Meanwhile Back in 1846.. Classified and an Immigrant Story

The Montreal Evening Star says a few days ago an emmigant ship arrived in Quebec port and the Captain was guilty of many cruelties. The vessel was 65 days from Liverpool and her provisions failed, sickness was on board and 20 people had died. If it had not been for the few passengers on board that helped, everyone would have died. The Captain would not allow water to be drawn from the sea for the passengers to wash their utensils with.When a pail was drawn up he lashed the passengers that did it with a rope. He was continually inflicting blows with a ropes end or his fist.

The steerage passengers numbering over 100 dared not come on deck. The stench was horrific. The scurvy pevailed, 40 were attacked with it and died. A dying man contrived to get to the tank for some water; the Captain saw him kicked him away from it and the poor wretch died two afters later. The sailors were told to roll up the body and pitch it over the side.

The stewart was brutally struck by the mate, and when a passenger called the attention of the captain to it, he assisted the mate, and when but for the passengers presenting pistols, the poor wretch would have been killed. He was given $50 to say nothing about it and is now in the hospital. An inquest has been called to examine the fact. If half these outrages were committed, the names of this ship and its brutal Captain should be known. If no other punishment is inflicted upon him the community should have the satisfaction of knowing who the monster is so he may never command a ship again!

Perth Courier December 1846

Ship Arrivals at the Ports of Montreal and Quebec, 1846 CLICK….

Read-A. R. G Peden Town Clerk – Adin Daigle

Photo- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum- Read The Napoleon of Carleton Place

Read-Doctors Of Carleton Place You Might not Have Met

All Clippings 1846 and 1847 Perth Courier….

Carleton Place 1846–Only 6 Single Men in Town

A Tale of Immigrants — John Davies

Irish Immigrant Girls Were in Demand Despite Hard Times

Early Trains Were Thought to Make Women’s Uteruses Fly Out

The Man Without a Country

Lanark County 101 — It Began with Rocks, Trees, and Swamps

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

It Wasn’t the Sloop John B — Do’s and Don’t in an Immigrant Ship -Part 2

Riders on the Storm– Journey to Lanark County — Part 3

ROCKIN’ Cholera On the Trek to the New World — Part 4

Rolling down the Rapids –Journey to Lanark Part 5

You Give me a Fever— Settler Swamp Fever

Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

 

The settlers thought the worst of their journey was over when they reached Prescott and the only documented of this nightmare journey into the Lanark County bush is solely in an archived pamphlet #854 written by John McDonald.  He described the hardships of that weary road as the settlers had already been weakened by the long trip across “the pond”.

When they reached Prescott their future travelling arrangements broke down and instead of staying together but, all the four ships arrived together causing considerable congestion and confusion.  (Earl of Buckinghamshire, George Canning, Commerce, and David of London) Their bodies were beginning to feel the effects of their rough journey so some laid out in the fields upon arrival. Many were afflicted with the bloody flux and some had fevers and died after a few days illness.

They quickly got sick from the intense summer heat and having to drink river water. The nights in the open often in wet blankets also contributed to their sicknesses. Cholera and malaria developed quickly with the aid of the swarms of mosquitoes they  encountered through the many swamps they trudged through.

They stayed in Prescott another three weeks, and at that point half of the passengers  of the David of London (about 500) took its turn to gather all their  luggage and make the 74 mile trek to New Lanark. Each society had to wait its turn to leave and the sickness made things worse and delayed the treks.

McDonald’s party only travelled 6 miles the first day before stopping at an inn and sleeping on the floor. At daybreak they were on their way to Brockville where they had breakfast. After a short break they made their way north on what is now Highway 29 and struck back through the country. As  our Lanark County settlers travelled on the Old Perth Road were stretches of swamps and marshes. It was the only way out for the 1800 emigrants for them travelling from Prescott in 1821.What now takes an hour to journey took 3 days as the wagons full of women and children overturned and got stuck in the mire. Many were injured and one boy was killed. In the evening they stopped and slept in barns as the settlers were afraid of the snakes having seen many on the road.

 

Miss Caldwell of Lanark June 1881

 

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 and their families forged ahead even though neither of them had wielded an axe. They 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.

