The Huron Expositor, 1999-01-13, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, January 13, 1999
New book about Colonel Van Egmond
8Y SHELLEY
McPHEE HAIST
Focus News Magazine
The life of one of Huron
County's most well. known
historical figures - Colonel
Anthony Van Egmond - is'
.featured in a new book
written by Fred Van Egmond
of London. -
• Fred Van Egmond is no
'stranger to writing about his
historical family members. In
-1975 he wrote The
'Importance of Liberty about
Colonel Van -
Egmond. In his most recent
!book, Fred has worked to
;avoid publishing a reprint of
his first book, but in this
account has endeavored to
create a story about Van
Egmond and his fellow
'entrepreneurs to "help the
• community to a -.deeper
understanding of our roots."
He notes in the foreword,
"Like the Maitland (River),
the stories of the past flow
along from generation to
generation. losing something
in one way and gaining
something in another but
always leaving us with a
sense of pride. "
Rivers of Recollection
covers a rouge of historical
topics- and local heroes -
from John Galt and life in
Upper Canada to the Van
Egmond's early life in
Holland, to the the 1837
Rebellion, 'the death of.
Colonel Van Egmond, and
efforts in recent years to
restore the Van Egmond
home.
The book begins with an
introduction to John Galt, a
brusque Scotsman, his old
friend and countryman Dr.
William - Dunlop, better
known as Tiger, and Colonel
Anthony Van Egmond.,
-; Galt and and Van Emond
met in 1827 when Galt was
at Doon in Waterloo County.
and Van Egmond and his
family had just arrived from
Pennsylvania. The two men
. shared a common vision, "of
a community charged out' of
the wilderness. Van Egmond,
.having had experience in
road building was just the
sort of man Galt was looking
for, Also. an Egmond was
wealthy enough' to carry
through the undertakingiout
of his own pocket," writes
Fred Van Egmond:
The Colonel and his „son
Constantagreed to build 45.
miles of road .between
Guelph and Goderich
journey.
The book, 88 pages in
length, is complemented
with Colonel Van Egmonds'
own letters, and also includes
a number of pictures, both
black and white portraits of
the Van Egmond family. and
full color photographs of the
Van Egmond house interior.
In the 1833 Van Egmond
quarreled with the Canada
Company -when they refused
to pay the balance due for the
road contracting. Van
Egmond was frustrated by
rising land costs and worked
to lobby on behalf of the
settlers.
In 1836 when Van Egmond
lost in local elections to Tiger
Dunlop he turned away from
the Canada Company and the
Family Compact.
In 1837 .Van •Egmond
wrote, "Ancient as. well as
modern histories and in fact
experiences made by
ourselves, teach us that our
present disease requires the
strongest remedies, and we,
the patients, a radical 'cure
and no palliatives, humbugs.
Although an ex -soldier of
thirty years schooling and
practice myself, I have
always considered that
pacificator, reconilitator. a
nobler man than the greatest
military hero; andhave
proved this by my past
writings in favour of
reconciliation under 1$36
when I felt convinced in my
Fred Van- Egmond of London has written a new book about
Colonel Van Egmond. "
found and jailed.him. restoring the Van Egmond.
Colonel Van Egmond died house in Egmondville for all
on January 5, 1838. It has the world to see." •
mind that it was of no use been rumoured that he wore The book also features a '
a ring with a large stone section on .the founding of.
anymore." tinder which there was , Egmondville,. near Seaforth -
On December 7, 1837 poison. It was also rumoured and follows the history of the
Colonel Van Egmond arrived that his son Constant brought Van Egmond •House and the
at Montgomery's Tavern in poison tohim on one of his work that carries on their
Toronto to lead the Upper visits. - _ today by the Van Egmond
Canada Rebellion of farmers . .Fred Van Egmond notes,.' Foundation
for William , Lyon ..The only account that fits Feed Van Egmond is a
MacKenzie. ' the circumstances in anyproud descendant of the
When he arrived theform is that the cold, damp- family name and takes great
Colonel wasaccused of. jail, was -more than the aging pride in. the 'family home in
being too late to lead the
Colonel.could tolerate." � Egmondville, writing, "The
men, most of whom had no ,
Had he lived, Fred Van old housq� lands now in its
pervious experience in original splendor. Like the
Roman god Janus, it seems
to bare witness to the past
and the future."
