HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-00122WHAT'S INSIDE
► A surprising numbers of rebels
imprisoned after the failure of the
Rebellion of 1837 occupied their
time by carving miniature boxes
as gifts for friends and relatives.
These boxes have been carefully
preserved, being handed down
from generation to generation.
Now, however, many have found
their way into museums around
the province where they may be
seen and wondered at.
► At the request of a Pickering public
school teacher, Louise Richardson
Rorke penned a short account
of her life so that he could use
it as a way of introducing her to
his students.
► Ross Johnston pays a visit to
Whitevale and Green River
in 1883, and writes about
his encounters in the Whitby
Chronicle under the pen
name of Traveller.
► A picture is worth a thousand
words, as the saying goes.
We have pictures of Dr. James Rea,
Camp Ozanam, and Lord Hyde,
but only a thousand words (more
or less) for all three.
PICKERING TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P..ATHMASTER
WINT`ERISPRING EDTTION VOLUME 9 NUMBERS 1$t 2V
Box carved by John Anderson while a prisoner in Fort Henry
Following the defeat of
"Patriot" forces in the 1837
Upper Canadian Rebellion,
hundreds of rebels and alleged
rebel sympathizers were
rounded up and imprisoned in
the Toronto jail.1 More than
half of these prisoners came
from the Home District.
During their months of
incarceration, a number of
these prisoners used their
pocket knives to carve small
wooden boxes. Though they
varied in design, many of these
boxes were strikingly similar
and inscribed—most with the
carvers' names, some with the
place of incarceration, many
with sentimental or militant
verses, several with dedications
to Samuel Lount and Peter
Matthews, and many with the
names of persons to whom they
were given or dedicated.2
These box inscriptions offer
evidence of personal affections
and of noble ideals of the men
who carved them. They reflect
their moods of loneliness and
mourning, faith and defiance,
but little suggestion of regret or
repentance. With the passing
of 170 years, these prisoners'
boxes have become prized by
their inheritors, collectors, and
museums as pieces of 1837
Rebellion memorabilia.
This article provides a
sampling of known existing
boxes in public and private
collections. In the summer of
2005, an exhibit "The Heart -
Shaped Box" was mounted at
the Market Gallery in the St.
Lawrence Market by the City
of Toronto, Culture Division. It
featured eighteen of these boxes
(marked * in this inventory)
— nine from the city's own
collection, the others on loan
from area museums and private
collections. 3
Box inscriptions are printed
here as originally written,
with no attempt to correct
misspellings or errors. These
notes were adapted from
the Market Gallery exhibit
citations, from the works listed
in our Bibliography, from
the Dorothy Duncan and
Janet Stewart articles about
Rebellion prisoner boxes (in
Bibliography), and especially
from the information supplied
by the cooperating museums.
1837 Rebellion Prisoners'
Boxes — alphabetically by the
carver's name
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Painting by architect John G. Howard of Toronto Gaol and Court House on King Street.
Relief image of Peter Matthews from the
Clifton Gate Memorial Arch.
Box CARVED BY:
William Alves, labourer
OWNED BY:
private collector
INSCRIBED:
Top:
In memory of S. Lount
£r P. Matthews, executed
Toronto, April 12'h, 1838
SIDE:
Grant me, indulgent heaven, that I
may live
To see the miscreants feel the pain,
they give
SIDE:
Freedom's sacred treasure free as air
Till slave and despot be but things
which were
William Alves was the great great
uncle of PTHS member Helen
Alves.
Box CARVED BY:
John Anderson, innkeeper"
OWNED BY:
Simcoe County Museum
INSCRIBED:
Top:
To Miss Nancy Macpherson from
her friend John Anderson a state
prisoner in Fort Henry 1838.
SIDE:
In memory of Lount and Matthews
executed at Toronto 12th April 1838
Time will tell why
BACK:
God and Liberty.
Dear to me as light and life, thou
mountain
Nymph sweet Liberty.
John Anderson is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District. Samuel Lount and Peter
Matthews were hanged on April
12, the only two prisoners from the
Toronto rebellion to be executed.
Box CARVED BY:
George Barclay, Jr., yeoman
OWNED BY:
Lambton County Museums
INSCRIBED:
A Present to J[?] Barclay, from
her father while confin'd in Prison
in TORONTO [charged with ?]
Treason, June 25, 1838
Tho I be doom'd in Tyrannis
chains,
To loiter to the tomb
My mind will still while life
remains
Be plac'd on you and home.
Beauty is a f lower that fades,
Soon it falls in time's cold shade,
Virtue is a flower more gay,
That never dies nor fades away.
George Barclay, an associate
of Peter Matthews, was arrested
near Montgomery's Tavern,
tried, sentenced to seven years
imprisonment, later pardoned.
After his release he taught school
in Pickering. Two daughters born
before 1838 were named Jane and
Nancy.5 In 1848, George moved his
family to a farm in Lobo Township,
west of London, Ontario.
Box CARVED BY:
Silas Bardweir
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture Division.
INSCRIBED:
Top:
A Present to Hiram [?] Matthews
Side:
The Workmanship of Silas
Bardwell Toronto Jail
Bottom:
[illegible] 1838
Silas Bardwell is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District.
BOX CARVED BY:
Harvey Bryant, yeoman*
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture Division.
INSCRIBED:
FRONT:
May happy days and Golden years
Be lengthened out to thee,
And live to see the banner wave
Thats raised to Liberty.
Top:
to Mrs. Jane Bryant from her
Husband Harvey Bryant
a state Prisoner in Toronto Gaol,
July 25th 1838.
When Liberty with all her charms,
Shall comfort the distresst,
Then I'll return with open arms,
And clasp thee to my Breast.
Harvey Bryant of Yarmouth was
jailed in London on December 22,
1837, tried in the spring and found
guilty of treason. He was released
on bail September 28, 1838.
3r. (-,f' Louzat ron
e'a'Pe`i;A1/'l�.
Three views of the box carved by John Anderson.
2
Canadian State Prisoners in England. William Alves is 4th from right; Pickering residents Ira Anderson and James Brown are to his immediate left and right.
BOX CARVED BY:
James Cane, labourer*
OWNED BY:
Markham Museum & Historic
Village
INSCRIBED:
Tor:
Mr William Russell Junr. From
James Cane in prison Toronto June
16th 1838
FRONT:
In Memory of Samuel Lount & P.
Mathews Executed Apt -it 12th 1838
BACK:
Tyrants their fetters forge in vain,
To crush thy spirit—Liberty,
Like brittle glass shall burst the
chain,
From hands now striving to be free.
James Cain is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District.
BOX CARVED BY:
Charles Doan, labourer"
OWNED BY:
Aurora Museum
INSCRIBED:
Tor:
Memento of David Willson Doan
who died Aug 28, 1837, aged 16
mos. 10 days.
BOTTOM:
Charles Doan arrested Dec 10th
1837 committed to prison Toronto
where I now remain Mar 311838
Side:
Dear parents, its a mournful day;
In teats your eyes are seen:
Haste not to put your grief away,
May it you blessings bring.
My innocence dear father, learn
And press it on thy mind;
From worldly cares and anger turn
That thou may mercy find.
SIDE:
In this dear mother Lay my toys,
The [] that closed my eyes;
These [] gifts were [] my joys,
My tombstone standing by my
grave,
My friends may on it see,
And read the sorrows of my days;
Prepare and come to me.
Charles Doan is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District. Charles and his brother
Jesse were members of the Children
of Peace, builders of Sharon Temple,
as were Samuel Lount and other
rebellion participants. Charles was
released in May 1838 after giving
security for three years' good
behavior.6
3
Box carved by George Barclay, Jr., while imprisoned in Toronto Gaol
Box carved by James Cane
Two views of a box carved by James Cane
BOX CARVED BY:
J. D. [Jesse Doan], yeoman*
OWNED BY:
Markham Museum & Historic
Village
INSCRIBED:
Tor:
Amelia [?] From J. D
FRONT:
Tyants their faters forge in vain
To crush thy spirit Liberty
Like brittle glass shall burst the
chain
From hands now striving to be free
BACK:
Alas. Poor Lount & Matthews
Executed April 12'h 1838
Jesse Doan is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District. He was the brother of
Charles Doan listed above.
BOX CARVED BY:
F. G.
Owned by:
Sharon Temple
INSCRIBED:
To Miss Hester Graham from F. G.
The identity of "F. G." is not known.
