r IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // // • ./'^'^ W \< %° / 5r ^^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 K& m £ MS 112.0 |L8 U 11.6 % /) / V /A ^ \%V^ ^^.U CIHM/ICMH Microfiche CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical Notes / Notes techniques The Institute has attempted tr obta i the best original copy available for filming. Pf ysical 1 natures of this copy which may alter any of the iriages in the reproduction are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6x6 possible de se procurer. Certains ddfauts susceptibles de nuire d la quality de la reproduction sont notis ci-dassous. 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The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grice d la g6n6rositd de I'dtablissement prdteur suivant : La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada Las cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul clichd sont fiimdes d partir de Tangle supdrieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode : '■ i 2 : ' : 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Yours tritly, John A. Cornell, / ■' THE Pioneers of Beverly SERIES OF SKETCHES BY JOHN A. CORNEIvL liRANCHTON. With Supplementary Articles ON THE MUNICIPAL HISTORY BY WALLACE MCDONALD, ES(^ EDUCATIONAL MATTERS BY ROBERT MCC^UEEN, ESQ. J. H. SMITH, ESti., P. 8. 1 . THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY BY DAVID BELL, ESQ, DUN DAS: PKINTKU BY ROY V. SOMEKVII.LE, AT THIS OKKICE OF TJIK TKIK HANNKK. 1889. \,j ~^^^^^=^ THE DUNDAS TRUE BANNER PRINTING AND PUBLISHING HOUSE. ESTABLISHED 1857. Entsred bccording^ to l;hc 4ct>!df iha f'arliament of Canada in the year J •^housard eiKJii. hundred and fcigh^y-nlne.lby John A. Cornell, Branch- oro TON, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture at Ottawa, 1 * ' - ( I , 4 ., , , 1- 1 ! ,« — , — , \ PREFACE For some time a goodly number of the older residents of the Township of Beverly have requested nie to place upon record a short sketch of the early settlement of the Township, while some at least of the older people were alive. This work began last summer, in a series of letters to the newspapers. After I had got started I found that the work was taking a more extended scope than I had intended, and it was proposed that the letters should be gathered up and be reproduced in book form as a more convenient way of preserv- ing them, and this suggestion has resulted in the publication of the present volume. I did my best to get as correct a history as possible, and I now dedicate it to the people of my native Township. Hoping that all the imperfections in the work will be over- looked, and that m the future it may form the basis of a more extended history of our district THE AUTHOR. Beverly, May 27th, 1889. THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY THE SHEFFIELD LETTER. FOR some time past I have been requested by a number of the residents of Beverly to give, through the columns of the newspapers, a sketch of the early history of that Township, along with some of the events that took place dur- ing the lapse of halt a century. In acceding to the request, I could only wish that the task of giving these veteraas — these noble men and women that fought and won the great battle against the forest — a place on one of the pages in the history of Canada had fallen upon some person who could have done the subject more justice than I can ; for, as we ride or drive along the roads through our Township and see the broad acres that are cleared and fenced, the good barns, the fine and com- fortable houses, the large orchards supplying our tables with all the fruits that can be produced in our climate ; when we look at the yellow wheat fields, the waving grass, the fine herds of horses and cattle ; the villages ; there a noisy school house, there a neat church where but a few years ago nothing was to be heard but the rustle of the leaves, the dirge of the moan- ing pine, the howl of the savage wolf, or the still more savage yell of the wandering barbarian ; when we think of the mighty 8 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. ange that has taken place in so short a time, we feel like giv- ing them a place among the heroes of Waterloo and Inkerman, and they certainly compare well with the British band that was taken captive by the French, which, when Napoleon asked them to play a retreat, replied that they had never learned that kind of music. It is our intention to divide our work into six letters, name- ly, Sheffield, Clyde, Kirkwall, Rockton, Copetown and Troy, each settlement by itself, and in doing so we may at times have to retrace our steps in order to pick up some important event that I may have passed unnoticed, and I have done my best to get all accessible information, and get it as accurately as possible. Beverly was always considered a poor township, so much so, with the exception of a very few families who came in, in the early history of this section of country, that the neigh- boring townships were the favorites. Bverly's rocks and swamps, and her towering pines, stood out as a barrier against her settleujent, and to the emigrant who was seeking a home in the wesi, acted as finger-boards, telling him, like the Wan- dering Je.v, to move onward. Hence it was not imtil the year 1810 that that portion of Beverly, where Sheffield now stands was anything l)ut an unbroken foiest. But in that year the late John A. Cornell took up the land where the most of Shef- field now stands, the farn) which he lived on being the one now occupied by Mr. Christ. Ricker. He was for many years the preacher, doctor and lawyer of the new settlement. These professions are all separated now, and it is thought that a man can only do one thing at a time ; but I suppose that in those early days the laws were fewer, the preaching more simple, and fewer people to get sick. However, about the same time a number of other families settled in the neighborhood, whose names we shall mention, and many of whose destrendants live throughout this section, while others have passed into oblivion and their names are not known except by some of the older residents. Another of the pioneers was David Main, just east of the village, and the farm is now occupied by his two sons, Wesley and David. He had two brothers, who came in about the same time, Adam and Philip. Adam Main settled southeast of Sheffield on the farm now occupied by Joseph Riciker. The Mains were of Dutch ex- BREWIN CORNELL. Native of Beverly. Served in Council seven years. Councillor Ave years, Deputy-Reeve two years. I THE SHEFFIELD LETTER. 9 traction and came from the State of New Jersey. John A. Cornell had two brothers, Joseph, who took a plot of about 500 acres and lived on what is known as the Heath farm. I believe there are only two of his family still living, Mrs. David Main and Samuel Cornell. About the same year another fau.ily by the name of Babcock moved in and settled on the farm now occupied by John Keachie, but after a short time sold out and moved one mile west upon the farm of Mr. B. Hammill, where for many >ears they kept an hotel, and many a weary traveller after a hard day's march from the head of the lake, found rest tor his feet in that rude but comfortable bush tavern. There are none of that family in this section now except Mr. Charles Babcock. Mr. Aaron Cornell settled on the farm of Mr. Wm. Young, better known as the Lloyd farm. He died about a year ago' having outstripped all his competitors in the race of life, reach- ing the age of ninety-two years. The Cornells came from the State of New York, and were of Welsh extiaction. One Aaron Brooks settled on Reuben Babcock's old farm. None of his descendants are left here. Just north from this point t wo fam- ilies of U. E. Loyalists settled on the Warnock farm, the Sipes and McCartys. Just north of Sheffield, on what is known as the Garroch fai'm, the Keachie family settled. Many of their descendants remain throughout this section, where they are known and respected. John Meriam, David Aldridge, Asa Douglas and James Wedge, all of whom will be r-envembered by the older residents, settled upon the farms now owne< [ by Thomas McQueen, Samuel Grummet and Wm. P. Wedge. At the place where Dr. Smit^ now resides, a man by the name of Murdock lived and kept a little wayside inn. Just west of John Kir kpatriiik's farm, a nran by the name of Wm. Bliss, who had a relative of the same name, was the first chair-maker in this section. Just one mile east of the village, in what is known as "Romulus," Mr. Harry Lamb settled. He whs a man who was known far and near, being a lai'ge land holder and stock raiser, and if any of the new settlers wanted to purchase cattle they could always get therw from Harry Lamb. He also built a saw mill and supplied people with lumber, and some years afterwards erected a grist mill. The farm now owned by Mrs. Adam Moflfatt was taken rrp by Jonas Smith, and the More family, who settled just south of Sheffield, I think, comprised 10 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. all the first permanent settlers in this part of Beverly, and in- deed, most of the Township was settled at a later date. How these few scattered families, shut up in an almost unbroken forest, succeeded in mastering the difficulties and surmounting the many obstacles that lay in their way, I suppose will never be told. They are dead and the secret died with the last one of them that ciossed the chilly waters. If they had faults, why remember them ? If they made mistakes, why repeat them ? No, let us rather extol their virtues, and as we stand beside their graves and look at the great inheritance they have left to their children and children's children and to the stranger, let us say — " Peace to their ashes." There was one remarkable feature about these people which is worthy of imitation, and that is that although they were all or mostly all Americans by birth and had lived in those trouble some times previous to 1776, when the now United States had got their independence from Great Britain, that they had lived there for nearly thirty years to enjoy that boasted freedom, that although they had lived to drink in that bitterness which existed in the American mind against the old land for a quarter of a century, when they came here they became perfectly loyal and said — " We are going to make our home in this country Its people and its Government use us well, and we will support it." And some of them took sides with Britain in the war of 1812, and many helped to put down the Rebellion of 1837. From 1810, the time when the first settlers came in, there were very few who came to stay. For the next few years those who came were simply goers and comers, and these people devoted their energies to clearing th^ir land and raising some- thing to feed their little families. In 1828 many of the children had come to that age when they should be sent to school, and those settlers, not unmindful of the duties they owed to their children and to the community, nor ignorant of the advantages of even the very limited education they were able to give to their families, set to work to build a school house, and one was put up en the corner where John Steel's blacksmith shop now stands. We believe it was the second school house built in the township, the first being near the riamboro' line, (many of its pupils having occupied prominent positions, amongst whom is Mr. Wm. C. Merriam, from whom much of my information has been obtained), and for many years was known as the THE SHEFFIELD LETTER. 11 •' Jones school house." The first teacher in the Sheffield school was one Elias Smith, who boarded around in turn amongst the settlers as part of his salary. In the same year, 1823, the cemetery, now known as the " Sheffield Cemetery," was opened up and a child of Phillip Main interred therein. Our informant, who has now passed the winning post of three score and ten, tells us how the men took the little coffin under their arms and started through the bush to consign it to Mother Earth. The next who was buried there was old Mr. Weaver, father of the late Peter Weaver, whom we forgot to mention as one of the first settlers. Thus was opened up a place which proved in the end to be the last resting-place on earth of the men and women and many of the children who first opened up this section of country. In 1832 quite an addition was made to the settlement by the arrival of a number of families from England and Wales. The Culham family, the old stock, are all dead, but many of the younger members of the family still reside in this section. They were Welsh, and so was Mr. Griffith Lloyd, who for many years carried on wagon-making on a large scale. Mr. Lloyd lives at Stratford now, and I think that he and John Ennis, who came in about the same time, are the only ones living who came into the township at that time. The other families who settled about Sheffield at that period were the Grummets, the Barlows, the Willards, the Eagles, John Wells and his brother, James. These families all came from England and the older members of them are all dead, but many of their descendants are still living in the neighborhood. About the same time an agitation was gotten up to try and get a postoffice, which they secured through the influence of the late Mr. Shade, of Gait, and Mr. John A. Cornell was the first postmaster. In 18.34 the people began to feel the necessity for some place of public worship, and the present U. B. Church was built in that year. I believe that it is the first church which was built in the township of Beverly. John A. Cornell was for many years the minister. Ministers from other denominations fre- quently preached in it, and before the English Chinch, east of Sheffield, was built, the late Dr. Boomer, then of Gait, preached in it somewhat regularly. In 1835 or 1836 Warner Churchill built a store on the place where Bond's store now stands, and ran it for a short time. 12 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. when he took in as a partner the late Samuel Congo. They did (luite a trade during the time they kept the store, when they sold out to Seth Holcomb, now of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enlarged the store and did a large business. He also dealt in land and stock to a considerable extent. He took a leading part in all the public affairs of the township and county and was one of the township's first Reeves. When Sheffield first got the postoffice, the mail came through from Hamilton on horseback and afterwards by stage. Only one newspaper came to the place at that time and that was taken by John A. Cornell and known as the Hamilton Gazette. When it came the neighbors used to go in to hear the news. In 1850 Dr. Lundy came to Sheffield. When he first started he boarded with Seth Holcomb, and then with Peter Middle- miss, after which he purchased the place where Dr. Smith now lives. I may have occasion to speak of him in some of ray future letters. The Stone Road was begun thr'ough Beverly in 1887, but was not finished until some years later, and it was a great boon to this part of the country, as the grain in those early days had to be teamed through to Dundas. As Sheflfteld now stands there is Bond & Bro. in the old stand, Mr. C. W. Laing in a neat stone store on the north side of the road, Mr. Laing also runs the cheese factory ; Chas. Meyers, hotel keeper; John Steele, blacksmith ; Wm. Brogan, wagon maker ; Mr-. McPhei'son, teacher ; Rev. Mr. Moat, pastor of the U. B. Chuich, and Rev. Mr. Truax, pastor of the Meth- odist Church ; Dr. Smith in Dr. Lundy's old stand. Jackson More runs the mail between Sheffield and Dundas. We believe that Mr. Charles Lamb, son of Harry Lamb, is the oldest native of the place. He was born on the old farm in 1816, We are now able to trace the settlement of the west part of Beverly back beyond 1810, the period that I mentioned in nry last letter, to the year 1800, when a man by the name of Linas Peck settled one and a half miles south of Sheffield, on the farm now owned by David Tansley, better known by the older resi- dents as the Munson farm. This man, Peck, chopped about ten acres, and the place was known for many years as the " Peck" clearing. He left the place after other settlers began to come in, no pei'son knew where he went. Philip Main, father of George Main, of Gait, was the first man that owned THE SHEFFIELD LETTER. la a span of horse in this section, he was also the first who owned a waggon, and his services were in great demand at funerals for miles around. Philip Main always carried the corpse. About the year 1S28 or '30 two other families moved into Romulus, one mile east of Sheffield. Their names were, one Wallace, and the other, Sutherland. Old Mr. Wallace started a bakery along the road side and the Sutherlands ran what was known as Lamb's Mills. Both families were well known in Gait. Robert Wallace, of Hamilton, and George, of Biar.tford, are of the Wallace family, and of the Sutherland family there are John, of Hanover, and Mrs. Robert Wallace, of Hamilton. Mr. Alonzo Bliss, whom I mentioned in my former letter as the first chair-maker in this section, my informant wishes me to state that he was a man who was held in high esteem among the people on account of his piety ; that he and the late and respected John Merriam organized the first Sabbath School in Sheffield ; that he afterwards moved to Gait, and thinks that he was the first chair-maker who started in Gait. In 1884, the year of the great cholera epidemic, word came into town that four men had taken that dread disease up on the stone road, just east of the town, and were lying there, dead. That the greatest excitement existed in the town need not be told, and that Bliss, along with the late Mr. Soures, went up and buried them, and when these men returned from their loathsome mission, that they went down the street, singing a hymn. Bliss took the cholera that night and died. An anecdote or two in connection with the Sheffield school and I will conclude my Sheffield sketch by inserting Mr. Holcomb's letter. It is very interesting, as it deals with things at a later date than I do. The school house on the corner was built of logs ; the floor was about two feet from the ground. When it got old the youngsters of that day had got a hole worn and then tore through the floor in the north-west corner of the building. When the teacher dismissed the school the boys, instead of going out of the door, would jump into this hole and then crawl out through the foundation, and, by way of punishment for their misconduct, the Master would take his taws, go out doors, and run these fellows undev the house and up through the hole, and then march them out through the door. Another party, who attended the Sheffield school, gives me the following which is too good to keep :— There were no 14 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. set school books in thorfe days as now, but the children took any hook that they happened to have, the New Testament being the only general book in the school. Well, one day the Testament class was called up to read, when one of the pupils began to read the verse where the Jews were told that they would strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. The fellow began to spell his way through in this shape : — s-t-r-a-i-n-e-d (strained) a-l (at) a g-n-a-t (gate) a-n-d (and) s-w-a-1-l-o-w-e-d a c-a-m-e-1 ^n McColl, settled on the farm now occupied by John Gilbert, jr, Mrs. McColl died a few years after settling and left one daughter, who soon after married, and then the old man sold out to John Gilbert, sr. Robert Parker was also one of the first settlers on 14 80 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. the farm now occupied by his son, Joseph. James McQueen and Alexander Innes settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. McQueen, in 18313, McQueen on the west half, Innes on the east half. A few years after Innes sold out to McQueen and pur- chased the place now occupied by Mr. Benjamin Dickson from one Thomas Wallace. Mr. Innes was Collector of Taxes for the Township of Beverly from 1842 to 1849, both years included. He then sold out to Dickson and moved to the County of Bruce, and died a few years ago. James Stewart settled on the farm (lot 18) now owned by John Whetham, and about 1833 or '.34 sold to John Fairgrieve, sr. and jr., (the father and grandfather of John B. Fairgrieve and Hugh Fairgrieve, now of Hamilton), who lived there for several years and then sold to one Robert Purvis, who in turn sold to Whetham. There was another son, Hugh Fairgrieve, who lived on the farm with his father and brother, and who ntarned a Miss Mary Ann Roberts, of a neighboring family, who are yet alive and on a farm up Mill Creek, not far from Gait. John Frier, sr., settled about 1833 on the farm west of Whetham's, and his son, John, still occupies it and also 50 acres on the concession south of where he lives. John Menzies, sr., in 1836 bought out one Mar- latt, and still remains on the same place with his family, (the old man is and has been for some time quite poorly in health). One James Kerr took up the lot west of Menzies' farm and sold to Mr. Roberts, who came out at the same time as the Fairgrieves. Roberts had quite a large family of sons and daughters. Roberts died soon after coming out, and his widow kept a sort of store and supplied the early settlers with many articles which in those days could not be got short of Gait or Dundas. The farm next west, part of Lots 12 and 13, was first settled by one Alex. McKerlie, who sold in 1837 to George Carter, who occupied it until he died in 1880, and the farm is now occupied by William Middlemiss. The farm now owned by Edward Johnson was first taken up by a Robert Riddell about 1832, the father of what is now Known as "Chief Rid- dell," of near Rockton. He sold to the Johnsons. Robert occupied the north half and John the south half. John sold out and moved on to the farm now occupied by his son, Andrew, which farm he purchased from Adam Ker (an ex- Mayor of Gait). George Allan settled in 1837 on the farm now owned by John Jamieson (south part Lot 21, Concession mil. I THE KIRKWALL LETTER. 31 7) He was an old man when he came to the country, and after a few years sold to Jamieson. James Pt«»wart, when iic sold out to the Fairgrieves, took up the farm now occupied by his son, Archibald, about one mile east from Kirkwall. Robert Riddel, known as " Kirkwall Robert," was a son-in-law of Robert Dickson and came to this country with the Dickson family. He first took up the west 50 acres of the Whetham farm, and he sold the same to the Fairgrieves when they came out. Robert worked a few years for Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and then took up the farm now occupied by his family at Kirkwall. George Jamieson and Thomas Jamieson settled on the farms now occupied by their families about one and a quarter miles west of Kirkwall. They married about 1837, daughters of Robert Dickson. George, Thomas and George's wife have passed away to the Land of the Leal, but Mrs. Thos. Jamieson is still alive, and with her son, Robert, on the old homestead. The two Jamieson families, the Riddel family, and the Dick- son's form a very important portion of the population around Kirkwall. The side-road south and north from Kirkwall was not opened for several years after the first settlement. The main roAds south were the old Guelph Road, as it was called. When going east and south, and in going west to Gait they took the 8th Concession, west, to what is now Harvie's ; then took the road leading to John Scott's place ; and then west to Corrie's, Alex. Markle's place, Mr. Hill's, Gibson's, Hendrie's, Mulhol- land's and Warnock's ; then touching the 8th Concession again and striking the Stone Road at Fraser's, at the Dumfries Line. And when going to Lamb's Mill they went west from the old church to the west side of Lot 16, then south along the west side of the Menzie farm to the 7th Concession ; then south through what is now Mr. Blake's place and Clelemas, and struck the Stone Road near where McClure now keeps the Toll- gate. The old log Church was built in or about 1835 or 1836, and on the site now occupied by the shop of Walter Tait. The Rev. Thomas Christe organized the first congregation and held ser- vice there once in three weeks. The first lay out of the church ground was one acre square on the north-east corner of Dick- son's farm. The first burial therein was in Sepetember, 1837, — THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. iljij ; f'lii ' Ii'f-: Wl'm i> P ij ! tin iviil! It I' I a child of Jarues Mitchell's. It was inter od in the south-east corner of t he church ajiound, and was r^ moved to another part of the ground when the stone church wae erected in 1847. The second burial was in 1844, it being the wife of Win. Riddle, sr., and giandtnother of Win Riddle, now of south part of Lot 5, Cone. 9. The old Church, in its original state, if it could be seen by I he present congregation, would be amusing and a surprise to many of the younger portion. A short description may be interesting : — The door was in the east end ; from the door an aisle ran through to the west end. The Minister sat on a rough pine plank, with his back t j the west wall. In fiont of him was a desk or place for the Bible to rest upon. It was made of a piece of maple split out of a lo/]^, then hewn with an axe, and then planed smooth. It was elevated in front a little and was supported by four holes being bored in the bottom, int(^ which were driven four long logs like the legs of a herm. On each side of the Minister was a table made of a pine board, smoothed off, and running to the wall north and south; these tables were used at Sacraments. There was a row of seats on each side of the aisle. Each seat was simply a rough pine plank, with a block of wood under tbe ends next the logs or side of the build- ing. The plank rested on top of the block. The end near the aiole was supported by an iron-wood pole running along each side of the aisle, with holes bored in the under side and legs put in, and forming a trestle for the ends of the planks used as seats, and male or female who went into one of the seats had to step over the trestle, about sixteen inches high, and then take a seat on a tough pine plank and sit there without any back to lean against, unless they got next to the wall, when they had the logs for a back, and there sit and listen to two long sermons, one after another, each sermon half as long again as any common sermon we hear now. Con- trast these times with the present, and the fine, substantial and commodious stone church now used, with the fine, open pews, with cushioned seats and backs, with every modern improve- ment of the age (except th' kist of whistles), and when we com- pare the early settlements with the present time, the present generation may well feel proud of the push, tact and principle of their primitive fathers. (I forgot to mention that the stove first in use in the old church was a sheet-iron one, about 18 or 20 inches in length, and otherwise in proportion, and anything nm t!il| THE KIRKWALL LETTER. 