Marily Seitz | Sep 15, 2016


On September 9 the Ompah Community Centre was filled with folks interested in local history. Linda Rush welcomed the crowd. The evening came together because Bruce Moore, Marily Seitz and Linda wanted to have a discussion event (or events) where we could learn more about differing topics. They decided that the history of the settlement of Ompah would be a good topic with which to start.

Bruce Moore spoke of the meaning of the name Ompah. In Algonquin it means 'long step' which, while a long walk, was also the shortest portage between the Madawaska River system and the Mississippi River system. It was in this period that the Algonquin began interacting with Europeans who used these two rivers to transport furs to trading posts. As the demand for fur in Europe declined, the demand for timber increased. Then when the timber trade declined the government wanted to settle the land and offered free land to those who would clear twelve (12) acres and stay for a minimum of four (4) years.

Linda Rush then introduced LeeAnn White and asked her to tell about her ancestors’ arrival and how they lived. Her great great grandmother died at sea but the rest of the family moved to Donaldson then Plevna before finally settling in Ompah. One hundred and one-year-old LeeAnn had many stories to tell of the hard work but also of great fun. Young folk in the area would often walk to Folger to dance the night away then walk back and work all the next day. Marily Seitz often found herself forgetting her note-taking duties as she laughed along with the audience to LeeAnn's humorous tales.

Murray Elliott then took over the podium. He was born in Kingston and came home as a baby on the K&P Railroad. He spoke about living in and off the bush. Folks sold beaver pelts, bags of wool, cream and handmade products. They had cows, chickens, pigs, a horse or two and a big garden. Murray echoed LeeAnn's words of the hard work but also the fun of living with a large family in the bush.

Barbara Sproule then told of the history of the townships. 1738 saw the construction of Fort Frontenac in Upper Canada. In 1798 Lt. Governor Simcoe authorized a survey, which established lots of 100 or 200 acres. Logging was a big part of the economy. 1865 saw the opening of the first post office in Ompah. Palmerston and South Canonto Township was established in 1868, and two years later North Canonto was added to the township. Barbara told of a pair of settlers who arrived in the area in late fall with no home to go to. They built a brush shelter with a dirt floor and stayed for the winter. As Barbara tells the tale, the wife cried for two months.

Following the presentations, questions were asked by the audience. Some folks shared stories of the arrival of their ancestors as well. Leonard Emery set up a log on saw horses and invited folks to try out the two-person saw to see just how much effort was required to cut timber, the primary source of income before the settlement period.

Many folks stayed afterwards to chat, ask questions, share memories and make suggestions for other topics to be explored in the future.

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