ESQUESING HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER P.O. Box 51, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 4T1 www.hhpl.on.ca/sigs/ehs/home.html DISCOVERING OUR ARCHIVAL RESOURCES What resources are available to you the genealogist, what local histories, house histories, business histories, group histories, social welfare history, the list goes on? Come to our March meeting to discover where you can go and what you might find there! What can you hope to find in these Archives? Depends where you go! It could be: * * Assessment rolls * Church records * Photographs * Maps * Diaries * Land Records Who will tell us about these facilities? Linda Twitchell, Archivist for the Halton Region Museum Ashley Mancuso, Archivist for the Town of Halton Hills John Mark Rowe, Archivist for the Esquesing Historical Society FACILITY INFORMATION Wellington County Museum & Archives RR#1 Fergus, ON N1M 2W3 0536 County Road 18 Township of Centre Wellington Weekdays - 9:30am to Noon, 1:00pm to 4:30pm Saturdays - 1:00pm to 5:00pm Peel Heritage Complex 9 Wellington Street East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6W 1Y1 Phone: (905) 791-4055 Fax: (905) 451-4931 Monday to Friday -- 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Reading Room use only) -- noon - 4:30 p.m. Halton Region Museum Mailing Address: RR 3 (Kelso Conservation Area) MILTON ON CANADA  L9T 2X7 e-mail: museum@region.halton.on.ca Fax: 905-876-4322 Phone: 905-875-2200 Toll Free: 1-866-442-5866  ext. 7935 Monday to Friday: 10 am. to 4 pm. Please call for an appointment so that we can have a staff member on hand to assist you. Esquesing Historical Society Archives 9 Church St. Georgetown, ON L7G 2A3 (905) 873-2681 Tues. to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. to Thurs. 9:30 am to 8:30 pm; Sundays 1-5 pm until Victoria Day ESQUESING HISTORICAL SOCIETY SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS Wed. 9 March 2005 Digging for History in an Archive! – The Esquesing Historical Society Archives marks the starting point for exploring several local Archives – The Town of Halton Hills, Peel Region, Halton Regional Museum and Wellington Archives. Find out what’s available and how you can access it. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Georgetown, 7:30 p.m. Wed. 13 April 2005 Mayhem to Murder – Author Paul Arculus joins us to reveal pioneer era organized crime in Canada West! The “Markham Gang” was responsible for many crimes across the Province in the 1840s. Hear about petty theft, burglary, forgery and even murder. Even the settlers of Esquesing experienced the terror spawned by this gang! Mark this date on your calendar and learn about the “good old days”! KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Georgetown, 7:30 p.m. Wed. 11 May 2005 Development of Religion in Esquesing – Explore our heritage of faith with local historian Rev. Rick Ruggle as he outlines the development of various religions in all areas of Esquesing, including the villages of Georgetown and Acton. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Georgetown, 7:30 p.m. Wed. 8 June 2005 Limehouse Kilns – A pot luck dinner in Limehouse, followed by a tour of the ruins of the Lime kilns, saw mill and blanket factory, with an emphasis on the restoration work being sponsored by the Limehouse Kiln Society. Susan Cox will be our guide. Arrive with a dish to share or come later for the tour! All welcome including families who love history! MEMORIAL HALL, Limehouse, 6:00 / 7:15 p.m. ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE! Refreshments served from 7:00 p.m. Society Notes INTERNET CONNECTIONS The Esquesing Historical Society has an official web site on the World Wide Web. Send your e-mail to rowem@aztec-net.com or dlvngstn@stn.net Canadian Council of Archives web site: EHS NEWSLETTER John Mark Rowe prepared this newsletter with assistance from Karen Hunter and Dawn Livingstone. Submissions welcome. MEMBERSHIP Our 2004 membership was 109. Our 2005 paid memberships now stand at 65. Please encourage friends and family to join the EHS and support our efforts to preserve and share our local history. The individual rate is $10. The family or institution rate is $12. Cheques payable to the Society can be mailed to our post box. Marj Allen, membership secretary, is now accepting your 2005 renewal fee, due in February. This is the LAST newsletter for those who have not renewed their membership! ARCHIVES Our 2004 Archival report has revealed our highest number of visits ever to our website: 58 954 hits! We have received a large collection from Karen Scott which is being processed. An 1897 marksman ship certificate for Lachlan Grant, found behind a 1911 county council picture, has been added to the archives. Halton’s District Women’s Institute have donated many of their Esquesing Tweedsmuir History books and related collections. Ada Deans from BC donated a copy of her completed family history on the Shortreeds from the Scotch Block area. The original 1843 book of