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George Ward Barn Quilt StoriesWritten by Rosemary Cranney, Becky Clark and Ken Willis celebrating history through fabric, film, paint and penYour WardsvilleCommunity Association [Wardsville Ontairo Canada] [www.wardsville.ca]#1Double Irish ChainThe Double Irish Chain was a popular quilt pattern used in the early 1800s. The history of the quilt pattern connects this quilt and the life of George Ward to his humble beginnings in his native country of Ireland. The Irish people who settled
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Your Wardsville
Community Association
[Wardsville Ontairo Canada]
[www.wardsville.ca]
Written by
Rosemary Cranney, Becky Clark and Ken Willis
celebrating history through
fabric, film, paint and pen
George Ward Barn Quilt Stories
#1 Double Irish Chain The Double Irish Chain was a popular quilt pattern used in the early 1800s. The history of the
quilt pattern connects this quilt and the life of George Ward to his humble beginnings in his
native country of Ireland. The Irish people who settled here in the early 1800s influence this
area.
The Irish Double Chain quilt pattern was one of the many skills that were brought to Canada by
Irish settlers such as Margaret Ward. Eventually the Irish double chain would become part of
not just Irish heritage but Canadian heritage as well. This quilt block pattern reminds us that
Canada‟s people came from different backgrounds and countries.
#2 The Cross
George and Margaret Ward were devout Anglicans. They believed that God was an
omnipresent God who rewarded those who followed him. Prayer and worship were daily parts
of the Wards' life. They trusted God to ensure their safe arrival in Canada to establish a
homestead. They believed that God created the earth and the soil. He was in control of their
livelihood and survival. They had faith that God would provide a bountiful harvest every year.
Rest on Sunday was strictly adhered to. Sunday devoted to God. Families typically spent the
whole day in prayer, study and worship. This day allowed them to reflect on God‟s work in
their lives and recuperate from the hard work of the week prior. As the settlement in Wardsville
expanded and churches were constructed, many people would travel to church on Sundays and
worship with fellow believers.
#3 Old Country Church
The Christian faith was a strong aspect of settlers' lives in the 19th century. When churches were
eventually built in the mid 1800s, they served numerous functions.
First, the church was typically the town meeting place. It was a place to discuss matters that
affected all members of the community. The church was a site of town politics and debate.
Second, the church functioned as a place of learning. During this time period, churches usually
doubled as schoolhouses where children were taught „the three Rs‟ (reading, writing, and
arithmetic). Both girls and boys were given access to education. While school was important,
children were required to place their homes and family before their education. Often boys
would leave school to help on the farm while girls helped their mothers with domestic duties
Last, the church was a place of worship. Most of the community gathered on Sundays to
worship and share fellowship with one another.
#4 Church Window In the early 1800s, there were no churches. Settlement was sparse. This was a time for personal
direction in faith and „saddlebag‟ preachers. These men of God traveled from place to place on
horseback, ministering to the people. Whatever building was available was transformed into a
sacred space for baptizing, preaching, and performing marriage services and funeral services.
While there was no church during Ward's time, it is evident that George and Margaret Ward
were devout Anglicans. They strove to exemplify Christian values and taught their children
well. Their faith was strongly connected to their experiences of new life, growth and
establishing their new home.
In the 1840s and 1850s, George Ward‟s immediate descendants allocated pieces of land from
his British crown land grant to committees to establish churches in the town of Wardsville
#5 Soldiers
War was a common part of George Ward‟s life in the late 18th and early part of the 19
th century.
It seemed the British were constantly at war with the Americans and French. George Ward
joined the army at a young age and was a British Red Coat for most of his life.
During the War of 1812, it was required by government that every able-bodied man aged 16 to
60 serve in the local militia. The men had to provide their own weapons. The militia was
responsible for homeland defense and protected their local areas.
The local militia were not well trained but quickly invented tactics better suited to their terrain.
Local men used their knowledge of the land to fight the enemy in the Longwood‟s forest. Their
fighting style was modeled after the guerrilla warfare style used by native warriors. Many times
these tactics resulted in fewer deaths to the militia unit.
George Ward was connected to the militia through his two eldest sons. At the age of 16, both
sons enlisted in the local militia to defend the region from American encroachment.
