Thomas Doherty - Lambton County Industrial Pioneer

Thomas Doherty

Thomas Doherty was a unique individual in Lambton history. He was a man with broad interest and an inquiring mind, a poet, inventor, engineer and politician.  Often recognized as a Sarnia man, Doherty also had connections to other parts of Lambton County and is often celebrated as one of Lambton’s industrial pioneers.

Thomas was born in Lanark County and moved to Uttoexter in Plympton Township at the age of 6.  At a young age he showed an aptitude for fixing machinery and equipment, and operated a small blacksmith shop fixing farm tools.  It is believed that he built his first thresher in his shop there. 

Thomas showed an early business aptitude and, keen to expand on his skills, when the Village of Watford offered free land to anyone willing to set up a foundry and machine shop he moved his family and founded Watford Agricultural Implement Works in 1875. Doherty was an excellent businessman and realized quite early that to be viable in a local market he needed to be diverse and could not focus on one line of equipment, such as threshers.  Watford Agricultural Implement Works instead offered a full line of implements, which also allowed his shop to corner the market on implement repairs. He also guaranteed his equipment would be equal to any other manufacturer and customers could return it if not satisfied after purchase.  His extensive sales were based mainly on customer testimonials.

Employees at Doherty Manufacturing Company

In 1881 Tom took advantage of a tax forgiveness scheme that Sarnia was offering to attract new business and opened a foundry there.  The Doherty Manufacturing Company, located at the corner of Queen and Wellington Streets, focused on stove production and was soon a major Sarnia employer.  By 1913 the plant had expanded to take up the entire block between Queen and Vidal Streets, churning out 3000 stoves a year. 

Tom was a constant tinkerer and had a naturally inquisitive mind. He held patents for many of his inventions over the years, an early one being the discovery of a method to make cast iron as strong as steel, yet more malleable and easy to work with.  Called ferrous steel, he patented this method as the "Doherty Process". Through further experimentation, he developed a more refined method of controlling the impurities in iron, producing what he named "DeCarbon Steel".  This steel was used in his stoves which he guaranteed would not crack or warp and would last two stoves made of regular steel. 

Doherty's elaborate stove designs

His business sense also played a large part in his success with Doherty Manufacturing - he did not employ travelling salesmen, and passed those savings directly on to the consumer.  To make his stoves more attractive, he produced intricately embellished stoves, including elaborate designs, images and colour on ceramic tiles and used nickel to add flair.  The stoves were all given whimsical names to evoke an emotional response in his customers. 

Beyond Ferrous Steel and DeCarbon Steel, Doherty held patents for many other innovations.  He obtained his first patent in 1881 for "Doherty's Improvements on Thrashing Machines".  With his guarantee of the "perfect separation of grain from the straw" he received $4,000 in orders at its unveiling at the Warwick Fair. In the early 1890's there was a demand for central heating in homes, businesses, and government buildings.  Doherty set out to design, patent and manufacture a new, highly efficient boiler system which was awarded a gold medal by the Parisian Inventors Academy!

Doherty also devised several engines.  He developed a marine engine and a gasoline engine which had two pistons in one cylinder and was said to be vibration free.  Thomas built Sarnia's first Automobile in 1895, largely from bicycle parts.  The 3 wheeled vehicle was powered by a huge coil spring that had to be manually wound every few blocks. His next car was a 5 seater seen here, with 4 cylinders, pneumatic tires and a water cooled engine.  This novelty was not well loved in town though - often seen as a nuisance and scaring horses. In fact, his car was banned from the Sarnia & Florence Plank Road by its private owners for spooking a horse and upsetting the carriage.  This ban was even upheld in a court of law when Doherty challenged it. "Doherty's Red Touring Car Put Out of Business by a Trolley baggage Car" declared the Sarnia Observer in 1903 when Doherty's Automobile and the baggage car of the Sarnia Street Railway affectionately "kissed" each other.

Sarnia Waterworks

Thomas also worked with the Sarnia Waterworks to improve the safety of the town water supply.  He invented and patented a new water filtration system for use in the new waterworks, which was completed after his death. 

Doherty did not just obtain patents in Canada for his inventions.  He obtained patent rights in the United States, England, and much of Europe.  His fortune was made by selling the patent rights to all his inventions around the world.

