The Early History of Emily Township and Omemee

Originally Published in Belden’s 1881 Atlas

Emily, the south-eastern township of Victoria County, contains, exclusive of the Incorporated Village of Omemee within its territory, about one hundred square miles of territory. Pigeon Creek enters near the south-west, and runs in a general north-east direction to the opposite corner, where it widens into Pigeon Lake. On the eastern boundary lies Chemong or Mud Lake, and on the northern boundary Emily Lake, into which runs, from the south, Emily Creek, with branches principally from the west. The surface along the upper portion of Pigeon Creek is broken by a succession of low hills, the principal elevation being a considerable mound called Mount Nebo, on the right of the stream, near Omemee. The chief stream, in its lower course through the township, divides a less hilly district. In the northwest the land is rolling, and in the southeast comparatively level. In the extreme south-east corner is an elevation called the Hog’s Back.

The titles of ‘king’ and ‘queen’ of Emily were given to Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Finlay, as being the first permanent settlers in the township. On their way in, a child was born in Cavan, now Mrs. McCormick, yet of Emily. Before the arrival of the Finlays, David Best had done some clearing on Lot 20, in the 2^nd Concession, but had not yet taken up his residence there. In the following year a party of Irish immigrants came in to hunt land, guided by one Henderson, to whom they paid $1 per day. Among these was Maurice Cottingham, whose two sons, William and Samuel, accompanied by James Laidley, made a little clearing where the Village of Omemee now is. They were the first to bridge Pigeon Creek by felling two oak trees on opposite sides of the stream, so that their tops interlocked. After underbrushing and cutting for a space all but the largest trees, they went back to Cavan till the spring, they and the parent Cottinghams staying with Huston, the surveyor.

In the spring, James Laidley and Samuel Cottingham built a 12×14 shanty on the lot, roofed with cedar slabs. It was built on the deep and crusted snow, which had to be shovelled out to lay the floor of split cedar. The family then moved in; but when a fire was lighted in the cabin, the snow melting allowed one side to settle, to the great alarm of the occupants. Soon the hut was levelled, when it was found too low to allow an upright position within it. Next day it was unroofed, built higher and made very comfortable for its size. They planted corn and potatoes, also a little wheat (from which they raised six bushels), all the time proceeding with their clearing, and working harder than they had ever done in Ireland.

The Laidley family came out in 1831, and other immigrants settled in Emily as well as Cavan. Among the earliest were the Allens, Armstrongs, Belfords, Collums, Englishes, Fees, Hugheses, Jacksons, Joneses, Moores, Pagets, Reels, Thorntons, and Trotters. There were many Indians in the locality (Mississaugas) and from a numerous family of this tribe, called Pigeon (or, in their tongue, Omemee) stream, lake and village take their names.

In 1824 the first district tax was levied on the township and collected by S. Cottingham, who carried the amount (four dollars) to the district treasurer at Cobourg, receiving as his percentage one shilling. He had paid several shillings of the amount out of his own pocket. The following year another collector had six dollars to account for, and he is said to have seized a woman’s flat irons for an amount due. It was now that a man named Myles searched through the woods and found the material for a couple of mill stones, which he dressed and set up with the necessary machinery in a shanty-like structure built at the side of Pigeon Creek by William Cottingham. Till then the settlers went to Deyell’s mill in Cavan, by bush roads, and through a swamp where they had to unyoke the oxen, carry their bags, and draw the empty sleigh nearly a mile.

The advent of the Robinson emigrants, in 1825, at once settled the back part of the township, as well as portions of other townships now of Peterborough County. The newcomers were sent out under the auspices of the British Government and were allowed rations for eighteen months, the supplies consisting of a pound of flour and a pound of pork per day to each person over the age of 14 years, and half the amount to children between five and eleven—an adult ration also being allowed to every four children under five. One hundred acres was allotted, on choice, to every family of five, to the head of which was given a deed of the property. In some instances, grown-up sons also got 100 acres. Former settlers were employed as guides to the immigrants in their examination of the country and choice of lots; also in cutting roads, building shanties and moving the new comers and their baggage to their locations.

