Early Municipal Government—The old annual Town Meetings—A baker’s dozen of settlers meet in 1819—First Officers elected for Dumfries— Amusing Enactments—Early efforts at public speaking—The perplexed Chairman and how he opened the Meeting—Three Township Commissioners elected in 1836—Their names—Polling for District Councillors in 1842—The greatest day Galt had ever witnessed—First School Commissioners—Introduction of our present Municipal System—First Councils of North and South Dumfries.

New settlements, not less than old ones, soon experience the necessity of having a governing’ body. We have now enjoyed municipal institutions, which Sir Francis Bond Head sneered at as “Sucking Republics,” for over a quarter of a century; but, in early times, the whole business of a township was done in a single day. It was called the annual Town meeting,1 and the proceedings were often very lively and entertaining.

“It may be of some interest,” says a correspondent, “to the municipal gentlemen of the present time, to know how we transacted our local public business. Well, on the first Monday in January (and it was generally a very cold day, the settlers met at the Town Hall, Galt, not inside, but out of doors. The chairman, when elected, ascended to a platform on the top of the building, when the pound-keepers, fence-viewers, pathmasters, &c., for the different sections were appointed, and the clerk entered the names in a book. About one hour sufficed to do all the business. The people would then, being very cold, retire to the two taverns (the Queen’s Arms was erected at an early day) and get warmed outside by a big fire, inside by the very indifferent and ill-rectified whiskey of the day, which, being taken in large quantities into empty stomachs, the remainder of the day was often made lively by a series of pugilistic encounters. One Sandy Kay obtained quite an eclat for pugnacity on these occasions. The next day Mr. Shade would fine him, which fine was generally commuted to digging out a stump or stumps in the street ! So Sandy had the pleasure of fighting, and the public the benefit of his labour without costing anything.” The penalty of digging out a stump, it appears, was at last generally applied by Mr. Shade, and, it has been significantly added, before many months not a stump could be seen on any of the streets!

The first gathering of the kind which took place in Dumfries was in 1819, within three years after the first steps had been taken to open up the wilderness. It was called by the township constable, whoever that functionary was, to “choose Town and Parish officers,” and was held at the house of one Gutlip Moss (a short distance south of Branchton), on Monday, the 4th January. There is no record as to the number of persons who attended, but, doubtless, it hardly reached the proverbial baker’s dozen. The following were the Town and Parish officers selected :—

Township Clerk—Mr. John Scott.
Assessors—Messrs. John Buchanan and Lawrence Schammerhorn.
Collector—Mr. Ephraim Munson.
Wardens—Messrs. Alexander Harvie and Richard Phillips.
Path-Masters—Messrs. Cornelius Conners, Enos Griffith, James McCarty and John Leece.
Pound-Keeper—John Lawrason.

Some of these gentlemen are now quite forgotten, but not a few of their descendants still remain in the township. How scanty the population and roads were, may be known from the fact that only four path-masters were appointed. The only other business transacted at the meeting was the adoption of two enactments, which, as this was the first municipal meeting in the history of the township, we shall give verbatim et literatim as they appear in an ancient record, which we have been privileged to secure:—

(1) “Resolved—That fences shall be deemed unlawful unless it has stakes and riders, is five feet high, and has no cracks exceeding six inches in width for the first two feet in height.”

(2) “The meeting Also Resolves that All Creatures shall be free commoners, excepting Stud horses and pigs under six months old.”

Great importance was evidently attached in those days to the marks upon sheep, as almost every settler had his own special mark, and after lodging a description of it with the township clerk, could claim any sheep having such a mark upon them. Many marks were recorded, and they must have become rather confusing at last, as will be seen by two recorded in the fall of 1819, which are given as examples. Mr. Nathan B. Allan recorded his as follows: “A cross off the left ear, and a slit in the under side of the right ear.” Mr. John Chambers followed on the 20th December with “A half-penny out of the under edge of each ear, and a piece of the tail! ” It is to be feared Mr. Chambers did not find the latter part of his mark a very reliable one.

That public functionary, the township constable, who was doubtless appointed at the District Sessions, but whose name and habitation do not appear, seems at first to have called the Town meetings at different houses throughout the township, pretty much on the same principle as the school teacher used to be boarded round. In 1820 it took place at the house of Absalom Shade on the 3rd January. The following year it was held at the house of Miller Lawrason on New Year’s day, and in 1822 at the house of Morgan L. Hermonts, inn-keeper, Shade’s Mills. The two following years it was held at the same place, but one John Clark had succeeded Hermonts as the keeper of the hotel, which, as stated in a previous chapter, was burned at the time of the cholera.

