Name/Title
Letter, handwrittenEntry/Object ID
2014.07.56Scope and Content
31 pages of hand written letters, each page is about 11 by 18 cm. Letter is written on thick off white paper in black ink, likely with a nib pen. Names such as Daniel Shipman are mentioned in the writting. Some pages have handwritten notes written on the reverse side. The pages are numbered 1 - 31, although after 20 only every second page bares a number. The contents of the letters seem to be an unknown author's recollection of the incorporation of the library in Almonte and the old school house, as well as naming members of the militia in Ramsay and giving details on their service.
Transcription of the artifacts is as follows:
(1)
In 1837 and 1838 the rebellion took place in Canada-
Captain Glen dunning [last name uncertain] who had been in the British Army in Belgium in the Waterloo Campaign if not actually present at the battle was the leading military authority in Ramsay and was in command of the militia - there were many old soldiers at that time in the Township veterans who had seen service in the Peninsular wars and elsewhere and their station of the exploits of bygone years kept up a certain amount
(2)
Of military intelligence and spirit in the rising generation among those whose names may be mentioned were afterwards Captain Militia [spelling uncertain] with Sir Ralph abercromby Sergeant Donohue (who was in Egypt) Sergeant Campbell a peninsular Town Clerk of Ramsay for many years till his death and secratary and Librarian of the Ramsay Library and other local offices [“Private Bryce who had” was written then crossed out] ho had served in the peninsula and was present at the Battle of Toulouse and elsewhere He was a man of high character and much esteem in the community - He rose to the Rank of Major in the militia and was a County Magistrate Private Bryce was in the engagements
(3)
at Buenos Aires and elsewhere in South America
Sergeant Hamilton present at the Battle of Waterloo
Private Robertson in the Peninsular War afterwards in Ramsay Township counsil [spelling uncertain] and County Councillor and Captain of Militia
Private McSarin who owned property in the Township and resided in it occasionally he had joined the 71st [unknown number] Regiment in His 15th year and was present at the Siege of Flushing in the Walcheren Expedition he was afterwards through the Peninsular Campaigns and among other engagements at
(4)
The Battle of Vittoria he was afterwards taken prisoner by the French and remained in the country for some time acquiring the Language which he found very useful in after years in Canada in his business
Private John Gilmour who lived on his land in the Township of Huntly yet resided many years in Ramsay he served many years in India and was a pensioner -
-
Among the naval veterans may be mentioned
Dr Cannon a retired surgeon of the Navy who had seen much active service and who was highly esteemed in the Township
(a addition to page 4)
Private John Bruse who had been in garrison in Gibraltar for some years accompanied a reinforcement to Wellingtons Army when it landed at St Jean de Luz and assisted at the close of that great struggle
Private Peters in the 26th Cameronian under Col. Sir William Maxwell was with the army in Portugal
(5)
As a medical man till his death he received a grant of land according to his [unknown word] and half pay
John Graham who had seen service in the Navy and who was on admiral Nelson own ship in the Battle at the tating [spelling uncertain] of Copenhagen he had a farm near the present Town of Almonte and was a man of a venerable appearance all those mentioned had received grants of land and a number of them pensions from the British [unknown word] among those who had served in the Militia in Scotland may be mentioned John Gemmill and Allan Gilmour there were others whose names I do not remember -
The annual framing [ Maybe training : spelling uncertain] as it was called toured at Carleton Place on the 24th of June the Birth
(6)
Day of King George 3rd once during the Rebellion a draft of men was marched from Carleton Place to Perth but soon returned the only other military incident in the Township was the arrival at Ramsayville of a party of Cavalry from Richmond to arrest Mr Daniel Shipman who was supposed to be disaffected they were however not successful as Mr S effected his escape and remained concealed for several month till the affair blew over in the circumstances of the country to be even suspected often caused long imprisonment
(7)
