Partial article transcription from page 1 of 30 Jun 1898 Simcoe Reformer.

Queer Old Documents
Found in the Attic a Grimsby Residence Over 100 Years Old

Pt. Dover Maple Leaf

Jasper Smith, who lives where his father and grandfather lived before him, about two miles this side of Grimsby, made a peculiar historic find the other day while hunting through the attic of an original portion of the family residence. The part in which he was making his search is all of 115 years old and as he clambered through it he discovered a previously unknown cupboard. In this cupboard hanging from a rafter he found a pair of saddle bags, which are supposed to have come from New Jersey over 130 years ago. Taking the relic down Mr. Smith examined it closely and found in its pockets some papers. One of these was a crown land grant large and bulky, made of parchment paper and carrying with it the great wax seal of King George III.

This document recites that the King has been pleased, of his own certain knowledge, special grace and mere motion to grant to one James McCartney 276 acres of land in the ninth concession of Grimsby township, 39 3-7 acres being reserved for clergy purposes. The date of the grant is the year 1797 and Peter Russell was the auditor general who signed the big document.

Along with this in the saddle bags was found another parcel of papers. The first one of these is a copy of an address to Mr. Justice Thorpe from the grand jurors of the district of London. It was presented on Sept. 7th, 1796 [sic, see note below]. The second is a copy of Justice Thorpe's reply and the third is a petition of a grand jury of the new lieutenant governor, Francis Gore. The names of the jurors are as follows: Jonathan Williams, Abraham A. Rapelge, Peter Walker, Hugh Alexander, Wynant Williams, Henry Van Allen, Wm. Parke, Thomas Bowlby, John Coltman, John Haverland, Peter Teeple, Ephraham Tisdale, Benjamin Carlyle, Walter Anderson, Titus Finch, Elias Foster, Joseph Ryerson, John Backhouse and Daniel Rapelge.

This petition deals entirely with the grievances of the U.E. Loyalists...

[Balance of article not transcribed.]
 

 
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