In partnership with the Downeyville Peter Robinson Commemoration Committee, the City has developed an interactive map where you can explore the land grants given to the Peter Robinson settlers in Emily, Ops and Verulam Townships in 1825.
This searchable resource provides information on the grants given to each family, as well as information on family members. The map is still be updated with more information and additional research about these early settler families so check back often as more data is uploaded!
To access this resource, visit: http://bit.ly/45NiL6h
Welcome!
This special edition of the newsletter is dedicated to commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson settlers- courageous families who emigrated from various regions of Ireland in search of a better life. In 1825, they journeyed across the Atlantic and established new roots in what was then Emily Township, an area that has since become part of the City of Kawartha Lakes. Their legacy lives on in the communities they helped build, and we take this opportunity to reflect on their enduring contributions and the rich cultural heritage they brought with them.
-Your Kawartha Lakes Arts, Culture and Heritage Team
Peter Robinson Settler Burial Marker Signs
As part of the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Peter Robinson settlement the City of Kawartha Lakes, through its Arts and Culture program in Economic Development, worked with local cemetery managers to see if and where there were burial sites related to the original settlers who arrived in Kawartha Lakes in 1825.
Although nearly all of the land grants were located in Emily Township, not all of the settlers stayed in the township and many lived, died and were buried in other parts of Kawartha Lakes.
Eight cemeteries were identified to hold the remains of Peter Robinson settlers. Commemorative sign were installed at the entrance of each cemetery to indicate to residents, visitors, and those making the pilgrimmage to Kawartha Lakes for the 200th anniversary events the lasting contribution that these settlers made to our region.
Find a Cemetery
Emily Omemee Cemetery
4249 Highway 7, Omemee
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
233 Lindsay Street South, Lindsay
Cunningham Cemetery
1235 Mount Horeb Road, Omemee
St. James Anglican Cemetery
945 Frank Hill Road, Omemee Downeyville Pioneer Cemetery
239 St. Luke's Road, Downeyville
St. Luke's Roman Catholic Cemetery
369 St. Luke's Road, Downeyville
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery County Road 121, Kinmount
Immaculate Conception
Roman Catholic Cemetery
392 Galway Road, Kinmount
Vol. 2 September 2025
Feature Article:
The Sullivan Family of Sullivan's Landing
Interviewed by Laura Love
Some descendants of the Peter Robinson Immigration scheme are fortunate enough to continue to live on the original land grants. One such family is the Sullivans, whose farm turns 200 this year.
I had the chance to speak with Ronald Sullivan and his daughter Sarah, and see the Sullivan farm first hand. Ron is the great, great grandson of John Sullivan, and Sarah still lives on the original Sullivan homestead granted in 1825. We sit in the kitchen of the old farm house/ stagecoach, and Ron draws my attention to a big blue-green binder on the table. It is full of papers and photos carefully tucked in plastic pockets. The origins and generations of the Sullivan family
carefully documented.
On June 19, 1825, the Sullivan family—John, Margaret, and their son Timothy—arrived in Quebec with 157 passengers. They traveled by wagon to settle on Concession 12, Lot 21 in Emily Township (near Downeyville, Kawartha Lakes). Given 100 acres of uncleared land, they also received flour, an axe, an ox, and 18 months of naval rations.
By winter 1825, they lived in a modest log home about 800 feet from their present-day house. Early life was harsh; dense forests and disease took a toll- 31 settlers in Emily died in 1826, including young Timothy. By that year's end, the Sullivans had cleared half an acre and owned one cow. The 1851 Census records the family thriving, with six children living in the original log house.
Sarah and her father Ron Sullivan standing infront of the Sullivan barn built 1926!
Margaret Callaghan and John Sullivan, original settlers.
In 1858, the Sullivans built a new wood¬ frame house—also used as a stagecoach stop —using lumber from Boyd's sawmill in Bobcaygeon, delivered by steamboat to Sullivan's Landing. Likely larger than typical Irish cottages of the time, the house served both guests and family, with two separate front entrances. The original log house remained in use.
John Sullivan Jr., the eldest son, inherited the farm. By 1861, 40 of the 100 acres were under cultivation, growing wheat, peas, oats, potatoes, and turnips. Around 1865, he married Catherine Brennan at St. Luke's in Downeyville. They had at least five children: Margaret Ann, John Michael, Catherine, Thomas, and Cornelius.
After John Jr. married Catherine Brennan, his widowed mother moved into the old log house with her daughter Julia, allowing the newlyweds to live in the newer home. When Julia died in 1913, the log house and older buildings likely fell into disrepair and were demolished.
When John Jr. died in 1910, the farm passed to his younger son, Thomas, as the eldest, John Michael, had already established his own farm. Thomas married Mary Perdue from a neighboring farm, and they had 11 children: Thomas A., John E., Robert J., Lucille (Lucy), Mary Ann, Thomas Ignatius, William, Austin J., Stephen F., Alphonse, and Albert.
Ron recalls his grandparents pasturing cattle in the "summer ranch" between Shoreview and Kings Wharf, walking them along quiet roads. With no refrigeration, beef was butchered in winter and preserved with salt for year-round use.
Despite the demands of farm life, there was always time for fun. Ron fondly recalls berry picking, especially how Aunt Lucy would take his father to raspberry patches so often that there were never any raspberries left for pie, they were Ron's favorite.
Thomas Sullivan and Mary Perdue, c.1897
After Thomas Sullivan Sr.'s death in 1941, the farm passed to his son, Thomas Ignatius ("Uncle Tommy"). Around this time, the farm shifted from livestock to crop production, focusing mainly on hay and wheat, and the cows were sold.
