History of the County of Lennox and Addington (Classic Reprint)

Had I not consented to undertake the task of writing a history of
Lennox and Addington, before I began to look about me for material,
I would probably not have given that consent quite so readily. Those
only who have attempted a work of this character can appreciate the
difficulties that lie in the way of the amateur historian. Many hours of
fruitless research may often be spent in an effort to -fix a date or to
ascertain a name, and very frequently what appears to be reliable author-
ity may upon closer examination be found to be far astray in the inform-
ation so confidently communicated. All the depositories appeared to be
empty, many of the old residents had recently departed this life, and
such records as could be found were very incomplete. Old minute books
which had served their original purpose have been destroyed or are still
concealed among the rubbish of some unknown attic. If municipal
clerks and secretaries of public bodies had only been taught to preserve
all the books and documents appertaining to their office the work of
the historian would be greatly lightened. Yet with the assistance of
many willing helpers I have endeavoured to unearth all the available
data that I considered within the scope of my inquiry.


Table of Contents

I. WHEN THE COUNTY WAS A WILDERNESS i

II. THE COMING OF THE LOYALISTS 17

III. THE SETTLING OF THE LOYALISTS 36

IV. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT... 54
V. TRADESMEN, PRODUCTS AND PRICES 73

VI. THE COUNTY SCHOOLS 97

VII. ADOLPHUSTOWN 135

VIII. ERNESTTOWN AND BATH 152

IX. FREDERICKSBURGH 182

X. AMHERST ISLAND 189