Trespassing is not considered appropriate. It is understood that if we are alerted by a property owner about an area that is owned by them that we will remove your post.We must keep the integrity of the location intact for those that wish to view later.7. Absolutely no vandalism or theft from properties is condoned. Please keep these beautifully abandoned properties in their slowly decaying state.
Linda,
You don’t know me but I follow your posts in the various groups. I live in Beckwith Township and often take rides around the neighborhood. On one such ride I saw this on the side of the road on an old fence. It is located on the Brunton Side Rd. further along where the Beckwith /Montague border is. There is a farm opposite side with a large wooden gateway with a skull and some other stuff (also cool Lol)
Just wondering if you could shed some light on the significance of it relating to the area it is located. I took the photo of the Cross several yrs ago and a friend of mine recently jumped the fence and took the second photo. He did not want to venture any further inside the property as he was alone and probably trespassing. We know it’s religious significance just curious who owns the site etc etc. Any help solving this mystery would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Can anyone help?
The Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Sorrowful Way”, often translated “Way of Suffering”; Hebrew: ויה דולורוזה; Arabic: طريق الآلام) is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path that Jesus would have taken, forced by the Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion. The winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — a distance of about 600 metres (2,000 feet)— is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The current route has been established since the 18th century, replacing various earlier versions. It is today marked by nine Stations of the Cross; there have been fourteen stations since the late 15th century, with the remaining five stations being inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Wikipedia click here
I assume this is a nature walk for the stations of the cross.. I hope someone knows something about it.But please respect it and keep it safe.
Lanark was a provincial riding in Ontario, Canada, that was created for the 1934 election. In 1987 there was a minor redistribution and the riding was renamed to Lanark-Renfrew. It was abolished prior to the 1999 election. It was merged into the riding of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke.
In 1933, in an austerity measure to mark the depression times, the province passed an update to the Representation Act that reduced the number of seats in the legislature from 112 to 90. The riding of Lanark was created from parts of Lanark North and Lanark South and consisted of the townships of Beckwith, Bathurst, Burgess North, Dalhousie, Darling, Drummond, Elmsley North, Lanark, Lavant, Montague, Pakenham, Ramsay, Sherbrooke North and Sherbrooke South. It also included the towns of Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, and Smith’s Falls and the village of Lanark
1934-
W H A T ’S in a Name? Sometimes very little. Scores of townships in On- ” tario are called after old-time members of the Provincial Legislature big frogs in the little political puddles of their day—whose names mean nothing to this generation. Sir John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, gave his own name to one of our counties. Lady Simcoe claimed a share in the work; and to this day three of the townships in that county bear the names of her pet spaniel puppies, Tiny, Tay and Flos. •
But often in the place names of a community there are suggestions of its ” early history and the origin of its pioneers. The Highlanders who settled Glengarry county have left proof of their love for the old land in the names we find there—Lochiel, Dunvegan, Lochinvar, Dalkeith, Athol, Glen Roy and a dozen others. The Highland emigrant never forgot.
Lowlanders who came to our own country in 1811-1822 for- or fail to renew in Canada the names of shires and streams and towns which they had known a t home. Lanark, county, township and village,—the Tay, the Clyde, Kilmarnock, Clyde Forks, Glen Tay, the Scotch Line, all remind us of the districts in Scotland from which thousands of our first settlers came. But now our townships, for the most part, preserve the names of the great or near-great men then concerned, in their colonial government or their friends.
BECKWITH and MONTAGUE after Commander J. Beckwith and Admiral Sir George Montague who were friends and guests of Earl Dalhousie Quebec during his term as Governor; – Read-The Beckwith McGregors or readThe Barren Lands of Montague?
