19th Century Fullerton, Perth County, OntarioSummervale, Russeldale, Motherwell and Carlingford |
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Origin and Names
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Summervale, better known as Fullarton Corners, is the capital, and beautifully situated in the valley of the Thames. This village was founded in 1853 by James Woodley. In 1854, he applied for and obtained a post office, with John Buchan as first postmaster. As the place grew in importance, a hotel was added in 1855. When it had been decided that this point should be selected as the seat of government, a survey was made by Mr. William Rath, of Mitchell, in 1864, at the instigation of Mr. Woodley, when a village plot was laid out and named Summervale. The hotel has long since been closed, and the building is now occupied as a general store and a post office. Here also is the township hall, a school with two teachers, two churches, harness shop, doctor's office, cheese factory, with several other lines of business usually carried on in a country village. A sawmill represents the manufacturing industries, in connection with which is carried on a cheese factory, chopping mill, cider mill, the whole employing from eight to ten hands, and in certain seasons a much larger number. About two miles west, along the Thames road, is Russeldale. In the early days, this was a point of some importance, situated, as it was, in the direct road from London to the north. This village was founded and named in honour of James Russell, an old pioneer Scotchman, who owned the adjoining lands. There is a good general store here, with a post office, blacksmith's shop, etc. Here also is located the only hotel in Fullarton, last remaining one of four which were licensed to sell within the municipality. Motherwell, in the valley of the Thames, was founded by James Brown, who was also first postmaster. Mr. Brown was for many years an official of Fullarton, and taught its first school, erected in 1847 on lot 25, East Mitchell road. Motherwell was named by Mr. Brown after a Scotch town in Lanarkshire, the original home of his family, and is now composed of a blacksmith's shop and general store. For many years the most important village in Fullarton was Carlingford, situate on lots 5 and 6, in the 6th and 7th concessions. On lot 5, concession 7, was erected in 1849 a log schoolhouse, known as No. 4. The lot on which this building stood had to be previously cleared, the whole county being still nearly covered with wood. In 1850, the school was opened by a Mr. Reilly, an odd character, who was described as not very prepossessing in appearance, but a fairly good teacher, and blessed with a goodly portion of common sense. The building was used for all purposes. Those who were religiously inclined were often found there, and, after addresses had been given by some visiting ministers, as Revs. Thomas Dawes, Thomas McPherson, Stratford; Tapp, Eastman, or Findlay, of Mitchell, much earnestness was manifested. If those voices who joined in Old Hundred, Martyrdom, or Rock of Ages, were neither classical nor melodious, they were at least sincere. About 1854, a log building was erected by Hartman Cook for a residence and shoemaker shop. Subsequently another building was erected by Mr. Abraham Davidson as a general store and post office. This house is still standing. These two settlers in Carlingford differed as to naming the new town, each being desirous of an immortality in perpetuating their own name in Davidsonville, or Cooksville. The postmaster-general settled the dispute by calling it Cartingford in honour of the birthplace of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, who was then prominent in politics, and appointing Mr. Davidson first Postmaster. Mr. Cook sold out to Mr. W. M. Janes, who subsequently erected a hotel. Mr. Davidson's successor as postmaster was James Hamilton, father of our present county treasurer, who was succeeded by William Davidson, present county clerk, and it is now in possession of Mr Cowie. During this period a blacksmith's shop had been added by Mr John Fink, who subsequently sold to Mr. Babb. This gentleman further extended his business by entering into carriage building, in which he is still engaged. Meantime, Mathew Brydon had erected a sawmill on Black Creek, and conducted the enterprise with success until 1862, when he lost his life by drowning. Mr William Knott afterwards came into possession of this property, converting it into a grist mill. This was a great convenience, and is now operated by his son Samuel. Link: Founding of Fullarton, Ontario. |