HomeMy WebLinkAboutX2023-023-003'ell�JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
The Presidents and Sec.Treasurers From 1959-1969. Claremont Womens Instutite.
1959-1960 Pres. .......Mrs M.Johnson .......... Sec.Treas.Mrs iobt.Torrance.
19jb'-1961 It ....... n it .............. it Mrs Jack Ward.
1961-1962 ►► .......Airs Robt.Jackson ........... ti Mrs G.Gauslin.
1962-1963 it it ►, ............. it it ►,
1963-1964 it ...... Mrs J. Anonby ............. it It it
1964-1965 it ....... n it ............. Mrs W.R.Evans.
1965-1966 " .......Airs Wm.WhIlame ....... ..... n n is
1966-1967 .......Mrs E.11is Britton.... .... ►, ►,it
1967-1968 " .......... to n ............... it n it
1968-1969 ......... it ►, .............. it ►►
1969 MAY 7th
The 60th Anniversary of the Claremont Womens Institute was held in the Community Hall Claremont on
May 7th,1969. The meeting opened with the Ode followed by the Mary Stuart Collect.
The President Mrs Britton welcomed the guests and friands who had come.
A corsage and spoon were presented toMrs.Margaret Stephenson also a corsage and spoon to Mrs.Clara Carson
who is a life member. Spoons were presented to Mrs.Aldine Evans,Mrs.Wesley Lehman,Mrs.Margaret Morgan,
Mrs.Alice Peddis, and Mrs.Laura Reynolds.
It was moved by Aldine Evans and sec.by Mrs,Reynolds that we dispense with the buisness and minutes for that day
Mrs.Britton then asked the different Instutntes to stand as they were named- Altona had 18 visitors,
Stouffville, 21,Brougham,5, Kinsale 3, Myrtle 8, Goodwood 5,Brooklyn 6,Honeydale 1,and 25 visitors from
Claremont with the regular members of 19.
Mr.Herb.Williams who played the piano while we were in and led us in a sing song ,singing ►►Sllver Threads
Among the Gold" and "When you and I were young Maggie".
The photographer from Stouffville Tribune took pictures of Mrs.Stephenson,Mrs.Carsom,with Mrs.Britton cutting
the anniversary cake..
We had a reading from the Stouffville group given by Mrs.Barry.
Mrs.D. Milne from Brougham played and sang 2 numbers from the Sound of Music also whished the Claremont W.I.
Happy Birthday.
Mrs.Parrott of Myrtle group gave "The old man goes to town".
Mrs.Erawford the District President gave congratulations on our 60th Birthday.
Mrs. Sam Cawker,Provincal Board Director,words of congratulations too.
The collection was taken arounting to $32.740
Mrs Carson,Claermont gave the history of the Claremont W.I. telling how the first meeting was formed in 1909.
Mrs Reynolds read of the ►►Shoulder to the wheel Club" which was formed by Mrs.McIntyre.
Mrs.R.Middleton read about her aunt who was the oldest memberin Ontario at the age of 91 years.
There was a visitor from Blackpool England with us who brought good wishes and would-i7LLKt1home merories of
this meeting,her name Mrs.Newton.
Altona ladies provided us with a game.
A lovely lunch was served.Avery successful 60th Anniversary.
CL,IREMONT,FIRST INSTUTITE FORMED 1909
On the afternoon ofFeb.9th 1909 in the Masonic Hall about forty women met and were addressed on Womens Instutite
work by Miss Campbell of Brampton.She spoke of the home and its influence ,and showed how Instutite work was a
benifit in enlarging one►sinfluence.Mrs R.R.Mobray.Kinsale)District President spoke of their work in Kinsale and
of the good the Instutite was doing there.
After the speaking there was an Instutite organized with eighteen giving their name as members.
The following officers ;,ere elected-
President- Mss.C.J.Brodie
Vice President -Mrs J Richardson
Sect. Treas.-L E Evans
Directors -Mrs Gregg, Mrs Pugh,M%S Forsythe, Mrs Bennett, MRs Michin,Mrs Devitt.
It was decided to hold the first meeting at Mrs Brodies March 6 than essay to be prepared on Easter thoughts.
Claremont,First Instutite meeting March 6 1909
On the afternoon of March 6th the Womens I st tite held their first official meeting at Mrs C.J.Brodie.Pres.
in the chair .Meeting opened by singing ►►A,R1e power of Jesus name►►.after repeating the Lords Prayer in
concert.Thirteen members responded to the roll call.Moved byMrs Farmer Sec. by Mrs Richardson that we have
our next meeting the first wednesday i n April, carried .Place of meeting Mrs Casters.
Mrs Brodie and Mrs Farmer appointred to see about getting a room in the Masonic Hall for our meetings.
Program music by Mrs Forsythe .A number of ways by different members given on crooking eggs.
Mrs Forsythe and Mrs J Gregg appointed to see about the program for next meeting.
14 present.Meeting closed by singing "God Save THE King". Mrs Brodie.
From the records Mrs C.J.Brodie remained the Institute president until1914 then Mrs G.M.Forsyth for two years.
1915 Mrs G.M.Forsyth,1916 Miss Jennie Forgie, 1917 Mrs R.E. Forsyth, 1918 Mrs Peters, 1919 Mrs G.M.Forsyth,
1920 Mrs G.M. Forsyth...............................Sec.Treas. Miss Sara E.Evans
1921-1922
Miss
Sara Edwards, ... .... .....
++
►►
Miss S.E.Evans
1923_1924
Mrs
G.M.Forsyth ....... ......
►+
►►"
Miss S.E.Evans
1924_1925
Miss
Clara Underhill ......................
►►
►►
Miss S.E.Evans
1925-1927
Mrs
David Gregg ...................... ...
.n
n
It n
1928-1929
Mrs
Ben Kilpatrick. ........................'►
►►
it it
1930-1931
►►
to ..... ....................to
it it
1931-1932
Mrs
G.M.Forsyth ............................►►
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Miss Clara Underhill
1932-1933
it
to ............................
►►
n to
Mrs Gibson
1933-1934
Mrs
F.Loyst ..............................
►►
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n n
it it
1934-1935
Mrs
R.E.Forsyth ...........................
►►
it
n ►►
to it
1935-1936
it ►► ...........................
to
it
Mrs Russel Pilkey
it to
1936-1937
to It ...........................
it
if
of it
Mrs Loyst
1937-1938
it it ...........................+,n
it
Miss S.E.Evans
Mrs Farr
1938-1939
it it ..........................
it
if
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M;s Gregg( John)
1940
Mrs
H.G.Mc Intyre..........................
it
it
Mrs Hooey
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1940-1941
it it .........................
it
it
►► It
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1941-1942
it it .........................
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1942-1943
it to ..........................
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Mrs W.Lehman
n „
19 43-19 44
it if ..........................
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to
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1944-1945
it it ..........................
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to it
1945-1946
Mrs
H.Johnson ...........................
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it
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Mr J.Peddie
1946-1947
►► it ..........................
to
it
Mrs J.Badgerow.
to
1947-1948
Mrs
H. Johnson ..........................
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it
it to
ii„ It
i948_1949
to to .........................
it
it
a it
Mrs►►G. Gauslin
1949-1950
Mrs
J.Badgerow ....... ..................
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it
Mrs Melvin Johnson
Mrs Gordon Gauslin
1950-1951
it it ..........................
to
to
it of
1951-1952
it to ...........................
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R
It it
195a-1953
Mrs►►R.
McC6nnel..........................
it
it
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1953-1954
it it ..........................
It
it
Mrs J. Badgerow
1954-1955
Mrs
Keevil ,Mrs J. peddie ...............
►t
It
Mrs R.Torrance
1955-1956
Mrs
L. Pugh ............................
It
it
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1956-1957
It it ............................
to
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1957-1958
Mrs
Grant Taylor ........................
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it
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1958-1959
it to ..........................
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it to
Claremont Institute Fifieth Anniversary March 18th 1959
Over 100 members & friends Of Claremont Womens Institute gathered in the Community hall on Mar.18th/59
to celebrate their 50 th Anniversary.
The President Mrs G.Taylor presided.The meeting opened by all singing the Ode &by repeating the Collect & the
Lords Prayer.
Mrs L. Pugh welcomed allto our celebration& introduced our three living charter members,Mrs Morgan Pugh &
Mrs R.E.Forsyth,Mrs Stephenson also Life members,Mrs Mc Intyre& Mrs Condy .Mrs Ken Ward pinned a corsage
(yellow mums with dark blue ribbon) on each one.
EVE= YEARS OF SERVICE c?
About one hundred ladies came tn the Claremont
Community Centre on Oct. 17, to celebrate the 70th.
Anniversary of the Claremont Women's Institute.
They were greeted at the door by Life —Members:
Mrs. Clar= Cprson and Mrs. Aldine Ev•rns. Ladies from
Institutes -it Altona, Ajax, Brougham, Goodwood, Green—
wood, Ho,-1 'eydale, Kinsale. Myrtle, Shirley and Stouffville
joined in the celebration.
Former presidents: Mrs. George McConnell, aurora;
Mrs. Melvin Johnson, Orillia; Mrs. John Badgerow, Stouff—
ville ,nd Mrs. Lloyd Pugh of Pickering also rttended.
The program included greetings from District President
Mrs. Henry Wotten of Bl ackstock; a music;-:l interlude by
Rosem ry Timms --end Jean Dr.:ke, �,nd 51 t�--p dance by Kcren
Orson,!
Mrs. Cl�-.ra C=rson provided a history of accomplish—
ments by the Institute during the past seventy ye-rs.
Mrs/ Betty Devitt and Mrs. M ud Anderson displayed
their lovely doll collections/
The anniversary c-ke, decorated with the blue and
yellow Women's Institute crest, was made by Mrs. Jean
Norton. Lunch w- s served following the program.
I
cG 4
Claremont School Float. v
i1 1-.
/YT
Decorated bicycles Enid Benson and Pat. Mc Cullough
DEC 54 •
For six or seven in the 1950 -60 years
the Claremont.Buisness sponsored a Christmas Parade
and the spectators came from near and far to see a
unique affair, featuring floats fromthe different
buisnesses, school, organizations,and indivuals.
Then 1962 the idea was changed to a Christmas
varietyshow in the Community Hall.
and Jackie Pascoe
— r e a'ri8' e ie 1 carriage and wagon.
-C 54
MarchiES for the W.I.
Laura Reynolds,Maud Anderson, Alice Peddie, Mary Morgan,Kay Ward, Elizabeth Fryer, I✓turiel Torrance,
and Norrine Hill.
February 15/67
4
Plans for Claremont Burin- the Centenni„1 year 1867-1(-67 included some extra c:Vrrulum for the Womens I
Institute these minutes will show some of the action taken.
The regular meeting of Claremont Womens Institute was held at the home of Mra Cliff. Reynolds m
Y,ith the President Mra Britton presiding.
The meeting opened by all singing the Ode and by repeating the Mary Stuart Collect.The minutes
of the January meeting were read and approved.Roll call was answered byeach one showing and telling about
anantique article.Mrs Britton mentioned that Feb.19is the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Womens
Institute.A request for a name to be sent to the District forResolutionConvenor and Mrs Britton offered
to take this position.
Centinnial pins were to sold for 10 cents each with a four cent profit.
Mrs Almack is directing the Jr Farmers play and suggested that we have it presented on March 31 st,that
we have an evening ,presenting the play and other• talent.A c)mmitte to arrange the evening Mrs Peddie,
Mrs Britton,and Mrs Evans.
Mrs Torrance gave a report of the I•istrict Directors meeting Annual to be held at Brooklin on May 24th-
• MRs Almack took over the meeting for Historical Research.The Motto*Teach children to respect their commtA ty
and the older who made it* was read by Mrs Morgan.
Miss Viola Forsythe gave a brief history of the first white settlers in this district -the W;xsonfamilyr
on her fathers side and the Mitchell brothers on her mothers side.
OLD selections were played on the accordion by Mrs Jack Hill and Mrs Reynolds related a brief history
of the Linton family and read a history of the corner Store in Claremont.Allthis brought an open discussum
THE meeting closed with all enjoying refreshments and a social time.
Exeerts fro.,:-, the March meeting which followed this previous Feb. is full of interst to the
veople,Institute members made candy for sale sold pop and donuts at the concert which was quite a sucess.
A motion was made we give half the proceeds to the centennial committee and the sum of 453.00 was given.
Fruit bread ,cheese ,and coffee was served to the cast taking part.
Then in May the Institute members supplied tea buiscuits and jam for the fashion show in the community
hall snonored by the centennial committee.
Mr Walter Ward age 90 years young came to this MARCH meeting with his daughter (Aldine)who reminisced
on past years around Claremont.He showed a ST,Patrick hat he won 40 years ago or more at a party held
at Jim Underhills for drawing the best of a pig.Heshowed a picture taken at Portage La Praire of
Dukabor women drawing a plowr.Hetold us a bake shop owned by Nathan Tarr was where Mc Gregor now live
west end of village in 1894.Afarm implement shop owned and run by Ira Powell at the next corner east
where Ross Middleton now live,AMethodist church north of there whereIvan Beverly now 1B vesand it was
torn down 1903.A harness shop run by Nick Burton where J.Briscoenow lives,a school where Mrs Loss Hill
now lives.
