1.  Barry Crampton - The Historical Mapping Project

The historic mapping project that lets citizens find out about their past, just who first settled on their plot of land out in the concessions, has just gone live on Lanark County’s website.

Barry Crampton, a resident of DNE, was the main driving force behind the deep dive into historic records and making them available in electronic form. While he joked that “I’m not a historian, I’m a technician,” his work began in earnest four years ago, as a way to “tell the story of the origins of the Perth military settlement,” in what were then Bathurst, Beckwith, Drummond and Perth. He wanted to see the creation of “a lasting online legacy.”

The website recently went live:Perth Military Settlement Map.

He drew a lot from Ron Shaw’s 2015 book, First We Were Soldiers, and from Ruben Sherwood’s surveying of the region in 1816. Sherwood left Brockville on March 12, 1816, and arrived where Gore Street now crosses the Tay River on March 22, near where Michael’s restaurant now stands.

2. The Settlers Trek 2016

Trek poster 8x11 Rev E

3. Who were the first settlers?

Original Scot PMS families based at Brockville, 1815/16

1815 Relocation petition      *on both lists

John Allan

Francis Allen

Thomas Barker (ber?)*

John Bush

Thomas Cuddie

Abraham Ferven

John Flood

James Fraser*

John Ferrier (urr?)*

Robert Gardner

Robert Gibson

1. Holdernup

John Holliday

Wm. Johnstown (one?)*

John Kingston

Wm. McGillivray*

Thomas McLean

John Millar

Archibald Morrison

William Old

W Scott

James Taylor*

Otto Thid

George Wilson*

1818 Holiday petition

Thomas Barrie       James McDonald         Abraham Toner

John Brask              Alex McFarlane

John Ferguson       Hugh McKay

A  Holdness            James McLaren

Alex Kidd                James Millar

                                 John Tompson

4. How did these settlers get to Perth?

 There were two routes that one could take back in 1816 to reach modern-day Perth. One involved a walk to modern-day Delta, through Chantry to Portland, where settlers would take scows up the Rideau to where Beveridges locks are now, before continuing on up the Tay. The second route was a more direct route overland from Brockville.

1816-routes-brockville-perth-web

5. Kathy de Souza, Descendant of James Kilborn

 History of Leeds and Grenville

6.  Author Ron Shaw: "First We Were Soldiers"

Introduction to Ron Shaw

The following, from the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley website provides historical context for the Perth Military Settlement and the route the first settlers trekked from Brockville to Perth in 1816.

"The old Perth trail ran from Brockville, up what is now Schofield Hill, thence by Tincap and on to Unionville. Many of the exact details of the southern-most part of the road are left to speculation, as only small portions like that beside the Howard Cemetery survive. At Unionville the road forked, one branch (now the Highway #42) headed west to Athens, Delta, Phillipsville, Forfar, Crosby, Newboro and on to Perth. The other section (now Highway #29) branched off to the north-east, through Toledo, hence north to Rideau Ferry and north-west to Perth. In the beginning, these roads were faint Indian trails, blazes on trees to indicate the surveyors’ 40 foot road allowance, all set in land heavily treed.

The outcome of the American Revolution surprised Britain, the Colonies and Canada. The latter had no particular plans for settlement, content as it was to enjoy the profits of the fur-trade. Refugees began flooding in and policies had to be created and implemented. Most of the Empire Loyalists arrived with little else than the clothes on their back and whatever they could carry. Those who arrived in Lower Canada often found themselves in holding camps outside Montreal until the various mechanical problems of settlement could be solved by the government. Others came with wagons up through the State of New York and arrived directly in our area, in which case they would have crossed the St. Lawrence when the ice was thick enough to carry them.

In 1784, there were 182 settlers in Elizabethtown; by 1812, there were 2200. In folktale and myth, our heroes and heroines are handsome, dealing with the fates in a courageous way. In reality, trudging through the narrow paths carrying the few government issued tools, blankets and seed perhaps did not lead one towards beauty, and the fates had to be dealt with through hard work, faith and hope. A broad-axe is a very small tool when you stand looking up to a tree that is four feet in diameter and seems to touch the sky itself. It took between two weeks and a month to clear an acre.

If in today's world a country tried to settle its land in this manner, Amnesty International would probably indict it as cruel and inhumane and bring it to the attention of the media. However, to the Empire Loyalists and those British, Irish and Scottish settlers who were to follow, the ownership of land and the opportunities to offer their children and grandchildren a freedom such as they had not know was worth the effort."

Learn more from:

Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley

In his diaries Rev. William Bell mentions the Brockville-Perth road three times. The 1817 mention might be useful;

1817 - … a Mr. Kilborne took me with him to his house, 12 miles on the road to Perth. Next morning he furnished me with a horse to carry me forward on my journey. I still had 30 miles to travel, mostly through forest, but there was not much danger of losing the road, for there was only one way. After being bitten almost to death by myriads of mosquitoes, I reached Perth on the 24^th June 1817. In the latter part of this journey, I travelled more than twenty miles through woods, where no human habitation is to be seen, excepting three small huts. The road is nothing more than an avenue cut through an extensive forest, where the traveller has to pass over rocks, and wade through swamps, and to surmount all the inequalities of the ground in its natural condition. The day being hot, I was attacked by swarms of mosquitoes, which stung me so unmercifully that, in a short time, my hands and face were covered with hard swellings. My cranium was so covered with bumps that a phrenologist would have been at no loss to discover the bump of anything you please.

1833 - About two miles beyond the Rideau Ferry, as I was riding smartly over a log bridge, one of the logs; being rotten, gave way, when Jess’ legs being entangled she fell and threw me forward on the bridge with great violence.  Falling on my side, on the round edge of a log, my hip was much hurt.  Jess too had been stunned, for she lay some time before attempting to get up.  With some difficulty I mounted and got to the next house.

1835 - I left Brockville in the evening and travelled all night, in order to avoid the excessive heat.  But I found the journey dull and wearisome, the mosquitoes annoying, and several times I fell asleep on the saddle.

BELL, WILLIAM, Presbyterian minister; b. 20 May 1780 in Airdrie (Strathclyde), Scotland, eighth and last child of Andrew Bell and Margaret Shaw; m. 13 Oct. 1802 Mary Black in Leith, Scotland, and they had eight sons and one daughter; d. 16 Aug. 1857 in Perth, Upper Canada.

William Bell came from a background of agriculture and minor rural trades. His father was a severe, patriarchal Presbyterian and William, thirsting for freedom, ran away from home twice, the second time to London in June 1802. There he worked for a number of carpenters and cabinet-makers before becoming a building contractor in 1805.

Although he had spent only some random months in school, he was a voracious reader and had always longed to be a minister. In 1808, against the wishes of his wife and family, he sold his business and entered the Congregational Church’s Hoxton Academy in London to train for the ministry. He was licensed to preach by the Middlesex Congregational Court on 18 Feb. 1809, but, hoping to become a Presbyterian minister, he returned to Scotland in 1810. While teaching school at Rothesay to support his wife and children, he studied at the Associate Synod of Scotland’s seminary at Selkirk, and, from 1812, attended classes at the University of Glasgow as well. In May 1814 he moved his family to Airdrie and devoted himself full time to finishing his studies. On 28 March 1815 he was licensed to preach by the Associate Presbytery of Glasgow.

Unpopular as a preacher and of a prickly disposition, he was unable to find a congregation and was obliged to work as an itinerant relief preacher. After months of constant travelling he decided in 1816, despite his wife’s protests, to accept the Colonial Office’s proposal of a land grant and a £100 salary to serve as minister to the government-assisted Scottish settlers at Perth, Upper Canada. Bell was ordained by the Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh on 4 March 1817, and a month later sailed with his family for the Canadas.

They arrived at the end of June to find Perth in an uproar, the immigrant families, disbanded soldiers, and half-pay officers having come only the year before. Seeing all around him what he believed to be rampant moral decay and social anarchy, Bell turned his considerable energies to organizing a congregation, teaching school, conducting pastoral visits, and building a church (First Presbyterian). Over the next decade he saw the village stabilize and his congregation quadruple.

Further interesting reading:

http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/bell_william_1780_1857_8E.html

Dublin to Quebec on the Mary and Bell, 1817

© Marjorie P. Kohli, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1999-2007
Last updated: February 15, 2007 and maintained by Marj Kohli

From Narrative of a Voyage from Dublin to Quebec, In North America, by James Wilson, 1822, CIHM #63247

1817. I sailed on Thursday 15^th of May from Dublin, in the brig Mary and Bell, bound for Quebec, commanded by Captain Cunningham; felt my mind awfully impressed on leaving my native land; yet sensible that it is thy will, O God! Do willingly commend myself and family to thee both now and for ever.

17^th -This morning the following circumstance happened. The captain seeing a small cask or barrel floating on the waves, took boat in pursuit of it, and on examining found a human body contained therein.

I and my family are now sick, especially my companion: Lord help us to be resigned! We are in thy hands, O God! Chasten us, but not in thine anger, lest thou bring us to nothing.

18^th -This day the wind is fair; the vessel sails rapidly. We passed Tusker rock, situate within nine miles of Wexford town, on which is built a light house to be a guide for shipping by night; a family resides therein, paid by government for lighting the house. This evening I was requested to hold a religious meeting, which I consented to, having obtained leave from the captain of the vessel; a great number attended on the occasion, whilst I said a few words on the 3d chapter of 2d Peter. The people waited on God in a becoming manner; I trust not in vain.

19^th -The people are mostly all recovering from their sickness, consequently there is more order and regularity observed.

20^th -This day the wind is fair; the ship sails nearly five miles an hour. The rocking of the vessel has brought on sickness again to many of the passengers. My wife is quite unwell, and myself also; but thou art my portion, O Lord, my God!

21^st -This morning is quite calm: the sky clear. About twelve o'clock; the waves swelled prodigiously, the ship making five miles an hour and through its excessive motion extreme sickness prevails. O my God! Save me from a murmuring spirit, and help me to cast my care on thee

22^d -It is now eight days since I left Dublin bay, never more, I suppose, to return. I find it a serious thing to go to America; it is attended with much pain of mind, sorrow, sickness and affliction. How few consider this, till they find themselves on the wide extended ocean then 'tis too late to wish themselves back! I think those who enjoy the comforts of life in abundance in Ireland, have no right to leave a certainty for an uncertainty. At least without a satisfactory evidence of their removal being of God, but, alas! how few consult him on any occasion.

This evening several huge fish were see sporting on the waves; this it seems indicated an approaching storm, which lasted the whole of the night.

23^d - This day nothing particular occurred; many of the passengers continue sick: my wife and I are still unwell, and my children also; but my trust is in thee, O Lord, my God!

26^th -Being much afflicted with sickness these few days past, I have been unable to write, but thanks be to God, now feel better. I never witnessed such a scene before as the storm which we had on Friday night. About eleven o'clock, the captain being just gone to bed, it began; on which he immediately got on deck and ordered all the sails down, which being done, restrained the motion of the vessel; nothing could equal the awful change that took place-the vessel rolled from side to side, and overturned all the passengers' boxes, pans, kettles, and vessels of water, in such a manner as that no tongue can express, or mind conceive the state we were in-all, I may say, expected every moment to be swallowed in the great deep. My mind was seriously impressed on the occasion, but my whole soul was stayed on god. The captain had, by his own account, three dozen of plates broken, besides several bottles of porter. This storm continued partly till Sunday evening.

27^th -This day being very fine, the people are chiefly on deck, and thanks be to God recovering their health after the late tremendous storm.

28^th -This day has been the most favourable for sailing of any we have had since we left Ireland. It is supposed the vessel has sailed since four o'clock yesterday until twelve this day, one hundred and fifty miles. If this continues we shall soon arrive in Quebec.

31^st -Yesterday I felt so sick, with a violent pain in my head, that I was not able to leave my bed; but thanks be to God, to-day I find myself something better. Whilst on deck, I had a view of several huge fish, some of them, I think, were from eight to ten feet long, called sea hogs, they came within six yards of the vessel. How wonderful are thy works, O Lord!

June 2^d -On Saturday night we had another storm, which continued the whole of Sunday; and although it was not so violent as the one we had on the 26^th, yet I may safely say, the consequences were of a more serious nature. Through the violent agitation of the waves, the vessel heaved from side to side so vehemently as to produce the utmost confusion; the people could scarcely remain secure in their beds; their chests and other articles of use were all thrown into one common heap: in short, I never witnessed such disorder before. I felt my mind deeply impressed on the occasion, and firmly stayed on the God of my salvation. The vessel sailed near ten miles an hour part of this day, till the shifting of the wind caused a decline in sailing.

5^th -We are now three weeks this day at sea, and by this time, have a tolerable knowledge of what kind of provisions are most needful for a voyage to America:

And 1^st Oatmeal, and cutlings are much used, molasses also; potatoes are of the greatest value, nothing more so in my judgment. Salt, or hung beef, pork, bacon or hams, are all excellent in their use; veal when salted, and afterwards watered, then boiled with beef or bacon, will produce a soup very desirable. One family here, brought a quantity of fowl in pickle, which when watered, eat very delicious. Coffee is much preferable to tea, the water being so bad, as to render the tea rather insipid and tasteless: bottled ale is good for drink, but in my opinion, cyder when mixed through water, is a much better and cooler drink for the stomach than any other; a constant thirst being common to all on sea. As to spices, pepper, and ginger is mostly used. Flour is essentially necessary; cake bread or pan cakes being very applicable to weak constitutions. Eggs are much used, and when well grazed, or put in salt pickle for six hours, and well packed, will keep fresh a considerable time, this I found by experience. Good port wine is very reviving on sea, when used moderately; but spirits is not so very necessary here. I conceive pickled cabbage to be very useful, such kind of diet only answering whilst sickness prevails; I therefore recommend it. Biscuit is much used by seamen, and the only way for passengers to take it is, to pour boiling water on it, and when steeped a few minutes toast it before the fire, then butter it, and it will eat as pleasant as loaf bread, but not otherwise: oat bread well baked in an oven, will answer well with either tea or coffee; cheese will be very needful; split peas for soup; and lastly, vinegar, butter, and potted herrings.

To preserve new milk for a voyage, take a large or small jar or jars, and clean them remarkably well, and when done, put the milk therein, and after securing it well by corking it close, put the jar or jars into a large pot of water, and boil them over a good fire, and when done, pack them in a hamper, or some other place, and it will keep sweet the whole of the passage. This has been tried by a man of truth and credit, who went last season to Philadelphia, and used the milk there after his arrival, it retaining its natural sweetness. There is a diet much used here, vulgarly called "beggars dish," composed of peeled potatoes and either beef or bacon cut in thin slices, and mixed through them, affords a pleasant meal, the soup is much esteemed, being seasoned with pepper. Delft ware will not in any wise answer in common use, I would therefore recommend tin poringers, or small wooden noggins and trenchers, these will be found best at sea, as the constant motion of the vessel will have a tendency to break any other: a tin kettle in the form of a D will be found very useful in boiling meat or any other food, as it can hang on the bars of the grate at any time, this will be highly accommodating, especially where so many families are boiling their food at one time. The kind of apparel I would recommend to male passengers would be, short jackets or waistcoats with sleeves, a dark handkerchief for the neck, and coarse trowsers:-for women, a long bed gown, or wrappers with dark shawls or handkerchiefs, as cleanliness cannot be observed with any degree of precision. It is necessary to provide strong chests or boxes for a voyage, well secured with good locks and hinges; or otherwise it is impossible to preserve property: I am sorry to have it say, in this vessel there has been much plunder committed, for want of being duly prepared against it....

9^th -This day is fine, and affords much pleasure to the passengers who are chiefly on deck, except a few who are weak and sickly. My dear wife being one of these, is a good deal confined to her bed. She is this day better, thanks be to God. Our vessel is sailing well to day, with a fair wind. We hope ere long to be favoured with a sight of Newfoundland banks, if this was once effected, we then, it seems, would be liable to no danger arising from storm.

