Allen Paterson (1752 - 1809)

Husband of Cornelia (Munro) Fraser — married 7 Feb 1784 in Montreal, , Québec, Canada

Died 1809 at about age 57 in Morrisburg, Matilda, Ontario, Upper Canada

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Biography

This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import. It's a rough draft and needs to be edited.

Burial

Burial:

Date: 1809

Place: Morrisburg, Matilda, Ontario, Riverside Uel ME

User ID

User ID: A9B2D3C268C34AEF81E48FE252B4F781A8C9

Note

Note: #NI22049

Data Changed

Data Changed:

Date: 27 May 2001

Prior to import, this record was last changed 27 May 2001.

Marriage

Husband: Allen Paterson

Wife: Cornelia Munro

Marriage:

Date: 7 Feb 1784

Place: Montreal, , Québec, Canada

Note: #NF7616^[1][2]

Data Changed:

Date: 20 Jan 2009

Sources

Notes

Note NI22049

BIO:Charles Paterson was one of a group of Canadians who formed the Northwest Fur Company. Actual founders was the firm of McTavish, Frobisher & Co. in 1782 with 16 Shares owned by the following:

TBL: Todd & McGill (2) Ben & Jo Frobrisher (2) McGill & Paterson (2) McTavish & Co. (2) Walker & Co. (2) Homes & Grant (2) McBreath & Co. (2) Ross & Co. (1) Oakes & Co. (1)

BIO:Allen Paterson was a younger brother of Charles. The following information was published by the Champlain Society in their "Biographical Dictionary of the Nor'westers", JHW 1955, Toronto.:

TBL:"Charles Paterson was a trader from Montreal whose name first appears in the fur-trade licenses in 1770. He appears on the Sasakatchewan in 1774, and in the winter of 1775-6 he made, with Alexander Henry and William Holmes an overland journey to the Assiniboine. He formed a partnership with John McGill, and the firm of McGill and Paterson held two shares in the sixteen-share North West Company formed in 1779. About 1783, however, he withdrew from the North West Trade, for his name is not found among the partners of the North West Company of that year; and shortly afterward he became the director for the trade of the Michilimackinae Company in Lake Michigan. He was drowned in Lake Michigan, off a point still known as Paterson's Point, on September 10. 1788; and a vivid account of his death has been left us by J.B. Perrault who was an eyewitness. He had a brother, Allen, who was in partnership with him after 1780, but who retired from the fur-trade after his death, and who married in 1784 Cornelia, the daughter of Capt. John Munro, of Matilda. Patrick Campbell, in his "Travels" (Edinburgh, 1793) has left an account of a conversation with Allen Paterson, in which the latter told how he and his brother Charles had, during the first three years of their partnership, lost L3000., but how in the two subsiquent years they had had a profit of twice that sum." Allen Patterson was considerably older than Cornelia Munro at their marriage in 1784 (Listed in Christ Church Anglican Registers, Montreal for 1784).

BIO:Cornelia recieved a Crown Land Grant upon her marriage as a daughter of Capt. John Munro UEL. The West half of Lots 4 and 5 Con 1, in Matilda were given as Crown grants to Allen Paterson dated 17 May 1801. (He was listed as a "guide" for the British Army during the Revolutionary War.) These same lots were subsequently willed by Allen to his neice and nephew, children of Robert Paterson and were on record as sold in 1853 and 1854 by Alexander Paterson and Jannet Paterson Peebles.

BIO:On Lot 9 Con 2 (a Crown grant dated 4 June 1796) adjacent to land granted to her father, the Hon. John Munro, the Paterson's built a large home that was referred to in many writings as the "Blue House". Cornelia was described by contemporary writers as being "a handsome woman", and entertained frequently, sometimes assisting her mother as hostess for visitors at "Fowlis" the Munro mansion overlooking the St Lawrence River. The "Blue House" was later converted to a hotel and was a well remembered stop on the Stage Route.

BIO:Allan Paterson died in 1809 and was buried in the Munro plot at the Matilda Cemetery along the St. Lawrence River. When this area was flooded in the St Lawrence Seaway Project his stone marker was moved to the U.E.L. Cemetery at Riverside. This marker is inscribed "In memory of Allan Paterson, Esq. who departed this life the 9th December 1809 Aged 57 years. This stone is erected by his affectionate wife Cornelia Paterson".

BIO:Cornelia was 46 years old when widowed and subsequently married Col. Thomas Fraser, U.E.L. an old Army compatriot of her father.

BIO: WILL OF ALAN PATERSON Written, signed and dated at Matilda on 4th February, 1809.

