Annotations

AMHERSTBURG. A garrison Town, in the township of Malden, in the county of Essex: sixteen miles from Sandwich, on the Detroit River. It was commenced in the year 1798, soon after the evacuation of Detroit. The situation is good, but most of the streets are rather narrow. The banks of the river, both above and below the town, but particularly the latter, where the river emerges into Lake Erie, are very beautiful; the sweet-briar bushes, with which the banks are studded, are here remarkably fine. Several handsome houses are built on the banks below the town. About a mile below the town, near the entrance of Lake Erie, is a chalybeate spring, which is said to resemble the waters of Cheltenham, in England. A fort called Malden, capable of accommodating a regiment, is situated about half a mile above the town, on the river; it was rebuilt in 1839, and is at present occupied by three companies of rifles. Sir Chas. Metcalfe in the year 1845 granted a charter to the town of Amherstburg to hold a fair twice a year. A plot of land containing about 100 acres, (being the military reserve,), outside the town, is perfectly cleared of timber, and forms a fine large common, which is very convenient for the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, for grazing. The steamboats; London, from Buffalo to Detroit ; Gore, from Windsor to Goderich and Penetanguishine; and Brothers, from Chatham; touch here regularly. The latter leaves Amherstburg every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, at half past seven o'clock, for Detroit and Chatham. Fare to Detroit $3, to Chatham $2}. And many of the American steamers stop here to take in wood. Amherstburg contains 985 inhabitants; of this number 174 are people of colour. There are five churches and chapels, viz. Episcopal, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist; the latter for coloured people; and a news and reading room; a market place, and court house have recently been erected. Post office, post every day. List of Professions and Trades.—Two physicans and surgeons, one lawyer, two breweries, two auctioneers, two asheries, one steam grist and saw mill, one carding machine and woollen manufactory, one soap and candle manufactory, two tanneries, three schools, fourteen stores, six blacksmiths, three bakers, three saddlers, five waggon makers, eight shoemakers, four tailors, one tinsmith, one watchmaker, two painters, ten taverns, one tobacconist, one notary public, two butchers, inspector of flour and pork; four large schooners are owned here. Principal tavern, the “British North American.” (Smith's Canadian Gazetteer, 1849)

Total Population 1840
985
Latitude
42.1
Longitude
-83.083333
Waterways
Yes
Type
City or Town
County
Essex