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62 ha About the year 1800, a company was formed and a furnace built forthe manufacture of iron at Furnace Falls, (Lyndhurst). This was probably the first iron furnace set up in the Province. It was an oldfashioned “ Blast Furnace,” in connection with which there was a “forge” for the manufacture of bar The ore was of inferior quality and had to be drawn a considerable distance, consequently the enterprise was not a financial success, being abandoned after two years trial. made to cast hollow ware for the use of the settlers, including pots and kettles, but proved a complete failure. Soon after a grist mill was built in the Township of Bastard, at a place called Beverly, (Delta), which proved of incalculable benefit to the early settlers and put an end to the use of “stump mills.” iron. At one time an attempt was At that time there were about seven families between what is now Lyndhurst and Seeley’s Bay ; then unbroken woods for 18 miles to Kingston Mills. Mr. Sliter’s opportunities for obtaining an eduHe did not attend school until after he was fifteen years of age, and then only ove month, to learn to write. cation were of the most meagre character. No regular school was held. Those anxious to learn met at the settler’s cabins in the evening, selected the best qualified as teacher and proceeded to business. Mr. Sliter says: “We all learned something, “where there’s a will there’s a way.” “In 1803, I went to Gananoque with my father. At that time there were three houses in the village. In 1809, more settlers arrived and the county roads were somewhat improved.” We give the following in the words of Mr. Sliter : " The implements used in those days would astonish our present farmers. The bull-plough, heavy grub hoe, flail and hand fan, were in constant use. The absence of schools and religious services of any kind led to a non-observence of the Sabbath day, which . Was increased by the iron furnaces, having of neceessity to be kept going on Sunday, as well as any other day. In fact, the fire was only extinguished four times during the year. Lumbering was carried on extensively, the outlet being the Gananoque River ; the principal business men engaged were the McDonald’s of Gananoque. Trapping in the spring and fall was quite remunerative ; large numbers of fishers, muskrat, otter and pine martin were secured. The deer were very plentiful, and not only furnished food but also clothing for the new settlers. Dresses made from deer skin were quite common and presented a neat appearance, when dyed blue from the bark of the soft maple. I well remember making my harness from bark, A eT a gee ee eee all bee ‘ . dts eb ye Se sa peeled from a hickory tree. The first wheeled conveyance in the Township was made by taking a narrow cut, off the end of a large log, thus forming the wheels. Manufactured articles could not be obwere as follows : Cotton, 4oc. per yard ; prints, from 60 to 7oc. ; nails, 25c. per Ib. For a long time money was very scarce, but with the war of 1812, came a large expenditure of English coin. Prices immediately advanced ; oxen brought $150; cows, $40; flour, $20 per bbl. : pork, $40 per bbl. ; salt was at one time very scarce and sold as high as $50 per bbl. I have seen it retailed at 50c. per quart, In September, 1812, I joined a rifle company and entered upon duty at Gananoque. While in charge of the Block House, at that place, I learned the multiplication table. As no slates were to be had, my companion and myself obtained some chalk, and by using the top of the stove asa slate, succeeded in mastering the simple-rules of arithmetic, In 1813, my father hired as a substitute in the Flank Company of Fitzgibbon at Prescott, for six months, receiving for his pay $100 and the government allowance. He was placed in the Engineering Department, and complaining of the number of canteens too near the works, was ordered by the commander to clear the ground for a certain distance. For many years after the vacant Space was known in Prescott as “Sliter’s Plot.” On his return he built a bridge at Lyndhurst. He next rented a saw mill, which had been erected at Marble Rock, and engaged in speculations in which he lost his property.” CHURCHES. Trinity CHURCH, LANSDOWNE, ANGLICAN, This church was built by subscription, in 1848: has real estate attached to the extent of three acres. Average congregation, 100. Officiating clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Osborne. SAINT JoHN’s CHURCH, LEEDS, ANGLICAN, Built by subscription, in 1849 and 1850, chiefly through the exertion of the late Edward Green, Esq. Subsequently, Mrs. Green (relict of Mr. Green) bequeathed to the church fifty acres of valuable land, which has since been sold, realizing a handsome sum. Average attendance, 120. THE ENGLISH CHURCH, SEELEY’s Bay. This church was built by subscription, the Rev. A. H. Coleman being the principal promoter of the undertaking. Opened for Divine service, Sunday, April 27th, 1878. The edifice is substantial and
