Pioneer Life among the Loyalists in Upper Canada

Cover art
PIONEER LOG CABIN ( From an old engraving .)
Pioneer Life Among the Loyalists in Upper Canada
W. S. HERRINGTON, K.C.
AUTHOR OF HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF LENNOX AND ADDINGTON, HEROINES OF CANADIAN HISTORY, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED
TORONTO: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD., AT ST. MARTIN'S HOUSE MCMXXIV
COPYRIGHT, CANADA, 1915 BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA. LIMITED REPRINTED 1916, 1924
PREFACE
To present a picture of the early settlements of Ontario and enter into the daily life of the pioneers is a most fascinating task. As we visit these historic districts and mingle with the descendants of the men and women who built the first log cabins in the forest, we imbibe the spirit of their simple life. Many of the old landmarks recall the stories of strange experiences we have so often heard, and the presence of the very flesh and blood of the first actors in the drama of the long struggle in the wilderness makes the scene all the more realistic. We think we can discern in the honest faces and general demeanour of these living links in our history something which indicates a deep-rooted sense of citizenship and a consciousness of a responsibility in keeping inviolate the traditions of their ancestors.
In the following pages I have endeavoured to bring the reader into closer touch with the first settlers. Many excellent historical works have traced the development of our province and laid before us the achievements of our public men. In vain may we turn over volume after volume in our search for information concerning the evolution of the homestead, and the customs and peculiarities of the common folk of long ago.
For the most part the sources of my information have been original documents and interviews with old men and women, many of whom have since passed away. Even from such sources it is an easy matter to fall into error; but I have discarded what I feared was not trustworthy, and believe that I can confidently ask the reader to accept the general statements of facts as thoroughly reliable.