The Muskoka Road surveyors were all part of a community. They knew each other personally; they knew each other’s work; they were apprentices and mentors to each other in their careers.
I’m not sure why I was surprised when I realized that they all knew each other. Of course they would – there were not a lot of surveyors in Upper Canada in the mid-1800s; they were part of the professional elite in society, along with doctors, lawyers and bankers. Some of these guys went to school together, they formed companies together, one surveyor would continue a line where his friend left off, one of them married his mentor’s younger sister.
I’ve even found connections between a couple of the surveyors and myself! Robert Bell, whose survey line formed the most significant east-west reference point in Upper Canada for over fifty years, moved to Bytown (Ottawa) after his surveying career. There he set up a newspaper, The Packet, which he renamed a year later to The Ottawa Citizen. This paper is delivered to my front door every morning.
And John Stoughton Dennis, who surveyed the Muskoka Road from Muskoka Falls to Dorset, fought in the militia against the Fenians in Fort Erie. I was born in Niagara Falls, just 25 kilometres away. But wait, there’s more! Dennis’ great-great-great grandson is my former next door neighbour.
Communities. We all belong to at least one. And in most lives – mine, yours – are the most amazing of connections! I’m thinking about that today…
That is amazing! It’s a small world. I definitely think you should put these kinds of connections into the book somewhere – they are fascinating and, as you say, really get you thinking about the nature of community.
In fact, the creation of a community would make a good book theme!
You are so right about the theme of community, my friend! Muskoka is a very tight-knit community, whether we’re talking full-time or seasonal residents. And that community had its start along the road. I think you are onto something.