Collection 05-003 (revised) - David Macmillan collection

Collection acquired from the estate of Professor David Macmillan.

This collection has been arranged in two ways. The bulk of the collection is alphabetical by primary correspondent's name (whether writer or recipient). The remainder of the collection comprised, for the most part, of individual letters, has been arranged chronologically.

None

For related records see: 90-001 and 94-002.

CORRESPONDENCE: ALPHABETICAL BY PRIMARY NAME

Box 1

Folder

1. ARMOUR, John, Justice of Cobourg; Letters dated: 1861-1864
   Correspondents include: Sylvester Potter
   Subjects discussed include:

   • receipts
   • private circulars including one stating that enlisting in the services of the USA is a punishable act

2. ARMSTRONG, E.W., Dartmouth College; Letter dated: 1814
   Correspondents include: Aaron Greeley (1773- ?) of New Hampshire, son of surveyor Aaron Greeley who was a cousin of Zaccheus Burnham
   Subjects discussed include:

   • the daily inconveniences and difficulties of being a soldier, American soldiers suffer the inconveniences of war more than do the Europeans, religious overtones

3. BAIRD, Nichol Hugh, civil engineer of Cobourg, involved in canal design; Letters dated: 1832-1843
   Correspondents include: J. Hughes; Lawrence Brown; Killaby; Adam Baird; G.B. Hall; Thomas Wilson; John McIntyre; Thomas A. Bigby, Board of Works, Kingston
   Subjects discussed include:

   • building of canal
   • arrival in Quebec of new Governor of Commissioners 1835
   • receipts and letters about debts
   • building of bridge at Buckhorn Rapids

4. BENSON, John, Napanee merchant; C.O. BENSON, Belleville attorney; Stephen BENSON; Letters dated: 1832-1837
   Correspondents include: Wm. Bradbury
   Subjects discussed include:

   • sale of property
   • financial issues

5. BERCZY, William; Letter dated: 1821
   Correspondents include: Major Hillier
   Subjects discussed include:

   • settling duties

6. BIRDSALL, Richard, land surveyor, Captain of 4th Regiment of Northumberland Militia, Asphodel Reeve; Letters dated 1844-1850
   Correspondents include: Birdsall's sons; Jas. Crooks; Thomas A. Bigly
   Subjects discussed include:

   • problems re men employed at Crooks' Rapids, setting up mill 1844
   • damage claims by Jas. Crooks re mill at Crooks' Rapids on the River Trent, mention of grant of land given to Crooks by Birdsall to build the mill 1850
   • Birdsall instructing sons to improve their studies 1850

7. BURNHAM, Zaccheus, landholder, surveyor with son in law, Richard Birdsall, captain in War of 1812, involved in Rebellion of 1837, Justice of Peace, road commissioner; John BURNHAM, Asa BURNHAM; Letters dated: 1842-1894
   Correspondents include: A.B. Aglesworth; James Douglas
   Subjects discussed include:

   • court fees
   • interpretation of bylaw relating to Public Schools Act (Aglesworth) 1894

8. CASSIDY, Henry, barrister at law; Letters dated: 1834-1838
   Correspondents include: Marshall S. Bidwell, chief justice of the New York bar
   Subjects discussed include:

   • Lord Durham's visit to Upper Canada 1838
   • Bidwell worried about his wife's health

9. CHOATE, Thomas, Warsaw (Peterborough County) postmaster; Letters dated: 1859-1865
   Subjects discussed include:

   • Post Office Department form letters signed by Choate

10. CURRY, Rev. W.F., member of C.E. & Home Missionary Society, Montreal; Letters dated: 1836-1838
    Correspondents include: Henry Jones; Jas. J. Gilbert; Jas. McGillivray; Z.S.M. Hersey; W. Ritchie; Rev. H.B. Chapin; P.P. O'Sunkirhine; Rev. J. Ingraham; Lucretin Smith; Rev. R. Cairn
    Subjects discussed include:

    • communiqué re establishment of Black River Literary and Religious Institute, Antwerp, New York 1836
    • religion and education matters, New York State, Vermont, Waterloo & Saint Francis & Portage in Lower Canada