Tom Gibbons,then after that, Sam Farmer had a grocery store where Ken Jones Variety Shop is now and next
place north was a buggy ,cutter etc shop bnilt byBill Dowsell and Walter Wardtraded his old cutter for
a new one;when he was married in 1902.
Bundy,s had a tinsmith shop and there was a blacksmith shop where Earl Pilkey now; live across from the
United Church.A taylor shop run by Fred Farmer where Jim Taylor live,next a store owned by Linton followed
by Dave Taylora baker ,then a boot and shoe store operated byMr Magnus Henderson, a butcher sho) run by
Shermor Ruhmor,next a blacksmith shop run by Wm.Graham 1890 and a wood shop ;(cabinent making) run first
Leeper then Tom Patterson now Tom Hammond.At the four corners where McCullough garagenow is locatedwas a
;large hotel and liverystable run by Sandy Wilson.Another blacksmith shop run by Harry Thomson where
Porters Barber shop is now.
A foundrj run by Robt.Wawrd was located where the Library is nowr.A short piece of iron fen:;e still stands
beside the library which was moulded at the foundry.The moulds were made of wood and buried in the sand
There was a rink south of where Bill Welsh livs and a creamery before Welsh bought this building.Back in
1893 Walter Ward brought a sleigh load of people from Balsam to skate at this rink
A pump factory run by Geo.Gerow was located where Hedges house is now and it had a town bell on the roof
at one time which rung at noon and 6 pm and for fire alarms.Agarage south of this now was an undertaker
Mr Beal had a furniture store where Mr Hayward has his officealso at one time there was a bake shop there.
Several Ddctors practised here during the years-Dr.Eastwood ,Brodie,Kidd, Caldwell,and Love.
Askating and curling rinknorth of the park flooded by means of a hand sprinkler can,.
North Claremont near the station was a farmers bank,hotel,store,blacksmith shop etc.
An older member Mrs Fred Madill told of her days as a bride when she had to learn how to make
butter byp ouring milk in pails and let cream form on top.It was then skimmed off by hand and putin a
barrel or dash churn.No butter paper was available so the freshly salted blockswere kept in large crocks..
When taken to the store to sold they wrapped in rhubarb leaves for insulation .Carrot juice was often
used as a colouring.
These few portions were takenoffe minutes of Mrs WM Evans as Sec Treas.
*Advertise the harmony in all things and blot out the discord.*
Cont,d,
The minutes of the February meeting w ere read and approved.
Roll was answered by "The number of years I have been a member of the Institute",Then our visitors from-
Altona,Brougham,Kinsale, Honeydale,and Stouffville stood.
Mrs Frank Carson gave the 50 years in review,.pointing the highlights.
Mrs McConnell with well chosen words paid tribute to Mrs Carsol;�§ forty years of
with great pleasure presented her with a life membership.Mrs Taylor pinned the
Then Mrs Carson took her place at thefofront with the other Life members and wa
Mrs Taylor welcomed our District President who spoke a few words to us.
Mrs Elmer Wilson,accompanied by Mrs Wm.Evans sang a solo -"The spring Song" and then "The
Ahumorous reading was given by Mrs Fleury of Stouffville entitled "To day is fine".i•Zrs
played a medley of tunes on the piano popular during the 50 years.ThenMrs Kerr sang "Put
active work in our Institute and
Life member'spin on MRS Carson.
s given a corsage.
stranger of Galilee".
T.Wheeler from Pickering
on your old grey bonnet"
,,-:hich was published in 1909.A1so a melody of songs throughthe years.
Mrs Fleury gave another humorous reading about"What's the use of babies".We again enjoyed a solo by Mrs Wilson
"I love a little cottage".
Mrs Robert Jackson presented a fashion revue with several of the ladies wearing outfits worn atseveral intervals
through the past 50 years,including three wedding dresses and three from the "flapper" age of the twenties.
The meeting closed by singing the Queen,a social period was enjoyed during which refreshments were served.
Mrs Honey cut the decorated Anniversary cake which was made by Mrs R.Morgan.
Members present 33 Visitors & Friends 75.
Grandmothers meeting June 16th 1926
The Womens Institute met at the home of Mrs Overland on June 16th 1926.Mrs G.M.Forsyth,the newly President
declined the acceptance of the office and Miss Undefhillpresided during the meeting.Moved by Mrs W.Ward,sec.
by Mrs Pilkry that we have all elections of Presidents carried.Moved by Miss Underhill,sec.by Mrs E.E.Fgrsyth
that Mrs D.Gregg be President,carried.Moved by Miss Underhill,sec by Mrs Coates that Mrs Dr.Tomlison be Vice
President,carried,2nd Vice President be Miss Underhill.
Decided to draft program for coming year in the following tuesday evening at Mrs R.r'.Forsyths.The following
com.was appointed to meet the Toronto Claremont Club on July 1st -Miss Brown, S.E.Evans, Mrs Scott,Mrs.sD.Gregg,
and Mrs E.v9ard.Spoke about showing at Oshawa Fair,but said that arrangements be made at next meeting. v�Words of
Appreciation for sickfrom several were read.
The following program was given -
Reading MrsD.Gregg "Out of old aunt Marys It
No by Grandmothers "When you and I were young Maggie" and "Old folks at home".
Reading Miss Underhill -"Mr Shaw advertises for a house keeper" or The runaway Grandmother"
Duet Mrs Ward and Mrs Scott."Silvers threads among the gold".
Two dutch songs by Mrs Mann and Hutchinson.
No by Grandmothers "Old Black Joe".
Mrs Stott gave contest for the Grandmothers. Mrs Mundell received a cup and saucer 1st prize.
Mrs Thompson captured 1st prize for best quilt block,also being a cup and saucer.
At the conclusion of the program refreshments were served.
No.present 50
Receipts and Expendures for 1926.
June 16th Received from Choral Class .....................$11.590
School Fair.....................................$25.74¢
Rshawa Fair ........................ ........... 5 9.00
Member,e .........................................$13.00
Fortune. ....................................... 50
Dec.. Grant .......................................... $ 3.00
$62.83
Sept. 31926 Federation Fees ............................. $ 5.70
Community Hall ................................ 10.00
Dristrict officers ............................ 2.00
Cashing and postage ............................ 1.15
Convention ................................... 2.00
Mr.Croskery.................................. 20.00
Cartage,H.Sanderson .......................... 1.00
Mr Murker for.programs ......... .............. 4.75
Postage and statiomary ...... . .. .. ......... .80
Meeting expenses ............................ 4.00
Girls and Grandmothers meeting ................ 7.03
$58.43
The balance went to help a needy family.
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THEANNUAL
CONVENTION OF THE
Viderin9 `Township
6. 6. ,dissociation
WILL BE HELD IN THE
BAPTIST -:- CHURCH
WHITEVALE
On Thursday,
January 12th,1928
9' PRINT
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<a�retin� JJi�f�tio� �Gi�i � Jc�iic+o`
inuc'fe�lou to �e/Ltetsenl alli%
70ammencemen� COxe2cc,�e�
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PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS Speaker:
PRIZES AND DIPLOMAS DON HENSHAW
Ma -Laren Advertising C,
Back row -Less Gauslin Will Evans Milton Pegg, :Malt Davis Will Be.oL! GeorPeUbPee�rrb) Harold Dickinson
} } 7' ! J7
Front row -Leland Johnston,Bill Coates, Evans VJard,Ed Evans,Jim Coates.
x _
Back in these years about 1930 a large gathering of W.I.Memb:ers and their children at the home of
Mrs. Duncan Morgan.Now the farm that Jack Morgan lives on north of Claremont.
OCTOBER AWARD
We noticed in the October 19th issue ,
of your paper that you understood
Claremont had good intentions regard-
ing your Shoulder -To -The -Wheel C{ub
Contest. You were right We had d
still have. Apart from that, you afay
be interested to hear about the work
we have been doing. We have a Red
Cross braLneh here, but the five units of
the branch very qui
-the available funds. As a result, ast
Winter our Women s Institute divided
into groups and put on different forms
of entertainment to raise money and in
this way made it possible for us to
continue making hospital supplies, etc.
Early in June, when the demand from
Red Cross headquarters became urgent
for refugee and evacuee bedding and
clothing we began (sponsored by the
Claremont W.L and assisted by the ladies
of the community) to make quilts and
various articles of clothing.' The first
month we made and sent ins twenty
refugee quilts and a quantity of cloth-
ing, we also pieced and quilted several
%tter quilts. These we sold. We are
making and selling quilts to finance
the �.prrchase of materials for war work:
In liugust we sold tickets on a quilt
and made $87.0V From the 4th of June_
until October 1st we made one hundred
and six quilts —including refugee and
finer quilts -,and to date have taken in
$550.00. Every cent is being used for
war work. We do not have to solicit
orders for our quilts, they sell them-
selves. Several have gone to Toronto,
to Chicago, to Ottawa and other cities.
At present the orders are away ahead
of us. Always some of the ladies are
sewing, others knitting. We endeavor
to make the articles most urgently re -
the Red Cross'
When y ou r-To-The-Wheel
Club Contest was brought to our no,
tice by one of our members in Sep-
tember, we organized a group of thirteen
and decided to try to win your very
worth -while prize.
The Claremont Shoulder -To -The -
Wheel Club Group, sponsored by the
Claremont Women's Institute and com-
posed of thirteen members, wish to
enter their October work in your
Shoulder -To -The -Wheel Club Contest
Following is a list of our month's work:
' Men's Knitted Articles-23 pairs socks,
7 pairs mitts, 5 pairs -rifle mitts, 6
sweaters, 2 scarfs, 1 pair wristlets.
Men's and Boys' Articles-12 large -
size hospital bedgowns,12 suits pyjamas,
size 38; 6 men's work shirts, size.16; 6
suits boys' pyjamas,, size 12; 5 pairs
boys' pants, size 10; 1 windbreaker, size
10..
- Ladie? Artic7es-6 ladies' dresses, size
36; 6 ladies' dresses, size 32; 6 ladies'
slips, size 36; 7 ladies' aprons; 12 pair
ladies' bloomers, medium size; 6 ladies'
nightgowns, size 36.
Girls' Articles-1 knitted parka; 6
dresses, 12-year size; 6 skirts, 12-year
size; 6 blouses, 12-year size; 9'dresses;
3 to 4-year size; 6 nighties; 8-year size;
1 cloth fur -trimmed,' parka; 12' 'pairs
panties; 12 slips; 4 knitted sweaters, 10-
year size; 6 children's coats; 1 to 6-year
size.
Baby Garment" nighties, 6 dresses,
6 slips, '6 baby jackets; 6 pairs booties,
12 bands, 3 knitted bonnets, 1 knitted
sweater, 18 diapers. '
Other Articles-12 terry towels, 24
pillow -covers, pieced and quilted 20
refugee quilts.
We served a hot supper, followed by
games and made $36.25. We gave War
Saving Stamps for prizes. -
We held a Euchre and cleared $8.75.
We served suppers to bowlers and
cleared $8.75. We pieced, quilted and
sold 15 quilts, and, after taking out
expenses, cleared $67.00. We held an
exhibition of the Group's month's work
and charged 10c admission. From thi
we made $11.70.
We wish your Contest every success
and if we do not qualify for the prize
we congratulate the Group that wins
for we will know they have been work-
ing, and we do not mean maybe.
Mrs. H. G. McIntyre.
Farming as a family business has always demanded
active participation by farm women. The Ontario Agri-
cultural Museum has recognized this fact, and during
the 1980 season a number of new buildings have opened
with the female visitor in mind.
The Weaver's Cottage, a restored log cabin has
continued its tradition as a main demonstration area at
the Museum. Costumed interpreters draw visitors into
the atmosphere of the pioneer days as they work with
fleeces —washing, dyeing, carding, spinning and finally
weaving the wool into shawls and blankets to be used in
the Museum's other historic houses. The backyard of
the house supports a primitive garden and provides
space for the occasional sheep shearing. The aroma of
Indian meal pancakes on the griddle or whole wheat
bread coming from the bake pot adds credence to the
pioneer lifestyle the house portrays.
The rude conditions of the first settlers fades as
visitors approach the Douglass -Lucas house, an 1860
farmhouse which opened at the Museum the middle of
June. This sophisticated house boasts both a formal
parlour and dining parlour, in addition to the kitchen
and summer kitchen. The fine furniture and many
kitchen gadgets represent a prosperous period on On-
tario farms.
Lucas Farmstead, 1860's. Octagonal Barn, 1880's in
background. Ontario Agricultural Museum.
