Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 107 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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Who? What? Etc!
By the late 1790s Philemon Wright's holdings were down to 80 acres in that area of Woburn which had already become Winchester. The family by this time had four sons. At 20 acres for each son, there wouldn't be enough to support four growing families. Naturally Philemon and Abigail were concerned.
As a youth Philemon had served in the American Revolution, as had Thomas his brother. Philemon on his march northward, eventually was to get within sight of Canada, with land to spare.
He was to explore, with a partner, by canoe, for three consecutive years, from Quebec City to the Chaudiere. He chose the area on the West shore of the Gatineau River as it empties into the Grand (Ottawa) River. He then hurried back to Worburn/Winchester to prepare for the mid-winter journey by sleigh on the ice-covered waterways.
Philemon sold his property to his neighbour Josiah Loche who was glad to get it. One may surmise that the Wrights were somewhat sad at the departure from the land which had been in the family for so long, especially some tears were shed for their first daughter, little Abigail, who had died from a childhood illness at the age of seven, and had been buried in a lovely grave on the farm.
(1) Here I must digress to say that I have been the guest at the old farm several times. The present owners are Mr. And Mrs. Hamilton - he a banker, she the historian - and have been driven by horse and buggy over the historic farm, even to the burial place of little Abigail, but the cave-like site was bare. Rumour has it that some lads, 100 years ago, founds the spot and played football with the skull.
Mrs. Hamilton prevailed upon me to convey to the National Capital Commission to recognize the old farm as an historic site. A happy ending saw a large bronze plaque being unveiled by two young descendents of Deacon John Wright - a gift from Canada. Yours truly was guest speaker. (2)
1) The old farmhouse has been replaced by a modern structure which, however, incorporated the old basement.
2) The plaque, at the time was the largest of its kind ever cast in Canada. It is the size of a household door. The Canadian Consul at Boston presided.