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Where is Frontenac County?

Frontenac County is located in southeastern Ontario with its southern border on the St. Lawrence River. It currently is comprised of four townships, the Township of Frontenac Islands [Howe Island and Wolfe Island], South Frontenac Township [directly north of Kingston and including Sydenham], Central Frontenac Township [Hwy. 38 and Hwy. 7 intersection, including Sharbot Lake], and North Frontenac Township [Hwy. 509, 506, and 41, including Plevna]. Places in the Townships of Frontenac County: Township of Frontenac Islands The Municipal Township of Frontenac Islands is comprised of the historical townships Howe Island & Wolfe Island. Howe Island Wolfe Island South Frontenac Township The Municipal Township of South Frontenac is comprised of the historical townships Bedford, Loughborough, Portland & Storrington. District of Bedford District of Loughborough District of Portland District of Storrington Central Frontenac Township The Municipal Township of Central Frontenac is comprised of the historical townships Hinchinbrooke, Kennebec, Olden & Oso. Arden Crow Lake Elm Tree Godfrey Henderson Mountain Grove Parham Piccadilly Sharbot Lake Tichborne North Frontenac Township The Municipal Township of North Frontenac is comprised of the historical townships Barrie, Clarendon, Miller, North Canonto, Palmerston & South Canonto. Barrie Clarendon Miller North Canonto South Canonto Palmerston The historical townships of Kingston & Pittsburgh are now part of the City of Kingston

Township of Frontenac Islands Mailing Address: Wolfe Island Business & Tourism Association, Box 132, Wolfe Island, Ontario K0H 2Y0, (613) 385-1875 voice mail Howe Island To see an excellent map of Howe Island, click on this outside link . This map can be enlarged to see the names of residents of the island. The following information has been copied from an Adobe document: Originally settled by Irish, Roman Catholic farmers, this large island once was home to more sheep than people! Wool, milk, and eggs were the currency of exchange. The present community on Howe Island reflects the historic settlement of the place. Remnant farms dot the island, although many farms have been replaced by seasonal cottages. The winter community of 400 people easily triples when the warm weather arrives. Access to the island is by boat or ferry. The Howe Island Ferry ferry schedule can be found at this outside link. A library can be found at 50 Baseline Road. For more information on the library, go to this link. Howe Island also has its own fire department, information at this link. The Roman Catholic church on the island is St. Philomena, (Howe Island Drive, Howe Island, ON) 613-382-2017 (fax)613-382-5002 Weekend Mass Schedule: (Sept - June) - Sunday 9:00 am - Weekend Mass Schedule: (Jul-Aug) - Saturday 7:00 pm; Sunday 8:30 am - Weekday Mass Schedule: 8:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. John F.E. Grainger St. Philomena, Howe Island is a Mission of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Gananoque For additional information go to this outside link. Congratulations on a great site and thanks for all your hard work! Wolfe Island To see an excellent map of Wolfe Island, click on this outside link. This map can be enlarged to see the names of residents of the island. There are two villages on the island, Marysville and Garden Island Village. An online book about Wolfe Island, Wolfe Island, past and present by Winston Michael Cosgrove can be found at this link. There is currently a wind turbine project in the works slated for 2007, where 86 turbines will be placed to generate green power. Access to the island is by boat or ferry. The Wolfe Island Ferry ferry schedule can be found at this outside link. A library can be found at 10 Hwy. 95, Box 29, Wolfe Island, ON K0H 2Y0. The phone number is 613-385-2112. The Anglican church on the island is Church of the Trinity, Christ Church and is only in operation in the summer months. For additional information go to this outside link. Congratulations on a great site and thanks for all your hard work! ^ Return to Top

South Frontenac Township Mailing Address: Township of South Frontenac, Box 100, Sydenham, ON K0H 2T0 - 613-376-3027 Fax: 613-376-6657 - Clerk Administrator: Gord Burns - www.township.southfrontenac.on.ca District of Bedford Bedford was originally called Buttermilk Falls. The following information was sent by Betty O'Connor: Bedford township is not the same as Bedford Mills. We are in the process of forming an historical society for Bedford township. We meet the first Thursday of every month at Glendower hall on the Westport road at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. This area around Glendower was settled around 1846 by irish emmigrants, who came over on one ship during the potato famine. I am including a link to another site which tells of Bedford Mills, the ghost town. Click here to go there. Cemeteries in Bedford Townships are Sacred Heart on the Westport Road and Thompson Burial Ground. If anyone has contributions or lists of these cemeteries, please email the site coordinator and share your information. Bedford Mills Cascade is a natural waterfall which can be viewed at this link. District of Loughborough Loughborough information can also be found if you search for Battersea or Sydenham. Cemeteries in Loughborough include Sydenham Cemetery, Desert Lake, Wilmer, and Opinicon. The 1819 census for Portland and Loughborough can be found at this link. The Anglican Church in Loughborough is St. Paul's, Sydenham, also serving Harrowsmith and Verona. District of Portland Since the late 1700's when survey groups were sent out by Sir Frederick Haldimand, the Governor of Canada, to find resettlement lands for the United Empire Loyalists, the picturesque Village of Portland has been a haven for travellers. A Heritage Tour of Portland is posted on this site . It's an excellent resource. District of Storrington The Islands website also has information on people from Storrington. Go to this link to see what they have on this site. A lovely pictoral site can be found at Bob's Lake Site . It shows some of the beauty of the area. This is a Must See, in my opinion! ^ Return to Top

