 improvements have been made in every branch of business! and for years past, the 
 square timber business has only been child's play compared to what it was even half 
 a century ago. Prior to that time it was no uncommon sight to see the river, in the 
 busy reason, closely covered with rafts, moving along with from fifteen to twenty 
 large square sails on each ; and it required a good knowledge of seamanship to 
 navigate and conlro' such an unwieldy mass as a large raft, and keep it in the 
 proper channel. 
 
 The introduction of steamboats on the different stretches of water has caused 
 quite a revolution in the timber trade. In the first place, it has reduced the time 
 required, which means a decrease in wages and expenses. It does not require as 
 many men to navigate a raft ; a few extra men are hired in run ling the rapids and< 
 tlien discharged ; and lastly it has d< creased the risk of being caught in a storm, and 
 increased the chance of being .iblc to gel into some sheltered bay. A great change 
 has also taken place in the construction of rafts since 1840. Before that time the 
 aug7ir was the principal factor in its ficii.ne work, together with long wooden pins, 
 or, as they were called, "pickets." and the cross pieces or traverses were fastened with 
 *' knock-downs," a thing that is not known at the present day by any river man under 
 si.\ty years of age. 
 
 Since the introductioii of "canned meats" and vegetables, together with plenty 
 of rice, sugar, and other wholesome food, into the lumber camps, that dreaded disease 
 called the black leg (one form of scurvy) has entirely disappeared. It was no un- 
 common occurrence for a number of the men to be laid by with it, and it was univer- 
 sally dreaded by lumbermen, and with good reason. Of late years, the quantity of 
 square timber has greatly declined. From statistics furnished by a prominent lumber- 
 man to the Ottawa Journal, one and a quarter million feet would be the full amount 
 of this year's cut. The same authority slates, that in 1890, five million feet were taken 
 down the Ottawa, and in 1808 nearly eight million feet were taken down. 
 
 This falling off" is due to several causes : — First, the increased quantity of sawn 
 lumber of all widths and sizes which are shipped to Great Britain ; then, more iron 
 vessels are built, and thirdly, the great saving in sawn lumber as compared wiili 
 square timber. There is, in connection with this industry, a peculiarity seldom seen 
 in other works of so much magnitude and importance, viz., the rise and fall in the 
 same century. Its inception, the work of one individual, with small beginnings — 
 then the gradual — then the rapid development and increase, until it reached the 
 ;^enith of its prosperity, and then the rapid decline to the small quantity above 
 quoted, so that it is safe to predict that when the century (1906) has |)assed,the last 
 raft will be ^s great a curiosity as the first one was, one hundred y. .rs before. 
 
 % 
 
own the first 
 bout 1827-8. 
 le north side 
 ics " for the 
 n and teams, 
 s was in its 
 ars, has been 
 iry that Mr. 
 1, and floated 
 lecade, what 
 ;ars past, the 
 i-as even half 
 ; river, in the 
 ;n to twenty 
 eamunship to 
 ;ep it in the 
 
 ;r has caused 
 uced the time 
 lot require as 
 the rapids and i 
 n a stoim, and 
 ^ great change 
 that time the 
 1 wooden pins, 
 e fastened with 
 ver man under 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESOOTT. 475 
 
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■ ' 
 
 The earliest record we have been able to obtain of any Agricultural Society in 
 Prescott reado as follows : — 
 
 Agreeable to public notice a meeting was held at the Court House in the Village 
 
 of L'Orignal in the District of Ottawa on the 17th day of February, 1844, for the 
 
 purpose of forming an Agricultural Society in and for said district, when Charles P. 
 
 Treadwell, Esq., was appointed Chairman, a,nd William Z. Cozens, Esq., Secretary. 
 
 The fc'lowing officers of the Society were then elected ; — 
 
 President. — Charles P. Treadwell. 
 
 Vice-Presidents. — Elijah KeMogg, Esq., Joseph S. Whitcomb, Wrn. Kirby, Charles 
 Hersey, Esq., and William Bradley. 
 
 Treasurer. — Thomas H. Johnson. „. 
 
 Secretary. — William Z. Cozens. 
 
 Directors. — Richard Allen, John Rt^msey, Godfrey Valley, James Cross, Ewen 
 Cameron, James Proudfoot, John Chesser, Chauncey Johnson, Esq., Chauncey John- 
 son, jun., John Pattee, George Cross, Wm. A. Thomson, Peter Sterling, Esq. 
 
 At a meeting held in the same place 22nd March following, it was resolved, the 
 following persons be appointed experts for viewing crops this year : — 
 
 Chauncey Johnson, jun., James Renwick and Farquhar Robertson, and that the 
 expeits of the plowing match should be Peter Sterling, Esq., John McNabb, E. 
 Kellogg, Esq. 
 
 The following persons are chosen judges at the annual Cattle Show for the 
 undermentioned articles for the year 1845 ; • 
 
 William Kirby, ] ' , ■ 
 
 L. Downing, |- on horses. " ' ' 
 
 Jchn Garland, ) v:. • * ;,;. |' ' 
 
 Ewen McMaster, ^ 
 
 Chauncey Johnson, Esq., |- on horned cattle. - : ^ : . 
 
 Richard Allen, J ; ^-^ 
 
 Patrick McGee, ") 
 
 James Cross, >-on sheep and hogs. 
 
 William Bradley, ) •■ ' 
 
 William Kehoe, ^ ' '■ " '" 
 
 O.Gates, [■ on butter, cheese and cloth. 
 
 Kiram Johnson. ) 
 
 treasurer's statement for T845. 
 
 Dr. ."■-' 
 
 To balance of year 1844 per returns made £ 3 7 00 
 
 " amount of Provincial grant 250 o 00 
 
 " subscribed by County cf Prescott , 63 15 00 
 
 " " " " Russell 25 o 00 
 
 /342 2 00 
 Cr. 
 
 By amount paid County of Russell £ 09 lo 00 
 
 " " of expenses drawing m'lney ..... « ..... i 000 
 
 '• " paid County of Prescott 199 500 
 
 " •' " William Cozens, Secretary 8 1000 
 
 '• " " T. H . Johnson, Treasurer S o 0° 
 
 '• " " John Ramsay, Collector 5 000 
 
 •' " '* 3 experts judging crops 16 17 06 
 
 Balance in Treasurer's hands for 1846, 6 19 06 
 
47^ HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Statement of mories disbursed and received for and on account of the Ottawa 
 District Agricultural Society for the year of our Lord 1848, viz. ; — 
 
 .-■„ , ■_:^:-,;,..;:'-^:-v, ... -V ••,.•..■■ :^.: .. . ..,-. : . .;'■■■;'■' :.,_C""'':':'^'- 
 
 ; To amount in Treasurer's hands since last year £ 15 i6 03 
 
 " " received from Provincial Government 250 000 
 
 " " of subscription Russell Society 25 000 '' 
 
 " " " Prescott Society 63 1000 ^' 
 
 ;^ 354 6 03 
 
 By amount paid Widow Cohen's balance due her late husband as Secretary £ 2 10 00 
 
 " " paid premiums Prescott Society 175 000 
 
 " " " experts viewing crops 2r 000 
 
 '* " " plowing match 8 is 00 
 
 •..,f " " " collection, including subscription 7 10 00 
 
 " " '• the Treasurer i 81500 
 
 . " " expenses drawing money ^i 5s, postage 6s 8d i II08 
 
 " " paid " Life at Springs " for ixdvertising 3 14 03 
 
 " '• " Secretary, including subscription 8 15 00 
 
 " " " Russell Society loo o 00 
 
 ;^ 337 10 II ; 
 Balance on hand carried to year 1 849 16 15 04 
 
 Prescott now has a flourishing Agricultural Society; an Agricultural hall was 
 erected in 1874. The Society's grounds, at that, time, comprised but two acres ; in 
 1887, the quantity wrs increased to nine acres, at an expense of $1625, and a fine 
 new hall was built. 
 
 In Z874 only five classes of articles were exhibited in the Ladies' Department ; 
 coverlets, woollen counterpanes,two pairs wool mitts, two pairs wool socks, and woollen 
 shawl. In 1894 forty-five classes of articles were exhibited, and in the other fifteen 
 classes there was also a corresponding increase. In 1883 there were but 82 members, 
 in 1894 there were 236. 
 
 STATEMENT FOR 1894. , 
 
 ' No. of entries, 1,594. ^" ' 
 
 Amount paid out, over $3,000 
 
 Erected a grand stand, cost 1,060 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 President. — Dennis Hurley. 
 1st Vice-President. — K. A. Johnson. 
 27id '' " John M. Barton. 
 
 Directors. — Joseph Routhier, Thomas Dick, James Allison, Andrew Wood, John 
 Ryan, Duncan Campbell, James Cross, J. C. Mooney, and Jonathan Cross. 
 
 Wm. Ferguson, 
 
 Sec-Treasurer, 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 477 
 
 the Ottawa 
 
 4 6 03 
 
 2 10 00 
 75 o 00 
 21 o 00 
 
 8 IS 00 
 
 7 10 00 
 
 8 15 00 
 I II 08 
 
 3 H 03 
 8 15 00 
 
 00 o 00 
 
 337 10 " 
 16 15 04 
 
 tural hall was 
 
 two acres ; in 
 
 ,25, and a fine 
 
 Department ; 
 
 :s,and woollen 
 
 le other fifteen 
 
 [it 82 members, 
 
 lew Wood, John 
 
 ^ross. 
 Irguson, 
 
 ^c. -Treasurer, 
 
 ' ' POINT FORTUNE. 
 
 Who has not heard of Point Fortune ? Nearly a century ago, it was the most 
 celebrated spot on the Ottawa, indeed, it seems to have been the Castle Garden of the 
 Ottawa Valley, the point to which all intending settlers and travellers made their 
 way before locating their lands or visiting other localities in the new district of 
 Eastern Ontario. We might naturally expect to find here a place of some size and 
 importance, but It is doubtful if there are more inhabitants here than there were half 
 a century ago. It still remains little more than a hamlet. Two churcnes have sprung 
 up in recent years, which bespeak a moral growth ; but otherwise , it is Point Fortune 
 still; small, quiet, pretty indeed from its location, and highly interesting from its 
 associations with the past. 
 
 Although the village of Point Fortune which was incorporated in 1881, is wholly 
 in the County of Vaudreuil, it is so closely united physically, socially and morally 
 with the County of Prescott, that we have thought proper to embrace its history in 
 these pages. We regard our reasons valid, inasmuch as the western boundary of the 
 corporation is the road between Prescott and Vaudreuil ; quite a portion of the 
 village, so called, is in Prescott, and the two churches — Methodist and Presbyterian 
 — attended by the people of the entire section are in Prescott. 
 
 The corporation extends about two miles in length along the Ottawa, and one 
 and a half back from the same river. 
 
 The present Municipal Council is composed of the following gentlemen : — Mayor, 
 John Middleton ; Councillors : E. Theorest, John Laroq';e, A. Coi:"ineau, J. William- 
 son, A. C. Robinson and George A. T^arclay ; Secretary-Treasurer, S. Cole. 
 
 John Middleton, the Mayor, was the first Secretary-Treasurer of the munici- 
 pality, and after holding this position four or five years, he was elected Councillor, 
 and with the exception of one year, he has been on the Board ever since. Mr. Mid- 
 dleton is one of those individuals found occasionally in a community, whose general 
 information and good judgment render them good councillors on almost any subject 
 — one who can discuss political questions, expound municipal law, reason clearly on 
 theology, make a good speech, or write a good article for the newspaper. 
 
 Mr. Middleton is a skillful mechanic and a i)ractical farmer, and besides 
 being a Slide Master on tlie Carillon Dam and Mayor of Pt. Fortune, he is a Justice 
 of the Peace, and agent for several insurance companies. He is a son of the late 
 James Middhtc 1, of whom there is a sketch in the history of St. Andrews ; he married 
 Margaret, daughter of the late James Pitcairn, 20th May, 1856 ; they have two sons 
 and two daughters — John, the eldest son, married to Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. 
 Christopher Spratt^ of East Hawkesbury, lives in a pleasant cottage in this place. 
 Though a carpenter by trade, lie devotes much of his time to farming ; Archibald, the 
 second son, is an employee in I.^^'Ouat & McRae's foundry in Lachute ; the eldest 
 daughter, Mary, is in Massachusetts; and the younger, ElizalK'th, resides with her 
 parents. 
 
 CoL. Wm. Fortune is the earliest settler at Point Fortune, of whom we have 
 any account, and the one from whom the place derived its name. It is unfortunate 
 that we know very little of his history ; indeed no one in this section seemed to be 
 aware of the fact, that there was more than one individual here bearing this name, and 
 supposed that he was Col. Joseph Fortune, a surveyor. The following document, how- 
 ever, as well as some others found among the papers of the late Judge Macdonnell, 
 establishes the fact, that the name of the original proprietor of land at this place was 
 Col. William Fortune. 
 
47« 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 m 
 
 ** His Excellency, the Right Honorable Lord Dorchester, in Council, twenty-thiid 
 day of July, 1788, was pleased to order me to report a survey of one thousand acres 
 of land on the Ottawa River for Col. William Fortune. In obedience to the above 
 order, I have caused to be surveyed, admeasured and laid out for Col. William 
 Fortune — " Here the first page of this report abruptly terminates ; the sheet on which 
 it is printed having been torn in halves, and the lower half lost. A portion of the 
 report may be read on the other side of the part of the sheet remaining. Joseph 
 Fortune was a son of Col. William Fortune, and we find his name mentioned in official 
 documents, first, in 18 14. At just what time he located here we are unable to say, 
 but a document before us shows that a mortgage on lots Nos. i and 2, First Con. in 
 East Hawkesbury, was granted by William Fortune to Benaniah Gibb, 14th Sept- 
 ember, 1804. 
 
 Joseph Fortune was a surveyor, and became a prominent man in the Ottawa 
 District, serving as Clerk of the Peace for several years, and LieuN-Col. of Militia— 
 the latter office, as shown by official documents, he held in 1814. 
 
 Conflicting accounts are given as to what finally became 01 him ; ""'hile some 
 claim that he died here, others say that he mo\ jd away. Both, doubtless, are true ; 
 and the discrepancy in the statements disappears when one learns that there were 
 two colonels of the same name. It is certain that one of them died at Point 
 Fortune, and was buried near the present building of James Pitcairn. Not many 
 years after Mr. Pitcairn purchased his property here, Mr. John Waddell of Hawkes- 
 bury, with one or two more, came down and asked permission of Mr. Pitcairn to 
 disinter and remove the remains. Permission, of course, was granted. An elm of 
 considerable size had already grown on the grave, and the coffin was so much de- 
 cayed that it broke in pieces on being disturbed. This incident proves that, at least, 
 one Col. Fortune died, and was buried at this place. 
 
 About this time an American named Barnum settled on the lot now occupied by 
 J. W. Crosby, A deed before us shows that a small piece of land was sold by 
 Richard Barnum to Joseph Fortune, 31st October, 1807. Richard, a son of Mr. 
 Barnum, became quite an active business man in this section, and during the forties 
 and fifties was one of the prominent forwarders on the Ottawa. Misfortune, how- 
 ever, soon followed ; his boats were sold from necessity, and he died a poor man. 
 
 Col. Fortune sold another part of his estate to Jos. McMillan, a Nor' Wester. 
 McMillan not many years later sold to Jaiaes and John Pitcairn, and returned to 
 Perth, Scotland. 
 
 John Cameron from Lochaber, Scotland, was another pioneer, and he settled 
 where W. R. Hernsley now lives. He died here in 1874, about 90 years of age. He 
 had four sons and six daughters, of whom only one son and four daughters are now 
 living. None of the members of this old and respectable family now remain here. 
 Mrs. Cameron and her two daughters, Margaret and Sarah, removed to Arnpriornot 
 many years ago. Hugh, the son, and another of the daughters also live in Arnprior. 
 
 In 1 813 appeared on the scene another man destined to eclipse the fame of 
 Col. Fortune, and to play an important part for many years in the affairs of this part of 
 Ontario. This was John Macdonnell, a Nor'Wester, who afterwards became Col. of 
 the Prescott Militia and a Judge in the Ottawa District. He rnd Col. Fortune, it 
 seems, from documents still in existence, did not live harmor lously as neighbors, 
 being involved in law suits, in which the means of both, to a greater or less degree, 
 were exhausted. A large and fine "tone house bearing date 181 7, now owned and 
 occupied by Major Williamson, and the most conspicuous object in Pt. Fortune, stil] 
 stands on the bank of the Ottawa— a monument of the Judge's enterprise and ^ 
 memento of the fortunes that were often quickly made by the early fur traders 
 the North West. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 479 
 
 ;wenty-thiid 
 lusand acres 
 
 the above 
 o\. William 
 :et on which 
 jrtion of the 
 ng. Joseph 
 ed in official 
 nable to say, 
 First Con. in 
 b, 14th SepN 
 
 1 the Ottawa 
 1, of Militia — 
 
 ; '."hile some 
 ess, are true; 
 i?.t there were 
 ied at Point 
 . Not many 
 11 of Hawkes- 
 ir. Pilcairn to 
 3. An elm of 
 so much de- 
 that, at least, 
 
 occupied by 
 was sold by 
 a son of Mr. 
 iiig the forties 
 [fortune, how- 
 boor man. 
 Nor' Wester. 
 Id returned to 
 
 Ind he settled 
 of age. He 
 Iters are now 
 remain here. 
 Arnprior not 
 in Arnprior. 
 the fame of 
 [of this part of 
 ;came Col. of 
 Fortune, it 
 Is neighbors, 
 Ir less degree, 
 ^w owned and 
 , Fortune, stilj 
 trprise and ^ 
 [ur traders 
 
 It was with great pleasure that we recently found in the possession of Mr. J. W. 
 Crosby, a large lot of papers comprising letters, legal documents, etc., which were 
 left by the Judge. Through the courtesy of Mr. Crosby we were permitted to 
 examine them. One of tuese bears the date 1773, and though portions have been 
 lost and others defaced, there are still enough left to show that the Macdonnell 
 family were well educated, and of good social status. The oldest document throwing 
 light on the public career of Judge Macdonnell is one dated " Castle St. Louis, Que- 
 bec, 20th Jane, 1788, signed by Lord Dorchester, appointing Macdonnell Ensign of 
 
 a company in .ne Battalion of Militia of Cornwall and Osnabruck." At what 
 
 tirrehe entered the service of the N. W. Company we are unable to say, but a letter 
 to him from his father, dated at " New Scothouse'' in Stormont, 15th April, 1795, is 
 addressed, "John Macdonnell, Red River, N. W., care of Mr. Cuthbert Grant, Grand 
 Portage." 
 
 The first sentence of the letter shows that he was in the North VVest the year 
 previous to the date of the letter. " Your letter of the 18th July, 1794, from Portage 
 deL'Out""' "'me duly to hand.'' The following, which he imparts as news to his son, 
 
 seems pec .j ancient in 1896 : " A treaty of amity and commerce was agreed 
 
 upon, last winter, between Great Britain and the States of America, for the reason, 
 it is affirmed, that the upper posts and lines are to be dellveied to the Americans, 
 ■ on the 26ih day of June, 1796. (Why not this year?) The French war to be conti- 
 nued with the utmost vigor, as you will see by the King's speech in the paper I send 
 you." 
 
 Among the other papers referred to is a lengthy sketch of the Macdonnell ftimily, 
 which goes back several centuries in Scottish History, and shows that they were lineal 
 descendants of the " Lords uf the Isles." Much of the sketch, evidently, is missing, 
 hence, contains nothing regarding the family, for two centuries past. From allusions 
 made in certain letters, we infer that the Judge's father was in the British service ; he 
 wrote a history of his life which was designed for publication, but the idea was aban- 
 doned on account of the expense. One of his letters, written to John in 1808, in- 
 formed him that he bequeathed him 1000 acres of land in Lancaster. 
 
 A letter written to the judge by his brother William J., from Boston, 27th April, 
 1816, contains the following : 
 
 " I have had a letter from Miles, just landed at New York from Liverpool; he 
 also forwarded to me, by a friend, the watch of our worthy grandfather, who wore it 
 when he fell in his country's cause at the memorable battle of Cullodcn in 1745." 
 
 In 1812, Mr. Macdonnell received the following appointment : — 
 
 "Sir George Prevost, Baronet, . 
 
 "Caplain General and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Lower Canada, etc. 
 "To John Macdonnell, Esquire, 
 
 " Reposing confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct, do by these 
 present constitute and appoint you to be, during pleasure, Captain in the Voyageurs, 
 etc." 
 
 The following letters from his sister Penelope and her husband, John Berkie, who 
 was for some years in the employ of the U. C. Government, as clerk of the Legisla- 
 tive Assembly, are inserted on account of their interesting contents and the description 
 of an important event in our National history. As the letter of his sister refers to a 
 narrow escape of Mr. Macdonnell from the Yankees at St. Regis, we are led to the 
 conclusion that he had at that time left the North-Wesl — a conclusion still further 
 strengthened by the fact, that it was only a little after the date of the letter he bought 
 
 fm 
 
 Wi 
 
 I ft*'. 
 
 1' 
 
 'm 
 
48o 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 liis property at Point Fortune. It will be noticed by the one familiar with the 
 history of the war of 1 812, that the letter refers to what occurred in April, 181 3, when 
 the American Commodore Chauncey appeared off Toronto with 14 armed vessels, 
 hiving sixteen hundred troops on board — a land force under General Pike cooper- 
 ating with this. The letter differs in one respect from the statement of historians, for 
 while it says that the (leneral ordered fire to be set to the .nagazine, they claim thai, 
 he did nothing of the kind, and that it was the act of an Artillery Sergeant, named 
 Marshall, who set fire to the powder magazine, to prevent its falling into the hands of 
 the enemy : 
 
 York, 5lh May, 1813. 
 My Dear John, 
 
 Early on the morning of tlie 27th ultimo the enemy's fleet, consisting of four- 
 teen sail, doubled Gibraltar Point under easy sail, and came to anchor off the site of 
 the old fori, Toronto. Everyone, you may be sure, ran to prevent their landing ; but 
 thsy sailed in, in spite of us, though not without great loss on both sides. As 1 had 
 no military command, I volunteered with the Grenadiers of the 8th Regiment, and 
 had the mortification to see their gallant leader fall. Captain McNeil was beloved 
 by his men. About this time, the enemy were landing in great numbers, and we were 
 ordered to make for the battery. As I did not hear this order, L found myself sud- 
 denly with Major Givins at the head of about a hundred Indians. He desired me not 
 to advance nearer the water, for fear of being made prisoner ; and, in an instant after- 
 ward, everyone iled, the best way he could. I got safe to the Govennnent House 
 ]»attery, and thought all was coming on well, when I heard u dreadful explosion, and, 
 then, cheers. But, alas ! it was the blowing up of about thirty of our poor fellows, and 
 the enemy gaining possession of our battery. From this moment, every heart was 
 dismayed; the enemy were rushing on ; the General ordered a retreat and fire to be 
 set to the magazine. This was the grandest, and, .it the same time, the most awful 
 sight I have ever seen. The enemy acknowledge to have lost, at least, 250 killed 
 and 100 wounded by the explosion. Our retreat continued, and when we had 
 arrived at Mr. Small's at the east end of the town, the General with the troops 
 ])ushed on for Kineston, and left us all standing in the street, like a parcel of sheep. 
 The only thing then to be done was for the town to capitulate, wh.ich was done. 
 Then the business of ])lundering and burning commenced, and did not cease until 
 the evening of the ist inst., when they all v/ent on board of "Neir vessels, where they 
 yet remain at anchor in the harbor. The number of troops they brought is said to 
 be 4,065, exclusive of marines and seamen. The force we had to oppose to them was 
 about 450, so that, although they have gained the day, they have nothing to brag of ; 
 they have lost more men than we had altogether. They have burnt the Government 
 House, the two block houses, one barrack for soldiers, and other buildings. They 
 have broken every door and window in the Council Oflice, which was Elmsby House, 
 and a schooner belonging to an inhabitant of York, They have carried off the " Glou- 
 cester," which was undergoing repairs, and was to be converted into a transport, being 
 too old for a ship-of-war. The new ship on the stocks we burnt ourselves, for, other- 
 wise, I dare say, they would have done it. 
 
 Donald behaved well as a Volunteer of the 49lh Regiment, and I desired him to 
 follow the General. The poor fellow was blown down at the battery, but, thank God, 
 he was not hurt, save that his hands were scratched a little. Mr. Wood, of this place, 
 was thrown on top of him, but neither was he hurt. 1 am sorry to add, that poor Mr. 
 Donald McLean was killed. This will be shocking news for Mrs. Reid, but I shall 
 leave the management of bringing it to her knowledge to you. Thank God, I escaped 
 unhurt, although a rifle ball struck and passed through the upp'jr part of the cape of 
 
iliar with the 
 ril, 1813, when 
 armed vessels, 
 i Pike cooper- 
 f historians, for 
 hey claim iha;. 
 rgeant, named 
 :o the hands of 
 
 1 May, 1813. 
 
 sisting of foiir- 
 ir off the site of 
 :ir landing; bi:t 
 ides. As I had 
 Regiment, and 
 eil was beloved 
 jrs, and we were 
 und myself sud- 
 e desired me not . 
 an instant afier- 
 /ernment House 
 
 I explosion, and, 
 poor fellows, and 
 
 every heart was 
 
 at and fire to be 
 
 the most awful 
 
 least, 250 killed 
 
 when we had 
 
 witli the troops 
 
 parcel of sheep. 
 
 which was done. 
 
 II not cease until 
 ;sels, where they 
 ought is said to 
 jjose to them was 
 tiling to brag of ; 
 
 tiie Government 
 iuildings. They 
 ; Elmsby House, 
 doff the "Glou- 
 transport, being 
 elves, for, other- 
 
 I desired him to 
 , but, thank God, 
 3od, of this place, 
 dd, that poor Mr. 
 JReid, but I shall 
 [k God, I escaped 
 irt of the cape of 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 48I 
 
 my coat under my ear. I enclose you a paper, which you may publish in the Mont- 
 real Gazette, if you think proper. It will siiow that we act like Britons, although the 
 enemy is near, and might crush as to atoms. The American commander-in-chief. 
 Pike, is killed; General Dearborn now commands. 
 
 I remain, always, 
 ;.,;.; Vour affectionate brother, f<; - 
 
 ' f f John Berkie. 
 
 On the same sheet is the following letter from his sister, Mrs. Berkie : . v ; 
 Mv Dear John, 
 
 I am told you are low spirited since you were surprised by the Yankees at St. 
 Regis ; but I think it was a providential surprise for you to S:.ve your life, for, had 
 not that been the case, I am convinced you would not have suffered yourself to be 
 taken alive. We all have reason to be thankful to Providence, for never did I pass 
 so awful a day as the 27th of April, with my two poor fellows in the heat of the battle. 
 1 never prayed more fervently, or said that beauiiful psalm ('' rie that dwells in the 
 Jielp of the Highest shall abide in the protection of the God of Heaven, etc." ) more 
 devoutly, since my father's death, than I did thai day. It is a beautiful psalm, and 
 He who strengthens the weak qave me more strength and fortitude than all the other 
 females of York put together ; for I kept my Castle, when all the rest lied ; and it 
 was well for us I did so, — our little property was saved by that means. Every house 
 they found deserted was completely sacked. We have lost a few things, which were 
 cirried off before our faces ; but, as we e.xpected to lose all, we think ourselves well 
 off. Will you believe it? I had the temerity to frighten, and even to threaten, some 
 of the enemy, though they had the place and me in their power. Poor William .Swan 
 was one of their majors, and behaved by no means like an enemy ; he came without 
 leave, and staid a night with us. I believe that through him we were treated with 
 civility by their officers. Should he fall into our hands, I ho])e it will not be forgotten 
 of him. They so overloaded their vessels with the spirits of this place, that I am told 
 they have thrown quantities of i)ork and flour into the.lake. 1 really attribute this 
 visit to the vengeance of heaven on this place, for quantities of stores, farming utensils, 
 etc., sent from England in the time of General Simeon were allowed to remain in the 
 King's stores, and nothing of them did they ever get. Now, our enemies have them, 
 to do with them as they please. I think we deserve all we have got. Keep up your 
 spirits, my dear John, for God seems to be on our side. , ■ 
 
 Your affectionate sister, 
 
 Penelope Berkie. 
 
 It is unpleasant to learn from other letters that the loyal couple who wrote the 
 above letters died under melancholy circumstances in Cornsvall, a number of years 
 later. Mr. Berkie had reached an advanced age, and another individual with more 
 mtluence with the Government than himself coveted his position. He was requested 
 to resign, and did so, never again entering the office. 
 
 Like many of the Nor'-Westers, Judge Macdonnell took a wife from the women 
 of the North-West. Though it was generally said that he married a squaw, his wife, 
 Madeline Poitras, was half French, and is said, by those who knew her, to have been 
 a handsome, good and sensible woman, though her manner was regarded as peculiar. 
 From the way in which the Judge -peaks of her in letters to his relatives and friends, it 
 is evident that he cherished much affection for her, and the following story shows that 
 hi was pretty likely to resent any remark or action that savored of disrespect towards 
 her. On a certain occasion, not long after settling in Pt. Fortune, he was one day in 
 
482 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 II 
 
 i 
 
 i: 
 
 the neighboring village of St. Andrews. Two men acquainted with him chanced to 
 be there at the same time, and having had their social qualities enchanced by liberal 
 potations, gave the Judge on meeting him in a store a most cordial greeting. One of 
 them, an Irishman, in the exuberance of his spirits, exclaimed as he grasped him by 
 the hand : 
 
 " It's a long time since I have seen ye's, Judge; I'm comin' over soon to see ye's 
 and your squaw wife." 
 
 " I'm glad to hear it," replied the Judge. " Come over, and I will show you an 
 Indian dance." 
 
 True to his promise, the man called on the Judge a few days later, and remarked 
 on entering. " Well, Judge, I've come to see that Indian dance." After a few remarks 
 the Judge retired to another apartment, and in a short time returned painted in a 
 must hideous manner, and clothed in the most approved style of an Indian warrior, 
 with a tomahawk in his belt, and a pitiless-looking scalping knife in his hand. He 
 was very large, and of muscular build, and said to be almost Herculean in strength. 
 Ere the visitor had time to compreiiend the metamorphosis that had occurred, lie 
 was seized by the nape of the neck, jerked from his chair, and while frantically en- 
 deavoring to dodge the scalping knife that flourished around his head, he was deafened 
 with a volley of war whoons, that would have curdled the blood of Sitting Bull. 
 Round and round the room he went, his feet, half the time, not touching the floor ; 
 his dread of the flourishingscalping knife, meanwhile, acting as a counter-irritant to the 
 pain caused by the grip on his neck. After the Judge deemed him sufficiently enlight- 
 ened as to the nature of an Indian dance, he thrust him down in his chair, with the 
 remark, " There, you have seen an Indian dance ; now, you may go." " And divlish 
 glad I was to go, too," said the Irishman, in relating the incident to an acquaintance, 
 shortly afterward. Another story is told which illustrates the strength ard humor of 
 our subject. On a certain occasion when a few friends were at his residence, looking 
 at the numerous paintings and engravings that embellished the walls, one man of dimin- 
 utive stature, expressed his inability ro see them as well as the taller men ; where- 
 upon the Judge seized him by the neck with one hand, and held his face up to each 
 of the pictures as he made the circuit of the room. 
 
 It is said that Capt McCargo, a Nor'-Wester, who lived on Beech Ridge, St. 
 Andrews, was the only man in this section who was the superior of the Judge in 
 strength, and the only one whose muscular powers the Judge regarded with any 
 degree of awe. It is related that, one evening, a number of roughs entered the brick 
 hotel in Carillon, which building is now owned by Mr. Barclay, and gave evidence of 
 their intention to begin a row. Scarcely had they committed the first overt act, 
 when the landlord threw open a door, and revealed to the rowdies, Capt McCargo 
 sitting composedly in an adjoining apartment. So well was he known, that the 
 roughs had only been made aware of his presence, when they vacated the premises 
 in the shortest time possible. 
 
 It must not be supposed, however, from the above incidents, that Judge Mac- 
 donnell was wanting in the dignity expected from one holding the magisterial office. 
 It is generally conceded, that he was gentlemanly and possessed a high sense of 
 honor. That he was arbitrary, as is shown by an incident on a succeeding page, 
 might have been owing to education rather than to a lack of humility ; indeed, a long 
 residence among the fur magnates of the North-VVest, where those of inferior station 
 were treated as slaves, would not tend to lessen one's arbitrary proclivitie?. Stories 
 of his generosity and benevolence are fully corroborated by letters which came to him 
 from all directions — friends, relatives and clergymen all vied with each other in 
 their pathetic appeals for help ; and so long as his money held out, so long were their 
 petitions granted. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 483 
 
 lim chanced to 
 need by liberal 
 leting. One of 
 jrasped him by 
 
 icon to see ye's 
 
 ill show you an 
 
 r, and remarked 
 r a few remarks 
 ;d painted in a 
 Indian warrior, 
 his hand. Ho 
 san in strength. 
 d occurred, lie 
 e frantically en- 
 10 was deafened 
 of Sitting T3ull. 
 ;hing the floor ; 
 er-irritant to the 
 ficiently enligiit- 
 i chair, with the 
 ," " And divlish 
 n acquaintance, 
 ;h and humor of 
 sidence, looking 
 leman of dimin- 
 ier men ; where- 
 face up to eacli 
 
 leech Ridge, St. 
 of the Judge in 
 .arded with any 
 [itered the brick 
 ;ave evidence of 
 first overt act, 
 |Capt McCargo 
 :nown, that the 
 led the premises 
 
 Ihat Judge Mac- 
 lagisterial office. 
 
 high sense of 
 jicceeding page, 
 I; indeed, along 
 
 inferior station 
 livitie?. Stories 
 ich came to him 
 each other in 
 [long were their 
 
 A letter before us, dated "St. Regis, 21st May, 182?," and signed "Alexander 
 Macdonnell, Bishop of R " says: 
 
 " We have begun with great vigor at the Church. I ^vish it was as easy for you 
 to accommodate with a loan of a few hundred pounds, as it was when you gave me 
 three hundred formerly. I am, however, well convinced that the goodness of your 
 hoart is not m the least diminished, and the ardor of your ?eal in the cause of religion 
 continues to glow as warm as ever." The same letter expresses deep sympathy for 
 the death of the Judge's son John, from hydrophobia, and speaks in feeling terms of the 
 misfortune of Judge Hamilton, no doubt alluding to the death of his three children by 
 drowning. He says: "1 most sincerely condole witii poor Judge Hamilton from the 
 bottom of my heart j a more distressing accident I do not recollect of hearing in the 
 whole course of my life." Another letter written by his brother, William J. Mac- 
 donnell, from Boston, 24th May, 1819, urgently solicits the loan of $1000. We may 
 congratulate ourselves on the postal service of tod;iy, when wo read in th^; same letter, 
 '' It makes me perspire to think I have to wait, at least, thirty days before I can even 
 hope to recc.ve an answer to this." 
 
 This brother, William, though at that time otherwise employed, during the early 
 years of the century, was clerk in the Customs Department at Boston. Miles Mac- 
 donnell, though a well educated man, judging from his letters, and possessed of much 
 ambition, and a proud spiri', was often in financial straits, hence under the necessity 
 of soliciting frequent loans, varying in amount from ^^50 to ;^3oo, from his brother 
 John (Judge) Macdonnell. It is worthy of note, that he was never refused, and that 
 his intention to pay was always good. In a letter dated Montreal, 5th October, 1819, 
 to the Judge, he says : " I ought to have given that money to you, to whom 1 am so 
 much in debt, and under so many obligations besides pecuniary ones. Although 
 your delicacy has never allowed you to mention, or even hint at this matter to me, 
 my inability to make payment has occasioned me great uneasiness. I always expected 
 that by a sale of lands I might be able to discharge my debt to you, but there is at 
 present no more prospect of that than there was the first day. 13ut that your family 
 may not altogether lose the prospect of remuneratio:., it will perhaps be as well tiiat 
 you take conveyance of some la.. Is to cancel the debt, from which I would like to be 
 lelieved." Our sympathy for this unfortunate man becomes deeper, when we learn 
 that less than a decade before, induced by the promises of the Earl of Selkirk, he 
 went to the North-West, with every hope and prospect of wealth. He had taken 
 great pains to educate his children, and the expenses to which he had been put on 
 this account was one source of his financial embarrassment. 
 
 In a letter written from Cornwall, 26th May, 1808, and addressed, " John 
 iMacdonnell, Fort William, N.W.Co.," he writes : " I have been under the necessity of 
 linaking use of your generous credit, and have drawn on you for sixty pounds, to pay 
 |for the education of the girls. ... It gives me, however, very great pleasure to 
 rn that your beaver furs of last year have sold well, and that you will reap hand- 
 some profits therefrom, each share averaging about ;;^6oo." 
 
 The following is an extract from a letter written to Judge Macdonnell by his; 
 uncle, Alexander Macdonnell, a priest, at Cornwall, but who afterwards became 
 3ishop. The letter was written from Montreal, 14th June, 1811, while the writer was 
 on a visit to that city : " I have had letters from Miles, but not of recent date. Lord 
 Belkirk had rot then declared what situation he had in view for him, und his son, 
 Alexander Cole, had not yet been appointed to a commission. I begin to entertain 
 ktrong apprehension that he will find himself much disappointed in the sanguine hope 
 placed in his Lordship, and think it would have been more to his interest and credit 
 remain at home in Scothouse, and mind his own affairs, than dance attendance on 
 
484 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 llie Eatl of Selkirk, and reduce himself to the disagreeable dilemma of either falling 
 out with his Lordship — the consequences of which would probably be the most coin- 
 l)'ete disappointment of all his hopes, the loss of his time, besides the loss his own 
 affairs have sustained by his absence — or of entering, contrary to his own judgment 
 and good sense, into the fantastical schemes of his Lordship. 
 
 "Mr. McGillivray knows more of these schemes than I do, and I dare say will 
 satisfy you upon tiie subject, if you wish it. ... I have had occasion to see 
 your boys frequently since 1 came to this town ; they are very well, and growing 
 amazingly ; but I think you might keep them in the country and in school, at one 
 half the expense you are at there." 
 
 The reverend gentleman's estimate of the influence the Earl of Selkirk had over 
 his nephew. Miles Macdonnell, is pretty clearly shown by the following letter, written 
 by the nephew himself some time previously : 
 
 • . ■ V " Kingston, 9th May, 1807. 
 
 " Mv Dear Brothkr, — 
 
 "I received your letter from Kingston, and one also from Kaministiquia. Your 
 walk and adventures from Jones's Creek I learned from others, but it was long after 
 wards. 
 
 "Shortly after your departure, I received a letter from the Karl of Selkirk ; his 
 Lordship was to be sent on a mission from the British (iovernment to that of ilie 
 United .States, and requested me to meet him in the city of Washington. I did not 
 tliink it prudent to decline complying with so flattering a mark of attention from so 
 distinguished a personage, and lost no time in making the necessary arrangements. 
 Angus, our cousin, Maclon, took my farm on shares. I took the children down to 
 my father's, where they would have the protecti()n of friends and a little society. 
 About the middle of July I left Montreal, and soon gained the United States. After 
 getting to Albany, there were no accounts of his Lordship's arrival, so that I passed 
 some time in that city and in Schenectady and in Ballston. At leng:h, a communica- 
 tion from his agents at New York informed me that his Lordship was daily cxpect^'d 
 to arrive there, and I immediately proceeded to that city, and received a letter frora 
 himself, directing me to gain all the information possible, on certain points, until his 
 arrival ; and, for this purpose, to visit the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York 
 and Boston. 
 
 " I began my enquiries in New York, and was to go from there to Boston, 
 previous to going southward. I had taken passage on board a Rhode Island packet 
 to proceed to Boston, and was within half an hour of sailing when I received another 
 letter from his Lordship, informing me that the mission he had referred to in iiis 
 former letters was not to take place then, and that he was not coming out; therefore 
 he thought it unnecessary to detain me longer from returning to Canada." 
 
 In the latter part of the same letter he says : " I had a most friendly letter from 
 Selkirk last winter, in answer to my enclosures from New York. His Lordship was 
 highly satisfied with my communications from the United States, and, in a very feel 
 ing manner, condoled with me for my domestic misfortune," — the death of his wife. 
 
 Though numerous letters may have passed between the brothers during the time 
 elapsing between the date of the last and that below, the latter is the only one in our 
 possession. 
 
 " Sault Ste. Marie, 31st July, 1816. 
 " My Dear Brother, — 
 
 " I have got back this tar, safe and sound, from the interior, but not with the 
 glory and ^c/at which my sanguine imagination and ardor in so just a cause, had led 
 me to anticipate in the outset. With all the exertion and diligence used in the prose 
 
HISTORY OF PRKSCOTT. 
 
 48s 
 
 I of either falling 
 le the most coin- 
 the loss his own 
 lis own judgment 
 
 d I dare say will 
 I occasion to see 
 leW, and growing 
 in school, at one 
 
 ■ Selkirk had over 
 'ing letter, written 
 
 li May, 1807. 
 
 ninisliqiiia. Your 
 , it was long after 
 
 arl of Selkirk ; his 
 ;nt to that of the 
 ington. I did not 
 attention from so 
 sary arrangements, 
 e children down to 
 nd a little society, 
 ited States. After 
 1, so that I passed 
 g::h, acommunica- 
 ,vas daily expected 
 teived a letter from 
 |in points, until hi^ 
 .Uimore, New York 
 
 \\ there to Boston, 
 
 lode Island packet 
 
 I received another 
 
 referred to in his 
 
 ling out; therefore, 
 
 Canada." 
 
 [friendly letter from 
 His Lordship was 
 ind, in a very feel- 
 death of his wife. 
 jrs during the time 
 the only one in out 
 
 list July, 1816. 
 
 Ir, but not with thtl 
 list a cause, hadWj 
 le used in the prose 
 
 (iition of the voyage, A. N. McLeod and his experienced North-Westers conjtantly 
 kept some days ahead of us, though he made frerjuent stops on the route. There was 
 nothing regular in fitting us out from the Lake of Two Mountains, which my i:ie.v- 
 perience in canoe travelling did not at the time perceive. Mons. Feltant, my guide, 
 has not shown himself so expeditious a voyageur as he is reputed. I found the 
 reverse to be the case, and have to suppose him to iiave received a bribe from the 
 enemy, by his manner of acting ; he is besides a rude brute, and was consequently 
 dismissed from my table— but at a late period. Mr. McLeod took with him from 
 Rainy Lake upwards of twenty Indians to strike a blow at Red River — collected as 
 many men as would follow along the route, by great promises of reward in goods and 
 the plunder of the colony. In short, a cruel massacre of our people took place tlrere 
 about the 19th of June, four days before the arrival of Mr. McLeod, in which twenty- 
 one of the colonists fell, of whom were Mr. Semplc, the Governor, Mr. McLean, 
 Pombrain, Noland, etc., and the llower of the men. 
 
 " It appears that Mr. Semple and his party had gone out to take possession 
 from Qu'Appelle (for our worthy relative, Alexander McDonald, had seized upon all 
 the Hudson Bay Company's pernmican there), and fell into an ambuscade prepared 
 by the enemy. Wheie the slaughter took place, it is said that Seraphin Lamur, 
 Cuthbert Grant, Bostanais, Bonhomme, etc., were in the affair. Four or five were 
 made prisoners, among whom were Messrs. Pritchard and Bourke. Only one of the 
 enemy was killed and one wounded. The destruction and plunder of everything in 
 the colony immediately followed. The bulk of the people were driven off, and iiad 
 gone down Lake Winnipeg; I learned these particulars from different Indians. 
 Every thing of ours in Red River is destroyed, and all our people gone from there. 
 We must have surrendered to the enemy or have been murdered like the others. The 
 hidians that McLeod took with him from Rainy Lake left him at Bae de la Riviere, 
 and all the Indians we have seen appear much displeased at what has taken place, by 
 scanty supplies to us of fish and game. 
 
 " I was enabled to get back with my 'iarty to Fort William, and there obtained what 
 hrought us to this place. Ail good men must execrate the murderous system of the 
 Xorih-West Company, which must now, though too late, cause their ruin." 
 
 To make the letter more intelligible, however, and to enable the reader to obtain a 
 correct view of the position in which Macdonnell was placed, we shall endeavor to 
 give a brief sketch of the great fur trading companies Avhich held sway in vast portions 
 of British North America. > ■ : < , • ; ; ' 
 
 -' THE H.B. AND N.W.'COMPANIES.* 
 
 The Hudson's Bay Company is a joint slock association formed for the pur- 
 
 Ipose of importing into Great Britain the furs and skins which it obtains chiefly by 
 
 barter from the Indians of British North America. The trading forts of the company 
 
 [are doited over the immense region (excluding Canada proper and Alaska) which is 
 
 I bounded east and west by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and north and south by 
 
 the Arctic Ocean and the United States. From these forts the furs are dispatched by 
 
 boat or canoe to York Fort on Hudson's Bay, whence they are shipped to England to 
 
 I be sold by auction. 
 
 In the year 1670, Charles II granted a charter to Prince Rupert and seventeen 
 [other noblemen and gentlemen, incorporating the " Governor and Company of Adven- 
 |turers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay." The first settlements in the country 
 
 *For some of the facts given above we are indebted to " Manitoba and the Great North West " 
 
 Ibyjohn Macoun, M.A., F.L.S. 
 
486 
 
 HISTORY OF I'RESCOTT. 
 
 M 
 
 granted, whicli was to be known as Rupert's Land, were made at James Bay and at 
 Cliurcliill and Hayes Rivers ; but it was long before there was any advance into the 
 interior. Although the commercial success of the enierjirise was from the first im- 
 mense, great losses were inflicted on the company by the French, who sent several 
 military expeditions against the forts. After the cession of Canada to Great Britain in 
 1763, numbers of fur traders spread over that country and into the north-western 
 parts of the continent, and began even to encroach on the Hudson iJay Company's 
 territories. These individual speculators, finally, in the winter of 1783-84, combiiiLcl 
 into the North-West Fur Comi)any of Montreal. The fierce competition which at 
 once sprang up between the companies was marked by feature? which sufficiently 
 demonstrate the advantages of a monopoly in commercial dealings witii liavages, even 
 although it is the manifest interest of the monopolists to retard the advance of civil- 
 ization toward their hunting grounds. The Indians were demoralized, body and 
 soul, by the abundance of ardent spirits with which the rival traders sought to attract 
 them to themselves ; the supi)ly of furs threatened soon to be exhausted by the indis- 
 criminalc slaughter, even during the breeding season of both male and female animals; 
 the worst passions of both whites and Indians were inflamed to their fiercest, and 
 costly destruction of human life and property was the result. At last, in 1821, the 
 companies, mutually exhausted, amalgamated, obtaining a license to hold for twenty- 
 one years the monopoly of trade in the vast regions lying to the west and north-west 
 of the older company's grant. In 1838, the Hudson's Bay Company acquired the sole 
 rights for itself, and obtained a new license also for twenty-one years. On the 
 expiry of this it was not renewed, and since 1859 the district has been open to all, 
 the Hudson Bay Company having no special advantages beyond its tried and splendid 
 organization. The licenses to trade did not of course affect the original possessions of 
 the company. These it retained till 1869, when they were transferred to the British 
 Government for ;^30o,ooo ($1,500,000), and in 1870, they were incorporated with 
 the Dominion of Onada. The company, which now trades entirely as a private cor- 
 poration, still retains one-twentieth of the entire grant together with valuable blocks 
 of land around the various forts, and these possessions will, doubtless, as the country 
 becomes opened up and colonized, yield a considerable revenue at some future 
 time. 
 
 Though it is impossible to give statistics showing the income from this great 
 industry through a period embracing two centuries, some idea of the profits resulting 
 therefrom, about half a century ago, may be gleaned from a work entitled, " Notes 
 of a 25 years' service at the Hudson Bay." • 
 
 The author says : " 'Ihis country (Hudson Bay) is divided into four departments: 
 Northern, Southern, Montreal and Columbian. 
 
 •' These departments are divided into a number of Districts, and these again are 
 sub-divided into numerous establishments, forts, posts and outposts." 
 
 Speaking of the Northern Department, he says: 
 
 " The returns of the different posts being now received, wefou.id them to amount 
 to ;^ 1 5,000, according to the tariff of last year — 1843." 
 
 Of the Columbian District — a large territory west of the Rocky Mountains- 
 he says : 
 
 "On the 5th of May (about 1831 or 1832) Mr. Dease took his departure for 
 Fort Vancouver with the returns of his District, which might be valued at ;^ii,ooo< 
 The outfit, together with servants, wages and incidental expenses, amounted to about 
 ;^3,ooOj leaving to the Company for this District alone, a dear profit of ;^8,ooo 
 (eight thousand pounds)." 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that the profit of the fur trade is growing smaller, owing 
 
mes Bay and ;it 
 .dvance into the 
 rom the first iin- 
 v\w sent several 
 Great Hritaiii in 
 le north-western 
 
 Bay Company's 
 ^3-84, combined 
 )etition which at 
 liich sufficienlly 
 Ih javages, even 
 advance of civil- 
 alized, body and 
 
 sought to attract 
 sted by the indis- 
 d female animals ; 
 heir fiercest, and 
 last, in 1821, the 
 ) hold for twenty 
 ;st and north-west 
 
 acquired the sole 
 ; years. On the 
 
 been open to all, 
 tried and splendid 
 Inal possessions of ' 
 
 red to the British 
 
 incorporated with 
 as a private cor- 
 
 h valuable blocks 
 
 ss, as the country 
 at some future 
 
 |e from this groat I 
 
 e profits resulting 
 
 entitled, "Notes I 
 I • 
 
 (four deparimenis; 
 Id these again are I 
 
 Id them to amount | 
 
 pcky Mountains- 
 
 I his departure for 
 
 iluedat ;^i 1,000, 
 
 Imounted to about 
 
 profit of /8,ooo 
 
 ling smaller, owing 
 
 • HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. ^^ 
 
 to the destruction of fur-bearing animals, the following table, taken from the Year 
 Book for 1890, shows that the trade is still of much size and importance. The figures 
 show the receipts of furs at the Hudson Bay's warehouse in Montreal from the year 
 1887 to 1890 inclusive: 
 
 Kinds OK Furs. Ni'Mpeii ok Skins. 
 
 1887 1888 18H9 1890 
 
 Hear 1,399 1,528 2,037 1,900 
 
 Beaver 22,848 22,174 18,787 20,000 
 
 Fisher... 1,197 1,120 1,377 1,500 
 
 Ermine 1,000 
 
 Fox 669 756 1,150 ii900 
 
 Lynx 2,655 3,830 4,107 4,400 
 
 Marten I9>264 18,98^^ 16,708 17,000 
 
 Mink 10,002 7,75", 6,420 7,000 
 
 Musquash 81,403 74.572 SS>28S 72,'joo 
 
 Otter 2,768 2,550 3,010 3.000 
 
 Skunk 228 420 478 600 
 
 Wolverine 24 21 27 30 
 
 Wolf -16 
 
 Total 142,15'/ 133,714 109,386 130,346 
 
 ^^s stated above, the North-West Company was formed in the winter of 1783-84. 
 A few years later, a large number of traders seceded from this, and formed a new 
 company called the X.Y. Company. In 1805, these two united, forming one strong 
 company. After the formation of this Company, the troubles between it and the 
 Hudson Bay Company broke out into open violence, and murder and robbery were 
 of '"requent occurrence. About this time. Lord Selkirk visited Montreal, and having 
 learned that »he lands on the Red River were fertile and va.uable, on his return to 
 England, he and Sir Alexander McKenzie decided to buy Hudson Bay stock, which 
 had fallen to one-fourth its former value. Soon afterward, Lord Selkirk bought out 
 Sir Alexander, and became owner of 40 percent, of the H.B. stock. Through his 
 inrtuence with the Governor and Committee of the Company, they consented to sell 
 him 116,000 square miles of territory, on condition that he would plant a colony ; 
 although it turned out that the tract promised extended a long way into the United 
 Stales. The North-West Co. denied the right of the Hudson Bay Co. to cede to 
 Lord Selkirk, territory of which they (the N.W. Co.) had long been in possession, 
 and promptly declared their determination to resist his attempt to dispossess them or 
 tf^ Colonize the land. Not only the N. W. Company, but the Canadians were highly 
 incensed at the cession made to his Lordship, end were unanimously resolved to 
 oppose it, even by force of arms. Lord Selkirk, on the other hand, prepared to 
 carry out his design, and, in the spring of iSri, sent out in the H. B. Co's ships, 
 twenty-five families — the first instalment of the colony. These and a large number 
 of emigrants, who came the next year, settled on Red River. 
 
 Among the papers of Judge Macdonnell we find the copy of an agreement 
 entered into between Lord Selkirk and Miles Macdonnell, which is as follows : 
 
 In the year 1811, the Earl of Selkirk and Miles Macdonnell, Esq., entered into 
 an agreement, that the latter should proceed to Red River in the Hudson Bay Com- 
 pany's territories, and there superintend the establishment of a colony, to be founded 
 by his Lordship upon the following terms viz. : 
 
 " That Miles Macdonr ell and his family were to receive a grant of fifty thou- 
 sand acres of land in the said colony. 
 
 " zndly. Shares in a joint stock company to be formed by his Lordship, equiva- 
 lleni to a subscription of ;^200 sterling. 
 
488 
 
 HISTORY OF rRESCOTT. 
 
 " 3rdly. A pecuniary salary of ;;^30o sterling, per annum, from the 29th of May, 
 181 1, as long as Mr. Macdonnell shall continue in the management of the colony." 
 
 The follow; jg extract from a letter addressed by Lord Selkirk to John (Judge ; 
 Macdonnell shows that his Lordship was anxious, also, to obtain his services, A 
 portion of the letter being lost, wt cannot give the date at which it was written : 
 
 "Being of opinion that your local experience and personal influence may be ot 
 material use to the colony in its present infant state, I shall be happy to meet your 
 views — in case you determine to settle on Red River — by granting you a townsiii|) 
 of 10,000 acres, in a choice situation, gratuitously, without any other conditions 
 than that of establishing upon it six or eight families of industrious settlers, of good 
 character, not at present residing within the limits of the Hudson Bay Company's 
 Territories." 
 
 From historical records we learn that Miles Macdonnell, Lord Selkirk's deinity, 
 who had previously trained his men to the use of arms, issued the following prochi- 
 mation : — 
 
 " District op Assiniboia. 
 
 " To Mr, Duncan Cameron, acting for the A/'orth-lVest Company at the Forks of 
 Red River : 
 
 "Take notice that by the authority and on behalf of your landlord, the R'glu 
 Honorable Thomas, Earl of Selkirk, I do hereby warn you, and all your associates 
 of the Norlh-West Company, to quit the post and premises you now occupy, at the 
 Forks of Red River, within six calendar months from date hereof. 
 
 " Given under my hand at Red River Settlement, this twenty-first day of Octo- 
 ber, 18 14. 
 
 "(Signed) Miles Macdonnell." 
 
 It will be observed that this proclamation wms issued more than two years 
 before the letter of Macdonnell which described the massacre was written. During 
 all this time hostilities continued betneen the two companies. In the spring of 
 1814, a quantity of provisions was taken from a fort of the North-West Company, at 
 the mouth of the Souris, for which a warrant was issued against Macdonnell and 
 Spencer, his sheriff. Spencer was arrested early in the winter, and sent to Rainy 
 Lake. On the approach of the spring of 1815, the settlers sought refuge in the 
 North-West Company's Fort, taking with them the cannon and ammunition of the 
 Hudson Bay Company. The free Canadians and half-breeds were now aroused, and 
 Mr. Macdonnell quietly surrendered himself a prisoner, and was brought in irons to 
 Montreal. The settlers now came in a body to Mr. Cameron, and asked to be taken 
 out of the country. In compliance with tlie'.r request many of them were brought ^0 
 Little York (Toronto), and others went to Lake Winnipeg, to leave the country by way 
 of Hudson Bay. During the winter of 1814-15, Lord Selkirk sent out tvvo expeditions 
 — one under Mr. Robertson, the other under Govemor Semple. Inorder to force the 
 North-West Company either to acknowledge Lord Selkirk's supremacy or leave the 
 country, Fort Gibraltar was taken, 17th March, 1816, and Mr. Cimeron and his 
 people were made prisoners. A fort at the mouth of the Pembina was then taken, 
 and everything in it confiscated for the use of Lord Selkirk. An attack made on Fort 
 Qu'Appelle, however, was unsuccessful ; Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, who had charge 
 of it, and large stores of provisions belonging to the North-West Company, success- 
 fully defending it against the force in the employ of Lord Selkirk. It was about this 
 time that the massacre described in Macdonnell's letter occurred. 
 
HISTORY uV PRESCOTT. 
 
 489 
 
 le 29th of May, 
 f the colony." 
 ) John (Judge) 
 is services. A 
 IS written : 
 ence may be ot 
 y to meet your 
 ^ou a townshi)) 
 ilher conditions 
 settlers, of good 
 Bay Company's 
 
 Selkirk's deputy, 
 'ollowing procla- 
 
 <?/ f/ie Forks of 
 
 uilord, the R;giu 
 dl your associates 
 w occupy, at the 
 
 irst day of Octn- 
 
 ^CDONNELL." 
 
 than two years 
 vritten . During 
 n the spring ot 
 ^est Company, :U 
 Macdonnell and 
 nd sent to Rainy 
 it refuge in the 
 mmunition of the 
 now aroused, and 
 ouglii in irons to 
 asked to be taken 
 11 were brought ^0 
 le country by way 
 ut two expeditions 
 I order to force the 
 macy or leave the 
 L^ameron and his 
 , was then taken, 
 .ack made on Fort 
 , who had charge 
 :ompi.ny, success- 
 It was about this 
 
 Fifty Indians and half-breeds were sent by the North West Company to escort 
 a supply of provisions from Fort Qu'Appelle to Lake Winnipeg. 'i'hey had been 
 ordered to keep at a distance, and out of sight of Fort Douglas, where Governor 
 Scmiile resided, but, by chance, he happened with a telescope to discover them from 
 a iook-out on the top of the fort, and at once determined t. intercept them. The 
 following is the substance of the Hudson Bay Company's account of the affair : 
 
 The Governor ordered twent) men to follow him, and they immediately started, 
 meeting, as they proceeded, settlers running to the fort, and crying in terror : "The 
 Half- Breeds ! the Half-Breeds ! " Finding the enemy more numerous than he had 
 .upposed, the Governer called a halt, and sent for a field-piece. This not arriving, 
 he ordered an advance, and soon met the half-breeds on horseback, painted and 
 dressed as Indian warriors, and they surrounded the Governor's party in the f.^rm 
 of a semi-circle. IMr. Pritchard, one of Ciovernor Semi)le's party, says : " A man 
 named Jiouclilcr rode up to us, waving his hand and calling out, ' What do you want ? ' 
 The Governor replied, ' What Co you want? ' Eouchier replied, ' We want our fort,' 
 when the Governor said, ' Go to your fort ! ' 1 then saw the Governor take hold of 
 Bouchier's gun, and in a moment a discharge of fire-arms took place , but whether it 
 began by our side or by the enemy, it was ir,.possible to distinguish. In a few 
 moments almost all our ])eople were killed or wounded. Captain Rodgers, having 
 fallen, rose and came toward me, when not seeing one of our party that was not 
 killed or wounded, I called to him, ' For God's sake give yourself up ! ' He ran 
 towards the enemy for that purpose, myself following him. He raised his hands, 
 and in English and broken French call;:;d out for mercy; a hrlf-breed, son of Wm. 
 McKay, sliot him through the head, and another ripped open iiis belly with a knife, 
 while uttering most horrid imprecations. 
 
 " Fortunately for me, a Canadian' nam.ed Laviquc joined his entreaties with 
 mine, and saved me from sharing the fate of my friend at that moment. No quarter 
 was given to any of the party except myself. T!ie knife, the axe or the ball put a 
 l^eriod to the existence of the wounded; and such horrible barbarities were practised 
 on the bodies of the dead as characterize the inlniman heart of the savage. Mr. 
 Semple, with his thigh broken, obtained ihe promise of Mr. Grant, one of the chief 
 men r f the enemy, that he should be conveyed to the fort. He was left for a few 
 moments in the care of a Frencli Canadian, who told Mr. Pritchard that an Indian 
 came up and shot Mr. Semple through the breast." 
 
 The North-West Company's account of the affair, corroborated by the settlers, 
 differs materially from the above account, and shows that Governor Semple .■> party- 
 were the aggressors, and fired the i.rst shot. Only onv; of the North-West Com- 
 pany's men was killed, and one wounded; while of the Hudson Bay men twenty-one 
 were killed and one wounded. 
 
 !Macdonnell met Lord Selkirk at Lake Superior, and reported the missacre, 
 when liis Lordship proceeded at once to Fort William, the head-quarters of the 
 North-West Company, seized the fort and everything in it, and appropriated it to 
 his own use. He also seized F'ort Douglass, and reigned supreme at Red River. The 
 North-West Company appealed to Government, but with little success, and both 
 inirties continued their lawless warfare, each employing the Indians to carry out their 
 designs — Lord Selkirk wishing to plant a colony, and the North-West Company 
 determined to oppose civilization to preserve the fur trade and secure its profits. 
 
 Miles wrote to his brother at Point Fortune from Montreal, December i6th, 
 1S17 : 
 
 " After my illegal arrest at Point Mearon, in the neighborhood of Fort William 
 on the 1 2th August, I remained in the hands of the Philistines till my arrival at Sand* 
 
490 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOT'l'. 
 
 m 
 
 wich, November 6th, when I gave bail to answer the charges of which I was accused 
 by perjured witnesses of the North West Company. I took passage at Detroit for 
 Black Rock, and reached this place by llie route of Buffalo and Ali)any. =k -iJ * * 'phg 
 P^arl of Selkirk left Red River in September to go down the Mississippi and come 
 through the United States, but we have yet no account of his Lordship. He had. with 
 him about 40 men and two field pieces ; Col. Dickson and several other gentlemen 
 were of the party. 
 
 " It was currently reported at SaultSt. Marie, and Doummand's Island, when I 
 was there, that the North West Company had employed one of their half-breed 
 clerks to assassinate his Lordship on his way out between Red River and Fort 
 William ; but by taking the route by the Mississippi, he has frustrated that black 
 design." 
 
 Though living at Point Fortune during all these troubles, Judge Macdonnell was 
 not less interested than parties more actively engaged. Ke still had considerable 
 pecuniary interest in the fur t^adc, which was affected to no small extent by the war 
 waged between the rival companies. He was, also, more than once required as a 
 witness in the suits resulting from their dissensions. 
 
 Miles Macdonnell wrote from Kingston, August 20th, 1818: — •'■ Lord Selkirk is 
 desirous tirat you should attend at York, the Court of King's Bench, which is to sit 
 there the 20th October, to give evidence of certain affairs respecting the North West 
 Company, and he wishes me to ascert?,'n w'.^tlier vou will go volrutarily, or will 
 requn-e a subpoena served on you, whici ;••»: luld have by all means and more 
 regularly than the former time — that you inighi not have a pretence for not appearing. 
 
 " To leave home in October will not be so detrimental to your domestic affairs as 
 it would be in spring. I trust, therefore, that we sliall have the pleasure of meeting 
 at York and returning together." 
 
 Tiie same letter affords us considerable additional nitcrest, inasmuch as it shows 
 that Robert Gourley, who became so notorioi-s in his labors to reform the Govern- 
 ment of Uj)per Canada during the administration of Francis Gore arid Sir Peregrine 
 Maitland, was in Prescott, and enlisted the support of Jud",e Macdonnell and several 
 others. " In a narrative Mr. Gourley hab published of his journey through the 
 different districts of the Provinces, I observe mention made of the flattering reception 
 he had in the District of Ottawa, from you, Mears, Donald, etc., and your engaging to 
 furnish a sum of money equal to that of any other District for carrying en affairs- 
 He was tried lie re at the assizes on the 15111 instant, for a libel against the Govern- 
 ment of this Province. The trial look up the whole day — it excited much interest — 
 the court was consequently very crowded. Mr. Gour'''v pleaded his own case — 
 addressed the jury at considerable lengtii by reading |.,:i.,ch which took up about 
 half a quire of foolscap closeiy written - a compositioi 
 knowledge and ability. Judge Campbell g.ive hini e- 
 being out about an hour to consider on their verdict, re 
 
 was received by the people with clamorous applause, and Mr. Gourley v/as conducted 
 in triumph to his lodging. A public dinner was given him on ihe following Monday 
 (the trial was on Saturday), at which were present between forty and fifty persons, 
 who kept it up till two in the morning, with noisy rejoicings. There are no doubt 
 abuses in the administration which require correction, but I don't know whether 
 Gourley and his [ arty will do much good. I wish him every success in bringing 
 about a reform where it is necessary, but I doul)l if that is altogether the object in 
 view ; and till I can be better convinced of his upright intentions I shall not be one 
 of his followers. 
 
 " It is reported that Sir Peregrine Maitland keeps everybody at York at a di^- 
 
 showed him a man of 
 ir, Uude; the jury, after 
 I 'd ' Not guilty,' which 
 
[ was accused 
 It Detroit for 
 <!*'>=* The 
 ppi and come 
 He had with 
 ler gentlemen 
 
 sland, when I 
 leir half-breed 
 iver and Fort 
 ted that black 
 
 :acdonneU was 
 .d considerable 
 :nt by the war 
 i required as a 
 
 Lord Selkirk is 
 which is to sit 
 he North West 
 rntarily, or will 
 cans and more 
 r not appearing, 
 mestic affairs as 
 sure of meeting 
 
 ich as it shows 
 lim the Govern- 
 Ld Sir Peregrine 
 Inell and several 
 ey through the 
 ;ering reception 
 pur engaging to 
 ying en affairs- 
 Inst the C.overn- 
 Imich interest- 
 US own case— 
 \\ took up about 
 him a man of 
 the jury, after 
 t guilty,' winch 
 was conducted 
 [lowing Monday 
 |id fifty persons, 
 e are no doubt 
 know whether 
 Icess in bringing 
 jer the object in 
 shall not be one 
 
 In York at a dis- 
 
 HISTORV OF PRESCOTT. 49 1 
 
 tance ; he has taken up his quarters in the garrison. I expect Lord Selkirk to arrive 
 to-day ; the steamboat starts for York to-morrow, and I take passage i it." 
 
 Lord Selkirk died in 1820, and Miles Macdonnell in 1828, at Pt. Fortune. 
 
 We learn from another document dated 30th April, 1834, that the heirs of Miles 
 Macdonnell clamied that he never received remuneration for his services to Lord 
 Selkirk, and the same document shows that Donald Eneas (son of Miles Macdonnell) 
 claimed from the " executors of tlie late Earl of Selkirk," eight years' salary to 29th 
 May, 1819, at ;^30o perai'.num, and the interest on each year's salary from the time 
 it was due — the whole amounting (Halifax currency) to ;^3i83 3s. 8d. 
 
 To account of expenses to 5th Dec, 1818, as per statement 
 
 handed Mr. Gardner ;^-94 06 
 
 Sundry omissions 9 00 
 
 Subsistence from 5th Dec, 1818, to 29lh Dec, 1819, 55 weeks 
 
 @ 5?s. 6d 144 7 6 
 
 Five shares in a joint stock Co., as promised by his Lordship 555 11 i 
 
 5O5O00 acres of land in Red Rivtr Colony, or a consideration for the 
 
 same, certainly worth IS. per acre 2500 o o 
 
 ^6686 8 6 
 
 The claim was disputed, on the ground that Lord Selkirk must have paid much 
 or all of it before his death, although there was no proof of payment ; but how the 
 matter terminated, we have no means of showing. 
 
 The following letter shows that when reverses came, and the Judge was in des- 
 pondency and embarrassment, his nephew, witli true pride of family, and no doubt 
 in remembrance of the Judge's kindness to his father, earnestly desired to aid hini. 
 
 "Cornwall, 29TH Aug., 1830. 
 " My dear Uncle, 
 
 " I should have replied to your letter of the 20th inst. by return 
 of post, but th: mail was closed previous to my receiving your letter. 
 
 " I am sorry to see that you are so deeply involved to the house of (we witiihold 
 the name), and also the pressing letter of the Trustees. In these pressing times it is 
 our duty to afford mutual aid to each other, and in order to aid you as much as 
 l)ossible, 1 will make over my claim upon the Earl of Selkirk for lands ; I have been 
 in expectation that the heir or heirs of his Lordship would at some time do something 
 tor the family. Although I have numerous difficulties to encounter in the present 
 emergency, I am willing to do whatever you desire." 
 
 The many improvements that the Judge made on this estate fully confirm the 
 statement found in a letter describing his property, when he was desirous of selling 
 it, many years after he had settled here. He says : " I have laid out thousands of 
 pounds in improvements on this land." 
 
 One of his earliest works was the construction of a canal jcveral rods in length 
 with a lock to facilitate the passage of boats past the ciAutc, which, at that point, was 
 a great obstruction to navigation. A stone grist mill with one run of stone, 
 and a wood saw mill, were also erected, which did good service for a number of 
 years ; but they fell into disuse. A storehouse was erected on the bank of the river 
 a little east of his dwelling, the basement of which was open, so that boats could 
 enter it ; the cargoes were placed on a platform, two or three feet high, alongside of 
 which the boats drew up. 
 
 A large orchard occupied a field on the west side of the " Town Line Road." 
 
492 
 
 HISTORY OF I'RESCOTT. 
 
 mv 
 
 l 
 f 
 
 I: 
 
 In connection with this orchard, an incident occupied which proved of serious con- 
 sequence to its proprietors. Boys, as well as men, had given him no little annoyance 
 by the frequency with which they entered the oi chard and carried off the apples. 
 John, a son of the Judge, thinking to frighten the thieves, fired into the orchard one 
 night, on hearing them, and, unfortunately, wounded the son of a neighbor. 
 
 That the affair caused no little excitement is evident, from a letter written by 
 Miles Macdonnell to the Judge from Montreal, 15th October, 1819. He says : " The 
 unpleasant accident that befell your poor son, John, has been reported in the most 
 disastrous manner, as is always the case ; — I can easily judge of your feelings on the 
 occasion ; but Donald McDonald tells me that the man is out of all danger, and 
 that the damage cannot be great. I would recommend that a compromise be made, 
 by all means, wiih the man who has been fired at, to prevent the matter going before 
 a Court of Justice; no pains should be spared to bring about a reconciliation." 
 
 Tradition says that the young man's injuries were not serious, and that he 
 soon recovered, 'nit that he was taken sick a year or more afterward, and died. An 
 effort was then made to show that his death was caused by the wounds he received 
 at the hands of Macdonnell, and a claim for damages instituted ; but as the claim 
 could not be established, the subject was dropped. 
 
 The birthday of the Judge happened to fall on St. Andrew's day, which, perhaps, 
 accounts for the fact that his birthday was always celebrated with a good deal of 
 ic/af. . His friends, several of whom had been his coadjutors in the North West, 
 always assembled at his house on these occasions, and celebrated the event with all 
 the festivity customary at that period, and the hilarity to which they had been 
 accustomed in the North West. 
 
 It is a saying that has almost become a proverb, that the Ottawa freezes over 
 here on St. Andrew's night. On one of these occasions, when the festivities had 
 been prolonged to the wee sma' hours of morning, a number of the guests, among 
 whom were Capt. McCargo, set oat for their homes on the north side of the river, 
 embarking on a large scow. The ice was forming rapidly on the river, and when 
 they had reached the middle their further progress was stayed. Here then they 
 were, without fire or shelter, and exposed to an arctic temperature ; their only hop*; 
 of escape from freezing was in constant movement. Fortunately there was a 
 fiddler on board, and the area of the scow being ample, they danced to the music 
 of the fiddle till daylight, when the strength of the ice permitted them, by the aid 
 of a board or two, which they had with them, to reach the shore. 
 
 There is much that appeals to our sympathy in a letter written by the Judjje a 
 few years before his death, to his chief and most importunate creditor. In this he 
 speaks of his disappointments and misfortunes, and expresses his decision to give up 
 his home at Point Fortune, and to retire to the Red River Settlement. Sad indeed 
 would have been the contrast between his return to the North West, in the infirmity of 
 age and in poverty, with his circumstances a third of a century before, when in the 
 vigor of manhood, and elated with financial success, he left that country and settled 
 at Point Fortune. 
 
 Since the above sketch of the Macdonnells was written, Mr. Crosby has sent us 
 the following, which, among other things, explains the allusion in Mrs. Berkie's letter 
 to her brother's escape at St. Regis : — 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 493 
 
 ■ serious con- 
 e annoyance 
 
 ■ the apples, 
 orchard one 
 libor. 
 
 ;r written by- 
 says : " The 
 in the most 
 elings on the 
 I danger, and 
 lise be made, 
 
 ■ going before 
 liation." 
 
 and that lie 
 nd died. An 
 s he received 
 as the claim 
 
 liich, perhaps, 
 good deal of 
 North West, 
 event with all 
 liey had been 
 
 'a freezes over 
 festivities had 
 quests, among 
 e of the river, 
 ver, and when 
 ere then they 
 leir only hop*; 
 there was a 
 to the music 
 m, by the aid 
 
 the Jud|;e a 
 . In this he 
 ion to give up 
 Sad indeed 
 le infirmity of 
 when in the 
 ry and settled 
 
 by has sent us 
 Berkie's letter 
 
 Point Fortune, 4tli July, 1S44. 
 The Honorable A. N. Mo.'in, etc. 
 Sir, 
 
 I write yon— jn reference to your offer in the public prints of undertaking 
 
 the agency of such persons as have claims on the Government for scrips. Tiiough not 
 coming under that denomination, having received my scrip as a captain in ihe Voyageur 
 Corps years ago, I submit to your consideration tlie underwritten statement of facts, 
 to be put by you into tlie shape required for presentation in the proper quarter ; hop- 
 ing that His Excellency, the present Governor General, has superior power to any 
 representative of Majesty sent to govern, since the days of Lord Duriiam. I have full 
 confidence in your ability and zeal to bring the affair in question to a projjcr issue, and 
 hope to be reimbursed for the money expended, upwards of tliirty years ago, in the 
 formation of the Voyageur Corps, in kind, with interest out of the military ch':'St,and 
 of being remunerated for my other losses, in anyway His Excellency may judge most 
 expedient. Should the foregoing not be judged a sufficient power of Attorney, I shall 
 be ready to execute any other form which you may send, to empower you tc act in 
 the premises. 
 
 I remain, sir, 
 
 Your most obedient and humble seivant, 
 
 John Macdoneli,, 
 ■ Captain late Voyageur Corps 
 
 Statement of Facts. 
 
 f received my scrip as a Captain in the Voyageur Corps which was commanded 
 by the Honorable, the late Lieut. -Col. William McGillivray — which, although valued 
 at ;^i6o, I was obliged to cede to one of my creditors for ;^6o. In October, 1812, 
 I was ordered with my Company to the Indian village of St. Regis, and on the third 
 day after my arrival there, was attacked at four o'clock a.m. of the 23rd October, by 
 five companies of New York State Militia, mustering upwards of five to one against us. 
 My ensign, Pierre Rottol, Sergeant John McGillivray, Private Nicholas Ponsport 
 were killed, several other privates wounded ; myself, Lieut. William HaII (now of the 
 Customs, Montreal), thirty-five non-commissioned oflficers and men, with Capt. L. 
 Montigny of the Indian Department, taken prisoners and conveyed to Green Bush. 
 
 Every grade of officer in the Voyageur Corps in which I served, viz., Captains, 
 Majors and our worthy Lieut. -Col., volunteered to serve without pay. In consequence, 
 I, in common with the other Captains, incurred considerable expense in the formation 
 of the Corps, as the following statement will show, as well i. urse as in other pro- 
 perty, during my captivity and absence from the Province ; all which I pocketed from 
 a principle of disinterested loyalty, being then in no dread of falling into want, and 
 a partner in the North-West Company of Fur Traders ; but, now, the case is sadly 
 changed for the worse, being in the seventy-sixth year of my age, paralytic, ruptured, 
 and, worst of all, in debt; a tenant at will, my principal creditor having obliged me 
 to give him a bill of sale of my place. I had the honor of being appointed District 
 Judge in a joint commission with the late lamented George Hamilton of Hawkesbury 
 Mills, at the formation of the Ottawa District, in the session of 1816, which office I 
 resigned in October, 1825. And that for upwards of eighteen years, I had the honor 
 of commanding the 1st Regiment of Prescott militia as Colonel by commission dated 
 ist April, 1822, until my resignation on the nth day of June, 1840; the late George 
 Hamilton being my Lieut.-Col. 
 
494 
 
 HISTORY OF I'RESCOTT. 
 
 O 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 That on looking over my North-West accounts current, I fi' .no underwritten 
 items charged in my account while serving in the Voyageur Corps, by commission 
 dated 2nd day of October, 181 2, the general order for the formation of tlie Corps being 
 previously published. 
 
 ) cash for travelling xpenses, enrolling and recruitiiiB men Xio o 
 
 i ■ •••■•••ICJU 
 
 «» ic «l i< So 
 
 " " " '< 25 5 
 
 To handed over to Major Clark, United States Army, Q. M. Gl. Dept. 
 at Green Bush, N. Y., claimed as public property 14 5 o 
 
 To repaid Genl. Lewis, Qr. M. Genl,, United States Army, for an 
 
 equal sum borrowed of him in Albany in last November 23 o o 
 
 Paid our Qr. Master, Jas. E. Campbell, for 18 pairs of moccasins at 
 Is. Sd., which I had given to Capt. D, Ducharme of Ind. Dept. at 
 La Forte ., , i 10 o 
 
 Lost by being Purser f'omSt. Regis to Gr;:en Bush and back agan to 
 Laprairie, through the death of poor Capt. L. Montigny of the In- 
 dian Department 8 8 9 
 
 Repaid the Hon. Lt.-Col. McGillivray, for my share of balance on the 
 
 \'oyageur Corps book ... iS 32.', 
 
 1812— I2th Sept. 
 " 19th " 
 " 24th " 
 " iSth Oct. 
 " 29th ' ' 
 
 1813— I2th Jan. 
 
 " 19th M.ir. 
 
 3vd Nov. 
 
 ^'S 'o 
 
 
 
 7 10 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 5 'o 
 
 
 
 6 10 
 
 
 
 3 10 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Total cash disbursement Z^ii? 'S H'l 
 
 LIST OF PROPERTY LOST AT .ST. REGIS. 
 
 I Half stocked fowling piece, ball mould, cleaning rod, worm and turnkey, powder 
 horn, shot pouch, belt, etc., seven years my companion in the wilds of the North 
 West country ; entered at ^15 
 
 I Two-edged sword, bell, silver buckle 
 
 I Pair pocket pistols, ball mould, key, etc 
 
 I Spy glass and appurtenances 
 
 I Red silk sash 
 
 Tea and sugar boxes and contents, 30s. ; large green blanket, 30s. ; tv/o prayer books, 
 English and French, los 
 
 Candlestick and snuffers, head and shoe brushes 
 
 Total loss at St. Regis ^^42 o o 
 
 List of my private property taken out of my trunk in Montreal, during my absence 
 from the Province. The empty trunk was discovered, with the lock broken, 
 In the garret of a house opposite to and facing the North West buildings, which 
 was occupied by General De Rottenberg, and I suppose the domestics to have 
 taken the property. 
 (As the list is quite long and indistinct from age, we do not copy it. The items are chiefly of 
 
 clothing, toilet articles, swoid cane, pocket books, etc., the whole valued at £21 17s. 9d.) 
 I certify the foregoing to be a true statement. 
 
 JOHN MACDONNFXL, 
 
 CaJ>f. hxte Voyageur Corps. 
 Point Fortune, 4th July, 1844. 
 
 Judge Macdonnell had four sons — John, Godfrey, Palafox and Fingal, and one 
 daughter, Victoria Hortensia, who grew up. 
 
 John was bitten by a mad dog, and died in great agony. Palafox inarried Miss 
 Sarah Ann Crosby — a daughter of the late John Crosby, and remained on the home- 
 stead ; they had eleven children, of whom four sons and three daughters are now 
 living. John, the eldest son, lives in Point Fortune ; Eneas, the second son, who 
 has been warden of the Penitentiary at Stony Mountain, Manitoba, is now employed 
 
iderwrilten 
 commission 
 ;orps being 
 
 jCio o o 
 
 10 o o 
 500 
 
 25 5 o 
 
 14 S o 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCv/fT. 
 
 495 
 
 2;, o o 
 1 JO o 
 
 889 
 
 18 3 2.] 
 
 £1^1 15 I'i 
 
 /,"'5 'o o 
 
 7 10 o 
 300 
 
 5 10 o 
 
 6 10 o 
 
 3 10 o 
 
 o 10 o 
 
 . /42 o o 
 
 my absence 
 lock broken, 
 Idings, which 
 
 sties to have 
 
 s are chiefly of 
 )d.) 
 
 LL, 
 
 \eur Corps. 
 
 igal, and one 
 
 Inarried Miss 
 
 \n the home- 
 
 Uers are now 
 
 id son, who 
 
 )W employed 
 
 in the Penitentiary at Kingston. Albert Crosby and Robert, tlie two remaining 
 sons, belong to the N, VV. Mounted Police. Maud, one of the daughters, married to 
 George Wanless, grandson of the founder of Wanless Academy, lives ia Ottawa ; 
 another of the daughters, married, lives at Gatineau Point, and another in the 
 States. 
 
 The following sketch of Archibald McDonald, with the accompanying story of 
 his daughter, properly belong to the history of St. Andrews' Parish, Argcnteuil 
 County, Que., but was not received in time to be inserted therein : 
 
 " Two or three of the sons of Mr. McDonald were active men in Argenteuil ; John, 
 one of them, organized Company No. i of the ifth Battalion, of which he became 
 Captain. He died, and was succeeded by his brother, Allan McDonald ; the latter 
 is now agent for the Indian Department in the North- West. Archii)ald, civil engineer, 
 was paymaster in the nth Bittalion. The only two surviving sons are Allan and 
 Benjamin ; the latter is in the mining business in Colorado. The following is the 
 inscription on the monument of Mr. .McDonald, in the St. Andrews' cemetery : — 
 
 "Sacrkd '' 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 ARCniUALD McDOxVALD, ESQ., J. P., , 
 
 Chief Factor of the Hudson IJay Company, 
 
 Horn in Glencoe, Argyleshire, Scotland, 
 
 Died in Argenteuil, Lower Canada, 15th January, 1S53, 
 
 ^Vged 62 years. 
 
 " A kind-hearted, good mm, Mr. McDonald's loss will be felt by a large circle of 
 friends and acquaintances. A magistrate for the County, lie was always active, intel- 
 ligent and upright; esteemed for the impartiality of his conduct and the kindness of 
 his manner. Amongst others of his works, it may be said that he was the pioneer, or 
 one of the pioneers, of civilization in Oregon. In short, his life was one of muchuse- 
 .•"ulness, and death, which (it is hoped) found him prepared to meet its stroke, has 
 only removed him from earthly labors to receive a higher reward." 
 
 The author of the following story was awarded a prize by the Montreal IVitness: 
 
 A Canadian Heroine. 
 
 The story I am about to relate i.^ a true one. I do not think I am exaggerating 
 in calling the chief actress a heroine. She is certainly more worthy of that appellation 
 than the bundles of contradictions or absurdities we often meet with in popular 
 novels. 
 
 About forty years ago, a gentleman named McDonald, who held a high position 
 in the famous Hudson Bay Company, purchased a large farm in the County of 
 Argenteuil, P.Q. This farm is situated on the Ottawa River, in that district still 
 called La Baie. At this point the river is nearly two miles wide and dotted with small 
 irreen islands, which give the region a very picturesque appearance during the summer. 
 It was opposite these islands that Mr. McDonald erected the lovely cottage " Glencoe," 
 where visitors from city or country were always entertained with true Highland 
 hospitality. 
 
 His family cons'sted of eight sons and one daughter. When the latter performed 
 ihe brave act I am about to refer to, she was about fifteen years of age, good-looking, 
 ;ind a general favorite among those who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. 
 
 On the day of her adventure she was alone with a lady friend and the servants. 
 While sitting on the verandah, and watching some small boats which looked like station- 
 ary black specks on the sunli*- waters of the bay, a sudden obscurity swept over the 
 
496 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCt.)TT. 
 
 lovely landscape, and the birds and all the living creatures around the cottage sud- 
 denly became silent and anxious-looking, as t' -jy generally do before an approaching 
 storm. Before the boats reached the islands, a siorm, such as we seldom witness in 
 this part of Canada, burst in all its fury. A little skiff containing two boys, further 
 from safety than the others, was soon capsized. Miss McDonald, who had anxiously 
 watched it through her glass from the first, perceived that the poor boys were clinging 
 to the boat, in spite of the buffeting waves ; and taking a noble resolution, she rushed 
 to her skiff (a good one), slipped the painter from the post, and rowed out to their 
 rescue. The journey, nearly a mile in length, was a perilous one, but being an exptrt 
 sculler and very strong for a girl of her age, she managed to reach them just as their 
 strengtii was becoming exhausted. The storm having abated to some extent, the 
 return was soon accomplished. I need not dwell on what followed. The brave lady 
 was shortly afterwards requested to accept a solid silver tea service as a token ol 
 esteem and gratitude. A few years later she married Dr. Barnston, a Montreal gentle- 
 man, who lived but one year after their marriage, and " our heroine "died also shortly 
 afterwards; and although a quarter of a century has passed since she has been laid in 
 the grave, her memory is still fondly cherished by all who had the pleasure of her 
 acquaintance. 
 
 N.B. — The above incidents were narrated to me by my grandfather, Donald 
 McLarty, whose farm adjoined "TheGlencoe Estate." 
 
 (Signed) Georgianna Ogden. 
 
 Written October, 1890. 
 
 James McClintuck, from Ballymena, (bounty of Antrim, Ireland, was one of 
 the worthy pioneers of Point Fortune, airiving here with his wife and three children 
 in 18 18. He was a mason by trade, and was employed on the house of Judge Mac- 
 donne'l, soon after his arrival ; but a few years later, he jjurchased a farm, Lot 5, 
 and Concession, and thenceforward devoted his time to farming. He was born 
 aist October, 1776, and died 5th April, 1856. Mrs. McClintock (Elizabeth Coulter), 
 born 27th August, 1782, died 14th March, 1861. They were married Qth August, 
 1802. One of their daughters, left in Ireland, married a Mr. Morrison, and after- 
 ward came to Canada. Two children of Mr. and Mrs. McClintock, a son and daugh- 
 ter, were born in this country ; the latter died in childhood. 
 
 William McClintock, the son, born in Point Fortune, 8th January, 1821, 
 remained on the homestead; he was married 13th February, 1849, to Margaret, sister 
 of P. Dunbar, Esq., the present Mayor of the Seigniory of Argenteuil ; Miss Dunbar had 
 previously been teaching at Point Fortune. Mr. McClintock died, 19th December, 
 1894. The following obituary, copied from the Montreal Witness of 20th December, 
 1894, expresses the sentiments of all who knew the deceased : — 
 
 " Last night an old res'^ected resident of Point Fortune passed away, in the per- 
 son of Mr. William McClintock. The deceased was one of the leading farmers of the 
 distiict, a prominent man in temperance and religious circles, and for many years 
 Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School. His death will be deeply felt by the 
 community, as he was always active in every good object." 
 
 Mrs. McClintock, equally respected, survives him. Their children are three 
 sons and two daughters. William, the eldest son, lives on Uie homestead ; James G. 
 is a lumber contractor in Michigan ; and George, the youngest, is in California ; Eliza- 
 beth J., married to John Jackson, lives in Lachute ; Catherine is married to George 
 Barclay, of Point Fortune. 
 
 William Lamb, with his family — a wife and two children — came from Roxbury- 
 shire, Scotland, and settled in Point Fortune, in 1831. At the age of 20 he learned 
 
 lit 
 
HISTOKY OK PRKSCOTT. 
 
 497 
 
 ; cottage sud- 
 1 approaching 
 m witness in 
 
 boys, fiitlhcr 
 had anxiously 
 
 were cUnging 
 on, she rushed 
 d out to their 
 eing an exptrt 
 a just as their 
 ne extent, the 
 rhe brave lady 
 
 as a token of 
 [ontreal gentle- 
 ied also shortly 
 as been laid in 
 pleasure of her 
 
 father, Donald 
 
 MA Ogden. 
 
 uid, was one ot 
 d three children 
 I of Judge Mac- 
 iarm, Lot 5, 
 He was bcrn 
 beih Coulter), 
 d c)th August, 
 ion, and after- 
 son and daugh- 
 
 anuary, 1821, 
 fvlargaret, sister 
 ss Dunbar had 
 9th December, 
 oth December, 
 
 Lway, in the per- 
 g farmers of the 
 or many years 
 :eply felt by the 
 
 dren are three 
 ead ; James G. 
 ilifornia ; Eliza- 
 ■ried to George 
 
 from Roxbury 
 (f 20 he learned 
 
 the blacksmith trade, and followed it the remainder of his days. They were fourtotn 
 weeks on the voyage. Owing to the cupidity of the parties wlii) had agreed to con- 
 vey a large number of emigrants to this country, the commodious vessel chartered 
 for the purpose was not sent, but a smaller one, used to convey coal from New 
 Caslle to Lcith. Into this small, two-masted brig more than 100 passengers were 
 crowded, and tiiey suffered every species of discomfort before completing the voyage, 
 falling short of both water and provisions. 
 
 Mrs. Lamb (Catherine Gutterson) was the daughter of a weaver, who was noted 
 for his hostility to the liquor traffic, and Mrs. Lamh, who was the youngest of his 
 children, inherited all the paternal hatred of spirituous lifjuors. When Mr. Lamb 
 raised the frame of his house at Point Fortune, no liquor was used on the occasion, 
 and the incident was so contrary to the custom of those days, that it caused no little 
 comment. Mrs. Lamb was the first agent for the Montreal IVilntss in this section 
 of the country. She would permit none of her (hildren to read newspajjers that 
 advertised liquors, nor were such papers permitted to remain in the house. Both she 
 and her husband were energetic, industrious people, and their good sense and sterling 
 piety enabled them to rear their children so that they became useful and honored 
 members of society. Mr. Lamb died 24th August, 1^55 ; Mrs, Lamb, 4th October, 
 1862. Besides Alexander and Margaret, bcrn in Scotland, they had five sons and 
 five daughters that were born in this country. Of those now surviving, James lives 
 in Winnipeg, Man. ; Thomas is a merchant ar.d Postmaster at St. Andrews, Que., and 
 a Major of the Argenteuil Rangers ; Margaret resides in Montreal ; and Mrs. (John) 
 Pitcairn in Point Fortune. 
 
 Alexandtr, the eldest of the children, learned the trade of his father, and has 
 always remained at Point Fortune. He was married 6th February, 1862, to Eliza- 
 beth Wood of East Settlement, Argenteuil. Li 1879,'he bought 100 acres of land at 
 this place, since which he has devoted his time chiefly to farming. He has a good 
 library, the use of which he evidently has not neglected. 
 
 Mrs. Lamb died in March, 1875 ; they had one son and four daughters ; the 
 Ibrmer, Wm, J., and his sister Annie G., live with their father ; Elizabeth is a pro- 
 fessional liurse ; Catherine married to Robert Eoa, and Maggie, to William Beggs, 
 both live in East Hawkesbury. 
 
 John Crosev from the County Down, Ireland, came to Philadelphia with his 
 wife and child, in 1817. After a year's residence there, they came to Lachute; in 
 their voyage thither, the boat in which they ascended the Huason was burnt in the 
 night, and all their baggage was lost. Their child, a girl eighteen months old, also 
 caught cold from the exposure, and died. They lived a few years in Lachute ^nd St. 
 Andrews, and then came to Point Fortune, wheie Mr. Crosby for some time con- 
 ducted an hotel, and was also in company with Mr. William Kirby in running a line 
 of stage coaches from this place to L'Orignal, In 1836 he bought the farm of 200 
 acres, now owned by his son John W., and afterwards another hundred farther west 
 which is now owned by Willard Cole. Mr. Crosby died ,51st March, (867 ; Mrs. 
 Crosby, 13th June, 1S64. They had 'three sons and nine daughters, of whom two 
 sons and four daughters grew up ; only one of the former, John W., and two of the 
 latter, Mrs, Cullen, now residing in Point Fortune, and Mrs. Kempley, in Hull, are 
 now living. 
 
 John W. has always remained on the homestead ; hisdwelling, surrounded by fine 
 maples, is beautifully located on the high land, half a mile from the Ottawa, and com- 
 mands a delightful view of the river and the country and mountains across it. Mr. 
 Crosby is one of the most respected men of this locality, and, had he not declined 
 office, might always have held public positions. He was the first Mayor of the 
 
498 
 
 HISTORY OV PRESCOTT. 
 
 fl 
 
 municipality, lias been on tlic School Hoard several times, and has also been its 
 Secretary-Tieasiirer a number ot years. He has taken much inter* st in the Vau- 
 dreuil County Agricultural Society, and has received several prizes on his farm. He 
 was married ist December, 1868, to lieda, a daughter of William Jameson who was 
 shot in 1837, as related in the history of Carillon. They have four sons and iwc 
 daughters ; the elder daughter is married to W. G. Brown, now living in Swectsburg, 
 Que.; Frank, the jldest son, is a merchant in Ottawa ; James is clerk for Lonsdale, 
 Reid i\: Co., wholesale merchants in Montreal ; William H., Allen and Clara arc at 
 home. 
 
 Jame.s PncAiRN, from Perthshire, Scotland, settled at Point Fortune in 1843, 
 and his descendants are worthy rc[)resentativcs of an honored race. He bought 210 
 acres of land from Macmillan, as already stated, which tract is now cv. ned by his 
 two sons, James and John Pitcairn, tlie former occupying the house iii which his 
 father lived, and where he died in April, 1850. Mrs. Pitcairn, his wife, died in 
 Scotland in 1840. James Pitcairn, jr., was married 3rd February, 1852, to Nancy 
 McFayden, and lias only one daughter, Margaret, married to James Middltton. John 
 Pitcairn was married 30th October, 1864, to Agnes Lamb ; they have three sons, — 
 James, William and Robert, and three daughters — Kate, Mary and Annie. Of the 
 four daughters of the late James Pitcairn, Mary married John Barclay, Agnes mar- 
 ried William Caution, Ellen married Robert McFayden, and Margaret, John Middle- 
 ton. The eldest daughter, Mary Ross, and John Barclay were married before leaving 
 Scotland, and they came to Canada with her father's family. Mr. Barclay was a 
 patternmaker for calico printing; after living here a year he returned to Scotland. 
 Fifteen years afterward he returned to Canada, and after working leased farms Tor some 
 time, and living three years in Michigan, he bought the farm in Point Fortune which 
 is now owned and occupied by his son George. He died here 3rd January, 1888. 
 He left four sons — John, James, David and George ; and one daughter, Margaret. 
 The latter lives here in a cosy cottage with her mother. Another daughter of Mrs. 
 Barclay, Agnes Ellen, married to Peter Morrison, died in 1879 ; Mr, Morrison died 
 ill 1888. They let"t one boy, Rowland C, now an advanced pupil in the Hawkes- 
 bury High School, l^avid Barclay, now living in Point Fortune with his family, met 
 with a sad misfortune in his younger days, his sight being destroyed by the prema- 
 ture explosion of a blast in an iron mine. 
 
 George, the youngest son of Mrs. Barclay, who has the homestead, a good farm 
 of 175 acres, is one of the prosperous faimers of this section. He is a member of 
 the present Board of Councillors, and has been Mayor. 
 
 At Point Fortune also lives Thomas King, whose great age and good memory 
 have enabled him to give us important facts connected with the history of the place. 
 He claims to have been born in 1798; but whether he has reached the age of 98 or 
 not, he is certainly very old. He was born at Cole St. Madeleine, and came to Point 
 Fortune when he was 15 years of age, and when there were but six dwellings in the 
 place. He remembers well the North West canoes that came here — sometimes as 
 many as thirty of them at a time, containing from 8 to 12 nien each. They often 
 remained over night and gummed their canoes. Mr. King has spent his life in 
 shanties and as pilot; he was one of the pilots taking rafts down Lake St. Peter in 
 1839, when the great storm arose in which so many men lost their lives. He and a 
 pilot, named Jerry Campbell, were each in charge of a raft. It was night when they 
 reached the lake, and Campbell shouted to King, and asked him if he was going to 
 cross; the latter replied that the weather looked so threatening he preferred anchor- 
 ing among the islands. Campbell determined, however, to go on, and King 
 reluctantly followed. When they were well out in the lake, a furious storm coming 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 499 
 
 also been its 
 in the Vau- 
 lis farm. Hi 
 ion who was 
 ;ons and two 
 n Swectsburg, 
 for Lonsdale, 
 1 Clara are al 
 
 rlune in 1843, 
 Ic bought 210 
 cv. ned by his 
 ic ill which his 
 wife, died in 
 852, to Nancy 
 ddltton. John 
 I three sons, — 
 Annie. Of the 
 y, Agnes mar- 
 t, John Middle- 
 i before leaving 
 
 Barclay was a 
 :d to Scotland. 
 I farms Tor some 
 
 Fortune which 
 
 January, 1888. 
 hter, Margaret, 
 liughter of Mrs. 
 
 Morrison died 
 |in tlie Hawkes- 
 
 >iis family, met 
 by the preraa- 
 
 |ad, a good farm 
 a member of 
 
 good memory 
 [•y of the placed 
 le age of 98 or 
 
 came to Point 
 |iwellings in the 
 
 -sometinies as 
 
 They often 
 
 lent his life in 
 
 Ike St. Peter in 
 
 fes. He and a 
 
 light when they 
 Jie was going to 
 leferred anchor- 
 ]on, and King 
 storm coming 
 
 (,!i, King detached his anchor from its long cable and permitted the cable to drag, 
 which steadied the raft. The waves rose to great heiglit, and Campbell, seeing 
 t .at he was in imminent danger, lashed himself to a slake in a traverse; bht the waves 
 dished over him, and I.e was drowned, as well as the entire crew of forty men, the 
 r ift being broken in i)ieces. 
 
 Mr. King thinks tliis fatality was a punishment meted out to Camijbell's men for 
 tiicir wickedness. He sayr that where they anchored the night previous, some of 
 I lem stole a fine pig from the premises oT a pious, wealthy gentlema 1 — (we're not 
 sure, but think he was a priest) — killed anc dressed it. In the morning they visited 
 lie gentleman, told him that one of their mtn died the previous night, and asked 
 lini to come to the raft and offer a prayer lor ilie deceased. He complied with the 
 I v(]uest, and then asked to see the corpse; the request was declined, on the ground 
 tiiat the flies were too numerous. The gentleman departed without learning how he 
 h.ul been imposed upon, and " You see," said Mr. King, " that every one of tlie men 
 WHO played that trick was drowned." 
 
