The life and times of Joseph Gould, ex-member of the Canadian parliament : struggles of the early Canadian settlers, settlement of Uxbridge, sketch of the history of the county of Ontario, the rebellion of 1837, parliamentary career, etc., etc. : reminiscences of sixty years of active political and municipal life

Front matter

the estate of

J. Stuart Fleming

THE LIFE AND TIMES

Contents

Chapter I. page

Birth of Joseph Gould— How his father, Jonathan Gold, was obliged to make a home in Canada — Parentage— Ancestry — A “boyish whim” changes the spelling of the family name 21

Chapter II

Migration to Canada, 1805 — Townships settled by “ Penn3ylvania-Dutch ” families — How the long journey from Pennsylvania was made — First halting-place, Newmarket— Disappointed with the country — Wishes to return to the States— Sets to work — Saving up to return — Failure and loss — Accepts patent of lot in lieu of savings — The location — Description of the new settlement— Names of the first pioneers of Uxbridge — Indians — Helpful neighbours 24

Chapter III

Building of the log shanty — First residence of the Goulds in Uxbridge — “My father’s log cabin ” described in verse — Brothers and sisters — Death of father and mother — Hospitality of the shanty — Early impressions — First lesson 27

Chapter IV

Mode of clearing the land — Wasteful burning of valuable timber— Crops — Mode of harvesting — “Raisings” and “logging bees Exchanging work” — “Tooting the horn” — Lost in the woods — Code of signals — Tattoo — Bears and wolves — Hairbreadth escapes — Women and children devoured — Cattle, sheep and hogs carried off— Hunting and trapping wild animals — Tragic story of Corporal Crawford and his family — Devoured by the wolves 32

Chapter V

Want of educational facilities — First school — Delight at first reading lesson — Extent of schooling— Studies by the log fire — Put to work— Handy at the axe— Soon able to do a man’s work — Chopping and clearing — Connection with the Hilborn family 39

Chapter VI

Effects of the War of 1812— Immigration checked — The Alien Act— Disheartened American citizens return to the States — Confiscations— Gloomy outlook — Progress— Social ties taking root — J oseph Gould as a young man — Character — Books Frame buildings — Decides upon being a carpenter— Arrangement with his father — Engagement with a master — Reflections on the step taken — Proficiency— Unhealthy season — Taken down with fever 41 ym.

CONTENTS.

Chapter YII.

page

The story of the murder of Isaac James — Remarkable dream of his mother — The murderer tracked — His arrest and execution— Yankee ‘ ‘ ’cuteness” in getting the reward 45

Chapter VIII

Illness— Recovery — Working at the trade — Builds a house and barn for his father— Other jobs — Again ill — The “Fungus” trouble — The “great misfortune of his life ” — Treatment — Dr. Widmer — The darkened consulting room — Fright and horror — Skeleton of Christie, the murderer — “ Quacks and fools ” — Dr. Widmer’s opinion — Treatment — Dr. Givins— Cause of the fungus — Detained in York three months for treatment — No permanent cure 50

Chapter IX

Impressions of his first visit to York — Wonders how people lived such an idle life —

And how they were able to pay their way — And at the large number who talked politics and walked the streets— Monice Lawrence’s hotel — Learns his A B C in politics — First access to a newspaper — The Colonial Advocate gives him his first lesson — Opinion of the Lieutenant-Governor — Of the Executive Council — Of the Legislative Council — Humorous and sarcastic description — “ Black Rod ” — The Assembly — Our splendid country — One-seventh part of the land given away for the support of the clergy of the Established Church — The list of “ Grievances ” —

The demand for Responsible Government, etc. — The popular representatives the best men in the country — Mackenzie, Baldwin, Rolph, Bidwell, Perry, Randall — The voice of the Assembly ignored — Agitation for the secularization of the Clergy Reserves — The Governor and Council opposed to all reform — Preparations for a general election — Public excitement — State of affairs in 1830— Reads and hears both sides — Makes a deliberate choice — The principles of the Reform^Party the best for the country —Reasons for that conclusion — From that time out a Reformer 54

