November 1, 2002:

Philomen Wright
   The Wright family came from Woburn, Massachusetts by sleigh during the winter
of 1800. His party settled on the north side of the Ottawa River. Wrightstown, now
part of the new city of Gatineau, was chosen as a better locale than the south
side of the Grand River (now the Ottawa River). The portage route past the Chaudiere
Falls was better on the north side, there was more sun, and a longer stretch
of favourable shoreline. Philemon Wright established a Utopian agricultural settlement.
His group were the first permanent settlers in the Ottawa area.

Note for search engine users: PW will return names of settlers who came with Philomen Wright.

October 31, 2002:
"In a book called "The Ottawa County" by Courtney Claude J. Bond (1968), I
found the following information."

After his reconnaissance's and a period of preparation he set out in 1800
with his brother Thomas, Elijah Allen, Amos and Solomon Childs, Daniel
Wyman, Henry Kendrick, Harvey Parker, Ebenezer Hadley and Joel Adams, their
women and children and enough household goods and tools to take up life in
the wilderness.

There has been some speculation that my ancestor Truman Waller, wife Martha
"Patty" Hitchcock and their children also came with Philemon Wright but I
haven't found any proof as yet.

... Norma Lavallee

Source: Posting to UOVGEN by Norma on October 31, 2002.
_________________________

Also posted on October 31, 2002:
Thanks to Joan McEvoy Rooney for the following:
Also, one of the families that came with Philemon was the Wyman family, who were
his in-laws and cousins, since he married some degree of cousin. I'll check
for you about his burial.  In the Ottawa Room of the Main Library there is a
full Wright genealogy.

Bye for now,
Joan McEvoy Rooney
Source: Posted to CAN-ONT-CARLETON-L@rootsweb.com on October 30, 2002
November 2, 2002:
... The reason I am interested is that one of my 4 x great maternal grandparent's 
daughters - Hannah HILLMAN married- Jan 2, 1825 to Franklin WRIGHT, who was 
son of John WRIGHT b. 1788 marr. to Sibel CUMMINGS in Hull. John WRIGHT was 
son of Thomas WRIGHT b 1759, and Thomas WRIGHT was elder brother of Philemon 
WRIGHT the founder of the Colony (Woburn, Mass) who came to Hull in 1800.

I have collected a little data over the past few years of my searching on my 
maternal line re the WRIGHT's.  I know there is  an old cemetery - 1891 Cemetery 
Old Chelsea Quebec (Protestant).  There is a stone marker record of one of the 
two earliest deaths in the National Capital Region, that of Thomas WRIGHT, in 
1801 - older brother of Philemon, Founder of Hull.  The other being that of 
Nathaniel CHAMBERLAIN who also died in 180l, however, no marker has been 
located.

Appreciate help to view the above mentioned sites and also willing to share 
any of my data that might be useful.

Kind regards,
Dorothy E. Morris
also posted on November 2, 2002:
Dorothy:

Do you mind if I add your posting (above) to the Philomen Wright page? I'd also 
add your e-mail address as a contact.
I'm also planning on starting a new page for Isaac Firth. I think you
mentioned that you are related to some Firths who were here early. Isaac
Firth had an inn at Richmond Landing in downtown Ottawa before 1820. There's
a picture of the inn, drawn by Colonel By. There were also some intriguing
land deals between Lord Dalhousie, Livius Sherwood, John Lebreton, Colonel
By and Isaac Firth. I hope to write this up one of these days.

Also, there was a four-person drowning at Chaudiere Falls in 1815. It's
written up at www.bytown.net/chaudiere.htm

Do you know anything about this incident?

If you'd like me to include your Firth info on the new page, let me know (I
don't have your original posting).

Thanks,

... Al
 ... more for November 2, 2002:
From Nancy Meech:

Have you seen this booklet - "Up the Gatineau"?  I found it in my father-in-law's 
family tree papers after he died.  I was mostly interested in the Meech family, and 
didn't pay much attention to the other articles in the book.  I now see that there is 
an article entitled, "Philemon Wright Memorial".  The first paragraphe reads:
 
"On Wednesday, June 18, 1980, at Winchester, Massachusetts, a bronze plaque, a gift 
from Canada, was unveiled, commemorating the departure of a party of pioneers,under the 
leadership of Philemon Wright, for a remote spot in the Canadian forested wilderness 
where the purpose was to establish a community, later to become the City of Hull in the 
Province of Quebec and part of what is now called the National Capital Region."
 
This article about Philemon Wright is about four pages long.  It gives a lot of 
information about the Wright family, and Philemon's efforts to establish a new settlement 
in Canada.  The difficult journey by  Philemon and his group, including 25 men he had hired , 
as well as his brother Thomas and two of his brothers-in-law (Samuel Choate and John Allen), 
and their families, was very interesting.  They left Woburn, Mass., in February, to take 
advantage of the frozen rivers where no roads existed. 
 
"In time they reached Montreal where time was taken to complete the necessary paperwork 
and to swear allegiance to the King.  A document exists, listing by name and age the heads 
of families, their wives and each of the children.  Shortly after the journey resumed 
westward along the Grand River (now the Ottawa River).  Progress was slow as it was 
necessary that men should go ahead with axes to try the strength of the river ice over 
which the party would be travelling; the fear being that the loss of animals and a sleigh 
with all its valuable load of humans and settlers' effects would be disastrous in the 
extreme."
 
Along the way they met an Indian who assumed leadership of the ice testing detail.  
Eventually after six days of careful prodding they reached the site of their future 
home - March 7th.  
 
There is a lot more info about their trip and the trials and tribulations of setting 
up their homes.  The local Indians came around to see what was going on, and were 
evidently concerned by the apparent rights of the settlers to cut trees and to establish 
their camp.  However, through an interpreter, they were pacified, and left in peace, 
not, however, without adopting Wright as a brother chief!
 
The last two pages of this article concern the home which Philemon Wright left in Woburn, 
Mass., and the efforts of the owner in 1981 to have this home  recognized as a heritage 
site - and also her efforts to have the Canadian government donate this placque which was 
erected on the property.
 
This above article appeared in "Families", Vol. 19, No. 4, 1980, of The Ontario 
Genealogical Society.
 
I hope this information is of use to you.  I've got to go rake leaves!
 
... Nancy Meech

Note: Nancy also sent along some history of the Reverend Asa Meech (Meech Lake).
_________________________________________________________

More from Nancy on November 2, 2002:

Hi, again!  I thought I had seen more information on Philemon in another book amongst 
my father-in-law's papers, so went delving and came up with "Aylmer - Its Heritage".  
Do you have this book?
 
The first section deals with Historical Highlights 1800 - 1921.  In the second paragraph, 
it reads:
 
"Hull Township was surveyed by Joseph Bouchette in 1802.  Land grants totalling 12,000 
acres in all parts of the township were allotted to eleven men - Philomen Wright Sr., 
his three sons Philomen Jr., Tiberius and Ruggles Wright, James McConnell, Luther Colton, 
Isaac Remic, Edmond Chamberlain, Harvey Parker and Daniel Wyman.  Encouraged by the prospect 
of inexpensive farm land, other settlers arrived soon after."
 
The first 22 pages of this book are dedicated to the history of Aylmer with the remainder 
of the 174 pages covering photos and write-ups of the buildings, etc.
The names of many settlers are mentioned.
 
Nancy
December 29, 2002:
Hello everyone!
 
I am a great great (don't know how many greats) grandaughter of Philomen Wright.  
My grandfather's name was Edward Tiberius Wright Davies and his mother's name was 
Mary Jane Wright.  There are several missing links that maybe you could lead me to 
other websites.  I know that a lot of the Wrights are buried at St. James Cemetary in 
Hull Quebec. Philoman and Tiberius are marker #27.
 
Yours truly
Sheila Ann Wood
 
PS there is a family tree book out there.  My uncle has it but he isn't sharing!!!
January 10, 2003:
FYI, Pat Evans, from outside Hull, Quebec, wrote an extensive geneology on
the Wright family.  I believe he started with Thomas and Philemon's father,
Thomas, in Woburn.  It's a huge book and goes right up to about the 1960's
with a later edition covering up to the 1990's.  One interesting thing I
found from perusing this book is that I was related to just about anyone
whose family had lived in the Ottawa Valley area for over 100 years!  There
may be a copy of this book in the National Archives in Ottawa.
... Heather
January 20, 2003:
Hi Heather,

The book you mention is the same one that I talked about earlier.  There is
more than 1 copy of it at the Ottawa Room of the Ottawa Public Library, Main
Branch on Metcalfe St. at Laurier Avenue.
Undoubtedly, there is also a copy at the NA, but the Public Library may be
easier for some people to use.  There is actually a Wright descendant
working in the Ottawa Public Library.

Regards,
Joan
Ottawa
January 30, 2003:
See also the CHAMBERLIN brothers who came to work with Philomen Wright in 1819.
May 13, 2003:
Good morning: 

I just came across your website and wondered whether you could help me with 
this interesting sidenote regarding the Wright family.  My third grand uncle, 
Theodore Davis, died at the home of Ruggles Wright in Hull, Quebec on March 16, 1841.  
The death notice was posted in the Christian Guardian.  He was 65 when he died.  
It has always puzzled me who this Ruggles Wright was and why Theodore would have 
travelled from his home in St. Andrews, Argenteuil, Quebec to Hull to visit Ruggles.  
Were they longtime friends?   Had they met through business?    
I am wondering if you have ever heard of Theodore or any of the Davises; he had two 
other brothers, Simeon (who I directly descend from) and Moses (who was very prominent 
in St. Andrews, as was Theodore).  We are unable to trace the parents of these 
three brothers, but Theodore was a land surveyor in St. Andrews and there is 
reason to believe he first went there in 1799, may have returned to either 
New Hampshire or Massachusetts, and came back in 1800 with his two brothers 
to take advantage of the free land being offered. 

Theodore is buried in Hull but I have never had the opportunity to visit the 
cemetery to see if there is a marker.  If you have any information on him or 
an idea why he may have been visiting Ruggles Wright, I would appreciate 
hearing from you. 
Regards, 
Myrna Foley 
E-mail: Myrnalorraine@aol.com
May 30, 2003:
Hello everyone,

Al, I just came across your website, it's loaded with some great 
information, it must keep you busy.

I'm a g3 grandson of Philemon and Abigail (Wyman) Wright and in the process 
of transcribing the Patrick Evans genealogical work on the Wrights into a 
GEDCOM format. I am about a third of the way through so far and have 
provided what I have to the Francis Wyman Association who have posted the 
information within their geneological database. You can check out their 
site at www.wyman.org.

Obviously I have a copy of Mr. Evans work and would be pleased to look up 
any information that may be contained in it if you want to correspond with 
me at the address below. I plan to digitally copy the book as well but that 
will be likely some time down the road.

To: Sheila Ann Wood: I'm not sure if you got the information you were 
looking for, but if not let me know, I could probably help you out.

Bruce Wright
E-mail: b.wright@telus.net
June 22, 2003:
Hello, 
I've just come across your very interesting information on the web. I am a 
descendant of Philomen Wright through my paternal grandfather, Percival Edward Wright, 
b.1885, son of Edward Albert Wright and Eliza Ann Langford, grandson of Jonathan 
Wyman and Mary (Smith) Wright. I am very interested in what material is available 
on the family tree. I have one dating back to 1601 John Wright and Pricilla Byfield 
going up to my son's generation, b. 1974, the info for which was provided in part by 
Grant Carr-Harris, but I believe there have been updates or new ones done.
 
It is Bertha Wright, b.1863 d. 1949, my grandfather's sister, that I am particularly 
interested in. A documentary film "Heroine of Hull" was made by Rev. Jim Collins, 
about her very interesting and visionary life, and I am eager to learn all I can about 
her. Our family tree shows her married to someone different than Rev. Collins found 
in his research and I'm interested in finding out about that! 
 
Anybody have suggestions or info that would help me in my search? I live in Victoria, 
and we are having a family reunion this July, mainly with West Coast cousins, and 
I'd love to have updated info. for that. Thank you so much in advance for your help. 
Heather Fox
July 15, 2003:
I have recently started to seek out my family tree. My grandmother's maiden name was 
Edna Hazel Wright and my grandfather's name was Joseph Thivierage 
it was spelled that way or this way Thivierge apparently he came from the Ottawa Valley 
area sadly we did not get to know his side of the family and I would love any info 
that you could provide me with.
Thank you
Edna Baker
picanic@moosenet.net
September 4, 2003:
My name is Jean Wright Waniandy, Philemon Wright is my third great
grandfather.
  I have been doing my family history for a few years now. I guess I should
tell you my line Philemon, Tiberius, Tiberous, Tiberous Percy, George Magnus, Me. I have
a photo copy  of the book . And would like to hear from any of you .   I live and was
born in Alberta and would like to hear all stories you have as I never know about this
family until a few years ago
Thanks, Jean Waniandy
September 21, 2003:
Hello Nancy Meech
 
I'm a descendant of Harriet Meech and John Hetherington.  I'm trying to find info 
on John's father Joseph Hetherington.  According to my records The Lower Canada Land 
Grants show that Joseph was given a 200 acre grant, Lot 19, Range 6 of the Township 
of Hull in 1827.  This was the result of a petition for land made by Philemon 
Wright on behalf of some fifty settlers.  Unfortunately Joseph's name was 
misspelled as Harrington. (Harrington Lake). I was hoping I could somehow obtain 
a copy of your information concerning Philemon's journey as well as the settlers 
he brought with him.  Can you help me?  Joseph is my brick wall.
 
Thank you 
Cindy

Hello everyone:
My research re Theodore Davis and his relationship with Philemon and Ruggles Wright 
has turned up some French texts, which I have now translated. If anyone is interested 
in receiving these translations, please let me know.  They mainly concern the election 
of Philemon and Theodore as deputies to the Legislative Assembly for Ottawa County 1830-1834.

Regards,
Myrna Foley
December 18, 2003:
My name is Jean Waniandy. I had put in a query and omitted to include my address 
being a decendant of Philemon Wright. I would like to hear from anyone out there. 
I am the Alberta Branch
Jean   
E-mail: jeandw@altech.ab.ca
___________________
also posted on December 18, 2003:
"Until 1800, Elias Smith had been a Baptist Minister in Woburn, Massachusetts. 
This was the year in which Thomas Jefferson was elected President, and for trivia buffs, 
it was also the year in which Philomen Wright (an Episcopalian) left Woburn and became 
the first settler in the Ottawa area. The year 1800 was also the approximate beginning
of the Second Great Revival, a religious fervour which swept the Christian world.
Philomen Wright established a utopian settlement in the Ottawa area -- one of his goals 
may have been the avoidance of the democratization of the Protestant religion which 
was taking place in the United States." (1)

(1) From a paper by Al Lewis on the Democratization of Christianity, Fall 2003, 
Carleton University.
April 12, 2004:
Hello Al,
Just want to inform you of my new email address, now at: 
Dotemorris@rogers.com
... Dorothy Morris
June 8, 2004:
Hello,
I am a descendant of Philemon Wright through his son Ruggles and grandson Edward Van Cortland, 
my great grandfather was Ernest Howard and my Grandfather was Edgar Athol Wright Sr. 
Recently I visited Hull and saw many interesting things as well as the statue of 
Philemon Wright.  I have the family tree book that was done on the Wrights by 
Patrick M.O. Evans, very interesting.
Janet Peters (Wright)
Saskatoon, SK
janetpeters1000@sasktel.net
July 5, 2004:
New WRIGHT family Web Site
(includes some great historical maps)
Hi folks, 

Just wanted to let you know that www.wrightfamily.ca has been launched 
(still lots of work to be done). Any suggestions or comments on how to 
improve and expand on the database and content will be appreciated. 

Thanks and regards,

Bruce Wright
September 10, 2004:
Elisha SHEFFIELD
Hi everyone, 

I was particularly interested in Nancy Meech’s comments on this web site. 
I have a very faded copy of an article titled A landmark at Kinsgmere 
by Gladys Blair.  It features a home owned by The Edmund Ryan family, 
the article is not dated.  However, it mentions an ancestor of mine 
Elisha Sheffield who married Polly Wright the daughter of Thomas Wright, 
Philemon Wright’s brother.  They married in 1806 the marriage certificate was 
found in the home by the Ryans. Elisha Sheffield is mentioned as a Mill wright 
who came to Hull  with Philemon  on the great migration from the U.S.  
I am trying to find out more information about this union as it has been lost 
to my family.  Elisha Sheffield and Polly settled on this Land Grant of 100 acres.  
There first house was log and the present one in the article was built about 1850.  
There were two Elisha’s Father and Son.  It states that one of the cherished 
treasures in the Ryan house besides the marriage certificate signed by Thomas Sherwood 
justice of the Peace who witnessed the ceremony between Polly Wright and Elisha  
Sheffield in 1806 is an old letter dated March 28, 1840 asking how much he wants 
for his cattle.   Does this information fit with any that you may have.  

Sincerely  Robert Sheffield Pilot
October 21, 2004:
Harvey Parker was also a member of the Philomen Wright settlers
Hi
My ancestor Harvey Parker travelled with Philomen Wright.
I have the history of most of his ancestors after he came to
Quebec, but I am having a hard time with his mother and father
back in the U.S.  I have made a few connections but can't cofirm them.
 
Can anyone help me? 
Betty Biggs
bbiggs@cogeco.ca
November 1, 2004:
Truman Waller and Martin Ebert families
Hi Al
 
I am Bob Moody from Vancouver.  
I am a descendant of Truman Waller and Martin Ebert families 
through the marriage of Truman's daughter Roxanne and Martin Ebert. 
These families settled in the Hull area around 1800 before they moved 
a little father north into the Pontiac County area. I have been in touch 
with people from Pontiac that have been doing genealogy research on 
the the Waller and Ebert families as well as other related families. 
They have provided me with a ton of information and I in return was able 
to provide them with information on the branch of the family that moved 
out to Vancouver in the 1880s.
 
I have done some research at the downtown Vancouver Library which 
has a surprising amount of genealogy information. At the Vancouver library 
I uncovered 2 items that I thought might be of interest to you. Both items 
were from originals that were transcribed by Bruce Elliott. I did not know 
who he was until I read about him on your web site. I have attached these 
items. 
 
One is a militia list for Hull, Eardly and Onslow circa 1808. It lists 
Tiberius Wright and Philemon Wright as well as Eliad Waller, Eder Waller 
(both sons of Truman Waller) and Martin Ebert as well as others for a 
total of 52.
 
The second is a census of Lower Canada showing the population return 
for the Township of Hull York County. Truman Waller's family is shown on 
this list but not the Ebert Family. However what I find curious about 
this census is the information pertaining to the Wright families. 
Philomen , Ruggles and Tiberius Wright are all listed but it is the 
size and make up of the Ruggles and Tiberius Families that puzzles me. 
The Tiberius Wright family is shown as a total of 55 individuals with 20 
of them being single males between the ages 18 and 25, and another 25 
being single males between the age of 25 and 40. The Ruggles Wright 
family has 45 individuals with 23 of them being single males between the 
age of 18 and 25 and 17 being single males between the ages of 25 and 40. 
There is only one married male and female in each family. The Job Moors 
family has a similar make up. It certainly doesn't appear to be the 25 
families that are described as being led by Philomen to Ottawa around 1800. 
Can you shed some light on this? Who were all these single men? 
Statistics can be misleading.
 
I have another question as well. Do you know if the Waller Street in 
Ottawa is named after the Truman Waller family?
 
Thanks
Bob
E-mail ebobmoody@hotmail.com
______________
Hi Bob:
The great number of young males associated with the early Wright families 
were probably employees of the Wrights. The Wrights were involved in 
many aspects of the local economy, including lumbering and construction. 
For example,hey built the bridge and locks at Hog's Back for Colonel By. 
Another contractor had tried and failed at this project before.

The material which Bob has sent are the 1808 militia list for Hull (Templeton),
Eardley and Onslow and an 1825 population (census) list for Hull Township.
I hope to post it here someday (pending permission from the Ottawa Branch 
of the Ontario Genealogical Society).
... Al
November 2, 2004:
Hi Al
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I am glad the info I sent 
is of interest to you. I also read your second Email.
 
I obtained the information from a book at the Downtown Vancouver Library 
however I did not write down all the details. I will be going down to the 
library in the next week or so to do some other research and will obtain 
more info for you (and myself) about the source of the information and 
also look for other info that may be of interest.
 
Most of the information I have on Truman Waller was provided to me 
by the researchers I met on line from Pontiac County and in the US. 
(including a Family Tree Maker file that has over 12,500 names. I 
honestly don't know if Truman was part of Philomen's group. 
I do know that Truman is from Connecticut. He was born in Danbury Conn. 
and lived in Litchfield Conn. Truman fought in the American 
revolution on the American side. Later he moved his family up to the 
Hull area and then up to Pontiac where I believe they founded 
Litchfield Pontiac. Truman later went back to the US to obtain his 
American Revolution Pension and died in Bennington Vermont. Most of 
his family and their families remained in Pontiac where many of their 
descendents live today. A person who is continuing to research Truman 
ancestors and knows a lot more then I do is Barbara Anderson who can be 
reached at upstairs@cboss.com. 
 
I know even less about Martin Ebert. It is thought he was born in 
Pennsylvania. 
 
What I like about the 1808 militia records is it fits so nicely into the 
family tree information I have received about the Waller family. 
For example  the info I was given shows Truman's daughter Eunice marrying 
a Martin Moore. It also shows Martin Moores father as a Dudley Moore. 
It also shows Dudley Moore having other sons with the names Dudley, Benjamin, 
and Roger. All are on the 1808 list and all are listed at the right age as 
per the data provided by the Pontiac genealogists. The same can be said for 
Trumans 2 sons Eliad and Eder and for Martin Ebert. I think Truman was not
on the militia list as he was probably too old about 48 in 1808. 
Dudley had other sons but they were under the age of 18 and therefore not 
part of the militia.
 
Another connection between the Moore family and the Wallers shows 
Eliad Waller marrying Abigail Moore a daughter of Dudley Moore Senior.
 
My information also shows that Sarah 'sally' Moore daughter of 
Dudley Moore Sr. married William McConnel / McConnell who is also on 
the 1808 list.
 
There maybe other connections between these early settlers of Ottawa/Hull 
I just haven't had time to look at them all.
 
That's all for now. 
Take care
Bob
__________________
Bob:
The article by Bruce Elliott which I mentioned is called
"'The Famous Township of Hull': Image and Aspirations of a Pioneer Quebec
Community", Histoire sociale/Social History XII, No. 24 (November l979),
339-67
... Al
February 14, 2005:

Thanks to Dorothy E. Morris for the following:

Lumbering on the Ottawa River
Hello Al,
 
The following are some excerpts from a book I now have called, 
Lochaber Bay, My Well Loved Country Home , in memory of Angus Campbell 
MacLachlan,  (1909-1990)- published by his family.  It is a wonderful story of 
early settlers, circa 1800 onward, their families and other topics of interest 
of the times.
 
Page 22 - Transportation
With the arrival of Philemon Wright there were soon changes and rapid expansion 
in the use of  the (?) river.
The great fur traders canoes and the explorers and the native people continued 
in its use as before; but with the coming of the settlers and the beginning of 
farms, the need of tools, farm implements, goods and chattels moved a good deal 
of the transportion into public hands.
 
The most immediate change was made by the timber and lumber industry opening up.
In 1807 Philemon Wright of Hull assembled rafts of square timber at the mouth of 
the Gatineau River.  This was the first timber from the Ottawa.
They went by the north channel around the Island of Montreal and arrived at 
Quebec City after much labour in 35 days.
 
Page 23 
Taking a raft of square timber to Quebec was no easy matter.  There was much 
hard work and hazards on the way, the rapids and by wind storms, blowing the 
rafts on shore and breaking them up.  The worst place for this was Lake St. Peter 
where winds from all quarters had full play.
 
James Campbell, a brother of Archie Campbell, lost his life going down on one 
of these rafts.  He was swept off the raft at the beginning of the rapids, 
but swam nearly four miles after the raft.  Some of the men on the raft threw 
a long heavy oar for him to cling to when it struck his head causing him to sink.
and...
There was a good deal of rivalvry on the river nearly every raft feeling it 
had the right of way.
 
Andrew Wilson,  a retired Navy Captain and once acting as Magisrate, had seized 
by force a large raft belonging to Philemon Wright.  
There were 50 men in the raft crew (and two small cannons).
"The action was not without bloodshed." Tiberius Wright captained the raft.
 
Regards,
Dorothy E. Morris
_________________________
It is a wonderful book and covers many early settlers of the Lochaber area and 
including some that moved to Ottawa.  
Some of my maternal lines listed in this book are; McDole / Dole, Grant, Wilcox, 
Cooke, Wright to name a few.
 
Yes, I am the one who requested a Cemetery look up for the following:
Elizabeth McGREGOR, spouse of ? WOTLEY
buried - Bethany United Church, Ramsayville, 
Carleton Co., Gloucester Twp,   Reel MS 451- # 1
Conc 6 Lot 18.
... Dorothy
March 18, 2005:
Were Hiram W. Chamberlain and Elizabeth Minerva Hayes related to the settlers 
in the Wright colony? 
July 23, 2005:
Hi AL
I wrote to your website a couple of years ago and have since found out a few 
more details about my family.  I just wanted to let people know how to contact me 
via email.  It's shryley2002@yahoo.ca.  My grandfather was Edward Tiberius Wright Davies, 
his mum was Mary Jane Wright...her dad was TIberius Wright...his dad was Tiberius 
Wright...and his dad was Philemon and so it goes.  So Philemon is my great great great 
great grandfather and great he was!!!!
I probably have relatives all over this planet that I hope that I can get to know, 
even just a little.
Yours truly
Sheila Williams
New E-mail address: shryley2002@yahoo.ca
January 11, 2006:
I am tardy reading your Sept.'04 posting regarding Elisha Sheffield.  The little info. 
I have follows.  
 
Catherine Dunlap, daughter of Gabriel and Catherine Dunlap of the Meech Creek Valley, 
b.1810 - d. Mar.20, 1899 married an Elisha Sheffield Jr. b. Oct.29, 1818 - d. 1907.  
Their children included Jefferson (b.1849/50 - d.1900), Elisha III (b.1846 - d.1905) 
and Harriet (no dates).  In turn, that Elisha had a son, Elisha IV (no dates).  
Thats all I have but I hope it helps.  - Will Dunlop

November 14, 2006:
Here is an exerpt from the PIONEERS OF THE UPPER OTTAWA and THE HUMORS OF THE VALLEY 
by Anson A. Gard (no date) published by The Emerson Press, Ottawa, Canada page. 50: 

“Parker, Harvey, came with Philemon Wright, in 1800 so far as can be learned.  
He remained in the country but a short time until he came to where is now Aylmer 
and took up land adjoining that of Charles Symmes, on which Symmes land is the 
most of the village.  He married Azenath the daughter of Nathaniel Chamberlain, 
early in 1805.  children: Marietta, born in 1805, m. the Rollins who first 
owned the Edward Rainboth farm on the Aylmer Road.  When Gideon Olmstead refused 
him burial rights in Bellview cemetery, he sold out to surveyor Snow, and went 
to the States. He said: “I will never live in a land where I can’t die – and be 
buried beside my friends.”

Timothy, born in 1806, m. Almira Heath; Polly, or Mary, born in 1805, died 
young; Mehitable, born in 1810, m. Andrew Thompson; Emeline, 1812, was the first 
wife of Richard McConnell, Harvey, 1814, m. (1) Helen Lafurgy, (2) Sarah Leggo, 
sister of the well known Ottawa dentist; Ephraim, 1817, unm.; Harriet, 1819, 
died young.

The widow of Harvey jr. is still living on the old homestead.  The descendants of 
this old pioneer are scattered from Canada to Los Angeles, California, where is 
residing a son of Harvey, jr.

Notes; Harvey, the pioneer, was born in 1770 and died in 1858.  Asenath, his 
wife was born in 1785, and died in 1821.

Harvey, jr. was active in municipal affairs.  He was Aylmer’s third Mayor, being 
in the office from 1862 to 1866.  He took great interest in church and school 
matters.  It was during his incumbency as mayor that the side-walks of the 
village were laid.  See the irony of fate.  He gave the village walks and yet 
his own family had to wait till long after his death to get a side-walk on to 
their home at the edge of town – it having only recently been laid.” 

... Wendy (Parker) Brunet
(Decendant of Timothy Parker 1806)
March 30, 2007:

James Culhane LATCHFORD 
Superintendent, Ruggles Wright Farm 1850-1870

I'm just going through some old family papers which made reference to 
my great great grandfather being manager of the Ruggles Wright estate for 
20 years, 1845-1865. His son F.R. Latchford 1854-1938 born on the farm in 
1854 went on to become Minister of Public works in Ross government, Attorney General 
for Ontario and Chief Justice of Ontario. Several names mentioned on this 
web site are referred to in a family narrative about the early days on the North 
shore of the Ottawa River. 
Yours truly, 
Frank Latchford                      
latchfords@telus.net
__________________________

Good morning, Mr. Latchford:
 
Thanks for your e-mail regarding your ancestors in the Hull / Ottawa area.
...

No doubt, you are related to many of them as the Wright Settlement was 
the first area to be settled in our region.
 
I would like to add your e-mail to our Philomen Wright page as a 
contact for other researchers. Please let me know if this would be OK with you.
 
St. James Anglican Church in Hull, which I believe was built by Philomen Wright, 
was recently deconsecrated and is up for sale as there were only eight 
regular parishioners. Thankfully, it is designated as a Heritage Property 
and so will be maintained in the future.
 
Thanks again for this.
 
... Al Lewis
April 5, 2007:

Frank Latchford has contributed more information and a photo of James Culhane Latchford.
He has the diaries of James Culhane Latchford -- a fascinating source
for early life in the Ottawa and Hull areas. The Latchford Papers are also
available at the National Archives.

In 1857, a construction accident occurred at Britannia Farm on the Aylmer Road.
July 9, 2007:

In 1931, the Honourable Francis Latchford, gave a speech to the Women's Canadian 
Historical Society of Ottawa. Frank Latchford has a copy of this rare 15 page document.
The subject of this speech is the early settlement of Hull by Philomen Wright ( PW ).



November 3, 2007:

An Amazing Document from Karen Prytula
The following is some very interesting research by Karen Prytula. It documents
the recruiting in England in 1816  of c. 35 persons by Ruggles Wright. These persons 
would join the settlement in Hull, Quebec, founded by Philomen Write in 1800.
Thanks for this, Karen !

"This email is intended for Maureen Jamieson....and for anyone else who may 
find it of interest to them....
 
Hi Maureen
 
I saw your email on bytown.net website regarding the couple in the subject line.  
You stated in your email that you have 'quite a bit of information' on this family.
 
I was wondering if you knew what ship George Routliffe left 
England on, when he made his voyage to Canada?  I have reason to believe that my great 
grandfather x5 John Snow traveled on the same ship, but I don't know the name of it, 
for sure.
 
I was at the Library and Archives flipping through original letters written between 
Philemon Wright and his son Ruggles.  Ruggles was in England recruiting labourers and 
one of them was George Routliffe and one of the 35 other men was John Snow.
 
Library and Archives would not let me photocopy these letters.
 
Apparently George was granted land on Range 4, lot 16.  This farm of his bordered 
the property of John Allen.  John Allen had a daughter named Barbara who grew up to 
marry John Snow I mentioned above.
 
George's daughter Mary married my great granduncle x4 Ruggles Allen.  He was the sister 
to Barbara mentioned above, who married John Snow.
 
George and Lydia's son Richard Routliffe married Phoebe Badham.  Phoebe's dad was 
Joseph Badham.  I have reason to believe that Joseph Badham was another of the men 
that traveled from England to here with George Routliffe and John Snow.
 
The letter which I mentioned above was dated March 25, 1816.  It was from a John 
Woodward to Ruggles Wright.  It sounds like Ruggles had asked John Woodward to 
recruit some men for him.  The letter was mailed from Westleigh, England, and addressed 
to Ruggles Wright at Thread Needle Street, England.  The Library and Archives marked it #637.  George's surname has been spelled Ratliffe.  But I know this is him because I was able to find mention of him in "Pioneers of the Upper Ottawa, and Humours of the Valley" by Anson Gard, 1906.  pp. 18, 38, 55, 62, 293, 294, 315, 344 and 367.  Other Routliffe's are mentioned on at least a dozen other pages.  Luckily I had my laptop with me and was able to transcribe the letter.  I have included it below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter # 637 from Westleigh March 25, 1816 Sir, Upon the receipt of yours of 20th inst. 
I immediately set about executing your commission, and I hope to your satisfaction; 
but the notice is so very short that I fear I shall not have it in my power to procure 
the people wanted for Mr. Racey and Davidson as there is but one small tract in this 
part of the country where the cultivation of Hops is understood, and also it is 
difficult to persuade a woman to venture out. For you I have engaged as follows:

Calvin Radmore aged 22 as Joiner & Carpenter

William Jones aged 24 Blacksmith

John Snow aged 23 Wheelwright

William Warnacott aged 25 Tailor

These 4 engage for 2 years, at 45pounds per annum.

John beals? Aged 26 as Farm Labourers

William Cooke aged 21

Hugh Ackland

Roger Cann

George Ratcliffe (Routliffe)

John Rogers

Joseph Saunders

James Webby - you engaged yourself when here

William Longman - and can do mason work

William Tracey - gardener

Thomas Clatworthy aged 25 Labour - can make brick

Mary Clatworty his wife engages as Dairy Woman, no wages fixed but whatever is 
usually given in the country.

All the above Laborers and gardeners engage for two years at 35 pounds per annum 
and of both them and the Tradesmen I have received from their late masters very 
good characters but as their masters in general are as great strangers to me as 
the men I can vouch no further.

For. Mr. Campbell, I have engaged also for 2 years John Moore as gardener aged 20 
he is recommended to me as gardener in which capacity he was for some years but 
latterly he has learned the Trade of Joiner and Carpenter in which situations he 
wished to go with you but I had before engaged Calvin Radmore. His wages 36 pds. 
Per annum

I cannot get a man and wife but for the other man for Mr. Campbell viz to manager a 
Farm. If the wife is not absolutely necessary, they leave strongly to recommend 
Alexander Copp, aged 32 as a fit person for the place, he will pay his own passage 
but his wife cannot at present go with him being large with child. He is Son of a 
respectable farmer who is reduced by mis-fortune. His brother James also I believe 
goes with him to take his chance of employ he is also a very proper man a good 
husband man and master. If neither of these young men suit you or Mr. Campbell they 
may some of your Friend.

To you I recommend Benjamin Simmonds who also will pay his own passage but wishes to 
go into your employ but would not now engage himself for a certain term. He has been 
my Head Servant for three years, is honest , Sober, Careful and Industrious and very 
fit to manage a Farm. He is a superior workman, I am sorry to lose him and had engaged 
him for the next year but as he seemed so bent on going I gave him leave. I believe 
several intend going out passengers in the same vessel, but I know nothing of —. 

I have given Alexander Copp and Benj. Simmons each a letter of the commendation to 
you and I sincerely hope that all those you employ will answer your expectaions and 
be a credit to themselves and their country.

As to any security they can give you I can devise none but from their characters and 
their own interest to go into your employ , for as they are mostly strangers...----
They would not hear being bound one for another. You need not keep them at Quebec 
longer than possible and keep them on board as much as you can. I cannot think of 
making any charge to you as the actual expence has been so very trifling. From John 
Woodward.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From this letter you can see that George was hired as a labourer for two years at the 
rate of 35 pounds per annum.  He was working for Philemon Wright and Sons.
 
In other letters Ruggles explained to his father that he has chartered the Brig 
Liberality to sail from England in April, to bring over these men and other 
implements required at the time...rum, cattle, farm and household items.  The 
Liberality was to dock at Quebec City, and then they would take another boat to 
Montreal.  Ruggles asked of his father to please meet them at Montreal with some 
other boats that will take them and their freight up the Ottawa to the Hull settlement.
 
I have not been able to find a passenger list of the Liberality that sailed from 
England to Canada in 1816.  I have been in touch with everyone in England, and 
the only place that was able to send me any info was the Whitby Literary and 
Philosophical Society, in North Yorkshire, England, founded in 1823.
 
They have sent me a manifest of what was on the ship but they don't have a passenger 
list.
 
I have read in "Hurling Down the Pine", by Courtney C.J. Bond, that it was 35 men 
that Ruggles recruited.  Thanks to Gard's book mentioned above I have been able to 
find information on most of these men but not the name of the ship they traveled on.  
I'm hoping someone in your family has left you a piece of information stating the name 
of the ship.  (for it might say who else was on the ship).
 
I am looking for info on John Snow.  I know he came from England, but I don't know 
from where.  If I could find out from where he hailed then I might be able to find out 
if he had siblings or parents ....and I might have relatives over there.  You see, 
John Snow drowned at Chats Falls, Ottawa River in the early or mid 1820's.  I don't 
know if his family in England was ever informed.....because I don't know who his 
family in England was.  Perhaps John Snow hailed from the same place in England that 
George Routliffe did??
 
So my questions to you are:
Do you know from where in England George Routliffe came from?
Do you know the name of the ship he traveled upon to get Canada?
 
... Karen Prytula
PS
Sorry for being so lengthy.
Al, you may post this on your site if you wish.
... Karen Prytula
December 31, 2007:

More fascinating research from Karen Prytula:
A Voyage by Ruggles Wright from Bristol, England to Quebec / Hull-Ottawa in 1816

Hello Everyone
 
You may remember that last month I wrote the list about a letter I came across at 
the LAC.  It was written in the spring of 1816 from Ruggles Wright while he was in 
England, to his father Philemon Wright in Hull explaining the men he was about to bring 
back as labourers.
 
In addition to that letter I have found Ruggles account of his trip at which time 
he wrote the letter, in a book by Bertha Wright Carr-Harris, called White Chief of 
the Ottawa.  It was printed in 1903, and I have an original copy.
 
Bertha was Philemon Wright's great grand daughter, and my 3rd cousin 4x removed  :)
Bertha was born Hannah Bertha Wright to Edward Van Cortland Wright and Frances Adelia Marsten.  She married Robert Carr-Harris in 1896 and died in 1949.
 
I have condensed the data, for to type it all would make this email 10x as long.  
Some of you may have read the book already, but for those of you who haven't, I make 
this available to you:
 
1816 - "Philemon was in Quebec with Hannah and Abbie awaiting the arrival of Rug, 
who had been sent by his father to the Mother Land to dispose of two cargoes of timber.
 
It was an unusually cold evening in June.  Snow had been falling all day.  The 
neighbouring hills were covered with large feathery crystals, which, however, soon 
melted as the sun appeared for a moment before sinking behind the gray walls of the 
Castle St. Louis.  Just as the evening gun was fired, news had reached the Union Hotel 
that a vessel had been sighted near the Island of Orleans.  It was ascertained that 
it was the Dorris, in command of Captain French, and that Rug was on board (1)
 
Hannah burst into a paroxysm of tears when she caught sight of her long-lost lover, 
who had been compelled to leave only a few weeks after their marriage.  He looked 20 
years older, and appeared careworn, haggard and ill.  As they were seated round the 
table he gave an account of his travels.
 
"When I received your letter," he said, addressing his father, "I chartered two vessels 
and persuaded Archie and Jonathan Campbell to go with me for a pleasure trip.  We were 
nearly three months tossing about at the mercy of wind and wave when a hurricane swept 
the deck of the vessel, carrying with it the main-mast and sails.  Water began to pour 
in at an alarming rate, and after a desperate struggle at the pumps the captain ordered 
all hands on deck.  we felt that we had to prepare for the worst.  The sailors had 
abandoned the pumps from exhaustion, and Jonathan and I took their places and worked 
until we , too, were exhausted, and as others took our places we retired to the stern, 
where we found Archie in a sheltered nook, seated upon a coil of rope, playing his violin, 
apparently oblivious of our perilous condition.
 
For two days the work at the pumps was a matter of life and death, and when at last the 
wind subsided we drifted about helplessly until a passing vessel saw our signals of 
distress and towed us from the Bay of Biscay to Bristol, where the necessary repairs 
were made to enable us to proceed to Liverpool!  We soon disposed of the timber a good 
profit, and Jonathan, Archie and I took the stage-coach to London, where we had the 
honor of being presented at Court to gay Prince Geordie, who is acting as Regent, owing 
to his father's mental derangement.  I wish you could have seen the Carleton House," he 
said turning to Hannah.  "He built it at a cost of 250,000 pounds sterling, and had to 
sell his stud of race-horses and discharge most of his servants to meet the demands of 
the creditors, for he had led such a wild, dissipated life that the King and Parliament 
refused for a long time to help him out of his difficulties.
 
"We visited many places of interest in London and the old farm in Kent, which we found 
bordered on that of General Wolfe."
 
"If we had arrived on the scene only a few months sooner we might have seen how Napoleon 
turned Louis XVIII from the kingom, or we might have seen the great battle of Waterloo; 
but Napoleon is now safe at St. Helena, where he was sent last October." 
 
"...I have the greatest admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte(2)," said Rug.
 
"Philemon said, "He was a man of no conscience, no heart, and one of the most 
uncompromising enemies of constitutional liberty that the world has ever seen.  I am 
amazed that a born Republican like you Rug, could see anything to admire in despotism 
or tyranny."(3)
 
"Did you see anything of poor Josephine (Bonaparte's wife) ?" asked Abbie.
 
"No," he said.  "The Empress Queen Dowager died two years ago, but we saw her beautiful 
home, 'Malmaison' while we were in Paris."
 
"If one may judge from appearances, it will take many years for France to recoer from 
the effects of the Reign of Terror.  My object, however, in visiting France and England 
was that I might see something of their progressive developments in agriculture and 
commerce, so that we might adopt the newest and best methods in building up our own 
little colony.  I have brought with me, " he continued, "the latest novelties in the way 
of general merchandise; I have brought the newest inventions in agricultural and milling 
machinery; I have Herefordshire and Devon cattle, of most renowned ancestors, who have 
not ceased to protest against a sea voyage from the time they left Liverpool.
 
"Nor is this all", he said; "I have something better still on board for the new 
settlement, namely twenty-five English families, who are going to take up land in the 
township and pay for it in work."(4)
 
"And who nearly turned mutineers"
"How was that?" asked Philemon.
"When we boarded the vessel at Liverpool", replied Rug, "some were bright and cheerful, 
but most of them were in tears, which showed that they did not leave the Old Land without 
a struggle.  We soon weighed anchor and were under sail with a fair wind, but it came 
round to the east and blew fresher, so tht we were forced to come to anchor not far from 
the place we left.  The ship, as you may see, was fitted up for the timber trade, and has 
only a small cabin or quarter-deck.  On each side are ranged two tiers of berths for 
passengers providing their own bedding.  Along the open space in the middle we placed 
two rows of large chests which were used sometimes as tables, sometimes as seats - all 
of which I shall show you presently.  There was much noise and confusion before all 
found berths; crying children, swearing sailors, scolding women, who had not been able 
to secure the beds they wanted, produced a chorus of a very melancholy nature.  The 
disagreeableness of it was heightened by the darkness of the night and the rolling and 
tossing of the ship.  After breakfast, as usual, all began to be sick.  I took the advice 
of the sailors and drank some salt water, which acted as an emetic, and I soon felt better.
 
"Unfortunately, while we were still at anchor, boats came from the shore with friends 
of the sailors, who smuggled a lot of liquor on board, and before the captain discovered 
it the whole crew was drunk.  We were awakened at an early hour next morning by the 
violent motion of the ship, for there was a perfect gale blowing from the north-west.  
The sea was roaring and foaming around us.  The passengers were all sick.  Things grew 
worse and worse.  Consternation and alarm were in every face.  Children wre crying, 
women wringing their hands, and I could see by the angry looks of the men that they 
would like to have thrown me overboard.  The ship had little ballast, and it mounted 
the waves like a feather.  Sometimes a hard sea would break over her with a shock 
that would make everyone stagger.  After a sleepless night, in which I received many 
a bruise and uttered many a groan, the captain informed us that the squall had carried 
away our mainyard and rigging, and that we were on our way back to Bristol to refit!!  
At one time, when the ship was on her side, several chests, though strongly lashed to 
the deck, broke from their moorings, and in their progress downwards carried destruction 
to everything on which they happened to fall.
 
"What a site the deck presented!  Clothes, spoons, shoes, hats, bottles, dishes, were 
strewn about in endless confusion.  The next day the captain returned with the mainyard 
dragging behind his boat, but owing to a strong head wind we could not prepare nor rig 
it till the following day, when all the men on board who could get round it assisted at 
the work, and we were soon speeding along at the rate of six miles an hour with a fine 
favorable breeze.
 
"The next day we made 100 miles in 12 hours.  I cannot describe what took place after 
that for I was too ill.  It was well that I was ill, for the indignation of the men and 
the fury of the women were almost unbounded as they thought of having consented to leave 
their comfortable cottages to follow me to what I had represented was a new and better 
country.
 
"As we neared the banks of Newfoundland a most extraordinary phenomenon was produced by 
the dashing of the salt water against the bow of the ship in the evening.  The water 
seemed on fire and produced a very fine effect.  The next day a mass of ice appeared 
about 200 yards distant.  It was almost half a mile in length, and was moving south-east.  
Soon after we found the channel between Cape Breton and Cape Ray, and got into the ice.  
The captain sent eight men to the bow with fenders.  One piece knocked splinters off 
the bow and threw us all down.  About five days later we reached the Island of Anticosti, 
but I was too ill to see it.  We saw porpoises in shoals plunging about the ship, while 
the sailors tried to harpoon them beneath the bow.  About two hundred and eighty miles 
below Quebec the pilot came on board.  His number was painted in large characters on his 
sail as well as on his boat.  He had a cask of fresh water and some maple sugar, which 
he sold at an extortionate price to the passengers.
 
"Near Bic Island we saw whales spouting water at a great height, and a habitant came out 
in a boat with a large basket of eggs, which he disposed of at a shilling per dozen, and 
so we continued on until the domes and towers of Quebec came in sight and I began to 
realize the inexpressible joy of being at home once more".(5)
 
"The rare, practical, common sense shown in the expenditure of twelve thousand dollars in 
the Mother Land inspired Philemon with such confidence in his son that when, a few years 
later, he appealed for funds for the construction of the timber slides at the Chaudiere 
and the Chats(6), of which he was the inventor, his father had no hesitation in entrusting 
him with over $100,000. "
 
(1) In the letter Ruggles did not mention the Dorris, only the Liberality and the Union...
I believe.  also, It was Nicholas Sparks that arrived on the Dorris in 1818...I believe.
(2) Was Ruggles so enthralled with Napoleon that he thought to name TWO of his children 
Napoleon?  :)
(3) After all, Philemon, Abbie (Ruggles sister), Ruggles and Hannah were all Americans.
(4) families were not mentioned in the letter, but I guess one should assume the men would 
bring their families.
(5) Diary of Rev. Robert Bell and letters of R. Wright.
(6) John Snow my gr. grandfather x5 drowned at the Chats c1825 while under the Wright's 
employ, and was supposed to be coming to Canada on this trip from England.  All I want to 
know is if his body was ever recovered.
 
Al, you may post this on your site if you like.
 
Thank you
Karen Prytula
 April 30, 2008:

I have been working on the Wrights genealogy for the last twenty years and have over 
900 names on the LIBERTY *85 family tree. I sent this to Salt Lake City Mormans 5 
years ago they somehow lost it. I have sent them a new addition this week hope it works 
because it further  the family to canada which the Americans did not do. SO are start with 
Philemon and right through to my great gand children.

My father was the son of james who farmed  in LANARK CO. I HAVE 9 PHILEMONS DOWN TO MY 
UNCLE WHO I FOUND TO BE THE LAST OF THE PHILEMONS AND HE DIED IN PERTH ONT  OR LANARK IN 
1975, HE WAS A HALF BROTHER OF MY DAD. I EVEN HAVE A COUSIN HERE who 
is a direct descendant of Ruggles and her mother left her family tree in the Archives 
in Ottawa, I never recovered these because they take 3 days to get them and i just 
haven't had the time. I know they are there, maybe some one in ottawa can drag them out. 
I would love to see them. i enjoyed this site and had read most of the history. 
... Max Wright
my e-mail is maxwright@sympatico.ca

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