11. DAVIDSON, James, Cobourg Foundry; Letters dated: 1861-1863
    Subjects discussed include:

    • receipts and invoices

12. DAWSON, James, merchant in Pictou, Nova Scotia, secretary of bible society, agent to Lloyds, bookseller, newspaper publisher, shipping businessman; (son John William Dawson (1820-1899) first superintendent of education in Nova Scotia and first Principal of McGill University; grandson George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901) geologist with Geographical Survey of Canada, president of Geological Society of America, namesake of Dawson and Dawson Creek in western Canada); Letters dated: 1827-1857
    Correspondents include: George R. Young; Thomas Rankin; Wm. Dobson; C. Lyell; R. Brown; Wallace Barry; L. White Williams
    Subjects discussed include:

    • accounts
    • problem of translating Scriptures for the "Mickmak", comments on characteristics of the Native people
    • items shipped from Lloyds held up aboard the Thetis which is awaiting repairs
    • C. Lyell has done a great deal of geological research and collected fossils in U.S. and southern and eastern Canada, includes sketches of river bed or shoreline
    • discovery of reptilian footstep; scientific research on geological specimens

13. DEWITT, Jacob, Montreal; Letters dated: 1828-1839
    Correspondents include: Horace Dickenson; Rev. G.W. Perkins
    Subjects discussed include:

    • religious matters
    • missions
    • pastoral responsibilities

14. DICKSON, William, Quebec Inspector General, land developer in Galt, Ontario, War of 1812 veteran, legislative counselor of U.C., Niagara lawyer; Letters dated: 1838-1864
    Correspondents include: Walter Ewing Buchan; Thomas W. Coleman
    Subjects discussed include:

    • survey matters re a Mr. Paterson's property
    • reporting procedures relating to prisoners

15. DONALDSON, John & Rodger GORDON, Barbados merchants; Letters dated 1684-1721
    Correspondents include: John Spratt; Alexander Cronacher; Jon. Campbell; Will Stewart; Alex'r Boyd; Thomas Gandy (note: some letters written from Boston and New York)
    Subjects discussed include:

    • shipping trade
    • mention of Sir John Blunt, [chairman of the South Sea Trading Company] 1721

16. FORD & BOGERT, Brockville barristers; Letters dated: 1830-1834
    Correspondents include: Marshall S. Bidwell
    Subjects discussed include: various court cases

17. FORD, Major Nathan & Col. David FORD; Letters dated 1800-1813
    Correspondents include: Gale Ford; N. Ford; J. [Kent]
    Subjects discussed include:

    • problems getting barrels of ground flour across river at New York state
    • War of 1812
    • capture of French army (8000 troops) & Captain M. Ney (March 31, 1811)
    • speculation re possibility of "taking Canada"
    • fighting at Oswego & Lockets Harbour, 40 Mile Creek

18. FOWLDS, Henry (father); James FOWLDS (son) - family owned sawmills in Keene & Hastings; founding family of Hastings; Henry was reeve of Hastings, James was postmaster of Asphodel; Letters dated: 1843-1918
    Correspondents include: Richard Birdsall; D. Darling; Fred Fowlds; R.B. Rodgers
    Subjects include:

    • Henry re land & settlement matters, mention of Mr. Birdsall, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Armour, John Gilchrist
    • James re dangers of moving logs through rapids, also re Queen's Bench 'commission' certificate
    • Henry to Richard Birdsall re property flooding lawsuit
    • Fred Fowlds - letter from House of Commons relating to R.B. Rogers 1889
    • receipts
    • envelopes only with WWI post re Helen Fowlds, nursing sister

19. GEDDES, Geo. (Liverpool merchant); Letters dated 1809-1810, 1833
    Correspondents include: E. Barlow, lumber merchant, St. Johns, N.B.; Andrew Crookshank; Arch'd Colquhoun
    Subjects discussed include:

    • transportation of goods
    • detailed descriptions of perils of crossing the Atlantic by ship
    • good description of goods imported to New Brunswick and of lumber trade
    • Arch'd Colquhoun re state of religion [in New Brunswick] 1833

