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"Firsts" in Perth and Lanark County.

From the Perth Courier Newspaper

Received from Christine Spenser - [email protected]

“Firsts” In Perth and Lanark County

Perth Courier, August 3, 1834

Some First Churches

St Andrew’s Church—Late in the 20’s of the 19th Century many Perth Presbyterians were anxious to have a minister of the “Auld Kirk” and eventually secured Rev. Thomas C. Wilson, who reached Perth in 1830.  He preached in the original court house until his new stone church was opened and dedicated on the first Sabbath of February, 1834.  After a ten year pastorate he returned to Scotland and was succeeded by Rev. William Bain (one of the early graduates of Queen’s University and later a D.D.), who officiated until 1881(?).  In 1857 the first Presbyterian Congregation after much deliberation, decided to connect themselves with the established Church of Scotland, merging with St. Andrew’s Congregation.  St Andrew’s Church was largely rebuilt and improved in 1839 but was burned down in 1923.  After the necessary alterations to St. Andrew’s Hall (the former Merchant’s Bank building which had been previously purchased by the congregation) it was used for church services until the chaste and substantial new edifice was erected and opened on the north half of the same lot on March 11, 1928.

Knox Church—On the 13th Feb., 1835, two years after the disruption in Scotland, Knox Church came into being.  A building site was secured in that year and a frame church erected.  Rev. Andrew Melville was the first regular minister, being ordained on Feb. 26, 1845.  The present fine stone church replaced the original one in 1854 during the ministry of Rev. James B. Duncan.  In 1899 the church was remodeled and in 1912(?) it was redecorated.

St. James Church:  The Rev. Michael Harris, A.M., Church of England, clergyman, came here after his ordination at Quebec in 1819 and for 32(?) years was in charge of the Perth parish.  The first Church of England services were held (like those of the Presbyterian two years before) in the upper story of the historic “Red House” on Craig Street, but in 1820 a frame church was erected—on the site of the present fine Gothic structure.  It was opened on the 16th November, 1822.  Perth became a rectory in 1836 “being one of the 44 established and endowed by Sir John Colborne”.  In 1853(?) Rev. Harris retired the rectory and Rev. Alexander Pyne succeeded him and remained until 1857 when he returned to England.  Then Rev. R.L. Stephenson, M.A. entered on a stay of 36 years and proceeded to implement the plans made during Mr. Pyne’s incumbency for a new stone church.  The result was that this handsome edifice was opened for divine service on November 14, 1861.  In the autumn of 1828 the Venerable the Honorable John Strachen, third incumbent  of York made his first archdeaconal tour of Upper Canada and at the same time as president of the Provincial Board of Education, he inspected government schools.  After visiting at Cornwall, at which as Professor A.H. Young remarks in his paper “Ottawa 100 Years Ago”, “between 1902 and 1812 he had laid the foundation of his great influence”.  He left Bytown on October 3.  Three days later accompanied by Col. By and the lt. governor he took the trip up the recently completed Rideau Canal.  This took him 100 miles on his way towards Perth.  Leaving the party at Oliver’s Ferry, and being unable to hire either horse or wagon, the outstanding figure in the early life and development of Upper Canada started to walk to Perth.  On the 9th October he wrote:  “in the morning I continued my walk towards Perth” (note:  for dark overtaking him the previous evening he had been obliged to spend the night in a settler’s hut) which he reached about 10:00.  On calling, he found that Mr. Harris, the missionary, had just set out to preach at a station about 15 miles back in the country where he had an appointment once a fortnight.  “It is refreshing to see the great exertions of this excellent clergyman.  He has 9 or 10 stations besides Perth where he officiates.  Went with Dr. Reade, a surgeon in the army, a gentleman of great intelligence who has settled in Perth, to visit the district school  Found Mr. Stuart (Stewart) quite able to superintend the education of the church but the school as not quite so large as I expected.  Spent the evening with Mr. Harris and had much satisfaction in hearing of his success in the religious improvement of the neighborhood”.  On the 10th October he says:  “After a breakfast with Dr. Reade, Col. Powell furnished me with horses and had the kindness to accompany me to Oliver’s Ferry a distance of 8 miles.  Got to Brockville on the St. Laurence about 8:00.”

Church of John the Baptist:  The first priest of the Roman Catholic Church in Perth was Rev. Pierre de la Mothe who had been the chaplain of the de Watteville Regiment.  He was followed by Rev. Sweeney who remained for two years and built a frame church on Sand Hill opposite to where St. James rectory now stands.  However, in 1823 the first resident pastor Rev. F. John McDonald, arrived.  The original frame church was destroyed by fire in 1853—having been unoccupied for some years.  The new stone edifice was built during the incumbency of Rev. Father O’Donagh, and had been opened for worship on Christmas, 1818.  Dr. Thom had donated the site.  In 1900 the imposing structure was considerably enlarged and renovated at a cost of $14,000

Asbury Methodist Church—This church was organized in 1821 when Rev. John Griggs Peale became minister. A log house and later on in 1835 a roughcast building served as a meeting place in the early days.  In 1835(?) the stone church which was used until the Methodist denomination merged with the Congregationalists and a section of the Presbyterians in 1925 was constructed.

