Fonds Number: 194
Title: G. H. Howson fonds
Creator: G. H. Howson
Dates of Material: 1876-1928
Physical Description: 4 volumes
Scope and Contents:
Vol 1
G. H. Howson, Ledger, bound volume 1876-1924
Pp 1-327 Business ledger, 1876 to 1887
Pg 328-338 Ledger for house on London Street
New house built in 1917, and details included here
Index to the volume is tucked in
Loose items in the volume include:
James Bradley, 137 London, on items toward rent, April 1898
George Rose, account, September 1899
Blotter: “Helpful Hints for Post Office Boxholders”
Vol 2
G. H. Howson, Day Book, bound volume 1882-1923
The day book breaks into distinct sections. The day book for his store in Bobcaygeon only covers 1882 to the end of October. Then the book resumes with entries, mainly dealing with house rentals in Peterborough beginning 29 October 1884 and through 1886. There are entries related to houses on London Street and Sherbrooke Street in Peterborough, and a Bobcaygeon house. Many of the entries relate to the William Poole estate, in connection with the Sherbrooke house and with other members of the Howson family. The book becomes a memo book, gradually changing to a house expenses account book, especially in 1917, and there are entries from 1893 to 1923. Some of the entries in the later years relate to bonds activity.
Vol 3
Peterboro’ Lock Mfg Co, 1889, catalogue, bound volume; 8.5” x 12”, with attached tuck-in of condensed price list, April 1890. Published by the Peterborough Lock Manufacturing Company, Peterborough, Ontario. The back cover of the price list has a good lithographic print of the factory, office and warerooms, and the same picture appears in the catalogue, page 1. The price list was printed at the Examiner office, 419 George Street, Peterborough. The broken backing was repaired in January 2014 by John Burbidge; otherwise very good condition.
The catalogue contains excellent descriptions and large illustrations. The company supplied locks, keys, hardware for cabinets, windows and doors, door knobs, escutcheons, door pulls, sash lifts, hat and coat hooks, hinges and butts, bell pulls, bell levers, etc. The ornamentation is clear and quite remarkable.
This volume was restored by John Burbidge, January 2014.
Vol 4
MacLean Builders’ Guide, Ontario Edition, Plan Book and Directory Number, Vol VI No 1, February 1928, paper bound.
Magazine containing many advertisements (none from Peterborough), articles and designs for houses from across Canada. Some of the articles discuss issues related to the building and selling of houses, and to landscaping and other elements of design.
Vol. 5
Edwin Poole, cabinet maker, Petrboro C. W., day book, 1863-1867
Vol. 6
Edwin Poole, journal ledger, 1868-1871
Access Conditions:
Open to researchers.
Accruals:
None expected.
Custodial History:
Biographical Sketch/ Administrative History
George Henry Howson (d 15 March 1939) was a long-time director of weights and measures, and lived at 137 London Street, a house whose history is told in this fonds. At the start of his career, Howson was a merchant in Bobcaygeon.