HISTORICAL SKETCH
THOROLD TOWNSHIP
First White Male Child Born at St. Davids
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
The death of Mr. John Allison of Thorold township a few days ago, severs a link connecting the present with the rich historical past of this section. In this connection the People’s Press has been favored with the following biological and historical sketch of Thomas Allison, the father of John Allison now deceased. Thomas Allison died some twelve years ago, the following sketch being his own relation as taken down in the winter of 1886-7.
THOMAS ALLISON was born at St. David’s, county of Lincoln, on Sept. 4, 1799 the first white male child born in that place. His parents were John Allison and Rebecca Bertrand. His father was a native of Yorkshire, England, came to the Niagara in 1790, and died in December, 1812. He (John Allison, the father of Thomas), it was who, on October 13, 1812, guided the British forces to the top of the mountain, near where the quarries now are. At a later hour in the day, he assisted in driving the Americans from the Queenston Heights and in taking many of them prisoners.
We return now to our present subject-Thomas Allison, son of John Allison the elder and father of John Allison who died last week. Thomas, at the time a lad of about thirteen years of age, had seen the flash and heard the sound of the guns at the famous battle of Queenston Heights, and with young, Rich Secord, went to view the battle field. They saw the dead and wounded and the piles of arms surrendered by the Americans. Of this, Mr. Allison had a most vivid recollection at the time of this relations to the writer, he being then 87 years of age.
He also recollects that in the year 1813, some forty American soldiers lay upon his father’s floor one night, being en route for Burlington.
Later on he was sent with a message to the British at the Beaverdams, and arrived there in time to see the eight men buried who fell there. He remembered the laughable devices that about 40 British regulars and some Indians had to prevent the 500 Americans captured at the Beaverdams from recovering their arms and wiping out their captors. The battle took place near the tollgate and the American camp was on a knoll near what was afterward known as Shriner’s Pond.
He remembers quite distinctly hearing at the time of the clever way in which Col. Chapin of the U.S. army captured at the Beaverdams, passed himself off as a doctor and when with other prisoners in a small boat on Lake Ontario, turned the tables on his captors and took them to the American side.
As might be expected, Mr. Allison was often at Niagara and was familiar with the stirring events at that place.
Lundy’s Lane
He was at Lundy’s Lane at the opening of the battle on July 25, 1814. He was there taken from the ranks and employed to drive a team which carried eleven of the wounded to Niagara. In those heroic days young and old alike, with such arms as they could secure, rushed forward to meet the foe. Our subject was also at the battle ground after the battle, and saw the dead buried and burned.
When Lewiston was burned by the British he saw the flames. All the frontier was on the qui vive, and there was not much going on in the vicinity that as enterprising frontier lad of 14 or 15 did not.see.
Mr. Allison remembered Gen Isaac Brock. He was a stout man, and held his head to one side in consequence of a wound in the neck.
The year after the war closed Mr. Allison visited the site of what is now the city of Hamilton, which then consisted of one tavern. A block house and earth works at Burlington Heights were then conspicuous. The Ackman farm to the east of Hamilton was also occupied at the time.
In the year 1822 Mr. Allison bought a farm in Thorold township on the Stamford line, where he lived until he died. He married Elizabeth Smoke who predeceased him. Stamford and Thorold townships were partially settled, but there was not much money nor style in those days, with wheat at 37!/2 c per bushel, roads between the stumps, no carriages, railways or canal-style was secondary.
The Rebellion
The rebellion made lively times on the frontier again. Mr. Allison was at Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Chippawa and other points as needed. He teamed the mortar from Queenston to Chippawa which was used to dislodge William Lyon Mackenzie’s forces from Navy Island. He was a Conservative then, and always remained one. Speaking in his 87th year, Mr. Allison said he recognized the kindness of the Master who had permitted him to live so long, and enjoy so abundantly the fruits of his industry. He was a member of the Church of England and until an advanced age attended church at Port Robinson and his children followed in this footsteps.
Thomas Allison died 10 June 1887 and is buried at Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls.
Port Colborne News
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
The entire community was saddened on Sunday by the announcement that J.H. Smith had received a telegram from Omaha, Neb., that his only brother, Fred R. Smith, had died in the hospital at Chicago on Saturday night. No further particulars had been heard yesterday afternoon.