Yesterday we were cut short of our allowance of water, from three quarts per day to each passenger, to five pints, (government allowance) and from the badness of it, together with the small quantity given, serves to increase the distress of mind which arises daily; and never did the children of God pant, and long more eagerly for the water of life, than the people do here for the clear spring water: but when will they long for the fountain of living waters? I fear some never; I hope others in due time.

11^th -Yesterday being quite unwell with a violent pain in my head, I was chiefly confined to my bed, but this day feel much better. Glory be to God. Our vessel is gaining but little these few days by means of foul winds, and a constant swell in the sea. Both render our passage tedious and disagreeable. Our captain says he never remembers such severe weather this season of the year before: "but the end of all things is at hand." May I be sober, and watch unto prayer.

This evening presents an awful appearance, a dark sky; the waves roll mountains high; and from the frequent dashing of the water over the deck into the hold, unite to make our condition truly distressing; the people themselves, and their beds being frequently wet thereby.

12^th -This day we are four weeks on the perilous deep, divinely preserved amidst the storms and tempests that constantly prevail; ...

13^th -Another day has commenced, thank God. A thick fog covers the sea; this is to be expected, it seems, in drawing near Newfoundland.

15^th -I feel a degree of thankfulness to the Lord for his sparing mercy, in being brought to see another Lord's day....I often think of my kind religious friends of the town and neighbourhood of Ballycanew, (Co. Wexford), many of whom lie very near my heart; their loving kindness to me,...

16^th -This morning we have a calm sea, the day being very fine, the passengers are chiefly on deck, there are a few who remain sick. One young woman, I fear, will not recover. I visit her frequently, speak to her respecting her soul; and pray also with her, I hope not in vain.

This day a slender pine tree, about 18 feet long, was seen floating on the waves; the captain took a boat and brought it on board; I never saw such a curiosity before. On this tree grew small shells, so thick as to cover every part of it, their form not unlike the head of a young bird, with a yellow edge, in these shells the bird called the Barnacle commences its existence; it is nourished from a long tube connected with the shell, and very like a large worm; I was quite astonished at its singular appearance. I suppose it had been driven to and fro these several years.

17^th -We have this day much in our favour; a lively fair wind, the ship sailing near 8 miles an hour since eight o'clock last night. We expect every day a sight of Newfoundland, and were it not for the severe weather past, would ere now obtain our desire, I humbly hope the time may not be long till we arrive safe on shore.

18^th -The ship sails very slow this day, the wind being contrary. There is much patience and resignation wanting here, it being a place of severe trials, crosses and losses. The utmost care is wanting to preserve property, from being taken privately.

19^th -This morning we had a view of a large mountain of ice, a considerable distance off, which caused the captain to ascend to the top mast of the vessel, to get a better view of it, when suddenly he perceived a huge body of ice right a head, about a gun shot from the ship, which caused him to hasten down and alter the course of sailing, or otherwise the consequence would have been truly awful, as the force of the vessel coming against the ice would have rent it in pieces.

20^th -I visited Phoebe Dagg, (the young woman already spoken of) about twelve o'clock this morning, but found her speechless, prayed with her for the last time, and commended her soul to the Lord; she died about two hours after. She was allowed to remain in her bed till night, when about nine o'clock she was put into a sheet of canvas and brought upon deck. I was sent for by the captain to have prayer on the occasion. It was a serious time! After prayer she was let down into the sea, there to remain till the morning of the resurrection, when the sea shall give up her dead, and body and soul be united again to receive its final sentence, and I hope to inherit a crown of glory. The distress and anguish of her sisters on the occasion were truly lamentable.

This young woman was from Ahowle in the Co. Wicklow, about 23 years of age, and whilst in health, was agreeable, friendly, and truly pleasing in her manner.

21^st -We have at length arrived at the banks this morning; the captain sounded for bottom, and found it 54 fathoms. A thick fog covers every part of this region, with a heavy mist of rain. The vessel sailed from four o'clock yesterday evening till twelve to day, about 7 miles an hour and now sails slowly this evening, through means of a dead calm, yet we humbly hope very soon to land at Quebec.

22^d -This blessed Sabbath is spent by many of the passengers in fishing, fish being very numerous in this part of the sea...

23^d -This morning several vessels are in view, all employed in fishing, this part of the deep supplying chiefly every part of the world with fish, and is resorted to at this season by fishermen of almost all nations who trade in this line of life. A thick fog covers the whole sea in this place, and is, I think, unwholesome in the highest degree. I expect a few days will bring us to the gulf of the great river St. Lawrence-this will be truly pleasing to our longing minds.

26^th -We are now past the banks, and have a sight of the island of Newfoundland, this gives general satisfaction as we pass along, it being six weeks this day since we left our native land. Our ship hardly moves, there being no wind whatever, the sun intensely warm, the sea quite smooth, all render this a delightful day; the chief of the people are on deck-their beds and bed-clothes airing. This is very necessary, it being impossible to conceive how fast the infection of filth and dirt prevails in this wretched place.

27^th -The weather is at present very fine-the high winds and constant storms are entirely gone; a dead calm succeeds, which makes our voyage tedious; yet blessed be God, it is preferable to the dreadful hurricanes we have passed through.

28^th -This day has changed much in our favour; whereas yesterday and a few days before were quite calm, we have now a fierce sharp gale-our vessel sails eight miles an hour. We passed three islands, St. Peter's, Langley, and Magalawn islands; on the mountains of these are several huge ridges of snow which, no doubt, is the chief cause of the severe cold which we experience.

29^th -Thanks and praise be to the God of all mercy who hath graciously spared me to see another Lord's day, which I trust will be the last I shall spend here, this being the seventh on my voyage to America. There is a clear view on the right of a very extensive chain of mountains, composing some hundreds of miles, and so thickly covered with snow as to form a grand appearance; at the S.E. end of which lies Cape Ray. It is expected by to-morrow morning we shall get fully into the gulf, wind and weather permitting; this done, we have not long to spend here till we arrive at Quebec.

30^th -This morning presented a beautiful clear sky, the sun extremely hot, with a calm smooth sea, until about three o'clock, when a lively gale of wind sprung up, causing the vessel to run seven miles an hour, which brought us to St. Paul's island supposed to be seven miles round, between Cape Ray and Cape Breton, off Nova Scotia, but much nearer the latter. Cape Breton forms a very fine appearance, being to the left on our course. This timely wind has been kindly given by the hand of God: for had the calm continued, it would be nearly impossible for us to urge our way through the heavy tides that are here, being now fully in the gulf of the river, leading to Quebec; here several large rivers empty themselves, and are of such force as to be able to drive back any vessel from its course, unless the wind is fair and strong, which, thanks be to God, it is this evening.

July 1^st -This morning we had heavy rain, attended with a thick fog, preventing a sight of land on either side; the ship sailed near eight miles an hour all night and continues to do so still; we passed a few large islands called the Bird isles, lying northward of our course, and fifty miles from St. Paul's; a few days more with such a constant wind will bring us to our desired haven.

3^d -We are this day seven weeks on the great deep, urging our way often against fierce contrary winds and heavy tempests, and as frequently detained by a settled calm; this has been our case since we left America; yet blessed be the Lord, he has brought us to the river Saint Lawrence, at the entrance of which may be seen a large wood, or forest, abounding with stately trees, which afford great pleasure as we sail along. This morning and yesterday we made no way, by reason of a dead calm, but at two o'clock a brisk wind arose, and we now proceed at the rate of eight miles an hour; we therefore expect, being now far up the river, that our danger is over, and hope the rest of our passage will be pleasant and agreeable.

4^th -This morning (as is usual in drawing near Quebec), about six o'clock, a pilot came on board to steer us safely up the river; it appears no vessel dare approach the city without one. This had a tendency to appease the minds of the people at large, being now convinced that we are near our landing place. The stately mountains ascending over each other, are truly grand along the sea shore on the left, and it seems continue all the way to Quebec. The people now seem to forget all the misery, sickness, and sensible trials they have passed through, as all enjoy health, and are looking forward with eager desire to a speedy deliverance, and are thereby comforted, expecting to reap the benefit of an exertion truly great and awful, in leaving one kingdom for another.

5^th -The vessel now being conducted by the pilot, I think it my duty to make some observations on our captain, and am of opinion, that no man could possibly take more pains to secure the comfort, health, and protection of the passengers at large than he did; night and day he left nothing undone to hasten us on our way; and when almost all the people were sea sick, he failed not to visit them daily in their respective births, to enquire after their health, and to administer such medicine or food (whether meat or drink), as he judged might recover them speedily: his attention to the deceased young woman who left this stage of time, deserves to be noticed. He attended her faithfully, and freely gave her of his wine, fowl, or any thing else he had, and evinced much trouble respecting her; and confident I am, that his knowledge and skill in conducting and bringing passengers to America cannot be exceeded, or perhaps equalled.[sic] And I am further of opinion if captain Cunningham is disposed to bring passengers next season to Quebec, it would be wise and safe in all my countrymen who can to embark with him in preference to any other; and I would not make such an assertion, were it not that I feel convinced of his ability, care and attention to all who commit themselves to his protection.

6^th -This sabbath day I expected to spend in Quebec amongst the people of God; but the Lord has so ordered it that we are still on sea, and have a clear view of Labrador on the right hand, and a truly delightful prospect it affords. The land is low near the sea, and spots of it cleared, which look exceeding well; the trees are very large, and growing along the beach. I saw this day two or three huge whales in this wide and very deep river; also another curious fish called the seal; and had a view of another large fish called the thresher: this fish has two great fins, or arms, with sharp points, with which, the united help of the sword fish, and effectually kills the whale. The thresher, by constantly striking its back and sides, and the sword fish by keeping under its belly and piercing it in the tenderest parts until they actually destroy it. I saw the thresher close to the whale, as if in the very act of using every exertion to kill it. How astonishing is this!

8^th -This morning I was confined to my bed with a violent head-ach, but finding myself better, arose and went on deck, and had a new view of Bird island, a very beautiful place, also Green island; both lying on the left hand as we pass to Quebec. The river here grows quite narrow, and affords a pleasing view on each side. On the right nothing appears but high mountains without any inhabitants; but on the left the land is cleared in spots, and inhabited chiefly by French and Indians. We passed a small oval island, also Wet island and Hare island, all on the right in the river; from Hare island to Quebec is 105 miles. We have this day a fair wind and good sailing. This evening we passed several small islands in the river, on the left called the Pelerins, and expect to be at our journey's end by to-morrow, God being our helper.

9^th -This morning I arose between four and five, went on deck, and felt truly thankful to the Lord for his wonderful care over us in the past night, which ought never to be forgotten by any on board this vessel. A tremendous storm took place in the evening late, continued all night, and it being extremely dark, together with the judgment that was required in steering aright, all conspired to make our state quite dangerous; the captain had to sound the depth of the water for the space of two hours constantly, and give a report of it every five minutes; the vessel sailed over part of the river not exceeding twenty-four feet of water, but through the great skill of our pilot we were safely brought clear of the rocks which were on every side. We passed by several large vessels which lay at anchor, being fearful to get under sail till morning, the masters of whom advised us not to proceed; but depending, under God, on the experience of the pilot, we proceeded safely, all praise be to God for this and all other mercies. Having contemplated with astonishment our great deliverance, I cast my eyes around to view the country as I passed along, and never did I behold such a delightful view as I had on both sides. Here are lands improved with such exquisite taste and lain out to such great advantage, as to exceed every idea that can be formed of it by any mind not favoured with seeing it. Here are beautiful large and small houses so neatly built as to afford the greatest satisfaction to the beholder, several churches and chapels are along the sea shore; windmills, tan-yards and large buildings, are also to be seen. The houses are very near each other, and the land laid down in square lots, about two acres wide, and extend very far backward, where the people have their wood-land for firing. There are none of these houses mean in appearance; they are all executed in the neatest manner, and painted outside, some white, some yellow, and others slate colour. In short I never beheld such an improved country, nay, not in any part of Ireland that I have seen, and what causes such deserved praise to this land of liberty is, that all the improvements done are the effect of much labour and constant industry.

We arrived safe, glory be to God! About eleven o'clock this morning at Quebec, and so concluded our voyage of eight weeks. Our ship cast anchor opposite the great battery, where we have a view of the troops doing duty, and also of the shipping lying in the harbour.

We now felt the strongest desire to go on shore, and having applied to the captain, a few of us were allowed that liberty, but requested to return in a few hours, the ship not yet being examined as to the state of passengers' health, &c. We got into the boat, and in a few minutes arrived on shore, when the joy that each of us felt was inexpressible. We could scarcely walk, the earth appearing to bend under us. My first object was to find out the stationed preacher of the city; and after some enquiry was shewed the house he lodged in, belonging to Messrs. Shea and Walker, partners in the boot and shoemaking trade. This family received me very kindly, and brought me to Mr. Hicks' room, to whom I was introduced as a friend and local preacher from Ireland...

(After a few days in Quebec the party made their way to Montreal.)

The steam boat sailed at eleven o'clock at night, having near five hundred souls on board, consisting of the 37^th regiment of foot, and part of another also, which, with their wives, children and luggage, produced such a scene of confusion and distress as to exceed any thing I ever before witnessed. I thought the misery I passed through on sea could not be exceeded, but when I compared it with my voyage from Quebec to Montreal, I felt my comforts of body and mind were then much greater, as I was now surrounded with the most unruly cursing, swearing mortals I ever beheld.

The expense of this voyage was only 9s. each, and 4s. 6d. for every child under fourteen years of age. The reason of this charge being so moderate was occasioned by government contracting with the proprietors of the steam boat, and thereby allowing every settler to proceed to Montreal for half price.

We arrived in Montreal the second day about eleven o'clock, being much fatigued for want of rest, having slept but little for two nights. On leaving the vessel, our boxes, chests, and beds were all measured, and a charge laid on, only a small allowance made to each passenger. The expense of this journey amounted to £3 5s. which sum I could not have paid, but for the kindness of my friends in Quebec. Lord remember them for good!

Here my first object was to look out for a temporary lodging, but on enquiry I found that the king's barracks were open for the settlers to remain awhile; this was very timely, as it saved some expense, lodging being very high in this place. I hired a waggon and brought my family and luggage into the barrack, as did also the rest of the families who came over with me. We remained here about a week, during which time my wife employed herself in cleaning the wearing apparel, bed-clothes, &c. after the severe distress and filth contracted on sea....

(After a few days in Montreal the party continued.)

...I prepared to proceed on my way, and from enquiry found I should hire a waggon to bring my family about eight miles;...(and proceeded to ) a small town called Lacheen, to which place I proceeded, paying eight shillings for carriage the above distance of eight miles...A large boat being about to sail, I got my family and luggage into it, and so proceeded on for Prescott, a distance of nearly one hundred and eighty miles...After sailing a few days, we arrived at a part of the river called the Cascades, called by some the Rapids, and by others the Split Rock. In this place the water swells and rises to such a degree that every boat or vessel coming up against these Rapids are obliged to be unloaded, and the property sent by land carriage to a place called the Cedars. And here my increasing sorrow, I may say, commenced: for being obliged to lighten the boat I and my family were in, amongst the ?? Of the property delivered up by the proprietor of the boat to carriers waiting on shore for that purpose, my valuable library of books, packed up in a large box, with another larger one of clothes, &c. were given in charge to the waggoner, to be brought forward to the Cedars; it being rather late in the day, this carrier left my two boxes, with two puncheons of rum, in the yard of a tavern, about half a mile from the place where he took them in charge, and as I supposed them safe, remained with my family; in the mean time, my box of books was stolen in the night: and thus, after bringing them safe across the sea, and flattering myself that I should have much comfort in reading them from time to time, in one night I lost my valuable library, which I had for years been collecting. I pray God, that they may fall into some hands that may know their value, and derive divine knowledge therefrom.