The Mayne Corners Church is also a new addition to
the Museum. Built in 1876, this Perth County church
represents the many small rural churches which once
served farm families throughout the province. Within
two weeks of its opening at the Museum, the Church
was the scene of a wedding, the first since its closing in
1969. Although open to visitors now, a Harvest Home
service scheduled for mid -September will "officially"
open and sanctify the Church.
Agricultural Museum
The Women's Institute Hall remains a favourite stop
for visiting W.I. groups. The Museum has hosted
fifty-four Institutes this season, many of whom have
returned for the second time, and all have taken the
opportunity to reflect upon the history of their organiza-
tion which is so well displayed in the Hall. The Institute
Hall also provides meeting and kitchen facilities for
those who wish to mix business with pleasure while at
the Museum. The Museum is pleased that their gift
shop now offers souvenir spoons, plates and hasti-notes
featuring the Women's Institute Hall.
Members on their way to visit the Women's Institute
Hall.
Throughout its development, the Ontario Agricultural
Museum has received tremendous support from On-
tario's farming population in the form of artifact
donation. While searching out items for the two houses
now open and a third planned to open next spring, the
Museum finds itself lacking certain items which Insti-
tute members may be able to help locate. In order to
furnish the houses in a realistic fashion and have guides
dressed in authentically constructed costume, the Muse-
um is looking for clothes, pre-1900; for men and women
of all ages. This includes hats, shoes, and accessories.
Many of your Century Homes might well have a trunk
of old clothes tucked away in the corner of the attic.
Early musical instruments are also in short supply at
the Museum. An early violin, auto harp or harmonica
for instance, would add character to our historic farm-
houses.
Should any Institute member wish to inquire about
specific artifacts required by the Museum, or wishes
information concerning donation procedures, please con-
tact:
Ontario Agricultural Museum,
P.O. Box 38,
MILTON, Ontario. L9T 2Y3
(416) 878-8151
Claremont ----
Winter Carnival Program- Monday. to Friday, February 15-19 ,1971.
---------------------------
Snow Princess -qualifying events, Hockey and Ringette eliminations, if necessary.
Friday, Feb. 19 CW 3:30-3:30- Hockey and Ringette eliminations if necessary.
7:00-9:00*-Movie-"White Wilderness"& cai;toon parade.
Crowning of Snow Princess.
Claremont Community Hall Saturday, Feb. 20-
------------------------------
9:30 am *Snow sculpturing to begin.
9:30 - 11:00-Hockey and elimation if necessary.
12:00- Opening.
12:00-12:45-Jr. Boys 'Hockey.
12:45-13:o-Jr. Girls' Ringette.
1:30-1:45-Snow sculpturing award.
1:45-2:45-Skating races.
2:45-3:15-Figure skating Display.
3:15-4:00-Sr.Girls Ringette.
Tug of war tobe announced.
4:00-4:45- Sr.Bo$s'Hockey.
4:45-5:30-Broomball and Lionettes vs. School parents & School Staff.
ReFEREE: D.Bass.
Saturday,Feb.20, 9 pm- 1 am.
TRAPPERS' BALL
Claremont Community Hall
Snow princess Contest sponsored by Claremont Lionettes. Hockey and Ringette sponsored by Lions.
Trappers Ball sponsored by Claremont Community Association.Frigure Skating Display sponsored by
Fdhitby Figure Skating Club.
Claremont Motors ,Stiphout's TV, Lakes Corner Store,&Claremont Co-op all helped to sponsors this event.
News Item in L cal Feb. llth
Klondike carnival dance,The Winter Carnival,Feb. 19th �? 20th,is shaping up as one of the most exciting
and colourful community events in the years.
The two days of activies,sponsored by the Recration Association in co-operation with local clubs,the
school staff and students and interested individuals,will conclude with a 'Trappers Ball',complete with
such dance -hall attractions as Klondike Annie ,Yukon Bess and Kootenay Kate.
"Dress in your stompin"clothes fellas and gals,says Andy Bate; and enjoy an old fashioned hoe-down..
A limited supply of ticlkets are available at $3:00 per couple.
Other events will include - hockey and ringette tournamants, figure skating,sleighrides, broomball, snow
sculpturing,and movies.
SNOW PRINCESS "Shelley WRrd"
Ten year old Shelley Idard was croumed 'Snow Princess' of Claremont's Winter Carnival at a ceremony in the
Community Hall,Friday night.The runners-up wereLynda Dunstall and Nancy-A#n W4rd.Shelley and Nancy -Ann Wgrd
are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ward .Lynda is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dunstall,Claremont.
Other enteries were Lennie Pilkey and Cole Norton.
While the evening events were well attended the weatherman washed out Saturday', outside activies.
The judges for this event were-Rev.Eldon Linstead,Jim Thomas, and Joe McCullough.
L@tter inthe Editors JA4i.l
Dear Sir:
On behalf of the Claremont Winter Carmmval Commitee,I wish to express sincere appreciation for
publicity provided our event. while the weather forced us to cancel outside activies,Saturday,the Trapper's
Ball in the evening was a huge success.
The Reaction Association would like to thank
The enthusiasum generated by the Carnival in
another year. A1.Ward,
everyone who gave so generously of their time..
the community was so high, we are determined to organize
Principkl.
Claremont Fire Volunteers and Chief 1969
Left to right
Al. Robin son,Jack Ward, Frank Ward, Jack Lehman, Earl Anderson, Eric Ward, Tom Hammond, Bill Evans,
Dick Ward, Mike Hockley Rae Ward,and Jim Peddie absent,.
Old switch F.oard of the Bethesda & Stouffville Telophone Co.
In 1962 seven operators maned the switch board.
Pictured here ,Left -Hazel Sanderson,Doris Dolphin, Louella
,Robinson.
Not shown were-Miaudie Middleton,11azel Carruthers,Minnie Evans,
and Margaret Milker.
On retirement each lady was presented with an engraved leather
wallet and the Bell system took over the Buisness in a new
building in Claremont.
i
New Bell Dial system and Mr:Jack worton making the first call.
�tApor
1962 Wedding Anniversary 1160 years married"of Mr. & mrs. Waltr Ward.
JUL 56
July 1956 when Claremont streets were gravel
1
Dunbarton. Highland Band in claremont for the
Armistice Day parade in.1960.
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_:A','". JO ' PRINT. NAPANM.
History of Education in Ontario County
There is little to be said in a general way in reference to the rise and
growth of our present system of education in Ontario County that might
not with equal justice be affirmed of almost every other county of the
province. The beginning was entirely insignificant but the issue has
been amazing beyond credibility. There are few living today who can re-
collect when school -houses were few and far between, when the machinery
of education was of the rudest description, and when the highest ambition
of parents was that their children might be able to read and write.
In those primitive times, the school -house was constructed of logs fre-
quently unhewn, and it contained but a single room. The furniture was
of the rudest description, consisting chiefly of long pieces of deal
supported by pins inserted in the wall, used for desks, in front of which
extended huge pieces of square timber supported by legs of uneven lengths,
which served as :Mats, but afforded more opportunities to the pupils of
determing the centre of gravity than practising readin, writin and
'rithmetic. Utterlv blank wFrP the steal1� n-wnnr+ -1 r
youth had c�.rved his name, or traced the well know -La visage of the master.
Naps, charts, and all other triumphs of art that now adorn the humblest
school -house in the land were then unknown, and we doubt not many aged
men and women can recall their first impressions when they beheld un-
rolled before their admiring gaze, a map of this stately planet, which
they heard for the first time, had been bowling around the sun for
thousands of years.
Like many dwelling houses of the time, the school -house was heated by
n
means of an immense fireplace upon whose ample hearth blazed tremdous
logs cut from the adjacent woods. Of fresh air there was no lack, for
after a few years of occupation, this building disclosed many cracks and
......... Cont'd pg. 2
........./ 2
crevices, through which wind and rain found an easy entrance and through
which the yourW ters, tired with their unaccustomed toil, might espy the
progress of the world without. Tradition tells that the first stove
in any school -house in the country was made from an old potash -kettle,
two accidental holes one in the bottom and the other in the side turned
bottom up and furnished with a chimney. What need to state it became
the admiration of the countryside.
Rude and destitute of conveniences as these first school -houses
were, they nevertheless cost the early settlers much patient labour and
self sacrifice. Often the burden of completing them fell upon two or
three public spirited men of the section, and often extreme difficulty
was experienced in raising funds sufficient to pay the teacher. These
striking memorials of backwoods times are fast disappearing and giving
place to elegan c and commodious s uruc Lure whiull du L the landocape -11
every direction.
Prior to the year 1871, the inspection of the public schools was
conducted chiefly by resident clergymen appointed to the duty of exam-
ining schools by the county council, and not a little of the progress
of education, not only in this county, but in the Province, is due to
the untiring energy of many of these men. In the year 1871 many im-
portant changes took place. All the Public Schools were made free,
trustees were complelled to provide adequate school accomodations and
the county inspector, Mr. Mac -Brien, was appointed.
In 1876 the school population of the County of Ontario was 13,632
and the number of public school -houses was 124-in these respects stand-
ing eighth of all the counties of the Province. There were four high
schools in the County and the number of pupils attending them was 544,
the largest number of any County in the Province. The funds available
........../Cont'd pg. 3
4
....►...../Pg. 3
for educational purposes was $103,333. Of the 124 Public School buildings,
there were 8 log, 67 frame and 41 brick or stone. Some of the best school
building34ere to be found in Whitby, Oshawa, Port Perry, Uxbridge and
Pickering.
Of the first four High Schools in the County, Whitey school was
established in 1849, Uxbridge in 1856, Oshawa in 1865 and Port Perry in
1868. Formerly there was a High School in the village of Cannington and
one appointed in Beaverton but were closed for lack of funds. In add-
ition to these schools there were also private institutions as The Ontario
Ladies College at Whitby, The Demill Ladies College at Oshawa, and the
Quaker School at Duffin's Creek.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages of an unsuitable building and a
want of necessary apparatus, the Port Perry High School sent forth many
��'holars who have shown by their success thati their gaining was thc,l-
ough and substantial.
In 1873, the Board of Trustees, determined to erect school buildings
in some degree corresponding to the enterprise and prosperity of the
village, the resi,lt was the building of the school which was destroyed
by fire in 1926. On moving into the new building in the beginning of
1874, the trustees resolved to reorganize the school and take steps to
place it in a state of efficiency equal to any High school in -the
Province. At the first of the Intermediate examinations the Port Perry
High School came out the first of -the one hundred and two schools in the
Province and at subsequent examinations it has always retained the lead-
ing position and in the work of preparing students for the University it
has also been very successful.
11
The County of Ontario
The county of Ontario occupies a remarkable position in the province
of the same name. It is situated midway between the eastern and western
boundaries on the frontier. The name is derived from the smallest of the
great lakes whose waters wash its shores on the south forming the three
Harbors of Whitby. Frenchmans Bay and Oshawa within the county, whiles
the extreme breadth of the county is only the width of two townships or
eighteen miles. It extends northward in a direct line to a distance of
66 miles in length. Ontario county is bounded on the north by the town-
ship of Morrison in the county of Simcoe, on the south by bake Ontario,
on the east by the counties of Victoria and Durham and on the west by
the county of York. hakes Simcoe and Couchiching and the Severn River
which also separates it from the county of Simcoe. The encroachment of
the waters of the lakes on the west and north west reduces the width
of the county to a single township, north of Brock the average width
thence being eight miles and at the narrowest point about the 9th. con-
cession of Thorah extending but five miles across from Lake Simcoe to
the boundry line of Victoria.
The general face of the country in the south is rolling, the soil
mostly a rich loamy clay. In the north beyond the ridges which cross
the county about eleven miles from the lake, the land is more of a level
character and soil fertile with plenty of limestone to the north. The
County is divided into two ridings each sending one member to the House
of Commons, and one each to the local legislature.
The County is composed of the following municipalities, Reach, Brock,
Uxbridge, Scott, Thorah, Mara, Rama, Whitby and Pickering. Ontario did
not obtain its separate municipal existence as a county until Jan. lst.,
1`354. Up to 1852 it was included in formed part of the county of York.
By an act of Parliament passed in 1851 the county of York was divided into
.....,,.f./Cont'd Pg. 2
......... /2
three counties, but the union of three counties still continued until
Jan. lst.,1854 when Ontario commenced housekeeping on her own account.
On June 30th., 1853 the corner stone of the Court House in Whitby was
laid.
The project of a Railway from Whitby to Georgian Bay had been agi-
tated long before the separation of the county, but not until Oct. 6th.,
1869 was the first sod turned by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur for the
railway line from Whitby to Port Perry.
In 1860 the Prince of Wales visited the county and was quite a mem-
orable event.
Constant yearly expenditures of money and labour with the increase
of population and settlement brought about the desirable state of things
in the way of good and permanent highways.
