Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley

October 16 2017

Toledo – News from the Village – 1924 to 1930

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Kitley Township Ontario, Leeds and Grenville County Ontario, The Athens Reporter, Toledo Ontario 0

The Athens Reporter- excerpts have been taken from this newspaper for the years – 1924 to 1930. The original newspapers are in the archives of the Heritage House Museum, Athens, Ontario

Toledo – Nov 15^th, 1924

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McClure were Perth visitors on Friday, the 7^th inst.

Misses Laura and Dorothy McClure of Perth, spent Thanksgiving holidays with relatives and friends here.

William Walsh Jr., has returned from the Canadian West where he spent the autumn.

Several from outlying points spent Thanksgiving with their parents and included Yates Marshall and Denton McClure, of Smiths Falls Collegiate Institute; Miss Marguerite McNamee of Brockville, who was accompanied by her friend, Miss Fennell of that town.

William Moran was a recent visitor at the home of his son in Plattsburg, N.Y.

W.C. Dowsley, I.P.S., of Brockville, visited the Toledo School on Thursday.

His many friends hope to hear of a better report soon, from James Gray, who had to be demoved [sic] to a Brockville hospital on Thursday morning.

Mrs. George Pepper recently disposed of her farm to Joseph Carr, of Frankville, and she and her daughter, Miss Irene Pepper, pudpose taking up permanent residence in Smith’s Falls in the near future.

Some of our local Nimrods have returned laden with spoil. Robert Mackie was hunting in the district north of Ashton, while Bert Ladouceur was with a parth which went to the Dalhousie lake region.

Toledo, April 3, 1925

Hume Kent has opened his cheese factory for the season.

Owing to temporary cessation of work on the dam in course of construction near Croghan, N.Y., Charles Nichol and Hurbert Cardiff have returned home for a while.

Clifford Eaton, lineman, and his staff are busy re-wiring a telephone line in Shane’s district.

Miss Eva Stratton is enjoying a few days’ visit with her sister, Mrs. Elmer Baldwin, and Mr. Baldwin, of Brockville.

Mrs. R.C. Latimer is suffering from a severe attack of acute indigestion, but at latest report she is slightly improved.

The sugar season is over and the general report is that quality was good, but the season very short.

The members of the Orange Lodge held their monthly meeting on Thursday night.

Herbert Bellamy was in Brockville on Thursday to spend the day with his wife, who is still in the hospital. Mrs. Bellamy is not improving as rapidly as her many friends would wish.

The owners of Perth and Smiths Falls creameries, respectively have been through here recently soliciting patrons for the summer months

The choirs of the different churches are preparing special music for Easter. In addition to the Easter service, the Union church Sunday school will hold a special morning service.

Toledo – Sep 21, 1925

C.Webster of Smiths Falls reciently made a business trip to Toledo.

Mrs. B. McCallum of Montreal is the guest of her sister Mrs. W. Dunham and Mr. Dunham

Dr. A.R. Hurley, Mrs. Hurley and family of Rochester, NY were recient guests here of Mrs. Hurley’s mother, Mrs. Lena Brigginshaw.

Rally Day in the Union Church will be observed a week fom next Sunday, October 4^th.

Toledo is again to the front in regard to the school fair held there on Thursday, the 17^th inst. The large crowd were keenly interested in the success of the fair and the pupils of the various schools represented made and excellent showing. Toledo won the cup again, being the school with the highest number of points to its credit, while the pupils of that school, under the able management of Miss Murray, won second place in the parade.

Clifford Eaton is busily engaged with his threshing outfit reciently purchased from Egbert Mott of Frankville.

Special services were conducted in St. Philip Neri Church last week. Rev. J.P. Fallon, O.M.I. officiating.

Wilfred Miller of Michigan is visiting at the home of his brother, Mr. and Mrs. L. Miller, also with friends in this vicinity.

Special service was conducted in the Toledo Union Church on Sunday afternoon, 20^th inst., when Rev. T.F. Townsend, BA, BD., Union Church pastor, assisted by Rev. G.G. Upham of Athens, Baptist minister held service for the members of the Orange order here and the members of Newbliss ladies lodges, who marched to the church in a body led by Toledo brass band.

A host of friends here are pleased to know that Mrs. T.F.Townsend is progressing slowly but steadily after her recent serious operation.

Miss Mabel Quigley left on September 21^st for Ottawa where she purposes attending the Normal School.

Mrs. P.J. Quigley is having a private sale of some household goods after which she intends moving to Ottawa, after visiting some friends in this vicinity for a month or so.

Many friends from this vicinity are sorry to hear of Robert Morrison’s death.

Toledo, Jan 27, 1926

Mrs. M. Weatherhead and Miss Jennie Nichol were recent Athens visitors.

Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Marshall and Miss Lucy Marshall recently entertained at their home the members of certain of the Union Church Sunday school classes, when a most enjoyable time was spent by all.

Mrs. Joseph Jordan, of |Lombardy, was a recent visitor at the home of Mrs. N. Nichol and Miss Jennie Nichol.

Mansell Weatherhead is busily engaged drawing wood to Athens. Fred Seward is drawing logs to Philipsville.

