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The Acton Free Jan Few settlements dotted Halton Hills bush 130 years ago Halton Hills is where its at and heres where it all began Excerpts from Gwendolyn P Clarkes book on Halton county Pages of the Past tell of the origins of Georgetown and Acton Tuesday these municipalities became one Mrs Clarkes book is out of print and is constantly in demand It was published in 1955 ACTON the town in IW1W i It situated at the unit tw hlfihvvilVS mil It 40 miles from norm IS It mid there an in n if 1 a t if jui M l leather H ei electrical h I equipment In was t ITS 11 till Stlt i in IK Adams vet fir Irv it Kii tv raut an 1 nunc v plained I named J Danville if lie- He ii t a that did IS as later the was ihitnked Adams vie settlers Even i mid nt have been h i the pioneer fun In changed tins Hi Hi name I mum lrt Swan list post i r kiitl in I the of a farm- the first Industry n luturallv a mill built on I It was a log unit was known as Mill lint was up in a about and mud and operated by Abraham it changed hands iittl tm luh to stay In 1885 re Company took over th and rem then on it itpanilid until It became industries located in Acton its arh were J and Stewarttown was capital of Esquesing STEWARTTOWN on the icv Line a loveli nestling between to hills on bank the Credt It lak to and said to In the first in It der its SUwirt and iiiki abundant iw built a and istaLl h nil null sU mill later and Wilt It is now i pi rued r Law ion and Sen and be in Liu wn failv Je A section of Line running from town is the main street the village According to the Halton Alia John streets branch off the Seventh is the cap til of the township the seat of the local The 1 rst canned of ratepayers was held at he home Joseph ih Lot on on At this le lownr the of the to for out he in and mill if the Municipal Act of as the Act the townships were bi the Jus ices in For this reason the in meeting at was under a war rant signed William Thompson and S Just for the of which was a jart With authority the follow ins off rs ere installed Janu township clerk Sinn dish and Thomas Barbour Assessors Charles Kennedy and Town Wardens Thonns Collector Meetings at thi home un- thi of a tnvern on Lot wtst on the Seventh Line by Thompson which became or miles around as Lorn Tims Tin in was the chosen r township meetings The chief isintss of the council at wis to define and settle over proportion of a land deciding what animals to run at large for road vork and supervising the registra of cattle marks each settler be distinctive mirk for his cattle which could be established A mark was in the form of a half- cut out from one or other of the ears the cattle or sometimes portion of the ear snipped off Once township business was con cluded it was customary for the pioneer legislator together with others who happened to drop in to wind up the day in a social way partaking of such food and liquor as as obtainable from Long Tom cuisine Very often this social me 1d to arguments and menls to fist fights before the day was out especially after the Rebellion when party feeling still ran high After the Baldwin Act had been i meeting of the ratepayers First Acton settlers in 1829 W glove factory Browns and Hall Lumber and Shingle Mill Speights Blacksmith and Carriage Works and Acton a Plow Manufacturing Company There were also lime works that went into operation in 1673 with two kilns cap able of burning 350 bushels a day Acton was also well supplied with stores hotels livery stables and The Grand Trunk Railway now the CNR had Its first service railway in As tne pioneer population increas ed Acton Cltiiens were affiliated with various religious groups the Methodists Presbyterians Episcop alians Baptists and Disciples of Christ They wor shipped in log cabins crude frame buildings or In the homes of pion eers As more permanent places of wor ship were established churches were built In the following order Baptist Church first pastor Rev John Oakley Knox Church 1841 first minister the Rev John Methodist Church pastor the Rev was a frame church The present United Church was built in 1875 The first Roman Catholic Church was at Dublin two miles south of Acton Later the of St Joseph purchased the old Con gregational House of Worship and had it changed over to a Roman Catholic Church The first resident priest was the Rev Father Holey appointed in St Albnns An gllcan Church was built in First Rector wns the Rev Swallow The church was consec ratio by the first Bishop of Niagara in There is every indication In the records thai the ministers of all the servid people faith fully and well but the itcv Cameron left behind him a some what unique record Mr Cameron to the Presbyterians in Acton from to At that time he retired but continued to reside In Acton He died at home of Peter on February 1B00 at the age of 2 The site of government returns to Esquesing in new building this week Above is the first Esquesing township hall as shown on an 1858 map by George C was held at Mackensies Tavern In the village when in accordance with the act the first council was elected as follows John McNnugh ton Reeve Lindsay deputy reeve James Young Robert Hall and William Thompson councillors Richard Tracy Clerk At election James Young was elected reeve from and had Ihe honor of being appointed War den tu the Provisional meeting of the County of Halton held In Mil ton at Thompsons Inn July 1853 This was thi first meeting after an agreement had been reach to the two counties of Halton and Wtntvorth Town clerk was succeeded by his son John who held that office for a numbei of For a long lime he had on the wall of his office a poster February 1S48 Continued on man of fine character and high Ideals That he was on exponent of the simple life was obvious from the following codicil attached to his will It read as follows Considering the foolish extrava gance displayed by tho community