The early Scottish Settlers to Upper Canada and their influence here in Canada - Part 2
Written by Nancy Dupuis
The resource material listed below was used to cobble this continuing story of our Scottish forefathers and their journey to a new land;
The Snedden Saga
From Lanarkshire to Lanark County
Marilyn Snedden
Almonte – Spirit of Place
John McQuarrie
And again, In Search of Lanark
Carol Bennett
Once more, please keep in mind, this instalment and the one prior and to follow are my interpretation only of what I have read;
In this 2nd instalment, I continue on with a look at some more of the communities in Lanark County now and then. Suffice to say all of these little communities within a few short miles of each other had a number of businesses up and running fairly soon after the arrival of the folks on the ships. The now of today has brought about so many changes (over the last 200 years), they would not likely have ever been imagined by anyone back in 1820-21.
Balderson (where our family lived during my Grade 7 year) – on the Drummond and Bathurst town line, about 5 miles from Perth; by 1880 the village contained hotels, two churches, a school, two general stores, a cheese factory, pump factory and many mechanics’ shops. The United Church at Balderson, made from blue limestone, remained Presbyterian by faith until church union in 1925.
Balderson is known for its cheese worldwide even now years later, sold in many outlets including the current retail store on the site of the old cheese factory.
Up until 1977, this little village had another claim to fame. In 1912 the residents of Balderson had formed the Balderson Telephone Company – a switchboard and 32 phones for private residences were purchased initially. Mrs. George (Margaret) Smith, the last actual telephone operator retired in 1977 after being the sole operator from 1958, a round the clock job. (My Mother became good friends with Mrs. Smith, us kids taking turns when Mom wasn’t looking to pick up the receiver and listen in on the party line at home on the wall in the front hall). The Bell Telephone Company then took over after 1977 and the house and the telephone equipment were sold at auction.
Bennie’s Corners - a grist mill in 1830 was one of the early business ventures by John Baird, a Scottish settler, that rose from the floor of the woods in this area; in 1930, it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie, a prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator and sculptor as his summer home and studio. McKenzie, noted for his sculptures of athletes and war memorials, was also the sculptor of the war memorial of the Scottish-American War in Edinburgh.
Our own Mill of Kintail Museum now operated by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and visited each year from people all over the world is a memorial indeed to the past.
Blakeney – the settlers arriving in this area in 1821, were quick to recognize the rapids and waterfalls on the Mississippi River, in Ramsay Township as a source of waterpower that could operate the mills they were planning. The Snedden family was instrumental in building a sawmill, a gristmill, a timber slide to allow the logs to bypass the dangerous rapids, as well as an inn. Unfortunately, nothing remains today of these and other early industries but overgrown stone foundations.
The story of the Snedden family holds particular interest to me as I know Marilyn Snedden herself so I read her book with great interest. James Snedden, his wife and their two youngest children sailed from Scotland in 1821, some older children were already here prior in Upper Canada; it would not be hard to imagine that even at 60 some years of age he would have jumped at the chance to escape life in the coal mines. (My own Grandmother on my father’s side lost her first husband in a coal mining accident early on in the early years of their marriage leaving her with 3 young children.)
The quiet atmosphere of this little hamlet is so inviting, complimented by trails, the opportunity to swim. fish, kayak, walk and even have a picnic along the river if you wish.
Pakenham – surveyed in 1822; the picturesque stone bridge is the only 5 span bridge in North America, a treasured local landmark of ours.
Further research on the internet provided this article on the rehabilitation some 35 years ago or more now - “This bridge underwent an extensive rehabilitation in 1984 which included removing the stones and reinforcing the arch with concrete as well as constructing wing walls for the structure. Each stone that was removed was documented and replaced in the exact location it was originally. The roadway was widened as part of this project, and the concrete structure added under the roadway is load bearing, but is not visible. This approach of concealing load-bearing structures in between the stone spandrels and under the roadway deck is an effective method to maintain load capacity on the bridge, reduce wear-and-tear to the stone, while not changing the appearance at all. The only visible change to the bridge is the wider roadway”.
Ramsay Township itself is a beautiful spot for a Sunday afternoon drive or any day of the week; I know that personally as my Father and Mother (both of Scottish descent) would bundle us all into the station wagon after church on a Sunday back in the 1950s for a short drive, picnic hamper ready to feed all spread out on a blanket on the ground, no fancy picnic tables back in those days.
I am looking forward this coming week to a visit to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte hoping to find a bit more on the woollen mills of the day in this area. Be back soon; hope you enjoyed the little story about the telephone operator and her switchboard – I smile when I think back to the days of us kids “listening in” on the party line; a favourite pastime.