bercailvol9no1.pdf [page 03] PRESIDENT MOT: To begin the new year, we wish you to live the present moments to the fullest and to take the time to make them known from generation to generation to create bonds so dear to societies. There are times when certain things can be done, such as commemorating or even immortalizing important events. The dawn of the third millennium seems to me quite well suited for this special issue on a small town that, over time, was forgotten. We are talking about Mapla Grove, a name that, for many, is questioned. We hereafter hope that the writings will allow it to be extracted from its position and transmitted in the briefs by creating a reference document on its subject. You can discover it in different fields such as geography, land use, economics, religion and, finally, some of these families, the "Dinning," "Mayhue" and "Stewart." The last few years have been conducive to a new craze for heritage and history. Cyclical phenomena where the "small town" is for many to discover and for others to rediscover because it is an important source of our regional history. To all, I reiterate the invitation to come and see us. Your presence is always very pleasant to us. Don't hesitate to share your ideas with us, ask us for information, offer us activities... You work together to make your company better. Let us continue to discover our past, a place so dark but so rich in glimmers. To all, good reading! Renald Turcotte [page 04] A little story to tell. By Renald Turcotte The history of Quebec is very young compared to, that of Europe, however it already has landmarks that cannot be circumvented, such as the small hamlet of Maple Grove. Before the arrival of the Europeans in search of the route to India, following the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, there were here in America natives well present. In our region, the runners of the woods had contact with the Abenakis who were one of the nations of the great Algonquin family. These Native Americans were not Aboriginal people from Canada. TIs had emigrated in early 1680 following clashes in Massachusetts. The Earl of Frontenac (1622-1698), governor of New France, had allowed them to settle on the territory south of the majestic St. Lawrence River. According to Father Maurault, in his History of the Abenakis "The whole territory from the Chaudière River to that of the Iroquois (Richelieu), and from the river to New England, was considered to belong to them." During the period of the French Regime, from 1608 to 1663, a trading colony (furs) and that of 1663 to 1760, a depopulation colony, this vast area was not officially occupied. It was only a virgin territory visited on occasion. It was infiltrated by using the numerous streams of the watersheds of the Saint-François and Bécancour rivers. The colonization of this vast region began after the conquest. The English rulers and merchants divided it for the purpose of speculation. These lands south of the St. Lawrence, later called the Eastern Townships, formed in 1791, one of the uncultivated portions of the British Crown estate. To facilitate colonization, a new form of concession of English land was thus introduced, "the township." The parcel of this mode of division that we are interested in is located in Buckingham County, the Township of Ireland. TI was granted on August 20, 1802 to Joseph Frobisher, in the manner of chief and associate. This great period man, born on April 15, 1740, died on September 12, 1810. Originally from Halifax, England, he had crossed into Canada after the conquest (1760). TI was one of the founders of the prestigious Northwestern company (furs). TI also owned many concessions in the other cantons of Halifax, Inverness and Leeds. In an investigation by the COmmISSIOn Buller in 1838, in accordance with Lord Durham's instructions, he was found to be one of the largest owners. At the time, his estate owned 57,000 acres of land. [page 05] At that time, the government of Lower Canada was eager to see the territory quickly populated by Scots, English and Irish, or in fact English speakers loyal to the Crown of England. To achieve this, a road had to be established. In 1809, the