The township of Whitby formerly embraced the township of East Whitby,
Oshawa and the town of Whitby as well as the township to Whitby proper,
part was surveyed in 1791 and the remainder was surveyed and laid out in
1795. The township of East Whitby embraces a area of 34,700 acres.
The old township of Whitby was divided into two separate townships
in 1857 the area of the present township is 31,600 acres. The soil is
generally a loamy clay, very fruitful and the climate healthy making it
altogether one of the most desirable agricultural locations in the Domin-
ion. Pickering township like Whitby is a fine fruitful well tilled
township with an area of 74,660 acres. The township of Uxbridge was sur-
veyed in 1804 and 1805. It contains 52,830 acres, the soil generally light
and sandy, the settlement of Uxbridge was of slow growth until after the
Rebellion of 1837 after the concession of responsible government and
liberal institution followed in 1841 by local self government and
........../3
..... ..../3
municipal institutions induced a very rapid growth and prosperous settle-
ment. The first sod of the site of Uxbridge village was broken by Dr.
Beswick about 1806. The Township of Rama, the northernmost of the county
contains 42,520 acres, it was surveyed partly in 1834 on the west side
along the shore of Lake Couchiching, the second survey was in 1855 on the
south east boundry and the last a couple of years later. A number of
British officers took up 2500 acres of land along the lake, later the
officers cleared out and the Obijeway Indians then located in Rama.
The township of Scugog is an Island containing 11,016 acres. It was
surveyed in 1816 and 1817 and formed a portion of both Reach and Cartwri-
ght from a very remote date the Mississagna Indians had a village or
lodge here, there are still about fifty left here yet holding a reserve
of 800 acres. In 1856 a bridge was built by subscription and aid from
the county council across to Port Perry later a permanent structure took
place of the old floating bridge.
The township of Thorah contains 44,320 acres, it was surveyed in
1820 and part in 1827, a short time later several army officers and pen-
sioners settled here, one of them erecting a grist mill and saw mill which
was a great boon to the settlers, many of whom in the earlier days had
to carry their bushel of flour from Hollands Landing a distance of 40
miles, through the exertion of Squire Cameron a ro-d was blazed from
Beaverton to Osbaawq . T'^e -,-car 1830 brought a great influx of immigrants.
The progress of the township was slow until the establishment of the Home
District Council.
The township of Scott was surveyed in 1807, contents 49,168 acres.
li portion of the land is very good soil, part inclined to be light and
interspersed with swamp.,some of the best white wheat in the province is
grown in Scott.
.......... Cont'd pg.4
........../4
The township of Brock called after the famous Canadian General of
Queenston Heights was surveyed in 1817 and was early surveyed by way of
Newmarket. A large portion of the township contains excellent soil, a
heavy clay loam, there is however considerable broken and marshy land
along the Beaver river, much of the township of Brock was settled before
Whitby was known farther back than the third concession.
The township of Mara was first in part surveyed in 1821, the survey
was complete in 1836. Up to therobellion there was a very scant settle-
ment along the Lake Shore in Mara. The township had theappearance of
being a good deal cedar swamp as it became cleared up it showed excellent
land, and Mara now proves to be one of the best townships in the county
containing 60,588 acres of land.
Reach was surveyed in 1809 and contains 60,654 acres. The soil
through the centre is light, The T?nd to the north east and north west
is of excellent quality, the municipality formerly included Scugog and
Port Perry, which with the growth of the country became separate corpor-
ations, Port Perry being incorporated in 1872.
The town of Whitby was incorporated in 1855 by special act of
Parliament.
There is little to be said in a general way to the rise and growth
of the present system of education, the beginning was entirely insignif-
icant but the issue has been amazing beyond credibility.
Tradition tells us that the first stove in any county was made from
an old potash kettle, two accidental holes on the bottom and one on-_ the
side, turned bottom side up and furnished with a chimney and it became the
admiration of the whole countryside.
These memorials of back woods times have fast disappeared and give
place to commodious and elegant strctures.
J
;12
{
FARM LAND IN ONTARIO COUNTY REDUCED',70,000 ACRES IN 20 YEARS.
f
F Y"
The gravel road winding through the hills by Chalk Lake will soonbe a thing of the past.Construction has
begunon a new paved county highway to follow the route of the townline road to Uxbridge to replace the
sometimes treacherous but always beautiful through-fare.But they say ,we cant stand in the way of progress.
1964.
Subsequent to an address by Herb.Crotivn,Director of the R D A (Agricultural, Rehabilitation and Dev-
elopment Act),Branch of the Ontario Department of Agriculture, before a gathering of Ontario County
officials and residents at the Twp..Hall in Sunderland secently.Lyn Fair,County's Agricultural representatives
presented a absorbing account of the County's topography, and of the history of its farming pursuits..
Mr.Fair described the water -sheds --the high ridge which crosses the Chalk Lake country where Sky Loft
rises to 1300 ft.which sends unnumerable streams and rivers to the 250 ft.level of Lake Ontario.
On the other side ,the waters flow to Lake Simcoe, through the875 ft level of Uxbrtdge,the 850 foot
levelof Cannington and the 725 foot level of Beaverton.The Scugog watershed winds through only a 25 foot
drop all the way fromProspect Corners to Lake Scugog.The 4th and smallest watershed is the Severn.
Inthe 245,920 acres of Ontario County.Mr.Fair decribes the increase in population in a 20 year period.
The figures of the 1941 and 1961 census.These showed upward swing of ubatn,and the downward od rural.
Farm acreage down,
There a decrease in farm acreage of 70,066 acres in the 20 years.In this period Pickering T,)w.,.shIDp
farm lan s decreased from 65,000 to 55,000 acres,and other town ships less significantly.
A farmer to the 61 censuses was 'anyone on a acre of land or more who produced and sold agricult ural
products to the extent of $50.00!
The production figures show a decrease in horses, cattle sheep and poultry but hogs not varying a great
deal. The average size faem in 1941 was 119.9 acres ;in 1961 was 150 acres.
ADRA.Program Outlined.
---------------------
County Council members came from various ares in the county to attend the meeting .Deputy Reeve
Mrs. Jean Mc Pherson of Pickering twp.,.a member of agriculture and Reforestratin of the county,
drove sr)7F 71. giler (Sunderland),to attend the meeting.
keev6 urville Chambers of Brock twp.was host; and Deptuy Reeve John Dryden of Whibty twp. and chairman
agricultural committee introdused the speaker.
Mr.Crown described ARDA ,not as a mandatory actlut an Act designed to help in the productivity of
their lands if they wished assistance .He stated that in Ontario'smillion acres there were 50,000 fewer
farms than 20 years ago. yet production has almost doubled.
In quite a few sections the gross amount income df a fanner is under $2500 -not much he oberserved
to provide for education and the amenities of life.
The ARDA organization feels there is something to be done for low income lands,limited because of lack
drainage and water supply ,something must be done to meet the growing population requirement.
'..A prograould tissist_throiagh the county level, of taking land outu3groductive state, and putting it
. wouldto use as it was suited- wildlife areas, recreation uses and many others.
Another program ,the community pastures,where the organization,working through the county,pays two-thirds
of the cost of acreagage to accomadate farmers who have not sufficient pasture to maintain enough livestock
for a family living.
Projects must emanate from some local desire to do something,he said.
Mr'. IJryden noted that a County Agricultural Committee meeting ,could be held soon, at which time he felt
sure that members would be interested in an ARDA committee.
Mr.Crown stated It I think the time is here whenrdo need to think of the future",
LARGE PEAS 15 BU. 13.12
BARLEY 10 BU. 4 17.50
OATS 40 BU 10 10.00
HOUSEHOLD 30.00
FURNITURE
REAL ESTATE 1200.00
$1860. 00
WE SEE BY THIS WILL THAT HORSES WERE USED ON THE FARM IN 1892 AND UP UNTIL 1950 HORSES WERE
USED ON THE PEDDIE FARM BY THE SONES JAMES AND ARTHUR WHEN MR. CARL BUZEK THEN PURCHASES
THE 160 ACRES FOR $6, 000.00 CONTAINING THE HOUSE, BARN, POND AND TWO WOOD LOTS AS WELL AS 40
ACRES OF BUSH. FROM THIS THE HEMLOCK IN 1918 HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT FOR LOGS EXCEPT ONE WHICH GREW
TO A FIVE FOOT SPAN, IT WAS!IF'ELLIID BY THE NEW OWNER BUT AS IT WAS TOO LARGE TO MOVE IT
LIES ROTTING AND THE ONE-TIME LOVELY POND HAS SINCE DRIED UP.
IVY PEDDIE WHO LIVED AS A GIRL ON THIS FARM COULD HARDLY COMPREHEND THE POND'S DISAPPEARNACE
AND ON HER 80th. BIRTHDAY WAS TAKEN TO SEE IT FOR HERSELF.
MR. BUZEK HAD NOW REFORESTED THE FARM WITH PINES ;SO, HAS SEEN NO PRESSING USE FOR THE POND
OR THE SPRING AT THE AFOREMENTIONED ROAD, BUT THE WATER STILL FLOWS AND WILL FILL A PAIL
WITH NO WAITING. THE HAND HEWN WOODEN TROUGH AND WOODEN PIPE HAVE PROBABLY BEEN TAKEN
AS COLLECTORS ITEMS AS THEY ARE NO LONGER THERE.
k
-2-
POND CONTAINING TEN ACRES MORE OR LESS.
A VERY INTERESTING WILL WAS MADE BY JAMES PEDDIE IN 1903 IN QUEBEC IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS FATHER
JOHN PEDDIE , BLACKSMITH AND ROBERT ANDERSON, FARMER BOTH OF THE PARISH OF TIRES SAINT SACRE -
MENT APPEARED...
MR. JAMES PEDDIE SENIOR OF THE PARISH OF TRES SAINT SACREMENT, IN THE SAID DISTRICT FARMER,
WHO BEING IN GOOD BODILY HEALTH AND OF SOUND INTELLECT MEMORY, JUDGMENT AND UNDERSTANDING
HAS REQUESTED THE SAID NOTARY TO DRAW AND RECEIVE IN AN AUTHENTIC FORM HIS WILL AND TESTAMENT
IN WHICH HE HAS DECLARED AND DICTATED TO THE SAIDNOTARY IN PRESENCE OF THE SAID WITNESSES AS
FOLLOWS:
I GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO WILLIAM PEDDIE, MY SON, ALL THE PROPERTY MOVEABLE AND IMMOVEABLE, REAL
OR PERSONAL, CORPORAL OR ENCORPORAL OF WHICH I WILL BE SEIZED TO WHICH I WILL BE ENTITLED AND
WHICH WILL COMPOSE MY ESTATE AND SUCCESSION AT MY DECEASE, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, FOR MY SAID
SON TO USE, ENJOY AND DISPOSE OF THE SAME AS HIS OWN PROPER FREEHOLD FROM THE TIMEOF MY
DECEASE MAKING HIM MY UNIVERAL LEGATEE AND NAMING HIM ALSO MY TESTAMENTORY EXECUTOR.
WITH REGARD TO MY BURIAL AND PLACE OF INTERMENT I LEAVE THAT CARE ENTIRELY TO MY SAID
SON, MY UNIVERAL LEGATEE WHO SHALL PAY AND ACQUIT ALL MY LAWFUL DEBTS.
INVENTORY AND EVALUATION OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL ESTATE AND EFEECTS, RIGHTS AND CREDITS
OF THE DECEASED JAMES PEDDIE.
TAKEN MARCH 24, 1892
HORSES ONE SPAN OF HORSES 70=140
ONE SPAN OF COLTS 30=60
$ 200.00
CATTLE
ONE COW 35.00
172.00
ONE COW 30.00
TWO HERFORDS 15=30
THREE CALVES 9=27
ONE HERFORD 25
SHEEP
EIGHT SHEEP 6=48
48.00
PIGS
THREE PIGS
10.00
IMPLEMENTS
ONE CULTIVATOR 5
RAKE & SLICER 30
35.00
ONE PLOUGH 1
ONE WAGON 16
17.00
CONTENTS
ONE BUGGY 20
32.00
ONE REAPER 12
GRANARY
ONE PR. HARROWS 8
ONE CUTTING BOX 10
18.00
ONE CUTTER 2
ONE FANNING MILL 8
10.00
40 BU. WHEAT 22
SMALL PEAS 3 BU. 12
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN MAY , 1970, AT THE SPRING ON
THE TOWNLINE OF UXBRIDGE AND REACH TOWNSHIPS NEAR
CHALK LAKE: IT IS ABOUT TO BE RE-ROUTED FOR HIGHWAY
CONSTRUCTION.
DRINKING FROM THIS SPIRNG IS A SIXTH GENERATION PEDDIE, JIMMIE, WHOSE GREAT GRANDFATHER
JAMES BRAND HOMESTEADED THE LAND WHICH IS NOW LOT 7, ON CONCESSION 7 OF UXBRIDGE TOWNSHIP,
AND SINCE THE DAYS OF JAMES BRAND EACH GENERATION HAS USED THIS SPRING FOR FARM LAND
FOR PERSONAL USE. A DAUGHTER OF JAMES MARRIED JOHN FORRESTER;THUS, BRAND DIVIDED HIS
LAND WHICH IS NOW THE FRONT PORTION OF THE HOME OF MR. FORREST PUGH (ALSO PICTURED).