#6 Ship at Sea
The ship at sea was a significant part of George Ward‟s life. Ward would have been very
familiar with travelling by sea and operating sailing ships. He made many trips across the ocean
when he was enlisted in the British Army. The sailing ship was the only way in which the continents of the world were connected during
the 19th
century. The ship served many purposes for people of Europe and North America.
Ships transported people who chose to leave willingly. Refugees who were forced out of their
countries left by boat. Many left their homes via ship out of necessity. It was a special breed of
men and women who boarded ships headed for the wilds of North America.
#7 Union Jack
The Union Jack was created in 1801 to represent the Union of Scotland, the Kingdom of Ireland
and the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was under this flag that early settlers and the following
generations of Canada grew and prospered.
This community and country were established under British rule. Many early settlers identified
as citizens under the British Crown. Canada would not be developed until about sixty years
after the construction of George Ward‟s Inn. Many people would remain loyal to Britain
because most settlers were in fact British or apart of the 1801 Union. However, as generations
were born and raised in the newly settled area, loyalties shifted. Many of the children born in
North America did not identify as British citizens because they had no connection to their
homelands. It is through the Union Jack that both the connection and distinction of our
European heritage is remembered and distinct Canadian identity is born.
#8 Battle of Trois Rivières Québec 1837
In the early 1770s, as the British parliament was drafting the Quebec Act, which would
supersede the Royal Proclamation as the constitution of Quebec, revolution was breaking out in
the American colonies.
Early in May of 1775, a small force of men from Vermont captured the British forts in
Ticonderoga and Crown Point. With these successes, the Americans decided to invade Canada.
Two army columns, one under Richard Montgomery, made for Montreal, the other under
Benedict Arnold headed for Quebec City.
Montgomery's troops overcame light British resistance at Chambly and St. Johns on their
advance on Montreal and entered the city on November 13th. Montgomery then joined Benedict
Arnold and together their forces marched on Quebec City. The British repelled them when they
attacked on December 31st.
Montgomery was killed and Arnold was wounded. The Americans then laid siege to the city
and maintained a hold until the following May (1776), when a British fleet brought fresh troops
from England. The Americans retreated up to Three Rivers ahead of these troops, one of which
was George Ward.
The heavy fighting that took place at Three Rivers was Ward's first on North American soil, but
not his last. The Americans were driven up the Richelieu River, up Lake Champlain and into
Crown Point. It being October, the British commander, Guy Carleton, decided that the season
for fighting was drawing to a close and retired to Quebec for the winter. These engagements
effectively ended what was called, "the struggle for the fourteenth colony."
#9 Compass
Navigation through this area was challenging. The trees of Longwood‟s were large and old.
The forest was dense with thick-branched trees. Trees rose a hundred feet to block out the sun
during daylight hours so travellers had to have a good sense of direction.
George Ward and fellow settlers could „blaze a trail‟; making hatchet marks on the trees along
the path they travelled. To find their way back, they simply followed the marked trees. Some
settlers had a compass for direction- a marvelous and more advanced technology for
determining direction through the Longwood‟s.
#10 Crossed Canoes-Travel on the Thames Before the development of Longwood‟s road, the Thames River was the most efficient means
of transportation. Referred to as “La Tranche” by the French and „Many Antlers‟ or
"Askunessippi" by the First Nations, the Thames was the key transportation route for all
travelers in the region.
Both the native communities and European fur traders relied on canoes to conduct business and
trade pelts up and down the river region. Besides business, the river was a main passageway for
missionaries.
The Thames was the main route for transporting and shipping military supplies and personnel.
During the winters of wartime, the frozen river became an ice road for continuous shipment of
troops and supplies. George Ward would have relied on the Thames River in his military life
and live by the river as a tavern owner.
#11 Wagon Tracks After the War of 1812, the Longwood‟s path expanded. By the 1840s, the road had been
widened enough to allow wagons to travel back and forth. The widened path inadvertently led
to the development of the area and increased communication along Longwood‟s Road. Many
people moved to settle the region in and around George Ward‟s original settlement.
The expansion of settlement and the road allowed the evolution of transportation. By the 1850s,
the rail system through the Village of Newbury was developed. In addition, another Indian
trail (present day Hagerty Road) also expanded allowing wagons and the first stagecoaches to
traverse the region through Wardsville. The expansion of both trails formed the basis for
communication and travel in Wardsville and area. Community members were now able to
access new towns and settlements along the Thames River region.
