Notes:

SWAYZIE - At the Woodstock General Hospital on Sunday July 15th, 1984, Miss Dorothy Swayzie of Durham Crescent, Woodstock, in her 79th year. Dear sister of Mrs. Alfred (Edith) Cox of Hamilton, Mrs. Clarence (Sadie) Clayton of Woodstock, and the late Francis C. Swayzie (1981). Also surviving are nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the M. D. (Mac) Smith Funeral Home, 69 Wellington Street North, Woodstock, where the complete funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17th, with interment in the Hillview Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Coronary Care Unit at the Woodstock General Hospital. A memorial service by the Vigilant Rebekah No. 158 Norwich will be held at the funeral home 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Notes:

Benjamin married Mary Elizabeth JORDAN on 28 Sep 1898 in Eastwood, Oxford, Ontario. Mary (daughter of Francis John JORDAN and Elizabeth HEATH) was born on 7 Jul 1872 in East Oxford, Oxford, Ontario; died on 17 Mar 1949 in Oxford County, Ontario; was buried in Hillview Cemetery, Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Heritage On Main: The Former Dominion Hotel (The Blue Note Café) at 218-224 Main Street
Article by Laura McKay, on behalf of Heritage Winnipeg Corp.
Thank you to Greg Agnew, Heritage Winnipeg Board Member, for his assistance with images.

To follow up on this or any other articles on the blog, contact Heritage Winnipeg's Executive Director.

The Dominion Hotel, later known as the Blue Note Café, at 218-224 Main Street was demolished in 2011. The place where it stood remains empty, the silhouette still visible on the adjacent Winnipeg Hotel. Before it was an iconic hangout for Winnipeg musicians, the home of the Blue Note Café was everything from a hotel to a barbershop.

In 1872, the Hudson's Bay Company surrendered all but 450 acres of land to the Dominion of Canada. The remaining land was surveyed and sold off to form the town of "Selkirk" (not to be confused with the current city of Selkirk). Lot 18, where the Dominion Hotel was later built, was purchased in July of 1872 by Charles Garratt, of the Garratt House Hotel for $1250. Lots purchased along Main Street were also required to have a structure built on them worth at least $2000 within 18 months of purchase in the hope of building up the appearance of Main Street.

Garratt resold the land shortly after purchase to Elias Swayze (Swaze), who immediately began the construction of a hotel. The Dominion Hotel opened in 1873, the same year as the Garry House (Winnipeg Hotel) next door. Their locations were considered choice as the federal government had new Customs House and Land Office buildings planned for the York Avenue end of the block. At the end of the 19th century, it was also very common for people to more or less live in hotels, as immigrating populations struggled to find accommodations and traveling salesman made extended visits with their wares.

The newly built Dominion Hotel was a wooden structure with 22 rooms in addition to a large hall where 21 beds were set up. The building featured a 12 x 14ft parlour, an 18 x 20ft billiard room, and an 18 x 20ft bar room in addition to a 12 x 20ft kitchen. In the summer of 1873, Swayze briefly had a partner named Smith, but the relationship was short lived and he continued to run the business on his own.

On May 3, 1877, an arsonist set fire to the Kahler stable behind the hotel. The fire spreads and while the fire brigade does their best, the building is destroyed. Thankfully all of the patrons and their luggage made it out safely but without insurance, Swayze was unable or unwilling to rebuild. He sold the property to Joseph Kahler, owner of the stable that burned. He built a new hotel by the same name in the summer after the fire.

The new building was a 40 x 60ft, 2 1/2 storey wood frame structure with a prominent boom town front and a small porch running along a portion of the north side. A new stable was also added in 1878, presumable replacing the one that had burned the year before.

Kahler operated the hotel until 1884, when it briefly became the "Dominion Club" with the backing of a W. R. Strachan. It then once again became a hotel under J.K. Paisley (of the Paisley House Hotel) in 1886.

Hannah Kahler, Joseph's wife, then took over the hotel's management from 1887-1889. This rapid change both in use and management is likely a sign that the hotel was no longer as attractive to patrons as it once was, as more sophisticated establishments took its clientele. For the next several years, the hotel was either vacant or leased by other proprietors, although it would seem to continue to be owned by Kahler.

