One of the largest early settlements in Rideau Lakes was the present-day location of Jones Falls. During the canal construction years from 1826-1832, the site was the home of at least 246 workers with additional family members. The contractor, John Redpath, a master stonemason from Montreal, recruited a number of Scots, Irish and French-Canadian workers for this project. In honour of John By’s wife Esther, the little settlement was called “Esthertown” also referred to as “Estherville.” 

Thomas Burrowes fonds, Archives of OntarioWorkers were housed in log buildings of a shanty type construction in the low-lying area around the future blacksmith’s shop. Diet consisted mainly of salt pork, flour, and rum although other supplies were also acquired from local settlers.  There are also indications that Redpath ran a “company store” where workers could acquire goods using their meagre pay.  Malaria was common at the location due to the mosquito swamps surrounding the construction area. In 1828, for example, almost half of the workers were stricken with this disease. Mortality rates were low but other diseases such as consumption, dysentery, hepatitis, and so on took their toll. Industrial accidents and drownings occurred at all the lock stations, particularly since the labourers were using black powder to blast rocks and stumps. It’s clear from existing records that alcohol was a large problem in the construction period (and later).

In 1831, Father McDonald from Perth collected tithes for the building of a new Catholic church and this included work sites along the Rideau. In that year he recorded 146 Roman Catholic workers in “Eastertown”, as he called it, who paid tithes. He also conducted weddings, baptisms and funerals along the canal route.

By 1832, the workers had gone, and the residents of the area consisted of the lockmaster, his staff, and a few local farmers.

By Sue Warren

Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, Township of Rideau Lakes