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February 2024
We are deep into winter; yet we are now passed January 19th, traditionally the coldest day of the year.
As a result of the 2024 AGM, a new Board was elected. One new face this year is Jane Anderson as Board Secretary replacing Ruth Wright. Jane is a long-standing member of RTHS and has served on the Board previously. For her part, Ruth is not leaving the Board, as she now will be the Director responsible for membership. Two are leaving the Board: Giulio Maffini and Owen Cooke. Giulio was Watsons Mill’s representation to the RHTS Board. Giulio was an energetic member of every board meeting and always helpful and full of interesting ways to move forward. Owen Cooke, an RTHS member for 49 of the 50 years the Society has been in existence has made many contributions to the Society, most recently as a co-author of North Gower A Village History, 1820 - 2020. Owen is also lead volunteer with the Rideau Branch of the City of Ottawa Archives in North Gower. We thank Owen and Giulio for their service to the executive team, and look forward to an exciting year with our new Board.
February is Black history month. As described in the event poster above, our guest this month is Rawlson King, Ottawa Councillor for Rideau- Rockcliffe. Mr. King will talk to us about his experience as Council liaison to an Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiative which resulted in the creation of the City’s Anti-Racism Office and Initiative. Also, Mr. King currently Chairs the City's Built Heritage Committee. This will be a very interesting presentation. and I urge everyone to attend February 21st at the Manotick United Church, Manotick. Consider bringing a friend or telling your neighbour.
This year (2024) RTHS turns 50, having been inaugurated in September 1974. We hope to celebrate this anniversary in a special way in September of this year. While we have some ideas, any suggestions you might have would be most welcome. Feel free to contact myself, or any Board member.
Doug Culham, President
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Margot Jean Belanger
October 2, 1948 - January 4, 2024
The RTHS family mourns the passing of Margot Belanger. Margot was an active member of our Society, serving on the Executive Board as the Communications Director, and later as Vice-President until the diagnosis of glioblastoma forced her to relinquish her duties.
Margot was a friend to all, a tireless worker and volunteer who approached all projects and activities with enthusiasm and boundless energy, including the Society's yearly excursions in June.
Margot was a dedicated public servant for over 30 years, and volunteered with many local organizations, including Watsons Mill, Dickinson Square, the Manotick BIA and the Manotick Horticultural Society. She was an avid gardener (how she loved showing off her beautiful flowers and gardens!) and was also a passionate world traveller. Our most sincere condolences go out to her husband, Rick, her daughter Chantelle Courtney (Peter Furnish) and grandsons Mathew and Benjamin.
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Report on Our January Event
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RTHS AGM and Annual "Bring & Brag" Event
On January 17th RTHS members gathered for the the Society's Annual General Meeting, and our annual "Bring & Brag" session.
President Doug Culham opened the event and presided over the business phase of the event. Doug made special mention of the fact that RTHS will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a Society, having been inaugurated in September, 1974. Doug went on to mention that we have a charter member with us tonight, Georgie Tupper.
Doug introduced the RTHS Executive for 2024, indicating that while the Society is very fortunate that most positions have confirmed incumbents (with some rearrangement of responsibilities). Others interested in serving on the Executive are always welcome.
Doug also made a point of acknowledging the contributions of retiring Executive member Owen Cooke. Owen, who is currently lead volunteer at the Rideau Branch of the City of Ottawa Archives in North Gower has been an RTHS member for 49 years -- just one less than the Society has been in existence. We thank him for his service on the Executive team, and thankful that he will continue as a valued RTHS member.
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Bring & Brag
Five RTHS members presented items of personal interest.
Bill Tupper spoke about his personal experience and involvement with the consideration and introduction of the Canadian $1 coin (the Loonie) in 1986-87.
In 1984 Bill was a newly-minted Member of Parliament representing Nepean-Carleton. That year his first assignment happened to be with the Committee of Miscellaneous Estimates, and at the first meeting of that committee in November 1984, the question was raised: "Does Canada need a high-value $1 coin?" And, if it does, should the $1 paper bill be retained?
Bill pointed out that, at the time, Canada already had a $1 coin, first minted in 1935 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the reign of King George V. This coin was nicknamed "the voyageur" based on the engraving of a voyageur canoe and paddlers on its face.
