The best general study of settlement and early development in Canada is R. Cole Harris and John Warkentin, Canada Before Confederation (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1974; paperback) while R. Cole Harris, Two Societies: Life in mid-Nineteenth-Century QuÄbec (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1976; paperback) is a very useful companion piece to this volume. For a good detailed description of most aspects of pioneer life see Edwin C. Guillet's numerous works, especially The Pioneer Farmer and Backwoodsman, 2 volumes (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1963) or the more readily available but shorter paperback, Pioneer Days in Upper Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1975). Robert-Lionel SÄguin is Guillet's more scientific QuÄbec counterpart. See especially his La Civilisation Traditionnelle de "l'Habitant", aux 17 et 18 SiÅcles: Fonds materiel (MontrÄal: Fides, 1967). From a more strictly economic point of view, very valuable sources are Robert Leslie Jones, History of Agriculture in Ontario, 1613-1880 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1946; reprinted in paperback, 1977), Jean Hamelin and Yves Roby, Histoire Äconomique du QuÄbec, 1851-1896 (MontrÄal, Fides, 1971), and Normand SÄguin (ed.), Agriculture et colonisation au QuÄbec (MontrÄal, BorÄal Express, 1980).
Unfortunately out of print at the moment are two geographical studies which deal more specifically with the Eastern Townships: Raoul Blanchard, Le Centre du Canada Franìais (MontrÄal: Beauchemin, 1948), and Robert Gagnon's high school text, Les Cantons de l'Est; initiation ê la gÄographie rÄgionale (Toronto: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston (1970). Michel Philipponneau includes economic and demographic history in his L'Avenir Äconomique et social des Cantons de l'Est (QuÄbec: MinistÅre de l'Industrie et Commerce, Service de GÄographie, 1960; paperback). The works of two local amateur historians provide sketches of historical figures, important incidents, and interesting trivia: Maurice O'Bready, De KtinÄ ê Sherbrooke. Esquisse historique de Sherbrooke des origines ê 1954 (Sherbrooke: University de Sherbrooke, 1973), and Louis-Phillipe Demers, Sherbrooke: dÄcouvertes, lÄgendes, documents, nos rues et leurs symboles (Sherbrooke: Gauvin, 1969). Both are in paperback. A publication designed to introduce the student to the use of primary sources is Jean-Pierre Kesteman, Documents sur l'Histoire des Cantons de l'Est (1871-1880) (Sherbrooke: University de Sherbrooke (n.d.); paperback).
To complement these printed sources with a collection of early prints, drawings, and paintings, see Charles P. DeVolpi and P.H. Scowen, The Eastern Townships a pictorial record; historical prints and illustrations of the Eastern Townships of the Province of QuÄbec, Canada (MontrÄal: Dev-Sco Publications (1962). H. Belden's Illustrated Atlas of the Eastern Townships and South Western QuÄbec (1881; reprinted Port Elgin, Ontario: Ross Cumming, 1972) includes sketches of buildings and farmscapes, as well as useful maps illustrating the detailed local settlement pattern.
For an early eye-witness description of British North American settlements see Joseph Bouchette, The British Dominions in North America, 2 volumes, (London, 1831; reprinted in paperback New York: AMS Press 1968). Also an historical document in itself is The Tragedy of QuÄbec; the Expulsion of its Protestant Farmers (1916; reprinted Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1974; paperback), the emotional lament by Robert Sellar, who blamed the deteriorating position of the local English-speaking population upon the influence of the Catholic Church. As popular novels, Antoine GÄrin-Lajoie's Jean Rivard le DÄfricheur and Jean Rivard Economiste (MontrÄal: J.B. Roland et Fils, 1874 and 1876; republished as a single paperback by Hurtubise of MontrÄal in 1977; published in English paperback as Jean Rivard by McClelland and Stewart, 1977) were designed to encourage French Canadians to colonize the Eastern Townships. To balance their rosy picture of the colonization experience, see the extraordinary Lifelines: The Stacey Letters, 1836-1858 (London: Peter Davies, 1976) edited by Jane Vansittart.
Historical literature on Compton County itself is very limited, though a well-illustrated history of many of the late nineteenth-century families has been republished: L.S. Channell, History of Compton County (1896; reprinted Belleville, Ontario: Mika Publishing Company, 1975). For a recent illustrated history of the village of Compton, see Marcel Bellavance, "Un Village en Mutation; Compton de 1880 ê 1920" (ms. no. 279, Parcs Canada, 1979). Bernard Epps, The Outlaw of Megantic (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1973) provides an imaginative description of the experiences of Compton's Scottish settlers, while Clarke Wallace, Wanted - Donald Morrison: The True Story of the Megantic Outlaw (Toronto: Doubleday, 1977) is a more carefully researched account of the famous Morrison incident.
1993 UPDATE
COLONIZING AN EASTERN FRONTIER: COMPTON COUNTY, QUEBEC
J.I. Little
Since this volume appeared in 1981, there have been several new publications on the agri-forestry district lying between the upper St. Francis River and Lake Megantic, much of which was in northern Compton County during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The history of the Eastern Townships remains a neglected area of study, but listed below are also some recent publications that deal with the region in general. The newly established Journal of Eastern Townships Studies/Revue d'âtudes des Cantons de l'Est will hopefully stimulate more research in the future.
Bibliography
Dubois, Jean-Marie, ed. Les Cantons de l'Est: aspects gÄographiques, politiques, socio-Äconomiques et culturels. Sherbrooke: Les âditions de l'UniversitÄ de Sherbrooke, 1989.
Kesteman, Jean-Pierre. Histoire de Lac MÄgantic. Ville de Lac MÄgantic, 1985.
LaperriÅre, Guy. "Bibliographie des Cantons de l'Est/History of the Eastern Townships: A Bibliography." Department of History, UniversitÄ de Sherbrooke, 1986.
Little, J.I. Ethno-Cultural Transition and Regional Identity in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Canada's Ethnic Groups, booklet no. 13. Ottawa: Canadian Historical Association, 1989.
Little, J.I. Nationalism, Capitalism, and Colonization in Nineteenth-Century Quebec: The Upper St. Francis District. Kingston and MontrÄal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1989.
Little, J.I. Crofters and Habitants: Settler Society, Economy, and Culture in a Quebec Township, 1848-1881. Kingston and MontrÄal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1991.
Noæl, Franìoise. "Competing for Souls: Missionary Activity and Settlement in the Eastern Townships, 1784-1851." Department of History, UniversitÄ de Sherbrooke, 1988.
