Peace be here...
Woodstock, Ont. 1848
From "The Church The Gaels Built" by W. Stewart Lavell. Excerpt from pg. 4, "Beginnings".
Our thanks to Allan J. Gillies for sending this in...
Just how many Gaelic Scots were in Woodstock at the time is difficult to know, but in 1848 a large group of them came to the community as emigrants - many of them not knowing a word of English. We are indebted to Miss Isabelle McLaren, secretary of Knox Church as this is being written, for an interesting account of the arrival of one such group. It is attributed to one D. McPherson and reads as follows:
"One fine morning in the spring of 1848 many families of emigrants from South Uist (an island off the coast of Scotland) were driven upon the Green. This spot of land was the five acres bounded on the south by Dundas Street, on the north by Hunter Street, on the east by Graham Street and on the west by Light Street. It sloped upwards toward the old Court House and was covered with thick green sod, with a dirty, stagnant pool of water at the south end.
"Eight or ten wagons were unloading human beings - old men and old women, children of all ages, with literally nothing save the clothes on their backs - nothing to eat and no money with which to buy food - faces and hands dirty and their hair a mass of tangles - their clothes smelling strongly of ship tar. Many of them men wore jackets of navy blue with breeks to match, and bonnets, either Glengarry, Balmoral or Tam O'Shanter. The women wore the regulation blue-black short fishing skirt and a blouse. Many of them were bare footed, bare headed, or perhaps a shawl thrown over their heads. Only one woman wore a mutch.
"Theses people had to put up with the poorest accommodation aboard ship - the same on land, hustled and bustled through from the sea to whatever part of the country the emigration officer thought fit to send them. No person offered them water, soap or towels, and they had not the wherewith to buy the necessities of life nor enough knowledge of English to demand them. The emigration agents did not take the trouble to inform the municipalities that emigrants were coming. Newspapers were scarce and dear.
"These people were bundled off the wagons on the cold, frosty grass with loud and eargrating oaths and curses. People of the village turned out and looked on with a sort of dazed astonishment in their eyes. The authorities took no action, but such men as Angus Campbell, John Sutherland, Peter McLeod, James Barclay, William McKay (stone cutter), Elder George Gunn and his three sons (Lauchlan, James and Hugh), John Maxwell (printer), Donald MacPherson, an Elder in the Kirk, and others just as good and true, formed themselves into an emergency committee and went up to the Green.
"At the first word of Gaelic spoken the men came forth with their bonnets in their left hand, their right hand outstretched for the friendly grasp. Most of the women were sitting with their heads in their hands, suffering from hunger and terrible loneliness, but when they heard the Gaelic salutation "Peace be Here" (in Gaelic a loose translation is "sith dhuibh"), they sprang to their feet, and fairly covered the hands of their new friends with kisses. Highland people do not deal much with kisses but when they do, their own soul is stirred up with loving thankfulness.
"Soon bread, potatoes, milk, butter, teapots of hot tea and hot soup were carried to them and the men built fires while others gleaned from others their prospects.
"......The authorities had still taken no action and the day wore on. Donald McPherson Campbell & Peter McLeod called on John Greig and asked him for the key to Auld Kirk. John gave it up and the doors were thrown wide pen and the new friends put these people there for the night. Citizens came to Angus Campbell and gave him money to buy food for the morrow."
The account concludes that some of these people were put in shanties on farms in W. Zorra, others built shanties on vacant lots on Winniet Street or wherever they could squat. But it adds that many never learned to speak English and felt themselves in a strange land.
From "The Church The Gaels Built" by W. Stewart Lavell. Excerpt from pg. 4, "Beginnings".
Our thanks to Allan J. Gillies for sending this in...
Just how many Gaelic Scots were in Woodstock at the time is difficult to know, but in 1848 a large group of them came to the community as emigrants - many of them not knowing a word of English. We are indebted to Miss Isabelle McLaren, secretary of Knox Church as this is being written, for an interesting account of the arrival of one such group. It is attributed to one D. McPherson and reads as follows:
"One fine morning in the spring of 1848 many families of emigrants from South Uist (an island off the coast of Scotland) were driven upon the Green. This spot of land was the five acres bounded on the south by Dundas Street, on the north by Hunter Street, on the east by Graham Street and on the west by Light Street. It sloped upwards toward the old Court House and was covered with thick green sod, with a dirty, stagnant pool of water at the south end.
"Eight or ten wagons were unloading human beings - old men and old women, children of all ages, with literally nothing save the clothes on their backs - nothing to eat and no money with which to buy food - faces and hands dirty and their hair a mass of tangles - their clothes smelling strongly of ship tar. Many of them men wore jackets of navy blue with breeks to match, and bonnets, either Glengarry, Balmoral or Tam O'Shanter. The women wore the regulation blue-black short fishing skirt and a blouse. Many of them were bare footed, bare headed, or perhaps a shawl thrown over their heads. Only one woman wore a mutch.
"Theses people had to put up with the poorest accommodation aboard ship - the same on land, hustled and bustled through from the sea to whatever part of the country the emigration officer thought fit to send them. No person offered them water, soap or towels, and they had not the wherewith to buy the necessities of life nor enough knowledge of English to demand them. The emigration agents did not take the trouble to inform the municipalities that emigrants were coming. Newspapers were scarce and dear.
