Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-04-20, Page 3Community Col. Van Egmond helped ..open area Third in a series of articles on Col. Anthony Van Egmond. BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Staff The soldier had turned to farming. By July of 1829, Col. Anthony Van Egmond had cleared almost a hun- dred acres of his land west of pres- ent-day Seaforth and half of that was planted in wheat. "As this was the first field ripe in the Huron Tract, the old man (Col. Van Egmond) determined to cel- ebrate the event by. asking some of the gentlemen connected with the Canada Company to dinner, and to witness the cutting of the first sheaf," wrote Major Samuel Strickland of the Canada Company. The Major and three others started out at 11 a.m. and walked 18 miles from Goderich through bush and "90 degree temperatures in the shade." But the journey was made a little more comfortable by the "civility of the mosquitoes." Thomas Mercer Jones, a Canada Company Commis- sioner; Dr. William 'Tiger' Dunlop, Warden of the Forest; and Charles Pryor, eventual Justice of the Peace, accompanied the Major on the journey. And according to his account they were kept entertained on the way by stories told by Tiger Dunlop. At the half -way point of their journey, the four stopped and had a lunch of beef sandwiches, brandy and water. After an hour, they resumed their journey and about five o'clock they reached their destination, Van Egmond's Tavern, wrote Seaforth historian, W.B. Kerr. "Here we found an excellent supper ready for us, to which after a walk of eighteen miles, you may be sure we did ample justice," according to Strickland's acc6unt in Fred Van Egmond's The Import- ance of Liberty. In the morning the group, accom- panied—by -CoL— ccom- paned by --col. Anthony Van Egmond, took a tour of the farm and surveyed the crops. "I think I never saw a finer crop of oats, or a better promise for tumips, in my life. The wheat also looked extremely well. It was certainly an interesting sight, after walking for miles through a dense forest, sud- denly to emerge from the wooded solitude upon a sea of waving grain, white for harvest," wrote the elo- quent Major Strickland. His account of the wheat -cutting ceremony by Madame Van Egmond captures the celabratory spirit of the day and the flavour of the times. "About noonday we all proceeded to the harvest field, headed by our host and his lady and her fair daughters. As soon as we arrived at the scene of action a sickle was placed in the hands of Madame Van Egmond; and she was requested to cut and bind the first sheaf of wheat THE FIRST WHEAT - Susan Van Egmond, the great -great -great granddaughter of Madame Susanna Van Egmond, re-enacts the cutting of the first wheat in the Huron Tract in a ceremony held July 22, 1992 following an 18 -mile walk from Goderich to the Van Egmond house. (Huron Expositor file photo - by Mark Cripps) ever harvested in Huron Tract - an honour of which any person might =be justly proud. ------ -- What were the red battlefields of Napoleon, in comparison to the bloodless victory, won over the forests of Huron! The sight of that first sheaf, cut by the gentle hand of women was one that angels rejoiced to see; while the fruits of his con- quests were such as might well make the seraphs weep! Madame. Van Egmond handled her sickle something better than a mere amateur, which make us con- jecture it was not the first sheaf she had cut and bound. As soon as this interesting ceremony was over, we gave three hearty cheers for the Canada Company. A horn of whiskey was served round, in which we pledged our host and hostess, and drank health to the settlement. ..J need hardly describe our evening's entertainment, save that we 'ate, drank and were merry! Indeed it would have been difficult ...amid the torment of endless nig and ays of millions of insects and pests." to be otherwise with Doctor Dunlop as one of our companions." Fred Van Egmond writes that Constant Van Egmond was also at the party and has a totally different account of what happened. "Originally it had been decided that Doctor Dunlop, Warden of the Forest, was to have had the honour of cutting the first sheaf. When dinner was over the party adjourned to the wheat field for the ceremony. There, waiting to greet them in a very conspicuous place was the first sheaf of wheat ever to be cut and bound in the Huron Tract. During dinner, Madame Van Egmond had seized the opportunity to slip out the back door and take the honour to herself." Dublin welcomes new arrival Well, Dublin recently had a new arrival! Proud parents are Richard and Tracey Duchesne - Kramers of a darling little girl! (Chantelle Nicole). Little Desiree is excited to have a new sister! Proud grandparents are Yvon and Kathleen Duchesne, and Marilyn Kramers. Congratulations from all your Dublin friends! Congratulations go to Jackie and Doug Racho, who recently cel- ebrated a happy 45th anniversary, with a family get-together! They also visited on the week -end with Don and Marg Smith and their son, from Lciviston. New York. Jackie J Dublin by Dorothy Dillon 345-2883 and Doug, all your many friends in Dublin and arca, wish you many more good years! A happy birthday to a very special Dublin lady (Nellie Vander Pryt) from your many, many friends! Sympathy of the community is extended to Margaret Anne (nee Dcnomme) Cronin and family on Obituaries ROSS DRISCOLL Ross Edward Driscoll, formerly of McKillop Township, died Wednes- day, April 13, 1994 at the Stratford General Hospital in his 81st year. Born in McKillop Township on September 24, 1913, he was a son of the late John William Driscoll and the former Mary Ann Ross. He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Somerville; sons John, of RR 4 Walton, Ron, of Seaforth rind one daughter Barbara of Bruccfield. Predeceased by one son, Gordon. Also surviving are