the constitution and minutes of the Georgetown Esquesing Union Sabbath School have been donated, coming originally from the estate of Janet McDougal. Shirley and Bill Somerville have donated a box of Kinsmen paper history, and Barbara and Lorne Hunter donated a book of the minutes of the last Chapel Street Parent Teacher Association. Barbara was the last secretary of that group. Mary Anderson Treviranus donated a Red Cross certificate. Finally another donation of photographs has been received from John McDonald. It contains in part, 27 glass plate negatives, 35 tin type negatives, 39 carte visite pictures, and approximately 1,000 celluloid negatives, many of which are Limehouse area pictures. HALTON-PEEL OGS Chinguacousy Branch Library, Lower Level, 150 Central Park Drive, Bramalea. Call Betty Cameron at 905-792-0907 March 20: Glen Wright, Documenting Service in the First World War: Sources and Suggestions. BRAMPTON HIST. SOCIETY The Society meets at Heart Lake Presbyterian Church, 25 Ruth Ave. March 17: Annual Meeting & History Quiz MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Society meets at the Waldie Blacksmith Shop at 16 James Street at 8p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. OAKVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Wednesday, March 30: 6:30 p.m. Annual General Meeting Knox Presbyterian Church - Lakeshore Rd. E. and Dunn St. (89 Dunn St. Entrance) Potluck supper and history video Wednesday, April 20: 7:30 p.m. "Brewing in Canada-A History of Ale: A Colourful Tale." A Talk by Allan Sneath Knox Presbyterian Church Admission Free  Donations Welcome The facilities at 110 King Street are open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The Collection and reference material are available for consultation, with assistance from Society volunteers. For information about the Oakville Historical Society and the collection, please telephone (905) 844-2695. LOST JACKET Our September meeting was held at Boston Presbyterian Church, and at that meeting someone left a white windbreaker.  It was thought the gentleman wearing it had been sitting in the middle area of the audience, was taking photographs, downstairs and upstairs, and was one of the last persons to leave that evening.  If the jacket belongs to you, please contact Dawn Livingstone. BOOK SALES TEAM Many people in our Society would like to help but cannot provide a monthly or long-term commitment. Carol Wood, our esteemed purveyor of tomes historical, would like to establish a reserve of people who would be willing to attend different events throughout the year and sell our publications. Putting your name on the list just means we will ask if you’re available for a couple of hours on such and such a date. Just give your name to Carol or send her an e-mail at hobo@globalserve.net ! CALL FOR MEETING IDEAS Your Historical Society executive has worked hard to book a variety of interesting meeting topics but we wonder if we’re missing some good ideas? Are there some topics you have thought would be nice to hear about? Do you remember a meeting from the past that you’d like repeated? Do you know of an interesting speaker who would speak to us for a reasonable fee or perhaps even gratis? The topics can be local history or of a broader nature. Please e-mail your ideas to mrowe6@cogeco.ca or speak to any member of the executive. DOROTHY MCLEAN WAS A FAITHFUL MEMBER Long-time member of the EHS, Dorothy McLean of Norval has died at the Bennett Centre. She contributed to the collection of history about Norval and area, where she was born. Her great knowledge about local affairs will be missed. CONDOLENCES TO JOAN AUGUSTINE Long-Time member of the EHS, Joan Augustine has lost her husband of 45 years. Clifford Jameson Augustine, aged 74, died on 16 February at Credit Valley Hospital. The EHS would like to send our condolences to Joan. MIDNIGHT AT THE DRAGON CAFÉ We feature this fiction book because the author, Judy Fong Bates, lived in Acton. Indeed local readers have said there are many, many Acton and area landmarks and tales incorporated in this fictional story. It is available from Amazon.ca for $9.99. Ken Setterington from Toronto posted this review on the internet: A good friend told me that this was the best book she had read in years! I am in total agreement and I will be urging fellow readers to savour the delights of Midnight at the Dragon Cafe with the same fervour. Judy Fong Bates's first novel allows one to not only explore the world of the Chinese/Canadian restaurant/greasy spoons that were in every community across Canada, but also discover the loneliness, passions, joys and heartache that were experienced by those who ran the restaurants. The story of young Su-Jen and her family striving for a better life in Canada is a beautifully haunting tale told by a master storyteller. I couldn't recommend it more highly. Mayhem to Murder: The History of the Markham Gang Organized Crime in Canada West during the 1840's. The Esquesing Historical Society is very pleased to bring you Paul Arculus, author of Mayhem to Murder on Wednesday 13 April at Knox Church, Georgetown. Besides exploring this horrifying gang of thugs from the 1840s, the EHS hoped that a parallel or connection could be drawn to the local Jones’ Gang of the 1850s. Join us to see what is uncovered! Kelly Crowe, of CBC Television, took part in the official launch of Mayhem & Murder, the story of the Markham Gang at the historic Town Hall 1873, Port Perry on Saturday, October 18, 2003. Kelly is seen looking over the book with local historian and author Paul Arculus. Paul Arculus Mayhem to Murder: The History of the Markham Gang Organized Crime in Canada West during the 1840's.   