Early Toronto Libraries, 1810–1830: Toronto Library and York Subscription Library

The Town of York was founded in 1793 by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe as the capital of Upper Canada. York replaced Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the capital from 1791-93. The town was an established frontier trading site with indigenous people and possessed a good harbour for transport and farmland that attracted settlers. About 1,000 people—settlers, traders, officials, and soldiers—populated the settlement in 1800. With increasing growth over the next quarter century, York became the centre of Ontario government, business, and cultural life. It was renamed Toronto in 1830 in recognition of its indigenous roots and incorporated as a small city in 1834 with a population of about 9,000.

Books and the value of literacy in a colonial setting were important elements in cultural life that were fostered by the Upper Canadian elite—Loyalists, government and church officials, wealthy merchants and investors, and emerging career professionals such as lawyers and doctors. Jointly, this conservative network of Upper Canadian men sought to control political, economic, religious, educational, and judicial power and became known as the Family Compact. These prominent citizens, who often possessed substantial personal libraries, also formed voluntary associations for various purposes, one being a ‘public library’ by subscription. Books and libraries were recognized as important sources of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration for ideas, both personal and public. The development of private and professional collections by prominent men, such as Bishop John Strachan, who acquired an important collection of 18th-century English and Scottish religious and political thought, influenced the direction of education and civic life. Personal books were often lent between friends: after the death of David Burns, a Scottish-born surgeon and Clerk of the Crown, his estate administrator advertised in the Upper Canada Gazette on June 7, 1806, for a return of missing books from the deceased’s library, works such as Plutarch’s Lives, and volumes by Voltaire, Pope, and Swift. Beyond York, another admirable collection belonged to Robert Addison, an Anglican minister, who brought with him 1,300 sixteenth and seventeenth century books to Niagara in 1792. He supported the formation of the first subscription library in Upper Canada, the Niagara Library, established on June 8, 1800, “to diffuse knowledge” for a small group of forty-one residents. Citizens in Toronto would soon follow suit.

Subscription libraries, originating in the United States and Britain, were important social institutions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Robert Gourlay, the Scottish-born reformer who ran afoul of the Family Compact,  noted the development of small libraries in his Statistical account of Upper Canada in 1822:  He remarked that, “Books are procured in considerable numbers. In addition to those with which particular persons and families are supplied, social libraries are introduced in various places; and subscribers at a small expence thus enjoy the benefit of many more volumes than they could individually afford to purchase.” The collective aspect offered a cost-effective way to access a greater number of books and enabled community engagement beyond personal means.

Although funding for many subscription libraries was inconsistent, they did offer the opportunity to support the growth of collections of value accessible to local residents. Over time, these libraries increasingly expanded beyond elitist circles, and they could be said to have democratized access to knowledge, information, pleasurable reading, and civic engagement. The two Toronto libraries highlight this aspect because our knowledge of both groups clearly indicates an evolution from elite membership to members of the general public. These two libraries aimed for useful knowledge by balancing recreational reading with educational resources. As well, the Toronto libraries may be considered one part of the ‘public sphere’ where residents could meet beyond their own homes at a particular place, to read, discuss ideas, engage in civic dialogue, and advance self-knowledge. Notably, it became possible to expand literacy among subscribers of modest means. As such, they helped foster the idea of creating public libraries in localities.

The Toronto Library, 1810–1813

Sketch, Roberton’s Landmarks of Toronto

The Toronto Library was a private subscription library formally established on December 9, 1810, following preliminary meetings. It was located in Elmsley House at the southwest corner of King Street West and Simcoe Street. This residence was originally built in 1798 for Chief Justice and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, John Elmsley, and served as Government House from 1815 to 1841. The library’s prominent members included Thomas Scott, Alexander Wood, George D’Arcy Boulton, William Dummer Powell, the Treasurer William Allan, and its Librarian William Chewett, later John Macdonell.
■ Thomas Scott was Chief Justice, 1806–16.
■ William Allan was a banker, businessman and politician who negotiated the terms of surrender when York was captured by American forces in 1813.
■ William Dummer Powell was a Loyalist lawyer, judge and significant political figure in the Family Compact and became Chief Justice from 1816–25.
■ George D’Arcy Boulton was a lawyer, judge and political figure who was appointed Solicitor General in 1804.
■ Alexander Wood was a businessman, militia officer, magistrate (appointed in 1800), and office holder who became a leading merchant in York.
■ William Chewett was a surveyor, office holder, justice of the peace, and militia officer.

