Bolton 1840

Bolton Circa 1840

 

Legend

  1. George Bolton, mill owner’s house c.1821
  2. Mill, built 1822-1823
  3. Harriet & John Godbolt’s farm c.1823
  4. Log School c.1830
  5. Store c.1831/Post Office c.1832
  6. Ann & Samuel Sterne’s log house c.1832
  7. Thomas Rogers’ inn c.1834
  8. Thomas Rogers’ smithy c.1834
  9. Catherine & Charles Bolton’s farm c.1836
  10.  Francis McDonald’s log house c.1836
  1. Cooperage c.1836
  2. Sterne’s store c.1837
  3. Margaret & William Devlin’s farm c.1837
  4. Richard Paxman, shoe-making c.1839
  5. Tannery c.1839
  6. Sterne’s distillery c.1839
  7. Sterne’s Hotel c.1839
  8. Hotel drivesheds and stables c.1839
  9. Tailor (unknown) c.1840
  10. Samuel Sterne’s threshing barn c.1840

What took BOLTON so long to grow?

  • By 1840, Bolton Mills could boast of the mill as well as 14 log buildings, two blacksmiths, two shoemakers, one tailor and a hotel.  It had taken almost 20 years to get to that point
  • Bolton’s growth had been impacted by several factors:
    • Impact of the survey
      • Bolton’s potential as a community was recognized at the time of the survey
      • The surveyor James Chewett surrounded the site with government-held property designed to provide income to the government or to reward high ranking military officers
        • See Survey: Bolton’s Mill Site was surrounded
    • Absentee land-owners
      • The government controlled land surrounding Bolton (Crown Reserves and Clergy Reserves, as well as 1000 acres of military grants) was not settled. 
      • Nearby land wasn’t being farmed and absentee landowners were not clearing their road allowances
      • road travel to the mill was a nightmare