Port Colborne News
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
A telegram was received on Saturday from Alaska bringing the sad news that Dr. J.W.H. Chestnut, brother of Mrs. C. Sperry Carter had died on the island of Onalaska. Deceased leaves a wife and five children in Philadelphia. He was one of the cleverest medical men in that city and at college carried off highest honors. He was also a cousin of Mrs. D.W. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Carter left on Saturday evening for Philadelphia.
[People’s Press, 3 April 1900]
The sad news was received in town last week of the death of John Karr, which occurred in Kansas City, Mo., where Mr. Karr has resided for several years. Mr. Karr was an old and well-known former citizen of this place. When this village was incorporated, in 1870, Mr. Karr was elected reeve, and the following named gentlemen were the council: E. Furry, Thos. Greenwood, Chas. H. Carter and Jacob North. All of the above gentlemen have since passed away but Mr. Furry. Mr. Karr preceded R. Smith in the New York store, having run a general store there for some years. Mr. Karr visited friends here a few years ago. He was twice married, his first wife being a sister of Mrs. Robert Smith of town. Two daughters and one son survive him.
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
A quiet wedding took place at Welland on Wednesday last, 17th inst., the contacting parties being residents of Port Colborne. The bride was Miss Kate Gordon and the groom Arthur Dunham. Rev. Dr. Johnstone of Welland performed the ceremony. The bridesmaid was Miss Ella Reichman of Humberstone, and Jos. Hanham acted as best man. A host of friends are extending congratulations and best wishes in which the Press joins.
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
A very pretty, quiet home wedding took place at the residence of the bride’s brother, Mr. J.K. Henderson, Crowland, on Tuesday last, October 16th, at five o’clock, when Mr. J.A. Zavitz of Humberstone and Maggie B. Henderson, were united in marriage. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. F. McCuaig of Welland beneath an arch of evergreens and dahlias. The bride, who was given away by her brother, was robed in a going away costume of grey cloth, with bodice of blue silk with chiffon and passementerie trimmings. After congratulations the party adjourned to the dining room, where supper was served, after which Mr. and Mrs. Zavitz left on the 7.30 train east.
[Welland Tribune, 13 July 1900]
After a short but painful illness, Alice, beloved wife of John Raider, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T.H. Wells, Ellis street, Niagara Falls, on Wednesday morning, aged 49 years. Mrs. Raider leaves a husband, one daughter and many friends to mourn her loss. A short service was held at the house at 11.30 a.m., yesterday, after which the body was shipped to Niles, Mich. for interment.
[Welland Tribune, 13 July 1900]
A general awakening is taking place among the American customs and revenue officials all along the Niagara frontier. Evidence has been procured that certain drugs and chemicals are finding their way across the border without the knowledge of the officers, and Uncle Sam’s revenue is suffering. A number of special revenue officers have been posted at the Falls, Lewiston and Buffalo, to keep a look out for the smugglers who are taking the stuff in. A Buffalo druggist is supposed to have been acting as receiver for a gang of smugglers, but since a watch has been kept on him he has apparently severed his connection with the business.
[13 July 1900. Niagara Falls Town Welland Tribune]
A general awakening is taking place among the American customs and revenue officials all along the Niagara frontier. Evidence has been procured that certain drugs and chemicals are finding their way across the border without the knowledge of the officers, and Uncle Sam’s revenue is suffering. A number of special revenue officers have been posted at the Falls, Lewiston and Buffalo, to keep a look out for the smugglers who are taking the stuff in. A Buffalo druggist is supposed to have been acting as receiver for a gang of smugglers, but since a watch has been kept on him he has apparently severed his connection with the business.
Niagara Falls Village
[People’s Press, 13 March 1900]
Mrs. Elizabeth Skelton, Victoria st., suffered a severe paralytic stroke early last week, which resulted in her death on Thursday morning, 8 March 1900. Deceased was fifty-six years of age, being born in Brighton, Ont., in 1844. She leaves a husband, Edward, and grown up family to mourn the loss of a faithful and loving wife and mother. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon. Service was held in Lundy’s Lane Methodist church, after which interment took place at Fairview cemetery.
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