These men formed the nucleus of a small group whose members are otherwise unknown. However, their literary tastes may be gauged from a 1810 letter requesting orders for the library in February 1811. This list was published in 1956 by the historian and Ontario Archivist (1950–63), George W. Spragge, who located it in Civil Secretary’s Letter Books, Upper Canada, held in Ottawa (RG 7 G-16-C). This letter was a list of books transmitted to the Rev. Mr. Walker of London, England, to be sent to the Toronto Library, February 1, 1810.

At a meeting of the directors of the Toronto Library, held the 17th January, 1810, it was agreed that the following books, or as many of them shall cost £100 Sterling shall be purchased in London, and Imported for the Library, by the Treasurer.

Johnson's Dictionary,
Rapins History of England,
Doctor Henry's History of Great Britain,
Robertsons Works,
Laings History of Scotland
Lelands Do. of Ireland,
Biographia Britannica,
Robins Ancient History,
Russells Do. and Modern Do,
Annual Register for 1809
Blairs Lectures
Johnson's Works
Spectator, Guardian, and Tatler
The Mirror and Lounger
The Looker on
Payley's Moral Philosophy
Blair's Sermons
Sherlock's Sermons
The Bishop of London's Lectures
Fordyce's Sermons to Young Men & Women
Milton's Poetical Works
Thomson's Poems
Goldsmith's Works
Smollets Works
Fieldings Works
Drydens Works
Popes Works
Swifts Works
Sully's Memoirs
The Gentlemans Magazine beginning 1800, 20 volumes
Plutarchs Lives, By Langhorn
Middletons Life of Cicero
Monthly Review for 1809
Fergusons Roman Republic
Gibbon's Roman Empire
Gillies Green
Volneys Travels thro' Syria & Egypt
Lady Mary Wortley Montagues Letters
Burrow's Travels in China.
Blagdens Modern discoveries
Johnson and Stephen's Shakespeare
(signed) / MACDONNELL, Secy.

The list of potential acquisitions demonstrates a broad interest in reading. Items were chosen because they could be mutually beneficial to the membership. Requests tended to focus on a range of subject areas: history, poetry, travel, biography, philosophy, religion, magazines, and novels.

For two years, the affairs of the library were published in the York Gazette:
June 29, 1811: a notice of meeting to be held in the library room of the Elmsley House by J. Macdonell, Secretary.
August 1811: notices during the summer for subscribers to pay the $4.00 annual fee which had been posted earlier in January (e.g., August 31, 1811).
January 1, 1812: notice to subscribers of the annual meeting of the Toronto Library to be held at 12 o’clock on January 10th.

Despite a promising beginning, the growth of the Toronto Library was abruptly halted during the War of 1812. When American forces occupied and set fire to York in April 1813, Elmsley House was vandalized and its collection of books looted. However, later, in November 1813, Isaac Chauncey (the Commander of the American naval fleet) returned two cases of books, apologizing to Judge Scott or Judge Powell and the library directors in a letter dated November 14, 1813. Edith G. Firth, librarian in charge of the Toronto Public Library Canadiana rare books and manuscripts, reprinted his note of regret in The Town of York, 1793-1815 (Toronto, 1962):

I beg you Sir to assure the Trustees of the Toronto Library that it has been a source of great mortification to myself and Officers that so useful an institution should not have been deemed Sacred by every person under our command—you however Sir must be aware, that it is not always in the power of Officers with the best disposition to controul [sic] those placed under them Situated as they were at York.

Although some books were returned, after a temporary hiatus, it appears a brief revival was attempted. A notice from the librarian, William Chewett, in the York Gazette on June 17, 1815, advised of a meeting to be held on July 3 and noted “any Subscriber or any other person or persons having any of the Books belonging to the Library, are requested to deliver them to the Subscriber immediately.” However, on October 14, 1815, another notice in the Gazette signed by Thomas Scott, President, announced that a meeting would be held on October 17 in the Church in York to consider the disposal of “such Books as are now remaining of that Library.” The library venture had ended.

