Hïistorical * ;~ hitby JAMES H. GERRIE A few weeks ago this column mentioned how the namnes of Whi tby streets are of ten the key to opening the doors of history to the past of our community. One street in the West Lynde subdivision is namned Gerrie Court, as a tribute to a former mayor of this town, and also to bis father who was a pioneer Baptist minister. In 1843, Rev. John Gerrie emmigrated to Canada frorn Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Toronto. Ten years later he was called to Whitby, and became the minister of the Whitby Baptist Church, a log building at the corner of Dundas Street and Kendalwood Road, which is marked today by a stone cairn.1 Mr, Gerrie started as a successful paster in Whitby and had real opportunities of building a fine congregation in the community, but only twoù years after his arrivai, disaster struck. In the spring of 1855, a sever storm struck Whitby and severely damaged his church, so much so that services could no longer be held there. When Mr. Gerrie appealed for help to the Baptist Church headquarters in Toronto to rebuild his church, he dîd not get much support and was told that it was just as well that bis building had collapsed, for his congregation seemed to be in the same position. About 1859, a n ew church was built at Gilbert and Reynolds Streets on land donated by Sheriff Nelson G. Reynolds, butithe title to the property was in dispute. Mr. Gerrie departed from Whitby about this time, and the congregation passed to another mînister. Within five years the congýrega 'tion of the Whitby Baptist Church ceased to exist and was not revived again until 1876. Mr. Gerrie continued preaching in other communities, and died in his 87th year near Peterborough in 1882. It was said that he dropped dead- while leading a hymn during a church service. Rev. John Gerrie's son James Herrie Gerrie, however, remained in Whitby and became a prominent figure in the town. After bis father's church was severely damagcd by the storm in 1855, James Gerrie purchased the building and rebuilt it on Brock Street in downtown Whitby. It was known in the 1850s and 1860s as Victoria Hall or Gerrie's Hall, and was used as a public meeting place. For a while it wvas a carpenter's shop, and later it became a sehool house, meeting place for the mayor's court, and the ternporary worshiping place for the Free Church, which later joined the Preshyterian Church. James H. Gerrie was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1822, and after his arrivai in Canada in 1843, worked for a retail business in Toronto. In the early 1850os he established a VHITBY FREE PRESS, wEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978, PAGE 7 druggist's business in Whitby which hie continued until his death, with the exception of one year in Rochester NqY. In 1871, Mr. Gerrie built a fine brick building at the north west corner of Brock and Dundas Streets as a new drug store, but it burned to the ground in 1873. The building ereceted in its place is still standing today, and bears the inscription on a stone of the third floor. "J.H. Gerrie. 1873." Mr. Gerrie was a well-known citizen of Whitby and represented the North Ward of the town council from 1867 to 1868. From 1869 to 1871 hie was mayor of the town. On May 27, 1872, at the age of 50, Mr. Gerrie died suddenly, and was greatly mourned by the citizens of Whitby. One of his daughters, Florence Bertha Gerrie married Samuel W.B. Smith, who took over Mr. Gerrie's drug store after bis death. The drug store continued under various ownerships in the same buildi ng until 1969. In later years it was operated by Arthur Allin, and achieved the distinction of being the location of a drug store of 98 years, on the same site. James H. Gerrie, and his father The Rev. John Gerrie, contributcd much to the development of Whitby in -the l9th century, and deserve to be honored by the naming of a street after them in the West Lynde subdivision. Greetings Again! Just one more month and the summer is over. The kids are back to school, and everything is back. to normal. The -different groups in town start their regular meeting in September and the town starts buzzing once more. If you weren't at the Celebrity Basebali Game on Friday Juiy 28 at 8 p.m. you missed a nigbt of unexpected fun and excitement. Along with the two team - Brooklin and District Kinsmen (BAD KIN) and CKLB-CKQS Athietie Supporters, guests included, Glen Cochrane (who throws a mean bal), ArgoSunshine Girls and the Rebel Drum and Bugle Corps. Among the attractions was a milking contest. 0f course Quick Squeeze (CKLB) won over Slippy Fingers (BAD KIN). But it was a good squeeze! -The game couldn't really be called legit, with the players running fronim3rd to 2nd then to lst, or right to 3rd. And when Industrial permits only Whitby's town staff are concerned about the low nount of new industrial and )mmercial construction in ti.etown. A report presented recently to council states the value of industrial and commercial construction in Whitby this year has dropped to less than seven per cent of ail building permits issued by the town. According to the report, less than $1.4 million in industrial and commercial building permits were issued in the first six months of 1978, while nearly $19 million in residential permits were issued. This represents a ratio of 93 per cent residential and 7 per cent industrial-conI- jmercial, the staff reported. Based on these fiîgures, the j staff recommended that _growth of Brooklin be Ontaro MINISTRY 0F CONSUMER AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS THE LIQUOR LICENCE ACT, 1975 NOTICE 0F PUBLIC MEETING TAKE NOT C'E THAT a PFcMeetrr T e Liour crr L ce E3oad <bitv' r e he Ai it IEJUCJABR F 171 rock Street N. Whtby Patio (Loungel Licence Eecure- ner-e Ahi'i, irw, E d P tir e ,e' cee te rUO~Lcence Boa' f On r 55 Lakesio'e 8oiiievaid East- 1TORONTO. 0ntafio MSE 1A4 .delayed for five years, but the recommendation was turned down by council. The staff reported that residential building permits in 1974 represented 51 per cent of ail permits issued and industrial - commercial permits represented 49 per cent. The staff considered it would be difficuit to attract industry to Brooklin because more than 200 acres 0f fully serviced industrial land is available in Witby's southern area with access to rail and highway transpor- our team was out for breaking the bail (a melon) - but il, was all in fun and what fun it was. Even with the odds against our terrific team we won 13 to 10. Maybe next year we'll beat theni even better. The CKLB teani had the beautiful talented Argo Sunshine Girls rooting for them. But they didn't cheer their teani on as well as our 'Moonshire Girls' did. The game was officially started when the 1978 Whitby Town Carnival Queen. Kathy McGreevy threw out the first bail. I was surprised at the amount of people that showed up for the game. It really shows that there is true community spirit in our town of Brookîju. Proceeds from the game wiil be donated to Cystic Fibrosis. Speaking of community spirit, I was upset to find oui that, for the movie that was shown at the iibrary iast week, oniy 2 people showed up. Think of the bard work that went into providing that film for your enjoyment. If you are not going to take advantage of the programs, they might as welI not bother. Show theni you care; sho w up for their programs. The word for the week is JUGGERNAUT - noun - Any slow and irresistable destruction force. The juggernaut forced the ship to pay ransom or he would blow it up. Ail is not lost that is in danger. Marie 655-3061 Brown's drop) 'off (before 2om Sat.) 7% of total tation, wbich is lacking in Brooklin. Brooklin study consultant Donovan Pinker, bas stated, however, that executive housing in Brooklin would attract industry. Blood elinie Whitby blood donors are reminded that there will be a summer Red Cross blood donor clinic in the recreation hall at the Wbitby Psychia- tric Hospital Aug. 24 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. MEN'S HAIRSTYLINGy 305 Brock St. S., Witby Plaza, 668-6922 PASSPO RT PlICTU RES WHI1LE YO U WAIT.- "Your Travel is Our Busin ess" ~jRussell RUSSELL TRAVEL 116 BROCK ST. 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