TBL:"In the name of God, Amen .... I give and bequeath to my dear wife Cornelia Patterson all my real estate and land for which the Patents under the great seal of Upper Canada have already issued (except such land as I bequeath to other persons in this will) To Have and to Hold the said real estate and lands to the said Cornelia Patterson, my said Wife, during her natural life, and also to sell and dispose of all or any part..... and after said term I give and bwqueath the remainders thereof to the children of my brother Robert Patterson, Elizabeth the daughter of Jane Corbet, Widow, now residing in Scotland, and the children of my deceased sister Elizabeth Woodrow, or the survivors of all of them..... I give and bequeath to Allen Munro, son of Cornelius Munro, Esq. of Cornwall...the West half of Lot # 10 in 2nd concession ....in the District of Johnstown ... and I give and bequeathe to Allan Warffe, son of Richard Warffe, Cornwall the East half of Lot # 10..... I give and bequeathe to my said wife Cornelia Patterson lot # 15 on the 6th concession of Matilda which I request her to divide and disperse in reverence of my memory, whenever she may think proper, that is to say, one hundred acres to Joseph the son of Margaret, my late black servant......, and the remainder of the last mentioned lot to Matilda the daughter of the said Margaret..... I give and bequeath to Allan Harrison, my Neices' son now in London lot # 9 in the 3rd concession of Matilda... I give and bequeath to my said wife Cornelia Patterson.. all my real estate and lands for which Patents under the Great Seal aforesaid have not as yet issued.....all my personal property except my breeding mare called Bernice, which I give to my Worthy friend The Honorable Chartier D Lotbinere, Esq. of Lower Canada... Lastly I appoint my said wife Cornelia Patterson my Executor and the Honorable Chartier D Lotbinere aforementioned and Samuel Sherwood, Esq. of Augusta and the Reverend John Farquhar of Cornwall my Executors..... (Signed) Allen Paterson

BIO:The following manuscript concerning the Patersons was written by Roy F. Fleming, 47 Rosebery Ave., Ottawa (undated).

THL: THE OLD BLUE HOUSE

NOTED HOME OF ALLAN PATERSON EARLY SETTLER OF 18TH CENTURY ON THE ST.

LAWRENCE RIVER SHORE

The Old Blue House was built in pioneer Loyalist days by Allen Paterson on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River at the head of Rapide du Plat, on lot 4, Concession 1, Township of Matilda, Dundas County, Canada.

Although the Paterson deed of this land is dated 1802, the house was built and occupied by him about 1787 or 1788.(1) Lady Simcoe tells in her diary that she and Lt. Governor J.G. Simcoe stopped there overnight in their ascent of the rivere 1792, - "We went about 35 miles (from Louck's Tavern) to Mr. Paterson's at the Rapide Plat where we slept, in a damp room." J. Ross Robertson says in his notes in this Diary, - "The house was known for a hundred years as 'The Old Blue House,' and within its walls were entertained almost every noted man of the first forty years of the history of Upper Canada,"

Alan Paterson (1752-1809) was a Scottish Fur Trader who, along with his brother Charles, was associated for many yeaars with the North West Company with headquarters at Michillimackinac, Lake Huron. The two Patersons are mentioned in the Mican Pioneer Society Reports as prominent traders in the Lakes region from the dates of 1770 to 1786.

Alan Paterson after returning from the fur trade with considerable wealth, came to Matilda Township to settle on farm lands. He soon married Cornelia, daughter of Hon. John Munro, member of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada of 1792. (2

Continues:

Munro's home was on the shore about half a mile west of the Blue House site. As Munro operated a pioneer saw-mill, described by Lady Simcoe as "cutting twelve planks in an hour," it was probably due to this convenient source of sawn lumbert Paterson had his Blue House built of planks instead of logs, the usual material for houses of that period.

The Blue House is described as a large two-storey building of oak timber, built in dutch style with a high pointed roof and three gable windows on the south side facing the river; there was also a wide "stoop" or verandah. The house was paid a bright blue color which was unusual. (3) The entrance doorway was particularly attractive, being of Colonial design with arch above and panel-lights on either side. The finish carpentry within was of goos style, some of it as well as the glass required, having been obtained in Montreal. In all the Blue House was distinguished and conspicuous in appearance, and soon became a well-known landmark on the river. Later a wing was added to the building. A barn and stables were also built, and farming operations carried on. Paterson was an enthusiastic horticulturist, setting out a large apple orchard, chiefly of fameuse (the snow-apple of Lower Canada) and russets. He also planted acacia (locust) trees. poplars and elms, some of these still standing.

The chief helpers at the Blue House and farm were three French-Canadians, whom Paterson had brought from the Michillimackinac fur trade, Mrs. Margaret Burgoyne, son Joseph and daughter Matilde (later married to one James Stewart.)

Both Mr. and Mrs. Paterson were genial and friendly people; and in their fine home the extended liberal hospitality to both friends and travelling strangers. The service apparently developed into a sort of pioneer guest-home for the richer cs of early travelers. In J. Smith Carter's boor "Story of Dundas" the hospitality of the Paterson House is described as follows:

"The stagecoach which first made its appearance in Upper Canada in 1798, passed the old Blue House, and many distinguished Canadians and Europeans often journeyed from Montreal to Upper Canada, and driving on such trips the Blue House was theual stopping place.

