Brice McNeely, a Tannery and Eggs Benedict

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
17 Jun 1989, Sat  •  Page 109

Here in Carleton Place can park their cars and eat great food, including breakfast, beside the Mississippi River. The building was constructed in 1861, although a tannery was first operated on the site in 1852.

Joe Scott took a poor calf skin to Brice McNeely who had a tannery on the banks of the Mississippi on Bell Street and asked what he was paying for hides. Brice told him 60 cents each with ten cents off for every hole in the hide.

“You’d better take it, Mr. McNeely, and I think I owe you something for it,” was the startled reply from J. Scott as Brice looked at the hide with more holes than Swiss Cheese.

Carleton Place Herald 1900

Farmers may have driven their animals to Carleton Place, where John Murdoch’s tannery at “Morphy’s Ford” turned hides into leather. It’s now The Gastro Pub, still with the beautiful patio.

Brice McNeely bought the business in 1860 and left the building to his son, who turned it into a summer home at the turn of the century. It first became a restaurant in 1981, and a dining lounge was built from a local log barn. The lounge is named “Henry’s” after a friendly ghost who’s rumoured to haunt the premises. Now it is called The Waterfront Gastro Pub

12 Bell Street (0.08 mi)
Carleton Place, ON, Canada K7C 1V9-(613) 257-5755

Read more about the history of Brice McNeely here:

You Would Never Find Warm Leatherette at the Local Carleton Place Tannery

The Moore Legacy — Frances Moore — Genealogy

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 3

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 1 and 2

The Carleton Place House with the Coffin Door

“This day twenty years ago I came to Carleton Place, near the close of the Civil War.  At that time property was of little value.  I took charge of the railway station as station master.  The only industries in the place were the grist mill, run by Mr. Bolton, Allan McDonald’s carding mill, Brice McNeely’s tannery and the saw mill run by Robert Gray, with one circular saw.  David Findlay’s foundry was just starting.

The lead mines were about closing down then.  Twenty years ago it may be said there was no such thing as employment here for anyone and, strange as it seems, no one seemed to wish for work.  Their wants were few, and those wants seemed to be soon supplied.–George Lowe, a seventy year old resident of Carleton Place: (July 1884)

Ad from Carleton Place newspaper 1873 from .. Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Brice McNeely’s tannery is one of the oldest in this part of the country. The proprietor manufactures leather of various kinds and is one of our substantial steady and increasingly prosperous men, with considerable real estate. John F. Cram, whose large wool-pulling establishment is well known in this section, manipulates a vast amount of sheep pelts in a year, his premises being one of the most extensive in Eastern Ontario. He also manufactures russet leather.

Did you know the library used to be in the town hall and Brice McNeely Jr was not only the superintendent for the St James Sunday School but also the town librarian. He picked out the books for you to read and you had no choice in the matter and had to take what was given to you.

Ottawa Daily Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
25 Feb 1896, Tue  •  Page 5

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
04 Jul 1903, Sat  •  Page 6

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
26 Dec 1942, Sat  •  Page 12

Carleton Place Library 110th Anniversary — Comments About the Old Library

 

Clipped from

1. The Ottawa Journal,
2. 03 Nov 1956, Sat,
5.  In January of 1969 The Carleton Place Library was seeking acquisition of Victoria School to establish a new library. The present location that they were using at the town hall was inadequate especially with the increased use of the library. What do you remember about the library at the town hall?

 

Ray Paquette I remember a smell, not necessarily foul, more musty and dusty. It was quite warm in the winter, When you entered, immediately to the left was a long table piled high with children’s books, including my personal favourite, “Paddle-to-the-Sea”. Periodicals and newspapers were kept on tables with chairs in front of the adult stacks, ahead and to the right. Miss Elliott, the librarian, sat at a desk behind a quarter wall and it was here you brought your books, a maximum of three, to be signed out, again for a maximum of three weeks. Every book was stamped with a due date and woe betide you if you were overdue! Behind the desk to the right was a small room which held a number of reference and historical books. In the late 40’s and early 50’s, like a number of my friends, I was fascinated by the recently ended war and, particularly, the Air Force part of it. When I was deemed old enough, perhaps eleven or twelve, Miss Elliott allowed me to borrow books from this area. I can remember a number of the titles, such as “Reach for the Sky” by Douglas Bader, the legless fighter pilot, “Cheshire, VC” by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire. Despite the totally unsuitable facility, a “make do” location, the Librarian, Miss Elliott, ably assisted by Mrs. Barbara Walsh did a a magnificent job and fostered a love of reading in me which I have retained to this day….