Governor General of Lower Canada, James Henry Craig (1807-1811), built this road to break the isolation of the settlers. It was called "Craig Road." Much controversy has surrounded this project. For funding, applications were sent to the House of Assembly. The French-speaking majority was unfavourable. Craig stubbornly stood, supported by his secretary and the chairman of the legislative council. l ordered two hundred soldiers, on the orders of General J. Kempt and Major Robinson, to begin work in the early months of aol1t 1810 and to complete three months later, on 1 November. This road was seventy-five miles long. It connected St. Giles to Shipton, passing through the Township of Ireland and through the centre of the hamlet of Maple Grove. It was generally fifteen feet wide. One hundred and twenty bridges covered the obstacles and they bore the names of military officers present during the work. Near Maple Grove, on the Becancour River, there was the Kempt Bridge. This road, which lacked maintenance, soon reforested and deteriorated by the flood waters. Many settlers who came to settle in the hamlet used this road. On the other hand, Captain Amos Hall, came in 1804, to return from the United States in 1807 with his family of eleven children, chose as the site a location near the present-day Holy Trinity Church. Josiah Stiles and his associates (five Americans), following the development, announced in the Quebec Mercury newspaper of November 19 that they had visited the newly accessible area by Craig Road and were establishing a line of care between Quebec City and Boston. This line, which was called Quebec-Stanstead Boston, . was supported by U.S. donors. They were already operating stagecoaches that reached the Canadian border. Since 1807, their clientele has been sufficient to envisage a network as far as Quebec City. The agreement was signed on December 14, 1807 and inaugurated on January 14, 1811. Mr. Stiles was responsible for the Lower Canadian portion. Houses "posts were established every fifteen miles of the route. [page 06] In the canton of Ireland, it was located with a Mr. Brown. The reputation of this road became very bad and the War of 1812 with the United States almost forced its immediate closure. In his volumes Topographical Dictionary of the province of Lower Canada, for the 18155 and 18376 editions, Joseph Bouchette describes the township of Ireland where Maple Grove is well found, although he does not mention it directly. In the first version (1815, page 570), it is written that the land is beyond reproach to agricultural activity. There are many species of wood, especially beech, maple, which has obvious significance for the Maple Grove appellation and maple grove. birch trees. li also mentions the presence of several small rivers, trout lake, which is linked by the Becancour River to Lake Pitt (st1stly Lake William). Finally, he mentions Craig Road, Kempt Bridge and a few settlers nearby and a sawmill. The 1837 version is similar to the description in the case. A few lines at the end bring additions: increasing the human presence in the region and establishing new businesses. A few statistics to conclude reinforce the whole thing. It represents the entire township of Ireland, which means Maple Grove, which drains a significant portion of its hamlet. The details are as follows: The population is 181 people. there is a flour mill in the services, two sawmills (Thomas McGill and Samuel Messervie), two animal sellers (Joseph Redfom), a tavern (Donald McLean), five craftsmen: Laurent Cloutier (carpenter), J.B. Doyon (carpenter), J. K. Kimball (tanner), Ebenezer Ricker (black smith), Georges Baily (carpenter). The 1831 census allowed us to put some names in the list of services made by Bouchette (1831-Census for Megantic Co Quebec, the townships of Ireland)7. Agricultural production is 365 bushels of wheat, 390 bushels of oats, 50 bushels of barley, 376 bushels of potatoes, 90 bushels of peas and 29 bushels of corn (Indian Corn). The farm animals are 7 horses, 25 oxen, 33 cows, 20 sheep and 87 pigs. Note here the number of oxen which, at the time, were workhorses for the regular work of the peasants. Less fast than