In June 1845, the British Colonist, a popular Toronto newspaper, revealed that an organized gang of outlaws was in operation across the province. They came mainly from the regions surrounding Toronto, particularly to the east. The press named them the 'Markham Gang'.   The range of crimes was extensive - from petty theft, burglary, forgery and an elaborate system of horse stealing, to murder. Their crimes extended throughout the province and beyond.   Markham Gang members were not idle, unemployed ne'er-do-wells or vagrants; they were successful merchants and businessmen, and errant sons and daughters of respectable families. This was a homegrown, nineteenth century Canadian 'mafia', one of the earliest known cases of organized crime in British North America.   Four members of the gang were sentenced to be executed. Then, quietly, their sentences were reduced to life in prison. But within five years they were mysteriously released. Most court and prison records have disappeared. Indeed, many of those convicted went on to become prominent citizens; their criminal past somehow kept quiet. The Halton-Peel Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is proud to host Colloquium 2005   April 23, 2005 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location:  Maplegrove United Church, 346 Maplegrove Drive, Oakville   THEME:  Finding those Elusive Ancestors Our keynote speaking is the well-known author and expert on the Mississauga Indians Professor Donald Smith of the Department of History, University of Calgary Speakers Include: Christine Bourolias on Family Court Records Ruth Burkholder on German Ancestors in Early Ontario Brian Gilchrist on Beginning Genealogy  Sharon Murphy on Following a family through the Census Marian Press on internet resources Colloguium 2005 is a one day event of interest in genealogists and family historians.  Registration is limited to 250 participants.  Time has been scheduled for participant browsing at the various vendor and exhibitor tables. The Esquesing Historical Society will have a table at this event!  If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to be in touch.  Ann Logan at 905-845-7755 or annchristinelogan@yahoo.ca Jane Watt at 905-281-1701 or jwatt@ica.net Saturday March 19, at 7:30 p.m. The Milton Historical Society and Waldie’s Blacksmith Shop Waldie’s Blacksmith Shop presents Dirt to Metal - Bar to Object A historical tour of IRON from smelter to your home. Just what is 'wrought iron'? Where exactly does it come from? What kinds of things were made from it? Join professional blacksmith and museum consultant Darrell Markewitz for an illustrated overview of the history of iron, the blacksmith and iron objects. We will see how dirt (iron ores) were smelted to useable iron bars. There will be a discussion of the various forges and tools used by blacksmiths over the ages. Finally there will be a look at the types of objects created by blacksmiths from the Celtic Iron Age through to the Canadian Settlement era. Saturday March 19, at 7:30 p.m. the Milton Historical society and the Waldie’s Blacksmith Shop are pleased to offer this engaging and informative presentation. Held at the shop 16 James Street Milton, the cost is $5 and space is limited so please register in advance. For more information or to register please call (905) 875-4156. Daily Leader, 3 April, 1855 Was the “Markham Gang” Ever Broken Up? Nine years ago the public was startled by evidence of the existence of an extensive band of robbers, burglars, and horse thieves extending over a considerable portion of Upper Canada and having connections in the United States. To these formidable maurauders the local name of the “Markham gang” was given; but if it was intended to designate the township of Markham as the sole location of these thieves, it did injustice to that place, and gave to the gang a name far more limited than there was reason to believe, was the scene of their operations. Some slight inroads have been made upon this gang of banded robbers and thieves, and we are led by recent circumstances to ask whether it was ever broken up? The prevalence of horse thieving over nearly the whole of Upper Canada, with several indications, semm to attest the existence of the organization in more than its original strength. We shall touch upon some of the evidence that goes