It is not until January, 1839, that the Township Hall in the village of Galt is mentioned as the place at which the Town meetings took place; but that building continued to be the place of meeting thereafter so long as these gatherings were held in the village.

At the earlier town meetings, Mr. Shade generally presided, and a correct list of the principal township officers, selected from 1820 to 1836—when a new system was introduced—will be found appended in a foot-note.

That public functionary, the township constable, who was doubtless appointed at the District Sessions, but whose name and habitation do not appear, seems at first to have called the Town meetings at different houses throughout the township, pretty much on the same principle as the school teacher used to be boarded round. In 1820 it took place at the house of Absalom Shade on the 3rd January. The following year it was held at the house of Miller Lawrason on New Year’s day, and in 1822 at the house of Morgan L. Hermonts, inn-keeper, Shade’s Mills. The two following years it was held at the same place, but one John Clark had succeeded Hermonts as the keeper of the hotel, which, as stated in a previous chapter, was burned at the time of the cholera.

It is not until January, 1839, that the Township Hall in the village of Galt is mentioned as the place at which the Town meetings took place; but that buildiiig continued to be the place of meeting thereafter so long as these gatherings were held in the village.

At the earlier town meetings, Mr. Shade generally presided, and a correct list of the principal township officers, selected from 1820 to 183G—when a new system was introduced—will be found appended in a foot-note.

These officers, with the usual complement of Town wardens, pathmasters, and poundkeepers, in conjunction with the Magistrates in Quarter Sessions, managed the affairs of the township during the sixteen years mentioned, giving an account of their stewardship only at the following annual meeting. It must not be supposed, however, that their actions consequently escaped criticism. It was'' then considered quite an honor to be clerk, assessor or collector, and even when there were no serious grounds of complaint against these officials, the everlasting struggle I between the ins and the outs often made the Town meetings exceedingly lively. Human nature is pretty much the same in certain respects, at all times, and in all circumstances. Very sharp criticisms, consequently, were often passed upon the way the township officers had discharged their duties, and not unfrequently, still sharper efforts were put forth by aspirants to secure the coveted positions for themselves.

'Considerable speaking took place at the Town meetings, which was always certain to be pointed, and very apt to be personal. The early settlers seldom failed to call a spade a spade, and as a ratepayer with a grievance had to nurse it for months before he could get satisfaction, when he undertook to have it out with his opponent, he never wasted his time with honied words.

Some of the gentlemen were frequently re-elected, but their names are not repeated. They are spelled as they appear in the official record. The Town Wardens were: David Harvie, Hugh Graham, John McKenzie, Joshua Gilham, Elisha Godfrey, Miller Lawrason, Thomas Moffatt, John Telferr Stephen Pembleton, Joseph Latschaw, John Campbell, and Benjamin White.

The Pathmasters were in 1820: Doan Griffith, Reuben Dayton, Ebenezer Hall, Wm. McKenzie, N. R. Campbell, Daniel Fraser, Wilkes Lamberton, John Trueax and Moses Kimble; 1821—Joseph Halbert, John Bouslaugh, Thos. Rosebrugh, Ely Irwin, Daniel McArthur, Ahab Soles, Isaac Willet, Henry Lamberton, Silvester Dodge; 1822—John Thomas, Aaron Cornell, Hugh Graham, Enoclc Kingan, Jaduthan Bird; 1823—Lawton Case, Henry Crombeck, Abram Bechtel, John Stewart, John Steele, Charles Kitchen, John Howell and Jas. Keachie; 1821—Cornelius W. Lane, Henry Nelles, John Alger, John Wiseman, Hempson Stephens, Martin Kiler, Joseph Beemer, James Jamieson, John Buckberry, Thomas Armstrong, Charles Van Every; 1825— Jonathan Weight, Ira Curliss, Henry Clemens, Jacob Loun, Elisha Lake, John Clark, Murdoch McPherson, Andrew Lake and Thomas Gadd. In 1826: Daniel Armstrong, Wm. Webb, Enos Griffith, Elam Bonham, Hugh McColl, Daniel Templeton; 1827—Guy Putman, Zachariah Clump, William Burnham, Daniel Anderson, David Inglis, Henry Bechtel, Peter Smith, Christian Baker, Thomas Thornton, Dugald McColl, Samuel Howell; 1828—William Howley, John Dorson, James Walker, David Matthews, Adam Unger, Moses Kemball; 1829—Andrew Van Every, George Stoddard, John Reichart, Jesse Bray, Robert Keefer, Earl Martin, William Holme, Benjamin Hallman, Wendell Bowman and Benjamin White, jr.