Toledo, Jan 27, 1926

Obituary for William Moran

It was a great shock to the people of this community (Toledo) when the word went forth Sunday afternoon, the 24^th inst, that William Moran had passed away after a very brief illness. On Friday he suffered an attack of acute indigestion, but very few knew of it, and on Sunday, to the consternation of his near ones attending him, and to the great surprise of all, he suddenly passed away.

The late Mr. Moran was born in Ireland in 1855, a son of the late Maria Hipson and John Moran and when the boy William was six years old his parents came to Canada and settled in this district, where deceased spent the last years of his life. In his younger days he spent some time in Michigan, also in Western Ontario and later in Smiths Falls. He was an expert cabinet maker and actively followed that vocation up to the day he became ill. He also did considerable work as a painter.

Deceased was the possessor of many sterling qualities, very quiet and unobtrusive in his manner, but ever ready to lend a helping hand when called upon. He was strictly honest and industrious to a fault and in his unassuming way he exerted a great influence for good in this community, where he was held in high esteem. In politics he as a Conservative and in religion was of the Anglican faith.

The late Mr. Moran’s first wife formerly Miss Maria Morrison passed away in 1910. Their two children survive to mourn a loving father: Mrs. G. Gould of Alhambra, Cal., and Mortimer A. Moran of this place. A few years ago he married secondly Miss Cynthia A. Price, who survives also to mourn his loss. Of a family of eight there survive four sisters and one brother: Mrs. Thos. Rae, of Flint, Mich; Mrs. R.C. Russell of Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. Alexander McQueen, of Morefield, Ont.; Mrs. Sanford Morden, of Niagara Falls, NY., and Robert Moran of Alpena, Mich. A brother, John Moran died some time ago, while a sister Mrs. G.R.Mack, of Detroit Mich., passed away last August.

Toldeo, March 8^th, 1927

Mr. and Mrs. J. Seymour of Athens were recent guests at the home of Mrs. J. Nichol and Miss Jennie Nichol.

Robert Bruce of Newbliss, township assessor, was through this district recently.

Eber Running, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Running, is ill, threatened with appendicitis. Dr. Kelly, Delta, is in attendance.

Wilfred Bruce has returned from Kingston, where he was attending the dairymen’s class last week.

Mrs. Herbert Bellamy has returned from a week’s visit in Brockville.

Mrs. James Gray was so unfortunate recently as to fall on the ice and fracture her wrist.

The construction of the Brockville- Smiths Falls provincial highway will surely be a reality as soon as weather conditions permit, for the engineers and staff are already marking out lines to be followed. The report circulated that the road it to go just northeast of the village instead of following the present route, is not being received favourably by the people of Toledo and surrounding country.

Me. And Mrs. H.N. Stinson recently entertained the latter’s sister, Mrs. W. Tackaberry, and Mr. Tackaberry of Philipsville.

Miss Irene Gray’s recent very severe cold has developed into bronchitis. She is still confined to bed and is under the care of Dr. Throop, of Frankville

W. Hanton of Jasper, was recently purchasing cows here for the American market.

Miss Ruby Whitmore is able to resume her duties after her recent illness.

Gertrude Walsh is still suffering from a very persistent cold.

Smith Brothers, Frankville, are busily engaged in this section with their portable sawing outfit.

Mrs. Carley and son, Vincent Carley of Frankville were visiting her son Burton Carley in Toledo on Sunday.

Miss Irene Gray was the recipient of a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers, with roses and orchids predominating, from the teacher and members of her Sunday school class.’

The party given last week by Mr. and Mrs. R.R. Eaton was greatly enjoyed by all present. Dancing was the principal amusement of the evening and was indulged in until a late hour.

Toledo- April 11^th, 1927

The well drillers are still busy in this district. Hume Kent is having a well drilled just inside his cheese factory.

Mr. and Mrs. James Walsh were Smiths Falls visitors on Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. E. Baldwin of Brockville spent Sunday with the latter’s sister and brother, Miss Eva Stratton and E.H. Stratton.

Letford Millar made a business tip to Perth on Saturday.

In spite of the exceptionally long syrup making season, indications mow are for a big run at Easter. A large quantity of most exceptional quality has been manufactured, such big makers as Harold and Herbert Bellamy, H. Dunham, Fred Seward and others reporting several hundred gallons each.

Special music for Easter is being prepared by the choir of the three respective churches here.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Rowsome, their son, Garnet Rowsome, and the former’s mother, Mrs. E. Rowsome, of Belleville, en route from the home of the latter’s daughter, Mrs. R. Hanton, and Mr. Hanton, of Frankville, where they had spent the week, were calling upon friends in this district on Sunday evening.

Toledo, May 29, 1930

The commercial Hotel, a landmark of Toledo, Saturday morning was destroyed by fire. The building was owned by John McEwen, and was of frame construction. Most of the contents were destroyed. The Smiths Falls Department responded with a truck and hose, and the Frankville engine was also rushed to the scene. The flames however had spread so rapidly that the firemen concentrated their efforts to near-by buildings, some of them being saved with difficulty, the cause of the fire is unknown. It broke out in the kitchen, and while some insurance was carried, the loss will be heavy. This is the second large fire to occur in Toledo within four weeks. Three buildings were destroyed previously. It was the fourth fire in that village in less than a year.

