Allen Paterson (1752-1809)
Fur Trader & Director of the Michilimackinac Company, Lake Michigan
He was the brother and business partner of Charles Paterson who was one of the original nine partners in the North West Company, Montreal. They controlled the fur trade at Fort Michilimackinac on Lakes Michigan and Huron and he retired with considerable wealth. He acted as a guide to the British forces during the American Revolution for which he received a land grant. In 1787, he and his wife built a large home known as the "Blue House" on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River at the head of Rapide du Plat in Matilda Township, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. "Mr. and Mrs. Paterson were genial and friendly people; and in their fine home they extended liberal hospitality to both friends and travelling strangers... within its walls were entertained almost every noted man of the first forty years of the history of Upper Canada".
Their home, tended by three French-Canadian live-in servants, was described as, "a large two-storey building of oak timber, built in Dutch style with a high pointed roof and three gable windows on the south side facing the river; there was also a wide "stoop" or verandah. The house was painted a bright blue colour which was unusual. The entrance doorway was particularly attractive, being of Colonial design with an arch above and panel-lights on either side. The finished carpentry within was in good style, some of it as well as the glass required, having been obtained in Montreal. In all the Blue House was distinguished and conspicuous in appearance, and soon became a well-known landmark on the river. Later a wing was added to the building. A barn and stables were also built, and farming operations carried on. Paterson was an enthusiastic horticulturist, setting out a large apple orchard, chiefly of fameuse (the snow-apple of Lower Canada) and russets. He also planted acacia (locust) trees, poplars and elms, some of these still standing."
Allan Paterson died childless in 1809 and according to his will he owned several farms in the river townships, fifteen parcels totalling 2,375-acres, besides other farms for which patents under the Great Seal had not yet been issued. His widow remarried Col. Fraser and the Blue House was then occupied by Paterson's relatives, John and Elizabeth Findlay, who arrived from Ayrshire in 1826 with, "considerable good furniture, silver and chinaware".
Their home, tended by three French-Canadian live-in servants, was described as, "a large two-storey building of oak timber, built in Dutch style with a high pointed roof and three gable windows on the south side facing the river; there was also a wide "stoop" or verandah. The house was painted a bright blue colour which was unusual. The entrance doorway was particularly attractive, being of Colonial design with an arch above and panel-lights on either side. The finished carpentry within was in good style, some of it as well as the glass required, having been obtained in Montreal. In all the Blue House was distinguished and conspicuous in appearance, and soon became a well-known landmark on the river. Later a wing was added to the building. A barn and stables were also built, and farming operations carried on. Paterson was an enthusiastic horticulturist, setting out a large apple orchard, chiefly of fameuse (the snow-apple of Lower Canada) and russets. He also planted acacia (locust) trees, poplars and elms, some of these still standing."
Allan Paterson died childless in 1809 and according to his will he owned several farms in the river townships, fifteen parcels totalling 2,375-acres, besides other farms for which patents under the Great Seal had not yet been issued. His widow remarried Col. Fraser and the Blue House was then occupied by Paterson's relatives, John and Elizabeth Findlay, who arrived from Ayrshire in 1826 with, "considerable good furniture, silver and chinaware".
