EMMA ANN McCAY

Napanee Beaver Oct 21 1936

Written by: Albert R. Hassard, K.C. of Toronto

My old and esteemed friend, Emma Ann McCay, formerly of Napanee, lately of Toronto, died at her home, No. 96 Crawford Street, Toronto, on the 20^th day of September, 1936. She was born in the early seventies of last century, in Clarksville, a suburb of Napanee, near the foot of Roblin’s Hill and well known by its original name about the time of Miss McCay’s birth. Indeed, the records show that Clarksville was the elder of the two settlements – it and Napanee.

Miss McCay was the only daughter of the late Asahel F. and Lois Ann Charters McCay, the former of whom was a native of Clarksville and the latter of South Fredericksburgh. When I first knew them – the family consisting of the father, mother, Emma and her brother Malcolm F., now the only survivor – they lived in the first house north of the church, then called “the Brick Church” on Robert Street, just to the north of Bridge Street. My father, mother, two sisters and myself had just recently arrived in Canada from the north of Ireland. We stayed, for some weeks, at the genial and hospitable home of Mrs. Baker (afterwards Mrs. McLiver, next door to the McCays.) We were but small children then and Emma McCay and Jennie Baker first led us children up what we considered as the steep hill, to the West Ward School. My younger sister, Florence, now Mrs. A.A. Hassard, of Toronto, entered a very junior room, taught by the kind-hearted Miss Aylesworth and soon afterwards, into the room of Miss Fraser, whose loving disposition endeared her to everyone who knew her. She would say “now Johnnie:” “now Mary,” in such reproachful tones to her erring children in the first book, that it seemed gross wickedness to do anything that would displease her. Minnie, (only recently passed away, unmarried) and I, were committed to the care of Miss Walsh, severe, though just, in disciplinary methods and a teacher, who insisted on nothing if not the greatest accuracy in work, attainable. Very frequently the mistake of a single letter in a solitary work meant punishment with a single blow of her all too frequently requisitioned oak or hickory ruler. Emma McCay was with us all through our Napanee school careers, as was also her brother, “Mack.” Subsequently we passed into the room of Miss Jessie E. Mair, than whom I seldom met with a more mentally cultivated teacher, or instructor capable of imparting knowledge, than she. I remember exceedingly well the bleak Autumnal day of the year 1882, when she provided her class with a “smoked” piece of window glass, to view out of the most southerly western window of her classroom, the transit of the planet Venus across the sun’s face. And when “Will” Scott could not perceive the tiny black object the first time, he was permitted to return to the window to view it a second time. I also recall hurrying home and procuring a similar piece of glass and having my mother gaze at that spectacle; which would not recur for considerably upwards of a century later. I remember Miss McCay’s laugh when, after completing an exercise upon the blackboard, “Charlie” Craig, signed it, as he would have done a mathematical problem, C2 (“C square.”)

We lived on the first farm immediately to the north of the town, and Emma living “down town” often looked forward to coming up to the farm on a Saturday afternoon, when, with others, we enjoyed rambles in the freer, balmier air of the country.

Emma McCay and her family moved from Napanee to Toronto in the year 1891. We had come to the great city a short time previously, and at once, our briefly interrupted friendship was resumed and we saw much of “the McCays” during the remainder of her lifetime. Neither she nor her brother ever married and they, with father and mother, both of whom lived to ripe old ages, dwelt together, except during a few years when Emma was in Ottawa managing a branch of the Laura Secord stores there.

While in Toronto, Miss McCay became intensely interested in two organizations of premier usefulness – Crawford Street Methodist Church and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. She took part in a number of temperance campaigns and for years assisted in the management of the Y.W.C.A. tearoom at the Toronto Annual Exhibition. Emma was an excellent conversationalist and was well equipped mentally for a first position in any kind of society.

So swift and laden with such vicissitudes, is life in these restless, rushing years, that many of her earlier Toronto friends scattered and at the time of her death, the loved ones of old had moved away to a hundred, more or less, remote localities. In the end, she was left with her brother and a few tried and trusted companions of a later acquaintance and development.

The minister, the Reverend Mr. W.F. Clark, an old family friend, spoke in the most eulogistic terms at her funeral service on the Monday night after her death and literature, as well as life’s loyalties were enriched by what he said about her. The remains were taken, the following morning, and interred beside those of her parents, in the quiet cemetery in the eastern side of Napanee.

Emma McCay has gone, but she will not soon be forgotten; she contributed to the making of life lovelier and nobler while she was with us and a fragrant memory of her loving, high, noble and beautiful nature will be projected far into the future.

