Edward Welsh – William Lee’s Sawmill

 

River Driving Crew in Playfairville

 

Perth Courier, June 26, 1914

Edward Welsh, who operated a shingle mill at Playfairville about thirty years ago was one of the early immigrants to the Canadian west in the ‘80’s.  He was a well known resident of Playfair district who to distinguish him from others of the same name was called “little” John Playfair.  Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are both living yet which their many friends in the old place and elsewhere will be glad to learn.

Lately they had their Golden Wedding which is thus described in the Baldur, Manitoba Gazette:  “Mr. and Mrs. Edward Welsh, old residents of this town and district, were the central figures in a very interesting event when on the afternoon and evening of Thursday, May 21, surrounded by six children and grandchildren to the fourth generation, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and nieces, friends and neighbors, they celebrated their Golden Wedding and despite the years, the toil of the journey and the battles, by the way the faces of those two shone as radiantly as in youth as they received and entertained the merry crowd of young and old who came to rejoice with them in their attainment to a half century of happy wedded life.  Three stalwart sons, William of Baldur; George of Plunkett, Sask., and Fred of Baldur, were present to rejoice with their parents on this happy occasion.  The only real cloud on their sky was the absence in the far west of their only daughter Mrs. Smith.  Many little gifts accompanied by good wishes marked this day, one of the features of which was the presentation of a purse of gold to the bride and groom of fifty years ago, as a token of the kindly feelings of those about them and reminder of the wealth that belongs to the man and his mate who have been spared to each other for five decades.”

 

William Lees’ Sawmill, from 1850, had two circular saws, and a grist mill, woolen mill, carding mill (closed 1898), and shingle mill – all on the west side of Fallbrook. In 1860, he bought 300 acres (parts of Con. 10, 11, Lots 20, 21). In 1865, he added a blacksmith, which was bought by James Cameron in 1888, and later by son, Walter. The grist and woolen mills were designed by well-known area millwright Alex Wallace. A cheese factory was added in Fallbrook in 1884. The woolen mill operated to 1896 or 1897, then sold to
Christopher Donaldson, owner of the sawmill. It burned in 1902.

 

Playfair’s Mill 1895

 

The 1880-81 Bathurst map of Fallbrook area indicates a William Lee’s sawmill on the Fall River, at the exit from Bennett lake, and his sawmill, grist Lees sawmill, 1916 mill and woolen Mill, beside Fallbrook. He is also listed as (Book: ‘The Blacksmith of Fallbrook’) owning a mill at Playfairville, then and again in 1882. The carding mill, and two other sawmills, are on Bolton Creek, north and north-west respectively of the hamlet, one of which shows on the property of J. Chester (Lot 20 Con 11), presumably, the mill owner. For more information on the Fallbrook mills–The Mills of the Tay Watershed and Area
in Eastern Ontario

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  20 May 1922, Sat,  Page 2

 

 

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

Inhabiting Playfairville Once Again?

Fallbrook and Playfair Playfairville 101–

Names Names Names

My Daddy was a Miner — was Yours?

Walter Cameron the Famous Blacksmith of Fallbrook

The Blacksmiths of Lanark County

 

Join us and learn about the history under your feet! This year’s St. James Cemetery Walk will take place Thursday October 19th and october 21– Museum Curator Jennfer Irwin will lead you through the gravestones and introduce you to some of our most memorable lost souls!
Be ready for a few surprises along the way….
This walk takes place in the dark on uneven ground. Please wear proper footwear and bring a small flashlight if you like.
Tickets available at the Museum, 267 Edmund Street. Two dates!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1211329495678960/

OCT 28th
Downtown Carleton Place Halloween Trick or Treat Day–https://www.facebook.com/events/489742168060479/

Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–

October 28th The Occomores Valley Grante and Tile Event–730pm-1am Carleton Place arena-Stop by and pick up your tickets for our fundraiser dance for LAWS. They also have tickets for Hometown Hearts event at the Grand Hotel fundraiser

The Old Saw Mill Poem – Lanark County

 

Saw mill, grist and shingle mill established by Isaac Currie 1860 on the Fall River. Maberly. Photo: Library of Archives Canada 1870

The Old Saw Mill – By the Mississippi River–by Unknown

In a little town so still

There’s a building old and battered

‘Tis the old saw-mill.

It is twisted, it is tattered

From the toil of many years

The walls are scratched and shattered

Yet it shows no sign of fear.

The carriage growls and grumbles

As it journeys to and fro,

And the engine howls and mumbles

Making all the pullies go.

Perth Remembered

The belts all need relacing.

And the track is out of line.

The saw should have refacing.

Ere it splits another pine.

The melting snow is dripping

Through the knot holes in the roof,

But the saw goes on a ripping

She’s still running that is proof.

The saw-dust chain is whining

How that edger saw does throb

But the boss looks quite contented

Perth Remembered photo-PENMAN’S SAWMILL MIDDLEVILLE 1910

For it’s still doing the job.

