William Hamilton Merritt Welland Canal circular, July 12, 1823

William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) was a soldier, merchant, and politician who was instrumental in the promotion and development of the Welland Canal. After serving with the Lincoln militia during the War of 1812, Merritt became a merchant in St. Catharines, and purchased some land on Twelve Mile Creek on which he ran a sawmill and constructed a grist mill. He initially envisioned a canal between the Welland River and Twelve Mile Creek, which evolved into a plan to link Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This would enable goods from western Canada to be conveniently shipped to Montreal and Great Britain through the St. Lawrence, while bypassing the Niagara portage. His plan met with opposition for financial and political reasons, as well as from those along the Niagara portage whose businesses would suffer if the canal were built. Despite this opposition, the Welland Canal Company was chartered by the Upper Canadian assembly in January, 1824. Construction on the canal began later that year, and was completed in 1829

Indenture between William Kingsmill and Joseph Hamilton

Indenture (sheriff's deed) (vellum) between William Kingsmill, Sheriff of the District of Niagara to Joseph Hamilton regarding part of Lot no. 19 in the Township of Stamford, August 26, 1841.

Indenture Abraham Fuller Atkinson, Henry Riggs Goodman and William Hamilton Merritt to Thomas Lees Helliwell

Indenture between Abraham Fuller Atkinson of St. Catharines, rector of St. George’s Church, Henry Riggs Goodman and William Hamilton Merritt, wardens of St. George’s Church, to Thomas Lees Helliwell for pew no. 15 in St. George’s Church, Mar. 21, 1857.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which Mr. Merritt asks Mr. Woodruff to make out a bill of the quality and description of the iron suitable for the road, n.d.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt requesting that Mr. Woodruff supply him with estimated quantities of the value of work and material (for cash monthly payments) of the road. Some numbers/ calculations are written on the second page, Jan. 25, 1854.

Letter to William Hamilton Merritt from S.D. Woodruff

Letter in which S.D. Woodruff suggests that the proposed road be constructed upon the line as suggested and laid down upon the map. He also suggests that George Rykert be engaged to survey the land. The letter is addressed to William Hamilton Merritt, Mar. 7, 1854.

Letter to William Hamilton Merritt from S.D. Woodruff

Letter which S.D. Woodruff writes to William Hamilton Merritt about the length of the railway from Port Dalhousie to the Great Western Railway. He says that the distance is 6 miles. From Port Dalhousie to St. Catharines there will 4 miles of rail required for a single track, Mar. 13, 1854.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which Mr. Merritt says that he will be going up the canal to remove the squatters. The letter is stained. This does not affect the text. May 1, 1854.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt at the Legislative Assembly in Quebec. Mr. Merritt asks who has investments in the town and he says “we will get the road through to Port Colborne in due time (3 pages, handwritten), Apr. 19, 1855.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which he says he could have carried the bill last fall but he postponed it (2 pages), May 3, 1855.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which he says that Jack Killaly says that he spoke to Mr. Woodruff to continue drudging to accommodate both the canal and the railway. Mr. Merritt says he sees no obstacle in opening the line for local traffic (2 ½ pages), Aug. 2, 1855.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which he says he feels disposed to using every effort to complete the road to the Great Western Railway as originally designed (4 pages), Aug. 29, 1855

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt in which he says that the line from Allenburgh down should be divided into sections and also, that he is in favour of crossing the Great Western Railway by bridge. This letter was folded into a piece of paper (used like an envelope). This is included (4 pages), Oct. 23, 1856.

Letter to William Hamilton Merritt from George Roberts

Letter to William Hamilton Merritt from George Roberts who is looking for employment as a clerk (3 pages, handwritten), Dec. 3, 1856.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from William Hamilton Merritt regarding George Roberts who he claims is a good draftsperson and it would be great to have him employed if possible, Dec. 5, 1856.