After a tedious passage, and I may truly say a most disagreeable one, I and my family arrived safe in Prescott, and felt much satisfied in mind that I had no longer to deal with the wicked crew belonging to the boat, and having my luggage on shore, we got our beds, &c. in the most comfortable place we could find near the river side, and slept secure till morning.

Being uneasy to get forward in my tedious journey, I agreed with a waggoner to bring my family and luggage to Brockville, a distance of twelve miles, for which I gave him 12s. 6d....

Kathy de Souza is a descendant of the Kilbourne family and has provided this story of the life and achievements of Colonel John Kilbourne.  A very interesting read and we thank Kathy for sharing this story.

Col. John Kilborn Settlers Trek booklet

Excerpt From

 Influence and Ambition

First Persons of Perth

Copyright Ron W. Shaw (Scheduled for release November 2015)

Perth and its surrounding townships are the spawn of war; a world war fought on battlefields in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, the West Indies, South America, North America and on every ocean except the Arctic. That war was comprised of two barely distinguishable conflicts: the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), of which the North American War of 1812-1814 was a small part. Those 23 years of bloodletting killed nearly six million soldiers and civilians and ruined the lives of millions more.

The economic collapse which followed Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo delivered a crushing burden of unemployment, poverty and starvation upon much of Europe, not least to Britain whose streets were awash in tens of thousands of dismissed factory workers, augmented by as many unemployed farm laborers flooding its cities in search of sustenance. The governing classes trembled at the thought of these numbers swelling further with the discharge of more than 100,000 unemployable soldiers and sailors. Social upheaval and even revolution loomed. Simultaneously, the Secretary for War and the Colonies pondered how, with the exchequer unable to fund adequate military garrisons, the Crown could defend the Canadas which had, so recently, come dangerously close to being lost to invading American armies.

The solution, or at least a part of the solution arrived at, was the establishment of ‘Military Settlements’. Military personnel already in the Canadas, and those from other theatres, would be offered free ‘waste land’ upon which to create their own farms and communities. While avoiding the social and political risks inherent in discharging thousands of soldiers and sailors in the home islands, the new Canadian settlements, initially funded from the ‘Army chest’, would populate the colonial wilds with loyal, trained and self-supporting men to fill the ranks of a militia capable of helping to defend the colony and themselves.

The Upper Canada ‘Rideau Settlement’, soon renamed the ‘Perth Military Settlement’, was the largest of these schemes but it was not the first. That title is held by Drummondville, Quebec, in the St. Francis River valley, where the army settled a few hundred discharged soldiers in 1815. Perth, Ontario, on the Tay River, dates from 1816 and was followed in 1817 by Military Settlements in the St. John River Valley, New Brunswick (between Bristol and Grand Falls in Carleton and Victoria Counties) and then by Richmond, Ontario, on the Jock River, in 1818.

For six years, from 1816 through 1821, the Perth Military Settlement was financed, governed and administered by the British Army’s Quartermaster General’s Department headquartered at Quebec City. On the ground, authority lay in the hands of Superintendent Colonel Alexander Macdonnell 1816-1817, Acting Superintendent Ensign Daniel Daverne 1817-1819 and Superintendent Major James Hamilton Powell 1819-1821.

Although the Perth Military Settlement was an Army initiative, the first to avail themselves of this plan were civilians; about 270 men, women and children from Scotland and Ireland who had responded to the Edinburgh Proclamation of 1815 offering free land in the Canadas. The first of these received Location Tickets at Perth on April 17, 1816. The following day, the first ‘Soldier-Settlers’ received Location Tickets. Civilian settlers were provided 100 acres for each family while Soldier-Settlers received land according to their rank at discharge: Privates 100 acres, Sergeants 200 acres, Sergeant Majors and Quarter Master Sergeants 300 acres, Subalterns (Ensigns and Lieutenants) 500 acres, Captains 800 acres, Majors 1,000 acres and Lieutenant Colonels 1,200 acres.

Soldiers granted Location Tickets at the Perth settlement came from 52 of the 104 numbered Infantry Regiments, plus 14 other unnumbered Infantry Regiments: De Watteville’s, De Meuron’s, Glengarry Light Infantry, Canadian Fencibles, the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, Nova Scotia Fencibles, York Chasseurs (a penal regiment) and seven Royal Veterans (Garrison) Battalions. The cavalry were represented by troopers from another 11 Regiments of Dragoons. Soldier-settlers at Perth had also served in the Royal Artillery, the Corps of Sappers and Miners, the Ordnance Corps, the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. Finally, there were a handful of men who had served in Canadian Militia regiments.

Settlers, soldiers and civilians alike, were supplied with cooking utensils, clothing, bedding, and candles. As well, to ensure they became self-sufficient as quickly as possible, they were given seed to plant beans, wheat, oats, grass, corn and potatoes along with tools to cultivate and harvest their crops. Other tools and supplies were provided for clearing the land and building homes: axes, saws, nails, window glass, door latches, hinges, etc.

Each settler and his family was also furnished food rations for one year, initially at the same rate as a soldier on active service, i.e. a full ration for the husband, one-half for a wife and one-third ration for each child. This allowance was shortly amended to provide wives and male children over 17 years of age with full rations and all other children a one-third ration, and increased again to an ‘extended ration’ granting all children over the age of 10 years a full ration.

In order to secure a Title Deed (Patent) to their land grant, each settler was required to complete specific ‘Settlement Duties’. These included cutting a road allowance to the width of one chain (66 feet) along the concession line in front of the lot, clearing and fencing five acres of land, erecting a house, and paying a small registration fee. Between 1816 and 1819, about 1,230 discharged soldiers were issued settlement tickets at the Perth Military Settlement but more than half (53%) abandoned their land before their settlement duties had been accomplished. By comparison, in the same period about 770 civilian settlers drew Location Tickets but only about 30% of those failed to receive their patent. By 1822, when governance of the settlement was transferred from military to civilian hands, the population of the Perth Settlement numbered about 3,400.

Excerpt From

First We Were Soldiers

The Long March To Perth

Ron W. Shaw

Friesen Press (2015) ISBN 978-1-4602-5972-6

http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000017577652/Ron-W.-Shaw-First-We-Were-Soldiers

It is a commonly held misconception that the soldier-settlers who undertook to hack a home from the forests of Bathurst, Beckwith, Drummond, and Elmsley Townships were exclusively War of 1812 veterans; they were not.

The fighting force of the British Army of the Napoleonic period was composed of 104 regular infantry regiments augmented by eight foreign (mercenary) infantry regiments and four Fencible infantry regiments (on active service in the Canadas), 33 regiments of cavalry and dragoons, 12 artillery regiments and 12 troops of horse artillery, plus 6 battalions of infantry and 5 regiments of cavalry and dragoons of the Kings German Legion. Only 7 (under-strength) regular British Infantry Regiments bore the brunt of the fighting from 1812 through 1814: the 1^st, 8^th, 41^st, 49^th, 100^th, 103^rd and 104^th with some lesser involvement of the 4^th and 10^th Royal Veteran Battalions. Small units from the Royal Artillery also served during 1812-1814 in the Canadian theater of the war as did a few men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. In addition, 4 regiments raised in Canada saw extensive action: the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, Glengarry Light Infantry, Voltigeurs Canadiens and the Canadian Fencibles. The 19^th Light Dragoons and the De Watteville Regiment arrived in 1813, followed by the 6^th and 82^nd in 1814; these saw some action in Upper Canada. Nine other regiments also arrived in 1814, but only served in the brief and failed attack on Plattsburg, New York.

Soldiers granted settlement tickets at the Perth Military Settlement came from 52 of the 104 numbered Infantry Regiments, plus 14 other unnumbered Infantry Regiments: De Watteville’s, De Meuron’s, Glengarry Light Infantry, Canadian Fencibles, the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, Nova Scotia Fencibles, York Chasseurs (a penal regiment) and 7 different Royal Veterans (Garrison) Battalions. The cavalry were represented by troopers from another 11 different Regiments of Dragoons. Soldier-settlers at Perth had also served in the Royal Artillery, the Corps of Sappers and Miners, the Ordnance Corps, the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. Finally, there were a handful of men who had served in Canadian Militia regiments.

According to Reverend William Bell, an early Perth clergyman, when he reached the settlement in June 1817, a year after the first arrivals, the population numbered 1,888. There were 708 soldier-settlers, 111 of them (16%) were married and the fathers of 366 children, as well as 237 civilian settlers, 179 of them (76%) were married and the fathers of 287 children.

Between 1816 and 1819, about 1,230 discharged soldiers were issued settlement tickets at the Perth Military Settlement but more than half (about 53%) abandoned their land before the ‘settlement duties’ had been accomplished. By comparison only about 30% of civilian settlers arriving in the same period failed to secure their patent.

 A closer examination of the records shows a marked difference in the ‘success’ rate of married soldiers over single soldiers. Over 78% of soldiers arriving at the settlement with wives completed their settlement duties and received their deeds while less than 32% of the bachelor soldiers issued a settlement ticket received deeds.

 In December 1814 royal assent was granted to a plan proposed by Henry, Lord Bathurst, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, to grant “waste lands” in the Canadas to discharged soldiers. In February 1815 Lord Bathurst’s plan was extended to include civilians, offering “liberal encouragement by His Majesty’s government to settlers inclined to proceed from Great Britain and Ireland, and provision by vessels, etc., for their passage to Quebec with their families”.

In July and August 1815 four ships, the Atlas, Dorothy, Eliza and Baltic Merchant, sailed from Greenock, Scotland, carrying the first 753 civilian emigrants. After a six week passage the immigrants arrived at Quebec City in September, only to find that preparations to receive them were incomplete and that it was too late in the season for them to reach their assigned areas in Lower Canada and in Upper Canada at Glengarry, along the Rideau River, and around the Bay of Quinte. They spent the winter of 1815-1816 dispersed in small groups at Quebec, Montreal, Cornwall and Brockville. About 40 families, who wintered at Brockville, were destined for the Perth Settlement and, although they petitioned for land on the Bay of Quinte instead, Sir Francis Gore, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, denied their request and ordered them to Perth in the spring.

As the immigrant ships from Scotland were plodding their way across the north Atlantic, on July 17, 1815, Major General Frederick Philipse Robinson, Commander of Forces in Upper Canada, issued General Orders setting out regulations for implementation of the Bathurst plan of December 1814 granting land to discharged soldiers and appointed Colonel Alexander McDonnell Superintendent of the Perth Military Settlement.

On March 12, 1816 Superintendent McDonnell met at Brockville with Surveyor Reuben Sherwood, Settlement Clerk Ensign Daniel Daverne, and Perth’s first doctor Staff Surgeon Alexander Thom and drew the first sketch plan of the Perth Military Settlement. Four days later Surveyor Sherwood, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cockburn, Captain Allen Otty, Superintendent McDonnell and Clerk Daverne set out from Brockville for the settlement site where the survey of Township #1 (Bathurst, now part of Tay Valley Township) and Township #2 (Drummond, now part of Drummond/North Elmsley Township) was underway. Elmsley Township had already been surveyed in 1804. On March 22^nd Sherwood fixed the location for the Village of Perth on Pike Creek (soon renamed the Tay River) in the southwest corner of Township #2 (Drummond).

That same day, the first Location Ticket for land at the Perth Military Settlement was issued to British Army Staff Surgeon Alexander Thom for Bathurst Township C-2/L-17 (as well as for properties in Drummond and Elmsley Townships).

By March 24^th access to the site was sufficiently opened to permit the delivery of 20 sleigh-loads of government supplied provisions to a newly constructed storehouse. On March 28^th, the first settlers arrived “with their knapsacks and axes” and on April 17^th Location Tickets were granted to the 40 families who had over-wintered at Brockville. The following day 11 more ‘Soldier-Settlers’ received Location Tickets: men from the 37^th, 41^st, 58^th and 89^th Regiments of Foot, the De Watteville Regiment and the Glengarry Light Infantry.

The first civilian Location Ticket in Bathurst Township, for C-1/L-18(E), was issued to Alexander Kidd of Edinburgh, Scotland, who had arrived on the Baltic Merchant. The first civilian ticket in Elmsley Township, for C-10/L-29(E), went to Alexander Simpson of Longbridge (Birmingham), England, who had arrived on the Atlas. Twenty four other Location Tickets for land in Drummond and Bathurst Townships issued the same date also went to immigrant families who had arrived at Quebec City in September 1815. The remaining civilian tickets issued April 17^th were for land in older townships south of the Rideau.

The second military Location Ticket (following Staff Surgeon Alexander Thom) was issued the following day, April 18^th, to Private Samuel Swan of the 89^th Regiment of Foot for the 100 acre lot at Bathurst Township C-2/L-19(E). The same date George and James Vrooman, both Privates in the Glengarry Light Infantry (and presumably brothers or father and son) were issued Location Tickets for adjoining lots at Drummond C-3/L-1(E) and C-3/L-1(W). The other eight tickets allocated to former soldiers that day were all for lots in Bathurst Township Concession-3, excepting one in Concession-5.

Civilian heads of family were each granted 100 acres of land while Soldier-Settlers received grants on a scale according to rank; Privates 100 acres, Sergeants 200 acres, Sergeant Majors and Quarter Master Sergeants 300 acres, Subalterns 500 acres, Captains 800 acres, Majors 1,000 acres and Lieutenant Colonels 1,200 acres. All settlers also received food rations for one year, cooking utensils, clothing, bedding, and candles. To ensure that they became self-sufficient as quickly as possible, they also were given seed to plant beans, wheat, oats, grass, corn and potatoes along with tools to cultivate and harvest their crops. Other tools and supplies were provided for clearing the land and building homes: axes, saws, nails, window glass, door latches, hinges, etc.

According to Reverend William Bell, and early Perth clergyman, when he reached the settlement in June 1817, a year after the first arrivals, the population numbered 1,888. There were 708 soldier-settler families and 237 civilian families.

Ron W. Shaw

From Brockville the first arrivals at the Perth Military Settlement followed three different routes, evolving from one to another over the course of 1816-1817.

• In March 1816 the exploratory party (Cockburn, Sherwood, Otty and Daverne) came up the existing road as far as Stone Mills (Delta), on through the bush to what is now the village of Portland, down the frozen Rideau Lake to what is now Rideau Ferry, then through the bush to Otty Lake, down Jebb’s Creek to the Tay, and up the Tay to the present location of Perth.

• By April 1816 the first settlers (the civilians who had wintered at Brockville and the first soldier-settlers, largely men of the Glengarry Light Infantry) came up the existing road as to Stone Mills (Delta), on through the bush to what is now the village of Portland, then by scow down Rideau Lake & River and up the Tay as far as Pikes Falls (Port Elmsley), around the falls by ox sled, and then either (a) by scow up the Tay or (b) by ox sled along the trail cut from Perth to Montague C-3/L-30 (near present day Smiths Falls).

• By the fall and winter of 1816-1817 settlers travelled from Brockville to Stone Mills (Delta), then along a new trail cut to the Rideau River at Oliver’s Ferry (Rideau Ferry) and on north to Perth … the route that would be used almost exclusively until the Rideau Canal opened in 1832.

The above conclusions are based on the following information. Square brackets are mine.

