Articles: 1860's

1860

Kingston Daily News
December 30, 1860
p.3 For Sale - the schooner Sweet Home, about 280 tons burthen, at Amherst Island, contact Thomas Polley.
From Transcriptions of the Kingston News for the WWW by Rick Neilson See Maritime History of the Great Lakes Webpage by Walter Lewis: http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/

1862

Kingston Daily News
Friday 10 Oct 1862
Advertisement
Wanted, A Miller, at the Wolfe Island Steam Grist Mill, to whom constant employment will be given. Also, an Engineer, for a short time. S. Going. October 10, 1862 ld&w

Kingston Daily News
October 11, 1862
LOSS OF TEH SCHOONER DAN WILLIAMS - ONE MAN LOST
The schooner Dan Williams, Captain Higgins owner, sailed from Napanee on Monday evening the 29th ult. for Oswego, with a cargo of 5000 hop poles belonging to Mr. Smith of Napanee, who was also on board with the captain, mate and four other men. After passing near Long Point, she was caught in a great gale, when they put the vessel about and ran toward South Bay, but as they passed the gap the vessel leaned on her side, there being no hatches she soon filled with eater, and swamped about midnight on Tuesday night the 30th ult. A young man, named Vanalstine, who was in the hold asleep was drowned. The rest of the party hold lost to the wreck for some four hours, will she drifted within some two miles of land, when they let down the yawl and made their way safely to land on the shore of Prince Edward, near South Bay

Kingston Daily News
Wednesday, November 12, 1862
At Wolfe Island, Monday 10th instant, Dora, Wife of George Malone, Post Master, age 44 years.
Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend her funeral on Wednesday, 12th instant, (this day) from her late residence to Trinity Church.

Kingston Daily News
Tuesday, November 26, 1862
MILITARY DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, UPPER CANADA
Fifth Battalion, Frontenac
To be Lieutenant: Alexander H.McDonell
To be Ensigns: Shurley Going, Gentleman; John McRae, Gentleman

1863

The Times
Feb 05, 1863; pg. 6;
Outrage on Canadian Territory.-- The Kingston News states that, on the night of the 8th of January, Lieutenant Haddock, of the Federal army, with two soldiers, landed on Wolfe Island, broke into a house there, and forcibly seized a deserter who had been living in the house for two months, handcuffed him, took him to a boat, and rowed off with him. Another boat with more men was in waiting, ready to give aid if the first party had met with serious resistance. These invasions occur frequently; if made know, and duly represented to the Federal Fovernment, apology and restitution follow; but the continual recurrance of the offence is calculated to disturb the harmony of the frontier.

Kingston Daily News
Monday January 19, 1863
The Ice Bridge
The keen Frost of Friday night and Saturday had the effect of skimming over the harbor with a pellicle of ice, which, if not disturbed by rough weather, will doubtless serve as the foundation for our annual international bridge. The ferry boat broke up the ice in her track to Wolfe Island, but excepting this, the harbor and lake, as far as the eye can reach from the city, was an uninterrupted expanse of ice.

Kingston Daily News
Feb 18 1863, Page 2 News
Garden Island Naval Company No 1.-- This Company was organized in January, 1863, consisting of fifty-five men, commanded by Captain Henry Roney; 1st Lieutenant, Anthony Malone; 2nd do., William Marshall. They are at Present undergoing the process of drilling under Sergeant Baxter, of the Coldstream Guards. The drillroom, which is gratuitously fitted up by Messrs Calvin & Breck, is 60 by 40 feet. On the 12th inst., the officers entertained the Company and their friends, including the Sergeant, with a ball and an oyster supper. Music was furnished by the Garden Island quadrille band, assisted by the Wolfe Island brass band, whose services were very entertaining. The evening passed off pleasantly, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Kingston Daily News
Wednesday, February 18, 1863
Garden Island Navel Company 1
This Company was organized in January , 1863, consisting of fifty-five men, commanded by Captain Henry ROUEY; 1st Lieutenant , Anthony MALONE; 2nd do, William MARSHALL. They are at present undergoing the process of drilling under Sergeant BAXTER, of the Goldstream Guards. The drillroom, which is gratuitously listed up by the Messrs. CALVIN & BRECK, is 60 x 40 feet. On the 12th inst., the officers entertained the Company and their friends, including the Sergeant, with a ball and an oyster supper. Music was furnished by the Garden Island quadrille band, assisted by the Wolfe Island brass band, whose services were very entertaining. The evening passed off pleasantly, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Kingston Daily News
Thursday, February 19, 1863 (also in Feb 18 paper)
A soldier of the Royal Canadian Rifles named John Fitzgerald, one of the look out party stationed at Wolfe Island, was found dead upon the ice on Tuesday morning between Garden and Wolfe Islands. The deceased was on duty Saturday last, after which he was missed.

Kingston Daily News
Saturday, March 7, 1863
Magistry List
Wolfe Island: J.H. BUSCH; Hiram E. HITCHCOCK; D.D. CALVIN; John BAKER; M. SPOOR; John HOWE; Ansel COOK; John MONTGOMERY.
Amherst Island: George HOWARD; John HITCHENS; John McGINNESS; William HOWARD; David PRESTON; William PERCIVAL; Samuel GLEN; J.H. RITCHIE; John MORROW; Charles SKENE.
Howe Island: John PRIOR.

Kingston Daily News
March 9 1863 page 2
Police Court-(Saturday)-- John Dawson and Richard Dawson appeared to answer a charge of assault on the person of Joseph Kyle, collector of school-taxes for section No. 4; Township of Wolfe Island. Mr. Kyle stated that the defendants, who were Roman Catholics, were in arrear for three years' taxes, and that in January last he went to John Dawson's tavern to sistrain his goods and chattles. Fearing that he would be assaulted, deponent took with him Mr. Arnold Slooman, a School Trustee. On entering the bar-room, Kyle asked John Dawson for the amount due, and was told that he would not get it. Kyle informed Dawson that he would have to distain, and was about to open the door leading into the yard when the latter seized a heavy poker and threatened to 'knock his head off.' Richard Dawson then came up and gave him (Kyle) 'a shove back,' and he was obliged to leave without executing his warrant.

Arnold Slooman having given similar evidence, Geo. Barrett was called for the defense. He said he was in the bar-room during the altercation between the parties to the action. Kyle threatened to seize Dawson's cattle, and was forbidden by the latter to trespass on his premises. Kyle was about to open the back door, when John Dawson seized a poker and placed it before him to prevent him going into the yard, but he did not attempt to strike, merely using the poker as a barrier. Barrett was in a position to see all that transpired in the room, and if an assault had been made he would have seen it.

James Baker, who was present at the time, corroborated Barrett's evidence.

The court imposed a nominal fine of one dollar on John Dawson, and acquitted the other defendant.

Thomas Quirk was fined one dollar for being drunk; and Mary Delaney, and old Offender, was committed for sixty days for vagrancy.

Kingston Daily News
April 8, 1863
TRINITY, WOLFE ISLAND
The Annual Vestry Meeting was held in the Church on Monday morning, the Rev. Henry Sharpe, Incumbent, Chairman. Mr. Jno. Craine was elected delegate to the Diocesan Synod for three years - the other delegates being Messrs. J. N. Charles and John Montgomery. Messrs J.N. Charles and Edwd. Abbott were elected Church-wardens for a year.

Kingston Daily News
May 25, 1863
A Raft Strikes the Victoria Bridge - Two Men Drowned. - We regret to learn that a raft belonging to Mr. Cook of Garden Island, struck one of the centre pieces of the Victoria Bridge while coming down the river yesterday afternoon at half-past two, and that two if its men, Canghnawaga Indians, whos names could not be ascertained, were drowned. The raft is supposed to have been driven out of its course by the high wind prevailing. Impelled by the very strong current above the bridge, it struck the pier with such force that it went to pieces, and, the two Indians on it were precipitated into the water. The two poor men who were drowned were driven, while in the water, against the side of the pier on which the raft was wrecked, and managed to hold on to the stone work for a few moments, but their strength failing, and no assistance being at hand, they were gradually drawn into the current, and after a few vain efforts, to rejoin their companions, sank to rise no more....Some time will probably elapse before the bodies of their late companions are recovered.

Kingston Daily News
Tuesday, July 21, 1863
BIRTH: On the 20th inst., at the Glebe, Amherst Island, the wife of Hugh C. Rothwell, Esq., of a daughter.

Kingston Daily News
Thursday, August 6, 1863
Coroner’s Inquest
On Tuesday night the body of a man greatly decomposed, was found in the water at ABBOTT’S Point, Wolfe Island, and a jury was summoned to meet on Wednesday, Coroner W.H.ALLEN, presiding, when a verdict of “found dead” was returned. The deceased was well dressed, and from a log book of a vessel not named found in a pocket; seems to have been an educated person – probably a mate on a sailing vessel. An envelope found on the remains was addressed, “Arthur LOPPER, Toronto.”

Kingston Daily News
August 13, 1863
A Body Identified - The corpse found floating in the water at Abbott's Point, Long Island, about a week ago, and on which an inquest was held by Coroner Allen, was subsequently identified as the body of James Boyd, who, it will be recollected, was drowned a short time since by falling from the deck of the steamer Empress, on which he was employed. The remains were interred on Tuesday evening.

Kingston Daily News
Sept 9 1863 page 2
County Court and Quarter Sessions--
The September Session of the County Court and Court of Quarter Sessions was opened Yesterday at noon, Judge McKenzie in the chair. The following gentlemen answered to their naems and were sworn in as Grand Jurors; Joseph Moore, Ernestown, foreman; Samuel Anning, Ernestown;Edward Abbott, Wolfe Island; Thomas Briceland, WOlfe Ilsand; Isaac Clark, Ernestown; Lewis Chown, Sydenham; Reuben Clark, jr., Newburgh; RObert Davis, Battersea; RObert Forsyth, Kingston; Robert Hannah, Camden East; John Hewton, jr., Storrington; George Jack, Pittsburg; Nathaniel Kerr, Amherst Island; John Kennedy, Hichinbrooke; John B. Lucan, Camden East; William Lampheir, Napanee; Robert Milton, Pittsburg; James McKim, Richmond.

Kingston Daily News
October 19, 1863
Drowned at Cape Vincent
On Saturday night the 10th inst. Wm. Grant while crossing to Wolfe Island accompanied by another man, was drowned. He arose in the boat and losing his balance capsized the boat; he leaves a large family to mourn his loss. The man that was with him was saved by the efforts of some persons from the whore who heard his cries for help. Jefferson County Union.

Kingston Daily News
Wednesday November 18 1863
A cry for distress was heard by Sergennt Lyn yesterday morning between 4 and 5 o'clock, proceeding from the water in the direction of Garden Island. This circumstance, taken in connection with the drifting ashore of a skiff at Holcomb & Cowan's wharf, leads to the supposition that some one has been drowned. The skiff belonged to a Mr. Watt, who lives on Garden Island; and it is stated that the skiff was taken away from the Island by some unknown person on the previous night. Three men belonging to Garden Island are said to be missing, having been last seen when leaving a tavern in Kingston on Monday night, and it is feared that they have been drowned while endeavoring to make their way home. The names of the missing men, who were in the employ of Messrs Calvin & Breck, are John Parker, Lawrence Nugent, and Thomas Donnelly.

Kingston Daily News
December 7, 1863
WANTED – for School Section # 6, Wolfe Island – a Male Teacher, possessed of a first or second class certificate. Address (pre-paid) Charles Armstrong P.O. 3?

1864

Kingston Daily News
Friday, January 8, 1864
Municipal Elections
Township of Wolfe Island
Messers. D.D. CALVIN, P. DAWSON, J. HITCHCOCK, John HOLLIDAY, and J. ECCLES.

Kingston Daily News
Wednesday January 20, 1864 Page 2
On Wolfe Island, on the 13th January, the wife of Martin Staley Jr., of twin sons.

Kingston Daily News
September 13, 1864
Sailor Drowned - The schooner Catherine of Hamilton, Capt. Francis McMaster, of Kingston, when about 30 miles off Oswego, last night, lost overboard a man by the name of Wm. Abbott, of Long Island. He was knocked overboard by the foreboom, occasioned by a shift of wind. The boat was lowered and ran back at least a quarter of a mile, by no trace of the unfortunate man could be found. Boards and other articles had been promptly thrown overboard but he was probably unable to reach them.

Kingston Daily News
Monday, September 19, 1864
Torpedo Explosion – Two Boys Badly Injured
An explosion of a torpedo took place yesterday about 11 o’clock on Wolfe Island, by which tree boys were injured, two of them seriously, and the end of the house blown in. The torpedo had been placed by Captain DAVIS under a boat at the end of his house, intending to use it on a sunken vessel; and at about the hour named the three lads, William and Edwin BENNETT, and William MARSH, were playing on the boat, when one of them crept under the boat and applied a match to the torpedo. The explosion, which was distinctly heard in the city, and thought by some to be the “return gun” fired from Fort Henry, caused the breaking of the leg of Edwin BENNETT, inflicting other serious injury upon him, and so badly injured William BENNETT that neither of them is expected to recover. MARSH is not so seriously hurt, but the wonder is that they all escaped without loss of life. The end of the house was pretty well demolished, and portions of it blown in.