88 but sufficient to keep the house warm or comfortable). Mr. Christie continued to preach only a few years after the old church was fitted up, and Rev. James Roy, of St. George, suc- ceeded him until about 1847. Rev. Mr. Porteous was stationed at Kirkwall about the end of 1847, and the new church was built in 1848. In the fall of 1840 Lemuel Tait purchased the plot now oc- cupied by Mr. Christie, and built a house,— the west part of the present structure, — and also a blacksniith shop, where Christie's barn now stands. He carried on his trade as black- smith for several years, and then Mr. John Galbraith succeeded him. Early in the fitties, Malcom Campbell got the place at the corner and started a store and did well, and shortly after the postoffice was started, first twice a week, then thrice a week, then a daily mail. Mr. Campbell sold out to Wm. McMillan about the beginning of 1858 and went to Lucknow, where he still is in business. McMillan ran the store business until about eight or nine years ago, when he sold out to the present occupant, Geo. Christie. Shortly after Mr. (Campbell started business, the building now standing east of the store was put up and a tavern opened, but it could not be made to pay and had to close up as a tavern or hotel. About the same time the store on the north-west corner of Mr. McQueen's farm was put up by Donald Martin, Mr. McQueen's son-in-law ; and Mr. Martin carried on the business of store-keeping for several years and did quite a successful business. The common school was opened about 1R42. Mr. John Harkness was the first, or about the first teacher. The old church was from that time until the new church was built used as a school house and church. The new school house was built in or about the year 1861. Robert McQueen has been the teacher for many years. I send you a letter from Mrs. Adam Robertson, who is a daughter of old Mr. Wallace, and sister of Robert Wallace, of Hamilton, to take extracts from : M THE PIONEERS OP BEVERLY. I. ■ A Lady Gives Some Reminiscences. ., [ Ferndell," Guelph, ■ July 18, 1888. Mr. Cornell, Dear Sir, — Beverly being my first home in this new country, I was much pleased to read your reminiscences of the { Beverly Pioneers. It is many years since I left there, but i there were incidents connected with that early time that are i photographed on my memory, which time cannot efface. The names you gave are quite familiar to me, and I occasionally pay a visit to Mrs. David Main 7iec Polly Cornell. At your request I will try to add a little to your manuscript, but you will please excuse all mistakes, as I belong to the old school and am unaccustomed to newspaper writing. The first family ' I shall mention is Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wallace, with four sons and three daughters. They came from Scotland in the year 1834 and settled in Beverly in the fall of that year. He bought 100 acres of land, partly cleared, from Harry Lamb. Before he could give him a deed Mr. W. had to advance money to the same H. L. to get up his own deed from the Canada Company. j, I (I mention this to show the scarcity of money.) Mr. W. also 'Pljiii bought a village lot from him in Romulus, built a house, and kept a grocery store for some years there. The heads of the family have long been gathered to their fathers, also two sons and a daughter. Romulus was laid out by old Mayor Lamb. He calculated I on it rising to a great city like the one he named it after, but il alas ! the name was too aristocratic for a new country, and it died a natural death. I only know of another lot being bought there, by Mr. Adam Robertson, a young Scotchman who ar- rived later on the same fall. He was a millwright and put up old Mr. Joseph Cornell's sawmill at the homestead. Money was not very plentiful amongst the old settlers in those days, so he bargained with him for 100 acres of land, paying Mr. Cornell the balance in money. He was the other one who bought a lot in Romulus. About two miles back from the main road was a place called "Little Scotland," where some five Scotch families lived. One was Mr. Roberts. He brought with him a well filled purse of yellow Geordies. Mrs. Roberts 11 was of a very lively, cheerful disposition. With her winsome daughters many a pleasant gathering was held at her house on II m\ ^ m THE KIRKWALL LETTER. Sft a winter's evening. I think the best sleigh ride I ever had was behind a yoke of young oxen. Butt'alo robes were a scarce article in those days, but the deficiences were made up with a plentiful supply of straw. Scotch plaids, and an occasional quilt or two, and leal hearts kept Jack Frost at a distance. It was to Mrs. Roberts' we were going, and a most enjoyable time was ispent. When leaving about the "wee short hours," a dance was proposed in the kitchen, the orchestra being com- posed of poker and tongs, tin covers and vocal music. And when the "mirth got fast and furious," the fiddler on the poker and tongs, Mr. John Johnston, can>e in too close contact with the dancers and poked a hole in one of the guest's ears. I hope you do not for one moment imagine that there was any other influence there but mirth and good friendship. And on our departure each one was provided with a hickory torch to light us through the bush. Another highly esteemed family lived near by, Mr. John Fairgrieve, and his kind, amiable partner and family, also Mr. John Fairgrieve, ji., and his family lived there. He built a new log house, and the neighbors all around were invited on a New Year's Eve to the house warming, and a very genial host he made. The house was divided by a temporary partition of unseasoned boards. After we had done justice to a good, sub- stantial supper, the dishes were removed to behind the par- tition to make room for a dance. No pianos in those days, our music was vocal. Mr. Fairgrieve, sr,, was a splendid whistler. Mr. Adam Robertson sang a good song; and I have no doubt some of the old settlers will remember a favorite song amongst them that he sang, "When Charlie first came from the North." When all were tripping the light fantastic toe, down came the partition and broke most of the dishes. In those primitive days, when there was a party or a bee, all the neighbors' dishes were borrowed for the occasion. However, the break- ing of the dishes did not mar the enjoyment of the evening. Two of the company composed a piece of poetry on the gather- ing. I will quote a verse : "On the first of the year, We all did appear, At the graceful board of young Johnnie ; l^'ome met his lass, others took their glass, But the most o' us met with our cronies." 36 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. H: It is both pleasant and sad to recall those early days, as so many have passed away to the land of the leal. But " there are i^till some few remaining who remind us of the past," and I hope they will give us a few sketches of their young days in t'll^i the Beverly bush. Wi After giving you the balance of what might properly be called the Kirkwall letter, I shall add to it another im- portant sketch in the history of Beverly, the people on the other side of the big swamp, on the 9th Con,, better known now as the Valens Settlement. But there are a few things about Kirkwall that I wish to notice befoce crossing over into the Valens section, among which are the first church session in 1836, the number of members then and now, the present session, the number and names of the different ministers since 1847, the time when the Rev. John Porteous took charge of the church. In going through that section I would just say here, before going any farther, that I called on James McQueen, sr., and would have liked to have seen him, but he was out at the time. He is 82 years of age, and one of the oldest settlers, if not the oldest, in that section, and for many years has been one of the leaders of public thought and has occupied many public positions in the township. The same may be said ot his son, Thomas, and another son, James, is Postmaster of Dundas. But as I intend to take up the nnmicipal record of the township of Beverly later on, I shall pass on for the present to note the growth of the church at Kirkwall. During the lapse of over half a century and while the years have brought with them a great change, it would be well for the people of to-day, with all their advantages, to ask themselves the ques- tion, " Are we doing all we can, as did those early veterans who worked so hard to sustain a place of worship in the back- woods of Canada, wherein they might worship the God of their fathers, that aniotig all their hardships they attended to these things among the first." Rev. Mr. Porteous was succeeded in the pastorate of the congregation by Rev. Isaac Canipbell in June, 1870, whose resignation was accepted on Noyember 1st, 1870, and the Rev. Robert Thynne was inducted as his successor on May 1st, 1877. Mr. Thynne tendered his resignation in April, 1882, and on October 3, 1882, the present pastor, the Rev. Samuel Carruthers,. THE KIRKWALL LETTER. 37 Avas ordained and inducted into the pastoral charge of the con- gregation. The first elders of the congregation were, Andrew McKnjght, Thomas Watson and Walter Robinson. The mem- bers of the present session are, Robert McQueen, Andrew McKnight, Alexander Mitchel, Robert Garroch, C W. Laing, John McPhail, William Riddle and William Stewart. The first named was ordained in January, 1857; McKnight and Mitchell in 1877 ; Garrock, McPhail and Laing in 1882 ; Stewart and Riddle the present year, 1888. The number of members on the roll in 18.S6 was 40. The names were (that is the heads of houses), Messrs. John McNab, Adam Thomson, James Stewart, Mr. Roberts, Thomas Jamieson, Robert Dickson, Thomas Watson, John Fairgrieve, sr., John Fairgrieve, jr., David Martin, John Cowie, Robert Riddle, William Riddle, Alexander Innes, James Mitchel, John Frier, Robert Wallace, sr., Hugh Fairgrieve, William Gartner, Robert Valens, Andrew McKnight and James McQueen. There are a number of others whose names appejir in 1837, but the foregoing are the names of the heads of houses on the Roll for 1886, The number of members at present is about 170, Mr. James McQueen has filled the office of Treasurer from 18.36 to the present time. As I stated before, the roads then in those early days were very few, and the church was nearly surrounded by bush. Then it was not as it is now, people rolling into the church yard in their carriages, but the people all came on foot, and then you never could see them until they came right near. My in- formant tells me how they would come suddenly out of the wooded roads from all directions. He also tells me how the women used to do, how they would start awav from home bare-footed, with their shoes on their arm, and just before they came to the church they would sit down and put their shoes on. After chvirch was concluded they would go to the place where they put them on and take them off again and trip off home bare-footed. This may appear very strange to the ladies of to-day. Oh ! now, don't take on airs and turn up your noses, but let me whisper in your oar that these women were your mothers and grandmothers ; these were the women who left the scenes of their youth and homes beyond the sea and fol- lowed the fortunes of your fathers and your grandfathers away to the wild west ; and to-day, as you roll along in your car- riages and sit in your ctishioned pews, you are getting the . 88 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. benefit of those years of toil and hardships in the early days of our township. Do not V)e ashamed of them ; many of them have taken the ship again ; they have taken their passage to that " bourne from whence no traveller ever returns " ; the few that are left, be kind to them, for posterity will write this epitaph on thei' ^mbstones — '* They were the true nobility of this country." Mr. John Malcolm settled on a farm just to the east of where Thos. McQueen now lives, on the 7th con. His son, John, is at present in business in Gait, I do not know where the other members of the family live. The old man had a seat in the Beverly Council for some years, I do not know the date of his settlement, but it was early. A story is told of those early settlers wandering through the Beverly bush which is worth repeating, as it goes to show the great difference between the country they came from and the country they came to, and how soon they adapted themselves to the usages of a new country and put their shoulders to the wheel and helped to make out of a howling wilderness the country you see to-day. A party of men with their families came up through Beverly swamp in 1832, and after travelling for some days without seeing a place where they could even stop over night, at last got discouraged, and one Saturday night as they all sp.,c around the camp fire, a proposition was made to go back to Scotland. "Let us all turn around and go right away back home," said some. How- ever, they all laid down to rest. The next morning, about sun- rise, when everything was clear and still, one of the men wandered away from the camp, and hearing some bells upon the cattle which were wandering around through the bush, he ran back to the camp and said, "Get up, we are all right. Get up, we are near a town, I hear the kirk bells ringing." As 1 have already stated, Wallace McDonald, Esquire, went through that section with me, and it was from him that I got the most of my information regarding the early settle ment of that part of the township, he having spent his younger days in that section. It was not only a pleasant trip, but it was very interestmg to hear and see him go over the scenes of his youth. I became very much interested in seeing how these old men, after an absence of over thirty years, could trace the old roads that they used to travel by trees and stumps and stones, although the sound of the reaper can be heard THE KIRKWALL LETTER. 3» fifoing over many parts of them to-day ; telling? how they used to twist around with their ox team through the bush, taking their grain all the way to Dundas ; and how about the first of August they would draw in a little wheat, thresh it out with a flail, and then take it on an old sled with their oxen over to Romulus to Lamb's mill; how the oxen would tire out and they would stay in the bush and rest : to see how lightly he would step on some of the old corduroy that still remains, which he helped to put there over forty years ago. Tapping me upon the shoulder, he said, "John, I am eighteen years old again to-day." But I thought, "Old man, if it was not for breaking the spell and letting you enjoy the pleasuies of youth for a moment, I would like to have a looking-glass here." But we leave the place, cross the fields to our horse which is tied on the road side, seemingly unconscious of our mission, that we are gathering up the history of those early years while there is some one left to tell the story, so that the people shall know of the good deeds of these old men after the last one of them has gone over the banks of the river. We now cross the hie: swamp at what is known as "Narrow Neck," just north- east of Kirkwall, and give you the Valens sketch, along with a description of what was known as the old Guelph road, as it ran towards Dundas ; but before taking up the Valens letter, we would mention one or two families which we omit- ted in our last letter on Kirkwall. The place now occupied by James Nicholson was first settled by a family named Achin in about 1840 ; they sold to John Train in about 1844 or '45, and Train in turn sold to Nicholson. The place now owned by Walter Lapsley was first settled by John Kenny, who sold out to Claud Lapsley, Walter's father. Mr. (Jlaud Lapsley first settled on and lived for quite a few years on the 50 acres where Ritchie Paterson is now living. The Ballantyne family where the first settlers on the farm now occupied by the Ballantyne family, between forty-five and fifty years ago, and have continued there ever since. The place now occupied by Thomas Little was first owned by a man named Ross, and was taken up early (about 1836). It was sold by him to a Mrs. Chambers (afterwards Mrs. Maw- hinney,) who in turn sold to the Little family, of which family the present occupant is a representative. '•■^^^^ THE VALENS LETTER. VALENS Settlement, or the Ninth Concession as it was first called, was first settled in or about 1834, and the settlement as originally known included the 8th Conces- sion on the north side of the big swamp and the south half of the 9th Concession, and extended from Lot No. 19, east, to Lot No. 33, or as far as could be settled for the swamp. The only road leading into that settlement at that time and for several years after, was the old Guelph Road, to which I referred in my letter on Kirkwall. The Guelph Road began at the Dundas and Waterloo Road, about half a mile east from Rockton, and a little west from the brick house now owned and occupied by Mr. Adam Thompson ; then took a northerly course, passing a little east from where the residence of the late Wm. Henderson now stands ; then crossing the rear of the 5th Concession near the house now occupied by Thomas S win ton, then north to the 7th Concession, passing near to the house occupied by And. John- ston (formerly known as " Ker's Hill") ; then northerly again and crossing the 8th Concession a little west of the big hill known as " Parker's Hill," and about one and a half lots east from the old log Church at Little Scotland ; then it continued north through the farm now occupied by John Gilbert, and crossing the big swamp at the narrowest place known, (the old road may be traced through there now) : then northerly again and striking the 9th Concession about where the jog now is near Mr. John Cowle's farm, and running a little farther north struck what was then known as the " Miller Line" of the 9th Concession, and there the Guelph Road stopped and was never GEORGE H. MULHOLLAND. Served in Township Council 1883-7. Councillor in 1883, 2nd Deputy Reeve in 1884. 2nd Deputy-Reeve in 1885, 2nd Doputy- Reeve in 1886, Reeve in 1887. THE VALENS LETTER. 41 opened any farther, and I may add that the whole route, from the btone Road to the hig swamp was thiough the hush, with a small clearing now and then, and the n»ad was only hrushed out so as to allow a wagon to get along, and in some places a pretty tight squeeze at that. Of course it was improved a little after the first settlement and many a load of grain was taken to the market over that rood. The line of the Road as I have traced it out i.s as it was finally settled. The first lay-nut varied a little in some places. It went around the east end of the hig hill on the farms now owned by D. Mitchell, in the 6th Ooncession, and then through Mr. Parker's clearing aad along the east side of the hill on Mr. Gilbert's farm in the 8th Con- <;ession, and came to the same point to cross the big swamp as I have before described. We will now go back to the year 1836 and review the Valens Settlement from that time to this. We leave the narrow neck of the big swamp and take a stroll along the road into that settlement. We find the whole was composed of the following : — 1st, David Martin, wife and child ; 2nd, John Cowie, wife and two children ; 3rd, Wm. Robson (bachelor) ; 4th, two members of the Pentland family, brother and sister, John and Eleanor ; 5th, the Valens family, two brothers, John and Robert, their mother, and sister, Jane. Next, the Mc- Donald family, father, mother, three sons, Robert, Wallace and Malcom, and one daughter, Esther. The next was James Mitchell, wife and four children, all young. And then next and last, Robert Smith and Andrew Rowan, who kept bachelor's hall, and also a comer and goer, (and a bachelor), whose name was Thomas James Nimmo, — making a total population of 29. David Martin located on the place he is now living on with his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Hector McCoag. The old man is now very frail, and not much wonder, for he was born in 1800. John Cowie is still on his oiiginal homestead with his son, William, and is still pretty hearty considering that he has now attained the age of near four score years. Wm. Robson early in 1837 married Miss Jane Valens. They gathered quite a lot of property, but both have passed over the river, leaving the old home in the hands of their family. The Valens family took up first Lot No. 25, and then the south half of 24. The north quarter of Lot No. 25 was disposed of to two brothers, James and Richard Yates, who came into the settle- 42 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. ment some time later, and centre 100 acres was allotted to Robert, John holding the south quarter of 25 and south half of 24. Robert sold out some years ago to one Angus McKellar and went to the county of Bruce, not far from Lucknow ; John still holds the old homestead, with his son, John A. ; the old man is gettmg pretty frail, but as he is about the age of four score, such must be looked for. The Valens family were the first settlers, and it is quite in- teresting to hear the old man tell of the difficulties they had in their fir^ entry into the settlement in getting over the big swamp which I have before referred to. Many a stout heart would have failed, but he braved it through and his early efforts have been crowned with success, as his fine home at the present time clearly shows. John was the first settler ; the first who brought a threshing machine into the settlement. He built the first saw mill in the settlement, and was always among the first to aeisist in furthering anything for the improvement of the settlement, and for which he was honored with the title of "Governor." The Pentland family all moved into the settlement in the spring of 1837. They were nine in number. The father, mother, four sons, John, James, Peter and Robert, and three daughters. Their location was Lot 24, in Concession 8, and Lot 21, Con- cession 9, to which was afterward added the north-east quarter of Lot 23, in the 8th Concession. The mother died in the fall of 1838, the first death in the settlement. She was buried in the north part of the old burying ground on a part of the farm now owned by Thos. McQueen. Her husband was laid beside her about fifteen years after, and John the eldest son, was laid beside them in 1871. James and his three sisters still live on the old homestead. Peter married Miss E. McDonald, and moved onto his allotment, the north half of Lot 21, Concession 9. He sold out to Andrew Valens several years ago and is now living in the County of Perth. Robert married a Miss Fletcher and took the 50 acres of Lot 23 and south part of Lot 21, and after several years of success on the farm, he sold a few years ago to one David Patterson, and retired on full pay to the town of Gait, tatterson still occupies his farm, and Andrew Valens is still on the place purchased from Peter Pentland. The place now occupied by Samuel Gilbert was the first loca- tion of the McDonald family. On account of a neck of the big- THE VALENS LETTER. 48 swamp cutting the place in two, the sonb, Robert and Wallace, purchased the south half of the same lot and of 27, and moved southwards, and the first location was sold in 1850 to Samuel Gilbert, grandfather of the present Samuel. Wallace left the settlement about the end of 1863 and moved to Rockton, where he still lives and is so well known that no farther notice of him is required from me. He has since sold the old farm to one Jared Marcy, and Robert having died about four ye:-rs ago, and their parents many years since, and Malcom having moved to the County of Huron, where he still resides, the McDonald family has not at present any representative in the old settle- ment. The lot that Jas. Mitchell first located on turned out to be not very good, and owing to a change being made in the lines of which I notice hereafter, Mr. M. took up another lot by the north half of Lot 32, Concession 9, on which the youngest son, William, is now living, and his mother with him. The two men, Robert Smith and A. Rowan, whom I have noticed, seemed to think it cold comfort to keep bachelors' hall, for they pulled up stakes and left for good in or about the year 1838. I have noticed the original settlers in 1836. How many of that 29 are still living? The following is the list so far as known, viz. : David Martin and his daughter, Mrs. McEvery ; John Cowie and his son, William ; John Valens, Mrs. E. Pent- land, Wallace and Malcolm McDonald and their sisters, Mrs. P. Pentland and Mrs. James Mitchell, with her son, James. I will now take up the settlers of later date. The place now occupied by Benjamin Dickson was first settled by Thos. Wallace, who was a shoemaker by trade, and owned the small place now occupied by Wm. Robinson, the blacksmith, about three miles east of Rockton. Wallace sold to Alex. James, and James in turn to Dickson. The north part of the lot was taken up by Thomas James Nimmo. He sold to John Lapsley, and Lapsley to Robert Cook, the present occupant. The place now occupied by Wm. Cook was first settled by Mr. Nimmo. He sold to John Gilbert and moved west, as above noted. Gilbert sold to Thomas Gray, and he to one Wra. Renwick, who died on the place, and his representatives sold to Mr. Wm. Cook. Mr. E. Cartwright bought the place where he now re- sides, and engaged a family named Anderson to clear it up for him. He afterwards moved on to it himself and remains on it still. About 1&47 or 1848, Thomas Cook and John Curran 44 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. settled on the south part of the same lot. Ciirran afterwards sold out his part to Cook, and Cook a tew years ago sold out to his son William, whom I have already t.oticed ; and William sold to the present owner, William Robson. The place now occupied by Robert Telford was settled by Robert Hunter in 184.