Adam, John and William are the only
Grahams on the list of prisoners jailed
from the Home District.
BOX CARVED BY:
[?] Graham
OWNED BY:
Sharon Temple
INSCRIBED:
Miss Hester Graham from her
brother in prison, Toronto, 1838
Tor:
Liberty [at each end of sliding lid]
Graham's full name is not known.
BOX CARVED BY:
John Gibson, labourer
OWNED BY:
private collector
INSCRIBED:
Tor:
A present to Ann Deveau From
John Gibson,
A state Prisoner in Toronto July
20th 1838
FRONT:
Prity maidens shun each tory
Let no turk enjoy your charm
BACK:
Freedoms sons should be your
glory,
Clasp the Liberals in your arms.
BOTTOM:
Alas for S. Lount & P. Matthews
Executed Toronto April 12'h 1838
4
Four views of a box carved by Charles Doan
Two views of a box carved by H. Haling?
Three views of a box carved by Charles Lou,
5
Box CARVED BY:
Joseph Gould, yeoman
OWNED BY:
Uxbridge Historical Centre
INSCRIPTION:
TOP:
A present to Ruth James fiom Joseph
Gould, whilst confined in Toronto
Gaol for High Treason, July 19th
1838
SIDE:
A few seem favorites of fate,
In pleasure's lap carest;
Yet think not all the rich and great,
Are likewise truly blest;
But oh what crowds in every land,
Are wretched and forlorn,
Thro' weary life this lesson learn,
That man was made to mourn.
SIDE:
Many and sharp the numerous ills
In woven with our frame!
More pointed still we make ourselves,
Regret, remorse, and shame!
And man, whose heav'n erected face,
The smiles of love adorn,
Man's inhumanity to man;
Makes countless thousands mourn!
Joseph Gould of Uxbridge, a
leader of the Rebellion, was jailed in
Toronto and Fort Henry at Kingston
and was pardoned giving security for
good behaviour for three years. He
married Mary James, a daughter of
Ruth (Lundy) James to whom the
box is inscribed.?
BOX CARVED BY:
[?] Haling[?]
OWNED BY:
Uxbridge Historical Centre
INSCRIBED:
Top:
Bartholomew Plank
From H? Haling?
SIDE:
Draw your swords for Indipendence
Rather die than live a slave.
SIDE:
Ye brave American decendence,
Man your hearts with courage brave.
Bottom:
May equal rights and Liberty
Be sacred to each heart,
And from that principle may we
Be ne'r enduced to part.
The name is difficult to read.
Abraham and John Haling are on
the list of prisoners jailed from the
Home District. Information from
the museum notes a "John Haling"
lived north of Uxbridge and signed
a local petition to the King in 1831.
Bartholomew Plank was a son of
John P. Plank who was secretary of
the Uxbridge town meeting in 1831
at which the petition was signed.$
Box CARVED BY:
Alvaro Ladd, yeoman*
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture
Division
Inscribed:
FRONT:
Ye brave American descendants
Man your hearts with courage brave
Draw your swords for Independence
Rather die than live a slave,
Equal
Rights
And
Liberty
SIDE:
Blessed are they whom their youth
Are taught to know and love the
truth
For none but they whom truth makes
free
Can e're enjoy true liberty
There is a land of pure delight
Where truth and justice reigns
Their institutions all aright
To crush the tyrant chains
BACK:
Let Canada mourn, for her liberties
weep
By the ravage of tyranny torn
May the true sons of freedom in peace
never sleep
Till their banners in triumph be
borne
SIDE:
By oppressions woes and pains
By your sons in servile chains
We will drain our dearest veins
But they shall be - shall be free
Lay the proud usurpers low
Tyrants fall in every foe
Liberty's in every blow
Forward! Let us do or die.
Alvaro Ladd of Delaware
Township was jailed in London on
December 15th, 1837, freed on bail
January 1, 1838, recommitted and
tried for treason that spring, found
guilty, released on bail and in ill
health September 25,1838. 9
Box CARVED BY:
George Lamb, labourer"
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture Division
INSCRIBED:
Top:
A present to Mrs Jacob Shepard, from
George Lamb,
while a state prisoner in Toronto
Gaol, U. C., July 3d. 1838,
May freedom smile and bring us
peace,
And all oppression and tyrany cease,
And those afflicted soon return,
To comfort them they left to mourn.
George Lamb is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District. A grandson of Mrs. Jacob
(Nancy Brock) Shepard of York
Township gave the box to the City of
Toronto.
Box CARVED BY
George Lambe
OWNED BY:
Sharon Temple
INSCRIBED:
From George Lambe, a state
prisoner, upon his departure from
Toronto for Kingston, July 13, 1838,
to Miss Sarah Castle.
Presumably George "Lambe"
is the George Lamb who carved
the two boxes above. Sarah Castle,
age 14 when she received this box,
married Edward Pease in 1848. Her
granddaughter Isabel Josephine Castle
Pease, gave the box to Sharon Temple.
BOX CARVED BY:
Charles Low, labourer
OWNED BY:
Uxbridge Historical Centre
INSCRIBED:
TOP:
A present to Mr Robert Edwards,
from Charles Low, while a state
Prisoner in Toronto Gaol
July with mdcmxxxviii.
SIDE:
I tang hae thought my worthy friend,
A something to have sent you,
Though it should prove nae other
end,
Than just a kind momento;
SIDE:
A few seem favourites of fate,
In pleasures lap carest;
Yet think not all the wise and great,
Are likewise truly blest. 10
Charles Low is on the list of
prisoners jailed from the Home
District. The box was given to the
museum by the widow of Dr. Ross C.
Mellow, a great-grandson of the John
Edwards to whom Low gave it. 11
Box CARVED BY:
John G. Parker, labourer
OWNED BY:
Not identified
INSCRIBED:
Top:
In the midst of Affliction Dr. E.W.
Armstrong My table is spread
FRONT:
From his friend
BACK:
John G. Parker in prison
BOTTOM:
Toronto 1838
John Goldsworthy Parker of
Hamilton was the first prominent
rebel suspect apprehended, on
December 5, 1837, two days before the
defeat at Montgomery's Tavern. He
also was sentenced to be transported
to Van Diemen's Land. En route, in
Kingston he attempted to escape from
Fort Henry with John Montgomery
and others, but was captured. With
Robert Walker and others, he was
freed in London, England. 12
Box CARVED BY:
John G. Parker & John Montgomery,
inn keeper*
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture Division
INSCRIBED:
Top:
John [illegible].
FRONT:
John G. Parker and john
Montgomery
BACK:
in prison.
6
BOTTOM:
Toronto 1838.
See note on John G. Parker above.
John Montgomery was the owner
of Montgomery's Tavern on Yonge
Street. He was arrested and sentenced
to transportation to Van Diemen's
Land. En route in August, 1838,
while imprisoned at Fort Henry in
Kingston, he escaped to the United
States. He lived several years in
Rochester, New York, until he was
granted amnesty in 1843 and returned
to Canada. 13
Box CARVED BY:
John Robinson, labourer*
OWNED BY:
Private collector
INSCRIBED:
Top:
A present to Elizabeth Walker, from
John Robinson, while a state prisoner
in Toronto Gaol, July 4th 1838
BACK:
Remember well and keep in mind,
A constant friend is hard to find,
But when you find one Just and true,
Change not the old one for the new;
Front:
O happy are they who in their youth,
Are brought to know and love truth,
For none but those whose truth
makes free,
Can e'er enjoy true Liberty.
John Robinson was arrested
February 21, 1838. He was confined
in Toronto and then in the Kingston
penitentiary for three years and then
banished from the province for life.
Box CARVED BY:
Hasel H. Scott, labourer
OWNED BY:
Lambton County Museums
INSCRIBED:
Liberty.
Hasel H. Scott was charged
December 15,1837, one of four Scotts
charged from the Home District and
the only one still imprisoned at the
time of his pardon for good behaviour
on July 13, 1838. The box was given
to his daughter, Mahala.
Box CARVED BY:
Daniel Sheppard, labourer*
OWNED BY:
City of Toronto, Culture Division
INSCRIBED:
Top:
In memory of his sufferings for
Liberty in Canada
BOTTOM:
Presented to Mrs. T. Sheppard from
Daniel Sheppard 1838.
