Vv .1.tJ,.Ji: 2

The Leith Belles 1 Poetry "ror.1 "Lit tle Chips" by ''·ar~::ir e t Hprkness .::ald!:!r 2 Early Doctors 6 Scottish Expressions 9 The Pioneers -tr . .Ialter Aitken 10 •·•r . John Coui:,e r 11 Mr . Gideon H~ rkness 12 I•,r . Andrew Sibbald 13 j•lr . J ar.es Gibson 15 J.·ir . Huri;h Re id 16 e •\•r . ~dam Ainslie 17 J.•.1.r . ·'illiam P . Telford I 18 T-.,e .ilrmstrong Families 21 f.ir • J chn Couper Jr. 26 The Ross F:;imily 27 The <·1cKeen Fsmily 29 The Rutherford Family 31 The f·,itchell Family 40 Tom Tho:nson 44 The Irish Block-School 51 Items of I nterest 52 Pioneers 53 St. •·•i chael ' s Cer.et-ery 54 :>t . 1'.ichael' s 11ission 55 .lnnan Un ite<'! Church-forl'lerly Presbyterian --llistory 57 Choir 63 Dr . J • a. Fraser 66 Other :r.inisters 67 Session 70 Excerpts-old records 72 ->tewards 73 100 th .-ln'1 i ve rs 3.r ; 75 The ,lindow · 77 0enntennial 1967 79 Youth activit es so ~rie~dly Fellowship 88 .: • r ... . S • and U • C • . / • 89 Annan Cemetery 99 Leith 0hurch- History 101 Window 107 Trustees and sr,ewards 108 Sessi on 109 lCOth inniversary 110 ~omen of the church 111 Sunday cichool ' 113 Leith Cemeter y 114 Le:.th Hall 116 vr"'anizations 117 Leith Baptist Church 11s· An~an School History 121 Garryo·,1en Schoo l History 141 Leith Sc~ool History 149 · _,i,•'·· ' l

THE Ll!:I TH BELLES •

Back Row- L. to R. Janie Alexander, Mame Waddell, i•linnie Thomson, !da Scott, Louisa Thomson , Lizzie Ross, Mary Cameron. Middle Row-Maggie Th<:>mson, Jessie Reid, Bird McNei l, Belle McKean, Bert ha J\teNeil, .Agnes McKean, Lila i1cNeil. Front Row- Mary l•,cNeil, Etta McKean, Jessie Ross, t.laggi e Ross, Ollie Cameron, Ida Scott • 1903 . • Photographed from the ori ginal picture by Mr . ctarold Ceasar .

• 2

Poetry from the Book 11 :.... i ttle Chips" Volume 2, by tvirs Margaret Harkness Calr:ter. J\~rs . Calder was fl)rmer ly Margaret Mc.::Jonnld . 11er mother w:i s a sist<:1.r of jv1r. James _.\itken . A i.treRth of Forget-Ne- Nots .~e lived in Owen .:.ounti four years, Then in knnan , then in Lei th, So it ' s forget- M~ - nots from there 1 will 1~eave into a wreath; • So please won't you bear wit~ me , lihen you find my ~1eavings wrong, For t"l\cts or d'ltes or names, my .friends, Just will not we,1ve a song.

I can't forget ~he Owen Sound Bay, The Hill St reet school or store, J'he sheltering rocks around the to•.m, The drives along the shore. The many many red brlck homes, The many shady bowers, The lare• and spreading chestnut trees, The many ferns and !'lowers . I c~l'.l ' t forget my tlrandac1' s home, Snu~gled back runong t he trees, I sti~l can see their willows Uancing in the evenine breeze; I sti ll remembe::- Cannon' s farm, And that of James Grady ' s And also ,/illiam Keefer' s place, And that of t\l:1drew Jpeedy I s 1 still can see the Annan School And the boys who went there then­ Oh how they did deli~ht to tease! Tho' thev were almost men , ,lho could forget the Ross store, Or G.impbell' s , the shoeme.k"r , Or Richie Hogg or M:iry HoJg, Our quiet, good dressmaker? t/ho could t·orget the bl'3.cksmith shop or Hr . Char~es l.emon? Tne church and the parsonage or Dr . l''r aser either? l'he ::lpeedy store, and Dr . Slo.;ms, fhe ~athr~-.~ and the ttid1les? The pretty view f'rom Annan road, And that of '1' . J . Harkness!. The ol d .fright mi 11, the Annan hill, These all are memory's pictures! 1 still could find the path to Leith , Round Grand~d ' s corn and grain, ~nd whe n l ' ve time I mean to walk O' er that old path again ; lt t ook one past the Julian home, Through pastur e field and l:i.ne; Twas such a pr ett y qui et 1talk In swishine or in rai n . How many folks have 'rl'llked to Leith From Ross • to the school, tJp open road, o ' er Harkness cr~ek, Then through a woods so cool? 1/ho forget the Uame r on•s pump • Or yet che ~ameron store, 'l'he Rixon home, t.he old mill pond, And the sancty bathing shore? - 3

'Page 2 A ,ire

I am on 1•JCAnight' s hill wi th the uw en ::.ound hay in sight, l ; am f'o l l bwi ng i t a l ong t he eastern shore, It has car r i ed me to Leith anci 1 1 m J.'i lLed wi t h deli ght As I l'aintl y see my f avorite haunts once more . My memory leads me on to the road past Gr andact• s farm , vlhere huge willo\1s gently rus tle with the breeze, I t ur n i n t o rest awh ile , as I did so long ago, Underneath t heir spreading m.iounoth butternut t rees • • 5

• •

Lrs . ll'.lrg;ar"lt .1a~kneS3 Calder l nee •-ci>onalc,.) •

• • 6 Doctors Dr. ,1illism John garly He was born in 5squesin~ Township in deptember 1863. His father di~d in 1693, 1\..rtd hi and his mother and sister came t o Owen !>ound to ?4illcr:;, bis mothers parents . 2 years Fi. r st w. J . Early t aue;ht school "in dydenham Township, and then graduated as 11 • doctor, and in 1889 s et up a practise at .!nniin 11ntil 1895 , when he took further specializinf in eye , ear and nose studies in Nev, York,'land then c.ontinued in hi s profession until 1905 .

In 189,, he married Jean Gi bson from Leith, daulhte r of James and Janet Hae Uibson. Dr. and 1"1rs . ll:arly lived in the house mar~ recently owned by the Bassinii;thwaites and Barl Bumstead. There was a small buildin: at the back i'or an office. '.Jr. Early died in 190b, leavine; a wife, hi" mother and sister, Mrs . A. K. Bishop. Dr . early' s mother 112. '3 Annabel J . I.filler, born in 183:, near Norval and 11\3.rried ,Vi\l~am Early· in 1860 ' and they came to Owen Sound in 187],. "1 rs Early' s riot.h!'r - wascrock Janet·, s monumen Ch1.shotlm . Dr. 'l'hompson There are little facts avai l

Thompson practi sed in the same location as Dr. ~arly.

Dr. Allan C. Sloane • Dr. Allan C. Sloane was born at bl'act1·ord in l8lf0, He :r;,.duated !rem University in 1865 , and came to practis e at Annan . Dr . Allan Sloane built a lari:;e brick house north of' the .>peedie sr.ore about 186!) . '!'his house was destroyea oy fire in the middle nineties . I-le r eplaced it and lJr . ,villi am McDonald purch,;1seo i t and used it unti l they moved to Owen ~ound in 1~18 . This larie old house stood empty for a number of years, and was eventually torn down, and the bri ck used to build t he home of Clement Reill y . Dr. Sloa~ had lon, white wh i skers, and this was a disti n:uishin~ feature . Dr . SJ.oane married Mar,aret Ross, and t nei r i'amily were Dr. J. G., I sabel, Allan, Sarah, James , Marie and J~ssie. There :,tre mor!!! facts in t;he :ttoss h:Lstory. He d:Led about 1895. 7

•

~illiam McDonald B.~ •• M. O. 1871-1924 ~illiam McDonald was the eldest son of Mr . William McDonald and his wife Isabella Turnbull of Galt. There also was one daughter Mary Ellen (Mrs. William Hunter), and three sons Robert of Hamilton and John and ~rthur of Yorkton, Sask­ atchewan • ~illiam McDonald graduated from the Toronto University in Arts in 1892 and • graduated from Toronto University Medical School with his M. D. degree in 1895 , His first practice was at Rothesay . Later he moved to Kemble and married Caroline Beattie, whose father' Dr. William Beattie was a medical doctor in Wiarton , in 1897 in St . Paul's Presbyterian Church, Wiarton . In 1898 Dr. McDonald moved to Chesley. In 1899 he moved again and this time settled in Annan in the practice boug ht from Dr . Sloan. The residence that was included in the purchase was a large red brick home complete with office and stocked drug store, This btlilding was demolished in 1940 to form part of a new home farther north on the Lakeshore line. Dr, McDonald became Medical Health Officer f or Sydenham Township and held the post until his death in 1924, Though Dr. McDonald was a real "horse and buggy doctor", about 1910 he bought a "Hupmobile" car to be used in fair weather. But the doctor loved horses and kept quite a number for his use along with several buggies, cut ters and carts or gigs • Numerous tal es are told of the adventures that befell the doctor in carrying out • his "calls of mercy" . One account is about a winter experience before there was a telephone system in Sydenham. He was called to a case in the vicinity of the present tank range, and for three days as the wind howled and drifted in the roads, g

Page 2 - Dr. McDonald the fami ly were not a ble t o get any word of hi s whereabouts. Dr. and Mrs . J . s. Fraser, the pastor and his wife, came over and tried t o encourage t he f amil y and br i ng cheer t o an unhappy village . Later ~hen the doctor returned he related how he had driven as far as the horse could go, then putting the horse in a warm farm • stable he had continued on snow- shoes to his destination and accompl ished his mission and had snow-shoed back to the horse where he waited among his friends until the roads were again fit for cutter travel , ~s well as his medical responsibilities he instructed the fami l ies in the care of the sick, in times of a contagious disease epidemic he had to placard the homes of those ill as wel l as make sure the house was fumigated as soon as the disease had run its course. Dr , McDonald was very f ond of nature and appreciated the changing seasons

and the migrati on of birds and animals. A large collection of stuffed birds and animals which were mounted in two huge glass cases were presented t o the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational I nstitute on the death of the doctor. This att­ ractive display was destroyed during the fire at the school in 1952, On June 1st, 1918 the family moved to 715-}rd Avenue East, Owen Sound • As well as working hard, Dr. McDonald played hard and the autumn before his • last ill ness he was the men's single tennis champion at the Owen Sound cl ub . He was also very f ond of lawn bowl ing. Dr . McDonald had a famil y of twod3.ughters, Li l y Helen, Mrs. ~ilson Bedell and Marjorie, f.'lr s . W. A. Ray, both of Owen Sound . Thi s man, who was an adv. i ser, physician and surgeon as well as friend to all his patients, rich and poor alike, died on August 10, 1924 at the early ag.e of fifty five years •

•

Dr 1-1cDonald I s house at Annan 9 ~cottish Expressions "Lan~ m~y your lum r eek" Long may your chimney smoke "Strfivaigin" Going hither and yonder a•vay from home "3oiree" A social eveni•ig with pro~ram, lots oi' tea , and sometimes the !ood served in a paper ba;­ a 1·ew saP-dwiches and a dou:hnut or t.1.10 . • " Neeps" 'l'urnips "Yet" Gate " Colly" Social :athering or in some neizhbourhoods just a visit or a chat. "Dadel " llpron

"Sonsi lai.s" A ~ood lookin, girl "CoJ.lant" ..i yount man

"Scunnerl'f JJislil<-e "Gul ly" Butcher knife "En me~stie me " ~xcl~mation of surpri5e "Sair wame" So!'e stomach "Goupen a glaur" A h;indrul of mud

If an early settler callin~ on a neighbour woulcth 1 t stay ~ne nei~hbour would say "Yo11 must h:,.ve ccme for a firin" " bucket of c.oali. to start a t'ire, hence the • haste •

• 10 The Pi oneers Mr . Walter }.itken Mr . Walter Aitken was born in Hawick, Roxburi;hshire, o> cotland in 1812. he was a tall man over 6 feet. He came to Canada when he was about 27 years of age. he sett led first a t Galt and then came to the Lake Shore in 1847 . He s ettled on a r ar m one mile north east of !nnan, which i s still in the possession 01· his ,ranct- daughter Margaret .

Mr . Aitken was known as ,'/atty. lie could swing a pick with the best of' them but

wanted to be able to awing an axe as we l l, in or der to clear the land. I n due t i me,

this work was accomplished and he had cleared land.

His wit was spontaneous, and he was a ki ndly man . His good- will to all man- kind made him a f'riend t o all. He married Margaret Harkness, daughter of John ttar kness, who was married first

to John Campbell, and she resided in Buffalo until his death. She hact :C sons, Jonn, one week after his mother who died at age 68,1\and 'rhomas . /alter Aitken had met Margare t »arkness on the way over to Canada, on the boac. After she was widowed, he marr i ed Margaret ~ampbell , and t.hey had two sons James, who inherit ed t he falllily far!ll, and Gi deon, who lived at the :3oo . Ther e -Were t·our dauihters, Nelli e, 1•lrs. Nesbi tt, ~lary, fv'.rs . who died in 1 912 in ber 42nd year, and Margaret, Jvlrs . ·:li lliar~ 1\eefer, who had a dau­ ghter :Mi nnie . Mr. Keefer died in 1903 . • Mr . ,.fal ter .litken died in 189'/, and is buried at Annan. 1•lrs • .iit ken aied at t he :1ge of 91~.

• 11

Pa:e 2 rhe Pioneers Mr. John Couper Mr. John Couper was born at Clarkst<:me To1l in flel'rewshire in 1819. He was of

t'armer stock and an accomplished 1;loughman and gardener . He came to Canada when he was 25 and settled at Galt • • He moved to Sydenl'lam TOl·mship, Conceo;sion C in 1847. He was a .successful and hardworking farmer . In 1860 he was elected a councillor for his ward in the township, until 1866 when he served as deputy- reeve for one year, and the next two years he was the reeve or Sydenham To~nship. He was also an a'ltive Liber!!.l in politics and ran for member of the Provincial House in 186'/, but was d~t'eated by Mr • .:»Qotlt. He had a high standard of morals in

politics and nis campaign speeches were outstandini. He served as el

An~, Mrs . Georf!:e rliddell • • James inherited the farm 1·rom his father. He had two sons John and William . The r·ormer W3S the next owner of the farm, and it remained in the Couper name unt il 1951.

John had a son James, who is deceased and a daughter Prances, Mrs. iilson ::>mith. l•,rs. Couper's maiden name was Jean Cathrae . John Couper died in the wi nter of lYoU in a nursin1' b.ome in Fergus , where his dau.;hter also resides.william was killed wnen a tree fell on him. John Couper ,':ir . nad a son lfi lliam, who married Jessie i•lcKeen, and they had one son John, who died in 1916, and Isobel, who resides in Owen Sound. they lived in l'ani .

Marf'lret Couper married 1/illiam '!'elford and their 1'amily were W. P . , Robert, J onn

Coupl!'-r and Euphemia, Mrs. Albert !<'.Leming. Mary Couper married dobert Harkness and their family were Gideon, who had no married ~dith Burr family John, Russell, who had one daughter, Jim/\ no i'a!:li.Ly and Bill, no 1:amily. John 1886-1950 l ived in l'ex;cis and had 1 dau~hter, irf.ra"a,Mrs. Nancarrow."tris W1fe-Lucille \;Ullon. Anne married George Riddell. ::She was born in 1854 and died in 1922, and her husb-

and W'\S born in 1844 and died in 1926. They had on" son John 1893-191?, who was killed overseas and is buried in France, a son ,hlliam 1890- 197?, who was married to Catherine • McDonald, a d3uihter Euphemia 1883- 1885,May Mrs. Neelands, Mary-Doc Thompson, Jessie- Mrs . Ro.;er3, Euphemia-Iv.rs. Russell Baker. 12

Pa$e 3 The Pioneers Mr . Gideon Harkness Mr . Gideon Harkness was born in Hawick, Roxburghshire in l$J.8 , and came to Canada

v1hen he was 26 years of' age . He was a stone mason by trade . He chose a lot about a half mil~ north- ea

orgarnzers , ar>d the first preside nt of the 8yden_ham Mutual f'ir.e Insurance Company .

Hl! Nas presented ,·1it:i a cene in recoi;nition of nis se::-vice.

The hous e , c,n the same side of the road as the United Church, was built by Gideon Harkness on his farm and moved up there for Ellen M:iyngrd . The stone hot,se was built

on the farm. It is believed that the Harkn~si; carne in 18/+i anct were the 1·1rst to ':l"'t,e.le o~ the Lakeshore Line. Mr . Harkness was an elder at tha Annan Presbyterian Church from 1856- 1893 .

Gideon Harkness was marri.ed to Margaret Scott. . Tht'!ir family 't!ere Thomas,

Rob~rt, ::ir. d Jessie, the your.:est daughter, who died in 1895, a~e 32 years . Thomas

Harkness married E:lizabeth (Lizzie ) ·rhomson, and their family were tform::m, Jeeeie,

Mrs. l''red Fisk , who ctiect i n the autumn of 1979, dordcn "lnd Hilda Robert Harkness marrie1 ~ary Couper-1851- 1917 . hobert was born in 1852 apa aied in 1925. Their family viere Jobn- mentio:, made or his family in the John Couper history, • ctied James, l i ved at; Westonf\i n 1954, Gi deon, Robert Russell 1888-1941, ,'JilJ.Li.m Telford .J.o';,lj-

.J.95, . The latter two sons were buried at Annan wit h tneir parents .

'1'0 return to the Uiaeon H0 rkn'!!SS r amily, there we r e 8 chi ldren- I: Li,i:,./ i•irs . James Cochrane, Derby, Mrs . "'"' GlArk ::it . Vincent Townsnip, t11rs . Daniels, ,,, ..,...,.,,,:~- · rw,./, ~ Color"da, Jean ana John . 'J.'homas, ttooert and Jessi e are mentioned above . Jean, Jessie and John p r edeceased" their •nether Mr . Gideon Harkness die d in his 77tn year, i n 1895 , and is buried at Annan .

Mr . John Harkness-brother of Gi de on

Mr . J 0hn Harkness live d on Lo t 32 , 'Joncession A. aoont 1858. He wa 'I married to '!'heir family were 1'fa<;~ie, Mfs . Jack Clark, Frances (Fannie) Mrs. John

Ross, Mary, tl'.rs.Chas.Julyan, Nellie di ed young, and sons .villi am K. Brantford ,who oou1;ht a:id sold ~orses • • In 1910, Mrs. John Harkness moved to Owen ;:iound . 13 Pa:i;e 4 The Pioneers Mr. Andre•,; Sibb'lld !ndrew 3ibbald was born in Selkirk-shire in 1816, just a few miles from rlawick, in Roxburghshire .

In early l.if'e bf! was a plouzhman, and a plou,hman was reckoned the hiehest type of agricultural laborer, and i•lr . Sibbald was an expert in his line. • He came to Canada in 181+5, and set tud. first at Galt. 'Th e trip was made in a sail­ ing vessel, and it lasted six weeks . In 1849 he came to the Lake Shore Line district and settled upon Lot 25 , [.;onces­ sion 6 . Mr . Sibbald NaS always known as a hard worker and he found ample scope for his ener~y, as the farm was all virj;in timber. Jl.fter workin, there for some time a surv­ eyor came alon~ and stopped to talk to Mr, 3ibbald and consult"!d a map. He told. Mr . Sibbald that he was clearin~ land on the next lot, and he was mortified to learn that h"! had cleared six acres not his own.

Un one occasion he walked to Vurham for flour. He was a most successful farmer, and was active in the 1·a11 fairs of' the township and county.

He was instrument3.l in organizing the Sydenham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 'Ind was one of its first directors • I n 1866, Mr . Sibbald, along with Gideon Harkness and Mrs . David Armstrong, made • a trip b!\ck t c Scotlancl. He returned more than ever satisfied that he lived here . He was an upri~ht and conscientious man, and his family !'allowed in his footsteps. Mr. Sibbald married lllen jcott. '!'heir family were John, David, Robert, Andrew , Janet (Jennie), James, ;/illisrn and Mary , alsc /.la;;:gie. Mr. Sibbald died in 1886 in his 70th year. Mrs . Jibbald died in 1894 , She was born in 1824, John married Stewardina Fyfe, and their family 1·1ere Andrew, llizabeth (Bess), Helen, (Nell) , James and Laura. Andrew married Kate Sword , and their family were Jean, Bett:.y and !-1ar~aret. Anctrew died in 191~5, and he ,,1as a lawyer, and was L;hairman of the Sask­ ,':ltchewan Local Government Board • .Andrew Sibbald K .c. was ')'/ years of a~e at the time of his death, and lived in Regina. Bess married Charles Marsh, and she died in 19b8. Nell married Tom Rutherford, and their t'amily were Ja!Tray, Ann, Robert and Bruce. James, who married Lily Fyt'e and Laura. John was born 1856- 1933, and Mrs. Sibbald l8b0- l 94~. ~ct m13,rried Mary Armstrong, and their family were Johnston, A~nes and Andrew, • A:;:;nes was married to \llilliam Lon~. They lived at Jault Ste Marie.

Robert married Agnes Armstrong in 1878, and he died in 1913, Thev had a daughter, Jenni'! , Mr . and Mrs . Robert Sibbald are buried at Annan. 11.. Pa::;e; The Pioneers ~tr . !ndrew Sibbald .J.ndrew married Nancy Armstrong. 'l'heir family were .lndrew, Victor, Agnes anct

Minnie. ~~ married fhomas Bentley in 1911:>. !>he aied in 1901 in her '/<;,\th year, and is buried in Annan Cernetery. Minnie married Fr-ank Bassingthwaite in 1904, and their family were Lyle, Mrs. Harry Uoventry, Raymond, Harold and Victor, also an ini'ant • daug;hter. Mr. Bassingthwaite died in 1954-aJe 82, 3.nd !nrs . Ba:;sin~thwaite in 191:>4- ag;e 80 . Andrew jibbald died in 1922.

Janet {Jennie) married John Armstrong, and their family were rtobert , John, ~ndrew,

'rhQmas , Mar~aret , lielen and tlilliam, and there 1"1 more in.r'orrration in the Thomas Armst­ rong; history.

James married ~lla He wcs a watch-maker in J'r3.il , British !Jolurnbia . '!'heir fqmily •,,e.,..e Marjorie, !Jonnie, !<'red and Bert.

:i i lliam never married . • ~ married Archie McLean , and they had a son Victor . MaP.;e;ie married Steven Beaton, and tbey resided in Be J..lingham, dashington .

• 15

Pag;e o The Pioneers ~tr . James Gi bson James Gibson was born in Carstairs, .Lanarkshire, near Glasp;ow, in 1805. He l earned the cabinet-maKin; and later became an architect. He decided to come to Canada shortly

~fter his marria,e to Janet Rae, of Glasg0w, in lS41. She was born in 1824, • Mr. Gibson arrived in Toronto in 1841, and eni:a:1:ed in house buildin~. Before leaving Toronto, he owned five houses in 1852. In 1852 he r.""le to ..>yctenham with his wife and f our youn, sons. He sett.l:)rl on a farm 1'ive miles northeast of' Leith on Concession A- Lot 17, taKini up l-3.nd in what was known as nThe Jwamp". Mr . Gibson' s farm was an isolated one and it was seven years fo1lowin, their coming that his wife first saw Owen Sound. In time the !'arm of 200 acres was cleared and a large s t one house was built in the ]ate sixties. Mr. Gibaon had deep reli,ious principles and was one of' the l eaders in the org­ ani zati on 01· the Presbyterian con,rei:ation At Leith and in the buildin;:; of the church in 1865 . He was a ~reat sin~er, and a splendid violinist, and mastered the ~rt of makin~ the instrument itself. The Gibson i'amily were iilliam and .T'lmes , Seattle, 'l'homas,Minnesota, Robert of

ewen Jourid, John of Leith, Mrs . R. Henry-Janet, and Jean, lvlrs . ,I. J • .iarly "!'rt lacer Mrs . J rt;hur Cnme ron- 1859~:1:927 , John di ed at Lei t h-a,e 75, survived by Kober~, James a.."ld Jean . • James Gibson di,d at the aie of 89 years •

• 16

Pa;ce 7 The Pioneer s Mr. Hu;ch Re i d Hu; h Re id was born at Paisley, in 1824, and apprenticed i n one of Lhe

wood wo r r:i n::; trades befor e co:nint: to Canada. He came out as a youn:;; man, and ~1hile at :T.ith' s Falle w~ s merried to a youn, woman fro~ Paisley, jcotl~nd. They came LO the • LakeShore ~ine-Lot 40, Cnncesoion C· He held many urominent. municipal !'Ositions, councillor and then Reeve of .,yrie!lham 1865-1878 , and was elected the Jarrl en of the County of Gr ey in 1873. H~ was the t r eas­

urer of t-h'! Township of Sydenham and secret:ary- treasurer of the Sydenham A:;:;ricult;ural Snci ety. He i::lso s,.rved as the S•cretary of the Nutu'll Fire Insurance Company , and

c1t the t ime of his death in Ma, 1905 , ?l:.r . rte id was the President of' Telford and t;ompany, a bror:era; e. Mr . and Mrs. Reid had celebr ated their 50th anni ver~ary prior to her death in May 1895 . '!'heir son Fr ank , !lied in 1R91+ at al" e:;,.rly aie. He wes a meml::e:- of .ri.J'lnan Camp

• S~ns of Scotland • Mr . He i d ·.,,as the Presi dent of' +:;he Farmer' & Insti tute for North Gr ey and a local or ~anizer of t he Pr ovincial Good Roads Asso cietion . of '!'hei r family w,::-e John .,md Hyi;h ln Cali fornia, Fr'l.nk , James '"-Denver and a • dauthter l.rs . Georie "I . Campb,ll of Cc1 r man , Manitoba •

• ------~------

17

The Pioneer s Mr. lidam Ainslie Mr . ~dat" Ainslie 1~as horn at Be~hie , ScotL,inct, on April 13 , 1807 . He received his early education at ~~,din~t~n Grammar 3chool. In November 1821 be went to where lie &tudied law for 5 ye:ir&, P.nd t he?'. he went to Gibr:\ltar in 1°":'-, where he sta:i,erl for • 8 years . He sailed for Canada in 1834. It tcok 34 days ?nd cost ;10~.00 tor the cross­ in~. His fqther w~s a ~entle~~n farmer.

He landed in Ualt, and was active in rr.t,.,icir,11 af"faira . He had di''ficulty in pr~ctisin~ law unti l a speci al act of Parliament made his profei&ion le;al.

In 1837, durini the MacKenzie rebellion, ,idam .1\inli(! WI\& i:' captain in the 11th

Gore Mi lit 'l,1 . He W8i elected a councillor of Galt after 1850, and then reeve in 1856, In 1847, he m:arried Ia"tbella !-!il:.er of Galt. Their family were Capt. John, Alex and Helen, Mrs . Jo&eph Henry Rixon. ilex died i n 1867 in his )oth ye"lr ;,t Leith. Mrs . Ainslie was horn at doxburghihire i n 1828, and came with h~r par ents to the State of

New Jen,ey a nd then to i.lalt. !'he Ainslies moved to Leith ir> 1858. Hr. Ainlilie died in 189b, and Mra . .tinalie in 1918, just before her ninetieth birthday, Captain John di ed in 1923, the last survivinI member of the family .

Mr. Joseph Henry Rixon • He wa:o born in Kintawood Place, .:>e>\tth Lambeth, London , En:l;rnd in 1838. He came r,o Ll.'ith in 1864, and bc-~rded "!it!). the Ain,;;lies, and met ilis "'ife Helen. For lieveral year,;;, Mr. ttixon had sailed on the Lakes, later in partnershir wi th Jar:es Maitl.,rnd was in charte of whar.ra and i,arehousea where Domini on Tr am,portation Comp3ny wai located.

ll'!r . and Mra. Rixon were married in 1866, To thia union wa c; born, "iilliam who waa drowned , Lillie, who died youn~, Isa~ella Jane, who married Frank Broderick in they had one son Rixon 1895,/\L,mra, and .1>leanor (Ottie). The Rixons and Ainiilieli moved to Owen Sound in 1688. The Broderick& h3d one sen Lee, who ha& three children, Deni~e, Debor~h and ::ie;in. Lee ' s father Ri xon died in March 1958. ;,,rs. Rixon died befcre her husb,md. Eleanor waa the laat survivor in this family, and she died in uecemQ~ r 1973 . • 18

!he Telford Family History William Pattison '.l'elford 1 was born in 1797 in Bells, England. His father was a shepherd. '!'he family moved to Roxboroughshire, Scotland, and there Mr . Telford attended lectures in , and became a t eacher . rle also provided leadership in music and • band. He married l,;lisabeth !•1urray in October 1835, and they came to Canada in 1840, a ccompanied by their three children. His aeath occurred in 1879, and hers in 1901. They settled first at Galt where Mr . Telford taught f"or eight years. He also worked as a carpenter -chere . They moved to the Lakeshore Line in Sydenham Township in 184-8, and - settled on Lot J6, Concession B. Mr . Telford became the first t eacher in the Annan School in 1849, He was noted ror his 11 terary taste and r·ine scholarly ability. Vue to infirmities, he left the teaching profession in 185b, and did carpentry. Some of the hand carved furniture was retained as family heirlooms . Hi11 name , along 1~it ht hatoi' his wife , appears on the f"irst Communion rtoll recorded for the Annan Church in 1855, The Telfords had a large family, but several died in infancy. The following are the ones recorded: ,f. P . Telford 1836- 1922, Col. James P . 1838-1933, John, (a barrister in I P'- Durham), Margaret, (Mrs. i/ill Ross), I sabella, 1843-1937, (Mrs . Robert Clark l , Mary, Mrs . Gibson, wno lived in Seattle, Miss Elisabeth (Owen Sound), Isabella 1841-1842, and John 1850- 1852. It is known that Mrs . 't/illiam Gibson had a son ~dward, born in 1886 at leith, and died at East sound, Wash irtgton , in 1952 , the youngest ct !l c h1. ldren . • William l'attison Telford IT was born near Castleton, Roxboroughshire , on October 11, 1836. He received his early education at Galt, Annan and the Toronto Norma+ School. He was one of t he three children to come over with nis parents in 1840. His name i s recorded as one of the f irst scholars at the Annan school. After completing his formal education he served with 1•lr . John Harkness for J years as a stone mason and then taught at J\nnan Public ::ichool ror 14 years . 'l'hen he spent a year as a maker of cheese. Turning to the contracting business, he spent J years in ~he trade. The present Annan 8tore was built by '1illiam 'I'elford ana his brother for the Ross Bros. in 1875. Ae was one of the organizers of the Sydenharu Mutual Fire Insurance Company and its first secretary. On moving to owen Sound, he was in association with R. J . Doyle, who was manager of the Dominion Grange and Mr . Teli"ord served as book-keeper for five years here .

ln 1883, he established the firm 01' Telford and l:ompany, and was manager .t'or 23 years, sellill!; out to the ~overeign Bank in 1906. In 1889 he organized the Orey and Bruce Loan Company, the parent company of the present Victoria and Grey l'rust Company, and remained • active in it until his death. Mr. 'l'elford was Sunday School Superintendent at Annan Church from the time when the records were t"irst kept until 1886. He r esi,,;ned as an e lder 01· the Annan session in 1886, so it is presumed that the '1'elfords moved to Owe-n Sound then and left Lot Jo, Concession 8. 19

Page G The Telford Family History 1849- 1918 Mr. W. P. Telford 11 was married i n-1807 t o Margaret Couper,~a daughter of a pioneer family . Their family were w. P ., Rob ert, who married Elizabeth Buchan, and lived in Ottawa, John Couper, who never married and .C:uphemia , who married Albert Fleming. W. P. 'l'eli'ord ll died on May; 1922, and is buried in Annan Cemetery. W. ? . Telford 11 was Liberal M.P. - 1904- 08. • 1i. P. Telford 111 lived i n Owen Sound, and made a contribution in politics. He was born near Annan November GO , 1867. He received his early education at Annan, and later attended the Owen Sound Collegiate. He graduated rrom Osgoode Hall in 1893 , He was at one time in partnership with Hon. Alexander urant MacKay K.C. , who represented the North Grey riding in the provinciaJ. government . Mr. Telford Q. C. represented No rth Grey riding as a Member of Parliament in 1926- 30 and 1935- 44, ~e married Martha ~omervi+le and their family were ~loise, Mrs . Rider Davis, of , Mary, l Bink) Mrs. J . G. ?vi c'favish, wi lliam P . and Eleanor, Mr.s . A . J . Prohaska, all 01· Owen Sound . J illiam Pattison (Buff} relford passed away Qn March 13, 1955 in his 88th year, and is buried in Owen Sound. 'l'o return to the original W. P . Telford!, his son James i"attison was born in New­ castle-on-Tyne, ~cotlana in l8J8 and came with his par ents and two other infants in 1840, tte, too, was one of t he first pupils at the Annan School. James was in the building t r ade . During the l<'enian Haid he took an active part in training the men of the Lei th • Company, Provisional Ri fles , which afterwards was called the Number Three Company, Thirty First Battalion of Grey County . In 186b the mu ster roll has the name Lieutenant James Pattison Telford, and shortly after the Fenian Haid, he was raised to a Captain, and in 1$88 was granted the title of Colonel. On January 9, 1868, James P. married Catherine MacDonald , and they resided at Annan for 15 years ·after thei r marriage, and then moved to Owen Sound . When Col. Telford moved to town, he became assistant manager of Telford and Company • .As a r esult of his s ervice in the Fenian Raids, he was granted 150 acres of land north of' Timmins, and still owned it at his death. '!'heir fami ly were VI . M., John M., Kate, James E., Elizabeth, Maxwell, Jean and Richard and Margaret, who died as a child. - Go~. James Telford died on April 24, 1933, and his wi fe June 12, 1933, and they are both buried in the Annan Cemetery. She had been born in 1851. ~. M. , son of J .p. Telf ord, was born at Annan in 1873, attended Annan school, the Owen Sound Collegiate and in 1889 became a staff member of 'l'elford and Company,. and later • the Grey and Bruce Loan Company, and then the Victoria and Grey '1'rust Company. In 11)07, he joined t he staff of the Sovereign Bank , later the Merchants Bank . In 19G2, he returned from Little Current, where he was manager of the Bank of Montreal, and became Victoria and Grey Trust Company ~anager. 20

Page 3 The Telford Family Hi stor y W. M. Telford was marri ed on November 14, 1900 to Helen iilcox and their family were James and Fred C. W. M. Tel£ord died November 1955 , John MacDonald Tel ford (J.M. ) , a son of Col. J .P . was born at .Annan, and attended the Owen Sound Collegiate and graduated from Osgoode Hall. He was in business in Toront o until • 1927, when the family returned to Owen Sound , wh ere he continued his law practise. He was made a Queen' s Counsel in 1954. On August 26, 1910 , he was marr ied to Lillias Gardner. Thei r famil y were Isabelle, a teacher at the Owen dound Collegiate and Vocati onal Insti tute,

Murray a nd Vfill iam J P. Mr . J . M. Te!t'ord ctied 1. n 1960- ag~ 81 and Mrs . 1'e lford in 1969. (children-Christena, Jame S- Murray) and William has a somviI.Liam 1. Elizabeth ( born 1869) To r eturn t o the remainder ot· the f amil y of J . P. Telford (Col. ) , ., , served in the Victoria and Grey 'l'rust Company, and died i n 1930 and i s buried in Annan Cemetery . Kather i ne Telford was on the Victoria and Grey Trust staf f too. ~he was born in 1871 and died in 1962, and i s buried at Annan . James was born in 1889 and di ed in 1951, and is buried at Annan . Maxwell was bor n in 1875, and died i n 1929, and i s buried at Annan. J ean married the pai nter, George Thomson-she was born in 1870 and died in 1951, Richard R. who lived at Jarvis . There

is mention of Marguerite i n Mrs. 'I'nomson I s obitua ry, and tbi s may be the !'