In the years succeeding the Rebellion the system of of the training or muster continued but little or no attempt at drill or instruction took place [“so that the Militia was quite untrained” was written then crossed out] the only semblance of reality in the affair was the presence of veterans of former wars in the capacity of officers - Major Wylie died in 1857 about the years 1855 some new officers were appointed in the Township of Ramsay in that year there were Lieut. Col. Snedden Major Campbell Captains Houston Robertson Menzies and Gilmour Lieutenants Wilson and Gemmill
(8)
The Militia at that time was divided into Service and reserve men unmarried and married each class to be called out successively in turn -
This system continued till 1862 when the outbreak of the American Civil War the year before and the affair of the Trent caused a new impetus in the military affairs of Canada [“in” has been crossed out]
In Almonte the chief village of the Township and which had been called from the first settlement successively Shepherd Falls Shipmans Mills Ramsayville and Waterford a volunteer company was formed thus inaugurating
(9)
There the active militia forces which which exists throughout the Dominion and which has thrown altogether into the background the old system -
The establishment of the military schools in 1864&5 in the principal cities of the country had the effect of turning out great numbers of men qualified to be instructors and officers to take the command of the active force-
Even before their establishment there were many men trained in the volunteer companies qualified to command [“Companies and Battalions” has been crossed out]
The first officer of the Almonte Company were Captain McIntosh Lieutenant Appleton Ensign MacDougall company organized in Dec 1862
(10)
In 1865 captain McIntosh retired succeeded by Captain Gemmill Lieutenant McDougall and Ensign McEwen -
Sergeants Lockhart McGregor and Conlter [Baylar, spelling uncertain] Crusoe in the spring of 1866 the first Fenian Raid took place when the company was ordered to Brockville where a Provisional Battalion was formed under the command of Lieut Col. Crawford
In October 1866 the 42nd Batt was organized Headquarters Brockville under the command of Lieut. Col. Buell
Majors James D. Gemmill and Thomas Scott
(11)
Major Scott formerly commanded the Perth company and distinguished himself in after years in the Red River expedition under general Woolselly
He was selected [“in the following year” has been crossed out] to take through a reinforcement by the same route to strengthen the garrison at Winnipeg which reached its destination through ice and snow in the month of November - He afterwards represented Winnipeg in the House of Commons and is now Collector of Customs in that city-
No. 1 Company Almonte Captain Peter McDougall Lieutenant James Rosamond
(12)
Ensign Dougall McEwen
It may be mentioned [“in passing” has been crossed out] that in the Half Breed and Indian War in the North West in 1885 Mr McEwen while attached to the Winnipeg Infantry distinguished himself at the Battle of Batoche [“and elsewhere” is crossed out] where his courage and [“great” is crossed out] skill in the use of the Rifle contributed [“in a striking manner” is crossed out] to the victory on that occasion -
Dr Wm Mostyn of Almonte was the second [“first” is crossed out] Surgeon appointed to the Battalion date 22nd March 1867 which position he held till his death in April 1881 which occurred in rather a tragic manner
(13)
He had gone up the river from Almonte to Appleton [“accompanied” has been crossed out] on a professional visit in a Boat accompanied by Mr. James Manning a son of the late Mr Manning Inspector of Licenses for Ontario - They got safely to Appleton but on their return the Boat which was of unsafe construction having been built for amateur racing appears to have upset and they were both drowned -
Dr Mostyn was a man of great public spirit and of a very Kindly and unselfish disposition which rendered him much [“universally” was written then crossed out] liked by all who knew him
(14)
[“He has held many public offices” is crossed out] he had been president of the North Lanark Agricultural Society since 1867 He had been in the Ramsay Township Council and on the Incorporation of Almonte as a village he was the first Reeve he also represented North Lanark in the Ontario Legislature from 1875-1879-
After some years service Captain McDougall was succeeded in the command of the Almonte Company by Captain D. G. MacDonall-
Captain Mackdonnell represented North Lanark for two years in the House of Commons
(15)
At Ottawa-
After some years service Captain MacDonnell was succeeded by Captain Williams who is at present in command-
Major and Lieut Col. Gemmill retired in 1880
Lieut Col. Buell the commander of the Battalion after long and meritorious service retired in 1885- and was succeeded by Lieut Col. Matheson Perth who has been connected with the 42nd since its formation The Headquarters being at Perth the County Town of Lanark it is now more of County Battalion than with the
(16)