MRS. JOHN McFAUL

Weekly British Whig July 24 1890

From the Picton Gazette

Mrs. John McFaul, of Hillier, has been confined to her bed through illness for six or seven weeks, with slight improvement; but owing to the skillful treatment of Dr. Ruttan hopes are still entertained of her recovery, notwithstanding she is advanced in years. Recently she made a vigorous effort and sat up and conversed with those around her concerning her marriage to her late husband, John McFaul, at that time a resident of the township of Hallowell, who lost his life two years ago by being thrown from his buggy, occasioned by his horse running away when on the road to Picton for the purpose of inviting some of his friends to the 50^th anniversary of his marriage, which was to take place four or five days afterwards. The marriage ceremony was performed in the old English church in the village of Bath, on July 5^th, 1830, his home at that time being about one mile west of Comer’s mills, near the village of Violet in Ernesttown, eight miles north of Bath. His father’s farm adjoined that of Jonathan Fairfield, uncle of the late Judge Fairfield and grandfather of john Barker of Picton. The day after the marriage took place, Mr. McFaul and his bride came up to Hallowell, by way of Adolphustown, crossing at the Stone Mills, now Glenora, and as the scow could not carry all the passengers at one trip, Mr. and Mrs. McFaul and others ascended the hill to the Lake-on-the-Mountain whilst the balance of the passengers were being ferried over. Mrs. McFaul says there were no buildings on the hill at that time. Fifty years afterwards she visited the same locality and it is not necessary to say that she was greatly surprised at the wonderful change that had taken place in that long period. Of the eight persons – Mr. and Mrs. James Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas White and Mr. and Mrs. John McFaul who settled on adjoining lots in the 6^th concession of Hillier about the same time, sixty years ago, all living on their farms almost continuously until their deaths – Mrs. McFaul is the only one who has not crossed the river of life, and strange as it may seem, the husbands all died first.

DONALD C. McHENRY

A Cyclopeadia of Canadian Biography 1888

McHenry, Donald C., M.A., Principal of the Cobourg collegiate Institute, Cobourg, Ont., was born in Napanee, Ont., in 1840. He is son of Alexander McHenry (from county Antrim, Ireland) and Ellen Campbell, daughter of Archibald Campbell, Adolphustown, county of Lennox, a descendant of the Campbells of Argyleshire. Mr. McHenry, senr., was for some years engaged in the timber business on the Ottawa, but subsequently he was in the dry goods business in connection with his brother-in-law, Alexander Campbell, Napanee. He died in 1847, leaving a widow and three children, the eldest, the subject of this sketch; a daughter, now Mrs. Alexander Henry, Napanee, and Miss Nellie, still living with her mother in their native town. The father, about the time of his marriage, united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. Upon Mrs. McHenry devolved the arduous task of bringing up her three children; and any success they have attained, they are proud to say, they largely owe to their devoted Christian mother. D. C. McHenry received his early education in Napanee. When thirteen years of age he went to learn the printing business, soon became fairly acquainted with its details, and rose to the position of foreman in the office of the Standard. The printing office proved, indeed, a second school to him, and his spare hours were given to reading and study. He longed for a higher education, and when about nineteen years of age, he closed the door of the printing office to open that of the academy, as an eager student, under R. Phillips, head master, a man beloved by all who have ever been under his instruction. After remaining here a year or two, he was induced to undertake the management of a new paper started in Napanee by the McMullen Bros., of Picton. At the end of one year the paper was removed to Newburgh, seven miles distant, but after eight months Mr. McHenry returned to Napanee. A vacancy having occurred in the second position in the Grammar school, he was advised to apply for the appointment. He did so, and was soon an occupant of a teacher's chair, in the school where he had lately been a pupil. The work of teaching proved congenial, and he was soon fixed in this as his probable life-work. His ambition led him to desire a university course, and with this in view he devoted himself assiduously to the study of classics, being aided in Latin, but getting up his Greek with very limited assistance. After six years of very successful work in this position, he resigned, in 1869, and left for Victoria College, from which he graduated in 1873. His course was one of close application and uniform success - first-class honours in classics and moderns - receiving the second Prince of Wales' medal for general proficiency, and the scholarship for excellence in moderns. Five months prior to graduation he was offered, and accepted the classical mastership of Cobourg Collegiate Institute - a substitute being accepted in the meantime. After one year he was promoted to the principalship, which position he has filled for the past thirteen years. It was at this time (1874), the that he was united in marriage to Alice, daughter of John Grange, of Napanee. His school was, for many years, about the only one that prepared students for Victoria, and notwithstanding the multiplication of institutes (from four to eighteen), it has held its own, and sent up for arts alone about two hundred and fifty during Mr. McHenry's thirteen years, besides a large number for teachers' examinations, for law, medicine, theology, etc. In regard to Mr. McHenry's personal and professional qualities, we quote from testimonials of well-known educationists: -

(1) Rev. Chancellor Nelles - "He is an accurate scholar, a good disciplinarian, and a most successful teacher, and indeed, has few if any equals in the general management of High school work."

(2) Rev. Dr. Burwash - "It is not too much to say that in the teaching profession he has few equals in this province. Both as an editor of classical literature and as a writer on the science of teaching, he has proved himself a master in his work; while in the instruction of a class and in the organization and government of a large school he stands in the foremost rank of teacher. As a Christian gentleman, his life and personal character are a model for young men; while his quiet, dignified independence and energy commend universal respect."

(3) Dr. Haanal - "His advice and counsel as a member of our senate has always been highly appreciated as sound, and calculated to advance real scholarship. Energetic and zealous in every good cause, Mr. McHenry has long been an important factor in educational and social circles here."

(4) Dr. Burns, Hamilton - "One of the most successful educators of our country. His scholarship is broad and reliable. Although a comparatively young man, he has secured a status among educators that he may well be proud of. His record is an exceedingly honourable one, both for talent, success and personal character. Socially, he would be an acquisition to any circle."

Mr. McHenry's is one of those cases where a boy or young man has had the advantages arising from being early thrown upon his own resources. What he has accomplished or attained is evidently the result of personal energy and self-reliance.

W. H. MELLOW

Fine Record in Deseronto – Chamber Commerce

DESERONTO, April 6 –

In retiring from business several weeks ago, W. H. Mellow achieved a splendid record for continuous business in the town of Deseronto, in all fifty-six years. These years together with his four years apprenticeship make in all sixty years in the blacksmith business, which will be hard to duplicate in Eastern Ontario.

Mr. Mellow was born at Mount Brydges, a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Mellow. His father was a most successful farmer and for one and a half years resided at Morven, after which he purchased 200 acres of land in the Flinton district. Disposing of this farm, W. J. Mellow, with Mrs. Mellow and family, moved to Gretna, North Fredericksburgh, where the farming pursuits were continued.

The subject of his sketch went to Napanee in the year 1875 and apprenticed himself with the late Daniel Henwood, with whom he remained four years. He then came to Deseronto and opened up a blacksmith shop at the corner of Fourth and Dundas Streets, which he operated for two years. Desirous of purchasing a property in a suitable center, Mr. Mellow bought the house at the corner of Thomas and Fourth Streets from Reuben Robinson. This was in the year 1881 and as there was no building suitable for his business he at once erected a shop which was closed after his retirement and which is a splendid building today. Throughout his 56 years in the business Mr. Mellow always had at least one assistant and during the period of the great war employed four men for a considerable time.

Mr. Mellow informed your representative that when he purchased the house in which he has resided since 1881 there was hardly a house east of Fourth Street and also scarcely a house west of Mill Street. The population in Deseronto has fluctuated and was the largest during the boom days of the Rathbun company. With the incoming of the motor vehicles, there was a decline in the blacksmith trade, but the trade which Mr. Mellow had kept up fairly well despite the motor cars.

During his many years in the business his highest price for setting a shoe was 35c and for a new shoe 60c. The prices during the past few years have been 20c for the former and 45c for the latter. Mr. Mellow has in his day on several occasions put on 50 shoes, which is a good day’s work. For a long period of years he maintained an implement shop in connection with the blacksmith shop.

Mr. Mellow is nearing the four score mark and is in very good health.

He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 54 years and a member of the Masonic craft for over 28 years.

An Anglican in religion, he was warden in St. Mark’s Church for some years.

After a life-time filled with activities and hard work his many friends wish for him good health and many years in the autumn of life.

J.C. MORDEN

Career of an Aged Resident of Hastings, Lately Deceased

British Whig Aug 26 1895

James Cotter Morden, born June 9th, 1807, and who recently died at the residence of his daughter at Wildwood, Florida, was for nearly ninety years a resident of the counties of Prince Edward and Hastings. His father, John Morden, settled near Rednersville about 1790. His mother was a Bowman, and was the identical child whose remarkable early history is given on page 266 of Dr. Ryerson's Loyalists of America. In November 1807, in the house that day pillaged by the Americans, who left only one blanket for the mother, the child first saw light. Friendly Indians cared for the helpless ones and saved their lives. The memory of this has been preserved on both sides up to this time. When a boy, J.C. Morden lived with his uncle, James Cotter, who early in this century was a well-known member of parliament. Here he found a good library, and he made the most of it. Eighty years of persistent reading gave him a range of knowledge possessed by very few men. Unaided, except by books, he early acquired a good general knowledge of the leading sciences. In June, 1833, he married Leonora Fairman, who survives him, and seven children of the union are scattered from Florida to Vancouver.

For half a century he lived in Sydney, Hastings county. On leaving there in December 1894, over seventy of his neighbors turned out to do him honor and presented him with an address and other tokens of esteem. In 1837-8 he served as an officer of the militia. Early in life he acted as a justice of the peace. Joseph W. Morden, of Napanee, whose son, A.L. Morden, Q.C., recently died in Scotland, was his eldest brother. He, as well as John Howell Morden, the next brother, died at an advanced age; James C. Morden spent his long life in trying to make others wiser and better. His unswerving honesty assisted in moulding the character of the many with whom he associated. He was always in touch with the young, and more than one man who has since made his mark can remember the words of encouragement that came when most needed. He was a Methodist from his youth, and was noted for kindness and benevolence.