By 1893, the hotel had become a boarding house operated by a Joseph Keeler (possibly a misspelling of Kahler). Joseph Kahler likely passed away in 1894 and his widow, Hannah, continued to operate the boarding house until 1901, when the Montgomery brothers from the Winnipeg Hotel next door purchased the Dominion as an annex to the accommodations they provided. The intention was to either demolish the Dominion and built an addition on the property or else to renovate it to meet their purposes.

However, this plan never came to a fruition, likely due to the opening of the Commercial Hotel in 1902 in the Macdonald Block next door, as well as the Montgomery brothers' continued interests in other properties. The Dominion remained an annex to the Winnipeg Hotel until 1908, after which various people operated a rooming house in the upper floors with either a shoemaker and/or barber in the ground floor stores. It was about this name that the name "Dominion Hotel" was moved to another building at 523 Main Street, near where City Hall is now.

By the 1920s, the building was clearly deteriorating in photographs, with structural problems causing the facade to sag badly. A barber and shoe maker continued to run their businesses out of the building, along with a second hand store.

In 1934, a portion of the building was taken over by the Main Spot Café and Crystal Dyers went into the north end of the structure in 1937. Records are unclear, but it is likely that the upper floors were demolished around 1937 as well, with the length of the building also being cut in half around this time. Following the demolition, the remaining portions of the building were renovated to meet the Café and Dyers' need

In 1951, the building once again underwent renovation, this time to the exterior, in the art moderné style. It remained the Main Spot restaurant until it opened as the Blue Note Café, a popular local hangout for musicians, in March of 1983. The Blue Note Café stayed in the building until the mid-1990s when it relocated to another venue before closing down altogether. Below is a short documentary about the Blue Note Café and its contributions to the Winnipeg music scene in its heyday.

The vacant shell of the building was demolished in 2011, 134 years after it was built.
Sources & Links
'Paradise' Lost - Winnipeg Free Press 2013
Winnipeg love-hate: Bluenote Graveyard - Winnipeg Free Press 2011

http://heritagewinnipeg.blogspot.ca/2015/09/heritage-on-main-former-dominion-hotel.html viewed May 31, 2017

Elias married Nancy CAMERON on 20 Aug 1860 in Kintore, Oxford, Ontario. Nancy (daughter of Robert CAMERON and Nancy ROSS) was born on 22 Aug 1836 in East Nissouri, Oxford, Ontario; died on 12 Jan 1905 in Spokane, Spokane, Washington; was buried in Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane, Spokane, Washington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the Woodstock Daily Sentinel Review Monday, August 14, 1922

THE LATE FRANCIS JORDAN
The death occurred at the home of his son-in-law, Benj. Swayze, Eastwood, on Sunday afternoon, August 6th, of Francis Jordan, in his 77th year. The deseased had been ill for about eight months and for the last five months had been confined to his bed.

The late Mr. Jordan came to Canada from Wanborough, England, about 56 years ago. He lived in the vicinity of Brampton for 4 years where he married Miss Elizabeth Heath. They then moved to a farm near Eastwood and he had lived in this community ever since. He had been a member of the Eastwood Methodist church for 48 years. He is survived by two children: Mrs. Benj. Swayze of Eastwood and Mrs. John Burbanks, of East Zorra.

The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Geo. Shields of Innerkip taking charge of the service. The casket was covered with many beautiful floral offerings. The remains were laid to rest in Princeton cemetery, beside those of his wife, who predeceased him seventeen years ago. Relatives present from a distance were: Samuel Spencer of Seaforth; Dr. Fred Heath, of Georgetown, Thomas and William Heath of Brampton.

From the Woodstock Daily Sentinel Review Saturday, August 12, 1922

THE LATE FRANCIS JORDAN
Following an illness of several months duration, the death of Francis Jordan occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. Swayzie on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Jordan was one of the oldest and most highly estimated residents of Eastwood. He was a faithful and valued member of the Methodist church, while he most ably filled the position of steward for 14 years.

Two daughters, Mrs. B. Swayzie of Eastwood, and Mrs. J. Burbank of Zorra, survive. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Shields from the home of Mr. Swayzie on Wednesday afternoon. Internment was made in the Princeton cemetery. The pall-bearers were J. Schell, A. Clayton, M. Shelby, N. Lazenby, G. Town and W. Weir.

