Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
1867 - Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke, the metropolis of the Eastern Townships of Canada, was incorporated a town in the year 1862. In extent of population, wealtb, and commercial importance, it occupies the leading position in this portion of the Province. It is an active, enterprising place of about 4,600 inhabitants, delightfully situated at the confluence of the rivers St. Francis and Magog, on the south-eastern line of the Grand Trunk Railway, at a distance from Montreal of 96 miles. Divided by the latter stream, part of the town lies in the Township of Ascott and the remainder in Orford, Compton County, St. Francis District, of which district it is the chef lieu. The town is principally noted for its unsurpassed water- power and extensive manufactories. There are sixteen or eighteen mills and factories in constant operation, and others in course of erection. These embrace paper, woollen, grist, and saw mills ; match, fuse, scythe, furniture, and sash factories, foundry and machine shops, &c. A large amount of capital is invested in most of these establishments, and a great many men, women, and children, from the skilled artizan to the common laborer, are employed in carrying them on.

Sherbrooke has acquired additional repute as being the residence and constituency of the Hon. Alex. T. Gait, M.P.P., late Finance Minister of Canada. It is also the residence of the Hon. E. Short, Judge of the Superior Court ; the Hon. J. S. Sanborn, M.L.C. ; R. W. Heneker, Esq., Commissioner British America Land Company ; E. Clark, Esq., J. P. ; the headquarters of the 6th (late 10th) Military District (Lieut. Col. King, Brigade-Major) ; the head office of the Eastern Townships Bank (B. Pomroy, Esq., President) ; and head office of the Stanstead and Sherbrooke Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The town (including Ascot and Orford) elects one member to the Legislative Assembly, and that branch of the Legislature has been represented by Mr. Gait since April, 1849. Two sessions of the Court of Queen's Bench (holding criminal jurisdiction), four sessions of the Superior, and four of the Circuit Court are annually held. There are in the place six volunteer companies, viz : one troop cavalry, three rifle corps, and one artillery, and one infantry company. The Military District takes in the Counties of Compton, Stanstead, Richmond, Wolfe, Arthabaska, Drumraond, Nicolet, and Megantic.

In the town are five Churches, viz: Church of England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational. There are a Roman Catholic College and Convent; an English Academy, male and female; Church Society Colonial School, and five District Free Schools, all well sustained. Two mails are daily received from Montreal, one each day from other directions. From Stanstead, the distance is 30 miles ; Compton, 12 ; Magog Lake, 16 ; Richmond Station, 24 ; Quebec, 120 ; Portland, 200 ; Waterloo, 36 miles. Railway fare to Richmond, 80 cents ; Montreal, $3.26 ; Island Pond, $1.66 ; Boston, $S.60 ; Compton, 26 cents. Daily stage to Magog, $1.00 ; also stage daily to Eaton, Cookshire, Robinson, &c. Tri-weekly stage to Westbury and Weedon.

Sherbrooke bas numerous costly and attractive private residences, and makes a creditable display in public buildings. A new jail is in course of erection, and also a mammoth woollen factory. This latter structure is now nearly completed. .It is the enterprise of Messrs. George Stephen, Montreal ; R. W. Heneker, B. A. Land Co., Sherbrooke ; J. H. Pope, M.P.P., Compton ; Benj. Pomroy, Pres. E. T. Bank, Compton — whose registered firm is Paton & Co., Mr. Paton being the general manager of the works. The size of the main building Is 154 x 66 feet, four stories, brick, besides large dye-house attached. The cost, when fully completed, with ten sets of the most improved machinery, will be upwards of $100,000. It is expected to give employment to 160 hands, and will, no doubt, both directly and indirectly, give a fresh impetus to trade in this locality. All the factories in the place are in constant operation, and have proved remunerative investments to the owners. Many of them are being enlarged, and the machinery improved, so as to be able to turn out a greater amount of work. The natural resources of the town are, however, as yet but imperfectly known or recognised. There are a large number of well-stocked stores in the place. A good beef and vegetable market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, besides a cattle fair, held on the first Wednesday of each month.

The Victoria Lodge of F. & A. M., No. 71, is in flourishing condition, and holds its regular meetings the second Tuesday in each month. Three papers — two English and one French — are published in the town. Jos. Gibb Robertson, Esq., is the present Mayor, and has, for eleven consecutive years, filled this office.

The Eastern Townships Gazetteer and General Business Directory: A Commercial Directory and Guide to the Eastern Townships of Canada, Containing Also Much Useful Information of a Miscellaneous Character ... January 1, 1867 Smith & Company

Visit Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.