Sketch LXXII

Old Newport

Not many people in Norfolk ever heard of Newport, although thousands annually visit the spot where it once flourished. Old Newport is known to-day as “The Glen.”[1] Many of our young people have visited this beautiful little leaf-embowered summer resort, and sat beneath the grand old trees, or strolled beside the cool, clear waters of the murmuring brook that winds around through what is called “Lover’s Retreat,” little dreaming that this quiet, peaceful resting-place was once a business centre of considerable importance. The spot where Sunday-school scholars now dance and skip in childish glee, was once the place where whiskey was made. It was the place where the “chaw-chaw” of the old upright saw was heard in sawing logs into lumber. It was the place where the hum of machinery made music in the little valley, in grinding wheat into flour and in “chopping” rye and corn for the neighboring distilleries; and it was the place where merchandise was sold to farmers who came with loads of grain from farms many miles away. What a wonderful transformation has been brought about! Where once upon a time the air was laden with dust and the earth strewn with saw-dust, slab-piles and dirty pools of distillery slops, are now seen clean, winding walks, rustic bridges, green terraces, floral beauty and clear waters.

I[t] is claimed by one branch of the Mabee family, that Pellum, youngest son of the original Frederick Mabee, built the first distillery at this place, which he afterward sold to Silas Montross. Mr. Montross was an early settler, having settled on the lot adjoining Newport on the east and he operated this distillery at an early date.[2] Elder Finch and his son, Thomas, built a grist-mill at Newport in 1807, which was burned down by the Americans during the war of 1812.[3] Mr. Montross‘ distillery was sacked at the same time. The date of this event is given as May 14th, 1814. Before the embers were cold, plans were laid for a new mill. It was a loss deeply felt by the settlers, and they turned out en masse and helped to erect the new mill, which was built of logs, and completed and in operation within six weeks from the time the old mill was burned. In the adjustment of losses the Finches received $500, or fifty per cent, of the appraised value of the mill. Thomas Finch had embarked in the mercantile business in Vittoria, which did not prove successful, and an interest in the Newport property was sold to one McQueen. But the complication was too much for them, and in about the year 1825 their interest passed into the hands of Cross & Fisher. The old firm had commenced to build a new mill, which was finished by the new firm after they came into possession.

The business conducted by Cross & Fisher in Long Point settlement was a success from the very start. Donald Fisher began his business career as a young clerk in the city of Montreal. Thomas Cross was a young Vermonter, engaged in the cattle trade. His principal market was Montreal, and it was while visiting this market he became acquainted with Mr. Fisher. This acquaintance ripened into friendship, resulting in the formation of a business partnership.

But they were undecided as to the best place for the location of their business. They finally decided that it would be either Vittoria, in the Long Point settlement, or Amherstburg, in the Detroit River settlement. It seems they were unable to make a choice between these two, and so they left it to blind chance by tossing up a penny—heads for Vittoria; tails for Amherstburg. Heads won. Thus it is that the merest chance sometimes changes the drift of men’s lives, fixing thereby the future destinies of succeeding generations.

They came to Long Point about the year 1816, and opened a general store in Vittoria; and when they purchased the Newport property they moved their mercantile establishment to that place. In addition to the distillery, grist-mill and store, they built a saw-mill—all of which they operated about ten years. During this time Newport was a busy place. They built two vessels, bought rye and wheat extensively, furnished “chop” for the Anderson distillery, and did a considerable shipping business. The annual volume of business transacted by them, amounted, it is said, to a sum varying from $50,000 to $60,000. The mill was propelled by an over-shot wheel, and old settlers speak in glowing terms of the excellence of the flour made there, and the quantity of flour received from a bushel of wheat being as high as forty-three pounds in some cases. Just before the Rebellion the firm dissolved, with assets aggregating $60,000.[4]

Mr. Cross never married. He died at the Anderson homestead in 1860, in his 72nd year. Mr. Fisher continued the milling business, but before the middle of the century was reached, the old mill was abandoned, after which it became a mass of ruins. Mr. Fisher died in 1867.[5]

Donald Fisher married Matilda, daughter of Silas Montross, and had two sons—John and Donald. The former married Harriet Sheppard, and settled in Michigan;[6] and the latter married Jennie, daughter of John Machon, of Vittoria. Miss Matilda, daughter of Donald Fisher, and her brother, Donald, are the present owners of “The Glen,” and while this proprietorship continues the public may rest assured that the little resort will be kept morally clean.

[1] This is present Fisher’s Glen on Long Point Bay between Normandale and Port Ryerse.

[2] It is unlikely that Pellum Mabee preceeded Silas Montross at Fisher’s Glen. Pellum was only eight years old when Silas Montross settled on Lot 20, Concession A, Charlotteville Township as early as the September 1795 report of Acting Surveyor General David W. Smith. His Crown Deed dated August 24, 1796 was recorded in the Abstracts of Deeds Register. Silas kept an inn here and on January 20, 1812, he purchased from Stephen Bartow a distillery and five acres of land in the southeast part of Lot 19, Concession A, Charlotteville Township at Fisher’s Glen. David Secord, a brother-in-law of Pelham Mabee was the original grantee of Lot 19 and was recorded there in the 1795 Surveyor’s Report. Secord sold this lot to Bartow on March 18, 1803, the transaction recorded in the Abstracts of Deeds Register.

[3] The mill in Lot 20, Concession 1, Charlotteville Township adjoining the Montross property in the north went through a succession of owners before the purchase by Reverend Titus Finch. David Secord received it as a part of his Crown Grant. He sold the mill and three acres of land to William Culver in 1804, the transaction recorded in the Abstracts of Deeds Register. Culver sold the mill to John Sovereign two years later in 1806 and he then sold to Finch in 1808. In the 1811 Assessment of Charlotteville Township, Titus Finch was taxed on a water-powered gristmill and a sawmill. He sold the mill to his son Thomas on September 12, 1815.

[4] Donald Fisher continued the milling business until about 1850. In the 1852 Census of Charlotteville Township, the shop was recorded vacant, the two mills out of repair, and no men employed.

[5] Thomas Cross died on May 22, 1860 aged 71 years and 1 month, and was buried in Vittoria United Chruch Cemetery. Donald Fisher died on October 13, 1866 and was buried in Vittoria Baptist Church Cemetery.

[6] John Fisher lived out his life in Charlotteville Township and died there on May 23 1886. He was buried in Fisher’s Glen Cemetery. His widow continued in Charlotteville Township and operated a general store, recorded in the 1901 Census. Donald Fisher Sr. had more children who died young and were buried in Fisher’s Glen Cemetery.