HomeMy WebLinkAbout1310Article copied from the Pickering News, January 5, 1900, page 1.James Hubbard, aged 87
years died on Monday after but a few hours of illness, although he had been in a feeble condition
for some months. He was a pioneer in many respects, having carried the first mail that came
into Bro[u]gham; he also drove the first mail route from Whitby to Brougham, and in 1835 he
used to take the mail by horseback from Pickering to Mariposa. Although he lived in the very
heart of railroad country he was never on a train. He leaves two children, a married daughter
living in Scarboro and Mrs. James Williams of Brougham.A wonderful old gentleman was James
Hubbard in his time. He was the historian of Pickering Township. He could recall the Rebellion
of 1837 as if it had happened but a week ago. He prided himself upon the fact that at that time
although his father and four brothers shouldered muskets for Mackenzie, he had been true to his
allegiance for the Crown. He possessed a marvelous memory and could give the linage of every
resident of the township. He was a kindly old man, against whom no breath of taint was ever
raised. He never tasted tobacco or liquor, and his strongest repletive was "darn." In his death
the last pioneer of Pickering, sprung from good old U.E. Loyalist stock, is gone, and a kindly
Christian gentleman passed away. Throughout the township he was known as Uncle Jim.