Bowmanville and Darlington History

HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE

Part 45

By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.

To continue the parable respecting this place, our building would not be complete without some adornment. It might be useful in giving shelter to the humdrum occupants but not such as to afford enjoyment to the refined senses of a cultivated population. So it followed that two at least, who took their part in the lighter work of painting and decorating. The Morrison Brothers, although in time to see the condition they were here early enough to aid on the first flat of the municipal temple. The family were originally dweller in Rosshire, Scotland. I am quite sure that they had no cause to fell ashamed of their parentage. They were born with mental strength, the mother it was my good fortune to know well. She was an ____cent follower of John Knox, and was the most faithful attendent of the Presbyterian church, with which she united on first coming here to remain. Any one could see at a glance that she had a large share of both natural and acquired intellectual gifts. This gave her great influence over others in the circle in which she moved. She took an absorbing interest in the missionary efforts of the congregation. I do not remember her husband. The two son’s David and William Morrison, took firm root in Bowmanville where they flourished ever since they came. They have given much attention to the cultivation of music, for which they have special adaptation. This divine art, which calls into active exercise the finest and noblest emotions of the soul, and which from the earliest stage of life has been the greatest power to sway and move the deepest and holiest feelings that mankind possess. No other profession that men have followed has done so much to raise mankind towards a high spiritual level. It is the expression of that poetic feeling which has in all lands and all tongues, been translated into a living power to ennoble the minds and enrich the lives of those who have been brought under its influence since the time that the Sweet Singer of Israel poure d out his desires hopes and longings to God in the inimatable Psalms he left as the world’s heritage; it has been a most potent vehicle by which men have been raised out of sin and discontent into the higher element of religious life. Not only this, but also in the region of every day existence, how much of real joy it has caused to many a weary traveller along the hard highway on which we are all tramping. The man who is not brought somewhat under the influence of its spell must be devoid of all the finer sensibilities with which God has endowed mot human creatures. Both Morrison brothers have been most enthusiastic in prosecuting and promising this divine science. They have had much to do with keeping together the musicians of the place. I am pleased to say their love for it has not been degraded into a mere matter of money, but has been followed for is own sake and for the pleasure they have been able to bestow on others. Many a time they have given hours of their valuable services without rem uneration when for any good object their aid was sought.

We get so accustomed to receiving such good things from others, seeming to come as a matter of course that we do not acknowledge as we should our indebtedness to our benefactors. David Morrison I think mistook his calling. Years ago he contributed a good many articles to the local press, and continues to write for outside papers. He wields a spicy pen and has the rare faculty of bringing into vivid light the grotesque and ridiculous that make the sayings and doings of those who are taking part in their several ways in the little operations that make up life. Many a time his readers have been convulsed with laughter at his humorous articles. I am not far afield in saying that if he had been employed as a writer for one of our city papers, and given his time and talents to it, he would have risen to a distinguished place in the newspaper world. I hope he will not rest on his laurels but give us again and frequently, some more of his spicy diatribes.

William Morrison’s first wife, was a daughter of Mrs. Dunn, who in turn was a child of another Darlington man whose name is calling out from the caverns of the past for recognition. I knew him well when I was a boy. He came from New Brunswick and lived up to the time of his death on the farm adjoining Mr. William E. Pollard’s.

Pollard is another that should have a large place in the record of Darlington. Few families as a whole, male and female, did as much to give a wholesome tone to the religious and political atmosphere of those by whom they were surrounded. I hope some one will some day write in more detail the events connected with their arrival, and resdence in Darlington; we have two good specimens of the breed now in Bowmanville; Jacob Pollard who retired from the farm with abundant resources and is living on one of the prettiest streets in town and Samuel Pollard Regristrar of West Durham.

Mr. Orr was a close bible student and was well up in its teaching, I do not know what his distinctive religious views were, but I do know he followed the example and principles of the Master in his sermon on the mount. He loved God and respected the rights of his fellow men most unassuming but firm in upholding his principle. I am told that the first barn he raised was gotten up without whiskey being used and it was the first case of the kind in Darlington. His son Mr. William H. Orr, who is the manager of the Etna Life Insurance Company, Toronto, has been and is a doughty champion in the fight for temperance reform. Early in life he gave his adhesion to the cause of Prohibition as the only true remedy and is still y his pen and otherwise doing valiant service in the ranks of the temperance party. He was a long time connected with the Press and has done a good deal of literary work. Robert K. Orr was also endowed with the parental gift and died during the time tha t he was Prncipal of the High School at Niagara Falls. The eldest son John K. Orr and his sister Mrs. Dunn, live in the old Orr house. They are slipping easily and quietly down the incline plane towards the stopping place together, both exemplary citizens.

