This cache has been placed as part of an initiative by the County of Peterborough, its member municipalities, the City of Peterborough and local First Nation communities to celebrate Canada 150+. There are 23 geocaches placed throughout the region showcasing local history.
The geocoin stock has now been exhausted. Please continue to enjoy exploring local history through other geocaches within the Canada 150+ collection.
GC Codes full list: GC74A7F - Payne Murders & First Execution, GC74A76 - Victoria Museum at "Inverlea", GC72PWE - Memengweshii, GC72PWP - Historic Curve Lake Village, GC72PX1 - Old Rail Road Stop, GC72PXA - Hiawatha Church, GC72VFW - Sucker Hunt at "Welbeck", GC74A7Q - Richard Birdsall, GC74A7V - John Deyell, GC74A7Y - Cavan Blazers & Paddy Maguire, GC72VG3 - Balm for her Wounded Heart, GC72VGA - Sedgwick Lime Kiln Park, GC72WDJ - Nepheline Syenite A Global Lustre, GC75D68 - Havelock Public School, GC72WDT - The Brush Factory, GC72VGJ - Sam Edgar Crypt, GC72VGQ - Nelson Brawl at the Keene Hotel, GC75D6H - Lang Grist Mill, GC72VGW - Catharine Parr Traill, GC72WDZ - The Pope Stallion, GC75D5Q - Adam & Eve Rocks, GC74A8B - Going to School on the Oregon Trail.
Richard Birdsall played an important role in the early settlement period of Asphodel Township. Freshly arrived from England, he surveyed Asphodel Township in 1820 at the age of 21, following the signing of a treaty with the Mississaugas in 1818. The Provincial Land Surveyor also laid out Douro Township in 1823 and the Town of Peterborough in 1825.
He settled near this place on 920 acres purchased from his father-in-law, Zaccheus Burnham, for £250. On neighbouring Asphodel Lot 1, Conc 1 he built a family home where he and his first wife, Elizabeth, and 4 daughters lived. When his young wife died suddenly in 1827, it was a devastating loss for the young pioneer family. In 1836 he married again, to Charlotte Jane Everett, and had another 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Birdsall was industrious, also becoming appointed as Justice of the Peace in 1821, Land Agent for the Canada Company in 1830 (issuing licenses to and inspecting work by lumberman on Clergy Reserves), and serving as Captain of the 2nd Regiment, Northumberland Militia under Colonel Peter Robinson in 1831 and later achieving the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He also served on Council of the New Colborne District in 1842-1843, representing Asphodel, and became the first Reeve of Asphodel in 1850.
Birdsall took ill and died suddenly on a business trip to Cavan in 1852 at the age of 51, leaving behind a large, young family. In time, his sons returned to farm the land they inherited and the Birdsall name is still prominent in the area today.
A large stone marks Birdsall’s final resting place in St. Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Westwood. Stop by when visiting the “Sucker Hunt at Welbeck” (GC72VFW) cache.
Source:
Graham, Jean Lancaster. "Early Settlers in Asphodel." Asphodel: A Tale of a Township. Hastings, Ont.: Township of Asphodel, 1978. 15-19, . Print.