[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
To go back to the beginning, it is said there is some record of a settlement here as far back as 1829. Osborne’s Corners was the first name given about 1842; next it was called Temperanceville, and finally Fonthill, after Fonthill Abbey in England.
There is a story told of the eccentric owner of Fonthill Abbey, Mr Beckford, who built the most magnificent resident in England, surrounding his park with a wall twelve feet high and allowing no one to enter. A neighboring Lord was so curious to see the place that he had a high ladder placed against the wall and climbed over it at night. He was soon discovered and taken to Mr Beckford, who, contrary to expectations, received him very courteously, conducted him all over his house and grounds, and entertained him in princely manner, after which he retired, taking most polite leave of his guest. The later, delighted with the success of his visit, was hastening home, but found all the gates locked and no one to open them. On returning to the house for assistance, he was told that Mr Beckford desired that he would return as he had come, and that he would find the ladder standing where he had left it. All appeals were in vain and he was forced to return to the place of his clandestine entrance and climb the ladder, cured forever of his curiosity.
No doubt this name, Fonthill, was given by some of the old residents who came from England, of whom there were quite a number; among them we find the names of Giles, Oxely, Willett, Robertshaw, Hobson and others.
A list of business men taken from John Lovell’s directory of of 1857-8, reprinted in a copy of the Welland Tribune in 1936, is as follows:
Baird, H.A. dentist and ambrotypist
Bald, William, carpenter
Berston, John H. Tobacconist and cigarmaker
Brackbell, Jacob, general dealer
Canby, Thomas, accountant, and commissioner of Queen’s bench
Cook, John R. Insurance and general agent
Cahill, Edward, tailor
Dentz, Benedict, carpenter and joiner
D’Everardo, D. Conveyancer, notary public, registrar of Surrogate Court, County Clerk and agent for Erie and Ontario Insurance Company
Dinsmore, A. Editor, proprietor and publisher of the Welland Herald
Elliott, William, painter
Frazer, John, M.P.P., Frazer & Johnson
Frazer & Johnson, physicians and surgeons
Gamble, George, boots and shoes
Glatner, John , Painter
Gore, J.C.
Gundy, Rev J. Baptist
Harris, James C., tobacconist
Harris, John Q., physicians
Hilton, S.R. carpenter
Hobson, Robert, sheriff
Johnston, William, S. Printer
Jones, Benjamin, wagonmaker
Kinsman, Danson, general dealer
Locke, Henry D. Merchant tailor
Price, John S. Postmaster and general dealer
Pritchard, Rev S.W., Baptist
Reilly, James, boots and shoes
Rice, E. Innkeeper
Robertshaw, George, blacksmith
Smith, Thomas, innkeeper
Scholfield, Adam K. Deputy Sheriff
Weidman, Michael, bricklayer and plasterer
CHURCHES
As no community can flourish and grow without people, so people cannot develop and progress without churches.
As far back as 1842 a Methodist minister visited the community periodically and held services for the public worship of God. At that time their services were held in what is now known as Hansler’s school-house, but it was not until 1856 that the Methodists bought the church on the hill-top, which had been built by the Universalists in 1850. Later in 1912, this building was remodelled and a basement put under it. The pastor at that time was Rev. J. G. Foote. During the pastorate of Rev J, A. Dilts the 75th anniversary of the building of the first church was celebrated. The present beautiful brick building, replacing the original church, was opened and dedicated November 14th, 1937, during the pastorate of Rev J, L Guinn. It is said the same bell which was purchased in Buffalo in 1863 still calls the worshippers to the services.
The Holy Trinity Church, Anglican was erected in 1862 by the liberality of Alfred Willett, Dexter D’Everardo, Robert Holditch, George Gamble, H. Price, George Robertshaw and A.K. Scholfield. For a small village church, Holy Trinity is rich in memorials. The new brick edifice was built in 1915.
