About the year 1812, Canniff erected a flouring-mill, having for mill-stones those made on the spot, out of hard granite; the man who made them yet lives. These relics of the past may yet be seen. But in two years he procured a pair of Burr stones from the Trent.
In the year 18—, Mr. Canniff removed to the front of Thurlow, and lived upon lot number eight, where he continued to dwell until his death, 21st Feb., 1843. He was in his 87th year when he died. His remains are buried near the front of the Episcopal Church, in Belleville. He was a great uncle to the writer.
Up to the year 1715, there was but one small house in Canifton, beside that occupied by Mr. Canniff, this was occupied by a cooper, named Ockerman.
For four years after John Canniff settled upon the river, there was an unbroken wood between his place and Myers’ mill, while but a rough road existed, which followed the river’s bank. In the spring of 1811, James Canniff, the writer’s father, commenced to clear land, midway between Myers’ mill and John Canniff’s. At this time, the road remained almost impassable, for the half-dozen waggons, owned in the township. Some years later, the road was somewhat straightened and improved; but although now, and for a long time, so great a thoroughfare, the road continued to be, for many years, the most execrable.
The River Moira.—This river is named after the Right Hon. the Earl of Moira, afterward Marquis of Hastings, and previously, when a soldier, serving in the American war, known as Lord Rawdon. At his death the title became extinct. His body was buried in his native town in Ireland. While in America, he formed a strong attachment to Brant.
The Moira takes its rise in the township of Tudor, and in its windings to the Bay Quinté, passes through the townships of Madoc, Marmora, Rawdon, Huntingdon, Hungerford, Tyendinaga, and Thurlow. It was well known, and yearly ascended by the Indians for the excellent hunting which it afforded. They called it Sagonasko, which name may be found on the first maps issued by the surveyor. It was sometimes spelled Saganashcocon.
The Indians, when about to pass up on their hunting expeditions, leaving many of the women and children in wigwams upon the plains near its mouth, would make an offering to their pagan god, of tobacco, which was dropped upon the east shore, near its mouth, just below the site of the first bridge. A thank offering was repeated upon their return.—(B. Flint).
When the first mill dam was erected by Capt. Myers, the obstruction was called by them Cabojunk.
When the land was surveyed, the Government reserved at the mouth of the river 200 acres, ostensibly, for an Indian burying ground. But the place of burying was upon Zwick’s Island, in the Bay, near the river’s mouth.
Upon the old maps, this river is called Singleton’s River, after Capt. Singleton.