Central Frontenac Township Mailing Address: Township of Central Frontenac, Box 89, Sharbot Lake, ON K0H 2P0 - 613-279-2935 Fax: 613-279-2422 - Clerk Administrator: Heather Fox - www.centralfrontenac.com e-mail: township@centralfrontenac.com Arden Robert Gerald Godfrey welcomes you to Arden, Ontario Used with permission Arden seems to be a small village, and my impression (having never been there) is that is a a tourist town in the summer and probably a small community in the winter months. If anyone can send me a description of Arden, such as size, what people do there, facilities for visitors, etc. I will be pleased to share it on this page. I'm pleased to say that Linda Godfrey has contacted me with lots of family information from Arden. Her information can be accessed from the main page, under Frontenac Scrapbooks. We have worked together to compile a Family Scrapbook for her which includes family photos, news articles, birth announcements, obituaries and many interesting things. Crow Lake An excellent site for both Crow Lake and Bob's Lake can be found at Many Islands, by Lloyd Jones. It gives a very thorough commentary on this area. Parham Early Days of Parham, Beginning 100 Years Ago. Written in 1933 with updates from A. Muriel Goodfellow. "PARHAM" was named by Sir Henry Smith of Kingston 100 years ago. The first settlers were River Drivers and they were here for just a short time each year but were the means of bringing permanent settlers here from Perth and vicinity, where Drivers came from.. They used to drive logs down lakes and rivers to Perth from Long Lake & other places close by water. A man by the name of Mahon (could be Mahan) built the house now owned by Mervin Howes. He operated a Hotel here. It is one of the first houses built . Two other men by names of Lee & Stone settled here about same time. They were related. Lee lived on farm now owned by C.D. York (Black's home) & Stone on farm owned by A.B. Howes, Arthur & Madeline. Lee & Stone were always quarrelling. It ended in Lee killing Stone & he is buried under the wood shed of Arthur's house. This property then passed into hands of Sir Henry Smith but fifteen acres were reserved for Mrs. Stone at the corner. She kept Hotel. Later married a man by name of Maquire. She then went by name of Granny Maquire. My grandfather George Howes Sr. bought this farm around 95 years ago. The first school held was in house formerly owned by Nigel Howes. The teacher was "Agnes Hamilton", Dr. Tom Goodfellow's mother and a Great Aunt of Jewel Howes. The first school was near Franklin Good's road. The first teacher was Minnie Switzer. The present school was built (at least) front part around 87 years ago. The first salary was $200.00 a year. Girls wore flannel dresses that were made by their mothers from wool they carded & spun. These dresses they wore for two or three years and they weren't worn out yet. The boys wore homespun pants & flannel shirts. High boots when they wore any that was just good cold weather. Womens boots ere 50 cents to $1.00 a pair. Boots were made from best leather and village shoe makers made them. David Goodfellow, his mother & brother John moved here from Picadilly 95 years ago. (kept Hotel where Les Judge lives) and settled on farm we still live on ( wee Frankie is fourth generation) Mr. Goodfellow's mother went to live with her daughter Elizabeth Howes (Mervin's grandmother - in Ross Howes' ( now Mervin's house). His brother John bought place now known as (Goodfellow summer house). He was first coumty constable. David Sr. was first undertaker in Parham. The first Store was owned by Thos. Grany & was situated by the bridge. The house where Earl Cornwall lives was owned by John Hamilton ( Arthur Hamilton's grandfather) He was first Justice of Peace, kept Post Office & store. David Cronk was first black smith where Kirkham's Garage. Then it was bought by Geo. Swerbrick & he built the house Mrs. Wicker lives in. Later traded with Geo. Lake for a house below Tichborne. There was a mill owned by Mr. Estes up the creek where they made broom handles and carded wool. Mr. Jno (John) Shillington built the mill W.D. Black owned it then Mr. John Lowery & Mr. Harry Card. Mr. Jno (John) Griffith ( Bruce's Grandfather) has a large store & Hotel near where good's store now stands. Bowes and Bissonett run the store & man by name of grey run the Hotel also Post Office. Henry Swerbrick had hotel in front of this store. W.D. Bertrim lived here. It burned down, then