The Valley of the Lower Thames 1640 to 1850 / / Fred Hamil.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter University of Toronto Press eBook-Package Archive 1933-1999
• VerfasserIn: Hamil, Fred,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2019]; ©1973
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Series: Heritage
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (424 p.) :; maps, figures, h/ts throughout

Few are the regions in the province of Ontario so rich and rewarding to the reader interested in local history as the valley of the Lower Thames. As the author tells us with warmth and enthusiasm of the early settlers, roads, bridges, inns, and mills of his native region, his story takes on a wider significance. Here, indeed, is the story of pioneer Canada, "writ small." The valley of the Lower Thames includes the greater part of what is now the county of Kent, and comprises one of the richest and most populous agricultural areas of modern Ontario. For many years it remained separated from the upper river settlements by miles of primeval forest. The Thames River was the highroad for commerce and travel that bound the people on both its banks into one community, and connected them with other communities far beyond. Professor Hamil has embellished what is commonly known of such striking pioneer figures as Thomas Talbot, the Ainse family, and others, with additional fascinating details, and brings before us many figures less well known to history but whose careers arouse admiration, sympathy, curiosity, and amusement.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Foreword -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Part I. Beginnings -- 1. Indian Territory -- 2. The Land Boards And The Surveyors -- 3. The Moravians At Fairfield -- 4. The Baldoon Settlement -- 5. Economic Development Of The Lower Settlements -- 6. The Evangelists -- 7. War On The Thames -- Part II. Development -- 8. Renewal Of Settlement -- 9. Development Of Agriculture -- 10. Commercial And Industrial Expansion -- 11. Roads, Inns, And Stage-Coaches -- 12. Disease, Crime, And Trickery -- 13. Churches And Preachers -- 14. Some Aspects Of Pioneer Life -- 15. Background Of Discontent -- 16. The Patriot War -- Part III. Expansion -- 17. The Farm And Its Harvest In The 1840's -- 18. Chatham: Emporium Of The West -- 19. Chatham: Social Life -- 20. Rise Of The Village Community -- 21. The Dawn Of Self-Government -- Appendices -- A. State Of Improvements On The Thames, January, 1794 -- B. Original Patentees On The Thames -- C. Petitioners For Lots In Chatham, 1832 -- D. Some Additional Biographical Notes -- Bibliography -- Index