Peace and Plenty

Hosted by Brenda and Bill Miller, 3515 Longwoods Road, Glencoe, Southwest Middlesex, ON

The Empire Loyalists dreamed of Peace and Plenty.  Most had come from the British Isles and Europe to seek a new life in the Thirteen Colonies. They sought personal freedom, freedom of religion, and the freedom to own land — a privilege often limited to the rich.

Then came the American Revolution and the dream of Peace and Plenty was put on hold. After the war, life for those loyal to the British Crown became intolerable. Viewed with suspicion, Loyalst families were harrassed. Many were forced to leave property,possessions, family and friends.

For their loyalty and military service, Britain granted them land in Upper Canada. Carrying their few possessions and tools, they came to a wilderness that had only recently been opened
to settlement.  There were no towns, villages or roads. The early settlers received the most desirable land along the Thames River. For a few years, the Loyalists lived in a time of relative peace, carving a life out of the dense forest.

This same river that was considered such an asset would bring war, this time to their very doorstep. The War of 1812 brought two and a half years of fear and anxiety to the Thames river valley. Settlers devised ingenious ways to hide food and valuables from travelling strangers. This war declared by politicians and governmentswas far removed from the Thames but the settlers bore the brunt of it. Men were called to the local militia ill-equipped and shoeless.  Farms and crops were left in the hands of the women and children.

The Battle of the Thames in October 1813 brought devastation to the river settlements.
Thousands of soldiers, warriors, and refugees passed through, taking what they needed. Fields and farms were ravaged. They had worked all year to produce their meagre provisions for the coming winter and now they had nothing. Famine loomed.

After the war, petitions were made for compensation but it took years to recover from the losse
s. Especially hard hit were widows and orphans. With peace, these same courageous people forged on to rebuild towards their dream of Peace and Plenty.

Canadians today should honour the memories of these stalwart, hardworking Loyalists
who along with First Nations, the French and immigrants from other countries pursued their dreams with great courage and determination. Today we reap the benefits of their efforts for Canada is truly a land of Peace and Plenty.

Written by By Chris Crawford
Sources:The Valley of the Lower Thames byFred Coyne Hamil
Romantic Kent by Victor Lauriston
Greater Evils:The War of 1812 in Southwestern Ontario  by Glenn Stott
When Chatham Was Woods,Reminiscences of the Pioneers  by John Rhodes
There was a Time  by Jim and Lisa Gilbert

Barn Quilts Proliferating Across Ontario

Barn Quilts Proliferating Across Ontario

Recent launch of the South West Ontario Barn Quilt Trails throughout five counties.

Farmer’s Wife – Margaret Ward

1918 Longwoods Rd., Wardsville ON. Hosted by Bladek Farm and sponsored by J.H. Sales & Service.  Great Windows!

This morning I set bread to rise in the warmth from the fireplace, while the two youngest children took turns churning the butter.  The churn and two new oak buckets have made life considerably easier, although I still have to thresh, grind and winnow wheat  before I can make bread. 

Along with daily chores, I plant and weed the vegetable garden,  hill potatoes and each spring I help with sugaring-off when the  maple sap starts running. There is a quilt that will have to be tied  because there will be no time to quilt it properly before the cold  weather arrives. I have most of the blocks cut from old trousers  and two coats are waiting to be cut into more blocks.

There are vegetables to harvest and dry before they are stored in  the root cellar. Apples are still hanging on many of the eighty trees  in the orchard and I must dig potatoes. I also wash and mend  clothes and prepare meals for travelers who stop over at the Inn.

The well-known saying, “A man works from sun to sun, but a  woman’s work is never done,” has proven itself true in this wilderness.

Based on excerpts from Rosemary Cranney’s “Through the Eyes  of Margaret Ward.”

Double Irish Chain

1789 Longwoods Road, Wardsville ON.  Hosted and sponsored by The Thamesville Community Credit Union   519-693-9936

Video: Wardsville Barn Quilt trail

The Double Irish Chain was a popular quilt pattern used in the early 1800s. The history of this quilt pattern connects the life of George Ward to his humble beginnings in his native country of Ireland. The Irish people who settled here in the early 1800s influence this area.

The Irish Double Chain quilt pattern was one of the many brought to Canada by Irish settlers such as Margaret Ward. Eventually the Irish double chain would become part of not just Irish heritage but Canadian heritage as well. This quilt block pattern reminds us that Canada’s people came from different backgrounds and countries.

Indian Paintbrush

1759 Longwoods Rd., Wardvsille ON.  Video.  Hosted by Llse Buhn and Ken Fitt and sponsored by Wardsville Tire Sales.

The Anishnawbe often taught early settlers survival skills. Settlers learned techniques for fishing, hunting and living on the lands to the settlers. In addition, they were responsible for showing the people proper vegetation and herbs for medicines. The native communities of the area are honoured for sharing their vast knowledge of survival to the new settlers such as George and Margaret Ward.

Many tribes of the First Nations were allies during the War of 1812. The Iroquois Confederacy, Delaware nations and Shawnee were key defenders of the Thames River region and instrumental in stemming off American encroachment.

Click on this link to Indian Paint Brush video