ESQUESING HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER P.O. Box 51, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 4T1 www.esquesinghistoricalsociety.ca
Vol. 33 No. 5 January - February 2009
History of the Lorne Scots Regiment
Standing at attention in the Georgetown Armouries are Lorne Scots Rick Currie, John Stasula, Doug Cousins, Jim O’Neil, Bob Johnston and Jim Metcalf. ehs2593
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 1 The Georgetown Volunteers All Canada was worked up in 1861 over the possibilities of war between Great Britain and the United States over the Trent affair, which arose out of the taking of two envoys of the Confederate government by an American man-of-war from a British steamer Trent on their way to Europe. The volunteer movement took like wildfire and companies of militia were formed in Georgetown, as in every Canadian centre of population. Captain Young organized a company to instruct which a drill-sergeant was furnished from one of Her Majesty’s regiments. The first instructor was Corporal Coupland of the P.C.O. Rifle Brigade, then stationed in Canada. His uniform was of dark green, that of the company the imperial scarlet. Coupland having completed his term in the army became a civilian again taking his proper name of Harwood and married and settled in Georgetown, obtaining a position in the paper mill. His successor Sergeant “Wots-is-name” was quite a contrast, being a heavy set bearded man from the Scots fusiliers with a very gorgeous scarlet uniform. The company became part of the 29 th Halton Battalion and saw service during the Fenian raid of 1866, acting as guard on the suspension bridge, Niagara Falls. John R. Barber took command after Captain Young’s retirement and in due time was Colonel of the 20 th .
Long before the Trent affair the 100 th Royal Canadian Rifles were recruited for imperial service, and I remember perfectly the recruiting sergeant’s visit to Georgetown with a drummer and fifer, also in uniform, who enlisted several men in the village and after slipping the Queen’s shilling into their hands, as was the custom, pinned a cockade in their hats. -C.W. Young, 1920
The Queen inspects the Lorne Scots. ehs13954
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 2 The Evolution of the Lorne Scots – A Quick Guide By Rev. Dr. Rick Ruggle I. SEDENTARY MILITIA Gore Militia - 1816 2nd Regiment. Trafalgar township Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Nelles -- 1821 Colonel Titus G. Simons -- 1824 Colonel William Chishom -- 3 May 1830 5th Regiment. Nassagaweya and Esquesing townships Colonel George Chalmers -- 5 July 1838 8th Regiment. Nelson township Colonel George Chisholm -- 1838
Halton Militia -- 1846 4th Battalion. Esquesing township Lieutenant Colonel William Clay -- 12 May 1853 5th Battalion. Nassagaweya township Lieutenant Colonel A. McNaughton -- 13 May 1853 6th Battalion. Esquesing, Concessions 1 to 7 Lieutenant Colonel Adam Sproat -- 2 May Captain William Allan -- 6 July 1866 1856 Lieutenant Colonel Edward U. Leonard -- IV. COUNTY UNITS 28 July 1859 20th Halton Battalion of Infantry 1866-1871
II. PROVISIONALS 20th Halton Battalion of Rifles 1872-1881 First Provisional Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Peter Adamson -- 31 20th Halton Batalion "Lorne Rifles" 1881- October 1838 1909
III. INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF 20th Regiment (Halton Rifles) -- 1 VOLUNTEER MILITIA December 1909 Volunteer Militia Company of Infantry at Stewarttown The Halton Rifles -- 1 Captain John Murray -- 9 January 1863 December 1920 Volunteer Militia Company of Infantry at Georgetown The Lorne Rifles Captain James Young -- 30 January 1863 (Scottish) -- 1 Volunteer Militia Company of Infantry at November 1931 Norval Captain Joseph Kyle -- 6 February 1863 The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin & Halton Volunteer Militia Company at Acton -- 9 Regiment) -- 15 December 1936 to present November 1866 time
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ESQUESING HISTORICAL SOCIETY SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 2009
Wed. 14 History of the Lorne Scots Regiment – Rev. Dr. Rick Ruggle will share his latest Jan. 2009 publication with interesting vignettes on the long history of the Lorne Scots Regiment, which serves both Halton and Peel Counties. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Main & Church St., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 11 Cruise Night – Hop into our 1960 Edsel Villager Wagon, sit back and enjoy a Feb 2009 cruise through our photos of Acton and Georgetown in the 1960s. Don’t worry we’ll stop at the Dog and Suds for a bite to eat! Let’s hope gas doesn’t climb higher than 31cents a gallon! This trip will be preceded by our AGM. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Main & Church St., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 15 Beardmore Tannery - On Sunday February 15 th from 2 to 5 p.m., Halton Region Feb. 2009 Museum will celebrate Heritage Day with an Open House and special presentation on Acton’s Beardmore Tannery. Well known local historian and author J.Mark Rowe will illustrate Acton’s leathertown history and explore the company that generated its leather producing reputation. HALTON REGION MUSEUM, Kelso Conservation Area, 2:00 p.m.
