Item consists of an unpublished thesis. The work elucidates early history of Vaughan Township from intial European settlement in the wake of the American Revolution to 1840; as such predates advent of local government, which was implemented in 1850; provides analysis of topography, transportation, settlement patterns, economic development, the general pioneer social experience and their interconnection; also comments on impact of War of 1812 and 1837 Rebellion on Vaughan Township.
Fonds consists primarily of textual records offering comprehensive coverage of the business dealings of the Russells: correspondence, legal documents including estate records, indentures, agreements, leases, wills, etc., financial records, fragments of flock and herd registers, and printed matter. Some of the aforementioned textual material relates to Wm. Russell Sr.; of particular value here are real property tax assessment certificates, which comment on various aspects of the life of the elder Russell. The fonds also includes 2 postcards, one unidentified and one of the Richmond Hill Methodist Church; and two photographs depicting, presumably, the Russells, [ca. 1880]. Also present are 3 architectural renderings, floor plans, elevations, mouldings and casements, of an unidentified residential structure, [ca. 1880]. A variety of richly-ornamented diplomas, certificates, and ribbons and Stevensgraphs reflecting victories by James and William Russell cattle at contests sponsored by the West Riding of York and Township of Vaughan Agricultural Societies, the Woodbridge Agricultural Society, the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, the Dominion of Canada Industrial Exhibition, and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, covering the period 1874-1900 provide ample and colourful evidence of the skill of the Russell brothers in their particular sub-field of agricultural science.
The fonds consists of records that reflect the different roles that Janet played throughout her life as well as the various activities and functions she performed throughout the community. The fonds is arranged into five series and then various subseries, all of which reflect Janet’s diverse activities.
The majority of the records are textual (i.e. minutes, reports, correspondence, published material, newspapers, etc.) although there is also a sizable photograph collection as well as some maps and plans and even artwork. Fonds consists of: Binder Twine Festival programs, posters, artwork, committee minutes, advertising, press releases, copies of by-laws, books, correspondence, account ledgers, newsletters, speeches, research notes, newspaper clippings, cassette tapes, Kleinburg/community history notes (eg. United Church, historical buildings and homes, families and individuals), walking tour booklets, notes on Kleinburg and Vaughan development, Humber Heritage committee notes, agendas, newspaper clippings, reports, LACAC/Heritage Vaughan books, notes on heritage homes and architecture, minutes and agendas, manuals, newspaper clippings, reports, CFUW books, newsletters, pamphlets, journal articles, minutes, conference notes, newspaper clippings, Kleinburg Home & School Association notes, newspaper clippings, HELP newspaper clippings, minutes, newsletters, Operation Catch-Up files, CACY pollution and development notes, Dellcrest notes, reports, minutes, KARA agendas and minutes, notes, correspondence, address books, calendars, agendas, travel notes and booklets, guidebooks and maps for locations around the world, other Ontario and Canadian heritage books, reports, magazines (York, food, National Geographic, Beaver, cat), fiction books, journals, programs, pamphlets, maps, Kleinburg Shaw store account ledgers from late 1800s to ca. 1930.
Fonds consists of plans, reports, studies, correspondence, published materials, essays, and newspaper clippings which document the planning and development of Vaughan. Specific Vaughan topics within the fonds include the Maple dump, the Maple theme park, the Woodbridge annexation, and the building of the Vaughan industrial park, to name but a few. Moreover, official plans and studies for Thornhill, Maple, Kleinburg, Nashville, and Woodbridge provide invaluable evidence as to the evolutionary development of these communities.
Fonds consists of three maps of Maple dated 1904, 1936, and 1963 which depict the layout of the community as well as the names and locations of various businesses and farms.
Sous-fonds consists of textual material including a Lutheran prayer book dated 1784, minute books of the Sherwood Grange, 1875-1887, marriage records, receipts, daybook, and documentation of educational experience. Also present is an aggregate of graphic material constituted primarily of photographs of family members, the majority of which are card format or matt mounted albumen photographs, and snap shots, [ca. 1865]-1968. Architecture and farm equipment are also represented; as well as a fine portarit of the Vellore Football Team, champions of 1936. The inclusive dates of graphic materials are [ca. 1865]-1968 ; (predominant [ca. 1865]-1936).
Accession M017.7 consists of one (1) antique cedar steamer trunk with key, ca. 1850s, which housed all items received in this donation. Items housed within the trunk included: 2cm of textual records consisting of family documents, letters, receipts, and deeds of sale; fourteen (14) books; three (3) bibles; three (3) black and white photos; one (1) pencil crayon drawing entitled "Lonesome Pine" and one (1) West York Vaughan Agricultural Judges Ribbon, from 1861.
Accession M020.7 consists primarily of items relating to the land dispute between William Shunk and Downey over part of Lot 13, Concession 4. Other items from William Shunk and the Keffer family are also included.
Fonds consists of minute books delineating deliberations, decisions, and activities, for the period 1920-1991; members and officers also cited, intermittently. Fonds also constituted of the Maple Tweedsmuir history, in 2 volumes, compiled between ca. 1948 and 1995 (while the institute disbanded in 1991, work on the compilation of the final volume of the Tweedsmuir history continued until 1995) the history, which includes numerous 19th and early twentieth century photographs and postcards, comments on: architecture and buildings such as the Maple Community Library, Canadian Bank of Commerce, Maple Community Centre; general history of Maple; personalities such as Dr. Routley and Isaac Baker; events such as the Superior Propane Explosion of 1962; institutions and agencies such as Woodbridge and Vaughan Telephone Co., Maple Flying Club; etc. A historical sketch of the hamlet of Sherwood, just south of Maple, is also included. Tweedsmuir history provides excellent photographic evidence of Maple and its inhabitants, and includes postcards, some examples of which are hand-coloured. The history chronicles Maple and its evolution to 1995, with the second volume focusing heavily on streetscapes and heritage preservation in the mid-1980's to 1990's. Fonds also includes two large volumes of newspaper clippings chronicling various events in Maple from 1960 to the early 1980's and the history of the Maple Women's Institute; volume focusing upon Maple includes extensive coverage of Maple Lions Club and Superior Propane Explosion of 1962, development and local opposition thereto, municipal government, as well as images and text from newspapers re: 19th-century Maple. Second volume centres primarily upon the history of the Maple W.I. Fonds also includes loose postcards and photographs documenting architecture, streetscapes, and personalities; as well, odd documents such as maps, printed histories of the Hope United Church and Teston United Church, 1891 by-laws for the Maple United Church, etc. Of final note is the presence of a Primitive Methodist "preachers' plan" for the Laskay Circuit for 1867-1879, indicating preachers, stewards and places on the circuit (includes villages of Carrville and Patterson in Vaughan Township).