Results for ‘Historical MUSINGS’
What They Mean-Famous People That Bore the Name-The Name in History, Literature, Etc.
By Henry W. Fischer
[Welland Telegraph, 19 April 1912]
BARBARA
Barbara is the feminine of a Greek word denoting “stranger,” which was bodily adopted by the Romans.
The first known Barbara was a native of Asia Minor, and the reputation of being “barbarian” became attached to her when she lived at Heliopolis, Egypt.
American starwort is Barbara’s emblem and “Welcome” her sentiment.
St. Barbara, the daughter of a Roman noble, was beheaded by her own cruel parent when he found out that she had become a Christian. Her name day is December 4.
Among the miracles ascribed to St. Barbara are “conversations with Christ.” It is also reported that she was carried to heaven by angels.
St. Barbara is the only saint pictured with such modern warlike implements as cannons, this owing to the fact that in Europe the artillerists regard her as their patron. She is also the patron of miners, and in Germany and France little children pray to her for protection during thunder storms.
Barbara Villiers was the maiden name of the famous beauty of the court of Charles II, both during the king’s exile and while in power. She was imperious, bold, dazzling and scornful, often insolent, and made the king ridiculous by her relations to the stage, yet she was created Duchess of Cleveland and vastly enriched by the merry monarch.
“Barbara Allen’s Cruelty” is one of the very old English ballads found in Percy’s “Reliques.” A most pleasing Barbara is that of Charles Dickens’ “Old Curiosity Shop.” “The Slavery,” tidy, demure and exceedingly pretty, catches a good husband in the end.
“Lady Babbie” in “The Little Minister,” helped to increase Maude Adams fame. “Lady Bab” is an amusing character in the comedy, “High Life Below Stairs.”
In the Initial Years all the Pupils Paid Fees
ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS IN WELLAND
By John McCaw
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 17 June 1924]
The establishment of the first common school in Welland dates back to 1836. No records appear to have been preserved as to the manner in which the school was supported or conducted from that date to 1858, but it must have been supported largely by pupils tuition fees.
The first school house erected by the municipality was a frame building, situated on the east side in the year 1848. Christopher McAlpine being the first teacher, he was succeeded by Gilbert Cook, Hy Brown and E.R. Hellems, the latter in more recent years being village and town clerk and police magistrate.
The building served till 1858 when it was replaced by a substantial and more commodious brick, two-room school on the same site, with Mr. Hellems as teacher. As time went on and the population increased, it was found necessary to build another school for the accommodation of the junior pupils residing on the north side of the river and in 1862 a brick one-room building was erected on the north side with a Mr. Brainard as teacher, who remained in charge for several years.
During this period and for some time after, the Rev. Chas. Walker and Rev. Joel Briggs were local superintendents, respectively.
In 1854 a higher institution of learning known as the Welland Grammar School was conducted by Nelson Burns and later on, or about 1860 and for some years later, by J.E. Hodgson, who was afterwards public school inspector for the County of York.
This institution was located on what is now known as the River Road, on the A.J. McAlpine farm, afterwards moving to the vacant room in the east side school building.
In January, 1866, the first Grammar School, under the new Grammar School Act, was established in the village. It was an experiment and at the first meeting of the Board, the secretary was instructed to communicate with the chief superintendent and ascertain on what basis the school would be entitled to the Government Grant in case it was not kept open the whole year. Chas. H. Mackridge was installed as head-master on April 1st of the same year and terminated his engagement one month later, owing to financial embarrassment of the board.
The school on the north side of the river was at this time in charge of Miss H. Cook and that on the south side was presided over by Robt. Lamont.
As a last resort, the Grammar School Board decided, if possible, to amalgamate with the common school board, this union having been effected was continued till 1871. J.W. Jolly was engaged as head-master, occupying a room in the east side building till February, 1868, when he resigned, being succeeded by W.A. Delematter.
In 1871, the union board was dissolved. It was also in this year that the names, “Grammar” and “Common” Schools were changed to “High” and “Public” Schools by Act of Parliament.
The children of school age in the town at this period numbered 280.
