James Corbin Letter - October 2, 1813

Letter transcription: Dear Sir, The reason I did not come to tend your mill last spring was because the letter you wrote me dated 1 of March I didn’t receive it until the 12 of April and inform me that if I could be there in 2 or 3 weeks you would employ me as we agreed and therefore I concluded it would not do any good for me to come. It was a great disappointment to me because I was all ready to come whenever I got word. It is impossible for me to come now for I am in partnership with my brother in the farm and Mills and must take care our crops and settle our [bushels] this winter. I know nothing to the contrary but what I can come next spring I will let you know by uncle Corbin this winter. James Corbin

Schooner Ranger document, 1810-1815

Partial transcription: Buffalo, August 15, 1815 This day settled all accounts between… respecting the purchase and sailing of the Schooner Ranger until she was laid up in the fare of 1811. For the value of the…of the said Schooner destroyed by the enemy in January 1813 and the rigging & c taken by the U.S. Navy Officers for the use of the Government a [Joint][appreciation] is to be made... Government for our mutual benefit. Porter & Barton for [the firm] of Porter Barton & Co. George Kibbe

James Monroe letter of marque, ca. 1812

A letter of marque addressed to Captain James Rogers, commander of the boat Retaliation, and signed by James Monroe, secretary of state. Letters of marquee provided legal authority for an armed vessel to capture enemy ships and commit acts which would otherwise constitute piracy. The letter has no date, but was likely created during the War of 1812, and authorizes the Captain to attack and capture enemy vessels.

Letter written by Mahlon Taylor to Samuel Clarke commenting on US troops during Fort George occupation - July 26, 1813

A letter written by Mahlon Taylor to his uncle, Samuel Clarke, dated at Marcellus [New York], July 26, 1813. Mahlon Taylor writes that he believes the mail he has sent out is not making it past Princeton, as he has not had a reply to any of his sent correspondence. He also writes that he has heard there are 3500 men at Fort George, 1000 are unfit for duty, and that there is skirmishing daily. He comments that the general opinion is that the troops will withdraw from Canada entirely. The letter is signed Mahlon C Taylor and is addressed to Mr. Samuel Clarke, no. 227 South Front Street, Philadelphia.

James & Geroge Stodart Limited Announce Stodart's Canadian Agency

An announcement "inaugurating direct sales and Canadian shipments from our home distilleries James & George Stodart Established 1835, 80 West Nile St., Glasgow, Scotland, beg to announce appointment of Stodart's Canadian Agency Limited". Included in the brochure are prices, brands, guarantees and order information.

Drawing, St. Catharines House on February 26, 1849

A drawing done on paper 50cm x 45cm and mounted in a frame under glass. This is a drawing of a meeting held at the St. Catharines House on February 26, 1849. The drawing was done from memory by W. Osborn who has signed the picture on one of the pillars on the right hand side of the picture. The caption under the picture reads "Act 1st Scene 1st". There is some dialogue, "Woodruff - 'He says gentlemen, my son holds an office under Government, of 400 pounds per year - he forgot to tell you, he sold his constituents at Cornwall' - Macdonald 'You're a liar'". The artist portrays a fight breaking out and lists the characters as Boyd , Rykert, Hobdon, Foley, The Sheriff, Woodruff, J.W.O. Clarke, McDonald, Lamb, Hamilton and Hathaway. There are some very slight wrinkles and tears in the drawing. They do not affect the drawing. [Rolland MacDonald (1810-1881) represented Cornwall in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1844-1846. He was called to the bar in 1832 and set up practice in St. Catharines. The quote on the drawing concerns the constituents at Cornwall. This meeting was covered in reports in the St. Catharines Journal on: March 1, March 8, march 15 and march 22, 1849. There is also an excerpt in William Hamilton Merritt's diary noting the riot and the sketch by Osborn].

Last Will and Testament - James Senior

Last Will and Testament of James Senior of Niagara Township leaving all his goods and chattels and part of Lot 94 in Niagara Township to his friend, Richard Woodruff, August 6, 1832. There are three names listed as witnesses, William Woodruff, Moses Chase and a third name.

Notice of Will - James Middough

Notice regarding the late James Middough that anything concerning his will is granted to William Woodruff and Richard Woodruff (merchants) executors of the will, August 3, 1839.

James Elliot Account Fragment

A fragment of account information for James Elliot dated 1853 and 1854.

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 Captain Thomas Bushby and Sarah Bushby and Edward Clarke Campbell

Indenture of bargain and sale between Captain Thomas Bushby of the Island of Jersey and his wife Sarah Bushby to Edward Clarke Campbell of the town of Niagara regarding 100 acres in Sherbrooke Forest in the District of Niagara, also Lots 6 and 7 in the town plot of Sherbrooke. This document was registered in the Township of Sherbrooke on December 28, 1849 - instrument no. 503, March 17, 1849.

Indenture between James and Hannah Vine and James Butler

Indenture of bargain between James and Hannah Vine of the Town of Niagara and James Butler of Niagara Township for 1/2 an acre and 6/10 of an acre of Lot no. 113 in the Township of Niagara. The instrument no. is 6325. May 11, 1855.

Indenture (vellum) James Henderson and James Zimmerman to Thomas S. Helliwell

Indenture (vellum) of bargain and sale between James Henderson of the City of Toronto and James Zimmerman of the Town of Clifton to Thomas S. Helliwell of St. Catharines for the east half of Lot no. 18 in the Township of Warwick. This was recorded on June 13, 1857 in Liber B for Warwick, folio 283 memorial no. 714, June 4, 1857.

Certificate for 600 Common Shares in James A. Forrest and Company Distillers Limited

Certificate for 600 common shares in James A. Forrest and Company Distillers Limited – 600 common shares to the estate of Hamilton K Woodruff, Jan. 31, 1936.

Letter - Jane Eliot Tait to James D. Tait

Letter written to “my dear” [James D. Tait] and it asks the recipient to tell Belle to give back the white tablecloth and napkins, bookcase, chafing dish and other items. The letter is signed “with love, your wife, Jane Eliot [Tait], n.d.