Wed. 11 Stewarttown School History - Although Stewarttown School just celebrated 50 March years, the history of the institution extends far beyond the current building. EHS 2009 member Ray Denny will share his history of Stewarttown School . KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Main & Church St., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE! Refreshments served from 7:00 p.m.
Stephen Blake 905 877-8251 President Karen Hunter 905 838-2109 Treasurer Dawn Livingstone 905 877-6506 Secretary Sherry Westfahl 905 873-7145 Past - President J. Mark Rowe 905 877-9510 Archivist Jan Raymond 905 877-9172 Publications
Marj Allan 905 877-9985 Membership Cathy Hunt Social
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 4 Society Notes Jan. 25 - Linda Reid , Mormon Pioneer INTERNET CONNECTIONS Ancestor: The Unexpected Discovery of The Esquesing Historical Society has an "Saints" on the Family Tree official web site on the World Wide Web. Feb. 22 - Ruth Blair , professional
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 5 TRAFALGAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY of volunteer officers which prompted the 24 Feb. AGM and Matthew Wilkinson will FAO to dissolve itself. be speaking on the early Trafalgar STARS OF THE TOWN settlement called The Catholic Swamp. Dubbed "Stars of the Town" by their creator, LIMEHOUSE KILN GRANT the late Rev. LeRoy (Roy) H. Massecar The Limehouse Kiln Society is pleased to (1918-2003), the collection of 85 silent announce the receipt of a substantial grant black and white 8mm films representing 88 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. It is Ontario locations depict small town life in to be used expressly for the restoration of the province between 1947 and 1949. the large draw kiln, built in the 1800s, To supplement his modest church stipend, located within the hamlet of Limehouse, the Rev. Massecar filmed people from the Ontario. This is very exciting for all those small towns on film, returned to screen the involved, as the work will provide easier and films at town halls and community centres, safer access to the historic site for all users and invited the "stars" to attend for a modest of the Limehouse Conservation Area. admission price. JIM SNOW’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY The films were donated to Western Archives Former Ontario cabinet minister and local by Roy's wife, Marion Massecar, in 2005. MPP Jim Snow’s autobiography is being re- Since then, the films have been converted to released by the Milton Historical Society, DVD format and are now available to order . accompanied by a just-completed epilogue The Esquesing Historical Society has detailing the last 18 years of his remarkable ordered a copy of the DVD since a film was life. made in areas of local interest like Acton, The original book entitled, Mr. Jim, from Rockwood, Milton and Erin. You can order Esquesing, The Land of the Tall Pines- The your own copy at www.lib.uwo.ca/archives/ Personal Recollections of James W. Snow OPP CENTENARY was first published in 1990. On October 13, 1909, a provincial Order-in- The book is available at Harris Stationary Council decreed the establishment of the and Waldie’s Blacksmith Shop in Milton for "Ontario Provincial Police Force" - a $20 a copy. The proceeds go towards the permanent force of salaried police upkeep of the Blacksmith Shop. constables. From its earliest days to today, MOFFAT HISTORY AVAILABLE the strength of the O.P.P. has been its The Nasagiweya Historical Society has people. released a book on the history of Moffat as "'Arresting Images: Mug shots from The recounted by long-time residents Don and OPP Museum' is scheduled to debut in 2009, Catherine McMillan. The book recounts the the 100 th anniversary of the OPP. The much role played by key businesses, the railway, appreciated support of the Museums sports teams and musical performances of Assistance Program through the Department the area. The book is available for $10. – of Canadian Heritage will enable this exhibit from The Journal of Milton Hist. Society. to travel throughout Ontario and across FRIENDS OF ONTARIO ARCHIVES Canada." OPP Museum Curator Jeanie The Friends of the Archives of Ontario Tummon said "the mug shots are ceased to exist on 31 December 2008. The compelling, fascinating photos, and thanks group was founded in 1998 and had many to this important support, we look forward to member groups, including the EHS. sharing them with many people and many However, their executives were drawn from audiences." working Archivists in Ontario. It was a lack
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 6 The Times They Are A-Changin' -Bob Dylan 1963 Acton, Georgetown and Esquesing in the 1960s
1960 -Speyside School official opening. 1962 - Designs for new Acton & Georgetown post offices released. Acton Citizen’s band built their Band Hall on Wallace street. -1965 Church Bells, whistle sound midnight centennial medley (1967) 50 houses under construction in Lakeview 1967 Halton Hills Hydro building on Alice Street opened June 3 rd 1967 by Hydro Ontario Chairman George Gathercole with Mayor Les Duby, Chairman Ted Tyler, Wilf McEachern, Orville Brown, and Doug Dawkins. Acton train Station closed on 6 November 1967 with C.W. Perry last agent and Jean Marcoux operator. On January 1 st 1969 Halton County Board of Education was formed. 1969 - Golden Horseshoe dragway on 5 th Line.
