Daniel McLachlin was born in 1809 at St. Andrew's East, Rigaud Township, and by 1837 had built a sawmill and gristmill at Chaudiere Falls, Bytown. McLachlin bought 400 acres of property in Arnprior during 1851 and thus began a successful enterprise in which McLachlin was foremost known for his involvement in the timber trade. McLachlin had a hand in many facets of the Arnprior community and is generally regarded as the person who contributed the most to Arnprior's growth in the nineteenth century.
Language
English
Acquisition Source
Donated by Pat Hall (a descendant of Daniel McLachlin) in 1993.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of 30 letters to and from Daniel McLachlin concerning both personal and business matters. See item level records for descriptions of letter content.
93-0011-2
Letter from D. Barham[?]. -- March 1854. -- 1 letter.
Letter concerning emigration of grandmother in 1802 from Fort William, Inverness. Died January 13, 1854 at 84 years of age.
93-0011-3
Letter from Sarah McLachlin. -- June 23, 1856. -- 1 letter.
Letter from Daniel's sister Sarah, writing from Breadalborne [Breadalbane?].
93-0011-4
Letter to Mrs. Dart or Fitzsimmons. -- letter copied March 8, 1858. -- 1 letter.
Copy of a letter sent by Daniel McLachlin to the addressee. Letter also has the date 1857.
93-0011-5
Letter from William Bredon. -- April 7, 1857. -- 1 letter.
Letter concerns a father’s concern for his missing son who he fears was killed in a log run.
93-0011-6
Letter from James Wilson. -- September 6, 1848. -- 1 letter.
Wilson was writing from the Bytown jail for bail money.
93-0011-7
Letter from Mr. Dawson. -- June 4, 8 and August 25, 1864. -- 3 letters.
Letters concern ownership of some islands located on the Madawaska River.
93-0011-8
Letter from Thomas Johnston. - February 14, 1860. -- 1 letter.
Letter to Daniel McLachlin concerning his nephew Hugh McLachlin being arrested and then escaping custody. He is now considered an escaped felon.
93-0011-9
Letter from Rev. H.J. Borthwick. -- June 18, July 1, 17, 1861. -- 3 letters.
Letters concerning the terms for payments for boarding Daniel's son Daniel Jr. July 1, 1861 letter contains Daniel Jr's report card.
93-0011-10
Letters from Joseph Braithwaite. -- 1854-1859. -- 8 letters.
Letters to Daniel McLachlin concerning the schooling of his sons John and Hugh in Chambly, Quebec. Letters also contain report cards for son Hugh.
93-0011-11
Letter from Alex McLachlin. -- October 29, 1842. -- 1 letter.
Letter to Daniel McLachlin from his brother Alex concerning the purchase of horses.
93-0011-12
Unknown signature on letter. -- April 11, March 14, 1843. -- 2 letter.
A letter sent to Daniel McLachlin protesting a note. Signature is very difficult to decipher.
93-0011-13
Letter from Nathaniel Burwash. -- June 26, 1843. -- 1 letter.
Letter written to Daniel McLachlin in Quebec where he was engaged in loading squared timber. Letter also mentions a smut machine. Nathaniel Burwash was a councillor in Bytown in the 1850's, he was also a lumber merchant.
93-0011-14
Letter from Nathaniel Burwash. -- July 5, 1843. -- 1 letter.
Letter to Daniel McLachlin concerning the mast issue.
93-0011-15
Letter from D. McCallum. -- October 10, 1843. -- 1 letter.
A letter from shanty man S. McCallum written from Hooker's Creek near Pembroke regarding canoes and supplies.
93-0011-16
Letter to E. Corthandle. -- February 3, 1848. -- 1 letter.
Letter from Daniel McLachlin with an account sheet for debts.
93-0011-17
Letter from Nathaniel Burwash. -- February 7, 1846. -- 1 letter.
Letter to Daniel McLachlin concerning a M. Wordsworth trespassing and taking timber off Daniel McLachlin's land.
93-0011-18
Letter from the Crown Land Department. -- February 11, 1848. -- 1 letter.
A letter from the Crown Land Department refusing to specify why a particular decision was made. Letter was written by John Macdonald who answered McLachlin's question in a very curt response.
93-0011Photo
Description Year
1 col. Brooch presented to Mrs. Daniel
McLachlin in 1860 by the
Prince of Wales 1994
Brooch is in the Arnprior Museum
Notes
There is a poem or song called “The Old Shantyman” in the Arnprior Watchman of May 23, 1919, page 6 (Reel N 584).
Related Material
See also Arnprior and District Museum Collection, 93-0005
See also Daniel McLachlin (Texas) fonds for more similar letters from this time period.