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History of a Farm |
from the Cobourg Sentinal Star Thursday January 13, 1949 Among the early settlers in the Port Britain district were the 'Waltons'. That name is still known, as the main street of Port Hope commemorated the family. Let us go back to the time of the American revolution. Governor Simcoe, who was commander of the Queen's Rangers in the American Revolution became acquainted with the Walton family. Simcoe and the Queen's Rangers were quartered at Germantown near Philadelphia, in an effort to suppress the rebellion, and it was then that he made his acquaintance with the Walton family. In 1783, when the war was over, the elder of the Walton sons, Capt Jonathan Walton, was sent with a government vessel, to locate settlers in the present township of Hope and was given 3000 acres of land for himself. His brother Nathan came to the new country in 1794, but went back to Philadelphia for his bride, returning with her in 1796. Travelling to York by stage and horseback he embarked in Toronto harbour on a schooner bound for the east, intending to call at Smith's creek, now Port Hope. He had two hunting dogs. One ran ashore at the last moment and finding he was left behind, leapt from the wharf into a small boat putting off for the schooner, which had hauled out to an anchor in preparation for departure. He missed the boat but scrambled in, wetting a gorgeous gentleman who was being taken out to the vessel. His master was profound in his apologies. "And who", asked Governor Simcoe, for it was he, "is the owner of these fine animals?" "This gentleman, sir", said the Captain, "is Mr Nathan Walton, who hopes to establish himself at Smith's Creek." "One of the Waltons of Philadelphia who entertained me?" asked Simcoe. "Sir, I am delighted to renew your acquaintance." And learning his intention he wrote out a memorandum recommending a grant of 1200 acres of land to be confirmed by his successor. Three miles east of Port Britain Nathan Walton with his bride, his hunting dogs and his household goods, landed and staked out his sudden inheritance. Nathan first built a house of logs. His hunting dogs proved invaluable the first winter, when game was scarce and even the Indians were starving. The dogs would drive the deer through the woods to the lake, and in the water they fell prey to Nathan's long barelled gun. Soon, Nathan built his second house, west of Port Britain, on the ridge looking down into the harbour. Today this site is known as the west half of lot 24, Concession 1, Hope Township. The house was built of planks laid face to face. Simcoe had recommended that he establish a manor, and the house with its railed roof and wings proved to be as manorial as the resources of the infant province permitted. The exterior was cut and painted to look like stone, with two fireplaces and two wings containing bedrooms heated from these fireplaces. This house stood for many years on the ridge until accidentally destroyed by fire around 1857. A grove of lilacs still marks the place where this house stood. In the fall of 1813, when Sir Gordon Drummond, newly arrived in Quebec as Governor, was pressing on to York, at the fork of the road above Port Hope, he took what he thought was the wrong turn and so proceeded along the lakeshore road through Port Britain. Darkness overtook him and he enquired about his way at the next house he came to. It was Nathan Walton who took him in and insisted that he stay the night. Mrs Walton was in bed with a
young son. The cavalry
escort was accommodated in the barn. This same barn is from all
appearances, still in use today on the farm now owned by Carroll
Nichols, having been moved some years ago from its old site south of the
road. The officers were given beds in the house. In the morning the
Governor paid for the accommodation in gold and bestowed his name upon
the baby, Gordon Drummond Walton, who is buried in the Wesleyville
cemetery. The Port Hope Telephone Co
line was Installed on Aug 7, 1909. Those who have passed on |
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