Mr. David Morrison first married Unice Orr. She too had intellectual powers far beyond, what is meted on to the general run of woman kind; she was also gifted with the literary instinct. Some of her contributions to the Press were evidences of her skill as a writer ; sad to say she was summoned at an early date in her life to the land of rest. Some eight years afterwards he again united his future with Miss Bounsall, daughter of the late Christapher Bounsall, and this again leads to another connection who played an important role in past history of Bowmanville.

The Bounsall’s came from Plymouth, England. I have met those who knew the senior Mr. Bounsall in that city and they spoke of him as displaying the same energy in business and public matters as he did in Bowmanville. He was no laggard in either department. He at an early date became a Son of Temperance and for years sacrificed time and means to propagate their principles. I know of no one here who suffered more abuse in his efforts to have the law relating to intoxicants properly observed. His opponents could neither buy him nor cower him. In religious matters he had views of his own. Being an original independent thinker he ran up against the different prevailing systems and could not be tied down to any special creed. An honest, good citizen, he was much regretted. His son Edward R. Bounsall takes much after his sire. He is a member of the High School Board and a valuable one. For good common sense and a fearless expression of his views, he is not excelled b y any member of that august body. Never arbitrary in expressing his opinions, having any amount of bon homme, he is much respected by his fellow townsmen, "Major" Bounsall, the other brother, is united with him in carrying on the extensive Marble Works, of which they are the proprieters.

Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 46

Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search!

index sitemap advanced

site search by freefind

Historical Tales From the Archives - A Selection of Stories, Recollections, Reminiscences and Travel Experiences in Times Gone By  New Site 2021
20th Century Ontario Genealogy Newspaper Notices Index New March 2020
Upper Canada Ontario Surrogate Court Estate Files and Will Database New March 2019
Ontario Canada Historical Map Site New December 2018
Ontario Place Locator - 19th Century Ontario Town and Village Locations and Inhabitants
Upper Canada (Ontario) Pioneer Settler Land Locations, Census Records and Property Descriptions
Historical Visits to Ontario Villages and Towns  Take a trip back in time to the late 19th century and explore the towns and villages where your ancestors lived, loved, laboured, laughed and played.
Ontario Images of the Past Thousands of Images of City, Town, Village and Country Life
Ontario Land Registry Records Research Thousands of your ancestors and where they lived in Ontario
Upper Canada (Ontario) Newspaper Notices Database
Ontario Genealogy Newspaper Notices Database

Ontario (Upper Canada) History and Pioneer Family Research
Queen's Own Rifles - Old Photos of Members
Upper Canada District Maps (Circa 1800)
Upper Canada (Ontario) History Books On-Line Index
Ontario County Directories Victoria, Haliburton, Hastings, Peterborough, Durham, Northumberland, Muskoka, and Old Ontario County
Central Upper Canada (Ontario) Marriage Database 22650 Marriage Records Indexed
Central Upper Canada Baptism Database 25000 Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Church of Scotland Marriages indexed
Upper Canada (Central Ontario) Burial Database 4500 Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Church of Scotland Burials indexed

Eastern Upper Canada Marriage Database Anglican, Roman Catholic and Church of Scotland Marriages indexed
Eastern Upper Canada Baptism Database Anglican, Roman Catholic and Church of Scotland Baptisms indexed
Eastern Upper Canada Burial Database
Upper Canada (Western Ontario) Marriage Database
Upper Canada (Western Ontario) Baptism Database
Upper Canada (Western Ontario) Burial Database

Upper Canada Land Petitions 51000 Records Indexed
Upper Canada Land Leases and Miscellaneous Petitions 10000 Records Indexed
Upper Canada (Ontario) Sundries Database

Upper Canada (Ontario) Toronto Insane Asylum Database
Upper Canada (Ontario) Kingston Insane Asylum Database
Upper Canada (Ontario) London Insane Asylum Database
Upper Canada (Ontario) Malden Insane Asylum Database
Upper Canada (Ontario) Hamilton Insane Asylum Database

Ontario Genealogy Historical Newspaper Collection Historical Newspaper Files from various regions of Ontario
Newspaper Genealogical and Historical Records - Thousands of entries
Ontario (Upper Canada) Map Collection Great site for locating your ancestors in Ontario
Ontario Genealogy Postcard Site - Great old-time landscape views
Upper Canada and Ontario CRIMINAL Database
Ontario Genealogy Database Index Site 500000 Genealogy Records Indexed
Need HELP With Your Family Research?

Northumberland County Genealogy and History
Victoria County Genealogy and History
Durham County Genealogy and History
Haliburton County Genealogy and History
Peterborough County History and Genealogy
Newcastle District (Upper Canada) History and Genealogy
Ontario County History and Genealogy
Upper Canada History and Genealogy
Echoes of the Past - Ontario Genealogy Home

Search the Ontario (Upper Canada) Genealogy Website - Make sure to use all known variations of a family name in your search!

index sitemap advanced

site search by freefind

Contact Ontario Genealogy