Mr. Bertrim lived in house formerly owned by Mrs. Wicker which had been built by Abe Swerbrick. The house now owned by Wm. Simmonett used to be back of Mrs. Wicker's on the hill. When railway was built it was moved to where it now is. Josh Dermott lived there and Mrs. Simmonett's father Carson Barr. Man by name of Switzer has shoe makers shop in house where Mrs. Wicker lives. A man by name of Connors had Hotel where little station was and there was also a store there owned by Richard Howes ( Joe Howes father) Then by William Hamilton, finally it burned. Mr. W.D. Black built the one George Cronk now owns on same spot. It was also moved after railway built. Mr. Black also built one Good's own now. Mr. Dawson Beatty was first wood worker. His successor was Josh Dermott ( Gordon's father) then Mr Estes, then John Campsall. The same house his son John still lives in. The present United Church was first Methodist Church & only one in Parham & has always been pretty well on same spot. The minister 80 years ago was Mr. Curtis . His appointments were Verona, Godfrey, Bethel, Wagarville & Parham. At this time Tichborne was Presbyterian. The parsonage was part of a house near the corner. The Anglican Church was on the hill in rock cut behind Cronk's store. The rectory was where Alberta's (Bird) house is. Mr. A.C. Wagar owned this when Rectory burned. The Church had been moved & new Rectory built when railway was built. The first Anglican minister in district was Mr. Dawson. He rode horse back as far north as Plevna and had services in homes. The first permanent minister was Mr. Farrar. Mrs. Bateman was first baby christened in Anglican Church. Note: there is more but the page has been cut off. Contributed by Muriel Villalta Some “ Firsts” at Parham First building where school was ever held, home of William Bertrim, 1861 First Church, Methodist, standing today on its first site. 1874 First teacher at Bertrim’s home, Agnes Hamilton, later Mrs. John Goodfellow First Anglican church service held in school house, Mr. Dawson, minister. First ordained Anglican Minister, regular, Rev. Dawson. Anglican church built on land to rear of Cronk’s store 1887 First school built on Concession road near road now leading to W.F. good’s 1865. First teacher in this school, Miss Minnie Ryan, Salary ($210.) First Post Office, June 1, 1862, postmaster, Thos. Grant First store, Thos. Grant, near the bridge. First Hotel on sit of Mervin Howes’ residence, Mr. Mahon. First blacksmith, David Cronk. First K and P passenger train, August, 1872. First child christened in Anglican church, Susan Goodfellow. First woodworker, Dawson Beattie First undertaker, David Goodfellow, Sr. First saw mill, Mr. Estes. First permanent Anglican clergyman stationed, Rev. Farrar. One of th first buildings, Henry Swerbrick, Hotel opposite Good’s store. First meeting to organize Women’s Institute, March 1923. First Free Methodist church 1938, Rev. B. Babcock Source: The Parham Tweedsmuir Book, Parham Women’s Institute 1963 Contributed by Muriel Villalta Sharbot Lake The main web site for Sharbot Lake can be found at this link. The Sharbot Lake web site for accommodations and attractions can be found at this link. ^ Return to Top

North Frontenac Township Mailing Address: Township of North Frontenac, Box 97, Plevna, ON K0H 2M0 - 613-479-2231 or 1-800-234-3953 Fax: 613-479-2352 - http://www.mazinaw.on.ca/northfrontenac e-mail: admin@mazinaw.on.ca Barrie An email received by your coordinator would like to know information on property they have purchased in Harlowe. If anyone can be of assistance in giving her the information she is requesting, please contact her directly. I have just bought a beautiful old property just north of the village of Harlowe (in North Frontenac County, Barrie Township) on Kashwakamak Lake Road (#1293). It is a 100-acre farm, the farmhouse was supposedly built in the 1880’s while the barn was built in the 1940’s. There are no other properties along the road until you reach the lake, so it is quite distinct. It is about 2 km’s north of the village of Harlowe. I would love to find information on this property, but don’t know where to begin as I have no names of former owners other than the woman whom I bought it from, and she does not have names to provide me. Any suggestions you might have as to where I could find history on this farm and it’s residents would be much appreciated! Regards, Cristina ^ Return to Top

This site is part of OntarioGenWeb Last updated: 2009