SHOEMAKERS RODD

On April 29th 1861 John G. Rodd announced the opening of his shoe and boot business in Bonshaw. He offered shoes and boots in the best style and at the shortest notice (31). He was also listed in the directories of 1864, 1870, and 1871 as a shoemaker (3,5,6). In 1871 he was also the postmaster (6). By 1880 he was not shown in either the 1880 Atlas or the directory (32,33). The 1863 "Lake map" shows J. Rodd on the south side of the St Catherine's Road near the bridge over Smelt Creek, but no other evidence has been found to show where his business was located (2).

MATHESON

On January 22nd 1877 John Matheson shoemaker of Bonshaw purchased a lot from Alexander Robertson for the sum of $105.40 (34) In the 1880 Atlas a shoe shop was shown on the lot on the western side of the courthouse (32). Teare’s Directory of 1880 notes that John was a boot and shoemaker (33). He was also listed in the 1889/90 directory but in the 1900 directory there was no listing for shoe or bootmakers in Bonshaw (35).

McNEVIN

Alexander McNevin is noted in 1864, 1870, 1871, and 1889, as a shoemaker in Bonshaw (3,5,6,7). As mentioned previously there were no shoemakers in the community in 1900, so Alexander must have ceased his business by then (3 5). The business was located on the south side of the main road approximately 500 feet west of the Argyle shore road intersection (32).

OTHER SHOEMAKERS

Hugh Lamont was noted in 1841 (3 8) Archibald C. McNeill in 1864 and 1880 (3,32) William Berry in 1864 (3)

Patrick Bulger in 1864 (3)

HARNESS MAKER MORROW

Albert Morrow, saddler, of Bonshaw, purchased a one acre lot containing what was known as the Bonshaw Inn from Alexander McNevin in 1880 (3 6). The purchase did not include the land or building which was noted as a harness shop in the 1880 Atlas (32). He is also listed in the 1889 directory as a harness maker (7). In 1892 he sold the former Inn to John Murchison and in 1900 no harness maker was listed in Bonshaw (37,35).

BLACKSMITHS

Mention of a forge in Bonshaw was found as early as 1856 and it is probable that there was one in 1841 as W.W. Irving was recorded as having brought 'skilful mechanics from Scotland for the purpose of making modern agricultural implements (39,40).

_44_