Headquarters at Brockville Lieut Col. Matheson is a son of the Late Herw. [spelling uncertain] Lieut. Col. Roderick Matheson member of the Legislative Council of Canada-
(17)
The Ramsay Library was formed in 1829 the settlement was then about Eight years in existence and the inhabitants felt the want of reading matter to remedy this they held a meeting at which it was agreed that each one should contribute some Books to a general stock to form a beginning to the Library which was afterwards carried on by each member paying as a subscription 5 [unknown currency symbol] a year
Books were given out by the Librarian four to each subscriber on the first Saturday of every month- these monthly meetings served as a reunion for the early
(18)
Settlers and were always looked forward to with pleasure by those connected with it an the annual purchase of new Books was looked on as [“one of the” is crossed out] events [“of the season” is crossed out]
This Library was established first and held its meeting for more than twenty years in the Log School House at the corner of Farm and Country streets in the then village of Ramseyville [“now Almonte” is crossed out] the annual meeting was held on the 25th January the birth day of Robert Burns - and was held with special honour by the early
(19)
Pioneers [“this is not to be wondered at as” is crossed out] the facilities for moving about were then [“very” is crossed out] limited and Books and Newspapers were scarce as for the latter they were confined to the “Montreal Herald” and Bathurst now the Perth Courier the first Librarians were Mr Arthur Lang afterwards one of the first councillors of the Township Mr John Gillon one of the first school teachers of the place Mr John Scott afterwards Township and County Councillor one of the original advocants of the and who was [“connected” is crossed out] with the Brockville and Ottawa at Almonte and afterwards one of its officials Railway now a portion of the C.P.R [“for many years” has been crossed out]
(20)
Also Mr David Campbell who held the office of Librarian for many years - [“He was also Town Clerk of Ramsay for many years” is crossed out] among the original members and supporters of the Institution may be mentioned Hon James Wylie - Mr John Gemmill Mr James Heart Mr John Nielson Mr Peter McGregor Mr James Bryson Mr Robert McFarlane Mr Matthew McFarlane Mr Walter Bain Mr John Patterson Mr John Shaw Mr Hugh Miller Mr John Millions Mr William More Wm Lindsay after and existence of twenty eight years in 1857 the Society was incorporated as the
(21)
Ramsay Library association and Mechanics [spelling uncertain] Institute
James Heart President
Robert L McFarlane Vice do
David Campbell Secy & Librarian
Mathew Anderson Treasurer
Dr. Alex MacDowald Director
Mathew McFarlane do
Peter McGregor do
John Nielson Sen do
Arthur Lang a
James More do
Robert Anderson do
Bemslice B Smart do
[“they made an agreement with the Sons of Temperance” is crossed out]
Having built a reading room
22
And supplied it with papers and provided lectures during the winter months the institution flourished for several years but losing their reading room owing to a flaw in their Title and the withdrawal of the Govt grant the society languished many of the old members having died and numbers of new societies springing up attracting the youth of the place at length in 1884 after an existence of twenty seven years
The property of the old institution was handed over to a new incorporated Mechanics Institute which is now one of the many [spelling uncertain] institutions
(23)
Of the Town of Almonte Mr Bennett Rosamond M. P. President-
The North Lanark Agricultural Society which had its beginning some fifty years ago at Carleton Place has been of great service to the public and since the [“annual show and” is crossed out] headquarters of the Society was removed to Almonte some thirty six years ago the annual Exhibition has gradually improved so that now it is quite [spelling uncertain] equal to any other County Shows in the Ottawa Valley - the improvement is most marked both
(24)
In the quality and number of the exhibits and in the number of the visitors during the three days of the Exhibition among the founders of the society may be mentioned Mr Robert Bell of Carleton Place late M. P for North Lanark the late Mr William Wallace I. P. of Ramsay [“Mr John Steele” is crossed out] the late Mr Andrew Cochran, and the late Mr Peter Naysmith of Ramsay. In later years the Society had as presidents Mr John Menzies now Registrar of North Lanark and Mr John Baird Woollen Manufacturer later Dr Moslyn proved a very efficient president Mr John K
(25)
Stevens, Miller has [“proved” is crossed out] been a very efficient Director and manager and the society owes much to him among prominent Directors may be mentioned Mr John Steele of Ramsay and Mr Andrew Wilson of Appleton Mr James Rosamond Jun the present president -
