By Pam Wright – Sydenham Current
A new book by Jim and Lisa Gilbert is bringing history from all four corners of the municipality to light.
Entitled “A Chatham-Kent Tapestry — A Visual History to 1950” the volume features more than 500 photographs showcasing the richness of the area’s past — including the many-layered story of renowned abolitionist Rev. Josiah Henson.
In honour of Black History Month, the Gilberts highlighted the renowned minister’s story — an enslaved black man who found freedom by escaping to Canada — at a recent book signing held at Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
One of the most striking photographs in the book is a picture of a mass baptism on the shores of the Sydenham River.
The picture features, Lisa says, a gospel meeting held in the woods held by Rev. Henson.
“Josiah Henson was a real draw to the area, long before town of Dresden came to be,” Lisa explains, adding the revival meetings were extremely popular during the 1850’s-60s.
“He was a well accomplished person is his own right,” she adds.
The Gilberts say they’ve tried to tell some of Kent County’s lesser known, but still important and colourful stories.
“There are so many side stories,” Jim says of modern day Chatham-Kent, which at one time encompassed 10 townships and the City of Chatham.
“Every one of the pictures could lead to a short story or novel.”
“These are stories that are not that well known,” Lisa explains. “We tried to make the book all inclusive, finding a balance in the stories between funny and sad.”
It’s the fourth history book the Gilbert’s have completed and one they weren’t planning on. Windsor-based
Biblioasis publishing company approached the pair with the idea in April 2018.
The only hitch, Lisa says, is that the publisher wanted the book ready for Christmas.
The agreement led to many hours of research in the Chatham Public Library, local museums and historical societies throughout Chatham-Kent.
The Gilberts credit local authors and archives from the Chatham Daily News for the books detailed content.
Other events highlighted in the book:
– A famous elm tree in Wallaceburg — known as the Indian Tree. The tree, which died because of Dutch Elm disease, was said to be bent and formed by area First Nations people to serve as a landmark for travellers. It was located in north Wallaceburg.
– The story of Scottish immigrants John and his brother James Paris Lee who are credited with the design of the Lee Enfield rifle. The gun, which was tested in Wallaceburg revolutionized weaponry and was used extensively as a tool of modern war.
– A devastasing Christmas Eve 1910 fire and explosion in Dresden’s downtown that killed a prominent minister and a local businessman.
– An 1881 photo of a successful co-operative elevator and mill in Tupperville that local people could join for $10.
– A train wreck in Thamesville on Oct. 24, 1907. The train was a “whiskey train” carrying dozens of barrels of liquor. At the time Thamesville was a dry community. That didn’t stop a few locals who decided to help themselves to a barrel or two of the forbidden liquor. However, an image captured by a reporter on scene ending up leading to charges against 17 men.
– The discovery to a near-perfect mastodon skeleton found in the swamps of Lake Erie near Highgate in 1886. The nine-foot tall specimen with huge tusks is said to be one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, it was sold to interests in the U.S. and is currently on display in North Dakota.
– Story of James Couzens of Chatham who worked with Henry Ford and became fabulously rich and made the cover of Time Magazine. He was mayor of Detroit, a U.S. Senator and was chosen to run as president but he could not because he was born in Canada.
The Gilberts are quick to knowledge the work of local historians through the years, as well as the museum employees and volunteers who toil away quietly working to preserve the past.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin site manager Steve Cook commended the couple for their dedication to honouring history.
“We like to say they’ve dug up more history than we’ve buried,” Cook jokes.
For people who are looking to give back to their communities, helping out a local museum is a wonderful thing to do, Jim notes, adding there are many volunteer roles available.
Copies of the new book can be purchased for $26.95 at the Uncle Tom’s Cabin site, the Wallaceburg and District Museum or by contacting the Gilberts at lgilbert@ciaccess.com.
Here are some submitted photos, which are featured in the Gilbert’s book:
