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Claremont United Church Quilt

by Gabrielle Untermann

(Reprinted from the Pickering Township Historical Society’s “Pathmaster” newsletter, with permission from the author and the Society.)

 Soon after Rev. Rob Selby became our minister at Claremont United Church in 2010, I was helping him sort through a bookcase in the sanctuary when we came across a small, antique glove box. Inside was an embroidered quilt cover in red and white triangles; in one corner was the heading “Claremont Methodist Church 1908 – 1911”. Further inspection revealed that there were 240 embroidered signatures, many of them belonging to antecedents of today’s congregation.  

Beth Thomson, a member of the church and a gifted seamstress, bravely took on the task of completing the quilt by adding a border and backing. Advice was sought from fabric experts at the Pickering Museum about how best to preserve and display it. On Anniversary Sunday, October 17, many of the congregation stayed after the service for lunch (provided by the United Church Women) and Beth’s husband Gerry facilitated a special “Celebrating our History” session. Katrina Pyke, curator of Pickering Museum Village, was invited to attend, as was local historian John Sabean, and both offered valuable advice on researching the history of the families represented on the quilt. Clerk of Session Cathy Trewin took notes as a wealth of memories and personal stories were volunteered by members of the congregation. Professional photographer Ken Mulveney was on hand to record the event, and one of his photos of the quilt was printed and sold as a fundraiser.

Over the following weeks and months an article about the quilt appeared on the front page of the Pickering News Advertiser; the Thomson family sponsored the building of a shadow box fronted by special glass to filter ultra-violet light which was then installed in the sanctuary; and Gerry Thomson met with Jack Ward who supplied a wealth of further stories about the people represented on the quilt. The intention is to consolidate the gathered information and have it available for display alongside the quilt.

Five years later, on the 150th anniversary of the church building, Beth took on another quilt project: members of the UCW embroidered the names of our present-day congregation onto a similar red and white quilt. The two quilts now hang side by side on the south side of the sanctuary, enhancing the colours of our fine stained-glass windows, and celebrating the church community both past and present.

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Early Black Settlers in Pickering Township

by Julie Oakes

The Chapman family is the earliest known Black family residing in Pickering as early as 1831. George Chapman, likely born around 1790 in Virginia, was a former slave who fled to Canada sometime before 1830.

Census records illustrate that George Chapman was a laborer married to Katharine Chapman, an Irish Catholic. They had a son, James, born in 1831 in Upper Canada. George Chapman is listed as colored and James Chapman is listed as mulatto in the 1861 census.

An article from the Pickering News records George Chapman’s death by a railway accident. The article mentions that George Chapman was a former slave in Virginia.

Moses Goodman was another early Black settler in Pickering Township. He was born in the United States on March 10th, 1814 according to his tombstone. His first wife was Catharine Goodman who was born in 1826 in the United States. His second wife was Julie Ann who was born in Ontario Canada in 1816. Moses is first found in the 1851 census in Pickering.  In the 1861 census Moses Goodman is listed as colored and was residing in Lanark, Drummond

There is no direct information that suggests that Moses Goodman travelled to Upper Canada via the Underground Railway.

George Gumby was listed as a 16 year old Quaker from the United States. He was listed as colored and was residing in Pickering with the Haight family at the time of the 1861 census. Also recorded during the time of this census, was Leonard Haight, Quaker, visiting from the United States. It is presumed that he is the brother of the head of the household, John Haight, who also lists his origin as the United States. The Haight family  were one of the many Quakers who immigrated from the United States, and settled in Pickering Township as part of the Timothy Rogers Quaker settlement along Kingston Road.  

Armenia Manuel was listed as 14 and born in the United States. She was Wesleyan Methodist and a servant of African origin according to the 1871 census. At the time of this census, she is listed as residing in the John Wright household.   Sarah Valentine, the wife of the head of the household, John Wright, was a Quaker who immigrated from Ireland with her family in the 1830s. She married John Wright, also a Quaker from Ireland, and they resided in Pickering Township, close to the Quakers who settled the Pickering Village area a few decades earlier with Timothy Rogers.

Although Canadian Quakers before and during the American Civil War were not as active in directly aiding in the Underground Railway, it is interesting to speculate how family groups travelling back and forth to the United States to visit relatives in Pennsylvania (from where many originally came) may well have assisted in possibly transporting individuals with them or in aiding escaped Blacks once they arrived in the township. Because of the dire necessity of secrecy so that these individuals would not caught by bounty hunters and returned to a life of slavery, written records don’t exist and we are left guessing from clues in census records,newspaper articles, marriage, birth and death certificates.

If you are a descendant of any of these early Black settlers, we would love to hear your family stories!

