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ISSN 1206
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4394
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley
Volume 21, Number 4, February 2017
T
able of Contents
President’s Corner ………………….………………………..………………...…………...…… Rick Meridew 2
Wedding Bells at the Pearse House …………………………………………………….…………. Karen Hicks 3
The House in the Photo ……………………………………………………………………………. Karen Hicks 10
The History of Kerr House ……………………………………………. Martha Ann Kidd, Gina Basciano (1985) 11
The Story of the Mohania Plant ………………………………………………………….…… Catherine Dibben 12
Five Major Winter Fires Downtown in Five Years …………………………………..…………. Elwood H. Jones 13
Cordach Crescent ……………………………………………………………………..……….. Blair Mackenzie 18
Samuel J. Carver …………………………………………………………….…………………. Elwood H. Jones 20
Settlers Located by Alexander McDonnell, 1831-1836 ………………………………….……… Fraser Dunford 22
Paying Tribute to J. J. Duffus: Businessman, politician and Peterborough leader ……………….. Jessica Nyznik 24
Young Enough to Die [Ed Arnold] ……………………………………………..……………… Elwood H. Jones 25
Peterborough [c. 1905] …………………………………………………………….………… Ontario Directory 26
Champlain the bird watcher: Footnote to Champlain in the Kawarthas ………. Alan Brunger and Peter Adams 27
Tension between the French and Irish in the “Holy Land” [Ennismore Township] .... Alan Brunger, Peter Adams 28
News from the TVA Research Centre: new door; new book sales shelving; Betty Craw genealogical records 28
Return of Streetcars, Electric Lights and the Town Council, 1904 …………….……….. Peterborough Review 29
The Street Railway in Peterborough: Timeline 1883 to 1903 ………………….……….. Peterborough Journal 34
Postcards paint a picture of Peterborough past ……………………………….. Peter Adams and Alan Brunger 37
Queries and News ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38
Peterborough’s Movie-Going History 38; Ford of Canada grant 38; Obituaries: Bob Riddolls 38;
Cy Monkman 38; Grace Barker 39; George Elliott query 39; A. Scott Carter and the Peterborough
Coat of Arms (Callie Stacey) 39
Quaker Fire 100 Years Later ………………………………………………………………….. Gordon A. Young 40
Looking Ahead: The SPARK Photo Festival April 2017 ……………...………………………….. Jennie Versteeg 41
Quaker Memorial ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Jim Gill 41
Cooking up Change in the TVA Kitchen ……………………………………….……. . Shelagh Macgillivray Neck 42
Canada 150: Trent Valley Archives Lecture Series; Doors Open; and Annual General Meeting …………………. 43
Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas …………………....…….………………… Trent Valley Archives 44
Cover photo:
The new main entrance at Trent Valley Archives leads into the reading room. (Elwood H. Jones)
Fairview Heritage Cent
r
e
567 Carnegie Aven
u
e
Peterborough Ontario Canada K9L
1
N1
705-745-4404
admin@trentvalleyarchives.com
www.trentvalleyarchives.com
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
2
Trent Valley Archives, Fairview
Heritage Centre Peterborough Ontario
K9L 1N1 (705) 745-
4404 Uadmin@trentvalleyarchives.comU Uww
w.trentvalleyarchives.comU
Reading Room ope
n
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
Board of Directors
Peter Adams
Ron Briegel
Alan Brunger, Vice President
Karen Hicks, Secretary
Elwood Jones, Treasurer
Ruth Kuchinad
Gina Martin
Rick Meridew, President
Shelagh Neck, Vice President
Carol Sucee
Dianne Tedford
Guy Thompson, Past President
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley
Elwood Jones, editor
Uelwood@trentvalleyarchives.com
Pat Marchen
Dorothy Sharpe, typist
Trent Valley Archives
Uadmin@trentvalleyarchives.comU
Elwood Jones, Archivist
Heather Aiton Landry, Assistant
Archivist
Carol Sucee, Librarian
Trent Valley Archives Events Chair
Ruth Kuchinad
Urkuch@nexicom.netU
Trent Valley Archives Publications
Elwood Jones, Chair
Uelwood@trentvalleyarchives.com
The information and opinions expressed are those of the
contributors and not necessarily those of the Trent Valley
Archives or its directors. Unless otherwise noted, illustrations are
from the collections of the Trent Valley Archives.
©1998-2016 Trent Valley Archives
Any copying, downloading or uploading without the
explicit consent of the editor is prohibited. Classroom use
is encouraged, but please inform the editor of such use.
President’s Corner
“Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it.”
With 2017 being Canada’s 150
th
birthday people all
over the country are celebrating and reflecting on
Canada’s future and it’s past. Here at Trent Valley Archives
we have embraced this historic year with enthusiasm.
Since 1989 Trent Valley Archives our passion has been
safeguarding the past by the preservation, identification
and care of archives in the Trent Valley region. With well
over 500 collections or Fonds we have saved thousands of
unique documents, photographs and records from the
dumpster.
Trent Valley Archives also brings the past to life
through various outreach programs ranging from talks,
tours, open houses, publishing books and the “Heritage
Gazette of the Trent Valley”, social media including
Facebook, Twitter and a semi-monthly electronic
newsletter.
Always with an eye to provide historical context to
modern day we have been busy researching, writing,
planning our own special Canada 150 events.
In 2017 we are introducing a Speaker Series with five
talks on various topics locally relevant to the Canada 150
celebration. Look for details on our web site.
As photographs take on a more prominent place in
our activities we are also featuring four different exhibits
throughout 2017. Located in our reading room the current
display examines a Victorian theme and features
photographs from our Fairbairn, Electric City and
Fitzgerald collections. Why not drop by and see what
photos have been selected to reflect Peterborough in
Victorian times.
Other special events are developing as of this writing.
The quote that is the title of this piece is attributed to
George Santayana (1863 – 1952) a prominent philosopher,
essayist, poet and novelist. It has been repeated and
revised so many times that it has, some may argue,
become a cliché. Looking at current events I would argue
that it is as true today as it has ever been.
If there is wisdom in the quote then consider that
through their collections and outreach Trent Valley
Archives offers an unprecedented opportunity for each of
us to access, remember, enjoy and learn from our local
history and perhaps even avoid the errors of our
ancestors.
Rick Meridew
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
3
Wedding Bells at the Pearse House
Karen Hicks
Every picture tells a story, right? Well, this one tells
several.
Who got married? Where is the verandah they are
standing on? What year was it?
This charming photograph is part of the Martha
Kidd collection at Trent Valley Archives.
It came to light when volunteers at TVA were
looking for photos for an exhibition in conjunction with the
first SPARK photo festival, held in 2014.
I was much taken with the photograph at the time.
There was nothing to identify the people in the photos,
although it may have been in the collection because Martha
Kidd’s primary photographic interest was the recording and
preserving of older homes in Peterborough.
Knowing how much I loved the photo, someone at
TVA gave me an extra print after the exhibition. No one
who came in to see our photo exhibit was able to provide
any information about it. But I kept it by my desk at home
and last year Elwood ran it in the Heritage Gazette along
with an appeal for information. It didn’t yield anything, but
in April when we held a “photos in your attic” event, TVA
member Gina Collins did recognize the house. She said it
was Kerr House at Traill College, Trent University.
Heather Aiton-Landry, Elwood and I considered
that information. I took the photo up to Kerr House, which
I knew well, I thought, as I had lived in that neighbourhood
for 20 years! Wrong.
The building is much altered today, and our
discussion of whether it is the same house was spirited. In
the end, Elwood was, as usual, right. It is Kerr House. But I
get ahead of myself.
Lillian Pearse, youngest daughter of the late Mr.
and Mrs. Edgcumbe Pearse, married Francis Dean Kerr,
son of the late Senator and Mrs. William Kerr (nee Myra J.
Field, daughter of John Field MPP) of Cobourg on
Tuesday, August 26, 1919 at St. John’s Church, officiated
by Rev. Canon Davidson.
This is their wedding photo, on the steps of Lillian
Pearse’s parents’ home, which is still standing. Lillian
Pearse was 41 when she married Francis Dean (known as
F.D.) Kerr, who was 47.
Lillian was the daughter of Edgcumbe Pearse and
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
4
Ann Sarah Shilton. The Pearse name is variously spelled in
the census and other records, as is Edgcumbe. I’m
standizing the spelling from how it appears on the
gravestone at Little Lake Cemetery.
Edgcumbe Pearse was born in Newport,
Monmouthshire, Wales, on March 14, 1836.
His parents were Thomas Pearse and Charlotte
Nicolls. He was baptized July 26, 1836 in Launceston,
London, England in the Wesleyan denomination. (Source:
National Archives, England.)
In the 1841 census the Pearse family living in St.
Stephens Parish in Cornwall Edgecombe is aged five.
Name Age
Charity Davey 70
Thomas Pearse 40
Charlotte Pearse 40
Grace Pearse 20
Letitia Masten 15
Grace Pearse 12
William Pearse 11
Thomas Pearse 9
Charlotte Pearse 7
Edgecombe Pearse 5
Alfred Pearse 3
Margaret Pearse 1 month
It is a large household.
Francis H. Dobbin (1850-1932), Peterborough’s
premier historian of his generation, followed his career in
journalism. He was with the Peterborough Review, of
which he was some-time owner, and with the Peterborough
Examiner.
This is what he wrote about Edgcumbe Pearse from
the files at TVA. Edgcumbe Pearse, he said, was probably
one of the best known, at the time of his death, among the
citizens of Peterborough.
“Born in parish of Launceston, Devonshire,
England, in 1836, at the age of 21 years he traveled to the
West Indies in the interests of the shipping house of Paris
& Co., of which firm his father was a partner. He was for a
time in the Western States, where he invested in lands. He
came to Peterborough at age of 26 and was employed with
Messrs. T. and R. White to adjust the dissolution of
partnership. This would have been in 1862.
“In 1863 he entered the County Clerk’s Office, as
assistant to the then Clerk and Treasurer, Mr. Walter
Sheridan. On the death of the clerk in 1867, Mr. Pearse was
at once appointed in succession.”
I tracked Edgcumbe Pearse through the available
City Directories from 1861. Here are some references:
1865-66 Fuller’s Counties of Peterborough/Victoria -
The 1883-84 Business Directory notes:
Edgcumbe Pearse owned property s Dublin w
George 12+13, freeholder. (In Ward 3)
1888-1889 Town of Peterborough Directory:
Edgcumbe Pearse, county clerk and treasurer, office,
Court House, h. 586 Rubidge
The directories show him as county clerk until
1899, the year of his death and that his home was 586
Rubidge.
Edgcumbe Pearse married Ann Shelton.
On April 21, 1864 Edgcumbe Pearse married Ann
L. Shelton, 21, in Peterborough. Her parents were J.
(father) and M. (mother) Shelton.
I couldn’t find M. or J. Shelton (identified from
Ann’s marriage registration) in the local city directories or
in census records.
I did find an Ann Shelton in both the 1851 and 1861
census. According to the 1851 census Ann Shilton, Isabella
Shilton, and Adaman, were living with the Marshel family.
Christopher Marshel, a baker, is aged 60 (German)
Elisabeth Marshel, 52 (Scotland)
Isabella Marshel, 26, (Canada)
George Marshel, Baker, 24
Peter Marshel, Baker, 22
Mary Marshel, 20,
Sarah Marshel, 15,
Ann S. Shilton, 11
Adaman Shilton, 8
Isabella Shilton, 6
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
5
I think we can surmise that the three Shilton
children were living with family members, perhaps an
uncle and aunt, Christopher, the baker, and his wife,
Elisabeth, and their family.
It is interesting that Ann Pearse later named her son
“Adaman,” which led me to believe we had the correct
Ann. It is an unusual name and she could have chosen it for
her son because it was the name of her brother.
In the 1861 census we find another entry for Ann,
this time in the hand writing the names looks more like
“Shelton.”
Here we have Ann Shelton, age 20, and Isabella
Shelton, 15, living with Robert Rowe, a carpenter, 43, and
his wife, Isabella, 32. Ann and Isabella Shelton, are listed
as family members, not lodgers.
Ann and Edgcumbe’s marriage registration in 1864
has Ann aged 21. Not an exact match for dates, but close.
In the Morning Times obituary of her husband,
Edgcumbe Pearse, Ann Shelton Pearse is referred to as a
granddaughter of the late Wm Marshall of Peterborough.
Did the Marshel family become the Marshalls?
The Marshels had a daughter, Isabella, who was 26
in 1851. Robert Rowe’s wife was named Isabella. If she
was Isabella Marshel she would have been 36 in the 1861
census, but she was 32. Not an exact match, but close.
I did determine eventually that Isabella Marshel did
indeed marry Robert Rowe. The fine gravestone in Little
Lake Cemetery commemorates Robert Rowe, his wife,
Isabella Marshall, and her father, Christopher Marshall,
who died in 1857.
Without a record of their parents, Mrs. M. and Mr.
J. Shelton, we don’t know how many children there were in
the family. Perhaps there is a Wm. Marshel (anglicized to
Marshall) who had a son, Christopher, the baker, who had a
family.
Perhaps Wm Marshel, or Marshall, also had a
daughter (M), who married a Mr. J. Shelton, and they had
three children that we know of, Ann, Isabella and Adaman.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
6
That would make Mr. Marshall Ann’s grandfather, as noted
in the obituary.
It would be interesting to know why Ann and
Isabella were living with relatives, and what became of
Adaman, but that’s just another loose end in the story.
Edgcumbe Pearse married Ann L. Shelton on April
21, 1864 in Peterborough.
Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1801-1928, 1933-1934
Source: Archives of Ontario
Name:
Ann L Shelton
Age:
21
Birth Year:
1843
Birth Place:
Canada
Residence:
Peterborough
Marriage Date:
21 Apr 1864
Marriage Place:
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Father:
J
Mother:
M
Spouse:
Edgecombe Pierce
I didn’t find any report of the wedding in the
Examiner in 1864.
Edgcumbe Pearse arrived in Peterborough in 1863
and worked at the County Clerk’s Office. In 1861, Ann and
her sister, Isabella, were living with the Rowes.
How did the couple meet? Perhaps at St. John’s
Church where they were married and where, at least after
their marriage, they were members. Their daughter, Lillian
was also married there.
Edgcumbe and Ann had five children, including the
bride in our photo, Lillian.
Thomas Ernest was born in 1865. He is not listed as
surviving or deceased in the obituaries of any of his sisters.
In the 1893 city directory he was a civil engineer and living
at 586 Rubidge St. In his father’s obituary in 1899 he was
described as “a successful civil and sanitary engineer at
Newport News, Virginia.”
Charlotte Ann was born in 1867 and died in 1953.
She married Alfred Sherwood in 1890 in Peterborough. My
research of Alfred Sherwood was fruitless, and I leave that
as another loose end.
When Charlotte Anne died in 1952, it was noted in
her obituary that she had two nephews, Edgcombe Pearse
and Herbert Pearse of Maryland, presumably the sons of
her only living brother, Thomas.
Edith born in 1871, died December 30, 1904 and
died of typhoid fever in Kansas City, Mi. She was
unmarried.
Wm. Adaman Pearse, born September 7, 1872, died
seven months later.
Lillian, our bride, was born November 20, 1878.
Considering the location of the wedding
photograph, we know from Martha Kidd’s files that
Edgcumbe Pearse purchased a property on Nov. 11, 1870.
In the 1881 Census, Edgcumbe Pearse, born in 1837
in England, (now 44), lives with his wife Ann S. Pearse, 35,
and their children Thomas E. Pearse, 16, Charlotte A.
Pearse, 14, Edith Pearse, 10, and Lillian Pearse, 3. (In the
1871 census, he is Edgecombe Pearse. In 1881 it is Pierce!)
We know from the city directories that in 1883 he
owned a property located south /Dublin and west/George
(In Ward 3) and in the 1888-1889 directory his home is 586
Rubidge.
Martha Kidd’s records note that Kerr House is
situated close to the centre of Lot #13 south of Dublin
Street and west of George Street with lawns and gardens
occupying all of Lot #12 south of Dublin and west of
George Street. That’s the property described in the City
Directory.
Edgcumbe Pearse
Edgcumbe Pearse died on August18, 1899.
Obituary
The Late Edgcumbe Pearse
Morning Times of Monday, August 21, 1899
“Saturday’s Times announced the death of Mr. E.
Pearse, County Clerk and Treasurer, which occurred
suddenly at Muskoka on Friday last.
‘Last winter he suffered a severe attack of la grip,
followed by a slight touch of paralysis. He did not appear to
regain strength, and thought a sojourn in Muskoka would
elicit a cure. With Mrs. Pearse he went to King’s wharf
about three weeks ago, and on Thursday evening, shortly
after tea, he suffered another stroke which left him
unconscious, in which condition he remained up to the time
of his death.
“The late Mr. Pearse was a native of Devonshire
where he was born seventy years ago. After visiting various
parts of the world he came to Canada when he was 26 years
old. He entered the office of the County Clerk and
Treasurer, and was subsequently appointed County Clerk,
and on the death of the Treasurer, Mr. Walter Sheridan, he
got the Treasurership, a position which he filled with rare
ability and great credit to himself and the county. He also
filled the position of secretary of the Town Trust
Commissioners, for about 15 years.
“Mr. Pearse was a member of St. John’s Church,
and always took great interest in church work.
“In 1864 Mr. Pearse married Miss Shelton, grand-
daughter of the late Wm Marshall, of Peterborough. Mrs.
Pearse, who it may be mentioned, is herself not in robust
health and greatly prostrated by her bereavement, survives
him, and four children – Thomas Ernest, a successful civil
and sanitary engineer in Newport News, United States,
Mrs. Sherwood, Miss Pearse in Kansas city, Mo., and Miss
Lily Pearse, the youngest.
“Mr. Pearse was quiet and retiring in his
disposition, and very popular with whom he came in
contact. The remains reached town on Friday night, and the
funeral will leave the family residence this afternoon at
three o’clock.”
Here’s how Francis H. Dobbin, his contemporary,
described Edgecombe Pearse.
“Probably one of the best known, at the time of his
death, among the citizens of Peterborough.
“In 1863 he entered the County Clerk’s Office, as
assistant to the then Clerk and Treasurer, Mr. Walter
Sheridan. On the death of the clerk in 1867, Mr. Pearse was
at once appointed in succession. From that time on he
continued in office, a valued and respected servant of the
County. He had great natural ability as an accountant and
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
7
his services were much in demand as auditor. Especially
was he competent in dealing with the financial matters of
the County in its relation to surrounding municipalities.
“As secretary of the Town Trust Commission, a
position he held for 15 years, he gave valuable service. A
member of the Church of England. Died in Muskoka, while
on his vacation on Aug.18, 1899.
“As a mark of appreciation and respect the funeral
was attended by the Town Council, and also the County
Council in a body. On meeting of the County Council to
arrangement for the appointment of Clerk, reference was
made to the late Mr. Pearse, and a resolution of condolence
prepared and sent to relatives.”
Edgcumbe Pearce
Ontario Deaths and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947
Name
Edgecombe Pearce
Event Type
Death
Event Date
18 Aug 1899
Event Place
Humphrey, Parry Sound, Ontario
Gender
Male
Age
64
Birthplace
La.Ton Devon, Eng.
Birth Year
1835 (Estimated)
"Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-
1947."
So, at the time of his death in 1899, his widow, Ann
Shelton Pearse, and their daughter, Lillian, or Lily, were
living in the family home at 586 Rubidge. Daughter
Charlotte Ann had married in 1890 although she was to
return to live in the family home some years later.
Introducing Francis Dean Kerr
Meanwhile, Francis Dean Kerr, who will marry
Lillian Pearse in 1919, was a lawyer with Howell, Fleming,
a law firm established in 1857. He was admitted to the bar
in 1892, and was made a partner in 1895.
The Kerr Family fonds is located at Trent
University Archives. Those records tell us that Francis
Dean Kerr’s father, William Kerr, was born at
Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward County, Upper Canada, in
1836. He was a son of Francis William and Olive Shelley
Kerr. He attended school at Newtonville and later Victoria
College at Cobourg where he received his B.A. in 1855, his
M.A. in 1858, and L.L.D. in 1887.
William Kerr, pronounced Carr, was called to the
bar in 1859 and practiced law at Smith and Armour in
Cobourg. He became a Q.C. in 1876. In 1896 he was
elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario.
