Hi Linda,
This occurred very near my family farm. My great grandfather Daniel Malloch walked from the farm in Drummond Center carrying a bag of grain to attend the hanging. He had the grain ground into flour and walked home with the bag of flour afterwards. He would not have wanted to waste a trip to Perth.:) It was a horrifying story told by my grandmother and she backed it up with a unique macabre visual aid. A small change purse made from the murderers skin.We still have the object and although I would hesitate to ever label it a cherished family treasure it is without a doubt a piece of history. Glenda Mahoney (The Mahoney Legacy Ends–Masonry Runs in the Blood)
The Thomas Easby Murders in 1829 — Foulest Ever in Lanark County
In Perth, 1829 has a heinous ring to its history for it was the year that one of the county’s foulest murders was committed. The late W.B. Hart of Perth is responsible for the tale of Thomas Easby being told. Mr. Hart in (date illegible) gave the Perth Municipal Museum a copy of the Bathurst Independent Examiner—Perth’s pioneer paper. Between the pages of the 1829 Examiner the story of the murders unfolds.
Thomas Easby was a pioneer who, with his wife and five children, lived in a log cabin on the 9th Concession of Drummond—on the main highway between Perth and Lanark Village. There, on an early December night in 1829 the tale begins.
What exactly transpired within the walls of that house on that night is not known. But it was discovered the next day that Easby’s wife and four children were dead and the log cabin was burned to the ground. Linda Seccaspina- Read More here–The Thomas Easby Murders in 1829 — Foulest Ever in Lanark County
THE DEVIL VISITS DRUMMOND TOWNSHIP
Canada’s First Mass Murder–Ron Shaw
At about 3:00 a.m. on the cold morning of Wednesday, December 10, 1828, John Tullis
(1777-1832), who lived with his wife Margaret Jamieson (1777-1851) and their eight children on a farm at Drummond C-9/L-3(E)1, about a mile north of the village of Balderson’s Corners, was awakened by distant shouts. His wife then saw an orange glow emanating from the shanty of their neighbor Thomas Easby on Drummond C-9/L-3(W).
The Easby cabin was on fire and the Tullis’ teenage sons John Jr. (1809-1885) and Sinclair (1811-1893) immediately ran across theintervening clearing to lend whatever assistance they could. John Tullis Jr. later2 recounted that as he approached the door of the cabin Easby called out “Who comes there”. The Tullis boys identified themselves, saying they had come to help, but Easby told them he had “mastered the fire himself”. Ron Shaw– Read the rest here–CLICK HERE
10 May 1901
Over 70 years ago a man named Easby who settled on Hunter farm beyond Balderson, murdered wife and 4 or 5 children and then burned down house…executed in Perth in 1829. On 7th inst Joseph Parton living near Hurdville, Parry Sound Dist arrested, suspected of same crime…5 children died April 30…7-18 years old
26 Nov 1909
Duncan McLaren, old resident Balderson, died at his residence Saturday last. Was born on homestead farm (Bathurst side of concession line) in 1828, son of Archibald McLaren, Highland Scotchman and pioneer settler. Just 6 weeks younger than aged townsman Robert Balderson, who was born on farm just across road on Drummond side. Same year of 1828 terrible Easby murders took place a few farms farther north. Married Miss Sarah McMillan, 1st line Drummond who survives. Mrs Francis Davies, Perth, is a sister. Leaves 2 sons, Archibald & James, Man; Peter, 6th Bathurst; Alexander, old family farm. Mrs Arthur Caldwell, Bruce Co; Mrs John Hughes, Chesley, Ont. 2 nephews in hotelbusiness in Winnipeg (Empire Hotel)… Presb…to Campbell Cemetery
From Rampage: Canadian Mass Murder and Spree Killing
By Lee Mellor
MS 658 Reel 112 Document 944- 947 (handwritten) Drummond Township
Toronto – January 27th 1857
My Dear Sir,
In reply to your inquiry as to Joseph Easby I have only to state that while attending the Session of Parliament here in 1829 or 1830 I have a recollection of Mr. Wm. Morris speaking to me about him and his making an arrangement with John Hay in whose house he lodged, to receive him and to bring him up. Wm. Easby the father of the boy had murdered all the other members of his family & then set fire to the log house in which they lived — The fire did not however consume the remains and he so managed as to have them interred without any suspicion resting upon him of having murdered them. The youngest and only child spared, Joseph, was received at the time by a neighbour and it was in consequence of something said in the course of play with other children that a suspicion of foul play was excited and the bodies were disinterred. The sad truth was then ascertained that all had been barbarously murdered and Easby who was just about to leave the place was arrested. He was convicted and executed for the crime leaving the child he had spared, the instrument under providence of his detection without friends or relatives in the country. Hay having no family of his own willingly received the boy and for several years after I saw him in the house while lodging there during the Sessions of Parliament. I know that Hay and his wife were extremely kind to the boy and that they did not expect or receive any compensation for their care of him.
I have every reason to believe that their care and kindness were extended to him as long as he chose to remain with them and till he was old enough to earn something for himself.
I cannot say at what time he left them or whether he did not usually make his home with them till the death of Mrs. Hay. I have understood that he was drowned from a small schooner in which he was sailing, in the harbour of Toronto.
Tho’ I believe Hay was influenced by a feeling of kinship & humanity in taking the boy under his care, yet I think in his present position if there are means of his estate that he has decidedly the best claim upon them– at least I am not aware that any one has a more legitimate claim.
Yours very truly
A. Mc Lean
E.C. Jones Esq.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.
Was it Murder?
Murder or Accident — Bates & Innes Flume
Murders and Mysteries of the Mississippi Hotel
Not Guilty in the Murder of His Grandmother –George Watt Jr.
Fame and Murder Came to Balderson in 1828
The Thomas Easby Murders in 1829 — Foulest Ever in Lanark County
Murder in Carleton Place –Peter Cairns
The Buck Lake Murderer
The Media Then and Now–Johnny Gillies Had a Gun
Shocking Murder in Almonte–Michigan Charlie
Murder on Maple Island
Bitten by the Kissing Bug — A Shocking Conclusion to the Life of Carleton Place’s Daniel E. Sheppard
The Tale of a Pirate named Bill Johnston with Pirate Dog Supermodels
Assassinated Gossip about Lincoln, Payne and the Thousand Islands
The Man Who Would Be The Revenant
Murders and Mysteries of the Mississippi Hotel
Did Samuel Pittard of Ashton Murder His Wife?
Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–
Join us and learn about the history under your feet! This year’s St. James Cemetery Walk will take place Thursday October 19th and october 21– Museum Curator Jennfer Irwin will lead you through the gravestones and introduce you to some of our most memorable lost souls!
Be ready for a few surprises along the way….
This walk takes place in the dark on uneven ground. Please wear proper footwear and bring a small flashlight if you like.
Tickets available at the Museum, 267 Edmund Street. Two dates!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1211329495678960/
OCT 28th
Downtown Carleton Place Halloween Trick or Treat Day–https://www.facebook.com/events/489742168060479/
Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–
October 28th The Occomores Valley Grante and Tile Event–730pm-1am Carleton Place arena-Stop by and pick up your tickets for our fundraiser dance for LAWS. They also have tickets for Hometown Hearts event at the Grand Hotel fundraiser
lindaseccaspina 