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PkGE FOURT~EN TEE CANADTAII STATESMAN, EOWMANVTLLE, ONTARIO THURSDAY. DEC. l8tIi, 1951 ,1 * i I. I 't HISTORICAL SKETCHES 0OP DURHAM COUNTY tjPstory of Courlice and Ehenezer bes Dack là Early Pioneer Days wReR -ïravei was Dy mag!e tfoacn e(, PElsie Carruthers Lunney) the First Concession, he bougbt "Thefou coner ofCoutic infrom a Mr. Scott the white cat- 1961,wfouR crso f N Chougrtice tage whicb stili stands on the itJdî w itbingyfNichaingarenorth side of the highway, back automnowbuildfling fo.p2inig-of Mr. Nichais' new building, autoobils flnkig No 2 Hgh-across the littie stream. way, is the bustling hub of a com- In any community, there must nxûnity populated by honest and be a store ta supply food and asmbitious farmers, carpenters. clothing. and a post office, so thut b4acksmiths and woodworkers. communication with other settie- Af hundred years aga, as Shorts ments and other lands may bc Corners, it was the centre of slfli maintained. These services were ihe activities. Srme of the de- cambined in the early days in the cRidants of these early pianeers store owned by Calvin W. Lent, sttl'l live in the Courtice and Lb- now the I. G. A. store. At first enezer district. Mr. Lent came ta Bowmanville 'Nowadays. Roy Nichois' garag.2, tbree times a week for the mail, t44 site af the old blacksmith then daily. NQwadays it is dcliv- shep, operated,, first bv George ered ta tbe post office. S1ort and fml. and later b. The Walter family, prominent1 William Hill. John Walter, Ai. in any history of Courtice, operat- fred Wyhomn, then Everett Wal- ing as tbey did n blacksmith shop ter, caters ta o'.-sug shining1 on the Base Line from 1878 ta borseless eri s instead of lo 1884. then in Courtice from 18841 the wants of th, fait-hful farm ta 1896, and again from 1901 ta horse. Atm,-o î:v tret thesC' 1 1921, have- also been Iâssociated sarre P o'ht nt h loen- with the Royal Mail since 1908 t~r ck k'd'cith'-so as G John Walter purcbased the gen- rnieans of t -ox-ot. r Fvohinin ' eral store where Miss Mabel Wal- coats of palot. In a building o ter and ber brother Frank L. the samne site, an(i v.hch stood Walter live today, in 1896, and unfil thk'eor Ias Courtice in 1908 took over as postmaster xith Mabel as his assistant. In î'Maor c Coutice 1926 Miss Walter became post- -Mayo of ourtce mistress, and in 1949 ber brother Frank became the third in the famiiy ta fi this important pos- ition. The post office now bas 90 boxes. Other sbaps and services con- temparary with the Shorts and the Walters, were W. R. Courtice's wbeelwrigbt and carpenter shop as mentioned; Harry Gay, Sr.'s carpenter sbop; S. S. Brooks' slaugbter bouse. east and north of Courtice-he supplied some Oshawa butchers and Calvin Lent's grocery store. A cheeset factory was also openated for many years just east of the vil- lage. Looking back into the early S. days when the bush grewun broken mile after mile alongý1 Lake Ontario, we find that the eanliest settiers were John Trul and Rager Canant wbo came from the IUnited States in 1795. They N wholscame across the lake in open -. eev a Daliot n, opuarhead of the lake, tbrough the igeneral Motors dealer. and comn- forest. Dr. L. B. Williams bad ~only referred ta as the-'"Mayouranitrsngcou f h n ô~ ourice du t th may sr-The Statesman several weeks aga. ices and contributions be "as Those for wbom the life of the ~ad fo th bcterentof isearly settiers holds fascination çommunity. will find plenty of it in twa books written by Thomas Canant. #nd bis son, W. R. Courtice, madc "Early Life in Upper Canada" Orriages and valcons andi paint- and "Upper Canada Sketches." éïd tbem by hand with painstainý- As Dr. Williams mentioned in bis igcare. And so the past ani article, John C. Truli, son of John fresent are