Sarnia's sun shall rise!

Late Nineteenth-Century Sarnia

I've commented before on Thomas Sutherland, Jr.'s (1797-1880) status as poet of Moore. I thought it might be interesting to post a few more of his poems, if only to demonstrate the mood of the time. In this case, that would seem to be boosterism. While I've made the point elsewhere that his poetry isn't all that fantastic, once again, that's not the point. Thinking about it generously, this poem attests to the son's desire to improve his region, as well as his pride in it--both of which he no doubt inherited from his father. However, lacking his father's business sense, TS, Jr. took up the pen, hoping to inspire others.

Exhortation to Port Sarnia

Sarnia, thy situation designates a splendid station
For the fair display
Of Canadian resources, if no apathy divorces
Energy from Sway.

Say'st thou?--"Sand and marshes all met" Let this sand, with lime, avail thee,
City to cement
Drain the swamps, and soil superior, never seen a surface cheerier;
Lambton longs for vent!

Near an enterprizing neighbor, asking interchange of labor,
Land and water woo resort;
Middlesex presents its treasure, Michigan responds with pleasure,
Be their prosperous port.

"Mend thy ways," from lake to London,--be no longer idly undone,
Make a lasting road;
Weather-proof, and life-ensuring, self-supporting, trade-securing,
To thy brisk abode.

Nature nursed thy nook north-wester, as a capital investor,
Huron and St. Clair combine,
With their confidence transparent, to make latent wealth apparent,
Open then thy mine!

Rouse from retrogressive slumber, let not churlish chain encumber,
Learning league with merchandize;
Christianity, thy standard;--with vigor for thy vanguard,
Sarnia's sun shall rise!

Thomas Sutherland
Moore, November 11, 1855

Sutherland Scandal

Thomas-Ann Sutherland Abbott

The story of Robert Horatio George Minty (1831-1906) and his common-law relationship with Laura Abbott (1844-1909), while married to her sister, Grace Ann Abbott (1836-1920), will be known to many Sutherland descendants. Grace and Laura were granddaughters of Thomas Sutherland, by his daughter Thomas-Ann (1812-1902) and her husband Richard Abbott (1808-1872). Those who've read Winning Pendergast's Sutherland family history may recall that "Thomas-Ann (and one wonders who she was named for, with a Thomas already in the family) washed up the dishes one winter’s night, January 29, 1834, put her shawl about her and ran down to the river's edge to meet her lover, Richard Abbott, and they rowed across to St. Clair and were married. " (The aside is Pendergast's, incidentally, though it does make me wonder if the original TS might have been a bit self-infatuated to name both a daughter and a son after himself.)

Apparently Thomas-Ann's daughter Laura inherited a bit of her mother's rebellious spirit, though with more spectacular results. In chapter 31-32 of his book Minty and his Cavalry: A History of the Sabre Brigade and Its Commander (Michigan, 2006) Rand K. Bitter covers the family scandal, and Laura's subsequent efforts to prove (falsely) the legal validity of her relationship. In addition to consulting surviving family members, Bitter has dug into a particularly rich archive, namely U.S. Military records, tracing the sisters' competing claims to a widow's pension, and the interviews and letters collected shortly after Minty's death in an attempt to sort out the mess. While Bitter's primary focus is Minty himself, the family dynamic covered in these chapters is fascinating. (He also includes a genealogy of his descendants, as well as photos of both families that may be of interest to some.)

Broad Street Chapel

On a recent visit to the UK, we were sure to visit the Broad Street Chapel in Reading, where Froome and Field Talfourd's grandfather (Thomas Noon) had been a minister, and their father (the brewer Edward Talfourd) a deacon. Froome recalled his early years there quite vividly: "I remember being carried to a day school in Chancery Lane by a man named Jim from the brewery, whose clothes smelt of beer, and who used to sweep the road in front of our house on Saturdays. I remember the Chapel, and Mr. Douglas, minister. When feeling sleepy, people stood up, and a Mr. Wilmhurst to do so made faces." If the Talfourds found the services uninspiring, they could not complain: Thomas Noon was apparently a less-than-energetic speaker, by the family's own admission.

While the Talfourds moved to Fulham in 1813, Reading remained important in their lives: notably, Froome and Field's elder brother, Thomas Noon Talfourd, would later represent the area in Parliament. The influence on Froome appeared to be more in regards to the choices he made. He became a fervent temperance advocate, signing the pledge while in Canada. Following the family's involvement in church-life, Froome was also the most pious of the three sons. So while he and Thomas Sutherland may have agreed on the need for churches in Upper Canada, they probably had quite divergent opinions about the necessity of a well-stocked cellar.