ONE PARCEL OF HIS LAND WAS BOUGHT BY HIS SON-IN-LAW JAMES PEDDIE THROUGH A STATUTORY
DEED OF 1878 WHICH STATES THE BUYER HAD TO ACQtUME A MORTGAGE OF $1, 000. 00 AT A YEARLY INTEREST
RATE OF 7%.
THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS WAS TO BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF DEC -
EMBER OF EACH AND EVERY SUCCESSIVE YEAR UNTIL THE WHOLE SUM OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS BE PAID.
THE FIRST OF SUCK PAYMENTS WAS TO BE MADE ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF
1880 AND THE LAST OF SUC$ PAYMENTS TO BE MADE ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1889.
THE MORTGAGE RECORDS SHOW THE PAYMENTS FINISHED IN 1889.
A STATUTORY DEED OF 1878.
BETWEEN, THOMAS BRAND OF THE TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE IN THE COUNTY AND PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
OF THE FIRST PART AND JAMES PEDDIE OF THE TOWNSHIP, COUNTRY AND PROVINCE OF
ONTARIO, FARMER, THE BE THE PARTY OF THE SECOND PART.
I' THE SUM OF ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR CERTAIN PARCEL OR TRACT OF LAND
AND PRAtIISES SITUATED LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE. ONE HUNDRED
AND TEN ACRES MORE OR LESS BEING COMPRIXED OF THE EAST HALF OF THE LOT NUMBER EIGHT
IN THE SEVENTH CONCESSION OF THE TOWNSHIP (PARCEL # 1). ALSO THAT PART OF THE LOST NO. 7
WHICH IS ENCLOSED BY THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED BOUNDRIES COMMENCING AT A POINT ON THE
NORTHERN LIMIT OF SAID LOT NUMBER 7 AT A DISTANCE OF THIRTEEN CHAINS EASTERLY FROM THE CENTRE
OF A WATERING POND ADJOINING THE SOUTHERN BOUNDRY OF SAID LOT; COMMENCING AGAIN AT THE SAID
EASTERN BOUNDRY. FOURTEEN CHAINS AND FIFTY LINKS. THENCE WESTERLY AND PARALLEL TO THE
NORTHERN BOUNDRY OF SAID LOT SIX CHAINS. THENCE IN A SOUTH WESTERLY DIRECTION AND IN A DIRECT
LINE. FOUR CHAINS SIXTY TWO AND ONE HALF LINKS MORE OR LESS TO THE CENTRE OF THE SAID WATERING
i AN
dial A,
- i
i
CLAREMONT SCI900L8 GRADES 3 & 4
Claremont School *Grades 3& 4 1957
Left to Right,
Ted Redshaw, Nancy Loyst, Joy Green, Leona Hanthorne, Lyric Jones, Alvin Lehman,
Fred Peddie, Ian Lowden, Larry Norton, Tom Benson, Lonnie Maxwell, Judy Mitchell, DoreenCarruthers,
Shirley Mills.
Susan Boniface, Dennis Smith, Paul Dean, Linda Neal, Ken Torrence, Bruce Thorp, Dale Boniface,
Jim Lowden.
BettyAnn Carruthers, Anne Fryer, Betty Evans,
I
Martin, Marilyn Madill, Barbara Hill,
®OKA
Claremont. Public School Softball Team 1928.
Teacher Mr. Stevenson.
Back row Left to Right,
Philip Fingold, Carl Dopking, Donald Mc Cullough, Ray Degeer, Evertt Hammohd,
Front row left to Right,
Kenneth Dopking, Harry Degeer, Grace Selman, Alma Pugh, Mabel Slack,Earl Cook, Bill Tomilson.
Claremont Public School erected 1888.
' r _
Teachers
Mr.Wilker, Miss Crony, Miss Chapman,Miss Johns.
Mr. Rhyne,Miss Chapman,Miss Johns, Mr.Wilker.
Miss Weber,Miss House, Miss Johnston,and Mr. Wilker.
,+L.,mono
�•�
1
AW
i
i
Pupils -Eileen Coober, Miss Johns, Mabel Bryant,
Edith Peters,Isabel Greg,Aldine Ward and
Myrtle Thompson bihind.
United Church of Canada Claremont Ontario.
Golden Jubilee of Claremont United Church was celebrated in 1939 :;ith Rev. I.E.Glover as Pastor.His
pastorate closedwith the golden jubilee services.
Rev. I. E. Kennedy, B.A.,B.D. took over the charge with his induction on June 30 th.1939 and he
served Claremont and Brougham charges until 1949.
Rev. N. Lackey -Sept. 1949 - Aug 1958.
Rev.A.E.Creswell Oct. 1958 - june 1968.
Rev. E.S. Linstead.-faov. 1968- Here at the present time 1970, 1971.
The Chimes were installed and Dedicated"by the GoodFellowish Class.
The much proper was renorovated and Electric Organ installed in 1952.
In July 1966 astained glass window was placed tr--above the choir loft,where the chest with the artificial
pipes of the old organ weee--in memory of 111illiam Henry Michell,grand parents of Miss Nellie Michell.
the Light Of The World window came out the St. Columbo United Church 'Toronto.
In 1965 the church redoracted and the ceiling lowered ,the washroom installed in 1963.
The New Front Church Doors dedicated in memory of Mr.Charles Cooper Dec.13th 1968also plaque at church.
The water system had been put in by the Womens Association in 1960.
Communion trays came from the lames Mc.uulloughand Walter Ward families and dedicated vec.1968.
Mrs. Olive Vine had stairway and choir loft carpetted in memory of her parents also in 1968.
The daun to dusk outside light was put up in1967 by the Uoodfello•,i:ship C1ass'1'hen last 1970 a ne; Lamp and
Alter Drape was placed on the pulpit by then:.
Church Plates went on sale in 1963 and this same year the well was dug.
Progress continues in 1970 -71 with two groups of the u.C.w. one evening and one afternoon meeting once a
monthand the Combined Groups meeting monthly,raising monies by Bake sales ,bazaars,reas etc.
Mrs -Roy Morgan and her daughter Mrs.H.Hill in loving memory of Mr.Roy Morgandedicated a chapel communion chair.
Bazaars were exciting but plenty of work involved,
It"i, .er Winter Fair it Pdov. 4th 1967,
YJapanese Tea Garden And Bazaar " Nov. 2nd 1968,
Bazaar 70" was not as well supported so they are cancelled.
inMarch 1971 a succet-:sful coffee party and apron and bake salewas held.
N rs.Irene Lippert
Mrs -Mabel Johnson
Mrs J.DeRusha
Mrs. x. Mc Connell.
Oct. 16th b1st anniversary.
Claremont gited Church Oct.1970 The guest speed-:er was the former Moderator of the United church of Canada.
Dv.dames Muc'nmor assisted our minister, kev.B.S.Linstead B.A. A lunch was served to former members and friends.
In November the Claremont United Church welcomed Mr.Kent Milroy as their new organist and choir leader.
The gowns worn by the choir members are wine shade in keeping with the color scheme of the church carpet,
and front curtain inthe church.
Ureen ferns and a few artificial flowers decortate the platform in front is the communion table with a
golden cross which the Young People contributed.
A baptisttal fount was given by a former member and the oiano fromthe late Mrs.t.Condy.
A picture enclosed in plastic came from the home of the late . r and Mrs ~'Falter ward ,then the methodist
church in ..laremont W.H.Adams,Mrs Adams and their Daughter.He served the church 1899- 1902.
•
There must be other minute books around covering the years 1896-1944 but I was unable to lay my hands on them -
only the minutes covering 1944-1962 was available.
Luckily our Diamond Jubilee was reported in the Stouffville Tribune and that has been my only source of
information about the first 50 years of our W.M.C. In 1947 (60th),.Trs.James Coates very capably reviewedthe
first 50 years of the Circle and rrs.R.E.Forsyth just as capablecovered the 10 subsequent years.
I dont know anything about Miss Mary Watson,the first secretary,but it is significant to note that Mrs.John
Barry the first treasurer was a granddaughter of Joshua FJixson,the minister of the churchand her daughter
Mrs.Daniel Forsythwho became the first president,would be a great-granddaughter.
Mrs.Forsyth held office as president for 33 years.There is no doubt something tobe said for longer terms of
office thanis customary today,but 33years! her ideas must have become pretty stale.If I were Chinese I would:;
not dare criticize my own grandmother,but I'ia not stepping on anyones toes,but my ovrn since I'm her only direct
descendant here tonight.
To my knowledge only one other relation is present and she is only remotely related.I will say this my
grandmother- her taent was greater than mine and certainly she must have had greater capabilities gor work
since during that 33 year period she was not only president of the circle but she thaught the Senior Bible
Class and also played the church organ.
It seems because of Mrs. Forsyth's long term of office,Mrs.Alfred Tracy, --,rice President never did ascend to
the president's chair, for by the time Mrs. Forsyth retired in 1919,Mrs.Tracy being of an earlier era
and so an older woman,had long gone to her reward.
Many more vice-presidentd never aspired to the presidency -some being-Mrs.Fred Farmer, Mrs.TomPatterson,
Mrs T. Gibbons,Mrs. Jas. Grant, Mrs.Robt Bryan, Mrs.Mann, Mrs. Willison, Mrs. G.M,Forsyth, :irs.Harton,
Mrs.Jas.Coates was the first Vice -President to stew up to thePresidency.Mrs.11organ Pugh,the second
President and who followed I--Irs.Daniel Forsyth,catapulted to the positi on,without having served as vice.
For many years it seemed customary to spend a long tim in office.Mrs.Fred Farmer served as vice-president
for 8 years, Mrs -Patterson was Sec. for 10 years,M rs Farmer for 13years,Mrs R.E.Forsyth for 16 years.
Mrs Gibbons was treasurer for23 years,Mrs.Richardson for 6 years, Mrs.Walford 9 years.
Some of the chartered members were Mrs.Dadson,Mrs. Daniel Forsyth, Mrs.Alfred Tracy, Miss Mary Watson,
Miss Nancy Tracy,Mrs.John Barry,Mrs.John Morgan,Mrs. Joshua Bundy,Mrs. 1,7m. ';vans,I4Rs.Reuben Besse Sr.,
Mrs.Richard Ward,M s,Rlvanus Sharrad,Mra. Robt Ward, Airs. Geo. Bundy and Mrs. Abraham Bundy.
Mrs. Gibbon:= was the K be made a life membe,:rof the Circle,bestowed on her by Mrs.Geo. Found.Mrs Richard
Ward gave $25,and made herself the second life member.In allthere have been 58 life memberships but none
have been so honoured in the last 5 or 6 years because of the ruling that money must be specially contributed
for the purpose and given. rr.thin one calendar year.
When the Mission Circle had been organized only 7 months they were able to send $15 to Home Missions,and
$15 to Foreign Missions.Very soon this annual contribution was raised from $15 to '20 each.
Our missionary allocation for 1961- 62 was $181.90 and for 1962-63 we have just learned that it is to be
7,180.From the inceptionthe Circle has never been a missionary society only,but a combination of such and
a W.A. much like the United Church Women of today.
With our free offerings we meet our missionary allotments ,do the necessary iihite Cross work,send food
-parcels to missionaries in India and a box to Beverly St. Mission in Toronto at Christmas.At present we are
attempting to raise $60.to buy a bicycle for a native Indian pastor.
For our 'v'l.A. work we raise money in various ways such as catering for weddings and banquets, holding bazaars.
white elephant sales, apron sales,, fairs,bake sales,serving refreshments at auction sales, and quilting.
During the war we had a part in Russian Relief, bundles for Britian, and Boxes for Soldiers.
Our work has been varied ,just to mention a few things we have done -we have bought the carnet in the church,
also the carpet vacuum cleaner,contributed to the oil furnace,built a cupboard in the bsaement for the Jr.
Sunday school,and another for the choir gowhs.sometimes when church funds have low we have contributed to the
minister's salary but this we do not like to do because we like to have ourmoneyto spend on other things for
which the church never seems to have the money.
Three years ago we were able to modernize our kitchen by buildmngcupboards along with painting cost.us
between#600. and ##700. This year we have bought new dishes lt.hich was badly needed.
Many years ago when we had a thriving mission band the circle ladies trained these children and put on concerts.
Perhaps one of the biggest and first things wasto build the kitchen at the back of the Sunday school in 1903.
I would like to mention other outstanding speakers,b.ut I cannot close without mentioning the name of our beloved
Miss Evans who did so much for church and Circle.She gave so freely of her talent as a speaker anc because of
her wonderful Christian devouyion she was a very sincere and inspiring one.At one time it was our custom in the
circle to have five minutes inspirational talks before the message.?,:iss Evans took on this duty until she
passed on to her reward.Mrs.Coates then carried on and both these ladies gave such inspiring messages and much
food for thought.In closing I would like to say I believe we have every reason to be just a little bit proud
of our past achivements and my earnest wish for the future is that we will not become weary in well doing
and that we will accomplish greater things for the Master.