warfare. and MacKentie had, Egmond writes, If he had
taken over as leader without recovered he would' certainly
the Colonel's knowledge. has been tried for treason and
Fred -VanEgmond writes. executed..."
":..several- sources. have He `adds, 'Time' has In Rivers of Recollection
suggested that MacKenzie changed the opinion of the Fred Van Egmond revisits
lost complete control of his people of Huron. Van history and in doing so aims
faculties at this time." Egmond was one of those to'show the family history in
The Colonel criticized who received an official the favourable and tolerant
MacKen'zie's quack pardon from Britain' for this light. -"If we are wise 'we will
strategies as "'stark madness, part in the Rebellion, but it shun the pitfalls that our
came too save ;his life." forefathers have incurred and
"MacKenzie threatened tri. Fred Van Egmond takes, learn from -their mistakes."_
Shoot him, but ;he two •the opinion that the Colonel Rivers of Recollections has
agreed ona plan of attack. is well loved by people in been written as a fund -
efforts efforts were in vain. Huron County • raising effort for the.
The Rebellion army was He also notes that the - foundation -with proceeds
overtaken in a 20 minute residents of Huron County going to the Van Egmond
skirmish. "consider the: opening of the house. The book was printed
Fred van Egmond's.book_ MacKenzie escaped to the 'Huron Tract to be a very_ by Me Goderich Print Shop
recounts the relationship United States. Van Egmoil , important link with the and is available by calling
entrepreneurs the . unable to escape and took pnese
nt . and ' regard our 482-5563.or the Van.Egmond
difficulties and the successes refuge with a farmer: Soon Pioneers with such reverence House at 233-0416 and leave
afterwards. Loyalist soldiers that they have built a a message.
that they faced along their y monument to them by
between the pioneer overcome with fatigue, was
Round three takes pace next Sunday
FROM Page 1 everybody took a turn at unknown riders. At this rate The event -is one of five -
lap involving several riders. leading and making mistakes their 'anonymity may be , being held in Walton, and •
The top three racers .were : but in the end Chris Tyndal temporary. Durham this season and
,clearly the class act of this (Polaris) Clinton grabbed the Round three of five is organizers - hope it will
group and pulled steadily _ bulk of the cash. Jamie- scheduled for. January, 31 at become a regular. winter.
away from the rest of the Bennewies Seaforth (Polaris) the same location in Walton. event in coming years. •
class as they battled each and Brett Lee (Arctic Cat) Even greater participation is The• Brussels Walton Trail
other for the lead iii the - followed him home in the anticipated with improved Blazers, Brussels. St. Johns
remaining heats. Chris overall results, , • road conditions. Many - Unit,. M.C.L.Sound,
Sieman took home the big Several observerswho are. •spectators were checking out McGavin Farm Equipment
trophy on the strength of a experienced in Snowcross the requirements . • for and other staff and volunteers
consistent performance. said they were surprised at participating'in the event' so assisted in carrying off a
The semi -pro class was the high :calibre of skill an even greater number of _ successful event.
anything but consistent as exhibited by •the.relatively novices are expected. -
Details of sujvey .will be made public soon
MOM Page Vr� e't MC compiled by • hold --aT-publio--meeti-ng-to----looks_ like ..Seaforth - is_ ahead— _.
anonymously with hopes the OMAFRA, and prepare an review the results with the of most- of the other
answers would be honest, official report.' ' community. communities taking part in
when they involved negative "All ,the results are now • From the report will. come the program.
issues. out to us," said Sterner - courses of action to help "We're doing quite well."