Mr. Kerr served as a Cobourg town councilor and
mayor and was elected a Liberal member of the House of
Commons for Northumberland West in 1874. Defeated in
the 1882 election, in 1889 he was called to the senate.
On November 12, 1858, he married Myra J. Field,
who was born in England, and daughter of John Field,
M.P.P. They had seven children, three daughters and four
sons. The oldest son, William F. Kerr became a partner in
his father's law practice to form the firm Kerr and Kerr of
Cobourg. After the Senator's death on November 22, 1906
in Toronto, William F. carried on the firm with a series of
partnerships. William F. Kerr was best man at his brother’s
wedding.
Francis Dean Kerr, known as F.D., was born
November 30, 1872 in Cobourg.
In 1909, he would have been 37 years old and he
had been a member of the bar since 1892. The city
directories tell us he worked at Dennistoun, Peck and Kerr,
barristers, solicitors and notaries, at 415-417 Water St. He
lived at 507 Homewood Ave. with boarder Robert Hall,
who was Collector of Customs.
At the time F.D. was Trustee of the Peterborough
Law Association, and President of the Canadian Club.
The next year, 1910, we find widow Ann Pearse
and her daughter, Lillian, living in the family home at 586
Rubidge Street. F.D. Kerr is rooming at 393 Water St.
393 Water Street is on the west side of the street,
just before the corner of Hunter Street. It then housed
Peterborough Business College, the Peterborough
Saskatchewan Land Co. Ltd., landscapers, a physician, and
F.D. Kerr. Today, there are stores on the ground floor with
generous-sized apartments above.
In 1911, according to the Canada Census, Charlotte
Ann, a widow, has joined her mother and sister living in the
house on Rubidge Street. Then aged 45, she had married
Alfred Sherwood on December 3, 1890 in Peterborough.
Her obituary noted she had lived her life in the area, but I
couldn’t find what became of Alfred Sherwood.
Annie Sarah Pearse died in Peterborough at the age
76 on February 3, 1917. She was 76.
The Evening Examiner
Funeral of the late Mrs. Edgcumbe Pearse
“The funeral of the late Mrs. Edgcumbe Pearse took
place this afternoon. A short family service was held at the
home and the funeral service at St. John’s Church.
“Mrs. Pearse was the widow of the late Edgcumbe
Pearse, who for thirty-two years was the Treasurer and
clerk of the County of Peterborough.
“The pallbearers were Mr. W.H. Moore, Mr. D.W.
Dumble, Mr. W. H. Grubbe, Dr. Greer, Mr. F.D. Kerr and
Mr. Fred Clementi.
“The late Mrs. Pearse is survived by three children,
Mrs. A. E. Sherwood, Miss Lillian Pearse of this city and
Mr. T.E. Pearse, City Engineer of Newport News, Virginia,
U.S.A.”
Another daughter, Edith, had predeceased her
mother in 1904. (Interesting that there are no grandchildren
mentioned. We know Thomas Pearse did have at least two
children.)
So, at the time of the wedding, in 1919, the parents
of both bride and groom were deceased.
F.D. Kerr and Lillian Pearse were married August
20, 1919. F.D. was a partner at what was then Peck, Kerr
and McElderry, 415-417 Water St.
Street directories don’t record many of the details of
the lives of women and wives of that era. Some years the
city directory listed Lillian as living with her mother on
Rubidge Street, other years she was not mentioned at all.
One could think of her travelling and visiting friends and
family. We know both she and sister, Charlotte, were active
at St. John’s Church and with the IODE. Lillian was also a
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
8
charter member of the Shakespeare Club, which was
formed in 1912.
On the centenary of the Shakespeare Club in 2012,
Examiner reporter Galen Eagle wrote of the club that:
“The women were predominantly members of
Peterborough’s high society – the daughters, sisters and
wives of prominent architects, businessmen and politicians
– who were seeking a venue to flex their intellect in a time
when they were excluded from men-only social clubs.”
How did Lillian and F.D. meet? Peterborough was
a small town with a population of less than 15,000. They
travelled in the same circles. F.D. Kerr and Edgcumbe
Pearse likely knew each other through business; at one time
F.D. Kerr was the county solicitor. The bride and groom
may also have met in church. They were married at St.
John’s Anglican Church, where Edgcumbe Pearse had been
an active member.
Francis D. Kerr Marries Lillian Pearse
Here’s the newspaper account from the
Peterborough Morning Times of August 26, 1919.
Unfortunately, the clipping doesn’t reproduce well.
We do see that the wedding was at St. John’s Church with
Rev. Canon Davidson officiating. I tried to find another
copy of the newspaper, but neither the Peterborough Public
Library nor the Museum and Archives carried this issue.
The bride was given away by her sister Charlotte
Ann Sherwood. Matron of Honour was Mrs. Harold
Claxton of Chicago.
William F. Kerr, the grooms’ brother, was best man.
Capt. Theodore (last name indecipherable) and Mr. Wilfrid
Huycke, were ushers. We know that Wilfrid Huycke was a
cousin of F.D. Kerr.
From the description in the clipping of the women’s
outfits, we can identify some of the people in the photo.
Matron of Honour Mrs. Harold Cluxton of Chicago,
wore a black picture hat, white satin gown with touches of
black, rare old lace with pearls, and carried a bouquet of
pink roses. I think she is to the right of the groom in the
photograph.
Mrs. Cluxton was the former Isabelle or Madge
McGill. She married William Harold Cluxton, a
manufacturer in Peterborough, who a few years prior to the
wedding, was a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Madge McGill has her own family story to tell. It
was retold as a cautionary tale in a February 19, 2008
Toronto Star column written by Personal Finance Editor
Adam Mayers.
On Friday, Oct. 12, 1906, the Ontario Bank,
headquartered in Bowmanville, with 30 branches in Ontario
and Quebec and an imposing office in Toronto, collapsed.
General manager Charles McGill, Madge McGill’s father,
and president George Cockburn, would face fraud charges,
and the writer wondered how McGill had managed to lose
$1.25 million, the equivalent of $181 million today. McGill
had been a bank employee for 37 years and general
manager for 11 years when he was caught.
The reporter surmises that McGill figured he was
astute enough to profit from trading in speculative
American stocks. He expected the market to fall; he was
borrowing stock at current prices and selling it, intending to
replace the shares with cheaper ones when prices fell.
However, as share prices rose, he had to pay more and
more to cover the shortfall. He managed to cover it up for a
while, until a clerk blew the whistle.
Four months later, he was convicted of making false
tax returns to the government and sentenced to five years in
prison. Shortly thereafter McGill’s wife, Minnie, daughter,
Madge, and son, Vernon, left Peterborough.
Thanks to Catherine Dibben, whose knowledge of
the Roy Studio portrait collection, led me to this story.
Sister Charlotte Ann (Mrs. A. E. Sherwood) wore
mauve crepe meteor with a panne velvet hat of the same
shade and carried a shower bouquet of mauve roses. I think
she is standing to the left of the bride.
I think the two men to the right of Mrs. Cluxton
share a family resemblance with the groom. They might be
brother, William F. Kerr, and cousin, William Huycke. We
know that William is 10 years older than the groom, so
perhaps he is beside Mrs. Cluxton, with the younger cousin
beside him.
We know the wedding party also includes the
unidentified captain and I can’t make out a man in uniform
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
9
in the picture. We weren’t able to identify him at the
Archives.
Lillian had a sister, Edith, seven years older, and
brother, Thomas, 13 years older. He had two sons. Edith
was unmarried. Are they in the picture? There is a woman
in the row behind the bride and groom who, I think, much
resembles the bride. Perhaps that is Edith.
To the bride’s left could be Rev. Canon John
Cheyne Davidson and his wife, Susanna Ferrar Cheyne
Davidson. They would have been in their 60s at the time of
the wedding.
Who are the two boys in kilts in front? When
Edgcumbe Pearse died in 1899 his four children were
mentioned in the obituary but there was no mention of
grandchildren. We know from Charlotte Ann’s obituary
that she had two nephews, Thomas’s children, Edgcombe
Pearse and Herbert Pearse of Maryland.
According to Virginia census of 1920, Thomas
Pearse, born around 1867 in Canada, and Anna P. Pearse
(aged 46 and born in Virginia), had two children, Thomas
E. (Edgcombe?) is 13, Henry R. is 9, both born in Virginia.
They seem to be too old to be the boys in the photo.
F.D. Kerr was the second youngest of seven
children; some siblings were 10 years older. F.D. was 47 in
1919 when he married and this picture was taken. It seems
most of his siblings did not marry.
Four of the seven children are buried in the family
plot at Cobourg Union Cemetery. Only one included a
wife.
As well as elder brother William F., sisters Mabel
and Helena were alive in 1919. Another brother, Charles,
and sister, Edith, are buried elsewhere.
Charles was a lawyer in Toronto. There is a John
Kerr in the family who was a lawyer and mentioned in
F.D.’s death announcement in the Examiner. Perhaps he is
a son. There is another lawyer in the family, John
Macdonald. Could that be the son of Edith? How old were
they in 1919?
The boys in their kilts could be sons, or grandsons,
of the siblings I could not trace. Or the sons of neighbours
or friends on either side of the family.
It is possible that in addition to brother, William F.,
his best man, the groom’s sisters, Mabel, Helena and Edith
may have attended the wedding, along with brother,
Charles, and they may be in the photograph. There is a
group of women behind the groom, who could be his
sisters.
The large number of men on the left could be
brothers or fellow lawyers. Considering the pedigree of the
bride and groom, one would expect there to be at least a
few notable citizens among the guests at their wedding.
Perhaps a sharp-eyed reader will identify some of them.
Lillian Pearse and F.D. were married for 45 years.
When F.D. died at age 92, the Peterborough
Examiner of March 4, 1963 declared him “the dean of
lawyers.”
A Tribute to F.D.
”Mr. Kerr was connected with every worthwhile
community project. He was an outstanding citizen. A leader
in the chamber of commerce for many years, the first
president of the Trent Waterways Association, a prominent
layman of St. John’s Anglican Church and for more than 80
years a member of the Masonic order.”
He was president of the Ontario Bar Association for
20 years. He supported the Red Cross Society and the
Patriotic Fund of the First World War and the Victory Loan
Campaigns of the Second World War.
He was joint solicitor for both the Peterborough
Board of Education and County Council.
An athletic man, he had played football in
university, was a lawn bowling champion and a lacrosse
player. The Peterborough Examiner illustrates that with the
story that he skated from his home to work one day when
rain froze in the streets. He was 75!
We are led to believe that this wedding followed a
lengthy courtship of members of two well-known families.
We get some sense of what they were like from the incident
of the mohania plant, which occurred before their wedding,
described by Catherine Dibben in this issue. After a long
courtship, the future bride who was apparently reluctant,
was won over by a wager!
The newspaper described it as “a quiet wedding of
much interest to their friends.”
In any event it is a happy picture. The couple are
newly-married and surrounded by friends and family on the
verandah at the east side of their home at 586 Rubidge St.,
now renumbered 299 Dublin Street.
They shared their home with Lillian’s sister,
Charlotte Ann, until 1944 when, according to the City
Directory, she is living at 310 London Street which appears
to have been converted from offices of a contractor and
insurance adjuster into a few apartments. She was living on
London Street when she died in 1953.
F.D. died at the age of 92 in 1963. Married in 1919
– the couple had a long life together at the house. Despite
having not married until their 40s, they had 45 years of
married life.
At his death, F.D. was survived by his wife and his
cousin W.F. Huycke, QC, who was present at their
wedding.
Lillian Pearse Kerr died at her residence, 299
Dublin Street, on January 8, 1971.
The Late Lillian Pearse Kerr
In her obituary in the Examner, it is said that Mrs.
Kerr, who also lived to age 92, “was active before the
Second World War in Peterborough community work. She
was associated with the Independent Order of the
Daughters of the Empire and the city arts association. She
was also a member of the chancel guild of St. John’s
Anglican Church.”
It was pointed out at the time of her death, that the
Pearse home had been occupied by the same family for 97
years.
Lillian Pearse Kerr sold the house to Trent
University in 1967 and continued to live there until her
death. The house is now part of Traill College.
Footnote: Trent University has a Francis Dean Kerr
Scholarship (the donor was the late Mrs. Kerr) to be
awarded to a student of a bachelor’s degree in any subject.
After I completed writing this article I received an
email from Elwood Jones who had just finished reading Ed
Arnold’s new book, Young Enough to Die, which had been
released just days before. He told me that F.D. Kerr was a
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
10
hero in the book, which chronicled the short life of Robert
Henderson, hanged in 1910 for the murder of an elderly
Douro woman.
F.D. represented Henderson, who was 17 when he
was hanged, pro bono. His efforts were certainly above and
beyond what anyone would have expected, including a
journey to Ottawa to plead for the boy’s life from Prime
Minister Wilfrid Laurier and other cabinet ministers just
days prior to the hanging. Although unsuccessful, F.D.
never gave up.
I was also struck reading Ed’s book by the role Rev.
Canon John Cheyne Davidson of St. John’s Anglican
Church, which was across the street from the jail. Rev.
Davidson was also a prison chaplain. Not only did he
befriend the young prisoner, he was present at the hanging
itself and later conducted the funeral service at Little Lake
Cemetery. His significant role in this story is most
movingly told in the book.
Ten years later Rev. Canon Davidson would
officiate at the wedding of F.D. Kerr and Lillian Pearse.
The House in the Photo
Karen Hicks
The Pearse family, until the time of Lillian Pearse
Kerr’s death in 1967, had lived in the house at 587 Rubidge
Street for 97 years.
Her father, Edgcumbe Pearse, Peterborough
County Clerk and Treasurer, purchased the property in
1870. Mrs. Kerr sold it to Trent University in 1967 for
$40,000. A widow, she continued to live in the house until
her death on January 8, 1971, at age 92.
Edgcumbe Pearse did not build the original house
on the property which was much altered over the years.
Martha Kidd, who researched and described all the older
homes in Peterborough and whose fonds are at T.V.A.,
researched the house and outlinedthe first years of the
property.
James Neville received the Crown Patent for all of
Lot #1 on September 20, 1853.
Charles T. Ware bought the lot early in October,
1853, and immediately sold it to Thomas Hutchinson, a
well-known mid-19
th
century tin merchant in Peterborough.
It would appear Mr. Hutchinson built and occupied a
dwelling on this property, which was purchased by James
Gallon, Peterborough’s Deputy Sheriff, in April, 1857 for
450 pounds.
The 1861 census lists James Gallon as having a
one-storey frame house which was “being built.” However,
in October, 1861, Mr. Gallon sold the property to
Alexander Stewart for $1,000. Perhaps the house “being
built” in 1861 is not this house, but a new one built
elsewhere after the sale of the property to Mr. Stewart.
Martha Kidd notes: It seems more likely the
erection of the original south part of the house was 1853, as
the construction method was stacked plank, which was
much used in the 1850s.
Edgcumbe Pearse purchased the property on Nov.
11, 1870, and that was probably when the large north part
of the dwelling was erected of buff-coloured brick and the
original house was renovated and brick clad.
As a footnote, Robert Rowe, reappears in this
story. In the 1861 Census, Ann Shelton, age 20, and
Isabella Shelton, 15, are living with Robert Rowe, a
carpenter, age 43, and his wife, Isabella, 32. Ann was to
marry Edgcumbe Pearse in 1864.
Ann and Isabella are listed as family members.
They may have been nieces of Isabella Rowe, which makes
Robert Rowe their uncle.
Robert Rowe appears on the tax deed in 1870 and
on the deed registered Nov. 25, 1875 with Edgcumbe
Pearse. The same day, there is a record of a bargain and
sale to Ann Sarah Pearse. Whatever the familial
relationship, Robert Rowe remained a part of Ann Shelton
Pearse’s life. Perhaps he was looking out for her. He died
in 1877 at age 73.
Elwood Jones has noted that Robert Rowe, a
contractor, built the oldest building on George Street, just
south of Brock Street.
On October 17, 1919, a couple of months after
Lillian and Francis Kerr were married, the executors of
Anne Pearse’s estate turned the property over to Francis D.
Kerr for $1.00. It becomes joint property of Mr. and Mrs.
Kerr in 1935 as it remains until it is sold to Trent
University in 1967.
The Kerrs shared their home with Lillian’s sister,
Charlotte Sherwood, widow of Alfred Sherwood, for many
years following their marriage. In fact, she had been living
at the house with her mother, Anne, and sister Lillian prior
to the wedding, according to the 1911 census.
Further entries in the City Directories tell us that
Charlotte Sherwood moved to 310 London Street, where
she was living at the time of her death in 1952.
Lillian Pearse Kerr died at her residence, now
renumbered 299 Dublin Street, January 8, 1971 at age 92. It
appears the renumbering occurred some time after 1900.
It is now called Kerr (pronounced Carr) House.
The official Trent University Open House at Kerr
House is described in the Examiner, Nov. 22, 1971.
Renovations started in June although Trent
University purchased the house from Mrs. Kerr in 1967.
Originally a small house, three additions were added by
Mr. Pearse. The sunken dining room is now a charming
lounge-reading room and the Kerr library is a reference
library with original wooden shelving from the home.
About 350 people filed through the home on
Sunday, including members of the Kerr family.
Here’s how Kerr House is described today on the
Trent University website:
Kerr House is located at 299 Dublin Street and is
thought to have been constructed as a cottage around 1853
by tinsmith Thomas Hutchinson. At that time the house was
very small. In fact, what is today the Alan Wilson Reading
room was, in 1853, the entire house.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
11
The house was later purchased in 1870 by
Edgcumb Pearse who added the brick work to the cottage
creating the house which we see today. The house passed
through a couple of generations of the Pearse family to
their descendents the Kerr Family, who lived in the house
until the University acquired it in 1971.
Kerr House is now the home for the
School for the
Study of Canada.
The History of Kerr House
Martha Ann Kidd, Gina Basciano (1985)
Photo by Karen Hicks
Kerr House is situated close to the centre of Lot
#13 south of Dublin Street and west of George Street with
lawns and gardens occupying all of Lot #12 south of
Dublin and west of George Street. In all, the property
occupies a full acre of land. A hedge of shrubs and trees
grows along the perimeter of the property obscuring a view
of the dwelling from the surrounding streets, except where
a land enters the property from Dublin Street.
Significance: The original 1853 south portion of
the house was constructed of stacked planks, a technique of
building used in Peterborough during the timber boom of
the 1850s and 1860s. The 1870 north addition is very
typical of that period when the Victorian Gothic style was
popular. Much of the original trim of the period still
remains. Its most noted occupant was Edgecombe Pearse,
for many years the Clerk and Treasurer of the County of
Peterborough.
Exterior Description of Building for Designation
By-law: The south, low one and a half storey section of this
dwelling is the earlier 1853 section of this house. The north
section, from the projecting gable roofed bay dates from the
1870 period. It was at this date that the older section,
constructed of stacked planks, was clad with buff coloured
brick to match the solid brick construction of the newer
portion of the house.
The east façade of this structure contains four
bays. A verandah extends from the projection with a gable
and southward and around the corner of the house to where
it meets a sun porch, which is neither original nor early.
The main entrance, which is at the north end of the
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
12
original façade, has a solid four panel door with a single
pan transom above. On either side of the door are panels
which extend to the top of the transom. Each of these side
panels has a single recessed wood panel below surmounted
by two lights.
The gable end projection, on the east side, contains
a two storey, three-sided bay, each side containing a double
hung sash window with segmental arch radiating voussoir
head surrounds. The windows of the first storey are of
greater height than those of the second storey. The gable
end is decorated with wood bargeboard, a finial and return
eaves.
To the north of the projecting gable is a French
window with two leaves, each of which contains six lights
above a single recessed wood panel.
To the south of the main entrance is another
French window with two leaves, each containing two lights
over a single recessed wood panel.
The upper storey of the south side takes the form
of a low, boxed cornice pediment with the eaves trimmed
with bargeboard and a dropped finial. Inside the pediment
are two casement windows, each containing two three-pane
sashes. At each end of the lower storey on the south side is
a French window which matches the one on the front
façade to the south of the entrance. The west window is
hidden behind the “modern” sun room which is built into
the verandah.