#12 Woodland Path
In the early 1780s, the stretch of land between Amherstburg and Delaware was little more than
dense forest. Southwestern Ontario was not the thriving and inhabited area that we know so
well. Very few people lived here and travel through the dense forest was limited.
The first people to traverse the dense forest were the native communities along the Thames
River. They named the woods „Longwood‟s‟ and carved out a rough path through the forest.
The Indian trail was hard to follow and traders often lost their way in the dense woods. Imagine
Skunk's Misery 200 years ago!
Upon rumours of war in 1810, George Ward was asked by the British army to settle and
construct an inn along the Longwood‟s path. Construction of the inn required the clearing of
timber and more traffic increasingly defined the path. By the time the war was in motion in
1812, the Longwood‟s path was a key military route and steadily expanded in size and
importance.
#13 Salute to Colours - Loyal to his Country The military career of George Ward was long, eventful and loyal. George Ward enlisted with
the 58th
regiment in his native country of Ireland. He came to North America in 1776 as a
soldier in the 62nd
regiment of the British army. Ward fought for the British in the American
Revolutionary War and saw action in Ticonderoga.
During this war George Ward was captured in the battle of Camden and questioned in order to
turn his loyalties from the British Crown. However, George Ward escaped from the Boston
prison. Upon arrival in New York, he quickly reenlisted in the British army with his fellow
soldiers. Eventually, George Ward was honourably discharged from the army in 1796.
However, after starting up his tavern on the Longwood‟s path, George Ward was enlisted again
by the British Army in 1812 as a dispatch rider. He was nearly 70 years old! As a dispatch rider,
Ward‟s loyalty was called into question by fellow servicemen and superior officers. However,
Ward never faltered in his fierce loyalty to the British Army.
Ward‟s legacy was passed on to his children. Ward raised several sons who were loyal to the
British crown and defended the region that is now Canada. Both of George Ward‟s eldest sons
were active members of the area militia during the War of 1812.
#14 Twisted Rope
The twisted rope represents the personal trauma and hardship George Ward suffered during the
War of 1812. During the war, George Ward returned home to see his family and ensure that
they were safe. Upon arriving, George Ward was captured by the Americans and repeatedly
questioned. The American forces wanted George Ward to reveal the position of the British army
in the area in order to gain the advantage.
Instead, Ward remained loyal and revealed no information to the American army. After holding
him, the enemy attempted to hang George Ward three times, „until the life was almost extinct,‟
as stated in government records. George Ward‟s ingenuity allowed him to escape and return to
the British army. However, his property, home and tavern were burned to the ground in
retaliation.
#15 Victory -War ends in 1814
The end of the War of 1812 came in 1814. While the British kept the Americans from taking
British territories, the war left much hardship, damage and loss for the people loyal to Britain
.George Ward suffered great losses to his property, business and personal being. Ward himself
was captured and repeatedly attacked as a dispatch rider for the British army. The enemy
attempted to hang Ward three times and failed.
George Ward‟s tavern and home were burned to the ground. His apple orchards were scorched
and destroyed. With some compensation from the government, he rebuilt from nothing and
replanted his orchard and fields.
The traveler‟s stop on Longwood‟s road continued and business expanded as more settlers
arrived. The Longwood‟s road gradually widened and travel became easier.
#16 Carpenter’s Square George Ward‟s many life experiences left him more than skilled in construction and assembly.
During his many years in the British army, Ward gained the necessary skills to construct
shelters. It was a common requirement for British soldiers to construct their own barracks, forts
and shelters. Ward would have used these skills to later construct his home and tavern on the
Longwood‟s path. Building was not easy for new settlers like George Ward. The density of the
forest made the work of building tiresome. Men such as George Ward lacked modern
technology that makes construction in the 21st century so efficient and quick. In the 1800s,
Ward had to clear the tree-covered land and build with basic tools such as a plumb line, axe,
shovel and hoe. Even a simple hammer and nails were not available and were considered a
luxury. Trees were cut. Logs were hewn and assembled. Cracks were chinked and buildings
made solid with muscle power and determination alone. Many buildings like Ward‟s tavern and
home were constructed out of whatever materials were available locally.
#17 George Ward’s Inn-1810 Ward was discharged from the army in 1796. However, in his retirement, the British Army
requested that Ward obtain land along the Longwood‟s path and establish a tavern to aid
travelers and soldiers. George Ward‟s Inn was established in 1810.