Pioneer Sketches in the District of Bathurst

Andrew Haydon (1925)

Page-39/40

Quoting Superintendent Alexander McDonnell (March 1816) – “We found Pike Creek [Tay River], in the rear of Elmsley and Burgess, to be a fine river, winding through the townships No.1 [Bathurst] and No.2 [Drummond], with excellent land on both its banks. We all proceeded down the Rideau Lake ten miles to the Carrying Place [Rideau Ferry], left our sleighs, crossed the neck of land, then the inner lake, which Col. [Francis] Cockburn named Otty Lake, to where it commenced to run in a stream [Jebb Creek] which finally enters into Pike Creek [Tay River]. Here it was concluded that the settlement should commence on the east bank of that creek, in Township No.2 [Drummond]. Captain [Reuben] Sherwood stating that he would open a road before the sleighs arrived, being but four miles to cut, including the portage between the lake and the shore from a bend in the small creek running from Otty Lake called by Colonel Cockburn, Jebb Creek, and from that spot, Messrs. Sherwood and [Daniel] Daverne stated that a road may easily be opened in twenty days to lot number 30 in the 3^rd concession of Montague [Matheson/Smiths Falls] …. I have contracted for a storehouse of 60 feet by 20, to be completed in three weeks, for £70 currency”

Page-40

The sleighs, with the stores and supplies, together with settlers and discharged soldiers, forthwith began to leave Brockville, with the aid of Lieutenant McKeever, and all were expected to assist the Government party now opening the road to the east bank of Pike Creek, in township No.2 [Drummond], and from thence down to the third concession of Montague [Smiths Falls].

On March 25^th Reuben Sherwood finally reported to Colonel Cockburn … “I have been to the mouth of the Pike River, and sleighs at this moment might come up it over the rapids. I, therefore, conclude that boats may be brought up in the summer ….”

Page 41

During the spring and summer of 1816 transportation routes from the St. Lawrence inland was over the course so recently travelled by McDonnel and Colonel Cockburn. The road led north-westwards from Brockville, some twenty-six miles, to the ‘Stone Mills’, then owned by a man named Jones, and situated near the easterly [westerly] end of Upper Beverley lake, in the township of Bastard, and then north to the Rideau Lake, some twelve miles more, and near to the site of the present village of Portland. From this place an old settler by the name of Lindsay assisted in the transport down the lake ten miles or so, and on to the newly established depot on the Pike River [Port Elmsley].

Page-42

Description by David Kilburn UEL … I was also employed by the Commissariat Department in the settlement of the emigrants who first settled in Perth and vicinity in 1816. I forwarded all the families by wagons to the Bay (now the village of Portland) and had to cut a road the last three miles to reach the lake. Thence in a large scow, they were taken down the Rideau lake below Oliver’s Ferry, to a deep bay above the mouth of the River Tay; then down on ox-sleds through the woods about a mile and a half to the Tay above (now) Pike Falls; then in another scow up the River Tay to the Depot – the present town of Perth. The following autumn [1816] a road was cut by Peter Howard, MP, from the present site of Toledo to Oliver’s Ferry and Perth, nearly on the line now travelled. The first season [1816] getting the settlers, their baggage, seed, etc. transported from Brockville to the settlement, cost the Government $3.25 per hundred; the next two winters [1816/1817 & 1817/1818] the direct road being open, it was done for from one half to three-quarters of a dollar per hundred.

 A Pioneer History of the County of Lanark

Jean S. McGill (1968)

Page-15/16

On 16^th March Colonel Cockburn and Captain Otty, of the Navy, arrived at Brockville, and, together with Sherwood and Daverne, McDonnel set out for the Rideau Lake area. The travelled down the lake to the ‘Carrying Place’ (Oliver’s Ferry) where they left their sleighs, and crossed the neck of land to a smaller inner lake which Colonel Cockburn named Otty Lake after the Captain. A creek connected Otty Lake with Pike Creek (the Pike was later changed to Tay, after the river in Scotland) and it was decided that the Settlement should commence on the east bank of this creek, in Township No.2 or Drummond as it was later called.

 By 26^th March he had blazed a trail from Perth’s ‘Depot’ to a point on the Rideau Lake now known as Port Elmsley …

During the spring and summer of 1816 steady traffic proceeded along the route set by McDonnell and Cockburn. The incomers travelled by wagon north from Brockville some 26 miles to Stone Mills [Delta] at the eastern [sic-western] end of Upper Beverly Lake in the Township of Bastard, then north to the Rideau lake, 12 miles further, near the present village of Portland.

From Here they were conveyed down the Rideau by scow, owned by an old settler named Lindsay. From a bay above the mouth of the Pike Creek [Tay River] they travelled by ox-sled through the woods about a mile and half to the point on the Pike above Pike Falls. Another Scow took them up the Pike River to Perth.

Hints To Immigrants

Reverend William Bell (1824

Appendix – Letter-1: Andrew Bell, son of Rev. William Bell

Early in the spring of 1816 a party of men [from among the Scots settlers wintering at Brockville], along with some surveyors, and under the direction of Captain McEver, went to mark out and cut a road to the land on which they were to settle. The new township which had been surveyed were Bathurst, Drummond and part of Beckwith.

 The country, for about half of the distance, was settled and partly cleared. But the other half of their way lay through the forest, where there was not the least trace of a road, and where no people of any civilized nation had ever lived. As they had some sledges with provisions with them, which could not be brought through the woods, they were obliged to find direction, upon the ice.

 They reached the place where the town of Perth now stands, on the afternoon of the 22^nd March. The snow was then between two and three feet deep, and the weather very cold. Here, in the midst of an immense forest, and many miles from any human habitations, they were obliged to sleep in the open air. They made themselves beds on the snow, of small twigs and branches of the hemlock trees, and, buried in these, with large fires on each side of them, they passed their first night’s residence in Perth.

 As soon as possible, they built some huts to hold the stores, and then proceeded to mark out and clear the road through the woods to the front, which occupied them the greater part of a month ….

The Brockville Petition 1815

Ron W. Shaw

During the winter of 1815-1816 the party of about 40 Scots families, who had arrived in Canada the previous June via the ships Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza, and were spending the winter in barracks at Brockville, sent a scouting party north of the Rideau River. Having had a look at the area of their future homes around the yet to be surveyed Perth Military Settlement, they were not pleased. Concluding that the Bay of Quinte area offered better prospects than the Perth settlement, on December 28, 1815 they addressed a petition, “…. presented, through the medium of Dr. [Alexander] Thom …”, to Upper Canada Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore.

________________

The petition of the subscribers, settlers from Scotland, Humbly sheweth:

 That the petitioners emigrated from Scotland with the intention of settling in Upper Canada, and after having undergone numberless hardships and privations have arrived at Brockville, back from which place it is proposed to settle them; but, as they understand, this place not be positively fixed upon, they have presumed to make the present application to Your Excellency, humbly trusting that you will permit them to settle farther up the country.

 The petitioners will humbly state the reasons which make them reluctant to settle on the Rideau, and likewise the inducements they have to proceed up. The crops in the Rideau are subject to hurt from early frosts; the lands are badly watered for cattle, at an immense distance from the St. Lawrence, and no water conveyance for their wood and produce. These are the reasons which chiefly prepossess them against the Rideau.

 To these allow them to urge the advantages of the Upper Country – a great superiority of soil and climate, a much longer season for carrying on farming operations, and many other smaller advantages appear of incalculable advantage to them.

 The petitioners, in urging their request of being settled farther up, would beg of Your Excellency to consider that they have left their native country, many dear friends and relations, suffered many hardships with large families, and submitted to numberless privations in order to obtain a settlement in this Province. How galling, then, would it be for them not to attain their object now when so near it, and how much disappointed would their friends and acquaintances be at home, who only wait for a favourable report from the petitioners before coming out to bless them here with their friendship and society.

 The petitioners will conclude with observing that, many difficulties as they have encountered, they would willingly undergo them again to obtain a settlement in the Upper County, but they flatter themselves that what is so much their wish and evidently so much to their advantage, will at once make an impression on Your Excellency, and that you will appoint some eligible situation for them on Lake Ontario, at least fifty or sixty miles above Kingston.

 May it, therefore, please your Excellency to consider the foregoing petition and allow the petitioners to be settled further up the country, and that early enough not to lose another season, and that the situation may be as favourable as possible in respect to the conveyance of wood or produce.

 And your petitioners are:

 Francis Allen (for self), Robt. Gardner, and Arch. Morrison and John Bush

John Allan                               John Flood                              Thos. Barber

James Fraser                          Otto Thid                                 Hugh McKay

Robt. Gibson                           John Millar                               Thomas Cuddie

James Taylor                          Thomas McLean                     Wm. McGillivary

1. Holdernup Geo. Wilson             John Holliday
2. Scott Wm. Johnstone John Ferrier

John Kingston                         William Old                              Abraham Ferven

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Despite the fact that, with land surveys so long delayed, even Governor General of the Canadas Gordon Drummond was, as late as February 1816, of the opinion the Perth Settlement scheme was impractical, and that the settlers’ request was not unreasonable, Lieutenant Governor Gore was unsympathetic. By March surveyors were at work and the Brockville group was told to complete their trek to Perth; the first of their group began drawing Location Tickets in the Townships of Bathurst, Burgess, Drummond and Elmsley on April 17, 1816.

First Days

Ron W. Shaw

In 1824 Reverend William Bell, an early Perth clergyman, published, in Scotland, a book entitled ‘Hints to Immigrants’; its purpose and intended audience obvious from its title. Running to more than 60,000 words Bell’s ‘Hints’ is comprised of a series of 25 ‘letters’ written by Bell himself, plus an appendix of three additional ‘letters’ written by his son Andrew. The book well served its purpose, providing a wealth of detail that would be of interest and practical use to would-be emigrants, while at the same time leaving an equally detailed description of early Perth and Upper Canada to posterity.

           Andrew Bell (1803-1856), the Reverend’s eldest son, and eldest surviving child, had been born in Scotland and came to the Perth Military Settlement with his father at age 13 in 1816. He grew up at (indeed with) Perth and, when he contributed to his father’s book, was studying at Edinburgh University in Scotland. Andrew’s ‘Letter # 1’ included a description of the first days of the Perth settlement.

 _________________

1824

 Dear Sir,

 At my father’s desire, I add to the foregoing series of letters a few of my own, containing such information as, since I came to this country, has appeared to me would be useful …

 Although Government does not now give the same encouragement to settlers as formerly, yet emigrants from Great Britain or Ireland may still obtain land from Government, on condition of performing the settling duties. These consist of building a house, clearing half of the road opposite to their own land, and clearing and cultivating five acres of the land within three years. They then obtain a title-deed on payment of certain fees, which now amount to about £3/10s.

 Canada certainly affords great advantages to emigrants. Hardships and difficulties they must and will experience at first, as all new settlers do. But after a few years labour they will come to enjoy an independence, to which the members of an over-crowded and manufacturing population are entire strangers.

 That you may, however, have some idea of the formation of a new settlement, I shall give you a sketch of the beginning of the Perth Settlement. The first emigrants who went to this settlement went out from Scotland in 1815, under the care of Government. When they got to Brockville, they were lodged in barracks there, till it could be determined where they were to be settled. Most of them wished to proceed as far as Lake Erie; but the agents of Government recommended lands, which were soon to be surveyed, about forty-five miles to the northwest of Brockville. As the season was, however, too far advanced to proceed to the land before winter, it was resolved that they should remain in the barracks till spring. In the meantime, several new townships were surveyed, and other preparations for settlement were made. During the winter, the more industrious part of them dispersed themselves through the country, and obtained employment, some from the farmers and others from mechanics.

 Early in the spring of 1816 a party of men [from among the Scots settlers wintering at Brockville], along with some surveyors, and under the direction of Captain McEver, went to mark out and cut a road to the land on which they were to settle. The new townships which had been surveyed were Bathurst, Drummond and part of Beckwith.

 The country, for about half of the distance, was settled and partly cleared. But the other half of their way lay through the forest, where there was not the least trace of a road, and where no people of any civilized nation had ever lived. As they had some sledges with provisions with them, which could not be brought through the woods, they were obliged to find direction, upon the ice.

They reached the place where the town of Perth now stands, on the afternoon of the 22^nd March. The snow was then between two and three feet deep, and the weather very cold. Here, in the midst of an immense forest, and many miles from any human habitations, they were obliged to sleep in the open air. They made themselves beds on the snow, of small twigs and branches of the hemlock trees, and, buried in these, with large fires on each side of them, they passed their first night’s residence in Perth.

 As soon as possible, they built some huts to hold the stores, and then proceeded to mark out and clear the road through the woods to the front, which occupied them the greater part of a month. During this time they experienced great hardships, having to sleep in the cold open air without any covering after working hard all day, often up to the knees in water. One man was taken very ill from fatigue and cold. His companions set out to carry him to his family at Brockville, but he died by the way.

 When they had got the road through, they brought in their families, received their land, and built huts for themselves. It was now rather late for them to think of getting much crop in, but the most of them cleared a small piece and planted some potatoes.

 The most of these people were settled together along both sides of the line between Burgess and Bathurst; and from the circumstances of so many Scotch people being settled together, that line was called the Scotch Settlement. The land they got was in general good, but very level. The two new townships are watered on the front by the Tay, and several other smaller streams, and on the back, by the Mississippi, which is a very considerable river.

A piece of land containing 400 acres, in the south corner of Drummond, was set apart for the town, and divided into small lots. Men who had been hired from the front settlements, built a Government storehouse, and an office for the Superintendent of the settlement and his clerks. Merchants now began to come in and settle in the town. Articles of every description were excessively dear, partly from the great expense attendant on the transportation of goods from the front, and partly from a circumstance which takes place in almost every new settlement, namely, the advantage which is take of the necessities of the settlers. Flour was twenty-two dollars a barrel, wheat four dollars a bushel, and potatoes two; the four pound loaf half a dollar, and other things in proportion. It is true they had the Government allowance of provisions, but yet they had a number of other necessary articles to buy.

 The little crop the settlers had put in, in a great measure failed, on account of the smallness of their clearings, being all shaded by surrounding woods, so that they yet received little benefit from it.

 During the summer and in the autumn, great numbers of emigrants and about 1,200 soldiers, came to the settlement and received land. In 1817, several new townships were added to the Perth settlement, and they were soon filled up by emigrants who were continually thronging in. In 1818, a settling establishment was begun at Richmond, and in 1820 another at Lanark, and the population has now increased to upwards of 8,000.

 Although it is only a few years since this settlement was begun, it is astonishing to see what improvements have taken place. The woods are beginning to disappear, and luxuriant crops are seen instead of them. Good roads are making in various directions. All the settlers have good and comfortable, and many of them handsome, houses for their own; and the country already contains three flourishing town.

Myth of the Perth ‘Scots’ Settlement

Ron W. Shaw

As might be expected, in the retelling over 200 years, some aspects of the founding of the Perth Military Settlement in 1816 have become mythologized. In particular the immigrant ships Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza, which reached Quebec City in 1815, seem to have emerged as Perth’s Mayflower and their passengers our equivalent of the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’.

As part of that tale, Perth has emerged, and is promoted to this day, as a settlement founded and perpetuated by Scots. In the 21^st century communications age this perception becomes more widely repeated and entrenched than ever; the Wikipedia ‘Scottish Canadians’ page describes the Perth Settlement as “… of purely Scottish and military origin”. That Perth was ever truly a ‘Scots Settlement’ deserves challenge, and reference to original source documentation clearly calls the Scots myth into question.

Of the 700 immigrants who arrived in Canada aboard the Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza, only about 270 ever came to Perth, among them eight families from England, one from Ireland, one from Holland and one whose origin is unknown. The remainder settled in Glengarry, around the Bay of Quinte, at other locations in both Upper and Lower Canada and a few crossed the border into the United States. The vast majority of those who did receive Location Tickets at Perth were indeed Scots; but just 57 families numbering 231 individuals in all.

In the same time period, however, the ‘Transaction of Land Grants Made at the Military Depot, Perth’ for the 1816-1819 period lists 859 individuals who had completed their ‘settlement duties’ by 1822; of that total, only about one third were Scots. Those founders actually numbered 370 (43%) Irish, 296 (34%) Scots, 134 (16%) English and 7 (1%) from other countries. Records for the remaining 52 (6%) do not indicate country of origin.