October 16 2017

Mott’s Mills – News from the Village 1925

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Kitley Township Ontario, Leeds and Grenville Ontario, Motts Mils Ontario, The Athens Reporter 0

The Athens Reporter- excerpts have been taken from this newspaper for the year – 1925. The original newspapers are in the archives of the Heritage House Museum, Athens, Ontario

Mott’s Mills – April 1925

Miss Violet Greenwood, a student of the Athens High School, was quietly married Tuesday morning at the Anglican church parsonage in Smiths Falls to Mr. W.C. Ferguson, a well to do farmer residing near Motts Mills. They then took the train for Ottawa and other points. On their return they will reside on the old homestead.

October 16 2017

Lehigh’s Corners- News from the Hamlet

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Leeds and Grenville Ontario, Lehich's Corners Ontario, The Athens Reporter 0

The Athens Reporter- excerpts have been taken from this newspaper for the years- 1925 to 1926. The original newspapers are in the archives of the Heritage House Museum, Athens, Ontario

Lehigh’s Corners – Mar 2^nd, 1925

Mr. Wallace Hanton arrived home last week from Belleville where he has been for some time with his uncle, Mr. Ernie Rowsome.

Mr. and Mrs. R.T.Hays entertained a number of their friends on Monday might last to a shower given in honour of Miss Lela Eaton. She was the recipient of many costly and useful presents.

Mr. Vincent Carley returned on Tuesday after spending a few days with Soperton and Oak Leaf friends.

Attending sawing bees seems the order of the day in this section, the majority of farmers having nearly finished.

Miss Leita Burns arrived home on Tuesday after spending a few days in Chantry a guest of Mr. and Mrs. R. Trotter.

Mrs. Wilson Barrington and Mrs. R. Johnson were Brockville visitors last week.

Mr. Hurbert Eaton was unfortunate enough to have two of his fingers badly cut while sawing wood at Leslie Soper’s. Dr. Throop dressed the wounds and he is improving nicely.

Mr. Burton Carley has been busy these days hauling ice from Lake Eloida to Netterfield Moore of Frankville

Miss Dorothy Male of New Boue returned home on Sunday after spending a week with Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Hays.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Blancher of Addison, spent Wednesday with Mr. and Mrs. George Cannon.

Lehigh’s Corners, Jan 28^th, 1926

A number of young people gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Burns last Tuesday evening when a very enjoyable time was spent in games, music and dancing, after which dainty refreshments were served by the hostess. The special feature of the evening was the following address of farewell to Miss Hazel Burns, who is leaving soon for Gouverneur, where she has been offered a very lucrative position. Miss Mary Conlon read the address, and Miss Irene Mott made the presentation after which Miss Burns expressed her sincere thanks to one and all.

Dear Hazel,- We, your friends, have met here to-night to spend once more a pleasant evening with you in your home before you leave us to take up your new field of work in Gouverneur. We regret to have to lose you, as you will be missed very much by your friends here. We all sincerely wish you success in your work and trust you will enjoy it very much. As a slight token of our friendship we wish you to accept this purse. Signed on behalf of your many friends. January 26^th. 1926

October 16 2017

Jasper – News from the Village – 1926

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Jasper Ontario, Kitley Township Ontario, Leeds and Grenville County Ontario, The Athens Reporter 1

The Athens Reporter- excerpts have been taken from this newspaper for the years- 1926. The original newspapers are in the archives of the Heritage House Museum, Athens, Ontario

Jasper. April 12, 1926

School re-opened o Monday.

Mrs. Carroll Livingston and daughter Doreen, of Frankville, were guests last week of Mrs. O. Burridge.

Mrs. Mort Davis, Smiths Falls, was the guest of Mrs. Walter Hanton on Friday last.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Moore and children visited in Kemptville last week.

Miss Pearl Campton spent Sunday with friends in Smiths Falls.

C.A. Pryce is able to be out again having recovered from a bad cold.

Mrs. Harry Bates has returned home from Smiths Falls

October 16 2017

Frankville – News from the Village 1925-1930

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Frankville Ontario, Kitley Township Ontario, Leeds and Grenville Ontario 0

The Athens Reporter- excerpts have been taken from this newspaper for the years- 1925 to 1930. The original newspapers are in the archives of the Heritage House Museum, Athens, Ontario

Frankville- Feb 26, 1925

Kitley Mourns the Loss of William Henry Montgomery. Was a School Teacher after leaving Athens High School

The death occurred at Frankville, on Tuesday, February 24, of a highly respected and widely known citizen in the person of William Henry Montgomery. The deceased had been strickened with paralysis only a few days before and had failed to show any improvement during the time up to his death. On Tuesday morning about 3:30 the end came. The whole community and surrounding country were in mourning. The one who had passed way was the great helper and advisor of the community. He was a man slow to criticize, of weighty judgment and of a charitable nature and the district has lost one of its greatest intellects. The deceased was much interested in public and political life. Being a staunch Conservative, he took and active part in politics.