Daniel Sheppard is on the list
of prisoners jailed from the Home
District. This box is pictured in
various ways in "Heart Shaped
Box" 14
Box CARVED BY:
Robert Walker, blacksmith"
OWNED BY:
Not identified
INSCRIBED:
Top:
Miss Elisabeth Walker From her
father while imprisoned In Toronto
Jail for treason, June 15th 1838
FRONT:
Blest is the man who neer consents,
By ill advice to walk.
Nor stands in sinners ways, nor sits,
Where men profanely talk.
BACK:
Lount & Matthews Executed at
Toronto April 12th 1838
Ends:
L.C. and U. C.
Robert Walker was arrested
December 15,1837 and was sentenced
to be transported to Van Diemen's
Land. As noted above, with John G.
Parker, he was one of the Canadians
freed in London, England.
Box CARVED BY:
Hugh D. Willson, yeoman
OWNED BY:
Sharon Temple.
INSCRIBED:
A present to Mr. Israel Willson
of Hope, from Hugh D. Willson,
imprison'd in Toronto Gaol for H.
Treason, June 4th 1838
Presumably this is Hugh D. Wilson
on the list of prisoners jailed from
the Home District and this is the box
carved by Hugh D. Wilson referred to
in Janet Stewart's article, then (1959)
owned by Charles Graham.
Notes:
I A contemporary account by T. R. Preston
notes that the aggregate number of persons
accused of treasonable offences between
December 5,1837 and November 1, 1838,
totaled 885 (824 arrested, 61 absconded.). A
full list of these prisoners, extracted from
official records, is in Edwin C. Guillet
(Appendix G, pages 251-255). Loyalist
sympathizer Samuel Strickland (vol. 2,
page 256) reports that after the skirmish
at Montgomery's Tavern, prisoners were
taken charge of, "all of whom were safely
lodged in Toronto jail." Captured Toronto
barrister Charles Durand's memoirs (pages
314 & 319-22) provide a description of
the rooms in which these prisoners were
housed.
2 The carving of boxes seems to be a
unique activity, connected only to first
1837 Rebellion prisoners. There is no
evidence that prisoners arrested for 1838
activities fashioned similar objects. The
closest parallel for transported convicts in
Australian penal colonies would be love
tokens and tattoos -described by M. Field
and T. Millet.
3 See the booklet by Andrew T. Hunter. It
contains pictures of several of the boxes in
the Market Gallery exhibit.
4 We are especially grateful to Christie Bath,
Simcoe County Museum; Jan Emonson,
Sharon Temple; Marie Jones, Markham
Museum and Historic Village; Allan
McGillivray, Uxbridge Historical Centre;
Ron Ridley, Fort Henry National Historic
Site; Anne Shropshire, City of Toronto,
Culture Division; Jackie Stuart, Aurora
Museum; and Robert Tremain, Lambton
County Museums.
5 See Robert Fuller and Kathleen Bowley,
Barclays of Pickering (1976), pages 8-13.
Two other boxes have been ascribed to
George Barclay, Jr.: one is at Fort York
Museum, Toronto, and the other, in 1976,
was in the possession of Keith Barclay.
6 See W. John McIntyre (pages 167-171) and
Mark Fram and Albert Schrauwers (pages
50-51).
7 A handwritten account of Gould's
experiences during and after the Rebellion
is the substance of a book by W. H.
Higgins.
8 Janet Stewart's article refers to an
unidentified box with an inscription the
same as the one on the sides of this one -
presumably it is this same box.
9 Ladd presented his box to Mr. John
Dickie in 1838. The wife of a Dickie
descendant, Mrs. L.J. Dickie (nee Vangant
of Berlin, Ontario) gave it to William Lyon
Mackenzie King in January 1936. King, in
due course, gave it to Mackenzie House in
Toronto.
10 The verse on this box is also inscribed on
the Joseph Gould box.
11 The Uxbridge Historical Centre has more
information about John Edwards.
12 Parker's capture is described in the Toronto
Patriot extra of December 6, 1837. Several
contemporary accounts speak of Parker
and describe the rooms that the political
prisoners were held in at Fort Henry. See
Stephen B. Brophy "Letter to the Editor,"
and Linus W. Miller, Notes of an Exile to
Van Dieman's Land (pages 99-100). Major
Richard H. Bonnycastle, in a confidential
report to his superior, Colonel Wright,
noted that while incarcerated at Fort
Henry, John Parker "made the Master
Mason a Sympathy Snuff Box (so called)
manufactured in the prison by him, with
the Master Mason's name on it." See his
"Escape of State Prisoners," a broadside
that includes a letter from Parker issued
in London in mid February of 1839. It
attempted to gain sympathy and aid for the
twelve North American prisoners being
held in Newgate prison. See "Canadian
Prisoners".
13 See articles by Guillet, E.A. Lacey, and
Mrs. O. B. Sheppard.
14 See the booklet by Andrew T. Hunter.
Dr. John C. Carter is a museum advisor for
the Ontario Ministry of Culture. He has
researched aspects of the Rebellions of 1837/38
as a Visiting Fellow in the History Program,
Research School of Social Sciences, Australian
National University and at the School of
History and Classics, University of Tasmania.
Chris Raible is the author two books
and numerous articles on William Lyon
Mackenzie and aspects of the history of Upper
Canada published in the York Pioneer, Ontario
History, The Beaver and other periodicals.
The editor would like to thank the museums
that allowed images of boxes from their
collections to be reproduced in this article.
Special thanks to Darryl Wines of the
Simcoe County Museum, Nancy Marr of the
Uxbridge Museum, and Darryl Withrow for
their assistance in obtaining images.
Bibliographical Note:
1837 Rebellion Remembered. Willowdale:
The Ontario Historical Society, 1988
Bonnycastle, Richard H., "Escape of State
Prisoners", Kingston U.C. (30 July 1838),
National Archives of Canada, C611,
Brophy, Stephen B., "Letter to the Editor,"
Watertown (New York) North American
(August 7,1838).
"Canadian Prisoners," (broadside). Toronto
Public Library, #2250.
Carter, John C., "Rebellious Acts in the
Western District of Upper Canada:
Precursor to Transportation to Van
Diemen's Land," Australasian Canadian
Studies Journal 2005, v.22, #2& v. 23, #1.
Duncan, Dorothy, "Prisoner's Boxes",
Canadian Antique Collector, April 1971.
Duquemin, Colin K., Niagara Rebels. St.
Catharines: Norman Enterprises, 2001.
Durand, Charles, Reminiscences of Charles
Durand. Toronto: Hunter, Rose, 1897.
Field M. and T. Millet (eds.), Convict Love
Tokens. Adelaide: Wakefield Press, 1998.
Fram, Mark and Albert Schrauwers, 4 Square.
Toronto: Coach House Press, 2005.
Fuller, Robert M. with Kathleen Bowley,
Barclays of Pickering, 1976.
Graves, Donald E., Guns Across the River.
Toronto: Robin Brass Studio, 2001
Greenwood, W. Murray and Barry Wright,
Canadian State Trials Volume l7: Rebellion
and Invasion in the Canadas,1837-1839.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press for
the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal
History, 2002.
Guillet, Edwin C., The Lives and Times of the
Patriots. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press, 1968. Originally published: Toronto:
Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1838.
Guillet, Edwin C., "Montgomery, John", in
Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. IX.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1972.
Higgins, W.H., The Life and Times of Joseph
Gould. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside,
1972. Originally published: C. Blackett
Robinson, 1887.
Hunter, Andrew, Heart -Shaped Box or the
Ballad of Daniel Sheppard. Toronto: City of
Toronto, Museums and Heritage Services,
2005.
McIntyre, W. John, Children of Peace.
Montreal: McGill -Queen's University Press,
1994.
Lacey E. A., "The Trials of John
Montgomery", Ontario History, Vol. 52, No.
4 (Sept. 1960).
Miller, Linus W., Notes of an Exile to Van
Dieman's Land. Fredonia, N.Y.: W.
McKinstry & Co., 1846.
Preston, T. R., Three Years'Residence in
Canada. London: Richard Bentley, 1840.
Pybus, Cassandra & Hamish Maxwell -Stewart,
American Citizens, British Slaves. East
Lansing: Michigan State University Press,
2002
Read, Colin and Ronald J. Stagg, The
Rebellion of 183 7 in Upper Canada: A
Collection of Documents. Ottawa: Carleton
University Press, 1988.
