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- Source of title proper: Title based on creator of fonds.
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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Photocopied between 1971 and 1991 (Reproduction)
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1831-1832 (Creation)
- Creator
- Birdsall, Richard
Physical description area
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1 item (photocopy only)
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Richard Birdsall was born in 1799 at Thornton-le-dale, England, and educated at Londesborough, Yorkshire. His family intended a naval career for him upon graduation. Instead, when he graduated in 1817, he emigrated to Canada. Due to his education, he qualified for a position as a fully-accredited land surveyor in Canada West. In May of 1820, he was commissioned to survey the Newcastle District, where he remained for the rest of his life and became a very prominent man. The Newcastle District was comprised of the counties of Northumberland and Durham and included which would later become the counties of Peterborough, Victoria, and Haliburton. In 1821, he married Elizabeth Burnham, daughter of Zaccheus Burnham, who was a prominent early settler in the District. From his father-in-law, Birdsall bought 920 acres of land at the northeast end of Rice Lake (Lot 1, Concession 1, Asphodel Township) and made his home there. His wife died in a tragic fall in 1827 leaving Birdsall with four young daughters. He remarried in 1836 to Charlotte Jane Everett of Belleville and had four more children with his second wife; two of these were Richard Everett Birdsall (1837-1877) and Francis (Frank) Birdsall (1838-1914). Between the years of 1827 and 1836, Birdsall carried out most of his surveying work, including the survey for the town of Peterborough. In 1831, he was commissioned Captain of the fourth Regiment of Northumberland Militia and he led the Asphodel contingent when the militia was called out in the Rebellion of 1837. Later he was an officer in the Peterborough Regiment. Birdsall was also a Commissioner of the Court of Requests and a Justice of the Peace. When the Colborne District was created in 1841, he was the councillor for Asphodel and in 1850, when districts were replaced by counties, he represented Asphodel at the Peterborough County Council as its first Reeve. He continued in this position until his death on January 20, 1852.
Custodial history
This item was created by Richard Birdsall and in the custody of John Mood of Birdsall's Landing in Otonabee Township. The notebook was photocopied by Professor Alan Brunger, of Trent University, with the permission of John Mood and donated to the Trent University Archives.
Scope and content
This item is a photocopy of a lumber notebook of agreements with various people giving permission to cut timber on lots held in various townships (by Richard Birdsall for Canada Company). There is also a listing of lots held by the Canada Company in 40 or more townships and a listing of prices of various woods and staves. There are entries at both ends of the notebook dating from 1831 to 1832.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
This fonds was donated by Professor Alan Brunger.
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Location of originals
John R. Mood of Birdsall's Landing has the original.
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None
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Generated finding aid
Associated materials
For related records see the Helen Marryat fonds (69-001), John Huston fonds (71-006), Fowlds family and business fonds (72-001), Smith Township fonds (72-1001), Emily Township Municipal Records (82-002), and Ontario Department of Lands and Forests field survey notes (83-015).
Accruals
This fonds is an addition to 75-1026.