CONTENTS—Agriculture—Natural Products—Rice—Ginseng—Orchards—Plows—
Reaping—Flax—Legislation—Agricultural Society organized by Simcoe—
A Snuff Box—Fogies—Silver—Want of help—Midland District taking the
lead—Societies—Legislative help—Prince Edward—Pearl Ashes—
Factories—Tanneries—Breweries, Carding Machines—Paper—Lumber—First
vehicles—Sleighs—Waggons—Home-made—Roads—First Public Conveyances—
Stages—Fare—Building Greater—Sawing Mills introduced by the Dutch—
First Brick Building—Myers’ House—Its past history—Furniture from
Albany—Currency—Paper Money—Banks—First Merchants—Barter—Pedlars—
On the Bay.
AGRICULTURAL MATTERS—PRODUCTS.
While the dense forest everywhere yet covered the earth, the shores of
the Bay yielded some natural productions. The wild plum was plentiful in
some places, a fruit which, although in its natural state somewhat sour,
has, under cultivation, much improved in size as well as quality; and
constitutes to this day a valuable luxury; at the same time, it is
exceedingly healthy. In some places also, at the proper seasons, was the
delicious cranberries. These were often brought by the Indians, and
exchanged for some article of the settlers. In some parts of the Bay,
there grew wild rice, which was much prized by the Indians, and which
was often used by the settlers. It is spoken of as an excellent article
of diet, and when boiled with meat, very tasty as well. The grain is
much smaller than the imported article; not unfrequently, the Indians
would collect the grain and sell it to the settlers.
In the year 1716, a Jesuit discovered in the forests of Canada, the
Ginseng plant, which grew also in China, where it was in much demand
because of certain supposed virtues to which, however, it rightly has no
claim. It is of the _genus Panax_. It “became a means of enriching the
colony for a time, by its exportation to China. A pound weight of it
worth two francs at Quebec, sold at Canton for twenty-five francs. Its
price ultimately rose to eighty francs per pound. One year, there was
sent thither, ginseng yielding a return of 500,000 francs. The high
price it obtained set everybody at work to find it. The plant was not in
proper condition till August or September; but with purblind avidity,
the seekers gathered it in May. The fresh plants ought to have been
slowly dried in the shade; the gatherers, anxious to get returns, dried
them in ovens. They then became worthless in Chinese estimation; and the
trade in it ceased almost as suddenly as it began.”—(Garneau.) But,
according to other authority, the trouble consisted in the actual
destruction of the plant, from gathering it too early in the season,
whereby the plant was killed, which seems a more likely thing. Some of
the settlers of the Bay had knowledge of the value of the plant in
Chinese estimation, as the following letter will show. It is addressed
to Mr. Wm. Bell, of Thurlow, who was subsequently known as Col. Bell.
“Fredericksburgh, 16th July, 1799. Sir—I have taken the liberty of
enclosing to you an advertisement, as you will see—Respecting Ginseng
roots, having in view to get all I can—and, thinking the Indians would
be likely to collect considerable of a quantity, will thank you to
acquaint them of it, or any of the white people you may see; and set up
the advertisement in the most public place about you.—And oblige, Your
very humble servant, Eben’r Washburn.”
Another letter, dated Aug. 27, 1799, says “I have to acknowledge the
attention you have paid to mine of prior date, in respect of Ginseng. I
will thank you to keep the refusal of the 500 lbs. you mention, if
possible, and collect more if you can.” Mr. Washburn says that he is
about to set out for Montreal; and it was, most likely, to see what
market he could make of the article in question.
One of the first considerations, after the settler had attained
comparative comfort, at least secured what was requisite for life, was
the planting of fruit trees. No doubt, the thoughts often reverted back
to the old orchards which had been left behind, and although the
pioneer, in the afternoon of life, could not expect to derive any
personal return for planting orchards, he was anxious to leave them to
his children. This same spirit—this regard for offspring, constituted a
marked feature in the U. E. Loyalists. The earliest reference to apple
trees we find, is in a letter, dated “Sydney, 22rd July, 1791,” from
John Ferguson, to William Bell, Kingston, requesting the latter to bring
some to Sidney.
