A 19th century drawing of Fraserfield, Williamstown, donated to the Cornwall Community Museum in 1993 by Mrs. C. Vaughan of Kingston.  The following photographs and manuscript are from this donation.

Manuscript possible date, ca 1920:      FRASER  (Frazer)

Col. and Mrs. Honourable Alexander Fraser of Fraserfield in the Township of Charlottenburg and County of Glengarry.  His wife is Annie Macdonell Lick.  Col. Fraser was born near Fort Augustus, Inverness Shire, Scotland and came with his father, mother, brothers and sisters to Canada early in the present century.  The family settled in the Township of Charlottenburg.  At the breaking out of the war with the United States in 1812 Alexander Fraser was appointed quartermaster of the Canadian Fencible Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. Peters.  When the Regiment was disbanded at the close of the war, he settled on a farm, at lot 39 and 40 in the first Concession of Charlottenburg, north of the River Aux Raisins, to which he added by purchasing lands until the whole property comprised 1,200 acres.

Fraserfield, 1988 before restoration.

Fraserfield was built for Col. Fraser in 1817.  It is still inhabited.

He was Col. of the 1st Regiment of Glengarry Militia from 1822 until his death.  He represented the County of Glengarry in the Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada for 8 years.  He was Warde of the District and County Council from 1842 to 1850, Registrar of the County of Glengarry for 10 or 12 years before his death and was for several years a member of the Legislative Council of Canada.

Living Room, ca. 1993.

During the Rebellion of 1837 his Regiment of Militia was on duty under his command during the winters of 1838 and 1839, a portion of the time in Lower Canada.

He died in 1853 at the age of 68.  His wife Anne Macdonell Lick, survived him until 1861.  When she died at the age of 64.  His brother Paul was in the Hudson’s Bay Co., his brother Donald was in business in Williamstown and his brother Malcolm got their father’s farm.

Front Hall ceiling, ca. 1993.

One of his sisters married Mr. Waters of the Cedars, another married John Fraser of Lachine.  Their son, John Fraser, now owns the homestead there, which is believed to have been owned more than 200 years ago by the famous explorer, the Sieur de la Salle, and their son Hugh founded the Fraser Institute Montreal.  Anne Macdonell Lick, the wife of Col. A. Fraser, was a daughter of Archibald  Macdonell and his wife, who was of the family of Balrain Lick…Archibald Macdonell was a son of John Macdonell of Lick and his wife Jane Chisholm, daughter of Alexander Chisholm of Chisholm.  Col. Fraser had by his wife Anne Macdonnel Lick, four daughters; Anne, Catherine, Isabella and Mary; 2 sons, Archibald and Alexander.

First floor parlour, circa 1993.

Anne Fraser married Daniel Eugene McIntyre, M.D., Sheriff of the United Counties of SD & G.  They had 7 children.

Mary, died when young.  A daughter of Anne and a son of Alexander F. McIntyre who married Helen Macdonald daughter of Ranald Sandfield Macdonald of Lancaster, Ontario,by whom he had 3 daughters, Christine,Gwendoline and Janet, and 2 sons, Donald and Ranald Eugene.  Anne married George G. Jarvis of Cornwall, son of Judge Jarvis.  A son died in infancy.

Second floor bedroom, ca. 1993.

Catherine Fraser married the Hon. Donald Alexander Macdonald, who represented the County of Glengarry in the Provincial Parliament from 1858 till 1867 and the Dominion from 1868 till 1875 when he was appointed Lt- Gov. of Ontario (To.) which office he held until the summer of 1880.  His wife Catherine died sometime in 1865, leaving a family of 4 daughters and a son.

Daughters were Anne, Margaret, Ida and Mary.  One son was Alexander George Fraser.  Several sons died early in boyhood.

Anne never married.

Margaret married Sir William Hingston, MD of Montreal and has a family of 4 sons.

William, a Jesuit Priest.

Donald.  A medical man, married Lillian Peterson, daughter of Peter Peterson, Civil Engineer, issue 5 daughters.

Basil, married Bertha Larocque of Montreal, issue – Basil and Eileen.  Their father died in the Great War of 1914.

Eileen drowned at Varennes, P.Q.

Harold, married Elizabeth Brown, issue 2 sons.

Ida, married Thomas McCarthy of Syracuse.  Her death tool place in Alexandria.

Mary, married George Campbell MacDougall of Montreal, broker, by whom a daughter Beatrice lives.

1989.

The Museum has more interior shots of Fraserfield in its collection.

Alexander George Fraser Macdonald married Eugenie Hubert, by whom 4 daughters and 7 sons were born.

Isabella Fraser married Jacob Farrand Pringle, issue 10 children, 5 daughters and 5 sons.

Mary Fraser married James Dunbar Pringle.

Archibald Fraser married Mary Scott, daughter of Wm. Scott of Prescott, M.D. and his wife Sarah Macdonell, daughter of Allan Macdonell, who died leaving issue 4 daughters 2 sons Alexander and Chisholm.

Alexander married Miss Lillie Shaw by whom there was a son Berford Archibald.

Harriet Isabella married F.A. Anglin of To., who is Chief Justice of the Surpreme Court in Toronto, issue 3 daughters 2 sons.

Catherine unmarried.

Sarah married – Leaske – Anne Alex and Chisholm  died.

 

 

The “Rapids Prince” docked at Cornwall after World War II.

Local businesses, industries, churches and service clubs booked the vessel for summer river cruises.  The next few photographs are from a series donated to the museum by Ransom Ledoux showing Courtaulds Cornwall employees enjoying such an outing.

Many more are on display at the museum as part of the Courtaulds Cornwall exhibit.

The “gang” enjoying some beverages on the “Rapids Prince”.  Not everyone was drinking 7-Up, if you look carefully, you will see that some of the straws are in beer bottles.

One happy employee leading sin-along.  This may be Bill Thomas.

The only names we have are:  Ernie McDonald, Florence Lemire, Helen Gillie and Nora Cross.  If you can help let us know.

You can find  more photographs like the above and information about river life in THE LIVING RIVER, secrets of the St. Lawrence.

Available only at the Cornwall Community Museum for $30.

Info.  613 936-0280; cornwallhistory@outlook.com.

German Plan to Invade Canada, World War I.

When World War I broke out in August 1914, and the British Empire marched off to war, it was by no means certain that the United States would go to battle against Germany, given their isolationist politics and the large number of German immigrants living in America.

Even before the war had begun, Imperial German military officials planned to take advantage of the many narrow river crossings between the U.S. and Canada.  The crossing at Cornwall and the proximity to Ottawa and Canada’s largest city Montreal made the Eastern Ontario section of the St. Lawrence River, with its canals, railways and railway bridges, particularly vulnerable.

Mounted Militia guarding the Ottawa and New York Central Railway Bridge at Cornwall, World War I.

A plot to invade through the U.S. was concocted by Captain von Papen, Military Attache to the German Embassy in Washington D.C.  The scheme was to be put into motion by one Max L. Louden, who assumed the alias Count von Loudow, in the guise of an officer in the Prussian Guard.  At the time, German reservists in the U.S. numbered 150,000 men.

Count von Loudow travelled to Ottawa to obtain military maps of hte St. Lawrence Frontier from the Canadian Dept. of Militia and Defense, and then took them back to Washington.

The maps were distributed to various patriotic German-American organizations acting as fronts for the German Army.  Fuelled by a budget if $16 million, rifles and ammunition had been secured and sequestered in the numerous German-run breweries near the Canadian border.  Once war was declared, “it had been arranged to send (Reservists), from large cities following the announcements of feats and conventions.”

Reservists were to assemble at strategic border points and cross over the International Boundary in rented charter boats and attack the Welland Canal near Niagara, Windmill Point near Prescott, and Cornwall from across the St. Lawrence River.  Von Louden was to lead the invasion at Cornwall, cutting telegraph, telephone and railway lines leading to Ottawa.  This would undermine the Canadian militia’s ability to issue general mobilization orders.

Squadron “D” 4th Hussars, at Mille Roches.  They patrolled the Cornwall Canal and St. Lawrence River from Prescott to Cornwall from the outbreak of the war in 1914.

However, the scheme was uncovered, not by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as might be expected, since the St. Lawrence was their beat.  The invasion was foiled by officials of the American Dept. of Justice, who were striving to maintain their country’s neutrality.  The arrested von Louden on charges of bigamy in Buffalo at the start of the war.

More about the history of the St. Lawrence River can be found in THE LIVING RIVER – SECRETS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE, from Montreal to Cornwall to Prescott.

Illustrated with more than 150 historic images the book examines river traffic, the Long Sault Rapids, the St. Lawrence Seaway and Ontario Hydro Project, the Lost Villages, Smuggling, military history and much more.

Available at the Cornwall Community Museum $30.

At this time, the Museum is open Wed. to Sun. 11 am to 4 pm.

Info.  cornwallhistory@outlook.com;  613 936-0280

World War I postcard to home – Northfield Station.

The postcards were from and sent to Private William Dixson, a member of the 2nd Battalion, CEF, he was killed in action.

This photograph is from CANADA’S HEROES in the GREAT WORLD WAR, Cornwall, Alexandria, Vankleek Hill, Hawkesbury and Intermediate Points, Memorial Edition, Vol. 1, 1921.

This book is full of photographs of men who signed up from the area, and as such is a very important resource tool.

Cornwall April 2, 1917.

Dear Son:

As usual I have neglected writing you until I am ashamed of my negligence and hardly know what excuse to make.  The weight of years resting upon my shoulders must bear the blame since on other cause is convenient.  If I live till the 14tth day of this month I’ll finish my 95th year.  I have no recollection of seeing either of my grandfathers as both had passed away before I reached the age of boyhood and I have not seen or heard any records of the ages of our ancestors in earlier times.

We have still the remnants of a severe winter in the woods and sheltered places around.  The frost has been unusually intense and the snow more abundant than for many years.  Many old people and several young have succumbed to attacks of grip and pneumonia.  Many have passed away and another generations are now occupying their positions.

There are now ten teachers in the High School and 13 in the Public

World War I era postcard, Cornwall High School.

Edwardian era postcard of Cornwall Public School (Central), published by R.M. Pitts & Co., Cornwall.

The same number of churches continue to supply the demand but the men who occupy the pulpits are all different and nearly the same may be said of those now occupying the pews.  St. John’s is the only one which has been rebuilt since you left and is the finest ecclesiastic edifice in the Town.

The Cotton industry is the largest, and the Modern Bedstead, and the Chair the Furniture since the war began the manufacture of Bomb cases have given people profitable employment.

I am surprised at the views you expressed in your letter regarding the war.  I cannot imagine how you could acquire such opinions.  The papers of New York which reach us here seem to form and express views favourable to the Allies, and the American Republic is about to declare that the war exists against the U.S. by the piratical acts of Germany.  The wonder is how or why the U.S. stood out so long.

Cornwall as wells as all parts have contributed men to the army.  The young men here are very few.  Several from Knox Church congregations (about 30) are in the army and the same is true regarding St. John’s and Methodist and Episcopal and Catholics.

Knox Church with the steeple.

Several men have been slain and have returned wounded so as to be unfit for service.  Fred Grant son of Duncan Grant near the High School, a son of Mr. Monk, manager of the Bank of Montreal living opposite the house, and the son of Mr. Wereley next door were wounded.

The stories you must have heard regarding the savagery of Canadians are false.  The Germans have committed such barbarities during the whole war that they had to invent some excuse for their diabolical acts which had no parallel in modern times.  The Kaiser started the war for the purpose of dominating the world for which he had prepared an army which had been in course of preparation with the war with France, and he found himself ready made an excuse after the assassination the heir to the throne of Austria and started the invasion of Belgium which had no connection with the case, and ever since conducted the war with such barbarism as has no equal in modern history and hardly and similarity in the history of the world.

Please write soon.  Trusting this will find you all well and with love and good wishes to all,

Your father,                       A.W. McNaughton.

This letter was donated in 1999.

In November 1914, “A” Company of the 59th Bn., left for England to become part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 21st Bn., 2nd Division.  Throughout the war local men served in the 2nd, 38th, and 154th Battalions.

Altogether more than 700 local men served in Europe, seeing action at Hill 70, Amiens, Ypres 1917, Arras 1918 and along the Hindenburg Line and during the pursuit to Mons.

War casualties included more than 234 killed and 397 wounded.

World War I and World War II will be remembered throughout November in a Remembrance Month exhibit at the museum, open Wed. to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.

Admission is free.

613 936-0280

Cornwall Lion’s Club Charter Night, April 18, 1940.  Left to Right:  Mrs. L. Chevrier, Lionel Chevrier, MP, Dr. E.O. Millay, District Gov., Mrs. Bruce Malcolm, S.F. Finnie, President – Morrisburg-Waddington, Lion’s Club, Bruce Malcolm, Niagara Falls, and the club’s first president Fred Lefebvre.  Photograph donated in 1991 by the “Standard-Freeholder.”

Founded under the sponsorship of the Morrisburg-Waddington Club, the group started with 15 members.

The Club’s main objectives were “…the aid of the sick, underprivileged and crippled children, juvenile delinquents and young boy’s and girl’s support organizations.”

It is curious that the one of the Club’s leading lights was the town’s primary bootlegger.  I wonder how this matched the Club’s objective regarding “juvenile delinquents”?

From the 1946 Reunion Booklet, a complete copy is at the museum.

9th Victory Loan billboard on the King George Hotel, October, 1945.

On August 25, 1939, guards were placed along the St. Lawrence Canal and at the Cornwall Armoury.

Six days later Nazi Germany attacked Poland.  Immediately, the Canadian government authorized the formation of the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions and called an emergency session of Parliament.

On Sept 10, 1939, Canada declared war, ushering in six long years of world conflict.

Cornwall a town of 14,000 was immediately united in its response.  Contributing over 4,000 men and women to the war effort, equally represented by English and French speaking Cornwallites, the town boasted one of the highest volunteer rates in Canada.

The citizens of Cornwall purchased $10,985,600 worth of war bonds, or some $100,000 in today’s terms.

Canada Cottons showing support for the 5th Victory Loan.

Locally, the SD & G Highlanders were mobilized on June 18, 1940, as an infantry unit of the 3rd Canadian Division  under the command of Lt-Col. Franklin.

In July of 1941, the Glens’ 1st Battalion, now commanded by Lt.-Col. Hicks-Lyne were sent to Britain.  On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Glens landed in Normandy.  Back at home, Cornwall gave 100% to the war effort.

With most European rayon production under German hegemony, Courtaulds retooled to produce cord yarn  for truck and bomber tires, as well as parachute fabric.  Canadian Cottons and Cornwall Pants made uniforms.  Howard Smith printed blueprint paper for scale plans to design weapons.  Ives Bedding produced bunk beds, while Bingley Steel repaired vessels in the drydocks.

In the west end, Stormont Chemicals was opened under great secrecy for the production of chemical weapons.

To prepare for the end of the war, 89 homes were built for veterans.

On Tuesday May 8, 1945 the War in Europe ended, and mayor Horovitz proclaimed a day of prayer and rejoicing.

Of the 4,000 Cornwallites who served throughout the conflict, 183 were killed in action:  ten sailors; 109 soldiers and 64 airmen.

Throughout the month of November the Museum will be hosting an exhibit in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives in both World Wars.

Admission is free, the museum is open Wed. to Sun., 11 to 4 pm.

Information:  613 936-0280.

Sent June 29th from Winchester, to West Williamsburg on July 2nd and onto Cornwall the same day, 1847.

sent to:  James Miller, Esq., Superintendent of Schools, Cornwall.

James Miller Esq.  Superintendent of Schools.

Sir we made our Return of the Children of School District No. 10 in the Township of Winchester to Mr. G. Lang and expect you have them if you have the Returns you Will find that we Returned the Children on the North Side of the River as the ___ ___ them up to the time of making Returns on the 31st day of December Last and as no others can claim them Lawfully and as the Children are all coming to our school and the parents have been Rated by the Council to build the school house and have signed A Petition to be restored to District No. 10 if the trustees of District No. __ have returned the Children on the North Side of the River they ____ not theirs them but the were ours.

We therefore Respectfully Request you to grant us the allowance of money for them Children.

Dear sir I wish to inform you that at our quarterly Examination to Miss Cameron got the Praise By our Councillor to be the Best School in Winchester and we have an average of between 35 and 40 Children a day.

Dear sir Remember our School District and have it Restored we have Praise in our District.

and if we have your influence we Will git our District Returned and our Children Educated  and our Children’s Lives saved in not sending them over the River as their has Lives been Lost this spring and your ____ Remembered.

Remember our Little Children and Do not Let them go over that River to School if it is in your Power.

We Remain yours most Respectfully
Winchester June 24, 27, 47  J.C. Fetterly, Peter Bogart, George Markley, Trustees.

Answer this if you Please

and the money Left in W.G. Lang’s hands belonging to our District of years past if Posabile Let us have it this year to Pay our own teacher.

Let us know.

if our Children must be Reported or not Let is know Next Mail if you Please.

This letter was donated to the Museum’s archives by Murray Barkley in 2010.

 

Hall Typewriter Co., No. 5699, Salem Mass, Patented March 1881.

The index typewriter was introduced in 1881 by Hall in NYC.  Six years later the company introduced this model.  It primarily differs from the first typewriter with the addition of a carriage release handle and the bell attached to the right margin stop.

For a time the index typewriter was viewed as a less costly alternative to the keyboard typewriter.  Instead of assigning individual keys for each letter, a sliding shuttle holding 81 characters was used to select and print each letter one at a time.

By 1900 the price of the keyboard typewriter had dropped significantly in price, edging the index typewriter out of the market.

The firm subsequently moved to Boston.

This index typewriter was used by William Mack at his Express Roller Mills, in Cornwall.

The typewriter was donated to the Museum in 1956.

William Mack’s Express Roller Mills, East End Cornwall (next to the Dundas Mill on the right.)

If you would like to learn more about the Mack family, and Cornwall’s first lady, Mary Mack, her biography is available at the Cornwall Community Museum for $15.

The museum is open 11 am to 4 pm, Wed. to Sun.

Info:  613 936-0280

cornwallhistory@outlook.com

This leather and web belt was collected by William Liddell from Cornwall while serving with the 8th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles in World War I.

The belt has two Canadian and one British General Service buttons, one Australian cap badge, one IODE pin, three brass “Canada” collar dogs, one 76th CEF badge, one Canadian Corps of Signalers Badge, one 154th CEF badge, one brass Canadian “INF” collar dog, one brass 4th collar dog, four – 8 Mounted Rifle collar dogs, one 4th Rifle collar dog, one Medical Corps collar dog, one Engineers “dog,” and 13 various regimental British badges.  Altogether there are 32 badges and three buttons.

Reverse side of belt.

These belts were assembled in several ways.  Some were put together by trading with men in other units (this example), some badges were taken from dead comrades, and are known as grave digger belts; others were made from badges taken off the bodies of dead opponents.  These are commonly known as “hate belts.”

This example was donated to the Museum in 2015 by Mike Davies of Burlington.  It forms part of the Museum’s Remembrance Month Exhibit.

UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST PLAQUE, once housed on the Federal Building (Post Office) in Cornwall, now the Library.

Whatever happened to this plaque?

Minted in 1934 by the Federal Government and placed on the Post Office at the corner of Pitt and 2nd Streets, it was removed to the new federal building/post office, in 1955, when the former building was demolished.

For some reason the plaque was removed from the building and placed in storage and nearly forgotten.  That is until a member of the SD & G Historical Society did some sleuthing and had it transferred, with the aid of our MP, to the Cornwall Community Museum, where it is now housed for all to see, along with other Loyalist documents and research facilities.