Chapter X

Engagement to run a sawmill — The dam being carried away puts an end to the job — Becomes a “ Boss ” carpenter — Contracts for and completes several buildings — Becomes restless— Prepares to go to Cleveland — A talk with Ezekiel James changes his mind — Leases a Clergy Reserve lot — Chops and clears thirty acres — Puts in a first crop— Something to brag of— Advantage gained and never lost afterwards — A barn wanted — No lumber to build — Interview with J. P. Plank —Unsuccessful — Plank offers to sell the sawmill — Negotiations— Buys — Plants his “ first stake ” in Uxbridge— The dam rebuilt— Breaks away again — Matters worse than ever — Severe loss J30

Chapter XI

Unfortunate journey on Christmas Day — An undesirable driving horse— Bad runaway— Bad wound from a hemlock knot — The knot in the wounded flesh holds horse and driver ! — Taken to Joseph Wixson’s and cared for — Doctor sent for —

CONTENTS.

IX.

PAGE

Terrible wound — A piece of the knot taken out — Taken home — Bemoans his loss, but thankful — Able to go to work again— The sawmill a complete wreck — Repaired — Irwin called in, and makes a good job of it — Mill works splendidly — A large lot of lumber cut— Ready sale, but mostly on credit — Custom of paying accounts — Hard to make ends meet — Where there is a will there is a way — Successful struggle — Fortunate in a boarding-house 64

Chapter XII

Uxbridge — 1806 — 1833 — A mighty change — The “first break” in the forest — 1806- Dr. Beswick — Sets about building a gristmill and sawmill — Discouraged— Sells out — Joseph Collins — The mills finished — 1807 — 1809— Robert Wilson — His improvements— Sells out to J. P. Plank — He builds a sawmill— Sells out to Mr. Gould — Enterprise of Joseph Collins— His accidental and melancholy death —

1815 — A great calamity — Severe blow to the progress of the place— His widow and children — The property neglected — 1825 — Mr. Plank’s purchases — Builds a hotel and storehouse — Carleton Lynde — First merchant in Uxbridge — Mr. Gould settles down — Uxbridge in 1832 67

Chapter XIII

Successful operation of the sawmill — Good wheat c^op — Prosperity — A hole in the dam — Narrow escape — Another bad break — Disheartened with the mill — Likes farming better — Exchanges for farm land— Squire Bagshaw — Bagshaw rebuilds the dam — Breaks away again— Bag£haw disgusted — Wants to “trade” back — Leaves the place — Writes Mr. Gould, giving up the mill — Finds out that Bagshaw does not own the land traded — Legal proceedings — Resumes possession of the mill — Bagshaw returns — A scene — Bagshaw in danger of another “mill” — Runs — Peace — An amicable settlement — A lasting job made of the dam — Increased prosperity — Better arrangements — Housekeeping — Reflections 71

Chapter XIY.

The Collins family — What became of the widow and children— Poetic epistle to Joseph Collins, enclosing a $10 bill — John Bogart — Further particulars of early settlement — “4 wide-awake Dutchman” — Tribute to Mrs. Plank — Renewed immigration — Further additions — 1834 — J oel and Rufus Bard well — Two “ smart ” Yankees — Rufus “wanted” at the American side — How the deputy sheriff and constable were tricked — Epistle to a brother poet— Still rhyming and romantic . . 76

Chapter XY.

Abraham Anderson settles— 1835— Buys from the Bard wells — Joel Bard well buys the Gould gristmill and farm — Joel “wanted” — His escape from the constable —

The constable turns up as the owner of the farm ! — Suspicions about the transfer — Robert Taylor builds and does a “smashing” business — Joseph Bascom starts a tannery, etc. — First mail route — First postmaster of Uxbridge — Weekly mails — Mr. Bascom’s improvements — Other improvements — Joseph Marsland — His improvements — Mr. Anderson’s improvements — 1836 — Unsuccessful merchants —

The mills— Price of lumber — Other old settlers 84

X.

CONTENTS.

Chapter XYI.

