HomeMy WebLinkAbout186Hardbound book, 11.5 x 22 cm. 13 pages, written by Victoria A. Mowbray, August 1931.
"History of Kinsale
By
Victoria A. Mowbray
August, 1931.
"
"History of Kinsale
Victoria A. Mowbray, Brooklin, Ont., Aug., 1931.
(Formerly of Kinsale).
Kinsale is a small village about eight miles from Whitby, situated on the sixth concession line of
Pickering Township in the County of Ontario. About one hundred years ago the first settler in
Kinsale neighborhood, by the name of Wing Rogers, coming from Vermont to make a home for
his family in the wilds of Canada, settled in the woods about a mile and a half west and north of
Kinsale; cut down the bush, cleared a spot and set up the first dwelling in this vicinity.
A couple of years later in 1833 Ralph Mowbray came from New York City with his family to hew
out a home near the same place.
The land all around was owned by one Lord Emsley from England. Why he had possession of so
much land I do not know. Surely it was not for its value for in one instance he gave a man fifty
acres of land for chopping one sideroad one and one quarter miles long. Soon after the above
families were settled in their homes, other settlers came in thick and fast, viz: McAvoy, Coultice,
Dunn, Redman, Parkin, Sadler, Gibson, Adamson, Gee, Hyfield, Hortop, Salton, John Mackie,
Lawton, Sylvester Mackey, Joseph Rogers, McBrien, Stevenson, Lawrence, Brignall, and others
who all settled in and around Kinsale.
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"Among the early settlers not before mentioned was John Clerke who settled on the farm now
owned by Victor Parkin. He hailed from Kinsale, Cork County, Ireland; and in all his journey did
not find a name more suitable for our little village than that of his home town Kinsale which met
with the approval of all concerned and still sounds good after the lapse of many years.
The last member of Mr. Clerke's family, Elizabeth Clerke Mowbray, passed away a little over a
year ago at the age of eighty-three years.
A few of the homes remain still in the family name but most of them have changed hands.
Those remaining are A. Rogers, Sadler, Parkin, Dunn, H. Mowbray, McBrien, Lawton and
Stevenson. All others have changed hands. The old Gibson and Mowbray homesteads are now
owned by Carson; Hortop farm now owned by Harbron, Gold farm by Richardson,
Redman by Wagg, Clerke by Victor Parkin, J. Mackie farm by H. Parkin, Sylvester Mackey by
Charles Lidgett, and Joseph Rogers' farm by M. Gormley. Mr. Gormley's home has the
distinction of being the only original log home in the vicinity, built when Joseph Rogers settled on
the farm. It is still in use but so camouflaged by modern improvements that it can hardly be
recognized. The farms on the comers have repeatedly changed hands.
The farm on the east side is at present owned by Thomas Hirst, north west corner by
Mr. Crews, and the south west corner is now occupied by Mr. W. Bell.
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"At one time Kinsale was quite a flourishing village. We had a Temperance Hall, harness shop,
cheese factory, cider mill, general store and post office, blacksmith, carpenter, wagon shop,
shoe store, church, quite a number of dwelling houses and a population of eighty.
The first church was built one mile west of the village, in 1849, at what is still known as
Salem Corners. A community burying ground was there laid out. Wm. Gibson (F. W. Gibson's
grandfather), I am told, was the first person to occupy a portion of that plot for his last resting
place------""Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away."" Since then a great host have
rested there. The grounds have been twice enlarged to meet the demands of the Grim Reaper
Death. This plot has been well cared for and is still for neatness and beauty a ""joy to behold.""
The church still stands in fairly good condition and is used for funeral services and other
occasions. I was once told an amusing incident, by one who was there at the time,
which happened in this church a long time ago. A good old man noted for being just himself and
nobody else, whose name I shall not mention, went, as was his custom, to prayer meeting on a
cold winter night; was called upon by the minister to lead in prayer. In response he shouted
""I cawn't, my feet's oo'er cau'd"", plainly demonstrating that physical discomforts are not
conducive to health of mind and heart. For a long time he has been peacefully resting in the
old church yard. He lived to be a
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"very old man, away up in the nineties, and after he was unable to get about, his open Bible,
on a little stand before him, was his constant companion until the last leaf of life was turned to be
continued in the next. Later on in history the need was felt for a church at Kinsale which was duly
erected in the year 1854 and was used by the Methodists until it was considered unsafe,
the foundation having given away. In 1929 the residents decided to build a new one.
This was made possible by the generosity of a former resident together with the generous
contributions of the community. All worked together with a will and succeeded in erecting a
very fine new church, its beautiful memorial windows a grand tribute to the energy and
generosity of the present generation. We hope they will long live to enjoy its privileges and be
greatly blessed by being faithful to their trust.