The next master was E.M. Bigg, who was succeeded by Wm. Oliver.
In 1870 the increased school population now numbered 328 and necessitated the building of a school house exclusively for the use of the Grammar School, so that the building on the east side of the canal could be used entirely for common school purposes.
The Grammar School continued to occupy this building till 1879 when a commodious two-storey brick building was erected on the west side, exclusively for High School purposes. J.M. Dunn was master at the time and continued as such till his decease, a period of about 15 years.
In September, 1877, the County Model School was established in Welland, with the late Robert Grant as Principal, continuing in operation till abolished by the Educational Department some years later. In 1903 a kindergarten department was added to the public school.
In 1900 the need for increased public school accommodation was manifest and the board purchased a site of nearly three acres, very conveniently situated and erected a commodious eight-room building known as the Central School, abolishing the ward schools. This was thought at the time to be ample provision for the school population for years to come, but the growth of the town demonstrated the need of more accommodation and in 1909 a four-room addition was added to the Central School and a three-room building erected on the north side of the river.
As the town continued to grow the need for more school accommodation was apparent and since 1909 three additional eight-room buildings have been erected to provide for the 1500 pupils of public school age in the city.
The public school staff at present is composed of 36 teachers, including the supervisor, with an annual pay roll of over $38,000.
In 1878 the estimates were $2,000 with 3 or 4 teachers; in 1908, $6,570 with 9 teachers; in 1911, $12,000, with 14 teachers; in 1902, $57,000 with 36 teachers.
J. Flower was appointed as head teacher in January, 1905.
EDUCATIONAL RULES IN WELLAND IN 1817
A century ago there were meagure beginnings of a system of education in this community. Then there was a Board of Education for the Niagara district, of which Ralph Clench was secretary.
Mr. Clench sent out to the teachers a circular of instruction which we reproduce here as an item of historic interest.
RULES
1-The master to commence the labors of the day by a short prayer.
2-School to commence each day at nine o’clock of the forenoon, and five hours at least to be taught during the day, except on Saturday.
3-Diligence and emulation to be cherished and encouraged by rewards judiciously distributed, to consist of little pictures and books according to the age of the scholar.
4-Cleanliness and good order to be indispensable, and corporal punishment seldom necessary, except for bad habits learned at home, lying, disobedience, obstinacy, and perverseness, these sometimes require chastisement; but gentleness even in these cases would be better with most children.
5-All other offences in children, arising chiefly from liveliness and inattention are better corrected by shame, such as gaudy hats, placing the culprits by themselves, not admitting any to play with them for a day or days, detaining them after school hours, or during play afternoon, and by ridicule.
6-The master must keep a regular catalogue of his scholars and mark every day they are absent.
7-The forenoon of Wednesday and of Saturday, to be set apart for religious instruction; to render it agreeable the school should be furnished with at least ten copies of Barrow’s Questions on the New Testament, and the teacher to have one copy of the key to these questions for his own use. The teacher should likewise have a copy of Murray’s Power of Religion on the Mind, Watkin’s Scripture Biography, and Blair’s Class Book, the Saturday Lessons of which are well calculated to impress religious feeling.
These books are confined to religious denomination, and do not prevent the master from teaching such Catechism as the parents of the children may adopt.
8-Every day to close with reading publicly a few verses from the New Testament, proceeding regularly through the gospels.
9-The afternoon of Wednesday and of Saturday, to be allowed for play.
10-A copy of the rules to be affixed up in a conspicuous place in the schoolroom, and to be read publicly to the scholars every Monday morning by the teacher.
Niagara, Aug. 5, 1817
By Louis Blake Duff
[Pelham PNYX 1933]
“Wick is a common element in names, Norse as well as Anglo-Saxon, and while the spelling of the word is the same in both languages, the meaning is different. With the Anglo-Saxons it was a station or abode on land, that is a house or village.
The settlement of Pelham began about 1790. The Crown grants of the farms where Fenwick is now located were made in 1798 and 1801—two to David Sharpe, two to Martin McClelland and one each to Benjamin Hill and Christopher Bert. The first schoolhouse lot was leased, not deeded in 1844 by Benjamin Corwin of Stamford, to James Disher, Leonard Haney and Simcoe Chapman as “Town Wardens for the township of Pelham in the County of Lincoln in the District of Niagara”. Welland county had not come into being until more than a decade later.
