I am just in the process of uploading this to my Carscadden site and thought I would send
it here first.
Steph
The Carscadden name is thought to be from Scotland but some histories believe that 3
brother's went to Ireland (different parts) and so 3 variants in spelling came about:
Corscadden, Corscaden, Cuscaden . But the name was originally Garscadden. Apparently there
is no reference to the name before 19th century.
There is in fact a castle in Scotland called Garscadden Castle. It is located in
Drumchapel, Glasgow north of Garscadden Road.
There is also a village Garscadden in New Kilpatrick parish, Dumbartonshire, Scotland.
Of course until there is actual proof this theory is complete speculation.
During my research I have found many variations of the Carscadden name such as in Census
and Assessment Rolls for Clarke Township where the name seems to change on a regular basis
from Cascadding, Corscadden, Corscadin etc. and on birth registration where the name is
listed as Corscadden or marriage registrations where it is Carscaden.
"The family apparently immigrated form Ireland and was of Scottish descent. They
travelled from Fermanagh , Ireland on a ship. It took them 14 weeks to cross the ocean on
account of head winds. Flora Dean, Robert's wife died on long journey and was buried
at sea. When they first arrived in Canada they settled in the Township of Clarke, County
of Durham , Ontario, Canada. "
The above is from the "Affidavit of Family History" taken in Seattle Washington
written by Susan Jane Carscadden- Lyons sworn and signed Dec 19th 1950
(kindly sent to me by Pennee Meachum)
The Irish immigrating to Canada during the 1800's was not uncommon . As a matter of
fact in 1839 the year that the Carscadden family apparently sailed to Canada 8, 989 others
also sailed to British North America from Irish Ports.
In the 1842 enumeration of Upper Canada, 78, 255 members of the population were Irish
born, or 16.1 % of the population.(Source; The Irish in Ontario, A study in Rural History
by Donald Harman Akenson, 1984) (Noted Source; Carrier and Jeffrey, External Migration,
95)
In the book Emigration, The Advantages of Emigration To Canada by William Cattermole
(Published May 1831 , Republished in 1970 by Coles Publishing Company)
William Cattermole states the following;
"The two principal and indeed only routes to Upper Canada are by the river St.
Lawrence and New York, both of which may be considered as inaccessible during the winter
months. The navigation of the St. Lawrence is generally closed by the ice five months in
the year and although the harbour of New York is seldom so closed, yet the Hudson river,
and the Erie Canal, which form the communication from thence to Upper Canada are closed as
regularly as the St. Lawrence, but for a shorter period."
William also goes on to tell of the cost to individuals.
From Quebec to Montreal- Passage on Deck is $1.00
From Montreal to York or any place on the shore of Lake Ontario,
through arrangements with the Canada Company emigrants may be forwarded for the cost of
25s to 30s, provisions excluded.
From London or St. Katherine's docks the terms for 1831 were 3l.
to 4l. for the passage of an adult and more if extra accomidations are required. Children
were half price; and infants in arms were free. Apparently from Ireland and Scotland the
expense was considerably less but no cost is given.
People were advised to bring provisions for 60 days journey as they expected a 5-6 week
journey however do to storms and winds it could take longer. They advised people that any
provisions left over after the journey they would be useful for the journey to their final
destination.
Vessels that sailed in April were said take the least time to cross the ocean.
The Act of Parliament required the masters of the vessels to see that all the passengers
had the following quantities of stores-
Bread; 2/3 lb
Beer; 2/3 gallon
Fresh Meat; 2/3 Lb
Vegetables; 3/4 Lb
Cocoa; 2/3 oz
Sugar; 3/4 oz
Tea; 1/4 oz per diem
When fresh meat cannot be had; Salt Beef; 1/2 lb
Flour;1/2lb
Peas : 3/4 pint
Then on their own it was advised to take such things as raisins, suet, portable soup and
if people are going in parties a pig or two may be taken along and if they agreed to look
after it themselves a sheep.
Herrings, salt, fish, eggs suet, butter , rice, onions, carrots and some apples are what
William Cattermole recommended for the journey.
It was advised that no heavy or cumbrous baggage be brought.
Household furniture, iron utensils etc were better left and purchased in Upper Canada as
the cost of Freight and carriage would be more than the replacement of these items . It
was also noted that some items from Ireland and England may not be suitable or needed in
Upper Canada.
For the journey they were advised to only their wearing apparel on the ship and all other
clothing to be packed in water tight cases or trunks that did not weigh anymore than 80-90
lbs.