Charles Larned letter - April 3, 1813

Letter Transcription: Pittsfield, April 8, 1813 I think that by this time my dear Charles you will allow I have some reason to give you a gentle reprimand for breach of duty—but I will not censure you upon suspicion maybe you have substantial reasons—at any rate one cannot very graciously reproach the other for negligence I for one am healthy as ham & that we have so seldom exchanged letters during your absence & on my honor promise to be a better girl in future—but the truth is my Dear Charles I am secretary for the Family—Mama you know never writes & James but seldom & they are all dispersed in different directions, consequently I have many calls upon my time—this to be sure is a pleasant duty & I urge it only as a slight palliation for my remissness if you should consider it as such—now I have finished my preface—I will try to be more interesting & doubtless I succeed. Our dear Father we hope & trust is now in Green Bush, where he will probably remain a month perhaps & from thence he expects to go to Sacket’s harbor—at which place you know our troops are fast collecting-- We shall hope to see him either here or there before he goes. Brother George I believe is [still] at Plattsburgh but expects soon to be removed to some other military part perhaps with Papa (I hope so at least). We have just got letters from Brothers Sylvester & Joseph at Middlebury—they are in good health. Mama has for some weeks been afflicted with an inflammation in her eyes but seems now to be convalescing. Sister Martha has been somewhat unwell for a few weeks but is now tolerably recovered. James & myself are both in our usual good health & at this time seated by the same stand, one reading, the other writing. Thus my Dear Charles have I given you an abstract history of our Family—but here indeed is a wonderful omission; not a word about Miss Harriet Hunt, who in truth ought to have been noted first but the last she’s not the least in my memory. She is much grown since you saw her, but does not speak as fluently as we could wish—a few word she can say. Probably before this you have been informed of the great loss your friend Sherrill has sustained in the death of his mother—also of the revolution that has taken place in Hackbridge as it respects the religion & morality of the place that more than one hundred on the plain have become religious converts & c—indeed I am at a loss what to say that will afford your pleasure—a narrative at this time must be gloomy indeed. The distressing situation of our country at this time would make almost any recital melancholy. The prevailing epidemic has swept off many of your acquaintance no doubt. Mrs. Dewey of Williamstown, the sister of Mrs. Danforth, has left a Husband, Children & many Friends sincerely to lament her loss—some few have died in our village, but we have escaped astonishingly –it has raged in every town about us--If we are unwilling to acknowledge a God in his mercies. I fear she shall be compelled to do it in the awfulness of his judgments.--------I am much [pleased] with our new neighbors the Parsons Wife & a Miss Woodward her cousin is a fine girl, I think, Mrs. Allen has not a handsome face but something in her manner that interests one her person I think the handsomest I ever saw & the Parson seems well pleased with his selection—Mrs. Ripley is with them this winter & will probably remain thro the summer—Her husband at [Sackett’s Harbor] little or no alteration is apparent since her marriage—she seems as gay & fond of company as ever.-------Mrs. [McKnight] it is expected will commence housekeeping in about three weeks in the house formerly occupied by Mr…. [Report] says that Mr. Goodman & Clarissa Weller are soon to be married & many other things that I must omit to mention for Mama wants a… PS reserved--now my Dear Charles remember you are considerably… & I am confident you have as much leisure as I have –… be ceremonious but write whenever I find time not & I beg… the same – I tell James I shall not send his love for he must write himself. I shall anxiously expect you to write & do not disappoint your affectionate, sister--H One word my Dear Charles from your affectionate Mother who longs to see Her Dear son Charles—but being deprived of that rich blessing at present— begs Him so to conduct that she may hope for it ere long—do you search the Scriptures and keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord—and all the sacred Commandments of God—it is my ardent desire…He would protect, support and provide for your soul and body and believe me your affectionate friend and Mother. R Larned.

Contract between John Cronyn and Nelson Forsyth, December 16, 1854.

John Cronyn (1827-1898) emigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1837. He studied medicine at the University of Toronto, but was not granted his degree upon completion of the requirements. He refused to take the test oaths meant to exclude Catholics from the profession and was not granted his degree until several years later, when the discriminatory laws were rescinded. In 1850, he married Elizabeth Willoughby of Toronto. They settled in Fort Erie and he established a successful medical practice there. He was active in the community, serving as Superintendent of schools and one term as Reeve. In 1859 he relocated to Buffalo and continued to practice medicine there. Cronyn was instrumental in the establishment of a medical department at Niagara University, where he was a professor and president of faculty. Nelson Forsyth was the son of William Forsyth (1771-1841), a prominent businessman in Niagara who owned and operated the Pavilion Hotel (later known as Forsyth’s Inn). Nelson was also a businessman and lived in Fort Erie with his wife Archange Warren.

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.

Plan of part of the lands of the Six Nations Indians, January 26, 1833

A plan of part of the lands of the Six Nations Indians, dated January 26, 1833. A note on the plan reads “Part of the lands of the Six Nations Indians as surveyed by order of their Superintendent, John Brant, Esq. Dated at the Mohawk Village, the 29th day of April, 1831. Part of which was returned to the office of the Honourable, the Commissior of Crown Lands, on the 31st Oct. 1831, and now rendered more complete by a continuation of the survey under the same order in 1832, and by information obtained from private practice not connected with my official instructions all of which is most respectfully submitted to the inspection and for the information of His Majesty’s Government by Lewis Burwell, Surveyor”. The map shows the early loyalist land holdings in the Brantford area.

