From Quebec To Michilimackinac

 Travels through Canada, and the United States of North America, in the years 1806, 1807, & 1808 (1816):

Source (LOC)

Source (LOC)

Old Fort Mackinaw

History of Michigan, By Sarah Lieb:

Chippeway Fishing On Lake Huron

Source

An Apple Man On Lake Ontario

Source

The heart of Canada; orchard and dairy region of Lake Ontario, by Kennedy, H. A:

"A register of farms for sale is kept by the Ontario Government which also, by the way, keeps lists of
farmers who will take new-comers (of course without the "premiums" that some men ask) and pay them such wages as they may be worth from the start, besides giving them board and lodging."

"We are all sorts, we Old-Country folk. For a few adventurous spirits, nothing will do but the Wild West,— though now-a-days they have to go pretty far to find wildness even in the West. For the
ordinary man, especially the family man, with enterprise enough to cross the sea but a strong desire for a pleasant home and congenial occupation in a well-settled community, I can imagine no happier lot than the life of an apple man on Lake Ontario." [Source]

The Griffon Entering Lake Erie

Source

A Detroit (And Cameron) Connection

Alexander Grant, born 1734, son of Patrick and Isobel Grant, was a known figure in early Detroit history:

Source (Major Alpin's Ancestors)

Note: We (Alexander Grant and I) are descendants of Sir Ewen Cameron (my 7th great-grandfather) and both lived in Detroit, Michigan.


Another excerpt From Major Alpin's Ancestors:

"[John Grant VI, of Glenmoriston]...married Janet, daughter of Sir Ewen Cameron....13th in descent from King Robert Bruce...".

The stages of descent are:---King Robert Bruce, --Princess Marjory,---King Robert II, --Robert Duke of Albany,--Margaret, married Duncan, Lord Campbell of Argyll,--Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy,--Sir Duncan,--Sir Colin,--Sir Colin,--Sir Duncan,--Robert,--Margaret, married John Cameron of Lochiel,--Sir Ewen Cameron,--Janet married John Grant of Glenmoriston."

Gateways to Michigan

Settling Michigan:

"The earliest gateway was by that of the St. Lawrence River and the lakes."

"The second was the Ohio gateway, the westerly end of trails beginning at Pittsburgh and leading to Marietta, and thence by the foot of Lake Erie...or along the Cumberland pike...".

"The third gateway was the Erie Canal."

Travellers From Montreal

Montreal (Source)

"Travellers from Montreal to the west would come by a batteau, or Durham boat, to Kingston. Those who had business further west, says Finkle, were conveyed to Henry Finkle's, in Ernest Town, where they commonly stopped a few days. Thence they made their journey on horseback. A white man conducted them to the River Trent, where resided Colonel Bleecker, who was at the head and had control of all Mississauga Indians, and commanded the entire country to Toronto. At this place the traveller was furnished with a fresh horse, and an Indian guide to conduct him through an unsettled country, the road being little better than a common Indian path, with all its windings. The road continued in this state until about the year 1798. Sometimes the traveller continued his journey around the head of Lake Ontario, on horseback, to Queenston, where resided Judge Hamilton." [Source]

Captain Brown's Niece

Source

"CAPTAIN BROWN was born in Bowmansville, Ontario, November 8, 1850. When he was one year old his parents moved to Michigan and settled in Saint Clair County [Michigan]...".

Quoting Captain Wesley C. Brown:

Source

"Among the 250 passengers on board were my wife, my daughter, and my niece, Mrs. H. B. McCain from Alpena."

Mrs. H. B. McCain "from Alpena: was Effie Scott, daughter of Douglass and Susan (Curtis) Scott; granddaughter of George W. Curtis and Angeline Williams; great-granddaughter of Chester and Polly (Brown) Williams.

Effie (Scott) McCain was also the 1st great grand niece of of the wife [Mrs. Betsey Brown Berry] of my 4th great-grandfather [John Backus], 

Ellicott Surveying Across The Country

Ellicott's Stone

THE QUEBEC GAZETTE
Thursday, February 18, 1790.

New York, January 23 - On the 13th instant, arrived in Philadelphia on his way from Fort Erie, Mr. Andrew Ellicott...completing all that part of a Survey lying between the west end of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie... .  In the progress of this business, Mr. Ellicott had many difficulties to encounter arising from the extreme jealousy of the British Garrisons, and the continued marshes, and swamps, through which he had to pass, and which cover almost the whole face of their country.  [Source - Niagara Historical Museum]

Persistent Neglect

See John Maunsell, A Soldier Of Wolfe's for more information of Lieutenant-General Maunsell (1724-1795).

"The persistent neglect of the home government to provide any defense for the American colonies against the attacks of the French in Canada, and their Indian allies, can only be excused on the ground of its own unsettled state and the wars on the Continent into which the accession of William of Orange drew it. For a century and a half they were left to defend themselves, garrison their forts, and protect their frontiers, each for itself, as best it could, without any substantial aid from the mother country or from each other. So disaffection grew, and the Dutch at Albany secured their own safety by giving the French at Montreal information and a lucrative trade."

French Habitants

"In 1746 Louisbourg, the key to the St. Lawrence, had been captured by the soldiers of New England and New York, aided only by a squadron under Sir Peter Warren; but it was recklessly given back to France, to the humiliation and disgust of the colonies, the untold misery of the French in Acadia, and to the disgrace and confusion of the government, for they were compelled to retake it in 1758 at an enormous cost of blood and treasure."

