Catherine Buchanan

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine McDiarmid
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63453

Catherine married Rev. Christie McDiarmid 25 Nov 1904, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Christie was born 15 Feb 1864, Dunkeld, Scotland; died 5 Mar 1960, Nanaimo, , British Columbia, Canada; was buried , Ladysmith Cemetery, Ladysmith, , British Columbia, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152887642
• Misfortune: suicide
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63451
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1853, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Retired: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Galt, March 21.-William Buchanan 78 years of age, a widower, committed suicide by hanging himself in his stable this morning. Mr. Buchanan, who retired to Galt from his farm near Glenmorris about fifteen years ago, was highly respected and of independent means. Worry, superinduced by imaginary troubles, is the supposed cause of his act. A grown up family of sons and daughters survive him, among the former being Dr. John Buchanan, the well known medical missionary to India:

The Chronicle Telegraph, 30 Mar 1905, p. 6

William married Catherine Caroline Harvie 1853, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Alexander Harvie and Catharine Campbell) was born 3 Feb 1834, Branchton, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jan 1904, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152887984
• Name: Catherine Caroline Buchanan
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63452
• Occupation: 1853, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Died In Galt, on Tuesday, 19th January, 1904, at 9.30 P.M., Catherine Harvie, Wife of William Buchanan, Aged 69 years, 11 months and 16 days. The Funeral Will take place on Friday afternoon, Jan 22nd, at 2 p.m., from her husband's residence, Bruce Street, to Mount View Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances please accept this intimation. Galt, Jan. 20th, 1904 .

Funeral Card

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141449171
• Historic Building: 44 Wellington St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-103088
• Residence: 1821, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1834, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 02, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1834, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 03, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor, Reeve
• Elected Office: 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo County
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. P. Presbyterian
• Retired: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Alexander was the eldest son of John Buchanan who arrived in the Branchton area in 1817. Alexander described as a man of "magnificent physique" came to Galt in 1819. First operated Absalom Shade's distillery for about 4 years. Later farmer in Branchton and was appointed the assessor of the Township of Dumfries in 1827. He served as a councilor of Township of Dumfries and as a councilor of North Dumfries. He did in 1881 with a estate valued at $300,000.

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

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Galt was almost hemmed in - a place without an outlet. The natural route was eastwards to the head of Lake Ontario at Dundas, but between the two points was a literal slough of despond in the shape of the far famed Beverly swamp, whose bottomless mud-holes and almost impassible " corduroys: were the terror of travellers for many a year thereafter.

This benighted region had a most unenviable reputation. It blocked the way between the head of navigation at Dundas and Hamilton, and the fertile lands of Dumfries and Waterloo. It could not be avoided, therefore, and the blazed road (A term in common use, indicating chips chopped off the sides of trees in the early settlements to show travellers the road.) through its long desolate morasses, was seldom passed without accidents and delays innumerable. A dozen teams all "stuck" (to use the expressive term of the period) within a few miles of each other, was no uncommon occurrence, and only the marines could believe the stories of the size and depth of the mud-holes which have been handed down to us.

Once upon a time a reckless rider attempted, contrary to advice, to pass through on horseback in the middle of the spring floods. A few hours afterwards a pedestrian found what at first glance he took to be a blue Scotch bonnet floating in the middle of a treacherous-looking pool. On attempting to recover the bonnet, he was horrified to find it covered the head of the reckless rider, who had plunged into the fatal morass, and, astride of his horse, had gradually sunk down, until arms, neck, mouth, and eyes, had been engulphed in the oozy, treacherous, almost fathomless abyss. Before assistance could be obtained, horse and rider had entirely disappeared!

How far this and similar stories can be relied upon, the reader can judge for himself, but certain it is, that the passage through Beverly swamp was greatly and justly dreaded. These feelings were increased by current rumours of an old peddler and even of other benighted travellers who had undertaken to pass through the swamp after dark, having mysteriously disappeared. These rumours became crimes of blood to the active imaginations of those days, and so widespread and strong had they become, that when Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a man certainly not deficient in courage, came in from New York State in 1819, he started through the wild and trackless woods after dark to his father's clearance near Branchton, rather than linger in Beverly swamp, with its dismal surroundings and evil reputation.