In general and as protest against It I almost believe a solitary pro test I direct that my body when dead shall be decently wrapped In bleached cotton neatly prepared for the purpose laid in a simple coffin made of pine with no ornament Hon not as much as my no mo and carried to grave In a sleigh If In winter or a spring wagon and laid in the grave without a and that no monument of any kind be put to mark the place unless some friend take a boulder from the field to mark the spot and if he fancy to do so cut thereon initials DBC In all other re I confirm my said will On this same subject it la parti cularly worthy of note that In Ac ton there arc now no neglected pioneer When the acre age of the old cemetery had been out of for ytari or more of trusted headed by lite Nelson Moore took measures to restore It from a slate of neglect Headstones were to form permanent cairn In the centre of the old as a tribute of appreciation and for tho pioneer fathers who had laid groundwork for tho present pros perity of the Acton district For tlio sin of the town Acton iducntlonnl and recrea tional facilities are good well built schools and a very fine park Prospect Park com with wading pool It has at tractive gates band stand and a largo arena which Is tho site for he annual Acton But Its chief year round attraction Is the lake a body of water which covers an ares of It was origin ally the Mill Pond but thanks to the foresight of Mrs Augusta cord the town fathers were per suaded to use tho more attractive name Fairy Lake Georgetowns founder was George Kennedy THE five towns now incorporated In the County of might be likened to the five digits of human hand This you can prove by placing your hand on a map of with the palm resting be tween the townships of Nelson and Thus you will find the thumb or first digit points to Acton the index finger to George town middle finger to the county town of Milton fourth digit to Oak and the little finger to Bur lington By this method following the in finger we come to the location where In 1820 three men stopped and decided to make this their future home We don t know if they were tho first white men to reach the district as history seldom records the names of those who merely pass through any par spot history begins with those who settled and in one way or another made homes for them selves and their families And so the first names we find mentioned in connection with Georgetown arc those of George Kennedy the founder of the settlement and then Marquis and Sylvester Garrison George Kennedy was born In New Jersey In 1792 During the war of 1812 he served as sergeant in the British Army In he married Elizabeth Williams In 1820 the young couple moved to Esquesing near what is now Georgetown Kennedy was a land surveyor naturally a lucrative occupation in a new country The young surveyor was quick to realize the potentiali ties for agriculture and commerce of the district In which he had elded to make his home and did everything possible to promote its settlement However the must have had many difficulties In clearing the land and making a living as for a time the settlement became known as Hungry Hollow Perhaps the name may have h id something to J with Its slow growth as up until there were still only the first three original pioneers and their families Eventually the settlement became known as Giorgitown after its founder George Kennedy Apparently the change of name brought change of fortune as in 1837 along came the Barber brothers first to erect a woollen mill and then a paper mill Georgetown was now safely launched into the world of rial enterprise which through years has been multiplied many times over by the Introduction of other mills of various types in addition to atone marries card ing factory carriage works plan mill and a knitting machine tory In fact Georgetown became a busy Industrial area a reputation which It enjoys to this day Stores naturally became a ally so in John Sumpton open the first general store Two years later James Young started up In op position and carried on a good for many years business men in the 80s were Wilson and Thayer furniture hardware and Whlttakcr drugs Huston and Star Jewellery Armour and Back Issues of The Free Press OUR READERS WRITE years ago of Acton citizens have been summoned to the third nomination meeting in an effort to select enough representatives for the municipal council The third meeting is Jan with election Jan The initial nomination meeting secured seven of the nine and the second mecling one more Margaret and Bill Toth were married in Knox church chapel A crowd the vined program at Lorn school under Mrs Ijjrne Simpson and Crawford Douglas Recitations were Riven Valerie Crofts Simmj McPhedran Catharine McPhedran and Lve Major John nderson who was minister of Knox church for several has been posted to Korea as senior chaplain Don Schroedcr is one of the in a Canada wide photography contest Both pictures include his young son Richard He it imparting his knowledge to he Scouts A film God and The Atom was shown at the annual fireside sponsored the Bible Society M Coles was chairman and J Greer read scripture gave reports Parties and special sports events held at the Retiring members voiced their praises of warden George Leslie at the meeting of county council John Black joins the news of the Free Press and Champion S GeorgettareandOS RillMcHugh have returned after a month leave Over bags were given out at the United church concert Mrs Muriel Simp son and Mrs Shirley Dills directed the program and Frank Bean the piano 50 years ago The annual Methodist Christmas tree and Rockwood was held in the town hall Monday evening The scholars of the Sundav School were presented with candies and oranges Rc Mr the Christmas tree and the fireplace from which Santa emerged were a delight to the little folk The splendid programme was enjoyed a crowded house The annual