} or '46. Robert ran a threshing machine for some time, and by which he lost his right hand. In this way he was so crippled he could not get on with the farm work very well, and in 1860 he rented his farm and went to Rockton, where he acted as baliiT for 17 years, and then moved to Ham- ilton. He has succeeded in all his undertakings, but his friends son.etimes pass the joke with him that it was a God-send the losing of his hand, and had it not been for that he would have been digging away yet on the 9th concession. His farm, after having been rented for seme terms, fell into the hands of its present owner, Telford. It now includes the lot on which James Mitchell first located. The farm now occupied by Mr. Hood was first settled by David Vallance, who died in 1875. His family sold the place. The owner is now Mr. Richard Cornell, who also owns the N. W. quarter of lot 30, in 9th con., on which he settled some forty years since. Mr. Geo. Lennon, who now occupies the IS. E. part of the same lot, was the first settler thereon about the same time as Cornell. The south part of the lot was taken up first by one David Alexan- der, in or about 185(5, and shortly afterwards sold to D. Mc- Phail, the father of the present occupant, John McPhail. The farm now occupied by Edwin Gray was settled in 1838 by his father, George Gray, who often was called Earl Gray. He named his place Huggerglen. Lot 29 was settled on by R. Smith and A. Rowen, whom I have noticed already. In or about the end of 1841 the Fletcher family arrived on to it and cleared it up rapidly. There were three brothers, two sisters and the two '^Id folks. All have passed away but one of the brothers i. (Robert) and one sister (Mrs. R. Pentland). The farm is still in he family name. The next farm west was first settled on by George Tennant, who chopped his first fallow thereon in the winter of 1840, and put up a log house in the spring, and the i'il winter following got married and began farming in earnest. I i- He was quite successful. He raised a large family and sold his place to Mr. Jamieson several years ago. The next farm west is the Bickell place. The family moved on to this farm about THE VALENS LETTER. 46 the beginning of 1887. Owned by David Bickell, his father, mother and sister settled on the lot with him. Atter some few years David, like many other men, saw fit to marry a wife. The sister and parents then moved to Dundas, and are dead long ago, and David is gone the way of all the earth, leaving behind him his widow, three sons and two daughters — William Richard, school teacher, Clyde ; Mrs. Thos. McLaren ; Rev. D. Bickell, of Mount Forest ; and George Bickell, on the old homestead, with his wife mother and sister. Next comes the Gilbert farm, settled in the fall of IK^ by the three brothers, Samuel, George and Thomas, and the father and mother. They divided the lot into three parts, the long way of the lot (north and south). The old folks, Samuel and George are all gone. Thomas is in Hamilton with his son. George's part is now owned by a Mr. Williams ; Thomas' part by one John Cobiirn, and Samuel's portion, with what he purchased from the McDonalds, is now in possession of his grandchildren. The Harbottle farm was first settled on by the old man, Robert, in or about 1842. He has done well on it and is a pretty solid old man yet. The next place west, now occupied by Mr. Blair, was first taken up by one George Strachen and his brother-in-law, Thomas Gates, about the same time as Harbottle settled on the adjoining lot. The place was first sold to Wm. Peden, and then again the west part to the Hobson family and the east part to Blair. I will now go west to lot 18, the farm now of John Dickson. It was first sold to one Thos. Misener over 40 years ago. He sold to Dickson about thirty years since, and moved to Troy, where he died a little over a year ago. The next lot west. No. 17, was first settled by two brothers, John and Wm. Cope, of near Copetown. Bush life did not suit them, so they sold out. John sold to James Clark, and James Clark to his son John, who was killed by the Indians in the far west. The place then got into the possession of the present occupants, the Beatty family. William Cope's part, the s. j, now forms part of the farms of John Dickson and the McAlister estate. I think I have now noticed all the Valens settlement proper. There are some along the tenth concession that per- haps I may notice later. The early settlers took up their places as laid ont by what was known as the Miller Smvey, made about the time of the 46 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. Valens Settlement, in 1834. In Sept., 1830, the late James Kirk- patrick, P. L. S., was sent out by the Government to make a survey of the four north Concessions. By the survey he then made, the concession lines were about chains and 40 links south of where they were originally supposed to be, and the division lines between the lots were also changed. By these changes some lost part of their clearances ; some their build- ings ; some got good land in place of poor land, and some the reverse. By such means the whole four concessions were thrown into confusion. The settlors did not know what to do, many not knowing where toclear as their boundaries were not known. The new survey caused much anxiety and many warm discus- sions. Those who had benefited by the new survey, of course, thought it a just one, and those who had lost by it an unjust surve5\ Matters remained about the same for about a couple of years, during which a report would sometimes come that the new lines were to stand, and then another that the old lines were to stand. In the meantime the Government had appointed three Commissioners to settle disputes of this kind. The Commissioners were the Hon. John Wilson, of Saltfleet : John Chisholm, of East Flamboro', and Lewis Burswell, of Brantford, These Commissioners were called on in the spring of 1839. They held their court in the Chapman hotel, on the Stone Road, on the place now owned by Mr. John Kirkpatrick, ot Gait. The hotel stood, I think, in front of where the big barn now stands. After a lengthy investigation the lines were settled where they now stand. By their settlement or award, the jogs were made in the Concessions as they now appear. As the line between the 8th and 9th Concessions interests us the most at present, I will notice it only. The old line was followed from the west boundary of the townships as far east as the line between Lots 21 and 22 ; then jogs south 3 chains and 20 links ; then east again to the line between Lots 26 and 27 ; then jogs south again 3 chains and 20 links ; and then east, on the new survey, to the Flamboro' line. The division lines between lots were also changed materially, so as to, as far as practicable, allow the settlers to remain on or hold their lands as they had been known when first settled on. In the fall of 1839 the survey was made as ordered by the Commissioners, and as that was final, the whole settlement turned out and cut out the new THE VALENS LETTER. 47 road where it is now travelled, coiniuencin^ opposite Lot 22' where it was intersected by the Guelph road, before referred to, thence east, choppinj? a good wide road. When they came to the joj? at the line between lots 26 and 27 a halt was made. The cause of which was this :— To follow the jog south 3 chains and 4() links, and then go east again on the road allow- ance, the road would enter the Big Swamp just a little south from where Mr. Telford's house now stands, and that there would be a stretch of about one and a half miles to cross way ; and then again the settlers in Lots 29, 30, 31 and 32 would re- quire to make crossways to get from their clearances to the road in front of their lots. To do so at that time was im- possible, as there were no funds to do it with. The difHculty was soon settled, and in this way :— A bushwhackers' council was held there in the bush. The lands westward (except lots 29 and 30) were there represented, and the result or conclusion was that the road should be continued straight on (not follow- ing the jog) half way across lot 27 and then strike a bee line to where the Miller line crossed the Big Creek in lot 29 ; then follow the Miller line in to Lot 32 ; then south-easterly to the concession. The new road was run out with pickets, and the whole road cut out, bridges built over the Little Creek and Big Creek and Valens Creek without a halt, and all was done with- out any aid in the way of money, but by the work of the settlers, free. Allow me to add that the piece of road so laid out by the bushwhackers' council was at once made a good road, and is a good road yet, and its validity has never been questioned, nor is it likely to be. If such a road were to be laid out now there would first have to be a petition got up and signed, a deputation to lay it before the municipal Council ; then a committee appointed by the Council to inspect it ; then a report made by the committee, the report adopted, and a survey made and a plan and description ; then notices to be posted up and advertised in the newspapers ; then a by-law drawn up and passed and registered ; then the road is to be made, advertisements or notices posted up of letting the con- tract, and the last and not least is who can get the job and make the most out of it. Such is the difference between a Bushwhackers' Council in 1839 and a Municipal Council in 1888. The half-mile of swamp opposite Lots 33 and 34 was some years after cut out and crossway made on west half, with brush and 48 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. stone and earth on the east halt. It was used as a winter road after it was cut out, and when it would freeze hard enough to carry a team, but was not a general route for summer and winter until about ten years after the first settlement. I may also add that the first opening was done by the settlers, with- out any aid in the way of public money. The side road be- tween Lots 24 and 25, in 8th Concession, was first cut out in/ 1846, this was also by gratis work ; and in about three years after, with aid of public money, was crosswayed and made fit for travel. The road on the 9th concession, west of Lot 22, and the side-road between Lots 18 and 19, in the 8th concession, were opened years later, and when opened the old Guelph road was abandoned. The first school was started in the beginning ot 1842 in a house on the place now occupied by Wm. Cook and then be- longing to Mr. Nimmo. The first teacher was David Buchan. His salary was very small. He claimed to be of high blood. His intellect was not the best, but he had quite sufficient education to teach the children of that time their primary les- sons. He boarded around in the section at the homes of the scholars a week in each place, or according to the number of scholars. The first school house was built the same year. In the winter in the fore part of the year a bee was made, the settlers turning out pretty well. They went into the bush in front of Lot 26, Cone. 9, (Gilbert's), and there chopped down 3uch timber as suited them. The timber was flattened on two sides, such logs to be for the new school house. Another bee wae made to draw the timber to where it was wanted at the site for the new building. On a very warm day the following summer another bee was made to raise the new school house, and when it was up it was pronounced a No. 1 job, all good pine timber and hewn on two sides. It contained as much : timber as would make half a dozen of the same size now, I I I think it was 20 x 26. A sum of money, amounting to about $60 I || or $70, was raised from some source, —I can't ascertain where, — j I to be applied to the school house. This money was given to 1 j| Thomas Gates, a carpenter, Avho had to finish the house and i I' make it fit for use. He did his Job according to agreement and I i! the school was opened therein about the end of the same year and did not retjuire much repair for the next ten years. Such is a sample of the way school houses were erected and schools THE VALENS LETTER. 40 opened in them in th" early settlement of that part of Beverly and the connnencemeni of our common school system. What a change from that time until now. I am reminded of the say- ing of the old Hielaudman, after the union of Scotland and England : — " Scotland's turned on England noo, New laws bring on the Cadger ; Her name sell wad dirk him for't, But oh ! she'll fear the sodger." The site of the old school house was on the south-east corner of Lot 23, Concession 9, and is the same building which has been moved back a little and fitted up for a dwelling for William Robson. A fine new stone school house was erected in or about 1868, to take the place of the old one, about a quarter of a mile east from the old site. . In 1854 a school section library was established in that section under the rules and regulations of the Council of Public Instruction. The sum of $100 was raised by a tax on the school section, by consent of » public meeting of the ratepayers called for that purpose, to which wfts added 75 per cent, by the Edu- cation Department in Toronto. Another 25 per cent, was added soon after. A fine selection of books was obtained by these means and a No. 1 libraiy started. Wallace McDonald, now of Rockton, was the leading spirit therein. He arranged all the books, numbered them and labelled them, and took charge of the library for several years. It would be but fair to say that he had some valuable assistants, among whom were Governor Valens, the late Thomas Fletcher, and David Martin. The books were exchanged on the evening of every full moon, and the regularity of attendance and the interest taken therein was very satisfactory to all concerned as the books were all of a first-class order and entertaining as well. The library created quite a thirst for reading in the rising generation, the efVect of which was shown in after years in the way of preachers, teachers, commercial clerks, etc., etc., which the settlement produced. At the same time it would be but fair to give a good share of this credit to a school teacher who was engaged some years after the library was started and continued to teach there for about a dozen years. I refer with pleasure to Mr. A. W. Falconer, now of Little's Corners, near Gait. 1 50 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. AtnoDis: other things of interest in the early settlement was the rebellion. My informant, who at the time was only 16 years of age, tells me that he remembers well the first news of the rebellion. He said he happened to be at a neighbor's house one morning, when in caine Governor Valens and Earl Gray^ and the first word was that McKenzie had besieged Toronto and that Hamilton was all in commotion. M essrs. Valens and Gray being both carpenters, they were at work for Sir Allan McNab at his castle at Dundurn when the news came to Hamilton. As all work was stopped, Mr, Valens came up to his homo, and Mr. Gray came with him to make arragements to move his family from Hamilton on to the land he had selected for his future home and which I have already noticed. My informant describes the story as related by Valens and Gray. How Sir A llan had come up from Toronto to Hamilton with the news and how he ad- dressed a crowd and called for Volunteers to go with him to Toronto. He got about thirty in a short time, and then Sir Allan mounted his favorite horse, " Sam Patch," started ror the steamboatat the foot of .James street, and how proud Sir Allan was of his followers. He said to them, " Boys, I am proud of you." Then again he said, " I won't call you " boys," I will call you " men." My informant had two brothers who were Volunteers under Sir Allan. When he was at Chippewa, at the time the rebels were on Navy Island, he tells a good story about Sir Allan that I cannot let pass. It is as follows : — After the battle of Gallowhill the Rebels fled to Buffalo, as thev had many sympathizers there. About this time Sir Allan's carriage was down Stoney Creek way one evening, when it was stopped by some rebels and inspected, but as Sir Allan happened not to be in the company, the carriage was allowed to go home- ward. It was said at the time that the intention was to take Sir Allan a prisoner. The news, however, sped to headquarters at Buffalo that Sir Allan had been assassinated. The crier had got nicely started on his mission when the news came that the report of Sir Allan's assassination was false. The crier was at once notified and requested to stop,— he was a colored Gemmen, —but he replied thus :— " I got $5 to cry out that Sir Allan is dead, and if you will give me $5 I will cry him alive again." My informant also relates a song composed at the time on the Navy Island aflfair, to the tune of " Yankee Doodle" :— " When Mackenzie's Rebel Band was heat," &c. THE VALENS LETTER. 51 In the spring of 1838 the militia of Beverly was summoned to muster at Babcock's tavern, west of Sheffield, for the pur- pose of being enrolled. That was the first call out of the kind and was called the "11 th Regiment, Gore Militia." Andrew T. Kirby, of near Bullock's Corners, was Colonel, Dr. James Ham- ilton was Lieu. -Colonel, and Benjamin Babington, of Dundas. was Adjutant. The Township was divided into four companies, or quarters, the line between the 3rd and 4th Concessions be- ing the division line from east to west, and the side-road be- tween Lots 18 and 19 being the division line from north to south. A. N. Vrooman, of near Harrisburg, was Captain of No. 1, or south-west quarter ; a Mr. Robert Hammil, of near Copetown, was Captain of No. 2, or south-east quarter ; Adam Ainslie, (later of Gait), was the Captain of No. 3, or north-west quarter ; and Aaron Cornell, of Spring Creek, (and a brother of my grandfather, John A.Cornell), was Captain of the north- east quarter, or No. 4. About the end of June the same year, one Sunday, Andrew McKnight, a young man about 18„ now kncwn as "Captain McKnight," came into the settlment and warned every n)an to turn out and muster at Hamilton for service, for the rebels had got in the country and taken a stand at the Short Hills. The news caused quite a commotion. Most of the men turned out and were supplied with guns and ammunition at Hamilton and were marched as far as Smithville, but the report turned out to be what we now call a "canard," and the men all got home the same week to the ioy of all with whom they were connected. They were called out again about two weeks after, taken to Hamilton, kept there three days, and then sent home. At all these turnouts the men went on foot to Hamilton, on foot to Smithville, and on foot home again. "Shanks' nag" was the most used at that time. I was thinking if sueh a turn- out were made now, how many fine hijirses, buggies and harness would be required to convey them to their destination ? About the close of the year 1838 a draft was made from the 11th Gore, and quite a number were drawn from Beverly. They were first billeted in Dundas and drilled there, then they were taken away as far west as London. When they got there, things were all quiet, and the men were returned to Dundas, and then sent home after some weeks of service. The militia was called out annually in June for several years after that to muster at Christie's Corners for training. 52 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. After a few years' training this was dropped, and no more was heard of soldiering until the Fenian raid in 1868. In the early settlement clocks or time-pieces were rather scarce, or, if any, liable to be out of order. The main guide a» to time was the sun when it was a clear day. As the sidelines run nearly north and south, the sun was on the line every day at 20 minutes to 12 o'clock, noon, and nearly all had a mark about the door, where the shadow of the sun should be at noon. Such was often the only guide for the auld wife to know when to have dinner ready. David Martin was a shepherd in his young days and was quite a poet and a general favorite, and was widely known, and as many will like to see some of his compositions, through the kindness of Mrs.MCoaghis daughter, I have been enabled to give "The Nick on the Door," as also " Farewell to My Native Land." I believe both of these were published some years ago, but they are well worth repeating : — " The Nick on the Door." In the rough old times and the tough old times, full thirty years agone, There was not a clock in the settlement, to tell how the time went on ; But we knew very well when the day began, and we knew very well when 'twas o'er. And our dinner bell was the gude wife's shout, when the sun reach'd the nick on the door. We had no cash and we were all alike, but we whacked away at the trees. And when summer came, oh then we had, such splores at the logging bees ; The affairs of the Church and the affairs of the State we seldom did review. But we talked and we sang of our " Fatherland," till faix we whiles got fou'. But now we blether politics, and knowing folks are we, And some support and some oppose the present Ministry — And who are bought and who are sold, the wherefore, why and how— We know as plain as A B C, oh what a difference now— THE VALENS LETTER. 68 In the rough old times and the tough old times full thirty- years agone. There was not a Clock in the settlement, to tell how the time went on ; Now every house one time-piece has, and some have even more, And the "youngsters" laugh at their "mither's" Clock, the auld nick on the door. " Farewell to My Native Land." I left my ain, my native land, the land of hill and glen, And sighed farewell and sadly thought I'd never see't again, I stood upon the vessel's deck that bore me fast away, And sighed, farewell, ray native land, but could not add "for aye"- But now I'm here these many years, and here I've found a home. And many ties entwine my heart, which tempt no more to roam ; And scenes of youth grow like a dream, which o'er the fancy play. Yet when I sigh, farewell, farewell, I cannot add " for aye" — The cottage where my mother dwelt, is now a roofless heap, My early friends are scattered wide, or in the grave do sleep ; All, all is chang'd save hill and stream, where my young steps did stray. Yet when I sigh, farewell, farewell, I cannot add " for aye"— Is there a man on earth who dwells, 'mid scenes of childhood past. Can take a parting look and say, " It is, it is, my last ;" Oh, no, a wish, a secret hope, though reason it gainsay. When he shall sigh, farewell, farewell, will stop the sad '* for aye." ife=.^ THE CLYDE LETTER. As in niy former letter, I a^ain start from Sheffield, but my readers rtaay ask, "Why always start from Shef- field ?" Strange, I should have a reason. It is a central point. It was among the first parts of the township that were settled. More, it is where I was born nearly fifty years ago ; it is under the green sod in the Sheffield cemetery that my grandfather lies ; it is there where my mother sleeps ; it is there where we laid our only child to rest. The place seems sacred. But I draw the veil over the scene and go on with my story. Starting, we go almost due north from Sheffield. Crossing the 7th concession we leave the Garroch farm to our right, now occupied by A. and R. Garroch. Farther north is the old Keachie farm, now occupied by James and William Keachie, sons of the late Bailie Keachie. On the left hand side of the oad is the farm taken up by the late Wm. Culham, and oc- cupied by his son, John. Then cross the 8th con. into the Clyde settlement. The land around Clyde is a good deal better than that about Kirkwall, and while we frequently meet with swamps in that section, they are generally small ; indeed we do not find any of any size until you go east on the 9th and 10th concessions towards the Valens' settlement. The land is rolling and a number of very good farms can be found all through that section. The village itself is like all the rest of the villages in the township, small, containing the usual village store and blacksmith shop, a small church of the Plymouth Brethern denomination,— the most of the people go to Gait to THE CLYDE LETTER. 