 

Lower Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association

 

Ship Arrivals at the Port of Quebec, 1821

The following arrivals were extracted from the Montreal Gazette 1821. In 1821 the Montreal Gazette was a weekly publication. Additional information from the Quebec Mercurynote: if ships’ rigging or name of Master unpublished, it is indicated by — (The newspapers were filmed within their binding, making one side of some entries, unreadable, or only partly legible. This can lead to errors in the interpretation of the entry or missed entries. ) Be aware that there may be two or more ships of the same name, from the same, or different ports, during the same year. A few ships also made two trips in 1821.

CLICK HERE

 

 

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.

Sad Memories of the Waifs and Strays Society

Lanark County 101 — It Began with Rocks, Trees, and Swamps

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

It Wasn’t the Sloop John B — Do’s and Don’t in an Immigrant Ship -Part 2

Riders on the Storm– Journey to Lanark County — Part 3

ROCKIN’ Cholera On the Trek to the New World — Part 4

Rolling down the Rapids –Journey to Lanark Part 5

What Did British Immigrants Spend When They First Came to Canada?

Just a Field of Stones Now? “The Old Perth Burying Ground” Now on Ontario Abandoned Places?

 

Friday October the 13th– 6:30.. meet in front of the old Leland Hotel on Bridge Street (Scott Reid’s office) and enjoy a one hour Bridge Street walk with stories of murder mayhem and Believe it or Not!!. Some tales might not be appropriate for young ears. FREE!–

 

They Built this Township on….

 

 

It’s hard being human, and our greatest weakness is sometimes spent in giving up– even though the most certain way to succeed is to keep trying. I had to reintroduce myself to a pen, which became my new stage of opportunity and strength, not being allowed to have my laptop in the hospital when I had my heart attacks. Actually it was the only option left for me, and most certainly the regular opportunities were kept away from me for health reasons.

The last time I wrote by hand was when we lost power a year ago in Lanark County and a loving tribute to the late Marvin MacPherson was composed by pen under the sole light of what was left in my solarium. We know that stress is one of the most underrated of all heart disease factors and I have no idea how I would have coped among the first Beckwith settlers and the different stress factors they encountered when they came to Lanark County.

In judging the healing of my poor old heart and those that got off a ship anticipating sunshine, flowers, and lollipops I think we both underestimated what would lay before us. They literally got screwed, and I’m going to be if I don’t smarten up. Trust me, there is no other way for me to put it into words other than being frank for the both of us.

We both wandered through towering trees where we couldn’t seem to see the sky and lost our footing in the thick murky swamps. The only difference between us is that some of those poor Beckwith settlers only got 35 acres out of 100, and I got the full 100. Imagine if they had been given a full chance like I had been given in life.

The main reason that these Beckwith settlers survived was because of their fortitude and ultra conservatism (that word was Glenn Lockwood’s not mine). We eclectic folks would not have stood a chance in those days as we are more interested in words and decorating than building up a strong base. The first settlers received no rich soil like their Upper Canada counterparts – only ground with stone patches greeted them and those conditions carried on for years. Even in the 1940’s local children coming home from school were still instructed to pick up a rock or two to clear the land. One only has to drive through the back farm roads to see piles of rock scattered throughout the area to understand the magnitude. It was necessary for these emigrants to change their awareness of what they thought life would be and realize each day was going to be a struggle from now on– like myself.

In spite of all the issues they spoke about Beckwith Township becoming a powerhouse solely for the reason that it was named after Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith (1772-1831) who was at that time a Canadian rockstar. But, did he really have their best interests at heart, or was it just the undercurrents of “a foot race” to see which township could become the best? In the end who really ended up picking the right door to great wealth and prizes?

Settlers really didn’t win with all their hardships, the Indians lost big time and who really wins after what is called ‘an event’ – medical or physical? In the end, as with anything, it was nothing but: a lot of vocabulary, (‘c’mon folks let’s keep that loving feeling’ ) and make sure those rogue fighting Americans huddling in the woods near Brockville stay away.

Roads began to be built and squabbles about Franktown re: name changes etc. similar to Almonte began the daily rounds. The residents and powers to be finally got it through their heads that the Jock River was no hub for mills, and as with anything else, the new up and coming settlement of Morphy Falls (Carleton Place) was the place to be seen and heard.