"These people were bundled off the wagons on the cold, frosty grass with loud and eargrating oaths and curses. People of the village turned out and looked on with a sort of dazed astonishment in their eyes. The authorities took no action, but such men as Angus Campbell, John Sutherland, Peter McLeod, James Barclay, William McKay (stone cutter), Elder George Gunn and his three sons (Lauchlan, James and Hugh), John Maxwell (printer), Donald MacPherson, an Elder in the Kirk, and others just as good and true, formed themselves into an emergency committee and went up to the Green.
"At the first word of Gaelic spoken the men came forth with their bonnets in their left hand, their right hand outstretched for the friendly grasp. Most of the women were sitting with their heads in their hands, suffering from hunger and terrible loneliness, but when they heard the Gaelic salutation "Peace be Here" (in Gaelic a loose translation is "sith dhuibh"), they sprang to their feet, and fairly covered the hands of their new friends with kisses. Highland people do not deal much with kisses but when they do, their own soul is stirred up with loving thankfulness.
"Soon bread, potatoes, milk, butter, teapots of hot tea and hot soup were carried to them and the men built fires while others gleaned from others their prospects.
"......The authorities had still taken no action and the day wore on. Donald McPherson Campbell & Peter McLeod called on John Greig and asked him for the key to Auld Kirk. John gave it up and the doors were thrown wide pen and the new friends put these people there for the night. Citizens came to Angus Campbell and gave him money to buy food for the morrow."
The account concludes that some of these people were put in shanties on farms in W. Zorra, others built shanties on vacant lots on Winniet Street or wherever they could squat. But it adds that many never learned to speak English and felt themselves in a strange land.
Promoting Zorra's Women in Business
I absolutely love it when a plan comes together on the fly... Yesterday while sitting at church talking to Christine and Melissa we discussed how more and more women are business owners. Whatever the reason may be, the fact is women are delving into having their own personal home business's or choosing to be self-employed. So... this got us thinking.... Why not have a open house for Zorra's Women in Business. We are looking for women interested in joining in on this new and exciting way to promote one another's businesses. Thoughts are that we try an open house in February... just before the spring market. We are looking for 1. contact information 2. dates in February that would work for you to be able to attend 3. willingness to donate a price for a raffle 4. willingness to pay a small fee, so we can rent out a space at the Community Centre.
This is simply some preliminary questions at this time. We look forward to hearing from you and getting this underway!! This would be an amazing way to really support one another. I know from experience... you need to get your name out there. One key to a successful business is referrals. Why not use ZWB group to help your business grow..
Until next time.. looking forward to hearing from you
This is simply some preliminary questions at this time. We look forward to hearing from you and getting this underway!! This would be an amazing way to really support one another. I know from experience... you need to get your name out there. One key to a successful business is referrals. Why not use ZWB group to help your business grow..
Until next time.. looking forward to hearing from you
Heroes of Zorra
An amazing opportunity to read about some of the heroes that came from this community. Your support would be greatly appreciated
http://www.heroesofzorra.ca/
http://www.heroesofzorra.ca/
Policing Committee in Zorra
You may or may not be aware, but Zorra officially has a policing committee. There are a total of 11 members that sit on the board that represent the County of Zorra. The members are:
We recently had a meeting addressing terms of reference (basically what we are suppose to do). In a nut shell we want to educate people about concerns that the community has, that the OPP see as problems and help to problem solve any issues/concerns. We hope that you, the Citizens of Zorra will contact any one of these committee members with questions, concerns or ideas on how to educate on Public Safety etc.
http://www.zorra.on.ca/OurTownship/TownshipCouncil.aspx
Paul Mitchell Kimberley Vey
Michael Anderson Jennifer Webb
Doug Diplock Glen Blair
Barb O’Grady Roger Ball
Karen Graham Michael Butler
Matt Paul
http://www.zorra.on.ca/OurTownship/TownshipCouncil.aspx
This old manse
Erica and Corby are residents of Embro! They purchased a house through me and are quite happy about their new home and all the reno's!! So happy in fact that Erica decided to do a blog depicting the stages of the reno's... all the ups and downs... Enjoy what she has to say!!
http://thisoldmanse.webnode.com/#
Have fun guys!!!
http://thisoldmanse.webnode.com/#
Have fun guys!!!
RE/MAX Balloon at the Tractor Pull, Aug 3rd
Well it is official!! The RE/MAX balloon will be at the tractor pull Aug 3rd.
The Balloon will be tethered and YOU will have the opportunity to go up and down in it. The Embro Volunteer Fire Fighters will be manning this and donations will be graciously accepted. Time is from 5 pm till 9 pm ... Come on out and help support a great cause!!
Saying Goodbye to Rev. Judy at Knox United
This Sunday will be Rev. Judy Campbell's last service. I am speaking for many people either with in our congregation or people that Rev. Judy has ministered to, either through mission work, weddings, funerals or just being a support, Rev. Judy will be missed.
She has played a very large role in ensuring that missions were supported within our community. She had a significant impact in making sure that our children and youth became actively involved within the church and with mission work. Judy was instrumental in bringing in fresh ideas to a church that needed to be "freshened up."
I for one, have enjoyed her time, company and spiritual guidance over the past 6 years. Her sermons, helped me to question my own thoughts and beliefs. Which in turn created an opportunity to challenge myself to be a better person, have dialogues with other people about the messages that she presented. A personal thanks goes to Judy from my family for all the words of encouragement and enlightenment!
Enjoy your retirement...As much as you will be retiring from the vocation of being a Minister, you will never stop ministering to others. :)
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