Holmes Farm

The photo shows the farm of George N. Holmes, Lot 14, Concession 5 Widdifield, about 1902.

The government agent in Sturgeon  Falls offered land “FOR SALE AT FIFTY CENTS AN ACRE AND SETTLEMENT DUTIES” in the local paper. George Holmes and his wife took advantage of this in 1892. George reported later, “Came here from Prince Edward County.  Cut my first tree where my house now stands 3 years ago, and have now 16 acres in crop and hay… Am doing well.” Like many “bush farmers” George had to supplement his income with outside work; in his case cutting and selling/bartering firewood.

The original homestead was constructed of large 2 to 3 foot diameter logs, squared to fit together. The second floor was constructed of lumber and the roof was cedar shingles. The homestead had one large room on the south side with a parlour stove, and the kitchen on the north side had a cook stove. There were three bedrooms upstairs.  Later a milking room and workshop were added.The 1901 Canada census reports that those living at the homestead at that time were George Holmes, his wife, eldest daughter and 5 sons, John Fraser (an employee at their small sawmill) and his wife and daughter, and William Irish, a boarder.

Memories of… All in Black
“My great-aunts remember their mother’s funeral in 1902 (she died of “consumption”) when the crowds of people wore black and even the horse and buggies had black ribbons on them. Great-aunt Nina remembers her father, for years later, sitting in his rocking chair at the homestead, smoking his pipe and looking out the front window across the road at the cemetery. Then with a grunt he would get up from the chair, grab his packsack and gun and with a mumbled “I will be back in a day or two”, left for the bush.”

— Glen Holmes