Among those who have given special prizes of late years may be mentioned the Hon George Bryson of Fort Coulougn who is a son of one of the original Settlers of Ramsay-
Among prominent Exhibitions of late years are Mr Joseph Guill of Ramsay for [unknown word] pedigree [unknown word] and Mr
(26)
John Bowland of Clayton for fruit grain and seeds among others who have been directors may be mentioned Mr Robert Guill and Mr Gilbert Judge of Ramsay and Major Gemmill late of Almonte-
[“Mr” is crossed out] the late Major David Campbell acted as secretary for many years succeeded by Mr Jhos Coulter after him Mr McEwen the present secretary-
The export production of the Township of Ramsay were first potash and timber as the clearing of the forest extended then came the growing of wheat and the making of Butter
(27)
To which is now to be added the manufacture of cheese and the increase of Beef Cattle and sheep - there was a good deal of pork raised at one time for the supply of the Lumber trade and also oats- The raising of Fowls and turkeys has been a prominent fixture of the late years - the cutting down of the forest which was a great object with the early settlers has been carried so far that few of the farmers have more woodland than what they require for their own use-
(28)
The first school teacher at Shepherds or Shipmans mills was Mr Arthur Lang the school house a small log building was near what is now Robertsons Corner on mill street opposite the Almonte house - afterwards a larger log building was erected on the corner of farm and country streets for a school house opposite the general store of Mr John Gemmill who erected the first Stone Dwelling in the Township this school [“house” is crossed out] erected before 1830 was presided over for many years by Mr John Gillon whose name should not be forgotten as one of the ancient
(29)
Worthies of the settlement he was a native of Aberdeen Scotland born in 1777 educated at the university of that city - He was so very critical in his teaching that few of his pupils got beyond the three R’s after that came the rudiments of Latin he was however thorough in the branches taught the education of youth at that time was pursued under difficulties the school [“house” is crossed out] was best attended in Winter many of the boys [“and young ones” is crossed out] had to work on the farm in summer attending school in winder which was
(30)
Heated by a stove in the centre of the room while through crevices between the logs the wind frequently came [“through” is crossed out] - The fuel for the school often consisted of trees cut in the forest close by drawn in by oxen many of the scholars were experienced [spelling uncertain] in the use of the axe and between lessons had an opportunity of showing their skill - Mr Gillon died a bachelor in the sixties and his monument is housed in the cemetery on the 8th line and is gratefully remembered by many as their early teacher and one of the old school
[the following is written on the back of the paper]
Among pupils of Mr Gillon who afterwards rose to public notice were the late Mr William McNarin Shaw of Perth Barrister and who represented South Lanark at Toronto at the time of his death - His Brother Alex Shaw L. C. Walkerton who was one of the representatives of the County of Bruce at Ottawa also the late Judge Sinclair of Hamilton who since used his early education at this school
(31)
The old school House has long been swept away in its time it was used for many public purposes [“it was used” is crossed out] occaisionally for church of England services by the late Revd Dr Boswell of Carleton Place also Baptist services by the late Revd Robert Dick of Lanark also Methodist services were held sometimes in the school house singing classes and debating clubs were also held in it and for many years the meeting of the Ramsay Library -
[the following is written on the back of the page]
Notice on cash diagram
Almonte &
Biographied
Shichten of from
News inbratinark [spelling uncertain]Collection
DocumentCataloged By
Whit, ElizabethLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Letter sheetsSearch Terms
Correspondence/LetterLocation
Location
Container
Archive Box 2Shelf
1Cabinet
Archive CupboardRoom
Collections RoomBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
PermanentDate
November 7, 2023Location
Container
Box 3Room
Collections RoomBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
PermanentMoved By
Whit, ElizabethDate
June 11, 2017General Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: MacMillan, Lindsay
Status Date: 2020-11-26Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
June 11, 2017Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
November 12, 2023
