Settler wagons
- Art Duval
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Wagons North
Recently someone said their ancestors came by covered wagon to settle in Simcoe County. This sparked an interest as I wondered how did many settlers travel in Canada. My voyageur ancestors came by bateaux, from Drummond island in 1828. I write about them in other blogs. My Duval family likely arrived by Railroad, following the lumber industry slightly after the train came to town. (I also have a blog on them)
Neither of those came by covered wagon, but that doesn't mean none did.
We see portrayed the western prairie idea of the wild west and Prairie schooners in a wagon headed for a lot and we often get this impression that people roamed out on the land and came upon a site and began to settle. Although some ended up in the same area, I don't think any wagon trains came here. Even the Drummond islanders came in small groups.
What they looked like
Here as is depicted in the artwork I have provided we see wagons of a more simple design. Like the one in this picture. Wagon, carts and phaeton's were all at some point available in Barrie but at least for their first journey it is likely most walked.
Liveries
Most places had a livery stable. A livery is a kind of stable available to people where they can feed and shelter their horses while in town. So you didn't park outside every store but one central location and walked from there. It is rumoured that the gap in the MAin street of Penetang, just above Nettleton was one location for a livery and I believe there was one at the bottom of the hill too.
The Journey
Some made incredible journey's to far distant places searching out places prior to settling, often by foot! Others enquired of the surveyors where the best land was, and some hit up the Land board for good land.
In discussing with John Steckley's about his book "The Memoirs of Alexander Brodie", he says: Most of the writing was his. In talking about his father and his friends looking for land, he wrote: "They proceeded north as far as Barrie, went up Yonge Street to the Holland [Landing]. Spent a few days looking round in the townships a[d]jacent to Lake Simcoe. Went as far as Coldwater, the Narrows and Orillia. I think they were also at Penetanguishene."
According to The Pioneers of Old Ontario John Partridge also walked all the way to Penetang only to return to Crown hill to settle. This was a little more planned out than the fee for all we see in spaghetti westerns.
These hardy pioneers travelled far and wide to get just the right site to settle. The right land was often proximity to such things as running water and good soil. Not everyone got prime land of course, some made do with what they got. Some received land grants for time served in the war of 1812 or even in other stations throughout the world where the British military roamed.
Leaving it all behind
Early settlers often liquidated most of their belongings and set off with just the tools and apparel to make whatever was needed. The place they were going had all the supplies, wood, stone and such to build the homestead and most built their own, aided by those in the community. From simple shelters to rustic homes everything including furniture was made, but that was the way it was, and most knew how to do it. My ancestor who came from Drummond island, had a saw. That is all I know for sure he had as it was remarked on in a later correspondence. This saw, a pitsaw was used to make boards before any sawmills were opened in the area.
At this time, the road was not well kept and very little was brought in along the road, save the Military equipment. Until the 1850's or there abouts the easier route was still through the 9 mile portage to Schooner town then on to Penetang.
Blazed Trails
Lets speak a little of "Blazed" trail. Blazing is the marking of trees with an axe to remove some bark and leave the bright wood underneath show. This was the extent of the work done to it. Samuel Wilmot is said to have blazed the trail to Penetang. No fill was used and all kinds of terrain was crossed. Unlikely wagons could have been used. So if the only means of travel from Hollands Landing to Shanty Bay and the end of the Penetanguishene Road then was to walk or take a batteau it is unlikely that wagons were purchased for the trip to Penetang at least until proper roads were laid down.
Another early traveller to Penetang was Dr Paterson. Dr Paterson it is said had to bring axes when outfitting Penetang in 1814. This overland route around the western end of Lake Simcoe had primitive bridges and it was not unusual for them to be washed out in storms.
For many early settlers the concessions were mere blazed trail. If you wanted a road it was up to you to cut and maintain it along your property and hope others did as well.
Corduroy
As seen in the painting below the trail was narrow, and corduroy in some places and quite wild. In recent memory some recall seeing curdoroy still remaining on the flooded part of Penetang road in Orr Lake. Bears harassed many early settlers livestock and undoubtedly were probably encountered on the road. There isn't much history of highwaymen, but there was a story of a priest being accosted between Penetang and Midland so the possibility exists. The military presence probably discouraged it, but who's to know.
Wagons for Sale
As you can see by the provided newspaper clipping of 1860, there was a wide variety of conveyances available at the Sheriff's sale in Barrie, everything from fancy English Carriages to and Grey mare. (Who it is rumoured was past her prime, as some were saying she ain't what she used to be.)
I would really have loved to see these carriages, were they the fancy carriages we see in movies or was it a simplified version?
Cutters and sleighs were also available, and contrary to what you might think were used more that what you would think. Snow and ice were the best for flattening the uneven surfaces of the time.
But getting back to the wagons and carts, they were probably made with utility in mind. Few of them had much money and usefulness was paramount,
Phaeton: Phaetons were around the
area, being sold in Barrie. Phaetons were small commuter type wagon, short wheel base and only suitable for travelling lightly.
English Carriage: Similar to the phaeton, but with a sturdier wooden body their use was similar to the Phaeton
Covered Buggy: Again similar to a carriage and phaeton
Ox Cart: There would have also been oxen to pull carts in the area
Bob Sleighs: Were probably much like the simple farm wagon. Just with ski's instead of wheels.
Hotels and stage coaches: Also at this time many of the hotels both in town and in Barrie offered stage coaches that would travel between Barrie and Penetang.
These early travellers could see military personnel marching up to Penetang, maybe even pass a now famous explorer one John Franklin. John Franklin released his charges at Penetang and two of them, Cuthbert Amyot and Pierre Lepine would settle there. (An unlikely amount of early settlers of Simcoe County had been to the west, some to Great Slave Lake)
Native peoples: Other travellers were the Ojibway coming down from Georgian Bay and the upper Great Lakes to receive their "gifts" at York. These were not to be feared however, no circling of wagons here. The were in fact our allies, and many of those who now live in this area had been displaced by the war of 1812. In order to have served for Canada, they would have to say goodbye to their traditional lands that were now part of the US. Others would be forced onto reserves and would be encouraged to take up homesteads. Although successful, it was not to last. Will try to tell that story some day.
The Fur Trade: Many fur traders could also be passed, large carts of furs travelling to York as Penetanguishene was the base of the Thompson's who were very prominent in the late stages of the fur trade.
Additionally, in this early date, travellers along the Penetang road would cross paths used for generations by native peoples. These were so prominent that AF Hunter in his time marked them on his map. These are forgotten now, but chances are still used. Bare path would be settled near to aid some to get to their homestead. This built along these paths and as time went they were improved as roads.
They would have also been crossing roads being pushed through to all ends of the county.
The Railway: A little later, in the 1870's the railroad came to Penetang. This would be a boon to the village as before this time industry was limited in their ability to ship product out of Penetanguishene. So prior to the railway not many industrial products were made. Tourism was somewhat taking hold but between that and the retiring soldiers, yes Penetang has always been a place to retire, there wasn't much need for labour so other than farming, and mostly subsistent farming, there wasn't much need to settle. Once the railway was passed, lumber mills and tannery's would need labour, thereby infusing the town with setllers who would come by rail. Around about 1864 a railroad to Penetang was a subject of the election. Many different directions were discussed, with Orillia through the Midland Area to Penetang. That route was to never be completed, but the railroad did come up to Penetang crossing Tiny and reaching the town. This changed the dynamics of the place from subsistent farmers and retired military (many were both) to industrial.
With the railroad came industry, saw mills and tanneries. In addition to the industries, other peripheral businesses like pharmacies and dry goods stores opened up.
So early settlers came by foot, horse or oxen but many later arrivals, like the Duvals probably came by train. An inordinate amount walked, some may have had horses, but many had only just come to the country and had not purchased horses or wagons but barely had the clothes on their back.
Art Duval Pipesmoke of the Past
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