Intemperance at Meredith Bridge, 1836

A document titled "Plain Facts, In relation to the state of intemperance at Meredith Bridge, ascertained by a committee recently appointed for that purpose". The introduction to the document reads: "The whole population of the village, embracing a tract of territory less than one mile from the Bridge, is nine hundred forty. The number of families within those limits is one hundred and sixty-six. Of the heads of these families, thirty-eight are intemperate, - seventy are temperate drinkers; the remainder abstain wholly from the use of distilled and vinous liquors. There are ninety-six children in those families,in which there is one intemperate parent. The number of children who have temperate parents is one hundred and fifty-nine. The other families have one hundred and forty-four children. Beside the above, there are thirty-seven young men. Of this number, twelve are decidedly intemperate; seventeen are temperate drinkers, and eight subscribe to the doctrine of total abstinate. In the whole Village, there are, at the least, fifty-two decidedly intemperate. There are sold in this Village, annually nine thousand gallons of spirituous liquors, at a cost not less than $6,750. Add to this the other cost attendant on the use of spirituous liquors, estimated to equal that of the liquor itself, and we have an item of expense of $13,500, occasioned by the use of intoxicating drink. The above facts are offered for the serious consideration of the citizens at Meredith Bridge. March 1836".

Indenture of Land Sold by Solomon Quick to Henry Woodruff

Indenture regarding land sold by Solomon Quick of Niagara Township to Henry Woodruff from London District consisting of 1/4 acre and 4 perches in the Village of St. Davids. This was registered on February 2, 1826 - instrument no. 6761, February 3, 1821.

Indenture Lease by Timothy Street to Stroughton Moore

Indenture by which Timothy Street of Niagara Township allowed Stroughton Moore of Lewiston, New York to lease a brick house in the Village of St. Davids for $160.00 payable annually. Mr. Moore would also have use of half the barn. Ezekiel Woodruff was a witness to the signing of this lease, January 29, 1822.

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 Arnott and Elizabeth Arnott and Nathan Thomas Fitch

Indenture of mortgage between William Arnott and Elizabeth Arnott of Welland County to Nathan Thomas Fitch of Welland County for Lots numbered 37 and the south half of 40 and 41 in the village of Merritville - instrument no. 5400, September 12, 1836.

Indenture between William and Margaret Wilson to Stephen M. Jarvis

Indenture of statutory mortgage between William and Margaret Wilson of the Village of Grimsby to Stephen M. Jarvis of Toronto regarding part of Lot no. 10 in the 1st Concession in Grimsby - instrument no. 502, February 26, 1869.

Letters to Reverend William Proudfoot, 1823, 1842-1843, 1846

A 2 ½ page letter addressed to The Editor of the Presbyterian Magazine, care of [illegible], London, C.W. The writer describes the Village of Chippawa and its location in Ontario. He writes that there are many people there of Scotch [Scottish] descent. He says that a congregation was formed and 39 names were on the roll. The letter is from J.P. [John Porteous] with an added note from Wm. Porteous. The letter is from St. Catharines. There is one postmark – St. Catharines, April 6, 1823 A 1 ½ page letter addressed to Rev. W. Proudfoot, Ed. Of Presbyterian Mag., London, C.W. This letter is from Walter Mitchell in St. Catharines. He sends a list of peoples’ names and the amounts that they have paid toward the Presbyterian Magazine. Mr. Mitchell is acting as an agent for the magazine. This letter has 1 postmark – St. Catharines, Sept. 13, 1842 A 2 page letter addressed to Rev. W. Proudfoot, London, C.W. This letter is from John Jennings of St. Catharines. The writer claims that he is ill but he makes plans to meet Reverend Proudfoot in Toronto in order to go to a meeting in Rochester. The writer expects that Reverend Proudfoot will preach in Rochester. The letter has 1 postmark – St. Catharines, Aug. 14, 1843. A 2 page letter addressed to The Rev. Professor Proudfoot, London, C.W. from John Porteaus of St. Catharines. The writer says that he will not preach in Detroit. He says that the people of Detroit are expecting Mr. Dalrymple [who was sent as a missionary to Canada from Scotland in 1846] and also, he doesn’t want to leave his congregation for 2 Sabbaths. The letter has 2 postmarks – St. Catharines, August 1846 [this postmark is very faint] and Hamilton, August 2, 1846.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Fred Holmes

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Fred Holmes regarding the completion of the grading, levelling and rolling in the village of Port Robinson, Nov. 10, 1856.

Indenture of mortgage between Robert and Eunice Telfer of the Township of London to Ira Spaulding of the Township of Stamford

Indenture of mortgage between Robert and Eunice Telfer of the Township of London to Ira Spaulding of the Township of Stamford for Lot 17 in Block U in the Village of Komoka, Middlesex – instrument no. 1044. This was recorded on Dec. 21, 1857 in Liber B, folio 945, Apr. 7, 1857.

Indenture (vellum) between the Honorable William Dickson of Galt to Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture (vellum) between the Honorable William Dickson of Galt to Robert Dickson of Niagara, William Dickson the Younger of Galt and Walter Dickson of Niagara for 3 roods and 38 perches in the Village of Galt in the Township of Dumphries. This is enclosed in a vellum folder, Oct. 18, 1836.