This schoolhouse was to be for the benefit of the inhabitants of Union School District No. 7. The consideration of the lease was five shillings, and it was stipulated that the lease was to terminate if no school was maintained for five years. The School Trustees were James E. Hutt and Joseph Garner.
The “Church corner” was bought in 1860 by Rev. John Wilkerson, Jacob Crow Jr., Abishai R. Crossman, Leonard Loucks, Edward Early, Benjamin Loree and James Swayze—“Trustees of the Chapter of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connection at Fenwick”. This church deed marks the first use of the name Fenwick so far as Registry Office records show. The name however had been in use for seven years. The place had been known in former years as Diffin’s Corners—and that name dates back to 1845 when George and Benjamin Diffin bought a lot and began the operation of an inn.
The post office was opened on April 1st in 1853 with Leonard Haney as first postmaster. That was the birth of Fenwick. Why Fenwick? That is a question I cannot answer. Local tradition says it was named in honour of a famous military man, General Sir William Henwick Williams, the hero of Kars. Tradition is usually right or nearly right but, I am doubtful in this case. The Reeve of Pelham was Dr. John Fraser, The first Warden of thecounty. He was born in Fenwick in Scotland. It is not unreasonable to conclude he had a part in the naming.
Leonard Haney was succeeded as postmaster by James Brackhill. Mr Brackhill had come to Fenwick in 1858, but soon after joined a large party of adventurers who set out for the gold fields in California. Mr Brackhill never returned for he lost his life when the steamer, Goldengate, in which he was a passenger, was destroyed by fire off the Californian Coast. He was succeeded as postmaster by James W. Taylor, Fletcher Swayze, Pattison and Diffin, Barney Hare, O.A. Stringer, F.W. Hutt, J. Edsall, William Swayze. W.H. Fry and Frank Tunnacliffe. This information I had a decade ago from the late Augustus Hyatt.
The first plan of Fenwick was filed in 1924 and the street names there listed will pass down to the future the memory of former residents of the village. Haney Street records the names of Henry R. Haney,M.D., at one time Superintendent of Schools in Pelham and who was M.P.P. for Monck when he died in 1878 and also that of Capt. A.W. Haney, who recruited a company of volunteer infantry at Fenwick for the 44th battalion at the time of the Fenian invasion of 1866. Garner Avenue commemorates the name of County Warden Joseph Garner, who occupied the Reeveship of Pelham for more than a score of years; Baxter Lane is named for one who spent the closing years of a long life at Fenwick—Rev. Michael Baxter, a retired Methodist clergyman.
THE PRESBYTERIAN MANSE
[Welland Tribune, 7 September 1906]
property, consisting of ¼ acre of land with fine commodious dwelling and barn.
The purchaser will be required to search the title at his own expense.
All parties bidding on said property will be required to make a deposit of $50 with the first bid as a guarantee of good faith. The money will be refunded to any not being the purchaser. The balance of the purchase
money will be required from the purchaser within thirty days from the day of sale.
The highest or any bid not necessarily accepted.
For information apply to ABRAM ANGLE, Wellandport
Trustees: ABRAM ANGLE, THOMAS W. FREURE, A.J. DALRYMPLE
By Esther M. Holmes [The Welland Telegraph]
Wellandport is a post village, prettily situated on the north bank of the Welland River (also known as Chippawa Creek), in the township of Gainsboro, county of Lincoln, about twenty-fives miles from the mouth of the river; also the centre of the electoral county of Monck. Monck elects a member to the Legislative Assembly at Toronto, and all county conventions and nominations for members has been held here since Confederation, 1867.
First Settlers
The first settlers in this district were Vaughns, Henrys, Dils(sometimes spelled Dills, Dilce,Dilts) and Humphreys, in the years between 1795 and 1800. Between 1800 and 1812—Miseners, Heaslips, Robins and Hortons settled here. Most of these settlers passed to their new homes in canoes from the mouth of the Welland at Niagara River; it was the best highway in summer in canoes and boats, and in winter with sleighs on the ice.