horses, they are just as strong. [page 07] In a second volume, this time that of Stanislas Drapeau, entitled Studies on the developments of the colonization of Lower Canada over the past ten years (1851 to 1861)8, there is still mention of the canton of Ireland (page 134). Its entry into the field is similar to that of Bouchette'. TI says that there are (1861) still 25,000 acres of land available for settlement purposes, of which It,000 acres are owned by large landowners. there is always mention of Trout Lake, this time near the junction of Craig road and Gosford Road. This new road was erected following a report by the government's Internal Communications Committee in 1829. TI mentioned, among other things, that Craig Road is in good condition from St. Nicholas to the Township of Leeds. However, the rest of the township of Ireland up to shipton's leaves much to be desired. It is suggested that it be changed in some places to avoid significant obstacles. it was proposed that a new road be created in Inverness Township, bypassed Lake William and headed for Maple Grove in the Township of Ireland, to join an existing section of the road, Dudswell Road. Governor Archibald Acheson Gosford, with the assent of the House of Assembly, began work in 1832. This route gave more importance to Maple Grove, which was at the junction of the two largest roads in the area (Inverness page 29)10. Mr. Drapeau goes on to say that in 1851, the township had 802 inhabitants, mostly Irish and Scots, and 206 were of French Canadian origin. Ten years later, in 1861, it amounted to 990 inhabitants, of whom 2S5 were French Canadians. The latter began to count after 1870 and became the majority at the beginning of the century. Anglophones emigrated en masse to certain cities: Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Montreal, the rest of Canada and even the United States. A page in our history is slowly turning. In conclusion: At the beginning of this research on Maple Grove, I thought I could show that it was once a big village. The motivating factor was the proximity of the two major roads, Craig Road (1810) and Gosford Road (1832). This junction for me was strategic and therefore pro-development. [page 08] This element was quickly destroyed because the first road in the canton of Ireland soon became a quagmire and the War of 1812 prompted its closure. Diligence was one more element to prioritize. They quickly become disappointing since they only circulate during the winter because in the summer the roads are bad. Gosford Road has allowed it more development but does not give. no more importance in Maple Grove, even if the hamlet includes a hotel (inn) and a few c0m.n:tercess, we do not find the image of the village with many streets but rather a linear development in the countryside. Maple Grove has suffered if we want the disadvantages of these benefits. Located near Trout Lake the place was to be like today for nature lovers, a remarkable place. At a time when wood is an important resource, there are many sawmills, carding and grinding mills, now but close to water points. These industries do not add to the hamlet. As much as the roads that should have. to bring the development had a mixed effect in the 1850s, the advent of the railway would give another blow to its development since the favored tracks are in the same axes as the old routes but in areas less rugged by the relief. The Plessisville plain area was then favoured as well as the area of the serpentine belt that would know the discovery of asbestos. The proximity of this new activity (1876) drained some of the rural populations to: mining centres that require a lot of labour and give a remuneration, something to consider. Some Maple Grove merchants such as O'Brien moved to Black Lake in the 1900s to benefit from the craze. The end of the story shows us that Maple Grove was in fact only the name of a post office in the part of the Township of Southern Ireland, opened on July 1, 1854 and closed on September 30, 1954, a century later. The name remained sQrement by the presence of the chapel nearby which could have been the element around which a village could have been created. Today, the hamlet of Maple Grove is still a corner of history that has much to teach us. 1. L'abbé J. A. Mauraull, Histoire des Abénakis, Imprimerie Gazette de Sorel, Québec, 1866 2 C.W. Jeffrey, The picture gallery of canadian history. vol. II. 1763-1830, The Ryerson Press - Toronto, 1966, p. 219 3. idem p.214 4. idem p.183 5. Joseph Bouchette, Topographical Descripton of the province of Lower Canada with remarks upon Upper Canada, London, 1815 6. Joseph Bouchette, Topographical dictionary of the province of Lower Canada, London, 1832 7. Census for Megantic Co. Qucbec The Townships of Ireland. 8. Stanislas Drapeau, Études sur les développements de la colonisation du Bas Canada depuis dix ans (1851 à 1861), 1866 9. C.W. Jeffrey, op.cit p.221 10. Collectif, lnverness Corporation touristique d'Inverness, Canada 1987, 160 pages 1. Father J. A. Mauraull, History of the Abenakis, Printing Gazette de Sorel, Quebec, 1866 2 C.W. Jeffrey, The picture gallery of canadian history. Vol. II. 1763-1830, The Ryerson Press - Toronto, 1966, 219 3. Ditto p.214 4. Ditto p.183 5. Joseph Bouchette, Topographical Descripton of the province of Lower Canada with remarks upon Upper Canada, London, 1815 6. Joseph Bouchette, Topographical dictionary of the province of Lower Canada, London, 1832 Census for Megantic Co. Qucbec The Townships of Ireland. 8. Stanislas Flag, Studies on the Developments of the Colonization of Lower Canada for ten years (1851 to 1861), 1866 9.C.W. Jeffrey, op.cit p.221 10. Collective, inverness Tourism Corporation of Inverness, Canada 1987, 160 pages [page 18 & 19] Maps Carte de Maple Grove - Canton d'lrlande - Comté de Mégantic, 1884 Source: SAHRA - Collection Bureau d'enregistrement Comté de Mégantic [ https://www.sahra.qc.ca/P112/P112.html ? ] Source: Recensement 1871 A : Moulin Gervais Labrecque, Rang l, lot 5 B : Moulin Cyrille Valières, Rang l, lot 5 C : Moulin Siméon Larochelle, Rang II, lot 4 D : Moulin John McLean, Rang V,lot 9 E : Forgeron James Mc Night, Rang III, lot 2 F : Potasserie Charles Lafleur, Rang III, lot 4 Siméon Larochelle, machiniste, Rang II, lots 4 et 5 F-Xavier Jalbert, meunier (chez S. Larochelle) François Bélanger, meunier, scieur, Rang II, lot 4 Joseph Roy, cardier couturier, Rang II, lot 4 François-Xavier Jalbert, meunier, Rang V,lot 1 James Mc Night, forgeron, Rang III, lot 2 Christie, forgeron, Rang III, lot 2 Henry Cross, gardien de bétail, Rang III, lot 4 Charles Lafleur, gardien de bétail, Rang III, lot 4 William Bell, hôtelier, Rang III, lot 4 [others that can't be read] Localisation des lots en 1925 131 - Cordonnier 137 - Moulin Thomas Woods 138 - Herbert Cross, forgeron 139 - Maison du forgeron, William Dinning 141 - J.B Hall, marchand 142 - Maréchal ferrant 143 - Hollie Bennett, marchand 151 - John O'Brien, marchand [page 20] Mayhue Family Crest [page 21] Mayhue family tree [page 22-25] Dinning Family [page 26] Tribute to our soldiers [Page 27] Craig and Gosford Road Discovery Tour Craig and Gosford Road Discovery Tour We invite you to explore the 'Craig and Gosford Trail Discovery Circuit', which will take you to the heart of four historic municipalities: Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds, Salnt-Jean-de-Brébeuf, Ireland and Saint-Julien. This circuit was carried out in partnership with Hydro Quebec, as part of the Integrated Development Program of the Lévis - Townships line and the Appalachian post. In the 18th century, the region was integrated into the Eastern Townships and these old roads played a major role in its development. At that time, Craig Road (1810) and Gosford Road (1832) provided the link between Quebec, the Eastern Townships and the U.S. border. The discovery tour presents nearly 15 interpretive sites, places of great heritage richness, and places of remembrance of the Irish, Scottish and English Immigrants, who caused the colonization of the townships. Compose your itinerary and good visit Did you know that in 1871 ... In the Township of Ireland (including Maple Grove), there were 148 landlords and 32 tenants. People of different religions: 419 Catholics, 480. 28 Presbyterians, 58 Methodists and 5 classified others and of separate nationalities: 154 English, 592 Irish, 66 Scots, 4 Germans, 318 French, 3 Italians and 7 Americans. [page 28] The Anglican website At the junction of Craig and Gosford Roads in the small town of Maple Grove, a little back on the Gosford axis, there is an Interesting Historical Quadrangle consisting of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Cemetery and Presbytery. This set is noteworthy. In 1999, we went to visit the former rectory, now owned by Mr. Pierre Nolet. Aware of the heritage and historical value of his home, he allowed us to immortalize it by recreating the scale plans (1 inch - 13 feet). We thank him very much for doing this service to our history. He has made this house more than a hundred years old a real gem, while respecting the style and architecture of another era. Well done! Background of the story The beginnings of Anglicanism were part of the Reformation period, the sixteenth century. The interpretation of the sale of indulgences and the dissemination of the Bible to the public, through the progress of the printing press, led to differences within the Catholic Church. Martin Luther and Then John Calvin created a protest movement that, over time, became the Protestant religion. At the same time, the King of England, Henry VIII, asked the pope for an exemption for his marriage to Catherine D'Aragon. This one refuses. Then the king became head of the Church of England creating a break with Rome. Anglicanism was created. There is a compromise between Catholicism and Calvinism, led by the aspiration for a purer and simpler religion. In the Maple Grove area, there are followers of this religion as in the other surrounding communities, mostly English-speaking at the time, Inverness, Leeds and Kinnear's Mills. The community of the canton of Ireland was officially founded in 1837, although there were some writings in the registers before this year. In 1839, a first chapel was built by Charles Porter. It was consecrated on February 14, 1854 by the Reverend Jehoshaphat Mountain 0.0. Lord Bishop of Quebec City. In 1899, the first building in need of major repairs and redevelopments, it was decided to rebuild a new one. In 1900, the work was undertaken by Thomas R. Porter at a cost of $2,600. The new building was consecrated in 1902. Gothic in style, it is decorated with remarkable stained glass windows with interior walls covered with natural Colombia wood arranged at an angle for a better effect. The interior design includes elements predominant by the sculptures, including the pulpit and the prayer-God. Still accessible today, this jewel of the turn of the century is used for casual services, special meetings and the annual meeting (28 weeks in August). [page 29] The nearby cemetery is also called Holy Trinlty, but it is sometimes referred to as Maple Grove Episcopal Cemetery or Anglican Cemetery of Ireland. This is important to the researcher. The place that overlooks the valley, like all the sites, gives us a special we from Lake to Trout. Its ancient tombstones and old oak trees give the place an air of rest, also evils the mystique of strength and peace. When our bewitched gaze crosses this place, we see a silhouette that emerges in retreat, a residence of stones such as the ancient walls that has withstood the onslaught of time. She can't leave us indifferent because she's so friendly. Built in 1859, it has its reason as a guesthouse for the reverends in office in the community. The completion of the work lasted until 1874. It is estimated that it will be created at $200. The stone used for its 26-inch-thick walls comes from quarries in the Quebec City area. This 40-foot-long building by 30 feet wide by 30 feet high is two storeys high and a large accessible attic. There are many pieces in its interior, as the plans show. At each end of its roof, there is a fireplace: one corresponds to the hearth of the living room and the second to that of the kitchen where meals are prepared. Its thick walls make inside, recessed windows. The 9-foot high ceilings, the large moldings are plaster and the bowl floors. The whole thing forms a very beautiful ensemble. A succession of pastors occupied the premises until 1956. There was a vacancy until 1976, when Lucie Verville Belzile became the owner. The building was then sold to Pierre Nolet, who had been the current owner since 1995. Methodists Another church was located on the other side of the Trout Lake Valley, either away from the hamlet of Maple Grove on Craig Road, not far from the Dinning Bridge, or on Lot 4 of 48 Row. It was associated with the Methodist movement integrated by the Anglican pastor John Wesley in 1738. Here, nearby, a chapel was built around 1864 and it was destroyed in the early 1960s. As a remnant of this religious movement, only a cemetery remains. [page 30] Anglican Presbytery (Maple Grove) [pictures and floor plans] [page 31] Post offices By Renald Turcotte At the beginning of colonization, written correspondences were important; they are the only way to give news other than speech. This is why, from the beginning, our ancestors established a method of distribution of these writings, which over time continued to develop to reduce the time between shipping and receiving. In the southern part of the canton of Ireland, there were a few distribution stations that emerged (list at the end of the article). Representatives changed as the election went on, depending on their political allegiance. 1855: The registered trunk was established 1864: post office 1873: postcard at a penny 1885: Special delivery 1896: the rural trunk Example of postcard at one cent (7.5 cm x 13 cm) SAHRA - Charles King Fonds (donor: Elphège Boissonneault) Maple Grove: open: 01/07/1854 - closed: 09/30/1954 Thomas Barwis 01/07/1854 to 19/10/1860 Jared B. Hall 01/03/1861 to 26/01/1865 Henry Cross (Jr) 01/04/1865 to 16/04/1903 John O'Brien 01/05/1903 to 21/01/1909 Thomas A. Wood 29/02/1909 to 10/05/1913 Félix Croteau 09/23/1913 to 03/09/1917 F.B. Gill 04/11/1917 to 17/07/1929 George McReynolds 10/08/1929 to ../11/1932 Henry F. Annesley 31/12/1932 to 06/02/1933 Mrs. Mary Ann M. Annesley 30/03/1933 to ../07/1935 Hubert E. Bennett 08/29/1935 to 27/07/1945 Byron Archibald Bennett 05/10/1945 to 09/30/1954 New Ireland: open: before 1842 - closed: 30/06/1953 Amos Hall ../../.... to 06/01/1842 R.C. Porter 07/01/1842 to 25/06/1894 Mrs. Julia A. Porter 01/11/1894 to 04/12/1905 Thomas R. Porter 12/12/1905 to ../../1921 Donat Pelletier 08/08/1927 to 16/11/1945 Robert Biron 15/12/1945 to 13/05/1948 Maurice Marcoux 08/07/1948 to 04/09/1950 Otis Reed Bennett 09/28/1950 to 16/06/1952 Mrs. Jessie Bennett 09/19/1952 to 06/30/1953 [page 32] Bennett: open: 01/02/1885 - closed: 24/11/1939 . James Bennett 01/02/1885 to 07/10/1901 Lambert L. Bennett 01/12/1901 to 18/10/1907 Frank Bennett 07/11/1907 to 09/02/1922 Mrs. Saul A. Bennett 10/08/1922 to 12/05/1927 Otis R. Bennett 16/05/1927 to ../10/1929 Théodore Charland 19/11/1929 to 24/11/1939 Cranberry: open: 01/09/1893 - closed: 30/06/1953 Wm. J. Donaghy 01/09/1893 to 05/12/1911 Bennett Gill 21/12/1911 to 27/04/1916 Geo. McReynolds 20/05/1916 to ../../1919 Mrs. Sarah J. Sealy 25/10/1919 to 09/04/1927 Napoléon Roberge 20/04/1927 to 30/06/1953 Salaberry: open: 01/11/1908 - closed: 19/08/1967 Alfred Faucher 01/11/1908 to 24/10/1921 Mlle Célanire Faucher 12/12/1908 to 20/08/1945 Donat Cantin 01/12/1945 to 01/11/1951 Mme Arcadius Houde 10/04/1942 to 15/09/1966 Mlle Aline Houde 04/10/1966 to 19/08/1967 Source: Anatole Walker, Philathègue Les Cantons de l'est, 1985 Maple Grove Model School. Spring 1902 [group photo] In front: the dog Holly Bennett and Charlie Bennett. Front row: Myrtle Bennett Rankin, Eva Wood, Gwen Cross Parker, Hazel Bennett Mclntyre, C. O'Brien, Lacey Wood, George Parsons, Bert Dinning, Harold H. , John Dennery, Willard Dinning, Bottom. 2nd row: Loretta Dennery, Ellen Bennett Glup, Maggie Wilson, Hattie Wililiamson Nugent, Mary Parsons, .. MacDonald, Guy Wood, Chester Woods, Jasper Dinning, Harris Williamson. 3rd row: Bessie Brewer (teacher), Mystie Wood Pharo, Ethel Dinning Atkinson, Harry Dinning, Unknown, Albert O'Brien, Holly Bennett School Commissioner. 4th row: Anna Dinning Morrison, Percy Bennett, McReynolds, John Baxter, David Simons, Principal Byron Bennett, John O'Keefe. 5th row: Eva Williamson Nugent, Alice O'Brien, Jenny Parsons, the last three unknowns. [page 33] Pension Fillion [page 34] Marc Samson