Perth-On-The-Tay, A Tale Of The Transplanted Highlanders

By  Josephine Smith, New Index by Global Heritage Press

Smith telIs the story of the Perth military settlement in Upper Canada (Ontario) from its beginning in 1816, to its early development by mixing history with fictionalized accounts of actual events and people.

Browse the new Index

More a novel than a history, Smith captures a sense of the time by frequently using distinctive styles-of-speech in her written dialogue that reflects the origins of those early pioneers. Perth settlement was largely populated by Scottish, Irish, and English settlers, plus some members of the recently disbanded De Watteville Regiment, a "Swiss" mercenary unit that had served with the British army. The regiment was comprised of men from all over Europe. The author has focused her attention on the Scottish Highlanders, who were in the majority of settlers during the early years. Having written the book in the closing years of the 191h century, the author had personal access to first-hand accounts from some of the original settlers and many their children.

Josephine Smith self-published her popular narrative about the everyday lives of Lanark County pioneers in 1901.

Perth-On-The-Tay is a delightful read for everyone who has an interest in the history of Perth and area.

Details
272 Pages
6 X 9"
Originally published by author, 1901
This reprint with new Index by Global Heritage Press, 2007
ISBN 978-1-897446-15-7 (hardcover)