Tintype of Three African American Women [n.d.]

Three unidentified Black women, two seated and one standing, pose against a painted backdrop in the studio of an unknown photographer. This small black and white tintype has been cut on the upper and lower left-hand corners. The back of the tintype is a copper color. This photograph was among the family memorabilia in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell families include 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

Tintype of Seated African American Gentleman [n.d.]

An unidentified young African American gentleman sits cross-legged on a decorative wooden stool in this small black and white tintype photograph. The date and name of the photographer are unknown. Hand-colored red detailing is visible on the curtain cord and the tablecloth. This tintype was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell families were 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

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

Tintype of African American Woman with Fan [n.d.]

This small tintype features a young Black woman standing in front of a painted backdrop with a large stone in the foreground at the studio of an unknown photographer. The unidentified woman is wearing a hat and holding a round fan. This black and white tintype was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. Relatives of the Bell - Sloman families are former slaves from the United States 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."

Tintype of Man with Derby Hat leaning against Chair [n.d.]

An unidentified young Black gentleman poses beside a chair in this small tintype photograph. Both the name of the photographer and the date the photo was taken are unknown. The upper and lower left-hand corners have been cut and the tintype is slightly discolored and bent. This tintype was among the family memorabilia in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. The Bell - Sloman families are descended from former slaves from the United States."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

Signed Tintype of African American Men in Derby Hats [n.d.]

This undated small black and white tintype, slightly scratched, discolored and bent with age, shows a group of Black men posing for an unknown photographer. There is handwritten signature scratched into the reverse which appears to read "B.J." and "Owen" (see digital image of reverse). The original also has a hand-drawn "X" over the face of the seated man in the middle. This tintype was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. The Sloman - Bell family descendants include 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

St. Catharines Standard fonds, 1970, 1974, 1988-1991, n.d.

The St. Catharines Standard started publication in 1891 under W.B. Burgoyne. It was subsequently purchased by Southam Newspapers, then Canwest Global Communications. Osprey Media took over the publication until June 1, 2007 when Quebecor acquired the company. The St. Catharines Standard celebrated its centennial in 1991 with mobile displays, a centennial logo and slogan, a Christmas card, an advertising campaign, a video and a centennial theme to regular promotions. As part of the activities, the Standard commissioned Brock University to produce a history of St. Catharines. This book entitled St. Catharines Canada’s Canal City is a popular book rather than an academic text. The authors have woven together stories of the past and present to showcase the character and personality of St. Catharines. The book is full of maps and photographs, many of which had not been seen in print before this time.

Postcard - W.D. Woodruff Homestead, DeVeaux Hall, St. Catharines, Ontario

A black and white postcard of the W.D. Woodruff homestead, DeVeaux Hall, St. Catharines, Ontario. See reverse for note.

Indenture of Release between Richard Miller and others

Indenture of release by executors between Richard Miller, John L. Ranney and Richard Woodruff, all of St. Catharines and Joseph A. Woodruff of Clifton, all executors of the will of Samuel Zimmerman of the first part and The Great Western Railway Company of the second part. Parties of the second part have exonerated parties of the first part to undertake and complete the Sarnia branch of the railway. Also, parties of the first part believe they are entitled to compensation as the death of Zimmerman was caused while travelling on one of the carriages belonging to said company. A sum of $150,000 was agreed upon to be paid to the executors by the Great Western Railway Company, September 7, 1858.

Indenture of Land Sold by David Secord to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street, Josiah Brown, Henry Pope

Indenture regarding land sold by David Secord of St. Davids to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street and Josiah Brown, all of Niagara Township and Reverend Henry Pope of York. The land includes part of Lot no. 90 in the Township of Niagara. September 5, 1820.

Indenture of Land Sold by George Shaw to Richard and William Woodruff

Indenture stating that George Shaw of Niagara sold 1 acre, 2 roods and 1 perch in the Village of St. Davids to Richard and William Woodruff. The price was 66 pounds - instrument no. 6926, June 9, 1824.

Indenture of Conveyance between George Shaw and Richard Woodruff and Company

Indenture of conveyance between George Shaw of the Township of Niagara and Richard Woodruff and Company, merchants of the Township of Niagara, all living in the Village of St. Davids for a share of water ("course of water running in a hole one inch diameter"), April 15, 1825.

List of Records of Deeds for Graves, St. Catharines

1 handwritten list of records of deeds for graves in the public cemetery of St. Catharines including: Deed no.133 between the Rector of St. George’s Church in St. Catharines and Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff for 480 square feet in section P. Deed no. 134 between the Rector and church wardens of St. George’s Church and Anne S. Sanderson for 208 square feet in section P and Deed no. 1235 between the City Council of St. Catharines and Samuel D. Woodruff for 336 square feet in section P, 1861, 1883.

Indenture of Agreement for Sale of Land between S.D. Woodruff and Elizabeth Cudney

Indenture of agreement for Sale of Land between S.D. Woodruff of St. Catharines and Elizabeth Cudney of Willoughby regarding a footpath and Lots 9 and 10 in Willoughby, Feb. 6, 1893.

Indenture of memorandum of an agreement between S.D. Woodruff and James L. Burton and M. Burton

Indenture of memorandum of an agreement between S.D. Woodruff of St. Catharines and James L. Burton and M. Burton, both of Barrie, trading under the name of Burton and Bro. that Burton and Bro. would buy all the pine timber located in berths 192 and 198. Burton and Bro. agrees to have all timber cut. The agreement is signed by S.D. Woodruff and Burton and Bro. This document is badly burned along the left hand side. This does not affect the text, July 11, 1877.