Niagara Suspension Bridge Bank note, 1841

The Niagara Suspension Bridge Bank operated in Queenston in 1840. The bank issued notes in denominations of ten dollars, five dollars and one dollar, and featured a drawing of the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, ten years prior to its construction. The notes are signed by the bank’s Cashier, Gilbert McMicken, and President, Joseph Hamilton. The bank failed a year after its establishment.

Indenture between William Kingsmill and Joseph Hamilton

Indenture (sheriff's deed) (vellum) between William Kingsmill, Sheriff of the District of Niagara to Joseph Hamilton regarding part of Lot no. 19 in the Township of Stamford, August 26, 1841.

Brock Pitcher Jamaal Joseph

Mr. Joseph signed a professional contract with the Florida Marlins in 2003.

An Act to authorise the stock held by private parties in the Welland Canal to be purchased on behalf of the Province [Welland Canal Stock Bill], 1841

The bill is a proposal by the government to purchase Welland Canal stock held in private hands. The bill was read for the first time on Wednesday 4 August, 1841, and received second reading on 10th August, 1841. One hundred and fifty copies were printed of the bill. This example was addressed to Samuel Street at the Falls of Niagara, by William Hamilton Merritt, September 1841.

Gainsborough [Presbyterian] Church records, 1833-1836, 1841-1846, 1855-1857, 1860-1864, 1866 [photocopy]

The Gainsborough Presbyterian Church was organized prior to 1833, but no records were kept until this date. In 1809, the church was lead by Rev. Daniel Ward Eastman. In 1833 the church became part of the Niagara Presbytery of the American Presbyterian Church. The records include transfer of membership, records of marriages, lists of subscribers and session minutes. Photocopies from originals were made in 1977 by E. Phelps, University of Western Ontario, prior to their deposit with the United Church of Canada Archives, Toronto, Ont.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Joseph Burger, n.d.

Survey map and description of Joseph Burger's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features include; line between Silverthorn and Burger's land, line between Burger and Shotwell's land. The land totals 15 acres, 1 road and 15 perches. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

Jacob Cochenour’s War Loss Claim, August 16, 1841.

Jacob Cochenour was an early settler of Bullock’s Corners in the Township of West Flamborough. His father, Jacob Cochenour Sr., was an American who settled in this area in 1785 on 200 acres of Crown Land along the Spencer Creek.

A review of the case of Alexander McLeod: recently determined in the Supreme Court of Judicature of the state of New York (1841)

Alexander McLeod, a British subject, was tried for the murder of Amos Durfee and as an accomplice in the burning of the steamer Caroline, in the Niagara River, during the Canadian rebellion in 1837-1838.

Copy of page 141 of Confederation by Joseph Pope annotated by John A. Macdonald, 1867

Joseph Pope was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1854. He was the private secretary to Sir John A. Macdonald from 1882-1891. He worked as the assistant clerk to the Privy Council and undersecretary of state for Canada from 1896-1909. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1901. He was later knighted as a Knight Commander of the same order. Joseph Pope was the first permanent head of the Department of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs and Internal Trade) 1909-1925. He was an advisor to Prime Ministers from Macdonald to King. He died in Ottawa, in 1926. As well as Confederation, Pope also penned: Memoirs of Sir John A. Macdonald : A Chronicle of the First Prime Minister of the Dominion; The Day of Sir John Macdonald; Jacques Cartier, his life and voyages; Traditions and Sir John A. MacDonald vindicated : a review of the Right Honourable Sir Richard Cartwright's reminiscences as well as other books Pope’s son, Maurice Arthur Pope wrote a book about Joseph entitled Public Servant: the Memoirs of Sir Joseph Pope”.

Summons for Court Upper Canada - 1841

A summons "in the court of Requests - Upper Canada" Niagara District Division for a debt of three pounds, one shillings and six pence. Summons to appear before the Court of Requests, Robert Osborn vs. John Shadwick, signed by Walter Sumner, clerk of the court, 1841.

Laura Dexter letter, commenting on the McLeod murder trial, October 5, 1841

Alexander McLeod was Deputy Sheriff of the Niagara District during the Rebellion of 1837-38 in Upper Canada. On December 24, 1837, he became aware of a scheme by the rebels to use the American steamboat Caroline to provide supplies to William Lyon Mackenzie and his followers on Navy Island in the Niagara River. McLeod notified the authorities in Upper Canada about the situation. A few days later, on December 29, Commodore Andrew Drew led a band of men, including McLeod, to the American side, where the Caroline was moored at Schlosser’s Wharf. A scuffle ensued, in which American Amos Durfee was killed. The Caroline was then released from its moorings, set on fire, and drifted downstream before sinking. Many Americans viewed the incident as a violation of their sovereignty. Tensions between the United States and England were already strained over a boundary dispute between Maine and New Brunswick, and the situation with the Caroline further escalated the tension. McLeod was subsequently arrested in November, 1840 in Lewiston, NY and indicted for arson and murder. The British foreign secretary, Lord Palmerston, insisted that McLeod be released and could not be held personally responsible for the incident, as he was acting on orders from authorities in Canada. Eventually, McLeod was acquitted.

Daguerreotype - Joseph Woodruff

Daguerreotype, 12 cm x 9 cm of Joseph Woodruff. The daguerreotype is slightly pitted and it is enclosed in a frame. This is accompanied by a note written by R. W. Band.

Marriage Certificate - Joseph Clement and Margaret Duffet

A marriage certificate stating that Joseph Clement and Margaret Duffet were lawfully married according to the Church of England in Montreal, May 9, 1784. The name on the paper appears to be "Margaret Dusalle" and the date appears as "May 7th".

Indenture between Joseph Hamilton to Jonathan Hart and Thomas Hart

Indenture between Joseph Hamilton of late of Queenston by his attorney Samuel Street to Jonathan Hart and Thomas Hart of Queenston for the sale of land in the township of Saltfleet, Lot no. 8 in the 6th Concession. There are holes in the document and the back is stained, but this does not affect the text, November 9, 1829.

Indenture between Joseph Hamilton and Joseph Hart

Indenture of sale between Joseph Hamilton of London and Joseph Hart of Montgomery County. This is regarding Lot no. 25 in the 5th concession in the Township of Norwich in the County of Oxford, May 11, 1833.