The Rural Voice, 2019-03, Page 45Iknew the name Verity at an early age because I grew
up in the home that once belonged to the Verity family
in Exeter. Other than a small meeting room in the
Town Hall in Exeter that is named the “Verity Room” and
a brief biography along with William Verity’s picture
mounted on the wall, there is not much to make anyone
remember or even inquire about the achievements of this
famous family.
In Joseph Wooden’s book called “Exeter”, four pages
describe the Verity Plow Works. The business was in fact
in Francestown because it was “north” of the bridge.
Francestown and Exeter amalgamated in 1873 to become
the Village of Exeter.
The Verity story actually begins in 1851 when the
company founder, William Verity, found employment
aboard a steamship as the inspection engineer. Raised in
Yorkshire, England, William had trained as a mechanical
engineer. It was the steamship’s maiden voyage and during
the voyage from London to New York, William met a
maiden named Mary Jane Fountain who was travelling
with her parents. The shipboard romance resulted in
marriage soon after arrival in America. After a few years
of living in New York State they moved to Francestown to
March 2019 41
Verity plowed into Exeter in 1857
The Verity family created premier plows in the 1800s
employing over 250 men until Massey-Harris took over
•By Bonnie Sitter •
History
William Verity was known as the King of the Canadian Plowmakers and his plows had a repuation for excellence that
the newly formed Massey-Harris company could not wait to own.