George Ward cleared the land and built his tavern from the materials available. From nothing,
Ward constructed two good-sized buildings connected by a hallway. The main building was the
Ward family home while the secondary building acted as the Ward tavern and inn.
The inn was a place for fellowship, merriment, and drink. As the settlement expanded, the inn
became a central place for news, gossip and meetings. The most important function of the inn
was to house weary travelers and during the war, tired dispatch riders
#18 Tree of Life
The tree of life is the Irish symbol of Family. George Ward and his wife left their ancestral
family in Ireland to come to the New World. They were determined to build their own family
and heritage in these lands. Many Irish people travelled to resettle in the Canadian wilderness in
hopes of a better life. The English and Scots settled this part of Ontario as well. Many
Europeans saw Canada as a land of opportunity and potential for prosperity. They left their
native lands in order to have a chance at a better life. Through these settlers the tree of life was
established in Canada. Many couples came to the area with children and had many more
children once settled. Many families were noted for their shear numbers. Often as many as ten
children were born to a single family. A family of five or six offspring was considered small.
Over the years, generations of people were established in the Longwood‟s region stemming
from a few settlers such as George and Margaret Ward.
#19 Farmer’s Wife - Margaret Ward
This morning I set bread to rise in the warmth from the fireplace, while the two youngest
children took turns churning the butter. The churn and two new oak buckets have made life
considerably easier, although I still have to thresh, grind and winnow wheat before I can make
bread .Along with daily chores, I plant and weed the vegetable garden, hill potatoes and each
spring I help with sugaring-off when the maple sap starts running. There is a quilt that will have
to be tied because there will be no time to quilt it properly before the cold weather arrives. I
have most of the blocks cut from old trousers and two coats are waiting to be cut into more
blocks. ere are vegetables to harvest and dry before they are stored in the root cellar. Apples
are still hanging on many of the eighty trees in the orchard and I must dig potatoes. I also wash
and mend clothes and prepare meals for travelers who stop over at the Inn. The well-known
saying, „A man works from sun to sun, but a woman‟s work is never done,‟ has proven itself
true in this wilderness. Excerpts from Rosemary Cranney‟s “Through the Eyes of Margaret Ward.”
#20 Indian Paint Brush - Delaware Nation The Delaware Nation of the Thames were tremendous help in the settlement of the Wardsville
region. Newcomer settlers were often aided by native communities in adapting to the region
they were living. The Delaware nation taught techniques for fishing, hunting and living on the
lands to the settlers. In addition, they were responsible for showing the people proper vegetation
and herbs for medicines. The native communities of the area are honoured for sharing their vast
knowledge of survival to the new settlers such as George Ward.
In addition, many tribes of the First Nations were allies during the War of 1812. The Iroquois
Confederacy, Delaware nations and Shawnee were key defenders of the Thames River region
and instrumental in stemming off American encroachment.
#21 Corn, Beans and Wheat Those early settlers who broke ground and planted the first crops recognized the richness of the
soil and the good growing seasons. Corn, beans and wheat were well adapted to the soils and
climate and were a staple part of people‟s daily diet. Corn, beans and wheat were essential to
survival.
The work involved in planting a field was much more difficult in the 1800s because farming
lacked the mechanization and technology of today. Ward and his family cleared fields, tilled the
soil, and planted with little more than a hoe and shovel.
#22 Water Wheel The water wheel was one of the most advanced pieces of technology available in the early
1800s. For the everyday life of the settler, the water wheel was a valuable community asset. The
most common form of water wheel was connected to gristmills which was located near water
and connected to a water wheel. In turn, the water wheel harnessed the power of water to turn
the large grinding stones attached to mechanisms.
Local settlers such as George Ward used the gristmill to grind wheat into flour. During the early
1800s, the closest gristmill was located in Delaware. This was quite far from Ward‟s home and
required a lot of work and planning to transport wheat and flour to and from the mill. However,
without the water wheel, flour had to be ground by hand. Eventually, George Ward's family
constructed a gristmill on the creek near his home
#23 Grist Mill The gristmill was an essential part of George Ward's life in Wardsville. The gristmill ground
farmers‟ wheat into finely ground flour. Before the invention of the gristmill, farmers had to
grind wheat into flour with a simple mortar and pestle. When the gristmills were first built in
the Thames River region, the closest mill was in Delaware. Farmers had to transport their wheat
that long distance or grind it themselves.
