f'@Whtby A SETTLER'S VIE WPOINT, 1846 (Part t) The life of the pioneers of WIitby in the mid l9th century is vividlydepicted ini two letters in the Whitby Historîcal Society Archives, written by a 22-year-old iettler's son in 1846. The writer of the letters wiis William Watson, a nephew of James Tweedie who settled at Rossland Road and Cochrane Street's in the i1830s. The Watson family followed the Tweedies and settled in Whitby in 1844. The following are excerpts frorn William Watson's letters, describing the life of a Whitby farmer in 1846: "We have flot most uncommon fine weather ail summer, sometimes rnost unbearably hot, so hot that the thermo- meter one day stood as high as 110 degrees in the sun, so you see uncle that is almost as'hot as the burning suni in wild Africa. 'John and myseif were mowing hay that day andi we had to oblige to give it up. It almost sickened us. "The weather stili continues very open and mhld as yet, and the ploughing is going on at a rapid pace. We have got near to 3Ù acres piougheci so we doni't care when the snow comes. We are ail prepared for winter. It was a very early harvest around this part of the continent. "We commenced our harvest on the l8th of July and hiad à ll our -faîl wheat'drawn in by the first week of August, and then after that comrnenced to our spring crops and had ail in by the Jast week of August. "We had a most beautiful crop this year, a great buik of straw and stewing to turni out to the bushel very well; al kinds of grain, fruit and hierbs are sold by the bushel. "But dear uncle, there is one thing to be larnented in this country. The potatoes are almost a comnpiete failure, and I see by the papers likewise that they are a failure almost over the known world, and, on that account I think that our market towards spring wiil be very high. Potatoes now are going at a good price but there are very few people that have got any to selI. "The faîl whecat this year again is looking weil ail over Whitby. We put in 16 acres this fali and is looking very well. Some of it is aimost taking you- half way to the fence. "4My father did not want nie to write tili the harvest was ail over, the fali Wheat sown, the cattle show past, and some other things too nurnerous to mention. "But 1Irnust tel yot how my father likes to piough with the oxen. He likes thern very well. You see, they go so slow and stea4y lhe can plough an acre a day nearly. John, hie works the horses and I arn doormian, cutting firewood and doing other things about the house. "You wanted me to tell you what we miade of tee wood that John and i cut down. WelI we drew it together into ýY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12,1977e PAGE 7 piles witil tne oxen and then set fire to it. But I wili give you a better explanation how we clear off wood land and make it ready for wheat. The first thing is we cut down ail the un der brush a 'nd put it (in) heaps and then commence to cut down the large trees, and try to throw the tops of themn on these heaps of brush, and then cut the large trees ail up into 16-foot logs, so at the oxen can dra w them, and then the first thing we do when we are going to burn it off, we set fire to these heaps of brush so you see that burns ail up except the large trees, and then we take the oxen and draw these logs together and'set fire to themn. Dear Uncle, it is a beautiful scene to see a 20-acre field ail in a blaze.' It brings one in mmnd of as many furnaces ail burning together. "We killed 12 large pigs on the 7th'of the s-ame month; we sold 6 and kept 6 to ourselves..My father and I is going over in 8 or 10 days to help uncle James to kili his pigs. He has got 16 of them, some of them as large as old growing that was once about the Broadfield (a pig he remembers at his family home in Scotland). "*We have two fat oxen to seil. We took them out tg the cattie show to try to, seil them but did not'do it. My father was offered 80 dollars for themn, but he refused it, he thinking that we wiil take themn up to, Toronto about Christmas and seli them chere. They are pretty fat. "Uncie James had 2 iamb rams there but did.'not get a prize, but took a prize for spring wheat. "We have had two or three visits from Robert Ormiston that carne out this summer from Biggar. He has bought a farrn of 1 50 acres about 8 miles west of us and is settled on to-it. He was at our place ail night and gave us ail the news around that quarter, (Next week: More comments by William Watson) That's sorne constitution you've got. You have survived the Christmas rush -- corne through New Year's Eve -- and faced the January blues. It's time to treat yourself to a pick-mne-up. Not the bottie type. No: what you need is a break and revtalising of the body. You need to feel the warmnth of the sun's rays on your face and throughout your being. You need to get away from it ail and take a rest. TIhe fact is more people are doing just that every year. They chase the sun. lt's called "The Great Escape". Wc al needrý'it.