Iris Sloman with unidentified woman and sister Helen Sloman [n.d.]

Iris Sloman, at left, with her sister, Helen, far right, and an unidentified woman on the beach in this undated photo. The location could possibly be Port Dalhousie or Parry Sound. This photo was among the family memorabilia retrieved by Rick Bell from his mother's attic in St. Catharines in the 1980s. The Bell - Sloman family descends from former African American slaves who settled in the London and St. Catharines areas.

Richard and Iris Bell Wedding Day, 1939

Richard and Iris (Sloman) Bell are pictured on the grounds of unknown gardens, possibly in Niagara Falls, on their wedding day in 1939. This photo was among the family memorabilia in the possession of their son, Rick Bell, of St. Catharines.

Sloman Family Photo [n.d.]

This black and white photograph is believed to be of Albert Sloman (back left), Josephine Sloman (centre) and an unidentified man (right). Iris Sloman, daughter of Albert and Josephine, is thought to be in the front row, centre. The location and date of the photo is unknown, however, it could be in the early 1920s. This photograph was in the possession of Rick Bell, of St. Catharines, son of Iris and Richard Bell. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell family are former Black slaves from the United States.

Lizzie Sloman and Son [n.d.]

Lizzie Sloman is pictured with her son, not identified by name, in this undated black and white photograph. The location of the photograph is also unknown. This item was in the possession of Rick Bell, of St. Catharines, whose mother Iris Sloman Bell, was sister to Lizzie.

Tintype of Young African American Woman Standing with Purse [n.d.]

An unidentified young African American woman stands beside a chair in this small black and white tintype, undated. The name of the photographer is unknown. This tintype was in the possession of the Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. The Sloman - Bell families have relatives who are descended from former American slaves who settled in Canada."Tintypes were the invention of Prof. Hamilton Smith of Ohio. They begin as thin sheets of iron, covered with a layer of black paint. This serves as the base for the same iodized collodion coating and silver nitrate bath used in the ambrotype process. First made in 1856, millions were produced well into the twentieth century. When tintypes were finished in the same sorts of mats and cases used for ambrotypes, it can be almost impossible to distinguish which process was used without removing the image to examine the substrate." Source: American Museum of Photography http://www.photographymuseum.com/primer.html

Manuscript of James Cummings- August 28, 1860

Transcript (spelling and grammar retained): Chippawa [Chippewa] 28th August 1860 My Dear Sir I duly received your very kind letter of the 24th [June] asking me to communicate such facts of general interest connected with my career during the War with the United States. I have no objection to afford you such information as came under my own observation; nevertheless I do so, with the understanding, I have no desire to be my own trumpeter. With respect to your circular wherein you state you have been for several years collecting materials for a History of the late War between the United States & Great Britain, for which you are now gathering further materials to add to your collection, concerning the Second War for Independence. I am rather at a loss to know, what is meant by the second war; If you allude to the petty Rebellion, it could not be called a War, Those that caused the outbreak were very soon put down, by the Loyal people of the Province without the aid of Regular Troops being satisfied with the Independence they enjoyed. With respect to the several questions names in your circular: To the 1st I would say, this locality is made memorable by the battle of Chippawa [Chippewa] which took place about a mile above the village on the ground I pointed out to you, when I had the pleasure of seeing you a few days ago, with Mr Porter of the Niagara Falls, of which I believe you took sketches at the time. 2nd I have no historical documents of any value; so many years having gone past, the most of my old papers have either been lost or destroyed, I however came across two letters, one dated Queenston 9th July 1812 from Lt. Col. Nicholl Quarter Master General of Militia, the other from Lt. Col Myers Deputy Quarter Master General of the Regular Army date Fort George 23rd same month, directed to me in the hand writing of each of those officers as Deputy Quarter Master General of Militia, which letters I shall be obliged you would return at as early a day possible, as I wish to place them with tome others in the case, I have had made to hold the cocked hat & feather I wore during that eventful period, which I am sorry I did not exhibit when you was at my house; with reference to it I now enclose a letter from Lt. Col. Clark, residing at Port Dalhousie he was Captain & Adjutant of Militia in the War of 1812__ I send the letter in proof of the cock’d hat it is a lengthy one, but you may find time to turn over it, as I shall also place it in the hat case__ 3rd Where are [but] [for] traditionary [sic] witnesses residing in this vicinity – Col Clark above named Mr Merritt of St. Catharines, & Mr Kerby of Brantford are the only ones I now recollect, who could offord [sic] you any statistical information. 4th I have no pictorial sketches of any Military Movements or fortifications. As regards my own career, which you appear [ ? ] of knowing__ I was first a Lieutenant in a volunteer flank company stationed on the river side opposite [Navy] Island not far from the battle ground of Chippawa [Chippewa], I got promotion as Lieutenant of Cavalry before I got my Cavalry dress completed in three days more, I was called by General Brock to Fort George, was appointed Deputy Quarter Master General of Militia with the rank of Captain s the accompanying letters will show. I was at the battle of Stony Creek, several skirmishes at the Cross Roads, when the American army [ ? ] Fort George, at the taking of Col. Boerstler at the Beaver Dam, & had the honor of receiving Colonel Chapens sword at the surrender, who commanded a company of volunteer Horse Men was at the taking of 15 regulars & two officers at Fort Schlosser—was with Col. Bishop at the taking of Black Rock, near him when he fell, three men of the 8th Reg. more killed in the Boat I was in – I was at Chippawa battle, and the last, not the least in Lundy’s lane battle, which the Americans call the battle of Bridge [Waters]. I had forgot; there was another small affair at Corks Mill where I was. I could write a little history of events, but have not the time to do so. If what I have stated will be of any service for the purpose you require I shall feel happy. The history of the late War was published at Toronto in the Anglo American Magazine. Did you ever see it, I have the Books, there were however several errors which came under my notice, which I could have corrected. If my time would permit I could give you a more detailed statement of events. I trust however you may succeed with your publication , and I shall be most happy to hear from you at all times—I related many little occurances verbally to you when here, which I thought not necessary to repeat again as you would have a perfect recollection of them. Be pleased to return the letters for the purpose I require them. I am My Dear Sir Your respectful friend James Cummings

