John N. Jackson papers, 1960-1989, n.d.

John N. Jackson was born in Nottingham, England in 1926. He developed a passion for landforms and geography from his father, a high school math and science teacher who had studied geology. During the Second World War, he served in the British Navy. He received his BA from the University of Birmingham, and a PhD from the University of Manchester. After spending a year as a visiting professor at the University of British Columbia, he was hired in 1965 as the founding head of the Geography Department at Brock University. He taught at Brock for more than 25 years, immersing himself in the geography and history of the Niagara area. He became particularly interested in the history of the Welland Canals. He authored 20 books on various topics, including land use in Niagara, the history of St. Catharines, the Welland Canal, and railways in the Niagara Peninsula. He died in 2010, at the age of 84.

Letter - John Ralston Saul to Donald Ziraldo, 2002

A letter from His Excellency John Ralston Saul 2 May, 2002. He comments on the efforts made by Mr. Ziraldo to protect the agricultural land of Niagara. He also discusses the role of Canadian wine in the international market and tourism in the area.

Photograph - John Turner Visit, 1987

A photograph of the visit by former Prime Minister John Turner, dated 5 June, 1987. Also in the photographs are Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo.

School Board report, Bertie Township, January 13, 1848

Dexter Deverardo settled in the Niagara District around 1834. In 1842, he was elected to the District Council. He served in this position until around 1848, when he became Superintendent of Education for the Niagara District. He subsequently served as county Registrar (appointed in1852), Registrar of the Surrogate Court for Welland (1856), and served as county clerk until 1873.

Letter - Andrew Cowan to William Cowan

A letter from Andrew Cowan to his son William Cowan 29 Septemer 1841. The letter reads "Dear William, I have taken my pen the third time since I have received any word from you, my first letter was about the beginning of the year, and the second in the month of April with John Armstrong of Northhouse, he sailed from Liverpool the fifteen of that month with his sisters Jane and Jenny and their two children. I received a letter from him dated Cleavland in the State of Ohio the 6 of June. He did not intend stopping in that place. The leaves us all well for any thing that I know, but I have not heard from Andrew since March altho I have writen to him three months since your Mother and I are both sore faild altho we have tolerable good health for which we desire to be thankfull to the giver of all our mercies, which are new every day, that we may be found in Christs and clothed in his imputed righteousness at the last, for in him is only found true happyness. We have had another cold wet Summer and the crops is far back ------ not light, the price of -----is high and trade bad, but sheep and cattle are high. Cattle have not been higher since the French war, but the cattle trade is very bad at present and the opperatives out of imployment and consequently verrry badly of. If none of my former letters have reached you this will inform you that James is at Lanshawburn, and gets imployment all the year, he keeps a cow and five or six sheep, they have three children, Mary, Hannah, and Andrew; I was there after clipping time seeing them, they seem to be verry happy. James Lamb is well he was here the other night, he has got two letters from his son Adam this Summer; they are still in the same place and will finish their job this fall, and seem to be doing well, your Uncle Adam Scott and family are well. John was there lately there is little prospect of his getting to America as the money that was left him is not got yet and will not for some time, If ever this reach you, you must let us know how all the Scotch people that are near you, that went from this place of the Country are doing, as their freinds are anxious to hear from them, perticularly if you know what is becomed of Alexander Hoggs widow and family of ------hill, as I was desired to write to you about them - I got a letter from John Miller dated Gatt but I understand it is a long way from your place he was a gentleman and had the charge of a farm and seems verry ----- Now William if this ever reach you, you must excuse me for not filling this letter up, but if I receive an answer I promise to fill the next better, We all join in our love and respect to you and family. From your loving Father Andrew Cowan

John Miller Letter - December 1, 1812

Letter transcription: Truxton, Dec. 1, 1812. Sir, Enclosed I transmit the [receipt] of the Collectors at Truxton to David Griswold for the tax on 50 acres of no. 56 Truxton … showing that the tax has been paid on that portion of the Lot; Mr. Griswold wishes you to keep the receipt and he will call this winter sometime and get it… not being a writer he called on me to do it for him. I am Sir yours sincerely John Miller

John Edminster letter, July 19, 1850

John Edminster was a Baptist missionary born in Cato, New York, in 1820. He was ordained a Pastor in Birmingham, PA, in 1842. He served as Pastor in White Deer, Clinton, Muncy, Derry, Moreland, and Madison, PA. In 1850, he moved to Oregon, Illinois, and established two churches there. He later served at several churches in Iowa, eventually becoming Pastor at Stillman Valley Church and residing at Hale, Ogle Co., Illinois.

