Stranica 37 [37]
woods, and eaten without pepper or salt. Families
existed for months on oat porridge, beef bones were
boiled again and again, boiled bran was a luxury,
farms were offered for a few pounds of flour. Fish
were caught with a hook made from the backbone
of the pike and speared in the small creeks with a
crotched pole. In the Province, five individuals
were found dead, including one poor woman with
a live infant at her breast. The infant was carried
away and protected.
Deacon Obediah Reed, who resided in the Town¬
ship of Augusta, found that he must obtain supplies
from a distance, and, for that purpose, started on a
journey, by boat, to the western portion of the
Province, where he had friends. He left behind
him a wife and two small children, with provisions
for two weeks. Owing to an unforseen delay, he
was not able to reach home until the ninth day
after the provisions were exhausted. The patient
wife, with her babes, portioned out the supply so
as to make it last as long as possible; but, alas!
the night came when the last crust was exhausted,
and starvation stared the family in the face. After
offering up a fervent prayer for succor, she retired.
In the morning, what was her surprise, to find that
the cat had caught a fat rabbit during the night,
and was waiting at the door of the log cabin, when
the hungry and anxious mother arose. For eight
nights in succession, the feline provider was equally
successful, having a rabbit each morning with which
to supply the larder. On the ninth day, her hus¬
band returned, bringing with him a supply of
provisions. Strange to relate, from that time, the
cat was never known to catch a rabbit. Mrs. Reed
frequently related the circumstance; and, it is
needless to say, that the pious lady was, during
the remainder of her life, a firm believer in
“special Providence,” knowing from experience,
that
**God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform."
In consequence of the price and scarcity of tea,
the early settlers considered ita great luxury, to
be used only on state occasions. Various substi¬
tutes were in use— sassafras, hemlock, and a wild
herb called the tea-plant. One Methodist minister
was highly popular with the ladies in this section,
because he always brought with him a supply for
“the cup which cheers, but not inebriates.”
Generosity, and a desire to assist new-comers,
was a characteristic of the pioneers. Not only
were articles of every conceivable nature lent
accomplished by means of “ bees,” at which all the
- mm =
neighbors were invited for miles around. At such
gatherings, the “flowing bowl” was considered an
indispensible adjunct.
Either the liquor, at that time, was superior to
that at present manufactured, or the appetite for
strong drink has increased to an alarming extent.
One thing is certain—our forefathers were un¬
acquainted with the fearful headaches which at
present occasionally make their appearance, for no
well explained reason. As a sample of early
manuscript prepared by Mr. Purvis, of Mallory¬
town :
“One morning, two farmers found the remains of
a tramp in the corner of the fence, above Jones’
Creek, While they were discussing the propriety
of sending for a coroner, to hold an inquest, Mr,
Jones, of Brockville, made his appearance, on horse¬
back. He informed the yeomen that the nearest
coroner resided at Gananoque, and that, in his
opinion, it was not necessary to incur any needless
expense ; advising that a cheap coffin be procured,
and the remains be interred, at the same time con¬
tributing $2 towards defraying the expense. After
his departure, the farmers proceeded to search the
pockets of the corpse, finding $2.50. The neighbors
were summoned, a coffin made, and religious ser¬
vices held ina log house at Yong’s Mills. There
being no regular clergyman in this part of the
country at that time, one of the best educated
and influential settlers was chosen to conduct the
service. The burial rites being over, it was discov¬
ered that a balance of $1.50 remained unexpended.
The question immediately arose, as to how it should
. be spent. By universal consent, it was decided
to invest it in spirits. A supply was procured ina
pail, the entire congregation assisting in disposing
of the same—a task which was speedily accom¬
| plished. At that time, nothing was thought of the
matter, the custom of ‘drinking’ being almost
universal.”
At avery early date, the members of the Church
of England attempted to erect a church on one of
the sand-hills of Augusta, near the present residence
of Mr. Guy C. Reed. Part of the foundation was
laid, when it was decided to make a “grand bee,”
to which all the settlers were invited. A barrel of
| whiskey was secured for the occasion, and, for a
time,
"c All went merry as a marriage-bell,”
But, sad to relate! the supply of stimulant proved
more than a match for the hardy settlers. Things
became inextricably mixed — confusion reigned
supreme ; and, in place of the wall going up, it was
| knocked down, and there it remains to this day,