Canadian University Paperbacks
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The settlement of Upper Canada began in the Detroit river district where there were several hundred people living before the close of the French regime. Between 1785 and 1800 colonization continued with the arrival of Loyalists and other settlers, including a contingent of German mercenaries who fought for George III during the American Revolution. Pioneers continued to come in large numbers to the unsettled areas of the province for the next 75 years and these later settlers often suffered hardships greater than those experienced by the Loyalists. This is the story of these early settlements in Upper Canada. The author, a distinguished Canadian historian, has drawn on contemporary letters, diaries, newspapers, and periodicals; he has consulted all the existing histories, and has supplemented these researches with interviews with persons who had contacts with early life in the province. The numerous illustrations included accurately depict the era. This book was originally part of Early Life in Upper Canada, by far the finest social and economic history of the area yet compiled. It is being printed separately to make more widely available this important and engrossing description of the early settlement of Ontario. Informative, accurate and delightfully readable, this volume brings to life the pioneers of Ontario and vividly recreates their experiences.
Mr. Guillet is a familiar figure in the field of Canadian local and social history: his work has been acclaimed for its thorough and accurate research, its skilful use of source material, its wealth of authenticated anecdote, and its attention to detail. Written in an attractive and comfortable style, and illustrated with photographs often contemporary and previously unpublished, his books are a fund of information about areas which too frequently are neglected in Canadian historical writing. Pioneer Arts and Crafts, first published in 1940 and later expanded as a section of The Pioneer Farmer and Backwoodsman (University of Toronto Press), is typical of Mr. Guillet's fine work. In this book he describes all aspects of domestic manufactures and processes of pioneer days: he traces the development of wood-working in furniture and buildings, and of the tanning, spinning and weaving industries. He describes many farming activities which have long since disappeared, for example soap-making and lime-burning. There are several chapters on cooking and various food processes and recipes which include preparation of drugs and medicinal remedies, substitutes for tea and coffee, and the making of lard and sausages. Throughout this account there are quotations from contemporary journals, and anecdotes about various personalities in those early times, which bring our pioneering past to life again. Recommended for use in Ontario schools by the Minister of Education, this book is for all ages, for everyone interested in Canada's pioneering heritage.
Despite abundant hardships, pioneer life in Upper Canada was romantic and colourful, and Mr. Guillet brings vividly to life the early settlers and their experiences. He draws on contemporary letters, diaries, newspapers, and periodicals, supplementing these researches with interviews with persons who had personal contacts with early life in the province. This volume contains the chapters from Mr. Guillet's large volume, Early Life in Upper Canada, which describes the pioneer home, foods and cooking, milling, lumbering, maple sugar making, fishing, "bees", amusements in town and country, and pioneer sports. It is abundantly illustrated with authentic portraits, photographs, and drawings.
