Moscow, Ontario History

From the book CAMDEN TOWNSHIP HISTORY 1800 - 1968 (Compiled by The Camden Township History Committee of 1967 - 70. It is no longer in print. I left out some less interesting stuff, and added to it from my own research. I might add more to this):

Elijah was the son of Elias Huffman, one of a party of United Empire Loyalists who left their homes in the New England states during the American Revolutionary War. They landed at Adolphustown in the County of Lennox and Addington on June 16, 1784. The descendants of at least 5 families of that party played a part in the early settlement of Moscow.

Colt: The Huffman family, including the eldest sons Elijah and Jacob, lived on the banks of the Napanee River. In [the Fall of, at age 30 - according to the book COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT LEEDS, FRONTENAC, LENNOX AND ADDINGTON, and PRINCE EDWARD COUNTIES. It is out of print] 1823, Elijah went on a hunting [and exploration - according to that previous book] trip. A surveyor’s post that he discovered had evidently just recently been planted. CAMDEN TOWNSHIP book: When Elijah arrived at the “Corners” in 1823, he was so impressed with the majestic forest and rich soil that he decided that was to be his home. He [returned from his trip and] could talk of nothing else during the long winter months.

In the early summer of 1824, he and his younger brother Jacob, started out with a bag of provisions, their guns, ammunition, and axes over their shoulders. The trail led from where Napanee now stands, north along the trail of the Napanee river, following the high land in the Township of Camden, past Clark’s Mills to a point midway between Varty Lake and Mud [Colt: Camden] Lake. From there it went Eastward to the location where Moscow now stands. After careful examination of the surroundings, they decided to settle 1 mile east of the surveyor’s post.

Elijah selected Lot 48 in the 5th Concession, while his brother Jacob, chose Lot 49 to the east. [Colt: according to my grandparents, the land was granted to them for free from the government]

By the summer of 1825, each had completed a modest log cabin. Thus the settlement was begun.

William Foster, a brother-in-law of Elias Huffman, had settled in the Township of Sophiasburgh in Prince Edward County. He had 2 sons Joseph and Samuel. Joseph was married in 1826, and he and his bride visited their cousins on their honeymoon. They, too, were so impressed with this new settlement that they decided to stay, and chose Lot 50 in the 4th Concession, almost directly across the road from the Huffmans.

Joseph Foster (great grandson of William Foster) preserved things in his book “History of the Pioneers in the Moscow District”. It was a source of information for the above book.

Peter Huffman (an ancestor of mine and “of United Empire Loyalist stock”) was the next to join the settlers. [in 1826] He was the son of Michael Huffman and a cousin of Elijah and Jacob, and Lot 51 in the 4th Concession, next to the Portland boundary, became his home. [The settlement was known as the ‘Huffman Settlement’] Then Samuel Foster followed his brother Joseph, and started clearing Lot 48, Concession 4.

The area west of Moscow, near Mud Lake, attracted Caleb Brown, Stephen Card and John Card. These 7 families formed the nucleus of a community in which men cleared the land, cultivated the soil, sowed, and reaped. Brave hearts and resolute spirits enabled these early pioneers to overcome the many hardships and difficulties with which they were confronted. Clearing this dense, virgin forest of its giant oaks, maples and pines, was no easy task for the men or the women.

The timber, grain, flax, wool, tallow and meat were processed on the premises into the finished product. The surplus timber was piled and burned, and the ashes made into potash. This was the only cash crop at that time. When sold in Kingston, the potash brought $40.00 a barrel.

The first cheese factory within reach of the farmers of Moscow was built at Colebrook.

A little family/Moscow history, I wrote: 

The youngest son of Peter Huffman was Milo. He lived to the age of 87 and was a Mason. (not occupation)

Jane Ann Huffman (nee Hambly): Mrs. Milo Huffman died at age 87. She was 1 of the most highly respected of Moscow. She looked at life as a challenge with zest and enthusiasm.

Lola, a daughter, died at age 14 due to diabetes.

I saw in a Facebook comment by Steve Huffman that Moscow was called 'Huffman's Corners' before it was called Moscow.

Community Spotlight book:

In 1845, a tavern had a short existence in the village, in the white frame house to the east of the store (the late Lotta Reid’s home).

By 1854, [April 1st - according to the book Historical Glimpses of LENNOX AND ADDINGTON - it only has 1 paragraph involving Moscow. It is out of print] John Crommer, storekeeper, applied for a post office. The name of Springfield was assigned, [kept for a month according to that previous book] but this did not please the neighbourhood as there were several other post offices with the same name. Meetings were held to select a name and, (Camden book: taking a cue from the village of Odessa, named after a Russian city) as the Crimean War had made Russia familiar to the people, they settled on the name Moscow to commemorate Napoleon's retreat from the gates of Moscow in Russia.