The latter part of Mr. Montgomery’s life was spent at Frankville, where he was born in 1856, the son of the late Joseph Montgomery. He attended the Farmersville (Athens) High School and after graduating from that institution taught school in several parts of the district. Then he accepted a position as Customs Officer at Brockville, and spent some years in the service of the government. He returned to the home of his boyhood to spend the remainder of his life in the service of the people with whom he began his days.

The funeral left the home at 1 p.m. on Thursday and the service was conducted by the Rev. T.F. Townshend of the Toledo Union Church and internment made in the cemetery there.

Some years ago the only daughter, Mrs. W.J. Plunkett, Perth, Ont., passed away. A sorrowing wife, one grandson, E. Cleon Plunkett, and family, Ottawa; four brothers, J.W. Montgomery, Frankville; Stewart Montgomery, Frankville; Rev. Edgar Montgomery, Tauton, Mass; Herman Montgomery, Almonte and one sister, Mrs. H. Pierce, Smiths Falls remain to morn the great loss.

The pallbearers were the cousins of the deceased, Manford Montgomery. James Robb, George Robb, Edgar Robb, I.E. Lockwood and Morty E. Montgomery.

Among the floral offerings were sprays from Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Stewart, Brockville; Dr. W.H. Bourns and Mrs. Edgers, Frankville; and Dr. H.A. Clark, MPP, Brockville.

Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved wife and sorrowing friends.

Frankville, Feb 25, 1925

A miscellaneous shower was held last Monday evening at Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hayes’ for Miss Leala Eaton, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Eaton. A large number of people were present and a wonderful collection of gifts testified to the esteem in which the bride is held by her many friends.

Mrs. T.F. Townsend entertained the Ladies’ Aid on Thursday last. A very enjoyable time was spent by all.

Miss Leala Eaton and Roy Carr were married at the Methodist parsonage on Tuesday by the Rev. T.F. Townsend. They were both of Frankville and will reside in Kemptville where Mr. Carr has a good position.

Rev. T.F. Townsend entertained a number of young married people on Tuesday night at the parsonage. Although the roads were in bad condition, a good crowd was there and an enjoyable time was spent.

Frankville, April 9, 1925

A golden wedding – Mr. and Mrs. Eber Yates

The pleasant and commodious home of Mr. and Mrs. Eber Yates was the scene of a happy gathering on Monday, April 6, when friends and relatives assembled to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of their wedding.

The rooms were tastefully decorated with streamers and festoons in color of old gold; cut flowers added their incomparable charm to the setting and emblems (variously located) of “United Hearts”, all these in combination very clearly indicated the meaning of the event.

On being ushered into the spacious dining room the guests found awaiting them a magnificent spread, replete with all that could be desired of “Things good to eat and drink.”

Grouped on the lawn in front of the residence, a number of photo negatives were secured, first of the entire assembly, and again of smaller groups.

It had been understood that there were to be no presents, but this was disregarded and Mr. and Mrs. Yates were the recipients of a number of fine souvenirs in gold, properly marked and engraved for the occasion.

Time passed rapidly in pleasant converse and reminiscent exchange, following which a reading appropriate to the occasion was given by the elder daughter, Mrs. Wm. G. Towriss, of Athens, and a number of the old time melodies and favourites were rendered with Mrs. Claude Marshall, of Toledo, the younger daughter, as the accompanist, and the event was brought to a close by singing that old favourite “The Way of the Cross Leads Home”.

The departing guests wished bon voyage to Mr. and Mrs. Yates for the remaining portion of the journey of life.

Frankville – July 1, 1925

Mr. and Mrs. Steward Montgomery are taking a trip to Winnipeg to visit their daughter, Mrs. Martin for a few months.

Quite a number of Frankville people attended the funeral of George Booth at Addison on Tuesday last.

A number of people went to Brockville to attend the funeral of Delbert A. Cummings who was so well known in this vicinity.

Mrs. P. Jones has returned home from Smiths Falls where she was visiting friends and relatives for a few days.

Dr W. Bourns is very ill again. His brother James has arrived from ‘Appelle to visit him.

Mrs. Albert Hanton and Mrs. John Lockes are in New York visiting Mr. and Ms. James Lockes and other relatives.

The Methodist social held on June 29^th was a complete success, every person present seemed to enjoy it.

D.D. Leverette, wife and daughter, were Sunday visitors of his mother Mrs. G.M. Leverette.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Neddo and I.B. Leverette, Brockville were visitors of W. Perival on Sunday last.

Mathew Hanton is able to be out again after his recent illness.

Frankville, April 10, 1926

Rev Mr. Douglas conducted Lenten services in St. Thomas’ church last week.

Arnold Smith returned this week to his cheese factory in Navan, Que.

On Easter Sunday Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Richards entertained their daughters and husbands, viz., Mr and Mrs. M. Barber, Plum Hollow; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dunham, Toledo, also Mr. Dunham’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ham. Dunham.

G.W. Steen spent Easter with his sister, Mr. and Mrs. J Mitchell.

Miss Freeman has returned to her home after spending the winter with friends.

