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.

Province of Upper Canada Land Grant to Ann Cook, 1812

A grant of land to Ann Cook of the Township of Crowland. The land is situated in the township of Wainfleet, in the County of Lincoln, in the district of Niagara. Ann Cook is granted 200 acres in lot no. 32 in the 4th concession in Wainfleet. One of the signatures on the document is illegible but other signatures include: Prideaux Selby, auditor general on April 15, 1812. This is the date that the document was entered into the auditor’s office. Isaac Brock has signed in the upper left hand corner as “Isaac Brock President” which refers to the fact that he was President administering the Government of Upper Canada and Major General commanding the forces within the province. It is also signed on the left hand side by John Macdonell (who is buried at Brock’s Monument). At the time, he was the attorney general.

Indenture between Abraham Cook and Thomas Sheppard Smyth

Indenture of bargain and sale between Abraham Cook, son of the late Michael Cook of the Township of Williamsburgh in the County of Dundas and Thomas Sheppard Smyth of Drummondville regarding Lot no. 23 in the 3rd Concession in the Township of Nottawasaga. This is listed in folio 213, memorial no. 11365, August 17, 1852.

Province of Upper Canada Grant to Abraham Cook

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to Abraham Cook of Williamsburg in the County of Dundas. He was the son of Michael Cook, a United Empire Loyalist. He is granted 200 acres in the Township of Nottawasaga in the County of Simcoe, lot no. 23 in the 3rd Concession – Folio 547, Sept. 14, 1836.

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland to construct and build the main drain through the marsh lands tract commencing in lot no. 27 in the 4th concession in the township of Humberstone in a southerly direction (6 pages, handwritten). This is signed by John Frazer, Provisional Warden, Dexter Deverardo and Alexander Cook. (2 copies), Dec. 30, 1854.

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, signed by Fred Holmes, Feb. 23, 1855.

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird, signed by S.D. Woodruff, Feb. 26, 1855.

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird. This document is signed by S.D. Woodruff. This is complete with an envelope made out to S.D. Woodruff, April 28, 1855.