The Baptist Church was the first one to be organized, services being held whenever opportunity afforded from 1844 until 1846 when the first church was built, known as the “Baptist Church among the Short Hills,” land being given by Thos Canby. The present building replaced the old in 1909 at the close of the Rev George Simmons’ pastorate, the corner-stone being laid by the Hon. Richard Harcourt of Welland who, though not a Baptist, was largely responsible for the securing in Parliament, years ago of the charter for McMaster University.
The Church of God really started here as one man’s family. Peter Bouk was at the head for several years but it has long since outgrown that. The present building was erected in 1908 when Mr Austin was the minister.
Many fine men have ministered to these churches through the years, adding greatly to the spiritual life of our village. It is not only of the church buildings and ministers we would think but also of the many sterling men and women who have been the pillars of the church, many of whose descendants are still carrying on the work which their ancestors so faithfully began.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
An interesting story of the pioneer days of the village of Fonthill, covering 100 years as given by Mrs McClellan at the Women’s Institute meeting in May 1929.
Fonthill has never had any special history that I know of, so I can only give you some idea of what it used to look like when I was young, and a short sketch of some of the people who used to live in the village. I can remember a good many years back, and I have heard a great deal about Fonthill from my grandparents. I do not know just when the village was first settled but I think about 1829. When my grandparents moved into the village in 1849 there were very few houses. They lived at the top of the hill where Mrs Turner now lives, and there was no other house until you came to grandfather’s shop which occupied the spot where Dr Emmett drives into his garage. There were no sidewalks; they ploughed up the hill through deep dust in the summer and I suppose mud in the spring.
The first sidewalks were built of boards laid crosswise and nailed down, and after a time they became rotten and were some menace to pedestrians, and many a time I have been bumped on the shin by some one stepping on the loose ends. There were no good roads either, just common dirt roads, nothing like the fine pavements you have now.
Right at the peak of the hill where the two roads cross there stood an observatory-it was quite high and commanded a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Mother(Mrs Dr Emmett) used to take people up once in a while, for which she received the sum of ten cents; she once had the pleasure of taking Jenny Lind up to see the view. I wish I could give you a picture of the centre of the village as I remember it; where the bank now stands stood the old registry office, built in 1829, and right behind in place of Mr Minor’s garage was a plain old brick building which, I think, was the educational building. These offices were in Fonthill, but of course as Welland grew more important they were moved there. Directly west of the registry office stood an old building which was one of the stores of the village. It was kept by Danson Kinsman. There were six to eight steps leading from the sidewalk to the door, and inside it was so dark you could scarcely see what you were buying. On the verandah which ran around two sides of the store, there was a rack built which held long bars of iron, lots of them, which made tons of iron, but what they were for I could not tell you; west of that was the shoe shop of Geo. Gamble; he made calf-skin shoes for most of the children of the village and vicinity. I can just see the children wearing those shoes now. His shop was sometimes called “The Gas House,” and there the men of the village and some from outside the village gathered for arguments and debates of all kinds. I have heard the men who frequented the Gas House had a jackknife which was carried by the man who could tell the biggest yarn, until some one could beat him, then the visitor would have it for a time. Then next where Mr Reeve’s store stands was another low old shabby building which was used for a store, and untertaiking establishment, and once for auction sales, I believe. On the opposite side of the street, about where the printing office is, stood a very large building that was our concert hall, where entertainments of all kinds were held. It was three stories high, I think; on the ground floor was the public library, which, needless to say, was not as good as the one you have now; the second storey at one time housed the high school of Fonthill, or as it was then called, the grammar school. I believe it was considered a very good school with Henry Delamatter for teacher. He was a brother of Ira Delamatter, whom some of you may remember, The third storey was the lodge room of the Masons, who had a very flourishing lodge here at that time. Next to the concert hall, where Mr Minor’s house now stands, was a harness shop kept by Henry Hunt, who was also the village barber, cutting hair for ten cents, and also librarian. He had a telescope on his work bench at the back window of his shop through which we could see the boats coming across the lake from Toronto, and of course that was a wonderful sight to us. My grandfather, John Gore, was cabinet maker and undertaker. He had a large shop and warehouse which was a veritable treasure house for the Emmett girls. In the basement there was a large wheel, about six feet high, which turned his lathe upstairs, and which was turned by hand at that. The coffin boxes were also upstairs, in which we used sometimes to play hide-and-seek.