EARLY HISTORY OF CLAREMONT BAPTIST CHURCH AND OF THE WOMEN'S MISSION CIRCLE
As given on tha 75th anniversary of W.M.C. and 141st anniversary of the Church by Viola Forsyth.
The early Church history was obtained largely form Mr. W. K. Woods ("Past Years in Pickering"), published in
1911/ Mr. Woods, a former Presbyterian minster in Claremont travelled all over Pickering Twp, by horse
and buggy ( lent to him by Mrs. G14 Forsyth) and visited all the old families to get material for his book.
Mrs. Daniel Forsyth was able to tell him much about our curch in the early days. Then too Mr. Woods
procured some of the first minutes and some of these are duplicated in his book.
Two brother, Joshua and Joseph Wixson came to northern part of Pic�ering now known as Claremont, towards
the close of the 18th C. from New York. This was long before is was called Claremont, long before it had a name
and before there was a township of Pickering, for we were then a part of York. The ancestors of these two
mothers had come from England in 1694 and sealed first in Mass. USA and later moving to New York state.
Both brothere were already married when they came to Canada. I do not know whether Joseph had any children
at the time or not, but it is known that Joshua had at least one child ---a boy of 6 yrs. , Amos.
The country was mostly bushland in the late seventeen hundreds; but Joseph took up land on the west side of the
Brock Rd. and built a house just north of where the road deviates to the east on the way to the CPR station and
near the home of Mr. & Mrs. Wearn and also not far from the big old elm across from the property
belonging to Miss Mabel lWon. If you were to cross to thS west side of the Brock Rd. and examine the lower
part of the trwnk you would see a plaque which reads " The W ickson's Historic Tree" ---this is a wrong spelling
of Wixon and is also spelled wrongly in Mr. Wood's book. He has spelled it "Wixson". Mrs. Harry Porter
has the original deed of her property signed by two of the WLxsons , proving Wixson to be the correct spelling
Joseph owned a strip of land from his house south of the eighth concession. Joshua likewise owned a strip of land
on the east side of the Brock Rd, and built his home SE of where the CPR ,station stands a little east of the back end of
the property now owned by Mr. Earl McMullen which woudl be on the land formerly owned by GM Forsyth and now
occupied by Edgar WarC"Joshua later moved to the 7th concession an d built a home west of the Brock Rd.
The Wixsons were baptists and the nearest Baptist Church was in Markham. The minister, Elder Barclay, was
a familiar name in P,�ering Twp. The Wixsons attended his church until they were excluded in 1821.
It seem'd Joshua, his wife Rachel and son Amos angered Elder Barclay when they opposed him being paid a salary
because they believed it to be an unscriptual practice saying... an hireling careth not for the sheep because
he is an hireling and miot the owner of the sheep... (I don't known what they proved by that quotation and apparently
neither did Elder Barclay. The Wixsons were brzkded as ignorant persons. Joshua was also expelled for what
Barclay called Heresy when he pleaded for an excommunicated member after that one had confessed his wrong.
When the final day of severence came sixteen other members were also expelled, among them Joseph Wixson familty ar
and the reason for their expulsion being their failure to speak out in condemnation of the Joshua Wixsons for their
stand.
This little band of about 20 people were now without a place of worshp so they began to meet in the homes ---
meeting most often perhaps, in the home of Joshua W ixson now living on the 7th concession. Joshua now
became the first spirtual leader of this little group of Baptists ---serving not as an ordained pastor but as a lay
preacher and he became known as "Elder Wixson" and I'm sure without %emuneration---he couldn't
possibly have taken any pay after his stand regarding a salary for Barclay.
Joshua's daughter Ruth who had been the first white child born in N. Pickering, became the first church clerk
and some of her minutes are to be found in "Past Years in Pickering." These minutes mention Joshua was given
permission to baptize in Queen St, or elsewhere. So these are the beginning of our Claremont Baptist Church and
the first Christian Gurch in Picering Twp. If your mental arithmetic is good and you add 1821 plus 141 you get 1962.
Early in the 18301s, a '3aptist church was organized on the 6th concession and about the same time perhaps just a bit
later another on the 7th concession called the "Gostick Church. "
The Wixson Baptist had no thought for a church edifice until 1850 when they boutlrt 1 3/4 acres of land from
Joseph W ixson Jr, on the 9th concession. A wooden structure was built and completed in the fall of 1851. Our
present curch was erected in 1865. I am referring only to the church proper, the brick part.
The S. S. at the back is much older being the old curch on the 7th concession and moved to its present location.
In 1870 the 7th concession Baptist amalgamated iwith the Gosticks and the Tracy's came to our church.
And now a bit about our Mission Circle...
When Mr. AV Timpany returened to Canada on his first furlough after 19 difficult years of pioneer missionary
work in India he tegan enlisting the sympathy of the Cnd, women for the women and children of India
In 1876 a meeting was held in the Jarvis St. Baptist church in Toronto and out of that meeting was born the
first Baptist Mission Circle in Ontario, Quebec having organized 2 weeks earler. The missionary societies
spread throughtout Ontario. a nd Quebec but Claremont Church didn't have a Circle until approx. 10 yrs. later.
There is some doubt about whether our Circle was organized in 1886 or 1887. On March 16, 1886 it was organized
by Mrs. Dadson, the wife of the then incumbert minSter
Unfortunately the minutes of the first 10 years were burned inthe Forsyth fire in 1918, and so when the circle
celebrated their 50th anniversary, there were no records of the earlest days, but some of the chartered members wer4
still living and they were able to recall some of the important facts.
I don't know how many chartered members were living at the 50t-h birthday, but only one living at the time of the
D,amond Jubilee, MEs. John Morgan who just passed away last June in her 94th year. Had w4 cnlebt- ted
k_
our 75th anniversary -nshe still would have been living through unable to present due to her advanced years. She was : r
unable to be presamt at the 60th celebration because of illness but was represented by her daughter , Miss Gertrude
Morgan.
S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H
Claremont,Ont.
150th.Anniversary October 31st.
1821 -- 1971
Guest Preacher - Rev.Craig Peters,B.A.B.D.
PIORNING WORSHIP AT ELEVEN
Organ Prelude
Holy,Holy,Holy
Call to Worship
Leader -Good Morning
People -Good Morning
Leader-11hat day is this? (ersary
People -It is the Lord's Day and our Anniv-
Leader-Then let us gather to celebrate God's
presence with us in the past.
People -And in the memory that we are called
to be the people of God in the world.
Leader -Let us celebrate His presence among us.
People -And offer up our lives to Him.
Leader -Let us celebrate the unknown future,
meeting it with confidence,for He
will be there too!
People-Yes,let us worship Him.
Leader -We will begin by singing Hymn 446.
It will be our prayer of Invocation.
Reading from the Psalms-66-Paraphrase by
Leslie Brandt -Unison.
A Prayer for the Church
The Lord's Prayer - Choral
The Old Testament -Numbers 13:1-3,17-21,25-33
Our Soloist - Arthur Kaye
The New Testament-Pfiark 2:18-22
The Children - Let's Fly!
Our Soloist- Arthur Kaye
Anniversary Offering - Doxology - Prayer
Hymn - 441 Guide Me
Sermon - 'CAN GOD GRO11 CORN?'
Hymn - 449 We limit not the truth of God.
Benediction:
Leader:Go now,remembering what we have done
here,responding and responsible where -
ever you are.You can never be the same
again.
People::ie know,We go to
ever life talzes
future brings.
Leader:The Lord be with
People:ies,and with you
Leader:Depart in Peace.
People:Amen,O Lord,and
Seven P.ii.
be his people where -
us and whatever the
you.
too.
then once more, AP EN.
- Music Night.
THE TRAVL;LLING CHORISTER'> - i.irs . Lynde, Director
The Lord's Prayer - Carnilieri
Jesu Joy of Vian's Jesiring - Bach
Simple Gifts -Folk Song - Traditional
Put Your Hand in the Hand - iiacLellan
I Don't know how to _'_ove Him - Jesus Christ
Hosanna Superstar
Rev.Craig Peters will lead in a number of
songs - make comments,explanation and personal
testimony and raise i.uestions.
Lev.Eldon Linsted vfill bring greetings
The Ladies will serve tea and coffee.
VISITORS are cordially welcomed and asked to
sign our GUEST BOOK.
1� Short History of t'_-ie Church is available -
ask an usher for a copy - they are free.
Halt.: -notes -sketched by Kay [card -get a
Souvenir of our 150th.t,nniversary -50cts per
Package.
This Wednesday at 8 P.M.Walmer Rd.Baptist
Church.Induction Service for our new General
11
Secretary.You are ured to attend.
ThANIL YOU to all who have helped make these
services successful - especially the LADIES.
PSALM 66
God
It is high time we start making happy noises about
That we boldly proclaim His name & shout his praise
We already know what He has done throughout hisory,
the great deeds He performed,the people who
witnessed them and worshipped Him.
Let us recognize as well,that He is constantly
doing for us.
He draws us -into the crucible of"conflict;(sorrow
He tests and tries us in the valley of pain and
He allows us to taste the agony of affiction
He gives our enemies permission to oppose and
oppress us.
And then He uses these very things to purge and
prepare us for His purposes.
Now I renew my pledge to God.
I strive to carry out those promises I made to
Him when I cried for His help in my troubles.
I yield up to Him my life as a sacrifice and
thankoffering.
You who are seeking for God,
These are the things that He has done for me:
He has accepted me despite my sins and failures
He does listen when I cry out to Him
And He responds with solace and support.
I proclaim God's praises because I know that
He will love me forever.
(A paraphrase by Leslie Brandt)
All VISITORS to our Church this day are
cordially welcomed and invited to sign
the Guest Book.
Litho .n U.S.A. N.. 5050 L
C._;ghf 1949 Augsburg Publishing House
y
.t � Fe � � y ��nci. ,.f r •,1 ,� � `
This is my Father's world ... His hand the wonders wrought.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Claremont,Ontario
150th.Anniversary 1821 - 1971 Oct.24th.
Rev.F.Albert Luck - Minister
MORNING WORSHIP AT ELEVEN
Dr.H.S.Hillyer
Guest Ministers:
John Torrance
Organ Prelude
Holy,Holy,Holy
Call to Worship - Psalm 100:1,2,4,5.
Invocation Prayer
Hymn - 210 Stand up,and bless the Lord.
Congregational Psalm - 111 - The Gloria
Special Music - The Hisey Family
Greetings - Dr.H.S.Hillyer
Pastoral Prayer - The Lord's Prayer(choral)
The New Testament - Romans 12:1-21
Special Music - The Hisey Family
Our Offering - Doxology - Prayer
The Children - CLOCKS
Hymn - 373 Jesus,united by Thy grace.
Sermon - 1WHAT NOW' John Torrance,B.A.
Hymn - 380 Where cross the crowded ways of
(life.
Benediction - Threefold Amen
Organ Postlude
Organist - Mrs.Hugh I'iichell
TONIGHT - at 6.30 P.1i.Church Family Supper -
Ile share our food and fellowship.
The Hisey Family will sing.
Carolyn Tindall will show pictures of Bolivia
and tell of her experiences.
John Torrance, Carolyn and Dr.Hillyer will
answer questions and talk about the Mission
of the Church.SPECIAL FILM FOR THE CHILDREN.
C 0 M E C O M E
This 11onday Night - !`Mission Circle -85th.
Anniversary at 7.45 P.M.at the CHURCH.Carolyn
Tindall feature speaker.Former members
especially welcome.
Our Bank 1�janager informed the Church this week
that our account was overdrawn v276.00 and
that we must act.0ur givings have been good
this past year,but heavier expenses than usual
have been incurred.You are asked to make your
special ANNIVERSARY OFFERING as generous as
possible .....THANK YOU
This Saturday - October 30th.
10 A.Pi. - Association Council
12 Noon - Dinner ser-%ed by our Ladies - yy2.00
1 P.Itli. - Association Rally with Craig Peters
Everyone we:+.come.
Next SUNDRY - October 31st.
9.45 A.M. - Sunday School - All Ages
11 A.M. Worship - Rey -.Craig Peters,preaching
Arthur Kaye,Soloist.
7 P-Ii. -MUSIC NIGHT - with Craig Peters and
The Travelling Choristers from South
Pickering-l.,Irs.Lynde,Director.
A short HISTORY of tl,e Church is available -
Ask an Usher for a copy.
VISITORS are cordially welcomed and asked to
sign the GUEST BOOK.
PRAISE of the LORD
1.Praise the Lord!
With all my heart I will thank the Lord,
in the meeting of his people.
2.How wonderful are the things the Lord does!
All who are pleased with them want to
understand them.
3.All he does is full of honor and majesty;
his righteousness is eternal.
4.The Lord does not let us forget his
wonderful actions;
5.He provides food for those who fear him;
he never forgets his covenant.
6.He has shown his power to his people,
by giving them the lands of foreigners.