During the last part of his life, George Ward saw the construction of a gristmill along the north
banks of the Thames River in Wardsville. The advancement in technology was strongly
welcomed. Settlers were relieved of much labour during the wheat harvest. The gristmill drew
settlers and businesses to the village. Many farmers brought their wheat to be ground and
bartered the flour for products and tools they needed on the farm. The gristmill was
instrumental in the development of Wardsville.
#24 Turkey Tracks „Turkey Tracks‟ represents the abundance of wildlife and vegetation in the area. There were
wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, ducks and geese. One of the most widely hunted animals in the
area was the deer. Deer were not only used for meat but its hide and sinews were used as well.
The Longwood‟s forest was abundant in vegetation and fruits. There were numerous types of
berries to be gathered: strawberries, pin and choke cherries, sugar plums, blueberries, wild
grapes and richly flavoured wintergreens. The native people familiarized settlers with proper herbs and vegetation for
consumption and medicinal purposes. Settlers such as George and Margaret Ward were able to
treat small-scale ailments with the knowledge conveyed to them by the generous First Nations.
#25 Bounty from the Thames - Fish Fresh fish. The native communities along the Thames had always used the Thames River as a
source for food and European settlers were able to learn proper fishing techniques from the
local native people.
In the early 1800s, the bounty of the Thames was a key source of protein for the earliest settlers
to the Thames River region.
#26 Apple Tree According to records, George Ward owned an apple orchard of 80 healthy and productive trees.
His garden and orchard was said to be the best between Amherstburg and Delaware. Apple
orchards were a common and essential part of settler life in the 1800s. Everyone grew his or
her own fruit and vegetables.
Apples could be eaten fresh from the tree, used in pies or collected and dried for a winter food.
Women such as Margaret Ward were responsible for apple preserves. They also made cider,
vinegar and special wine out of apples. Ward‟s orchards were reportedly destroyed in the war.
He was reimbursed and reestablished his orchard to its former greatness.
#27 Rising Sun The sun is a symbol of growth, new life and prosperity. Settlers of the 19
th century such as
George Ward relied on the sun for their livelihood and subsistence. The sun ensured the growth
of crops. The sun powered the cycle of life. It turned the seasons and governed the weather.
The rising sun reminds us of the promise of a new day after a time of turmoil and trouble. This
was the case after the war of 1812 for the settlers of Wardsville area. Much of the Ward‟s
property and livelihood was destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. Instead of giving up, George
and Margaret Ward rebuilt their home and business in hopes of establishing a thriving
homestead once again.
#28 Tombstone “George Ward 1743-1837” In 1837, George Ward died and was laid to rest near his homestead. His place of burial is now
known as the Wardsville Municipal Cemetery and it is the resting place of some of the oldest
families in Wardsville. George Ward‟s resting place in the cemetery is 100 feet from the
original site of his home and tavern here in Wardsville. The Ward family erected the current
tombstone in the 1900s.
George Ward‟s burial place is a testament to the complete and eventful life he dedicated to the
formation of Wardsville. The original settlement and his place of burial is part of the legacy
George Ward leaves us today.
#29 Paths to Peace Settlers were no strangers to war. This quilt block represents the paths in George Ward‟s life
that eventually led to peace. Despite his active duty in the military, Ward‟s service led to peace
and prosperity for this area.
Ward‟s life and actions were instrumental in the development of our settlement on the
Longwoods path. The path's expansion allowed it to be heavily used during wartime. Dispatch
riders carrying documents with orders, peace declarations and negotiations traversed the
Longwoods path.
This quilt block is a reminder of peace and war. It symbolizes our plea that all paths to and from
Wardsville be paths of peace
#30 The Centennial Maple Leaf The Centennial Maple Leaf is an integral part of our Canadian history. It was designed for the
celebrations in conjunction with Canada‟s one-hundredth anniversary. The people of Wardsville
chose this symbol for a quilt block to celebrate the Village‟s bicentennial and to express our
awareness of the greater connection our community has with Canada as a whole.
The maple tree is well regarded for its sap and wood. Its leaves are soaked to create a special
wood stain to protect wood products. The maple leaf is a local and national symbol. Our maple
trees are a source of pride for country and our beginnings in the North American wilderness.
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