Before The Township of Rawdon Came to Be

The British Government had good reasons to promote settlement in the Canadas for several reasons. The very real threat of invasion from the newly formed United States made it essential to increase British presence in the Canadas. These fears were justified in the American invasion of 1812.

Another important reason was the industrial revolution in Great Britain left many families jobless, moneyless, and starving. Many from the rural areas  moved into urban areas seeking employment and shelter. Many found neither. Overcrowding in the urban areas created extremely unsanitary conditions. Cholera and typhoid were rampant. No one was safe.

Britain was also in a serious financial predicament; the government purse was empty after years of warfare in the American colonies.

In desperation, the government chose to promote emigration to the colonies not only to increase their presence but  to increase their purse. It was estimated that settlers in the colonies contributed three times more to the government purse than citizens living in Britain.

The colonies also promised employment for all who applied, particularly in the Quebec City area which was in the process of being rebuilt after Wolfe’s bombardment had destroyed most of the city. Fortifications were also being built in the face of a possible invasion from the south.

Transportation for emigrants was readily available even to those unable to pay passage. Government, large landlords, and the shipping industry all profited from emigration. The government by ridding the streets of the poor, likewise, landlords were rid of unwanted tenants,. Ships had a return cargo.

Britain imported more from the Canadas than they exported ships arriving from Quebec with furs and timber were often forced to take on non-paying ballast for the return trip across the Atlantic. (The Chateau Frontenac was built with bricks used for ballast and acquired free of charge the only cost being the removal of the bricks from the dock to the construction site.) 

These empty ships were eager to take on government-funded passengers at reduced rates to supply  ballast for the return trip. Although some refurbishing of the cargo hold was needed for the accommodation of passengers, this was a small investment to pay for a return cargo. 

The British government promoted a campaign to promote emigration. Men such as George Heriot, who served as Deputy Postmaster of British North America, were encouraged to publish books citing the advantages of emigration.

Imaginative hucksters seeing the possibility of profit toured the countryside with printed pamphlets and talks on the benefits of emigration to Canada. Never having travelled to North America, the information was often less than true, even downright fraudulent. One promoter told prospective emigrants that in the Canadas there was no need to buy sugar, (a luxury which many could not afford) you only drilled a hole in a tree and the sugar poured out!

Moody and Trail, husbands of the Parr sisters, Catherine and Susan, were influenced by one of these travelling promoters when they attended a talk in their area.

The Treaty of Paris signed by England, France, Spain and Portugal divided up the North American Colonies between these powers.

France ceded all its possessions in North America, except Louisiana and the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon in the mouth of the St. Lawrence to England. Very much unlike the custom of the time, the French settlers land, religion, and laws were to be guaranteed by the British Government.

Thus began preparation for establishing England's presence in Quebec. Rawdon was the ninth English settlement in the newly granted Canadas, the third one on the north shore of the St Lawrence The first two were in the Pontiac region and the other north of Quebec City.

In 1783 Richard Holland, a government surveyor, subdivided each of the first two ranges of the Township of Rawdon into 28 lots of 200 acres each.
As new settlers arrived more ranges were surveyed, now by Joseph Bouchette.

One of the early and prominent settlers was  Lt Col. Philemon Dugas who settled on lot 28 of the 1st range about 1816. This lot was possibly a government grant for his services in the British army during the American Revolution.

In 1817 Philemon, Isaac Dugas, and Pierre Richard, built a grist mill on lot 24 of the 1st range. Later Philemon bought his two partners out.

Philemon built a saw mill and grist  on his own lot. The saw mill was left to his only son, Firmin who operated it until his sudden death in 1899. His son, Louis, sold the mill to his cousins Sam, George, and William Lord. They dug seven arpents along the river to augment the power for the mills which re-opened in 1902. The grist mill was slowly abandoned. In 1938 the saw mill was sold to Alcide Levesque of Rawdon who continued to operate it  was destroyed by fire in 1976. 

Sometime before 1824 Roderick McKenzie of Terrebonne and St Sulpice  built two more mills just below the Dugas mills. The manager of this mill was David Manchester and the mills became known as Manchester Mills.