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Top: 1935 Commemorative "Voyageur" $1 coin (80% silver)
Bottom Left: 1987 Loonie (nickel core with bronze exterior)
Bottom Right: Bill Tupper presenting
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Through consultation, (particularly with municipalities) the Committee discovered that there was demand for a new $1 coin. Changing times (and inflation) suggested that systems as disparate as city transit and newspaper vending machines would benefit from a new coin. However, the idea was not without opposition, the most vocal of which came from the bank note companies, who envisioned their lucrative government contracts evaporating. Bill described the ferocity and personal nature of the opposition, and the impact it had on him, as the only Ottawa-area MP on the Committee, as well as his family, friends, and even neighbours.
Fortunately, the Regional Chair of Ottawa at the time, Dennis Coolican, came out strongly in support of the coin and, given that Dennis was a past president of the Canadian Bank Note Co., opposition quickly abated.
Another story Bill shared related to the dies (used for pressing the front and back) created for the new coin. The first dies, which repeated the "voyageur" design, were produced in Ottawa and then shipped to Winnipeg for minting. Somewhere en route the dies disappeared! While the RCMP were of the opinion the dies were simply lost or misplaced, government officials, fearing they were stolen (to date the dies are still missing) and could be used to produce counterfeit coins, decided the design process must begin again. The winning design (by Robert Carmichael following an open public competition) showed a loon floating in water.
After a period of public assessment with approximately 5,000 test coins, 40 million "Loonies" were released by the mint on June 30, 1987. Over the next 20 years 800 million more $1 coins were introduced into the Canadian money market.
Over the years there have been 24 Special Editions, including the "Lucky Loonie" first used at the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City as an incentive for Canadian athletes. In 2012 the coin's nickel core was changed to steel, an etched maple leaf added just above the loon, and the date was moved from the front of the coin to the back.
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Doug Culham presented a family heirloom -- a letter dated March 4, 1826.
The letter in question was written by James and Mary Culham, Doug's GGGGrandparents, to their two sons, Thomas (Doug's GGGrandfather) and Henry.
An interesting aspect of this communication is that James and Mary were living in Wales when the letter was written, while Thomas and Henry were in Bath, England. The curiosity, which has apparently never been fully understood, is that the Culham family "seat" was traditionally in Norfolk, England.
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Within a year of the date of the letter, both Thomas and Henry were in Canada, where they settled in Beverley Township, Wentworth County, north of Hamilton. In fact, a study of the 1879 Belden Atlas of the area shows multiple entries for the name Culham as property owners.
Doug explained that the first Culham arrived in Canada in 1802, more than a generation before Thomas and Henry. He then went on to trace his lineage through four generations using an illustration of his family tree.
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Finally, Doug read the letter, which provides insight to the ideas, information and important family values James and Mary wished to convey to their sons, who were about to embark on likely the most momentous adventure of their young lives. The letter has been transcribed below.
Llangedurm,
4th March 1826
Dear Thos. & Henry,
I have long ago been thinking of writing to you, but being generally so very busy I could not before this get a good opportunity.
We received your uncle’s letter dated the 5th Feb. and are glad the box and cask of butter arrived safe. As your mother proposes to come to Bath as soon as the weather comes more fine and days a little longer you must try to make your shirts and stockings do till then, which your uncle informs me you are in need of.
I hope you are strictly attentive to the means of Grace such as attending the preaching of the Gospel, reading your Bible and other good books, and above all private prayer I hope you will never neglect. I trust you will not give way to the follies of this present evil world. Turn not with the giddy multitudes to do evil, but as you are liable to be beset with snares, dangers and temptation continually, I would advise you to be very watchful and ever on your guard.
You may depend upon it that only in the ways of Godliness you will find real peace and happiness. There is such a sweetness and happiness which a stranger thereto cannot conceive. I would therefor, my sons, most earnestly beg of you to attend strictly to the duties of religion, which do not consist altogether of outward forms and ceremonies. No, it must be rooted and grounded in the heart or it cannot bring forth fruits pleasing to God. I hope you will take care how you spend your Sabbaths. You have good opportunities. Make much of them. It is too often the case that the Sabbath is profaned by number of persons who are paying visits to their friends in town or country and too frequently join in drinking, companies or other vain amusements. But I hope you will never be guilty of such gross violations of that Holy day for Sabbath breaking is a leading sin. Many have been brought to an untimely end who have attributed its first cause to that of Sabbath breaking. No sin so offensive to the Almighty as that - and by all means guard against the sin of drunkenness for when once a man gives way to such evil habits it grows upon him until he becomes good for nothing. He reduces his strength, ruins his health, stupefies his mind and ruins his soul, therefor be sober, be steady.