By 1840 Franktown consisted of less than a dozen homes and Morphy Falls was on the way to be coming what Franktown had wanted to become. They say that great things come to those that work hard, and like fighting heart disease; these settlers came, raised hell, and spread awareness of who they were. They proved they were intelligent, capable and they stayed strong–no matter what the challenge. The Beckwith settlers kept their heads and their heart strong… like I will try too–because..

They built this township

They built Beckwith Township on rock…. and roll.

 

 

 

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.

 

Lanark County Genealogical Society Beckwith or Bust Bus Tour “Sing a Long”

Taming of the Beckwith Shrew?

History Still Lives on at The McEwen House in Beckwith

The House of Daughters –Stonecroft House

Update on The Manse in Beckwith

The Manse on the 7th Line of Beckwith

What Was it Like Living in Beckwith 1800s? Christina McEwen Muirhead

Christena McEwen– The Belle of Beckwith Part 1 -“The Woodcocks”

Peter Cram of Beckwith Perth and High Street in Carleton Place

Beckwith One Room Schools– Leona Kidd

Beckwith 1820 Census Lanark County–Who Do You Know?

The Beckwith Highlanders and “Humpy Billy” Moore

So Where is that Gnarled Oak in Beckwith?

“Teachester” Munro and the S.S. No. 9 Beckwith 11th Line East School

John Goth–Tales of Beckwith Township

Beckwith –Settlers — Sir Robert the Bruce— and Migrating Turtles

What I Did on Beckwith Heritage Days – Alexander Stewart – Ballygiblin Heroe

The Now Complete Page Turning Story of the Beckwith Grandfather Clock

Update on The Manse in Beckwith

The Manse on the 7th Line of Beckwith

Home and Garden Before Home and Garden Magazine

Desperately Seeking Information About the “Beckwith Copperhead Road”

Hobo’s and Tragedies in Beckwith

Found on a Hill in Beckwith – Country Roads Take Me Home

 

 

 

Plans For the Lanark County Townships, 1827, with Names Names Names

Perth Courier, Sept. 22, 1933

Plan of Lanark Village and other Townships, 1827, with names

 

(Donated to the Perth Museum by T. Arthur Rogers of Perth)  This plan, dated Surveyor General’s Office, Toronto, June, (year illegible), and is signed by John Macaulay, Surveyor General.  The names of the east and west (approximate) streets were Argyle, Prince, George, York and Canning while Hillier, Clarence, and Owen ran at right angles to these.  Most of the lots had the names of the owner written thereon and the dates on which the patents had been issued.  James Mair was at that time the largest property owner with 14 lots in his name while William Mair was down for one.  These were all dated July and August, 1845.

John Hall, Esq., had five lots (1843-44-45); J.R. Gemmell, one, 1844; Jas. McLaren, one 1845 and the Baptist Society with two lots (date illegible).  The Caldwells do not appear to have yet arrived on the scene but in 1830(?) Boyd Caldwell and Co. founded the woolen mill which was the principal support of the village during the succeeding half century.

Set of Maps or Plans of the Townships of Lanark County, with the exception of Dalhousie, Ramsay, Beckwith and North Sherbrooke which are missing.  Like the plan of Lanark Village, the names of the then owners and dates on which they had been granted are inscribed on the occupied lands.  Some mention of these names may be of interest to descendents of these pioneers many of whom are living on the original locations.  For this purpose each township will be taken in its turn.

 

 

www.bytown.net… Map of Drummond Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada, in 1879