Kingston Daily News
Monday, October 3, 1864
Man Drowned
A hand on the steamer Bay of Quinte, named Bernard MACKAY, was drowned on Saturday at Belleville between eleven and twelve o’clock, while stepping ashore from the steamer at the wharf. The night was very dark and stormy, and the deceased having made a misstep fell between the steamer and the wharf. Every exertion was made to save him, and afterwards to recover his body, but it was not found until the following day. The remains were brought down by the steamer this afternoon, the flag flying half mast high, and delivered over to his friends on Wolfe Island. MACKAY had been on the steamer since last spring, and was a steady industrious man.

Kingston Daily News
Monday, October 3, 1864
New Shipyard
A new shipyard and ways has been got into working order in Maryville [sic], Wolfe Island, close to the ferry landing, where vessels not drawing more than four feet of water can be hauled out and repaired. The fact tells in favor of the shipping interests of this vicinity, as the establishment of a new yard is said not to be a mere venture, but rendered necessary from the increasing marine wants of the place.

From Toronto Newspaper, the Irish Canadian Wed Jan 20 1864 pg 5
The Kingston News says: It is stated by respectable persons, that a man residing on Wolfe Island recently took two of his sons across to the American side, and there sold them into military servitude, for the sum of $1,500! It is difficult to give credence to the story, but it is said by those who know the parties, that it is a well-known fact on the Island. THe probabilityis that the young men enlisted voluntarily, placing the money they received as bounty in the hands of the father for safe keeping.

1865

Kingston Daily News
Wednesday, September 21, 1865
The Torpedo Explosion
The two boys who were so badly injured on Sunday by the explosion of a torpedo on Wolfe Island are still dangerously ill, but more particularly the boy who had his leg broken in two places. The other since the amputation of his arm yesterday morning, is somewhat better and may recover. MARSH was very slightly injured, and it able to go about. The elder BENNER [sic], who touched off the torpedo, is about twelve or thirteen years of age; the others about nine or ten. It was a thoughtless and cruel thing to leave so deadly a missile heavily charged as it was, in such a position as to admit of children getting at it.

1866

From AM Benson
Kingston Whig Standard
January 9, 1866 – Examination of Teachers. At the Annual Examination of Teachers by the County Board of Local Superintendents, the following were awarded certificates:
First Class – Male Department – John McAskin, Wolfe Island Second Class – Female Department – Bridget Caroline & Cynthia E Busch Wolfe Island.

Ottawa Times
Thursday Jan 25, 1866
Michael Savage, the Wolfe Island murderer, has been fully committed for trial at the next court of Oyer and Terminer for the County of Frontenac. The prisoner was arrested as soon as the affray took place, and the following morning was brought before Mr. M. Spoor, J.P., who took the deposition of two of the party and fully committed the prisoner to jail to await his trial. An inquest was also held by coroner W. B. Allen, and the jury found a verdict of "wilful murder' against Savage.

Ottawa Times
Monday Jan 29 1866
A Flourishing Colony-
The employees of Messrs Calvin and Breck, on Garden Island, being all Free holders and Householders, have petitioned the County Council to recognize their claims to Incorporation by themselves as a village, having, according to a rough census, a population of 910 persons, over the number required by law. The Council have ordered an official census to be taken, and will either at this or their next session pass a bill to separate the Island from the township of Wolfe Island, and incorporate it as a village. This step will give the Islanders a greater election franchise, increased water privileges, and a representative of their own in the County Council--Kingston Whig

Ottawa Times
Saturday, May 5, 1866 pg 2
Telegraphy to Cape Vincent-- The Provincial Telegraphy Company are putting up poles across Wolfe Island for the purpose of connection Kingston with Cape Vincent by a line of telegraph; the wire to be submerged between that city and Wolfe Island, and between the Island and Cape Vincent. Wolfe Island and Garden Island are also to be connected, and an office established at the latter place but none on Wolfe Island.

