Two Black Gentlemen Photographed by John Cooper, London/St. Thomas, Ont. [n.d.]

An undated cabinet card of two Black men photographed by John Cooper, who operated as a photographer in London, Ont. and St. Thomas, Ont. from 1857 - 1890. The reverse of the photograph features the photographer's stamp in coloured ink. This photograph was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. The Sloman - Bell family have relatives who include former Black slaves from the United States. John Cooper is listed as a photographer and daguerrean artist in 1857 - 1890 in London, Ont. and in 1874 in St. Thomas, Ont. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990. "Cabinet card photographs were first introduced in 1866. They were initially employed for landscapes rather than portraitures. Cabinet cards replaced Carte de visite photographs as the popular mode of photography. Cabinet cards became the standard for photographic portraits in 1870. Cabinet cards experienced their peak in popularity in the 1880's. Cabinet cards were still being produced in the United States until the early 1900's and continued to be produced in Europe even longer. The best way to describe a cabinet card is that it is a thin photograph that is mounted on a card that measures 4 1/4″ by 6 1/2″. Cabinet cards frequently have artistic logos and information on the bottom or the reverse of the card which advertised the photographer or the photography studio's services." Source: http://cabinetcardgallery.wordpress.com/category/cabinet-card-history/

Small Cabinet Card of African American Man by John S. Thom, of Lucan, Ontario [n.d.]

A very small cabinet card type photograph of an unidentified man, possibly a relative of the Bell - Sloman family. A handwritten entry on the reverse of the photograph indicates it was taken by John S. Thom, of Lucan. No date is provided, however, John S. Thom is known to have been a photographer in Lucan from 1877-1882. This cabinet card was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell family include former African American slaves who settled in Canada.John S. Thom is listed as a photographer in Lucan, Ontario from 1877-1882. Aside from photography, he also operated a general store and sold notions. It appears he then moved to Sarnia, Ont. and is listed as a photographer there from 1882-1900. He is also recorded as being a Sarnia bicycle dealer. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990.

Cabinet Card by John B. Cook, Photographer, Toronto [n.d.]

Two young African Canadian girls are the subject of this undated cabinet card photograph by John B. Cook, of Toronto. The address listed on the company stamp, which appears in gold lettering at the bottom of the card, is 191 and 193 Yonge [St.] Toronto. The original photo was over-exposed and faded, so image adjustments have been made for clarification purposes. This photograph was in the possession of Iris Sloman Bell, of St. Catharines, Ontario. It is possible these two girls are relatives of the Sloman and Bell families. Relatives of the Sloman - Bell families include former American slaves who settled in Canada.John B. Cook is listed as being a photographer -- and a hotelier -- in Toronto from 1879-1898. Source: Phillips, Glen C. The Ontario photographers list (1851-1900). Sarnia: Iron Gate Publishing Co., 1990.

John N. Jackson papers, 1960-1989, n.d.

John N. Jackson was born in Nottingham, England in 1926. He developed a passion for landforms and geography from his father, a high school math and science teacher who had studied geology. During the Second World War, he served in the British Navy. He received his BA from the University of Birmingham, and a PhD from the University of Manchester. After spending a year as a visiting professor at the University of British Columbia, he was hired in 1965 as the founding head of the Geography Department at Brock University. He taught at Brock for more than 25 years, immersing himself in the geography and history of the Niagara area. He became particularly interested in the history of the Welland Canals. He authored 20 books on various topics, including land use in Niagara, the history of St. Catharines, the Welland Canal, and railways in the Niagara Peninsula. He died in 2010, at the age of 84.

Letter - John P. Weston Co., to S.D. Woodruff

A letter (printed) from the John P. Weston Co. of Rochester, New York to S.D. Woodruff regarding an Italian marble headstone with Julia Ann Woodruff raised at the top, Nov. 15, 1901.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff which accompanied the payment on the John Schmidt loan signed by S.L. Conklin, assistant secretary of Jarvis-Conklin Mortgage Trust Company

Letter to S.D. Woodruff (1 page, typed) which accompanied the payment on the John Schmidt loan signed by S.L. Conklin, assistant secretary of Jarvis-Conklin Mortgage Trust Company, July 9, 1889.

Article sent to S.D. Woodruff from John Foley

Article (2 double sided, printed pages) from John Foley of the State of New York Banking Department regarding the Jarvis-Conklin Mortgage Trust Company in which he states “Every statement ever published by this company as the findings of the New York Banking Department was garbled, misleading and made without the sanction or knowledge of the Department.” This article was sent to S.D. Woodruff from John Foley, Expert Accountant, Kansas City. The accompanying envelope is postmarked Kansas 1891 and St. Catharines Apr. 20, 1891

Letter to Mr. John F. Day [from S.D. Woodruff]

Letter (1 page, double sided) to Mr. John F. Day [from S.D. Woodruff] in which he asks Mr. Day to examine the land and make an account of the no. of pine trees, if any that are suitable for making 16 inch broad pine, Apr. 25, 1878.

Letter to John F. Day from [S.D. Woodruff]

Letter (1 ½ handwritten pages) to John F. Day from [S.D. Woodruff] in regard to Mr. Woodruff’s sale of timber in berths 192 and 198. He asks Mr. Day to see if the wood is still uncut, July 9, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day stating that his son will not be home until Saturday evening but he will lay his favour before him and reply by the first mail. This is accompanied by an envelope postmarked Bruce Mines, July 15, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day saying that his son will be done his work in the first week of September if he can be of any service to you in further examination of your limits, July 20, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John Whistle

Letter (1 double sided, handwritten) to S.D. Woodruff from John Whistle saying that he has heard that Mr. Woodruff offered $2,500.00 to anyone who would cut the timber for him. He claims that he knows where there is plenty of timber which will stand culling. Postmarks Toronto, July 25, 1880 and St. Catharines, July 27, 1880 are on the accompanying envelope, July 24, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John F. Day stating that it is impossible for him to go into the woods regarding the pine in dispute. He says that Mr. Woodruff appears to ignore (or forget) that the inspection could be made by Mr. Day’s son and that proposition was agreeable to Mr. Woodruff. He says that he will (with Burton and Bro.’s consent) appoint someone who is unknown to both Mr. Woodruff and Burton and Bro. This is a 1 page handwritten letter written on a letter which was previously sent by S.D. Woodruff on May 8. This is accompanied by an envelope, July 26, 1880.

Letter to John F. Day from S.D. Woodruff

Letter to John F. Day from S.D. Woodruff in which he states that he would not think of having Burton perform a service for him again, Aug. 23, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark. The shares were transferred to John I Mackenzie, Sept. 6, 1870.