Lynne Johnson I loved the books, the windows, the smells, the wood, the walk up the stairs, getting the books stamped. There was a young woman who worked there who had limited use of one arm. She could open the book to the back and stamp the card with the due date with one arm. Very able and skilled. I still have very warm memories whenever I walk in to that building.

Ann Stearns Rawson Charlene Law’s dad would take us to the library. We took out as many books as possible every time. Loved having my library card stamped. Funny what one remembers fondly.

Sandra Rattray I practically lived there. As soon as I walked in Miss Elliott would put her finger to her lips.

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston You had to be a certain age to borrow more than 1 book at a time – I remember graduating to 3. I also remember the “evil eye” of Miss Elliot when you were late. Ray, funny that smell is the first thing that pops into my mind when I think of that place.

Ray Paquette I think it might have been the dust on the old radiators of the heating system…

Wendy LeBlanc Wonderful memories. Best friend Peggy Mace and I read all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, and we loved a series of kids’ craft books that used common household items like string and newspapers or shoeboxes. We visited the library weekly and were thrilled when we were old enough to go in the evening.

Joann Voyce I started borrowing books from there when I was 8 or 9 years old as my Grandmother Voyce gave me the book Heidi for my birthday. I read every book they had for young girls and have never stopped reading. Now I read daily from the Library on line.

Nancy Hudson One of my favourite haunts as a youngster. Miss Elliott ran a tight ship absolutely NO TALKING. Ray pretty much described it to a tee in his posting above. I developed a lifelong love of reading because of this place.

Norma Rotzal Spend many hours at the library. Reading, using the encyclopedias for school work. Still love having a book in my hand for reading.

 

Did you know the library used to be in the town hall and Brice McNeely Jr was not only the superintendent for the St James Sunday School but also the town librarian. He picked out the books for you to read and you had no choice in the matter and had to take what was given to you.
Photo-Tom Edwards

Clipped from

1. Ottawa Daily Citizen,
2. 16 Dec 1895, Mon,
3. Page 8

 

 

Janice Tennant Campbell I went there all the time.

Donna Zeman I remember that! Thanks for bringing back that memory!

Sylvia Giles I went there every Thursday night when my Mom was getting her hair done at Marg and Don’s! Great memories!!!

Valerie Edwards I remember it well. Miss Elliot, at the big desk. the benches right under the shelves, or you could use them as steps to reach the top shelves. The Reading Room with the atlases &. There was or is a painting of part of it at the present Library right at the desk. It was a pleasant, peaceful & safe place.

 

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 and The Tales of Almonte

1. Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun  Screamin’ Mamas (USA)  and The Sherbrooke Record

   

The Lanark Library and Florence Bowes

1. Did You Know About the Rules of the Dalhousie Library? 1828 –The Library Pioneers

   Did You Know? The Oldest Library in Lanark County

   Regina Public Library Needs Our Help– James McFarlane Fergusson

   What If Books Were Banned in the Carleton Place Library? It’s Banned Book Week!

Donald Munro Wool Puller

 

File:Stamp Canada 1900

 

 

Brice McNeely’s tannery is one of the oldest in this part of the country. The proprietor manufactures leather of various kinds and is one of our substantial steady and increasingly prosperous men, with considerable real estate. John F. Cram, whose large wool-pulling establishment is well known in this section, manipulates a vast amount of sheep pelts in a year, his premises being one of the most extensive in Eastern Ontario. He also manufactures russet leather.

Donald Munro, having severed connection with the other large wool-pulling establishment in which he was a partner and started in the same business on his own account, has by untiring perseverance and good equipment worked up a remunerative business.

So what was a wool puller?

Job Description:

1) Removes wool from sheep pelts and sorts wool into bins: Holds pelt against angled table and pulls wool from pelt.

2) Examines and grades wool according to color, texture, and length.

3) Places wool in designated containers.

4) Scrapes remaining wool from pelt, using scraping stick.

5) Cuts off brand marks and wool around head and feet with shears.

6) Places stripped pelts on racks or truck.

7) May grade pelts before pulling.

