Argenterie

1866 · 40694 — 6 full page engravings inc. frontis Interesting book plate which reads “Presents this to John O'Donogh a pupil in the Public Schools of The City of Toronto 1866 by the Liberality of a Vice-President Jesse Ketchum Esq.” Jesse Ketchum businessman politician b at Spencertown NY 31 Mar 1782; d at Buffalo NY 7 Sept 1867. Ketchum moved to Upper Canada as a youth and became a leading merchant and landowner in York Toronto. A noted philanthropist he is most often remembered for his dedicated work to establish common schools though he himself had little formal education. However he generously donated time and money to set up benevolent and relief societies to construct churches Sunday schools and Bible societies and the York Mechanics' Institute. He was vice-president of the York Temperance Society founded in 1830 and built two halls for the society’s meetings. He was a founder of the Upper Canada Bible Society in 1828 and of the Upper Canada Tract Society established in 1832. He also endowed these societies with funds to enable them to present prize books annually to school children and to the Sunday schools. DCB American Sunday-School Union hardcover