Drummond

On the first concession we find the names of such well known pioneers as Dr. Thom, A. Fraser, J.T. and R.(?) James, Nathaniel and William Stedman, J. Hand and James Bell.  On the 2^nd Concession (the part within the town of Perth)—Col. Taylor, Capt. Marshall, Greenly, Harris, Malloch, and Haggart and going eastward C.H. Sache, Henry J.T.&R, William StedmanR.(?) or N.(?) James and Thomas Hands (1855)  On Concession 3—R. Greenel, B. Glen, James and W. Morris, Sutton Frisell, J. McPhail, John Tatlock (1851), T. Doyle, Michael and John Foy (1853).  On Concession 4 Thomas Poole, J. Richmond, J. King (view the 1830(?) grant of the east half of Lot 12 in the museum), W. Morris, Hon. R. Matheson, T.M. Radenhurst.  On Concession 5 Martin Doyle (1853(?)), G. Richmond, Charles Devlin.  On Concession 6, D. Macnee, D. Campbell, P. Campbell, T. Bothwell, W. Thompson, and James Codd (Code).  On Concession 7, D. Campbell, F. McIntyre, T. Whyte, P. Campbell (Beech Groove Lot 6, birth place of Archibald Campbell, Sr., and now owned by the Carr-Thompson family), McGarry, W. Shaw, J.&D. McLaren.  Concession 8, J. Balderson (of Balderson’s Corners), T.&J. Richardson, W. Fraser, T.&W. Stedman, W., M.J. & G. Gould, J. McLenaghan, and P. Sinclair.  Concession 9(?) (paper shows “IV” must be misprint) J. McIntyre, C. Campbell, J&W. Tullis, P. McIntyre, P. McTavish, (initial illegible) and N. McLanaghan, D. & J. Robertson.  Concession 10(?) J. Campbell, J. Cuthbertson, W. & J. McIlquham.  Concession 11 J. McIlquham, R. Matheson, Esq. (1846?)  Concession 12 L. Drysdale (1845?), Hon. Malcolm Cameron (East(?) Lot 9, Concession 12 and west ½(?) Lot 13, all dated 1845 and north of the Mississippi River)

 

 

 

RootsWeb – Ancestry.com Bathurst Twp.

 

Bathurst Township

Concession 1(?) (West to East along the Scotch Line) Robert Boarnes(?), Anthony Katz, John & William Ritchie, James and John Bryce, Thomas McLean, S.(?) Wilson, heir of George Wilson, A. & James Fraser, Alexander Dodds, Jas. Boarnes(?), T. Cuddie, Francis Allan, William Old, t. Consitt, John Adams, Jas. Allan.

Captain Adams owned Lot 21 (1847) and west ½ of Lot 20 on Concession (number not listed) while Thomas Manion was on Lot 17, Concession 3(?)

1. Cameron, Esq., had the west ½ of Lot 13,Concession 5; John Doran had been granted Lot 1 on Concession 3(?) (at the west end of Bennett’s Lake) on July 4, 18?7) (Transcriber’s note, the third digit in the last date was illegible). W.A. Playfair owned lots 22 and 23 on Concession 12(?) and John P. Playfair got Lot 21, Concession 12 in 18?? (last two numbers illegible)./

Christies Lake was then called Myers Lake and its outlet to the Tay River.

 

Perth Historical Society

North Elmsley

The fourth concession south of Rideau Lake were still vacant.  J. McVeity was located on the north shore of Rideau Lake on Oct. 8, 1846.  Patrick King, ditto in the same year.  Thomas Dudgeon, ditto, 1850 and J. Beveridge the next year.  William Croskery and Rev. M. Harris each had a half lot on Lot 27, Concession 9 north of Otty Lake.  This place is inscribed “Surveyor General’s Office Kingston Jan. 11, 1844.  True copy, signed Thomas Parks”

 

www.bytown.net–Map of North Burgess Township, Ontario, Canada, in 1879

 

North Burgess

Prior to the “Irish Invasion” George McCullen(?) McCulloch(?) secured 87 acres at the west end of Otty Lake in 1845.  Alexander Cameron got the east half of Lot 5 Concession (number illegible) and the south portion of the west half of the same lot in 1849 and George Palmer obtained Lot 10, Concession (illegible) in 18??(illegible).  John Holliday, Sr., was down for the Clergy Lot 3(?) in the 9^th (?) Concession.  Between 1850(?) and 1859(?) the following Irish settlers arrived on the scene coming largely from the counties of Down and Armagh:  Messrs. James O’Connor, Pat Booker(?), Sam Chaffey, Pat Kelly, T. Donnelly, James Deacon, Thomas and William Ryan, Felix Bennett, Francis O’Hare, John Doran, Jas. Lappen, Bernard Farrell, Bernard Byrnes, Peter Power, Pat O’Neill, John Farry(?)Parry(?), Patrick McParland, Michael McNamee, M. Byrnes, Jas. Byrnes, John McVeigh.  Black Lake was then called Salmon Lake and its outlet was the Salmon River.  Hon. R. Matheson owned lots at both Otty and Rideau Lakes.  Dr. James Wilson held the east (?) half of Lot 2, Concession 2(?)3(?) (west side of Otty Lake), John Oatway had lot 23(?) 22(?) Concession 10 (1852(?)1862(?) and T.B. and William Scott secured land on the Upper Scotch Line in 18??(illegible).  However, about half the township was still open for settlement.

