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Thursday, October 10, 2019

Braddish Billings Plaque

The plaque commemorating Braddish Billings stands in Linda Thom Park on the west side of Bank Street just north of the Rideau River.




Braddish Billings

In commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the arrival in 1812 of Braddish Billings (1783 — 1864)

In 1812, Braddish Billings became the first permanent settler in Gloucester Township, when he settled east of Bank Street on the south shore of the Rideau River. Braddish cleared and farmed the land, built a sawmill and provided food and building materials for the construction of the Rideau Canal. He operated a ferry to carry his produce to Bytown and canvassed for the construction of the bridge that now bears his name.

His lands were the township's administrative centre for over 100 years. Billings shaped the community by building a school, churches and the township hall, while acting as clerk, assessor, path-master, collector, pound-keeper, warden, magistrate, Justice of the Peace, and District Councillor. He helped build Bytown's first jail and courthouse and assisted in bringing Bytown its first railway. His descendants were influential as philanthropists, politicians, scientists and writers. Completed in 1829, "Park Hill" was Braddish's third home and is located on nearby Cabot Street. It is now known as the Billings Estate National Historic Site.

Unveiled in 2013 and sponsored by the

Gloucester Historical Society
Association of Friends of the Billings Estate Museum
Gloucester Lions Club
Billings Bridge Shopping Centre



Braddish Billings

En commémoration du 200e anniversaire de l'arrivée, en 1812, de Braddish Billings (1783 — 1864)

En 1812, Braddish Billings, premier colon permanent du canton de Gloucester, s'installe à l'est de la rue Bank, sur la rive sud de la rivière Rideau. Il défriche et cultive la terre, construit une scierie, et fournit de la nourriture et des matériaux pour la construction du canal Rideau. Il exploite un traversier pour transporter ses produits à Bytown et milite en faveur de la construction du pont qui porte aujourd'hui son nom.

Pendant plus d'un siècle, ses terres constituent le centre administratif du canton. Braddish Billings façonne la collectivité en construisant une école, des églises et l'hôtel de ville, tout en agissant comme greffier, évaluateur, responsable de la voirie, percepteur, garde-fourrière, préfet, magistrat, juge de paix et conseiller de district. Il participe à la construction de la première prison et du premier chemin de fer. Ses descendants ont été d'influents philanthropes, politiciens, scientifiques et auteurs. Achevée en 1829 et située à proximité, sur la rue Cabot « Park Hill  », la troisième maison de Braddish Billings, est aujourd'hui le lieu historique national du domaine Billings.

Dévoilée en 2013 et commanditée par:

La Société historique de Gloucester
L'association des amis du Musée du domaine Billings
Le Club Lions de Gloucester
Le Centre commercial Billings Bridge