Robert Dalgleish

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-159400
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-159398
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason Builder
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian Church
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stone Mason
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

James Dalgleish was born in Yarrow, Scotland and came to Canada with his wife and parents. Settled first near Ayr, soon after the deaths of his parents came to Galt. He was a stone mason and with his brother Thomas erected many of the buildings of the town, including the John Davidson house at 63 Grand River, Wesley United church. A deeply religious man he was one of the leaders of the formation of the United Presbyterian Church in 1857.

Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

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MR. JAMES DALGLIESH, was one of the first members of the congregation and also one of the first Elders, a position he held honorably all the rest of his life. He was also Clerk of the Session during that entire period, except a year or so at the beginning when Mr. Adam Ker made the record.

The Session records for over thirty years are his best monument. There they are, in his neat handwriting, in their precise phraseology, in their scrupulously clean pages, in their faithful adherence to fact, revealing the character of the man. He was upright, genuine, true, godly and devout, with a high sense of the importance of his office, and seeking to fulfil its duties as to the Lord. He was always in his place at church on the Lord's Day, and also in the weekly prayer-meeting. And when he prayed, his prayers were reverent and full of unction, scriptural and large in compass, rich with the grand sentiments of the old theology, and often picturesque in their quaintness.

To one unaccustomed to his style of composition they seemed disjointed, and lacking in connection and clearness, but when one grew acquainted with that they became a stream that caught one s heart and carried him onward into a season of true devotion. The Rev. Dr. John King, once writing me from Winnipeg, expressed his confidence in Mr. Dalgliesh and his appreciation of him in the highest terms. His memory of him had remained fresh through more than a quarter of a century. Trained as he had been in the theology of the Westminster Standards, he had very definite conceptions of doctrine. He did not believe in loose notions that swing like a pendulum to both extremes. He held to the New Testament teaching that the way of life is a narrow way, that it does not permit a man to do as he will, except his will coincide with God's will. He stood, therefore, for sound scriptural teaching, and the fear of God was ever before his eyes. And the fruits of that fear were manifest in his reticence on religious subjects. He thought much and he said little. He had a dread of talking, that had nothing behind it in the shape of deep conviction and living spiritual reality. He therefore preferred that the strength of his conviction should go into his life rather than into his lips. He, in his quiet, unobtrusive, clean and true life embodied the religion he professed. His presence was felt rather than heard; and when he did speak his words were forceful and effective. He was generous in his nature. In the early days of the congregation he is noted in the church account; "Mr. Ormiston (afterwards Dr. Ormiston) paid by Mr. Dalgliesh." That was for his services on the Sabbath Day, and that occurred frequently. He was a most unworldy man.

He was by trade a stonemason, and erected many of the best buildings of the town and neighboring country, doing for them the work of architect as well as builder. Of him we may say, as Thomas Carlyle said of his father, who was of the same craft: " I shall look on the houses he built with a certain proud interest. They stand firm and sound to the heart all over his little district. No one that comes after him will ever say: Here was the finger of a hollow eye-servant"

When he died a well-known figure in Galt passed away and left the community poorer, because it had lost his presence and his strong uplifting influence.

His wife must not be overlooked. She was always of interest to the people of Galt, as well as to visitors to the town, because of her relation to James Hogg, the poet of the Yarrow the famous Ettrick Shepherd who occupies no mean place in the " Noctes Ambrosianae " of Christopher North. She was James Hogg s niece, and, no doubt, did not forget that fact, but notwithstanding that she was very modest, very quiet and very contented. Composure dwelt upon her face, and peace reigned in her heart Her life was spent amid the sanctities of the home, ministering to her husband and children. Sustained by the precious Truth she had learned early in her youth, she passed the time of her sojourn here in fear. And when the end came to them it was only a few hours apart fellow-travellers in life, in death they were not divided.


Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson

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THE first settlers of Dumfries were generally of a superior class. With few exceptions, they had received a good education at the Parochial Schools of their native land, and many of them brought with them to Canada a thirst for knowledge which even the necessities of bush life could not eradicate. This led to very early endeavours to combine instruction with amusement during their leisure hours.

It will surprise many to learn, however, that as early as 1834, when clearings were but few and far between, and when the wolf and bear were not unfrequent visitors, that a Debating society was in full blast during the winter evenings. Such was the fact„ however, and long and excit-ing were the discussions which took place.