The implements of husbandry, like the utensils for household use, were,
for a considerable time, of the rudest description. Among the articles
granted by government, were but few to use in the tilling of land and
the reaping of crops. Here and there was one who had come at a later
date, who had fetched with them articles more essential for farm use;
but the great majority had not such things as hoes, plows, pitch-forks,
scythes, &c. Many of these were made by the settlers, and were of the
rudest order, although generally strong enough, and therefore cumbersome
enough. It was many years before these home-made implements were
substituted by others made abroad. Gourlay informs us, writing, 1817,
that most of the farmers made their own plows and harrows. The iron of
the plow costing from nine to twelve dollars.
As the thickly covered ground, with stumps, materially interfered with
the sowing of grain; so with gathering the products. For several years,
they had only in use the sickle; but, in time, the Yankee pedlar brought
in the scythe, which ultimately took the place of the sickle.
It has been observed, in connection with the “clothing” of the early
settlers, that they turned their attention to the growing of flax, and
that it was made to afford comfortable and durable habiliments for both
sexes. There was, as well, early attention given to the cultivation of
hemp, “in pursuance of two several addresses of the House of Commons.”
In 1804, £1,000 was granted, and Commissioners appointed, to carry into
effect the object thereof, cultivation and exportation. The following
year, £45 was granted for the purchase of hemp seed. Another Act was
passed in 1808, to encourage its cultivation and exportation. Again,
there was legislation in 1810, and in 1812, when £1,000 was granted for
the purchase, sale and exportation of hemp, purchase of seed, and for
bounties. In 1822, it was enacted that £300 be appropriated to purchase
machinery for dressing hemp, that the machinery should be imported free,
the place for erection to be selected by the Governor, £50 was to be
applied annually to keep it in repair. But, notwithstanding all this
legislation, and substantial encouragement, the cultivation of hemp did
not succeed. The object seems to have been to supply hemp for the
British market, which derived it from Russia. But labor being cheaper in
that country than in Canada, there was no chance for success. Gourlay
says “This absurdity we must not wholly rest on the shoulders of the
simple Canadians. They were simple indeed, to be voting away the public
money; but it was a patriotic measure, and blindness may be allowable in
matters so elevated and pure. No doubt they were spurred on by our home
ministers, who should have known better. The failure produced more
beneficial effects than would have waited on success.”
Gov. Simcoe, who had the interest of the Province so much at heart, gave
his patronage to, if indeed he did not inspire the organization of the
first Agricultural Society, at Newark. Col. Clark, of Dalhousie says “I
have a perfect remembrance of the first Agricultural Society patronized
by Governor Simcoe, who subscribed his ten guineas a year cheerfully. My
father was a member, and the monthly dinners were given by the members
during the season, with the great silver snuff-box ornamented with the
horn of plenty on its lid.” The Col. remarks that this snuff-box was the
property of the society, and was taken care of by the one who was next
to furnish the dinner; and goes on to lament that it is lost, hoping it
may be found, “that it may remain as an heir-loom to tell posterity at
what an early period the progress of Agriculture was followed up and
which has led to its present high state of perfection.” Thus we see that
in Niagara District, at the very commencement of the Government of Upper
Canada, attention was given, even by the Governor, to agricultural
matters. Although the settlers upon the Niagara frontier, established
agricultural societies at an earlier date than any found in the Midland
Districts, it may be presumed that it was in a great measure due to the
impetus given to the settlement by the presence of the seat of
Government, and the influence exerted by the Governor. And, although
steps may not have been taken to secure their establishment along the
Bay Quinté, yet, even so early as the beginning of the last decade of
the last century, individuals were to be found who sought to introduce
improvements in agriculture, and everything that would advance the art.
At the same time it must be admitted that a vast number were content to
follow in the footsteps of their fathers so long as food and enough were
yielded by the soil. The land was plentiful, and productive. The course
of events was even as a steady stream. The old men satisfied with the
abundance of to-day, and drawing a contrast between the present and the
past, when starvation was at the door, and in the cupboard, were quite
content with the primitive system of agriculture, which his soldier
father had adopted. He saw no other mode of tilling the soil, and with
no reason sought not a change, so no innovations by scientific
agriculturalists disturbed the quiet repose of many of the steady going
plodders. Their sons rarely went abroad to learn the ways of others; and
often what did come to their ears was regarded with great suspicion.
They wanted no new-fangled notions. Hence, the farms were not fully
cultivated for many a day, parts remaining in a waste state for want of
drain. But the establishment of agricultural associations and the
occasional coming of a new man upon an old farm gradually, and
frequently very gradually, dispelled the old man’s ideas.
The townships most contiguous to the town of Kingston, naturally were
the first to experience prosperity, and gradually the adjacent townships
also became productive, and means were created to transport the produce
to the market.
