THE OLD LOG HOUSE

O auld hoose! O auld hoose!
Deserted tho’ ye be,
There ne’er wull be a new hoose
Ae half sae dear tae me.

—Scottish Song.

RICKETY, shingleless, old and gray,
Scathed by the storms of many a day,
In a wayside spot where the wild weeds grow,
Stands the old log cabin of long ago.

Loftily, haughtily round it stand
Lordly mansions on every hand,
Deigning never a look to cast
On the ruined roof of the humble past.

Rarely a foot o’er its threshold falls,
Rarely a look at its old gray walls
By a friend or a stranger is cast, I trow—
Nobody cares for the old house now.

Rotting away is its rough, rude wall,
Tottering and tumbling and like to fall;
And the rafters round, which its roof uprears,
Are bent by the burden of fourscore years.

The winter wind and the summer sun
On roof and gable their work have done;
And crumbled down, since many a day,
The quaint old chimney of “clat and clay.”

On every side, within and without,
The chinking and plaster are falling out,
And the sagging sash with its broken pane
Is a fence no more ’gainst the wind and rain.

In and out through its drooping door
The feet of the fathers will fall no more,
As back and forth on their weary way
They went to their work with the waking day.

Through that mouldering doorway I entered in,
And I stood by the spot where the hearth had been
Where the backlog fire with its ruddy light
Had burned and blazed through the livelong night.

But the fires were out and the lug-pole gone,
All cracked and crumbling the old hearthstone,
And fallen the jambs by the fireplace wall,
Where the weird night shadows had loved to fall.

Silent I stood on the rotting floor,
While I looked the old house o’er and o’er,
And my eyes with the burning tears filled fast
As my heart went back to the vanished past.

Oh! many a year has the grass grown green,
And many a winter’s snows have been,
Since, a barefoot boy, I used to roam,
And that old house was my childhood’s home!

No sky so bright as its sky o’erhead,
No couch so soft as its humble bed,
No face so fair to my childish sight
As her’s whose kiss was my last good-night.

Again ’mid the bygone years I seem,
And the past comes back like a waking dream,
Till the ruined walls no more I see,
But the old house stands as it used to be.

Once more by the hearth of my early days
All the home faces are met by the blaze,
And loving eyes look bright as when
In my childhood’s years I saw them then.

But the years roll by and the faces fade,
And one by one in the dust are laid,
Till the last from the empty hearth has gone,
And I stand ’neath its ruined roof—alone.

Alas for the wreck of the robber years!
Alas for our unavailing tears
O’er the withered leaves of the past, that lie
Strewn thick on the pathway of memory!

Like a dream we come, like a dream we go
’Mid the ceaseless years, in their ebb and flow:
And the crumbling things of the sad to-day
Were the idols we worshipped yesterday.

Yet, mouldering away though its walls, to me
Forever green will the memory be
Of the dear old house that I used to know
Where I lived and loved in the Long Ago.

Thomas Sparks, M.D.
St. Marys, Ont.

IN the latter part of October, in the year 1839— sixty years ago—Mr. McDonald, Provincial Land Surveyor, returned from the west to the Canada Company’s office in Toronto, with the plans and field notes of the township of Blanshard. He had been engaged during the summer in making the survey of what, by common consent of all who are acquainted with that section of Canada, is considered as being amongst the best, if not the very best, of all the municipalities ceded to the Company by King George. The Canada Company was organized in the year 1824 by a number of English gentlemen, with its headquarters in London, England, and was incorporated by an Act of the British Parliament in 1826. John Galt, the Ayrshire novelist, was one of the great promoters of the enterprise, and he, with Dr. Dunlop and others, was sent to Upper Canada for the purpose of carrying out the schemes and intentions of the Company regarding the great estate recently ceded to it by the Crown. It may be proper to state here, however, that the settlement of the Huron tract formed no part of the great enterprise which the Company had in view; neither did it relate in any way to the agreement made in the charter recently granted to it by the Government of Great Britain. Since the vast territory known as British North America had been acquired by the British people it had been the policy of that Government to maintain the union of Church and State as then existing in England. For the furtherance of their policy, and the better to render the Church in a greater degree independent of the fast growing democratic element, which was strongly pervading the minds of the masses of that particular period, large grants of public lands had been made to it by the Government. Those land grants were known as Clergy Reserves, and were located in several sections of the Province where surveys had been made. The Canada Company was organized to dispose of these lands and open them for settlement. Matters had proceeded so far amicably between all parties when a complete change of policy was effected. Without reverting to what may be called that unhappy period of Canadian history, which culminated in the rebellion of 1837, we may say that a new power had arisen in Canadian politics. This power was represented and ably manipulated by a Scotchman who was then at the head of the Anglican Church in Canada. He protested against the arrangements made with the Canada Company. Those lands which had been set apart and granted to the Church for her support ought to be controlled and disposed of by the Church. Of the granting of these lands to this body there could be no doubt; and such being the case, there could be as little doubt that the Church should control them. Through the influence of the Church, therefore, the operations of the Canada Company were abruptly terminated.

At the period of which we write, the whole territory of the Huron tract was comparatively unknown. Unless some adventurous hunter, no white man had ever ventured into the darkness of that unexplored region. Its vast solitudes were a mystery. The story of the white man’s life among its leafy halls was untold. This great section of country the Canada Company was asked to accept in lieu of the Clergy Reserves, which, as matters now stood, the Government appeared to be determined to resume for the purpose for which they were originally designed.

To this arrangement the Company was unwilling to accede. The agreement regarding the Clergy Reserves was ratified by those concerned, and should not now be violated. A bargain which had been consummated on fair and honorable lines ought to be held sacred by both the contracting parties. But apart from this, the Huron tract was unknown. Fertile it might be, or barren it might be—that was a matter futurity only could determine. The burden of the chance should not therefore fall on the shoulders of the Company. As far as their agents had entered the territory from the east, it was not encouraging. Dismal marshes seemed to prevail. Around where the city of Stratford now stands, and stretching away to the north through Elma and Ellice, the country appeared to be one great swamp. It was hopeless to think that such land could ever be made available for agriculture. The Company therefore declined to make any exchange, until matters reached a climax. They then made a virtue of necessity, and, much against their inclination, became the proprietors of the Huron tract.

Mr. Galt and other of his associates located themselves at Guelph, which was then a place of a few houses. From this point they directed the operations of the great institution they represented. They made surveys, opened roads, and made such other improvements as would tend to the early settlement of the territory so recently acquired from the Crown. The whole district of the Huron tract was then, and for many years after, known as Huron County. Beginning in the east, adjoining the County of Waterloo, the road known as the Huron road was opened through what is now the city of Stratford, extending in a straight line westward to Lake Huron, where is now the town of Goderich. Surveys were at once proceeded with along both sides of this road, from the Easthopes in the east to the lake in the west. The manner of making these surveys was certainly indicative of a strong want of confidence on the part of the Company, in the early settlement of its large estate. On both sides of this great road, which passes through, in its entire length, one of the most fertile districts in Canada, the townships were surveyed one concession at a time. Thus, after the first concession had been settled another one to the rear was surveyed and thrown open ; and so on backwards from what was called the front.

As each of those townships was surveyed it was named after, and in honor of, one of the gentlemen who composed the Board of Directors of the Company. For example, we find such names amongst those representatives as Robert Downie, Esq., John Fullarton, Esq., John Riddulph, Esq., Henry Osborne, Esq., Richard Blanshard, Esq., and so on; and we have accordingly the municipalities of Biddulph, Fullarton, Downie, Osborne, and Blanshard. The name Blanshard was therefore given to this municipality in honor of Richard Blanshard, Esq. This township was the last to be surveyed in the Huron tract. The long period of fifteen years had elapsed since the organization of the Company before a stake had been planted to mark its boundaries. This arose from its isolated position. The various leading roads opened by the Company were located far away. The Huron road and the Goderich road, from London to Clinton, were each ten or twelve miles distant, rendering this section difficult of access.

During those years, however, from the termination of the war of 1812, and particularly after the close of the Peninsular War, Upper Canada was rapidly taken up for settlement. From Hamilton westward to London, along what is known as the Governor’s road, prosperous communities had sprung up. The townships of East and West Nissouri were settled along that great highway, and pioneers were gradually creeping north toward the still wild and unknown township of Blanshard. From the north, settlements were being made every year farther south, down through Fullarton and westward through Downie; and from the Goderich road, land was being rapidly taken up, back to the rear of the township of Osborne. Blanshard was therefore the last township in the south part of the Huron tract to receive within her bounds the hardy and adventurous pioneer. At what time the land hunter (as those looking for a location were called) first entered into the township it would be impossible to say. Very few of the old pioneers are now left to tell the tale of their first experiences. Nearly all are gone. The few that are still remaining can no longer tell with precision the occurrences of sixty years ago. There are events, however, that have impressed themselves deeply on their minds, a recital of which as to the main facts would be reliable. Still, like all traditions, they are generally equivocal, or contradictory in detail.

From the system adopted by the Company for disposal of their lands, it is quite likely that a number of settlers had located in the township in 1840 and ’41, although no record of them could be found in the Company’s books. In the early days it was quite proper for a settler to select his lot, build a shanty, and begin to make improvements, without even making application to the Company for permission, or having an agreement as to the price. Some of these squatters, as they were called, lived for twelve years on a farm without ever applying for a right to do so, making improvements, and then selling to someone who might want to purchase, and with the proceeds beginning anew. Nearly all the lands in Blanshard were first taken on lease. A lease was a document granted to the settler by the Company, and extending usually for ten years, whereby the lessee agreed to clear and improve so much land every year (in the old leases four acres), pay all taxes and statute labor and other dues against the land for municipal improvements. The settler also had the option to pay for his lot at from $2.50 to $3 per acre, in cash, at the period of his locating, if he was so disposed. If his financial condition would not admit of so large an outlay, the Company bound themselves at the expiration of the lease and upon the payment of the principal sum, with interest at the rate of 6 percent, per annum, payable yearly, to issue the patent. Over and above these payments a further sum of about two-and-a-half per cent, was added to the cash price of the land if not paid till the end of the ten years.

It was also agreed between the parties that if the lessee paid for his land at the end of five years, which privilege was granted in the lease, then one and one-quarter per cent, only should be added to the cost price. The Company, we think, acted fairly in stipulating with the settler that all moneys he might be able to save during the term of his lease could be paid over, and interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, or the same that they charged, would be allowed till the end of the term. These fair and honorable provisions did not, however, serve to mitigate the indignation of the pioneers at the Company asking at the end of ten years an increased price of two and one-half per cent. This item was popularly known amongst the old settlers as the “shaving money.” As might be expected, a great amount of misconception arose among the lessees regarding these charges. At every gathering loud and deep were the denunciations of the Company for, as they claimed, their most unfair conduct towards them in these matters. They held that if the land had increased in value, such increase had been brought about by their labor. The Company was therefore enriching itself at the expense of their hardship and toil. This reasoning on their part, while it was largely correct, was not wholly so.

I am not writing a defence of the Canada Company; neither do I know whether they carried out their agreement with the British Government as to the obligations expressed in their charter that they should discharge. I do know, however, that many of the settlers in Blanshard could use, and did use, the Company’s money, for which they paid six per cent., when money could not be obtained on good security for less than from twelve per cent, to fifteen per cent., and in some cases even higher rates, elsewhere. Many of Blanshard’s first settlers lost their farms by borrowing money from capitalists at exorbitant rates of interest to pay for their patents, who could have saved themselves from ruin if they had again renewed their leases for another term. They acted very inconsiderately indeed, and in a way which ended in disaster to themselves. They apparently never considered whether they had discharged their obligations honestly and fairly to the Company, or if the Company had discharged its obligations honestly toward them. The great point was to get clear of the Canada Company, and so end all their troubles. With that idea many rushed to the speculator, and with a madness only equalled by their stupidity, incurred obligations which ate out their substance, ate out their hopes, ate out their lives, and were never discharged till they were discharged by the sheriff under the auctioneer’s hammer.

In the early history of the township the pioneers seem to have located themselves along or contiguous to one or other of the streams which form the outlet for nearly the entire drainage of the municipality. Blanshard may be said topographically to be composed of one great plain, passing through which are three distinct and well-defined valleys. The surface being on the whole comparatively level, it contains but few springs. The first and greatest of these valleys, that of the Thames, enters the township on the north side, flows southerly through the town of St. Marys, passing into Nissouri nearly at the extreme south-east corner of the municipality. The second great valley, that of Fish Creek, enters the township on the west, near the village of Kirkton, flowing southerly till it reaches the rear of the 11th concession, when it trends easterly and parallel to the concession line, and falls into the River Thames a short distance from the south boundary. The third valley, that of Flat Creek, enters the township on the north, flows south-easterly, and falls into the Thames about two miles north of St. Marys. These three streams, with Otter Creek and Trout Creek, which enter the township from the east, form the great outlets for the surplus water on the 45,900 acres of farm lands of which the township is composed.

In early settlements the first and greatest consideration was the water supply. The pioneer, in making his selection of a spot for his future home, kept this constantly in view. No matter what the quality of the soil may have been, without plenty of water it was useless. Along these streams, therefore, the first settlers located themselves. On the 1st concession a number of them cleared up the rear of the lots, and built their shanties on the banks of Flat Creek in order to be convenient to water. Those who located in what is known as the “square township,” and at some distance from any stream, had to content themselves with a hole dug in some marshy spot in the woods. If the pioneer was tasteful and methodical in his habits, he would cut three or four feet from the end of a hollow tree, and placing this in the opening he scooped out, give an appearance of cleanliness to the spot from which he obtained a supply of water for his family. In numerous instances, however, no such precautions were taken, and around many of these watering places was an accumulation of decaying matter to describe which would be a bonanza to the township Board of Health in making their annual report. In too many instances these surface holes in the summer months contained a mixture composed of vegetable matter and of animal life altogether foreign to the component parts of spring water. Frogs were constant visitors. But little difficulty was experienced in dealing with such intruders in the family beverage. They were as a rule big and fat, and the family of the settler paid little attention, therefore, to the great innocent-looking fellows that sat complacently in the mud at the bottom of the hole, in the enjoyment apparently of solid comfort and happiness. But another and greater difficulty was experienced with a smaller and more sportive intruder which existed in the water in millions; this was popularly known as the “wiggler.” The approved method of disposing of this part of the mixture was by using a piece of calico, through which the water was strained, thus separating effectively the “wigglers” and the larger portions of clay from the contents of the pail. The fluid thus operated upon was allowed to stand in a vessel for a short time to “settle,” when it would be fit for use.

Accordingly we find the first settlements near the River Thames and on the several creeks that fall into it in its course through the township. On the Thames concession, where the town of St. Marys now stands, we find the earliest traces of settlement in the municipality. North of St. Marys, on Otter Creek, the first pioneer families were those of Mr. McGregor, Mr. McIntosh, John Legg, who resided on the farm now occupied by Mr. Sinclair, south of St. Marys; the families of Messrs. McVannel, Pickard, Weston, Bradley, Hutchings, and Tasker. In 1842 the Armstrong families had settled on the M. R. concession, and were followed soon after in the same concession by Robert Mackay, the Dalzells, Sparlings, Switzers, and nearer St. Marys, Mr. Henderson. On the 1st concession the old settlers, nearly all of whom settled on the rear of their farms on Flat Creek, were the families of Cameron, Meighen, Sinclair, Robertson, and Gowan. Donald Cameron, Ewen Cameron, Mr. McCallum were early settlers near Anderson post-office. On the 4th and 8th concession, John Robinson, Francis Robinson, the Spearin and the Irwin families were among the earliest settlers. On the base line, the Cathcarts, Creightons, Bruces, Jamiesons, Morrills, Marriotts, Richard Paynter, and Mr. Chappcl. On the Ninth concession we first meet the families of McIntyres, Sawyers, Willises, Parkers, McDougalls, Fotheringhams, and Thompsons; on the 10th concession, Thomas Shipley, John Shipley the Dinsmores, Ridleys, and McDonalds ; on the 12th-concession, the families of R. and T. Foster, Morley, Duffield, Cook; and near Prospect Hill, Donnin, Radcliff, Crawford; and on the Mitchell Road the Hays had settled at a very early period. In giving the names of these old pioneers we have only mentioned some of those who are still living, or whose families still reside on the old farms. Many, very many more indeed, we could mention who resided in Blanshard in those early days, but who have long since gone to other places to search out fortune and a home.

From the year 1841 to the year 1848 the whole township may be said to have been settled. During that period, comparatively little of the land had been patented, or, as the old settlers would say, “deeded.” In fact as late as the year 1850 very few titles had been granted to the people of Blanshard.

As we have stated elsewhere, nearly all the old pioneers held their lands for ten years by leasehold tenure, and it was not till the expiration of those tenures that the settler took his patent. During the period, from 1850 to 1860, patents had been issued to the great majority of the settlers in Blanshard. In that time all the leases granted to the several applicants from 1840 to 1850 were lapsing, and had either to be renewed at an increased price per acre or the original price paid and the land patented. A large number adopted the latter course and paid for their farms. At the same time we regret to say that the names of men appear on many of those titles that never underwent the hardships or endured the inconveniences of pioneer life. In the city of London and other places wealth had begun to accumulate in the meantime, and a number of old settlers had recourse to the surplus funds of the capitalist at high rates of interest to deed their farms, and which during their whole life they were never able to redeem. While this had to be done in many cases, it is gratifying to know that a goodly number made great headway, and whose industry and thrift had been amply rewarded. Yery many indeed had been able to discharge all obligations from their own savings, and obtain that much coveted, long-hoped-for, and hard earned piece of parchment on which were written the magic words “the said lands to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.”

In examining the records of the Canada Company, the first patent that we noticed issued in the township of Blanshard to any person was granted William Fletford for lot 15, concession 15. The patent appears to have been issued on November 1st, 1842. This lot, we believe, is at present owned and occupied by Charles Bailey, sen. On concession 1, the first deed was granted to Gordon Meighen, on the 27th day of November, 1844, and three days later another on the same concession was granted to William Beatty. On concession 2, the first deed was issued to Donald Cameron, on September 25th, 1843. On concession 3, to Archie McCallum, on the 7tli day of October, 1844. On concession 4, to Adam Shier, on June 18th, 1844. On concession 5 to Gerard Irvine, on September 13th, 1846. On concession 6 to Alexander Jamieson, on October 3rd, 1846. On concession 7 to David Smith, on August 6th, 1846. On concession 8 to Neil McLennan, on June 20th, 1851. On concession 10 to Thomas Dinsmore, on February 26th, 1853. On concession 11 to Samuel Radcliff, on February 26th, 1847. On concession 12 to Peter Weston, on December 27th, 1849. On concession 13 to Thomas Christie, on March 5th, 1844. On concession 14 to Thomas Skinner, on August 6th, 1853. On concession 18 to Walter Stinson, on May 12th, 1848. On concession 17 to Adam St. John, on July 18th, 1848. On concession 19 to Robert Patterson, on May 12th, 1845. On concession 20 to Caleb Richardson, on September, 1848. On the N. B. concession to Edward Deimage, in 1848. On the S. B. concession to George Jackson, on December 22nd, 1848. On the E. M. R. concession to John Sparling, on June 8th, 1844. On the W. M. R. concession to Donald Cameron, on August 6th, 1845. On the W. B. concession to Jasper Ward, on the 27th day of August, 1852. On the Thames concession to Thomas Ingersoll, on the 19th day of February, 1844. To James Ingersoll, on the 13th day of August, 1849, was issued a patent for an island below the falls in the River Thames, containing one acre and seven perches, and for which he is to pay therefore the sum of five shillings. On the 6th day of August, 1845, a patent was granted to the Reverend Ephraim Evans, of London, for part of lot 22, concession 8, for a place of interment, and on which plot McIntyre’s Church now .stands. The whole of these patents were issued for lands in the township of Blanshard, in the County of Huron, and Province of Upper Canada.