Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2015.26.01 |
Object Name |
Model, Sleigh |
Date |
c. 2010 |
Features |
Miniature logging sleigh in operation. Constructed of wood and strips of metal, held together with tacks and bits of wire. Sleigh is loaded with a load of sticks scaled to represent logs, and harnessed to a team of toy Clydesdales. The model is wired to a base made from a piece of 100 year old barn board, and snow has been simulated using a piece of old quilt batting or furnace dust filter. Parts of the sleigh are labelled. |
Object Story |
This folk art piece was created c2010 by Ross Long to honour his grandfather who moved logs for the Rathbun Company, a logging company based out of Deseronto. His grandfather's name was Sanford Henry Long. Sanford was born September 16, 1859 in Camden, Ontario. His parents were Joshua and Elsie Ann Long. He would marry Mary Ann Keyhoe August 28, 1883, in Hastings, Ontario. They had three children, Russell Harold Long (b. July 23, 1884), Alace [Alice?] Gertrude (b.1885), and Florence Emma (b.1894). Sanford died February 19, 1932 at 72 years of age in the County of Lennox and Addington. Logging was a large factor in shaping Canada in the 19th century. It increased immigration and economic development in eastern Canada, and significantly affected the Environmental landscape. The lumber was mostly shipped to Europe. Logging was largely a winter trade, as the large logs were too heavy to drag over dry ground, and could be much more easily moved over snow and using overflowing rivers in early spring. The first steps of the logging industry that Sanford could have been involved in include felling the trees, squaring them, transporting the logs through use of horse draw sleigh, and floating them down river, to Deseronto. Based on descendant accounts the river worked on by Sanford was likely the Salmon River. Logging was a dangerous profession, especially floating the logs downriver where men would have to get into the early spring water and dislodge flowing logs using iron hooks. The Rathbun family, was a prominent family in Deseronto beginning in the mid 1800's. Hugo Rathbun along with his brother moved to the bay of Quinte, to start a lumber company in Canada. Though always fairly successful, the company became very successful when Hugo's eldest son, Edward, took over aided by Fredrick, his younger brother. They expanded the business to include a long lists of industries such as blacksmithing, shipbuilding, and the railroad industry. The Company fell on hard times when there were several major fires in Deseronto and the company would end in 1923. |
People |
Long, Ross Long, Sanford Henry Long, Elsie Ann Keyhoe, Mary Ann Long, Russell Long, Alice Long, Florence Emma Rathbun (family) Rathbun, Edward Wilkes Rathbun, Fredrick Rathbun, Hugo |
Subjects |
Logging Models |
Search Terms |
Rathbun Company Salmon River Deseronto |