55 church, — and there is one thing that is perhaps worthy of note, that although the township is a large one, there is not a town or incorporated village within its borders, nor a railroad run- ning through the township. There are two railroads, one run- ning across each end, the old Great Western running across the south end, and the Credit Valley running across the north end. Both roads are near the township limits, the one where it joins upon Ancaster on the south, the other where it joins upon Puslinch on the north. It is thought by some that if a railroad was to run through the centre of the township, that it would bring it more on a par with the surrounding townships, and that we could then at least boast of one mayor, a worthy that does not exist, nor is likely to exist for some time to come, but being surrounded as Beverly is near the head of the lake, and a net- work of railroads in her neighboring munici- palities, all her markets are outside her boundary lines, with Dundas and Hamilton on the east, Gait on the west, Brant- ford on the south, and Guelph to the north, with each one bid- ding high for the trade of her people, the people of Beverly have never felt that want that very often is felt by other places, and all attempts to get the ratepayers to invest money, with no other advantage than simply to have a railroad run- ning through the township, have proved a failure. One thing strikes the traveller as he goes through the Clyde settlement, as it does through every section in the township— the very few of the old settlers that are here to tell the story of the hard- ships of those early years, and how often we had to listen to the reply to our questions since we started out upon this mis- sion— "We cannot tell you, but if father or mother were alive they could tell you all about it." But a few remain, and one almost expects them to begin by saying, like those of old, "I alone have escaped to tell you," and some of the lines in a favorite poem of Abraham Lincon's came to my mind when I thought of the many old veterans that have gone to their rest- ing place. The lines were written down by Mr. Carpenter as they fell from the President's lips : "The thoughts we are thinking our fathers did think, From the death we are shrinking our fathers did shrink ; . To the life we are clinging our fathers did clinsr, But it speeds from us all like the bird on the wing. 56 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. But I am aroused from my reverie when I see on ray right hand and on my left, in front of me and behind me, the great legacy that these old men and women have left behind them. When their enemy, the mighty forest, began to lag, it could not stand the repeated attacks of this gloriours army, and the people of to-day will not be true to the trust reposed in them ; they will not be worthy to bear the names of their sires and carry the conquest that was begun by these great men on and on until this great Canada of ours shall have become a mighty people. The command that these fathers have left to their children and children's children is the same as Wellington gave at the close of the Battle of Waterloo — " Up guards and at them ;" and when children yet unborn will be proud to boast that they descended from those old pioneers we hope that the people of to-day will so conduct themselves that these children will not be ashamed to own the link that connected them with these old people. The neighborhood of Clyde was first settled in the year 1831 by William Anderson, who, I believe, was the first. My informant says, that if a man deserves to be called a hero, that man was William Anderson. There was no one at that time had gone any farther north than the 8th Concession. David Mulholland. a son of Hugh, of Troy, at that time was on the old Sipes place, now occupied by his son Hugh. Mr. Anderson then newly married, and his wife came to David MulhoUand's with a yoke of oxen, where he left Mrs. Anderson and went straight north with his oxen and axe and some provisions through a dense forest to the 10th Concession on to the farm now occupied by his son Wm. Ira. He did not return for some time, when people began to suspect that he might be lost, but not so ; he was battling away with the forest and building a shanty as a shelter from the stormy blasts of winter, and out of the reach of the howling wolves for his new-made bride, and when he had finished he returned and took her to that woody home where nothing could be seen but a sea of trees. In talking over the scenes and recounting the hardships of those early days, Mr. Anderson, in conversation with an inti- mate friend not long ago, said, "My wife spent many lonesome days and hours in the bush, where we were trying to hew out a home. We were young then ; she is over eighty now, but she is as beautiful as ever." And to give my readers an idea of / ROBERT FERGUSSON. Reeve, 1889. \ THE CLYDE LETTER. W florae of the diffleultios that had to be met and overcome by those early settlers and the difference between then and now, it took Mr. Anderson four days to >ir early history, and as I can not improve on his letter, I wih just give it here in full : -- Galt, Sept. 22nd, 1888. Mr. J. A. Cornell, Dear Sir, — Your card to hand and will endeavor to give our history as near as possible. Thomas McDonald and family emigrated from the Parish ot Alvie, Inverness-shire, Scotland, to the County of Glengarry, Canada, in 1843. After remaining there one year, we all moved west to the Township of Beverly and settled on the farm now owned by me, Lot 12, Con. 9, which I had purchased from John Cameron, better known as " Blinkeye." My father and brothers ren)ained on my lot for a few years, I engaged myself at peddling and drove between Montreal and Woodstock, calling on my customers twice a f^ THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. year, hence came the name " Peddler McDonald.'' For ten years 1 followed peddling, when I settled on my own lot. In the meantime my brothers had bought from Duncan McColU Lot 10, in the 9th Con., where they at this time lived, and where my father and mother died some years after. Duncan^ my brother, then bought the south half of Lot 12, on the same Con., from Geo. Elliott, where he resides at the present time, his wife dying a year ago. A few years after my brother, Thomas, bought the north half of Lot 8 from Miss Mary Priest —this property was better known as the old Saw Mill property, Duncan McColl having a mill on this property many years ago — he still resides on this farm with his two young children, his wife dying years ago. This leaves my three brothers, George, Donald and John, with one sister, Janet, living on their old homestead, where they reside yet. Lot 10, in the 9th Cone. On my farm. Lot 12, I lived from the period I quit peddling until I moved to Gait, seven years ago, my son, John F., living on it now. When we settled in Beverly, the Clyde settlement waa quite a Highland Colony, all different Clans being well repre- sented by such families as the McColls, Mclnnes, McKenzies,. Duncgn Gillis, Dune, and Arch. McKellar, and the McPhersons, McBains, Camerons, McRaes, McLeans, and Simon Fraser, and all ever ready to give a stranger a good Highland welcome, and all have passed away with the exception of Mrs. McKellar, Mrs. McBain and Mrs. Gillis. I must congratulate you on your letters, they are well arranged and very interesting to ajl Jovera of old Beverly. Sincerely yours, Alex. McDonald. Old residents of the northern part of Beverly will recollect that early in the '40s John Anderson was well known as an ex- pert in the threshing line. One day in '43 Mr. James Wight, having secured his services, sent the following invitation in rhyme to Wm. Johnston, a neighbor, to come over and help : — "Sir, if it your pleasure be, Come, or send one unto me. For Anderson will be this day. And nought but sickness can him stay. And then to-uiorrow in the sun. His daily course begins to run ; He will parade before your hall. With men and horse just at your call ; And I with him if it's expedient, I— I am, sir, your most ooedient, James Wight." THE CLYDE LETTER. Li • OB '* the foilowioK impromptu •_ "^ """" "' ?«?«■• and What is your '^f '""'^'■"a''d. By th,sfa'r„"uX :;:: """ "^"'"-'^ Yo" are sublime abol'™' "'^■""'«- Your ideas so^r te °?/'''"'P''<>»- What you ^a/^lr/rS""' One ont'°"""°' "'"--« P"'-." less, conceive?""'*"' °' ■■hy„sters, who wiJI h k «- oAhTdiiriersr ^"'.''" ^«-"o for:n';oTr- '* Ye muse sublime senH f« *u Assist me to in^Ue '^ ^^"'^ ^^''^' An arduous passion ii „.y breast Now urges me to write ' To one that I in secret love Love burns an endless flame"- ^•ven this ardent avowal H,H „ . • consummation devoutly tTbetisTed " "'""'' "^'"^ ""out the Perhaps a few of f h i^ '*"ea. pointed description of XXtZZr'^'"''^^ ''"-tt. aence. There .s quaintnesx and humor Ih V"" ""^ """ir resi. As years anH o^^„ _.. . "''^ — „ . ■ 'oiotJH W] T™dir;rm"emrbrr''^"»«- -■e-.oodahr:io^r:;"rptr I" It there hveci a wondrous race. Wi double joints. m THE PIONEERS OP BEVERLY. It (vas an auld log an' shingled biggin', The noon-day sun blinked thro' the riggin', 'Twas fitted best for swine to live in, Or hatch in' fleas ; Or garter snakes to dance a jig in, In summer days." Elliott's talent for versification was perhaps better shown in several more aspirinc: pieces, which have appeared in print. •'I was weel and wad be better" has the ring and pathos of true poetry about it, and is of recognized merit. " As the mantle of n'ght in the morning was gone ; " " Scotland I love thee tho' far, far away, are also worthy of mention. Sandy Morrison ! How the name awakens old time recol- lections ! Many a reader of this paper will cause his men)ory to fly back to his school days in the '40s, when this versatile, well-informed, but erratic son of the muse, wielded the birch in the " old log cabin," used as a school house. Morrison had un- doubted talent and he formed one of the coterie who delighted to wile away the evening hours by talking about their favorite poets. Not inifrequently did they recite verses of their own composition, and there ate those still living, who as boys, re- member listening with something like awe to the conversations of these men, who to them were beings of another world almost. I will not attempt at present to give any of Morrison's more pretentious pieces, but he too was considerable of a wag. A brother school teacher had fallen desparately in love with a fair damsel on the 9th Concession, and had made but little pro- gress in his suit. Morrison recited his woes in a poem, which commenced as fellows :- '*'Tis the fall of the year and the trees are preparing To throw off their verdure which once was so green ; F am dull, I confess, but by no means despairing, Tho' fickle and false is the heart of my Jean." The name of Sandy Dalgliesh also comes in here to make up the old-time party, whose names were household words in the northern part of the Township, but I have no means of placing any of his verses on record. Perhaps some one better acquainted with him would be able to supply the blank. Well, I take to the road again. I have had my dinner, feel much better, always do after dinner, so I take leave of my THE CLYDE LETTER. 67 friends, Anderson, McPhatter and McKellar, thank Mrs. Fer- guson for her kindness, and accompanied by the Reeve, go west on the 9th Concession, across the Clyde side-road on the east side of Lot 6. This lot was first taken up by James Elliott, and is occupied by his son at the present time. I believe his wife is still living. I now go west on the 9th Concession, to Lot 5, now occupied by William Riddle. This farm was settled first in 18Ji4 by one McNabb, who lived upon it until 1888, when he sold out to Wm. Riddle, sr., father of the present occupant. His widow is still living upon the farm. Farther west to Lot 4, which was first settled by Janies Clouting, but after his decease it fell into the hands of his son, Joseph Clouting, now of Gait. Lot 3 was taken up by one Winters, who sold it to the late James Clouting about the year 1840. Joseph Clouting also owns this farm. Both of these places are now occupied by D. McDermott. Farther west to Lot 2. This place was first taken up by Nelson McC^arty, but is now owned by Charles McKilligan, who settled on the farm in 1831, and as Mr. Mc- Killigan is one of the very few early settlers whom we meet in going through the Township, I feel like giving him more than a passing notice. He is one of the oldest elders in Knox Church, Gait, having been ordained to that office in the year 1845, when the late Dr. Bayne had charge of the congregation. Mr. McKilligan thinks that he and James Cowan, Esq., of Gait, are the two oldest elders in the church to which he belongs. He gave me many incidents which took place in the early days of Beverly, relating the great change that fifty years have brought about ; also about two young men getting drowned in a pond on the farm now occupied by George G. Nichol, son of the late Martin Nichol. Our informant says that one Jamieson lived on this place for several years. On the north end of the 8th Concession, nearly opposite Mr. McKilligan's on the 9th Concession, Mr. Morris Shellard lives. He is a very old and respected resident. Mr. Morris Shellard came in and settled on the farm he now lives on ia the year 1838. He came from England in the year 1830, and eight years aftei wards moved on to his present farm. His son, Morris, is on the old homestead, with his father. His son, Thomas, on a farm near by. Mr. Shellard purchased both of these farms from the McColl family. When he took up the farm it was all bush, and for some tinje he had to carry all his provisions upon his bacR from Gait to 68 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. his little woody home in Beverly, and the old gentleman tells us that many a time he would be chased by the wolves that were so numerous in those early days of our now happy and quiet homes. Mr. Shellard was married in 18135, fifty-three years ago, and they are the only couple living for many miles around among the old settlers, for the few old settlers whom we find living, we find them finishing their journey alone. Mr. and Mrs. Shellard are exceptions to this rule. They started together in the freshness of their youth to make a home for themselves in the forest over fifr,y years ago, and to-day, side by side, they are approaching the banks of the river. In 1837 Mr. Shellard had some business which brought him to Gait. That was during the time of the Rebellion. He says that nearly every man who lived in Gait at that time was on Main street bridge, and they would not let him go across as they took him for a spy. They told him that the Rebels had taken Paris and that Paris was all burned to the ground, which turned out to be only a rumor. The south half of Lot 1, in the 0th Conces- sion, was first taken up by one Hobson, who sold out to one James Henderson after making a little clearing in 181^7 or 1838, and a few years ago Henderson sold out to John Caldwell, of the Gait Nursery. I turn my horse which has so faithfully carried me over all the ground to hunt up the early history of this, my native Township. I almost think I should leave her name to poster- ity. She has been ray principal companion. But, oh ! what a difference between us ! She, to her eighteen or twenty years, and then oblivion ; I, to my three score years and ten, and then eternity. Yes, every man has got a history, and what is the last act or where is the last chapter, or where will it end, or is it like sound never ceasing to exist ? but once when it starts out keeps going on and on, vibrating through the air. Will some one take it up fifty years hence where I have left off, and give the next generation the history of our Township, during the next half century ? But I arouse from my reverie, I am tired. I pull up again on the 8th (Concession, at the house of Mr. Alfred Main. The Reeve is still with me. I wondered if he did not think that he had got into a cash job ; but I came out ahead, for I never asked him for his charges, that being the only way to get something for nothing that I knew of. The farm which Alfred Main now owns and occupies was THE CLYDE LETTER. 09 taken up by his father, Adam Main. I did not get the date of his settlement, but it was early, in fact among the first in the neighborhood. He had two other sons besides Alfred, John and David, besides a number of uaughters. John lives some- where north of Guelph, and .John near Sheflfield. I think that David Main, son of Adam Main, was the ftrst settler on the farm at Clj'de, the lot where the store is on, and now occupied by Mr. Brice. I now go a little farther south to the next farm now owned and occupied by John Scott. This lot was taken up and settled about the same time as Adam Main's by George Weaver, brother of the late Peter Weaver, whom I mentioned in a former letter. Weaver sold to the late Samuel Congo, and he in turn sold to Archibald Scott, father of the present owner. The farm now owned and occupied by Nelson Culham was taken up in 1824 by the late Samuel Markle, who lived for the firsi year in the house along with David Mulholland, son of Hugh, of Troy, whom I also mentioned in some foimer let- ters, until Markle could get a place cleared for a house. And here we can see the acts of kindness which those early settlers showed to each other, without which it would have been al- most impossible for then, to have got along. The farm after- wards fell into the hands of Alexander Markle, son of Samuel Markle, from whom Nelson Culham purchased. There was another son and a daughter — the late Adam Markle, of the Township of Waterloo, and Mrs. Henry Sipes of Beverly. Alexander and Mrs. Sipes are still living. It was upon this farm that the first school house was built in that section It was built upon the north-east corner of the farm, and the late James Hill, who owned the farm on the Markle farm, was the first teacher that I can learn of. A new stone school house was afterwards built a little farther north on Alfred Main's place. The present teacher is a lady, Miss Beemish, of near London, Ont. I now turn to the east along the old Gait Road which 1 described in my Kirkwall letter and pass the farm now owned by Samuel Sipes. Many years -ago it was occupied by Mr. Hume, father of Gavin Hume, of Gait. I do not know whether he was the first settler or not, but if not he was early. Farther on, where Robert Cleland now resides, a man by the name of Burbanks lived and was an early settler. The road here takes a turn to the south, when yon pass on the west side of the road 70 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. the old homestead where Enoch Cornell settled. It now be- longs to the family of the late Hugh Harvie. On the left hand side of the road is the old Harvie homestead, occupied by Andrew Harvie, and it would be only just to this gentleman, Andrew Harvie, to say that he has done more than any other man we know of to improve the breed of horses in this section of country. He has imported no less than five Clydesdale horses from Scotland, besides one he lost upon the ocean, and among horsemen his is a honsehold name, and will be re- membered after he is dead. On a little farther south to t le place which George Smie occupies, a man by the name of Ship- man was one of the early settlers. J. Shipman, of Sheffield, is one of his sons. A little farther south, on the east side of the road, I come to the end of my journey in the Clyde Settlement to the farm now occupied by Samuel Grummet. The place was settled about forty years ago by his father, John Grummet, whom I spoke of in my Sheffield letter. I now pass the Shef- field Cemetery, take a glance at the last resting-place of many of our forefathers, and go home to get some rest. THE COPETOWN LETTER. and ,„ drivin over this secHo,^ • " '"' '""'"'"■ent by itaelf h,s ataost lost scbject r«n™ h\Ttt"' "' '""-"-«--" "p'n the other parts of the Townshir, f , ^^ ""' ""» e-tception to s I.ke hunting „p the dy C.o h'et" h"""'' ^^^^e^b^t \° -on. "".3tgoi„'trob,iWor:'l! '^'"^''- 'f »<" oblain^d very ■« nearly loaded ; and the ml ^ "' '" °"'«'' P'»™« the Ihio ■•ope to give the last call ; 'h"v !» ' *"'. ""'^ '"'nd "» the bel, hanner and pennant is fl;ing ^and ,t'""^'"« ■"■■■ ^«"« ' ever" nmnd of the Captain tocut h^awav^ "! """'""« '"eU nave not been narf i*,! f« "^^away from her moorino-s tu emblems are thrThistll" t^ RoT"""; "'"""■«" """'^n-ncfp:^ a Royal yacht, her pa^senge!. " !' h "" ""^ ^hamrock.'^ She fs almost fancy that I ,„o would l?ke t T™' ^"'^ '""■"'ne^ and T »"th her the fathomless deep n , " ^' "" "erdeck totrave se her passengers , r wish to get'the^r ' ^ f " """""^ ' '^"'"t to see them ,nto the big album, t1,e n^,hH'^'""°«™P''^' Iwanttopm who shall live in Beverly ,,1'^^''" T"' » 'hat the peonte not only know by what sh n h "'"'^ '"•"'•^ ^om no.v shalt -hat they did befLeth^trXr'rhi;';- ''"'^'«"' ■'"o" "pon that long and unknown 72 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. journey ; and although as the time rolls on for fifty or a hun- dred years, each decade loaded with its mighty changes, that although within its borders may be many towns and cities, I wish the people who shall then inhabit those future towns and cities not only to know that in the distant past the place was a howling wilderness, but that it held the labors of those old pioneers in just estimation, and was proud to have it known that we were their descendants. Another thing that we are fre- quently reminded of in going through the township is the great ditference between the people of those former times and the people of to-day ; their habits ; their mode of living ; their mode of transportation ; the advantages the people of to-day have over those of their forefathers. "When you study the his- tory of our township back for fifty or eighty years, can we wonder at these old men with their knowing looks, saying : — *' Young man, do not drive so fast ! " And while we admit that for the people of to-day the old way of living is too tedious and irksome, and people live faster, move faster, think faster than in former times, that our old men were willing to work for the bread they ate and the cup of milk which they drank when weary, that the young men have made servants of iron and fire and water and have converted them into curious combinations to do the work that was done in those early days by human hands ; yet these old mea have set us a grand example and by that taught us that improvement was the order of life, progress the law of society, and the old men and the young men of our township should work shoulder to shoulder, and while the young men are dragging the car the old men can guide and control it. Acting in this way, Baverly will one day become a grand spoke in that mighty wheel which will make this be- loved Canada of ours a great and flourishing country. But I arrive at Lynden, and start in search of parties who could give me information by calling at the house of my old friend Robert Thompson, who has long been a resident of that part of the township, for the purpose of getting other names besides his own to whom I might apply for information re- garding the early history of that part of the township. When Mr. Thom pson gave me the names of the very few who were still living, who could be of any benefit to me, some verses which I committed to memory when a bov came to my mind. They are these, and were taken from Moore's poems : ROBERT THOMPSON '^™ '" »'"-'>■• Ma. 3rd, ,823. THE COPETOWN LETTER. 78 " When I remember all The friends so link'd together, I've seen around me fall, Like leaves in wint'ry weather ; I feel like one Who treads alone, Some banquet hall deserted ; Whose lights are fled, Whose garland's dead, And all but me departed. Thus in the stilly night Ere slumber';, chain had bound me. Sad memory brings the light ( :f other days around nie." The village of Lynden is something like the town of Paris, a couple of stations ab vo it. Both are on what is known as the Crovernor's Road, and when the old Great Western Railway was built, it did not go to either of these places, so they went to the railroad, but by 1 r the largest business portion of the village is that part near the railway. In the year 1705 Wm. Cope, his wife, five sons and aged mother settled in Beverly on Lots 31, 32 and 33, Cone. 1. Ten years previous to this (1785) they left their home in New York State, near the Catskill Mountains. They were U. E. Loyalists, and after the war undertook the then perilous journey from New York State to Western Canada. Carrying their house- hold goods with them, they travelled many weary miles. The first ten years were spent at Fort Niagara. Then they moved inland and purposed taking up land where the city of Hamilton now stands, but were driven farther inland by the mosquitoes and rattle-snakes, and finally settled in Beverly in the spring of 1795. They were among the first settlers in this part of the country, which was then a dense wildei uess, and there com- menced the long and hard struggles of pioneer life. Their first occupation was to build themselves a cabin, their only imple- ments being an augur and an axe ; for roofing they used bass wood bark. Then they cleared a small space and planted corn. The nearest store was Niagara, so they could not get even a 74 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. yard of cotton or a handkerchief without going fifty miles for it. On one occasion a member of the family brought home a magnificent calico dress for his eldest daughter, whici cost a dollar a yard, and which was the envy of neighboring belles and was loaned far and iiear for such occasions as camp-meet- ings and weddings. The old gentleman and his youngest son, Jacob, settled on the north half of Lot 31, the farm now owned by Mrs. Robert Echlin. The eldest son, William, went to Long Point ; the second son, Henry, settled on Lot 132, a part of which is still owned by a descendant of his, Mr. N ^ Cope ; Thomas settled on the south fifties of Lots 31 and 'SL .e of his sons, Mr. David Cope, of St. George, is still living at the age of 80. Mr. Boughner is the present owner of the farm. Conradt took up Lot 33 ; he sold the south fifty to Mr. Herly and the north fifty to Mr. Allen. It is now owned by Mr. F. W. Cornell. Conradt Cope outlived all his sons ; two of his daugh- ters survived him, one is still living in Michigan. There are none living bearing the name, but the family is still represented in Beverly by his two granddaughters, Mrs. Robert luksetter, who was horn and still lives on the old homestead, her husband having bought it from the heirs. He has since added to it the south fifty acres and enough more to make a farm of over three hundred acres. Mrs. Sol. Field, the other granddaughter, lives in Copetown. Much could be written of their early struggles, of their fight to protect their stock from wolves and bears. One of their worst difficulties was in getting their corn ground into fiour. To overcome this, a mortar and pestle were made of hard wood, and here of an evening the neighbors would gather and pound their corn into fiour. Their clothing was made of flax, spun and woven into coarse linen. They brought apple seeds with them, and there are still standing venerable trees, mementoes of the old settlers. The Cope family were remarkably hardy, as will be seen from the fact that each of the five sons lived to be over 80, and one. Conradt, reached 97 years, and after his hard struggles his latter years were spent in peace, surrounded by his grand" children and great-grandchildren. But as I intend to notice the village of Lynden at some future time, I leave it for the present, go south to the Gover- nor's Road or township line between Beverly and Ancaster, THE COPETOWN LETTER. 