The west side of the structure is one storey in
height except for a projection, corresponding in location to
the one on the east side, but with a lower pitched gable and
no projecting bay. The eaves are trimmed with bargeboard
and a finial at the peak. A double hung 6/6 sash window
under the peak and a small modern window occupy the
upper storey and a grouping of one 66 double hung window
flanked on either side by narrower double hunt sash
windows occupy the centre of the lower storey. To the
north of the projection, in the older portion of the house are
two casement windows, each with two leaves containing
two panes. A modern “fire escape” door and stairway is at
the north end of the projection.
The rear, or north end of the dwelling contained
the service and garage portion of the structure. Here, the
renovation necessary to recycle the structure for college
purposes have been done with great care. Where possible,
the original openings have been used. Where this has not
been possible, the new openings blend with the old. One
original feature of this north end is the heavy boxed cornice
with the returned eaves.
A few remaining details must be mentioned. The
front and rear slopes of the roof of the south, or original
portion of the house are broken by small blind dormers. A
small chimney extends above the front dormer. A tall
chimney is located in the middle of the exterior wall of the
older part of the house on the west side. Two smaller
chimneys protrude through the west slope of the service
wing.
Historical Research: Martha Ann Kidd, Gina
Basciano
Architectural description; Timothy Jackson,
Martha Ann Kidd
Brief completed on: February 9, 1985
The Story of the
Mohania
Plant
Catherine Dibben
F. D. Kerr, a noted barrister in Peterborough,
proposed to Lillian Pearse, a daughter of the County Clerk
Edgcumbe Pearse, living at 586 Rubidge Street north of
McDonnel Street. She refused his proposal numerous
times. He travelled to a legal conference on the west coast
of Canada and returned with a mohania or Oregon grape-
holly bush.
He continued to pursue Lillian’s hand in marriage.
Lillian became quite annoyed and said to Francis,
“You silly fool, bringing that mohania back to Ontario.
Sure, it will grow on the west coast but our colder climate
will kill it this winter.”
He replied “No, it won’t!”
She replied “Yes it will!”
He retorted “No, it won’t!”
She answered back “Yes, it will!”
Finally, in total frustration, Lillian countered with
this proposal “If this mohania survives this winter in
Peterborough I will marry you, Francis!”
The rest is history. They married in 1919, Francis
at the age of 47 and Lillian 41. They lived in Lillian’s
childhood home on Rubidge Street. That house if now
called Kerr House and is one of the Trent University
buildings on the downtown campus.
I have a piece of that very plant in my back yard, a
gift from the late Fern Rahmel who recounted this
wonderful story to me. I believe that Fern’s mother was
phoned many years ago by Mrs. Fowler (mother of PCVS
teacher Genevieve Fowler) and offered a piece of the plant.
Lois Davidson also had a piece of the original plant in her
front yard at 500 Homewood Avenue.
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic
Site of Canada
Operational canal; 386 km route, forty-four
locks Trenton / Port Severn, Ontario
This is one of 38 National Historic Sites administered by
Parks Canada for which there is free admission during
2017, as Canada celebrates Canada 150, 150 years since
Confederation.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
13
Five Major Winter Fires
Downtown in Five Years
Elwood H. Jones, Peterborough Examiner, January 2017
In the winters from 1900 to 1904, Peterborough had
five big downtown fires. Each became part of the local lore,
and was captured in photos and postcards. Together, they
pointed to the need for a new fire hall and reorganized
Peterborough Fire Department. Two of the fires left huge
gaps in the archival and historical records of the city and
county.
Nearly all the glass negatives at the Roy Studio in
January 1904 were lost, and these included decades of
photographic work that R. M. Roy had done before
establishing a studio in 1892, and moving to 140 ½ Hunter
Street, where the firm lasted a century through three
generations. The firm quickly started the next chapter in its
outstanding history, beginning by producing and selling
popular postcards.
The Peterborough Examiner, which remains the
paper of record locally, lost several months of the
newspaper archive, and consequently researchers cannot
use papers for late 1900 and early 1901. Fortunately for
researchers, Peterborough had three daily newspapers at the
time, and most of the gap is covered with microfilms of the
Peterborough Review and the Peterborough Times.
China Hall Fire 1900
The China Hall fire, February 27, 1900, destroyed a
landmark building at George and Simcoe, now the main
entrance to Peterborough Square. This was the third fire at
this corner, and the Neill shoe store fire in January 1918
was the fourth. The Bradburn building was rebuilt for a
fourth time and stood until it was demolished in preparation
for the building of Peterborough Square, 1974-1975.
The China Hall fire was considered one of the most
disastrous fires to hit the town. The building was a three
storey white brick structure topped with a mansard roof, a
style that was fashionable in the downtown after the
building of the Cluxton Building at Hunter and George in
1881. On the main floor, the China Hall was at the corner,
and Matthews store was next. one of the three Matthews
retail stores, which sold fresh meat from the George
Matthews Company (forerunner of Canada Packers and
Maple Leaf Foods) as well as the finest canned goods from
far afield; after the fire the store moved temporarily to 325
George Street, across from the market arcade.
Over top of the China Hall, the second floor was
occupied by offices. R. E. Wood, a long-time crown
attorney, had his law office on the second floor; he moved
his office to the Bank of Commerce at Hunter and George.
Other offices on the second floor included J. J. Lundy’s
business office and R. E. Morrow’s dentist’s office. The
third floor had formerly been an Orange Hall. Above
Matthews store, was the upstairs of the China Hall. On the
third floor was the hall of the Ancient Order of Foresters.
The Bradburn building was owned by Thomas Bradburn,
then Peterborough’s largest property owner.
The China Hall, owned by Macfarlane Wilson, was
Peterborough’s leading store for crystal, china, dinnerware
and ornaments. China Hall looked for temporary premises
and especially commented it would be selling coal oil.
Some people heard explosions during the China Hall fire,
likely caused by the coal oil in the building. The China Hall
stored several barrels of coal oil in the rear section of the
basement.
China Hall Fire, 1900 (TVA Electric City Collection)
Smoke and water damage was done to adjacent
businesses. In the morning, the R. Neill shoe store, a double
store, had two feet of water in both cellars. Everything on
the north walls of the building was damaged. The hose that
was taken to the roof went up the stairway between the
Times office and the Palace Restaurant; it burst. The
clothing store of Henry LeBrun and Joseph Picard suffered
heavy water damage, as did the apartments above.
The fire began around 1:10 a.m., when the
temperature was -29 Farenheit or -34 Celsius, apparently in
the cellar of the China Hall, and then shot up the elevator
shaft to the top of the building. The fire brigade had two
streams of water on the fire within two minutes of the
alarm being sounded; the fire hall was then in the
Municipal Building, which was just east of the Bradburn
building. The fire was confined to the one building because
of the “determined and laborious efforts of the firemen” for
fifteen hours. The Review commented, “Quite a blaze was
fanned into life, and about nine o’clock a stream was put on
by the firemen to drown out the last signs of fire.”
Because of the extreme cold, the water falling on
the building turned to ice. There were six streams of water
each with discharging 200 gallons per minute. The water
system worked but telephone lines were damaged.
Peterborough Examiner fire 1901
The Peterborough Examiner building, shared with
the Peterborough Bookstore, was heavily damaged on
March 8, 1901. The Examiner building was on the west
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
14
side of George midway between Hunter and Brock; its back
door led to Chambers Street. The Review was at the corner
of Chambers and Hunter.
On March 9, the Examiner reported, “As the result
of a most disastrous conflagration, which broke out at about
four o’clock this morning, THE EXAMINER building was
completely gutted by fire, the stock and plant being a total
loss.” Police Constable Adams and Nightwatchman Finney
who were on Chambers Street noticed nothing unusual at
3:45 a.m. Fifteen minutes later, Joseph Begley, who lived
on Chambers Street saw flames coming to the windows and
told Finney. The fire brigade arrived quickly, but the fire
was very advanced. Broken windows on the main floor
suggested the fire might have been arson. The fire appeared
to have started at the foot of the staircase on the ground
floor and swept up the stairs to the third floor. While the
rear parts collapsed, the front part of the building stood.
The Examiner noted, “In a very few minutes the
floor in the third flat gave away, as well as the roof, and
both came crashing down to the second story, where the
heat became so intense as to melt the type in the cases and
cause it to form into solid blocks.” On the third floor, the
tools and machinery in the bindery, and the expensive type-
setting machines were destroyed beyond repair. Books
which customers had left for binding were lost: “some of
them were rare editions that cannot be replaced.” The
Examiner had five presses and a folder on the ground floor
which were also destroyed.
The intense heat along the south wall was controlled
with a deluge of water, which unfortunately destroyed the
large stock in A. H. Stratton’s Peterborough Bookstore.
The second and third floors of the bookstore were used as a
book warehouse. The water leaked to the basement and
destroyed “about 40,000 rolls of wall paper.” Firemen and
merchants prevented the fire extending.
The office file of newspapers from July 1899 to March 8,
1901 were destroyed in the fire and so never microfilmed.
The town had three daily newspapers at the time, and the
files of the Daily Review are fairly strong through this
period. The Review offices were at the corner of Hunter
and Chambers Street, and after the fire the Examiner were
guests at the Review offices. It was a few months later that
the Examiner returned to its former editorial offices and to
a modern new printing press. The Examiner was owned by
J. R. Stratton, the prominent Liberal MPP and member of
the Ontario cabinet.
The Peterborough Bookstore, owned by A. H.
Stratton, the brother of the Examiner owner, was the major
was Peterborough’s leading bookstore. Stratton placed an
ad in the Examiner. “Our store will necessarily have to be
closed for a day or two longer before the insurance men
will be able to adjust the losses and we are in a position to
put the stock in shape for doing business.”
Daily deliveries of the paper continued, and people
were directed to the Examiner’s temporary offices at 411
George Street, just south of the Lech’s store. The phone
number, 57, was installed a day or two later.
Two days after the fire, the safe was opened, and
except for some water damage, the books were fine. As
well, the mailing lists were saved.
The Toronto Savings and Loan Company, which
owned the Examiner Building, promised to have the
newspaper offices “refitted by the end of the month, if it is
at all possible.”
The Examiner had already ordered “type, type-
setting machines and other printing plant” which was
expected to arrive by the end of the week. It expected
shortly to fill all advertising
contracts and to take new jobs.
They would soon be “doing
business at the old stand.”
The Examiner was on the
street the day after the fire, thanks
to the assistance of its rival, the
Review which shared its premises
and printing plant.
J. R. Stratton sent a
donation to the Fire Brigade Fund
in appreciation for their efforts at
the Examiner fire. His note
contained the comment, “… and
although your efforts were not
successful, I wish to say that
nothing was left undone by any
member of the brigade to do all
that was possible to prevent the
spread of the fire.”
The Examiner newspapers for the nine months
preceding the fire do not exist on microfilm. At the Trent
Valley Archives, we have wondered if other issues between
July 1, 1900 and March 8, 1901 have survived elsewhere.
For microfilming purposes, it was always best to begin with
the records kept by the publisher. The best account of the
Examiner fire begins with the issue for March 9.
It still seems amazing that the premises were
repaired so quickly.
The Crystal Hall Block fire 1902
Above, the Crystal Block is the third building from
Hunter Street. (Trent Valley Archives, Martha Kidd fonds)
The Crystal Hall Block fire, 410-412 George Street,
occurred on January 20, 1902. The building was owned by
the Toronto Loan and Savings Company, and earlier by
George A. Cox. The main occupants of this building were
Miss Rudkins’ drygoods store and W. G. Howden’s butcher
shop.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
15
Around 1907, the Crystal Theatre was in the Crystal Block.
(Peterborough Examiner)
Katherine (Kate) Rudkins (1863-1914) was the
sister of William Rudkins, a collector of Internal Revenue;
Kate was living with her brother’s family at 185 King
Street. The fire was particularly sad, as she was not able to
re-establish herself as a dry goods merchant. Before her
final bout with anemia, she was bookkeeper at
Peterborough Furniture, 60 Hunter Street East, owned by
W. T. Oke.
William George Howden (b. 1870) was still single
at the time of the fire; he was married at St. John’s Church
in April 1904 to Margaret Elliott. He continued to operate a
butcher shop for some years, and in 1902 was still at 410
George. Howden moved to the former Denoon stand near
George and Brock. Over the years, his butcher shop was at
different locations on George Street but he mainly
established himself as a cattle dealer, and lived for many
years at 27 Lansdowne, near the Haggart Street
intersection.
The firefighters made good use of their new ladder;
the Examiner observed that “Messrs McBurney and Hyde
of the Canadian General Electric Co. did yeoman service
on the ladders.” The brigade prevented the fire from
spreading to the neighbouring buildings. Long’s
Confectionary was at 414 George, and employees of the
store lived in apartments on the second and third floors.
The employees were awakened by the smoke and the sound
of breaking glass.
The building to the south, 406 George, was
occupied by Pete Simons and Co., a firm of merchant
tailors. Interestingly, the area around the intersection of
George and Hunter was the town’s fashion district.
Peterborough’s six merchant tailors were based near the
corner, as well as some seamstresses. In 1889, the father
and two sons were all working as cutters for Thomas Dolan
and Company. By 1893, Pete Simons (1840-1903) had
established Pete Simons & Co. and his son, Peter (1870-
1926) had joined him at 406 George. The 1901 census lists
Peter Simons, Jr. as a tailor and a brother and his father as
cloth cutters. The firm moved to 405 George Street, but
after his father’s death, Peter Jr. was a tailor working from
397½ George Street for several years. It is possible that the
fire affected the health of the father, and it certainly
affected the career of the son.
The bookstore owned by A. H. Stratton lost a plate
glass window because of the intense
heat from the Crystal Building fire.
According to the Examiner account,
the fire lasted until 2 a.m. and “the
handsome Crystal Block was a
smoldering mass of ruins.” James
Long moved one door north and
opened within a few days. The cause
of the fire remained “a complete
mystery.”
Cressman fire 1903
Two department stores located
on the west side of George near
Hunter, at 385 and 387, were hit by fire at 1:15 p.m. on
February 7, 1903. The Cressman store, at 385, was
completely gutted, while Robert Fair’s store was seriously
damaged. Cressman’s was in a building owned by the
Toronto Loan and Savings Co., while the Robert Fair
Department Store was in a building owned by the Bradburn
Estate.
Cressman’s was decorated in this scene. To the left
is Robert Fair’s Department Store; to the right, the Cluxton
Building which was on the south-west corner of Hunter and
George from 1880 to 1972, when demolished to make room
for a CIBC branch. (TVA, Electric City Collection.5.21)
Coincidently, the Zack’s fire of May 1951 occurred at this
same site.
Alva W. Cressman came from Norwich, a small
town in Oxford county, and set up a fashionable “up-to-
date dry goods emporium” in September 1898. At
Cressman’s everything was classy and well-lit. W. W.
Johnston supervised the dress goods section, an area in
which Cressman was a specialist. In 1898, he was
particularly fond of the London line of Priestly’s black
dress goods. D. F. Howard managed the staples department,
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
16
and here the linens came from Wm Ewart & Sons of
Belfast. Miss Emmerson presided over the small wares
department, which included gloves and hosiery, much from
France. The second floor, with its millinery department, run
by Miss Stevens, was reached by “easy stairs.” This was a
roomy, well-decorated room with lots of mirrors and lights.
Many of the hats were from New York City, and some
were not duplicated locally. The mantles department
featured some 300 coats from German, New York and
Canadian fashion designers. On the third floor, Cressman’s
sold surplus goods from all departments.
Robert Fair, originally from Millbrook, ran the
general store in Centreville that was formerly owned by
Hugh Waddell. With a partner, W. Van Every of Port
Hope, he established his department store in Peterborough,
at the sign of the Golden Lion, on October 9, 1883.
Attracted by the developments in railways around
Peterborough, they bought the business of Thomas
Bradburn who was redefining his career. From the outset
the firm specialized in high quality dry goods. Robert Fair
became the sole proprietor in 1886. The Examiner, in
October 1904, commented that Fair’s store began with 12
to 14 employees, but by 1904 had more than fifty
employees. Interestingly, Fair had placed the sign of the
Golden Lion in every issue of the Examiner since coming
to town.
By 1903, Cressman was remodeling his second
floor departments and had just added the men’s wear
department.
The 1903 fire began in the basement of Cressman’s,
evidently caused by problems with the furnace or with the
electricity. The fire brigade was greeted by dense smoke
from the second storey windows of both Cressman’s and
Fair’s, although the smoke from Cressman’s was darker.
Quite quickly the firemen were shooting three streams of
water at the front and two streams at the rear of
Cressman’s. Within an hour the fire seemed under control
and two streams of water ceased. However, the top flat was
suddenly the site of dense fumes at 385, and in 387 the fire
was creeping up the walls.
In the Cressman store, the fire damaged the contents
in the basement and on the three floors above. The
Examiner noted that the fire spread rapidly, and almost
immediately after being noticed the fire reached the second
floor, blocking the exit for the few workers on that floor.
The fire spread within minutes and yet the
employees on the second floor escaped, just ahead of losing
the means for escape. There were very few ladies on the
second floor and one gentleman in the basement came up
the elevator. Both stores were closed for the next while, but
opened again at the same location and lasted for many
years.
Roy Studio fire 1904
The Roy Studio fire took place on January 19, 1904.
This was the fifth of the annual fires that devastated parts
of the downtown in five years. The five fires were in an
area that extended just over a block along George from
Simcoe to Hunter.
In January 1904, a serious fire in the building which
housed the studio and apartment rooms in which were
stored a large collection of negatives and prints, caused
about $7000 damage to what was considered one of the
best equipped photographic establishments in the country.
While three buildings, housing several businesses, were
damaged by the fire, the heaviest loss was to the Roy
Studio, which as above Holmes' Grocery, where the fire
apparently started. The Peterborough Review, January 19,
noted, the loss had "not deprived him of that energetic push
and enterprise which has brought his business so quickly to
the front rank."
The Peterborough Examiner headline for January 19
read: FIRE DESTROYS THE HENTHORNE BLOCK.
The Henthorne properties, many dating from the 1850s,
covered all of the lot north Hunter, east George 1, which
stretched half-way to Brock Street and half-way to Water
Street. In 1904, the building was owned by Aaron Cox;
The Metropole, by N. T. Laplante.
In the particular building, the Roy Studio was
“entirely consumed” and several stores and offices were
“totally burned.” The local weather observer described the
night as the coldest in 35 years, with two exceptions, as the
temperature was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. The
meteorological claimed that their thermometers agree with
the Greenwich England standard within 2/5 of a degree for
temperatures between 90 above and 90 below.
The Roy Studio Fire, 1904 (Elwood H. Jones,
Fighting Fires in Peterborough, 2008)
The fire was reported at 4:35 by the caretaker, Mr.
Warne, at the Peterborough Club, located in 1903 above the
Bank of Commerce (now St. Veronus’ restaurant). After
hearing a cry of “Fire” he scraped heavy frost from the
window and looked toward the post office. The fire brigade
had arrived, had started several streams of water and had a
ladder reaching up to Roy Studios on the second floor,
above Holmes and Christy’s grocery store; the fire began in
the rear part of the grocery store. In the heavy smoke the
area seemed like a maze, and the fire brigade members had
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
17
trouble navigating. The water from the hoses froze at the
nozzle and dripped on the building as if hail. By 6:30 the
fire had consumed the easily combustible materials on the
ground floor and the firemen were beginning to quench the
fire. The fire was contained to the one building, and the
others affected were The Metropole (which was on two
floors); Mrs. Darnley’s millinery; J. T. O’Connell’s real
estate office; and, Dr. Wightman’s dentist office. E. W.
Angus, an architect, had just taken an office behind
O’Connell’s real estate office, and was a fire victim on his
first day.
R. M. Roy told the Examiner that the damage was
$7,000 of which only $1,500 was covered by insurance.
“His entire studio is destroyed and together with it the
expensive apparatus which goes along with a photographic
gallery…. Cameras, negatives, lenses were all lost.” Roy
expected to start again in the same studio as soon as
possible. A fire-proof door between the printing room and
the framing room at Roy’s prevented the fire from going
further east; the door may have saved as much as was lost,
for otherwise the fire would have hit the Sons of England
Hall, the law office of D. Connell, the stock broker office
of McMillan and Maguire, and the Best stove store.
