Response By
Arthur McClelland
London Carriage Factory (also known as J. Campbell and Son) Cutter, late 1800s
various materials Gift of W.A. Thomson, 1985Response
Before the advent of automobiles, Londoners often travelled by cutter in the winter. The cutter usually had a single seat for one couple to be snug and comfortable. At an affordable cost, the cutter provided a cozy atmosphere to cuddle one’s beau while the high dash kept the couple clear of the snow kicked up from the horses’ hooves. Cutters were sometimes used for courting. For extra warmth, the couples wrapped themselves in buffalo robes.
Arthur McClelland is Ivey Family London Room Librarian, at the London Public Library. An expert in local history, he was named to the City of London Mayor’s List in 2020. Arthur also sits on the executive boards of the London and Middlesex Historical Society, the London Region Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and the Southwestern Ontario Chapter of the Archives Association of Ontario.