DARLING, after Col. H. C. Darling, Military Secretary to Lord Dalhousie for whom he made an inspection and report regarding the Perth and Rideau settlements in 1822. By the way, many years ago I was told by one of the ‘oldest inhabitants’ that this township was named in honour of Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse girl who, alone in her frail skiff, rescued nine sailors from the wrecked schooner, “Forfarshire” in the storm swept North Sea. Every school reader fifty years ago contained the story of that braV’e deed. One would like to : believe that the township owed its name to her; but she was only eight years old when the survey and naming were completed, and the more commonplace explanation must be accepted. Read-People are Afraid to Work– Jennie Majaury- Darling Township
DRUMMOND—Sir Gordon Drummond was born a t Quebec .where his father was paymaster of the military forces. Sir Gordon entered the army and served with distinction in Holland, Minorca, Egypt and Gibraltar before coming back to Canada in 1813 to take a gallant part in the war against the United States Read-Drummond Centre United Church — and The Ireton Brothers 38 Year Reunion–Names Names Names
SHERBROOKE—Sir John Cope Sherbrooke followed Drummond as Governor. Perhaps in Quebec he might have worked out some peaceful solution of the troubles and conflicts, even then becoming acute, between the French Canadians, and the British minority there. But the shuffling policy of the British Colonies office convinced him that the task was hard, and his failing health hastened his resignation. Read-What’s Happening at Christie Lake June 23, 1899
LAVANT—Sherbrooke was succeeded as Governor by the Duke of Richmond. Richmond Village, the Goodwood river (commonly known as the “Jock”) and the townships of Fitzroy, March and Torbolton in Carleton county get their names from the Duke’s family or estates, and our township of Lavant recalls a village near the Goodwood racetrack on the Duke’s estate in Sussex, England. Read-The Lavant Station Fire 1939
Driving between Ottawa and Franktown one passes a cairn on the roadside in memory of the tragic death there of Charles Lennox, fourth Duke of Richmond.
The story has been often published with varying details. But the account written by his son, Lord William Pitt Lennox, has not, I think, been reproduced in recent years. It may be of interest to read his own words:
That a far cry from the glitter and glamour of his vice-regal courts at Dublin and Quebec, from his sumptuous entertainments at Goodwood, from the gorgeous ball at Brussels where the Richmonds entertained Wellington and his officers on the eve of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, to this poor crazed Charles Lennox, running madly through a Canadian swamp, and dying at last on a pallet of straw in a back-woods cow byre. “He was born in a barn, and he has died in a barn” said the gossips, when the news reached England. Which was true. Read-The Haunted Canoe from the Jock River
Deborah was born on 8 Oct 1853 in Montague Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Christened on 27 Dec 1853 in Wesleyan Methodist, Montague Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Deborah died in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, USA, on 27 Jul 1923; she was 69- 71. Buried about 1923 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, USA.
Her middle name is very likely Brownlee.
Deborah was unmarried and was 16 years of age when her widowed father moved westward to Warwick Tp., Lambton Co., Ontario, Canada and took up land there. A year or two afterwards she moved to the nearby village of Watford where she learned the trade of dressmaking. When her father sold his farm in the fall of 1882, and retired to Watford with his two sons, she kept house for them again which was typical for an unmarried daughter.
After William’s death in April, 1883 she and the two boys moved to Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. where she still kept house for them. She spent her summers at the farm home of Eliza and John Morris and never married. After brother Richard’s marriage in 1891, she trained as a Deaconess in the Deaconess Home and Training School where she served for the remained of her working life. Deborah became a deaconess (an order or sisterhood dedicated to caring for the sick or poor, social duties as teaching or missionary work) non ordained ministry for women in the early Protestant church. Deborah and 11 other women were boarders at the place. Most of her adult life was spent at Detroit, Michigan. She spent her last years at a rest home for missionaries and deaconesses at Ocean City, New Jersey, where she died.
Residence
1900 • Detroit Ward 2, Wayne, Michigan, USA
From another researcher: Her mother died when she was a child. The following anecdote illustrates her childhood in the middle of the last century as well as the bonds that developed between her and her sister Eliza. There was not enough room at the table for everyone to sit down at once and the three girls had to take turns eating. Deborah who was older persuaded the two younger girls that it would be the same if they waited and let Deborah go first every time. Then the two younger girls who were close could eat together. When Deborah went to Watford to learn dressmaking Lydia and Eliza had to do all the housework including making all the meals. This continued until Lydia was married. When she died at an early age (34) she left a husband and three small children.
Birth
8 October 1853 • Montague Township, Lanark, Ontario Canada
Parents William Kerfoot and Mary Brownlee.
Death
3 June 1923 • Ocean Grove, Monmouth, New Jersey, United States
Deborah remained single, died age 69 years 7 months 25 days. According to reports where these women (deaconess) are buried in Ashbury Park is isolated, run down and rarely used or visited now. It will take great effort to restore.
