CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| [Prefatory Note] | [vii] |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
|---|---|
| Normandy—William the Conqueror—Origin of the nameConant—Devon, England—Sir Walter Raleigh’s home—Richardthe Mill-owner—Roger the Pilgrim—Thefirst Governor of Massachusetts—Salem, Massachusetts—Mill-owners | [9] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| The American Revolution—Personal Rule of King GeorgeIII.—Washington’s politeness—Valley Forge—Washington’sprayer—Raw New England levies—JohnHancock—Other leaders and generals—Colonel Butler—Murder,not war—Roger Conant removes to Canada—Anold deed—Governor Simcoe—York (Toronto) | [21] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| A home in the wilderness—Salmon fishing—An idyllic life—Logging—Furtrade—Durham boats—Rapids of theSt. Lawrence—Trading with the Indians—The Hudson’sBay Company—Coureurs du bois—Maple sugarmaking—Friendly Indians | [32] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Waubakosh—Making potash—Prosperous settlers—Outbreakof war of 1812—Transporting military supplies—MoodeFarewell’s hotel—“Here’s to a long andmoderate war”—A lieutenant’s misfortune—“Open inthe King’s name”—Humors of the time—Ingeniousforagers—Hidden specie—Hardships of the U. E.Loyalists | [40] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Capture of York—Immigration increasing—David Annis—Niagara—Prosperouslumber business—Ship-building—Highfreight rates—Salmon spearing—Meteoricshowers—An affrighted clergyman—Cold winters—Atragedy of the clearings | [51] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Discontent in Upper Canada—Election riots—Shillelahsas persuaders—William Lyon Mackenzie—Riotingin York—Rebellion—Patriots and sympathizers—Arelentless chase—Crossing Lake Ontario in midwinter—Aperilous passage—A sailor hero—A criticalmoment—Safe on shore—“Rebellion Losses Bill”—Transportedto Botany Bay—Murder of my grandfather—Canadianlegends—A mysterious guest | [65] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Religious movements—Itinerant preachers—$50 a year—Camp-meetings—Weirdscenes at night—Millerites—Worldcoming to an end—Dissenters attempt to fly—Affrightedby a “sun-dog”—Destruction fails to materialize—TheMormons—An improvised Gabriel—Raisingthe dead—Converts—Salt Lake—An Irishrefugee and his poem | [89] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Canadian laws—Cases of justifiable homicide—Ineffectualattempt to discipline a church member—Major Wilmot—AsaWallbridge—“Uncle Ned”—Cows andmatrimony—A humorous dialogue—A witty retort—Anamusing duel | [102] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Paring bees—Mirth and jollity—Dancing and games—Playing“forfeits”—Anti-Slavery Act—Canada’sproud distinction—Refugee slaves—“Uncle Tom”—OldJeff—Story of a slave | [120] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Civil war in the United States—Large bounties paid Canadianrecruits—Prices of products go up—More thantwo million men under arms—I make a trip to Washington—Visitingthe military hospitals—I am offered$800 to enlist—Brief interview with President Lincoln—Apass secured—I visit the Army of the Potomac—90,000men under canvas—Washington threatened bythe Confederates—Military prison at Elmira, N.Y.—Cheapgreenbacks—A chance to become a multi-millionaire | [137] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| The “Trent affair”—Excitement in Canada—Bombastic“fire-eaters”—Thriving banks—High rates of interest—Railwaybuilding—The bonus system—A sequesteredhamlet—A “psychologist” and his entertainment—Amock duel—A tragic page of family history | [153] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Fenianism—A claimant for my father’s farm—A scare atPort Oshawa—Guns, forks and clubs for fighting—Awkwardsquad—Guard catch a young man out courting—TheFenian raid of 1866—A Catholic priest takenprisoner—United States Government at last cries“Stop!”—Adventure in high life—A youth runs awayfrom home—Tragic death of the mother of the runaway—Marriesthe serving-maid—Wedding and funeraljourney in one | [171] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| The French in Upper Canada—Sir Wilfrid Laurier—Voyageursand their songs—“A la Claire Fontaine”—Money-lenders—Educationalmatters—ExpatriatedCanadians—Successful railway speculation—A shrewdbanker | [181] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| Poor-tax—Poor-houses undesirable—The tramp nuisance—Atramp’s story—Mistaken charity—Office seekers—Electionincidents | [193] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| Upper Canada’s favored situation—Our Great Lakes—Casesof apparent tides on Lake Ontario—Canadiansas givers—Oshawa’s generous support to churchesand charities—Life insurance—Amusing incidents ofa railway journey—A “talking machine” | [209] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Drinking habits in the early days—Distilleries and mills—Treatingprevalent—Drinking carousals—Deliriumtremens—“One-Thousand-and-One” Society—Twogallon limit—Bibulous landlords—Whiskey fights—TypicalCanadian pioneers—Clearing the farm—Sonsand daughters married—Peaceful old age—Asleep indeath—Conclusion | [228] |
ILLUSTRATIONS AND PORTRAITS.
THOMAS CONANT.
BARCLAY, CLARK & CO. LITHO. TORONTO