PAGE

Popularity of Gould’s mill — Increasing prosperity — What industry and self-denial can do — Punctuality in engagements — Good results of this principle — A lesson to others— Looking out for a helpmate — Youthful follies corrected — Turns to his friends the Quakers to choose a wife — The James Family— Three well-brought-up daughters — Opinion of the Quaker dress for ladies— Fashionable dress condemned — Admiration of the James young ladies— Invited to the house — Courtship — Mary James — His attachment reciprocated — Proposes— Is accepted — The “day” fixed — A light heart— “ Many a slip,” etc 87

Chapter XYII.

Politics — Takes the Reform side — Speaks at public meetings — A local leader — Inconvenient polling places— Evil effects of the system then prevailing — Polls kept open for a week and longer— The tavern-keepers’ harvest — Their tricks— Open houses— Other bad practices — Violence and scenes of strife during an election contest — Free-holders — The work of canvassers— Mr. Gould’s personal experiences— Support of Mackenzie — Mackenzie’s expulsion from the House and re-elections — Election reminiscences — Mrs. Doble 91

Chapter XVIII.

1837— Misgovernment of Canada — The causes which led up to rebellion — Mr. Gould’s statement of the case — Political excitement — Position of Lower Canada— The power of the Crown — The system culminating in rebellion — Upper Canada— Refusal to redress grievances — The “Family Compact” — Mr. Gould’s convictions — Ogle R. Gowan and Orangeism — Estimate of Mackenzie— Bishop Strachan — Chief Justices Robinson and Draper — Misrepresentation of Reformers in England — Irritation of the people — Neglect and injustice — Causes of antagonism and revolt — Opposed to taking up arms — Believed the trouble might have been avoided— Statesmen wanted — Sir F. Bond Head — Great expectations — Disappointed hopes— Tory action — Sir Francis cajoled— He takes sides with the Tory party — His appointments — Mr. Baldwin — His remonstrance — Ministerial responsibility—Resignation of Reform Ministers — Constitutional fight — Sir Francis’s views of his responsibility — Action of the Assembly — Official insolence— Indignant citizens— “A Roland for an Oliver” — First low mutterings of insurrection — Demand for Responsible Government 98

Chapter XIX.

Active measures— Mr. Gould not a willing participant — Confidence still in redress of grievances by the Home Government — Unable to dissuade Mackenzie from his plans — Taunted with cowardice — Remonstrances unheeded— Nothing left for him but join his friends— Arrival at Montgomery’s— State of things there — Mackenzie opening mail-bags — No order or discipline— Precautions against surprise — Sets pickets, etc.— “ Captain ” Matthews — First attack on the city by the Don Bridge — The troops in motion — The “patriots” march against them — Struggle in the “bush ” — Badly armed — Hostilities commence — Play of the field-pieces — Destructive effect — ‘ ‘ Captain ” Wideman killed — Others wounded — Montgomery’s taken

CONTENTS.

XI.

PAGE

— The hotel set on fire — “The day lost” — Dispersion of the patriots — Unable to get home— Takes to the woods — Surrounded and captured — Taken to Toronto — Imprisoned in the Legislative Council Chamber — Examination — Release — Marriage 106

Chapter XX.

County Ontario — Name — Extent — Boundaries — Face of the country — North and South Ridings — Parliamentary representation — The “Gerrymander” — West Ontario -Mr. George Wheler and Mr. J. D. Edgar — Municipal representation — Township, town and village municipalities — County council — United counties of Ontario, York and Peel — Separation — Ontario constituted a new county — Proclamation— Provisional County— Whitby the County Town 112

Chapter XXI.

Ancient divisions of the Province — The Act of 1788 — New districts — Early settlement — U. E. L.’s. — American patriots — First county settlers — 1794 — Benjamin Wilson — Raiding Indians — Wilson’s provisions looted — The frightened family move on —

A friendly chief — Provisions restored — A peace belt — Friendship with the Chippaway band— The first Farewells — Sergeant Cranford— Settlement of the Farewells— Trading with the Indians — The murder of John Sharp — Eleazir Lockwood — O-go-ton-og-cut — Colonel Givins — Arrest of the murderer — Toronto Island — Question of jurisdiction — Prisoner to be tried in the Newcastle District— Loss of schooner Speedy , with judge, crown prosecutor, prisoner, constables, witnesses and all on board — Solicitor-General De Grey — His will — Manumission of and provision for his slaves 116

Chapter XXII.