Happily no lives were lost in what the Examiner called “the
truly disastrous catastrophe.”
Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas, page 61.
Notice the drying window at Roy’s on the right hand side of
the street.
Roy advertised that he could not complete orders that were
already in his hands, but would quickly be in temporary
quarters, and handling orders. They requested those with
outstanding accounts to settle soon.
One effect of the fires was a demand for a better fire
alarm system. While the town was ahead of most places of
comparable size, it was behind in its alarm system, already
twelve years old. The current system operated through the
Bell Telephone offices and there were seven alarm boxes,
none of which were in the downtown area, and which had
to be opened by key. The delay in getting the messages to
the fire brigade could be costly.
Over the next four years, Peterborough went from a
partly-paid volunteer fire brigade to a full-fledged
professional fire department. It also became a city in 1905.
While these were not the biggest fires in
Peterborough’s history, they were a subject of concern and
discussion. These were not the only big fires of these five
years. Still, in a period of five years the town had suffered
five major downtown fires fought in the worst weather
conditions.
The consequences of these winter fires still
reverberate. The newspaper of record, the Peterborough
Examiner, for 1900-1901 has a six-month gap in a run of
170 going back to the Peterborough Despatch in 1847.
We have some idea of the number of Roy Studio
photos that were lost in 1904 because the studio books
listing the photos ordered by customers exist for the years
1892 to 1904. At the Trent Valley Archives, we have used
these to help people identify who might have been in
family photos that have survived. However, the studio copy
does not exist. The View Register listing photos used for
postcards and for camera use outside the studio has
survived for the years 1905 to 1969. However, I have often
wondered if there was an earlier view register listing the
outside shots from 1892 to 1904. Over the years Ken
Brown and I have identified photographs by R. M. Roy that
preceded 1892, possibly as early as 1887 when Robert
Maitland (R.M.) Roy (1842-1912) seems to have begun
taking photographs in Peterborough.
Roy was born in Bond Head, and
raised in Belleville, where his father was the
town clerk, and for many years Roy worked
in Belleville, in the engineering and
purchasing departments for the Midland
Railway, which became part of the Grand
Trunk Railway. When he moved to
Peterborough he was in charge of stores for
the Midland Division of the GTR. He
claimed to have been engaged in all the
major changes in photography, and it
certainly seems likely that he had been
working in photographs before 1860, when
he turned 18.
When I inventoried the Roy Studio
photographs, there were two oversized glass
plates which had photo collages created by
P.H. Green, 1895-6. The Roys followed
Green into the studio at 140 ½ Hunter
Street, and when Green moved to Cobourg in 1899 he
asked the Roys to look after his negatives and make prints
for Green customers. The collages are rather different in
format from the composites done by R.M. Roy and F.L.
Roy. They are for St. Andrew's Sunday School and for
George St and Grace Sunday School; both have composite
groupings of individuals, each given a number to match key
elsewhere that identifies the number. Aesthetically, they
were quite pleasing. However, why did these plates survive
when nothing else created by the Roys or P. H. Green
before 1904 did?
However, the concerns in the winter of 1904
expressed by the Peterborough Review were more present-
minded. Why did the worst fires seem to occur in the cold
of winter and in the heart of downtown? The heating
systems and weather were factors, but the mystery persists.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
18
Cordach Crescent
Blair Mackenzie
Cordach Crescent, a small residential street south-
east of Parkhill and Monaghan Streets in Peterborough,
commemorates “Cordach”, one of Peterborough’s earliest
stone homes. “Cordach” was built for the Rev. John
Morrice Roger, the area’s first Presbyterian minister and
founder of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Peterborough.
“Cordach” was subsequently the home of his son, George
Morrice Roger, who was Mayor of Peterborough in 1903-
1905 and later a County Court judge. The home no longer
exists, but the name lives on through Cordach Crescent.
This article provides some information about the home,
about why it was called “Cordach”, and about its early
occupants.
John Roger was born in 1807 in Kincardine
O’Neill, a small historic village outside Aberdeen in
Scotland. He came from a long line of ministers of the
Church of Scotland, all of whom ministered in Kincardine
O’Neill. Upon completion of his studies he was chosen for
missionary work in Canada. He arrived in Peterborough in
1833, aged 26. The website for St. Paul’s Presbyterian
Church, which he founded, describes him thus: “Strong
and vigorous of body, alert and resourceful mentally,
possessed of a personality that stamped him a born leader
of men, and inspired with the zeal of the true missionary,
he was destined to make an impression on the young
community that would not be easily obliterated.”
His home, “Cordach”, was extensively described in
an article by Harry Theobald published in the Peterborough
Examiner on November 30, 1946. The article was based on
interviews with John Morrice Roger (“Jack”) Fairbairn, the
grandson of the Rev. John Morrice Roger. Jack Fairbairn
knew “Cordach” intimately. It was built of limestone from
a nearby quarry. A substantial home in every way, it had
six fireplaces, each large enough for a four foot log. The
home also had a centrally located log-burning furnace,
consisting of an iron combustion chamber enclosed in brick
and linked to pipes which distributed the heat within the
home. [Perhaps Mr Roger had had enough of damp and
draughty Scottish homes.] Originally lit by candles, it was
said to have been the first home in Peterborough to be lit by
kerosene lamps. In time, the front of the home (as shown in
the photo below) overlooked a beautifully maintained
formal garden.
This photo (taken around 1905, well after John
Roger had died) suggests that the home was a one storey
home, but this was not the case. The front door, just visible
in the photo, actually opened onto the second floor of the
house. The land sloped away from the house both to the
east and to the west. A door at the rear of the house gave
access to the lower level.
To understand why Mr. Roger called the home
“Cordach”, it is helpful to begin by reading the following
extract from the Examiner article:
“In his planning of Cordach, Mr Roger had
purchased the entire block of woods long since
clearly defined by Monaghan Road, McDonnel and
Park Streets and Park Hill Road. The creek from
Jackson’s Park flowed through it, and the land rose
from the stream to the east in a long gentle slope,
the top of which afforded an attractive site for the
young minister’s house of his dreams. “
“Cordach” was undoubtedly modelled on a
beautiful stone home and farm property of the same name
in Kincardine O’Neill, the village in which Mr Roger was
born and grew up. The original “Cordach” still exists,
under that name, and can be viewed on Google Earth and
on Google Street View. One sees a stone home with a low
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
19
profile, overlooking beautifully maintained gardens on land
which slopes down from the front of the house. Beyond the
gardens lies the River Dee, easily visible from the property.
The parallels are hard to miss.
Before leaving Scotland for Peterborough, Mr
Roger had become engaged to be married to his cousin,
Elizabeth Morrice of Aberdeen. It appears that Mr Roger
engaged builders shortly after arriving in Peterborough.
When “Cordach” was complete, he wrote to Elizabeth to
give her the news. They then met in New York, were
married in New York 1835, and travelled to Peterborough
to take up residence in the new home.
It would be interesting to know how a young
Presbyterian minister, freshly arrived from Scotland and
only recently having graduated as a theology student,
managed to finance the construction of such a home. It is
unlikely that his parents had left him much money. His
father and four prior generations of Roger men had all been
ministers of the Church of Scotland in Kincardine O’Neill,
at the time a relatively impoverished area of rural Scotland.
Possibly Elizabeth’s family had the means to assist.
John and Elizabeth Roger had 14 children, several
of whom died in infancy. Their fourth child, Jane, married
Thomas McCullough Fairbairn of Peterborough. His father
had emigrated from Scotland to Canada around 1823.
Born in 1840 in Bowmanville, Thomas was educated in
Bowmanville and at the University of Toronto. He studied
law, moved to Peterborough and set up in practice. In
1866, Thomas and Jane were married at “Cordach” with
John Roger officiating. Described as hard working and
popular, Thomas was elected in 1871 to represent the
Peterborough West riding in the Ontario legislature. He
died in 1874 of health related problems at the tragically
young age of 34. Fairbairn Street is named in his honour.
He left his wife Jane and four very young children.
Thomas Fairbairn’s father-in-law, the Rev. John Roger,
died the following year in 1875.
John and Elizabeth Roger’s tenth child, George
Morrice Roger, was educated in Peterborough and at the
University of Toronto. He was called to the bar in 1875
and practiced in Peterborough. Eventually, George Roger
inherited “Cordach” and lived there with his wife Margaret.
They were later joined at “Cordach” by his sister Jane, by
then a widow following the death of Thomas Fairbairn.
In Our Old Home Town, Peterborough
newspaperman F. H. Dobbin described an incident which
brought together the youthful George Roger and, at an early
stage in his legal career, Thomas Fairbairn.
It appears that Peterborough had in those days an
irascible and opinionated magistrate who, according to
Dobbin, ‘defied the statutes; ruthlessly waded through
argument; took incredible short cuts to a conclusion, and
Oliver Cromwell himself was not more arrogant on
occasion.’ One day, some schoolboys - one of whom was
George Roger – were playing in the school yard when a
dog showed up. One of the boys whacked the dog with a
stick. The dog ran home howling and aroused its owner,
John Britton. Mr Britton decided that George Roger was
the culprit. Mr Britton laid a charge, and when it came
before the magistrate, Thomas Fairbairn appeared for
young George. Mr Britton and his dog were both in court.
Mr Britton conceded that he had not seen which lad had
struck his dog but, he said, he was certain that George
looked like a boy who would do so given the chance.
Before Thomas could produce evidence from the other
boys clearing George of the charge, the magistrate roared at
Thomas that this was a court of ‘equality’, not of law, and a
fine of ten shillings was instantly imposed.
Mr Dobbin did not give a date for this incident, but
sometime around 1865 is plausible. George would have
been 15 at that point, and Thomas would have been 25, in
his second or third year practicing law. It is easy to
imagine an experience like this influencing young George
Roger to resolve in due course to make law his own career.
It is interesting to speculate whether this event also helped
to draw Thomas Fairbairn and George’s older sister, Jane
Roger, together. As noted above, they married in 1866.
George Roger was Mayor of Peterborough in 1903-
1905. During his term of office as Mayor, the town of
Peterborough (as it then was) amalgamated with
Ashburnham and applied to the Province for recognition as
a city. The application was granted some months after Mr
Roger’s term of office ended. He thus missed being the
first mayor of the City of Peterborough. In 1909 he was
appointed as a County Court judge, in which capacity he
served until his death in 1920. It is possible that Cordach
Crescent commemorates not only “Cordach” and its first
owner, but is also a nod to the home’s second owner, the
Judge and former Mayor.
Eventually, after the death of George Roger in
1920, “Cordach” was sold. By the time of the Examiner
article in 1948, the home was really showing its age. It had
been converted into a rental property with four or five
apartments, and all but one of the fireplaces had been
boarded up. The home did not survive long after that. In
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
20
retirement after a long engineering career, Jack Fairbairn
(grandson of John Morrice Roger) moved back to
Peterborough with his wife Hannah in part with the intent
of acquiring and restoring “Cordach”, but he was unable to
purchase it and he abandoned the project.
The following photograph captures a family
gathering on the verandah of “Cordach” in 1903. George
Roger is seated at the rear, on the right side. To his left sits
his older sister Jane, the widow of Thomas Fairbairn.
Across from her, seated on the railing and dressed in white,
is Jane’s daughter- in-law Hannah Fairbairn, wife of Jack
Fairbairn. Seated to Hannah’s left and wearing a white
blouse is Margaret Roger, George’s wife and Hannah’s
aunt. The smart Edwardian clothes of the man standing
behind Margaret – likely Jack Fairbairn’s brother, James
Fairbairn- contrast with the dark, Victorian-era long dress
of Jane Roger. The two young children in the photo are
the first two of four children that Jack and Hannah
Fairbairn would have. An electric light hangs from the
ceiling. The building appears to have been kept in a high
standard of maintenance. The entire scene reflects the
considerable prosperity of that era in Peterborough’s
history. The photographer was Jack Fairbairn, whose
reminiscences in 1948 as reported in The Examiner would
preserve the memory of “Cordach” for a later audience.
Blair Mackenzie is a great-great grandson of John
Morrice Roger. The Fairbairn photo collection is one of the
treasures at the Trent Valley Archives and the two photos
of Cordach are from that collection.
Samuel J. Carver
Elwood H. Jones, Peterborough Examiner
During the 1970s when I was working on the history
of St. John’s Anglican Church, one story proved
particularly fascinating. We organized the church archives
as a result of the project that led to the book, St. John’s
Peterborough: a sesquicentennial history (Peterborough,
Maxwell Review, 1976). What became apparent is that we
had church records from 1876 to the present related to the
congregation; we had the birth, marriage and burial
registers of St. John’s Church beginning with 1833; we
have never found the parish registers for the period from
1826 to 1833. We had financial records as early as 1878
when the new parish hall was built; the old parish hall was
demolished to prepare the way for the addition of the
chancel and sanctuary in 1882. The records of the building
committee, 1835 to 1850s had survived, mainly because of
the astuteness of Stafford Kirkpatrick who knew that some
people would believe the building committee had more
money than was reported.
However, there were several aspects of the church
that predated the 1882 “restoration” that raised questions
with the team that was helping me with the book. The font
was known to predate the restoration, and was placed in the
first pew row from the tower entrance. The windows in the
tower entrance might also be those of 1835, judging by the
1852 paintings of the church exterior. As well, there is a
hand-crafted door that has the hallmarks of the 1840s.
There was a tower clock from 1839 to 1882, and after a
transient history it has been at St. John’s since 1976. In
filling these and other gaps in the church records, our team
travelled to other archives, as far away as Dublin, Ireland;
Alston, England; London, Quebec City and Toronto.
The font is still in the nave of the church, but since
1907 has been near the entrance from the vestry, which is
on the east side. Traditionally, the entrance to the nave of
Anglican churches is from the east, but St. John’s is on a
north-south trajectory. There was, however, an oral history
around the font.
According to legend, the font was given to the
congregation as a thank-offering by a member of the parish,
Samuel J. Carver (1802-1892). Carver was Peterborough’s
postmaster, 1843-1861. He served for two years under his
predecessor, Ephraim Sanford (d. 1843), who was also one
of the original Justices of the Peace when the District of
Colborne was set aside in 1840, and he was for a time the
treasurer for the committee charged with constructing the
court house and jail which had to be completed before the
District of Colborne was officially in business.
Carver married Jane Montgomery of Cobourg (1820-
1902), whose family came from County Armagh in Ireland.
The Carvers had five sons and a daughter, who died at 16.
In 1929, there were four sons still living. Edmund and
Hubert were living in California, and the eldest, Henry, was
living in Hamilton. The youngest, Samuel Delaval Carver
(1858-1941), was still living on the Carver estate.
According to the story, which I first heard from Anne
Heideman, the founding director of the Peterborough
Centennial Museum, Carver’s brother-in-law, a hefty man,
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
21
was carrying the young Samuel D. Carver (1858-1941) in
his arms when he tripped and rolled down the flight of
stairs at the Carver home, Spruce Glen. Both landed
without harm and the Carver family was so grateful they
decided to donate the font to St. John’s Church. At the
time, Carver was 56 and his wife, 37.
I decided one way to confirm the plausibility of the
story was to ask Professor Douglas Richardson, who taught
church architecture at the University of Toronto. The stone
font is quite simple in design, although now it has an
elaborate font cover of carved oak, dating from when the
font was moved near the vestry entrance. Professor
Richardson described the font as High Victorian Gothic,
dating from the 1850s. He had seen one of similar style in a
Toronto church on Parliament Street.
Recently I discovered a terrific newspaper account of
Samuel J. Carver while browsing yet again through the
special edition of the Peterborough Examiner, July 3, 1929,
to mark Old Boys’ Week and the formal dedication of the
Walter Allward war memorial in Confederation Square.
The story was uncredited, but was probably written by F.
H. Dobbin. The story contained the story of the font, but
only noted that the gift was given because the youngest
son’s recovery “from the effects of a serious injury.” Still,
the oral legend had legs.
The story noted that when Samuel J. Carver ran the
post office it was located in one room of Carver’s house at
the corner of Queen and Simcoe; in 1929, this was the site
of Peterborough Cereal Company, and is now the site of the
Princess Gardens. Queen Street had extended from Hunter
to Charlotte. The post office moved to Water Street, in the
building next to the Bank of Montreal, which was the home
of the Mechanics Institute, forerunner of the Peterborough
Public Library from the 1850s to 1910. He continued to
live in his Queen Street house, and, because there was no
safe in the post office, he carried the daily receipts and
registered mail from the post office to his home. The house
was admired by townspeople for its shrubs and flowers.
Samuel J. Carver had been born in Bath, England, the
son of a “gentleman of the East India Company,” and
studied law in London before quitting and coming to
Canada in 1826. He first bought land in Otonabee
Township and later acquired property known as Spruce
Glen, to which he retired in 1861. The door from the Queen
Street post office was in 1929 being used as a gate at
Spruce Glen.
Spruce Glen was fading from memory in 1929, but
the Carver homestead had been something of a landmark. It
was part of the 200 acres that had been owned by Burrage
Y. McKyes, the first judge of Colborne District in 1841.
McKyes died in 1847, and was succeeded by Judge George
Barker Hall, who had the honour of being judge when the
Colborne District became Peterborough County in 1849.
McKyes property was bounded on the south by what
became Sherbrooke Street, extending from Monaghan west
to Clonsilla. During the settling of the McKyes estate,
Carver bought 19 acres on May 31, 1851, that had been
held briefly by Richard Winch. The executor of the
McKyes estate was George S. Boulton, the father-in-law of
the Rev. J.W. R. Beck, who served as the Rector of
Peterborough from 1856 to 1889. Samuel J. Carver
acquired an additional 26 acres between 1853 and 1857.
Sunset Pass. Note the Carver home on the right. (TVA,
Griffis fonds, F400, TVA 174)
The 1929 writer commented that Spruce Glen was
“situated less than half a mile from the city on the south
side of the highway, and is further identified by its
proximity to that shaded vale, one of the beauty spots on
the highway with the fanciful and poetical name ‘Sunset
Pass.’” There is a postcard for Sunset Pass, and versions are
noted in the inventory at the back of my newest book,
Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas, available
at Trent Valley Archives and elsewhere. However, this is
the only place where I have seen Sunset Pass identified as
that stretch of Sherbrooke Street heading west from about
High Street towards Clonsilla.
The Port Hope Gravel Road was a toll road built in
the 1850s that extended south-west from Monaghan on to
the water trough which was located part way up the hill,
now on Lansdowne Street just east of where it joins
Clonsilla. There were toll gates maintained by Jason Lundy
at Bestard’s Corner (where Sherbrooke met the road) and at
the water trough, where travelers watered their horses.
As our writer observed, “Originally the way to Port
Hope was largely a matter of choice through the woods.
Paths were blazed and worn, and gradually roads cleared as
the country slowly developed, but for quite a long time
townspeople used to start off from the vicinity of the
present Peterborough Clinic on Charlotte Street (at Reid),
over the Sherbrooke Street hill, following the lower ground
back of Carver’s house, and off toward the southwest and
Port Hope.”
The writer noted that other trails had been beat
through the “glen”. One created by deer tracks ran
southeast toward Crawford’s Grove. The deer “descended
‘Bartey Welsh’s hill’, that is the hill at Wallis’s grove, from
farther woods in Smith.” Wallis’s grove was part of the
Merino property farmed by James Wallis that was
southwest of where Monaghan meets Parkhill.
Samuel J. Carver appears to have been a remarkable
man. In addition to being postmaster he farmed property
near the town. Both his town house and country house were
local landmarks, and his career illustrated how early settlers
could balance diverse life styles. He also balanced the
aesthetics of a garden with the ability to accumulate gold
for buying land. The font at St. John’s Church, too, is a
reminder of the balanced life, the via media.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
22
Settlers Located by Alexander
McDonnell, 1831 - 1836
Fraser Dunford
In 1837, Alexander McDonnell, the land agent in
Peterborough, reported to the colony government on
settlers he had located. The report identified 938 families
in eleven townships in what became Peterborough and
Victoria counties over the period 1831 to 1836. The
original report in on microfilm at the Archives of Ontario
(1)
Location was the process of placing the settler on his
land (or her, women are in this list). When granted or
purchased land, the settler was issued with a Location
Ticket which he/she took to the land agent who showed
them where the land was. Well, usually showed
them. There are cases where the land agent just give
directions and a few cases where the directions were not
followed correctly, causing difficulties later. (2)
I have indexed the report and placed that index in
TONI (3). They have record type “imm”; the infofile will
identify the source. In TONI there is the name, the year
located, and the county and township.