In this way, Sutherland may have gotten along better with the eldest Talfourd, whom it appears he met on a visit home. Reports suggest that Thomas Noon Talfourd began his morning with a negus at the Garrick Club on his way to Westminster Hall, stopped again for a night-cap on his way home, and was a bit wobbly by dinner time. I do wonder how much of his reputation as a generous host had to do with the libations at the table--certainly this did much to make Sutherland's hospitality memorable.

I've lifted a recipe from Epicurious for negus, in case anyone else is curious.

• 1 quart Port
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Grated rind of 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg, to taste
• Whole cloves, to taste
• 1 quart boiling water

Heat Port but do not let it boil. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice, grated lemon rind, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Let the mixture stand in a warm place for about 15 minutes. Pour boiling water into the warm wine and serve immediately. Garnish with grated lemon rind, if desired.

Finding Wright

Jane Leech and William Elliott Wright

In the past I have asked for help locating items of interest. I am pleased to say that the mystery Field Talfourd diary has surfaced. Additionally, the painting of Grace Hogg Sutherland and her daughter has also been traced (thank you to Dustin again). But here's another object I'd like to find: the diary of Capt. William Elliott Wright (1795-1869). Wright was a naval man who settled not far from Sutherland and visited often with him, according to surviving transcriptions from his diary. However, the diary appears to have been passed down in the family, not deposited with Archives Canada, as other family papers were (I have inquired further, just in case).

Wright's daughter, Catherine, was friends with Thomas Sutherland's daughter Grace, and the two may even have been educated together: a Miss Clark came from England to stay at Wright's home (named Oaklands) on the St. Clair River and was charged with the education of the four daughters of the family. Apparently, other girls from homes along the river also came and lived at Oaklands, sharing in Miss Clark's lessons. Given their friendship, it is a distinct possibility that Grace would have been included. If this is indicative of the kind of details Wright recorded, it seems clear that his diary would provide significant additional insight into the lives and interactions of early settlers. The Wrights are, of course, interesting for other reasons as well: Jane Leech Wright was said to have cut off a lock of Napoleon's hair with his own sword--and his permission. (Apparently it was set in a brooch, and passed down in the family.)

Fans of Canadian history might be interested to know that Catherine Louisa Wright would go on to marry Alexander Vidal, another Sarnia acquaintance of all, and a Canadian senator from 1873-1906. Their daughter, Charlotte Jane Vidal (in 1876 married Thomas William Nisbet, Sarnia), was the author of a 1940 Wright genealogy, and is considered Sarnia's first historian--she drew extensively on family papers in her work. She is also the namesake of that city's Charlotte Street.

Sutherland Family Reunion, Circa 1900

Special thanks to Dustin DuFort Petty for sending this photo, and for permission to post it. This is a reunion, circa 1900, of the descendants of George Sutherland (son of Thomas) and his three wives. Dustin also has provided the names of all in the photo, but wonders if anyone can identify the painting in the background: is it George? It would make a certain amount of sense given the context. But I've never seen another image of him to compare.

Back row: Warren Russell and Laura Sutherland Russell (George’s daughter and her husband); Minnie Bassett (George’s granddaughter, by Euphemia); Josiah Good (George’s grandson by Mary) with his wife Mary; George and Augusta Sutherland (son and daughter-in-law of George).

Front row: Rev. Roland Cross (son of our George’s third wife from her first marriage); Janet Sutherland Black (George’s eldest daughter); Mary McLean Cross Sutherland (George's third wife); Tom and Susanna (Parkinson) Sutherland (George’s eldest son); and in the very front is a son of the Goods.

Thanks to Adrienne for correcting Susanna's name.

The Wife of His Youth: Elizabeth Beddoes

Old Map of St. Mary's Parish, Islington

Very little is known about Thomas Sutherland’s first wife, Elizabeth Beddoes, who seems to have been eclipsed by the younger and—in all probability—more refined Grace Hogg. We do have the report of her death in The Scotsman: “Elizabeth Beddoes, wife of Mr. Thomas Sutherland, Tailor, died in the 64th year of her age, at Edinburgh on 22nd August 1824.” Also surviving are the Canongate Burial guides, which record that August 23, 1824, Elizabeth Beddoes wife of Thomas Sutherland, Tailor, of Hill Place, died of bowel complaint.