- The kids get their "Wînter Break" followed by £3aster but the rest of us push through January, February, March and depending when Easter falîs -- even through eariy April. It's crazy. We, you and i should be pressing our MPs to legisiate a "Winter Holiday". Not a one-day Stautrhoiy -- but a break of at least one week -- building up to two weeks in the next 5 years. This should be similar to surnrner vacation. Employers would be hiable to ensure ail their employees received a winter break after one year of service (the year commence after a full year served to qualiiy for the regular sumnmer holiday). 1 have believed in this winter holiday for years and said 50 --' and arn convînced it will be recognised within the next decade. What sayyou Messrs Broadbent, Davis and Srnith? It makes sense people who are healthy in body (and mind) have greater interest and energy fôr their daily duties than the poor souls (like us) continuing to shovel snow and break ice -- apart from facing almost endless months of winter driving. And to cap it ail, read our newspapers about our children'travelling to Europe for Alpine skiing or Greece "for a change" as one I17 year-old refflied in answer to miy question -- "Why tureece?". Sure, give the kids a break but tack it on to Easter from Good-Friday to a week after the following Monday: about 10 days. And that's ail. But let's get our winter break too. We need it. We need to plan, then laug-h at sorne drifting snow in January and February -- knowiîng in March or Early April (depending Mhen the break wvill' be) you and yours will be "foilowing the sun". Don't say "Ilow could i or we afford it". Think positive; you wouid work and study; even seek help if necessary (professional guidance) how to plan, budget anid manage to get away. Three years ago i did a television programme "The 20 Hour Week". At that tinie approxi.' mately 750 nediurn to large North Anierican conipanies were operating a 3 and/or 4 day week. Thiat fligure has no doubt increased since. lIow to spend leisure tinie has becomne a miomentous problern for workers (and retirees) with timie on their hands. We are victimis of the work syndrome. It's time we clinbed out and gave ourselves a break. This winter it nmay be possible to get a break for a week 'clown south' for around S450 per person including air fligit and hotel accomodation (double occupancy). O.K. So it mneans at least S900 for a trip. Wouidn't you sooner spend that'rnoney for your better health, strength and happiness -. then splurge it away a few dollars a week on things you rnay not really need? Thirik about it. Just over $17 a week -- and you could be ready to step fromn winter's snow to a week in glowing sunshine. Next we'll talk about packaged tours -- what they are, what théy can do for you and what t0 be wary of. One thing for sure always (in my opinion) check first and check again with a travel agent. They are the experts. SkyLrkHolias À o- 2 weeks f rom4 6 (loub4ie occupHflLvi Departures every Sunday f rom Dec. 19 to April 17 This wiRter SkyLark offers you a wide selection of holidays to choose from in Barbados. We have moderately priced apart- ments which are ideally suited to those looking for a totally informai holiday in a quiet atmosphere. If youre looking for a completely relaxed vacation, we also have a good selection of resori hotels for a holiday.without a care. We have moderate to luxuçy accommodations - in apartments lncluding Golden Palm in Sunset Crest Village. Skyl-ark to Barbados includes: e Round trip air transportation from Toronto to Barbados via Wardair 747 jet e Complimentary inft g ht meals and drinks e Transfers between the airport and your hotel and baggage handtîng e Accommodation for 7 or 14 nîghts 0 Meals at hotets as indicated in the SkyLark Winter 1976/77 brochure a Welcome cocktail and party e Services ot a local SkyLark representatîve e SkyLark beach bag Ii.e ,rv ru1, hrcles ,,,d (pdiliiii% ,s ,I v i 'rr ê rr tdt rinr r ssi)trO, ci vary trorti CONTACT AI & Linda. Russell or Bill Brown RUSSELL TRAVEL LTD. 116 Brock St. /S., Whitby 668-5000 For 01 Vour Travel is our Business " your protection registered under ntarlo Govern ment No. 1 259988 Corriïdor Cont'd' Capers from P. 5 Saturday xvas no exception. The place was literally packed. Thiere was a great many speeches, but the one I personally enjoyed was deiivered by the Rev. Brie Mcllwain rcprcsenting the Ministeriai Association. Rev. Mcllwain's message was so simple, honest and sincere. He simply stressed people corne first, even in political decisions. Whetn you think about it, rninority or majority really is unimiportant. We have a new Council, elected by the majority of the rninqrity. So rnuch 'for the officiai opening, but do, ail of you, take the time to toujr the building. You will be pleased with the friendly atmosphere. Not to be outdone in the East Ward, the officiai opening of Signet Signs on Thickson Rd. S., wiil take place on Friday afternoon, January i4th at 3:00 o'clock. 1 know aIl of the Ratepayers join me in wishing Don Rogers success in his undertaking. Congratulations. The next Corridor Capers Dance No. 4 will be hld at iileydenshore Pavilion on February l2th. This is a Saturday night, so ail yoti people on the night shift will have the opportunity .to attend. That's it for this week, eaul 725-8967 with news-itemns. 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