Christmas treat for the children of Churchill church w as held at the home of Mr and Mrs A J Murray Clover- dale farm At the close of council meeting it was resolved that the treasurer pay members of council S3 per meeting and mileage for attending meetings and S3 per day for commission work After years the Guelph Herald ceased publication and has merged with the A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the annual piano recital of Miss Lauretta Gray Musical numbers were contributed pupils followed by holiday games and a general good time The new principal of Acton Continuation school is Mr James A who has been on the staff of Toronto ersity Hurrah for Mayor of Toronto His boy hood as spent in this locality Tommy Church found out he has no perpetual claim to Ihe lop post of the city Our local coal dealers deserve the thanks of the community for their foresight in securing ample coal for the needs of all so far this season notwithstanding the reported shortage Under the new Highway Traffic Act intoxicated persons are not to drive motor vehicles 75 years ago Christmas week In Acton is essentially the Sunday Schools time for coming Into prominence The evenings at this time are pretty well monopolized with their entertainments St Sun day School gave a cantata The children of the Baptist Sunday school were delightfully entertained when a series of colored Lime Light views of the city of London were shown For a quarter of a century Christmas night has been made eventful especially to the scholars by the anniversary entertain ment of the Methodist Sunday school This year the programme comprised a cantata with choruses motion songs recitations etc Largely of a devotional and missionary character The orchestra played The part filled by the Soldiers of the Cross was most attractive The 12 young ladies robed in white wearing crowns of and bearing swords and shields charmed the audience The average attendance of the Sunday School Is 222 The scholars of the Disciples Sunday school were given a tea and Christmas treat last Tuesday evening by the teachers The children enjoyed the good things very manifestly Christmas promotions have been an nounced at the school including Oscar Brown Fern Brown Freeman Coleman Brant Roy Arnold Ida Laird Bertie Smith Maggie Harvey Myrtle Matthews Vida Ruby Clark Annie Florence Holmes Frank Marcus Mr Graham gave his pupils at afad school a taffy pull the last day of school The children presented him with a handsome dressing case Celebrated Indian cures at a Hotel Acton last Wednesday of each Dear Miss How grateful we are to the Acton Branch Activity Group of the Canadian Cancer Society for the marvellous con they have mode Christmas here at the Lodge We were just speechless when your many boxes arrived and words cannot express the appreciation that we feel for your kindness generosity and thought fulness How to express our gratitude is almost impossible but I sure you know how pleased we are for the hundreds of Items that we now have for distribution Will you please extend our thanks to all of the members of the Activity Group tor the many hours of work that it took to provide these items as well as packaging them for delivery To those who knitted socks mitts toques bed jackets pullovers lap throw to those who sewed and to those who donated so many useful say thank you a thousand times To those who baked and cooked the grateful thanks of all of the patients goes out also We just cannot begin to tell you how many patients will have more pleasant Christmas and Holiday Season due to the busy Acton The best wishes of the Lodge patients staff and volunteers goes out to each one of you and may 1974 be good to alt of you Director of Volunteers The boxes contained eight scarves 16 knitted slippers laced slippers bed jackets socks 36 small pillows six toques two mitts a lap throw two pull overs two dickies a flannel bed jacket five rolls wrapping paper five mens pyjamas five short sleeve shirts hair brush nine stump socks pair nylons underwear a sweater a sweater set a suit and a skirt and many many candies and cookies The Editor Acton Free Press Acton Ontario Dear Sir During the past year we have come to respect the great value to a community and to particular citizens as well of a news I should like you to know how much It has meant to us to find that there is so much concern for one fellow man in this world which is so often called coldhearted or even apathetic Through the Letters to the Editor column we have been amazed to discover the numbers or good folk there are in this world Also we found that the Members of Parliament realize as well that this is a reliable source of Information on issues that the public considers important We would like you to know what a debt of gratitude we owe to you Sir and the freedom of the press May the new year bring you much satisfaction and plenty of good news Yours truly Mrs Oscar The Free Press Acton Ont Dear Sir had not intended to write to your paper again so soon but I had such a unique Christmas I felt that I would like to tell someone about It Us not unique because of the many cards heart sent and remembrance brightening which I read and Crawford Smith as minister of yesteryear once said airistmas cards keep the bond of friendship unbroken unique because a pupil of years ago a lady sent a box in which was one article among others which she had made herself years think of It and her old teacher was still fresh and green Another pupil or 40 years ago a lady brought me a gift which was most unique It was In a round tin box and had sailed or flown across the sea from Ireland a cake Celebration Cake they called it It was described on the Unas a Traditional Plum Cake with brandy but t resist cake It was delicious I wonder If any of readers have tasted Irish Traditional i Cake Yours truly Milllcent Mtlrcy THE ACTON FREE PRESS PHONE 853 Business and Editorial Office