No matter what the weather

The work goes on the same

There’s no excuse for stopping

For the weather man’s to blame

What’s it matter if its raining.

What’s it matter if it snows.

There is no use complaining.

And so that’s the way it goes.

 

Caldwell Steam Sawmill in Wilbur-photo from Ruby and Raymond Blackburn

 

At the edger there’s a fellow

Who is working all the day

He wears a suit of yellow

And he’s drawing steady pay.

His name is Erwin Downey

And across the track from him

Is the faithful Ira Deugo,

Who is working with such vim.

Eric Needham, known as Kelly

Is the man who piles the slabs

He is one of our best workers

Maberly-Mill

Yet he loves to stand and gab.

Joey Bowman helps the teamster

And is always in the way

Yet he does his best and that is worth

The very best of pay.

Wash. Sheffield from Arnprior

Is the sawyer of the crew

He pulls and shoves the levers

While tobacco he does chew

And our well known comedian

Who is anything but green

Perth Remembered—Penmans Saw Mill Gang–Middleville

Is the man who twirls the can hook

His name is Lornie Steen.

The boy who saws the slabs in lengths.

Provides us lots of fun

His name is Gordie Belford

But we always call him Hon.

The fellow that I near forgot

Is always on the go

He follows two good horses

And he doesn’t dare be slow.

 

Perth Historical Society Photo-Thanks to Brad Nichols, of Lanark, who advises that this is the former Caldwell Grist and Sawmill on the Clyde River in Lanark.

The horses too deserve a line

In this our loggers song.

The ever willing workers

Who are so true and strong.

And last of all the scaler

Who is the foreman too

Stands there all day and keeps the score

Of all the work we do.

He sees the boards come sliding out.

And always he’s the same

Through rain or shine through work or rest

Frank Needham is his name.

And here I end my story

Before Riverside park, there was Caldwell’s Saw Mill. Located approximately where the beach is now, this saw mill operated from 1869 to 1891. Photo- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

I hope you’ll think its fine

The story of the loggers

Who love the smell of pine.

Now if you plan on building

A barn or anything

Here’s where to get your lumber sawed

Just visit us next spring.

 

 

Related reading

Where Was Hunter’s Mill and Huntersville?

Memories and Mentions of Names in Maberly

 

thanks to the Sabourin Scrapbook

Memories and Mentions of Names in Maberly

Photo–Maberly Sawmill:  —Photo by Harold Stiver

• Pop. 77. In South Sherbrooke T., Lanark C. on Fall R. and Hwy 7 and C. Rd. 36, 24 km. SW of Perth.
• The place was named Maberley in 1865 by post office department secretary William LeSueur after Col. Maberly of the general post office in England. In 1976 the spelling was corrected to Maberly.
• Maberly used to be somewhat of a “Mayberry” in its time.  Once a thriving pioneer village of  sawmills, blacksmith’s shops, a couple of general stores, schools, local churches and a town hall (still in operation), and a local tavern–Maberly -That’s Realtive

Photos by Jennifer Fenwick Irwin

Photos by Jennifer Fenwick Irwin

Photos by Jennifer Fenwick Irwin

Photos by Jennifer Fenwick Irwin

Saw mill, grist and shingle mill established by Isaac Currie 1860 on the Fall River. Maberly. Photo: Library of Archives Canada 1870. From Perth Remembered

Interior of the mill at Maberly. Photo: Library of Archives Canada 1870.From Perth Remembered

Interior of the mill at Maberly. Photo: Library of Archives Canada 1870. From Perth Remembered

Photo by  gloria —Creation Date: 4/18/2010

Photo by  gloria —Creation Date: 4/18/2010

Photo by  gloria —Creation Date: 4/18/2010

Photo by Shensicle

Susan Fulford Who knew? My mother’s ancestors came from Sligo Ireland and settled in Maberly in 1831. The story goes that my 3x great grandfather sat down on a rock and cried when he saw the rocky land they had acquired. They were hard workers and made a go of it and thrived. I believe my 2x great grandfather lived to be 96. Their name was Buchanan. My mother who was born in Maberly lived to be 103.

Joann Voyce My grandfather was born behind a Big Rock in Maberly in 1878

Doug B. McCarten Joann Voyce behind a big rock?

Joann Voyce That is what he told my aunt. I assume there was a building behind the rock lol

 Tay Valley Township information

John McGregor (of Perth) Mills

In 1875, the Village of Maberly area, in the South Sherbrooke Ward, had several mills including this one, which was a sawmill and carding mill.

John Morrow Mills (Dube Mill)

Around 1875, located in the Village of Maberly Area in Lot 5, Concession 8, of the South Sherbrooke Ward on the Fall River, this site contained both a sawmill and a grist mill. It was located in the center of Maberly and was later known as Van Alstine Mill, and possibly also the Goldman Mill.

Messrs. Goldman Mill

In 1875, the Village of Maberly in the South Sherbrooke Ward area had several mills including this one, which was a leased saw mill and shingle mill. This mill may have also been known as the “Francis E. Blair Mill” for a period of time.

