Settler of township lots: Lot 5, Conc. 1, Stanhope

Location: Map point is the approximate location within this 86 acre irregular waterfront lot (Preston Lane) at the south end of Kushog Lake running west and north from Kushog Lake Road, west of Buckslide Road. This lot is at the intersection of Kushog Lake Road and Hwy 118 (then Peterson Road) then known as Guin's Corners.

Land acquisition:

• 1875 Lands Liable to Taxation: Township of Stanhope Register. 86 acres taxed to James Guinn.
• 1886 Patent from The Crown. Ontario Land Parcel Register - Stanhope (Image 54). See image 2 below.

Dates of residency: From at least 1875 until his death in 1912

• 1881 Census of Canada, Year: Stanhope and Sherborne and McClintock
• 1883 Stanhope Voters List: James Givin, owner, Lot 5, Conc. 1
• 1890 Stanhope Voters List: James Guinn, owner, Lot 5, Conc. 1
• 1891 Stanhope Voters List
• 1893 Stanhope Directory: Petersons Crs
  1899 Stanhope Directory: James Guinn, Peterson's Cors
• 1901 Census of Canada: Stanhope: James Guinn, alone
  - James Guinn is enumerated as able to read, but unable to write.
• 1901 Stanhope Voters List
• 1903 Business Directory, Stanhope: Jas Guinn, Petersons Cors
• 1903 Stanhope Voters List: James Guinn, farmer, Lot 5, Conc. 1
• 1911 Census of Canada, Stanhope: James Guinn, alone
• 1911 Stanhope Post Office List: Jas. Guinn, Petersons Cors
• 1911 Stanhope Voters List

Interesting facts:

James (Jimmy) Guinn was born in 1842 in Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1870, according to the 1911 Canadian census.

Jimmy Guinn had a habit of nicknaming everyone with such uncanny accuracy that most of his appellations, alas not always complimentary, stuck for life. For instance the famous peddler and fast talking salesman Reuben Haight became "old sweet lips" thanks to Jimmy. Source: In Quest of Yesterday by Nila Reynolds. Published by The Provisional County of Haliburton, Minden, Ontario 1973 pg. 310

Reuben “old sweet lips” Haight told the story that there was a steep hill that plagued travellers on the township road near Quinn’s house. To bypass it, the Stanhope Council, headed by Reeve Joseph Beatty, made a deal for the right of way to cross Guinn’s property for $25. Jim then removed his fence and waited for payment; when none came the fence went back up. Guinn said that Reeve Joseph “Old Curmudgeon” Beatty, Councillor William “Wormy” Cooper and Councillor “Limpy” Mason could climb the hill. Shortly thereafter Jim received his $25 and the fence was taken down. (Source: Shirley Warder as told to Joyce Gibson)

He is buried in St. Stephen's Cemetery on Buckslide Rd. His grave is marked by a little cross at the back of the cemetery.

Early settlers often enjoyed a little game of baseball to while away the summer nights but there was no round robin system of choosing up sides. The teams? Maple Lake, Boshkung Lake and Minden! It's been said Boshkung players didn't think twice about travelling to Guin's Corners (Hwy 118 and Kushog Lake Rd). for practice after a hard day in the fields. Source: Stanhope 125th Anniversary 1866-1991, supplement to The Times, Minden, 1991

Preceding landowner: The Crown

Succeeding landowner:

• 1940 Warden & Treasurer Tax Deed to Frank Gartshore all 86 acres for $44.31

Link to Settlers of Algonquin Highlands family tree

Photo 1, Jim Guinn and Annie Gostlin. Annie was Phyllis Harrison's aunt, and Bert Harrison's sister. Source: Shirley Warder. Nicholas Harrison's wife, Margaret, looked after Guinn.

Photo 2, James Guinn Deed 1875