• 21

The Armstrong Families Dumfrieshire Davi d Arms t rons - Lot35 , Concession C, ma r ri~d ,lgnes Johnstone, He was born in 1818 in~Scot ­ at e 83 land ~nd died in 1893, .Ag nes died in 1903,~ and they are buried at Annan . David was a brot her of Mar garet, Mrs . ~homas i rmstrong . The Davi d Arms t r ong famil y were Nancy, who mar r ied Andr ew Sibba ld, wh ose f ami l y we r e Andr ew, Victor, Agnes Bentl ey) and 1g,,~:.)_9!~ • Minni e (Mrs . Fr ank Bas-s~hwa i te}. Mary marri ed Davi d Si bbald. I s abel .\mar ried Jonah Clar k, and t hey had a daughter Mary. Davia drowned at 1; years in 18bb. Isabella di ed i n 1848 , age J year s , a nd wa s the f irs t burial i n .Annan Cemeter y, James , never ma r r i ed , Andrew 1863- 1939 mar r i ed Eleanor Todd in 1891, and t heir f amil y were Edgar, ~lary, Glads tone, uames and Rober t. William went to North Dakota, and he was married to Ma ry Cannon and John went t o Oak Ri ,, er,Manitoba, He had married Caroline Monohan. J ame s die d in 1940- age 78 years . Wi lli am was 3 yea rs ol d when t hey came to Sydenham , and went t o N. Dakota when 25 . ~avid J l"ll!.at -rone~ca11u1 to , the L!Akeehore•Ltn.e in 1846, .as .did his' brother. Robez,t. Ther e were two s epar~te a nd distinct branches of t he -Ar mstr on" !"amily . Mr . David Armstron~ led an uneventf ul l i f e , but a busy and happy one . Hi s interes ts were bound up i n the church , school, hi s far m and home . He was not i nt er est ed i n public l i fe or elective office. David Anti hi q wi fe came out to Canada in 1842 wi t h a baby, and i t took s i x weeks to make t.he j our ney . 'r hey we r e f irst at ::Jmith' s Falls and t hen a t Galt for a year • Andr ew F . Ar mstrong ' s son Edg;ar had a son r' red, Mary. not ma rried , Gladstone had one • son Gr aham, J ames had t wo sons Jim and Todd, and Rober t had t hr ee daui hters Joy, l•ioi r a and Mary, and t hi s family lives in Nort hern On tar io. Wi l l i am J . di ed i n Rollo, N. Dakota in his 63rd year, had been in t he 1'eed business . He had ma rried Mar y Cannon and had ; children .

Rober t Arcp s trong, a brot her 0 1· David Ar mstron;:; , was marri ed to 1869- 1'14'/ Hi s f am i l y wer e Nancy, who m:1rri~ d Jame s Cannon , ana their family ~,ere NeJ.lie~~ s . Thomas

Maynard , J ames , Rob ert, John, ,,~ ill iam, , ~>'ho we nt t o Cali;at y. ,Alt 1:1. ; 1 and Hugh-188b- l 90b, and Davi d . It i s bel i eved t hat J ames a nd Robert went to Saskatchewan, Joh~, a t eacher at Ki l syth, ~ ma rried Bi shop later lived in O~tawa ,~ and David lived in t hi s P.

1 I • and this i"amily is all buried in Dafter, Michigan. ;;,, f ,.; • - ·, l. i vlilliam married Edw ina Cannon, and t hey had one son, Tbomas-1881-1932. Mr William Armstrong died in 1894, and his wife Edwina, who was born in 1847, was buried at Annan in 1924, with her husband and son. r'anny married Willi am Cathrae in 1873 . He was born in 1840 and died in 1901, and Mrs . Cathrae in 1943. Their family were Margaret, who married .Allan U. Cameron i n 1906, andher death occurred i n 1943 and his in 1952. Their family were Charleton, born i n 1907, married Isabell Armstrong in 1931 . Their family were Beatrice-1933, and Douglas-1936, Beatrice married Barry Brewer in 1959, and their family are Cameron, Craig and Brenda , • and Dougl as, who married Shirley Arnott, and thei r children are twins-Debra and Pamela and Kevin. Elgin married Enid Moulton in 1940 , and their .family were Allan, who married Yvonne Bush in 1904, and they have one son Wi l liam-1905, Margaret E, born in 1952, married Gary Tamblyn in 1972, and their family Debra Ann, born 1973 . Elgin;and Enid had t wo additional chi l dren -bor n in 1954, and Laura J ean-born in 195? , M~ude Cameron married Frank McKeen, and their family are listed i n the McKeen family history. Jean Cameron married George Sword, and their f a mily a re Doreen, Mrs . Borst, Gloria , Will i a m, Robert, who married Jean Murphy . Fanny Cathrae ' s second daughter was Mary , born in 1879 and died i n 1951, and her husb­ and was Charles McArthur-1880- 1945 . Their famil y were Norman, dilfred, Florence, Rae, Douglas and Jack . Norman married Inez Glover, and their family were Leone-Mr s . Clem Reil ly, whose children are Joseph and Julie, Ruth Ann, who married Ronald Philips, later divorced, • married Gordon Byers, and they have Kerri a nd and Robert . lfi U:red married Gladys Carrol, am! their 1·amily were Blanche, Jack, Wend a and Ann • Florence ma r ried Car 1 Davey, and they had on, son Douglas. She was divorced a nd married Percy Lavery. Frorence died in 1962. Rae, married ,iilliam Medley, and had one. son Kei1:h , who married Jean MacLennan, and they have two sons Evan and I an 23

Page 2 The Armstrong Family Histor y Thomas Douglas McArthur married Edna Furness, and their family are Lois, Jane and Ted . Jack married Marybelle Shute, and they had one son Wilrred-(Bill) , and t-hey have a daughter Caroline, and twins Donald and Douglas. Bill' s wife was Pauline ~rmstrong • Fanny Ar mstrong Cathrae thir d daught er Jean married John Couper i n 1909. 'fbey had died in 1959 • two children James ~ who married Dorot hy Beckett, was di vorced and marr ied Daphne Tow ell, and they had one daughter Joan. F . and Fr ances Couper mar ried Jlilson Smith, and their children are Douglas, Joan, J ean Mrs . Couper died in 1969, and Mr • . Couper in 1980 . Nellie Cat hrae died at the age of' three year s in 1888. She was born three years after her sister J ean. \ililliam was born in 1888, and was married to Isobe,l .Aitken, and their family are i ncl- uded i n t he McKeen histor y . Mr. Cat hrae died i n 1924, and hi s wife i n 1970. Agnes Ar mstrong ma r r i ed Robert Sibbal d in 1877, and they had one daughter Jennie . Mrs . Si bbald died in 1940, and bot h a r e buried at Ann,m . Mar garet marr ied James ,Re i d i n 1880, and they are both buried in McLean ' s Cemetery. They had one daughter Elizabeth, who married John Gilli es. Mar,ar et di ed in 1930 Mary Armstrong married Willi am Carrie in 1890, and she died in 1950, and he i n 1946. Ellen (Nellie) married James Dickson in 1893, and their family were James , who married Islay McClelland,following her death, Leta Carnahan. James Dickson Jr. had one daughter, • Betty, married to Lorne Barfoot. Mar garet Dickson married James Bumstead, and they had one daught er, Betty, who married Don Harrison. Mrs . James Dickson died in 1943 . Jean Armstr ong married \lilliam Robs on i n 1894. Her death occurred in 1928, and they are buried in Gr eenwood Ce!Jlet er y. Their family were Margaret , who married Ueorge Scott and t heir family are Kennet h , Donald, Murray , J ean and Jim . ~ y Robson marr ied Earl Bumstead, and their sons ar e ~illiam.and Keit h . The latter is married to Eli zabeth Char leton and their family are Harol d , Wi lma and Heather . Willi am Bumstead is ma r ried t o

Hazel married Rev . Stanley Annis . She was the third dauehter of Jean and William rtobson . Thomas , the youngest son of 'fhomas and Margaret Armstrong , marr i ed Agnes Scott Br own in 1894 . She was born in 1872. His death occurred in 1953 , and hers in 1964. Their :family wer e JanetEdith,born 1895; Margaret Evel yn , born 1898 , William Thomas .i:!2L born 1901, Elizabeth Helen (Nelli e) born 1903 , Mary Isabell, born 1904, James Douglas-1906 Clarence Scott, bor n 1907 and Elmer Br own, born in 1913 . Janet {Jennie) married Welli ngton Moulton i n 1917, and their family wer e !fil:1, who was ki lled overseas i n 1944, Eni d , whose ramily hi story is on Pae e 1 , because she married Elgin • Cameron, and Aubrey. Mrs . Moulton died in 1965 , and her husband in 1975 . Aubrey Moulton married Georgina Gatt o in 1949,and they nave one daughter Debra Lee . 24

Page 3 The Armstrong Family Hi story Thomas Margaret Armstrong married James Maynar d in 1925. He died in 1957. l'heir family were Helen, who married Harry Gr unsell, Eli~abet h , who married Arnoid (Bi ll) Crannie, and their family were Margaret, Bever ly and Ni lli am J ame s . Margaret married John Cameron, and t heir children were Rhonda Lee and Richard, Beverly Crannie married Kathy Cameron . Lois Jean • Maynard married Kenneth Burrows, and their family are Donald G., Nancy J .,Gary A., Stephen G. Ross O, Linda J. Kevin E, and Todd G. Donald is married to Betty Carson, Stephen is married to Janet Charlton, and t hey have a son Christopher, and Nancy i s married to Douglas Morrison , and they have two children 'fammy and Bradley. Gordon Maynard lives a t home. Ro y Ar mstrong married Alice Edmonstone i n 1931, and they had three children- Thomas , David, and ?19.rgaret , who died in ini'ancy. Thomas married Geraldine Bar1·oor, , and they have one daughter Louise. David married Gayle Scott, and they have two children Scott and Steven. Roy Armstrong passed away in 1970. Nellie married Stanley Hutchinson, (who was horn in 1898) in 1926. Their f a mil y are Marion, Elgin, Norman, Merle, who died in her first year, Elva, lliur i el, Lillian, I rene, Keith and Mel ville. Marion married Harold Ward, and their chi l dren are Catherine, Louise, and Donna . Catherine married Uary Urimol dby, and Loui se married Dwayne Gibson , and they have t wo children Pamela and Kelly. Marion and Harold liard were married in 1946. Uonna is marri ed t o Br ad McMillan, and have Deanna . Grimoldby' s have Kevi n and 'frevor • ~lgin married Ph yllis Fraser and there children are Bill, Allan, J oanne, Rober t , Janis • and Scott . Elgin and Phyllis were married in 1951. Bi ll is married to Helen Kyte, Al lan i s married to El aine Hooey, Joanne is married to Br ad Doupe . l:lill' s daught er i s Laura Norman married Colleen McGregor in 1949. Their children are Ruth, Harry, Ca rol, Linda J ulia and Scott. Ru th married Steven Morrison, and they had two daughters, Theresa and Patricia, and later she was divorced and married Russell Heels . Ha rry is marri ed to Cathy Gibbons, Car ol married Douglas Monohan, and they had one daughter Carolynn .;:,tacy. Linda married Robert Hammill, and they had one daughter Lisa Lynn.Harry Hutchinson' s daughter i s Tina. Elva married Clayt on Walmsley in 1951, and they had three daughters Debra, Shel ley, and Karen • Muriel married .Arthur .Alexander in a double wedding ceremony with her sister £lva in 1951 , They had two children l!udrey and \ii lfred. Audrey married Joe Lute and Wilfred married Debra Varley and they have Monica and Michelle. Audr ey's daughter i s Becky. Lillian is marri ed to George Sitter-October 1965 , and they have one son i~icholas. I rene i s married to Paul aogers. They we re married i n 1956, and have thr ee children, • Ann, David and Patricia. Ann i s married to Bob Boddy, and they have Danny . Davidiis ma rried to Rut h Barfoot, and they have Todd and Lynne . 1958 Ua rrell, 1 Keith marr ied Elaine Morrow, and t h eir c b1·1a ren were·,-..,, esli'e Don·namae, ::>teven , Tracy Lynn, and l, .Uh~:n , t hey were divorced, and Ke ith married Bar bara Bennett in 197), who had Ma r k , Jef frey and David by her first :narriage. Sa.ady is t he son of the second marri age , 25 Page 4 The Armstrong Family HJstory 'fhomas Melville married Jean McLachlan in 1967 and they have two children Bradl ey and Cheryl . Nellie passed awa y in 1978 , and i s buried at Annan .

I s abell Arm strong married Charleton Cameron, and their family a re recorded on Page 1 • of the Armstrong history. J ame s marr ied Emily Hutchinson in 1935, and they had a daughter Alice, who married All an Miflin and they have a s on Arlen Corby, ~larence (Clare) who did not marry. 6lmer married Elizabeth Thomson in 1936, and t hey have three sons John, ~illiam and Robert. John married &ileen lales, and they had rour sons and a daughter-Ronald, Robert , Betty Mae, laymond and Randy. William marr~ed ileanor Johnson, and t hey ha ve three sons, i llan, Jeffrey a nd Ian. Robert ma r ried Cheryl Cul bert •

•

• 26 l.r John Couper ·as bor n on vctooer 4, 1881 on the fam::.ly f_.rm one mile south- east of ,lnn3.n . This century farm was purchased from the Crown i n 1$44 by John Couper .>r . It remained in the f amily name until 1951 . John Couoer did not take ~n active nart in ~unicipal or provincial affairs but • certainly exercis~d a civic duty in these respects. ne served in an official capacity at the polling booth for a number of years. r.r . Couper 1~as a school trustee and secretary-treasurer of the .Annan .:>chool board both under t he old system and the new . He also served for 20 years on the Annan Cemetery Board. He was secretary- treasurer for 17 years of the Annan Farmer ' s Club, which later became part of the Grey /armer' s Co-Operative. John Couuer ;•1as a very active mer.her of the lo.nnan Church, being the clerk of Session for 20 years and a Life Elder. rle was also secretary of the .Annan Church con~regation for 23 years . l-ir . Couper 1~as .. lso a trustee for many years . He retir9d as elder in 1961. It is interesting to record that John Couper and Sarah S1oan w2re t~e last children to be baptiz3d in the old church at the cemetery. A tribute in the the 1956 annual renort n ~ta meeting of the Annan and Leith chJrches it was decided to pay tribute to John Couper who :'or many years ably and willingly served qs Clerk of the joint session of Annan and Lei th churches . In the expression of thi s sentiment we believi:! that as a sessioYJ we !;I.re reflecting the high esteem in which 1,lr. Couper i s held in the minds of all members of the 2 cone;regations" .

•• \ 27 The Ross ~'amily James Somerville Ross and his wi:t:e Janet Henderson with their f ive children came from

Edinburgh , Scotland t o Canada in 1835 . James tCoss was born in Edinbur gh in 1801. i. very well educated man , he had on one occasion won a valuable timepiece for reciting one thous­ and lines in Latin without an error •• He apprenticed i n Edinburgh as a baker and later est­ • ablished two bakeshops of his ol'ln, It was during this eime he married Janet Henderson . 'l'he Ross' i'irst s ettled at Galt for seven months, tnen went t o Pres t on 11here 1-lr. rtoss had a bakery t r ade f or two years. Later he rented a far m a nd searted a brick kiln. During t hese years four more chi ldren were born. I n the s pring 1845 the t·amily moved to a f a r m ae Lot 38, Concession C in Sydenham ·rownship, on what i s now known as t he Lakeshore Line . Their farm hewn out of the bush was one of the f irst far ms in the area. The fami ly cons­ isted of seven sons and two daughters, and in 1846 another daughter was born. The family •,iere Andrew, James, Hugh , David, John, 1•/illiam, Allan, Isabella , ~1argaret and Jessie . Besi des clearing the far m f r om the bush , the f amily had been active in the ouilding trade. tlames and Allan had helped bui ld t wo store buildings at Leith and later operated stores thems elves. Mention is made of Hugh , Navid and John as pupi ls of the f irst yea rs of Annan School, a buildi ng their f ather had helped erect. in 1855 Mr . rtoss, al ong with his s ons, James a nd ~llan rented a s tore in Leith from

Peter Marshal l, and we nt in the merchandising trade under the name 0 1· James Ho ss and Sons . • This business continued until 1875 . The site was where the present home of James Sibbald now stands. I n 1857 they bought out the s t ore of Mr. ~yl ie a nd moved across the street to do business. 'Jlhey did a tremendous trade . These two bui ldi ngs later burned down . The former Baptist Church stands on the corner where the store of James Hoss and Sons had been. I n 1858 Al l an Ro ss build: a mill for his father on Keefers Creek to be a wool mill but it never ran as such. Later it was operated as an oatmeal mill for 11 years . The quality of the oatmeal was so high it was shipped all over Canada and to Scotland . The mill was tor n down in 1902.

A large tannery wa s built across Keel'ers Creek !'or John to run as a business . But John went to New Zealand. instead in 1867 with his brother Andrew . They settl ed in the pioneer district 01· Wai kaito. John later came back t o Canada, settling in Manitoba. James and David Ro ss operated a· store at Annan until 1888 . James S. Ho ss family were William -wh o ma r ried Mar garet Telford and spent his l ife a t Leith . Their family consisted of William Telford Ro ss, who, as a young ma n, bad been a sailor on the Great Lakes, He was an avid reader and a noted hi storian. This gentleman was born on Au; ust 12, 1865 and died in March 1950; John , who worked among the Cree I ndians i n Manitoba and later i n the ea rly 1900 1 s went to the Ylest Coast, to Alberni, , where he served among the Indians there. He helped t hem buil d eheir church as well as build his own home. He pas sed away in Ma rch 1964 in his 97th year. Re i s rememb ered for the f ine pulpit, carved f or the sanctuary of Leith Church . He also was a member of Leith Band. John married Fannie and had two sons Harkness and William. John died in Boston, a Pres . t1arkness oyterian minister. 28

Page 2 The Ross Family .Also in tlilliam' s family were Mi ss Jessie and Miss j:.lizabeth (Lizzie) , who lived on the old family ·farm at Leith until they moved to Owen Sound in 1953 . Miss Elizabeth died in September 1960, aged 91, and Miss Jessie died in 1961 in her 90th year. Also there were sons James and David, who went to Swan River in Manitoba. Allan, another son, remained at • Le ith and wrote "Rem iniscences of North Sydenham~ that was published in 1924. One daughter, Margaret, went west to teach school, and died in 1909. There are no descendants of WiJ.liam Ross living in the vicinity now . rteturning ~o the origi nal James rtoss 1·amily,the eldest son Andrew went to New Zealand. Some of his descendants have visited in this area renently. ~on J ohn also went to New Zealand but returned to Canada later and settled on a 1·arm in Manitoba. James, the second son had been a business partner with bis brother David until 1888, when he, too moved to Manitoba, as did David. _U.lan, in pa rtnershi p with his father in the oatmeal mill, later farmed on the old I'amily farm and went t o Manitoba in 1888. James H. 18)1- 1920, married Bridiet Wilson in 1860. There is an account of a gathering in the Grange Hall at Annan in honour of the R.oss family before their departure to Ma nitoba. They were presented with self- portraits by Will- i am Brown and David Armstrong was the master of ceremonies. Hugh, the last son went to Rapid City, Manitoba, where he 1·armed and a lso kept store. 'l'he oldest daughter, Isabella Thomson Ros s married William McKeen, and they lived at • Leith. Their family were John He nderson McKeen, Margaret (Mrs. ) and J ess ie (Mr s . ~illiam Cooper) and James, who died in 1876. Margaret Ross married Dr • .Allan Sloan~,the doctor at .Annan , and their family were , Dr . J .G. of Lion's Head, Isabel, Allan, Sarah, James, Maria, and J essie, who married

Professor McKelle~.She died in Toronto in March 1948. She had a ctaughter Margaret ~~d a son, Dr . J . C. Maria died in August of 1948, and had been a teacher, and for ten years taught in China. She also did social work in Montreal, Toronto and Hamilton. ~rof essor H. S . McKeller had been a member of the 0•11en Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute st aff at one time . married Hami lton Dagleash, and tbey l ived in Victori a,British Columbia .

Jessie ~oss married John McKee n and they lived at Leith. Their family were James, Agnes , Margaret (J:?:tta), Janet, (Mrs. S. P . B.uzza) , Isabella, (Mrs. kobert Fawcett} and Ross . James Somerville )t9ss died in .lpril 1871 and his wife in 1869, and they are buried at • Annan . The families of Isabella Ro ss McKeen and Jess ie rtoss McKeen are brought up to date i n the family history of James J.'11cKeen Sr. 29 The McKe eo Family James McKeen emigrated from Dumf ries, Scotland to Canada i n 1830. Hi s wife Jean Lang was a sister of Dr . Lang, who s ettled near Bothwell' s Corner. James l'i1 cKeen along with his son ~ill iam operated a shoe store on what is now Yonge Street i n Toronto, f or s everal years. Later t hey moved to Owen Sound a nd operated a store there. • When James McKeen moved t o a homestead at Leith in 1853, th.e 1·ami ly 1·arm situated. about a mile south of Lei th, was given the name Birken Bower, t he name of the home in Scotland. '!"he farm was inherited by his second son John in 1883 . Jenn married Jessie Ross and to this union was born f our daughters and two sons. 'l'he famil y were Isabella, Janet, the eldest in the 1·ami l y,James, Agnes, Margaret and Ross . Janet Henderson McK een married S . P. Buzza in 1899, and their fami ly were Wilson, Ross and Ma rion . Mr s . Buzza , born in 1871, passed away in 1940. Hoss, the eldest, married Isabella Sutherland and t hey mad e their home on the next farm, to the McKe en one . Their family were ·sam, Nancy, (Mrs. Fred Warren) and t heir chil d­ ren are Lisa , Eric, Karen and Heather, and Mary Buzza , who married «onald MacKenzi e, and their children are Erin and Perry. Ross Buzza died in 19oJ at the age of' oJ. Wilson farmed with his brother Ross and until his retirement to Owen Sound . Marion married Harold Ceasar in 1939, and they bought the original McKeen home f rom James McKeen, and their family are Mary Janet, , ma rried to James Mustard, and their 1·amily • are Cathy, Davi d and Bill; Margaret Ceasar is married to Glenn Mustard, and t hey have two sons, Ross and Allan. Isabella married Hobert Fawcett, They had one daughter, J essie, who married Ri chard J. Wi lson, and they had one son Robert. Mrs . Fawcett died in 1935, and her daughter in 1954, at the age of 40. James lived at Birken Bower wi th hi s s isters ~ nes and Margaret until his death in 1900, at the age of 92 . Agnes was·-born in 1877 and Ma rga ret (Etta) i n 1880 . For the last few years of their life, t hey resided at Lee Manor. Marga ret died in 1975 and ,Agnes in 1977 . Ross, born in 1882 , married Flora Brown in 1911, and their fami ly were John, Cor mack and Cat herine . Ro s s died in 1947.

To return to t he first James McKeen f'ami ly, t here was a s on Willi am Lang, who ma rried Isabella Thomson Ross . Wi lli am McKeen purchased the farm across t he road and near the home farm in l8o3 , and it was given the name Sunnyside Farm . On the deat h of Wi lliam

• I his son John Henderson became hei r to the _far m. Also in Will i am i'fcKeen s family were Margaret, (Mrs. J ames .Aitken), Jessie (Mrs. Wi l l i am Couper) and James . William and Isabella were mar.ried i n 1850. William La ng McKe,_ en was bor n in ror thorwald- Dumt.;rieshire, and came to Canada when he was 4 year s old, and he di ed in 1909. 30

Page 2 'the McK een Family John H. McKeen wa s bor n in 1886, and l ived a l l his life i n t he Leit h a rea . His first wif e was Abigail Breadner, who died in 1919 . Their famil y wer e Wi lliam, who married Mar garet Deguer e , and t heir s ons are Willi am, (Bi l l) wh o married Betty Blantied and t heir children a r e Tina and Laurie, and Alexande r , (Sandy). Fra nk McKeen mar r i ed Maudie Cameron • and thei r children a r e Q.!!1 wh o ma rried Paul Spencer, who have two sons Gregory a nd Tim­ othy ; Lorrai ne, who married James Gonder, and t heir chi ldren are Teresa, Janet, Brent, Ian and Nathan; Norman, who married Patrici a McGillivra y, whose children are Jenni f er, David a nd ? eter; and Do nald mar r i ed Linda Ha l l and Lisa George McKe en married Ma rion Riddell, and Rober t married H~zel Bailey . They have no chil dren . Mr . John H. McKeen t ook for hi s second wife Winni f red Kirkwood in 1923 . 'l'hey had three s on·s, Kirkwood and J ohn Ross (Jackie) and Kirke . The l atter were twins, Bot h Kirkwood a nd J acki e died i n i nfa ncy. J . H. McKeen passed away i n Afigust 1957 i n his 92nd year. Al so in Will iam McK een' s famil y was Margar et, who mar ried James .Ai tken in 1888. Thei r famil y we r e I sobel, Mrs. Wi lliam Ca t hrae, whose daught er was He l en, who mar r ied !llan Leslie, a nd t heir chi l dren we r e James, who f irst married Laurel Mi l l er , a nd they had one s on ~ yan . Following hi s divorce , he ma rried Jane McMeekin, and Ross, who mar ried Margaret , Mr s . Lee Miller and Rut h, Mr s . Paul McMeekin. • Margar et Aitken , who r es ides on t he f amily far m, I nez, who married desl ey Robb and later James Tugman, and Hel en, who ·died in 1911 . Jessie McKeen ma r ried l'ii.lli am Couper and they resided at Tara. They had one daughter , Isobel and a son J ohn, who died in 1916 . James McKeen di ed in 18·$<31 on May 23rd •

• 31

Tlii!; RUTnll.rtFOltD FliMlLY

Thomas Rutherford was born in 1812 in Ancrum, Roxburghshire, Scotland and came to Canada in 1SJ8 . Tn his early years before he c8.1'1e to Canada be had been a gardener on the

estate of Sir ~illiam Scott and was distantly related to Sir Walter Scott, A second • cousin. He came first to Galt, where he engaged in the butchering trade. In 1840 he came t o the site of the present city of Owen Sound. Here he had a government job of allocating supplies to the first settlers. Shortly after this he became a hotel keeper on what was then known as Union Street and w~s the first inn- keeper in the village . The t~vern was on the south-west crnrner of Poulett and Union StreeGs In 1847 he attended a sale of Crown Lands, and bought Lot 35, Concession ~. Sydenham Township, a lot of 100 acres for 45 pounds . This farm is still in the Rutherford family name . A very able business man and highly respected citizen of both Owen Sound and Leith community, Thomas Rutherf'ord died at the age of 67 years in March 1879, and is buried in Leith cemetery.

Thomas Rutherford married Catherine McGregor in 1844 and to this union was born Jessie, a spinster, Mary Ann, who married Thomas S . Mitchell, M'3lcolm, • Whilhemina, who married Thomas T. l•litchell. Miss Kate McGreg.or, a niece made her l:!o'ne with them. The Rutherfords were pioneers, whose coura~e, enterpri se and ciili;i:ence

•

't'homas Rutherford l•lrs . Thomas Rutherford transformed the wilderness of ~he early days into the f i elds ond 11Pllrdens of to- day. )2

!>age 2 - l'he Rur:.herford F:irnily

1-lalcol m Rut herford was born June 16, 1853 at the Lei th home f ar m, where

he lived for 72 years . Mr . Ruther1'ord was a prominent Leicest'3r sheep raiser,

and R judge at fairs . t very capable f armer, his farm was considered an out­ • standine; exampl'3 of good husbandry . Th~ farm w1s named Bayside, and now consists of 425 acres. The present house was built i n 1865 . In 1889 halcolc, dutherford married !'ii ss Annie Mitchell, a dau;::hter of J9.mes

'·· , itchell of Chats•,iorth. Their fam ily were Archi e who di ed as an infant , Thomas J ., (T. J . ) Margaret, Kate and Jess i e . Mr . Etutherford retired to Leith in 1923, a nd moved t o a new house bui l t in 1924 . ~li ss /.largaret Rutherford resides i n t his house now. Mr s . Rut herfor d pa ss ed away i n November 1917 , and her husband in February 1938. Their daughter, Jessie, wh o was a teacher, di ed in 1941.

r •

•

,,,r. and 1>1rs. l•1alcol m .l{utherford JJ

Page J - The Rutherford Family •

Hrigadier T. J . Rutherf ord C. B.i ., l .D .

A farmer by occupation, Brigadier Tom Rutherford served i n all but one of the Non - Commissioned ranks and was Commissioned in the Jlst Grey Regiment in • 1914. He went overseas in ·,vorld War l with the 147th Grey Battalion. Served in France and Belgium with the 4th C.M. R. Bn ., was wounded, Mentioned i n Despatches and promoted to Capt3in i n the Field. On the reorganization of the Militia following t he w~r , he was appoipted Maj or in the Grey Regiment and in 1925 was appointerl Li eut . Col . to command the Regiment . He passed the Militia Steff Course and in 1931 was appointed Colonel to command the 22nd Northern Ontario Brigade. He was post,ed to Reserve of Officers in 1935. On commencement of World ',Yar 11, be reverted, at hi s own request, t o the r ank of Ma jor in che Grey and Simcoe Foresters. In 1940, when that Regiment was activated, he was appointed Lieut. Col. to command the active regiment and following ten months in command , he ~as promoted to the rank of Brigadier and given command of the 1st ~anadian Armoured Bri gade, which he organi11.ed, took overseas in 1941, and commanded for 18 months. He was then given command of the three Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforceroent Units in the United Kingdom and Officer Administering Canadian • Armoured Corps U. K. Subsequentiy, he was appointed Deruty Commander and in charge Canadi an Forces, Netherlands . Following: this, he was Commander Repatriation Units in the U. K. He was ereated a Commander of the Order of the British E~pire and aw~rded the .&fficiency Decoration. 34

Pege 4 - The Rutherford Family In 1946 Brigadier Ruther ford returned to Canada to become Director- General of ~ehabilitation, and the following year National Director of the Veterans • Lands ~ct Administration. In 1959 he organized and became the first Chairman of the • Canadian Farm gredit Corporation, the purpose of which was to make it possible f or efficient farmers to build up economic farm units with the help of subst­ ant;i.al Government Loans and a Loan A.dvisement Service, the nucleus of which was to be the V.L.A. Staff, the effectiveness of whose work was then well recognized.

This accomplished, he retired in 1963 . In 1961 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of his old regiment, the Grey and Simcoe Foresters. Thomas J . ( T . J .) Rutherford married Nellie Sibbald and their family are Jaffray, Ann, Robert and Bruce . Jaff is married to Betty Cumming and their family are Bruce, Sheila (deceased) , Louise, David and Jock . These children are the fifth Beneration to l ive at Bayside :arm. From the Ontario Agricultural Collc~e, Guelph, Jaff received his Bachelor of Scientific .lll;riculture DeEree . Other members of the Thomas Rutherford family are .urn, who is mc1rried to David • Rose, and has on!:! daughuer, OP.bhie - Bob is marrled to Betsy Sutcliffe and their family are Robert and Susan. Bruce' s wife is the former Elaine \iagner. Their children are Peter, wendy and Sherry. Briq;a<4ier Rutllert·orCl C1ied in July J.975, and 1·011owine; a military 1·uneral, was buried in the Leith Cemetery. His d.aught ers- in-J.aw, l:!etsy ant. Elaine ituther1·ord predeceased him in t ile winter or 1<.J'/5, --·

• • .. • t:

The f amily residence at "Bayside" Farm 35 Page 5 - The Rutherford f amily •

Jaffray Rut herford B.S . A. Jaffray Rutherford was the first winner of the Tommy Cooper Award . This award is presented to the person making the greatest contribution to the advancement of agriculture and rural living during the past year. The 1959 winner received this • award for his great contribution to grassland farming . Mr . Rutherford was second in the Ontario competition out of 500 entries, after winning the Georgian Bay Zone pasture competition. Jaff received the Tommy Cooper Award in February 1960 .

·• • UNVEILIJ'P AND DEDICATION of

HISTOaICAL PLAQUE

commemorating

THE FOUNDIID OF OWEN SOUND

to be held at the CITY HALL,

OWEN SOUND, Ont .

Friday, July 14th, 1967

2. JO P. M.

sponsored by • GREY COUNTY HISTCRICAL SOCIETY - mroRAMME - - L'I\SCRIPTION ON PLAQUE -

Chairman - Mrs . George Alderdice, 2nd V.P. THE FOUNDIID OF <:MEN SOUND

In November, 1840, a t~plot in Sydenham ADrJRN35 OF WELCOME • • • . • • • • • • • ROBERT RUTHERFORD Township was surveyed as the terminus of the (Mayor, City of Owen Sound) • • Garafraxa-Owen's Sound Road . John Telfer,

COMME~ BY ..•. •.• ••.....•...... IVAN AITCHESON government agent, ccrnpleted his house by November (Warden, County of Grey) 21 and a shelter for settlers by the following

REV. A. W. DGJNER, M. L.A. Simcoe, spring. Four private buil dings were finished by Dept. of Tourism & Information July 1842. "Sydenham" by 1846 contained a saw­ PROF . J. M. S. CARELESS, mill and grist- mill and about 150 people. A Archaeological & Historic Sites Board of Ontario. post office, opened in 1847, was named Owen's

Sound after the settlement along the Garafraxa EDDIE SARGENT, M. L. A. Grey-North. Road from Arthur north. "Sydenham" grew as land

PERCY NOBLE, M. P. and water conununications improved and in 1852 Grey-North. became the seat of Grey County. The Coomunity of

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND •••••• MRS . R. W. MEN'lIES, "Sydenham" was incorporated as the Town of Owen Grey County Historical Society Sound in 1857 with a population of almost 2 , 000 • UNVEILIID ...... MISS MARGARET RUTI!Eru'CRD, •• Leith, Ont. Erected by the

DEDICATION AND BENEDICTION ..••• REV. C, DilX}EL, ARCHAEOLOJICAL AND HISTORIC SIT&'3 BOARD Owen Sound Ministerial Association OF ONTARIO. J-7 - Page 6 - The Rutherfor d Family •

•

Left to right : Ivan ~itcheson, Grey County Warden; Rev . ~. w. Downer, M.P .P . Duf'ferin­ Si mcoe; E. C. Sargent, M. P.P . Grey- North; Professor J . M. Careless; Miss Margaret Rutherford; Mrs . R. W. Menzi es, Grey County Historical Society; Mrs . George llderdice; Rev . Calvin Diegel; Mayor Robert Rutherford; and Percy Noble, !'J .P . Grey- North. A plaque commemoraving the founding of Owen Sound was unveiled by l>dss Margaret

Rutherford, granddaughter of Owen Sound 1 s first citizen, 'l'homas Rutherford , in a ceremony outside city hall. The event was sponsored by the Grey County historical Society. The unveiling of this historical plaque took place in July 1967, Miss Ji,iargaret llutherford lives in the family home at Leith following a busy career as a nurse and a school teacher • • 38

INSPirtINU AND L•.P ne3SIVe S.C:ttVICi Ar JJ.c.Di t;,.'l'IVl~ UF ,,iI.,.:i KliT.C: itUTHt::lh•Li!Hl Dr . D. G. McGregor of London and Offi cials of t he Grey Presbyteri al W. M. S . dedicat ed Leith Lady for service in West Afr ica field, in August 1928 .

