Settlers story in 1815

English Settlement, Murray Township near Carrying Place

Records of the Bay of Quinte

These documents tell a great sequential story about a group of settlers and show the government process for getting them settled. The majority of them are English soldiers who decided to stay in Upper Canada after the War of 1812 and receive a grant of land. Mixed into the group are some settlers and emigrants.

They are in Montreal in August 1815 and arrive by batteau in Kingston about 10 days later before going up to the Head of the Bay of Quinte at Carrying Place to receive their land. Official concern is expressed about tools for settlement and that some are "sickly". The last document (section 4) is a locations report from 1816 showing the emigrants name, status and lot located in Murray Township.

These settlers were settled on both sides of the Canal Reserve (later the Murray Canal.) The aptly named "English Settlement Road" runs through a portion of the settled land.

The canal reserve mentioned was set aside in 1796 and it was not till 1889 that the Murray Canal was finally completed.

© Randy Saylor, transcribed Dec 2011. For some reason this web page was missing from this web site for years so it is posted again in 2020.

Use these links to jump up and down this page.
1. List of emigrants at La Chine, Montreal
2. List of emigrants at Kingston
3. Four letters about surveying the settlement area
4. Locations of settlement for emigrants and others
5. Map of Murray Township, 1878

1. List of emigrants at La Chine, Montreal

Quarter Mr Generals Office
Montreal 16th August 1815
Sir
In obedience to the Quarter Master General’s Commands, I have the honor to enclose you a list of settlers, who are on their way to Kingston under the charge of Captain Bullock of the 41^st Regiment, I respect the whole will leave La Chine to day if a sufficient number of batteau men can be procured.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient, humble Servant
Gl^t Barnes Cat Dm Dm Gent

[addressed to]
His Excellency
Major General Sir Frederick Robinson
KCB etc etc

Returns of Settlers and their Families for Upper Canada
La Chine 15^th Aug 1815

Men	Women	Children
Cn Ricrd Bullock	Mrs Jane Bullock	} seven children
	Eliza Bullock	}
Edward Hatfull	Martha Hatfull	One
John Nicklin	Mary Nicklin	Five
James H Powers	Ann Powers 1st	}
James Powers	Ann Powers 2nd	} One
Samuel Powers	Frances Powers	}
John M Flindal	Susanah Flindal 1st	}
	Susanah Flindal 2nd	Four
	Charlotte Flindal	}
Henry Melville	Mary Melville	Four
Thomas Smith	Mary Smith	Four
Thomas Potts	Charlotte Potts	Five
Wm Brown	Ann Brown	Two
Ralf Bell	Sarah Bell	One
William Brauch [Branch]	Caroline Brauch	One
Gilbert Cowan
Edward Evans
Total 15 men	16 women	35 children

Signed Richard Bullock
Captain 41st Regiment
[to] G? Barnes Capn
D? DM Genl

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 23, C-4545, pp. 10348-51 [ above 2 items]

2. List of Emigrants at Kingston

Returns of Settlers & their Families from Quebec
Kingston 26^th Aug 1815

Settlers Names	Women	No of Children
Capt Richd Bullock	Mrs Jane Bullock	eight children
Edward Hatfull	Martha Hatfull	One
John Nicklin	Mary Nicklin	Five
James Holt Powers	Ann Powers 1st
James Powers	Ann Powers 2nd	} One
Samuel Powers	Frances Powers	}
John Flindal	Susanah Flindal 1st
	Susanah Flindal 2nd	} Four
	Charlotte Flindal	}
Henry Melville	Mary Melville	} Four
Gilbert Cowan		}
Thomas Smith	Mary Smith	Four
Thomas Potts	Charlotte Potts	Five
Willm Brown	Ann Brown	Two
Ralph Bell	Sarah Bell	One
William Brauch [Branch]	Caroline Brauch	One
Edwd Evans
Total 15 men	15 women	36 children

[Signed] Richard Bullock
Captn 41st Regiment

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 23, C-4545, pp. 10407-08.

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3. Four letters about surveying the settlement area

Surveyor Gen^l Office
York 17^th September 1815

Sir
I had the honor to receive two days ago, from Major Rogers, your Excellency’s commands to me of the 6^th instant.

I have now the Honor to transmit copy of my letter of this date, aforesaid to Mr John Ryder licenced surveyor or to any other surveyor, directing him to place himself, without delay, under the orders of major Rogers at the Carrying Place at the Head of the Bay of Quinte.

I also commit to the care of Major Rogers Plans of Murray & Cramahe, on which the Persons are marked together with such other observation as may serve as a guide to the surveyor in his operations.

