Most readers of the CVHS Journal are familiar with the story of how Robert Sellar, founder of the Gleaner, gathered material for his History of the County of Huntingdon and of the Seigniories of Chateaugay and Beauharnois from Their First Settlement to the Year 1838. What many may not realize is that, although Sellar actually utilized only a fraction of the information he so painstakingly gleaned from old-timers over a period of seven years, the rest of it survives as well!

Happily for us, Sellar could not bring himself to throw out his handwritten interview notes after his History was published in 1888. Although he had deliberately excluded much of the genealogical and personal data they contained, he anticipated the interest of future generations. His "Explanatory," reproduced below, shares with us his decision to have these notes bound into four protective volumes entitled "Notes of Conversations with First Settlers of the District of Beauharnois Preserved by Robert Sellar."

Sellar's notes resurfaced during the 1940s, when Adam Sellar printed selections in an ongoing feature in the Gleaner entitled "Chronology of Chateauguay Beauharnois and Huntingdon Counties from Manuscripts of the Late Robert Sellar." The four original volumes passed with the Gleaner into the hands of Keith Howden in 1961, and in 1983 they found a final home when Margaret Howden thoughtfully presented the Sellar documents in her possession to the National Archives of Canada.[1]

This past summer (2001) the Chateauguay Valley Historical Society, responding to a growing number of inquiries into the genealogical roots of the region, purchased photocopies of the entire four volumes. Sellar's Table of Contents, showing the names of the original settlers he interviewed, is shown below. The Society invites those interested to share this important treasure from the past that has been handed down to us.

Robert Hill

Explanatory

The following four volumes are part of the material I collected in preparation for my history of the counties of Huntingdon, Chateauguay, and Beauharnois (1888). As I did not use all they contain, owing to the scope of the work, which did not embrace personal and family matters, I thought it well not to destroy these notes, but to have them bound for preservation. In writing out the notes, however, it is well to understand that I had no intention of keeping them after they had served my purpose. Also, that they are not a record of all the conversations I held. Once I began to write the book, I incorporated what I learned directly into its pages, so saving time and labor. Of the more important statements I so used, I may mention that of Willis Roberts and that of James Brown, Port Lewis.

My method of collecting information by conversation was to first get on familiar terms with whoever I called upon, and get him to tell his story in his own way; generally a tedious and desultory proceeding; and then to question as closely as the age and disposition of my informant would permit.

As a rule, I took no notes in their presence, as I found that it either discomposed them or made them reticent - fearing to speak out frankly when they found what they said would be printed. On getting home I wrote out the conversations as found recorded in these volumes, doing so at once, and before anything else engaged my attention. Frequently I made a second visit - sometimes a third and fourth - to find out whether I had got the information correctly and to ask questions suggested by what they had told me. The dates appended to conversations do not indicate the frequency of these visits. For instance, I called upon James Wright, Robert Morrison, and Hiram Gentle much oftener than the notes indicate; not noting anything when they merely confirmed what I had already jotted down.

The risk of error in collecting information in the manner indicated is great. First, there is the imperfection of the memory, and, second, the bias of the narrator. In no more misleading way is the first shown, than in mixing events or forgetting material details, while the apprehension of facts varies extraordinarily with different people. By comparing statements and rigid cross-examination I am satisfied my history is substantially true. To set down everything told by old people would be misleading. Their statements have to be sifted and their character and condition of intellect taken into account.