Robinson, John Beverly, Charge of the
Honorable John B. Robinson, Chief Justice
of Upper Canada, to the Grand Jury at
Tot -onto... Toronto: R. Stanton, 1938
Scott, Stuart D., To the Outskirts of Habitable
Creation. New York: iUniverse Inc., 2004.
Sheppard, Mrs. O. B., "Incidents in the Life
of John Montgomery During the Rebellion
of 1837-38", York Pioneer, 1926.
Stewart, Jane, "The Little Boxes of 1837",
York Pioneer, 1959 (reprinted 1987).
Strickland, Samuel, Twenty -Seven Years in
Canada West. London: Richard Bentley,
1853.
by Louise Richardson Rorke, Autor and Editor
Louise Rorke (1878-1949) has been the subject of a previous article in Path master (3 (Winter 2000), 9-10). Kyle Jolliffe wrote a brief synopsis
of her life that we published about the same time as his book about Rorke came out. In her day, Louise was a popular children's author• as well as
the editor for such journals as The Canadian Teacher and The Canadian Friend. Today she has been all but forgotten. For further
reading about Rorke, whose mother was a member of the large Richardson family of Pickering Township, see the previous article in Pathm aster
and Jolliffe's book. Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh: Stories by Louise Richardson Rorke, ed. by Kyle Jolliffe (2000).
The letter on the following page was written about 1944 by Louise Richardson Rorke to Charles Coates, at his request,
so that he could introduce her to a Pickering Public School Grade 8 Oral Camp.
Louise Richardson Rorke (left) and her sister, Jessie Rorke
pQSU AIR
r�.tylAncr,r
M
worse NORrs
xus aocN®
INs
'1'IIO.11A5 NF]SON�,LyO SONS
BLACK VIC
laude RrA.,d— Rorke
A— N.1— e Sm. (C—do) L, --,d
T oma
LEFTY
A Story of a Boy
and a Dog
LOUISE RICHT Rt—N KORKE
MAPSHALL SAUNDFAS
wma. srnaK
THOMAStiEL50N B SONS. LIMITED
LE Jh JIL 8
ADVENTURE
LOUISE RORKE
Iws
THOMAS NELSON aW SONS —il"
.Lotwe Aielterysoa Rorke
Fdiowinga ee lengthy flinedat-
!ng pack to 7tarcb of thisher
iael.0utee Rorke Tear,
Passed away at
hoot
here OR Saturday mora_
lag bat,
Born In Thornbury. the daughter
Of the late George and Elisabeth
efe n Rorke e4te and Ler
IIgf JesTo Rorke, came to
ago, buil from Toronto some Yeats
in 1 building north.esethe comfortable home
in the Thejeast section of our
v171eta The late Louise Rorke at-
tended the Thornbury Collegiate,
and the Hamilton Nord School,
sad taught in the Norwich and the
Thornbury public schools, She later
lolaed the staff of the Canadian
Teacher. of which she latebecame
r
editor, retiring from that post in
1045.
MiseRorke was probably better
known as the antbor of the very
Popular youth novel "Lefty- and
the follaw fag "Sutar Shanty- and
"Lefty's Adventure"iHer last novel
was due to appear bis fall.
T
Bhe wan an active member of the
Loronto Romen•a Pres' Club and
as been a regular contrlb Il r. to
the Canadian Countryman, and ed.
sdlan the it Irad". r;ende'. magaz:ae "Can.
Durlag her life In pictetiag blies
Rorke took an a ifve interest and
Dart In many of the local acttvitles:
a Past Praeldent of the Womea'e
Club, a a>,ember of the Women's
Ihuftute, a member of the United
taughtChua'ch W, d, and W M. S., and
IL Young women's class In
h• Undted _
Church Sunday school,
and took as Interest in all public
lite of our village. -
4IDe Is survived by her only als-
ter. A private service took place at -
the home on Monday evening, with _
interment at Thornbury on Tnesdap,
J.oulse Rorke will be very much
missed by all ages In Pickering,
and the sympathy of their many a,
friends here Is expressed to MIsy
Jessie Rorke, and to Mies Edith
Murray, who has spent many years
with the Misses Rorke, `
Postscript: Rorke' association with Pickering was a long one.
During her childhood she was a frequent visitor to her many relatives in the
Pickering area. In 1920 she purchased a quarter -acre of land in Pickering Village
and built a summer cottage on it.
Then in 1933, she and her sister moved to Pickering Village permanently.
She was living in Pickering u hen the letter- on the following page was penned.
Black Vic, her last book was published posthumously in 1949.
8
Dear Charles,
I cat remember whm I was bora, so we wa just skip, that, but it was agood majyw, ago as,d yow and we, caxguess by my white ham
We lived iK 7homnbury, aswall tow* opt, gmTiai& Bay at the mouth,ofdive Beaver River axd between two Brea o fhills, 'The, 814eMoaghots', 1100 feet
above, the say. I had ody once sister and no brother, but we had a lot of sous* all older tha* we were, so we had jood tuuzs We skated ika 6ik
three owes as lonj u Pic" rmk and twice as wide and coveredit had a mice warmdressing-vooaw where we ckaa2jed our shoes, and o* three nights iK
every week, aK orchestra. We coasted o* the strep hills, aauG dvovegreat s(ecgdcu2g parties, or jcut two or three i* a ucttes We had srTourfrocw the ale o f
November wdd the and ofMarch.. We had lortj snow=shoe tramps up the river and alorc j the beaclti, axd at the sumnw we sailed and hiked aced pwvxked.
I was ei jhtyeays old wlce* I stavtG tv jo to schooG, and nco youngster ever kneurSO little about hourto behave Whe* r spelled a word correctly, and was told
togo to the torof the class I said I would rather stay where r was at the foot. it took agood ded IvswioK to move nae, and when, I did jo I kissedJessie,
and bid her a formalgood-byaas i f we might am see"odw ajam
I enjoyed school and jot oK very welt—iK the subjects I liked I was once whipped once—and that was far writing a note to a little boy. Lots ofgi& did
it, but I A&t kxow how quietr should be over it—and neither did he. I* grade VILAhad a Mader who did agreatded to tv#me jwt by lendutij we,
books He let me read his `Iuiylls of the King"and I spent many a golden recess perod sitting o* the wide silt o f a schooG-coon* windour quite Gudslew by the
dark heavy blind, which, r drew-dow*. That teadw Mr. E.P. Rowe, died a few -years ago and not ion j be fare his death, hz came to visit ws is Pickering. Ae,
lost book r remember being thrilled by was Hiawatha,. I read and re -read itit was mother's, but after I lr ft it out in the rain and it lost its covers, I fele heir
to it, to mygreat joy.
i doK't know-whm I fast wrote stories rt smuts to me that r alurays did jessieand i used to sit o* the swing and make uestories by the hour whe* we
wereyouxgsters Tfie first story r had publifhed was called `Yyleac* 0' Dreams"and was the story of a boat and a baby. It was used by Toronto Saturday Night.
jusieandr went for a hikeand puuuo uupthe river. I wrote, my story and shewadeadesig* fron*somesedgewhickgrew doe. We fdtvery daring when we
decided to market dm;w, but we were both, succesot
We went to the Collegiate Institute, iK Cobingwood. That was interesting because at least three quarters of the students taught 3, 6, or eve* 6t& years They
were quiteformat—even the teachers addressing the girls as `S1�tiss -- ;» except for a feuryoungsters o f which z wus one. I decided tv teaclti schooG—there waswt
muck else far a jirtto do i*those days, so I wvtt to `ModeGtchoot' and found a schoo6 for myself right o* the topof the, mountain, thirtee* miles from home.
sometimes i was home -sick, but r loved the country—the woods o* the farm, where r boarded, the stream, and the water cress, the pure-bred house, and cattle
which,were raised o* the McCona4fora*, above all sive wide vw rofthe valley and the oposite mountain. I some#aw made u�storim to read to the boys
Agd grls whoa* I "ht, but I never kept them
Later I went to the College of Educatm, and taught uz the home school. That was ad -arm tixj because I knew -the boys andgcrls I taught. They were my
friends and neighbours While I taught at home I contributed to Cawdlav Teacher and was asked to edit their Literature Department, and later I came to
Toronto as Assoaate Editor. It was the Editor, Mr. Matthewtarkiw&, who persuaded we to show -some, o f Racy short stories to Dr. Robert Haddow; editor of
Westwixste'r Magazine and the Presbyterian Record. He ached d w*o and encouraged axe to kee oK writing.
