The Ontario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company's hand-book for travelers to Niagara Falls, Montreal and Quebec, and through Lake Champlain to Saratoga Springs.

"Illustrated with maps, and numerous engravings from original sketches."

Steamboat Caroline (1838)

Message from the President of the United States transmitting the information required by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st ultimo, respecting the Capture and Destruction of the Steamboat Caroline, on the night of the 29th December last.

Steamboat Caroline (1839)

Message from the President of the United States transmitting in compliance with the resolution of the House of Respresentatives of the 28th ultimo, information in relation to the destruction of the steamboat Caroline.

Persia steamboat poster, no date

The “Persia” was built in St. Catharines in 1873. From 1877 to 1894 the ship was owned by James Norris of St. Catharines. The Toronto and Montreal Steamboat Co. acquired the ship in 1894, followed by the Quebec Navigation Co. in 1907. A fire severely damaged the ship in 1911, and the following year the “Persia” was rebuilt as a barge.

Receipt from Chatfield and Neelon, Specialties, Steamboat Work and Engineers’ Supplies, St. Catharines

Receipt from Chatfield and Neelon, Specialties, Steamboat Work and Engineers’ Supplies, St. Catharines for various fittings, March 31, 1887.

Burning of the Caroline (1840)

Message from the President of the United States, transmitting correspondence in relation to the burning of the steamboat Caroline.

Niagara Navigation Company Limited: Buffalo-Niagara Falls-Toronto route (1911)

The Niagara Navigation Company Limited, popularly known as the Niagara River Line.

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.

Photograph - Woodruffs at Woodbourne

Black and white, 19 cm x 29 cm photograph of Julia C. Woodruff, Thomas Adam Woodruff, Hamilton Killaly Woodruff, Margaret Julia Woodruff, Uncle Henry Woodruff and Aunt Emma Woodruff along with Mary (“a home girl”) and Spot the dog. The photo was taken at Woodbourne in St. David’s. The photograph was taken by Will Boomer of Lexington Kentucky.

Letter - Howard Helliwell to S.D. Woodruff

Letter with letterhead “Sylvester Neelon, Vessel and Steamboat Owner, Merchant Miller and Manufacturer of Ship Timber” addressed to S.D. Woodruff regarding the pew at St. George’s Church. “This pew which was owned by Howard Helliwell is now at your disposal and the rent is paid up to Oct. 1st”, Oct. 2, 1886