Names of early front settlers — First surveys — Whitby and Pickering one district municipality— Old municipal records — Extracts from minute book — Names of first township officers — Curious by-laws— Great plenty of game and fish — Salmon caught with pitchforks — Chased by wolves — Jabez Lynde — His house — 1803 — First school in Whitby — Early immigrants — “The Irishmen” — “The Scotchmen”— “The Englishmen” — How distinguished — New arrivals — Gradual settlement—Names of settlers, 1811 — 1820—1822 — 1829 to 1833 — Old Baptist Church — Place for meetings — The Old Kirk built — Local gatherings — Consumption of whiskey— Division of the township — Area, assessment, valuation, etc. — Villages, etc 123

Chapter XXIII.

East Whitby — Area, population, assessed value — Ntimber of ratepayers on roll — First settlers— First gristmill— Sawmills — First road made — Help’s settlement — 1831 — Immigrants — Successful farmers — Their descendants — Oshawa Creek — Mills — Local market— Growth of settlement — Mr. Wright — His mare the only available horse — His ox-cart — A kind neighbour— Villages 130

Chapter XXIV.

Pickering — Character of soil, area, population, assessed value, etc. — Villages — First settlers— Old records — Early township officers — 1800 — 1810 — Settlers — 1811 — 1815—1816—1820 — 1821— Settlers, 1825 to 1835 — Squire Leys— Squire Birrell —

XII.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Court of Requests— Fothergill — McKay— Old Brock Road settlement — Demorest’s sawmill— Other grist and sawmills — Kinsale settlement— Captain Macaulay— Want of roads — Immigrants of ’32 and ’34 — The Millers, Joneses, etc. — Thompson’s tavern — Township meetings — Specimen by-laws— 1836 — 1837 — Peter Matthews— Settlers up to 1846 — First township library — Hector Beaton — Truman White — Dr. Tucker — Magistrates’ court — Anecdote of Squires Birrell and Green. 132

Chapter XXY.

Reach — Survey, 1809 — Area — Assessed value, etc. — Quality of soil — Reuben Crandell — First white child born— Scugog — Port Perry — Villages— Sheriff Paxton— Early settlers — Scugog Island — Statistics — Increase in value — Indians — Surveyed, 1816-17 — Rurdy’s milldam — First settlers — Brock — 1817 — Surveyed — First settlers — Statistics — Quality of soil — James Reekie — “ King of Brock ” — Col. Vrooman — Ancestors of present settlers — John Hall Thompson — Nipissing Railway — A Tory township — Scott — Statistics of — Survey, 1807 — First settlers — Evans Jones — The Leasks, Weldons, Phillips, Thompsons, etc., etc.— Settlement from 1830. . 141

Chapter XXVI.

Thorah— Statistics — Surveys, 1820 and ’27 — White, the surveyor, 1822— Ensign Turner — Squire Cameron — Glengarry immigrants, 1824-’28 — Settlement of half-pay officers— Islay settlers — Donald Calder, Hector Grant— Long journey to mill — First bridge — The Beaver River — Road from Beaverton to Oshawa — Sutherland and Argyll settlers — 1830 — The Bruces — 1833 — The Proctors — Charles Robinson — His descendants — The Ellises — John McKay — First post office — 1835 — Col. Cameron — Beaverton — Progress of township — Government grants for roads — Grants by county council — Railway bonus — Municipal representatives — Churches — Beautiful situation of Beaverton— Originally called Milton — 1834 and 1887 contrasted. 146

Chapter XXVII.