A variation on the Scots myth is that Perth was a ‘Highland’ Scots settlement. Records show, however, that among those 231 Scots men, women and children from the Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza, only nine were from the Highlands; William McGillvery with a family of seven and a single man named John McLeod who reported their home of origin as Inverness. There could have been a few others, as the origin of another 39 individuals (15 families) is recorded only as ‘Scotland’, but at least 70% (40 of 57 Scots families) were ‘Lowlanders’ who gave their origins as; Edinburgh 11, Perthshire 4, Dumfries 6, Glasgow 4, Lanark 3, Ayrshire 3, Banffshire 2 and Dundee 1. Further, the preponderance of Lowlanders demonstrated by those for whom more complete data was recorded, suggests that the proportion of Lowlanders was perhaps as high as 90%.

For some, the ‘Mayflower’ myth of those Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza Scots, has also come to cloud another important aspect of the settlement’s founding. Even when referring to the Perth Military Settlement, the military element is obscured by the ‘Highlanders’ of the Scotch Line.

Between 1816 and 1819, more than 1,200 discharged British soldiers, from over 80 regiments of infantry, marines, cavalry and artillery, the Royal navy and miscellaneous support units were compensated for services to the Crown with Location Tickets for ‘waste land’ at the Perth Military Settlement. In that mix were English, Irish, Swiss, French, Dutch, Poles, Sicilians, Americans and other nationalities, as well as Scots.

According to Reverend William Bell, an early Perth clergyman, when he reached the settlement in June 1817, a year after the first arrivals, the population numbered 1,890. There were 708 soldier-settlers, 179 with wives and 366 children (1,253), and just 239 civilian settlers with 111 wives and 287 children (637). The Scots of the Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza represented just 14% of the total.

Voyage to Canada

Edited by Ron W. Shaw

In the late summer of 1815 four ships, the Atlas, Baltic Merchant, Dorothy and Eliza, having sailed from Greenock, Scotland, discharged 700 immigrants at Quebec City. Arriving too late in the season to proceed to their land allotments they spent the winter of 1815-1816 in small groups at Quebec, Montreal, Cornwall, Prescott and Brockville. In the spring of 1816 about 270 of them, who had spent the winter at Brockville, were among the first settlers to reach the Perth Military Settlement.

A little more than a year later Reverend William Bell, an early Perth clergyman, noted in his diary; “Not being along with the first Scotch settlers, when they came to this country, I was desirous of having some account of their voyage out. For this purpose I applied to one of them, who appeared to be an intelligent person, for a history of their proceedings, in writing. He sent me the following, or rather I gathered the following out of it, for it was very incorrectly written, more so than I expected”.

That “very incorrectly written” account was provided by Archibald Morrison of Lanarkshire, who had arrived in Canada via the ship Atlas and drew a Location Ticket for Elmsley Township C-6/L-23(E).

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Elmsley, November 1st, 1817

 Revd. and Dear Sir,

 On the 24^th day of June, 1815, about 200 of our settlers embarked at Glasgow, on board the steam boat, which put us on board the transports which lay at Greenock for our reception. The remainder came on the following day. On the 11^th July, all being ready, the Atlas and the Dorothy weighed anchor. The former had on board about 230 emigrants, the latter 200.

 The voyage was favourable until the 10^th of August, when we had a terrible gale, which lasted 24 hours, but fortunately no serious accident happened. When we came to the banks of Newfoundland, the weather was remarkably cold and foggy. Most of the children became sick, attended with chincough [whooping cough], and a number of them died.

 We arrived at Quebec on the 4^th of September, and remained there until 12 o’clock next day, when we proceeded up the St. Lawrence 90 miles, to the town of Three Rivers, where we remained 10 days, waiting for orders. On the 17^th, we were put on board the steam boat for Montreal. Here we again remained some days doing nothing, and then went to Lachine, where we were put on board of bateaux and went up the river to Cornwall, where a few of our number obtained land and left us. The remainder went on to Brockville, and there took up their abode for the winter. Early in the following spring, on the 22^nd March, 1816, they began to clear the roads to the new settlement, and in another month, after many labours and difficulties, they were placed upon the lands which they now cultivate.

Archd. Morrison

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Reverend Bell then writes that; “The above information not being so full and particular as I wished and expected, I made the same request to another person, who after some time sent me a great mass of written paper, from which I collected the following particulars. His work was entitled ‘A Short Account of the Scotch Settlers, From the Time of their Arrival at Glasgow, in May,

1815, up to Their Final Settlement at Perth, Upper Canada’.

This second, more detailed, account seems to have been provided by Robert Gibson of Edinburgh who arrived in Canada via the ship Dorothy and was issued a Location Ticket for Bathurst C-1/L-15(E)

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As soon as a considerable number of the settlers had arrived at Glasgow, which was the place of rendezvous, a general meeting was called, and a petition was prepared and forwarded to Government for a supply of provisions while they were detained waiting for the transports. Their request was granted, and the agent of Government supplied them with rations till the transports arrived, and they were put on board of them at Greenock.

While they remained at Glasgow, they met regularly twice a week, and many a plan respecting their future proceedings was proposed and discussed, with more zeal than unanimity. Among other subjects that occupied their attention was, the propriety of taking a minister and a teacher along with them, Government having offered to provide in part for both. One of their number, having offered himself as their teacher [John Holliday of Dumfries], was accepted; but, about a minister, they could not agree. Being from different religious communities, every one wished to have a minister from his own, and as no one would yield to another, they had to go without any. They all, however, admitted that it was necessary to have a minister, though they took no effectual steps to obtain one. Thus they discovered more wisdom in the management of their temporal, than of their spiritual affairs; for whatever they admitted to be necessary in the former, they did without delay; sustaining the Scripture doctrine that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

After some time, the arrival of two transports at Greenock was announced, the Atlas and the Dorothea, and soon afterwards two others, the Baltic Merchant, and the Eliza, appeared. All being ready, orders were issued for the embarkation of the emigrants, and their departure from their native land, a land most of them were never more to see. The thoughts and feelings of persons in these circumstances, none but themselves can know.

 Many of them had been more than a month in Glasgow, and had met with much attention and kindness from the good inhabitants of that city, hundreds of whom accompanied them to the river, and saw them safe on board the steam boat, and schooner, employed to convey them to Greenock. As they were to leave Glasgow at 3 o’clock in the morning, many of them came down to the Broomilaw [Broomielaw Quay, Glasgow] the evening before, and remained on the wharf all night. The air was calm and the sky serene, but few were disposed to sleep. Interesting conversation filled up the passing hours; and it is even said that the social glass went round oftener than once; for the ‘tee-total’ scheme had not then even been thought of.

 At 2 in the morning of the 24^th of June the embarkation commenced, amidst hurry, noise, and confusion. Soon after 3, the steam boat, taking the schooner in tow, passed down the river amidst the shouts of thousands, who lined the shore bidding Adieu to their departing friends. The scene, to many of the emigrants, was the most affecting they had ever witnessed. They were bidding a final farewell to their native land, which they were now leaving behind them, while before them they saw little but dangers to be encountered, difficulties to be overcome, and privations to be endured. These with, perhaps at times, brighter visions, occupied their minds during the morning.

Before noon, they reached the transports, ready at Greenock for their reception.

All those from the south of Scotland, at their own request, in order that they might be together, were put on board of the Atlas, commanded by Captain Joseph Turnbull, who, though a native of Scotland, had been educated in England. His temper was good, his manners agreeable, and in general very accommodating, so that he soon gained the confidence of his new friends. Before they had crossed the Atlantic, however, he had sunk considerably in their estimation. In the evening after the emigrants were in bed, he would often come among them, make sport with the girls, chat with their mothers, and play boyish tricks to those who were sleeping in hammocks. By these and similar proceedings he gave offence to many, and in some degree lost his authority with all. Indeed he soon verified the old saying, that familiarity breeds contempt.

 Nor were all his passengers’ patterns of propriety, more than himself. At first they were under some restraint, but this soon wore off, and they speedily appeared in their true colours; some of them none of the fairest. There being 250 souls on board the Atlas, besides the ship’s crew, they were somewhat crowded, which produced at times a little jarring among them.

But nothing discovered more of the vanity of human nature than the endeavours of some to exhibit their supposed consequence, which appeared the more ridiculous, from the variety of character and former employment of the motley multitude. Some of the men had been in His Majesty’s service, a few of them in Ireland, in the late rebellion [United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798]. Others had been shopkeepers, manufacturers, mechanics, farmers &c. Most of them were leaving home disappointed, and of course dissatisfied. Some had contracted debts which they were unable, or unwilling to pay, and making a virtue of necessity, preferred the wilds of America to the walls of a prison. Nearly all had suffered in their feelings, from poverty and subordination to others, but now they fancied that they were not only leaving the claims of law and justice behind, but at the same time all the ills of life. They now considered themselves Gentlemen settlers, not only entitled to, but actually living upon, the bounty of Government; and each of them now proceeding to take possession of a fine estate; where he and his family would enjoy ease, affluence, and independence for the remainder of his days. No wonder if such Utopian projects ideas tended to turn their heads, and make them not only forget their former condition, but their present duties. Ambition and pride soon rose to a troublesome height. No one would yield to another. Each one was as independent as his neighbour, and what was worse, as unaccommodating.

 Such was the nature of the cargo with which the Atlas sailed from Greenock, on Tuesday, 11^th July, 1815, after completing her victualing, watering &c. Transports hired by the month are never in a great hurry. The progress of the voyage at first was slow, and nothing remarkable happened until they were fairly at sea; when one evening, as a party were dancing on deck, an alarm was raised, that a child was missing. This checked their mirth, and threw a damp over the whole party. The child was a fine girl, about 7 years of age. Every nook and corner of the vessel was searched for her, but in vain. She had sunk in the mighty waters, - the billows rolled over her. It was singular that amongst all the sailors and emigrants at that time on deck, not one saw her fall over board.

Near Toryisle [Tory Isle], the Dorothea [Dorothy] hove in sight. She had sailed two days after the Atlas, and had on board 200 settlers, mostly Highlanders. She spoke the Atlas, but parted, and was soon out of sight.

 Hitherto the sea had been calm, and sailing pleasant, but now, for the first time, they had a strong head wind, so that the vessel began to pitch, and the passengers to puke. All the fun was now laid aside, and the bright visions of happiness, in Canada, were greatly obscured. Still the wind roared, and the billows rolled their monstrous tops to the sky. A dismal scene was now presented between decks. Most were sick, and some of the females were crying. Whole families were confined to bed, some were despairing of life, and others wishing for death to relieve them of their sufferings.

 The few that were able to crawl upon deck, turned their eyes to the shore, the north of Ireland, and besought the Captain to put into the bay and land them, and they would not trouble him to carry them to Quebec. Repeated messages were sent to him to the same effect by those in bed; but he paid no attention to them. Meantime he was making every exertion to get clear of the land, having but little sea room, with a head wind, and a raging sea. At length he succeeded, and got fairly out into the Western ocean.

When the gale had somewhat abated, the state of the ship between decks is not to be described. The filth which had been accumulating for eight days, the time the storm lasted, was shocking, and the stink not to be endured. The few not sick, would not go below, and some time elapsed before anything was done. At length a party of sailors, bribed by a large quantity of rum, went below and cleared away the nuisance. Half drunk when the unpleasant service began, some of them were wholly so before it was over. While the storm and the sickness lasted, each and all of the emigrants were weary of a sea faring life. But as the wind abated, the clouds were dispelled, and the sea became calm, their sickness wore off, their spirits revived, and they resumed their pleasant dreams of ease and wealth in America.

 Their provisions were ample in quantity, being the same as for troops, when on board, but the quality of the bread and beef did not please them, and this led to numerous squabbles. The rum however was good, as well as the pork, pease, oat meal, &c. and made some amends for the deficiency of other articles. The supply of rum indeed was not only unnecessary, but it led to mischievous consequences. Numbers got intoxicated, almost every evening, quarrels ensued, and peace and order were banished from the ship.

Amongst those who disturbed the peace of the rest, during the night season, was a band of free masons, who met in the cabin every Saturday evening, to enlighten one another, as well as the tyros whom they admitted into their honourable fraternity. The crowded state of the vessel rendered it difficult to conduct their proceedings with the requisite secrecy, but all prying curiosity was pertinaciously repelled with hard words, and not unfrequently with blows. This not only gave offence, but even led to serious disputes.

These evils were farther increased by a supposed partiality on the part of the Captain, in favour of one or two of the cabin passengers, who had ingratiated themselves with him, it was alleged, by telling stories to the disadvantage of the rest. Such characters will sooner or later appear in their true colours. One of these, who had been a great favourite with the Captain, proposed to establish a prayer meeting. The more serious part agreed, and it was commenced without delay.

 One evening after the prayer meeting was over, an altercation took place between this man and one of the settlers; when, after much abusive language, he put himself in a rage and attempted to strike the other man; but being prevented by the Captain, he vented his passion in dreadful oaths and imprecations. The Captain, astonished at his conduct, reminded him of the exercise in which he had been so lately engaged. But so far from being checked by this gentle reprimand, he became worse, insulted the Captain, and threatened violence to his fellow passenger. The Captain, roused into energy by his improper conduct, in a tone of voice to which he had been unaccustomed, peremptorily ordered him to leave the cabin, which he immediately did, and was never again admitted as a companion. Indeed from this time he was treated with the contempt which his conduct deserved.

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Reverend Bell then records that; “Mr. Gibson, the person who furnished the above information, promised to continue it up to the time the settlers went upon their land, but he never found time to do so”.

What The Settlers Got

 Ron W. Shaw

Financed, from 1816 until 1822, by the ‘Military Chest’ the Perth Military Settlement was a heavily subsidized undertaking and the first settlers benefited greatly from that government support.

Land

Conceived and managed by the British Army, the allocation of land at the Perth Military Settlement followed a scale based on rank in the army on date of discharge.

Lieutenant Colonels                                                    1,200 acres

Majors                                                             1,000 acres

Captains                                                                         800 acres

Subalterns                                                                      500 acres

Sergeant Majors & Quarter Master Sergeants              300 acres

Sergeants                                                                       200 acres

Privates                                                                          100 acres

Civilians                                                                          100 acres

Officers ranked Colonel and higher did not qualify for land grants. Despite the above official scale many half-pay officers, and others, by means fair and foul, managed to secure free acreages far in excess of the official allowance

Tools

The British Army Settling Department undertook to supply the following ‘tool kit’ to each individual settler; head of family or single man, soldier and civilian. Whether or not all settlers received their full kit, however, often depended upon availability as constrained by logistical problems. Not all of the tools were necessarily worth having. The ‘naval’ axe originally supplied proved utterly worthless and had to be replaced by ‘American’ axes.

Spade                          1          Adze                            1

Felling Axe                  1          Brush-hook                  1

Bill-hook                      1          Scythe                         1

Reaping-hook              1          Pitchfork                      1

Pick-axe                      1          Harrow teeth               9

Hoe                             2          Hammer                      1

Plane                           1          Chisel                          1

Auger                          1          Band-saw                    1

Gimlets                        2          Files                            2

Hinges                         2          Door                            1

Door lock & key           1          Glass panes                9

Putty                            1 lbs.   Nails                            14 lbs.

Camp-kettle                 1          Frying-pan                   1

Blanket                        1 for each man & woman and 1 for every 2 children

 In addition to the tool kit supplied to each individual settler (above) the following tools were also supplied for common use. The concept of this allocation seems to have been based on providing one set of these tools to each Township concession but, in reality, they were provided to groups of neighbours, usually about four families, formed in a more ad hoc way.

Pit-saw            1          Crow-bar                     1

Cross-cut saw             1          Grindstone                  1

Sledge hammer           1

Seed

The first arrivals at Perth in 1816 were provided with some seed potatoes and three bushels of fall wheat seed. The following year this was augmented with seed to plant beans, oats, grass, and corn.