 

 

Clipped from Democrat and Chronicle,  02 Feb 1874, Mon,  Page 4

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  02 Nov 1937, Tue,  Page 3

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ 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.

 

You Would Never Find Warm Leatherette at the Local Carleton Place Tannery

Past Parables of the Penman Woollen Mill

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place– Wooly Bully!!!! Part 6

So How Much Time Do You Get for Stealing Wool?

Before The Carleton Place Mews?

Carleton Place Wins Prizes for their Wool!

“Wear Your Woolens Ladies” — says The Carleton Place Canadian

 

 

Dream a Little Dream About the Hemlock Tree

 

The Hemlock is a tree who, due to her longevity,  holds our histories and stories. The logging industry stimulated economic development in the 19th century, with white pine logs exported to Europe. Local forests were depleted of hemlock to provide bark for the leather tanning industry. The bark of eastern hemlock is rich in tannin and was once one of the main commercial sources for the leather industry.

Unfortunately, trees were often stripped of their bark and left to rot. Brice McNeely from the Carleton Place Tannery was always on the outlook for Hemlock bark. Now they use Chromium(III) sulfate to process the hides.

Ad from Carleton Place newspaper 1873 from .. Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

 

 

Canadian Bark Works

The company started its operation in 1868 by a group of business men of Perth including Thomas Aspden, Alexander Morris, William J. Morris, Captain John Manion, John S Hart and a Boston Company. Located on Lot 2, Concession 3 of the Bathurst Township, the northern shore of Christie Lake on Gravely Bay was chosen as the location for the mill because it was thought there would be an adequate amount of hemlock trees to sustain business. The mill extracted tannin from hemlock bark, which was used in leather tanning. The tannin was exported as well as used locally at a tannery in Perth. The company closed in 1874, citing a lack of hemlock in the area.

Related reading: Did you know our Hackberry grove on Mill Street is quite possibly 5000 years old?

 

The Carleton Place House with the Coffin Door

 Bell House 1971

A pioneer stone home sits on High Street that dates back to the 1830’s has been home to families whose names are still well known in the Ottawa Valley. The first owner was John Bell (son of Rev. William Bell) who opened a general store in 1829 with his brother Robert.

The stone house was built shortly after the Bell’s arrival by Henry Wilson who was also responsible for homes that were once owned by Howard Dack and Mrs. John A McCarten. In the 1970’s Mrs. Loosemore delighted in the continued restoration of the stone home says her grandfather Tanner Brice McNeely bought it from Sam Price. Brice McNeely operated the tannery which is still standing on Bell Street. As his daughters married, it was his custom to give them a house. This particular house was bequeathed to Jane who had married Stewart B Houston. She lived in it from 1928 until her death in 1942.

It was then rented by the Houston family until 1961 when Mrs. Loosemore and her sister Mrs. James C Gardiner inherited it and began tor restore it. Behind the jagged stone wall lies a door that is unique and is called a *coffin door. The other doors in the home called Cathedral or Bible paneled leading to the main door were too small to manoeuvre large furniture or a coffin. Hence the door with three closed panels at the bottom and three narrow glass inset at the top was called a coffin door.

*Before embalming was commonplace, you did NOT want to tilt a loaded coffin upright. Ever.So coffin doors made it easy to slide those suckers out. Sometimes coffin doors led to a parlor, sometimes (as in this case), they led outside, probably to a wagon for the graveyard. Not infrequently, coffin doors were double, with an exterior door and an interior one that was often used as a carrying platform and also a tabletop “stage” for viewing. Terrible to say, but the installations of these doors were expensive, but sadly, it eventually paid for itself.

In coffin related reading. This is a story by my friend John Manchester whose William Manchester wrote The Death of a President. His father instructed that his children were to build his coffin upon his death. Miss you John and Judy.

Building my Father’s Coffin.

 

Carleton Place Girl–I grew up right next door and during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s this house was inhabited by Leita Andison and her mother. Mrs Andison died there and her funeral was held in the living room with the casket in front of the lovely stone fireplace.

You Would Never Find Warm Leatherette at the Local Carleton Place Tannery

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 27 Oct 1979

McNeely Tannery

Address: 12 Bell Street Carleton Place, Ontario

In 1861, Brice McNeely established a tannery in a simple stone building on the north shore of the Missisippi River. Mr. McNeely continued to run the tannery for 40 years.