Nevertheless, at some point. William Allan, the former treasurer, came into possession of some books returned by Isaac Chauncey and kept them for nine years, until 1822. On September 11th of that year, William Allan wrote to the Chief Justice Powell. Allan suggested the books were “an encumbrance to me but they are most likely [suffering] injury from being so long [and] as there is now four of the Gentlemen here out of Five who were chosen Directors at the Original meeting — [I] must beg that some determination may be made respecting them [the books] either to have them sold by Auction (as many of the volumes are now wanting) — or otherwise that I may be freed from any longer charge.” Later, on September 19, the Chief Justice replied that Allan should advertise in the Upper Canada Gazette to hold a meeting of subscribers and former directors to decide the issue. Both these letters, held by the Toronto Public Library, were reprinted in 1954 by Florence Murray, a former TPL librarian and, at that time, a library school professor at the University of Toronto.

Apparently, the meeting decided to auction the books in Allan’s possession: a notice in the Upper Canada Gazette on December 12, 1822, announced a sale of “several volumes of Books, in best order, that formerly belonged to the Toronto Library in this town.” There may have been suspicions that further books, perhaps those in circulation that were absent from the library when the American attack force arrived, were still in use, for, a year later, in December 1823, notices in Upper Canada Gazette appeared and continued into March 1824. These postings offered a handsome reward —“full value will be given, and no questions asked”—for missing volumes of the Toronto Library believed to be at large and formerly belonging to the Toronto Library, namely,

Goldsmith’s Works (1806 ed.)
Smollett’s History of England (1791)
Fielding’s Works (1806)
Ferguson’s History of the Roman Republic (1805)
Henry’s History of Great Britain (1805)
Gibbons’ History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1807)

Charles Fothergill authored the notice and likely became the owner of the incomplete sets he wished to restore. He was the King’s Printer and Gazette editor, and, at various times, a businessman, journalist, politician, naturalist, publisher, and politician. In 1831, he was one of the founders of the York Literary and Philosophical Society, established to promote Literature and Science. His success in obtaining the missing volumes is unknown, and he does not feature in any new library ventures in York.

The York Subscription Library, 1827–31

A few years later, a small group formed York’s second short-lived subscription library. On April 26, 1827, a short note appeared in the Colonial Advocate on a meeting held in Thomas Appleton’s school room on April 20th to form a “public library on liberal principles” that “all classes might enjoy the benefit of it.” The notice advised that another meeting would be held on April 30th to develop this plan in more detail. A subsequent Advocate report informed readers that Peter Paterson was appointed library chair with John Fenton as secretary. After opening remarks by Rev. William Ryerson, Rev. Stewart and Messrs. Appleton, Henderson, and Fenton, the following resolutions were adopted:
1) the desirability of forming a public library.
2) the name of the institution to be the York General Subscription Library.
3) A subscription of 10 shillings be paid, and subsequently a further subscription of 5 shillings a year be paid on a semi-annual basis by each member.
4) the secretary to enroll members as follows:
Mr. Harris, Rev. William Ryerson, Rev. Alexander Stewart, Dr. [James] McCague, J[ohn] Carey, P[eter] Patterson, T[homas] Appleton, R[obert] Meighan, J. Sanderson, E[dward] Henderson, B.W. Smith, J[ohn] Fenton, J. Caldwell, J. Roddy, W. Moore, J[ames]. Leslie, T. Elliott, J. Lackie, J. Armstrong, J. Lawrence, and R. Patch.
5) A committee be formed to draw up a constitution and rules with membership of Rev. Harris and Ryerson, John Fenton, Peter Paterson, and Dr. McCague.
6) subscriptions to be paid at McPhall’s bookbinder, Mr. Lesslie’s store, Patterson’s store, or to members of the committee.

