Results for ‘Fenwick’
[Written by Sharon Misener June 26, 2024]
In the 1960s many small farms dotted the lands of Ontario. “Ma and Pa operations” with 100-200 acres of land with 20-40 Holstein cows, sending milk to the local dairy.
As time went on the farmers retired and the farms were turned into hobby farms or swallowed up by the big farms of today.
I grew upon on a dairy farm in Fenwick, Ontario, was an only child. My maternal grandparents lived two miles down the road in Boyle.
A typical day on the farm, my dad was up at 7 a.m, went to the barn to milk the cows. He came into the house at 9a.m. to have breakfast. His favorite cereal was puffed wheat with a good strong perked coffee from A&P.
We had Holstein cows about 40 along with pigs, chickens and sheep. We sent milk to Sunnyside Dairy in Welland. Had a big bulk tank to keep the milk cool, a truck picked up the milk daily. My mother washed the milking machines, the milkhouse had to be clean.
After school I came home, and read the Hamilton Spectator Newspaper then made my way to the barn to feed the cows. They ate chop, silage and hay. I also fed the pigs and calves.
We came into the house and had supper that my mother had prepared. Usually meat, potatoes, vegetables and cake or cookies for dessert. After supper my dad went to the barn to milk the cows. He usually got back to the house about 9 p.m. Myself I played the piano and did homework, afterwhich I watched a bit of TV. 10P.M. was the usual bedtime.
My mother grew a big garden, had potatoes, usually enough to last the winter. Also planted tomatoes, onions, radish, cucumber, pumpkin, cabbage lettuce and peppers to name a few.
We also grew raspberries apples, pears, quince and she always canned 5 bushels of peaches each year. In the yard we had lilacs, rhubarb, and willow trees. My mother planted pink petunias, her favorite, also window boxes of colorful flowers.
We had a hammock in the yard, tables and chairs with flowers all around. Many older evergreen trees grew as well.
In many ways we were self-sufficient.We butchered a cow to have frozen and canned meat. My mother also froze and canned vegetables and fruits. Many weekends I would bake cookies and freeze them.
I went to a one-room school at Boyle, we had grades 1-6, with one teacher. For grades 7-8 I went to Wellandport and for high school Pelham High in Fenwick.
At Boyle we had one teacher who seemed to control the classroom.We had special events at Christmas. I played the piano. We had a concert and a play where the community could attend. Valentines Day we had special treats gave each other valentines. One year we brought our skates and skated on the neighbor’s pond.. There was a field day in Wellandport. We boarded a bus and participated in the field day events.
We had a little library, I remember reading all of the Nancy Drew books. We played marbles, skip rope, Simon says, and baseball.
During the summer I worked on the farm, drove the tractor for haying, baled hay and stooked it. I also sewed my mother shift dresses for summer and made clothes for myself.. I also mowed the grass all summer which took 3 hours to mow.
I had a dog names Petunia, she would fetch the cows from the field. I remember a time when the cows crossed the bridge over the Welland River and a cow decided to swim across the river, I held my breath.
I had a swing near the Boyle Road and watched the traffic on Hwy 57.I spent many hours contemplating life on the swing.
On a Sunday afternoon my dad might take a drive around the countryside. When I was 16 I got my drivers license.. The bridge was out between out farms so I had to drive bales of hay around the farms..
One year m dad gave me a calf—a Hereford, I called her Morticia. Then one day my dad sold her.I was so sad.
At the end of the summer my dad ask what I wanted, I said I wanted a typewriter. I had the typewriter for years and wrote many stories. One year my dad made me a bookcase, which I still have today.
Christmas on the farm was a special time. My dad would go to the bush and cut down a tree and my mother would put it in the livingroom and decorate it with lights and tinsel. I would help her decorate too. My parents never traded Christmas gifts. Myself I received three gifts, stiffed animals, clothes and dolls.
We would have my maternal grandparents for Christmas dinner. My mother made dark Christmas cake. She cooked and stuffed a turkey along with potatoes, vegetables and salad. Dessert was jello and whipped cream.
I wrote letters to Santa in Buffalo, NY, still have his photo. My mother sent many cards and received many in return.
[Welland Port Colborne Evening Tribune ,Tuesday June 6, 1944]
Fenwick June 6–Huge baskets of iris, lilies and spirea were used most effectively as decorations for the floral tea and bake sale held from three to six o’clock in the Sunday school rooms of Fenwick United church. Mrs C. Misener, president of the W.A. made the guests welcome at the door.
Tea was poured by Mrs J. Hampson and Mrs W. Moisley, followed by Mrs H. Rock and Mrs W.E. Boyes from a beautifully-appointed tea table laid with a lace cloth. A silver bowl of white and yellow blossoms centred the table and was flanked by lighted tapers in silver candelabra. Silver tea services at both ends of the table completed the effect. The guests were served by Mrs H. Adrian, Mrs G. Lampman, Mrs W. Duncan and Mrs H.E. Hood. The bake sale table, in charge of Mrs G. Christopherson, Mrs L.E. Haist, conducted a thriving business. A pleasant social time was enjoyed and a good sum realized.
