The Citizen, 1996-07-31, Page 18Con gr4tttenciPnS
Morris Township
on your
140th Anniversary
From all the staff and
management at the
BELGRAVE CO-OP
357-2711 or 1-800-267-2667
CO•OP
Stoneaway Bed & Breakfast
on the Henderson Century Farm
are pleased to wish
MORRIS TOWNSHIP
Congratulations
on their 140th Anniversary
Henderson Century Farm just east of Wingham on Hwy. #86
357-3607
•
pth ii
CP1C1'"Morris Township
on your 140th Birthday
from everyone at
RYAN CONSTRUCTION
Looking forward to
building a future with you
R.R. #2 Brussels 887-6916
Congratulations Morris Township
on your 140 Anniversary
It's our pleasure to live and work in the community
CONSTRUCTION
RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL
Complimentary estimates, drawings and consultation
Licensed carpenter with over 22 years experience
Evert Stryker
RR 4, Brussels 519-887-9291
•
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1996
Morris Kicks in '96
140 YEARS
140 YEARS
Council
Members of the 1994-97 municipal council include, back row, from left: Councillors John
Duskocy, Melody White and Kevin Pletch. Front: Clerk/Treasurer Nancy Michie, Reeve Bert
Elliott and Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston.
The story of Sunshine
Perhaps the single feature most
remembered about the village of
Sunshine, was the Methodist
Church. Located on the southeast
corner of Lot 10, Conc. 6, it was
said to be the earliest church built
in the township.
But there was more to Sunshine
than the church. Founded in 1868
as the village of Providence by
Alfred (Paddy) Brown, the
economy of the village always
depended on the saw mill that was
powered by the swiftly flowing
Maitland.
The post office was established
in 1874, with W. F. Cornell acting
as postmaster. By 1879, blacksmith
John A. Caister was selling plows
on the main street and Robert
Crittenden operated a general store.
One of the earliest Orange Lodges
had their hall here, which later
served as a meeting place for the
Foresters Lodge and the Sons of
Temperance Lodge.
In 1886, the first major round of
improvements was made to the
church building, and the burial
grounds that were situated just
south of the church were enlarged,
with numbered lots. These plots
measuring 8' x 16' were available
for $4.00 each, or half a lot for
$2.50.
In 1893, the church was again
repaired, with the addition of stone
walls and a new roof on the
outside, and paint and plaster
within. More land was purchased to
build a horse shed for the
worshippers, who by that time,
were attending regular evangelical
services every night but Sunday.
The two main reasons for the
decline of Sunshine were the
decrease in the amount of timber
available to the mill and the
superior rivalry of the nearby
railway towns. In 1879, there were
great bush fires in this area causing
timber losses.
In 1891, M., Watson was the
postmaster and the post office was
situated "first door west of Main
Street, on the Long Point Road". In
1899, only three houses remained
those of Milton Watson, the
Fleming sisters and one other.
Now, all that remains of
Sunshine is the cemetery. The last
church service was Aug. 21, 1927.