 

 

RootsWeb – Ancestry.com—-South Sherbrooke Twp.

South Sherbrooke

Hon. William Morris and Dr. Wilson owned Lots 18, 19, 20, on Concession 2(?) on the north shore of Myers (now Christies) Lake—the location of the Christie Lake Iron Mine.  And these two Perthites likewise held hundreds of acres of adjacent ground—probably to protect possible extensions of their iron deposits.  There were many Corry (or Korry), Deacon, and Elliott holders and Hon. R. Matheson, John Playfair, William Lees, and Thomas Brooke had sundry lots.

 

 

 

Lanark Township

Its principle feature is the River Clyde which intersects its western part from north to south.  Such names as James Mair (1845), G. Watt, John Close, Robert Robertson, Patrick McNaughton, Robert Craig, Jas. Rankin, Neil McCallum, Alexander Stewart, Alexander Yuill (1858(?)) and J.W. Anderson indicates its Scottish character.

Pakenham Township

About the middle of the last century the Dickson family appears to have been the largest land owners here.  Samuel Dickson is credited with 850 acres or more while Andrew Dickson (the third sheriff of the District of Bathurst) held 650 acres and Robert James and William Dickson some more.  The Hilliard and Combs(?) farms were also extensive holders as were James Wylie, William Wylie, Hon. William Morris, and James and Alexander Snedden (1858 and 1853).

Lavant Township

With the exception of the large holders probably in connection with lumbering operations of Boyd and Alexander Caldwell, William McKey and John Gillies, this township appears to have been practically unsettled during the 1850’s.

 

Darling Township

Like Lavant, this area seems to have been given up to lumbering operations, sundry lots being held by Messrs. James Gillies, and Peter McLaren (1856), Alexander Caldwell (1855), Robert Haley (1846(?)), C. Henry Bell (1856(?)) and M. Cameron.

 

 

www.bytown.net Map of Montague Township, Ontario, Canada, in 1879

Montague

Mostly vacant but Patrick Gilhuly had Lot 27, Concession 7 (1841) and J.G. Malloch owned part of Lot 27, Concession 3(?) (1856)

 

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 and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)

 

Just a Field of Stones Now? “The Old Perth Burying Ground” Now on Ontario Abandoned Places?

The Old Settlers Weren’t so Old After All

Some Cold Hard Facts- First Tailor in Ramsay and a Cow Without a Bell

Dear Lanark Era –Lanark Society Settlers Letter

Ramsay Settlers 101

Beckwith –Settlers — Sir Robert the Bruce— and Migrating Turtles

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF DALHOUSIE-Tina Penman, Middleville, Ont.

Lanark County 101 — It Began with Rocks, Trees, and Swamps

What Was Smiths Falls Perth and Port Elmsley like to Joseph and Jane Weekes?

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

It Wasn’t the Sloop John B — Do’s and Don’t in an Immigrant Ship -Part 2

Riders on the Storm– Journey to Lanark County — Part 3

ROCKIN’ Cholera On the Trek to the New World — Part 4

Rolling down the Rapids –Journey to Lanark Part 5

Can You Do the Lanark Trek? Starts Today!

When our settlers left home they thought their future home would be covered with grass with beautiful trees scattered about. Instead when they came the found rocks and forests and very few meadows that they had hoped for. Then there were the beavers that built large dams on the flowing rivers and that flooded and created beaver meadows which wasn’t good for growing anything.

Thanks to Norma Ford she sent me this.

SETTLERS TREK STARTS THIS SUNDAY – May 15, 2016 ==============================================
Patti Mordasewicz, Chair, Leeds & Grenville Branch For those of you within driving distance of eastern Ontario, there is a very special event starting on Sunday and ending on Friday May 20th.  A group of dedicated “trekkers” will be re-enacting the travel made by original settlers 200 years ago when they were assembled at Brockville, Ontario and walked, rode or traveled by water to what would become the town of Perth in Lanark County.

You can check out their travels at settlerstrek2016.ca as the participants move from Brockville through the towns, villages and hamlets of Lyn, Athens, Delta, Portland and Rideau Ferry, with their final destination of Perth always on the horizon.  If you’re in the neighbourhood, come out and say “hello”.