Baptist Church:  The Baptist congregation was organized on October 30, 1842 and Rev. Dr. R.A. Fyfe was its first pastor with a stipend of sixty pounds one half of which was made by payment back in kind.  There were only 25(?) members to start with.  The first church building was of frame and occupied the site of the next brick one.  Mrs. (Col.) Alexander McMillan was one of the charter members.  Rev. James Cooper, D.D. succeeded Dr. Fyfe in 1843 and in 1847 Rev. Peter McDonald was appointed.  In 1874 an organ was installed and the “Precenter” and tuning fork were rendered unnecessary.   On May 31(?), 1889(?) the new church which had cost $2,000, was opened. 

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Some First Merchants

Hon. William Morris—Mr. Morris’ family was of Welsh origin but settled in Kilmarnock, Scotland early in the 17th century, a William Morris having been treasurer of the Burgh and dying in 1708.  William Morris of Perth was born October 31, 1796(?) and was a son of Alexander Morris who left Scotland in 1801(?) and settled in Elizabethtown, Brockville.  Coming to Perth in 1816, William Morris opened its first store at the northwest corner of Drummond Street and Harvey Street opposite to where the Boulton home was erected in 1823(?).  Mr. Morris’ first counter consisted of bark resting on two barrels while he slept on a buffalo robe on the floor behind it.  Later his store and residence were situated on the four acre block on the opposite side of Gore Street from the superintendent’s office where the McMartin mansion was erected and the whole of it belonged to him.  In 1820 Mr. Morris became the first parliamentary representative of the Bathurst District and after several terms in the legislature of Upper Canada was appointed to the Legislative Council of the same province in 1836.  He was a member of the Executive Council and Receiver General 1844-46; President of the Executive Council 1846-48; was Warden of the District of Johnstown 1841(?) and was one of the founders and chairman of the board of trustees of Queen’s University, Kingston.  Hon. William Morris undertook two missions to London in the interest of the Presbyterian Church and the Bathurst Courier of Sept. 8, 1837 announced his return from one of these trips on which the object of this mission was very favorably received by Her Majesty’s government.  It also stated that Her Majesty’s law offices of the Crown were of the opinion that the establishments and endowments of the 57 rectories by Sir John Colborne were not valid and lawful acts and Sir. F.B. Head was directed to take steps for their removal.  During this visit Mr. Morris had the honor of attending what was probably Queen Victoria’s first levee.  He died June 29, 1851.  His eldest son Hon. Alexander Morris, M.A., D.C.L.Q.C. & M.L.A. for S. Lanark from 1861 and after confederation M.P. for the same constituency until 1871; Minister of Inland Revenue 1869-71; Chief Justice of the Queen’s Bench in Manitoba 1872; Lt. Gov. of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories in the latter year; was Chief Commissioner for making Indian treaties; and after retirement from all these offices was M.L.A. for east Toronto.  A son, Edmund Montague, distinguished himself as an artist and painted the remarkable collection of heads of Indian chiefs which is now hung in the Ethnological Department of the Royal Ontario Museum of Archeology in Toronto.  In closing, it might be stated that William Morris was present at the taking of Ogdensburg in the War of 1813-14; was commissioned as Colonel of the Second Lanark Regiment (Militia of Upper Canada) on Feb. 11, 1831 and was still C.O. in 1839.

Perth’s second store was established by Lt. Benjamin T. DeLisle who had received his commission in the Canadian (L.C.) Fencibles Corps on Feb. 9, 1812, went on half pay on November 10, 1816 and had evidently moved to Montreal by 1829 for, in the Bathurst Courier of October 28 of that year, F. H. Consitt (solicitor) gave notice that by power of attorney he has been authorized to collect the debts due to Benjamin DeLisle, Esq., formerly of this town and making settlement for the same. 

The records of the “Establishment Forming on the Rideau” show that N.B. Tommas, merchant, had supplied D.Daverne, secretary, superintendent of settlers in U.C., for the public services, with note paper, lead pencils and ink powder during May and June of 1819.  He had located on the first block on the east side of Drummond Street, north of the Scotch Line.