Thomas was also actively involved in civic life, beginning in Uttoxeter where he was involved in the Canadian Grange Movement, to try and improve the lot of farmers across the Country.  He then went on to be a councillor in Watford, an Alderman in Sarnia, chairman of the Sarnia Parks Board, a hospital trustee, and member of the Sarnia Street Railway, Board of Trade, the Industrial Club, the Sarnia Automobile Club, the Sarnia Waterworks and finally was acclaimed Mayor of Sarnia in late 1915.

Doherty's time as mayor was unfortunately cut short.  On September 6, 1916 he addressed the citizens of Sarnia at the laying of the cornerstone for an addition to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.

After his speech, he returned to his chair where he collapsed and died instantly of heart failure.  With the death of Thomas Doherty Lambton County lost one of its earliest and greatest industrial pioneers.
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Thank you to our guest blogger Laurie Webb, Curator/Supervisor of Museums for the County of Lambton, for providing this blog on Thomas Doherty!

What is True History? The Shaw Gusher Question

Portrait of John Shaw

Portrait of Hugh Nixon Shaw

What are true historical facts? Who decides what gets written in the history books?

Historians use primary sources (material written or created at the time of the events) to interpret what happened in the past. Secondary sources (textbooks, magazine articles) are written to explain a historian's interpretation of the past.

So what happens when historians cannot agree on one version of history? Who decides which facts are right?

This type of historical debate is stirring in Lambton County surrounding the the man who drilled the first oil gusher in Canada. For decades historians thought it was a man named Hugh Nixon Shaw, but recent scholarship suggests that it was actually John Shaw.

Newspaper articles from the Toronto Globe and the Hamilton Times in 1861 and 1862 refer to "Hugh Shaw" as a successful businessman who patented a still and opened a refinery in Oil Springs. He died in a tragic accident on February 11, 1863, "of suffocation, caused by inhaling poisonous gases from a well at Oil Springs…"[i] Primary sources do not support Hugh as the oil gusher pioneer. There are no references to Hugh and the oil gusher in any 1860s newspapers. The first reference to Hugh and the gusher appears two decades later in Belden's Illustrated Historical Atlas of Lambton, Ontario, 1880. Also telling is the fact that Hugh's own journal of business expenditures from 1861 to 1863 does not refer to the gusher.[ii]

John Shaw was a significantly less successful businessman. The Toronto Globe described on February 2, 1862 how "… last January found him a ruined, hopeless man, leered at by his neighbours, his pockets empty, his clothes in tatters…"[iii] John got lucky with his gusher, and his accomplishment is referenced numerous times in 1860s newspapers including Hamilton Times, Toronto Leader, Toronto Globe, New York Times and Sarnia Observer (eight separate articles). Hamilton Times proclaimed on January 20, 1862, "Mr. John Shaw, from Kingston, C.W., tapped a vein of oil in his well... the present enormous flow of oil cannot be estimated at less than two thousand barrels per day, (twenty-four hours), of pure oil...”[iv] Additionally, secondary sources published by John McLaurein in 1902, A.J. Yates in 1931, Charles Wallen in 1936, and Samuel Tait in 1946 all cite John Shaw as the original gusher pioneer.

If virtually all of the primary sources refer to John Shaw as the man who tapped the gusher, how did history come to celebrate Hugh Nixon Shaw?

Belden's Illustrated Historical Atlas of Lambton, Ontario was the first source to credit Hugh but matches the description of the penniless John: "[Hugh Shaw] had been reduced by his want of pecuniary straits, that it is related of him that the very day he struck oil he was refused credit for a pair of boots." Two men melded into a single story.