I did not have aaruch, time though,, because on, Mr. ParkwoWti death, I was made editor and ray hands were fait Lefty" was the frst book r ever wrote,
(except a little geography, which, wash very interesting)for use iK the Eng4;sh,schook). It was published ix 1932. but -year I followed it with, axodher story
about the same boy and the- same dog. r called this one "Lefty's Adventure"or rather that is what the pubMer ca d it with awry wtwilling consent. I wagkd
to call it "Lefty Kees Tryst"but they said that waswta, "se&g"title IK between I wrote a story for older readers, Lugar Ihady,, which,i think i like besto f
alt. They are, a!/storia ofboys and dogs perhe because, rhavebm;& friends with, so many dogs and have always owned adog, exceptwhe*Ilived in the
city. My flat dog wu coal black and was called "8u f f': r have no idea why You know -Johnnie, the Cocker jpmatpyff we have now:
Thew are some pleasant things that r have had a chma to do, amonj thea* wy trip -to England and tc4dvtd, and to the Pac f c Coast, and I had chaaues
to meet very interesting people-.
one of the, things that I liked but was that r rode over the great Divide- of the, Rocky Mountains tit, the cab ofthe engine ofa C.P.R. passenger traiK; and
axoder that I spent a week iK Matheso* axd vicinity, and went as fur north, as Hearst, write an avtm& oK The Clay Belt iK Winter far the C.P.R. While I
was iKMadwoK I went to a Valentine Party with, wy host and hostess They hadgames and square dances, and r was introduced to a very week -looking, sky,
fair ma*, who scarce y talked at alt while we, dawd My host laughed at we when r confessed that r thought him very quiet and wuittereslzng and told
axe that he was a prospector who alwaysgot drunk and `�aiated the tow* red" whenever he, came home—shot out all the lights and wasgenerally wild. I
had, also, a chaxce togo through, the C.P.R. oar barns iK Montreal, and to see th e wrecked mn mes, cars, eta and discus thea* with, co14n johnsoK. I was his
juest for laxche ;& ix the 0 fficers' Mess He ixtroduced we to the stictem o ffuers who were present, and whe* I took my place I was shocked to kaw that I
remembered only one nam&. it was "goodfww-, but r a&vvr know -to whoa* it belonged.
I lure tried to telGyoudhe things you may fcxd interesting. f I've left outaxytkcxg yowl kkke to know -please come and ask we, A" is probate
longer thaKyou wait so leave out wh dem you at. Iiia sendMgyow wypicture r /.ik it aaeyse/fbecause it doapCt look too much, like we,
I aa* veryglad to do this for you, Charles, and am quite proud thatyoushould choose to talk about axe:
Mostsixcerelyyours,
Louise Rorke
9
W H I T E V A L E
Traveller, "Our County." Whitby Chronicle 28
(Friday, 30 November 1883)
raveller sojourns in the
"Vale of White"— An
interesting description of
the village and its industries
— Equipment and capacity of the big
"mill"— The "brush handle factory,"
a seasonable word for Whitby —
Shops, churches and schools.
Whitevale, Nov. 26. I believe we
last parted company on the
outskirts of Whiteva
named I suppose in
honor of T.P. White,
Esq., then the pre-
siding genius of
the place, and its
very ruins testify
to the importance
of the position
once occupied by
him here.
The village covers
the brows of the hills
on both sides of the creex
fire that destroyed that most impor-
tant industry. The tall chimney of
the engine house, and a long building
once used as a drying house are still
standing, and the ruins of the factory
meet you at every turn.
The "bad boy" of Whitby or
Toronto has evidently not yet visited
Whitevale, or there would not be
so Iarae a quantity of old iron
oose; but perhaps
necessity of hav-
but lies mainly on the east T.P. W
side. The buildings are
principally composed of wood, with
a few brick houses interspersed. The
first place visited on arriving at the
village was the flour mill going under
the name of "Major mills," now under
the management of Mr. A.B. White,
son of said T.P. White, Esq. The mill,
a well built structure, stands on the
south side of the road (main street)
just a little east of the bridge, and
Phoenix like arose from the ashes of
the "woolen mills" after the disastrous
ig to carry it up
hill before it could
be converted into
copper, may have
had some influ-
ence in protecting
it against outside
competition in the
carrying trade. The
eavy stone founda-
of the present mill,
was also the foundation of
hire the woolen factory, and was
uninjured by the fire, the
lower flat having been completely
flooded with water, and thus saved
from destruction. The ruins of the
original flour mill stand just opposite
on the northern side of the street.
I went down into the lower part of
the mill, and had a peep at the water
wheel, an immense structure, said to
be 24 feet in diameter and 6 1/2 feet
in width. The mill is well equipped,
(old style), has four run of stones,
and when running full blast can turn
out 180 barrels a day. It is at pres-
ent doing about 100 barrels a day.
Supplies, in the meantime local. Does
a large business in gristing as well
as for shipment. This mill can boast
of two specialties in the milling line,
consisting of a cockle -machine and a
brush machine. The latter is differ-
ent to a smutter, being a contrivance
by which the grain is brought into
contact with a set of powerful brushes
that scrub or scour the kernels mak-
ing these thoroughly clean. The
barrels used here are mainly made at
Green River by J.B. Wurtz, cooper.
Mr. White has also a saw mill a little
up stream, in charge of Mr. Truman
Bessie, which is said to run off about
a quarter of a million feet of lumber
during the season. Large quantities
of shingles, lath, and headings are also
manufactured here.
The next place of interest visited
was the establishment known as the
Brush Factory, owned and carried
on by Jas. Taylor, Esq., J.P., to whose
energy and public spirit Whitevale
owes so much. The factory is not
a brush factory proper, as only the
wood -work is manufactured here,
but that, of almost every conceivable
variety. Handles for paint brushes,
shoe brushes, and many other kinds
of brushes are made here; also the
wood work for baby's swings in great
variety of styles, also waggon grease
boxes and other useful articles in
wood work too numerous to mention.
I entered the building at a doorway
on the main or centre flat. The fac-
tory stands at the foot of the hill, and
10
a gangway is constructed between the
middle floor and the road. I found
three (3) lathes in operation here and
three circular saw tables and one band
saw. 10 hands are employed on the
average at wages ranging from one to
two dollars a day. The brush handles
are marked out in block and run off
with the band saw. It was very inter-
esting to watch the various operations
going on, but I have neither the time
nor the talent to give a full descrip-
tion. The upper flat is mainly used
at present for storage, but in winter
a lathe for turning fork handles and
the like. Some 60,000 ft. of lumber
is cut up during the season and is
shipped as far east as Montreal and as
far west as London, but the heaviest
purchasers are Messrs. Beeck & Son,
Toronto. Mr. Taylor is by no means
an advocate of the N.P., but acknowl-
edges that in some departments of
the business (varnish brush handles
for instance) N.E is a help.1 He says
it makes little if any difference in the
general business.
I was informed that a large quan-
tity of cordwood is used in making
certain kinds of handles, as being bet-
ter suited than other forms of timber
or lumber for certain purposes, on
account of the grain. In the lower
flat (for "every ascent has a decent
[sic]," according to the Turkish prov-
erb) there is a sticker, or moulding
machine where all sorts of mouldings
are made. There is also a planing
machine, or combined planer and
matcher. There is a separate machine,
(I forget the name of it) made by our
The Bible Christian Church in Whitevale, c1960.
Oddfellous Hall in Whitevale, c1960.
Whitevale Methodist (United) Church, 2008
esteemed fellow -townsman, Major
Harper, Esq., which is said to give
satisfaction and to reflect much credit
on the skill and ability of the maker.
The machinery of the establish-
ment is driven by a 15 horse power
engine. The business has been run-
ning four years, and has never been
able to catch up with the orders till
last September. I got much more
c
information on these and other points
from the courteous proprietor, who
showed me all through the building,
explaining everything of interest,
but I must desist from giving further
details, as time, "the inaudible file," is
swifter than my pen.
Just tell our friend Wm. Robson
(who has also been through this
place) to wake up the Whitby sleepy
heads to the importance of starting
some such enterprise in our town.
In addition to the above business,
Mr. Taylor carries on a general store
in the village and seems to be doing
a very flourishing trade. James
Dundas, Esq., also runs a large gen-
eral mercantile business and appears
to be well patronized. Here too is Mr.