The first school house I do not remember but I quite well remember the second one, where I received my education and also a good many whippings for the teachers certainly believed in that form of punishment when I was young. The three school houses all stood in the same place- the third one being the present one. The store now occupied by Ernest Kinsman has been in the Kinsman family as long as I can remember. Danson Kinsman was postmaster for twenty-two years, the Fred Kinsman took it and he had the position for thirty-nine years. Before they had it, John Price was the postmaster.
Avery B. Kinsman had a carriage shop and blacksmith shop where Mr Schelter runs his feed business. He used to make buggies and wagons of all kinds which were used in this part of the country. There were no factory made buggies, wagons or furniture in those days. There were no automobiles either, and the boys and girls certainly enjoyed sleighriding on the front hill. It was not so dangerous then as now when the cars run so often and so fast.
There were quite a few Nova Scotians settled in Fonthill, but I do not know which one came first, but nearly all came from the same part of Nova Scotia. Danson and Avery Kinsman, Mrs D’Everardo, Robert Randall, grandfather of Miss Ella Brown, and John Gore were all early settlers from Nova Scotia.
Another man who was closely connected with the early history of Fonthill was Dexter D’Everardo. He it was who had all the trees planted on the streets, which are one of the chief beauties of Fonthill. He helped to start the Fonthill Nurseries, which are now famous all over the continent. He was a very eccentric man and lived on top of the hill in a large rambling house with a great fireplace in the living room, and beside it was a huge wood box, in which we could stand upright when playing hide-and-seek. His bedroom was next to the living room and in it there was not one window opening into it to let in the outside air. Imagine that if you can, and he lived to be an old man.
The Baptist church was the first church in Fonthill, being built in 1846, the old one being replaced by the present one in 1909.The Methodist church was originally built by Universalists, but they never held services in it, and it was sold to the Methodists, who had previously held their meetings in the Hansler Schoolhouse. The English church was built in 1862, being replaced a few years ago by the present one.
The first physician I can remember was Dr. Frazer. He was a gruff old Scotchman and had his office on the corner opposite Dan Haist’s; he was an old batchelor and he and old Captain Gray, who was a very small man owning a very large cat, which was always associated with him in everyone’s mind, kept bach at the back of the office. The next physician was my father, Dr. Emmett who cam to the village about 1865. His father brought him to the village, started him in business with $4.00 in his pocket. He used to make his calls on foot, then he bought a small white horse and rode horseback, but he had lots of stick-to-ativeness and he made good, as some of you no doubt know. There is some difference in the way the young people start out in life now. They know very little hardship, do they?
The first newspaper started in the village was called the Welland Herald, established in 1854 and was owned by a joint stock company with Dr, John Frazer as president, and was Liberal in politics. It was afterwards sold to A.G. Hill, a barrister of Merrittville (now Welland) and moved to that village, and changed the name to the Welland Tribune-and which is now The Welland Evening Tribune. The “Acorn” with the motto, “Tall oaks from little acorns grow” was the second venture in the newspaper line (conducted by Osmer Stone and Dan Hobson) but the oaks didn’t grow very tall, as the acorn withered away for the want of healthy support. Afterwards there was one called “The People’s Press,” of which there was an account in the Welland paper a short time ago.
We also had an evaporator in Fonthill at one time. I believe it did business for about two years,the factory was in a large square building where Mrs Dougherty now lives.
