Office of the City Clerk, St. Catharines Records, 1928-1974, n.d.

The site of present-day St. Catharines was settled by 3000 United Empire Loyalists at the end of the 18th century. From 1790, the settlement (then known as "The Twelve") grew as an agricultural community. St. Catharines was once referred to Shipman's Corners after Paul Shipman, owner of a tavern that was an important stagecoach transfer point. In 1815, leading businessman William Hamilton Merritt abandoned his wharf at Queenston and set up another at Shipman's Corners. He became involved in the construction and operation of several lumber and gristmills along Twelve Mile Creek. Shipman's Corners soon became the principal milling site of the eastern Niagara Peninsula. At about the same time, Merritt began to develop the salt springs that were discovered along the river which subsequently gave the village a reputation as a health resort. By this time St. Catharines was the official name of the village; the origin of the name remains obscure, but is thought to be named after Catharine Askin Robertson Hamilton, wife of the Hon. Robert Hamilton, a prominent businessman. Merritt devised a canal scheme from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario that would provide a more reliable water supply for the mills while at the same time function as a canal. He formed the Welland Canal Company, and construction took place from 1824 to 1829. The canal and the mills made St. Catharines the most important industrial centre in Niagara. By 1845, St. Catharines was incorporated as a town, with the town limits extending in 1854. Administrative and political functions were added to St. Catharines in 1862 when it became the county seat of Lincoln. In 1871, construction began on the third Welland Canal, which attracted additional population to the town. As a consequence of continual growth, the town limits were again extended. St. Catharines attained city status in 1876 with its larger population and area. Manufacturing became increasingly important in St. Catharines in the early 1900s with the abundance of hydro-electric power, and its location on important land and water routes. The large increase in population after the 1900s was mainly due to the continued industrialization and urbanization of the northern part of the city and the related expansion of business activity. The fourth Welland Canal was opened in 1932 as the third canal could no longer accommodate the larger ships. The post war years and the automobile brought great change to the urban form of St. Catharines. St. Catharines began to spread its boundaries in all directions with land being added five times during the 1950s. The Town of Merritton, Village of Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township were all incorporated as part of St. Catharines in 1961. In 1970 the Province of Ontario implemented a regional approach to deal with such issues as planning, pollution, transportation and services. As a result, Louth Township on the west side of the city was amalgamated, extending the city's boundary to Fifteen Mile Creek. With its current population of 131,989, St. Catharines has become the dominant centre of the Niagara region. Source: City of St. Catharines website http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/HistoryOfTheCity.asp (January 27, 2011)

Small Cabinet Card of African American Man by John S. Thom, of Lucan, Ontario [n.d.]

A very small cabinet card type photograph of an unidentified man, possibly a relative of the Bell - Sloman family. A handwritten entry on the reverse of the photograph indicates it was taken by John S. Thom, of Lucan. No date is provided, however, John S. Thom is known to have been a photographer in Lucan from 1877-1882. This cabinet card was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell family include former African American slaves who settled in Canada.John S. Thom is listed as a photographer in Lucan, Ontario from 1877-1882. Aside from photography, he also operated a general store and sold notions. It appears he then moved to Sarnia, Ont. and is listed as a photographer there from 1882-1900. He is also recorded as being a Sarnia bicycle dealer. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990.

Receipt from John Brown, contractor of Thorold, Ontario

Receipt from John Brown, contractor of Thorold, Ontario for cement, Aug. 8, 1876.

Letter to Mr. W.D. Woodruff from John A. Macomber of N.W. Harris and Co. of New York

Letter to Mr. W.D. Woodruff from John A. Macomber of N.W. Harris and Co. of New York stating that they have delivered securities for trusts on the St. Clair County 5’s and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific 4s. Also included are 2 receipts for these bonds, May 23, 1910.

Receipt from John Turrill manufacturer of Desks, London, England for a writing desk

Receipt from John Turrill manufacturer of Desks, London, England for a writing desk, June, 29, 1817.

James VI of Scotland Letter, 1579

This letter authorizes William Hamilton of Portmollart to repair to Edinburgh notwithstanding the acts discharging the Hamiltons from being within six miles of the King’s person. James VI and James I (June 19, 1566 – March 27, 1625) was King of Scots as James VI from July 24th, 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on March 24, 1603 after the passing of Elizabeth I.

Welland Canal Survey of Lands George Marlatt 1826, 1831

Two survey maps and descriptions of George Marlatt's land created by The Welland Canal Company. The first is from 1826, as described in the deed of November 21, 1826. The second survey was done on August 29, 1831 by George Keefer. Included is a written description of the land along with a drawing of the land. Noteable features for the first survey (p.85) include; line between Kelly and Marlatt's land, lot division. Noteable features for the second survey (p.87) include; road to Beaverdams, reservoir, bridges, road allowance, lot divisions, line between Kelly and Marlatt's land. Surveyor notes are seen in pencil on the map.See also Page 90-91

Welland Canal Survey of Lands Name Index Page 2

Index of names for the Welland Canal Company's Survey of Land book, 1826. Includes persons name, land cultivated, uncultivated, total land and remarks. The remarks noted include; who surveyed the lands, the dates of the survey, former property names, additional property features etc.The page is titled: Statement of Lands Surveyed and appropriated to the use of the Welland Canal Company.

Cabinet Card by John B. Cook, Photographer, Toronto [n.d.]

Two young African Canadian girls are the subject of this undated cabinet card photograph by John B. Cook, of Toronto. The address listed on the company stamp, which appears in gold lettering at the bottom of the card, is 191 and 193 Yonge [St.] Toronto. The original photo was over-exposed and faded, so image adjustments have been made for clarification purposes. This photograph was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. It is possible these two girls are relatives of the Sloman and Bell families. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell families include former American slaves who settled in Canada.John B. Cook is listed as being a photographer -- and a hotelier -- in Toronto from 1879-1898. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990.

Photograph - Mrs. John Denton Sr.

A Photograph of Mrs. John Denton Sr. of Port Dalhusie taken by photographer G. F. Maitland of St. Catharines, Ontario.

Extraordinary Narrative of the Prince of Wales' Trip Across the Atlantic (1895)

Detailing what the Prince had to say about his travels.

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.

Indenture between John Baptist Clement and William Woodruff

Indenture of bargain and sale between John Baptist Clement of Niagara and William Woodruff of St. Davids for part of Lot no. 90 in St. Davids. Instrument no. 9050, February 23, 1833.