Massachusetts militia claims : letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th Dec., 1826, a report upon the subject of the claims of the State of Masachusetts for certain services rendered during the late war.--

20th Congress, 2nd session. House Doc. no.3.

Welland Canal/St. Lawrence Seaway Authority fonds, 1826-1880, 1905-1951

The Welland Canal Company was formed in 1824 by William Hamilton Merritt. Construction of the first Welland Canal began in 1829 and was completed in 1834. The canal ran south from Port Dalhousie along Twelve Mile Creek to St. Catharines. An extension was built in 1833 to Gravelly Bay, now Port Colborne. As ships became larger and the wooden locks deteriorated, the need for a new canal became apparent. In 1839, the government purchased the Welland Canal Company’s assets and began making plans for the construction of a second canal. Construction began in 1841 and was completed by 1845. In 1887, a third Welland Canal was completed, which operated until 1932, when a fourth canal was completed. This canal remains in operation today.

Irish John Willson United Empire Loyalist Family Fonds

John Willson first came to Upper Canada along with his friend Nathaniel Pettit in the late 1700s. They both moved with their families from New Jersey where they had both been imprisioned for not siding with the rebels and maintaining Loyalist allegiences. Pettit arrived with his four daughters, leaving his son behind. Willson came with his wife and nine children. Willson received 1200 acres of land as well as 200 per child. He settled at the corner of Dorchester road and Thorold Stone Road, where he and his family did very well for themselves. Willson as well as his son Thomas ran ox-teams on the portage. His son John became the proprietor of the Exchange hotel at Niagara, and Charles operated at the Pavilion hotel at Falls View. Shortly after his arrival in Upper Canada John Willson changed his name to “Irish” John Willson, as there were 5 other “John Willsons” which appeared on the Loyalists lists. Irish John drowned in the Niagara River in 1798, and his family continued to thrive in Niagara after his death. His second son Thomas Willson, married Abigail Pettit, daughter of his Father’s friend Nathaniel. Thomas was awarded 250 acres of land as a Loyalist and 200 for Abigail, as she was the daughter of a loyalist. He became a blacksmith and also operated ox-teams along the portage. He was Assessor for Stamford Township for 1800, 1807, 1820 and 1829. During the years 1808, 1822, 1825, 1826 and 1831 he was a tax collector and overseer of Statute of Labour. Thomas and Abigail Willson had nine children together. Francis Bond Head Willson of Beaverdams (mentioned throughout the collection) was a great grandson of Thomas and Abigail. Thomas and his wife are both buried beside the Lundy’s Lane United Church. *for more information on the remaining Willson family please refer to box #1, folders 1-3. * Genealogical information from a paper prepared by Pearl Wilson and given before the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society, May 1945, by Hazel Culp Ferris. Box 1 Folder 1.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Nathan Pawling 1826; includes map and text.

Survey map and description of Nathan Pawling'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; the dock, pier and tow path. The original bed of 12 mile creek is also noted on the map. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The map notes the division of land between Pawling and Robert Brown's land. Click on 'detail' to see Map.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands William May Jr., 1826

Survey map and description of William May Jr.'s land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. The land is described as having 2 good acres and the rest being swamp. The property borders 12 mile creek in Grantham township. Noteable features include; a large pond, division line between lots 20 and 21 as well as 21 and 22, concession line. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. Click on 'detail' to see Map

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Peter May, 1826

Survey map and description of Peter May'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; a large pond, the original bed of the 12 Mile Creek. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The property is on the second concession in Grantham. Click on 'detail' to see Map

Welland Canal Survey of Lands William Hamilton Merritt Esquire 1826

Survey map and description of William Hamilton Merritt's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. The drawing also includes John Hainer's Land. Noteable features include; saw mill, salt works, line between Hainer's and Merritt's land,line between John Clendennan's and Merritt's land, road, bridge, tow path, 12 mile creek and canal. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The survey was signed and submitted on August 23rd, 1826. The land is 17 acres, 3 roads and 20 perches.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands John Hainer 1826

Survey map and description of John Hanier's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is a written description of the land. The drawing for the land can be found in William Hamilton Merritt's record and their land bordered one another. Noteable features include; line between Gould's and Hanier's land, line between Hanier's and Merritt's land, road, Hayward Distillery, draw bridge. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The survey was signed and submitted on August 23rd, 1826. The survey was updated August 26th, 1831. The land is 18 acres, 2 roads and 27 perches.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Jonathan Clendenning 1826

Survey map and description of Jonathan Clendenning's land created by The Welland Canal Company. Included is two written descriptions of the land along with two drawings of the land. Noteable features for the first (small) map include; line between the Clendennan and Sanderson properties, line between Clendennan and Steward properties, canal. Noteable features for map #2 (large map)include; numerous surrounding farms, roads. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on both the maps. The deed for the land is dated August 23, 1826.Pages 49-51

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Alexander Nickerson 1826

Survey map and description of Alexander Nickerson'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; locks no. 7, 8, 9, 10, line between Soper and Phelps land, concession line, Millard, sawmill, line between Phelps and Dittrick's land. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The deed for the land is dated August 23, 1826. This land is owned by Alexander Nickerson, taken to be used by the Welland Canal Company and at the time of the survey was in the posession of Oliver Phelps. The land totals 15 acres, 2 roads, and 20 perches.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Oliver Phelps 1826

Survey map and description of Oliver Phelp'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; lock no.'s 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, concessions. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. This survey for the land was signed and submitted on August 23, 1826. The land totals 18 3/4 acres, 2 roads and 39 perches.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Philip Shaver 1829

Survey map and description of Philip Shaver'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; locks no. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, ravine, corner stone, St. Catharines ditch, waste weir, concession line, barn. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The deed for the land is dated October 1st, 1829.

Welland Canal survey of the property of Jacob I. Ball in 1826

A detailed description of land purchased by the Welland Canal Company from Jacob I. Ball for the construction of the first Welland Canal. Noteable features include; line between Ker and Shaver properties, canal, road. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Thomas Ker 1826

Survey map and description of Thomas Ker'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 Jacob I. Ball and Thomas Ker's land, line between Widow Ball and Thomas Ker's land, part of the land taken for hydraulic purposes is marked. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map. The survey for the land was signed and submitted August 23, 1826. An additional piece of land was surveyed on November 28, 1834 for 2 1/4 acres. The land was used by the Welland Canal Company for both canal and hydraulic purposes in lot no.10 in the 10th concession of Grantham.