HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE
Part 10
By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.
In 1838 or 1840, Robert Squair came to the village; At that time oatmeal was not so easily obtained; he took the fact into consideration and leased the privilege just above the fulling mill, in the hollow and erected thereon a place to manufacture this wholesome article of food, from which the national Scottish dish of porritch is made. He carried on the business successfully for twenty years once winning a medal for oatmeal at the World's Exposition in 151. He also dealt in split peas and pot barley. He was most generous; no supplicant was ever turned fro m his door unaided. At one time he was an active worker in the temperance reform and was an ardent politican: indeed was an all round prominent citizen. Unfortunately, owing to the disastrous times following the Russian War, he got into deep water and did not reinstate himself. He left the country and died in Cleveland Ohio. His brother Francis, the father of Proffessor J. Squair, of the University of Toronto, and F. L. Squair, farmer, Darlington, after completing his studies in the parish school, became a millwright; he followed this calling here, in Whitby and Clarke. He was a superior workman and excelled in it. In 1850 he bought the mill site in the latter township and built the mill which he afterwards sold to the late Alan Lackhart. He died in 1898, a good, upwright, well-read, intelligent man. The Squire family came from good forbears, they were scholarly people. Two of the brothers entered the ministry of the Presbyterian church. Their sire understood and prized the value of mental power and gave all his sons the best chances within reach, hence they had the advantages of a liberal education. In the providential chain of circumstances, the good effects are yet being felt in Ontario, through the number who are being taught by one of his descendants, in the great Canadian seat of learning, the University of Toronto. Their native place was Auldearu, Nairnshire, Scotland.
There was an ashery on the west side of the road near the bridge, owned and managed by the Bowman co. many of the present day readers may not know what this means. The ashes were gathered by those who cleared the land and were sold in large quantities to those engaged in converting them into pot and pearl ash. A brisk trade was done, a great deal being made and sold, principally in Montreal. While it lasted the farmers had a considerable addition to their resources. Heaps of the refuse was destroyed which, if now obtainable, would be of great value to the agriculturalist. John McCellan, uncle of the present John, had the management of the ashery for years. It was a hot, hard job and no doubt laid the foundation of the disease through which he so early lost his life.
The bridge over the creek at the time was a low one, not much above the level of the stream. At the westward south side, a cooper shop was run in connection with the mill. This sums up all the activities going on there about 1839.
Going up the hill, the first follower of Tubal Cain had a blacksmith shop. David Crippen swung the hammer. It was between the hotel and the bridge. I know nothing further about him. Afterwards when the fore disappeared a man by theme of James Bailey, put up a pottery on the same site and made a common kind of earthen ware. He had a brother associated with him. They were not especially noted for industry and the concern did not flourish. It was the old story - they were afflicted with what Ned Silver called "the elbow complaint." The brother got a black eye on one occasion and, when jived about it, explained the cause. He said he was catching the jugs a man was throwing to him from the loft above when, by a mischance, one struck the optic. A sagacious hearer remarked, "Oh, if it had contained whiskey it would never had missed your mouth." The finality of his James Bailey's course was reached when he rented the tavern on the hill and tried his hand at that business. It needed no prophet to predict he issue. He left the country after becoming involved, and with his family went to the state of Michigan. I was ___ affiliation with the Jerusalem Lodge of Masons, holding the office of secretary, so I knew the facts at first hand. The unfortunates fell into extreme poverty in their new abode. He took ill and died, leaving his wife and children in dire distress. He had made known his connection with the fraternity during his sickness and, with the usual magnanimity of American craftsmen, they came to the rescue. The wife was provided for and places found for the children. Say what you will, societies of this kind are often the great blessing to their members. Of course Jerusalem, which has had so long and honorable a career, did its part financially. The Bailey's were Americanized Englishmen.
Next on the hill was a tavern, put up I think by one, Vancamp. It was a frame building. If all the performances that took place under that roof were in prints they would make an extraordinary volume. It is impossible for me to say anything about the landlords, the tenancy changed so often. Taverns were then the only places of general resort and all kinds of people congregated in them day and night. Card playing and dice were two of the common games. Local gossip and all stirring matters of interest were focussed there and then sent out to the general public. When I first saw this one it was a pretty shabby place.,- an apology for a bar, and a few bottles. Some common chairs and a wooden bench constituted the furnishings of the room. As the village increased in size the advancement of the whole business kept pace with it. When passing to and fro, we lived in a cottage under Stanley's hill. I occasionally saw some of the carryings-on. As a specimen; there was an extraordinary kind of human being named Ike Arnold, who had a lame leg and was by all means the poorest looking object you would wish to see. To get whiskey was his main object, hence he was an habitual frequenter of places in which it was sold. On this occasion they were selling him by auction for soap grease. I think Ned Silver was the Auctioneer, and in describing the merits of the article offered, for competition he would almost equal Mr. Levi Tole, who is at present unsurpassd by anyone in the same line. How many drinks he brought, and who bought him, I cannot say. Fighting was prevalent and many a fierce combat took place. We have nothing like it now, thank goodness! When the boys made up their minds to go in, it was to a finish. I have an idea that the men who participated in such amusements then were larger-guilt than those whom we are raising now. Are Canadians becoming more effeminate? Although the topic may not be an inviting one, still, to show how things went in olden times, let me relate a short, true tale. William Munson, one of my school fellows was planned on a big scale, - strong and able, a manly man, one of those who on the playground protected the smaller and younger boys. He wouldn't allow any bullying or cruelty when he was about. He was good-natured with nothing ugly in his disposition. Richard Foley, father of the present old and respected residents of Darlington, was also a man of powerful physique. Big chested and broad shouldered he was the very perfection of an athlete, and from the kindliness of his nature was the last man one could conceive of to get into a row. It so happened that they met in this place and both had taken some liquor. A dispute arose; one word brought on another, and the first blow was struck. The gladiators fought it out. Bill came off second best and did not leave his room for some two weeks. I was standing on the street afterwards talking to Mr. Foley when who should appear approaching but William. I at once feared that their meeting would result in a renewal of hostilities. He came up to where we were standing and said to Mr. Foley :"I think I'm the best man of the two." The latter replied: "Bill, I'm old leave me alone." And so he did. Mr. Foley saw the evils growing out of the use of intoxicants and became a strong temperance advocate, and an earnest Christian, leaving to his descendants what should be to them of priceless value, a good name. My old friend William was here on a visit two years ago. It did me good to grasp his hand once more. Time has dealt kindly with him, and he has retired on a cempetency. Perhaps I have said enough about this hotel. The recollections are not savory.
Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 11
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