Colt: Napoleon III was an ally at the time of the Crimean War. Napoleon (the first) retreated from the gates of Moscow in an earlier war. (when Great Britain was at war with Napoleon) The naming of Moscow (1854) occurred during the Crimean War. (1853-1856. When we were at war with Russia. Therefore they would remember Moscow)

Camden book: Before the granting of a Post office at Moscow, the simple act of mailing a letter required a trip to Wilton, eight miles away.

Historical Glimpses of LENNOX AND ADDINGTON: Van Luven’s store was the first at the “Corners”, where potash was accepted as payment for provisions.

Community Spotlight book:

In 1855, the Van Luvens bought Crommer’s store, with attached house which was located on the corner (Colt: the paragraph above claimed that Van Luven’s store was the first at the ‘Corners’) now occupied by Cameron’s garage. By 1877, they constructed the new store on its present site.

One of the staples exchanged by the merchant for commodities was potash. Mr. Van Luven would either buy wood ash brought to him, or would have it hauled to the store by one of their several teams of horses kept for this purpose. Six containers were in constant operation on the corner, producing lye, which was boiled down in large kettles, poured into iron coolers, congealed, and then turned out as a solid mass of potash. The huge cake would weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds – these were then taken to market in Kingston.

Camden book: The first Methodist religious services were held in log houses or new barns, and the clergymen were called “Circuit Riders”.

Community book: The episcopal Methodists built the first church in Moscow in 1865, located on the site of the present Moscow cemetery, it was known as the “White Church.” Colt: The Camden book said that although the Moscow people were mainly of the Methodist faith, 'it was the "Orthodox Quakers", later known as "The Society of Friends", who built the first church. It was known as the "Friends" Meeting House, and was located in the village immediately opposite the general store. The building was of frame construction and had two doors at the front, one for the men to enter and the other for the women. A platform across one end allowed the preacher to speak to both men and women who were seated on either side of a partition. Later (community book: as the society flourished) this building was taken down and rebuilt of brick a little farther east. (community book: across the road from the Methodist church) The society flourished for a great many years. However, changes came and the years that followed took their toll of the membership until the church was forced to close. The building was sold to the Loyal Orange Lodge 2711 in 1918. Besides lodge meetings, the hall was used for other community events. After the disbanding of the Moscow Orangemen, the Moscow Women's Institute negotiated the purchase of the building and the sale was completed in 1962.

Camden book: In 1869 the Wesleyans chose a location in the village and built a substantial stone structure which is still in use. Since church union in 1925, it has been called Moscow United Church. Spotlight book: The Moscow appointment comprised part of the Wilton circuit and two ministers served this charge. The senior minister lived in Wilton and the junior minister lived in Moscow, the two men alternating services. The yearly salary of the superintendent was $500 and the young minister received $200 with board and lodgings.

Community book:

Sometime between 1875-1880, the first cheese factory was built in Moscow by George Garrison, on land donated by George Lake (who owns the now Evan’s farm). Eventually the Van Luven brothers purchased this operation, but the frame building was struck by lightning in 1906, destroying the factory. In 1908 or 1909, the now cement block building, owned by Fred Johnson, was again destroyed by a fire that originated in the boiler room. The industry was closed down in 1957, when it was levelled by a fire starting in the curing room. Earl McNeil was the last cheese maker in Moscow. (Colt: Camden book: He did not rebuild because dairy farming was gradually on the decline, and factories at Wilton and Newburgh were able to take care of the milk. Colt: For more interesting stuff related to Moscow cheese, see the news clipping "Moscow Cheese Please" from The Scoop from Tamworth. It is in the Facebook page for Moscow, Ontario history that I made)