I beg leave to state to your Excellency that the canal Reserve in Murray, to the extent of 3000 acres, was ordered to be reserved by Lieu^t Governor Simcoe, in Council, on the 18^th July 1796 “for the purpose of facilitating the cutting of a canal between the Bay of Quinty and Newcastle, or for such, public benefit as it may be appropriated.”

On the 16 March 1810, John Drummond Smith was ordered by L^t Governor Gore, a licence of occupation for 800 acres of land being part of the Canal Reserve in Murray, & composed of Lots n^o22. 23. 24 in the broken concession B and Lots n^o 22. 23.24 in the broken concession C. C. This licence is only during pleasure – and may be rescinded at any time by Your Excellency in Council.

I have written to Mr Sherwood desiring him to survey such lands as may be required by Mr McDonnell for the settlement of his people and a Mr Sherwood has executed many surveys in the District of Johnstown, I humbly conceived that he will be able to direct the applicant for the Crown Reserve, and such other vacant Lots, as I have reported to the Superintendant, with much difficulty.

I have the Honor further to state to Your Excellency, that I have this day (the 18 Sept) given to Major Rogers, a List of the Crown Reserves in the Township of Sidney & Thurlow amounting to 71 Lots of 200 acres each, for which no description of Lease has issued – and one Lot of 125 acres in Sidney.

I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect
Your Excellency’s most dutiful Servant
Tho^sRidout
Survey^r Gen^l

[addressed to]
To His Excellency
Sir Frederick Robins KCB

Prov^l L^t Governor of Upper Canada

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 24, C-4545, pp. 10625-27

[17 Sept 1815]
To Mr John Rider surveyor or any other licenced surveyor

Sir
His Excellency the Prov^l Lieutenant Governor having required that a surveyor be sent to the to the Carrying Place at the Head of the Bay of Quinte to assist in the locating the settlers who are lately arrived there from England, I am to request and that you will without loss of time go thither and place yourself under the direction of David McGregor Rogers Esq Dep^t Superintendent of locations for the said settlers, and execute all such surveys and other services as may be deemed necessary for locating the said settlers upon the lands intended for them, for which services, I am the informed, you will be allowed the sum of 10 shillings currency per diem together with a ration, during the time you may be employed, to be born on the accounts of, and paid by the department appointed for locating the new settlers or in such other way as His Excellency may be pleased to direct.

I now deliver to Major Rogers plans of the township of Murray and Cramahe to be your guide in your operations, having marked the Crown and Clergy Reserves in the said Townships, and placed the names of the persons on the Crown Reserves, for whom the descriptions for lease have passed this office - The crown reserves and on which no name is written, may be considered as vacant – all the other lots excepting those on which the word “vacant” is written are under location.

I am Sir
Your Obed^t humb^l Serv^t
Signed Tho^s Ridout
Surv^r Gen^l

[addressed to]
Surveyor General Office
York 17^th Sept 1815

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 24, C-4545, pp. 10628-29

Haldimand 8^th Oct 1815

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter with my instructions and also orders to receive sundry persons as settlers.

I have also received the directions respecting their rations to be issued at the Carrying Place with directions to guide himself by it in all future issues of provisions.

Immediately upon my return from York I forwarded a letter to His Excellency from the Surveyor General, in answer to the one I took up, and a letter from myself to you, those letters were sent to Mr. Graham a merchant of Kingston, and I hope he delivered them safe, I have to lament that I have as yet received no answer to mine or any directions wither I should cause the Canal Reserve to be Surveyed or not. You will observe by the Surv^r Gen^ls letter that he did not think proper to give directions to have that land surveyed as it was received by order of the Lt Gov^r in council, I therefore was in hopes to receive further orders as I had no orders to get the land surveyed myself .

The settlers that have come up are as yet at the Carrying Place where their accommodations are by no means good, and many of them are quite sickly, and I fear that by the delay in getting the lands surveyed I shall not be able to get them on their lands this fall.

I was quite disappointed to find that no tools had been sent up with the provisions or since. I was informed that all that was required could not be furnished at Kingston, but that they were in the store filling axes Trooz? Whip saws & grindstones if a few of those had been sent up with the settlers, they would have been very useful. I have not yet been able to procure axes for them to cut firewood but in trying to furnish a few here as it is impossible for to do without them.

I beg you will be pleased to inform me by the bearer Mr. Ruttan whether the Canal Reserve is to be surveyed or not and how soon I am to expect the tools for the settlers. I received from the Surv^r Gen^l a list of Crown Reserves not leased in the Townships of Cramahe Murray Sydney and Thurlow[,] some of which I have given tickets of location for, but as those lots are very much scattered they will not suit the immigrants that came up with Captⁿ Bullock if they can settle together on the canal reserve as they at first expected.