[Welland Tribune 1921]
The following from the pen of E.W. Farr appears in the current number of the Ontario Library Review:
The Police village of Fenwick Ontario, can boast of one of the finest little public libraries in the Province, and the ease with which the work has been performed has been phenomenal.
The following sketch from a village of less than four hundred is furnished the Review with the hope that it may prove an inspiration to other rural localities to establish a library where carefully selected reading may be available for the public.
In March 1919, the late Mrs. A.M. Paterson, a highly-respected resident of our village passed to the Great Beyond. She bequeathed four hundred dollars and her library, as a nucleus for a library for the village of Fenwick, providing the funds were used for that purpose within a year.
This very thoughtful bequest proved an inspiration to the whole village. A public meeting was called in November 1919, collectors were appointed and in a short time subscriptions of three thousand seven hundred was raised.
A library board was regularly appointed under instructions from the Public Libraries Branch and in the early summer of 1920, work was commenced, and a beautiful pressed brick building occupies a central position on an excellent lot donated by W.H. Fry.
The building completed November 1st, 1920, under the supervision of J.C. Sloat, chairman of the building committee, cost nearly three thousand dollars.
The book committee has purchased and received from donations seven hundred volumes which, supplemented by a splendid list from the travelling library of the Provincial Department, furnish an ample supply for present needs.
The president, W.H. Morgan and the other directors have worked faithfully throughout the year for the good of the library and have received every help from W.O. Carson, Inspector of Public Libraries, and are much indebted to Miss Patricia Spereman, also of the Department, for very helpful advice and services rendered on her two visits to Fenwick.
[Welland Tribune 1945]
Fenwick, Oct 27—The Maple Acre Library board of directors, met Thursday evening in the library rooms, with Miss L. De La Mater as chairman. The minutes were read by Mrs. L.S. Haney and statement of finances given by Jos. Leppert.
Mention was made of the bad condition of eavestrough on the building and a committee consisting of F. Tunnacliffe and Jos. Leppert were appointed to have new eavestrough installed. The sum of $75 was voted the Book Purchasing committee for new books.
The following schedule for caring for library during coming months was drawn up: October,Jos Leppert; November, F. Tunnacliffe; December, J. Roy Page; January, G. McGlashan; February, W. Julian; March, Mrs. L.S. Haney, April, Miss De La Mater; May, Mrs H.T. Elliot.
The main topic of discussion was the possible formation of a Welland county co-operative library association, with Miss De La Mater giving a concise report of the meetig held at Niagara Falls on Wednesday evening, attended by six of the Fenwick board. At the meeting Inspector Mowatt of Toronto, provincial inspector of libraries explained the steps necessary to form a county library association. A committee of six, representing Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, Fort Erie Stamford and Fenwck. was formed at that meeting to go ahead with investigation of libraries in the county as to possible support of the project. The Fenwick board expressed unanimous approval of the project and Miss De La Mater, who is a member of the committee appointed, was instructed to so inform the committee.
[Welland Telegraph 1898]
Corner stone laying
The corner-stone laying of the new Methodist church at Fenwick on Tuesday was a most successful and pleasing function. The attendance was very large. The ritual of the church for such cases made and provided was read by Rev. A.E. Russ of Welland, chairman of the Welland district. The corner-stone of the new edifice was well and truly laid by F.W. Watkins,Esq., of Hamilton, who made a most appropriate address, as did also the following reverend gentlemen who were present, namely: Revds, R.W. Woodworth, G.E. Honey, Cassiday, Christie and Smith (Port Robinson)
After which, dinner was served in the lecture room of the church. The ladies won golden opinions for the ample and elaborate spread, and tasteful floral decorations. Next in order was an address from Hon. R. Harcourt, which was one of that eloquent speaker’s happiest and most appropriate efforts.
The building was brilliantly illuminated by acetylene gas, manufactured by one of McMurray’s (Welland) generators. The lights were admired by all for their purity, brilliancy and steadiness
The Fonthill brass band added to the charms of the occasion by their enlivening strains.
In addition to the previous subscription list an offering of $150 was made at the corner-stone laying, which, with $50 or $60 netted at the dinner, will make the proceeds of the day aggregate over $200 for the building fund. The church will be practically a new structure, though the present building will be utilized, It will be raised, a stone sub-structure erected for a lecture room; a wholly new addition will be erected., and the present building, after being raised, will be veneered with brick, and the interior will be renewed. The result will be that the Methodists of Fenwick and vicinity will have a handsome as well as ample and modern-equipped place of worship.
[Welland Telegraph 1898]
The village of Fenwick shows much improvement and increase in size. Several new business additions have been made and a large number of commodious and beautiful residences have been erected during the past year.
The Methodist church, which was first erected in 1860 is being thoroughly rebuilt. A large T shaped addition is being built at the rear, and a basement is being placed under the auditorium. The foundation and the basement will be of stone from Rockway, Louth township, quarries, and the church proper will be veneered with brick from Hooker’s yards, Welland. The buiding, when completed, will be a lasting monument to the village. The Methodist body here numbers some 200 members and theirs is the only church in the village. The building will be lighted by acetylene gas. W.F. Haist, Fenwick, mason and Ryan & Cook, woodworkers, have the contracts.