Lt. Col. Josias Taylor went on half pay in 1816 as a captain in the Canadian Fencibles.  He was granted four lots in Drummond, was Perth’s first postmaster and like so many of his fellow retired officers, engaged in mercantile pursuits.  He owned one half of the block bounded by Gore, Foster, Drummond and North Streets and had his store in the center of the Foster Street frontage.  He was still postmaster in 1829 and in 1837 added a land agency to his activities.  He was great grandfather to Miss Mary Walker of this town.

Hon. Roderick Matheson was born in Scotland in 1794.  Lt. Col. R. Matheson, who had also been paymaster, retired from the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencible Corps (or His Majesty’s Glengarry Light Infantry Regiment) and went on half pay December 4, 1816.  He drew 225 acres, was one of the 12 original Justices of the Peace for the Bathurst District, became a member of the legislative council of Upper Canada and at Confederation was appointed to the Canadian Senate.  He was Lt. Col. Of the Second Lanark Regiment of Upper Canada Militia, receiving his commission in 1831 and still holding it in 1833.  Being granted the acre lot at the southeast corner of Gore and Foster Streets, he erected there a store and the fine stone residence, which latterly, since November 1840, had been occupied continuously by himself and members of his family until a few years ago when Mr. Kintoch took a lease and converted it into The Birkacre Tea Room and Inn.  During his lifetime, Hon. Roderick Matheson continued in commercial pursuits and like the firm of W. & J. Hall, Perth, and John Hall of Lanark, supplied some of the eastern lumbermen, disposing of their timber and recouping themselves first.  The important store business which he established had remained in the family ever since, being carried on by the senator’s great grandson Henry F. Shaw.  It has the distinction of being Perth’s longest established mercantile business.  Hon. R. Matheson died January 13, 1873

W. & J. Bell—William Bell, Jr., son of Rev. William Bell, started in business on the 13th Jan., 1823 on the completion of his apprenticeship with the Hon. William Morris.  He had purchased goods in Montreal which filled 13 loaded “trains” (probably wagons).  He first occupied a building belonging to Dr. James Wilson and took his twin brother John into partnership with him.  On June 19, 1828, they moved into Mr. Bell’s new building on the south side of Foster Street; between Gore and Drummond Streets. This long, two story frame building was for more than half a century a leading landmark its site and that of the extensive shed and yards being now occupied by the residence of W.B. Hart and Mrs. A.C. Shaw.  The opening of what for those days was an outstanding mercantile establishment stocked with such a variety of goods that it might be considered a sort of pioneer department store, caused the youthful partners to issue a curious and most amusing bill which may be seen in the historical section of the Perth Museum.  John Bell carried on a branch business of the firm in Carleton Place for several years but afterwards removed to Perth.  In addition to their general store business and the purchasing and shipping of a very large quantity of potash and agricultural produce they were latterly engaged in lumber operations.  In winter, their goods and the return shipments of produce were transported in loaded trains while during the season of navigation and after the construction of the original Tay Canal, all their merchandise was brought to Perth from Montreal by means of a barge which was jointly owned by this firm and John Doran.  William Bell, Jr., died on August 4, 1844 at the age of 38(?) but his brother carried on the business until 1847.  Bell was a captain in the militia of Upper Canada.

Hon. Malcolm Cameron, as he afterwards became, was in business in Perth for many years.  Prior to August, 1829, he had been in partnership with Capt. (of the Lanark Second Regiment) Henry Glass who then retired.  Mr. Cameron continued the business.  In 1834 he founded the Bathurst Courier and Ottawa General Advertiser.  In September, 1837 he was preparing to leave Perth.  (transcriber’s note, article just ends here)

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Early Legal Profession

Legal Profession Came to Perth in 1823

James Boulton was Perth’s first lawyer, arriving about 1823.  He belonged to one of the leading Upper Canada families of the time.  His father was the Hon. Henry John Boulton, and was “His Majesty’s Attorney General”.  He built one of the two most pretentious brick residences of that day on the Sand Hill overlooking the River Tay.  John Wilson afterwards Hon. Justice Wilson was studying law with him at the time of the fateful Lyon-Wilson duel on June 13, 1833.

Thomas Mahen Radenhurst, Q.C. was Perth’s second lawyer, coming to this town from St. John’s, L.C. about six months after Mr. Boulton.  He practiced his profession here until the time of his death and was also the second Treasurer of the Bathurst District.  Purchasing the Inderwick residence, which had been built by Rev. Mr. Harris in 1824, this beautiful old stone example of the Scottish domestic type of architecture, remained the home of the Radenhurst family for several decades.  Mr. T.M. Radenhurst wife was Edith Ridout and a member of one of the most prominent official families in the early days of York.