 In the fall of 1787, Solomon Cole moved his fiimily and household goods with 
 cirts and two yoke of oxen, from Londonderry, Vermont, to Montreal, and the 
 tuUovving January came to St. Andrews, Que. About 3 years later, he settled on 
 Lot II, ist Concession, in East Hawkesbury ; and after a residence there of about 
 15 years, he moved to Chatham, and erected a house on the site of the present 
 Presbyterian manse. Here he lived twenty years, and then moved to IJuckingham, 
 ( Mie., where he died. He had a family of seven sons and three daughters. Solo- 
 mon, the second son, born .1 1787, engaged in farming near Cushing, in connection 
 with which he also served t'ne jommunity for forty years as blacksmith. He was one 
 ot' the brave defenders of his country during the war of 1812, was at the battle of 
 (iiateauguay, after which, for sometime, he was stationed at York (Toronto); he 
 was also a member of the St. Andrews's Troop in the troubles of 1837. He was 
 married to Isabella Heallie, of Chatham ; they had five sons and four daughters. 
 Mr. Cole died at Buckingham, i6th April, 1876, al the age of 87, while on a visit to 
 his brother Orris. For some time previous to his death, !ie and Mrs. Cole had lived 
 Willi their son, Willard. Mrs. Cole died August, 1876. Of the four children now 
 living, Thomas is in Dakota, Mark in Iowa, Jane, the wife of D. Long, in Lansing, 
 Mich. 
 
 Willard, the y^ungest, born in 1837, is one of the successful farmers of East 
 Hawkesbury, and is located on parts of Lots 11 and 12, ist Concession — a portion 
 ol which was formerly owned by his giandfather? He was married in 1861, to Jane, 
 daughter of the late James Bothwell, of Chatham. They have four sons and three 
 (laughters, of whom Tames, Fred and Emma, the wife of James Gorric, are living at 
 Lake Dolphin, in Manitoba. Elizabeth, the wife of Geo. Crowther, lives in Mont- 
 real ; the three youngest are at home. 
 
 Solomon, tiie eldest son, in 1881 entered the employ of Noxon Bros. Mfg. Co. 
 lo! Ingersoil, as commercial traveller ; and was thus engaged travelling over Quebec 
 and apart of Ontario for 13 years. In 1893, he engaged in business m Point For- 
 tune, where he still remains. He was married, ni 1892, to a daughter of John 
 Williamson of Point Fortune. Mr. Cole is Secretary -Treasurer of the Municipality, 
 also of the Methodist Church here, of which both he and Mrs. Cole are active 
 I members. 
 
 Many years back in the history of Point Fortune, came Amable St. Denis, 
 luho was destined through his own enterprise, and that of his descendants, to act an 
 Imiportar ' part in the history of the place. He built, or opened, a public house 
 [wiure N. Ladouceur is now conducting an 'lotel, and opened one also at Carillon, 
 
t 
 
 II' 
 
 see 
 
 HISTORV OK rRESCOTT, 
 
 in the Iiuilding wliich is now occupied by Mrs. I'alliser. Il was one of his soii^, 
 Ai.EXANiiKR St. Denis, who became a prominent and most successful businL^s 
 man. He married Miss 'I'aylor, a sister ot the Rev. Lachlan Taylor, I). I)., ai.d 
 opened a store wliere Mr. William Blown now trades, which he conducted lor jnany 
 years with remarkable success. His tine briclc residence is conspicuous among tlie 
 buildings of the village, and he held valuable interests in real estate. He died in 1891. 
 His children were f)ur sons raid three daughters, who were carefully educated; but 
 the sons, with the exception of Krnest, all died young. Mrs. St. Denis and lur 
 daughters, two of whom are married, still survive. K-nest St. Denis succeeded his 
 father in the business, and was a popular merchant and Postmaster here several 
 years. He sold out to Mr. Urown in 1894, and has recently engaged in business 
 in Vankleek Hill. 
 
 William J?rown i\: Sons, doubtless, iiave engaged as extensively in the 'Mer- 
 cantile business as any who have followed this line in this section cjf country. Mi. 
 Brown came from Ayrshire, Scotlaiui, with his father's family to Montreal in 1848; 
 his father died there in 18C7, ^ind his mother siill resides in that city. 
 
 William Brown was married 8th May, 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of tlie late 
 Andrew (Jalt, manufacturer of Montreal, and becan business in the city as boot • 
 seller and stationer. In 1865, he came to Point Fortune, and entered into partner- 
 ship wiih 'J'homas (now the Rev. Thomas) Everett, of Montreal. In 1869 Mr. 
 Brown purclused the entire business, and has continued in it ever since. In 1894 
 he bought the stock of goods owned by Mr. E. A. St. Deuis, and th<; ra of January 
 of that year formed a co-partnership with his two sons, Gait E. and John C, sime 
 which the firm has been known as Brown & Sons. They carry a very large stock— 
 keej) everything except spirituous liquors — and accept in payment for goods, every 
 kind of barter. Th^ir business during the year i8(;5, in farmer's produce and otiit 
 lines, exceeded S^ ^o. 
 
 Mr. Brown >! even years in the parish of Rigaud, where he was for some time 
 
 a niembs;r ol the ^..nuol Board. In 1872 he was a|)pointed a Justice of the Peace 
 for tne District of Montreal, and in 1893 for Prescott and Russell, the proximity of 
 Point Fortune to the latter district rendering his appointment a matter of much 
 public convenience ; his services as magistrate are often called in requisition. He 
 has five sons and one daughter ; his youngest son, Colin Campbell, when 9 years of 
 age, was accidentally drowned, by falling out of a boat, in 1879. Of the sons now 
 living, William, married to a daughter of Mr. G. W. Crosby of this place, lives in 
 Sweelsbuig, Que., and is a Commercial Traveller for Lonsdale, Reid & Co. 01 
 Montreal ; Walter A. is one of the firm of Gardner & Brown, general merchants, 
 Arnprior, Ont.; Gait E. was married to Mabel Johnson in September, 1890; John 
 C. is married to Rhoda, daughter of William Story of Plantagenet Mills ; Agnes 
 Mary, the youngest child of Mr. Brown, is with her parents. 
 
 Another merchant of Point Fortune is Alfrkd Goulet. His father, Geoffrey 
 Goulet, was born at St. Andrews, Que.; he lived in Ottawa a few years, and then 
 settled in Wendover, where he has lived a quarter of a century ; Alfred, the son, who 
 was born at Wendover, graduated from the Ottawa Commercial College in 1891, 
 and, after serving as clerk in the mercantile business at St. Isidore de Prescott, and 
 at Pointe Fortune for a few years, in i'^95 he opened a store at the latter place, 
 He keeps a general assortment of merchandise, and thus far has received encourage- 
 ment in his venture. 
 
 Richard Hemslev is proprietor of the old homestead of the late John Cameron. 
 He was born in Lincoln, England, came to Montreal in 1876, and for some time was 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 5°' 
 
 of his sons, 
 sfiil busincv-i 
 r, l).l)., ai.l 
 clcd for snaiiy 
 nis among ilic 
 ; (lied in i8(;i. 
 jdiicated; bm 
 )enis and lar 
 succeeded !us 
 
 lierc sever.il 
 ;d in business 
 
 :\y in the fier- 
 ce un try. Mr. 
 nireal in 184H; 
 
 Iter of the laic 
 city as book- 
 id into partiur- 
 In 1869 Mr. 
 lince. In iS()4 
 I St of January 
 J John C., siiii c 
 y large stock- 
 or goods, every 
 duce and otln 
 
 s for some time 
 Ice of the Peace 
 he proximity of 
 atter of much 
 |e(iuisition. He 
 |vhen 9 years of 
 f the sons now 
 place, lives 111 
 Reid & Co. of 
 eral merchantr, 
 er, 1890; Jolm 
 t Mills ; Agnes 
 
 Ifather, Geoffrey 
 (years, and then 
 )d, the son, who 
 
 'ollege in 1891, 
 
 le Prescott, andj 
 
 jie latter place. 
 
 tived encourage- 
 
 John Cameron, 
 some time was 
 
 successfully engaged in market gardening. He was married in 1878 to Miss I.eagie, 
 of Beauharnois, and in the fall of 1882 he moved to Point Fortune, and purchased 
 the estate above mentioned, comprising uo acres. He has erected new buildings, 
 wliich are beuitifully located amid stately maples, forming part of a sugar orchard of 
 700 trees ; all standing i)lainly in view, on a gentle sloi)e toward the river, present a 
 picture of rural beauty highly impressive. Mr. Hemsley has been a member of the 
 School iJoard, and Municipal Council, several years, five of which he was Mayor ; 
 hi' is also a Justice of the Peace. 
 
 James Johnson, of the County of Antrim, Ireland, came to Canada when Sir 
 (oiin Johnson was interested in colonizing the seigniory of Argenteuil. In former 
 yuars, Sir John had known him in his native land, and on his arrival in Canada, the 
 Seignior offered him his t'lioice of any imoccupied land in Argenteuil. His selection 
 was the lot where the Rouge debouches into the North River at St. Andrews, and 
 he lived there till his death about 1863. He had six children, — four sons and two 
 rhuighters, but only the sons survived him. John, the eldest son, who served in the 
 Rebellion of 1837, followed the trade of wheelwright, and his ingenuity and skill 
 created frerjuent demand for his services ; he died in Rockland in 1876. He was 
 twice married, first to Ellen Gibson ; they had one son and four daughters ; one of 
 the latter deceased. His second marriage was to a Miss Haney of Montreal — 
 issue, six sons and one daughter. I'iie sons ire in the States, and the daughter is 
 married to Gait Brown of Point Fortune. 
 
 James Johnson, the only son of the late John Johnson by his first marriage, is 
 successfully engaged in the lumber business at Sault Sle. Marie. Matilda, the eldest 
 daughter of the late John Johnson, was married 25th May, 1854, to John Wil- 
 ],IA.M.S0N, who came to this country froii) the County of Monaghan, Ireland, in 1848. 
 They live at Point Fortune on a fine farm of 210 acres, sustaining a dairy of 30 
 cows, and equipped with all the improved machinery requisite for successful farming. 
 Mr. Williamson is one of the respected and influential men of the place ; he has 
 served m'''vy vears on the School Board, and in the Municipal Council, and is one 
 of the Councillors at present. The chilclren of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson now living 
 1 are three sons, — William, Arthur and John B., and two daughters, — Mrs. Cole of Point 
 1 Fortune, and Mrs. McClintock, living in California. The youngest son, John Bertie, 
 is at home ; the second son, Arthur, is taking a Theological course at the Wesleyan 
 University, Montreal, and the eldest son, 
 
 Capt. William Williamson, is proprietor of the fine old dwelling of the late 
 hidge Macdonnell, of Point Fortune. He was married 19th September, 1881, to 
 Mary Ellen, daughter of the late Dr. i>erett of East Hawkesbury, who spent a 
 ir.iig life in the practice of his profession in Prescott County, and reared a large 
 iamily. 
 
 Mr. Williamson embarked in mercantile life at Point Fortune in 1881, in which 
 Ik continued till 1892, when he sold out and engaged in the lumber business, which 
 he still follows. During the time he was in trade at this place, he was also manager 
 jfour years of the St. Lawrence Lumber Mills at Repenligny, employing, meanwhile, 
 i\V. B. McArthur, an able and experienced accountant, as manager of his store. In 
 11X91, he was appointed Commissioner for taking affidavits, and in 1892, a Justice of 
 [the Peace for Prescott and Russell. 
 
 Mr. Williamson is a gentleman of much energy, an active and efficient officer, 
 land he and Mrs. Williamson are active members of the Methodist Church. 
 
 He has repaired and improved the old stone mansion, which was once the 
 I resort of the magnates of the North- West, and it still remains a fitting memento of 
 Ithe adventurous spirits and stirring events of early days in the Valley of the Ottawa. 
 
 m 
 
309 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 The branch of the C.P.R., designed to connect Montreal with Ottawa was 
 completed as far ac Pt. Fortune in October, 1892. The railway station is about half 
 a mile from the vil'age, and it is soon to be connected with it by a sidewii'k — a work 
 of much utility. Mr. John Middlelon, the Mayor, has recently solicited subscriptions 
 from the citizens hereabout, with good success, to defray the expenses of its constru( - 
 tion. A passenger train arrives and departs daily, and during the summer month., 
 there are two trans on Saturdays. 
 
 J. Stephen Lalonpe is the courteous and accommodating Station Agent here. 
 He was born 20th January, 1869, at Coteau Station, Soulanges County, Que. In 1884 
 he entered Coteau Station on the Canada Atlantic, as Asst. Station Agent, and a 
 year later went to ("asselman as operato'-, and from that place to Beaver Brook as 
 agent. In 1889, he engaged to the C.P.R. Co., and was operator successively at 
 Winchester, Green Valley and Vaudreuil , being appointed Station Agent at the 
 latter place in January, 1891. On the completion of the road to Point Fortune, he was 
 appointed Agent here, and has discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his 
 employers and the public. He was married in January, 1896, to Miss Poulin, daugii- 
 ter of Mr Frederick Poulin of Carillon. 
 
 The "John" is so well known that it seems almost superduous to say that it is 
 the feiry boat plying between Carillon and Point Fortune. Though unique in style 
 and antiquated in appearance, the " John " does loyal service, and is always hailed 
 with pleasure as soon as the ice leaves the river. 
 
 The first ferry betv-;een these places was established by Mr. Schagel, proprietur 
 of the ho'il mentioned in t.^e history of Carillon. Some years later a boat pro- 
 pelled by horse power was placed on the river by A. E. Monmarquet. 
 
 Mr. John Kelly was proprietor of this for 15 years, and sold it to a man named 
 Poitras. The latter became proprietor of a steam ferry boat, which for a few years 
 had been unsuccessfully running opposition to his horse-boat. 
 
 In 1884, John Larocque purciiased the boat, which, renovated and repaired, is 
 the steamer " John." 
 
 William Gray, who is a native of Hudson, is a familiar and popular figure :ii 
 this section : he has been engineer on the '' John " nine seasons, and has served .i-- 
 engineer on the Ottawa boats thirty-eight years. 
 
 Longueuil. 
 
 This township is in the northern part of Prescott County, and is bounded on tiie 
 north by the Ottawa, east by West Hawkesbury, south by Caledonia, and west hy 
 Alfred, It was granted as a seigniory during the old French regime to the Baron de 
 Longueuil, and is the only seigniory ever granted in Upper Canada, It was purchasod 
 by N. H. Treadwell for one thousand guineas at 23'^' Halifax currency, the receipt 
 being dated. May, i 796, and signed by Marie Lukin. In 1827, as shown below, a 
 patent was granted to C. P. Treadwell, " having done homage with uncovered head 
 on one knee, without spur or sword, having sworn fealty to His Majesty." 
 
 The following sketch of the Treadwell family has been prepared at out 
 request : 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 503 
 
 [\ Ottawa was 
 111 is about half 
 ewalk— a work 
 d subscviptions 
 of its constrvH - 
 ummer month.. 
 
 ion Agent here. 
 >',Que. In 1884 
 n Agent, and a 
 kaver Brook as 
 
 successively at 
 Agent at the 
 
 Fortune, he was 
 itisfaction of his 
 s Poulin, daugli- 
 
 1 to say that it is 
 h unique in style 
 . is always hailed 
 
 hagel, proprietor 
 Iter a boat pro- 
 
 t. 
 
 to a man named 
 for a few years 
 
 and repaired, is 
 
 popular figure :ii 
 nd has served .is 
 
 Is bounded on V:'i 
 Jnia, and west by 
 |e to the Baron de 
 
 I It was purchased 
 ■oncy, the receip; 
 
 shown below, .; 
 
 uncovered head 
 
 Ijesty." 
 Iprepared at uui 
 
 Treadvvell. 
 
 Crest. — Lion rampant, (piadrant. 
 
 John Treadwell, the earliest paternal ancestor of Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell, 
 was of P^nglish descent, and was living at Ipswich, Connecticut, in 1638; at Hunt- 
 ington Long Island, in 1660 ; and at Hempstead, L.I., in 1666 and onward ; in 1669, 
 was in public office, in t! time of William and Mary ; in 1694 was lepresentative 
 from Queen's county. 
 
 Thomas Treadwell, father of Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell. ' 
 " 'I he economic resistance of strong men to taxation," won us our independence, 
 ■'as truly as the charters cf mediaeval cities were obtained by ])urchase." The 
 period from 1776 to 1820 has been defined as tiie "formative epoch when the 
 United Stales were slowly, and in the face of physicial and moral obstacles, establish- 
 ing iheir independence and equality among nations The public record of Ihomas 
 Treadwell deals with the earliesi history of our prosperous Republic, with the forma- 
 tion of rules for the future regulation of national action. The framers of the Consti- 
 tution built strongly and well. To be in some measure connected with that future, 
 to take part, even so humbly, in laying the " corner-stone of this grand Republic," 
 was worth all the privations and sacrifices the forefathers suffered. 
 
 Thomas Treidwell was born in 1743, at Smithtown, Long Island; he married, 
 first, Anne Hazard, whose father, Nathaniel Hazard, was one of the few importing 
 merchants, of those times, in New York city. She was the mother of thirteen 
 children. He married, second, Mrs. Mary Hedges, wiio was sister to Judge Alfred 
 Conkling, and she was the aunt of Roscoe ('onkling (d'stinguished, as his father tiiC 
 fudge was before him, in the history of the Bar and politics in the ITnited States). 
 Thomas Treadwell entered upon public service ear'y ; he was a college br^^d man, a 
 graduate of Princeton, a man of broad intelligence, benevolence, astute judgment, 
 and marked ability in the conduct of affairs, and was possessed of great force of will, 
 He studied law undei Chancellor Livingstone, who was a man of exceptional 
 public spirit, irrespective of his politics and devotion to the cause of American 
 Independence. Thoma:: Treadwell studied medicine in Paris, and was sometimes 
 tailed " Doctor," as well as " Judge.'' 
 
 The record of a life devoted to the public service associates Thomas Treadwell's 
 name enduringly with grand, arduous and historic events. He was a true friend of 
 freedom, and faithful to the cause. He lived in an age of extraordinary activities and 
 forces. Of his contemporaries, " a constellation of deathless names '" a[)pears. 
 Thompson, in his history of Long Island, says : — " Thomas Treadwell \vas one of the 
 most useful men of his day, and was almost constantly engaged in public business ; 
 was distinguished for firmness and prudence, was a member of the Provincial Con- 
 vention in 1775, and was elected afterwards to the Provincial Congress from Long 
 Island (with power to establish a new form of government). He was a member of 
 the first Senate of this State, under the Constitution, and seems in all respects to 
 have been fitted for the perilous times in which he lived." 
 
 Governor Seward, in his Introduction to the Natural History of the Stale of 
 New York, says : "Thomas Treadwell was one of three, constituting the Committee 
 of Safely, while the Constitution of this Slate was being formed, in 1777, and was 
 for many years the only surviving member of that body." 
 
 Thomas Treadwell's Public Record. He was a Representative in the Continental 
 Congress in Philadelphia in 1772-76; in 1775 was elected to the '' Provincial Con- 
 gress," silling in the city of New York. In 1776, he was with others- elected to 
 npresent Suffolk Co., L.I. This Provincial Congress met at the Court House in 
 
I 
 
 504 
 
 HISTORY OF PXESCOTT. 
 
 Weslcliester county, b'lt sat in Fishkill, November Stli, In 1778, he was delegated 
 to the Convention at Pouglikeepsie, to deliberate on the adoption of the Constitution 
 of tlie United States. He was also appointed during the same year Judge of Probate 
 in the city of New York, which oftice he held until Surrogates were appointed for 
 each county. In 1791, he was elected to represent Suffolk, King's and Queen's 
 counties in the Continental Congress then sitting in Philadelphia (to fill a vacancy 
 caused by the death of Dr. Townsend). In 1793, he was again elected to represent 
 these counties, which he continued to do until he removed to Plattsburgh, New 
 York. In 1804 he was elected .Senator for the Northern District, and in 1807 he was 
 appointed Surrogate for Clinton county, which office he filled until his death, which 
 took ])lace at Plattsburgli, December 25th, 1831. 
 
 (See Sprague's Annals, and Histories of Long Island by Thompson, Prime, 
 Onderdonk, etc.) 
 
 We find the published list of names of twenty gentlemen who served for teu 
 years and upwards in the Assembly under the first two Constitutions. The name of 
 Tiiomas Treadwell heads the list — for fifteen years representing Suffolk and Queen's ; 
 the next in order, Abijah Gilbert, fourteen years representing Westchester ; and so 
 down the list. 
 
 Six miles from Plattsburgh was the homestead of Judge Treadwell. The mansion 
 stood a little back from the shore of Lake Champlain, on Bay St. Amant, which 
 is now Cumberland Bay, and this is formed by the embracing arm of Cumberland 
 Head — 1 very attractive point for lovers of pictures(}ue scenery. In old times the 
 lake was '■' fringed with trembling poplars. Balm of Gilead, and white birches," and 
 the hospitality of the " Bay " home was famous the country round. Judge Treadwell 
 took forty slaves with him to this home. Gradually they were manumitted, their old 
 master providing them with homes and farms, and they formed the colony not far 
 awav, which is still known as "Richland." 
 
 Judge Treadwcll's daughter, Hannah Phcenix, married Henry Davis, President of 
 Middlebury College, and for sixteen years President of Hamilton College, at CHnton, 
 N.'\'. His daughter Ann was the first wife of the Hon. Isaac Piatt, of Plattsburgh, 
 N.Y. His sons, Nathaniel Hazard and Thomas, with two married daughters, Polly 
 and Betsey, inherited talents of a high order ; Judge Treadwell of Connecticut was 
 his cousin ; Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell, son of Hon. Thomas Treadwell, civil en- 
 gineer, land surveyor, pioneer, cultured gentleman, and Henry Davis, who married 
 his sister, Hannah Phoenix Treadwell, received their academical training under Dr. 
 Buell of Revolutionary memory, at Clinton Academy, at East Hampton, Long Island. 
 This was the first institution of the kind chartered by the Regents of the State of 
 New York, in 1787. 
 
 N. IL Treadwell was six feet two or three inches in height, of powerful build, a 
 man of broad views, of enthusiasm, outspeaking, with exuberant physical vigor and 
 buoyant spirits. He was a land surveyor ; he surveyed large tracts in Northern New 
 Yoik, for Peter Smith, the father of Gerrit Smith, the philanthropist. He married 
 Margaret, daughter of Judge Charles Piatt of Plattsburgh, N.Y., wljo with two 
 ' brothers founded the ])lace, and gave it its name. Judge Piatt was the first Judge of 
 Clinton Co., N.Y., and held the first court in 1785. He married Caroline Adriance 
 at Hopewell (Fishkill) 1772. She was born in Holland, and was a very handsome 
 woman, even when old. She used to read her Dutch Bible. 
 
 In 1794, N. H. Treadwell removed to Canada, and the Seigniory of L'Orignal, 
 wiiicli was his by purchase, was opened by him to emigrants. The Seigniory of 
 L'Orignal stretched nine miles along the Ottawa River, and ran six miles back, 
 making fifty-four square miles of territory. The Montreal lV/f//ess, ]u\\q 6\.h, iS^g, 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 505 
 
 was delegated 
 e Constitution 
 dge of Probate 
 
 appointed for 
 5 and Queen's 
 
 fill a vacancy 
 id to represent 
 Utsburgh, New 
 in 1807 he was 
 IS death, which 
 
 inpson, Prime, 
 
 served for ten 
 
 The name of 
 
 k and Queen's ; 
 
 hester ; and so 
 
 The mansion 
 :. Amant, which 
 
 of Cumberland 
 n old times the 
 ;e birches," and 
 udge Treadwell 
 litted, their old 
 
 colony not far 
 
 MS, President of 
 
 lege, at Clinton, 
 
 of Pittsburgh, 
 
 aughters, Polly 
 
 onnecticut was 
 
 adwell, civil en- 
 
 who married 
 
 ing under Dr. 
 
 1, Long Island. 
 
 of the State of 
 
 )werful build, a 
 ^sical vigor and 
 
 Northern New 
 It. He married 
 
 who with two 
 le first Judge of 
 loline Adriance 
 [very handsome 
 
 of L'Orignal, 
 ; Seigniory of 
 isix miles back, 
 Ijune 6ih, 18S9, 
 
 says : " The original settlers of Prescott and Russell were Americans from New 
 York, New Hampshire and Vermont, who came here after the Revolutionary War. 
 They ascended the Ottawa, and noting the wealth of the district in timber, and its 
 good soil and water power, settled on the high lands. The seigniory of L'Orignal 
 was conveyed during the French regime to one of the trading companies connected 
 with New France, and towards the close of the last century fell into the possession of 
 Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell, an American from Plattsburgh, N.Y., who encouraged 
 his fellow-countrymen to take up farms at L'Orignal as well as in the township of 
 Longueuil. When the French wave set in forty years ago, the low swamp lands, 
 which Treadwell colonists and their descendants had rejected, were rapidly occupied 
 by French Canadians, whose thrifty habits enabled them to live where the other race 
 would have starved. The English settlers still hold the highlands, but are now 
 iiemmed in by the habitants^ 
 
 When the war of 181 2 broke out, owing to Mr. Treadwell's American proclivi- 
 ties, he became a suspected person, and dechning to take the oath of allegiance, his 
 properly was confiscated, and he undertook to remove to t'ne United States ; on the 
 way out, he was imprisoned at St. Johns, Lower Canada. After a time he was offered 
 his freedom, which he declined unless an escort was provided to see him safely 
 across the lir.e, and this was at last granted, and he returned to Plattsburgh. 
 
 About four miles from Plattsburgh, he erected mills at a point on the Saranac 
 River known variously as " Treadwell's Bridge," " Treadwell's Falls," and " Treadwell's 
 Mills." The spot is singularly beautiful, and the place which grew up there was 
 named by his sister " Utopia.'' In fact, " Treadwell's Mills " was for many years one 
 of the most important business centres. The great freshet of 1830, which swept 
 away the fortunes of so many business men on the Saranac, brought ruin to these 
 mills. The saw-nill, the dam, the Hume, and many other improvements, logs, piles of 
 lumber, and the very earth on which they stood were carried away, and all that 
 remained of the " city lots " was a broad expanse of Pottsdam sandstone. 
 
 About 1840, N, H. Treadwell returned with his wife to L'Orignal, Upper Canada, 
 where he died in 1856. The Montreal G^rts<?/A', after his death, said : ''Practically 
 and theoretically an advocate of progress, he united the culture of a gentleman with 
 the endurance of a back-woodsman. Far in advance of his time, he presented a living 
 type of a coming age. In the earlier part of his life, he expended considerable sums 
 in advancing 1.0 material interests of the country; his liberality was only circum- 
 scribed by his pecuniary ability. The poor man never left his home unrelieved." 
 His children were Caroline Adriauce, of L'Orignal ; Ann Maria (Mrs. L. H. Redfield, 
 of Syracuse, N.Y ) ; Hon, Charles P. Treadwell, of L'Orignal ; Margaret (Mrs. Duncan 
 Dewar) ; and Mrs. Ltetitia Piatt (Mrs. CI' les Wales), of St. Andrews, P.Q., Canada ; 
 and Harry Onderdonk, of Hawkesbury. 
 
 Charles Platt Treadwell, son of Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell, in 1823 
 returned to Canada and succeeded in recovering the property of his father, which was 
 confiscated in the war of 1812-1814, the Government also giving him several thousand 
 acres in Ross and Pembroke counties, ot which he had been deprived through an 
 erroneous survey. He received in 1834 the "Crown" appointment of High Sheriff, 
 which is for life. Montreal papers, at the time of his death, in 1873, wrote of him as 
 follows : — " One of the best known personally of all Canadians has just passed away; 
 in the person of Sheriff Treadwell, of the Counties of Prescott and Russell. Even 
 upon the road, every one who travelled at all was sure to make his acquaintance 
 somewhere, and his unbounded affability made him everybody's friend. Although his 
 ideas were not always of ihe most practical sort, there was not a more public-spirited 
 citizen in Canada. In later years his mind seemed to run upon little else than on 
 
5o6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 
 schemes for the development of the country. The late Sheriff belonged to an Ameri- 
 can family which emigrated a century ago from the vicinity of Plattsburgh, N. Y.,and 
 which is now scattered along the banks of the Ottawa River. He held the shrievalty 
 of the united counties without reproach for very many years. 
 
 " His e^Ter busy pen advocated, and he was the pioneer in railway projects, 
 agricultural improvements and religious reforms. Nearly thirty-six of the forty years 
 that Sheriff Treadwell held a Government office was under Queen Victoria," 
 
 It is said of him that he was the first Canadian who advocated a Pacific Railway. 
 In 1845 he began to talk of a railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific, saying that, 
 "if it was done with British money it would be a most important defense for Great 
 Britain in guarding her East Indian Colonies from the aggressions of Russia." 
 
 Sheriff Treadwell's sisters, Mrs. Ann M. T. Redfield, of Syracuse, N.Y. ; Miss 
 Caroline A. Treadwell, of L'Orignal ; and Mrs. Duncan Dewar, of St. Andrews, P.Q., 
 Canada, — allof whom are deceased — were noble women. Mrs. Lsetitia Piatt Wales, 
 of St. Andrews, P.Q., Canada, is the only surviving child of Nathaniel Hazard Tread- 
 well, and the only grandchild surviving of the Hon. Thomas Treadwell, patriot and 
 statesman of the Revolutionary and "formative" period of the Government of the 
 United States of America, 
 
 Margaret Treadwell omith, 
 
 (Great-grandchild of Hon. Thomas Treadwell. 
 755 Irving St., Syracuse, N. Y., 
 20th Jan., 1894. 
 
 Only a faint conception is given in the above sketch, of the injustice that was 
 done Mr. Treadwell by the Government which at that time held sway. Like many 
 legal documents, the deed that placed him in possession of his new purchase was 
 somewhat ambiguous, especially the description of the boundaries. The property 
 was to have a frontage of so many leagues on the Ottawa River, and extend back, .U 
 right angles therefrom, an equal number of leagues. Mr. Treadwell, deeming the 
 description plain enough, completed his survey correctly, as he supposed, but he 
 learned afterwards, as thousands more have learned, that the phraseology of his 
 patent might be so construed as to permit an endless amount of trouble and litigation. 
 
 Opposite L'Orignal there is a bend in the river; Mr. Treadwell naturally sur- 
 veyed the side lines of his land, so that they were at right angles to the river as it ran 
 past his estate. The functionaries of the Government, however, claimed that the 
 contract meant at right angles to the general course of the river, hence insisted on .1 
 new survey, which took much of his best land, and gave him, instead, land that was 
 low, marshy, and unfit for cultivation. In vain did he protest ; correspondence 
 almost endless ensued, and great expenses accrued in his vain efforts to get his wrongs 
 redressed. As a dernier ressort, he made a personal visit to Toronto, believing that if 
 he were in the presence of the governmental dignitaries, with his voluminous evidence 
 that he had not acted contrary to the spi'it of the writings conveyed to him by the 
 Baron de Longueuil, they could not fail to listen, and yield to the dictates of reason 
 and justice. J3ut he had yet to learn that " might over right " was the princij^le that 
 commanded the military oligarchy that held absolute sovereignty in Toronto. The 
 report had preceded his arrival at the seat of government that he was a Yankee — ;i 
 name at that time regarded by the Government officials as a synonym for all that was 
 detestable. Messages reflecting on his loyalty, and representing him as an unworthy 
 citizen, had also been forwarded by his secret enemies. Where, indeed, is the man of 
 ability and enterprise who does not excite the envy of some craven spirit, who will 
 chuckle at his discomfiture ? 
 
HIS'JORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 to an Ameri- 
 
 h., N. Y.,an(l 
 he shrievalty 
 
 vay projects. 
 
 le forty years 
 
 ia." 
 
 :ific Railway. 
 
 , saying that, 
 
 nse for Great 
 
 ussia." 
 
 , N.Y.; Miss 
 
 ndrews, P.Q., 
 
 1 Piatt Wales, 
 
 lazard Tread- 
 
 1, patriot and 
 
 jrnment of the 
 
 5 Treadwell. 
 
 Iistice lliat was 
 Like many 
 urchase was 
 "rhe property 
 xtend back, ai 
 deeming the 
 posed, but he 
 oology of hi'^ 
 nd litigation, 
 naturally sui- 
 river as it ran 
 limed that th'.- 
 insisted on ■'- 
 land that was 
 orrespondenco 
 get his wrongs 
 .elieving that if 
 inous evidence 
 to him by the 
 ^tates of reason 
 : principle that 
 Toronto. The 
 a Yankee — a 
 for all that was 
 ,s an unworthy 
 _, is the man of 
 pirit, who will 
 
 Mr. Treadwell remained not only days, but weeks, in Toronto. Numberless 
 were the appointments made to meet him ; he was always on the spot at the appoint- 
 ed hour, but never did he meet the parties by whose appointment he had come. 
 Excuses the most frivolous were assigned as the cause of the disai)pointment, and 
 another meeting wcuid be arranged, only again to be disregarded. 
 
 Though weary and disgusted by such conduct, he restrained his indignation, and 
 strove to extend his charitable feelings to vue last point of leniency. It is probable, 
 too, that, with his views of honor and dignity, he found it difficult to attribute the 
 treatment iie received to deliberate wantonness. But humiliating as was the conclu- 
 sion, he was compelled to acknowledge to himself that he was being deliberately 
 imposed upon, and that they had no idea of listening to a recital of his wrongs, much 
 less of redressing them. We can readily imagine, therefore, with what bitterness of 
 feeling he turned his back on Toronto and returned home. While on his way thither, 
 he met an old friend at an hotel, to whom he detailed the story of his experience, and 
 then taking a large bundle of papers which related to the matter which had called him 
 to the Capital, he threw them into the fire, and vowed that he would no longer live 
 under a Government so despotic. Time, however, the great pacificator, healed in a 
 great measure his wounded spirit, and he spent his last days in the place where he 
 had seen so much trouble, and lived, too, to see his son a respected and influential 
 subject of the Canadian Government. 
 
 Of his other children, who were all very intelligent, and possessed marked 
 individuality of character, Ann Maria (Mrs. L. H. Redfield) was a woman of remark- 
 able ability, and distinguished for her knowledge of natural science. Her text-book, 
 "Zoological Science, or Nature in Living P'orms," is in general use in educational 
 institutions. 
 
 The children of the lace Charles Piatt Treadwell and Helen Macdonnell, his wife, 
 are : 
 
 (i) Mary Susan— married 2Sth October, 1885, ^° Matthew Williams Taylor, 
 assistant librarian of McGill College, Montreal. Mr. Taylor is now deceased, and 
 Mrs. Taylor's present residence is Montreal. 
 
 (2) Margaret Ann — married Thomas AfcMillan Kains, of St. Thomas, Ontario, 
 son of Captain Kains, of Grenville, 3rd October, 18G5. Issue, two children : Mary 
 McMillan and Charles Frederick. Mr. Kains deceased; Mrs. Kains' present 
 residence, Montreal. 
 
 (3) Helen Isabella — married Eden Philo Johnson, of L'Orignal, in 1877. Issue 
 living, Chauncey, Helen and Edith. Mrs. Johnson, deceased. 
 
 (4) Grace Low — married Rev. James Eraser, 23rd September, 1874. Issue, two 
 children : James Macdonnell and Grace liadcnoch. Present residence. Gushing, 
 P.Q. 
 
 Among the pioneers whose descendants were destined to play a prominent part 
 in the social, mor"! and i^olitical history of Prescott, was a man named Eden 
 Johnson. In his youth he lived in New Hampshire, and, like many other young men 
 of that section, he espoused the cause of his country in the Revolutionary struggle, and 
 was one of those who followed to Quebec the ill-starred Richard Montgomery. After 
 the clos i of that disastrous affair, Johnson became acquainted with and married a Miss 
 Abbott, the daughter of a captain in the British service. He lived for a time in New 
 Hampshire, and then moved to Canada and settled in Hawkesbury, but not many 
 years subsequently he broke through the ice on the Ottawa while chasing a deer, and 
 was drowned. 
 
 He left four children : three sons — William, Chauncey, Eden Abbot, and one 
 daughter. Eden Abbot, the youngest son, being the first white child born in Hawkes- 
 bury, received as a reward for this honor a free grant of land from Government. 
 
So8 
 
 HISTORY OF PRF.SCOTr. 
 
 The eldest son, William Johnson, engaged in farming in Hawkesbury, but died at 
 middle age. The following pen picture of two brothers of this family was discovered 
 by the writer in an old magazine entitled " Earnest Christianity," which was published 
 in 1875 :— 
 
 " During Keeder's ministry an influential family of brothers, large men, lived in West Hawkesbury 
 and Longueuil. Chauncey, the eldest, was not converted till a good many years later ; but William, 
 the next in seniority, and his younger brother, Abbott, our present subject, were the fruit of Reeder's 
 ministry. These two brothers were quite dissimilar. Abbott was larger than the average man, but 
 William was almost gigantic. Abbott was constitutionally calm and moderate ; William was vehe- 
 ment, ardent, and demonstrative. William's gifts and zeal were such as to qualify him for the class- 
 leader's, exhorter's, and local preacher's offices, early in his religious life ; but Abbott more slowly 
 grew up into those things. Ihe elder brother grew the faster, but the younger, perhaps in the end, 
 was the more matured Christian and preacher. 
 
 " In 1832 I was appointed as the colleague of the quaint but saintly John Black to the Ottawa 
 Circuit. He drove his family around by the Coteau du Lac and the Cote St. Charles in his wagon, 
 and I rode across the country from Moulinette to Vankleek Hill, on horseback. My first night's 
 rest on the circuit was at Captain McCann's, a member of William Johnson's class at the Red School- 
 house in West Hawkesbury. I ' laid over ' the next day to rest my horse, and visited from house to 
 house, escorted by the Captain, whose conversation on the way was very spiritual. Among other 
 things he informed me that he and his leader, W. J., had covenanted 10 meet each other in spirit three 
 times a day, to pray for what they called the ' second blessing,' by which they meant the blessing of 
 a new heart. Among the many houses to which the Captain took me was that of the leader, William 
 Johnson, where, if I mistake not, I al.-o met his brother Abbott, who, at that time, was not an ofTice- 
 bearer in the church, at all. William was then beginning to fail in health, consumption having evidently 
 marked him for its own. His skin was pale ; and his once ringing, mighty voice was hoarse and 
 husky, and the flow of his words was checked from his panting for breath. His soul seemed bound 
 up in his class and the religious interests of his neighborhood, and his 
 
 '' Longing heart was all on fire. 
 To be dissolved in love. 
 
 " The writer of the article, referring to Rev. G. T. Playter, says: 
 
 " That calm, judicially-minded man always spoke of the jiious coterie of lirother Abbott Johnson 
 Sisters Clarke, Hunter and McAlpine, with admiration bordering on enthusiasm. I may just say 
 that, so far as my recollection goes (and I often met with Brother A. Johnson at District and Camp 
 meetings, for he became Recording Steward of his circuit, as well as Local I'reacher), the first impulse 
 of that work of holiness arose from the jjcrusal of the life of Hester Ann Rogers, a piece of religious 
 biography which has never been excelled. 
 
 " A word of contrast between William and Abbott as preachers, and I will open the way for 
 Brother Hurlburt's lettei'. William was the more gifted naturally — Abbott was the better educated ; 
 the former had a loud, clear, ringing voice — the latter a soft but impressive one ; William's words 
 flowed the faster — Abbott's were the more pondered and weighty; William '.vou Id awake the more 
 sinners, but Abbott would, in the end, promote the wider revival, by getting the church in a state 
 to worli for God when I e was absent. 
 
 " Now to the Rev. Mr. Hurlburt's letter ; he says of our subject : Eden Abbott Johnson was the 
 first white child born on that part of the Ottawa ; the date I cannot tell. According to a statement of 
 his own, the early pi.i I of his religious life was not distinguished for anything remarkable in the way 
 of religious zeal and depth of personal piety. 
 
 "His brother William, who died before I went to the old Ottawa Circuit, was a local preacher 
 and class leader in his own neighborhood, and at the time of his death the charge of the class devolved 
 upon Abbott. But his brother told him, that though his desires were good, and though he was 
 willing to be useful, yet he was not qualified for the duties of such an office, and impressed upon him 
 the necessity and duly of a fuller consecration to God, and of seeking and enjoying a greater depth 
 of personal piety. This was the means of awakening him to a sense of his duty and his need, and 
 leading him to seek a greater fulness of personal salvation. The above is the substance of the account 
 which I had from him. It was (I think) in 1835 that I became acquainted with him. In 'a little 
 wagon ' (as we called them in those days), with wife and three children, I had performed a loni; 
 and hard journey from Mr. Link's, a few miles beyond Cornwall, to Brother Johnson's, three or four 
 miles the other side of ' Vankleek Hill.' It was late at night ^hen I reached his house. The family 
 was in bed— horse completely jaded out— self and wife 'tired to death '—children tired, sleepy— 
 
HISTORY Ot PRESCOTT. 
 
 509 
 
 but died at 
 ; discovered 
 IS published 
 
 St Hawkesbury 
 ; but William, 
 it of Reeder's 
 ;rage man, but 
 liam was vehe- 
 m for the class- 
 itt more slowly 
 aps in the end, 
 
 [ to the Ottawa 
 ;s in his wagon, 
 ^y first night's 
 the Red School- 
 from house to 
 Among other 
 er in spirit three 
 It the blessing of 
 leader, William 
 vas not an office- 
 having evidently 
 was hoarse and 
 111 seemed bound 
 
 Abbott Johnson 
 may just say 
 strict and Camp 
 the first impulii; 
 liece of religious 
 
 pen the way for 
 better educate<l ; 
 William's words 
 awake the more 
 hurch in a stale 
 
 Johnson was the 
 o a statement of 
 able in the way 
 
 la local preacher 
 pe class devolved 
 though he was 
 Iressed upon him 
 h a greater depth 
 ■nd his nf;ed, and 
 Ice of the account 
 im. In ' a little 
 performed a long 
 I's, three or four 
 Ise. The family 
 tired, sleepy— 
 
 indeed asleep — cross and hungry. We aroused the family. In those good old times, a Methodist 
 family would rise at any time in the night to receive, to make welcome and as comfortable as 
 possible an itinerant and family. Though so long ago, I remember the manner in which he received us ; 
 and, especially, his sympathy for the children — repeating several times — ' now, this makes me sorry.' 
 He was then a widower. In the autumn of this year (I think, in connection without Quarterly Meet- 
 ing), we commenced a four days' meeting in the upper part of William Johnion's house, — a two-story 
 l)uilding ; Metcalfe was there. There were three or four persons deeply awakened in the course of the 
 services. My recollection does not enable me to say there were any clear conv.rsions ; I think not. 
 I was rather disposed to close the services ; but Urother Johnson would not heir of that. His soul 
 yearned for the conversion of his neighbors. He travailed in deep anguish for t'le salvation of souls. 
 Before the meeting was dismissed, on Sabbath afternoon, he pressed forward and .:ddressed the con- 
 gregation in fervent exhortation, entreaty .ind expostulation, and delivered from a soul glowing with 
 incandescent heat. I never heard that address exceeded. We did not close ; the meetings were con- 
 tinued in the ' Red School House.' There were not less than fifty that professed conversion. This 
 was the visible beginning of that great revival -not less than 400 professed conversion during that 
 year. The late Stephen lirownell was my colleague. He could endure any amount of labor, and a 
 more willing helper I never had — a more agreeable brother I could not wish. As you mentioned. 
 Brother Johnson was my collea(,ue the second year. I returned at the end of the second year, about 
 70 persons professing the blessing of entire sanctification. Brother Johnson was greatly instrumental 
 in promoting that work. He made a clear and distinct profession of entire sanctification, and that, 
 as a continuous ex])erience ; and I fully believed that he enjoyed it. He understood what he said 
 on that subject. lie professed to enjoy constant communion with God, and conscious answer to 
 prayer. His power in prayer was remarkable ; he possessed strong faith in God — his fervency was 
 such as I have seldom heard. He seemed to pray with a conviction that he was not to be denied ; 
 he per.'evered, until he felt tliat God had answered. In these little gatherings which were held at 
 Brother Clark's, under his pleadings with God, for the outpouring of His spirit, the house seemed 
 filled with tire Divine presence, and those present would be powerfully affected. The same might be 
 said of the prayers of others of that company, especially of Mrs. Mc Alpine. His zeal for God and 
 love for souls consumed him. A penitent seeker of salvation seemed to draw out his whole soul in 
 its behalf, and he felt as if he could not give uj) pleading with God, till the blessing of conscious 
 jjardon was obtained . Tiie impression which his si)irit and the general tenor of his life made on the 
 community around was great, sind its influence for good was felt in general through the circuit. I 
 have no recollection at the present of having overheard any objectfonto his Christian character. The 
 manner of his life seemed to silence objections, and even suspicion ; and I would say the impression 
 was universal, that Abbott Johnson was a tnily godly and deeply pious man. The Rev. J. F. Playter 
 jmblished in the Guardian some account of his Christian character, life and death. I doubt whether 
 he was prepared to appreciate such a man as Brother Johnson was, or fully to understand him. I 
 thought that the description did not do him full justice. 
 
 " The editor of the Earnest CAn'stiauity says : 'We have searched the fyles of the Guai-dian, — 
 l}Ut can find no particulars of Mr. Johnson's last days. His nephew, the Rev. Joshua H. Johnson, I 
 think, informed me, his death occurred al out the year 1839. So soon after his entire sanctification 
 did he reach the goal. But all who knew him testified that he died as he lived — supremely devoted 
 to God and exulting in his great salvation. His memory in the Ottawa country, to this hour, is 
 fragrant with the odor of sanctity. Recalling the character of this saintly man has had a hallowing 
 intluence on the writer's heart ; and if the perusal of what he and his friend Hurlburthave written has 
 the same effect on the reader, which he sincerely prays, his end will be answered. May all fallow 
 liim as he followed Christ. 
 
 "John Carroll." 
 
 Chauncey Johnson, the brother of the two 'so graphically portrayed in the sketch 
 of Mr. Carroll, became very prominent in the social and political fabrics of the 
 County. He was one of the first Magistrates appointed for the Ottawa District, was 
 a member for Longueuil of the old District Council, and Warden several years. He 
 died in 1861 at the age of 69. He had several sons, some of whom became pro- 
 minent in business, political or professional life. One of these, Joshua H. Johnson, 
 'oecame one of the leading ministers in the Methodist Church ; Eden Johnson, 
 another of the sons, was Captain of the first steamer that plied the Ottawa between 
 Grenville and Bytown ; Thomas Hall, a third son, was an influential merchant in 
 L'Orignal, and represented Prescott County in Parliament eight years, and afterward 
 
510 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 •it- 
 
 !»■ 
 
 was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate, and then became Assistant Commissioner of 
 Crown Lands for Ontario. Alfred, anotiier of these brothers, when young went to 
 Wisconsin, and became clerk of the Legislature of that State, and was once candidate 
 for Congress, though unsuccessful. He afterward was elected to the City Clerkship 
 of Milwaukee, but died not long subsequently. 
 
 Chauncey Johnson, jun., the fourth son, in order of age of this large family, was 
 prominently identified with the history of his native County. He was a Justice of 
 the Peace, Municipal Councillor and Warden of Prescott and Russell, and held the 
 position of Postmaster of L'Orignal forty years. For some time previous to his 
 death, he was Crown Timber Agent. He was married 3rd February, 1834, to Phila 
 S. Cushman, of Georgia, Vt. She was a lineal descendant of Robert Cushman prom- 
 inent in early American history. Mr. Johnson died 17th October, 1874, aged 63 ; 
 Mrs. Johnson died 30th October, i888, aged 72. They had three sons and one 
 daughter that arrived at maturity. 
 
 Eden Abbott Johnson, grandson of one of those described above, was born in 
 West Hawkesbury ; he and a sister were the only children of his father by a second 
 marriage j their mother being the widow of George Huntington of Compton Co., 
 Quebec. In his youthful days, Mr. Johnson was employed as clerk in a mercantile 
 house, after which he studied iaw and passed his first examination. He had, however, 
 received a first class certificate from a Military School, and when the Fenian excite- 
 ment broke out in 1866, he was offered the command of one of the companies of the 
 1 8th Battalion, and left his law studies to accept it. Two companies of 65 men each 
 were organized in Prescott and Russell at this period, designed for active service. 
 They were first stationed at Cornwall, but afterward at Ottawa. 
 
 Mr. Johnson returned to L'Orignal, and for some time was engag-'id with muni- 
 cipal affairs, being clerk for several years of the Township of Longueuil, and then of 
 the village of L'Orignal. He also served as Township and County Auditor, and for 
 six years as Reeve of L'Orignal; he resigned in 1890, to accept the County Clerk- 
 ship, He is chairman of the local School Board; and for some time held the same 
 position in the High School Board, and in 1886 was Warden of the United Counties 
 of Prescott and Russell. He was married 8th November, 1868, to Miss Laura Jean 
 Workman, niece of the late William and 'I'homas Workman of Montreal. He is 
 District Deputy Grand Master of Ottawa District No. 16, G. R. C, and Royal 
 Arch Mason under the Grand Lodge of Ireland. St. John's Lodge of Vankleek Hill, 
 of which Mr. Johnson was Master, surrendered its warrant, 1 8th December, i88c), 
 being the last in the Province of Ontario to surrender its warrant and come under 
 the Grand Lodge of Canada. 
 
 Eden P. Johnson, the eldest son of Chauncey Johnson, jr., was an assistant in his 
 father's business, carried on the correspondence, and, at his father's death, succeeded 
 to different positions ht had held. Besides these, he has also been Official Assignee, 
 and was appointed Police Magistrate in 1883, andClerkof the Village Council in 1884, 
 which position he still occupies. He has been twice married — first 4th October, 1859, 
 to Sarah J., daughter of the late John W. Marston, P'.sq. ; she died 29th November, 
 1867, and he next married, 5th September, 1877, Helen Isabel, third daughter of 
 Sheriff Treadwell ; she died 23rd January, 1889. By his first marriage he had one son 
 and a daughter; by the second two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Alfred 
 S., who won distinction for scholarship in Toronto University, of which Institution he 
 is a graduate, is now editor of the Encyclopedia of Current Literature Review, pub- 
 lished in Buffalo, N.Y. He was formerly Fellow and Lecturer in Toronto University, 
 and Cornell, and for three years was President of Denmark College, Iowa. 
 
 The following is an obituary copied from The Prescott and Russell Advocatt 
 of April, 1890 : — 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 S'l 
 
 nmissionor of 
 oung went to 
 ice candidate 
 ;ity Clerkship 
 
 ;c family, was 
 5 a Justice of 
 , and held the 
 •evious to his 
 1834, to Phila 
 ishman prom- 
 874. aged 63 ; 
 sons and one 
 
 e, was born in 
 ;r by a second 
 Conipton Co., 
 in a mercantile 
 : had, however, 
 
 Fenian excite- 
 impanies of the 
 of 65 men each 
 
 active service. 
 
 ged with muni- 
 lil, and then of 
 uditor, and for 
 County Clerk- 
 held the same 
 nited Counties 
 iss Laura Jean 
 ntreal. He is 
 and Royal 
 Vankleek Hill, 
 )ecember, 1889, 
 nd come under 
 
 ,. assistant in his 
 leathj succeeded 
 .icial Assignee, 
 jouncilin 1884, 
 
 October, 1859, 
 igth November, 
 lird daughter of 
 
 he had one son 
 |dest son, Alfred 
 'h Institution he 
 \re Review, pub- 
 
 mto University, 
 llowa. 
 
 Uissell Advocatt 
 
 " It is our sad duty to announce the demise, on Friday, the 21st March ult., of 
 Lt.-Col. Murray of this place. The deceased was born in the County of Antrim, 
 Ireland, 5th May, 1792, and at the time of his death had almost completed his 98th 
 year. He emigrated to Canada in the year 18 19, arriving in Quebec on the 5lh May — 
 liis birthday — of that year. His three brothers preceded him to this country many 
 years. On his arrival in Canada the deceased took up his abode in this vicinity, 
 being one of the early pioneers of the Ottawa VcUey, where he remained up to the 
 time of his death. 
 
 *' During the troubles of 1837, Col. Murray took an active part, under the late 
 Col. Kearns, in suppressing the Rebellion ; shortly afterward was created Captain 
 in the Canadian Militia, and in due time was further promoted to the highest rank 
 in the Canadian service — a position he held upward of twenty years. In the early 
 settlement of this section, he took part in many of the works which at that time 
 were almost gigantic in magnitude, such, for instance, as the opening of public roads 
 and building of bridges. It is said, too, that the L'Orignal wharf is a specimen of 
 liis handiwork. Of a genial and hospitable disposition, no traveller or stranger 
 over missed a night's lodging or went hungry from his door, and no neigiibor in trouble 
 was without his sympathy or assistance. Through life he was a staunch Episcopa- 
 lian, and in death he was consoled by a firm belief in that hajjpiness hereafter which 
 is the consolation of all Christians. Tliough afflicted for many years, he bore his 
 sufferings with resignation, and always had a kind and pleasant remark for those 
 around iiini. A remarkable circumstance in liis old age was the sharpness of his 
 memory and the clearness of his intellect, equalling those of a man of middle .nge. He 
 leaves, to mourn his loss, two sons and four daughters ; Mr. James Murray for several 
 years was Reeve of this Municipality ; his eldesc son, T. C. Murray, formerly of Deux 
 Rivieres, who also represe.ited his Municipality in the Cosnity Council ; Eliza, the 
 wife of G. Barton, Esq., of L'Orignal; Sarah M. A. Morrison, the eldest daughter, 
 married to G. Bangs, Esq., of N. \V. T., and two unmarried who live with their bro- 
 ther James on the homestead, where their late father was cared for with the greatest 
 tenderness during his long illness. In the deceased, L'Orignal loses one of the links 
 which bound her to the past, and one of her best citizens." 
 
 The hoinestead occupied by the son, M;. James Murray, and his two sisters 
 is a beautiful farm in a high .-> ate of cuftivation, and sustaining a large stock. A good 
 lime stone quarry on it has prov'ded stone for many of the buildings of this section. 
 
 Mrs. Murray, wife of the late Col. Murray, died 3rd March, 1884. The fol- 
 lowing is an extract from her obituary published in The Navs, of March 4th, 1884: — 
 
 " Mrs. Murray was noted during a long life for benevolence to neighbors and 
 strangers. There are many old residents of this County, who are noiv approaching 
 the * sear and yellow leaf,' who will recollect in their childhood those litUe acts 
 of kindness by the deceased which made her residence the much sought resort by 
 many little ones. She was 78 years of age — a woman highly esteemed in life and 
 mourned in death by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Her funeral 
 obsequies took place on Thursday, and were attended by a very large assemblage of 
 the more respectable of the surrounding country." 
 
 Elisha Cass was one of the pioneers who came with Mr. Treadwell to 
 l^ongueuil, in 1798. He had formerly lived in New England, but being a U. E. 
 Loyalist he came to Canada, and finally settled in this seigniory (on land now owned 
 and occupied by Alexander Johnstone). He cleared up the land, and lived here till 
 his death, about 1850. He married Elizabeth Story, sister to the wife of Col. Joseph 
 Fortune. They had fourteen children, of whom eleven — four sons and seven daugh- 
 ters — grew up. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, married Donald McDonald, wno 
 
512 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 represented Prescott and Russell in Parliament three terms. 
 
 Josiah Cass, the eldest son, was married 22nd December, 1829, to Elizabeth 
 Howes ; they had eleven children — ten sons and one daughter ; but two of the sons 
 died in infancy. He settled on a part of the homestead, whic'i he cleared of its 
 forest; he died 23rd August, 1853, aged 57; Mrs. Cass died 15th August, 1894, 
 aged 79. 
 
 Charles Avery, their youngest son, remained on the homestead; he was married 
 6th July, 1875, to Mary, daughter of J. Cross, of West Hawkesbury. He has 
 added to his original farm, andi.ow possesses 200 'acres, witli good buildings, a fme 
 stock of cattle, an apple orchard comprising three or four acres, and a large sugar 
 orchard. His residence is very pleasantly located, surrounded by trees and shrub- 
 bery. Mr. Cass is one of the respected and influential citizens of this section, and, 
 besides having filled responsible municipal offices, he is Superintendent of the 
 Methodist Sabbath-School at Cassburn. He has three children — sons — living. Leslie, 
 the eldest, has taken a course of instruction at the Agricultural College at Guelph, 
 Out.; the other two sons are still at home. 
 
 Mr. Cass has a brother, Andrew, living in Brainard, Minnesota, and another 
 one, James, in Seattle, Washington Ty , and a sister, Henrietta, married to Rev. John 
 Tozeland, in Gladstone, Manitoba. 
 
 The Hon. Alexander Grant was among the very early settlers on the Ottawa- 
 He was born in 1774, in Inverness Shire, Scotland, and came 10 America in 1785- 
 with his father, John Grant, of Duldregan. His family was an old one, closely allied 
 to the Grants of Shewglie and Moy ; his mother was Catherine Grant of Corriemonie, 
 whose family charter dates back to 1509, in the reign of James IV, and his grand- 
 mother was Jane Ogilvie, daughter of Ogilvie of Kimpeenin Castle, and niece of the 
 Earl of Seafield. While still quite young Mr. Grant obtained a situation with the 
 North-West Fur Company, and for some years had charge of various trading posts 
 they had establishfd. IJelieving, however, that greater p,-ofils could be realized, he 
 left the Company in 1805, purchased a tract of land since known as L'Orignal Point, 
 and for a number of years traded wiih the Indians on his own account. 
 
 In 1808, he married Jane McDonell, eldest daughter of Capt. Allan McDonell, of 
 the King's Royal Yorkers, who came to Canada after the Revolution, and settled in 
 Matilda, County of Dundas. At the time of his arrival there were but few settlers in 
 the country, and these much scattered. L'Orignal, where there was a mill and a [ew 
 houses, was called New Longueuil, but a number of years afterwards, the name was 
 changed through the influence of Mr. Hotham, M.P., in compliment to Mr Grant. 
 Like many other men of means and education who settled in the country, he was 
 interested in its moral and social advancement ; he was anxious to witness the march 
 of improvement and civilization, and, to this end, contributed both influence and 
 money. It was chiefly through his exertions that the first churches. Catholic and 
 Presbyterian, were erected at L'Orignal. 
 
 In 1806, while on a hunting expedition with a few others, he discovered the now 
 celebrated Caledonia Springs ; some of the party, on drinking the water, became 
 greatly alarmed, fearing that it was poison. 
 
 For many years Mr. Grant commanded the ist Regiment of Prescott militia, 
 and in 1831, he was summoned to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada by Sir 
 John Colborne. He died in 1848, at the age of 75. He was a man of generous 
 impulses and kindly feeling, and many, at the time of his decease, could speak of 
 these qualities with gratitude. He had eight children — six daughters and two sons — 
 Marcella, married to Francis Hunter, late of the Receiver General's Department, 
 died in 1848; Catherine, married to John Buchanan, son of Dr. Buchanan, of the 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 5'.? 
 
 to Elizabeth 
 
 of the sons 
 cleared of its 
 August, 1894. 
 
 e was married 
 ry. He has 
 ildings, a fine 
 a large sugar 
 ;es and shrub- 
 section, and, 
 endent of the 
 living. Leslie, 
 ge at Guelph, 
 
 I, and another 
 
 1 to Rev. John 
 
 )n the Ottawa- 
 
 nerica in 1785' 
 
 ', closely allied 
 
 if Corrieuionie, 
 
 md his grand- 
 
 ikI niece of the 
 
 ti(<:i with the 
 
 trading posts; 
 
 )e realized, he 
 
 Orignal Point, 
 
 McDonell, ot' 
 and settled in 
 few settlers in 
 mill and a few 
 the name was 
 to Mr Grant, 
 untry, he w?s 
 ess the march 
 ntiuence and 
 Catholic and 
 
 ivered the now 
 water, became 
 
 escott militia, 
 Canada by Sir 
 of generous 
 uld speak of 
 nd two sons— 
 3 Department, 
 :hanan, of the 
 
 49lh Regiment, died in 1882; John, who was a Captain in the 5th battalion, 
 during the Rebellion, died in 1848 ; Harriet, siill living ; Mary, married to Dr. 
 Donnelly, of Windsor, Ont., son of Dr. Donnelly of the Royal Navy, died in iSSp ; 
 Jane died in 1855; Ellen, still living ; Allan was a barrister, an M.A. and (iold 
 Medallist of Toronto University ; he was, also, Lieut. -Col. of the i8ih Battalion of 
 Prescott militia. 
 
 L'Orignaf. 
 
 This name is derived from the French, and signifies " the moose," an animal 
 formerly abounding in large numbers in this locality. The village is located on 
 rising ground near the Ottawa, which here forms a beautiful and expansive sheet of 
 water three miles in breadth, known as L'Orignal Bay. Viewed from the opposite 
 shore, or from the deck of a steamer plying the river, L'Orignal has a queenly 
 appearance — the spires of her churches and her public buildings, standing promi- 
 nently in the range of vision, give to the place an air of city-like magnificence, 'i'his 
 idea of its size and beauty is considerably modified by a nearer approach ; but 
 illusory as a distant view may have been, one cannot deny, on visiting L'Orignal, 
 that it is a very pretty village. Like many other villages which have neither import- 
 ant manufiictories nor commercial facilities to foster growth, its development has 
 been very slow. In former years the English-speaking population was largely in the 
 majority, but at present the French element forms at least one-half the entire number. 
 
 Being the chef lieu of the county, L'Orignal has naturally been a jjlace of some 
 note and in^portance, but it was not until about 1825, that it possessed many of the 
 characteristics ot a village. At that time the dwellings numbered about a dozen ; 
 there was one store, opened by a man named Mclntyre, a tannery conducted by 
 William Wait, and a public house by John O'Brian. 
 
 Previous to the erection of the Court House and Jail the school-house had been 
 used for court sittings, and a private house — generally that of the sheriff — for the 
 incarceration of prisoners. On the ist of March, 1824, Jacob Marston, jr., gave a 
 deed of land, in trust, to George Hamilton, Alex. Grant and Donald Macdonald for 
 the erection of a Court House and Jail. Though the building at that time erected 
 .inswered all the necessities of the period, considerable additions have since been 
 made to it, so that now it is quite an imposing structure. Besides this building and 
 the four churches, the following jiublic buildings, which are all brick, add much to the 
 architectural appearance of L'Orignal : The Registry Oftice erected in 1875, the 
 commodious High School building erected in 1877, and the Masonic Temple in 
 1873. There are also three hotels in the village — large in size and respectable in 
 appearance. 
 
 The few following paragraphs relating to the administration of justice in early 
 days are copied verbatim from the old Court records — the spelling being given as 
 found therein. It will possibly surprise some of the good citizens of L'Orignal to 
 learn that the following sentence was executed within the limits of their corporation : 
 
 1" For felony 
 The King vs. Andrew Carrier 
 John Macdonnell, Esq., Chairman." 
 
 "Andrew Carrier being indicted for felony is put upon his iryal for taking and 
 carrying a quantity of flour out of the grist mill of Messrs. Hamilton and Gibson, 
 jileads not guilty. The evidence being examined, viz.: Charles Lowe and Joachim 
 
»54 
 
 HISTORY OF I'RESCOTT. 
 
 Laciiier, the jury find a l)ill against the said Andrew Carrier, being guilty of feloni- 
 ously taking and carrying away said flour. 
 
 " Ordered that the prisoner Andrew Carrier do pay all costs and expenses accrued 
 in consequence of the ])rosccution, since the committing the theft; that the said 
 Andrew Carrier shall receive thirty-nine lashes on his naked back, to be inflicted as 
 the law doth direct, at the hour of 12 o'clock in the day time of Wednesday, the 26th 
 inst., and then to be discharged." 
 
 The records show that " For Larceny " " The prisoner J. H. Joannise" was 
 sentenced 25lh September, 1828, to be imprisoned for ten days; on the last day of 
 which '* he is to .-.tand publicly exposed in the pillory, in front of the gaol, between 
 the hours of 12 and i o'clock in the afternoon." 
 
 The first day of January in those good old days evidently offered as much of 
 a temptation to carousal as it does at present. 
 
 " The King vs. Andrew Long. 
 
 " John Westover deposed on oath, that, on the first day of January, 1816, in the 
 night time, between the hours of 1 1 and 10 o'clock of the next day, Alex mder Long 
 entered tiie house of him, tiie said John Westover, contrary to his will, and did remain 
 contrary to his desire, and did hold and prevent him, the said J. Westover, from 
 turning him out ; and Artemissa Westover declares the said A. Long did as above 
 stated." The charge being given to the jury by the court, they retired ; tiie Court 
 adjourned for one hour; the jury being returned do declair tlieir verdict as follows : 
 that they consider the prisoner at the bar, viz. : Alexander Long, Gi/fy. John Mac- 
 donell, Esq., chairman, declairs the sentance as follows : 
 
 " You, Alexander Long, for an assault on the house and person of John West- 
 over, you have been tried before a jury of your country, which jury has found you 
 guilty ; there have many aggravating circumstances appeared before the Court, who 
 recommend it to you, in future, to alter your conduct towards John Westover and his 
 family. They sentance you to i)ay a fine to the King, to be applied as the law 
 directs, of fifteen pounds, to be paid to the (^ourl or person by their appointment ; 
 to find security for your good behavior, and keeping the peace within the District, to 
 all His Majesty's liege and loyal subjects, for the space of three years — yourself in 
 the penal sum of one hundred and fifty pounds each, and to remain in the custody of 
 the sheriff until the sentance be fully complied with. The said Alexander Long is 
 committed to gaol of the Eastern District until the sentance be complied with." 
 
 It is to be hoped that the fine of ;;^is, together with the payment of the costs 
 of prosecution, was sufticier.t to induce A. Long to " alter his conduct toward John 
 Westover and family " as the Justice suggested. 
 
 " At a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace holden in said District, 
 on the fourteenth day of January, 18 [7, at the school house in the township of Lon- 
 
 gueuil. 
 
 " Chairman present, Geo. Hamilton. 
 
 
 in <U 
 
 o 
 U 
 
 C Elijah Brown. 
 I John Harwick. 
 I Martin McMichael. 
 
 John Macdonald. 
 
 Alex. Grant. 
 
 Chauncey Johnson. 
 •5 ^ Philo Hall. 
 S* Joseph Kellogg. 
 7 Peter F. Leroy, 
 1^ Thomas Mears. 
 
;uilty of feloni- 
 
 leiiscs accrued 
 
 that the said 
 
 )e inflicted as 
 
 sday, the 26th 
 
 oannisc" was 
 
 the last day of 
 
 gaol, between 
 
 d as much of 
 
 y, 1816, in the 
 lex uider Long 
 ind did remain 
 iVestover, from 
 did as above 
 •ed ; tlie Court 
 lict as follows : 
 iy. Jolin Mac- 
 
 of John VVest- 
 las found you 
 he Court, who 
 
 stover and his 
 ed as the law 
 
 appointment ; 
 the District, to 
 rs — yourself in 
 the custody of 
 ander Long is 
 ied with." 
 
 nt of the costs 
 :t toward John 
 
 1 said District, 
 vnship of Lon- 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 5«5 
 
 " Grand Jury. 
 
 "Joseph Hall, Abraham Allen, E. Thomas, Asa Cook, \Vm. Wait, Joseph 
 Jackson, Sylvanus Warren, Amasa Church, Calvin Hawes, Jeremiah Marston, Omry 
 l,dy, Josliua Hail. 
 
 " PiiTiT Jury. 
 
 " B. J. Frost (Foreman), Caleb Welden, Joseph Valine, Jacob Marston, Alex. 
 (Jamcron, Robert Rose, Joseph Buck, Joseph P. Cass, Horran Kellogg, Proctor 
 Johnson, James Wills, Asa Bancroft, Thomas Hall.'' 
 
 Two executions of criminals have occurred in L'Orignal, both in recent years. 
 I'rcd. W. Mann was hanged in the year 1883, for murder, an account of which is 
 given in the history of Little Rideau, E. Hawkesbury ; and in 1893 Laroque was 
 hanged here for the murder of two young girls — sisters — in a neighboring township. 
 
 " Churches. 
 
 " Examples of eminent sanctity connected with Canadian Methodism." 
 Abbott Johnson. — " The early English-speaking settlers in the townshijis and 
 seigniories bordering on the noble Ottawa River, i)roperly called by the French, 
 Riviere Le Grande, from the Long Sault to the Lake of the Two Mountains, were 
 mostly of American origin and of Puritan antecedcnis. An interesting people were 
 they — distinguished by intelligence, industry, and hospitality. For sonit-' years afier 
 their first settlement in the seigniory of Longueuil, townships of East and West 
 Hawkesbury, seigniory of Vaudreuil, townships of Grenville, Chatham, and the 
 seigniory of Argenteuil, their religious opportunities were small indeed. We have 
 reason to believe those isolated settlements were sometimes visited by the .Methodist 
 preachers on the old Oswegatchie Circuit, who either crossed the (ilengarry country 
 or coasted the noithern shore of the St. Lawrence and the south-western shore of 
 the Ottawa, before the incoming of the present century ; but in the year 1800 they 
 had an appointment made to themselves by the New York Conference in the person 
 of Daniel Pickett, a native raised Canadian preacher. From that onwards they 
 received a preacher to themselves, till the tragical, lamented death of Robert Hibbard, 
 by drowning, in the fall of 181 2, created a hiatus, poorly filled up by Presiding 
 Elder's supplies during the war ending in 1815. At the conference of that year, no 
 return was made for Ottawa, although the membership had once stood as high as 
 117. We are sure that at the date referred to (1815^ the membership was small 
 and a good deal disorganized, and perhaps we shouk. say demoralized. 
 
 " It was now, however, destined to rise again. The appointment by the 
 General Conference of that intensely devout young preacher, of two years standing 
 in the itineracy, Nathaniel Reeder, who himself deserves to be enrolled among these 
 ' instances of eminent sanctity,' was a God-send to the little societies and English- 
 speaking settlements in that region, albeit he was removed before the year was out, 
 and another was sent on in the person of Israel Chamberlayne. Mr. Reeder 
 traversed the country from La Chute to the Bay of Pancote, and from I'Orignal to 
 Cote St. Charles. He seemed, whether in the house or on horseback, to be in a 
 constant fiame of prayer and communion with God and heaven. His accoutre- 
 ments, as a travelling preacher, his solemnity of manner, and a peculiarly unearthly 
 and etherial expression of countenance, Mr. Johnson himself informed me, would 
 arrest the attention of the passing travellers, and draw their eyes after him as far as 
 they could follow him. The next year the return for the Circuit was the highest it 
 had ever been, namely 153. There was a revival all over the Circuit during the few 
 months Reeder was there." , • 
 
 . I 
 
8 
 
 IM 
 
 4,:,- 
 
 Mil 
 
 5'6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Table showing the names of the ministers and their assistants a? well as the 
 state of the Church from 1841 to 1867 : 
 
 1841 Geo. B. Butcher 
 
 42 George Beynon ^ , 
 
 43 George Beynon, James Elliott 
 
 44 James Hughes, Charles Taggar t 
 
 45 United with St. Andrews 
 
 46 Ji^seph Reynolds, Thomas Hanna , 
 
 47 Joseph Reynolds, Erastus Iluilburt.' 
 
 48 James Greener, John Armstrong, 2nd 
 
 49 James Greener, Noble Armstrong , 
 
 50 David C.Clappison, Richard M. Hammond., 
 
 5ljDavid C. Clappison, Henry McDowell 
 
 52;David C . Clappison, Silas Huntingdon 
 
 53|Wm. Morton, Robert Hobbs 
 
 S4;\Vm. Morton, Andrew Armstrong 
 
 55l\Vni. Morton, James Roy 
 
 56 \Vm. Morton, Joseph Kilgour . „ , 
 
 57 Richard M. Hammond, John D. Pugh 
 
 58 Richard M. Hammond, John D. Fugh 
 
 50iEdmund E. Sweet, Archelaus Doxee 
 
 60jEdmund E, Sweet, John Hyndman 
 
 " 6ii\Vm. S. Blackstock, Samuel W. Messmore... 
 • 62!\Vm. M. Blackstock 
 
 63lWm. S. Blackstock, Isaac Geld 
 
 64;Wm. D. Brown, Thomas G.Williams 
 
 esiWra. D. Brown, Robert Bell , 
 
 66 David Chalmers , 
 
 67 David Chalmers, Daniel Connolly 
 
 <x . 
 
 V 
 
 
 "rt 
 
 jA 
 
 V 
 
 g . 
 
 1^ 
 
 a a 
 
 IS 
 
 ' 223 
 
 s> 
 U 
 
 • • • ■ 
 
 
 w 
 
 $ 
 
 $ 
 
 
 206 
 
 . . > • 
 
 1. 00 
 
 
 26s 
 
 . ^ . . 
 
 7.03 
 
 
 280 
 
 • • 1 • 
 
 7.10 
 
 
 252 
 
 • • • • 
 
 7.60 
 
 
 218 
 
 .... 
 
 7.98 
 
 
 179 
 
 4.14 
 
 4.96 
 
 
 192 
 
 4.26 
 
 5.88 
 
 i 
 
 215 
 
 4-34 
 
 5.95 
 
 •••••••• 
 
 218 
 
 4.40 
 
 6.60 
 
 
 207 
 
 11.04 
 
 7-iS 
 
 
 
 216 
 
 6.06 
 
 9.00 
 
 , 
 
 180 
 
 6.05 
 
 10.66 
 
 
 140 
 
 6.00 
 
 8.71 
 
 5.86 
 
 122 
 
 6.05 
 
 8.79 
 
 3.00 
 
 ■43 
 
 6,00 
 
 8.80 
 
 4.58 
 
 150 
 
 3,00 
 
 8.87 
 
 3-27 
 
 139 
 
 3-'5 
 
 9.00 
 
 2.50 
 
 99 
 
 3.60 
 
 9. 10 
 
 2-53 
 
 119 
 
 4.00 
 
 9-79 
 
 1 2.90 
 
 95 
 
 5.38 
 
 6.78 
 
 4-52 i 
 
 130 
 
 5.68 
 
 10.10 
 
 6.26 
 
 13s 
 
 3-75 
 
 10.44 
 
 4.99 
 
 13s 
 
 3.81 
 
 10.52 
 
 1 5-05 
 
 135 
 
 5.48 
 
 10.60 
 
 1 5-o8 
 
 143 
 
 6.00 
 
 13-50 
 
 7-00 
 
 
 The following list has been supplied by Mr. James Steele of Vankleek Hill: 
 
 68 Rev. David Chalmers John C. Garrett. 
 
 69 " NVm. S. McCullough Robert Lee. 
 
 70 " Geo. Kennedy Thomas Johnson. 
 
 71 " John Wilson John Tozeland. 
 
 7a " " Richd. Shier and 
 
 Arihur Whiteside. 
 
 0.50 
 
 • • • ■ 
 
 4.50 
 3-50 
 
 3-75 
 
 1. 10 
 
 0.90 
 
 3.20 
 
 4.00 
 
 5.20 
 
 6-73 
 
 6.93 
 
 8.42 
 
 10,50 
 
 10.59 
 
 12.00 
 
 12.00 
 
 12.83 
 
 10.10 
 
 13.00 
 
 '4.75 
 10.00 
 11.00 
 14.50 
 15.00 
 20.00 
 
 Zion Church, E. Hawkesbury, erected in 1872. 
 
 73 Rev. John Burwash , 
 
 , Rev. William S. Jamieson. 
 
 The Circuit divided in 1874, the East Hawkesbury section being detached- 
 
 Vankleek Hill Circuit. Point Fortune Circuit . 
 
 Superintendent. . Assistants. 
 
 74 Rev. William J. Joliffe Rev. Gorham A.Gifford. 
 
 nfi « <• (I <t - 
 
 77 Rev. Edmund S . Shorey Rev. Edward H . Taylor. 
 
 j8 I • it _ < I i( 
 
? well as the 
 
 •99 
 •05 
 .08 
 .00 
 
 
 $ 
 
 $ 
 
 
 0.50 
 
 
 • • • • 
 
 
 4.50 
 
 
 3-50 
 
 
 3-75 
 
 • • • • • ■ 
 
 1. 10 
 
 
 0.90 
 
 
 3.20 
 
 
 4.00 
 
 
 5.20 
 
 
 6.73 
 
 
 6.93 
 
 
 8.42 
 
 10.50 
 
 10.59 
 
 12.00 
 12.00 
 
 12.83 
 
 10.10 
 13.00 
 
 14.75 
 
 10.00 
 
 11.00 
 
 14.50 
 
 15.00 
 
 2o,oo 
 
 HISTORY OF VRESCO'lT. 517 
 
 The Circuits were reunited in 1879 under the name of Vankleek Hill. 
 
 79 Rev, Jabez B. Keough Revds.Geo. H, Davis and Silas Huntingdon. 
 
 Mr. Keough died on this Circuit. 
 
 80 Rev. Samuel G. Phillips Rev. Barry Pierce. 
 
 C, « It 11 <t 
 
 83 " John H. Stewart •' Charles Redprave. 
 
 84 " " " EberB. Gumming. 
 
 85 " '•■ " William A. Hanna. 
 
 86 " Robert T. Oliver " " 
 
 87 '< " " Wesley Bickd^" N.Eastman, local preachers. 
 
 88 " •• " George Mossop. 
 
 The new Vankleek Hill Church and Parsonage built in 188S. 
 
 89 Rev. William Philp Rev. Geo. Wain. 
 
 1)0 " " '' Richard Corn c"'!. 
 
 91 " " , " Alfred J. }- Mf,; . 
 
 92 " John M. Tredrea " " E.Kelly). 
 
 93 " " " William-,.. 'ji'.P;,D. A. Lough li-Calvert. 
 
 94 " " " G. E. Ba "s* A. Patterson. 
 
 A modest church, very neat and pleasant in the interior, w. jrected in 1894. It is usually 
 well filled on the Sabbath. 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 BY REV. JAMES BENNETT. 
 
 The jjeople that have no history are sometimes said to be fortunate ; this needs 
 some qualification. There may be untoward circumstances that have hindered the 
 recording of the history that has been already made. Tiie following sketch is an out- 
 line of the principal features; it is confessedly meagie. Much of the material is 
 scattered in the memories of persons formerly connected with L'Orignal, and in 
 letters and other sources not at command., The first trace of the congregation of 
 Presbyterians is found about 1822. In or about that 'Vear, the Rev. Mr. McLaurin, 
 who was a minister of the Church of Scotland, and had been settled in Lochiel, 
 received an appointment from t'^e Government of Grammar School teacher for the 
 District of Ottawa. The school was here. At the same time he held the pastorate 
 of Lochiel, Glengarry and L'Orignal. He lived here until his death in 1833. He is 
 buried at Cassburn. He was a man of scholastic and literary attainments, a good 
 teacher, an excellent business man, and of genial disposition. 
 
 It was during his stay here that the present church edifice was built in 1832 It 
 was not finished, however, for want of funds for about four years thereafter. Before 
 that dale the congregation worshipped in the Grammar School of the district, and 
 sometimes in the Court House. The pulpit bible now in use was presented by the 
 Ottawa Auxiliary Bible Society to the Presbyterian congregation worshipping in the 
 Court House, L'Orignal, in 1832. 
 
 The building is of stone, and very substantial. It reflects credit on the generous 
 and pious disposition of the original founders, and gives evidence of the hopefulness 
 of growth in the village and congregation that time has not justified. It was 50 ft. by 
 45 ft. inside measure. These proportions show that it was capable of being very 
 much lengthened and the proportions improved. This was the intention of the 
 founders, but the addition, so far, has not been needed. The trustees of the property 
 were the Hon. Alex. Grant, Wm. Wait, tanner of the village of L'Orignal, Charles 
 Piatt Treadweil, John W. Marston and Peter Sterhng, of the Township of Caledonia. 
 These men and others were most generous givers to the building. At that early date, 
 worshippers came from the east of Ottawa, and some from Caledonia. - ":: 
 
5i8 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 The site and grounds, about three-quarters of an acre, were the gift of Charles 
 P. Treadwell, for the purpose of erecting thereon a house of public worship, and for 
 burial ground, and to be forever so used and in connection with the Established 
 Church of Scotland. 
 
 The ten years following the death of Mr. McL-^urin area blank at present. The 
 writer believes it was in some way connected with Plantagenet. On 5th June, 1844, 
 Colin Ciregor, a licentiate and teacher of the Grammar School, was ordained and 
 inducted into the pastoral charge of L'Orignal and Plantagenet. He had taughi 
 school for some time before that date, and also preached. It was at this time that 
 (he Sunday School is known to have been organized, but it is believed to have been 
 in existence earlier. It is to be observed that this settlement coincides witli " the 
 disruption." Both these congregations, however, L'Orignal and Plantagenet, con- 
 tinued in connection with the Church of Scotland. Mr. Gregor labored here with great 
 acceptance until 1848, when he was translated to Guelph. He continued there until 
 1857, when failing health bade him seek a lighter charge. He returned to Plantagenet, 
 and died there in 1864. The distance between L'Orignal and the Smith Church 
 in Plantagenet, where service was held, is 24 miles ; it will therefore be seen the 
 charge was not a sinecure. 
 
 From 1848 to 1852 the Rev. Andrew Bell was settled over the charges of 
 L'Orignal and Plantagenet. He was tlie eldest son of the Rev. Wm. Bell, of Perth, 
 whose family were so eminent for intellectual ability botii in literature and science. 
 The youngest son is at present alive, and fills the office of Registrar of Queen's Uni- 
 versity, Kingston. Mr. Bell studied in Arts and Theplogy at Glasgow University. 
 Stories are told of the battle with poverty during those days. To increase the store, he 
 wrote for the newspapers — one series of letters was afterwards published in book form 
 — "Letters for Intending Emigrants." It brought the student some money and a 
 little fame. He economized by being his own cook, and let the fire die after tlic 
 porridge was cooked. However, he managed to cultivate letters, and also made tlic 
 acquaintance of the lady that ultimately became his partner in life. 
 
 He was an enthusiast in Geology. The boys of that time remember him, among 
 other things, by his sermons, one hour by the clock — and by his specimen-sack. 
 
 He died at L'Orignal, in liarnes?, in 1856; he was Clerk of the Synod of tlij 
 Church till the last. In tliat year (1856), the Rev. Wm. Johnstone was appointed 
 to the charge of L'Orignal alone. He remained here for four years, when he was 
 called to Arnprior as its first minister. From that date the records of school and 
 session are to be had for matter of history. 
 
 The session is composed of Rev. Wm. Johnstone, C . P. Treadwell and James 
 Wallace. 
 
 From a " return." Families reported are 45 ; Communicants, 33. 
 
 Ordinary Collections $36 40 
 
 For Ministers, Widows and Orphans 16 00 
 
 For Synod Fund 4 00 
 
 For French Mission Fund co 
 
 For Bursary Fund 5 00 
 
 For all other special purposes 16 00 
 
 $77 
 
 00 
 
 Number attending School, 64. Number attending Bible Class, 13, 
 The answers to the following questions are worth transcribing in full: 
 " What are the other principal denominations ? Roman Catholic, Episcopalians, 
 Congregationalists, Wesleyans and Episcopal Melhodists." 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 519 
 
 ift of Charles 
 •ship, and for 
 ; Established 
 
 )rerfent. The 
 h June, 1844, 
 ordained and 
 e had taughi 
 this time that 
 10 have been 
 des with " the 
 ntagenet, con- 
 liere with great 
 led there until 
 ,0 Plantagenet, 
 Smith Church 
 e be seen the 
 
 he charges of 
 
 Bell, of Perth, 
 
 re and science. 
 
 )f Queen's Uni- 
 
 row University. 
 
 ise the store, he 
 
 ;d in book form 
 
 le money and a 
 
 e die after tlic 
 
 also made the 
 
 )er him, amon:.^ 
 
 limen-sack. 
 
 Synod of tho 
 
 was appointed 
 
 , when he was 
 
 of school and 
 
 [well and James 
 
 13. 
 
 full: 
 
 I, Episcopalians, 
 
 Under the heading General Remarks, there is this spicy note : " Evangelical 
 religion in this part of the country is at a very low ebb ; what with sectarian divisions 
 and their frequent explosions, to the great scandal of the Church of Christ, and what 
 with unfaithful pastors, and consequently, the abounding of the godless and profane, 
 many years, perhaps a whole generation, shall have to pass away, before there will be 
 among the people, generally, anything like an interest taken in the good cause; while 
 at the bottom of the whole, the agents of the man of sin are busily employed scatter- 
 ing the seeds of atheism and infide.ity." 
 
 The last return made by Mr. Johnstone gives " Families connected, 51 ; Commu- 
 nicants, 37. The attendance at the forenoon service, 100; afternoon, 90." Tliese 
 seem to give the high-water mark in connection with the statistics of the congregation. 
 It may be of some interest lo compare with the ])resent. 
 
 Mr. Johnstone left in March, i860. Mr. Colin Gregor, then living at Plantagenet, 
 being moderator/rc) tem. On 8th August, i860, as the result of previous delibera- 
 tion, a petition was sent to Presbytery of Glengarry, asking to be united with Hawkes- 
 bury in one pastoral charge. There was also a petition to the same effect from 
 Hawkesbury Mills. Steps were taken to effect the same, by asking authority of the 
 Synod. And the first meeting of tlie United Session of L'Orignal and Hawkesbury 
 was held in L'Orignal on 2nd December, i860. Rev. G. D. Ferguson presiding, and 
 Elders, C. P. Treadwell, David Buchan, John Waddel and David Fairbairn. 
 
 The congregations worked harmoniously together until Mr. Fairlie's translation, 
 when, because of the growth of Hawkesbury, it was considered better to form sep- 
 arate charges. The separation took place in 1889, ^'''d the subsequent history has 
 justified the separation. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Ferguson continued in charge of L'Orignal and Hawkesbury 
 until his installation into the chair of P2nglish Literature and History at Queen's 
 College, Kingston. He worthily fills the chair of History at this present time. 
 During his time the congregation prospe/ed. The present beautiful church at 
 Hawkesbury was built, and the substantial Manse at L'Orignal, both of which were 
 clear of debt, through his exertions. Tlie vacancy caused l)y Mr. Ferguson's removal 
 was speedily filled, but all too briefly occui)ied by Rev. \V. MacLennan. 
 
 Mr. ^LacLennan was ordained and inducted into the united c'.iarge of L'Orignal 
 and Hawkesbury early in 1870, and died on 8th December, 1873. His memory is 
 fragrant; the Session speaks thus: "Gentle and generous in all tlie relations of 
 private life, lie was much beloved and admired. Earnest and faithfrd in his ministry, 
 he ever sought by his life and teacliing to lead to the Saviou those placed n tder his 
 pastoral care. The Session desire to bear testimony to the marked success of his 
 labors." 
 
 During this period, the initial steps for union of the various Presbyterian 
 churches in Canada were considered by the sessions and congregations. Answers 
 favorable to union were hearty and unanimous. 
 
 In 1874, the R.ev. John Fairlie, recently from Scotland, became minister, 
 and continued over the double charge until ist June, 1888, when he resigned, and 
 was subsequently translated to Lansdownc in Kingston Presbytery. By action of 
 the Presbytery of Ottawa, on iitli November, 1888, the two congregations were 
 erected into two charges ; this was done by petition of the congregations. 
 
 On the 19th February, 1889, Rev. Mr. Bennett, formerly of Cote des Neiges, 
 Montreal, was inducted into tlie charge of L'Orignal. The congregation though 
 small is noted for liberality and public spirit ; missions are generously supported. 
 The return of last year may be given to compare with the earliest that we have. The 
 families now are fewer, though the communicants are more, and for missions there 
 were given $152. 
 
S20 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 There is evidently an increased ability to give compared with 1857, and, moreover, 
 people are better trained to give. The Sunday School, to-day, has upon the roll 64 
 names, just the same number that was returned at the earlier date. 
 
 By inquiries respecting the history of Mr. Bennett, we have learned the follow- 
 ing : 
 
 The Rev. James Bennett was born in Scotland in 1850, and received his early 
 education at the public and grammar schools of Keith, Banffshire. 
 
 After being employed a while as clerk, he was induced to come to Canada by 
 seeing appeals for men for the ministry, and he arrived here in 1875. He entered 
 McGill University, where he completed the Arts course, and then took a Theolo- 
 gical course at Queen's University, Kingston. In 1884, he was called to Cote des 
 Neiges Presbytery, Montreal, where he remained about four years, and then 
 resigned ; he was called to L'Orignal in 1889. 
 
 Mr. Bennett preaches a clear, sound, practical sermon ; he presents subjects for 
 thought in a concise and forcible manner, and his future biographer may well say : 
 " His preaching much, but more his praclice wrought, 
 A living sermon of the truths he taught." 
 
 He married Miss Agnes Phillips, daughter of Thomas Phillips, Outremont, 
 Montreal. P'rom the earnestness with which Mrs. Bennett contributes to the pro- 
 motion of every good work, she is reputed the ideal wife of a minister. 
 
 i* 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 The first i)riest to labor here was the Rev. J, H. Macdonough, who formed a 
 Church in 1836. 
 
 The present church edifice, which is a very large one, was built between tlic 
 years 1848 and 1850 by tiie Rev. A. N. Brassard , the presbytery was erected in 
 1869. The present incumbent, Rev. O. B6rub^, has made an addition to the church 
 building at an expense of |i 1,000. This is by far the largest in membershiyi of any- 
 church in L'Orignal ; the communicants number 900. 
 
 ANGLICAN CHURCH. 
 
 As this is connected with the Hawkesbury Mission, its history, which is very 
 brief, properly belongs with that of Hawkesbury. 
 
 Previous to about 1870, there had been no Church of England organization at 
 L'Orignal. The Rev. E. P. Crawford, Rector of Trinity Church, Hawkesbury, was 
 the first to hold service here, an afternoon service being held in the Court House. 
 His successor, the Rev. Arthur Phillips, continued these services till 18(^0, when 
 through his efforts a Church edifice was erected, and opened 6th January, 1892. 
 
 PROFESSIONAL MEN AND OFFICIALS. 
 
 Judge O'Brian has long been a prominent figure in the Ottawa Valley. His 
 ancestors in the early part of ihis century resided on the Mohawk in Johnstown, 
 New York. His grandfather met his death there by an accident, and, soon after- 
 ward, his widow with her infant son, John O'Brian, accompanied her relatives to 
 Canada, and settled in Glengarry. When her son had grown up, he engaged in 
 lumbering and rafting, and, while at Quebec with a raft, he entered the employ of 
 the Hamilton Brothers of Hawkesbury, and, durii ^^ the time thus engaged, he was 
 married to Ann McMartin, daughter of an U. l^. Loyalist, who had settled at 
 L'Orignal. After following the lumber business for soi.ie time, he devoted his remaining 
 days to farming ; he died in March, 1861. He had four sons and five daughters — of 
 these, Peter, the Judge, and two daughters are the only ones now living. . j: : > 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 52' 
 
 loreover, 
 e roll 64 
 
 le foUow- 
 
 his early 
 
 inada by 
 e entered 
 , Theolo- 
 Cote des 
 ind then 
 
 bjects for 
 ell say : 
 
 )utremoni, 
 ) the pro- 
 
 foimed a 
 
 el'.veen the 
 erected in 
 the church 
 WxY ot any 
 
 ch is very 
 
 Inization at 
 
 Isbury, was 
 
 lurt House. 
 
 }8(jO, when 
 
 1892. 
 
 illey. His 
 fohnstown, 
 [con after- 
 telatives to 
 [engaged in 
 employ of 
 ;d, he was 
 settled _ at 
 remaining 
 ghters— of 
 
 Peter O'Brian studied law at Ottawa, and practised for some years before he 
 was called to the Bar in 1857 ; he ^^^^ called to the Bench in 1889. He was married 
 in 1848 to Hannah, daughter of Robt. Brock of L'Orignal. He has had ten children 
 — seven sons and three daughters. 
 
 William ('. O'Brian, his eldest son. is in the County Clerk's office in Denver, 
 Colorado; Peter, the fourth son, is Civil Engineer and County Surveyor in the same 
 city ; Robert Brock, the second son, a graduate of McCiill, is a physician in San 
 Francisco, Cal. ; John, tiie third, is on the homestead farm in L'Orignal ; James, the 
 fifth, is a barrister in Toronto ; Colin G., has succeeded to his father's business as 
 barrister in L'Orignal, and is a law partner with W. S. Hall ; and Donald, the 
 youngest son, is still at hoine. 
 
 John Higginson, the present Registrar of the County of Prescolt, is a grand- 
 son of John Higginson who came to Hawkesbury from Ireland in 1819, and died soon 
 after his arrival ; he left one son and two daughters. Thomas, the son, was employed 
 as Bookkeeper for the Hamilton Bros., many years ; he married in 1831 Margery 
 Brown, daughter of iht; late Capt. Brown of Hawkesbury. He was a Municipal 
 Councillor for some years of Hr.wkesbury Village after its incorporation in 1858 ; his 
 confreres were the Hon. John Hamiiton, who was Reeve, Z. S. M. Hersey, Farquhar 
 Robertson and R. P. Pattee. Mr, Higginson, wlio is now 87 years of age, is the only 
 one of these men now living. He has had but two children that lived till maturity — 
 both sons. 
 
 John, the elder of these, was married in 1853, to Emma,''- daughter of the late 
 Henry Ahcrn of Vaudreuil. He was educated at the L'Orignal Grammar School, 
 the Principal of which, at that lime, was Colin Gregor, a gentleman noted for his 
 wholesome discipline and thorough scholarship. Mr. Higginson was then employed 
 as clerk for some time in Hawkesbury, after which he devoted several years to the 
 mercantile pursuit. In 1865 he was appointed Registrar of Prescott County, and still 
 holds the ]iosition, respected not more for his conscientious discharge of official duties 
 than for his mtegrity and intelligence as a citizen. He has two sons and two 
 daughters now living. Henry, the elder son, is a physician in Winnipeg ; he gra- 
 duated from McGill in 1881, and has since spent some time in different hospitals in 
 Europe. Charles M., the second son, received his degree, as Veterinary Surgeon, 
 froit McGill in i8yi, and is now located in Jackson, Mich. 
 
 The elder daughter is married to J. S. Robertson, a barrister of Ontario. The 
 youngest, Elizabeth Winnifred, remains with her parents at L'Orignal. 
 
 The following sketch of Mr. Marston, which was contributed, was written while 
 he was alive. He died 17th October, 1880: 
 
 John VVurtele Marston, Treasurer of the United Counties of Prescott and 
 Russell for the last quarter of a century, was born in L'Orignal on the first day of 
 May, 1806, and has always been a resident of the place. His father, Jacob Marston, 
 a native of New Hampshire, followed his grandfather into Canada, a little before 
 the close of the last century, and visited the spot wliere L'Orignal now stands, in 
 1796, coming here with Nathaniel Hazard Treadwell, the proprietor of the township, 
 and being, it is claimed, the first Anglo-Saxon to fell a tree in this township; and two 
 or three years later, made a permanent settlement here. The mother of our subject, 
 before her marriage, was Mary Cass, whose father was a United Empire Loyalist. 
 
 Mr. ^Larston received an ordinary English education ; clerked for some years 
 for Silas P. Huntington, and in 1828 commenced the mercantile business for himself, 
 continuing it until 1851, with fair success. During apart of this period, he held 
 
 Mrs. irigginson died in 1894. 
 
 34 
 
5«2 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOT'J' 
 
 office in the old Ottawa District, He became clerk of the District Court and Regis- 
 trar of the Surrogate Court in 1846 ; Dei)uty Clerk of the Crown in (853 ; and, since 
 1855, has been 'Jreasurer of the united counties of Prescott and Russell. He has 
 proved a very faithful county officer, is a model accountant, and -. man of the 
 highest integrity, and has the unlimited confidence and greatest respect of the 
 people. Mr. Marston has had much concern for the educational and other interests 
 of h's native village, and served for some time as' Trustee of the High School. He is 
 an adiierent of the Presbyterian church; has been a trustee of the Canada Presbyte- 
 rian Church since it was organized in 1832, and is the only one of the five charter 
 trustees now living. He is most emphatically the oldest landmark of L'Orignal. 
 Born and reared here, the fourth season of his life already seemingly far spent, 
 he has seen the Ottawa Valley in this vicinity converted from a wilderness into 
 a well im])roved country, with all the marks of thrift as well as civilization. He 
 is a remarkably well preserved man, and a stranger would hardly i)lace his age 
 as high as seventy. His life has been remarkably exem])kiry, worthy of being copied 
 by young men. In 1836, Mr. Marston married Miss Mary Ann Davis of Milton, Vt., 
 and she died in 1844, leaving four children — one son and three daughters. The son, 
 John J. Marston, M.D., has been assistant surgeon in the American Army since 1864; 
 Sarah, the eldest daughter, married Eden P. Johnson of L'Orignal, and died in 1867 ; 
 Mary Adelia is the wife of John Millar, merchant, L'Orignal ; and Caroline L. is tiie 
 wife of Slurgis M. Johnson, of Almonte, Ontario. 
 
 On a road leading from L'Orignal to Cassburn is a dwelling which, fiom its 
 tasteful construction and beautiful location, always arrests the alte tion of tiic travel- 
 ler ; this was erected by David Pattee, who, for many years, was County Attorney for 
 Prescott and Russell, and was a gentleman highly esteemed. He v/as a son of Dr. 
 David Patiee, one of the pioneers of Hawkesbury, and for some time had a law oftice 
 at Vankkek Hill ; he was, also, a Reeve of West Hawkesbury, but on being appoint- 
 ed Attorney for the Lhiited Counties, he removed to L'Orignal, where he died several 
 years ago. About the same time that he received his appointment, he was inarried 
 to Joanna Chesser. 
 
 W. S. Hall is one of the rising young barristers of this County. His father, 
 Robert Hall, in 1849, when only fourteen years of age, came with his mother and then 
 others of her children from Enniskillen, P'ermanagh Co., Ireland, to this country. 
 After coming here he spent two or three years in the Eastern Townships, and then 
 went to Montreal, where he learned the tanner's trade. yVbout the ye;ir 1858, he 
 engap;ed in the tanning business at Vankleek Hill, but, after a period of three years, 
 removed to L'Orignal, where he has ever since followed the same business. He has, 
 however, taken much interest in local affairs, and for a number of years has been a 
 member of the Local Council and Reeve of the village ; he was also Clerk of the 
 Division Court, but resigned. He was married in 1859 ^^ Susan Bagsley, of Hawkes- 
 bury ; they have one son and two daughters. 
 