A beautiful servi ce of dedication, which was an inspiration and spiritual stim­ ulation t o all t hose present , t ook place at Leith United Church on Sunday afternoon, when Miss Kate Rutherford, B. A., r eceived her commission as a missionary of the Women ' s Missionary Soci ety of the United Church of Canada to t he field of Angol a in liest Africa. Miss Rutherford, who was born and brought up in Leith is t he second daughter • of Mr. Malcolm Rutherford of that place, and the hi gh regard, which is felt for her and the members of her f amily, was shown by the l arge number of fri ends who assembled at the s er vice on Sunday . In the absence, through illness of Rev . C. Elmer Kenny, President of the Grey Presbytery, and of the minister of the Church, Rev . Mr . hose, who is in the west , the service was taken by Rev . D. C. McG regor of London who was assisted by Rev . A. H. Scott a missionary of the Baptist Church i n India, who is spending his furlough i n Leith . Special music was provid ed by the Choir i ncludi ne a very sweet solo by Miss Marion Buzza , with special reference to the nature of t he service of the day . Dr . McGreg or spoke briefly and very inspiringly from te~ i n Acts 22 : 23 and 24 . He sketched the misfortunes which befell Paul in person and his collea6 ues, and then descri bed Paul , the persecut or, turned preacher. His. message then was one onl y- God was in Christ, which was a message all the mo r e convincing to us because it was t he result of an intellectual conversation of the p ..i rt of Paul . "Thi s mess1:1ge ," said Ur. Mc1regor "It' s the only message which wi l l convert the world. It is the only one _for the Church and for her pr eachers and mi ssionaries. It is t he only vital, aggr essive message tha t can be given. A Church without is'. is anaemic and i f there i s anything the matter with our churches to-day it is because t hey suffer from this anaemic . " 1vha t a wonderful message this , is, was Dr. lficGregor ' s thought and how wonderful it is t o be the herald of such a gospel. She , who was cou."lted worthy t o be such a her ald, might depend on the promise that God , who sows the seeds, shall be responsible for the harvest • .A.t the conclusion of hiis address, Dr. McG regor called to the platform, Mrs. S . H. Langford of Owen Sound, one of the Vice- Presidents of the Grey Presbyteri al . Mr~ · Langford bri efly explai ned the work of the .Angola 1-li ssion and then, a s an of f i cial of the Presbyterial, pr esented Miss Rutherf ord to the Church. The impressive s ervice of commission was then read by Dr . l•lcGregor and the congregation stood a s the beaut­ iful and solemn sentences of the closing prayer we re read . The ~resi d ent of the Grey • Presbyteri al of the w.M.S . of the Un ited Church, Mrs . Staplesof Hanover, was then called to present to Miss Rutherford the Bible, which is a gift of the Society to its missionaries . Mrs . St aples spoke briefly and very sym,pathetically, as she maue the j:lPesentation. It was very fitting that a share in t he service of the day should be t a ken by one, who, thqugh unable t o be present i n person was , as all 11ho knew him were assured, present i n spirit and took t he keenest interest in the action of Mi ss Rutherford i n her decision t o give herself t o the mission work. A typical message of love and ex­ hortation wa s read by Dr . McGregor f r om Rev . J . B. Fr aser , the much loved former min­ ist er of the Church and at i ts conclusion the service was closed by song and prayer. Dr. Fraser' s message, which was one of the memorable ones of t he a£ternoon is appended . The .,ddress Dear fellow Christians of years ago and still, with the generations growing up that ha ve since learned to know and love me and one another for Chri~t' s s ake and t he gospel. I esteem it an honor and pri vi lege to be associated with you in this special service. Most of you will regret , as I do, the impossibility of my saying to you what my illness forbids my doing. we all, I stress, esteem t he call and commis sion and fellowship of service i n the Gospel . We often recall the parting me ssage which we call His Commission "Go ye i nto all tbe World and tea ch all nati ons ,teaching the111 to observe all t hi ngs I have commanded you and lo I am with you unto the end of the ~iorld ." It was His f inal f a re­ well message t o them, as it is t o us all, to the end of the worl d . It is one which we should cherish a s an honor, privilege and obligati on. We ~ijnnot go per sonally but, we can make it possible by our con tributions f or those who are especially called to go and to give themsel ves wholly t o t heir calling on our behalf, and we should and must regard this as our oigti privilege as well as our solemn obligation. We rejoice in the honor t hat has come t o us as a congregation, • tha t one tha t was for long an honored member is t o be our representative in one of our many Foreign ~ission Fields. A mission that came t o us into the Union with the Oongregational Church . It is at Angola on the 1.i~s~ coa~t of ~rica, and under the Portuguese Government . The people are Bantus, v:Lrile , i ntelli gent and happy · )9

Page 2 Miss Ruther.ford ' s Dedicati on There a r e twenty- five on the s t aff. which is healt hy . The mai n drawback is that th~ government r equires the work to be carried on i n t he Portuguese language so that the f irs t yea r of every missiona ry must be given to study of th• i r l angu~ge . We a re especiall y fortuna te i n securing f or s uch a field one who has had t he t r a i ni ng i n study of a University course and has had the advant~ge of some years teachi ng and of one whose spiritual qual i fications are as sati sfact ory as her literary . Her mother of sainted memo ry was gr ea tly interested i n the mi ssi on wo rk of t;he church , The memory of her l ife ,~ill be an i nspiration t o her daughter i n all the work • of fai th and patience of hope she may be called t o . Dedication We a re now me t to dedicate you Kate Rutherford to t hi s miss i on t o which you have been ca l led a nd expect so soon t o go . le commend you t o the Cod of all g r ac e and t o Hi s Son who has rece ived al l power in Heaven a nd on earth, a nd promi sed t o be with you t o t he end of your t ask, and to suppl y all your need out of Hi s i nfi nite gr eatness . We s hal l remember you in our pr ayer s and promise that we shal l do all we can t o ma intain and promot e t he interest of t his char ge and Presbytery in the field t o 1ihich you go ; a nd shall be gl ad and thankful t o learn from time t o time of t he bles sing of the Mas t er on you a nd your work . I-lay t he Lo rd bless and keep you and make you a bless­ ing to all among whom your lot is cast . .Jind may Gr ace, !•1ercy and ?eace be Iiith you always . Amen . Kis.; Rutherford is a gradullte of the O.S. C. V.I. and of the Uni versity of Tor onto a nd has had sever al years of experience as a t eacher in On t ari o schools. She is al so a gr adua te of the Tr aining School of the Unit~d Church of Canada . Leaving Owe n J ound on August 10th , she wi l l sail for Li sbon, where she wili spend a year in thd s tudy of the Portuguese l anguage , as it is necessary that, the missionaries i n this NeSt ~fr i can f i eld s hall conduct t heir wo r k i n that t ongue . ,,1i ss Rutherford 1·1ho is e. sister of Col . 'l' . J . Hutherford , ha s a l arge circle of warm f riends in Grey Count y and carrri es with her t o her splendid ,,1ork their interest and affection . It was a ma tter of satisf­ a ction to her many f r iends t o know that :.fr . •·lalcolm Rutherford, who has been serious ly i l l for many months , was a ble t o be present at the s e rvice on Sunday . By Dor othea Deans - The Owen Sound Daily Sun- Times-August 1928 . •

• 40

Trlt MITCHE:LL FAMILY Thomas T. P. 1.Utchell was born i n June 1806 at Sterling shire, Scotland. When he ,~as t wenty he married Isabella Rattery. In 1834 they came to Canada and travelled west t o Smith Falls, where Mr . Mitchell t ook an unwilling part i n the t,,1acKenzie • rebellion at the Battle of' the ~indmi ll . In 1841 Mr . Mitchell came from Toronto by way of Barrie to a place near Griersvi l le. His wi fe died there i n 1841. In 1843 he came to the Owen Sound area i n search of labour and money . He t ook a contract t o clear a block of bush one mile in length along the Garafaxa Road betwe en Rockfor d and Frosts Corners. In 1847 he sold his farm of 200 acres at Griersville and moved t o Sullivan township. Later he married a Miss McGr egor. For s everal years he and some of his neighbours walked from t he home about a mil e west of Chatsworth to t he Presbyterian Church on 8th Street hill in Owen Sound to att end services . After a few years Mr . Mitchell acquired a span of horses and hitchi ng them to his rig he offered rides t o all his l'riends t o attend kirk with him. His outfit was called the noospel Stage". For his sterl ing and honest character he was appointed a magistrate to mete out jus tice in the neighbourhood.

In 1856 the beginning s o_f a mission station in t.he area was beg un . Mr . l•1itchell' s • home was used as a residence by the travelling missionaries and his new barn as the chapel. He gave up his homestead to bi s youngest son Th omas S. ,.a tchell, and he retired to a home in Chatsworth . Mr . Mitchell remained a staunch church man all his l i fe . He had t-wo daughters Mr s . Jane McGi l l ,md Mrs . Janet \'lard , and three sons, James, Robert and Thomas S. Mr . Mitche l l died in 1881. One br other survived him at Griersvil le. J ames Mitchel l married Margaret Ferguson and to t hem wer e born five sons, Thomas T. James, John, Ar chie, who di ed as a child and Robert and six daughters Mrs . .f . S. Bannerman, Mrs . Robert ,,lcC l elland of Sullivan, Mrs. Alex (Sandy} Pringle, Mrs. Malcolm Rutherford, Mrs . R. Lynn and Mr s . W. A. Chisholm . Thoma s T. Mitchell, s on of J ames was bor n in Febr uary 1856 in Sullivan Township. He married Minnie Rutherford, daughter of Thomas Rutherford, on June • 29, 1892 . For several years t hey farmed in Sullivan, and in 1S96 they moved to • Leith, buying the Adam ~inslie farm. Mr . Mitchel l spent many years on the farm, and later retired to Leith. The Mitchell' s had one son J ames, who bought the

home f a r m in 1922 . l • I I - 41

Page 2 - Mitchell family •

..r. and l'1rs . Thomas T. ,•!itchell 1•.r . and Mrs . 'l'i10mas 1ilitchell were very active in the Leith Church . il,rs . ~itchell was a choir member, and at the time of ner marriage was present ed with a tea service, which her g rand- daughter, Mrs . Kyle Robertson now has in her home . Jllr. Mitchell was _.n elder for many years , and treasurer .for 37 years , and on his retirement from this position, he was presented with a chair. Mr. Mitchell was a good neighbour . He passed away in -April 194S, and his wife in August of t he • same year in her 89th year. ?,,Ir . James Mitchell married Margaret L. Lamont . I'heir family are Rog er, Russell and Dorothy. Mr . and Mrs . !,u tchell have resided on the home farm ever since their marriage.

Both of th eat have been active in the Leith Church. i:1lrs . Mitchell was an Institute member for many years, and is still involved in the Leith U. C. ~. James has been active in agricultural organizations, namely, the Federation

of Agriculture, Farm Forum, the o,~en Sound Agricultural Society, Sydenham Plowman I s

Association, lat er the North Grey f''lowman I i; Association, North Grey Co- Operative, and also was a director of the Leith and Annan Telephone Company . He was an elder at the Leith Church 1·or many years, and is a member of the Annan United Churcb choir at this time (1972) . r.ir . Mitchell has been involved with the Leith Cemetery committee • •

• 42

Page 3 -,,atcbell family •

Mr . and Mrs . James Mitchell Mr . Roger Mitchell married Miss Gwen Taylor in 1950. Their fami.l.y are Kenneth, Lenore,Lloyd and Donna . Mr . Russell Mitchell married Miss Betty Knagis in 1957, and they have four girls, Ellen, Linda, Lisa (twin), and Leone, and two sons, Gordon and twin Larry. Miss Dorothy l-1itchell married Kyle Robertson in 1961, and their 1'amily are • Sheila and David •

Front Row: Donna, Gwen and Roger, Larry,-- 8etty, Leone, Russell, Lisa • Behind : Lenore, Lloyd and Kenneth Gordon, Linda and Ellen 43

Page 4 - Mitchell family

• \

Kyle , Da vid, Sheila and uorothy Robertson

•

• 44

•

The Thomson Family Back Row : Tom Thomson, Minnie (Mrs . Will H~nry), Ralph Thomson . Middle Row : Henry Thomson , Elizabeth (Lizzie) Mrs . Torn Harkness, George Thomson, Louisa (Mrs . Jim Henry), Front Row : Fraser Thomson, Margaret (Mrs . Tweedale} . Tom Thomson was born in Claremont, Ontario on t be 4th of August 1877 . His parents were John and Margaret Thomson , and their family are pictured above . One son James • died in infancy. When Tom was only two months old the family moved to Leith and settled at Rose Hill Farm, and it was in this quiet country setting that Tom spent his childhood and early adult years. He attended the one room schoolhouse in the village and attended the Leith Presbyterian Church. He was a lover of the outdoors and r oamed the fields and hills of the Georgian Bay escarpment. His farm home and the freedom of his ear ly years in the country no doubt made a significant contribution to the develop~ent of his character which in later years enabled hi m to portray the strength and beauty of the Canadian wilds . When Tom was twenty years of age he worked briefly at Kennedy ' s Foundry in 0•11en Sound . He then left his home town and for a year attended Chatham Business College . He joined his older brother George at the latter' s business college in Seattle, where be beoeme proficient in desigt'l and lettering. He also spent se'leral summers in ,lest­ ern Canada working on the prairie harvest crews • In 1905 Thomson returned to Toronto . He was introduced to the phot o- engraving • trade while in Seattle, and now continued in that occupation, and from 1905- 1910 worked at this in Toronto. In 1910 'l'oo joined the staff of Grip Limited to work as a commercial illustrator. Tne head designer at this firi:1 was the painter- poet J . E . H. MacDonald, who was co have a Jren.t influence on Thomson ' becoming an arti st · 45

Page 2 TOM TH0,,1SON Thomson met othe1· artists at Grip Limited including .Arthur Lismer, Fred Varley, Fr/ink Carmichael and Franz Johnston, young paint ers ,~ho were to become with MacDonald, founders of the Group of Seven. Two other artists at the engraving firm were H. B. Jackson and Tom filacLean . It was the latter who aroused Thomson' s latent • interest in the far north and in 1912 Tom spent his first summer holiday at Canoe Lake, accompanied by H. B. Jackson. Thomson ' s training as a commercial a rtist and des igner became an asset in his work as a landscape painter, enabling him to organi ze and interpret the wilderness landscape in a unique manner. Until the end of 1913 he continued to work as a com­ mercial artist, having transferred to the firm of Rous and Mann, but was spending the summer months in the North country, camping, fishing and sketching. His work up to this time was meticulous , marked by careful observation, taking few liberties wit h nature. I n 1913 Tom was encouraged by his friends to enter the Annual li:xhibition o.f' the Ontario Society of Artists. He submitted the l arge canvas of "A Northern Lake". This painting was purchased by t he Ontario Government (it hangs in the office of the Prem­ ier of Ontario) . This was the first of a series of successful events that spurred 'l'om • Thomson onward .

• Tom Thomson Dr . James Mac Callum offered to guar antee his expenses for a year if he would devote all hi s t i me to painting . Thomson accepted but was dubious about his ability. 46 Page 3 TUM THOMSON He shared a studio in the new 3tudio Building er~ct~d by Dr . Nac~allum and Lawren Harris in Toronto ' s Rosedale r avin'

•

The l'lest l'lind In July 1917 Tom Thomson, a l'ew days before his fortieth birthday, was drowned in Ganoe Lake, .Algonqui n Park. He was alone . It was a quiet day in the par k, and he was an expert canoeist . How it happened is one of the mysteries of the Nort h Country. First he ·,1as buried on the tip of a prominent nill near the spot where he was drowned , Later he was re- interred at the Leith cemetery • During the short three and a half years in which he devoted all his time to paint­ • ing Tom became one of the outstanding figures of Canadian art . His now farnous canvas "The Jack Pineff was sold to the National Gallery of vanada shortly after its completion. Before his untimely death Tom was represented in many public and private collections. Page 4 TOM 'TI-IuMSON •

Tombstone at the Leith Cemetery. Tom Thomson was firmly established and recognized as a leader of the new movement in Canadian art . He was among the first to develop a distinctive Canadian style cf painting which tried to picture the rugged 6rand~ur of the ~anadian Northland. Since his death his work h~s continued to increase in value and also fame and to-day be

ranks among the 5 reat landscape painters of Canada. Little is known of the man personally; he was shy, but loved to play the mandolin • and sing; he was restles5 and searching, f ollowing his own star .

•

TQ11,\ Tl lOM50:-.. 48

Page 5 TOM THOMSON The Tom Thomson Plague On August 20, 1961 a plaque was erected in Leith, just past the second residence on the right side after you come over the bridge. This plaque was erected by the Ont­ ario Historical Sites Board and the Provincial Department of Travel and Publicity to • the memory of Tom Thomson . The suggestion for the erection of this pl aque rlas sent by the Annan v/omen ' s Institute to the Grey County Hi storical and llrt Society. 1'lrs . Theo­ dore Lavery was the Presi dent, Mrs . Kenneth Spence, the 1st Vice-President, Mr

the Warden of Grey County, 'II . J . Kinney , the ReeYe of Sydenham Township, John J.JcCutcheon, the Chairman of Grey County ,lomen ' s Institute, i•lrs . Gordon B0th1-iell and J .M. S . Careless, Vice- Chairman of the Historic Sites Board br ought greetings and paid tribute to the Thomson family . •

Left t.o righc; : ii,rs. Theo La very, l'•lrs. Hora DePenci er, Mr . ;v . J . Ki nney, Mr . '.Ji l liam Forsyth, Mrs . Everett Johnson , Mr . John ,1 ccut cheon , and Hrs . Gordon Bothwell. Mrs. Nora De Pencier i ntroduced the principal speaker Mr . A, Y. Jackson, an artist of note and one of the Group of Seven. He told of his meeting and relationship with Tom Thomson . Mrs . C:ver ett Johnson, President of Annan I/omen ' s Institute dedicated the mem ­ orial plaque. The official unveiling was done by Messrs . George and Fraser 'I'homson, both br others of Tom Thomson . r,rr . George Thomson was a painter of note, and Mr . Fraser • Thomson also painted wit h distinction. Their sister l•irs . l•i.LJ.rg;aret Tweedale 11as also in att endance. 49 Page 6 TOM 'rHOMSON Th i s plaque will ser ve as a reminder t o many area residents and also the many visi tors, many of them tourists, that t he Owen Sound area i s proud and j ustif i ably so, of Tom Thomson and his work. This plaque was the first one to be erected i n • Sydenham Township .

Left t o right:r.lr . Geor ge Left to r i ght: Mr . A. Y, Thomson , Mr s . Margaret Jackson, Mr . G. Thoms on, Tweedale, Mr . Fraser Thomson , Mrs. M. Tweedale, l'lr . F . Mr • . J .M. S . Car eless, Mr . Percy Thomson, Mr . Car el ess, Noble M. P • ,,lr . 1-' . Nobl e M. P . •

\

r • • i· . '.UNVEILI NG -OF TWB:: . I I I • • "' • i ~- , , ' ' ', "T .. 0 M :I'. 11 O·,M S O .N~ M E, M O R I A L P .r. J\ Q ·'.- ' AUGUST .. 29, 1961. • 'T - I' . ' LEITE', Ofl'l':AR I O. I ,r ·'

• I 50

Page 7 TOJll THOMSON From May 4th to June 1st 1977 the Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Mu seum of Fine Art, Owen Sound , Ontario had a very f i ne exhibition of Tom Thomson's paintings and sketches t o commemorate his birthday 100 years ago . There we re 65 paintings and sketches. Some of these were on l oan from the National ~rt Gallery of Canada, the • Ontario He ritage Foundati on, and family memb ers. J.lany o.f the paintings hung were also from t he permanent coJ.lection of the Tom Thomson Memori al Galler y . In 1956 t he first pl ans to establi sh an art gallery t o c ommemorate the f amous native s on were proposed by the Owen Sound Junior Chamber of Commerce . The f i rst art gal lery was opened in 1959 as a joint project of t he Jaycees and t he Gr ey County Historical and Art Society. In 1966 the Corporation of t he city of Owen Sound chose to develo_p t he Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery as a Centenni al proj ect and were gr anted ownership of t he sit e at 840 First Avenue \lest . The Grey County Hi s t orical and Art Soci et y was disbanded and two new Boards of Management came into being-one for the new gallery and one for the new County of Grey-Owen Sound Museum , built as a Centen­ ni al proje ct near the Grey County Building . On 27th May 1967 the Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art was off ici all y opened by Mayor Robert Rutherford, • ass i sted by Mrs , Ma rgaret Tweedal e , s ister of the arti st •

Mo st of Thomson ' s artistic output was in the form .of sketches done dire ctly from nature on birch panel~ which f i tted i nto his sketch box. Two such pai ntings , similar i n subj e ct yet widely different i n content and mood are, f.e.atlllI"N on these stamps . " .~pril i n Al gonquin Park" i s r eproduced wit h permission of the owners , t he Tom Thomson Memo rial Gallery and Museum of Fine ! rt. In this Si" x 10}" oil sketch, the sodden grey snow banks serve to emphasize t he brilliant spring sky and t he first flush of renewed l ife i n t he birch trees. "Jutumn Birches" contrasts t he glowing golds and reds of f all foli age against a chill and misty sky presag~ng winter. Thi s sketch , also i n oi l on an 8!" x 10}" panel • is reproduced wit h permissi on of the Art Gallery of Ontario .

• 51

Iri sh Block Schools (St. Michael' s ~chooll Fr om Retr ospect in t he Hi story of St . Mi chael's Church a nd the Iris h Bl ock, here is t he portion about t he s chool . The little s chool was f ound i n olden days, Of smal l pretense and spar s ely known to f a me, Forgot ten now in a l l except the name, '!'was ther e the chil dren early l ea rned to pore • 0 1·er book and slate in quest ot· hidden lore. The master stern with pampus , lor dly mi en And oft i n wealtfi 01· high resounding phrase Be labored hims for s tupid, uncouth wa ys . I l l far ed the youth , a prey to wrath and s cor n I n whose apt mind contenti ous -~uh:ough.:lls we r e born To questi on aught t he mas ter might aecl are , - He ruled with mi~ht, nor sought t he r od t o spare. At one time there were two schools serving t he educat i -0na l neeas ol' t he !Hock. Upon t he completi on of t he t'i r st bri ck c hurch, the old l og church was conver ted to a school. I ts

f irst teacher was a r,fr . John ~latter y . Th e other s chool, later known as s .S .S. l~o fl was bui l t as clos ely a s can be ascer t a ined i n the ear ly eighteen 1'ifties . lt was bui l t o.t· cl ap board on the outside, ha ving J wi ndows on each s i de, and the i nside including t he ce iling was lined with wainscot ting. Naturally, i t wouJ.d have i;he porch 1or the ent r ance and an attached wood­ shed at the back . I t was a simple country s chool, but many good students passed through i ts doors . But t o keep up with the times , in 1962, t he pupils of S.S. S. No . 7 were bussed to an Owen Sound school. 'fhe school , wh i ch had s erved the Block for well ove r ·a cent ury, came under the auctioneer' s hammer and a !'amil iar and wel l l oved l a ndmark has di sappear ed. Th e • educati on sta ndards ha ve changed f r om the simpl e 3 R' s t o a standard which the s chool could no longer quali _fy for t he requi r ed government regulat i ons . Tea chers who t aught and gui ded t he chil dren were: Mi s s McLean, Mrs . Br i dgewat er, Mi ss Ellen McHugh , Mi ss Mar y Ann Morgan, Mi s s 1/innifred Mor gan, Miss Brennan, :Mi s s McGilly, Mr . J ohn Sl attery, Miss El l a Fi tzpatri ck, Miss Hart, ,l! iss Sara Cahoon, Mi s s Mar garet O' Brien, Berna r d Mb Gui r e, Miss Loretta Tr$ynor , Mr . Joe Garvie , Mi s s Beatrice Tr aynor, Miss Mar gar et Sul l ivan, Mis s ,1e an Barden , 1'tiss Lorett a Feehan , t"l_i s s Abbie Mulhall, Jviiss Mary r-tcEwan, Mi s s Ell en Cli f for d , Miss Shea , Miss El l en Redden , Miss McMenamy , Mi s s Record, Mi ss Cameron , 1'iar y I v.1 ircGuire, Mi s s Mary Murphy, Mr . Clement dl attery, Miss Apn Nolan, Miss Ma r guerit e 0' Har a , Miss Blanche Duggan , Miss Florence , Bola9, Jl'li ss J•ionica Mur phy , Mi ss Iol ene Br oderi ck, !>1i ss Wi nni f red Sl atter y , ,'11s s Margaret Ronan , Mi ss Ol ga Sol:)cyuk , .Mi ss .Angela Morr is, Mi ss

Mary Mcl\enny , Mi ss Leonita 'l'hompson, Mi ss Mct;ann, Mrs . Mike Kocher, Miss Kat hleen Robson , Mi ss Patricia Preen and Larry Fletcher. It is interesti ng to not e t hat Lor etta Feehan married Maurice iraynor , Mar garet Sullivan mar r i ed Arthur Godfrey, Mary McEwan marr i ed James • Armstrong , Joha nn~ t oK i nney married Pat rick Tr aynor , Ellen Fitzpatrick marr i ed James Slattery, qnd Le oni t a Thompson ma rri ed ¥r ank Hood. The Separate School had t he f i r st melodeon and I•1iss !,icLean ga ve les sons on it t o Annie Tr aynor and Br idget C:l l en l>~att hews , t he first music pupils. 52 Odds and £nds of Interes t from the History of the Irish Block Samuel Cahoon a nd William Hood w.ere the first to possess wagons . William Hood frequently drove to church wi th a single ox hitched to a slei gh . James Horan presented the bell about 1885. James Doyle operated a shoemaker ' s shop at the corner 01' Michael Duggan ' s farm, Lot £4 and t;onces sion 2, Syctenham Township . Patrick 'l'raynor bui lt the i'i rst brick bouse • Thomas Go<:1 .rrey was the last c!:Jild baptizea in the old church. •• Bernard Traynor was the 1·1rst child baptized in the new church . Mrs. Patrick a cted as sponsor at the blessing of the bell. James Hu,ghes had the last team of oxen in the Mission. Peter Vai l operat ed a store for y~ars . Michael Horan had the first reaper , the first wagon, the first cultivator and seed drill . Edward Donovan had the first horserake . Sdwa rd Kenefick had the first top buggy. James Murray had the f irst demo crat wagon . James Hood had the first threshing machine . Brya n '!'raynor was the i'irst councillor 1·rom Syctenham t·r om r..he Block. ln the -r,hirties , 1'ine sacred concerts were held at St. Michael ' s C.:hurch . Here is an account of a dance : Annan Hall, t he scene of many fest i vities in the past, resounded to the larges t throng of dancers in history on Wednesday night when a very succes­ sful event was held under the auspi ces of the Holy N30e Society of St. Michael's Church , the Irish Block. Patrons of the po1ml ar event numbered '-'75 and i ncluded 3 bus loads i'rom Owen .:i ound, about bO 1·r om Bognor, and others 1·rom the o5.strict . Uancing was in order f r om l:S . 30 p . m. to i a .m with "1r . Uuncan Morrison as the popular and ever eff'icient door manager, calling of'1' ror the picturesque square dances . A special door pri ze ~::is awarded ano. was won by Mr . Temple Day . Officials of the Ho l y Nar.ie Society in charge of the evening' s arrangements and the successful carrying out of the plans incl uded Mr . Jl,ichael X Traynor, chairman, Mr . R . Hood , secretary, and Mr . Simon Riley, t r easurer. The ladies presiding at the supper hour were Mrs. R. T. Hood , Mrs . Mauri cc Traynor, Mrs . M. • X. 1'r aynor, .Mrs . ri . Er nst , Mrs . A.lex Cahoon, Mrs . R. -Armstrong and !•1rs. E. Duggan. The young men of the Parish assisted in passing the refre shments . Duri ng an interval in t he eveni ng ' s pro~ram t.he floor was cle.::red a nd sever;:il clever step dancers called upon . Mr . M. X . Traynor, Mr . L . G,u,nichael, lllr . Wi lliam Morris on, and Mr . Wesley McKay gave steps. father Pok1'riel'ka ,r1as an honoured guest • Block Annual Garden Party July '1 , 193'/ • Program Hor seshoe Tourn~ment Country Stores Dart Tour naments Father Collins, Assumption College Windsor Cape Croker Indian Orchestra (dancing starting at 4 :00 P.M. ) Supper 5:30 to 8 : 00 Menu Cold Meats Cold Chi cken Cold Ham Salads Potat o Cabbage Lettuce Fr uit Green unions Radishes l'icltles Bread l:liscui ts Buns Desserts Pies Cakes Cookies Tarts 1'ea Buttermilk tootball- Bognor vs 'ioodf'ord- 7 p . m. - Lorraine Alcrol!t- 'I'ap dancer 1·rom Toronto , accompanied. by Miss Marie ~eenan 8:JO p . m. Mr . J i m .Murray- 3ongs- accompaniect by Mi ss Marie Keenan, 8: 35 p .m. Adele NcCabe- Song and Tap dancing accompanied by Miss Marie Keenan 8 :40 p . m• Simpkins Fami l y- Comedy i\ttr<1ctions,8:45 p . m. Dancing ~t 9 :00 p. m. • Red Horner 11,aple Leaf Ho ckey B.layer Drawing 0£ Gate Prizes at 11:00 p .m. Ice Cream ~uttermilk Soft Dri nks . Ki ndly patronize the advertisers, who have m'lde the printing of this History of the Iri sh Block possible. 53 The Pioneers of the Bl ock The fol lowing information was taken f r om the "History of St. Mi chael' s Church and the Iri sh Block-1852- 1937. The first Catholic families came to the Irish Block about 1840. The t'ollowing comprise the members of the origi nal families wi th their children of the first gener ation . • James Horan married Mary Fowler- 1st wife and Juli a.,.children, .lilliam John, Thomas , Martin and Mary. 1'1i chael Horan married Rose Donahue-children, Wi lli am ,Joseph , Sara, Mary, Rose, Michael, Jerome , Zacharias , Mart ha, Phil omena, Vi ncent, and Barbara . John Hora n married- children, lflichael, John, dilliam,Catherine, Sar a, 1,~ :i.rtin ,Margar et, and they came from Albi on . Will iam Horan married Julia Donahue, children- James , Rose , Ann, Ma ry, Francis , Mart in, Jos eph and Agnes . Michael Traynor married Anna Horan, sister of James, Michael and John . The Traynor children were Bryan, Mi chael, i':.trick, 'fhomas , John, Catherine ,Mary Elizabet h, Sara Ann . They came from .J.lbion by easy stages as it took l~ days t·or them to make the journey owi ng to the fact that t hey· br ought their stock with t hem . ua~es Hood married Isabella i.lh ite , chi ldren- Esther, Catherine, John D. , Elizabeth , Veronica, Isabella, James , william, Robert, Thomas and 3dward . Robert Hood ma rried Bridget Connor-children- John, James , Mary, Peter, ,,,argaret, Bridget, Char les, Robert , Thomas ,Sar a . Wi lli am Hood married Catherine Malloy-children, John G., ~dward, Mary , James , Connor, Robert, Wi lli am)os eph , Patrick, Anna , Bllen, Loui s . ·rhomas Jiood married Bridget Malloy-children, John, Corneli us, Sara, and several i n .-:test. The Hood Bros . came about 1846. James Cahoon married Sara Doyle- children, Mary Ann, Marg;i.ret, 'ihomas , Sara, Elizabeth, Jqmes , John, ti ., :lilliam George. Samuel Cahoon married Johanna Twomey-children Laurence, .U:lizabeth, 1".ary, tJenni s , Johanna , Jara, Ueorge , Samuel, John A., George Cahoon married Mary Mooney- children of George Cahoon- blizabeth, t rancis, 'l'homas , Alexander, .:,amuel. James Cahoon came about 1847 to Adjala, then to the Block • Henry 0 ' Reilly marri ed Br idr,et Gr i mes- children James, Henry, Ann , Ma ry. Margaret and John. '1'tey came a bout 184t> . • Frank O' Reilly married- chil drert Jame s, Patrick, Margaret, Sara, Frank and Henry were brothers . Jose'!)h E. Donovan marri ed- children t:dwaru, Mary Jane and another daugnter- came from Peel. John Quai l married J\1ary -- , children John, Michael, Mary, David and Thomas . James McReavy GJarried Hanna Cahoon, children- James , John, Ma r$aret, Patr ick, George, Ma r y Jane and 2 s i sters in Ad jala . He came f r om Tipperary to Alliston , and t hen the Block. Richard Doyle married Margaret Carroll-children Margaret, Bernar d, John, Rose , Agnes , Cecili a , and kichard. John Doyle married Ma ry ~assi dy- childr en John ~illiam Michael Bernatd, S~ra, Ma.z: y . Patrick Gallagher married Catherine Reilly-children-Margaret, James , .ion9 ,Peter, Manes, Thomas , Cather i ne, 1•1ary, Ellen and Bridget. He came from Donegal , l rl!lland about 1870. Michael Goc!i'rey came in 1848 t·rom !re.land . Andrew Mooney married children James, 'fhomas , ile~ander, Patrick, Mary, Bridgey, Eliza . James McReavy married Hannah Cahoon, (sister of Samuel)-childr3n-James, Joh~, Patrick, George, Anna , Margaret, Mary Jane . 1-fe came from Alli ston ln 1865-born i n Tipperary. John Carroll marri ed Hanor ah Scanlon- children, Mi chael , Dan iel, Margaret, Jilli am , John, Hanor ah, James and Agnes . William Duffy unmarried. Patrick Duffy ma rried- children Mary, Michael, John Thomas . He came f r om Hamilton - 1869. Michael Tracey married Alice Doyl e- children- Bridget , Anna , ,filli am ,Margaret, '1'homas , James, Laur ence, Michael, Alice , Johanna, Catherine . Terence Tracey married Ro se Gunsener-no children _Jo hn Cranny married Eli zabeth Traynor-childr en-Patrick , James, Thomas, Elizabeth & , girls Pa trick Murray married Margaret Cahoon- chiJ.. dren , .iilli am ,Joseph, James, John, .;atheri n~, Ann, l(ary and Margaret . 1 at rick Doyle married Cecilia Cahoon-children, Jara, Mi nnie, r..ar;;aret , liilliam, Michael, Ber nard, James, John anct ~a~rick • John English married Anna Gunsrtioner - children Mary, ::>ar a , Bridget , Lucy and Johanna . 'l'homas Matthews marr ied Ellen Sweny- children Alexander, James, ;,ara, Mary and a 3rd g:irl. • Patrick Matthews marr ied Mary O'lieill- children Charles, Isobel, 11-iurr ay, Ellen, Ma rgaret, Mary , Sara, filli am . Patrick Brett marri ed- child- John, and he came about 1870 . John Connor married ~iargaret Reilly- children Ma ry Jane, John, Charles- came about 1860. Cornelius Duggan married Mary Coleman- childr en-Margaret , i~ichael, Joh p., ~dward, Daniel , Cat herine, M.ary , Johanna Sara. John Duggan ma rried Alice Co l eman- childr en Michael , Jllen, ~iargaret, .l:''elicitas, 1!;.i i zabeth, Timothy, ]!;dward. They came from Dornocl'l about 1865. 1i i nni1'red Slattery ( husband dead) - children Michael, James, 11/fary, Bridget- came about 18o9. 54 St. r.,ichael' s Cemetery •