Daniel McMartin was the third member of the legal profession to settle here and was one of the ablest and most prominent of the early lawyers.  He built what is now St. John’s Memorial hall—a red brick mansion which is still un-excelled in eastern Ontario (if not in the whole province) as an example of Colonial architecture.  For many years he enjoyed a lucrative practice but coming here as he had from the U.S., he never overcame his strong American tastes and prejudices.  He died in the early ‘60’s.

Jack Glass Malloch came here from Brockville in 1834 to practice law.  After building up an extensive practice he was in 1842 appointed to succeed Judge Armstrong who had presided over the District Court of the Bathurst District less than two years but had then been transferred to Ottawa.  In 1841 he had purchased the 35 acre park lot then known as the “Sweetbank” from his father-in-law Rev. William Bell and in 1853 he erected on it one of the finest residences at that time in existence in the eastern portion of Upper Canada.  The other one was the “Castle” afterwards the Rideau hall built about 1838 and then the home of Hon. Thomas McKay “Laird of Bytown” and which later became the nucleus(?) of the present Vice-Regal residence of the same name.  “Victoria Hall”, so named by Judge Malloch in honor of his youthful sovereign was largely maintained during the quarter century following the judges death in 1873 but on June 1, 1922 it became the Perth and District War Memorial Hospital—one of the best managed most home like and perfectly equipped hospitals in its class in the province.  It reflects great credit on the small group of citizens who have been mainly responsible for its inception and continued development and on the superintendent (Mrs. Walker) and her loyal and capable staff.

Donald Fraser, son of Col. Fraser who lived near Lanark, brother of William Fraser, County Treasurer, of the famous “Red House” On Craig Street and cousin of the late Donald Fraser of Victoria, B.C.; studied law with Thomas M. Radenhurst of Perth and with Messrs. Crooks, Kingsmill and Cattanach of Toronto in 1838(?) until the time of his death in 1871.  On the death of W.R.F. Berford, he became Clerk of the County Council and was a senior captain of the local militia.  After Col. McMillen’s death, the Fraser family lifed for some time in Nevis Cottage afterwards the residence of Hon. Peter McLaren.  The late Dr. P.C. McGregor, Principal of  Almonte High School for several decades and a trustee of Queen’s University, Kingston, in speaking of Donald Fraser said that he was the finest public speaker that he had ever heard.  As boys at the P.C.I. both he and the late W.C. Caldwell, later M.P.P. and “Father of the Ontario House” used to forsake their classes and go over to the court house whenever it was known that Mr. Fraser was to plead a case.  Our fellow townsman Donald C. Fraser is a grandson of this noted lawyer.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Some First Doctors

The first Perth physician was Dr. Alexander Thom, Army Surgeon for the 41st Regiment when on August 15, 1815, he was appointed to “take the medical charge of the establishment forming on the Rideau River”.  However, these particular duties ended when the military superintendency of the District came to an end on December 24, 1822.  The infant settlement then received as a Christmas gift the privilege of municipal government.  Having a large pension, Dr. Thom did not undertake much general practice but established the first grist and saw mills in Perth, dealt with his extensive grants of land, was one of the earliest justices of the peace, was for many years chairman of the Quarter Sessions, and sat in the provincial assembly for three months in 1836—until defeated by Malcolm Cameron.  He died in 1846 or 1847.

Dr. George Hume Reade—Like Dr. Thom, an army surgeon, Reade was an early coroner and justice of the peace in 1823.  His four sons entered the army and two of them particularly distinguished themselves in the army medical service.  Surgeon General Herbert Taylor Reade was born at Perth on September 29, 1823 and educated at the District Grammar School, entered the army in 1850(?), performed deeds of valor at Delhi during the Indian mutiny for which Queen Victoria granted him the most coveted of all military medals the Victoria Cross.  As late as December, 1895 Her Majesty appointed him to be Honorary Surgeon in the Royal Household.  His brother Sir John By Cole Reade (named after his godfather Colonel By of the Rideau Canal fame) was born in Perth in 1832(?) and studied at a private school and at Edinburgh University.  He served with distinction through the Indian Mutiny and the Crimean and Afghan Wars, winning many honors, was a Surgeon Major General, a companion of the Order of the Bath, an honorary surgeon to both Queen Victoria and King Edward and a Knight of the Garter.

Dr. James Wilson (some words illegible follow) after graduating from Edinburgh University, came to Perth in 1821(?) 1824(?) and practiced his profession here until 1869 when he returned to Scotland, dying in Edinburgh on April 11, 1881(?).  He was much interested in science and was one of the pioneer amateur minerologists and geologist of Canada, discovering many new minerals such as Wilsonite (named in his honor by Dr. Thomson of Glasgow), Perthite, etc.  Also, famous fossil tracks of a huge mollusk which may be seen in the National Museum of Canada, the Peter Redpath Museum at McGill University, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Perth Museum.  Dr. Wilson was a personal friend of Sir William E. Logan (founder and first director of the Geological Survey of Canada) and a fellow amateur geologist, the Rev. Andrew Bell, the eldest son of Rev. William Bell and a graduate of Glasgow University, a collection of minerals, rocks and fossils formed by him latterly may be seen in Miller Hall of Queen’s University while the bulk of Dr. Wilson’s mineral specimens, etc., are preserved in the Perth Municipal Museum.

