Stranica 154 [154]
OCR
100 family consisted of the following children : Samuel, Aaron, Hon. Timothy B., William, Adeline, Eliza, Khoda, Fred B. . THE GLASSFORD FAMILY. Paul Glassford was descended from an ancient Scotch family ; he was born in the Province of New York (then a British Colony), four years before the breaking out of the revolution came to Canada, the family being driven from the colony by the rebels in consequence of their loyalty to the British Crown. At that time there were five brothers of the family, John being the father of the late Paul Glassford. With their families they made their way from the Mohawk Valley, where they resided, until they reached the shore of Lake Ontario, near where Sackett’s Harbor now stands. At that place they secured a batteaux to convey them to Niagara, where a British regiment was stationed. Paul at this time Was six years of age. Whencoasting along the lake, the party frequently landed, to secure game and cook provisions. During one of the halts, Paul was lost and could not be found. The distress of the parents cannot bedescribed. Three days were spent in searching the forest, but no trace could be found of the lost child. Sorrowing, they departed on their journey, believing that little Paul had been devoured by some wild beast. What happened is best described in the words as they fell from the lips of Mr. Glassford in after life :— “TY wandered away from the other children, gathering wild grapes and flowers, and, before Iwas aware of the fact, I was lost. I could not make them hear my cries. I continued running about, expecting to find the lake. I at last became overcome with fatigue, and, lying down, cried myself to sleep. When I awoke, the son was shining. I satisfied my hunger with the grapes I had gathered, which were abundant around me, and continued to travel through the woods by day, sleeping in the best hiding place at night. I do not know how many days I had wandered about, when I suddenly came in sight of the lake. I was overjoyed, thinking that I would find my parents. I ran down to the beach, and looked in all directions, but could see nothing but the clear blue water in front, and the dark forest behind, I had lived on the wild grapes all this time, as I could find nothing else; and as I had heard my father say that Niagara was towards the setting sun, I continued in that direction along the sandy beach day after day, concealing myself at night in the bushes, as I was greatly afraid of meeting with Indians, thinking they would take me with them. For fear that it would prove cloudy, I made a mark in the sand every night before going ] to sleep, so that I would not be mistaken the next morning in the direction to proceed. One day I saw an Indian and squaw coming along the beach, I was frightened and hid in the bushes, but escaped their notice. After they had disappeared, I proceeded on my journey, travelling day by day until I reached the mouth of the Niagara River, where I was taken charge of and conveyed to the camp, by some soldiers. I told them that I had been lost in the woods, I was soon in my mother’s arms, my parents having delayed along the shore in the vain hope of receiving tidings of me." The family settled in the Township of Matilda, County of Dundas. In 1820, Paul entered into the mercantile business, in Augusta, just above Maitland, removing eventually to Brockville. He was an active Magistrate; frequently chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions. Retiring from active life about the year 1850, dying March 3oth, 1858. Mr. Glassford was twice married. His first wife was Miss Parlow, by whom he had one son and one daughter. His second wife, a daughter of the late Colonel David Breakenridge, bore him five sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters survive. THE COLEMAN FAMILY. The man that causes two blades of grass to grow where only one has grown before has been characterized as a public benefactor. Measured by sucha standard, the Coleman’s are well deserving of the grateful remembrance with which their memory has been preserved by, not only the citizens of Lyn, but also those of the United Counties. Men of untiring perseverance and energy, they built up an extensive manufacturing business, transforming a mere Through the construction of canals, dams and embankments they quadrupled the water power at Lyn, with which to supply the great mills and tanneries, surpassed at that time by none in Eastern Ontario. What Lyn was the Coleman’s made it; what Lynzs must be ascribed to their loss." The following is a short genealogical sketch of the original members of the family. Several of their descendants reside in Leeds at the present time :— Three brothers, named Richard, David and Abel Coleman emigrated from Washington County, New York, to Canada. Shortly after the revolution, Abel and Richard settled at Lyn ; David settled at Farmersville, Abel taking up four hundred acres of land, also conducting a tannery and grist mill at Lyn for many years. L1 hamlet into a thriving village. Abel died about 1808. Mrs./Coleman nee Hannah Elliott, daughter of a U. E. Loyalist, survived her husband nearly fiíty years, dying in 1853, Abel left ten children; Richard, John, 4 4 gi old ja bé a3