Francis married Elizabeth HEATH on 12 Oct 1869 in Chinguacousy, Peel, Ontario. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuel HEATH and Martha JEEVES) was born on 2 Jan 1835 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England; died on 28 Nov 1905 in Eastwood, Oxford, Ontario; was buried in Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Oxford County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the Woodstock Daily Sentinel Review Thursday, December 7, 1905

Eastwood. Dec 5--The Eastwood community was saddened last week by the death and funeral of Mrs. Francis Jordan, who lived for over a quarter of a century in this neighborhood. Mrs. Jordan, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Heath, came with her parents and a large family of brothers and sisters from England, when a small child and settled at Weston near Toronto.

On her marriage to Mr. Jordan, she moved to this neighborhood where they have lived ever since. For a number of years they were engaged in farming, but lately they have lived retired near the village. Mrs. Jordan leaves two daughters, Mrs. E.B. Swayzie, and Martha, both of Eastwood, to mourn her loss. Of her brothers and sisters there are but two living, Mr. Heath of Weston and Mrs. (Rev.) Stonehouse of Aurora. They were present at the funeral.

She was for years a member of the Methodist church. She was a devoted wife and mother and an earnest Christian.

Rev. Mr. Cohoe assisted by Rev. Mr. Goldberg conducted the serves at the house and addressed the large gathering of relatives, friends and neighbors who had gathered to pay their last respects to the deseased in a very able and Ernest manner. Internment took place at the Princeton cemetery Friday, Nov. 30.

Name:
Elizabeth Heath

Gender:
Female

Baptism/Christening Date:
01 Feb 1835

Baptism/Christening Place:
PRIMITIVE METHODIST,BRINKWORTH,WILTSHIRE,ENGLAND

Birth Date:
02 Jan 1835

Birthplace:

Death Date:

Name Note:

Race:

Father's Name:
Samuel Heath

Father's Birthplace:

Father's Age:

Mother's Name:
Martha Geeves

Mother's Birthplace:

Mother's Age:

Indexing Project (Batch) Number:
C07763-1

System Origin:
England-ODM

Source Film Number:
0816592 (RG4 3326)

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JMLF-JQP viewed April 18, 2012

Notes:

Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s Record
about Benjamin, Sr. Swayze

Name: Benjamin, Sr. Swayze

Event: Living

Year: 1840

Province: Ontario

Place: Brock District

Source: District Marriage Registers of Upper Canada, Brock District 1839-1857, Provincial Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

Note: The province and county are associated with the location of the record source and in some cases may not be the same as the place where the event occured.

from Ancestry.ca

Benjamin married Mary PICKARD in 1806 in Beaverdams, Welland, Ontario. Mary (daughter of Benjamin PICKARD and UNKNOWN) was born on 18 Oct 1784; died on 23 Dec 1871 in Oxford County, Ontario; was buried in Kintore Methodist Cemetery, Kintore, Oxford, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Swayzie is listed in the 1861 Census, East Nissouri Township, Oxford County, Ontario age 73 and living with her son Elias Swayze and his wife Nancy. National Archives Microfilm #C-1060.

Notes:

Death of Robert Cameron, J.P., Esq. It is our painful duty to record the death of Robert Cameron, Esq., at his residence, Glengarry Hill, East Nissouri, on Sunday morning last, 24th inst. at 10 o'clock. He was one of the ablest settlers of this county, to which he came in 1821, and of which he has been an honored and widely respected citizen ever since. He was a man of tender sympathies and kindness of heart, mingled with great firmness and decision of character. The public spirit which he always manifested put him in active sympathy with all the improvements of this section of the country. In his own township he was Councillor and Reeve a great number of years, but owing to his old age he has for some time retired from all public life. He was one of the oldest Magistrates in the county, and always sought to conduct the responsibilities of this office with reference to securing the most lasting peace and kindly feeling amongst neighbors. Seldom did a case come before him without having it settled by bringing the parties together for mutual understanding or by arbitration. He was a Liberal Conservative in his politics, and being the son of a U.E. Loyalist, was earnestly loyal to the Government. Although a mere boy at the time, he served in the War of 1812; and although he was conscious of great wrongs that needed to be rectified, he identified himself with the Government in the Rebellion of '37, and was captain of a company for its suppression, believing that legislation is a better way to secure reforms than a resort to arms. Ever since that time, he has maintained a connection with the standing militia, in which he held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel at the time of his death. His suffering was severe during his last illness, which continued about three months. It was all borne with the patience and submission of a Christian hope, which he had obtained and confessed during the last year or more of his life. He leaves a widow of seventy-two years, and who has borne him
twelve children, nine of whom are still alive. He was followed to the grave on Wednesday last, when he was buried in the Ingersoll cemetery, by a large number of sympathizing friends. Deceased was 76 years and 7 months old.
-- from Ingersoll Chronicle January 28, 1875

