About this time the London District was separated from the Western [District], and composed what now forms the counties or districts of Middlesex, Elgin, Huron, Bruce, Oxford, and Norfolk.

The necessary appointments were made, and the London District held its own courts and sessions at Turkey Point, six miles above us [west] on the lake shore.

The people, in the most patriotic manner, had put up a log-house, which served the double purpose of courthouse and jail.

The courts were held in the upper story, which was entered by a very rough stairway, going up on the outside of the building. The jail consisted of one large room on the ground floor, from which any prisoner could release himself in half an hour unless guarded by a sentinel.

The juries for some years held their consultations under the shade of a tree.  Doubtless it was pleasanter than the close lock-up jury-room of the present day.

My father, in addition to his other commissions, was appointed Judge of the District Court and Judge of the Surrogate Court.

Turkey Point is a very pretty place; and grounds are high, and from them there is a very fine view of the bay and lake.  General Simcoe had selected it for the county town, and the site of a future city.  Now it boasted of one house, an inn kept by Silas Montross.  There was also a reservation of land for military purposes. But the town never prospered; it was not in a thoroughfare, and did not possess water privileges.

Twenty years afterwards it contained but one solitary house.  The county town was changed to a more favourable situation, Vittoria.

My father’s young family now gave him great anxiety.  How they were to be educated was a question not easily solved.  Schools there were none, nor was it possible to get a tutor.  A man of education would not go so far into the woods for the small inducement which a private family could offer.

Continued...>

Copyright 1994-2014 John Cardiff and Port Ryerse Environmental and Historical Society

^ Top ^

Marriage, Baptism >