Ontario Genealogy Database Index Site 350 000 Genealogy Records IndexedBy an Old-Timer. (George Calvert)
As I have little or nothing to do this stormy weather I thought I would give your readers an account of my first years in Upper Canada, or life 51 years ago. I landed in Port Hope in l832, the year of the cholera; we were not allowed to go into the town, we had shanties built on the lake shore. However, I stopped only two weeks, and then I hired out in the harvest for ten dollars per month, and I stopped six years, or at least six summers at the same place. I will tell you the bill of fare. We had whiskey on the table for breafast, and one black bottle to serve until noon; then we had whiskey on the dinner table, and one bottle to lust until tea; also whiskey for supper. This was the rations for two men. In the winter I chopped cordwood for 37 ½ cents per cord, and board myself. However, we had lively times. A bee every few days. Plenty of whiskey. two shillings a gallon. There was no God in those days. Dancing, whiskey and tobacco came first in estimation. Very few meeting houses were built. I had some business to come out to Cavan, and every tavern was full of drunken men racing and trading horses; and this was on a Sunday. How-ever, thank God, I have lived long enough to see these places and taverns all shut up, and meeting houses built. Now, sir, look what fifty years have done for Upper Canada, I will leave you to jndge. There was no Lindsay in those days. However, there was Omemee. Oats were six pence per bushel, and store pay at that. Now look at Lindsay, and we have different ways to go to the town. You can have your choice. I am sorry to say there are some parties who would rather have the old way when there was no God. Young men, beware of whiskey and tobacco, aud then you will choose the better way. Do it before it is too late. If the Salvation army don't move you you are immovable. Every christian in the town of Lindsay is praying for you. Remember.
G. Calvert.
Ontario Genealogy Database Index Site 350 000 Genealogy Records Indexed
Upper Canada (Ontario) Insane Asylum Database
Ontario Genealogy Historical Newspaper Collection Historical Newspaper Files from various regions of Ontario
Ontario Genealogy Postcard Site - Great old-time landscape views
Upper Canada Land Petitions 51000 Records Indexed
Newcastle District CRIMINAL Database
NEWSPAPER Genealogical and Historical Records - Thousands of entries
January 2004 Join the Ontario Genealogy mail list now. Discussion group for genealogy and history of the Province of Ontario post 1867, or join the Upper Canada (Ontario) mail list now, discussion group for genealogy and history of Upper Canada prior to 1867.
Subscribe: Type subscribe in message subject and body.
Upper Canada Genealogy Mail List
Search the Ontario Genealogy Website
Need HELP With Your Family Research?...
Northumberland County Genealogy and History
Victoria County Genealogy and History
Durham County Genealogy and History
Haliburton County Genealogy and History
Peterborough County History and Genealogy
Newcastle District (Upper Canada) History and Genealogy
Ontario County History and Genealogy
Upper Canada History and Genealogy
Echoes of the Past - Ontario Genealogy Home