But beyond the details of her death, she is a mystery. This is in all probability due in part to the fact that she did not participate in what would become the definitive act of the family, namely, relocating to Upper Canada. But it may also be due to the destruction of her eldest son’s papers, where she was most likely to be remembered. Alternately, Beddoes herself may not have corresponded with how the family wanted to preserve itself—not up to snuff, as the expression goes. Ultimately, we are left with conjecture.

We do know Beddoes was older than Thomas Sutherland by about a dozen years, and possibly a Quaker. While it may have been a love match, generally when a young man of the era married an older woman, it was because he was ambitious and she was settled (meaning beyond the flightiness of youth), and perhaps in possession of some financial security. Given that their first known child was born in March 1797, it has generally been assumed that they married in 1796. However, a September 25th, 1794 marriage record for a Thomas Sutherland, “batchelor,” and Elizabeth Beddowes, spinster, both of the parish of Saint Mary (in London), has survived. Sutherland’s signature does appear to match that preserved on another document, while Beddoes notably signs her name without the W inserted into the official record. Her signature seems labored, as if she was not a practiced writer, unsurprising for the time. No further information is provided about them, excepting that they were married by license, and the event witnessed by James Sutherland and John Powells (the latter appears to be someone habitually pulled in when a witness was required).

Soon after, they must have relocated to Edinburgh, as their son, Thomas Sutherland, Jr., reported in at least two different censuses that he was born there. What did Beddoes think of this? What was involved in a 34-year-old woman agreeing to marry a 22-year-old sailor-tailor and move countries? Perhaps she had a desire for adventure; perhaps the young TS “cut a dashing figure.” But when we come right down to it, I’m inclined to believe she was a highly pragmatic woman. For one thing, TS himself valued such qualities. But more to the point, at the time the options for a single woman of little means were exceptionally limited, and they would diminish as she aged. Marriage was—literally—a lifeline for many.

Old Edina

High Street, Edinburgh, 1874

It is gratifying to have one’s research validated. While family histories suggested that Thomas Sutherland, Jr. was a professor at Edinburgh University, no record of such could be found. Instead I found an advertisement which suggested he had attempted to establish himself as, among other things, a tobacconist, residing at his father’s home address in Edinburgh. Recently a fragment of a December, 1879 letter he wrote appeared in my mailbox. Writes Jr., “Many thanks for the Graphic of the 12th, giving views of Edinburgh. I have traced my old snuff shop of fifty years ago—first west of the outside stair and near Allan Ramsey’s book-stand, and both opposite Niddry Street. Sublime and beautiful Edina.” Sutherland, Jr. loved the nickname “Edina,” frequently using it in poems. On the other hand, he also loved A/B/A/B rhyme schemes and simple rhythmic structures, and “Edinburgh” is conducive to neither.

We know from directories at the time that this was 155 High Street, and the reference to Niddry is invaluable, as High Street is very long (as part of The Royal Mile), and street numbers have been known to change. Niddry Street, however, has not moved; it was and still is about halfway between the North Gate and the South Gate. From what I can tell this was not exactly a nice neighbourhood in 1827/28, when we know Jr. was there. Today, however, it has redeemed itself, as the Niddry Street vaults, abandoned late eighteenth-century warehouse space, taken over in the nineteenth century by the industrial poor and criminal elements, have been rediscovered, cleaned up, and are a well-known tourist attraction. But at the time Sutherland, Jr. operated his shop, he would have been inevitably familiar with some of these elements, including the masses of poor who were overcrowded belowground, and all the stresses they placed on the neighbourhood’s infrastructure (sewage and waste disposal, being the most visceral).

Winning Pendergast wondered why a man so congenitally unsuited to farming as Jr. was would come to the new world to do just that. She writes “His farming was a scandal to a thrifty neighbourhood and must have been a trial to his father,” also noting “He seems to have been known in the community for his eccentricities, and his inability to do the simplest manual task in the usual way. Everybody in the family and the neighborhood had a fantastic tale to tell about him, how he stood in a soap kettle when chopping wood to avoid cutting his feet, how he ripped up the corner of a carpet to rub his shoes with it – many others.” Yet, given his seemingly limited opportunities in Edinburgh, as well as his high aesthetic standards, it is possible that Upper Canada at the very least offered him a more bucolic landscape in which to concentrate on his poetic efforts. Perhaps it was the distance from the city—both geographic and temporal—that allowed him to romanticize it so.