The first store was opened by John Fairless followed by Mr. Levi Mackey who carried on a
successful business for a number of years then sold out to Mr. Willis, whose successor was,
Mr. Alvin Orvis. The latter sold out to Mr. John Rodd and later it became the firm of
Rodd & Mowbray. Now it is showing up the colors of a chain store under the name of
R. V. Mowbray.
The harness shop on N.W. corner was carried on by Joseph Sadler during his
short life in Kinsale, then torn down. Thomas Brignal had a wagon shop just west of
Mr. Sadler. Mr. B.
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"Weatherall started a cheese factory which was quite active for a few years then proved a failure.
Mr. George Salton operated a cider mill and turning lathe. The shoe store was successfully
carried on by Mr. Richard Brignal who kept a good supply of footwear and had a thriving
business until he was called to his reward. He was succeeded by his own son Mark,
but the competition of large firms and machinery finished his business, so our shoe store was
closed. Mr. John Lawrence our genial carpenter, who was ever ready to give a hand in any kind
of building or woodwork, was always faithful to his trust until he received the summons to lay
down his tools. His son Edward faithfully kept up his father's work until he too was called away.
The first blacksmith of my recollection was Mr. John Hortop, then Mr. James Foley who was
succeeded by a Mr. Allen for a short time. Mr. Allen was followed by Mr. Ben Wagner,
a faithful worker and a man of genius, who held the post for many years until his health gave out.
During his regime the shop and house were destroyed by fire. By the kindness and sympathy of
the surrounding neighborhood a new home and shop were soon erected which afforded better
accommodation than the old buildings.
Our village has been five times visited by fire and there are three unsightly gaps still showing
where new buildings will probably not be erected. Mr. Wagner did a good business here until
failing health made it necessary for him to give up. The smithy and home were then bought by
Mr.
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"James Pengelly who earned on for several years until he found a more lucrative position in the
village of Brooklin. Since he left there has not been much done in that line owing to the use of
cars, tractors, and other machinery which do not seem to require so many trips to the shop.
The Sons of Temperance flourished for a time in the sixties, then dwindled and their hall standing
on the southeast corner was bought by the church officials and moved to where it now stands.
It was once destroyed by fire then rebuilt and has done duty for Sunday School and other
community activities for some time.
Before we had a regular mail the residents had to go to Hamer's Corners, east of Whitby,
for their mail; afterwards to Whitby. In a few years time we had a mail delivery from Whitby to
Kinsale and across to Brougham every day. The post office was in connection with the store,
although for a time Mr. Weatherall had charge of it in his house. It reverted to the store and was
there looked after until 1908 when the system was changed and we had rural mail delivery at our
doors where every swain or business man could get his expected letters at first hand instead of
taking a long tramp for them at night after a hard day's work. Our route is called Route 1, Brooklin.
So Kinsale as a postal center is done.
The first school house was built at Salem Corners on the Hyfield place. Joseph Gillespie and
Geo. Gamble are names of two of the teachers.
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"In 1852 the Union School Section No. 2 was formed and a frame school house was built on
Mr. Lawton's farm. Mr. Tilley was the first teacher, then a Mr. Ganton in 1855.
Up to this time parents paid an amount agreed upon for the tuition of each child.
The school system was then changed to what was called free school.
The residents were taxed to pay the expenses of the school and every child could go.
Later on in the twentieth century it was made compulsory for each child to attend school until
fourteen years old. In 1860 a brick school was built on the same site, which still stands as one of
the best equipped rural schools in the County. Many of the boys and girls who received their early
training there are taking their places in the higher ranks of life both socially and commercially.
The old oxcart and waggon trails, old log bridges of the past have been suplanted by fine iron
and cement bridges which add to the beauty of our country; and paved roads so widened that
they are perilously near some of our dwellings. Hills have been cut down, and everything possible
has been done for the tourists who now frequent the roads, to make travelling by motor a joy and
comfort; and woe betide the oxcart, waggon or carriage, which in these times would dare
obstruct its path. Our Kinsale Highway is scheduled Highway No. 7.
One change I am pleased to record is the abolition of public grog shops, which in early times
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"Rogers, Mrs. John Seldon, Mrs. Joseph Harbron, Mrs. Ralph R. Mowbray, Mrs. Lovell Harrison,
Miss F. Pearce. It is still going strong and has been a great help to us all in our homes and in
social work. The movement is now world wide. Our women are also actively interested in church
and other community activities.
A great many changes have taken place during the past century. Commodius barns and
comfortable dwelling houses of metal, brick, lumber or cement have taken the places of the log
barns and cabins of earlier times. Homespun yarn, home woven clothing and tallow candles are
unknown to the present generation. Electric lights take the place of candles. Automobiles,
trucks and areoplanes supplant the carts, waggons and carriages of former times,
while tractors supply the horse power for much of the farm work. We are living in a new world.
