Ogspi 1851 Census Geographic

1851 census district on315 page 001 line 00 @ca.on. renfrew_county. horton_township film C11751 lds0349238
    RENFREW_COUNTY
315 HORTON_TOWNSHIP
    1851 census pages 1-9 odd 11-19 odd 21-29 odd 31-39 odd 41-49 odd 51 odd
    1861 census personal pages 1-9 10-19 20-24
    1861 census agricultural pages 14-17
    Township of Horton, County of Renfrew, Canada West
    (These enumerator remarks are on film C11751 lds0349238 with the 1851 census of Horton Township)
    Statistical account of the Township of Horton, County of Renfrew, Canada West, containing 41,500 acres and 1142 inhabitants.
    The Township of Horton is bounded on the north and east by the Ottawa or Grand River, having a frontage of 12 miles.
    It is bounded on the south and east by the Township of McNab, south and west by the Township of Bagot and Admaston and on the north by the Township of Ross.
    This township was surveyed in the year 1826 and a few settlers came into it in the year 1827.
    In the following year there were only eight or nine families consisting of about 30 individuals of all ages.
    There were then no roads to or from any one place to another except by the ice on the Ottawa and Bonnechere Rivers in winter.
    The Bonnechere River enters the township in Lot No. 14th in the first concession running an easterly course.
    At Lot No. 13 in the second concession there is a valuable water power fit for all kinds of machinery known as the 2 chutes of Bonnechere and at which place is the very thriving Village of Renfrew containing upwards of 200 inhabitants, four merchants' stores, a small foundry, three blacksmiths' shops, tannery, woolen factory in course of erection, cooperage, harness and saddle makers, shoemakers, cabinet makers, waggon makers, tailors and for the accommodation of the public, 4 hotels, one of which maintains a very high character and a temperance house, 3 places of public worship in course of being finished and a grammar school. At a short distance above the chute, a substantial bridge has been erected across the Bonnechere River on the line of road from Renfrew Village to the navigation on the Ottawa, on which during summer there is a great amount of traffic, and in autumn, not less than from twelve to fifteen wagons daily drawing goods and merchandize not only to the stores in Renfrew Village but to the upper parts of the Bonnechere and to Burnstown on the Madawaska River, but this road being still in a very bad condition necessarily enhances the price of goods to the merchant and ultimately to the consumer.
    The Bonnechere, after leaving Renfrew continues nearly an easterly course until it falls into the Ottawa at Lot No. 6 in the 10th concession.
    At Lot No. 5 on the 9th concession there is another splendid water power on which was, at one time, a grist and saw mill.
    Now, only a saw mill in a poor state of repair and a timber slide. This place is known by the name of Castleford, but, the property as well as the water priveleges having fallen into the hands of absentees who ask a very high price for them, retards to an incalculable amount the progressive improvement of the township and surrounding country.
    There are timber slides at each of the above water priveleges yielding an annual amount of Ł300. There have annually on an average for the last 24 or 25 years not less than from twenty to thirty rafts of timber been taken down the Bonnechere River, being not less in value than from thirty to thirty-five thousand pounds. This is rafted at Lot No. 6 in the 10th concession at which place a good bridge has been erected across the Bonnechere on the line of road from Bytown to Pembroke.
    There is also an excellent hotel and steamboat landing at this place where the steamer, Oregon, lands passengers and goods three times a week during the navigation. All the goods for merchants' stores and suppliers for the lumber trade on the Bonnechere and Madawaska Rivers are landed here amounting in 1851 to upwards of 300 tons, and the produce of the surrounding townships is sent from this place to market, such as butter, potash and the amount of which it is difficult to ascertain but from one store alone, that of Robert McINTYRE Esq., the potash amounted to over 200 barrels last season.
    There is also another steamboat landing in the township, which is the highest point of steam navigation by the Oregon. This is named Gould's Landing. It is on Lot No. 24 in the 7th concession. At this place, the Oregon delivers the goods, merchandise and shanty supplies for the Upper Ottawa and Muskrat Lake and takes down the produce of the surrounding country. The potash during the last season amounted to 400 barrels. There was, during the navigation of 1851, 600 tons of goods, merchandise and shanty supplies landed at this place and transported over an excellent road made by the unaided enterprise of Mr. GOULD at an expense
    of Ł300. This road was partially opened by Mr. Jason GOULD in 1850 and, in 1851, the whole traffic for the Upper Ottawa was along this route. Formerly, these supplies were transported up the Ottawa in bark canoes, a distance of 60 miles including portages. By means of Mr. GOULD's road, the distance is shortened nearly one-half of time, distance and expense. Besides, it has opened up a large tract of government land, at present in a wild state, but which, it is hoped, will soon be in the hands of energetic settlers.
    The general soil of this township is sandy loam with a subsoil of clay. Portions of it is broken by rocks and swamps. Limestone is plentiful in most parts and, where sufficient depth of earth can be obtained, the soil is good and it is in general well watered by creeks and living springs. It may be said to be productive and, where farmers have adopted a good system, the returns are very good.
    Horned cattle and sheep are fast increasing in numbers and, during the last three or four years, an evident improvement in the breed through the exertions of a few farmers of more enterprise than their more easy neighbours.
    Houses are also fast rising both in numbers and quality. There is still a great part of the township unoccupied and perhaps many lots as good as those already under cultivation there can be bought from government at 41 Pd per acre.
    The air is salubrious and the inhabitants healthy, perhaps as much as in any township in Canada.
    And for the beauty of scenery, the Ottawa opposite this township can vie with any part of that fine river in diversity of scene, in wood and water, in picturesque lakes, islands and bays. And in the interior of the township near Renfrew Village, the view from the mountain called Kinnack is one of the most extensive and sublime that can be obtained in Canada West.
    Perhaps there are few townships in Canada under the same circumstances has made more rapid progress than Horton, wthout the aid of a single shilling from any government or other source. With the inhabitants much scattered, being separated by the River Bonnechere and settled at nearly opposite sides of the township, sectional interests have been created preventing that union of interest whereby they might have concnetrated their energies for mutual improvement in their agricultural pursuits, and in making good roads through the principle thoroughfares.
    A very considerable number of the inhabitants are really in prosperous circumstances and perhaps all might be so. There is on Lot No. 6th, first concession, a good flour and oatmeal mill. There are 3 schools besides the grammar school, yet some localities are in great want of a means of instruction, but it is hoped this destitution will soon be supplied. Aided in its commencement by donations from the Hon. Malcolm CAMERON and Sir Allan McNAB, a subscription library has been in existence for a number of years. This is in connexion with the Township of McNab and has been very beneficial. And in the Village of Renfrew, upwards of Ł30 has been subscribed within the course of 3 weeks for the purpose of establishing a mechanics institute. An agricultural society is also in process of being organized for the county and it is hoped that both these vigorous attempts will soon be crowned with success. Thus, from the natural advantages of the place aided by such excellent institutions and their services of more than one Forthpill and labourers, clergyman, the inhabitants of Horton, although far in the bush, will have the means in their power for fitting them to occupy a respectable position among the more advanced townships of Canada West.
    William FORREST, enumerator
    P.S.
    There is a road from Bytown to this township by Pakenham, where it meets the road to Perth.After leaving Pakenham it goes through the Township of McNab and enters Horton on the line between the first and second concession, passing through the Village of Renfrew on the above line and crosses the Bonnechere River on the first concession, then branches off: one line leading to the navigation on the Ottawa and another to the Township of Ross. This is the only road by which goods are brought into the township by wagon. There is another line from Bytown along the bank of the Ottawa to Pembroke, but although improving every summer by the statute of labour, neither of the lines can yet receive the appellation Good.
    W. FORREST
    William 54 widower Horton Township 1851 census on315 page 005 line 17
    also Horton agricultural 1851 census on315 page 049 line 50
    Renfrew County research by Ed Allard of Cornwall Ontario