75 and turn to ray left towards Copetown, another village some five miles east ot Lynden. After I had turned on the Gover- nor's road, I met an old man, and thinking that I might get some information from him, he replied that he did not live in Beverly. Down the Governor's road towards the town of Dundas, with Ancaster on the one side and Beverly upon the other, you see as fine a section of country as any person could wish to see. To contrast it with the north part ot Beverly, which I have described in some of my former letters, would be almost out of place. However, as I am not engaged as an assessor, but to write up the early history of the township, I go on with my work by calling upon James Bishop, John Bennett, Henry Bugner, and Mr. and Mrs. Inksetter, as well as Mr. Henry Howard, near Lynden, and while I have been unable to trace up thus far the history of our township beyond 18()0 and 1810, with the exception of one man to 1800, — the man, Peck, and readers will recollect that I said that there was nothing known of him, only by the small clearing which he made just south of Sheffield, which bore his name. In the Copetown section we are unable to go much further back, away in the 1790's, and find the descendants of those very early pioneers still liv- ing in the section, beside a few who came in early in 1800. In five years more— yes, in 1894—1 will have lived one hun- dred years in Beverly ; and what a panorama I have got on exhibition ! Reader, sit down beside me ; watch the canvas as it revolves ; look at the pictures ; mark the contrast ! In the year 1794 a very few families living in one cor- ner—they would hardly be missed from where they came,— in 1888 the people are numbered by the thousands ! In 1794 we see that little band going all the way to Niagara to get to a store — in 1888 surroutided by towns and cities, where millions of dollars of wealth are spread over a very few acres of land. That is the old stage coach stuck in the mud, — that is the whistling engine and the rattling car as she goes flying along and has made distance a thing of the past. That is the noble horse carrying his rider through the bush, — we do not need him any more, we send our news now with lightning speed. See that man in the Halls of Legislation, he has conie to be one of the Councillors of the Nation ; he is a Beverly boy. In looking at that picture we sometimes think it a pity that his 76 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. poor old mother, who worked so hard to provide for and edu- cate him, could not have lived to hear him make his first speech. But my time is up, the curtain falls, and no matter how hard I try to get ahead, I find myself still in the Cope- town section. I forgot to say in my last letter that the greater portion of the information given in my last letter, dating from March 1st, ISIil, was obtained from Henry Bugner, and that he is now about 80 years of age. I now go to John Bennett, Esq., another old resident of that section, to get the balance of my Copetown sketch. Mr. Bennett has occupied many prominent positions in the township tor many years. There was another party I called upon in that section. I refer to Mr James Bishop. After giving the balance of the Copetown letter, I will append aletter from Mr. R. M.Cope. Mr. C. is a son of David Cope, of St. George, and will be remembered by many of our readers The south part of the first Concession of the Township of Beverly, from Lot 14 to Lot 29 : — Lot 14 was settled by Daniel Blasdeil about the year 1827 or 1828, and is now owned by Whittington. Lot 15 was settled by Thos. Smith in 1822 or 182:3, and is now owned by Thomas Dvment. Lot 16 was settled by Isaac Blasdeil. He must have settled there very early in the present century, for in 1818 there was an orchard of bearing apple trees on the place. It is now owned, a part by his son, Isaac, a part by Samuel Draper, and a part by Peter Weaver. (Since the above was written I was told by Jaaies Bishop, grandson of Mr. Blasdeil, that his mother told him that Blas- deil settled on Lot 16 in 1800 or 1801.) Lot 17, the west half was settled by .Tames Bishop in 1838 and is still owned by him. The east half was settled by James Lov^egrove in 1835 and is now owned by W. Carter. Lot 18 was settled by Thomas Taylor and James Long in 1835 and is now owned by Charles Rung and George Howard. Lot 10 was settled by John Weaver in 1825 and is now owned by John Boyle, except ten acr^s off the south-east corner, owned by Henry Kitchen of Anca8ter,and one acre off the south-west corner owned by Oliver Weaver, Lot 20 was settled by Robert Hanmiill in the year 1819 and isnowowned by David Patterson, of Dundas. and occupied by Wanup. Lot 21 was settled by Joshua Cope in 1816, who cleared a few acres, and while raising a house there came up a wind and rain-storm, -and while he was running to some trees to get shelter from the , THE COPETOWN LETTER. 77 "T"""'"" "y John Benneu L,l°'' ""^"^ »'^"™- ""^ it fa W,ll,am Dy,„e„t. Lot 23 mu.t hlvt ? "^ " """' ""-""l by the century. In i»i jf ,, T ^^ "^^e been settled verv « ■,. • ^hink nu.f hav: i^eV f\\^rt"of ^^^ '^^^^^ tre^rh^eV? was owned by Jacob and Jo enfa n! f '""" ^^^'•«' growth and Mr. Dyment. Lot 24 was s^m ^? ^^' ^"^ '« »«w owned bv 1891 ^"T.'^'^^ '"^"'^d on it first ^ ,^>°^ent. Lot 25, I do 1821 and it had then the p^f ^^^P'^^" Nisbet Jived on it/n k«own as the Able LZ TZttl?- '"'""' ■" '"e farm that is B nnett in the year 1816, and :^,? „" ^ITf'" "^ *'»"^«- ,p Bennett was to remain t n .u '*'"' '" the year of ^old to the Miseners at «"sle H I"""*' "^ '«18- Wed ° f-t"i^:rarfrrhr ^""^ -""^-'-^ o^i'd^-th^ ■ttle boys, a.ed /anTft The 'litr?' ""''■ '^""^^ -d two hate„o,osed the house; whil thl, -' '""'•o ""'«"« the fleTd looking up they saw on; of L I "''' '•^"''^ « "oise and he bear, ,vith his paws on tl,e h °' ^^^ ''"' before she s"w took up a dry limb that lay on thf ""« """ P^"- "-"^t Shi re dr'tol'" "''■ '"'«- '"a WeX: Tad """" '"^"''-^ lTa;;dl/"'"™^"- *^ '"■'e there t^o of K™'""' "" ''e got • mmm 78 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. that had been caught. While there a sturgeon came swim- ming up the creek and stopped near the edge of the water, where the water was so shallow that it seemed to rest upon the rock. The girls being frightened at the monster, ran to the house screaming, and said there was some big animal down in the creek. Their brother, Thomas, a stout lad of 16, took his spear and ran down to the creek and speared the monster aad brought it to the house, and there it floundered about bravely for a short time. The following is Mr. Cope's letter : AXTELL, Neb., Nov. 24th, 1888. Dear Sir,— From the tenor of your note requesting my early recollections of the township of Beverly, it would seem you infer that I am a Beverlonian. Such is not the fact. My father moved from Copetown to Dumfries and settled on a farm near St. George, in what year I am unable to say. Never- theless, it was there that on the 25th of November, 182i), I first saw the light, but although not born in Beverly, I was reared within sight of her towering pines and had more friends and relatives within her borders than in Dumfries. I have always been highly pleased with Mr. Cornell's letters to the papers previous to the series he has recently contributed on the Town- ship of Beverly, and if I can be of any assistance to him in his laudable enterprise, 1 am happy. Although not personally acquainted with him, I knew nis grandfather and have fre- que'"*'" been in his church and heard him tell his hearers the way they should go. So far as the Copes of Copetown go, I probably know less about them than Mr. Cornell. I certainly know more of their early history since reading his letters than before. I was much pleased at Mr. Holcomb's description of that queer old pedagogue, Solomon P. Thayer. He was my first teacher, and the house in which he taught was a log building, perhaps fifteen feet square, with a fireplace that would hold at least half a cord of wood, and was used not only as a school room but as a kitchen, dining room and sleeping room also. He was what now-a-days would be called a crank. Sonjetimes he would get off his base altogether. At such times he would adjourn the school, and meander about the country talking to himself, as harmless as a goose and with just about as much sense. On one of these occasions he came to our house and said THE COPETOWN LETTER. 79 to mother, " The Lord commanded me to come and tell you to fry me three esfgs." Ot course an order from such high author- ity was promptly attended to. And yet withal he was in many respects a good teacher, and numbers of young men who after- ward became quite famous, came long distances to attend his school ; among them were E. B. Wood, late chief justice of Manitoba ; Donald McLean, late revenue collector of Guelph ; Dr. Picton, Brown and others. As I am now speaking of teachers, I cannot stop until I say something about another. When Mr. Holcomb, sr., was pre- paring to move to Canada, Mrs. Holcomb, accompanied by her son, preceded him, stopping for a time with Ambrose Clemens, a relative. I cannot tell what year it was, but Mr. Holcomb, jr., "Johnnie" he was then called, will know when I tell him that whenever anybody inquired his age, the inevitable reply was " free years old last auger." The school house was just across the road and the distiict sadly in need of a teacher. Mrs. Hol- comb was persuaded to teach the school, and let me say right here that for all the education I have which has ever been of any practical use to me, I am indebted to Mrs. Holcomb. Cobb's Spelling Book, Dayboll's Arithmetic, and Kirkham's Grammar, — ccme to think of it, perhaps I had better omit the Grammar. She had the most executive ability of any person [ ever saw, man or woman. If a boy six feet high transgressed the rules, she would talk to him so that in five minutes he would feel like sinking through a hole in the floor and pulling the hole in after him. After they moved on to the farm called the " Squire Murray place," the people again urged her to con- tinue to teach the '* young idea how to shoot." A large room which had been used as a sumnier kitchen was fitted up and she taught there one or two terms. And this reminds me of an- other man, and a Beverly man, too, that ought to revere the memory of Mrs. Holcomb when she taught our school. A boy named Albert Sn»ith, whose father lived on the farm now owned by James Sager, attended. He was a cripple and walked on crutches. After they moved to the farm the distance was too great, and he could not go. Almost everybody in that section knew that Mr. Holcomb always kept a good many horses and many know that he sometimes traded horses also, and Mrs. H. felt so much interested in the ciippled boy that she prevailed upon her husband to loan him a pony, so he might 80 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. lide to school, which he did for the entire summer. He is still living in Beverly, near Troy, if I am not mistaken. I sincerely hope Mr. Cornell may succeed in getting out his book and reap as rich a reward pecuniarily as I know he will from the grati- tude of his fellow-townsmen. Always yoxirs, R. M. Cope. I submitted a number of questions to David (;oj»e, Esq., of St. George, and the following is the substance of his reply to my questions : Mr. Cope's grandfather and family moved from a place called Fishkill or Catskill in New York State, near the Hudson River. They were U. E. Loyalists, but did not come to Cana- da till the time had expired for their claiming laud. His grandfather and uncle both belonged to the British Array. They settled just where Copetown is situated now, about 1794 or 1795, and trom this family the place took its name. His grandfather's name was William, and he lived till he was 94 years of age. He was a German and had four sons. Henry lived till he was 85, and Conrad till he was 97 ; Thomas, the father of D. Cope, moved west and died in Caradock, aged 94 ; Jacob moved to Beverly Gore and died in his 82nd year. The other sons of Thomas, besides David, in St. George, are Wil- liam who went to Michigan and died there ; Christopher is in Chicago ; Henry is in IngersoU. Their mother's name was Fanny Culp, who died at the age of 92 or 93 years. There was also living in Michigan two sons and one daughter of Jacob. The first Postmaster's name was Milne. Do not know what the price of land was at that time. Through Copetown the roads were very fair, the rest of Beverly had corduroy road. The Governor's Road got its name from Governor Maitland, who came through there and went from Dundas to London. The name Copetown was misleading, as strangers used to ask Mr. Cope when he was a boy where Copetown was and were surprised to learn that they were " right in the city." They evidently looked for a town. West of (/opetown there lived a man named David Shannon, who used to say that he was one of Butler's Rangers. He had four sons. To the east of where his father lived, there resided a man named Gabriel Cornell, who had nine sons. That family are all dead now. To the east, and just on the edge of Ancaster, there was a grist mill. 7 THE COPETOWN LETTER. 81 built by Jacob Darby somewhere about 1816 or 1817. This was afterwards purchased by a firm named Dressor & Munson, who turned it into a carding mill, for carding wool. Immediately below that there was a saw mill, owned by Jf)hn Aikn)an. That was near what is called the Sulphur iSprings now, anil which was supposed to be the most romantic spot in Canada. To the north-west of the mill, about half a mile, there lived fiJbenezer Goodhill and Reuben Drake. The lattei* went west afterwards. Tliis was on the Ancaster side of the Governor's Road. Close to the same place there lived a man named Mc- Kay, who was great-grandfather to Jas. and Wm. Vanatter, of St. Geoige. Further west there lived Petei" Templer, one of the best farmers in that part. His son married a daughter of Gabriel Cornell. Thos. Waugh lived next to Templer. He had three sons, who were all f<\rming in the neighborhood. Waugh was related to J. R. Waugh and Henry Howell, of St. George. Peter Bawtinhimer lived a little to the south. .)os. Kitchen's place was a little to the south of the station. Tyse and Heniy Crysler also resided in that neighborhood, al?o John Bawtinhimer. North of Copetown there lived Andrew Jones and R. Vansickie. and a little to the east John Vansickle father of R. Vansickie, with another son. On the township road, where they cut through to go to Waterloo, there was an old (German, a blacksmith. He was about the only settler on that road at that time. Two miles to the north-west of Cope- town was what is now called Thompson's Corners. Jepthey Skinner, and two or three other families, of Griffiths, lived there at that time. Enos Griffith was the first man to go to get them to settle in Dumfries, and his brother followed him a few years afterwards. Mr. Cope remembers, when a boy, going with a number of others from Thompson's Corner to Duujfries, just north of St. George, for huckleberries, and on that road there was not a single settler. Wolves were plentiful at that time and they used to disturb the settlers at night by the noise they made. There was no meeting place then and people used to gather in the houses, and while one of those services was just begni ning one evenmg, the preacher looked out of the window and saw a wildcat coming near the house. A gun was procured and the anintiU shot. 82 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. Soon after the war three or four tribes of Indians settled near Copetown, at what was called the '* Four Corners." Tliey were not particular what they took or who it belonged to. The first school house was. built about a mile south of An- caster, but I can't give the date. George Neiil first taught there. Theie was also a tannery in Copetown at that tiine, kept by John (line. When I settled in Copetown, March Ist, 1834, the village was small. There was a tannery and a shoemaker shop, owned by Jasper G> Dresser ; a blacksmith shop I bought from George Drake, beginning business for myself ; a log tavern, kept by Henry Clinton ; and a Methodist Church on the Ancaster side of the Governor's Road. Robert Courson or Elder Ryan, as near as I can ascertain, was the first preacher : and a hewed log school house, on the Beverly side, taught by one Hume, I think. In 1834 I bought a lot on the Beveily side and built a wagon shop in connection with the blacksmith shop, where I continued to do business until I sold to the Railroad Co. in 1853, moving my shop a few rods west ou to 50 acres of land 1 bought from John McKenzieand Oscar Howell "»n the Ancaster side. Moving onto the farm I now live on, and selling out to Ahram Horning, that closed my residence on the Ancaster side. When the Railroad Co. commenced grading the road, Juspef- G. Dresser built ^tore and started a grocery. Through his influence and aiuj w succeeded in getting a postofflce, he being the first postmaster, until he left. A few years after- wards the office was moved a quarter of a mile further west, on the Beverly side, and kept by other parties. Soon after- wards it was moved on to the Ancaster side, and is now kept by George W. Howell, who is doing a large business in a grocery and dry goods store. The village now extends to the railroad station, about a mile west of where it was when I came to Copetown. There have been a great many changes since 1 came here, the older ones and those of my own age — now in my 80th year — are nearly all gone, most of them have died here, tlu' rest moving away. There are but four living on the Beverly side, George Jones and wife, Mrs. Jacob Cope, and Mr. John Vansickle. When I came to Copetown this corner of Bev^erly was settled by the Copes, Vansickles and Cornells ; now there is but one family by the name of Cope left, Nelson, wife, and three children, and his mother, and but one family of Van- • THE COPETOWN LETl'ER. 8B sickles, Robert, his family, and his mother, Francis Cornell and his family, the only Cornell family. There is a brick Methodist chnrch built opposite the railroad station, on the Ancaster side and a fine brick parsonaKe on the Beverly side. Mr. Forman, the resident preacher, occupies the house now. Commencing at Lot No. IM), 1st Cone , to Lot No. 25, the lot was first owned by one Corwine, at that time living in the Township of Stamford. He sold the south 50 acres to William Clinton. Clinton sold centre 100 acres to Rinear Vansickle. Corwine sold north 50 acres to Martin Wood ; Wood to Bruce ; Bruce to Oatman, the present owner, south 50 acres Clinton to James Fields ; Fields to Thomas Kennedy, sr. At his death he willed it to his son, Thomas, the present owner. On this lot O. & N. Phelps built a steam saw mill near the railroad station, doing a large business for a few years, then moving the machinery to Barrie and starting a mill there. At Rinear Van- sickle's death his son, Jacob, came in posse sion of the lot. He sold to Wra. Smith ; Smith to Richard Biggs ; Biggs to Chas. Echiin, the present owner of Lot 29. Gilbert C. Fields, sr., was the first settler from Niagara District. He sold the north 50 acres to Peter Wood. He l)uilt a steam saw mill on the lot, doing a large business for a number of years. Timber getting scarce, he pulled down the n)ill and rented the place to Thomas Misener, the present occupant. The south 150 acres at his death came in pos^^ession of his son, Solomon, who still owns it, with the exception of the right-of-way to railroad company and some in village lots. Lot 28 was first settled by on 3 Shannon. At his death his soii, John, came in possession. He sold to James Crooks ; Crooks to David Camp; also the south end to John Elliot, sr., who built a water saw mill on the end of the lot. He bought the centre 50 acres from Camp. The reet of the north half was sold to Peter Wood. Wood sold to Sharp, the present owner. Wood is now living in Brantford. The south end was sold to Joseph Bowman, who re-modeled the mill into steam mill, thinking it was rather too slow and old-looking for him, where he did an extensive business for a number of years and still runs the mill every spring, sawing custom logs and what he can buy himself. There is a shingle machine in connection with the mill. Lot 27, 1st Cone, was granted to Joseph Darby. Darby sold to Japeth Skinner in 1822; Skin- IMAGE EVA> UATION TEST TARGET (MTS) A €^. 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■^ Ik III 2.2 ^ ■- IIIIIM Wuu U. 11.6 f^ A \ ^ ^9) V ^ 84 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. ner the south half to James Kitchen in 1828 ; Kitchen to Henry Head, who remained on it until his death in 1872— forty-four years. At his death his son, Thomas, came in possession and is the present occupant. J^^ • * J THE ORKNEY LETTER. As the readers of the Pioneers of beverly will recollect in introducing the Copetown letter, I told them that I would divide the letter into three sections, Copetown proper, Orkney and Lynden. In taking up the Orkney letter I intend to extend my des- criptive history eat,t of the township line between Beverly and West Flamboro', and take in what is known as the "Chris- tie Church," and in doing so I may have to trespass a little across our boundary line in order to reach some parties who took a prominent part along with our own citizens in erecting that place of worship, and here, as in other places in the town- ship, we see that although many of the people of that day had left the scene'3 of their youtn and had gone many miles over land and sea ; that although they had left the parental roof and all the nistraining influences of home, to hunt a home in the wild west, they never forgot that mother's prayer nor that father's blessing, and at a very early day there were places erected where these early settlers could go from their log cabins through the bush and worship the God of their fathers, and I am only sorry that in our noble Queen's reply to the African Chief, when she showed him a copy of the Bible and told him that was the secret of Britain's greatness, that she did not add that one of the first acts of my subjects away in the wild- woods of Beverly was to erect the standard by which nations stand, for when we study the rise and fall of nations we always find where a nation has fallen, their gods went with them ; and I would like to leave this impression on the 86 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. minds of the people of to-day, to use these old people as an ex- ample and try and leave the world better than we find it. But I am always digressing and getting away from my subject and seem to forget that it is the Historv of Beverly which [ am writing. " Orkney," or " Thompson's Corners," as it is better known, is situated about three and a half miles a little north-east of Lynden and about three miles north-west of Copetown, and it might probably be called the " Garden of the Township," for in my travels through it I have not, all things considered, seen a finer section. The land is a little lighter than in many other parts of the township, but it has got strength enough for pro- duction and is more easily tilled. The place was settled about the same time that Copetown was, 1795. The first settler that I can get any knowledge of was Jepeth Skinner, and he settled on lot 26, in 2nd Con. When he came in he had a yoke of oxen, a very rare thing to be seen at the present time, still it is re- freshmg to sit and listen to these old men go over the history of those early days, when scarcely any other kind of a team was ever seen, but like the old stage-coach, they have had their day, and while these old men, in going over that period of their life say that they were happy. Time, that great revealer of what lies before each man and woman in a life-time, has brought a change, and although it might have been so slow as to be imperceptible, we finrl very who would like to go back and live over those primitive days. Mr. Skinner had three or four children at the time he came to this section. The names of his sons were Benjamin, Enos, Jepeth and John. Jepeth was alive a short time since and resided in Michigan, U. S. John Darby married a granddaughter of the old man, Skinner, and daughter of Enos Skmner, and Mr. Darby resides upon the old SJkinner homestead at the present time. Lot 27 John Thompson owns and occupies. Lot 2.5, 2nd Concession, was first settled in 1795 or '96 by Eleazer Griffith. I believe that he was related in some way to the Skinners. Both families came from the Eastern States and were L^. E. Loyalists. Griffith had five sons, Eleazer, Enos, Done, Isaac and Lazarus„ Done sold a part of the old homestead in 1810 to Isaac L. Howell and Howell in turn sold to Stephen Nesbitt in 1820. Nesbitt lived there for about ten years and then sold to Adam Thomson in IK^) or thereabout. The whole Griffith THE ORKNEY LETTER. 87 familj', with the exception of Isaac, sold out and moved just north of St. George, in South Durafries. Isaac remained on the north part of the old homestead a great many years, when he sold out to one Wm. Shannon and moved just west of St. George on the old Kitchen farm, where he died. The Camp family settled in this neighborhood, but were already men- tioned in the Lynden letter. The north part of Lot 21 was settled in the year 1816 by Henry Weaver. He was of Dutch extraction and came from the State of New Jersey. Weaver remained upon the place until about the year 1870, when he sold out to Thomas Thompson and moved to Windham and lived with his son-in-law, Wm. Robinson, where he died a few years ago. He had a large family, but they have all left this section, however I believe that many of them are dead. Adam Thomp- son, was the father of the Thompson family, who reside about Orkney, and a family which is widely known not only in Beverly but in neighboring townships, so that 1 feel like giving them more than a passing notice. Mr. Thompson was born in Northumberland, England, and emigrated from there in the early part of 1817 to West Flamboro', where he remained about nine months, and from thence he reuioved to Beverly on the 22nd of April 1818. He was the first Old Countryman that settled in this part of the township. When he came to this country his family consisted of his wife and four children. Amoner the children was Mrs. Stephen Moffat, near Gak, and Mrs. Stephen Nisbett, of Beverly. Both of these families are well known throughout this section of country. Mr. Thomp- son settled on Lot 24, in the 1st Cone. His sons all settled in this section. William is on the Old Camp homestead. Lot 23 ; Adiim is on Lot 25, the Griffith place ; Thomas is on Lot 24, in the 2nd Con., and Robert owns Lot 24, in the 1st Con. He was one of the members of Beverly (Council in its youth, being among the first members elected. He rented his farm a few years ago and removed to Lynden, where he carries on a large business, but as he was noticed more particularly in ttte Lynden letter, I will pass on at this time. John Thompson lives on Lot 27, in the 2nd C'on. Amongst the daughters of Mr. Thomp- son, not mentioned, is Mrs. Patterson, a widow, who lives near Harley ; Mrs. Haines lives in Lynden ; and Mrs. Robinson, of of Orkney, who died some years ago. Mr. Robert Thompson, of Lynden, showed me a document which his father had re- ceived from Earl Bathurst and dated at Downing street on the 88 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. 23rd of May, 1817, directed to the Governor of Lower C^anada. And to show the ditfereiioe in the position of those who canie in those early days and the people who seek a home within our horders at this time, I will quote a part of the document : " I am directed by TCarl Bathurst to acquaint you that His Lordship has granted permission to Mr. Adam Thompson to proceed as a settler to Canada, and I am to desire that he may receive a grant of land proportioned to the means he may possess of bringing it into cultivation." And I would like here to relate a story which 1 got in this section of an Irish boy fresh from the Emerald Isle, who first went to live with Mr. Shannon near where Orkney now stands, which shows that the wit of an Ir-ishman is not of recent date. Shortly after he came to this country Pat was sent to hunt Mr. Shannon's oxen, which had strayed away. When he returned, V)eing asked if he had found them, he replied that he had found " Gee" but could not find " Haw." The first school house that was built in Orkney section was in 1822, and David Riiuoul, whom we have mentioned before, was the first teacher. The next school house was built in 1840, and, strange to sjiy, the same teacher first taught in that one. Some years after a brick school was built, the one in use at the present time. A few years ago a post office was opened, and Charles Anderson was the first postmaster, and the present postmaster is Adam P. Thompson. Three miles farther east from Orkney, hut, all things con- sidered, in the same neighborhood, was " Christie's Corners." There was a settlement at this place at a very early day but I could not get the exact date. Among the early settlers of che place was Gabriel Cornell, and I believed that Mr. Samuel Cornell, now living near the " Corners," is one of his descend- ants. The Rev. Robert Christie came there in 1832 from Scot- land and preached there for many years, where he died at the age of 87 years. The fiPst church that was built at the "Corners" was put up in 18^^:5 and was built a little south of where the present church now stands, and the parties who took an active part in having a |)lace of worship erected were Adam Thomson, sr., Robert Camp, Stephen Nisbet, Adam Elliott, John Muirhead, .lames Kirkpatrick and Walter Robertson. The first elders were Adam Elliott, Stephen Nisbet. .John Frier, of Beverly, and, T think, Walter Robertson, of Flamboro.' THE ORKNEY LETTER. 80 Of the Rev. Mr. Christie's family there is Mrs. Robert Thompson and the two Miss Christies, of Lynden ; David, of Owen Sound ; Thonjas, Toronto ; and Robert, who at one time owned the farm now owned and occupied by R. L. Biggs. Robert was at one time an M. P. P, for North Nentworth. The first frame barn in the south part of Bevei'ly, so far as I can learn, was built in 18;i6, or '87 by Daniel Blasdell. Mr. Colcleugh, of West Flamboro', is said to have got very much of the trade of the people of Beveily for many years. There was a foundry carried on in the village that did a good trade for many years, and was run by one McKinley. Just below the village was the flouring mill, carried on by Kirby, Crooks h Atkins. The men will be recollected by many of the old settlers as the parties to whom they used to go in those olden times to get their wheat groimd into flour, to feed their famil- ies with. In those early days of our township the Orkney and Lynden sections were two of the finest lumber and timber dis- tricts in Ontario I think. At the opening of the Gr'eat Western railroad, and afterwards, there was more lumber shipped at Lynden than at any other station on the whole line, and atone time there was no less than sixteen saw-mills, running night and day, within four miles of Lynden station. Buyers came from New York, Albany and other large cities in the United States and purchased their supplies and said that the best lumber they could get in Canada was from this section. The price paid at that time for good lumber was about ten dollar's per thousand feet ; but when the great financial crisis of 18.57 and '58 came, older people say that they saw n any car loads of lumber put down at the station tor four doUa.s per thousand feet. One old man, in telhng the story, said to me, "Young man, those were the days, When the baker would cheat you in the bread that you eat. And so would the butcher in the weight of his meat ; They would tip up the scales and make them go down, And swear it was good weight when it lacked half a pound. There were also large quantities of spars and other timber shipped besides the lumber. -^-^^^iiJ&^tl^^^ — . " ftir^ •• ♦ — • — — I ^^^K r0 eC i-H 001$ ao -ogj-j diqsuMoj;, M kn ^^ k7t w^ w« w4ri «^ A^ kA ■ ~ *i»f •'• **•! VI ' "VI' ^T^ VI' •'J **• ^^ «oou5Mm25a>r-i»at*(Nooo5'*TtTH 1-H 1— t '^ ■«ft< ^ ■ (MMOCS o • <3 ^ ;lOO5t^rH00(MCO(N.oa S^ cS 128 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. o CO tf H u 0) u en cS &. H o o o o til h 05 23 cq 02 o o o ^ ? 9 b ^ Z 03 03 :i o o ■is O i A S ;i5 ;5 O O X B Pm P3 cq cq >>>> K aCQCQ o o >. s o 0) c b o o >. c o c ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ o O o o o o o o c o o o b. £. b ;u b t^ b &. b s. h h Cri aj Oj Oj oJ ca oj oj as cS «! ca OJ aJ n m 03 m 03 m m 03 03 03 m 03 03 ^ • • • • ^ ^ ^ • • • • ^ ^ THE MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 12» Q P H O > I >^ H PU H Q QQ lit; n c Eh OS • "O 0) "q; "oi "OJ "oj "S "Z "« 0) c c c a a a a a a a a » Pm h b. u b t. 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"oj Ij "3 "ol "a "« C B c ^ a a a a a a a a c L, &. &. b &4 ^ £i4 i. i. b g o O o o o o o o c o o o ;;) ;:) ;^ O U '>^ O o u O ;^ >^ >> >> >. >^ >. >. >> >. ►. >> >. k c M *i« c a a a a a a a g H Q o o o o o o c o c C s a a a a a c a a a 0) ai 01 0) a; 0) 0) <3i 0) 0/ 0) Ol m CQ m n m pa OQ CQ PQ m 23 cq TJ TS TS T3 'O TS TJ "73 73 TS 13 13 03 (S Ctf c« ai OS cS OS Oi a rt cS . a c c c a a a a a a a a . "T^ o o o o o o o o o o c a 1< Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q m u u o o u o o u o u o u ;;> S a S s s s s ^ s s s s g ^' & ^ • • ^ ^ • « • • * o TS 1 a c a o a o a o 't3''d; -M M-4 a a a o— c i^ r« a s ' ■ X X X W 4J a B mo:' - (U w eu 03 > 1 ■ 'o Q a o O •5 § almls"^^ S^ 2- lice S S£ g-S Si • > 4^ en m en 4^ 4J a a S3 1—* Ch a> ^J a> a» 0) b ■»-> ■t-J .■■^ '^ 0) ^.^ MM >. 01 0) o o O 7=35 c s S Q 0) (V g ■1^ a a ^ ■a as" fQ a Si o ►-5 0) • a a b o C 0) •-5 a O o a •Pi OJ Oh OJ Q a 0( a o t-5 a a o 3 3 ;5 > 0) *-• C s a B H 0> a; o. OJ (U GD X ta X as 4J U3 tf 0; a> 03 0) 01 p^ 0» a> 0) 0) -1^ 3 1 6" s 3 G? <5 ^5 a 3) a •5 a s a C 0) a ^ S :. 3 4) o S o ^ 01 o o; 0) a 01 cq ^ Q CO O o • 3 03 • a a • e • a a 1—1 J2 ^ • ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ a c s 0) 01 0) a a a 03 X 9i TS 13 TS 3 3 ^^ c o o •m4 • ^^ • 0; a O o O o o c 0? G? 0) X X X a > 0) 0; 5 ^ & ^ a o 3 3 3 2^ a; 0) ^ b b b . . U .*• 0; 0) C 0/ ^ ig ^ S ti tM ^ b B a O t-5 £ ^ cu 0) t-9 <^ < V 0) a a u u o o c b o O s u o >^ >^ >. >. fl c c c o c o o c c s a Oi 0) v a> 03 n CQ m B O Q c o Q 2 c o Q o Q ;^ s s s • • • • ^ ^ ^ ^ CO - c „ o 4; .3 CD aOpqa WOPhH rn C O 0) Or' 13 O = c ,2 0) o o O a; a o w CO S be S O m 3 be a 'o "3 o CO N C 0^ & ca be be s c o CO ao 3 bo u OJ 01 73 a 01 K O CQ P5 H c C c PQ P4 CO be be s 3 O CO CO 3 be 01 tf tf HYSi MH 132 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. The following table or list contains the name of ench uien.- ber of the Municipal Council of the Township of Beverly from 1851 to 1889, showing albo the total number of years each one was in the council ; the number of years Keeve, Deputy-Reeve, or Councillor ; with their present place of residence, and P. O. address, all arranged in alphabetical order. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Armstrong, Benjamin Bennett, John Bowman, Joseph Biggs, Richard L. Bannen, Richard Clement, John Cornell, Jerimiah Cornell, Thadeus S. Cornell, Brewin Cumming, John Cumraing, Chas. Dickson, Wm. Fergusson, Archibald Fergusson, Robert Gray, Edwin Gray, Henry Holcomb, Seth Haines, Alex. Herbert, John Henderson, Thos. S. Jones, George Lundy, Dr. J. B. Lapsley, Claud Menzies, William Mulholland, Geo. H. Malcom, John Merriara, Wm. 0. McQueen, James McDonald Wallace McMullen, John McQueen, Thos. McKenzie, Duncan Neff, John R. NUMBER OF YEARS. as IS aa >- P3 1 8 1 2 7 4 1 2 1 2 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 3 8 1 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 2 7 1 Present Residence. 4 St. George, 10 Beverly 2 " Ont 3 2 15 Michigan, U. Beverly. S. P. 0- Address. 1 cJtratford, Ont. 71 Beverly. 21 Died in 1867. l|Galt, Ont. 5 Died in 1863. 7 Beverly. 6 3 1 4 1 1 5 1 2 1 14 5 4 3 9 5 5 10 1 1 Michigan, U. S. Died in 1869. Dead. Beverly. Preston, Ont. Died in 1886. Beverly. Died in 1882. Westminster. Beverly. Malton, Ont. Beverly. Dead. Moosomin.N.WT St. George Copetown Dundos. Christie Twangs ton Troy Lynden Stratford Sheffield Gait Clyde Valens Freelton Qrand Rapids Rockton West FlamDoro' Preston Kirkwall Troy Byron Kirkwall Rockton Malton Sheffield Moosomin THE MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 188 • 53 C9 1 RUHBEB ca • HAME. OF e Present Residence- P.O. Address. s TEARS. >< ' .' -■ ■ 09 as ^ • e3 pa C2 1 34 Nisbet, Wm. 1 2 1 3 Michigan, U. S. Tawas. 35 Peregrine, David 2 3 5 Died in 1866. 36 Patterson, David 1 3 4 [Dun das. Dun das. 37jPentland, Robert 2 2 Gait. Gait. 38|Sager, Malacbi, sr. 1 4 5 Beverly. Troy. 39 Smith, James 13 13 Died in 1884. 40Tl3omp8on, Robert 6 Beverly. Lynden. Valens. 41 Valens, John 1 1 M«Ma THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 143 described generally "as destitute of conveniences," many of them uninhabitable, the wind enterine; from all quarters. (2) Respectint? teachers, the report while noting improvement in the matter of teachers, yet laments the number of " tippling teachers," who by offering to teach for small salaries succeeded in securing employment, noting also the fact that the best teachers were very often those addicted to that habit, and that one had perished through exposure in the snow of the preced- ing winter. The same report speaks of the newly awakened interest in school matters owing to the operation of the free school clause of the Act of that year, the vigorous opposition to the same, and closes with the expressed conviction of the ultimate triumph of the free school system. As an illustration of the vigor with which the free schools were opposed, let me recite the following incident : At the annual meeting in an adjoining section the subject had been vigorously discussed and the vote was about to be taken, when one of the ratepayers whose land adjoined the school house saw through tbe window a dog worrying one of his sheep, he sprang to his feet to go to the rescue of the sheep, when his progress was at once interrupted by his portly neighbor rising and blocking his way by his com- manding presence and the emphatic words, " Not one length of your foot Sammy till this vote is taken." Sammy had to sit down, the vote was taken, the free school was defeated, and that dog had his own way with the sheep. I do not intend to follow subsequent reports in this letter, the assimilation of our municipal institutions and our school system, the local control conferred on the people, in these matters by the Municipal Act and the School Acts up to 1850 awakened an amount of popular enthusiasm which was new to the history of the country. And the people in the flush and fervor of that enthusiasm set themselves to the working out of both these institutions with an energy which was an augury of the success that followed. The marked improvement in school matters was soon ap- parent, in the improvement of school houses, school furniture, conveniences of every kind, text books, the standing and quali- fication of the teachers, the increase in the remuneration of teachers, the entry of a large number of young men and women into the ranks of the profession, taking the place of those who belonged to a previous state of affairs. The progress made mmggm 144 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. during the twenty years subsequent to 1850 and prior to the Act of 1871, will be best ascertained by a comparison of the state of affairs at the passing of the Act of 1850, with the state of matters at, and subsequent to the passage of the Act of 1871, which it will fall to another hand to deal with. Before closing let me refer to another individual connected with the administration of school affairs in this Township from 1850 to 1871, namely, the Rev. Jno. Porteous, who occupied the position of Township Superintendent during the interval above referred to. His unobtrusive, impartial and efficient discharge of the duties of that office during these years, has very much to do with the success of the system, and the improvement of the schools in this Township. ROBERT McQUEEN. Kirkwall, Ont. LATER EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. .. IN 1871, the Ontario Legislature passed an Act making cer- tain changes in the school laws of the Province which in the opinion of the more thoughtful and progressive part of the community were rendered necessary for the proper devel- opement of our system of popular education. These consisted mainly in making ample provision for a uniform and more thorough examination of teachers and for the more careful and efficient supervision of the work done. For this purpose uni- form examination papers were prepared by a committee of competent persons, and examinations held in various educa- tional centres under the care of presiding examiners specially selected for that purpose. A new office was created, that of County Public School Inspector, to which 1 was appointed, and entered upon my duties on the first day of July, 1871. Since then my work has been exclusively connected with the Public Schools of this County, and I have sought by every legitimate means to advance their interests and make them worthy of the confidence of the people. Mr. John A. Cornell, in preparing his work on the " Pion- eers of Beverly," invited me to assist by giving a brief histori- ical review of the growth and developement of the Public Schools of that Township during the time that I have filled the office of Public School fVispector. In complying with his re- quest, which I do with pleasure, I shall avail myself of the valuable information contained in the Annual Reports of the various Boards of Trustees. Statistics will necessarily have to be introduced, but I hope to be able to present them in such a manner as to throw light upon, and add force to the statements ' ' ■ ' '■ •' ""'" "nil-""' iiiiii 14« THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. made. It will be almost, if not quite impossible to present many of the facts in such a way as to be readily comprehended unless statistics are introduced to a greater or less extent. They serve a useful purpose, and I shall avail myself of their services. To form a correct estimate of the progress made since 1871, it will be necessary to compare the accommodation then pro- vided with what we now have ; to contrast somewhat carefully the methods of instruction then in use, as well as the manner in which the discipline of the school room was administered, with these that now prevail ; and to test as accurately as pos- sible the general state of scholarship prevalent in the schools at both these periods of time. Fortunately the records of these years are sufficiently full and accurate to enable us to arrive at conclusions that are trustworthy and which present to us un- doubted evidence of a steady and satisfactory developement of all the elements that are essential to the growth and develope- ment of a sound and practical system of elementary education. A careful study of these records will show us not only wherein the schools have prospered, but will point out clearly and dis- tinctly wherein they have failed to meet our reasonable antici- pations. Two of these causes of fnilure pointed out clearly and unmistakably in these records are, irregularity of attendance, and the too frequent employment of teache, s of limited experience and education. In the school room if anywhere, we require experience and a broad and liberal culture. To accomplish this purpose, parents will have to exercise self-denial, and Trustees, liberality. Before entering upon the consideration of the topics already suggested, it may not be out of place to look into the arrange- ment of school sections. Prior to 1871 this Township was divided into 19 sections, 15 of which lay wholly within the limits of the Municipality and four were union sections. Of the former the largest contained 7,437 acres, and the smallest about 1,00() acres, or less. Of the union sections one was at- tached to a portion of North Dumfrie8,«one to a portion of Aji- caster. and two to portions of West Flamboro'. These latter were found to be a necessity and were formed for the accom- modation of those who happened to live so far from the school housj in the section to which they wei*e joined, that it was almost impossible to send their children to school with any de- DH. A. K STUTT, Lynden. Born in Toronto. August 7th. 1860. Educated at Toronto University. Afterwards in the schools of London, Edinburgh and Paris. Cirouinnavipatod the globe in 1888. Medical lloallh OfHcer for Township of Bcverl.v. MMM THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 147 gree of regularity. This class of school sections is looked upon by many as by no means desir .ble, but necessary by reason of convenience. The manner in which local affairs are managed by the various Municipal Councils differ so much, that the proper adjustment of all matters pertaining to union sections, together with the preparation of the necessary reports, entail no little labor and trouble on the officials of the Municipalities interested. Involving as they do a certain amount of extra labor, yet without any provision in our school laws for their formation, many people would l>e put to very great incon- venience in the education of their children without them. With a little care on the part of the officials they can be managed without much friction, and they then serve an excellent purpose. Considerable dissatisfaction prevailed among the people along the Governor's Road, concerning the arrangement of sections, and the management of the schools. It therefore be- came necessary to make some changes in the section boundaries so as to strengthen the weak ones, and place a schoolhouse within a convenient distance of such ratepayers. Accordingly in 1873, after a full and free discussion of all matters bearing upon the change? proposed, the sections were arranged as they now stand. These changes have commended themselves .to the good judgement of the people interested, and have given genei'al satisfaction. There are now twelve sections lying wholly within the limit of the Township, and seven union sec- tions, one attached to a portion of North Dumfries, four to portions of Ancaster, and two to portions of West Fiamboro'. In 1871 the school sections varied in size from 1,(KK) acres to 7,4H7 ; in asseasrd value, from $21,250 to $75,000 ; and in rate of taxation from I^) cents to 75 cents on the hundred dollars. In 1888 the variations in size were from ;^J84 acres to 74137 acres ; in assessed value, from $118,200 to $180,J)20 ; and in rate ot tax- ation, from 10 cents to 42 cents on the hundred dollars. These comparisons are made between sections lying wholly within the Municipality, and have no reference to union sections. It will thus be seen that the changes thus far made have been in the direction of equalizing the burden of taxation, so that all shall contribute towards the education of the young in propor- tion to their abilicy. The division of the Township into sections should be looked upon as simply a grouping of families, who are conveniently situated to attend the same school, and not a 148 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. setting apart of certain portions of it for the purposes of special taxation. We need broader views on this matter, for the proper education of the entire coraraunity is of greater importance than simply having here and there a good school, while the majority are inferior. As a rule people are apt to look upon this matter from a sectional point of view, and not on the broad basis of " the greatest good to the great- est possible number." It would therefore be for the best inter- ests of education if a uniform rate of taxation were levied over the entire municipality for school purposes, similar to that now in force for general Township purposes. On my first official visit in the latter half of 1871, I found the accommodation to consist of one log, eight frame, five stone, and two brick schoolhouses. Of the play grounds attached three contained one acre each, five half an acre, while the re- maining eight practically had none at all, the sites containing an eighth of an acre or less. Inside the schoolroom the seats and desks were far from being satisfactory, only one having those of an improved pattern, the others being clumsy in form and not well adapted for the comfort of those who weie com- pelled to occupy them. The supply of maps, blackboards and apparatus was very meagre. In tour sections there were school libraries, the one in S. S. No. 15, consisting of large and well selected assortment of books neatly covered and well cared for. Hat and cloak rooms with suitable books and shelves were [»io- vided in four sections, while in the remaining twelve, little or no acconmiodation in this respect was furnished. The changes that have taken place since that first visit are, that three new brick schoolhouses and five additional rooms have been built. All the remaining schoolhouses have been thoroughlv repaired, with one exception, and that one. the trustees expect soon to replace with one better adapted to the wants of the section. Inside the schoolr-oom, conveniences for hats and cloaks, together with seats and desks of an improved pattern and more elegant design, have been furnished. There are however three rooms in w >ich the trustees persist in retam- ing some relics of a former age, out we hope to see these quickly removed, and more modern furniture substituted. Ifi some of the schools, I am happy to say, the wails are adoi ned with pic- tures, and the teachers are etideavoring to give the rooms a homolike appearance. This is much to be commended, and the THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 149 example thus set in the good work may very profitably be followed by others. The schools are now fairly well supplied with maps, blackboards and apparatus necessary for teaching the subjects in the curriculum. There is however room for im- provement in this respect, and it is to be hoped that trustees will take greater pride in having a first-class school in every respect than in saving expenses without being economical. Two of the sections that had school houses in Beverly in 1871, have since built brick schoolhouses in Ancaster, the sites hav- ing been selected on the south side of the Governor's Road. The accommodation now provided consists of five brick, five stone, and four frame buildings, with eight play grounds of an acre each, two, three-fourths of an acre, and four with half an acre, the smallest quantity allowed by law. In the Union Sections there are four brick schoolhouses, and one stone, the grounds attached being each one acre in extent. The grounds, since Arbor Day has been established, have been planted with suitable shade trees, are well fenced, and provided with the necessary outside conveniences. Great improvements have been made in adding to the comforts provided for both pupils and teachers, and in ornamenting the school grounds, hut none too great. Every schoolhouse with its surroundings should be made as attractive as possible, for it is a centre of fiight and knowledge to the young people of the sec- tion. The silent influence of the daily surroundings of children wields no inconsiderable influence in moulding and developing their characters, and in forming their tastes. It therefore seems not only wise and prudent on the part of parents to provide the best accommodation possible, but it be- comes a duty they owe the state to see that the best education available is given to the young. This can only be done well, when the school and its surroundings keep step with the spirit of the age, and present as attractive an appearance as the homes from whence these children come. No more judicious expenditure of public money can be made by Trustees than in setting apart a small sum of money annually, for the purpose of beautifying the school property, tor it is the place where a great majority of the children spend a considerable portion of their childhood life, and where the habits are formed, that go far to make or mar their future prospects in life. It therefore seems to be the plain and reasonable duty of all parents to give this matter the most serious consideration. 