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young , pg 56-57

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JOHN BUCHANAN, farmer, Township of South Dumfries, was born in Galt, County of Waterloo, Ontario, 15th August, 1821, and is a son of Alexander and Betsy Buchanan, natives of the United States, from which country they emigrated to Canada about the year 1817, and first settled in Galt, where they remained four years. They then moved to the farm in South Dumfries Township, on which Mr. Buchanan resided till sixteen years ago, when he returned to Galt and retired into private life. He is living there now with his second wife, hale and hearty, in his eighty-seventh year. His first wife died on the farm in 1842, and his second was Mary Wylie, still living. Mr. Buchanan had eleven children, ten of whom, six sons and four daughters, are still living. John Buchanan, the subject of this biography, was married 28th March, 1850, to Isabella McPherson, who was born in New York State 17th November, 1826. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church at Galt. Their only child, Helen, was born 19th August, 1851, and is the wife of Dr. Webb, Town of Waterloo, Ontario. When Mr. Buchanan commenced life for himself, he purchased 100 acres of land, on which he at present resides, and to this he has since added 184 acres, making in all 284 acres of highly cultivated and improved land, bearing proofs of undoubted prosperity and industry.

The history of the county of Brant, Ontario: containing a history of the county: its township, cities, towns, schools, J. H. Beers & Co. Warner, Beers & Co.

____________________________________

One of the most pressing necessities before the township could be brought into occupancy, was to have it properly surveyed. Mr. Adrian Marlett, of Ancaster, Provincial Deputy Surveyor, was promptly engaged by Mr. Dickson for the purpose, and surveyed a considerable portion of the lands in the neighbourhood of Galt during the fall of 1816. He commenced his work again early the following year, and continued it until it was completed.

The first building erected was near the corner of Main and Water Streets, where Mr. Alexander Buchanan's residence now is. It was constructed of logs, two stories high in front, with a one-storey kitchen attached. The front was enclosed by a log fence. This was deemed quite an ornament in those days, but would hardly be esteemed so highly at the present time. For many years afterwards one end of this building was used as a rude store by Mr. Shade, and the other as a dwelling for him-self and wife.

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose Pg. 30, 31

Historic Building:
Constructed in 1855, possibly by William Leslie (carpenter) house known as the "William Leslie House" historic listed property city of Cambridge. Former Residence of Alexander Baird and family, murals were painted in this home by "Jack" Baird. Also the former home of R.P. SLater and family. Galt councillor and Mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada.

Elected Office:
Municipality Dumfries NYears on local council: 1852 Councillor; 1853 Reeve
Years on Waterloo County Council: 1853

Alexander — Elizabeth "Betsy" Leese. Elizabeth (daughter of John Mattison Leece and Margaret McArthur) was born CALC 18 Jan 1802, of, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Apr 1841, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141448531
• Name: Betsy Leese
• Name: Elizabeth "Betsy" Buchanan
• Name: Elizabeth Leece
• Name: Lizzie Leese
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-55144

Other Events:

• Interesting: life story, religion
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86875

Notes:

Alexander Harvie was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland who came to Canada about 1817 with a colony of settlers from Caledonia, Genesee Co., New York. He settled on a farm near Branchton and was regarding as a leading man in the community. He is credited with being the driving force behind establishing of the Presbyterian congregation that, in the early 1830's became the Strang church now the First United Church in Cambridge. The first Presbyterian serviced were conducted by Rev. Alex de Noon of Caledonia, New York in the home of Mr. Harvie.

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

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The first clergyman who ever preached in Dumfries is believed to have been the Rev. Alex. De Noon, of Caledonia, New York, to whose congregation several of the first settlers near Branchton had belonged. A member of his church named William Forbes, had removed about 1818 to the head of Lake Ontario, where his family was attacked by what was then called lake fever a species of fever and ague-and, sad to relate, himself, wife and nephew, all died. Mr. De Noon, accompanied by one of his elders, Mr. Donald Mackenzie, father of the late Simon Mackenzie, of Branchton, came over to Upper Canada in 1819, to look after Mr. Forbes' property, and being within thirty miles of his former parishioners, he determined to make his way through the bush to Dumfries, and see them and their new home. He remained over one Sunday, and preached in the house of Mr. Alex. Harvie, which the handful of settlers in the neighbourhood greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

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

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At the meeting of the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church, held at Pittsburg, in May, 1822, the Synod appointed the Rev. Thomas Beveridge, the Rev. Mr. Hanna, and the Rev. Alex. Bullions, "to itinerate in Canada three months or thereabout, the expenses incurred by said Mission to be defrayed by the Synod." This Mission was a somewhat memorable one. Thirty-seven years afterwards (in 18.59) Mr. Beveridge gave an inter-esting account in the Evangelical Repository, of the journeyings of Dr. Hanna and himself through the wilds of Upper Canada, all of which was done on horseback, except in such places as they had to dismount in order to get themselves and their horses through. After describing their travels on horseback from Philadelphia, their visit to Stamford, near Niagara Falls, and the difficulty of finding settlements in Upper Canada with sufficient people to preach to, Mr. Beveridge describes at some length his experience in Dumfries, and the narrative throws such a flood of light on the condition of the settlement in 1822,, that the following extract there from will be appreciated:

"So it was at last arranged that Mr. Hanna would re-main at Stamford, where he occupied the pulpit on the ensuing Sabbath, while I would endeavour to hunt up the people at Dumfries. This was a settlement consisting chiefly of Scotch Highlanders, and about eighty miles from Stamford. My route lay through Ancaster and Dundas. So far I had no difficulty in finding my way. After this I had to depend on what information I could get along the road, both about the road and the people. As I drew near to the settlement, I found that there was among them an aged Scotch gentleman by the name of Harvie, who had removed from Caledonia, New York, and was regarded as rather the leading man in the settlement. I accordingly obtained directions to his house On my arrival I knocked at the door, and heard someone in a somewhat gruff voice invite me to come in. As entered, the old gentleman was engaged either in making or mending shoes with his back towards the door He never looked round to see who was there, but continued busy at his work. After I had stood in silence for a few moments, he called out to me without getting up, What's your wull, sir? 'As he appeared somewhat blunt in his manner, I replied in somewhat of the same style, by asking, 'Do you want any preaching here? 'He immediately dropped both shoes and tools, and springing to his feet, exclaimed in accents which I shall never forget 'Oh, yes!

"He and his neighbours had commenced a settlement in the forest about five years before, and had never had a sermon preached among them all that time. The nearest. approach to it had been by a Unitarian, or Christian, who had once preached in their neighbourhood; but that was a kind of preaching on which they felt no disposition to attend. Here, then, was an opportunity never before enjoyed by me, to build where no other had laid foundation since the beginning of time. Another singularity in my situation was, to be upon the very verge of the inhabited world. One of the families in which I spent a night, told me that they knew of no in habitant between them and the North Pole.

"Mr. Harvie had been an elder in the Associate Reformed Church of Caledonia. Some of the High Landers, if I recollect rightly, were members of the church of which Mr. De Noon, of Caledonia County, was pastor. But neither he nor they were disposed to be very fastidious about my ecclesiastical connexion. It undoubtedly wrong to disregard any principle or usage which pertains to true religion; but long destitution of the Gospel by those who love it, tends to lessen very much the alienation which too often exists between different evangelical denominations. Mr. Harvie did not wait to ask me if I were a minister of the Associate Reformed Church, nor did the Highlanders first enquire whether I belonged to the same church with Mr. De Noon or the Establishment of Scotland, to which they had formerly belonged but they were all ready to take me into their arms as a minister of Jesus Christ. "My time here was chiefly spent at the house of Mr. Harvie. An incident occurred the first night of my sojourn with him, which, though not of importance, afforded me some amusement. His cabin consisted of two apartments: the larger one for general purposes, the smaller one affording between them barely room for a bed on the one side, and a loom on the other, with a very narrow passage between them. The was my sleeping apartment. It was hardly to be expected that in such a new country feather beds would be very plenty. I think it not improbable that I slept on the only one in the settlement. It was howevery so copiously filled as a straw bed beneath it. This latter was so completely stuffed that it had fairly assumed a round figure, and the feathers very naturally divided themselves in the centre, and lay over the straw like a pair of saddlebags upon a horse. When I went to bed I poised myself as well as I could upon the centre, but with a good deal of doubt about my ability to retain my position. My fears were not groundless, for no sooner had I closed my eyes in sleep, than down I rolled upon the floor. There I lay for a little, reflecting upon my whereabouts. After going over the history of my life for some time past, and pursuing it up to the time when I had gone to bed, I came to the conclusion that I must have landed somewhere between the bed and Mrs. Harvie's loom. So I picked myself up, fixed the bed in a flatter form, and slept very comfortably for the rest of the night. This little affair afforded some amusement to the family and me in the morning.

"The people in the settlement consisted of about twelve families: With the exception of Mr. Harvie and an aged Highlander, they were young, married persons, having generally families of two or three small children. Several things respecting them were very encouraging. Although without any access to public ordinances, they had formed themselves into a society for prayer and conference, which met regularly on the Sabbath, and was well attended. Whether they had any meetings on the com-mon days of the week, I am not now able to say. Wor-ship was also observed in their families; and their general character, so far as I could learn, was unex-ceptionable.

