Early Industry

By the early 1840s, Richard Paxman, a shoemaker by trade who hailed from the UK, had built a house and an outbuilding in which he was operating a tannery. The buildings were on a parcel of land along the north shore of the Humber River, part of George Bolton’s mill site
The plentiful supply of hemlock trees in the vicinity provided an ample source of bark to create the tanning solution that converted raw animal hides into leather
The resulting leather was used to make shoes, boots, saddles, straps and harnesses
By 1845, Richard Paxman had achieved sufficient success to purchase the property from George Bolton
In 1848, he sold the tannery business to Joseph Warbrick Sr.

The name Paxman has been recorded as ‘Pexham’ in some documents

The old dam near the bend in Mill Street. Photo taken prior to 1912. Note the denuded hillside.

Panorama view looking west along the Humber River towards the Queen Street bridge. Photo taken prior to 1912.

Humber River looking east from Queen Street. Photo taken prior to 1912.

ABHS Meeting: Monday February 11, 7:15 pm

Caledon’s Militia in the 1800s presented by Nathan Hiller.

During the 19th century Canada was under threat, primarily from beyond its borders but also from within them. The responsibility to protect British North America fell mostly on the trained and equipped British army and navy but the Militia began to play a greater role in our own defence. The Militiamen of the townships of Albion, Caledon and Chinguacousy, the present day Town of Caledon, were an active part of that defence. It began before the first settlers came to Caledon and lasted until the outbreak of WW1.

Nathan will share research that he has gathered on the local militia accompanied by a digital slide show. Families that have photographs, documents or artifacts pertaining to their ancestors’ role in the local militia are invited to bring them to the meeting.