An influential scholar, Robert B. Harkness, solidified Hugh as the man who discovered Canada's first oil gusher in his 1940 publication Makers of Oil History. He refers back to a series of articles that appeared in the Toronto Globe in 1861 and describes how they consistently discuss Hugh Shaw, but those articles mention nothing about the 1862 discovery.[v] Harkness notes, “How John Shaw could live in Petrolia, enjoying the glory of his gallant pioneer-namesake Hugh Nixon Shaw, along with men who knew this to be incorrect, is extraordinary.”[vi]

After Harkness, other historians and journalists began to cite Hugh, and John’s name faded. When Oil Springs celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 1958, a flurry of articles credited Hugh with the discovery. The Reverend William G. Shaw, Hugh's grandson, paid homage to his grandfather with by visiting Oil Springs. He told the Sarnia Observer, “I was quite surprised… to find that there were write-ups about the Shaw well in the newspapers. Father referred to it occasionally but never attached any importance to it.”[vii]

Now, histories written about oil discoveries in Lambton County consistently credit Hugh Nixon Shaw as a penniless, down-on-his-luck vagabond who made an incredible discovery. The stories of Hugh Nixon Shaw and John Shaw have melded together under a single name.

Recently, historians have been revisiting this issue and asking questions. Who really discovered that oil gusher, and how do we decide whose interpretation of the primary sources is correct? These questions continue to keep historians on their toes!

If you would like to read a more detailed exploration of this topic, you can review the Shaw Investigation report.

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[i] Toronto Globe, February 14^th, 1863, “Hugh Nixon Shaw Obituary”

[ii] Original journal in collection at Oil Museum of Canada, Oil Springs.

[iii] Toronto Globe, February 5^th, 1862, “A Promising Trade”

[iv] Hamilton Times, January 20^th, 1862, “Extraordinary Flowing Oil Well”

[v] Toronto Globe, August 27, September 2, September 6, and September 12, 1861.

[vi] Harkness, p. 9.

[vii] Sarnia Observer, Ben Fiber, “Oil Pioneer’s Grandson Attends Centennial,” July 2^nd, 1958, p. 22.

Call For Vintage Film Footage in Lambton County

Following the highly successful screening of vintage film footage in Alvinston, Lambton County Archives is looking for the public's help in locating and digitizing more old film from across Lambton County.

A screening of film footage captured in Alvinston during the 1940s attracted more than 130 residents to a recent viewing at the Alvinston Library. Lambton County Archives believes the popularity of the event demonstrates there is an appetite for more vintage local films and hopes to expand its archival holdings beyond traditional documents and still photos to a wider selection of media.

"Lambton County Archives would love to digitize residents' 8 mm or other vintage film," says Dana Thorne, Archivist.  "Lambton County needs video footage that features our local history. Not only does old film footage offer unique insight into the past, it is also important to create digital copies of this material before the fragile film becomes unviewable."

Any film loaned to Lambton County Archives will be screened by the Archivist.  If the footage is determined to have local historical significance, the material will be converted to digital format with a copy to be housed at Lambton County Archives. For more details about the digitization project, visit the Lambton County Archives Vintage Film Footage page or contact Dana Thorne at 519-845-3324 ext. 5239 or via email at dana.thorne@county-lambton.on.ca. 

One of the most interesting pieces of footage to come in so far is the "Stars of the Town" footage from Alvinston. The footage was shot in Februar 1949 by a name named LeRoy (Roy) Harold Massecar. When he was not busy in his fulltime work as a reverend, Massecar travelled across Ontario and filmed the activities in small towns between 1947 and 1949. He would show the video footage in town halls and community centres, charging a small admission for local residents to watch themselves on the silver screen.

Roy used silent, black and white 8 mm film to capture approximately 100 Ontario locations. For more information on Roy's other projects, visit the Western Archives page on the "Stars of the Town."

His footage was recorded in Alvinston in February 1949 and screened on March 4, 1949. Two shows ran at 7:30pm and 9:30pm and admission was forty-five cents or twenty-five cents. The Alvinston Free Press published several articles and an advertisement for the event, included below. The newspaper reported in the March 9 issue that the screenings were a success: "To say the least, they were a scream - one long one - each time someone did something 'funny,' none of which were posed for. Just the ordinary passing parade of life in a small town like Alvinston."

DVDs have been produced with copies of the footage. They can be purchased for $20+HST at the Lambton County Archives (787 Broadway Street, Wyoming) or the Alvinston Library (3251 River Street, Alvinston). Learn more at the "Stars of the Town" DVD webpage. 

