There is an excellent
book "Elora, The Early History of Elora and Vicinity" by John Connon
and the publishers have kindly provided us with an extract from the
book, pages 64 - 85, in pdf format which you can download below. The
book can be purchased from WLU Press at
http://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/
Thanks, Alastair, for
showing us the excerpt of George Elmslie, s diary concerning the Bon
Accord settlement which was the hub of European settlement north of
Hamilton in the early nineteenth century. This is a first of
firsthand accounts as we develop the theme of the everyday life of
the European pioneers who followed in the paths of the first
nations. There is a direct link between the Elmslie diary and
Fallbrook as the early Scot settlements formed tight nit networks
between different regions. The Grand and Credit Valleys, Galt,
Georgetown, Owen Sound all were settled by Scots as the need for
farmland and new sources of wood increased. The first link between
the Fallbrook farm and George Elmslie was his great great
grand-daughter Mary McKay, wife of Alec McKay, grandson of the
patriarch Donald McKay (and my mother). She was the family historian
responsible for passing this rich heritage onto her grand children.
Although in her twilight years, suffering from alzheimers, she had
lost the details, she had transmitted enough history to maintain the
flame.
Throughout her life,
Mary McKay maintained a passion for her ancestors in Elora, Galt and
Owen Sound but also in Fallbrook. She actually slept in the attic
bedroom before the Fallbrook farm was sold to the Vaughan's and
remarked that she would have built the house across the field on the
hill where the Vaughan's built their beautiful home. She had no farm
experience and did not appreciate that the house and barn had to be
near the creek. In fact, her ancestors were teachers, ministers and
merchants. George Elmslie was part of an organised society from
Aberdeen and was sent out specifically to found a settlement for
future emigration. The Ballinafad pioneers were mostly crofters,
displaced tenant farmers from Ireland or Scotland or British
loyalists. They all embraced the harsh pioneer life and quickly
formed cooperative communities based on a strong work
ethic,sharing,church and education for men and women. They
socialised during danses and get togethers with music fiddled on
homemade violins.
Like Ada Kirkwood and
so many other amateur historians, Mary McKay understood the
significance of their ancestor's contribution and worked diligently
to pass on this rich heritage. They have succeeded and the torch has
been passed. And not too soon. There are no physical traces left of
the Bon Accord settlement accept in the Elora cemetary and the
Fallbrook farms remains threatened as its historical designation
remains suspended. But through the passion of this rich oral history
and the research of the Department of Scottish Studies. University
of Guelph and young historians like James Jensen, the invaluable
contribution of ordinary people formed into vibrant communities
survives. The torch remains alight.
For more information
on George Elmslie and the Bon Accord settlement,go to the marvellous
Wellington County website-
http://www.wcm.on.ca/tweedsmuir/results_name.php?start=1&township=o11&name_last=elmslie&name_first=george
Another link between
Mary McKay's ancestors and Ballinafad is Reverend William George
Wallace born in Galt in 1858.He began his career in 1883 as minister
of the Georgetown and Limehouse congregations. He was the first
minister of Bloor St. Presbyterian Church for 30 years from 1888.
Reverend Wallace married Alec McKay and Mary Elmslie in 1942,thus
officialising the Ballinafad- Bon Accord connection.
Finally , the link
comes full circle through Alan and Nancy Sinclair, Ballinafad
historians and story tellers. They now live on a farm near Elora
only a stepping stone from the original Bon Accord settlement.
A memorial to Ada
Kirkwood can be read in Update 52. Mary McKay died one year ago
today, in her 94th
year.
Download the Extract
here! (pdf)
Dave Elmslie (pdf)