to establish this view of the case. There are strong grounds for supposing that Whitchurch and not Markham, is the head-quarters of the gang, and the organization is believed to extend over the counties of York, Ontario, Peel, Simcoe, Grey and Halton. The circumstances connected with the arrest of one Reinhart, who lived at Silvercreek, Esquesing for burglary, strengthen the suspicion that this gang is still in existence. About a fortnight ago, two men entered the house of Major Barnes, in Esquesing; one of them masked, and the other with his face blackened. It was in the night and Major Barnes was in bed. The burglars demanded his money, presenting a revolver at his head. He had a pistol; but the robbers took it from him and compelled him to give up his money, amounting to two hundred and forty dollars. …Reinhart was connected as a horse thief... On the same night that Major Barnes was robbed, another robbery was attempted at one of the labourers’ villages, on the Grand Trunk Railway, two or three miles west of Georgetown. … A person of the name of Matthews, a butcher who was known to have money, and who resided nearly in the centre of the village of shanties, had his dwelling broken into by two persons, who struck him with a club that rendered him for a time, insensible. His wife escaped, and the robbers, after ransacking some boxes went off without getting any money; Matthews having his cash in the pockets of his trousers, which were put under his bed…. Last Fall another person residing near one corner of the township of Esquesing, supposed to be connected with this gang of horse thieves was arrested... An extensive robbery of a store at Rockwood, last Fall, was supposed to be the work of… Some time ago, a person from the neighbourhood of Short Hills went to reside near Silvercreek, taken there it was believed, by a person of considerable means. This man passed for a “Yankee” doctor: but there is reason to believe that the “doctor” was assumed as a cloak to his real profession, which was not discovered while he lived. He lived obscurely in a small house; and with his medical pretensions contrived to get along without exciting any active suspicions. At length he died; and after his death it was discovered that a fire was kept in the house, which ought to have been empty, on Sundays. Suspicion was aroused by this circumstance; and an investigation of the mystery was determined on. Barber and Young of Georgetown, opened the way to the exploration of the premises, wherein were discovered dies, metals and all the apparatus for coining. But as the “doctor” was dead, he became the scape-goat; nothing to warrant the arrest of any particular party having been elicited, although suspicion rests on several. The connection of this person with some known or strongly suspected of having belonged to the “Markham Gang” years ago... Excerpts from the Georgetown Sabbath School Union Minutes Book At a meeting held on the evening of the 13th November 1843 at the house of Mr. John Dolson in Georgetown, by a number of the inhabitants of the vicinity, Mr. John Freeman being called to the chair, and James Robertson appointed secretary, the following resolutions were adopted. First, Resolved that we do form a Society to be called, the Georgetown Esquesing Union Sunday School Society, the object of which shall be, to extend Religious and Useful instruction to the Youth and Children of the Vicinity… Resolved that it is expedient for this meeting to elect officers to conduct the business of this Society until the time of the regular annual meeting in January – The following persons were chosen for term: Mr. James Barber – President Mr. John Freeman – Treasurer Mr. James Robertson – Secretary & Librarian Mr. Charles Kennedy – Superintendent of the Sunday School George Kennedy ? Henry Grass ? Joseph Barber ? Committee Samuel Kennedy ? Michael Farmer ? Subscribers to the Union Sunday School Society Henry Grass £0/1/3 Charles Kennedy 1/3 Michael Farmer 1/3 John Freeman 3/1½ John Dolson 1/3 James Gillies 1/3 Andrew Schram 2/6 William Crawford 1/3 Calvin Lyman 1/3 John Franz 1/3 George Kennedy 1/3 James Stinson 1/3 John Burt 1/3 Robertson Creelman 1/3 John H. Robinson 1/3 George Kennedy James Freeman 1/3 Heritage of Faith: Spiritual and Sacred Places Our pictoral salute to our Heritage of Faith did not make the local papers this year! However, we had several submissions of which only two were correct. A year’s free membership goes to Jack Livingstone and our most stalwart participant – Ruth McBride! The correct answer to each photo is as follows: 1. Baptist, Georgetown 2. Episcopal Methodist (United), Georgetown 3. Methodist, Limehouse 4. Presbyterian, Norval 5. Presbyterian, Scotch Block 6. Baptist, Acton 7. Anglican, Hornby 8. Presbyterian, Georgetown 9. Wesleyan Methodist (United), Acton 10. Roman Catholic, Georgetown With the exception of #9, all these churches are still standing. 1 Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter 10 Esquesing Historical Society Newsletter