Perth Courier, Jan. 25, 1889

Maberly:  Mr. Harvey, our old miller has returned from Mass. and does not intend to go back.

Perth Courier, Feb. 8, 1889

Maberly News:  Mrs. Johnny Morrow has got a young son.

Perth Courier, Nov. 9, 1888

Maberly News:  Halloween passed off with a good many comical tricks played on several. One of our citizens sat up all night to watch his place.  While he was doing that, the boys tore down a sign to a building he was taking charge of and hung it upon an elm tree.  —  The Scott Act is very hot now.  Last week John Marrow was summoned to appear in Perth and was honorably discharged.  Henry Morrison also appeared to answer a charge of the same and was fined $50 and costs.  Mr. Morrison took the steamer for the old country.  Some of the Scott Act people hung fire last week and harsh words were used.  One person ordered another person out of his shop and followed him out to the road with a sledge hammer, calling him a nuisance to the town and worse than the Scott Act.  – Mr. Muler of Elphin is in our midst buying cattle.

Perth Courier, Feb. 22, 1889

Maberly News:  Mr. Miller here has been stricken with rheumatism for 21 years and is helpless.

Perth Courier, December 21, 1888

Maberly News:  Mr. Rigney took in and shipped a large quantity of turkeys and other fowl last week.  —  Thomas Strong had a turkey shoot on Thursday.  —  The Reeveship:  for this it is suggested that a change be made and the man most favorably held by most of our citizens is Robert Laidley, who is fully capable of executing the duties of the position in a becoming manner.  He is a gentleman of respect, honorable, with integrity and is a quiet citizen.  With all these qualities why should not the voting public go to the polls in a body and give Mr. Laidley an overwhelming majority.

Perth Courier, March 8, 1889

George Devlin, auctioneer, has the following sales ahead of him:

William Manders, Maberly, Tuesday, March 13, furniture and stock.

William Duffy near Maberly Station, Monday, 1^st April, stock and implements and farm

Perth Courier, March 15, 1889

Maberly:  The weather of late has been very soft.  —  The roads are cut off and in a bad state.  —  Mr. Milliken lost a child from inflammation aged 2.  —  Mr. Moore has started the erection of the new bridge.  —  Boys home from the shanty.  —  Carrie Buchanan was married to Joseph Charlton about 50 were present at the wedding.  They go to Perth to reside.  —  On Friday night the vicious black dog belonging to Mr. Acheson the Reeve was called upon to try the realities of a new world.  —  Mr. Harvey has come to Lyndhurst.  —  Mr. William Burke, Oso, has cut his foot badly.  —  Mr. Seeley at Harlow who was cut badly by the circular saw, is coming along nicely.  —  A meeting is held here every two weeks.  —  A shoe maker is needed here.  —  The roads are full of pitch holes.  —

James Roy of Cloyne who was for many years Justice of the Peace and Reeve, died on the 4^th aged 78; gravel was the cause, funeral largely attended, about fifty teams followed the remains to the last resting place, was sick only one day.  —  Mr. Campbell’s saw mill is doing a large business.  He is employing 15 teams to haul lumber to Arden.  —  Mr. Morgan is home from the shanty.  —  Mr. Thompson leaves soon for Michigan.  —  Dances are plenty here at present.  —  Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fennell are visiting from Roblin.  —  John Pearson late of Manitoba leaves next week accompanied by Mr. Bott for New York.  —  John Vandwater’s residence was burned last Tuesday, house, furniture, potatoes, etc.  —  James Avery lost a cow last week.  —  Mr. Chaney has started a store near Arden.

Perth Courier, March 29, 1889

Maberly News:  Last week Charles Strong was injured by digging stones with a crowbar and a short time after he died.  He was buried on Tuesday.  —  Mary Sargent was married to Mr. McDonald of Robertsville.  —  Word has reached Kingston that Miss Beatty, a graduate of the Women’s Medical College of that city and a resident of Perth for some time, who some time ago went as a missionary to Indore, India, has been obliged through ill health to cease her labors.  Fears are expressed that she will have to return to Canada.

Perth Courier, April 19, 1889

Maberly News:  Mrs. John Morris is very sick.  —  Mr. William Moore has closed his store on account of sickness and is confined to his house with a severe cold.

a week later..

Maberly—Mr. William Moore has re-opened his store as his health has improved.  —  Mrs. Daniel Maxwell has a young son, and Daniel is happy.

Perth Courier, May 24, 1889

.Maberly—William Manders and family, who left here over a month ago to seek their fortune in Montana have returned loaded with wealth and honor in the springtime of their life.

Also read…

“Mooreville” Maberly with our very own Karen Prytula from the Lanark County Geological Society featured.

Mary Claire Salerno was an Orser

2 hours

My grandparents wake Ford and Evelyn Orser lived in Maberly before moving into Perth late 60s I was a baby in 1966 and have pictures of their house in Maberly.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun