Oldal 32 [32]
a shanty, which generally consisted of a log cabin,
about 15 by 20. One door and one window were
considered sufficient. The roof was constructed by
placing straight poles lengthwise of the building,
over which were spread strips of elm bark, four
feet in length, and from one to two feet in width,
the layers overlapping each other, and held down
by poles above, which were fastened by means of
withes to those below. The hearth was made of
flat stones, as well as the fire-back, which was
carried up as high as the logs, in some instances ;
in others, the chimney consisted of a flue made of
green timber, plastered with mud. No _ boards
could be procured for forming a floor, consequently
the material was split out of basswood logs, and
planed by means of a settler’s axe. The door
frequently consisted of a blanket, while the furni¬
ture of the cabin was such as could be fashioned
with an augur and an axe.
The following interesting memoir was furnished
by the late Adiel Sherwood, Esq., to Dr. Canniff, of
Toronto, and to that gentleman we are indebted for
a copy for publication :
MEMOIR.
“At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War,
in 1783, the first settlers of Upper Canada were
residing in Lower Canada, at and between Quebec
and Montreal. Two Provincial corps deserve espec¬
ial notice; they were stationed at St. Johns, about
twenty-seven miles from Montreal, on the south
side of the River St. Lawrence. One was command¬
ed by Major Jessup, the other by Major Rodgers,
the forces under their command being actually the
very first settlers of Leeds and Grenville.
“About the first of June, 1784, they came up, and
located along the bank of the St. Lawrence, com¬
mencing a short distance west of the Province line,
and extending even to the Bay of Quinte. The
total number of new settlers who entered the
Province in 1784, was computed at 10,000.
“The river was ascended by means of small
boats, called batteaux. These barques were built
at Lachine, and were capable of carrying from four
to five families each. Twelve boats constituted a
brigade. Each brigade was placed under the com¬
mand of a conductor, with five men in each boat,
two of whom were placed on each side to row, with
one in the stern, to steer. It was the duty of the
conductor to give directions for the safe manage¬
ment of the flotilla. When a rapid was ascended,
part of the boats were left at the foot, in charge of
one man, the remaining boats being doubly manned,
and drawn up by means of a rope fastened to the
bow, leaving four men in the boat, with setting
poles, to assist. The men at the end of the rope
walked along the bank, but were frequently com¬
pelled to wade in the current, upon the jagged
rocks. On reaching the head of the rapid, one
man was left in charge, and the boatmen returned
for the balance of the brigade.
“The Loyalists were furnished rations by the
Government, until they could clear the land, and
provide for themselves. The seed given consisted
of spring wheat, pease, Indian corn, and potatoes.
Farming and other implements were provided,
consisting of axes, hoes, augers, etc., and, in some
instances, a kind of metal mill, in which to grind
their corn and wheat. Iam not aware that any of
the mills were distributed in Leeds and Grenville.
Commissioners were appointed to issue the .rations
and other supplies.
“At that time, the country was a_ howling
wilderness. Not a single tree had been cut by
an actual settler, from the Province line to
Kingston, a distance of one hundred and fifty
miles, By the original survey, the lots were
designated by a post planted, plainly marked with
the number of each lot. ;
“The following is a short list of the actual first
settlers in the County of Leeds, whom [ remember:
“First, there was my father, Thomas Sherwood,
who was the first actual settler in the counties. He
located on lot number one, in the first concession
of Elizabethtown, about the first of June, 1784. My
father was one of a family of three brothers, named
Seth Sherwood, Thomas Sherwood, and Adiel Sher¬
wood. Thomas was born at Old Stratford, in the
State of Connecticut, inthe year1745. He emigrated
to the State of New York, where he located on a
beautiful farm, situated about five miles north of
Fort Edward, and but a short distance from the
spot where General Burgoyne surrendered. Both
of my father’s brothers settled in the same neigh¬
borhood.
“At the commencement of the Revolutionary
War, my father remained loyal to the British
Crown, and, as soon as he could escape, made
his way, va Lake Champlain, to St. Johns, Lower
Canada, where he found assembled a large number
of British troops. He was at once employed in the
Secret Service, going into the States and enlisting
men to serve His Majesty King George III. His
family remained in the States until 1779, when they
removed to St. Johns, and he was appointed a
subaltern officer in Major Jessup’s corps. Both of
his brothers entered the Continental army as
officers.
“My father was frequently called upon to run
the side lines of the lots for the first settlers, and
to show them the location of their land. Though
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