We are told by Mrs. P——, daughter of John Ham, of Ernesttown, now
upwards of seventy, that she remembers one occasion, about the beginning
of the present century, that her father coming from Kingston, after
selling produce, had a bag of silver dollars, as much as she could lift—
$900. By this we learn that his farm was productive, his labor well
directed, and that hard cash was paid for his produce by the Kingston
merchants. It shows, moreover, that this was over and above the cost of
what was required of merchandize by him for his family using.
One serious drawback with the farmers often was the want of assistants.
If a farmer had not a son old enough to help, he was in great trouble
oftentimes to secure the necessary help. Frenchmen were frequently
employed, yet they could not be fully depended upon to remain during the
whole season. At harvest time, when large wages would be offered, the
hired man would often, without hesitation, leave his employer to go to
another who would give for a while, larger wages. In the absence of men,
the wife and daughters took hold of the fork, cradle, and rake.
If we may credit the statements of writers who had passed through Canada
in the beginning of the present century, the Midland District took the
lead in agricultural and social progress. Mr. Talbot, whose opinion of
the Canadians, as to their intelligence, education, morals, and
religion, was anything but flattering, made a pedestrian tour from the
west to Montreal, in 1823. He says of the inhabitants of Sidney,
Thurlow, and Richmond, that they possessed more wealth than any other
people in the Province. But Mr. Talbot passed only along the Kingston
Road by Napanee, and saw not the townships of the lower part of the bay,
or he would have seen even a more advanced state of prosperity and
agricultural wealth.
The first formation of agricultural societies was initiated by an Act of
Parliament, passed March 6, 1830. The object of this Act was to give
encouragement to organize associations in the several districts, “For
the purpose of importing live stock, grain, grass, seeds, useful
implements, or whatever else might conduce to the improvement of
agriculture.” It was enacted that each society, having had subscribed to
it £50, should, upon petitioning the Governor, receive the sum of £100.
This Act was to remain in force four years.
This Act was promptly responded to by the inhabitant of the Midland
District. So early as the 27th April following, a meeting of the
inhabitants of the district was held at the Court House, Kingston, H. C.
Thompson, Esq., Chairman, and H. Smyth, Esq., Secretary, and “A form of
a constitution for an Agricultural Society was read and submitted to the
meeting for approval.” The following day, the adjourned meeting adopted
a constitution for the Midland District Agricultural Society. The
officers were to be a President, five Vice-Presidents, thirty Directors,
a Treasurer, and a Secretary—One Vice-President, and six Directors to be
elected from each of the five counties in the district. John McCaulay,
Esq., was elected President; David J. Smith, Esq., Treasurer, and H. C.
Thompson, Esq., Secretary of the Society. It was “_Resolved_” by the
Society, “that Isaac Fraser, Esq., of Addington; Allan McPherson, Esq.,
of Lennox; Asa Worden, Esq., of Prince Edward; and William Bell, Esq.,
of Hastings, be requested to call meetings in their respective
counties,” and make returns as to whom had been elected for
Vice-Presidents and Directors. The Vice-President for the County of
Frontenac was John Marks, Esq.
In the _Hallowell Free Press_ of May 31, 1831, we find that the “Annual
Meeting of the Prince Edward Agricultural Association, was held at
Striker’s Inn, in Hallowell, on the 26th instant. The following officers
were chosen for the following year:—Stephen Miles, President; James
Colter, William Cunningham, and Paul Clapp, Vice-Presidents; S. P.
McPherson, Secretary; B. Dougall, Assistant Secretary; David Smith,
Treasurer.” The Government having offered a bounty of £100 to every
society which could raise £50; the Prince Edward Society raised the
necessary amount. But judging from a communication, which subsequently
appeared in the _Press_, the townships of Hallowell and Hillier, raised
the most of the amount, £46; Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and Ameliasburgh,
paying only £4.
In a General Report of Midland District, 1817, it is stated that “the
assess roll gives about 3,600 horses above two years; 100 oxen above
four years; 6,185 milch cows; 1,654 head of young cattle above two
years.”
The first great obstacle to agriculture in Upper Canada was the thickly
standing trees, many of which were large and hard in substance. For the
first years, with every one, destruction of the trees was the only
consideration, not even the ashes were thought of. But after a time,
their value for the manufacture of pot and pearl ashes was recognized.
In July, 1801, an Act was passed to appoint Inspectors of flour, and pot
and pearl ashes, in order to establish the credit of those articles in
foreign markets, the fee for examining to be threepence per barrel of
flour, and one shilling for every cask of pot ash.
The following appears in the _Kingston Gazette_, April 19, 1817, after
stating that “a Pearl and Pot Barley Factory is to be established in
Ernesttown. It is said this is the first establishment of the kind we
recollect to have heard of in Upper Canada, we have seen some of the
barley, and think it equal to that imported. Such domestic manufactories
ought to be encouraged by the community.”
AGRICULTURE—FACTORIES—MERCHANTS.
The first Brewery and Distillery established in Upper Canada, was built
by John Finkle, of Ernesttown, on his own place. He also kept, for many
years the only tavern between Kingston and York. Mr. Finkle also built
the first Masonic Lodge of Upper Canada, at his own expense, upon the
town plot of Fredericksburgh.
It is stated in Gourlay, that in 1817, there was in Kingston township “a
machine for carding wool, at the rate of nine-pence per pound.” In
Ernesttown “there were two carding, and one fulling machines. One barley
hulling mill, together with a blast furnace. Carding is nine-pence
half-penny per pound, and fulling six-pence per yard.” In Sophiasburgh
there was one carding machine. In Hallowell, there was one carding, and
one fulling machine. Thurlow had two carding machines, and two fulling
mills. In the whole Midland District, there were twenty-four grist-mills
and forty saw-mills.
John Morden, who came to the bay about 1790, “was a man well known in
his day, being a manufacturer of general household goods, as chairs,
spinning-wheels, flax-dressers, weaver’s apparatus, and other things. In
the house of mostly every descendant of a Quinté settler, may be found
some of his work, especially those who occupy the homesteads.”
As an indication of the desire of Government to encourage home
manufactures, we find that Parliament, in 1826, granted £125 as a
premium to the first “who should set up a manufactory of paper,” and
bring it into successful operation.
The valuable timber that thickly covered the ground, was, at the first,
indiscriminately destroyed, scarcely thinking of saving the ashes; but,
in a few years, the majestic pine, oak, elm, and other trees of the
forest were sought after by the lumber merchant. For many years,
lumbering was carried on in the Bay Quinté, and rafted to Montreal, and
was a source of no little profit.
The wilderness was trackless, and of course some time elapsed before
vehicles of any kind could be used, except in winter, after the bays and
rivers had frozen. Rude sleighs, made by inferior tools, were the first
made. At first hand-sleighs; and then heavier ones, to be used with oxen
and horses. But as the beasts of burden were scarce, there was but one
here and there, who had occasion to make a vehicle of any kind, except
what could be hauled by hand. The sleighs were often used in summer to
haul in grain and hay from the field. Some constructed a sort of waggon
by sawing a hard-wood tree, of suitable size across, making four pieces
about a foot in length. Holes having been bored through the centre of
the blocks, they constituted the wheels of the waggon. The axle-tree of
hard-wood was then fashioned to suit the wheels, and in this way a
rough, but serviceable vehicle was made, which proved of great use,
especially in hauling grain and hay to the place of stacking. The
account of one is given which would carry as much as 150 sheaves.
As years elapsed, and roads were cut and made passable, waggons were
introduced. One of the first waggons brought into the Province was, it
is said, by Jacob Cronk, of Sophiasburgh. It came from Duchess County,
New York. The second one was brought by James Way. Possibly this is not
true, but at least they were the first introduced into that township.
The first public conveyance by land between Kingston and Montreal, was
made by Dickenson. He called on Judge Cartwright to consult him about
opening a line of stage travel. Consequently, in 1808, a line was
established. It ran all the year round, though not so regularly in
summer as in winter. “Lumber gentlemen from Quebec traveled through by
the stage.”—(Finkle.)
It was not until the war of 1812, that a line of stages was commenced
between Kingston and York. By an advertisement in the _Kingston
Gazette_, it is learned that in June, 1817, “A stage was commenced
running from Kingston to York, leaving Kingston every Monday morning at
six o’clock, and York every Thursday morning, same hour.” “Persons
wishing for a passage will call at Mr. David Brown’s Inn, Kingston,
where the stage-books will be kept. From twenty to twenty-eight pounds
baggage will be allowed to each passenger, over this they must be
charged for. All baggage sent by the stage will be forwarded with care,
and delivered with punctuality, and all favors acknowledged by the
public’s humble servant. (Signed), Samuel Purdy, Kingston, January 23,
1817. N.B. Stage fare, eighteen dollars.”
The same year, Lieutenant Hull, traveling in Canada, writes that there
is a stage waggon from Montreal to Prescott, which carries the mail.
