The Early History of Elora and Vicinity

Its Early History Continued.

110 ELORA E LO RA «* Its Early History Continued. It has already been told how, on the first day of December, 1817, Roswell Matthews became the first settler in Elora. That he and his family lived here for nine years or more, that, having been disappointed in not receiving the deed lor the land which was promised them by the owner of the Township, they left their home in Elora and removed to the newly founded City of Guelph, where they assisted at the completion of the first houses there. Their house and barn, and the clearing they had made in Elora wasleft unsold. It was also shown how Capt. William Gilkison became the purchaser of this part of the Township of Nichol and it will be remembered that we were permitted to publish a number of letters which Capt. Gilkison wrote to his son, Col. Jasper T. Gilkison, whodied at his home in Brantford on Friday, November 16th, 1906, at the age of ninety two and a half years. In one room of his house he had preserved many valuable documents connected with his own and his father's history, and so carefully were these treasured that even the members of his family did not know of their existence. But after her father's death it then became the duty of his daughter, Miss Augusta Isabella Grant Gilkison, of Brantford, who is now the only surviving member of Jasper Gilkison's family, to examine and arrange these documents. In doing so Miss Gilkison has very kindly placed at our disposal all those relating to Elora. Among many interesting mementos of Captain Gilkison is the diary in which he recorded his doings, his thoughts, his plans, and his comments on what transpired during the months preceding his death, which occurred on April 23rd, 1833. The following brief extracts from this Diary are made, not only for their historic value but because they show the estimable character of the man who gave to Elora its good name It will be noticed that where it has been thought necessary to make the meaning plainer we have added, in parenthesis, a few words in explanation, bat otherwise the language is that used by Capt. Gilkison. On March 1st, 1832, Captain Gilkison left Port Glasgow for New York, sailing on the ship Caledonia and accompanied for forty miles out to sea by his son Robert, who returned by steamer. We find that he arrived at New York on April 6th, was at Niagara on June 2nd, and on the 28th, was at Brantford visiting his brother-in-law, William Richardson. Here he buys a larger farm for 500 pounds ($2000) and decides to make it his home. On August 31st, as his diary shows, he is again visiting among his old friends at Niagara, where he learns that the south west half of the Township of Nichol can be bought from the Executors of the late Rev. Robert Addison's Estate for 7 shillings and 6 pence an acre, subject to a discount of 5£ per cent, for cash. He thinks he will buy this land. On September 4th, he has bought it. After this his Diary contains many references to his farm at Brantford, his purchase in Nichol, and his plans for the future City of Eiora. We now quote from his Diary :—"Brantford, September 20th, 1832—I have been here since the 11th, and am quite engaged in projecting improvements on my farm of Oak Bank. I have men ploughing those excellent lands for wheat, which I intend to sow this month. I have bot seed wheat from Mrs. Crook's up-land, 50 bushels at a dollar the bushel. I have also bought 94,000 brick, from Silverthorn, and paid him 15 shillings the thousand in cash, in full for them. Friend Richardson has bot for me a pair of 4 year silver gray horses for 22f> dollars & they are first rate animals for beauty and strength. He has also furnished me with a waggon, harness & plough, all of them of the best manufacture. The farm is a beautiful piece of land & if well worked will be a good farm to me & mine. I have chosen a spot on the height for my own dwellinghouse & and the farm buildings will be 110 ELORA ELO RA t& Its Early History Continued. It, has already been told how, on the first day of Dece~ber, 1817, Roswell Matthews became the first settler in Elora. That he and his family...