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.r. V‘: a: 1“,”an .5 p figfn._c,‘,.w_j ~ _ p yew“ 5'53"" page 3 FOCUS ON CHANT RY Abel Stevens, a Baptist missionary from Vermont, was the first to settle in the district. He was driven from his land in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War. In 1794, he was commissioned by the governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Graves Simcoe, to open up'and deve10p what later was known as Bastard ‘ Township. On foot, armed only with a rifle, Stevens walked 420 miles from York (Toronto) to Brockville, then trekked another fourteen miles through bush to Wilsetown, south of Athens. This area was founded by Benoni Wiltse, another United Empire Loyalist from Vermont. There Stevens was outfitted with an axe, some tools and provisions. He then trudged another six miles through the wild- erness to his new farm, north of Plum Hollow. Stevens cleared the land, built a log cabin, then deeded the property to friends who also had fled VermOnt after the war. Moving northwest, Stevens established a settlement which was called Philipsville after the Philips family. By 1800 Stevens had succeeded in settling 15 United Empire Loyalist's families on land in the triangle formed by Philipsville, Plum Hollow and Newboyne. In 1805 Stevens' daughter, Eunice was deeded prOperty near Chantry. When Isaac, Eunice's brother, was of age he took over this land and built his home there. It is located just west of the centre of the village on Lot lb on the seventh Concession. w,_7 .3 ,TA , _ This property is now owned by Elton Kitson. Thelma Stevens, the i ’ ‘ f‘*t1’l ‘ “ great-great-granddaughter of Abel Stebens lives near Philipsville. This is the story of how Bastard Township got its name. Sometime after settlement in this area was started a notice was sent out from the government that it was necessary to give all municipalities a name. Elder (as he was called because of his position in the church) Jtevens Sr. was appointed a delegate to Toronto to suggest a name, the understanding being it would be called Stevenstown. When Elder arrived at the Crown Land's Office the clerks were busily engaged in naming the townships following, as a rule, the suggestions of the surveyors or interested parties. Elder Stevens was a ealed to and from modesty hesitated in giving the 'Stevenstownzfis ying he did not know what to Call the township. One of the clerks said as it has no father it must be a bastard township and as such was put down on the map. The following is a list of the names of some of the early settlers as taken from the Baptist Church roll. Names on the roll from 1795 to 1805 include Sheldon, Day, Smith, Chamberlain, Seaman, Haskins, Chipman, McCollum, Story, SOper, Huntley, Knapp, Derbyshin Shock and Bullard. Stevens name appeared in 1805. These early settlers came mainly from the New England States. ' Chantry which is located on the road connecting Philipsville and Toledonas known as "The Centre" until 1868. This was not an official name but a local one, it being in the centre of Bastard Township. About 1868 a Post Office was establised there and given the name of Chantry after the first Postmaster, Mr. Sam Chant. Mr. Chant met the mail carrier at Harlem three times a week. He walk- ed and carried the mail on his back. In those days mail was carrim' by stage from Brockville to Westport. Mail for Harlem, Chantry and Portland was taken off at Forfar. The route of a carrier was from Forfar to Harlem then to Portland and back to Forfar. Before this the people of the district went to Philipsville or Beverley (now Delta) for their mail. Isaac Abel Stevens is reputed to have had a school built in the 1820's on what is now the farm of Clarence "Mose" Seed. It was a log building,_rep1aced a few years later by a frame school. In 1882 a stOne school was constructed and it served the community for over 80 years. It was officially closed in 1965 'and the following year the local citizens purchased it. The building is now the Community Hall. Another pioneer school was located at Stoddard's Corner, two and a half miles northemt on the road to Toledo. It was known as the "brick school". Breakenridge's School was built on the road between Chantry and Delta and what was the”Bowser farm? This W$¥later known as Daytown. Chantry Methodist Church ‘I .if“ I" A-IK STAGE COACH IN NEWBORO - ONTARIO WEDNESDAY NIGHT IS SPAGHETTI NIGHT All you can eat FRIDAY NIGHT is "STEAK NIGHT" IO oz. Rib Eye Steak for $7.50 I4 oz. T-BoneSteak for $8.95 16 oz. T-Bone Steak for $9.95 STEAK DINNERS INCLUDE- AII you can eat at our salad bar, Fresh mushrooms or tried onions, Baked potatoes or french fries, Dinner roIIs & Tea or Coffee. SATURDAY NIGHT TRY OUR TENDER JUICY Prime Rib of Beet for $8.95 THE ABOVE DINNER INCIUDES- All you can eat at our soIad bar, Choice of baked potatOe or french fries , Vegetables of the day, Dinner Rolls 8- Tea or Coffee. TRYOURGUflfl SUNDAY SMORGASBORG STARTING AT 5 RM. This includes all you can eat, salad bar, variety of hot and cold dishes, wide variety of homemade desserts and beverages. ALLFOR$&50 lflUFPRKEFORCHEDRENUNDERTZ RESEKWNHONSAPPRECUHED Chantry School 1892 Teacher Mr. Benson Empey