Ogspi 1861 Census Geographic

1861 census district on452 page 001 line 00 @ca.on.wellington_county.minto_township film C1083 lds0349331
    WELLINGTON_COUNTY
    MINTO_TOWNSHIP
    1861 census pages 01-09 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-47
    Enumerators report from the Township of Minto in the County of Wellington.
    District #1 comprises from Con 1 to 9 inclusive with parts of Con A, C. and D.
    District #2 comprises from Con 10 to 18 with parts of Con A, C. and D
    The general character of the above being so much alike we think it unnecessary to describe them separately.
    The villiage of Harriston, on the main branch of the headwaters of the Maitland, is situated near the centre of the Township on Con C. and D, containing a grist mill, ? power, steam and water. One saw mill water power. Blacksmiths, carpenters and other mechanics shops. A. post office and 1 general store. 2 taverns. A. Free Presb Church in course of erection, One common school with a fair attendance of pupils.
    The business of the municipality is transacted at this place and the exhibitions of the Township agricultural Society which bids fair to be prosperous and useful, are also held in the village. As yet the place affords but few advantages for the disposal of agricultural produce, for which Mount Forest is the nearest market, distant from Harriston ten miles north east but which is to the greater part of the inhabitants, very difficult of access, in consequence of the state of the roads, or rather from the absence of roads. The next nearest market and that which most of the settlers have to avail themselves of, is Elora, 28 miles southeast of Harriston. In addition to the above, the township contains 4 saw mills, 2 of which are steam and two water power, 1 woollen factory, 1 brewery, 3 general stores, a post office called Cilfford post office, 3 common schools and 1 separate school, and a Catholic school.
    The concession roads run nearly east and west and the Elora and Saugeen road which is the main leading thoroughfare, enters the township at the south east corner and runs diagonally between Con C. and D. to the northwest corner, the gravelling which is now in contemplation.
    The road between the 16th and 17th con. has been opened under the direction of the government, with a continuation through a part of the Township of Normanby to the Owen Sound road. The remainder of the several concession, sides and boundary lines are very imperfectly opened, many parts of which remain in their original state of nature and are altogether impassable, causing great inconvenience to the inhabitants.
    The township was settled about six or seven years ago and the progress made by the settlers under disadvantageous circumstances is certainly creditable and praiseworthy. The soil generally is a rich loam containing clay and sand and occasionally isolated shots of gravel. No rock has as of yet been discovered except a ledge of limestone which appears in the South Saugeen river , on the 18th concession.
    We believe that the quantity of wheatland given in the agricultural census is less than what is really under cultivation, but that the quantity of grain stated to be produced is nearly correct, consequently the apparent average amount to the acre is somewhat larger than it ought to appear. This crop has not been affected by rust or insects, but which during the last three seasons has (with some exceptions) been very much injured by summer frosts. Peas and potatoes have from the same cause suffered more severely. We believe that the greater part of the township is better adapted for diary or stock farming than for the production of grain.
    Leonidas CHALONER
    Llewellyn CHALONER
    (Enumerators)