City of the Falls clippings, 1833, n.d.

The clippings describe the City of the Falls and its attempts by its shareholders to sell lots to this newly developing city. The venture by shareholders W. Allan, James Buchanan, Thomas Clark, J.H. Dunn, Thomas Dixon, General Murray, James Robinson, Samuel Street and William Witla intended to favourably position their city as a destination for “affording an easy approach for the annual assemblage of the Fashionable, the Learned and the Great”. The venture failed due to the building of the Buffalo and Niagara Falls railway.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 7 - Locks 23, 24 and 25 in Thorold

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal as it passes through the Village of Thorold. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Locks 23, 24, and 25, a Guard Gate, Lock House Lot, the Little Deep Cut, and the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads(ex. Pine Street and Front Street), a basin, a mill race, McPherson and Wier's Grist Mill, Brown and Ross Flouring Mill, R. James Store, J. Brown Cement Mill, W. B. Hendershots Store, Keefers Mill, J. Woodward Grist Mill, Brierly McWhirter and Co. Cotton Mill, E. W. Stephenson Tavern, a factory and a saw mill on W. H. Ward's property, a flouring mill, engine house, a store house, several barns, J. Brown's Wharf, and a number of structures belonging to: Jenkinson, Mrs. McCarty, John Clay, M. McDonnah, Mrs. Donahoc, W. B. Hendershott, Mrs. Pawling, and Christy. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 8, 9, 16, and 17, W. H. Ward, J. Keefer, G. Keefer Jr., G. Keefer Sr., Dr. Rolls, W. Hendershott, Cleveland, Lucy, and R. Leeper.

Second Welland Canal - Book 3, Survey Map 2 - Canal to Chippewa Creek with Port Robinson

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal as it passes through Port Robinson. Identified structures associated with the Canal include the Guard Lock, Collector Toll Office, towing path, and the New Cut of the canal. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Island Street, Bridge Street, John Street, and Cross Street), bridges (Swing Bridge, and several unnamed bridges), Welland Railroad, Canal to Chippewa Creek (and two old locks and one new lock associated with the canal), Chippewa Creek, Back Water, an unnamed Island, Dry Dock leased to McFarland and Abbey, Abbey's Office, D. McFarland and Co. Saw Mill (Burnt), G. Jordan Tavern, Robert Elliot Store House and Wharf, Isaac Pew's Shop, Colemans Hotel, R. Band and Co. Girst Mill, Donaldson and Co. Grist Mill, H. Marlatt Dwelling House and barn, Henry W. Timms Hotel, Methodist Church, Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, a church, a structure labeled B. Patch, and a number of other structures that are not named. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 202 and 203, S. Hill, D. McFarland, Church Society, G. Jordan, D. Coleman, John Brown, Rob Coulter, Robert Elliot, Isaac Pew, James McCoppen, William Bell, Charles Stuart, Andrew Elliot, Robert Band, Ed. Feney, John Betty, F. Sharp, William B. Hendershot, A. Brownson, H. Marlatt, J. S. Powell, and the School Trustees. Two reserved properties are labeled in red.The current spelling of Chippewa Creek is Chippawa. Although it not possible to make out the entire name of the H. W. Timms hotel located at Front and Bridge Street on the map itself, it was discovered to belong to Henry W. Timms after consulting the 1851-52 Canada Directory.

Bowslaugh Family fonds, 1860-1861, 1868, 1876-1877, 1880-1882, 1886-1890, 1892-1893, 1895, 1898-1899, n.d.