Mrs. Morrison returned to Brockville after spend a week with her brother, Mr. H. Hanton, who is very ill.

Miss Bouck, teacher, is spending holidays at her home at Osgoode Station.

Last Wednesday Mrs. W. Brown entertained the village teen age girls to their annual treat of warm sugar.

M.W.S. met Tuesday p.m. at the home of Mrs. W. Bryan. Mrs. (Rev.) Townsend, president, was not able to be present. Mrs. W.G. Richards was elected president of the Hildred Mission Band, Mrs. N. Moore having resigned owing to pressing duties.

Mr. Goff of Syracuse came over to accompany his aunt, Mrs. Kate Edgers, to his home for a time.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and family of Tincap, have moved into oart of the house with Mr. H. Sands.

A specially arranged programme by the choir and a decidedly pleasing sonata entitled “Pilgrims’ Vision”, followed by an unusually impressive sermon by Rev. Mr. Townsend, concluded the Eater services last Sunday evening in the United church.

Mr. Luke Morris is sick with the flu.

Frankville– March 14^th, 1927

Frankville Family Remembered on Removal to Athens

A very pleasant time was spent last Saturday evening when about forty members of St. Thomas Church, Frankville, gathered at the home of Mrs. L.G. Eaton to tender a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. William Hewitt and to express their good will and regret at their removal to Athens.

The evening was very pleasantly spent by those present in games and music and the following address read by Mr. Richard \Hayes.

To Mr. and Mrs. William Hewitt.

Dear Friends:

We, the members of the Anglican Church, Frankville, wish to express our feelings and sincere regret at your departure from this community by accepting these small tokens of remembrance and coupled with this our fervent hope that you may be spared many years to enjoy health, prosperity and continued friendship in your new home ever remembering your friends of this place.

Signed on behalf of the Wardens and members of the church. R.T. Hayes and V.E. Carley

At the proper time Vincent Carley presented Ms. Hewitt with and umbrellas and Mr. Hewitt with a cane.

Mr. Hewitt on behalf of Mrs. Hewitt and himself expressed their regret at leaving Frankville and sincerely thanked them for their expressions of good will and tokens assuring them they would often remind them of their good friends in this community. This response was followed by “For they are Jolly Good Fellows”.

The ladies then proceeded to the kitchen and a dainty lunch was served which all enjoyed immensely.

Frankville, March 11^th, 1927

It is with deep sympathy that we have to report the death of another of resident of this place in the person of Mrs. Percival, widow of George Percival, by whom she was predeceased 29 years ago. She who passed away on Tuesday, March 8^th at the advanced age of 84 years and ten months.

Deceased, before her marriage, was Miss Mary Louisa Leverette, daughter of the late William Leverette and Elizabeth Woods, among the early residents of this section. The late Mrs. Percival was the possessor of many kindly and loveable attributes and had many friends who will mourn her demise. She was also widely known and highly esteemed through out the entire community.

Those who are left to mourn her loss are one daughter and one son, Mrs. Louis Neddo, of Brockville, and William L. Percival of this place. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles W. Leverette of Frankville and J.B. Leverette of Brockville. Deceased was a member of the Frankville United church of Canada.

The funeral service was held at her late residence on Thursday at 2 o’clock by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Grdiner, who spoke from the 61^st chapter of Isaiah, 2^nd verse, after which the remains were laid to rest in the family plot at Lehigh cemetery. The pallbearers were George, Glen, Harold and Dalton Leverette all nephews of the deceased.

Frankville, Oct 23, 1930

W.D. Livingston, Frankville carried bullet for 51 years.

To have a bullet extracted from his body where it remained for a period of 51 years, was the very unusual experience which befell W.D. Livingston of Frankville, on Monday of last week.

When a young man, Mr. Livingston accidentally shot himself in the left ankle with a .22 calibre revolver, while near Council Bluffs, Iowa. The bullet was not recovered and the wound healed with such success that no pain was caused and no discomfort resulted until a couple of weeks ago when the sole of his foot became sore.

Deciding to have the soreness investigated, Mr. Livingston consulted Dr. W. Earl Throop, Frankville. A small lump was discovered on the sole of the foot and when the lump was opened the bullet was found. A couple of stitches were required to close the wound and the patient suffered no ill effects.

The bullet was in a remarkable state of preservation. It was scraped along one side, possibly from contact with the ankle bone.

Mr. Livingston is 73 years of age, has been a farmer all his life and is enjoying good health.

November 18 2016

Shane’s Corners – A Forgotten Hamlet in Kitley

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Leeds and Grenville, Shane, Shane's Corners 0

Shane’s Corners

The area around the community was initially settled by Lowland Scots. Otter and Hutton Creeks passed through the area but these waterways were not large enough to support a mill operation

Shane’s Corners was a small settlement located along Highway 29 near what was the First Concession of Kitley. Shane’s Corners was settled by a man named Lawrence Shane and his wife; Mrs. Shane kept a private school here at one time. The settlement consisted of a few homesteads and very few businesses. [2]

In the 1860’s, the settlement became home to a Temperance Hall, called Mount Albion Temple of the Good Templars Lodge No. 60, I.O.G.T., and located on the first concession. This society continued until 1875.

