Just accepted delivery of this 1856 folded letter. Was pretty excited about this one when I found it on
ebay a week ago. Now it's in hand.
The letter is sent to Joseph Couchan, Crown Land Commissioner in Toronto by a gentleman named Thomas Clark Street in Chippawa (Niagara Falls). Mr Street was a business man, politician and apparently a bit of a character who lived in the Niagara area. His father, Samuel Street, was a very prominent business man, an early in vestor in the first Welland Canal and the Bank of Montreal. Both father and son dealt in land speculation as well. I have letters addressed to both.
This letter caught my eye because in the last line he inquires about purchasing Swayze Island, on the Niagara River, 'to commence improving it.' The island, later known as Cedar Island was originally owned by a man named Isaac Swayze, though I think it had been sold by his family previous to this. I caught my eye because my maternal grandmother's maiden name was Swayze, though there were a number of families of that name in the region at the time, so I'm probably not related. Interesting though.
Mr Street did end up leasing the island, which was just at the crest of the falls, and building an observation tower on it. Apparently the business venture failed, and there were better views else where. The tower and Mr Street did play host to the visiting Prince of Wales (Edward VII) on his visit to Canada in 1860.
As you can see, research has already begun. This should be an interesting page!
Here is the letter, including notes from the commissioner about its receipt and contents.
The is the writer, Mr Street
And a period photo of his tower on the island.
Swayze (Cedar) Island is no longer there. A power plant was built on the site years later.
Posted 06/15/2016 2:45 pm