In 1889, a brief flurry of excitement came with the announcement of gold being discovered on the farm of Israel Stewart, on the north shore of Varty Lake. A qualified geologist encouraged sample evaluation at the assay office in Ottawa. In short order the Gold Horn Mining Company of Lennox and Addington, Ltd., was formed. However, after initial preparation of shafts, digging, etc., the results of samples of rock tested did not warrant further digging. A stockholder’s meeting, said to number eight hundred, was held in Moscow, and a resolution was passed to abandon operations. [Camden book: In the year 1889, considerable excitement prevailed throughout the Moscow district, when a report came through that gold had been discovered on the farm of Israel Stewart, on the north shore of Varty Lake. Many people living near this location had frequently observed a peculiar rock formation in the nature of an underground upheaval, which doubtless took place at some very remote geological age, with the result that a ridge had been thrown up, which could be followed without difficulty, for a distance of two or three miles in the Township of Camden, eastward and across part of the Township of Portland, in the County of Frontenac. Mr. Stewart became interested and engaged a geologist, who came to his farm and examined the out-cropping of this upheaval. Workmen were called in and several yards of earth and rock were removed. The scientist recommended that samples be sent to the assay office at Ottawa for examination. In due course, a report was made which disclosed that minute quantities of gold in pyrites and other sulphides in mechanical suspension, were found in the samples. Later, an experienced miner was engaged, and after a careful survey he suggested that, since gold was discovered so near the surface, it would be logical to assume that this metal should be found in paying quantities, at greater depths. As a result of this expert opinion Mr. Stewart lost no time in organizing an incorporated company known as “The Gold Horn Mining Company of Lennox and Addington, Ltd.” Officers were duly appointed, and Moscow had the signal honor of housing the head office of the company. Mr. Stewart was elected president and General Sales Manager of mining stock. Large signs were to be seen at the head office and also at the mine, where operations had begun in real earnest, under the supervision of the mining expert. A shaft was driven down (Later corrected to read- Three shafts were dug, greatest depth 60 feet, with a side draft of several feet in one. In most cases the granite rocks were the side walls) one hundred feet or more and lined with heavy pine timber from top to bottom. Samples of rock were tested from time to time but the result did not seem to warrant sinking the shaft farther, without the consent of the shareholders, and so a general meeting was called. Moscow, at this period, had ample railway facilities and the first train to arrive on the morning of the meeting brought a large number of optimistic shareholders. The meeting was opened in due form, with the president in the chair. The reports of several officers were listened to with rapt attention. The majority of the shareholders were farmers, said to number 800, and a substantial number availed themselves of the opportunity to be present at this, the first meeting. It is doubtful if anyone of the number of farmers present had ever before invested or speculated in gold-mining stock. The expert miner in charge of operations strongly recommended that the work be continued and expressed confidence that gold could be found in paying quantities. The deliberations lasted three or four hours, with many contributing to the debate. Finally a resolution was passed suspending operations indefinitely]

During the early period of pioneer life, the question of education received considerable attention. (Colt: the Camden book said: as life in the wilderness became a bit more stable, and families grew, the question of education became the big issue of the day) There being only trails through a sparsely settled district, it was decided to divide the Moscow area, comprising approximately four square miles into four school sections. (Colt: each named after a surname. i.e. the Card section) The first school organized was the Huffman school, which was conducted in a small cottage, sixteen feet square, known as Clark’s Weave Shop, located one and a quarter miles east of Moscow.

The other three schools were: the Perry School, on the north-west corner of the now Judge farm; the Card School, one mile north of Moscow; the Potter School, of log construction, one mile south of Moscow. When the Weave shop became overcrowded (there then being seventy-eight children on Huffman street), the first school meeting was called and Jacob Huffman donated one quarter of an acre of land on Lot 49 and there, across the road from the Weave shop, on the north-west corner, a new schoolhouse thirty feet square, one story high, with a cottage roof, was constructed. Here classes were conducted until the other three sections could see their way clear to join the Huffman school (Colt: the Camden book said: when conditions improved and roads became passable, the question of consolidating schools arose) and consolidate into one building to serve the entire area. (Camden book: following amalgamation the pupils met in The Sons of Temperance Hall until the new stone school was erected) This occurred in 1870, when a stone building was erected southwest of the corners. (Colt: It was Moscow Public School. Later a second story was added and the partition down the middle of the first story was removed. It served as a school until a modern two-room brick school was built in 1951. The 2 story stone building/previous school was made into apartments in 1950 according to someone, and it burned down in March 1954)

Nicholas Asselstine was the first teacher. Bob and Dave Saul of Camden East did the stone work, and Miles Storms (Moscow's first undertaker) did the carpentry work. The school had a second story added about 1900, with Cyrus Edgar of Yarker doing the carpentry work and Sauls again doing the stonework.

In 1864, the first and only murder occurred in Moscow. Elijah Huffman, J.P., (Colt: stands for “justice of the peace”) tracked down the murderer and escorted him to Kingston. In three weeks from his arrest, the murderer was publicly executed outside the walls of the Kingston jail. [Camden book: ANOTHER EXCERPT FROM THE “JOE FOSTER BOOK”: … the residents of the Moscow district were horrified when it became known that an atrocious murder had been committed in their midst. A German, Rudolph by name, with his wife, were living on the Robert Clark farm (Lot 50, Concession 5). William Kain, a young man working around among the settlers, was a frequent visitor to the Rudolph home. Kain confided to some of his friends that if Rudolph should die, well, he would marry the widow. One Sunday morning, a rifle shot was heard coming from the direction of the Rudolph home. Immediately the neighbours started out to investigate, and were horrified to find that Rudolph had been fatally shot while standing on his front door-step. Rudolph’s wife, when questioned, claimed to have no knowledge of the affair and stated, between sobs, that her husband was a good man and that she would not have had him shot for five dollars. Elijah Huffman, J.P. lost no time in running down the murderer. Kain was taken to Kingston and safely locked up. On his way to the prison, Kain confessed everything]