When settled, each family was supplied with a cow, axe, auger, hand-saw, hammer, 100 nails, two gimlets, three hoes, a kettle, frying pan, iron pot, five bushels of seed potatoes, and eight quarts of Indian corn. They were attacked by ague [malaria], as had been the earlier settlers; but most of them were able to support themselves after the rations were withheld. Their settlement was of material assistance as well as an encouragement to those at the south. Cottingham’s mill became a centre for supplies for the Robinson settlers, and a store was opened in 1826. A landing, still called the “King’s Wharf,” was established down the stream, where is now a floating bridge. Settlement then became more general, up to 1832, when the chief emigration took place from Britain and had its effect on Emily.

Somewhere about 1826 the first place of worship, confined to no denomination, was built on the north-west corner of Lot 13, Con. 2. It does not now exist. The first preachers to come were Methodists. Rev. Mr. Thompson, Church of England, came from Cavan to preach in any house at which a service was arranged. Another preacher was Rev. Mr. Norris, father of Dr. Norris, Warden. The first Presbyterian minister was Mr. Dick, then Mr. Ewing; and the present Dr. Ormiston used frequently to preach. Soon after the emigration into the north a Roman Catholic Church was built at Downey’s Cross. In 1835 an Episcopal church was built on the site of that at Omemee, but at right angles to the present edifice. In 1836, a Methodist church was begun, but not finished until some years after. The Presbyterian Church was among the old buildings of the locality.

In 1835, the Post Office, called Emily, was established, with Josiah L. Hughes as postmaster; and about the same time, or before the first school-house was built on the corner where now stands Bradburn’s hotel. Among the earliest teachers were James Laidley and Captain Handcock. The second regiment of Durham Militia was raised in Cavan, Cartwright, Emily and Manvers, and a number of the officers resided in Emily.

At a meeting held at Williamstown (now Omemee), January 2^nd, 1843, Josiah L. Hughes and William Cottingham were, without opposition elected district councillors, they had Dennis Hullahan being Town Wardens. Christopher Knowlson was appointed Clerk; Hugh Collum Collector; and James English, Assessor, a position he held for more than a century. The new representatives had to arrange all matters in the township in accordance with its position as part of the newly formed District of Colborne; but this was easily accomplished, as the change merely involved a transfer of district allegiance from Cobourg to Peterborough.

A township meeting was held each year, at which councillors were elected; township officers, school commissioners, overseers of highways, and pound-keepers, appointed; and simple ordinances passed as to fences and the care of livestock. Special sessions were held from time to time to regulate matters in regard to road work. The township accounts for the time the township continued part of Colborne District appear ridiculously small, the total expenditure for the whole eight years being about £8 currency.

On the establishment of the municipal system, the Colborne District became the County of Peterborough, and the poll-books in Emily showed the following elected as the first Township Council: Wm. Buck, Wm. Cottingham, Thomas Fee, C. Knowlson, and Michael Lehane. These made oath of office on the 21^st January, 1850, and elected W. Cottingham as Reeve. The Council being organized, proceeded to arrange the affairs of the township in conformity to its new status. This necessitated numerous meetings. Mr. Robert Grandy was appointed Clerk (an office he still holds); Thos. Mitchell, Treasurer; James English, Assessor; Arthur McQuade, Collector; and T. Crawford and H. Sheerin, Auditors. Rev. Mr. Harding, refusing to act as Superintendent of Schools, the Council appointed Dr. Irons, referred to by his contemporaries as “a great man.” Pathmasters and fence viewers were also appointed, and the whole machinery of township government set in motion during the first six months. The chief work of council was in connection with roads and schools; and though this new body sometimes overstepped its powers, it generally exercised its functions efficiently and well.