150 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. Another feature of our educational work that demands more than a passing notice, is the providing of suitable teach- ers' residences. There is only one of these in Beverly. This has proved to be both a great convenience and a financial ad- vantage. Teachers, like other people, look forward to the time when when they can settle down into a home of their own, but so long as the present custom obtains so long will we have the constantly recurring evil of the too frequent cnanges of teach- ers. There can be no reasonable doubt that this is detrimental to the best interests of education, and the want of such resi- dences too frequently drives many of our best teachers out of the profession. The various religious denominations have found it not only necessary but of decided advantage to have suitable homes provided for those who minister to them in holy things, and we see as a natural result that almost every church has its attendant parsonage. By a parity of reasoning it would appear that if similar hom^s were provided for teachers, the number and ^reciuency of changes would be greatly reduced, while many able and accomplished teachers would remain true to their life calling and devote their energies to teaching. When we rightly value the important interests and the grave responsibilities that are confided to their care, greater diligence will be used in searching out and employing the right class of men and women to place in charge of our schools. It is there- fore very much to be desired that suitable residences shall be provided. Looking at this matter from another point of view it will very readily be seen that with teachers settled in homes of their own adjacent to the school house, they would naturally take greater interest in keeping the grounds and fences in good order, and would look after many little things that now de- tract from the appearance of the premises. Nor is this all. The bill of expenses for repairs, the relieving of the trustees from many petty annoyances about the care of school property, as well as the prevention of the premises from falling into that dilapidated state we see too frequently, and which causes con- siderable irritation, would be materially lessened. There seems to be so much to be gained and at so small an expense that the wonder is, that so few teachers' residences are provided. It is very earnestly to be hoped that special efforts will be put forth in the near future to improve our system in this respect. The improvements that have been made in methods of ^ THE EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 151 teaching indicate much more clearly the advancement in edu- cational matters than is shewn by the work done in providing school accommodation. This will be more evident when we compare the state of the schools, and take into consideration the number of trained teachers employed in 1871 and at the present time. That special training for the work of teaching is necessary few will be disposed to dispute, and it is therefore a fair test of progress. Eighteen years ago there were only four trained teachers in Beverly, the others having simply their personal experience to guide them, while at the present time all, with the exception of two, have either attended the Normal School, or have been trained at one or other of our County Model Schools. The two referred to have had some twenty years experience in the schoolroom, in addition to the professional knowledge obtained at Teachers' Institutes, so that it can fairly be said that the education of the young is placed in the hands of those specially trained for their work. The organization of the school, and the classification ot pupils, prior to 1871, was left largely, if not entirely to the judgement and discretion of the teacher. Reading was made almost exclusively the test of promotion, and the success of the teacher depended largely upon the rapidity with which he could pass his pupils from one reading book to another. The other subjects on the program were taken up very much as the parents and children desired. When therefore the new curriculum was introduced, and pupils were required to have some knowledge of the otlier subjects before they could be pro- moted, no little dissatisfaction was caused by what was then called, the arbitrary use of power on the part of school ofHcials. Since that time the wisdom of this change has been clearly demonstrated, and ver few if any would now favor a return to the old plan. It is true that the course ot study has been changed from time to time, but each change has been a pro- gressive one, and new the course is considerably more diflflcult than when first introduced. New life was infused into the teaching, and old methods rapidly gave way to better ones. Reading was to a very great extent simply pronouncing the words in a sentence, with but little regard to proper expression. Emphasis, inflexion and pause, received little or no attention, and the reading was neither intelligent nor intelligible. Liter- ature, or the study of the thought contained in the lesson was 162 THfi PiON^EItS OF BEVEULV. quietly ignored, save here and there some attempt was made in this direction, chiefly by having the meanings of words as gi^en in a dictionary, or in an appendix of the reading books committed to memory. The more difficult words were usually selected as tests in spelling, and when spelled the pupils were required to rhyme off the meanings without any reference to their connexion with the other words in the sentence. Arith- metic was taught in a thoroughly mechanical manner. When the answers were obtained, that was all that was necessary. Reasons for the various operations were neither given or re- quired and only those pupils with clear heads and keen intel- lectsever surmised that arithmetical operations were based upon principles that might readily be grasped if once presented in a proper light, and with some simple explanations. Grammar was taught as a system of meaningless rules and definitions for such they appeared to be in the minds of the unhappy boys and girls who were compelled to commit them to memory. The belief was that these rules would enable them to write and speak tne English language with fluency and accuracy. But they proved a failure, and instead of cultivating a taste for the study of their nativj tongues, it only created and fastened a stong dislike for that study. Geography was another subject against which the ire of many a pupil was kindled, for the study of it consisted largely of committing to memory lists of names of places, without the aid of map, blackboard or any interesting^ detail of the habits and customs of the people, the nature of the climate, or the productions of the soil. Its sister subject History received scarcely any attention, and what little it did usuallv whet the appetite against it. Music and Drawing received no attention, while Writing was taught on the pothook principle. The schools appeared generally to the schools in form and not in reality, for no in- telligent effort was put forth to tram and discipline the mental faculties. The acquisition of knowledge seemed to be the great end aimed at, when there was definite aim of any kind, and not the development of intellectual strength or mental vigor. The standard of scholarship in the pupils'may be learned from the fact that the highest class, according to the new pro- gramme of studies introduced in 1871, in nine of the schools was the third, and in the other seven, the fourth. Itimust be Tafi EDltCAtlONAL ttlStORV. 153 borne in mind however that in this classiflcation the new pro- programme was not rigidly enforced, but due allowance was made for the transition from the old to the new. Had the regulations been strictly followed, the number of fourth classes would have been reduced. In the spring of 1872, on my second visit I made a somewhat careful classification of the standing of the schools, with this result that two were classed as good, five as fair, and nine as poor. Uniform examinations for admission into high schools or collegiate institutes were estab- lished throughout the province in 1873, and from that time forward teachers became ambitious to prepare pupils for these examinations or tor those for teachers' third class certificates. A number of schools in Beverly soon became noted for this work, prominent among which may be mentioned, numbers 6, 12 and 15, and the teachers of these schools won well merited honors. During the last few years it has become an annual custom to send up pupils from each and every school, and the |^ result to have been satisfactory to the people, and flattering to the skill and ability of the various teachers. This examin- ation is a fair and equitable test of the work done in the schools. The questions used at these examinations are prepared by cer- tain members of the central committee who are somewhat intimately connected with public school work, and the answers are read by a committee usually consisting of the Public School Inspector, and the headmaster of the high school or collegiate institute. The work ot this local examining board consists in the careful reading of the answers of the candidates, in determining who shall pass, and in recommending any of those who present themselves for examination, should they » fail in any one subject, or those who from age and general acquirements would do better m the high school than to re- main longer in the fourth class of the public schools. Messrs. Robt. McQueen, David Bell and John G. Cochrane are the only teachers now employed that have taught in the Beverly schools since 1871. Mr. Robt. McQueen has had charge of the school in which he now teaches for upwards of twenty- one years without any interruption, and has the distinguished honor of being the first public school teacher from a rural sec- tion that has been elected to fill the president's chair in tbe ' Teachers' Provincial Association, an honor that reflects credit not only upon himself but upon the people of Beverly. This honor was conferred upon him in his absence, and by such a JiiimMJLi i iii iii .UJiL i ij wiiMiMMMiiiiii iMi. i ■— w^^n^i— — — — ^— — ^ 164 THE PIONEERS OE BEVERLY. large majority as to show that his reputation and standinfif among his professional brethren throughout the Province is quite as high as it is among the people of Beverly. Similar honors were conferred upon him by the Wentworth teachers when they elected him president of the County Association, and selected him on several occasions as their delegate to the Provincial Association. Mr. David Bell has been employed by the Trustees of S. S. No. 6 for seventeen years, he having to givo up teaching for one year on account of failing health. He, too, has been honored by being elected president and secre- tary of the County Association, and by being an active mem- ber of the executive committee for a number of years. Mr. John 6. Cochrane has had charge of three schools during his residence in Beverly, viz.: Troy, Sheflfield and Rocktou, in all of which he has done excellent work. Mr. A. M. Falconer, for many years teacher in the Vaien's neighborhood, is now teaching in the adjoining County of Waterloo. He is kindly remembered for the excellent workdone in that school, and many of his former pupils will remember him gratefully for the assistance rend- ered them in preparing for the Teachers' Examinations. The following teachers now employed in the Beverly schools, have received the greater part of their non-professional training in the Public Schools of that Township, viz.: Messrs. Wm. Bick- ell, John Hay, James W. Hay, Cecil H. Thompson, and James Swinton, and Misses Minnie Mills and Olive Misener. A larjsce number of young people have been prepared for the teaching profession in the Township, who are now doing good work in other parts of the Province. The teachers of Beverly have al- ways identified themselves with any progressive movement in educational matters and have cordially supported all steps that have been taken to build up the Public Schools, and make them more efficient. For their efficient work and the faith- fulness they have shown in the prosecution of their daily labors, I most heartily commend them to the favorable con- sideration of a generous public. The following table, prepared from the official reports of the various Boards of Trustees, presents a condensed history cf ^. the schools in figures, from which much interesting informa- tion can be obtained. It shows the attendance of pupils, salar- ies of teachers, the nitmber employed, the amount spent in providing suitable accommodation, and the amount spent for THK EDU(5ATFONAL HISTORY. 166 incidental expenses, in which is inchtded fuel, caretaking, re- pairs and all other expenses outside of building school houses, and salaries of teachers, for each year from 1871 to 1888 in- clusive. J. H. SMITH. Ancaster, Ont. I i ' 166 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. en r-H o o o o ■♦— » CZ3 en 'OJO o »»n»nQOQOxoii~- a[«tti.i^ JO as'ejaAy w 'sasuadxg I'B^uappui JOJ pivd '^unomy '99418 'sSuipijna JOJ pi«d qauouiv i<5 o: «o •«5 »?5 O 00 1- 1" CD 'f o O •^>f5oDr-r»i-Hi— it^^ •saaqoBax pivd JO ;unorav ioif5»f5S££P®S«DS«o«d «0® » •aoaBpua^^iv JO aS«:)ua3jaj 5p^5 4^^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ m 1^ S 1^ !!!!!2.0 1.8 M. IIIIII.6 V] <^ /^ ^;. 'VV/ /I %'^ "* '/ /A V •4^^ ^^ <> 9) 168 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. • From the Hamilton Evening Times of October 11th, 1888 i " The World's Fair at Rockton took place yesterday and was more successful than any of its predecessors. The attendance was larger, the number of entries three hundred in excess of last year, and the quality of exhibits, ahead, if possible, of any- thing before seen at this illustrious show. It was estimated that when the fair was at its height in the afternoon fully 8,000 people were present. One of the curiosities at the fair was a pair of socks, the wool and yarn for which were carded, spun and knit by Mrs. John Puray, sr., a lady 95 years of age." From the Dundas " True Banner " of October 18th, 1888 :— '• There is no show like the Word's Fair in the borders of any five counties in Ontario for magniticent cattle, horses, sheep and swine. There are no finer exhibits of grain and seeds, no more abnormally large roots and vegetables and no finer fruit. The housewives of Beverly cannot be excelled for their butter, bread, pickles and preserves, neither can they nor their daugh- ters for one moment feel ashamed of their products of their busy lingers in higher employments. Painting, fancy work, fine sewing, all come easy to these busy and capable daughters ot Beverly. And as on each farm and in each nousehold there is keen interest from grandfather to grandchild, from the boss to the hired boy, in the World's Fair, the result is seen in a competition in every class that is as keen at; it is creditable. This year there was more order and system than ever before. The Drill Shed was sooner thrown open and the immensecrowds were thus enabled to see the fine display therein in sections and comparative comfort, there were more attractive features about the fair than ever before, and all in all it was better managed, better patronized and a better fair than in any previous year. The entries footed up to the grand total of 2386." From the Dundas Standard of October 18th, 1888 :— " The attendance at the World's Fair was larger than at any pre- vious exhibition. In all departments, with the exception of poultry and heavy draught horses, the exhibits were more numet'ous than in former years, while the quality showed that : substantial progress towards perfection had been made during the year. Everything passed off smoothly and satisfactorily, owing to the indefatigable and well-directed efforts of Mr. David Bell, the efficient and able secretary. The society possesses in Mr. Bell an officer of whom any management . ought to feel proud. In every respect is Beverly to be con- gratulated on the success which attended their exhibition for the year 1888," From the Gait Reformer : — " Whatever it may be that has given the World's Fair such a reputation, most certainly it has such and this year surpassed all previous ones. From east and west, from north and south, scores of conveyances made their way into the village of Rockton on the morning of the show ana the crowd has been variously estimated at from 7000 ta THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 160 to 10000 persons. Nor was the muHitude disappointed. The exhibition in every line was capital, the total entries uumber- ing nearly 2400. From the "Gait Reporter": "The World's Fair, the onlv yard wide and all wool purely agricultural exhibition, took place at the hub of Beverly, on Wednesday. Attracted by the beautiful fall day the Beverlcnian's and others turned out in their thousands. The attendance was much larger than at any previous exhibition. The entries numbered about 2,350, which is .300 in excess of last year, and by far the largest in the history of the show. In the booth there was a good display of dairj^ products, extra fine show of roots and fruits, and seme beauti- ful specimens of ladies' work." THE PLOUGHING MATCH. The annual ploughing match held under the auspices of the Beverly Agricultural Society, was an event that roused the ambition and fired the enthusiasm rf many a young lad and sturdy sire of the Township of Beverly. The following com- mittee, viz. : John Carruthers, Preserved Cooley and Trie Vanmeter, appointed by the directors at their June meeting in 1853, made full arrangements and carried out the first plough- ing match. It was held on a farm then owned by William Shannon, now owned and occupied by David Main, near Shef- field. The names of the successful competitors in the mens' class were, John McMullen, first prize ; James Swinton, second prize; Chailes Swinton, third prize, In the boys' class the following came off victorious : Thomas Watson, first prize ; William Menzies, second prize. The second one took place again near Sheffield, on Mr. Crawford's farm, on 21st October, 1854. The committee that had charge of the same was Samuel Congo, John Menzies and Preserved Cooley. The first three names in each class as given in the Prize Winners' Lists below, tell who the successful competitors were in 1854. The following acted at different times on committees and assisted in making the ploughing matches successful, viz. : David Peregrine, Joseph Boyle, Archibald Stewart, John P. Lawrason, John Mc- Mullen, William Henderson, William Watt, Andrew Mc- Knight, William Drone, John Malcolm, William Riddle, John Johnston, William Thompson, William Nisbet, John Arm- strong, .Tames T. Smith, Peter McColl, James Cowe, Thomas Thompson, John Robinson, Robert Henderson, Robert Hunter, Christopher Ricker, James Blake, John Robson, Henry Chambers, John Frier. The ploughing match was shifted 170 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. about from year to year, to places that were deemed most suit- able. It existed twenty-three years, being held eighteen times in the tall of the year and five times in the spring. It was fairly well attended, but the entries in the different classes were not as large as they should have been. In general there were three classes, yiz, : Mens' class, youths' class from fifteen to eighteen years of age, boys' class under fifteen years of age. Generally three prizes were awarded to each class. In 1861 and in 1867, members were admitted from other Townships and allowed to compete. As a good many would like to know the names of the prize winners the following lists are given : Prize winners in bovs' class : — William Menzies, Thomas Watson, John Frier, William Chambers, Lawrason^ Robert Dickie, John Weir, John Boyle, James McDonald, Thomas Armstrong, John Stewart, James Wilson, Walter Armstrong, James Smith, James Thompson, James Barber, Reuben Wedge, Thomas Little, Silvester Cole, Robert Patter- son, William Renwick, John Armstrong jr., Robert Turnbull^ James Mai tin, William Ballantyne, George Whetham, John Thompson, Robert Barlow, Thomas Shearing, James Patter- son, James Malcolm, Robert Drone, Charles Stewart, James Clark. Prize winners in men's class : — James Swinton, David Peregrine, Thomas Swinton, James Richie, John McMullen, Charles Swinton, Stephen Gordon, John Thompson, William Menzies, John Frier, James Harper, Robert Wait, Hector McCoag, Edwin Gray, Thomas Gordon, David Magill, Robert Simms, John Martin, John Boyle, .lames Rian, John Stewart, B. Vansickle, William McQueen, Thomas Barlow, William Thompson, Dundas Kinnaird, Reuben Wedge, Dennis Mc- Carthy, Albert Deary, William TurnbuU, George Whetham^ William Cowie, James Martin, William Renwick. THE ANNUAL DINNER. As the ripplings move onward and outward long after the spot that gave them birth is motionless and still, so there are times in the lives of persons, societies and nations, when the heart is moved, the affections swayed, the mind controlled, the life changed and impressions made, long after the events that gave them existence have passed away. Such might be said of the annual dinner that for many years was held in connec- THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 171 tion with the Beverly Agricultural Society. It is many years since it ceased to exist, but still the gay laughter, the stirring songs, the wise counsels, the ini^piring thoughti^, the patriotic speeches, the words of warning and encouragement, the spark- ling wit and the strong friendships are permeating society to- day. It sprang into existence about the time the show began and was patronized by the noblest and best in the county. Its fame spread far and wide and just previous to its decline it was considered one of the great events of the year. Generally speaking the annual dinner commenced at about 5 o'clock on show day and broke up about 12 o'clock. On visiting the place where it was held, we find the house has been moved away and forms a dwelling house now otvned by David Bell. The very foundation has been taken away and "the very spot where many a time they triumphed is forgot." The owner of the land, Wallace McDonald, perhaps, in honor of the glorious past, has made it a spot of beauty with beautiful flowers whose redolent odors perfume the passing breeze. The building was at the north-west corner of Farmer's hotel, and was known then and for many years afterwards as " the old ball room." Sometimes those that sat down to dinner num- bered eighty. The average number, however, was about lifty. Up to 1858 the dinner was prepared by John Harrison, familarly known as Black Jack. That year Thos. McCusker became the proprietor of the hotel. For eleven years it was held at Mc- Cusker's hotel. On the table were found all the delicacies that the country could provide and the stock of liquors included everything from the foaming ale to the brilliant, sparkling champagne. Among the prominent men who frequented the dinner the following is as correct a list as cculd be obtained : — William Notman, Esq., M. P. P. ; Dr. McMahon, now M. P. P. for North Wentworth ; James Young, now Honorable James Young, Gait ; James Somerville, now M. P. for North Brant ; James Cowan, afterwards M. P., now Dominion Arbi- trator ; Hugh McMahon, now Superior Court Judge, Toronto ; Dr. J. B. Lundy, of Sheffield, now of Pieston ; Thomas Stock, now Collector of Customs, Dundas ; Robert Christie, after- wards M. P. P. for North Wentworth, now Inspector of Pridons, etc. ; Peter Wood, afterwards Reeve of Beverly, now living in Brantford ; .Tames McQueen, sr.. Reeve of Beverly for many years ; W. D. Donaldson, school teacher, afterwards ••-!1«, 172 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. Reeve of West Flainboro' ; Thomas Bain, now M. P. for North Wentworth ; John Spence, of the Warder office, Dundas ; R. T, Wilson, Dundas ; Robert McQueen, now President of On- tario Teachers' Association; E. Mitchell, of the "Hamilton Times " ; James McMonies, then M. P. for North Wentworth ; John Harkness, teacher, Kirkwall ; James McQueen, jr., now Postmaster at Dundas ; Thos. Hatt, Dundas ; William Tunis, Greensville ; Charles Durrant, West Flamboro' ; William Drone, Beverly ; John Tunis, West Flamboro' ; David Spence, Troy ; S, P. Stipe, Barton ; John Menzies, Beverly ; George Bruce, of Waterloo ; William Wilkins, Ancaster ; Joseph Boyle, Beverly, now living in Dundas ; Stephen Nisbet, Beverly; Joseph Webster, of Ashbourne Mills ; William Dickson, Reeve of Beverly for 1851 ; Walter Colcleugh, West Flamboro' ; Wil- liam Henderson, sr., Rockton ; John Malcolm, Deputy-Reeve of Beverly for 1866 ; Adam Moffat, Beverly ; Mr. Meredith, hardware merchant, Dundas ; James Burnett, of Dumfries ; James Carrie, Paris ; Kenneth Wishart, West Flamboro' ; Captain McKnight, of Rockton ; David Patterson, afterwards Deputy-Reeve of Beverly, now living in Dundas ; William Crawford, of Sheffield ; Isaac H. Anderson, Dundas ; Wm. Davidson, Jas. Hetherington, James Davidson. After ample justice had been done to the spread and the cloth removed, the following is a sample of the programme usually presented, "the feast of reason and flow of soul" being kept up till 12 o'clock. The President presided at head of table and Vice-President at foot : * TOASTS. Our Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Speech by William Notman, M. P. P. Song by William Drone. Prince of Wales and Members of the Royal Family. Speech by Thomas Stock. Army and Navy. Speeches by William Henderson, sr., and Captain Tunis. Song, "Britannia Rules the Wave," led by William Drone. Our ^educational Interests. • Speeches by John Harkness, W. D. Donaldson, Prof. Hare, James McQueen, jr. THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 178 Our Provincial Exhibition. Speeches bj William Davidson and John Menzies. Song by Kenneth Wishart. Success to our Little Giant, the Beverly Show. Speeches by Peter Wood and Robert Christie. Song by William Davidson. The Legal Profession. Speech by Hugh McMahon. The Medical Profession. Speech by Dr. J. B. Lundy. Our President Followed by a chorus. Speech by the President. Vice-President and Directors of the Show. Speeches by William Henderson, sr., and Joseph Boyle. Songs by Wm. Drone and James Davidson. The Judges of Our Show. Speeches by Walter Colcleugh, James Cowan, Thomas Hatt, David Spence, Thos. Stock and George Bruce of Waterloo. The Agricultural Interests. Speeches by John Malcolm and James Burnett. The Mer(jantile Interests. Speeches by William Crawford and William Wilkins. Song by Kenneth Wishart. Success to Our Railways and Shipping Interests. Speeches by Jas. Cowan, M. P., and Joseph Webster. The Pioneers of Beverly. Speeches by James McQueen, sr., and Wm. Dickson. The Successful Competitors. Speeches by Joseph Boyle, Adam Moffat and John Menzies. The Press. Speeches by James Sonierville of Dundas True Banner, Ed. Mitchell of the Hamilton Times, James Young of Dumfries Reformer. The Ladies. Speeches by W. D. Donaldson and S. P. Stipe. " Mine Host and Hostess." Reply by Thomas McCusker, proprietor of the hotel. 