Lacolle, Québec, Canada (Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle)
1832 - LA COLLE or BEAUJEU,

seigniory, in the co. of Arcadie, is bounded N. by De Lery, S. by the state of Vermont, and in the rear by Hemmingford, in front of the R. Richelieu. - 2 leagues in breadth by 3 in depth. Granted March 22, 1743, to Sieur de Beaujeu, and is now the property of General Christie Burton. - Towards the front the land is rather low, with some few swampy patches, which excepted, the soil is in general good and very well timbered: in the rear the land is much higher, and although partially intersected by strata of rocks and veins of stone, lying a little below the surface, the soil is rich and perhaps superior to the lower lands. On these upper grounds there is much beech, maple and elm timber; the we places afford abundance of cedar, tamarack, spruce fir and hemlock. Although the greatest part of this S. is very eligible for the purposes of cultivation, and would produce all sorts of grain abundantly, besides being peculiarly well suited to the growth of hemp and flax, there is not more than one third settled. - The river La Colle, winding a very sinuous course from west to east, intersects it and falls into the Richelieu. - A number of houses, situated on each side of the road that runs along the ridge from the state of New York, about 2 1/ 2 miles towards La Colle, have obtained the name of Odell Town from Captain Odell, who was one of the first and most active settlers in this part: he is an American by birth, and so are the greatest part of the other inhabitants, but they are now in allegiance to the English government. The effect of the activity and good husbandry, natural to American farmers, is much to be admired in this small but rising settlement: the fields are well tilled and judiciously cropped, the gardens planted with economy and the orchards in full bearing; above all, the good roads in almost every direction, but particularly towards the town of Champlain, attest their industry; and it is likely, from its vicinity to the thickly inhabited townships on the American side of the boundary, the small distance from Champlain, Plattsburgh and Burlington, the easy access to the Richelieu for expeditious water carriage, and especially from the persevering labour of its population, that Odell Town will advance in agricultural improvement and become wealthy and flourishing. - This S. is divided into 9 concessions, which are all settled. - The village of Burtonville is one mile S.W> of the road leading from Montreal to Champlain. - Lacolle Parish includes all the seigniory only, and the church is on the Montreal road 2 miles from the province line. - Near the mouth of the river La Colle is Isle aux Tetes, or Ash Island, on which there is a redoubt commanding the whole breadth of the Richelieu. This little spot and the flotilla moored between it and La Colle, in July 1814, formed the advanced naval position towards Lake Champlain, at which period the American flotilla was stationed at Pointe au Fer and Isle a la Motte, about ten miles distant.

Population 1,981
Corn-mills 1
Carding-mills 1
Fulling- mills 1
Saw-mills 4
Tanneries 1
Hat-manufact. 1
Potteries 1
Potasheries 3
Pearlasheries 2
Distilleries 1
Just. of Peace 1
Medical men 1
Notaries 1
Shopkeepers 7
Taverns 6
Artisans 28
keel-boats 3

A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

Visit Lacolle, Québec, Canada (Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.