The actual report contains more information: the
exact date of location and the concession and lot. There is
also an Occupation column which may show if it was a
military grant (several different types) or SUE or DUE (son
or daughter of a Loyalist). Military people received land
grants; the record may show rank and regiment. The
children of Loyalists received land grants and this is why
there are so many women in this list. A few women
received land grants as widows of military men.
Note that if the grant was for more than 100 acres
the name probably appears more than once and probably
not together. When checking the report, be sure to search
the entire township.
There is a column Whence From which may show
Ireland, England, or Scotland but it is not much
used. There is a Remarks column which is very little used
and seems to be mostly office notes.
Obviously these are not all the settlers in these
townships. Several townships were settled earlier and there
are other settlers in this timeframe who are not on this list –
either they did not use the land agent or McDonnell was a
poor bookkeeper.
Here are the townships and the number of families
on the list:
Asphodel 7
Belmont 101
Dummer 286
Emily 88
Ennismore 9
Fenelon 61
Harvey 52
Ops 150
Otonabee 22
Smith 43
Verulam 116
The number of locations each year was:
1829 11
1831 345
1832 272
1833 147
1834 52
1835 65
1836 53
The “Whence From” column was not often filled out (only
213 of the 935) and was overwhelmingly Irish. There were
339 military settlers, 164 UEL settlers, and seven Indian
Department.
The most detail was for the settlers in Dummer Twp,
a blessing for me since I am researching the early settlers in
that township. Identified were Glasgow settlers, brought
over by the Glasgow Emigration Society; Perth settlers, a
group that had originally settled near Perth in Lanark Co;
and Wiltshire settlers, part of the Corsley emigration.
Not all these people stayed, in fact many may have
never occupied their land. For example the next Dummer
list is an 1839 census, followed by censuses in 1840 and
1841 and finally the 1852 census. Only 63% of the
Dummer settlers on McDonnell’s list appear on any
of these subsequent censuses.
This list is the earliest collected record we have of
these settlers. I wonder if other land agents provided
similar lists.
Footnotes
(1) Originally RG 1-A IV but restructured as RG 1-84-0-
2. This is a set of 81 miscellaneous Schedules and Land
Rolls of which McDonnell’s report is no 55 (named vol
55). Oddly the report has no covering letter; it is just the
tables. The microfilm is on MS400 at the very start of reel
13. At the AO Reading Room it is in cabinet 41.
(2) Those wishing an introduction to land records may see
two online articles on the process of transferring the
ownership of land from the crown to an individual:
<http://www.mykawartha.com/opinion-story/6230765-the-
amateur-genealogist-land-records-from-crown-to-owner-
part-1/>
<http://www.mykawartha.com/community-static/6809931-
the-amateur-genealogist-land-records-from-crown-to-
owner-part-2/>
(3) TONI – The Ontario Name Index – is a huge index to
Ontario genealogical records maintained by the Ontario
Genealogical Society. Access TONI at
<https://ogs.on.ca/toni.php>.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
23
The page for the Township of Dummer; below, a letter from Wm. McCracken
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
24
Paying tribute to J.J. Duffus: Businessman,
politician and Peterborough leader
Jessica Nyznik, The Peterborough Examiner
JNyznik@postmedia.com
Saturday, October 15, 2016
A former city politician who owned Peterborough's
first automobile dealership was honoured during an event at
Princess Gardens Saturday.
The late Joseph James (J.J) Duffus was a city mayor,
MP and senator, and one of Canada's earliest major car
dealers. He died in 1957, at the age of 80.
His contributions to the community haven't been
forgotten and a plaque commemorating his efforts was
unveiled Saturday morning.
Dignitaries, relatives and community members
gathered in the atrium of the retirement home to pay tribute to
the man who served the community for more than 50 years.
Mr. Duffus was an alderman for the city for six years,
and served as mayor from 1916 to 1917.
After the Quaker Oats fire in 1916, Mr. Duffus played
a key role in ensuring Quaker returned to the city.
With the 100th anniversary of the fire in December, Peter Duffus, Mr. Duffus's grandson, thought it was timely for his
grandfather's plaque to be unveiled.
Duffus said his grandfather went to Chicago on his own dime to speak to the Stuart family, owners of Quaker Oats, about
rebuilding here after the fire.
"So it's changed the lives of many, many thousands of people," said Duffus.
Mr. Duffus also developed a modern fire department to protect the community from similar disasters, and was
instrumental in the creation of the Hunter Street Bridge.
The father of four was born in Otonabee Township. He helped farm a neighbour's land for a few years before getting into
selling farm equipment.
Mr. Duffus later went into car sales and by 1917, he had the largest Ford dealership in Ontario, which sat where the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is today. That's where the plaque will likely be erected.
In 1935, Mr. Duffus became a member of Parliament and was appointed to the Senate in 1940, where he remained a
member until he died.
His grandson remembers days when he'd be driving with his grandfather and people would pull over to let his Cadillac
through.
"They had total respect for him. I've never in my life ever met anyone that spoke ill of him, and as a car dealer and a
politician that sort of says a lot," Duffus said with a laugh.
Laura Gainey, Mr. Duffus's granddaughter, was also at the event.
Though she never met her grandfather because he died before she was born, Gainey sees him as an icon.
"My mother and my family spoke about him in such great terms and would share stories about him," she said.
Growing up, Gainey's mom would always point out things while driving that Mr. Duffus had contributed to, such as the
Hunter Street Bridge or the fountain in Little Lake.
Having her grandfather recognized is an honour, she said. "It means the world that he's being recognized in this way and
that this will be a legacy of his contribution to Peterborough and the surrounding area," she said.
Trent Valley Archives (TVA) archivist and historian Elwood Jones had been researching Duffus's history in preparation
for the plaque erection for the last decade.
At the event, TVA handed out a souvenir book about the life of Mr. Duffus.
TVA received a cheque for $15,455, from RBC Insurance, the Stuart family and the Morton family, for its work towards
getting the plaque erected.
Senator The Hon. Joseph James Duffus, Hon. Lt. Col. has been named to the Peterborough Business Hall
of Fame. The announcement was made January 24, and the induction is scheduled for May. The Trent
Valley Archives congratulates the family for this well-deserved high honour. Copies of the Souvenir for J.
J. Duffus are available from the Trent Valley Archives.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
25
Young Enough to Die
Elwood H. Jones
Ed Arnold has written a sympathetic, thoughtful
and well-researched story about Robert Henderson, whose
short life ended when he was hanged in Peterborough’s
county jail yard in June 1910.
Margaret McPherson, 74, a spinster who lived
with her sister at Old Maid’s Corner east of Norwood, died
following an axe-blow to the head, in February 1910. The
story hinges around the defence of Robert Henderson so
skillfully developed by F. D. Kerr, his lawyer, who was
working without fee in his first murder case and
conscientiously pursued all avenues to defend his client
from hanging, then the prescribed punishment for murder.
There were three lines of defence. First, was it
possible that Margaret McPherson died of natural causes,
even though struck forcefully with the blunt end of an axe?
Second, if Henderson’s blow was the key factor in
McPherson’s death, was this manslaughter or murder?
Third, is it possible that Henderson should be seen as
insane, by some definition of the word, such that he would
be spend his natural life in a hospital rather than a jail?
Arnold also pursued the subsequent avenues of
appeal that could be undertaken. Should considerations of
age and upbringing be taken into account? Henderson was
only 17, and an orphan whose father had died, and whose
mother had limited ability to raise Robert and his siblings.
Were there physical and genetic considerations that spoke
to the mental capacity of Robert Henderson to understand
right versus wrong? He was classed as a “moral imbecile”
by the doctors familiar with working with insane people;
but is that the same as insanity in terms of the Criminal
Code as it stood in 1910?
Were there irregularities in the trial that would
open the way for a reconsideration of the jury verdict? Kerr
certainly thought so.
Should the final say rest with the federal
government depending on the judge’s version of events
rather than with the jury?
Ed Arnold tells his journalistic tale in a largely
chronological sequence. This is aided by the availability of
three daily newspapers in Peterborough in 1910. Being able
to compare three narratives makes it easier to determine
what was really happening. The papers had some diversity
because they published at different times of the day, and
two of them had been tied to political parties since the
1850s before they became daily papers. He has done
thorough research in the archives as well.
When looking for background material, Ed has
mined the local books. He was particularly inventive in
finding street directories and histories Robert Henderson’s
home town of Hartlepool, England which seems most
distinguished for its powerful cricket teams. Street
directories are very useful for pinpointing the world in
which people lived, allowing us to see the journey to work
and to shopping and church, and to assess qualities of the
neighborhoods.
Robert Henderson (1893-1917) had a sad
childhood in Hartlepool, on the northeastern coast of
England. His father had worked for the railway but was
working as a carter when the family moved to Hartlepool, a
town of 28,000 that had grown rapidly in the previous
twenty years and was a major port town. Robert was a
chain-smoking restless thief by 13, but also apprenticed as
a steamfitter when he was 15. Most commonly he posed as
a fundraiser for worthy charities and carried a forged letter
from a clergyman. After a term in jail, he decided to
emigrate evidently with money he had stashed from the
poor boxes. He emigrated from Liverpool to Quebec City
in May 1909 and then was in Toronto and in Peterborough
by January 1910. He boarded in Sarah Edgar’s home on
Sherbrooke Place.
The Examiner, January 26, carried an alert from
the Rev. Canon J. C. Davidson, of St. John’s Anglican
Church; he had not authorized anyone to raise funds for
“two distressed women.” What had worked in Hartlepool
might work in Peterborough!
The next day Henderson, 5’10’ and 140 pounds,
was on the train to Norwood wearing an overcoat he had
stolen from the Edgar boarding house. He stayed at the
Norwood Hotel, signed in as Norman Henderson from
Australia. He left without paying his hotel bill the
following day and in due course ended up at Old Maid’s
Corner about two miles east of Norwood. This was a
peculiar destination and Henderson likely heard while
around the Norwood Hotel the old wives’ tale that two
spinsters hoarded money in their humble abode.
Henderson’s ruse for visiting the house on January
28 was that he was looking for his brother from Glasgow.
The spinsters directed them to another place that might
know about migrant workers, but after 40 minutes
Henderson returned and asked for something to eat. After
eating, he offered to cut wood, but was told that was not
needed. Within minutes he returned with the axe from the
front yard. He pushed open the door and clubbed Margaret
McPherson on the head with the blunt end of the axe. He
hit Susann a glancing blow on the hand, and then left.
Henderson was on the run and soon pursued through deep
snow and along the road between Norwood and Havelock
by several men and the local police chief.
Over the next day or so, Norwood was the scene
for the post mortem and the inquest. Amazingly, two
doctors from Toronto had arrived at the Peterborough jail
to determine the sanity of Robert Henderson. The doctors
were Dr. Bruce Smith, the penitentiary inspector, and Dr.
C. K. Clarke, from the Toronto Insane Asylum.
In the denouement of this Shakespearean drama,
Henderson emerged as an engaging individual, rather than
the aloof young man seemingly uninterested in his
surroundings. Two people were instrumental in drawing
Henderson out. One was the Rev. Canon John C. Davidson
(later Archdeacon of Peterborough), the rector at St. John’s
Anglican Church, and one of the jail chaplains. The other
was Francis D. Kerr, the young lawyer in his first criminal
case working for free in the defence of Henderson.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
26
The presiding judge at the trial was the Hon.
William Renwick Riddell (1852-1945), a native of
Cobourg, one of the most prolific historians of his period,
and Supreme Court judge from 1906. I have several of
Riddell’s books including his biography of John Graves
Simcoe, the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada.
Arnold does not paint an attractive picture of Riddell, who
emerges as the foil to Kerr.
The jury of 12 was quickly selected and the twelve crown
witnesses heard by 11:20 a.m. Kerr had four witnesses. The
first two were the Rev. E. A. Langfeldt, the rector at St.
Luke’s and a jail chaplain, and the jailer, Henderson
Nesbitt. As well, Kerr examined Dr. Smith and Dr. Clarke,
who had both visited Henderson in the Peterborough Jail.
Clarke’s evidence showed that Henderson was a “high
grade imbecile” whose intellectual qualities were stronger
than his moral ones; he was amoral. Dr. Smith noted that
“moral imbecility” was mostly hereditary. Henderson, in
short, was not insane, but Kerr felt that he should be
hospitalized rather than jailed, and that such a young man
should not be hanged. The jury found Henderson guilty, but
recommended mercy.
Kerr appealed the sentence of hanging to the Privy
Council, but was handicapped by a few developments. Kerr
persisted but in the end Henderson was hanged in the
Peterborough jail yard.
During the appeal process, Canon Davidson
developed a relationship with Henderson, somewhat
surprising as Henderson had been so quiet and sullen.
Henderson was confirmed by Bishop Reeve after being
prepared for confirmation by Davidson.
Ed Arnold has written an admirable book that
allows the reader to see the world of 1910 mostly from
journalists’ perspective. The book is dedicated to Davidson
and Kerr for both persisted well beyond the call of duty.
There was room for more humanity in a murder trial than
had been imagined by Judge Riddell.
This is a fine addition to the library of books on
Peterborough county, too.
Peterborough c. 1905 as it appeared in Ontario Directory.
Ed Arnold, Young Enough to Die: a true
Peterborough story (Peterborough, Sketches to Remember,
2016) Pp. 134, no illustrations except on the cover.
Available from Trent Valley Archives, 705-745-4404.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
27
Champlain the bird watcher:
Footnote to Champlain in
the Kawarthas
Alan Brunger and Peter Adams
Carolina Parakeet, Psittacus Carolinensis (Audubon)
Last year, in 2015, Trent Valley Archives celebrated the
400
th
anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s visits to the
Kawartha Lakes in order to raise awareness of First Nations and
French culture in the region, as well as Champlain himself. The
culmination of this project was the book Finding Champlain’s
Dream: Champlain, First Nations and French Culture in
Peterborough and the Kawarthas* which focuses on the month
or so that Champlain spent in the Kawarthas, convalescing,
hunting and on one occasion, getting lost on his own for three
days.
However, the book overlooked some of Champlain’s
accomplishments including one of his leisure activities, notably
his study of the fauna and flora of the Kawarthas. While a guest at
the hunt camp of his Huron and Algonquin allies in the fall of
1615, in what would later be Peterborough County, Champlain
wrote “I observed a certain bird which seemed to me most
peculiar”. Trent University archaeologists, M. K. Munson and S.
M. Jamieson noted this activity in their book Before Ontario: The
Archaeology of a Province. They state (p.119) that, “On his
travels in 1615… Champlain reported that he saw a bird that ‘had
a beak like that of a parrot, and was the size of a hen. It was
entirely yellow, except the head which was red, and the wings
which were blue, and it flew at intervals like a partridge’.”
Munson and Jamieson suggest that this was a vagrant
specimen of the Carolina Parakeet (Psittacus Carolinensis) which became extinct in 1918, the last individual dying in the
Cincinnati Zoo. This parakeet was prolific throughout eastern North America as noted by J.J. Audubon in his voluminous Birds
of America. Audubon’s painting of the bird shows its red head, and yellow neck, although green predominates elsewhere in its
plumage, as opposed to the blue colour noted by Champlain.
The parakeet feasted on orchards and farmer’s field crops so that they were targeted as major pests and threats to
agriculture. Audubon noted that “the woods are the habitation best suited for them…” and that “on the ground these birds walk
slowly and awkwardly…. they do not even attempt to run off when approached by the sportsman...”. In the late 1820s, at the time
of his writing, Audubon observed, “our parakeets are very rapidly diminishing in number; and in some districts, where twenty-
five years ago they were plentiful, scarcely are now to be seen. At that period (around 1800) they could be procured … as far
north-east as Lake Ontario.” Consequently, almost two centuries earlier, in the fall of 1615, an isolated specimen of Carolina
Parakeet may well have strayed into the Kawarthas to confront the isolated, lost, Samuel de Champlain.
This description of his sighting of the unusual specimen of native bird is the sort of detail that makes Champlain’s
journals, the recorded observations of the first European in our region, so valuable and interesting.
REFERENCES
Finding Champlain’s Dream: Champlain, First Nations and French Culture in Peterborough and the Kawarthas /
Dȇcouvrir le Rȇve de Champlain: Champlain, les Premières Nations et la Culture Françaises à Peterborough et les
Kawarthas, Elwood H. Jones, Peter Adams and
Alan Brunger, eds., Trent Valley Archives, ISBN 078-0-9810341-6-4, 2015.
Before Ontario: The Archaeology of a Province, M. K. Munson and S. M. (McGill Queen’s Press, Native and Northern
Series #72, 2013).
The Birds of America, Audubon, J.J., 1827-1838, www.audubon.org/birds-of-america
(accessed 14 May, 2016).
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
28
TENSION BETWEEN FRENCH AND IRISH IN THE “HOLY LAND”
(ENNISMORE TOWNSHIP) DURING THE LUMBERING ERA
By Alan Brunger and Peter Adams
One of the themes of Trent Valley Archives’ recent
book, Finding Champlain’s Dream: Champlain, First
Nations and French Culture in Peterborough and the
Kawarthas* is the struggle of French Canadians to achieve
recognition in Ontario. A vignette from Clare Galvin’s
book, The Holy Land **, provides a glimpse of the tension
between English and French-speaking people involved in
the lumbering industry of the Kawarthas in the 19
th
century.
TVA’s book provides an account of the French-speaking
population of Peterborough of those days and mentions one
of the early French-speaking lumber families, the Ayottes.
There was, in fact, a considerable Francophone
population in the City and County of Peterborough in the
19
th
century, during and after the lumbering boom. The
early French residents came up from Québec for the
logging in winter and rode the log rafts downriver in the
spring. Later they stayed year-round. Joseph Ayotte, for
example, founder of the Ayotte family, bought land and
settled near Clear Lake. At one time, downtown
Peterborough was referred to as “Frenchtown” because of
the large number of Québecers
We get a glimpse of the loggers ’life and the role of
Francophones, in those days, from the description in The
Holy Land, of the shanty (lumber camp) in the Township of
Ennismore in the 1850s.
Galvin says (p.140):
“The earliest shantying happened right here in
Ennismore, on the property owned by Paul Shanahan,
south-west of The Cross. In the 1851 census it was noted
that eighty-six migrant shantymen, mostly French
Canadians, were residing on the south-half of lot 4,
concession 6 (Shanahan land). It is unlikely that many
Ennismore men went “into the shanty” before that time as
they would have been needed on the homestead. One can
imagine the effect of these powerfully-built strangers, clad
in their blue pants, red shirts, colourful kerchiefs and
sashes would have had on the staid, homespun-clothed
Ennismore lads of the day. The French Canadians stayed
until most of the good lumber was cut, then moved on to
better limits. Many of the trees were used for square
timbers and masts. When Peter Robinson was made
Surveyor-General of His Majesty’s Woods and Forests in
Upper Canada in 1827, his instructions were, “to ascertain
in what districts there may be considerable growth of
masting and other timber, fit for the use of His Majesty’s
Navy.” Ennismore was ideally situated for the shipping of
logs, having natural access to the water-ways, directly to
the timber drives ……there were between 100 and 150
sawmills operating in the Kawartha area….”
Later (p.141) Galvin continues with a statement by
Timmie Sullivan:
“That winter I was working for White Pine Jackson, a
damn fine man, if there ever was one. Well we had this
bully in camp, a Frenchman from Quebec, and he beat up a
few of the boys, and he was always pushin’ and shovin’, but
by the livin’ God, he stayed clear of me, but I had me eye
on him. Well one night, I had me boots off and was sittin’
on the edge of me bunk. And by the liften Harry didn’t the
damn Frenchman walk all over me bare feet. Well by
jaysus we got into it, and the damn fight didn’t last two
minutes. I just slapped a “Georgian Bay Severe’ (a
wrestling throw) on him, and it was all over – the bugger
left camp the very next day.”