20. GOWAN, Anne, York; [Ogle.] R. GOWAN; Letters dated: 1833, 1837
    Correspondents include: P.B. de [ ] Saguiere, Woodstock, L.C.
    Subjects include:

    • governesses for children, Woodstock and Brockville

21. HUSTON, John (1790-1845), surveyor (worked closely with Peter Robinson), captain in Durham volunteer militia; Justice of the Peace; Letters dated: 1827-1844
    Correspondents include: Thomas Ridout (surgeon); Jas. Radcliffe; J. Knowlson; W. Boulton; Wm. Middleton; D.E. Boulton; John Steele; T. Murphy; P.A. Brown; R.A. Tucker; James Fitzgibbons; J.J. Williams; James Hossock; W. Spencer; John Strachan, Tho's Kelly
    Subjects discussed include:

    • survey of Kingston road 1828
    • unrest in Ireland 1833
    • petition re land survey of Smith Township 1837
    • survey of lots in Port Hope 1843

22. JOHNSTON, J.W., Halifax lawyer, leader of Conservative Party, member of Legislative Council; Letters dated: 1836-1837
    Correspondence includes: Emily B. Ellis; Joshua Emery
    Subjects discussed include:

    • relocation of 2 female teachers, Lucena Patch and Harriet Newell Downe to Lower Canada [from Massachesetts]

23. KEITH, James; Letters dated: 1808-1850
    Subjects discussed include:

    • fur trade - journal of goods, Indian trade, etc., Columbia River, 1813-1838; journal of Indian trade, 1822-1823
    • Pacific Fur Co
    • Fort William
    • Hudson's Bay Co.
    • North West Company

24. LARGE, Jno., Millbrook; Letter dated: 1826
    Correspondents include: R'd Popham, Belfast
    Subjected discussed include:

    • R. Popham forsaken by his family, thinking of returning to America, his son may be going to Canada

25. MACAULAY, John [1792-1857], Kingston, postmaster, general merchant, landowner, newspaper publisher, family compact; Letters dated: 1811-1842
    Correspondents include: John Bethune; William Macaulay; John Strachan; C.A. Hagerman; Miss J. Lambert; N. Macaulay; John Low[e]; G.H. Markland; W. Allan; Rev. A.H. Burwell; John Truffry; [Lord Bishop C.J. Quebec]
    Subjects discussed include:

    • founding judiciary system of Ontario
    • John Bethune - trouble with America 1811, simultaneous political problems in England, Napoleonic War
    • William Macaulay [son] - decided to stay in York on Mr. Strachan's advice, as clergyman 1815, might send money with John Robinson to England with an order for books that he will need after he sets up as clergyman
    • C.A. Hagerman - wants careful reporting of House debates in the York Gazette 1821, marriage law introduced by 'Robinson' receiving great deal of discussion, distressed by reaction by Nichol & his party, angry that debates have been misrepresented in York Gazette, "Robinson is a very able debater, but he loses his temper"
    • C.A. Hagerman - Durham Election 1821, discussion about who can vote, bill re steamboats duty payments, tavern license bill, division of Town militia from the County militia
    • [N.] Macaulay - 1828, the poor of York when sickly "are wretched beyond description," ration tickets given to poor immigrants, mentions Lady Colbourne & Mrs. Hagerman, and marriage of Mary Powell to Mr. Jarvis
    • John Lowe 1828, describes hunting area in Adolphstown, waiting to hear of Judge Bethune's marriage
    • G.H. Markland 1828, uses saying "Rome wasn't built in a day"
    • John Strachan 1818, government appointments, mentions Fitzpatrick, Hagerman, Sir Peregrine [Maitland], Hilliers, Markland, Dr. Sampson, John Colbourne
    • G.H. Markland 1829, Sir John very angry about the Roads bill
    • Rev. Burwell 1831, idea to establish & circulate new paper as counteraction to the "Revolutionaries," wants to offer his services in an attempt to avoid a Revolution