The scene of these intellectual combats was the home Mr. John Reid, after whom the clachan of Reidsville has been called, and who only passed away to his rest a few months ago. The members of the society were Messrs.John Black, John Reid, Thomas and James Dalgliesh, William Veitch, Alex. Turnbull, Thomas Ritchie, William Hastie, Andrew Mathieson, James Cunningham, Andrew Elliott, John Currie, John Johnston, George Cunningham, Alex. Beckett, James Oliver, Thomas Cleghorn, and occasionally a few others. A majority of these gentlemen still survive, and the mere recital of their names will awaken in the minds of those acquainted with them, many pleasing, and possibly some sad, reminiscences of the past.

It is needless to say that this Society was an exceedingly vigorous one, and that the questions discussed were characteristic of the time. Among them were the following:
(1) Which is most benefit to mankind, Agriculture or Commerce ?
(2) Whether is the profane man or the hypocrite most injury to society?
(3) Which is the most destructive element, fire or water?
(4) Whether does wood or iron most benefit mankind ? and
(5) Would a ship made of iron sink or swim?

The debates upon these and similar subjects, which, in the absence of candles, sometimes took place by the light of burning pine knots, were characterised by deep interest and not a little talent, and, to use the language of one of the participants: "Nothing could exceed the enjoyment of these gatherings."

The annual dinner of the Debaters was an occasion never to be forgotten. It was also held at Mr. Reid's house, but the viands were provided by the members of the Society generally. It could not boast of the cuisine of Delmonico, nor of bills of fare in French and perfume. It was considered, however, a veritable feast at that time. The Society unitedly purchased a sheep. That was the first step. From this was made soup, a haggis-the oat-meal for which had to be brought from a drug store in Dundas and roast and boiled joints. Add to this description, a few " cakes of the period," and you have the dinner, gastronomically considered, in all its glory

It was, however, "the feast of reason and flow of soul" which followed, that gave the occasion its princi-pal attraction. The speeches-the songs-the hilarity-can be better imagined than described. As an illustration of the mirthful spirit which prevailed, it may be mentioned that, on one occasion, whilst ladling out huge platefuls of the steaming haggis, John Black, the chairman, vigorously recited Burns' address to that famous dish:

"Fair, fa your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race;
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe or thairm,
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm."

Nothing could better illustrate the character of the early settlers of Dumfries than efforts at intellectual improvement under such formidable difficulties. It is not too much to say of them, that no part of Canada has been settled by a class of men of greater physical and mental energy. "None but Lowland Scotchmen would ever have cleared North Dumfries," is a remark which has frequently been made. This may be an exaggeration. But those who remember how heavily timbered, how stony and how swampy its rugged hills and valleys were forty years ago, will readily admit, that only the highest courage, and most indomitable energy and perseverance, could have made the township what it is today in the same space of time. Had their work to be done over again, could a magician's wand once more make Dumfries the tangled forest it was when this history began, we venture to say their descendants would never undertake to perform it!

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose

James — Margaret Laidlaw Hogg. Margaret (daughter of David Hogg and Helen Oliver) was born 1823, Abbotsford, , Roxburgh, Scotland; died 17 Jan 1892, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Laidlaw Dalgleish
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-159399
• Immigration: 29 Jul 1834, New York City, New York, USA.
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian Church
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

His wife [Margaret Laidlaw Hogg] must not be overlooked. She was always of interest to the people of Galt, as well as to visitors to the town, because of her relation to James Hogg, the poet of the Yarrow the famous Ettrick Shepherd who occupies no mean place in the " Noctes Ambrosianae " of Christopher North. She was James Hogg s niece, and, no doubt, did not forget that fact, but notwithstanding that she was very modest, very quiet and very contented. Composure dwelt upon her face, and peace reigned in her heart Her life was spent amid the sanctities of the home, ministering to her husband and children. Sustained by the precious Truth she had learned early in her youth, she passed the time of her sojourn here in fear. And when the end came to them it was only a few hours apart fellow-travellers in life, in death they were not divided.


Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson

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She was the daughter of David Hogg 1773-1853 brother to the poet James Hogg and daughter of Helen Oliver 1789-1848

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-42711
• Epidemic: 1834, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cholera

Robert — Elspeth Hogg. Elspeth was born 1774, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died 23 Aug 1834, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Cedar Creek Cemetery, North Dumfries Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elspeth Dalgleish
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-42712
• Epidemic: 1834, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cholera

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199433
• Immigration: 29 Jul 1834, New York City, New York, USA.

David — Helen Oliver. Helen was born 1789, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died 1848, East Maine, Broome, New York, United States; was buried , Glenwood Cemetery, Port Dickinson, Broome, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Helen Hogg
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199435
• Immigration: 29 Jul 1834, New York City, New York, USA.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199436

Robert — Margaret Laidlaw. Margaret was born 1730, , Scotland; died 1812, Ettrick, Selkirkshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Hogg
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199437