Rations

The first settlers arriving at the Perth Military Settlement were provided food rations, originally for one year for soldiers and six months for civilians. The ration was set at the same rates as issued to a soldier on active service during the War of 1812-1814, i.e. a full ration for the husband, one-half for a wife and one-third ration for each child. The soldier’s official daily ration in North America during the War of 1812 consisted of:

1 lb. of flour (much of it provided as baked bread or biscuit)

            1 lb. fresh beef or 9 1/7 oz. of pork

            1 3/7 oz. of pork or 6/7 oz. of butter

            3/7 pint of peas, beans or lentils

1 1/7 oz. of rice

1/3 pint rum or wine

Even during the war, however, the exact composition of the ration was constantly amended as dictated by availability of supplies and the capacity of the army to deliver them; and the same constraint dictated substitutions applied to the Perth Military Settlement. Changes in the ration, however, attempted to maintain approximately the same nutritional and monetary value.

In 1817 the ration allowance was amended to provide wives and male children over 17 years of age with full rations and all other children a one-third ration, and then increased again to an ‘extended ration’ granting all children over the age of 10 years a full ration. The time period was also extended by a year.

Robert Potty

Edited by Ron W. Shaw

Not all of the earliest settlers to draw land at the Perth Military settlement were successful in establishing homes and farms. In fact, between 1816 and 1820, about half of the soldier-settlers and a third of the civilian settlers abandoned the attempt. In the settlement records ‘success’ is usually indicated by the notation ‘SDP’, for ‘Settlement Duties Performed’; which generally meant a cabin built, some land cleared, a crop raised, residence of three years and a ‘Patent’ (Deed of Ownership) issued. ‘Failure’ was indicated by the recording of a ‘Re-grant’; meaning the lot had been abandoned by the original Location Ticket holder and a new ticket issued to another. Some lots were ‘Re-granted’ several times before a settler secured an ‘SDP’.

Of those who left, many went to the United States, others to more established settlements like Glengarry or the Niagara, some even returned home to England, Scotland and Ireland. The reasons for failure were many. Above all was the lack of necessary skills and experience with axe and hoe; but also sickness, death from accident or disease, and the depression symptomatic of back woods isolation.

In the stern Calvinist view of Reverend William Bell, many would-be settlers were simply ne’er-do-wells, living on government largess as long as it lasted. In his diaries Bell recounts the tale of one Robert Pottie, who appears in the Location Ticket record as;

Robert Potty, emigrant, 1 adult male, country Scotland, ship Fame, Sept. 17, 1816, located Dec. 9, 1816, Drummond, C-4/-11(SW). Re-granted to [William] Harvey, Sergt., R. Ay. [Sergeant Royal Artillery] Improvements valued at £3.

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A Mrs. Ruthven in Kirkcaldy wrote me several letters respecting her son Robert Pottie, who had got land in this settlement. Robert had in his younger years been very much indulged, and had not learned any useful employment. So, like many of his class, he ran away from his parents and went to sea. What he had learned there I do not know, but assuredly cleanliness and industry were not amongst his accomplishments.

 He had not been long at sea, when his love of change and dislike of labour greatly lessened his enjoyment, and he would have gladly run away a second time, had it been in his power. But when it was too late Robert found that on the ocean, this was no easy matter. To make evil worse, he was pressed [compelled to serve by force], and carried aboard a King’s ship. Here Robert spent many a sorrowful day, not only on account of present services, which were far from voluntary, but from the regret he felt for his former folly.

The longest and darkest night will come to an end, so Robert’s emancipation at last drew near. Peace came, and he like many others obtained land, rations and implements from the government in Perth Settlement.

 When he considered the liberty he now enjoyed, and the farm he could call his own, he thought it great folly to labour hard, or stint himself in grog. For this reason he took things easy, and after all his ready cash was gone for the necessaries of life, he sold his clothes, of which he had a good stock, and lived on the proceeds. When this source of income dried up, he recollected that he had a kind mother at home in easy circumstances who could supply his wants.

 He therefore sits down and writes a very sensible letter, for he had got a very good education, in which after describing his farm, the fertility of its soil, and the various other advantages it possessed. He hinted, that, on account of getting his house burnt, and the want of oxen to assist him with his labour, he was prevented from turning his otherwise good fortune to advantage. But that if his mother would send him £20 in cash, and a few clothes, he would be provided for, for life. He even proposed that his mother, who was a widow, should come to Canada, and share his good fortune. Knowing his mother’s pious disposition he had introduced several quotations from Scripture which he knew would be all in his favour.

All this time he had made little improvement on his land, and his hut was little better than a pigsty. But he was not mistaken respecting his mother. She read his letter with joy, and wrote another one requesting me to furnish him what he wanted to the amount of £20, which she would repay.

I did not furnish him much, for I did not know how far I could depend on her promise. In this I was right, for she never sent any money, but pestered me with letters till I was sick of her, for letters from Britain to this country were then no trifle for postage [the receiver paid the postage]. At last she sent a box of clothing for Robert, in care of a merchant in Montreal.

 But Robert, tired of waiting, had by this time left the settlement, and no one here knew where he had gone. His mother next wanted me to advertise him in the papers, but as she omitted sending the money, I declined this commission.

A native of Perth, Ontario, Ron W. Shaw studied journalism at Algonquin College and worked for local newspapers, radio and television in northern and western Ontario for a decade before a 35 year career with non-governmental organization in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He has previously published three books; ‘Black Light’ (1993), Ronsdale Press, a novella and collection of short stories, ‘Forgotten Hero’ (2012), self published, the biography of Alexander Fraser (1789-1872), the hero of the Battle of Stoney Creek (co-authored with M. E. Irene Spence), and ‘Tales of the Hare’ (2014), FriesenPress, the biography of French defector Francis Tito LeLievre (1755-1830) who served with distinction as a Captain in the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles through the War of 1812. Shaw is the descendant of seven of the soldier-settlers, discharged veterans of the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 who were given land grants at the Perth (Ontario) Military Settlement from 1816.

Ref: The Friesenpress Bookstore

We appreciate Ron generously sharing his stories and publications with us as informative and fascinating background and inspiration for the Perth Trek.

For the Perth Trek 2016 Organizing Team,

Larry Cochran

Take time to check out his books:

Influence and Ambition

First Persons of Perth

(Scheduled for release November 2015)

June, 1817: Reverend William Bell arrives from Scotland to begin what he believes to be his Divine Mandate: to bring moral order to the pioneer settlers at Perth, Upper Canada - whether they wanted it or not. His prospective flock (which he described as “a mixture of worthless persons” existing in “a moral wilderness requiring cultivation” among which he was “determined to attempt a reformation”) consisted of war-hardened, disbanded British soldiers and beleaguered civilian immigrants of the Perth Military Settlement, enticed to the rough wilderness with offers of free land grants. Bell’s determination never faltered as he loudly injected his strict beliefs into every aspect of community - and each individual’s - daily life. “Though no way superstitious”, he wrote, “yet it is too remarkable to pass unnoticed, that every person in this settlement, who has injured me, has come to ruin.”

Bell’s is just one of 17 colourful biographies of “First Persons” featured in ”Influence and Ambition” that challenge conventional accounts of Perth’s earliest history, interspersed with accounts of  the often  raucous activities in the little settlement from which came many of Canada’s early lawmakers and business leaders. This is entertaining history that genealogists and students of early British Military will also want to enjoy.  A great read. - Kate O’Neil

First We Were Soldiers

The Long March to Perth

Between 1816 and 1819, more than 1,200 discharged British soldiers, from over 80 regiments of infantry, cavalry and artillery, the Royal navy and miscellaneous support units were compensated for services to the Crown with settlement tickets for ‘waste land’ at the Perth (Ontario) Military Settlement. By 1822, when the Army passed administration of the scheme into civilian hands, these early settlers had been joined by hundreds more. They kept coming into the 1830s: veterans of the American Revolutionary War, The French Revolutionary War, The Napoleonic Wars, the 1798 Irish Rebellion, the American War of 1812-1814 and service in India and Burma.

First We Were Soldiers introduces a cross section of Perth’s Soldier-Settlers – corrupt officers and illiterate Privates, heroes and deserters, wives rescuing wounded husbands from the battlefield, and children born on storm tossed troop ships or in POW camps. In the mix were English, Scots and Irish, as well as Swiss, French, Dutch, Polish, Sicilian and American. Marking the 200^th anniversary of the founding of the Perth Settlement in 1816, First We Were Soldiers portrays the lives of the men and their families, as they marched with the armies of Wellington and Prevost across the Iberian Peninsula and through the North American backwoods before finding themselves swinging an axe in the elm forests and cedar swamps north of the Rideau River.

Available at The Book Nook http://www.beautifulperth.com/booknook.html; Archives Lanark http://archiveslanark.ca/index.php/for-sale; the Perth Museum http://www.perth.ca/content/perth-museummatheson-house; and from FriesenPress http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore

Tales of the Hare

A Prequel and Sequel to the Last Fatal Duel

 Tales of the Hare, recounts the life and times of Francis Tito LeLièvre (1755-1830), a naval officer who served both Louis XVI and revolutionary France before defecting in 1793 to service in both the Royal Navy and the British Army. After playing a significant role in the War of 1812 LeLièvre took up a land grant at the Perth (Ontario) Military Settlement where his son, Henry LeLièvre (1802-1882), was falsely accused of plotting murder by proxy through the ‘last Fatal Duel’ fought in Upper Canada.

Available at The Book Nook http://www.beautifulperth.com/booknook.html; Archives Lanark http://archiveslanark.ca/index.php/for-sale; the Perth Museum http://www.perth.ca/content/perth-museummatheson-house; and from FriesenPress http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore

Forgotten Hero

Born in the garrison at Forth Augustus, Inverness-shire, Scotland, Alexander Fraser (1789-1872) followed his father into the British Army, enlisting in 1807 as a lowly drummer. In 1810 he transferred as a Private into Colonel Isaac Brock’s 49^th Foot and within just three years rose to the rank of Assistant Sergeant Major. Then, at Stoney Creek in May 1813, he led the charge that saved Upper Canada for the Crown. In recognition of his bravery Fraser won a field commission and made a rare transition from ‘Barrack Brat’ and foot soldier to officer and gentleman. Granted land at the Perth (Ontario) Military Settlement he consolidated his transition (despite frequent episodes of less than ‘gentlemanly’ behavior) serving for three decades as a Magistrate and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 6^th Regiment, Lanark Militia. (Co-authored with M. E. Irene Spence).

Available at Global Genealogy http://globalgenealogy.com/countries/canada/ontario/eastern-ontario/resources/199079.htm; The Book Nook http://www.beautifulperth.com/booknook.html; Archives Lanark http://archiveslanark.ca/index.php/for-sale; the Perth Museum and http://www.perth.ca/content/perth-museummatheson-house.

HISTORY  Aboriginal Involvement re Perth Military Settlement,  1816.   From Brian Preston, B&SB

 I am also reading source documents about the aboriginals in Ontario (Friendship agreements and Treaties) and I found it interesting to read the early history of Perth on the Perth Historical Society website that the Settlers were arriving in 1816 and as an afterthought the government thought of the native Chippewa and Missesawguay on that land and simply took it for the Settlement! -see extract below.

1816

22 February 1816

– Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore (1769-1852) instructs Captain John

Ferguson, Resident Agent of Indian Affairs at Kingston, to purchase from the Chippewa and Missesawguay Nations  “four or five townships in the rear of Crosby, Burgess, Elmsley, Montague and Marlboro”

.

12 March 1816

– First sketch plan of the Perth Military Settlement drawn atCornwall by

Alexander McDonnell, Reuben Sherwood, Dr. Alexander Thom (1775-1848),

and Daniel Daverne(c1795-1830).

March 1816

– Survey of Townships #1 and #2 (Bathurst and Drummond) underway

.

16 March 1816

– Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cockburn (1780-1868), Captain Allen Otty (1784-

1859), Reuben Sherwood, Alexander McDonnell and Daniel Daverne

set out from Brockville for the Rideau Settlement site.

22 March 1816

- Surveyor Reuben Sherwood fixes the location for the Villageof Perth on Pike

Creek in the southwest corner of Township #2 (Drummond).

22 March 1816

- The first military Location Ticket is issued to British Army

Staff Surgeon Alexander Thom (see below-not included).

Contacts:

Marie Lapointe, French teacher at St.John High, Clark connected Oct.2015-for Her.Fair

  A dead end.

Martin Rennick sp?

Chief (Clark)

At Rideau Ferry, a 200^th Drumm/NE member suggested

Perth Military Settlement Arrival Route

 From Brockville the first arrivals at the Perth Military Settlement followed three different routes, evolving from one to another over the course of 1816-1817.

• In March 1816 the exploratory party (Cockburn, Sherwood, Otty and Daverne) came up the existing road as far as Stone Mills (Delta) through the bush to what is now the village of Portland, down the frozen Rideau Lake to what is now Rideau Ferry, then through the bush to Otty Lake, down Jebb’s Creek to the Tay, and up the Tay to the present location of Perth.

• By April 1816 the first settlers (the civilians who had wintered at Brockville and the first soldier-settlers, largely men of the Glengarry Light Infantry) came up the existing road as to Stone Mills (Delta), through the bush to what is now the village of Portland, then by scow down Rideau Lake & River and up the Tay as far as Pikes Falls [Port Elmsley], around the falls by ox sled, and then either (a) by scow up the Tay or (b) by ox sled along the trail cut from Perth to Montague C-3/L-30. Why the trail cut in the summer of 1816 from Perth was opened all the way to Montague C-3/L-30, the location of present-day Smiths Falls, is not clear to me.

• By the fall and winter of 1816-1817 settlers travelled from Brockville to Stone Mills (Delta), then along a new trail cut to the Rideau River at Oliver’s Ferry (Rideau Ferry) and on north to Perth … the route that would be used almost exclusively until the Rideau Canal opened in 1832.

The above conclusions are based on the following information. Square brackets are mine.

• Ron W. Shaw

Pioneer Sketches in the District of Bathurst

Andrew Haydon

1925

Page-39/40

Quoting Superintendent Alexander McDonnell (March 1816) – “We found Pike Creek [Tay River], in the rear of Elmsley and Burgess, to be a fine river, winding through the townships No.1 [Bathurst] and No.2 [Drummond], with excellent land on both its banks. We all proceeded down the Rideau Lake ten miles to the Carrying Place [Rideau Ferry], left our sleighs, crossed the neck of land, then the inner lake, which Col. [Francis] Cockburn named Otty Lake, to where it commenced to run in a stream [Jebb Creek] which finally enters into Pike Creek [Tay River]. Here it was concluded that the settlement should commence on the east bank of that creek, in Township No.2 [Drummond]. Captain [Reuben] Sherwood stating that he would open a road before the sleighs arrived, being but four miles to cut, including the portage between the lake and the shore from a bend in the small creek running from Otty Lake called by Colonel Cockburn, Jebb Creek, and from that spot, Messrs. Sherwood and [Daniel] Daverne stated that a road may easily be opened in twenty days to lot number 30 in the 3^rd concession of Montague [Matheson/Smiths Falls] …. I have contracted for a storehouse of 60 feet by 20, to be completed in three weeks, for £70 currency”

Page-40

The sleighs, with the stores and supplies, together with settlers and discharged soldiers, forthwith began to leave Brockville, with the aid of Lieutenant McKeever, and all were expected to assist the Government party now opening the road to the east bank of Pike Creek, in township No.2 [Drummond], and from thence down to the third concession of Montague [Smiths Falls].

On March 25^th Reuben Sherwood finally reported to Colonel Cockburn … “I have been to the mouth of the Pike River, and sleighs at this moment might come up it over the rapids. I, therefore, conclude that boats may be brought up in the summer ….”

