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

Letter - Ian Green to Sean O'Sullivan, July 1977

A correspondence between Ian Green and Sean O'Sullivan from July 1977. The first letter is from 4 July 1977 from Sean O'Sullivan, titled "The Nation's Business". He requests a discussion about "Caucus morale". O'Sullivan requests that Joe Clark individually acknowledge members of the party and say "a few words about how proud he is of the men and women who form the P.C. Caucus, and how well they represent the country--moreover, how well they are prepared to help form the next Government." A response from Ian Green (Legislative Assistant) is positive and he forwards the memo to Jodi White, Director of Communications.

Place Card - Girl in Green Dress with Flower

A place card with an illustration of a girl in a green dress and red flowers.

Proceedings of the Court Martial Held by Order of Major Merritt

Proceedings of the court martial held by order of Major Merritt (1 double-sided page, handwritten): Captain Hamilton gave evidence against Caleb Cook (a private in Major Merritt’s Company of Light Dragoons) for disobedience and leaving quarters without leave of absence. Cook was fined and ordered to spend one month in prison. The document is stained and has holes in it along the middle fold. This does not affect the text, Aug. 7, 1812.

Receipt to Mr. Woodruff from V. Merritt

Receipt to Mr. Woodruff from V. Merritt for sewing materials, May 2, 1846.

Business Card from Green Acre Kennels

Business card from Green Acre Kennels, Aylmer East, Quebec, n.d.

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.