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

Indenture between William Dickson [Jr.] and Robert M. Wilson, February 7, 1859.

William Dickson (1799-1877) was the son of the prominent Niagara businessman and politician William Dickson (1769-1846). William was educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, and settled in Galt, Ontario, upon his return to Canada. His father had business affairs in Dumfries and Galt, which he left in his sons charge when he retired to Niagara in 1837. William had an older brother, Robert, and younger brother, Walter, both of whom served in the Militia and became involved in politics.

Legal document involving John D M’Kay, Thomas Butler, and John Harris, February 5, 1828

Richard Leonard was a member of the 104th Regiment of the British Army. He fought during the War of 1812 at Sackett’s Harbour, Lundy’s Lane and Fort Erie. After the war he settled at Lundy’s Lane and was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 1st Lincoln Militia. He later became the Sheriff of Niagara. He died in 1833 and is buried in the Drummond Hill Cemetery.

The Confederate Air Corps Certificate, 1958

A certificate from The Confederate Air Corps that reads, "To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know yes, that in recognition of his having manifested an unusually high regard for black-eyed peas, turnip greens, hog jowl, sow belly, pot likkers, grits, chittlins, and good old corn squeezins, Dorothy Rungeling is, as of this date, hereby appointed to the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Corps. This officer will, by virtue of this appointment, therefore, be obliged to carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. As evidence of his good faith in accepting this commission, the officer named herein will continue to praise the glories of the Deep South, consume a true gentleman's share of the fares mentioned above, pay respectful homage to our lovely Southern Belles, save his Confederate money, harass the carpetbaggers, and always remember that damnyankee is one word. As Secretary of this Corps, I strictly charge and require all officers of the air militia of the South to render such obedience and courtesies as are due an Officer of this distinguished rank and honored position. Done at the City of Montgomery, Alabama, the Cradle of the Confederacy, this Seventh day of July in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight." It is stamped with the name Thadeus P. Throckmorton - Secretary, Confederate Air Corps.

Cardboard Tube

Cardboard tube in which the scroll was sent. The scroll was sent to relatives within a cardboard tube which was 7 1/4 inches long. The wording on the cardboard tube is "O.H.M.S. Valuable Document - with card. If not delivered return to Secretary, Militia Council (Director of Records), Militia Headquarter, Ottawa, Ontario.". It was sent to Alfred S. Woodruff at 137 Ontario St., St. Catharines.

Certificate of Promotion to Lieutenant in the 19th Lincoln Regiment

Certificate of Promotion to Lieutenant in the 19th Lincoln Regiment (32 cm x 40 cm). This was presented to Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and signed by Eugene Fiset, Surgeon General, Deputy Minister of Militia and Defense. This certificate is framed, June 5, 1917.

Broadside Reporting the Fenian Invasion, June 2 1866 (evening)

The collection consists of 6 broadsides reporting the events of the Fenian invasion of Canada on June 2 and 3, 1866. Three of the broadsides are titled Leader Extra, two are titled Globe Extra, and the last is titled News Extra. This one is titled "Leader Extra" and the headings include: "From St. Catharines: The Queen's Own Behaved Well", "The Fort Erie Affair: List of our Men Taken Prisoners", From Port Colborne. Muir and Fahey only Wounded", "The Ridgeway Affair: List of Killed and Wounded", "Militia General Orders. More Troops Called Out", "Military Preparations. Latest from Head Quarters", "The Preparations in the East", "From Montreal. The American Authorities Waked up in the East", "Report from New Germany", "The Evacuation of Fort Erie. The Fenians Cross at two this morning".

Province of Upper Canada Grant to George Upper

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to George Upper of the Township of Niagara. He was formerly a private in the Lincoln Militia. He is granted 100 acres in the east half of lot no.28 in the 2nd Concession in the Township of Nissouri. This was registered Dec. 1827 – Folio no. 242. This document is extremely stained and torn on the lower half. No effect on the text, Nov. 27, 1827.

Province of Upper Canada Grant to Isaac Fuller

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to Isaac Fuller of the Township of Niagara. He was formerly a private in the Militia. He is granted 100 acres in the west half of lot no.29 in the 2nd Concession in the Township of Nissouri – Folio no. 233. This was registered Nov. 1833. The outside of this document is quite discoloured. This does not affect the text, Oct. 13, 1833.

Certificate to Announce Thomas Henderson Captain of a Company of the Northern Regiment

Certificate (vellum) to announce that Thomas Henderson is to be Captain of a company of the Northern Regiment of Local Militia in the County of Northumberland, England. The document is stained, faded and contains holes. The text is slightly affected. The signature on this document has been cut away, Sept. 4, 1813.

Receipt from E.C. Staples, proprietor of Old Orchard House, Old Orchard Beach,

Receipt from E.C. Staples, proprietor of Old Orchard House, Old Orchard Beach, Maine for bath house and laundry, Aug. 15, 1887.

Letter to Henry Nelles from T. Thompson

Letter to Henry Nelles from T. Thompson requesting him to certify the time that he was employed by the regiment. Included with this letter is a copy of the letter to T.H. Thompson from H.N., Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia regarding the certificates and saying that he will comply. An envelope is included with this letter, Sept. 21, 1838.

Letter (copy) sent to Lieutenant Colonel Nelle

Letter (copy) sent to Lieutenant Colonel Nelles. The original letter was sent to Lieutenant A. MacHale [?] asking him to consider the writer’s son Robert in his selection of officers in the Battalion of Militia you are raising. The letter is just signed “Your most obedient servant”, Nov. 1, 1838.

Letter to J. Bradley from B.C.A. Gogy

Letter to J. Bradley from B.C.A. Gogy in the Office of the Adjutant General of Militia, Montreal (1 page, printed) regarding Bradley’s desire to obtain commission as a captain in the Quebec Artillery, Aug. 25, 1845