 'ilie son, William S., was articled in 1883, as student at law, to the firm of 
 O'Brian & O'Brian ; was admitted as solicitor in 1888, and called to the Bar in 1889. 
 On the promotion of the elder member of the firm to the Bench, the name was 
 changed to O'Brian & Hall — a firm that deservedly enjoys the confidence of the 
 public. Mr. Hall, though a young man, has established a good reputation for legal 
 acumen and judicious management of his cases, and, altogether, his prospect is 
 encouraging for success in professional life. He was married in 1889 to Miss Elor- 
 ence Campbell, daughter of R. G. Campbell, an old and well known resident of 
 L'Orignal. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 523 
 
 nd Regis- 
 and, since 
 He has 
 an of the 
 ;ct of the 
 ;r interests 
 lol. He is 
 . Presbyte- 
 we charter 
 L'Orignal. 
 
 far spent, 
 ;rness into 
 ition. He 
 CO his age 
 eing coi)ied 
 Milton, Vt., 
 . The son, 
 
 since 1864; 
 ed in 1867 ; 
 ne L. is the 
 
 :;h, fiom its 
 )f the travel- 
 Attorney for 
 a son of Dr. 
 1 a law office 
 ,g appoint- 
 icd several 
 as married 
 
 lis father, 
 
 er and then 
 
 lis country. 
 
 s, and then 
 
 ir 1858, he 
 
 three years, 
 
 He has, 
 
 has been a 
 
 lerk of the 
 
 of Hawkes- 
 
 the firm of 
 Bar in 1889. 
 
 name was 
 ience of the 
 ion for legal 
 prospect is 
 Miss Flor- 
 
 resident of 
 
 A. CoNSTANTlNEAU is another young barrister who has won distinction. He was 
 born in East Hawkesbury, educated at Rigaud College, and studied law first with 
 Col. Bulterfield, and then with O'Brian & O' Brian, of L'Orignal ; afterwards at 
 Cornwall in the office of Macdonald & Mackintosh; and, finally, in the office 
 of Macdonald, Mackintosh & McCrimmon, in Toronto. He was admitted 
 to practice in January, 1890, since which he has been in L'Orignal. He has 
 been connected with the most important criminal cases in Prescott and 
 Russell, in whicii he has won a reputation, as counsellor and advocate, that many 
 older barristers might envy. He was counsel for the prisoner in the celebrated 
 Monctle murder trial of i8go, the Laroque trial in 1891, and the Lafleur trial for 
 stabbing, at Clarence Creek, in 1894. ]>oth city and local papers have given grapliic 
 pen pictures of Mr. Constanlineaii, in which his ability and eloquence have been 
 mentioned in eulogistic terms. In 1894 he conducted the Crown business at the fall 
 assizes, in Pembroke — an iionor seldom enjoyed by a lawyer except a Q.C. He 
 was married in June, 1891, to Alice McLoughlm, M.D., CM., a graduate in medicine 
 of Toronto University. 
 
 Among the various officials whose offices are in the Court House at L'Orignal, 
 John Fraskr is the popular County Treasurer and Deputy Clerk of liie Crown. His 
 father, Alexander Frascr, from Glenelg, Invernesshire, Scotland, settled in Caledonia 
 in 1817. He engaged in farming, which he followed during his whole life; he had 
 nine children — six sons and three daughters. John, the second son, whose earlier 
 years were devoted to lumbering and farming, was married in 1875, to Annie M. 
 Phillips, of .Surrey County, Virginia. Mr. Eraser was appointed Deputy-.Sheriff of 
 Prescolt and Russell in 1874, since which he has resided in L'Orignal; he held tluit 
 office till 1880, when he became County Treasurer. 
 
 In addition to those noticed above, we would not omit the genial Clerk of the 
 Peace, W. H. Maxwell, who has for several years been a prominent and successful 
 practitioner at the Bar of this District, and John D. Cameron, the highly respected 
 jailor. Mr. Cameron is a son of John Cameron, who came to Canada from Locha- 
 ber, Scotland. Before coming to L'Orignal he was a merchant at Caledonia Springs 
 for eleven years, but, at the solicitation of a larg" circle of friends, he accepted the 
 position of jailor in this district, and has discharged the duties of the office for 
 twenty-two years to the great satisfaction of the public. 
 
 Wn.LiAM Wrighi', the present Postmaster of L'Orignal, came from Armagh, 
 Ireland, and landed in .Montreal on the i2lh July, 1847. He came to L'Orignal and 
 opened a shoemaker's shop, in connection with which he has kept a boot and shoe 
 store many years ; his father was drowned when he was only four years old. His 
 grandfather, Thomas Wright, came to Canada about 1837, and settled at Dresden, 
 Bothwell Co,, Ontario, where many of his descendants still reside. His grandfather, 
 Nathaniel Eulton, on the maternal side, fought at Waterloo ; he was Sergeant, and 
 lost an arm there, for which he was awarded a pension. In i866, the subject of our 
 sketch joined Company No. 3 of Volunteers under Capt. Abbott Johnson, and was 
 with them at the various places to which they were ordered. He was promoted to 
 the rank of Sergeant-Major, and served nine years when he resigned. He was 
 appointed Postmaster of L'Orignal in November, 1874, and for the past four years 
 has been High Constable of Prescott and Russell ; he is a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church. He has had seven children — two sons and five daughters, but one of 
 the latter is deceased. William Thomas, his elder son, lives in Hubbard City, Texas. 
 Samuel Wesley, the second son, who is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, has been 
 Deputy-Sheriff several years, and is Bailiff of the Division Court of L'Orignal and 
 Hawkesbury, and also a Trustee of the Protestant Separate School. He was married 
 
 II 
 
 im 
 
5*4 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 in September, 1884, to Addie, daughter of Andrew Biiclian; lie is one of the genial 
 and courteous officials always met in the Court House at L'Orignal. 
 
 Among those esteemed for lives of honorable industry and usefulness^ few deserve 
 more prominent notice than Robert Hamilton.* He was born in tiie County 
 Antrim, Ireland, graduated at a Normal School in Dublin, studied surveying, and, after 
 teaching seven years, came to this country in 1839. He first taught school in Hawkes- 
 bury, and, after giving seven years once more to this vocation, he passed his examin- 
 ation, and devoted his time to the practice of surveying. He began in 1848. 
 since which he has surveyed Hagarty, Richards, Burns, Sherwood, Rolf, Pattawavva. 
 Buchanan and several other townships in this section of country, besides doing much 
 work in Prescott, Glengarry, etc. He has been Secretary-Treasurer of the Village 
 Council since 1882, and was formerly a member of both the Public and High School 
 Boards, and, for a while, was Deputy-Sheriff, but resigned. AVhile holding the latter 
 position he was clerk in the office of Sheriff Tieadwell — a warm friendship having 
 subsisted many years between the Sheriff and himself. In the midst of the general 
 feeling of patriotism tnat stirred the citizens of Prescott and Russell in 1866, Mr. 
 Hamilton was not indifferent or idle, but promptly entered the ranks of Capiain 
 Grant's Company as a volunteer. He was married before leaving Ireland, and has 
 had seven children — all daugnters — but only four of them arc now living. 
 
 MERCANTILE AND BUSINESS MEN. 
 
 Rkginai.d S. Nevk, second son of the late F. S. Neve, noticed in ilic history of 
 Cusl;ing, Aryenteuil county, has a commodious stor'.\ wiih alar^eand valuable Mock 
 of goods, on M.nin street. Mr. Neve liLgan commercial life in A\innipei; in 1879, ''■"d 
 during the succeeding eleven years was employed as commercial traveller. He has 
 but recently commenced trade in L'Orignal, but his genial manner and reasonable 
 prices are already attracting customers from remote as well as adjacent localities. Hl- 
 was married in 1876, to Annie E. Derby, of Chelsea, Que. 
 
 One of the most imposing and attractive mercantile establishments of L'Orignal 
 is that of A. H. ToURANGEAU. Mr. Tourangeau was born at St. Placide, and, after 
 leaving school, engaged as clerk to J. A. Paquin, of St. Euslache, with whom he 
 remained eight years. He was highly commended by his employer for his industry 
 and faithfulness, and the feeling of friendship which Mr. Paquin cherished for him 
 was much enhanced by an incident that occurred in 1890. Mr. Paquin's house and 
 store were burnt, and his child was in immediate danger of perishing in the flames, 
 when she was bravely rescued by Mr. Tourangeau, though at great risk and some 
 injury to himself. He feels profoundly grateful to Mr. Paquin, to whose good 
 instruction and example he attributes much of his own success. He was married 
 22nd May, 1894, ^° ^I'^^ Goulet, of St. Eustache, by his brother. Rev. Father 
 Tourangeau, Superior of Lachine Novitiate. In April, 1894, he opened a store in 
 L'Orign;il, but, finding it too small for his business, he exchanged it for a fine brick 
 store, lately occupied by F. X. P^lie (jauthier. He has a large and fine stock of 
 merchandise, and the cash system which he has adopted seems to meet with general 
 approval, his trade extending into the surrounding ])arishes. He is extremely 
 popular with his customers, among whom the wish is often expressed, that Mr. 
 Tourangeau may long continue to trade in L'Orignal. 
 
 F. X. Elie Gauthier, a native of St. Rose, is a retired merchant of this village. 
 He engaged in mercantile life in St. Eustache, and continued it five years, during 
 
 * Mr. Hamilton died early in 1895, after the above sketch was wricten. 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 525 
 
 3f the gonial 
 
 few deserve 
 
 I lie County 
 ng, and, after 
 )l in Hawkes- 
 d Ills exaniin- 
 ^an in 1848. 
 f, Paltawawa, 
 s doing much 
 " the Village 
 
 High Seliool 
 lingthe latter 
 idship having 
 if the general 
 
 in 1866, Mr. 
 s of Captain 
 land, and has 
 
 the history of 
 valuable Mock 
 in 1879. and 
 ;ller. He has 
 nd reasonable 
 
 localities. He 
 
 ,s of L'Orignal 
 •ide, and, after 
 ivitli whom he 
 tor his industry 
 ■rished for him 
 in's house and 
 in the flames, 
 isk and some 
 whose good 
 Ic was married 
 Rev. Father 
 :ned a store in 
 lor a fine brick 
 tine stock of 
 ;t with general 
 is extremely 
 :;ssed, that Mr. 
 
 of this village. 
 
 years, 
 
 durins; 
 
 which time he was also Postmaster. He is a graduate of the Military School at 
 Quebec, and when he was at St. F^ustache he became Lieutenant of a Company of 
 Volunteers, newly organized, which v.-as commanded by Capt. Alexander Venier. He 
 was marriec^ 23rd November, 1869, to Juliet Dunn, of St. Eustache, by the Rev. A. 
 Guion, P.P., at which marriage his military company was jiresent, and celebrated it 
 with military honors. Mr. Gauthier came to L'Orij;nal in 1876, and engaged in 
 trade, whicji he followed successfully till 1891, when he sold his business and retired. 
 He is a gentleman much respected in the community, and one who possesses much 
 affability and courtesy. 
 
 Frederic Winters, one of the merchants of I/Orignal, is grandson of Dr. 
 Ebe.iezer Winters who in his youth fought in the American ranks at Bunker Hill. 
 He afterward settled in Vermont, from which State he removed with his family to 
 Montebello, Que., some time between the years 1815 and 1820. He lived there, 
 and practised medicine, during the remainder of his life; he had four sons. Edward, 
 the eldest son. married Hannah, daughter of Frederic Seybold, a Prussian, who had 
 been drafted into the French service, and fought against the British at Waterloo. 
 He afterward came to Canada, and married Mary, daughter of Jacob Marston ; they 
 lived in Montreal, in which city their daughter Hannah wa;; born. After she had 
 grown up and married Mr. Edward Winters, they settled on a farm in the township 
 of Longueuil, and lived there till the death of Mr. Winiers in November, 1S75. 
 They had one son, Frederic, and four daughters. Frederic, in his youth, was clerk 
 in Flawkesbury eight years, and he then bought 120 acres of wild land in Longueuil, 
 which he cleared up and sold about 1878. He purchased another wild lot of 88 
 acres in this township, which he also cleared, and at the time of his purchase, he 
 engaged in the wood business, which, to some extent, he still follows. In 18S8 he sold 
 his land and engaged in mercantile business in this village, and he has since bought 
 150 acres of land within the limits of the corporation, and erected a good brick resi- 
 dence. He was married in November, 1867, to Onesime Daigneau of Longueuil. 
 Mr. Winters has led an active and useful life, and is esteemed by his fellow-citizens, 
 whom he has represented several years in the Municipal Council. His only son 
 Edward is his assistant in the store. 
 
 John Millar, the subject of this sketch, was bora in Lachute, Que. When 
 about ten years of age, he came to L'Orignal to live with his uncle, Mr. Gavin 
 Walker, who kept a general store there. On Mr. Walker's death, Mr. Millar, then a 
 young man, succeeded to the business. Possessed of excellent business qualities, 
 integrity, energy and good judgment he soon increased the business, and the 
 store was enlarged to the present dimensions. The public soon perceived in 
 him qualities to put tO' their service. He was elected Reeve, first by the undivided 
 Township of Longueuil, which he represented at the time of the incorporation of the 
 Village of L'Orignal. After separation L'Orignal elected him their Reeve, first of an 
 honorable roll. He also filled the office of Warden of the United Counties of 
 Prescolt and Russell. 
 
 While not neglecting his business, he took an active and intelligent interest in 
 the affairs of our country. He acted well his part as a citizen ; and is remembered 
 as an earnest advocate of efficiency in our school, and for the retaining of the High 
 School. He was an adherent of the Presbyterian Church, and liberally supported it. 
 ■' Benevolent by nature, courteous in private life, and obliging and honorable in busi- 
 ness, Mr, Millar enjoyed the esteem of all classes." His beneficence was as generous 
 as untrumpeted. In later years, Mr. Millar had acquired a sufficient competence to 
 permit the gratification of a desire to travel. Accompanied by his wife and their 
 friends, Mr. and Mrs. MacRae, Scotland, the birthplace of his parents, was first 
 
S»6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 visited ; also England. Some months were spent very pleasantly in France and in Italy. 
 
 He died on the twelfth day of February, 1890, at the age of 52, and was buried at 
 Lachute in the family burying ground. 
 
 The Ottawa Forwarding Company. — Oflicers ; E. A. Hall, President ; Geo. A. 
 Harris, Vice-President; J. H. Hall, Secy.-Treasurer ; W. J. Hall and R. T. Holcomb, 
 Directors, and the latter is also Book-keeper. 
 
 This Coni]);iny was formeil in 1890. A line of boats was started under the above 
 name by (ieo, A. Harris in 1884, on the dissolution of the Montrc.il vS; Ottawa For- 
 warding Company, which had been in existence many years. About the same time 
 that Harris started his boats, another line was started by the Hall Brothers, all being 
 freight boats. Both lines continued running in opposition till 1890, when they 
 amalgamated, and also engaged in the passenger traffic. Their boats are the " Hall," 
 " Harry Bates," "Welshman" and "Olive;" the latter runs from Montreal to 
 Kingston via the Ottawa and Rideau Canal. 
 
 A great quantity of freight is carried by this line, and the kindness and courtesy 
 displayed by the officers and employees of the boats towards passengers always ren- 
 der their trips comfortable and pleasant. 
 
 E. A. Hall, the President of this Company, is a son of Edward Hall, who came 
 to this country from flnniskillen, Ireland, in May, 1844. In 1850, he was married to 
 Susan Muiholiand. He learned the tanner's trade in Montreal, and remained there 
 till i860, when he came to L'Orignal and cnj^aged in the livery business, whicii he 
 followed for twenty years; he died in 1883. He had seven children, but only three 
 sons grew up. E. A. Hall, the eldest of these, established a hay and grain market in 
 L'Orignal in 1877, the first of the kind established in this village, and he still continues 
 the business. In 1890 his two brothers joined in this enterprise, and at the same time 
 entered the Forwarding Company. East year, 1893, they .ship])ed 100,000 tons of 
 hay to the States and England — the greater quantiiy of it going to England. Mr. 
 E. A. Hall wai married in November, 1874, to Miss Soulier of L'Orignal. He and 
 his brothers are esteemed for their straightforward dealing in business, and for their 
 upright, Christian character. 
 
 Quite an extensive marble and granite business is conducted in this village 
 by two brothers, J. L. and N. Batk.s. Their father, Nathaniel Bates, at the age of 
 16 came from Wexford County, Ireland, to Plantagenet, about the year 1827. After 
 living in that township a few years, he removed to Grenville County, where he still 
 resides on his farm. He was married in 1S34 to Lydia Darlington from Ireland ; 
 their children, now living, are five sons and four daughters. 
 
 J. L,, their fourth son, when quite young, learned the trade in Western Ontario 
 of marble and granite cutting. In 1873, he entered into partnership with J. H. 
 Fulford of L'Orignal, which partnership continued seven years, when Mr. Bates bought 
 out his partner, and conducted business alone till 1883, when i*") rapid increase induced 
 him to admit Nathaniel Bates, his brother, as partner. The distance from which they 
 receive orders has steadily increased, and orders now often come from .sections 
 beyond Ottawa and from the West, as far as from Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. 
 Their stone is obtained direct from the quarries, and some of the finest work in the 
 Province is performed in their shop. Recently they executed an expensive monu- 
 ment of Scotch granite, in memory of the late James McLauren, an extensive lumber 
 dealer, and President of the Ottawa Bank. The order for this was obtained by the 
 Bates Brothers, though it was a subject of competition by the best firms in Canada. 
 At the present they are finishing several monuments varying in price from $200 to 
 $500 ; they are importers and manufacturers of all the foreign granites, and employ 
 from 8 to 1 5 men. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 527 
 
 and in Italy, 
 as buried at 
 
 ;nl ; Geo. A. 
 T. Holcomb, 
 
 er the above 
 Ottawa For- 
 10 same time 
 ers, all being 
 , when they 
 the " Hall," 
 Montreal to 
 
 and courlesy 
 i always ren- 
 
 .11, who came 
 as married to 
 mained there 
 ;ss, which he 
 Lit only three 
 ain market in 
 still continues 
 Lhe same time 
 3,ooo tons of 
 ngland. Mr. 
 iial. He and 
 and for their 
 
 I this village 
 at the age of 
 .827. After 
 'here he still 
 rom Ireland ; 
 
 stern Ontario 
 with J. H. 
 Bates bought 
 rease induced 
 m which they 
 rom sections 
 edicine Hat. 
 t work in the 
 ensive monu- 
 nsive lumber 
 ained by the 
 Bs in Canada, 
 from $200 to 
 , and employ 
 
 J. L. Dates was married in 1876 to Julia I. ighthall, granddaughter of the late Capt. 
 Lighthall. C. J. L., their eldest son, is now a student in tlie Arts Course of McGill. 
 Nathaniel Bates was married in 1883, to Myrta Lighthall, a sister of Mrs. J. L. Bates. 
 The brothers are public-spirited, intelligent gentlemen, sui)porters of the Methodist 
 Church, and both families are welcome auxiliaries to the moral and social element of 
 L'Orignal. 
 
 Jam'.s V. McEvoY is prominent among the business men of this place. His 
 father, Mark McEvoy, was born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, and was manager 
 of the Crebilly estate for Squire O'Harra. yXfter the latter's deatli Mr. McEvoy was 
 made Ca|)tain of the Constabulary force in that section of Ireland, which honorable 
 ])osition he fUIed many years. He died in this country at the age of 83; he had 
 always been possessed of good 'lealth and great determination. 
 
 The maiden name of Mr. J.uries McEvoy's mother was Elizabeth Findiey ; her 
 parents moved from Scotland to the County of Antrim, Ireland, and tlie subject of 
 dur sketch was born there in 1836. He came to Canada at the age of i8, starting 
 from Liverpool on a sailing vessel, wliich reached Quebec 6tli September, 1S54, after 
 a very pleasant passage of five weeks and three days. 
 
 Mr. McEvoy says : " I came to Oxford, County of Leeds, Ont., in whicli town- 
 ship I i)ur( hased 300 acres of land. My chief business from 185410 1877 was lum- 
 bering ; and during those 23 year.s, I underwent many hardships ; no one but he who 
 followed tlie same business in those days can tell. I began as a man before the mast, 
 and rose step by step till I got to be bush manager, at a good salary. In llie year 
 1877, I married Miss Janet G.llies, daughter of John and Mary Gillies of Carleton 
 Place, Lanark County, and the same year came to L'Orignal. During the last seven- 
 teen years I have been mostly employed with a giist mill and saw-mill." 
 
 Mr. McEvoy has been Chairman of the Public School Board several years, but 
 has declined Municipal otiices. He has one son, John, and one daughter, Mary 
 McEvoy. 
 
 Robert R. McEvoy, the youngest of his father's family by his last marriage, is an 
 enterprising farmer in L'Orignal. In his younger days he engaged as a lumberman 
 to Gillies & McLaren, and worked for them on the Mississippi five years. He 
 then worked on the (loulonge, in the employ of the Hon. A. B. Foster, but the 
 latter sold his timber limits and mills at Braeside near Arnprior to Gillies Brothers, 
 and Mr. McEvoy remained with them as their foreman till 1878 — a period of five 
 years. On leaving their employ he received a very flattering testimonial for indus- 
 try, faithfulness and probity. He came to L'Orignal and engaged as foreman to his 
 brother, James F. McEvoy, and for ten years had the entire charge of his mills, and 
 through the experience thus acquired became a thoroughly practical and eflicient 
 miller. Previous to this, he had bought the old Treadwell farm, known as the 
 " Mill Farm," comprising 1 50 acres, and to this, since 1888, his time has been devoted, 
 though he has also bought lOO acres in Hawkesbury. For several years he has 
 been a member of the Village Council, to which he was elected four times by accla- 
 mation; and is also trustee of the High School. In the Masonic Fraternity he has 
 been Junior and Senior Warden of St. John's Lodge No. 159, under the Grand 
 Lodge of Dublin, Ireland. He was married in June, 1887, to Catherine Baine of 
 Carleton Place, niece of the late John Gillies. Her parents came from Scotland, 
 but she was born in the township of Lanark. 
 
 A bakery has recently been opened in L'Orignal by Geo. Stiles, who came from 
 Headington Quarry, near Oxford, England, to Ottawa in 1883. He is a baker by 
 trade, and a few months after arriving in Ottawa he removed to Thurso, Que., 
 and opened a bakery. In 1893, giving up his business in Thurso to his eldest son. 
 
528 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Albert Stiles, he came to L'Orignal, started in business, and is meeting with good 
 encouragement. Mr. Stiles is not one of those who devote their whole time to secur- 
 ing temporal comforts ; he is :i Christian, a local preacher, and has given much of 
 his life to Christian work. When in Kngland, he was a teacher in .Sabbath School 
 and a Class Leader, and while in Thurso was .Sabbath School Superintendent. He 
 has ten chiulren— four sons and six daughters ; one of the latter, married to William 
 Blackburn, lives in Port Moody, B.C. 
 
 William Hanford came from the County of Antrim, Ireland, to Hawkesbury in 
 1847, ^"d engaged in farming. He was married 19th November, 1849, ^" Joyce 
 Hamilton, sister of Robert Hamilton, surveyor, and soon afterward he accompanied 
 his brother-in-law on a survey on Deep River, above Pembroke, in which he was 
 employed two years. On his return, he became foreman on the farm of Sheriff 
 Treadwell, where he remained twelve years, and after another efpial interval on the 
 " I, owe Farm," he bought in 1879, the house and lot of 33 acres in the corporation, 
 where he still lives. He has been Municipal Councillor several years. Assessor and 
 Collector. He has five sons and four daughters, but only three of his children live 
 in this section. 
 
 William J. Swails is a respected and enterprising artisan of this village. His 
 father, William Swails, came from England, and settled first at Chateauguay, but 
 some years later he removed to Cote des Neiges, and after a residence there of 
 several years he settled in Lachutc, where he died. He left but one child, the subject 
 of this sketch. Mr. Swails learned the builder's trade, and in 1888 bought a house 
 and lot on Main street, Lachule, which he still owns; and in 1889 moved to 
 L'Orignal, and purchased the house and lot on King street, where he now lives. He 
 has taken many contracts for building in this place, where he has the confidence 
 and respect of the community, and has also done much work in adjacent localities. 
 He was married 20th July, 1S87, to Kate Nichols, daughter of William Nichols of 
 St. Phillipps. , 
 
 NEWSPAPER.S. 
 
 As regards newspapers, L'Orignal is in advance of the majority of country 
 villages — two papers, The Advertiser and The Advocate, being publislied here. 
 
 The former, Conservative in politics — and much the older paper of trte two — is 
 published by Watson Little, who is both proprietor and editor. Mr. Little came 
 with his father's family to Montreal, from the County of Monaghan, Ireland, in 1822. 
 Two years later he went to Bytown, and in May, 1830, when the regular publication 
 of the Bytowti Gazette commenced, he was installed manager of the mechanical 
 department. He remained in his position till the death of the proprietor — Dr. Christie, 
 in 1845, ^"d '■'^^" h^d charge of the office till 1847, when, in company with another 
 person, he purchased the paper. He retired shortly afterward, however, went to Perth, 
 and established the Constitutional^ which he conducted till the winter of 1849-50, 
 and then, at the solicitation of the late Col. Vankoughnet and the late Alexander 
 McLean, brotherofChief Justice McLean, he removed to Cornwall, and re-established 
 the Cornwail Observer. He afterward changed the name to Advertiser, and pub- 
 lished it till 1868, when he came to L'Orignal andestabli^iiedapaper with the same 
 name. He has always been a Conservative in politics, and was a staunch supporter 
 of the late Sir John A. Macdonald, of whom he was a personal friend. He 
 has been connected with the Press of Canada nearly sixty ye:\rs — all but ten of which 
 have been devoted uninterruptedly to publishing. In his early years he contributed 
 much to the columns of the Bytown Gazette; his articles, though anonymous, were 
 
HISTORY OF PRFSCOTT. 
 
 529 
 
 iig wilh good 
 ime to secur- 
 vcn much of 
 l)l)atl) Scliool 
 ;endcnt. He 
 ;d 10 William 
 
 awkesbiiry in 
 149, to Joyce 
 accompanied 
 which he was 
 irm of Sheriff 
 nterval on the 
 : corporation, 
 , Assessor and 
 5 children live 
 
 i village. His 
 teauguay, but 
 Jence there of 
 Id, the subject 
 )ought a house 
 J89 moved to 
 low lives. He 
 he confidence 
 .cent localities, 
 am Nichols of 
 
 ity of country 
 
 ed here. 
 
 of the two — is 
 
 llr. Little came 
 
 eland, in 1822. 
 
 ar publication 
 
 le mechanical 
 — Dr. Christie, 
 y with another 
 
 went to Perth, 
 Iter of 1849-5C, 
 late Alexander 
 
 re-established 
 tiser, and pub- 
 
 with the same 
 inch supporter 
 .1 friend. He 
 ut ten of which 
 
 he contributed 
 onymous, were 
 
 ;;ladly inserted and were much appreciated by the public. The Aihertiu-i- is an able 
 upporter of its parly principles, and has a large circulation. Mr. Little was married 
 ill June, 1S51, to Ann Jane Kennedy ; they have had eiuht cliildren— one son and 
 seven daughters — but the fornuT is deceased. The eldest dau^;hter is married to 
 Mr. (leorge Furniss, son of the late Albert Furni*is, of Montreal. The second 
 (laughter is married to Robt. Sullivan David, son ofllie late A. H. David, M.I)., D.C.L., 
 Dean of the Medical Faculty of ijie University of Bishop's College, Montreal. The 
 third is married to M. C. Meservey, son of Major 15. I'. Meservey of the U. S. .\rmy. 
 i'he fourth is wedded to Andrew bowe ot the firm of A. I, owe, Son iV Carter, the 
 ^reat Shipping Company of London, Kngland. 
 
 'X\\^ Prescott and Russell .li/ruudfe is n wide-awake, agL'rtssive Liber. d paper, 
 ably conducted by B. R, Poulin. Mr. roulin wis born at Montebello ; he learned 
 the printer's trade in L'Orignal, and was employed several years on the LOri^nal 
 N'ews. In 1878, he joined a party surveying the route for the C. P. R., and was 
 with it during the survey of the region aiound Lake Superior. He returned to 
 L'Orignal in 1883, and during tiie few subsequent years, was engaged here in nier- 
 lantile business. In the spring of 1888 he left this, e([uipped a printing office and 
 began to publish The Advocate, which meeting witii general favor, he has ever since 
 continued with increasing encouragement. Mr. Pou'in is a gentleman of good 
 judgment, wide and liberal views ; he is a member of the Village Council and of the 
 board of School Commissioners. He was formerly Clerk of the Council, but resigned 
 to give his time more fully to other business. He was married 13th May, 1884, to 
 Winnifred Labelle of L'Orignal. 
 
 Mr. Samuel J. Robinson, a young tnan from St. Andrews, who has spent the 
 last ten years in a ])rinting office, is a valued assi.stant of Mr. Poulin. 
 
 As stated above, L'Origual has three hotels, one of which, the Ottawa Hotel, is 
 (onducted by J. B. Pharand dit Marcelin. 
 
 Mr. Pharajid is a native of Soulanges, where he also was proprietor of a public 
 house several 'years. He afterward became a grain dealer — business in which he 
 embarked with a good capital ; but he lost niiicli money in it, and in May, 1886, he 
 removed to L'Orignal, and bought the hotel which he still conducts, and of which his 
 eldest son, George H. Pharand, is manager. The Ottawa is a popular house, and is 
 well patronized by the travelling public ; its rooms are large and neat ; the cuisine 
 all that reason can demand. Mr. Pharand wes married in 1862 to Rosalie St. Denis 
 of St. Clet. 
 
 The Ontario Hotel, a fine stone building, was erected in 1872 by A. Brant, the 
 l)resent proprietor. 
 
 CASSBURN. 
 
 This place is located about three miles from L'Orignal, in the Township of 
 Longueuil. It is merely a hamlet, but is one of the finest farming sections in Eastern 
 Ontario. The farms are all comparatively level, well cultivated, and the substantial 
 and attractive residences and good outbuildings, together with the large stocks of 
 eattle to be seen here, show that farming has been conducted on systematic and in- 
 telligent methods, and that the farmers are all in prosperous circumstances. Sugar 
 making is quite an industry, and sugar orchards are numerous which contain 
 from one thousand to three thousand trees. 
 
 A stone church (Methodist) was erected here about the year 1840, which, having 
 been repaired, is still used for a place of worship — a good congregation usually assemb- 
 ling on the Sabbath. Besides this church, a school house and blacksmith shop, with 
 
53° 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 two or three dwellings, comprise all the buildings there are in the immediate vicinity 
 of the i)c)St office — the remaining buildings of Cassbiirn being the farmers' residences 
 scattered along the different roads radiating from this modest hamlet. 
 
 Not distant from Cassburn is a settlement called the Allen Settlement or 
 neighborhood, froni the number of that name living there. Tiie locality is said to 
 be a prosperous one, and to be the dwelling place of a number of thrifty farmers, 
 but we have no historical data relating to it. 
 
 On the road leading from Cassburn to Vankleek Hill there are also a number 
 of fine farms both in Longucuil and West Hawkesbury. In the former township is 
 a lime-kiln owned by P. Paquette, which is kept in active operation and supplies the 
 surrounding locality with lime of superior quality. Mr. I'aquette has a fine young 
 orchard from which he annually sells several hundred bushels of ai)ples. 
 
 About the same time that Mr. H. 'J'readwell first came to this country, came 
 also two other individuals, who became prominent in the history of the new locality, 
 and their descendants are still in the vanguard of those sustaining its social and 
 moral reputation : these two pioneers were Jacoi; Marston and JosiahP. Cass. The 
 former settled on 200 acres of land at what is now known as Cassburn, and the 
 latter on 300 acres adjoining that of Mr. Marston. 
 
 Jacob Marston was born in Manchester, 9th February, 1774 ; his father, who 
 had been a soldier in the Revolution, had settled in Montreal after the war. Jacob 
 was reared by his uncle, Peter Marston, residing in Fairlee. Vt., but while still quite 
 young he returned to Canada, and settled in Longueuil. He had five children — 
 four sons and one daughter. He died 3rd September, 1873, aged 99 year? and 7 
 months. 
 
 'i'he following true stories will give a little idea of what Messrs. .\farston and 
 Cass had to experience in the early years of their pioneer struggles. 
 
 In those days Point Fortune, twenty miles distant, was the place whence all 
 their supplies were obtained. There they procured their first seed wheat, which 
 v.'as borne (in their bad s through the woods the whole distance, and from the 
 grain which the seed produced a quantity was obtained and sown by Col. Philemon 
 Wright-lhe first v;heat sowr. on the site of the present city of Hull. 
 
 On another occasion, a grindstone, which they had purchased, was carried in the 
 same manner from Point Fortune to Longueuil. and to their chagrin, after enduring 
 this physical hardship, it was found that the stone was so hard as to be useless. It 
 having been said that a stone becomes softer by being buried a while in the ground, 
 this stone, a number of years afteiward, was buried^ with the hope that the correct- 
 ness of the statement might be verified. But strange to relate, when the stone was 
 sought after a long interval, it could not be found. Search has been made for it at 
 various times b;' Mr. Richard Marston, grandson of the pioneer, and present pro- 
 prietor of the ancestral estate, and though positive that he knows the spot where 
 the stone was buried, his search hitherto has proved fruitless. The circumstance 
 is productive of much speculation. Did the gravity of the stone cause its des- 
 <:ent to regions beyond the reach of m~'rtal hands? Or is it a verification of the 
 belief of our forefathers, that buried treasures are guarded by special police of the 
 spirit land, who preserve them from human touch, as they did the buried trea- 
 sures of Captain Kidd and other freebooters of the olden time ? 
 
 JosiAH Cass Marston, the fourth son of Jacob Marston, the pioneer, married 
 J' ,nnah, daughter of Dr. David Pattee, an M.P.P. for tiie County of Prescott, and 
 xemained on the homestead. He was a man much respected in this locality — a 
 staunch supporter of the Methodist Church, and, for many years, a School Trustee. 
 Assessor and Collector in Longueuil. He died 25th December, 1892, injuries 
 
iate vicinity 
 ,' residences 
 
 :tlf.ment or 
 ty is said to 
 ifty farmers, 
 
 ;o a number 
 township is 
 supplies the 
 a fine young 
 
 !S. 
 
 ountry, came 
 new locaHty, 
 its social and 
 P.Cass. 1'h,» 
 Lirn, and the 
 
 is father, who 
 i war. Jacob 
 lile still quite 
 e children — 
 year? and 7 
 
 Nfarston and 
 
 _' whence all 
 wheat, which 
 nd from the 
 |ol. Piiilemon 
 
 carried in the 
 ^ftcr enduring 
 useless. It 
 the ground, 
 the correct - 
 Ihe stone was 
 lade for it at 
 [present pro- 
 spot where 
 ;ircumstance 
 Luse its des- 
 :ation of the 
 I police of the 
 buried trea- 
 
 [eer, married 
 
 'rescott, and 
 
 locality — a 
 
 liool Trustee. 
 S92, injurie- 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 531 
 
 which he received in falling from a step ladder being so serious that he survived but 
 :4 hours. He had two sons, Richard Henry, David Louis Kossuth, and two 
 dxughters. The homestead was divided between the two sons. 
 
 Richard, in his youthful days, after completing part of the course at McGill, 
 began the study of Law, and wa articled to his uncle, David Pattee, Q.C., with 
 whom he remained three years; he then spent two years in the office of the present 
 Indge O'Brian. But several reasons induced him to give up his legal studies and 
 devote his time to farming, which he did in 1870; and since that date he has 
 increased the size of his farm, till he now has 300 acies. He was the first in this 
 sfction to build a silo ; his ensilage is cut by means of an engine ; his tin-roofed 
 ham and other outbuildings, constructed with a due regard to convenience; his sugar 
 orchard of 1,600 trees, fitted up with the most modern and improved utensils, all 
 afford jjrcof that he is much interested in his vocation, and ihat he is a practical and 
 successful farmer. His commodious brick house is pleasantly located at four corners, 
 on elevated ground, and commands an extensive view. In 1876, Mr. Marston 
 engaged in *rade in connection with his agricultural labors, and continued the busi- 
 nr;sr> till 181,:'. A post-office was established i)ere in 1877, with the name of Cass- 
 h.irn, and he was appointed Postmaster — a position that he still occupies. He has 
 also lield several other responsible positions in this township. He was Municipal 
 Co\mcillor of L'Orignal, four years, after which he was Reeve six, served three years 
 as Municipal Engineer of Longueuil, West Hawkesbury and L'Orignal, and has since 
 been Secretary-'i'reasurer of School Section No. 3, in Longueuil. He was married 
 10 Julia Le Claii'. 
 
 He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and has six times been 
 Master of St, John's Lodge, No. 159. His Lodge presented him with a Past Master's 
 ■ipron, in acknowledgment of his services. In politics, he is a confirmed Liberal, as 
 lii> ancestors also were — a relentless political wa- having always existed between 
 ihem and the Hamiltons, who were leaders in this county of the Conservative party. 
 
 Mr. Marston has a walking stick cut on Navy Island by William .Lyon 
 Mc!'- enzie. It was presented by McKenzic to a man named McNiel, on the occasion 
 uf his going to address the electors of HalJimand, in which County he was elected to 
 Parliament by acclamation. McNiel, who was reared by Mr. Josiah C. Marston, after- 
 ward conducted a hotel -a Haldimand, and it was while tiuis employed that he 
 obtained the stick from McKenzie, which, when an old man, he presented to Mr. 
 Marston (Josiah C). This souvenir has on it a silver plate with the following: 
 " 1838 Navy Island." 
 
 The genealogy of the Marston family shows that its members have held prominent 
 places in both Church and State. Admiral Marston, of the United States Navy ui 
 the American Rebellion, by commanding Captain Worden, of the Monitor, to attr ic 
 the Merrimac instead of proceeding to Washington, as he had been directed, is 
 believed to have been the means of saving the Union. 
 
 JOSEPH PomeroyCass, vho located on land adjoining that of Mr. Jacob Marston, 
 who "had married his sister, was a brother of Elihu Cass, mentioned in the history 
 of L'Orignal. The land on which he settled is now owned and occupied by two of his 
 grandsons, one of whom bears his name. He was the first to fell a tree on this lot, 
 and, during the century that has elapsed since he came here, the land he purchased, 
 which has remained in the family, has never been encumbered by mortgage. Mr. 
 Cass was a quiet, retiring man averse to holding public office; he died 3rd of 
 May, 1851. He was twice married ; his last wife, Sybil Jackson, dying 21st June, 
 1878. By his first marriage he had four sons and six daughters; by tlie last, one 
 son and four daughters. 
 
MaMi^HM 
 
 532 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Alfred, the son by his last marriage, was married 22nd April, 1842, to Maria 
 Cobb, and remained on the homestead. They had eleven children — three sons and 
 eight daughters. Mr. Cass died 26th April, 1881. He was an exemplary citizen and a 
 loyal supporter of the Methodist Church. 
 
 Joseph P. Cass, his second son, was married rgth .September, 1877, to Fiorenc: 
 Stephen of Longueuil, and settled on a part of the homestead of 300 acres, which 
 was divided equally between him and his brother Alien. He has erected a fine brick 
 residence, which is very nicely furnished, and iiis well cultivated farm, new and sub- 
 stantial farm buildings, are evidence of material |)ros|)erity. He has all the modem 
 agricultural implements and a Halliday Standard Wind .\Iill, witli wliich he draws 
 water, grinds grain, and saws wood. He has been a School Trustee for nine years, 
 and, like his father, is a devoted member of the Methodist Church. His intelligence 
 and public spirit command respect, and have secured him popularity in the com 
 niunity where he dwells. 
 
 Robert Steele is the proprietor, in this locality, of another tine farm, witi) 
 attractive and conimo.lious buildings. His father, James Steele, came f'om the 
 County of London-lerry, Ireland, to Canada in 1826 or 1827. He was tlien a 
 young man, and was first employed in teaching school in the township, of Lochiel, 
 Glengarry. He then engaged to the Hamilton LumL ;r Company of Hav kesburv 
 Village, with whom he remained several years. He was married in 1832 to Miss 
 Elizabeth Orton, and, the same year, settled on I,ot 28, 3rd Concession of East 
 Hav'esbury, where he lived till his death, Sth June, 1883, aged 8.?. His con:panion, 
 with whom he had lived very h;'ppily many years, died 21st October, 1873. Tliev 
 had twelve children — si.K of e.icJi sex — of whom only three sons and three daugiiters 
 are novv living — all married, with the e.xception of one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. 
 Steele was prominent in his locality, in botii municipal and religious affairs, being 
 a liberal suppori of the Methodist Chuich, not only in his own neighborhood, but 
 in many other sections. 
 
 Robert, his second son, has devoted much of his time to religious work, thojgh 
 he has been a most practical and ':uccessful farmer. He has been a Local Preacher 
 since he was quite young, Class Leader, and has engaged actively in Sabbath School 
 work. H j purchased his present farm of 150 acres in 1864, and was married -•2nd 
 August, 1865, to Angelina Maria Bancroft. ..Ithoughhe lias been a Munic'pal Couii- 
 :illor, he has been averse to accepting municipal offices, and resigned tiie Coun- 
 cillorship after a brief period. He was also School Trustee for a while, but resigned 
 the position ai;d was re-eiected. He is much interested in agricultural matters, and 
 his farm gives evidence that it is under skillful and experienced management ; it su 
 tains 40 head of cattle and 7 or 8 horses. He has bought three other farms adjacei 
 to his own, which are now in possession of three of his sons. 
 
 Asa B., second son of Robert Steeic, was married 13th September, 1888, 1 
 Sarah Davidson from Armagii, Ireland, and settled, at once, on a farm of 200 acr>^ 
 adjacent to the homestead. This farm is pleasantly located, and is noted for ^^ 
 grain and root producing qualities, especially corn and potatoes. 
 
 Mr. Steele is very energetic, and has so improved his farm during the few 
 years that he has owned it, that its produciveness has greatly increased. Ho 
 has 45 held of cattle and 6 horses, and during the last setison (1894) he raised 
 30 pigs. 1,200 bushels of grain and 1,800 bushels of potatoes. He has a fine orchard 
 of apple trees, and by hiring a sugar orchard contiguous to his own, he taps 3,600 
 trees. 
 
 It is proper to state that the farm owned by .Vsa H. Steele was formerly owned 
 by John Pattee, brother of David Pattee, mentioned in the history of L'Orignal ; John 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 533 
 
 42, to Maria 
 ree sons and 
 citizen and ;i 
 
 , to Florence 
 acres, whicli 
 J a fine brick 
 new and sub- 
 11 the modern 
 ich he draws 
 )r nine years, 
 is intelligence 
 y in the com 
 
 oe fariij, with 
 nie f' oni the 
 :• was then a 
 p, of Lochiel, 
 ' Hawkesbuiy 
 1832 to Miss 
 ■ssion of Easi 
 [is conipanion, 
 , 1873. They 
 liree daughters 
 Hzal)eth. Mr. 
 s affiiirs, being 
 hborhood, but 
 
 work, though 
 ,oca! Preacher 
 labbath School 
 
 married -•2nd 
 unic'pal Coun- 
 led the Coun- 
 
 ;, but resigned 
 
 LJ matters, and 
 ternent ; it su. 
 [farms adjacei 
 
 Lber, 1888, \ 
 In of 200 acri" 
 noted for :.i 
 
 luring the few 
 
 Jicreased. He 
 
 |8q4) he raised 
 
 a fine orchard 
 
 he taps 3,600 
 
 jrmerly owned 
 lOrignal ; John 
 
 lived here many years, and his last 'lays were spent here. On an adjoining farm 
 lived Dr. Moses Pattee, cousin to John Pattee's father. Dr. Moses Pattee was a very 
 early settler at this jdace ; lie came from the States, and was the first physician to 
 ])ractice in Longueuil, and this practice was successfully continued till his death. 
 His only daughter, Polly, married Abel Bancroft, who afterward conducted the 
 doctor's estate, and then came into possession of it. 
 
 CtrsTAVu-s Barton is one o^ the prominent citizens and successful farmers of 
 Cassburn. His father Oliver Barton came to this country with his family in 1S32, and 
 settled near Vankleek Hill, on a farm of 200 acres, which until recently was owned 
 by his son, John J. Barton. He lived there till his death about the year 1875 ; he 
 had five sons and three daughters who arrived at maturity, and all settled in Pres- 
 cott except one son, who settled on the Gatineau. 
 
 Gustavus, ih.e second son, engaged in lumbering in his younger years, and 
 passed through inany of the hardships iiu:ideni to this life ; but possessing reuiark- 
 ible physical vigor and determination, bravely surmnunted the difficulties, and saved 
 eonsiderable money from his venture. He subsequently bought different valuable 
 properties, from the sale of which he realized considerable profit; and in 1S54 he pur- 
 chased the farm where he now resides, and on which he erected a good brick 
 residence in 1862. He was married 7th November, 1867, to P21iza Ann, daughter of 
 James Murray, Esq. Mr. Barton was a loyal defender of his country in the Rebel- 
 lion of 1837, and has since served his fellow-citizens several years, as Municipal 
 Councillor and School 'rruslee. Both he and Mrs. Barton have the honor of 
 lielon'^iUj; to ancient families of honorable line ige. They have hid four children — one 
 son and three daughters; but the son is deceased. One of the daughters, married 
 to Oliver J. Graham, lives in West Hawkesbury. 
 
 HAWKESBIIRY MILLS. 
 
 incorporated as a town in JANUARY, 1S96. 
 
 The above name, whicii is much older and more widely known than Hawkesbury 
 Village, is synonymous with the latter — a name which has frequently designated the 
 place since its incorporation in 1S59, For more than four-score years Hawkesbury 
 Mills has been a name associated with the strongest hopes anil highest expectations of 
 (wuntless people of almost every grade of life, in numberless cities, towns and hamlets 
 ol this continent, and in places beyond the sea. J3ankers, capitalists and business 
 men of Canadian cities, as well as New York, Boston, and far off London, Glasgow 
 uid Edinburgh, have in turn been elated or depressed by the result of ^i)ecul 'tif)ns 
 ;i-'^'.,ciatcd v*"!;!'. li iwkesbury Mills. The name has revived hope of aid in the humble 
 loiiage in F.nglaiul ami in the glens of Scotland. It has yearly been the rallying cry 
 111' hundreds of labuiing men all along the river from the Metropolis to the Doinmion 
 (' ipital, and fir moiuhs nerved their aims in the wild-; far iijj the Rouge, the Gat- 
 aieau and the Matawawa. While day and night, for near.y a century, the mills have 
 been denuding the hill-sides, vales and plains of ('anada, they have as steadily been 
 liuildiiig up the town and city, multiplying barges, steamers and palace cars, and at 
 tie ^ame time feeding the hungiy and clothing the naked. 
 
 The growth of the greater part of the village, as well as much of the prosperity 
 ot adjacent districts, may be traced to the pecuniary benefit of these mills, for not only 
 successful farmers, but those engaged in other business, received their first start in 
 life from money earned either by their ancestors or themselves in the employ of this 
 
*-'»'*«S»»*SKti,,.„^„ 
 
 534 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 ,' fully refrained from iii 
 
 th£ 
 
 Uer 
 
 manufactory. When far 
 
 necessity demanded, and employment, in other pursuits lias been difficult to ol)tain, 
 the mills have often proved a priceless blessing to hundreds of men and boys, and 
 scores of families have thus escaped the harassiiig, humiliating visits of want. 
 
 Great, indeed, has been the mission of Hawkesbury Mills, and their complete 
 history would enter largely into that of numberless individuals and enterprises in 
 which fortunes have been made and sunk. 
 
 The founders of these mills "'ere I)k. David Pattee and Thomas Mears, the 
 latter being the one through wiose enterprise was built at St. Andrews, Que., tlie 
 first paper mill in Canada. We are ignorant uf the exact date of the erection of the 
 first mill at Hawkesbury, but it was doubtless about 1805, and its size and capacity, 
 though considerable for thav period, would afford a striking contrast to the mills that 
 are here to-day. 
 
 As the business was too extensive for the pecuniary means of the propritcors, 
 they sold, about 1808, to William Hamilton, who came from Quebec. He, in 
 company with his brothers — all of whom came from Ireland — had for some time been 
 engaged in Quebec, shipping lumber to Liverpool, building steamers, etc., and they 
 had failed. Soon after the mills were purchased, George Hamilton, a brother of 
 William, came, and they worked in company, but only for a short time, comparative- 
 ly, when William returned to Quebec and George remained at Hawkesbury. Robeit, 
 another brother, through whom the funds for conducting their business was obtained, 
 resided at Liverpool. He died a few years later, and his death proved most disastrous 
 to the firm, and well-nigh ruined the enterprise in which they had engaged on the 
 banks of the Ottawa. 
 
 A better account of this affair probably cannot be given than the following, which 
 is copied from a little volume entitled, "Philip Musgrave," which was publi.slied m 
 1846 by the Rev. Joseph, father of the late Sir J. J. C. Abbott. We have taken liie 
 liberty to replace the fictitious names which the author used by correct ones : 
 
 "Mr. Hamilton was one of my most respected and dearest friends. It i)leased 
 that all-wise and over-ruling, but sometimes mysterious, Providence, which ordereili 
 all things in heaven and on earth, to visit him with such a succession of misfortunes 
 as have seldom or ever fallen to the lot of a single individual since the days of the 
 Patriarch who was so sorely afflicted for the trial and triumph of his faith. He was a 
 lumber merchant in the most extensive acceptation of the term. He had a saw-mill 
 one of the largest in the world ; it worked nearly forty saws. He had also a corti- 
 mill with I do not know how many luns of stones in it. This, however, was only ,1 
 concern of secondary importance. He had a great number of men and horses and 
 oxen constantly employed. His establishment altogether formed quite a village, and 
 his outlay in repairs, wages, provisions and provender amounted to about ten thdii- 
 sand pounds a month. He was not alone, however, in this immense business. He 
 had two brothers, who were partners, if not equal sharers, in the concern. One resided 
 at Liverpool, in England, to receive and sell the timber. This brother was connected 
 with a bank tl.ere, from which the concern, at its commencement, bad obtained con- 
 siderable pecuniary assistance, and which held a mortgage on the mills as its security. 
 The third brother lived at the port from whence their timber was shipped ; my friend 
 himself managed the niilis, and resided close to them \/,\.h his wife and family. The 
 establishment, although comparatively new and scarcely in full operation, had been 
 very successful and was clearing upward of fifteen hundred pounds a year 
 
 In the spring preceding this fatal summer, the ice was no sooner broken up and hold of 
 
 navigation open tiiai^ the hhips began to arrive. One of the first brought out letters 
 iVom Liverpool, conveying to Mr. Hamilton the mournful intelligence of his brother 
 
 aimos 
 
 yet he 
 
 I saw 
 
 connei 
 
 was si: 
 
 with 01: 
 
 river t 
 
 men, 
 
 frighte 
 
 This ir 
 
 ttheluK 
 
 excel lo 
 
 Tlie tu- 
 
 gave til 
 
 r;-.--t::f 
 
 efm 
 
 child fr 
 out to s 
 
 mi^n 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOT)'. 
 
 535 
 
 ore than stem 
 cult to obtain, 
 and boys, and 
 f want. 
 
 their compltle 
 . enterprises in 
 
 AS Mears, the 
 rews, Que., the 
 erection of the 
 ;e and capacity, 
 
 the mills that 
 
 the proprifctors, 
 iiebec. He, iu 
 some time beer 
 , etc., and they 
 )n, a brother of 
 le, coniparalivc- 
 sbury. Robert, 
 5S was obtained, 
 , most disastrous 
 fngaged on the 
 
 following, which 
 as publi.shcd m 
 
 have taken tiie 
 
 t ones : 
 
 ds. It pleased 
 
 which orderciii 
 
 1 of misfortunes 
 the days of the 
 "ailh. He was a 
 
 had a saw-mil!. 
 had also a corn- 
 vcr, was only ;i 
 and horses and 
 ite a village, and 
 about ten thdu- 
 e business. He 
 n. One resided 
 jr was connected 
 ad obtained con 
 s as its security 
 
 ped ; my friend 
 
 d family. The 
 ration, had been 
 
 year. 
 r broken up and 
 ought out letters 
 
 e of his brother 
 
 death. Shortly afterwards he received a letter from the bank I have alluded to, 
 informing him that the amount of the mortgage must be paid. As it had been through 
 his brother's instrumentality that the money had been borrowed, this was to be 
 anticipated ; it was nevertheless a heavy blow upon him, and was ultiinately |)roduct- 
 ive of ruinous consequences. Shortly after this, so immediately indeed, that I might 
 almost literally say, 'while the messenger was yet speaking,' another arrived to tell 
 him that his other brother was dead. They were all three strong and healthy men, 
 and the age of the eldest did not exceed foity. 
 
 " Poor Hamilton 1 Deeply as he felt, and sincerely as he deplored his loss, great 
 and overwhelming as were the diflkuliies consequent upon it, still he did not despair. 
 Althouj^h thus left alone to contend with tl.em, and to manage in all its widely extend- 
 ed ramitications this mighty concern, he was undaimted and hopeful. His mill-pond 
 was full of saw-logs, all carefully harbored there after having been floated down the 
 rivers from the back woods at an immense distance in the interior. On this mass of 
 timber all his hopes of future success were founded ; hopes, alas ! which were doomed 
 to end in disappointment and ruin. 
 
 "The river upon which his mills were placed rose to an unprecedented height, and 
 carried away his dam with all those valuable logs, amounting to many thousands. A 
 few nights after this sad disaster, his house took fire and was burnt, with everything 
 in it. The inmates barely escaped with their lives ; nothing was saved, notning 
 insured, and he was left a homeless bankrupt and a beggar, liul his cup of misery 
 was not yet full. 
 
 " Mr. Hamilton had determined to take his family to the town where his principal 
 creditors resided, as he would have to be there himself, perhaps lor months, to .settle 
 with them and to wind up liie affairs of the estate. To remove his fimily was, at that 
 jjeriod, an affair of no small difticulty. There were no public means of conveyance 
 then; although now, at the time I write, twenty years afterwards, five or six steamers 
 a day find sufticieni employment. Mr. Hamilton procured a large canoe from a 
 friend, and eng.iged two Fnnch-Canadians to row them down the river. They all 
 embarked in it and glided swiftly and smoothly alongthe surface of the lake. In this 
 country all the large rivers, as well as many of the smaller ones, consist of a chain of 
 lakes, having a narrow channel and a swift current, characteristically termed a' rapid,' 
 httween them. The la' o 1 here refer to is several miles in width. 
 
 "Away liiey went, all the little ones in high glee and uproarious mirth. I could 
 almost fancy the other day, on passing the spot where they embarked, that I coukl 
 yet hear the echo of their merry laugh, as it rang through the thick woods on shore. 
 I saw them start, and twenty years have not erased from my memory a single incident 
 connected with their departure. I could even yet repeat he simple 'chanson,' which 
 was sung to a lively air by the two rowers; for the Canadian boatmen can hardly row 
 without singing, certainly not with equal spirit and energy. A little lower down the 
 river there are some very dangerous rapids. In getting into these, one of the boat- 
 men, the poor fellow who came to my house, as I have already mentioned, became 
 frightened, and in his confusion suffered his oar to be caught by the boiling surge. 
 This in an instant overturned their canoe ; the three helpless little ones were over- 
 wliehned in a watery grave ; not, however, before the distressed father, who was an 
 excellent swimmer, had made the most extraordinary exertions to save the youngest. 
 The two oldest, with their mother, he lost sight of the moment the canoe upset, and 
 gave them up for lost, but the youngest, a child about eighteen months old, he caught 
 hold of, when a strong wave broke over him, and somehow or other wrenched the 
 child from his grasp, and bore it some distance away from him. He again stretched 
 out to save his hoy, and again succeeded in laying hold of him. By this time he had 
 
%ii^g^^f^^^^l^^ 
 
 536 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 been carried into the iv^st violent part of the rapid torrent, down which, in a state 
 bordering upon insensi lity, he was hurried with fearful velocity. On reaching the 
 comparatively smooth w 'er at the foot of the rapid he soon recovered his senses, but 
 found to his dismay that ik- had lost his child again — hopelessly lost it now. On 
 looking round he could see nothing but the canoe. It had floated down along with 
 him, bottom upwards, with the two boatmen clinging to it. He was now nearlv 
 exhausted, but on perceiving the canoe he roused his sinking energies for one effort 
 more, and succeeded in reaching it ; he was soon afterwards safely landed, the sole 
 survivor, as he supposed, of his little family. 
 
 " When they reached the phore the first thought with the men was, naturally, to 
 right the canoe. On turning it up, there, to his astonishment and joy, was his poor 
 wife underneath it, in a state of insensibility. She had, doubtless, in the first 
 moment of her flight, seized hold of one of the thwarts, to which she had tenaciously 
 clung, with a dc;uh-likc gras]5, and was thus miraculously saved. 
 
 " A few mnutcs sufficed to bring back susjiended animation, and she was soon, I 
 had ahviost said loo soon, restored to a consciousness of the dreadful loss she had 
 sustained. 
 
 " The sorrow and distress so acutely fell by the poor fellow, who came to inform 
 me of the sad event, were deei>ly shared, not only by myself, but by the whole com- 
 munity. -Dark and mysterious indeed are th.e dealings of God in His providence with 
 His people, ' and His ways are jiast finding out.' But we have a cheering assurance 
 to supjjort us under every misfortune — ' .Ml things shall work together for good to 
 them that love Cod.' And so they did in this instance ; for my friend Hamilton 
 was r ."terwards blessed wit! as fine a family of children as I ever saw. He has now 
 been dead some years, but ne succeeded before his death in securing to his widow an 
 ample income, and for her seven orphan children as many thousands a yeai. This 
 he accon plished. not from the wreck of his fortune, or from his former prosperity, 
 for nothing was left, but >m the credit of his name untl the energy of his character, 
 Under the guidance ofai; acious Providence, every uniitriaMHil^ he engaged in was 
 prosperous and profitable. ' The Lord gave hirn twice 's ttl'kil fi'^ he had before, 
 and blessed his latter end more than his beginning.'" 
 
 The sad accident recorded above O'furredin 1822, at which time it will beseiMi, 
 from the .same account, the business hcf was one of much magnitude. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton spent his days iicre, aiid naturally became a man of gr 
 iiilluence. His culture ctjmmanded the respect of 'he more intelligent of the com- 
 munily, and his business and means which enabled him to give emplo/oient to so laiirt.- 
 a number of men gave him a power in this district which no other man possessed 
 his authority for many years was almost .nhsolut^. In military matters, ;tt. well .is 
 politically and .-^o/'ially, he Was rjiivf. Notwithstanding his influence, xod the 
 homage paid 10 fiUu tiff all han<|.s, //." was modest, kind and prudent, never 
 //yerstepped the duties /// nh magisterial office, and always exercised his airrhority 
 Qver oOiers kindly and jiidiciously. In politics he was strongly Conservative, and 
 for yeai^ he was regarded In this section as the champion of Conservative principSe-i 
 He died in 1830;. On his monument ii the St. .'\ndre\\s (Que.) cemetery, is the fol- 
 lowing inscription . 
 
 " Sacred to the Memor)' of George Hamilton. 
 
 W ho departed this life on ll^e 7lh Jan., 1839, aged 58 years. 
 
 He was born at Sheephill, County of .\Iealh, Ireland, but the last 23 
 
 years of his life were spent in the 
 
 District of Ottawa, VX\, 
 
 Where he distinguished himself in the service of his country as an 
 
 ui)right Judge ami an active Magistrate." 
 
HISTORY OK PRF.SCOTT. 
 
 537 
 
 h, in a state 
 reaching the 
 is senses, but 
 it now. On 
 n along with 
 IS now nearly 
 for one effort 
 ided, the sole 
 
 ,, nnturally, to 
 
 was his poor 
 
 s, in the first 
 
 id tenaciously 
 
 he was soon, I 
 1 loss she had 
 
 :ame to inform 
 he whole com- 
 irovidence with 
 ;ring assurance 
 er for good to 
 •lend Hamilton 
 He has now 
 ;o his widow an 
 I a yeai. This 
 ner ' prosperity, 
 f his character, 
 icngaged in Wa3 
 lie had before, 
 
 ll 'A' 
 
 ill l)e sc<ii, 
 
 nan of gn-it 
 
 rfMil of the com- 
 
 .t to sc' uiii;c| 
 
 1 possessed - 
 iors, ;is well -i^i 
 lencu. iT i 'hi I 
 Iprudcp.t. '.1 
 ;d his aii^-iontv 
 fuservati' .:, and 
 [ilive prmcip! 
 letery, is ilie • 
 
 pars, 
 last 23 
 
 Irv as an 
 
 In liic relations of private life he was conspicuous as a man of sterling integrity, 
 a most affectionate husband and parent, and a sincere and generous friend. His 
 mortal disease was conlrat ted in the zealous discharge of his duties as I,ieut.-Col, of 
 tlie Prescott Reserve Battalion in preparing to repel tiie ])iratical invaders of the 
 province." 
 
 Partners were admitted to tiie above concern at different periods, and for about 
 20 years the firm was Hamilton & Lowe ; subsequently, Hamilton & I'hompson 
 
 About the year 1835, ^^- Hamilton erected the large stone dwelling, now owned 
 by Mr. Hiram Robinson, which building is known as Flamillon Hall. 
 
 The sons of Mr. Hamilton, born after the loss of those recorded above, were 
 John, William, Robert, George and Charles. Tiie first became the Hon. John 
 Hainiiton, he having held a seat in the Senate for some time prior to his death. It 
 was he who erected tiie fine residence on the Island, now owned by Mr. Cloran. Mr. 
 Hamilton expended large sums of money in ornamenting llie Island, and giving to 
 it so many characteristics of an O.d Country Park. He was the last of the family 
 who lived at Hawkesbury. William died young; George died in 1857 ; Robert now 
 lives in Quebec ; and Charles is the present Bishop of Niagara. 
 
 The mills are located on an island formed by the Ottawa and one of its branches 
 called the Chenel Ecartt}, which signifies " Lost Channel," but which has been 
 corrupted into " Sny Cartv " ami is most usually spoken of as " The Sny," so that 
 going to "The Sny," or v irking at "The Sny," aic expressions which will fre- 
 quently puzzle the stranger who visits Hawkesbury. It will be necessary to visit the 
 ])lace to gain a correct idea of the amount of lumber manufactured here. There are 
 five mills, each of which contains s«\tfral gangs, besides one or more circular saws. 
 The latest addition is a band saw — iJiie superiority of which consists chiefly in the 
 small quantity of the log which it consumes, compared with other saws. One 
 passage through them of the y;ang saw suffices to cut four logs into boards. 
 
 Notwithstanding the barges that are constantly being loaded with lumber and the 
 quantity transported by the railwav and wagons, immense piles, comprising millions 
 of feel, ntiay always be seen here, covering many broad acres of ground. 
 
 The average amount of lumber manulactured by these mills is 700,000 ft. daily, 
 :md the numiier ct men engaged — exclusive of those in the lumber uoods — is 950, 
 v-nicii inctucies jobbers in piling. 
 
 Strict discipline is established among the laborers, good order |)revails, and great 
 xunlness and courtesy are extended to visitors by the intelligent, courteous officials, 
 Mr. Brock, who has been bookkee|jer for the concern many years ; Mr. Ferguson, 
 us assistant, Mr. Sherman and others. 
 
 Mr. John Sherman is Supeuntendent of the lumber yard and sales. He was 
 born in Addington. Out., his father having settled there after coming to Canada 
 from Belfast, Ireland, ;n 1849. He was married in 1877, to Agnes S, daughter of 
 Dr. Charles Potts, of Belleville, and has been connected with the Hawkesbury Lum- 
 ber Co. eight years. 
 
 The present Hawkesbury Lumber Company is composed of Messrs. Hiram 
 jinson. President ; H. K. Egan, Managing Director ; and R. L. Blackburn, 
 [^secretary. 
 
 Mr. Robinson is a son of William Robinson, who came to Canada from the 
 
 County of Antrim, Ireland, with his wife — both then young — in 1826. He settled 
 
 I on a farm in West Hawkesbury; in the 4th Concession, which is now owned by Mr. 
 
 Bancroft, and, after a residence there of sixty years he sold, and removed to the 
 
 ( County of Dundas, where he died in 1890, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. McKay, 
 
 jat the age of ninety-one. He had four sons and two daughters, 
 
 35 
 
538 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 At tlie age of sixteen Hiram entered the employ of the Hamilton JJrothers, and 
 ihrougii faithful devotion to their interests, and by probity, his sphere of usefulness 
 gradually extended, till he became manager of all their lumber camps and business on 
 the Up])er Ottawa and its tributaries. He remained with the firm till the death of 
 the Hon- John Hamilton, in 1888, when he, in company with Messrs. Blackburn, 
 Thistle and Egan, purchased the whole concern. Mr. Robinson cherishes the kindes,t 
 memories of tlie Hamilton Brothers; indeed, his gratitude for their kindness to him 
 in his youthful days has fostered a feeling towards them of almost filial regard. In 
 summer he resides in the fine old stone mansion known as Hamilton Hall ; the 
 grounds around, the fine garden and fruit trees gaining no small share of his attention. 
 Much of his life has been spent in Ottawa, where for twenty-eight years he was 
 a member of tlie Public School Board — twenty-two of which he was chainnan. He 
 is at j)resenl a Trustee of the Board of the Collegiate InsiiHite. He was married in 
 1855, to Clarissa J. Smith, of Ottawa. 
 
 William Robinson, a younger brother of Pliram, has a fine farm of 100 acres, and 
 residence, in Hawkesbury, parts of Lots 9 and 10, in the 4th Concession. He has 
 also 100 acres in another part of the same Concession. 
 
 After selling his property to the Hamilton Bros., Mr. Mears, who seems to have 
 possessed enougii Yankee shrewdness to observe whatever circumstances might be 
 turned to his advantage, set his wits to work to gain possession of another watei- 
 power privilege. The one nature had provided at Hawkesbury he had sold, but with 
 a little mechanical engineering, and ^. moderate outlay of money, lie could secure 
 another water-power which would serve his purpose. 
 
 He had in his employ an American Oom I'lattsburg, N.Y., — Darwin Stevens by 
 name — who was an experienced millwright, and possessed much mechanical skill and 
 inventive genius, and on him the planning and execution of the new work devolved. 
 
 About a mile above the Hamilton Mills, and on the same side of the Ottawn, 
 near the river, was a snirli pond, fed by an unfailing stream. By constructing a dam 
 across the outlet the pond was deepened and enlarged suflicienlly to provide an 
 abundant supply of water for the purpose desired. A canal was then dug from the 
 ]iond 10 the jioint v.'heie the necessary fall was obtained, and then Mr. Mears erected 
 his second mill — one which, enlarged and impioved, is now the properly of the 
 Hawkesbury Milling Co. 
 
 It will thus be seen that two canals were left as memorials of this ])ioneer — the 
 old, long-disused one at St. Andrews, which piovided water-power for the paper 
 mill, and the one which still supplies power for the Hawkesbury Mill Company. 
 
 Mr. Mears, besides erecting the first mill, also opened the first store here, antl 
 built the first r.teamer which navigated the Ottawa. This steamer was the '• Union," 
 which has already been noticed in the history of Grenville. Mr. Mears seems to 
 have tried very earnestly many different methods of making money, but without 
 success, and he died here after his property had come into the possesion of the 
 Hon. Peter McGill of Montreal. 
 
 The latter added a distillery to the business he had purchased of Mears, but 
 which, happily, after a few years' existence, had to disappear before the march of 
 intelligence and temperance. 
 
 'J hough numerous piles of lumber mar to some extent the beauty of one portion 
 of the village, the greater part of it is at once picturesque and attractive — its fine 
 water front giving to it a charm in point of scenery not possessed by inland villages 
 Opposite the upper part of the village, the Ottawa expands into a bay two miles 
 or more in width, but only a few yards below, it contracts its borders, forming 
 the upper end of the rapids known as the Long Sault. Several picturesque islands 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 539 
 
 thers, and 
 usefulness 
 asiness on 
 e death of 
 n.ickburn, 
 he kindest 
 ;ss to him 
 egard. In 
 
 Hall; the 
 s attention. 
 \rs he was 
 nian . He 
 
 married in 
 
 o acres, and 
 1. He has 
 
 senis to have 
 ces might be 
 other watei- 
 old, but with 
 could secure 
 
 n Stevens by 
 ical skill and 
 )rk devolved, 
 the Ottawa, 
 ucling a dam 
 provide an 
 iig from the 
 lears erected 
 perly of the 
 
 jiioneer — the 
 or the paper 
 »mpany. 
 ore here, and 
 [,e '■ Union," 
 ;ars seems to 
 but without 
 tsesion of the 
 
 jf Hears, but 
 Ihe march of 
 
 [f one portion 
 :tive — its fine 
 [land villages 
 bay two miles 
 jders, forming 
 lesque islands 
 
 lie opposite the lower part of the village, between one or more of which, and the 
 mainland, the water rushes in wild confusion. Here, though the Grenville shore 
 seems scarcely a stone's throw distant, the rapidity of the current forbids the crossing 
 of boats save at a serious risk of accident. 
 
 The smooth bay above is easily navigated, and affords passage to the little 
 steamer Glide of Capt. Lawlor which runs to Calumet. 
 
 The Main street, which is more than a mile and a half long, is wide and 
 l)leasant, many of the buildings on either side being sul)stantial and attractive. 
 McGill street, running at right angles to it, is also a pretty street which ascends 
 gradually till it reaches a point overlooking the rest of the village, and on this, height, 
 too, are a number of attractive residences. 
 
 There are three hotels — all on Main street — and they are all large and attractive 
 buildings; they are the Ottawa Hotel, Hawkesbury House, and Canada Atlantic 
 Hotel. The pro])rietor of the latter is Louis Taillon, who has had long experience 
 in the business, and the patronage accorded his house by the travelling public is 
 evidence of its able management. The bank building on Main street is an imposing 
 brick structure. A branch of the Ottawa bank was established nere, 7th April, 
 1892, and the building was erected the same year. 
 
 On this street also is he commodious School building ; the first was erected in 
 1872, but it has since received extensive additions, so that the building at present, 
 with the grounds around it, form an attractive feature of the village. The High 
 School and Model School are both taught in it, and the reputation which they have 
 achieved is, at once, a compliment to the intelligence and liberality of the managers, 
 and the ability of the teachers. 'J'he teachers are at present — High School, Princi- 
 j).il, W. K. T. Smellie, B.A., Miss Agnes Higginson ; Public School, Principal 
 loseph McCulloch, Miss Waddell. Miss Gwyn, 
 
 Thestat'Oii of the Canada Atlantic Railway is located about mid-way betv.-een. the 
 uppe- and lower ends of Main street. Two passenger trains from Robinson arrive 
 and depart daily, and the number of passengers, together with the quantity of freight 
 handled here, creates an amount of business much more extensive than a stranger 
 would suppose. 
 
 D. W. To.MKiNS is the faithful Station Agent here. He is a native of Kempt- 
 ville, Ont., where he remained til! 1883, when, at the age of seventeen, he went to 
 Duck Lake, N.W.T., and participated in the fight there during the Riel Rebellion. 
 He served as scout during the campaign. Li 1886 he entered railway service at his 
 old home, remaining there till 18S8, when he took a position as night operator at St. 
 Polycarpe Junction. Two years later he went to Nashua, N.H., to work for the 
 Boston & Maine R.R., where he remained until 1892, when he received his present 
 jiosition at Hawkesbury. He was married in 1891 to Miss Edith Keating of 
 Kemptville. 
 
 James W. Casey, the intelligent P'ngineer on tnis branch, has been in railway 
 service twenty years, fifteen of which he has been employed on the Canada Atlantic, 
 tliirteen as an engineer. He was born in Pictou, N.S., and was married in 
 February, 1885, to Christie Macdonald of Alexandria, Glengarry Co., Ont. While 
 devoted to his vocation, his leisure hours are usually spent in the society of useful 
 hooks. 
 
 John McGibbon, a son of Alexander McGibbon, one of the pioneers of Browns- 
 
 iirg, Argenteuil Co., Que., was for many years in the employ of the Hamilton 
 
 Brothers, as millwright and foreman in their lumber mills. Ue left but one son 
 
 ai his death, Jonn McGibbon, who also for some years, held the same position in 
 
 the lumber mills his father had occupied. He left this position in November, 1871, 
 
■'■■-!♦,¥,= 
 
 540 
 
 HISTORY or PRESCO'l r 
 
 and became manager of the business of bis uncle Albeit Kimball — a broker in 
 Hawkesbury — who died in 1891. Mr. Mc(iibbon tnen retired. He has a fine 
 pleasant residence in the village, and also cwns (juite a quantity of real estate here, 
 as well as in the Township. He is one of the influential citizens of the place, and 
 for several years has been chairman of the High School Board. He was ma lied 
 1st September, 1861, to Phoube, daughter of the late Samuel lircck. 
 
 Among the early settlers whose lives were identified with this place were two 
 brothers, Charles and Z. S. M. Hersev from Leicester, Mass. 
 
 The former came here about 1819, the latter in 1830. Both were in pan. crship 
 in mercantile business for a number of years, and Charles conducted a tannery for 
 along time. He never married, and died in December, 1864. 
 
 Z. S. M. Hersey in 1836 married Caroline Cleveland, of Fort Covington, 
 N.Y. He became manager of the McGill estate here, and iubsequently purchased it, 
 and closed the distillery which had loi'jj; been in operation, an ac ion reflecting 
 great credit on himself, and one which, doubtless, contributed much to the bci.efit of 
 Hawkesbury. Mr. Horsey spent his remaining years here, taking an active interest 
 in both Municipal and School matters, filling the ofiice of Reeve and School Trustee. 
 He died in April, 1869, leaving three sons and four daughters. 
 
 F. C. Hersey, one of the foimer, lives in a fine stone dwelling on the homestead, 
 which is rendered more attractive by the stately trees wiih which the grounds abound. 
 It occupies the site of one which is said to have been much larger than this, but 
 ^yhich was destroyed by fire in 1876; the present one was erected in 1877. Mr. 
 Hersey devoted some years of his life to the n ercantile pursuit, but is now en- 
 gaged in farming, serving also as the Secretary of the School Board. He was mar- 
 ried in 1873 to Miss McGibbon ; she died 20th July, 1889, and he was next married, 
 in October, rSgi, to Miss Boyd, daughter of James Boyd, M.P. for Prescott. 
 
 The Higginsons, who have already been noticed, are largely identified with the 
 history of Hawkesbury Village, one or more of the four brothers having lived 
 here, as well as several of their descendants — all |)rosecuting their voca'ions with 
 the energy and rectitude characteristic of the family. 
 
 William Higginson, one of ihe four hrotheis who arrived in 1819, lliough 
 he bought and settled rn the farm in 1821 which is now owned and occupied by 
 his daughter, Mrs. Daiwin Stevens, was for several years in the employ ot the 
 Hamilton Brotiiers. Two of his sons, John W. and James G., have spent ihegreater 
 Dart of their lives here, co; tributing in no slight degree to the business activity and 
 s )cial advancement ol ih-* place. 
 
 lohn VV,, the second sen, is a contractor and builder, and the buildings are 
 not tew in the viilageand township of Hawkesbury that have been erected under 
 his supervision ; and notwithstanding the amount of work which has almost con- 
 stantly demanded his time and attention, municipal and educational affairs, as 
 well as temperance, have alike claimed some of his time and profited by his 
 labors. He was Reeve of the Village eleven years, and also Warden of the united 
 counties of Prescott and Russell. While in the former position, he took active 
 steps to have a High School established, and it was through his instrumentality 
 that public interest was aroused, and the school building erected in 1872. The 
 Public and High School Boards were some time ago united under the title " Board 
 of Education," and of this he has for several years been Chairman. In tem- 
 perance work he has been equally energetic, and HUed for some time a responsil le 
 position in the organization of the Sons of Tc iperance ; he is now a Justice of 
 the Peace. In 1865, he became Lieut, of Company No. 6, 18th Batt., and served as 
 Captain of the same Company during the time it -'as stationed at Prescott. He was 
 
broker in 
 IS a fine 
 jatc here, 
 )larc, and 
 s nia lied 
 
 were two 
 
 larluership 
 annery for 
 
 Covington, 
 rcliased it, 
 reflecting 
 : beii'-'fit of 
 ve interest 
 ol Trustee. 
 
 homestead, 
 ids abound, 
 n ihis, but 
 1877. Mr. 
 is now en- 
 ;e was mar- 
 ;xt married, 
 scott. 
 
 d with the 
 aving lived 
 ions with 
 
 9, though 
 
 iccupied by 
 
 oy ot the 
 
 I he greater 
 
 tivity and 
 
 uildings are 
 cted under 
 Imost con- 
 affairs, as 
 ited by his 
 f tlie united 
 took active 
 trumentality 
 1872. The 
 tie " Board 
 In tem- 
 responsil le 
 a Justice of 
 id served as 
 itt. He was 
 
 HISTORY OK I'RESCOTT. 
 
 S4» 
 
 married in 1862, to Mary Allison. In i860 he purchased the building he now owns, 
 and which he made into a carpenter's shop and woollen mill. He enlarged it, and 
 now has a steam saw mill and a sash and door factory. The area covered by his 
 building, and the chimney, 103 feet high rising therefrom, arc at once noticeable, 
 and give evidence to llic fact, that this is one of the important manufactories of the 
 Village. In summer Mr. Higginson employs from 20 to 25 liands, and in winter 
 about a dozen. 
 
 His brotiier, James (i. Higginsov, who has been Postmaster of Hawkeshury 
 Village several years, taught school a while in his youthful days, and then devoted 
 himself to the mercantile pursuit, in which he has been remarkai)ly successful. He is 
 one of the influential managers of Iol il affairs, and has long been a Sciiool Trustee 
 and Reeve of the Village. He was married to Miss Mary McGibbon. He has 
 been longer in the mercantile business than any otiier merchant in the place, having 
 followed it continuously 35 years. His dwelling, located at the highest jjoint in the 
 village, is one of the most attractive in it. 
 
 CiF.'RGE Hamilion HroGiNSON, a brother of the two named above, hiving 
 learned the carpenter's trade, went to Australia iu 1856, where he remained till 1872, 
 experiencing, like many otiiers, the vicissitudes of fortune. He wis married in New 
 Zealand, 15th November, i86o, to Amelia H. Taylor. He Hves on a farm in the 
 outskirts of the village, where, a few months since, he suffered a serious loss by the 
 destruction of his dwelling by fire. Owing to his long absence from his native place, 
 as well as his dislike for public affairs, his time has been wholly devoted to his trade 
 and farm. A Christian in faith and practice, how'ever, he is always glid to do any 
 work that may contribute to the comfort and happiness of others. 
 
 WiLi.lAM Lawi.or came from Queen's Coimty, Ireland, in 1834, and soon 
 ti jrvvard settled at Hawkesbury, where for nearly forty years he was manager of the 
 Hamilton lumber mills. He died in 1874, ^^ ^'^'-' -^S^ ^^ ^'^' He was twice married ; 
 by the first marriage he had four sons and two daughters ; by the second, one son 
 and one daughter. Richard, the eldest son, engaged in tiie lumber business, and 
 was for many years a i)rominent forwarder, and took an active part in politics, being 
 Secretary a number of years of tiic Liberal Association of Prescott County. He 
 was also Coroner of Prescott and Russell, and for some time Clerk of the Division 
 Court. He was married in the fall of 1862 to Sarah, daughter of Z. S. M. Hersey. 
 
 H. W. Lawlor, r son of tiie above, is a well-known barrister, who !-,as an oftice 
 near the paternal resiacnce. He began the study of law with John Maxwell, County 
 Attorney, and was afterwards with J. E. Farewell, Q.C., of Whitby, Out. He gra- 
 duated at Osgoode Hall in 1890, and after practising a while in Toronto, was 
 appointed solicitor for the Montreal & Ottawa R. R. Co., and returned to Hawkes- 
 bury, where he has since practised. He is Secretary of the Liberal .Association of 
 PrescoU. 
 
 Captain Willia.m Lawlok, for years a popular and familiar figure in this 
 locality, is the third son of William Lawlor who came to Canada in 1834. In his 
 early years he learned the trade of machinist, and as such was in the employ of the 
 Hamilton Brothers fourteen years. In 1875 he purchased a steamer, and since has 
 devoted his time to carrying passengers and freight between Calumet and Hawkes- 
 bury. His boat, the "Glide," has done much business in this line, through which 
 medium the neat little steamer and her genial Captain have become widely known. 
 The Captain takes an interest in the local affairs of Hawkesbury, and for several 
 years was a member of the High School Board. He lives in an attractive cottage on 
 Main Street, his extensive front yard being finely ornamented with trees. He was 
 married in 1872 to Miss C. M. Hersey. 
 
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 WEBSTER, N.Y. I4S80 
 
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542 
 
 HISTORY OF PR^SCOTT. 
 
 William Ewing, M.D., one of the oldest medical practitioners of Prescott 
 County, came from Glasgow, Scotland, to Hawkesbury in 1834. 
 
 He took his degree at Glasgow tlniversity, and ever since his arrival in this 
 country his practice has embraced a large district on both sides of the Ottawa. He 
 was married in 1852 to Georgiana Mann ; they had one son und thr^e daughters. 
 
 The son, William Ewing, jr., studied medii !je, and after graduating at McGill 
 University in 1873, prosecuted his profession wilii his father until recently, when he 
 succeeded to his entire practice. He was married in 1880 to Lou'sa Dennis; he 
 has a fine office and residence at the corner of Main and John Streets. 
 
 CHURCHES. V >' 
 
 The first church edifice erected here was the Congregational, which was built 
 about 1843. It is still standing, but owing to removals, deallis, and other causes, 
 the Congregational body here — never a large one — has diminished in numbers so 
 much that no attempt is made to sustain regular preaching. The church is idle ; but 
 it is still a reminder to the old citizens of the eloquence of John B. Gough. This 
 geitleman delivered one of his stirring temperance lectures in it many years ago, 
 and so powerfully did he portray the effects of the liquor traffic that a man conduct- 
 ing an hotel in the stone building at the junction of Main and McGill Streets, 
 resolved to change his vocation — a resolution he soon put into effect. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAIf CONGREGATION AT HAWKE.SBURY. 
 A By Rev. W. M. TuFFTs, B.D. 
 
 The earliest mention we can at present find of a. congregation at Hawkesbury is 
 in the year 1829. At that time the Rev. John McLaurin, of Breadalbane, Scotland^ 
 was ordained and settled over the united congregation of L'Orignal and Hawkesbury. 
 He had taught school in L'Orignal for several years before his ordination. 
 While Mr. McLaurin was the first settled minister, yet religious servicer^ must often 
 have been conducted here previous to 1829, since the place was firs' settled moie 
 than twenty years before that date. 
 
 In 1833 ^^'"' McLaurin died, and the union between L'Orignal and Hawkesbury 
 terminated foi a time. Hawkesbury was attaclied to Chatham congregation in Uie 
 Presbytery of Montreal. Rev. Mr. Mair supplied this district with religious ordin- 
 ances until shortly before his death in i860. The difficulties confronting these early 
 settlers and their ministers alike, it is hard for us to realize. No record can tell the 
 sacrifices they made for the faith. During the summer of 1858, the Rev. Mr. Rainnie 
 was stationed at Hawkesbury as a missionary to assist Mr. Mair. 
 
 On the sth of June, i860, the Synod met at Kingston, and resolved "that 
 Hawkesbury being geographically within the bounds, of the Presbytery of Glengarry, 
 the congregation there be added to that Presbj'tery.'' The Presbytery, acting on peti- 
 tions from both congregations, united for the second time Hawkesbury and L'Orignal, 
 making them one pastoral charge with a single session. The Rev. George Ferguson 
 was the first pastor of the reunited charge. Messrs. John Waddell and David 
 Fairbairn were the Elders from Hawkesbury. The congregation met for worship in 
 a school-hoiise on the site of ihe present church. The roof of this building having 
 been blown off, it was repaired and fitted up as a place of worship by the kindness of 
 the Hamilton Bros. 
 
 in 1863, owing to the dismemberment of the Presbytery of Bathurst, the congre- 
 gation of L'Orignal and Hawkesbury was disjoined from the Presbytery of Glengarry 
 end added to that of Ottawa, where both have since remained. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 543 
 
 of Prescott 
 
 val in this 
 tawa. He 
 lighters. 
 . at McGill 
 iy, when he 
 Jennis ; he 
 
 ;h was built 
 :her causes, 
 numbers so 
 is idle ; but 
 Dugh. This 
 ? years ago, 
 lu conduct- 
 Gill Streets, 
 
 SBURY. 
 
 wkesbury is 
 Scotland, 
 lawkesbury. 
 
 ordination. 
 
 must often 
 ettled more 
 
 iawkesbury 
 
 ation in '..he 
 
 gious ordin- 
 
 these early 
 
 can tell the 
 
 Ir. Rainnie 
 
 )lved " that 
 
 Glengarry, 
 
 ling on peti- 
 
 L'Orignal, 
 
 te Ferguson 
 
 land David 
 
 ] worship in 
 
 ling having 
 
 dndness of 
 
 I the congre- 
 |f Glongirry 
 
 Mr. Ferguson was appointed Professor of History and English. Literature in 
 Queen's College in 1869. The congregation regretted his departure very much. 
 They were fortunate, however, in securing the services of the Rev. W. MacLennan, 
 a man of remarkable gifts and of great personal worth. He was inducted in the 
 spring of 1870. The present place of worship was dedicated in January, 1871. Mr. Mac- 
 Lennan died December 8th, 1873, at the early age of twenty-nine years, deeply regretted 
 by the whole community and rspecially by the congregation he had serve ) so well. 
 
 Rev. John Fairlie was inducted in 1874, and continued as pastor for f>)u;teen 
 years. Mr. Fairlie was deeply beloved, and when he left on November 6tli, 1888. he 
 left many deeply attached friends. Steps \vere now taken to divide the charge and to 
 erect both Hawkesbury and L'Orignal into separate congregations. Hawkesbury 
 had been receiving only one service a Sunday, n"d, it was felt that the time had now 
 come to have the church o'>ened for worship every Sunday morning and evening. 
 Accordingly in 1889 ^^^ second union between Hawkesbury and L'Orignal was 
 terminated. This latter unio.. had lasted for twenty-nine years. 
 
 Early in 1890 the Rev. W. K. MacCulloch was inducted as pastor of St. Paul's 
 Church, Hawkesbury. Mr. McCuUoch was in very poor health, and was thus com- 
 pelled to resign his ciiarge on June 15th, 1891. His successor was the Rev. W. M. 
 Tuffts, B.D., a native of Halifax, N.S , who was inducted 14th April, 1892. In 1893 * 
 beautiful manse was erected by St. Paul's congregation at a cost of over three 
 thousand dollars Semi-Jubilee services were conducted on 8th September, 1895, 
 cele.brating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of St. Paul's Church. 
 
 ANGLICAN CHLRCH. 
 By Rev. Artkir Phillu's. 
 
 To the left of McGill Street, as you leave the town, there stands on a rising 
 eminence anu surrounded by pine, maple and elm trees, the Anglican Churcii of the 
 Holy Trinity, forming, with its well-built stone rectory, one of the most jicturesque 
 groups in the county. Its history extends back to the year 1845, when the late 
 Bishop Strachan, then Bishop of Toronto, was induced by the correspondence of 
 Mr. Thomas Higginson and others to appoint a missionary 10 Hawk>-:sbury. 
 'J'hrough the pronint efforts of Mr. Higginson a site was also procured from the estate 
 of the Hon. Peter McGill, and tlie erection of a stone church at once proceeded 
 with. In connection witii this, the earliest record found in the Parish Books is an 
 entry in the handwriting of tlve Rev. S. £. Strong, o[ Bytown, to the effect that "on 
 "August i6ih, 1846, the Church of the Holy Trimly was opened for Divine Service 
 " by him, and on the following Sunday the Rev. Francis Tromayne commenced his 
 " labors as first missionary appointed by the Lord Bishop of Toronto.'' 
 
 Erected in the plain, uninteresting style which then prevailed from stone quar- 
 ried at the Ottawa river, th's cl-.-'rch became the centre ot worship (or all tiie members 
 of the Church of England residing in East and West Hawkesbury, and, indeed, all 
 the surrounding townships of the County. Scarcely a decade had passed, however, 
 when the wave of enthusiasm for church-building and restoration which overspread 
 the Anglican Communion, and has made th.e past ceiUury tiie most memorable of the 
 Christian era, was felt at Hawkesbury, and architec»;'s plans having been procured 
 from Messrs. Fuller and Jones, a scries of changes and improvements were com- 
 menced which, at lenj^th, culminated in the present beautiful edifice. 
 
 The material of which it is built is blue and grey limestone, and it r-^nsists of a 
 nave, chancel, vesiry, tower and spire, to wiiich is now being added, as a memorial 
 of its semicentennial and to complete the design, a fine organ-chamber. 
 
 h 
 
544 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCC-TT. 
 
 Standing within ihe Church, beautiful stained windows are to be seen on all 
 sides, ihose in the chancel, tower and north and south of the east end of the nave, 
 commemorating George Hamilton, Esq., his son and Mrs. John Hamilton respec- 
 tively. Here also it may be mentioned that another is being executed by Messrs. 
 Spence & Sons of Montreal, under the instructions ol the Messrs. Higginson, in 
 memory of their father, mother and sister ; while still an.-,ther is to be placed in the 
 organ-chamber in memory of Mrs. Henry Stephens by the survivM.g members of her 
 family. 
 
 The style of architecture maintained throughout the restored building is early 
 English or pointed, the windows being all lancet-shaped. In the chance! window 
 lliree of these are grouped together in memory of George Hamilton, Esq., who died 
 7th. January, 1839, '"^"^ '*''^ ^" ^'^^ 8'^' of his sons, Robert, George and John. An 
 early account states that this window was copied from Salisbury Cathedral, and in it 
 are represented scenes trom the earthly 'ife cf our Lord, beginning with His Birth 
 and ending with His Ascension. At the south-east end of the nave is another single 
 lancet, the subject of which is ihe " Raismg of Lazarus." In the upper part an angel 
 is seen holding a scroll, on which are the words, "Come, Lord Jesus," while under- 
 neath the centre medallion is introduced, " I know that He will rise again." Exactly 
 opposite this, en the north siile of the nave, another memorial window represents the 
 " Raising of Jairus' daughter," over which is stained a dove, and underneath a white 
 lily, with the inscriptl.jii, 'Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth." In the west 
 wmdow, which is dual light, the life-giving miracles of our Lord are completed by the 
 representation of the " Resurrection " in one lancet, and the " Raising of the Widow's 
 Son " in the other. Between the two, in a quatre-foil at the top, the eye rests on the 
 sacred Emblem of the Blessed 'i'rinity; at the bottom, those of the Four Evangelists. 
 This truly beautiful window, as the inscription shows, was erected in memory of a 
 brother and sister, by members of the Hamilton family. All these memorial windows 
 are, tl erefore, the gifts of the Hami ton family; all were designed in London, and 
 executed by Messrs. Spence & Sons, of Montreal, as well as the other stained glass 
 windows wh'ch form so beautiful a feature of this interesting church. Rich and varied 
 in pattern, all will compare very favorably wilh the windows to be generally seen in 
 churches of the Mother Land. 
 
 From the windows, the eye involuntarily turns to the lofty roof, spanned by equil- 
 ateral arches champered and terminating in finely-cut stone corbels. Its bays are 
 filled with stained i)me, diagonally arranged in a very striking manner. We notice 
 also that the chancel, nave and porch are all roofed to correspond, though not all 
 diagonally. ?n the centre of the nave, opposite the entrance, stands a Caen stone 
 font, mar.sive, end resting on an oak pedestal. Round the top of this there runs the 
 inscription, " Suffer little children to come unto me.'" A reference to the parochial 
 records shows il to liave been imported from England in theyeai 1H57, at the expense 
 of the Hon. John Hanilton. 
 
 The interior of ih"; tower is at |)resent occupied by one of Warren's earliest and 
 best organs, built by him in Montreal, and presented to the church by the Hamilton 
 family at a cost of $1,100. When the memorial chamber is completed this will be 
 transferred Irom its present position to the north side of ih'; chancel near the choir. 
 
 In the chancel we are shown a beautiful carved Hishop's chair, and corresponding 
 with it, just outside, an oak lectern, prayer desks and clergy seals, all of which attract 
 the attention of the visitor, and show that liberal hands and hearts have made it their 
 object to render the House of (jod beautiful and helpful 10 devotion. Not the least 
 prominent of the internal arrangements which deserve t) be mentioned, is the brass 
 altar-rail of high artistic merit and chaste design, and, like so many other things, a gift 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 545 
 
 le seen on all 
 i of the nave, 
 ilton respec 
 d by Messrs. 
 ligginson, in 
 placed in the 
 embers of her 
 
 !ding is early 
 mcc! window 
 iq., who died 
 d John. An 
 dral, and in it 
 Ih His Birth 
 mother single 
 part an angel 
 ' while under- 
 in." Exactly 
 epresents the 
 neath a white 
 
 In the west 
 ipleted by the 
 f the Widow's 
 e rests on the 
 r Evangelists, 
 memory of a 
 orial windows 
 London, and 
 
 stained glass 
 ich and varied 
 rally seer, in 
 
 ned by equil- 
 Its bays are 
 We notice 
 oiigh not all 
 a Caen stone 
 lere runs the 
 the parochial 
 t the expense 
 
 i earliest and 
 the Hamilton 
 1 this will be 
 
 the choir, 
 orresponding 
 which attract 
 made it their 
 Not the least 
 
 is the brass 
 things, a gift 
 
 Perhaps ihere is no <iner or heavier bell in the Ottawa Valley than sounds from 
 the belfiy of Trinity Church at the hours of service. It was cast by NTears & Stain- 
 banks of London. Its clear-ringing tenor voice is capable of being heard 6 or 7 
 miles away if it were only in a loftier tower, with belfry raised above the roof 01? the 
 nave, and not so much inclosed as it is at present. 
 
 Connected with the other appointments of the church there is sometimes shown 
 to visitors a highiy-artistic set of altar vessels and alms dislies done in solid silver, and 
 i)earir;gthe following inscription : — 
 
 i , "In usum perpet"'mi 
 
 S. S. TRINITATIS, • 
 Ecclesise apud, 
 . Hawke^buiiensis, in Canada Ulteriori, 
 
 JoHANNE Stkachan, S.T.P., LL.D., 
 Episcopo Torontonensi, 
 
 ' JOHANNE GiLBERTO Ar.MSTRONG, A. B. 
 
 Ecdesiaj Rectore. 
 
 JOHAXNE HaMILTOV, 
 JOH. GUL. HlGGINSON, 
 
 .,} 
 
 ^dituis. 
 
 Members of the congregation and employees of the firm of Hamilton Bros., aU 
 joined in making this a memo.ial to George Hamilton, Esq., who died 31st May, 
 1859. 
 
 Standing outside the sacred edifice, the visitor is at once struck by the fact that 
 the iiitention.has been to reproduce, as nearly as may be, one of the pretty village 
 churches so otieii to be seen in the English County of Northampton. Grace and 
 strength have been blended in happy proportion, and, though the experienced eye 
 may here and there detect incongruities and defects, they are so trivial, and capable of 
 being remedied at small cost, that we involuntarily say to ourselves, " here is an edifice 
 capable of resisting the wear and tear of time for many a generation, and an ornament 
 that should be preserved as representing in stone the piety and zeal of half a century, 
 till it has become one of the most interesting historic landmarks of the Ottawa Valley. 
 Tower and church alike are supported by deep, massive buttresses finished with 
 finely-cut grey limestone, a deep plinth of which also runs entirely round thestructure 
 at it;3 base and surrounds every window, the arches being surmounted with costly 
 hooded mouldings. The west end is terminated in a massive tower ornamented at the 
 top with a tooih-moulding done in wood, from which rises to a further height of some 
 30 feet, a Northampton spire, the whole being about 60 feet from the base to the 
 finial. 
 
 The important changes which have thus been traced were executed by Mr. John 
 W. Hifeginson, builder, from architectural plans furnished him by Fuller & Jones, 
 and also by Mr. Steele, of Montreal, As it stands to-day, the beautiful li'.tle church 
 has cost about $g,ooo, towards which not less than $6,000 were contributed by mem- 
 bers of the Hamilton family. Nor did their Christian liberality end there. From the 
 very first the privilege of having a clergyman of tlie Church of England in residence 
 here has been largely due to their Christian liberality. In 1846 the two brothers, 
 Robert and John, gave the first parsonage owned by the parish, — a stone house now 
 in the possession of the Roman Catholic Church, and used as a Presbytery. Through- 
 out the whole of its history, they contributed one-half or more of the stipend, and since 
 the dissolution of partnership in their long-established business took place, this has 
 assumed the form of a permanent endowment of $5,600. 
 
546 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Side by side w 'th the church stands the fine stone rectory, built, when it was 
 decided to dispose ol the original parsonage which had been their gift, because of the 
 convenience of having both together, at a total cost of some $5,000, and in a style to 
 correspond with the church itself. This was completed in tlie year 1873, the builder 
 being Mr. Jolin W. Higginson, who also furnished the design. It was paid for with 
 the proceeds of the sale of the abandoned i)arsonage together with contributions from 
 the parish, including $i,coo from the Hamilton family. 
 
 Originally, the parish of Hawkesbury, as has already been stated, included the 
 County of Prescott, but in the year 1869 a division was effected, and the two new 
 parishes of Vankieek Hill and Plantagenet were set oiTfrom it, tlie former embracing 
 tne rear of the townships of East and West Hawkesbury and Caledonia ; the latter, 
 Alfred, North and South Plantagenet and the west of Caledonia. At the time of tlie 
 division Vankieek Hill had one church, to which has since bien added another at East 
 Hawkesbury, while to the one church which then existed at Alfred in the new mission 
 of Plantagenet, there have been added two others, one at Fenaghvale, now the head- 
 quarters of the Mission, and one at Plantagenet. Both parishes have also been furnish- 
 ed with fine, commodious parsonages. 
 
 In the year 1891, the withdrawal of the privilege of holdinji religious service? at 
 the Court House at L'Orignal forced upon the rector the necessity of building a church 
 to accommodate the members of ihe. Church of England at that end of the parisli. It 
 was completed at a cost of $1,300, and used for Pivine service for the first time on 
 Christmas Day of that year, which circumstance led to its being happily styled the 
 Church of the Nativity. A formal opening took place on ihe following festival of the 
 Epiphany, the venerable Archdeacon of Ottawa, then acting Bishop's Commissary, 
 officiating, when it was declared to be free of debt. It has since been provided with 
 all necessary furniture, and draws its worshippers from twenty-four families now 
 claiming its ministrations, instead of the eleven with whicii it began. Its seating 
 capacity is about loc. 
 
