HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE
Part 22
By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.
By a lapse of memory I had forgotten to mention two branches of the numerous Presbyterian family that had active congregations in the forties. There was quite a number of members who retained their connection with the church of Scotland and bring wealthy they were enabled though not numerically strong to maintain a minister. They called the late Professor McKerress, who at that time was quite young, just a student from college and he ministered to them for many years. His pastorate here was a great success, beloved by his own flock and held in the highest esteem by the community. It was inevitable that one of his talents, scholarship and industry could not remain hidden in such a small sphere of labour. He was appointed to a Professorship in Queen’s College, Kingston. His course there was a distinguished one. Sad to say he died quite young in years but left a blessed memory behind him and which is still living in the minds and hearts of those who he helped to train for the min
istry. The Rev. Adam Spencer succeeded him in Bowmanville. He was here many years and was suddenly called to his reward. The congregation came into the union and most of the membership united with St. Paul’s, Bowmanville. There were a few residing in the northern part of Darlington and some in Bowmanville who had been brought up in the united Presbyterian branch of this much divided church. They united their strength and formed congregations at Enniskillen and Bowmanville. The late Rev. Alexander Kennedy became their minister. He lived at Hampton and for some years they kept together while he had charge, but finding the work up hill he resigned and the congregations dissolved. Mr. Kennedy was a prince in Israel, few indeed possessed his ability. It would take a big space to delineate at any length his manifold gifts and graces. Benevolent, his whole means were devoted to the good of others verily he has his reward.
I will now refer to two laymen, one a Presbyterian the other a Methodist, both of whom had much to do with the religious movements of the early times. The late John McLaughlin was a member of the first named body. He lived near Tyrone and was indefatigable in his effort to keep the congregation together after it was established at Enniskillen. He gave liberally of his time and means for that purpose, was for years a leading elder and was looked up to by the membership and held in the greatest respect. He was in the sphere of this influence a most useful citizen, well educated and well informed, an original thinker and thoroughly independent in his opinions. He was from the north of Ireland and like most of his countrymen a strong protestant. After a successful life he died a very old man, retaining to the last he goodwill and esteem of the whole community. I may put in print one little item showing the character of the man. He was at one time jointly with the late James Mc
Clellan, Bowmamville, appointed Census Commissioner for the township. They resolved at whatever place they wee entertained over night they would have family worship. They adhered to the resolution. It wanted moral courage thus to avow their principles. Both were the kind of men to act on their convictions. He left behind him a family of rare talents. The late Jas W. McLaughlin, M.D. who so long represented West Durham in the Ontario Legislature; Robert McLaughlin, the extensive manufacturer, Oshawa, President of the McLaughlin carriage Company; William, who remained on the home farm and died recently and John W. Jr., a prominent member of the Darlington Township council, living at Haydon.
I suppose most people outside of the Celestial Empire, look upon the worship of their ancestors by the Chinese as a foolish superstition. Is it so? I think not. They only recognize the wonderful and terrible law of heredity, understanding that both virtue and vice are transmissable moral qualities, descending often from father to son, hence the social structure of their civilization is largely based on this great fact. When a member of a family does anything to bring disgrace on himself, the whole household suffers as well. The same law applies to the village of which he may be a resident. Both are proscribed and shut out from intercourse with their neighbors. No wonder then that every effort is made so to train and guard the growing youth in such a way that no stain shall rest on them or those from whom they are descended, the great controlling motive being that when they shall pass away their lives in turn should have been such as to command the same veneration and worship. Why sh
ould not we cultivate a pride in our forefathers many of whom struggled under great difficulties with high aims in the earnest endeavor to elevate humanity.
Michael Cryderman was prominent in helping to build up the expanding trade of the place; he also took great interest in the municipal and religious events of the time. He was the grandfather of our enterprising townsman Mr. H. J. Cryderman, partner in the large dry goods house of couch, Johnston & Cryderman. He came to Darlington in 1825, having first lived some two years near the present city of London, Ontario. He was of U. E. Loyalist extraction, hailing from Napanee. I am told that he exchanged a valuable estate in Westminster township for the Ralph Harnden farm, west of the town of Bowmanville, upon which he lived for some time. It is now owned by Mrs. Harnden. This farm he afterwards exchanged for the fine lands upon which he finally took up his abode and where the familywere raised, north-westward of the pretty village of Hampton. He was the first local preacher in the township. His parish extended from Colborne to Pickering. How the spirit of
the master must have taken possession of his whole nature. Without any remuneration for his services he voluntarily endured the fatigue of long journeys over, at times, execrable roads, to preach the evangel and give aid and comfort to some poor suffering, dying creature, pointing them onwards and upwards to the eternal rest of the heavenly home. I am told that he kept a diary and from it, the fact is gathered that he attended two hundred funerals, preaching on each occasion.
I remember the first time I saw the late Mr. Cryderman. He was officiating in the old school house, holding a service over the remains of a Darlington farmer who had committed suicide. His next neighbor on the east from where he lived, on the Kingston road, was Solomon Tyler, who held the same religious belief. They with their wives and some others formed a small class meeting for mutual help and edification – the first I presume in Darlington. I remember the old gentleman (Mr. Tyler) well. He was eccentric but a thoroughly good pious man. He took a religious newspaper and many a time I handed it out to him. He never failed in coming for it weekly. He was the grandfather of Clarke Tyler and the two other brothers Philip and Jared, who are still living in the town, and township.
Returning to the Cryderman’s, James Cryderman is still living enjoying excellent health with his daughter in Oshawa, and Marshall is on the homestead. The former wrote me sometime ago recalling an incident in his father’s life and which I also knew, having heard it frequently spoken of. I repeat it as it shows vividly to what extremes political strife was carried in those early days. At an election held for the then county, I have forgotten its limits, it included a large area. The polling took place at Peterboro. Mr. Cryderman was attacked by some of the rougher element and would in all likelihood have been killed. As it was, he was badly injured. Had not my father gone to his help and rescue. They at the time were on opposite sides in the contest. My Governor being a Conservative and Mr. Cryderman advocating Reform. I am not sure who the candidates were but think Mr. Fothergill, the gentleman who in 1831 compiled the first almanac that w
as gotten up in the province was one. It was a valuable compendium of useful information. I have a copy of it and so had Mr. W. E. Pollard of Darlington. He was a liberal in politics and was closely related to Mrs. W. J. McMurtry, of Toronto.
I might mention as a matter of interest to the relatives that Mr. Cryderman was one of the first Commissioners appointed by the government to manage the affairs of the township. Two of the grandsons graduated from my office. Norman Cryderman, son of Mr. James Cryderman, Oshawa, is now in the employment of the C.P.R. Railway, being station agent at Elkhorn N.W.T. He is doing well, and is in the way of promotion. Manly, son of the late Michael Cryderman, holds the responsible position of Deputy Postmaster at Regina, the largest town in the new Province of Saskatchewan. He has become an expert hand and must from his character and energy rise to a higher position in the service. They are both worthy of success.
Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 23
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