Withers Saw Mill Penetangore - preparation for Stage 2

There is a narrow slip for faster water to drive the water wheel.
People appearing out in the open and in the shade!

Wither's Mill of Penetangore - Stage one

At this point the image looks rather sombre as I try to figure out the
light which surprise surprise is going to come from the right or West
which means that this is a morning image. Withers is surveying his
wood stock that had been brought in from up river. The damming of the
flow permits easy movement of big logs. His saw mill is a frame
construction put up rather hurriedly though fairly robust.

Looking over the scene and reclining on the summer shade will be
people. And there will be Chippewas as well! It is August 1848 and
most of the mill construct put up hurriedly is in place.

Wither's Saw Mill - First Scratches

These are the preliminary scratches to the image of Wither's Sawmill of 1848. Withers had the help of local Chippewas who traded furs with a trader named Rastall (a bit like Rascall). The Indians went inland for their beaver which had created large swamps such as Greenock and penetangore to the south of the river mouth. The river had at least five tributaries hense it's name, not to mention at least five fingers of sanddunes stretching out into Lake Huron. The saw mill was confiscated by the Queen's men because Withers had not got permission to fell trees from her bush!