 It will be seen from the various records connected with the arish of Hawkesbury, 
 that some of those now occupying the most exalted positions in the Anglican Church 
 in Canada have been identified with it officially or by birth and residence during the 
 first fifty years of its existence. After the removal of the Rev. V. Tremayne in ICS49 
 he was succeeded by the Rev. J T. Lewis, M.A , who, in the year 1854, was appoint- 
 ed rector of St. Peter's, Brockville, then removed to Kingston, and afterwards was 
 elected in 1862 first Bishop of OntariO; which had been set off from the great diocese 
 of Toronto. At the time of writing he is the ecclesiastical head of the Anglican com- 
 munion in this Province, having been elected Metropolitan of Canada in the year 1893, 
 at the first meeting of the General Synod of the English Church in Canada, heid at 
 Toronto. From 1854 to 1857 the parish was in charge of the Rev. R. L.Stephenson, 
 who re>igned it to become rector of Perth. He in turn was succeeded at Hi^wkcs- 
 bury by the Rev. J. G. Armstrong till 1869, when he was preferred to the rectory of 
 Prescott. 
 
 Before the appointment of his successor (the Rev. (,'. f^aniell, till then curate of 
 St. John's, Montreal), as has already been stated in this sketch, the parish of Hawkes- 
 bury was divided by the Venerable Archdeacon Patton, and the parish of Vankieek 
 Hill entered upon a separate existence. With the year 1872 began the incumbency of 
 the Rev. F.. P. Crawford, who three years later received the appointment to the 
 Church of the Holy Trinity, Brockville, then to the Church of the Ascension, Hamil- 
 ton, and is now Rector of St. Luke's, Halifax. With him were associated at Hawkes- 
 bury, the Rev. Arthur Jarvis, now of Napanee, whose curacy included the new mission 
 of Plantagenet, and on the ist of May, 1873, they were joined by the present rector, 
 who had just been ordained to the curacy of Vankieek Hill, but for some time con- 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 547 
 
 , when it was 
 lecause of the 
 lin a style to 
 3, the builder 
 paid for with 
 ributions from 
 
 included tlie 
 the two new 
 ner embracing 
 a ; the latter, 
 le time of the 
 nother at East 
 e new mission 
 now the head- 
 ) been furnish- 
 
 3US service? at 
 Iding a church 
 he parish, it 
 e first time on 
 pily styled the 
 festival of the 
 B Commissary, 
 provided with 
 families now 
 
 Its 
 
 seating 
 
 Hawkesbury. 
 iglican Church 
 ice during the 
 nayne in 1849 
 |, was appoint- 
 ,fterwards was 
 great diocese 
 .nglican corn- 
 year 1893, 
 .nada, held at 
 Stephenson, 
 at Hi\wkes- 
 ihe rectory of 
 
 (hen curate of 
 Ih of Hawkcs- 
 of Vankleck 
 Incumbency of 
 litment to the 
 Bision, Hamil- 
 |d at Hawki s- 
 new mission 
 Iresent rector, 
 Ine time con- 
 
 
 tinued to live at Hawkesbury, In the year 1875, on the resignation of the Rev. E. P. 
 Ciawford, as Incumbent, the Rev. Arthur Phillips, receiving the appointment, returned 
 from Vankleek Hill, to which he had removed on being admitted to priest's orders, 
 and took up his residence here. While in charge of Hawkesbury, many tempting 
 offers have been made to him, without, however, inducing him to sever his long- 
 established connection with it. On March i8th, when Bishop Hamilton was elected 
 to the newly-created bee of Ottawa, the Rev. Arthur Phillips received the next highest 
 vote. Bishop Hamilton, who had formerly filled the officer, of Clerical Secretary and 
 Prolocutor of the Provincial Synod, and in 1885 ^^^'^ elected first Bishop of Niagara, 
 was born at Hawkesbury 62 years before his enthusiastic reception as first Bisiiop of 
 Ottawa, on the 30th of April, and installation on the day following. He is the first 
 Canadian Bishop to be translated from one See to another, and was so chosen because 
 of his pre-eminence among 'he Bishops in all the qualifications which are deemed 
 necessary to make an ideal Prelate, and to fit him for the high honor of being liie 
 representi^ive of H!j Communion at the Capital of the Dominion. 
 
 Connected with die offices of Church- Warden, Lay-Delegate and other functions, 
 are to be seen in the Re ords ot the Parish tlie names of some of the best known 
 and most prominent residents in the community. Among the earliest are found those 
 of Messrs. William Kirby, 'Ihomab Higginson, Christopher Spratt, John W. 
 Higginson and J. G. Higginson. For nearly forty years that of the late Honorable 
 John Hamilton appears as Lay-Delegate or Church-Warden, or both combined, and 
 with him associated for nearly an equal period, that of Mr. W. E. N. Byers. In the 
 same office the Honorable John Hamilton was, at his death, succeeded by Mr. Stuart 
 Brock, who also for nearly thirty years has been a prominent member of Trinity Church, 
 performing the duties of Secretary to the Vestry, Treasurer and Church-Warden, and 
 being foremost in every undertaking for the welfare and development of the Parish. 
 As People's Church-Warden he is one of the Trustees of the Endowment Fund of 
 'he Parisii. Indeed, it may be truly said, that those who have been most con- 
 spicuous in the development of the Municipality may be seen, from the Records of 
 Trinity Church, to have been so in everything that has concerned its past history, 
 and, as ihey have left their impress on all that has been accomplished in laying the 
 foundations of the town of Hawkesbury, so must their names go down to posterity 
 honored and preserved as the pioneers and founders .of church life and work, and 
 be remembered by those noble tokens they have left behind them of what wealth 
 and zeal can do when sanctified by the grace of God. Many a difficulty arose, as 
 ihe Records attest, to discourage their efforts and threaten them with disappoint- 
 ment and failure, but abundant proofs are also everywhere visible of the sustaining 
 power of Him who never more clearly verified His promise, " Lo I am with you 
 always even unto the end of the age." 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Besides the Mills of the Hawkesbury Lumber Company, and Mr. Higginson's 
 Mill and Facto'ry, which have been mentioned, there is a Kinoling Wood Factory, 
 Sash, Door, Blind and Lumber Factory of White & Beggs, McMahon's Tin shop, 
 the Roller Flour Mills of the Hawkesbury Milling Company, the Morrison Woollen 
 ■actory, and the Steam Lumber Mill of the Cameron Brothers. 
 
 The Kindling Wood Factory was started in 1893, by R. C. Batchelder & 
 Co., of Albany, New York. They purchase about 10,000 cords of wood, annually, 
 ind employ forty hands. 
 
 1 1 
 
548 
 
 HISTORY OV PRESCOTT. 
 
 The Factory of White & Beggs was first opened in 1889, by Thomas White, 
 father of one of the present proprietors. His father's name was also Thomas, and 
 he came to Hawkesbury from England early in ilie thirties, and for more than a 
 quarter of a century subsequently was employed in teaching, chiefly in Hawkes- 
 bury and Grenvillc. He is said to have been a good teacher, a strict disciplinarian 
 and a fine penman. He purchased a farm some years after his arrival, on which 
 he lived till his death, 1879. He also served for several years as Clerk of the Divi- 
 sion Court. He left eight children — four of each sex. Thomas, one of the sons, 
 having followed the carpenter and wheelwright trades about twenty years, in 1889 
 erected on the homestead where he lived, the Factory mentioned above. He was 
 mariied 23rd September, 1874, to Nancy D. Graham, and died 22nd March, 1891. 
 His son, William H. White, has since managed the business, and recently admitted 
 Mr. Beggs as partner. The firm constantly employ experienced and skillful workmen. 
 
 The tin shop and hardware store of S. McMahon is on Main Street. 
 
 Solomon J. McM.\hon was born in St. Andrews, Que. Having learned the 
 trade of tinsmith, he came to Hawkesbury in i860, opened shop and plied his 
 trade till his death, 24th November, 1894. He left one son and two daughters; the 
 son, Sinclair, succeeded his father in the business, and besides manufacturing all ki.ids 
 of tinware, roofing buildings, laying pipes, etc., he keeps a variety of stoves and 
 general hardware. His devotion to business, and promptness and skill in execut- 
 ing orders, have won the confidence and approval of the public. 
 
 The Hawkesbury Milling Co. was organized in 1889, and is composed of the 
 following members, viz.: John Cameron, manager; Donald Cameron, Peter Cameron, 
 William Wyman, Malcolm McCuaig and Colin G. O'Brian. 
 
 Their mill is the large stone one built by Thomas Mears, but which has been 
 enlarged and remodeled, and now contains the latest improvements in machinery. It 
 has eight pairs of rollers, and turns out 75 bbls. of flour, daily. 
 
 This mill is in charge of J. P. Sharpe, whose father, George Sharpe, came to 
 Montreal from Scotland about 1863, and settled in Hawkesbury in 1870. The latter 
 was married 5th September, 1865, to Elizabeth McDonald from Perthshire, Scotland, 
 He followed his trade of blacksmith, here, till his death, 13th May, 1878; he left five 
 sons and three daughters J. P., the third son, learned the trade of miller from T. H. 
 Wyman, the former owner of the Hawkesbury Mill, and he has now been employed 
 here several years. He was married in November, 1894, to Miss J. A. Abernethy 
 from Scotland. 
 
 The V/oollen Mill of J. B. Morrison was started m.'iny years ago by his 
 father, as st.Tted in the history of Brownsburg, Argenteuil County, Que. The build- 
 ing had previously been used as an axe factory, i'he work done here consists of cloth 
 manufacturing and custom carding. 
 
 The steam saw mill of the Cameron Brothers was erected in 1894 ; and during 
 the present year, 1895, it will cut into lumber 18,000 logs. 
 
 John Cameron with his family came from Lochaber, Scotland, to Canada, in 
 1815. After living a short time at Cote du Midi and Cote St. Charles, he settled in 
 Hawkesbury on a lot of 200 acres, which is now owned by Mr. Anderson, on which 
 he lived till his death about 1840. He had three sons and eight daughters. 
 
 Dugald, the eldest son, lived on one-half the homestead, the greater part of his 
 life, but died at Vankleek Hill in 1894. He married Catherine McLaurin, who is 
 still living ; they had seven children, of whom three sons and two daughters are still 
 alive. John, the eldesi, spent a few years of his majority on the homestead, and 
 then bought a farm of 300 acres in 3readalbane, Glengarry County, which he 
 rented, and came to Hawkesbury in 1889. He and his brother Donald bought 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 549 
 
 [OMAS White, 
 ) Thomas, and 
 
 more than a 
 fly in Hawkes- 
 t disciplinarian 
 rival, on wliich 
 :rk of the Divi- 
 le of the sons, 
 years, in 1889 
 (ove. He was 
 I March, 1891. 
 :ently admitted 
 illful workmen, 
 eet. 
 
 ng learned the 
 I and plied his 
 daughters ; the 
 :turing all ki.ids 
 
 of stoves and 
 skill in exccut- 
 
 :omposed of the 
 Peter Cameron, 
 
 fvhich has been 
 n machinery. It 
 
 5harpe, came to 
 
 iyo. The latter 
 
 ■.shire, Scotland, 
 
 878; he left five 
 
 Her from T. H. 
 
 been employed 
 
 . A. Abernethy 
 
 irs 
 
 ago by his 
 The build- 
 onsists of cloth 
 
 and during 
 
 to Canada, in 
 ^s, he settled in 
 in, on which 
 thters. 
 
 bater part of his 
 (cLaurin, who is 
 ighters are still 
 
 lomestead, and 
 |inty, which he 
 
 Donald bought 
 
 i,2J4 acres of land in West Hawkesbury — 600 of which, well limbered, is in prox- 
 imity to tliL'ir steam saw mill. The farm also sustains a large herd of cattle and 
 twenty-five horses. 
 
 A bakery was opened here in i888 by Wk.' Y Wilson. He came to Canada in 
 188 r, from Lincolnshire, England, where he had learned the bakerV, trade. He 
 spent a summer in Outremont, then came to Point Fortune, where he spent five 
 yerrs in farming, and one year in his present business. He came to Hawkesbury in 
 18F8, where he has a good dwelling atid fine bakery on Main Street. He has a 
 good trade, and supplies a large portion of the village and surrounding country with 
 bread. 
 
 F. H. Aubrey is a carriage-maker of this place. He was born in St. Eustache 
 in 1837, so'^*^ ^f'^"" which his father, of the same name, was taken i)risoner for the 
 part he had taken in the Rebellion, and was not released till he had H|;ent nine 
 months with others in the Montreal Jail. Some years after the Rebellion, the father 
 settled in Hawkesbury, whence he removed to Montebello, across the Ottawa, where 
 he died about 1881. 'ihe son, V. H., learned his trade of carriage-making in his 
 youth, and followed it several years in Montebello ; from which place he and his 
 [eldest son came in 1889, and started business in Hawkesbury. 
 
 MERCANTH.E. 
 
 'ihe number of fine stores on Main Street, with the large stocks of goods con- 
 tained therein, is ample pioof that they secure the custom of a large section of coun- 
 try. Among these establishments are those of J. G. Higginson, in which tiie Post 
 Office is kept ; Thomas Ross &: Sons, Le Brocq & Le Fcavre, M. J. Costello, John 
 Lecours, Jr., J. A. D. Laundriault, Dennis Doyle, and the Drug Store, in charge of 
 Mr. Montgomery. 
 
 The first two mer<-hant'- menlioned above are noticed elsewhere in connection 
 with their respective families, which are among the oldest and most prominent in the 
 County. Both merchants carry a large stock of goods, and from their long acquaint- 
 ance with the jjublic of this locality, enjoy no small share of their custom. 
 
 Le Brocq and Le Feavre are two young gentlemen, natives of the Lsland of 
 jersey. Albert William Le Broc([ has spent ten years in Canada, six of which he 
 was engaged in mercantile business, in the County of Gasi)6 ; two in Saguenay, in 
 mercantile and lun)ber business ; and two in i)artnership witli .Mr. John P. LeFeavre. 
 ilie latter was also engaged in mercantile business three year.=, in his native Island, 
 and then came tc Montreal, where he was four yeais in the employ of Messrs. 
 Hodgson, Sumner & Co., after which he came to Hawkesbury. 
 
 i hese gentlemen succeeded Mr. Harbec, whose bnsmess they purchased, and 
 while they do a good business as general merchants, ihey made a specialty of mil- 
 linery, and always keep a first class milliner in their employ. 
 
 M. J. Costello, who is telegraph operator and clerk of the municipality, has a 
 commodious and pleasant store, and has established a good trade. His father, 
 Martin Costello, came from the County of (jalway, Ireland, some time in the forties, 
 ind was married at L'Orignal to Ann Jane Fulton. He died in June, 1893, aged 71, 
 leaving four sons and iwo daughters. The eldest son, M. J., left home in May, 
 1869, to enter the employ of the Hamilton Brothers of Hawkesbury, as clerk and 
 elegraph operator, and resigned this position to enter into partnership with W. E. 
 Hayes in the mercantile line, of which business, a few years subsequently, he became 
 sole proprietor. _-i-._t'. . . 
 
 i\ 
 
 l 
 
 V 
 
 b 
 
55° 
 
 HISTORY OV PRESCOTT. 
 
 m 
 
 John Lecouks, Jun., opened a store here in 1876, and through tact and industry 
 has securt'd a good trade in a general assortment of dry goods and groceries. His 
 fatlier John Lecours was born in Pt. Fortune, whence he removed to another locality 
 of Hawkesbury, where he still lives. He married Olive, sister of Felix Hamelin 
 of Lachute. John Lecours, jun., their son, born in this township in 1849, was mar- 
 ried 27th April, 1874, to Exilda Brasseau. In his younger days he was for some 
 years in the employ of the Hamilton Brothers, but left that to engage in his present 
 business, in which he has been quite successful, beiiig now the proprietor of a good 
 brick store and dwelling. 
 
 J. A. D. Laundriaui.t lias but recently joined the mercantile ranks, yel iiis 
 energy and courtesy seem likely to supply any disadvantage arising from inex- 
 perience. His grandfather, Antoine I..aundriaull came to this country from France 
 in 1813, joined liie Voltigeurs, and soon became sergeant. He subsequently settled 
 at L'Orignal, where his son Theophile was born, and who, having arrived at manhood, 
 and married, settled in Alfred, where he lived for thirty-five years. His son, Joseph 
 Albert Dolpheus, entered Rigaud College in 1883, taking the Classical, and afterward 
 the Commercial Course, but before completing it the death of his father in 1886 
 necessitated his return home. He was employed on the homestead till 1893, wiien 
 he engaged in trade in this village, and was married i8th January, 1894, to Marv 
 Lecours. 
 
 The well supjjlied branch Drug Store of Hugh Duncan of Vankleek Hill is 
 in charge c^f W. R. Montgomery. This gentleman was born at Lakefield, Peterboro' 
 C junty, Ont., and after a college course at 'i'oronto was employed three years in a 
 dispensary at Belleville, and t' en in 1894 engaged in the drug business at 
 Hawkesbury. 
 
 Dennis Doyle is one of the old well-known merchants of the place; he was 
 born in Hawkesbury in 1842, and has been engaged successfully in mercantile busi- 
 ness here thirty-four years, longer than any other merchant in the village, with the 
 exception of J. G. Higginson. Robert E. Hull has also been iu trade here several 
 years. 
 
 Three or four merchant tailors are doing a thriving business in this village. 
 William Parks has been engaged here at the tailors' trade since 1847. I''' 1839 he 
 came from Kilwaughter, North of Ireland, to Vankleek Hill, where his father, also a 
 tailor, had settled a few years previous. William, the son, learned his trade and 
 finished his apprenticeship at St. Andrews, Que., and after plying his trade five years 
 in Montreal lie settled in Hawkesbury. He was married here 9th September, 1848, 
 to Susannah Evans from Worcester, England. She was a Christian woman, and one to 
 whom n>any became attached un account of her kind and charitable acts, and her 
 death, 25th September, 1894, was deeply deplored by a large circle of friends. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Parks had seven children, of whom four — two of each sex — are now living. 
 William Leslie, the eldest son, has long been employed in the store of J. G. Higgin- 
 son, v/here he also is Assistant Postmaster. 
 
 F. E Chauron was born in St. Denis, on the Richelieu, in 1867, which place 
 has long been the home of his ancestors. He attended the Commercial School of 
 his native village, and remained on the homestead till he was i8, when he began to 
 learn the tailors' trade. He followed this six years in Montreal and one at Vankleek 
 Hill, when he went to New York and took a course of instruction in cutting. Soon 
 afterward, he opened a tailoring eslablishment in Glengarry County, which he still 
 carries on. He opened one in Hawkesbury in March, 1895, in which he employs 
 eight hands. He has recently taken a partner — A. Matte — in his business at 
 Alexandria, where they employ nine hands. 
 
 OttI 
 bus| 
 wel 
 
 CUSIl 
 
 
 art 
 intcil 
 H.ml 
 and 
 accol 
 in in 11 
 the 1 
 rural 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 551 
 
 
 and industry 
 oceries. His 
 other locality 
 elix Hamelin 
 (49, was mar- 
 was for some 
 in liis present 
 tor of a good 
 
 ranks, yet liis 
 ig from inex- 
 \; from France 
 [uently settled 
 d at manliood, 
 is son, Joseph 
 and afterward 
 father in 1886 
 ill 1893, when 
 894, to Marv 
 
 ankleek Hill is 
 eld, Peterboro' 
 irec years in a 
 Ig business at 
 
 place ; he was 
 ercaiitile busi- 
 lla"e, with the 
 le here several 
 
 li this village. 
 
 In 1839 lie 
 
 father, also a 
 
 Ihis trade and 
 
 rade five years 
 
 itember, 1848, 
 
 m, and one to 
 
 acts, and her 
 
 friends. Mr. 
 
 |re now living. 
 
 J. G. Higgin- 
 
 which place 
 :ial School of 
 iy. he began to 
 
 : at Vankleek 
 |utting. Soon 
 
 diich he still 
 |i he employs 
 business at 
 
 The only tonsorial artist in the village is Esdr<3 Proui.x. He was born in 
 Oitawa, began his apprenticeship with a barber at the age of 14, and established his 
 business in Hawkesbury in 1884, where he has since remained. He has pleasant, 
 well equipped rooms on Main Street, and enjoys the patronage of a large circle of 
 nislomers. 
 
 EVAN DALE. 
 
 Near the lower jiart of the village, on a beautiful island in the Ottawa, where 
 afi has emulaated nature in the produrtion of those fairy scenes which please, 
 interest and enchant, is the home ot H. J. Ci.uran, formerly that of the Hon. John 
 H.miiiton, which is called l'>andale. The brick building, stately in its proportions 
 and grand in its architectural design, can be seen only by a near approach, on 
 account of the forest of trees and shrubbery surrounding it. Space ])reciudes a 
 minute description of the building and grounds — it will sufHce to say that they arc 
 the realization of a rich, cultured, Old Country gentleman's dream of a delightful, 
 rural homestead. 
 
 It was purchased by its i)resent proprietor. Henry Joseph Cloran, a few 
 vl- us ago. 
 
 This gentleman, who is of Irish parentage, was born in Montreal in 1855, and was 
 educated at Montreal College, in which he afterward hold .1 professorship ; he also 
 spent three years in the celebrated College of St. S'.ilpice in Paris, and travelled exten- 
 sively in Europe. After taking a course of law at Laval and McGill Universities, at the 
 latter of which he graduated, with the degree of B.C.L., in 1882, he was editor of the 
 Montreal Fosf and True Witness till 1887. He then passed iiis examination at the 
 ]!ar, and before three years was appointed Crown Prosecutor and Attorney for the 
 city and district of Montreal — an important appointment, w'lich is seldom bestowed 
 on one who has not had lung experience, and won distinction at the Bar. 
 
 In 1887 he ^^^" ^''^ Liberal candidate for Montreal Centre, and in 1891 was 
 sciit by the Hon. Wilfrid Laurier to contest the County of Prescoit, but owing to the 
 numerous candidates in the field, he withdrew at a late moment. Mr. Laurier wrote 
 as follows : 
 
 '' I am anxious that our friend Cloran should receive the nomination for Pres- 
 cott. We have no other Irish Catholic on our side who is able to take an eminent 
 position in the House. Do what you can in this direction." 
 
 Mr. Cloran has been president of the following societies, viz. : Press Association 
 of the J'rovince of Quebec, Shamrock Lacrosse Club, Montreal Branch of the Irish 
 National League, St. Patrick's Society, and the Catholic Young Men's Society. He 
 was one of the founders of the Trades and Labor Council, a director of the Montreal 
 Diocesan Colonization Society, a delegate to the Irish National Convention at 
 Chicago, in 1886, where he distinguished himself by two eloquent speeches, and he 
 was chairman of the organization that received Parnell, Davitt and all tlie Irish 
 leaders that visited Canada from 1880 to 1890. 
 
 He was married in 1882 to Agnes, third daughter of Michael Donovan, a lead- 
 ing Irish citizen of Montreal, and for years President of the St. Patrick's Society, and 
 of the Irish National League. Mr. Cloran has recently become the candidate for 
 Parliamentary honors in the interests of the Patrons of Industry of Prescott County, 
 and his views and principles have already been delineated in able addresses 
 delivered with his characteristic eloquence. 
 
 ! 
 
 ii! 
 
55« 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESrOIT. 
 
 Ill^: 
 
 Among the fine farms on McGill Street is that of John Johnstone, who canic 
 from Diiiufrieshire, Scotland, to Canada, in 1842. Me engagd in farming near 
 Montreal till 1858, when he came to Hawkeshiiry and ])urcliase(l the farm cf 150 acres 
 in the 1st Range, on which he still lives, and which he has spared no pains to make 
 smoother and j)roductive. He was married yih July, 1858, to Jane Uremner, of 
 Montreal. He has been one of the useful public icrvants, having been a member of the 
 School Board, a Municipal Councillor, and Reeve. He has six children — three sons 
 and three daughters— now living. 
 
 Contiguous to this farm is the fine old homestead— comprising 300 acres — of tlie 
 late Dr. David Pallee — now owned and occupied by the widow of his son, R. 1'. 
 PAlTtK. As staled in the history of Cassburn, Dr. Moses Pattee settleu it that 
 place: his cousin, David, settled in Hawkesbury ; he also was called Doctor, 
 though he never practised in this country. He settled on this land about 1796, and 
 besides showing his ability as a pioneer, by clearing it of its primeval forest, he gave 
 lo his fellow-citi/ens the impression that he was competent lo represent their interests 
 in Parliament, and was elected in 1825. Beingan American he received the votes of 
 all, or nearly all, his fellow-countrymen, who at that time were largely in the majo- 
 rity ; but, owing to the duplicity of the returning officer, as recorded elrewhere, he did 
 not obtain his seat, till after considerable trouble and litigation. He left three sons — 
 John, David and Richard Philo ; the (ormer settled at Cassburn ; David, who became 
 a prominent man in the county, died at his home in L'Orignal ; and Richard Philo 
 remained on the homestead, where he died a few years since — his loss being nuch 
 lamented, as he was a man highly esteemed. H-i was married 10th January, 1849, 
 to Maria, a daughter of Peter Vankleek, who still lives in their attractive brick 
 residence, which, with the farm on which it is located, contributes to the fair repu 
 tation for prosperity of Hawkesbury farmers. 
 
 The mother of Mr.-. Pat lee, who is a daughter of Joseph P. Cass, lives with her. 
 She is past ninety years of age, and still retains, to a remarkable degree, the intelli 
 gence and vigor which have been her characteristics through life. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Pattee had two sons and five daughters, but the only son now 
 living is Dr. Pattee, of Vankleek Hill. He studied medicine at McGill University, 
 from which institution he graduated in 1S74, and was married the same year, 15th 
 September, to Sarah Amelia, only daughter of Chauncey Johnson, of L'Orignal. 
 He first located in Plantagenet, and remained there till 1891, when he removed to 
 Vankleek Hill, where he has an extensive and successful practice. 
 
 On a neighboring farm lives Thomas Tweed Higoinson, third son of William 
 Higginson noticed on a preceding page. In his younger days, he was a builder and 
 contractor, but for twenty-five years has been engaged in farming, to which he is an 
 enthusiastic devotee. His farm of 175 acres gives many evidences of the energy and 
 money expended on it, and a fine grove or two, which he has caiefully preserved and 
 fostered for the comfort of his animals, are objects of much interest to him — the growth 
 of many of tne trees of which, he has watched and recorded for years. But his new barn, 
 which is built on a plan unique in this section, is his chief object o*" interest, and one 
 which affords atopic for much discussion and speculation in the locality. 
 
 It is circular in form, 80 feet in diameter, and from the ground to the top of its 
 cupola it is 60 feet, and to the eaves 30. A circular silo, 20 feet in diameter and 
 45 feet in height, rises from the ground in the centre, and around this, in the base- 
 ment, is space for a large stock of cattle, with manger in front and driveway in rear. 
 
 Mr. Higginson keeps pace with every advance in agricultuial science, possesses 
 all the latest improved farming implements, and spares no pains in securing the beat 
 stock. He is a great reader, consequently, besides agriculture, the subjects are not 
 
who CMWt 
 
 irmiiig iRMi 
 of 150 acres 
 ains to make 
 Brenuier, ut 
 lemberof the 
 — three sons 
 
 \cres — of I he 
 s son, R. P. 
 tlea at that 
 lied Doctor, 
 »ut 1796, and 
 •rest, he gave 
 iheir interests 
 1 the votes of 
 
 in the majo- 
 where, he did 
 
 three sons— 
 , who became 
 iichard Philo 
 ; being rrmcli 
 anuary, 1849, 
 tracHve brick 
 
 ilie fair repii- 
 1 
 
 ives with her. 
 
 ;, the intelli- 
 
 nly son now 
 University, 
 me year, 15th 
 
 f L'Orignal. 
 le removed to 
 
 n of William 
 a builder and 
 lich he is an 
 le energy and 
 reserved and 
 — the growth 
 lis new barn, 
 rest, and one 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 553 
 
 y 
 
 the top of its 
 diameter and 
 , in the base- 
 eway in rear. 
 ce, possesses 
 ring the best 
 ijects are not 
 
 t.w with which he is thoroughly conversant. He was active in the formation of the 
 18th Hnttalion, and held the Captaincy of Company No. i, till the company was dis- 
 I'lndedj he received a first class certificate from the Montreal Military School in 
 1S67. He has long been a member of the School Hoard, and is Assessor for the town 
 ( orporation of Hawkesbiiry, which posuion he has held since 1868. He has been 
 twice married— first to M'-.ry Allison, and after her death he was married, 29th 
 December, 1869, to Maria, daughter of George Ov/ens, of Stonefield. His eldest 
 (huightcr, Maria, is a teacher in the High School of Hawkesbury, and his second son 
 IS a pupil at the Model Farm at Ottawa. 
 
 GREEN LANE. 
 
 The above is the name of a rr .d brarvching off from the one loading from 
 Hawkesbury Mills to Vankleek H il, and it forms the western boundary of the 
 corporation. Though long known as Green Lane, recently, on account of the num- 
 l)or of Erasers who live on it, an effort has been made to change the name to Eraser 
 Street. The former name seems peculiarly appropriate from the number of trees 
 and quantity of shrubbery which border the roadside on either hand, altliougi no 
 one, knowing the families whose name it is proposed to give to the street, will object 
 10 showing to tiiem this simple tribute of respect. 
 
 Fine farms stretrh back from this road on either side, the buildings are all good, 
 Some of the dwellings imposing in size and architecture, and altogether there is such 
 an air of neatness and comfort about all the homesteads here, that the stranger, whi'e 
 tempted to tarry as long as possible, finds no little difficulty in deciding in which 
 would most like to remain. 
 
 Starting from the i)oint where this lane branches off from the road leading to 
 Vankleek Hill, the first resident in the corporation is Alexander, eldest son of 
 Allxander Hunter. He lias a farm of 120 acres, Lot 8, Range 2, on which he has 
 lived ten years. In his younger days lie travelled quite extensively in the We.stern 
 -States, and spent a year in Wisconsin, with the view of finding a locality in whif^h he 
 would like to locate, but found none he preferred to his native county, heuije he 
 returned. He was married in July, 1890, to Emma Barton; he is a member of the 
 Hawkesbury Municipal Council. 
 
 On the opposite side of Green Lane, and neighbor to Mr. Hunter, lives, in a 
 j^ood stone dwelling, John Eraser, on the fine homestead where his grandfather 
 settled when he first came to Hawkesbury. 
 
 His name was John Eraser, and he came from Gleneig, Invernesshire, Scotland, 
 to Canada in 181 5, remained a few months at Sorel, and in 181 6 came to Hawkes- 
 bury, and settled, as stated above, on Lot 8, Range 3, at that time forest land; and 
 the only neighbors he had were Elijah Allen and Sylvester Cobb, the latter living on 
 the land now owned by Mr. John Warren. Mr. Eraser spent his days here, dying in 
 Decei.iber, T862 ; he left six sons and three daughters. His second son, Andrew, 
 married a daughter of John Eraser, the well known writer of Lachine, and spent his 
 days on the homestead. His son, John Eraser, the present proprietor of the home- 
 stead, was married 10th Decembei, 1879, ^^ Mary S. Campbell. He has long served 
 as School Trustee and Municipal Councillor of West Hawkesbury. 
 
 Alexander Roderick was the eldest son of John Eraser, the pioneer, mentioned 
 above. He married Janet, sister of Earquhar Robertson, and they had three sons and 
 tour daughters. Mr. Eraser died 19th January, 1884; Mrs. PVaser, 12th May, the 
 same year. Of their children, one son, Alex. R., and two daughters, Mrs. William 
 Robertson and Mrs. John Byers, are the only ones now living. 
 
 36 
 
554 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 ■M''A. 
 
 If' 
 
 Alexander R. Fraser lives on a farm of 150 acres in the corporation, and besides 
 receiving the usual income from a good farm of this size, he has engaged exten- 
 sively in fruit culture, and has one of the finest orchards in East em Ontario, con- 
 prising cbout 1200 trees, and he intends planting several hundred more. Hi? attrac- 
 tive fruit house is 30 ft. x 40 ft. in size, three stories, and finished with the wood in 
 its natural tint. Mr. Fraser is a member of the High School Board, has been several 
 years a member of the Municipal Council, and for fifteen years on the Board of the 
 Public School. 
 
 Alexander W. Fraser, an uncle of A. R., the last one noticed, is the fourth 
 son of John Fraser, the pioneer, and lives in the corporation contiguous to his 
 nephew, on a farm of 160 acres. His elder brothers had all received good farms 
 fom fraternal kindness, and the only land remaining for him was that on whicli he 
 now lives, which was then entirely wooded, low and wet. He gratefully accepted 
 the legacy, however, and through many years of hard labor in clearing and draining, 
 he has made a good, productive farm. He was married 3rd March, 1863 to Cathe- 
 rine Ma. .on ; they have two sons and three daughters now living — one of the former, 
 Simon L. Fraser, is attending a Presbyterian College ; the otiier son. David, lives on 
 the homestead. Mr. Fraser, a typical Scotchman, with a large heart, and the oldest 
 man of this section, vaj the first child born on Green Lane. 
 
 Richard D. Byers, third son of Wm. Byers, noticed on a former page, is another 
 resident on tliis road who lives in the corporation. He was married 19th September, 
 1883, to Ellen Smith, and settled here on Lot 4, Range 2, in 1890. He has nearly 
 100 acres, possesses a silo, and keeps 25 head of cattle and tliree horses. J. A. 
 Byers, a brother of Richard D., is also one of the intelligent farmers on Green 
 Lane. 
 
 A fine homestead on this Lane within the "orporation is that of Mrs. Robi<:rt- 
 SON, widow of William P^obertson. Farquhar Robertson, from Scotland, located 
 on this, and here spent the rest of his life, becoming a prominent man in the town- 
 ship. At first he was an active and influential Liberal in politics, but from some cause 
 he changed his views and became equally active as 1 Conservati.'e. He was a Jus- 
 tice of the Peace and Reeve of the Village ; hedied about 1875 ; his children were five 
 sons and four daughters. William, one of the former, who remained on the homestead, 
 married Marion, a daugiiter of the late Alex. Roderick Fraser. Like his father, Mr. 
 Robertson became an influential man in this locality and was highly esteemed. Fy.v 
 men ever took more pains to accommodate others, or were inore kind and hospitable 
 to strangers. He was Councillor and a member of the High School Board many 
 years. His sudden death, 22nd September, 1894, was a severe blow to iiis family and 
 deeply dej:)lored by the entire community. The farm of Mrs. Robertson, now 
 managed by her eldest son, comprises nearly 200 acres in a good state of cultivation, 
 with an attractive brick residence and fine outbuildings. 
 
 West Hawkesbury, 
 
 Previous to 1844, the two townships now known as East and West Hawkesbury 
 formed but one Municipality, distinguished as Hawkesbury. West Hawkesbury is 
 bounded on the north by the Ottawa, east by East Hawkesbury, south by LochicI, 
 and west by Longueuil and Caledonia. 
 
 The land generally is comparatively level, and though there are a few hills, they 
 are not of a character to impede cultivation, and altogether the township is a. fine 
 one, giving evidence in every part of an industrious and thrifty population. It is 
 said that the soil here is lighter than it is in East Hawkesbury ; in the latter town 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOIT. 
 
 "Ili- 
 
 , and besides 
 gaged exten- 
 )ntario, con- 
 Hi? attrac- 
 the wood in 
 1 been several 
 Board of the 
 
 , is the fourth 
 iguous to his 
 ;d good farms 
 ; on which he 
 ifully accepted 
 and draining, 
 863 to Cathe- 
 of che former, 
 David, lives on 
 and the oldest 
 
 ?age, is another 
 [9th September, 
 He has nearly 
 horses. J- A. 
 mers on Green 
 
 Mrs. Robert- 
 ;otland, located 
 n in the town- 
 om some cause 
 He was a Jus- 
 lildren were five 
 the homestead, 
 his father, Mr. 
 teemed. F:'.v 
 and hospitable 
 pi Board many 
 his family and 
 obertsoii, now 
 of cultivation, 
 
 1st Hawkesbury 
 
 [awkesbury is 
 
 ith by Lochic'., 
 
 few hills, they 
 iship is a fine 
 julation. It is 
 [he latter town- 
 
 ship they raise bitter crops, especially of hay, but in we^ seasons this rule is reversed 
 — the crops of the Western towrship then being more abundant. 
 
 It io very doubtful indeed, if another section equal in area to these two townships 
 can be found in Ontario which will surpass it in facilities for what is termed mix!.d 
 farming. 
 
 That the municipal affairs of the township at the period of 1808 and 1809 were 
 neither intricate nor extensive, we conclude from the following, which is a verbatim 
 ■ t literatim co\»y of the business of the municipality for the two years mentioned, as 
 recorded by the Town Clerk. The reader will be reminded by the spelling, that 
 the advantages for education were not what they are to-day : 
 
 " Town Meeting legally warned, and held at the House of John Wade, in 
 Hawkesbury, on the 7th Decembc, 1808 — the following rownship men were appoint- 
 ed : Path Masters — Mr. Barnham, Alexander Cammeri.ig, Samuel Cobb. James 
 Connor, and Omry Eddy. 
 
 " Asseii ors. — Simeon Van Clcek — Collector — William Sherman — Wardeans ; 
 Robert Morns, James Waddle. 
 
 " Pound Keepers.- -William Hately and Lamberton Allen, Attest, Sylvester Cobh 
 T. Clerk." 
 
 " Town Meeting legally warned and held at the house of John Wade in the Town- 
 ship of Hawkesbury on the first monday in March, cD. 1809; the following officers 
 were Chosen (vi/c) : Sylvester Cobb, Township Clerk — Collector — John Wade — path- 
 masters — David Paitee, E. Bangs, Stephan Story, Joseph Griffin. 
 
 " Pc^i'd Keepers. — James Waddle — Lamberton Allen — Wardeans — James Barron 
 — Simer.i Vn. Cleek — Horned Cattle free commoners — Lawful! fence 4t feet fence, 
 Deameu Lawful! —Attest Sylvester Cobb, Township Clerk." . 
 
 One of the most attractive residences and farms in West Hawkesbury is that of 
 George Mode. His father, who bore the same name, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, 
 about 1788. When eleven years old, he left home, spent a year or two on the ocean, 
 visited different European ports, and wasin one or two engagements, and about 1802, 
 reached Quebec, from which he came to Ontario, and two years later, engaged to the 
 Hamilton Brothers of Hawkesbury Mills, with whom he remained as foreman for 29 
 yens. He was married in 1821, 10 Johannah Waddell, sister of the late John Wad- 
 del) of Hawkesbury. He was the first foreman under whose charge logs were first 
 brought down the Rouge to the Hawkesbury Mills. An attempt to do this wns 
 made the year previous, in which Jamieson, the mill foreman, and his wiiole gang 
 we e drowned. While employed at the mill.«, it was h's duty in winter to prosi)ect 
 for timber, and, in sum.mer, to act as pilot for tlie Company. During the time he was 
 thus engaged, he purchased the homestead in West Hawkesbury, on which his son 
 George now lives, and of v.hich he soon cleared a small space. He then erected a 
 house, the boards for which were drawn by oxen on the crotch of a tree from 
 Hawkesbury Mills, at an expense for cartage alone of $6.00 per thousar.d, a:,d the 
 , nails for which cost 25c. per pound. He continued to clear up and improve his 
 farm, and erected on the rear part of it a saw-mill on a small creek, where he sawed 
 1 lumber for many years. He died in 1872 ; he had nine children — three sons and six 
 I daughters. James, the eldest son, died in 1890 at the age of d},. George, the second 
 son, who resides with his family on the homestead, is one of the substantial and influ- 
 ential farmers of the township. 
 
SS6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 ■a 
 
 M 
 
 W 
 
 James D. Newton is one of the pioneers of Hawkesbury still surviving; he lives 
 in the vicinity ofVankleek Hill. He is a son of James Newton who came from 
 Weathersfield, Vt., early in this century, and settled in the Eastern Townships. Tt 
 is supposed he came to Vankleek Hill about 1807, as his eldest child was born here 
 in )8o-' ; he bought a farm in this section, which is now owned by John Bigans. He 
 died about 1845, while on a visit to his son, Joseph, who lived in Antwerp, N.Y. 
 He had ten children — six sons and four daughters — that grew up ; three of each sex 
 are still living, of whom James 1)., who is 76, is the youngest, with the exception of one 
 of his sisters. The subject of our sketch, in his youthful days, after working out on a 
 farm three years, entered the lumber woods, wheie he was employed eleven years. 
 He was married 22nd July, 1847, to Elizabeth Mode ; she died 12th May, 1893. Tlie 
 same year of his marriage, he bought the farm of 100 acres vvhere he now lives, and 
 from which he has made money to pay for three other farms for his son?, and erect 
 his present brick house and good farm buildings. A number of years ago, he bought 
 100 acres of woodland and pasture, which be still owns. He was a .School 'I'rustee 
 several ye. s, and President of the Agricultural Society for twenty, but resigned the 
 latter office on account of his age. His children — hve sons and three daugiitets — 
 are all married. John, the third son, who lives on the homestead, was married 29'.h 
 June, 1887, to Christiana McLarin. 
 
 Nehkmiah McCallum is the proprietor of one of the fine fivrms thai is conti- 
 guous 10 Vankleek Hill on the east. His grandfather, Malcolm McCallum, from 
 Scotland, as the name indicates, settled in East Hawkesbury on the farm now owned 
 by the widow of his son, Duncan, and lived there till his death. He had five sons 
 and one daughter. Malcolm, the eldest son, bought 120 acres of Lot 19, 6th Range, 
 on which he lived till his death 13th October, 1894. He married Nancy Canner of 
 Lochiel ; they had four sons and six daughters who lived till maturi'y. Nehemiah, 
 the second son, went to Colorado in April, 1866, and after spending four years in 
 different States and Territories, finally entered Arizona. In 1874, he procured a 
 ranch, and devoted himself to stock raising, at which he was very successful. During 
 his Ftay there he was elected to the Legislature, and served one term of two years. 
 In 1887 he leturncd to West Hawkesbury, and bought the farm of 125 acres on 
 which he now lives. His good brick house and entire surroundings ably sustain the 
 reputation for prosperity so long enjoyed by Hawkesbury farmers. 
 
 Giles S. Lighthai.l, youngest son of Captain C. J. Lighthall, who was so well 
 known in the Valley of the Ottawa, was born in 1849, o" ''^^ o'^ homestead, 6th 
 Concession, West Hawkesbury. He has always remained here, and was married 
 in 1871 to Isabella, daughter of Samuel Vogan, Esq., of Riceville. They have si.\ 
 children — two sons and four daughters — all living at home, with the exception of 
 Abraham, the second son, who received his diploma in 1894, and has since engaged 
 in teaching. Mr. Lighthall has taken an active part in municipal affairs, was one 
 year in the Council, and has been Deputy Reeve seven years ; he is one of the intel- 
 ligent, enterprising farmers of the Township. 
 
 William R. Stephens, son of Samuel Stephens, was born in St. Martin's, Que,, 
 ist December, 1852 ; when he was about four years of age, his father came to East! 
 Hawkesbury and bought a farm in the 5th Concession. William remained at home 
 until the year of his marriage, 1882 ; he wac married to Christina, daughter of Dugaldj 
 McCallum of this place, and removed to a farm in the 4th Concession. He remained] 
 here seven year^ and then bought his present farm, which comprises 190 acres, andl 
 on which he has made many improvements ; Mr. Stephen has a son and a daughter. 
 
 George Nathan Vogan is the eldest son of William Vogan, who came fronij 
 County Cavan, Ireland, married Dorothy Capron, and settled in Vankleek Hill ; theyj 
 had five sons and three daughters. George, born in 1850, has always remained atl 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 ring; he lives 
 10 came from 
 )wnships. It 
 vas born here 
 1 Bigans. He 
 inlwerp, N.Y. 
 ee of each sex 
 ceplion of one 
 ■king out on a 
 eleven years, 
 [ay, 1893. The 
 now lives, and 
 5on=, and erect 
 igo, he bought 
 School Trustee 
 ut resigned the 
 ee daughters— 
 as married zg.h 
 
 ns thai is conti- 
 .IcCalhim, from 
 arm now owned 
 e had five sons 
 : 19, 6ih Range, 
 ancy Canner ot 
 ty, Nehemiah, 
 g four years in 
 \, he procured a 
 Icessful. During 
 11 of two years, 
 f 125 acres on 
 lal)ly sustain the 
 
 |\vho was so well 
 
 homestead, 6th 
 
 ind was married 
 
 They have six 
 
 [the exception of 
 
 3S since engaged 
 
 affairs, was one 
 
 one of the inte;- 
 
 Martin's, Que, 
 
 .^: came to I'^ast 
 
 Imained at home 
 
 lighter of UugalJ 
 
 He remained 
 
 190 acres, and 
 
 Ind a daughter. 
 
 [who came from 
 
 Ikleek Hill ; they 
 
 lays remained at 
 
 Iiome; he was married in 1879 to Miss Alice E. Durant of Vankleek Hill, and has 
 tliree sons and four daughters, all living at home. Mr. Vogan bought his present 
 farm in East Hawkesbury about 23 years ago ; in connection with farming he also 
 ngages in fine stock raising, and has dealt extensively in horses for many year? ; 
 imong other fine horses he owns " Chief" and " Lion," the latter of which is valued 
 at $1500. 
 
 Donald McK'Llican was born in Invernesshire, Scotland, came to Canada in 
 the year 1829, and settled in Alexandria, Ont., where he worked at his trade — that of 
 blacksmith — for five years. Finding the place too rough to be pleasant, however, on 
 the advice of his friends he left it andcameto Vankleek Hill, where he also wo.ked at 
 his trade four or five years. He then came to thiS place, and bought a farm in the 
 5th Concession, on which he built a shop and followed his trade in connection witii 
 farm work. He was married to Miss Margaret Robinson iVom Scotland, and had 
 three sons and two daughters, who are all living. Mr. McKillican died i rth Nov- 
 ember, 1888, and Mrs. McKillican died in 1880. Donald, tiie eldest son, lives in 
 Wisconsin ; William is an Alderman and an influential citizen in Victoria, B.C. ; 
 Mary, married to Mr. Cameron, lives in Vankleek Hill, and Margaret is married to 
 James Stewart of Kau Claire, Wisconsin. 
 
 James, ihe second son, born in 1831, learned the blacksmith trade with his father, 
 and worked in the shop some years ; he was for several years engaged on the Canada 
 AtlaDtic and North Shore Railroads as foreman and blacksmith. Mr. McKillican 
 has been twice married ; the first time to Miss Rose Anna Blair ; they had five 
 children, of whom two sons and two daughters are living; the sons being in Oregon, 
 and the daughters at home. Mr, McKillican was married the second time, 28:h 
 August, 1S78, to Miss Persis Willis. The only child of this marriage died while 
 still young. 
 
 William J. Howes, eldest son of James Howes, was born in the Sr-igniory of 
 Longueuil, 9th July, 1855. His father came to West Hawkesbury when William was 
 about two years of age ; when eighteen years old he went to Wisconsin, and remained 
 four years. On his return lie worked at the carpenter's trade for some time, and then 
 engaged in cheese making, working one season for Mr. C. McQnaig, and seven years 
 for Mr. Solomon Grout. In April, 1893, he was married to Hattie, daughter of 
 David Steele of Vankleek Hill. Mr. Howe's farm is in the 5t'i Concession. In 1891 
 he engage'' to run the " Golden Hill" cheese factory in East Hawkesbury for Mt". 
 .S. L'tevens, but two years later, a joint stock couspany of farmers in the vicinity 
 Ijought the latter out. Since then, M"-. Howes, ably assisted by Mr. Henry Gates of 
 Riceville, has managed the factory for the company, giving them satisfaction and 
 upholding his reputation as a cheese maker. 
 
 About two miles from Vankleek Hill, on the road leading from that place to 
 Longueuil, is a good farm and commodious stone house owned and occupied by 
 |oHN McCann. His grandfather, Captain John McCann, came from Coot's Hill, 
 County of Cavan, Ireland, to this place about 1820 took up 150 acres of land, and in 
 1826 erected the stone house mentioned above, ."'revious 10 this he had been in 
 the British service in India, and at the storming of Seringpatam, Lieut. Meiclfe (after- 
 wards Governor General of Canada) accidenially fell from the ramparts, and broke the 
 leg of McCann whom he struck in iiis fail. In consequence, McCann was invalided 
 home, and from the rank of Ensign which he then held he was i-romoted to a Lieut- 
 enancy on half pay, and awarded a pension ; a further account of wiiich will be found 
 in the h'scory of Riceville ; he became Captain of MiVA\a after coming 10 Canada. 
 He wa.-5 a very benevolent man, kind to the i)oor, and in the oflice of Local Preacher 
 no doubt did much good. A minister, writing of Methodism in the Ottawa District, 
 in those early days, thus mentions Captain McCann : 
 
 _fc 
 
558 
 
 HISTORY OK PREPCOTT. 
 
 ; 1^ 
 
 )■ 3. 
 
 ; IS 
 
 ■ If 
 
 m 
 -11 
 
 " In 1832 I was appointed as the colleague of the quaint but saintly John 
 Black, to the Ottawa Circuit. He drove his family around by the Coteau du Lac 
 and the Cote St. Charles in his wagon, and I rode across the country from Mou- 
 linette to Vankleek Hill on horseback. My first night's rest was at Capt. McCann's, 
 a member of William Johnson's class, at the Red School House in West Hawkesbury. 
 I laid over the next day to rest my horse, and visited from house to house, escorted 
 by the Captain, whose conversation on the way was very spiritual, i^mong othe.*- 
 things, he infoimed me that he and his leader, W. Jolinson, had covenanted to meet 
 each other in spirit three times a day, to pray for what they called the ' second bless- 
 iiig,'by which ho meant the ' blessing of a new heart'." 
 
 Captain McCann died suddenly in Toronto in 1837 i '^^ ^^'^^ there on business 
 connecltd with land, when he fell in the street, and expired. He had five sons and 
 five daughters. 
 
 Robert, the fourtii son, remained on the homestead, and married, 26th December, 
 1S4 , Elizabeth Cross. He was a School Trustee of the Township several years ; he 
 died 271I1 August, 1894; Mrs. McCann died 24th August, 1879. They had a large 
 family of children of whom three sons and five daughters are now living. John, the 
 eldest, and Bertha, the youngest, of the children, have always lived on the homestead. 
 The farm is one of the many good ones in this section, and sustains at the present, 
 thirty head of cattle and five horses. 
 
 RoBKRT RtNNi-CK is the proprietor of a fine fa:m and imposing brick residence 
 on the road from Vankleek Hill to f/Orignal. His father, Lodwick Renneck, came 
 from the County of Fermanagh, Ireland, to West Hawkesbury, in 1832, and bought 
 the farm of 88 acres which is now owned by his son, Robert. He lived here till his 
 death, 12th October, 1846 — a Christian man and a inembtr of the Methodist Church 
 He had seven cliild"en, l)ut only one son, Robert, and one daughter, Mrs. Hunter, 
 of Vankleek Hill, survived him. The former was manied to Margaret, daughter ot 
 George Blayney of Hawkesbury. He joined the Volunteers in 1866, and served 
 througli the Fenian campaign ; he has also served as School Trustee several years, 
 and as Assessor. He erected his present residence in 1884, and has since added 40 
 acres of land to the homestead, now having 128 acres ; he joined the Baplist Church 
 in 1870. 
 
 Wii.i.iAM \V. Tweed lives near Vankleek Hill, on a beautiful and productive 
 farm. He is a grandson of Thomas Tweed, who came ftom the County of Antrim, 
 Iieland, about 1820, and settled on a farm now owned by his granddaughter, Mrs. 
 Robert Sproule, where he spent his remaniing years. Mrs. Tweed, his wife, died in 
 1870, aged 93 ; they iiad tiiree sons and lour daughters. Alexander D. Tweed, 
 one of tlie sons, who was four years old wlun his parents came to Canada, was 
 married in 1843 to Maria, daughter of William Wait. He bought a farra near the 
 lu>mestead, which is now owned by his own son, Thoiiias. He was a man of 
 influence in this section — a Justice of the Peace several years, and a Director of 
 the Agricultural Society. He died in November, 1882, aged 67; Mrs. Tweed died 
 in July, 1893. They had nine children — five sons and four daughters, who, with 
 the exception of William and Thomas, living in this place, are settled in widely 
 different localities, — Manitoba, the United States, and in Australia. 
 
 William W., the eldest son, was married nth April, 1867, to Ann Lough of the 
 Hill. After having a lease of his present farm of 150 acres for six years, he pur- 
 chased it, paying for it entiiely from the products of the farm, and he has recently 
 l)urchased fifty acres more — more than half of which is timbered with a fine growth 
 of maple. Mr. Tweed does not belong to the class of farmers who complain that 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 559 
 
 aintly John 
 ;eau du Lac 
 from Mou- 
 McCann's, 
 [awkesbury. 
 se, escorted 
 ,mong other 
 I ted to meet 
 econd bless- 
 on business 
 ive sons and 
 
 li December, 
 al years ; he 
 
 had a large 
 r. John, the 
 e homestead. 
 
 the present, 
 
 ick residence 
 Mineck, came 
 !, and bought 
 ;d here till his 
 dist Church 
 ',lrs. Hunter, 
 , daughter ot 
 and served 
 everal years, 
 ice added 40 
 piist Church 
 
 Id productive 
 ly of Antrim, 
 uighter, Mrs. 
 wife, died in 
 |r I). Tweed, 
 Canada, was 
 iarm near the 
 a man of 
 Director of 
 Tweed died 
 |rs, who, with 
 'd in widely 
 
 JLough of the 
 |ears, he pur- 
 has recently 
 fine growth 
 lmi)lain that 
 
 " farming don't pay." He has brought his farm into a fine state of cultivation, erected 
 a commodious and attractive as well as substantial brick residence, and all his 
 buildings and improvements give evidence that his plans are well conceived and 
 executed with energy. He has a herd of 28 cows, his sugar orchard comprises 
 1,500 maples; he has a cream separator, and a modern windmill which pumps all 
 the water required for the house and barn. Notwithstandiag the cire and attention 
 devoted to his farm and stocK, Mr. Tweed cheerfully gives a portion of his time to 
 public affairs. He lias been a Municipal Councillor many years, is Secretary of 
 the Vankleek Hill Branch of the Bible Society, a Trustee of the new Methodist 
 Church as he was of the old one, and has been Circuit Steward for twenty-one years. 
 Mr. and Mrs. i'weed have two sons and four daughters living. Maria and Efhe, 
 two of the daughters, are engaged in teaching; the former has taught four years. 
 Thomas H., another son of Alexander Tweed, who lives on the homestead, has 
 remained in W. Hawkesbury from his youth ; he was married in 1881 to Miss Scott, 
 daughter of the late William Scott, of Winchester. They have one son and three 
 daughters. , \ ■ ■■ 'r/, 
 
 William Douglas came from Northumberland, England, to Canada four years 
 after the battle of Waterloo, and came to St. Andrews, sailing up the Ottawa on a 
 bateau. He lived a few years in Lachute, and afterwards in the Bay Settlement and 
 in the Front of Chatham, buying a farm from Mr. Stayner in the latter place. He 
 and Mrs. Douglas both died heie, the former being 71 at his death, and the latter 
 aged 75 ; they had four sons and two daughters. Of these, James live^ in Argenteiiil 
 County, and Margaret, married to AVilliam Scarborough, in the same County. 
 
 John, the youngest, born in 1822, lived in Chatham from his childhood, and was 
 married therein 1879 to Ann, daughter of William Nichols. In i-°.77 he sold his 
 land in Chatham, and bought a farm in tlie 4th Concession, in this place. He has 
 one son and one daughter; the latter, Maggie, married to Charles C. Mooney, lives 
 ill E. Hawkesbury, and the uon, William, is at home. 
 
 Gr.ORGE Blavney was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1807, came to 
 Canada when about seventeen years of age, and first settled on the farm Lot 18, 6th 
 Concession, West Hawkesbury, now owned by his son John. He was one of the 
 first settlers in this section, cleared up most ot his farm, and was the first man to 
 drive a cart through the woods to Caledonia Flat!?. He was married 4th January, 
 1836, at Grenville, to Margaret, daughter of the late John ilunter ; they had four 
 daughters and f.vo sons, of whom one of the former is deceased. Mr. Blayney died 
 9th January, 1854, and Mrs. Blayney died 21st January, 1891. Of the children, 
 Margaret M., the youngest, married Robert Rennick; Susan, married to John Paton, 
 lives in Dundas County ; Ann, the eldest, is the widow of John McPhee, and lives 
 with her brother on the homestead. Cadwalader, the eldest son, has two farms— one 
 in the 2nd Concession, Caledonia, and the other in the 4th Concession of West 
 Hawkesbury, the lutter being his ]jlace of residence. 
 
 John, the youi;gest, owns the homestead farm, which, like many others in this 
 section, is well cultivated. Mr. Blayney (John) went to Cornwall and Prescott with 
 the Volunteers in 1866. 
 
 John Wood, second son of James Wood, was born in St. Placide, January, 1833. 
 He accompanied his father's family to East Settlement, and remained there until 26 
 years of age, at which time he went to Lachute Road for two years. He was married 
 in 1861 to Grace, daughter of the late James Wilson, of East Settlement, and with his 
 wife went the same year to St. Canute, County of Two Mountains, where he bought 
 alarm. He remained for many years on this farm, and in 1886 went to Breadal- 
 
 ,; H 
 
S6o 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 bane for a year ; he then purchased his present farm in the 6th Concession from 
 Miss Sarah Mclnnes. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have five sons and four daughters ; 
 James, the eldest, is in Salt Lake City; Margaret, the eldest daughter, married to 
 Mr. E. Currier, lives in St. Canute ; Robina, the daughter, is a teacher ; the two 
 youngest sons, Albert and Edwin, are attending school in Vankleek Kill ; John 
 Henry, Ida and Elizabeth are at home ; Thomas is in Vankleek Hill. 
 
 In a neighborhood about midway between Hawkesbury Mills and Vankleek 
 Hill, where the road is intersected by another, there settled in the first years of this 
 century some of the earliest pioneers of the township ; they were Sylvester Cobb, 
 Elijah Brown and others; and later still, came William Higginson. A brief sketch is 
 given of S. Cobb on a preceding page ; and records of the township, cojjied elsewhere, 
 show that he served as Town Clerk of Hawkesbury as far back as 1808 and 1809. 
 Elijah Brown came from Massachusettes to this part of Canada, and married a 
 daughter of Abel Watters, one of the early pioneers of Longueuil, Prescott County, 
 and settled in the vicinity of London, Ont. Al^out 1814 he exchanged his laiKl 
 there with his brother-in-law, Truman Watlers, for land in Hawkesbury, Lot 9, and 
 Range, now owned by Mrs. Darwin Stevens, and bought half of Lot 12, at present 
 owned by William Byers, sen., — all of which was then in its primeval state. At his 
 death, Mr. Brown left four sons and two daughters, but only one of each sex is now 
 living. George Brown, the son, has spent his long life here, as an industrious farmer, 
 and he still has a good farm of 140 acres. ' ..;,'- 
 
 William, one of the four Higginson Brothers, was married in Ireland to Jane 
 Tweed, and their wedding trip was the voyage to America, on which they immediately 
 started. In 1821 Mr. Higginson bought the land now owned by his daughter, Mrs. 
 Darwin StevenS; and his home was here during the remainder of his life. He had 
 seven sons and five daughters. One of the latter was married to Darwin Stevens, 
 28th August, 1861. Mr. Stevens was a son of Samuel Stevens, the milhvright and 
 foreman of Thomas Mears. Darwin Stevens inheiited all his father's skill as a work- 
 man, and genius as an inventor; and was, moreover, an able foreman, popular with 
 his men, yet demanding implicit obedience to his orders. He was for a long time 
 foreman in the Hawkesbury millF, and much of the labor-saving machinery still in 
 use in them is the result of his inventive skill. He was unfortunately drowned at the 
 mills in 1888, by venturing into a dangerous place, to save the property of his 
 employers, and into which he was too brave and generous to order any of the 
 men. His untimely death was regarded as a calamity to the whole community. He 
 left one son and four daughters. The son, Samuel D. Stevens, now has the manage- 
 ment of the farm, comprising five or six hundred acres, and sustaining a large 
 stock. The dwellinp, hidden among shade and fruit trees, has both the appearance 
 and chaim of a model homestead — a home where intelUgence and hospitality contri- 
 bute to the delight of the sojourner. 
 
 The two eldest daughters of Mrs. Stevens are married; the son and the two 
 youngest daughters, Harriet M. and Ellen, are at home. 
 
 A road running south from this se(;tion leads to a settlement known as Sand Hill, 
 in which dwell several of the leading farmers of the township — indeed, all the farmers 
 here may be said to be in a prosperous condition. 
 
 Alonzo Bangs is said to have been the first settler here, and his sons, James, 
 Charles and Eliphalet, are among the successful agriculturists. 
 
 Another old settler here is SamuelSimpson, brother of the late Robert Simpsiiii, 
 of St. Andrews, Que. He was for many years foreman for the Hamilton Brothers; 
 two of his sons, Robert and Thomas, live on the homestead. Thomas, unmarried, is 
 a'devoted disciple of Nimrod, and has killed great quantities of game ; he has wcil- 
 trained hounds, and annually makes a visit to the hunting-grounds. 
 
HISTORY OK PRBSCOTT. 
 
 s«« 
 
 lession from 
 
 daughters ; 
 
 , married to 
 
 ;r ; the two 
 
 Kill; John 
 
 id Vankleek 
 years of this 
 vester Cobb, 
 rief sketch is 
 ed elsewhere, 
 d8 and 1809. 
 id married a 
 cott County, 
 iged his lan(l 
 y, Lot 9, 2nd 
 2, at present 
 state. At It is 
 ch sex is now 
 ;irious farmer, 
 
 eland to Jane 
 y immediately 
 aiighter, Mrs. 
 life. He had 
 rwin Stevens, 
 nillwright and 
 Ikill as a work- 
 popuUr with 
 pr a long time 
 liinery still in 
 rowned at the 
 ;operty of his 
 ■I any of the 
 immunity, lie 
 ,s the manage- 
 ning a large 
 lie appearance 
 pitali'y contri- 
 
 and the two 
 
 as Sand Hill, 
 ill the farmcis 
 
 sons, James, 
 
 Ibert Simpsi^n, 
 
 lion Brothoi:. ; 
 
 unmarried, is 
 
 ; he has wcil- 
 
 About the year 1833 a man named Byers, from North Shields, England, settled 
 in the rear of Chatham, Que.; but he died not long subsequently from cholera. A 
 son, William E. H. Byers, married Ellen, eldest daughter of William Higginson, and 
 settled at Sand Hill on a farm which now comprises 400 acres, and sustains a dairy of 
 forty cows. Mr. Byers is one of the influential men of the township, and has been 
 Reeve and School Trustee many years, and Secretary of the Dairy Association ; he was 
 also a Volunteer in 1837, ^"d was at Grand Brul6 during the height of the excitement. 
 
 William H. Byers, one of his sons, who lives on a farm in this section, was a 
 member of the iSth Battalion fifteen years, and was a Sergeant in Capt. Hi^ginson's 
 Company, and afterward Sergeant-major, He was foreman on a farm in Ottawa 
 County, of the Hamilton Brothers, for three years, and has been largely interested in 
 the manufacture of cheese, having owned two factories and shares in others located 
 in different parts of the County. He was married in February, 1876, to Eliza Jane 
 Reveler. 
 
 Among the fine farms of West Hawkesbury, which border Green liane, are those 
 of Wu.LiAM W. Higginson and Alexander Hunter, sen. Wm. VV. Higginson is 
 the eldest son of William Higginson, the pioneer of 1819, and a brother of several of 
 '•.hom sketches are given elsewhere in these pages. He bought a farm of 180 acres 
 in this locality in 1854, and since has added to it 160 acres ; its thorough cultivation, 
 large barn and commodious brick dwelling all bear evidence to the industry of Mr. 
 Higginson, and his careful and judicious management. He was married to Margaret 
 Allison, 27th January, 1855; they had six children — three of each sex. Mrs. Higgin- 
 son died about twenty years ago, and two of the daughters, Clara and A^nes R., still 
 live with their father. The former was married 21st March, 1894, to A. F. Gardner, 
 who has liad much experience as a cheese-maker, and who scored 99^ points on his 
 cheese at the World's Fair in Chicago. Mr. Higginson is one of the six brothers 
 who joined the Volunteers in 1866, to repel the piratical Fenians, and he has always 
 been equally ready to contribute to the support of any worthy enterprise, public or 
 private charity. 
 
 Alexander Huntci, ncii.. is a brother of John Hunter of whom a sketch \i given 
 in the history of Vankleek Hill. His imposing bricK dwelling is located on a level, 
 well-cultivated farm of 120 acres, adjoining that of Mr. Higginson, and he has, besides, 
 a wood lot in this neighborhood of the same area. Mr. Hunter's success affords a 
 good example of what one may accomplish by faithful devotion to farming in Eastern 
 Ontario. 
 
 John C. Potter is proprietor of a good brick-yard near Vankleek Hill. One 
 advantage that he possesses over many others engaged in brick-making is, that the 
 clay used for this j)urpo!^e, and of which he has quiie a tract yet untouched, is mixed 
 with the requisite amount of sand, thus saving the labor and expense of procuring 
 and mixing it. Commencing in a small way, and with the simjile, early mean) of 
 grinding the clay, he has gradually enlarged the business and introduced improved 
 machinery, till his yard has all the modern implements, steam engine, etc., by which 
 brick cf most excellent quality and pattern are manufactured with dispatch. The 
 number turned out annually— about 700,000 — might easily be largely increased, but 
 as Mr. Potter gives considerable attention to farming, he is not anxious to manufac- 
 ture more than the local market demands. 
 
 Although now living in a most quiet retreat, engaged in peaceful pursuits, Mr. 
 Potter has had thrilling experiences, and worked where human life was of little account. 
 His father, John Potter, in his youth learned the saddler's trade in the city of Dublin, 
 Ireland, — his native land. He soon afterward enlisted in the British Service, was 
 promoted, and served till the discharge of his regiment, when he came to Canada, 
 
 ■i! 
 
 ■Jr 
 
S62 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 ^ 'i 
 
 
 
 and was in the employ of the Hamilton Brothers, of Hawkesbury Mills, at irregular 
 intervals for thirty years. He married Jane Wherry, from the County of Antrim, 
 Ireland, and settled on a farm now owned by his son Robert at Vankleek Hill. 
 They had six sons and three daughters ; Mr. I'otter died about 1876. 
 
 John C, the third son, taught school for some time in his earlier years, and then 
 with the romantic visions incident to youthful days, set out to win a fortune in a 
 foreign clime. It was in 1865 he embarked from New York for New Orleans, on the 
 steamer •' Republic "of the Cromwell Line. About a hundred miles off the coast of 
 Cape Halteras they encountered a violent gale, which continued with such force- 
 that the destruction of the steamer appearing inevitable, a raft was constructed, 
 whicli, with the boats, it was hoped would be sufficient to hold all the passengers 
 and crew till they were picked up. The cowardly sailors, however, stealthily seized 
 the raft and made off with it, leaving the others lo their fate ; but neither raft nor 
 crew were ever afterward seen. The jiassengera took to the boats on the afternoon 
 of Tuesday, and the one in which Mr. Potter, with a few others, had hastily embark- 
 ed was picked up on the following Friday, and during the whole time they had been 
 out they had had neither food nor water, from the want of which all had endured 
 excruciating sufferings, and the weaker ones died. Mr. Potter and some of the other 
 survivors returned after a few thys to New York, hoping the owners of the 
 ill-fated " Republic" wuuld compensate them in some degree for the loss they had sus- 
 tained ; — Mr. Potter having saved nothing but the clothes he wore at the lime of the 
 disaster. The only thing the Company would do, however, was to offer him a free 
 passage on another boat to New Orleans, an offer which he was disposed to accept, 
 innsmuch as his pride revolted at the thought of returning home in his destitute 
 condition. Arrived in New Orleans, his cirrumstances compelled him to accept 
 employment of a most laborious kind some miles up the Mississippi, among a class of 
 reckless men many of whom were Fenians, to whom a citizen of Canada was an object 
 ot unqualified hatred. Brighter days, however, were in store for him, and 
 returning to Canada, he was married in June, 1866, to Nancy, daughter of Hugh 
 Lough, of Hawkesbury. They have had two sons and three daughters; one of the 
 former is deceased. The dwelling and farm of Mr. Potter, like the majority of those 
 in Hawkesbury, are valuable and attractive. 
 
 John Moonev, the eldest of the four brothers who came from ('ounty Antrim 
 to Canada, and the first lo arrive in this country, remained only a year on his first 
 visit. He went back to Ireland, bu: returned in 1830, and s^ent four or five years 
 in lumbering on the Ottawa. In September, 1834, he bought from — Hutchinson 
 his farm in the 3rd Concession ; he was married in 1836 to Miss Martha Miller, of 
 Quebec, Mrs. Mooney died 23rd December, 1863, aged 56 ; Mr. Mooney, 23rd 
 January, 1879, at the age of 78. They had six children, of whom one son and three 
 daughters are now living, barah J., the eldest, married to John Bates, lives in 
 Argenteuil ; Mary A., the second, married to R. W. Bates, lives in tiie State of 
 Washington ; Agnes, the third daughter, married to Uavid Mulvena, lives in Alpena, 
 Mich. James A., the son, born in 1846, has always remained at home, with the 
 exception of a few years spent in lumbering. In August, 1873, he was married to 
 Euphemia, daughter of D.ivid Ferris, of this place ; they have four sons and two 
 daughters, all living at home. The four older childre: have all attended the High 
 School at Vankleek Hill. Mr. Mooney has a farm of 240 acres, and keeps fifty head 
 of cattle and eight horses. He has built two new barns, and made many improve- 
 ments. 
 
 James H. Milner, second son of John Milner, was born in 1853 in this place. 
 At 1 4 years of age he commenced lumbering, and afterwards went to the Eastern and 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 563 
 
 a I irregular 
 
 of Antrim, 
 
 ^kleek Hill. 
 
 r.-j, and then 
 "or tune in a 
 cans, on the 
 the coast of 
 such force 
 constructed, 
 passengers 
 Ithily seized 
 ther raft nor 
 he afternoon 
 itily embark- 
 ey had been 
 had endured 
 : of the other 
 'ners of the 
 they had sus- 
 e time of the 
 tr him a free 
 ed to accept, 
 I his destitute 
 lim to accept 
 oiiga class of 
 was an object 
 )r him, and 
 Iter of Hugh 
 one of the 
 |ori'y of those 
 
 junty Antrim 
 on his first 
 or five years 
 Hutchinson 
 ^ha Miller, of 
 looney, 23rd 
 son and three 
 les, lives in 
 the State of 
 les in Alpena, 
 ]ine, with the 
 married to 
 >ns and two 
 ;d the High 
 tps fifty head 
 Iny improve- 
 
 |n this place- 
 Eastern and 
 
 Middle States, spending about seven years in Massacliusetts, New York and Penn- 
 sylvania. At the end of that time he returned and commenced firming, taking half 
 ins father's farm. In 1877 he was married to Anna Bella, daughter of James I'orbes 
 of East Hawkesbury ; of their thrte children, but one son is now living. Mr. 
 Milner was Deputy Reeve in 18^4, and was nominated for Reeve, but was defeated 
 by Mr. McLeod. He has improved the appearance of his farm by erecting a fine 
 brick house and new outbuildings, and has also enlarged it by buying part of Lot No. 
 2 in the 3rd Concession. 
 
 John Haves was one of the early settlers of this place; his farm was on Lot 7, 
 3rd Concession. He was married in 1828 to Laura, daughter of Manson Kettle, 
 one of the first settlers of Lachute. In those early days, wiien Mr. and Mrs. Hayes 
 wished to visit Vankleek Hill and Hawkesbury, they found their way through the 
 woods by means of blazed trees. T ey had five children, of whom one is deceased. 
 Mr. Hayes died of a cancer, and three years later, his widow was married to John 
 Milner, who came from England when nine years of age, with his father, Thomas 
 Milner. Mr. and Mrs. Milner had two sons and two daughters, but only the two 
 sens are now living. Mr. Milner died in July, i8yo, aged 70 years, but Mrs. Milner 
 still survives, and at 88 i-^ very active. 
 
 William A., their eldest son, born in March, 1848, has remained at home, except 
 during a fev winters spent in lumbering. In 187 i he was married to Kate, daughter 
 of James Forbes, of East Hawkesbury ; they have two sons and one daughter In 
 1874 Mr. Milner took his father's farm in the 3rd Concession, and has since bought 
 forty acres of commons in the same concession. 
 
 ■..-i:.^v.=- :_ '■■:■,-: HENRY. ■ - - . 
 
 Near the western limit of West Hawkesbury, on the road between L'Orignal and 
 Vankleek Hill, is a Post-office established about 1864 with the name Henry. '1 he 
 first Postmaster was William Dickson ; second, C. Hamelin ; third, Henry McNally ; 
 fourth and the presc-nt one is Harrison Cross, Ex-Reeve of the Township. 
 
 His father, George Cross, came from the County of Cavan, Ireland, in 1815. Soon 
 after his arrival in Quebec he mairicd Mary Ferguson from the County of Monaghan, 
 Ireland, and coming into the newly settled district on the Ottawa, he took up 200 
 acres of land— then covered with forest — on which his son Harrison now resides. 
 He lived heie till his death in 1869, and became a man of influence in the commu- 
 nity — having been a Justice of the Peace many years. He was a member of one of 
 tlie militia companies which was on duty during the Rebellion of 1837. Hehad seven 
 children — five sons and two daughters — that grew u]i, and all settled in this section. 
 Harrison, the youngest of the sons, remained on the homestead, and was married 
 1st of January, 1857, to Rachel, daughter of Asa Bancroft of West Hawkesbury. 
 Mr. Cross is a gentleman much respected, and takes an active interest in all local 
 affairs — religious, social and political. He is crier of the Courts iield in L'Orignal, 
 has been a member ol two Township Cornells seventeen years. Reeve four, and 
 setved as School Trustee fifteen years. He takes much interest in agricultural 
 matters, and has been salesman for the neighboring cheese factory six years. 
 
 A Lodge of the I'atrons of Industry was organized here in 1893, which now has 
 fifty members, and of this Mr. Cross is Prtodent. During the Fenian Raids he was 
 serL'^ant in the Cc.npany of Capt. E. A. Johnson. The number of his children at 
 present living is one son and three daughters — two sons and one daughter deceased. 
 His youngest daughter, Helma Ida, and his son, Albert S., who was married 30th July, 
 18S4, to Charlotte A. Bangs of Sand Hill, reside with him on the homestead which 
 s a fine farm with good buildings. 
 
5^4 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 VANKLEEK HILL. 
 
 The name, Vankleek Hill, more lengthy than euphonious, is not calculated to 
 suggest to the mind a place of much size or beauty — Hil' being more sugges- 
 tive of a scattered hamlet than a compact and flourishing village. The stranger, 
 therefore, who has associated the name with a bleak, windswept locality, where four 
 corners have beguiled a few, shrewd, money-loving individuals into the erection of a 
 store or two, an hotel, a carriage and blacksmith's shop, will naturally be mucli 
 surprised to find Vankleek Hill a place containing one hundred an'^ sixteen brick 
 buildings, a large number of stone and wood, and many of them ciiy-like in their 
 proportions and magnificence. 'I'he site, too, instead of being a hill, as generally under- 
 stood, abrupt in ascent and limited in the area of its summit, is a plateau the ap- 
 proaches to which are of long and gentle gradient, besides the resemblance to a 
 city which there is in its imposing public buildings and business blocks, anoilier 
 one exists in its two principal streets, which are wide, and tiie buildings on either 
 side compact in arrangement. 
 
 Speculation will naturally engage the mind of the jjhilosophic stranger, as to the 
 causes that contributed to the growth of a village of such wealtli and magnitude in a 
 spot, until recently remote from a railway, or the great water courses which are so 
 generally the main factors in the production of important places ; but acquaintance 
 with the country, of which Vankleek Hill forms the centre, will set speculation at rest. 
 There probably is not in Ontario or Quebec a section of land better adapted lo 
 dairying and mixed farming, tiian lies within a radius of twentv miles of this village. 
 This fiict becoming well known in the early years of its settlement, it was soon 
 occupitd by a thrifty class of pioneers, who gradually developed its resources and 
 conveyed the products of their labors to the most convenient market — Vankleek Hill, 
 where a few active men had invested their capital in bu-iness. Moreover, the loca 
 tion of the place was on tht line of travel between the two great rivers, the St. 
 Lawrence and Ottawa — a circumstance which doubtless helped to facilitate its 
 growth. 
 
 Tiie place bears the name of its founder. Duchess ("ounty, N.Y., was the homo 
 of many who, refusing to cast in their lot with those who renounced allegiance to the 
 British sovereign, were designated as United Empire Loyalists ; to which class 
 belonged Simfon Vank.lh;i<:k, who held a militia commission signed by Lord Dorches- 
 ter. Following the British army to Nova Scotia, he was employed by the Government 
 as surveyor, for which he was a'.varded a tract of land. Unlike many of the Old Coun- 
 try emigrants who, on receiving a land grant, were so delighted that they took whatever 
 lay most convenient, without regard to its adaptability to cultivation, he examined 
 different localities with the view of finding land possessing apparently the qualities 
 desired. Ascending Mount Royal, when in Montreal, to obtain an idea of the 
 topography of the country, his attention was attracted by a prominent peak of the 
 Laurentian Chain in the County of Argenieuil. Proceeding tiiither, he ascended it, 
 and taking another survey, he discoveied the range of high land on the southern side 
 of the Ottawa ; and, on a visit thereto, decided to locate his grant on the hill which 
 still bears his name. This was about the year 1786, and it is said that he was the 
 first settler in the township of Hawkesbury. As soon as his shanty was completed 
 he brought to it his family, consisting of his wife, daughter and son, Simeon, who was 
 then a young man. 'I'he following facts were taken from I'/ic G/engarrian, published 
 19th December, 1890: 
 
 " A few years later, he built a larger house, which w;is long known as the old 
 Vankleek Tavern, and became an inn-keeper, in which business he continued till nis 
 
HISTORV OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Stif 
 
 .Iculated to 
 »re sugges- 
 le stranger, 
 where foui 
 rection of ;i I 
 y be miicli 
 xteen brick 
 ke in tlieir 
 !rally under- 
 ;aii the aj)- 
 iblance to a 
 ks, another 
 gs on either 
 
 sr, as to tlic 
 gnitude in a 
 
 hich are so 
 cquaintance 
 ation at vest. 
 
 adapted to 
 ■ this village. 
 
 it was soon 
 ^sources and 
 inkleek Hill, 
 
 er, the loca 
 vers, the St. 
 facilitate its 
 
 'as the honiL' 
 ;iance to the 
 ■hich class 
 ird Dorches- 
 IGovernment 
 Old Couii- 
 )ok whatever 
 le examined 
 the qualities 
 idea of the 
 peak of the 
 ascended it, 
 louthern side 
 lie hill which 
 he was the 
 is completed 
 )n, who was 
 \n, published 
 
 as the old 
 Inued till liis 
 
 death. At the first meeting of the Township of Hawkesbury, 1808, he was appoint- 
 ed Assessor of the District, and his nearest neighbors, James Connors and \Vm, 
 Sherman, respectively Pathmaster and Collector of taxes." 
 
 Mr. Vanklei ^ died in his 98th year at the residence of his son Barnabas in the 
 Township of Mac; )c. The following is an extract taken in 1878 from the Historical 
 Atlas of the County of Hastings, Ontario : 
 
 " Barnabas Vankleek was born in 180,^, in ...le Township of Kawkesbury in the 
 County of Prescott, and is of IJutch descent. He came to Madoc in 1841, and 
 cleared the farm on which he resides, he held a Captaincy in the Hastings County 
 Militia, and is a Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he has always acted without 
 favor or remuneration, and enjoys the reputation of being the best read man of 
 North Hastings. In politics he is an active and staunch reformer. A respectable 
 old gentleman of 75 years, he commands the universal esteem of a wide circle of 
 friends." 
 
 In 1819, Vankleek Hill possessed three houses, viz. : the Vankleek House, then 
 used as an inn ; John Glass Mcintosh's store, which stood on the site of the i)resent 
 Town Hall, and at that time managed by a young Scotchman, Neil Stewart ; and, 
 the third was the house and store combined of William Clarke, which occiii)ied the 
 site of the present residence of Miss Mclnnes. The clerk of the store was Duncan 
 McDonnell, father of Mrs. Dr. Harkin. 
 
 Col. John Shields, who came here in 1826, says that at that time there were 
 only six dwellings on the Hill, of which the Vankleek House was one. The site of 
 this now forms a part of St. John Street, and it stood between the sites of the pre- 
 sent Dominion House and the store of Mr. McCallum ; it was destroyed by fire 
 about 1850. The oldest wood building in the place is that of Mrs. William Robert- 
 son ; llie Oldest stone house, that of Peter Paquet, sr., which was built about 1826, by 
 Julius C. Blaisdell, a blacksmith. 
 
 At that time, a log school-house, which was used as a place of worship by the 
 Methodists, stood at the upper end of the street. In it, too, the Rev. Mr. 
 McKillican, an undenominational clergyman, held divine services, which were 
 attended by all creeds. The old kirk, the ruins of which were lately torn down lo 
 make way for the building of a new manse, was built in 1827, and its first pastor was 
 the Rev. Mr. Mclsaac of Lochiel, who had charge of this Church as a branch or mis- 
 sion in addition to his own parish. 
 
 Up to 1843, the growth of the village had been slow, but at that time it was 
 greatly accelerated by the erection of a steam grist mill and carding mill by William 
 Bury. They were burnt about two years later and rebuilt, but these were also 
 destroyed by fire in 1882. A strange fatality seemed to overshadow these mills, as 
 they were also twice nearly destroyed by the bursting of l^ii/ir stones. 
 
 A Post-Office was established about the year 1827, and Neil Stewart was the first 
 postmaster. His successors are as follows : Thomas Higginson, Duncan McDonnell, 
 and Peter McLaurin, who was appointed in 1876, and still holds the position. In the 
 same year (1827) Simeon Vankleek died, aged 90. About this time, also, an 
 ashery was built| by William Clark to utilize the large quantity of ashes made in 
 clearing the land. This stood at the lower end of " Potter's swamp," about where 
 Col. Higginson has given land for the site of a new railway station. 
 
 To the chagrin of the loyal people of the Hill, the locality gained a reputation 
 in the trouble culminating in the Rebellion of 1837, *^h^^ ^^s by no means enviable. 
 Many of the inhabitants of this and surrounding locaHties were Americans, and 
 naturally cherished fond memories of the Republic. 
 
 Charles Waters, who than represented Prescott in the Provincial Parliament, was 
 
 f\ 
 
566 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 m 
 
 iB 
 
 an opponent of the Family Compact, and, if not an admirer of William Lyon 
 McKenzie, was, at least, thoroughly imbued with the principles he advocated. Under 
 his patronage, a society was formed here, and christened '* Yourg Men's Political Asso- 
 ciaticmof Vankl 'ek Hill." Several meetings were held, in which there were those who 
 openly advocated the policy of joining the " Patriots," but others, more cautious, 
 though etpially anxious for the success of the " Patriots," advised delay— advice which 
 the majority decided to follow. The delay no doubt was made with a view of ascer- 
 taining which of the belligerent parties was the stronger, and h?.d the " Patriots " ai 
 this time gained any advantage which promised fmal victory, there can be little doubt 
 that the scenes enacted at a later date at St. Kustache and Grand Brule would hav>; 
 oisgraced the fair heritage of loyal Simeon Vankleek. At this crisis, a hundred 
 stand of arms promised by (lovernment were expected by the loy.-'.l militia of Hawkes 
 bury for iheir special use. Iwo companies of the militia, therefore, marched from 
 Vankleek Hill to Kirk Hill, to guard the arms which were supposed to arrive from 
 Glengarry. Ihey were doomed to disappointment, however, a3 the arms did not 
 arrive till a few days later, when they were escorted through the Hill to Hawkesbury 
 by a company of cavalry . 
 
 Col. George Hamilton, with a company of Militia, searched the ])remises of those 
 suspected of disloyal sentiments, but found nothing more dangerous than the Consti- 
 tution of the Young Men's Political Association, which was discovered in the house ot' 
 Charles Waters ; it contaimd nothing, however, decidedly treasonable in character. 
 
 In apology for many of those who joined the Society, it is said, that they were 
 impelled o that course by the i artiality and favoritism of tnose who held authority they 
 knew not how to use. Jeremiah Harrigan, for instance, who had long served as Captain 
 of the Militia, and devoted much of his time and attention to the service of Govern- 
 ment, was repeatedly overlooked in the promotion of officials, until at last, in disgust, 
 he resigned, and, thenceforward, was regarded as one who would look upon a change 
 of Government with favor. 
 
 Since the above was written, a letter found among a number of other old docu- 
 ments shows why Capt. Harrigan was not promoted ; there was one in high military 
 rank, and to whom Capt. Harrigan, no doubt, looked for assistance, who could 
 address a letter to headquarters recommending a number of aspirants for promotion 
 in preference to Capt. Harrigan. The Kuer, in fact, gave a number of reasons why 
 he should not be promoted, all, doubtless, prompted by ])rejudice. 
 
 In 1857, through the influence of several leading citizens, a Mechanics' Institute 
 was formed, and Thomas Higginson was president. It was well patronized during 
 the early years of its existence, and seemed to answer well the purpose of its forma- 
 tion ; but as time elapsed, flagging interest finaHy subsided into total neglect, and the 
 Mechanics' Institute existed only in name. It owned a good library, a part of which 
 is still in existence, but it has fallen into disuse. 
 
 About 1856, a destructive fire visited the village, which destroyed among other 
 buildings the old Vankleek House, conducted at that time by Hiram Johnson. The 
 next year, Johnson built, "^n the site of the old one, the preaent Dominion House, and 
 again began keeping hotel. 
 
 In 1857 there were but six stores on the Hill and not a brick house on Main 
 Street. It was about this time that J. Boyd arrived, and bought the land now 
 occupied by the eastern portion of the town. He afterwards divided the land into 
 town lots, and, later on, started into business as a general merchant. 
 
 The complete history of Vankleek Hill will be found in the following individual 
 sketches of churches, mercantile and manufacturing firms, public buildings and pro- 
 fessions, all of which combined form one of the largest, most wealthy and attractive 
 places bearing the name of Village in the Dominion : 
 
HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 
 
 5<57 
 
 liam Lyon 
 :d. Under 
 ilical Asso- 
 ; those who 
 s cautious, 
 Ivice which 
 ;w of asccr- 
 atriots " al 
 little doubt 
 ^ould hav>; 
 a hundred 
 jf Hawkes 
 Tched from 
 irrive from 
 Tis did not 
 [awkesbury 
 
 ses of those 
 the Consti- 
 he house of 
 1 character, 
 t they were 
 thority they 
 , as Captain 
 1 of Govern- 
 n disgust, 
 a change 
 
 old docu- 
 gh military 
 ho could 
 )romotion 
 asons why 
 
 Institute 
 
 zed during 
 
 its forma- 
 
 :t, and the 
 
 rt of which 
 
 long other 
 son. The 
 louse, and 
 
 on Main 
 land now 
 land into 
 
 individual 
 s and pro- 
 attractive 
 
 One of the largest and finest mercai\tile establishments of Vankleek Hill is that 
 of John R. Mt I.aukin. He is a grandson of Donald R. McLaurin, who came from 
 Perthshire, Scotland, to Breadalbane in Lochiel in 1815, and settled on a farm of 250 
 acres, which is now owned by his nephew, Donald McLaurin. He had nine children — 
 lour sons and five daughters. John, the third son, married Mary, daughter of John 
 ("ameron of Kast Hawkesbury, and remained on the homestead. They had seven 
 sons and three (laughters; Mr. McLaurin died in 1888. 
 
 John R., the eldest son, went to California in 1859, where he spent (wo and a 
 iialf years chiefly in S-'.n Francisco. He returned, and engaged two years in the cattle 
 trade, and then, in 1865, erected a store at Vankieek Hill, and began trade. His 
 business was extensive and prosperous, but in March, 1893, his entire establishment 
 was destroyed by fire. His energy, however, which has been one of his prominent 
 characteristics, soon caused the erection of his present fine and commodious store on 
 the site of the old one. It is 80 by 30 feet in size, and, including basement, three 
 stories in height, plate glass front r.nd counters, .vnd anogether it is an imposing 
 building. His stock of goods is large, and embraces every variety. Mr. McLaurin 
 has been very successful financially, and the means vouchsafed him are not withheld 
 t'rom the encouragement of a deserving object. He is Treasurer of the Baptist 
 Churrh in this place, and he subscribed largely towards the erection of the Church 
 building. He has long been a Trustee of the High School, pnd for ten years was 
 Chairman of the Board. He is President of the Electric Light Company, was for 
 several years a Director of the Montreal & Ottawa Railway, and took an active part in 
 securing the Central Ccuniies Railway, now in process of construction. In politics 
 he is a Liberal. He has been twice married : first, 27lh March, 1S71, to Miss Caro- 
 line McCann of West Hawkesbury ; she died in August, 1883, and he was married 
 27th November, 1884, to Miss Chisholm of Skye. 
 
 The mercantile firm of McCuaig, Chenkv & Co. is an old, well-established firm 
 that does an extensive business. 
 
 The business was started in 1864, by Malcolm McCuaig, a native of Lochiel, 
 Glengarry, where his ancestors .settled in the early i)art of this century. He has 
 been very success?ful in business, and has been identified with every important local 
 improvement since his arrival; his funds having paid f«>r tiie erection of several of 
 the finest buildings in the village. Though he retired I'rom tlie firm six or seven 
 years ago, he still takes much interest in the prosperity of the place, and is never 
 reluctant to encourage whatever promises to promote its mor il, physical or social 
 advancement. 
 
 Arthur N. Cheney, one of the partners in the firm, is a grandson of Clark E. 
 Cheney, one of the pioneers of Vankieek Hill. He came from the State of New 
 York about the year 1813, and soon after his arrival here, was drafted into the 
 British service, but by procuring a substitute was permitted to remain. He was a 
 cooper by trade, though he cleared much land here, and it is said his house was the 
 second erected on the Hill, and that it stood on what is now High Street, very near 
 the site of the present house of Mrs. Potter. About the year 1816, he was married to 
 Lui.a Orton. He died i6th May, 18 \o, at the age of 54, : 'aving seven sons and 
 four daughters. Nelson, the eldest son, bought a farm in 1841, of 100 acres — Lot 
 31, Range 3, in East Hawkesbury. He was married 1st January, 1846, to Emily 
 AIcNally of West Hawkesbury. He has always declined public office, with the ex- 
 ception of that of School Trustee, in which he has served different times. Though 
 \vell advanced in years, his well preserved body and clear intellect show the result 
 of an industrious and moral life. He has four sons and five daughters. 
 
 Arthur N., his youngest, engaged as clerk for Mr. Malcolm McCuaig at the age 
 

 568 
 
 HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 
 
 ;;'.ii 
 
 I 
 
 St 
 
 
 of 21, and after a period of seven years /ra.s admitted partner to the business, and 
 stili remains. He also formed a co-partnership with Flora, the sister o'" Mr. McCuaig, 
 loih January, 1881. Mr. Cheney has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church 
 ever since he was 21, and Leader of the choir. 
 
 Another well established and popular merchant is William H. McKenzie. His 
 father, Hugh McKenzie, came from Rothshire, Scotland, to Montreal in 1842, re- 
 mained there ? year or two, and then came to Vankleek Hill, where he followed his 
 trade of carpenter till his death, about 1858. He had four children — sons — who 
 grew up. 
 
 The family, after Mr. McKenzie's death, returned to Montreal, where Wm. H,, 
 the third son, was employed by A. A. Ayer & Co., for eight years as storeuian. He 
 was married, 7th June, 1869, to Mary Ann Donovan of Lochiel ; he returned lO 
 Vankleek Hill in 1875, and entered into partnership in the mercantile line with 
 Donald McLeod, the firm being known as McLeod & McKenzie, whicii continued 
 fourteen years, when Mr. McKenzie bought out Ills partner. - Since 1889 he has been 
 alone with hib two sons, William M. and Hugh R., as assistants. He has been a 
 Trustee of the Higii School several years, is one of the financial managers of the 
 Presbyterian Church, Secretary of the Order of Foresters, and one of the Directors of 
 the Electric Light Company. He owns the store which he occupies, which is always 
 conducted with due regard to neatness and good order; his stock of merchandise is 
 large, and the fact that one can alwiiys find here any article desired, combined with 
 the fact that Mr, McKenzie is a gentleman witii whom one likes to trade, is sufficienf 
 to secure him abundant patronage. 
 
 Among ro many fine establishments, with ■"ntelligent, genial proprietors, it is 
 difficult to give to each his respective merits. 
 
 ■ The NoRTHCOTT Brothkrs have a central location c»i Main St., and do a large 
 business. Their father, William Northcolt, came to the Hill from Devonshire, 
 England, in 1854, and about two ycprs later, married Kate, daughter of Colin C, 
 Campbell, of Lochiel. He has followed farming, and about 1874 he bought the fdnw 
 near this village, where he now lives, and has taken quite an active part in the affairs 
 of the township, having served as Municipal Councillor, Assessor, Collector, and as 
 Crop Viewer of the Agricultural Society. He has four sons and five daughters. The 
 two youngest sons, John and Charles, have followed mercantile business several years, 
 and in 1892 they entered into partnership and opened their present store. Charles 
 taught school two years, and subsequently attended the Business College at Belleville, 
 from which he graduated in 1884. One of his brothers and three of his sisters have 
 also had experience in teaching. One of the brothers is an Elder of the Presbyterian 
 Church. This firm has a very large stock cf general merchandise, and having a 
 thorough knowledge of their business and the advantage of a large acquaintance with 
 their patrons, their prospect is most encouraging. 
 
 There is probably not a more attractive building on Main Street than the diug 
 store of Hugh Duncan. He is a grandson of one of the pioneers who settled in 
 Lanark, Or.t., on a farm which is now owned by his son James. The latter has a 
 family of eight sons and three daughters. Hugh, the fifth son, served an apprentice- 
 ship with M. Patterson, druggist, of Almonte, Out., spent some time in the Drug 
 store of Bower <Sr Son, Perth, and then took a course in the Ontario College of 
 Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1892. He was then manager of the drug 
 store, in Perth, of Drs. A. E. and F. Hanna, after which he spent a season with the 
 Astrom Brothers, druggists, of Alexandria, of whom he purchased their drug store in 
 Vankleek Hill. This building is brick, three stories in height, and adds n.jch to 
 the architectural beauty of the village. Besides a full slock of drugs and patent 
 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 569 
 
 siness, and 
 . McCuaig, 
 an Church 
 
 NZIE. His 
 n 1842, re- 
 followed his 
 -sons — wlio 
 
 re Wm. H., 
 renian. He 
 returned lO 
 le line with 
 h continued 
 I he has been 
 e has been a 
 lagers of the 
 : Directors of 
 lich is always 
 erchandise is 
 ombined with 
 e, is sufficient 
 
 )prietors, it is 
 
 d do a large 
 
 Devonshire, 
 
 of Colin C. 
 
 )Ughl the farm 
 
 in the affairs 
 
 ector, and as 
 
 lughters. The 
 
 several years, 
 
 ore. Charles 
 
 at Belleville, 
 
 sisters have 
 
 ; Presbyterian 
 
 and having a 
 
 aintance with 
 
 lian the diug 
 |ho settled in 
 laiter has a 
 kn apprentice- 
 t in the Drug 
 |o College of 
 of the drug 
 lason with the 
 drug store in 
 Ldds n..ich to 
 k and patent 
 
 medicines, Mr. Duncan has for sale a rich lot of silverware, school books and station- 
 ery, and is Agent fcr the Goold Bicycle Co. of Brantford. He also has a branch 
 store in the village of East Hawkesbury, under the management of Mr. Montgomery, 
 druggist, which is always supplied with a good stock of drugs and patent medicines. 
 Mr. Duncan is a Christian young gentleman, and devotes a porlion of his time to 
 Christian work. 
 
 One of the prominent merchants of Vankleek Hill in the past, and one of the 
 most prominent and popular men of the County, was Neil Stewart. His mother, 
 Mrs. Roderick Stewart, came to Canada from the Isle of Skye, with her family, in 
 18 16, and settled in Lancaster ; she had six sons and four daughters. 
 
 William, the youngest, was for some time a Member of Parliament for ihe city 
 of Ottawa. Neil, the third son, came to the Hill in 1825, as clerk for John Glass 
 Mcintosh, 10 whose business as merchant he subsequently succeeded. He was the 
 first Postmaster appointed for this place, and for years served as Justice of the Peace, 
 and was also County Treasurer. He was very active in the organization of the 
 Militia, and was in time rewarded with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. In 1844, he 
 accepted the nomination to the office of Representative in the Provincial Parliament 
 of the Counties of Prescott and Russell, and was elected by acclamation. On receipt 
 of the news of his election, the Governor-General wrote an address to the electors of 
 the Counties, congratulating them on the wisdom of their choice. He was married 
 15th March, 1828, to Alice McCcnn, who died 15th December, 1834. Mr. Stewart 
 died 8th May, 1881 ; he was a fine, military-looking man, highly esteemed for his 
 integrity. He had four children — one son r.nd three daughters — the former died in 
 1872. Of the latter, one is Mrs. McCuaig, of this village; another Mrs. Hugh 
 McLennan, of Montreal, and the third, Mrs. Gavin Wal''er. 
 
 The Hurley Brothers are the on'y merchants in this place who mika a 
 specialty of men's furnishings, boots, shoes, hats and caps. Their grandfather, 
 Dennis Hurley, name to East Hawkesbury from the County of Cork, Ireland, about 
 1832. Some years later, during which he was employed in farming, he bought the 
 farm. Lot 35, sth Range, which is now owned and occupied by his son Dennis, on 
 which he lived until his death, about 1882. He had eight children — four of each sex. 
 CorneHus, the second son, was married about 1867, to Margaret McNeill, of East 
 Hawkesbury, and settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, where he still lives, 
 and for several years has discharged the duties of School Trustee. He has five sons 
 and an equal number 01 daughters ; the second and third sons, Hugh J. and Corne- 
 Hus, are the ones in trade at Vankleek Hill. Hugh first served an apprenticeship at 
 mercantile business, and then, after a year and a half in the service of the Hochelaga 
 Bank at this place, he formed a co-partnership with his brother, and opened iheir 
 present store in 1S93. Their business is done on a cash system, and, as they carry a 
 good stock, ; le active young men, and quite popular in the community, their success 
 seems assured. 
 