Today, in the Townships of the Kawarthas such as
Ennismore (now part of Selwyn Township), the former
large Francophone presence can be detected from family
names in the telephone books – see, for example, Harvey
Township: An Illustrated History ***
• Finding Champlain’s Dream: Champlain, First
Nations and French Culture in Peterborough and the
Kawarthas / Découvrir le Rȇve de Champlain: Champlain,
les Premières Nations et la Culture Française à
Peterborough et les Kawarthas by Elwood H. Jones, Peter
Adams and Alan Brunger, Trent Valley Archives,
Peterborough, September 2015
** The Holy Land: A History of the Township of
Ennismore (1827 to 1975), by Clare Galvin, published
by Ennismore Township, 1978
*** Harvey Township: An Illustrated History,
Alan Brunger, ed., published by Greater Harvey Historical
Society, 1992
News from TVA Research Centre
During the autumn a new 42” door was added and has
really smartened up the appearance of the place. It is now
far easier for people to enter, even if their arms are loaded
with books and boxes loaded with archives. The door has a
window which has provided a surprising amount of
sunlight and an exceptional view from the research room.
For this we are grateful especially to David and Enid
Mitchell, and to Berenice Pepe.
We have a new book display unit inside the door that was
made possible by a timely lead from Carol Sucee, our
librarian. We are able to display our many books, and then
each shelf lifts up to allow access to the extra copies of the
titles on display.
We are pleased to announce that the papers of Betty Craw,
the author of such books as the Stones of Smith, have
arrived at the Trent Valley Archives and are now open to
research. This will be valued by people doing historical
research in Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria and
Haliburton. Totals over ten cubic feet, very accessible.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
29
Return of Streetcars, Electric Lights and the
Town Council, 1904
George Street, Peterborough, c. 1905 (TVA, Ken Brown
postcard fonds, F544)
VOTE ON THE BY-LAWS
Review, 2 January 1904
Before we again reach our readers they will have had
to give their opinion on the bylaws to provide for a street
railway and street lighting, and we invite them to give
serious consideration to this question, for the decision will
have a great effect upon the welfare and progress of our
town. To throw away the certainly to the immediately
operation of our street railway, with the prospect of its
early radial extension, would be an act of folly which could
but lead to subsequent regret. Of course it be possible to
pay too much for this benefit, but are we asked to do so?
By the other bylaw provision is made for the lighting of our
streets on the most approved system at a cost that will be
lower than anywhere else in Canada, and with a plant that
is excelled nowhere. As against this we are offered lamps
that are nominally cheaper but less effective, and apparatus
by now means so complete. In the opinion of experts it
would really give us less value for our money.
It is only right also that the voters should consider by
whom these services, the street railway and the street
lighting, are to be operated. Mr. Stuart and his associates
are well known by this time for the scrupulous performance
of what they undertake, and for a “push” that makes them
exceed expectations. They have had a large share in the
recent rapid progress of our town, and our townsmen and
the surrounding
farmers alike are well
aware what large sums
of money they have
expended locally in
their operations. The
pretence of selfish
obstructionists that Mr.
Stuart is not interested
in the street railway
because the charter
does not stand in his
name, has been
knocked on the head
by his authoritative
assurance that he has a
contract for the
purchase of the charter
and property of the
railway, and that he
will run it if the
bylaws are supported.
We may safely leave
these important public
services in the hands
of men such as we
have found them to be.
It should be remembered that all municipal
electors have a right to vote on these bylaws.
THE ELECTORS CHOICE: Street Railway and Good
Lighting or no Railway and Inferior Plant
Review, 2 January 1904
The municipal electors will on Monday have an
opportunity of deciding on their policy in regard to two of
the most important matters affecting the general
convenience of the community, the lighting of our streets
and the possession of a street railway system.
The two bylaws on which the opinion of the
ratepayers is to be taken, must be considered together, must
be accepted or rejected jointly. It would be useless to
approve of one and oppose the other, for the gentlemen
who are prepared to undertake these public services will
only do so on the condition that they are combined. The
choice is thus limited to two courses, one of which must be
adopted.
On the one hand the town is offered the great
convenience of an efficient and well conducted street
railway, not only within the corporation limits, but to be
extended as rapidly as possible to outlying localities, which
will thus be rendered easy of access to the great
advancement of the town. Coupled with this is a contract
for the lighting of our streets on more economical terms
than any other city or town in Canada enjoys. It is not to be
a “cheap and nasty” system, for that is no true economy,
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
30
but the lamps that are approved by the most advanced
municipalities, operated by apparatus so duplicated and
reduplicated that there can be no failure of light even for an
hour. The power house is so near that there is little risk of
damage to the wires, which are already strung on poles
already in position.
On the other hand it is asked that the town shall
abandon the street railway, and shall be content to forgo a
convenience so urgently required. This chance thrown
away, our own experience and that of other localities, show
that there would be little likelihood of having such another
opportunity for years to come. As a consolation for this
serious deprivation, the inducement is offered of a street
lighting system professedly cheaper, but really more costly,
for it does not possess the same value or advantages. The
lamps, it is found where they are used, have to be placed
closer together than those covered by the contract, so that
the total expenditure for the whole system of lighting
would be greater each year. Having only one generator, in
stead of a number like the other company, any accident to it
might plunge our streets into darkness for weeks. Poles and
wires would have to be provided to the additional
disfigurement and encumbrance of the streets. The distance
of the power house from town makes the interference of
storms with the electric current very possible.
There are thus two choices before the electors:-
1 A first class street railway and an effective
system of street lighting with such a plant as
to provide a regular unbroken service.
2 No street railway, and a system of street
lighting, in which individual lamps are a
little cheaper, but from the greater number
required dearer as a whole, and with an
incomplete plant inviting the risk of
irregular service.
Can the ratepayers who wish for the progress of the
town hesitate in their choice?
STAGNATION OR PROGRESS
The issue on Monday next. – Enterprise writes on
Greater Peterboro and the Street Railway
Review, 2 January 1904
January 1
st
1904
To the Editor of the Review.
Resolved that Peterborough shall be the most
enterprising and progressive town in Ontario would be a
good New year’s resolution for every voter to put in effect
next Monday.
The issue is stagnation or progress. Opportunity is
knocking at our door and we must vote it in b electing a
progressive council and substantially supporting the light
and railway bylaws submitted for our approval.
The individual or community that allows opportunity
to pass will wait long for its return. A growing city must
have means for expansion and intercommunication or it
will not be a desirable place for residence and growth of
population and wealth come to a standstill.
It is a larger question than the cost of street lamps that
is before us, and although I am a customer of the Otonabee
Power Company, I have no sympathy with their dog-in-the-
manger policy of blocking the larger interests of the town If
they dealt less in false insinuations we might take more
stock in their claim of being public benefactors and their
one-string solo of $1,400 a year. Their conduct stamps
them as the very people who will be as eager to advance
price as reduce it, when it suits their interest to do so.
In regard to the lighting bylaw, if no other
consideration were attached it would be wise for the town
to accept their offer and be tied up for ten years to a one
machine concern when we have the chance of securing an
unfailing supply from a fully-equipped company at the
lowest rate of any town in Ontario and that without the
duplication of unsightly poles. This pole question is one
that the new council should endeavour to simplify by
underground wiring on main streets and trunk lines and
systematic branches elsewhere. The town might …. lines
and have one set of poles used by different companies
where wires are not numerous. Yesterday I counted ten
poles at several street corners and there may be corners that
have more. No unnecessary duplication of poles should be
a firm demand of the people and it is our duty in the best
interests of good service to heartily support the lighting
bylaw authorizing a contract with the Peterborough Light &
Power Company. Cheap concerns are seldom reliable and
their goods are liable to be dearer in the end.
As to the street railway, we have the splendid
opportunity of having it undertaken by a reliable company
that has more than fulfilled its past promises to the town
and we can rely on its assurance to give us a first-class
service of which any city might be proud. It is our
opportunity. Let us secure it and not be turned aside by
eleventh hour bluffs from any other source.
Let us have a live, progressive council. We may
congratulate ourselves on having Mayor Roger again
returned to carry out the enterprises already inaugurated.
We have had a good efficient enterprising Council. We
should re-elect those in the field except the few members
who have opposed progress at every turn and have allowed
themselves to become the tools of the Otonabee Power Co.
Ald. Morrison especially deserves our gratitude for his
pain-staking, efficient service, his progressive spirit and his
ability to breast interested opposition to the town’s welfare.
And in the selection of new material let us avoid shallow
men anxious for office and secure men of thought and
broad outlook, who can see the needs of the future and
prepare for them, thus making the “Electric City” thrill with
stable progressive life and growing prosperity.
Yours truly, ENTERPRISE
DECEIVED BY OBSTRUCTIONISTS: Mr. Wm.
Snowden’s idea of the Lighting and Railway By-Laws
Review, 2 January 1904
To the Editor of The Review
Dear Sir, - I hope the ratepayers by this time have had
their eyes opened to the fact that the franchise which the
town proposes to present to Mr. Stuart is a most valuable
one. His anxiety as shown by the efforts of his solicitor to
secure it, is ample evidence of this fact. The giving of the
street lighting contract to the Peterborough Light & Power
Company for ten years will cost the rate payers twenty five
thousand dollars over and above the Otonabee Company’s
price, taking into consideration the extra lights that will be
required as the town grows.
We don’t want the street railway at the price – the
handing over of all the streets in town to Mr. Stewart
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
31
[Stuart] and his friends for thirty years, and keeping them
clear of snow – which will cost many thousands of dollars.
I am satisfied the franchise would bring ten or twenty
thousand dollars in the near future. Indeed, I happen to
know of capitalists who are anxious to get it, and who are
willing to give the town a percentage of the profits, the
same as Toronto. The ratepayers need not worry about this.
I hope they will record their vote against the proposed deal
which I regard as opposed to the best interests of the town.
WM. SNOWDEN
Note. – Mr. Snowden has been deceived by a set of
selfish obstructionists. There is no such difference in the
cost of lighting and considering their respective merits, the
system accepted by the Council is the better value. – Editor
Review
FAVORS THE CONTRACT
Property Owner Tells Why He Will Vote for Them
Review 2 January 1904
To the Editor of The Review
Sir, - As a ratepayer and property holder and one who
pays over $100 in taxes each year, I want to say that I am in
favor of the action of the Council in 1903 in giving the
contract to the companies controlled by Mr. Stuart. I am
satisfied that the bargain is a good one, that the town’s
interests have been well guarded in every respect and that
Mr. Stuart will redeem the … deposit by carrying out the
contract in every detail. I want to see Mr. Stuart so
anchored in Peterborough that instead of spending one
million as he has done, he will spend five or six millions in
the next few years. The people of Peterborough can do this
by showing their confidence in him, and getting him
interested in our street lighting and street railway. We have
a monied man at our command, will we use him or will we
not? If we give a good big majority for those contracts on
election day, it will show our appreciation of a man
spending his money in our midst. But if we vote them
down, we can only blame ourselves if Mr. Stuart and his
company, seeing our inappreciation and smallness refuses
to spend any more money in Peterborough. Shall
Peterborough take a step backward or shall we be stamped
as the most progressive town in all Ontario? It’s for the
citizens to say by their votes on Monday next.
Thanking you, Mr. Editor, yours for the street
cars,
PROPERTY HOLDER
BUSINESS TALENT REQUIRED
This Year’s Council Should be a Good One
Review, 2 January 1904
To the Editor of the Review
Sir: - In looking over the list of candidates for
municipal honors in Wednesday’s issue I notice quite a few
good names. The interests of the working man will be ably
looked after and very properly so. The lawyers are also in
evidence. In this rapidly growing new city of Peterborough,
schemes will necessarily be submitted to council for their
consideration, involving large expenditures of moneys. On
these occasions the presence of a few shrewd business men,
those who have been eminently successful in the
management of their own affairs, will be an acquisition to
the board. These men will assist Council to finance these
matters through in the best interest of the town, and not
take up too much valuable time talking to the galleries. We
trust the electors will bear this fact in mind when marking
their ballots on Monday.
Yours, etc. RATEPAYER
HILLIARD PROPERTY BY-LAW
Reasons Why they Should Vote For it on Monday.
Review, 2 January 1904
To the Editor of the Review.
Sir, -- I have no desire to trespass on your space
unnecessarily at the eleventh hour, but I have though the
electors would expect a few last words from me, before
voting on the by-law for the purchase of the Hilliard
property.
No one will accuse me of doing anything but
fairly representing my views and opinons on this scheme.
I have expressed myself in as conscientious and
straightforward a manner and in as few practical words as I
could. I now reiterate my opinion that I consider the
purchase of this 65 acres of the Hilliard estate, in the north
end of the town as one of the best investments the town can
make in its own interests, looking at it from every point of
view, as one who has had some knowledge of the needs of
the town for some years past.
This property is not being pushed on the town by
any means, as since I received the option on it other parties,
apparently anxious to secure it for some special purpose,
have doubtless influenced Mr. Hilliard to say to me in a
recent letter that he “hopes the town will buy it.”
Personally, I have no interest in the transaction, other than
securing for the town a source of supply for stone, gravel,
sand, etc., at a nominal price – as in future a large quantity
will be required for sidewalks, roadbeds, etc.
It is now in the electors hands, and if they think
well of the scheme by voting in favor of it, well and good,
if not, turn it down. If the scheme goes through and is
properly handled, it will, I am sure, become a very valuable
asset of the town.
Yours truly, H. RUSH
TO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTORS OF PETERBORO
AND ASHBURNHAM
Review, 2 January 1904
Ladies and gentlemen:
In deference to the numerous representations
made to me since my nomination, I have decided to place
myself at your disposal as a candidate for Alderman for
1904.
While I cannot lay claim to all the qualifications
which an alderman should possess, such business capacity
for the office as I do possess is cheerfully placed at your
service. I therefore ask your support in the effort to assist in
maintaining the position and standing, as well as to advance
the welfare of our already progressive city.
As regards the street railway by-law, that, I
understand, is definitely disposed of – the contract having
been signed – and the people are only asked to express an
opinion on the subject, and the result can only affect the
action of the old Council.
In regard to the street lighting by-law, if the
appeal against the judgement quashing it should not be
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
32
sustained and the question is reopened, I shall favor the
making of a contract for street lighting which will be in the
best interests of the town, both as regards quality of light
and cost of service.
The union of the municipalities of Peterborough
and Ashburnham adds to the responsibility of an alderman;
and the new ward of the town – No. 5 – deserves at the
initial stage of our municipal partnership, special attention
to its interests, which, if elected, I am prepared to give,
believing as I do that to make the union successful and in
the interests of both parties, justice and fair play,
irrespective of locality, should be the watchword of every
alderman, irrespective of residence.
As I do not approve of canvassing for votes, I ask
the eletors to accord me their voluntary support at the polls.
Respectfully yours, R. HICKS.
Peterborough, Dec. 30, 1903
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF
PETERBOROUGH, Including Ashburnham, now part
of Peterborough,
---
Review, 2 January 1904
Ladies and gentlemen:
Having received nomination as alderman for our
prosperous town, I respectfully solicit your votes and
influence.
It will be impossible for me to make a personal
canvas and therefore I wish to state that I am opposed to
giving the contract for lighting to the Peterborough Light &
Power Co at $50 per lamps so long as the town can get as
good lighting for $35 per lamp from Otonabee Power Co.
which has done so much to bring down the price of lighting
and whose tender shows a saving of over $14,000 in ten
years. I am also opposed to the present street railway by-
law, but will support and vote for a good up-to-date street
railway, operated by good business men, but without a
bonus, and I will do my best, if elected, to advance the
general interest of our prosperous town.
Wishing you all a happy New Year, I am
Your obedient servant, JOHN SAWERS
29
TH
December 1903
TO THE ELECTORS
Review, 2 January 1904
Having received nomination as alderman for the
town of Peterborough, I respectfully solicit your votes and
influence, and if elected will use my best endeavors to
advance the interests of the town. It will be impossible for
me to make a personal canvas, but as I have had an
experience of four years in the Ashburnham Council, I am
willing that I should be judged thereby.
Yours faithfully, W. J. JOHNSTON, 571 Aylmer street.
M Advertisements for vote soliciting on behalf of
other candidates were printed in the papers. It is interesting
to see the salutations. R. C. Braund addressed “To the
electors of United Peterborough”; Frank Adams, “To the
electors of Greater Peterboro”; E. F. Mason, “To the
ratepayers of Peterborough.” John Kylie and Robert Hicks,
“To the municipal electors of Peterboro and Ashburnham”;
Wm. Scott, “To the electors of the Joint Municipality of
Peterboro”; and of course John Sawers more complete
salutation.
Review, 4 January 1904
The liverymen hustled for all they were worth to-
day, getting the voters to the polls. Of course, the
liverymen don’t want the street railway.
AGREEMENT CARRIED GOOD MAJORITIES
Ald. McWilliams and Ald. Best Head the Polls in
Municipal Elections
JAS. STEVENSON, SCHOOL TRUSTEE
The Railway and Lighting Agreement Approved of by
Large Majority, so was the Hilliard By-law - Two of the
Ashburnham Candidates Elected - New Blood in the
Council - Ald. Finnie Was Not Returned - How the
Voting Went
Review, 5 January 1904
… VOTING ON AGREEMENT
Div 1 Halpins 128 133
Div 2 Sprys 140 102
Div 3 Council Chamber 134 75
Div 4 Greenes 107 59
Div 5 Metherels 165 80
Div 6 McCalls 125 63
Div 7 Lees 186 81
Div 8 Village C. Chamber 91 47
Div 9 Village Hall 127 40
Majority for 523 1203 680 ….
Mayor Roger was asked last night what course was
now open to the Council respecting the street lighting and
street railway agreement. He stated that the latter was
practically settled but in regard to the former it would be
necessary either to re-enact the by-law or to proceed with
the appeal. He did not consider any further opposition
likely in the face of the opinion so emphatically expressed
by the people…
Said Mayor Roger today: - “The pleasure of the
whole thing would have been taken away had Ald.
Morrison been left out. He did not and never has put forth
any great effort to be elected, but as representative of the
people he worked hard in their interests last year. It was he
who bore the brunt of the battle in connection with the
lighting. He is a good man, and I’m glad he has been
returned. The opposition were dead against him.”
… Mr. R. M. Dennistoun was seen to-day and he
said he regarded the vote yesterday as something of a
landslide. There are, in his opinion, three or four courses
now open to the Council in connection with the lighting
and street railway.
Captain Roy says he didn’t lose a vote and
everything went just as he wanted it. He predicted Monday
morning that the agreement would be approved by over 300
and he won the cigars.
The action of the council in regard to street
railway and street lighting will now be awaited with
interest. The people have spoken and they generally mean
what they say.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
33
CHECKERED CAREER OF THE AGREEMENT
RESPECTING THE STREET LIGHTING AND
STREET RAILWAY
The Proposition was Made in March Last – By-
laws were Passed in October – One Was Quashed in
December – People Approve in January
Review, 7 January 1904
A long and checkered career has been that of the
proposition made to the Council by Mr. R. M. Dennistoun
on behalf of Mr. Robert Stuart, and his associates,
respecting the street railway and street lighting, and though
this subject has been discussed time and again in open
Council, there are people whose attitude would indicate
that it has only been before the public for no more than a
month. The Review has been asked to give brief synopses
of the various phases through which it passed:-
March 30, 1903 – Proposition formerly [formally]
made at a special meeting of the Council by Mr. R. M.
Dennistoun to do street lighting at $60 a lamp, provided
railway franchise was granted. Mr. Meldrum stated that the
Otonabee Power Company was prepared to tender for
lighting at less than $30 a light, and power for the electric
railway at $10 per h.p.
April 2 – Council met in committee of the Whole,
when Otonabee Power Company made an offer of $35 per
lamp, inclusive of pole rental or at $30 per lamp if the town
acquired the poles and granted the right to use them.
April 6 – R. M. Dennistoun at the regular meeting
confirmed the offer of $60 per lamp for street lighting.
Citizens address Council favouring the proposition.
April 14 – Meeting of Board of Trade, at which the
street railway project was generally approved. Outside
workers of Federal Union 9240 write favourably.
May 4 – Committee on Electric Light and Franchise
reports recommending payment to Peterborough Light &
Power Co. of $50 per lamp for street lighting and that the
Council offers the Peterborough Radial Railway Company
the franchise The committee on the necessary legislation
was: The Mayor, Ald. Morrison, O’Connell, McWilliams,
the solicitor and clerk. Committee’s offer subsequently
accepted.