(Camden book: On 1875 Napanee Beaver news item mentions that a lodge of the Independent Good Templars was organized at Moscow)

In 1880, a charter was received from the government to obtain the Napanee, Tamworth and Quebec Railway. The survey followed the valley of the Napanee River to Yarker, (Camden book: and then north, skirting the east shore of Varty Lake. It by-passed Moscow one-half mile to the west) through Moscow, Enterprise and on to Tamworth. The Township of Camden voted $20,000 toward the enterprise. In August, 1884, the railway commenced operation (Camden book: the railway gave much valued service for a period of fifty years) and in 1886, the E. W. Rathbun Co. of Deseronto purchased the road and extended service to Tweed. In 1934, service was limited in the section from Yaker to Tweed, business having fallen off to such an extent it was no longer feasible to compete with the truck competition. Some service continued to 1941, when the track was taken up. (Camden book: The farmers and other patrons felt the loss of the service keenly when the railroad was abandoned)

[Camden book: FROM THE “HISTORY OF THE PIONEERS IN THE MOSCOW DISTRICT”, by Joseph Foster.

Editor’s note - The following is included with the history of Moscow but it has to do with the whole township.

BUYING SHARES IN WESTERN PROPERTY - During the period of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s many representatives of various land brokers roamed throughout the township selling shares in property in western property as far west as Saskatoon. One of these firms was the Alberta Financial Brokers. Investors found later that the property either did not exist or was worthless, and therefore money was lost. Shares were sold also in mines which either did not exist or proved to be worthless. Shareholders again took a big loss]

In October, 1905, using obsolete Bell equipment, (the Camden book said: Moscow did not lag behind when the telephone first became known as a means of communication. In a very short time, the ever resourceful Van Luven Bros. set up a Central in their General Store and Post Office. The Moscow Telephone Exchange, which has connections with the Bell Telephone Company, bought a dwelling in 1958. Mrs. Rod Walker, the present operator lives there and ‘tends’ the switchboard twenty-four hours a day. Mrs. Albert Pearson faithfully served twenty-three years as an operator in her home, from 1930 to 1953) the Blake transmitter, a rural line with five telephones between Desmond and Moscow came into being. Egerton Van Luven acted as telephone operator along with his other duties at the Moscow railway station.

The Van Luven store changed hands in 1907 when Fred Johnson bought the business. He was followed by Jim Fisher, Edgar Drew, and Allan huffman, who kept store for 40 years. His death in 1971 terminated one hundred and seventeen years of continuous business since the store was founded in 1854.

By 1908, a new service was built around Moscow, and was in use by 1910, using a magneto switchboard. It is now operated from the village. In 1965, it became a two-line service. Bell telephone took over in 1970.

Back to the top book: On Wednesday, June 20, 1923, a large number of relatives and friends gathered at the home of the late Amos E. Huffman, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Huffman settlement. This home stands only a few yards from where Elijah made his first clearing and built a crude log cottage, the first in the Moscow district.

Community Spotlight mentioned that it wasn’t until 1959 that Moscow received recognition of existence on official maps of Ontario.

Camden book: Today Moscow boasts a two room modern brick school. This takes care of pupils in grades I to IV, many of whom arrive in buses; Grades V and VI travel by bus to Camden East while Grades VII and VIII go to Enterprise. Students beyond Grade VIII attend Napanee and District Secondary School.

Community book:

The post office closed on April 30, 1969.

Those of us who call Moscow home love our village and realize the debt of gratitude owed to the pioneer families, although we, like so many small communities across Canada, feel deeply our loss of identity in the closing of our post office and new brick two-room school. Another serious loss we are all facing is the once productive, prosperous, tidy family farms.

More and more evident are barns and farms in various stages of disrepair and neglect as the men, who once made substantial contributions to the area, either retire or commute to the city to work. It is with deep regret that we see familiar landmarks disappear, one by one, all closely related to, and associated with, the times when one could meet one’s neighbour and around which so much of the village social life revolved.

     But lest these fond recollections of a passing life style in a small, agricultural village seem gloomy – they aren’t – our future is not behind us, rather our thoughts are positive as to the high quality of life we enjoy and we are practical in our need to grow in a period of change. This is the sort of thinking that makes Moscow a good place in which to live.

Camden book: the bank of Montreal from Yarker had a branch in Moscow in the house now owned by Irwin Hoad.

Colt:

I used to eat Black Caps (berries) from along the fence at the church. They were sweet! I had fun playing on the snow banks at the church. (from plowing the parking lot) I pretended I was a giant living on mountains on the snowbanks.

The store owner Gord used to tell us if a movie was good or not, before we decided to rent it from him. It was nice.