"They were exceedingly grateful to the Associate Synod for having sent them a missionary; and though none of them had belonged to this branch of the Church, they were anxious to be connected with it. This, with them, was one of the most powerful arguments, that this church alone had sought them out, and taken compassion on their destitute condition. As it was doubtful whether the synod would prosecute a mission for which there seemed so little encouragement, I dissuaded them from forming a connexion with us. But the more I urged them against it the more intent they became. Accordingly, after preaching to them on the Sabbath, I appointed a day on which I would meet with them for conference and for sermon. At this meeting I explained to them, as fully as I could, the principles of the Associate Church, the testimony of which they had not seen. The aged Highlander above mentioned, after listening to me a while, would address himself to the younger members of the society in their native Gaelic, giving his views of what had been said. The result was that they gave their assent to the standards of the Associate Church, so far as they were acquainted with them, and were received into communion. After sermon, somewhere about twenty children were baptized, most of the families having two or three to pre-sent for that ordinance. This was the beginning of the large and flourishing congregation of Galt, as it is now called, for many years under the ministry of the late Rev. James Strang and now of the Rev. Robert Acheson. Dr. Hanna having arrived from Stamford, we set out together from Dumfries for Esquesing, where we had heard there was another settlement of Scotch people who might be desirous of preaching

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

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Shade acted as Mr. Dickson's agent and attorney, and as soon as it became known in the Niagara district and other settled parts of the Province, that lands could be had on easy terms, a few straggling settlers made their way to the locality, and some returned to take up their abode. Scarcely any persons came in during the fall of 1816, and for several years afterwards, the progress made was not very promising. Report puts down the number of families in the township in 1817 as thirty-eight, com-prising in all one hundred arid sixty-three souls, and the whole of the farm stock as less than the number of animals now to be found on a single place. From a Government source, we find that in 1818 the estimate was only thirty-eight settlers, and sixty-three persons in all.

These statements are doubtless not far astray, but the latter estimate is probably below rather than above the mark, for, besides a few settlers who early took up land in the St. George neighbourhood, a small colony, chiefly from Genesee County, New York State, had located in the bush between Galt and the present village of Branchton, as early as 1817. Among these were Messrs. Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean, William Mackenzie,* John Buchanan, Robert Carrick, Alexander Harvie, Daniel McArthur and Dugald McColl, whose descendants, in several instances, still continue to hold and cultivate the lands then taken up.

*Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean and William Mackenzie walked all the way from Genesee Co., New York State, to Dumfries, during May, 1817. Mackenzie had assisted Mr. Marlett in surveying near Galt during the previous fall, and piloted the way. While on the road near Hamilton, the elder Dickson and his son William passed them on horseback. They knew Mackenzie, and informed the travellers that they could get Articles of Agreement immediately for any lands they might select, as they were then taking up these necessary documents. After arrival, Fraser, McBean and Mackenzie soon selected farms, and received the Articles therefor, which are said to have been the first three ever given by Mr. Dickson for any part of his Dumfries lands.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 33

Alexander — Catharine Campbell. Catharine was born CALC 28 May 1802, , Ayrshire, Scotland; died 26 Oct 1888, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Harvie
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86876

Notes:

A Very Old Resident Gone - At the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. Wm. Milroy West Dumfries, there passed away Mrs. Harvie, widow of the late Alexander Harvie, of Beverly, aged 86 years, 4 months and 28 days. Mrs. Harvie was one of the very oldest settlers in this section, and leaves surviving of her family, Mrs. Wm. Buchanan, of Glenmorris; Mrs. William Milroy, of North Dumfries; Mrs. Augustus Buchanan, Michigan, and Mr. Malcolm Harvie, of Minnesota. Up to a short time before her death Mrs. Harvie was a wonderfully active woman, but the frailties of age gradually told their tale.

Galt Reporter Nov 2 1888 pg 8

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187826868
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-61661

Notes:

Shade acted as Mr. Dickson's agent and attorney, and as soon as it became known in the Niagara district and other settled parts of the Province, that lands could be had on easy terms, a few straggling settlers made their way to the locality, and some returned to take up their abode. Scarcely any persons came in during the fall of 1816, and for several years afterwards, the progress made was not very promising. Report puts down the number of families in the township in 1817 as thirty-eight, com-prising in all one hundred arid sixty-three souls, and the whole of the farm stock as less than the number of animals now to be found on a single place. From a Government source, we find that in 1818 the estimate was only thirty-eight settlers, and sixty-three persons in all.