I hope you are also very attentive to your business. Take care to be faithful to your master and study to do him all the service you can. You must not be as eye servants, who will not work only when the eye of the master is upon them. I hope better things of you - and take care to be very honest that you take nothing that does not belong to you or suffer others to do it to your knowledge. Study by every lawful means to do good to your master. You will thereby do much good to yourselves which will not be the case if you act the reverse. I would not have given you such advice so freely if I had not have acted upon the plan as far as I know all my days. For although I am paying Mr. Thomas considerable rent yearly, I never consider myself his servant, as I am doing considerable for him, besides, and I have every reason to believe he is not only satisfied but well pleased or I should not have been employed by himself, and his father before him about twenty five years. When I make a good bargain for him I feel well pleased. When I make a bad one I always feel very sorry. The like should be the case with every one who is doing the business of others. I would not mention those things to you in a way of pride or boasting. But rather in hopes you will endeavor to follow the like plan. And by all means endeavor to gain the confidence of your Master and whatever may be your faults never attempt to conceal them by falsehood. I could wish one of the other of you to write to me every two or three months or oftener if possible. It will be a means of improving you in writing by greater practice.
But as the paper is too short I must finish for the present with our kind love to your Uncle and Aunt and to yourselves.
We remain your affectionate
Father and Mother
Jas. & Mary Culham
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Susan McKellar described for us a photo display she recently discovered in her basement.
Susan explained that her family (the Johnsons) farmed in southwestern Ontario, between London and Chatham. Susan's mother was a photographer (as well as a painter) and had a darkroom in the basement of their family home. The photo display that Susan brought with her is a collection of her mother's photos illustrating activities related to "Clearing the Land" on their farm.
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"Clearing the Land" photo display (1950s)
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Susan related a couple of events from her childhood. Since her mother had a side business taking, developing and selling pictures of babies, weddings, etc., clients would often come to the farm for photo sittings. At these times Susan and her siblings were expected to "entertain" any kids that the clients brought along, and make them smile for the camera!
While the Johnsons were principally farmers, there came a time when Susan's father decided he would pursue further education, and earned his degree at age 50! He then went on to teach at the local high school for about 15 years.
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Chuck Gruchy spoke about a framed needlework sampler passed down through his wife Ann's family. This particular sampler has a date of 1814 (presumably the date of creation) in the needlework.
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Above: This embroidery sampler was given to Ann Sutherland Gruchy by her mother. Unfortunately, we have no information on how Ann's mother obtained it or any of its history (other than the date -- 1814 -- included on the top line.)
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Embroidery samplers served as an important gauge of the skills and neatness of a young woman, whether she was seeking employment or was befriended by a household member. Embroidery was also a good way to preserve stitchery patterns, as well as forming a base of patterns for many other tasks which needed to be documented for duplication -- everything from woodworking to metalworking. It also was used extensively to label clothes so when the washing and cleaning came in your could sort whose was whose.
The earliest documentary reference to sampler making is recorded in 1502 but the earliest surviving sampler which is signed and dated, was made by Jane Bostocke who included the date 1598 in the inscription.
The collection of patterns accelerated in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, possibly due to increased interest in needlework-decorated clothing and furnishings.
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Jane Anderson brought along a toast rack that is believed to have once been in the possession of renowned Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson.
Jane shared with us that her late husband Ed was born in Scotland, immigrating to Canada in the mid-1960s. When he and Jane got together, one of the cultural differences that became evident was that Scots, like other citizens of the British Isles typically preferred their toast COLD! In fact, it was not unusual for diners to wave freshly toasted bread around to cool it off.
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Toast racks were a product of the 18th century. they were used to hold the toast upright at the table. These early editions usually consisted of a tray to catch crumbs, four small feet, and scroll work to hold the toast pieces separately. Typically, a toast rack was designed to hold four to six pieces of toast, although some held two and others as many as six or eight.
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Jane related that husband Ed, an artist, was intrigued to know that A.Y. Jackson had lived in Manotick for a time. One Christmas, while searching local stores for a gift for Ed, Jane happened upon this toast rack, which was described as having belonged to Jackson. So Jane bought it right away, and while the actual provenance of the item cannot be confirmed, we're sure it made for interesting conversation around the Anderson breakfast table.