7.In all he does he is faithful and just;
all his commandments are dependable.
$.They last for all time;
they were given in truth and righteousness.
g.He brought salvation to his people,and
made an eternal covenant with them.
Holy and mighty is he!
IO.The way to become wise is to fear the Lord;
he gives sound judgment to all who obey
his commands.
He is to be praised forever!
(The Psalms for modern man)
'So then,my brothers,because of God's many
mercies to us,I make this appeal to you:
offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to
God...this is the true worship.Romans 12:1
Lil- in U.S.A. No. 6561L
Copyright 1965 Augsburg Publishing House
1821 - 1971
9tzatTo" ?&Td
CLAPEMONT — O N T A R I O
REV. F. I'..-.BERT LUCK, B.A.. S.D., Minister
This SHORT HISTORY was prepared
for our 150th.Anniversary observed
the 24th.and 31st.of October 1971
Complete minutes of the church
are in existence - all the minute
books except the current one -
are in the historical collection
at the McMaster Divinity College
as well as other documents of
historical interest.These include
a history written by Frederick
Tracy in 1933;An Early History
of the Claremont Church and
.Iomen's iviission Circle by Viola
Forsyth and a history of the
Church Quartette.
1821 1971
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Claremont
Our Church's history began when there were
virtually no roads or railways and few settler
Toronto was only a village and the British
North America Act by which the Dominion of
Canada came into being was 46 years away.
The charter membership consisted of nine-
teen persons who had been members of First
Baptist Church in Markham Township.They had
been expelled for"heresey,disorderly walk
and causing confusion in the Church."Pri-
fessor Frederick Tracy records in his history
of the church,written in 1933,that,'Joshua
Wixson was excluded because he pleaded for
the reinstatement of a member who had been
excummunicated for some wrongdoing,but who
had repented and made confession of his fault.
Then Rachel Wixson and Amos 11ixson were ex-
pelled because they were opposed to the pay-
ment of a salary to the minister. -'Following
this 16 others were excluded for not voting
for the expulsion of the other three.
These 19 persons,on the 27th.of October
1821,organized themselves into the"First
Baptist Church of Fickering:'They met for 30
years in the homes of members with Joshua
Wixson as ministering elder.The Wixson line,
though no-i the Wixson name,has continued
until this day.
A piece of land was purchased in 1850 in
Claremont and a plank chapel 28 by 34 feet
was erected and used first in 1851.It was
lit by candlelight until 1859 when two oil
lamps were purchased.The present brick edif-
ice was erected one hundred and five years
ago and opened for worship in October 1866.
Original plans included a basement but for
financial reasons was excluded.The present
basement was excavated in 1951.
Page 2
The first mention of salary for a minister
is recorded in the church minutes of 1858
and was"v250.00 and his firewood."The quest-
ion of washing feet was discussed in 1822
and endorsed but was never referred to in
subsequent minutes.The church voted in 1857
to become a member of the Haldimand Ass-
iation which included Port Hope Baptist
Church and Bond Street Church in Toronto.
The Claremont Church has been in close and
loyal affiliation with the denomination at
large and has supported all the enterprises
of the Ontario and Quebec Convention as well
as financing its cwn work ever since.During
the Shields contrcversey,Dr.Marshall was a
frequent visitor to the pulpit.
Baptisms were out of doors until 1866
and were usually,°fin Brother Wixson's creek
or in Brother Barry's mill pond. °'1,leekly
observance of the Lord's Supper was the
cuUtom until 1862.During the earlier years
licenses to preach were granted to Amos
Udixson,Jesse Wixson,A.T.Sowerby,Frederick
Tracy and George W-Connor.In recent years
our 150th.Anniver.ary preachers,John
Torrance and Cram Peters were licensed by
the Church. John is iia his final year at
McMaster Divinity College and Craig is at
Five Oaks.Carolyn Tindall was a member and
has recently completed two years with the
Mission Corps in Polivia.
The highest mena ership was reached in
1870 by the accession of the entire remain-
ing roll of what was known as the Gostick's
Church on the rear of the 7th.concession.
This church was founded in 1835 with Rev.
Thos.Gostick as minister and regular ser-
vices were conducted for 35 years.As the
country became settlQd and roads improved
many members of the congregation,not of
Baptist persuasior.,transferred toother
churches.Shortly after the death of pastor
Page 3
Gostick,in 1870,the building which is now
our Sunday School hall was moved to Claremont
Earliest records of the Sunday School date
to 1866,but there is evidence that it was
in existence before this date.The Mission
Circle was formed in 1886 or 7 and has been
a vital part of the church ever since.The
B.Y.P.U.was a flourishing organization as
far back as 1897.Baptist High Fellowship
Groups existed in recent years.l',-usic has
had a prominent place in our history.Evans
Ward was leader of the choir for a number
of years and the first electronic Hallman
organ was dedicated to the memory of"Sarah
Elizabeth Evans who was organist in this
church for many years:
1- parsonage was built directly across the
road from the church in the 18601s.In 1960
this was sold and the present modern house
on Joseph street was built at the cost of
vl6.000.00 including the lot.It became free
of indebtedness in 1964.
In 1963 Dr.H.S.Hillyer became minister
of the church after his retirement as Sec-
retary of the Canadian Baptist Foreign
fission Board.His five years in Claremont
will long be remembered and we are happy
that he can be with us during our anniver-
sary celebrations.During the past three years
in preparation for our 150th.Anniversary,
extensive renovations have been undertaken.
This was made possible because of the whole-
hearted co-operation of the members and a
gift from the Whitevale Church Fund.
Change is the order of the day.i•.uch of
the land in the Claremont area has been
purchased by speculators.i.le are no longer
a rural church.fiany of our members work in
surrounding communities and some live in
ivlarkham,Stouffville,xjax and Bolton.As we
face the 151st.year of our history we are
dedicated to God's will and to his Son.
Page 4
1821 THE MINISTRY
Elder Joshua Wixson,1$21-1851
Elder David Evans, 1851-1857
Elder G.P.Frise, 1857-1859
Rev.Alexander Anderson,1$59-1862
Rev.ldm.Lacy, 1862-1865
Rev.John Cameron,1$66-1871
Rev.E.D.Sherman: 1871-1873
Rev.Theophilis Booker,1$73-1$$3
Rev.James Foster, 1884-1885
Rev.E.W.Dadson, 1886-1888
Rev.J.E.Trotter, 1889-1890
Rev.J.W.Killard 1891-1892
Rev.Alex.White, 1892-1900
Rev.J.J.Williams, 1900-1903
Rev.A.R.Park, 1901;-1906
Rev.J.A.Grant, -_907-1913
Rev.H.Wood, 1913-1919
Rev.C.W.King, lQ20-1923
Rev.E.Osborne,lA23 - 1927
Rev.H.R.Stephens, 1928-1932
Rev.J.L.Harton, 1933-1935
1971
Page 5
Rev.P.11.Augustine,1935-1940
Rev.Walter Danie1,1940-1943
Rev.W.H.Bexton,1943-1944
Rev.L.M.Wenham,1944-1948
Rev.George Davidson,1948-1955
Pastor J.S.Lowaen,1955-1958
Pastor John Cainegie,195$-1963
Dr.H.S.Hillyer,1953-1968
Rev.F.A.Luck, _968-
FOR THE RECORD - 1968-1971
Drilled a well-built modern washrooms -
installed a septic tank -painted the out-
side of the churca and Sunday School Hall -
insulated the san--tuary ceiling -purchased
aluminum storm w_-'1_ndnws and screens -rebuilt
and re -arranged the pulpit and choir plat-
form -carpeted the sanctuary and junior
school -new drape;,-spanish lights and iron
railing -new suspended ceiling in vestibule
and school hall-s6aGking tables and chairs -
cupboards in school room -built three jun-
ior classrooms-ceme-t sidewalk and plat-
form.
150th. Anniversary COMMITTEE:Ivirs . Ken Ward,
Mrs.George Carter,Edgar Ward,Jon.Carlsson,
11m.Binsted.
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auc-
tioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, rood folk," he cried,
"Who'll start bidding for me? t
A dollar, a dollar --now two, only two —
Going for three" —but no!
From the room far back a grhy-haired
man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
He played a -melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What amI bid for the old violin."
And lie held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars --and who'll make it
two? 1
Three thousand once, and three thousand l
twice —
And going —and gone," said he.
What changed its worth?" The man
replied,
"The touch of the master's hand."
And many a mail with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin, -
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless
crowd,
A "mess of pottage", a glass of wine,
A game —and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice,
He's going —and almost gone!
But the Master comes, and the foolish
crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's
wrought
By the touch of the master's hand.
iV
17
Claremont -Past and Present states this Band was the second organized under the leadership of E.W.Evans.
Back row -
Will Slack,Joe Evans, Tom Patterson, John Howe,Ed.Evans, Lyman Pilkey, Ligett,
Second row -
John G row, Jim hic Farlane, David Gregg, Wilky, John Gregg Joe Slack, t,Vill Cowie.
Front row -
Bert Nantle,Ed. Evans, Rolph Evans ,Duncan Morgan.
POEM WRITTEN FOR CANADA'S 100th BIRTHDAY BY NORA McLEAN.
NOW WITH HER 100th BIRTHDAY
CANADA ENTERS A NEW AGE,
AND WHO SHALL LIFT THE GOLDEN PEN
AND WRITE ON THAT FIRST PAGE.
WITH A HUNDERD YEARS BEHIND HER
AND THE PIONrE.ERS AT REST,
IT IS LEFT TO THEIR GRAND CHRILDREN,
BUT CANTHEY MEET THE TEST.
COULD WE EYE R HAVE A HISTORY
AS GLORIOUS AS THE PAST,
COULD WE OPEN UP THE FRONTIERS
OF A NEW LAND STRANGE AND VAST.
WE COULD NOT HAVE THE COURAGE
TO LEAVE OUR HOMES AND GO
TO FIGHT THE TERRORS UNKNO-WN,
THAT OUR PIONEERS WOULD KNOW.
SO SLEEP OH SLEEP SO SOFTLY
YOU HAVE LEFT 1,10 PATH UNTROD,
THE PIONEERS OF THSS GREAT LAND
WE LEAVE YOU SAFE WITH GOD.
Walter Ward onthe 9th con. near snow which almost covered
the hydro pole inthe winter of --March 1946 or 47
Early Pioneers to settle around,and their ancestors still live here in Clarem:bnt.
Richard Ward was bornin Yorkshire England,1798-settled in 1830 on north half of Lot 12 con. 7, Pickering.
Moved fromthere in 1859 to the north corner of Lot 4 con. 8. where he died in 1881.
His wife Jane White born in 1806 and died at age 89,they members of Bethel Methiodst Church.
Their sons were -
Joseph ,James, William, Robert, and Richard.
Their daughters married names -
Mary Burgess, Jennie Hortop, Sarah Pugh, and Anne Appleby.
Bethel Methodist Church situated where the Bethel Cemetery is now and these incorpated in 1851 with the
Baptist Church built in 1866 as stands on the orginal site and on the steps the date 1851 in stone from
the original Bethel church.Also a tomb stoneonthe church ground inscribed THOMAS PUGH who was one of the
early pioneers.
DUNN 14'RnAN CO 1872 Rating of incolpes for these settler who were now in buisness
Indicated by letters (25009-5000�4E. ..K
V1OQ,000) F.
John Barry- sawmills
..F
John and Duncan Mc Nab -Gen. store ....
F
Robert Britt-tanner....K
Michell and Darby Gen. store .........
F
Joshua Bundy-stoves...K
Wm.Milne-physican....... ......... ....K
James Cooper-tavern....K
Alexander Morgan -blacksmith ..........
K
James Didby- sadler....K
John Palmer- shoes ...................
K
Wm.Dowswell- wagons ....
K
John Patterson -carpenter. .... ..K
Geo. Gerrow- pumps.....K
James Russell- oatmeal mill .........
K
Rob.t.Hall- physican
... K
Wm.Watson- tailor ...... ............K
Tom. Johnson- taylor
... K
Wm. Lumley- painter ....
K
David Mc Causland- blacksmith..K
1 " L
I,`t1 f
r
Parades and floates were popular inthe early days with the community Field Days.
I
I
I
xn
.r Al. +
Claremont looking Wst on the 9th line from the 4 corners.
Stone building on the South weat corner of Claremont Village being demolished in 1962. Making
way for the County Highway through the village when the streets paved and widened.
Claremont -Public -Library -established --1891
----------------------------------
The Library in the Village of Claremont had a very successful yeariM r 1958.
Over 168 new books were purch ed and placed in the Library.Of these are for the use of the Juvenilles.
Th: school now receives, on loan, new books for the children to reed during their sc'.00l hours and there
is also a supply of new books 'sept at the Library for the children V;xs, extra reading material.
Last years report given by the_ capable libarian,Mrs.Harry Porter showed more than 90 children attending
the library as members and reading some 1,200 books during the year.Adult membership was 53 and close to
1,700 books were read.
