Aunt Ann, before passing on was a slim, slender girl in her teens, and it was not until the later years of her life that she became stout. It may be interesting to some to be informed that Aunt Ann was considered one of the best dancers amongst the girls of her day. To work all day in the house, or in the fields, and dance all night was a common occurrence on the part of the girls of Aunt Ann’s time. Would or could the girls of today do it?
These were the days when the sickle was the sole means of cutting the grain, and Aunt Ann declared she had many a time bound grain into sheaves all day after a reaper with the sickle and danced all night. These were the days when a jar of good whiskey was brought to the fields and placed at one end of same. It became a case of keen competition when more than one reaper was engaged to see which could reach the jar first. These were the days when whiskey was pure and unadulterated and left none of the ill effects experienced today by thirsty ones. The fact that all drank of it more or less without injury would seem to indicate that if the brand is A1 it is quite in order to take a little for the stomach’s sake.
The writer has a large sized photograph of Grandma Codd which he prizes very much. It was passed on to me and every time I gaze upon the fine old face the words come to my mind that were commonly used to express the appreciation of his friends that “Johnnie Codd’s word is as good as his bond.” This would seem to be a very good testimony of the character of the man and one not often used in these days of stress and struggle. My fondest recollection of Grandfather or Granda, as he was always called, is of occasions when he rode we younger ones on his knee and sang to us that appealing song, the last line was:
*”Oh Jennie put the kettle on and we’ll all have tea!”
Of Grandmother Codd the writer has no information; as stated in the beginning of the family history, as she was Mary Ann Nugent, and judging from the large- sized photograph which used to hang in the old home of the family at Innisville, she must have been a kind and good woman.
My mother, Elizabeth hicks was born at Enniskillen, County of Fermanagh, Ireland and came to Canada in 1842. She lived in Perth until her marriage to William Code. my father on the 27th of February, 1849.
The widowed mother of Elizabeth Hicks came to this country with her two daughters (Elizabeth and Mary), the latter becoming James Kerr. The foregoing will explain the connection between the Kerr and Code families and show how an intimacy and friendship of a lifetime came about.
Mother (Elizabeth Hicks) had three brothers, namely, James, Robert, and William, and all lived in Perth at the time of their death. For many years Robert at Ferguson Falls held the position of Postmaster and conducted a small store. Some years before his death he removed to Perth.
Mother died at Innisville on the 23rd October, 1895, at the age of 72 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Perth.
Father died at Innisville on the 21st of Novemeber 1868, at the age of 49 and was buried in St. John’s Church burying ground near Innisville. Mother expressed a wish to be buried in the cemetery at Perth. There was a strong bond of affection between Mother and her brothers, and particularly between her brother William and herself.
Much more might be added to what has been written, but it is hoped enough has been related to form the basis of a more detailed story which one of the present generation may some day write.
Tomorrow: Family Record as taken from Family Bible and amended by W.A. Code
Note—When the post office opened in 1851 a clerical error resulted in the community being called Innisville. The error was never corrected.
History
The first industrial process on the site was operated by the Kilpatrick family beginning in 1842 and established as a tannery shortly thereafter. In 1882 a new owner, Thomas Alfred Code, established Codes Custom Wool Mill with a range of processes, including: carding, spinning, fulling, shearing, pressing, and coloring of yarns. In 1896, its name was changed to the Tay Knitting Mill, and it produced yarn, hosiery, socks, gloves, sporting-goods, sweaters, and mitts. Another change came in 1899, when a felt-making process was introduced and the mill was renamed Code Felt. The company continued to operate until the closing of the factory in 1998.
51 Herriott – The Code Mill is actually a collage of five different buildings dating from 1842. T.A. Code moved to Perth in 1876, and bought this property by 1883. Code spent 60 years in business in Perth. The business started with a contract to supply the North West Mounted Police with socks, and continued for many years manufacturing felt for both industrial and commercial uses.
Code Felt Co today– Click here..
In the 1883, Mr. T. A. Code established Codes Custom Wool Mill with a range of processes, including: carding, spinning, fulling, shearing, pressing, and coloring of yarns. In 1896, its name was changed to the Tay Knitting Mill, and it produced yarn, hosiery, socks, gloves, sporting-goods, sweaters, and mitts. Another change came in 1899, when a felt-making process was introduced and the mill was renamed Code Felt. The company continued to operate until the closing of the factory in 1998. The following year, John Stewart began a major restoration and introduced new uses for this landmark. This impressive limestone complex with its central atrium now has an interesting mix of commercial tenants.-Perth Remembered
How did I get this?
I purchased this journal online from a dealer in California. I made every attempt to make sure the journal came back to its rightful location. Every day I will be putting up a new page so its contents are available to anyone. It is a well worn journal full of glued letters and newspaper clippings which I think belonged to Code’s son Allan at one point. Yes there is lots of genealogy in this journal. I am going to document it page by page. This journal was all handwritten and hand typed. Read-More Local Treasure Than Pirate’s Booty on Treasure Island
How did it get into the United States? The book definitely belonged to Allan Code and he died in Ohio in 1969.
Allan Leslie Code
1896–1969 — BIRTH 27 MAR 1896 • Ontario—DEATH JUN 1969 • Mentor, Lake, Ohio, USA
Andrew Haydon–He was the author of Pioneer Sketches of The District of Bathurst (Lanark and Renfrew Counties, Ontario) (The Ryerson Press, 1925) and Mackenzie King and the Liberal Party (Allen, 1930).
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.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)
The Original Thomas Alfred Code and Andrew Haydon Letters – —Part 1
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 2– Perth Mill
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 3– Genealogy Ennis
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 4a – Innisville the Beginning
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 4b – Innisville — Coopers and “Whipping the Cat” 1860-1870
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 4c – Innisville — Henry York and Johnny Code
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 4d – Innisville — “How We did Hoe it Down”!
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 4e – Innisville — ‘Neighbours Furnished one Another with Fire’
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 5- Code Family– “Hawthorn Mill was a Failure, and the Same Bad Luck has Followed for at Least 50 Years”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 6- Code Family– “Almost everything of an industry trial character had vanished in Innisville in 1882”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 7- Code Family–“Thank God, no member of my family has disgraced me or the name!
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 8- Code Family– “We got a wool sack and put him inside and took him to the bridge”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 9- Code Family –“I had much trouble in saving myself from becoming a first class liar”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 10- Code Family – I conjured to myself: “You will know me later!” And Peter McLaren did.
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 11- Code Family –“I continued with bull dog tenacity for 12 years without salary”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 12- Code Family–“Had I the course to go over again I would evade outside responsibilities beyond my share, even if it cost more”
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 13- Code Family–S. S. No. 17 Drummond, Innisville
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 14- Code Family–Letters from Mother Elizabeth Hicks
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 15- Code Family– Love and Runaway Marriages
The Thomas Alfred Code Journal – Letters-Part 16- Code Family-“The fish would shoot back and forth and at time hit their legs causing them to fall”
When Newspapers Gossiped–David Kerr Innisville
Kerr or Ennis? More about the Innisville Scoundrel
What Went Wrong with the Code Mill Fire in Innisville?
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