Edward W. Bowslaugh (1843-1923) was the son of Jacob and Anna (Beamer) Bowslaugh. Edward Bowslaugh married Mary Southward, and the couple had six children, Edgar Morley, Edward Freeman, twins Alfred Malcolm and Alice Mary, Annie Olivia, John Jacob and Mabel Florence. Edward W. Bowslaugh was a farmer, contractor and owner of the Grimsby Planing Mills in Grimsby, Ont. and Bowslaugh’s Planing Mill in Kingsville, Ont. The mills manufactured door and sash trim and other wood related products. Some customers contracted the firm to provide wood products for cottages being built at Grimsby Park, the Methodist camp ground. Some time before 1885 Edward Bowslaugh and his family moved to Kingsville, Ont. to open up a new planing mill and door and sash manufactory. He later sold the Grimsby Planing Mills to Daniel Marsh. The diaries and account books include many names of workers as well as friends and family members residing in the Grimsby and Kingsville areas. James M. Bowslaugh (1841-1882) was the son of Jacob and Anna (Beamer) Bowslaugh. James married first Anna Catharine Merritt and after her death in 1875 he married Mary Gee in 1877. James and Anna had three children, Eliza, James Herbert, George Hiram, all died very young. James and Mary Gee had one son, Charles Leopold Kenneth Frederich Bowslaugh, b. 1881. James Bowslaugh was a farmer and lumberman, much like his younger brother Edward. James’ early diaries often note the activities of himself and his brother Edward. Both Edward and James were heavily involved in the Methodist church, teaching or leading Sunday school and attending prayer meetings. Alfred M. Bowslaugh b. 1873 was the son of Edward W. Bowslaugh and his wife Mary Southward. The school notebook is from his days as a student in Kingsville, Ont.

Niagara-Welland Power Company Limited fonds, 1833, 1852, 1904-1906, 1909, n.d.

The Welland Power and Supply Canal Company Limited, established in 1893 and incorporated in 1894 with a capital stock of $500,000. The aim of the company was to harness the natural water supply of the Niagara and Welland Rivers. In 1898 the Canadian Electrical News published a report by Henry Symons, QC outlining the main project of the company. This project involves the construction of a canal from the Welland River to the brow of the mountain at Thorold, a distance of 8 miles; the construction at Thorold of a power house, and from Thorold to Lake Ontario, a raceway by which to carry water into the lake. The estimate for the machinery to generate 100,000 horse power is £125,000; for transmission line to Toronto at a voltage of 10,000….The total estimate therefore amounts to £2,452,162, or roughly speaking, $12,000,000. Source: Canadian Electrical News, August 1898, p. 172. In 1899 the company officers petitioned the federal government desiring a name change to the Niagara-Welland Power Company Limited. Officers of the company were Harry Symons, President; Charles A. Hesson, Vice-President; and M.R. O’Loughlin, James B. Sheehan, James S. Haydon, Frederick K. Foster, directors; John S. Campbell, secretary-treasurer. The company’s head offices were located in St. Catharines, with a New York (City) office on Broad Street. In 1905 and 1909 the company petitioned the federal government for additional time to construct its works, which was granted. The company had until May 16, 1915 to complete construction. John S. Campbell (1860-1950) was a graduate of the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. During his university years John began his military career first in "K" Company, Queens Own rifles and then later as Commanding Officer of the 19th Lincoln Regiment, from 1906 to 1910. Upon his return to St. Catharines John Campbell served as secretary in the St. Catharines Garrison Club, a social club for military men begun in 1899. After being called to the Bar, he became a partner in the firm of Campbell and McCarron and was appointed to the bench in 1916, serving until retirement in 1934. Judge Campbell served as an alderman for several terms and was the mayor of St. Catharines in 1908 and 1909. He also served as the first chairman of the St. Catharines Public Utilities in 1914. John S. Campbell was married to Elizabeth Oille, daughter of Jerome B. and Charlotte (St. John) Oille. The family home "Cruachan" was located at 32 Church St.