Robert married Nancy ROSS about 1821 in Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario. Nancy (daughter of Donald ROSS) was born on 22 Jul 1803 in Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario; died on 18 Jan 1884 in East Nissouri, Oxford, Ontario; was buried in Ingersoll Rural Cemetery, Ingersoll, Oxford, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is our painful duty to announce the death of the widow of the late Robert Cameron, J.P., at the old homestead in East Nissouri, at the extreme old age of 80 years and 6 months. Mrs. Cameron was the daughter of Mr. Donald Ross, of Cornwall, who was one of the original members of the Hudson's Bay Company. She spent her early years in the city of Quebec, where she received her education, and shortly after her return to her home, when she was scarcely 18 years old, she was married to her late husband in Cornwall. She lived with him over fifty years and about 12 years ago she celebrated her golden wedding with nearly all her children to rejoice with her. In the autumn of 1821 she came with her husband to the west and settled upon the site of the present homestead where the family has resided ever since. She entered upon the duties and hardships of her early pioneer life with a cheerfulness and courage that is not often seen in these modern days. She was a woman of many personal attractions and of admirable traits of character. She had strong common sense, a keen perception of right and wrong, great moral courage and firm integrity. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and always manifested a deep interest in its service, and a conscientious carefulness in all of her religious duties. About nine years ago her husband died, and since that time she has divided her time between her sons Mr. John Cameron, the governor of our County prison, Mr. George Cameron of Montreal, Rev. R. Cameron of Brantford, and Mr. W.W. Cameron of the old homestead, where she spent the last year of her life until she passed on to her final rest. With her demise, another of the old pioneer settlers of our County has passed from our midst and of all the number there was none of them who was more universally respected than Mrs. Cameron. On Monday last a very large number of sympathizing friends followed her remains to our cemetery and the funeral services were conducted by her pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cameron of Thamesford.

--from Ingersoll Chronicle Thurs 24 January 1884

Notes:

Died:
UK Free BMD Jul-Sep 1864 Highworth 5a 8

James married Eliza COLES on 8 Jan 1835 in Preston, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England. Eliza (daughter of Richard COLES and Elizabeth) was born on 9 Oct 1815 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England; died in 1900 in Derby, Derbyshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
UK Free BMD

Elizabeth Ann Jordan

Mar 1860 Highworth 5a 9

No-wrong person, Eliza Coles still in census in 1871

Notes:

First Name Samuel
Last Name HEATH
Year 1837
Month Apr
Day 4
Parish Brinkworth
Prison -
Country England
Year Of Birth -
Destination -
Type Victim or witness
Notes -
Record set Wiltshire Quarter Session Calendars 1728-1890
Category Institutions & organisations
Record collection Courts & legal
Collections from Great Britain

First Name Samuel
Last Name HEATH
Year 1831
Month Feb
Day 15
Parish Brinkworth
Prison -
Country England
Year Of Birth -
Destination -
Type Victim or witness
Notes -
Record set Wiltshire Quarter Session Calendars 1728-1890
Category Institutions & organisations
Record collection Courts & legal
Collections from Great Britain

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbprs%2fo%2f318034035%2f1&hig hlights=%22%22 viewed June 10, 2014


Buried:
Brampton, Peel, Ontario

Samuel married Martha JEEVES on 19 May 1828 in Stratton St Margaret, Wiltshire, England. Martha (daughter of William JEEVES and Susanna DAY) was born in 1803 in Wiltshire, England; died on 22 Jun 1860 in Ontario; was buried in Brampton Pioneer Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Martha Heath
Age: 38
Estimated birth year: abt 1803
Household: View other family members
Gender: Female
Where born: Wiltshire, England

Civil parish: Brinkworth
Hundred: Malmesbury
County/Island: Wiltshire
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation: View image

Source information: HO107/1181/4
Registration district: Malmesbury
Sub-registration district: Malmesbury Eastern
ED, institution, or vessel: 7
Folio: 9
Page: 11 (click to see others on page)
Line number: 7
GSU Number: 464199

from ancestry.co.uk

Buried:
Brampton, Peel, Ontario