There were a number of accomplishments during the year.New pockets and card system has been. started,
books brought up to date and of course the general freshing up of the inside of the library.The big
item for 1958 was the forming of the Library in school section No 15.This took considerable time and
effort on the part of the Board Members,but after a very successful ca nvass with the petition,some63
of the ratepayers agreedthere shbu=d be a Piblic Library in the school section.This !.means thet any
pr4rson,adult ore child,,living in the school section has Free use of the books in the Library, abiding by
the rules set doun by the Library Board.&eple outside the section wi.11be asked to payer small membership
fee. The newly appointed Board for 1959 is as follows:
Chairman: Mrs G. Mc Connell
Treasurer:Dr. N. F. Tomilson:
Secretary: Mr•s-Claire Keevil
Board members: Plrs Richard Cooper, Mr Don Hedges
Librarian:Mrs H. Porter.
It is the hope of the new Board that every person inthe district will take full advantage of the
Claremont Public Library in 1959
Library Hours
Tuesday afternoon_ 3-5 P.M.
T-esday night - 7-9 P.M.
Saturday -'3-5 P.M.
Claremont Public Library "Open House " February 15th, 1963 From -Ito 9 P.M.
---- -------------------------------------------------------------------
1963 Board Members
Mrs-R. Cooper -Chairman
Mrs. C.Keevil -Sec. Treas.
Mrs.G.Mc 6onnell
Dr. N.F. Tomilson
Mrs. K. Vizely
Mrs.H.. Porter- Librarian.
Our Public Library History.
---------------------------
The Library was first instituted under the name of the Mechanics' Institute. On October 21 , 1891,
a meeting was held in the workmans 's hall to discuss the adviseability of esthablishing the organization.
Dr. Gerrge Brodie was an appointed chairman of the meeting and Mr E.R.Eddy,public school princpal, as
secratary. Canvassers were nominated to solicit subscriptions to finiance the undertaking.On the 21 th of
November the forty subscribers met and reappointed Dr. Brodie and Mr.Eddy as at the inaugural meeting.
Officers were elected and a constitution was drawn up.
Regular meetings of the organization were to be held on the third Tuesday of every month. A grant of $20.0
was given by the township Council. Mr. Jobbitt was the Librarian at a yearly salsry of $5.00 and the
books where housed in his property.The Library was to be opened every Friday from 3P.M1 to Q P.M.
In 1895, the name was changed to Claremont Associate Library.
It is interesting to note that in 1896 the Goverment grant was $20.00. In 1962 the Goverment grant was$750.00
In 1897 the Librarian was instructed to open theLibrary to the public three afternoons andevenings each week.
In 1905 Mr.Jobbitt resigned and Judson Bundy was appointed and the books moved to his property.Mr.Bundy
received $30.00 a year for salary, rent, fuel, light and caretaking.Today's Librarian gets a salary of
#350.00 and the library is open six hours a week.
In 1925 Miss H. Walker donated the land for a new Library.(the present site is also used for Fire Hall)
In 1958 a motion was passed instructing the Board to meet with the village trustees to request permission
to use the other half of the building since the fire Department had erected a new bulding.
InSeptember 1962 this permission was granted.Under the chairmanship of Dr. Tomilson the re -modelling
progect was started .The centre partition was removed, new floor,new front window and door were installed
and the inside of the building painted.
Claremont Public Library cont,
Dr. Tomilson very kindly c'onated the electric heating and lighting in loving of his wife Beatrice who
was always very interested in library and community work. Several donations toward the furnishings and
this has made the Library a public spot that all may enjoy.
There have been many chairman, secreyaries, officers, and directors, including the late M. J. Wilker,
Late Mrs. G. M. Forsyth,N;rs. 'a','m .D,.ew, Miss Viola Forsyth,Mrs. Don Hedges, Mrs. Grant Taylor.to mention
only a few. It is interesting to note that there have beenonly five official Librarians. Three served
short terms of three years or less and two long terms, namely,Miss Walker and Mrs. Tom Gregg. The present
Librarian is Mrs.Harry Porter, holding a Class E. Certificate.
For years the Womens Institute contributed regularly to the maintenance of the Library. In 1920 their
gift was aGasoline Lamp and in 1962 a cash donation of $25.00 to help with the furnishings of the newly
decorated and re -modelled room.
'— In Jan.1959 our Librariy was offically declared a Public Library in the school section# 15 with the
following board appointed: Mrs. R. Cooper, Mrs. G. Mc Connell, Air. D. Hedges, Mrs. C. Keevil,and Dr.
N.F.Tomilson. This resulted in a tax levy which is now collected for Library purposes in the area.
1959 was a year of great change when the Dewey System was installed. Today all books are under this
system and in excellent condition. A Section for Reference Books was started and several encyclopedias
are added each year.
In November 1960 a To--wnshin Library was suggested.It was putoa vote of the Township people and was defeated.
----------- ------
1960 showed a decided increase in circulation and of members. Today we have 162 Adults and 185 juveniles
reading 4567 books a year.
Our "Open House" has been arranged so you may see how your Library taxes are invested for your reading
pleasure.
Three members with outstanding years of service with the Library plan to be with us at "Open House".
Dr.N.F.Tomilson first joined the Library Board in 1922 and to this day is a very active member.
Mrs. F. Loyst first took part in 1931 and was President until 1943. She was always a good reader and
is helping today. Mrs.G.H.McIntyre was first appointed to the Board in 1934 and acted as Secretary until
1950. Owing to ill health she may not be with us.
For seventy-one years the Public Library of Claremont has been a great asset to the Village people and
surrounding districts and we hope that in future years it will render still greater services.
A1969 4
diamond
I day
CLAREMONT
May 7 was a 'diamond
day' for members of;,
the Claremont Wom-� _
en's Institute on the *.
��
occasion of the organ- a
ization's 60th anniver-
sary. Guests f r o m
Stouffville, Brougham, per, f"
y
Kinsale, Myrtle, Good -
welcomed by the pres-
ident, Mrs. Ellis Brit
ton.
Mrs. Margaret Steph-
enson, a charter mem-
now of Oshawa,
,.
Iber,
and Mrs. Clara Carson,
a life member, were
each presented with a&
corsage. Spoons were &"
to Mrs.
Ipresented
dine Evans, Mrs. Woos
5
ley Lehman, Mrs. Mar-
"
garet Morgan, Mrs. A]- g
"9
ice Peddie and Mrs.
Laura Reynolds.
Mrs. Carson related
µ
the history of the Clare- t�
mont Institute and told
the first meeting, ,
'of
held in 1909.
Mrs. Newton of
IBlackpool, England, at-
tended the anniversary _.....r,rrrrr
and was welcomed by
Mrs. Ellis Britton (centre) president of the Clare-
the president.
Contributing to the mont Women's Institute cuts the 60th anniversary
Mrs. Margaret Stephenson (left) formerly of
program were: Mrs.
Icake.
Claremont and now living in Oshawa, is a charter
Herb Williams, Mrs.
member of the organization. Mrs. Frank Carson
Barry, Stouffville; Mrs.
I
(right) of Claremont, is a life member. —Staff Photo
Milne, Brougham;
ID.
Mrs. Parrott, Mvrtle; and Mrs. Ross Middle- Crawford and Mrs.
Laura Reynolds
�Mrs. ton, Claremont; Mrs. Cawker.
____����_-__fir•
First Mills
Long before Claremont became a village, Joshua Wixon operated a grist mill to the east of the present village
It no longer exists. The next known mill was built by John Mitchell in the 18401s on a creek a half mile
long since fallen into disuse. In the early fifties John Hamilton estabilshed a mill on the west side of Lot 20
, Con. 8, which was operated by James Russell till February 1870 when it was destroyed by fire. A flour mill
on the north side of the ninth concession line west of the village was burned down in 1884.
Tanning and show making flourished in the early days of the village. William Beal had a tannery north of Claremont
Later dugal Taylor Jr. operated a tannery in the village on the west side of Broack Road. In the fifties and
sixties Jobn Forfar had a planing mill and wood working shop which was burned down. There were carpenters,
pump makers, a wagon shop, a cabinet maker, an undertaker, and a copper shop. None of these industries
A exist today.
i
Police Village
In 1908, C Laremont was officially recognized as a police village with the right to manage its own local taxation
The first trustees to be elected were Robert W. Ward, J. S. Farmer, and G. Malcolm Forsyth. They held
their first meeting January 20 of that year.
C laremont today is a peaceful little village of less than 800 population proud of its chief industry, the Sarco
Company, employing 25 -30 people in the manufacture of steam fittings.
FIRST CLAREMONT STORE --- 1844
Prior to 1847, what;s now the village of Claremont was no more than crossraods, with a general store a half
mile to the south of the east side of what is now Brock R & . It was built by John C. M chell in 1844
and was the only store to serve the settlers until 1847.
In that year, John Hamilton erected a stone building on the corner of his farm(the south=west corner of the present
intersection). His intentionwas to set up his brother-in-law, Robert Paterson, as a storeheeper. Paterson
�- didn't take to the backwoods life and returned to Toronto before meeting his first customer; but the old stone
building) practically unchanged still stands at the "four corners".
Farmer Hamilton sold the building to a genial Irishman by the name of Thomas Noble. His ready wit and Irish
humour was to win popularity among the settlers, his business flourished, and this nucleus of a village was
commonly known as Noble's Corners.
Name Chosen
Sometime in 1850 the settlers decided they needed a post office and much thoyaht and many arguments were
devoted to finding a suitable name, It was Williams H. Michell who suggested C Laremont after a village near
London, Eng, and the genial Noble was appointed the first postmaster of C laremont in 1851.
In 1853, William McNab, a native of Glasgow, Scot. bought out the Irishman, Two years later.. McNab was joined
by his 19-year old brother, John. Williams later moved to Flesherton and another brother, Duncan, who joined John.
In the meantime, Michell gave up his store to the south of the village and built himself a two-story brick building
on the south east corner of the cross-roads, bull a tavern on the northeast corner. The tavern was eventually destroyed
by fire, but the brick building built by Michell is still doing business on the opposite corner.
About' 56 or,, 57 the Macnabs bought the northwest corner lot(northof the old stone building). To this lot they
transported a large frame building which had orignially been erected at Greenwood. This building which they
transported is still on the corner, but it has been modernized with simulated stone over the frame and a modern store
front added, i It is owned by K n Ward who also operated a modern service station of the corner where the O'Brien hotel
used to be.
No Easv Time
The M acnabs had no easy tomie of it. The nearest railway was the main line of the Grand Trunk. The bulk of their wares
were hauled from, and their produce to, Toronto by wagon and sleigh. Business with the settlers was .
There are no Macnabs living in the village today.
The stone store, after being vacated by the Macnabs, was taken over by Richard Stokes, and Charles V. Mitchell. In
1875 the business was bought by R. P. Hopper who later formed a partnership with Stokes, Stokes died five years
after adn Hopper carried on the business until 1897, when he sold it to his brother, David. Today it is owned by John
Brignal, operator of a service station, who rents it to R. O'Blense. It is used for storage with living quarters above.
CURATuR'S RLPORT
1962 - 63
It is a pleasure to submit the urea Curator's report for Sub -Divisions 7, g
and 9, Central Ontario.
No.
of
Districts
in Area
14
No.
of
Districts
Reporting
14
No.
of
Branches
in V�:rea
164
No.
of
Branches
Reporting
126.
No.
of
Districts
Reporting
Tweedsmuir
Histories
3
No.
of
Scrap Books
33
Letters have been sent to the Past Area Presidents and Secretaries for a picture
of herself and a history of her W.I..activities, herself and family. The Secretaries are
asked to draw a map of her District and place thereon the branches situated in her
District.
Mrs. walker, the Provincial Curator quotes "An area Tweedsmuir History Book
makes a most valuable and authentic record, preserved apart from Secretaries records".
May we attempt to have a book started in each District in the Central Area
during the year, with a display of them for the Canadian Centennial to be held in 1967.
The Provincial Curator has been notified b-r the Department of Education that the
material for the Tweedsmuir Histories is to be considered authentic local history, to be
suggested for use by the teachers in teaching such local history.
isle can see the importance of this work and its value in education fields.
"Tweedsmuir Teas" have been suggested, to create more inetest, when Branch and District
History books are on display.
Two branches report having over one hundred interested members attend and they
enjoyed browsing through the various books, having tea and meeting old friends.
A popular motto is, "If it is*not recorded, it may be forgotten". The purpose
of these books is to have a history for present and future generations.
I wish to express my sincerest thanks to the Secretaries and the newly
appointed Curators for their promptness in sending in reports after the District Annuals,
and to Mrs. Wiseman who has been a valuable Assistant in this new field.
firs. K. F. Emerson,
Curator.
"One stitch dropped, as the weaver drove
His nimble shuttle to and fro,
In and out, beneath, -above,
Till the pattern seemed to bud and grow
But the one stitch dropped pulled the next one out
And a weak spot grew in the fabric stout
And the perfect pattern was marred for aye,
By the one small stitch that was dropped that day".