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18 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, February 16,1994 Community Correspondence Dashing Through the Snow at Enniskillen Conservation Area Happenings in Hampton by Michelle Balson - 697-2349 It has been three years now since I began writing this column. I must say it certainly has been a growing experience experience for me. I enjoy providing you the readers with interesting and informative informative news. But, I cannot take all the credit. I must extend a special thank you to Hampton residents Wilma Wilma Kantor and Elizabeth Bateman. A quick phone call, to Wilma fills me in on the church news and the weekly card scores. Elizabeth always lets me in on the Guiding association and any other tid bit that might be happening around Hampton. Of course I must also say thank you to you the readers. Many, of you call offering information about one matter or another and it is always appreciated appreciated when you do. I thoroughly enjoy writing. When occasionally you run into someone who says "Aren't you the lady who writes Happenings Happenings in Hampton, I enjoy reading your column every week", it really makes it all worth while. Enough already. Where are the By Sher Leetooze Two hundred years seems like a long time to many of us, but in reality it is but a drop in the bucket of time. For myself, I can say that I have lived half a century, short only a year or so. Taken in a time perspective, that's one full quarter of the time since the first three families arrived at Darlington's shores. Many of our grandparents are still living, and they have lived a full half of that time. When you take a look at our 200th anniversary through your own and your family's lifetimes, it isn't a very long span in time, but much has happened happened to this township in those years. From marshy lakefront to tim-, bered wilderness, we have grown into an area of prosperous farms, thriving ' towns and vibrant commerce. commerce. People from all over the world have settled here, some to remain remain and build our communities, some to stay just long enough to rest, then move on to other areas. This column, to run for the duration duration of our 200th year, will take a look at those who came and left their mark - those who came first and those who came later on to add their own special flavour to life in Darlington. Darlington. With this first, column I will start at the beginning of European settlement. settlement. That happened in the year 1794 at the mouth of Barber's Creek, now known as Bowmanville Creek in some parts of the township. The Conants, the Burks and the Trulls were three United Empire Loyalists Loyalists families who had made their way from Massachusetts, through New York and into Upper Canada via Niagara. Six years earlier, Roger Conant and his friend, Charles Annis, had come to the north shore of Lake Ontario Ontario to scout out the area for new settlers. settlers. Liking what he had seen, Roger Conant had made application for land in Darlington in 1793. At Niagara, the three families were met by Col. John Graves Sim- coe, Governor of Upper Canada. He put the "rubber stamp' on the Conants' Conants' land, and accepted applications applications from the other two families. The Conants settled lots 28 to 31 of the Broken Front and the south half of lots 28 to 31 of the First Concession, Concession, some 1200 acres. Later on, this grant was added to, making well over 1600 acres in their parcel. The Trulls moved west to the area now known as Courtice, while the Burks stayed near Barber's Creek on Lot 13 of the First Concession. All three families played important important roles in the early development of the township. The first white child bom in Darlington township was John Casey Trull, son of John and Lydia Trail. Lydia Trull, who soon came to be known as 'Doctor Lydia', served as the settlers' only doctor for many years. Even though she was not of the medical profession, it is said that she was wise in the ways of medicine, medicine, and gleaned many of her nostrums nostrums from the plants wliich grew in abundance in the area. The small black kettle that she used to make her mixtures is now housed in the Bow- manvillc Museum. The Burks went on to commerce and built and operated mills in the vicinity vicinity of Barber's Creek, on the land now occupied by, the town of Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Through their indusliy, a thriving community emerged front the Canadian wilderness to become the scat of municipal government for Clarington. The Conants, who eventually moved west to the Oslinwa area (when it was known as Skca's Corners) Corners) became prominent in the judiciary judiciary and government areas, effecting Comedy Is a laughing matter. Our one liners are not. Know the wurntnu *nsn» of heart Attack and Mrokv. It mov save vour life. © the development of the whole of Upper Canada into today's Ontario. My goodness, what a lot happened in those first few early years! Stay tuned to this space for further tales of our early beginnings and the development development of the Darlington we know today. today. card scores you say? Well, they're right here, on the tip of my pen, so let's get to it. George Harper had the highest score of 87. In second place was Eldon McKay with his score of 84. Next was Win Brown with 80. This was followed by Ruby Cochrane with 76 and Ada Richards with 75. Marie Brooks had the Most Lone Hands of six. The evening's Most Honest Player was Jessie Edwards. For those of you who don't know, the Most Honest Player is a nice way of saying the lowest score. The Special was won by Pauline Raymond. The Draw winners were Ruby Cochrane, .Lloyd Broome, Dawn Cochrane and George Harper. On Monday, February 14th, a get together was held at the Eldad United Church. Many folks arrived at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy a demonstration on hand bells. The Hampton United Church will hold its Official Board Meeting on February 16th. Communicant classes are currently being held. If you are interested please let Reverend Warren Warren know a.s.a.p. A Men's Breakfast will be held on Sunday, February 27th. This will be held at Eldad at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The guest speaker will be Jim Cryderman. He will speak about coaching the Special Olympics. All men and senior senior boys are welcome. A reminder of the Hampton U.C.W. Western Night. This is to take place on: Saturday, February 26th. There is only one sitting, 6:00 p.m. for this delicious ham supper. Some great entertainment is planned call Ruth Farrow 3 at 263-2239 s pleaSC This Saturday and Sunday may be your last chance until next year to hop on board the horse-drawn Well folks, that's all the news I sleigh at Enniskillen. Mr. Chrysler, guiding the team, will be at the Conservation Area this up-coming have for you'this week. Until next, weekend to guide Candy and Lad and passengers through the scenic, snow-covered trails, time, stay safe and enjoy life. NOBODY, but NOBODY gives you better coverage in the Municipality of Clarington Can Os at 623-3303 We've been serving OUR community since 1854. lames Publishing Company Limited King Street West - Bowmanville Publishers of The Canadian Statesman - The Independent