About this time, the village was called Metcalfe, a name which it bore for a few years. That of Omemee was suggested by Mr. Benson, at a meeting held to promote the railway from Port Hope, and the place has since been known by its musical Indian title. The opening of the railway, in 1857, helped the development of the country generally; but the station was placed at an inconvenient distance from the village, and it was not till Omemee was incorporated, in 1874, that the new railway station was built within the limits, for which work the village gave $2,000, and Mr. James Laidley the land.

The first village council consisted of W. Cottingham (Reeve), James Ivory, William Neil, John English and Copeland Laidley. C. Knowlson was appointed Clerk; W.S. Cottingham, Treasurer; S. English, Collector; and John Ritchie and W.H. Hill, Assessors. The village applied for and received its share of the Municipal Land Fund surplus ($1,100), which enabled it to start on a good financial basis. The chief municipal expenditure has been for sidewalks and other village improvements and for schools. A new building for the High and Public Schools has been erected, debentures being issued to meet the cost. The High School, established in 1858, has been under the direction of Mr. John Shaw, M.A. for nineteen years. It is united with the Public School, there being three subordinate teachers.

The district includes a part of Emily, near the village, the township paying its share as equalized by the Reeves. This, last year, was $534.85. The school has a good standing. The village, beside this school and three churches, has one grist mill and two sawmills, a large tannery, a complete foundry, shingle mill, cloth mill, four hotels, stores of various kinds, trades shops, and a weekly newspaper, the Herald. The dwellings are generally neat and substantial. The main street is a leading road which run through the township towards Lindsay, and eastward into Ennismore, and called the Omemee Road.

A good deal of grain is shipped from Omemee and it is generally a good market. Travelling buyers purchase butter, pork, hay, etc. The village has a division court headquarters, telegraph offices, and its Post Office has Money Order and Savings Bank Departments. Its population, as returned by the Assessor, is 774, a considerable reduction within a few years; corporate area, 434 11/16 acres; total assessed valuation, $137,625. The municipal rate is 9.6 and the school rate, 4 mills to the dollar.

Logs to supply the saw mills are brought up stream when the water is high in the spring, there being then hardly a current from Pigeon Lake to near the village. Lumber and shingles are shipped by rail.

The village council for 1881 consists of Dr. Norris (reeve), John Kinkaid, C. Laidley, James Balfour, and W.H. Hill; Clerk, George Balfour; Treasurer, Isaac McNeely. The Council meets in Bradburn’s hall. The Township Council also meets in the village, in a room in one of the hotels. It consists this year (1881) of John Bailey (Reeve), William Miller (Deputy Reeve), Julius Lowes, John J. Mitchell, and Dennis Scully; Clerk, Robert Grandy; Treasurer, William Curry. According to the last assessment returns, the resident population of the township is 2,554; acreage 59,699; total valuation $464,106. In 1880, the total tax levied was $11,664.43, of which $8,841 was for County Rate; $1,170 Township Rate; $700, Railway Rate; $4,219, Schools, toward which the Legislative Grant was $355. The township owes about $500, chiefly on account of trouble two years ago through an absconding Collector.

Of the School Sections in Emily, Nos. 1 and 2 are united with Cavan sections; and the remaining eleven have houses and teachers independently. The township has one Roman Catholic, six or seven Methodist, three Anglican and two Presbyterian churches. These include the three churches at Omemee. At Downeyville (a hamlet with church, school, two taverns, a store and the usual trade shops) there is also a cheese factory; and a project is on foot to start another near Omemee.

Six years ago, Government spent $5,000 in dredging Pigeon Creek, and an engineer has again been examining it with a probable view to keeping its navigation open. The township at one time built a stationary bridge across the stream, about five miles below Omemee, but Government forced its removal and the substitution of a swing bridge. A steamboat for some time has ran on the creek, up to Omemee; but business was not sufficient to sustain the enterprise. Last year the building of a small steamer at Omemee was advocated, but the project fell through. Pigeon Lake is noted for fishing and duck shooting. At its head, and just within Emily Township, is a floating bridge.