Personal column... How the early settiers b.uilt the Town of Whitbyeh the 1850's By EUGENE M. HENRY It was in 1855, that the Town of Whitby was incor- porated as a separate municipality by a special act of Parliament. So! Throughout the year that lies ahead, the citizens of our town, will be celebrating our 125th birthday, using 1855 as the starting point, We should be mindful, however, that the real roots of Whitby were planted first, earlier in the century, many miles from the four corners of town on the farms and densely wooded lands up to Lake Scugog and west to the Environs of Uxbridge. It was the first set- tier/farmers who took land grants in this area, who built the economic base for the Town of Whitby, in agriculture - and it wasn't easy. Before these good people cou.ld use a plough, to turn a first furrow, Oie land had to be cleared of Oie taîl timber growing on it, in dense stan- ds of birch and balsarn, pine and cedar even oak. The roads were 50 primitive and poor Oiat clearing meant burning, this precious wood where it was felled. The land was devastated, to serve quick, cash crops of grain. Our first farmer/settiers had to use an axe more often than a spade or plough in the days of early settiement. They lived more like back- woodsmen as they cleared their land and built their f ir- st log homes. There were no tractors, graders, or explosives to do a clearing job as our far- mers might today. It was ahl done with back breaking manual labor and it generally took a crew of 4-6 people helped by oxen as shown in this illustration to get things done. Various estimnates have been made as to how fast and at what cost the clearing of land might be accom- plished. An expert axeman could fell ail the trees on an acre and chop them to 12-14 lengths in a week. The bur- ning would be done later. As for the 4-6 man crew with oxen they could fell the trees chop and burn the ac- cumulated wood on an acre, in one day. As to costs, estimates were close to "one per acre, fenced and ready for sowing" with the field dotted with stumps that might remain there for years to corne. When the clearing teamn moved the felled trees and bush into isolated areas on the property. The burning process generally improved the land and when the bur- ning was carelessly done however the land often was left sterile. BRIAN DIEGAN DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC HARWOOD PLACE MALL 683m6074 oea' r~j> M Of CANADA OWNEP OPE RATE* S.. how nice your car can fo Paint açvtcs a lable ROYAL $1 5995 PRM IER $199 SUPRIME ý2999" AIL PAINT bORK GJARANTEED SHOP HOURS Mon tbru Fri 8 &.m, 6 p.mn - Sat 10 a.m. 2 p.. Lm~~ w - w v j p b- SAil this burning of wood generated mountains of ashes that were boiled into potash in nearby "asheries". But that is another story. WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980. PAGE 9 A week of some of the fi nest golf under the Sun on two champlonshlp courses. One week from erperson FREEPORT BAHAMAS This special golf holiday is perfect for the avid golfer. It includes ail the regular SkyL-ark features plus: *Green fees for 5daysat the Emerald and Ruby Country Clubs aULse of motorized golf cart ImAniAtr r in r rsrrtý..2 fVOr. sons per cart for 18 holes per day " Cleaning and storage of clubs a Transportation of clubs on aircraft a This package lis availlable to guests at aIl SkyLark hotels ln Freeport. The weather in the Bahamas during the winter is perfect for golfing. And the non-golfer looking for sun, sand and sports, may deduct $ 89.00 from the inclusive price quoted below. Sampie twln costs per person. One week (Lucayan Harbour Inn) Departures every Sunday via Air Canada scheduied jet service. Nov/Dec. 363 Jan. 428 Feb.,'Mar. 488 Apr. 408 Ail hoiidays featured Include: .Round trip air transportation f romn Toronto to destination with com- plimentary Inf ilght meais é Transfers and baggage handllng between alrport and hotei/ship- Accommodation for number of nlghts specIiled based on double occupancy. Ail prices are per person . Weicome briefing and SkyLark passenger representative service- Skyl-ark beach bag- Plus other features as Indicated under ecd package. Al Stylait Holday% art subject la the ternsand canditions af the Gentralinformation Section ai the Skyl-ark Hlidays Fall andI ainter t1979/80 brochure. Pices are pet persan based an double occupancy and are subjeclt t igh season supplerents. ASK ABOUT CANADA & US A SEAT SALE Vancouver--$209. Calgary- $179. Effective Jan 14/80 Los Angeles--$209. ta Feb 29/80 RUSSELL TRAVEL "Your Travel is our Business" 126 Brock St.S. Whitby 668-5000 Monday to Saturday 9 a.m.to 5 p.rn. SHEERS Mon day - Saturday -29th Ail Colours, 118in. Wide 9a.m. - 6 p.m. /ffAWd'&WK FEBRUARY 4th LUXURIOUS FRENCH VOILA ça I If CIl.II$IO DSrIng your dam.g.d car to MAACO and warîî do tt. rosi. We'll contact your Insurance ag.ncy or broker. Weii mette sur* an adjualer ceea your car. Weii do quaiity work ai a r«eonab$e price and gise you fs a.rvle.06 ; ok FREE MPUNANCE ESTINATES 579-4000 7 to &T.. 710 WILSON RD. S. OSHAWA, ONT. $ 7.5OYARD i 0% OFF Onallother materials chosen from 4,000 Samples Drapery Trucks, Wooden Rods Ail Kinds of Drapery Assessories Availablo A&RY mS GALLERY CUSTOM DRAPERIES 159 BROCK ST.N .,WHITBY 668-3811 a ow ILI IqqmmpFlý