The Grove, as we used to call it, was a picnic ground for Fonthill and vicinity. There is not much of it left now( it is the hill on George Berg’s property behind Fred Davidson’s house) There used to be swings and tables built on top of the hill; then at the foot of the hill near that little bungalow behind Mr Bravin’s, there was a pond dammed and a small bath house build on the bank, just cold spring water, too, but the people used to go there and bathe. In upper Fonthill across the road from Dr Frazer’s there lived the village tailor, James Lay, another old Scotchman who always wore a Scotch cap and was a great check player.
In the corner of Mr Haist’s lawn there was a tavern. As they called them in those days, kept by Mr Scallen, and down in the village where the Village Inn now stands was another tavern kept by Tom Smith.
There were many English people settled in Fonthill, too;in fact it was named by one of them from its resemblance to Fonthill Abbey in England. There were Albert and Harry Oxley, Fred Giles, Mr Willett, James Harris-some of their descendants are living here yet.
One night forty-one years ago the residents of Fonthill were wakened by the awful cry of “Fire”. With no fire equipment whatever, the men and women fought the fire till daylight with pails, carrying water
to save what they could. But what a scene of desolation, five buildings burned, among them the concert hall, and three weeks later another fire broke out on the night of the 24th of May, and five buildings on the opposite side of the street were destroyed. It seemed as if Fonthill was completely gone. Really it was a blessing in disguise, for out of the ashes came a far nicer village, a village of which we are all proud and justly so.
[History of the Village of Fonthill. 1944]
Thou happy hamlet of the hill,
Whose waters flow from spring and rill,
Whose maple trees their emblem bear
Of Canada, our land so fair;
‘Tis now of thee our pen would write-
Thou superb village of delight.
‘Tis here the sun-kissed peaches grow,
And nature does her gifts bestow,
With Spring caresses soft and sweet
On flowers and gardens at our feet,
From here the first fruit of the spring
Into our lives fresh pleasures bring.
In scenic beauty, none so grand:
At Lookout Point with me now stand
And view the landscape o’er and o’er
From Toronto’s Bay to the southern shore:
While to the east in the picture gay
You see Niagara’s foaming spray.
But of all the gifts of which we boast,
Democracy we value most.
‘Tis here a man is judged by worth
And not by what he owns at birth;
No automatic snob lives here,
And every man and child’s a peer.
No titled gentry need apply-
No Earl or Duke or Lord most high,
For democratic laws still stand
And Justice reigns through-out this land.
May peace and plenty ever fill
This happy hamlet of the hill
Robert Miller 1911..
[History of the Village of Fonthill. 1944]
There was an old Scotchman, James Lay. A tailor. Who lived by himself at the top of the hill and always wore a Scotch cap perched jauntily on his head. At one time Frank Ell, a paperhanger, lived with him. One morning before leaving for work. Frank made a large pan of flour paste for next day’s papering, and set it down cellar to cool. The next day when he went for his paste the pan was empty, and on enquiring of Mr Lay he was told “ That was such an extra fine pudding I ate it all up.’
Another old resident by the name of Sandy Hill. Who lived where the Gadsby’s now reside, was always working in her garden, and would lean on her hoe handle and talk with every passerby, until it came to be a familiar saying that Sandy Hill would die leaning on her hoe. Sure enough, one morning a villager, missing her greeting looked over the fence and there she was lying on the ground, in her last sleep, still clinging to her old friend, the hoe.
Our earliest settlers had many hardships with which to contend, and the year 1789 was long remembered as the Hungry Year, the people having very little to eat, but what they had they shared with another and survived. The next two years were good ones, but in 1792 a violent hurricane passed over the southwestern portion of the township, levelling all houses in its path, but at the same time up-rooting the trees, thus clearing the roads. A road was afterwards built through this cleared portion from Fonthill to Port Robinson and was named “Hurricane Road.”
On a sunny afternoon in the fall of the year 1854, Jacob Gainer, a farmer living near Welland, was driving over to see a neighbor, Dennis Rice, a great grandfather of Dr Allan Rice, now practising in Welland.