Robert Sellar

Volume 1 Contents

1.     James Wright, North Georgetown, d. Nov.'84
45.    Richard Waller, Franklin
46.    Edward Sadler, Ormstown
47.    Fargo
49.    Robert Morrison, died 1887
73.    John McLennan, Williamstown. Died I think in Spring of 1886
84.    Archd Cameron died August 1914, 89 years old
89.    John Donaldson, Ormstown
90.    Wolcot Thayer
93.    Alanson [?] Roberts
95.    Joseph Dumas
97.    Mrs and John McCartney, South Georgetown
        (see also after Mrs Norval) 
105.   John McDougall, Ormstown
110.   David Bryson (Stony Creek) Ormstown
118.   Wm McNaughton, Ormstown
120.   Mrs Archd McEachern, Ormstown
121.   Mrs Norval, Beauharnois
131.   John McCartney
133.   Moses Branchaud, QC, Beauharnois
136.   Robt Beatty, Ormstown
137.   James McArthur, Dewittville
153.   John Donaldson, Ormstown
158.   John Hunter
164.   James Hamilton (died 1888), Hinchinbrook
166.   Mrs Blachford, Boyd Settlement
168.   Wm Grant (died 1885), Allan's Corners
190.   Jas Whittal, Upper Ormstown
191.   Robt Whittal
192.   Wm McKell, English River. Died 1888.
202.   David Wilson (died 1887), English River
209.   Thomas Gebbie, Howick
212.   Geo Rutherford, Tullochgorum
213.   James Sangster, Ormstown
215.   John Sadler
215½.  Wm Reeves
216.   Mrs Robt Jack, Chateaugay Basin
217.   Thomas Clark, Chateaugay Basin
221.   Dr Muir, South Georgetown
225.   John Younie, Tullochgorum
228.   Gilbert Cook (in Younie's narrative)
228½.  John Symons
230.   Mrs Younie
239.   Wm Ogilvie, South Georgetown. Died 1885.
240.   John Symons (see also statement by him in Younie's recollection) 
270.   Geo Cross, Ormstown. Died 1888.
271.   Wm Davidson
272.   Geo Elliot, Ormstown. Died 1887.
274.   Duncan Cumming, Ormstown
277.   Richd Carr, Huntingdon
279.   Mrs McNee, Huntingdon
280.   Norton Creek Road

Volume 2 Contents

1.     John Symons, St Louis de Gonzague
17.    John Gilmore, Huntingdon. Died 1888
26.    R.B. Somerville M.P. for Huntingdon
29½    J.C. Fitch, Toronto, Ont.
36.    John Symons
37.    Dr Shirriff and Mrs, Huntingdon
38½.   Mrs Robb, Godmanchester
39½.   Robt Clark, Trout River
42.    Irwin Armstrong, Ormstown Con.
43½.   Arthur Herdman, Hinchinbrook
46.    Geo Sayer, Elgin
49.    John Symons
50.    John Gilmore
53.    Alex McNaughton
54.    Dr. Shirriff
58.    David Elder
59½.   Miscellaneous memoranda - Orange lodge
59½.   Alex Currie, Newfoundout
60.    J.C.Wilson,Franklin
64.    Robt Stevenson, Havelock
67.    Thos Blair, Franklin
68.    John March
70.    John Younie
72.    John McFee, Russeltown
73.    Robt Elliot, Fertile Creek
74.    Peter Reid, Jamestown
74½.   Robt Smaill, Elgin
75.    S.H. Schuyler
76.    Rev A. Colquhoun's Register
78.    Robt Bennie, English River, page 78
79.    Rev A. McWattie's Register and epitaph
84.    Georgetown churchyard
86.    An old store bill
86½.   Extracts from life of Bishop Mountain,
104.   An old process verbal and Deed (Seigniorial)
106.   John Craig, English River
107.   Peter Caldwell, Godmanchester
110.   Hugh Cameron, Hinchinbrook
115.   Wm McIntosh, Elgin
116.   Mrs Wm Cunningham, Plank road
119.   James Hamilton, Hinchinbrook
126.   Hiram Gentle, Franklin, died 1889
133.   Wm Cunningham
135½.  Mr and Mrs Andrew Oliver in body of
        Cunningham's statement
138.   Dr Shirriff
140.   Peter Caldwell
142.   John Gilmore
145.   James Hamilton
150½.  Miss Biggar
152.   Joseph Scriver and Mrs (Elgin)
157.   Elias Wallis
161.   Hiram Gentle
178.   Rev A. McWattie's Register (marriages)
180.   Wm Begg, English River, Jas Carruthers,
         John Carr, Wm Caldwell & Thus Cooper
184.   Nelson Manning, Franklin
194.   Mrs Haire (Dean[?] Fulton), Franklin
195.   Fisher Ames, Franklin
201.   Mrs Moe, Franklin
203.   H. Gentle, Franklin
204.   Joseph Scriver
205.   Daniel Black, Godmanchester
206.   James Fortune, Huntingdon
207½.  Messrs Gregory Dunning & Co[?]
208.   Colonel Rogers, Franklin
215.   Wm O'Neill, Covey Hill
220.   Luke DeWolfe, Covey Hill
221.   Wm Barr, Hemmingford
228½.  Wm Rea, Port Lewis; Wm Ross, Dewittville
229.   Wm Smellie; Thos Smith
230.   James Clelland, Hemmingford
231.   Richard Sweet, Hemmingford
240.   Thomas Robson, Hemmingford
241.   James Brownlee, Hemmingford
244.   Humpbreys Nesbitt, Hemmingford D.
252.   Nelson Proper, Hemmingford
254.   James Merlin, Hemmingford
255.   Daniel Dunlop, Hemmingford
258.   Wm Reay, Hemmingford
259.   Julius Scriver M.P., Hemmingford
262.   Geo McIver, Hemmingford
263.   John (Squire) Manning's Papers, Frankin Road
268.   Wm Cantwell, Franklin
274.   Fisher Ames, Franklin
278.   Wm Chalmers, Huntingdon
279.   John Craik, Franklin
280.   Robinson, Postmaster - memo
281.   Colonel Rogers, Franklin
284.   Alex Lunan, Godmanchester
290.   Mrs Peter McFarlane, Elgin