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Vintage Victuals Victorious!

by Helena Turner

Words cannot really express how happy and excited seven volunteer cooks from PMV are feeling right now! We have had a marvellous day at Fort York’s Mad for Marmalade event and return to our museum thrilled at our hat trick win today. Hat trick as in- this is the third year we have won First in our category but also hat trick as in we won today three ribbons. Our Plum Cranberry Orange Marmalade took First in its category (Preserves with Citrus) AND Best in Show and Pam’s Sponge Cake with Lime Coconut Marmalade Filling and candied lime peel decoration won First in Baking with Marmalade.

For the Firsts in category, we were thrilled to receive $75 each plus baskets containing sugar, icing sugar, tea towels, and burlap bags, all courtesy of sponsor Redpath Sugar. For the Best in Show-wow-we won a Kitchenaid stand mixer-which will get much use at PMV for sure. We have already spent some of our prize money at the Fort York gift shop: we bought a Blue Willow teapot,  to brew tea for our planning meetings.

One of our number, Deb, entered her lovely orange marmalade, and although she didn’t win this time, received valuable feedback: we tasted hers and it was very good!

We heard wonderful speakers, participated in fun workshops, ate a wonderful marmalade-themed lunch and won door prize cookbooks. To cap it all, we each received “swag bags” containing cookbooks, juicers, recipe leaflets, spatulas, canning equipment and more. Thank you to Fort York, Culinary Historians, Redpath Sugar, all of the sponsors and the volunteers who planned and carried out this amazing day!  We can’t wait to get cooking with our new Kitchenaid mixer!

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A Courtship in Letters ~ Part 1

Join us as we explore a courtship that began in 1903 in the letters between Marie McLean and Wes Gee.  These letters were donated to the Pickering Museum Village by the family and have quickly enthralled staff and volunteers alike.  The letters have been transcribed and include any grammar or spelling errors that occurred in the originals.  At the end of some posts are “Tidbits”; additional information about items mentioned in the letter.  Follow along to see how this story unfolds through 50 letters….

Greenwood

June 28, 1903

Miss M MacLean

Toronto

Dear Friend:

            No doubt this will be a surprise for you and perhaps it will not be an agreeable one.  But nevertheless I am going to run the risk of offending your Royal Highness by sending you this epistle.  I hope that you will forgive me this time.  As I am home tonight and want something to do and after the pleasant time spent with you last Sunday evening, I enjoyed your company very much and now tonight I am noticing the change.  You are at church very likely enjoying a sermon, I am trying to put in the time and amuse myself by writing this note.

            Suppose you arrived home safely and didn’t get a very bad scolding either, did you and will they let you go away again.  This has been a fine day, we appreciate these days after the rainy ones.

            Was at church this morning to hear Mr. Williams farewell sermon on John Wesley it was not as dry as I expected, a very agreeable disappointment, although not many tears shed, I guess we all forgot about it.  Father came home Friday night tired and glad to get back, it was comical to see him, just like a child when they are away and get homesick. However he had a good time and it did him good.

            Suppose you expect a big time in the city this week, would like to go in for the first but do not know whether I will or not, Etta and Fred want to go in for the day, and want me to go along, and go and spend the day at the Island.  Of course call and get you as we would need a guide, that is if you had no other engagements, and would care to go.  Now I’d not build on us coming at all, for it will likely fall through.  If we come will call for you at the house in the morning, and if you are going away for the day, I’d not let this stop you, because we may not come.

            Well I guess you will think I have written enough, and if you do not consider it too great a favor I will be pleased to hear from you.  And if you do not care to write why we will be friends just the same, as if I had not sent this letter and please do not be to much annoyed at me for writing.

            I guess I had better stop before I make it worse.  “Bye Bye”

                                                                                    Yours truly

                                                                                    W W Gee

Photograph below is of Wes and Marie Gee on their wedding day.

[pickeringmuse]

Different Strokes for Different Folks

What do museum people do when on holiday? Of course-they go to museums! It is so interesting to see the many different types of museums, the ways they display and interpret their artifacts, and the passion for history of their interpreters.

Some museums primarily display their historical artifacts, with lots of signage to put the objects into context. Others use guided tours, either with docents or perhaps technology such as apps or taped tours.

Living history museums use interpreters in and around the buildings, who are performing historic tasks like cooking on the hearth, spinning, weaving or gardening in the clothing of the period. They may be third person interpreters, who tell you what people did back then, or they may be in first person, and in that case they portray the person in their historical period and engage you in conversation.

Some PMV volunteers have recently gone on several road trips to various museums. Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts portrays the Mayflower immigrants entirely in first person: one wanders into buildings and the inhabitants begin conversations that go in many directions. Stories are told and a real feeling for the time evolves. This was also the case at Sturbridge Village, although some interpreters were in third person. Kawartha Settlers Village is a display museum and we were free to wander the site: the signage was very useful and it was relaxing to have the time to spend in favourite areas. Conner Prairie in Indiana is a mixture of display and first person interpretation and they do a first -rate job at both.

The great thing is that there is room for every type of museum and each has value for different personalities and learning styles. Time for another road trip!

