Settler of township lots: Lot 11, Conc. 5, Guilford (Stanhope Area)

Location: Map point is the approximate location within this 84 acre irregular, waterfront lot on the south shore of Pine Lake at the east end of St. Andrews Court in West Guildford

Land acquisition: 1883 from The C .L. & E. Co. Ontario Land Parcel Register - Guilford (Image 123).

Other land:

• Lot 8, Conc. 1, Stanhope:
  - 1872 Patent from The Crown. Ontario Land Parcel Register-Stanhope (Image 78).
  - Succeeding landowner: 1878 - Daniel Bull. This settler was enumerated at this lot on the 1881 and 1901 census.

Dates of residency:

• 1870 Peterborough County Directory, Stanhope: Wm. Barnum, Lot 8, Conc. 1
• 1903 Business Directory, Guilford: Wm Barnum, Maple Lake, Lot 11, Conc. 5
• 1911 Census of Canada, Guilford: William Barnum, Lot 11, Conc. 5

Interesting facts:

Some of Guilford's pioneers, like Joseph Griffin and the sons of Andrew Barnum, had owned land in Stanhope before moving east to Guilford. The Barnums (Almond, William, Charles and Nelson), chose lots on the shores of Pine Lake, the first assessment for William is 1878 but he was probably there earlier. Source: In Quest of Yesterday by Nila Reynolds. Published by The Provisional County of Haliburton, Minden, Ontario 1973 pg. 154

William Barnum was a Quaker who moved north from Murray township in Northumberland County along with his brother Nelson who settled on the next lot. (Note: on the 1911 census, he is recorded as Methodist)

In 1878, William resettled just east of Stanhope in the township of Guilford at the head of Pine Lake. In 1895 Mr. William Barnum Sr. was the leader of the Pine Lake church congregation of 21. Source: Ibid pg.  326

His log house on Pine Lake, built in the 1870's is one of the finest examples of pioneer architecture left in Guilford township. To walk up to its entrance avenue, lined with plum trees and lilacs, in blossom time is a most memorable experience. Source: Ibid pg. 154

Shortly after William Barnum arrived at the head of Pine Lake, one of his young daughters had an unpleasant experience with a wolf when picking raspberries alone in a clearing. She became alarmed when she noticed a big dog following. Fortunately her screams brought her parents to the edge of the field and the animal turned tail. Ibid pg. 154

William Barnum represented Pine Lake on the 1900 committee that merged the Maple Lake Church with the 21 member congregation at Pine Lake Church, both of which met in school houses, to build the frame Maple Lake Church at Clarke’s Corners.  Source: Ibid. pg.  326

Preceding landowner: 1865 The C .L. & E. Co from The Crown

Succeeding landowners:

• 1910 John Barnum 12 acres for $25
• 1936 William Herbert Barnum 84 acres - inheritance. .
• 1943 Cecil Stamp

Link to Settlers of Algonquin Highlands family tree