174 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" by the company and the playing of "God Save the Queen" by the St. George brasfr band, closed the festive occasion. On one of the occasions the following lines were recited by W. D. Donaldson : '* Oh ! for a home in the country wide, And a seat by the farmer's wood fire-side, Wheie the fire bums bright On a frosty night, "W hen the jest and the song and the laugh are free. Oh ! the farmer's home is the home for me." " Oh ! for a home in the country wide, In the golden days of the farmer's pride. When hia barns are filled From the fields he tilled, When he finds that his yearly task is done. And, smiling at winter, he beckons it on." TOAST. " To THE Memory of our Deceased Friend, William Dickson." As given by W. D. Donaldson, Reeve of West Flamboro' for 1857, 1858, 1859, at the Annual Dinner, under the auspices of Beverly Agricultural Society, held at Rock- ton, on the 20th October, 1863. W. D. Donaldson, on being called to respond to the toast of " Our Sister Societies," arose and said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, before attempting to respond to the toast last given, I desire to crave your indulgence for a few moments while I propose a toast, which may at first sight seem to some of you as ill-timed and inappropriate, but 1 think, that on reflection you will all agree with me, that it is an opportune time, to honor the memory of one who for many years sat with us around the festive board. Very many will remember his kind look, his pleasant smile and brotherly counsels. It is proper that we should pause for a moment or two in the midst of our mirth and jollity, to speak of the noble qualities of our deceased friend, to bring back to our minds his heroic work in the insti- tution of Beverly Agricultural Society, and the eagerness with which he always delighted to do his work in building it up. The deceased also took a prominent and active part in Town- ship business. THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 175- Death, my friends, we know is the common lot of all. The poet says " Just a little sunshine, Just a little cloud, Just a little glimpse of joy. Then a heart that's bound , Just a little tranquil hour ; Just a little strife ; This is all the story Of every mortal life." It is not mete that we should mourn and be sad, for does not the poet say " By the cot of the peasant where poverty weeps. And the palace where royalty dines, Down over the cradle where infancy sleeps. And up where the strong statesman shines. There closely impinges a ' garden of loves," Where never a tear-drop is shed. And the flowers ever bloom, 'mid the cooinp^ of doves, 'Tis the beautiful land of the dead. " Our brethren who dwell in that land of delight, 'Mid its music and sunshine and mirth, Are those who were true unto God and the right In this wearisome, sorrowful earth; And each as they come, by his favor restored. To fountains of gladness are led. And live in the light of the smile of the Lord, In the beautiful land of the dead." My friends, I give vou the toast: "To the loving memory of our deceased friend William Dickson." The toast was drunk in solemn silen(;e. In 1868 the annual dinner was held at the Rockton House. In 1869 it was prepared by Walter .Barron, of Romulus, and held in the Drill Shed. In 1870 it was taken back to the Rock- ton House, where John Anderson served it up in good style for six years. The annual dinner was given given in 1876 at the Rockton House, since which time it lapsed into desuetude. The reason for its discontinuance was that the show had assumed greater proportions and consequently greater labor was required of the judges and directors on show day ; also that a "Judges' and Directors'" dinner was substituted in its place and which is held at 10 o'clock on the morning of the fair. The first dinner at 10 o'clock a. m., was prepared by John Anderson, in 1877. For the past eleven years, it has been pre- pared by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Bell in such magnificent style that it is known far and near as the sumptuous " World's- Fair" dinner. 176 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. LIST OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. The following is a complete list of the officers and directors for each yeai since the organization of the Society : 1853. Wm. Dickson, President. Geo. .Tones, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — William Coleman, Preserved Oooley, John Co we, John Carruthers, Trie Venmeter, Wm. Henderson, Robert Thompson, Seth Holcomb, James Gray. 1854. Wm, Dickson, President. Wm. Henderson, Vice-Presi- dent. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — Samuel Congo, John Warnock, Wm. Robinson, John West- over, Wm. Coleman, John Menzies, Robert Thompson, Robert Christie, Preserved Cooley. 1855. Wm. Dickson, President. Robert Christie, Vice-Presi- dent. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — John Carruthers, Samuel Congo, John Warnock, Preserved Cooley, Wm. Coleman, Robert Thompson, John Westover, Malachi Sager, sr., Wm. Ro inson. 1856. Wm. Dickson, President. David Peregrine, Vice-Presi- dent. .John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — John Carruthers, Archibald Stewart, John Warnock, Pre- served Cooley, John P. Lawrason, Joseph Boyle, Jas. Nichol, John E. Harris, Wm. Robinson. 1857. Wra. Dickson, President. Wm. Henderson, Vice-Presi- dent. John Armstrong, Secret ary -Treasurer. Directors : — John Carruthers, Archibald Stewart, John McMullen, John Warnock, John P. Lawrason, Joseph Boyle, James Nichol, John E. Harris, Wm. Robinson. 1858. Wm. Dickson, President. Wm. Henderson, Vice-Presi- dent. .»ohn Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — ■John (>arruthers, Archibald Stewart, John McMullen, Wm. Hammil, John P. Lawrason, Joseph Boyle, .Tames Nichol, Henry Bugner, David Martin. 1&59. Wm. Dickson, President. John McMullen, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — John •Carruthers, Andrew McKnight, Preserved Cooley, John War- nock, .Tohn P. Lawrason, Wn*. Nisbet, Wm. Watt, Henry Bugner, David Martin. THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 177 1860. Win. Dickson, President. Wm. Henderson, Vice-Presi- dent. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — Henry Gilbert, Wm. Nisbet, James Smith, John P. Lawrason, Wm. Riddle, Wm. Drone, David Martin, Andrew McKnight, Wm. Watt. 1861. W^m. Henderson, President. Wm. Drone, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretaiv-Treasurer. Directors : — Wm. Riddle, Jas. T. Smith, John P. Lawrason, John Malcora, Wm. Watt, Wn». Nisbet, Wm. Thompson, Andrew McKnight, Thos. Fletcher. 1862. Wm. Henderson, President. Wm. Nisbet, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — Wm. Rid- dle, Jas. T. Smith, John P. Lawrason, Wm. Watt, Jas. Bishop Andrew McKnight, Wm. Thompson, John Malcolm, Thomas Fletcher. 1863. Wm. Henderson, President. Wm. Nisbet, Vice President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — John Mal- com, William Watt, Claude Lapsley, James T. Smith, James Bishop, John Kirkpatrick, John P. Lawrason, Wm. Thompson, Edmund Cartwright. 1864. Wm. Henderson, President. Wm. Drone, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — John Men- zies, Wm. Watt, Claude Lapsley, James T. Smith, Peter Mc- Coll, James Bishop, John P. Lawrason, Thomas Thompson, William Cowe. 1865. W ra. Henderson, President. Wm. Drone, Vice-President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors:— James T. Smith, John P. Lawrason, John Menzies, Robert Henderson,^ Wm. Watt, Thomas Thompson, Claude Lapsley, Wm. Cowe, James Bishop. 1866. William Henderson, President. John P. Lawrason, Vice- President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: James T. Smith, Robt. M. Beemer, John Menzies, Robt. Hen- derson, Wm. Watt, John Robinson, John Va'-^ns, Robt. Hun- ter, James Bishop. 1867. John P. Lawrason, President. Robert Henderson, Vice- President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors^ — Robert Hunter, Robert M. Beemer, John Johnston, Chris. Ricker, Wm. Watt, John Robinson, Edmund Cartwright, R R. Hunter, James Bishop. 178 THE PIONKERS OF BEVERLY. 1808. William Henderson, President. Robert Henderson, Vi( President. John Arrastronjr, Secretary -Treasurer. Directo —Robert Hunter, Robert M. Beemer, James Blake, (.'ht Ricker, Wm. Watt, John Robinson, Edmund Cartwrijfht, R. Hunter, James Bishop. 1809. William Henderson, President. Robert Henderson, Vi President. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directo —Robert Henderson, Henry (.'hambers, James Blake, Chi Ricker, Wm. Watt, John Robinson, Edmund Cartwrig Hugh McKnight, .Tames Bishop. Auditors :— John Cleme] Wallace McDonald. 1870. Robert Henderson, President. Robert Hunter, Vice-Prt dent. John Armstrong, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors Thomas McKnight, John Frier, Edmund Cartwright, Willii Watt, Chris. Ricker, Henry Chambers, James Bishop, Jo Robinson, James T. Smith. Auditors:— John Clement, W lace McDonald. 1871. Robert Henderson, President. Chris. Ricker, Vice-Pn dent. Wallace McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors Andrew McKnight, jr., Edmund Cartwright, Joseph Bowm; James Bishop, James T. Smith, John Menzies, sr., Willi; Watt, Henry Chambers, James Patterson. Auditors : — \^ Ham Henderson, .John Clement. 1872. Chris. Ricker, President. Joseph Bowman, Vice-Preside Wallace McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors :— J( Patterson, Thomas Cook, Robert Fergusson, James T. Sm David Patterson, John Menzies, sr., Henry Chambers, Willi Watt, James Patterson. Auditors :— John Clement, Willi Henderson. 1873. Chris. Ricker, President. Joseph Bowman, Vice-Presid< Wallace McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors :— J( Pakerson, Thomas Cook, Robert Henderson, James T. Sm David Patterson, Henry Blake, Henry Chambers, Will Watt, James Patterson, Henry Howard, Edwin Gray, Bre •Cornell, John Clement, James B. Keachie, Walter Turnh Charles Patterson, Robert Fergusson, William Thompson, Auditors, Wm. Henderson, Robert Hunter. 1874. Chris. Ricker, President. David Patterson, Vice-Presid Wallace McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors:— Ja T. Smith, Henry Chambers, Robt. Young, Edwin Gray, He Blake, John Paterson, Robert Fergusson, James B. Keac William Watt, Brewin Cornell, Thomas Cock, Henry How THE AGRICULTURA Vice- ctors: Chris, tit, R. Vice- ectors: Chris. I'right, jment. ?-Presi- tors :— VilUam >, John t, Wal- ;e-Presi- ctors : — owman, William , :-Wil- resident. J -.—John \ Smith, William William 'resident. •s -.—John r. Smith, William ^, Brewin TurnbuP, ripson, s: . President. i»8:— James ay, Henry i, Keachie, y Howard, .'Henry Buener, Emerson Clement, Hunter, Auram Betzner, Joseph Arc| Henderson, John Menzies, sr. 1875. David Patterson, President. Rol ident. Wallace McDonald, Secretari Henry Burner, Henry Howard, Heil kins, John A. Cornell, James T. Smi| Purdy, Robt. Young, Firman Clemei Hunter, Thos. S. Henderson, Brewi^ Thomas Cook, Chris. Ricker, Wm. Aiiditors:— Wm. Henderson, sr., Da> 1876. Robert Fergusson, President. Prfli^ident. Wallace McDonald. Sec tors : — Henry Bugner. David Pattel Henry Howard, Emerson Clement, Hunter, (ieorge Atkins, Thos. S. Hen Brewin Cornell, David Bell, John Pi Angus McKellar, Robert Telford, Chi Wm. Menzies, Robert Henderson, son, sr., Alexander Bell, jr. 1877. Richard Bannen, President. , Ro dent. David Bell, Secretary-Treasi Bugner, Nathan Vansickle, Emerson Thos. S. Henderson, Brewin Coi*nell, ford, Thomas McDonald, Robert Hen( Henry Howard, Henry Chambers, Cornell, Wm. Wood, Angus McKellai Menzies, James Collins, John Paterso: tors : — Wm. Henderson, sr., James B. 1878. Robert Young, President. Henr> David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. D son, Chris. Ricker, Brewin Cornell, ^ Boyle, Richard Bannen, Jeren;iah C Henry Chambers, John A. Cornell, Howard, Thos. S. Henderson, Sami Donald, William Archer, James Cc John Patterson, (ieorge Atkins, Edw Wallace McDonald, Charles Patter Auditors :—Wm. Henderson, sr., Jas. 1870. Henry Bugner, President. Brewii David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Dir Robert Young, William Menzies, Da" terson, Richard Bannen, Charles PatI John A. Cornell, Edwin Gray, Chris. Emerson Clement, Samuel C. Cornell 180 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. Wood, Thomas McDonald, Wallace McDonald, Wrn. Baird, Robert Henderson, Thos. Purdy, Jos. Boyle, Georf^e Atkins^ James Collins, William Thompson, sr. i\uditors: — James B. Plastow, John (r. Cochrane. 1880. Brewin Cornell, Ptesident. Edwin Gray, Vice-President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — Henry Bujjfner, Richard Bannen, Joseph Boyle, E. Clement, Robert Young, John Paterson, Chris. Kicker, Thomas McQueen, David Patter- son, Henry Chambers, Wm. Menzies, Thomas Purdy, William Tait, Thomas McDonald, Jeremiah Cornell, Samuel C. Cornell, John A. Cornell, Angus McKellar, Robert Henderson, John F. Thompson, James Collins, Henry Howard, George Atkins, Wm. Baird, Charles Patterson, *G. H. MulhoUand, Wallace McDonald. Auditors :— J. B. Plastow, W m. Wood. 1881. Edwin Gray, President. Henry Howard, Vice-President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — Henry Bugner, Thomas McQueen, Wm. Tait, John F. Thompson, Richard Bannen, Charles Patterson, Thos. McDonald, James Collins, Joseph Boyle, David Patterson, Jeremiah Cornell, Bi-ewin Cornell, Emer-son Clement, Henry Chambers, John Lindsay. George Atkins, Robert Young, Wm. Menzies, John A Cornell, John Paterson, Angus McKellar, Chris. Ricker, Robt. Hender- son, Wm. Baird, Wallace McDonald, G. H. MulhoUand, T. S» Henderson. Auditors : — James B. Plastow, William Wood. 1882. Henry Howard, President. Wm. Menzies, Vice-President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer Directors: — Henry Bugner, Thos. McQueen, Wm. Tait, John F. Thompson, Richard Ban- nen, Chas. Patterson, Thos. McDonald, James Collins, Joseph Boyle, sr., David Patterson, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, Emerson Clement, Henry Chambers, Thos. S. Henderson, Geo. Atkins, Robert Young, Henry Gray, John A. Cornell, John Patterson, John Lindsay, Angus McKellar, Chris. Ricker, Archibald Fcrgusson, Wallace McDonald, Wrn. Baird, G. H. MulhoUand, Edward Johnston. Auditors: — James B. Plastow, Wm. Wood. 1883. Wm. Menzies, President. William Baird, Vice-President» David Bell, Secretary Treasurer. Directors : — Richard Ban- nen, Henry Bugner, Chris. Ricker, T. S. Henderson, Thomas McQueen, David Patterson, Henry Howard, G. H. MulhoUand, Emerson Clement, Chas. Patterson, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, .fohn Lindsay, D. A. McDonald, Henry Chambers, John F. Thompson, John Boyle, Wm. Tait, Edwin Gray, Ed- ward Johnstone, W. R. Boyle, John O'C^onnor, Angus McKel- lar, John Malcom, John A. Cornell, Robt. Young, John Pater- son, J. T. Smith, Wallace McDonald, Geo. Atkins, Joseph Big- gar, Archibald Fergusson. Auditors:— J. B. Plastow, William Wood. THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 181 1884. Win. Baird, President. Angus McKellar, Vice-President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors :— Henry Bugner, Chris. Ricker, T. S. Henderson, Thos. McQueen, David Patter- son, Henry Howard, G. H. MulhoIIand, Emerson Clement, Richard Bannen, Chas. ^atterson, Brewin Cornell, Jeremiah Cornell, John Lindsay. D. A. McDonald, Henry Chambers, John F. Thompson, John Boyle, Edwin Gray, Edward John- stone, W. R. Boyle, John C'Connor, John A, Cornell, Robert Young, John Paterson, J. T. Smith, Wallace McDonald, Geo. Atkins, Archibald Fergusson, Reuben Wedge, Walter Misener, Andrew Johnstone, William Menzies. Auditors :— .Tames B. Plastow, Wm. Wood. 1885. Angus McKellar, President. Henry Chambers, Vice-Presi- dent, David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors :— Richard Bannen, Chris. Ricker, Wm. Menzies, Thos. McQueen, Tbos. S. Henderson, David Patterson, Walter Misener, G. H. Mul- hoIIand, Arch. Fergusson, .Tohn Boyle, John F. Thompson, W. R. Boyle, Edward Johnstone, Reuben Wedge, John O'Connor, John A. Cornell, Robert Young, Emerson Clement, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, Wm. Archer, F. W. Cornell, Henrv Howard, Samuel C. Cornell, Dennis Dwyer, George Atkins, Samuel Hunter, J. T. Smith, Matthew Jackson, Jan.es A. Sipes, Andrew Johnstone, Joshua Nunn, D. A. McDonald, Morris Shellard, Geo. L. Wise, William Cook, John Linds y, Charles Patterson, Edwin Gray, William Baird. Auditors :— James B. Plastow, William Wood. 1886. Henry Chambers, President. Thos. McQueen, Vice-Presi- dent. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: — Richard Bannen, Chris. Ricker, Wm. Menzies, T. S. Henderson, David Patterson, Walter Misener, G. H. MulhuUand, Arch. Fergus- son, John Boyle, John F. Thompson, W. R. Boyle, Edward Johnstone, Reuben Wedge, John O'Connor, John A. Cornell, Robert Young, Emerson Clement, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, Wm. Archer, .Tohn Lindsay, Edwin Gray, Wm. Baird, F. W. Cornell, Henry Howard, Sam. C. Cornell, Dennis Dwyer, Geo. Atkins, Samuel Hunter, Robert Lowry, Matthew .Tackson, And. .Tohnstone, D. A. McDonald, Morris Shellard, Henry Gray, William Cook, .Tames George, Angus McKellar, Stephen Nishet, W. J. Thompson, Daniel Wray, George M. Wood, Jas. Dwyer. Auditors: — Jas. B. Plastow, Wm. Wood. 1887. Thomas McQueen, President. Emerson Clement, Vice- President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors :— Chris. Ricker, Wm. Menzies, Angus McKellar, T. S. Hender- son, Walter Misener, G. H. MulhoIIand, Afv h. Fergusson, John Boyle, John F. Thompson, Henry Chambers, Patrick Mc- Manaray, W. R. Boyle, Edward Johnstone, Reuben Wedge, 182 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. John O'Connor, John A. Cornell, Robert Young, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, Wm. Archer, Robt. Riddle, sr., James McDonough, Brock Shaver, Edwin Gray, Wm. Baird, P. W. Cornell, Henry Howard, R. L. Biggs, Dennis Dwyer, Ueorge Atkins, Samuel Hunter, Robert Lowry, Matthew Jackson, Henry Gray, And. Johnstone, James George, D. A. McDonald, M. Shellard, Stephen Nisbet, Wm. Cook, W. J. Thompson, Daniel Wray, Geo. M. Wood, James Dwyer, Malachi Sager, jr., John Lindsay. Auditors :— J. B. Plastow, Wm. Wood. 1888. Emerson Clement, President. John A. Cornell, Vice- President. David Bell, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors : — Chris. Ricker, Thomas McQueen, G. H. Mulholland, Robert Lowry, John O'Connor, Dennis Dwyer, T. S. Henderson, Reuben Wedge, Andrew Johnson, William Menzies, Angus McKellar, Walter, Miseuer, Arch. Fergusson, John Boyle, Henry Chambers, Patrick McManamy, W. R. Boyle, Edw»»'d Johnston, Robert Young, Jeremiah Cornell, Brewin Cornell, Robert Riddle, sr., James McDonough, Brock Shaver, Edwin Gray, William Baird, F. W. Cornell, Henry Howard, R. L. Biggs, George Atkins, Samuel Hunter, Mathew Jackson, Henry Gray, James George, Morris Shellard, Stephen Nisbet, William Cook, W. J. Thompson, David, Wray, George M. Wood, Malachi Sager, jr., Richard Patterson, Joshua Nunn, William McClure, William Thompson, jr. Auditors :- -James B. Plas- tow, William Wood. 1880. John A. Cornell, President. Morris Shellard, Vice-Presi- dent. David Bell, Secretary -Treasurer. Directors :— Chris. Ricker, Arch. Fergusson, R. L. Biggs, Thos. McQueen, John Boyle, George Atkins, Robert Lowry, Henry Chambers, Samuel Hunter, G. H. Mulholland, Patrick McManamy, Matthew Jackson, John O'Connor, William R. Boyle, Henry Gray, Dennis Dwyer, Edward Johnston, James George, T. S. Henderson, Robert Young, Stephen Nisbet, Daniel Wray, Brewin Cornell, William Cook, William Menzies, Robert Riddle, sr., W. J. Thompson, Emerson Clement, James Mc- Donough, George M. Wood, Jeremiah Cornell, Brock Shaver, Malachi Sager, Reuben Wedge, Edwin Gray, John Patterson, Andrew Johnston, William Baird, William McClure, Angus McKellar, F. W. Cornell, William Thompson, jr., Walter Misener, Henry Howard. Auditors :— James B. Plastow, William Wood. THE AGRICULTURAL' HISTORY. 183 Bfverly Agricultural Society— Statistical Table. 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 Amount paid prizes for Exhibition. in £ s. d. 48 12 6 51 11 3 55 10 59 68 11 3 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 JU c. 150 00 142 62i 159 00 145 00 185 50 191 25 171 25 174 25 190 25 197 00 114 25 209 50 212 75 232 25 265 00 294 25 304 25 317 04 262 25 326 00 442 00 449 'J) 469 90 409 75 497 42 450 53 488 20 562 60 641 85 694 50 694 75 $ c. :194 50 a97 25 =222 00 =236 00 =274 25 V u *^ a c a Oh Amount Tmmrw in paid prizes for ploughing'match 55 a5 123 45 185 10 109 55 i:m 00 93 60 218 75 284 75 211 50 280 25 290 90 344 25 385 50 282 00 £ 4 4 5 5 3 $ 15 13 19 12 14 11 20 12 13 20 20 16 19 19 16 26 17 29 s. d. 5 : 5 : 10 7i: 10 15 c. 00 25 37i 50" 25 50 00 25 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 43 bc.S •- <-^ J3 O 3.2 0^ Jj5 c. 17 OOJ :17 00 22:i2i :22 00 = 15 00 Col. showing balance on hand or amount of debt of Society at close of year. s. 1 16 5 13 - 7 $ c d. $ c. 10 =24 37Bal.onliaiia n =19 38 ifldelit. 5 =17 08 " ~6i = 10 71 " 3J= 9 46 " 8 55 In debt. 73 (i 87A 6al. on Mnd. 2 07 t( 1 64 In debt. 11 38 Bal. on Hand. 21 65 (( 14 36 «i 18 a5 t( 964 t( 7 12 n 23 .39 ii 25 42 (t 50 51 «c 42 56 .( 49 71 n 26 :^ (1 4 76 (t 57 23 ii 84 33 ti 93 26 tt 86 40 tl 123 40 i« 177 54 tt 257 09 ik 276 65 it 312 88 <( 200 (U It 130 20 «« 26 95 <( 17 11 l( 184 THE PIONEERS OF BEVERLY. BEVERLY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY— STATISTICAL TABLE. • Number of Members. Number of Entries. ^Gu^™^ Kind of weather on day 1863 181 20 «. Glorious Indian Summer day. 1854 197 O ■.-4 20 Verv fine day indeed. Cold day, flurries of snow Finest day of the season. 1855 183 CO 18 1856 129 17 1857 205 20 Very cold indeed— almost froze the blood. 1858 114 it 22 Nice fall day. 1859 1860 117 123 ■4J a 20 10 Cold, squally all day. Delightful day. 1861 113 15 Nice mild, bright day. 1862 132 14 Beautiful day. 1863 118 456 20 Delightful day, one of the best for a month. 1864 129 578 13 Bright day. 1865 108 529 17 Good sunshiny day. 1866 133 518 16 Most delightful day, bright and mild. 1867 i:s8 M3 11 Very fair day, a little cold. Wet day, shdwers off and 1868 159 670 13 on all day. 1860 154 663 10 Very cold and disagree- able, flurries of snow. 1870 144 566 18 Fine warm day. 1871 164 577 17 Quite cold. 1872 157 621 16 A beautiful day indeed, a pet day for a show. 1873 172 588 16 Good fall dav, Nice warm, bright day. 1874 170 738 16 1875 185 845 14 Very bright and warm. 1876 213 1277 13 Very fine— one of the finest during the last month. 1877 200 1218 16 A lovely day. 1878 237 1391 15 A dull morning, but a fine day. A beautiiul bright day. 1879 234 1466 14 1880 281 1668 14 Delightful day — very warm and brignt. Damp morning, but 1881 271 1281 13 afternoon turned out good. 1882 249 1636 18 Fine day indeed. ^ 185 the agricultural history. Beverly Agricultural Society-Statistical Table- fc Number 2 of >* Members. 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 Number , of Entries. 256 252 271 292 299 286 1570 1606 1636 2082 2074 2396 Date of Show October 18 15 14 13 12 10 Kind of weather on day of Show. A pretty fair day, threat- ened rain, but held off until after dark. A frosty monnng, but fine day. Very bad morning— very heavy rain up to 10 o'clock, but cleared up bright and cool. Dull misty morning, but turned out fine day. A very cold day indeed— but dry. A sharp white frost in morning— a lovely day —one of the best for a month.