Program of a Commemorative session of Lincoln County Council, November 19, 1969.

The County of Lincoln dates back to 1798, when the first Lincoln County was formed. It was comprised of the townships of Clinton, Grimsby, Saltfleet, Barton, Ancaster, Glanford, Binbrook, Gainsborough, Caistor, Newark (Niagara), Grantham, Louth, Stamford, Thorold, Pelham, Bertie, Willoughby, Crowland, Humberstone and Wainfleet. The County boundaries were revised over the years, and the formation of Welland County in 1856 left only 7 townships in Lincoln County (Niagara, Grantham, Louth, Clinton, Gainsborough, Caistor and Grimsby). A County Council was also established at this time, which consisted of a Clerk, Warden, and a representative from each township. In 1862, the County Seat was moved from Niagara-on-the-Lake to St. Catharines. In 1970, Lincoln and Welland Counties were amalgamated to form the Regional Municipality of Niagara.

Map of part of the “Smith & Kerby” tract in the City of Brantford, County of Brant, Ontario, no date.

An abstract map of a part of the “Smith & Kerby tract” lying within the City of Brantford, County of Brant, Ontario. There is no date on the map. The map shows parts from McMurray’s Survey, Mrs. G.S. Wilkes Survey, and the Howell Survey.

Indenture - Land sold by Hart Smith of Lincoln County to James Fields of Newark in Oxford County

Indenture regarding land sold by Hart Smith of Lincoln County to James Fields of Newark in Oxford County, First Concession, Lot no. 3. October 11, 1797.

Indenture between The Corporation of the Township of Grantham of the County of Lincoln and Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff

Indenture of bargain and sale between The Corporation of the Township of Grantham of the County of Lincoln and Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff of St. Catharines regarding part of the road allowance between Lots no. 12 and 13 of the 8th Concession of the Township of Grantham. This was registered January 8, 1874 in the County of Lincoln - instrument no. 1650, October 24, 1873.

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland to construct and build the main drain through the marsh lands tract commencing in lot no. 27 in the 4th concession in the township of Humberstone in a southerly direction (6 pages, handwritten). This is signed by John Frazer, Provisional Warden, Dexter Deverardo and Alexander Cook. (2 copies), Dec. 30, 1854.

Extract from the minutes of a session of the Provisional Municipal Council of the County of Welland

Extract from the minutes of a session of the Provisional Municipal Council of the County of Welland held on Nov. 3rd, 1855. It was decided that the petition of Andrew Drew and others be laid over until the engineer could make a survey of the premises and report to the council. This was signed by Dexter Deverardo, 1855

Notice from Dexter Deverardo regarding minutes of the meeting of the Municipal Council of the County of Welland

Notice from Dexter Deverardo regarding minutes of the meeting of the Municipal Council of the County of Welland that was held May 21, 1857. It was moved that the warden and clerk be requested to procure a plan of the marsh lands tract, May, 1857.

Engineer estimate (5 ½ pages, handwritten) in the marsh lands drainage presented to the Chamber and Councilors of the County of Welland in council assembled

Engineer estimate (5 ½ pages, handwritten) in the marsh lands drainage presented to the Chamber and Councilors of the County of Welland in council assembled. This report is signed by S.D. Woodruff, June 20, 1857.

Indenture between Robert Miller of the County of La Porte, Indiana and Asat Carpenter of the Town of Niagara regarding 50 acres in the Township of Southwold, Middlesex

Indenture between Robert Miller of the County of La Porte, Indiana and Asat Carpenter of the Town of Niagara regarding 50 acres in the Township of Southwold, Middlesex. There are 2 copies of this document tin which the wording seems slightly different. The 1st copy is slightly burned on the side and extremely faded, making it completely illegible. The 2nd copy is legible. Feb. 15, 1853

Indenture of deed for taxes between Benjamin Walker Smith, sheriff of the County of Simcoe and Joseph A. Woodruff of the Town of Clifton

Indenture of deed for taxes between Benjamin Walker Smith, sheriff of the County of Simcoe and Joseph A. Woodruff of the Town of Clifton for 98 acres in the Township of Tiny in the County of Simcoe, Lot no. 15 in the 18th Concession, Dec. 12, 1861.

Bond between Daniel Cornell of the County of Oxford to William Dickson of Niagara and Thomas Clark of Stamford

Bond (1 page, printed) between Daniel Cornell of the County of Oxford to William Dickson of Niagara and Thomas Clark of Stamford (regarding the Last Will and Testament of Robert Hamilton) for payment of 103 pounds, 11 shillings and 1 penny to be made to Dickson and Clark, July 12, 1822.

Agreement with sworn affidavits that John Adolphus Nelles would perform the office of poll clerk at an election for the first riding of the County of Lincoln

Agreement (1 page, handwritten note) with sworn affidavits that John Adolphus Nelles would perform the office of poll clerk at an election for the first riding of the County of Lincoln and Erastus Derby and Smith Jackson would perform the office of Constables at an election for the first riding of the County of Lincoln, June 27, 1836.

Certificate awarded to Lieutenant Colonel, the Honourable James George Currie of the 19th Lincoln Battalion of Canada from the ladies of the County of Lincoln

Certificate measuring 36 cm. x 47 cm. awarded to Lieutenant Colonel, the Honourable James George Currie of the 19th Lincoln Battalion of Canada from the ladies of the County of Lincoln to honour surviving veterans of the War of 1812. The calligraphy on the award was done by J. Matthews of St. Catharines who was listed in the 1877 St. Catharines Directory as an illuminator (medieval writing) and accountant. The award is signed by Elizabeth Carlisle on behalf of the ladies, Oct. 13, 1876.

Buffalo, Brantford & Goderich Railway, County of Welland account book, 1853

The Buffalo and Brantford Railway Company was formed in 1850. The railway was renamed the Buffalo, Brantford & Goderich Railway in 1852 to reflect the plans to extend the line to Goderich. Financial problems led to a British group taking over the railway a few years later and the name was changed to the Buffalo & Lake Huron Railway. It was June 1858 before the line to Goderich was completed. Source: (http://brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/railways.php#buffalo) March 8, 2010