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.

Residence of William W. Kitchen & Residence of Charles Kitchen - Vignette

A vignette two homes in Grimsby. There are two homes in the image, one the residence of William W. Kitchen, the second the residence of Charles Kitchen.

Indenture between William Kingsmill and Peter Buchanan, Isaac Buchanan, Robert W. Harris and I. Young

Indenture (vellum) between William Kingsmill, Sheriff of Niagara regarding the sale of goods and chattels of Darius Ball including buildings and improvements in Lot no. 4 near Grand River to Peter Buchanan, Isaac Buchanan, Robert W. Harris and I. Young, July 22, 1844.

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension for W.G. Thompson for the Northern Division. There are attached notes from the Welland Railway Company to John Mitchell for putting up shelves; to William Waud, staff; and to William Martin to repair the office (copy), June 10, 1857

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension for W.G. Thompson for the Northern Division. There are attached notes from the Welland Railway Company to John Mitchell for putting up shelves; to William Waud, staff; and to William Martin to repair the office (copy), June 10, 1857.

Estimate for Fred Holmes and William Baird for time on the Port Robinson and Thorold Macadamized Road during the months of September, October and November, 1856

Estimate for Fred Holmes and William Baird for time on the Port Robinson and Thorold Macadamized Road during the months of September, October and November, 1856. This was sent to S.D. Woodruff by Fred Holmes, Nov.29, 1856.

Time on marsh lands for the months of January, February, March and April for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson, Duncan Davidson, Rose Osborne, Henry Wilson and William Baird

Time on marsh lands for the months of January, February, March and April for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson, Duncan Davidson, Rose Osborne, Henry Wilson and William Baird. This is signed by Fred Holmes, April 28, 1857.

Time on the marsh lands for the months of May, June, July and August, 1857 for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson and William Baird

Time on the marsh lands for the months of May, June, July and August, 1857 for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson and William Baird. This was sent to S.D. Woodruff by Fred Holmes, Aug. 28, 1857.

A torn scrap of paper which gives estimates of times worked for Fred Holmes, Joe Simpson, John Simpson, William Baird and William Case

A torn scrap of paper which gives estimates of times worked for Fred Holmes, Joe Simpson, John Simpson, William Baird and William Case. Much of the text is missing. This is signed by Fred Holmes, Dec. 1857.

Engineering services in marsh lands drainage for the months of January, February, March and April for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson, D. Davidson, Rose Osborne, Henry Wilson and William Baird

Engineering services in marsh lands drainage for the months of January, February, March and April for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson, D. Davidson, Rose Osborne, Henry Wilson and William Baird. This is signed by S.D. Woodruff, May 1, 1857.

Engineering services in marsh lands drainage for the months of May, June, July and August 1857 for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson and William Baird

Engineering services in marsh lands drainage for the months of May, June, July and August 1857 for Fred Holmes, Joseph Simpson and William Baird. This is signed by S.D. Woodruff, Aug. 31, 1857.

Letter to the Honourable William Dickson at Wood Lawn, Youngstown, New York from W. Bushby

Letter to the Honourable William Dickson at Wood Lawn, Youngstown, New York from W. Bushby. He says that Mary is probably going to marry Mr. Lyon and he asks if there is any chance that Mr. Dickson could come for the wedding. He says he heard about the death of George Hamilton from John Hamilton (3 ½ pages, handwritten), Sept. 29, 1836.

Examination of W. George Richardson, clerk to William Richardson, Brantford, Post Master

Examination of W. George Richardson, clerk to William Richardson, Brantford, Post Master (2 pages, handwritten). This is stained and contains small holes. The text is not affected, 1830.