Mara — First survey — 1821 — Completed 1836 — Settlement — Soil — First clearings — Patrick Corrigali — 1823 — Arthur Kelly, an old Reformer — “Votes for Paxton”

— 1827 — The Camerons, McDonaghs, etc. — Large Irish Catholic and Scotch Catholic settlement — Philip McRae, Alex. Kennedy — D. G. Hewett, J. P. Foley — Brechin— Midland Railway— Stations in municipality — Increased value of farm lands— Separation of Mara and Rama — 1869 — Statistics. Rama — First survey, 1834— Second survey, 1855 — Final survey — Settlement of British officers in 1835 —Captain McPherson, James McPherson, Captain Garnet, and others — Bank of Upper Canada and Indian Reserve purchase — Indian settlement at. Orillia removed to Rama — Rama Indian village — Picturesque spot — Longford Mills — John Thomson— His sons — Uxbridge — Other early settlers and prominent men of Uxbridge — Statistics, etc 150

Chapter XXVIII.

Whitby — Constituted County Town — Slow growth — General review — Rise and progress—Speculation— Evil results— Collapse— Enterprise checked — Fine houses and those who built them — “Trafalgar Castle” — Ontario Ladies’ College — Churches, schools — Public buildings — Railway debt — Poor return for — Ma,rket before railways — Trade cut off — Manufactures — Bonuses — Old residents and new comers

CONTENTS.

xiii.

Chapter XXIX.

PAGE

Oshawa — Skae’s Corners — Pioneer settlers — Their descendants — First mail — First mill — The old families — Representative men — Manufactures — First incorporated village in the county — Statistics. Port Perry— Incorporated — First store — First sawmill — First start — Growth — Industries — Fires — Statistics — Founders of village. Cannington — Incorporated — Situation — Manufacturing facilities — Statistics 162

Chapter XXX.

Municipalities of Ontario in the United Counties— Causes of separation from York and Peel — First Provisional Council— First meeting— Provisional warden and clerk — Interesting proceedings — Speeches of Joseph Gould and others — Resolution in favour of an appropriation for County buildings — Second meeting — No quorum — The struggle for County existence — Determined action of Mr. Gould —

His casting vote — A protest — The struggle continued — Another meeting — Michael McDonagh — County treasurer — By-law and resolution passed — Public meetings — Mr. Gould’s action endorsed — Nextmeeting — Proceedings — Recommendations for County offices — Names of candidates— Proceedings in the courts — Friends of the County united by the oppressive action of the United Counties’ representatives— Site for county buildings chosen — Contract let — Further abortive legal proceedings 166

Chapter XXXI.

First meeting of Provisional Council, 1853 — Members present — Proceedings— Mr. Gibbs elected warden — Displaced — Captain Rowe elected — A retrospect — Claimants for the County Town — A better understanding — Action of Georgina — Secedes— Mr. Hartman’s conduct — Unjustifiable legislation— Remonstrance of Mr. Gould— Progress of the County buildings — Laying the Corner stone — An account of the grand doings upon that occasion — Testimony in favour of Mr. Gould’s noble course — A letter from him placed with the deposits under the Corner stone 178

Chapter XXXII.

The fight for the CPunty offices — Proclamation dissolving the union of Counties — The County of Ontario constituted — Official appointments — New Commission of the Peace — Sheriff Reynolds’s appointment 187

Chapter XXXIII.

1854 — First meeting of the new County Council — Members present— Proceedings —

Mr. Gibbs elected warden — County officials appointed — Names and dates — Opening of the courthouse — First sessions of the peace — Compliment to Mr. Gibbs — First assizes — Compliments all around — The Railway question — Influential meeting — Resolutions passed — Railway charter obtained — Directors— Steps taken to build a line from Whitby to Georgian Bay — Sykes and Co.’s offer to build the road — The question at the municipal elections — By-law before the County Council discussed — Mr. Abraham Farewell’s advocacy— Defeat of the

XIV.

CONTENTS.

PAGE-

by-laws — Its disastrous effects — Offer of Hon. George Brown— Surveys— Vain appeals to the County Council— Causes of hostility to the project — Action of the town of Whitby — County by-law submitted — Defeated — The Railway agitation kept up — Other lines projected and extended — Railway campaigns— Celebration of the opening of the Toronto and Nipissing 192

Chapter XXXIV.