He was about a mile and a half from the village when he noticed two men crossing a field and climbing a fence a short distance ahead of him. As they walked toward him he supposed they wanted a ride, but instead, one grabbed the horses’ bridles and the other, holding a gun in Mr Gainer’s side, demanded his money. Fortunately he had bought a horse that morning, paying $100 cash for it. So he had only $25 left. As he passed it over he asked the man why he chose that way of making a living, to which the man replied “I am a Townsend, and there is $1,000 reward offered for me, so I have to have this money for travelling.” He handed back the pocketbook which has been treasured by the family ever since, and urged Mr Gainer not to say anything about the hold-up, and that he would get his money back.
As soon as the men had gone, Mr Gainer drove furiously into Welland where he gave the alarm, then down the Canal road to Burgar’s Bridge, where they had been seen and on to Port Robinson. Here the men were eating their supper at Jordan’s Hotel. Outside, quite a crowd had gathered, including a constable named Charles Ritchie, and as the two highwaymen stepped out of the hotel, he put his hand on Townsend’s shoulder, declaring him a prisoner. Townsend, however, refusing to be taken, shot and killed Mr Ritchie.
During the excitement which followed, both men escaped by swimming the Chippawa Creek, Townsend making his way to his father’s home in Canboro, where he remained for a time, eventually going across the Border, and some say he went to California.
This particular episode in the life of the outlaw Townsend was recorded by Mrs E.E. Learn, a daughter of Jacob Gainer.
About seventy years ago Fonthill had a Brass Band, which must have been popular, for they had an elaborate Band Wagon drawn by four horses, in which they toured the surrounding country. This wagon had a high seat for the driver, and cushioned seats along the sides, and at the back there was a curved iron rod with a hook at the end on which to hang the ‘Big Bass Drum.’ The whole outfit was well painted.
Geo. A. Hill, John E. Cohoe, an ancestor of Col. Cohoe of Welland, Nathan Randall and Benedict Dentz were among the men who played in the old Fonthill Band.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
John Scholfield was born in the city of Todmorden, Lancashire, England in 1797. His mother, Mary Fielding, was the daughter of John Fielding who owned large cotton mills in Todmorden which are still in operation. John must have been of an adventurous turn of mind for he came to Canada when a young man and finally bought and settled on a farm at North Pelham, known as Centre Vale Farm. He married Margaret Kilman of Stamford, whose family were U.E. Loyalists. They had five sons and four daughters, only two of whom however enter into our history of Fonthill.
A.K. Scholfield was employed with Mr D’Everardo in the old Registry Office at Fonthill during which time he built “Maple Hall” which is now a Rest Home. Miss Louise Scholfield, a daughter of A.K. was born in Maple Hall, and there is a bit of sentimental interest in connection with this fact. Her father sold the home and they moved to Port Colborne. After the house had passed through several hands, it was purchased by Michael Dalton, who married Miss Scholfield, and so the girl who was born there returned as a bride several years later.
Another son. William, inherited the old homestead, remaining on the farm until his death. In 1884 he married Agnes Ann Holditch, and they had the honor of being the first couple to celebrate their marriage in the Holy Trinity Church here, in which church he and his wife were prominent workers all their lives.
One of his daughters, Mrs C Plumb, has been a resident of our village for some time. Her grandfather. John Scholfield, was appointed Associate Judge at Old Niagara when it was the Capital of Ontario, and in the Rebellion of 1837 served his country in the Welland Militia, receiving the rank of Colonel.
[History of the Village of Fonthill. 1944]
One of the early settlers in these parts was Captain Henry Buchner, coming from Staten Island, N.Y and I believe was the first U.E. Loyalist to settle at Cook’s Mills.