Photograph - Right Hon. John J. Diefenbaker with Sean O'Sullivan, 1965

A photograph of the Right Hon. John J. Diefenbaker with Sean O'Sullivan. The photograph is labelled on the reverse: "With the Right Hon. John J. Diefenbaker, 1965, Royal Connaught Hotel, Hamilton". Sean O'Sullivan would have been 13 years old at the time of the photograph.

Letter - John Diefenbaker to Sean O'Sullivan, 17 November 1967

The letter mentions that Diefenbaker had just received a letter from O'Sullivan. Diefenbaker mentions that he will be leaving for New York where he will be honoured with the Shevchenko award at the World Conference of Free Ukrainians. He is being recognized for bringing world attention to the denial of freedom to Ukraine and to the Baltic States. He joins a list of past recipients that include: President Truman, President Eisenhower and Vice-President Humphrey.

Letters - Correspondence with John Diefenbaker, 1968

There is a telegram from John Diefenbaker congratulating Sean O'Sullivan on his recent election win as President of the Hamilton Young Progressive Conservatives. O'Sullivan was in Grade 11 at the time. The second correspondence is a reply from Sean O'Sullivan with appreciation to Diefenbaker for all his "encouragement and inspiration". The correspondence took place 19 March 1968 and 20 March 1968.

Letter - John Diefenbaker to Sean O'Sullivan, 5 July 1968

A letter from John Diefenbaker to Sean O'Sullivan following the election in 1968. Diefenbaker thanks O'Sullivan for his work for the Diefenbaker campaign in Prince Albert. He also mentions that O'Sullivan has "a knowledge of political issues that is amazing".

Contract between John Cronyn and Nelson Forsyth, December 16, 1854.

John Cronyn (1827-1898) emigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1837. He studied medicine at the University of Toronto, but was not granted his degree upon completion of the requirements. He refused to take the test oaths meant to exclude Catholics from the profession and was not granted his degree until several years later, when the discriminatory laws were rescinded. In 1850, he married Elizabeth Willoughby of Toronto. They settled in Fort Erie and he established a successful medical practice there. He was active in the community, serving as Superintendent of schools and one term as Reeve. In 1859 he relocated to Buffalo and continued to practice medicine there. Cronyn was instrumental in the establishment of a medical department at Niagara University, where he was a professor and president of faculty. Nelson Forsyth was the son of William Forsyth (1771-1841), a prominent businessman in Niagara who owned and operated the Pavilion Hotel (later known as Forsyth’s Inn). Nelson was also a businessman and lived in Fort Erie with his wife Archange Warren.

Letter - Sean O'Sullivan to John G. Doherty, 28 April 1975

A letter from Sean O'Sullivan to John G. Doherty, editor of The Spectator, 28 April 1975. The letter includes comments from O'Sullivan regarding the direction of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Letter - John Diefenbaker to Sean O'Sullivan, 10 September 1965

A letter from John Diefenbaker, 10 September 1965. It reads "I was delighted with your letter. Your loyalty is surpassed only by your enthusiasm. I hope all of our friends will work as hard as I know you will, and if so, we cannot fail. Keep up the good work, and I will look forward to seeing you during the campaign. With very best wishes"

Last Will and Testament - John Picard

Last Will and Testament of John Picard of the township of Niagara. He leaves his land which consists of part of Lot 113 in the township of Niagara to Annie Mariah Steel. The executors are John Stevens and Gilbert Anderson. The document was registered July 3, 1882 – instrument no. 1743, May 9, 1882.