First Mills
The first mill was built in 1816, at what was then called The Narrows (now village of Wellandport), so named from the narrow strip or ridge of land , only a few rods wide, where the Beaver Creek narrowly escapes uniting with the Welland River. In 1820 there was a grist mill, saw mill and distillery situated at the west end of the town, and a tannery about the centre of the town, the place where J.A. Ross’ barn now stands. The first general store was built here about this time, owned and operated by Mr. Humphrey. The supply of goods in the store was bought at Old Niagara and Buffalo, carried here by means of boats and sleighs on the river. In 1841 much timber and lumber was shipped from here. The saw mill, which stood where the grist mill now stands, ran day and night, employing about twenty hands. There is a large grain storehouse here and in early days large quantities of wheat were bought here. I have Samuel Holmes wheat purchase book which states that in September , 1855 the price per bushel was thirteen shillings ($1.62c); by the 11th of October the price was fifteen shillings six pence. This was the price paid until late that fall. In the fall of 1856 the price paid was ten to eleven shillings, and in the fall of 1857, seven shillings and six pence, a very few loads were bought at eight shillings per bushel..
Schools of Early Days
The first schoolhouse in this neighborhood, attended by the children of the village, was built at Wm. Dils’ lane (property now owned by H.B. Brooks), about one mile west of the village. The first teacher of this log school was Wilson, alias Nappertandy. The second school was in a log building at the north end of the cemetery, a few hundred yards south of the village, on the bank of the Welland River, the teacher being Michael Brennan, an Irishman. The next school was a frame building built in the village on the present school lot. It is disputed as to whether Michael Brennan or John Fairgrave, a Scotsman, was the first teacher. In 1860 the first female teacher was employed in Wellandport school, a Miss Miller, at a salary of $300 a year, and an attendance from seventy-five to eighty pupils. The trustees debated in respect to having a female teacher—the opinion was that a woman could never control a school.One trustee said “Let us give her a trial; The British Empire is ruled by a woman , and cannot a woman rule a school?’ I am pleased to say this teacher, Mrs. Simes, is still living, and resides in Dunnville. The present school is the third one built on the grounds, and the present teacher a female, at a salary of $725, and an attendance of about 55 to 60.
First Church was Methodist
The first church attended by the village people was built in 1835 on Leonard Heaslip’s farm, about one mile west of Wellandport. It was a Wesleyian Methodist.
The first church built in the village was the present Presbyterian Church, erected in 1868. Chairman of building committee, Alexander Makeague, secretary, Gavin Robinson , and the first trustees of the church were Jas. Rice, Alexander Youngs and Gavin Robinson; the first minister being the Rev. James Malcolm. The Methodist Church in the village was built in 1884; first minister was the Rev. Henry A. Cook. I will add as a matter of history that this church was the first Methodist Church dedicated in the Dominion of Canada after the union of all Methodist churches , namely—Wesleyian, Episcopal, Bible Christians.
First Postoffice
The people of this district, up to the time of 1841 went either to Smithville or St. Catharines for postal service. On October 5th, 1841, a post office was opened here, and given the name of Wellandport, as many boats came on the Welland River at that time to bring in goods and carry out grain and lumber. Luke Cavers was postmaster, and held that position until July 30th 1853. Samuel Holmes was then appointed and remained until 1874. when Dilly C. Coleman was appointed and remained until January 3rd, 1899. At that time James R. Goring, the present postmaster, was appointed.