Volume 3 Contents

1.     Chas McClatchie, Hinchinbrook
13.    Wm Taylor, Hinchinbrook
26.    John Anderson, South Georgetown
30.    James McDonald, Godmanchester
39.    James Fenny, bailiff, Huntingdon
40.    Academy Essays on History of Huntingdon
42.    Archd Adams, Hinchinbrook
46.    Extracts from Belden's Atlas
49.    Wm. H. Taylor, Hinchinbrook
51.    Richard Sweet, Hemmingford
52.    Robt MeNarland, New Ireland
54.    Edward [Edouard] Dupuis, St Anicet
58.    David Sandilands, Athelstan
59.    Isaac Gardner, Hinchinbrook
61.    Mrs Wilkinson (nee Best), Ormstown
63.    Richard Carruthers, Ormstown
65.    Nicholas Smith, Ormstown
67.    John Anderson
70.    Militia Service 1837 etc[?]
72.    Robt Clark, Trout River
73.    Capt John Rankin, St Anicet
74.    Wm Anderson, Hinchinbrook
75.    Robert Mills, Jamestown
76.    John Parnby[?]
79.    Mrs Robson, Boyd Settlement
84.    Alex Johnston, Hinchinbrook
96.    Mrs Peak
99.    J.C. Fitch, Toronto, Ont
103.   Lewis McKay, Hinchinbrook
115.   James Rennie
117½.  Extracts from records of burials in Rennie graveyard
120.   Mrs Barrett, Huntingdon
123.   John White, Godmanchester
126.   John Sullivan P.L.S., Valleyfleld
126.   Walter Patton, Godmanchester
127.   Letter of Major McGibbon 1838, Memo of Rebellion
128.   Notes explanatory of Map of encounter at Chateaugay.
         The map is copied from one at Ottawa and is inaccurate
         as to scale.
129.   Extract about Raid in Malone; Parishes, Dates of Erection of
131.   Andrew Oliver, Rockburn
133.   Letter of Capt Archainbault, War of 1812
134.   Memo obtained from Nuns about Seigniory of Chateauguay
137.   Younie's estimate of yield of grain
138.   Wm Edwards P.L.S., Franklin
142.   Geo Sayer, Elgin
143.   Wm Miller, English River
144.   John Crichton, Valleyfleld
145.   Archd Johnston, Hinchinbrook
146.   Benj Bachaud, St Anicet
148.   John Hyde, Hinchinbrook
148.   Alex McNee, Huntingdon
149.   John Fee, Hinchinbrook
151.   Mrs Gilmore, Huntingdon
153.   John Gilmore, Huntingdon
157.   Robt Cowan, Godmanchester
159.   Donald McNicol, Glengarry Co.
160.   Duncan McMillan, St Anicet
165.   John Ferns, Godmanchester
169.   Elias Wallis, Elgin
171.   Proces verbal of Athelstan road
173½.  Prescription of Spectacles, Dr Buller
174.   James Brown, Chateaugay N.Y.
181.   Mrs Peter Caldwell, Godmanchester
184.   James Curran
186.   John Gilmore, Huntingdon
190.   Beechridge churchyard
192.   Rev J. Crombie, Smith's Falls
195.   James Brown, Port Lewis
196.   Peter Outterson, Hinchinbrook
198.   James Sadler, Ormstown
202.   Mrs Geo Pringle and Geo Pringle, Godmanchester
213.   Mrs R.N. Walsh
215.   Mrs Archd Henderson
218.   Hiram Seely
220.   James Gillies, Elgin
221.   James McCrackin, Boyd Settlement
222.   Josiah Black, English River
223.   R.B. Somerville M.P.P.
232.   Mrs (Laird) Anderson
235.   Alex Ogilvie, St Anicet
237.   John Muir, Hinchinbrook
240.   Danl M'farlane, Elgin
241.   Geo Pringle
243.   John Hunter
245.   Patrick Talon, Godmanchester
246.   Rev Mr Johnson, Westville N.Y
247.   Mrs Chas Lanktree, Elgin
259.   Mrs Norman McDonald
262.   Mrs Thos Lanktree
266.   James Pringle, Huntingdon
269.   Thos Burrows, Huntingdon
271.   David Elder
275.   Mrs Burnside, Trout River
281.   Geo Burnside
282.   James Hamilton
287.   Miss Biggar
288.   Wm CaIdwell, Godmanchester
295.   James Marshall, Trout River
337.   Hugh Wilson, Valleyfield
338.   Wm Watson, Hinchinbrook
339.   Robt Wilson, English River
340.   Mrs Merril Cooper, Valleyfield
347½.  M[?].J. Robillard
349.   David Elder
363.   Memo Thos Brown[?], St Timothy
364.   Wm Allan, Allan's Corners
365.   Wm Brown, Godmanchester
365.   Thos Bigger, Godmanchester
366.   John H. Brown, Elgin
366.   Jas Baird
367.   David Lamb, Trout River[?]
370.   Alex Copeland
371.   Andw Cunningham, Godmanchester
372.   Beauharnois graveyard

Volume 4 Contents

1.    Rev Andw Miller, Malone N.Y
7.    Dr Gillis, Fort Covington N.Y.
9.    Trout River N.Y churchyard
10.   Extracts from old Malone Papers
11.   Alex Leslie, St Anicet
12.   Mrs Jas Sangster, Lower Ormstown
13.   James Caldwell, Godmanchester
16.   Mrs Robt Ford, Godmanchester
23.   John Ford, Godmanchester
25.   James Sangster, Ormstown
27.   Capt Stalker, St Anicet
30.   Robt. Kelly, Hinchinbrook
35.   Michael McVea, Godmanchester
40.   John Woodrow, Jamestown
46.   Richard Furlong, Jamestown
47.   John Finn, Jamestown
48.   Elgin petition
49.   Extracts War of 1812 at French Mills
52½.  Notes about Dundee
70½.  John Crookshank, Dundee
71.   John Gray
73.   Mrs D. Moodie, Dundee
79.   Peter Gardiner, Dundee
82.   Nicholas Farlinger, Dundee
86.   Wm Schryer, Dundee
88.   Donald McPhee, Dundee

Extracts from old Quebec journals

97.     Prices of wheat from 1729
99.     Beauharnois canal riots
100.    Wm Edwards
111.    Judge McCord's appointment
111.    Grants to schools
112.    Dunscomb's election
114.    Miscellaneous extracts
119.    Statement by Bowron
129.    Census of 1825
131.    Report of Select Committee on Civil Government
139.    Militia reorganized 1827
143.    Roads
150-208 Agricultural Society reports
155.    Schools
165-170 Seigniory of Beauharnois
168½.   Census of 1831
170.    More evidence about Seigniory; Report of
         Stevenson about St Louis River; Roads 1834;
         Evidence of Militiamen in War of 1812; Extracts
         from Blotter of William Craik; Extracts from
         Trials of 1838
187½.   Wm Crawford
194.    Trial of Cardinal; Receipts and Expenditures
         of Seigniory; Claims of Rebels; Indians
204.    Dunscomb Election; Beauharnois Canal
208.    State of Agriculture; the Seigniory
215.    Sheriff Hainault
216.    Extracts from Hough's History
227.    Extracts from Bouchette's Topographical Dictionary
239.    Extracts from Lewis' History
251.    Archd Muir's Estimate of Farmer's Income
252.    Daniel Boyd
254.    Samuel Graham
257.    Mrs Chas Lanktree
263.    Extracts from Wilkinson's Memoirs
270.    Extracts from Article in Quarterly about deSalaberry
273.    Extracts from Anderson's Memoir about deSalaberry
285½.   James Wattie
286½.   James Cowan
287.    Speech of Squire Manning
301½.   Chas McDonald
302.    John Symons, Free Church matters
310.    Mrs John Elder, Trout River
311.    First Deed of Seigniory
314.    Extracts from Gourlay's Statistical Account
324.    Mrs Chas Lanktree
330.    John Muir
332½.   Jas Brodie
333.    Robert Mack, Elgin

A member of the Society, Connie McClintock-Wilson has volunteered to respond to inquiries and requests for information. 

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[1] The Circulation Desk Reading Room of the National Archives of Canada in Ottawa may be reached at (613) 943-8581 or by FAX at (613) 995-3991. The reference number of the Robert Sellar Papers is MG 30 D 314. Appointments for consultation of these documents should be made two weeks in advance.