[pickeringmuse]

Garden Discoveries

By Maddie Balmbra

The pears are starting to grow! This pear tree produces so much we have to brace it upright or it almost folds in half under the weight of the fruit. That being said, I don't recall ever trying the fruit and no one seems to know what type of pear it is. We'll keep an eye on them this summer and maybe we'll be able to figure it out.

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Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Trent

Q:  Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  I applied to work at the village because of my deep love for history.  I am currently studying history in hopes of being a professor.

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  The courting candle has to be my favourite artifact in the village.  I find it funny to think of other courting practices in such a small intimate setting.

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  My favourite building at the museum is the General Store.  It is the newest interpreted of all the buildings and features an incredibly modern light system.  Along with combining multiple stores in one for maximum convenience.

[pickeringmuse]

Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Tareque

Q:  Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  I like history, telling stories, and also costumes.

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  Cherry Pitter ~ For some reason no one seems to have one at home, yet they all are surprised at how useful it is.

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  The Log House because I love origin stories.

[pickeringmuse]

Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Rachel

Q: Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  I love history and theatre, so I thought this was the perfect mix of the two.

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  My favourite artifact is the wonder rope maker because it is interactive and brings history alive for the guests.

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  My favourite building is the Log House because it is unique and has lots of interesting stories surrounding it.

[pickeringmuse]

Garden Discoveries

By Maddie Balmbra

Just as June starts the Dame's Rocket bursts into bloom. It grows in the semi-shade of our woods and is a welcomed burst of colour, not to mention the scent of these flowers are divine.

There are a few Dame’s Rocket still hanging on in bloom in the heat of July around the village.  One of our volunteers asked what this plant was earlier in the summer as she mentioned that “This lovely wild flower brought a hummingbird into my back yard this morning.  Pretty pictures – too bad we don’t have “smell-i-vision” on our computers.”

Watch for more from the gardens of Pickering Museum Village each week.

[pickeringmuse]

Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Megan

Q:  Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  I thoroughly enjoy history and I was very much excited to have the opportunity to join the team again for a fifth season. I also hope to be an educator and this role provides me with excellent experiences.

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  My favourite artifact is the butter press/mould in the Collins House because it has an intriguing take of deception and deceit!

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  My favourite building is the Brougham Temperance House because I enjoy sharing the history of Temperance with guests (and it’s haunted). Banish the Demon Rum!

[pickeringmuse]

Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Leah

Q:  Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  Like many guests at the Museum, I came here in grade 3, and it was one of the best days of my life. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that I could work there because the education staff didn’t live there like I thought as a child

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  My favourite artifact is the ashtray in our “If These Walls Could Talk: Through the Eyes of Our Odd Fellows Hall” exhibit, which the Markham Museum has loaned us. The ashtray is quite bulky and features a skull and cross bones on the inside, and this really piques my curiosity.

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  My favourite building is the Brougham Temperance House because that is where I feel the stories of the people who owned the house really come alive.

[pickeringmuse]

Introducing the Summer Tour Guide Team!

We asked our summer Tour Guide team three questions as a way to get to know what they like about the museum.  We will introduce each of our Tour Guides to you over the next few days.

Eamon

Q:  Why did you apply to work at the Pickering Museum Village?

A:  I went from volunteering to working at the Museum since I enjoy seeing everyone who is here.

 Q:  What is your favourite artifact at the Museum?

A:  The courting candle because it is a fun story that always interests our visitors.

 Q:  What is your favourite building at the Museum?

A:  The Blacksmith’s Shop since I’ve worked in there a few times and it’s always lots of fun to get to make something.

[pickeringmuse]

Garden Discoveries

By Maddie Balmbra

Our comfrey has come into bloom. This plant was used as a healing herb by the pioneers and is still popular with people today. It has many common names including boneset and knitbone to give you an idea for what people used it for.  It's flowers seem to be popular with bumblebees.

Watch for more from the gardens of Pickering Museum Village each week.

[pickeringmuse]

Garden Discoveries

By Maddie Balmbra 

Our alliums are almost done, but no fear as the peonies are about to open. These peonies were saved from our Odd Fellows Hall garden just before construction started to move the building further into the village. The peonies are now in the centre of the village where all guests, volunteers, and staff can enjoy their fantastic blooms. Don't be alarmed if you see lots of ants over the buds, as they do not harm the plant. In fact, it is believed they help the buds open. 

Watch for more from the gardens of Pickering Museum Village each week.

[pickeringmuse]

Garden Discoveries

By Maddie Balmbra 

Last week the crab-apple tree in the centre of the museum village was in full bloom.  It smelled divine and the insects had a feast.  This variety of crab apple does not lend itself to making crab-apple jelly.  Watch the Gift Shop though as the Vintage Victuals get crab-apples from other trees to make yummy crab-apple jelly.

Watch for more from the gardens of Pickering Museum Village each week.