26. MERRITT, William Hamilton, St. Catharine's postmaster & M.P.P.; PENDERGAST, Dr. Jediah, New York; Letters dated 1824-1853
    Correspondents include: Catherine Merritt (wife); Alfred Kelly; J.B. Yates; Mervin [Gedin]; Jas. Crooks; Nathan Rawling; William Thomas (architect); Penelope Pendergast (mother of Catharine Merritt); Charlotte Boomer; A.K. Boomer
    Subjects discussed include:

    • building & opening of Welland Canal
    • Hon. William Dickson
    • Mr. Northrop
    • Rebellion in Upper Canada & Lower Canada 1838-1839, hanging of Sir John Colborne & the "30 rebels"
    • state of the Montreal Market
    • state of St. Catharine's Salt Works

27. MOLSON, John T., Liverpool, member of Royal Canadian Yacht Club; Letters dated: 1872

28. MOUNT, Philip, Quebec, first postmaster at Mascouche, from 1842 to 1857, died 1857, manager of the seigniory of the Manor for John Henry Pangman,: Letters dated: 1832-1839
    Correspondents include: Charlotte Genevay (sister); Dr. H'y Mount (brother
    Subjects discussed include:

    • family matters

29. NEED, Thomas, owner of Bobcaygeon sawmill which was taken over by Mossom Boyd when Need returned to England in 1843; Letters dated: 1855, 1865
    Correspondents include: Robert Dennistoun (Judge); Mossom Boyd
    Subjects discussed include:

    • Mossom Boyd 1855 re possible business partnership with Mr. Prentice of England, deed of mill property, "exploring expedition" in northward direction for 50 miles from Bobcaygeon by John Reid
    • Judge Robert Dennistoun 1855 re John Langton's "Blythe" property, Dunsford property matters [Mossom Boyd was married to a Dunsford]
    • Chancery document re Douro property: Thomas Need vs. Stephen Benson 1866

30. NELLES, Abraham, Grimsby, appointed Commissioner for the Branch Roads in the District of Niagara 1816, Lt. Col. at Grimsby (40 Mile Creek) in 1821; Letters dated: 1816-1831
    Correspondents include: Lieutenant Governor's office; Ch. Foster; James Fitzgibbon; Wm. Allen, D. Boulton, & Peter Robinson; Walter Nichol; Thomas Ridout (surveyor general); A. Nelles; G. Mountain; George [ ] Stuart (schoolfellow); Geo. Keefer; Elijah Nellis; J. Bill Forsyth
    Subjects discussed include:

    • banking matters (one signature is that of Peter Robinson 1821)
    • W. Nichol - militia duty 1821
    • T. Ridout - recommending Wilmott & Birdsall as surveyors best acquainted with Midland and Newcastle districts
    • G. Mountain (relation to Bishop Mountain of Quebec) - Bishop's instructions re Grimsby mission, survey matters, etc. 1822

31. PERKINS, Rev. Geo. W., secretary Montreal [Missionary] Society; Letters dated: 1833-1835
    Correspondents include: Rev. A.J. Parker; Rev. Gas. J. Gilbert
    Subjects discussed include:

    • missionary matters in Lower Canada
    • problem with collecting subscriptions
    • difficulty in finding a minister, looking in the US for minister to come to Canada
    • anti-Catholicism, efforts to convert people in Lower Canada

32. PETERS, John, Loyal Rangers at River du Chine, Quebec; Letters dated: 1783
    Correspondents include: Col'l John Peters (father, in Quebec); 2 letters sent "On His Majesty's Service"
    Subjects discussed include:

    • Loyalist military campaign - Burgoyne campaign
    • capture of someone by the Rebels
    • Queen's Loyal Rangers
    • father John has no money left, has taken children from school & sent his watch to be sold, cannot pay his men
    • secretive references to something?

