Land Acquisition – George Brown

A series of documents outlining the acquisition of a village lot might appear to be family specific, but in fact the documents can teach us much about Richmond’s history. In 1845 merchant George Brown (see factoids #113-115) bought lot 8 on the west side of McBean St. (Across the street from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church). The documents reveal information about the leading Richmond characters: Lewis, McElroy and Burke, and introduce a new one, Craig.  They tell us about the mysterious Royal Navy Lieutenant, James William Horrie who had partnered with John Bower Lewis to buy lumber from George Lyon in 1821 (see factoid # 23). The documents also tell us how land was transferred when a resident died without a will and with a young heir.

They raise questions about the terms of settlement for acquiring land in the village. It is stated that the land was returned by the Military Settling Department to the Heir and Devisee Commission of the Crown Land Department “without description for Patent”.  Does this mean that the land was given to Lieutenant Horrie without any terms of settlement?

George Neville has transcribed the Brown documents. The transcription and Neville’s introduction appear below. What additional information do they provide to you about mid-19th century Richmond life?

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Richmond 200 – Factoids #111- #115

To honour Richmond’s 200th anniversary, we have been posting factoids about our rich history. You should expect to see 200 pieces of information that you may or may not have already known.  The topics of these posts are: #111. Elephants & Camels #112. Silent Night #113. George Brown #114. George Brown’s Store  #115. Could this be George Brown’s first store?

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Richmond 200 – Factoids #96 – #100

To honour Richmond’s 200th anniversary, we will be posting factoids about our rich history. You should expect to see 200 pieces of information that you may or may not have already known.  The topics of these posts are: #96. The stone St. John’s Church #97. The Drill Hall #98. The Walling Map #99. The Fraternal Societies #100. May 1868 Holiday Continue reading

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Whiskey Merchants-Thomas Lewis & J.P.Wiser

Located at the crossroads of the old Richmond Road running from Ottawa to Perth and the newer road connecting Prescott to the upper Ottawa Valley ( Huntley Road), it should come as no surprise that although Richmond’s main source of supplies was Ottawa (formerly Bytown), there was some trade with the other communities to the south, west and north. One commodity purchased by Richmond merchants and hotel keepers was whiskey.
The J. P. Wiser Distillery, located in Prescott, was a growing operation in the 1860s, and today it is still a well known name in the production of whiskey. John Philip Wiser joined the C. P. Egert Co. in 1857 and in 1863 he purchased it from his uncle and his uncle’s partner. At that time it was producing 116,500 gallons of whiskey a year.
The following year the distillery burned and was replaced by a larger facility. It employed 60 men in all facets of the operation: coopers, carpenters and teamsters as well as workers involved in the production, packaging and shipping the whiskey. The Wiser Company flourished and J. P. Wiser had an enormous influence on the whole community. His farming operation alone was huge and in time had 2000 head of cattle.
It was to this company that Richmond merchant, Thomas Lewis, turned to acquire whiskey. As the following letter shows, Mr. Lewis had dealt with the C. P. Egert Co. in the past and Mr. Wiser was anxious to continue past arrangements and confirm their terms for the future.
The following letter may be found in the Lewis Papers ( MG 24, I 176) in LAC. The transcription of the letter by George Neville is followed by a graphic of the letter.

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Richmond 200 – Factoids # 91 – #95

To honour Richmond’s 200th anniversary, we will be posting factoids about our rich history. You should expect to see 200 pieces of information that you may or may not have already known.  The topic of these posts are: #91. Thomas Miller #92. George Seymour Lyon & tipcat #93. The burning of St. Philip’s #94. The New St. Philip’s #95. Population in 1861 Continue reading

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Richmond 200 – Factoids # 81- # 85

To honour Richmond’s 200th anniversary, we will be posting factoids about our rich history. Over the next year you should expect to see 200 pieces of information that you may or may not have already known.  The topic of these posts are: #81. grammar schools  #82. Richmond Grammar School #83. A young Edward Rielley #84. macadamized Richmond Road #85. Toll-Gates Continue reading

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Richmond 200 – Factoids # 76- #80

To honour Richmond’s 200th anniversary, we will be posting factoids about our rich history. Over the next year you should expect to see 200 pieces of information that you may or may not have already known.  The topic of these posts are: #76. Patrick McElroy #77. Lyon Box Tomb #78. Joseph Hinton- the moderate #79. Joseph Hinton- the politician #80. Hintonburg Continue reading

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