The Pound-keepers were: John Laurason, Lent Munson, Samuel McLeod, William Sprague, David Ellis, Matthew Van Dusen, Absalom Shade, Eleazer Griffith and Henry Bechtel.

The remarks of those who spoke were almost invariably off-hand and brief, but occasionally some essayed something more ambitious. They did not always succeed, however. An amusing instance of this kind was furnished on one occasion by a well-known and highly respected citizen, whose name we shall not report, and whose speech we cannot, for the very simple reason that he never got beyond the first sentence.

When the impressive moment after his nomination had arrived, he arose with a grand air and said:

“Fellow ratepayers: Ten years ago this township was a wilderness at this point he hesitated, cleared his throat and began again. “Ten years ago,” he repeated, “this township was a wilderness,” but again there was a dreadful pause. Provoked by the barely suppressed titter of the audience, the bashful orator tried the third time and failed, when his discomfiture loosened his tongue sufficiently to add, “and, friends, I wish it had continued a wilderness, and then I wouldn’t have made a blasted fool of myself in attempting to make a speech!”

The proceedings at meetings were often conducted after a very primitive fashion, and would hardly afford a suitable model for the House of Commons or other staid, precedent-loving assemblies. Not so very many decades back, great amusement was caused by a chairman elected to preside over an annual meeting to promote a religious object. This gentleman had acquired some property and was held in much esteem, and when requested to preside over the meeting, promptly consented to do so. He had enjoyed no experience as a chairman, however, and when he found himself seated in front of the audience, he completely lost his head, and forgot almost everything connected with the usual order of procedure.

After the applause at his taking the chair had subsided, the chairman said or did nothing, and there was a long and painful silence, which kept growing more absurd every moment. A friend at last bent over and whispered, “open the meeting,” at which the chairman rose abruptly, and called out in a stentorian voice: “Open the meeting ! Open the meeting! Open the meeting!” The effect of this upon the audience can be readily imagined. As soon as order was restored, the mover and seconder of the first resolution properly performed their duties, when, to the surprise of the audience, the chairman again made no sign, and the same dreadful pause occurred. Being nudged once more by his friend on the platform to put the motion, to the overwhelming amusement of the audience—who could not suppress their merriment for several minutes—the chairman again jumped up abruptly, as if awakened out of a sound sleep, and in the same stentorian voice called out: “Put your motion! Put your motion! Put your motion!”

As the township increased in population and wealth, it outgrew the rather primitive Town meeting system. There were a few who regretted its abolition. Mr. Shade frequently declared that “the public business was better done at the Town meetings than under the modern system, and it was much less expense.” But distance often lends enchantment to the view, and whilst it maybe admitted that the old Town meeting was probably well enough adapted for its day, the want of a governing-municipal body, directly responsible to the people, which would have regular meetings, and whose decisions could be had on the many local questions constantly arising, soon began to be seriously felt. The Provincial Legislature, in course of time, dealt with these growing wants of the country, and in the year 183G, the ratepayers of Dumfries, in Town meeting assembled, were empowered to elect, in addition to former officers, three Township Commissioners, whose duty it would be to meet from time to time throughout the year. The first meeting in Dumfries under the new law excited much interest, and the election resulted as follows:—

Mr. Thomas Rich, Township Clerk Mr. Carlton C. Smith. Mr. Henry V. S. Maus, Commissioners. Mr. Wendell Bowman, Mr. William Veitch, Assessor. Mr. James Wilson, Collector.

Nothing further of unusual interest appears to have occurred at these meetings until 1842, when the now rapidly developing township enjoyed its first genuine municipal excitement. For the first time, the ratepayers were called upon in that year to elect two fit and proper persons to represent them as Councillors in the District Council. This event excited great interest in every part of the township, and Galt was a very thronged and excited village on the 3rd of January, when the meeting took place. What transpired is so well told in the ancient record already alluded to, that we adopt its exact phraseology.