Above is a picture of the Mother of Sorrows Grotto in St. Michael ' s Cemetery. A plaque on this beautiful Memorial dedicates it to the Mothers of the Church, as a gift from the Men of the Church in 1941, Another inscription on the Grotto reads: This statue erected in memory of Michael and Frances 'I'raynor. uonated by David and Helen Traynor. There is something quite unique about St . Michael' s Cemetery. It was the original burying place for those of Catholic faith for a l l the surrounding districts, even thc3e from Owen Sound, unti l about 1906. ·rhere are actually two cemeteries referred to as the old and the new, comprising about four acres. The old cemetery is directly south of the church and lies ~etween tha • church and the new cemetery. The old cemet;;ry was fenced. r~ay 28, 1874, and was or logs . In 1881, the new cemetery was laid out. Many of the names oi' the original settlers may be seen on the stately and die;nified memorials . Such names as Cahoon, Hood , Horan, Doyle, Traynor, Hughes, Donovan, Kenifick, Godfrey, Duggan and Donahue recall the early families and life of this community •

• 55 St. Michael's Mission, Irish Block • e

It is said that when our forefathers came to' this district the land agent in charge allocated land along the northern shores of what is now Sydenham Township to those of Scottish birtb. This became known as the Scottish Block. The land to the south of this section was allotted to those of Irish extraction, hence the name, Irish Block. The growth of St. Michael's Mission is coincident with the development of Sydenham Township. It was back in the mid- eighteen forties when settlers plunged into the virgin forests in quest of a home , hence the church • • In the beginning, visits from the clergy were t·ew and far between. 'l'nose of the Cath­ olic faith were visited from time to time by the Jesuit Missionaries from Guelph . The Jes­ uit Order came to Canada from France. Those visiting the Irish Block were Fathers Blettner, Hanipaux, Point, Tremiot and Matoga . The first resident secular priest was Father .Muncog . Unfortunately, due to t~e perils of travelling at that time, he was drowned on a call of duty . The Jesuits again took charge until the Basili an Order, also coming from France, took over in 1863 . From that year, the Basilians have administered to the ~lock until the church was torn down . The first religious service was held in ~ichael Traynor's house. His great grand- son Patrick still maintains the original grant. As immigrants became more numerous, it was necessary to hold services in a newly built barn on the same farm. About the year 1852 Michael Traynor donated land on which a log church was ouilt. By this time it was a nec­ essity. It was twelve logs high, with a gable roof' and a cross to show the purpose of the edifice. The log church was used for about fifteen years • In the year 1868 the corner stone of a new brick church was laid. Father Granottier, • in charge of the mission, bad it built in Gothic style . The total cost was i4,320.00. It S·erved the people of the Block efficiently until 1943, when it was a total loss to the ravages of fire . In 1944 a new corner stone was laid for the present church . 56

Page 2 St . Michael' s Mission Irish Block Since 1863, the following Basilian Order Priests have administered and had charge of the Block: Father Famy 1864- 1870, Father Cherry 1870- 1876, Father Granottier 1876- 1881 , Father Mungovan 1881-1891, Father Buckley 1891- 1898, Father Hayes 1898-1899, Father Reydon 1899- 1901, Father Howard 1901-1904, Father Shaughnessy 1904- 1906, Father Rafferty 1906-1907, • Father John A. S\li_llivan 1907-1908, Father N. J . McNulty 1910- 1929, .l"ather Sharpe 1916-1918, Father M.J. Pickett 1919- 1920, Father J . Spratt 1926-1927- 1937-1940, Father C. Collins 1920-1922- 1927-1931, Father J .J. 8ullivan 1930- 1931, Father E.J . ~elty 1931- 1934, Father

J . Pope 1934-36, Father E .L . Prokriefka 1936- 19377 1940-1942, l<'aiher Riley 1942- 1944, Father J.J . Murphy 1944- 1952,,,Father T.C. Howard 1952- 1954, Father B. O. Donnell 1954- 1957, Father H. Nolan 1957- 1958, Father J . J . Glavin 1958-1959, Father Zalondek 1959- 1960, Father Benninger 1960-1.9.()3, Father J . Mccrae 1963-1965, Father C. J . Crowley 1965-1967,

•

::It. Michael's Church being demolished by E. Weber, EJ.mira in May-June 1977

James Horan presented this bell in 1885, and it was salvaged from the fire in 1943 . Mrs , Patrick had acted as sponsor at the blessing of this bell •

Pictured hePe left to right : J>1r. J.oseph Cahoon and • Mr. Patrick Traynor. 57

ANNAN UNIT.C:D CrlUftCH Deed Dated May the 8tn 1882 This i ndenture made the Eighth day of !

a measurement one gu3 rte r of an acre be t he same moreor less a nd being composed of part of Lot Number thirty four in Concession C in the a aid Township of Sydenham wh i ~h said portion of land may be more particularly described as follo1>1s, that i s to say commencing at the southerly l i rni·t of the side road between Lots Number 33 and 34 in the said Township of Sydenham at the distance easterly of t wo hundr ed ninety eie;ht feet and 4 inches from the north western angle of the said Lot 34 . Thence easterly along the said southerly limit of the said side r oad 82 feet and 6 inches. Th.ence southerly at right angle with said side road 132 f eet .. Thence northerl y at right • angles with the sai d side road 132 f eet moreorl ess to the places beginning. To have and to hold the said land to t he sai d parties of the second part their successors and assigns, t o the use of the said parties of the second part t heir succ essors a nd assigns , upon the trusts here and a fter expressed and declared. 5g Eage 2 Annan United Church Deed Continued ~nd the said party of the f irst part consent wit h the said parties of the second part that she has the right t o convey the sai d lands to the said parties of the second part, not withstanding any a ct of the said party o_f first part and said parties o_f t he second part shall have quiet possession of the said lands f ree f rom • a ll incumbr ances. ind the same par t y of the f irst part wi l l produce the titl e deeds enumerated hereunder a nd all ow copies to be made of t hem a t the expense of t he said parties of the second part and t hat she the said party of the f irst part ha s done no a ct t o encumber the said lands. And that she wi ll execute such further assuranc es of the said lands as may be requisite. And the said .Andrew Biggar tha party of the third part he reby r e lease a ll his title claim or interest whatsoever in the said lands • .And it is hereby declared that the said parties of the second part and their succes sors shall hold t he said land for the sole use and benefits of r.he said cong r ­ egation f or the sit e of a church or meet ing hous e and r esidence for the minister as the said congregati on ma y from time to time direct and for the support and waintenance pf public worshi p and the propagation of Christian knowledge according t o the doctrines - discipline and modes of worship of the said Presbyterian Church in Canada and subj ect t o the provisions of the said kcts, =ud upon further trusts of the said parties of the s econd part and t heir success ors shall and will we ll and truly obey , per form and • fulfill and permit and suffer to be obeyed, performed and f ulfilled with respect to the said lands and to any church or other building or buildi ngs now erected o~ to be erected upon the same l ands t he lawful orders and directions respectively of the said congregation the Presbytery and Synod respectively within who's bounds and under who 's inspection and ecclesiastical jur isdiction the said congregation shall from time to time be and the General Assembly or other supreme court of the Presbyterian Church in Canada . An:i with respect to the election and appointment of new trustees it is declared that a g eneral meeting of the said congrEgation shall be held on the eight day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighty two and on the t wentieth day of December and every fifth year after called by a 1~ri tten notice read to the congreg

ation at the close of public worshi p on each of the t/wo next preceding Sabbaths by the officiating minister or other peFson ordered to r ead the same but if for any cause t he meeti ng shal l not be held on that day t hen it shall be called i n like manner for some other day at the request of the trustees or of seven members of t he congregation in ful l communion and any such meeting sha11 be adjourned if occasion s hould r equire • and at such regular or adjourned mee ting the said congregation Bhall elect and appoint t hree trustees by the votes of the majority of t he members of the congregation in full s to members of Presbyterian Church in Canada in commun i on, tenh present auch trust ee full communion . 59 Page 3 Annan United Church Deed Continued And it is hereby further declared that the said trustees shal~ r espectively hold office until the appointment of the successors except in case of death, resignation or cease to be a memb e r of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in full communion and in t b~t case should any trustee during his office die, r esign or cease to be a • member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in full communion the remaining trustees shall have all the power of the f ull board and shall for all purposes of those present be the trustees of the said coneregation unless the congregation shall see fit to appoint a new trustee or new trustees in place of any trustee or trustees dying, r esigning or ceasing to be a member of the P'resbyterian Church in Canada in full communion but the said congregation may at any special meeting called by written notice read to the congregation by the ofl'iciating minister or other person appointed to read the same at the close of public worship on each of the two next preceding Sabbaths, which notice s hall be given at the request of the remaining trustees or of any seven members of t he congregation i n ful l communion appoint by the votes of a majority of the members of the congregat ion in full communion then present a new trust ee or new trustees to fill for the r esidue of such term of office any vacancy or vacancies caused asforesaid. 1md i t i s hereQy f urther declared that a minute of every such election or appointment whether made at a ree;ular meeting , adjourned or • special meeting shall be entered in a book to be ke.1>t for the purpose and shall be signed by the person 1·1ho presides at the meeting and such minute so signed shall for all purposes connected with those present be sufficient evidence of the fact that the persons therein named were elected and appointed at such meeting but the omission or neglect to make or sign shall not invalidate the election or appoint~ent and it is hereby further declared t.hat in case at any time the said trusteeship shall for any reason beco~e wholl y vacant so that their shall be no remaining trus tee the moderator a nd clerk of t he Presbytery within 1·1ho I s bounds and under wh o ' s jurisdict­ ion the said congregation shall be , shall there upon forwith become a nd be trustees under these present until ct.her s are duly appointed and at any time thereafter the Presbytery may cause notice to be g iven from the pul it at each day of worship on two consecutive Sabba ths requiring the said congregation to proceed to the appoint­ ment of new trustees and if the said congregation shall not in the meantime have appoint ed new trustees in the manner herein before provided it shall be lawful for the said Presbytery after four weeks from the l ast giving of s uch notice to appoint • new tru:;tees to act for the residue oi' the current tern, of office, ever y such appoint ment to be made by resolution duly entered i n the 11,inutes of the Presbytery a nd communicated to the congrega t ion by notice from the pulpit a nti the trus t ees so 60 Page i. Annan United Church DeeJ Continued appointed shall from the time of communication of their appointment to the congregation be the truste4'lS for the residue of such term of office for the pur1,ose of those present provided also and is herel.>y declared that i f at any time thel'e shall cease to be an org.inized congregation entitled to the use, benefit and e 1joy1J1~nt of the said lands • then and as often as that shall occur it shall be lawful fer the Presbytery within the bounds of which th~ sai d land is s i tuated to fill any vacancy and the said board of trustees and th~ said l ands shall thenceforth be held subject to such trust and for such purposes for the benefits of t he Presbyterian Church in Canada as the General Assembly or other supreme court of the church may declare , limit or appoint . ... • ••

Deed Dated Hay the $th, 11382 No . 2960 . November the 15th 1$82 . ~illiam P. relford

•

Annan Church 1896 Most of the setClers in the Annan district came frc>nt the .:icottisb lowlands and

were staunch and devout Presbyterians . As early as 1845 services 1~'"'e held in the Area, and conducted by laymen , since there were no ministers. The first service, it • i s believed, was held i n the home of ~illi am Telfer, a brother of the Crown Llnds 1 Agent .

Ap1 lications 1"1ere "'·lde in::ucceesf1\lly iii 1844, 1845 and 1847 to the nearest Presbytery of the r ree to have conzregations organized in then Paee 5 Annan United Church 61 Sydenl)am and on the Lake Shore Line. During this time visits were made occasionally by ordained men 1~h o adminis t ered t he Sacraments. As far as i s knol'ln , the first Comm­ union was held in the newly built school in the l a t e summe r or early fall of 1847 . On May 11, 181t8, the Free Church Pr esbytery of Hamilt on organized the co ngreg­ ations of Rocky Saugeen and Sydenham . On April 6, 1849, the Sydenham congregation • decided t.o cal l the Rev . John McKinnon, and then the Lake dhor e Line peopl e j oined with Sydenham congregation and so 011 J un e 1 , 1849, Rev . McKirmo n was i nducted as minister of bot h congregations . Thi s arr angement continued f or three yea rs, when Rev . McKinnon left , and the Lake Shore Line congregation broke away f rom Sydenham . In Jul y 1852, the Annan cong regation voted to leave the Free Church for the United Presbyteri ans . At this time the populati on 1~as growi ng so rapi d}:y that the school house could no longer hold the congregation, and the Sacraments were celebr­ a t ed i n Gi deon Harkness barn, and a year l ater the;ee was a Commun ion service in Willi am Tel f er' s barn . Durin:: the three years bet\~een the pas t or ate of Mr . McKinnon and his successor, Mr . Dewa r, the elders and other men of the co ngregai on ca rried on services in the school house. These men we re Jame ::; S . Ross, John Co uper, Davi d !rmst r ong, Gideon Harkness, ,iil1iam Brown, Thomas Lunn a nd Al ex McFar lane. The tnnan Church had no minister f r om 1852 unti l 1855. In August 1855, Annan calle

•

Back Row, L. to R.-W . G. Robinson , L. Cameron, R, Cnambers, a dam Bro"n, Miss ~gnes Cavers, l'liss C:J.la Brown. Front Row, L. to a .-P.dss Jessie Campbell+ Miss Bessie Cameron, ,'liss Jessie Sloane- leader Miss lllary Cathrae, James .A.it ken, j,.iss ~gnes Campbell, Or$an Pumper-.MaxI Crawford. · Choirs and organs were not customary in Pr esbytertan Churches until about 1890. The singing was led by a Precentor, and the first Precentor at Annan was Hugh Reid . Later on, John Couper, J . P. Telford and James H. Ross were Precentors. The Pracentor used a tuning- fork, and in the old Church led the singin1 from a "box" just in front of, and below, the pulpit . The last Precentor was ,/illiam Couper, and when he moved • from the district in 1SSS, it proved impossible to find anyone to succeeo him . His father , John Couper, led the sin~ing for a few Sundays until a cho~r was o~~ar~ized um\er the leadershi p of Francis Reid, son of _H~h neid • In 1S99, !•11.ss Jessie ::;l~an was presented with valuable gifts for her leader ship. She moved to Owt,in ;::,ound tnen. Page g Annan United Church Mr . Re i d acted i n this capacity for six years until. his deat h in 1891~ at an earl y age.

Meanwhile the Choir found the goini difficult without an organ. 1 special meeting

was calJed by the Session on January 8, 1889, at. l'lhich a motion to 1151:l an organ w"ils carried by a vote of 19 to 5. Some peovl'3 absented t;hP.mselves from services because • of this decision. The first organ ,1as a suvill reed one, and th1:1 first Organist was Miss Mary Ue•,"ar, daughter of the first. minister after Annan became an independent congregation. When Frank Reid rlled, he bequeathed )300. to the Church for a pipe orJan; thP. instrument bou::;ht is the one in use in 1976. It was installed in 1896. The installation of the new pipe organ involved some alterati?ns, and these renov­ ations were nearly the cost of the orie;inal bui ldine;. Tim interior of the Annan Church had not been built to acco, ,modate either a Choir or an organ. The pulpit was on a small platform with pews on both sides, and the east aisle extended the l'lhole l ength of the Church to a door opening to the outside at the south end. To insta l the organ the door was bricked in, and also a circular window rli $h up in tbe same wall . Then they built another l arger platform, eliminating the pews on the east side, and arrang­ ed seats for the Choir, as they are now . At the same time,the present porch was built, the walls lathed and plastered, a new larger shed built, the roof shine;led and painting • and re- decorating done inside and out. The porch was built by Charles Mci\rthur Sr . at a cost of $369 . according to plans drawn up by John Ross of' Leith. Mr . r:wss also designed the present pulpit, which was i,nstalled at this time, and drew plans for t;he platform and Choir seats . The present Communion Table was purchased in 1900,

Front Row -Mrs . Arthur Thomson , Miss Joan l•iarritt Mrs . Donald MacKinnon, Mrs . B. .I . Kearns . Back l

Orgai:iists at Annan have been Mary Dewar ( 188$-89) S-essie Cameron (lll?':1-1904), .Margaret Cathr~e (1904-06), Grace Riddell (1906-13 1Ql4-16) ~dythe Burr (1913-lL. }J l•1rs . J . B· \1o~ris (1916- 46) Mrs. J . Mcl\rthur (194b- 47), J . \vilson Buzza {191,8-

• Annan United Church Choir-1967 65 Page 8 4 olnnan iJnited Church Choir •

Huib Rlt

•

Cholr •• 1949 Mrs. 6. --Sve, Mrs. J. McFaul, M, Hutehinsou, &. Hutchinson, n. Gnmodl. E. Bye, w. Jlfedley, A. BoUlwd~ J. w. Baua. (orpnlstl. E. Huteblnson, C. S. i\nnou-o~. R. 1\lltcl\elL Al>oent: V. Jobn$0D .

.O.ccording to information received from tilr . 1./ilson Buzza , the bellows in the organ have been re- built. 1fuen hydro came t o Annan , while Dr . .A . Reynolds was the minister, the blower was changed. In 1972, the organ was repaired, and the pipes re- painted to be in tune wi th the sanctuary of the church being completely renovated­ walls, ceiling and baseboards painted and a new carpet laid, and also the chairs re- upholstered. The pews from Johnstone church 11ere installed . 50 new stacking chairs were purchased for the church too • • 66

Page 9 ,nnan United Church It would oe impossible to do justice to the influence of Dr. J.B. lraser and his wi.fe during their ministry to the Annan cong regation. It is largely due t o his efforts that the records of the Annan Church have been so carefully preserved. Anyone who reads the minutes of the Session during his ministry and looks at the Register of Baptisms • would be impressed by the great care with which he did his work. Dr. Fraser served as minister from 1884 to 1916. He did much for people both as a minister and a medical doctor . Dr. Fraser had been in China as a missionary doctor prior to his coming to Annan . His first wife died when they were in China. He assisted tbe local doctors, giving of his time and advice, and also administered anesthetic. It has been said that Dr. Fraser was doctor, lawyer and friend when needed. Among the women of the community who contributed much of their time. and energy to its interests was Mr ~. J . B. Fraser. The manse was always open for everyone, and it was tbere that the meetine; to organize the Annan ,fomen •s Institute was held. 1-lrs . ,./~; V l'"f?-,.,, c./1 C' ,t" Fraser was Jane anderson prior to her marriage and her home had been in ~kwa Scoti •. 3he took over Dr . Fraser' s motherless children af:ter his return from Formosa , in 1879, Mrs . Fraser was president of the Missionary Societi~s at all points of the charge. She taught in the Sunday School and sang in the choir. In world .var 1, until they moved to Owen Sound, the faithful group of bandage rollers and knitttirS met at the • manse. Mrs . Fraser died in Owen ,:iound i:tt t,he age of 97 in l-lovember 1954. Dr . Fraser's one daughter, Dorothy, died pf the flu in the epidemic of 1918. There were two other daughters, and one of these, Mattie, r.lrs . J\lex Dewar , was residine; in

Iroquois Falls at the time of Mr"> . Fraser's death . Dr . ..'ri:lSP- r alsn had one son. It is recorded in Mrs. Fraser• s obituary, that she 11as ke.. nly interested in the work- r)f the y. w. C. A. Hsr hoobsnd ' , a.. c,, o,..rr,d in 1929 .

•

r,irs . J • 8. r'raser 67 Page 10 Annan United Church

Dr. Fraser was succeeded by Rev. c. Sincll'lir Jones i11 1917, who was cal.led to Priceville two ye'irs late r . The Rev . A. J . Orr was then callt:!d and remained until

1925 . It was durin~ his ministry that Church U~ion took place. A vot recorded that

39 to 11 were in favour of union. Mr . Orr was succeeded in 1925 by Rev . G. ~ - rlose, • who retired in 1937, and 1-1as succeeded by Rev . A . G. Reynolds who served unti l 1950 . Rev. Angus Smit~ was the minister from then until 1955, followed by Rev . Cyrll Leach until 1957 . Rev . Gordon Prosser was at Annan until the autu1in of 1959 . His dec1tl1 oc..:urred in Decembe r 1975, fol lowing his retirentent from the Stayner char5e . J,u- . Prosser was succeed-:,a by Rev . trthur Thomson in 196uand he was the minist.er until 1967, followed by Rev . John Anderson, who left in June 1969. Rev . H. b: . Parsons succeeded him until the autullln of 1970 . Dr . Gordon Porter hecame the minister of Annan llnitP.d Church and i s s t ilJ serving his church and community in 1976 .

Pictur~s of 11 lni sters

• ')

Re,•. ,,•111. f'orrefjt, Rev. John J\fordy Rev. John Mackinnon ReY. Roben De-l't"M 1878 18?9·1882 1841!-1852 1855-1877

Rev. G. W. Rose • R.ev. J. n. Fraser 1925-1937 1884- 1916 llev. A. J. Ott 1919·1925

Rev. 0. S. Jones 1917-1919 08 Page 11 ~nnan United Ghurch PICTUR.sS OF NI 1H.>TJ:.rt3 •

Rev . kAG . Reynolds Rev . Cyril Leach Rev . 1~ .G. Prosser 1')1)7-1950 1955-1957 1957-1959

.,

Rev . Gordon Porl".er • Rev . A.J . Thomson 1970-1978 1960- 1967

Rev. tlarold t . Parsons 1969- 1970

Rev . John !nderson • 1967-1969

Rev . David B1ack 191e- r ••

REV , DR, ARTHUR G, REYNOLDS SERVICE OF MEMOR Y

LEITH UNITED CHURCH Leith, Ontario September ,,19, 1381 li30 p.m •

• lscRIPTURE READINGS: John 14: 1-6 Philippian s 3 : 8-14 Psalm 23 Acts 11:19- 24 •.MEDIT ATION "He Was A Good Man" PRAYERS HYMN: ft illlll'.ortal, Invisible · God Only Wise" [Tune: St. Denio (liy 403)J Ill'lllortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of days, al~ighty, victorious, thy great n~e we praise. unresting, unhasting, and sila.,t as l.tg,'it, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy cloi.:ds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest, to both great and small; in ell life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish es leeves on the tree, and wither and perish but nought changeth t hee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, tll.ine angels edore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: 0 help us to see 'tis only the splendour of light hideth tliee. LEITH UNITED CHURCH HYMN : "Prai se My Soul The King of Heaven" Too often we go our own ways Leith, Ontario Praise, my soul, t he King of heaven, taking others for granted, to his f eet thy tribute bring, giving little thought to you SERVICE OF MEMORY or your plan for our lives, Rev. Dr Arthur G. Reynolds r anso,r.ed, healed, r~stored, forgiven, o:ho like tlie-e his praise should sing? failing to experience Minister: Rev. David Black • Praise him, praise him, alleluia, life in all its fulness Organist: Mr. Wilson Buzza praise thee everlasting King. that comes from reaching out to others 19, 1981 • September I Praise him for his grace and favour and sharing their grief or joy, and ORGAN PRELUDE to our parents in distress; praise him, still the same for ever, their hope or despair, I slow to chide and swift t o bless, and from opening our lives to you INVITATION TO WORSHIP and the opportunities you have Reader: •see what l ove the Father has for us pr aise him, praise him, alleluia, glor ious in his faithfulness. for each one of us. that we should be called: Let the power of your love Children of God . Father-like he tends and spares us; touch our hearts and minds, Ar.d so we are ." (1 John 3: !) I well our feeble frame he knows, our very lives, People: In this hour of remembrance with new respect f or others we pause to thank God in his bands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes: new determination to serve you, for the life of Arthur Reynolds new hope to enhance our lives and t o thi~.k about praise him, praise him, alleluia, o:idcl;; as his mercy flows. because h·e ask it all t-~I1a t lie ha:, meant to us. in Jesus' name. Amen • .Reader: Let us do so Frail as s ummer's flower we flourish, in the na.'11e of the Father, WORDS OF ASSURANCE and of the Son, blows the wind and it is gone, but, h•hile mortals rise and perish, Reader I There is good news this afternoon! and of the Holy Spirit. God endures unchanging on: "Jesus said: ' I have ccme that you praise him, praise him, alleluia, might have life~ life in all its PRAYER OF APPROACH fulness." Reader: praise the high eternal one. Let us pray. We do not repeat these words of Jesus People: O God our loving heavenly Father: A.~gels, help us to adore him, as belief in SOJ!ICthing outside as we remember tho life and love ourselfi of one who served you ~·e behold him face to face; sun and moon bow down before him: but rather to reveal a faith within by meeting human need . d:'.·e.llors al-1 t.i".'e and space, f or unless we have r eached wherever he encountered it,A. ~n pr aise hun , praise him, alleluia, the Kingdom of Heaven I ~·e thank you W • praise with us the God of grace. within ou.r hearts for his faith and inspiration: Christ ' s life for us has been in vain. and i.·e ask Let us re,reruber that the Spirit of the that you will touch our lives PRAYER OF SELF-EXJI.MINATION Reader: risen Christ still lives within us. ~·ith renewed hope and courage Let us examine our lives. Let us prays People: 0 God our loving heavenly Father: Such a view moves us from death t o life, to live as he lived: and from hopelessness to hope . .!lrnen. with faith, dignity, and grace, Often, it seems, sustained and comforted that only when confronted vith death by your Holy Spirit. Amen . do we truly think about life. t 70 Paee 12 ~nnan United Church The Session

The folJ.owin~ is II complete list of the C:lders, with the dates of their Ordi11at ion and their death or resienation. • David Armstrong 1849-1893 James s . rtoss 1848- 166o John Couper 1877 \

David AJ:mswooc Ju,S.~ lobn Oou­ 18'9·1893 1848-1860 S.-18$$- 1873

William Brown 1856-1883 Michael Fettes 1857~1863 Gideon Harkness 1856-93 4a.lter Hope 1887 William Thomson 1859 James Cavers 1879- 1907 All ~n Sloane 1899 or 1B9k John Stark 1883 William P. Telford 1886 resigned • J,mes F. Burr 1894- 1918 Robert Crawford 1899 W. J . Early 1896 or 1894 Adam Brown 1900-1907 Rober t HRrkness 1919 r~signed John Riddell 1924 Robert Sibbald 1913 John Thomson 1916- 1939 John I/. Vanwyck 1925 The Session 1949 Roeer Lamont 1920- 1934 Seated-Robert Hewi tson, nev. A. 0 . Reynolds, 'Ii) 1 iam Phil] ips 1927-194 5 John Couper, clerk. Thom/ls .4rmstrong 1937- 19l16 StAnding- Lester Bye , Colin Spence, Fraser John Couper 19)6- 1961 ~amont, ibsent: E. P . Johnson . Hllrold Bassin.gth1•1aite l.939-1941 Alexander Alexander 19t.l-1946 Fraser Lamont 1941- 1971 William Riddell 194i-1945 ::..ester Bye 1946- Rober t Hewitson 1946-1~69 E. P . Johnson 1947-1961 Colin Spence 1946- 1955 E:lmer Armstrong 1956-1961 llfilliam Mealey 1961- 1976 i'/alter Russell 1961- 1964 Kenneth Spence 1961- Burton d . Kearns 196~- 1973 Douglas Lemon 197G- 197J Douglas Reid 1970-1974 John Watson 1970- 1973 • James Mi tchell 1970- 1971 Mre. Edward Long 1971- 1973 ..., Mrs. Roger Mi tchell 1971- 19 7 James Lemon 1972- 1978 Seated-Lester Bye , Kenneth Spence, Kenneth Robinson 1972- 1974 itilliarn Medley. Leslie Bumstead 1974- 1976 .3tanding- Bur ton Kearns , r'raser Lamont, Victor Cornfi eld 1974-1975 Robert Hew i tson. 71

Page 13 Annan United 0hurch Page 2 The Session James Gonder 1978 M.ary Silverthorn 1974- 1976 Sam Buzza 1974- Victor Bassingthwaite 1974- 76 William I nkster 1975- 1976 Robert Knapp 1975- 1979 • Steven Bumstead 1976- 1978 Mrs . Albert McLean 1976-

•

•

• Page 14 Annan United Church Excerpts from Conir egati onal R~cords The f ollowing excerpts are taken f r om the Session records exactly as they appear , wi th the dat es. January 3, 1859 . "It was resolved to form a missi onary society in the cong regat ion and t he mode r a t or, Walter Hope and G. Harkness ~ere appoint ed to a igest a plan and make arrangements for a me eting of t he congregation during the moonl ight in February. " • October 3 , 1859. "Agr eed t o hold the 3r d Novemb er as a day of thanksgivi ng to God for a bount i f ul ha rvest .~

December 10, 1860 . "Rel:l.d an application f rom the 1'.ev . Nr. Blackie , Boston, U. :3 ., for a col l ecti on to assi st his people to carry their cas e to a hi gher cour t in order t o r ecover their pr operty r r om t he unitarians. granted." October 2, 1865. "It was agreed to bol d t he t hanksgi ving day on the 18t h current and t o take up a coll ection for t he sabbath s chool library . " (This i s t he first mention. i n any of t he r ecords, of the Sunday School.) J anuary 15, 1877 . "It was agr eed to take up a col lect i on to a id in erecting a church a c ,liar ton ." April 1, 1881. "Moved by Mr . riope seconded by 1•lr. Stark that the use of neither hymns nor or gan be per mi tted in the Sabbath ;;i chool. Moved in amendment by Mr . Harkness, seconded by Dr . Sloane that t he matter in regard to the use of hymns and organ be left entir ely to the discr etion of t eacoers and scholars. Amendment carried. " October 2, 1881. "There was laid befor e the Session a mi nute of Pres bytery , stat­ i ng t hat as a petition from the people in and a r ound vlood.ford had been l a id before t he Presbytery, pr ayi ng for permission to organize a preaching station in t ha t locali t y, t he Session of this congregation was cit.;d to a ppear f or their interests. Moved by Davi d Ar mstrong, seconded by James Cavers, t hat the ~ession a gree t o oppose the petition . The motion wa s lost . Moved by Gi deon Harknes s and seconded by Dr . Sloane tha t t his Session offer no o bjecti on to the proposed station and that Wi lli am Telford be appointed to make known to t he Presbytery the wiil of the jession. Ca r r ied ." June 9, 1899 . "Mr . Burr moved , seconded by Dr. Sloane, that the singing of !A~en' •· at the end of the hymns by t he congr egati on, which has been done s i nce the introduction of t he new Book of Praise, be di spensed with. Af t er considerable discuss ion of the Ses s i on, it wa s resolved to me et soon a f t er t he me eting of the General As sembly to decide the question raised . " At the meeting on J uly 11, 1899, the above motion was carried, with Dr . Fr aser and Jl!r . Cavers "expressing t hemselves as being opposed t o the motion." It was announced to the congregation t hen that the s inging of the ",;men" would be discontinued. October 2 , 1899 . "The Moderator presented a petition signed by eighty-two members of the congregati on prayi ng that the Session would r econs i der its r ecent decision dispensing wit h the si nging of 'Amen• at t he end of each hymn. " It was t hen deci ded to take a vote of the congregati on . nThe Session earnestly hopes that every member will hand in a ballot and that every ballot wi ll be marked conscientiously without prejudi ce or pers ona l fee ling , and with regard only for the r everence and solemnity befitting the worship of God in the service of praise. n Forty- nine voted in favour of 1•A 111en" and eleven agai nst . This announcement was made the followi ng .:J unday by Dr. Fraser: "Accord­ ing to the decision of the Session in submitting the question t o a vote of the congreg­ ation, any s o wishing a re now at l i berty to sing the Amen , as f ormer ly. In making t his announcement I woul d l ike to say how much I r egret t hat so much has been made of t his matt er by bot h parties . The question is not one of consciebce but merely of opinion and pr eference . No one can think it i s s i n C'ul to sing 'Amen' i f it be sung sincerel y and i n a right s pirit; and in the ser vice of worship t here should be a large measure of l iberty in things not sinful. It i s not likely that we shal l aLl ever think a l ike or ag ree i n everything . Instead t hen of' opposing t hose who diff er from us , will it not be f'ar better if we c.an agree to diff er, and still love as brethren? . . . . t n excellent motto 1or congr egations as wel l as indivi duals is ' in things essentia l, uni ty; i n t hi ngs i ndiff er ent, liberty ; and in all things, charit y, '- the cha rity that s eeketh not her • own, is not easily provoked , t hinketb no evil, never faileth ." November JO, 1906. "After some conference it was agreed that unfermented wine be proc ured f or t he Communion ." 73

Page 15 Annan United Church 'l'ne c:hairman f or eacn year orior to 1889 is not available because there were no i'l.nnual re-ports printed. Tne .rollowing is a list ot· chairman, many or whom served at ai.f!'erent times and .for more than one year. William Gannon l88Y w. Bone J.,ester Bye ftobert Sibbald George A. Buzza l!:verett Johnson John Riddell A. u. Cameron William Medley • A.dam Bro~m William Robson ¥'r ank Howe James F. Burr Jlr thur ::lmith .tllan BothwelJ. John Sibbald iiilliam Thomson Kenneth Spence A, M. Taylor James E, Gannon 11,el Buchanan James Thomson J. J<·rizzell Miss Margaret .Ai-cken J. A. Uickson Elwood Long uonald MacKinnon G. w. Campbell James 1' . Dickson l•l!'s . Kenneth Spence J . w. Vanwyck William Hewitson :,u-s . Stanley Hutchinso!'l 'l'homas Armstrong Victor Bassingthwaite Frank Silverthorn It . Harkness l:harles !lcArthur ttoger M1-cchell ·rhe work of the Stewards is aetailed in the reports, but this write-up i s just the highlights of t:.he 1'i n~nces . It is noted that Ur. Fraser was paid quarterly. On October ~l, 1857 there was a motion that -che members seats be l et at one pound per sitting and adherents lO shill­ ings . Se:at rents were psid until 1889 and a1·ter that the :i.nnual report stated -chat "seats were t·ree and all were welcome". In 1874 there was a motion that I . Nisbet oe paid at the r ate of ,..6 .00 per year with the understanding that the church be swept twice a month. Back in 1875 there was • mention of changing the name. 01· course in 1924 the .lnnan Presbyterian cnurch nid change .1.ts name to Annan United Church. This n.~me did become Trinity 4.nni?n Loll01'iing the joining of the Leith and Johnstone congregations in 1969, It is known -chat Villii:un Br-0wn was the first treasurer, and below is nis picture. \lso pictured telow 1re tt>" managers 1·or 1949 , Duplicate envelopes were oegun for congregational and mission givings in 1913 , Through the years there were many f unds, and -co name a rew- Or gan Fund, Uertori'l}

'Jindow l<'unct, Belfry Funct, t;burch Iraprovement Fund, Furnace L'Und, '!Ind Church Shed J!'und .

•

William .BrOMl 1st Trtaso:ttr 1'tana,en J. McArthur, Mn. V. BaNlnplnoaile, ~In. R, Uewtt,on, Mn. E. P. Johnson, c. SHverq.orn.. C. S. Annstronf, C. Orunaell. F, Howe. N. Fer• JVSOD, A. "'-""ad..-, fl. Uulehlnson, Ab.. nl: Mn. J. Lonr, W. Rlddell, E.P.J-. . 74

Page 16 lnnll.n United Church History ._P"'A"'G.,,E,.__,,2.__-=.A"'N"'H"'.AN=--c::Sc:Tc:::E'"'",l""'lt::.'1::..:D=S The r urnace rund was sufficient and one was purchased in 1901 . In 1908 the LP i th and lnnan r~ports were enlarged to include Daywood and Johnstone. In 1900 it is noti.>d thl.t services were held from November .I.st to May J.st at 1nnan at 11 a . m. Leith at J : JO nnd Daywood and Johnstone l:JO, and 1·or cbe other half or· the year, • Daywood and Johnstone 11 a . m. Annan l : JO and Leit.h j p . m. In .l.913 services 11ere held on alternate Sundays at JJaywood and Johnston"' . In .L.920 , when the new c..'1urah was re!ldy !'or occupancy at ,Johnstone, the services at llaywood were discontinued, and the old Daywood church was t aken Clot~n and sold in .L9Y7 • .l<' r om 1.889 the treasurers were James C.:avers, James Couper, George A. Buzza, ·r . J . Harkness, .lill t;ouper, 1.u. i..;ameron, Wm . Robson, Arthur Smith, James G. Mo1·rat , C.:lar ence 8.Armstr ong- 1929- 1948, A-lex Al exander 1949-19b9, William .Armstr ong 1970- 75

and Victor cor n.fi eld 1')7o- Secretaries nave be.in Robert Wylie 1853- 5 5, John Couper 185 5-·12 , J . P . '1'elfor d

18'/.'-1887, T . J . Harkness 1887- 1917, John Couper 191'/- 40, ~ . S . Vanwyck 1940- 44, Mrs . N. McArthur 1944- 45 , tlrs . L . Bye 191, 5- 46 , Mr s. E. P . Johnson 1946-69, ,,ir . E. P .