Dr. Holmes—Dr. Holmes arrived in Perth in 1836 and besides the usual branches of his profession, he practiced as a dental surgeon.  He had been an army surgeon and had spent years in leading hospitals and medical schools in London and Dublin and was very skillful.  At first, he boarded at St. George’s Hotel but the following year he moved to the stone cottage at the beginning of the long bridge which had previously been a residence of Malcolm Cameron.  For decades now in its altered form it has been the home of the David Lowe family.  Dr. Holmes lived on the ground floor while his surgery in the upper story was reached by an outside staircase.  He returned to Scotland in 1849.

Dr. James Stewart Nichol was born in Scotland and educated in Edinburgh and came to Perth in 1837.  After living elsewhere for a time, he built the stone house on Wilson Street now occupied by Dr. A.C. Fowler and resided there until his death in 1864.  He was skillful, popular and successful.  His highly educated and accomplished wife, daughter of a German musical composer named Muller, survived him by 35 years and is kindly  remembered by many of the oldest residents of this town.  Her son, Dr. James Nichol Jr., carried on his father’s practice but died in 1870.

Dr. John Dixon Kellock—graduating with high honors from Queen’s University in 1862, Dr. Kellock returned to his birthplace and his exceptional abilities and fine character rapidly secured him a large and lucrative practice.  His skill attracted the attention of leading medical men in the cities, his fellow physicians had the greatest confidence in his skill and treatment and he became one of the best beloved and most respected members of his profession.  Throughout his career he evinced an unfailing interest in educational matters having been a member of the Perth School Board from 1865 until the time of his death in 1898.  For many years he acted as chairman.  He was appointed coroner of Upper Canada Lanark/Renfrew in 1863 and gaol surgeon in 1881 and was also district surgeon to the Canada Pacific Railway.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

First Banks

During the early years of the Perth settlement, Perth was without a bank.  The pioneers coming mainly from Great Britain and Ireland brought what effects they could with them and their produce was largely taken by local merchants in payment for goods purchased.  Anyone who had any surplus funds probably stashed the same in the log cabin chinks or in some other more or less secure hiding place.  Of course, the large number of officers and privates on half pay received the latter in specie and it circulation helped matters somewhat.  Nevertheless, owing to the scarcity of the small change, Mexican and American silver  dollars were often cut into either quarters or “pieces of eight”.  In due course these were called in.

In 1837-39 owing to the embarrassment caused by the Rebellion of 1837 and the withdrawal of all specie by the government it was almost impossible to carry on business.  So the firm of Messrs. W. & J Bell the leading  dollars were often cut into either quarters or “pieces of eight”.  In due course these were called in.

In 1837-39 owing to the embarrassment caused by the Rebellion of 1837 and the withdrawal of all specie by the government it was almost impossible to carry on business.  So the firm of Messrs. W. & J Bell the leading merchants at that time who also were engaged in lumbering operations issued fractional currency in denominations of 6d., 71/2d., 12d. 15d. (or quarter dollars) and 30d. (or half dollars).  This script was engraved from copper plates obtained from Glasgow, Scotland and was fired by William Bell, Jr., and counter fired by Robert Moffatt the accountant of the firm.  It was paper on demand—current bank bills and at least $10,000 worth of it was readily accepted and subsequently redeemed. Its circulation at this critical period proved a great boon to the public.

