MF – 1862.09.30 – Johnville and Glassville Settlements – #88 – F12247
Almost every one knows that the Glassville Settlement is the work of a number of the Scotch emigrants, whom the labours of Rev. Mr. Glass induced to try their fortunes in New Brunswick. Perhaps not so many are aware that Johnsville owes its existence to the efforts of another clergyman, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint John, who, taking a most sensible view of the matter, came to the conclusion that in our chief city of St. John there were large numbers of his people living in comparative want, or making but a bare subsistence, who might find in the clearance of the wild lands a healthy and remunerative employment, themselves becoming owners and tillers of the soil. To his exertions, we believe, was mainly owing the establishment of an Emigrant Aid Society in that place, the labours of which have induced large numbers to abandon the profitless lives of city labourers for the more honorable and satisfactory life of back settlers. At the application of the Bishop several tracts of Government lands, in different portions of the Province, were surveyed and set apart for these settlers. In Carleton the district named [Johnsville] was thus chosen. The results already exhibited are more than sufficient to justify the wisdom of the Bishop. The number of settlers in this section we do not know; but every person who has visited them speaks in the most glowing terms of the progress which they have made. The tract of land selected seems to be of excellent quality. The settlers themselves evidently have gone to work in good spirits and with a vast deal of determination. Any one who knows that clearing wild lands is, and what are the difficulties to be met and overcome, and the privations to be undergone in the back settlements, can sympathize with the position of these men, and will honor them for their courage and for the progress which they have already made. That progress is substantial; but it is also great. Once that a man becomes possessed of one hundred acres of good wild land in New Brunswick, and has settled down to clear and improve it, he occupies a promising position, whatever may be the difficulties and drawbacks; whatever may be the hardships to be undergone, there is nothing beyond what may be endured; and in two or three years of hard and thoughtful work the worst is over, and thereafter every year renders the ascent to comfort, and eventually to affluence, more easy. That the pioneer, therefore, has got his location, shouldered his axe, and turned his face to his new home, is the important fact; with industry, sobriety and perseverance, under the blessing of God, his future is secure. The settlers of Glassville and Johnsville have done this; they have thrown the die, and under any ordinary circumstances they cannot but win. That we do not overstate the matter the preset condition of those two settlements prove. They are both flourishing. Clearing has proceeded to an extent that those unaware what industry and determination can do would deem almost beyond belief. The primeval forest has given way before the axe of the chopper, and in its place spring up rank crops of wheat, oats and potatoes. The luxuriance of the crops in both these settlements, and the extent of land brought under cultivation in so short a time are described as something [marvellous]. The clearings are said to be perfect gardens; the grain is described, – as we know it will on our rich Carleton soil, – as overtopping the stumps. Clearly an impression has been made in these wilds which speaks volumes for their future. The soil is rich, loamy, mellow; “tickle the earth with a hoe and it laughs with a harvest.†The situation is good, easily accessible, [and] not too distant from the central markets of [the] Province. Every blow made by the pio[neer] tells towards his own ease and comfort. Labor is not thrown away; not a blow is lost; the result speedily follows the effort; and it is [a] result which is not only certain, but which is [proportionable] to the effort. In ten years vast stretches of forest will have disappeared, and in their place we shall have rich meadows, and broad fields, waving with gain and rich with the means of subsistence for a vigorous and happy population. – Woodstock Journal.
MF – 1862.09.09 – Johnville Colonization – #86 – F12247
COLONIZATION. – The Bishop of St. John having been on a visitation lately in the county of Carleton, took occasion to visit one of the new settlements colonized by the efforts of the Emigrant Aid Association, of which his Lordship is the President, and, indeed, is the very life and soul. His report of the progress he there witnessed is highly gratifying, and should inspire with new courage and determination those who, having resolved to share in the great advantages offered to them by the Society, still hesitate or defer moving for one trifling reason or another. In June 1861 the first tree was felled in this settlement. To-day there are over 80 lots on which improvements have been made, and on 43 lots crops have been grown. The fields of wheat, oats, buckwheat, potatoes, and turnips his Lordship describes as the most beautiful and luxuriant. In one large field of oats the stumps were so completely concealed from view by the crop that he at first thought they must have been removed. Much of the oats was six feet in height, and the length and breadth and [fulness] of the heads of wheat was something wonderful. One of those new settlers has now nearly 25 acres under crop, and several have ten or twelve acres. As a proof of what may be done by a proper system of emigration and colonization, efficiently worked, we may mention that a man named Creaghan, who, with his family, came out last year in one of the vessels from Galway, is now one of the most thriving and contented of these settlers. His lease of his farm in Galway had expired, and his parish priest, having seen one of Dr. Sweeny’s admirable letters on emigration to New Brunswick, advised him to come to this Province. He did come with his family. He was not able to speak a word of English. His wife could make herself understood, and that was all. They on their arrival applied to the Bishop, who, at once, had them sent to this settlement, then just commenced, and when they arrived there they were not lost sight of, but such directions and counsel as they, strangers to the [countay], its climate, and its customs, so much required, were always given to them. This year this man has thirteen acres under wheat, oats, potatoes, turnips, and buckwheat, all splendid crops, and has much ground already chopped for next year, is prosperous, contented, independent, and happy, and very soon he will no doubt be positively wealthy.
This is but one case of the many which want of space prevents our describing, more particularly to-day. Hundreds of acres are now yielding a bountiful harvest where little more than a year ago the solitude of the dense wilderness was unbroken, and scores of families who, for years, had struggled for a mere living, have the assurance of comfort and independence. How infatuated are the working men who, with such advantages within their reach, and with such examples before their eyes, still cling to the precarious miserable existence of the towns.
MF – 1861.07.25 – Johnville Gets Its Name – #58 – F12246
JOHNVILLE. – Such is the name decided upon by the Rev. Mr. Connolly, by which the tract of land on the Monquart, surveyed for settlement, shall be known. This name is given in honor of the Bishop Sweeny. Mr. Connolly spent several days last week locating settlers. Of the ten thousand acres, about nine thousand are fit for settlement, and of this seven thousand are already taken. On the day that Mr. Connolly left, some fifty men were at work improving on their lots. We are glad that the warm interest evinced by the Rev. gentleman is being properly met and appreciated by those for whom he is interested. – Carleton Sentinel.