Johnson and Mrs . Bert King 1.970- • • Annan Board of Stewards 1967

L . to R.-Front Row-J,:rs . Carl Harrison, Elgin Knight and Alex Mr!'. J:t'r1nk Nelson, Mrs . i:: . r. Jc,hnson, Alexander , Treasurer are Secret ary, Mrs . B. W. Kear ns . seen i n this picture. ~nd Row -Victor Bassingthwait e,part.Ly hidden Elgin Knight, .Uex Alexander, !-!rs . Kennet h Spence and Elmer Armstrong . In l9b8 the i dea 01' a r ecommended buctget came i nto being . .Ln recent years t.nere nas been a chicken bar becue held to raise money t"or impr ovement s t.o the Annan United • Churrh. The ch\1rr'1 h:i.d been de.Ct.,.1.·at"'O in 1956. 75 Page

'!'RE lOOTH .JlNNT V.1!.RS.AztY •

AnnJvttSUy Committee .. O. Ommsell, E. Armltronr, E, Spence, F, Lamont, ftt rs. 0. McPh•lt.er. 1949 ,(seeretary) Mn. V. Jlaaln,U,watte, Johll Couper, (ebalm>u.) Mn. N. 'McArthur. Rev. A. G. ltefnolda (l,....aru), Miss D. Gr,1J1,Rll, Mn. S, Hutdllnlon, A. Bothwell

A short sketch of the founding and early history was prepared by Rev . A. G. Reynolds for the anniversary June 19th and 20th, 1949.

From the scrapbook and write-up in the Sun- Times, the following information WciS recorded . On June 19th two church services were held. The morning service was broad­ cast over C. F. O,S. and the overflow crowd i n the basement could listen to the service conducted in the auditorium and also sing the hymns . The speak-er of the day was Dr • • J , R. Mutchmor, Secretary of Evangelism and Social Service Board of the United Church of Canada. The minister Rev. ~. G. Reynolds conducted the services. One feature wa s t he dedication of a brass cross for the communion table in mem­ ory of the late Miss Richie Ann Hogg . She was an adult member for 70 yea r s when she died in 1946 at 92 years of age. Wilson Buzza was the organist and George Newell the choir director f or the day . Mrs. C. C. Middlebro was a soloist in the morning, and a doub1e trio also sang-Mrs. Harol d Ceasar, Mrs . Harvey Prowd, Miss es Ruth Newell, Elizabeth McFaul, Vickie Johnson and Eva Leflar. In the evening a double duet was sung by Mis ses McFaul, Newel l, Doreen Bye and Mrs . Prowd . Many former members and adherents were present from Ontario and the United States. Over 600 attended a supper on Monday evening June 20th. The highlight of a wonder­ ful supper was the blowi ng out of one big candl e on a 3 tier birthday cake made by Mrs. Arthur Johnson • • Rev . T. ·II. Hazelwood of Humbercrest United Church of Toronto and Past President of Toronto Conference was the speaker. The warden of Grey County, George South and the Rev . Keith McMillan of Divi sion United Church, Owen Sound brought greetings. Musical numbers were enjoyeq. 76

. l"age Annan United Church History Page 2 The 100th Anniversary Mrs . Harold Ceasar and Jerry Mills sang solos, and Misses Doreen Bye and Donna Radbourne played a violin duet. The choir augmented for the anniversary service sang "A Prayer of Patriotism~ Scrolls will be presented to the two eldest communicants, Mrs . James Aitken and • Mrs. Thomas Armstrong, who have been adult communicants for over 60 years. The concl uding feature was the showing of pictures of long ago . Tintypes of pioneer families and some pictw::es of the present cont;regation when they were very young were projected much to everyones amusement •

•

• 77

Page Annan United Church History THE 'rllNDOW •

•

~iTbe Light of the \Vorld" t o the Glory of God, and in memory of the Pioneer s who, i n 1849, founded this Church, and having served in their generation, now dwell i n Li ght Et ernal. "Behold I stand at the door and knock" Present members of the congregation and former ones have subscribed~l4l 5 .35 to a fund for the erection of a stained glass window . Thi s window was ordered for the 100th anniversary in 1949, but wi ll not be r eady until 1950 because i t takes 16 months to construct . It is 9~ feet high and 4t feet wide . I t is based on Holman Hunt's painting, and it depicts Christ seeking entrance to the human soul. In His left hand he holds a lantern while with His right hand he knocks at an ivy and weed covered door which has a latch only on the inside . The actual cost of the window was JlC00 .00. With t he r emainder of t he sum donated, the installation costs will be met ,

• ~ new opening was made in the wall for the window, which has been illuminated so that it may be seen at night . 78

P8 ge -Annan United Church History Page 2 The Window On June 18th , 1950 ,"The Light of the Worl d" window was dedicated. The Rev. James A. Lyttle of North Bay, immediate past president ef Toronto Conference was the spec­ i a l speaker and unveiled the memorial window • Mr. John Couper, Chairman of the Committee presented the window on behalf of the • donors, to the minister, representing the authorities of the church with the words " Re verend Sir, in memory of the pioneers who founded this congvegation, we ask you to receive this memorial, and to dedicate it to the glory and praise of God" Rev. A.G. Reynolds was the minister of Annan United Church at this time,but in this same month preached his farewell sermon •

•

• 79 Annan UniterJ Church History •

. \_ •

• Cen~ennial ~ervice at .Annan United Ghurch 1967 Left t:O right: Mr . lrchie UcArthur, Rev . A. . G. t{eynolds, Mrs. Archie t-icAr t:hur, Mrs .!. u . Reynolds, Mrs . Robert Hewitson •

• -- ao Page Annan United Church Yonth .tctivities C.G.I.T. A Cflnadian-Girls-in Training group was organized in 1965 for 12 girls under the leadership of Mrs . Arthur Thomson, known as Tommy and Mrs , Robert Hewitson (Hewey ) . l>!rs . Earl Sampson (Sammy) became an assistant in 1966 and served 4 years • • The purpose o:f C.G.I .T. is to cherish health, seek truth , know God and serve others. In 1967 Mrs . John Anderson (J.ndy) became a leader . Ka thleen Hofman was an assistant for

2 years prior t o leaving to further her education in London . In 1971 Mrs . Gordon Henry came to assist"Hewey" and the Juni or leaders were Anna VanBalkom and Jo Anne Esplen. Ellen Bassingthwaite was a Junior leader at a later date. Mrs. Hewitson•s health forced her to retire as leader and in 1974 Nrs . Kyle Roberts.on assisted by Barbara King, Ellen and Lenore Mitchell became the guiding lights for C.G.I .T. Mrs . Hewitson •s contribution shall not be forgotten because she gave of herself. The i>; irls tneet on ;fednesday at 7 p . m. in the basement of the church. Some of their projects have been a pan- cake supper . The first year this came into e:ffect was 196Q ~nd it was held at Hatton Hall. Since then the supper bas been in the basement of the church. From their funds they have installed a hot water tank at the church . House to house carolling to the Senior Citizens at which time they delivered little • handicrafts and the Christmas Vesper Jervice ~re highlights of the Yuletide season. Christian Education representatives have presented the girls with chevrons and wo rld friendship bad~es on several occasions. .t 1•;.Qther and Daughter banquet in the spring is another event. The girls are t aught the importance of' worship, attendance at church and Sunday School are important and thus good habits of character, co-operation and service can result.

I noted i n an annual church repor t that the girls had the 1·un of preparing and eat­ ing a Japanese meal in 1968. Camp-outs and starvathons are on the agenda too . Usually there are about 20 girls participating in C.G.I .T. !s they grow older they reach grad­ uation and leeve but it is hoped they never forget their dedicated leaders. Annan C.G.I.T. 1967 Back Row : l . t o r . -Kathleen Ho fman, Suzanne Hewitson, ~!rs . Arthur Thomson, Joanne Ssplen, ,•1rs . R::>:>e rt Bewitson, Dianne tlofman . Liddle Row : Frances ;,,acKinnon, Carol inn King, Janice Holmes , Paula Lemon, Debbie Nelson, :,irs • .L!iarl Sampson. Front Row : Gail Wade , Darlene N°lson, • !forms Sue SR:npson , Louise Rutherford, Linda Hutchinson, Karen Long .

\ 81

Page illllan United Church Youth Activities S-COUT TROUP A Scout Troup was orgsnized at .Annan in November 1962 . There were 14 scouts meet­ ing on Tuesday ni~hts from 7:JO until 9 at the ~nnan H~ll, Rev . Art hur J . Thomson ·.~as the f irst l eader. In 1964 his assistqnts were Roger • Lamont and Norman McKeen . Patrol leaders assisting in 1965 11•:re Jo~n '3nthvi'3ll 1:md Glen Stonehouse, and an assistant leader was George Bothwell. In 1967 Bill Holmes and Rev . John Anderson were in charge of 25 boys, and in 1968, l ndy Switzer was the scout master. There was a group committee as part of the Chris tian Education Committee which made decisions and !;:ave guidance as well as financi al assi stance t o the Scouts. Charles lfoPhatter was the chairman of t hi s committee in 1966 and the vice-chairman w5s J\lrs . J. Prosje and the secretary- treasurer was Mrs . ~rl Sampson. The boys collected newspapers and maga1<1ines to make money 1·or their projects. The scouts became i nactive in 1969 and Robert Hewitson gave the final report . The scout troup wa s discontinued for lack of leaders • •

Scouts ::i t !nnan r.Tni t ed Church Back Row: ·1lilli am Holmes, ..icout Master, Reg Sampson, !toss 1,icPhatter. Front Row : Stephen Mc!'hatter, Rudy Hibma, Jim Bassingthwai te . 1967 . • 82

Page innan United Chu rch Yout h J.cti vities 1ST .Al:,L~1, CUB PACK I n January J.968 -Ann!ln Cub Pack was f or med under Re v . John Ande rson. Mrs. Carl Juniper wa s a leader (Baloo) later . In 1971 the cubs were r e- organized by Roger Lamo nt with Gary Mor rison ass i sting. Later Kennet h Mitchell was an assist~nt . • When Roger Lamont left for a year i n Australia and Ne•,1 Zeal.and, Bob Rodger t ook ove!' as leader i n the autumn nf 1975. Jim Gonder and Kenny Mo rrison were his helpers . Thi s year 1976- 77, Roger is also assistin~.

The cubs meet eac.il ·l'ues(l "\y ni ght i n the basement of t he chur ch . The cubs have had a fall and spring camp - out, and have competed in street hockey t ournaments, and won the l arge t rophy a t one of the Win ter Carnivals . If t.he boys work hard, they qualify for badges and cr ests during t he year •

•

• 83

uiri-in United Church History Junior ~ctivities The Sunday School ·i:nere :lre no records prior to J.888 when an annual report was printed 1·or the 1·irst time. • 'l'he names of the Superintendents are lilliam P. Tel.ror_a, James i." . Burr, Robert Cr awford, John Ri<1de11, a. D. uameron, A. Pusey, J . L Van:O'yck, L . Hurlbut, E . F. Basaingthwaite, 1iilliam Thomson, J . G. Mol'!'at, Victor Bassingthwaite, (1949-51), Mrs . StAnley Hutchinson ( 1952-1969 J, Mrs . Roger ~ itchell and Mrs. V. Bassin~thwaite \ J.';l'/0-

197J} and since J.974 Mrs . Roger Mitchell . Jilliam P. Telford w~s superintencient until 1586. M~ny people served as secretary-treasurer through the years, but at the conclus­ ion or the report in the annual statement there are net always names. Reading the r eµorts to 1888, the .followin~ information has been recorded . Allan

Ross Wls teaching a Bible class when he left 1·or Jlanitoba in 1888. That same year, the number att ~nding Sunday School was 65, and the col~ection was sent to missions in IndiP,

China, the Indi~ns in Ranitobii and r,he Roman Gathol ics in . By 1889 the t11.tmber 01' te'lchers and scholars was J.00, and the averae;e attendance was 78 . There 1~as a library as t·ar back as 1895, and bO books that had been read oy the local people were sent to mission schools on the Manitoulin lsJ.and. JJr . J . B. Fr.qser taught a Young Man ' s Bible • class in 1896. Annual treat night 1·or the Sunday School was c;nristrnas Eve, ana this was always well attended by parents and teachers . In J.897 a whole class was learning

the Shorter Catechism and reciting it without mistake. In 1900 it i s recorded that Sunday School re-ooened in April and continued until

November at 9 : 45 wl. th an average cf 100 in attendance . The highest attendance over the Y~ars was 115 with 20 teachers and officers . In 1901 Mrs . R. ~ibbald, Jean Robson, Jessie Riddell, ~ary Burr and Isobel Aitken received the General ! asembly' s Oiploma for reciting at one s itting the passages of scripture selected by the Assembly' s Snnd.ay School committee . Great importance was placed on m~mory work in the Presbyterian ~unday

Schools bec2use w~ read further th~t Nellie U-mstrong received a certificate t·or mem­ of scripture .

::iunctay :;chool Staff l'/49 Bac1< l\ow-L . to R. !-'rs. J . ll!cArthur .Mrs. J • Bothwell, Chester Grunseli, Mrs. Elgin McNab, V. lfassingthwai te, Miss Ma,rgaret 11,.:\lon, f•lrs . F . L<>~ont, r'r'lnt Rpw- Mrs . G. McP'batter,Mrs. N, • McArthur, )frs . S. 1-!ut;hchinson, Mr!" . J . Lon~.

'\\'. P. Telford S.S. Supt. j ~ 84

Page _ Annan United Church History Paii:e 2-J.nnan Sunday School Another Superintendent not r ecorded on the previous page was Rev. A. G. Reynolds . It would be impossible to nane all of the Sunday School teachers , but the mothers of the children attending would certainly be involved in many cases, and also school te;ichers <1nd interested men and ~Jomen interested in the spirit ual welfare of the • young people. Many people were secretary or treasurer over the year s . It is known that Miss Mary Horr,e; was t he t.reasurer r r om 1891 until 1916. In more recent years Chester Gr unsell, Bob .&. rmstrone;, Karen Long , Art Lemon , 'fom Cor nfield have been treasur ers. rn 1977 , Ken Morrison i s the treasurer.

The attendance has certainly aropped over the years. • In 1959 there was ~ average a t tendance oi· 2'.>, a nd possi bly in J..977 , this rigure is still true. Tnere are rou.r classes and a nursery tor the c hildren under three years o.t" age. Attendance badges ar e given and quite a number of boys and ~irls have good r ecords, and proudl y wear t he badge ~nd yearly bars. When the Ne,~ Curriculum came into being, the Annan Sunday School tried it out reverted again t o the Davio u . Cook publications • •

Annan Sunday School 1967 Front How L. to K. Scott Spence, Peggy r,!cPbatter, Paula McPhatt er, Brian King, John Spence, Br enda 1,,orrison, Pam Nelson, Corinne Nelson, Ken Morrison. Second Row - Ga rry Morrison, Norman Biggar,Stephen McPha'tter, Ulare Long, hrs. 'F . Nelson. • Ba ck- Br uce Cornfield, Bob Armstr.ong . 85

Page Annan On.i. t ed Church Yout h Activi t i es

A baby band was f or med for t he l ittle youngst eTS under 5 yea r s . Mrs. Carl Ma rritt wa s the leader and i n 1950 had 34 chi ldren on t he r oll. Mr s . Earl Levens and Mrs . Charl es McPha tter succeeded her a s l eaders. • 'rhe money rec,ei ved f r om t he mite boxes , t h r ough the ifo me n ' s Mi$Sionar y doci et y was used t o pay the expense whi ch wa s mai nl y birthda y cards to the children . The last record of this baby band was 1961 .

'1'H.t: ll1HLY V.¢.C1'I'I0N t:!I.BL.C: SGHOOL

Va cation Bi bl e s chools were held in t hi s area i n 1951, 1952 , 1953 and 1954 f or t en days . In 1953 there were 77 chi l dr en enrolled and in 1954- 107 chil dr en t ook pare. l picture i s t o ~e f ound i n t he Women ' s I nsti t ut e s cr ap-book. Vacation Bible ScJ.iool was begun agai n in 1978 and \'las held a.,.ain each year unti l • 1982, when it was too difficult to secure enou~h staff .

• 86 Page Annan United Church Youth Activities

1'1L:3S1 0N BAN1JS (Later !,IBSS.c.NG.c.11S)

J.. Juvenile t,lission Band "Was organized in 1896 , and met during the summer. This seemed to have disbanded and another was organized in 1900, with Miss Maynard as the president . This group ceased to function in 1906, and there is mention o·f a re-organ­ ization in 1910. In another church report, it was discovered that the Annan Mission • Band \'las organized in 1895, meeting once a month, when articles were read on mission work, and 20 members patched and quilted 2 quilts for the Indians. There is recorded that Miss Brown was pres ident, Miss Sarah Sloane was the secretary and Miss Jean Harkness the treasurer. Later in 1901, Miss Maggie rlobert son was president, Beatrice Campbell, secretary and Dorothy Fraser the treasur er. I n 1921, ther e were 22 member s, and a quilt and scrapbook l'lere ~ent t o the Indi an School at Ethelburt. J\1o re recently t her e is mention of the ! nnan ,,,ission Band in 1933 se nding t wo scrapbooks t o t he Indian 1,,iss i on .>chool, under the leadership of !,irs. V. l:3as s ingthwa ite. In 1950 at the .Annan School, Ure. Robert l{ewitson and Mrs. Angus Smith were the leader s with a membership of 28. At Bothwel l ' s Corner, Mr s . Fraser Lamont was the leader with 20 members . 1'lrs . .,11an Bothwell was the leader i n the same year at the Garryowen School • and had 14 members . At Annan other leaders have been Mesdames, William Riddell, Cliff ord dtewart, Melville Buchanan, Donald Mlsuon Band MacKi nnon, Elmer Armstrong, Elgin :llro. Hewlt•on, T. Hulchlnson, M. Morris, L. Cooper, Ml¥s O&vles. T. Cooper, D. Ora.mp, L. McArlhur, B. Knargs, E. Cramp, L. MoAr• thur, R·. A. 1"1cArlba:r, R. Uvens. B. McArtbv, L. Monts, K. But.ehlnaon. Hutchinson, Carl Marrict and Keith M. Mcl'hatter, B. Stewart, Jj;, Morris, L R-y, D. l\~lhur, 111. Mit­ chell, J. Armstron.:. Bumstead . Mrs . Mel vil le Peters, Mrs . Edward Lon~ and Mrs. Carl Morrison are mentioned in the Bothwell' s Corner group . Other leaders at the Garryowen School were Mrs. Frank Lipsett, l•lrs . William J.ohnson, Mrs. Lester Bye, Mrs. Charles Johnson, Mrs . Leonard Bye and Mrs. Russell Mccutcheon. By 1957, there were only 2 Mission Bands, Annan and Bothwell' s Corner. There is mention that the Messenger group at Annan entertained the U. C, \/. at a program and picnic prepared by the leaders . Mrs. Allan McPhatter was the Presbyterial treasurer for the Mission Band. The publication "World Friendsn was receivtld by the children • • .A farewell meeting of the Messengers was held in 1967 when our local schools were closed and our children began attending the Sydenham L:entral .:>chool . S7 Page Annan Un ited Cburch You t h Ac tivities Young People's Union A Young People ' s or gani zation began functioning i n 1892 , when they met on Sunday nigh t s . There we re active and associate members • .An active member had to read a com­ mentary on at least one questi on of the Shorter Catechi sm. In 1896 Bessi e Came ron was the • s e cretary . I n t he old reports it was recorded that this gr oup had contributed to the Home Mission Fund for support of a missi onary on the Peni nsula , and t he Motto of thi s society was " For Christ a nd the Church" . R. Chambers .presided i n 1899 , a nd in 1900 M. Robertson was Recordi ng Secretary and E. Maynar d , the Treasurer . I n 1902 James E. Cannon was the President. Nothi ng more coul d be found about a young adult g roup unti l 1917, whe n Fr ank Bass ­ i ngthwa ite was president of the Chri s tian 3ndea vour Society. The vice- president was Vera Ri ddell, the s ecretary L. H. ,,.cDonald and Mis$ M. Rielly. Apparentl y there wa s no Y.P . U. f r om 1920 until 1927, when the ~nnan and Leith young folk met again . They entered a Young People' s Debating League and s e cured a shi eld for Group 111 of Grey ~ounty. I n t he s ame year these young people had the privilege of spend­ ing an evening with Mi ss Kat e Rutherford before her depar t ure for .Africa . There is mention of a Field Day in 1930 , and also a Public Speaking contes t . In 1934 there was i n July and August a Jr. Young People ' s g r oup . Pl ays were very popular and there is menti on of one • "Home Ties". In 1950 t he .Annan Johnstone Young People' s was organi zed . In 1951 t he officers wer e Wilson Mcinnis- ll'·resident, Stewar t Sm ith- Secretary and Miss Bo r een Riddell - Tr easurer. I n 1959 t he t hree churches Annan, Leith and J ohnst one had their yout h organized and Miss Mary J anet Ceasar was the President and il',i ss Sharon Lemon t he :3 ecretary- Tr easurer. Ken and Audr ey Spence we re t he leader s until 1964 a fter six years of f a ithful service. They and their baby son John wer e pr esent ed wi th lawn cha irs . Rev • .Ar t hur and Mrs . 'Thomson and John Bye were t he counsellors i n 1966 . In 1967 this gr oup named themselves the Jal Club , t a ki ng t he first letter of each of t he churches . Rev. J ohn and Ma ry anderson were l eader s , and with t hi s g r oup assisting, held open house at t he manse . O.ther leaders were the Lester Bye ' s , Wilson Shears and Rae Bumsteads . A pla y " Hi gh Pressure Homer" was a highl i ght . In 1972 t he Jal . Club made ,;.414.00 in a St a r vat hon . • In 1978, t here is a J al Club under t he leadership of Mr . ~obert Knapp . $.8 Pa!];e Annan United Church Organizations TH~ FRIENDLY F~LL0"1SHIP GROUP •

; L to R. seated-Mrs . Roger l\!itchell, Mrs . V. Aassingthwaite, /lj:rs Robert Hewitson Mrs . Wi lsgn Mci nnis ,lilso.n Mcinni s ,,11liam Medley,-Presi dent, Rae Bumstesd, t ictor Bassingthwaite, i·'.rs . H'irold Scott, V,rs . James Lemon . L. to R. St .'3ndi ng- Mrs . Willi am Medley, Mrs . Lester Bye, Lester Bye, Jim Lemon , Harold Scott, Rev . Arthur Thomson, i:rs . A. Thomson, Mrs . Donald Lemon, Mrs . Rae Bumstead, Roger Mitchell. 1967 . • The Friendly Fello•iiship group W'ls organized in 1951. This group was really a married couples organizati?n. The first president was Donald Lemon , vice-president Harold Scott, Secretary-Mrs . Rae Bumstead and Treasurer-Mrs. Harold Scott. Films, speakers, tours and bowli ng parties were usually the make-up of a year' s

program. One of tbe hi ghlights was their attending in 1965 11.A.ll _About Ua"- a review of Canadian history by Canadian Players. This group was :l,nstrumental in 1964 in getting a bus to attend Stewart Smith ' s ordination at Orilli a . A communion set was presented to the crdinant. It was during Stewart ' s father ' s ministry that this organi-zation was rounded . 'rhis group became non- existent in 1971. The last mi nutes ,~ere written in June of that year, when Mrs . Roger Kitche~l was president and Harold and Doreen Scott- treesurers had a report in the church annual of 1971. These couples had a "friendly fellowship", and no doubt the good times will long • be remembered by those attendi~g for 20 ye~rs • 89 Page Annan United Church Organizations The :'loman ' s 1-lissionary .:lociety

.An auxiliary of the Woman ' s Foreign Missi onary Society (as it was firat known) was formed at Annan in 1890 with 12 members, and by the end of t.hat .first year there­ were 20 members . Mrs . J . B. Fraser was the first President, 1,,iss Bella Brown the • first Secretary and Miss i•lary Hogg the first rreasurer . ~.rs . Fraser held the office of president until 1916, when she moved to Owen Sound, and Miss Hobg held her office until her death in 1927. By 1892 the membership had increased to 26. Miss ,•,ary Hogg was the first Life 1,Iember . Hrs . James .Aitken served for 20 years as Secretary from 1909 to 1929. In 1925 the Leith and .Annan Auxiliaries were united, and 1tere separated again about 1940. The peak year of the contributions at the time of the 100th Anniv­ ersary of the Annan United Caurch had been 1948 when ~267.54 was sent to the Treasl.\Ter. The followine \\Omen have served as President: Mrs . J . B. Fraser (1890-1916), t•irs . T. J . Harkness (1917), Mrs . C. S . Jones (1916), Mrs . John Riddell (1919), 1·,rs . A. J , Orr (1920-1923), Mrs. James r,1offat (1924-1927), l•,rs . G. W. Rose (1928-1937), Mrs . William Thomson (1937-1936 , 1944), foiss Margaret ,•tcKeen (1939) , 1Yirs . James Mitchel.l (1940-1941, 1946), 1'1rs Victor Bassingthwaite ( 1942- 1943, 1947- 1948) , Mrs . Norman f-1c.Arthur (194-5 and part of 1952), Mrs . Gordon f'lcPhatter (1949-1950), Mrs . Angus Smith (1951), Mrs . r'red Day (part of 1952) ,Mrs . Fraser Lamont (1953-1954), Mrs . Barl Leven:; (1955-1956), Mrs . Everett Johnson (1957-1959) andl•1rs . Hobert • He1·1itson (1960 -1961).

w.M..s. Ml'$. N. McArtl111r1 Mrs. J. MM.rthur. M.rs. T. Stott_ 1tlrs. F. Lamont. mont, Mr$. C. $pence_. :Mrs. R . .B e.wU:son. Mrs. I . Lone. Mrs. ~ - O. Reyn­ olds, l\f.rs. Thos. An:nstro~. Mrs. G. '.McPha.tte-r, Mn. V. Bass:lJlKthwaite, ?\tn.. W. Tbom..

Other names men"t i oned in the f irst years of ',~ ·"' .s . .~erd ,,,rs Taylor, ,•1iss Thomson, Mr11 Speedie, Mrs . J . F . Burr, ,1iiss Sloane, J\1rs . Keefer, Mrs . Kent, Mi:-s . ii:arl ey, and Mrs . J. Riddell . 1'heir motto was "The \l .M. S. promises to cultivate and develop intelligence and liberal. interest in the missions". The first .~ednesday of the month • seems to have always been the meeting time of this organization. From early churcn reports, loaned by Mrs. s. Hui:;chinson, which had belonged to Miss Richie Hogg, the following information has been gleaned . 90 Page .Annan United Church Page 2 The ·11oman ' s Mi ssi onary Society In 1894 it is not ed that t here was a plan of spending an hour or more each day preparing clothing for the North West Indi a ns . In 1895 the garden party rai s ed bet- ween $19.00 and $20 .00 . Th e gar den party s eemed to be mo r eorless an annual event • Another method of raising money wa s that the receipts from the eggs laid on the Sundays • in April or May we re to go t o the \11.M.3 . t r easury. In 1901 there i s evidence of progr ams being drawn up as the President prepared a l i s t of topics, one for each month and assi gned them t o t he members . There was a r epres entative from the W.M.S. attending the Mission Band each meeting. The w.rvr .s. were the sponsors of t he Mission Band a nd also lat er the Baby Band . In l ater years, the W.M.S. used t o get new material from Eat ons a nd Si mpson ' s cat al ogues , to make into children's clothes, drapes a nd quilts for the Save t he Ch i ldren. Over the years many speakers of note have attended Annan W.M.S . meetings at Thankoffering and other occasions. One of t hese was Miss Vi olet Saunders of Japan , a missiona ry tea cher on furlough . The missionary for prayer at one time was Mi ss Florence Tayl or. I n 1940, t he 50th Anniversary was celebra ted with Mrs. J . B, Fraser as the speaker, as she had be en a life member since 1896. r,Ii ss Annie Turner was, the secretary • at the t ime of the presentat·i on. First t he Mi s s i onary Ti dings , and t hen t he Missiona r y Mont hly were the publications used by the W.M.S. The Presbyterial was first known as the General Society, and only a sma l l percent­ age of the Annan members belonged to this Society. Fall Presbyte r i al Rallies were held at Annan i n 1948 and 1957, Birthda y tea s used to be hel d every June with the Lei th and Johnst one women as guests. Fi rst mention of the World Day of Prayer in t he r eports is 1927,

• 91 Pa~e Annan United Church ORG ANIZA rr OliS THE ANNA!~ U. C. W. The i'l .M. S . became t.he U . C. ,i . -Uni ted Church ,vomen- in 1962 . This was a complete

change all a cross Canada, and di d combine all .L.A ., ';/ .I , . S . and other women I s groups lnto one . The purpose of U. C. '/. is to unite all women of the congregation for the tot.al • mission of the church :ind to provide a medium through 1~hich they m"ly express thei r loyalt y and devotion to Jesus Christ i n Christian witness, study , f ellowship and service . 'l'he first year it i s noted that there were 31 members and 7 life members in the

!nnan U. C .'·I . under the guidance of Mrs . Robert llewitson '1S presirlent, Mrs . Cordon Little-secretary, Mrs . Elgin Knight- tre11surer and :,rrs . Fred Day-archivist.

The study book was sti11 part of the U. C. W. ae9nda. The Mission Bands, sponsored by the U. C.W. be came Mess enger gr oups . In this fir st year it is recor ded that letters were sent frequently to Miss Marjorie Lar1ont , who was teaching in a Christian school in Jap3n . Annan u.c:.1. also hosted a training school for 1.! . C.W' s when 53 women attended . Overse'.ls relief was still an important phase and 228 polmds of used clothing was ship­ ped through the Presbyterial Suppl y Committee .

In 1963 an U. C. J. Sunday. church service was held, '3.lso a party for a life member Mrs . Willi am Thomson, who was leaving Annan to reside in Owen Sound . Foll owing Mrs . • Hewitson' s second year as president, Mrs . Lester Bye was the presiding officer for three years . In 1966, through our interest in Miss Eva Leflar' s work with the Children ' s Aid Society, canned goods and jam were donated . The Li terature secretary promoted a new publication "The Christ ian Home" . In 1965 , the Gr ey Presbytery held one of their meetings at Annan, and the u.c ..v. served t he noon me al. ·,'ihen t he Chr ist ian educat ion Committee came into bei ng about 1965, t he U . C .w.

sponsor ed t he 2 J\1essen1ser -g: r oups i n conjunction with t his committee and a wall plaque with a Scr iptur e verse was given t o each pupil . Thi s C. E. committee had representatives from the Session, U. C. 1v . , Sunday School, Boy Scouts, r.;. and M. Jal, C. G. I .T . and the Friendly Fellowsnip group .

Standing- 1.toR.Mrs . Ever ett Johnson,Mrs· Fraser Lamont, Mrs . B. ,f. Kearns , Mrs . Frank Nelson , • 2nd Row-J.!rs . William Johnson, Mrs . Robert Hewitson, Mrs . L~r Bye , rtr s . Edward Lont>;. Fr ont Row-Mrs . Kenneth Spence , t,l r s . Victor Bassingthwai te, Mrs . Watson Scarrow.

Febr uar y 1967 Page lnnan Unitad Church History Pa~e 2 .Annan U. C. ti . •

Annan U. C. W. 1967 Standing-L.toR .Mrs . K. Spence, !,1rs. Arthur Thomson, 1•!rs . E. Johnson, Mrs . William Medley 2nd Row -,•irs. F. Lamont, 1,!rs. B. ;·AS .. Kearns_, Mrs-. 1 . Bye t Mri. E . Long . L Front Row-Mrs . V. Bassingthwaite, -r..-1.." 1J'irs . 'J. Johnson, Mrs . R. Hewi tson Mrs. ,i. Scarrow.

The needy and burned out families were remembered from time to time, besides large quantities of used clothing were sent for overseas relief. Usually delegates were sent to Toe-Alpha from the Young People's or ganization • Mrs . Edward Long presided in 1967, 1968 and 1969, It was a custom to have all • the women of the church t ake part in programs. The picture oelow has the program committee 1·or the month of March 1967.

L. to R. Mrs . ilmer lrmstrong, Mrs . Bert King, Mrs . iverett , Johnson and Mrs . Charles McPhatter. One of the features of the U.C.'i. was that there was a finance chairman, • and she was responsible for bringing in a recommended budget, and this was a guide for the financial obli gations. Highlights of meetings included missionaries Miss Kate Rutherfot!d !'rom Jmgola ,

Miss Florence Fee from China and Mr . and Mrs . Jank from Venezula gi ving excellent talks. 93 Paa;e Annan United Church History Page J Annan U. C. W. •

Annan U. C. W. 1967 Front Row : L to R. Mrs . Watson Scarrow , Nrs . Colin Spence , !Jlrs . Carl Morri son Sr . , Mrs . Ted :lhalen, Mrs . Mary McFaul, Mrs . 13 . iT . Kearns,· Mrs. Bert King. 2nd Row-Mrs . Victor Bassingthwaite, Mrs • .Arthur Thomson , Mrs . Elmer Armstron;, Mrs . John Mc.Arthur, Mrs . Fred Day, Mrs . Everett Johnson, Mrs . \li lliam Medley, Mr s . Gordon Little, Mrs . Frank Howe, 1•!rs • .rrank Nelson, Mrs . Kenneth Spence, and l5ehind her, Mrs . \lilliam Long. Partially hi dden behind Mrs . El mer ..Armstrong is Mrs . John Lorig . • Jrd Row-Mrs. Elgin Knight, Mrs . Edward Long , Mrs . Lester Bye, }.µ-s . Robert Hewi tson, Mrs . John Knaggs, Mrs . Fraser Lamont, Mrs . Frank Silverthorn. Absent J.!rs . Willi'llll Johnson- Treasurer. I n 1969, the U. C. 'II . catered to the Lions Club for their Farmer• s Night, when they entertained the local men . The U. C. W. members have tried to make their meetings interesting and inform­ ative. For instance when the study was on China, the food was explai ned and demonst­ rated , also sampled. The year that the study was on South America (1971) a week- end was set aside and all the church organizations were involved. Posters, art, crafts and the lunch ( chili) made the Sout h .America life style mor e rec1l. A speeker, Rev. ! rthur Dayfoot told of the country in his talk. A panel made up of Mrs . Glancey, whose dau~hter Mrs . JAnk is a missionary in South America, uvid Jackson, on the stai'f of the O.S. c. v.1. anct a native of South America, Dr . u . Porter and aoger Lamont, who was with C.U .S .O. in Japan and Bor neo revealed what condit ions were lika in ~Puth ~merica at the morning church service. • The O. C. "i. a lways make their allocation which is sent through the !,lission and :>ervice treasurer of the church . 'l'hey also have contributed rinancial assistance to the manse committee, purchased a baptismal water container, and equipped the Kitchen. 94

Pai;e \nnan United C~urch History Pa~a 4 .lnnan U. C. J , I~ 1967 a centennial mee ting was held and it was a highli ght . Old fashioned cost­

umes, and .ror lunch, scones, jam and oatmeal cookies were the order cf the day. Mrs . I vor Spencer spake on "The Joys of Christian Lit"e '! As a project t h is year, t he U. t.; . # . • took on t he beauti£ication of the church gr ounds .