33. POZER, George (1752-1848), Quebec merchant; Letters dated 1814-1838
    Correspondents include: John Brown; William Pozer, son (1787-1861)
    Subjects discussed include:

    • tea imports, timber exports
    • William Pozer mentions that George who has a drinking problem has come to stay

34. REID, John, Peterborough, surveyor; Letters dated: 1854-1865
    Subjects discussed include:

    • Service Militia, Quebec circular re establishment of a School of Military Instruction at Montreal 1865
    • receipts
    • survey of new road from Bobcaygeon to Somerville 1854

35. ROBINSON, John Beverley, Hon. Sir, Chief Justice; Letters dated: 1832-1855
    Correspondents include: John Bethune; Tho's Henderson; re Berczy; Jas. McGrath

36. ROBISON, James, merchant in Virginia; Letters dated: 1772-1774
    Subjects discussed include:

    • correspondence with suppliers of goods

37. RUSSELL, Andrew, postmaster and merchant; Isabella RUSSELL; Letters dated: 1833-1859
    Correspondents include: Simon Fraser; Jas. Hutcheson; Jas. Nagle; Dugald McNol; Francis Allan; R. Moffat; Arch McCowan and others

38. RUSSELL, Peter, Receiver-General, Niagara & York, Upper Canada; Letters dated: 1792-1804
    Subjects discussed include:

    • French and German war
    • "war with this Corsican [Napoleon]"

39. RUTTAN, Henry, sheriff, Cobourg; Letters dated: 1845-1855
    Subjects discussed include:

    • minor legal matters (4 letters)

40. ST. GEORGE, Quetton, merchant in York & Montreal; Letters dated: 1807-1815
    Correspondents include: James Chewett
    Subjects discussed include:

    • Chewett letter, 15 May 1815 - "We learn from the New York papers that Bony has got into France at the head of a very strong army'"
    • other letters re business

41. SMALL, James, barrister, York; Chas. SMALL; Letters dated: 1821-1830
    Correspondents include: J. Rolph; Francis Bâby
    Subjects discussed include:

    • minor legal matters

42. STEELE, John, Merchant at Colborne. Letters dated: 1832-1843

43. STREET, Samuel, Niagara Falls: Letters dated: 1830-1844
    Correspondents: Wm. Hamilton Merritt; Timothy Street; Thomas Street

44. THORBURN, David, M.P.P., Queenston; Letters dated: 1835-1859
    Correspondents include: daughter Isabel; Six Nations
    Subjects include:

    • business letters
    • Six Nations to Supt. David Thorburn 1859 - "Father your Red Children feel great sorrow on their hearts to hear you are so sick. . . . You have been the friend the Brother and the Father of the red men on the Grand River'"

45. WALLBRIDGE & HOWARD families, Belleville: Letters dated: 1837-1838; 1852
    Correspondents include: H.E. Howard; Marianne Howard [nee Wallbridge]; Lewis Wallbridge
    Subjects discussed include:

    • family correspondence

46. WILLY, Richard, Barbados merchant: Letter dated: [1680]
    Correspondent: Comm. Edw'd Willy (brother)
    Subjects discussed include:

    • letter from Boston, reference to smallpox (Note: other letters by these brothers referred to on internet connect them with the slave trade, but no reference to slave trade in this letter)

CORRESPONDENCE: GENERAL, CHRONOLOGICAL

47. n.d.; 1655 ([Mighill Midlebrooke], Barbados); 1725-1799

48. 1800-1825
    Correspondents include: Wm. Dummer Powell; Aaron Greeley; Tho's Cartwright; Report on Trade & Markets in Canada, 1824; and others

49. 1826-1829
    Correspondents include: George Gordon, merchant, Penetanguishene; C. & J. McDonald, merchants, Brockville; and others

50. 1830s
    Correspondents include: Congregational Church of Christ, Middleburg, Vermont; Chas. Askin, Sandwich Twp., U.C., letter from brother in Bruges re death of child from scarlet fever;; John Cartwright, Kingston; Letter 1839 "The Lieutenant Governor has learnt with feelings of extreme regret that several musket shots were fired from the shore at Prescott on the American Steamer "United States"'"

51. 1840s
    Correspondents include: William Buell, bookseller, Brockville; D.B. Stevenson, merchant, Picton; Rev. Caleb Strong, Montreal; Nathaniel Burwash, Bytown; Dr. Boys, bursar King's College to D.B. Stevenson; Benjamin Bird, coroner, P.H.; Letter re death of Strong, age 31, 1847, from his father Lewis; Daniel McLachlan, lumber merchant, Bytown
    Subjects discussed include:

    • circular re Canadian Farmer & Mechanic
    • request for child support, 8 June 1842, Peterborough
    • request for child support, 21 February 1843
    • prospectus for a "Canada Literary, Manual Labour, and Educational Society," Haldimand, 1844; itemized list of lumber in Port at Québec, 1844
    • May 19, 1846 - Rev. Strong discussing U.S. government apparatus
    • Dec. 15, 1846 - circular re converting R.C. Quebecers to Church of Scotland
    • Irish Relief Fund letter, 26 March 1847
    • letter re Mr. Johns sawmill, Orono 1847
    • miscellaneous returns of conviction
    • documents & correspondence 1847 re apprehension of a criminal in New York State

52. 1850s
    Correspondents include: Wm. Osborne re lithographs; George Murray, N.Y.; Wm. Dummer Powell; George Penford, Ancaster, U.C.; D.B. Stevenson re Agricultural Society
    Subjects discussed include:

    • Pirie (publication of the [ ]) to C. Clarke (publisher of "The Backwoodsman")
    • letter to Geo. Penfold, Ancaster, who ordered a sausage machine from London, Andrew Buell

53. 1860s
    Correspondents include: Geo. Penfold; James Davidson, Cobourg

54. 1870s
    Subjects discussed include:

    • receipt from "Little Britain Cabinet Shop" 1874
    • flyer from Minister of Agriculture asking farmers to contribute grains & produce as examples to International Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia, 1876
    • Department of Immigration flyer announcing availability of "Farm Labourers and Female Domestic Servants" 1876

55. 1880s
    Subjects discussed include:

    • James Purdy, UCND conviction for assault 1880
    • Thos. Bullard, Manvers conviction for insulting language
    • letter from Nile Expeditionary Force, March 20, 1885, saying campaign a complete failure, have withdrawn & left country in a "riotous condition," notes fall of Khartown and death of General Gordon
    • flyer asking for subscription support for Peterborough YMCA, 18 December 1886

56. 1890s
    Correspondents include: J. Kerr, Cobourg

57. 1900s
    Correspondents include: J. Kerr & Wm. Kerr, Cobourg; John Brackenridge, Westwood; Sam. Nesbitt, apple grower, Brighton; W.F. Kerr
    Subjects discussed include:

    • envelope showing road equipment, Sawyer & Massey, Hamilton, Ont.
    • letter to townships from Ontario Department of Agriculture asking them to purchase 5-10 acres of land & using it as a demonstration of forestation

58. 1900s
    Antarctica correspondence, 1908-1912, re Professor T.W.E. David, University of Sydney (British Antarctic Expedition)

59. Miscellaneous correspondence

MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS

60-65. These miscellaneous documents were located in the Macmillan Collection amongst the correspondence. Included are:

Voters' lists (Township of Seymour, 1874 and Municipality of Fenelon Falls, 1897) and By-laws for the Newcastle District and Ontario, 1845-1896
List of Voters for the Township of Seymour, East Riding County of Northumberland, Electoral Division No. 1, 1874
R.D. Rogers document 1850
Annie Louisa Walker letters (author of "Leaves from the Backwoods" poetry pub. 1862)
Journal and notebook of Capt. Henry Kater on "The Practicality of a navigable Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean...Through the Isthmus of Panama" - Wycombe, 1810
Census returns for Northumberland County 1852
Document re a Board of Agriculture for Upper Canada 1850
Warning flyer issued by Lambeth Palace, 1887 re supplying liquor to native populations
Note re subscription list for Irish Relief, Orillia, 1847
James Wallis Insurance policy
List of Wages for men employed at Windsor Harbour, 1843
Colour illustration of a change in naval flag signals, Halifax, 1814 since "the enemy having obtained possession of our Signal Book..."
Marriage certificate (Grant-Smoke), Deseronto, 1903
Advertisement for Thomas' Eclectric [sic] Oil
Document re Capt. Pierre Girard, 1778
Coloured plan of part of Alnwick Twp.
Card: "Stop Horse Thief!" Colborne, 1894
Engraved illustrations (coloured plates) of animals, fish, insects and birds apparently from a book pub. ca. 1785, 7 sheets