The City Bank was the first bank to have an agency in Perth with the Hon. Roderick Matheson as agent.  He carried on his baking business within his own office but as his personal affairs demanded all his time and attention he resigned and no successor was appointed so this agency was closed.  Then the Commercial Bank of the Midland Division later on called the Commercial Bank of Canada opened a branch in Perth with Capt. Anthony Leslie as agent.  His banking operations were carried on in the stone building still standing on the “Leslie farm” and now owned by Mrs. John A. Stewart.  His residence was a small square frame cottage or bungalow situated in an old fashioned garden nearby but he also cultivated a portion of the 25 acre Park Lot.  Bank customers were few but when one turned up he was supposed to pull a rope hanging from outside the gable end and attached to a bell mounted on the top.  On hearing the bell the captain would saunter leisurely from the field or garden and transact what business was necessary.  Partly, no doubt owing to its inconvenient location, so far from the center of town, this bank did not earn enough to pay its agent’s modest salary of $600.  The safe consisted or an iron box on the floor of the office which opened upward.  According to an old Almanac of Upper Canada, Capt. Leslie was agent of the bank in 1839.  At that time the only other banks in operation in this province were the Farmer’s Joint Stock Banking Co, the Bank of Britain, N.A., and the Bank of Upper Canada.  In 1837 James Bell (who was Registrar for the County of Lanark from 1851 to 1897), succeeded Capt. Leslie in the management of the Commercial Bank of Canada, filling this position for ten years or until the bank amalgamated with the Merchant’s Bank of Canada.  In 1864 the fine stone building at the north east corner of Foster and Drummond Streets (now St. Andrew’s Church Hall) was erected for the Commercial Bank.  Samuel Bothwell, uncle of Thomas Bothwell, was the contractor as he was also for Victoria Hall (now the Great War Memorial Hospital) and St. James Church.  He was paid about $6,800 but host heavily on this bank contract.  After he moved into his new quarters, Mr. Bell carried on alone for six months.  Then Donald Fraser was taken in as a clerk.  Owing to Mr. Bell’s popularity and his intimate knowledge of the community and its problems, the business of his bank increased rapidly.  However, although making handsome profits, the Commercial Bank got into difficulties (owing to the Hamilton branch having  advanced $3,000,000 to the Great Western Railroad) and the stock was purchased by the Merchant’s Bank for fifty or sixty cents on the dollar.  After Mr. Bell’s retirement James Gray left the Bank of Montreal and became manager.  He filled the position satisfactorily until he was superannuated in 1889.  Messrs C.G. Morgan, H.D. Wells, Capt. Alan Matheson, Frank Mann and F.A. Robertson were he successors in the management—until this bank was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal in 1892. 

In the early ‘50’s of the last century John McIntyre, who had been headmaster of the District Grammar School for some years and who had married Margaret Mair, was appointed the first agent for the Bank of Montreal in Perth with quarters in the rear of the Mair building—which later on was owned and occupied for many decades by the widely known firm of A. Meighen and Brothers.  His clerk was William Munroe of Lanark, a brother of the late Dr. D. Munroe and John Munroe

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Early Music

From the first, Perth had, of course, congregational singing led in the Protestant churches by such noted precentors and choir leaders as John and William Adams, Dawson Kerr and Duncan McDonald.  Instrumental church music started in the Roman Catholic Church.  A melodeon (small reed organ) was first used but in 1860 succeeded by a fine pipe organ.  In St. James Church they first had a melodeon  and finally the present organ.  Instrumental music came later in other churches; often after most determined opposition.  This all led to the formation of the choirs. 

There were many music teachers both vocal and instrumental the best of whom was Messr. Du Mouchet—who trained such talented performers as the Misses M. Haggart (afterwards Mrs. James Bell), Edith Radenhurst, Ann Gemmell and Mrs. Baker.  Singing classes, concerts and “penny readings” helped while away long winter evenings being often heard in the Music Hall in the Robertson block on D’Arcy Street. 

Three quarters of a century ago among the leading singers were Mrs. Seeley, Dr. James Nichol, Jr., and his sister Maggie (Mrs. F. Lister), Eddie O’Brien and his sister Annie (Mrs. P. Ryan).  Probably the most noted professional singer to appear in Perth was Mrs. Anna Bishop who opened the town hall in September of 1864.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

One of the first settlers- Drummond

Among the first settlers in the township of Drummond were members of the family of John Robertson, who lived at Carie in Carwhin on the north side of the Loch Tay on lands formerly owned by the chief of the Storian branch of the Robertson clan but later absorbed by the Breadalbane branch of the Campbells.  The story is handed down that the father of this John was one of 700 Robertsons who joined the army of Prince Charlie in the Rebellion of 1745.  At the battle or rather massacre at Culloden he escaped the fate of so many of his classmates his only casualty was having a buckle shot off his shoe.

The eldest son, Hugh, a young many of about 25 years, was a graduate of Stirling Academy where he had shown special mathematical abilities but though he held a good position as bookkeeper and overseer of the Drummond estate at Etalkian, he decided to try his fortune in the new lands.

In April, 1816, he married Christine McDonald and shortly after sailed on the transport vessel The Lady of the Lake, arriving at Quebec on September 7 of the same year.  On another boat came his sister Janet and her husband Donald Campbell and in a different boat had arrived a few months earlier his wife’ brother Donald McDonald.

Owing to some differences among the authorities of the time, the survey of lands suitable for settlement in Drummond township had not been completed, much to the annoyance and discomfort of the arriving settlers.  The local certificates of Hugh Robertson and Donald McDonald, who settled on adjacent lots on the concession (now Drummond Centre District) were dated 12-9-1816, the same year, but a few months later than the first settlement in Perth and on the Scotch Line.  Donald Campbell and his wife Janet took up their land on Concession 6 not far from what is now Armstrong’s Corners.