• J:o'ront .Row : Hrs . !fillia!D Johnson, t:rs . John r.tc.Ari;hur , Mrs . Robert, Hewitson, Mrs . overett Johnson, ws. Victor Bassingthw.-ite, .Mrs. Arthur Thomson, J\irs . Jack Prosje. ijack Row-Mr~. llzin Knieht, Mrs. Ber t King, Mrs . Frank Silverthorn ,,lrs . Edward Lan.g .

Wh ile there was a Boy Scout Tr cup, the U. C. 'II . catered to t heir banquet, and

also provideo a dessert party .ro r i;he mothers and daughters in C .G. I . '1' . l new reatur e in 1968 ,ias an afternoon r ello\1ship when all women of t~ women of the community wer e invited to learn to make casseroles . An evening was devot ed t o a sewing machine demonstration and a oeau'ty aemonstration ,-,as also on ,:;ne pr og r/U!I ,

President!" in t,he seventi es were Mr s . Victor Bas::ingthwaite f or two years , and Mrs . Robert HE>\''itson in J.'J'72 . ::iince t.hPn r.:rs . Lester Bye was the lia i son .f or two years, anc;1 since 1975, t.here nas been a J.eader ot· the month . Secret ari es have been Mrs . Donald MacKi nnon, Mrs. Robert Hewitson, Y,rs , 'Elgin Knight, I','[rs . William Johnson, ~1rs . Edward Long, l-!rs . Kenneth Spence and Mrs . Roberta Gilb,'lnk . 'l'reasurers nave been Mrs . ,l1lliam Johnson, Mrs . Bert King, and Mrs . Lest.er J:lye •

Mrs . V, BQas ~th1·1aite Drought honour to her U. C. W. when she oecame Gr ey PI'esbyt- • 1 eri a J. Pr es ident in 1'9'/2 and 19"/J . 95 20th Anniversary of the .Annan IJ . i.: •.1 , In 1950 ola::s .-iere 1'•id for the analgan:!tio. of the ., ,.,, .d . and the .• · " . ;;ro1,;.ps . dy 1962 our li ~t to" Churc'1 ,/orr..in vec .1ne a workin.P, rc3.li zation . oo:..rd.s .,nd con11issions .iorked ,ery h1rd to qke this :oini~~ of 2 lon~ standln~ rroups uos~ible . Fron the arc:ii ves I. sh ,.1 ... quote a -re1t de·:il . oi t:10ut the worr: of the archivist in 1962 • -Lrs. ?red Day, my tas;: .1ould h iYe been very difficult . .:>he had t:.~H:l for"l.5i -ht to include 111 the Jet .. ils, ,1:1ic:1 pic:ce the story quite like a p.stchwork q:.iilt . I would also like to O'i'.' tribute to her s;icces.;or --:-s, Jo"in Kn1to:;r,s :i.rd .. my ot.'lers 1·:ho contributed to these bo oks .

.•1:-s . ::>c1y f:i.it::fully cliryped fro, the ,,ission .... ry ,.0 nthly, "' ':)Jolicatio·· ,,!lier. waa dear to the :ieart o: rr.a··.y cf yo1. , w:,c ,·1ere associated with the ., ... , ;) . I~ 1950 the Jeneral Council accepted in ? rinc:ple that there should be 1 organiZPtion • whic~ ~ould enlist all woxen of the church :or the total mission of th~ church . The ~enera l Co•.mcil w.·1,., "1Skecl to set up a co• c1ittee to study the integratio11 of tior.ie Lission .,ork of the \;ni :.ed Churcn . The Con,r:1issions studying the work cf wome., , the Ov~rse.1s i•:issions and .lor.:e Mtssions ·were asked to report i:lt General Council , in 1960. It is interesting to read that Dr . J . .:. .c. Kell 1,ias a me:noer of this co1:imission . ueneral Council ;~as n~ld in Ed:nonton in 1960 and it gave a -afroval to the :ormation of a ooard of ,iomen under ,.;eneral Council and a new organization for all women of the church . Secondly the action of veneral Council made it l'.)ossible for women to sh:lre in a mu ch r:iore meaningful ,'lay in all the ~1ork of the church •,ii thin the congre gation, Presbytery and

the .;on ference and in various rloards of the ch•..irc h unier General ..;o uncil . ,-.en an I wo'l!en

will work together on the new doard of ;,orld l·lissions and on a new doard of .10 r.e 1•.issions . • It :nea"'.S that ,·IO"len will be represented in :,; rea~er nu('loers on ,1,tio:1al "O'lrd such as the doard of Christian uciucation . :..omen

the study of community needs , 0ne real~y should not think of the wo~~n ' s organizations being an amaliamation out . k ' I ad t ·ne clippin~s in the archivi st rat~er a new movement . I could not hepl tiningh as re ~ ·_ot like us securing the ...,_,>'!:es in ~,omen ' s role in the church ,,ere a books that t hese Cha _ vote in election$. • · s R~lly with members o:' the l..eith, Joh:1stone , .,ow many of you remember the fina l ~ , l·. • • 3 th 11 vice- 1)resident at ,resbyterial Silcote Jnd :ooaI 'f or d groups in •~ ttendance1 i-.rs . J • bo ·.~e "·'dent of ~nnan ,1 . ,:, .J . welcomed the the Pre level was in charge . ,·lrs . ,tobert ne\'llitSOI'. , -"' and a farewell rally cake made by ,•,rs . Colin ,:ipence members to stay :'or refreshments 96 Pa~e 2 - 20th ~nniversary of u.c.a.

l n.d iced by Katherine He witson was served . i•.rs . Findlay . .acD0 nald of Knox dydenham gave a pqper on t he future publication of the church-the Obse:-ver which is to be enlaried t o in­

clilde what formerly -,.,as the •.issionary i ,onthly. ,·,rs . .:n~us dmith was the President of • Grey Presbyte!'ial and presented the ~oard o f Finance report. Grey ,1 .,.. . s . sii:;ns off with flying colours , I rea:i, because r.:iey had the largest receipts in history as they held their final executive meeting in Division St. C,urch .

A joint farewe j_l rally of the .}rey Presbyterial .. . ..;.. . and ,, ., . • ;:, . was held in Division St. Church with 59 mer.tbers of the ,1 ., .• 3 . , 56 of r.he ,/ • •• and llL, •.,ere mel!lbers of both org,rnizat.ions and 30 aid not s i gnify to which '\roup they belon5ed. ,•.rs . F . Mac.uonsld, Pres .

of Grey Presbyterial .i ., . u . pre3iC1ed ::md ,·,rs . ;:,tanley .;lugs ton , Pres . of the Grey

Presbyteri:il , . A. was 1lso pr esent . I wish t her e .·as time to read the inaugural service of J . l, . .. . which ,~as held on Jan. 14, 1962. ln in·1it:;.tion was issued to 'lll women of ..nn::,.n United Church to att end the org­ a'1izational meeting at 2 o ' clock on Feb . 7 , 1962. C:,.therine .. ittle, secret:1.ry, l-.rs . Fraser L1,,10nt memoership chairnan c1.nd ,•.rs . rt . Hewi t.son , pr esident were instrumental in sending out these lett ers . .tev . ... rt,hur Thon:::ion .:as chairma:1 for t:1e meeting. ,•.rs . l'h ,mson led the wo r ti 1ip service.

Mrs . rt . ~ewitson :.s elected t~e :'.'irst presi ·'ent, ,.rs. uor Jon Little, s<:< cretary 3.'1d urs . El~in Kni·zht, treasurer . 1-.rs . Kenneth Jpence and .. rs . Lester .:,ye •,1ere the vice- presidents . The membership fee .;as 501 _,nd tie 1962 membership ;ns JS . The meetin=1;s were to be held the 3rd .. ednesday

',•/~r" al1~:;,ys held the f irst ,/ednesd'ly . The al loc1:1t ioi. l or t r. e . . . anJ ,., , /las ,, J 25 . 00 . Do you rc~enber th.:i.t .-,rs . J . C. , :irquis (Lrn ily) ·,1as th<:! l'irst Fresident of ..,rey Presby­

teri=1l J . C. ,,? Do you re,,et.ber a re

This aa1 re etin!; d~ s cne for instrucc.io?1 in ~iblc. sc.udy, fin me~ litera t.Jre etc · The m.,etin.-,; ,rnre :o conforn :o the su".e;eation ii". th·:, yell.01: h·.nd book, -t.:1e ,,orshin r-=riod w..1s 15 i

4 suggested bud,;et .,,as "

'3 "'O cci !Sui de . :t v•as very ifficu.lt to pick out projects. I did note th,i.t An'1an U . C . ,i . ·.1as proud to · ::>he contr:'..bute toward i is s 1;;lla Ledi :tr J , s t,ri.p to J ap<\n w'iere she would rene.-1 acquain,:,ance .

\J'ld been 'l fl'.issiomiry for m:m; years . It .1as held \litr the ,;ohnstone ;roup for n:i.ny The .1orld Day of r rayer comes to ~ind . th

• I 97 ?'lr-e J - 28ti1 .1nni ver<:>ary of u . C ..I . speakers , both from our Ol"ln r'lnks and else ~hi:;re .

vur neetin;,:s have been held iri nursing hones which "'ave sone of the residents

ortunity to enjoy our rro;;;rams . T,e folk from the 1,,icl\irmon i't.illips Hospital h..tve been our guests yearly for some time . Jometi~es they h~ve been entertain~d at lun~heons , picnics or :!inners. Birthd'ly teas were 1lw,ys a highlight when we entert:iined Leith and Johnstone , 11.atherine I s beautiful:.y iced cakes .,ere greatly admired . There was a family night ,ihen .-,arjorie L'imont showed her nictures after returnin.e: from Japan. Florence also sha::-ed her letters 1it , us . 'l'here ·,;ere also letters from .,o::er ,·1hon he • 1;1as overoeas . There 11as 1 soci'i:. evening at 1·1hich he showed his pictures to the ,•,essengers . T11e Lission tand , 1.essen-:ers and C. G. I . 1' . were very often su. 1lied ,1itl1 leaders fron, the U .c . .. . :1s ··1ell as fin'lnci,il assist,nce. Youn~ -oeory;.e were s~onsored to the Toc- -•lp!n. Conference . Catering :ias been done for t ':e .i.ydenham Jkating Club , also the Father and ~on banquet "or Scouts. I ,·iell remember coming home wi th pounds of carrots to cook bec ause there was not enou"?;h roor:i on the stove at St. 1•1ary ' s rlall . The r O'ids were a1mcst blocked -.t the idgew:iter l"ln ·.-1hen I tried to return wi th the carrots. I ~m not sure all of you got home that night . As a result of catering endeavours 11hen !-lelli e tiutchinson convened .~e "\'Jere able to equip the kitchen wit~ china bought at ~he Georgian factory. A stove and furni shin~s for the C. E . room also come to r:iind . ~ere we r e layettes, clothing for b~les 3nd quilts , also car~s sold t o help defray t he expense of shipping. I r.ient icned the f i rst executive , '3nd now ner e are additi on.:il president s - 1•.r s . Lest e r Bye, !,,r s . ..;ct . Long, ,-,rs . V. l:lassingthwai te, ,ii th a l i aison being elected i n 1973 . ;;,ecret­

aries have been r-.rs . D . ..acl\ i nnon, ;•,rs . R. Hewitson, lirs . J!o . Ii.ni ght, Hrs . ,lilli am Johnson , 1,.rs . ~. Long, 1•,rs . K. Spence , l.is;, Robert a Gilbank .3.nd I·lrs . L. :=ye . Treasurer-, have been

1,!rs . ,I. Jo'.1.Ilson, Hrs . Bert Ki n:;, ,-,rs . L . Bye @nd Hrs . Vi ctor Cornfi eld. Pre~ared and Present ed at the Anniversar y tea for for mer a nd present members on J une 2 , 1982 at ..nnan Church by •·,r s . Kenneth Spence .

• 9e ~nnan Jnited Church •

• .tnnan United Church 1974

•

;.Je;,;t i.iae of the ,•lanse

The marn,e was the :tobert c,lark home . tte ,1

The Lake Shore Line of what i s now known a s Sydenham ·rownship was surveyed and set­ tlers took up land from t he Government about 1845 , By 1849 a small settlement had formed around what is now the village of Annan • .i:arly in that year Mr , a nd Mr s . Andrew Biggar l ost a child by de~th . Later the same year death took a da\li?;hter of Mr . and 1,,r,,; . David Armstrong. By this time it was realized a church and a cemetery 1~ould be needed in the

oo mmunity. A one acre plot was purchased f r om Mr . Higgar a nd a cemer.ery laid out, also a church was erected on the property . .t deed of this land was ree;istered in 1849 from 1-'lr , Bi ggar t o the United Presbyter- • ian Church at a price of f ive pounds sterling and signed for by t h~ ~embers of the cong­ r egation of the Lake Shore Line, later Annan United Church. A church was built on an­ other sit e around 1880 and t he church buildi ngs were r emoved from the cemetery, In 1914 a plot of g round, one acre in size, adjoini ng the cemetery was pur chased and added t o the cemetery . This land had been originally purchased by t he military authorities and is thought t o have been a parade ground for the training of volunt eers at the time of the Feni an raids . There is a Cemetery Board of six men . Nearly every man i n the community has at some t ime served on this Board . For many years these trustees were expected to t ake their t urn at digging the g raves . Ilowadays this is done by a back-hoe . Going through the church reports, the following men and possibly others have s~rved: Mt!ssrs: A.1-ex and Arthur ..\lexander, Cl arence and Elmer Armstrong , Lest er Bye, ,,,el vi lle Buchanan, 11.llan Bo thwell, El g in_Fulford, Chester and Harry Grunsell, Fr ank Howe , Wi lliam and Charles J ohnson, El gin Knight, Ber t King , Fraser Lamont, ~dward Long, Gordon and Charles UcPhatter , J'.iac Morrison, • John McArthur, Gordon Maynard, William r,:edley, Jack P'rosje, Wi lliam Ri ddell, Frank Silverthorn, Earl and Kennet h dpence, Earl Sampson, Harold dcott, Allan and Gordon Wilson, The boar d in 1978 a r e Lester Bye-chairman, Ber t King, ~d Long, Har ol d Scot t , Kenneth Spence and Gordon 'Jiilson. r,1essrs Bert King and Ha rold Scott are the auditors. 100 Page Annan Vn ited Church Page 2 Annan Cemeter y . Victor Bassingth1>1aite, wh os e father, Mr . Fr ank Bassingthwa ir.e was treasurer of the Annan Cemetery f r om 1918- 40 , has supplied t he information on thi s page . Mr . Bass ing thwair.e s aid his f at her wa s the caret aker, and always marked the gr aves . The grass was cut once a year . I n 1918 there was only a record of plots but no record of bur ials. For di ggi ng a • grave, you received $7.00 . Mr . Bassingt hwa i te wa s one of a J man board. Mr. Elwood Long and Mr . John Couper wer e on with Mr . Bass ingt hw~ite for many yea rs . I t wa s while Mr . James T. Dickson was t reasurer that perpetual ca re was introduced, as it was his idea . It i s t his perpetua l care fund that keeps the Annan Cemet ery an a t t r a ctive and well- cared- for buri al place in thi s community. Good records have been kept since 1941. It is noted that i n the forti es, Robert Hew i t son, Clarence Armstrong, r,irs. El gin Bye , Everet-i; F . J ohnson and Will i am 111edley were t he audit ors . I t i s interesting t o note t hat in 1941 Mr. F. Bassi ngthwaite was pai d 25¢

an hour for his services a t t he cem.ete r y . A pl ot and care cost 13 .00 . I t i s not possible t o get a complete record of the treasurers , but it is known tha t Mr. J ames Burr had t he books prior to Mr . F. Bass ingthwa ite-1918- 1940, James T. Dickson, J ohn Couper, Victor Bassingthwaite 1951- 74, Mrs . Ear l Samps on 74- 75 and Mrs . Ke.nneth Spence 1975- 'I/ . The perpetual f und now i s $7971.06, and it is ~1ith the i nterest f r om t hi s permanent • ca re that the g rounds can be i mproved and cared f or, such as r egul ar gr ass cutting. Kenneth Spence is the careta ker, a nd also ma rks the gr aves . Th r oughout t he ol der por tion of the ceme1lery many lots were s ol d 1"1i th no provi sion f or f uture care . It i s hoped that these too wit h t he co- operation of the 01,iners wi l l be brought under t he ter ms of perpetual care . There is an i ndex of the pl ots, and Mr . and Mrs. V. Basningt hwai t e were responsibl e for thi s also the lay- out charts .

• 101

LEITH UNrT£D CHURCH In 1840, the area now known as Grey and B·ruce Counties was first opened up for settlement, and John Telfer was appointed Crown Lands Agent for what is now the Owen Sound area. The per capita grant to each prospective settler was 50 acres , and at that time Sydenham Township was primeval forest . Hence the first duty of every • settler was to clear the land, and get it ready £or a crop as quickly as the methods of those days would permit. No records have been kept of the influx of the first settlers, but it is known that within five years ther e were a good many families living on what is now the Annan Road. Most of the settlers t o this area came either from the Highlands or Lowlands of Scotland, and were in the main ,stauncb and devout Presbyterians. The Presbyterians were of three varieties: Church of Scotland or "Auld Kirkm, the Free Church or"F.ree Kirk" and the United Presbyterian Church. The Leith settlers supported the "Auld Kirk" . The family altar, with prayers, Bible reading, and the saying or singing of the Bsalms of David were part and parcel of daily living in the majority of pioneer homes. As early as 1845 services were held in this district, and usually conducted by laymen, since ministers were not available. According to the book •Reminiscences of North Sydenham", the first service was held in the home of William Telfer, a brother of the Crown Lands Agent, and on May 9 , 1849, the Lake Shore Line congregation (now • Annan United Church) was organized in conjunction with a congregation in Sydenham (now Division Street United Church, Owen Sound). On June 1st of that year, the Rev . John McKinnon was inducted as mini~ter of the two congregations. Although at first the Leith settlers doubtless worshipped with the people of Annan , many of them were not fully satisfied, preferring the "Auld Kirk" . On July 26, 1864, a meeting was held in the old school house at Leith, with the following

people present a :Robert Van Wyck, Hugh G• . Campbell, Thomas Brown, Donald Cameron, Thomas Rutherford, Hector MacKay,and James Clark. The secretary of the meeting was Dr . William Lang and t he chairman was M. McDowal . On motion of Tbomao Brown and Donald Cameron it was decided that "this meeting give t he Rev . Alexander Hunter B. A. a call to be our past or and guide. Carried". Thus is recorded on the first page of the b,ook containing the minutes of the Leith congregation the founding of the congregation and the calling of its first minister. At the Presbytery of Guelph meeting on July J, 1860 , it was agreed to undertake • the supply of certain outlying districts, including Leith and Johnstone. On the third .3unday of October, 1862, Rev . James Thom dispensed the sacraments at Leith and Johnstone, and there were55 communicants, 14 of whom were admitted for the first time . 102

Page 2 - Leith United Churc h History In the summer of 1862, Mr . Alexander Hunter, a theological student at Queen ' s University was a ppointed as student mis sionary at L~ith and Johnstone for t he sunmer mont hs. He was back for the next summer , and in June of 1861, was licensed to preach . The peopl e of Leith and Johnstone asked that Mr. Hunter become their mi nist er, • and he agreed t o come . A. written "call" sig ned by 41 signatures sta t ed to Guelph Presbytery that "The managers of Leith and J ohnstone would guarantee Mr. Hunt.er a s t ipend of $400 .00 per annum, in s emi a nnual pa yments " . Mr . Hunter accepted the call , and agreed to meet at Leith on the 26th of October for t he r eceiving of Mr . Hunt er' s tria l s and at J ohnstone on the 27th for the ordination and i nduction . At this time t here was a church building at Johnstone, but none at Leith. In 1855 Mr . W. Johnstone donated l and for the building. Until 1864 t here was no reg ular min­ i s ter at Johnstone. This first church stood until 1920 when it was replaced by a brick one •. The first Johnstone church is described as " A frame structure, very strongly built". Once ordained and settled in hi s new charge, Mr . Hunter attacked with vigor the matter of a church building in Leith. Some help wa s obtainable from the Colonial Committee of t he Chur ch of Scotland and the Presbytery of Guel ph . Leith area residents "had already subscribed iJ00 .00 towards this obj ective to be paid during 1865". On May 31, 1865 , t he people of Leith assembled to witness the tur ning of the f irst s od. • The site, donated by the linslie fam i ly, was chosen f or its central location and close proximity to the Leith River, creating a true setting f or this little chur cli in the wilderness . Within eig ht months of the turning of t he sod, the building was ready to be opened. The architecture of the church i s generall y attributed to James , Gibson, a successful hous e builder in Tor onto, before coming to Leith in 1852 , The design was dcottish with high gables and long square windows sweeping down from t he eaves. On J a nuary , 2$, 1866 the new church was of ficially opened·

I SKETCH OF LEI1'H CHURCH BY MR. JA~!ES CROIL, JULY d, 1866 • • Mr . Croil drew an i nteresting s ketch of the church and s urrounding terraiu as he saw it that summer day . One immedia tely notices the absence of a front porch, the presence of tree stumps, and an uninterr upted view of the bay and the old wharf with

a s teamer in the background. 10)

Page 3 - Leith United Church History We quote from Dr. Reynolds "Early History of the Leith United Church" "Sabbath, the twenty eighth day of January, 1866,was an important day in the history of the Leith section of the congregation of Leith and Johnstone. On that day the new church recently erected in the Village of Leith was opened for divine service. The Rev . James Carmichael of King officiated, preaching in the morning to an audience not far short of four hundred .••• A Gaelic service was given at 2 o' clock, at which the attendance was also large •• •Mr . Carmichael preached again in the evening to nearly three hundred people. On the following evening, a social was held in the church, and • addresses were given by the Rev , James Carmichael, the Rev . Robert Dewar of Annan, J. R. Ross, the Rev. Alexander Hunter and ~ohn Frost of Owen Sound . .• At the end of that meeting the building committee found that it had enough to liquidate the debt remaining on the building ••• The church was described as "a handsome building, finished with considerable taste, and capable of seating comfortably two hundred and seventy five persons~ •• • The structure is of brick, and the actual money cost, exclusive of the site and hauling the material will be somewhere in the neighbourhood of one thousand dollars ••• • " From other sources, dated 1866, we glean the following: "The comfortable brick church is 47 x 35. It cost •1)00,00, of which ;700.00 was contributed by the congregl!tion • •• Two acres have been purchased for a manse site about hal£ a mile from the church. The amount of debt on Leith Church is $200 . 00". Mr . James Croil, a lay official of the Presbyterian Church in Canada wrote: "There are 4) families in Leith. Of Mr. Hunter he ooserves "The affairs of the congregation are carefully and truly managed, and Mr. Hunter is a useful and accept­ able minister. Bible Class and prayer meetings weekly" . He finally notes the names of the Leith managers as nAdam linslie, Dr. Lang", James Ross" . Mr. Hunter' s bright and promising ministry was a brief one because his death occurred on October 11, 1869, in his 42nd year. He was buried in Leith Cemetery, and a large and impressive monument , erected by the congregation, reveals the high esteem in which he was held by all. • t -

•

Leith Church 104

Page 4 - Leith United Church History A feature of Leith Church is that the church pews have doors on them. The wide boards in the seats tell of the plentii'ul supply of native pine lumber available at the time of building. One theory for the doors on the pews is that it follows a Scottish custom in which the dogs entered the pews with their owners . That the good • people.of Leith actually brought their dogs into the. church sanctuary, however, is extremely unlikely. At least they did not bring the wood-work of each pew to the floor level, thus making each section "Self contained" .

•

The Pews The Leith pulpit, of very fine workmanship, is of bird ' s eye maple and walnut . It was made by John Ross of Albernie, British Columbi a , who was an expert cabinet maker. For many years Mr . Ross did missionary work among the Indians on the West Coast. Dr. Reynolds writes on the manner of Christi an worship in the early days- the aversion to hymns and organs, the use of a tuning fork and the labours of the precentor. The Psalms of David were sung in metre and a music copy of the Psalter, which has been preserved shows an interesting arrangement . Each page is divided horizontally in the middle with the tunes above and the words below. This arrangement makes it possible to sing any psalm to any suitable tune in the book, with a minimum of dislocati on and turning pages. A precentor led the praise until 1888, and James Ross was the • precentor from 1864 t o 1888. According to Session Minutes of February 1888,"A party had formed themselves into a choir, and practi sed music after the prayer meeting". No new preoentor was selected and for the next 6 years the choir led the singing without an organ. On J.pril 10 , 1895, James Gibson presented the f i rst organ. 105

Page 5 - Leith United Church History This fine organ rendered yeoman service to the congregation for the next 60 years.

n new electronic organ was installed on September 18, 1955. The first organist of • the Leith Church was Miss Bertha McNeil .

Two Church Organists 1 . to R. Mrs. Kyle Robertson and Miss Lorraine McKeen.

Rev. E. B. Rodgers served the Leith- Johnstone charge from 1870 until 1874. He was one of the finest pulpit orators in the Presbytery. In 1875 all the Presbyterian denominations in Canada united to form the Presby­ • terian Church in Canada. In July 1875 the new Presbytery of Owen Sound came into being, and Leith, Annan and Johnstone became parts of this Presbytery . .!Mhen,in 1876, it became necessary for Leith to look for a new minister, the suggestion of a union with Annan was made . Mr . Dewar , the minister of Annan, was about to retire. A basis of union was drawn up and agreed to by the cone;regations of Leith and Annan. This in­ volved the separation from Johnstone, who made no secret of wanting a Gaelic speak­ ing minister. The union of Leith and Annan into one pastoral charge took effect on April 17, 1877, Johnstone now realigned itself with ~oodford, and remained separate until 1908, when it was re- uniced with jnnan and Leith under the leadership of Dr, J . B. Fraser. Rev . William Forrest came in 1878, but had to resign that year because of illness. Rev. John Mordy came then and stayed until 1882. One of the highlights of his ministry was the unsuccessful mooting of a suggestion towards church union. In February 1882, the Annan congregation suggested the building of a new church ~o serve both Leith

and Annan . & special meeting was called to discuss the proposal. • On motion of William McKeen and seconded by Malcolm Rutherford, it was stated that"ln the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that both congregations worship under one rood', and t hat this congregatibn (Leith) agree to conLribute l i berally towards aiding in the building of a new church, with the understanding that said church be located on concession 8, on either side of the road UN Tlib BOTTU.•J of said concession. Carried. 106

Page 6 - Leith United Church History The point of the disagreement was whether the church was to be built at the top of the hill at Annan or at the bottom of the hill. Nobody won this argument, and in the Leith records there is no further mention of the matter. A new church was built at Annan in 1884. • The Rev . Dr. J . B. Fraser M. D. who had been a medical missionary in Formosa for some years was inducted into the pastoral charge of Leith and Annan in 1884, thus beginning a long and fruitful ministry of J2 years. He retired on October 1st 1916, at the age of 70 . In October 1889 the home of Robert Clarke in the vill age of Annan was purchased as a manse for the sum of $1300 .00, and Dr. Fraser and his family

~ became the first ministerial occupants. This manse is still the residence of the minister and his family. In August 1916, Leith Church celebrated its 50th Anniversary, and Rev . John Ro ss of Baston, u. S. A . officiated, this man being a s on of the first secretary- treasurer of the congregation. Dr . Fraser died in 1929, and was buried in Annan Cemetery. Dr. Fraser was succeeded by Rev . C. S. Jones from 1917- 19, and Rev . A. J . Orr from 1919-25. In 1919- 20 the Johnstone and Daywood congregations, which had been worshipping separately on alternate Sundays we re combined . The Uaywood church building was removed and the old Johnstone church tor n down . Opening services for the new church at •• Johnstone were held on October 17, 1920. Church union was a vital issue in 1924, and is described by Dr. Reynolds: · " In 1924 during the pastorate of Mr . Orr, the Leith congregation was required to face the question of church union. Although there must have been considerable discuss­ ion on the matter, the congregational minutes of December JO , 1924 are brief a nd to the point. A special meeting of the {Leith) congregation was held in t he church this evening with the pastor in the chair. Mov ed by M. Rutherford, seconded by S . P . Buzza, that Leith Presbyterian Church go automatically into the United Church of Canada. Carried" So it was that union came in this area with little or no dissent or disagreement. ·Rev . G. W. Rose was the pastor from 1925-J?. His one daughter, ~Iarj orie, Mrs. Stanley Lounds resi des in Owen Sound . Following Mr . Rose, the Rev . A.G. Reynolds in 1937 became the minister and served until 1950. In 1939, the Leith United Church celebrated its 75th Anniversary on Sunday July 23rd with the Rev . D. C. McGregor as the guest minister. Dr . McGregor was a native of the Johnstone district, and also husband of novelist Marion Keith • A f i ne brick porch, architecturally in keeping with the r est of the building, • was added to the front of the church at this time, replacing a wooden one . In 1945 three pulpit chai rs in golden oak with red coverings were bought and placed on the platform. In 1946 hydro electric power was installed in the church, 107 Page 7 - Leith United Church History replacing the oil lamps and paid for by subscription. The year 1948 saw the building of two Sunday ~chool r ooms within the church, and the modification of the interior t o its present appearance. This necessitated the removal of two rear seats. The~. A• agreed to pay for the work and the managers were to do the actual labour. The work • was done by John V/atson at a cost of $153 .00. Also in June 1948, a Mission Band was organized in the Leith School, and called the "Kate Rutherford" Mission Band. Rev. Reynolds'(Archivist historian of the United Church of Canada) successor was Rev • .lngus .:>mith, 1"1ho remained until 1955. He was the founder of the Friendly Fellowship, a couples' club, and also conducted successful Daily Vacation Bible Schools each summer . In 1952, the Memorial Window was placed in the Leith Church and dedicated on July 20th. This beautiful stained glass window11es presented by Mrs . Laura Webster of Toronto. It replaces an original cartwheel window similar to the one in the front of the church, and the subject of this window is "The Holy Family". The design was done by Miss Ellen Simon, a Canadian artist now living in New York, and the execution in glass is by Miss Yvonne Williams of Toronto. The guest minister for this dedication was Rev . T. M. Murray, much loved by all who knew him . • •

•

MEMORIAL WTNDOW "The Holy Fa1nily" 10~ Page 8 - Leith United Church History In 1952 a modern oil burning furnace was installed in the church basement, and the basement reconditioned to make it water tight . do ended the days of hand firing an old coal furnace • The next big issue 1~as the matter of a new organ. The annual meeting in 1954 • indicated that the Leith Memorial Organ Fund had grown to i14J5 .oo. At this meeting, Wilson Buzza, the organist, asked the people to consider the purchase of a new organ.

He stated that &pril 10th 1955 would be the 60th anniversary of the presentation 0£ the present organ, and hoped by that time we might have a new one . A congregational meeting of 4pril 1954, suggested that the new organ be in memory of the pioneers. On September 18th, 1955 , the new memorial organ was dedicated at a special service, the guest speaker, being Rev . Keith McMillan or Owen Sound, and the guest organist, Frederick Geoghegan. The organ installed was a Hammond electric and cost •3424.00 . In April 1956, J . Wilson Buzza resigned as Leith organist after JJ years of service. Rev . Cyril Leach became the minister in 1955 , and stayed until the autumn of 1957. Rev . w. G. Prosser served from then until November 1959. In June 1960 Rev . 4rthur Thomson took over the pastoral charge, and it is from the 100th Anniversary booklet that he edited that the foregoing information has been copied . •

The trustees 1964 L. to R.-J. Wesley McKay, James 1'i1 t chel l . atisent- Frank McKean , James McKeen.

The Board of Stewards 1964 Front Row L. to R.-Gelt Hofman, Ross McK~y. Frank McKean . B

•

The Session 1964 L. to R .-James Mitchell, J . 11/esley McKay, Frank McKeen, · After i•forning Service L. to R.-J. P. Leslie, Terry Juniper, Dick Hibma, Rev. A. Thomson, Jim Thomson, Margaret Rutherford, .Mrs. C. A. Brown, Mrs. J . Ferguson, Wesley JllcKay , ,Iilliam Hope , ~oss McKay,James Ferguson, John Watson . Children in front: Wayne Juniper, Allan Wade, Rudy Hibma • • 110 Page 10 - Leith United Church History 1964-Leith 100th Anniversary Committee •

L. to R. -James Mitchell, Miss Margaret Rutherford, Mrs . Harold Cec1sar, Mrs . Ross Bul'iza, Wesley McKay Leith B.ible Class I

•

Front Row: L. to R.-Hob Nelson, Don McKeen , L. to R. -Ross McKay, Ida McKay, Mrs. Stanley David MacKinnon, Hutchinson, Miss .Agnes McKeen , Miss Margaret 2nd Row: L . to R.-Larry Knott, ,iam Buzza . McKeen,Mrs .\vesley 1vlcKay, Wesley McKay, Gelt 3rd Row: L. to R. -Lynda Hofman, Eileen Hofman. Hofman , Wirs . Gelt Hofman, Kathleen Hofman, Teacher, Rev . Arthur Thomson . Diane Hofman . At the back:Kenneth Mitchell, ~ileen Hofman and Lynda Hofman. Committee

•

L. to R.-Mrs . John Watson, Mrs . James Ferguson and William Rope . 111

Page 11 - Leith United Church History The Women Of The Church The first organized activity of which there is a record i s the organization in 1890 of "The Leith .Auxiliary of the Women ' s Foreign Missionary Society" during the ministry of Dr. J . B. Fraser. Regarding this organizat ion, an early mi nute book records that: A meeting of the ladies of the Presbyterian congregation of Leith was held in • the church on the 11th of February, 1890 , in the afternoon, to consider the advisability of organizing an auxiliary of the Women ' s Foreign Missionary Society in Leith.

Officers elected i ncluded: Mrs . J . B. 1Braser, President, Mrs . Harkness and Mrs . Sutherland, Vice-Pres idents,Mrs . Malcolm Rutherford, Tr easurer and Miss Minnie Rutherford, Secretary. Mrs . Fraser continued as President until 1916. The main emphasis of this society was the support of foreign mi ssions . This societ y continued t o meet until 1924 , a lthough in 1914 the name was changed to the Leith Women ' s Mi ssionary Society. As time went on the missionary emphas i s was broad­ ened to include home missions. By 1924 the g roup had become very small and the minutes of November 1924 read in part: In November, the Auxiliary met in Mrs . Buzza• s home . Owing to so many of our most faithful and active members having left the comm­ unity during the pas t year, it was agreed that we can do better work by disbanding and uniting with the Annan Auxiliary. Of those who have left us, we mention particul­ arly Miss .Ada Scott and Mrs. C. A. Scott, both former presidents and at all times very helpful members . Between 1924 and 1938 the Annan and Leith groups of the Women' s Missionary Society met jointly. • I n 1938, during the ministry of Rev . A. G. Reynolds the women of Leith Church organized themselves i nto a Women ' s Auxiliary, with a view to raising money, and helping the local church. Some of the ladies, however, continued as members of the Annan and Leith Women's Missionary Society, or else supported both organizations. In 1944 the Leith name was dropped, and it became the Annan Women' s Mi ssionary Society. During the period 1939 to 1962 the women of the Leith Women's Auxili ary have given tremendous donations of time and money to the Church . In July 1939 a cheque for $170.00 was given to help pay for the new anniversary porch. In March 1945 , three pulpit chairs in golden oak and red covering were paid for by the W. A. and i n 1946, a donation of $25.00 was given to t he Hydro f und. In 1948 considerable aid was given r e the furnishing of t he ~unday School rooms, and work on the rooms wa s paid for by the W. A. at a cost of $152 .90, and in 1949, $300 .00 was given towards the Church decorati on fund, and more promised, if needed . In December 1954, i35. oo was donated • t o the organ f und, and $25 .00 to the Mi s s ions and Maintenance Fund . Besi des the monetary gifts, the women of the church have also supplied the drive , energy and • enthusiasm in the matter rof other church projects. 112 Page 12 - Leith United Church History In January 1962, the Leith W. A. pass ed out of existence and became the United Church Women, U. C. W. This organization includes the r oles of both the f ormer groups, the 'II . A. and the W. M. S. From a letter prepared by Miss Dirkie Hofman , President, Mrs . James Mi tchell, Membership and Mrs. James Fergus on, Secretary, we quote : we sincerely hope that every woman in the Leit h area , whether a former member of either • of these gr oups or not , will come forward at this time and j oin t he new group- for despite all modest protests there i s a work for the Kingdom of God that only she can do . A special invitation is extended to all newcomers, and to those, who for various reasons have never before joined any organization in the church.

