Good Morning bloggers! I hope everyone’s week is off to a
great start. For today’s Transcription Tuesday we will be looking at a page in
the Blacksmith’s ledger addressed to James Blackwood. All information that
we’ve obtained is from the Early History of Dunwich Township, published by the
West Elgin Genealogical & Historical Society. If any of the information
posted on this blog is incorrect or missing please feel free to contact us here
at the Backus-Page House and we will do our best to provide our bloggers with
the correct information.
James Blackwood along with his
three brothers came to settle in Montreal in 1829 from Scotland. James Blackwood worked as a clerk. Though
dissatisfied with his occupation Blackwood soon began seeking interest in the
Talbot Trail Settlement in 1833. It was at this point in his life that he would
meet and marry Georgina Innes. The couple settled in Stirling (now part of St.
Thomas). Here James would purchase and successfully run a store.
Blackwood as a
Businessman
Beginning
in 1840 James Blackwood purchased Anison Gould’s Old Wollen Mill in Hog’s
Hollow, St. Thomas. Eventually the old mill would be torn down and would make
room for a six-storey frame Wollen Mill as well as a distillery in Hog’s
Hollow. By 1848 James Blackwood had become one of the areas top businessmen.
Unfortunately the new Mill would burn down in 1857. To re-establish himself and
to uphold his reputation of such a successful businessman he would purchase 233
acres of Lot 8 in Concession 9 & 10 from George McBeth. Blackwood sold
$16000 worth of town lots and spent $10000 of it building Mansion in Port
Tyrconnell
Have a good week and don't forget to stop in for a visit!!!
Mon
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