June 19 – Ald. Morrison, chairman of the Franchise
Committee, reported verbally at a special meeting, that
progress was being made in connection with the street
railway and lighting matters.
July 6 – Council meet Committee of Whole and
discussed proposed amendments in connection with the
street railway franchise. Mr. Robert Stuart, Mr. L.
Richards, of the Cereal Co., and Mr. R. M. Dennistoun
were also present.
July 20 – Committee of the Whole practically adopted
the terms of the agreement in connection with street
railway.
July 20 – Conditions of agreement published in local
papers.
Sept. 2 – Otonabee Power Company address letter to
Mayor Roger stating that their offer to do the lighting of the
town at $35 a lamp still holds good.
Sept. 8 – Council holds regular meeting when above
letter was read. Communications from ratepayers protesting
against granting of railway franchise. Street Railway By-
law introduced for its first reading. Franchise ordered to be
published in the three papers.
September 14 – Special meeting of Council at which
the Franchise by-law was passed, signed and sealed. Letters
from ratepayers asking their names withdrawn from
petition protesting against the by-law. Ald. Morrison gives
lengthy review of the case. Representatives of Otonabee
Power Co. protest.
October 4 – Council passed lighting by-law, Otonabee
Power company protesting and threatening to take action to
quash.
Nov. 15 – Notice given by Otonabee Power Company
that on November 25 at Osgoode Hall, motions would be
made to have the street lighting and street railway by-laws
quashed.
Nov. 24 – Announcement made that proceedings in
motion to quash had been enlarged for a week.
December 6 – Council decided to leave matter of
increasing number of electric lights over until the new year.
December 9 – Another week’s enlargement on behalf
of plaintiffs in Meldrum vs. Peterborough.
December 16 – Street lighting by-law was quashed at
Osgoode Hall.
December 21 – Committee of whole recommend that
an appeal be entered in connection with the lighting by-law.
December 23 – Council decides to take referendum of
the people o the railway and lighting agreements.
January 4 – People express their approval of
agreement by a majority of 523.
The next stage in connection with this very much
delayed project will probably be reached next week when
the new Council meets for the first time.
M First meeting of council passes motion to purchase
Hilliard property for $10,000; money paid and letter sent to
Hilliard.
STREET RAILWAY MOVING
ALL DETAILS HAVE BEEN SATISFACTORILY
SETTLED: An Engineer Will be Given Immediate
Instructions to Proceed
Review, 30 March 1904
It is a pleasure to announce to-day that all details in
street railway negotiations as between the Peterborough
Radial Railway Company and that represented by Mr.
Robert Stuart of the American Cereal Company have now
been satisfactorily settled and progress may thus be
immediately looked for. It is stated on the best authority
that an engineer will at once receive his instructions to take
the necessary steps looking to active operations with the
object of resurrection and ultimate operation of the street
railway. This is the most favorable point that has yet been
reached in negotiations long delayed, and the citizens of
Peterborough have now every reason to look for a
satisfactory realization of the railway and its extension are
to be in operation by July 1
st
according to agreement.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
34
George Street looking north from Simcoe Street, c. 1905 (TVA, Fonds 543, Dianne Tedford fonds)
The Street Railway in Peterborough:
Timeline 1883 to 1903
Peterborough had a street railway from 1893 to 1897,
and then from 1904 to 1928. As the city is thinking of
removing the last traces of the street railway, the bumpy
stretches along Charlotte Street, it seemed worth reviewing
what was knowable about the local street railway. As well,
my recent book, Postcards from Peterborough and the
Kawarthas, (available from Trent Valley Archives and
elsewhere) has some exciting views of the street car in
Peterborough, and I have received several comments that
people did not realize that Peterborough ever had street
cars. Toronto still has street cars, but it is 88 years since the
last street car operated in Peterborough.
Although there was a brief effort to get a street railway
in 1883, stymied because financing was tied to the
company, Peterborough Street Railway and Transfer
Company, having control of the local streets. This was out
of the question, but it is surprising that the issue of who
should control streets persisted until the early twentieth
century. In Peterborough’s case this was most notable with
utility poles for electricity and telephones.
Soon after Edison Electric (known as Canadian
General Electric after 1892) came to Peterborough in 1890,
it was manufacturing street railway equipment streetcars in
one of its first buildings on Park Street. In 1892, it seemed
a good idea to test streetcars on local streets.
The Peterborough and Ashburnham Street Railway
Company, founded July 3, 1891, hoped to operate a local
streetcar system.
Many of these events were noted in Peterborough
Journal, published by Trent Valley Archives, 2014.
1883 October 19: Ontario Gazette prints notice of
application for charter of “Peterborough Street Railway and
Transfer Company.” Object: build, equip and run street
railway, carriage of goods, etc. Stock: $100. Shares: $100
each. Applicants: W.B. Ferguson, H. Rush, R.P. Boucher,
R.A. Morrow, and others.
1884 May 9: Beginning of electric lighting in
Peterborough Company, organized and charter secured.
Directors: A.P. Poussette, T.G. Hazlitt, R. Hall, William
Davidson, William Walsh, H.E. Irvine; latter of Royal
Electric Manufacturing Company, Montreal. Contract
made for generators, lines, wires, etc. Generators first
placed in one of the mills on Dickson race while building
was being erected: five miles of wire in circuit. Expect
light developed by middle of May. Put up first poles on
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
35
George Street, May 13
th
, 1884. Light first turned on, May
23
rd
, 1884. Seventeen lights on George Street. During
June, another generator installed.
1890 September 5: Application for charter made on
behalf of “Peterborough City Railway Company Limited,”
with powers to construct street railway at Peterborough.
Capital stock: $200,000. Shares: $100 each. Applicants:
James Stevenson, T.G. Hazlitt, Arthur Stevenson, Richard
Hall, T.E. Bradburn, William Walsh, Charles Clementi,
A.P. Poussette.
1891 December 14: Voting on by-laws and on short
railway franchise disposal.
1891 December 23: Plebescite on Franchise bill for
giving it to Edison Syndicate: 881. To P.&.A. Street
Railway: 100. Majority for Edison Company: 781. School
moneys by-law carried by majority of 185. Debentures by-
law carried by majority of 248.
George Street, Peterborough, Ont., c 1905 (TVA, Hugh and
Doreen Jones fonds, F546)
1892 June 2: Finding that incoming business is coming in
so fast that the capacity of the works is overtaxed, General
Electric Company (Edison Company) say they are unable
to build and equip the proposed local street railway in time
agreed to, and ask for modified conditions.
1893 March 6: Messrs Ahern and Soper, Ottawa,
make personal application to Council for franchise under
which to construct and operate street railway. If granted,
would seek to organize local joint stock company and, at
once, go into operation. Resolution carried to grant
franchise for 20 years, on condition for additional 10 years.
Agreement to be prepared. Bond to be made for $1,000
which will be forfeited if substantial progress has not been
made with work by August 1, next. Council agrees to
confirm agreement as soon as bond is executed.
Representatives of C.G.E.Company and P.&.A.Company
are heard, who asked for delay. Held over to be considered
by committee.
1893 March 10: Franchise under which to construct
and operate street railway given to Canadian General
Electric Company by near unanimous vote of Council.
Terms and conditions as set out in copy of report.
1893 April 7: Street railway plans filed with Town
Clerk. At least 3½ miles to be built.
1893 April 20: Street Railway Enterprise has taken on
new feature. Canadian General Electric Company now
combining with local organization using charter secured by
P.&.A. Street Railway. New company has been organized.
At stockholder meeting, the following directors appointed:
Messrs Frederick Nicholls, T.E. Bradburn, H.P. Dwight,
T.G. Hazlitt, E.H.D. Hall, A. Stevenson and W. Walsh.
Mr. Bradburn chosen President, Mr. Nicholls Vice-
President, A.P. Poussette Secretary. The latter pro-tem.
1893 May 9: Some excitement shown in G.T.R.
operations who have gang of men at work laying rails
across Water Street to head off possible putting down of
rail-line by Street Railway. Papers, May 10
th
, 1893.
1893 August 1: Trial run of first
cars (including riders from the
general public) on Peterborough and
Ashburnham Street Railway. Line
extends from Exhibition Grounds to
Auburn Mills; from George Street
along Charlotte Street, and Park
Street to shops of C.G.E.Company.
Everything working in fine order.
Congratulations.
1893 September 8: Street
Railway line extended to Exhibition
Grounds; ready for Central Fair this
month.
1894 March 20: Mr. T.E.
Bradburn secures, for Street Railway,
right to extend rail-line down Lock
Street to the river, and on the street
running east from Lock Street to the
Locks. There were proposals to build
boat houses and recreation grounds at the river.
1895 May 29: Much work being done to make parks
attractive. Park Trustees endeavour to arrange street
railway service to Jackson Park which, it’s hoped, may be
secured under agreement the street railway is required to
lay one mile of additional track, this year.
1896 October 5: Agony is over. After delays and
inviting tenders from several to-be-started Companies,
street-lighting contract, for next seven years, is given to
Peterborough Light and Power Company. Company will
supply 85 lamps, of 2,000 candle power, at $65 per lamp
per annum, and pay Town $400 for street rental, per year,
during contract. Additional lamps to cost $60 per lamp per
year. Price is about $12 below what is paid in other towns
and cities.
1897, September or October. Last street car ran for
this franchise.
1898 March 10: Proposed new Street Railway scheme
of Mr. David Starr (from Cornwall) regarding electric
railways to Lakefield and Chemong came before Council in
a report from committee to which the matter had been
referred: “That the town will agree, provided the details can
be satisfactorily arranged, to guarantee the bonds of the
proposed Electric Railway Company to the amount of
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
36
$50,000 at 4% per annum, the bonds to be for 20 years and
provided the town is given, as security, a first mortgage on
the property on the railway, including rails, wires, cars and
other plant and rolling stock within the town of
Peterborough, or other security equally as good.” Report
was adopted and Council met in committee, evening of
March 19, 1898. Mr. Starr said he made offers to P.&.A.
Street Railway and directors: (1) $45,000 cash for their
road, total equipment, franchise, etc, (2) a valuator appraise
system and that new company will give $10,000 more than
valuation of it, (3) that new company, the town, and
Peterborough Ashburnham Company, each, appoint an
arbitrator and both Companies abide by their decision as to
amount to be paid for the road.
Doug Campbell says the arrangements collapsed
because the Town wanted $150,000 franchise fee; and the
Peterborough and Ashburnham refused to sell its assets,
which Starr hoped to use as assets against which to
borrow.
1899 March 15: Bill is passed by Legislature relating
to Town of Peterborough affairs. It provides for partial
exemption of William Hamilton Company business, for
term of years, and convey to Company, part of Downie
Street. Also provided that the Town might acquire site and
use it for purpose of power, light, and water development
of Otonabee River at any point south of Nassau dam. Also
provided, if Town wished to go into street-lighting
business, it must purchase, by agreement or arbitration,
street lighting plant of Company at that time supplying
municipal light. This restricted Town in matter of
supplying light for commercial and private lighting.
1899 May 1
st
: Proposition made to Council that
Municipality take over Street Railway (which had ceased
operations for some time), expend $15,000 on line and
equipment, run road for five years free of any obligation or
payment to owners. Owners
to have right to re-take
possession at any time on
repayment to Municipality of
all moneys expended and
interest on such; or advance
to owners, sum named above
on sufficient security being
given. On termination of
present franchise, new one to
be arranged for.
1900: Local Street
Railway, having been out of
business for over 15 months,
Council passed resolution
that the Town take
possession of road bed, rails,
etc., remove obstructions to
street traffic, and the
franchise be declared
forfeited. Opposed by T.E.
Bradburn, Company President. Finally decided, by
Council, to confer with directors of road.
1901 November 5: New deal with American
Capitalists to have Street Railway in operation during next
spring. Council confirms old agreement and by-law with
Canadian General Electric Company in this regard.
1902 April 22 street lighting and street railway issues
before the public from this date. Sometime in 1902
Otonabee Power Company seems to have been formed.
1902 May 1: Peterborough Street Railway passed into
hands of big American syndicate known as National
Construction Company. Only condition attached to
purchase is, obtaining from Town, 30 year franchise. On
May 4, 1902, special Council meeting held; details were
given as to fares, car service, etc. By-law ordered to be
prepared, covering arrangement and conditions.
1902 August 20: At special Council meeting, a time
extension given National Construction Company to arrange
take-over and begin reconstruction work of Street Railway.
Company to pay off present Railway proprietors and
deposit, with Town, $5,000 as guarantee of good faith, to
be forfeited if conditions are not lived up to.
We concluded that postcards featuring street cars
could not date earlier than October 1904; construction of
the lines was covered in the local press, and occurred
mainly between June and September 1904. Buses were
introduced in 1928, but we have not confirmed the date that
streetcars stopped operating on Peterborough streets. This
postcard predates 1904; of course, the title is also wrong
as this is George Street, just south of Hunter Street. (TVA,
F544, Ken Brown Postcard fonds)
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
37
Postcards paint a picture of Peterborough past
PETER ADAMS and ALAN BRUNGER/ Special to The Examiner
Friday, November 25, 2016
Peter Adams and Alan Brunger are retired professors of geography at Trent University.
Elwood Jones, the archivist of
Trent Valley Archives, is well known
locally both to readers of The
Examiner and the general public. His
regular columns in The Examiner and
his steady stream of books and talks
have brought local heritage to life for
many of us. He writes for the general
reader as well as for those committed
to family and community heritage.
Elwood, with his co-author
Mathew Griffis, has out-done himself
with his new book Postcards from
Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Here is a book which everyone,
young and old, heritage buff or
general reader, will find interesting.
Post cards were the social media of
their day. Appearing when the 1 cent
stamp came in (1871) but particularly
after 1900, people started mailing
short messages to each other on
cards. Soon, many of these had a
picture on one side and a message on the other. The pictures often captured local scenes, Including community buildings, views,
and events. Those who were away sent pictures of where they were and those at home sent views familiar to their absent
correspondent. Trent Valley Archives has a huge collection of postcards, all well-catalogued and easy to search. This book is based
on postcards from our community and so its images reflect our region and its people.
Over the years, postcards became a special record of their times. People started collecting them and many families treasure
their postcard albums with their pictures and messages from the past.
Some 200 postcards, often coloured, from Trent Valley Archives' collection of over 1,800, illustrate the book. A quick scan
reveals views of Bridgenorth, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Millbrook and Lindsay as well as Peterborough. The
postcards commemorate birthdays, Christmas, special events and family jokes with photographs of local architecture, celebrations
and people. The lakes of the Kawarthas are particularly well represented.
In Peterborough, the pictures are a visual history of downtown, the evolution of the main streets and buildings, fine shots of
PCVS, the Armouries and local hotels, the tram and train systems and Jackson's Park.
Many of the postcards were designed and printed locally and the book provides thumbnail sketches of the firms concerned.
Peterborough was a centre for this business. An interesting chapter describes photographers of our region - more than twenty,
including the Roy family whose images are well known today.
There is a short chapter on forerunners of the postcard, sketches mailed around the world and salt prints. Stereo pairs of
photographs were popular for a while. The book has interesting examples of these, for example, fine three dimensional views of
downtown Peterborough and the courthouse.
Chapters 6 and 7 are devoted to George and Hunter Streets, which have been central to urban development in Peterborough
over the years. Through more than sixty postcards we see the evolution of these major thoroughfares, from the unpaved days
through the tramway era, to more recent times. There are general views of downtown and pictures of the major buildings, stores,
hotels, PCVS, City Hall, the Town Clock, churches, etc. The Hunter Street chapter vividly illustrates the history of Quaker Oats,
including the fire, and includes a fine early shot of the Hunter Street Bridge. In East City, we see early pictures of St. Joseph's
Hospital, Westclox, King George School and the Lift Lock.
One chapter is devoted to the Kawartha Lakes, including the Town of Lindsay. Cottage life was a great generator of postcards
as people sent images of their summer experience to those less fortunate than themselves. Views of Stoney Lake, its regattas,
church, inns and steamboat service, are particularly fine, many of them beautifully coloured or tinted. Chemong Lake, including the
Causeway, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon and Burleigh Falls, and the Trent Canal are featured as well. Several pages and many postcards
are devoted to historic Lindsay.
As the authors point out, postcards are more than pictures. They reflect a community's sense of progress, its civic pride and
activities and trends of the day. They are a window to the lives of our predecessors and their times.
Trent Valley Archives continues collecting postcards which are accessible both onsite and through its website. This book
includes the catalogue of over 1,800 postcards with brief description for each. This allows the readers quickly to survey the
collection and begin their own inquiry into local history.
Elwood Jones and Matthew Griffis deserve our thanks.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
38
Queries and News
In the Works: A Book on Peterborough’s Movie-Going History
For its tenth-anniversary celebration in 2014 the ReFrame festival mounted a special exhibit “Rewind: The Electric City Goes to
the Movies.” I was a member of the team that mounted the exhibit, and now I am following up by researching and writing a book
that delves into the social history of Peterborough’s movie-going experience, from the first film showing at the Bradburn Opera
House in 1897 to the present time.
You might not remember how the Peterborough Radial Railway Company delivered passengers to Jackson Park for
outdoor motion picture screenings in the summer seasons of 1905–08. But do you remember the Regent, Capitol, Centre, Odeon,
and Paramount? The short-lived Peterborough Film Society of the 1960s? The Festival Screening Room and Kaos? Canadian
Images?
And does anyone recall the woman with the oh-so-familiar face who for years sold tickets at the downtown theatres? I
think her name might have been Marguerite Howe, who worked in the Paramount and Odeon box offices from 1949 to 1976. But
I’m not sure . . .
You can help. I am looking for stories, artifacts, and photos related to Peterborough’s movie-going history. If you have
any, please contact me at emmylou@nexicom.net
or phone 705-741-3467.
Thanks, Rob Clarke
TVA wins special grant
Ford Motors of Canada has awarded $3,000 to the Trent Valley Archives. It was a welcome surprise. Over the past few years the
Trent Valley Archives has been working on the career of Senator The Hon. J. J. Duffus, an effort that culminated in a heritage
plaque honouring Duffus, and a publication, Souvenir publication which was launched on October 15, at Princess Gardens, in
downtown Peterborough. Copies of the Souvenir may be obtained on request from the Trent Valley Archives.
Obituary
RIDDOLLS, Robert Fredric"Bob" Of Peterborough Peacefully on December 24, 2016
with his family by his side, at the Peterborough Regional Health centre, at the age of 78. Loving
partner of Susan, loving son of the late Lorne and Dollie. Dear father Carolynn and David,
grandfather to Lee and Haaly, great-grandfather to Bobby and Sawyer. Cherished brother of
Weldon (Carole) Will be remembered by his nephews and niece and many friends. A celebration of
life will take place on Sunday January 29th, at the Belvedere Cookhouse in Pefferlaw between 1
and 4 p.m. Donations would be appreciated to the following charities: Egypt Church of the
Nazarene and the Salvation Army Georgina Community Church, Jackson's Point. A special and
heartfelt thanks to the nurses at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and the many others who
cared for my father while he was there. It will not be forgotten. Dad, We know you have crossed
over, that you are no longer here. But in our hearts you are always near. So send us a sign you are doing fine, and we will meet
again, our father, our friend. Love Carolynn
Our condolences to Susan Kyle and Bob’s family. Around Trent Valley Archives, we remember Bob as a jolly friend
who always had a happy story. He made a special souvenir [L-wood] which has been added to our new front door. We still walk
on some of his carpets. RIP.