Jabez Fawthrop, grocer and dealer
in sundry drygoods; and Mr. Donald
McPhee, the veteran postmaster who
also keeps a general assortment of
goods for sale and whose honesty of
heart no one will doubt who looks
into his kind face, on which age has
had hard work to leave its traces.
Then here is Mr. Wm. Gerow,
with his blacksmith and carriage
maker's shop, and Mr. B.A. Ellison,
general blacksmith, plying their
respective trades with their vigor-
ous arms. Here too is Mr. Daniel
Moody, boot and shoe maker, who
looks cheerful enough as he pegs
away at his last, notwithstanding his
name; then across from him a little
further up the hill, is a man of like
occupation, Mr. James Rae, an honest
Scotchman, that St Crispin need not
feel ashamed oft Here too is Azor
Booth, furniture dealer and under-
taker—no relation of the infamous
Booth who killed President Lincoln,
not he—Azor would not kill a man
even for the sake of conducting his
funeral. Here too is James Thornton,
butcher, the man who "lives to kill,
and kills to live," and seems to make
a very good living too. Here too is
J.W. Monch, agent for the Massey
Agricultural Works, who keeps
"repairs" on hand for goods in his
line. Here too is Mr. James Rose, the
village tailor, and a good match for
any man in his line, or out of it either
for that matter. James is a ready -
witted, kind hearted man. He has
been a soldier in his day and shows a
straight back and fine form, and can
tell as good a story as the next man.
He is a good tradesman, and can
always have roast goose and cabbage
to dinner.
Then last, but not least, is my
esteemed friend Mr. James Coakwell
of the "Whitevale Harness Depot,"
manufacturer of all kinds of har-
ness, and dealer in trunks, horse nets,
buffalo robes, whips, &c., and who
makes carriage trimmings and collar
making a specialty. James also deals
in hides, and believes "there is noth-
ing like leather." He is not that sort
of "Jack of all trades, and master of
none," that you read about, but while
ready to make a turn in trade at any
time to suit a customer, he thorough-
ly understands his business, and finds
plenty of it to do. James is a per-
fectly honest, reliable man, and I am
indebted to him and his good wife
and family for much kindness. We
had some good talks over old times.
MWO
V'fH ITEVALE.
Best Flour, $1,45 per bag
e1 $2.80 " bb].
in farmer's seeks.
Highest market price paid for
wheat.
BESSE & WHITE,
PROPRIETORS.
Whitevale Furniture Store !
AZOn BOO'I-
lLrnitnre Defier sed andertater� Whitevale ontuio,
o.ae�e mA �.
wm.e eteoede -d
aw ce.re c.a
Fonerale Fnmie6ed vith Ew.y E2 -m- and Aaended
a rxms�-zcz—as == =Js i
DeyUINLD.
PRICES VERY LOW FOR CA8R.
In educational, benevolent and
religious institutions Whitevale is
well represented. There is a good
school in charge of Geo. Hopper,
Esq., a teacher of much experience
and ability. There is an Oddfellows'
Lodge in successful operation,
a token for good in any community;
and there are three churches, with
regular services, namely Baptist,
Christian and Methodist. Rev. Mr.
McConnell (Baptist) is the only
resident Pastor, and is held in much
esteem by the whole community.
The Methodists are preparing to
put up a fine brick church. The
material is all on the ground and work
will commence next spring. This is
much needed as the present building is
a very uncomfortable one, and is quite
a distance from the village.
There are also two Sabbath schools
in healthy condition, one Baptist, and
one Union. I had the pleasure of
attending all the churches and one
of the Sabbath schools. There is only
one Hotel in the place kept by Mrs.
J. Cooper.
But Dear Chronicle, my letter is
already too long, so,
Good night,
Traveller.
The Hamlet of Whitevale in 1877.
G R E E N R I V E R
Traveller, "Our County." Whitby Chronicle 28
(Friday, 7 December 1883)
reen River brings
"Traveller" some "Auld
acquaintance"—The
Ontario & Quebec
Railway—Another big mill—The
village vulcan, pedagogue and "lone
tradesman."
Green River, Dec. 3rd. Having in
my last made a pretty clean sweep
of Whitevale, I proceeded westward
to the limit of our fair County, then
northerly and then easterly in the
direction of Green River, a quiet little
village some miles west of Brougham.
Made various business calls on the
inhabitants generally, and at the
house of one of the old settlers, was
entertained with a dog dancy which
greatly amused me. Don't mistake
this for an Indian dog -feast. The
folks around here understand good
living; and although the potato crop is
a general failure, they do not need to
resort to dog -meat as a substitute, but
can furnish their tables with dishes
dainty enough "to set before a king."
What pleased still more, I fell in with
a family from "'the borders," near
Ecclefechan, (shades of Carlyle, pro-
nounce that if you can.3 No English
need attempt it) within a few miles
of my native place, Gretna Green. A
good old crack we had about "Auld
lang Syne" and the scenes familiar
to my boyhood, where the grand old
Solway rolls in its tide over the sands,
and tosses its white spray to the winds
in all the magnificence of grandeur;
12
recalling forcibly to mind the words
of Homer, as translated by the late
Earl Derby
Then the ministers who preached
in the neighboring churches in the
by gone days came up for discus-
sion; and the very texts some of them
preached from, and the heads of their
discourses, came up with all the fresh-
ness of youth. Strange, is it not, after
the lapse of so many years? Thanks
to good old grandmother for her drill-
ing at the family hearth. Let parents
and grand -parents take note of this.
One of the best ways to impress truth
in any subject upon the minds of the
young, is by familiar conversation at
the family fireside.
To proceed, I found the road -bed
of the Ontario & Quebec Railway
just a little north of the village, and I
called at the Company's office here,
in charge of Mr. Joseph Ettershank, a
quiet, unostentatious Scotchman, who
evidently understands his business,
and does it in a way that presents a
strong contrast to the fussy officious-
ness that one sometimes meets with.
He says the office here is closing for
the present, not being longer needed,
and that the road will not likely be in
running order until next summer.
I next visited Green River Mills,
owned and carried on by P.R. Hoover,
Esq., who kindly responded to all
enquiries. The mill is a frame build-
ing, 4 storeys, (including basement)—
is in full running order, and at pres-
ent runs day and night—supplies
got from sources mainly within the
County just now, but will be also got
from without when R.R. is opened,
Mill is worked by water power, has
three run of stones, and all machin-
ery very complete, old process, but
change contemplated. Runs off about
50 barrels a day, and has had storing
capacity of mill (about 7000 barrels)
completely filled this season.
Mr. Hoover also owns a saw mill a
little north of the flour mill, where a
large local business is done.
Mr. John B. Wurtz (referred to in
previous letters) carries on a cooper
shop and stave factory, the running
power of which is rented from Mr.
Hoover. Mr. Wurtz employs three
or four coopers constantly, and when
the stave factory is in full blast some
eight or ten hands are employed. i
An immense quantity of staves is
manufactured here, also heading, by
which Claremont and Green River
mills are supplied and to some extent I
Whitevale mills.
George Calvert is the vulcan of the
place, and can wield a heavy hammer
and strike a steady scientific blow
with his strong Scotch arm. '
Mr. Collins is the esteemed village
pedagogue.
There is also a post office in the
village, of which Mr. George Burton,
general merchant, is the courteous
and attentive postmaster. Mr. Burton
has the store -keeping line of business
all to himself here. The old adage that
"opposition is the life of trade," does
not hold good in his case. George
needs no opposition to enliven his
trade as it is lively enough without.
His lines of goods embrace everything
commonly found in a general store,
and he sells at prices which repel
opposition on the one hand and attract
customers on the other, while his kind
and obliging manner is such as to keep
the customers he gets.
Mr. C.H. Doten has charge of a
waggon maker's and repairing shop
a little east of the village, and gives
attention to all orders in his line. John
Wilson, Esq., a short way east of
the village owns a saw mill and also
manufactures lath and shingles. His
mill is a cozy little affair down in the
woods south of his dwelling. I hunted
him up (or down if you like) and
found him at his mill, and a genial,
kindly man he is. His business in this
line (for he has other lines) is mainly
local. He did a large amount of
George Burton's Green River Store, c1882
Green River Mills in 1877.
I VPant all the Ic Men, Young Aden, Newly
Married Men Men templatln� Ma e, Gentlemen,
Old Baohelare, li Z, IIand oo &t Old Ladies, l�omg Ladies con-
tom
Mutiage, Newly Martied Ladies, Aunts, Nise" Old
aide, athers, bother, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, sad
Sisters, in Got everybody, to oall end we the
* NEW SPRING GOODS !