 J. E. Blahchard, merchant tailor, has a flourishing establishment on Main 
 Street. He was bom in St. Martine, Chateauguay County. He learned the tailor's 
 trade, and has, ever since, followed it in his native village, in Boston, New York and 
 Vankleek Hill, to which place he came in 1885. His hands, good judgment and 
 energy comprised his en'ire capital when he set out for himself, and hl3 successful 
 business is sufficient evidence that these different branches of capital have contri- 
 ji.ted faithfully to his success. He keeps a large variety of tweeds and cloths of all 
 kinds, and constantly employs a dozen hands. While in his business he is particular 
 to respect the slightest wish of his customers ; he is also careful to practise the 
 [courtesy characteristic of his race. 
 
 37 
 
w 
 
 570 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 
 A fine slvuciujo is that of P. S. Paquet, on Main Stieet. Mr. Paquet began 
 mercantile life as clerk, and, after an apprenticeship of nine years, entered his present 
 store in 1883, the year of i's construction. The entire building is 92 feet in length, 
 and the main part, which is of brick, is 30 ft. x 40 ft, and three stories. Mr. Paquet 
 is not the least of the merchants whose geniah'ty is calculated to produce customer . 
 hence, his business, which is done on nearly a cash system, vies with others in 
 prosperity. He deals quite largely in grain and farm produce, and is an agent for 
 the C. P. Railway. 
 
 The new brick store of E. Z. Labrosse, on High Street, in point of architectural 
 beauty is certainly equal, if not superior, to any other in the village, ivlr. Labrosse 
 is a native of the place, has been financially successful, and has contributed to the 
 growth of the village by the erection of several respectable buildings. 
 
 Another important mercantile establishment on High Street is that of Johx S. 
 McIntosh, successor to an old and well known business, that of the late J. Rol)c'it- 
 son. 
 
 At the junction of High with Main Street is the attractive brick store of 
 Mr. McCallum — confined to tin and hardware. 
 
 A Bakery and Confectionery shop is conducted here by the Wood Brc \., sons of 
 James Wood, of Geneva, Argenteuil County, Que. Robert Wood learned his trade 
 with John Hrpe, of Lachute, and then followed it in Smith's Falls, Perth and Toronto, 
 Ont. He was married in the latter city, 19th September, 1889, to Josephine McKiterick, 
 and in 1892, in company with his younger brother, Oliver, opened a Bakery and 
 Confectionery shop at the Hill on Main Street. The business of this firm is in a very 
 prosperous condition, extending not only throughout the village, but to Caledonia 
 Springs and all the country adjacent. 
 
 A beautiful building is the Hochelaga Bank, of which W. N. Pambrun is the 
 manager. Mr. Pambrun is the grandson of Andre Dominique Pambrun, who 
 emigiated from France to this country during the PVench Revolution, and became the 
 Agent of Mr. de Lotbiniere, Seignior of Vaudreuil, Rigaud and Beauharnois, and 
 lived and died in the Seigniorial Manor House at Vaudreuil; he had three sons and 
 four daughters. Pierre Chrysologue, one of the former, was one of the Chateauguay 
 heroes, and he settled in Washington Territory. William, the father of the subject 
 of our liketch, was a miller by trade, and married Delima Daoust, a young lady of 
 Glengarry. Their son, W. N. Pambrun, was born in Peverill in August, 1853. and 
 was educated at Rigaud College, taking a full collegiate course. He studied law 
 under Bas. en, Notary at Vaudreuil, and was subseqiientlv Deputy Protlionotary at 
 St. Hyacinthe, Que., where he married Emma Leopoldine Brunei. After being in 
 the service of the Merchants Bank of Canada, and engaged in mercantile business 
 a while, he went to New Yoik, and for six years was Cashier of the Mutual District 
 Telegraph Company. He returned to Canada in 1892, and entered the service of the 
 Hochelaga Bank, and became manager of the Vankleek Hill branch of that institu- 
 tion, I St May, 1894. 
 
 Mr. Paiaibrun is a gentlemui of much public spirit, as well as affability and 
 courtesy, and his interest in the prosperity of the Village was manifest in his recent 
 organization of the Business Men's Committee, which resulted in the delineation of | 
 the resources and aspect of the place by the Toronto Globe. 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The different religious denominations are well represented in this village, and the 
 church edifices are of good size, and very respectable in appearance. The following 
 sketch of the Presbyterian church — the oldest one on the Hill — is taken from the 
 Ontario Review of October 28th, 1894: — 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 571 
 
 net began 
 riis present 
 t in length, 
 Vir. Paqiiet 
 customer., 
 others in 
 n agent for 
 
 rchiteclural 
 r. Labrossf 
 juted to U>e 
 
 of John S. 
 e J. Robett- 
 
 ck store of 
 
 ir&'>., sons of 
 ed his trade 
 ind 'I'oronto, 
 McKiterick, 
 Bakery and 
 n is in a very 
 to Caledonia 
 
 MBRUN is the 
 imbrun, who 
 d became the 
 harnois, and 
 ree sons and 
 
 Chateauguay 
 f tiie subject 
 
 oung lady of 
 
 \t, 1853- ^^^^ 
 studied hiw 
 
 ihonotary at 
 fter being in 
 ntile business 
 itual UisUict 
 service of the 
 that instilu- 
 
 iffabilily and 
 lin liis recent 
 llelineation of 
 
 [Uage, and the 
 The following 
 ten from the 
 
 "The Presbyterians form by far the largest congregation in this section, and 
 among the members are ma<iy of the most influential people of the neighborhood. 
 The conaregation was organized in tiie year 1825, and shortly after, they built a stone 
 church, which has long since disappeared. The first settled pastor was the Rev. 
 John McLaren, who also supplied and administered to the spiritual wants of the 
 whole surrounding country, going north to L'Orignal, and across the Ottawa River to 
 Lachute, and as far south as Williamstown. Mr. McLaren was succeeded by Rev. 
 Mr. Mclsaac, who continued in the pastorate until the disruption in 1843. I'he 
 congregation of Vankleek Hill joined the Free Church, and continued to worship in 
 the old church, but were without a pastor until 1846, when the Rev. Dr. McGillivray 
 was settled, and remained until 1848. He was followed by Rev. Alex. Cameron, 
 from. 1850 to 1852, and the Rev. D. Cameron from 1853 to 1857. The Rev. Peter 
 Currie was inducted as pastor in 1857, and it was during his pastorate that the 
 present church was built, which will have to be soon replaced by a much larger one, 
 as it is altogether too small to accommodate the congregation comfortably on ordinary 
 Sabbaths, while on communion Sabbaths or spacial occasions, it will not begin to 
 hold them, forcing many to absent themselves. As the congregation is now entirely 
 free from debt, a much larger building is projected, and a splendid site alongside of 
 the new manse has been secured. With their well-known liberality and increased 
 prosperity, a building worthy of the people and the cause, and an ornament to the 
 town, may be confidently looked for. Mr. Currie was succeeded by Rev. Mr. 
 Grant in 1870, who was succeeded by Rev. John Ferguson in 1879, who remained 
 until 1886. The Rev. D. McEachern was pastor from 1888 to 1891, and was 
 succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. John McLeod, in October, 1892. The 
 improvement in the congregation since his induction has been very marked, and his 
 labor specially blessed in an increased interest among the young people and the 
 Sabbath school. Mr. McLeod takes a lively mterest in the material affairs of the 
 town, and is foremost in any effort for promoting its welfare, and by his qniet, 
 imassuniing, but resolute course has carried more than one worthy project to a 
 successful issue. In the pulpit his oratory is not of the flowery style that tickles 
 the ear, but rather of the plain, matter-of-fact talk that appeals directly to the better 
 nature, and compels a closer study of the subject and continued thought on the part 
 of the hearers." 
 
 ANGLICAN CHURCH. 
 
 The first Charch of England clergyman who labored in West Hawkesbury was 
 the Rev Francis Tremayne. who came in 1846. A church edifice had been erected 
 the year p.evious y the united efforts of the people. He remained but a few years, 
 and was succeeded by the Rev. John Travers Lewis — the present Bishop of Ontario. 
 During his incumbency the erection of the present churrh at Vankleek Hill was com- 
 menced, in 1853, and completed two or three years later. Mr. Lewis wa- succeeded 
 by Rev. R. L. Stephenson, who since has been a long time Rector of Perth. Rev. 
 John G. .Armstrong was his successor, and during the period of his ministrations, 
 the parish, which up to that time had embraced West Hawkesbury, Vankleek Hill, 
 and an occasional service at Caledonia Springs, was divided, and afterward included 
 Vank'eek Hill, East Hawkesbury and Caledonia Flats. The latter, however, has 
 s ince been connected with Plantagenet. 
 
 Rev. H. Coleman followed Mr. Armstrong first, after the division of the parish, 
 and he in turn was succeeded by Rev. E. P. Crawford, assisted by Arthur Jarvig 
 and Arthur Phillips — the present incumbent of the Hawkesbury Church. The Rev, 
 
 11; 
 
57a 
 
 HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 
 
 Charles Daniell next became pastor of the Hawkesbury Church, and Rev. Arthur 
 Phillips of Jie church at Vankleek Hill. The following have succeeded Mr. Phillips at 
 the Hill : Revs. W. Mucksione, Jos. Elliott, W. j. Halowell, and T. H. Lloyd, M.A. 
 Mr. Lloyd is the youngest son of Rev. T. Lloyd, formerly of England, but now 
 Rector of Kensington, P.E.L He was born in i86c, at Milford Haven, in the south.irn 
 part of Wales ; and his school education was received in England. He came to 
 Canada in 1^85, entered Bishop's College at Lennoxville, Que., in 1886, and took 
 the degree of B.A. in 1890. Then accepting the offer of a mastership in Bishop's 
 College, he held the position four years, and resigned to take Holy Orders. In 1893 
 he received the degree of M.A. , by the Archbishop of Ontario, in Kingston Cathe- 
 dral, 17th June, 1894, and was appointed Rector of Vankleek Hill, and took charge 
 of the parish on the 17 th of August following. He w ; married to Agnes Lima, eldest 
 daughter of Walter G. Murray, Esq., of Ferncliffe, i\iassawippi, Que. The fact that 
 the important Rectorsb'p of Vankleek Hill has been assigned to a clergyman so 
 young as Mr. Lloyd is a sufficient encomium on his character and ability. 
 
 METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 '=:i 
 
 Hi 
 
 The first Methodist Church on the Hill was built in 1865, during the pastorate 
 of the Rev. William D. Brown. The late Hugh Steward was very active in procuring 
 its erection, and was a liberal subscriber. The following gentlemen, also, contributed 
 liberally towards defraying the expense: the late James Gibson, Robert McWatters, 
 John Sample and James Steele ; others helped freely, as far as their means would 
 permit. 
 
 The old church was brick, and was pulled down and removed to a better site 
 in 1888; the parsonage and slied were removed at the same time. The site was 
 obtained and the church erected at an estimated cost of $6,000. The church and 
 parsonage are brick neat in architectural appearance, and very pleasantly located 
 on High Street. Likf most Methodist congregations, the people are active and fully 
 alive to the work in hand. 
 
 Trustees of the new Methodist Church are : W. W. Tweed, Circuit Steward ; 
 Albert G. Cheney, S.S. Superintendent ; Noah Durant, Henry E. Cheney, A. P\ 
 Arnold, David Steele, Leonard Eerlrand, Robert McWatiers. 
 
 The following is a list of the principal subscribers towards the fund for building 
 the new Church : 
 
 HI 
 
 B. B. Dunning 'p'oo 
 
 W. W. Tweed 100 
 
 James Gibson 100 
 
 Albert G. Cheney 100 
 
 Leonard Bertrand 100 
 
 H. C. Cheney and ) 
 
 Valentine Smith j ' 
 
 Levi G. Bancroft 50 
 
 Joshua Bancroft 50 
 
 Mis. Eliza Bancroft 50 
 
 A. F.Arnold 50 
 
 Alvah Durant 50 
 
 H. C. Hamelin 25 
 
 Sami'.el W. McCann. 25 
 
 Samuel Stevens $ 25 
 
 James Downing 25 
 
 Albert J. Cross 25 
 
 Noah Durant 25 
 
 William Sproule 25 
 
 Mrs. Keough 25 
 
 David A. Steele 26 
 
 Robert McWatters 25 
 
 Rev. R. F.Oliver r6 
 
 Robert Sproule ;o 
 
 Nathan McCann 20 
 
 Mrs. C. Bor.^ 10 
 
 Robert Taylor 10 
 
'. Arthur 
 hillips at 
 VD, M.A. 
 but now 
 southvirn 
 came to 
 and took 
 Bishop's 
 In 1893 
 on Cathe- 
 )k charge 
 [na, eldest 
 ; fact that 
 ;yman so 
 
 pastorate 
 
 procuring 
 
 ontributed 
 
 /IcWatters, 
 
 ans would 
 
 Ibetter site 
 e site was 
 lurch and 
 ly located 
 je and fully 
 
 Steward ; 
 [ley, A. F. 
 
 r building 
 
 •$ 25 
 25 
 
 • 25 
 
 • 25 
 
 • 25 
 ■■ 25 
 ,. 26 
 .. 25 
 .. r-") 
 .. ro 
 .. 20 
 
 TO 
 
 .. 10 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 573 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 By Rev. James McEwen. 
 
 The Vankleek Hill Baptist Church is an offshoot of the old Breadalbane 
 Church. Somewhere in the fifties several members of the growing families of the 
 McLuurins and Maclntoshs moved to the Hill. Their object was to enter into busi- 
 ness. Prospects were promising, and they were not disappointed. As far back as the 
 year 1843, the Rev. John McLaur'" and family moved here from South Gower, and 
 besides looking after his business, ne preached the Gospel quite frequently. During 
 these years and those following, the Revds. Wm. Fraser and W. K. Anderson, 
 pastors of Breadalbane Church, preached occasionally on the Hill and in surrounding^ 
 points. Rev. Mr. Anderson took a leading part in the great revival of 1876, the 
 meetings bein^ held in the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. 
 
 The number of Baptists steadily increased. In the year 1881 they united in 
 extending an invitation to student R. G. Boville, then a young man, a member of the 
 ?aptist Church in Ottawa, no ' nastor of the First Baptist Church in Hamilton, 
 to come and labor among them uurmg his summer vacation. Mr. Boville labored 
 incessantly and successfully. By the fall of the year the little band were encouraged 
 to consider the question of building a chapel. 
 
 September 21st, 1881, is the date of the first recorded business meeting of 
 Baptists on the Hill. The following are the names of those present : J. S. McKenzie, 
 Archie McLaurin, A. McPhail, Jas. R. McLaurin, John R. McLaurin, Jas. Day, 
 P. R. McLaurin, Wm. D. McLaurin and R. G. Boville. At this meeting three impor- 
 tant steps were taken : i.A subscription list was opened, and headed with a subscrip- 
 tion of $1,000.00 by John R. McLaurin. 2. It was decided that no work would be 
 undertaken until $2,300.00 were subscribed. 3. A committee was appointed to 
 solicit subscriptions until the amount was obtained. A work so earnestly begun was 
 soon pushed on to a successful end. A suitable corner lot near the heart of the town 
 and fronting Main Street was purchased. And in the following year, 1882, a beau- 
 tiful brick building with basement of coursed rock-faced stone was erected and 
 opened soon after free from debt. 
 
 On 28th December, 1883, under the direction of Rev. D. McDiarmid, pastor of 
 Breadalbane Church, the little band were organized into a Church, and on i6th Janu- 
 ary, 1884, they were recognized by a council as a regular Baptist Church. Mr. 
 McDiarmid continued in his pastoral care over them, giving them an afternoon 
 service weekly. 
 
 In the year 1887, Pastor McDiarmid resigned, and the churches united again in a 
 call to Rev. Mr. Stewart. At the close of his second year Mr. Stewart resigned ixnA 
 returned to his native Scotland. 
 
 I'he following summer, in the year 1890, student G, M. Leehy, of McMaster 
 College, Toronto, was called to labor on this field, while student Jas. Cross took 
 charge of the work in Breadalbane. Both churches received much blessing through 
 the labors of these earnest young men. 
 
 Pastorate of Rev. Jas. McEwen. 
 
 Having had a summer's experience of the advantages to a church of a pastor's 
 whole time, the Hill Church believed the time had arrived when it was best to secure a 
 pastor for themselves. Accordingly they applied for and obtained aid from the 
 Home Mission fund, and extended a call to the Rev. Jas. McEwen of Port Ferry, to 
 become their pastor. The call was accepted, and Mr. McEwen entered upon the 
 
574 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 n 
 
 •m 
 
 '*%" 
 
 4 
 ■P 
 
 W 
 
 work of the field in January, 1891. Since that date the Church has made steady- 
 progress. The membership has doubled within four years, and is thoroughly organ- 
 ized for aggressive work. Materially, also, improvements have been made. Sub- 
 stantial and commodious horse sheds have been built at a cost of $300. The base- 
 ment of the church has been fitted up and furnisned, and the whole building lighted 
 with electricity. Altogether it is now the neatest and best equipped church buildi..g 
 on the Hill. The income of the church for all purposes now averages $1,200 per 
 annum. About one-third of this amount is spent on denominational enterprises at 
 home and abroad. Besides, Missionary work is carried on at outlying stations at 
 Hawkesbury, Dempsey and Riceville. 
 
 The Rev. James McEwen, who recently resigned the pastorate of the Baptist 
 Church here, was born iu Lanark County in 1852. His parents came from Pertlishire, 
 Scotland, in early life. His mother, Janet McCallum, was the daughter of Mr. 
 McCallum, who settled in Dalesvilleon the farm now owned by the family of the late 
 Rev. J. King, and afterward removed to Lanark County, Ont. The McEwen family 
 also lived in Lanark, and there the parents of Rev. James McEwen were married, and 
 spent several years. When he was but two years old, they removed to Bruce 
 County, which then was comparatively a wilderness. Before he was seventeen, he 
 began teaching in a public school, and was thus employed nearly six years. He then 
 entered College at Woodstock, where he graduated in 1879; ^"^ ^e then pursued 
 his theological course at the Toronto Baptist College, graduating therefrom in 1882 ; 
 and in 1894 he received the degree of B.A. His first pastorate was Brantford, where 
 he labored six years, including two in which he had the pastoral oversight of the 
 congregation, when pursuing his Theological course. His second charge was Port 
 Perry, where he remained over four years, and then, in 1890, he accepted the pastor- 
 ate at Vankleek Hill. 
 
 Mr McEwen's sermons are always scriptural, plain but vigorous, and often 
 eloquent Irom the earnestness with which his sound reasoning, forcible illustrations 
 andstrongappeals are presented. Nostrongerproof of his fitness for the ministry could 
 be given than the fact, that wherever he has labored, th : church has more than 
 doubled its membership and enjoyed a season of prosperity. He has two brothers 
 in the ministry, two sisters who are married to ministers. His eldest brother in the 
 ministry, Rev. J. P. McEwen, is now Superintendent of Home Missions for Ontario 
 and Quebec. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 The Roman Catholic Church, which has just been enlarged and improved, at 
 an outlay of several thousand dollars, was completed in 1877, when Mgr. Routhier, 
 the present Vicar-General of the archdiocese of Ottawa, was the parish priest at 
 L'Orignal and had charge of this Mission. Rev. R. G. Foley, who came in 1878, was 
 the first priest stationed here ; his first baptism occurred 4th of August, 187 8. The Rev. 
 Philip Brady succeded Father Foley in 1886, and he was succeeded by the present 
 priest, Rev. P. Duserre, in 1892. 
 
 The Church building is of stone, large and very imposing in appearance. The 
 commodious presdy/ire, located near it, is also of stone, and its architectural appear- 
 ance, as well as the grounds around it, are objects of attraction. 
 
 Tiie Convent, however, in point of beautv, excels all the other buildings in this 
 part of the Village. It was erected in i88f, by the Sisters of St. Mary from Lock- 
 port, N.Y. There are now eight Sisters connected with the institution — four of whom 
 are French and the others of the English-speaking nationalities. They now have 
 in charge about,25o pupils. Special attention is given to music, the teacher in charge 
 of this department being one of high ability. 
 
HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 575 
 
 The Roman Calholic congregation greatly outnumbers any other in the Hill ; 
 the number of communicants connected witli the Church is said to be 900. 
 
 A Congregational Church was erected here aboiv 1862, which was the second 
 edifice buil; on the Hill. Owing to the small number of its supporiers, however, 
 regUiar services were never long continued in it, and for many years it has not been 
 used as a church. After having been used for a variety of purposes it has lately been 
 sold to a private individual. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Vankleek Hill has long been noted for the excellency of its schools. A Gram- 
 mar School was opened some time in the forties, in a stone building that occupied 
 llie site of the Grand Central Hotel ; it continued in successful operation many years. 
 
 In 1876, the Town Hall was erected, in which the Model and Public Schools 
 have long been conducted. The Public School has four departments ; average attend- 
 ance 200. The Principal is Mr. Edward T. Hoidge ; Assistants, Miss T. Gray, Miss 
 A. Cheney and Miss K. Mclnnes. 
 
 The High School building, which was erected in 1890, is 60 feet x 34 feet in size 
 with a wing about 37 feet x 32 feet ; height two stories above the basement, and it 
 has the Smead Dowd system of heating and ventilation. There is a good library and 
 a fair stock of apparatus connected with this institution, as well as a Literary Society 
 and Reading Room. 
 
 Staff of Teachers. 
 
 Thomas Jamieson Principal. 
 
 Miss Saul Ent^lish. 
 
 Mr. L. Might Commercial and Scientific. 
 
 Mr. R. Sheriff Modern Languages. 
 
 Mr. Jamieson graduated at Cobourg, Ont , in 1888; he has taught about twelve 
 years, during which he has gained the reputation of a successful and popular teacher. 
 
 PROFESSIONAL. 
 
 Previous to 1843, there was no medical practitioner on the Hill, but in that 
 year. Dr. Sterling, from Caledonia, took up his residence here, and lived here until 
 his death in April, 1859. Three years previous to his demise, Dr. O'Nei! arrived, 
 but he remained only two years. Dr. Desjardins, who came about 1861, was here 
 only two years ; Dr. Seger, who arrived in 1863, was here t^iree years. 
 
 Dr. Jamfs McIntosh, who took his degree in 1859, and had been practising a 
 few years in Martintown, caine to the Hill about i866, and practised till his death, 
 8th February, 1891. Dr. Donald McIntosh, his brother, graduated from McGill 
 in 1870, and the same year located at the Hill, where he still remains in the enjoy- 
 ment of a good practice and much popularity as a citizen. A little more than a year 
 ago, he opened a neat drug store beside his residence on Main street. 
 
 Dr. A. R. Metcalfe, who graduated at Toronto University in 1881, is another 
 of the medical men of the Hill. 
 
 Besides these, there are also Dr. Pattee and Dr. McKinnon, of whom sketches 
 are given, as well as one of the late Dr. Harkin. 
 
 Hugh D. McKinnon, M.D., has been a practitirner in this County for more 
 than twenty years. His grandfather, Duncan McKinnon, came from Inverness-shire, 
 Scotland, in 1804, and settled on a farm in Glengarry, where he spent his remaining 
 years. Duncan, his youngest son, married Margaret McMillan of Glengarry, and 
 
57* 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOrr. 
 
 remained on the homestead. They had five sons and four daughters ; Mr. McKin- 
 non died about 1876. 
 
 Hugh D., the 'bird son, studied medicine at Toronto University, and graduated 
 in 1863. He settl first at St. Eugene, but after remaining there five or six years, he 
 came to Vankieek Hill, where he has long had a successful practice. He was also at 
 one time Inspector of Schools for Kast Hawkeshury, and fur six years was a i)arlner 
 in the mercantile firm of McLaurin& Co. He was married in Ai)ril, 1867,10 Bessie, 
 daughter of William Jamieson of Carillon, Que. She died in 1895. 
 
 They had two sons, Fred and Kdward, and one daughter. The former is a gra- 
 duate of McGili. Edward is clerk in the store of his uncle in the village, and the 
 daughter is at lunne. 
 
 \Vm. Harkin, M.D., CM., M.P.P. — Dr. Harkin was born at West Hawkeshury 
 in 1831, and was of Irish descent; his parents having emigrated from Ireland in 
 the year 1829. He received his early education in the Public School and in the 
 L'Orignal and Vankieek Hill High Schools. Having qualified as a teacher, he taught 
 school for several years, and subsequently entering McGill College, Montreal, gra- 
 duated from that institution in 1858, with the degree of M.D., C.M. Settling at 
 Vankieek Hill, he soon acquired a large practice in both his native County of Pres- 
 cott and in the neighboring County of Glengarry. During the excitement incident 
 of the "Trent affair," when the Volunteer movement received its first great impulse, 
 he took an active interest in the organization of the County Battalion (the i8th 
 Battalion of Active Militia) of which he was appointed Surgeon, a position which he 
 held up to the time of his death in 1881. He accompanied the Battalion to the front 
 when ordered out for service during the various Fenian Raids. 
 
 Honored with the Reeve-ship of West Hawkeshury, he snt for several years as 
 its Rei)resentative in the Counties' Council of the United Counties of Prescott and 
 Russell. He always tool; a keen interest in the improvement of both the Public and 
 High Schools, and as a member of the High School Board for many years, did much 
 for the advancement of the cause of education. 
 
 In politics. Dr. Harkin was a Conservative, and a »vaim admirer of the late Sir 
 John A. Macdonald ; and in the numerous political contests in which he participated, 
 did yeoman's service for the party to which he had given his allegiance. Accepting, in 
 1875, the nomination of his party as Representative for Prescott in the Legislative 
 Assembly, he was returned by a substantial majority. Again seeking the suffrages 
 of th-' electors^ he was re-elected at the General Elections held in 1879. Though en- 
 joying a wide popularity with all creeds and classes in his native County, his success 
 at the polls was, nevertheless, in a great measure due to his natural tact and ready 
 faculty for organization. During the session of 1881, while in his accustomed seat 
 in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, at Toronto, he was stricken with apoplexy, and 
 died within a few hours after the attack, regretted alike by political friend and foe. 
 
 E. S. Howes, dentist, who has an office on Main Street, is a grandson of Joseph 
 Howes, who came from Devonshire, England, to L'Orignal, in 1834. Soon after- 
 ward he purchased and settled on the farm in the Seigniory, which is now owned by 
 his son, Joseph Howes. He died there at the age of 85 ; he had three sons and five 
 daughters. Samuel, one of the sons, married, in i860, Leonora, daughter of Robert 
 Marston, and settled on the farm in Longueuil, a few miles from the homestead, 
 where he still lives. He takes an interest in all local affairs, and has been Municipal 
 Councillor and School Trustee many years j he has three sons and four daughters 
 living. 
 
 E. S., the eldest son, studied dentistry, and was articled in i888 to Dr. Hanna, 
 
HISTORY OF I'RESCOTT. 
 
 577 
 
 r. McKin- 
 
 graduated 
 i years, he 
 [vas also at 
 s a partner 
 r,io Bessie, 
 
 ler is a gra- 
 ge, and the 
 
 awkesbury 
 Ireland in 
 and in the 
 r, he taught 
 )ntreal, gra- 
 Setiling at 
 nty of Pres- 
 ent incident 
 sat impulse, 
 m (the 1 8th 
 an which he 
 to the front 
 
 ral years as 
 
 rescott and 
 
 Public and 
 
 5, did much 
 
 the late Sir 
 )articipated, 
 ccepling, in 
 
 Legislative 
 Ihe suffrages 
 jThough en- 
 
 his success 
 jt and ready 
 Itomed seat 
 
 >plexy, and 
 and foe. 
 
 li of Joseph 
 ioon after- 
 owned by 
 tns and five 
 of Robert 
 I homestead. 
 Municipal 
 |r daughters 
 
 )r. Hanna, 
 
 of Kemptville, Out. He graduated in 1891 at Toronto, and ever since has been 
 practising at Vankleek Hill, in the enjoyment of public confidence and respect. 
 
 Another dentist practising on the Hill is Edward Fitz Patrick. His fati.er, 
 George Fitzpatrick, was born in 1826 near Knniskillen, Ireland, and came to Canada 
 in 1836, and is a farmer now living in West Hawkesbury ; he was one of the loyal 
 Volunteers of the 18th Battalion during the Fenian Raid of 1866. 
 
 Edward, the son, born in 1872, after receiving his education served his time as 
 dental student in Ottawa, and received the degree of L.D.S. from the Royal College 
 ol Dental Surgeons in April, 1895 ; and in June following, the degree of D.D.S. was 
 conferred on him by Toronto University. Mr. Fitzpatrick has succeeded to the 
 l)ractice of Mr. Howe, who has recently removed to Chicago, and he also has an 
 office in Hawkesbury Village where he practises on certain days "of each montli. 
 
 Fred. W. Thisti.ewaite is a young gentleman of this village who has now an 
 lionorable position at the Bar. His great grandfather, Dr. Robert Tliistlewaite, came 
 from Lancaster, England, to VanV'eek Hill, about 1810, and his remaining years, 
 which terminated about 1825, were spent here in the successful practice of his pro- 
 fession. He had two sons and four daughters; his elder son, Robert Morris, settled 
 on a farm near the village, where he died about 1858; he had three sons and two 
 daughters. Robert, his eldest son, in his youthful days spent a few years successfully 
 in Australia, in the height of the gold fever, and on his return, abrmt 1857, he 
 bought a farm of 200 acres, on which a considerable portion of the village is now 
 located. He was married 17th March, 1858, to Jean Mode. Mr. Thisllewaile 
 resides in a commodious stone residence on Main Street, his means affording that 
 method of farming which renders it at once a success and delight. He has refrained 
 from taking an active part in local public affairs, though he has been Trustee of the 
 Public Schools for many years. He has one son and four daughters. 
 
 F'rcd W., the son, on beginning the study of Law, was articled to the present 
 Judge O'Brian; he then studied at Ottawa with Scott, McTavish and McCracken ; he 
 completed his course at Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and was admitted to the Bb,*- in May, 
 1885. After the death of Judge Daniel he was appoint ^ Local Master of the High 
 Court at L'Orignal in 1887, but resigned after holding the position two years. He 
 was commissioned as Notary Public in June, 1888, and appointed Police Magistrate 
 for Vankleek Hill in 1890 ; he is also Solicitor for the Hochelaga Bank. While his 
 ability has secured for him many marks of public confidence and esteem, his genial 
 qualities are a |)assport to popular tavor. He was married 25th October, J893, to 
 Florence, daughter of Judge O'Brian, of L'Orignal. 
 
 HOTELS. ■ 
 
 The Hill has four first-class public houses : St. Lawrence Hall, Commercial 
 House, Grand Central and Dominion House. 
 
 Bernard Kelly is proprietor of the St. Lawrence Hall. The subject of this 
 sketch first saw the light at Ste. Marthe, County of Vaudreuil, Que., in 1840, whither 
 his parents had emigrated from the County Monaghan, Ireland, in the year 1830. 
 His early education was obtained at the district school. In 1856 he removed to the 
 neighborhood of St. Eugene, Prescoti County, Ont., where he followed the occupa- 
 tion of farmer for some fifteen years, filling, also, at different periods, during those 
 years, with satisfaction to the public and credit to himself, the positions of Tax 
 Collector, Bailiff and Constable. In 1871, disposing of his farm, he removed to 
 Vankleek Hill, and purchased the property known as the Commercial Hotel. This 
 
mm 
 
 S7» 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 hotel he conducted with remarkable success up to the year 1882, when it passed by 
 purchase into other hands, and Mr. Kelly became the proprietor of his present well 
 known stand, the St. Lawrence Hall. In this stand he has since remained coniinu 
 ously, and he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest established hotel proprietor in 
 the village, it now being neurly twenty-five years since he emb.irked in business. 
 
 In politics Mr. Kelly is a staunch Liberal, and is to-day regarded as one of the 
 ablest of that party's workers in the county. For the past twenty-five years he has 
 taken a prominent jart in the various political contests which have occurred in the 
 county, and has acquired an enviable rei)Utation as a " hustling " canvasser. 
 
 When, several years ago, the " Scott Act" was submitted to a vole in Prescott 
 and Russell, he was active in the esiablisiimeiit of the Licensed Victuallers' Associa- 
 tion (of which he is still secretary). 
 
 For the past eight years, Mr Kelly, with several other gentlemen, has been 
 extensively interested in mining properties, some of which are proving to be quite 
 valuable, and at present there is every prospect that their investments will yield them 
 a satisfactory return. 
 
 Courteous, genial and obliging, Mr. Kelly is highly esteemed by his fellow- 
 citizens, and by ihe thousands of guests whom his hospitable roof iias sheltered since 
 he first came to Vankleek Hill ; he is regarded as a model Boniface. 
 
 The Commercial House on High Street, which is one of the popular and well 
 conducted hotels on the Hill, is owned by GEOiiGE CoNsrANiiNEva, who was born 
 at Bel' Riviere, Que. On the paternal side he is of Spanish descent. 
 
 His father, Benjamin Constaniincau, settled in Point Fortune about 1840. In or 
 near 1859, he sold his farm there and removed to St. Eugene, where he still resides 
 on his farm. He has had five sons and one daughter, of whom one son is deceased. 
 George, the third son, spent his youthful days in the States; he was married about 
 1864 to Josephine King. She died in 1879, and a few years later, he married Mary 
 Finn, of Si. Eugene. On returning from the States he bought a farm in St. Eugene, 
 but sold it three years afterwards, opened a store, and for ihe next fifteen years 
 devoted himself wholly to trade. He next tried his success in the Western States, 
 where he remained four years ; he returned to Vankleek Hill in 1890, and bought his 
 present hotel. Mr. Constantineau's son is a Barrister in L'Orignal. 
 
 MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 The Iron Foundry of Routhier & Sons, with their new brick sales-rooms and 
 various other buildings, occupying a large area of ground, is a prominent feature of 
 the industries of Vankleek Plill. 
 
 Major Felix Routhier, ex-M.P., the senior member of the firm, was born in St. 
 Placide, County of Two Mountains. He learned che blacksmith trade in his youth, 
 and thus, no doubt, began the development of that ambition for business, which 
 has placed him at the head of one of the extensive manufacturing firms of the country. 
 He was married 9th July, 1849, to Angt^Iique Lemay dit Delorme. During his resi- 
 dence in St. Placide, he was Mayor of the Municipality, twelve years, and Chairman 
 of the School Board, fifteen years ; and he earned the title of Major by years of active 
 service in the Militia, having joined the Regiment of the Two Mountains District 
 at its organization. In 1870, he removed to Vankleek Hill, and bought the business 
 of P. Martin who came from St. Placide, and had started a foundry here a year pre- 
 vious. In October, 1873, the foundry was destroyed by fire, but a new one was at 
 once erected, and steam power soon afterward supplanted horse power, which, up to 
 that time, had been the motor. 
 
passed by 
 resent well 
 :d conlinu 
 oprietor in 
 siness. 
 3 one of the 
 ears he has 
 rred in the 
 ;r. 
 
 in Prescou 
 rs' Associa- 
 
 :ii, has been 
 
 to l)e quite 
 
 1 yield them 
 
 liis fellow- 
 eltered since 
 
 lar and well 
 )0 was born 
 
 1840. In or 
 
 : still resides 
 
 is deceased. 
 
 jai ried about 
 
 narried Mary 
 
 St. Eugene, 
 
 fifteen years 
 
 :stern States, 
 
 d bought his 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 579 
 
 3-rooms and 
 feature of 
 
 Is born in St. 
 In his youth, 
 ]iness, which 
 the country, 
 [ring his resi- 
 Chairman 
 =ars of active 
 fins District 
 : the business 
 a year pre- 
 one was at 
 [which, up to 
 
 In 1878, Mr. Roulhier, who is a Conservative of the old school, was elected »o 
 the House of Commons by the County of Prescott, and retained his seat till 1882, He 
 h IS ten children— four sons and six daughters — now living. F. L. Joseph and C. J. 
 l.ouis are ihe sons belonging to the firm known as F. Routhier & Sons. C. J. I-ouis 
 Kouthier was married 18th June, 1882, to August?, Sloan. Mary Malvina, one of his 
 sisters, was married 6th June, 1873, to F. X. Hertrand, a merchant locited on the 
 corner of High and Miil streets in this village. 
 
 In the machine shop of the firm, are three iron lathes ; one bull lathe for large 
 pulleys and wheel, up to 8 feet in diameter ; one bed lathe for shafting, uj) to 16 
 feet; one for cutting screws and turning small work; a milling machine, upright 
 drill, emery stone and a full set of tools for steam pipe fitting. 'I'he shoj) is also sup- 
 plied with blast sand moulding, boxes and patterns by w..vh gears and pulleys for' 
 saw mills, and castings for all sorts of purposes are readily turned out. 
 
 'I'heir large wood shop is equally well supplied with a variety of the most im- 
 proved machinery, besides which they have a general blacksmith shop. 
 
 The Vankleek Hill Manufacturing Company is anotlur floun'ihiug industry, which 
 was established in 1883 by Cheney, Dunning & Co. In 1890 it was established as a 
 limited joint stock company with Malcolm McCuaig as President ; William McAdam, 
 Secretary- Treasurer ;and Albert G. Cheney, Manager. They manufacture -tH kinds of 
 sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, and house finishings, making a specially of turning and 
 scroll work. They have an excellent saw mill, and manufacture the chief part of their 
 lumber. They buy annually a great many logs, sliip large quantities of lumber, and 
 give employment to a la.j,'e number of hands. 
 
 The Phcenix Roller Mills of W. C. Sylvester & Sons is one of the best equipped 
 manufactories of the County. The building is of stone, 80 x 50 feet in size, three 
 stories, and a most attractive building. 
 
 Mr. Sylvester was born in Fort Covington, N.Y., and in the en^ly part of his life 
 was a contiactor, taking several large jobs on the Cornwall Canal and other places. 
 He learned the millwright trade, and was employed in the erection of mills in different 
 places in Canada till 1888, when he came to Vankleek Hill and erected his present 
 grist mill, and the following year added his woollen mill. The following is taken 
 from the Toronto Globe of i6ih October, 1894 : — 
 
 " The Roller Mill has a capacity of 75 barrels per day; the business done 
 tasks its capacity to the utmost. Besides the roller process for flour, they have three 
 run for feed and i)rovender ; they also manufacture a very pure grade of corn meal. 
 They handle all kinds of meals, cracked wheat, bran and several grades of flour. 
 
 " They have two sets of cards, and buy immense quantities of v/ool, for which 
 they exchange tweeds and blankets. They manufacture considerable quantities of 
 homespun hand-wove tweeds for tourists. 
 
 " Mr. Sylvester's three sons, W. F., J. S. and M. A., take the active management 
 of the several departments of the work, and are making a great success of it. They 
 all take more or less interest in municipal affairs, and, like the rest of the citizens of 
 the town, have great faith in its future on account of the prosperous farming com- 
 
 munity on all sides of it." 
 
 The Carriage Works of N. 
 Matte came to this place from 
 
 Matte is a prominent industry of the Hill. Mr. 
 
 Plantagenet about 1877, and his,' success affords 
 another striking example of vrhat perseverance and tact, backed by intelligence, can 
 accomplish. Beginning without capitai, he has gradually built up a business which, 
 for extent and reputation, is second to none in this part of Ontario. His carriages, 
 
IW! 
 
 580 
 
 Ht STORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Ill 
 
 which are of ihe latest style and best workmanship, are not only well known and 
 use in this Province, but in various parts of Quebec, especially in Montreal. 
 
 One of the most successful biisiiKss firms on ih;; Hill is that oftheUuRANi 
 Brothers, "wholesale and retail manufacturers of putrps, washing machines, wheel- 
 barrows, step and section ladders, clothes bars, towel rollers, churns, etc., and arc 
 agents for -.ili the different implements used in agriculture." 
 
 The n'ain building of their factory is 28 ft. x 60 ft. with three flats, and it has an 
 extension 20 fi by 60 ft. 'I'hey are about engaging extensively in the manufacture 
 of furniture. 
 
 The members of this firm — Noah and Alvah Durant — were born in Dundas 
 County ; the former taught school some time in his yuiUiger days, b't in 1875, witli 
 his brother, engaged in business as pump manufacturers at this place. They were 
 followed hither by their parents, who lived long enough to see their sons well estab- 
 lished in a business wiuch has been constantly increasing from tiie day of its incep- 
 tion. So great has been the demand for their manufactures, that they are gradually 
 working out of the retail portion of their trade. IJcsides the articles mentioned above, 
 they make wagons, tumbrel carts, cutters and sleighs of all kinds, and solioit orders 
 for boring wells either in clay or rock; they are also agents for sewing machines, 
 organs, pianos and wiiulmills ; of the latter they have erected several tine ones in 
 this section. One of the additions they have made to their business, recently, is that 
 of custom grinding, a three roller feed mill. They are proprietors of considerable 
 real estate here, and the erection of several of the dwellings on High Street is owing 
 to their enterprise. The Durant Brothers are young men of great courtesy, and their 
 past success and present popularity are an earnest of a most prosperous future. 
 
 1\ T. SouciER, Jeweller and Photographer, has done a successful business here 
 since 1863. He was born in Milton, Shefford County, Que. ; learned the Watch- 
 maker's and Jeweller's trade in St. Hyacinthe, and then followed it in VVatertown, 
 N.Y. ; after which, in 1857, he moved to Cornwall. He next began work on his own 
 account, and after about six years spent in Lunoaster and Metcalfe, he came to the 
 Hill. He was married in KS65 to Mary Carrier. In 1880 he added Photography to 
 his business as Jeweller, and for eight years his place of business has also been here, 
 the central telephone office. Mr. Soucier, besides his shop, has a good residence, 
 and takes an interest in all the affairs of the place ; ne has been a Trustee of the 
 High School a number of years. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS, 
 
 , ! Pf 
 
 
 f 
 
 From tk=' Glen^^arrian of 19th December, 1890 : — 
 
 " The f ii*i and only newspaper published (up to that time) was started in 185-7, 
 and edite 1 Ir the Hon. Rupert Wells, son of Sheriff J. P. Wells. It was a veekly 
 sheet, and '.evoted to the interests of the Reform Party, of which it became the local 
 organ. Its editor was a man of great ability as a journalist and politician, and for 
 many years was speaker of the Ontario Legislature ; but, after the first year, he was 
 forced to neglect the paper for more pressing business, and during the second year, 
 The Economist, ^.5 this journal was called, ceased publication, and was never revived. 
 During its short existence it contained many excellent articles, and, no doubt, had 
 business allowed him, the Hon. Rupert' would have developed his little sheet into a 
 gocd local paper." 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1893, the publication of The Review wai commenced 
 by S. I. Jones, but his death soon afterwards came near putting an end to the enter- 
 
HISTORY OK PR t SCOTT. 
 
 own and in 
 real. 
 
 tlie DURANT 
 
 hiiies, wheel- 
 ic, and are 
 
 ind it has an 
 manufacture 
 
 n in Dundas 
 n 1S75, witli 
 They were 
 IS well eslab- 
 of its incej)- 
 are gradually 
 itioned above, 
 solicit orders 
 ing machines, 
 il fine ones in 
 cently, is that 
 f considerable 
 llrcet is owing 
 lesy, and their 
 us future, 
 business here 
 d I he Watch- 
 n Watertown, 
 ; on his own 
 came to the 
 lotography 10 
 so been here, 
 od residence, 
 'rustee of the 
 
 581 
 
 irted in 185-?, 
 tvas a vfeekly 
 ame the local 
 ician, and for 
 year, he was 
 second year, 
 never revived. 
 10 doubt, had 
 ^e sheet into a 
 
 i^ commenced 
 to the enter- 
 
 jirise. In September, of 1894, however, L. VV. Shannon, a young man of energy 
 and determination, believing the opening for a paper to be a good one, purchased 
 the plant, and has ever since i; sued //ig Revitw, which is constantly improving and 
 increasing in popularity. 
 
 Among those who settled at Vankleek Hill none became more jjroniinent than 
 TuoMAH HiGOiNSON, the youngest of four brothers already mentioned, who came to 
 Ila.vkesbur;- in 1819. A little volume of poems recently published, which he wrote 
 at difforcni periods of his life, shows iiim to have been a man of much genius, imagin- 
 ation and pure morality. The name Higginson is not a very commf)n one, !jiit 
 naturally ' becoming more numerous as time rolls on. The earliest we have a v 
 record of is the Rev. Francis Higginson, who held one of the five parish churciies in 
 the County of Leicester, fjigland, but owing to some disagreement with his Bishop 
 lie was deprived of his pulpit, being popular however with the people, he held services 
 outside of the Church uir a time. He wa.? called the good Mr. Higginson. The 
 Massachusetts Colonization i!s: 'i'rading Company, hearing of Mr. Higginson's case, 
 made a contract with him, and sent him out to Salem, Mass., the contract sti|)ulating 
 that he was to have two men servants, — one to hunt for him, and the other to wait on 
 him, and his wife to have a woman servant to wait on her, and other conditions set 
 forth in the contract. As the ship was leaving the English coast in 1629, he called 
 the crew and passengers on the deck, and all kneeling he said : "We will not say 
 as the Puiitans were vont to say, 'farewell Rome, farevvell Bd)ylon,' but we will 
 say farewell dear England, farewell the Cluirch of God in I'Lngland, and all Christian 
 irieiids there." 
 
 The shi|) was wrecked, and they came near all perishing, and in the excitement 
 Mr. Higginson ordained his eldest son, Joiin, who was then 21 years of age, so that 
 Ik; might succeed him and carry out the contract. Mr. Higginson died in 1630, and 
 was succeeded by his son, '' The Stately John," as he was called in later years, v/ho 
 died in 1708, aged 93, and was a minister 72 years. A year after the Rev. Francis 
 died, his widow and large family, except John, returned to F^ngland. It is not known 
 what became of the other sons ; but in 1695, N. Higginson was Governor of Madras, 
 and in 1688, a branch of the Higginson family wont to tlie North of Ireland, and in 
 1H17, George Higginson came to Canada, and was followed by his brothers, Joiin., 
 William and Thomas in iHt^, >vno all settled in Hawkesbiiry. 
 
 Thomas Higginson was married to Nancy Park, 24th April, 1819, in the Parish 
 of Kilwaughten by the Rev. I. Ledlie, sailed from Belfast on the ist of May folk ''ng, 
 and arrived at Quebec 14th June. He first settled in West Hawkesbiiry, where his 
 eldest son, John, was born 30th April, 1820, but he soon removed to North Plan- 
 tagenet, and settled on a farm, where his son William was born 15111 January, 1822. 
 His stay in Planlagenet was comparatively brief, as he returned to Hawkesbury, and 
 in 1829 made a permanent settlement at Vankleek Hill, and for many years was a 
 prominent figure in all the important social and political movements of the County, 
 He was Superintendent of Schools for Prescott and Russell, many years. Agent for 
 the Bank of Upper Canada for the transmission of the proceeds of sales of public 
 lands, a member o( the County Council, and Lieut.-Col. of the Reg'-nental Division 
 of Prescolt up to the close of his life. He died 22nd January, i8;^4, aged 90 years 
 13 days; he had twelve children, of whom seven sor.s and four daughters grew up. 
 
 Of these, William and Henry are the only ones who remained in this section, and 
 both now live together on the homestead. The former has been a prominent man in 
 
S82 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 a lively interest in public matters and local 
 
 nil- 
 
 the township, and still take 
 proveinents. 
 
 On leaving school at the age of i6, he entered the employ of Messrs. Hamilton 
 & Lowe, 31st May, 1838; was with them at Hawkesbury Mills till 1841, when he was 
 transferred to their office in New Liverpool near Quebec, and remained there 44 years ; 
 but his long service did not prevent his taking an active part in the affairs of his 
 native County. He was appointed Capt. of the first Company of the i8tb Batt. of 
 Prescott Volunteer Militia about 1861, commissioned Major 24th July, 1863, and 
 Lieut. -Col. i5ih February, 1867. He has also been Reeve of Hawkesbury several 
 times, and would doubtless still hold the office, had he not positively declined to 
 serve longer. We give a copy of the unique Indenture which the Col. had to sign 
 on entering the service of Messrs. Hamilton & Lowe: 
 
 " This Indenture Witnesseth : that William Higginson of the to.vnship of Hawkesbury, District of 
 Ottawa and Province of Upper Canada, at;ed seventeen years, doth by these presents put himself, by 
 and wiih the consent o( his Father, Thomas Higginson, Sen., of the Township a'oresaid, apprentice to 
 Messrs. Ilamilion and Lowe of the Hawkesbury Mdh, in the township and Province before men- 
 tioned, Merchants and Lumber dealer.';, and to serve them after the manner of an apprentice from 
 the first day of June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Nine, until the full period of his 
 l)ecoming of the age of twenty-one years, which will be on the 15th day of January, Eighteen Hun- 
 dred and Fo.ty-Tluce next ensuing ;tobe fully complete andended,during which time, the said appren- 
 tice, his said Masters faithfully shall serve, their secrets keep, their lawful commands ever}' where 
 gladly do. He shall Jo no damage to his said Masters, nor see it to be done by othiirs, but to the 
 best of his power shall hinder them or forth. vitb give warning to his said Master of the same. lie 
 shall not waste the goods of his said Masters, or give or lend them unlawfully to any. He shall not 
 contract Matrimony within the s.rid pciod. Hurt to his sai'l Masters he shall not do, cause or pro- 
 cure to be done by others. He sjhall not ]il.-iy at cards, dice, tables, or any unlawful games, whereby 
 his said Masteis may have loss of, or with their goods during said Term, without license from his s.ii.l 
 Masters ; ho shall neither buy nor sell on his account, he shall not hnunt nor use Taverns or Playhouses, 
 nor absent himself from his Master's service, day or night, unlawfully ; but in all things, as an honest 
 and faithful apprentice, he shall behave liimself towards his said Masters, or either of them, or all of 
 them, during tlie said term ; and the said Hamilton and Lowe on their part promise to have the s.iiJ 
 William Higgin:-on instructed in their business, and to find Board and Washing for the said William 
 Higginson during the said term as before mentioned ; with the following salf-y annually (,provideil lie 
 always demeans himself according to the spirit and meaning of this Indenture) namely : Fifteen pounds 
 for the first two years : Twenty poinds for the Third year ; and Twenty-five for the reniaindv;r of the 
 period, as mentioned in the Indenture. And for the true performance of all and every of the coven- 
 ants and agreements, either of the parties bindeth himrelf to the other by these present. In witness 
 whereof, the pai ties above named to these indentures interchangeably have put their hand and teal 
 this Twenty-fifth day of July, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thiity-Nine." - 
 
 Witnesses Present : 
 
 \ ■ ' ■ ' ' Thomas Higginson, Skn. 
 
 J William Higginson. 
 
 When in New Liverpool in 1878, the Col. sent the following address to Lord 
 Beaconsfie'd, congratulating him on his t:ouJ> d'itat by which the Suez Canal was 
 secured to England : — 
 '■ To THE Right Honorahle, The Earl of Beacohsfield, 
 
 •' Prime Minister of England. " : \ 
 
 " May it please your Lordship, 
 
 " The undersigned Canadians, who have taken a deep interest in the Eastern question, and 
 especially the action of the British Government in the matter, deem it a duty to express to you their 
 admiration of the manly course pursued by you as leader of the government, in che face of an un- 
 reasoiialile opposition It must b; gratifying to yourself, and is a great pleasure to us, to see that 
 your wise plans and precautionary measures have resulted in a most triumphant settlement of the 
 difficulty. It may well be asked, what position would England occupy to-day, in the sight of 
 Europe, had not you been the controller of her destinies for the time ? Opposition from your 
 political opponents was to he expected, but to be deserted by some of your friends and colleagues, 
 at a critical time, was a trial which you bravely niet and surmounted, and you stand, to-day, 
 
 William Coffin 
 Tiios. Higginson 
 
d local ini- 
 
 s. Hamilton 
 vhen he was 
 ere 44 years; 
 
 affairs of liis 
 i8th Batt. of 
 ly, 1863, and 
 sbiiry several 
 • declined to 
 
 had to sign 
 
 sbury, District of 
 i put himself, by 
 lid, apprentice to 
 ince before men- 
 apprentice from 
 11 period of his 
 , Eighteen Hun- 
 , tlie said appren- 
 nds every where 
 thers, but to tlie 
 f the same. He 
 y. He shall not 
 do, cause or pro- 
 games, whereby 
 ense from his said 
 ns or I'layhouses, 
 ngs, as an honest 
 of them, or all of 
 |e to have the said 
 the said William 
 ally (provided lie 
 : Fifteen pounds 
 remainder of the 
 cry of the coven- 
 lent. In witness 
 ir hand and seal, 
 
 llNSON, Se,N. 
 Iginson. 
 
 Idress to Lord 
 luez Canal was 
 
 COLOKKL motilNSON. 
 
 Irn question, aiul 
 Ipress to you their 
 Lhe face of an un- 
 \o us, to see that 
 Isettlement of the 
 in the sight of ] 
 lition from your 
 Is and colleagues, 
 T)u stand, today, 
 
CO 
 
 yo 
 
 CO' 
 
 ''( 
 
 trai 
 exp 
 of; 
 reqi 
 11133 
 
 ill ha 
 Lore 
 hiss 
 "Tl 
 C( 
 
 to I 
 that 
 ings 
 Not 
 cop: 
 plac 
 the] 
 
 IIONl 
 
 De 
 
 iieces: 
 with 
 
 Army 
 
 sum ( 
 wrote 
 doub 
 wrote 
 hands 
 decid 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 583 
 
 confessedly, the foremost man in Europe. Those of your colleagues who fought the battle with 
 you may well be proud of the result, and especially, your friend, Lord Salisbury, who so ably 
 assisted at the Congress. 
 
 " That you may long continue to be the prime man of the state, and the trusted frierd and 
 councillor of Her Most Gracious Majesty, is the prayer of ail loyal Canadians." 
 
 "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN." 
 
 " New Liverpool, 19th July, 1878." 
 
 The following is the reply : 
 
 " Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, to the Earl of Dufferin. 
 
 " Downing Street, isth August, 1878. 
 " Canada., 235, 
 " My Lord, 
 
 "I have the honor to ackuowledge the receipt of your dispatch, No. 202, of the 26th of July, 
 transmiiting an address to the Earl of Beaconsfield from some of the inhabitants of New Liverpool, 
 expressing their admiration of his public service. The address was duly forwarded to the Earl 
 of Beaconsfield, and 1 have now the honor to transmit to you a copy of his Lordship's reply. I 
 request that you will cause Colonel Higginson to be informed of its contents, in order that he 
 may communicate the same to the persons who signed the address. 
 
 " I have, etc., 
 
 "M. E. Hicks Beach." 
 •' to Downing Street, 13th August, 1878. 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 " Lord ]5eaconsfield has received with pleasuie the address forwarded to him by some of the 
 inhabitants of New Liverpool, and in thanking them for the attention which they have paid to 
 Lord Salisbury and himself, he requests that you will, through the proper channel, convey to them 
 bis sincere appreciation ot their sympathy and his gratitude for their support. 
 " The Secretary of State 'I "I have, etc.. 
 
 Colonial Department." J " Algernon Turner," 
 
 Col. Higginson was in command ot the Volunteers at Cornwall from 6th March 
 to I St May, 1866, when he had to leave for his duties at New Liverpool. Knowing 
 that the Volunteers were not in time to meet the enemy, he watched the proceed- 
 ings in Parliament closely, to see what action, if any, would be taken in tlie matter. 
 Nothing had been done during the session, and on Monday, at noon, he received a 
 copy of the Quebec Chronicle, in which it was announced that prorogation would take 
 place on the following Wednesday. He immediately addressed the following noie to 
 the Hon. John Hamilton, Senator : 
 
 New Liverpool. 
 IIoNORAiiLE John Hamilton, Ottawa. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Do not let the session end without urging upon the Minisier of Militia and Adjutant General, the 
 necessity of having at least 100,000 of the best description of breech-loading and oft-repealing rifles, 
 with plenty of aninuinition, stored in the Province before the close of navigation. England is in no 
 danger of invasion, but we aie in danger; therefore, let our wants be supplied first, and the British 
 Army altewards. 
 
 * Yours truly, 
 
 Wm. Higginson. 
 
 The note was just in time to remind the authorities of duty neglected, and the 
 sum of $250,000 was placed in the estimates for Militia and Defence. The Colonel 
 wrote acknowledging the appropriativ. n of $250,000, but regretted that it was not for 
 double that amount, on the principle that "prevention is better than cure." He 
 wrote — " Let us not be asked to meet the enemy with an inferior weapon in our 
 hands, for we with the Enfield, and they with breech-loaders — they would have a 
 decided advantage." 
 
584 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 1 he Colonel took an active part in having the electric light introduced into the 
 village, and has invested considerable capital in the enterprise ; he has also taken 
 much interest in the promotion of schools, and made no little effort to have the High 
 School equipped with a telescope and a good supply of philosophical apparatus. He 
 has a great liking for the study of astronomy, and has given much of his leisure to it 
 since his retirement from public life. The stone wind-mill erected by his father, never 
 having proved a success, the Colonel has added another story to its height, and 
 placed in it a telescope, thus making it not only an astronomical observatory, but a 
 place from which visitors can obtain an extensive view of the surrounding country. 
 The Colonel claims to have discovered that the Belts of Jupiter are nothing more nor 
 less than shadows cast by his satellites, and supports his tlieory by reasoning that 
 has been endorsed by many prominent scholars. 
 
 Another of those who .saw the village in its infancy, and still survives to describe 
 the various stages of its growtli, is C''L. John Shields, a son of Andrew Shield;-, 
 who came from the County of Cavan, Ireland, to West Hawkcsbury in 182 1. Tiie 
 father lived in this township till hi'^ death in October, 1870, and during the Rebellion 
 of 1837 was one of the Home Guards. He had five children — four sons and one 
 daughter ; two sons and tiie daughter settled in this section, and are still living. 
 
 John, the second son, has been an active man in the township, and enjoys the 
 respect which his life of usefulness and sobriety has earned. He became Captain of 
 Company T-'o. 2 of the Prescott Militia at its organization, was promoted to the rank 
 of Major in October, 1866, and to Lieut, -Col. in 1S72. He has been Municipal 
 Clerk since 1858, Clerk of the Division Court since 1869, Justice of the Peace and 
 Commissioner for taking affidavits for Prescott and Russell about fventy years. For 
 an equal period, he was Secretary-Treasurer of Prescott Agricultural Society, and 
 for tweiuy-five years Secretary-Treasurer of a Branch Agricultural Society wliich 
 included East and Wesi Hawkesbury and I ongueuil, and which was discontinued in 
 1894. He IS agent for the Royal Fire & Life Lisurance Company of England, as 
 well as for several other C(impanies, and Secretary-Treasurer of a Branch of the 
 Mutual Loan investment, and does much business in the way of conveya»"''ing. 
 
 Previous to 1862 he followed farming, but from that period to 1875, was employ- 
 ed as Book-keeper for James Boyd, merchant. Old records of agricultural matters 
 show thai the Colonel was not one of the kid-gloved farmers who, seated in the shade 
 of a friendly tree, expatiattd on the de'ight of agricultural life, but that he entered 
 into the work with the spirit and energy displayed by a successful, practical farmer. 
 In a plowing match of 1845, he drew the fifth prize, 15 shillings; in 1846 and 1847, 
 the first prize, j^2, each year; in 1848, the last time he was a competitor, the fifth 
 prize, 15 shillings. 
 
 He has been twice married; by the first marriage he has one son and two 
 daughters living, and the same by the second marriage. 
 
 William Ferguson* is another of the pioneers of the Hill. His father, who 
 bore the same name, came from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, to Quebec, in 1836, and a 
 few months later to Caledonia Springs, and to Vankleek Hilton the 8th of May, 1842. 
 He was an architect and contractor, and was employed at his vocation Iiere and in 
 all the surrounding localities. He erected buildings for Lemuel Cushing of Chatham, 
 Owens of Stonefield, built the Victoria Mills at Thurso, and performed a large amount 
 of work in Buckingham for George W. Eaton and others. He died at the residence 
 of his son. Dr. James Ferguson, in Cumberland, in October, 1884. He had ten 
 children — five of each sex — all of whom are living, with the exception of a girl, who 
 
 *Mr. Ferguson died in the winter of 1895. •' ■: 1. 
 
:ed into the 
 s clso take'i 
 ve the High 
 )aratus. He 
 
 leisure to it 
 Father, never 
 
 height, and 
 ■atory, but a 
 ling country, 
 ing more nor 
 Lsoning tliat 
 
 s to describe 
 Irew Shield.-, 
 1821. The 
 he Rebellion 
 ons and one 
 il living, 
 id enjoys the 
 le Captain of 
 d to the rank 
 rn Municipal 
 le Peace and 
 ty years. For 
 Society, and 
 iociety wliich 
 icontinued in 
 England, as 
 ranch of the 
 yar^'^ing. 
 was emi)loy- 
 ural in;Uters 
 in the shade 
 t he entered 
 tical farmer. 
 46 and 1847, 
 iter, the fifth 
 
 son and two 
 
 father, who 
 1836, and a 
 
 )f May, 1842. 
 
 here and in 
 
 of Chatham, 
 
 niarge amount 
 
 Ihe residence 
 He had ten 
 
 If a girl, who 
 
 ■ ^ ■' I H " ' M.- ' ..wi p y I " mw&^^pmt^ 
 
 cou)m:l siijki-ds. 
 
p« 
 
 Col 
 com 
 own 
 was 
 and 
 forrt 
 bein 
 iltor 
 sighl 
 use i 
 Mrs. 
 
 f|S 
 
 troo} 
 Andi 
 V6ro 
 1842 
 be di 
 
 make 
 J865, 
 6th > 
 joine( 
 servei 
 menti 
 still h 
 and is 
 has hi 
 Finan 
 seven 
 
 J 
 
 Cassb 
 East ] 
 ness, c 
 pany c 
 has al 
 tlie A] 
 he pur 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 585 
 
 died in childhood. William, the eldest of the children, was married in 1859 to Jessie 
 lamieson, who died 24lh February, 1872, and he was again married 8th May, 1873, 
 to Isabella Ramr :;y, daughter of Col. John Ramsay, High Constable of the County 
 of Prescott. Mr. Ferguson was a contractor several years, and in 1859 engaged in 
 mercantile life, which he followed eight years, after which he was for some time man- 
 ager of the Hochelaga Bank. For a decade he has been Secretary-Treasurer of the 
 County Agricultural Society, and agent for agricultural implements, chiefly those of 
 Frost & Wood, Smith's Fai's, Ont. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson says that the following are the only four persons living at the Hill 
 who were here at the time of his arrival, 1842 : — Mrs. Malcolm McCuaig, Mrs. Dr. 
 Harkin, Mrs. William McCrae and Mrs. John Roberts. He has had three sons, the 
 eldest of whom is deceased ; the other two live in Seattle, Washington. 
 
 The father of Mrs. Ferguson, Col. John Ramsay, was born in Fermanagh 
 County, Ireland, in 1783, and was in military service there in 1798. He came o this 
 country in 182 1, and bought the farm in the township of Longueuil which is now 
 owned by his grandson, John Ramsay McCann. He wielded much influence, and 
 was connected with public affairs all his life, serving as Coroner, Assessor, Collector 
 and High Constable during a period of fc 'y years. He took an active part in the 
 formation of the Militia Companies, and received the rank of Captain, afterwards 
 being promoted to that of Lieutenant-Colonel ; he was a warm friend of Judge Ham- 
 ilton. He died i6th Juno, 1878, at the great age of 95 years and 7 months; his 
 sight was so good lliat, notwithstanding his advanced years, he was never obliged to 
 use spectacles. He had eight ciiildren, only four of whom — daughters — grew up ; 
 Mrs. Ferguson is the only one of them still living. 
 
 Leonard Bertrand is a lineal descendant of a French soldier, who came with 
 troops from France to Canada in 1740. His father. Leon Bertrand, was born in St. 
 Andrews about 1805 ; the latter was married i8th January, 1836, at Rigand, to 
 Vdronique Poireau De Bellefeuille. Tliey removed to Fort Covington, N.Y., in 
 1842, but returned in the fall of 1843, ''■"d bought a farm in East Hawkesbury, wlieie 
 be died nth January, 1881, at the age of 76 ; he had six sons and five daughters. 
 
 Leonard, the eldest son, was born at St. Guillaume, Rigaud, learned the carriage- 
 maker's trade, also that of millwright, and opened a shop in East Hawkesbury in 
 1865, which he conducted till 1880, and moved to the Hill in 1883. ^^ ^^s married 
 6th November, 1867, to Sarah Murray, of Stardale, Ont. The year previous, he 
 joined Company No. 4, of the iitli Battalion, commanded by Captain Ogden ; 
 served till 1869, when he was appointed Lieutenant of Company No. 7 of the Regi- 
 mental Division of Prescott, and was appointed Captain 23rd December, 1870, and 
 still holds his commission. He has been a Trustee of the Public and Model Schools, 
 and is Recording Secretary of the Methodist Church of this village, and for some years 
 has had charge of the Bible Class ; he is always ready to perform Christian work. 
 Financially, he has been very successful, and owns quite a quantity of real estate and 
 several houses in the village. 
 
 James Steele, of whose father and brother a sketch is given in the history of 
 Cassburn, is now a citizen of the Hill ; but he s;:c;nt a large portion of his life in 
 East Hawkesbury, Owing to impaired health, he entered the general agency busi- 
 ness, and, in 1871, became agent for the Agricultural Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
 pany of Canada (now London Mutual), and has worked up a large business. He 
 has also been agent for the Western and Citizens' Insurance Companies of Canada, 
 the Alliance and Sun Companies of London, England, and several others. In 1875 
 he purchased of his father 75 acres of the homestead, on which he erected a fine 
 
 38 
 
j86 ■ HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 brick house with commodious outbuildings, and planted an orchard ^f ?oo apple 
 trees, which is now one of the mo )t productive orchards in Prescott. He also made 
 many other valuable improvements on his farm at an expense of nearly $3,000. 
 
 Mr. Steele was married 20th June, 1877, by the Rev. Wm. J. Joliffe, to Elvira 
 Lovina Carkner, fifth daughter of the late William Carkner, of the Hill. After spend 
 ing about two years at Vankleek Hill, he returned to the faTm in May, 1880. A 
 new post office having been opened in February, 1885, with the name Stardale, lie 
 was appointed Postmaster, and the same year he opened a general store, which he 
 conducted successfully for nine years. In January, 1894, having leased his farm, lie 
 purchased a fine house and lot at the Hill, and once more removed hither. Mr. 
 Steele has been a Director of the County of Prescott Agricultural Society, and also of 
 the Society of East and West Hawkesbury and Longueuil for many years ; vice- 
 president of Prescott Farmers' Institute, School Trustee, etc., etc. In early life lie 
 united with the Methodist Church, and has ever since been one of its active and 
 liberal supporters. He has been Recording Steward of the Vankleek Hill Circuit 
 for nearly ten years. Trustee of Zion and Point Fortune Churches, Sunday-School 
 Superintendent, Local Preacher, and President of the Y. M, C. A. of this village. He 
 has always been an active worker in the cause of Temperance, as well as in all moral 
 and social reforms. In politics he is a consistent Liberal, and Vice-President of the 
 County of Prescott Reform Association. Besides !iis many other works of ])ublic 
 utility he has contributed many valuable articles to ihe newspapers and periodicals of 
 the country. He has had six cliildren — five sons and one daughter, all of wiioni are 
 now living, and ihc three eldest are attending the High School of the Hill. 
 
 John Hunter is a gentleman who, after having served many years in life's 
 warfare, sought a well merited rest in this village. His father, John Hunter, came 
 from the County of Antrim, Ireland, to Longueuil, in 1825. Two years later he 
 purchased the west half of Lot 19, 6th Range, in West Hawkesbury, which is now 
 owned by his son Hugh. He afterwards bought 200 acres more adjoining it, and 
 spent his life there, being one of the active, loyal militia in the troubles of 1837, ^"^ 
 subsequently a Municipal Councillor several years ; he died 21st November, 1865; 
 Mrs. Hunter f"' d 13th March, 1875. They had four sons and five daughters, of 
 whom the forn.er and four of the latter grew up. 
 
 John, the second son, married, 4th June, 1866, Eliza Renneck. He followed 
 lumbering several years, having bought a lot of forest land and built, a saw mill in 
 Caledonia, Lot i, 2nd Concession, which was located near his father's farm in 
 Hawkesbury. His lumbering operations and saw mill were a source of no lilile 
 profit to him, and enabled him to save money. He has also spent a number of years 
 in farming, and still owns 350 acres of land ; nor has V^i been permitted to devote his 
 time wholly to his own work, having served twenty years as Municipal Councillor in 
 Caledonia, during which time he was also Reeve. In the fall of 1892 he bought a 
 lot and ])artially completed house on Derby Ave., in this village. He completed the 
 house, and now has one of the most attractive residences in the corporation ; his 
 farm, a few miles from Vankleek Hill, with its imposing brick dwelling and c un- 
 modious outbuildings, is one of the finest in the county. 
 
 Capt. William Ogden is another respected citizen who has lately souglii a 
 home at the Hill, after many years of toil. He is a grandson of James Ogden who 
 came from London, England, to Quebec, about 1798, with his brother. Judge 
 Ogden, who was quite prominent in this country for a number of years, but who 
 finally returned to England. James Ogden was a merchant tailor, and plied his 
 vocation in Quebec some years, and then came to St. Andrews, Argenteuil County, 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 587 
 
 200 applo 
 e also made 
 ;,ooo. 
 
 e, to Elvir.i 
 ^.fter spend- 
 ', 1880. A 
 stardale, he 
 i, which lie 
 his farm, he 
 lither. iMr. 
 , and also of 
 years ; vice- 
 early life lie 
 
 active ami 
 Hill Circiiii 
 nday-School 
 ) village. He 
 I in all moral 
 sident of the 
 ks of public 
 jeriodicals of 
 of whom are 
 ill. 
 
 ars in life's 
 
 Iiinler, came 
 
 ears later he 
 
 hich is now 
 
 ining it, and 
 
 |of 1837, ^"'^ 
 
 mber, 1865 ; 
 
 uiughlers, of 
 
 IHc followed 
 |a saw mill m 
 ler's farm in 
 of no Utile 
 fiber of years 
 devote his 
 louncillor in 
 he bought a 
 impleled the 
 boration 3 his 
 ling and c un- 
 
 it el y sought a 
 Ogden who 
 luther, Judge 
 lars, but who 
 Ind plied his 
 Iteuil County, 
 
 Que., and bought the farm on the River Rouge, which is now owned by Donald 
 McEwen, and died there about 1828 ; he had four sons and two daughters. Joseph, 
 the youngest son, married about 1826, Susan, eldest daughter of William LeRoy, 
 and, after living on the homestead four years, sold it and removed to East Hawkes- 
 bury, and bought the farm which is now owned by his grandson. George O^den. 
 He lived there till his death, 9th November, 1886; he had four sons and two 
 daughters. 
 
 William, the eldest son, bought a farm of ico acres near the homestead, on 
 which he settled and lived for thirty years, after spending a decade in lumbering. He 
 then sold, and bought another small properly in East Hawkesbury, and engaged in 
 cheese manufacturing, which he still follows. lie was married in 1854 to Ann Kidd 
 Grout, daughter of Solomon Grout the first settler in that section of Hawkesbury. 
 She died loth March, 1883, and he married a second time, 27th July, 1886, 
 Christiana McNab, of West Hawkesbury. Mr. Ogden was mucii interested in the 
 organization of the military companies during the Fenian Raids, and was elected 
 Lieutenant of Company No. 4, i8th Battalion, by ballot of its members, and, not 
 long afterwards, was promoted to the rank of CajUain. He was School Trustee in 
 East Hawkesbury several years, and has long been a Justice of the Peace. He now 
 resides in his pleasant brick dwelling on Derby Avenue. 
 
 One of the attractive private residences on Main Street is that of Wu.liam 
 McAdam, who is connected with several different societies on the Hill and with 
 important business concerns. His father, John McAdam, came from the County of 
 Antrim, Ireland, to East Hawkesbury, in 1844. He followed the trade of shoe- 
 maker, and was Postmaster, also, from 1866 to 1871. He now resides with his son, 
 William; his companion having died i6th November, 1886. He has two sons and 
 two daughters now living. 
 
 William, the eldest son, after attending the school at East Hawkesbury and the 
 Grammar School at the Hill, spent several years previous to 1869 as clerk at Cale- 
 donia Springs, Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill. Since that date he has resided 
 permanently at the Hill, and has been in the employ of Mr. McCuaig, as Bookkeeper, 
 23 years. He is now a partner in the Vankleek Hill Manufacturing Company, and 
 is also Secretary, Stockholder and Director of the Electric Light Company. He is 
 Treasurer of the financial aepartnient of the Presbyterian Church, and has been 
 Treasurer of the Township of West Hawkesbury since July, i88r. He was married 
 26th January, 1874, to Miss Hattie McCua'g, sister of Malcolm McCuaig, Esq. Mr. 
 McAdam is a gentleman of industrious habits and most genial nature. 
 
 Donald McLeod, son of John McLeod, a pioneer of Glengarry County, was 
 born in Lochiel, in 1849. I''' 1866 he came to this place, and entered the employ of 
 Malcolm McCuaig, with whom he remained five years. He then went to Alexandria, 
 Glengarry County, and engaged in the dry goods business for two years, subse- 
 quently returning to Vankleek Hill, and opening a dry goods store in partnership 
 with W. H. McKenzie, the firm being known as McLeod & McKenzie. At the end 
 of thirteen years he sold out his interest to Mr. McKenzie, and built a granary on the 
 Canada Atlantic Railroad, and does an extensive business. Mr. McLeod has taken 
 an active part in municipal affairs ; he was elected Reeve of West Hawkesbury in 
 1889, and served for three years, at the end of which time he resigned. He was 
 re-elected January ist, 1S95, and stiil holds the office. 
 
 On January 17th, ;888, he was married to Frances, daughter of Robert Thistle- 
 waite, Esq., of this place ; they have two sons and one daughter. 
 
588 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Donald McInnes, from Glenelg, Scotland, came to West Hawkesbiiry in 1815, 
 and settled on half of Lot 16, Range 6, and followed farming till his death in 
 1851. He was married in 1826 to Margaret McRac, who died in 1849, 'caving live 
 sons and four daughters. 
 
 Alexander, the youngest son, has followed blacksmithing at the Hill, where he is 
 one of the esteemed and influential citizens. He was married 24th June, 1871, to 
 Mary, daughter of John Stewart ; they have five sons and one daughter. Mr. 
 Mclnnes has been Secretary of the High School Board and an Elder of the Presby- 
 terian Church several years. 
 
 Donald, his eldest son, for six years has been cashier in the Hochelaga Bank at 
 this place ; another son, who recently graduated at Queen's College, 'i'oronto, is 
 studying Law in Ottawa, and a third son is still in the same institution, taking a five 
 years' course for the degree of M.A. 
 
 EAST HAWKHSBURY. ,; 
 
 • This Township is bounded north by the Ottawa, east by the County of Vaudreuil, 
 south by Glengarry, and west by West Hawkesbury. 
 
 It is one of the finest townships in Ontario ; the section bordering the Ottawa a 
 mile or more in depth, while possessing fine scenery and many well improved and 
 prcductive farms, is yet inferior as an agricultural district to the ConcessioUa which 
 lie in *,he rear of it, which are truly park-like in appearance ; and the buildings gener- 
 ally seem those of retired gentlemen of wealth, rather than those of farmers. 
 
 : CHUTE AU BLONDEAU. 
 
 About five miles west of Point Fortune, on an elevation overlooking the noble 
 Ottawa, is a little village bearing the above name, the broad view of the surrounding 
 country which its location commands making it one of the most pleasant places on 
 the river. 
 
 Chute au Blondeau has a fine Roman Catholic church, a post-office, two stores, 
 two hotels, and a shop or two, besides several dwellings. 
 
 A Roman Catholic chapel was built here in i<S6i, by the Rev. Mr. Collins, P.P., 
 of St. Eugene. He held service monthly till eight years ago, since which there 
 has been weekly service. The pr( sent church was erected in 1892, by the Rev. 
 Father Towner. It is a fine brick structure, 100 feet by 45 feet, with a commo- 
 dious vestry. The present incumbent is the Rev. Mr. LeClaire. 
 
 The first school ever opened in this section was a private one, started about 
 1830 by two early settlers, Mr. Wyman and Mr. Kirby. The school-house occupied 
 the site of the present store of Mr. Belanger. It continued only five or six years, 
 and was supported by a few families. A better system of schools was soon inaugu- 
 rated. 
 
 Before the construction of the Carillon dam, there was quite a little fall, or 
 chute, i'l the river at this point, and near it, on a diminutive cape, dwelt, about a 
 century ago, a man named Blondeau. It is said that he was accidentally drowned 
 here, near his own cabin. The chute naturally soon became designated by lumber- 
 men as that of Blondeau, and though it is now buried from view beneath the waters, 
 the name given to the locality is a lasting memorial of the ill-starred Frenchman 
 who here lost his life. 
 
 This seems to have been a favorite resort of Indians, and they often^landed here 
 years after the first white settlers came— as many as forty or fifty canoes^filled with 
 
y in 1815, 
 
 death in 
 
 laving five 
 
 ^here he is 
 I 1871, to 
 iter. Mr. 
 lie Presby- 
 
 Ta Bank at 
 I'oronto, is 
 iking a five 
 
 Vaudreuil, 
 
 le Ottawa a 
 proved and 
 sioiio which 
 hngs gener- 
 ;rs. 
 
 the noble 
 ;urrounding 
 t places on 
 
 two stores, 
 
 lins, P.P., 
 Iwhich there 
 |y the Rev. 
 
 a commo- 
 
 laited about 
 |se occupied 
 six years, 
 )on inaugu- 
 
 liitle fiill, or 
 
 ;!t, about a 
 
 |lly drowned 
 
 by lumber- 
 
 the waters, 
 
 Frenchman 
 
 [landed here 
 filled with 
 
 HISTORY OF" PRESCOTT. 
 
 389 
 
 
 red men sometimes sto|)ping here when on their way to join the fur traders of the 
 North-VVest. 
 
 Mr. John Kirby, now residing here, has several Indian relics found here — stone 
 axes, gouges, arrow-heads, etc. When Mr. Kirby's fatlier was digging, preparatory 
 to laying the foundation of his house, he also unearthed a (luanlity of human bones — 
 evidence that the Indians had here buried their dead. 
 
 Among other things which contributed to render this place me of considerable 
 celebrity, was its excellent fishing grounds, many varieties of fish — -shad especially-^ 
 being caught here in large numbers. During the decade following the year 1845, as 
 many as 1,200 fish were sometimes caught in a single day, and though they rapidly 
 decreased from that time, 400 were often caught in a day during the two or three 
 years which i)receded the building of the dam. 
 
 The location here of Mr. Kirby's hotel, in which courts and public meetings of 
 different kinds were often held, and the many lumbermen who flocked hither in con- 
 sequence of Mr. Kirby's connection with the lumber business, together with the 
 patronage secured by his connection with the stage line, all combined to make this a 
 stirring place in years long past. 
 
 Daniel B. VVvman was doubtless the first perm:inent settler in this locality, 
 having located in Lot 17 and half of Lot 18, 1st Range, in 1804. He was born in 
 Brookfield, Mass., in 1765, and was married m Wells, Vermont, to Sarah Beardsley 
 in 1788, and removed to Hawkesbury, Canada, in 1804. The land he purchased, 
 as well as some adjacent to it, was owned by a Miss Blake in Quebec. Squatters 
 who had occupied it had rendered themselves so obnoxious to the other settlers, 
 from their thievish i)ropensities, that a jjarty from Chatiiam, on the opposite shore of 
 the Ottawa, crossed over one night, quickly demolished their cabin, and compelled 
 them to seek " fresh fields and pastures new." 
 
 Mr. Wyman was a millwright, and soon after coming here, he built a grist-mill 
 and saw-mill on land contiguous to his own, which is now owned by Henry Hughes. 
 These mills were in operation many years, and the saw-mill was rebuilt, but the 
 water-power was destroyed by the erection of the Carillon dam. Mr. Wyman built 
 mills in other sections of the country, and once met with a serious loss by the break- 
 ing up of a raft of timber which he was taking down the St. Lawrence to use in the 
 construction of a large mill. He lived in Hawkesbury till his death, 4lh October, 
 1848, and his descendants are among the most respected people of the township. He 
 had one son and five daughters. Hiram B., the son, who was born in Wells, Ver- 
 mont, i6th December, 1797, remained "". the homestead, and became a man of 
 influence in this section, and was a Justice of the Peace for many years. He was 
 married in 1831 to Jane Melancey Ellis, and died in 1883. They had four sons and 
 four daughters. 
 
 Daniel B., the eldest of the sons, was married 15th September, 1858, to Emma, 
 daughter of William Kirby. The next year they settled on a farm of 100 acres 
 adjacent to the homestead, to which Mr. Wyman has since added, till he now has 270 
 acres — a fine, well-stocked farm. In 1885 he built an attractive brick residence, and 
 all his buildings and surroundings show that hisyeais of toil have not been expended 
 in vain. He has been a Justice of the Peace about 14 years, but has declined all 
 other public offices. 
 
 i,:M,^,Chauncey, his eldest son, who was married in 1890 to Ethel J. Inglis, lives on 
 the homestead ; the two youugest sons of Mr. Wyman, Hiram and Daniel, are taking 
 a course at McGill ; t.vo of his daughters are married. 
 
 William, the youngest of the family of the late Hiram B. Wyman, remained on 
 the homestead, which, with additions he has made, is now a large farm, and which, 
 
590 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 like his brother Daniel' larm, has been rendered attractive and productive through 
 many years of indnstrious labor. Mr. Wyman was married isth September, 1880, to 
 Clarissa, daughter of Hugh Lough. 
 
 The two brothers erected a cheese factory contiguous to their farms, about ten 
 years since, which receives the patronage of many of the farmers of this section. 
 
 Adjacent to the brothers, in a very pretty cottage most pleasantly situated, lives 
 their brother-in law, Rohert Lee, who was married to Hattic, third daughter of 
 Hiram B. Wyman, 21st November, 1877 Mr. Lee was born near Ottawa, and is 
 now agent for sewing machines, musical instruments, and a variety of agricultural 
 implements. 
 
 A mile or more cast of the little village of Chute au Blondeau stands a dilapidated 
 stone house, quite spacious, and which, it is said, is lower by a story than it was when 
 erected. Evidently it was once quite a respectable building, but like most ancient 
 dwellings long unoccupied, it has the reputation of having been haunted. It was 
 built early in this century by a prominent merchant of Montreal — a Mr. Piatt — who 
 had purchased a tract of land, comprising three or four hundred acres. Subse- 
 quently he was in England on business, and when in an umbrella factory in Birming- 
 ham, he met a young girl named Jane Smith, employed there, to whom he took a 
 fancy. He asked her it she would not like to go to America, and assured her that if 
 she would go with him he would treat her with paternal kindness. 
 
 Having but little idea of what going to America meant, and thinking she could 
 return in a few days if so inclined, she replied that she would like much to go, but 
 would first have to get the consent of her parents, and besides, she had a sister 
 employed in the same factory, whom she felt she could not leave. Mr. Piatt assured 
 her that he would be pleased to take her sister also, r-'d he left with the understanding 
 that the girls should consult their parents and n their decision to him on his 
 
 return a day or two later. Accordingly, the parer -e consulted; their consent 
 
 was given, and soon after, the daughif.rs bade them larewell. A long stretch of level 
 road enabled thtm, after the coach was some distance away, to look back and see 
 their parents on the gallery of their cottage, waving handkerchiefs — a last farewell ; 
 they never met again. The thirteen weeks' voyage following expanded the girls' 
 ideas regarding a trip to America. 
 
 At thio time Mr. Piatt had in his employ a young man named William Kirby, 
 between whom ui\d Miss Jane Smith an attachment sprang up, and three or four 
 years later they were united in marriage. Subsequently, Mr. Piatt sent the young 
 couple to his farm in Hawkesbury, where they lived a few years in the stone house 
 above mentioned, and then bought Lot 22, isl Concession, and erected a house of 
 their own ; they removed to this in 1824. For many years Mr. Kirby conducted this 
 as a public house ; he also was a Justice of the Peace. 
 
 About the year 1830, he and Monmarquet, of Carillon, started a line of stage- 
 coaches between Point Fortune and L'Orignal. In the winter Mr. Kirby also con- 
 ducted a line between Montreal and Ottawa. For the first few years wagons were 
 used, and then the proprietors purchased several fine coaches in Albany, N.Y., which 
 added much to the dignity of the line, and comfort of the passengers. As the lumber 
 business was then in the height of its prosperity, a great many lumbermen stopped 
 here, and their custom, together with that of travellers passing through, rendered the 
 hotel business very profitable. 
 
 Mr. Kirby had stable room for eighty horses, and it happened not infrequently 
 that the entire room was occupied. 
 
 He died in 1873, but Mrs. Kirby survived till November, 1894, dying at 
 the great age of 100 years and 11 months, and her memory and mental faculties 
 
through 
 , 1880, to 
 
 bout ten 
 
 on. 
 
 ed, lives 
 
 ighter of 
 
 ., and is 
 
 ricultural 
 
 lapidated 
 (vas when 
 It ancient 
 . It was 
 lalt — who 
 Suhse- 
 Birming- 
 le took a 
 lier that if 
 
 she could 
 to go, but 
 i a sister 
 :t assured 
 rstanding 
 m on his 
 
 consent 
 h of level 
 
 and see 
 farewell ; 
 the girls' 
 
 ^m Kirby, 
 ;e or four 
 le young 
 me house 
 house of 
 icted this 
 
 I of stage- 
 ilso con- 
 tons were 
 which 
 |e lumber 
 stopped 
 iered the 
 
 requently 
 
 |dying at 
 faculties 
 
 HISTORY or PRESCOTT. 
 
 591 
 
 remained unimpaired till about a year prior to her death. IJolh Mr. and Mrs. Kirby 
 WL're striking examples of tiie deiermincd, hardy and industrious emigrants from tiie 
 Old Country, who opened up these townships. 
 
 Mr. Kirby was from Yorkshire, England — honest, sensitive, and quick to resent 
 any imputation against himself of dishonor. 
 
 He and Judge McDonell, of Point l-'ortune, hud long been friends, but on a 
 certain occasion Mr. Kirby, feeling that tlie Judge had insulted him, retaliated with a 
 blow. Friends interfered, and ihey were separated. It was some days afterward, 
 iiowever, before Mr. Kirby, through llie intercession of friends, would consent to 
 apologize. .Shortly afterward the Judge, who held the chief oifice in the militia, 
 came up to Kirby's Hotel attired in uniform, to attend the drill of his men. 
 
 While he was standing in the yard, one of the friends of both men came from 
 the door, arm in arm with Kirby. 
 
 " Well, Judge, " said the friend, " Kirby is here and willing to apologize." 
 
 "On your knees, Kirby !" said the Judge, " I'll never accept your apology 
 otherwise ;" and he empiiasized tiie words by a sweep of his sword. 
 
 " I'll see you first 1 I kneel to no one but my Maker;" fiercely replied 
 
 Kirby, in whom the arbitrary mandate had roused all his former anger. One word 
 brought on another, till, instead of making the intended apology, Kirby again ruslied 
 towarJs llie Judge, and was only prevented from striking him by the active interfer- 
 ence cf f;iends. Not long afterwards the Judge was taken sick and sent for 
 Kirby, who, before leaving, kindly loaned him $400, of which sum the Judge was 
 then much in need. The Judge soon afterward died, but it is just to say that before 
 his death, he made art igements by which the debt was honorably paid. 
 
 Mr. Kirby, like 1 lost of the old pioneers, was fond of a practical joke. 
 
 When living on the Piatt farm, Mrs. Kirby had in her emi)loy a servant, a French 
 girl, named Rosy, to whom she was much attached. Rosy had a sweetheart named 
 Joannise, and when the two were married, Mrs. Kirby presented Rosy with a half- 
 dozen silver spoons, on which the bride's name was engraved. 
 
 Squire Le Roy, who had been some years in the country, and who had settled on 
 a lot adjoining Mr. Kirby's, was the only one in this section empowered to marry, 
 and he was called to officiate on tliis occasion. After their marriage the happy 
 couple repaired to their humble dwelling three or four miles distant, and for a short 
 time their domestic happiness seemed unalloyed. Put in a few weeks discord began 
 to disturb the serenity of their lives ; more serious trouble ensued, and after wisely 
 discussing the matter, md finding that permanent peace was not likely to establish 
 itself between them, they decided to have the nuptial knot untied. Accordingly, th i 
 following morning, Joannise visited Mr. Kirby, laid the matter before him, and asked 
 if he did not think Squire Le Roy would, for a reasonable sum, undo the work he had 
 rece*itly performed. Mr. Kirby, unwilling to lose an opportunity for a little sport, 
 replied in the affirmative, and suggested that they should together call on the Squire, 
 and get his opinion. The latter, after hearing the lale of Joannise, and his ques- 
 tion as to whether he would unmarry him or not, gravely replied that he would. 
 
 " How much you will ax ? " was the next question propounded. 
 
 " Oh," said the Squire, " I suppose it ought to be worth a quart of rum" — an 
 article commonly used for traffic in those days. 
 
 Joannise gladly accepted the terms, and on the following morning appeared with 
 his wife before the Squiie. We are ignorant of the ceremony performed on the 
 occasion, but at its close, Joannise and the hapless Rosy, evidently believing that 
 they were legally divorced, gave emphasis to the belief by walking homeward with 
 stately dignity on opposite sides of the road. Having arrived at their cottage, they 
 
 h 
 
 it 
 
592 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 m 
 
 -l\\ 
 
 proceeded to make a division of their personal property, in which they were to share 
 equally. All went well until they came to the silver spoons, which Rosy claimed as 
 her own. The divorced husban^ objected, averring that this was contrary to t'le 
 agreement, by which he was fully entitled to one-ha.lf of the spoons. After consid -r- 
 able altercation, Rosy yielded to his wishes, and three of the coveted articles came 
 into his possession. After the division was 'iiade they bade each other an affectionate 
 farewell, kissed and embraced, but before the completion of the last act, a feeling of 
 contrition suddenly possessed (heir liearts — their arms rofup.ed to untwine from 
 each other — tears and humble confessions of hasty tempers and haish words followed, 
 and ere they parted, pardon for past errors had mutually been granted, and they had 
 vowed to be re-married. In the afternoon of t!ie same diy, therefore, in which their 
 marriage knot had been severed, they trudged back three miles to bquire Le Roy; 
 Joannise presented him with another quart of rum, and soon afterward they started 
 arm in arm for home again ; and tradition asserts that, like the hero and the heroine 
 of the modern romance, they lived happily together ever afterward. 
 
 Justice to the memory of Mrs. Kirby demands thai we should record her dis- 
 approval of her husband's encouragement of this affair. She sternly reproved him 
 and the Squire for carrying on the farce, instead of instructing these ignorant people 
 as to the true character and solenmity of the marriage rite. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Kirby had eight children, of whom three sons and three daughters 
 grew up. William S., the eldest son, was long connected with the Customs Depart- 
 ment at Ottawa. 
 
 Thomas H., the youngest son, is Treasurer of the city of Ottawa. 
 
 John M., the second son, has always remained on the homestead — consisting of 
 300 acres — on which he keeps an a\erage of 65 Iiead of cattle, besides horses. 
 
 He was married 15th September, 1658, to Caroline VVyman, who died in 
 February, 1888. She was nn estimable woman, possessed of great amiability, and 
 her loss was deplored not only by her own family, but by a large circle of fiiends. 
 
 Their eldest daughter, Jane Elizabeth, married James Connors, son of P. 
 Connors, of Little Rideau, and livcj at St. Ignace, Michigan. 
 
 Emma, the second daughter, was married 4th March, 1891, to John W. Ross ; 
 she died 25th February, 1892. 
 
 Russell, the eldtsc ton, resides at Braeside, Ont. ; Wyman, the second son, lives 
 in Seattle, Washington. J'hree sons, John M., Daniel B., and Hiram H., and one 
 daughter, Caroline Mry, are still at home. 
 
 Mr. Kirby is one of the inlluential fanners of Hawkesbury, and has been a 
 Municipal Councillor 14 years, half of which period he has been Deputy Reeve ; he 
 has also been a School I'rustee 39 years ; he is now VVarden of the united counties of 
 Prescott and Russell. 
 
 In his younger days he carried ihe mail for many years, and engaged to Some 
 extent in the lumber business. He also conducted the hotel for some time after 
 his father retired from the business, but gave it up, Mrs. Kirby being strongly 
 opposed to the selling of spirituous liquors. Another business which he followed a 
 long time was the conveying of raftsmen from the foot of the Long Siult to Hawki's- 
 bury. This was before steam tugs were employed to tow the rafts, and they were all 
 brought"down the rapids. A raft was usually composed of seventy-two cribs of logs ; and 
 fourteen men — thirteen and a pilot — were employed to bring six cribs, called a " band," 
 down the Long Sault, and they v/ere required to make three trips a day. As soon as 
 one ''band "was brought, down, Mr. Kirby took the fourteen men, drove rapidly 
 with them to Hawkesbury, seven miles, and returned in time to meet them again at 
 the foot of tb'' Long Sault j and this he did till the three trips were accomplished ; 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 503 
 
 ;e daughters 
 
 1 VV. Ross ; 
 
 lie also provided the men with dinner. Mr. Kirby often alludes to the quietude of 
 his premises compared with the hurly-burly of forty years ago. It has already been 
 stated that his father had a contract for carrying the mail from Montreal to Ottawa. 
 Mr. Kirby, senior, himself drove the stage between Hawkesbury and Montreal, and 
 for some time he crossed the Ottawa at Carillon, ...id went down via St, Eustache. 
 About 1848 he began to drive to Vaudreuil, and crossed thence to St. .Ann's. 
 
 A man who had long ca'^ried the mail, and owned a line of stage coaches, between 
 Montreal and Toronto, found 'limself suddenly deprived of his income by boats which 
 were placed on the St. L?.wrence. He was then compelled to use his horses and coaches 
 in other places, and among the opposition lines he stirted one between Point For- 
 tune and L'Orignal. It was during the existence of tiiis line that business, especially 
 travel, was most brisk in this locality. Mr. Kirby says that he often saw a dozen 
 stage coaches at his father's door. 
 
 This gentleman relates a singular and rather amusing incident which occurred 
 during his e-xperitnce in the lumber business : 
 
 Oiie day, a large, rustic young fellow, 16 or 17 years old, cam'? to him when he 
 was forming a raft up the Ottawa, and asked for employment. His rume we shall 
 call Bon, and he came from one of the townships in the rear of Argenteuil, from which 
 locality had come also '.wo or three others — Scotchmen — who were working for Mr. 
 Kirby. Requiring no more help, he declined to employ Ben, but at his earnest en- 
 treaty changed his mind and set the boy at work. 
 
 One ot his employees at the time was an Indian who was decidedly bibulous 
 in his habits. Strange 10 relate, Ben became attaci.ed to the Indian, and soon fell 
 into his habits. Mr. Kirby reproved and advised the young fellow, and suggested 
 to the Scutchmen who were from the same locality, that they should use their 
 influence with Ben to induce him to abstain from the use of liquor, and carefully 
 save his wages to take to his father, of whom he was the only child. 
 
 " O let him alone," was the response. " Never fear, he'll learn better by and by 
 than to make a fool of himself ; " and so things went on a few days longer, when the 
 two chums returned late one night, half drunk, as usual, from their evening potations. 
 Very near the cabin on the raft where Mr. Kirby was sleeping, there was an open 
 space several feet square. The night was dark, and Ben and the Indian, stealing 
 quietly along so as to escape discovery, walked straight into the open space, and at 
 once sank in the deep water. The Indian, after floundering about, swam to one 
 side, and succeeded in getting on the raft. He then listened for some evidence of 
 the location of his companion, believing that he could not swim, but in vain. He 
 called to him two or three times, but no response was returned ; all was silence and 
 darkness. The young man was at the bottom of the river, and fear seized the 
 Indian that he might be censured, and perhajis held accountable for his death, and he 
 decided to flee. But no ! he might yet be saved; animated by this thought, he 
 rapped vigorously on the blide window of the cabin, and informed .Mr. Kirby in start- 
 ling accents that Ben was drowning. Directing the Indian to rouse the other men, 
 Mr, Kirby, as soon as possible, was out with a lantern to assist in the search, 
 which was prosecuted during the remainder of the night. In the morning, the raft 
 was removed, and moored in another place, so that every p.^rt of the river there- 
 about might be thoroughly dragged. At the same time, a messenger was dispatched 
 on foot, to carry the sad tidings to the father of the lost boy. As the distance was 
 twenty-five or thirty miles, the fiither did not arrive till the following day, and then 
 lit could do nothing but bemoan his loss. After learning all the particulars of the 
 terrible accident, and examining the scene of its occurrence, he set out to visit a 
 faimer named Fraser, who lived a few miles back on the Ontario side of the Ottawa, 
 
 ti 
 
594 
 
 HISTORY OK FRESCOTT. 
 
 ?U 
 
 in a neighborhood where he had himself formerly resided. On entering the house of 
 Fraser, he found the family sitting down to dinner, and the first person on whom his 
 eyes rested was his lost son. His joy and astonishment may be better imagined than 
 described. After his own story had been told to the surprised family, the sequel 
 was unfolded by his boy. 
 
 On finding liimself in the river, the iatter's first efforts naturally were to get 
 out, which he did with little difficulty. Believing, however, that the Indian was 
 drowned, and that he would be regarded as the chief cause of his death, he imme- 
 diately plunged into the river, swam to the opposite shore, and made his way to 
 Fraser's, where he engaged in work, and until his father's arrival he had never men 
 tioned the circumstances which had led him hither. 
 
 The father and son returned together to the raft, and it is perhaps needless to 
 add that the Iatter's unexpected reappearance among the men, and his strange sur- 
 vival, was the topic of conversation for many a day. It is said the Indian seldom 
 or never lauplis, but Mr. Kirby affirms that the way this Indian laughed, when he 
 learned of Ben's flight, from fear that he was drowned, was enough to force a smile 
 on the face of a tomb-stone. ' ; j , . ^ 
 
 John Gibson, the oldest person residing in this vicinity, was born near Belfast, 
 Ireland, and camet') Canada in 1828. H'.' lived about two years in Lachute, Que., 
 and in 1830, or r 831, removed to Hawkesbury, and settled on Lot 15, Range 4. 
 From that he removed to the 1st Range, and nearly fo'ty years ago settled on the 
 Piatt jjroperiy described above. This property was entailed, but Mr. Gibs'^n held 
 it in charge till it was his by possession, yet he generously abandoned all claim, 
 and purchased 100 acres of it from the rightful heir, and on this he still resides. 
 
