Canadian records of the USPG, 1722-1952

Catalogue record

Notes

Part 20 of the BOA series, 'British Records on the Atlantic World, 1700-1900'. 'They went forth into that uncharted wilderness, not for the precious pelts nor the glittering gold, but for human souls' . These papers chart the development of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel from its early days in Canada until its decline there. The majority of the reports included here are in fact narrative accounts submitted by members of the clergy working in various locations across Canada. This collection is an amalgamation of the following smaller collections from the USPG C series records relating to Canada to c.1860: Newfoundland; New Brunswick and Fredericton; Quebec and Montreal; Upper Canada and Toronto; Nova Scotia; and general papers, 1749-1864, including miscellaneous materials relating to various dioceses and to the merger with the Upper Canada Clergy Society in 1840. The USPG E series Reports for Canada from 1901-1952 are also included. Some central figures do stand-out as having more influence on the Society than most others; the Reverends John Clinch, F. H. Carrington, Aubrey G. Spencer, George J. Mountain, and Jehoshaphat Mountain are viewed as providing particularly valuable contributions to the Society. The Scovil family of ministers and the Venerable George Coster also receive a number of mentions. Wars and other such events don't receive much coverage in these papers; however, writings relating to the foundation of Canada's first schools, churches and universities do feature alongside information on epidemics and the living conditions in Canada during this period.

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This collection has been digitised and is available to read online in British Online Archives.