Just to had. Ezoepkiousi Bargsine offered for the next mouth in the
eve4 Deeigns of Spring Wear.
New Wall Papers, both in Plain and Satin Finish,
with Bordering to match.
GEO. BURTON, GREEN RIVER
13
Q= River Ba*etWork
RPIIANI' BASKETS in one and two•
bnel,ea'". ltaakets of all other Ar.ox
wade as well.
Orders fiw tlu, trade filled exalrnively.
Veneering a specialty.
Flour and Apple Iianwls alwa1•4 on
land. All orders by mail promlNly at-
tended to. Addreas
J. B. HURTS, Promotor
47'y Oram River, Out.
work for the O. & Q. Railway dur-
ing last season. He has a fine farm.
I will only add, his name is on your
roll of honor.
Having written you by far too
long a letter last week, I must make
amends by making this a short one.
I would like to say a little in closing
as to the remunerations given by the
Government to Country postmas-
ters, but lest I should encroach too
much on your space, and exhaust the
patience of your readers, I will just
draw the rein and say whoa!
Traveller
Notes:
1. N.P. = National Policy
2. Sts. Crispin and Crispinian were said
to have been twins who were martyred
in A.D. 286. Their Saints' Day is 25
October. While as saints their names
have been removed from the liturgi-
cal calendar (for lack of solid evidence
as to their existence), they continue
to be the patron saints of shoemakers
and other workers in leather. Their
emblem is a shoe or a last. William
Shakespeare made St. Crispin's Day
memorable when he penned the now
famous speech of the English king
on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt
(1415) in his play Henry V.
3. Ecclefechan is a small village in the
south of Scotland just 8 miles from the
English border. It was the birthplace of
essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle
(1795-1881).
4. Edward Earl of Derby translated
The Iliad of Homer into English
blank verse in 1864. The verse quoted
appears in Book 11, where Neptune
comes to the aid of the Greeks.
Traveller hasn't got it quite right; the
verse actually reads: "The big waves
heave and roll, and high aloft, The gale
careering, flings the ocean spray."
CAMP OZANAM
couple of years ago I
purchased a post card
at a post card show that
was actually a proof
card and was identified
on the back with the words: "Camp
Ozonum, Pickering, Ont. Make 500
#3, ground green." For a long while I
was unable to find any further infor-
mation about the camp, especially its
location. Then, in the pursuit of other
research, I found the accompanying
article from the Pickering News.
First, the article gave me the correct
spelling of the camp's name—which
would eventually lead me to its origin.
Secondly, it gave some indication of
the camp's location as —"just north of
the village." While this is not precise,
it does narrow the field. And, finally,
the article revealed who ran the camp
and how it was funded.
The original Camp Ozanam was
founded in 1923, and was located on
the shores of Lake Huron in Port
Sanilac, Michigan. It was the creation
of the Society of Saint Vincent de
Paul, a Roman Catholic lay organiza-
tion dedicated to work among the
poor and dispossessed. The Society of
Saint Vincent de Paul was founded
in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam and
other students at the Sorbonne in
Paris. A French scholar, professor of
commercial law at Lyon in 1839, and
later professor of foreign literature at
the Sorbonne, Ozanam (1813-1853)
was the leading historical and literary
critic of the neo -Catholic movement
in France during the first half of the
nineteenth century.
In 1997, Ozanam was beatified by
Pope John Paul II, and thus is prop-
erly called Blessed Frederic Ozanam
by Roman Catholics.
Camp Ozanam in Pickering was
an off -shoot of the original camp
in Michigan. From the pages of the
Pickering News we know that it exist-
ed at least by 1928, but when it was
first established, or how long it lasted,
we do not at present know.I
We would like to hear from anyone
who has first-hand information about
Camp Ozanam in Pickering.
Notes:
1 See Pickering News 19 July 1929, p. 4.
Portrait of Fredhic Ozanam (1813-1853)
Camp Ozsenam
The news had the very pleasing,
experience one evening recently of
visiting Ozanam Camp, just north of
the village, sponsored by St.
Vincent -
de -Paul' Parish in Toronto, and
sup-
ported by them assisted by Other
ocial
Welfare Organizations and
funds, including the Daily Star Fresb
Air Fund. We were received by Miss
Redman, who introduced conducted e
staff of assistants, which consists of
us
through the camp,
a number of frame buildings built
around the three sides of a square
which represents the campus and
layground. There were the Dormit.
p
ory about 115 cots, the Dining
ofHall, little Theatre and Chapel, the
5taff'i quarters etc. We were :very
much impressed by the orderly m�
am
ner in -vhich these vers' Young
rls
numbering[ at that time 112, present-
ed their cot" and dormitory Space.
all of which called to mind the war•
tir ie requirementar of the convales-
cent men in the hospitals, The girls
are raaPonsible for the dining-jO9m
and at the tiTne of
ared for, the tab -
breakfast
les had -been B p and sugtrest-
the following morning
ed extreme- care and neatness. The
whole camp scheme fairly talked disa
cipline and order, while at theme
time we could not but observe the
devotion by the staff to the gir
13.
and in turn the utmost
res�dmanspect own
by those girls
F'ono ging the tour, we were Pres
erred with. a short, impromptu Pro-
gram on the campus, by the young-
sters, of choral numbers, solos, rec•
itations and dances, and . here we
would like to observe the culturr
that was evidenced in these Present -
DR. JAMES REA
he photographs on
this page are taken
from Sally Gibson's
Inside Toronto: Urban
Interiors 1886s to
1920s.1 They are inte-
rior scenes of the home of Dr. James
Rea, a Toronto physician. The book
itself is of interest generally because
it gives us a glimpse of the lives of
Torontonians of a certain era from a
variety of social strata. These specific
photographs are of interest to us in
Pickering -Ajax because Dr. Rea was
once a physician in Pickering Village.
Dr. Rea began his medical career in
Dresden, but, in May 1877, at the age
of 25 he moved to Pickering Village to
share a practice with Dr. R.M. Bateman.
Bateman had only begun his practice in
Pickering Village three months earlier
when he formed a partnership with Dr.
Byron Field.2 Although Dr. Field was
still a relatively young man of 35, he
was suffering ill health and in need of
several months rest,3 and thus sold his
practice and his residence to Drs. Rea
and Bateman.
In or about 1881, Dr. Field had built a
two-storey brick building as a residence
and office at what is now the north-
west corner of Old Kingston Road and
Linton Avenue. That building, which
still stands, is known as "The Doctor's
House" and served a succession of doc-
tors from Dr. Field to Dr. William
Tomlinson over a period of about 90
years. It was this building that Drs. Rea
and Bateman now occupied in 1887.
Vrofsssional QbarDs.
Medic"
B'I� FIELD, M. D., M. C. P. S. PHYSI.
1.)e CIAN, BURGEON. CORONER, @o.,
Pickering, Oat. Ocoee hoar-5forning, from 880
to 11:80; evening from b to a o'olwk 1-y
T E. WARE, M. D., M. 0. P. H.,,ON-
`v t) • TARIO. Coroner for the county of On.
terio. Ph"W": Burgeon and Aewucheqr. Rea -
deuce and olEee, nett door to the Poatomee,
4 Pickering.
14►
DW. PERRIER, M.D„M.C.P.S., Ont.
CORONER. OEM hours-morningfrom
ttc 10. ereuing 5 to d. Surgery in rear of RUG
!:TORE. Brock St. North, Claremont. Patrons
eapplied with Pure Drage, Cher4icals, &o., all
-4� cheap for exah. 29tf
a
Dr. Rea, senior to Dr. Bateman by a
year, appears to have been quite success-
ful as a local doctor. Within two months
he was appointed an Associate Coroner
for the County of Ontario.4 At about
the same time (mid-June) he was mar-
ried to Mary I. Robinson in Toronto
at the bride's mother's home on Rose
Avenue.
s
The partnership of Rea and Bateman
was short-lived. Eighteen months after
they joined forces their partnership was
dissolved.6 Dr. Rea moved his practice
to Toronto and Dr. Bateman was named
coroner for Ontario County in his place.
The photographs from Gibson's book
were taken about four years after Dr.
Rea moved to Toronto.
The captions under the photographs
are as they appear in Gibson's book.
40T*T*sst0ua1 �tseDs.