linked. Truil, is believed ta be the first . The Courtice and Short famili-s white cbild born in the county. became great friends througtî The year was 1795. Following their business association. James down the hune, Jesse Trull wba Courtice miade x'..con wlîceis anîdI built the fine stone house on th2 fdr. Short. the c1aesm-ith, made Base Line and attended Ebenezcr iran rims for theni. It xvas Church. was n son of John C. ~74 wben James Courtice and Truli. Today Eani Truil oper- sfamily moed ta Short's Cor- ates the store on the bighway ners from the road wcst of Eben- formerly known as Pidduck's. Th'e àzer Churcli se that the xvbeeis Canant family moved on ta Osn- W'old'not have ta ho taken sti-h awa, or where Oshawa has now * distance for this operat ion te ho, arisen, and bave been prominent çompletcd. Jamecs Couit-tice, f-a- in that city's affairs as well as Uer of Florence,. Mrs. T. G. Mas- those of the province, through the 01, Bowmanviiie, erected the son, Hon. G. D. Canant. Y( building, show ýn in this article, Two families of Courtices. that in Wbicbi was onix- this year- tain of Robert already mentioned, and - elwn by Mr. Nîchols. As in the that of Christopher, were among W~ retrshop three-quarters of, the early settlers in Darlington, a? mile west of Ebenezer ChUrch, caming from England in 1835 ani >'bere Jamnes workcd xith bis 1833, respectively. We do flot Pther, Robert. furniture foi' the believe these were related. Rich- ýomes in the comnsuiiîy was ard Osborne was nîso an early Made as weil as wagons. Later camer, arriving on the same ship âh in W. R. Coniticres timo, car- as Robert. Christopher Courtice Mages miade lw cLuhio Car- haci a brother Thomas, wbo bad sage Works (for-el'oonîer of ths came out ta Darlington two years êorld-famous General Motors> carlier, in 1833. and he set about ~e sold. hewing a home out of the woods !The Courtice nivw-et-e ani- in the lot adjoining Thomas'. The ?-îg the eari'eq' settiers. coriiis'ý brothers worked tagether making ýom Devonshii-e, l, in a clearing for Christopber's bouse, 035.- When James înoýved froons then a place of worsbip. for tbese . C ourtice's Singing Postmaster FRANK L. WALTER Sengaged in sorting the morning mail just received r-ural mail (alTiier fi-orn Bowmanville. Fr-ank, through ~s musical t:.tnîs. lias contributed mnuch to uphold the egitural if e uL the comznuaity. T. H. Everson 0f Oshawa, wbo is in bis 93,d year, is considered tbe oldest liv- ing pioneer of this district.i 25 Ring St. En Before Time marches on to photo shows the new modei where the old building, shov shop between Toronto and Mi of the trade on people's bard luck on the ronds." He sold the odd car for other dealers for a small commission, and by 1928 he had a franchise for Willys OVýerland and a dealership for Whippet and Willys Knight cars. In 1930 he expanded, building a new mod- ern structure adjaining the olci one. Today he bas expnnded fur- ther, having built the completely modemn garage and showroomn on the corner of Churcfr and Silver Streets, Bowmanville, nnd bas the third largest payroll in the Township. Besides being' a suc- cessful business man, which goal he achieved through bis own en- terprise and integrity, Mr. Nich- ais is an outstanding leader in bis native township (he is Dar- lington's Reeve), contributor ta many cammunity endeavors and 15C . 25c . 