The question of the “Highland second sight” and the foreshadowing of the future in dreams may be a debatable one but the story is that Hugh was the “seer” of the family and to some degree at least had “the gift”, anyway it is told that before leaving Scotland he had the conviction that he should know the particular lot on which he should settle when he saw it.  He had no difficulty in making the selection and never regretted having done so.  He remained on the same farm during his lifetime taking an active part in municipal politics and religious life of the new country but never seeking public office beyond accepting a commission as justice of the peace.  His youngest son, James W. Robertson, succeeded to the ownership of the farm which on his death was purchased by Henry Ireton.

None of his lineal descendents are now living in Drummond township.  His son Donald, who learned the trade of millwright and carpenter, married the daughter of a neighboring farmer, Janet Shaw, located in Perth and built a home on Drummond Street in 1861 which though not now occupied regularly is still kept as the homestead of the family.

The oldest son John, who married miss Rudsdale, died when only 31 years of age, leaving two sons, one of whom, Hugh, was widely and fairly known in the Perth district as bookkeeper for the Meighen mercantile business.  The other son, William J., took high honors at Toronto University and taught math at St. Catharines for many years.

John R. McLaren, popular statesman in the service of the Meighens for many years, was a son of the eldest daughter, Janet.

(Transcriber’s note, there is a little more, but it got cut off.)

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

First Train Into Perth

It is now 75 years since the first railway train entered Perth, the event making a very interesting development in Ontario’s history.  On Feb. 7, 1859, the first railway train to Perth from Brockville entered Perth.  We are told there was great excitement although there was only a wood burning locomotive with two small coaches coming in.  It took nine hours and 45 minutes to cover the distance which is less than 40 miles.  However, it was a thing of importance at that time and was welcomed as such by the citizens of Perth who may look back upon that event only to realize the development which has since taken place in railways.

Older residents recall the weather on that day—when winters were real winters.  The thermometer registered forty below but this fact did not damage or freeze the enthusiasm of the population which had assembled.  It did, however, affect the progress of the train, we are told, for the extreme cold broke the couplings and the cars had to be linked to the locomotive with a heavy cord.

A reception committee of Perth, with Mayor John Deacon at the head, were in readiness for the arrival of the first train.  Mayor Deacon was afterwards known as Judge Deacon.  Another member of the reception committee was John A. Kerr, who is still young in mind and active in body.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Early Cemeteries

The three old cemeteries on Craig and Brock Streets, namely those belonging to the Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic bodies and the Methodist one near the Scotch Line, were established long ago.  The lands so used were granted by the government and they were the burial places from 1818 to about 1868.

In 1873 when new cemeteries were established, St. John’s Cemetery the one on Craig Street just outside the town limits, was opened in 1868 by the Catholic body and now covers a large area of sandy soil in that quarter.  Many beautiful and costly stones, monuments and celtic crosses memorialize and dignify the resting places of once well known citizens of Perth.  A suitable entrance, gate and iron fence enclose several acres for this first modern cemetery for Perth and environs.

A short distance from the town boundary at the far west end near where the Wayside Road deflects from the 2nd Line Drummond, stands the beautiful cemetery grounds known as Elmwood Cemetery, belonging to the Protestant denominations in town and adjoining country.  The old burying ground places of all religions and denominations were overcrowded and all sought new sites for burial purposes.  The various Protestant denominations succeeded in security a common plot of land for the purpose and after some time a part of the farm owned by J.M. Cromwell, 2nd Concession Drummond, embracing 51 ½ acres, was chosen.

The architect for the work was David Nichol of Kingston who did a similar work for the beautiful and historic Catarnqui Cemetery adjoining that city and who followed, in its many circular and winding roadways through the area, the same plan pretty much as on the Catarnqui and which constitutes such a beautiful type of cemetery mapwork bordered as the design ordered and carried out by lines all along the multiplicity of passages of trees of indigenous origins, flowers and plants properly ornamentations.  Mr. Nichol was a cousin of David (         ) of this town and a native of Montrose, Scotland.  The cemetery plot was fenced and a dignified frontage for an approach including a circular area.

The first burial was that of James Marguerat, a Swiss who had lived near Harper, Bathurst.  Very close to him was the burial of John Cameron from the 5th Line Bathurst; and it is sad for us to see that among the next early burials was that of George L. Walker, fourth owner of the Perth Courier, whose grave has been occupied since 1874, is prominent near the entrance to the cemetery grounds.  In the following 61 years, the grave plots have been extended far back onto the land originally laid out and the monuments and stones steadily rise as time goes by.