Page 41

During the spring and summer of 1816 transportation routes from the St. Lawrence inland was over the course so recently travelled by McDonnel and Colonel Cockburn. The road led north-westwards from Brockville, some twenty-six miles, to the ‘Stone Mills’, then owned by a man named Jones, and situated near the easterly [westerly] end of Upper Beverley lake, in the township of Bastard, and then north to the Rideau Lake, some twelve miles more, and near to the site of the present village of Portland. From this place an old settler by the name of Lindsay assisted in the transport down the lake ten miles or so, and on to the newly established depot on the Pike River [Port Elmsley].

Page-42

Description by David Kilburn UEL … I was also employed by the Commissariat Department in the settlement of the emigrants who first settled in Perth and vicinity in 1816. I forwarded all the families by wagons to the Bay (now the village of Portland) and had to cut a road the last three miles to reach the lake. Thence in a large scow, they were taken down the Rideau lake below Oliver’s Ferry, to a deep bay above the mouth of the River Tay; then down on ox-sleds through the woods about a mile and a half to the Tay above (now) Pike Falls; then in another scow up the River Tay to the Depot – the present town of Perth. The following autumn [1816] a road was cut by Peter Howard, MP, from the present site of Toledo to Oliver’s Ferry and Perth, nearly on the line now travelled. The first season [1816] getting the settlers, their baggage, seed, etc. transported from Brockville to the settlement, cost the Government $3.25 per hundred; the next two winters [1816/1817 & 1817/1818] the direct road being open, it was done for from one half to three-quarters of a dollar per hundred.

Arrival Route

A Pioneer History of the County of Lanark

Jean S. McGill

1968

Page-15/16

On 16^th March Colonel Cockburn and Captain Otty, of the Navy, arrived at Brockville, and, together with Sherwood and Daverne, McDonnel set out for the Rideau Lake area. The travelled down the lake to the ‘Carrying Place’ (Oliver’s Ferry) where they left their sleighs, and crossed the neck of land to a smaller inner lake which Colonel Cockburn named Otty Lake after the Captain. A creek connected Otty Lake with Pike Creek (the Pike was later changed to Tay, after the river in Scotland) and it was decided that the Settlement should commence on the east bank of this creek, in Township No.2 or Drummond as it was later called.

By 26^th March he had blazed a trail from Perth’s ‘Depot’ to a point on the Rideau Lake now known as Port Elmsley …

During the spring and summer of 1816 steady traffic proceeded along the route set by McDonnell and Cockburn. The incomers travelled by wagon north from Brockville some 26 miles to Stone Mills [Delta] at the eastern [sic-western] end of Upper Beverly Lake in the Township of Bastard, then north to the Rideau lake, 12 miles further, near the present village of Portland.

From Here they were conveyed down the Rideau by scow, owned by an old settler named Lindsay. From a bay above the mouth of the Pike Creek [Tay River] they travelled by ox-sled through the woods about a mile and half to the point on the Pike above Pike Falls. Another Scow took them up the Pike River to Perth.

“Brockville” by Glenn Lockwood

(Excerpts from his book, courtesy of the City of Brockville, which owns the rights to distribution)

Speaking of the experiences of Rev. William Bell upon his visit to Brockville in 1817 –

1. 103: “…Bell had an old friend William Smart, in Brockville at the time, and-while waiting at Prescott for wagons to cart his family to Perth- he decided to visit…Bell stayed over at Smart’s house. There, the two friends sat up late, as Bell ‘received much valuable information from Mr. Smart, respecting the people at Perth.’

Bell’s visit coincided with an historic day in the life of the community. ‘We found that Mr. Smart’s new church at Brockville was just finished, and that it was to be dedicated to the service of God, on the following day,’…shortly thereafter, John Kilborn took Bell ‘in his wagon…11 miles on the road to Perth.’

…It was only during the war, he added, ‘that Brockville began to rise into a village…there being no church…Mr. Smart determined to set about one. His congregation contributed liberally, and he raised further supplies in Quebec, Montreal, Kingston and other places. The place of worship cost about 1400 pounds, and is a substantial stone building.’ Bell went further in recommending Brockville as a useful staging place in the immigrants’ journey. Those from Britain… ‘can easily procure waggons to carry them to Perth, which is forty-two miles…from Brockville.’

British government plans

…(Due to Brockville’s well known reputation for disloyalty) the authorities decided to cut the flow of settlers coming north to stem sedition. Orders came from London in 1815 not to ‘grant land to subjects of the United States’ and to make every effort to prevent them settling.

1. 104: The British had a three-pronged plan to defend the region. First, they would construct a military waterway between the Ottawa River and Lake Ontario, away from American settlers along the St. Lawrence. Second, along this waterway loyal British immigrants (both retired military and loyal civilians) would be settled to offer resistance to invasion and to act as a model of loyalty to less-than-loyal Americans along the Brockville frontier. Third, they would disperse British veterans among the civilians to form a second line of defence to protect the waterway.

…When British civilian immigrants began arriving in 1815, however, only a small number could go to townships laid out along the Rideau in the 1790s. (most lands already granted) Depots were established instead at Easton’s settlement in Wolford and at Portland in Bastard, both linked by road to Brockville.

Meanwhile, veterans and civilians huddled in camps stretching from Montreal to Kingston in 1815 and 1816 as they waited for a place to go. In 1816, bickering officials finally ordered the surveying of four townships-Bathurst, Drummond, Beckwith and Goulbourn-north of the Rideau and named the ‘Rideau Military Settlement.’ A depot was established and named Perth in anticipation of receiving a large settlement of Perthshire highlanders with the veterans…When the Rideau proved too shallow to float a canoe in some stretches, the Merrick’s Mills depot was cancelled, and in 1816 a new road was cut through the forest from Brockville to Perth. The new townships, the new road, and the addition of population would effectively expand the hinterland and lead to the purchase of goods and services in Brockville…

At first, it seemed that most of the civilians who settled north of Brockville would be Scottish.

Lord Bathurst proposed diverting immigration out of the Scottish highlands from the States to Upper Canada to make ‘a loyal part of the British population’ available for the defence of Upper Canada by offering them grants of land and a free passage across the ocean…Scottish newspapers in early 1815 told of a scheme that offered 2,000 free passages to Canada, along with bedding, rations and a grant of 100 acres a family. Some 699 men, women and children arrived in October 1815, too late to settle before winter and too early for squabbling officials to agree where to put them. They were placed in barracks, probably the courthouse property, near Brockville.

Differing Attitudes and Expectations

The reception they received at Brockville forecast the hostility that would later arise between Americans and British settlers in Brockville’s hinterland. Locals perceived the Scottish immigrants were being brought in to reduce American influence in the region and to promote British settlement. They imagined their settlements being infiltrated and handed over to rapacious men willing to use martial law to impress livestock, commandeer horses, pay low value for crops and plunder the farms of families who fled to the United States. With those fears in mind, Brockville inhabitants tried to scare off the new arrivals, painting a gloomy view of the climate and terrain. Scottish immigrants- hearing of early frosts on the Rideau, that lands were badly watered for keeping cattle, and that their grants lay distant from transportation routes to take crops and timber to market- petitioned to be sent further west.

The new arrivals were not diverted. In early 1816, farmers and weavers were settled in Bathurst, Drummond, Beckwith, Elmsley and Burgess. By October, there were 1500 people at the Perth military depot. To accommodate them all, the scale of grants was very much reduced from those given Loyalists and Americans. As General John Sherbrooke directed, ‘it is a matter of great moment to keep the Settlement as compact as possible.’

1. 105:…The number of wagons heading north earned the new name of ‘Perth Street’ for Brockville’s earliest road, and many in town earned a living provisioning and transporting the new arrivals. The growing settlement at the rear of the district promised to bring more commerce to Brockville…

1. 106: Thus, between 1815 and 1825, Brockville lay at the southern edge of four zones and in the St. Lawrence townships, filled either with Loyalists or American immigrants. North of this were thirty-five townships on the Rideau and South Nation rivers: this land remained empty save for the Stevens settlement in Bastard and Kitley and the Rideau Settlement at Merrick’s Mills. North of this ‘empty frontier’ there were townships filled with British veterans and civilians...The larger pattern of settlement shows that North American-origin settlers and newly arrived British immigrants inhabited well defined regional settlements. They were largely insulated from one another by the empty frontier along the Gananoque, Rideau and South Nation rivers.

Nevertheless, some British immigrants worried about contamination from Americans. When Governor-General Dalhousie learned that British settlers were selling lots near Perth to Americans, he ordered ‘200 stands of Arms, & two light pieces’ placed at Perth and Richmond and encouraged the British to ‘form Volunteer Companies & to keep up that spirit of Loyalty & British feeling’ and to prevent ‘evil communications with…Americans who really swarm in the woods near Brockville.’

So wary were Perth officials of ideas from Brockville, that in 1816 one (Perth Military Settlement secretary and later superintendent Daniel Daverne) accused Reuben Sherwood of, without ‘permission or order…laying out a road from…Beckwith to…Wolford.’ …In an era when a counter-revolutionary society was being incubated at Perth, both accuser and accused recognized how sensitive an issue it was for the ultraloyalist settlers in the military townships to be unnecessarily exposed to American settlements, such as Merrickville and Brockville.

Two very different societies were separated by the road going from Brockville to Perth. Where the Loyalists and Americans could look forward to settling children on empty lots in the Rideau Townships, British immigrants in the Perth and Richmond settlements were hemmed in by equally concentrated settlement to the north of them.

American-origin settlers at Brockville formed an atomized society. Individualism was strong, and there were few collective enterprises outside of family. By contrast, group settlements of veterans and Scottish and Irish immigrants at Perth featured many group enterprises, based on ethnic or religious ties, on serving in a regiment and membership in secret Catholic societies and Masonic and Orange lodges. British immigrants, for example, set up libraries a generation in advance of Brockville. Similarly, a generation passed before churches were built near Brockville, while at Perth and Richmond construction took place within the first few years…

The expectations of American-origin people around Brockville were very different from those of British immigrants around Perth. The Loyalists, with their generous grants, assumed that, given time, their grants would increase in value and prosperity, and would naturally be theirs for the taking. Loyalists and immigrants from the United States also shared a common concern about their legal and representative rights not being trampled upon by government or military.

1. 108: On the other hand, British immigrants and veterans at Perth deferred naturally to authority. It was second nature for veterans to obey the commands of superiors, a tendency reinforced by the fact that the conferring of land titles coincided with elections, at which candidates tended to be high ranking officers. These immigrants had more modest expectations than the Loyalists at Brockville and were not disappointed by their small grants. Their ingrained deference to military administrators was enhanced by knowing that, if they did not improve their lots within three years, they risked losing them. That attitude was fostered as well by the promise of grants, if they succeeded as settlers, to their children when they reached the age of twenty-one. By contrast, the average Loyalist recoiled at the prospect of their officers taking control of society.”

History of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario

 by Thad. W.H. Leavitt , 1972  a reprint from 1879, Recorder Press, Brockville

1. 68-72 article by John Kilborn

In June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain…and I volunteered to serve in the first flank company of the County of Leeds…and I happened to be the first man placed on sentry, by Lieutenant William Morris…to guard the Kingston Road…In September, I volunteered (on an attack on Ogdensburg) and marched to Prescott…under Captain Reuben Sherwood and Lieutenant William Morris.

1816. 71 (After the War) I commenced trade at Unionville, ten miles in rear of Brockville, and was also employed by the Commissariat Department in the settlement of the emigrants who first settled in Perth and vicinity, in the year 1816. I forwarded all the families by wagons to the Bay (now the Village of Portland), and had to cut a road the last three miles, to reach the lake. Thence, in a large scow, they were taken down the Rideau Lake, below Oliver’s Ferry, to a deep bay above the mouth of the River Tay; then down on ox sleds, through the woods about a mile and a-half, to the Tay, above (now) Pike Falls; then, in another scow, up the River Tay, to the Depot, the present town of Perth. The same spring, I was employed by the Government to purchase wheat, oats, and potatoes for the emigrants, being sent to the settlement by the same route. I had sent forward provisions the winter previous by the ice and roads cut between the lakes. The following autumn, a road was cut by Peter Howard, M.P., from the present site of Toledo to Oliver’s Ferry and Perth, nearly on the line now travelled.

In the month of June, 1816, I was married, being then 21 years of age, by the late Rev. William Smart, to Elizabeth Baldwin (a sister of the wife of the late Sheriff Sherwood, and the wife of the late Roderick Easton), and the same year built a stone house, and settled at Unionville…

p.72    The two succeeding years after the beginning of the Perth settlement, I had the contract for the transport of all the stores and supplies made by the government to the settlement; some five or six hundred loads. The first season the getting the settlers, their baggage, seed, etc., transported from Brockville to the settlement, cost the government three dollars and a quarter per hundred; the next two winters the direct road being opened, it was done for from one-half to three-quarters of a dollar per hundred.

Eventual roles- MP, Justice of the Peace, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commission in Queen’s Bench, Postmaster, Associate Judge…wrote this at age 84 in 1878.

Original Scot PMS families based at Brockville, 1815/16

1815 Relocation petition      *on both lists

John Allan

Francis Allen

Thomas Barker (ber?)*

John Bush

Thomas Cuddie

Abraham Ferven

John Flood

James Fraser*

John Ferrier (urr?)*

Robert Gardner

Robert Gibson

1. Holdernup

John Holliday

Wm. Johnstown (one?)*

John Kingston

Wm. McGillivray*

Thomas McLean

John Millar

Archibald Morrison

William Old

W Scott

James Taylor*

Otto Thid

George Wilson*

1818 Holiday petition

Thomas Barrie       James McDonald         Abraham Toner

John Brask              Alex McFarlane

John Ferguson       Hugh McKay

A  Holdness            James McLaren

Alex Kidd                James Millar

                                 John Tompson

1. I learned about the Settlers Trek through the April 16th edition of the OGS eweekly update newsletter.

2. I have spent the past 4 years researching two of my gggg grandfathers who were soldiers in the British Army and who were originally granted land in the Perth Military Settlement. Ancestor Caspar Speigle served within the De Wattville regiment and according to family oral history ancestor Thomas Killeen of Tullaher County Clare was granted 200 acres of land in the Perth Military Settlement on March 21st, 1816 although I haven't been successful in finding evidence to support this alleged land grant to Thomas. Despite the victories and disappointments in my young research venture I have become fascinated with the story of the arrival of the next generation to Brockville or Kingston in the 1840's and their trek through the "viper infested" wilderness, to the Perth Military settlement. Thomas' son James would eventually claim his father's land grant and would go on to raise 16 grandchildren on lots of land 6 lots away from my Speigle ancestors who all lived on the shores of Salmon Lake now called Black Lack.

The story of my Killeen Family's immigrant/settlement story is presently being highlighted at Archives of Ontario in an co-curator exhibit that I launched at the beginning of April during Archives Awareness Week. 'Feirmeoir Sách Rathuíl' Irish for A Relatively Prosperous Farmer was my culminating tribute in this year of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Perth Military Settlement. This is a small tribute to both the original Irish settlers of Stanleyville and especially to my Irish immigrant ancestors who conquered the wild rocky bog land of Stanleyville that they would eventually call home 'abhaile' in the new world. In the summer of 2013 in preparation to participate in an Irish Documentary Series on TG4 called 'Tar Abhaile' (Come Home) that highlighted the home coming stories of 6 living descendants of the Irish Diaspora coming home in the Year of the Gathering, I decided to document or retrace in reverse, the trek of my ancestors' arrival to Canada to bring 'home' with me to share with my newly acquainted relatives who hosted our arrival to the Killeen homestead in 2013. I attempted to use old maps of the early 1800's of the military road (the Old Kingston road) super imposing them onto to 21st century road maps to approximate at least with an intelligent guess the trek into the Perth wilderness. The final lines of the monograph outlining my Killeen family history ends with "James and wife Johanna and son Michael landed at Kingston in 1849 and made their way into the Perth wilderness and the Irish Settlement at Stanleyville. In due time James would become a relatively prosperous farmer." I wish to retrace those steps of my immigrant ancestors as a homage pilgrimage to their Canadian beginnings.

