Francis Cabin
Donated to the historical society in 1978 by Dr. and Mrs. A.W. Bowness, the ‘Francis Cabin’ is an excellent representation of a second-generation settler family home. This cabin, complete with three rooms on the main floor and a second floor above, was built by John G. Francis (1839-1905),
son of George Francis (1811-1887).
George Francis, along with two brothers, three sisters, and his father John, left Ballysadare, Ireland in the 1830s – being pushed out of their homeland due to poverty and famine, they crossed the Atlantic seeking fortune and adventure in Upper Canada.
After a grueling six-week sail across the Atlantic, and an even longer journey from New York to Upper Canada, John Francis received a land grant of Lot 11, Concession 11, Brock Township on August 2, 1836 – just west of
Derryville and what is now highway 12.
The members of his family settled nearby. His daughters married into the Taylor, Purvis, and Gordon families. Descendants of these families still reside in Brock Township.
John’s son, George, bought the west half of the original land grant from his father in 1845. Having acquired a little experience at farming and blacksmithing in Ireland, he started to clear and cultivate his farm lot. George met Eliza Black, who was traveling with her family on the same ship as he was, and this chance encounter led to marriage in 1834.
Eventually, the two of them would bring up twelve children in their log home which was constructed in 1852. In later years, the children attended the newly constructed Harrison’s school (schools
were usually named after the landowner who donated the land), which later became the Masonic Lodge which still stands just west of Highway 12 on Regional Road 12. The Lodge was recently sold and is being converted into a private dwelling.
In 1860, George acquired the north ¼ of Lot 11 in the 12th Concession and, in 1867, he sold this section of land to one of his sons, John Francis.
The owner of this cabin, Thomas Henry Francis (1869-1933), was one of John’s sons. He married Martha Sproule in 1894 and they brought up three sons in this cabin.
Thomas was badly injured while farming, so he became an agent for the DeLaval Company of Peterborough – a dairy and farm machinery manufacturer, thereby bringing him in touch with farmers all over the countryside. Thomas gained an interest in politics, and he became reeve for nine years.
The cabin is home to a range of artifacts that speaks to the nature of domestic life in the mid-1800’s. One unique item is an 18 spoke spinning wheel made from oak that is typical of the quality of craftmanship of the Irish settlers who moved to this area, and was likely brought here from Ireland.
Another is a Victorian pump organ typical of the time, made by the Dominion Organ Company, which was located in Oshawa and that could set a family back up to $35.00 to bring music into their homes.
There are a variety of other items, ranging from chamber pots to irons, which gives us a hint into the lives of the people who lived in Brock Township during the Victorian era.
Nowadays, the cabin is an integral part of any tours that are conducted at the museum, is the site of learning when school groups come to visit and is occasionally part of the annual Haunted Trail event held in late October every year.