Cheap Whiskey
This was a very lively village from 1861 to 1865, having double the population it has now, many Americans coming here to avoid being drafted in the army, as this was the time of the rebellion in the United States. Two or three large scows were built here during this period, to carry cord wood, stave bolts and such to Buffalo. They would carry two hundred and fifty cords of wood. The river is navigable here for boats drawing eight to nine feet of water. In 1851 Peter Sammons kept a general store here and had a license to sell liquor retail. The fee was twenty dollars, which went to the township. Whiskey was sold at 31c, rum, gin, and brandy at $1.50 per gallon. At that time there were four hotels in the village, and whiskey was sold to the hotel-keepers at 25c per gallon. I have Peter Sammons day book giving these facts
The Bridges
The first bridge used to cross the Welland River here was built near the present grist mill. It was a float bridge constructed of pine logs. The road then was along the river bank. The second was a bent bridge on mud sills, a very low bridge, situated where the present one now stands, but extending about three times the length. The third and fourth bridges were spile bridges and the present iron and stone bridge was built in the summer of 1883 by Thos Ray, contractor, the cost being about $10,000.
Monck county electoral division Agricultural Society was established here in 1868, and has been kept up ever since. The first president was George Secord, M.P.P., St Anns, and secretary , Dilly C. Coleman Wellandport. The first fair was held in 1870 and there has been a fall fair every year since, except for two or three years when it was called off on account of extreme wet weather.
Two Big Fires
On the morning of January 2nd, 1882 , the village was nearly wiped out by fire, destroying about twenty buildings. The second very destructive fire was on the morning of August 24th 1910, wiping out twelve buildings—not quite so many but more valuable buildings than in previous fire, this incurring heavier loss.
The Village Today
In this village four lodges or societies have been established, namely,–Masonic, Home Circle, Foresters and Chosen Friends. The town has an abundant supply of natural gas, a very enterprising people, having cement sidewalks. The head office of the Dunnville , Wellandport abd Beamsville Ellectric Railway is situated here.. At present the town consists of two general stores, furniture and undertaking store, branch of the Sterling Bank, two churches Methodist and Presbyterian, two parties deal in agricultural implements, barber shop. One hotel (temperance), tailor shop, two butcher shops, Bell Telephone central (open day and night , grist mill, two blacksmith shops, cheese-box factory, Masonic Hall and wheat storehouse. We have very good postal service here, three daily mails.
My father has known the village well since 1847, when raceway, flood gates and tannery vats could be seen. His father settled near the Narrows of Chippawa (this village) in 1830 and father got much information from Samuel G. Wiggins, who came here in 1822 aged about twelve years and lived here most of his time up to 1904, when he moved to Fort Erie.
[Moore’s Rural New Yorker, 24 July 1858]
We 
have read a story of a little boy who, when he wanted a new suit of clothes, begged his mother to ask his father if he might have it. The mother suggested that the boy ask for himself. “I would,” said the boy, “but I don’t feel well enough acquainted with him.” There is a sharp reproof of that father in the reply of his son. Many a father keeps his children so at a distance from him, that they never feel confidentially acquainted with him. They feel that he is a sort of monarch in the family. They feel no familiarity with him. They fear him, and respect him, and even love him some, for children can not help loving some everybody about them, but they seldom get near enough to him to feel intimate with him. They seldom go to him with their little wants and trials. They approach him through the mother. They tell her everything.-They have a highway to her heart on which they go in and out with perfect freedom. In this keeping-off plan fathers are to blame. Children should not be held off. Let them come near. Let them be as intimate with the father as with the mother. Let their little hearts be freely opened. It is wicked to freeze up the love-fountains of little one’s hearts. Father’s do them an injury by living with them as strangers. This drives many a child away from homes for the sympathy his heart craves, and often into improper society. It nurses discontents and distrusts which many a child does not outgrow in his lifetime. Open your hearts and your arms, fathers; be free with your children; ask for their wants and trials. Play with them; be fathers to them truly, and then they will not need a meditating between themselves and you. -Valley Farmer
[Moore’s Rural New Yorker, 17July 1858]
But by-and-by the drawing-room doors are thrown open, and the ambassadress enters, smiling a kind and gracious welcome. Behind her are her daughters; by her side a tall, fashionable, haughty beauty. I could not help thinking how beautiful she looked; but the next instant my eyes wandered from her cold unamiable face to a lady modestly standing on the other side of Lady Stratford. At first I thought she was a nun, from her black dress and close cap. She was not introduced, and yet Edmund and I looked at each other at the same moment to whisper, “It is Miss Nightingale!”- Yes, it was Florence Nightingale, greatest of all in name and honor among women. I assure you that I was glad not to be obliged to speak just then, for I felt quite dumb as I looked at her wasted figure and the short brown hair combed over her forehead like a child’s, cut so when her life was despaired of from fever but a short time ago.- Her dress, as I have said was black, made high to the throat, its only ornament being a large enamelled broach which looked to me like the colors of a regiment surrounded with a wreath of laurels, no doubt some grateful offering from our men. To hide the close white cap a little, she had tied a white crepe handkerchief over the back of it, only allowing the border of lace to be seen, and this gave the nun-like appearance which first struck me on her entering the room, otherwise Miss Nightingale is no way striking in appearance. Only her plain black dress, quiet manner and great renown told so powerfully altogether in that assembly of brilliant dress and uniforms. She is very slight, rather above the middle height, her face is long and thin but this might be from recent illness and great fatigue. She has a very prominent nose, slightly Roman; and small dark eyes, kind yet penetrating; but her face does not give you at all the idea of great talent.- Mrs. Hornby’s Court of the Sultan.
