Erie & Niagara Railway Collection, 1864-1884

William Alexander Thomson (1816-1878) was a promoter and developer of railway systems in western Ontario. He incorporated the Fort Erie Railroad Company in 1857, purchased the Erie and Ontario Railroad in 1863, and incorporated the Erie and Niagara Extension Railway Company in 1868 (later renamed the Canada Southern Railway). Thomson was also elected to the House of Commons for Welland in 1872, and re-elected in 1874. He was known for his support of public management of the currency and is seen as a pioneer advocate of government monetary policy. He was also an advocate of radical agrarian economic doctrine, believing that Canadian laws favoured mercantile interests over those of the producers of goods, and that this hindered national development.

Royal Insurance Company Receipt - 1884

A receipt for Royal Insurance Company British and Foreign, dated 12 April 1884. The receipt reads" Royal Insurance Company British and Foreign Assets: Upwards of $27,000,000 No. 133848 Grimsby Agency, April 12th 1884 Received from Mrs. Adolphus Nelles the sum of Ten Dollars, being the premium for an Insurance against Loss or Damage by Fire, effected with this Company, to the extent of $1200.00 on Property described in Application of this date, for 36 months, subject to the "Statutory" Conditions (endorsed hereon) of the Policy which will be issued within Thirty Days unless the Application is declined within that period, in which case the amount received will be refunded, less the Premium for the time so insured. Premium $9.00 this receipt not valid unless countersigned by N.V. Hare Sub-Agt. Countersigned by David McLellan Agent.

Music Program for St. Mark's Church "Song of the Bell" - 1884

A musical program for a concert at Music Hall Niagara for the St. Marks' Church organ fund. The program consists of 27 numbers from Schiller's "Song of the Bell. The event is dated Thursday, April 17th, 1884 and admission is 25 cents, 15 cents for children.

Marriage Certificate - Thomas Cowan & Annie Easling, 1884

A marriage certificate for Thomas Cowan of Thorold and Annie Easling of St. Catharines. The certificate is dated October 8, 1884 and is witnessed by W. Ross and Jennie McElroy.

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

Sir Robert Burnett Labels

A collection of Sir Robert Burnett labels. The company was established in England in 1770, but these labels read "Distilled and Bottled according to the Original Formula of Sir Robert Burnett Co., Ltd. London W.I., England by The Sir Robert Burnett Co. A Division of Distillers Corporation Ltd. Montreal, Canada".

Canadian Military Institute: Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-1815

There is a note in the front cover written to Mary from B. Johnston on April 22, 1942. He refers to page 73 of the book in which William Woodruff is listed as a Lieutenant and Richard Woodruff is listed as an Ensign in the Niagara District. A full text version is available at the following link: http://www.archive.org/details/officersbritish00instgoog

Notebook with H.K. Woodruff written on the front cover

Notebook with H.K. Woodruff written on the front cover (soft cover). Inside, there is a list of 48 diverse items which include: sword found at Lundy’s Lane, stuffed frog from Long Point, Indian pipe, 5 curious old revolutionary pistols and Mrs. S. Bull’s slippers. At the back of the book there is a list of 22 items including: proclamation issued by Sir Isaac Brock on Feb. 24, 1812 and Egyptian mummy, 1884-1885.

Letter addressed to “dear sir” signed by Roland R. Conklin

Letter (1 page, typed) addressed to “dear sir” with a request to please forward your coupons for collection about 30 days before they become due. This is signed by Roland R. Conklin, secretary of Jarvis-Conklin Mortgage Trust Company, June 1, 1889.

Letter with the salutation “Dear Sir” It is signed by John I. Mackenzie in which he states that he got the Globe to publish a letter about the Long Point expats which had been sent to the Ottawa Times

Letter with the salutation “Dear Sir” It is signed by John I. Mackenzie in which he states that he got the Globe to publish a letter about the Long Point expats which had been sent to the Ottawa Times. Most of the handwriting is illegible, Oct. 26, 1870.

Letter from John I. Mackenzie with the salutation “Dear Sir”

Letter from John I. Mackenzie with the salutation “Dear Sir” which states that Col. Tisdale and Hunter discussed the desirableness of transferring 5 of your shares over to Mackenzie (2 pages, handwritten). He also says that they will need funds for wages, March 28, 1878.

Letter (printed) with the salutation “Dear Sir”. The writer is John I. Mackenzie.

Letter (printed) with the salutation “Dear Sir”. The writer is John I. Mackenzie who outlines resolutions which were passed at the annual meeting of the Long Point Co., June 21, 1879.

Letter with the salutation “Dear Sir” and signed by Louis Cabot

Letter with the salutation “Dear Sir” and signed by Louis Cabot. He claims that he has written to George Richards to send a draft for $1,000.00 (2 pages, handwritten), March 23, n.d.

Letter addressed to “My Dear Sir” from Thomas Fuller

Letter addressed to “My Dear Sir” from Thomas Fuller (1 ½ pages) stating that Isaac Fuller died without a will. His eldest son, John Fuller died under age without a will. This is accompanied by a 1 page note bearing the same information, n.d.