Spence-Williamson

From IGI

1851 Census for Hull Twsp lists Thomas Kirk, shoemaker, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, aged 68 and his wife, Catherine Kirk, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, aged 69.

Their bodies were later moved to Beechwood Cemetery but the headstones were not.

"The Cantley Story" states that Thomas Kirk did not arrive until 1830.

Taken from an article by the Historical Society of the Gatineau:
Kirk was apparently quite a businessman, for apart from running the ferry he established a tavern or hotel near his ferry and it became a stopping place for horse-drawn traffic on the river road, which by then must have been somewhat improved. Kirk?s Tavern was much used by shantymen and was a stopping place for the stage-coach. In addition to running the ferry and hotel he sold machinery, and it was said that those who bought equipment from him had better make sure that they obtained receipts for money paid over to him.

[Kirk] had created a horse-drawn ferry in the 1850s with horses walking on both sides of the river, pulling the boats across the river with a pulley system. Once the dam was built, this became too dangerous and the ferry operation stopped.

Newspaper Article - date and publication unknown:
Mr. Thomas Kirk, from Londonderry Ireland, came to the Gatineau shortly after the Blackburns and got Land on both sides of the river and at a Place where the stream is flat and placid for some distance, a thing not very common on that rapid river; there he established what was long known as Kirk?s Ferry. Teams and loads were ferried on a scow. That seems to have ceased as nothing larger than a small boat has been there for years. Mrs. Kirk was a Miss Green, whose brother was a shipping merchant of Londonderry. Their family consisted of eight daughters and two sons. The eldest son was a surveyor and dwelt at Stratford, Ontario. On a visit there we met a son of his, an intelligent young man, his father was out of town at the time.

John Kirk, the other son, married a Miss Brooks and lived on the right side of the river, opposite his father. They are both dead some years. Two daughters of theirs are married to two brothers by the name of Green, their grandmother?s maiden name. One lives in Hull city, the other in Chelsea. They are very intelligent young men, employed in the lumber at present but well qualified for any employment. The ladies are very accomplished and pleasant women. Another sister is Mrs. Brooks at Lowe. One of their brothers lives near Desert and the other at Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Mr. Kirk?s oldest daughter was Mrs. Eaton, now in the United States. The second was Mrs. John Stevenson who had nine daughters and three sons. The sons are on and near the homestead. One daughter is Mrs. Hutton near Desert with a fine family, one is Mrs. Samuel McClelland also a fine family, another is Mrs. Blyth of the city. Some young members are at home yet unmarried. Mr. Hutton was in the employ of the McLarens in the lumber business. He is now a very successful farmer.

Another of John Stevenson?s daughter is Mrs. Patterson who lived on the river bank a few miles east of the Peche where a son is now a merchant. The third daughter of T. Kirk became Mrs. Ricar, aunt by marriage to Mr. Wright, ex-M.P. The family we believe live in the U.S. The fourth daughter became Mrs. William Strachan. She is the mother of seven sons and three daughters. Two of the sons are dead. One was brought home and buried. Another was superintending a large gang in a quarry and died. His remains were brought home for burial. Two brothers and one sister live with their mother, now a widow. One is doing well in the Western States. Two live east of Cantley. Thomas is married to Miss Church, and Alexander to Miss Earle of Wakefield. One daughter is Mrs. Charles Pink of the mountain, Hull; the other lives up the Ottawa. Widow Carman is the fifth Kirk daughter, has five sons and four daughters, all married but one and live in various parts around about. Mrs. Heney was the sixth. Mr. Heney is one of our wealthy citizens. Their eldest daughter died very young, very highly spoken of, and one son was drowned, a young man of fine parts and very much esteemed. The other son is lately married to Miss Street, daughter of the well known John Street, son of the old Captain of March. One married daughter lives in New Brunswick, one in the eastern townships, and we think two at the St. Lawrence, whilst the youngest, best and beautiful one is but recently married. The seventh daughter of T. Kirk was drowned in the Gatineau, a dangerous river, from its steep rugged banks. ?she was the loved of all, yet none o?er her low bed may weep.? The eighth daughter was Mrs. Chamberlain who lived in Kazabazua and died young. Mr. Chamberlain afterwards married Miss Stevenson, daughter of Thomas Stevenson. She is now a widow with a son and a daughter, both young.