Details from the survey are • From there, the committee improve the area's business said Steffler.
not being made available hopes to meet with the community.
until the committee has had a volunteers who helped The work is proceeding on. '
chance to go through the conduct the survey and then schedule. and Steffler said it
Complete
Automotive Repair
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TIRE SALES. SERVICE & REPAIR
ARCHIE'S
Source 6eame
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narmony Hi -Cites offering vocal aerobics course
Harmony, Inc.'s Seaforth According to Gail
Harmony Hi-Lites chorus • Moffett, Seaforth Harmony
has set Jan. 19 at 7:45 pm Hi-Lites president, the
for the start of a`four- Vocal Aerobti:s program
fession series called "Vocal offers excellent health -
Aerobics" to be held at benefits. '`Learning to sing
Seaforth Public School, properly is 'heart -smart',"
144 Market , Street, she said. "It stimulates •
Seaforth. adrenaline production, can
• The workshops, which be used as a -Mild aerobic
ire free of charge. will run exercise, develops good
or an hour and will posture, offers stress relief
nclude mild physical and can be a productive
xcrciscs geared to leisure -activity. It's
increasing breath control. healthy and it's fun!"
along with vocal work-outs The 25 -member
and learning a new song. Harmony Hi-Lites 'is a
L r
chapter of Harmony, Inc., available.
an international Looking for an evening
organization of women out? A way to beat the
barbershop singers and --has ,_winter blahs? Try "Vocal
been entertaining in the Aerobics." Women of any
area for15 years. Hi-Lites age may register by
members come from across contacting Gail Moffett at
Huron and Perth Counties 522-0670.
and car-pooling may be
Defence FROM Page 1
but "the defense should have the
needs look opportunity to review this testing
and to do its testing before this
at new trial proceeds."
The trial is adjourned until
evidence May 3 and is expected to last the
first three weeks in May.
McLaughlin
Chev-Olds Ltd.
13 Main St. Seaforth. 527.1140
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Place: Edward Jones Office
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497 Main St. South, Exeter, ON. NOM 1S1
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John Hanson
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Barb Worden
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345-2777_
Joe Uniac
(Mitchell)
348-9012
Graeme Craig
(Walton)
887-9381
Br!
•'Ienthlrt
Dean Whalen
(Goderich)
524-5222
Norris Peever
rGodt?r�c ' r
524-6105
Bob McNaughton
(Seaforth)
527=1571 - •
Ken Hutchison
(Mitchei
348-9150
.ATRIv1-AiZK
1) '.'SI1I
•AIC
Church
Services
You erre invited to attend
these area churches `-
St. Thomas
;Anglican Church •
darvis St. Seatortn
Rev. Robert Hiscox.(Goderich
482.7861
Sunday Jan. 1 7'"
Service of
Holy Communion
at 9:30
CAVAN
--- . (winthrop. , • - .
NORTH S I D E
Sr Sear^-- •'
UNITED CHURCHES
Minister: Rev. Jane Kueofer
527-2635
Sunday Sc' -. : ,e-. ce
Nurser, : - • - -
First Presbyterian
Church
Godench St W Seafonh
11:15 AM
Sunday Sd ool-.dunng church
Minister. ROv Nicholas Vandermey
•
;�'
r ,
w!. _ �P?G
a , •
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
Meeting at Seaforth High
. 9:05 a m. Bible School
11:00 Worship
Worship: Our ultimate pnonty
Small Group Meetings
Weekly
Pastor Doug Corriveau
522-0070
St. James
Catholic Church
Victoria St.. Seaforth
Saturday • 5.15 pm
St. James Parish. Seaforth
Saturday - 7 15 pm
St Josephs Parish, Clinton
Sunday - 9 00 am
Si Michael's Parish. 6Iyth
Sunday • ii oo am
Si. James Parish Seaforth
Father Dino Salvador
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