His grandson, Wesley Buchner, moved to Fonthill at the time of his marriage, buying a farm just west of the D’Everardo place and known for years as the Buchner farm He had seven children, four boys and three girls. The Buchner boys took the contract for dredging part of the second Welland Canal, but through unforeseen developments, lost heavily.
One of his daughters, Victoria, became the wife of Benjamin Canby, another, Laura married George Hill, and still another, Celia, wed George Randall, thus uniting four well-known families of the village.
The farm passed out of the family when it was purchased by Albert Railton who, after some years moved from the original homestead, building an imposing residence now owned by Mr Mawhinney. On the site of the old Buchner home, Mr Roy Davis of the Atlas Steels, having bought a portion of the farm, has erected a beautiful country home, built around a silo which was part of the original barn and turning the property into a well kept Country Estate.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
A history of Fonthill would scarcely be complete without mention of another family of United Empire Loyalist stock. The name Damude has long been a familiar one in the village and vicinity, and the ancestry is of particular interest. Branches of the family appearing under other names such as Brown, Klager, Haist, Howell, Williams, Carter, Lundy, Buckley and Bouck can join with those who still retain the original name in pointing back to over 150 years of history since the first settled of the family came to Canada.
The Damude’s came to Pennsylvania from Switzerland because of religious persecution. No Particulars are on record as to the year of their migration nor the length of time spent in Pennsylvania.
The three brothers, Henry, David and Samuel, came to Canada the year before the end of the American Revolution. They returned, and the next year Henry and David came to Canada to live under British rule. David settled at Lowbanks on Lake Erie where many of his descendants still live.
Henry Damude took up land in the Short Hills on Lots 153 and 154 of the Township of Thorold. The road which ran through the farm, later known as McSherry’s Lane, was deeded as a public road by his son John Damude, Sr. The homestead was in the family for four generations. Part of it still owned by Henry Damude’s grandson, John Damude, Jr., of Fonthill.
The migration of this family into Canada took place in the year 1788, the year before the great Hunger Year. Supplies did not come from England and the U.E. Loyalists were obliged to make use of beech nuts, bark, acorns, grass and anything that was edible. They followed the cows, knowing the herbs and grass eaten by them would not be poisonous.
Mrs Geo. Haist has heard her grandmother, Mrs John Damude, Sr., daughter-in-law of Henry, say that they came with a span of horses and spring wagon. On reaching the Niagara River they took the wagon box off the wheels. The horses swam across with it, then later with the wheels. The price of a horse was in those days according to its swimming abilities. They also brought two cows, a yoke of oxen, seeds, pits of fruit and whatever was needed for starting garden and grain-growing. The winter overtook them before they could get their house finished, so they made a dugout in the side of the hill. With logs felled over it they had warm quarters for themselves, and also one for the horses and cattle. Though settling there in the year 1788, it was not until 1808 that they received from George III their Crown deed. This is in possession of Arthur Damude, son of Daniel F., who was grandson of John Damude and great grandson of Henry Damude, original settler.
Early in 1800’s before schools were built, teachers came from outside points and held school in different homes. Religious services were also held at the homes of Henry Damude, later his son John, Andrew Hansler, John Brown and Henry Rinker turn about.
Henry Damude married Anna Howsley Winger, who with her family left Switzerland because of danger of losing their lives for their religion. The Wingers escaped to Holland and came to America in a Dutch sailing vessel, settling in Pennsylvania. This family came to Canada about the same time as the Damude brothers and settled in Pelham. Anna Winger’s father, Bishop John Winger, was the first to be given the right to marry people in this country. They were Tunkers. A few years ago the 150th anniversary of Bishop Winger’s coming to Canada was celebrated in Ridgeway. We suppose it was he who married his daughter Anna to Henry Damude, also of Tunker faith.