From thence to Kingston the mail is carried on horseback. The stage
waggon, he remarks, is the roughest conveyance on either side of the
Atlantic.
The first buildings were of logs, generally put up in their natural
rough state; now and then, as the Government mill at Kingston, the logs
were squared. There was only one way of procuring sawed lumber, and that
was by the whip saw. But few of the settlers thought of spending the
time and labor necessary to obtain what was not strictly necessary.
Houses, barns, saw-mills, flouring-mills, even breweries and
still-houses were all alike constructed of logs. Indeed, many a one had
no barn for years; stacking his grain, and thrashing upon the ground,
made smooth and hard. When, however, sawing-mills began to spring up
here and there, sawed lumber became a more common article, and after
several years, individuals, better off than others, began to put up
framed buildings, both houses and barns, and so forth. Sawing-mills were
introduced originally into America by the Dutch, and it was their
descendants who introduced them into Canada. But it was slowly done. It
required no little capital to procure even the small amount of machinery
which was then used, and to have it brought so long a distance. Then,
millwrights were not plentiful, and often inferior in skill. Indeed
there was nothing at hand by which to erect sawing-mills, until after
many years. In the meantime, the whip saw enabled them to construct
something like a door for the house and log barn; and rough sort of
furniture was made for the house. But toward the close of the last
century, sawing-mills became somewhat numerous. The demand for lumber
was foreseen, and those who had a water privilege set about to get up a
mill. Following the saw-mill came the grist-mill, which, though more
needed than the former, because of its greater expense, was not built
until a later period. It was about the first of 1800, that frame
buildings began to appear in the first, second, and third townships
particularly, to take the place of the log hut. Mr. George Finkle, of
Ernesttown, says, his father Henry Finkle, who, during the war, had
learned the use of carpenter’s tools, in the Engineer Department, built,
with his whip saw and cross-cut saw, the first frame house in the
country. He also built the first school-house, and a dwelling house for
the teacher on his own premises. Likewise, the first wharf along the
bay.
We have made somewhat extensive enquiries, and believe we are correct in
stating that the oldest brick building in Upper Canada is situated upon
the brow of the hill at Belleville. We also entertain the belief that it
was the first, certainly one of the very first brick buildings put up in
the Province. It is known as Myers’ House, having been built by Captain
Myers about the year 1794. This quaint edifice, upon which the tooth of
time is eating so peacefully, standing upon the brink of the hill was,
when new, of most imposing appearance; and, no doubt, stood up grandly,
overlooking the winding river, and the thickly set cedars at its base.
The bricks were made in Sidney _at the Myers Place_, five miles east of
Trenton. Captain Myers was a man of great hospitality, which was shared
in by his estimable spouse, whose short stature and genial face is
remembered by some yet living. They served visitors at the brick house
always with an excellent board. Here, many a distinguished traveler
between Kingston and York, Dr. Strachan among the number, found a
welcome. Not less so was it with the farmers round about, who came long
distances to get grists ground; all such were invited to the table and
supplied with a bed until the grist was ground. The furniture for the
house was procured at Albany.
In June, 1796, an Act was passed “for the better Regulation of certain
Coins current in the Province;” and it was enacted that the British
guinea, the Johannes of Portugal, the moidore of Portugal, the American
eagle, the British crown, the British shilling, the Spanish milled
dollar, the Spanish pistareen, the French crown, and several other
French pieces; the American dollar, should pass as legal tender at
certain specified value.
The punishment for tendering “a counterfeit, knowingly,” of any of the
gold or silver coins of Great Britain, Portugal, the United States,
Spain, or France, was to suffer one year’s imprisonment, and be set in
and upon the pillory for the space of one hour, in some conspicuous
place, and upon a second conviction, he should be adjudged guilty of
felony without benefit of clergy.
The first paper money issued in America, was by the Anglo-Americans in
1689, to pay the troops under Sir William Phipps, when he returned from
the unsuccessful seige of Quebec. The value ranged from ten pounds to
two shillings.
During the war of 1812, in 1813, an Act was passed “to facilitate the
circulation within the Province, of Army Bills, issued by the authority
of the Lower Province.” It was to continue one year unless peace was
declared.
The first Legislation in Upper Canada, with respect to banks, was in
1819, when the Bank of Kingston, or, as it was subsequently called
Pretended Bank of Upper Canada, was incorporated; but, this was
“forfeited by non-user,” although the institution was in operation,
under the title of “the President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of
Upper Canada.” Legislation was made in 1823, to settle the affairs of
the “pretended bank.” The commissioners were George Herkimer, Markland,
John Kirby, and John Macaulay. Repeated Acts were necessary before the
affairs of this company were fully settled.
In 1819, was also passed an Act to “form the Company of the Bank of
Upper Canada.” It was reserved for the assent of His Majesty, which was
given and made known by proclamation in 1821. Among the names of those
who petitioned for the Act of Incorporation, are those of Allan,
Baldwin, Legge, Jackson, Ridout, Boulton, Robinson, Macaulay, Cameron,
and Anderson. This bank, the failure of which so recently occurred, was,
in its time, of great benefit to the Province, and it deserved a better
fate.
A necessary attendant of civilization is a sufficient supply of such
merchandize as is requisite to give comfort, and even luxuries. The long
distance of the first settlers of Upper Canada from the marts of
commerce, with a barrier of forest, and the swift rapids of the St.
Lawrence, kept out for many a day, many comforts, and all luxuries. But
in time, persons engaged in the mercantile business, and articles of
various kinds began to find their way into the wilderness-bound colony.
The first merchants of the Province were engaged in the fur trade; but,
as time passed away, they found customers among the settlers, who bought
their produce, and, in return, brought to them goods.
Among the first, and the principal merchants of Upper Canada were
Duncan, of Matilda; Cartwright, of Kingston; Hamilton, of Queenstown;
and Robertson, of Sandwich. These gentlemen, we have seen, occupied
conspicuous positions, and amassed no little wealth; unless we except
Duncan, who removed. The Hon. Robert Hamilton, it is said, died, leaving
an estate worth £200,000.
Colonel Clarke, of Dalhousie, speaks of his brothers Peter and James,
who “turned merchants, having been supplied with an assortment of goods
from Montreal. In 1790, they went into the Indian trade at Kingston,
which had a great communication with the back lakes.”
We also learn that Mr. Macaulay carried on business first at Carleton
Island, and afterward at Kingston, with no little profit. One of the
oldest settlers in Kingston was Joseph Forsyth. He became one of the
first merchants in Kingston, and for many years conducted a lucrative
business with the Indians and settlers. He “ever maintained the
character of an upright and reputable merchant.” He died 20th September,
1813, aged fifty-three.
A bartering trade commenced between the settlers in the township of
Kingston, and the nearer townships, and some persons at Carleton Island;
gradually the field of operation was transferred to Kingston. Many of
the loyalists, who were constantly arriving, procured food and a few
other things at these places.
In 1817, there were in the Township of Kingston sixty-seven stores and
shops, this includes the different denominations of shops kept by
mechanics. In the whole of Midland District there were about
eighty-eight merchants’ shops: twenty-four storehouses. Mr. Gourlay
says, at this time, that Kingston is the third place in the Canadas,
Quebec and Montreal being first.
When want no longer rested upon the inhabitants, they began to look even
for comforts and luxuries. They were supplied now and then with
articles, both those essential to living, and those which may be called
comforts and luxuries, by itinerant merchants. These pedlars were
generally from the States, and often managed to drive bargains in which
the settler received not a fair return for the grain or other article he
parted with. But some of the pedlars were honest, and ultimately became
settlers and good loyal subjects. One of the first, probably the first,
to visit the western extremity of the bay, was one Asa Walbridge, an old
bachelor, somewhat eccentric, and withal shrewd, he not only turned an
honest penny, but contributed very much to the welfare and comfort of
the settlers. His head-quarters, when ashore, were at the mouth of
Myers’ Creek, where he was the first to erect a log house. It was he
brought in many of the first fruit trees, which have rendered many of
the old farms more valuable. He brought in the seeds from the States,
and planted numbers here and there, often from motives of kindness
alone. We have been told that all the old orchards in Prince Edward came
from his planting. Some of the merchants in Kingston entrusted goods to
local storekeepers by whom the settlers were also supplied with articles
of different kinds.
Dr. Armstrong says, I ought not to omit the name of James Cummings,
Esq., merchant, of the Port of Hallowell, now Picton. He was a man of
sterling integrity, upright and just in all his dealings. He was greatly
respected and esteemed, and died in the midst of his manhood, greatly
lamented, about the year 1818. He was a younger brother of the late John
Cummings, of Kingston.