In the late 1800s, Shane’s Corners had its own cheese factory, Cameron’s Cheese Factory (or perhaps also known as The Glen Elm Cheese Factory [1]) This factory was originally built on a local homestead, however was later moved to the lot across the road from Shane’s School, a more central location. (Wikedepia).

The cheese factory was in operation until 1948 when it was destroyed by fire[1]

In the late 1950’s a 4-H Home-making club was started for boys and girls aged 12 to 16. At this club the young people took up sewing, cooking and crafts. A Shane’s branch of the Women’s Institute was formed in 1962 and had 14 members. The women’s group supported local groups in and around the Shane’s area. [1]

Schools

The settlement was large enough that it was able to become its own school section in the late nineteenth century. The school was known as S.S. #2 Shane’s School, and at the time was located along the boundary of Kitley and South Elmsley townships. [2]

In 1873, school trustees received the deed for a property of land from Henry Shane.

A new stone building was constructed in 1875, replacing an older school further down the road which was subject to arson, possibly committed by a pupil. The schoolhouse was used after hours as the community church, as well as a meeting hall. Well into the 1900s, the building was used by the Shane’s Women’s Institute.

Cemetery

At some point in the 1800s, a cemetery was established here. The cemetery is an Anglican cemetery.

^{[1]Our Living History, an historical guide to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville pub 2000}

^{[2] Kitley 1795-1975 by G.J. Lockwood}

1998-map-kitley-3 — Shanes on a map of 1998

shanes-cors-shane-home-built-in-1860-c1985 — Shane Home built in 1860, photo c1985

November 18 2016

Mott’s Mills – A forgotten Hamlet in Kitley

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Leeds and Grenville, Mott's Mills 2

Mott’s Mills

kitley-master-1861-62-map-2 — Mott’s Mills on a map from 1861-62

History has not recorded the early days of Mott’s Mills, but it is known that a homesteader, John Mott, built the first mill near his farm which straddled Hutton Creek, Mott lived in the area around 1820.

The Mott family is mentioned a number of times in Leeds County archives. Ruben Mott lived near Lyn, homesteading 100 acres of land on Lot 18 in the 3^rd Concession of Elizabethtown. His patent for the land was dated May 19, 1802.

John Mott probably moved into the area north of Toledo in 1818. He developed his homestead eight miles north of Chauncey Bellamy’s Mills on Bellamy’s Pond, the hamlet later becoming Toledo.

At the time Hutton was a sizeable creek, capable of supplying power for half a dozen mills. Other than giving their name to the community, the Motts apparently did little to develop Mott’s Mills. By 1840, the Motts were gone.

Sam Robinson moved in and took over the grist mill, then erected a shingle mill. Charles Blancher developed a flour mill, and George Blanchard erected a saw mill.

The area was rich in timber, the sawmill and shingle factory operated at full blast until the early 1900’s. Then the timber reserves petered out, and the extensive lumbering in the hills left mile after mile of barren waste, Deprived of its natural sources for replenishment Hutton Creek dwindled to a mere trickle, which a person could easily step across.

Robinson also put up a carding mill, to card wool taken from Mott’s Mills sheep flocks. The saw mill used to handle such large logs that a cabin door was made from one wide plank.

The Robinson family left Mott’s Mills after a son drowned in the mill pond, and Sam Robinson died. There are no Motts or Robinsons left in the area

One by one the mills closed. Some of the buildings were lost to fire, others just collapsed from decay. Now only the foundations remain and they are thickly overgrown with weeds and underbrush.

Motts Mills also had a tavern, a tannery and a school. It was a stagecoach station for travellers taking the stage from Brockville to Bellamy’s Mills, thence north to Lombardy and on to Rideau Ferry and Perth. Country Road No. 1 now roughly follows the Perth Road route of the early 1800’s.

Cameron’s Cheese Factory was started near Mott’s Mills and served the area 40 years before being moved down the Town Line Road between Kitley and South Elmsley Townships. The factory was set up on the Kitley side of the road, about two miles west of Shane’s Corners and the old Shane’s School which still stands there.

In 1900, the road to the factory ran from Mott’s Mills through Careron’s Swamp, past the Cameron homestead and reached the Town Line Road near the Pattermore’s Farm. Subsequently, it was moved to the north side of the road, to Bill South’s homestead in South Elmsley.

Then, Silas Hitchcock bought it from the Camerons and operated the factory until the 1950’s when it finally closed for good.

When Mott’s Mills was established the only grist mill in Kitley was the John Livingston Mill near Frankville.

At one time Mott’s Mills probably boasted 400 people.

Schools

Generations of Mott’s Mills children were educated at the community’s old one room school, which closed around 1950. The original log school was built on Lot 21 of the 3^rd Concession of Kitley. It was succeed by a frame building, which in turn was demolished to make room for a stone school built in 1906.

In its heyday, the school accommodated up to 80 pupils. When Mott’s Mills went into decline, the factories closed and the population dropped, thus greatly reducing school enrolment. After the Second World War, the decline was much more noticeable. All schools in the north of Leeds suffered setbacks and many were closed.

