Colouring the Nation... Where did ours flags come from?

The Sturgeon Point History Project was recently contacted by Dr. Stana Nenadic from the School of History, Classics & Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh.  Dr. Nenadic and her research assistant, Dr. Sally Tuckett, have been involved in the research of the Scottish Red Turkey textile industry in Scotland.  They have been documenting their finds in an on-line format at: http://colouringthenation.wordpress.com/

And how you might ask does this relate to Sturgeon Point? 

Well in the course of their research Dr. Nenadic came across a November 2011 posting on the blog about flags at Sturgeon Point http://stpthistoryproject.blogspot.ca/2011/11/flags.html and in particular about the 1897 Jubilee flags that were hung at the Flack cottage "Koshaqua" on 5th Street.  It would appear that the flags hung there are the product of the Red Turkey textile industry.  They requested permission to include the images of "Koshaqua" in their on-line project.  This permission was given and the image can be seen at: http://colouringthenation.wordpress.com/pattern-of-the-week/

With the snow deep and weather unappealing for sledding, skating or other winter activities, please take a hot chocolate or hot toddy break and read the fascinating work done by Drs. Nenadic and Tuckett.

It is with regret...

It is with regret that I advise that I will be stepping down from my role as Coordinator of The Sturgeon Point History Project.  For all the reasons you can imagine, as my family is no longer resident in the village, my ability to manage the position has become unworkable.

The History Project is not static.  It should grow and change and new volunteers, bringing new ideas and direction, are needed to keep it moving forward.  We have got the History Project off the ground and this is now a terrific time for new volunteers to give it legs and let it run.

As it stands, the framework is in place for this summer.  The speakers have been booked and the topics have been chosen for the heritage displays.  With your participation, these events will continue to provide the community of Sturgeon Point with a window on its past.

We would like your feedback and suggestions.  If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know by e-mailing: stptphotoproject@hotmail.com  

The Lintonia in Bobcaygeon

Over the holidays, I have been in touch with Mr. Jim Hamilton of Vancouver.

 

Jim’s generation is the 6^th since his family emigrated to Canada.  His family trace their roots to Alexander Hamilton (b. 1786 Drumhome, Co. Donegal, Ireland), who came to Canada from Ireland in 1832.  As a veteran of the British Army, having served at the Battle of Waterloo, he was one of many Chelsea pensioners who chose to commute their pensions in exchange for passage to Canada for them and their families and a grant of 100 acres land.  Two of his brothers, James Hamilton (b. 1790) and George Hamilton emigrated at the same time to Victoria County. Alexander worked his first grant, in Emily Twp, for four years before giving it up as a wasted effort (Jim advises that this land remains unused to this day), and was relocated to the Military Line in Verulam Township, just south of Bobcaygeon.

 

Alexander’s son, Robert Hamilton, married Jane Cullen.  Her brother, John Cullen married Robert’s sister, Jane Hamilton, in a double wedding ceremony at St. James Anglican Church in Fenelon Falls on Christmas Day 1845.

 

Their son, William Henry Hamilton (1857-1928), owned the stationery shop in Bobcaygeon – and appears to have done a booming business with the tourist trade.  Family correspondence indicated that 1912 was a particularly good year.  He had married Margaret “Emma” Trennum in Port Perry on 14 Sep 1885.  They raised their twelve children on Mansfield Street, Bobcaygeon, by the fairgrounds.

 



Their son, Thorne Hamilton and two of his brothers chose to seek adventures in Canada’s west about 1906. Before they departed, they took a series of pictures, amongst which were these snapshots of the Lintonia.

 

with apologies I don't seem to be able to up load the pictures... will sort it out and get them up ASAP. - JLK

 

UPDATE:  22 May 2013

We have finally been able to move pictures from the archive onto the blog again...so here are the missing pictures.  Many thanks again to Jim Hamilton.