William Hamilton Merritt Welland Canal circular, July 12, 1823

William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) was a soldier, merchant, and politician who was instrumental in the promotion and development of the Welland Canal. After serving with the Lincoln militia during the War of 1812, Merritt became a merchant in St. Catharines, and purchased some land on Twelve Mile Creek on which he ran a sawmill and constructed a grist mill. He initially envisioned a canal between the Welland River and Twelve Mile Creek, which evolved into a plan to link Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This would enable goods from western Canada to be conveniently shipped to Montreal and Great Britain through the St. Lawrence, while bypassing the Niagara portage. His plan met with opposition for financial and political reasons, as well as from those along the Niagara portage whose businesses would suffer if the canal were built. Despite this opposition, the Welland Canal Company was chartered by the Upper Canadian assembly in January, 1824. Construction on the canal began later that year, and was completed in 1829.

Summons to Samuel Street from Thomas Merritt, July 27, 1819

Samuel Street (1775-1844) was a prominent businessman in Niagara. Thomas Merritt (1759-1842) was an army and militia officer who settled with his family in the Niagara district, eventually becoming sheriff. He is the father of William Hamilton Merritt.

Summons to Samuel Street from Thomas Merritt, 27 July 1819

Samuel Street (1775-1844) was a prominent businessman in Niagara. Thomas Merritt (1759-1842) was an army and militia officer who settled with his family in the Niagara district, eventually becoming sheriff. He is the father of William Hamilton Merritt.

William Hamilton Merritt Welland Canal circular, July 12, 1823

William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) was a soldier, merchant, and politician who was instrumental in the promotion and development of the Welland Canal. After serving with the Lincoln militia during the War of 1812, Merritt became a merchant in St. Catharines, and purchased some land on Twelve Mile Creek on which he ran a sawmill and constructed a grist mill. He initially envisioned a canal between the Welland River and Twelve Mile Creek, which evolved into a plan to link Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This would enable goods from western Canada to be conveniently shipped to Montreal and Great Britain through the St. Lawrence, while bypassing the Niagara portage. His plan met with opposition for financial and political reasons, as well as from those along the Niagara portage whose businesses would suffer if the canal were built. Despite this opposition, the Welland Canal Company was chartered by the Upper Canadian assembly in January, 1824. Construction on the canal began later that year, and was completed in 1829

Invitation: Gala Concert in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh

An invitation from The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau for a gala concert in the Opera of the National Arts Centre in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

Ticket for The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

A ticket to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. The ticket is for Mrs. Arthur Schmon for seat no. C29.

Certificate of Baptism - Margaret Elizabeth Woodruff

Certificate of Baptism for Margaret Elizabeth Woodruff, the child of Percy Carruthers and Margaret Julia Band who was baptized at St. George's Church, St. Catharines, June 14, 1935. The sponsors listed are: Maude Band Mabee, Alice Eaton, and Clifford Scott Howard.

Grantham Township record book

A minute book for Grantham Township, Ontario. It records the proceedings of meetings from 1818-1854 and the names of parish and town officers from 1818 to 1842. Names include: Chisholm, Ball, Steele, TenBroeck, Shipman, Laraway, McKerney, Adams, Pawling, Merritt, Rolls, Robertson, Lampman, Phelps, Darling. Also notes the laws agreed upon for the period, mainly dealing with livestock.

Indenture between William Arnott and Elizabeth Arnott and Nathan Thomas Fitch

Indenture of mortgage between William Arnott and Elizabeth Arnott of Welland County to Nathan Thomas Fitch of Welland County for Lots numbered 37 and the south half of 40 and 41 in the village of Merritville - instrument no. 5400, September 12, 1836.

Indenture between Margaret Stewart and Elizabeth Clench Stewart and Archibald Gilkison

Indenture of bargain and sale between Margaret Stewart and Elizabeth Clench Stewart of the Town of Niagara to Archibald Gilkison of Niagara regarding the westerly half of Lot no. 24 in the 5th Concession of the Township of Brooke. May 12, 1841.

Province of Upper Canada Grant to Elizabeth MacKay

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to Elizabeth MacKay of the Township of Charlottenburgh in the County of Glengarry. She was the daughter of William MacKay, a United Empire Loyalist. She was granted 200 acres in the east halves of lots no. 8 and 10 in the 2nd Concession in the Township of Orillia. This was registered June 4, 1836 – Folio 168, May 27, 1836.

Proceedings of the Court Martial Held by Order of Major Merritt

Proceedings of the court martial held by order of Major Merritt (1 double-sided page, handwritten): Captain Hamilton gave evidence against Caleb Cook (a private in Major Merritt’s Company of Light Dragoons) for disobedience and leaving quarters without leave of absence. Cook was fined and ordered to spend one month in prison. The document is stained and has holes in it along the middle fold. This does not affect the text, Aug. 7, 1812.

Receipt to Mr. Woodruff from V. Merritt

Receipt to Mr. Woodruff from V. Merritt for sewing materials, May 2, 1846.

Invitation to the Funeral of Ann Elizabeth Woodruff

Invitation to the funeral of Ann Elizabeth Woodruff, daughter of the late Richard N. Woodruff. The funeral was to be held on Oct. 17, 1871 at her residence in St. Davids, Oct. 16, 1871.

Announcement of Birth of Margaret Elizabeth

Announcement of the birth of Margaret Elizabeth by Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Band, Toronto, June 6, 1924.