"The location of this historic house, at the head of Rapid du Plat, increased its attractiveness. It was a famous centre for tourists, a sort of rondexvous for the aristocracy who came "up country"; letters were generally addressed - "Blue He, River du Plat, Upper Canada."

The Patersons had many friends and acquaintances in the settlements along the river front. These included Samuel Sherwood of Agusta, Thomas Fraser of Grenville County, Capt. McMartin of Morrisburf Point, Allen Wurff, Rev, and Mrs. Strachan oornwall and the Hon. Chartier de Lotbiniere, Seigneur of Vaudriel.

The brother, Charles Paterson of Michillimackinac, was an occassional sojourner at the Blue House. However on his last journey by canoe about 1800 to visit his brother he lost his life in the Gallop Rapids when the canoe upset. The leatherg of gold he was bringing with him was also lost there. thus adding to the storied romance of this great wasterway. (3)

Alan Paterson died childless in 1809, possessed of a large amount of real estate and other assets. According to his will, he owned several farms in the river townships, fifteen parcels totalling 2375 acres, besides other farms for which pats under the Great Seal had not then been issued.

The chief beneficiary was his wife. However provision was made for the eventual sale of the 300 acres of land with the Blue House and barns for the benefit of certain relatives in Scotland. (4) The only one of these heirs to come to Canada take claim was Elizabeth Findlay (1793-1861) along with her husband John Findlay (1792-1867).

Soon after Paterson's death the widow married an old friend of the family, Capt. Thomas Fraser of Edwardsbyrg, and there she went to live.

The Blue House and farm then came in charge of the trusted Burgoyne family, who continued the travel services of the place for many years.

It was arranged by the widow beneficiary that the Blue House property would be taken over by the Findlays when they should arrive from Scotland, but with the condition that a substancial payment be made in cash. This as well as other assisste was given to the Findlays by a neighbor friend, William Kyle.

Mr. and Mrs. Findlay arrived about 1826, bringing with them considerable good furniture, silver and china-ware to aid in the embellishment of the Blue House.

The Findlays and the Kyles were great friends, the Kyle daughter Isabelle Kyle (later Mrs. Farlinger) lived for a time with the Findlays.

In 1848 the Blue House homestead was purchased by William Kyle, and soon became the possession of his son-in-law Capt. Alexander Farlinger. Mrs. Findlay died in the Farlinger home, the noted house "Belmont" in Morrisburg, in 1861.

It was about 1849 when the Rapid du Plat canal was under construction that the site of the Blue House was required as part of the new waterway. The house, the large wing being first removed, was transferred northward about 50 yards and placen the south side of the new roadway but still facing the river.

In 1889 a further enlargement of the canal with W.J. Poupour as contractor, was undertaken which resulted in another removal of the house. Thus in 1891 after the Government had purchased four acres of the immediate land along with the Blue He, the building was moved further north to its last resting place.

During the canal repairs of 1912-13 the Blue House was used as a boarding house for Italian workmen, and in the Spring of 1913 ir burned down, having caught on fire from a grass fire.

The site is now part of a Provincial Highways Roadside park, on the south side of Highway 2, three miles west of Morrisburg and four miles east of Iroquois. (4)

When the Blue House was sold the furniture and furnishings were mostly brought to the Farlinger house where some of them still remain. A mahogany "highboy" is with one of the Farlinger nieces in Edmonton, Alberta. Some of the flat silver andurniture are with nieces in Simcoe, Ontario. Several valuable books were given to the library of Victoria University.

Miss Farlinger, a good student of pioneer history of the St. Lawernce shores, has supplied much of the above information and as well has loaned the original copy of Alan Paterson's will.

TBL:Notes by V. Munro (1) The Blue House was probably built after 1788 as Hon. John Munro was in England until 1787 pleading his Loyalist claims; a hoiuse for the Munros was first constructed as well as the mills on Lot 8 Concession 1. It is believed the Patersons lived with the Munros during the construction of the Blue House. (2) Cornelia Munro married Alan Paterson while the family was living at L'Assumption before settlement in Upper Canada. (3) Charles Paterson actually drowned in Lake Michigan as witnessed and described by fur-trader Perrault of the North West Company in his diary. (4) The described site is now flooded following the St. Lawrence Seaway construction in the 1950's.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Munro, Henry Dallas - GEDCOM file HMUNRO.GED dated 9 Oct

1996

(2) "The Munro Eagle" - number 27 - summer 1997-1998 - p. 34

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Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

1. ↑ Source: #S14 Page: GEDCOM file - prepared 8 Oct 1996 - RIN 76
2. ↑ Source: #S14 Page: GEDCOM file - prepared 8 Oct 1996 - RIN 76

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Kevin Munro for creating WikiTree profile Paterson-970 through the import of HenryHerbertMUNRO.ged on Dec 24, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Kevin and others.