Shane’s School enjoyed an upswing in attendance during the 1950’s, when more people moved into the area. Further down the Town Line Road, Blanchard’s School suffered reverses and was closed in 1956. Pupils from Blanchard’s were then transferred to Mott’s Mills.

Pioneer Sam Hough was the original owner of the land on which Mott’s Mills School stood. The Lot no 21 in the 3^rd Concession of Kitley was deeded to Hough on December 18, 1803. In 1816, the lot was sold to Sam’s son, Brewin Hough who in turn disposed of it in the following year to Micajah Purdy. It was probably in Purdy’s time that the first school was erected on the lot. George S. Scovil bought the lot in 1833, and that portion on which the school stood was deeded over to the area school board.

Blanchard’s reopened in 1961, operated for two years and closed forever in 1956. Motts Mills School also closed in the early 1960’s. Students from these two schools were then bussed to Jasper Public School.

The old Robinson home built probably 150 years ago still exists today. A modern concrete bridge holds back the waters of Hutton Creek, so that the mill pond which served the mills still exists today.

Below the dam, only a trickle of water tumbles over the rocks. The old rock dams of the days of Mott and Robinson have been swept away by flood waters over the years, and little trace of them can be seen today.

motts-mills-robinson-family-homc-c1900 — Robinson Family Home c1900

motts-mills-hutton-creek-c1985-1 — Hutton Creek c1985

motts-mills-hutton-creek-c1985-2 — Hutton Creek c1985

Original Cement Dam at Mott’s Mills Sep 2017

All that’s left of the original dam at Mott’s Mills photo taken Sep. 2017

Looking South over the wetlands- Sep 2017

Looking south over the wetlands at Mott’s Mills Sept 2017

The Athens Reporter and County of Leeds Advertiser

Excerpts have been taken from this paper referencing the following hamlet for the years 1889, 1894 and 1895

Tuesday June 25, 1895 issue–

Last week Mrs. Geo. Nash re-visited Mott’s Mills, where she formerly resided, after an absence of nineteen years.

November 18 2016

Kinch Street – A Forgotten Hamlet in Kitley

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Kinch Street, Leeds and Grenville 0

Kinch Street

The great Irish immigration into Canada in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s brought the first Kinch Family to this old community. They carved a homestead out of the wilderness beside the road that is known as Kinch Street.

Although always prosperous because of the fertility of its’ farms, Kinch Street had no major industries, mills or factories in its past.

Grist mills and sawmills flourished on Irish Creek near Jasper, and on Slab Street to the southeast, or at Toledo to the southwest, but Kinch Street did not develop these standbys of pioneer days.

Dairy farmers along the street produced great quantities of milk, which was processed into cheese at the Newbliss factory two miles west of this community. When the Newbliss factory closed in the 1940’s, the local milk was shipped to a cheese factory at Easton’s Corners, until it too disappeared in the 1950’s.

Ernie Dack bought out the Newbliss factory and moved to Easton’s Corners. He made cheese for over 40 years until he was killed when his car was hit by a train in Ottawa.

The first homes on Kinch Street were made of logs. In the period 1880 to 1900 a number of Victorian style homes were built with high ceillinged rooms and lots of cellar space. Rooms downstairs had ceilings 10 feet above the floor, upstairs they ran to eight or nine feet high. Following 1900, red brick homes were built by Edward Kinch. Edward Kinch used bricks from the demolished home of pioneer Hiram Buker to erect a house in 1920. One of the first brick homes in the area was built in 1870 by Edward Kinch.

First School

The first log school house here was built in the early 1840’s on the west corner of the farm of pioneer Isaac Foster. Known as S.S. #8, the log school burned down a few years after it was built.

The community replaced it with a wooden frame structure sheeted in galvanized iron and painted white. For around 100 years it educated generations of Kinch Street children, until it was phased out by the school consolidation in the 1950’s.

This school stood on Lot 9 of the 6^th Concession of Kitley. The teacher in 1876 was John Mackay, a veteran educationalist who taught in Newbliss for 20 years before coming to this school.

School trustees in 1876 were Isaac Foster who had donated the plot on which the school stood, James Love and James Morrissey, who was also the boards sectary treasurer. A Dr. Kinney was the school inspector.

Ezra Kinch and Family

kinch-st-kinch-family-taken-in-1909-2 — Ezra Kinch and his wife, Sarah Ann photo from 1909

Ezra Kinch and his wife, Sarah Ann, descendants of pioneers who settled Grenville county around 1840, posed with their family in 1909 for this photo. In front is Lauretta, who married Wes Chant of Toledo; second row, left to right, Maud who wed Bob Lucas, was widowed and married Thomas Ferguson; Mrs. Sarah Ann (Wright) Kinch, mother of the family; William J. Kinch 7, Ezra, father of the family; Mary Jane, though her birth certificate said “Mary Louise”, who married Albert Ferguson of Jasper; rear row, Myrtle, who died at the age of 16; Eliza Ann, who wed a man named Ready in Jasper; Florence May who wed \|Harry Wood, of RR#2, Jasper; Kathy Loyola who married William H. Bell for many years reeve of Kitley and Warden of the United Counties; and Gertrude Estella, who married Alex Morrison, of Morrison Road, south Kinch Street.