A. L. Pattison has rebuilt his residence adjoining his store, and thereby made a very neat abiding place.
John Gladwin, a carpenter and builder has erected for himself a very neat and handy residence, which also adds greatly to the appearance of the village.
Wm. Ryan, also a builder, has put up for himself a new residence on Canboro street. It was built last fall and when fully completed will be an up-to-date home and quite cosy.
C.J. Sloat has erected on his seven acre garden farm a very tasty home. It is of modern appearance and stands out very prominently.
Dr. Birdsall has converted his barns and outbuildings into more convenient and suitable shape and arrangement. The doctor has one of the prettiest residences and lawns to be seen in a long drive. It is nicely terraced, while here and there hedges and ornamental shrubs are placed in striking effect.
Altogether this thrifty little village is moving along with the steady growth of Canada, and the citizens take great pride I the improvements.
[Welland Tribune 1892]
Pelham Breaks The Record.
Over 5000 People Patronize the Big Fair
A Great Day And A Great Show
Notes of the Exibits and List of the Winners
Nearly seven hundred dollars at the gate!
Briefly but eloquently this tells the tale of the unparalled success of Pelham Agricultural society’s show of 1892.
It makes a new record for itself and paralyzes all local records—so far as attendance is concerned.
A very little figuring will place the number present away up in the thousands—5000 at least!
The gate receipts at 20c admission represent over 3400 people,–allowing the money paid for rigs to offset that not paid for children. Then 300 members received four tickets each—1200 more human beings……..
[Welland Tribune 1912]
Which was First the Hen or the Egg?
FENWICK FAIR
Is first in everything
Don’t forget the date
Fenwick, October 8 and 9, 1912
A time of your life
Five good speed contests
Large fruit and stock exhibit
Band of 91st Regiment Canadian Highlander Hamilton.
Guessing contest for ladies from towns and cities.
{Compiled by “S”}
Earliest records of the fair was 1856, however, some say it goes back further. The first fair was in Riceville, located on top of the hill west of Fonthill. Other sites were the Pelham Township Hall in Fenwick, now Maple St. Also on Church St in Fenwick, then the railway forced it to move to East Church St and Foss Road on the south.
After the coming of the railroad in 1890, special excursions came from Hamilton, Welland and Buffalo to the fair.
The fair consisted of twenty- five acres of land. It was under the Pelham Township Agricultural Society. It was an exciting event for the children and people of the area
In 1905 the admission for adults was 20 cents, for children 10 cents.
Attractions were the merry-go-round, ferris wheel, livestock exhibit, drills by Pelham schools, cattle and poultry exhibits, a medicine man and magicians.
There were horse barns, dining hall, exibit buildings, horse racing was a popular attraction. When the fair was first established the merry-go-round and ferris wheel had to be operated by live horsepower. The Tom Bishop Wild West Show was one of the attractions at the fair.. It was the largest fair in the area.
The fair in the most part was held in late September or early October. It closed in the 1930s. For three years in a row it rained and the loss of receipts made it impossible to carry on. The buildings were sold and the land returned to farming.
{Compiled by “S”}
The first post office opened on April 1, 1853, the same day as Fenwick received its name. The first post master was Leonard Haney. The mail was brought into Fenwick and outgoing mails dispatched by courier on horseback, who made the journey from Port Robinson to Canboro, on one day and returned the next day.
The first rural route for Fenwick began August 1, 1912 with Mr. M.Shriner as the contractor.
Mr. Allan Rice took over
the Royal mail route, an extension of T.H.&B railway through Fenwick to Welland. He carried all of the freight, mail, box and Christmas orders for years.
In the 1920s the mailman drove a horse and buggy. When the mail train arrived the mail was taken to the Fenwick post office and stamped. The mail was sorted by the mailmen on the rural routes. The villagers picked up their mail at the post office. The mail was delivered six days a week. The big event was the arrival of the Eaton’s catalogue.
In the 1930s stamps were 2 cents each. Frank Tunnacliffe was postmaster. The postoffice was a small shop and Frank lived upstairs. He picked up bags of incoming mail at the T.H.&B. station on Church St., from Monday to Saturday. The mail arrived 6am, 10am,3pm, and 6pm. They locked the first class mail, tied bags of second class mail and local mail. Mail was given to the route carriers who sorted their own mail and put it in cardboard boxes to be delivered. By this time automobiles were a popular delivery vehicle
Many people would place money in their mail boxes to receive stamps
A new post office was built in 1954.
Postmasters at Fenwick:
Rev Leonard Haney {1853-1858}
Jacob Brackbill {1858-1862}
J. Hume Taylor {1862-1865}
James W. Taylor {1865-1874}
A.O. Stringer {1874-1880}
Barney Hare {1880-1881}
F.W. Hutt 1881-1888}
J.M. Edsall {1888-1891}
W.H. Swayze {1891-1897}
W. H. Fry {1897-1923}
Frank J.Tunnacliffe {1924-1949}
Miss Margaret Keenan {1949-1975}
Mr. Arnott {1975-1991}
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