The Alvinston Free Press, 2 March 1949, p. 1

The Alvinston Free Press, 23 February 1949, p. 1

The Alvinston Free Press, 9 March 1949, p. 1

Sarnia's Boys' Brigade Hall and Armoury

Thomas Nisbet with eight members of his
Boys' Brigade company

Sometimes one man's vision for a single organization can have positive implications for the rest of the community. This was definitely the case when T.W. Nisbet embarked on an ambitious project to build a hall for the Boys' Brigade.

Thomas Nisbet with his
wife, prominent Sarnian
Charlotte Vidal Nisbet.

The Boys' Brigade was conceived by Sir William Alexander Smith in Glasgow in 1883. The organization's goal was "the advancement of Christ's kingdom among boys, and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect..." [extracted from "Company Card of 1st and 2nd Sarnia Companies, 1900 - 1901, The Boys' Brigade in Canada," page 1] Originally a British movement, the Boys' Brigade quickly swept across the globe throughout the British Empire.

Shortly after Smith established the organization, Bank of Commerce manager Thomas W. Nisbet brought the program to Sarnia with the first company of the Boys' Brigade in Ontario. He quickly took on an ambitious project to build a hall. Organized recreation was not very prevalent at the end of the nineteenth century, and Nisbet worked hard against negative public opinion to fund the building's construction (which had an estimated price tag of more than $10,000!) When he secured the support of a wealthy backer, Nisbet was able to hire H.G. Philips of Sarnia to oversee the design and construction. By June 3, 1894 a dedication service was taking place to acknowledge the opening of the new building. The Sarnia Observer published an extensive article on Nisbet's achievement after the dedication service:

"In a building such as this which, thanks to T.W. Nisbet's energy, liberality and perseverance, Sarnia now possesses, athletic exercises, swimming, diving and all the various forms of physical training can be carried on pleasurably and profitably throughout the entire year.

The Boys' Brigade Hall, or Armoury

"The new hall, which is situated on the west side of Christina Street, a little north of George, is a two story red brick, with stone trimmings, fronting 61 feet on Christina Street, and running 119 feet back to the lane... The main entrance door is trimmed all round with stone, with the monogram of the Boys' Brigade on the key stone... The drill room is 57X90 feet, with a hanging gallery running completely round the apartment, fitted up for running track, and with seating room for audience. The drill room is fitted with trapeze, horizontal and parallel bars, travelling rings, ladders and all the appliances and fittings of a complete gymnasium..." (8 June, 1884, page 4)

After the construction Nisbet assumed financial responsibility for the building's ongoing costs, which were funded in part by the sale of season tickets to Sarnians ($6.00 for a man and $3.00 for a woman). Nisbet's grand vision produced not only a building for the Boys' Brigade, but also an important social hub for the community that provided new and exciting athletic opportunities to all Sarnians.

The gymnasium of the Boys' Brigade Hall

Thomas Nisbet in the Boys' Brigade hall with a group of young women
who are taking advantage of the well-equipped facility.
Back row, L to R: Maizie Gurd, Mary Mackenzie, Charlotte Vidal Nisbet,
Thomas W. Nisbet, Francis Flintoft, Francis Johnston (?)
Middle row, L to R: Edith Nisbet, Grace Mackenzie (?)
Bottom row, L to R: Alice Clark, Nellie Mackenzie

Over time the building would become known to local residents as the Armoury. It took on much wider functions than just an area for the Boys' Brigade when it was selected to house Sarnia's militia. The building was even converted to a theatre before it was torn down in 1962 to make way for Sarnia's new City Hall.


Here are some of the Boys' Brigade Company Rules, extracted from "Company Card of 1st and 2nd Sarnia Companies, 1900 - 1901, The Boys' Brigade in Canada," pages 3-4:

1. Members must at all times set a good example to their comrades and other boys.
2. Members must take the greatest possible care of all accoutrements entrusted to them.
3. Members must come on parade in uniform, sharp to the minute, looking smart and clean.
4. Members must give prompt and cheerful obedience to all the orders of their officers and non-commissioned officers.
5. Members must always salute their officers when they meet or go up to address them when in uniform.

Download the Company Card of 1st and 2rd Sarnia Companies, 1900 - 1901 document in full (which has interesting descriptions of the company's activities and rules and contains many great pictures).