At the time of compiling this history,1975, the Leith lJ . C. W. continues to meet monthly i n the homes of members . Since t hese women are worshipping in the .Annan Church and have been since the autUllll of 1969, they do not have the concern of the Leith church building. Very generous givi ngs to the Mission and Service Fund, as well as to the "Over and Above" Fund reveal that they are aware of the needs and poverty in the world. ... United Cburch Women · - 1

• Front Row L. to R.-Mrs . Wesley McKay , Mrs . Frank McKeen, Mrs. Earl Sampson , Miss Dirkie Hofman , Mrs. James Mitchell, Mrs. John Watson, Mrs . Roger Mitchell. Back Row L. to R.-Mrs . Arthur Thomson , Mrs . Ross Buzza, Mrs , Charles Brown, Mr s . Harold Ceasar, Miss Margaret McKeen , Miss Margaret Rutherford, Mrs. James Ferguson, Mrs. Gelt Hofman • 1964 .

In 1Q71, the Leith U. C . .I . became the Kate Rutherford u . C. ,L This is a trib•1te t o Miss R11therford, who served so 1~ell in Angol11 as a mi ssionary for so many years •

• 113 Page 13 - Leith United Church History Sunday School 1964 •

Front Row L. to R.-Nancy .£Dne Knott, Wendy Gregory, Beverley Siebel, Heather Gregory, Terry Juniper, Barry Wade . 2nd Row-Bradley Juniper, Dick Hibma, Brian Juniper, Jim Hibma, Lee Wade, Gail Wade . 3rd Row- Kenneth Mitchell, Bruce Gregory Eddie Hibma Lloyd Mitchell, Irene Hibma, Linda Mitchell. ' 4th Row- Kathleen Hofman, Darlene Morrison, Lenore Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Diane Hofman . 5th Row- Gordon Hibma, Allan Wade, Rudy Hibma, wayne Juniper, Randy Wade • Leith Sunday School • The Leith Sunday School was organized about 1951 wi th 4 classes and f,ir . Ross Buzza as the superintendent . The chi ldren from the village attended after the regular church service. Four classes decreased to three, and in 1-969 when the Leith ~hurch joined with .l11nan every child on the r oll was pr esented with a Bible. Rev. lrthur Thomson conducted a Bible Clase for teen- a~ers before the 10 a .m. serrice during p>:1rt of his term of ser'li:i ce .

• • 114

Page 14 - Leith United Church History Leith Ceme tery •

The site of the church and the ground for the cemetery which im:nediately sur­ rounds it, had been very generously pr esented to the congregation in 1864 by Mr . Adam Ainslie. The subsoil is sandy but adapted to the growth of evergreens ;md other ormanental trees. The price of burial plot s was first fixed at ;2.00 and the first purchaser s were Matthew Alexande r , Arthur Cameron , Richard Alexander, David Butcbart, Mrs . William Glen, James Gibson, Mr . Fawcett, David MacDowell, John Crawford, Allan Graham, Henry Lang , J ohn Mathieson, Mr . William Jolley, Mrs . Jolley, James S . Wilson, • Daniel Cameron, Peter Burr, and Charles Lemon. The first interment was that of a Miss Marshall. In 1964 the cemetery was 100 years old, and the grounds are well kept , and the stones, row after row, mark the resting place of the pi oneer families . In this same year, Miss Ottie Rixon, last member of her pioneer family, seeing the area for burial nearly filled, presented one hundred and fifty square rods,more or less, SDUth of the present cemetery, with the deed , and so space is assured for futune generations. This generous gift was much appreciated by Leith residents.

Cemetery Committee 1964 Left to right-Mr . Wesley McKay , Mr . Roger Mitchell, Mr . Gelt • Hofman and Mr. James Mitchell • 115 Page 15 Leith United Church Hi story

Leith Uni ted Church 100th Anniversary •

•

J Oi

• ll6 Page 16 Leith United Church History THE LEITH H.ALL •

The Leith Hall is situated on Village Lot 8 on the north side of Princes Street and is a sub- division of Lot 33 in Broken Front, Concession of Sydenham Township. This property was donated by Helen and Henry Rixon on April 17, 1895 to Wi lliam T. Ross, Sydney Day and John H. McKeen, trustees for a list of subscribers of the Leith Hall Club. ,P ...- Each year trustees were elected. James McKean, C, S . Kemp and D. Reid held the offices in 1920 . The club decided in 1921 to form a limited stock company with shares to be sold and a charter drawn up . ~ provisional board of directors was set up and consisted of M. Rutherford, C. S. Kemp, James McKeen, D. Re i d, J . H. McKeen . C. Scott • and A. Cameron. This company continued to operate the Leith Hall until 1949 when James McKeen was the only surviving trustee and the board decided to disband and to donate the building and property to the Leith United Church . A manager's Meeting of December 6,

1949 states n It was thought that by deeding the property to the church, local and permanent ownership would be assured, and the operation of the hal l ~ould remain in the hands of those most interested in the community welfare • .After considerable dis ­ cussion it was moved and carried that the church would accept a gift of the property and assets of the Leith Hall Company Ltd. if it were offered to them" A c~nstitut~on was completed and presented . A congregational meeting of April 10, 1950 states "The Leith Hall was deeded to the Leith United Church f rom the Leith Hall Co. Ltd . on December 31st, 1949, with the understanding that it i-ould be held as a trust by the church, and operated as a community hall for the benefit of the community at lar~e. A Board of Directors is to be named by the church, and reports of the hall activities are to be presented a t each annual meeting~ The church elects a 6 member board of directors, who have charge of t he L~ith Hall. The 1964 directors are : Back Row-L. to R. Mr. William Hope, Mr. John iatson, Mr . Gelt Hofman . • Front Row-L. to R. Mrs . Charles Brown and Miss Dirkie Hofman . Absent Jaffray Rutherford. 117

Page 17 Leith United Church Hi st ory THE LEITH ilPLORiRS I n 196$ t he Lei t h Explorers group was organized. The gi r ls were from ages 7- 11 year s . The l eader was Mrs. Alex (Juli e) Lyons and l'\ er ,3ss i stant was it.rs . James (Oli ve ) Kno tt . • There were 25 girl s attendi ng Explor ers in 1969. rhey met from 4 t o 5:15. at t he Lei th Hall. These youngsters were i nterested i n achi eving sta rs. Mrs. Lyons moved away, and for l ack of a l eader t hi s gr oup became non-existent .

TH E LEITH THIPLELLES A gr oup of mothers i n Lei th and t he surrounding areu -we re concerned about t )1e l ack of pl ~ygr ound f acilities f or t he children s o they or ganized i n 1969. Monthly meetings wer e held . Rev . John Anderson t ook an interest i n the accomplishm(?nts of t hese mothers . The executive in 1969 w.:i.s Presi dent-Mr s • .\ l ex Lyons, Secretary-Mr s . Al bert McLean and Treasurer- Mrs . James Knott. The f ol lowing year t he officers were- Pres­ i dent-1\'lrs . r:esley McLean, Secret ary- f,'lrs . O. J . Wade and Treasurer -Mrs. Mi ckey Kay. Euchres, rummage and bake s ales were held t o r aise money f or the pl aygr ound • established on t he l ot of Mr s . R. Henderson-nee Peggy Cam e ron, Lot 32 , Plan 549 . Fi r ewor ks we re provided one year for the enjoyment of all t he Leith r esidents at the time of the May hol iday, and al so swi mming les sons were gi ven a t the beach one summer . A community pot luck suuper was held on one occasion .

TH E LEI TH YOUNG ADULT GROUP

A Leit h young adult gr oup wa s organized on December 15 , 1950, with t,h e 1'ollo~Jing officer s - President-Clayton Bo y(1 ,Vice- P'r.esi dent- John Hofman, Secr etary-Mr s . Roger Mitchell, Treasurer-Kirk McKeen . These young people met every ot her Thur sday at the Lei t h Hal 1. In 1959 the President wa s Bi ll Holmes , Vice- Pres i dent-Roger Mitchell, Secr etary-Mr s . Bil l Holmi;,s, Treasurer-Miss Gr ace Ca r r . On May 4, 1951 a pl Ry "The Folks Next Doo r" was pr esented in t h<:? Leith Hall. Fr om

our s crap-book i t was reveal ed that the Sun- Tir:ies had taken ,q picture. The f ol l ow ing were in t he ca ~t-Cl ~yton Boyd and his wife Elsie, Roger Mi t chell and his wi f e Gwen , • Bill Holmes and his wife Judy, Do rothy Mitchell, Mrs . John Hofman {Do rot hy) , Kirk ~cK een, Mrs . Mar j ori e Mill "!!' (Artl ey), Mary Little, Cordon Scot t , Bob Ar mstrong and the director wa s W. J . Holmes Sr . This play was pr esented 12 times. l l~

THE LEITH BAPTIST CHURCH The people who lived at Leith, and who were of Baptist denomination first held services in the second school- house . This building was behind the present structure. Later, we are told, the services were held in the hall every second Sunday night .

• In the " Reminiscences of Nort h Sydenham" , by -A , H. Ross , the first historical fact about the Baptists at Leith, is that in 1868 William MacIntyre and James Wilson were baptized. ~bout 1886 the Daywood, Woodford and Leith congregations were placed under one charge. Rev . Alexander Gay was the pastor and remained until late in 1888. The following gentlemen have filled the pastorate in the congregations at Leith: Rev . S. J . Cunnings, 1889- 92, Mr . D, Nimmo and Rev . S. Sheldon, supplied 1893 , Rev . J . M. McQuarrie 1897- 99, Rev . E. J. Haines, Rev. Allen, Rev. J . Desson, Rev. D. Catchpole, Rev . James Currie 1910- 12. This charge was partially dependent for supply upon the Home Missions Boar d . Rev . Currie was a Scotsman. Rev . Desson was a favourite, liked for his unassuming companionable ways and irreproachable character. 1913 • , ~- •

• I •I

•• . '·

Leith Baptist Church In 1913 the Leith congregation, by a spirit of self- sacrifice seldom found • in congregations in the large cities, was able to erect a comfortable brick church on the corner of Princess Street and the Leith ~alk. The building was not a large one but ample for the need of the Baptist people in this area. 119

Page 2 - Leith Baptist Church The church was built by Mr . O. V. Cameron and consisted of two old churches, a Methodist and Baptist brought from the Morley district. Following the building of the church, Rev . w. H. Langton, Rev. James Proudfoot, another Scotsman, Rev. C.H. Scoffield, Rev. William Younger 1921- 25, Rev . J . R. • Wolstencroft 1925- 29, Rev . 0 . R. Maude , 1929- 31, ordained during his ministry here, Rev . Ralph F . Willson 1931-36, and Rev . J. d. Edwards 1936-42 served as ministers. The parsonage was situated next door to the church on Leith Walk, and was sold soon after the church closed in 1942, Rev . Edwards resigned in the winter of 1942. Through the years available records show that much of the time Morley Baptist Church was listed as one of the points on the same charge as Leith. In the fall of 1942 because of the Government taking over a large tract of land for the~. F. V. Range, in which Morley Church was located, it was forced to close its doors . This weakened the strength of the charge as just Leith and Wood.ford congregations were left and could not support a minister. Daywood had not actively functioned since some time prior to 1930. When the Tank Range took possession the end of September 1942, Leith Church closed and most of the members became associated with Owen ~ound First Baptist Church. Russell Lamb, who began his ministry in May of that year, filled the • vacancy until the church closed. This church served as a temporary public school location from October 1954- April 1956 and a Junior Room from September 1969-February 1961. The church was sold to Paul Rodrik in 1966. Paul Capel bought it in 1969, and it became a residence for he and his wife when they were married in 1970, Mr . Rodrik, an artist of some note (Franz Johnston's son) , had his studio in this building, while he owned it •

•

The Church The Parsonage 120

Page 3 Lei t~ B'aptis t Church •

The 1eith Bapti st Manse This picture came into the possessi on of t he Tweedmuir History Book Curator following tbe preparation of the f irst two pages, but such an old picture should be included .

The residence, formerly the Baptist Church, ~,as sold by the Capels to Bruce Anderson, who later sold to Tom Coon, (Y ,M,C ,A. director), and in 1960 he sold it to Russell Smith, from Toronto, who used it mainly for week-ends . In 1981 Mr . John Kellett bought this

house and comes up from Toronto on week- ends , A family room of log construction was built • in 1982 .

~arly Baptist Cburch History There were B4ptist congregations at Leith and Daywood . Robei't Ross, a Baptist student labouring at Cape Rich was the first preacher in 1869 at Daywood . 'Ibis young man

spoke 2 lan~uages- the Highland fluentlyand English. The DRywood congregation was organized with a membership of 31, The baptismal

service wa s held on J 11ne 20th 1869 , 1'he church went up in 1870 and stoo

Substantial frame building, D2 ywood's origin was through the interests and efforts of • Mr . Peter Dav , Mr , dtephen Cameron, who also came from the Maritimes was another stauch Baptist. When the con'l;regation at Daywood was organized a large proportion of the charter members bore the names of Day and Cameron . 121

ANNAN SCHOOL HISTO~Y The first school in No rth Sydenham of which there is positive mention was a. private school conducted by Mr . Henry Baker at his home on Concession B, Lot 35 for one summer. It i s i mpossibl e to place the exact date, but as far a s is known, it was probably in 1846 . Mr . Baker was an easy goi ng man and, as for a disciplin­ • arian, he ranked considerably below par. In t he summer of 184 7 a log school house 1~as erected at Annan at the front left hand corner of the l ot where the last school was s i t uated . This bui lding served as a s chool and a church until 1853 when the first church was bui lt. The school wa s a lso t he community centre of the period. This first l og school building became famous in its day as t he only school nearer than those i n Owen Sound for children of school age t o be sent to within a radius tha t included Annan, Leith and the I r i sh Block a nd a remote point on the north east end of the Lake Shore Line. The s chool district shortly after t his date became known a s School Section No . J, Lake Shore Li ne of Sydenham. With hardly one exception, these chi ldr en had been born in Scotland , or in Canada and were of Scott ish extraction. Following t he log school, a more pretentious frame one was built, this time on the rear l eft hand corner of the lot • The following map will g ive some i dea of the area covered by the first l og • s chool.

. Balaclava Owen Sound Bay

1Sil cote ' ~ Leith

<> .Annan . Garryowea - / ~ Bo t hw ell' s . Woodford / Corner The first t eacher in the school at .Annan was Mr. William Telford, wh o had previously taught school in Roxburgshire prior t o coming t o Canada, and later had taught in Wa terloo County . He and his f amily came to the Lake Shore Line in • the fall of 1848. He brought with him a stove t o be used i n the Annan school, charging the section 10 shillings for t he service. Theschool opened on t he morn­

ing of March 5, 181+9 with 52 pupi l s in a t tendance. The at tendance swelled steadily. 122 Page 2 - Annan School History I n 1850, 73 pupils attended the school at one time or another and in 1855 the number reached 105, although the dail y average attendance was much less • .Many of these scholars coming from a long distance were known as side scholars . Among the names of those attending were Hattons, Doyles, Traynors and Godfreys. After hearing these • names one begins to suspect the Scottish preserves were being poached upon by their Irish neighbours. Attendance was much better in the winter than in the summer months . The boys were too busy helping with the farm work to find time for schooling. At t hat time some boys attendi ng were wearing beards, and were 24 years old, Mr . Telford wa s a man of considerable learning and a real disciplinarian. It is said that when he had finished a lesson in discipline not the smallest detail had been neglected in making the impression of that l e sson both painful and lasting. Each pupil was required to furnish half a cord of wood, delivered at the school f or the fuel supply. The teacher ' s salary supplemented by a grant from the government was paid by a tax levied on each pupil according to the days he spent at school. For the tuition fees , Mr . Telford was i n many cases paid in labour or food. Mr. Telford was a part- time farmer owning 50 acres, the farm on which Mrs. DePencier now resides. Ready cash was desperately scarce at t hat time . In 1849 Mr. Telford' s salary was $240 .00 a year. In 1855 it was increased to $JOO . DO and remained at that • fig ure until his retirement in 1856, The next teacher was Mr . William Speedie, who taught for about two years. He kept the post office and store just north of the school. He was followed by Mr . Telford ' s eldest son, W. P. Telford, l'iho t aught for more than 10 years . I n the

early 1900 1 s a grandson Robert Telf ord taught the same school for a year, so the

Annan school enjoys the unique distinction of having J generations of one famil y as its school teachers. Mr . Telford was a cousin of Mr . J ohn Couper. Mr . Couper s tarted to school t o a ~obert Henry. It is interesting t o note in some old Mi nutes there was recorded in 1877 that "a di s cussion took place on the subject of Township School Boards in place of Section Boards. On motion of HU3h Reid and James Cannon Jr. it was moved that the meeting was in f avour of abolishing the present system of ~chool Section Boards and substituting Township Boards." Also it is noted that in 1873 there was paid t o iL '!'odd the sum of 55¢ for • telegraphing and 50¢ for express . Other items worthy of mention were a fence built in 1883 and in 1881 a well was drilled. _\s well S2 .00 wa s sent to the Ryerson Memori al Fund in 1882. Dr. Fraser r eceived $9 .00 for a s t ove in 1885. 123 P'age 3 - Annan School History J.t a special meeting held on February 2, 1S89, "moved by Hugh Reid , and seconded by J . Cannon, that the trustees be authorized to apply to the township council to issue debertur_e,s i'or the term of 6 years for the full amount of whatever it may be required for the erection and full equipment of said school, including • furniture etc. or to raise the funds by loan or any other legal way, that may be thought for the benefit of the section.'" I.n 18$9 Mr . John Clar ke drew up plans and specifications 1·or the new school at a cost of il2. 50 . 'l'he table 1·or the teacher cost JJ. 25 . The new school was built by Charles l•lcArthur, grandfather of Mrs. l'/.1. l liam Medley, Norman ~Jc.Art hur and John McArthur. The old school was sold on llugust 16, 1889 for ,S20 .00 . The f ollowing picture is the last school on .Annan corner, built in 18S9 and closed in June 1966. This photo was t aken in 1967 ,

•

Annan Public -School At one time before the turn of the century the three trustees of the Annan School Board were known as the three Jimmies, they were James l'lalker , James Cannon and James Thomson . The day t he school picture was taken was a very important event in the life of the school and, as a result, the prominent men of the village were included· • The picture at the top of the next page illustrates thi s point 124

Page I+ - Annan School History 1902 •

Gentlemen at the back-Dr. .I . J • hcDonald, Charles 1•1c.Arthur, Richard Charnbers, teacher, rl.ev . J . B. Fraser Back Ro"r1 L to rl- Josh McArthur, William Potts, Dan Day , Russell Burr William Campbell, Fraser Lemon, Norman R:i !"kness, Fraser Buzza, Caspar (Jack) Lemon, \i.1illiam Riddell, John Potts, Thomas Van ilyck, Harold Campbell, Dan Campbell, Godfrey Thompson , John Van Wyck • 2nd Row L to R- Christena 14aynard, Flora Day, .l!:dith Barker, Edith Burr, Mary Hope, Violet Taylor1 Myrtle Walker, Nora Potts, Jennie Sibbald, Christena Campbell , Mary Campbell, Agnes Thomson Front Row L to R-Mary Robson, Eva McArthur, Isabel .Aitken, Sadie Campbell, Dorothy Fraser, Nellie Sibbald, annie Burr, Charlotte Robson, Nellie t-laynard, Jennie Maynard, Mamie Burr, Freda Potts.

Vlhile on the subject of prominent men, this would be a good time to mention some of the men of note who had been scholars at .Annan school. w. P. Telford, son of the first school teacher, was not only a pupil but also a teacher in this school for a number of years. 'fhis man was the founder of the Gr ey and Bruce Loan Company, now known as Victoria and Grey Trust Company. Mr . L. F. Armstrong, who for a number of years served as treasurer of the city of Owen Sound, received his early training and education in Annan school. Mr. Adam Brown , head of the firm of Adam Brown and Sons Flour and Feed, Owen Sound, also receiYed his early education at Annan. Others of note who attended school at .Annan were Mr . Hector i'iicKay a lawyer • in the city of Saskatoon, Mr . Andrew Sibbald, another lawyer in the West, and Mr . W. P. Telford of the third generation of Telfords was a member of Parliament at Ottawa. 125 Page 5 - !nnan School Hi story 1909- 10 •

Back Row L.to R- Jim Dickson, Jim Leflar, Bi ll Har kness , Tom Vanwyck Caspar ( Jack) Lemon . 2nd Row L. to R.- Mr . Jones (t rustee), Bill Lef'lar, Lyla Leflar, Jennie Si bbald, Annie Burr, Al thea Day , Jennie l•laynard, Jonn Vanwyck (trustee), Mr . Joseph Watson, teacher . 3rd Row L. toR .- Jessi e Harkness, Florence Buzza, Vera Ri ddell, Inez Aitken, • Margaret .Aitken, Isabella Buzza, Ethel Bowie , Ruth Re ~lly, ~ellie Maynard, Margaret Riddell, Jenni e Armstrong, Bi ll Bur r . 4th Row 1 . to R.- Anni e Houghton, Margaret Armstrong , Jenni e Couper, .Annie Bowie, Nary Reil ly, linnie Maynard, Ethel Doupe , Marjorie l•lcDonald, Helen Aitken, Lily Helen McDonald , Gladys Buz~a, Maggie Dickson. 5th Row L. to ,L-Gordon Harkness, Johnny Clark, ilden Buzza, Charlie Lemon, Percy Jones, Harr y Bur r , Alfred Stewart, Roger Burr, Joseph Slattery, Roy .irmstrong, Eddie Stewart, Ernie Jones, John Rei lly. Front Row L. to R. - Benny Jones, Leo Slatter y, ~ussel Reilly, Rev . J , R. Fraser (Minister) . Then there is the other side of school life. Bar ring out aay was an. annual affair, likely to take place about May 24th, when the weather 1•1as 1'/arm and fishing good . Pupils 11culd arrive at school at an early hour and pr oceed to lock all doors and windows and to be sur e of no- entry, they would push desks and seats against the door. The poor teacher would have to call a holiday and as well, patronize the local store for a treat of candy. This ffpupil project" continued unti l a year or so before the school was closed. One of the first three Township School Fairs organized in Grey County in • 1913 was Sydenbam . School Fairs were hel d at .Annan until 1941 when i t became part of the Sydenbam Agricultural Society Fall Fair, which was held at Bothwell' ~ Corner unti l the present Sydenham Central School became the home of the School Fair in 1968. Pag e six - Annan School Hi story An interest ing feature of the school fair program when it was held at Annan was the marching . It was a colourful sight when the sixteen or so schools of the Township of Sydenham went on parade. Each scbool proudly displayed its own banner bearing the name and number of the school and each school had its own distinctive • colour as well. For many years on rainy days the parade was held in the ol d drill shed on the corner. Hours of preparati on went into this very important part of s chool l i fe . To some of the pupi ls it was great fun while to others the drills and exercises were tort ure . The Department of Ag riculture supplied the garden seeds until 1934 1·or the publ i c school pupils. As well as vegetable and flower classes the prize list i ncl­ uded many other classes for the different age groups . There were entries in baking, art, cra fts , writing, essays, sewing , Sing i ng and public speaking. ,fuile t he seeds were s upplied by the Department of Agriculture the School Fair was under the super­ vision of the Ag ricultural Representative of Grey County. Mr . 'I' . Stewart Cooper is well remembered for his very active interest in t he boys and girls. Even after the Department of Ag riculture discontinued supplying seeds prior to World ':lar 2, Mr , Cooper ret ained hi s interest in ~he Sch ool Fair and acted as a judge until his retirement in January 1959. His successor, 1•1r . Grant .:>Weiger is keenly interes ted • i n the 4- H move ment . Unfortunately over the years the teacher' s salaries varied considerably and we cannot account for all the yea rs but s ome figures are available. Fr om the r ecord­ ed minutes of the annual meeting of Uecember 27, 1922 , the teacher Miss .Agnes Harrow was recei ving a s alar y of $1000 . 00 a year . We know that i n the thirti es one man offered to teach Annan School 1·or ~500 . 00, in order to r etain hi s teach- ing certifi ca te, and was refus ed • .:>o over the years there wa s quite a 1·1uctuation in salaries. For a number of years those pupi l s who wished to enter the Owe n Sound Collegiate and Vo cational Institute in Owen Sound had to go to Owen Sound to write their Entrance examination . This meant writing probably eigh~ subjects i n a per iod of several days at the Owen Sound Gollegi a te • .As far as can be ascertai ned in 1933

or l~Jlt pupil s came to .Annan School and wrote their Entrance examinations. This method was f ollowed until a bout 1946, or t her eabouts, when each s chool held their • own examination$. • 127 Fage seven - ~nan School History

' • 1920-21

Front Row L. to R.- John Slattery, ·•alter Cameron , Rae Mc.Arthur, Margaret Reilly, Hilda Cameron, Elsie Scarrow, Eleanor Cameron, • Elmer Scarrow, Jack Hurlbut. Second Row L. to R.- Homer Hurlbut, Maudie Cameron, Len Cannon, Charlton Cameron, Bob Morris, Clare -1rmstrong, Elgin Cameron Wilfred McArthur, Elmer Armstrong, Violet Hutton, Vic Bassingthwaite . Back Row L. to R. - Edwin Vanwyck , Jim J.rmstrong, Isabel .Armstrong, Mr . Joe Smith, teacher, Connie Hutton, Edgar Vanwyck, Jim Couper •

• • 128

Page eight-Annan School History 1923, •

Front Row 1.to iL- c:lmer Scarrow, John i'ilcArthur, Ambrose Slattery, Findlay Long, Herbert Orr, James Thomson, Donelda Day, Frances Couper, Jean Cameron, J.Jorothy ,-loffatt, !Jorothy Hurlbut, Jean Loftus . Second Row L. to R.- Vic Bassingthwaite, .ialter Cameron, ~lgin Cameron, • Jack Hurlbut, John Slattery, Arthur Orr, Ted Hutton, Elsie Scarrow, Rae McArthur, Muriel Moffatt, Lily Kincn, l!:leanor Cameron . .J 1.m Couper Third !{ow L. to R. -Doug r,icArthur, llmer Armstrong,I\ Homer Hurlbut, J...en Cannon, Bob Morris, Violet Hutton, Elizabeth Thomson, 1,!audie Cameron, Eva Levens, Beulah Gibbons, Hilda Cameron, ,~iss Agnes Harrow, teacher

Entrance Class 1927 Left to right: Findlay Long, Jack Hurlbut, ,,1iss Ruby MacCorkindale, teacher, Elmer Armstrong, ;'/alter Cameron Beulah Gibbons, i

• ,, 129

Pa3e nine - History of Annan School In 19Jo Alma Bye went to Meaford t o write her ~ntrauce 6xaminations, to com­ pete for a special prize. She won the ~igh School ~ntrance dcholarship with an

average of 85%. ~ 1·ew years later Sadie McArthur won first prize in the !?ublic • Speaking contest at the Sydenham School Ji'air, held at Annan . Her subject, "'fhe Vimy Memorial" won her first place in a subsequent cont est in Grey County in a field of 29 contestants. She went on to win second place at ~rthur against 9 contestants in the Western Ontario finals • .Another highlight in public school life was the music festival. ,•,r. George

Newell of Owen Sound 1"1as r.lusic supervisor for many years, and under hie capable direction many pupils won prizes at the Festivals. On May 27, 1937, Annan School had the honour of winning a shield and on June 5, 1942 the .illnan School Choir won first prize. The children in this school have always been noted for fine singing. On a sadder note, it is recalled t hat when a per son died in the school section the flag was flown at half mast and the school was closed the day of the funeral • •

Back Row L. to rt . -Mary Lou Ri ddell, Christena Gibbons , Pezgy ~iddell, Kathleen Day, Mr . , teacher, Bill Litster, Milton Bye, Jack McArthur. P,iddle Row L. t o R.-Joan Traynor, Sadie Mcirthur, Therese Traynor, Celestine Tr aynor, Merian North, Doreen Bye, Gloria Traynor, Maura Tr aynor . Fr ont Row L. to IL -Glen Morris, Bruce Day , Douglas Davey, Angus • McArthur, Ross McJ.rthur. 130

Page ten - .Annan School History On June JO , 1942, it was decided that the t ownship of Sydenham be divided into 2 school areas, North and South. Each of these areas was to have 5 trustees and a secretary. This system was approved by the township and county councils and came into effect January l, 194,J . The trusteE:Js appointed by the ratepayers • were; William Hewitson, Aaron ->ilverthorn, John Mccutcheon, James Mitchell and Ernest Vanwyck. At the inaugural meeting of the Board, Everett Jonnson was appointed secretary­ treasurer. In the spring of 1943, due to the small nwnber of pupils, the Board decided to close Briar Hill and Leith schools at the end of June, and the pupils from these schools \iill attend Annan. r-1iss Helen Fletcher was tbe teacher at Annan, r,,1ss Margaret Aitken at Leith and Miss Orlo Brown at Briar Hill. Miss Fletcher resigned and l•liss Brown was engaged as the teacher, at a salary of $1000.00 .

1944- 45 •

Back Row L. to R.-Gloria Traynor, ,·,1uriel Hutchinson, Do reen i:tiddell Betty Dickson. t,~iddle Row L. t oil. - Bernadette Traynor, .A.Llan Riddell, Harold Scarrow Lillian Hutchinson. Front Row L. to R.-Irene Hutchinson, Eileen Cramp, Betty Kna_ggs, • Laura l•i c.Art hur, Dorothy Mitchell, Gordon Scott. 131

Page eleven-Annan School History Mr . Frank Bassingthwaite brought the children from Leith with the horse and buggy. He was paid -.,1 ,00 per day . In the winter the horse and cutter were -the means of transportation. 'fhe Briar Hill pupils came on the High School bus, operated • by Clayton Silverthorn. Later when t he number of pupils increased Clifford King was engaged as a bus operator and provided the bus . Bus service for the pupils who wished to continue their education beyond public school l.evel was inal,\.1?;urated by i·lr . ,'1il liam McGregor and Mr . Arthur Lemon, who with the help of Wir . Arthur Johnson as bus driver, ran a school bus service from Balaclava frorn 1939 on. The first bus was a truck covered over and benches installed with a heater of sorts in winter. Later l•ar . ,lilliam Hewitson operated the bus route. 1950

•

Back now L. to iL- Charlotte McLean, Christena Cramp, Leone McArthur, Doreen Cramp, Keith Hutchinson, hiss Joreen Davies, teacher. Combination of' next 2 rows L. to R.- Barry Stewart, Teddy Cooper, Bill Mc.!rtnur, Jack Armstrong, Ken J,1orris, Jim McLean , Bob Cameron Lois Knaggs, Donald l'lcArtbur, Luella Morris, Irvin Ramsay , Ruth A.nn McArthur, Marie Mitchell, Richard Levens . Next Row L. to R. -David Stewart, Judy Stewart, oheila Johnston, Sharon t,to-rris, John Knaggs, Mary Cameron, ~iarilyn Bassi ngthwai te, Kathleen Morri s . Kne~ling L. to R. - Lyle i•larritt, 1'1el Hutchinson, Murray 1•1acPhatter, • Wi lmer lliley, Bill Armstrong. 1)2

Page twelve - Annan School History Mr . Earl Sampson has operated bus routes for a number of years. In September 1949 to June 1950 he brought the pupils rrom Briar Hill to the Annan School. From 1965 to l9b7 he brought pupils 1·rom the Balaclava school and Briar Hill school to • Leith school. Other High School bus drivers who have had the responsibility of seeing that pupils reached scnool on time in all kinds of weather have been Mr . Arthur Johnson, Mr . ,lilliam Hewitson , Ken Galbraith, l!layton Silverthorn and the present operator, Earl Sampson . With t he opening of the Sydenham Central School the children of the Lakeshore road have bad Gordon ~laynard as bus driver.

1955

•

Front Row L. To n .-ktobert Knaggs, Davie! hcltinnon, Brian Levens 2nd Row ;. • to rt. - Nellie Hogendoorn, r~argaret Hogendoorn, Andy Van Dolder, nurray ,-lorrow, i.inda Cameron , John Cameron • Jrd Row L . to d . - i•iarilyn Bassingtbwai te, ,,,ary Cameron, Bill Armstrong, Judy Stewart, David Stewart, John Knaggs . Back now L . to R. - Mrs . Roger (Gwen) ,,.itchell, teacher Donna Morrow, Barbara Cameron, Keith t,,edley, Gordon ,;,ilson, ~obert Cameron. Religious instruction was taught in the school during the ministry of Dr . A. G. Reynolds, Rev . Angus Smith and Rev . Cyril Leach, and in the Central School by ministers of the area • • A Mission l:iand was organized in 1944 with ,,!rs . Robert; Hewitson as leader 1)3

Page thirteen- Annan School History Tbis J,Ussion Band was sponsored by the United Church ladies who provided the study material ana leaders, and in return, tbe 1-lission Band supported the ,•lis-sion­ ary and l,1aintenance l."und of the United Church . l.ll the pupi.ls participated in the worship, special projects and gave leadership as presidents, secretaries and • treasurer s . The ,•,ission f:Sand functioned until the closing of the school ,•1Id:>lU1~ ti.,,JW Front Row L . to R . -J>turray 1•iacPhatter, Barry Stewart, Ken 111orris , Irvin Ramsay, Donald ,,kArthur, l•,arie Mitchell, Jack Armstrong Second now L . i:.o .rL -laura NCArtour, i:tuth ..mn J;,c,1.rthur, Jick Levens, Bill HcArthur, Luella £,,orris , l\ei th l:lutchinson. Third Row L . to R.-1'eddy Cooper, Joreen Cramp, Leone 1-.c.trthur, Betty Knages, !,liss Doreen Davies, teacher, Christena Cramp Back itow L . to R.-1•\rs . Robert Hewitson, Lillian Hutchinson, 1•1arjorie ,•!orris , Larry Cooper .

•

First Row .1., , to tt . -Ken i..:aineron , Larry foorrow, Johh .::iampson. decond Row L. to ~ . -Katnleen Knaggs, Irene Hogendoorn, ~inda Cameron, David il'!cKinnon , ~rian Levens, 13111 ,:;tewart, Bob Armstron6, • Third Row L. to R.-Jim Bassingth~aite, Peter Hogendoorn, Bill llutchinson, Allan Prosje, rtoss McPhatter, Suzanne Hewitson, Leo Cameron, i1eg Sampson, Greg Biggar . Back Row L. to R.-Mrs . rlarold 3cott, teacher, ,·lurray Narrow, Nancy Hogendoorn, Margaret Hogendooro, David :itewart, ~ndy Van Dolder, John Cameron, Bob Knaegs . 1 - ,, -) ...