Our recent acquisitions of the 1830’s KERFOOT FAMILY BIBLE, which includes marriage notices, family photos, searched family history is a great addition or our research resources. The bible has a interesting background it was left outside a church Thrift Shop in Victoria, BC to sell in a Vintage Sale. There is quite a bit of information including about 20 pictures, a tintype photo, death notices,. Recorded in the bible or copies of event includes MARRIAGES Marriage of Richard Kerfoot to Mary Ann Millikinn both of Lanark, Co. 7 May 1863 at Smith Falls/ Minister Robert Brewster, Methodist Minister Witnesses: Robert Kerfoot and Elizabeth Foster
BIRTHS Richard Kerfoot, born Beckwith, 16 April 1838; Mary Ann Millikin , South Elmsley, 22 July 1839
One of the volunteers, Noreen Nash, undertook to locate family descendants and reached out to LCGS in hope to locate family members.
Mothell Parish Families Desiring to leave to go to Upper Canada 1817 – 1818– Names
1817
Emigrants from Counties Carlow & Wexford to Canada. By 1817 there was a post war recession and Irish crops were failing. Soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars on the European mainland were flooding the labour market. There had been a war in North America between the Americans and the Canadians (1812-14). The English government offered free land to settlers (preferrably with military experience) to defend Canada from the Americans. .
With Hugh Masson’s (related to the Willoughby’s) notes in brackets.
7. KIRFOOT, William , Elizabeth, Jane, Thomas, Samuel, Eliza, [this KERFOOT family settled Con 4 lot 25 Beckwith Twp. Lanark Co.
8. GRIFFITH, Henry, Catherine
9. LETT, John, –olly, Martha, 3 more unscrambled names,[ this family was one to move with some of the Willoughbys to Lambton Co.]
10. STONE, William, Susanne, John, Eliza, Jane, William , George,
11. FLEMING, John, Betty, Jane, William ,Richard, Dorah,
12. WARD, John, Anne, Ellen, Mary died,
13. WARD, Luke, Betty, Richard, John Anne,
14. GORDON, Samuel, Mary, John, Samuel,
15. KIERFOOT, George Senior, Jane, Jane Foxstone servant,[ George KERFOOT was known to come but died at Nepean’s Point 1819 before rest got to Beckwith]
24. BRADLEY Samuel, Betty, Isaac, John, [Samuel will be related to the Kerfoots via Wm’s wife Elizabeth. Records indicate she was Elizabeth Bradley, the widow Wilson before her marriage to Wm Kerfoot. Sam might be a son of Eliz]
25. BASSETT, Edward, Mary, John, Peggy, Thomas, William, Edward? Bassett? Michael Leach/Leech apprentice, Sally Bradley, gone to America 1817, family emigrated to America, probably Canada in 1817,
26. BRADLEY William, ..ea perhaps Jane Shea noted in burial Register Mothel ,Shea Bradley Coolcullen died of fever Oct 12th buried Coolcullen, ..illy, Betty, Henry, John, Alley, Thomas, Samuel,
27. SCARF James Anne, Enoch, Joseph, John, Becham,[Scarfs are found throughout Carleton Co. Scarf family is being traced by Barbara Hadden]
28. RATHWILE/ Rathwell/Rothwell, Edward, Jane and Jane FENNEL[Rothwell is the spelling used in the Tithe applotment book 1824 for Prospect church Coolcullen. Ireland and in land records for Con 4 lot 26 Beckwith Twp.1880]
29. ROSE Widow, Joseph, Betty, James, and James servant
30. KEAYS/ KEYES/ Keys Thomas, Mary,
Mary left 1818 ,Mary Married William ??, William left 1818 William married Mary??, Jane, Mary or May, Elizabeth, Richard
31. KIERFOOT/KERFOOT George, Deborah, William,
32. EUSTACE William, Catherine, left 1817
33. GARLAND Thomas, Jane, Elizabeth, Thomas, Nicholas, Anne
34. ALCOCK, Thomas, Dorah, Mary, Thomas, Joseph, Mary, Francis [Alcocks settled near Kerfoots on Con 4 at Prospect, Beckwith Twp. Peter Light is tracing some of these]
35. TRISTRASSE??, Thomas, Catherine, Patrick, Mary, Thomas, Adam, family left 1817
36. SHIRLEY Basil, Jane, Ellen Morris servant [see families 16 & 17 Shirleys married into Willoughby, some Shirleys stayed in Ireland]
2. JACKSON Robert, Mary, Hannah, Sally, Mary, Robert,
3. LUCAS Widow, Robert, Sally,
4. TOOLE, James, Susan, Robert, Sally [might be POOLE as Pooles settled on Con 4 near Prospect, Beckwith Twp. Lanark Co along with Alcock, Willoughby, Kerfoot]
5. DUCK / AUCK / HUCK William? Margaret? Jonathan married to Anne, Richard
Like Pakenham witches were said to be afoot in Montague Township. Apparently they were depriving the locals of their milk and butter in the summer, and god forbid they sucked off the maple sap in the Spring. Some of the farmers would boil and boil and not get one ounce of sugar from it and of course blame it on some of the mysterious women folk living near them.