six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, a brother Boyd, of Seaforth and a sister Dorothy Powell of Listowel. Friends were received at the Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home and the funeral service was held Satur- day, April 16, 1994 at 2 p.m. Spr- ing interment Maitlandbank Cem- etery. Pallbearers were Merton Hackwell, Lorne Glanville, Nelson Ryan, Johnny Williamson, Scott A y Driscoll and Pete Martene. Flowerbearers were granddaughters Tammy Martene, Shelly Undcr- wood, Sharri Lynn MacDonald and Tina Driscoll. JOHN JOSEPH DIXON John Joseph Dixon of Vancouver, formerly of Seaforth, passed away on April 7, 1994 in his 77th year. John Dixon was the son of the late George and Jenny Dixon; and dear father of John, David, Jenny, Rovina and Roy, all of Vancouver; dear brother of Jean, Mrs. Alvin Hoff of Seaforth, Roy of Windsor, Hazel Nelson of Santa Clara, Cali- fornia, Rovina Williams of Petrolia. Predeceased by one sister, Dorothy Moore, and one brother, George. Also survived by seven grandchildren. Family received friends at the Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home in Seaforth. Mass of the Christian burial was held at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Seaforth on Monday, April 18 at 11 a.m• Father Henry Cassano officiated. Interment at St. James Cemetery. the death of a loving husband and father (Lorne Cronin) who passed away peacefully at Burlington during the past week. Deepest sympathy also to all Lorne's other relatives and friends! All Dublin and area people extend our sincere sympathy and will always fondly remember our happy times together in Dublin! Joe Eckert was happy to have a visit from Jerry and Marie Eckert, Owen Sound, during the past week. THOUGHT FOR TODAY 'Friends are made by many acts - and can bd lost by just one!' v000000Q00000000000000t,WE v Huron County's Complete II CiEl VEHICLE co c 11 RENTAL 1 v Headquarters E v n Small & Mid-sized Cars 311 Passenger & Cargo Vans, E Pickup Trucks Q Daily, Weekly, Monthly in lnsuranee Rentals & More El Free Delivery Q Ask about our full transportation service CAR & TRUCK RENTALS f)Ivlvion of Suncoast Ford 500 Huron Rd., Goderich CALL COLLECT Ask for Helen 524-8347 eeneneneee9enwnwnnneene "A rn of whiskey was se ved round, in which we pledged our host & hostess, & drank health to the settlement." The Huron Road It became apparent by 1830 that a proper road had to be constructed in Huron to encourage settlement. The major part of the operation was given to Van Egmond and his son, Constant, wrote Prof. James Scott. "The Van Egmonds were to do their section for 48 pounds a mile and were to complete 7,024 rods of corduroys at 15 s. a rod...The con- tract was signed on Feb. 9, 1830, and three years were allowed for its completion," according to Scott. The Van Egmonds received many acres of land for payment since only one-third of their remuneration for road -building was paid in cash. "There is no final tally of how much land Van Egmond actually held by 1837 but some estimates go as high as 13,000 acres...In any event Van Egmond was easily the greatest proprietor of land in the Huron Tract in the 1830's," wrote Scott in The Settlement of Huron County. Armed with equipment no more sophisticated than two yokes of oxen, the Van Egmonds began the enormous engineering feat. "They had to buy working cattle, vehicles and tools. They had to bring in practically all the supplies for the men since none of the families who had settle along the road were rais- ing enough support themselves, let alone feed extra workers," accord- ing to Scott. The Van Egmonds found it diffi- cult to attract workers to "the dark gloomy and pathless forest amid the , torment of endless nights and days of millions of insects and pests." Pay rates rose and cash ran low. Van Egmond started paying the men in credit orders for land on the Canada Company. "In spite of troubles the work was completed a year sooner than was required by the .contract and Van Egmond emerged as the richest man in the district." As soon as the road was com- 'pleted in the fall of 1832, it was found that most of the corduroy (road made by logs laid side by side) was unsuitable for use. "In this matter Van Egmond is not to be blamed because he was merely following the specifications which were laid down by Thomas Mercer Jones - the man who was sent in to replace Galt's 'inefficiency'," wrote Prof. James Scott. (with notes from Prof James Scott, WB. Kerr and Fred Van Egmond) Conclusion next week: Elections and The Rebellion. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, AprII 20, 1994-3 McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Saaforth. 527-1140 'Service •Selection •Savings •Satisfaction 'Leasing 'Complete BODY SHOP Service COUNSELLING • Marriage • Family • Personal Growth • Learning Disabilities BRIAN O'REILLY, D.s.w. 160 Huron St. 482-9249 And The Winner is... Congratulations to Ken Connolly of RR 5 Mitchell. Ken Is the winner of our free draw for a gas barbecue. Presenting Ken (centre) with his prize is John Hart (left) of Hart Ford Mercury and Len Teatero (right) of Hart Ford Mercury Used Cars. r I tiescuev HART FORD MERCURY USED CARS ['tii00.0.1Y.O OIVIH.927.4.410ARS27,2401 SPRING SPECIALS Soft Dinne Rolls dozen 1 .29 Delicious Pumpernickel Bread ♦ I�� 1 ■L_a7 Wholesome Raisin Bread Loaf ■2 9 *FRESH COFFEE & DONUTS FRESHLY MADE SOUP & SANDWICHES Tasty! Old Fashion Butter Tarts 6/1.99 Special es Chocolate Fudge Brownies 5/ 1.99.. Wide Variety of Canadian & Imported Cheese' MARBLE 3 CHEESE CURDS .991b. 3 .991b. Prices in effect until closing Saturday, April 23 TASTY -NU BREAD, FINEST QUALITY, FRESH DAILY LYONS OODMARK strwsotmr yx .; SO. 'rastyN„ IHAIMIGNAI SAKI 11" 14 A.A. !tMU'. StA/OIIlN. Sill •� it NNA'S DRESS SHOPP SEAFORTH 527-0489 is bursting with Spring Fashions with savings on all DRESSES ALL COLOURED JEANS