What They Mean-Famous People That Bore the Name-The Name in History, Literature, Etc.
By Henry W. Fischer
[Welland Telegraph, 27 February 1912]
MILDRED
Mildred is one of the few ancient Saxon names that retain the original spelling. Its meaning is not complimentary by any means. The first syllable sounds nice enough but the last means, threaten. Mildred, then, should be translated “mild threatener.” Hollyhock mallows are her emblem.
The calendar has two Mildreds, known as St. Milreda and St. Milburga. The later was abbess of Shropshire and her name became popular as Milborough, but this did not survive.
Mildred was the second wife of Burghley, the great prime minister of Elizabeth. She was a daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke.
ALMA
Alma means “All good.” It is a very old name, but never achieved any special distinction.
Editorial Louis Blake Duff
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 20 March 1924]
The Parks Superintendent reports that recently planted trees in Merritt Park have been interfered with, presumably by small boys. This conclusion is arrived at by the fact that the damage was done with a jack-knife.
Apart from showing very bad manners this is an act of wanton destruction. The trees were purchased by the Board of Parks Management and planted as part of their scheme in the beautification of the city, and yet for no apparent reason certain boys have seen fit to tear them up and destroy them.
The parks of Welland are being developed and beautified for the boys. The parks are really theirs.
Boys, you should look after your own parks and see that not a thing is harmed.
[Welland Telegraph, 31 May 1910]
At the Ontario Club banquet in Toronto last week the Hon. Wm. Puglsey referred to the need of better wharfage and mentioned that proper mechanical appliances should be provided with the necessary depth of water to enable vessels of deep draught carrying large cargoes to discharge them rapidly and cheaply. “That means,” Mr. Puglsey went on, “the deepening and enlarging of the Welland Canal. It is a great work, which must be undertaken in the not distant future. Let me say, however, that this country is big and wealthy enough to undertake these two great works just as soon as we have the National Transcontinental Railway completed. In 1913, at the very outside, it will be completed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the country will be in a position then to undertake these two important works-the enlarging of the Welland Canal and the building of the Montreal-Ottawa-Georgian Bay Canal.”
[Welland Telegraph, 31 May 1910]
The alderman who declares he will introduce a bylaw to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks in this town will find himself supported by a largely preponderating public opinion. Tuesday night one of the most valuable buildings in the down town section was set on fire by fireworks, and in that a splendid industry was threatened with destruction. A little girl in Welland had her eyes injured with a firecracker on Tuesday morning. On a public holiday the fine spirit loaded with firecrackers makes in unsafe for persons or vehicles to travel on Main Street. Property, of course, is always in danger. In St. Catharines on Victoria Day fireworks frightened a horse so that a man and his wife were thrown through a plate glass window and both had to be removed to the hospital.
There is surely something wrong about a pastime that carries with it exasperating annoyance and serious danger. The people of Welland are probably about ready to deny themselves the use of fire crackers.
[See related EVENT: TWO FIRES STARTED/A Number of Charges Against the Pastime of Shooting off Fireworks]
Subscribe..