The French In The Upper Mississippi Valley

"At last, after France had established herself solidly along the St. Lawrence and the great lakes, and in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, and inclosed the English colonies with a chain of strong fortresses which seemed to defy any attempt to take them, the lion aroused himself to see the foe on every side of him."

British Military (Near Braddock's Gravesite)

"Virginia moved first on her own account in 1754, when young Washington first gave token of the valor, fortitude, and prudence which made him the foremost man-of his own and every age. The next year Braddock was sent against DuQuesne, Johnson against Crown Point, while Shirley prepared to attack Niagara; but all that they gained was a rout and massacre, a fruitless victory, and a knowledge of the strength of the French in position and resources. The three following years were spent in getting rid of incapables, with incredible suffering and useless bloodshed."   [Source]

Captain Norton Of The Great Lakes

"Michigan" On The Great Lakes [Not Henry Clay]

Captain Norton and a Great Lakes Steamer described in Detroit In 1827...., By General Friend Palmer:

"Let me refer once more to Captain [Walter] Norton, one of the most conspicuous and popular captains on the lakes at that early day. The “Henry Clay” was a crack steamer and, of course, must have a corresponding chief officer. Of commanding presence, Captain Norton, of the ‘fast steamboat “Henry Clay,”’ when he appeared on Jefferson avenue, clad in his blue swallowtail coat with brass buttons, nankeen pants and vest, and low shoes with white stockings, not forgetting the ruffled shirt and tall hat, was the observed of all observers. Steamboat captains were kings in those days. All were pleased and anxious to show them every attention."

Source

"When the “Clay” rounded Sandwich point, Detroit lay before us and, though small, the city presented quite an attractive appearance. The most conspicuous object in the distance was the steeple or cupola of the statehouse or territorial capitol building, that pushed its head up among the surrounding trees, its tin covering glittering in the morning sun. This statehouse was located, where is now Capitol Square, and where the remains of Michigan’s first governor, Stevens T. Mason, now repose."

Loyalists Settled North Side Of Lake Erie

Source

Notable names include Simon Girty, Joseph Bonde (Bondy), and Duncan Cameron.

His Majesty's Province Of Upper Canada

Sketch of His Majesty's Province of Upper Canada,  By D'Arcy Boulton (1805):

"At the head of lake Ontario, about fifty miles west from Newark, there is a small town laid out, and public stores are building, being a central place between Newark, York, and Detroit. From thence a road of twenty-two miles to the grand river is cut out, and crosses that about fifty miles above its entrance into lake Erie, continuing in a southern direction to the river la Trenche, now called the Thames, which empties itself into lake St. Clair, about twenty miles above Detroit."

Old Fort Sandoski

General Vicinity Of Sandusky, Ohio

Source

"...Sandusky city of today was unknown until years after the War of 1812 and was called Ogontz's Place, later Portland...".

See the Sandusky History blog for some fascinating posts about the area.


Sandusky Bay at my In Deeds blog:

Source

Sarnia's Natural Harbor

Source

"...Sarnia forms a natural harbour of refuge. Our Canadian bank of the St. Clair here sweeps back into a deep curve, forming a noble bay with safe anchorage. The approach to the town from the water is very animated."

"The river front is lined with substantial structures churches hotels blocks of stores and offices. In the vista are other church spires for Sarnia tempers its commercial ambition and manufacturing ardour with a secret pride in its churches. The geographical advantages of Sarnia are inestimable. Nature has indeed been kind to the place."

12,000 Settlers

"The Niagara frontier at the same time was lined with the desperate Butler's Rangers. Loyalist Districts extended even to Detroit, along Lake Erie. Ten thousand Loyalists, men and women, of determination and principle, thus peopled and gave tone to what is now the Province of Ontario. In 1792 there were 12,000 settlers in the Province." [Source]

Toronto And Vicinity

Historical and Descriptive Sketches...:

Daniel McDonald At Put-In-Bay

Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio, USA

British Military and Naval Records (Index Cards):

Source [Image 5315]
Microform: c-11837

McDonald, Daniel.

Sergt. Royal Nfld.  Regt., H. M. S.

"Queen Charlotte"

Prov'l Marine, L. Erie

Slightly wounded at Put In Bay, L. Erie

10 Sept. 1812

Capt. R. E. Barclay, Com'dr.d late Senr. Officer

Canandaigua To Detroit

Below is an excerpt from Detroit In 1827 And Later On, By General Friend Palmer:

Source - History Of The Great Lakes

Our trip through New York from Canandaigua to Buffalo was by stage and very rough, the roads having been rendered almost impassable by recent rains. It took us, I think, two days and two nights to reach Buffalo. We had to wait at that point two or three days for the steamboat ‘Henry Clay.’ We did not mind that in the least, for we were quartered at the old Eagle hotel, kept by Benjamin Rathbun, a most sumptuous resting place, we all thought it, and so it was for those days. Our trip up the lake to Detroit on the ‘Henry Clay’ was uneventful. We had a pleasant passage that occupied, I think, two or three days. The ‘Henry Clay,’ commanded by Captain Norton, was a floating palace, we thought, and we greatly enjoyed the time spent on it. It had no cabin on the upper deck—they were all below. When you desired to retire for the night or for meals, or get out of the reach of rain and storms, downstairs or between decks you had to go.

Source - Great Lakes Ship (Not One Mentioned)

The ‘Henry Clay’ was one of the three steamers that composed the line from Buffalo to Detroit, viz.: ‘Henry Clay,” “Superior” and “Niagara.” It was the only regular line between the above points. Now and then the steamers “William Penn” and “William Peacock” would put in an appearance. We could only count upon about one boat a week. The mails came by these boats during the season of navigation and the balance of the year by land through Ohio.