McMurdie

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-226188
• Occupation: 1845, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; school teacher

Notes:

History of S.S. No. 19, North Dumfries, Known as the Stone School

In the early part of the nineteenth century, the pioneers felt the need for some form of education for their families. This was first given in some of the homes, or any building available. School was held only during the winter months as the teachers were usually otherwise employed for most of the year. The pupils were mostly grown men and women. Many stories typical of the life that centred around that important institution, "the school," depict the early methods of obtaining an education and the difficulties under which both pupils and teacher laboured. Generally speaking, the old time teacher, who wielded the birch with the same impartiality as the pointer, and which was bestowed upon young and old, was a real hero. It may be said he did his work and lived his life in the interests of the education of the country.

In 1843 the Townships were divided into school districts, and by 1846 these were called school sections.

The first school for S.S. No. 19 was built in 1835, across the Greenfield Road opposite the present school. At this time the country was mostly bush with only small clearings. The school was built on the road known later as Sprague's Road. It was a road hewn from the forest early in the nineteenth century from Galt to Paris by men under roadmaster William B. Sprague, who was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Albert Johnston. The Department of Highways paved this road in 1930 and called it Highway 24A, but it is still known as Sprague's Road.

The school was a low log structure, plastered with clay. Inside, the room measured 12 by 18 feet and this was divided into two parts, one used as the teacher's residence and the other for the instruction of those who came and there was an average attendance of 40 during the winter. The pupils sat on slabs of wood.

The first teacher in that first school was Mr. McMurdie, who was an excellent instructor whose education was just what he had gained at Public School. He maintained order by the approved method of wielding the birch, as those were the days of the belief "no lickin', no lamin'." One of the illustrious pupils of that first school was Adam Young, a noted penman. He was known far and wide for his magnificent penmanship. Some others who attended were George Oliver, James Scott, Mrs. Thos. Chisholm, Mrs. Katie Scott ami John Rae, Mr. McMurdie was remembered affectionately by the older settlers. He had the use of only one hand and he managed to support his large family, who existed in the residence in the school, on a salary of £60 per annum

Another early teacher was William Veitch, who resided in the building with his brother who made violins.

The second school, built in 1844, was also of log construction and situated across the highway to the east and north. This building stood for
many years after it was no longer a school, but used as a driving shed,It measured 22 feet by 24 feet, and part of it was also sometimes used as residence for the teacher. This school had benches for the pupils. Here during the winter there was an average attendance of 75. It takes a vivid imagination to picture how they crowded into that small space and were able to acquire any education. Certainly they were not haunted by fears of disease lurking in a poorly ventilated and badly lighted room. Those who attended had many happy memories of days spent in that log school. One of these was William Slater, father of Alex Slater who was responsible for recording some of the early history. Others who attended were Chas. White, Thos. Telfer, Matthew White, John Shiel, Walter Shiel, Jas. Scott, Walter Brydon, W. D. Cowan, Richard Common and Thos. Young.....

Glimpses of the Past SS. 19 North Dumfries Stone School