John Elliot stands on the front of a steam engine on its way to be broken up for scrap. This photo was printed in the Herald on 12 October 1961. EHS08907
An artist’s impression of The Riviera Club, Norval. Ehs08904
Ice on the Credit pushes on the Bridge in Glen Williams. ehs08128
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1960s Acton
The Centennial project was the construction of two beautiful buildings by the Acton Town Council. On June 3 rd 1967 the Acton Centennial Library was officially opened by Library Board Chairman George Lee. The Acton Hydro-Electric Commission opened their new building on Alice Street, on the edge of the former Henderson’s Pond, by Hydro Ontario Chairman George Gathercole with Mayor Les Duby, Chairman Ted Tyler, Wilf McEachern, Orville Brown, and Doug Dawkins.
July 1 st was quiet in Acton as all In January 1969 the eyes focused on Acton School Board National was taken over by the celebrations at Halton County Board Expo ‘67 which of Education, ending featured local control of Beardmore’s education. This year Choraliers. The also marked the end of Acton Fair Board the Mason Knitting hosted a Company which sold Centennial Ball in its factory on Eastern June which Avenue to Frank featured members Heller and Company, a wearing the firm specializing in clothing of 1867. split leather.
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 8 1960s Georgetown Other changes about Town included the removal of the cenotaph to Remembrance Park in September 1960. This was the first of several small Town parks. In the original Fairgrounds Park, the grandstand burned to the ground in August 1968. The first ‘nightclub” opened as the Riviera on January 1, 1962 in Norval. The YMCA was organized here the same year. A larger post office opened in 1963 at Maple and Guelph Streets. The United Church Girl’s School at CedarVale Another housing development, closed in Moore Park, was carried out in 1963, and was 1962, on the Moore farm, transformed providing some competition for the into a park and Heslop development. Relations community between the Rex Heslop and the centre in 1966 Town continued to deteriorate. In an effort to win public understanding, Heslop backed the creation of a new newspaper in 1961, The Georgetown Leader .
Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 9 Thank you to The Georgetown Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts Made Beautiful Display “The arts and Crafts Co-operative held their second exhibition and sale on November 26 th and 27 th in the corner store of the McGibbon Block, Main Street. It was well attended and considered by everyone to be most interesting and a complete success. The large windows held varied displays of spinning and weaving with a spinning wheel in one window and a loom in the other. Grouped around the spinning wheel were various types of wools. Angora rabbit, fox and dog hairs, camel and alpaca in natural colours, all used in spinning years to be knitted or woven into every type of useful garment. Also shown were samples of vegetable dyed wood which give beauty of colour to the hand spun yarns. The second window contained a loom with a lovely Royal Stewart plaid set-up and partly woven for a scarf, with examples of various tartans displayed nearby – the MacKenzie and Lorne Scots tartans in the foreground. The store itself, besides the great variety of handmade materials for sale, was tastefully decorated with loans of beautiful embroideries, rugs and hand-painted furniture. In one display were coats of homespun locally tailored, yard goods and suits..” ….Georgetown Herald, November 1943 The Georgetown Arts and Crafts Co-operative was established back in 1942, founded by Mrs. Mayme Moyer and four local women. Initially it began to revive the art of handicrafts and to help women acquire once again commodities that were in short supply due to the war. Wool was scarce, so women were encouraged to learn to spin, dye and then their weave their wool into beautiful useful products.
It didn’t take long for the group to enlarge, and the Georgetown Arts and Crafts group soon grew, and to be a very highly respected group, called on often for their expertise. Over the years they offered a great many courses and speakers, in a wide variety of the art subjects, sponsored a great number of craft demonstrations, sent displays and exhibitions to the CNE and Toronto Art gallery, and they were instrumental in the beginning of night school classes at the local high school. The entrance gates to the Georgetown Hospital are thanks to the commissioning and installation of them as a centennial project of the Arts and Crafts Group. Reading through the membership lists and old minutes, is like reading through a “who’s who” of so many talented and gifted Georgetown area women.
Every year held a exhibit and sale of their work. Their first sale in 1942 was held in a home on Charles Street. The next year, 1943, and for several successive years, they held their exhibit and sale on the Main Street, in the store located on the ground floor of the McGibbon Hotel. Over the years, they held sales in the Oddfellows Hall, the Legion, St. John’s United Church Hall, the Riviera, North Halton Golf Club, and Holy Cross Church.
However, as the years progressed, other interest groups began, the Arts and Crafts membership dwindled, and after 65 years they decided to disband in 2007. Over the years, the group had kept wonderful records and scrapbooks of their activities, and although the group itself may no longer exist, we are extremely grateful that a full record of their lifetime will be forever preserved in the archives of the Esquesing Historical Society.
We very much appreciate their generous donation, and thank them for it.
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