from Rev. William Bell Diary Rev. William Bell, First Presbyterian Minister in Perth Ontario The diary of Rev. William Bell provides a wealth of information that I feel has been neglected when researching the settlement period of Lanark County. So much of what has been referenced from his diaries has focused on his personal moral standards and his often-critical commentary about events in the new settlement of Perth. One topic of interest to me...

The following post and others to follow are excerpts captured from ‘wordstar’ and ‘wordperfect’ files inherited from My father, J.R. Ernest Miller who, in 1992, published 175 Years of Presbyterian History, First Presbyterian Church and St. Andrew’s Church, Perth.  I share these files as the names mentioned may provide clues for others seeking family information in the ‘black hole’ of eastern...

During the summer of 1818, Rev. Bell travelled to Brockville, Prescott, Lachine and Montreal in his efforts to raise funds for the erection of a suitable Church. The local settlers had agreed to furnish the necessary labour but were unable to contribute any financial support. More than 150 pounds sterling was raised, and a church building was built the following spring. Alexander Fraser, John Watson and Peter McPherson were named as Trustees of...

John Chaplin and Sarah Jones Meredith, born in England circa 1804, emigrated to Bathurst Township circa 1832 according to the 1842 census. In 1851-2 their family are listed as Dina b. 1833 (1833-1886), Henry b. 1835 (1835-1917), Matthew, who was probably Martha, b. 1837 (1837-1908), James b. 1839 (1839-1893) and John b. 1843 (1841-1891). As the year was often rounded up Dina may have been born in England, as is noted elsewhere, prior to...

The McLaren Poole Bible While having my first cup of coffee Sunday morning I discovered a Lanark County Genealogical Society posting on Facebook asking for descendants of the McLaren-Poole family to contact a person who had stumbled on a family bible. I was familiar with the family in question, had some documentation in my database and more in paper files collected through the years. I immediately made contact and a day of very intensive...

Timeline of History of Education in our part of Ontario 1807 Upper Canada Grammar School Act provided the first public funds for secondary schools for the establishment of a ‘Public’ school in each of the eight Districts of Upper Canada. These schools later  became known as ‘Grammar Schools’. 1815 Emigration assistance offered by Lord Bathurst permitted a school teacher to accompany each group of families desiring to...

“History Leading up to the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Perth”, Perth Courier, Thursday, November 18th, 1965; By Rev. Robert More, Jr., Pastor of the Almonte R.P.C. “I see no warrant in Scripture for using these hymns.” so spoke elder John Holliday in the First Presbyterian Church on Dec. 22, 1827. With this the first outspoken tendency toward the Reformed Presbyterian or Covenanter Church was seen in and around Perth. Since the...

Fifty years ago, my husband and I were married in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Perth Ontario. On 29 July 2017, this congregation marked the 200th anniversary of the first Presbyterian church service in the community. I believe it was about 1992 that my father, J.R. Ernest Miller, assembled a memorial history of the Perth Presbyterian churches “175 Years of Presbyterian Worship”. I dip into his work to share the...

Rationing of Food Items Shortly after the commencement of World War II, rationing was introduced in Canada (on January 24, 1942), to limit the use of imported food and to free up supplies and shipping space for the military and their allies. The government introduced rationing because certain things were in short supply, and to ensure that everyone got their fair share. Each household filled out an application and initial ration books were...

As an addendum to the previous post I wanted to share this article found in the Perth Courier of 14 Feb 1946. I was unsuccessful in getting a readable download of this article so decided it merited transcription. I am also sharing update info (with link) to the official web site for this Regiment. Lanark & Renfrew Regimental History Bound Up with Perth Transcribed by Diane Miller Duncan from Perth Courier, 14 Feb 1946 The proposal,...