The time is past when maidens walked through the bush to Oshawa to buy a new bonnet,
carrying their shoes and stockings until near their destination in order that they might have them
looking well on their arrival in town. They walked back the same day with their purchases which
did duty much longer than they do now. When men would shoulder a bag of wheat and carry it
many miles to have it ground, then would carry the flour home in the same way.
Those times are past, and we are glad that they have changed, but we can scarcely realize how
much we owe our forefathers, the pioneers of our race, for their powers of endur-
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"ance and sterling qualities; and it behooves us to be worthy sons and daughters of such worthy
sires and mothers.
I cannot close without alluding to cherished memories of the old church at Kinsale which was not
lacking for leaders in prayer and song. I think I can still hear Mr. and Mrs. Hortop, Mrs. Mackey,
Mr. Dennis, Mr. Brignall, Mr. Brown, and others. Also Nathan Richardson's clarion voice singing
""Sweeping through the gates of the New Jerusalem, Washed in the blood of the Lamb.""
Whether or not it was best for the younger ones, who always, looked for the elders to take the
lead, we do not know. In later years we are glad that the younger people are taking a more active
part in church work, and hope that the coming generation will be still more dilligent in the
Master's service, in making this world better fitted for the Kingdom of our God.
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"ADDENDUM
Ministers of Kinsale:
At first there were six appointments, called Greenwood Circuit viz: Greenwood, Kinsale,
Brougham, Audley, Mt. Zion and Glen Major, with two mnisters and some local preachers.
The following officiated on this circuit:
G. Reid 1864
T. Stobbs 1867
G. Cornish 1870
G. T. Richardson 1874
G. Dingman
W. W. Leach
W. Washington
T. Potter (died)
C. Langford, supply.
F. C. Ream 1884 W. Hall
J. Harris. W. Hewitt
G. R. Clare 1897
J. McFarlane (died 1901)
J. McDonald
D. Williams
(Women's Missionary Auxiliary organized with Mrs. Williams, President).
J. Robeson
E. A. Tonkin
Ladies Aid organized, Mrs. C. J. Stevenson, President).
S. Tucker
S. Tink
J. Totten
J. Bunner
M. Leigh
J. Barnes
W. Smart 1930
Colleagues until about 1888:
A. C. Wilson, Hill, Walsh, Deacon, Ross, Madden, Elliott, Dove, Coffee, Strongman, Bunner,
Real, Crux, Latter, Wilkinson, Bartley, Langford, Reynolds, Hassard, Woodger, W. Norman
(died), Daniel Norman.
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"In 1888 two appointments were dropped, Glen Major and Audley; and we had one minister with
local help.
Local Preachers:
B. Bunting
W. Jackson
E. Jackson
G. West
About the year 1884 we had union of Wesleyan, Episcopal, and Primitive Methodists with
Canadian Wesleyan Methodists and Bible Christians under the name of Canada Methodist
Church. Latter a second union in 1925 when Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Methodists
joined to form the United Church of the present time.
In the early eighties The Epworth League of Christian Endeavor, a society for young people,
was organized. This has continued under various names and is still a great influence for good
among the young people of the community.
When Mr. S. Tucker was pastor he organized the ""Young Men's Brotherhood"" which greatly
interested the boys and young men and kept them in touch with church work.
In 1918 the ""Maple Leaf Mission Band"" was started by Miss Gladys Mowbray and is still
flourishing under the able leadership of Mrs. V. Parkin. It has done a noble work among the
children.
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"Teachers of Kinsale School
Mr. Tilley 1852
Mr. Ganton 1855
D. Frost 1856
O. Reilly 1857
J. Palmer 1858
Miss McLean 1859
Geo. Barclay 1860
Chas. Clerke 1861
Wm. Dundas 1862
W. Law 1863
W. L. Black 1866
Geo. Bengough
Levi Mackey 1868
Miss L. Palmer 1870
Alex. McMurray 1871
James Balfour 1872
S. F. Johnson 1873
G. H. Hopper 1874
S. M. Brown 1875
Mr. Bain 1876
Miss Susan Betts 1877
S. F. Johnston 1878
D. Selden
A. L. Brown 1879
J. A. Youmans 1880
E.O. Graham 1881
R. J. Niddery 1883
S. H. Jeffery 1885
Byron Jones 1887
S. H. Jeffery 1888
Walter Thorn 1889
W. H. Greenwood 1890-2
Frank Chapman and Walter Thorn 1893
G. E. Pegg 1894
J. McCullough 1895
A. Holliday 1897
Miss Pearce 1901
Miss Annan 1903
Miss Sharrard 1905
Miss L. Rogers 1906
Miss Francis 1907
Miss Black 1909
Mr. Kidd 1910
Miss A. Johnson 1911
Miss White 1912
Miss Hervey 1913
Miss P. Miller 1915
Miss McKay 1916
Miss Whitehead 1918
Miss Fleet 1924
Miss Carson 1926
Miss Nesbitt 1927
Miss Thomas 1929
Miss Munroe and Miss Draper 1931
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