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 11 - St. Catharines and Locks 3 and 4

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 3 and its Lock House, Lock 4 and its Lock House, Hydraulic Race, and a floating tow path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Geneva Street, Ontario Street, St. Paul Street, and Merritville Road), Lincoln Mills and its Store House, T. M. Merritt's Store House, Cooper Shop, L. Shickluna's Dry Dock, Peter McGill's Grist Mill, J. Flint's Saw Factory, T. Hosteter's Gristing Mill, J. Dougan Builder's shop or office, Norris and Nelson Mill, G. N. Oil Foundry and its Machine Shop and Boiler, a barrel shed, woolen factory, Estate of P. Nihen (or T. Nihan), Norris and Nelson's Wharf, the W. C. Office, and structures (possibly houses) or small properties belonging to T. Adams, and A. K. Boomer. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Concession 7 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Alva Dittrick, James R. Benson, W. B. Robinson, and C. Phelps.

Second Welland Canal - Book 2, Survey Map 17 - Deep Cut and Port Robinson

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the canal at Port Robinson. Identified structures and features associated with the Canal include the Deep Cut, Old Channel of Canal, and the towing path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Road to Port Allanburg), the Spoil Bank, an island, several bridges, and a church. Several unidentified structures are present but not labeled. Properties and property owners of note are: Lots 202, 203, and 204. Lot 203 is divided into several properties labeled A - J. Owners of these properties include James McCoppen, John Coulter, James Griffith, John C. Jordan, W. Hendershot, John Greer, Charles Richards, C. Stuart, and S. D. Woodruff. Other property owners include D. McFarland.

James D. Tait Company Limited Fonds, 1890-1939 [non-inclusive]

James D. Tait (1836-1907) came to Canada in 1855 from Scotland. He worked in the dry goods business until he established the James D. Tait Company in 1864. The business was first located on Ontario street and specialized in furs. The business expanded to include dry goods and dress-making. After the building was destroyed by fire, Tait established and expanded the business into the Prendergast building on the corner of St. Paul and William Streets. James D. Tait died in 1907 while on vacation in Muskoka. In 1912 upon the resignation (or removal) of Benjamin Brick and Arthur Harbour, Stanley G. Smith joins the company as a director and secretary-treasurer. 1918/1919 vice-president E.J. Dignum dies. 1919 S.J. Inksater becomes a director of the company (His stock was purchased by the J.D. Tait Co.) By the 1930s the business, still in the same location, was under the leadership of Malcolm Stobie, President, Samuel J. Inksater, Vice-President and Stanley G. Smith, Secretary-Treasurer. The James D. Tait Company Limited ceased operations on 17 August 1933. The 1935 St. Catharines city directory records John Stobie, a former manager of the James D. Tait Company, operating a dry goods business at the same location, but with one-third the size of the original store space.

James Corbin letter, October 2, 1813

James Corbin (1791-1860) lived in Williamstown, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He is buried there is Southlawn cemetery. Pliny Moore (1759-1822) was the founder of the town of Champlain, New York. He served in the revolutionary war and after received the Smith and Graves patent, a parcel of land more than 11,000 acres in size. He served in several town offices in Champlain, including postmaster and judge, as well as operating sawmills and textile mills. Letter transcription: Dear Sir, The reason I did not come to tend your mill last spring was because the letter you wrote me dated 1 of March I didn’t receive it until the 12 of April and inform me that if I could be there in 2 or 3 weeks you would employ me as we agreed and therefore I concluded it would not do any good for me to come. It was a great disappointment to me because I was all ready to come whenever I got word. It is impossible for me to come now for I am in partnership with my brother in the farm and Mills and must take care our crops and settle our [bushels] this winter. I know nothing to the contrary but what I can come next spring I will let you know by uncle Corbin this winter. James Corbin

Residence of James W. House, Esq. - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of James W. House, Esq., Lot 123 Stamford.

Residence of James Oswald, J.P. - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of James Oswald, J.P., Stamford Village.

Residence of James Russ Esq. - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of James Russ Esq., Township of Grimsby.

Residence of James Scott, Esq. - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of James Scott, Esq., Lot 18, Stamford.