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Robin Craig displayed his maternal grandfather's top hat, and gave us a short history of this particular item of haberdashery.
Top hats were developed to replace the tricorne hats that were popular until the end of the 18th century. The first silk top hat in England is credited to George Dunnage, a hatter from Middlesex, in 1793, and popularized by English haberdasher John Hetherington beginning in 1797.
Within 30 years, the top hat had became the gentleman's hat of choice, and were adopted by all social classes in one form or another. They were made of beaver fur felt or silk for the wealthier, and of stiffened wool felt for the lower classes.
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During the 1850s, top hats reached new heights! This is the time when the stovepipe hat appeared, a top hat that could reach up to 20 cm high! It is the hat with which we associate President Abraham Lincoln, who appreciated the stovepipe for its voluminous crown in which he could store his speeches and notes, without cluttering his pockets!
The popularity of the top hat reached its peak towards the end of the 19th century. During and after World War One, bowler hats and softer felt hats began to make an appearance, with the top hat losing popularity, especially among the working classes, who tend to wear caps more frequently. It was also at this time that the first fedoras appeared; they would dominate men's fashion for the century to come. After World War II, the top hat virtually disappeared from public life.
Robin's family top hat was made in England especially for Henry Morgan and Co. of Montreal. Karen modelled a hat which belonged to Robin's maternal grandmother. It was still in its original box from Morgan's. Henry Morgan, a Scottish immigrant, founded his Canadian department store chain in 1845, eventually expanding to 11 stores in Quebec and Ontario. The Ottawa store was a feature on the south side of Sparks St. near Elgin. The Hudson's Bay Co. purchased the chain in 1960..
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"Rideau Recipes" features a recipe from the various cookbooks published by community organizations in Rideau Township in years past.
If you have a long-standing family recipe you would like to submit for consideration, please call 692-4036.
Happy Cooking!
CJ Rooney - RTHS
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DATE SQUARES
Courtesy of Mr. Wilburn Cowan in
"Over 300 Reasons to Say Grace" By the Anglican Parish of Kars-Osgoode.
2 C chopped dates
1 C brown sugar
1 C boiling water
1 1/2 C shortening
1 1/2 C brown sugar
2 C flour
2 C rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
Cut up dates and mix with 1 C brown sugar and boiling water. Cook until mixture thickens. Let cool.
Cream together shortening and 1 1/2 C brown sugar. Mix flour, oats & baking soda together. Add to creamed mixture. Arrange 1/2 of mixture in a 9×13 greased pan.
Cover with date mixture and top off with remaining dry mixture. Bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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RTHS Website
Be sure to stop by the RTHS website to keep up-to-date on RTHS activities and browse new content.
February's feature article is entitled, "In Praise of Church Suppers."
RTHS Facebook Page
The RTHS Facebook page continues to add new posts daily (Monday to Friday). A sampling of posts in January include:
- Skating rinks in Kars - a history (3 parts)
- The Presence of the Past in Rideau Township:
- 5541 Manotick Main St. (Manotick Office Pro site)
- 6519 Third Line (the John Cole House)
- 1175 Highcroft Dr., Manotick
- 2343 Church St., North Gower Village
- The Beckett's Landing story (1931)
- T.A. Kidd, general merchant, Burritts Rapids (1907)
- Farming in Rideau in the 1800s (the Dillon farm)
- North Gower Holy Trinity Anglican church choir (1938)
- Kars bridge collapse (1957)
- Burritt family reunion (1982)
- Marlborough Forest (1988)
- Scouting in Kars (1914)
- S.S.#6 North Gower (North Gower Village (1952)
- Ice harvesting on the Rideau
- Ferry across the Rideau
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The Rideau Township Historical Society always welcomes new members, as individuals or families. Monthly meetings and newsletters (September to June) are just the beginning of how members can participate in the activities of the Society. Opportunities are available to engage with like-minded people in all aspects of the pursuit of our purpose, which is to preserve and promote the history of the former Rideau Township. Whether your interests tend toward research, writing, communications, event planning, technology, artistic expression, historical interpretation or simply lending a hand, they can find expression with RTHS.
Click on the link below to view and download the RTHS Membership form on the RTHS website.
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Our mailing address is:
PO Box 56, North Gower, Ont. K0A 2T0
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The RTHS gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the City of Ottawa.
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