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.

Woodruff Family fonds, 1784 – 1983, (non-inclusive)

The Woodruff Family Collection: From the time the Woodruff Family came to Canada from the United States in 1795, they took an active role in the forming of their communities both in a civic and social manner. This is evident through the documents contained in this collection. The Woodruffs played an active role in the battles fought in Upper Canada and they were an integral part of the Village of St. Davids. They were educated, business-minded and socially engaged. They accumulated much of their fortune through land dealings. Much of this collection focuses on Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff who was principally a businessman. His dedication to his work is shown through his numerous undertakings. He made his mark on the Niagara Peninsula through his work on the railways, roads, marsh land revisions, canals and the paper industry. He was also involved with the founding of the Long Point Company and he took control of building DeVeaux Hall down to the last detail. His offspring inherited his work ethic and his business acumen. The people who married into the Woodruff Family also possessed key social, political and business ties. Anne and Margaret Clement were from a staunch Loyalist background. Samuel Zimmerman was instrumental to the founding of Niagara Falls and Judge Samuel DeVeaux left behind a legacy for poor and homeless boys in Niagara Falls, New York. The Woodruff Family undoubtedly left a mark on the Niagara Peninsula. This collection brings to light many endeavours of the family and their varied contributions.

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.

Power of Attorney of Colonel John Butler for Robert Hamilton and Robert Addison, January 4,1797

John Butler (1728-1796) was originally from Connecticut but settled with his family in the Mohawk valley of New York around 1742. His father was a Captain in the British army and well acquainted with William Johnson (superintendent of Northern Indians). Butler impressed Johnson with his aptitude for Indian languages and diplomacy. He began to work with Johnson in 1755, and received several promotions in the department, until his apparent retirement in the early 1770s. At the onset of the Revolutionary War in 1775, Butler relocated to Canada to join the British forces, settling in Niagara. During the War, Butler was instrumental in maintaining the alliance with the Indians. After the War, Butler became prominent in local affairs in Niagara, but failed to secure any important offices when the province of Upper Canada was formed in 1792. In an effort to recoup some of the financial losses his family suffered during the War, Butler illegally attempted to supply trade goods to the Indian department with his son Andrew, his nephew Walter Butler Sheehan, and Samuel Street, a Niagara merchant.

Catherine Everingham land grant, 1802 [photocopy]

Catherine (Lemon) Everingham was the widow of James Everingham, a private with the first Battalion of Colo Delancys Regt. of the Jersey Volunteers. He died in the American Revolutionary War in 1796, leaving his wife and two children settled on two hundred acres of land in the Township of Willoughby. No certificate had been awarded to James Everingham for this land. Catherine subsequently petitioned the government to grant her the land that she had settled on with her family.

An Act to Lay and Collect a Duty Upon Stills

An act "to Lay and Collect a Duty Upon Stills" for the Laws of the Province of Upper Canada, A.D. 1794.

The Monastery

The Monastery by Sir Walter Scott, was prsented to margaret Woodruff for proficiency in tennis singles, June 17th, 1913. The book is bound in a leather cover which is embossed with the St. Margaret's College, Toronto insignia. A full text version is available at the following link: https://ia800300.us.archive.org/34/items/themonastery06406gut/mnsry10.txt

Indenture between Robert Sparrow Delatre, Thomas Sheppard Smyth, Thomas Hector, and Arthur Shaw

Indenture between Robert Sparrow Delatre of Stamford Township, Thomas Sheppard Smyth of Brussels, Belgium, formerly of Stamford Township and Thomas Hector of Quebec, trustees of the last will and testament of Philip Chesneau Delatre to the Bank of Upper Canada and Arthur Shaw of Niagara Township regarding Lot no. 3 in the 1st Concession and Lot no. 4 in the 1st Concession, part of Lot no. 3 in the 2nd Concession, 50 acres of Lot no. 4 in the 4th Concession, 200 acres in Lot no. 8 in the 11th Concession in Blandford in the County of Oxford and broken Lot no. 11 in the 18th Concession in the Township of Zorra - instrument no. 6083. This is listed in the Blandford folio 184 and 185 in folio 63 and 64. Joseph Woodruff has signed this as conveyancer, March 29, 1853.

Appointment of William Woodruff to be Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District

Appointment of William Woodruff to be Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Lincoln Militia in the Niagara District. This is signed by Francis Gore, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada. The document is quite stained and watermarked. The text is not affected, Nov. 5, 1815.

Christmas Card

Christmas card signed by Pansy Ramsbottom. This is a St. Margaret’s College, Toronto card, 1912.

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington (2 ½ pages, handwritten). She talks about her brother’s letter of Nov. 9th and she mentions an article that was in the newspaper about immortal heroes of Upper Canada. She also congratulates Robert on his late appointment, Nov. 14, 1814.

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington

Letter to Robert Nelles from his daughter Margaret Pilkington (3 pages, handwritten) in which she introduces her father to Dr. Pilkington formerly of the 19th Light Dragoons. Dr. Pilkington has some idea of settling in Upper Canada. She concludes the letter by saying that Doctor Pilkington has given up the idea of settling in Upper Canada. The first part of the letter is dated Feb. 24, 1816 and the second half, Feb. 24, 1816.

Letter to Henry Nelles from H. Ridout, son of Thomas Ridout

Letter to Henry Nelles from H. Ridout, son of Thomas Ridout, surveyor general of Upper Canada requesting an affidavit for each location that was being presented to his father, Nov. 13, 1821.

The Spectator May 1816

The Spectator: printed and published for the proprietors at the Village of St. Davids, Upper Canada. The front page of this paper contains an article about the dissolution of the copartnership of the firm of Street and Woodruff, May 1816.