|
Wilton Village Traces History to United Empire Loyalists In a beautiful valley, in the
northern part of the Township of Ernestown, county of Lennox,
is found the country village of Wilton. This area was settled in the early 1800s and several history dates are recorded from 1803. The first settlers in the
county were Empire Loyalists – those who remained true to Britain after the American
war of Independence and for such had to abandon their homes in what is now
United States, and come to Canada. And proud is he who can tell his father’s father’s father was a hunted UEL. These first settlers spent
nearly all their waking hours in heavy toil – and every barrier they overcame
brought nearer the realization of their desire. About 400 Loyalists were the
first settlers, and they landed on the shores of Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario
at Bath and Millhaven, and received their grants of land and settled inland. Wilton, then called “Simmons
Mills,” was one of these early settlements. Big Creek which empties into Hay Bay, takes its rise a few miles to the eastward and passes
through the village, making water power for saw mills and grist mills. Wilton owes much of its
importance and standing to being the residence of Sydney Warner, who was born
in 1806. He was the son of Stephen Warner, who came to Canada from the USA
and settled on a farm in the 7th Concession. He endeavored to
increase the revenue of his farm by setting up a small distillery. At the age of 21, Sydney
Warner started a small store and later opened a large one at Simmons Mills. Then
he applied for and obtained a post office for Simmons Mills and became the
first postmaster. The government requested him to select a name for the new
office and he named it “Wilton.” Sydney Warner also became
Justice of the Peace, Reeve of Ernestown for several years and in time, very
prosperous and a money-lender, and although he controlled many mortgages, he
was never known to eject a mortgagor from his premises, or to foreclose a
mortgage or sue for a debt. His son, Harvey Warner who inherited
a greater part of his father’s fortune, also inherited his good qualities; he
also was never known to foreclose a mortgage. Sydney Warner died on his 80th
birthday, July 12, 1886 and was buried in Wilton Cemetery, where also rests
the remains of his son, Harvey, in the family plot. The Simmons family have owned
and operated saw and grist mills in Wilton village over a period of 165
years. This mill, which has always been one of the village’s chief
industries, is owned at present by Archie Simmons and son, Russell Simmons. Historical background of this
industry (now completely operated by hydro power and manufacturing commercial
feeds and running a seed cleaning plant) is interesting. On Nov. 26, 1803, Lt. Henry
Simmons received from the Crown, a grant of land on sixth concession of
Township of Ernestown, lots amounting to 1,300 acres of which part is this “Simmons”
property. Mr. Simmons has in his possession, leases which were entered into
by members of the family in connection with the operation of the grist and saw
mills. One of these leases was drawn up on July 10 1843 and called for a
payment of £75 a year. Perusal of a business
directory of Wilton of 115 years ago, showed that Benjamin Simmons operated
grist and saw mills; Henry Simmons was an inn-keeper; Dr. H. Taylor, a
physician; William Thompson, a carpenter; Edward Tompkins, a tailor; Sydney
Warner, general merchant; John Reed, a blacksmith and Henry Pultz, township clerk and many other names too numerous
to report here. About the same time, a short
description of Wilton would have been: Entering from the northeast, by way of
Pultz’s hill into the valley, we notice a small cemetery
on the side of the hill. The Methodist parsonage was on the south side of the
hill, with the cemetery in the background. At the foot of the hill was the
beautiful and spacious old stone Methodist Church. This old church which would
seat 1,000 persons was demolished and replaced by the present (United)
Church. A short way on down the street was the little school house. On the
left, below the school were the woodworking and undertaking establishments of
James Thompson, where you could have your coffin made to order. On farther was the Grange
Hall, which was originally, the Primitive Methodist Church. Opposite this was
the McClement Tailor Shop where homespun clothes were made. Farther on, we
came to the Warner store and the original post office. At the rear of the
store stood the “Ashery,” where potash was made. Across the creek was the
Baker Carriage Shop and on the opposite side of the road was the Simmons
saw-mill. One can still see the old waterway cut in the rocks. The Simmons grist mill was
across the road, near the Redden’s shoe store. The old Presbyterian Church
was surrounded by a cemetery; this frame church burned and was replace by the
later stone Presbyterian Church. Next came the “Simmons
Inn,” where one was always assured of hospitality. On down the road was the
stone school, which burned, then replaced by one near the cemetery, which was
again replaced by the present stone school. Further
along the road were various business places and furniture shops, harness shops,
blacksmith shops and the Kellar tannery. Other items of interest are:
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lapum were united in the first marriage in the then
Methodist Church (now United.) Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lapum was the first
marriage in the Presbyterian Church, taking place in 1875. Nelson Hick’s
funeral was the first in the Methodist Church, and Calvin Shibley was the
first funeral in the Presbyterian Church. The first Ernestown Township
Council meeting was held on January 8, 1850.
On Sept. 2, 1850, on motion of Sydney Warner and Philip Booth –
resolved – that there be levied and collected the sum of one penny on the
pound of the assessed property in the Township of Ernestown for common school
and township purposes for the year 1850. Carried. Council meetings were held in
various places in the Township. On Monday, Nov. 3, 1862, it met at the Inn of
Henry Simmons in Wilton. Although time brings many
changes, man has to cope with change in order to live. What used to be the general
store has been converted into an apartment dwelling – housing three
apartments. The War Memorial, erected in
1918, is at the corner across the road from the cemetery. The Standard Church was moved
back from the road, stuccoed, renovated and placed
over a basement in 1964. Wilton School addition, to
make it a two-room school, was completed for September, 1952. Grades 7 and 8
from Wilton School have attended Odessa Public School since September, 1966.
Grades 1 to 6 remain at Wilton School. Hydro street lights were
turned on August, 1964. The general store now, which houses the post office,
also living quarters is situated across the road from the Simmons Feed and
Seed. The Switzer Nursing Home is
now operated in the spacious residence of the late Harvey and William Mills. The United Church, which was
built in 1873, has been caught up in the amalgamation of churches and will be
closed on June 30. The Wilton Dairy is a
thriving operation, making a considerable amount of cheddar cheese. Ernestown’s
veteran council member, F. Erwell Huff, who has
served 22 years in the council, has spent his entire life in and around
Wilton. Mr. Huff served five years on the council, three years as deputy
reeve and 14 years as reeve. He resigned last year, due to ill health. Some new homes have been erected, others are in progress of being erected today. Changes come but many of the
characteristics of the industrious Loyalists remain.
|
||||||
