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The Citizen, 1996-07-31, Page 19The staff and management of J.L. McCutcheon Motors Ltd. would like to Congratulate Morris Township on their 140th Birthday Thank you for letting us be a part of your Heritage! J.L. McCutcheon Motors Ltd. Turnberry St., S., Brussels 887-6856 WALTON INN Staff and Management are happy to wish Morris Township a Happy Birthday on their 140th Congratulations and looking to serve you in the future Phone 887-9517 Located on the main corner in Walton Congratulations to Morris on their 140th Year VINCENT FARM EQUIP. LTD. Serving Agricultural Communities in Ontario for 73 years (28 in Seaforth) • Highly informative sales • Combine full coverage representatives parts inventory • Financing , low rate, rent to • Very experienced service own, leases (income tailored) centre personnel • Specialized harvesting • Certified renewed work attachments and info order with each combine • Emergency parts service • Warranty - call for details (toll free) on our pre-owns tWELVIJEW FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED SEAFORTH AYR CAMBRIDGE WOODSTOCK 527-0120 "We Care About Your Harvest" SERVICE PLUS!! THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1996 PAGE 19. Morris Kicks in '96 140 YEARS 140 YEARS Bluevale's roots date back to 1854 The Village of Bluevale was begun in 1854 by Alexander Duncan and Jacob Cantelon. The west side is the Duncan Survey and the east side is the Cantelon Survey. Most of the village is in the Township of Turnberry with the township line dividing the Morris area just south of the river. But Bluevale has developed from the rural community surrounding it and it is impossible to separate the village into two sections. The Morris Township land area was called the Gardner Survey in 1875, referring to the farmland of John Gardner, N1/2 Lots 31 and 32, W1/2 Lot 33, Concession 1. The Morris Township voters list of that year names seven residents living on lots severed from this farm. (William Carroll, David King, Robert King, William Stewart, Edward Tindal, Robert Whaley, Francis Patterson). Edward Tindal, on Part Lot 17, operated a Blacksmith shop. When the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railroad built their station, one of the stipulations was that it had to be located in the Township of Morris. Therefore, it was built to the south of the Gardner Survey, almost at the centre of Lot 31, Concession 1. The foundation ruins of this station are still evident today. To benefit from the convenience of railroad transportation, the company of Bailey and Reading built a sawmill and shingle factory close to the station, and a "dry" hotel, The Clyde, was soon erected just to the north. Millers found Morrisbank Congratulations and Best Wishes MORRIS TOWNSHIP from Don "Barney" and Linda Stewart BLYTH DECOR SHOPPE Queen Street, Blyth For all your decorating needs Bus. (519) 523-4840 Home (519) 523-9448 The early pioneers of Morrisbank were John R. Miller, the founder, who moved here in November, 1853, with his brother William and their sister, Margaret. They were soon followed by other settlers: Robert and George Moffatt, John Messer, Christopher Hamilton and his daughter Agnes (later the wife of George Moffatt). The Hamilton's operated the first post office that was established in 1856 on the area of Lot 51 or 52, north half of Conc. 1. The land was registered by crown deed to Agnes Moffatt. In 1854, the parents of John Miller emigrated into the township. Richard and Margaret Miller with five of their sons travelled up the Northern Township line from Harpurhey, to take up land on Lots 55 and 56, north half Conc. 1. Other early settlers on both sides of the township boundary began to move in and fill up the section. In 1875, the post office was moved from this location to Wright's Corners, and Mr. Wright was appointed as the postmaster. This corner, still known by many today as Morrisbank, had already established a general store and a hotel on the Turnberry side to accommodate travellers on the Seaforth to Wroxeter trail. Morrisbank suffered in competition with the nearby centres of Jamestown and Bluevale. By 1883, the post office was closed and the community wass turning toward Jamestown as their central village. However, a community of social events, conviviality and neighbourhood enjoyment remained long after. Morrisdale mystery Did the hamlet of Morrisdale ever really exist, or is it just a confusion between the name and that of Morrisbank? Post office records show that a post office was established 1 1/4 miles north of Walton, along the township line. Donald Scott was the first postmaster here, and perhaps the only one. On the crown deed map, Donald Scott is recorded as taking the first claim to the land on the north half of Lot 30, Conc. 9, Morris Twp. By the year 1879, the property was a farm, owned by James Bulger (Bolger). In Clarence Grainger's account of The History of Walton, a hotel named the White Ox is located on the northwest corner of the Grey Twp. farm, Lot 1, Conc. 16. The Belden Atlas of 1879 shows this corner to be built up, including a blacksmith shop and several establishments. The post office was closed in 1865, and the hamlet dissolved, giving way to the vigorous growth of nearby Walton. © 1994 CASE CORPORATION Case IH is a registered trademark of Case Corporation 1