The Archives of Ontario Celebrates Our Agricultural Past: Settling the Land

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A Collection of Agricultural Images | Sources and Resources

Agriculture was practised in Ontario long before the creation of records to document it. The Huron used the land to grow corn, peas, squash, kidney beans and sunflowers. When the American Revolution ended in 1783, many British loyalists, who were forced to leave the United States, chose to settle in what would become Ontario. They were offered free land, tools, and seeds. This 1925 painting below which is based on a much older painting, recreates a scene of newly arrived Loyalists on the shores of the St. Lawrence.
Click to see a larger image (227K) Encampment of the Loyalists in Johnstown, a new settlement on the banks of the River St. Lawrence in Canada West, taken June 6th 1784 [copied 1925] J. R. Simpson, after James Peachey Museum Program Drawings, Department of Education Reference Code: RG 2-344-0-0-89 Archives of Ontario, I0003081
It was not until the late 18th century, however, that large-scale settlement of farmland took place with the establishment of a land granting process. To earn the right to own a piece of property, emigrants petitioned the Crown with a promise to fulfil certain duties, such as clearing trees, cultivating the soil, and building houses. If the requirements were met, the settler was granted ownership. Others were awarded land for free, including members of the militia and United Empire Loyalists, as rewards for their allegiance and service to the King.

Some of the earliest records in the Archives holdings that visually illustrate settling and clearing the land are from the Langton family fonds. Anne Langton was a prolific artist whose family settled in the area around Fenelon Falls, near Peterborough, Ontario. The sketch to the right shows the farm built by her brother John Langton. Soon after he designed Blythe Farm which would become the family's permanent home. The house, sketched below, was the first two-storey log house to be built in the area. The sketch below was completed around 1851 when the house was about ten years old.	Click to see a larger image (82K) End view of John's house, near Fenelon Falls, Ontario, 1837 Anne Langton Pencil drawing Reference Code: F 1077-8-1-4-19 Archives of Ontario, I0008042
Click to see a larger image (321K) Blythe [Farm, near Fenelon Falls, Ontario], [ca. 1851] Anne Langton Watercolour Reference Code: F 1077-8-1-2-52 Archives of Ontario, I0008416
The photograph to the right shows the farmhouse at Blythe farm as it appeared in the late 1940s, a little over 100 years old. The photograph below, also taken in the late 1940s shows the barn at Blythe Farm. The barn is a bank barn typical of hundreds of barns across Ontario. The design, which is built on the side of a hill, provides two entrances at ground level. The bottom level was used to house animals and the upper level was used for the storage of equipment and hay, and for thrashing grains. Holes in the upper level floor allow food to be dropped down to the animals below. To learn more about Anne Langton, visit our online exhibit: Anne Langton - Gentlewoman, Pioneer Settler and Artist .	Click to see a larger image (56K) [Blythe farmhouse in winter, near Fenelon Falls, Ontario], [ca. 1948] Photographer unknown. Langton family papers. Black and white print Reference Code: F 1077-11-0-2-16 Archives of Ontario, I0011261
[View of barn and farm buildings, beyond wooden fence on Blythe farm, near Fenelon Falls, Ontario], [ca. 1948] Photographer unknown Langton family papers Black and white print Reference Code: F 1077-11-0-2-7 Archives of Ontario, I0011251

Beginning in 1869, Government advertising programs were created to encourage people to settle in Ontario. Through the use of pamphlets, posters, and very persuasive agents, emigrants from United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States were drawn to Ontario for the free land and hope for a better future.
Click to see a larger image (387K) Emigration to the Province of Ontario, 1869 Department of Immigration Reference Code: C 233-1-5-1938 Archives of Ontario Poster collection

Over the years various government programs have been created to attract newcomers from all over the world seeking the opportunity to live and work in Ontario and contribute to its growing agricultural industry.
In 1921, Ontario led the way as the province with the highest annual field crop value and highest immigration rates. At that time, the most prominent immigrant groups were English, Irish, Scottish, French, German, Dutch and Italian.	Click to see a larger image (247K) Ontario Department of Agriculture. Farming in Ontario. Toronto: The Department, [ca.1924] Archives of Ontario Library Collection Call No: Pamph nd F #16 folder G-445
Click to see a larger image (238K) Values of farm property in Ontario, 1923 The Ontario Department of Agriculture Archives of Ontario Library Collection, Call No: Govt Doc A Misc Box 2 No 7

Ontario. Department of Agriculture. Ontario : the premier province of Canada : settlers’ opinions. Toronto: The Department, 1911 Archives of Ontario Library Collection, Call No: Govt Doc A Misc Box 2 No 4
Many were convinced to leave the poverty and cramped living conditions in Great Britain after reading the glowing words of former neighbours who had become Ontario farmers. These and other examples of promotional materials can be found in the Archives of Ontario Library and Department of Agriculture collections. Click to see a larger image (137K) Planting with a dual seeding machine, 1919 Reuben Sallows Reference Code: C 223-3-0-0-4 Archives of Ontario, I0002265
Click to see a large image (205K) Finnish farm in the Fort William District, 1926 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Representative Photograph Albums Reference Code: RG 16-274, Album 3, pg. 73 Archives of Ontario, I0019305

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A Collection of Agricultural Images | Sources and Resources

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