Page fourteen - Imnan ~chool P.1story The .Annan school was ~,irea .for e.Lectricity in the summer of 1945 and in the same year a dental survey was also made and dental treatment was made available. The pupils were given free dental care and each child wa1> permitted to choose his • own dentist. The old wood stove was discarded and a new oi l heater installed in A~ust 1959, The school received a face lifting with a new coat of paint periodically. Jtora.e;e cupboards were built alon6 one wall and in most respeccs the school was kept up to standard, Leith school re-opened in 1947 and the Briar Hill school in 1954,

From a low school attendance of 15 pupils of the combined three schools i11 1945 t o 27 pupils from Annan school section in 1961 it would appear that there were you~er' folk in the community .

•

•

Front Row L. to iL - Greg Bie;gar, Norman Biggar, r.athy Cameron, Norma Sue ;,ampson Stephen t,,tcPhatter, Peter Hogendoern, Second Row L. to R.-Frances McKinnon, Gerry De Boer, Jim Bassingthwaite, Re~ . Sampson, Coby floe;endoorn, .Jayne Kivell, Leo Cameron. 'fhir d Row L. to R. - Kathleen Knaggs , Suzanne Hewitson, Ross McPhatter1 ,\llan Prosje, Ken Carrteron , John Sampson, Larry l-iorrow . Four th How L. to rt .-Irene Ho0endoorn, Haney Hoe;endoorn ,Linda Cameron, Bill Stewart ;I\ 1,,urray l•JOrrow, Bob Kna~gs, 1'1 i ss Joyce .F'awcett, teacher, • David r,1cKi nnon 135

Page fifteen- Annan School History This is the last known school piccure taken, and it is of the 1963 pupils .

.,,, II. - '17::'J l --:Z--.J .. " ,U (//lr /,lV h/X; 'f'Y 11' ' 7 [

3ack 1lo1, - · t:.o 1t.-J•lrs. James (.Anna) Hamilton, teacher, Kathleen Knaggs, Brian Levens,Bill Jtewart, .Suzanne Hewitson, Irene Hogendoorn, Jlancy Flowers, Bob 1,rrustrong, Larry 1•1orrow . Second Row L. to ~. -Leo Cameron, Jim Bassinethwaite, Ken Cameron, John • Sampson, Ross t•1cPhatter, Allan Prosje, Reg Sampson, ,/ayne Kivell, Peter Ho':!;endoorn. Front Row L. to R. - Norma Sue Sampson, Norman Siggar, Stephen McPhatter, Kathy Cameron, Coby Ho~endoorn, 1''rances McKinnon , Greg Biggar, David Tolton, Ellen Bassingtnwaite. In 19o4 the Roman Catholic pupils were bussed to a new school in 011en Sound, and at that time the C,imeron children left the A1man school In 1966 a school re-union s~w the closing of an era, and the beginning of a modern concept in education for the pupils of S . S. No . J, Sydenham . ro the re-union came 320 people t9 pay their respect to the nlittle old red school house", to rene11 friendships and to regale the younger generation with t ales of escapades of their school days • • 136

Page sixteen - Annan School History

Names of inspectors 1-iere Mr , H. H, Burgess, Mr. S . A . Morrison 111r . L . l.. Sinclair, Mr . Lloyd Clark Names of teachers and the years that they taught are as follows to the best of our knowlecie;e. liilliam Telford (1848- 1856); William Speedie (1856-1858); • \'/illiam P . Telford (1859-1871); George !ti, Campbell (1872); Thomas Thayer (1873) ; Miss Mary Gear (1874- 1875); J . 'J . Laiman (1876); Mr . Milburn (1877); Mr . Benner ( 1877) • ; John McKinnon ( 1878) ; ~illiam McKenzie (1879- 1880) ; George W. Campbell {1881- 1884); Robert Henry(l885-1890); .4rchie Baines (1891-1892)1 Allan Rutherford (1893) Robert Telford (1894- 18951; John Beatty (1896} ; Walter G. Robinson (1897- 1899); Richard Chambers (1900-1902); .4 . D. Cameron (1903- Mr. Russell J , Watson (1909}; l•liss Isabel Hobertson (1910- 1911) ; Miss Ruby Scott (1912); !•1iss Lillian Hunter (1913) ; 1-liss Dorothy Fraser (1914); A, D. Cameron (1915- 1919); William ;/endt (1920); J . H. Smith (1921-1922); Miss Myrtle Kidd (1923); Miss Agnes Harrow {1924-1925); !•1iss Ruby MacCorki ndale (1926- 1928) ; Miss Marjorie Rose (1929); Miss Inez Glover (1931); Miss Dorothy Beckett (1933); Miss Alice Davidson (1934- John Miller (1937); Miss Marion Ceasar (1938-1942) Miss Helen Fletcher {1943- 1944); Miss Or la Brown (1945) Miss Jlma Bye (194-6) Miss Gladys Ward (1947); Miss Doreen Davies (1948-1950); Miss Ruth Hewgill {1951); Miss Aileen Schwass ( > Hrs . Koger Mitchell (l95J- part of 1955); Mrs . Earl Halliday ,,,rs . Harold Scott Mrs. Floyd Barber J\lrs . Keith Taylor Miss Marlene Taylor ?•l.iss Joyce Fawcett • Mrs. James Hamilton

•

Sketched • by Horace Vick 137

PROGRAf\1 i"Olt ANNAN SJHOOL rlE- UNION

Chairman--Mr . Victor Bassing t hwaite Ri ng the School Bell---Senior Teacher and Pupil Regular School Opening--0 CANADA Scripture • Lord ' s Prayer----Rev. A, Thomson Address of Welcome--Mrs . Roger 1.titchell Reply--tir . Mi l ton Bye Greetings from the School Board--Mr. Edward Long Hi st ory of the School--Suzanne Hewitson Regrets and Replies--Mrs . Earl Sampson Chairman' s Remarks Music Roll Call of Former Teachers--Mrs. James Ferguson Recogni zation of Former Pupils who are 75 years old or more t o be introduced by Mrs . Stan Hutchinson Corsages to be pi nned on by Mrs . Don McKinnon and Mrs. Arthur Alexander Contest- -Mo ther with the largest family present who were former • pupils . Contest--- Pupil coming the farthest distance

Close with Auld Lang Syne

• 138 Page eighteen - Annan School History Annan Pupils Plant English Royal Oak for Coronation - May 11, 1937 •

•

Top Picture - Top Row, L. to R.-Mrs . Earl Levens , Mrs. James Cooper, Rev . G. w. Rose, Miss Davidson William tti.ddell, John Cooper, John Thompson. Second Row- Milton Bye, Billie Litster, Christine Gibbons, Kathleen Day, Peggy Riddell. Third Row- Jack Mc.Arthur, Celestene Traynor, Theresa Traynor, Sadie Mc.Arthur, Joan Traynor, Mary Lou Riddell, Bottom Row- Marian North, Ross McArthur, Angus McArthur, Doreen Bye, Donald Loundes, Mora Traynor, Gloria Traynor, and Douglas Davey . Left Picture - Douglas Davey and ~lr. Riddell plant an acorn. Centre Picture- Rev. Rose, W. Riddell, Miss Alice Davidson, Mr . J. Thompson and Mr. J . Cooper Chairman of the Board, who acted as spokesman . Right Picture - Miss1 Da vidson and Gloria Traynor plant an acorn . • 139

Page nineteen - Annan School History 1958 At Recess •

Left to right- Brian Levens, Andy Van Dolder, Bobby Knaggs, David Stewart, Mary Cameron, John Knaggs,

•

• 11.c

•

• •

Grade 8 ~raduates from Sydenham Central School 1967-b8 from this area are as follows: Gregory Biggar, Norman Biggar, Marilyn Bouma, Richard Hibma, Rudolph

Hibma, Diane Hofman 1 .Allan Hutchinson, Linda Hutchinson1 Wayne Junip-er, Darlene • Nelson, Darcy Nickel, Louise Rutherford, Gail .~ade • 141 GARRYO~EN SCHOOL HISTORY S .S. No . 14, Sydenham. Let us pause for a few minutes to look around us. II/hat do we see? We see the fertile fields and fine homes of prosperous and happy farmers . In the section we also see the school house where the children spend so much of their time obtaining • an education and learning t o be good citizens. It is as a fine, we ll equipped, comfortable building as old buildings can be where the children may be haFPY as

they gain their knowledge. But how did these fine buildings develop? When did t:he school begin giving the children such an opportunity? Let us turn our eyes back in imagination to a scene of better than 100 years ago. As we look over the land that now constitutes School Section 14, we see hundreds of acres of forest. Here and there, however, is a little cleared space with a small log house, simply built in its centre. What work is represented by that cleared space and how much is still to be done? Everyone works and works hard, but when work is over one might see in this farm house a large group of children for families were large. Perhaps in the evening Mo ther reads to them from one of the fe~ carefully treasured books. Usually, however there is but little time as there is ~ending , spinning and other work and so the children hear very little, and usual·ly cannot read or write • Gradually men began to think w~re our children going to grow up without the • knowledge of reading or writi ng? ie learned these things in the Ol d Country, should not our children have the same opportunity in this new country"? Men really discussed this question and finally Mr . John Ryans, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr . John Grunsell- south half of Lot 24, Concession 4, went around the neighbourhood with a petition for the farmers to sign. The petition was forwarded • to the proper authorities and news finally reached the community that they would have a new school. The government also realized that a new country, to be a pnosperous one, must have good and intelligent citizens, and so children must have an education. Land was procured from Mr . Mac McMartin on a 99 year lease and purchased on the termination of the lease from Mr . Lester Bye . The first school was built in 1860, jui:t,t back of where the present school is located. I t was a log school heated by a box stove. Most of the desks faced the walls with long benches for seats. Down the centre were rows of desks . All the children used slates. There were only 5 grade_s or forms, .a nd the subj ects taught varied somewhat from to-day. Besides the Presbyterian and • Catholi c Catechisms, reading, grammar and composition, geography, arithmeti c , and elementary mensuration and drawing were taught in all five forms . Spelling aid writing were just taught in the first four forms . English poetical literat ure, Algebra, 142 Page 2 - History Of Garryowen School Euclid and a form of commercial course were taught in the 5th form only, and physiology and temperance in all but the first form, and history in forms J, 4 and 5. There were fifty pupils but many could come only in winter. It is interesting to note that in one year, the total number of days attended by one pupil was 4, while • others attended 6 and 8, reaching a high of 204. It must also be noted that a school year embraced elevan of the twelve months with Jul y being the hol iday. Some pupils could speak only Gaelic blt these had to learn &'lglish and use it only. Some of the first pupils were Mccutcheon, MacMartin, Ma cDonald, McTavish, McArthur, McPhee, Hope, Horn, Buzza and !Alhite . The first trustees were Mr. Mac Mc,'1artin, Mr . John Ryans and Mr . JI/alter Hope . The first secretary-treasurer wa s Mr . Laughlan Currie, followed by Mr . Robert Mccutcheon, who held the position for 21 years. The pupils bad a hard time as they had to walk long distances over poor or no roads . In the winter they crossed the fields as there were absolutely no roads visible. As the community gradually became more settled, homes , farms, churches and roads were improved, and so of course schools too kept up with the trend. The old log school, which had been poorly mortared was condemned by the inspector and torn down . It was replaced by the present frame school. The exact date of this school's erection is not ~ • known, but it was somewhere between 1870 and 1875, and was built by the father and uncle of Mr . Colin Spence, namely Mr . George and Mr . Robert Spence. The sand and mortar were obtained at Leith. Copies of minutes recorded in 1893 and 1894 a r e interesting. ncopies of minutes, recorded by Robert Mccutcheon. Annual School Meeting held in School hous e of P .S. Section No. 14, Township of Sydenham on the 27th Dec. 1893, Moved by R. Mccutcheon and seconded by M. McMartin that Alexander Alexander be Chairman- carried. Moved by R. Mccutcheon and seconded by J. Alexander that Archibald Campbell be Secretary- carried. The trus tees annual report was read. Trustees annual report to the ratepayers of P. S. Section No . 14, Your trustees beg leave to report as follows : 1st. On account of the old lease not being drawn right we got a new lease drawn, signed a nd sealed by the proper authorities hoping it will meet with the approval of the ratepayers , 2nd. As Mr , T. Gordon, Superintendent, has always complained about the school ground being without a fence, we concluded to build a fence and woodshed and advertised for tenders. dhen we received them the amount was so large we came to the conclusion that building the whole in one year would be rather expensive and decided to build part only this year with the intention of completing it in the near future . 3rd, We have engaged the same teacher Miss iAnnie J . Elder, later Mrs . ~illiam J . Mccutcheon at a salary of $307 ,00 , a raise of $7.00 and on account of the satisfaction she gave in general to the section we t hought it expedient not to let her go for the small sum of $7 , From enquiries we made we find that we are not paying any higher salary than other sections for the same class of teachers and also find that we are • below the average in the Superintendents report of teacher ' s salaries for the County. Hoping 'that this report will meet with your approval. Signed: John McDonald RobeI't. Mc cutcheon Alexander Alexander. 143 Page 3 - History of Garryowen School Moved by M. McMartin and seconded by J . Alexander that the annual report of the trustees be received and adopted- carried. Moved by J . McDonald and seconded by P. ~'hite that the auditor's report be adopted- carried. Moved by Thomas Bye and seconded by M.McMartin that James Alexander be auditor for the Section for this year- carried • Moved by R. Mccutcheon and seconded by M. McMartin that John McDonald be re­ elected trustee­ • Signed Alexander Alexander, Chairman Dated this 27th day of December 1893. December 24th 1894, The annual s chool meeting of S. S. No . 14, Sydenham wa s held here at said School house at the above date. Moved by R. Mc cutcheon and seconded by L. ~lexander that Charles Bye be appuinted Chairman-carr ied . Moved by R. Mccutcheon and seconded by L. Alexander t hat John McDonald be Secretary of the meeting- carried. Mo ved by George Spence and seconded by M. Traynor that the report of the trustees be received and adopted-carr ied. Moved by 1 , -Alexander and seconded by George Spence that the auditor's report be received and adopted- carried. Moved by L. Alexander and seconded by George Spence that Mr . ~. ~lexa nder be re­ elected trustee for the term required by law-carried. Charles Bye- Chairman John McDonald- Secretary. Report of Trustees of P. s . Section No . 14 t o the ratepayers of said Secti on December 24th, 1894. Gentlemen: 1 . We had a meeting in July and it was moved that the Secretary wou ld apply fo r the sum of $220 .00 t o the Township Council- carried. 2 . In October the teacher t-endered her resignation t o the Section with a meeting t o be held t o consider the best means for t o get a teacher and came to the conclusion to advertise in the Owen Sound Advertiser, whi ch we did and received about t wenty applications. Miss Sword ' s being the lowest hol ding a Second Class Certificate we decided on engaging her at a sal a ry of Two hundred and fifty dollars -per annum . • Signed: John McDonald Alexander Alexander Robert Mccutcheon . The first teacher Mr . Gilchrist received a salary of $250 .00 and the first woman teacher Miss Mi ller received $220 .00. During the f ollowing years s.alaries imp~oved somewhat until they reached $1050 .00 in 1924, but dipped again to i600 ,00 in 1933, but r ose again to $1200,00 in 1945 and $2900 ,00 i n 1962 . Wood was. delivered to the school for i5, 00- $7 , 50 a cord, but as in all business • transactions there were stipulations, The wood must be piled outside the shed by ~pril 1st and stored .in t he shed by October 1st. To make sure the contractors did not shirk t heir responsibility $5 .00 was with- heid until the j ob was completed, Time brings changes and in 1956 an oil burner was installed. From 1931- 38, medical examinations were held at the school under the M. O. H, Dr. Osborne Carr. It is also recorded that Dr, McDonald proceeded to vaccinate the pupils against small- pox. One can only imagine wasted time as only one child •• received innoculation. Page 4 - History of Garryowen School 144

•

• Garryowen School The first flag p-0le at the school stood 60 feet high, and was made of cedar obtained from the land where the school is situated. The present pole of s omewhat lesser length was erected in 1958. The school has always taken part in the Sydenham School Fair and three pupils have received the T. Eaton Company Trophy for the most points won . They are Harry Grunsell, Kenneth Spence and Jim Wilson. A slate black-board was installed in the school in 1921, made possible by the proceeds of a box-social netting $117 ,70 . The black- board cost ;41.80. The remainder of the money after a J25 .oo donation was given to the Armenian Fund, was used for books and necessities for the school. In January 1943, the school section ceased to exist as the trustee system succumbed to the North Sydenham School Board Area. Mr. W. Hewitson was the first • chairman of this new administration and Mr. Everett Johnson, secretary. A Mission Band was organized in 1952 and is still carried on as well as the Junior Red Cross Society, which received its charter in 1934, fag e 5 - History of Garryowen School 1902 •

Front Row-L. to R. -!licia Traynor, Evelyn Mccutcheon, Carrie MacDonald, Flora MacDonald, Sadie Owens , Ruth Reilly, Laura Murphy , Mamie Grllllsell, Myrtle Bye, Jennie Owens. 2nd Row-L. to R.-Alfred Bye , Harry Murphy, Jim Stevens, Chester Grunsell, Fred White, Stanley Bye, Jim Murray, Duncan Spence . 3rd Row-L . to R.-Lorne MacDonald, .Arthur Mccutcheon, Jack MacDonald, David Traynor, Miss Florence Day, Teacher, Kate Bodie, Hurlburt, Eddie Bodie, • Hurlburt.

Front Row-L. to R. - Russel Stewart, Gordon Stewart, John Ead,Dayman Mccutcheon, John McDonald, Clara Mccutcheon, Stewart Traynor, Irvine Traynor, Kathleen Traynor, Back Row-1. . to R. -~ustin Traynor, .&rt Alexander, Al Alexander, Russel Mccutcheon, Pearl Mccutcheon, ~ulalia Traynor, Elma Grunsell, ~nnie Hawkin. •• Missing Katherine Alexander. ll.6

Page 6 - History of Garryowen School There have been a great many improvements at the school and it would be imposs­ ible to name them all. Some of the more noteworthy are the painting of the exterior of the building, yellow trimmed with green in 1944. Cupboards were built along the

south side of the class-room in 1950. Hydro was installed in 1951. A well was • drilled in 1955, thus eliminating the children having to carry water from the home of Mr. John Grunsell. A new ceiling was built in 1956, and that winter, mice chewed their way through it. In 1957, the interior was painted and in 1958 a radio was purchased. It would seem that all had gone well for S.S. 14, but such has not been the case . There have been differences and hostilities, At one point a petition was circulated •

.A Medical Inspector requested that the school be painted in three consecutive years in the 19201 s, but no record is available of this having been done until 1944.

1930

• •

Left to Right: Lester Bye, Ben Grunsell, Lillian T. Traynor, Freda Traynor, Roy McCutcheon, Gordon Spence, Harry Grunsell, Charles Johnson, Lloyd Spence, Eleanor Rush, Leonard Bye, Basil Traynor, Alma Bye, Earl Spence, Edna Traynor. The teacher at this time was • Miss Florence Hindle • 147 Page 7 - History of Garryowen School The standard of living has improved, the standard of our teaching staff has improved, and so the standard of our education has also improved , but we still owe a great tribute to those early pioneers, who capably cleared our land and became so interested in education, that the government was forced to build a school in • this their new country. Compiled by school history committee, Mrs , Arthur Alexander and Mrs . Allan Wilson - 1962 Addition by Mrs . Kenneth Soence 1974 Since the compiling of this history, other names of teachers have been given by older residents and former teachers at Garryowen School, so an attempt has been made to include these educators. These may not be in order, due to the lack of dates. Garryowen teachers : Mr . Gilchrist (the first one), Misses Miller, from Bogner, (Eliza, possibly known as Liizie, and Margaret), .Annie Elder (1893), Miss Sword 1894, D. c. McEachern, M. F. McDonald (could be Flora), Florence Day (1902), Miss McCaskill, Miss Mci.rthur, Miss Gaskill, M. Iii, Londry, Miss Hartley, Miss Boothby, Miss Hammond, Flora MacDonald, Mary Michael (before 1910) , Jea n Day (before 1911), Miss McCauley, Margaret Rutherford (1914), Miss Richardson, Vera liiddell, Charles Manders, Mary Ireton, Pearl Butchart, Kdith Theaker, Florence Hindle(1930), Margaret Wiggins, 1lma Thompson , Florence Bell , Velma Finnigan, .Albert Medley, Beth Patterson, Agatha Iredale, Ina Taylor, Marjorie Jackson, Mrs . Bruce (Bernice) Bell, Agnes Waterton, Mrs . Gordon (Edith) MacPhatter, !~rs . Harry, (Helen) Linley, Mrs . llilfred (Laura) Squire, Mrs . Art (Ina) McVittie, Mrs . Harold (Doreen) Scott, and Mrs. Orvill·e (cAnna) Sutton. Please note from 1930 , the teachers are listed in order. D. C, McEachern may have been t;arrie, Miss McCauley's Christian name was Irene , Miss Sword' s -Jennie, and on addi tional information Fern Mitchell and Mr . Chambers should be • included •

• ll.8 Page 8 - History of Garryowen School 1958-1959 - -~~~ •

Back Row- L. to R.-Walter Spence, Lloyd Bye, Lorne Johnson , Jim ~ilson, Earl McCutcheon, John Bye, Marie Johnson . Front Row- L. to R.-Mary Bye>. Bill Hutchinson, Alvin Bye, Allan Johnson, Audrey Alexander,Ruth Bye, hathy Bye, Glenn Mccutcheon. • The Teacher was Mr s .Harry Linley.

At the Garryowen School Re- uni on 3u11Uner of 1966 Left to right:Lorne J ohnson, Allan J ohnson, El eanor (Johnson) Armstrong, •..Fayne Johnson , Mari e (Johnson) Fli gg , • and t heir mother Mrs . ,'filli am Johnson . THi HISTORY OF LEITH SCHOOL In the year 1858, Robert Grierson started the first school in the home of Mr . Robert Lemon . This was only a small log cabin but it served the purpose. 1'he first school is still standing, a small cottage, known for many years as Buzzville, now • occupied by Mrs . James Nicoll.

The first school (Buzzville) Few records have been kept of the early days of the Leith school, but much informat ion has been recalled by former pupils, and is found in the book "Reminis­

cences of North Sydenham" , by A. R. Ross , published in 1924 . A glance at the list • of first pupils will clearly indicate the pi oneers of Leith were of Scottish blood: John Henry, Janet Henry, Mary Duffy, Maggie B:aston, Robert Glen, Jessie Glen, Mary Cameron, Frank Cameron , Jenny Cameron, Frances Cameron, James Burr, James Duffy, Peter Marshal l , Nancy Marshall, Nettie 1•larshall, James Re id, Jessie Reid, Betsy Reid, Iolalcolm Rutherford, Betsy Turnbull, Janet Turnbull, Janet 3aston, and Robina Easton. The trustees were Thomas Rutherford, John Harkness, James doss, Adam Jinslie and William McKean . The same year that the first class was established, a school house was erected, a frame structure with a cottage roof, situated on Lot 6, South Buchanan Street. This was the first real school house in Leith and is no longer standing. Robert Grierson continued as teacher at a salary of 9200 .00 per annum . His scholars in the Leith school earned a reputation for themselves in the community for their brawn, unruliness and general bad behaviour, but in spite of this early impression they created, they • lived to become excellent citizens wherever they went and in whatever walk of life they chose. 150 Page 2 - Leith School History • Second Leith School

This first school building was more than a school. Before 1S65, when there was no church in Leith, the s ervices and prayer meetings were held within its walls, while it also served as the centre for social activities when services were held there. After Mr . Crierson retired, an Englishman, Hugh Jones formerly of Durham, taught for a year or two . He introduced the game of cricket and it continued to be a £avour­ ite sport long after his departure • Mr . Jones was followed in the next ten years by no less than eight teachers • whose names are as follows: Alexander Cochrane, Henry Moore , #illiam Moore , Miss Bessie Brown 1S69, Robert Henry 1870-73, Henry Adair 1874, John McKerroll 1S75 and William McKenzie 1876, To accommodate the growing number of pupils, a new school was built in 1875 by James McNeil. There were many disputes as to whether it would be frame or brick const­ ruction. Those who favoured frame won the decision. Although the building bore the year 1875 over the entrance, it was actually not ready for occupancy until February 1876, when the schoolmaster William McKenzie moved the pupils and books to their new headquarters. He continued to teach there for two years. In the same period he often held concerts in Leith. With the money raised in one single entertainment he was able to purchase one of the finest toned bel ls in Ontario. On the old school bell, which had been a favourite from the beginning with the pupils, hangs many a tale, On countless dark nights about the midnight hour, the village boys of several succeeding generations met at the school and sent the bell's clear voice ringing in the still night. This escapade never failed to raise the i re • of their elders, many of whom were wont to rise from their beds at the first pea+ and come in search of the guilty parties. But the lads always managed to make a get-away. Page 3 - Leith School History • Leith School-built 1S75

Mr. William ~. Robertson succeeded Mr . l•,cKenzie in 18?8. Those who taught in the next quarter were the following masters: Robert Henry 1879-82, Daniel Day 188J-87, Arthur Cameron 1888-89, Martha Ireton 1890-91, .Abigail Breadner 1892-93, Thomas Clark 1894- 95, itilliam Clark 1890- 97, Deborah Ford 1898- 99, Mary Brown 1900-02, J~Jargaret Ross 1903, Margaret Clark 1903-04 and Jessie Rae 1905 (part) . From the time of the founding of the school up until 1905, the school year comm- enced on the first of January, but in 1905 the time was changed and the term began as it does to- day, at the b~ginning of September. • In 1942 the North Sydenham Township School J.rea was formed and included the Leith School. Then in June 1943 the Area Board decided to close the school and trans- fer the four pupils in attendance to the .lnnan School. These were Dorothy Mitchell, Gordon Scott, Herb and Alvin Pegelo. From 1905 until the clo~ing of the school in June 1943, there were a total of 17 teachers. The longest record of service is held by Mrs . Ross Buzza of Leith, formerly Isabella Sutherland, who taught for 10 years 1929- 39 . The follosing list gives all the teachers from 1905 until the closing in 194J : Russel Cameron 1905, Ida Mouck 1906, Ernest McGregor 1907- 10, Hannah Day 1910-12, Mary Bowie 1913- 16, Agnes Sibbald 1916, Kate Rutherford 1916- 18, Margaret De Guerre 1918, Miss Mulhall 1919, Mary Clark 1919, Isabel l'

Page 4 - Leith School History S . S . No . 13 . 190'f •

Front Row-1 . to ~.-Jesse Jones, Billie McKeen, George McKeen, Wilson Buzza, George Scott, Ross McKay, Billy Ross Morrison Scott, Ross Buzza . 2nd Row- L. to R.-Ida McKay, Isabel Moore, 1~essie Moore, Irene Couture, Birdie Jones, Grace Jones, Bertha Couture Clara Couture, Jessie Ruther£ord • 3rd Row- L. to R,-Cbarles Jul!an (trusteeJ,1 Philomena Moore, il:dna McNeil, Margaret Rutherford, Nellie S~bbald, Frankie Veitch, ~nna Moore, Kate • Rutherford, Doug McKay . Back Row-L . to R.-T. T. Mitchell (trustee), Harkness Ross, Allan Dixon, James Sibbald, Bill Veitch , T. J. Rutherford, James Mitchell, Bert Davis, Ernie McGregor, Teacher. Among those who received------their first education at the Leith school are a number who later became widely known. The late Tom Thomson, famous pa'irp;er of the ' northern landscape, who was drowned in Canoe Lake in 1917, came to Leith as a babe with his parents in 1877, and received all his public school education in the village. His brother George Thomson of Owen Sound, also a well known landscape painter attended the Leith SchQol .

Leith School Girls- L. to R.- Marion Buzza, Laura Sibbald,Marion Cameron, Ruth Scott, • ::.my Scott Reta Scott. 153 Page 5 - Leith School History In the 18701 s there were about 85 pupils in attendance and it is recorded that from 75-80 children made up the classes in the next decade . Decreases were noted in the population until in 1943 there were only 6 pupils attending. Of this number, • two passed the entrance to high school, leaving only 4 to continue.

Left to right- George Rust- D1 Eye, Jessie Fawcett, Clinton Bell, Marion Scott, 0 Ronald Showell.

1929 • •

Left to right: Roger Mitchell, ~n Rutherford, Yan {John) Hofman, Eric Showell, Melville Scott, Jaff Rutherford, Bill Lemon, Ikie Scott, • Gelt Hofman and Bob Rutherford. 15..

Pa.ge 6 - Leith School History 1939 •

Left to right:Dorothy Dinsmore., Helen Hofman, llla Mae Dinsmore, Ann Hofman, Eddie Quigley, Harvey Quigley, Tom Dinsmore, Russell Mitchell, Kirk McKeen .

In 1947 after a petition was presented to the Area Board, the school was re­ • opened with the following eleven pupils in attendance and Miss Gwen Taylor as t eacher. The pupils were Mary Janet Ceasar, &llen Holmes , Sam Buzza, Lloyd and Gordon Scott, Jerry Mills, Helen, Dorothy and Bob Armstrong, Dorothy Mitchell and Mary Little. By June a total of 14 pupils were enrolled and 7 ~ore scheduled to begin in September. During the school term, Mr . George Newell of Owen Sound became mueic supervisor and under his capable instruction the pupils of Leith school have taken part in Grey County Musical Festivals and have won several awards • .tnother service of the Area Board was to provide free dental care to all pre- school ,;1nd school aged pupils. The service began in June 1945 and was

provided by the dentist of the parents choice. In June 191,8 a Mission Band was formed under the sponsorship of the United Church Women's Association, and Mrs. Ross Buzza and Mrs. Harold Ceasar were the first leaders. This Mission Band was named the Kate Rutherford ~lission Band in • honour of a former pupil and teacher. Under various leaders, this group has carried on and the present leader is Mrs. Robert Armstrong, and the name has been changed to Messengers. 155

Page 7 - Leith School History

Front Row L, to R, - Mary Janet Ceasar, Ellen Holmes, Sam Buzza . 2nd Row L, to R,-Gordon dcott, Marion Cameron, Helen ..Armstrong , Jerry .Mills, • Lloyd Scott , 3rd Row 1 , to R. -Bob Armstrong, Jim Grant, Mary Little, Dorothy Mitchell, Allan Cameron, Dorothy Armstrong .

On Saturday, July l, 1950 the 75th ..O.nniversary of the Leith School was celebr­ ated with over 300 former pupils and teachers, also visitors in attendance at a picnic and sports program. Those in attendance were from neighbouring points and as far distant as Vancouver, British Columbia . •

•

lou !-,re

\llo ~ ~eunion f icnir of .ll]upil!!i im11 ll!enr~crs to 0::drlirnte

'[lie .ffe,,r&c1rl~.!iiftl1 ,;::\nnitH·rsaru ur

an()

~indg-!irst J\1mit1cn111rg of ~ .cl100-( ;,Scriiott • 011 tlic foid1011l

~ ~rs. 3Rn.ss l'J ntzrr, ~rcrdnry ~{.~{. I @foe.it %ornw

• 156

Page 8 - Leit h School History In the early morning hours of October 20, 1954, the little red school house was completely destroyed by fire and due to the fact that all records were lost, this history up until 1943 has been compiled from the book "Reminiscences of North Sydenham" • • A plac~ to carry on with the classes had to be found quickly, and the school board was fortunate in bei ng able to rent a vacant Baptist Church where classes were resumed on October 28th with Miss Laura Murray as teacher • • r

Vacant Baptist Church • Desks and blackboards were loaned from the Owen Sound Board of Education and the North Sydenham Township Area School Board purchased new text books and scribblers from Jack Hood School Supplies of Stratford, Mr . Hood presented the school with i100.oo worth of library books as all of their books had been destroyed . At a meeting on September 13, 1955 the board decided to call for tenders for the bUilding of a new one- room school, to be so built that another room could be added, if it was felt advisable at a later date. At a meeting held on November 7, 1955, the tender of Jim Foulds Construction was accepted. The architects were Craig and Madill of Toronto. Members of the school board at chis time were Robert Hewitson, Donald Lemon , Jaffray Rutherford, Lloyd Spence with Allan Bothwell as chatrman. Everett Johnson was Secretary- Treasurer for the Board. The new school was completed and ready for occupancy by April 1st, 1956 and consisted of one class- room, two washrooms, a furnace room and a vestibule, The building is heated by an oil furnace and ha& tile floors throughout • • On March 22, 1960 the board passed a motion to build a second room , The number of pupils on the roll at that time was 37 with a large number of pre- school children in the district. Members serving on the school board were as follows: Leonard Bye, Melville Buchanan, Donald Lemon and Edward Long with Jaffray Rutherford as chairman. 157

Page 9 - Leith School History At a meeting on May 10, 1960 the board chose Paul Sears as the architect, and tenders for the second room were opened September 7, 1960 with the tender of Russell Robertson being accepted • In September of 1960 the Leith school was divided into senior and junior rooms • and while the building was being proceeded with, classes for Grades l, 2 and) were again held in the Baptist Church with Mrs . James Sibbald engaged as the teacher. Work on the new room proceeded quickly considering the fact that most of the work was done during the winter and on February 6, 1961 the Junior grades moved into the new room. It is a school of which North Sydenbam can feel justly proud and to the present time the teachers and pupil s have found it to be a pleasant and convenient place in which to work and study •

•

Leith School- 1961 This is the list of the teachers from the re-opening of the old school in 1947 until the present time: Gwen Taylor 1947- 49, Eunice ~ilson 1949-51, Grace Carr 1951-53, Laura Murray 195)-56, who became Mrs. Gerald Hudson during her term, Mildred Bye 1956- 59, who became Mrs . Irvin Vanwyck while teaching, Mrs. Sayne Cole l959-6o, Mrs. W. Cole and Mrs. James Sibbald 1960-61, and Mrs . I . Vanwyck and Mrs . Sibbald 1961-62. This school history was compiled in November 1962 by the committee Mrs . Harold Ceasar and Mrs. Roger Mitchell, assisted by Miss Laura Sibbald and Mrs. Ross Buzza • ~!rs . I . Vanwyck. and Mrs . J. Sibbald continued to be the teachers until 1965. • Then Mrs. Frank Lipsett and Mrs. dibbald combined teaching efforts until the closing of the Leith School in 1967. 156

Page 10 - Leith School History In September 1967 a large bus transported the children of this school section No. 13, Leith, to the new Sydenham Central School near Owen Sound-extension of 8th Street Bast. The classes were for Kindergarten to Grade 8. Both Mrs. Lipsett and Mrs . Sibbald transferred to the new Central School. • The Leith School was sold to Mr. T. J , Rutherford, through Real Estate for $12,260.00. Two apartments were made from this building, and are rented at this time. Addition by Mrs. Kenneth Spence. 1962-63 •

Front Row -L. to R.- Eddie Hibma, Randy Wade , Dick Hibma, Gail Wade, Patsy Holmes, Bradley Juniper, Brian Juniper, Bruce Gregory, Kenneth Mitchell David Rutherford, Roy Morrison. · 2nd Row-L. to R.-Alan Wade, Doug Hofman, Harry Hutchinson, Frances Bouma, Kathleen Hofman, Beth Hofman, Jerry Bouma, Gordon Hibma, Jim McMeekin, Carol Hutchinson. 3rd Row-L . to R. -Marcia Stegehuis, Janice Holmes, Paul 1'1cMeeli:in, Debbie Nelson, Louise Rutherford, Rudy Hibma, Darlene Nelson, Linda Hutchinson, Wayne Juniper, Diane Hofman, karilyn Bouma . Back Row-L. to R. -Mrs. Irvin Vanwyck (teacher), Alfred Nelson, Lloyd Russell, Susan Hewitt, Terry Russell, Eileen Hofman, Kathy McMeekin, Dick Stegehuis, Larry Knott, Jo-.!nn Holmes, itrs. James Sibbald (Jr. Room Teacher) . •