These statements are doubtless not far astray, but the latter estimate is probably below rather than above the mark, for, besides a few settlers who early took up land in the St. George neighbourhood, a small colony, chiefly from Genesee County, New York State, had located in the bush between Galt and the present village of Branchton, as early as 1817. Among these were Messrs. Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean, William Mackenzie,* John Buchanan, Robert Carrick, Alexander Harvie, Daniel McArthur and Dugald McColl, whose descendants, in several instances, still continue to hold and cultivate the lands then taken up.

*Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean and William Mackenzie walked all the way from Genesee Co., New York State, to Dumfries, during May, 1817. Mackenzie had assisted Mr. Marlett in surveying near Galt during the previous fall, and piloted the way. While on the road near Hamilton, the elder Dickson and his son William passed them on horseback. They knew Mackenzie, and informed the travellers that they could get Articles of Agreement immediately for any lands they might select, as they were then taking up these necessary documents. After arrival, Fraser, McBean and Mackenzie soon selected farms, and received the Articles therefor, which are said to have been the first three ever given by Mr. Dickson for any part of his Dumfries lands.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 33

John — Margaret McArthur. Margaret was born 1780, , Scotland; died 13 Mar 1844; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248381754
• Name: Margaret Buchanan
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54361

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54724
• Land: 30 Jul 1817, North Dumfries Concession 10 Lot 08, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

The price of land at this early period was about $3 per acre. There is lying before us as we write, in a perfect state of preservation, an agreement entered into for a farm between Mr. Dickson and Mr. John Leece. This gentleman was a native of Lancashire, England, but had been for some time in Albany, New York, before coming to Dumfries. The agreement was for the sale of the south half of lot number eight, in the tenth concession-being the farm now owned by Mr. William Smith, situated on Mill-creek, about one mile from Galt. The document was signed on the 30th of July, 1817, the signatures upon it being those of William Dickson, by his Attorney, Absalom Shade, and the purchaser, John Leece. The witnesses were William Dickson, jr., and Charles Irwin. The consideration money was £75, and it was payable in five years with interest.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 30

John — Margaret McArthur. Margaret was born 1765, , Lancashire, England; died 1835, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Leece
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199431

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82387452
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48547

Notes:

a small colony, chiefly from Genesee County, New York State, had located in the bush between Galt and the present village of Branchton, as early as 1817. Among these were Messrs. Donald Fraser , Thomas McBean , William Mackenzie ,* John Buchanan, Robert Carrick, Alexander Harvie, Daniel McArthur and Dugald McColl, whose descendants, in several instances, still continue to hold and cultivate the lands then taken up.

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 33

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Dumfries. In this cemetery is a granite stone marking the burial of Alexander Harvie, who was born in Scotland in 1754 and died in Dumfries in 1825. Passing by this cemetery along a winding road, one comes to one of the most picturesque farms in the township. This was the birthplace of First Church. The old house in which the first service was held disappeared long ago, but the movement begun there is still going on. In that community were about 12 families who had come over from New York state, attracted by the prospects of a home in a British colony. Among them was Alex. Harvie, regarded as the leading man in the new community. This was in the year 1817. In May, 1822, the Associate church at Pittsburg, Pa., appointed three ministers to itinerate in Upper Canada for a period of three months. These ministers, Rev.'s Thomas Beveridge, Alex Bullions and Dr. Hanna, rode on horseback from Philadelphia to Niagara, where they parted, each taking a separate mission. Mr. Beveridge found his way to the home of Alex Harvie, who welcomed him with great joy.

Waterloo Historical Society, Seventeenth Annual Report, Berlin, Ontario 1929, pg 1940

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FIRST UNITED CHURCH, GALT

Andrew W. Taylor, B.Sc.A.

The records of First United Church give many intimate glimpses into the life of Galt from its first beginnings right down to the present day. In 1816 Dumfries was unbroken forest. One of the first projects undertaken was to have the land surveyed. An assistant to the surveyors was a lad by the name of William Mackenzie. This young man was impressed by the prospects. During that winter he told of the opportunities he had seen to the people at his home in Genesee County, New York State. The following year he and others returned to become the first settlers in the new tract. During the next ten years there was quite a migration of these people. They belonged to the Associate Reformed Church. They settled between Galt and Branchton. One of their number, Mr. Alexander Harvie, had been an elder in the congregation of Caledonia, N.Y. In 1819 the Rev. Alex. DeNoon, the minister of that church, paid him a visit in his Dumfries home. Word went out to all the people around about. A service was held. Rev. Mr. DeNoon is believed to be the first clergyman ever to have preached in Dumfries...


Waterloo Historical Society, Thirty-Fifth Annual Report, Berlin, Ontario 1948

Alexander — Mary Cameron. Mary was born CA 1765; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Harvie
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63153