RSS 1.01. Archival Finding Aids
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These finding aids are meant to help researchers find information in the fonds and collections available at the Brock University Archives & Special Collections.
Recent Submissions
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Voice of Pelham Newspaper Collection, 2010-2022The collection consists of issues of the weekly community newspaper “The Voice” and “The Voice of Pelham” from 2010 to 2022. The newspaper alternated between these names.
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Eclipse viewing glasses, 2024Two pairs of eclipse viewing glasses from Niagara Region, for use on the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. The glasses are attached to an information sheet about how to use the glasses and a warning about the potential eye damage that can occur if the sun is viewed without protective glasses.
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William Fisher diary, 1859-1861A diary belonging to William Fisher of Massachusetts and Connecticut just prior to the Civil War (1859-1861). Much of the diary describes Fisher’s business activities and travels. Some entries refer to runaway slaves, a sermon given by abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher, life in the south, and a visit to Niagara Falls.
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William B. Young letters, 1828-1835Seven letters by William B. Young of Toronto Township (now Mississauga, Ontario) to his son William B. Young in New York City. The letters are dated from 1828 to 1835 and describe early settlement and land speculation in the area. One letter describes at length the cholera epidemic.
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James Bicket letters, 1836-1838Two letters written by James Bicket with descriptions of the politics in Canada shortly before and after the Rebellions of 1837-1838. The first letter is dated at Toronto, 19 September 1836 and is addressed to Peter Pollock, Ferguslie, Paisley, North Britain. The second letter is dated at Toronto, 7 March 1838 and is addressed to Alexander Pollock, Ferguslie, Paisley.
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Letter to Joseph King from Peter West, February 22, 1813A letter addressed to the Honorable Joseph King at Garth from Peter West, February 22, 1813. West is offering to serve in the War of 1812. The following excerpt has been edited for clarity: “Sir you are not unacquainted with my repeated offers to serve my country any way I can do the most good. I am not afraid to take a few of the water of Quebec and the towers but it would be my choice to guard some fort. I believe I can raise a company in a few days. I have been in two wars before this from a soldier to an officer. It is not for want of a liver that I would leave my family but my country calls…I had as [?] fight the enemy abroad as at home…I leave the matter with your honor in whom my country puts confidence. The man that hands this to you is Captain Young my acquaintance and a good man…”
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Sumner family fonds, 1849-1850, n.d.The fonds consists of a journal of Cyrus Sumner’s trip to California during the gold rush with a transcription of the diary; a silhouette portrait of Mary Bell Sumner; and a photocopy of a manuscript titled A Brave Pioneer by Helen Sumner Manson. Many of the journal entries are written as letters to family.
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Charles Augustus Dean fonds, 1864-1921, n.d.The fonds consists of approximately 175 letters written by Charles Dean to his friend Everett Walker of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Several letters refer to places and events in the Niagara region. Dean visited Niagara Falls and describes his visit in detail a letter dated August 11, 1869. He also comments on the Fenian uprising in two separate letters, and compares the suspension bridge being built over the Ohio River to the suspension bridge over the Niagara River. Many of his letters also refer to the American Civil War. One letter includes a gypsum sample he procured after a visit to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. A book on the 8th Regiment Vermont Volunteers is also included.
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Drafts of an unpublished history of John E. Wool and the Battle of Queenston Heights, 1851-1866Contains three drafts of an unpublished history of John E. Wool and the Battle of Queenston Heights, as well as Wool’s notes. Some other miscellaneous material including correspondence and notes are also included.
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A south view of Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in North America, 1760A south view of Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in North America engraved for the London Magazine, 1760. The picture shows the River Onondago, Lake Ontario, and Fort Oswego’s buildings and tents.
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Goldspink Prints Collection, 1755-1877, n.d.Brothers Tom and Frank Goldspink spent many years amassing a large collection of Niagara-related artwork. Since 2006, the art was displayed in the TAG Art Gallery in St. Catharines. The closure of the gallery in 2022 meant that a new home needed to be found for the collection. The art was distributed among various institutions in the Niagara Region including Brock University, the Niagara Falls History Museum, the St. Catharines Museum, and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum.
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Louisville Weekly Journal, March 3, 1841An issue of the Louisville Weekly Journal containing an article on the front page titled “Destruction of the Niagara Falls”. The article is noted to be a hoax at the bottom. The article is purported to be out of the office of the Advertiser, Buffalo, New York on February 14. The article begins “We hasten to announce to our readers and to the world an event in its nature at once the most stupendous and sublime that has ever been recorded in the annals of the wonderful. The Falls of Niagara—the unmatched phenomenon of nature, the centralization of power, grandeur and beauty…IS NO MORE.” The back page contains various illustrated advertisements including some for runaway slaves.
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Letter to Mrs. John [Elizabeth] Blagborne from her father and sister, September 12, 1835A letter addressed to Mrs. John [Elizabeth] Blagborne, St. Catharines, District of Niagara, Upper Canada, North America, by way of New York. The letter is postmarked New York and Queenston. It is dated 10 New Bridge St., Tradestown, Glasgow, September 12, 1835. The first 2 ½ pages of the letter are written by Elizabeth’s father and the last 2 pages by her sister. Some parts of the letter contain cross-writing. Her father writes that they are in Glasgow and that William is with them to get his medical education completed. He discusses their travels and the friends they have seen, as well as how much they enjoyed the sail to Glasgow, noting that Glasgow is one of the finest cities they have ever seen. He also mentions their housing situation and that the house is in need of repairs and furniture, but they hope to get to that in time. He finishes “I remain, my dear Elizabeth, your aff. Father”. The rest of the letter is written by Elizabeth’s sister. She writes mostly about the people they have encountered. She notes that the men are very clean but the women are quite the reverse and are exceedingly dirty. She adds that the lower class all go barefooted and they have seen them more than once with beautiful silk dresses and splendid veils without shoes or stockings. Children also go to school with a clean frock and bare feet. Notwithstanding these strange things she thinks they will be very happy and likes Glasgow very much.
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Land grant to Rebecca Thomas, October 16, 1810A land grant to Rebecca Thomas signed by Sir Francis Gore, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, October 16, 1810. The document grants 200 acres of land to Rebecca Thomas of the Township of Niagara, County of Lincoln, District of Niagara, wife of Silas Thomas and daughter of George Campbell. The land is in Scott Township, York County, Home District. Francis Gore’s signature appears in the top left corner of the document. It is also signed by P. Selby, Auditor General; William Firth, Attorney General; and William Jarvis, Provincial Secretary.
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Niagara Falls Local Council of Women fonds, 1950-1975The fonds contains three scrapbooks of the Niagara Falls Local Council of Women. The scrapbooks contain news clippings, programs and photographs. There is also a list of donations dated April 13, 1975 that includes a book, pamphlets, articles and newsletters, briefs, and cash books and minutes of the Niagara Falls Local Council of Women. The location of these materials is not known.
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Essex Register, November 16, 1814An issue of the Essex Register dated November 16, 1814 featuring a map of the Great Lakes and of the North Western Territory with an extensive article on the negotiations to end the War of 1812 and how this may affect the boundary between Canada and the United States. The article title reads “Don’t Give up the Soil: England demands of us Two Hundred & Twenty Millions of Acres!” The article fills the first page and begins “We have very carefully examined the Communications from our respectable Envoys at Ghent, and have particularly noticed the demands of the enemy. It appears they want a new boundary line. It will be very well to understand this new proposed boundary line distinctly. To enable our readers to have a view on the whole ground we present them with a “Map of the Lakes”, and the territory connected with them”. The article proceeds to outline proposed boundary changes that the writer feels are unfair and concludes “We are not prepared for this degradation…we invoke the spirit of Washington to inspire our countrymen with wisdom, courage and patriotism to resist such infernal propositions. We must wage an interminable war with the plunderers of the world, rather than submit to such infamous demands.”
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Upper Canada Gazette, September 9, 1824An issue of the Upper Canada Gazette, printed at York, U.C., September 9, 1824, vol. III, no. XXXVII, pp. 293-296. The gazette contains a variety of information including government proclamations, notices of Sheriff’s Sales and government contracts, items for sale, and foreign intelligence providing updates on France, Turkey, Ireland, and New South Wales.
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Proclamation by John Graves Simcoe to such as are desirous to settle on the lands of the Crown in the Province of Upper Canada, 1795A proclamation “by such as are desirous to settle on the lands of the crown in the Province of Upper Canada; by his Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esquire; Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the said province, and Colonel Commanding His Majesty’s Forces, &c. &c &c…” The proclamation was originally issued on February 7, 1792, and was reprinted at Newark by G. Tiffany in 1795. The document is intended to “make known the terms of grant and settlement” in 10 numbered paragraphs. The proclamation was issued by Thomas Talbot, Acting Secretary.
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An Act for erecting a Suspension Bridge over the Niagara River, at or near the Falls of Niagara, 1846A document titled “Anno Decimo Victoria Reginae, Cap. CXII [1846, No. 112]: An Act for erecting a Suspension Bridge over the Niagara River, at or near the Falls of Niagara”. The document is four pages and includes sections on incorporation, amount of capital, management, stock, meetings, site survey, tolls and penalties, and the construction timeline. The names of the principal investors are listed and include Samuel De Veaux, James Buchanan, Thomas Street, C.B. Stuart, P. Whitney, W.H. Merritt, James Cummings, Oliver T. Macklim, James R. Benson, and William Wright. Royal Assent was given by Her Majesty in Council on 30th October [1846], and proclamation made thereof by His Excellency Earl Cathcart, in the Canada Gazette of December 26, 1846.
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White-Lind fonds, 1844-1964, n.d.Fonds contains material related to the White and Lind families. Most of the fonds consists of photographs with some correspondence, news clippings, and ephemera, and is focused on Hannah Lind White & John White, and Irene Henderson White & Stanley White. There are also two letters addressed to William and John Lind from 1844 and 1845. The material was kept in the order it was received with the assigned labels.