Cy Monkman (July 15, 1928 - January 4, 2017)
Peacefully, on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in his 89th year. Beloved husband of the
late Lois (née Enborg). Best friend of Josephine Mewett. Loving father of Drew Monkman (Michelle) and Eric Monkman
(Elaine). Proud grandfather of Philippe (Christina), Julia (Alec), Sarah (Darin), Sophie, Laura (Nick) and Emily. Great-
grandfather of Anouk, Juniper and Oscar. Sadly missed by Lyn Dallin and many other relatives and friends. Predeceased by his
parents Gordon Monkman and Kate (née Robertshaw), his brother Gerald and Gerald's wife Megan (née Roberts). Born in
Peterborough, Cy attended PCVS and was an avid skier, photographer and golfer. In 1948, he went to England where he learned
the wool business. Upon his return, Cy worked at G.Whitaker & Co in Peterborough for nine years as a wool sorter and later as a
sales representative. In 1958, he started his own insurance agency, which was to become Monkman, Gracie and Johnston
Insurance Brokers, a legacy of which he was very proud. Cy was a member of Trinity United Church, the Kiwanis Club of
Peterborough, the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, the former Bethany Ski Club, the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club, Trent
Valley Archives and the Peterborough Historical Society. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Automobile
Association. Cy and Lois enjoyed annual walking and genealogical research vacations to Yorkshire in England, ski holidays all
over North America as well as golf holidays to Scotland and California. At home, Cy spent many hours compiling family history.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
39
His research led to the discovery of previously unknown relatives in the U.S.A., England, Australia and New Zealand. Family
history and traditions were very important to Cy. Accordingly, he was always proud to present the Peterborough Mayor's Chain
of Office after each election. His father, Gordon, had first purchased and presented the chain to the then Mayor Max Swanson in
1951. Cy compiled his lengthy genealogical research and photos in binders for the entire family, under the title "Yorkshire to
Peterborough: Monkman Family History". After Cy retired, he also spent several busy years researching and writing "A History
of the Peterborough Ski Club", which he self-published in book form. Full of photos of skiing's bygone days in and around
Peterborough, this was one of his proudest achievements. Cy was able to find wonderful companionship over the last three years
of his life with Josephine Mewett, something for which he was extremely grateful. Thank you to all of the wonderful staff at
Princess Gardens for treating Cy with kindness and dignity.
Remembering Cy Monkman
Cy Monkman was a long-time member of the Trent Valley Archives. I first met Cy and Lois at events around the Peterborough
Historical Society, but first worked with them on the history of the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. Lois was the president
when I worked with local golfers to write the book Peterborough Golf and Country Club, which was published by the club. Over
the years, Cy worked on the history of skiing locally, and spent hours at TVA going systematically through the Peterborough
Review, a weekly newspaper from the mid-1930s to the mid-1970s, of which the only copy of the originals is at TVA. Later he
wrote on the Whitaker fires for the Heritage Gazette and assisted me in researching the history of Whitakers when I reviewed the
company history. The Monkmans were from Yorkshire, as were the Dinsdales and my wife’s family, and Yorkshire was often
discussed at TVA. When I wrote about the “Menzies Folly” on Edinburgh Street, Lois told me she had lived there when it was
converted to an apartment building. There are so many ways, large and small, in which my interests and Cy’s converged, and I
will really miss him. As well, since moving to 567 Carnegie in 1997, Trent Valley Archives has gone to the Monkmans for
insurance advice. Our condolences to Eric and Drew and all the family. RIP
Grace Barker (1925-2016)
Grace Barker (1925-2016 ), historian and community worker, is best-known for her writing. Her book, The Bad Luck Bank
Robbers, tells the story of the 1961 robbery of the Havelock TD Bank. The book was a favourite through the area because it was
well-researched, included information from the press and from the Ontario Provincial Police and from interviews with many local
people. The book is fast-paced and cleverly explores how “the best-laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley.” The book has
been developed into a play for the Fourth Line Theatre; it was sold out in its debut season, 2015, and is scheduled for another run
this summer.
However, her most significant historical writing was the book Timber Empire: the entrepreneurial Boyd family. The Boyd
family was based in Bobcaygeon and Peterborough from the 1840s to the 1980s, but its success in timber and lumber enterprises
were key economic drivers of the local economy. During the 1850s, the timber from the Haliburton highlands was taken on
timber rafts, eventually down the Otonabee/Trent River and all the way to Quebec City. By the 1860s, most of the wood left the
area as lumber, much of it processed locally. Lumbering towns often become ghost towns, but in our case the dominance of the
Otonabee River both as a highway and as a source of electricity, coupled with the manufacturing and railway connections
Peterborough thrived long past the earliest years. The Boyds expanded west to Saskatchewan, and as far as Vancouver Island,
where the local emphasis on lumber and buffalo continued. Timber Empire proved popular, too, and was published in a second
edition.
Over her long life-time, Grace Barker has been a key player in many community projects, most with wide implications.
She worked with Ontario Trees to have 3,000 trees planted on the family farm. She contributed to a project to produce a huge
book on the legacy of the Hereford cattle, and her chapter on the joys of Herefords was one of the best in the book; the book is in
the library at Trent Valley Archives. She was also an active long-time member of the Women’s Institute at Bury’s Green. Her
wide-ranging archival papers have been deposited in the Trent Valley Archives.
George Elliott
Do you or the readers of the Heritage Gazette know anything more than I do of a Major George Elliot(t). George
ELLIOTT** (b. Ireland, d. 1844 in Monaghan Twp., CW)
Farmer, JP, politician; (Conservative) (Anglican) Granted 200 acres. Lived in Monaghan Twp. Capt., 2d Regt., Durham
Militia, 9 Jan. 1828; Maj., Durham Volunteers, 8 Nov. 1838; Maj., 2d Regt., Durham Militia, 13 July 1839. MHA, Durham,
1836-41; He was a JP in the Newcastle Dist., 2 June 1837; Sources: Johnson and Armstrong; PAC, RG 9, Biblion 5, vol. 6; RG
68; W.D. Reid, Death Notices of Ontario (Lambertville, NJ 1980), 222; and his Sons and Daughters..., 99;
Possible a George Elliot of Elizabethtown, the son of Jacob ELLIOT, O.C. 28 Oct 1835.
There was a George F. Elliot who was a JP in the Bathurst and Johnstown Districts between 1822 and 1825.
‘A. Scott Carter and Peterborough’s Coat of Arms
Callie Stacey
The finding aid for the A. Scott Carter papers at the University of Toronto Rare Books Library shows that there are15 files of
correspondence, drawings, sketches, reference materials and photos regarding Carter’s work on the seal and coat of arms for the
city of Peterborough. [Carter designed several silver items that my father made: a pectoral cross for Bishop Luxton, and
processional crosses for Trinity College Chapel and St. Cyprian’s Anglican in Toronto.]
[Ed. Note: thanks to our TVA member for drawing this to our attention. Another reason to go to Toronto!]
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
40
Quaker Fire 100 Years Later
G. Young – Lakefield Heritage Research 12 January 2017
In early January, the first meeting of the
Commemorative Committee was warmly hosted by Fr. Bill
Moloney, then, the pastor fo Immaculate Conception
Church. Three church representatives were there and a
goodly number of the descendants, as well as Terry
LaBrash, then, Director of Manufacturing PepsiCo Foods
Canada – Quaker.
Mr. LaBrash noted, that Quaker had its own plans to
commemorate the event. So, three sub-committees were
then established.
A church service committee, a small General
Committee for the development of the commemorative
book, and, other matters, and, the somewhat larger
Descendants' Committee which would be co-chaired by
Jane Gill, and Lorna Green as equal co-chairs. They would
look after some events and would formulate their own
memorial.
As the year went on, the small General Committee had
a “story sign” created in honor of Doris Brick. Doris had
chaired the 2006 Memorial and had left a donation t
towards the creation of a “story sign” entrusted to Lakefield
Heritage . Sadly, Doris, did not live to see this “story
sign”. The “story sign” was patterned after the
Peterborough Historical Society's style and word numbers.
Thanks to Brian Jobbitt, the General Manager of the City's
Public Works, the city donated a post and the sign was
erected on City property just at the edge of the entrance to
the Quaker Parkette.
The book, “A Dark Day in Peterborough” was
developed by a hundred researchers, librarians, and, all
sorts of sources including at least a hundred descendants,
both of those who died and those who had assisted, or,
taken part in the disaster.
The book committee was thrilled to have the book
edited Dr. Bernadine Dodge, the former Archivist at Trent
University, and, Prof. Dr. Jim Driscoll, retired from Trent
University. It was thrilling to see the book come into place.
Equally wonderful was the help we received from Ryan
Jacques who helped to search the City Directory for Quaker
Staff. Ryan is a descendant of a St. Lukes minister.
President and CEO Stu Harrison welcomed all, and,
Warden J. Murray Jones spoke of the need for the book.
We were grateful to our two sponsors who covered the cost
of the book. The Greater Peterborough Chamber of
Commerce kindly donated their boardroom for the Nov. 18
book launch. Paul Rellinger, just retired from years of
reporting with Peterborough This Week, offered to be our
publicist. Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger and Deputy Chief,
Chad Brown represented the fire department. Peter Duffus,
the grandson of Mayor [1916-1917] was present as was
David Morton. Amazingly, 210 copies, the entire print-run
of the book, sold in eight days.
The Descendants' Committee soon after announced
that they were planning a memorial to be placed in
Millennium Park, near Simcoe Street. Essentially, the
memorial will take the form of the outline of the Quaker
plant seen in a photo taken by Roy from the roof of the
Wand Sash and Door Company at about 5pm. When
erected, it will be possible for residents and visitors to look
through one of the “window outline” and see the Quaker
plant. Led by City Councillor Lesley Parnell, the memorial
was approved unanimously by City Council, and, City Staff
will be working with the Descendants' Committee on all the
necessary details that will be needed to make it happen.
At the Saturday night service, Unifor [the union
representing the Quaker staff] announced that their
National Council will underwrite the entire cost. That was
thrilling to hear !!! It is hoped to have the memorial ready
by April.
On Saturday Dec. 10, about twenty descendants and
residents, met for a candlelight vigil on a frigid night.
Descendant Jim Parsons, and, member of the Descendants
Committee read out the names of the twenty-four men.
Then, the vigil moved to the church hall of Mark
Street United Church, where another fifty people were
waiting. Maryam Monsef, MP, and, Warden J. Murray
Jones along with Graham Hart and various union officials
and other dignitaries were gathered to see the new video-
documentary created by Paul Brown and narrated by
Graham Hart. Gord Young, of Lakefield Heritage
Research, was pleased to give the last Memorial Book to
Peter Duffus, the grandson of Mayor [1916-1917] J.J.
Duffus.
Fr. Peter Seabrooke from the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Peterborough led the service at Immaculate
Conception Church on Sunday Dec. 11, 100 years to the
day since the fire. Just over a hundred family and
residents joined in this Community Service of
Remembrance. Fr. Seabrooke was joined by the Rev. Fred
Woods [representing St. Lukes], and the Rev. Brad Self of
St. John's. Rev. Patti Anderson of Mark Street United
[formerly Mark Street Methodist Church] also
participated. Rev. Gord Young, representing the City
Mission Church led the candle lighting portion of the
service. Both committees are very grateful to Fr. Peter for
creating a wonderful Community Memorial Service. He
was ably assisted by, D.Paul Ayotte and Colleen Allen a
descendant of a Quaker fire fatality. Thanks went out to
the ladies of Immaculate Conception Church who
supplied the wonderful post-service refreshments.
Earlier on Sunday, Pepsico-Quaker Foods unveiled
two sets of commemorative plaques. The first set of
plaques was placed at the employee entrance. The
monument is actually a pillar from the old building
apparently used as part of the rubble to stabilize the river
bank, north of the present building.
[Gordon Young’s complete report including many
photographs supplied by various people has been placed
in the Trent Valley Archives.]
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
41
Looking Ahead
The SPARK Photo Festival Showcase Exhibit: April 2017
The Loss of Innocence; The Birth of a Nation:
Remembering 1917 and the Great War
Besides marking the 150
th
anniversary of Confederation, 2017 will also be a time to note the 100
th
anniversary of 1917's
significant World War 1 battles, most notably those at Vimy Ridge (April 9-12) and Passchendaele. It was especially the
Canadian successes at Vimy Ridge that marked a coming-of-age for this nation.
Canada was drawn into WW1 simply because it was a British dominion when the “mother country” declared war in August
1914. However, when the war was over Canada sat at the treaty table with the big powers in 1919. Unfortunately, a high price
paid had been paid for such recognition. By war's end , Canada's total casualties stood at 67,000 killed and 250,000 wounded, out
of an expeditionary force of 620,000 people mobilized. To this, of course, we could add the 9,000 casualties of a December 1917
munitions explosion in Halifax and even the casualties of our local Quaker explosion of 1916, caused by the effort to squeeze
out more war-time production.
The recognition Canada gained from WW1 participation has been of lasting value. This SPARK Showcase Exhibit seeks
to pay tribute to the many thousands of innocent Canadians–soldiers, nurses, and others on the home front as well as abroad–
whose sacrifices made it possible, in particular the individuals of this community and region. Set within an overall context of the
unfolding war, we therefore highlight individuals, especially “ordinary” ones. To do this we draw most heavily on portraits in
the Balsillie Collection of Roy Studio Images held at the Peterborough Museum and Archives. Photographs from Library and
Archives Canada, the Canadian War Museum, and so on, provide context. Because last year's exhibit drew exclusively on Trent
Valley Archives’ resources, the intent was to give the TVA a break this time. However, we haven't stayed away completely (how
could we?) and have dipped into the TVA's Matthews Family Collection (F425), the Electric City Collection (F50), and the
Canadians in World War 1 materials (F142).
The Showcase Committee would like to emphasize that this exhibit is not meant to be comprehensive and instead is meant
as a lead-up to the many events and commemorations that we expect will occur in 2018. We hope that our viewing audience will
draw on some of our materials and research hints and will themselves explore other aspects of the war. In this way, they too can
acknowledge Canada's transition from innocence to nationhood.
As in past years, this Showcase and other SPARK exhibits will run for the full month of April. It will be open 1-5 pm daily,
including weekends and Easter, at the Peterborough Public Library, currently on the lower floor of Peterborough Square.
Submitted by Jennie Versteeg
for the Spark Showcase Committee
Quaker Memorial
This is an artist rendition of how the proposed Quaker
Memorial will look when installed on the Millennium
Trail in Millennium Park. The plans have been
prepared by Basterfield & Associates Landscape
Architects, Peterborough. The monument will be
twelve feet wide and twelve feet high. As proposed by
Paul Brown, the view of the Quaker Oats works in the
distance will place the view of the fire in context with
the Quaker Oats that rebuilt and provided jobs for
thousands of people for another century. Thanks to
Jim Gill for sharing.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
42
Cooking up Change in the TVA Kitchen
Recently, Trent Valley Archives received a generous donation from Berenice Pepe
to improve our kitchen facilities, which were original to the former Township of Smith
office.
Berenice's donation set the ball in motion, which led to a number of local trades
and businesses all jumping on board to help make the renovation project come to
fruition.
It all began with Ann Grills, kitchen designer for local business Cabinetree (who is
currently enjoying her maternity leave), donating some oak cabinets from one of her
personal renovation projects. Not only did Ann supply the cabinetry, but she attended
on site, measured and designed layout that would work in our tiny space, allowing us
to have a microwave and a fridge and provide the maximum amount of work space
allowable.
Without hesitation, Terry Jenkins of Home Hardware on Chemong Road
generously donated a high definition laminate counter top, which complimented the
cabinets beautifully and incorporated today's popular look of granite.
Kevin Grills, finish carpenter and cabinet installer, along with his father, Glen Grills, took on the task of tearing out the 1960s
cabinets and replacing them with the new ones, building a custom shelving cabinet, installing the counter top and replacing the
baseboard.
Alyson Hamilton of MacInteriors donated her professional painting services and the paint needed to freshen up the walls.
Bob Neck supplied a covered trailer and took responsibility for the logistics of delivering the cabinetry and disposing of the
old materials.
Drain Electric Ltd. wired in the newly required outlets and hooked up our new light fixture.
Finally, Berardi Bros. Plumbing generously donated their professional plumbing services to disconnect and reconnect the
plumbing, install a new vent and brand new Delta faucet.
Without the generosity of these individuals and local businesses, this renovation project would not have been possible. On
behalf of everyone at Trent Valley Archives, WE THANK YOU ALL!
Trent Valley Archives wishes to thank the generous individuals and local businesses who helped make the kitchen renovation project possible.
Berenice Pepe; Ann Grills; Glen Grills; Bob Neck; Drain Electric Ltd.
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
43
CANADA 150
A. TreNT VAlley ArChIVeS leCTure SerIeS
This is the first ever lecture series offered by the Trent Valley Archives and we are really pleased at the fine speakers that we
have lined up. All in some way evoke the spirit of Peterborough, the 1860s and the importance of celebration. Talks 1,2, 3 and 5
are at the Lions Centre, Burnham Street, Peterborough. Talk 4 will be at Catalina’s, Water Street, in downtown Peterborough.
Talk 6 will be given at Highland Park, Cemetery meeting room. All talks begin at 7 p.m.
1 Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas Elwood Jones, TVA Archivist, February 22
2 F. W. Haultain and the Confederation Debates Dennis Carter-Edwards, Parks Canada, March 8
3 John A. Macdonald’s Peterborough Connections Elwood Jones, TVA Archivist, March 22
4 Peterborough Goes to the Movies D’Arcy More and Madison More, More in the Attic, April 5
5 Drinking in Cavan Rob Winslow, 4
th
Line Theatre, April 12
6 Canada and the American Civil War John Boyko, Lakefield College School, April 20
Series ticket, $50
Photo: Haultain home, Brock Street (TVA, Electric City
Collection)
B. DoorS opeN, peTerBorough,
MAy 6
Trent Valley Archives will be participating in
two feature events.
Seats of the Mighty, Tour of the Little Lake
Cemetery near the Chapel, 10 a.m. Led by
Elwood Jones
Great Fire of Peterborough 1861, Tours
begin at the courtyard on Water Street, 1; 1:30; 2 p.m. Elwood Jones and Don Willcock assisted by
volunteers from the Trent Valley Archives
C. TreNT VAlley ArChIVeS, ANNuAl geNerAl MeeTINg [AgM], AprIl 20, 7 p.M.
Guest speaker, John Boyko, distinguished author, Lakefield College School. Followed by
refreshments, and the AGM. Book tables for TVA and for John Boyko open at 6:30 p.m.
For details on these special events, visit www.trentvalleyarchives.com
.
Events Committee
Trent Valley Archives
567 Carnegie Avenue
Peterborough ON K9L 1N1
705-745-4404
Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, Vol. 21, no. 4 February 2017
44
POSTCARDS from PETERBOROUGH
and the
KAWARTHAS
Vintage Postcards from the Trent Valley Archives
Elwood H. Jones and Matthew R. Griffis
A century ago, people sent postcards like we make phone calls today. In fact, if text messages
are today’s telegrams, then postcards are yesterday’s Instagram posts. They predate television news
and even modern magazines.
According to some media historians, picture postcards were one of the first examples of mass-
produced images in modern culture. At a time when ordinary people did not own personal cameras,
the purchase of a picture postcard was a relatively inexpensive way of preserving a memory of one’s
local surroundings. Postcards offered not just an inexpensive and efficient means of written
communication, but also a glimpse of faraway, often extraordinary places.
Since the 1990s, books devoted to reproducing postcard views of a specific place or community
have become increasingly popular. In some cases, postcards are the only surviving visual record of a
specific place or event.
Consequently, postcards have become the subjects of archival digitization initiatives, digital
humanities projects, and research studies by social, cultural, media, and popular art historians.
While other works about the history of Peterborough and the Kawarthas have included postcard
images as illustrations, Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas is the first to focus exclusively
on the history of postcard manufacturing and collecting in the Kawarthas and one of the first to
reproduce, in their original tones, many of these vintage views. These cards include views of
residential and downtown streets, important (and, in some cases, lost) architectural landmarks, city
skylines and natural landscapes, important people and institutions, and scenes from the Trent-Severn
Waterway including bridges, lift locks, and steamboats.
Postcards from Peterborough and the Kawarthas is both a celebration of the Kawarthas’ postcard
heritage and a resource for researchers. Its inventory provides a descriptive list of all postcards,
print and digitized, currently in the Trent Valley Archives’ collections. In addition to raising
awareness of the existence of these cards, this book can inform a variety of present and future
research projects relating to the history of our region.
ISBN 978-0-9810341-8-8
$30
Order from: Trent Valley Archives, 567 Carnegie Avenue, www.trentvalleyarchives.com
Postage and handling add $15 per copy. For international orders, ask for quotes.
For bulk orders of ten copies or more, there is a 30% discount; e.g. ten copies $210. Postage and handling extra if necessary.