 He also has his reminiscences of pioneer life. About the year 1836, when he 
 lived in the 4lh Range, there was a season of great destitution among the settlers, 
 arising chit-fly from late frosts in the spring. One morning, after his family had 
 consumed for breakfast every mouthful of food in the house, he went to St, 
 Andrews, across the Ottawa, purchased 56 lbs. of flour, which he took on his 
 back in a bag, and started on his return. Night and a heavy storm came on soon 
 after he left Point Fortune, and he sought shelter in an old vacant house, near the 
 present dwelling of Mr, Lamb. Taking his bag of flour for a pillow, he slept 
 soundly, and the next morning resumed his journey ; but before teaching home he 
 was obliged to supply three of his destitute neighbors with flour enough for break- 
 fast. Mr. Gibson, however, outlived those days of hardship, and is now in posses- 
 sion of a fine farm. He has been a member of the County and Township Councils ; 
 was Deputy Reeve, and for some years served as Coroner for Prescott and Russell ; 
 in politics he has alwa/s been an active Liberal. He has had nine children — three 
 sons and six daughters. 
 
 John Hodgson, a respected farmer of this section, has spent nearly his whole 
 life in this country. He came here with his father, Matthew Hodgson, in 1818, from 
 Thornton,iYorkshire, England. When quite young, he was apprenticed to Samuel 
 Orr of Lachute, Que., to learn the trade of shoemaker, and he lived in that town till 
 he settled in Hawkesbury. About i860, he bought the west half of Lot 11, ist 
 Range in East Hawkesbury, on which he still resides, and to which he has added 
 75 acres. He was married 28th May, 1844, to Esther Reveler; they have two 
 sons and four daughters. 
 
 Mr. Hodgson has been School Trustee and Assessor several years. 
 
 About 1830, James Gray, from Roxburghshire, Scotland, came to this locality 
 with ten children — seven sons and three daughters —four of the former being marriecl. 
 
 if 
 
; house of 
 
 whom his 
 gined than 
 
 the sequel 
 
 vera to get 
 iidian was 
 , he imme- 
 his way to 
 ever men 
 
 needless to 
 itrange sur- 
 ian seldom 
 d, when he 
 )rce a smile 
 
 lear Belfast, 
 chute, Que., 
 5, Range 4- 
 tiled on the 
 Gibs'- n held 
 d all claim, 
 resides. 
 36, when he 
 the settlers, 
 s family had 
 went to St. 
 ook on his 
 ime on soon 
 ise, near the 
 )W, he slept 
 ng home he 
 1 for break- 
 V in posses- 
 ID Councils ; 
 id Russell ; 
 dren — three 
 
 ly his whole 
 I 1 818, from 
 
 to Samuel 
 lat town till 
 [hot II, 1st 
 
 has added 
 ly have two 
 
 [this locality 
 tng married. 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 595 
 
 John, one of the sons, bought here 500 acres of land, on a part of which 
 two of his own sons, James and William, now live, both actively engaged m their res- 
 peciive vocations, the former as carpenter and builder, the latter as farmer. Their 
 father, John Gray, had six sons and four daughters — two of the latter are deceased. 
 
 Alexander, ihe fifth son, learned the blacksmith trade, and was married soon 
 ;ifterward, in the fall of 1871, to Hannah M. Hodgson. He erected a carriage 
 and blacksmith shop, and through unflagging industry and energy, has built up a good 
 business. He manufactures carriage? of all kinds, which are noted for their neat- 
 ness, cheapness and durability. 
 
 OviLA BfeLANGER, whose neat new dwelling has a most commanding view up 
 and down the Ottawa and of the County ol Argenteuil, was born in St. Andrews, 
 Que. His father, Joseph Belanger, moved from St. Andrews, to St. Eugene about 
 1865, and after conducting a hotel there for two years, he came to Chute au Blon- 
 deau, jjurchased a farm, and opened a hotel which he managed till his death in 1874 ; 
 he left six sons and two daughters. Ovila, the eldest son, then took charge of the 
 farm and hotel, but sold the latter in four years, and devoted himself to farming 
 He v.as married 7th January, 1884, to Alzire Dukas ; she died 3rd .^pril, 1893, and he 
 was again married 29th May, 1894, to Emily Clement. Mr. Belanger has been School 
 Trustee for six years, and a member of the Municipal Council for two years. He is 
 jvery popular with his fellow-citizens, and was elected Councillor by almost their 
 jiianimous vote. It is worthy of note that, although he and his five brothers were 
 leared in a hotel, not one of them smokes or uses spirituous liquors. 
 
 David McAllister, who has a good sized store here, in which he keeps a large 
 litock of general merchandise, is the youi.gest son of the late William McAllister, 
 noticed in the history of Brownsburg, Argenteuil Co., Que. In 1872, when a young 
 man, he sougiit emiiloyment in the West, and spent twelve years in California, 
 Arizona and Mexico. On his return in 1884, he entered mercantile life in the 
 iiore here, where his brother James had traded for some years. The same year 
 |lie was married, loth December, to Elmina, daughter of D. B. Wyman. The 
 jenial manner and upri.t,ht dealing of Mr. McAllister have secured him a large 
 Icircle of customers. 
 
 His brother, James McAllister, wl > has spent twenty-three years in mercan- 
 
 life, still resides in this place. A post office was established here in 1869, and 
 
 lie was appointed Postmaster — a position he still holds. He was truirried in 1868 
 
 p Janet Gray; she died in 1890; and he was next married to Edith, daughter of 
 
 |ieo. Bradford, of Gushing, Argenteuil Co., Que. Mr. McAU' er has been a 
 
 lember of the School Board eight years. 
 
 John R. Nendick is the proprietor of a fine little farm of 70 acres, located at 
 Jhis place. His father, William Nendick, came from Yorkshire, England, to Hawkes- 
 
 , in 1850, with his wife and six children. After living on rented farms a few 
 [tears, he bought one in the 2nd Concession of this township, which he sold not 
 aany years later, and went to Iowa. 
 
 John R., his eldest son, was in the employ of Mr. John Kirby, six years ; he 
 tas married 21st June, 1870, to Mary Filion, and he bought his present farm in 1885. 
 
 John Little, from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, came to Canada in 1825. He was 
 stonemason, and was employed in L'Orignal and Hawkesbury during the re- 
 lainder of his life, which terminated at the house of his son, John, at Little Rideau. 
 k left three sons and four daughters. 
 
 John, the third son, learned the mason and stonecutter's trade, and has followed 
 upward of forty years. In 1863, he bought a farm of 100 acres here, and has 
 
596 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT, 
 
 erected on it a good brick house besides commodious outbuildings. He was mar- 
 ried to Jane Goudie on November loth, 1845, and last fall they enjoyed the celebra- 
 tion of their golden wedding, at which a large number of guests from both sides of 
 the Ottawa were present. They have eight sons and three daughters living. 
 
 Thomas A,, the eldest son, left the farm in 1868, and went to California, where, 
 27th January, 1875, he married Mrs. Laura Miller of Stockton, in that State. The 
 following year he returned to this place and settled near his father's farm, on the 
 Cook farm of of 200 acres, where he still resides. He is one of the enterprising 
 farmers of Hawkesbury, keeps 50 head of cattle and 35 cows ; has a silo, with good 
 farm buildings, and if industry is a guarantee of success, Mr. Little's financial pios- 
 perity is assured. 
 
 It seems strange to relate that in this pleasant farm dwelling, surrounded with 
 trees and shrubbery, in a remarkably quiet and moral community, should have oc- 
 curred, but a few years since, one of the most atrocious murders ever perpetrated in 
 the Province. 
 
 Ruggles Cook, the former proprietor of this farm, had for some months employed 
 a well-educated English emigrant, named Fred. Mann, scarcely more than 20 years 
 of age. 
 
 Early one morning in January, 1882, Mann, who for some reuhon seemed to 
 have conceived a sudden and violent hatred of the whole family, followed Mr. Cook 
 to the barn and cruelly murdered him with an axe. He then returned, and his next 
 victims were Mrs. Cook and her daughter Emma ; both being found in the top of a 
 granary near the kitchen, evidently strangled. George and William Cook were still 
 in bed wheii Mann approached and struck the former on the head with the axe 
 killing him instantly. William awakened jumped from the bed and grappled with the 
 murderer, but not before he had received a cruel blow with the axe on the hip 
 and, in the scuffl.', Mann succeeded in hitting him again with the axe on the leg, 
 These wounds were of so serious a nature, that they resulted in the death of the 
 young man, in Lachute, Que., about a year later. This all occurred in a bedroom 
 in the kitchen chamber, and tiie noise created, attracting the notice of two daugliters 
 of Mr. Cook, they looked from a window in the rear of the front building, and 
 saw the deadly struggle ; their brother at that moment having Mann by the throat 
 The latter descried the girls at the same lime, and leaving his victim, he rushed dowa 
 stairs just in time to meet them hastening to their brother's aid. JBoth parties sud 
 denly stopped. "What in the world are you doing? " exclaimed one of the sisters 
 as they met. 
 
 \Viihout replying Mann stared at her for a moment with a dazed expression, then 
 turned and fled. He succeeded in gaining the woods and crossed the Ottawa, bu 
 was arrested the next day at St. Hermas, Que. He was hanged for the crime a few 
 months later at L'Orignal. Much sympathy was felt for the young criminal, for 
 the tact that he seemed to realize the enormity of iiis deed, evinced due contritio 
 for it, and acknowledged the sentence just which condemned him to death. It wa 
 the opinion of medical men that he had an abnormally large brain, and at n > dis' 
 tant day must have become insane, A most pathetic address written in verse to hii 
 mother, just before his execution, showed that he was a good scholar, and possesse 
 of much talent. In this farewell address, he bewailed his folly and wickedness i 
 disregarding his nuthcr's Christian advice and instructions, and humbly acknoivj 
 ledged that it was the neglect of her instruction and example that had led to his tea 
 ul doom. 
 
 The first settler on the land where the above murder occurred, was a mai 
 named Barron, whose descendants are numerous in this section of country. Hj w 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 597 
 
 He was mar- 
 /ed the celobra- 
 m both sides of 
 
 Hving. 
 
 lifornia, where, 
 lat State. The 
 r's farm, on the 
 he enterprising 
 
 silo, with good 
 s financial ;mos- 
 
 ;urrounded with 
 should have oc- 
 r perpetrated in 
 
 lonths employed 
 e than 20 years 
 
 jason seemed to 
 lowed Mr. Cook 
 led, and his next 
 d in the top of a 
 1 Cook were still 
 iad with the axe, 
 jrappled with the 
 
 axe on the hip ; 
 
 axe on the leg. 
 
 the death of the 
 
 ;d in a bedroom 
 |of two daughters 
 
 nt building, and 
 
 n by the throat, 
 he rushed dowaj 
 oth parties sud 
 
 Ine of the sisters 
 
 [expression, theri 
 
 the Ottawa, but 
 
 the crime a few 
 
 criminal, f'oii 
 
 due contritioi 
 
 death. It waj 
 
 [, and at n> disj 
 
 in verse to hi^ 
 
 \, and posscisec 
 
 wickedness 11 
 
 [umbly acknoivj 
 
 led to his feai 
 
 |ed, was a maj 
 
 luntry. He wa 
 
 found dead in his sleigh on the ice of the Ottawa, having died from meat lodged in 
 his throat. Mrs. Barron was a woman of great energy; on one occasion, she rode 
 on horseback the whole distance to Toronto, to obtain the patent for their land. The 
 feat will be regarded as remarkable, when wt remember that there were few or no 
 bridges, and that the way was marked in many places only by blazed trees. , 
 
 '. LITTLE RIDEAU. ^' '- 
 
 The above is the name of a hamlet on the Ottawa, five miles below Hawkesbury 
 Mills, and about two miles west of Chute au Blondeau. 
 
 A man named Grant, of Montreal, was doubtless the earliest proprietor of land 
 here, having obtained 240 acres, and 400 or 500 at Chute au Blondeau. He sent a 
 Scotchman named John Goudie here to look after this jiroperty, who bought the land 
 at Little Rideau, and in 1844 sold it to Patrick Connors, 
 
 James Ross, whose descendants are among the most prominent, active and intel- 
 ligent of the citizens of Hawkesbury, purchased 500 acres of land at this point in 
 lanuary, 1840. He was a stonecutter by trade, and came from Scotland, arriving at 
 Greece's Point in April, 1829. His family consisted of his wife, a son and two 
 daughters. He found employment on the canal locks then being constructed, and 
 after living at Greece's Point till March, 1835, removed to Cornwall, where he was 
 also employed on canal locks four years. He then returned to his farm at Little 
 Rideau, wliere he died 14th December, 1843. Mrs. Ross survived till latii Novem- 
 ber, 1877. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom only two 
 sons and three daughters arc now living. 
 
 Thomas, the eldest son, opened a store on the homestead, which he conducted 
 for twenty years. 
 
 A Post-office was established here in 1853, and he was appointed Postmaster, a 
 position he held till 1874, when he resigned, and his brother Robert became his suc- 
 cessor. After leaving the store, Thomas engaged in farming a while, and then,, in 
 company with his sons, opened a store at Hawkesbury Village, where they are doing 
 a large and thriving business. 
 
 Mr. Ross is agentleman of great enterprise, and has engaged largely in the build- 
 ing of cheese factories in different localities, on both sides of the Ottawa. Tliisyear — 
 18^5 — the factories he has in operation will number twenty. Last year, the cheese 
 manufactured from 16 factories amounted to 863,233 lbs. ; the first fr.v.'iory was started 
 at E. Hawkesbury in 1881. 
 
 Robert, the third son of the late James Ross, has always remained on the home- 
 stead, successfully engaged in farming. In 1855, he erected a fine stone house, 
 which was enlarged in 1880. Mr. Ross k'^eps an average of 80 head of cattle, 
 and from 40 to 60 cows. The entire estate shows the result of judicious and intelli- 
 »ent management. 
 
 Many have admired the fine blocks of stone used in the construction of the locks 
 in the Carillon canal; they were quarried on the f.irm of Mr. Ross. The quar.y 
 was discovered by his father, but it was not opened till a few years subsequent to his 
 decease. It contains an unlimited amount of stone, and has already supplied much 
 lor building purposes, but it is not likely to prove very profitable to its proprietor, 
 iill there are better facilities for transportation. 
 
 A lime kiln was also opened on this farm, on the shore of the Ottawa, many 
 years ago, and is st'll used, but only to supply the wants of those in its immediate 
 [vicinity. 
 
 
 ; 5 
 
598 
 
 HISTORY OK rPESCOTT. 
 
 Mr. Ross and his two sisters, Isabella and Charlotte, comprise the family — a 
 family whose knowledge of .incient as well as modern hteratiire shows that their 
 library has not been neglected. They have many Indian relics found on the premises, 
 and these, together with a tradition which has been handed down from an aged squaw, 
 who used sometimes to call at Mr. Goudie's whose family lived here, many decades 
 ago, leads to the belief that this is the identical sj^ot where Daulac made his heroic 
 stand. It is said that this squaw, who came here occasionally with others of her tribe, 
 pointed out a place now on the farm of Mr. Ross, which her tribe claimed was the 
 site of a terrible fight between the French and Iroquois. 
 
 Mary, the eldest of the children of James Ross, was married in July, 1843, to 
 James Watson, who came to this section from Renfrewshire, Scotland, in 1840. He 
 was a carpenter by trade, and after their marriage he and his wife spent a few years ' 
 in Kingston, and then returned to Little Rideau, where Mr. Watson engaged in 
 fainiing ; he died at this phice in 1890. His widow resides in H.twkesbury Village, 
 whjre she has a lot and dwelling. Her two sons, James and John R., since 1880, 
 have been engaged in mercantile business at Little Rideau, where, in 1888, they 
 erected a fine brick store, of which John R. is now proprietor ; his brother having 
 opened another store in the vicinity. The latter was married to Margaret Morrison. 
 
 As stated above, Patrick Connors purchased a farm here in 1844. His father, 
 whose name he jears, come from the County of Longford, Ireland, to this country, 
 in 1825. He spent a year or two in Montreal, and then came to Chatham, Qne., 
 and was employed on the Chute au Blondeau locks. After the completion of the! 
 canal he settled in East Hawkesbury, vhcre he died ; he had two sons and one 
 daughter. Patrick, the youngest of the children, and the only one now living, is tliel 
 only one who remained in Hawskesbury. He was married in 1844 to Catherine [ 
 Goudie, and tliey had six children — three of each sex — of whom William, the young-j 
 est son, lives on the homestead. The farm of Mr. Connors shows that he has not! 
 been wanting in energy and industry, though he has found time to serve his fello\v-| 
 citizens as Municipal Councillor, School Trustee and Deputy-Reeve. 
 
 Gregory Conway, with two brothers, John and Andrew, came from Ireland! 
 in 1845. Gregory married Miss Goudie, and is now proprietor of a fine estate inl 
 the 3rd Concession. His brothers have also been very successful ; John, besidesj 
 owning a fine farm with valuable buildings, where he lives, has land in different part^ 
 of the township. 
 
 Gregory, a son of Gregory Conway, mentioned above, is an energetic and 
 prosperous young farmer residing here ; he married Miss Brennan, a daughter 0^ 
 James Brennan, another successful farmer living in the 2nd Concession of this town] 
 ship. 
 
 Hamilton Gourley from Ty'\.ne County, Ireland, came to Chute au Blondeaii 
 in 1849. He lived on rented farms till 1872, when he purchased one at Little Rideaiij 
 on which he lived till his death, 9th October, 1882. Mrs. Gourley died 9th NovemberJ 
 1893 ; they lelt six sons and two daughters. 
 
 Samuel, the eldest son, was married 3clh October, 1866, to Margaret Cameron! 
 she died 13th November, 1882, and he was next married in 1884 to Eliza Johnson! 
 who died 5th January, 1894. About r865, he bought 100 acres of Lot 35, 2nd Con! 
 cession, of which no part had then been cleared, but with the industry and hardilioo(f 
 characteristic of early pioneers, he has cleared 75 acres, and erected thereon con^ 
 fortable buildings. 
 
 John Gourley, his brother, who for several years success'ully followed the black 
 smith trade, has a fine farm cf 100 acres, and a good brick dwelling at Little Rideau 
 
.he family— a 
 ws that their 
 1 tlie premises, 
 in aged squaw, 
 many decades 
 ide his heroic 
 rs of her tribe, 
 limed was ihe 
 
 July, 1843, to 
 , in 1840. He 
 ent a few ycais 
 on engaged in 
 :esbury Village, 
 R., since 1880, 
 , in 1888, they 
 
 brother having 
 garet Morrison. 
 
 844. His father,! 
 , to this country, 
 Chatham, QnC', 
 Dnipletion of the 
 ,•0 sons and one! 
 low living, is the 
 44 to Catherine 
 lliam, the young- 
 
 . that he has notj 
 
 serve his fellow- 
 
 le. 
 
 nie from Ireland! 
 a fine estate inl 
 ^ John, bcsidcsl 
 
 ,n different partsj 
 
 11 energetic and 
 L a daughter oi 
 Ion of this townj 
 
 lute au Blondeaii 
 It Little Rideaul 
 9th Novemberl 
 
 baret Cameron j 
 Eliza JohnsonI 
 
 lot 35, 2nd ConI 
 and hardihoof 
 
 [d thereon con^ 
 
 lowed the bhck| 
 It Little RiJt^iiJ 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 599 
 
 A cheese factory which was erected at this place by Thomas Ross, in 1881, is at 
 j)resent in charge of W. A. SHOREVand his wife, Nancy Vart, to whom he was married 
 i2th July, 1893; they are from Thurlow, Hastings County, Ont. Mr. Shorey has 
 been engaged in cheese-makinq ten years, and is highly commended for his skill in 
 this — one of the greatest of Canadian industries. 
 
 A ride along the Ottawa on either side is always sufficiently pleasant, no matter 
 in what county, but that from Point Fortune to Hawkesbury Mills is peculiarly so 
 to an agriculturist, on account of the many good farms along the wayside; and 
 especially is this true of the latter part of the route, from Little Rideau to the Mills. 
 Among many that might be mentioned are the homesteads of William Lovell, Alex- 
 ander Craig,' Hugh Lough, Thomas Higginson, the Cameron Brothers, etc. 
 
 Mr. William Lovell,^ now an octogenarian, is a son of Rohert Lovell, who 
 came to Montreal from Cork, Lxdand, in 1820, and lived in that city till his death, in 
 1849. He had ten children — five of each sex. Annie, the eldest of these, married • 
 'I'homas Rvans. 
 
 John, the eldest son, who died in Montreal, in 1893, became the distinguished 
 publisher and proprietor of one of the largest publishing houses in Canada, which is 
 now under the management of his son, R. K. Lovell. Loyalty was one of the many 
 noble traits which endeared the late John Lovell to his fellow-citizens. In his youth, 
 with three brothers, he took an active part in suppressing the Rebellion of 1837-38, 
 and it was he who cut down the " Cap of Liiicrty " at St. Charles, and presented it 
 to Sir John Colborne ; he also was in all the engagements of the Rebellion. 
 
 William Lovell at that time was a member of Company No. 4 Rifles, commanded 
 by Capt. Blackwood. He had been employed on the Gazette, of whom Hugh 
 Ramsay was one of the proprietors, and, at the direction of Mr. Ramsay, he set, one 
 Sabbath, the type for the bill proclaiming Martial Law — the first and only type he 
 ever set on the Lord's day, though he worked at the printer's trade nearly fifty 
 years. 
 
 In 1852 he purchased 400 acres of land in Hasvkesbury, on which but little 
 improvement had been made, and of which he still retains his present well-cultivated 
 farm of 130 acres. He was married in 1839 to Ehza Hamilton, from Cork; their 
 son, John G., remains with them on the homestead. 
 
 Alexander Craig, from North Aberdeenshire, Scotland, came to Chatham, 
 Que., in June, 1883. After occupying rented farms a few years, he purchased in March, 
 1894, ^°^ acres of Lot 13, ist Range, in Hawkesbury, in the cultivation of which he 
 is assisted by his eldest son, James. His eldest daughter, Maggie, is married to 
 James Graham, engineer in the mill of the Hawkesbury Milling Company ; his second 
 son, John, is in Butte City, Montana, and Robert, another son, is emjiloyed on the 
 Canada Atlantic Railroad at Hawkesbury. 
 
 Hugh Lough came to Hawkesbury from the North of Ireland, and was married 
 soon afterwards, 17th Juiy, 1819, to tlie widow of John Lough. He was employed by 
 the Hamilton Brothers from 1819 to i860; and not many years after his arrival, he 
 bought about 400 acres of land, which is now owned and occupied by his daughter, 
 Mrs. Fraser. Mr, Lough died 14th February, 1871 ; Mrs. Lough, 21st July, 1876 j they 
 had five children — one son and two daughters are now living. 
 
 Hugh, the second son, was married ist February, 1854, to Jane Kirby, and 
 remained on the homestead till April, 1884, when he sold it, and bought the farm of 
 130 acres, where he now lives, and on which he has erected fine buildings. 
 
 * Mr. Lovell died in April, 1896. 
 
 :1 \ 
 
6oo 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 II 
 
 John Conway, born in i8i8, came to Canada from County Cavan, Ireland, in 
 1843. When he landed in Quebec he had only $5.00. The first work he did in this 
 country was for Hamilton Brothers. After working for them four years he bought 
 his farm in the and Concession, East Hawkesbury, from Lemuel Cushing; it was 
 entirely wooded, and the only building on it was a " scoop shanty." When Mr. Conway 
 commenced clearing, he drew cord-wood to Chute au Blondeau on a"traineau;" 
 from lack of time he was frequently obliged to tiiresh his grain by candle light. He 
 was married three times — his first wife was Miss McCormack, daughter of William 
 McCormack, of this place ; they had one son, Gregory, born 19th March, 1853. The 
 latter, who is married to Catherine, daughter of Henry Hughes, now lives on a fine 
 farm in the 4lh Concession. He spent four years of his earlier life in California and 
 Nevada. His first wife having died in March, 1853, Mr. Conway, sr., was married tjic 
 following year to Mary, daughter of Thomas McCafferty ; they had eight children — five 
 sons and three daughters — one of each sex is deceased ; the others, with the exception 
 of Matilda, the wife of James McCoy, of Argenteuil Counly, and Patrick, who is in 
 Nevada, live in this county. Mrs. Conway died November, 1874, and Mr. Conway 
 was married the third time in September, 1880, to Isabella Kairns, daughter of Robert 
 Kairns ; by this marriage he had three children — one son, who died in childhood, and 
 two daughters. Mr. Conway was deprived of the advantages of education, yet, by 
 perseverance and industry, he has accumulated property which compares favorab.y 
 with any in the county. He has fine new buildings and 300 acres of land, which he 
 manages with the help of his son. He has given a good education to all his children. 
 
 Thomas W. Conway, fourth son of Mr. Jolin Conway by his second marriage, 
 was born October 8th, 1869. When 20 years of age he entered Rigaud College, and 
 graduated from that institution in 1891, with the highest distinction, obtaining 95 ])er 
 cent, in marks, and iionorable mention from the Institute of Saint Victor. He was 
 married April 30th, 1895, to Margaret F., daughter of James Brennan, of East 
 Hawkesbury, and thesamc year received from his *':'her his present farm in the 2nd 
 Concession. He owns a fine brick residence, ana is one of the enterprising farmers 
 of this locality. 
 
 Andrew Conway, born in 1824, came to Canada with his mother and brother, 
 from County Derry, Ireland, in 1844. He first engaged to work for Henry Allen, in 
 Caledonia, for $3.00 per month ; he then worked as rook m a lumber shanty, and 
 snbsequently engaged to the Hamiltons. After settling on his farm. Lot 23, in the 
 2nd Concession, he took teams to the lumber woods for a number of years. He was 
 married in 1855, to Ann, daughter of John Harkin, of West Hawkesbury ; they had 
 seven sons and two daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are now living. 
 John, the eldest, lives in West Hawkesbury; Andrew and William are at home; 
 Gregory, the third son, died in California ; Patrick, who attended Rigaud College, 
 receiving his diploma in 1892, and Henry, are in Michigan; Margaret A., married to 
 James Linns, lives in this place. Mrs. Conway died March 6th, 1893. 
 
 Mr. Conway, from a small beginning, has risen to be one of the leading farmers 
 of the township ; he has a fine farm of 200 acres, a good brick residence, and all his 
 children have received a good education. 
 
 James Kennedy, born in County Cavan, Ireland, was a soldier in the English 
 army, and came to Canada with the Royal Staff Corps, and worked on the Carillon 
 canal. He was married in Montreal, to Miss Mary McDonald, and afterwards went 
 to work for Hamilton Bros., of Hawkesbury. He was drowned in Hawkesbury in 
 1839, leaving a widow and ten children, who lived on Lot 22, 2nd Concession, which 
 Mr. Kennedy had bought from Hamilton Bros. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 60 r 
 
 [reland, in 
 did in this 
 he bought 
 ig ; it was 
 Ir. Conway 
 traineau;" 
 Hght. He 
 of William 
 1853. The 
 ;s on a fine 
 lifornia and 
 married tlie 
 lildren— five 
 ne exception 
 k, who is in 
 Mr. Conway 
 gr of Robert 
 ildhood, and 
 tion, yet, by 
 es favorab.y 
 tid, which he 
 his children. 
 
 »nd marriage, 
 College, and 
 aining 95 per 
 or. He was 
 |ian, of East 
 .1 in the 2nd 
 [ising farmers 
 
 and brother, 
 |nry Allen, in 
 
 shanty, and 
 .ot 23, in the 
 irs. He was 
 [ry ; they had 
 le now living. 
 Ire at home; 
 
 lud College, 
 1., married to 
 
 [ding farmers 
 , and all his 
 
 1^ the English 
 
 , the Carillon 
 Lwards went 
 (awkesbury in 
 \ssion, which 
 
 Of the ten children, Jamts Kennedy, jr., is believed to be the only one now 
 living. He was a twin brother of 'I'homas ; they were born in February i, 1835. 
 Thomas, who was a blacksmith by trade, died in Erie, Pa., in 1865. 
 
 'I he name Titley is of German extraction, and the first ancestor of this family 
 who came to Canada had been a soldier in the German army. 
 
 One of his descendants, John Baptiste Titley, was born in Rigaud, in 1831. 
 He remained at home until 16 years of age, when he commenced lumbering, continu- 
 ing that business for several years. In 1857 '^^ ^'^^^ married to Miss Tiieresa Braseux, 
 of li'Orignal; he then returned to his farm in the 2nd Concession, which he had 
 bought in 1854. Before his death he bought 50 acres more of tlie same lot. He died 
 in 1873, at the age of 42, leaving a widow, four sons and two daughters ; the children 
 are ail living. Mrs. Titley continued to manage the farm, witli tlie help of her 
 ciiildren, and bought 50 acres more; she died in 1889, aged 59 years. 
 
 Margaret, tlie eldest daughter, who is married, lives in Glengarry; Mary L., also 
 married, lives in this place. Theodule, the eldest son, mirried, in 1894, Miss 
 Rosanna De Cire ; his two brothers, .Solomon and Adolphus, live on the homestead ; 
 the three conducting the farm. Zodique, the second son, who is married, also lives in 
 East Havvkesbury. 
 
 Christopher Spratt came from the North of Ireland, and settled in East 
 Hawkesbury on the farm now occupied by his son George. Joseph Spratt, the second 
 son was born in 1838, and has always remained in this place. In 1874 ho Ixjught 
 his present farm. Lot 19, 3rd Concession. He was married in 1864 to Miss Nancy 
 Gibson, daughter of John Gibson, of Point Fortune ; they have two sons and five 
 daughters. Mary, the eldest daughter, is married to John Middleton, of Point 
 Fortune; Elizabeth, the second daughter, is in Massachusetts; Ethel, the third, is a 
 teacher in Cypress River, Manitoba; and Christopher, the eldest son, is also in Mani- 
 toba. The other children remain at home. 
 
 James Beggs was born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, 15th October, 1823, 
 and came to this r untry in 1841. He followeJ his trade — that of shoe-m.iking — in 
 Vankleek Hill for several years, and while there wa-> converted and becamj a staunch 
 supporter of the Methodist Church. He was married in 184S to Margaret Cowan, 
 and afterwards came to this section and bought 100 acres — the east half of Lot 7, in 
 the 2nd Range, on wjiich he lived till his death. When Mr. Beggs bought this Lot 
 it was wild land, and by great industry he cleared it, and also bought 100 acres more 
 before his death, which took place i8lh October, 1874. Mrs. Beggs died 14th 
 February, 1893 ; both left behind them the memory of upright. Christian lives, whose 
 influence was always for good. Mr. Beggs acted as School Trustee for several years. 
 They had six sons and four daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are 
 now living. 
 
 William Begg.s, the third son, who remained on the homestead, was married 8th 
 March, 1893, to Margaret, daughter of Alexander Lamb, of Point Fortune, and has 
 one child. Mr. Beggs has a fine farm, which will be noted with pleasure by any 
 passing through this section, and is an earnest advocate of temperance and all 
 Christian work. 
 
 A few years after Mr. Beggs settled here, John Boa settled on an adjacent 
 Lot; he lived here till his death in 1875 o'" "^7^) ''•"^ reared a family of respected 
 and hidi'strious children. He left three sons and five daughters, but only four of the 
 latter are now living. 
 
 Robert Boa the eldest son, lives on the homestead ; he was married in Decem- 
 ber, 1884, to Katie, daughter of Alexander Lamb of Point Fortune. Mrs. Boa is 
 
 39 
 
 iti 
 
 
6oj 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 
 an active worker in tlie cause of temperance, and is President of the VV. C T. U. of 
 Pt. Fortune. 
 
 Simon, a brother of Robert Boa, lives on an adjoining farm ; he married liizzie, 
 a daughter of James 'I'aylor of East Hawkesbury. lOdward, another son of the late 
 Joiin Boa, is in BiifTalo, N.Y. 
 
 'J'he respected family of the late Mr. John McPhaden live in this section. The. 
 following obituary of Mr. McPhaden is taken from the I„u;hnte VVatchtnan : — 
 
 " Died 20th December, 1875. One more of the old landmarks has gone — Mr. 
 John McPiiaden. Pope says : "An lionest man is the noblest work of God," and 
 truly that may be said of him. He had always an open hand to the i)oor .md needy, 
 and was always ready to help the deserving in any way he could. His remains were 
 interred on Wednesday, 22nd, at one o'clock ; service was held in St. Columba'^ 
 Church ; he struck the first blow in quarrying the stone used in tiie erection of tin-, 
 church, and was a member of the building committee." 
 
 CoQUF.REi.LK is the name given to a localitv between the 3rd and 4th Conces- 
 sions of East Hawkesbury, distant about three and a half miles from the town line. 
 Among the first settlers in this place were the Harvevs, whose descendants of the 
 third generation arc still here; Quintin McAdam, who lived in the east half of Eot 
 II in the 3rd Concession, a farm now owned i)y Mr. Doe ; Robert Smith, sen., who 
 still lives here, at the age of 93, and !iis son Robert ; John Wiley, who passed away 
 some lime since, leaving a large family. Stephen anl James, two of the sons, botli 
 Well-to-do farmers, liv*. in this Concession ; ihe lalttr has been Reeve and Deputy- 
 Reeve for several years ; John, another son, lives in the 2nd Concession ; and the 
 widow of Robert, another brotlier, lives with her family on the old homestead. 
 
 John Dockstadter, son of Simon Dockstadter, one of the early settlers ol 
 River Rouge ; David McCullocij, who came with his family from Isle aux Chats, 
 Argenteuil County, in 1868; and Malcolm McCallum, who still lives here, werea'so 
 among the early settlers. 
 
 The small church here, called the Dempsey Chipel in memory of tiie Rev. J. 
 Denipsey, wiio first preached the Gospel in this settlement, was built during the pas- 
 torate of the Rev. J. W. Manning, while he was stationed at St. Andrews, Que. 
 Previous to its erection, services had been held in the school-house by Mr. Dempsey. 
 The chapel when built was block, but has since been brick-encased, and presents a 
 very neat appearance; it has a seating capacity of about 150. Besides the usuil 
 services, Sunday School is also held here every Sabbath. 
 
 Among those who were active in establishing the church and contributed towards 
 its erection with work and money, were : James Taylor, Robert Smith, jun., and John 
 McDuff, sen. These formed the committee. The church is built on land given by 
 Robert Smithson. 
 
 James Taylor, from Isle aux Chats, was married in that place in June, 1854, to 
 Jane, daughter of James McCuUocli, came to Hawkesbury the same year, and bouL^hl 
 the east half of Lot 12, 3rd Concession. Seven children have been born to Mr. anl 
 Mrs. Taylor — two daughters and five sons, but two of the latter died in childiiood. 
 
 Robert, the eldest son, is a carpenter at Vankleek Hill ; John S., the second son, 
 is farming in Breadalbane; Joseph B., the youngest, married, resides on the home- 
 stead. Margaret, the eldest daughter, widow of James Beggs, lives in Breadalbane, 
 Glengarry County, Ont.; Elizabeth, married to Simon Boa, lives on the 2nd Conces- 
 sion of this township. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, having reaped the reward of their toil, are living in retire- 
 ment in their fine brick residence, erected in 1888. 
 
HISTORY OK I'RESCOTT. 
 
 «os 
 
 .C. T. U. of 
 
 riicd Lizzie, 
 1 of tlio lale 
 
 icctioii. The 
 I an : — 
 3 gone — Mr. 
 fGod," and 
 ir and needy, 
 remains were 
 t. Columba's 
 icliuii of tlu-i 
 
 1 4tli Conces- 
 he town line, 
 ndants of liic 
 St half of Lot 
 TH, sen., wlio 
 ) passed away 
 le sons, botli 
 and Depnty- 
 ion ; and the 
 nestead. 
 ly settlers ot 
 c aux Chats, 
 lere, were a'so 
 
 the Rev. J. 
 ring the pas- 
 drews, Que. 
 
 r. Dempsey- 
 d presents a 
 
 es the usual 
 
 lUted towards 
 111., and John 
 md given ! y 
 
 inie, 1854, t" 
 and boui^hi 
 
 n to Mr. and 
 
 childiiood. 
 second son, 
 
 )n the homc- 
 Jreadalbane, 
 
 1 2nd Conces- 
 
 ling in retire- 
 
 JoHN Cai'Kon, eldest son of John Capron, was boro 3rd October, 1856. When 
 II years of age he began carrying,' mail on horseback from Vankleek Hill to Point 
 I'ortunc, his father having Cdiitracled for the work. lie did this for three years, 
 summer and winter, often over very bad roads. Most of his life he has been engaged 
 in farming, though two winters were spent in lumbering in the South Woo Is, Frank- 
 lin County, N.Y.; he has also dealt in horses and (attic, in company with his father, 
 helping to supply the Montreal markets. In June, 1887, he was married to Livonia 
 H., daughter of Alexander Kingsbury; he then took the north half of a Lot in the 
 4th Concession, built on it a brick residence and new outbuildings, and in 1888 came 
 here to live. Mr. and Mrs. (,'apron have two children — both sons. 
 
 AMKDfeE Lerou.x, son of C. Leroux, a prominent farmer of St. Placido, who was 
 Mayor of that jilace for over 20 years, was born in St. Placide in 1841. When 12 
 years of age he commenced work as clerk in IJeauharnois, Que., acting in that capa- 
 city for some time there and in Montreal. After returning home and working on his 
 father's farm two years, he removed to his present farm in the 3rd Concession. In 
 1862 he was married to Miss M. Desjardins, of St. Andrews. About 1880 he went 
 to Dakota, where he remained seven ye.irs, acting most of the lime as foreman on a 
 large faim ; since his return to this section he has, in connection with his farming, 
 been engaged extensively in cheese-making, (nvning six factories — three in Prescott 
 and three in Argcnteuil. Mrs. Leroux died in 1S86, leaving seven children — two sons 
 and five daughters ; the daiigluers, who are all married, live in this County. The 
 sons, Anselm and Wilfred, have attended college at Grande Ligne, Que. 
 
 JosKPH LaDukic, son of P. LaDuke, was born in Rigaud in 1830. When he 
 was sixteen years of age, his fatlier cauic to East Hawkesbury and bought a half-lot 
 in the 3rd ("oncession. Joseph engaged in lumbering for several years, and during 
 the time jjought a half-lot in the 3rd Concession, to which he removed after his mar- 
 riage with Mary, daughter of Patrick McDonald. His farm was at that time to a 
 great extent wooded. He continued lumbering fourteen winters after his marriage, 
 but worked on his farm during the summer, and afterwards bought the north half of 
 Lot 22, which gave him altogether 100 acres. 
 
 Mrs. LaDuke died i8lh March, 1895, leaving four sons and four daughters, 
 who arc all, with the exception of two, residents of this County. Kdward, one of the 
 sons, is in Butte, Montana, and Elizabeth is also in the United States ; Margaret, 
 the eldest, and Sarah, the second daughter, wife of Joseph Chevericre, live at home; 
 Mary J., the fourth daughter, is the wife of Mr, M. Moore, of Vankleek Hill. Patrick 
 IL, one of the sons, is attending college in Rigaud, and John J. is learning the black- 
 smith trade in Grenville. 
 
 Joseph, the son living here, was born ist June, i860; he remained at home, 
 with the exception of a few winters spent in lumbering, until 1889, '" which year he 
 went to Butte City, Montana. He remained there six years, engaged in mining and 
 other occupations, and in February, 1895, returned and took his father's farm. 
 
 Mr. LaDuke has a fine brick residence which he built about six years ago, and 
 his farm, in its high state of cultivation, bears evidence that much toil has been 
 expended on it. 
 
 Daniel Hovsteu, son of Thomas Hoysted, was born in County Kildare, Ireland, 
 and came to this country with his father when about 9 years of age. They first came 
 to " The Sny," and Mr. Hoysted, sen., who was a miller by trade, commenced work 
 for Hamilton and Low. Daniel, when about 18 years of age, entered the employ of 
 the Hamiltons, on the River Rouge, and continued with them twenty years ; during 
 the last eight years of his service he was employed by this firm as foreman on the 
 
 %^ 
 
6o4 
 
 HISTORY OK I'RESCOTT. 
 
 lower farm. Wliilc engaged with ihem he had bought his present farm in the ^rd 
 Concx'ssion. In 1864 lie was married to Catiierine, daughter of tiie late Neil Ward 
 of this place, and the same year removetl to his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hoysted have 
 had ten children, of whom eight daughters and one son are living ; the eldest son 
 died in cliildhood. 
 
 Mary, the eldest, wife of Peter Mcliitce; Anna, the second, wife of Thomas 
 McCormac k ; and Julia, the third daughter, wife of lOdward St. Denis, all live in this 
 l)lace ; the other children remain at home. Since coming to his farm, Mr. Hoysted 
 has erected a fine brick residence and several other dwellings. 
 
 William ("unnino came to Canad.i from i5elfast, Ireland, about 1853, with his 
 wife and three sons. He was a cooper by trade, and after his arrival, ccjinmenced 
 work for ihe Hamilton brothers, rem lining with them nine years. He then bought 
 a lot in the 3rd Concession, which is now occupied by iiis youngest son, Robert. 
 After Mr. (Running removed to this place, he continued to follow his trade in con- 
 nection with farming until his death, which occurrcil in July, 1877 Mrs. Cunning 
 survives him, living with her son Robert on the old homestead. The latter, who was 
 born 14th March, 1856, always remained at home, with the exception of one year 
 spent in lumbering on the Ottawa. He has managed the fiirm since 1875. In 18S5 
 he was married to Edith, daughter of James Mark, jun., of East Hawkesbury. They 
 have five children — three sons and two daughters. 
 
 Tho.mas Hovsted came from County Kildare, Ireland, to New York City ; 
 thence he went to Boston, remained in the latter city about a year, when he received 
 word Irom his father, who had conje to Canada some years previously, to join him in 
 this countiy. 1 le did so, coming to a farm in I'^ast Hawkesbury, 3rd Concession, on 
 which he has since remained. Two years after his arrival in Hawkesbury he was 
 married to Ellen Kinsela, of the County Kildare, who had been an acquaintance in 
 the Old Countiy, and had recently arrived in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Hoysted have 
 six childien — one son and five daughters. Mary A., the eldest, married to James 
 Milway, lives in Harrington ; KUen, the second daughter, widow of A. LeDuc, 
 Elizabeth, married to Stephen Wyley, and Kate, married to Andrew Allison, jun., all 
 live in East Hawkesbury. Julia, the youngest daughter, lives at home, as does John, 
 the son. The latter has spent a few winters in lumbering, but with that exception 
 has always r lained here. 
 
 STARDALE. 
 
 The Post-office o^ this name was opened here a few years ago in the residence of 
 Mr. James Steele, who was appointed Postmaster. On his removal to Vankleek Hill, 
 he was succeeded by Mr. Pioudfoot. Mr. Proudfoot has been engaged in checjc- 
 making in the factory here for the past six seasons, four of which he worked for 
 Messrs. LeRoy and Ogden ; the past two seasons he has conducted the factory for 
 its patrons, who bought it from the previous owners. Mr. Proudfoot is assisted by 
 his brother R obert. ; ; : 
 
 Nelson Martin Burwash, second son of Nelson Burwash, was born 5th March, 
 1851, and has always remained at home. While quite young he joined No. 4 Com- 
 pany, 1 8th Battalion, and accompanied it to Cornwall and Prescott in 1868. In 
 1873 he was married to Mary J., daughter of James Steele; they lived in the 4th 
 Concession three years, at the end of which time he bought his father-in-law's farm 
 in the 3rd Concession. Mr. and Mrs. Burwash have five sons and three daughters. 
 Wilfred Henry, the eldest son is in Manitoba ; James Nelson, the third son, is attend- 
 
in the jrd 
 Neil Ward 
 
 lysted luvc 
 eldest son 
 
 of Thomas 
 
 live in this 
 
 r. Hoysted 
 
 53, Willi his 
 conimcnced 
 ihcn bought 
 on, Robert, 
 rade in <:on- 
 rs. Cunning 
 Iter, who was 
 of one year 
 r5. In 1885 
 bury. They 
 
 York City ; 
 \ he received 
 3 join hin\ in 
 mcession, on 
 bury he was 
 naintance in 
 oysied iiave 
 cd to James 
 If A. LeDuc, 
 son, Jan., all 
 s does John, 
 at exception 
 
 residence uf 
 
 mkleek Hill, 
 
 Id in chee'^e- 
 
 worked for 
 
 factory for 
 
 assisted by 
 
 m 5th March, 
 lo, 4 Coni- 
 m 1868. In 
 in the 4^h 
 li-law's farm 
 daughters. 
 In, is aitcnd- 
 
 IIISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 605 
 
 ing the Academy at Vankleek Hill, and the others are all at home. Mr. Durwash is a 
 good farmer ; he has all the modern farming implements, and has brought his farm to 
 a fine state of cultivation. 
 
 People who, years ago, were troubled with wild animals will, no doubt, be sur- 
 prised to learn that these are not yet extinct. 
 
 Alice, the fourteen-year old daughter of Mr. John Ward, one cv.'ning in Septem- 
 ber last, while going for the cows, saw some animal running across the road which 
 leads past the woods at this place. The dog which was with her ran after it and 
 chased it up a tree. Alice went to the foot of the tree and watched the animal some 
 time, hoping some of the men would come in sight, but no one appearing, she decided 
 that she must try some other ])l:in of obtaining help. Having some jjaper in her 
 l)Ocket, with a pin she scratched on it these words : — "Come down to the bush, there 
 is a large beast in a tree." Giving this note to a little boy who was with her, and who 
 could not talk plainly, she told iiim to run with it to the house. He did so, and soon, 
 to Alice's relief, her brother William appeared, who, on looking at the animal, pro- 
 nounced it a lynx. He went back to the house and procured a giin, the young girl 
 remaining at her post during his absence, and on his return he shot the lynx, which 
 proved to be a very large one —two feet high, and measuring 3 feel 3 inches from " tip 
 to tip." 
 
 Andrew Allison came from Roxburghshire, Scotland, to Canada in 1828 with 
 his wife and two children ; one of the latter died during the voyage. He was a stone- 
 cutter and mason by trade, and also a draughtsman, and drew plans for canal locks. 
 He was first employed as foreman for McKiy it Redpath, contractors, on the locks 
 of the Rideau Canal at Ottawa. He then went to Carillcjn, where he was also fore- 
 man, during the construction of the lower locks in the canal. After the completion 
 ot this work, he came to Ea«t Hawkesbury in February, 1833, and bought Lot 28, 
 4th Concession. Subsequently, he was foreman on the Cornwall Canal and the locks 
 at St. Ann's, and with three others took a contract for the construction of Lock No. 3 
 and all the calverls on the Beauharnois Canal. He was next Inspector of Masonry on 
 the Ogdensburg R. R., and for the Government on the Richelieu Canal locks. He 
 then returned to the farm, and during the remainder of his life took an active i)art in 
 the affiiirs of the township, being a member of the first Township Council, and was 
 also Reeve. He added to his farm until before his death he owned 400 acres. He 
 died in November, i8(')3, aged 67, and Mrs. Allison in December, 1887, aged 86. 
 They left five children, of whom two sons and two daughters are still living. 
 
 Janet, the youngest, married to John W. Higginson, lives in West Hawkesbury ; 
 Agnes, married to John Kirkconnell, lives in Bruce County ; An irew, the younger son, 
 lives in this place. 
 
 William Allison, the elder son, lives on part of the homestead farm ; and has 
 always remained in the place with the exception of a year spent in school in Mon- 
 treal. He is widely known through the County for his public spirit. In 1850, he 
 was elected Deputy-Reeve, and the year following, Reeve, of the township, which latter 
 office he held for 21 years in succession. In 1864 he was Warden of the County, 
 and has been Justice of the Peace since 1854, being the oldest holding that 
 office in the County ; he has also been Clerk of the Court for the past 21 years. His 
 marriage took place in 1847 *" Miss Ann McCormack of East Hawkesbury ; they 
 have three sons and three daughters living. 
 
 Andrew, the eldest, William, the second son, the eldest daughter, married to 
 Dennis Hurley, and the third daughter, married to William Mullin. all reside in East 
 Hawkesbury. The second daughter is married to Daniel McCusker, of Alfred ; James, 
 
6o6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 lb ^oungest son, wlio has always remained on the homestead, was married in 1889 
 to Catherine, daughter of Cornelius Hurley ; they have one son and two daughters. 
 
 Joseph Kyle wnsborn in County Tyrone, Ireland, 1828. His fathftr's family, 
 who were of Scotch origin, had removed to the North of Ireland during the reign of 
 James II. Mr. Kyle was educated in Ireland, and was also married in that co'-.ncry to 
 Martha Gallagher, the newly married couple coming to Canad.i in 1853. The 
 following year, Mr. Kyle commenced teaching in East Hawkesbury, and for many 
 years followed this profession, receiving a pension from the Ontario Government in 
 1886, in recognition of his long and valuable service. In 1872 he bought his present 
 farm, Lot 29, 2nd Concession. 
 
 He has two daughters living in this country — Mary, the eldest, married to Robert 
 Dickson, lives in tiiis place, and Martha, the second, lives at home; William John, 
 the eldest son, is in the North West. 
 
 The name Mooney is very familiar in Easi Hawkesbtiry, and part of the 3rd Con- 
 cession has always been known as the " Moone> Settlement." The first of that name 
 to come here were four brothers — John, Samuel, Alexander and Charles, sons of 
 Alexander Mooney, who came from County Antrim, Ireland; their descendants are 
 numerous in this section. 
 
 Many years ago, Mrs. Mooney gave to her son, Alexander, a coin that had Alex- 
 ander Mooney's name engraven on it during the time of the Rebellion in Ireland. This 
 coin is now in possession of Alexander — one of the ihird generation of that name 
 —who resides in Ottawa . 
 
 Alexander Mooney, from County Antrim, Ireland, came toCanadr in 1831 ; he 
 was a fehoemuker by trade, and worked at his trade for three years in Hawkesbury 
 village. On November i6th, 1835, he was married to Elizabeth Spratt, and in 1837 
 moved to his tarm in the 3rd Concession, which he had purchased a few years pre- 
 vious , he worked at his trade here in connection with farming, for a number of 
 years J he died I st January, 1887, at the age of 86. Mr. and Mrs. Mooney had thirteen 
 children, — nine sons and four daugliters, of whom six sons and two daughters are now 
 living. 'I'hey all settled in tiiis County with the exception of Alexander, the eldest, 
 who, retired from business, is living in Ottawa, and John, the third son, who is farming 
 in Manitoba. Charles, the youngest, born in 1854, has always lived at home. In 1888 
 he was married to Fanny, daughter of the late Edward Sproule, of West Hawkesbury ; 
 they have one son and two daughters. After his father's death, Mr. Mooney took the 
 farm, which is in a fine state of cultivation, and is provided with all the improved 
 farming implements. 
 
 Mrs. Mooney, sr., his mother, resides with him, and is quite active at the age 
 of 86. 
 
 George, fifth son of Alexander Mooney, was born October 2nd, 1850, in 
 E. Hawkesbury ; he remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he engaged in 
 lumbering, following this business for several winters, and spending the summers at 
 home. About 1874 he went to California, where he remained some time, working at 
 machinery used in extracting gold and silver ore from the rock. After visiting home, 
 and returning to California and engaging in mining for sometime, he came back to the 
 farm he now owns in the 3rd Concession. He was married 17th, March 1880, to 
 Henrietta, daughter of Henry Vogan of Riceville; they have two sons and one 
 daughter. Since his marriage, Mr. Mooney has built a *ine brick residence and new 
 outbuildings. He spent the winter of 1887 traveling in California ; he has been 
 School Ttvistee. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 607 
 
 ied in 1889 
 lighters. 
 
 ler's family, 
 tlie reign of 
 t co'Vucry to 
 1853. The 
 A for many 
 vernmcnt in 
 this present 
 
 ;d to Robert 
 illiani John, 
 
 ihe 3rd Con- 
 of that name 
 les, sons of 
 ccndants are 
 
 at had Alex- 
 2land. This 
 )f that name 
 
 ■in 1831 ; he 
 
 Hawkesbury 
 
 and in 1837 
 
 ;w years pre- 
 
 niimber of 
 had thirteen 
 ters are now 
 [r, the eldest, 
 10 is farming 
 ne. In 1888 
 
 awkesbury ; 
 |ney took the 
 
 e improved 
 
 |e at the age 
 
 id, 1850, in 
 
 ' engaged in 
 
 summers at 
 
 'vorking at 
 
 siting home, 
 
 I back to the 
 
 \d\ 1880, to 
 
 IS and one 
 
 ice and ihw 
 
 lie has been 
 
 Samuel Mooney was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1804. He learned the 
 stone-cutting trading in his native place, and worked at it for some time before coming 
 to Canada in 1830. On arriving in this country he worked for a time on the Carillon 
 and Grenville Canal, and also followed his trade in Montreal, and helped build a 
 light house on the Island of Anticosti. He was married in 1835 to Miss Mary 
 Lough, whose native place was also County Antrim. In 1837 ^^'^^V nioved to the farm, 
 Lot 30, of the 3rd Concession, which Mr. Mooney had bought a few years previous ; 
 there were only about 6 acres of the farm cleared at that time. Where tiie " Monte" 
 now runs, there was no road, but the 3rd Concession road was open. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Mooney had two sons and ihree daughters ; Mary, the eldest, 
 married to Thomas Dandy, lives in Manitoba ; Jennie, the second, is tlie wife of 
 Robert Rmherford of West Hawkesbury, and Nancy is married to Solomon Gr 1 t • 
 William (of whom a sketch lias already been given) resides in this place ; Samue' uie 
 youngest, has always remained at home. Mr. Mooney died 31st March, 1800, > 'id, 
 86 ; Mrs. Mooney still survives, and at the age of 86 is active, and retains her faci '.d 
 to a remarkable degree. 
 
 Charles Moonev, is the youngest of the four brothers whose father, Alexander 
 Mooney, came to this country in 1831. He lived a few years with his brother, Samuel, 
 and spent some tiine in lumbering. He was married in 1844, to May, daughter of 
 James McNie of East Hawkesbury; they had seven children, — five sons and two 
 daughters, who are all living Mr. Mooney purchased halves of three lots in the 3rd 
 Concession. He died March, iSgr, aged 69, and Mrs. Mooney died in March, 1884, 
 aged 62. Alexander, the eldest son, has spent most of his life in California, and in 
 diflferent parts of the United States. John C, of whom a sketch has already been 
 given, lives here ; Samuel C , the third son, lives in Vankleek Hill ; Charles C, the 
 youngest, lives in this place; Janet, the eldest daughter, married to Mr. Rulpii Leroy ; 
 .Mary,* the ycjungest, lives on the homestead with her brother, James C, the fourth 
 son, who was born iSth September, 1864. He has always remained at home, and has 
 managed the farm, both before and since his father's death. In 1892 he was married 
 to Eliza, daughter of the late John Mclnnis of Vankleek Hill. Mr. Mooney has 
 always been a fancier of fine horses, and has exhibited a good many prize winners at 
 Prescott and several other Country Fairs. 
 
 William McNie, second son of James McNie, was born 14th March, 1853, on 
 the farm where he now resides. He remained at home until the age of 22, when he 
 went to California foi eight years. While in that State, he acted as foreman for 
 Chas. F, Reed, of Sacramento County, who managed a farm of 5000 acres. In 1883 
 Mr. McNie retvirned to this ])lace and bought his father's farm in the third Concession. 
 He was married in 1886 to Florence, daughter of Alexander Hunter, of W. Hawkes- 
 bury ; they have three sons and one daughter. 
 
 Mr. McNie is an advanced farmer, has a fine herd of .Ayrshire cattle, and is 
 making many improvements on his farm. 
 
 Oliver Ortom, a U. E. Loyalist, was the first settler in this section, coming here 
 in 1826 from West Hawkesbury; previous to his removal to West Hawkesbury, he 
 had lived in Lachute, Argenteuil Co. He was a Christian man, and a class Jeader, 
 aud used frequently to lecture in this vicinity and in West Hawkesbury. 
 
 His son, Samuel Orto.v, was born itth December, 1814, in East Hawkesbury, 
 and always remained at home. He was married 13th February, 1837, ^o Clarissa, 
 d.iughter of Timothy Pool of Lachute; they had eight children — three sons and five 
 daughters. Two of the daughters are now deceased. 
 
 •Now deceased. ' 
 
6o8 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 
 t 
 
 -a I 
 
 Charles, the eldest son, lives on Vankleek Hill ; William, the second son, is in 
 Montreal ; Hannah M. and Elizabeth A., the former married to J. Rutherford, and 
 the latter to John Mooney, are both residents of this place ; Clarissa A. V., widow of 
 Mr. Burgess, lives in New York State. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Orton died lolh October, 1871, aged 57 ; Mrs. Orton survives him, 
 and is living, at the age of 82, wiih her son Levi. Mi. Orton, like his father, was 
 a Christian man, highly respected by all. He took an active part in the affairs of the 
 township, was Collector and Assessor, and held several other offices. 
 
 Levi S., the third son, was born 4th April, 1842, and is owner of the old home- 
 stead in the 3rd Concession. He was married in 1871 to Kate, daughter of the late 
 Ad.im Murray ; they have seven sons and three daughters, wlio are all at liome, 
 except the three eldest, Samuel J. and Arthur L., who are in Manitoba, and Alta E., 
 who is in Lowell, Mass. • 
 
 John Matthews came from Radnorshire, Wales, to Canada in 1836 or 1837, 
 with six children. He first came to Carillon, remained there a short time, and then 
 moved to Centervilie, buymg, on the North River, the farm now occupied by his 
 third son, Samuel Harvey Matthews. Mr. Matthews, the subject of our sketch, for 
 the sake of his health, went to Portland, Maine, in 1862, and remained there till his 
 death, which took place in 1853, atthe age of 62. 
 
 John, the eldest son, was born in Beguilby Parish, Radnorshire, Wales, on ist July, 
 1830. He was twice married — first in 185810 Lucy, daughter of Timothy Bristol 
 of E. Hawkesbury. In February of i860, he came to this place, and bought a 
 farm in the 3rd Concession from Mr. Bristol, his father-in-law, who lived with him 
 till his death. Mr. Matthews' first wife, wiio died in February, 1881, left one daughter. 
 His second marriage took place in 1882, to Sarah, daughter of William Nichols, of St. 
 Phillippe ; they have one son. 
 
 Mr Matthews experienced a serious loss by fire in January of 1882, his house 
 with its entire contents being burnt; he lost in this fiie a library of over 600 
 volumes, among which were some very valuable books ; in one of these was a family 
 record containing dates as far back as 1400. Mr. Matthews has since built a neat 
 brick residence. 
 
 David Stephens is a son of Ebenezer Stephens, who came from Vermont to 
 Argenteuil County, Que., in 1804, and settled in Upi)er Lachute. David, who was 
 the second son, was born therein 1816. He was at Grand Brule in 1837, atthe 
 time the church was burnt, and saw the bodies taken out. He was married in 1839 
 to Caroline, daugiiter of Leroy Leavitt, one of the pioneers of Chatham ; they have 
 had eight children, of whom two sons and two daughters are now living. 
 
 Mr. Stephens came to this place (E. Hawkesbury) in 1842, and bought his farm 
 in the 3rd Concession, from Oliver Orton. Mrs. Stephens died here in 1889, at the age 
 of 68. Elise, the eldest daughter, married to Moses Allen, lives in I^'Orignal ; David, 
 the eldest son, a sketch of whom is given, resides here ; Mary Ann, unmarried, lives 
 on the homestead. Levi, the second son, born in 1850, has always remained ;it 
 home, and conducts the farm ; he was married in 1879 to Margaret, daughter of 
 James McNie ; they have had six children, of whom one son and two daughters are 
 now living. 
 
 Robert Rutherford came from Glasgow, Scotland, with his wife, in 1830 or 
 1831,10 Montreal, and remained there for a year, Mr. Rutherford working at his 
 trade, which was that of mason and stonecutter; he then came to East Hawkesbury, 
 among the first settlers, and bought the farm in the 4th Concession, now occupied hv 
 his son James, and which at that time was entirely covered with forest. After coming 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 609 
 
 i son, is in 
 erford, and 
 ., widow of . 
 
 irvivcs him, 
 father, was 
 iffiiirs of the 
 
 e old honie- 
 r of thti late 
 11 at iiorae, 
 md Alta E., 
 
 536 or 1837, 
 lie, and then 
 ipied by his 
 sketch, for 
 there till his 
 
 i,on I St July, 
 nothy Bristol 
 id bouglit a 
 .^ed with him 
 Mie daughter. 
 Jichols, of St. 
 
 p2, his house 
 
 f over 600 
 
 was a family 
 
 built a neat 
 
 Vermont to 
 Kd, who was 
 I1837, at the 
 rried in 1839 
 
 ; they have 
 
 light his farm 
 189, at the age 
 
 jnal ; David, 
 larried, lives 
 Iremained at 
 Jdaughter of 
 
 lug liters aie 
 
 in 1830 or 
 
 rking at liis 
 
 lawkesbuiy, 
 
 |occupied by 
 
 ^fiercomint,' 
 
 here, he with his brother William went to Ottawa to assist in the construction of the 
 Rideau Canal Locks. Mr. Rutherford also worked at his trade in this section in 
 connection with farming for a good many years. His death took place loth July, 
 1880, at the age of 83, and that of Mrs. Rutherford in February, 1884, at the age 
 of 84; they had seven sons and two daughters. 
 
 James Rutherford, the fifth son, born nth June, 1841, began lumbering when 
 seventeen years of years, and followed this occui)ation about eight years. In 1864 
 he was married to Hannah i"I., daughter of the late Samuel Orton of East Hawesbury; 
 they lived in West Hawkesbury (v. here Mr. Rutherford had bought a farm sometime 
 ])reviou.s) until March, 1883, when they came here and bought the old homestead 
 from the widow of WilKam Rutherford, his brother. Mr. and Mrs. Ruthciford have 
 eight children — six sons and two daughters. Adelia M., the elder daughter, is married 
 to Adam Murray of this place ; Winetta !•"., the younger, is a teacher ; Wiiburn J., the 
 second son, is in Manitoba, and the others are all at home. 
 
 Charles (^ Mooney, youngest son of Charles Mooney, was born in 1866, and 
 remained at home until about 21, when he went to California, and there spent some 
 time. After his return lie bought, in 1889, the farm. Lot 34, 3rd Concession, which 
 was owned by the late Charles Tweed. In 1890 he married Margaret Anna, daughter 
 of John Douglas of West Hawkesbury ; they have one child — a daugiucr. In 1895, 
 Mr. Mooney added to his farm by buying from Andrew Allison part of the old Tweed 
 honu'Stead. He has always made a specially of keeping fine horses. 
 
 CoRNELiu.s HuRi.EV, sccoud SOU of Deuuis Hurley, \^as born in 1833, in East 
 Hawkesbury. In i860 he went to California, where he remained five years, engaged 
 in niming and different occupations. Two years after his return, he look the farm in 
 the 4th Concession from his father, and has since bought the west half of Lot 35 and 
 also 50 acres of Lot 32 in the 4ih Concession. In 1867 he was married to Maigaret, 
 daughter of the late Hugh McNeil of this place ; they have five sons and six daugh- 
 ters, of whom several of the oldest received college training. Two of the sons. Hugh 
 and Cornelius, are merchants in Vankleek Hill; Catherine, the eldest daughter, is 
 married to James Allison of this place ; the other children still remain at home. 
 
 Martin Ogden, third son of Joseph Ogden, was born in East Hawkesbury in 
 1833. i'l '^57 '^c started on a visit to the Western and Southern States, and spent 
 two winters in New Orleans, being in that city at the time the inhabitants were being 
 drafted during the American Rebellion. After an absence of five years he returned to 
 East Hawkesbury, taking up his residence after his marriage on the farm he had 
 bought before going t > the West. He was married in St. Andrews in 1863 to Eliza- 
 beth, daughter of Donald McLarty, who came to St. Andrews from Scotland, and 
 was a [lilot on the Ottawa River for a number of years. 
 
 Mr and Mrs. Ogden have seven children — three sons and four daughters. John 
 Crosbie, le eldest, is in North Dakota ; Alma, the second daughter, is a teacher. 
 The othei all remain at home. Georgie, the third daughter, when thirteen years of 
 age, receiv i first prize from the Montreal IVitncss for an original story — " A Cana- 
 dian Heroii.c," published in the histo;y of Pt. Fortune. 
 
 Mr. Ogden was a member of'the rSth Battalion, in his brother's (Captain Ogden's) 
 No. 4 Company, and was with this Company at Ottawa in 1866, during the Fenian 
 Raids. 
 
 ■ : . ST. EUGENE. 
 
 St. Eugene, quite a noted locality and a fine farming section, is located in the 
 south eastern part of the township. Besides stores and hotels, which are hereafter 
 noticed J. Fairfield has a steam saw-mill hare, wiiich does a large business. Two 
 similar mills have been burned, but, phoenix like, another has arisen from their a ;he3. 
 
6io 
 
 HISTORY- OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 A separate school was eslablisl>ed in 1853, and is still in a flourishing condition, 
 having an attendance of about 140 pupils. The present teachers arc Joseph Proulx, 
 son of Isidore Proulx, M.P., of Hrescott, and Miss Bertrand, assistant. 
 
 There is also a tannery here. 
 
 This place is more fully described in the following interesting history of the 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 M 
 
 i^ 
 
 There is an old, old story in the Gospel about seed that fell on good and bad 
 ground, some of which never grew ; other seed died while maturing ; and still other 
 seed there was that falling on good soil, being well cared for, grew up and gave forth 
 fruit a hundred fold. Of the many settlements the last half century has se'^n through- 
 out our country, how many have fiiiled to attain the size of moderate respectability ! 
 How many others there are, that have been stunted in their growth by evil influences 
 or surroundings, and are to day what they were twenty years ago ! But there arc 
 still other places that have grown into pleasant villages and hamlets, which, blessed 
 by God and Nature, are become a peaceful paradise that delight the eye, and promise 
 much for the civilization of the future. Such an one as this, is St. Eugene, which, 
 although it be but forty years since it summoned public attention to itself, is to-day 
 one of the most flourishing villages in Eastern Ontario. 
 
 Tiie story of St. Eugene commences with the primitive histoiy of PrescoU 
 County. Back in the years when the woods grew wild, when roads were as yet 
 unmade, when crops were poor and scanty — when nature in her untrammelled wikl- 
 ness reigned supreme about her, — then commences the story of the settlement of St. 
 Eugdne. 
 
 Scattered throughout the country were some newly-settled fixmilies, gathered 
 into a struggling township and livingafter the rude manner of all pioneers. Early in 
 the year 1852, these settlers sent a petition to the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Guignes, the Bishop 
 of Ottawa, requesting the services of a priest who should care for their urgent spiritual 
 needs. Like a true father, his Lordship heard the plaint of his needy children, and 
 sent Fr. Bourassa from L'Orignal, who from time to time visited the infant settle- 
 ment, ministering to their needs, temporal and spiritual. Over roads where no vehi- 
 cle could comfortably pass, often through deep woods or across bleak plains, came 
 the good priest, undaunted by peril or hardship, while he could pour balm upon sorely- 
 tried hearts, or whisper words of cheerful comfort to a discouraged one, or urge 
 the workers on to better deeds. All the while he neglected not their hungering 
 souls, but fed them with the Bread of Life. 
 
 The few families of his flock, whether French-Canadian, Scotch or Irish, soon 
 drew others of their varied nationalities to share with them their hardshipand volun- 
 tary exile. Indeed such hardships so heroically borne, together with the care given 
 by the priest, must have proved a sure recommendation to settlers, for it is said — 
 where the priest is, there will the people be also. And so, though a barn served for 
 the service of Holy Mass in true pioneer fashion, the community flourished and 
 grew like the mustard seed spoken of in Holy Writ, until in November, 1854, Fr. 
 Bourassa bniit a small chapel 60 x 30, which in appearance o;ily could be called a 
 church. Henceforward the mission was attended more frequently and at regular in- 
 tervals, until about November, 1854, Fr. J. J. Collins succeeded Fr. Bourassa and 
 became the first resident pastor. The times of his pastorate were very severe, and 
 the place under such trials must have seemed very unpromising. But through all 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOIT. 
 
 6ll 
 
 ig condition, 
 seph Proulx, 
 
 5tory of llie 
 
 )od and bad 
 nd still other 
 id gave forth 
 e-^n thruugli- 
 spectability ! 
 vil influences 
 lut there are 
 lich, blessed 
 and promise 
 g^ne, which, 
 elf, is to-day 
 
 of Prescoit 
 were as yet 
 inielled wikl- 
 lenient of St. 
 
 :s, gathered 
 Early \n 
 \, the Bishop 
 nt spiritual 
 |iildren, and 
 ifant settle- 
 ere no vehi- 
 lains, came 
 ipon sorely- 
 |ne, or urge 
 uingering 
 
 Irish, soon 
 and vol u II- 
 care given 
 lit is said — 
 served for 
 Irished and 
 1854, Fr. 
 )e called .1 
 I regular in- 
 urassa and 
 levere, and 
 Ihrough all 
 
 the troubles and hardships (and they were well-nigh overwhelming), the good Father 
 struggled on — working with those who worked, and healing the hearts seared with 
 the weights of hardship in a time when the farmers had not crops sufficient for them- 
 selves. 
 
 Afterwards, when belter tidings came and the township increased in numbers, 
 the zealous pastor persuaded his fiood people to build better accommodations. A new 
 church 225 X 50 was commenced in 1863, but before its completion in 1864, Fr. Col- 
 lins was transferred to Pakenham, Ont., and was succeeded by Fr. Duhamel, who 
 has since beccmie Archbishop of Ottawa. 
 
 Under Fr. Duhamel came the period of success and steady growth that follows 
 the painstaking period of all young settlements. From this on, the parish grew 
 steadily stronger and larger. The new pastor, by hard work and dint of persevering 
 labor saw the new church finished in 1868, and dedicated by the late Mgr. Jos. 
 Eugene Guigues, first Bishop of Ottawa. Indeed the young pastor proved a better 
 manager than his superiors had anticipated; so that, immediately after the dedica- 
 tion of the cinirch, he was able to contract for the finishing of the interior and the 
 vestry with Jos. Archambault from L'Assomption, P.Q. Soon afterwards, however, 
 he was chosen by Rome to si.ccced as Bishop of Ottawa, Rt. Rev. Bishop Guigi es, 
 who died in Febru.-iry, 1874. 
 
 To succeed him as parish priest of St. Eugene, the Rev. F'alher Fabien Towner 
 was selected in October, 1874, by His Lordship, the new Bishop, and was accord- 
 ingly transferred from Thuiso and St. Malachy mission. Previous to his appointment 
 to Thurso and St. Malachy Mission, where he was parish priest for three years, Rev. 
 Father F. Towner had assisted for one year the Ven. Feather J. J. Lynch, P.P., at Allu- 
 melte Island, when the parish work called him to missions in the Province of Quebec as 
 well as in Ontario, such as : Roediff, Deux Rivieres, Des Joachim, Point Alexander, 
 Trout Lake, Sheen Brough and other places. 
 
 Arriving a', St, F^ugene he found a large parish extending from the 3rd Concession 
 of East Hawkesbuiy to tlie gth Concession, called the " Grand Chrntier," and includ- 
 ing some 44c French, Irish and Scotch families. His Lordship, Bishop Duhamel, 
 while visiting here in 1882 on his pastoral visit, realized that the church accommo- 
 dations were too small for tne congregation. Accordingly the 7th, 8th and gth Con- 
 cessions were formed into the new parish of St, Ann of Prescott. Father Towner, 
 acting on the instructions of the Rt. Kev. Bisiiop, with the assistance of Rev. Vicar- 
 General Routhier, in December, 1882, selected a lot on the road of the 8th Con- 
 cession, upon which the new parish church was commenced. September, 1884, saw 
 Fr. Towner's zealous labors completed and crowned wiih success. The new church 
 was duly dedicated, and on the same day a bell was blessed before the whole congre 
 gation and many visitors from the neighboring parishes. It was a grand gala day for 
 St. Eugene, and justly proud was the good pastor at thus witnessing the consumma- 
 tion of his work. 
 
 In 1885 his health demanded the aid of a fellow-priest, and Rev. Father C. 
 Drolet was sent to his assistance by the kind Bishop Duhamel. Father Towner was 
 thus enabled to obtain a. much-needed vacation, and accordingly he went to luirope 
 in April, 1885, returning in August, just before a fierce conflagration took place, 
 which threatened to destroy the whole village, including the churcli. However, a 
 part of St, Eugdr.e was spared, and to day it stands strong and robust in a glorious 
 youth. And what a beautiful village it is ! Where before, were woods untiammelled 
 and unmatked by houses, roads or fences — to-day, is the thriving hamlet with its 
 quaint, pretty houses skirting the road, and comfortable farms running back to the 
 woods, which must soon disappear before the onward progress of the thrifty villagers. 
 
6l2 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 m 
 
 And not only has St. Eugene becom; a successful village, but under her zealous 
 pastor, the Rev. Father Towner's care, sprang up the neighboring parish of St. 
 Joachim, in Chute au Blondeau, with its resident pastor, like at St. Ann's. Where 
 once was a poor mission attended by a visiting missionary, there is now the fruitful 
 parent St. Eugene and the two off-shoots, St. Ann's and St. Joachim's, with three 
 handsome churches and a magnificent presbytery at St. Eugdne, erected in i88S. 
 Surely a marvellous increase is this won lerful growth of St. Eugene. May the good 
 work continue ! And round about St. Eugene may there spring up miny missions to 
 crown and bless the efforts of her pri^ists and people and all those who love and 
 honor the parish of St. Eugene. 
 
 The Rkv. Fab I en Towner was born in St. Johns, Que,, educated in 
 Montreal College and at Ottawa, graduating in the latter city in 1865. ^^ ^^'"^^ 
 ordained 29th May, 1870, by Bishop Pinsonnault, in St. Joseph's Church, Ottawa. 
 His first appointment was at Allumetle Island, as assistant priest, and from that 
 place he was railed to Thurso by the late Bishop Guigues» In 1874 he was translated 
 to St. Eugene, where he has since remained. The Rev. Mr. Towner is a gentleman 
 of much ability, and commands the respect not only of his parishioners, but of all 
 who know iiim. 
 
 Patrick Kelly was born in 1830 ; he lived in the 6th Concession, aid engaged 
 in farming until 1873, in which year he came liere and engaged in the hotel business, 
 and in 1881 built the brick hotel he now occupies. He has been bailiff since 1871, 
 and Township Treasurer since 1875, and has also been Licensed Auctioneer for tiie 
 counties of Prescott and Russell for tiie past 20 years. While managing his farm he 
 also dealt in live stock for some years. He was married in 1857, to Mary McManus, 
 of R.igaud; tliey had fourteen children, of whom six are now living. The eldest, 
 Michael, is a dealer in agricultural imi)Iements in this place ; one daughter is mirried 
 to S. Seguin, conductor on the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and the second daughter is 
 a member of a Sisterhood in the United Stales. The second son, Thomas, is a clerk 
 with D. Jameson, merchant ofVankleek Hill; Agnes, the third daughter, is a teacher, 
 and lives at home ; and Alice, the youngest, is still attending school. 
 
 Simon L\b"<osse, J. P., and ex-M.P., was born in St, Benoit in 1836, and is a 
 son of Pierre Labrossc who founded St. Eugene in 1853. Mr. Labrosse was mirried 
 in 1861 to Miss Ethier, of Si. Joseph, County of Two Mountains, and has five sons 
 and two daughters living. Isaie, the eldest son, is employed in his father's store; 
 Eugene, tlie second, is a prie:>t in Montreal ; Louis J, is a dealer in hay and grain in 
 this village, and the two youngest sons are still in college. The daughters remain at 
 home. Mr. Labrosse opened a store here in i860, and has since done a large busi- 
 ness. He was elected to Parliament in 1882 by the Conservatives, and served the 
 people of his constituency for eight years; he has been a Councillor, Deputy-Reeve, 
 and Reeve of the Towns' ip of East Hawkesbury, and Warden of the Counties of 
 Prescott and Russell. Atier the establishment of the Post-office here in 1862, Mr. 
 Labrosse became Postmaster, and acted as such for 18 years, resigning to attend 
 Parliament. 
 
 Paul Labrosse, a son of Pierre, and brother of Sim in Labrosse, was educated in 
 St. Andrews and St. Placide, but his home has been in St. Eugene for many years. 
 He is County Auditor, and has been Treasurer, Assessor and Clerk of the Township, 
 Justice of the Peace and Commissioner for the trial of small causes, and taking afti. 
 davits ; he is also Secretary-Treasurer of the village school. Mr. Labrosse lives in 
 one of the finest houses in St. Eugene. He was married in 1S65 to Miss Anna 
 Ethier, of St. Joseph, County of Two Mountains. 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 613 
 
 her zealous 
 Irish of St. 
 n's. Where 
 V the friiitfvil 
 ;, with three 
 ed in 188S. 
 lay the good 
 • missions to 
 irho love and 
 
 educated in 
 35. He was 
 rch, Ottawa, 
 ind from tliat 
 as translated 
 a gentleman 
 s, but of all 
 
 a id engaged 
 otel business, 
 ff since 1S71, 
 ionicr for tne 
 tr his farm he 
 ry McManus, 
 
 The eldest, 
 ter is mirried 
 d daughter is 
 as, is a clerk 
 
 is a teacher, 
 
 ^36, and is a 
 was mirried 
 Ihas five sons 
 jther's store ; 
 and grain in 
 ;rs remain at 
 large bu si- 
 served the 
 ;puty-Reeve, 
 Counties of 
 In 1862, Mr. 
 Ig to attend 
 
 educated in 
 
 Imany years. 
 
 Township, 
 
 taking affi- 
 
 )sse lives in 
 
 Miss Anna 
 
 William Mark, sr., came from the North of Ireland about 1825, and bought 
 the farm where his son, William j., jr., was born, and now lives. The latter, 
 the subject of our present sketch, worked on the river and at lumbering for 18 
 years; he was one of those employed on tlie first Carillon canal. He afterward 
 returned to St. Eugene, where he has since lived. In i860 he was married to Miss 
 Mary Ritchie, of East Hawkesbury. Mr. and Mrs. Mark have had twelve children, 
 of whom eight are now living. 
 
 J0.SEPH A. Bedard, M.D., is a son of Captain B. A. Bedard, of Rigaud ; he was 
 born in that town, i2ih June, 186 r, and was educated in Rigaud and Victoria 
 Colleges. Dr. Hedard received his degree of M.D. in March, 1889, ^^"<^ commenced 
 practicing in Curran, Ont., in October of the same year, having obtained a license 
 for this Piovince. He came to this place in 1890, and has since remained, building 
 up a laigeand successful practice ; his patients are scattered over a tenitory of many 
 square miles. Dr. Bedard was married 2nd February, 1891, to Miss Alphonsine 
 Montsion, and has three sons. 
 
 Paul Rancor was born in Rigaud in 1S43. I" '^'^ younger days he followed 
 lumbering on the Ottawa for 19 years, and afterward bought a farm in his native 
 town. He then came to St. Eugene, kept a carriage shop here for 5 years, and 
 afterward bought the hotel where he now is. This is a fine large brick building, known 
 as "The Windsor." Mr. Ranger was married in 1877; he has no children, but 
 has acted a kind father's part towards an adopted son, educating him in Rigaud 
 College. He has since obtained a position with Ramsay & Son, of Montreal, and is 
 succeeding in business. 
 
 Samuel O'Reilly, son of Philip O'Reilly, was born in i860, and lived on a farm 
 until 17 years of age. Ho afterward spent some time in the .''tates, then returned to 
 Canada, and attended a Business CuUegc in Belleville, 0.\U He came to this place 
 ill 1888, and opened a store in company with his brother, John M., who died four 
 years later. Mr. O'Reilly also spent several years as clerk in stores heic. In 1891 
 he opened the Balmoral hotel, where he still remains. He was married in 18S9 to 
 Miss McCall. 
 
 Napoleon Labrosse, son of John Baptist Labrosse, was born in St. Hennas, 
 22nd March, 1065. He attended Rigaud College from 1880 to 1882, and after- 
 wards engaged as clerk to I. Sauve, of St. Andrews, where he remained tliree 
 years. He then engaged as clerk for Mr. S. Labrosse in the latter's store, and 
 remained six years, giving entire satisfaction, and making many friends. In Novem- 
 ber of 1890 he bought the old store of A. Labrosse, and the next year put in a stock 
 of general merchandise. In 1893 he built the fine brick store in which he is now 
 doing business. 
 
 Archibald McKinnon came to this place in 1837, *^''om the County of Olen- 
 garry, and bought the farm now owned by Hilaire Villeneuve ; he afterwards sold 
 this farm, and moved into the village. John McKinnon, his son, learned the shoe- 
 maker's trade, when 20 years of age, with John Parker, of St. Andrews ; after remain- 
 ing with the latter a year he came here and opened a shoe shop, which he still cen- 
 
 1 ducts. He was married in 187 i, to Miss Anna Forbes, of East Havkesbury ; they 
 have two sons and one daughter. 
 
 Alexander Kingsbury, son of the late Edward Kingsbury, farmer of River 
 Rouge, was born in that place in the year 1828. He left home at the age of fifteen, 
 
 land engaged in lumbering on the Ottawa, for Ephraim Barron, for about two years; 
 he then went to Hamilton Bros, of Hawkesbury, and remained with them twenty-eight 
 years, serving most of the time as foreman ; he also spent much time on the Gatineau. 
 
6i4 
 
 HISTORY OK I'RESCOTT. 
 
 H; 
 
 While with the Hamilton Bros., Mr. Kingsbury bought his farm in the 4th and 
 5th Concessions, which were then covered wilii forest. In 1867 he came here to live, 
 and built a house, which iias since been replaced by a fine large brick residence. 
 His farm also lias grown to be one of the finest in this section, being in a high state 
 of cultivation, and supporting 25 head of cattle and 4 or 5 horses. Mr. Kingsbury has 
 been for many years, and is still, a Councillor and School Trustee. He was married 
 in 1867 to Margaret, daughter of Archibald .Mbright ; they have two sons and three 
 daughters ; Livonia, the eldest, is married to Jolin Capron, jun., and lives on a farm 
 in the 4th Concession ; the other children are all living at iiorne. 
 
 George Ai,i!Right was born in the Bay settlement in 1.S12. He was married 
 in 1839 'o Mary Burwash of River Rouge, and moving to that place, remained 17 
 years ; he then came to East Hawkesbu.y, and bought a farm in the 4th Concession 
 which was covered with forest, and on it buili a log house. Mr. Albright served as 
 Councillor and School 'JVuslee ; he died 26th August, 1S81, aged 69. Mrs. Albright 
 still survives, and at the age of 73 is active. She lives with her third son, 
 Charles, on the old homestead, and has some interesting reminiscences of 'the Re- 
 bellion of 1837. On one occasion, when a report reached River Rouge, where she 
 lived, that the Rebels were near, she and several other women hid tiiemselves one 
 night behind hay-stacks. Great excitement was caused another night, by a patriotic 
 crowd from Glengarry, who came armed with pitchforks and weapons of a like nature 
 to exterminate the Rebels. Mrs. Albright has foursons and three daughters living; 
 Stephen, the eldest son, lives in Kast Hawkesbury ; Albert, married, is in Manitoba ; 
 and George N., in Michigan ; Jane, the eldest daughter, is married to William LeRoy ; 
 Sarah, to Daniel Kingsbury of River Rouge ; and Ann Lavinia, the youngest, re- 
 mains at home. 
 
 The third son, Charles, has always remained on the homestead. At the age 
 of 21 he bought his fatlier's farm, and in 1892 added to it, so that he now owns 200 
 acres. Like most of the farmers of this place, Mr. Albright has a fine brick house, 
 good outbuildings and all the modern farming implements. He has served as School 
 'I'rustee, and has been a member of liie i8th Battalion of Prescotl for three years. 
 He was married in 1879 to Emma E. Bancroft of Vanklcek Hill. They have had 
 five children, of whom two daugliters and one son are living. 
 
 Stephen, eldest son of George Albright, was born in 1843 ; he remained at 
 home until 21 years of age, when he engaged with Hamilton Brothers, and remained 
 with them eleven years, being foreman four years of that time. He then spent two 
 years in the Western States, and on his return bought his present farm in the 5th 
 Concession. He was married in 1877 to Rachel, daughter of the late Christopher 
 Spratt ; they have five daughters and one son, all but one are at home and attend- 
 ing school. Mr. Albright has been Warden of St. Paul's Church, and School 
 'J'rustee. He also has charge of ditches and water courses in the Township. 
 
 John Capron, son of Nathan Capron, who came about 1812 from Keene, N.H., 
 to Point h'orlune, was born in the latter place in the year 1821. He married Miss 
 Beers of the same place, and settled here, engaging in farming and trading, and 
 afterward keeping hotel. He died from cholera in 1834. 
 
 John, his son, when about a week old, was taken to Rigaud in a bateau, and 
 christened by a priest, as there was no Protestant minister in Point Fortune at the 
 time. Judge and Mrs. McDonell were his godfather and godmother. When 12 
 years of age, he commenced working for Capt. Ligiithall for $6 per month and after- 
 ward went to work for Peter Beers on the promise of a farm. After working for the 
 latter 9 years, and obtaining nothing, he proved an agieement for $10 per month, 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOIT. 
 
 615 
 
 the 4th and 
 :here to live, 
 :k residence. 
 
 a higli suite 
 ingsbury has 
 
 was married 
 )ns and tliicc 
 res on a farm 
 
 : was married 
 remained 17 
 h Concession 
 iglit served as 
 Mrs. All)right 
 ^r third son, 
 ;es of the Re- 
 ige, where she 
 lemselves one 
 by a patriotic 
 f a like nature 
 ighters living; 
 ? in Manitoba ; 
 ilUamLeRoy ; 
 youngest, ro- 
 
 At the age 
 ,now owns 200 
 
 e brick house, 
 Irved as School 
 
 ir three years. 
 
 'hey have had 
 
 he remained at 
 [and remained 
 Ihcn spent two 
 \rm in the 5th 
 Je Christopher 
 lire and altend- 
 and School 
 |wnship. 
 Keene, N.H., 
 married Miss 
 trading, and 
 
 la bateau, and 
 )rtune at the 
 When 12 
 ith and after- 
 )rking for the 
 ;r month. 
 
 sued Mrs. Beers for $1000, but received only $100. He then went to Kingston, and 
 from that place to Ottawa and Ayimtr; in the latter place he engaged as jockey, 
 his weight being only about 100 pounds at the time. VViiile in tiiis vicinity, Mr. 
 Capron carried the mail from Locliabcr to Ottawa, a distance of 30 miles, often making 
 the journey before taking breakfast ; in the winter he drove a stage on the ice. 
 He next located in Orenville, and carried the mail for John Groves from that village 
 to Papineau Seigniory, a distance of 20 miles; he then came to Vanklcek Hill, and 
 afterward bought his present farm in the 4th Concession East Hawkesbury. At that 
 time only about three acres of the farm were cleared, and the only building was a little 
 log shanty. He has remained 01 the farm ever since, with the exception of four years 
 ])assed in partnership with Peter O'Brian in carrying mail from L'Orignai to Lancaster ; 
 on returning to the farm he also took a contract to carry the mail from Vankleek Hill 
 to Point Fortune, and attended to this business four years. Mr. Capron has a fine farm 
 of 200 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation ; he is a good jud^e of horses, and 
 his bought a good many for American as well as Mo),treal markets. Schools were few 
 and far between in his younger days ; he commenced work at an early age, and for these 
 reasons was deprived of the advantages of an education, but his natural abilities fully 
 supplied this want. He was married 25th December, 1855, to Miss Anna M. Yale of 
 St. Andrews, daugliter of Andrew Yale, ship builder of Montreal. They have had 
 four sons and two daughters ; one of the latter, the eldest, died in childhood, but 
 the others are all living John, the eldest son, is married, and lives in this place ; 
 Horace is lumbering on the Ottawa ; Theodore is married, and farming in Glen- 
 garry ; Amy, the daughter, is married to Euclide Legault, living in Montreal; and 
 George, the youngest, remains at home. 
 
 BARB. 
 
 About 45 years ago a Post Office was established here under the name of East 
 Hawkesbur\ , in the house where James Gougeon now lives. The fust Postmaster 
 w.is James Gamble, whose successors were John McAdain, Mrs. Louis Grout and 
 Michael Maneely. It was while the latter held the office that its name was changed 
 to Barb ; mails are distributed twice daily. Michael Maneely was succeeded in 
 1S86 as Postmaster by Mr. A. LeRoy. 
 
 There are two churches here — Anglican and Methodist — erected by the con- 
 tribution of the surrounding inhabitants. Services are held in these churches by 
 I clergymen of Vankleek Hill. 
 
 I'here is also a fine schoolhouse here, with a good attendance of pupils. 
 
 Alexander A. LeRoy, eighth son of William LeRoy, was born in 1845, 
 
 land learned the blacksmith trade when quite young with A. A. Beaton of West 
 
 I Hawkesbury, and has followed this trade ever since. His shop is built near his 
 
 residence on the 5th Concession, which he bouglit in i86j. Mr. LeRoy has been 
 
 School Trustee for the past eighteen years, and is now Secretary-Treasurer of the 
 
 School Board ; he has been a nuinbcr of the Board of Healt'i for the past nine or 
 
 ten years. He was appointed by Government, in 1872, as Lieutenant in Company 
 
 IXo. 7, Reserve Militia of Prescott. He was married in 1866 to Miss Emily liurwash, 
 
 land has two sons; the eldest, Samuel Martin, is an Engineer in Washington Tcrri- 
 
 jtory ; the other, Balph Gilbert, works at the blacksmith trade with his fixther. ; , 
 
 Nelson,* son of Stephen Burwash, was born in 1809, in River Rouge settlement- 
 
 Iwhen 20 years of age he came to this place, and bought 100 acre* of land — half of 
 
 |l,ot 22, 4th Concession, and a i'ew years later, purchased the reihaining half, which 
 
 * Mr. Burwash is now deceased. 
 
6i6 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 
 is now owned and occupied by his son Matthew. He had a saw mill for forty 
 years on I'luwash creek, but as tlie land became cleared, the creek gradually 
 dried up, and the mill became useless. Mr. Burwasli also sjient about ten years on 
 the Ottawa, running a l)oat between Carillon and Montreal. He always took an active 
 part in the military affairs of the County, and held the rank of Major for a number of 
 years ; he is Justice of the Peace, and has been Councillor, Assessor and Collector fur 
 the Township of East Hawkesbury. He was married in 1832 to Margaret Albright, 
 who died in December, 1892; they had nine children — two of whom died in 
 childhood; four daughters and tiiree sons are still living. Jane, the eldest, is living 
 in Ottawa ; the eldest son. Stephen, married, is in Manitoba ; Kmily, the second 
 daughter, married to .\. A. I.eRoy, lives near the homestead ; Cecelia, married lo 
 John Ritchie, lives in California ; and Lavinia, Mrs. John Baggs, is in Manitoba; 
 Nelson, thesecond son, is married, and livingin Slardale; and Matthew, the youngest, 
 lives on the homestead ; he is married to Miss Fannie Hooker of St. Andrews, and has 
 two sons and one daughter. 
 
 Andrk.w Allison, eldest son of William Allison, was born 8th October, 1851. in 
 East Hawkesbury ; with the exception of three winters spent in lumbering for 
 Hamilton Brothers, he remained at home until about 28 years of age. He then bought 
 the south half of a Lot in the 5th Concession, and about ten years later, purchased 
 50 acres adjoining. He was married ylh May, 1882, to Catherine, daughter of Thoiuas 
 Hoysted ; they have six children living — four sons and two daughters. Mr. Allison 
 has been Councillor for two years, and is Auditor of School District No. 8. He has 
 a fine residence .!' ' farm, su[)[)lied with all the modern agricultural implements ; he 
 keeps about 30 h i of cattle and several horses. 
 
 John C. Moonev, second son of Charles Mooney, was born in 1848, and le- 
 mained at home during his younger years, with the exception of five winters spent 
 in lumbering. He was married in 1876 to Abigail £., daughter of the late Sanriel 
 Oiton, and moved to his present farm in the 5th Concession ; he has three sons and 
 two daughters. Mr. Mooney is a School Trustee, but has always refused the offtce of 
 Councillor; he was a member of the i8th Battalion, and accompani'?d it to Corn- 
 wall in 1866. 
 
 Zachariah McCallum, sen., came from the Highlands of Scotland to Point 
 Fortune, and engaged in farming. Zachariah, his third son, was born in 1844, and 
 remained at home until 17, at which age he commenced lumbering for Hamilton 
 Brothers. He remained with the firm 6 years at this time, and, later, spent 16 years 
 in the same business, most of the time as foreman. In 1872 he was married to Mary 
 Ellen, daughter of the late Francis Harvey ; they have three daughters ; Jennie, the 
 eldest, is at home, and the two younger at school. Mr. McCallum has built a brick 
 residence, new barns and stables, and made many other improvements since pur- 
 chasing his present farm, in 1870. He is one of those men who accomplish much by per- 
 sistent industry. He and Mrs. McCallum are both memoers of the Baptist Church. 
 
 James Hurley, third son of Dennis Hurley, was born in 1840. When about 
 25 he spent a year in Illinois, but liking Canada better he returned, and two ye.irs 
 later, bought his present farm of 170 acres in the 5th Concession. He has since i)ur- 
 chased 100 acres in the 3rd Concession. He was married in June, 1870, to Margaret,] 
 daughter of the late John Wylie ; they have two sons and five daughters, all living; 
 at home. I )ennis Stephen, the eldest, spent a year in Rigaud College, and Catherine : 
 8., the eldest daughter, spent a year in the Oloucester Street Convent, Ottawa. 
 
 Mr. Hurley was Treasurer of the township, and Councillor for four years, and! 
 for several years was Civil Engineer for the township ; for the past thirteen years lie] 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 617 
 
 iill for forty 
 jk gradually 
 
 ten years on 
 oi>k an aclive 
 • a number of 
 
 Collector fur 
 ;\ret Albrigiil, 
 horn died m 
 desl, is living 
 y, the second 
 I, married to 
 
 in Manitoba; 
 
 the youni^ost, 
 dicws, anil has 
 
 tober, 1851. in 
 lumbering for 
 le then bought 
 Iter, purchased 
 liter of rhonias 
 Mr. Allison 
 ^o. 8. He Ikis 
 nplemenls -, he 
 
 1848, and le- 
 
 winters spent 
 
 c late SanviL'l 
 
 three sons and 
 
 led the office of 
 
 d it to C(jrn- 
 
 land to Point 
 |n in 1844, and 
 for Hamilton 
 [spent 16 years 
 larried to M vry 
 jrs ; Jennie, the 
 IS built a brick 
 jnts since pnr- 
 |h much by per- 
 iptist Church. 
 When about 
 land two years 
 has since pur- 
 |o, to Margaret, 
 liters, all living 
 and Catherine 
 It, Ottawa. 
 |four years, ;uid 
 lirteen years he 
 
 has handled the money for Messrs. LeRoy and Ogden's cheese factories, as well as 
 several others; in 1893, the outimt of three factories being $35,000, and in 1894, 
 $43,000 from four. Mr. Hurley's residence is beautifully situated on a high ridge ; 
 he has a fme orchard, and barns containing all the latest machinery ; he keeps 40 head 
 of cattle and 9 horses. 
 
 Michael Manekly was in tiic Hritish service thirty-one yeari, eleven of which 
 were sjjcnt with the troops in the East and West Indies. He was in India during 
 the Mutiny, and was one of a Regiment of 1,700 men who left England for India, of 
 whom only two besides himself came back alive. His ran' in the army was that of 
 Recruiting Sergeant, and ho was also Pay Sergeant of his Ki „'iment. A pension was 
 granted to him until his death. He came to this County about 1863, and settled in 
 East Ilawkesbury, on the place now owned by John, his son ; he was Postmaster 
 here for a number of years, and Township Treasurer and Clerk; lie also conducted 
 an hotel and engaged in meicantile business. His death took place in March, 1891, 
 at the age of 88 years ; his widow, who was Margaret Council, still survives lum, 
 and at the age of 75 is very active. Mr. and Mrs. Maneely had one son and five 
 daughters; one of the latter, Margaret, died at iSj the remaining daughters are all 
 married. 
 
 John C, the son, who was born in 1857, when sixteen years of age commenced 
 learning the carpenter and joiner's trade with John W. Higginson of Hawkesbury, 
 and has since worked in different parts of the coimtry — in Manitoba and in the Black 
 Hills. He has also done fine work on many of the residences of this section. He 
 was married 10th January, 1885, to Miss Ellen E. McCormack, and is living on the 
 old hoinestead: they have one son and one daughter. 
 
 William LeRoy, son of Archibald LeRoy, who came to this place from River 
 Rouge about 1846, was born here in 1847, ^"'^^ '^^^ always remained on the farm. 
 He was married in 1878, to Jane, daughter of George Albright ; they have two sons 
 and one daughter, all living at home. In 1878 the homestead farm was divided, and 
 William took part of it in the 4th Concession, and has a fine brick house and new 
 out-buildings. Mr. LeRoy has accomplished a great deal by hard work, though 
 his health is greatly impaired. He was Treasurer of St. Paul's Church for a 
 number of years ; he has taken some interest in Military affairs, and entered the 
 i8th Battalion when sixteen years of age. 
 
 Daniel J. LeRoy, youngest son of Archibald LeRoy, was bornin 186S, and has 
 [always remained on the farm, with the exception of a year and a half speni in Cali- 
 fornia. On his return from that State, he took the west half of the farm. His father 
 [died in 1880, at the age of 62 ; his mother, who was Miss Justina Augusta Sprecht, 
 from Nassau, Germany, died in 1876, aged 49. Mr. LeRoy is living on the old 
 homestead with his sister, Miss Christiana, the youngest daughter; both have taken 
 an active part in Church affairs, and Mr. LeRoy is Treasurer of St. Paul's Churcii, 
 [which was built in 1884 on the site of the old Town Hall, on the farm now owned by 
 James Hurley. 
 