New railway charter— Whitby to Port Perry — Directors— Stock— Subscriptions— Favourable contract — Dissensions — A new contract entered into — The terms — Turning the first sod by H. R. H. Prince Arthur — More grand doings— The ceremony— Loyal and enthusiastic welcome of the Prince — Addresses of the Town and County Councils — Replies of the Prince and Governor-General — Progress of the work — Change of contractors — Squabbling and bad management — Impending ruin the result — James Holden to the rescue — Completion of the line to Port Perry — The latter place boomed and built up 213

Chapter XXXV.

Extension to Lindsay— Connection with the Victoria Railway— Great expectations— Municipal bonuses— Whitby leads the way — Government aid — Line opened to Lindsay — Amalgamation with the Midland— Swallowed up in the Grand Trunk — The Ontario Central — Other railway projects — The C. P. R. — Present railway lines and connections within the county . 223

Chapter XXXVI.

Visit of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales to the County — A memorable event — Special session of the County Council— Votes for the reception — Interesting proceedings — Appropriation — A gala day — Great rejoicing — Immense crowds— The decorations—The addresses— The replies, etc., etc., etc 225

Chapter XXXVII.

Roads — Harbours — Proposed canal — Early want of County roads — The leading County highways— Government sale of roads and harbours — 1852 — Whitby, Lake Scugog, Simcoe and Huron Road Company— Simcoe Street and the Nonquon —

Old Brock Road — Appropriations— 1860, $20,000— County bridges — Appropriations for — Whitby Harbour improvements — 1833 — John Welsh — Want of early shipping facilities— 1842 — Windsor Road Co.— Warehouses built— Purchase of the road and harbour— Seized and sold in 1863 by Government — Mr. Gould and Mr. Draper become the purchasers— 1876 — Road surrendered to the County — Death of Mr. Draper — Refusal of the town to purchase the harbour — A golden opportunity lost — Proposed canal — County grant for survey— Report of engineer. 240'

Chapter XXXVIII.

Educational interests — Growth of education in the County — A retrospect of the past — Statistics— Public Schools— Separate Schools— High Schools of the county — County Model School— Ontario Ladies’ College— Demill College— Pickering College— Foundation of the High Schools — Brief sketches — Indian School, etc 253

CONTENTS.

XV.

Chapter XX^QX.

page

Farming — Stock-breeding — Position of the Farmers — First County Agricultural Society— Officers— North Ontario County Society— Prizes in ’53 and ’86 — Volunteer Companies— Formation of 34th Battalion— 'County Wardens — Parliamentary Representatives— The County Press 261

Chapter XL.

Mr. Gould urged to enter Parliament, 1854 — Candidate for North Ontario — The nomination — The other candidates — A Tory stronghold —Ogle R. Gowan— The speeches — Mr. Gould’s election address — The vote — Gould elected — Quarrel between Messrs. Gibbs and Gowan 267

Chapter XLI.

Reform measures passed — A contrast — Differences with Mackenzie — Mr. Gould votes for measures, not men — Asserts. his independence — A “tongue-thrashing” from Mackenzie, and a retort — Mr. John Lumsden — His election for South Ontario —

The vote — Meeting of Parliament at Quebec, September, 1854 — Hincks beaten —

The MacNab Coalition — Mr. Gould’s votes— Approval of his constituents — The Clergy Reserves Bill— Mr. J. W. Gamble’s amendment — Mr^ Gould speaks — His position defined — Settlement of the Clergy Reserves and Seignorial Tenure Bills — Sir Edmund Head’s reference to the settlement 273'

Chapter XLII.

Representation by Population, Mr. Gould battles for — Advocates Confederation in 1854 — The true remedy for Upper Canadian grievances — Meeting of Parliament at Toronto, February, 1856 — The Seat of Government question — Mr. Gould’s course — Motion moved by him — Ministerial changes— Votes non-confidence — His seat attacked — A Committee appointed — Report in favour of Mr. Gould — Spirited action of the Legislative Council — Elective Legislative Councillors — Queen’s Division — The candidates — Meetings and speeches — Activity of Mr. Gould — Mr. Simpson elected 279

Chapter XLIII.