Commemorative stamps, British, American and Canadian, 1974-1977, 1982-1984, 1996.

The Guernsey post office stamps consist of 2 exhibition series souvenir sheets commemorating Major-General Sir Issac Brock, 1769-1812. The stamp was issued in 1996 to celebrate Guernsey’s attendance at Canada’s international stamp exhibition CAPEX 96. The stamps issued by the United States postal service consist of 1 sheet of stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Peace Bridge, 1927-1977. The stamps issued by Canada Post include 5 commemorative day-of-issue envelopes with stamps featuring William Hamilton Merritt and the Welland Canal. This stamp was issued in 1974 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the canal. There is also a set of 4 inscription corner blocks of stamps. These items are contained in an envelope addressed to Mr. J.N. Jackson, St. Catharines, ON. There is also a separate sheet of the same stamp. Also issued by Canada Post are 2 full sheets of stamps, one commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Peace Bridge (1927-1977), and one commemorating 25 years of the St. Lawrence Seaway (1959-1984). Lastly, there are 2 full sheets of stamps commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Henley Regatta, issued in 1982.

Local Postcards, 1996, n.d.

6 of the postcards are sketches by Norbert Collins, these include: St. George’s Anglican Church, the museum, St. Paul United Church, Ridley College clock tower, St. Catherine’s Cathedral and the Willam Hamilton Merritt monument (all of St. Catharines). The 7th postcard is a picture of the St. Catharines Craft Guild Shop in Port Dalhousie (artist unknown). Norbert J. Collins is a Canadian artist.

Letter to William Collver or John Roberts, 1849

A letter to “my dear Mr. Collver and co.” The writer mentions the “circuit” that she has traveled, and a conference which she attended. In regard to the circuit, she talks about her interest in the Welland Canal. The references all seem to be religious in nature. She asks Mr. Collver how he likes the new preacher and says that in a letter that the preacher published in the newspaper he refers to the “breaking of Jordan Chapel”. She says that a society of teetotalers has been established in her town and they are known as “Sons of Temperance”. She also mentions “my man Brown” who was there but has left, leaving her to have the circuit by herself. She signs off with “I am yours affectionately [Eleanor Corman]. The second part of the letter is addressed to “my dear Mr. Roberts”. She asks him for some music that she would like, but cannot find in Kingston. She would like him to “come down and teach singing” this winter. She also asks him to give her regards to Mr. P. Beamer and family. She ends this part of the letter with “Nothing further yours affectionately [Eleanor Corman]”. There are 4 red postmarks on the outside of the letter and they are: Picton, July 31, 1849 Cobourg, August 2, 1849 St. Catharines, August 4, 1849 There is one other postmark which is too faded to be legible.

Photograph - Mr. & Mrs. Michael Henry (nee Almedie Mann)

A photograph of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Henry (nee. Almedie Mann) taken by G.F. Maitland, photographer, St. Paul Street, St. Catharines.

Photograph - Male Portrait 1892

A photograph of a male taken in October 1892 by Poole photography, St. Catharines.

Postcard - Photograph postcard showing two young males and one female (all unidentified)

A postcard with a photo image of two young males and a female (all unidentified). Postcard image is stamped on rear side "C.H. Arthur, 85 St. Paul St., St. Catharines, Ont."

Hendershot & Brother - Vignette

A vignette of the Hendershot & Brother Store, "dealers of dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots & shoes, iron and steel, dealers in grain and farmer's produce". The proprietors are Paul H. Hendershott and Abraham Hendershott and the business is located in St. Catharines.

Taylor & Bates Brewery & Vinegar Manufactory - Vignette

A vignette of Taylor and Bate's Brewery and Manufactory, St. Catharines.. "Manufacturers of Taylor's Celebrated Amber Ale, Porter, also, White Wine Vinegar, Dealers in Malt, Hops, Barley, &c. &c." The names listed are James Taylor and Thomas B. Bate.

Grand Central Hotel Blueprints

Plans are alterations to store fronts and rear elevation.