The large, two-sorey structure located on the east side at 319 Simcoe Road was the home of George Peterman, his wife Sarah (Leopard) and his children (Ernest, Melville, Gurnard, Bertrand, Ila, Norma and Doris) many years ago. He bought Lowery farm (on the south side of Simcoe Road to the 6th Concession, south boundary of Bradford, and north side of the road to the Kneeshaw farm). George raised cows and farmed. Ila and Doris delivered milk (produced by cows on their farm) to Bradford by horse and wagon twice a day. There was a large barn just west and south of the house and road. A milk house was once attached to the woodshed at the back end of the house. Ernie worked on the marsh haying, labored drilling the town well, and then worked for Collings in the marsh. Mell laboured and worked with marsh vegetables and owned marsh land. Gurnard laboured. Bert, a good sportsman, left the farm after finishing school. (1, 2)
This dairy farm ran for years by George and Sarah (Leopard) Peterman. George Walker Peterman was born on March 19th, 1870 to George and Charlotte of Tecumseth, and he decided to come to Bradford to clear land on Simcoe Road to build his dairy farm. With his wife Sarah Jane Leopard (born January 31st, 1869) of North York, and ten children, the Peterman Dairy farm came into being at 319 Simcoe Road. All the boys worked on the farm until they moved out to start families of their own. Out of the four girls, Vera Peterman (later Williams) was the first to drive the horse-drawn dairy wagon through town. She did it for seven of the 35 years the family farm ran. As the dairy farm died out, most of the Peterman family stayed in the Bradford area (Monty and Norma left for Detroit). George Peterman died on September 17th, 1950, and Sarah died soon after on April 15th, 1955, both in their 80s. Most of their children are buried with them in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.
Contains photographs of the Petermans and extended family stemming from George Walker (1870-1950) and Sarah Jane Leopard Peterman (1869-1955); including Vera (Peterman) and Melville Williams, Ila (Peterman) Gibb, Norma (Peterman) Robb
Peterman family owned a dairy farm at what is now known as 319 Simcoe Rd. Sitting (l to r): George W. Peterman (son of George and Charlotte of Tecumseth) holding Tiny the dog, George W.'s wife Sarah J. Leopard (daughter of David and Maholey of North York). Standing (l to r): Doris, Ila, Vera, and Norma.
Event Date : Saturday, August 29, 1964 Event Type : Marriage
Description : Lola Almeda, of Toronto, daughter of Mrs. Gladys Miller of Penetanguishene, to Ernest N. Peterman of Bradford, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Walker Peterman of Vaughan. Rev. Norman Pick of the Christian Baptist Church, Newmarket, officiated. The bride was give in marriage by Mr. Ernest Baker of Willowdale. The bride was attended by Mrs. Ernest Baker of Willowdale and Mrs. Mary Ellen Gordon of Newmarket. Mr. Robert Coffield of Bradford was groomsman and the ushers were Mr. Donald Wm. Gordon of Toronto and Mr. John Ackerman of Newmarket. Mr. and Mrs. Peterman will reside in Bradford.