Stories of seeing a man turn into snake near a Methodist praying site were the talk of the area. It was said that once he gazed into a woman’s eyes and she was lifted up and transported to Perth. Unlike the transporters of Star Trek she was supposedly whisked over the fields through the air. No word if she took the short or longer way.
At an early date there lived in the vicinity of Kilmarnock, on the north side of the Rideau River, a man by the name of Croutch, who claimed to have the gift of foresight. Many old and respected settlers believed implicitly that he received warnings of the approaching death of any person who resided in the settlement. According to the testimony of his wife, who bore the reputation of being a Christian woman, Croutch would frequently retire to bed, where in vain he would seek slumber; restless and uneasy, he would toss from side to side, at times groaning and muttering names of the departed. Do what he would to shake off the mysterious spell, in the end he was compelled to submit.
Rising, he would quickly dress himself, take his canoe and paddle across the river, where he declared he always found waiting a specteral funeral procession, which he would follow to the grave yard, where all the rites and ceremonies would be performed. Croutch having watched the ghostly mourners fade away would then return home would retire to rest and sink into a profound slumber.
It was always with the greatest difficulty that Mrs. Croutch could ever elicit from her husband the name of the party, whose death had been heralded. It is related of the late Samuel Rose that upon one occasion he was in the company of Croutch, in crossing a common both saw a light. Croutch exclaimed, Did you hear that cry ? No, replied Mr. Rose. Oh, said the fatalist, it was the cry of a child, the name of which he gave and in a few days the child breathed its last.
Upon another occasion he predicted the death of a man named Mclntyre. Colonel Hurd, of Burritt’s Rapids, informs us that he knew Croutch and that far and wide and that he was regarded with terror by the children, who had learned from their parents his supposed power of communing with the spirits of the departed.–From “History of Leeds & Grenville” by Thad. W.H. Leavitt, Recorder Press, Brockville, 1879, page 88 There is no doubt that Croutch became a legend in the township of Montague and he decided to leave the area in 1811, but the tales of Isiah Croutch were talked about for years.
Two photos from the Carleton Place Canadian Files from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Madonna BellThe airport was to be built on our farm the year was 1977
Janice Tennant CampbellYes Carl Bell with hand on fence and behind man with the pipe in the other photo. Might be Fred Ford on the far left in the first photo (ball hat)
Caroleann Lowry McRaeStanley Brunton behind man with hat. Doug Wiseman far left
H.l. CrosbieAlex Bell Milk Marketing at front with hat and Chris Bell with hand on fence was with railroad I think.
Robert BellRight about Alex Bell (my dad) and I believe that is Carl Bell with hand on fence.
Robert BellOkay, talked with family to figure this out. Pictures were taken at the time Lanark County was looking to build an airport near Franktown (potential site) around 1980 ± a year or 2. Suspect the location is either where Beckwith Golf Course or Moodie Estates are today. In the picture are (l-r) Doug Wiseman, James Snow (Minister of Transportation – Ontario), ?, ? Alex Bell, Stanley Brunton, ?, and Carl Bell.
Robert BellOkay, talked with family to figure this out. Pictures were taken at the time Lanark County was looking to build an airport near Franktown (potential site) around 1980 ± a year or 2. Suspect the location is either where Beckwith Golf Course or Moodie Estates are today. In the picture are (l-r) Doug Wiseman, James Snow (Minister of Transportation – Ontario), ?, ? Alex Bell, Stanley Brunton, ?, and Carl Bell.
Thanks Robert Bell and everyone else to pointing out there should be a story about this
Linda Temple–John here, Harold and his family were wonderful neighbours when I was growing up. Everyone took things to him to fix. Margaret, his wife, was an historian and geneology researcher. She and her sister Anna Gorman mapped cemeteries in Montague in the 50s and 60s. Harold’s son Ron runs the shop today.
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 2nd 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)
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(?)
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.
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 9th (?) 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.
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)
Photo–Robert Sample. Birth: abt 1842 – Ireland. Arrival: 1842. Residence: Township of Montague, Lanark, Ontario Charles Dobie Collection
Thanks Tammy Marion for doing this.. Incredible work
This week I posted a photo of a man on the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page wearing a badge from the Montague Corner Loyal Orange Lodge, Montague, Ont. “Unknown Presented to Robert J Sample”–( Let us know if you know the family.. (From the Charles Dobie Collection) The township of Montague is one of the oldest and newest townships of Lanark County. It was surveyed, named and had the first settlers, but until 1842 they remained part of the adjoining district of Johnstown to the south which became part of Leeds and Grenville. The first farm to be occupied was by the Roger Stephens family but Stephens soon met his fate by drowning.
Roger Stevens, a former British secret agent during the American War of Independence originally from Vermont, settled on the boundary of Montague and Marlborough on the Rideau River. In 1790, Roger Stevens, the first settler on the Rideau River, built a cabin and cleared land on Lot 1 of Montague Township and the adjoining Lot 30 of Marlborough Township on the north shore of the Rideau River. Stevens built the first sawmill in the area at the location of the “Great Falls”, what was later to become Merrickville after William Merrick set up a grist mill in the village. Had his life not been cut short by drowning in 1793, the same energy that prompted Stevens to build the first sawmill on the Rideau at the site of Merrickville, might have altered the pace at which the Stafford “leader and associate” settlement grew, 101 and possibly might have resonated in the settlement of Leeds and Lansdowne Rear. Ontario, Canada- History of Leeds & Grenville from 1749 to 1879.”
It seems religious development spread a lot faster than being educated in Montague and the Baptist “good word” was spread by the two son-in-laws of Loyalist settler Rev. Jessie McIntyre. There had been some wonderful churches built around the areas of Burritt’s Rapids, Merrickville, Smith’s Falls and the Church of England in Franktown– but these places of worship were just too far away for those who lived in Montague.
There were 4 Orange Lodges in the township all located north of the 3rd concession and the Irish were predominant. In 1865 they tried to shut the flow of liquour down but that only lasted 4 years, as it looks like the drinking Orangemen had their way with changing it. There was also dissension between the northern and southern part of Montague in all aspects (farmers were either rich or poor) and some how it became anti- Irish.
The lodges and society groups grew but, there was none other than the Montague Agricultural Society organized in 1860 with their annual exhibition at the Roseville Hall. Of course it was dominated by men from the southern concessions and the only thing all these groups really had in common was the male membership.
The townships population began to decline in 1860 and the 1918 directory of Montague Township is below:
Comment from Marilyn Lucas– Mr. Sample must have been going to a fellow Orangeman’s service, who had died. The badge was reversed to the black in memoriam for that. The Orange side for parades, meetings etc.–Glenn Sample lives in Montague. Lila McGonegal (Sample) & Fred Sample live in Smiths Falls. Their parents were Willard & Isobel Sample, I believe. They maybe related. Orange Lodge 190 was near where Glenn & Vivian Sample live in Montague.
Montague Township, Lanark County, Ont. 1918 Directory–Click here–
In 1795 William Merrick a millwright from Massachusetts, set up a mill on the Rideau River at the site of the falls, and founded what is today the thriving community of Merrickville.
13180-25 Sidney Howard CONLIN, 45, farmer, Montague twp., same, s/o George CONLIN, b. Montague twp & Sarah BROWN, married Myrtle Janetta Alberta SAMPLE, 41, Montague twp., same, d/o Robert SAMPLE, farmer, b. Ireland & Isabella Crawford MOORE, witn: James H. McCREARY of Smith Falls & Alice May DOUCETT of Carleton Place, 17 June 1925 at Montague, near Franktown
Other information in the record of Sidney Howard Conlin and Myrtle Janetta Alberta Sample from Ontario Marriages
Mr. John Wood, Montague, has sold his farm of 100 acres to Hermon Loucks for $7,500. This is considered one of the best farms if not the best, in the township. By this purchase, Mr. Loucks has a solid block of land containing 450 acres which taken in all is one of the finest farms in Ontario.
Bathurst District Marriages 1843:
April 25 Thomas EDWARDS, Wolford, to Margaret MCQUAY, Montague. Wit: Walter Richey, William Hoster Jr.
February 25 Thomas CROZIER to Margaret BROWN both of Montague. Wit: E. Boyce, H.M. Boyce.
Perth Courier, Nov. 16, 1888
Roseville Notes: We regret to learn that Peter Clark, Esq., for many years reeve of the township of Montague, and ex-Warden of the County of Lanark, has been indisposed of late but we are glad to learn that his early recovery is expected. –Quite an excitement was caused by finding a basket containing a charge of dynamite and sufficient fuse to ignite the same in Mr. Clark’s field. Many theories have been advanced as to the object of the owner of the same but probably mischief was intended. With the reports of burglaries in Smith’s Falls, the discovery of this deadly compound in this locality has a decidedly suspicious bearing.
Perth Courier, July 27, 1894
Ferguson—Died, at Manitou, Manitoba, on Tuesday, 17th July, John Ferguson, formerly of Montague, aged 53.
Perth Courier, November 21, 1879
Kidd-Kidd—Married, at Smith’s Falls, on the 18th inst., by Rev. C. P. Emery, Mr. Thomas Kidd of Montague to Miss Jane Kidd of Beckwith.
Perth Courier, July 28, 1899
The Brockville Recorder of July 23 says: “Miss Susan Gilhooly of Smith’s Falls died yesterday evening at 5:30 at the General Hospital here. She was admitted to this institution some days ago suffering from an inward tumor. She was the daughter of the late Jas. Gilhooly of the township of Montague, County Lanark, and was born there in 1846 being therefore 53 years of age at the time of her death. She was a member of the Anglican church. The remains were taken to Smith’s Falls this afternoon at 2:30 in charge of a brother of the deceased, for interment.”
Perth Courier, April 16, 1897
Smith’s Falls and Vicinity: George Burrows, one of the original settlers in the barren lands of Montague, died at the age of 80. He was an Irish Protestant.
Perth Courier, Sept. 9, 1870
Condie—Died, in Montague on the 28th July, Barbara, wife of Mr. Alex. Condie, in the 78th (?) year of her age. The late Mrs. Condie was born in the village of Kenawa, Fifeshire, Scotland, and came to this country with her husband and family in the year 1828, settling in Montague shortly thereafter, where she resided until the time of her death. Her descendants now living are seven sons and four daughters—out of a family of twelve. She is also survived by 6 (?) grandchildren and 19 (?) great grandchildren. She was much respected in the neighborhood where she lived and her memory will be cherished by numerous friends and descendants she has left behind. Her illness she bore with Christian fortitude and died in the blessed hope of a glorious immortality.
Perth Courier, Oct. 26, 1888
Sudden Death—I regret to inform the readers of the sudden death of Mrs. Conrie, wife of Mr. Alex Conrie, a worthy farmer residing in Montague, which sad event occurred last week. The deceased lady went to bed, apparently in her ordinary good health, and lay talking to her husband previous to going to sleep. During a pause in their conversation she moaned once or twice. Mr. Conrie asked what was the matter but she returned no answer and he got up and struck a light only to find his beloved partner in life was no more.
Perth Courier, March 29, 1872
McPherson—Died, at Montague, County Lanark, Ontario, on the 22nd March, Elizabeth Menzies, wife of Donald McPherson a native of Glen Lynn, Scotland, in the 63rd year of her age.
Montague
Kilmarnock: A village on a Rideau Canal. Nolans Corners: Could have been Comries Corners in the Historical Atlas of Lanark County. Numogate: Shows in the Historical Atlas of Lanark County. Rosedale: Seems to have undergone a name change since the publishing of the Historical Atlas of Lanark County in which the name Roseville appears. In 1827 it may have been called the Rose settlement. Smiths Falls: Was land granted in 1784 to Major Thomas Smyth, a British officer and veteran of the American revolutionary war. He took possession in 1823. By 1827 it was known as Wardsville after Abel Russell Ward who purchased the land. A road was built from here to the Bytown (Ottawa) road by the surveyor for the Rideau Canal. A road to Perth was also made and another linking it to the road to Brockville. The first store was opened in 1828. The land was surveyed for a townsite in 1829.
Lodge member–Photo from Jay Playfair’s album thanks to Laurie Yuill Middleville historian-
This is Bill and he has a hobby that some might not understand. You see Bill collects early folk art that some not in the know might just call junk. The word “folk,” according to etymological dictionary, means “of the people”, and one would say Bill is “of the people” more than anyone knows. Not only is he the Reeve of Montague Township he probably owns the cream of the crop in antique farming tools in the province of Ontario.
This is Bill’s home that he and his wife Linda Hynes own that was the site of the Lanark County Plowing Match. I mistakenly drove into his yard last week and was really glad I did. Bill is one of those people that when you start talking to him you feel like you have known him forever.
In 1985 Bill decided that after 30 years of collecting he was going to open a museum so all the world could see the beauty of the primitive items of yesterday. If you look at the things he has collected, you will have to admit the people that originally created these things were artists. After all most were made by rural or small town untrained individuals, whether they be signs or farm tools. All were created by hand with love and without machinery.
In the 80’s when I used to sell depression glass, my main customers were Americans who bought almost everything you had to offer. Some Canadians became concerned they were losing heritage items to south of the border so there seemed to be an immediate rush to hoard these items before they disappeared out of the country. Bill seems to think it was some sort of media hype but I saw the speed in which I sold the stuff as more than a passing interest.
In the 80’s when the full full-fledged contemporary folk art boom emerged with major exhibitions at prestigious museums, Bill started finding old toolboxes in which he picked the cream of the crop and sold the rest. And so began in the same period of time Mr. Dobson’s quest to open a museum of primitives in the summer.
Sad to say when your name does not contain the words “American Folk Art Museum” it’s pretty hard to get people to come visit a tiny museum on a back road called Mattheson Road in rural Montague Township Ontario. To those that are always afraid to live outside the box, you are missing not only the best in primitives but also missing the best curator I ever met. I know of no museum in the world where you can talk with someone that is so passionate and knowledgeable in what he does.
According to Bill,
“Sixty people came the first day to his museum and then a total of sixty people for the next two years.”
Disappointed with the lack of interest he closed it down after the second summer. And so the museum stayed closed but he never gave up his love of collecting.
This year he decided to open the doors once again to the public. You will see no commercialism, consumption, or exploitation from Bill in this display – just honesty, beauty and knowledge. Sigmund Freud believed that collectors had object fixation related to the anal-retention stage in childhood. I dispute this as someone has to keep history of the ages alive.
Bill told me he had a quilt that came from an auction that was held at my house almost 30 years ago. He asked me if I was interested in buying it. I explained to him that no one would appreciate it and my days of collecting are long gone.
I used to volunteer for a Hospital thrift shop where people would donate their homes to the hospital charity. I went into went so many homes after the owners had died to appraise things and their children did not even want a token from it.
There were some wonderful things but also useless belongings were piled high to the ceiling. Sometimes it seemed to grow like a monster and even extended into the garages and verandahs. I would appraise as much as I could but was just could not understand how no one cared in the family about bits and pieces of history. That was a huge force along with my house fire to stop collecting.
Thankfully we have people like Bill and others to collect items of history and treat them with respect. Letting him share these personal connections to the past with us allows us to hold pieces of history literally in our hands. That kind of thing is priceless!
So as the sun sets over Montague Township, the iron weather vane knows he is safe in Bills hands and will never be sold to anyone. People with passion like Bill would never allow that. Not allow it indeed!
“It’s the same thing as the antique furniture. I just don’t like old stuff. I’m creeped out by it, and I have no explanation why…I don’t have a phobia about American antiques, it’s mostly French—you know, like the big, old, gold-carved chairs with the velvet cushions. The Louis XIV type. That’s what creep me out. I can spot the imitation antiques a mile off. They have a different vibe. Not as much dust.”
Billy Bob Thorton
Text and Images: Linda Seccaspina 2011
Photo of Bill Dobson from Google/EMC ( I forgot to take one of him:(
lindaseccaspina 