While Uncle Tommy managed the farm, his brother Stephen—Ron's father—worked at a munitions yard in Lindsay before enlisting in WWII. After the war, he married Dorothy O'Neill in 1948, and they soon moved to Toronto.
Ron enjoyed city life but treasured summer visits to Uncle Tommy's farm, where he fished, swam, and helped with chores. Even without indoor plumbing, it felt like an adventure. When Uncle Tommy passed in 1962, the farm was passed to Ron's parents, and the family moved there permanently. Ron completed high school locally before returning to Toronto.
There, Ron met and married Sharon, eventually settling in Bobcaygeon to raise their daughters, Carley and Sarah. Sarah fondly remembers fishing on the lake—simple joys rooted in farm life. After Stephen's death in 1999, Ron inherited the farm and carried on the family legacy.
In 2016, Sarah moved back, initially intending a short stay. Over time, her connection to the land deepened, and she chose to remain. By 2021, she had planted a large garden beside the homestead, continuing the family tradition.
Today, Sarah reflects on her deep connection to farming: "I just wanted to be in the garden." She now runs Pigeon Lake Permaculture, growing fresh, organic produce for her community.
"At first, it was just about doing my own thing," she says, "but now Ithink about how this farm has been in my family longer than Canada has been a country." She adds proudly, "There aren't many farms like this anymore."
Ron still visits often—fixing things, splitting wood, or simply watching the lake. "I love this place," he says with a smile.
Original water-pump on the Sullivan farm
Downeyville Celebrations
Celebrations have been underway in Downeyville this year to commemorate the community's connection to the Peter Robinson settlement and the families who were given land grants in Emily Township, many of whom still call Kawartha Lakes home.
In May, a special play was put on by a volunteer cast to bring the story of the families who came to Emily to life. The play was recorded and is available on YouTube.
In July, Heritage Day celebrated the area's rich history, with quilt displays, blacksmithing demonstrations and shanty building. Celebrations continued in August with the Homecoming Day and Jamboree, that featured live music, baseball games, a history room and a Mass at the Pioneer Cemetery.
Events are continuing throughout 2025 and information can be found on the Peter Robinson Settlers Downeyville Facebook page.
A Look at St. Luke's
One of the priorities of the Peter Robinson settlers was practicing their faith: the majority of the families were Roman Catholics and construction of a church was an important goal in their establishment of their community. Like many early settler communities, however, the construction of a church had to wait until more pressing matters, such as homes and farms, were built.
In 1857, land was purchased from Bartholomew Downey in the new hamlet of Downeyville for the construction of a church. A frame building was built between 1857 and 1858 and became St. Luke's Catholic Church. The chancel, vestry and bell tower were added to the building in 1886, and it was
also clad in white brick at this time.
From this time, St. Luke's has been a central community building and a well-know landmark in Downeyville that still serves the Catholic community and an important reminder of the faith of the early settlers.
Vol. 2. September 2025
ating Archival Photographs
We all have those photographs that float around with no information attached and the Municipal Archives is no exception. Photos don't always contain any clues to give you an idea of the timeframe and if there are no people to help date, it can be even harder. So, how do we date a photo that has no date? What are the key things you need to figure out? If you are lucky there may be some contextual clues that help to identify at least generally what decade the photo may be from.
Sometime there are good visual clues. If there is a person or people, you can use clothing as a clue. In photo 2021.003_00342 there are a few clues such as it being in black and white, the decor, the collars of the young men pictured, and their hair cuts. What would you guess is the date?
Sometimes there are very few clues such as the picture of the cows (unaccessioned photo 2_12) which has only the fact that it is in colour to help determine a year. In instances such as this it is recommended to use contextual clues from the physical photograph itself. Are the edges scalloped, if so it might be from the 1940s or 50s? What is the brand and look on the back of the photo? Sometimes the information found on the photograph backing itself can be a clue and the answer may be a quick internet
City of Kawartha Lakes Archives, 2021.003_00342
City of Kawartha Lakes Archives, unaccessioned photo 2_12 search away. Sometimes a best guess is all you can do.
So how did you do? The first photo has been dated to 1937 from the hair styles and the collar shapes. The second we were lucky enough to find a print date on the back from 1987.
Are you interested in learning more or accessing the City's Municipal Archives?
To learn about our collection and to request an appointment to view archival material, contact afornelli@kawarthalakes.ca or 705-324-9411 ext. 1137 or 1139
News, Workshops and Events
Why Museums Matter in 2025
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 6pm to 8pm
Location: Victoria Room, 26 Francis Street, Lindsay Register: httDs://bit.ly/4IMfdSg
We are pleased to welcome Alison Trummond, Executive Director of the Ontario Museum Association who will examine the enduring relevance and vital role of museums in today's society.
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 7pm to 9pm
Location: Coronation Hall, 1 King St W, Omemee Register: http://bit.ly/41XAhxS
Are you interested in learning more about your historic house but not sure where to start? Join us for this free introductory workshop to learn about local resources, tips and tricks for research and to ask your research questions!
Advanced registration is recommended for this workshop but not required.
Riverside Cemetery Tour: 155 Years
Date: Saturday, October 11, 11am and 4pm
Location: 347 Lindsay St S, Lindsay Register: https://bit.ly/4IQLAzd
In celebration of Riverside Cemetery's 155th anniversary, local historian Ian McKechnie will lead us through the rich and fascinating history of the cemetery. This is a rain or shine event. Please bring a non-perishable food item- to be donated to Kawartha Lakes Food Source.
How to Use OnLand
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 6pm to 8pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes Public Library, 190 Kent Street West, Lindsay Register: http://bit.ly/4g619S9
Join us for this interactive workshop on how to use OnLand, the online land registry office database. We will explore how to access different types of OnLand records to help you undertake property-based research. Space is limited for this workshop and advanced registration is required.
