For my friend award winning writer Wanita Bates who used to work at the Pakenham General Store in 1977 selling and weighing everything from a few nails to a hunk of bologna!!
| Pakenham Township was named after Sir Edward Pakenham who was the brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington. |
| Pakenham: Was a postal station from 1832. It is located on the Mississippi River. It was known as Dickson’s Mills then Pakenham Mills. In 1842 the village’s population was 250 persons. It contained 3 churches – Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist, post office, grist mill, saw mill, carding machine & cloth factory, four stores, a tannery, two taverns and some shops. |
The Pakenham General Store was built in 1840 and is still a functioning, multi-purpose business. From the church 1930`s Scott Bros. store and McCann`s garage (Red Indian gasoline)
Almonte Gazette – Aug, 27, 1927. Read the Almonte Gazette here
Robert Snedden Died Suddenly in his Office.
Prominent Merchant of Pakenham Expired After Opening Up For The Day.
Belonged to Well Known Ramsay Family. Taught School before Entering Business In Almonte and Later in Pakenham. Mr. Robert Archibald Snedden, merchant of Pakenham, and one of the most prominent business men of North Lanark, died very suddenly this Thursday (25 Aug 1927) morning in his office shortly after 8:00 o’clock. While for some time he had not been in the most robust health, his condition was never regarded as serious, nor was it contemplated that his end was so near. Shortly after opening up for business for the day he suddenly collapsed and expired immediately. He was 58 years of age. Mr. Snedden belonged to one of the most prominent families in this district.
Scott Bros. new Chev pickup 1934
Alexander Snedden, his grandfather, was a noted lumberman in the early days. William Snedden, his father, was also in the lumber business for a time and owned the old sawmill at Blakeney. William Snedden was a power in the Liberal political circles in his day. The late Mr. Snedden was born on the family homestead on the ninth line of Ramsay. He was a graduate of the Almonte High School and was a school master for some years and many of the residents of that district will speak of his capable care of their education when he was in charge of the Rosebank School.
He had a mind for business however, and for some years he conducted successfully a flour and feed store in Almonte. About thirty years ago he moved to Pakenham where he conducted the well known hardware store and general business that bears his name. Twenty five years ago he was married to Miss Mabel Needham daughter of Thomas Needham, of Pakenham. He is survived by his widow, a daughter and two sons, Mary, Donald and Fredrick all at home.
Photo from Panoramio
There also remains to mourn his loss four brothers; Alexander Snedden of Pakenham; William Snedden of Lumsden, Sask.; David Snedden of Vancouver, B.C.; and Dr. Sylvester Snedden of Edmonton, Alberta. Mr. Snedden was held in very high esteem, and his sudden demise was a great shock to the whole community. The funeral will take place at 2:30 o’clock on Saturday to the Union Cemetery, Pakenham.
Perth Courier, Sept. 10, 1897
The Pakenham correspondent of the Almonte Gazette says: “John Elliott passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The deceased was born in Bathurst on Jan. 3, 1820—77 years ago. The late Mr. Elliott’s parents came from Cavan County, Ireland with the first settlers. The deceased went to Pakenham 49 years ago and carried on a boot and shoe business for more than twenty years. He then purchased a homestead and lived on it until about seven years ago when he retired to Pakenham Village. He was also an auctioneer for many years. He was for some time tax collector for the township of Pakenham and was one of the most successful farmers in the township being able in the declining years of his life to retire from active duties of life as well as to leave a fair competence to those depending on him. IN 1850(?) he married Margaret Kerr of Perth, daughter of the late Dawson Kerr, a school teacher who in the early days opened a school in Perth. To the were born twelve children all but one (who died in infancy) survive. The family consists of seven sons: Robert A., Winnipeg; Dawson, wholesale merchant in Winnipeg; John on the homestead in Pakenham; William A. and John H. in Pakenham township; Frederick C., barrister in West Selkirk, Manitoba; George A., barrister, Winnipeg. There are also five daughters: Mrs. W.A. Patterson of Carleton Place; Mrs. Dr. Jamieson of Pakenham; Mrs. W.W. Miller of Pakenham; and Edna, the youngest, at home in Pakenham. Mrs. Elliott survives her husband and is strong and vigorous in spite of the fact that she faithfully nursed her husband through his illness which lasted for more than a year. His disease was hardening of the spinal cord with complications. He was a Methodist and a Conservative in politics. The funeral took place to the Methodist Cemetery and was largely attended. Deceased was a brother of Robert and Archibald Elliott of Perth.
Perth Courier, Dec. 17, 1897
From the Almonte Times of Dec. 18 we take the following obituary notice of an early settler in Pakenham Township, father of Mrs. Robert(?) Scott of this town. “On Tuesday of this week, Ingram Scott, one of the oldest and most esteemed residents of Pakenham, passed to his reward at the age of 93(?) years. The late Mr. Scott was born in the County of Sligo, Ireland, near the town Sligo in the year 18??. He emigrated to Canada in 1831(?) arriving here on the 4th of July of that year and settled on a farm in Pakenham on which he lived continuously until a few years ago when he retired from active life and moved into the village. In 1837 he married Esther Elliott, one of the pioneers of Fitzroy Township. In September of 18??, his beloved wife passed away and since then his care devolved upon his daughter Susan who carefully attended to him. His children numbered nine. Two (John and Thomas) died in infancy. Margaret, the wife of Rev. W.W. Ryan, died at Three Rivers, Quebec in March of 1985(?).
The living are: David E. Scott of Port Hope; Robert Scott of Pakenham; Mathilda (Mrs. Robert Scott) of Perth; George Y. Scott of Pakenham; Eliza Jane, widow of the late Rev. J.H. Stewart of Kingston. Susan, already mentioned, lives in Pakenham. There are 29 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. In 18?? (1832??), the late Mr. Scott united with the Methodist Church of which he remained a faithful and consistent member until his death. Shortly after his connection with the church he was appointed a class leader and held the office for the rest of his life. He also served his church in the same time as a member of the Quarterly and Trust Boards and was always ready to respond to the call of these boards when people demanded it.”
lindaseccaspina 