Bell Street even century ago had some twenty five buildings scattered along its present four blocks. William Street already had a similar number. The section from Bell Street north to the Town Line Road, as the first subdivision of the future town, had most of its streets laid out as at present, but north of William Street they held in all only five or six houses.

The block of Bell Street next to Bridge Street was the second early business section of the town. The first business there had been started about thirty-five years before this time by Robert Bell, together with his elder brother John and assisted for some years by his younger brother James, sons of the Rev. William Bell of Perth.

On the south side of this Bell Street block were several shops with living quarters, including buildings owned by Mrs. Morphy and William Muirhead. Down by the river side was an old tannery, once owned and possibly built in 1825 by Robert Bell. It had been owned for some years by William Morphy junior and was bought in 1861 by Brice McNeely, who built the present stone building there where he continued a leather tanning business for forty years or more. Local forests were depleted of hemlock to provide bark for the leather tanning industry

Brice McNeely’s tannery was one of the oldest in this part of the country. McNeely manufactured leather of various kinds and he was one of the town’s substantial steady and prosperous men, with considerable real estate. Brice ended up buying the house with the coffin door on High Street. More on that home this week. He was also one of the founding members of the Carleton Place Masonic Lodge when he began correspondence with Johnston Neilson of St. Frances Lodge in Smiths Falls.

The fonds at the Archives of Ontario still contains the financial records from the Carleton Tannery. Included are ledgers noting financial transactions by client, between 1861-1901 and 1881; and four daybooks noting daily financial transactions, from 1861-1904. The fonds also contains a record of hides tanned from 1863 to 1894, which notes the name of the client who wanted tanning, the items tanned, and the date.

These records were donated to the Archives of Ontario by Henry Stanley of Nepean in 1984.

Brice ‘Tanner’ McNeely b: June 14, 1831 in Beckwith Twp.,
Ontario d: March 09, 1920 in Ramsay Twp., Ontario Burial: St. Fillan’s, United Cemeteries,
His wife, Mary McDowell.
Brice Jr.
Wm. McD. McNeely.
Elizabeth McNeely.

Photo of Bell Street in Carleton Place by The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Bell Street heading towards Bridge Street c.1870. The photograph features some of our first hotels in Carleton Place!
On Bridge Street facing the camera is the “Waterloo Hotel”, which was built in the late 1830s for innkeepers Robert and James Bell. Napoleon Lavellee took over in 1846, later renaming it the “Carleton House Hotel” after building a third floor in 1856. He operated until 1870. It was then renamed the “Leland Hotel” by Peter Salter in 1900. Finally in 1904 Michael Doyle operated the hotel and his son, Leo, took over in 1916.
On the right side of the street is “McCaffrey’s Hotel”, operated by Absolam McCaffrey from 1863 to 1870.

 

Obit.— Mrs. Brice McNeely, sen. On Wednesday afternoon last Mrs. Brice McNeely, sen., passed peacefully to rest at the family home in Ramsay, at the ripe old age of 82 years. The deceased lady was bora at Raboo, Ireland, July 31, 1837, her maiden name being Mary McDowell, daughter of James and Mary McDowell. She was educated in the national and church schools and when 20 years or age met her future husband in the person of Mr- Brice McNeely, who in. 1857 paid a visit to the home of his fathers in the old land and met his fate. On July 14th of that year -they were married’-and came to America, settling first in the United States, where they lived for four years, coming to Canada in 1861 and settling at Carleton Place, where for many years Mr. MpNeely conducted successfully a tanning’ business, and where most of their children, eleven in all, were born and educated, the family moving out to Ramsay some few years ago after the children were scattered. Eight of the children survive, three sons and five daughters. The sons are James Brice and William : the daughters Mrs. J. B.’ Houston, Mrs. Thos. James, Mrs. John Tait (Portland, Wash.), Mrs. Major Hooper and Miss Elizabeth at home. She was a conscientious member of the Anglican faith and a regular attendant at St. James church, especially at the early services, being of a very retired and reserved disposition. In July, 1907, the aged couple celebrated their golden wedding, and in 1917 their diamond anniversary, and one of the proudest moments of ‘her life was when she marked her first ballot at the last Dominion election, being then 80 years of age. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon last to St. Fillan’s cemetery, and was very largely attended, Rev. Canon Elliott conducted the services.— Herald.