“At the annual meeting of the inhabitants of the Township of Dumfries, held at the Township Hall, in the Village of Galt, on Monday, the 3rd of January 1842, James Harris, Town Clerk, presiding, the following named persons being severally duly nominated, and each nomination seconded, viz.:—

“Hiram Capron, proposed by Thomas Coleman, Esq., seconded by Dr. R. McCosh, “Geo. Stanton, Esq., proposed by James Cassiday, seconded by John Smith.

“Thomas Rich, proposed by James K. Andrews, seconded by David Shiels.

“Alex. Buchanan, proposed by Wendell Bowman, seconded by Hugh Wallace.

“George Stanton, Esq., demanded a poll, which commenced at twelve o’clock, noon, and ended at three o’clock in the afternoon, at which time the votes recorded were for—

Alexander Buchanan, 356.
Hiram Capron, 288.
Geo. Stanton, Esq., 182.
Thomas Rich, 143.

“The subscriber (James Harris) then publicly declared Alexander Buchanan and Hiram~Capron to have been duly elected District Councillors for the Township of Dumfries.”

This municipal struggle, into which the political tide rising throughout the whole Province, entered to some extent, was quickly over, but it was warm and exciting whilst it lasted. The best evidence of this is to be found in the fact that so many votes were polled in three hours. The persons remaining amongst us, whose memories extend so far back, declare it was the greatest day Galt had ever witnessed up to that time.

School Commissioners for the township appear in the records for the first time, as having been elected at this meeting. Their names were as follows:—Messrs. David Christie, David Buchan, Robert Wylie, Rev. James Strang, George Lee, Rev. M. Boomer, and the Rev. John Bayne. Of the entire number, only Senator Christie and Dean Boomer have survived to the present time.

It was not until 1850 that the next important change occurred in municipal affairs. Great alterations were introduced by the new Municipal Act which took effect in that year. The “Sucking Republics” so dreaded by Sir Francis Bond Head, had been agreed to by the Provincial Legislature, and when the new year came round, the ratepayers of Dumfries were called upon to elect five Councillors to manage the affairs of the township during the year, with extensive powers to make laws, impose taxes, and do all things necessary for the welfare, security, and good government of the inhabitants.

Galt became incorporated as a village in 1850, and so its fortunes and those of Dumfries, as one municipality, sundered at this point. It being necessary to hold the election of Councillors within the municipality, the village of Middleton (now Glemorris) was selected as the most central and suitable point. And thus the good old-fashioned Town meeting finally passed away, after having been held in Galt continuously from 1822 up to 1850—a period of no less than 28 years.

The first election of Councillors for Dumfries resulted in the return of Messrs. Elam Stimson, Daniel Anderson, Absalom Shade, David Shontz, and Wendell Bowman. Their first meeting was held at Glenmorris, on the 21st January, 1850, when Dr. Stimson was elected Reeve, and

Mr. Wendell Bowman, Deputy Reeve. The former gentleman declined to serve, however, whereupon Mr. Shade was elected in his stead.

Two years afterwards (1852) another change took place. The famous Territorial bill of the Hincks-Morin Government came into effect, dividing Dumfries into two townships, the North attached to the County of Waterloo, and the South to the County of Brant, and thus they have remained ever since.

The first Municipal Council elected in North Dumfries after the division, was composed as follows : Reeve, Dr. Charles McGeorge, Deputy Reeve, Mr. Duncan Ferguson; Councillors, Messrs. Alexander Buchanan, Robert Cranston and David Shontz. The officers elected by the Council, were: Messrs. John Duthie, Clerk; George Veitch, Collector; Thomas Ballingal, Assessor; John Johnston, Collector; and John Miller, Solicitor.

The Reeves and Deputies during the succeeding five years were as follows :

1853—Messrs. Alex. Buchanan and Robert Cranston.
1854—Messrs. Duncan Ferguson and Thomas Chisholm.
1855—Messrs. Duncan Ferguson and Thomas Chisholm.
1856—Messrs. Thomas Chisholm and Robt. L. Willson.
1857—Messrs. Thomas Chisholm and John Milroy, Jr.

In South Dumfries the first Council was composed of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Daniel Anderson, William Mullin, Robert Burt, William Roy and James Sharp. Messrs. Anderson and Mullin were elected Reeve and Deputy Reeve, respectively, which positions they occupied continuously for nearly twenty years afterwards. The first officers of the municipality were: Messrs. James Ged-des, Clerk; John McNaught, Treasurer; Robert Ballingal, Assessor for the west side of the river; William Little for the east side; and Robert Shiel, Collector. Mr. Michael Charlton was one of the first auditors.