Every spring, as we travelled to the sugar camp, we would cross a flow of water moving from Grant’s Creek to the Tay River. The water would be about one to two feet deep in March and April, but the remainder of the year, the channel would be relatively dry. This seemed to be a natural watercourse and for farm convenience a small culvert was installed at one crossing, and, at the second crossing, loose stones were embedded in the mud to...

Glen Tay 1967 – late on a cold January day. The church was at the top of the hill at the centre of the photo When I was back in Ontario during the summer of 2022, I was able to view the site of the ‘old church on the hill’. As a child I had heard stories about the village Sunday school led by Mrs. Buchanan and knew that at one time there was one tombstone had been found on the land where the church once stood. All that remains...

We often wonder what illnesses affected our ancestors and caused their death. Although Rev. Bell was careful to record marriages and baptisms during the early years, he did not record all deaths. He, and other diarists of the time, would mention the name of someone who died in passing. For the early settlement years our most source is found on memorial stone in cemeteries of the area. An these records can sometimes be misleading as they were...

The Final Letter to a Scottish Newspaper (XXIV) Before leaving Scotland Rev. William Bell agreed to provide reports back to a Scottish newspaper. The editors wished to assist in the recruitment of people to settle in Upper Canada. It is evident that, while fulfilling the commitment to provide information to entice settlers, he reported both the opportunities and challenges of the emerging community. However, he often glossed over the challenges...

William Bell’s Comments in his Diary “The County of Carleton, in which the military settlements are situated, did not, till 1816, receive any settlers except a few in the township of Nepean, but so rapidly has its population since that time increased, that in 1823 it contains about 8,000. At present, it may be viewed as an inland place, but it is watered by several fine rivers which fall into the Ottawa. These, by a little...

The Reputation of John Holliday The following insights were gleaned from Rev. William Bell’s Journals and from John Holliday: A Forthright Man, Clarence Halliday, Cobourg, November, 1962. John Holliday was officially recognized as the schoolmaster promised to the settlers before leaving Scotland and was officially granted an annual salary of L50. He sailed with the settlers. Rev. William Bell and John Holliday had many disagreements with...

Andrew Miller, member of the Glasgow Canadian Emigration Society, 1821 Andrew Miller, who was baptized 15 Sep 1799 in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, arrived in Quebec on the brig George Canning with his parents, 14 April 1821. Andrew travelled as part of the Glasgow Canadian Emigration Society under the leadership of Walter Black. His father, William Miller and brother James Miller were also members of this group and all three registered...

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...

I have published a book – Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad Currently available at Tayside Memories: The Story of a Lanark County Lad  Living at a distance has its challenges for this project. The book is currently only available online. Last week I fulfilled a ‘bucket list’ wish. I was able to assemble and send for publication my father’s memories of his life at Tayside Farm, my childhood home. I began...