Session of February, 1857 — Seat of Government question— Lengthy debate— Ref erred to the Queen — Mr. Gould’s vote— His Parliamentary work — Dissolution — General election — Mr. Gould again nominated for North Ontario — His address to the electors — Mr. Ogle R. Gowan again his opponent — Interesting proceedings at the nomination — Mr. Gould’s speech — His anti-Catholic sentiments misrepresented —

The true account of what took place — Explanations — Mr. Gould re-elected — The “ Moderates ’’—The “Grits ” — The “Baldwin Reformers ” — The Coalitionists. . . 283

Chapter XLIV.

Effects of the injurious accusation against Mr. Gould — Mutual explanations — Ample reparation— Letter of Rev. Father Brayere — South Ontario, 1857 — First election of Hon. Oliver Mowat to parliament — Hon. J. C. Morrison his opponent — Origin of the term, “Christian Politician ’’—The appellation justified — Votes with Mr,.

XVI.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Mowat — And lives to see his son supporting him as Premier in the Legislature of Ontario — Hon. Mr. Mowat’s supporters — James Dryden — His son, John Dryden, M.PP. — General election, July, 1861— Defeated — “Orange and Green” influences — His work in subsequent contests — His labours in other directions : Educational, agricultural, commercial — In private life . 287

Chapter XLY.

A lucky venture — Death — Children — His will — Bequests — Disposition of property — Uxbridge Mechanics’ Institute — “The Gould Belief Fund Donations to churches — Interest in the cause of Education— Disposition of property amongst the children— Isaac J. Gould, M.PP. — Gould Brothers— Electric light introduced — Family gatherings — Pleasing character — Conclusion 291

INTRODUCTORY.

THE Life and Times of Joseph Gould — extending from the opening to almost the closing decade of the present century — embrace an important and exciting period of Canadian history. It is a period full of stirring events, and in which he played no unimportant part. The history of the trials and struggles of the pioneers of early settlement — of those first Canadian settlers who courageously entered “the forest primeval,” and manfully hewed out homes for themselves — must always form a subject of deep interest and reflection, more especially to the Canadian reader. It has already been told, and well told, and no doubt read with profit, in various publications. Taken from the lips of one born in the midst of the hardships and privations incident to the position, the story can scarcely fail to awaken fresh interest. The story of Mr. Gould’s life not only tells of unremitting toil, and of difficulties overcome in the early condition of the country, but it also exhibits the reward which awaits honourable industry, self-denial and heroic, perseverance. Bom in a log cabin in the woods, Joseph Gould endured all the vicissitudes, and experienced in his own person almost all the varying fortunes of Canadian life. From a barefooted boy, assisting his parents to pile up and burn a heap of “brush” in a “clearing,” he advanced, as he grew to manhood, through all the gradations of pathmaster, municipal councillor, school trustee, and warden, to the honour of a seat in Parliament as representative of his native county.

Mr. Gould was self-taught, and considering his early educational opportunities, or rather the want of them, his proficiency was wonderful. He was an insatiable reader and fairly devoured all the hooks and newspapers that came in his way. His first real political lessons were learned from Mackenzie’s Colonial Advocate , although long before that he had taken part in election contests against “ The Family Compact,” and was looked up to as something of an active local leader. The most prominent feature of his character was, however, a stern conscientiousness, and an intense love of liberty, combined with a determination to assert his own rights, and never, come what may, fail in meeting his business engagements. Before he ever read Shakespeare he had adopted Hamlet’s grand precept —

This above all — To thine own self be true;

And it must follow as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

The following pages disclose these characteristics, and also, while glancing at the manners and customs of the early days of settlement, exhibit the growth and progress of the country, from an unimportant Crown colony, to its present grandeur as the Dominion of Canada.

The printing of his memoirs had been for some years contemplated by Mr. Gould. A few months before his death he expressed a strong desire to avail himself of the author’s services for that purpose. Invitations had been given to visit him and “talk matters over.” But —