This article first appeared in the "150 Years of History in the Hills" column in the September 20, 2017 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News. Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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This is the nineteenth in a continuing series of photo essays celebrating our Gatineau Valley history and heritage during Canada's sesquicentennial year. The series was created by the Gatineau Valley Historical Society (GVHS), in collaboration with The Low Down to Hull and Back News. All images are courtesy of the GVHS. Article and photo text was provided this week by Bob McClelland of McClelland Farm.
Of threshers, binders, and stooking
When Philemon Wright settled in Hull Township in 1800, he was attracted by the fertile lands at the mouth of the Gatineau River. Although he is better known for taking the first timber raft from the region to Quebec in 1806, Philemon's first love was agriculture and, by 1823, the Wright family farms covered much of what is present day Aylmer and Hull.
In Rick Henderson's recent book, 'Walking in the Footsteps of Philemon Wright', he quotes an 1821 letter written by Philemon to his son Ruggles: "The sooner we can wean ourselves from the lumber business and follow Agriculture will be the best to all concerned. I conceive it is high times for us amid the present dulness of the times to look around us and particularly to Agriculture and to husband and improve our own internal sources of subsistence - it is a truth which should be engraved on all our thoughts That, That country must allways be poor which buys its bread from a distance."
Loading hay on Brown's Farm at Kirk's Ferry, circa 1920. The team of horses pulled the wagon which had a hay loader hooked to it. The hay loader carried the hay up a conveyor-type apparatus made of wooden slats and chains, and was a major improvement from forking the hay onto the wagon by hand. One man drove the horses and a second man built the load of hay.
Threshing grain, with a threshing mill at left and a steam tractor on the right, circa 1900. A long belt from the tractor to the mill provided the power. Steam tractors required a lot of water and fuel, either coal, wood, or sometimes straw from the threshing mill, and were eventually replaced by stationary or traction gas engines.
A barn-raising bee on the Wyman Cross farm in June, 1916, in the Meech Creek Valley (Chelsea). Notice the three men standing on the peak of the barn between the two large wooden ventilators. Barn raising bees brought neighbours from miles around and also required a small army of women to prepare meals for the many workers.
Cutting oats with a binder, with the Gibson Farm at Rupert in the background, circa 1900. The binder was a heavy machine, pulled by three horses that cut the grain and tied it in a sheaf. The men in the foreground are stooking the grain - taking the sheaves and placing them upright in a stook where they will ripen and dry until ready to be threshed. This farm has been in the family since 1836, and is now operated by David and Irene Gibson. Donated by David Gibson.
Gladys Cross and Bessie Ferris milking on the George Cross farm in Meech Creek Valley. Bessie was a teacher who taught at a local school and boarded at the Cross farm. 1937. Donated by Linda Bardell.
Jessie Hyde standing, holding a team with Abe Lewis and Ernie Hyde on the load of hay. Note the large wooden wheels on the wagon, circa 1936. Jessie would later establish Brookdale Children's Home on the Hyde Farm in Chelsea's Meech Creek Valley.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