In the same issue, William Lyon Mackenzie enthusiastically endorsed the scheme and pledged to become a subscriber and to present twenty to thirty volumes to the new library; but, thereafter, he grew silent about his own participation in its activities. Mackenzie was an enthusiastic proponent for all types of libraries, but he did not make further reference to the York Library even though the membership of the library was distinctly different from the select group that formed the Family Compact:
■ Rev. William Ryerson was a Methodist minister and brother of Egerton Ryerson.
■ Rev. Alexander Stewart was a Baptist minister and former teacher in York.
■ Dr. James McCague practiced medicine in York.
■ Thomas Appleton was a schoolmaster at the York Common School.
■ Robert Meighan was a merchant.
■ John Carey was a publisher and printer.
■ William Moore operated a drugstore.
■ John Fenton was a school teacher, an Anglican parish clerk, and a police clerk.
■ James Lesslie was a merchant, publisher, reform politician and later became one of the founders of the Toronto Mechanics’ Institute in 1830. He was a lifelong friend with Mackenzie.

Later in the summer of 1827, on August 22 and 30, the Advocate outlined progress made by the committee members. At their meeting, held earlier in the summer on July 2, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:
1. That a number of subscription papers be printed, and that the committee use their best endeavours to procure subscribers.
2. That the president, treasurer, and secretary, do their utmost to procure the books already proposed, viz.—
Dr. Clarkes tract on the use and abuse of Tobacco; Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to his Son; Evangelical Magazine by Jones; Goldsmith’s Works; British Methodist Magazine, 2 copies new series; Rollin’s Ancient History; Mosheim’s Church History; Watts on the Mind, Watts Logic; Reid on the Mind; Bishop of Landaff’s answer to T. Paine; Thornton Abbey; Locke on Toleration; and the works of the Author of Waverly.
3. That there be transferable tickets procured by the committee.
4. That Mr. Edward Henderson be librarian for the first year, and that he keep the books at his house; also that every Monday from 3 to 9 o’clock P.M. be the time for giving out and receiving books.
5. That a proper bookcase be procured for the use of the institution.
6. That the rules of the society be printed.
N.B.—A meeting of the subscribers will be held on Monday,, the 3rd day of September, at seven in the evening, in [Thomas] Appleton’s school room.
John Fenton, Secretary
Edith Firth reprinted this report in the Colonial Advocate concerning the organization of the York Subscription Library issued on August 23, 1827, in the Town of York, 1815–1834 (Toronto, 1966).

Despite this promising start, there was little news about the library until over a year later, on Thursday, December 4, 1828, when a notice signed by the President, Peter Paterson, of the quarterly meeting of York Subscription Library was announced for 7 o’clock Tuesday [Dec. 10th] 1828 at Thomas Appleton’s school. More than two years later, an Advocate notice in April 1831, announced a meeting for subscribers on Wednesday, April 27, at Thomas Appleton’s school for “starting afresh or discontinuing the Institution” and warns of forfeiture of claims by persons who do not come forward and pay their dues by Peter Paterson, President.

After this public statement, the York Library was dissolved, perhaps because previously on December 24, 1830, a small group of men met at the Masonic Hall on Colborne Street near Church Street to organize a Mechanics’ Institute for York. The Institute’s most active founders were Joseph Bates, a watchmaker from England, and James Lesslie. Once established, the Institute was housed in a rented space on the second floor of the Masonic Hall. When it opened in 1830, the Institute’s library comprised 1,300 volumes. The primary aim of mechanics’ institutes was to provide adult education for working-class members, including lending libraries, and they had broader educational goals and social appeal. In Upper Canada and Ontario, they immediately garnered legislative grants for their activities, a public funding advantage subscription libraries seldom enjoyed at this time.

Further Reading:

Florence B. Murray, “Toronto Public Library and the War of 1812,” Canadian Library Association Bulletin 11, no. 3 (1954): 102–103.

George W. Spragge, “A Toronto List in 1810,” Canadian Library Association Bulletin 12, no. 5 (1956): 197.

John W. Clarke, Jr, “Opening the Bishop’s Books: John Strachan’s Library and Enlightenment Thought,” Journal of the Canadian Church Historical Society 52, no. 1 (2014): 3–32.

William J. Cameron, George McKnight and Michaele-Sue Goldblatt, Robert Addison’s Library; A Short-Title Catalogue of the Books Brought to Upper Canada in 1792. Hamilton: McMaster University, 1967. This monograph is available at this link.

My previous blog on another Toronto subscription library formed in 1842 is at this link.

My blog on Canadian subscription libraries before 1850 is at this link.