 William A. Mooney, son of Alexander Mooney, was born 9th August, 1840, in 
 [East Hawkesbury, and remained at home until 21 years of age. He then spent two 
 seasons in the lumber woods, next was a clerk in one of the Gatineau shanties for 
 Hamilton Brothers, and in 1864 he ascended the River Rouge to take charge of a 
 store and trade with the Indians. The following year he took a trip across the 
 Utlantic, spending a summer in Ireland and Scotland. In 1866 he joined the Volun- 
 teers, and went with them to Cornwall, as Private in the i8th Battalion ; on his return 
 pe engaged as clerk for Hamilton Brothers, but in the fall went to California, and 
 
 40 
 
•n 
 
 6i8 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 remained in that Slate and in Nevada, employed in the mines as engineer and in tiie 
 assay office, until the spring of 187 i. Shortly after his return, lie liad u serious ill- 
 ness, caused by the poisonous fumes inhaled in tii-j assay office, lii August, 1S73, 
 he was married to Miss S. P. LeKoy : they have two sons and five daughters; Kditii, 
 the eldest of the latter, is married to \V. J. Parsons, of Hudson, Que.; (iertie, the 
 second daugluer, is telegraph operator ui Vankleek Hill; Alice, the third, is at home, 
 and the other four are attending school. Mr. Mooney came to the house where he 
 is now living, on the .jih Concessi(jn, in 1879. 
 
 William LkRov came from River Rouge about 1831, and bought the farm in 
 the 4th Concession, where his son Ralph, who was born in 1835, ""^^ lives, 'riic 
 latter, 
 
 Mr. Ralph LeRoy, is Reeve of the township of East Hawkesbury ; he has been 
 Councillor, a Director of the Agricultural Society for thirty years, and was Presidcii' 
 of the same Society for two years. He has also been Justice of the Peace during imo 
 past twenty years, Deputy Warden for the Game and Fisheries since the County law 
 was made concerning them, and Director of the Farmers' Institute of Prescott since 
 it was organized; for two years he was elected delegate to the Provincial Institute at 
 Toronto. He was married in 1871 to Janet, daughter of Charles Mooney of this 
 place; they have three daughters, all living at home. Mr. LeRoy has, for the last 
 twelve years, in ijarlnershijj with Mr. Ogden, conducted several cheese factories in 
 the County. He is widely known and thoroughly respected by all. 
 
 Martin, third son of William LeRoy, was born here in 1837 ! '>^' '^'^'^ always 
 lived at home, with the exception of one year spent in traveling through Nevadaand 
 California, and is now Ijcated on the oast half of Lot 25, 4th Concession. He his 
 been twice married: firsi, in i860 to Miss Simpson, of Vaudreuil, who died in 1864, 
 leaving a daughter ; he was married the second time in 1881 to Miss Mary LeRoy, of 
 River Rouge, by whom he has four daughters. Mr. LeRoy has served several teinis 
 as School Trustee; he has taken an active j)art in the military affairs of the County, 
 and has held the commission of Captain in the i8th Battalion Infantry. During tlie 
 time of the Fenian raids, when Ensign of his ComiJany, he was called out and spent 
 two months in Cornwall. He was afterwards Captain of Company No. 4. 
 
 Mr. William LeRoy, his father, lived with him until his death in April, 1892, at 
 the age of 86 years and 9 months. His wife, mother of Martin, was Abigail, dauuhter 
 of Solomon Grout, who came from Massachusetts. She died m August, 1875, at 
 the age of 66 years. 
 
 Solomon Grout, sen., was the first settler in Barb ; he cut liie road from St. 
 Eugene, built his house where the road now runs by Burwash Creek, and just in 
 front of the spot on which Mr. A. Le Roy's shoj) stands. His wife used to say that 
 she saw no woman during the first summer of their residence here. His son, Solomon 
 Grout, jun., was born in 1837, o" ^^^^ ^^.rm where he now lives ; when about 20 years 
 of age he went to Minnestjta, and from there travelled alone and on foot to 
 Carson City, making the journey in a little over five months. The hardships which 
 he encountered, if related in detail, would fill a good-sized volume; among the inter- 
 esting things he relates are, an account of seeing Brigham Young and his wives when 
 in Salt Lake City, and the fact that there was but one house in Carson City when he 
 first reached it. After spending about eight years there he returned to this settle- 
 ment and bought the farm of James Gamble. In 1865, he was married to Agnes, 
 daughter of Samuel Mooney, of East Hawkesbury ; they have three sons and two 
 .daughters living. The eldest son, Charles B., died at the age of 20 ; William S. 
 Is in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company at Winnipeg, and the others are at 
 home. In 1875 Mr. Grout came to the homestead, and the year following built his 
 present fine brick residence. 
 
0>' 
 
 HISTORY OF PUESCOTT. 
 
 619 
 
 r and 'n the 
 a serious ill- 
 Liigiist, 1873, 
 liters; Kditli, 
 , Gertie, tin.' 
 j, is at honiu, 
 ase where he 
 
 It the farm in 
 V lives. Thu 
 
 ; he hasbctn 
 vas Presideni 
 ice during \\\y 
 le County law 
 'rescott since 
 al Institute at 
 ooney of this 
 s, for the hist 
 :se factories in 
 
 he has always 
 ;h Nevada and 
 ^ion. He his 
 died in 1864, 
 iry LeRoy, of 
 several terms 
 the County. 
 During the 
 out and spent 
 
 April, 1892, at 
 gail, daughter 
 igust, 1875, at 
 
 road from St, 
 k, and just in 
 ;d to say that 
 , son, Solomon 
 ^ibout 20 years 
 on foot to 
 rdships which 
 \ong tlie inter- 
 is wives when 
 City when he 
 to this settle- 
 lied to Agnes, 
 Isons and two! 
 J William S.j 
 , others are at 
 Iwing built his 
 
 Samukl Burwa.sh, son of Thomas Hiirwash, one of the first settlers here, and 
 brotlier of Rev. Adam Burwash, was born in 1S54. He had charge of the entire 
 home farm until t!ie spring of 1895, when he look 50 acres on his own accoimt ; he 
 was married in 1892 to Miss Sopliia Carkner, of Winchester. The three daughters of 
 Mr.Thomas Burwasii live on the homestead, and the farm is managed by their nephew, 
 Norman Clark. 
 
 AKcmitAi.i) .Vi.BRioiiT was born in the Bay Settlement, Argenteuil County, in 
 1814; he married Miss Lavinia LeRoy of River Rouge, and commenced farming in 
 Beech Ridge. He afterwards came to this place and bought the firm now owned by 
 Le Duke ; it was entirely covered with forest at that time, as M'-. Albright was one 
 of the fust settlers in the i>lace. .After remaining here some years, he bought the 
 farm of his father-in-law, Henry LeRoy, and lived on it mitil his death, which occurred 
 I ilh January, 1895, at the r.ge of 80 years and 6 months. Mrs. .Albright died 21st 
 .April, 1887 ; they left two sous and one daughter. Martin, the eldest, married, and 
 lived on a farm some years, after which he removed to Ottawa, in which city he now 
 lives ; Margaret, the daughter, married to Alexander Kingsbury, lives in this vicinity. 
 
 Henry, the second son, born 4tli November, 1850, always remained on the home- 
 stead, with the exception of a winter spent in lumbering. On 22nd September, 1874, 
 he was married to Anna, daughter of the late James Steele ; they have two sons and 
 two (laughters. Mr. Albright was a member of the i8th Battalion, and accompanied 
 it to Cornwall in 1866 ; he was two years a member of the Township Council. He is 
 now agent for David Maxwell iV .Sons' (St. .Mary's, Ont.) farming implements; he 
 keeps a large stock of cattle and horses. 
 
 William S. Moonkv, eldest son of Samuel Mooney, was born in East Hawkes- 
 bury, 4lh May, 1843 ; he remained at home until 23 years of age, when he went to 
 Portland, Maine, and engaged for a year in running an excursion yacht to different 
 islands on the coast. After returning he spent several years on the farm, and about 
 1870, in partnership with Mr. Solomon Grout, built a steam saw-mill on the 4th Con- 
 cession ; they remained in partnership, in the mill for four years, after which Mr. 
 Mooney took it on his own account for the same length of time. He then sold 
 out to ijarties in St. Engine, and in 1873 bought his preseilt farm in the 4th and 5th 
 Concessions — no acres. He was married 4th November, 1873, to Maria, daughter 
 of James McNie ; they have two sons and two daughters. .Mr. Mooney was a 
 member of the i8th Battalion for 21 years, and during the last four of these was ist 
 Lieutenant of No. 4 Company, under Captain LcRoy \ he was with the Company in 
 Ottawa, June, 1866. He has been Township Councillor for three years, and two 
 years Deputy Reeve; he has a fine brick and stone residence, surrounded by trees. 
 
 Jamks Ogden is the second son of Joseph Ogden, who came to this section from 
 Argenteuil, being one of the first settlers. Tlie subject of our sketch was born in 
 1829. He was married to Eliza Pennoyer, and iiad ten children, of whom five sons 
 and two daughters are now living. Mr. Ogden died 3rd September, 187 1, at the age 
 of 42; Mrs. Ogden married a second time, to Richard Gregor, and is living in New 
 Hami)shire. Of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden's chiidren all are in the States, excepting 
 Susanna, the second daughter, who is married to Jaines Turner, and lives in Cowans- 
 ville. Que., and George P., the third son, born 9th November, 1854, who is living 
 on the old homestead. When 18 years of age he went to the Eastern Townships, 
 where he remained four years, working at the carpenter's trade, and also on the South 
 Eastern Railroad. He then returned to East Hawkesbury, and has remained here 
 ever since, with the exception of one winter spent in Michigan. In 1879 he moved to 
 the old homestead, and in 1881 was married to Abigail, daughter of Martin LeRoy, 
 
620 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 of Ijlast Hawkesbury ; they have three sons and three daughters. Mr. Ogden hves 
 in the stone house built by his grandfather, Joseph Ogden, in the early days of his 
 settlement here. 
 
 Akchibalo LeRoy, seventh son ot Martin LeRoy, was born in River Rouge, 
 Argenieuil County, 27th December, 1849. While living in his native place he took 
 an active part in the military affairs of Argenteuil. In 1866, as Private in No. i 
 Company, nth Battalion of the Argenteuil Rangers, he accompanied then; to 
 Ottawa. He was then api)ointfd Corjjoral and Sergeant, and in 1868 attended the 
 Montreal School of Military Instruction, and obtained a Lieutenant's certificate. He 
 was afterwards appointed Captain of No. x Company, which office he held until he 
 retired, retaining his rank. In December, 1880, he was married to Susan, daughter 
 of Charles McGregor, of River Rouge; tb.ey have eight children living three sons 
 and five daughters — two sons and one daughter died in childhood. In 1893 Mr. 
 LeRoy came to this section, buying his present farm in the 5th Concession, and 
 adding one more to the families of LeRoys, who are well known and respected in 
 East Hawkesbury. 
 
 William M. Allison, second son of William Allison, was born i6th August, 
 1856. He remained at home until 18 years of age, and after spending a winter in 
 lumbering went to Montana, where he remained two and a half years. On his return 
 he attended Rigaud College for some time, and then bought the farm in Ivast 
 Hawkesbury now owned by Mrs. William Sherman. In i88'5 he was married to 
 Emma, daughter of the late Alexander Cameron, of Point au Ch6ne, Argenteuil 
 County; they have five children — four sons and one daughter. Mr. Allison, who lives 
 on Lot 32, has made many improvements in the house and outbuildings, and also on 
 the farm. 
 
 James H\ughton came from County Wexford, Ireland, to Canada, in 1S26; 
 after working in the lumber business about a year he engaged with the Hamiltons, of 
 Hawkesbury, and remained in their employ until 1854, when he came to his farm in 
 the 5th Concession, which he had bought in 1832 from Barnabas Vankleek. While 
 working for the Hamiltons he was married to Mary McCormack ; they had one son 
 and one daughter, who are both, living. Mr. Haughton died 3rd May, 1883, ^^ 
 eighty-three years of age, and Mrs. Haughton died 17th February, 1840, aged twenty- 
 eight. 
 
 Thomas Haughtont, their son, wa.- born 3rd March, 1835, 'i"d spent several 
 years of his youth at the house of his uncle, Michael McCormack ; in 1855 he came to 
 the homestead, and has since remained here. On 28lh February, 1S65, he was 
 married to Catherine, daughter of Dennis Hurley ; they have two sons and one 
 daughter. Mr. Haughton has a very pretty cottage and fine bain ; his farm is in a 
 fine state of cukivation. 
 
 Michael McCokmack, sr,, came from the County of Longford, Ireland, and 
 after his arrival in this place, he worked for Hamilton Brc'.'.iers several years. He 
 died in 1847, ^"<^ ^'^•'S- McCormack died in 1839. 
 
 Michael McCormack, jr., came herein 1840, and commenced the management of 
 his farm on the sth Concession ; he was married in 185c to Mary, daughter of Thomas 
 Wallace, of Caledonia. They had nine children, of whom three sons and five daugh- 
 ters are still living. Mr. McCormack was accidentally killed in October, 1866, by 
 falling from a load c lumber. He was helping at a " bee," which had been organized 
 for the purpose of assisting a man whose barns had been burnt; his death was 
 instantaneous, as the load passed over his body. Mrs. McCormack is still living, 
 remaining on the iioraestead with her son Thomas ; the latter married Miss Anna 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 621 
 
 )gden lives 
 lays of his 
 
 /er Rouge, 
 ice he took 
 e in No. i 
 :d their, to 
 ttetided the 
 ficate. He 
 eld until ho 
 ,11, daughter 
 three sons 
 n 1893 Mr. 
 session, and 
 -espectcd in 
 
 :6th August, 
 y a winter in 
 )n his return 
 irm in East 
 s married to 
 :, Argenteuil 
 on, who lives 
 , and also on 
 
 :1a, in 1826 ; 
 aniiltons, ot" 
 his farm in 
 
 Icek. Wliile 
 
 ad one son 
 
 .y, 1883, at 
 
 ged twenty- 
 
 Hoysted, and has two children. Catherine, the eldest daughter, married to Peter 
 Lefebvre, lives in West Hawkesbury ; William, the eldest son, unmarried, is in 
 Mexico ; Ellen E. is married to John Maneely, contractor and builder, of this place ; 
 Mary Ann, married to George D. Ryan, lives in this county, as does also Margaret, 
 married to Mr. E. Butler ; Charles, unmarried, resides in Mexico ; and the youngest 
 daughter, also unmarried, is a trained nurse in Chicago. 
 
 Dknnis Hurley came from Cork, Ireland, with his wife and one child, about 
 1830. After remaining in Montreal a short lime, he came to Point Fortune, left his 
 wife there, and walked to East Hawkesbury, where he engaged to work a year for 
 Joseph Ogden for ^1^15, and the use of an acre of land. He then hired a farm, and 
 two years afterward bought the one sow occupied by his son Dennis. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hurley had eight children, four of each sex, who aie all living. Mrs. Hurley died in 
 February, 1874, at the age of eighty, and lier busband died in 1882, aged eighty-four. 
 Mary, their eldest child, married to Mr. Brennan, lives in Illinois ; John, the eldest 
 son, a blacksmith by trade, has been living in Sacramento City, California, fur the 
 past forty years ; Cornelius, .be second son, and James, both reside in this place ; 
 Ellen, married to E. Dady, lives in Glen^, .rry; Ann, wife of James Harkin, in West 
 Hawkesbury; and Catherine, wife of Thomas Haughton, in this place. 
 
 Dennis, the third son, has always remained on the homestead. He was married 
 in 1869, to Agnes, daughter of William Allison; they have four sons and two daugh- 
 ters. The two elder sons were educated at Rigaud College and the University of 
 Ottawa, and the eldest daughter in a Convent in Ottawa. 
 
 Mr. Hurley has: been a Director of the Prescott County Agricultural Society for 
 the past 25 years, and President for 2 years. He has also been Justice of the Peace 
 for I J years. He has one of the finest barns in the county, size 128 x 58, and 52 
 feet high ; a windmill pumps water for his slock, which is of the finest ; he makes a 
 specialty of breeding Ayrshires. He has added to his farm until it now comprises 
 380 acres, and has erected a fine brick house which would do credit to any large 
 town. 
 
 ^ 
 
 [pent several 
 
 he came to 
 
 IS65, he was 
 
 l)ns and one 
 
 farm is in a 
 
 Ireland, and 
 years. He 
 
 Inagement of 
 Ir uif Thomas 
 five daugh- 
 ler, 1866, by 
 \.u organized 
 death was 
 still living, 
 Miss Anna 
 
 Caledonia. 
 
 This township is bounded north by Longueuil, east by West Hawkesbury, south 
 by Kenyon, and west by Alfred and South Plantagenet. The land is mostly low 
 and flat, and there are marshes which embri'ce several thousand acres ; but, as in 
 other places, much of this land, which was once regarded as worthless, has been 
 transformed, by clearing and drainage, into fine productive fields. One marsh, how- 
 ever, on the west, and partially in Alfred, which contains about 5,000 acres, it is 
 impossible to reclaim in this manner — there being no soil — nothing but moss as far 
 as its depth has been explored. 
 
 In passing through Caledonia, one is surj)rised at the variety of aspects which 
 the township presents : a most beautiful farming section being succeeded by a wide 
 strip of marshy forest land, which is just emerging from its primeval condition — burn- 
 ing log-heaps, small clearings and cabins, giving evidence that the section has but 
 
622 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 receiilly been invaded by the pioneer. Anon, we come to another section, which, 
 from its orchards, broad fields, and good buildings, evidently has been long settled. 
 " The Ridge," wliich is mentioned in Plantagenet, commences within about a mile of 
 the eastern boundary of Caledonia, and is sharply defined, running across the remain- 
 ing breadth of the township and Plantagenet. It is a peculiar fact that the soil of the 
 Ridge is quite different from that of the low-land whicli borders it tiie whole distance, 
 and, consequently, the crops to which it is adapted are quite as diflen-nt in character. 
 
 The Ridge is famed for the quality and quantity of the potatoes it produces ; Mr, 
 Henry Blaney, not long since, raised 2,000 bushels from a field of 20 acres. 
 
 The only t\v'o streams in Caledonia, Faxton's Creek and Caledonia Creek, are 
 small, yet in the spring of the year they become very formidable in appearance, and 
 are then of great service to Iuml)ermen iii ron\ eying their bgs either to mills or to 
 other jjouits desired, Paxton's Creek rises near the east side of the towhship, and 
 flows westerly across it, into the Nation, in South Plantagenet. 
 
 Caledonia Creek rises in Kawkecbury, flows westerly across Caledonia, and 
 unites with J^axton's Creek. 
 
 FENAGHVALE. 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 The above is the nan~e substituted for that of Caledonia Flats — the latter being 
 the name by which the locality had always been knovcn, and which was given to the 
 Post-Office established here many years ago. This was the place where JohnChesser 
 — the first settler in Caledonia, and of whom a sketch is given in the history of 
 Plantagenet Mills— located about 1824. 'I'he Flats, which are bordered on one side 
 by the Pidge, embrace a tract abou'«. r u'Je in length by hi If a mile in width. The 
 Flats are noted for the richness of thj soil — particularly for the fine crops of oats 
 produced — 100 bushels to the acre not being an unusual yield. This locality, too, 
 is peculiarly interesting fronj i geological ])oint — good evidence existing that the 
 Flats once formed the bed of a lake. Fields, which have been carefully cleared of 
 roots, logs and debris of every VJ.nd, are soon again encumbered with sim.ilar maleiial, 
 which gradually comes to the surface, so that, in the course of a few years, they have 
 once more to be clea-?d. In September last (1895) the writer saw a field of this 
 descrii)tion, containing many roots and logs, which field, he was informed, had been 
 entirely cleared three or four times within the last two decades. It was in this sec- 
 tion that a large stump, entirely beneath the surface, was unearthed a few years 
 since, and directly under its cert^r were found the huge antlers of a moose. 
 
 Jt is said that Mr. Chesser was enticed to this spot by the rich growth of pine 
 with which the Flats were covered ; but the cholera of 1832 put an end, not only to 
 his plans of extensive lumbering, but to his Mfe, a^ well as that of nearly all his fam- 
 ily. Guy Chesser, wiio lived iiere, had been absent in some other part of the Pro- 
 vince for souie days. On returning home, he called at his neighbor, Mr. Proudfoot's 
 ho'use, and .einarked to Mrs. Proudtoot that he believed he was going home to die. 
 As he showed no indications of illness, Mrs. Proudfoot laughed at his tears ; but 
 three days afterward his prediction was verified. His death was speedily followed 
 by that of his wife, his brother, Charles Chesser. and a man named Jos. Hubbard. 
 
 Mr. Chesser was soon followed to tliis section by John Stephens and Robert 
 Nicholson; the former took up Lot 16, Concession 5 ; the latter Lot 21, Conces- 
 sion 5. Among the pioneers who became prominently identified with the history of 
 the place, and whose descendants are still here, were William Bradley and James 
 Proudfoot. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 The former came from the North of Ireland in his youthful days, and after find- 
 ing employment some years at Plantagenet Mills, he came to Caledonia in 1836, and 
 took up Lots 18 and 19, Concession 5. The following Obituary is copied from The 
 Advertiser (L'Orignal) of August, 1891 : — 
 
 "Caledonia and the County of Prescott have lost one of their best-known and 
 eldest residents, who died at his home in Caledonia on Thursday last, having received, 
 
 a few (lays previous, his final stroke of paralysis Mr. Bradley, whose 
 
 education was very limited, was acknowl dged to be a man of sujierior intellect and 
 great natural ability. Since the establishment of County Councils up to some ten 
 years ago, the deceased represented his township as Reeve in that body, and filled 
 the oflice of Warden of the united Counties on more than one occasion. Ilis judg- 
 ment on the final result of long pending, complicated law matters was equal to that 
 of the first counsel of the land ; while his ever-ready flashes of wit were proverbial, 
 lie vvaii gener^nis and hospitable, and his Iiouse and bountiful table were ever at the 
 comminri. of the travelling public and wayfarer. In figure, face, and intellect, Mr. 
 Bradley was the counterpart of Gladstone, whici) was often publicly remarked — with 
 this difference — that for liis lack of the education of the latter, he was comi^ensated 
 by the possession of brilliant wit. He died at the advanced age of 83, and was 
 buried at the Cemetery near his home, on Saturday last, many of his old friends in 
 L'Orig.ial regretting that they did not hear of his death or funeral in time to be 
 present 10 pay the last sad tribute of respect to one they had long known and 
 e.steemed so much." 
 
 Mr. Bradley was noted for his perseverance and determination — he never yielded 
 when sure that his cause was one of equity, as long as a shadow of hope remained. 
 He knew that he was justly entitled to quite a sum from his father's estate ; but 
 other ciamianls a])peared, and his prospect of obtaining anything seemed dubious. 
 Henionce started for Ireland, with the expressed determination not to return till he 
 had secured his rights. After a severe contest for tv.-o years in the courts, his claims 
 were established, and he returned to Canada in the enjoyment of his legacy. 
 
 Mr. Bradley was twice married : first to Innocent Ellen Downing — issue, four 
 sons and four daughters ; the second marriage was to Flora Cameron — issue, three 
 sons t.nd one daughter. 
 
 Henry J., the eldest of the children by the first marriage, settled on 100 acres 
 near the homestead, and some time afterward bought 200 acres more. He n>arried 
 Mary Proudfoot ; they had three sons and three daughters. Mrs. Bradley died 8th 
 March, 187c,, and he was next married 19th September, 1892, to Christina Dewar. 
 The 100 acres which he received from his father contained no buildings ; he has 
 erected fine ones, and by persevering industry has placed himself in most comfort- 
 able circumstances. His farm is under thorough cultivation, and besides keeping 
 ten horses, thirteen cows and a number of sheep, he has raised in a season 2,200 
 bushels of oats, t,ooo bushels of potatoes, 100 bushels wheat, and 100 bushels corn. 
 He has been School Trustee many years, Justice of the Peace, and was Reeve of the 
 Township till he resigned the position. His two eldest sons are in Colorado, and 
 two of his daughters are teaching. 
 
 James Proudfot came from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, to Caledonia in 183 1. 
 He was employed four years by Mr. John Chesser as manager of his farm, after 
 which, he purchased the claim of Alfred Chesser to 100 acres of Government land, on 
 which he lived till his death, 28th February, 1887. Mr. Proudfoot was a man of 
 much natural ability ; he was a great reader, and possessing a very retentive memory, 
 was able to supply information on almost any subject, distinctly remembering things 
 which others had forgotten. He preferred reading works devoted to physical science. 
 
6^4 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 and took great pleasure in the works of Hiigli Miller. For about fifteen years he 
 held the position of Postmaster at tliis place — the second who filled the office. He 
 was lowiiship Treasurer from the beginning of the present Municipal System up to 
 time uf his death, and during the earlier years of his residence here, was School 
 Trustee, He was blind during the last decade of his life, and his business was all 
 done by his son, James. He had seven children — five sons and two daughters. 
 
 James, his third son, remained on the homestead' he was married in January, 
 1864, to Sarah Frances, daughter of William BradLy. Mr. Proudfoot has been 
 Township Treasurer for ten, and School Trustee upward of twenty years. His father 
 cleared up his farm and erected a good house and out-buildings. The son has 
 erected a large barn, added 200 acres to the homestead, and owns 400 more in the 
 Township, and 100 in Planiagenet. His residence has been made very pleasant by 
 the i>lanting of trees and shrubbery. He has eleven children — eight sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 In 1848, his father planted a small pine and a fir tree near the dwelling ; the 
 first is now two feet in diameter, and the latter a little less. 
 
 The first wheels in Caledonia were a pair of cart wheels brought to this locality 
 by a man named Davis ; Mr. Proudfoot i)urchased them, and to the envy, no doubt, 
 of his neighbors, was the only man in this section for some time who enjoyed the 
 possession of these luxurious, but extravagant, articles ; he is said to have been very 
 proud of them. 
 
 John Garrett Downing is the present genial and intell-'gent Postmaster of 
 Fenaghvale. His grandfather, John Downing, came from the County of Carlow, 
 Ireland, to North Plantagenet about the year 1826, and settled on the site of the 
 present Village of Curran. A few years later he removed to Caledonia, to Lot 21, 
 Concession 5, on which he lived till his death in 1840. He was twice married ; by 
 the first marriage lie had two sons, and by the second, two sons and three daughters 
 
 The maiden name of one of his wives was Sarah Phillips ; the estate of her 
 ancestors in Ireland was called Fenaghvale, whence the name given to the Post- 
 Office at Caledonia Flats. After the death of Mr. Downing, his widow, having 
 received a legacy from her ancestral estate, purchased quite a tract of land at 
 Fenaghvale, which -'as divided among tueir four clJldren — Philip and Richard L. 
 Downing, Mrs. William Bradley and Mrs. James Bradley (now Mrs. Michael 
 Molloy). 
 
 Philip Downing received Lot 18, Concession 5, on which he lived till his 
 death ; he married 5th October, 1842, Sophronia Kendall, who is still living. He was 
 a man of much public spirit and enterprise, and was School Trustee, Assessor and 
 Collector a long time, and Postmaster sixteen years. He had three sons and five 
 daughters. 
 
 John G. remained on the homestead — a fine farm, and a very pleasant, home-like 
 dwelling. Mr, Downing was married 8th December, 1870, to Maria Downing; they 
 have five sons and four daughters ; Philip, the eldest son, is Principal of a I'ublic 
 School in Wisconsin. 
 
 Richard L., a brother of Philip Downing, had a farm of 250 acres adjacent to 
 that of his brother. There was but little of it cleared when it came into his posses- 
 sion, and he cleared the greater part of it. Ke was married in 1843, to Maria 
 Bri-'dley ; they had two sons and four daughters. Mr, Downing was a member of the 
 Municipal Council many years, and Church Warden ; he died 4th December, 1882 ; 
 Mrs. Downing died 17th November, 1884. 
 
 James Bradley Do vning, 'he youngest son, remained on the homestead — a fine 
 
 us 
 w; 
 
 'm;:t^. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 625 
 
 :n years he 
 office. He 
 item up to 
 was School 
 es8 was all 
 liters. 
 
 Ill January, 
 t has been 
 His father 
 he son has 
 more in the 
 pleasant by 
 IS and three 
 
 s'elling ; the 
 
 this loc:ilily 
 y, no doubt, 
 enjoyed the 
 e been very 
 
 ostmaster of 
 :y of Carlow, 
 e site of the 
 I, to Lot 21, 
 married ; by 
 e daughters 
 state of her 
 
 the Posl- 
 o\v, having 
 
 of land at 
 Richard L. 
 rs. Michael 
 
 1 lived till his 
 ,ig. He was 
 Issessor and 
 )ns and five 
 
 lit, home-like 
 Iwning ; they 
 lof a I'ublic 
 
 adjacent to 
 his posses- 
 
 , to Maria 
 iberof the 
 
 iher, 1882; 
 
 lead— a fine 
 
 farm with a neat brick residence, rendered attractive by an abundance of trees and 
 shrubbery. Mr. Downing was married 22nd September, 1879, 'o Maria Sproule. 
 He has been Church Warden many years, and was also a PT.'mber ofthe Local Coun- 
 cil till liis resignation. Like his neigiil)ors, he is more interested in his farm than in 
 public affairs; keeps a large stock, and raises good crops of hay and grain. 
 
 A Town Hall was erected at Fenaghvale in 1857. this being the chef-lieu oi 
 the Township. 
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 
 
 Religious services have been held here many years, a school house being first 
 used for this purpose. Rev. Mr. Treniayne visited the place, and held service v/hcnhe 
 was stationed at Hawkesbury, as did the Rev. (now Bishop) J. T. Lewis. 'J'he church 
 edifice, brick, 50 x 30 feet, was commenced in 1874, by Rev. Arthur Phillips, the 
 present incumbent of Hawkesbury. Building Committee — Philip Downing, who 
 also collected the funds, and otherwise took a very active part in forwarding the 
 work; R. L. Downing, John Sproule, Henry Blaney, and William Bradley; the build- 
 ing was completed in 1877. 
 
 Rev. W. J. Macklestone succeeded Mr. Phillips ; it was during his incumbency 
 of two years that the mission was taken from Hawkesbury and united with Plantage- 
 net. Rev. J. W. Fraser was the tirst minister appointed to the new mission ; he left 
 in November, 1880. C. C. Carson, Lay Reader, followed, since wiiicii the following 
 clergymen have been on the mission : Rev. C. O. D. Bailey, Rev. C. C. Carson, Rev. 
 F. W. Squier, and tiie present incumbent. Rev. Y. W. Ritchie, son of tlie late Chief 
 Justice Ritchie; he came in 1894. The ciiurch is supplied with an organ, and a neat 
 and commodious parsonage has been erected. 
 
 A few miles south-east of Fenaghvale, in a good farming district, lives Simon 
 Renwick, whose father, James Renwick, came from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, to Cale- 
 donia in 1832. He was employed some time by Mr. Chesser, and three or four years 
 after coming to the country he bought a farm of 100 acres near Caledonia Flats ; 
 this farm is now owned and oocupied by is eldest son, James Renwick. He lived 
 on it many years, and then exchanged it with his son, James, for a farm at Fournier, 
 to which place he removed, and died therein 1891 \ he was a man of aiiility, and was 
 Justice of the Peace for many years. He had six sons and four daughters. Simon, 
 his third son, lived on the homestead till his marriage, 23rd July, 1868, to Jessie 
 Blaney. In 1876, he bought 150 acres of Lot 5, 6ih Concession, which at ihat time 
 was covered with bushes and small trees, and so wet that it was unfit for cultivation 
 until itwas thoroughly drained. Some idea of .Mr. Renwick's industry may be 
 obtained from the fiict that, in the comparatively short ])eriod of nineteen years, he 
 has erected comfortable buildings, and cleared and drained 90 acres of his land, so 
 that he keeps a good stock of cattle and horses, and raises 1000 bushels of grain, 
 besides, in tiie meantime, rearing a family of thirteen children. He has accomplished 
 this without means, save what he has earned with his hands, and we think he has 
 fairly proved that Scotch pluck and energy are not on the decline. He has had 
 seven sons and six daughters ; one of the latter is deceased ; twu daughters and one 
 son are married. 
 
 Charles Gates, a respected citizen of this Township, has a good farm between 
 Fournier and Fenaghvale. He came with his father, James Gates, when he was a 
 small boy, from Massachusetts to the locality now khown as Fenaghvale. This was 
 in the year when the cholera had desolated so many of the homes in this locality, 
 and Mr, Gates distinctly recollect.s seeing the clothes that were hanging out, after the 
 
 m\ 
 
 aL:Li_2— 
 
636 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 I '\ 
 
 i 
 
 washing and cleaning of the dwellings which h 1 been visited by this terrible scourge. 
 His father, who spent his remaining days here, i,. 1 two sons, Charles and Chauncey, 
 and two daughters. Chauncey settled on a farm beside that of Charles, and died 
 here, leaving three sons and four daughters — children by a first marriage. Charles 
 Clates has been Bailiff here for forty years, School Trustee a long time, and Steward 
 of the Methodist Church. He has five sons and two daughters ; one son is in Cali- 
 fornia, another in Duluth ; the others are in Caledonia. 
 
 Geokgk Blanev, from the County of Tyrone, Ireland, came to New York city 
 in 1830, in which city he married, 15th April, 1831, Klizabeth Ann McKee. The 
 following year they went to New Brunswick, and settled at Blaney Ridge, parish of 
 Prince William. In 1839, they came to Caledonia, and settled on Lot 14, 5tli 
 Concession, which is now owned by Henry and John Woods. Mr. Blaney died 
 here, 15th February, 1848; Mrs. Blaney died nth January, 1870; they had two 
 sons and two daughters. James H., the eldest son, bought 200 acres, Lot 15, 5tli 
 Concession, about the year 1861. There were only six acres of it cleared at the 
 time, but Mr. Blaney with persevering industry has since cleared 140 acres, and so 
 improved it, that he can keep 20 cows, several horses, and this season (18915) has 
 raised 2000 bushels of grain. He has been a member of the Municipal Council and 
 a School Trustee for many years ; he was married 29th November, 1878, to Ellen 
 Downing ; they have four sons and two daughters. 
 
 Michael Terry, from thr parish of Grange Mouclar, Tipperary, Ireland, came to 
 L'Orignal in 1843, ^^'''•''' '^'^ wife, three sons and four daughters. About a year later, 
 he came to Caledonia, and settled on 100 acres of Lot 18, 6th Concession. Mr. 
 Terry died here many years ago, and Mrs. Terry died at the home of one of her 
 daughters in Templeton. Thoiuas, their eldest s^n, always remained on the home 
 stead, and has added to it 50 acres. He was ma led nth July, 1847, to Mar/ Am 
 Hickey ; they have five sons and one daughter — the latter and three of the fnnuki 
 are married. Mr. Terry is a representative of that class of farmers that ahVays 
 succeed in their vocation ; his farm, a fine one, has been l/fought to a state of 
 cultivation which enables him to keep a good stock of cattle and horses, besides 
 raising yearly from looo to 1500 bushels of grain. He has i::ifi tcti an attractive 
 brick house and other buildings, and his home gives evidence of taste, as well as 
 thrift, in the proprietor. He has been a Municipal Councillor, and for twenty years 
 a School Trustee, and Constable for Brescott and Russell. His son, Michael, who 
 was married 24th April, 1893, to Nellie Ryan, now has the rnanageioent of the 
 homejtead. 
 
 A^out two and a half miles in a north o/fijlerly (Jirection train f*'enaghvale, is a Post 
 office c'diUii Routhjer ; Paul Cadieux bii>ig /'//sJlnaster, and Imvii'ig a store hero 
 there is also an hotel in fl/e sarjie |ji/ilding. 'i lie /ountry around is a fine farming 
 section ; and a large cheese fditury, built by Alfred Sicotte, but now owned by J, B. 
 Drcbeau, manufactures the milk produced by the many good dairies iiereabout. 
 
 One of the quite early settlers in this section was Henry Woods from Ferma- 
 nagh County, Ireland, who lofcatcd here in 1842. He purchased aoo acres, on which 
 he lived till his death ; he left thrct- ■unis ;ind two daughters. I'wo of the sons, 
 Henry and John, each received i>nc-half the lunnesiead, and have fine frtrnis. John, 
 who has served as Councillor and School lYustee for some years, has added 100 
 acres to his original faun. Mrs. William Ingram, a daughter of the late Mr. Henry 
 Woods, also lives in this section. 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 627 
 
 ; scourge. 
 ;hauncey, 
 and died 
 Charles 
 1 Steward 
 is in Cali- 
 
 Yoric city 
 Lee. The 
 , parish of 
 
 )t 14. 5th 
 laney died 
 y had two 
 ^ot IS, stli 
 ired at the 
 res, and so 
 ;i895) has 
 louncil and 
 jS,, to Ellen 
 
 nd, came to 
 I year later, 
 ision. Mr, 
 I one of her 
 the home 
 Mary An; 
 the InwvA 
 that always 
 a state of 
 ^es, besides 
 11 attractive 
 as well as 
 ,veniy years 
 " ichael, who 
 -lit of th ■ 
 
 Lie, is a Post 
 [store hen.- 
 Jne farming 
 led by J. 13. 
 kbout. 
 
 Irom Ferma- 
 
 Is, on which 
 
 the sons, 
 
 lins. John, 
 
 added too 
 
 Mr. Henry 
 
 ST. AMOUR. 
 
 Two miles or more southward from Fenaghvale is a Post Office established in 
 1885, with the above name. The section is one of the newly settled districts men- 
 tioned on a former page, which crosses the Township between Fenaghvale and 
 mc older and well settled southern part of Caledonia. 
 
 Quite a little village located on Paxton's Creek has recently sprung up here, in 
 which tJiere are two stores, an hotel, a steam lumber and provender mill (the latter 
 owned by E. Eegault), three or four shops and several dwellings. 
 
 Mr. St. Amour is Postmaster, and proprietor of one of the stores; a mail arrives 
 daily, conveyed by the stage running between Fournier and Maxville. 
 
 From this place a road leads to the southern part of the Township, where a 
 section bordering on Kenyon is well improved; most of the farms being hne ones, 
 and the buildings commodious and attractive. The inhabitants are all, or nearly all, 
 Highlanders, either direct from Scotland or the neighboring County of Glengarry. 
 Among themselves, the Gxlic is the language spoken ; while they are extremely kind 
 and hospitable to strangers, the latter may be sure that he has not the passport to 
 their affections unless he can speak with them in Goilic. 
 
 Duncan McLeod was a very early settler in the southwestern part of this 
 Township — the first, it is claimed, in the immediate vicinity of the place where he 
 located, in the Sth and gth Concessions. His father. AleiiEnder McLeod, from Glen- 
 garry, Scotland, was one of the pioneers in Locheil, Giongarry County, locating there 
 as early, at least, as the year 1800. In 1845, Dur!can ^IcLeod, one of his sons, 
 came to Caledonia, and tonk up 700 acres in the Sth and ylii Concessions. He be- 
 came a man of prominence and influence in the Township, serving several years in 
 the Council and as Magistrate; he also received a Commission of Lieutenant from 
 Sir John Colborne, of a Regiment in Glen:garry. He was born in 1805, and died 3rd 
 Voveinber, 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary McLeod, born in 1811, 
 ')//'/! 76th June, 1895, aged 84 ; thev had four sons and three daughters ; three of the 
 >ons, William, John and Neil, settied in this section, and are influential, respected 
 men in the Township. 
 
 Donald, another -on. died in Kansas ; the daughters, married, live in Glengarry. 
 
 Neil McLeod, thj youngest son, received 200 acres of the homestead, with the 
 h>}(' buildings thereo-i He has been twice married: first to Annie McMillan, who 
 died J 2nd iVkay, i&»r : issue, one daughter and a son — the latter died in infancy ; his 
 sccomi marriage, arjrd September, 1884, was to Mary McLeod ; issue, two daughters 
 and one sob — the litter died in infancy. Mr. McLeod has been .1 member of the 
 School Bcoid and INiunicipal Council several years. 
 
 John D_ tiie second son of the late Duncan McLeod, is jMoprietor of a fine farm 
 of 100 acres, and good buildings in this loca.ity ; he was married 12th August, 1862, 
 to Sarah, daughter 01 Joho Mclnnis, of West Hawkesbury. 
 
 William McLead, brother of the two named above, received 200 acres of the 
 homestead; he hat^ long been one of the .\[unicipal Councillors and a School Trustee. 
 
 John J. Mo/uak,, who resides here, is one of the active and prominent men of 
 
 the Township, having served as Reeve several years, as School Trustee, and in other 
 
 local offices. Hi'- father, Jonn McCuaig, from Lochiel, was an early settler here, and 
 
 took up 300 acre.i, though a portion of it is marsh ; he died in 1891, at the age of 88 ; 
 
 [he had six sons and two daughters. John J. remained on the homestead. 
 
 Archibald McLeod, now 84 years of age, lives on Lot 6, in the 9th Concession* 
 jHe came from Glengarry, Ont., and settled here in 1844, taking up 50 acres, to 
 which he subsequently added 100. He has four sons and three daughters living; 
 John A., one of the former, married, now has the management of the homestead. 
 
628 
 
 H5STORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 D'' 'CAN McCuAio, who has a good farm here, is a sonvf I>pnJ»ld ^t«Cuaig, who 
 came from Lancaster, wiierehe liad lived many years, to Ihiis section, in 1846. Mr. 
 McCuiiig believes that the first settler in the southern part of Caledonia was Donald 
 McKinnon, from Scotland, and that the next was Roy Mcl.eod, from Lochiel, Glen- 
 garry. The former has no descendants here, but tiie latter has a son, Donald McLeod, 
 still residing here. 
 
 LoDviCK. Morrison, from Glenelg, Invernesshire, Scotland, settled in Lochiel, 
 Glengarry, in 1802. A year or two later he moved to Kenyon, where he lived till his 
 death. He had three sons and seven daughters, of whom his Fon Roderick is the 
 only one living. In 1863 the latter settled in Caledonia, on Lot 5, Concession 8; 
 he has cleared it, and has a good farm with comfortable buildings. Mr. Morrison 
 has been twice mariied: first to Sarah Cameron, and next to Mary McCuaig, who 
 died 22nd April, 1890. He has three sons and four daughters; one of the latter, 
 married, lives in Lochiel. 
 
 John Macdonald, from Glencoe, Scotland, came to Lancaster in 1817 ; thence 
 he removed to Alexandria, and in 1820 to Caledonia, and bought 200 acres — a gore 
 of the 8th Concession. Later, he bought another 200 acres — a gore of the 
 7th Concession. He had seven sons and five daughters; Ronald, the fourth 
 son, who lives on part of the homestead with his own son, Angus, is the only one of 
 his father's family residing in I'rescott County. He is now 78 years of age, and says 
 that when his father came here, there was no settler in Caledonia east of them, and 
 the only ones west were Donald McKinnon and Roderick McLeod. Mr. Macdonald 
 has a fine farm with attractive buildings ; he has been a member of the Local Council 
 and Assessor, 
 
 At the extreme south-east corner of Caledonia — though located just on the 
 boundary of Lochiel, is a store and i)Ost-office, where the inhabitants of this pnrt of 
 Caledonia do much of their trading, and obtain their mail. The name of the office 
 is McCrimmon, and the Postmaster is N. D. McLeod, J. McRae also has a steam- 
 mill here. 
 
 CALEDONIA SPRINGS. 
 
 These Springs are situated about midway between Montreal and Ottawa, and a 
 few miles from the Ottawa River; the property pertaining comprises about 200 acres 
 of land, well laid out in walks, lawns, etc. 
 
 It is interesting to note the changes which have taken place here since the Hon. 
 Alexander Grant, of L'Origral, while beaver-hunting in this vicinity about 1806, 
 first discr-vered the peculiar qualities of the waters. At that time, the only evidence 
 that these springs had become known to human beings was a beaten path leading 
 through the forest, and hieroglyjjhics on the adjacent trees — the work of Indians. 
 Later, a hut was built upon the spot by a settler named Kellog, who had discovered 
 the medical properties of the springs, and turned his knowledge to practical account 
 by charging a small fee to the frequent visitors. In 1835 ^^^- Lemuel Gushing 
 bought the jjroperty, and erected an hotel ; he was succeeded in ownership by 
 William Parker, whose efforts to improve the place resulted, among other advan- 
 tages, i 1 better drainage, and a large and growing reputation for the Springs. Mr. 
 Parker was followed by J. L. Wilkmson, and he by T, Crawford, who owned the 
 property a number of years. It was then purchased by Gushing and Shepard, who built 
 a stone hotel, which was afterwards burnt. This was rebuilt by Capt. Bowie and 
 Gouin, and subsequently became the property of the Grand Hotel Company. 
 
 The Grand Hotel (as it is now called) is a fine large building of much architec- 
 tural beauty, and is always thronged during the summer months. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOIT. 
 
 629 
 
 gCuaig, who 
 1846. Mr. 
 was Donald 
 lorliiel, Glen- 
 lald McLeod, 
 
 d in Lochiel. 
 e lived till his 
 derick is the 
 loncossion 8 ; 
 Mr. Morrison 
 IcCuaig, who 
 of the latter, 
 
 1817 ; thence 
 acres — a gore 
 
 gore of the 
 d, the fourth 
 le only one of 
 
 age, and says 
 t of them, and 
 Ir. Macdonaid 
 Local Council 
 
 d just on the 
 this port of 
 of the office 
 has a steam- 
 
 Ottawa, and a 
 lOut 200 acres 
 
 ince the Hon. 
 
 about 1806, 
 )nly evidence 
 path loading 
 •k of Indians, 
 ad discovered 
 jtical account 
 nuel Gushing 
 )\vnership by 
 
 other advan- 
 
 jprings. Mr. 
 
 (o owned the 
 
 ird, who built 
 
 It. Bowie and 
 
 ipany. 
 
 auch archilec- 
 
 The mineral springs are four in number — saline, sulphur, gas and intermitt jnt — 
 and they have so salutary an effect that they are resorted to by hundreds of invalids 
 each season. 
 
 There are two hotels besides the Grand, a I'ost-Office, Roman Catholic church, 
 and several stores. 
 
 James Cross was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in rSoi. In 1886 lie 
 came to Canada, and settled in Caledonia about the year 1S28, 011 the farm now 
 owned by his son Jonathan Cross. He was married in 1829 to Ann, daughter of tiie 
 late Mr. T. Holmes, of Alfred; they had nine children, of whom four sous and two 
 daughters are now living. Mr. Cross took an active interest in municipal affairs, 
 being Councillor for a number of yeai ^, ami Justice of ,,he Peace ; he was also 
 Captain of the Militia, and took an active part in ihe organization of the first Agri- 
 cultural Society of the County. Mis death took place 2nd September, 1890, at the 
 age of 89 ; and that of Mrs. Cross in June, 1884. 
 
 Jonathan, the youngest of the family, was born 12th April, 1847. In 1867 he 
 went to the Military School in Toronto, and remained there during the winter; he 
 afterward went with the Volunteers to Cornwall, lie was married m 1S82 to Mary J,, 
 daughter of the late Thomas Holmes, of Alfred ; tl.ey have three sons and three daugh- 
 ters. Mr. Cross was elected Councillor in 1874, and held the office four years ; he has 
 also been Chairman of the Eoard of License Commissioners of Prescott. In 1890 he 
 was elected Reeve of Caledonia, which office he still holds; in 1893 he was Warden^i^' 
 of the United Councils of Prescott and Russell. He has also been Justice of die 
 Peace for the past 20 years, being, at the time of his appointment, the youngest 
 holding that office in the county. In 1894 he was nominated as the Representative 
 of the I'atrons of Industry of Russell County, but was defeated by Mr. Alfred 
 Evanturel. He has been President of the Farmers' Institute of the County of 
 Prescott since its organization, and, for several years, a Director of the Agricultural 
 Society. 
 
 John S. McDougall was born in Glengarry County, Ont., in August, 1833. 
 In 1878 he was appointed Station Agent at Thurso, Que., on the North Shore Roa.l — 
 being the first to hold that position. He remained tliere five years, and afterward 
 spent the same length of lime in Maxwell, Ont , managing a general store. Wiiile in 
 Maxwell, in 1886, he had the misfortune to lose his left hand ; it was injured when 
 he was boarding a train, and amputation became necessary. In 1888 he went to 
 Vankleek Hill, and started business as Life and Fire Insurance Agent, while Mrs. 
 McDougall opened a millinery store. Being a sufferer frcmr erysipelas, Mr. 
 McDougall came to Caledonia Sj-rings, where he has been completely restored to 
 I health. He manages the Lake Cottage, which in the summer is crowded to its full 
 capacity; he also keeps a grocery and fiiiuy store open during the summer months. 
 He has been twice married, the first time in 1859, and the second in 1874, to Mary 
 I J., daughter of the late Alexander R. McDonnell, saddler, of Alexandria, 
 
 NoKMAN W. Kennedy, eldest son of the late Wm. Kennedy, of Stukely,Sherford 
 [County, Que., was born in that Township, and received his early education in 
 VVaterloo Academy, under the principalship of C. Thomas. He was married in 1880 
 to Miss AmandaJ. Davis, of VVest Bolton ; they have two children — both daughters. 
 In December of 1893, Mr. Kennedy came to this place, where he has since resided, 
 having charge of the Post-Office, and also looking after the estate and hotel during 
 Ithe winte»- ; he is also agent for the Bell Telephone Co. in this place. 
 
 Donald McMaster, eldest son of Ronald McMaster, was born in 1859, o" '^'^^ 
 Ifarm where he now lives. In 1884 he took the Lake Cottage in Caledonia Springs, 
 
630 
 
 IIISTOUY OF PRF.SCOTX. 
 
 keeping it open seven summers. In 1891 lie wont to Vankleek Hill, and, in partner- 
 ship with his brother, bought llu; (irand Central Hotel, which the latter still manages. 
 He remained there four years, and in 1895 took the Victoria Cottage at Cale- 
 donia Springs for three years ; \lv had much success during the past summer. He 
 was married in 1895 to Miss McLeod, daughter of tlie late Norman McLeod, of 
 Vankleek Hill. 
 
 EwEN McMaster and his wife, Mary McMaster, both from Lochaber, Scotland 
 came to Canada in 18 18, and first settled in Glengarry County, remaining there two 
 years. He came to Caledonia at the end of this time, and settled on the farm now 
 owned by his son John. The farm was entirely covered with forest, he being one of 
 the first settleis in this section. Mr. and Mrs. McMaster had eleven children, of whom 
 three sons and four daughters are now living. Mr. McMaster took an active part in 
 the affairs of the Township, holding nearly all the municipal offitcs. He was a man 
 respected by all who kn^'w him, and his memory will always be venerated. He died 
 nth April, 1869, aged 80, and Mrs. McMaster died in 186,3. 
 
 Jolin, the youngest son, born 9th May, 1838, always remained on the home- 
 stead. He was married 6th July, 1869, to Mary, daughter of Angus Kennedy, of 
 Lochiel, Glengarry County ; they have one son, Ewen, who lives at home. Mr. 
 McMaster is a good farmer ; he has served the Township as Councillor. 
 
 John McMaster, a broiher of Ewen, was also an early settler, coming here in 
 1818. He was also active in the affairs of the Township during his lifetime, acting 
 as School Inspector, etc. He lived on the west half of liOt 13, ist Concession, now 
 owned by his grandson, Donald McMaster. 
 
 Alfred. 
 
 Alfred is bounded on the north by the Ottawa River, on the east by Longueuil 
 and Caledonia, and on the west by North and South Plantagenet. In the south the 
 Township runs to a point enclosed by Caledonia on the east, and South Plantagenet 
 on the west. It fron's upon the Ottawa about ten miles, and near this river is some- 
 what hilly, but in the greater part of the Township the land is low. 
 
 The first settlers of whom we have any knowledge were Messrs. Holmes and 
 Pattee, who probably came here during the early years of the present century and 
 settled on Alfred Road. Among oJier pioneers were Thomas and John Brady, and 
 the f^imilies of Liglitle, Tierney, McCaskill and Holligan ; these settled farther 
 towards the north of the Township, near the locality now known as Bradyville. 
 Alfred and Longueuil were united for municipal purposes up to the year 1854, when 
 the forrner was detached, and Joseph McGovern was elected Reeve. 
 
 PARISH OF ST. THOMAS DE ALFRED ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 Land for the buildings and cemetery, about eight acres, was given by Elaire 
 Cholette, and the present edifice was erected in 1878. Previous to this. Mass had 
 been said by Rev. Father Bourassa, of Montebello, to which this parish formerly 
 
, in partner- 
 ill manages, 
 ge at Cale- 
 imuKT. He 
 McLeod, of 
 
 ler, Scotland 
 ng there two 
 le farm now 
 being one of 
 ren, of whom 
 .ctive part in 
 [e Was a man 
 d. He died 
 
 n the honiL- 
 
 Kennedy, of 
 
 home. Mr. 
 
 ming here in 
 fetime, acting 
 icession, now 
 
 [by Longucuil 
 the south the 
 [h Plantagenet 
 Iriver is some- 
 Holmes and 
 It century and 
 In Brady, and 
 Utlled farther 
 is Bradyville. 
 ir 1854, when 
 
 CHURCH. 
 
 IveTi by Elaire 
 
 111', Mass had 
 
 \ri!:h formerly 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 6^1 
 
 belonged. Mass was afterwards celebrated in the school-house by Rev. Kallier 
 LaVoie, who built the vestry and other parts of the present church. Rev. Father 
 Pnidhonvne w.is then sent to lake charge of the parisli, and was the iirst resident 
 priest; lu continued the building of the clinch, fiiiihingthe outside. His successor 
 was Rev. Father Boucher, who remained until 1885, when he sailed to England, 
 entered a monastery, and died there in 1892. Rev. Father laniel, from Aylmer, tiien 
 took ch irge of the iiarish, remaining until 1888, when ho became ill, and died in the 
 hospital m Ottawa After his death, Rev. Father liedard, who had previously acted 
 as Curate, was appointed Parish Priest by .\rchbishop Duhaiu ! 10th August, 1SS9. 
 Rev. Father Bedard w.is born in St. Raymond, (bounty of Portueuf, Que., in 
 i860 ; he was educated in Laval University and in the College of Ottawa, taking his 
 Theological course and^graduating from tlie latter. In 1SS8 he accomjjanied Arch- 
 ishop Duhanicl to Almonte, officiating thereat liis first Mass, and shortly afterward 
 came to uiis parish. Since taking charge he hi^ finished the interior of the church, 
 and l)>iilt a fine brick presbjtdrc . the latter building was blessed bv Archbishop 
 Duhaniel, who celebrated Pontifical Mass here 15th August, 1895. There are 800 
 communicants belonging to the church ; the building is a fine, large stone struc- 
 ture. 
 
 LAFAIVRE. 
 
 This little village is situated in the ist Concession of the Township of Alfred, on 
 the Ottawa. It hu;, a population of about 200, nearly .tH French from Quebec. It 
 contains three stores, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, a bakery and a carriage shop. 
 The surrounding country is -.0 settled with French, all owning good farms. The 
 first settler in Lafaivre was H. Lafaivre, who was born in 1838 in St. Hernias, 
 County of Two Mountains ; he came to this place in 1848, and for six years his was 
 the only house here. He cleared tlie farm now owned by his son. Mr. H. Lafaivre, 
 his eldest son, after his father's death worked eleven years at lumbering, thus sup- 
 porting the family. He had only attended school eight months when eight years of 
 age, but while lumbering acquired a fair business education in both English and 
 French, by studying during ilie evenings. Mr. Lafaivre has been Treasurer of the 
 school since 1861 ; in 1872 he was elected Rec^c of the Townshij), and, with tiie 
 exception of four years, has since held the posiiicn ; he has been I^ostmaster since 
 1873, in which year the Post-Office was established and given his name. He has also 
 kept a general store for many years, and deals extensively in hay and ^rain ; all 
 this is done in connection with his farming. The large wharf here he built in 1879, 
 and still owns. He was married in 1866 to .Arthcmese Racicot, and has two sons 
 and five daughters. 
 
 Thumap Brady came from County Cavan, Ireland, to Canada abo it 1830. His 
 first wife died in Ireland, leaving two sons and three daughters, w!io accompanied 
 him to this country. On his arrival lie first came to Alfred and settled on a lot in 
 the 3rd Concession — the farm now owned by John McCusker. He was married the 
 second time in 1838 to Mrs. Beers, widow of Elisha Beers ; the latter had been 
 drowned in the Long Sault rapids, and his widow was engaged in teaching befoie 
 marrying Mr. Brady. By the latter marriage there were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brady 
 two sons and two daughters — Francis, Andrew, Mary and Anna. Mr. Brady took an 
 active pari in the niunici))al affairs of^ Alfred, and was one of the first (>oancillors, 
 acting in that capacity and as Reeve for sixteen years. He was also Coroner five 
 years. He died in 1862, aged 83, and Mrs. Brady died in February of 1887, ^^ the 
 age of 81. 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
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632 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Francis, the eldest son, born 28th February, 1841, in Alfred, was married 7th 
 July, 1862, to Miss Catherine Tainsh; they had one son and one daughter, but the 
 former lived only till seventeen years of ;ige. The daughter, Lilias, is married to Dr. 
 P. A. Smith. Mrs. Brady died 26th May, 1S95. In 1872 Mr. Brady bought his 
 present farm, which is directly o;)posite the Papineau residence, and has since made 
 many improvements on it and built a brick residence, in the river here is a small 
 Island called Mill Island, where Mr. Joseph McGovern had a large steam saw-mill for 
 a number of years ; this mill was burned. 
 
 ALPHONSEPRfesfAULT, third son of A. Pr^seault, was born October, 1840, in St. 
 Benoit, County of Two Mountains, and came to Alfred with his father's family when 
 IP years of age. When ig, he went to Saginaw City, Michigan, where he was em- 
 ployed rtve years in the lumber business, and on his return he spent some time on the 
 Ottawa in the same business, taking his teams with him. On 22nd August, 1H71, 
 ho was married to Miss O. Seguin, of West Hawkesbary ; they have four sons and 
 three daughters, all at home, with the exception of Delphis who is pttending college 
 in Rigaud. In 1880, Mr. Pr^seault bought his present farm in the 2nd Concession, and 
 has since purchased 150 acres more in the 1st and sih Concessions; he is an enter- 
 prising fari.ier, and takes an active part in the public affairs, having been Councillor 
 and J3eputy Reeve for 12 years. In 1892 he built, and still conducts, a cheese fac- 
 tory on his farm. 
 
 John Cashion was a U. E. Loyalist who resided in the Mohawk Valley, New 
 York ; on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, he, with his wife, walked to 
 Martintown, Ont. He afterward joined the Briash Army, in which he held a com- 
 mission, and took part in the war of 1812, and was present at the battle of Chrys- 
 ler's P'arm. 
 
 John, his youngest son, was born in 1807, and about 1823 came to Alfred, and 
 commenced lumbering, he being one of the earliest settlers. He endured all the 
 hardships incident to a pioneer's life, being obliged to carry hi? provisions on his back 
 from L'Orignal, finding his way through the forest by means rf blazed trees. He 
 continued to clear land for some years befoie his marriage, which took place in 1837, 
 to Mary Lammaman of England. Seven daughters and two sons were born to them, 
 of whom one of the latter died in childhood. The remaining son, James, and the 
 third daughter, Anna, are the only ones living in the county, the others being in the 
 States and in Russell County. Mr, fJashion died in 1885, aged 78, and Mrs. 
 Cashion in 1890 at the age of 73. 
 
 James Cashion, the son, when about 18 years of age, went to the State of New 
 York, and learned the blacksmith trade. He spent ten years there and in Saginaw 
 City, Michigan. He now lives on the old homestead with his sister Anna; he has 
 been engaged in lumbering on the Ottawa for a number of years in connection 
 with his farming. Mr. Cashion has a fine farm, on which he has made many im- 
 provements. 
 
 Michael Brownrigg came from Kilkenny County, Ireland, to North Plania- 
 genet in 1826. John R., his eldest son, was born in 1840, and at the age of 17 began 
 teaching school. He taught three years in Plantagenet and Alfred, and afterward 
 became Book-keeper for Joseph McGovern, a mill owner on the Island ; he remained 
 here seven years. In 1870, he was married to Miss Catherine Murray of Cumberland ; 
 they have four sons and ten daughters. Mr. McGovern's mill having been burnt, 
 Mr. Brownri^^^g removed to his present farm which was one of the first settled in 
 Alfred. He has taken part in the Township's affairs, having been Township Clerk 
 for 13 yer.rs; in 1881, he was appointed to take the census of th3 south half of Alfred. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 CiZ 
 
 larried 7th 
 ;r, but the 
 rried 10 Dr. 
 bought his 
 since made 
 : is a small 
 saw-mill for 
 
 1840, in St. 
 family when 
 he was em- 
 time on the 
 iigust, 1871, 
 )ur sons and 
 iii.^ college 
 cession, and 
 : is an enter- 
 n Councillor 
 cheese fac- 
 
 Valley, New 
 ;, walked to 
 : held a com- 
 ttle of Clnys- 
 
 Alfred, and 
 
 ured all the 
 
 on his back 
 
 Id trees. He 
 
 llace in 1837, 
 
 lorn to them, 
 
 lues, and the 
 
 being in the 
 
 and Mrs. 
 
 Jtate of New 
 Id in Saginaw 
 lina i he has 
 connection 
 Ide many im- 
 
 orlh Planla- 
 |of 17 began 
 id afterward 
 (he remained 
 Cumberland ; 
 been burnt, 
 \si settled in 
 [ni^hip Clerk 
 df of Alfred. 
 
 His children aie all at home, except Anna who is in Montreal ; Catherine E. is attend- 
 ing school in Piantagenet ; and John E., having completed his education in Rigaud 
 College, is now teaching school in St. Thomas d'Alfred. 
 
 Samuel Parisien early engaged in navigation on the Ottawa, commencing work 
 in 1848, wnen only 19, under Barnum on the " Pioneer." He remained on this boat 
 four years, and then engaged as pilot on "he " Brilannia," Cap':. Dickson, and was 
 here thirteen years, acting first as pilot and afterward as Captain. Following this, 
 he was for three years Captain and Pilot on the Str. "Express," running between 
 Ottawa and Montreal, and for eleven years acted in the same capacity on the Str. 
 "Albert," of McNaughton & Company. This boat was burnt at Carillon, and Captain 
 Parisien then left the river, and has since devoted himself to farming in this place. He 
 has seven sons, two of whom have also sr ent much time on the river The second 
 son, who is his father's namesake, fo' lowed navigation for 23 years, beginning 
 when only 18 years of age. During this lime he was Pilot on the "J. R. Booth," 
 and Captain on the " Dolphin " and several other boats. He retired from Uie river 
 I in 1894, and is now farming in Alfred on tlie old homestead. 
 
 Thomas Lvtle came from County Carlow, Ireland, to Canada in 1826, and first 
 [settled in Cornwall. He then cr.me to iMfred in 1831, and settled on the farm now 
 [owned by Charles Rivers. He died there it. December, 1864, aged 104 years and 11 
 [days, Mr.«. Lytle also died on the same farm, at the age of 84 ; six daughters and 
 [three sons were born to them ; of the latter, only one survives, 
 
 James Lytle, the youngest son, was born in 18 13 ; he commenced lumbering at 
 
 linearly age, and was engaged in the business on the Ottawa nineteen years ; he was 
 
 jrnarried to Margaret, daughter of William Johnson, of County Fc -managh, Ireland, and 
 
 |x)ught the farm which is now owiied by his son ; heafte'-ward bought a lot in the 4th 
 
 IConcession. Mr. Lytle died in October, 1891, aged 78, and Mrs. Lytle died 7th Octo- 
 
 ier, 1882, aged 76. Their children were : Thomas J., born 1862, who manages the 
 
 Isomestead farm ; Margaret and Elizabeth, who are also on the farm ; and Mary, married 
 
 Edward Holmes of Point Fortune. 
 
 John H. Smith, eldest son of Henry Smith, was born 25th February, 1867, and 
 
 fuvays remained in this section, with the exception of one winter spent in lumbering 
 
 'ith his team on the Kip River and the Upper Ottawa. In 1892, he bought his 
 
 present farm in the 4th Concession. He was married 21st March, 1893, to Sarah, 
 
 aughter of Isaac Allen of Longueuil ; they have one son. Mr. Smith is one of the 
 
 libstantial farmers of Alfred ; he possesses much enterprise, and has already made 
 
 pany improvements on his farm. 
 
 Charles BiANEY came from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1831, and settled in 
 f'est Hawkesbury. 
 
 Sproulc Bianey, his fourth son, was born 4th December, 1837, "^ Caledonia ; at 
 i years of age he commenced lumbering with Stephen Tucker of Papineauville, 
 Imaining with him five years. During this time, when 18 years of age, Mr. Bianey 
 ought his present farm in the 3rd Concession, and had it entirely paid for when 
 He was married 9th May, 1866, to Margaret, daughter of James McNiel, of 
 loint du Chcne, Argenteuil County, and moved to his farm the same year. They have 
 Iree sons and five daughters, all living at home except Keziah, who is teaching 
 iiool at Caledonia, and Susan D., who is attending school in Vankleek Hill. Mr. 
 Jiiey has made many improvements on his farm, and has added to it by purchasing 
 lather half lot i he has been a member of the Municipal Council at different times. 
 
 Mr. Daniel McCusker is one of those men who, by enterprise, industry and 
 jeii intellect, have worked their way into the front rank of the business men of the 
 
 41 
 
634 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 County. He was born 15th February, 1843, on the firm where he now lives ; he is 
 the youngeit son of James McCusker, who came from County Fermanagh, Ireland, 
 to Canada, and settled in Alfred about 1830. The latter died April, 1886, aged 86. 
 The subject of our present sketch has been twice married ; his first wife was Mary, 
 daughter of the late Johii Johnson of Ottawa County, and the marriage took place in 
 1865. Mr. McCusker died 15th April, 1881, leaving two sons and two daughters ; two 
 had died in childhood. He was married the second time to Margaret, daughter 
 of William Allison of East Hawkesbury, in January, 1883, and by this marriage has 
 three sons and two daughters. He held the office of Reeve for three years, during 
 one of which he was Warden of the united Counties of Prescott and Russell ; 
 but owing to pressure of other business he declined all further offers of municipal 
 honors. In addition to his farming, Mr. McCusker is one of the largest dealers in 
 hay in this section of the country, handling about 4,000 tons annually ; he buys on 
 both sides of the Ottawa, has a private side track on the C.P.R. at Gatineau, and 
 at the present time, ships about 7 cars daily. In 1892, 4,000 tons were shipped to 
 one firm alone — Keeble Bros, of Peterborough, England. In 1894, Mr. McCusker 
 took a trip to Europe, visiting the birth place of his lather in Ireland, also England, 
 Scotland, France and Belgium. His present residence, a very fine one, built of cut 
 stone was erected in 1880. 
 
 Humphrey Hf'.HES was born near Arklow, in the County of Wicklow, Ireland, 
 February 7th, 1792; l.c was married in 1823 to Miss Mary Langrell, of Carlow 
 County, and they came Lo Canada the same year, settling on the south side of 
 George's Lake. Mr. Hughes was the fourth settler in this county. He held every 
 municipal ofiice, after the village became populated, except that of Treasurer ; he was 
 Assessor when the Township of Alfred and North and South Pl?.niagenet were 
 united, also Superintendent of Schools, Coroner, and Justice of the Peace. Mr. 
 Hughes was a Christian man, and was very active in helping to establish Methodism 
 in George's Lake Settlement. In 1829 he organized a Sunday-School in his own 
 house. He died 25th July, 1889, and Mrs. Hughes died October 4lh, 187 1 ; tliey 
 had five sons and four daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are deceased. 
 
 Abraham, the youngest son, was born nth July, 1865, on the farm where he now 
 lives, in the 2nd Concession of Alfred. He was married in 187 1 to Mary Ann, 
 daughter of Eli Robinson, of North Plantagenet ; they have five children living — 
 three sons and two daughters ; one son died in childhood. They have also an 
 adopted son. Mr. Hughes has made many improvements on his farm, erecting ;ij 
 fine brick residence and out-buildings. Like his father, ho has also been a strongj 
 supporter of the Methodist Church. 
 
 Joseph Martineau was born in the County of Montcalm, Que., in 1840.I 
 When II years of age, he went with his father, wiio was a carpenter, to Montiea 
 and remained there three years, afterwards roming to North Plantagenet, where iheyj 
 lived tiie same lenglh of time. They then came to Alfred, and Mr. Martineau, sr. 
 bought the farm now owned by the subject of cur sketch. When Joseph was 16 year 
 of age he commenced lumbering, and continued in this business seven years. H 
 afterwards spent 10 years in New York, Michigan, and others of the United Stales 
 In 1882 he was married to Miss A. Allard, of Curran ; they have five daughters am; 
 one son, living. Mr. Martineau is a good farmer, r.nd owns 200 acres of land; h 
 has built fine new barns for each lot. He has been Councillor, and Justice of uv 
 Peace for the last twenty years. 
 
 Henry Smith was born in Papineauville in 1806. He was a pilot on th 
 Ottawa for many years, and died in 1879 ; his widow still survives him in Papineau' 
 ville. 
 
 T 
 
 Towns 
 
 Frencl 
 
 one ca 
 
 of whii 
 
 T 
 
 Mr. Jc 
 
 Sergea: 
 
 boarde 
 
 dedical 
 
 has ne' 
 
 a clerg 
 
 the chu 
 
 Th 
 
 1.277 c 
 
 Victor 
 
 Ihe To^ 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 635 
 
 w lives ; he is 
 nagh, Ireland, 
 1886, aged 86. 
 rife was Mary, 
 ; took place in 
 laughters ; two 
 5a. et, daughter 
 .s marriage has 
 ; years, during 
 
 and Russell ; 
 s of municipal 
 rgest dealers in 
 ly ; he buys on 
 
 Gatineau, and 
 
 vere shipped to 
 
 Mr. McCusker 
 
 I, also England, 
 
 Dne, built of cut 
 
 'icklow, Ireland, 
 [rrell, of Carlow 
 u; south side of 
 He held every 
 reasurer ; he was 
 ll?.nlagenet were 
 le Peace. Mr. 
 )Ush Methodism 
 lool in his owa 
 th, 1871 ; they 
 [rs are deceased, 
 m where he now 
 to Mary Ann, 
 Ihildren living - 
 ly have also an 
 Ifarm, erecting a] 
 bo been a strong! 
 
 Que., in i84'^-| 
 [er, to Montreal, 
 met, where theyj 
 Martineau, sr., 
 Iph was 16 yean 
 ]ven years. H? 
 United Staiesj 
 le daughters ami 
 Ves of land ; li« 
 Justice of I'nii 
 
 pilot on till 
 In in Papi neauj 
 
 Henry Smi*h, jr., his second son, was also born in his father's native village, and 
 at sixteen years of age commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed 
 six years. During the succeeding seven years he was engaged in lumbering on the 
 Ottawa. In 1863 he was married to Mary, daughter of the late John Sargent, one of 
 the pioneers of Alfred, and the following year moved to his presei-t farm in the 4th 
 Concession, which he bought from his father-in-law. Mi. and Mrs. Smith have two 
 sons and three daughters. Hannah, married to R. James, lives in Alfred ; B'rances, 
 the wife of John Remmick, lives in Caledonia , \ sketch of John H. is given else- 
 where ; Josiah, and Mma, the youngest, remain at home. Mr. Smith has all the 
 modern farming implements, and has made many improvements on iiis farm There 
 is a large ledge of limestone on this, from which Mr. Smith has taken and burnt a 
 considerable amount of lime. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 HOLMES SETTLEMENT. 
 
 John A. Holmes, second son of Tiiomas Holmes, was born 17th December, 
 1841, in this Settlement, where he has always remained. In 1870 he bought his 
 piesent farm, opposite his father's, in the 5th Concession. He was married 26ih Octo- 
 ber, 1876, to Margaret, daughter of Eli Robinson, of North Plant-agenet, and the same 
 I year moved to his farm, and built his present brick residence. Eor several- years 
 previous to his marriage, he lumbered extensively in this vicinity, clearing lend and 
 1 taking his logs down the river to Hamilton's at Hawkesbnry. 
 
 Mr. Holmes is an enterprising farmer, has all the modern farming imple- 
 jments, and all the surroundings besp'jak thrift and prosperity. He has taken an 
 [active part in supporting the Episcopal Church at Alfred, and has been Church 
 IWarden for two years. The hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes is well known in 
 [this seciion. He always gives employment to a number of men on his farm, and the 
 [worthy poor never turn from his door empty-handed. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have four daughters and one son, all living at home. 
 [Effie J., the second daughter, is organist in the P2piscopal Church, Alfred. 
 
 , , ,^ ALFRED VILLAGE. 
 
 The village of Alfred, in the Parish of St. Victor, is situated in the centre of the 
 [Township, and contains a population of between four and five hundred, entirely 
 
 French. There are two churches, severr.l fine brick residences, six dry goods stores, 
 
 one carriage and four blacksmith's sliops, three hotels, a tannery, and grist mill — all 
 |of which have sprung up during the last tweaty-five years. 
 
 The present Church of England was built in i860, on land deeded for its site by 
 I Mr. John Holmes. The Holmes brothers, Joseph Langrell, William Johnson, John 
 
 Sergeant and several others, assisted in its erection ; it is built of sided timber, clap- 
 jboarded and painted, and presents a very neat appearance. It is the only building 
 
 dedicated to Protestant worship in the Township of Alfred, and since its completion 
 [has never been unoccupied on the Sabbath, except occasionally, when the services of 
 
 a clergyman could not be procured. Rev. Mr. Ritchie, of Ottawa, holds service in 
 
 [the church every alternate Sabbath. 
 
 The Roman Catholic Church was built in 1874, by Rev. Father LaVoie ; it has 
 
 |i,277 communicants from the 323 families of this faith belonging in the Parish of St. 
 
 Victor d' Alfred, which Parish extends from Lot .j6 of 3rd Concession to the end of 
 
 llhe Township. Rev. Father Lombard, the present parish priest, is now in Rome 
 
 m 
 
HBB^SSBSfl 
 
 
 636 
 
 HIGTOPY OF PREdCOTT. 
 
 w'lh Archbishop Duhamel, and during his absence Rev. Father J. A. Pelletier, from 
 St. Lin de Laurentide, County of L'Assomption, has charge of the parish. 
 
 The people of Alfred support a Township Agricultural Society, which was organ- 
 ized in 1890 through the efforts of Messrs. Evanturel, L. P. Labrosse, F. Cadieuxand 
 several others. The first exhibition was held in 1891, in Alfred Village, and has since 
 been held annually. Mr. Evanturel was ^elected First Honorary President, and 
 resigning in 1894, was succeeed by F'ather Lombard. 
 
 Francis Eugene Alfred Evanturel, M.P.P., LL.B., was born in Quebec 
 City, in 1847. ^'^ father was Hon. F. Evanturel, at one time Minister of Agricul- 
 ture of Cf.nada. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Seminary, Quebec, 
 :ind Laval University, graduating with honors in 1870. In 1871 he was called to 
 the Bar of Quebec, and practised in QOebec city for two years. He then occupied a 
 Government position in Ottawa until 1881, when he again resumed his practice. His 
 career in P^escott County has been a phenomenal success. He ably edited 
 V Interf retc for several years, and succeeded in converting a drubtful, into a sound 
 Reform constituency. He was first returned M.P.P. for Prescott County in 1S86, and 
 afterwards elected by acclamation. As a popular orator, Mr. Evanturel has few equals 
 in this country. 
 
 In June, 1873, he was married to Miss Louisa Lee, granddaughter of Hon. 
 Judge Vanfelson, of the Superior Court, Montreal. 
 
 Mr. Evanturel accompanied Sir Oliver Mowat to the Interprovincial Conference 
 at Quebec in 1887, and spoke in fifteen counties during two months, at the two last 
 general elections. 
 
 Louis Philippe Labrosse, tl.ird con of P. Labrosse, was born ist August, 1847, 
 in St. Eugene. He first entered the employ of his brother, Simon Labrosse, of 
 St. Eugene, as clerk, and remained there twelve years, with the exception of one 
 spent in California. 
 
 He was married 24th May, 1S71, to Marie Emma, daughter of the late Edward 
 St. Denis, of St. Eugene ; the following year he bought the hotel now owned by 
 McMillan, in Vankleek Hill, and after conducting this two years, sold out and returned 
 to St. Eugene, remaining there a year. He afterward kept a grocery store in Vankleek 
 Plill for four years, which he sold to E. JLabrosse, and came to Alfred in September, 
 1880. He opened a general dry goods store here, and bought 50 acres of land, which 
 he cultivates in addition to his other business. Mr. Labrosse has done a great deal 
 tovv^ard the advancement of this village ; he was elected Reeve of the Township the 
 year of his arrival, and held the office four years. In 1883 he was appointed Post- 
 master, which office he still holds. The Post-office is in his store, which contains a 
 large stock, and receives an extensive patronage. In 1892 he erected his present 
 brick residence, which adds much to the appearance of the village. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Labrosse had ten children, of whom three sons and two daughters 
 are now living. The eldest son is taking a medical course in Laval University ; the 
 two younger are also in College in Montreal, and the eldest daughter is a pupil in 
 Mount St. Mary Convent in the same city ; the youngest remains at home. 
 
 J. Napoleon BfeLANGER, eldest son of Magloire B^langer, was born in Rigaud 
 in 1849. ^Vhen 17 years of age he commenced clerking in St. Andr6 Avellin, but 
 after a year took up the teaching profession, and taught several years in Ottawa, Hull, 
 Montebello and other places. He also spent some time in Michigan as Book- 1 
 keeper for his father, who is an extensive manufacturer of lumbermen's tools in that j 
 State. In 1878 he cam.e to tliis place, and has since been engaged most of the time 
 in teaching. He taught seven years in the vi.'lage of Alfred, and is now engaged 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 637 
 
 elletier, from 
 
 h. 
 
 :h was organ- 
 
 . Cadieuxand 
 
 and has since 
 
 resident, and 
 
 rn in Quebec 
 -r of Agricul- 
 iiavy, Quebec, 
 was called to 
 en occupied a 
 practice. His 
 ; ably edited 
 1, into a sound 
 tyin 1886, and 
 has few equals 
 
 ;hter of Hon. 
 
 lal Conference 
 ,t the two last 
 
 f August, 1847, 
 
 Labrosse, of 
 
 :eption of one 
 
 le late Edward 
 ow owned by 
 t and returned 
 e in Vankleek 
 in September, 
 of land, which 
 le a great deal 
 Township the 
 ppointed Post- 
 ich contains a 
 :ed his present 
 
 I two daughters 
 Tiiiversity ; the 
 [r is a pupil in 
 ne. 
 
 ^rn in Rigaud 
 Avellin, but 
 jOttawa, Hull, 
 ran as Book- 
 tools in that 
 St of the time 
 [now engaged 
 
 i'l District No. 6, a Separate school. In 1883 he was appointed Commissioner for 
 taking affidavits in the High Court for the united counties of Prescolt and Russell, 
 and in 1889 was appointed Justice of the Peace, which office he still holds ; he was 
 Clerk of the Township Council five years. As may be seen by the above, Mr. 
 Belanger is ..ell posted in the Codt* of Ontario, and his knowledge is frequently 
 called into requisition by parties desiring writings for conveyance of property, deeds, 
 etc. Mr. Belanger owns fifty acres of land near the village, and ninety in St. Thomas. 
 Dr. a. a. Gibeault, the physician of this village, was born in St. Jacques de 
 L'Achigan, County of Montcalm, Que., in 1855. He studied for a time in L'Assomp- 
 tion College, and in October, 1877, entered Victoria College, Montreal, for the pur- 
 pose of studying medicine ; he graduated from the latter institution in March, 1880, 
 obtaining the degree of M.D., CM., and commenced practising in St. Jacques. He 
 remained in that place five years, and was married there to Miss P-mma Alain, of 
 Montreal, 4th February, i88j. In 1885 he came to Alfred, where he practised on 
 his Quebec license, but in 1890 had some trouble on this account. Not to be dis- 
 mayed, however, by this obstacle, le went before the Ontario Council, obtained his 
 license for this Province, and has since remained here, meeting with much success in 
 his profession. 
 
 P. QuESNEL came here from St, Eugene in 187 1, and bought all the land on the 
 north side <^f what is now Main Street. At that time there were only five buildings 
 HI the place. Mr. Quesnel kept store for fourteen years, and was at one time Reeve. 
 He now conducts the People's Hotel of this place. 
 
 J. D. Gratton, third son of Joseph Gralton, was born 17th January, 1875; he 
 [mended the Model School in Plantagenet, and after graduating t"om it, taught for 
 :hree years in District No. 9, a Separate school. In 1895 ''"^ '^ook charge of District 
 No. 10 in the villape of Alfred, where he has as assistant Miss Sauvie. He is also 
 |Clerk of ihe Township Council. 
 
 J. L. Laframboise was born at St. Benoit, County of Two Mountains, 12th 
 iN^ovember, i860. He first entered the dry goods store of D. A. P. Blair, of St. 
 JEustache, as clerk, and was afterward employed in the "ame rapacity for F. Eli 
 jauthier and John Miller, remaining with the latter six years, in L'Orignal. He was 
 siarried in 1889 to Miss Z. Pharand, of L'Orignal, and the same year, came to Alfred 
 lind took his present hotel, the Prescott House, a fine building. Mr. Laframboise is 
 [Local Agent for the Bell Telephone Company, having the telephone in his hotel. He 
 :ommenced the first sidewalk here, building several rods at his own expense, and 
 :hrough his example sidewalks are now laid throughout ihe village. 
 
 HoNORE BfeLANGER, eldest son of H. Belanger, was born 14th April, 1874, in 
 iiis place. When 15 years of age he entered the employ of F. Gauthier, merchant, 
 bf L'Orignal, remained there two years, and then entered the employ of Mr. L. P. 
 Labrosse, where he has been during the jnist three years. He; is a young man of 
 ptelligeiice and geniality, and always looks after the best interests of his employer 
 ffld custonT^rs. 
 
 William Skguin was the first Reeve of the Township of Alfred, about the year 
 ^55. He is still living in Alfred Village, at the age of 84, with his wife, who is a 
 ear younger. 
 
 The first settlers where the village now is were John Holmes, who lived on the 
 irm now occupied by LaMarche and John Hill ; they came here about 1825. Mr. 
 ill was the first Postmaster, and was succeeded by John Lawlor, who was followed 
 |y the present one, L. P. Labrosse. 
 
 MfeDfeRic Gareau, a farmer living in the 7th Concession, is Assessor, Ditches 
 id Water Course Engineer, and Secretary of the Agricultural Society. 
 
 !;l 
 
638 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Louis Torongkau, living in Alfred Village, is Collector for the Township. He 
 is the owner of two cheese factories. 
 
 Jules Boileau also resides in the Village. He is bailiff and auctioneer. 
 
 JAMES SETTLEMENT 
 
 is situated on Horse Creek, which rises in Caledonia Marsh •'.nd flows through the 
 9th Concession into the National River, at South Plantagenet. The settlement took 
 its name from James Brothers — Harry, Dory, Albert and Adolphus, who came from 
 Leland and settled here about 1855 > ^^^^^^ descendants still remain here. Among 
 the other early settlers were Bclanger, Bissonettc, C. B. Morin, Drouin and several 
 others. 
 
 North Plantagenet. 
 
 This Township, located in the extreme north-west of Prescott County, is bounded! 
 on the north by the Ottawa, east by Alfred, south by South Plantagenet, and west byj 
 Russell County. 
 
 The Nation River, a stream of considerable size — especially in the spring, when! 
 a large number of logs are floated down it — enters it near the south-eastern angle of I 
 the Township, and passing diagonally across it, flows into the Ottawa about three-[ 
 fourths of the distance from the eastern to the western boundary. The land border-j 
 ing this river is mostly level, and, indeed, this is the physical aspect of the greater pard 
 of the land in the Township. Though the" soil, evidently, is not as strong as it is inl 
 some other parts of the County, many of the inhabitants have followed farming suc-j 
 cessfully, and have all the temporal comforts generally found among this class. 
 
 PLANTAGENET MILLS. 
 
 Previous to 181 1 no settlement had been made in this Township, though ColJ 
 Fortune had received a grant of two lots, on one of which was a fine water-poweif 
 privilege, as a reward for surveying the Township. As he had contracted certaiii 
 debts in Montreal with a merchant named Hagar, he cancelled them by turning ove^ 
 to Mr. Hagar his property in Plantagenet. 
 
 Abner Hagar came from Weybridge, Vt., to Montreal in i8co, to which citjj 
 four brothers had preceded him. He there entered into partnership in mercantile 
 business with one of his brothers — Jonathan ; but on the approach of the war ol 
 181 2 Jonathan sold his share in the business to Abner, and returned with his otheB^ 
 brothers to the States. Abner still prosecuted the business, and, in the hope of mak| 
 ing good profits, invested largely in such fabrics as he supposed would be require(r 
 for clothing in the army; but the termination of the war, and the great reduction in 
 prices consequently, caused him serious losses, and induced him to engage in ne\ij 
 business. About this time be way married to Hannah B, Barker, a daughter of CaptJ 
 
'ownship. He 
 ioneer. 
 
 ws through the 
 settlement took 
 who came from 
 here. Among 
 lin and several 
 
 HISTORY OP PRESCOTT. 
 
 639 
 
 unty, is bounded 
 ■net, and west by 
 
 the spring, when 
 eastern angle of 
 iwa about three-| 
 .he land border- 
 if the greater pad 
 itrong as it is inl 
 ed farming sue- 
 Ithis class. 
 
 Iiip, though Coll 
 ine water-powq 
 
 Intracted certaiiij 
 I by turning ove j 
 
 lo, to which citj 
 
 Ip in mercantilj 
 
 of the war o( 
 
 with his othe^ 
 
 |ie hope of makj 
 
 iild be required 
 
 pat reduction in 
 
 engage in ne\^ 
 
 Lughter of CaptJ 
 
 Barker, a soldier of the Revolution, who then lived in St, Johnsbury, Vt. Soon after 
 buying the property from Col. Fortune, he took preliminary steps for erecting mills, 
 and had expended quite a sum in building a dam across a wide part of the river 
 when a severe freshet carried away the entire <jtructure. This, however, was soon 
 replaced by another dam, and in 1812 the mil's were in operation. Previous to this 
 Mr. Hagar had entered into partnership with Mr. John Chesser, who moved to 
 Plantagenet in time lo su|)erintend the construction of the mills, and remained here, 
 becoming in later years— as will be noticed on a succeeding page — one of the chief 
 men of the County. 
 
 Mr. Hagar did not remove to Plantagenet till 1818, and though the mills passed 
 from his possession into that of Mr. Chesser, he remained here engaged in farming, 
 in which he was skillful, enterprising and progressive. The following facts regarding 
 him are taken from Belden's Dominion Atlas: — He was born in Waltham, Mass.; 
 and on his father's farm upon the Waltham Flats was a good portion of the timber 
 cut which entered into the composition of the famous United States frigate "Consti- 
 tution." The date of his birth was 1784; the later years of his life were spent in well- 
 earned retirement at the residence of his son, Albert Hagar, Esq , M.P.P., where he 
 died in 1875, at the advanced age of 91 years, leaving behind him a record of indus- 
 try, probity and charity which will long be remembered by those in whose acquaint- 
 ance he moved, and whose esteem and confidence he enjoyed. He had six children, 
 but only one son and two daughters arrived at maturity, 
 
 Albert, the son, whose mother died when he was 7 years old, spent several of his 
 youthful days in Vermont with Thadeus Fairbanks, the inventor of the celebrated 
 r>cales —who was related to him by marriage to a maternal aunt. While there, he was 
 a student the greater part of the time at Peacham and Si, Johnsbury Academies — 
 institutions, even then, in high repute, and the experience and knowledge obtained 
 from his connection with their literary and debating societies was an admirable out- 
 fit for his subsequent entrance into political life. 
 
 He returned to Plantagenet in 1848, and engaged in farming and lumbering ; thus, 
 while securing a stock of physical vigor for declining years, he also gained much 
 useful experience in business. The mills which his father once owned came into his 
 possession, and he erected a woollen mill. His ability was soon recognized, and he 
 was called to serve his fellow-citizens in various public positions. He was Township 
 Clerk, Municipal Councillor, Reeve and Warden of the County. In 1867, he be- 
 came a member of the House of Commons — a position to which he was twice after- 
 ward elected, once by acclamation. He was also twice elected to the Local Legis- 
 lature ; but a desire to return to the more quiet pursuits of life induced him to 
 decline another nomination. In 1887 he was appointed Sheriff of the United Counties 
 of Prescott and Russell, and still holds the position to the general approval of the 
 public. 
 
 He has taken great interest in agricultural matters, and has been President of the 
 County of Prescott Agricultural Society for many years. His introduction to the 
 County of thoroughbred stock has tended, no doubt, to rouse a spii it of emulation 
 in stock raising, and he must be acknowledged as a public benefactor. He has a fine 
 farm of 1200 acres conducted on the modern system of agricultural science, and until 
 recently, when he had a sale of thoroughbred stock, his dairy comprised a herd 
 of fifty cows. 
 
 Whoever forms the acquaintance of Mr. Hagar will not wonder at his popularity 
 among his fellow townsmen. A man of simple yet industrious habits, most unas- 
 suming in manner, he is ever willing to listen to the petitions of the poor and 
 humble. 
 
640 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 i ■' 
 
 II 
 
 John Chesser, a Scotchman by birth, was one of the U. E. Loyalists whose 
 property was confiscated during the p ogress of the American Revolution, and he 
 came to Canada and spent the rest of his days at St, Johns, Que. John, his only son, 
 removed to the River Du Chien, and falling in with Mr. Hagar, he entered into part- 
 nership, as related above, and settled in 18 12 at Plantagenet. He acquired full 
 ownership of the mill, and for some years was the leading spirit of the place, and 
 among other honors paid him, he was elected to Parliament. Later, he removed to 
 Caledonia Flats where he and other members of his family died from cholera in 
 1832. He left four sons and three daughters ; Alfred, the third son, married Maria 
 Georgen, and settled at Jessup's Falls, a few miles down the Nation river from Plan- 
 tagenet Mills. He died in 1845, leaving two sons, Charles B. and Alfred H., who 
 still live here about two miles from the Mills, on a farm of 450 acres, purchased by 
 their mother after her husband's decease. They keep a dairy of nearly forty cows, 
 and are among the intelligent substantial farmers who help to promote the moral and 
 social interests of the Township. 
 
 Other pioneers who settled along the Nation river contiguous to the Mills were 
 a Mr. Charles, Peter Georgen and Col. Kearns, an Irish officer of the British service. 
 The following pen picture of the latter is an extract taken from a volun..%; entitled : 
 " Correspondence and Papers on Various Subjects," by the late James Edwards, of 
 Clarence, Ont : — 
 
 " Col. Kearns, about 1820, planted his stakes in North Plantagenet, on the 
 Nation river, about two miles below Chesser & Hagar's mill. He was a genuine 
 Irishman, and every inch a soldier ; he was early enrolled for service, and took part 
 in the Irish Rebellion at the close of the last century under Lord Dalhousie, after 
 ward Governor General of B.N. A. He afterward followed the fortunes of Sir John 
 Moore, in Spain, and fought under the Iron Duke through the Peninsular war. He 
 is specially named in the military records for acts of bravery during his army career, 
 and was promoted from the ranks to a Lieutenancy. 
 
 " In this country, the office of Col. of Militia and Justice of the Peace were quickly 
 followed by a seat in Parliament for the County of Prescott. The natural tendencies 
 of the Colonel were fully displayed in the exercise of these several offices. In making 
 speeches, pith, brevity and force characterized his eloquence. In magisterial matters, 
 summary punishment was his delight, and high handed procedure was his besetting 
 sin. Had not his friends 'at court' interceded for him, there is no saying into what 
 trouble his impulsive nature might have led him. For instance, one party was brought 
 before His Worship to answer to a breach of promise ; another fined for not paying 
 the priest for christening his child ; and a third, for shooting a dog on Monday, that 
 had bitten him on Sunday previous. 
 
 " Addressnig him, he said: * If, sir, under the influence of passion, you had 
 killed the dumb brute imviediately, the case would have been widely different ; but, 
 sir, you, forgetful of the Divine injunction, that commands us not to let the sun go 
 down upon our wrath, in cool blood, you tnurtfered the poor brute. I shall fine you 
 with costs twenty dollars'." 
 
 On the disposal of the Clergy Reserves, the Colonel in the Flouse said : " There 
 are, sir, four leading ways by which to go to heaven : there is the way by which I 
 expect to I each the Celestial City, viz. : the Catholic Church ; the other three com- 
 prise the Church of England, the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church. 
 Any man who is wnvilling to go to Heaven by one or the other of these roads 
 
 deserves to}^o to 07i horseback. I advocate, Mr. Speaker, an equal division of the 
 
 Reserves between these four churches." 
 
 James MoLLOY, of whose family there is a sketch in the history of Fournier, 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 641 
 
 Dyalists whose 
 lulion, and he 
 1, his only son, 
 ered into part- 
 acquired full 
 he place, and 
 he removed to 
 o;n cholera in 
 married Maria 
 iver from Plan- 
 Ifred H., who 
 , purchased by 
 rly forty cows, 
 the moral and 
 
 ihe Mills were 
 British service. 
 3lun. - entitled : 
 les Edwards, of 
 
 agenet, on the 
 was a genuine 
 , and took part 
 )alhousie, after 
 nes of Sir John 
 sular war. He 
 is army career, 
 
 ;e were quickly 
 
 jural tendencies 
 
 ;es. In making 
 
 sterial matters, 
 
 lis his besetting 
 
 ying into what 
 
 ly was brought 
 
 for not paying 
 
 Monday, that 
 
 sion, you had 
 
 [different : but, 
 
 2t the sun go 
 
 shall fine you 
 
 Jsaid-. "There 
 ly by which I 
 Bier three com- 
 lodist Church. 
 V these roads 
 I division of the 
 
 of Fournier, 
 
 came to Plantagenet in 1825. About the same time came Peter Georgen and his 
 brother William, with their mother and two sisters ; they located on the Nation 
 River, Lot 3, 8th Concession. They came to this township from Montreal, where 
 they held a good social position ; they were all well educated. Wm. Georgen 
 opened a store on their farm, which he conducted many years. Maria, one of the 
 daughters, married Alfred Chesser, as related above. 
 
 The public buildings of the village comprise three churches — Roman Catholic, 
 Presbyterian and Anglican ; two school buildings, jcveral stores and four hotels. 
 There are also ?. saw mill, grist mill, woollen mill, and the usual number of shops, 
 besides the Factory of the " Plantagenet Fruit Syiup Company." 
 
 There is a good iron bridge across the Nation river here which was erected at a 
 cost of about $8000. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 Tho Roman Catholic Church is a good stone building about 100 feet x 50 feet in 
 size, with a Vestrv of 50 feet x 32 feet. It was commenced many years ago, but 
 remained in a partial'/ completed state till 1878, when the exterior was finished by the 
 Rev. Paul Eertrand. Rev. E. C. Croteau, the present incumbent, who has been 
 here eleven years, finished the interior at considerable expense, and, in 1893, 1^^'''^ 
 the Vestry. There is also a fine commodious stone Presbytery here. 
 
 (The history of the Presbyterian Church will be found in that of the Smith 
 Settlement on a succeeding page.) 
 
 An Anglican Church edifice was erected here during the labors of the Rev. Mr. 
 Jarvis, who came in 1875, and remained about two years. Previous to the building 
 of the Church, services were held in the Town Hall. He was succeeded by the Rev. 
 Frank Eraser, who was here five or six years. Rev. Mr. Peck followed, who about 
 three years later was succeeded by Rev. John Bailey, who in turn was followed in two 
 years by the Rev. C. C. Carson. Three years afterward, caine Rev. Frank Squier, 
 succeeded in the fall of 1894 by the Rev. y^r. Ritchie, son of Chief Justice Ritchie. 
 
 Besides a good public school there is a Bi-Lingual School, which was established 
 by the Ontario Government in 1890. A fine brick building was erected for this 
 School and for a Town Hall, which was afterward purchased by the Public School 
 Board. The teachers in this school are : J. Cheney, Principal ; Annei M. McNulty, 
 Miss Ballantine and Louise Bercier. 
 
 Among the different mercantile establishments, are those of Louis Charbon- 
 neau, P. J. Potts, Robert Banford and W. A. Chamberlaync. 
 
 Mr. Charbonneau, who was born at St. Eustache, -vas clerk there a while, then 
 at L'Origna! and Brown's Wharf, and in 1867 he came to Plantagenet, and embarked 
 in mercantile business, which he has ever since followed with much success. He has 
 erected a fine store and residence, and owns a large amount of real estate ; several farms 
 and an hotel in the township of Alfred. He has been Municipal Councillor many 
 years. Deputy Reeve and Reeve, and a member of the School Board twelve years. 
 He was married nth July, 1872, to Louise Larveque of Alfred. 
 
 P. J. Potts is the youngest son of James Potts, who came from the County of 
 Wexford, Ireland, to West Hawkesbury about 1837, andsettledon Lot 18, 5th ivange. 
 
li 
 
 r 
 
 '5 
 
 I ■ 
 
 642 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT, 
 
 P. J., the son, spent twenty years in the Yeon House at this place, renderinf it 
 very popular with travellers, through his intelligence, sociability and regard for the 
 comfort of his guests. In 1893 he left this business and erected a building here, 
 where, besides a wholesale liquor store, he keeps an assortment of groceries and a 
 variety of school books. Mr. Potts has been a member of the School Board six 
 years J he was married 13th September, 1888, to Miss Proulx, a daughter of J. 
 Proulx, M.P. for Prescott. 
 
 RonERT Bankord is a twin son of Wm. Banford noticed in the history of 
 L'Orignal. He has but recenHy opened a store in Plantagenet, having come here 
 from Lachute, Que., where he was in mercantile business 17 years; he also has a 
 store in L'Orignal ; his geniality is well calculated to secure patronage. He has been 
 twice married; the last time was to Miss Kate E. Hughes, of George's Lake, in this 
 township. 
 
 WvMAN A. Chamberlayne, of English descent, was born at Chute au Blondeau, 
 Prescott, in 1841, and married to Margaret Arthui's, of Grenville, Que., in 1854. Mrs. 
 Chamberlayne died in 1893, leaving five daughters, of whom Mary, the eldest, is 
 married to Rev. Dr. Everett G. Smith, of St. Catharines, Ont., medical missionary at 
 Yellam, Madras Presidency, India; and Lucy, married t) Albert J. Cross, of 
 Vankleek Hill. 
 
 Mr. Chamberlayne has spent much of his life in mercantile business, and besides 
 the time now devoted to this, he is Agent for several Loan Companies of Toronto. 
 
 Arthur Rouleau, who has been Postmaster here for eight years, also has a fine 
 store. 
 
 HOTELS. 
 