50c - 75c GINGER BREAD MEN - - - - doz. 40c1 were'fine Christian people. Alter a time a log school house was erected on the south-east corner of the same lot. Church services seem ta have been held ini this schoolhouse too and the founda- tion was laid for what became the Ebenezer congregatian. The present brick building known as Ebenezer Church, was built in 1866. Prior ta that, a frame church had been built, and this was stili standing when the brick building was erected. The site was part of James Rundle's farm and was given ta the con- gregation by hlm for the purpose of building, a church. James Rundle's son still owns this farrni and his grandson is now living on it. Mrs. R. E. Osborne, Church St.. is a daughter of James Rundie. The church was first Bible Christian. then united with the Methodist Church on thc highway, or "Main Road" as it used to be called, and finally at the time of the union of Presby- terian and Methodist Churches in Canada. it became United Church. Its founders were devout Chris- tians and their descendants have carried an sa earnestly and suc- cessfully that Ebenezer Church flourishes today, as strong an in- fluence in the community. as it was in early days. The Sons of Temperance Hall north of Courtice, opposite Moun' Carswell school, is a building weil remembered by many. Hierei meetings 'and concerts, ail gath- erings which were of too secular a nature to be held in the church, took place. When population be- gan ta concentrate along the highway and the sehool was mov- ed out to it, the hall was pur- chased as a dwelling. The main rond, which had feit the rumble of the stagecoach from Kingston to Muddy York in the pioneer days, by 1923 was resounding to the swift passage of rubber-tired motor cars. Paving of the highway through Courtice was begun in this year. "I know 4the year," Miss Mabel! Walter states firmly, "because I was um the hospital having mny appendix out at the time." The smithy had become Roy Nichols' garage in 1921, comrplete with two gas pumps, to attend tu the wants of the horseless car-ý riage. 0f this era, Mr. Nichols says, "I depended for about 80c% Oldest Pioneer A well knawn resident of Clarke Township, Chas. A. Car- son, passed away in Bowmanville Hospital on Dec. 2nd in bis 81st make way f or streamn-lined buildings and equipment. This yenr, being ili only a few days. rn paint shop erected this year by Roy Nichais on the lot He was born On the Carson home- un above, was located. It is the best equipped auto paint stend, one mile South of Kendal, lontreal. known as Carson's Corners, ______________________________________ _____wbich bas been occupied by Car- sons for over 100 years. a patron of the football team.., of the top insuraisce salesmen of His wife, trie late Amy Finlay, wbo have first-hand knowleclge- Toronto, and Dr. Chas. Found, a passed away almost a yenr ago. of bis generosity. medical missionary, now of To- He leavez ta mourn his loss three Courtice bas many illustrions conte: Otis Worden, Public Sebool sans, Warren and Charles of Ken- sons today, many of them d(iý- Prinscipal, Toconto; Howard Cour- dal and George of Orano; four scendants of those first familiez. tice, retired civil servant, Otta- grandcildren: Wilma, <Mrs. John Walter Rundie wha is chaicma'î xa, are among those who have Scott), Newcastle; Helen, Amy of the Durbam Countx' Distr'ut gone fram Courtice and distin- and Wilson Carson' of Kendal, and High Sebool Board, is one xvîo îý, g,,ished themselves in their chas- tbree grent-grandchildren, Jim- taking bis place in com-munity on fields. -Tise Oke, Pearce, Pen- mie, Billie and Cathanine Scott of work. Chanlie Osborne, ex- found and Edmonston families Newcastle. His only dnughter, president of DiIrlam Count. iolias b îcue mn Olive (Mns. Cann) died 29 years Federation of Agricultuîre is ais- the pioneei's. ago. other. And many of tihe leeves Tise Eversons who date back ta Funerni services, wbich were of Darlington Township bave early days, are now prominent conducted by Rev. Lancaster, of came fram Courtice district: A. citi7ens ef Oshawa and Montreal. Newtonville, were held from the E. Courtice, W. R. Courtice. Geo. T. H. Everson, Oshawa, now i Marris Funeral Parlons, Bownxan- Annis, W. R. Piekeil and Roy isis 93î-d '-,cac, is one of the aid- ville, ta Orono Cemetery. ý Nichais ta name a few. Janiýoz est livinig pionceis frin this dist- Palîbearers were aId neighbars Hancock. son of Mr. ansd M r -ci, stili isale and bearty. of the deceased: Harper Cnrscnd- Horace Hancock is assistant A-rtri - Tise Ga' -s have focr nany yearsl den, Chas. A. Cooper. Win. Robin- cultural Representative of Sirn- been part of the back-boise of the1 son, Arthur McKay, Cecil Robin- coe County; Elmer Rîdo c' smnt.Tise Gay Contract- 1 son and Wilfrid McKay. Thé Suggestios . a For Busy Shopping Days MEAT PIES - BUTTER TARTS FRUIT MUFFINS- JELLY ROLLS RAISIN BUNS- JAM TARTS FRUIT BREAD - BRAN MUFFINS ROLLS WHITE or BROWN HOT for Noon Each Day CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS PUFFS CREAN - TOPPED DOUGHNUTS DOWNY FLAKE DONUTS Plain - Iced . Sugared CartrFmi PUMPS & SOFTENERS LIMITE» PF 82 LONDON - CANADA JACK BEOUGH, PLUMBING AND HEATING Bowxnanville Division St. S. PIIONE 615 Phone 855 w e ~- d9flffihi~ Jenny Lind Candies ASSORTED SOFT CENTRES FAMILY PACK HARD CENTRES CHERRIES $1.00 per IL. 1-LB. 2-LB. 5-LB. BOXES SALTED ASSORTED NUIS JENNY LIND 1-lb. box - $1.50 ABC SUCKERS Block Box- 25c Large Variety ... CHRISTMAS CANDY Large Variety- 25c bag Jenny Lind 6~ b BRD CANDY Xmas Wrapped - Assorted - 0 b If L i. - i * i FINE XMAS FRUIT CAKE Plain or Decorated Cut from Slab or To Your Order SHORTDREADS Indiviclual Moulds 1 Imas Stars 80c and $1.00 MINCE MEAT PIES - PASTRIES - TARTS FAMILY PIES - TARTS INDIVIDUAL PASTRIES Always in Good Taste For Every Occasion. . . ALMOND MACAROONS - MERINGUES PETIT FOIS ing Company and Found Luniber Company are two widdly known and enterprising busmnesses hav- ing their source in this district. Its roof£ more than a hundred years deep in the past, this thriv- ing community continues ta Pro- gress, keeping stride with the de- Ë ands of the times, and its grow- g population. A new two-room school is under construction at Courtice, fiiiing a long-felt need in the district. Part of the same project is a two-room addition at Mapie Grave, the two build- ings ta cast approximateiy $100,- 000. and ta be completed some time in April. Thu% providing far the educatian of its future citizens, Courtice laaks farward with confidence ta the years ta came. It is a bit hazardous in writing an hîstoricai sketch of this nature to mention names of families, for some are sure ta bÊ missed. If we are guiity of stich omissions we apologize for. the aversight and will giadly make corrections or add any names which shouid have been mentioned. In future issues we hope ta give historical sketches of other communities in West Durham. Stay-at-Home Bridge Put On by Club 15 Proved Big Success Last Wednesday, Dec. 5, "Clu*o 15" attempted something new in the form of their Stay-at-Home Bridge. This novel idea of play- ing bridge at home and hnving .the refreshments delivered seem- ed ta appeal ta many. Club members were kept busy that day making sandwiches and baking "goodies" ta fili the boxes which were delivered personally by Club 15 members. The Club reports that their finst attempt at this type of bridge was very successful, thanks ta ahl the persans who partîcipated. Sa successful, ini fact, that they hope ta have another such Bridge in the Spring. O1BITUARY CHARLES A. CARSON VZ IVZ le W-TIMI 1. 11= lez, Il l«ZC libiaq» à - » eé ï, te.! ý k'týýtk. àel ;ýe âretâ k ik »X »à 4X Zr» THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO The above photo shows the old building referred to in the accompanying_ article, occupied by James Courtice, and later by his son, W. R. Courtice, which was used for over haif a cen.'tury as a carniage, wagon and paint shop. It was tomn down this year to be re- placed by the building shown below. Af ter PXGIC FOURTnN IWURSDAY. DEC. IM, 101 ,