Showing 819 results

"Dear editor,
We, the Gwillim group, a sub-committee of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, are delighted to inform the community about our project to commemorate the Town's 150th Anniversary. We have commissioned a bronze sculpture of Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe (nee Gwillim), to be placed in the Post Office Parkette on the corner of John and Barrie Streets (on the Yonge St. route). The sculptor is Brenda Wainman Goulet, who created the bronze sculptures of Dr. Bethune in Gravenhurst and the Tom Thomson in Huntsville."...

Event Date: March 27, 2001
Event Type: death

"Suddenly as a result of an accident on Tuesday, March 27, 2001. Kyle Andrews, in his 41st year, of RR6 Aylmer, formerly of Bradford. Beloved husband of Carol, loving Daddy of Katie and Ezra. Loving son of Barbara of Bradford and Harold of Haliburton. Dear brother of Debbie and Ron Vink, Dianne Andrews and friend John Keast. Shawn and Michelin Horner. Dear son-in-law of Don and Shirley Campbell. Special uncle to Rebecca, Cor, Nicholas, Chad and Owen. Dear nephew to Earle and Madeline Bowles. Memorial Service was held at Straffordville United Church, Saturday, March 31.
In expression of sympathy donations would be appreciated to the Katie & Ezra Trust Fund at the Scotia Bank to Acct. 0219886, Transit #86082.
A Memorial Gathering in Kyle's home community to celebrate his life will be held at the Institute Hall in Newton Robinson on Sunday, April 8th from 1:30-4:00 p.m. A memorial will be given by Rev. Logie at 2:30 p.m."

Excerpts relating to Bond Head and Bradford Libraries from Angus Mowat's journal. Mowat was the first Inspector of Public Libraries for Ontario, a position he held from 1937 - 1960.

"The annual report of the Ontario Minister of Education, just to hand, gives the following statistics of the Bradford Public Library for the year ending 30th April, 1898. ..."

Article about the history of the Phillips-Stoddart mud brick house, built circa 1837.

Audio of Fred Apperley's first interview on February 6, 1974. He is interviewed by Jack Coleman and Peter Moran. The interview largely discusses Cookstown. Additionally, emphasize is on Mr. Apperley’s childhood in Cookstown. See the Related Descriptions below for the summary.

A summary of Fred Apperley's second interview on March 7, 1974. The interview largely discusses Cookstown. Additionally, emphasize is on Mr. Apperley’s childhood in Cookstown. See the Related Descriptions below for the audio.

Detailed index of Archives Room Stack 10 (AR10).

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Area Historical Society Formed

The first major steps to preserve the heritage of the Scotch Settlement and area were taken last week when about 20 people officially founded a historical society.

Known as the Scotch Settlement and District Historical Society, it will seek to preserve the historical record of not only the struggles of the Scottish settlers but those of Bradford and West Gwillimbury as well.

Philip Baker, a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation was on hand to describe the procedure in setting up a historical society, the grant structure, and the initial problems that will have to be faced.

DISINTEGRATE

He told the group that the common mistake of most historical societies is to concentrate all activities on one particular project in the beginning and then disintegrate when it is completed.

He urged members to set up a variety of projects that could be tackled over the years.

The next step in the formation of the group is to adopt a charter, Mr. Baker said, and consider affiliation with the Ontario Historical Society.

He commended the society for its decision not to concentrate activities only on the Scotch Settlement, because of the danger that it would then be too limited and not self-perpetuating.

Funds for the immediate future would present the group with its first major hurdle.

Grants from the ministry and Wintario are of the matching variety and the group will first have to acquire funds on its own.

With this in mind, the society will probably ask the councils of Bradford and West Gwillimbury for a grant.

The maximum grant available from the ministry is $550 a year.

WINTARIO

Mr. Baker said other grants are available through Wintario, but also on a 50-50 basis.

The society elected its first officers that same evening, with Eleanor Reid as president, Andrew Rettig secretary-treasurer, George Brown in charge of architecture and historical buildings, and Ruby Fairs, program director.

A fee structure was also approved, with a $5 annual fee for a family, $3 single, and $1 student.

Don Beatty of the Innisfil Historical Society was also present at the meeting, and he related experiences of his own group, especially financial and the difficulty of maintaining an adequate number of members.

The society will meet again later in the fall at a date to be announced.

Event Date : Friday, August 24, 1900
Event Type : Death

Description : On Friday last one of the pioneer settlers in this vicinity passed peacefully away in the person of Mrs. John Armstrong, relict of the late John Armstrong. Deceased was born on the 22nd of March, 1810, near the town of Killashandra, County Caven, Ireland, and with her parents came to Canada in 1831. Her maiden name is Eliza Magee. On the 14th of February in the following year she married Mr. John Armstrong, and shortly after settled on the south half of lot 12, in the 6th con. of West Gwillimbury, on the farm now occupied by Mr. Samuel Faris. Some years later Mr. Armstrong purchased, and for 38 years resided on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Jonathan Kneeshaw. In the summer of 1882 Mr. Armstrong departed this life and shortly after his widow took up residence in this village, and for the past 17 years has continued to reside on John st. A coincidence worthy of remark is that Mrs. Armstrong died on the same day of the month - 24th of August - as that of her husband who predeceased her just 18 years. Deceased who endured the hardships incident to pioneer life, enjoyed good health during most of her long sojourn upon earth. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, and for many years was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Deceased died full of years and happy in the assurance of a blessed hereafter. Infirmities of old age was the cause of her recent sickness while resulted finally in her death. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Mrs. Simon Armstrong, Toronto; Chas J. Armstrong, Bradford; John R. Armstrong, Ottawa; Mrs. Ingles, Wingham; Miss Martha Armstrong, Bradford; Mrs. B.L. Johnston, Toronto; and Mr. Allan Armstrong, West Gwillimbury. Miss Martha Armstrong resided with her mother and did the part of an affectionate daughter in making the declining years of her mother as happy and as cheerful as possible. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon to the Old Kirk burying grounds, the remains being laid beside those of her husband. In the unavoidable absence of Rev. Mr. Smith, who attended the deceased during her illness, Rev. Mr. Whaley, of St. Helen's, Ont., conducted a short service at the house and in the church at the graveyard, also improved the occasion by preaching a funeral sermon in the Scotch Settlement church, immediately following the burial service. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the family and all sorrowing friends in their sad bereavement.