3. It was with great coincidence and happenstance that a major event I am responsible for organizing was pushed ahead on the May calendar freeing-up so to speak these 5 days. My husband and I will be working 16 hour days to up to the 15th in order to accommodate our indulgence of falling back in time and signing off the grid. We are also parents to 4 children so a master plan of day-care is presently being organized to allow us this unexpected 'week' off.

4. I'm sure at times my family thinks that I'm a little fanatical about my new passion of genealogical & Irish heritage research and early Canadian history but they have always supported me. Without the continued support of our extended family my husband and I would not be able to do this Trek together. We are ever grateful to our family for the support and care they've given us these past 4 years as my husband has joined me on many of my research ventures like attending many of the War of 1812 re-enactment events or has stayed home while I have pursued my own personal quest of traveling all over Ontario and up the St. Lawrence to Gross Isle searching for the answers to my ancestors' arrival and first experiences in this foreign and at times not so friendly land. My newly acquainted Irish family and friends are always enthusiastic to hear of the latest adventures happening across 'the pond' and to be kept up to date. They often make jokes about the ventures I have my poor husband engaged in next. My local branch of the OGS have always been supportive of my latest tales, adventures and discoveries and have invited me on numerous occasions to make presentations to our local branch. The team of archivists at Archives of Ontario have also been very supportive and encouraging of my research at every visit to York. Our local Comhlatas Ceoltóirí éireann (Irish Arts Association) which was highlighted in the Tar Abhaile documentary has invited me to send postings throughout the trek to be posted at our branch website. In the Irish community I've come to learn that when one comes home it's as though the whole community shares in the joy of that homecoming as if it were their own.

5. I expect this trek to be particularly physically demanding. Although I'm a runner I've never really run more than 5 km at a time. I embrace the challenge though and want to to have as authentic an experience of this grueling trek as possible. I'm concerned that black fly and mosquito season will be upon us by then and worse that the 'vipers' will be awakening from their winter slumber. Another more realistic challenge is the fact that temperatures can escalate to the high 20's and plummet to below zero in a single day. I will find it challenging to plan for the variants of the weather while maintaining as much as possible the authenticity of period costume. I must confess I may cheat on the footwear.

6. I'm looking forward to meeting other 'Trekers' and hearing their stories. Often the synergy that is created when people gather with a common goal creates a richer experience than one could ever anticipate or attempt to create. I look forward to the possibility of meeting up with a gentleman who I've been corresponding with regarding all things British military these past 4 years as I understand he will be present at the military encampment. I look forward to the opportunity to walk in the steps of my ancestors and in this small way pay homage to the tenacious persevering first settlers and founding citizens of upper Canada and to give thanks to my ancestors for allowing me to claim my inheritance of sharing in their prosperity.

Liz and team in advance of our arrival I'd like to say go raibh maith agat, thank you for all of your behind the scenes preparation and self sacrifice that allows us to enter fully into this experience.

Slan go foile, Until the 15th,

Brenda Killeen-Cavallin

The Lee family - John Meets Rosetta Wall, they marry, they move to Canada, the trip from Brockville to Perth

Our Thanks to Alicia Lee for sharing this beautiful story with us.

The events leading up to the rebellion and of the rebellion itself had a profound influence on the Lee family in Gorey. The father and mother, while having anything but love for the Catholic religion, were strongly sympathetic towards the aims of the reformers for legislative reform and deprecated the atrocities perpetrated before, during and after the rebellion. And their children, growing up in this atmosphere, could hardly fail to be disturbed emotionally by the terrible acts against many of their friends and companions.  Several times the boys, now 18, 16 and 15 years of age, came close to trouble with the authorities through the sympathy they showed and the protection to rebel refugees. After the defeat and dispersion of the rebels at Vinegar Hill four young men, Michael Dwyer, Henry Byrne, Owen Byrne and Thomas Wall, all from Wicklow, reached Gorey completely exhausted. Here John Lee found them, took them to the tannery where he fed them and kept them hidden for over a week. He then succeeded in getting them safely out of Gorey in the night and by by-paths through the hills led them past Arklow till they reached the familiar hills and valleys of their own Wicklow. John Lee remained at or near the home of young Wall for several days enjoying the hospitality of Wall’s parents and the company of his sister, Rosetta, then a young girl of 13 or 14 years. When the country had quieted after the Union, young Lee repeated visits to the Wall home, and, early in 1805, he and Rosetta Wall were married by her parish priest.

His mother, particularly, was very bitter over his marrying a Catholic, and refused to even meet his wife. His father dismissed him from employment in the tannery and, as he had no other employment, he took his wife back to her mother and shortly after enlisted in the English army. Towards the end of the year a baby was born who, at his baptism, was christened William. When the child was about a year old, the Lee grandparents relented enough to take the boy and give some support to the mother. This arrangement lasted about ten or eleven years during which time the boy was given the best education available at the time and drilled in the tenets of the Anglican religion.

In 1812, John Lee received his discharge from the army and decided to emigrate to Canada. He and his wife Rosetta set out for Liverpool on a ship owned and sailed by his brother Richard, taking with them their boy Richard, then but a year old.  The grandparents begged to keep William of whom they had become very fond, and despite the feelings of the mother, their pleas were acceded to and the child remained in Gorey. In Liverpool, they found that it would be impossible to get sailing accommodations for some long time, so John Lee obtained a position in a tannery. Early in 1813, he secured passage in a sailing vessel bound for Quebec with a cargo of iron goods, cutlery, woollens and crockery as well as two hundred emigrants who hoped to find a better life in a New World than they could ever secure in the Old.

It was a long and tedious voyage across the Atlantic, with all the inconveniences of a sailing vessel in those days. The ship was crowded and accommodations were far from perfect, especially sleeping quarters. The passengers were obliged to bring their own food, but the ships casks provided an ample supply of water, though this water became foul and unpalatable as time passed. Early on the trip, they were delayed by head winds for ten days, but afterwards for about four weeks, they were blessed with fine weather and favourable winds. In the eleventh week they ran into a storm, a very severe storm of wind, rain, sleet, and cold. They were tossed about for three days and driven many miles off their course and into an ice-floe from the Arctic current. Unfortunately too, the ship started a plank and all men on board were called to assist at the pumps. For the rest of the journey the pumps had to be kept going continuously to keep the ship afloat. The wind ceased as suddenly as it had risen and all on board began to have hopes of once more reaching dry land.

Even before the storm there was much sickness among the passengers, sea-sickness, and considerable fever, almost like typhus, owing to the unsanitary conditions of the cabins. The storms aggravated the illness and there were three deaths on board, two adults and a little girl. All were buried at sea.

During this sickness Rosetta Lee was an angel of mercy, ministering to the sick of body and mind, till her very presence cheered the sick and downhearted back to normal. She was tireless in her attention to the sick who afterwards attributed their recovery to her kind and intelligent ministrations. In her work among the ill and helpless, she was ably assisted and encouraged by her husband, who, with his child, became a great favourite with the children on the ship. Another man who was a practical assistant among the unfortunate was an old retired sailor, Patrick O’Toole, who, left alone in the world, was seeking a new home across the sea to the west. In his baggage he had laid in a stock of rum, the spirits of the sailors, and this he offered freely to Rosetta to be used where she might think it of use to those in her care. Later this man O’Toole became so attached to the Lee’s that he determined to remain near them right up to their home in the New World.

The ship landed at Quebec on May 19^th, 1813 after a trip of fifty–three days.

All were delighted to put their feet once more on dry land, but their joy was short-lived for they found that they were little more than started on the long journey to the locations where they intended to make their homes. Many of them immediately set out to secure transportation up the river to Montreal, but John Lee and his wife determined to remain for a short time in Quebec to secure a good rest after the arduous ocean journey.

Three days later, they boarded a schooner for Montreal, and, after a rather pleasant trip of four days during which they made stops at Three Rivers, at the mouth of the St. Maurice River at Sorel, at the mouth of the Richelieu River, and at other small places, they landed at Montreal on May 26^th, 1813. They remained in Montreal for almost three years where John Lee had no difficulty in getting a good position in a tannery. A few months after their arrival in Montreal their third son, called Edward, was born and early in 1815 another boy came to whom they gave the name John.

At Montreal, John Lee found that owing to the war then going on with the United States, attention was being given by the authorities to the placing of settlers. Then, too, the influx U.S. Loyalists and the emigration of loads of people from Scotland towards the end of the last century and the beginning of this had taken up all the lands close to the St. Lawrence, which at that time was the only highway of at all convenient use. This decided John Lee to remain in Montreal until there was something more definite in view.

After the experience of the War of 1812 – 14 the Government learned that the St. Lawrence, in case of war, was not a safe for transportation, so it was decided that a waterway should be opened from the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario at Kingston by way of the Rideau River, Rideau Lake and Cataraqui River, and that the country along the north west side of this waterway should be at once opened up for settlement.  It was felt that colonization by disbanded soldiers loyal subjects from Great Britain and Ireland would ensure defence of the district, and would provide a leaven against disloyalty which, it was feared, was creeping into Upper Canada with settlers from United States. In a short time, too, would provide a source of supplies for the army at the front. There was also considered that this would help to relieve the Old Country of many of the unemployed during a depression which was sure to follow the Napoleonic Wars.

In February 1815, a proclamation was issued by the authority of the home government offering special inducements to settlers for the Rideau district. Each settler was to receive a grant of 100 acres of land, subsistence allowance for eight months, and many implements that would be in a new settlement in the woods. But it was over a year before the whole scheme was implemented. It was not until March 22^nd, 1816, that Perth on the Tay, was established as the central depot for the distribution of settlers and the doling out of supplies to them, and only on April 18, 1816, was any settlement commenced there.

In May 1816, John Lee determined to take advantage of the Government offer of free land in the Rideau settlement. He had by this time added considerably to the stock of money he had with him from the Old Country and he set out in Montreal to supply himself with goods of all kinds which he learned would be necessities in a new settlement. He then engaged a wagon to take himself and his family and his store of goods to Lachine where they boarded a bateau for the trip up the St. Lawrence.

All went well on the way through Lake St. Louis, but at the head of this lake began the long and dangerous trip through the rapids. This part of the journey was a nightmare to the Lees with their three children. It was one series of rapids after another for miles and miles, the Cascades, the Cedars, the Long Sault. Frequently all the men aboard had to get out into the water even up to their waists to aid the boatmen push the boat up a steep rapid. Then, sometimes a tow rope was attached to the bow of the boat and horses on shore pulled the bateau for some distance. At nearly all the rapids the cargo and the luggage had to be unloaded to lighten the boat and taken by wagons to the head of the rapids while the passengers had to walk along the shore. At two of the worst rapids, locks had been built to overcome part of the rapid, but only part, at Coteau and at the Long Sault. At night, passengers had to land and find accommodation for themselves at taverns, at farm houses, in tents which they had brought along, or even out in the open under trees. Rosetta Lee was almost completely done in when, after twelve days of this, they at last landed at Prescott, notwithstanding the constant help given her with the children by her husband and by Patrick O’Toole, who still accompanied them.

At Prescott, John Lee visited the office of the Land Commissioner, Lieutenant Alex McDonnell and was given the location of three lots of land in Bathurst Township, just then being opened up by surveyors, from these, after seeing them, he was to select one. They then proceeded to Brockville from which place they were to go back into the country some forty miles into the new Rideau settlements. They arrived here May 17^th, 1816, and on the next day, May 18^th, word came to Brockville that several regiments had been disbanded at Montreal and at Kingston and that any soldier who wished might have free land in the Rideau Settlements. Three of these regiments were the Glengarry Light Infantry and the two “Foreign Legions”, the De Leuron and the DeWatteville Regiments. At Cornwall, at Prescott and at Brockville were crowds of emigrants awaiting word that the new townships intended for their settlement were completely surveyed. These were Bathurst, Drummond, Beckwith, Montague – the parts of Burgess and Elmsley north of the Rideau had already been surveyed, likely along with the parts of the same townships to the south of the Rideau Lake.

At Brockville the Lees succeeded in getting accommodations for one night and in the morning, John procured a wagon to carry them and their effects to Perth. With them went a train of five wagons each loaded with settlers and their goods.

For the first twenty miles, the road travelled was fairly good. It went northward through the township of Elizabethtown with here and there a settlers farm with its shanty or log hut, to Toledo. This part of the journey was completed the first day. From there the road was a new one lately cut through the woods from Toledo, through Lombardy to the Rideau at Oliver’s Ferry. This road was full of hazards. Several times their wagons were mired and only with great difficulty were they freed. On one occasion, a team of oxen had to be brought to their aid. Two of the wagons in the train upset, scattering the passengers and the contents over the ground. One man had an arm broken and a boy was almost killed. Over the best part of the road, it was one continual bump after another while over long stretches of corduroy the life was nearly shook out of the passengers. Late that night the party reach Oliver’s Ferry and passed the night there, most of them in the open. Rosetta and her three children fortunately were taken in at the Ferry man’s house and had a good night’s rest. Next morning, all crossed the lake by ferry and began the last stage of their journey, six miles to Perth. All went quite well until they reached a swampy place over the Jebb Creek at the foot of Otty Lake. The water was high and over the road in some places and the whole space of some two hundred years was a series of mud hole and corduroy. All of the men of the party had to get out and assist the drivers to carry logs and stones to fill up spaces. Then, by hitching two teams to a wagon they finally made their way across. From there to Perth, the road was mostly on higher ground and the party reached their destination about noon, having taken six hours to make the six miles from the Ferry.

Rosetta and her three children found refuge at the depot with a Mrs. John Madden, in a shanty not far from the Scotch Line on what maybe is now Craig Street. John Madden was a mason and had just taken up a farm to the east of the Long Swamp, in the 2^nd concession of Drummond. Most of the rest of the party had to camp in the open as the place was full of immigrants and disbanded soldiers waiting for their locations. The Lees arrived in Perth May 21^st, 1816.

That afternoon, John Lee presented himself at the Land Office to a Mr. Daverne and was informed that the part of the Township of Bathurst in which his options were located was not yet wholly surveyed and that it would be impossible for him to find these lots until the survey was completed. This meant another delay and was rather discouraging, but he made arrangements with Mrs. Madden to keep Mrs. Lee and the children until he had made some definite plans.

That evening at a tavern he met a Mr. Thomas Williams with whom he at once struck up a friendship. This Mr. Williams had taken up land the South West half of Lot#1 in the 4^th concession of Drummond and on the proposed road north westward from Perth to a new settlement in Lanark. Williams had already begun the erection of a log house, quite a substantial one, facing the 4^th line on a hill at the front of his lot, and was in Perth seeking men to help with the work. John Lee, Patrick O’Toole and three other men, Thomas Echlin, Patrick Freeman and Patrick Dowdall volunteered to help and all arrived at the Williams farm next morning to begin work. The following morning, John Madden came and began the erection of a chimney and flue. Within a week they had the house about completed and ready for occupancy.

During the week, Thomas Williams drew Lee’s attention to the fact that the Ferguson house only about two hundred yards to the south east on Lot #1 in the 3^rd concession, which had begun before the Williams house, had nothing done to it for all this time. On inquiry, they found that Mr. Ferguson was ill and would not be able to finish his homesteading on this lot for some time, and was in danger of losing his claim. John Lee, then and there, made a bargain with Ferguson to finish his homesteading, with the option of buying the lot, or a portion of it. The following week, with the assistance of the same men, the house was completed into a very comfortable residence and over an acre of ground was cleared about it. To this house, John Lee brought Rosetta and the children, Richard, Edward and John.