The proclamation describing the limits of the Rawdon Township in Lower Canada was issued July 13, 1799. Thus the Township is over 200 years old, but the history of the area story actually began much earlier. The natives of the Algonquin tribe visited the area regularly establishing hunting and fishing camps from time untold. They camped along the rivers and hunted in the forests where game abounded. The name Lacoureau given to one of the rivers in Rawdon is said to be the Algonquin word for ‘far & deep.’ (Surveyors were much surprised that LacOureau referred to a river than a lake. 

The river became known as the Oureau. The lake formed by damming this river was known as Lake Oureau later changed to honour a much later arrival for his contribution to the area.

The first grants were issued in 1816 among these earliest settlers were many Americans not wishing to live under the new regime. They were allotted lots on the first two ranges which had been surveyed. As more and more of the Township was surveyed, grants were issued farther up in the Township. 

British settlers be to trickle in from England, Ireland, and Scotland. The majority of settlers arriving at Quebec City, the largest port in the New World, although a few landed in New York and travelled overland to the Canadas. (Due to the long trip up the St. Lawrence River this shortened the boat trip.) From Quebec the new arrivals sailed up the St. Lawrence to Berthierville and made their way overland to Rawdon Township from there. Others continued on to Montreal before making their way to Rawdon through l’Assomption and St-Jacques de Montcalm.

A statistical survey made in 1824 by Joseph Bouchette indicates a population of less than 200 with 556 acres of land under various stages of cultivation. (Surveyors were charged with reporting on the progress of all settlers in the areas they surveyed.) PAC Microfilm C2502, page 13058. The census of 1825 (PACMicrofilm C 718) names 300 heads of family with a total population of 484. One may also consult (on microfilm ) the censuses for 1831, and 1851 and every 10 years thereafter up to 1901 for information about Rawdon’s pioneer families.

By 1820, although the majority of settlers were on the fist two ranges, there were a few as far as the fifth range. The first range Dugas, and On the second range were names such as Wallace, Robinson, Byrne, Rea, McGie. The next range up Finlay, McLean, Montgomery, King,McCurdy, McCauly, Connolly, Eveleigh.

Originally, the commercial development of Rawdon was centred on the eastern corner of the first range which became known as known as Montcalm Corners. In fact the first train to service Rawdon was there.

In the 1820’s there was an influx of British settlers and  ‘the plateau on the 5th range” was considered to be a better option. This area was developed as the commercial centre and became known as the Village of Rawdon.

Due to the mountainous character much of the land in the Township was not ideal for farming. The soil was sandy in many areas as well as hilly and rocky. The best area for farming was on the first three ranges before a climb up the mountain began. Although most settlers farmed, the economy was based on potash and forest products rather than agriculture which provided a roof over their heads, food for their bodies, and clothes for their backs. 

Timber and potash from the clearing of their lots added to the meagre offerings from the farms. Potash plants to refine ashes as well as several mills for sawing wood and grinding grain for flour and feed added much needed income to the settlers.

Two of the earliest mills were those of Philemon Dugas and Roderick McKenzieManchester's owned by Roderick McKenzie. Roderick McKenzie hired David Manchester to operate his mill which became known as the Manchester Mill. 

Due to the early influx of mostly “Empire Loyalists” in the first ranges the commercial development of Rawdon was centred on the first range. A cluster of businesses on the corner of the first range became known as Montcalm Corners. 

In the 1820’s an influx of British settlers and  ‘the plateau on the 5th range” was considered to be a more central site. This area, developed as a commercial centre and became known as the Village of Rawdon. Commerces such as Dugas, Brown and Halliday’s General Stores, were built on Metcalfe before businesses were gradually focussed on Queen Street. Dugas’ store was moved to Queen but the other stores remained on Metcalfe. Halliday’s was on the corner of 3rd and Metcalfe, (now the site of White’s Funeral Home), Brown’s on the opposite corner is now (2021)the Metro Store.

The usual market for the Township was Montreal, a two day journey via l’Assomption to reach the St. Lawrence River at the warehouses at the Port of Montreal. (Gibby’s Restaurant was a warehouse in the port.)

In winter, they crossed the river on the ice, in open weather local farmers offered a ferry service to take their wagon or cart cross the river and then made their way across the island some fourteen or more miles to the harbour area. It was not until late in the 19th century that a bridge (the Victoria) was built linking the north shore with the island of Montreal. 

A trip to St-Jacques, approximately 14 miles, took a whole day on foot, the most common mode of travel at the time.There was no other means of transport as the “road” was in reality a footpath. Even after twenty years, the road, once you reached the Rawdon Township, left much to be desired. This was partly due to the nature of the terrain. The elevation into the Township presented steep hills, rocky terrain and clay soil caused much grief to those wishing to establish passable roads.

The majority of the early settlers at Rawdon were English speaking, but Francophones were a part of the mix from the outset. These settlers were not usually farmers but represented the bourgeois class being doctors, notaries and business men. The French population steadily increased in number to become the dominant language group. 

As early as 1845, second generation of English speaking families began moving in large numbers to Montreal, Ontario, as far west as British Colombia and all parts of the United States. This trend continued through subsequent generations.

Two roads led up through the township. The first road started at Dugas’ mill and the other a mile farther down the river at Manchester’s mill. The upper ends of these so called roads were merely tracks through the bush.

The particularities of the topography made it difficult to forge roads in many places. Sandy soil washed away in heavy rain, clay soil became extremely greasy. As of the 4th range, where the land began to rise, rocks and hills posed challenges. Several rivers , large and small, also limited the choices available to build roads. 

Swampy areas around the watery areas also challenged those wishing to pass. Corduroy roads were laid in swampy areas as well as bridges to span rivers too deep or swift to ford were built in much the same manner as the corduroy roads.

In 1823 the population   of Rawdon 

                    850  settlers

                      3 flour mills

                     4 sawmills

                   8 potash plants

Note the  number of potash plants.  With the high demand for potash at home and abroad, hard wood cut in clearing the land was transformed into potash. For many years potash was the main source of income in the Township. 

195 years after the Township of Rawdon was proclaimed its Coat of Arms was presented to the Township in the personage of the Governor General. 

An event to be remembered, March 31, 1992 Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn  and his wife honoured the Township with their presence. 

Despite the inclement  weather they were warmly welcomed by the mayor, Rejean Neveu,  and councillors Donald Stewart, Kenneth Barrie, Yvan Roy, Paul Brault, Ron Lukian. and Reginald Breault, all of whom are to be congratulated on the reception accorded the honourable guests. A  cross section of the community, not necessarily limited to members of the Township, were present to witness the presentation, several villagers came out to welcome the regal guests. For most, if not all, this was the first time they had the honour of meeting and speaking with the highest member of the Canadian Government and his charming wife Gerda, two very gracious people who left a warm memory of their visit for many.

The photo at the right shows His Honour the Mayor of the Township of Rawdon, Réjean Neveu & the Right Honourable Ray Hnatyshyn Governor General of Canada at the reception at Ski Pontbriand.

This story, and photos to prove it, (or at least most of it) was related to me several years ago. The main characters are gone now so I feel it can be shared.

Federal elections in 1968 was hotly contested by the highly flamboyant Pierre Trudeau and the rather low key  Robert Stanfield. Polls were predicting a tight race and all local committees were busily pushing their local candidates. Here, in Rawdon the highly charged atmosphere  in committee rooms was no less so and bravado, loud and clear  was sprouting from both sides.

The Liberal committee announced a big rally to celebrate the imminent arrival of their candidate. To counteract this event, desperate measures were taken by a strong, and very vocal, supporter of Robert Stanfield (who we will call Miss C). Much to her chagrin this Conservative supporter lived next door to the head of the local Liberal committee whose wife was also a very efficient organizer for the committee.

After much thought, and apparently little consideration, Miss C devised a plan to rival, even surpass the Liberal event. All day she kept a careful watch on the house next door and when the wife, (who we will call Mrs. L) appeared, Miss C rushed out and called her the fence. After prodding her a bit on the expected arrival of the local Liberal candidate in order to verify the announcement, Miss C announced the Conservative committee would be hosting not merely a local candidate, but the head of the Conservative Party, Mr. Stanfield! Of course Mrs. L pooh-hood the boast stating that it was only bluff. 

Realizing the Liberal rally was not bluffing about their guest was enough to set Miss C into immediate action. She visited the committee room telling them Mr. Stanfield must make a stop in Rawdon or her reputation and theirs would forever be tarnished and they would all become the laughing stock of the township. Miss C refused to leave until the top brass of the election organization was called and begged for their help. Promptly, in a great state agitation he appeared attempt to undo the damage. In desperation they called the main Conservative committee in Ottawa to explain their problem.

To their utter astonishment the local committee was notified that Mr. Stanfield would be arriving in two days by helicopter and needed a landing place as well as a welcoming party organized. Procuring a landing place was no problem, particularly as the mayor was a relation of Miss C also a supporter of the Conservative Party. The welcome committee was another story. No one believed the leader of the party was actually coming to Rawdon. It was not possible, it had never happened before. No one was interested in attending thus making themselves party to a no-show event. 

Much to every one’s surprise, as well the Liberal Committee’s dismay, at the appointed time a helicopter hovered over the town, and descended into the area above the Dorwin Falls. None other than Mr. Stanfield stepped out to a very small crowd. From there he was taken up to the steps of city hall where another small group had gathered.

Shortly after the official welcome the helicopter carried the honourable visit up and away back to his tight agenda . 

Although Miss C’s face was saved as well as the reputation of the committee she resented not being responsible for the great event. 

Whatever your political convictions, one must give the man credit for disrupting his previously scheduled appointments to save face for a small local committee.

There is always more than one side to every story. After reading this version, if anyone would like to share another side, or add to this story, please do.

Joseph was born in 1774, the son of Colonel Jean Baptist Bouchette, topographer, and Marie Angélique Duhamel. In 1775 a year after the birth of his son the father was involved in a daring mission to rescue the commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America when he was surrounded by enemy forces and unable to escape. The general and his family were disguised as fisherman and rode along the St. Lawrence River from Montreal through the American mind, and up to Quebec city. Joseph's father was rewarded with nearly 6000 acres of land by the grateful Governor General Sir John Graves Simcoe.

At the age of 16 Joseph into the service of his uncle, Samuel Holland, the first survey or general of British North America (who also made a survey of the township of Rawdon). The following year Joseph joined his father with the British Navy's provincial Marine on the Great Lakes. 

In 1793 while serving on Lake Ontario he came into contact with Governor to John Graves Simcoe him to make the first survey of York Harbor, that included making maps of the Toronto Islands.

As a member of the royal Canadian volunteers Joseph remained in New York for sometime assisting Augustus Jones with surveying the new provincial capital. While there he suggested proposals for fortifying York as a Quebec City. Much to his dismay, especially after the results of the battle of York. 

As a member of the Royal Canadian Volunteers, Joseph remained in New York for sometime assisting Augustus Jones in surveying the new provincial capital.

In 1793, HMS Onondega under the charge  of a young lieutenant ran aground outside the Toronto harbour. It was feared that  it could not be salvaged until after winter. Bouchette assumed command and distinguished himself by managing to get it afloat and sailing it back to Niagara on the Lake. As a result of this feat, 20-year-old Joseph was promoted to second lieutenant in May 1794. 1799 Bouchard was at Halifax studying military tactics under orders from the Duke of Kent with whom he had become friends. In 1801 Joseph returned to Quebec City in to take up the office of his elderly uncle, Samuel Holland. (Holland had been involved in the initial survey for the Rawdon Township.)

Bouchette reorganized the offices and Governor Robert Milnes reported in 1802 that ”Mr. Bouchette has responded perfectly to the opinion which we had formed of him”.

After the death of his uncle in 1803 Bouchard officially replaced him as Surveyor General of British North America.

During the war of 1812 Joseph raised and commanded the Quebec Volunteers. In 1813 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and became a member of the staff of Governor General Sir George Prévost.

Joseph reviewed the territory of Lower Canada for the government in. In 1815 he published a topographical description of the Province of Lower Canada which contained the latest knowledge of the territory at the time. The book, complete with essential maps, was published in London in English and French and updated in English only in 1831-1832.

In 1797, at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Montreal, Joseph married Adelaide Chaboillez and thus became a brother-in-law to Simon McTavish, and Rodrick McKenzie of Terrebonne (proprietor of the Manchester Mill in Rawdon).