 P. A. Larivikpe is proprietor of the Yeon House; he was born in Wendover 
 in this township. His father, Pierre Lariviere, conducted an hotel in Wendover 28 
 yoars. Peter, his only son, was educated atRigaud College, and while there learned 
 telegraphy; he left Rigaudin 1874. He became telegraph operator for the C. P. R., 
 in 1878, and was appointed Station Agent the next year and held the position nine 
 years — six of which he was also train dispatcher, being stationed the greater part of the 
 time at Chapleau, and one year at Ottawa. When he left Chapleau. his friends, as a 
 testimonial of their esteem, presented him with a valuable silver table service. He 
 remained as an employee of the C.P.R. in different capacities fifteen years. He was 
 engaged in mercantile business for a time in Thurso, at which place he was also mem- 
 ber of the Municipal Council. He was married 3rd May, 1881, to Mary Nash, of 
 Thurso. He became proprietor of the Yeon House ist May, 1884, ^"d through his 
 able management sustains its good reputation. 
 
 The "Commercial Hou:-::" is owned and occupied by J. A. Wilson. His 
 grandfather, John Wilson, was born in Portugal, and was stolen from home when he 
 was 14, i)laced on a British frigate and for fourteen years sailed on the high seas, 
 at the end of which time he landed in Quebec. From that city he went to the Isle 
 Bizarre, and died there in March, 1864, at the age of yr. He left seven sons 
 and one daughter, 
 
 Frangois Xavier, the youngest son, bought a farm, built an hotel, and settled in 
 Plantagenet in 1873. He has four sons and two daughters. John Baptiste Adolpiius, 
 his second son, besides the " Commercial House," has a farm of 75 acres about two 
 miles from the village. He is also one of the partners in the Plantagenet Fruit Syrup 
 Company, and agent for agricultural implements. 
 
HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 643 
 
 renderinp' it 
 gard for the 
 lilding here, 
 t:enes and a 
 ol Board six 
 lughter o( J. 
 
 le history of 
 g come here 
 le also has a 
 Ke has been 
 Lake, in this 
 
 au Blondeau, 
 n 1854. Mrs. 
 the eldest, is 
 missionary at 
 J. Cross, of 
 
 , and besides 
 f Toronto. 
 
 ilso has a fine 
 
 in Wendover 
 IVendover 28 
 Ithere learned 
 theC.P.R., 
 position nine 
 Iter part of the 
 
 friends, as a 
 irvice. He 
 
 ,rs. He was 
 las also mem- 
 
 .ry Nash, of 
 through his 
 
 JiLSON. His 
 Inie when he 
 le high seas, 
 [ to the Isle 
 seven sons 
 
 id settled in 
 
 ; Adolpiius, 
 
 5 about two 
 
 Fruit Syrup 
 
 William Story is another member of the Plantagenot Fruit Syrup Company. 
 His father, \Vm. Stoiy, came from Scotland, and settled in Winchester about 1845. 
 The son, William, has followed milling business, and has b^'en in the employ of Mr. 
 Hagar in his flour mill here for twenty-two years. He was married ist July, 1864, to 
 Virginia, daughter of Patrick Ryan, of t lis township; t!iey hive three sons and two 
 daughters. The former are in business in Ottawa, and the younger daughter is a 
 teacher in that city ; the elder daughter is niirried to J. C. Brown, merchant, of 
 Point Fortune. 
 
 Of the iirofcissional men, W. J. Derby, M.D., is the only Kt^glish-speak- 
 ing medical practitioner in the village. His father, Andrew Derby, came from 
 the County of Derry, Ireland, to Plantagenet, in 1854, and settled on Lot 20, Range 
 6, near Pendleton. He is one of the influential farmers of the locality, Piid has served 
 for some time as School Trustee; he has seven sons and three daughters. 
 
 The son, William James, received his medical education at McGill University, 
 Montreal, and graduated in 1882. He practised two years in Rockland, Russell 
 County, and came to Plantagenet in 1884; he was married nth June the same year 
 to Flora McDonald Cruickshank. The doctor has a good cottage and office at the 
 corner of Main and Ottawa Streets. He is of studious habits, careful and thorough 
 in whatever he undertakes, and these qualities, added to a genial nature, have secured 
 him a good practice. 
 
 Joseph Balancer is the intelligent and genial Municipal Clerk of Plantagenet; 
 he was born in St. Eustache. His grandfather was one of the " Patriots " of 1837, 
 for which honor he lost his property and was imprisoned for six months. Hisfiither, 
 John Baptiste Belanger, came to Alfred in 1855, and was one of the first settlers in 
 the 9th Concession of that township. His wife died there in 1887, and he removed 
 to Ottawa, where he now lives with one of his sons, of whom he has four, and two 
 daughters. 
 
 Joseph, the youngest son, began teaching at the age of 21, and has taught 21 
 years, one-third of which number he has taught in Plantagenet, coming herein 1884. 
 He was appointed Clerk of the Division Court in 1890, and Municipal Clerk of the 
 Township in 1891 . He is also Agent for the Ne.v York Life and of the Royal Fire 
 Insurance Company of Liverpool, and has been Secretary of the St. John Baptiste 
 Society of Prescott several years. He was married in 1870 to the youngest daughter 
 of the late Andr6 Galipeau, of Tlnirso, Que. They have three sons and five daugh- 
 ters. One of tiie latter is teaching; one son is married and another is clerk for 
 Owens Brothers, Stonefield. Que. 
 
 This village 's the home of Isidore Proulx, M.P. He was elected to the 
 House of Commons in 1891 by the Liberal party, by a majority of 669 ; he was re- 
 elected in 1892. 
 
 Henry Smith, one of the prominent men of the township, also resides here ; 
 he was formerly Postmaster here, and for many years Town Clerk. 
 
 The springs of Plantagenet, though not visited as they would be, were there 
 better accommodations for boarding and better facilities for reaching them, still, are 
 used by thousands for the various ills that flesh is heir to, and they have gained 
 national celebrity. 
 
 This water was first introduced into public notice in 1832 — a year memorable for 
 the visit of the Asiatic cholera to this Province, when Montreal was nearly decimated 
 
644 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 from its effects. A man named Cameron, a lumoer merchant, acquainted with the 
 water, drank it at that time with good results, and thus others were induced to use it. 
 It is said that of those who used it none died with the cholera. This fact was attested 
 by Mr. Dorval, then a City Councillor for Quebec. It was afterward freely pre- 
 scribed by the medical profession of Montreal and Quebec. 
 
 These springs are located about one and a half miles from Plantagenet Mills — 
 one. t^e " Plantagenet Springs," bemg owned by Mr. Wm. Rodden ; the oiher, "Car- 
 ratraca Springs/' by Mr. P. B. Winning; the latter also has a fine quarry on his farm 
 of 250 acres. 
 
 TREADWELL. " > 
 
 On the shore of the Ottawa, in the extreme north end of Plantagenet, is a wharf 
 where steamers land, a s*ore, Post-office, hotel and two or three dwellings. A Post- 
 office M'as established here witii the name of Treadwell, in honor of the late Sheriff 
 Treadwel), who opened a brick yard and manufactured brick near this place many 
 ye?rs ago. Although so small a hamlet, the number of people either taking or leaving 
 the steamers here, and the amount c* freight left or carried away, give rise to con- 
 siderable business. 
 
 William H. Kains is the Postmaster, and proprietor of the only store here. He 
 is the third son of Capt. Thomas Kains, mentioned in the history of Grenvilie. Capt. 
 Kains was born near Chatham, Kent County, England, and entered the Navy wlien 
 fourteen years of age, as midshipman on Lord Nelson's ship, "Agamemnon." He 
 was afterwards purser, and was present at the capture of Washington during the war 
 of 1812-14. In 1818 he came to Canada and settled in Grenvilie, having purchased a 
 saw-mill which Thomas Mears built after selling his mill ii; Havvkesbury to the Ham- 
 ilton Brothers. i.>Ijt long afterward , Capt. Kains entered the employ of Messrs. 
 McPherson & Crane as Captain cf their steamer, the " Shannon," which position 
 he resigned about 1841, after deven years' service. It was thus he r.'ceived the tide 
 of Captain. He then purchased the steamer " Princess Royal," which ran under his 
 management till the breaking out of the Russian War in 1853, when he was called 
 home to P'.ngland, and served as senior purser on Nelson's old ship, the " Victory." 
 This vessel lay all the time at Portsmouth, during which Capt. Kains received as 
 purser ;^T, 100 sterling a year. He returned to Canada, and died in Montreal in 
 1857, ^"-'t was buried in St. Thomas, where his son, William K., resided. He had 
 si:; children — four sons and two daughters. Thomas, the eldest, married a daughter 
 of Sheriff Tr3:idwe'.), of L'Orij^nal, and settled in St. Thomas, where he died. 
 William K., and his youngest brother, John, — a lawyer in St. Thomas — are the only 
 two sons of Capt. Kains now living. His two daughters — Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. 
 Charles Roe--are still living; the former, with her son, manager of a branch of the 
 Montreal Bank at Fort William, at the head of Lake- Superior; the latter ai St. 
 Thomas. 
 
 Wm. K. Kains married i8th October, 1858, Henrietta, daughter of Wm. Ham- 
 ilton, of the firm Hamilton Brothers, of Hawkesbury Mills. He has followed mer- 
 cantile business all his life, of which he spent 46 years in London, Ont., and came 
 from that place to Treadwell in 1880. 
 
 About the lime that Capt. Kains purchased the steamer " princess Royal," he 
 also purchased the Georgian Spring propc-ty in Plantagenet, embracing 600 acres of 
 land, which property his son, William K. Kains, still holds. Mr. Kains has had 
 little to do »viih public matters, confining his attention stiictly to his own sffa'rs, in 
 which he sustains the reputation of an intelligent, honorable man. He is assisted by 
 his soii. 
 
i with the 
 d to use it. 
 'as attested 
 freely p re- 
 let Mills — 
 her, "Car- 
 ol! his farm 
 
 , is a wharf 
 i. A Post- 
 late Sheriff 
 place many 
 g or leaving 
 rise to con- 
 
 ; here. He 
 ville. Capt. 
 Navy wlien 
 mon." He 
 ing the war 
 purchased a 
 o the Ham- 
 of Messrs. 
 ich position 
 ed the tide 
 n under his 
 was called 
 " Victory." 
 received as 
 lontreal in 
 He had 
 a daughter 
 e he died. 
 |re the only 
 and Mrs. 
 nch of the 
 ktter ai St. 
 
 [VVm. Ham- 
 towed mer- 
 and came 
 
 i<oyal," lie 
 
 30 acres of 
 
 is has had 
 
 nffa'rs, in 
 
 iissistcd by 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT, : 
 
 V . • HUGHES SEI TLEMENT, 
 
 645 
 
 This Settlement is located a few miles from Treadwell. The neatly finished 
 Methodist Church of this place was erected in 1874, on land deeded for its site by 
 William Darlingion. The cemetery belonging to it is also on Mr. Darlington's land. 
 The Clnirch, which is surrounded by evergreen trees, was built by the people of tiie 
 Settlement, Mr. Eli Robinson being one who took an active part in its erection. 
 Service is held every Sabbath. 
 
 Eli F. Hughes, only son of John M. Hughes, was born 10th November, 1869, 
 in County Dundas. In 1887 he went wiih his father to George's Lake, and three 
 years later, commenced learning cheese-making in the Hughes factorv, Alfred. He 
 was then employed by McCuaig, Cheney & Co., West Hawkesbury, for a year, and 
 by Hughes & Co., of L'' ignal ; he b""ght a half-interest in the latter Company in 
 1892, and remained the ; until the fall of 1894, when he sold out. He is now em- 
 ployed in the Hughe? factory. He was married 26th May, 1890. to Maggie, daughter 
 of Oliver Blaney, of Piceville ; Miss Blaney was teaching in George's Lake at the lime 
 of their marriage. They have one son and one daughter. 
 
 Mr. Hughes is one of the first-class cheese-makers of Prescott County, having 
 had good success ever since embarking in the business; he is now building a house 
 on his father's farm. Mr. rnd Mrs. Hughes are both active members of tlie 
 Methodist Church, 
 
 Eli RoBi>'SON cme hereto live in 1832, with his father, the latter being among 
 the first settlers, '•'ir. Eli Robinson still remains on the homestead, but the farm is 
 managed by his son, Henry W. The latter was married in 1892, to Mios Maggie 
 Cliambers, of Manituck. . . .; 
 
 , . jessup's falls. .,^ '';,■: ,:' ^.'. - - -V '_y::'M'- ■ 
 
 Auout four miles down the river from Plantagenet Mills is a place iOng known as 
 Jessup's Falls, where there is an admirable water-power, and the large saw-mill of 
 Messrs. Hagar & Anderson. 
 
 Just below the mill the river expands into a wide, deep and picturesque basin, 
 which makes a most convenient place for holding the logs coming down the river, till 
 they are drawn into the mill to be sawn. Here, amid the pines, surrounded with 
 bewitching rural scenery, is the cottage of Mr. Anderson, one of the proprietors of the 
 mill. 
 
 Far back in the present century, a grant of 400 acres of land at this place was 
 made by Government to Edward Jessup, jr. This land was sold 9th September, 1825, 
 to Alexander '/IcDonnell, and later it came into possession of Alfred Chesser. 
 
 Benjamin Anderson came from the County of Derry, Ireland, rbout 1829, 
 and settled in South Plantagenet on the Nation river. About two years later, one of 
 Lis children, a little girl, was di owned in this stream, and her mother declaring that 
 she would no longer live in this place, they removed to Lot 16 in the 6th Concession, 
 where Mr. Anderson died about 1851. He had four sons and three daughters; 
 James, the eldest of the former, remained on the homestead. 
 
 Alexander Wiley, the youngest of the family, learned the bkxksmith trade, 
 bought Lot 21, 6th Range, erected a carriage and blacksmith shop and saw-mill, and 
 lived there eighteen years. He was married 25th September, 1867,10 Martha J. 
 Anderson. In 1881 he entered into partnership with Mr. Hagar, i.. the lum.ber 
 business, and during the two following years they built the siw-mill at Jessup's Falls, 
 of which Mr. Anderson is the manager. The mill has two circular saws, and cuts 
 
646 
 
 HISTORY OF PRFSCOTT. 
 
 50,000 feet daily, and about 3,000,000 feet annually. They also manufacture lath, 
 shingle and clap-'ooards. There is a telegraph office here, and a grocery, from which 
 thei. employees obtain their supplies. 
 
 Mr. Anderson and his family are highly esietmed j he is an Elder in the Presby- 
 terian Church, has been a member of the School Board, and a "uslice of the Peace 
 twenty years. He has had five daughters, one of whom has recently aied. 
 
 CURRAN. 
 
 Hi 
 
 About four miles from the Mills, in a south-westerly course, is the little village of 
 Curran, the land rising gently from a dead level to ^he slight elevation on which it is 
 located. The soil around it is clayey, so that the dry weather which succeeds the 
 wet invariably leaves hard, deep ruts in the road, rendering travelling decidedly 
 unpleasant. 
 
 This little inconvenience is forgotten, however, as one approaches the village, as 
 the neat appearance of tne streets, with the pretty houses wh'ch border them, and the 
 numerous shade trees, arouse within one the most pleasurable emotions. 'I he 
 appearance of everything declares Curran to be a new place, and tlie impression given 
 by its ai)pearance is confirmed by its history. There are three hotels, two or three 
 stores, post-office, 1, large carriage shop, a good school building, and one of the 
 finest Roman Catholic churches and presbyteries in Eastern Ontario. A wooden 
 Roman Catholic chapel was built here many years ago, which was torn down, and a 
 stone church erected by the Rev. Paul Bertrand in 1864, which has lately given 
 place to another one, costing $22,000. There are many larger churches in this 
 County, but not one, it is claimed, whose interior compares with it in grandeur. 
 
 Leon LaBklle, proprietor of one of the hotels here, has been a resident of the 
 place longer than any other one now in it. He was born in St. Kustache, and in his 
 youth, was clerk two years in Ottawa, one in Plantagenet, and in 1857 he opened a 
 store in Curran, in which he was engaged twelve years. He then built a carriage 
 shop, and for fci r years was speculating in horses, cattle and lumber. He also 
 engaged in hotel business, which he has now followed twentj'-three years, speculating 
 more or less, meanwhile, in the things named above. Through his enterprise, too, 
 the village has increased in size, as he has erected many of the buildings in it. He 
 was married 2nd August, 1856, to i^riscilla LaRocquc. 
 
 The only English-speaking and Protestant fomily in the village is that of 
 Joseph Dixon, proprietor of the Grand View House. Mr. Dixon is also agent for 
 the Massey-Harris Company. 
 
 A good school building, two stories, and brick, was erected hcic in 1884. The 
 Principal at this sciiool is Louis Parent. 
 
 Mr. Parent was born in St. Martine, Que., and educated at the Catholic Com- 
 mercial College, Montreal. He has taught nine years — two in Sarsfield, Russell 
 County, two at St. Isidore, South plantagenet, and five in Curran, where he is 
 deservedly popular. He was married 31st July, 1893, to Menodore Legault. 
 
 Miss Naomi Legault is teacher in anothei department of this school. She is 
 a native of St. Louis de Gonzague, Beauharnois County, Que., and was educated at the 
 Model school of Plantagenet. She has been successfully engaged in teaching, two 
 yeais at f , Isidore de Prescott and three at Curran. 
 
 Curran is the home of Mr. O. Dufort, Inspector of the French public schools 
 of Prescott and Russell. He was born in L'Assomption ; his grandfather on the 
 maternal side, Ignace Racette, came from Normandy, and was in the service of 
 Montcalm at the fall of Quebec, in 1759. 
 
HI'^TORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 64f 
 
 dure lath, 
 rom which 
 
 he Presby- 
 the Peace 
 
 le village of 
 
 which it. is 
 
 ucceeds the 
 
 y decidedly 
 
 i village, as 
 em, and the 
 ions. 'I he 
 ession given 
 two or three 
 one of the 
 A wooden 
 down, and a 
 ; lately given 
 hes in this 
 ndeur. 
 ident of the 
 , and in his 
 e opened a 
 It a carriage 
 r. He also 
 speculating 
 [erprise, too, 
 [s in it. He 
 
 is that of 
 |so agent for 
 
 1884. The 
 
 Uholic Com- 
 ^eld, Russell 
 ^here he is 
 
 lUlt. 
 
 lool. She is 
 
 icated at the 
 
 iching, two 
 
 Iblic schools 
 Ither on the 
 le service of 
 
 Mr. Dufort was educated at the College of L'Assomption, and graduated in 1841, 
 after which he taught 18 years. He was married 19th October, 1856, to Rosannah 
 Smith, of Ansonia, Conn. He was appointed Municipal Clerk in Plantngenet in 
 1875, and served nine years; and in 1880 was ajjuointed School Inspector, aa oPice 
 for which his experience in teachnig, and his intelligenl, liberal views, admirably 
 adapt him. He has a nice cottage here, and the possession o*" a farm affords him 
 recreation and a pleasant change from the arduous labors of hij office. 
 
 CENTERFIELD. 
 
 About three miles from Plantagenet Mills, in a westerly direction, is a locality 
 long known as the Irish Settlement, but which, from the idea that it is in the central 
 part of tlie township, lias been designated more frequently of late years, as Center- 
 field. ■' McDonald Hill," and the "Darragn Settlement," are also names by which 
 it has been distinguished, and though these names are used indiscriminately, and are 
 all understood in the township, we prefer i!ie more euphonious one of Centerfield. 
 
 To one who has crossf;d the level, sandy and clayey land be'. ween this and the 
 Ottawa, timbered with cedar and othrr evergreens, the ridge of high land which he 
 meets at Centerfield, with its cheery groves of maple and other hard woous, presents 
 a most agreeable contrast. 
 
 This section lias about it an air of prosperity ; the flirroers are a thrifty, hardy 
 class ; their farms show that they are tilled for a purpose, and their stock that it is 
 properly cared for, and returns a ])rofit to ihc proprietors. 
 
 As in many other localities along the Ottawa, the early settlers here depended 
 far more for their livelihood on the lumber business thai", they did upon stock-raising, 
 or what they could make from the produce of the soil ; for which reason their land 
 was neglected. In the spring they sometimes sowed a liitle buckwheat, and planted 
 a small piece of potatoes and corn among the logs on tliei-- half-cleared land — much 
 of this being done by the hardy housewives of that era — but it was much easier to 
 work in the shanty or to follow the "drives" down the river. 
 
 Every day spent in the latter employment was sure to bring a certain amount of 
 profit in cash; without incurring the risk of loss by storm, fro^"^ or drought — hence, 
 the settler naturally 'ooked upon his farm as something of secondary imi)ortance. It 
 was well to h^^ve one ; it afforded a home for his family, and tor himself, also, in case 
 of sickness, and when he was out of employment ; but his i)resent occupation, in his 
 opinion, was of far greater importance. Moreover, there was a de",ree of excitement 
 in his life in the slianty and on the river — social enjoyment among so many of his 
 fellows— which it was difficult to forego, and which caused clearing land and farming 
 to appear to him a work of drudgery — a lonely, hum drum sort of an existence. But 
 a change came that he had not anticipated , year after year the lumber business 
 grew smaller, and less profitable, and then he- began to reali^.^ th.e necessity of making 
 his farm yield enough to support his family; and to this er.d he worked, and his 
 children after him. The result of their industry is visible in the well-improved and 
 well stocked farm of to-day. 
 
 Among the early settlers here v/ere John McCrank, John Beggs, Robert Mc- 
 Auley, Andrew and Archie Darragh and Hugh McKinley. 
 
 RobilRT McAulev, with a few others from Ireland, is said to have been the first 
 to begin a settlement on this Ridge, Mr. McAuley taking up Lot 14, m the 4lh, 
 Concession, where he died more than a century ago, after having lived here over 
 forty years. 
 
048 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 1f, 
 
 I*' 
 
 Patrick W. McDonnell, who was nirrried 24th December, i860, to Esther, a 
 •daughter of Mr. McAuley, is now the proprietor and occupier of his late father-in- 
 law's estate — a fine farm of 150 acres. Mr. McDonnell came from the County of 
 Antrim, Ireland, to Plantagenet, in 1850, and was employed in lumbering and other 
 work till 185s, when he bought a farm near Wendover, on the Ottawa, which he con- 
 ducted till 1868. At that time he was induced to remove to the farm of his father- 
 in-law, and undertake its management. He has since cleared up one-half the farm, 
 improved it in many respects, and, meanwhile, acquired much interest in his vocation, 
 ar^d knowledge of the science of agriculture. He has earnestly labored to arouse a 
 deeper interest in this science among his fellow-townsmen, as is evidenced by his 
 efforts to sustain and promote the Agricultural Society. Mr. McDonnell is a man 
 well informed, and one who has much influence in this section ; he is a Justice of the 
 Peace, has been a School Trustee many years, a member of the Municipal Council 
 and Assessor. He has had eleven children — seven sons and four daughters. 
 
 Daniel McCormick. came from the County of Antrim, Ireland, to Plantagenet 
 in 1847, and bought 150 acres of Lots 14, sth, and 14 in the 4th Concessions ; he 
 lived here till his death, in 1880. 
 
 He had four sons and four daughters, but only two of the sons, James and 
 Dennis, remain in this section ; the former lives on the homestead, and Dennis on a 
 farm of roo acres contiguous to it, which he purchased. The younger days of Dennis 
 McCormick were spent in lumbering, in which business, for several years, he held 
 the position of foieman ; 1-^ was married 21st November, 1872, to Margaret 
 McAuley. Mr. McCormick's career affords another example of what industry, 
 sobriety, and steady perseverance may accomplish. Beginning life with only his 
 hands and a good physical organization for capital, he has purchased his farm, and 
 so improved it that he Keepr, a stock of 21 head of cattle, three or four remarkably 
 fine horses, haf good buildings, and a sujjply of improved farming utensils. He has 
 been a member of the township Council and of the School Board several years, and 
 notwithstanding the great amount of hard work he has performed, he seems to be 
 only in the meridian of life. 
 
 Mrs. McCormick is the daughter of Daniel McAuley, who came to this place 
 about 1828, worked for John Beggs three years, returned to Ireland, married, came 
 back to this locality, and purchased the farm in rear of the present ones of Dennis 
 McCormick and Patrick McDouell. He lived here till his death, 4th November, 
 1879; ^^^ ^'''^^ ^^^^ ^°"^ '^"^ ^°"'' daughters. The elder son, John, lives on the home- 
 stead with his eldest sister ; James, the other son, lives in Clarence. 
 
 John Beggs was the earliest proprietor of thf land now owned by Dennis 
 McCormick. There is good evidence that he lived here several years before securing 
 the patent for his land, which instrument bears date 8ih July, 1834. 
 
 Quite a prominent character here belonging to the past generation was John 
 Lawless — from the County of Antrim. He came here when quite young, and built 
 a store by the roadside, on tlie farm of Robert McAuley, where he carried on a 
 profitable business for many years. He also supplemented this business by ped- 
 dling through this section of country — thus becoming widely known — and as his 
 peculiarities afforded amusement to many, and his penchant for trading was unsur- 
 passed, his periodical visits were anticipated in many households with no little 
 interest. He was something of a scholar, and it is said he possessed no little aptitude 
 in the composition of rhyme, and many a story told in this manner, as well as song, 
 which became locally popular, was the offspring of his muse. But, however pleasant 
 and profitable this country might be in which to Hve and earn money, John Lawless, 
 hke John Chinaman, preferred to die in his native land, hence, in his declining years, 
 he returned to Ireland, where he was laid to rest. 
 
 ic 
 
to Esther, a 
 ite father-in- 
 le County of 
 ^g and other 
 r'hich he con- 
 jf his falher- 
 lalf the farm, 
 his vocation, 
 1 to arouse a 
 enced by his 
 nell is a man 
 Justice of the 
 ipal Council 
 hters. 
 
 Plantagenet 
 icessions ; he 
 
 s, James and 
 
 Dennis on a 
 
 ays of Dennis 
 
 ears, he held 
 
 to Margaret 
 
 hat industry, 
 
 ivith only his 
 
 [his farm, and 
 
 r remarkably 
 
 ils. He has 
 
 al years, and 
 
 seems to be 
 
 o this place 
 larried, came 
 es of Dennis 
 November, 
 >n the home- 
 by Dennis 
 |fore securing 
 
 was John 
 jig, and built 
 parried on a 
 by ped- 
 -and as his 
 was unsur- 
 no little 
 hie aptitude 
 j/ell as song, 
 v^er pleasant 
 [hn Lawless, 
 lining years. 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 649 
 
 As stated above, two brothers named Darragh were early settlers here, and 
 this fact, coupled with that, that a number of their descendants still remain, has 
 caused the place to be designated as the Darragh Settlement. The Darraghs are 
 among the substantial and prosperous farmers, of the townsiiip. 
 
 John McCrank came from the County of Antrim, Ireland, about 1827, and 
 settled on Lot 13, Concession 5. He had four sons — James, John, Daniel and 
 Willian, and three daughters; of the latter, one died yo'ing; Mary and Eliza, 
 married, live in this section. 
 
 Wil'iam, the youngest son, after living several years on the homestead, moved to 
 the township of Lowe ; the other sons all live in this vicinity, have good farms, and 
 are among the industrious respected farmers. 
 
 John McCrank, one of the sons, has a farm adjacent to the homestead ; he was 
 married i4ih November, 1861, to Elizabeth J. Moore. They have five sons and 
 two daughters, to whom they have taken no little pains to give the advantages of an 
 education. Niel, the third son, is teaching in Fournier ; Morgan, the youngest, is 
 teaching in the Smith Settlement ; John, the eldest, is a Veterinary Surgeon in Platts- 
 burg, N.Y. ; James is a mechanic in Vancouver, B.C. ; Patrick and Margaret A., the 
 youngest daughter, are at home ; the eldest daughter is married. 
 
 ROCKDALE. 
 
 Rockdale is the name given to the place where BENjAMi>f Andersox — noticed 
 in the history of Jessup's Falls — settled about the year i S3: ; this was on Lot 16, in 
 the 6th Concession. 
 
 The large old orchard, shade trees and other things whicii render it pleasant 
 and attractive also identify it as the old homestead, where more than one generation 
 of children has played, grown up, labored, planned, and then scattered to play other 
 parts in the drama of life. 
 
 This pioneer had four sons and three daughters ; of the former, James remained 
 on the homestead, and was married about 1850 to Maria Johnson. He was a man 
 highly respected, and influential, and filled the position of School Trustee, Assessor 
 and Justice of the Peace for many years, with much ability ; he was also a Lieutenant 
 in Captain Hagar's Company of Militia. It was in his office of Magistrate, however, 
 that he was enabled to do much good and display his sound judgment. A Christian 
 man, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and of a pacific disposition, his first effort 
 was always to make peace between contestants, and in this laudable design he was 
 usually successful. He died about 1875 ; Mrs. Anderson survived till 12th November, 
 1892. 
 
 In 1836 he planted acorns, from which sprang two trees, now standing near the 
 [dwelling, one of which is, at least, 16 inches in diameter, the other twelve; each of 
 |ihem being, doubtless, not less than sixty feet in height. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had eight cliilden — four of each sex — vvho arrived at 
 iiaturity ; of these, the eldest son, Benjamin Johnson, has remained on the homestead. 
 |He was married i8th April, 1881, to .Adeli; Coot of Montreal, and since that event 
 e went to the North \Vest, and was employed some time on a survey in Alberta. 
 f'ie has been a School Trustee several years, and was a member of the i8th Battalion 
 ill its disorganization. 
 
 Very soon, or about the same time that Mr. Anderson came to Plantagenet 
 ame also Alexander Shields, George McAuley and Samuel Wilkinson, and settled 
 ear him. 
 
 4a 
 
650 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Charles Henry Cardwell is a citizen of this locality. His father, George 
 Cardvvell, came from Bristol, England, in 1870, with his wife, three sons and two 
 daughters ; he was by trade a mechanical engineer, and followed this in Montreal 
 till his death in 1878. 
 
 Charles Henry, his son, learned the blacksmith trade, and was employed a^ 
 foreman in the Canadian Marine Engine Works of E. E. Gilbert & Sons. He forged 
 the tube for the first wrought iron gun made in Canada — a 32 pounder — smooth bore, 
 having been converted into a 64 pounder rifle gun. His brother, George Cardwell, 
 a machinist, bored and rifled the gun. The test proof was made on St. Helen's Island, 
 in presence of several M.P's, officers and soldiers. 
 
 Mr. Cardwell bought 50 acres of wild land here in i88t, and though he is usually 
 employed at his trade i'"> the city, he has cleared one-half of his land, and erected 
 comfortable buildings. He was married loth June, 1879, ^^ Betsey Cresley, and his 
 mother lived with them till her death, 24th April, 1895. 
 
 In a neighborhood not far distant from Rockdale, reside two brothers, Andrew and 
 Samuel Derby, who came from the County of Derry, Ireland, in 1847. On his arrival, 
 Andrew purchased 250 acres of land in the 6th Concession, of which he still retains 
 150 acres, the remainder having been given to one of his sons. Mr. Derby is another 
 of the pioneers whose perseverance, industry and vigorous constitution have enabled 
 him to accomplish a great amount of hard work, and he now enjoys the temporal 
 comforts he has dearly yet nobly earned. He has always taken a deep interest in 
 schools, and has been on the School Board several years ; he is a Christian man, and 
 always happy in the performance of good works. He has seven sons and three 
 daughters now living ; a son and daughter are deceased. One of his sons is W. J. 
 Derby, M.D. of Plantagenet Mills. 
 
 Samuel Derby, on coming here, first taught school two years; he then went to 
 the States, and after an absence of six years returned, and engaged in teaching, fol- 
 lowing this profession in Section No. 9, twenty years. He was married in 1852 to 
 Alice Simpson of Philadelphia, but originally from Derry, Ireland. Soon after his 
 return from the States, he purchased 50 acres of land, contiguous to his school, 
 which enabled him thenceforward to board at his own home. He has had four 
 sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters are now living. 
 
 The eldest son, John, and one younger, Anson, are in Montana ; Isaac is at 
 home, and is manager of the farm. Eliza and Isabella, two of the daughters, have 
 taught near their home for eight years ; the latter is now employed as typewriter 
 and stenographer in New York. 
 
 Since he quit the profession of teaching, Mr. Derby has served a number of years 
 as School Trustee, also as Secretary of his school section. He is a gentleman of 
 intelligence, and, like his brother, has the respect of the community. 
 
 Thomas Wiley, it is said, was the first settler in the 6th Concession ; he came 
 from the County of Derry, Ireland, and settled here in 1845, his wife and six children 
 arriving the following year. Four of his sons are now living in this section, staunch 
 supporters of the Methodist Church. 
 
 Samuel Wilkinson from near Colerain, Ireland, was a very early settler. Two of 
 his sons, Samuel and Abram, remained on the homestead ; the former is deceased, 
 and his home is now occupied by his family and his sister Catheiine. 
 
 A Methodist church was erected in this locality in 1893. Ministers of this denoni 
 ination first came here from Riceville in 1854, and service was held in the schoo 
 house every fortnight. Rev. J. D. Bell was the first clergyman who preached here 
 
father, George 
 i sons and two 
 is in Montreal 
 
 s employed a^ 
 IS. He forged 
 —smooth bore, 
 orge Cardweli, 
 Helen's Island, 
 
 ;h he is usually 
 nd, and erected 
 ;resley, and his 
 
 s, Andrew and 
 On his arrival, 
 he still retains 
 )erby is another 
 in have enabled 
 s the temporal 
 deep interest in 
 ristian man, and 
 1 sons and chree 
 s sons is W. J. 
 
 he then went to 
 
 in teaching, fol- 
 
 ried in 1852 to 
 
 Soon after his 
 
 to his school, 
 e has had four 
 
 are now living. 
 |na *, Isaac is at 
 daughters, have 
 as typewriter 
 
 dumber of years 
 gentleman of 
 
 Ission ; he came 
 land six children 
 jection, staunch 
 
 settler. Two of 
 ^er is deceased, 
 
 Is of this denoni' 
 
 in the school 
 
 preached here 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 PENDLETON. 
 
 651 
 
 This is a small hamlet located on the boundary between North and South Plan- 
 tagenet. 
 
 The level land and the groves of Maples, or other deciduous trees, which appear 
 here and lliere in the expansive, well cultivated fields, give a most pleasant, park-like 
 appearance to the country around. 
 
 A Post Office with the name Pendleton was established here about 1859, J. JM- C. 
 Deles Derniers being the first Postmaster. 
 
 After the country had become settled, and the pioneers were exchariging their 
 first rude cabins for dwellings of more pretension, their niode of bringing the lumber 
 therefor from Plantagenet Mills illustrates the ancient adage : " Necessity is the 
 mother of invention." Roads at tli,at time had not become passable for wheel 
 vehicles, hence the Nation river became the route for transportation of lumber or 
 other heavy merchandise — though from the sinuosities of the river, the distance tra- 
 velled was twice as long as that fiy the road now travelled. Taking two canoes, they 
 placed ihcw-". narallel at a sufficient distance apart, and then piled the lumber across 
 them, till the desired cargo was obtained, when it was floated to tlie point nearest to 
 its destination. 
 
 There is a church at Pendleton, a hotel— A. Hillman, proprietor ; the fine 
 store and Post Office of Henry Moffatt j a large and flourishing cheese factory, and 
 a few shops. A good stage line between this place and Papineauville has been in 
 existence for the past 17 years under the same proprietor, Henry Roy. 
 
 John McQueen, an old soldier who died 19th April, 1888, aged 93, was one of 
 the pioneers in this section, and came about the time Ryan and Shane (next noticed) 
 arrived. He had a medal, now in the possession of his descendants, bearing the 
 names of tiie engagements in which he had fought i they were as follows: Toulouse, 
 Nivelle, Pyrenees, Vitloria, Salamander, Badajoz, Ciudad, Rodrigo and Belsaco. 
 
 The old veteran never could get over the disappointment he felt that Waterloo 
 was not mentioned. During thpt ergagement, much to his disgust, he was one of 
 those detailed to watch the baggage. 
 
 John Ryan from the County of Wexford, Ireland, came to Canada about 1817, 
 with his family — a wife and seven sons. After living on the St. Lawrence till about 
 1820, he came to Plantagenet, and settled on Lot 19, in the 9th Concession, where he 
 spent the remainder of his days. 
 
 Matthew, his eldest son, settled in Leeds, where he died early in the fifties ; George 
 spent his life on the homestead ; John, a tailor by trade, lived near the homestead, 
 and died in 1870 ; Moses, when quite young, was employed as clerk at Plantagenet 
 Mills. While thus employed, one day in attempting to row a man across the river 
 he was carried over the dam, and drowned. Michael conducted an hotel at Planta! 
 genet Mills for many years, and then settled on his farm nearCurran, and died there ; 
 Patrick, a twin brother of Dennis, settled on Lot 16, 9th Concession, where he 
 died in 1865. 
 
 Dennis purchased 100 acres of Lot 20 in t!ie 9th Concession, and lived on it 
 till his death, 31st March, 1879. He was married about 1835, to Bridget McCormick 
 she died 2nd February, 1885; they had three sons — George, Charles and Dennis 
 Charles, who never married, died in 1871. 
 
 Dennis Ryan, who lives on the homestead— a fine farm near the Post Office- 
 went to Minnesota about 25 years ago, but after remaining there a few years, returned 
 in 1876; he was married 12th October, 1881 to Alexina Durocher. 
 
6S2 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 '.I' 
 
 
 f. >S: 
 
 Mr. Ryan is one of the substantial, intelligent farmers of the township ; he 
 takes much interest in schools, and iias been on the School Board several years. 
 
 MoSKS Shane from Wexford County, Ireland, came to this townshij) at or 
 about .he same time that Mr. Ryan came. He had five sons and one daughter, and 
 his descendants are still among the prosperous inhabitants of this section. 
 
 Hugh McLean, from Scotland, accompanied Lord Selkirk to the North West, 
 and subsequently was one of the early settlers at this place; he died 21st May, 
 1878, aged 84. A few of his descendants still remain. 
 
 Henry Mokfatt, a prominent and successful business man, is the son of the 
 late James Moffatt,who came from Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1837, and bought 100 
 acres of Lot 12, Range 13 in Soutli Plantagenet ; he subsequently added 200 acres 
 to this purchase. He married Martha Caldwell, a daughter of one of the pioneers 
 of South Plantagenet, and lived here till 1875, when he divided his estate among his 
 children, and spent his last days at Pendleton with his son Henry ; he died 24th July, 
 1893, at the age of 84. He had five sons and four daughters ; but only two of the 
 former now live in this County, the other three reside in California. 
 
 Henry, the second son, commenced mercantile life in 1867, opening a store at 
 Pendleton in ihut year, and two years later he was appointed Postmaster, He built 
 his present commodious and attractive store in 1878; he always keeps a large and 
 good stock of merchandise, hence his trade is extensive. His enterprise has led 
 him into other branches of business, in which he has been no less successful, and 
 which at the same time has been abenefit to the community. 
 
 In 1879, he erected a large cheese factory here, which at present receives the 
 patronage of nearly 700 cows ; the output of this factory in 1894 amounted to 1 15,- 
 000 lbs. As the business here was outgrowing the accommodations afforded by this 
 factory, in 1893 he erected another about three miles distant, which is called the 
 Spring r> )ok Factory; the output from this in 1894 was about 75,000 lbs. 
 
 Seme antiquarian, whose name we regret we do not knew, has employed a por- 
 tion o*"his time in the useful labor of writing a history of the Pendleton School, from 
 1826 to 1887, which is as follows: 
 
 " The first School was taught in a private house on the farm cf Thomas Camp- 
 bell, row owned by Martin Shane ; teacher, Thomas Malcolmson. About 1832, Kev. 
 Alex. Fletcher taught in the upper part of the house of his brother, Kenneth Fletcher, 
 and in 1835, James Stewart taught in the house of John Ryan, on Lot 19, Range 9. 
 From 1835 to 1844, the teachers were, Wm. McDowell, Patrick Benson, Margaret 
 McAleese. The school-house on the I^ot of Dennis Ryan was burnt about 1842, 
 but another was soon erected. Teacher in 1844-45, John Bradley ; Peter Biggar, 1S46, 
 1847 and 1848; J. L. P. O'Hanley, 1849 and ^850 ; John O'C'onnor, 1852 and 1853; 
 Margaret Smith (now Mrs. Falkner), 1854; Dr. H.nrkin, 1855 ; Robt. W. Lendrum, 
 from 1855 to 1857 ; Oliver Barton, from 1857 ^o '^^^ > John R. McLaurin and Stephen 
 N. ('lark, 1S61 and 1862 ; A. S. McLennan, 1862 and 1863; Robt. Walsh, 1863 ^'-'^^ 
 1864; Joseph Kyle, 186410 1866; Frances MacArthur, 1867 ; A. S. McLennan, 
 1868 and 1870. A new school-house was built in 1870 Archie Lee, teacher in 
 1871 and 1872 J Mary Hyde, from 1873 to 1878 inclusive ; Mrs. Mary Molloy, 1879; 
 S. S. Burns. Edgar McLean, 1880 ; Peter McDonald, 1881 ; Ida Phillip:;,, 1881 and 
 1882 ; Calvin Morrow, 1883 and 1884 ', Mary Wight, 1885 ; Margaret McLean, 1886 ; 
 Edward C. Weight, 1886 and 1887." 
 
 The following were Superintendents during the above period : Rev. Colin Gregor, 
 Rev. Matthew Elder, James Frith and Henry Smith. 
 
 Martin O'Rourke is one of the enterprising and industrious farmers in the vici- 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 653 
 
 vnship ; he 
 years. 
 
 islii]) at or 
 lighter, and 
 
 ■Jorth West, 
 21st May, 
 
 ; son of the 
 bought 100 
 i 200 acres 
 he pioneers 
 : among his 
 d 24th July, 
 y two ol" the 
 
 I a store at 
 •. He built 
 a large and 
 rise has led 
 cessful, and 
 
 receives the 
 ted to 1 1 5,- 
 ded by this 
 called the 
 
 )S. 
 
 loyed a por- 
 ichool, from 
 
 |mas Canip- 
 
 1832, Rev. 
 
 h Fletcher, 
 
 Range 9. 
 
 1, Margaret 
 
 [bout 1842, 
 
 jggar, 1S46, 
 
 and 1853; 
 
 Lendrum, 
 
 Ind Stephen 
 
 ], 1863 and 
 
 vIcLennan, 
 
 teacher in 
 
 floy, 1879; 
 
 I 88 I and 
 
 ;an, 1886 ; 
 
 lin Gregor, 
 
 In the vici- 
 
 nity of Pendleton. His father, Patrick O'Rourlce, came from the County of Mayo 
 Ireland, to Plantagenet in 1836 ; enlisted the following summer at Cornwall, for three 
 years. During this period, he purchased a farm in .South Plantagenet, Lot 14, Con- 
 cession 10, on which he lived till his death in December, 1868. He was married in 
 December, 1847, to Ellen, a daughter of Jacob Read, a pioneer who settled on Lot 
 15, Range 9, in 1826 ; Mr. Read had two sons and six daughters. 
 
 Mr. O'Rourke had seven sons and two daughters ; Martin, the third son, has 
 always lived on the homestead— a fine firm of 200 acres, sustaining a large stock of 
 cattle and three horses. He has been married twice ; the first time, in 1883, to 
 Winnified Fisher, and the second time, in 1892, to Sarah Jane McK.ellip. Mr 
 O'Rourke has been a member of the School Board. 
 
 _ r SMITH SETTLEMENT. 
 
 This place, which is located in both North and South Plantagenet, is so called from 
 the fact that three brothers, John, William and Robert Smith, from Derry, Ireland, 
 settled here ; all had families, and many of their descendants are still here, and are 
 numbered among the rf spectable and industrious farmers. 
 
 John and William, and their sister Jane, had been here about twenty years before 
 the arrival of Robert. John died i3lh November, 1867, aged 64 ; William died 12th 
 March, 1863, aged 63. 
 
 Robert Smith, with his wife, son, James, and six daughters, sailed for Canada in 
 1844, on the ship "Salome". She had bien three weeks on her voyage, when she sprang 
 a leak, and the passengers compelled the captain to return to Belfast. Many of the 
 passengers, especially the steerage, lost all their baggage, and quite a number did not 
 sail again. Robert settled in the 9th Concession of North Plantagenet, and lived 
 there till his death 28th October, 1867. 
 
 James, his son, was married in 1859 to Ann Bowmer, and the following year he 
 purchased 85 acres cf Lot 13, Concession 12, South Piantagenet, subsequently buying 
 50 acres more. Mrs. Smith died 21st June, 1870. Their children, like those of the 
 elder Smith (Robert), comprised one son and six daughters. The land Mr. Smith 
 purchased was in its primeval state; butas it lies along the Nation river, he was more 
 fortunate than the pioneer who settled at a distance from b Jth river and roads. Bat, 
 still, he had a great deal of hardship to overcome, in the vanquishing of which he has 
 displayed the characteristic courare and endurance of the old country pioneer. He 
 was a member of the School Board several years, and terminated this connection 
 therewith by resignation. 
 
 His son, Robert, who now has themmagementof the homestead, is a member of 
 the same Board ; he was married, iSth October, 1893, to Caroline Blaney. The ferry 
 across the Nation river is near the dwelling cf Mr. Smith, to whose management it 
 belongs. 
 
 Alexander Gordon, from the County of Derry, Ireland, settled, about 1815, on 
 the ation river in South Plantagenet, on a Lot now owned by his grandsons, Alex- 
 ander and James Gordon. He lived here till his death ; his children were three sons 
 and two daughters. John, his eldest son, was married, 14th F'ebruary, 1830, to Agnes 
 Anderson, and bought Lot 13, Range 10, of South Pi.mtagenet, wild lanH, of which 
 he cleared 100 acres. He died 24th July, 1873 ; Mrs. Gordon died 24th September, 
 1867 ; they had five sons and one daughter, but only four of the sons grew up. 
 
 Benjamin Cordon, one of these, has one-half the homestead, on which he has 
 recently erected a new dwelling. He was married to Jane Grant; he joined Com- 
 
6S4 
 
 HISTORY OK PRESCOTT. 
 
 pany No. 2, Capt. Shields, of the i8th Battalion, at its organization. He was for 
 some years a School Trustee, and has been an Elder of the Presbyterian Church for 
 twenty years ;both he and Mrs. Gordon are highly esteemed in the comi.iunity. They 
 have two sons and iwo daughters; Aggie, the eldest daughter, is married to John 
 McDonald ; Kppie L. is teaching in a neighboring district ; and the two sons, Norman 
 and Grant, are at home. 
 
 Donald McDonald, from the Isle of Skye, came to Plantagenet in 1820. His 
 brother, Neil McDonald, a surveyor, had been here for some time, and surveyed 
 much of the land hereabout'; he lived on Lot 7, Concession 11. After assisting his 
 brotiier for a period, in surveying, he purchased his farm, and thenceforth devoted 
 himself to the work of a pioneer, in which he had many unpleasant experiences. 
 
 On one occasion, in the month of March, when returning home on the ice of the 
 Nation river, he was chased by wolves, and escaped only by seeking the shore and 
 cHmbing a tree. The wolves watched him closely through the entire night, reluctantly 
 leaving at daybreak, and as it was very cold, he suffered severely. 
 
 At another time he was carried over the High Falls at Cassehiian in a canoe. He 
 was attempting to reach the shore, when the beat striking a cake of ice, the recoil sent 
 it into swift water, and before he could get control of it, the current bore it swiftly 
 over. He clung to the boat, though it turned over more than once after striking 
 the water below, and he was finally rescued by raftsmen ; he has been deaf ever since. 
 He is now in his 97th year, and still quite active; he has had three sons and two 
 daughters, but the youngest of each sex is deceased. 
 
 Daniel, the second son, bought fifty acres of Lot 13, 9th Concession, North 
 Plantagenet, and married Mary McRae ; they had three sons and two daughters that 
 grew up; the eldest daughter married Robert Franklin. John, the second son, was 
 married, i7lh September, 1888, to AggieG^rdon ; apparently he is gaining the reward 
 cf energy and industry. 
 
 . Alexander H. Fraser, son of the late Andrew Fraser, of Green Lane, Hawkes- 
 bury, is one of the intelligent farmers of this locality. He came to Plantagenet in 
 the fall of x388, and bought 100 acres of Lot 12, in the 10th Concession — an attrac-1 
 tive looking farm. Mr. Fraser has for some years been a member of the Schoo 
 Board. He was married 8th January, 1879, t° Mary, daughter of George Clark, who 
 came from Biggar. Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Cote des Neiges with the family of his 
 father, John Clatk, about 1830. The father, Mr. John Clark, and his wife died not 
 many years afterward at St. Therese. 
 
 George Clark, the son, learned the trade of miller, and was tor some time 
 employed in Montreal, and then, for a few years, at Vankleek Hill. Something more 
 than thirty years ago, he bought a faim on the Ottawa in East Hawkesbury, where 
 he still resides. He has been thrice married, tlie last time — 22nd ISLay, 1S55 — to 
 Catherine Wade. He had one son by each of his former marriages ; one son and two 
 daughters by the latter. 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The first Presbyterian Church in Plantagenet was erected in the Smith Settle- 
 ment. The records show that on the day of May, 1843, "A meeting of 
 
 the adherents of the Presbyterian Church was convened at the house of William 
 Smith, to devise means and raise funds for the erection of a chapel. A subscription 
 list was then taken, and a building committee appointed composed of the following 
 gentlemen, viz. : — John Beggs, John Smyth and George Presley. 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 6s5 
 
 He Wiis for 
 11 Churcli for 
 lunity. They 
 ied to Jolin 
 ons, Norman 
 
 I 1820. His 
 Liid surveyed 
 assisting his 
 )rih devoted 
 riences. 
 lie ice of the 
 he sliore and 
 I, reluctantly 
 
 a canoe. He 
 he recoil sent 
 re it swiftly 
 after striking 
 af ever since, 
 ons and two 
 
 jssion, North 
 aughters that 
 )nd son, was 
 ig the reward 
 
 me, Hawkes- 
 antagenet in 
 — an attrac-1 
 the Schoo 
 Clark, who 
 mily of his 
 fe died not 
 
 some time 
 lething more 
 
 jury, where 
 ay, 1855— to 
 
 son and two 
 
 "An agreement was entered into between the committee and John Gordon anp 
 James Anderson, on the 17th P'ebruary, 1843, to erect a building i6 ft. x 26 ft., of 
 sided timber, and finish it 1 )r the sum of thirty pounds; to be fit for use on the 15th 
 November, 1843.' 
 
 The Rev. Colin Gregor was the officiating minister, a'' ! the Register shows that 
 the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed to communicants on the 22nd 
 June, 1845, 13^'^ September, 1846. and on the 24tii October, 1847. 
 
 After this, the Register states without date : '• The Rev. Colin Gregor receives 
 a call from the congregation of Guelph, which he accepts, and the Rev. Matthew 
 Elder commences a Sabbath School, for which a library is procured, and the school 
 flourishes for some time. He also preached once in three weeks." 
 
 "Call made and accepted to Rev. Andrew Bell, 2'jih July, 1852." 
 
 "September 17th, 1853, subscription raised to build a fence round tlie church 
 yard." 
 
 The subscribers towards the erection of the church were — Beiij. Anderson, 
 Kennetii Fletcher, John McQueen, Hugh McLean, John Gordon and many others. 
 "At a meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Piantagenet, held 17th October, 1857, 
 Mr. K. Fletcher was appointed to take the chair. 
 
 " Resolved : That a fund bu" raised for tiie purpose of purchasing a Glebe and 
 building a Manse, for which a subscription list is got up." 
 
 Up to about 1855 or 1856, this belonged to L'Orignal Mission, but at that time 
 it became a separate mission, to which the first minister apjiointed was Rev. Colin 
 Gregor. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Ferguson, who, however, was not a 
 settled pastor. Students tlien supplied the pulpit for a while, when the Rev. 
 Thomas Scott was called and remained several years, when he retired, and died not 
 long subsequently. The first mention of him in the records is dated i6th July, 1865. 
 Students again followed, when William H. Gedds came in 1883, and he was ordained 
 and settled as pastor in January, 1884. It was during his incumbency in 1883, ^^''^^ 
 the church at Piantagenet Mills was completed. He remained two years, and was 
 succeeded by students, and on July ist, 1889, Rev. John liirrell came and remained 
 two years. There has been no settled pastor here since ; the Rev. Wm. Christie, 
 from Oaawa spent six months herein the fall and winter of 1891-92. The present 
 incumbent. Rev. John Hardie, a graduate of Glasgow University, came in November, 
 1894, and is laboring to the satisfaction of his people. 
 
 The cemetery at the church in the Smith Settlement contains the headstones 
 of many of the pioneers of Piantagenet. On one, we read, 
 
 "Rev, Alex. Fletcher, 
 "Born in the Isle of Skye, 
 "(Came to Canada in 1818, and died at L'Orignal, 5th May, 1836, aged 45.) 
 " This stone was erected by his sincere friend, C. P. Treadwell." 
 
 jmith Settle- 
 meeting of 
 of William 
 subscription 
 le following 
 
656 
 
 HISTORY OV PRESCOTT. 
 
 5outh Plantagenet. 
 
 .fe 
 
 11 
 
 This township is hounded on llic north by Nortii Plantagenet, east by Caledonia, 
 south by the '^ounties of Storniont and Glengarry, and west by Russell. The I'nd is 
 level, and in most parts the soil is good. Considerable attention has been yiven in 
 past years to hoi)-growing, but owing to the present low jnices of hops, a number of 
 the famers havf; decided to abandon this industry. There are thirty hop-yards in 
 tlie township, raising annually from one to si.\ tons each ; the largest iiop-field com- 
 prises 14 acres. t , 
 
 There are ten cheese factories in this township. 
 
 A pecularity in the physical features is a Ridge a few feet in height, which 
 crosses the township from east to west, varying but little in altitude the whole dis- 
 tance. The soil on the Ridge differs materially from the lower land, and for this 
 reason is adapted to the raising of different crops. 
 
 The Nation River crosses the township near its northern boundary. A barge 
 towed by a steam-tug runs between Casselman, in Russell County, and the '• Pitch- 
 off" — a ledge not far above Plantagenet Mills. It is used for carrying freight of differ- 
 ent kinds, chiefly hay; the distance is about 25 miles. 
 
 Along this river dairying is better than grain-raising — hay being a prolific crop ; 
 though corn and wheat are raised to some e.xtent ; but pease being too rank in growth, 
 cannot be raised with profit. 
 
 The Scotch River, which is a small stream, except in spring, also passes through 
 quite a portion of the township, and flows into the Nation on the nth Concession. 
 One or two still smaller streams also help to irrigate the land, and are utilized for 
 different purposes. 
 
 The parish of St. Isidore de Prescott, embracing uve Concessions of Plantagene 
 and three of Caledonia, was erected in 1878, and the Post-office, which had beent 
 established there with the name Kerry, was changed to that of the Parish. Magloire 
 Parent was the first Postmaster ; the present Postmaster is Joseph Parent. 
 
 The parish has a good stone R. C. Ciuirch, the present priest of wiiich "'s Rev. 
 I. C. Boulet. 
 
 RICEVILLE. 
 
 This little village is located in the west part of the township on the Scotch 
 river. Though the chef -lieu of the to\..iship, it is a quiet place, neat and remarkably 
 pleasant. It stands on the Ridge referred to elsewhere and near its margin. Fine 
 farms border the roads leading from the place, all possessing good buildings, and 
 everything betokens a thrifty, prosperous class of iniiabitants ; this is the great hop- 
 growing district of the township. 
 
 A Post-office was established here about 1849, Peter McLaurin being the first 
 Postmaster ; a town hall was erected about 1857. There are two churches, two or 
 three stores, an hotel, carding, shingle and provender mills, a cheese factory and a 
 i^vi shops. 
 
by Caledonia, 
 'llie I Mid is 
 been given in 
 , a number of 
 hop-yards in 
 lop-field com- 
 
 heiglit, which 
 :lie whole dis- 
 1, and for this 
 
 ary. A barge 
 id the '• Pitch- 
 eight of differ- 
 
 prolific crop ; 
 nk in growth, 
 
 lasses through 
 
 Concession. 
 
 e utilized for 
 
 |f Plantagene 
 :h had beent 
 [h, Magloire 
 
 it. 
 
 hich f.s Rev. 
 
 the .Scotch 
 remarkably 
 irgin. Fine 
 ildings, and 
 [e great hop- 
 ling the first 
 phes, two or 
 tctory and a 
 
 HISTORY OK PRKSCOIT. 
 
 657 
 
 TI:e hotel, which offers good cuisine and attendance, is conducted by David 
 Scott. A cheese factory has been ably conducted here fur the last tiiirteen years by 
 W. H. S^ott. There is a daily mail and stage between Riceville and Maxville, and 
 telephone connection wiih Ottawa and Montreal. 
 
 Robert Cutts is said to have been the first settlor in this section ; he came from 
 Engluul about 1820, and located abou' a mile from the site of the present village of 
 Riceville ; a few of liis descendants are still liore. 
 
 Henry Metcalfe from Yorksliire, England, came here about i8-'3, and was the 
 second settler. His family consisted of his wife, two sons and one daughter ; he 
 settled on Lot 7, Concession 12, and lived here till his death, i itli January, 1863. He 
 left three sons and two daughters ; Ann, the eldest daughter, a girl of twelve years, 
 died 9th October, 1838. 
 
 Chrisiophkr, the second son, received one half the l^omes jad, and iiis 
 brother Henry the other. The former has been a prominent man in the township, 
 and served as Auditor a few years, and twice as Treasurer of the township ; both 
 terms of his office comprising a period of twenty-three years ; he iias also been a 
 Justice of the Peace for more than a decade, after declining for many years to sirve in 
 this office, 'i'hough tanning has been his chief business, a store which he opened at 
 his dwelling place, also gained a share of his attention, until 1889, when, in company 
 with his son, A. H. Metcalfe, he built a fine brick store in tiie village, where they now 
 trade. They have also engaged quite extensively in real estate business, and though 
 they have relinquished this speculation, they still retain 300 acres of land. 
 
 Mr. Christopher Metcalfe has also been very active in Church work ; he is a 
 member of the Baptist Church and has been a liberal supi)orter thereof, though he 
 has generously contributed to every work having for its object tiic promotion of the 
 Gospel. He was married in 1851 to Mary, a daughter of Neil Campbell, the first 
 settler at liOchaber Bay — a very enterprising, estimable citizen. Miss Campbell 
 first came to Riceville to teach school, and being a staunch member of the Baptist 
 Church, it was through her influence that the Rev, Mr. Rainbotli, a Baptist clergy- 
 man, came here and organized a Church. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe have had six children — two sons and four daughters; only 
 one son and one daughter are now living. Archibald Henry, the son, was tor several 
 years Assistant Postmaster and clerk for Peter McLaurin. On the death of .Mr. 
 McLaurin, he was appointed Postmaster ; he has also been Auditor for the School 
 Board, and is an active member of the Royal Templars — a Lodge having been 
 formed at Riceville in the fall of 1892 — and agent for the Hamilton Trust i^ Loan 
 Co. He was married in June, 1S86, to .Maggie Gardner, sister of the Drs. Gardner of 
 Montreal. 
 
 An impetus was given to settlement and business in this section by the advent 
 of Peter McLaurin, a land surveyor, about the year 1845. He came from Bread- 
 albane and had formerly erected mills on the line between Caledonia and Planta- 
 genet. As soon as he came to Riceville he erected a saw-mill and grist-mill on the 
 Scotch river, a work of inestimable benefit to the inhabitants of the township, and he 
 subsequently built a carding-mill and shingle-mill. He also opened the first store, 
 and was instrumental in securing the establishment of a Post-office ; there was then 
 only a weekly mail from Vankleek Hill. He was a very enterprising, public-spirited 
 man ; he served as Reeve of the township for many years, and among his benevolent 
 deeds he bequeathed $1000 to the Baptist Church here and an equal sum to the 
 Grande Ligne Mission. He died about six years since, leaving two children — Mrs. 
 Dunning of Riceville and Mrs. (Dr.) Ferguson of Cumberland, 
 
6s8 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCC'T. 
 
 Alexander McLean, who removed from ihis place not long since, was another 
 man prominently identified with its history. He came here in 1854, and was 
 appc inted Township Clerk, a position he held for 38 years. At the time of his arrival 
 there were but 84 names on the assessment roll of So. Plantagenet, and the only 
 road was the Ridg*? Road leading from Vmkleek Hill through Foamier and Riceville 
 to High Falls in Cambridge. 
 
 James Frith, from London, 'England, was one of the very early settlers here , 
 he lived four years in Montreal, and then came to Plantagenet and located on Lot 7, 
 Con. 13, where he lived till his death, 20th January, 1873 ; he was 86 years of age. Mrs. 
 Frith died 16th January, i8a.6. Mr. Frith was a Christian man, and was much esteem- 
 ed in the community ; he had four sons and four daughters. The homestead, con- 
 sisting of 200 acres, was divided equally between two sons, Samuel and Ebenezer. 
 The latter, who is the voungest of the sons, is the only one now remaining in Rice- 
 ville, the other three. Samuel, James and Joshua, having removed to Winchcbter. 
 
 Mr. Ebenezer Frith is one of the respected and influential citizens of this 
 community, and he iias been a School Trustee many years ; his farm — called " Elm 
 Grove," from the number of beautil il elms near his dwelling — is one of the many 
 fine and protluctive ones of this section. 
 
 He was married to Annie Campbell, bu: she is now deceased; they had five 
 sons and three daughters. Thv-^ eldest son is deceased ; the second, J. E,, is agent 
 for Willis & Co., wholesale dealers in musical instruments, Moi'treal ; A, N., the 
 third son, is pastor of the 2nd Baptist Church, Ottawa ; F., R. i"; clerk in Maxville ; 
 and S. W. is Dental Surgeon in VVinchester. The eldest aaughter, married to Eli 
 Hughes, resides at George's Lake ; the other two. Flora and Jessie, nre at home. 
 
 Henry Vog«n, who lias been Collector at Riceville for a few years past, is a 
 son of the late George Vogan, who came from the County of Cavan, Ireland,' to 
 New York, in 1S32. After spending three years in that city -and in Jirooklyn, he 
 came to Canada and purihased a small piece of land on Vankleek Hill, on whicn 
 Kelly's Hotel now stands. He had been a soldier — a Sergeant in the 27th Regi- 
 ment of Foot, and served in the Peninsular war ; in consequence of this military ex- 
 perience, he wasemjiloyed to drill the Volunteers at the Hill in 1837. 
 
 Mrs. Vogan was a witness of the marriage in Ireland of Capt. McCann, noticed 
 in the history of W. Hawkesbury. After the sudden death of the Capt. in Toronto, 
 his pension was stopped, as a result ui his widow's inability to prove her marriage, 
 rive years passed, when the widow accidently discovered that her neighbor, Mrs. 
 Vogan, was present at her wedding ; consequently, the pension was restored and 
 tiie suspended payments received. Mr. Vogan died at the Hill about 1866 ; he left 
 three sons — Samuel, Henry and William. 
 
 Henry Vogan was engaged in mercantile business for some time at Vankleek 
 Hill, niter which he followed farming a few years in West Hawkesbury; then spent 
 two years in British Columbia, returned and was foreman ten years for Mr. Hagar. 
 He afterwards bought a farm in South Plantagenet, which he sold a few years later, 
 and purchased three acres of land in this village and erected a good brick dwelling, 
 in which he now resides. By a former marriage he had five children, one son and 
 four daughters ; one of the latter is deceased ; the son is in Californi?. 
 
 Mr. Vogan was married to Mary McNally in 1869; her father was the Rev. 
 James McNally, the first Methodist minister that labored in Riceville. He came 
 from the County of Cavan, Ireland, with his family to West Hawkesbury in 1825, 
 and scaled in the neighborhood of tlie present Henry Post-office. He died about 
 1877; he had three sons and six daaghters. Mr. McNally was one of the pioneer 
 Methodists, who travelled over a large district, including the Counties of Argenteuil 
 
 ,4: 
 
 
HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 659 
 
 :, was another 
 >54, and was 
 : of his arrival 
 md the only 
 and Riceville 
 
 settlers here , 
 ited on Lot 7, 
 5 of age. Mrs. 
 much esteem- 
 inestcad, con- 
 id P^benezer. 
 ining in Rice- 
 inchebter. 
 tizens of this 
 -called '" Elm 
 of the many 
 
 they had five 
 
 '. E,, is agent 
 ; A. N., the 
 in Maxville ; 
 
 larried to Eli 
 
 i at home. 
 
 ars past, is a 
 1, Ireland, to 
 Brooklyn, he 
 ill, on which 
 27th Regi- 
 military ex- 
 
 !ann, noticed 
 in Toronto, 
 ler marriage, 
 lighbor, Mrs. 
 restored and 
 866 ; he left 
 
 at Vankleek 
 ; then spent 
 Mr. Hagar, 
 V years later, 
 ick dwellmg, 
 one son and 
 
 vas the Rev. 
 i. He came 
 iry in 1825, 
 e died about 
 f the pioneer 
 if Argenteuil 
 
 and Prescott, both as colporteur and minister; gladly conveying to the remote settle- 
 ments the tidings of salvation. Those were the days when there were few roads, 
 and those scarcely worthy of the name, while to many of the localities visited, there 
 were only footpaths, often discerned with difficulty, and sometimes the way was 
 marked only by blazed trees. Even in 1835, when he visited Riceville and surround- 
 ing localities, the country was almost in its primeval state, necessitating a journey 
 on foot or at best on horseback. 
 
 William J. Nicholson is the present Postmaster of Rioeville, and is also 
 actively engaged in the mercantile line. His grandfather came from England, and 
 was one of the very early settlers on Caledonia Flats, where he spent the remainder 
 of his life. He had five sons and two daughters ; Henry, the youngest son, was 
 married to Mary Hunter, about 1840, and bought a farm in South Plantagenet, Lot 
 14, Concession 15, where he still lives ; he had two sons and five daughters. Henry 
 J., the elder son, remained on the homestead till his marriage, i5ih October, 18S6, 
 to Catherine, daughter of John Ryan. He entered mercantile business the same year, 
 and still follows it, enjoying the paironage and esteem of numerous customers; he 
 was appointed Postmaster, July ist, 1895. 
 
 George A. Ryax is a brother of Mrs. Nicholson, and is assistant in the Post- 
 office, and Secretary of the Township Agricultural Society ; he was married 21st 
 November, 1891, to Stella Metcalfe. His father, John Ryan, whose family is noticed 
 in the history of Pendleton, has long been a prominent man in the township. He 
 has a fine farm of 250 acres with good buildings not far from Fournier, wiiich he 
 purchased about 1855 ; he was married in 185S to MariH Gates. He has taken an 
 active interest in both school and municipal matters, and has long been a School 
 Trustee, Reeve of the Township and a Justice of the Peace. 
 
 William N. Dunning, the present Township Clerk, is a native of Cumberland, 
 where his ancestors were prominent and influential; he is proprietor of the carding, 
 provender and shingle mills. Mr. Dunning married a daughter of the late Peter 
 McLaurin. 
 
 Riceville has a good school building, pleasantly located, in which there are two 
 departments, each in charge of a competent teacher. The first school house was a log 
 structure near the house of Mr. Metcalfe ; the second one, of similar material and 
 architecture, stood in the centre of what now forms the sileofthe village; it was 
 cove'ed with troughs made frombasswood. 
 
 A steam saw-mill was erected here by Dorty Leger, in 1889 ; he sold it and 
 built another in 1892, and is now adding a sash and door factory. 
 
 The Methodists arc an influenlial bnjy in Riceville, where, at a short distance 
 from the village, they erectcl a church edifice in 1869. An acre of land was donated 
 for a parsonage by Mr. Oliver Blaney, and a neat and commodious parsonage built 
 in 1887. 
 
 The first Methodist Church in the Township (Wesleyan) was erected at Frank- 
 lin's Corners in 1849. '^'^^ earliest records to be found relating to this denomination 
 in South Plantagenet are of a " Quarterly Meeting Conference of the Ottawa Mission, 
 held at Riceville, 30th October, 1S47." 
 
 P'-esent — Rev. Jas. Gardner, Pres. Elder ; Rev. T. Lewis, Missionary ; Alexis 
 Johnson, Henry Caldwell, Class Leaders ; Justus Clark, Jas. Moffat, stewards. 
 
 The history of the Baptisl Church at this place is given in the annals of the Rev. 
 Mr. King in his account of his labors in Notfield and other places after leaving 
 Dalesville, Que. He says : 
 
 '* Besides laboring in Notfield, I had also to labor in Riceville. sixteen miles 
 north of Notfield. The small village of Riceville takes its name from the wife o 
 
«6o 
 
 HISTORY OF PHESCOTT. 
 
 Peter McLaurin, v/ho was a daughter of Dr Rice. Mr. McLaiirin came from 
 Breadalbane, and had been a member of the Baptist Church there. 
 
 "The settlers about this part were Protestant Irish, with a few English families; 
 the country around abounds wiih French-Canadians. Among the English speaking 
 people was a man named Frith — a member of the Baptist Church in Montreal, when 
 John Gilmour was pastor. This man was zealous for the good of souls ; when there 
 was no preacher in the place he visited the sick, read the scriptures and prayed with 
 them ; he also held meetings in his own house on the Lord's Day, read a scrn.on to 
 the people and conducted worship. 
 
 "This practice he continued for some years; being acquainted with Mr. 
 Gilmour, he invited him to visit them, which he did, and preached a few evenings; 
 they were also visited by John Edwards of Clarence. These were precious visits and 
 attended with good. About tiiis time the Methodists found tlieir way to the place 
 and made it one of their fields of labor. Among the Methodist ministers was a Mr. 
 McNally, who baptized a few persons in the Scotch river; the Methodists got a fi'^m 
 hold in the place, and many joined them. 
 
 " The next Baptist that came to the place was Miss Mary Campbell, a daughter 
 of Neil Campbell, of Locliaber. She came to Riceville and taught school for some 
 time, and was married to Christopher Metcalfe, who at that time was keeping store 
 here; he was a professor of religion and a Baptist in principle. As yet there had 
 been no baptism here by a Baptist minister, but at length Brother Rainboth, who 
 was laboring in Motfield and Papineauville, preached in Riceville on his way to and 
 from these places. On one of the visits paid by Brother Rainboth to Ricevilie he 
 bainized Christopher Metcalfe and Mrs. Peter McLaurin. On that occasion people 
 collected from far and near, who had come to witness the baptism, which was to them 
 a thing altogether new. This encouraged Brother Rainboth, so that in 1861 he held 
 a protracted meeting, assisted by Brother Dempsey, which resulted in the conversion 
 of a number of i)recious fouls. In the year 1862 a church was formed of eighteen 
 believors; in 1865 it consisted of twenty members, and in the fall of 1869 there were 
 added to it ten members." 
 
 An Agricultural Society was organized here in 1869 with the following offi- 
 cers : — 
 
 President — Jas. H. Molloy. '>■':: 
 
 Vicc-Fresi(t£?it — Wm. Lendrum. , 
 
 Treasurer — Gev.. Cutt. 
 
 Secrdary — Alex. Mclean. 
 
 Directors — James Moffatt, VVm. Brodie, Lewis Parker, James Surch, E. Frith. 
 
 Auditors — Stephen Surch, John Caldwell. 
 
 Prizes in 1894 — $231 ; total receipts — $351.53 ; expenditure— $230.95. 
 
 John Muir is proprietor of one of the many fine farms that may be found in 
 the vicinity of Riceville. His father, William Muir, came from Hamilton, Scotland 
 to L'Orignal in 1846; he was by trade a carpenter, and he followed this in the 
 employ of Sheriff Treadwell nine years. After leaving L'Orignal, he spent a few 
 yeais in the village of Riceville, and then bought 100 acres of Lot 10, I4ch Conces- 
 sion, in South Plantagenet, on which he lived till his death in February, 1876; he 
 had six sons and four daughters. James, one of the sons, remained on the home- 
 stead ; John, another son, in his younger days followed the lumber business. In 
 1873 he bought 100 acres — Lot 10, 13th Concession, which was partially cleared. 
 He was married 29th July, 1875, to Catherine Bradley. Mr. Muir has cleared nearly 
 all the land he first purchased, added 95 acres to it, erected a fine brick dwelling and 
 commodious out-buildings, and rendered his home very attractive by planting nuraer- 
 
 OU!) 
 
 H( 
 stal 
 "1. n\ 
 villJ 
 geni 
 
In came from 
 
 gllsh families ; 
 glish speaking 
 oiitreal, when 
 s ; when there 
 d prayed with 
 id a scrPion to 
 
 ed with Mr. 
 few evenings; 
 ious visits and 
 y to the place 
 :ers was a Mr. 
 lists got a fii-m 
 
 ill, a daughter 
 lool for some 
 keeping store 
 yet there had 
 lain both, who 
 ins way to and 
 
 Ricevihe he 
 :casion people 
 th was to them 
 
 1 1861 he held 
 e conversion 
 
 of eighteen 
 69 there were 
 
 following ofii- 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 66 1 
 
 :h, E. Frith. 
 
 0.95. 
 
 be: found in 
 
 n, Scotland 
 
 i this in the 
 
 pent a few 
 
 4ih Conces- 
 
 y, 1876 ; he 
 
 n the home- 
 
 usiness. In 
 
 ally cleared. 
 
 eared nearly 
 
 welling and 
 
 ting numer- 
 
 ous maples around it and along the roadside; his hop-yard comprises threp acres. 
 He has been a School Trustee and Municipal Councillor for some years, and is a 
 staunch supporter of the Methodist Church. Two of his brothers, Robert and 
 'I nomas, and his sister Jane, married to .Alexander McKercher, all live in Manson- 
 ville. Wood County, Wisconsin ; William, another broiher, lives in Soutli PUnta- 
 genet. 
 
 Oliver Blanev is another of the farmers of Prescott who may justly quote the 
 language of Caesar, Ven', 7ndi, vici. His father, Oliver Blaney, came from Tyrone 
 County, Ireland, to Caledonia Flats, where he lived about fifteen years; he then 
 moved to South Plantagenet, Lot ii, 13th Concession ; his death occurred in 1868. 
 He was twice married ; by the first marriage to Lucinda Lovelace, lie had three sons 
 and three daughteis whogrevvup. Oliver, the second son, was engaged in lumbering 
 during ihe winter for thirty years ; in summer he followed farming. He was married 
 i4lh January, 1861, to Nancy Caldwell. In 1864 he bought 275 acres in the 13th 
 and 14th Concessions of this township, wiiich was then aLnost in its primeval state. 
 At the time of this purchase Mr. Blaney owed $600, and had no means of paying it, 
 save what he could earn by piiysical labor; but to-day he is free from debt : his land 
 is mostly cleared, he has set out a fine orchard of 200 apple trees, has three 
 acres of hops, has erected good buildings, keeps a dairy of 36 cows, lias 48 head of 
 cattle, five horses and about 20 sheep. He also has had quite an apiary, shipping 
 one season 7,000 lbs. of honey from 95 hives. Though liis number at present is 
 reduced to 17 hives, he has had as many as 120; and lie intends to engage in tliis 
 industry more largely than ever. Mr. Blaney has been a School Trustee for many 
 years, also a Trustee aiid Secretary of the Methodist Church. He has four sons and 
 five daughters ; Henry C, the eldest son, is in California ; Wm. Thomas is in Mani- 
 toba ; both are married and three of the daughters are also married. 
 
 Charles V. Lendrum resides on the Nation in the vicinity of Riceville. His 
 father, William Lendrum, came from Lisburne, County .Antrim, Ireland, to Planta- 
 genet in 1 85 1, with his wife, five sons and three daughters. He was a Civil Engineer, 
 and after setth'ng at Kicevillewas employed at this vocation in different places. His 
 first work was on the Ottawa & Prescott Railway, in which he was .\ssistant 
 Engineer ; he also was the architect of the Court House and Jail at L'Orignal ; he was 
 afterward sometimes employed in Montreal. .\ year or two after his arrival he 
 bought 200 acres. Lot 11, Concession it, which "/as only partially cleared, and the 
 rest was cleared by himseli. He died 20tli March, 1880; Mrs. Lendrum died 24th 
 December, 1887. They left ight son;, and three daughters ; two of the former have 
 since died. Charles .^'., the • mngest of the family, and Thomas, next older, remained 
 on the homestead; the latter died from the result of an accident, 7th February, 1893. 
 The following obituary is from The Advertiser (L'Orignal) — "Tb^- deceased was in 
 the prime of life, and had held the Assessoiship of Plantagenet several years, and i'- 
 this capacity showed great skill and energy. He was a straight temperance man 
 and Select Councillor- of the Royal Templar Society of this place, and his Society 
 cannot replace him with one of his abilities and dejiortment. The funeral was one 
 of the largest ever known in this place there being upwards of one hundred carriages." 
 
 William J. Lendrum was the second son of tiie late Mr. Lendrum, of Riceville, 
 and had seen many years' service in the British Anny ; he died in England, being a 
 member of the Staff College, affiliated with the Royal Military College of Sandhurst. 
 An extract from a lengthy obituary, published in an English paper, and copied by 
 the Ottawa /ournal oi -jrh January, 1893, says : — 
 
 "Sergt. William J. Lendrum, V. C, had won the Victoria Cross for acts Oi 
 heroism and unrivalled bravery in the Crimean War and in India." 
 
'662 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 Charles P. Lendriim, the son ncv living in Plantagenet, has a good farm, on 
 which he keeps seven horses and a dairy of twenty-three cows; he, too, is a Royal 
 Templar. 
 
 John Moffat, eldest son of James Moffat, mentioned in the history of Pendle- 
 ton, born in 1837, remained at hone until 1864, in which year be was married to 
 Sarah, daughter of Alexander Westwood of Montreal, and moved to his present farm, 
 in the 12th Concession. In connection './ith his farming, Mr. Moffat has gone exten- 
 siv ,ly into bee-culture, being one of the largest dealers in honey in Eastern Ontario. 
 In 1882 he shipped eleven tons of honey to the Montreal market, besides supplying 
 locall trade. Mr, Moffat has been active m the municipal affairs of the township, 
 having been Justice of the Peace for about fifteen years, id Treasurer and Auditor 
 for thirteen and seven years respectively. In 1895 he was elected Reeve, which 
 office he still holds. Being yell posted on the Code of Ontario, Mr. Moffat is often 
 consulted by persons desiring legal advice, and has frequently done conv;;yancing. 
 He has two sons and five daughters living. 
 
 Joseph Perisieu, a successful farmer, resides about half a mile from the 
 village, in a fine brick house. He has been a resident here for twenty years, and 
 has a farm of no acres, six of which comprise his hop-yard. 
 
 FRANKLIN'S CORNERS. 
 
 Franklin's Corners was once an important place in the township. The first 
 Methodist Church was erected here in 1849, which was demolished a few years ago. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, from Buckinghamshire, England, settled here with his 
 family — a wife and one or two children — in 1830. He took Lot 8, Concession ^4, and 
 lived here till his death in December, 1881, at the a?e of 87 ; he had two sons and 
 four daughters. The eldest son, Henry, engaged in the lumber business at the age of 
 16, and followed it successfully forty years. At the age of 21 he bought a farm — Lot 
 10, Concession 14; he married Elizabeth Muir. His death took place 13th January, 
 1887, at the age of 56 ; Mrs. Franklin died in 1891, also aged 56. They left ten 
 sons, who are all living. In 1869, Mr. Franklin gave the homestead to his second 
 son, Richard M., and opened a store at this place. In 1872, he bought 150 acres 
 of Lot 6, Concession 13, and erected a fine brick dwelling and good outbuildings. 
 In 1876, he bought about eight acres at Pendleton, built a large store and other build- 
 ings, but died there ere he had been long in business. He was a member of the local 
 Council for a number years, and for a long time was a School Trustee. He was a 
 liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, but at his death he was a member of the 
 Church of England ; in politics he was Conservative. He left the homestead to his 
 son, Charles ; the store and site on which it is erected, to his sons George and Calvin. 
 
 The eldest son, William Franklin, was in the lumber business with his father 
 from an early age. In 1884, he erected a store, and a fine brick dwelling and other 
 buildings near the Corners, where he still trades. He was married in 1880 to 
 Margaret N., daughter of David Metcalfe. Mr. Franklin has been Township Auditor 
 for twenty years ; he is a prominent Mason, bemg identified with the Knights 
 Templar and Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Independent Order of 
 Foresters. 
 
 William John Reid, who has a fine farm near that of Mr. Franklin, is one of 
 the prominent and respected citizens of the locality. He cauie with his brother 
 from Ireland to this township when he was very young ; he has been engaged exten- 
 sively in the lumber business during the greater part of his life, but, nevertheless, has 
 taken much interest in the affairs of the township, and has served as Municipal 
 Councillor and hool Trustee. 
 
good farm, on 
 too, is a Royal 
 
 lory of Pendle- 
 as married to 
 is present farm, 
 lias gone exten- 
 astern Ontario, 
 sides supplying 
 fthe township, 
 •er and Auditor 
 i Reeve, which 
 Moffat is often 
 : conv>iyancing. 
 
 mik from the 
 enty years, and 
 
 iship. The first 
 a few years ago. 
 , here with his 
 ncession 14, and 
 id two sons and 
 ess at the age of 
 hi a farm — Lot 
 e 13th January, 
 They left ten 
 d to his second 
 ught 150 acres 
 d outbuildings, 
 nd other build- 
 ber of the local 
 tee. He was a 
 member of the 
 omestead to his 
 rgeand Calvin, 
 with his father 
 filing and other 
 led in 1880 to 
 Iwnship Auditor 
 jh the Knights 
 ident Order of 
 
 Inklin, is one of 
 
 lith his brother 
 
 engaged exten- 
 
 jvertheless, has 
 
 as Municipal 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 663 
 
 Samuel Hunter, from the County Antrim, Ireland, took up 200 acres of land 
 in this section in 1822 ; he died here about 20 years ago. He had three sons and 
 seven daughters, but only one son, John, is now living ; he has part of the home- 
 stead — a fine farm — on which there is an excellent barn and a large hop-yard. 
 Mr. Hunter i? unmarried, and has always lived with his sister, whose husband, 
 Mr. John Stevens, has a fine brick residence and farm adjoining that of Mr. Hunter, 
 Mrs. Stevens died in 1895 ; three of her sisters, daughters of Mr. Samuel Hunter, 
 married to prosperous farmers, settled in ..lis townsliip— Mrs. Henry Nicholson, 
 Mrs. James Nicholson, now a widow, and Mrs. John Wilkes. 
 
 lemip:ux. 
 
 In the north-west part of the township is a Post-office, established about 
 twenty years ago with the name Lemieux— a man bearing that name being the first 
 Postmaster. A saw-mill was erected here about 1S50 by Archie JJurton. The mill 
 is now ned by W. N. Barrie, an ( -ising Scotchman, who employs a good 
 
 many hands, and has several mills locatcu m different places ; he also has a store at 
 Lemieux. There, is besides, a R. C. Church, a school-house and one or two shops. 
 The early settlers in this section were Daniel Harrigan, Robert Reio, Alex. Mclnnis, 
 John Macauley, and Henry Bradley. 
 
 A Post-office was estabhshed a few years since on Lot 5, Concession 11, and 
 the name of the Postmaster — Lalonde — was given to the office. The present Post- 
 master is Isaie Denis ; he also has a grist-mill, saw-mill and shingle-mill ; there is 
 also a cheese factory near. 
 
 FOURNIER. : a ^ 
 
 This smail village is located in the eastern part of South Plantagenet, near the 
 Caledonia line. 
 
 Bernard Lemieux, from St. Polycarpe, came here in 1855, ^'^"d erected a saw- 
 mill and grist mill on a small stream, and these mills were the beginning of the present 
 village. In 1875, his son, Joseph M. Lemieux, erected new mills, in v hich steam power 
 was used instead of water-power. The mills were burnt about nine years later, but 
 were soon rebuilt. Mr. Bernard Lemieux died here 25th June, 1878 ; his widow, who 
 was 90 vears of age, in June, 1895, is still living hers and quite active. 
 
 A store was opened here in 1856, by Cajetan Fournier, and a Post-office was 
 established in 1857, with the name Fournier ; Mr. Fournier was the first Postmaster, 
 and he also conducted an hotel and a pearl ash factory a number of years. F. Lan- 
 driau succeeded him as Postmaster, and has held the position twenty years. 
 
 The starting of business here as related above soon paved the way for the 
 erection of a chapel. The first priests who visited the place came from Curran ; ser- 
 vices were first held at the house of John Paxton for about a year and a half, and 
 subsequently, at the house of Mr. Lemieux. In 1859, ^ chapel was erected — Mr. 
 Lemieux giving the land for its site, and having the contract for its erection. As it 
 had become too small, however, for the congregation, in 1877 a new stone church 
 .'as erected 120 feet x 55 feet in size, with sacristy 48 feet x 30 feet, and during the 
 summer of 1895 a fine brick presbytery was built. At the present time, the church 
 has cost $17,500, but the interior is not yet finished. The first resident priest was 
 the Rev. S. Phillips, who came in 1867, and remained nine years. His successor was 
 the Rev. On^sime Bouchet, who was here seven years. He was succeeded by the 
 Rev. Father Lecour, from St. Isidore de Prescott, who after a period of three years 
 was followed by Rev. Ulric Gideon Magnan, v/ho died three years later, in July, 1888. 
 The next priest was the present incumbent, Rev. E. Dessier. 
 
664 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 II 
 
 A Methodist Church was erected at F"ournier in 1873. 
 
 Besides tlie two churches, Foiirnier has three stores conducted by J. N. Lapointe, 
 a tannery which has been in operation by Nelson Baker about twenty years, a cheese 
 factory and a hotel conducted by Duncan Macgregor. 
 
 Mr. Macgrt'gor's grandfather, James Macgregor, came from Scotland to Canada in 
 1800, with his two sons, Edward and Duncan, and one daughter, Margaret. He 
 purchased 400 acres of land on his arrival, which now form a part of the site of 
 Toronto. Edward, the elder son, was in the battle of Lundy's L.ane ; he caught a 
 cold there, from the effects of which he died. Duncan, the second son, born in 1800, 
 came with the rest of the family to Plantagenet in 1823, and purchased 300 acres of 
 Lots 5 and 6, Concession 12, and, some years later, he bought 200 acres in Con- 
 cession r3. 
 
 The elder Macgregor (James) was accidentally drowned about 1846, in the 
 Nation River near his own dwelling. Margaret Macgregor, his daugiiter, married 
 Adjutaiit Eraser, a brother of Colonel Eraser. 
 
 Duncan Macgregor became a prominent man in the township, was a Councillor 
 several years, Reeve and Captain of Militia. He had four sons and seven daughters, 
 of whom the sons and three daughters are now living ; Edward, the eldest son, is on 
 the Parry Sound Road, exploring timber limits. James, the second son, has part 
 of the homestead, and Duncan, the youngest, has another part, comprising 100 acres, 
 of which about 85 are under cultivation. Erom this, in the summer of 1S95, ^e 
 cut 1 50 tons of hay, and raised 166 bushels of barley and 200 bush .'Is of wheat. 
 
 John I'axton, from the Village of Coddington, Oxfordshire, England, was one 
 of the very early settlers in this section. He procured a location ticket for 700 acres 
 of land, which was situated partly in Alfred and partly in South Plantagenet — the 
 latter comjjrising Lot i. Concession 13 This was in 1820, and he soon afterward 
 settled on it. and j.ot long subsequently, his brother William came, and later still, 
 their sister Helen. All lived together, immarried, and died here. 
 
 In 1844 two nephews of the Paxtons — Stephen Surch, sixteen years of age, and 
 his brother, James, thirteen — came to this country. 'I'iiey, with two brothers, John 
 nnd Thomas Surch, all orphans, had been living in England with a maiden aunt, who 
 supplied them with means to coma to Canada. John and Thomas followed Stephen 
 and James at different periods, some years later. After living twelve years with his 
 uncle, John Paxton, James entered the employ of the Hamilton Brothers at Hawkes- 
 bury, and was with them seven years, four of which he was foreman. In August, 
 1865, John Paxton died, but shortly before his death he divided his property 
 between Stephen, James and Thomas Surch. Stephen died some years ago, but 
 James and Thomas still live here; the former owning 216 acres, and the latter 140 
 acres of the land bequeathed them by their uncle. James Surch has been one of the 
 prominent men in local affairs, having served twenty-four years as School Trustee, 
 fourteen as Councillor, and five as Reeve of the township. He has a fine farm, and 
 has erected an miposing brick residence and commodious farm buildings. 
 
 Donald Macdonald, a Scotchman, and an educated man, who had spent some 
 years at Deuiarara, as overseer on a sugar plantation, settled in the vicinity of 
 Fournier, between 1836 and 1840, on Lot », Concession 12, He brought two young 
 boys, as well as so.ne money, with him ; he was always l^nown here as " Demarara 
 Macdonald." 
 
 • John A. Cameron, who resides about two miiea from Eournier, has a farm of 
 84 acres, which is noted for its fertility. Last season, 1895, besides cutting 100 tons 
 of hay, he raised 500 bushels of barley and over 500 bushels of wheat. 
 
 James H. Molloy, jr., who di«'d early in 1896, and who, in September last 
 /1895), gave us many of the facts recorded with regard to Plantagenet, had long 
 
. N. Lapointe, 
 ears, a cheese 
 
 i to Canada in 
 [argarct. He 
 of the site of 
 ; he caught a 
 jorn in 1800, 
 1 300 acres of 
 icres in Con- 
 
 1846, in the 
 liter, married 
 
 a Councillor 
 'en daughters, 
 est son, is on 
 son, has part 
 ing 100 acres, 
 of 1S95, he 
 f wheat, 
 land, was one 
 , for 700 acres 
 itagenet — the 
 3on afterward 
 ,nd later still, 
 
 of age, and 
 
 rothers, John 
 
 tn aunt, who 
 
 •wed Stephen 
 
 ars with his 
 
 at Hawkes- 
 
 In August, 
 
 s property 
 
 ars ago, but 
 
 e latter 140 
 
 n one of the 
 
 ool Trustee, 
 
 le farm, and 
 
 spent some 
 vicinity of 
 two young 
 
 " Demarara 
 
 IS a farm of 
 ng 100 tons 
 
 itember last 
 had long 
 
 HISTORY OF PRESCOTT. 
 
 66s 
 
 made his home at Fournier. He.was a very intelligent man, highly respected in the 
 county, and though past eighty years of age, his wonderful activity gave strangers the 
 impression that 'ie was less than seventy, and led his familiar friends to believe that 
 he would be spared many yeais. 
 
 The following sketch of the family was copied from the old family Bible ; James 
 Molloy, the first mentioned, was the grandfather of James H., who recently died 
 at Fournier : 
 
 "James Molloy, born 25th July, 1755, in the County of VVestmeath, near the town 
 of Kilbeggin, at his father's house next to the Castle of Ballreath. His father, 
 Charles, and his mother, Mary, were honest and worthy parents. When James was 
 eight years old, he came to Queen's County, near Carlow, where my father died in the 
 spring of 1770, and was buried in the church of Aries, within four miles of Carlow. 
 I came to America in 177 1, and joined the King's troops and was employed in the 
 Quarter-Master General's department till the year 1783. Came to Montreal in 1785, 
 and served in the Indian department as conductor of India presents, under Sir John 
 Johnson, till the year 1815, a period of nearly thirty years in Canada, and forty-two 
 years in His Majesty's service. Married in New York, 29th October, 1783, to 
 Eleanor Staats, widow of the late John Amory, issue of marriage as follows : 
 
 '• AHce Molloy, born loth January, 1784, at the Hogsborough, near Albany ; James 
 Molloy, born 21st February, 1788, at Montreal; Joachim Staats Molloy, born 2nd 
 September, 1789, at Montreal; died loth March, 1791 ; Marie Charlotte Molloy, born 
 nth May, 1794, at Montreal, died 30th March, 1796. 
 
 " James Molloy, sen., died at Montreal, 4th October, 1815, aged 60 years. Said 
 Eleanor Staats, wife of said James Molloy, born 28th February, 1752, died at Mon- 
 treal, i8th January, 1821, aged 69 years." 
 
 James Molloy, jun., son of James Molloy, who died at Montreal in 
 1815, was also in the Commissary Department during the war of 1812, 
 being employed as Clerk. Before coming to Plantagenet in 1825 he 
 owned a lot of land which now forms a part of the site of Toronto, 
 but he sold it at a small price. He was married to Catherine Chesser 3rd 
 August, 1824. On coming to Plantagenet he took up 500 acres of Lot i. Concession 
 10, and Lots i and 3, Concession 14. Mr. Molloy soon became a man of promin- 
 enc- in the County. He was a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for the trial of 
 Small Causes, and Major of the Militia. He was well known in Montreal, and had 
 many friends among the prominent men of that city. He died in Albany, N.Y., r4th 
 March, 1851. He had three sons — James H., John Murphy and Michael Edmund. 
 James H., the eldest, after attending school some years in Montreal, remained 
 some time on the homestead, and then sought his fortune in foreign lands ; sailing 
 27th October, 1851, for Melbourne, Australia; thence he went to Sidney, and from 
 there to California, where he remained two years. He returned via New York, mak- 
 ing the entire circuit of the globe, and once more engaged in farming in Plantagenet. 
 He was married in February, 1857, ^'^ Anna Maria, daughter of William Bradley, 
 Esq., of Caledonia. Mr. Molloy was a Justice of the Peace many years, Coroner for 
 Prescott and Russell, Issuer and Inspector of Tavern Licenses for Prescott, Reeve of 
 the Township several years, and Warden of the County. He was a candidate for 
 Parliament in 1886, in opposition to Mr. Evanturel, but was defeated by a small 
 majority. At his death he owned 300 acres of the paternal hoiiestead. He had 
 three sons and three daughters ; the two eldest sons, Arthur and Edmund, married, 
 live in this Township ; James, the youngest, has recently attended the Collegiate 
 Institut" at Ottawa. The eldest daughter, married, lives in Ottawa ; the youngest, 
 married, resides in Montreal. 
 
Jor anvthing in the Drug or i ^H^mical 
 
 tpor . . . • 
 
 Cine torife or zaV. 
 
 f. ■ ! 1 - ( 
 
 . E. Tr^^mble 
 
 Dispensing Chemis. and Family Druggist, Importer of Drugs, 
 , Chemicals, Pel fumery and Toilet Articles. A complete 
 assortment of everything kept in a first class Drug Store. 
 
 ANO- 
 
 Corner St. Catherine 
 
 jyiountain Streets 
 
 Telephone ao28 
 
 Prescriptions our Forte 
 
 Webster House | 
 
 ^^ECOND Block from the Grand Trunk Station, St. James Street, 
 and three minutes walk from the C. P. R. Station. Electric 
 Cars pass the door for all parts of the City, 
 
 , . While the cuisine and attendance at this house is second to none 
 in the city, its low rates have secured so large a patronage from the 
 country, that it has recently been found necessary to enlarge it. ■' 
 
 V Mn O. C. ^Webster 
 
 Has had long experience in the hotel business, and his desire for the 
 comfort of his guests renders his house the ideal home of the traveler. 
 
ier of Drugs, 
 A complete 
 Drug Store. 
 
 itr^al 
 
 sire for the 
 traveler. 
 
 J. EVELEIGH & CO. 
 
 mes Street, 
 
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 TRUNKS 
 
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 $1.00 to SSO.OO 
 
 
 • liJ - tit'-- tl - tb - ta " rii •• til - tis' 
 
 Travelling 
 = Bags = 
 
 c5cV. /o Sis. 00 
 
 Parties visitlnK Miontreal sliould not fail to visit the gr eat 
 \Vareroona» of the Largest Mant.ifactiarinK EMtui>liMhment 
 of TrvirUs and Leather Oooda In Canada 
 
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 Pocl<ct 5ooks. better Cdbes and l^Ul ^oo\{s, 
 
 Mr. a. T. Forbes, a native of Argenteuil, the obliging m.anager, will be pleased to see and greet his 
 friends at all limes. (.See folio i86.) 
 
m 
 
 THE SUN 
 Life Assurance Company 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Head Office, 
 
 MONTREAL, 
 
 » ^ ^ » ^ » 
 
 INCOME for year ending 3i.st December, I095 
 
 ASSBTS at 31st December, 1895 
 
 L>ife Assurances in force January ist, 1896 
 SURPbUS over ai; Liabilities (except Capital Stock) 
 
 ift SJ 58? 3( «t 5fe 
 
 $1,528,054 
 
 .. 5,365,770 
 
 34,754,840 
 
 .. 534,944 
 
 POLICIES ABSOLUTELY nONFORfEITABLE. 
 
 -•;t=f5ti<;>4<3^1i<;- 
 
 In the event of non-payment of premium the policy is continued in force 
 as long as its reserve value will pay for. 
 
 Policies are incontestable from the fir.-,t, save that the Companj' reserves 
 to itself the right to contest payment during the first two years in cases of 
 intentional fraud. 
 
 Losses paid immediately upon completion and approval of proofs. 
 
 Send for new Prospectus. 
 
 R. MACAULAY. 
 
 I'resiilent. 
 
 HON. A. W. OGILVIE, 
 
 A'ioe-rresideiit. 
 
 T. B. MACAULAY. 
 
 Secretary auU Actuary, 
 
 J. MACDONALD OXLEY, 
 O. LEGER. 
 
 Managers City Agencies. 
 
W. D. LIGHTHALL, M.A., B.O.L., F.E.S.L. 
 0. A. HARWOOD, B.O.L. 
 
 )any 
 
 REAL. 
 
 ,528,054 
 
 1,365,770 
 
 ,754,840 
 
 534,944 
 
 .E. 
 
 ucd in force 
 
 iri}' reserves 
 j in cases of 
 
 )roofs. 
 
 ULAY. 
 
 ry anil Actuarj', 
 
 Oable Address, "LIGHTNALD." 
 Telephone No. 2382. 
 
 Ifigbtboll % [{Qpo^ood 
 
 BARRISTERS AND AHORMm. 
 
 Cham.,er«: Cit3^ a.,,, District Bank Bui,cll„K. 
 
 180 St. JaiTies St., 
 
 MONTR^/VL 
 
 Legal Business of all kinds promptly attended to, i 
 a satisfactory manner. 
 
 W/VLTI^R P/VOL 
 
 m 
 
 2855 St. Catherine St., 
 
 MONTREAL 
 
 Carries one of the frnesl stocks of 
 
 Fruits, Provisions, &c. 
 
 TO 86 FOUND IN TH6 OOJIINION. 
 
 quality unquestioJJable. ™ °''''"' ""^^ ""' «"'' P*"^^ right, 
 
 Teleph 
 
 ones 4S37 and 380i?,