Ottawa Times
Wednesday, May 23, 1866
Canadian News
The following have recently concluded satisfactorily examinations at the Kingston military school; First Class: Mr. J. FOWLER, Amherst Island and T. MEAGHER, Kingston; Anson KIEL, Wolfe Island; Samuel ABBOTT, Wolfe Island obtained a second class certificate some time previously.

Ottawa Times
Monday June 11 1866
Militia General Orders
The following extracts referring to appointments, formation of new Companies, etc, in the Volunteer Militia of Canada, are from the Canada Gazette of the 9th inst.
Ottawa, June 8th No. 1-the following new Companies are placed on teh List of Volunteer Militia of Canada;
Upper Canada.- ....Wolfe Island, one Company Infantry
.... Amherst Island, one Company Infantry

Ottawa Times
Wednesday, September 26, 1866
The Grand Jury of the recent Quarter Sessions for Lennox and Addington threw overboard the indictment against Mr. James ECCLES, Jr., of Wolfe Island, for larceny, and the defendant was honorably acquitted.
1869
From AM Benson
Kingston WHig Standard
February 18, 1869 – The Volunteer Militia
In the Canada Gazette supplement the Volunteer Corps which complied with the Militia Act and re-organized are gazetted. We have published a general abstract of the Province, but we now extract that portion of the General Order having particular reference to this immediate district: No 3 Military District, Infantry and Rifles
47th Battalion (Frontenac) No 6 Company Wolfe Island,
48th Battalion (Lennox and Addington) No 5 Amherst Island.

From AM Benson
Kingston WHig Standard
February 18, 1869, Reserve Militia
The Official Gazette contains a large number of appointments in the Reserve Militia:
The following defines the company limits of the Frontenac Battallion: No 3 Company division, (Township of Howe Island and Southern Portion of the Township) To be Captain Benjamin Whitney, from the late 3rd Non – Service Battalion of Frontenac.
No 6 Company Division, (Township of Wolfe Island, with Garden and other Islands) To be Captain: Charles Murray, Esquire, M.S.

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Farm For Sale
Kingston Whig Standard
March 1869
Known as Ferguson’s Point, situated in the Township of Wolfe Island, and within two miles from the City of Kingston, containing about 140 Acres, 100 cleared and the balance well wooded, with good Stone Dwelling, Barn, no.?, ?bereon?. The land is of the best quality for farming purposes-none better in the four counties.
Terms of Sale easy. For particulars apply to the proprietor on the premises.
March 2, 1869
G. SLUMAN
53

Kingston Daily News
June 9, 1869
County Council - Mr. Spoor handed in the report of the committee appointed to investigate the claim of C. Hinckley (Coleman) for a bonus for the Wolfe Island ferry. The committee advised no action being taken, as in the opinion of the committee the by-law providing said bonus had not been duly executed according to law, and would be of no effect, and secondly which appears more fatal to said claim, the committee could find no statute law by which the corporation of the counties of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington were authorized to grant aid by way of bonus to any ferry established under the then existing law.
Mr. Calvin objected to the adoption of the report. He said that some years ago the transit to Wolfe Island and the United States was by a sail boat, which was found to be dangerous and inconvenient, and a deliberation upon the subject took place in the county council which resulted in a determination of offering a bonus of $100 per annum for seven years to any person who would establish a steam ferry. The bonus had been paid for one year to Mr. Hinckley who established the ferry, and the speaker thought in all fairness the balance should be paid. If Mr. Hinckley would take the sum claimed without interest he was in favor of paying it.
Mr. Strachan objected to the payment of the bonus. He considered there was no claim to it, and in fact at the time of the establishment of the ferry, far from any bonus being required, a person had actually offered 10 pounds for the privilege of being allowed to establish it. (The speaker was understood to say that the offer of this premium was the occasion of the withdrawal at the time of the application for a bonus, the gift of which was then contemplated.)
Mr. Strachan moved the adoption of the report, which was carried upon division.
Yeas - Messrs. Barr, Burke, Bowerman, Campbell, Day, Donaldson, Fair, Lott, Mills, Mudie, McDonald, McRorey, Nichols, Perry, Strachan, Toland, and the Warden, 17. Nays -Messrs. Calvin, Godrey and Spoor, 3.
From Transcriptions of the Kingston News for the WWW by Rick Neilson See Maritime History of the Great Lakes Webpage by Walter Lewis: http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/

The Islands: Articles: 1860's