There are many noted and costly stones to mark the graves of prominent citizens and events in connection with them.  Among the saddest is that of our young townsman, Alelxander W. Kippen, D.L.S., lieutenant in the contingent which was engaged in putting down a second Riel(?) Rebellion and was killed by a bullet fired by a half breed at the Battle of Batoche in that miserable little war.  It is a tall marble and granite monument with a life size effigy of the young hero standing prominently in the middle of the cemetery.

A fine monument is that of the late Hon. J.A. Stewart.  Another is in the same vicinity and is a Celtic cross alone standing to memorialize the late Rev. William Bell.  Another recumbent to the memory of the late Col. And Hon. A.J. Matheson and also one to the late John Armour and family also are nearby,

Some years ago a handsome entrance gate of wrought iron was erected in the front with a massive gate, pillars of Stanstead granite, fit for the best cemetery and on the whole this beautiful cemetery with its great lines of trees and costly stones, is a monument to the dead rich and poor of our town and community.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Early Telephones

Forty seven years ago this month in August of 1877 the first list of Perth subscribers to telephone service in a small pocket sized directory that contained the names and addresses of all telephone users in eastern Ontario and Quebec was put out.  At that time there were 19 telephones here.

The limited number of instruments in Perth in 1887 excluded the need for telephone numbers.  Subscribers were then called by name.  A notice prominently displayed in bold type at the bottom of various pages throughout the book advises persons calling that he name of the party wanted should be “spoken with especial distinction to prevent mistakes”.  Another foot note frequently encountered throughout the directory was “do not attempt to use the telephone on the approach of or during a thunderstorm”.  Recalling a feature of the old time telephone appliances the in use in homes and places of business there appeared another note to the effect that “should the transmitter be out of order it is possible to speak through the hand telephone (receiver)”.

The following subscriber lists of August, 1877 recalls the names of prominent citizens and business establishments of many years ago:

Allan House, Gore Street

Allan, J.A., barrister, Gore Street

Bank of Montreal, Gore Street

Canadian Pacific Railway, depot

Court House

Electric Light Company, Gore Street

Elliott and Rogers, barristers, Foster Street

Farmer’s Hotel, Foster Street

Fraser, Dr. H.D., Foster Street

Hale, F.A., barrister, Foster Street

Hicks House, Gore Street

Inland Revenue Office, Gore Street

Kennedy, J.F., dentist, D’Arcy Street

Kellock, Dr. J.D., D’Arcy and Gore Streets

Kellock, J.F., druggist, Gore Street

Malloch, E.G., barrister, Foster Street

Meighen Brothers, merchants, Gore and Foster Streets

Radenhurst, W.H., barrister, Gore Street

It is interesting to note that there were no home or residence telephone here at that time and of the 19 instruments in service in offices and other business establishments, there were five located in law offices.  The late Dr. J.F. Kennedy operated with the title of “agent” in charge of the Bell Telephone Company’s Central office containing the switchboard apparatus and associated equipment located on D’Arcy Street on the same premises occupied by his dentistry parlors.

Perth Courier, August 3, 1934

Some Lanark County “firsts”

First name was Bathurst District

First white settler was William Merrick, founder of Merrickville

First party of settlers from Scotland, 1820

First U.C. parliamentary representative Hon. Alexander Morris, Perth

First representative in Province of Canada parliament Hon. Malcolm Cameron, founder of the Courier.

First time county was divided into north and south ridings, 1851

First member of the legislative council, Hon. James Shaw

First representative to the Ontario legislature, 1867, Donald Galbraith  and W.N. Shaw.

First warden Alexander McMilan(?), 1841

First clerk of the district council, Robert Moffat, Perth, 1841

First session of Upper Counties of Lanark and Renfrew, 1850(?).

First railway train arrived in Perth from Brockville on Feb. 7, 1859.

First time reeves were chosen by vote of the people and not by council was 1867.

First administrator of early military district Staff Surgeon Thom, 1815.

First settlers in Burgess Township were members of the ‘de Wattevilles’, Germans who had fought in the Napoleonic wars, who came out here and fought against the U.S. with the British soldiers and who like their descendents became splendid Canadian citizens.

First surveyor of townships Capt. Reuben Sherwood, 1816.

First resident clergyman Rev. W. Bell, 1817

First teacher, John Halliday, 1817.

First owner of oxen James Bryce, Bathurst.

First assessment records show one cow owned in Bathurst.

First white child born Eliza Halderness.

First court house 1821.

First newspaper The Examiner, 1825.

First issue of the Courier, 1834.

First curling club in Perth organized Dec. 17, 1875(?).

Posted: 09 May, 2005