Up the Gatineau! Article
This article was first published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 4.
Timber Agreement of 1863 Up the Gatineau
This agreement made the fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three Between Francis Skillen and John Skillen, farmers of the Township of Wakefield of the first part, And Patrick Farrell, Merchant of the Township of Wakefield of the second part. Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part doth hereby covenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part to cut on the rear of the Kazabashua Limit, on Lots No. seven eight nine & six in the first Concession of the Township of Cawood, take out, draw and deliver at their own cost and charges on or before the first of April next, on suitable rollways on the Bank of Stag Creek at the Dam, Six Hundred pieces of white pine saw logs thirteen feet six inches long and not less than seventeen inches in diameter at the small end inside of the Bark, at least one half of which Number shall be of first quality, and the remainder shall be second quality. First quality shall be free from all defects, and second quality shall not have more than six knots sound and green of not more than one inch in diameter, all shall be free from Rets, ringheads, gumseams, wormholes, or shakes, and all inferior to the foregoing description of second quality shall be termed Culls, and the said parties of the first part shall mark each log when made on three sides with the letter A cut into the Bark with an axe, and shall furnish all assistance required by the Culler when engaged in Culling and measuring said saw logs and shall sign a Book of Delivery after each Measurement.
In Consideration whereof the said party of the second part do hereby promise and agree to and with the said parties of the first part upon the due fulfilment of this agreement to pay at the rate of Ninety-five cents for every standard log of twenty-one inches in diameter. of first and second quality, as herein described, and all Culls left in the woods or drawn to the Rollway shall be the property of the said party of the second part without charge of payment to the said parties of the first part, and also will make advances to the said parties of the first part to aid them in carrying on the work to the extent of one half the value of the logs delivered, payment in full being reserved until after the full and complete delivery of whole of said sawlogs.
In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands in the day and year first above written.
| Signed and delivered in presence of W.H. Reilly |
) ) ) ) |
his Francis X Skillen mark John Skillen |
The original copy of this Agreement is in the hands of Gerald M. Daly. M.A. Principal of the Secondary School at Iroquois Fa/ls, Ontario. Mr. Daly is the great grandson of Patrick Farrell, a party to the Agreement.