I have the honor
Sir
Your most Obed^t hum^l Servant
DMG Rogers

D^y Super^tof Locations

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 24, C-4545, pp. 10722-24.

Headquarters Kingston
12^th October 1815

Sir
Understanding that Major General Sir Fred^k Robinson previous to his transferring the command in this province to me, had directed the transmission to you of all papers respecting the settlers arrived from Great Britain, I have the honor to enclose to you a letter from Major Rogers Dept^y Sup^tof Locations , stationed at the head of the Bay of Quinte, requesting instructions respecting the settlement intended to be formed upon the Canal reserves.

The tools mentioned by him I learn from the Commissary Lieu^t are now on their way up.

I have the honor to be
Your excellency’s
Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant
L De? Watteville
Major Lieut Commands

[addressed to]
Your Excllency
Francis Gore Esq^r
York

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 24, C-4545, pp. 10720-21

4. Location list for Emigrants and others

Surveyor Generals Office
York 11^th September 1816

Sir
I have the honor to acquaint you for the Information of His Excellency the Lieut Governor, that no return of Location made under the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent of Emigrant Settlers etc in the Eastern & Johnstown Districts since the 16^th March – or in the Midland and Newcastle Districts since the 24^th of April last, has been transmitted to this office.

Copy of the Report of Locations made in the Township of Murray including the lands at the Canal Reserve, is herewith enclosed –

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Most Obedient humble Servant
Thos Ridout
Survey^r Gen^l

[addressed to]
Edward Malcolm Esq
Ass Secretary to His Excellency
The L^t Governor

Return of Persons who have received Locations of Lands in the Township of Murray from the locating department at the Head of the Bay of Quinty

To the 24^th April 1816

Names	Description	Number of Lot	Con	Acres	Remarks
Edward Hatfull	Purser Royal Navy	20	A	200	Improved by 100 acres, see report
John Brock	Sergt Cannadn Fencibles	West Side 12	B	100
Joseph Harvey	Private 41st Regt	East Side 12	do	100
William Joy	Captn Do Do	West Side 12 [sic]	do	100	Perhaps west side No 13
William Ireland	Settler	East half 13	do	100
Capn Richd Bullock	41st Regt & receiving Officer	15	do	100
Henry Melville	Emigrant	East half 16	do	100
Gilbert Cowan	do	West half 16	do	100
Edward Evans	do	East half 17	do	100
Thomas Pots	do	West half 17	do	100
Thomas Smith	do	East half 18	do	100
William Brown	do	West half 18	do	100
James Holt Powers	do	East half 19	do	100
Samuel Powers	do	West half 19	do	100
William Branch	do	East half 20	do	100
Ralph Bell	do	West half 20	do	100
John Metcalf	Sergt 19th Dragoons	East half 21	do	100
William Meredith	Private 90th Regiment	West half 21	do	100
John Bowerman	Privt Glengy Lt Infy	West half 7	C	100
William Smith Junr	do do do	do 9	do	100
John Flindall	Emigrant	do 8	do	100
John Sweep	Copl Glengy Lt Infy	do 10	do	100
Enoch Allard	Privt Glengy Lt Infy	do 13	do	100
Peter Valliere	do do do	do 14	do	100
Joseph Gold	do do do	do 17	do	100
John Nicklin	Emigrant	do 18	do	100
John Jackson	do	do 19	do	100
Lewis Lewis	Privt 6th Regt	do 20	do	100
[next page]
William Page	Settler	West half 21	C	100
Dirk Yeons?	Privte Cannadn Fencibles	Do 22	do	100
Daniel Walker	Privt Glengy Lt Infy	Do 23	do	100
Andrew Hoffman	do do do	Do 24	do	100
Nicholas Huff	do DeWallevilles Regt	Do 25	do	100
Luther E Eastling	do Glengy Lt Infy	Do 26	do	100
Edward Bamber	Emigrant	front pt 5	9	100
John Bluett	do	front pt 9	2	100	Improved by S Sherwood, see report
				2800	Total
No of Persons 36

Surveyor Generals Office	"signed" DMG Rogers
York 11th September 1816	Dy Supt of Locations
A true copy
Thos Ridout
Surveyor Genl

Source: Civil Secretary's Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, film also at AO. Online at Heritage Canadiana, Vol 30, C-4547, pp. 13624-27
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5. Map of Murray Township 1878
Below is part of Murray Township from the well known Belden Atlas, 1878. Note the Canal Reserve. The emigrants above settled in Concessions A, B and C surounding the Canal Reserve and some of the surnames are still evident 60 years later - Powers, Flindal, Evans and Rogers. The road going through the lots in Concession B was named English Settlement Rd in honour of this event and is seen on this page from Google Maps .

Click here to see a larger map.