--
D&S. W. O. Y& J H. EASTWOOD,
Fat oPmWrfa�. Omce eecood door east of the
DRS BATEMAN do REA, Physi• r
eiane,8uzowns, etc., Dr. Bea, Coroner,
%yo w i zo!i:a 1 �Om°Os c oMol�otiaarom s
DW. PERRIER, WD„ M.C.P.S., Ont.
CORA_ILR. 0moe hours:mornin from
1030.0 renlnp 5 to 0. Surgery 1n rear of DRUG
STORE. Brock Bt. North. Claremont. Patrons
wppiied with Pare Drage, Chemicals d:c., W i
ohwp for each. %tf -
Notes:
I Toronto: Cormorant Books, 2006.
2 Pickering News 18 February 1887, p. 8.
3 Pickering News 13 May 1887, p. 8; W.R.
Wood, Pact Years in Pickering (1911), pp.
130-131.
4 Pickering News 17 June 1887, p. 8.
5 Pickering News 17 June 1887, pp. 5 & 8.
6 Pickering News 2 November 1888, p. 8.
7 Gibson (2006), p. 271, #24: `Lillian 1.
Morrow, Memories (City of Toronto
Archives: SC 467). Ms Morrow was born
in 1889 and left written memories that
include evocative accounts of growing
up in the west end of Toronto, where she
sledded on biscuit -tin covers at Trinity-
Bellwoods Park, attended the school where
Alexander "The Maple Leaf Forever”
Muir was principal, and ventured abroad
on open streetcars. Her father was notable
both for delivering well-known journal-
ist Greg Clarke into this world and for
inspiring the creation of Toronto Western
Hospital, although he died just before it
was founded. Late in her life, Ms Morrow
recalled, but clearly did not endorse, the
servant's ancient attitudes and use of
the racist epithet.'[Editor's note: Lillian
Morrow was Dr. Rea's younger daughter.]
15
1:10: Dr. James Rea's Parlour by Natural Light, ca. 1892
The time exposure necessary to take this photograph of physician James Rea's parlour (at 301, now 1265,
Dundas Street West) makes the (overexposed) sun -filled windows the centre of attention.
It casts elements of the room into light and shadow that help create a sense of depth, highlights some
elements (like the picture moulding), and eliminates some details altogether (notably the light -erased
oil painting over the sofa). City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 1467, Item 4
1:11: Dr. James Rea's Parlour by Artificial Light, ca. 1892
Here is the same room at Dundas and Dovercourt, photographed with flashlight by amateur photogra-
pher and professor of Architecture, Dr. Charles Wright. The curtains are literally and metaphorically
drawn. No exterior light intrudes. A wrecked ship emerges from the painting on the wall. Leaded glass
panes are picked out on the smaller window. People can be, and obviously are included, although even
in flashlight, the smallest child rs a blur. Many details are flattened—especially the faces and such light-
coloured objects as a statue on the mantelpiece. No one looks at the camera, perhaps because of the bright
flash expected to explode at any second. City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 1467, Item 1
3.21: Dr. Rea and Daughters, ca 1892
Dl: James Rea was a physician and surgeon whose office was at the back of this 3 -storey, brick house
at 1265 (formerly 301) Dundas West. The house at the corner of Dundas and Dovercourt was modest in
size, but big enough for a dining room, here seen from the doctor's parlour, and a live-in servant.
In the 1890s, Toronto was undeniably racist at all levels ofsociety. According to Dr. Rea's younger
daughter, Lillian, "The [white] servant slept in the third floor & strongly objected to a nigger' living on
the same floor so [Sam the colored' coachman] had to sleep in the stable (now of course a garage)...."
Neither Sam nor the racist servant ever ate at this highly polished table.7
City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 1467, Item 3
GEORGE VILLIERS,
6TH EARL OF CLARENDON: LORD HYDE
short while ago Tom
Mohr sent me via Email
these two images of
Lord Hyde that he
discovered among his
things as he was preparing to move to
Lindsay.
George Herbert Hyde Villiers,
6th Earl of Clarendon (1877-1955),
known as Lord Hyde from 1877
to 1914, was a British Conservative
politician.1 In his early 30s, before
he entered the realm of politics, he
came to Canada with his wife and
two children and purchased a 200 -
acre farm in Pickering (Lots 21 and
22, Concession 2). The reason for the
move he said was because of new taxes
introduced by British Prime Minister
Lloyd George. Our immigration, he
said, "seems to be a part of the general
exodus from England. This exodus is
due to the present tax laws. We shall
go back to London now and then,
but I expect Canada to he our home
henceforth."2
It was Lord Hyde's intention to cre-
ate an English -style estate in Pickering
where he would become a fruit
farmer. It is possible that the crate he
is working on in one photo was for the
shipping of apples or other fruit.
In 1905, Lord Hyde married
Adeline Verena Ishbel Cocks, daugh-
ter of Herbert Holdane Somers
Cocks. Her brother, Arthur Herbert
Tennyson Somers -Cocks (1877-1944),
6th Baron Somers, having suffered a
severe concussion during a polo match
and forced to take a leave of absence
from his regiment, joined his sister
and Lord Hyde in Pickering to help
with the farm.
The brothers-in-law set about
building an 18 -room estate house
for their residence. Unfortunately,
shortly after the house was ready for
occupation Lord Hyde was recalled
to England by the death of his father,
the Earl of Clarendon.3 Once back
in England, however, he found his
duties as the new Earl of Clarendon
took him in a new direction that
would prevent his return to his
Pickering home. In 1914, he took his
father's place in the House of Lords.
Editor John Sabean
Design: John Cormier
Hands On Art & Design
Pathmaster is the newsletter of
PICKERING the Pickering Township Historical
TO it 11 SIIIP Society and is issued occasionally.
HISTORICAL Address correspondence to PTHS,
do 928 Reytan Blvd., Pickering,
SOCIETY Ontario, L1W 1Y7.
E-mail: johnsabean@rogers.com.
Board of Directors:
Honourary Presidents: Donald Gibson
Lillian M. Gauslin
President: John Sabean
Vice President: Toni Mohr
Recording; & Corresponding Secretary: Carol King
Membership Secretary: Carol Sabean
Treasurer: Debbie Mohr
16
He was later to serve as the govern-
ment whip in the House of Lords,
and from 1925 to 1927, became the
first Under-Secretary of State for
Dominion Affairs. Then, in 1931, he
was appointed Governor General of
South Africa. He later held the posi-
tion of Lord Chamberlain to King
George VI and was made a Knight of
the Garter in 1937.
Lord Somers left Pickering at
the same time as his brother-in-law.
He rejoined his regiment at the
outbreak of World War I and was
twice wounded at Ypres. After retir-
ing from the army as a Lieutenant-
Colonel in 1922, he served as govern-
ment spokesman in the House of
Lords for a few years before being
appointed Governor of the State of
Victoria, Australia, in 1926. He is
remembered today for his role as
Chief Scout of the British Empire, a
position he accepted in 1941 in suc-
cession to Lord Baden-Powell, the
founder of the Scout Movement.
Nor was Lord Somers forgotten
in Pickering, where he had played
an active role in the community dur-
ing his short residence, most notably
as organist for both St. George's
Anglican Church and the Masonic
Lodge.4 As one commentator wrote:
"Probably what gave him the greatest
local popularity was the fact that he
was not afraid to take off his coat and
made an extremely good job of fenc-
ing and ditching some 207 acres of his
brother-in-law's farm.5
The estate house that Lord Hyde
built at the north end of Liverpool
Road still stands. It was purchased
in 1922 by businessman Victor Ross,
First Vice President of Standard Oil
of New Jersey. It is now a part of
Manresa, the Jesuit Retreat Centre.
Notes:
1 See the article by Gayle P.C. Quintilian,
"Palmer, Clarendon, Ross, and
Conacher," in Pathmaster 3:1 (1999), 1-2.
2 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.
hurl.
3 Pickering News 21 August 1914, p. 8.
4 The Scout Leader 22:1 (1944),3; Leslie
M. Morley, The Story of the Doric Lodge
(N.d.), p. 26.
5 Alan Gregory, Lord Somers: Something
ofthe Life and Letters of Arthur, 6th
Baron Somers, as found in www.lord-
somerscamp.org.au/about/lordsom/
chapter2.htm. Gregory was quoting
from the Cape Times 26 July 1926.
Lord Hyde with immigrant children at Pickering, c19127
Lord Hyde on his farm in Pickering, c19129