With files from The Keeper of the Scrapbooks — Christina ‘tina’ Camelon Buchanan — Thanks to Diane Juby— click here..
As they approached New Lanark they heard disturbing news of sickness and McDonald blamed the thick forests never hit by rays of the sun. In fact he wrote that he was basically appalled by the forests and its silence that he compared to a death like stillness only to change when they were agitated by storms. He was angry about the exertions required by the settlers in selecting their 100 acres, their distance from the markets and the impending fear of the dreaded Canadian Winter. Their was strangeness sensed and homesickness but eagerness to erect a shelter and clear land where the sun might shine. William Caldwell and James McIlrath in 1820 and their families forged ahead even though neither of them had wielded an axe.
About two miles north of Hopetown the road crosses the Little Clyde River on a fine modern bridge. In 1922 Mr. William M Gibson a local farmer brought a drive of logs down the stream during the Spring high waters. The Scottish pioneers have always called this area The Clachan (hamlet in Gaelic) as the beauty of the hills and rocks reminded them of their Scottish homeland. William Caldwell and James McIlrath both settled on either side of the third concession of Lanark and Caldwell named his new home “The Clachan” and they toiled over small fields of wheat and potatoes among the stumps.
William Caldwell and his wife Margaret McCallum, grandparents of the late T. B. Caldwell, a prominent resident of Lanark Village settled here as well as James McIlraith and his wife Euphemia Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Currie of the south corner of Brightside as well as three families from the Stewart clan were residents at the Clatchan.
In 1904 William Smith who owned the farm which the little Clyde passed through died. At the age of 70 William had been ill for ten days and having no relatives to care for him, his last moments were attended by his neighbours who gave him what help they could.
The funeral was held at the Brightside church and interment followed in a private burial plot on the Smith property beside a drooping elm tree ( Lot 25, Con. 3 Lanark County) next to his late sister Mary. Willie left the residue of his estate ( several hundred dollars) to the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Society. His mode of life was not what most people would have wanted. He lived in a wee dark house where the only source of ventilation was when the front door was open. He lived alone for years and it was only when the neighbours were moved to do something that his home took on a look of freshness. Willie lives in a world all his own and the passers by often stopped by at the dark smoky place to have a chat with Willie. Willie’s world consisted of grand and great projects and the old man would tell anyone who listened of his proposed schemes that never happened.
When the highway was built the road in this area was straightened and now on the road that was once travelled new homes were built and the families are taking part in community affairs and are the present residents of the “Clachan”.
With files from The Keeper of the Scrapbooks — Christina ‘tina’ Camelon Buchanan — Thanks to Diane Juby— click here..
| Name: | William Smith |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 79 |
| Birth Date: | abt 1825 |
| Birth Place: | Ramsay, Ontario |
| Death Date: | 4 May 1904 |
| Death Place: | Lanark, Ontario, Canada |
| Religion: | Presbyterian |
| Cause of Death: | Heart Failure |
| Name: | William Smith |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Marriage Date: | 20 Mar 1849 |
| Marriage Place: | Canada, Bathurst, Ontario |
| Spouse: | Jane Scobie |
This is log building which has been covered by siding. Recently the old building was taken down piece by piece and the foundation was repaired and the log building was re-erected and covered with white vinyl siding. The interior of the house has been retained as it was originally. Rootsweb
William Smith Family Cemetery
County/District/Region: Lanark County Historical Township: Lanark Current Municipality: Lanark Highlands Lot: 25 W Concession: 3 Transcription Status: Report 1994 Registration Status: Not Registered Additional Notes: 2 graves…The Ontario Genealogical Society
OGS Cemeteries — click here
The Little Clyde River is a river in the municipality of Lanark Highlands, Lanark County in EasternOntario, Canada.[1] It is in the Saint Lawrence Riverdrainage basin, is a right tributary of the Clyde River, and was named after the River Clyde in Scotland.
The Little Clyde River begins at the outflow from Tate Lake in geographic Dalhousie Township.[2] It flows east, then turns northeast, passes the community of Poland, enters geographic Lanark Township,[3] and reaches its mouth at the Clyde River. The Clyde River flows via the Mississippi River and the Ottawa River to the Saint Lawrence River.
Canoe Journeys – #11 Riven Lake and the Little Clyde River
Riven Lake and the Little Clyde River
#11 (Lanark Highlands)
This is a cute, easy paddle providing there is enough water in the river. All through the area, you will hear and see alder flycatchers plus many more bird species.
How To Get There: From Perth take County Rd. 511 past Hopetown and next left past County Rd. 16 at Lammermoor Rd. From Ottawa take Hwy. 7 past Carleton Place to County Rd. 15 to Lanark Village and County Rd. 511, then north to Lammermoor Rd. The Launch Site: 1/2 km on Lammermoor to double culverts. This is Little Clyde River.
The Paddle: Upriver as far as you can go (subject to beaver dams). For entrance to Rivens Lake, keep right. Small lake interesting to ircumnavigate. Good picnic area on rocky bluff. For downriver, go through the culvert at launch site.
Watch For: Nesting alder flycatchers and other marsh species. Portage beaver dams with caution. Downriver may be plugged at culverts.
Seasonal Information: River best in spring and early summer.
It was early June when we did this trip and there was plenty of water. In dryer times, you might find the river blocked in a few places by beavers. Depending upon your confidence, you can get over these dams easily and continue. Enjoy.
Related reading
You Give me a Fever— Settler Swamp Fever
With files from The Keeper of the Scrapbooks — Christina ‘tina’ Camelon Buchanan — Thanks to Diane Juby— click here..
lindaseccaspina 