kinch-st-william-j-kinch-plowing-c1930 — J. Knch at the plow c1930

kinch-st-ezra-and-sarah-ann-kinch-c1920 — Ezra and Sarah Ann Kinch c1920

kinch-st-edward-kinch-c1900 — Edward Kinch c1910

1998-map-kitley-2 — Kinch Street on map of 1998

judgeville-l-mrs-geo-code-r-mrs-dack-late-1800s-2

November 17 2016

Judgeville – A Forgotten Hamlet in Kitley

John Hamlets of Kitley Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Judgeville, Kitley, Leeds and Grenville 7

Judgeville

Unfortunately this forgotten hamlet, remains a mystery. As of the fall of 2016 we have been unable to find any information on Judgeville. If anyone has any history, stories or photos of this old hamlet we would appreciate hearing from you. One of the earliest settlers in this hamlet was a man called Daniel Judge.

kitley-wall-map-no-date-5 — Judgeville as it appears on a wall map, no date

November 16 2016

Crystal – A Forgotten Hamlet in Kitley

John Hamlets of Kitley Crystal, Forgotten Hamlets in Kitley, Leeds and Grenville 0

Crystal

Crystal is an old Irish community located east of Frankville. It lies along Leacock Road. The easiest way to reach Crystal is by taking the Leacock Road out of Frankville and heading due east until reaching Crystal No.8 L.O.L. the centre of the community.

The Irish of Crystal congregated on Lots No 1 to 7 in the 7^th Concession of Kitley east of Frankville. Two grist’s mills were erected on the south shore of Irish Lake and since local farmers were noted for their fine grain crops, the mills proved extremely valuable to the community.

First registered owners of lots in the community were the Livingston brothers, Daniel and David. On June 30^th, 1801 Daniel took out a 200 acre Crown land grant on Lot No.7 and the same day David was granted 200 acres on Lot No.6 Daniel sold his lot to John Burk, who in turn passed it on to Aaron Montgomery. Montgomery sold it in 1823 to Reuben Graves.

Crystal also had a cheese factory around 1850. The farmers cleared their land and produced wheat, rye, barley, oats, potatoes and vegetables.

Duncan Livingston had a lumber mill operating near Frankville, and there were several grist’s mills running in the area as well.

Oxen were the beasts of burden in the early days, until horses became more prevalent. Farmers also had herds of sheep for booth wool and meat.

Ogle R. Gowan founded Crystal No 8 Orange Lodge in 1832. Gowan who founded No. 1 Orange Lodge in Brockville began touring the countryside setting up new lodges wherever he deemed the population and times were ripe for such a move.

He was particularly interested in the high Irish population of this section of Kitley. Irish immigrants had homesteaded here in the 1820’s and many were from Protestant families.

Among the Protestant Irish, Gowan found ready fuel for his crusade on behalf of Orangeism. In the spring of 1832 Gowan established Crystal L.O.L. No. 8 being the eighth lodge he had founded in Canada since starting No.1 in Brockville.

The lodge building was erected on Leacock Road passing through this community. The two story hall was equipped with drive sheds in which members tethered their horses and tied up their buggies while attending lodge meetings.

In 1883 Crystal No.8 boasted 56 members who met regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. (Recorder and Times c1985, Darling Collection Bk 5 pg.6/7)

In Kitley Gowan also set up lodges at Toledo, Jasper and Newbliss. The Newbliss branch LOL No 183 was opened July 1, 1835.

In the 1820’s, Irish, English and Scottish settlers flooded into Kitley, helped by free passage over the Atlantic guaranteed by the government and an offer of 100 acres of free land per family.

Many Irish settlers took up homesteads in the area lying east of the present No. 29 highway, along a shallow pond which still today is called Irish Lake. At the north end of the lake, a settlement called Irish Creek grew up. Today it is the modern village of Jasper.

Schools

David Livingston also sold his land, 100 acres to Solomon Easton in 1818 and the balance to the same man a few years later. In the meantime Easton had sold his first purchase to George Hornick who built the area’s first school. The school was located in Lot 6 of the 7^th Concession. The exact date of the construction is unknown but it was listed in the 1861 census.

It was a school which held both Kitley and Wolford pupils, being know on the Leeds side as S.S. No.12, Kittley.

In 1861 it was located between the farm houses of George and Robert Hornick and in 1872 the teacher was Samuel Hornick. In 1875 Sam Hornick sold the half acre on which the school was located to the local school trustees.

The school one of the last log structures to be used by the Leeds and Grenville School system was phased out in 1961 after more than a century of service, and Crystal area children were bussed to a new school in Frankville. The old log structure was sold to a Brown Family, moved to the North Augusta Road and renovated as a home.

Religion

Methodists worshipped anywhere they could find shelter, a barn being used on more than one occasion but in 1834, the congregation built a log chapel on the eastern edge of Kitley Township in the community known as Crystal and the church subsequently bore the name “Providence Chapel”.

The church was used until church union in 1935 when it was sold to a local resident who in turn donated it in 1960 to Upper Canada Village.