J.W. Spencer fonds, 1866, 1881-1921

Joseph William Winthrop Spencer (commonly known as J.W. Spencer) was a geologist and geomorphologist best known for his work on the geology of southern Ontario and the Great Lakes. He was born in Dundas, Upper Canada in 1851, but moved to Hamilton, Ontario in 1867. In 1871, he began studies in geology at McGill College in Montreal. In 1875 he worked in the Michigan copper mines and shortly afterwards prepared a thesis on the copper deposits. He submitted this thesis to the University of Gottingen in Germany in 1877 and was awarded a doctorate in geology, the second Canadian to earn a doctorate in this field. In 1880, he became a professor of geology and chemistry at King’s College in Windsor, N.S. Subsequently, he taught at the University of Missouri, and then the University of Georgia, but moved to Washington, D.C. in 1894, where he worked as a consultant geologist. Spencer spent much of his life studying preglacial river valleys in Ontario and the origins of the Great Lakes, as well as the Niagara River and Falls. In 1907, he published a book titled The Falls of Niagara: their evolution and varying relations to the Great Lakes. His opinions in these areas differed from some of his contemporaries, namely the American geologist Grove Karl Gilbert. Gilbert published a review of the The Falls of Niagara that exposed some flaws and inaccuracies in Spencer’s estimate of the age of the falls. Spencer’s studies also took him to the Caribbean and Central America. In 1920 he moved back to Canada, but died the following year.

Letter - Colonel Albert D. Shaw to Francis Lynde Stetson, 31 March 1892

A letter from Colonel Albert D. Shaw to Francis Lynde Stetson dated March 31, 1892. The letter is in regards to correspondence with the Attorney General in efforts to expedite the passing of an Act through Ontario Parliament. The act was introduced a week later (April 6, 1892) confirming the agreement between the Queen Vctoria Niagara Falls Park and the Canadian Niagara Power Company.

Letter - James Wilson to Colonel Albert D. Shaw, 29 February 1892

A letter from James Wilson, Park Superintendent to Albert D. Shaw in the year 1892. Wilson describes plans to produce hydroelectric power using Niagara Falls. He details advantages to the plan in this five page correspondence with Shaw.

Province of Upper Canada Land Grant to Ann Cook, 1812

A grant of land to Ann Cook of the Township of Crowland. The land is situated in the township of Wainfleet, in the County of Lincoln, in the district of Niagara. Ann Cook is granted 200 acres in lot no. 32 in the 4th concession in Wainfleet. One of the signatures on the document is illegible but other signatures include: Prideaux Selby, auditor general on April 15, 1812. This is the date that the document was entered into the auditor’s office. Isaac Brock has signed in the upper left hand corner as “Isaac Brock President” which refers to the fact that he was President administering the Government of Upper Canada and Major General commanding the forces within the province. It is also signed on the left hand side by John Macdonell (who is buried at Brock’s Monument). At the time, he was the attorney general.

Photograph - Donald Ziraldo, Michael Budman, Ross Rebagliati & others in Aspen, CO

A photograph of five people, some are identifiable, such as Donald Ziraldo, Roots Co-founder Michael Budman and Ross Rebagliati, Canadian professional snowboarder and Olympic gold medal winner for Men's Snowboarding at the 1998 Winter Olympics. On the back it is noted that this is Aspen Colorado in 1998. This may relate to the 1998 Winter Games as two people in the picture are wearing the Roots hat designed for that event.

Summons - Shaw vs. Hoover et al. 1851

A summons to Henry Hoover of the Township of Thorold in the county of Welland, William Cowan of the Village of Dunville in the county of Haldimand, James Park and John H. Casper of the township of Thorold in the county of Welland.

Ann Eliza Hepburne Rooth fonds, 1837-1897

Ann Eliza Hepburne was born in Chippawa, Ontario, in 1821, to William Hepburne and Susan Shannon. In 1842, she married William Anthony Rooth in St. James Cathedral in Toronto. They continued to live in different parts of the Niagara region, including Drummondville, Welland and Port Colborne. William was the editor and proprietor of the Drummondville Reporter, as well as an accountant and insurance agent, and later worked for the Customs Service in Port Colborne. He died in 1878, and Eliza in 1899. Both are buried in Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Photograph - Ann and William Sanderson

A framed copy of 2 photographed sketches. Each photograph is 18 cm x 13 cm. Ann and William Sanderson are displayed in this frame.

Photograph - Ann Sophia Sanderson

Photograph of a sketch, 13 cm x 10 cm, of Ann Sophia Sanderson. The photographer was G.F. Maitland of St. Catharines.

Photograph - Charles W. Band, Jessie Shaw Band and a child sitting on the Steps of a House

A photograph of Charles W. Band, Jessie Shaw Band , and a child sitting together on the steps of a house.

Last Will and Testament - Angus Shaw

Last Will and Testament of Angus Shaw of Montreal. He leaves his possessions to Marjory Shaw, his wife; children of his sister Marion (wife of Duncan McDougall) and his nieces who are daughters of his deceased sister Isabella, May 9, 1809.

Indenture of Land Sold by David Secord to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street, Josiah Brown, Henry Pope

Indenture regarding land sold by David Secord of St. Davids to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street and Josiah Brown, all of Niagara Township and Reverend Henry Pope of York. The land includes part of Lot no. 90 in the Township of Niagara. September 5, 1820.

Indenture of Land Sold by George Shaw to Richard and William Woodruff

Indenture stating that George Shaw of Niagara sold 1 acre, 2 roods and 1 perch in the Village of St. Davids to Richard and William Woodruff. The price was 66 pounds - instrument no. 6926, June 9, 1824.

Indenture of Conveyance between George Shaw and Richard Woodruff and Company

Indenture of conveyance between George Shaw of the Township of Niagara and Richard Woodruff and Company, merchants of the Township of Niagara, all living in the Village of St. Davids for a share of water ("course of water running in a hole one inch diameter"), April 15, 1825.

Indenture between William and Ann Waters and William B. Winterbottom

Indenture of mortgage with dower between William and Ann Waters of Niagara to William B. Winterbottom of Niagara regarding the easterly half of Lot no. 265 in Niagara. This was recorded in the Register of Forms of Niagara on April 13, 1850, Book A, folios 207-208 - instrument no. 2093, April 1, 1850.