The children of this union were eight in number, and intermarried into the families of Climenhaga, Brown, Howell, Burkholder, Fretz, Miller, Ostrander and Misener. The youngest son, David Damude, was married twice. His first marriage was to Eleanor Ostrander and they had eight children. The eldest was Jacob and his son, Jacob W., was father of A.B. Damude, former Reeve of Fonthill. During his terms as Reeve he was instrumental in bringing about many improvements in the village. Also he was M.P. for Welland County for two terms with the highest majority ever polled. Hardy and Harley Damude, brothers of A.B. Damude, are property owners in the village of Fonthill. David Damude’s second marriage was to Nancy Catharine Misener. Their children are Anna E., John, Mary Williams and Cora M. Of Fonthill. Their father lived to be 93 years of age.
Other descendants of the Damude family living in or near Fonthill are Mrs florence Williams, Mrs Eva McCombs and Mrs Merle Howell.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
Robert Chappell, son of Thomas Chappell, Ivy House, Wottonunderedge-the County Seat and a beauty spot of Gloucestershire, England-married Mary Newman of Bristol on September 9th, 1827.
They came to Canada in 1832 and settled in the valley north of Fonthill. People named Smith now live where they settled.
Robert Chappell built a ‘Factory of Industry’ where there were made carding machines for woollen mills, and later sewing machines. The water power was obtained from the creek which flows through the valley.
Near by Robert Chappell built their home-a part brick ad part wooden three story house-which was unique because the back part of the house faced the road and the front faced the garden, which was a replica of their English garden of lovely roses and many other English flowers.
The house passed from the Chappell about 1883 and was very much altered by the new owner.
Robert’s son, Samuel Chappell married Elizabeth Robertson and settled across the road from the homestead. He had probably one of the first peach orchards in the district. Samuel Chappell’s son Frank married Elizabeth Carter and built their home where Mr and Mrs Bailey now live near the United Church. Their son, Fred Chappell and family also live in Fonthill.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
Among the early settlers of Thorold Township we find the name of Cohoe and learn that Ambrose, the progenitor of the Canadian Cohoes, married Deborah Heacock in 1774. In 1788 they set out for Canada, skirting the Niagara River at what is now Lewiston; lowering their ox-carts down the hill there by means of an improvised windlass, and having constructed a raft they made the crossing. Afterward they made their way inland to the site of the present village of Fonthill, this journey taking several days.
We have spoken of the Hunger Year 1788-89 elsewhere in this history, and it was during this terrible drought, when acorns, roots, berries, even grass and the roots of trees were pressed into service as food, that the heroism of Ambrose Cohoe was made manifest. He, in the prime of life, and having brought his family here to the wilderness fifteen years before the first attempts at ordered authority, chose to deny himself even the scanty rations obtainable and succumbed to starvation but saved the rest of the family, consisting of six children and his wife, who died sixty years later.
During these sixty years, the Cohoes intermarried with many of the early settlers of Fonthill, including the Browns, Clarks, Howells, Buchners, and the McCombs families and today there are many descendants in this district.
Brought up in the Quaker tradition, the influence of the Cohoe family along the border has always been for peace, not only with the white people but with the Indians on the Frontier. During the early days of our country this influence was sorely needed, and we have much to be thankful for in the unselfish enduring of hardships by so many of our pioneer forefathers.
[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]
Another village name of long standing is that of Savigny, some of the third and fourth generation still living here.
Andrew Savigny, born in Scotland in 1815, came with his parents to Little York, now the city of Toronto, in 1834. Four years later he removed to Montreal where he was engaged in the improvements of Lake St Petre, under the management of the harbor commissioners, remaining in their employ up to the date of his death, a period of forty-six years, during which he progressed from a humble employee to mechanical superintendent, filling his responsible position most faithfully. He was one of the first and oldest of the Quebec harbor commission employees.
He married Jane Sheppard of Sorel, Quebec in 1846, and although employed in Montreal, his home and family were in Fonthill. Some of his children grew up here, his son John making this his home until his death, and some of his children and grandchildren are in this community at the present time.
From a family of twelve children, the last, William H., died in California in January, 1944.
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