 

Join me as we follow them each day they post.

Related reading:

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

It Wasn’t the Sloop John B — Do’s and Don’t in an Immigrant Ship -Part 2

Riders on the Storm– Journey to Lanark County — Part 3

ROCKIN’ Cholera On the Trek to the New World — Part 4

Rolling down the Rapids –Journey to Lanark Part 5

Lanark County 101 — It Began with Rocks, Trees, and Swamps Part 6

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

During the Victorian years a series of immigrants arrived in significant numbers, above all the predominantly Catholic Irish. The 800,000 or so Irish moved from Ireland during the potato famine of the 1840s. Some came to Canada and found themselves living cheek by jowl with the equally poor Scottish and Canadian working classes.

Western Scotland in the early 1800’s suffered economic depression with stagnating trade, falling wages and a sharp rise in unemployment. Many were weavers who found themselves without jobs after the Napoleonic wartime demand disappeared.Soldiers returning home sought employment in a impoverished economy. Although many attempts were made, the economic distress soon escalated to public demonstrations. All this dissatisfaction led to the demand of emigration to Canada. In 1819 the first Scots petitioned the British Colonial Offices to emigrate to Upper Canada but were turned down. The reasoning was that paupers from the manufacturing areas were poor risks as settlers.

James and Margaret Watt- Carleton Place

Finally the British government allowed emigration to begin as they had no choice. It would reduce the number of unemployed in Scotland, and increase the proportion of British born-to American born which had been seriously reduced by the rapid rise of immigration to the USA following the American Revolution. And so began “Glasgow Committee for the Relief of the Industrious Poor” in 1820.

If you wanted to emigrate to Lanark County, the British government would pay only for your trip up river and over land from the port of Quebec City. You would also get a grand total of eight pounds, but that money would have to paid back over the course of ten years. The future residents of Lanark County would also get land grant, seed corn, tools.at cost. If you made it to Franktown, that is where the King’s Store was located to get your supplies. To pay for the sea voyage the monies were raised by public subscription or private charity.

In June of 1820– 852 people left bound for Lanark County, and in 1821 over 1800. After that it was decided by the Committee that no more applications should be received for charity, and from now on anyone wanting to emigrate would have to bear the full cost. That lovely trip included 84 days of  hanging out a lot below deck. But wait! In a 2 for 1 special you also got both land transportation from Quebec City and provisions thrown in for the one price.

On the the last free ship in 1823, the David of London carried 364 passengers and one of them was 22-year-old James Watt and his 18 year-old-wife Margaret whose son would one would day live in the house on Lake Ave East where Dr. Drake now lives. Their story on that ship was no different than anyone else in your family or mine that chose to come to Canada.

Stay tuned for the trip across the Atlantic that had no resemblance at all to a cruise ship. In fact some did not make the journey.  We have to admire how the immigrants had an obvious impact in our country in a variety of ways. In the first place, newcomers helped the industrialization process, whether in the form of working Irish and Scottish factory workers, or helping to build the infrastructure and produce the industrial goods. My Grandfather was one of them, only he chose to settle in the eastern Townships of Quebec. Each one of them worked twice as hard as anyone else and never gave up and made our country what it is.

Thoughts…

All of us come from years of immigrants. My mother’s side came from Ireland during the potatoe famine. My father’s side came to Canada from the UK after the first world war and my grandfather helped put up the first Bell Telephone lines in all sorts of bad weather until he opened his own electrical business in Cowansville, Quebec. My children’s grandparents came over from Italy, with their grandfather having been in the Bergen Belsen concentration camp and their grandmother living in a town full of Nazi solders. We are all from families of immigrants and should never forget this.

March 21st 2022

 Our first Ukrainian families are coming this week

Carebridge Community Support has set up an account for the resettlement of people from Ukraine to Lanark County. Donations can be made via cheque (mention “Ukraine” on the note line, our address is 67 Industrial Dr., Almonte, ON, K0A 1A0), or on our website, https://carebridge.ca/donate (mention “Ukraine” in the text box as you fill in your information). Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25.

At present we are working with the resettlement group in Carleton Place. The first family is scheduled to arrive in Canada as early as this Sunday. Others will come as soon as possible. Help us welcome these families fleeing the war in their country.

Please share!

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/356442829683508

Photos and files by the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum.