Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Historical Letter is Discovered
What has been described as a "once in a life-time historical find," was uncovered last week in the home of Bernard Horne in Bradford.
President Eleanor Reid of the Scotch Settlement Historical Society and Ruby Faris were invited to Mr. Horne's home to view a collection of letters and memorabilia belonging to Scotch Settler Angus Sutherland.
On the very top of the pile, Mrs. Reid was amazed to discover a handwritten letter signed by Lord Selkirk, who launched the first major settlement of Scots in Canada.
"It took a couple of days for this discovery to sink in," Mrs. Reid said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime find."
Included with the letter are about 50 other historical items, including bills, letters and accounts.
Mr. Horne turned the material over to Mrs. Reid who donated it to the Simcoe County Archives where it is now being restored.
The letter from Lord Selkirk was probably sent to the ship's captain who would transport Mr. Sutherland, his mother Elizabeth and sister Betty to Fort Churchill in Manitoba.
It reads: "Golspie (in Scotland) May 28, 1813."
"Angus Sutherland, Auchvalch, has paid 28 pounds eight shillings, in part of the passage of himself and two others of his family who are to be received on board the ship at Stomness on paying the balance of four pounds, two shillings."
It was signed "Selkirk."
Written below by another person was "balance (sic) paid."
Another letter followed written by Alexander Sage, a minister at Kildonan, Scotland.
FREE FROM ANY SCANDAL
It reads: "These do certify that Elizabeth Sutherland in Auchvalch a widow who has family of one son and one daughter, both of them single and unmarried, are natives of the Parish of Kildonan and county of Sutherland, and during the residence in said parish have behaved themselves Decently and Inoffensively. Free from any Scandal.
Meeting Church Censure may be admitted into any Christian society where Providence may Assign their lot is attested at Kildonan in name, Presence and by appointment of the Kirk Session of Kildonan, the 14th day of June, Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen Years and subscribed by Alexander Sage, Minister and George McLeod Session Clerk. Her son's name is Angus Sutherland and her daughter's name is Elizabeth."
CONSUMPTION
History has recorded the voyage of the Sutherlands, and Betty's death from consumption at age 18, shortly after their arrival in Fort Churchill.
Angus and his mother later settled on the 5th Concession of West Gwillimbury where he farmed 100 acres.
The rugged pioneer life in West Gwillimbury must have agreed with Angus Sutherland.
He died in March, 1885, aged 103.
Mrs. Reid said copies of all the material found in the box will be donated to the Bradford Library.
She said the letter, once restored, will likely be on public view at the archives.
