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By Colin Gibson Stewarttown, in Halton Hills (Halton Region) is seeing a rebirth of sorts. Located just south of Georgetown and bisected by Trafalgar Road (an old native Indian trail), the quiet village has seen its population boosted to roughly 1,500 over the last few years mainly because of housing development projects in and around the lush hills surrounding the community. Stewarttown, a recognized pioneer community, was first settled in 1819. It’s history fits well into the Canadian mosaic of self-sacrifice, triumph and tragedy, multiculturalism, outstanding individuals, luck, and in the end perseverance to survive as a community. Stewarttown was known as the ‘Capital of Esquesing Township’ in what now encompasses (for the most part) Halton Hills. It was the center of both commercial and agricultural business for the area, as well as headquarters for the area’s militia, a political centerpiece, and most importantly – for immigrants to Canada in the mid-1850s – it was a place to find work. But we must first backtrack to find its origins. Canada, after the defeat of the French on the Plains of Abraham, basically consisted of what we now know as Quebec and Ontario; subsequently split into Lower (primarily Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario). The northern regions of both blocks were not considered at the time.
In 1853 Halton split with Wentworth and received full municipal and judicial powers on January 1, 1855. The township of Trafalgar, Nelson, Nassagaweya and Esquesing made up Halton County. The American War of Independence (1775-1783) put something of a crimp into British plans for control of North America. In addition, their now seemingly secure northern territory (Canada) was under threat. The land needed people! Roughly 10,000 United Empire Loyalists fled the renegade colonies for the presumably safe haven of Canada, including many native Indians, and quite a number of African Americans. Emigration to Canada was encouraged by the British government – and sometimes forced – as a bulwark against the upstart colonial rebels. The War of 1812 reinforced the threat of American invasion and the loss of a country virtually blossoming with natural resources. The land was purchased under two agreements (1805 and 1818) from an Ojibwa band of native Canadian Indians, Mississauga (Algonquians). United Empire Loyalists, survivors of the War of 1812, and immigrants slowly seeped into the area, and what we now know as Stewarttown gradually took shape. The first settler is thought to be James Randall, a surveyor from Grimsby, in May of 1819. William Hall later owned the property. The first recorded ‘Town’ meeting was held at the home of Joseph Standish (by some accounts a relative of Miles Standish of the Mayflower fame). Twelve town officials were appointed: James Frazer, town clerk; Joseph Standish and Thomas Barbour, assessors; Thomas Fyfe, collector; Charles Kennedy and John Stewart, town wardens, and John McTavish, Donald McKinnon, James Hume, Christopher Cooke, William McKlejohn and Christian Barnes, pathmasters.
During that year the communities name changed from the Village of Esquesing to Stewarttown in the Township of Esquesing. On January 1, 1974 Halton County emerged as the regional municipality of Halton, and the name Halton Hills was adopted for the area encompassing Esquesing Township and part of the old Trafalgar Township. Tom Hill of Glen Williams was the last reeve of Esquesing Township and the first mayor of the Town of Halton Hills. Stewarttown sits on and around the west branch of the Credit River which provided the source of power for mills of various varieties. James Young built what is thought to be the town’s first grist mill and from there other mills sprouted.
There is confusion regarding the arrival date of John and Duncan Stewart but it can be easily explained. Another John Stewart (no relation) arrived in the area in 1819 and settled on Lot 9, Concession 3 in Esquesing Township in what later became known as the ‘Scotch Block’. It was this John Stewart who was appointed a town official at the first recorded meeting. Stewarttown takes its name from these two brothers – John and Duncan Stewart – who arrived in the community via a somewhat meandering route from Ireland through New York State. The Village of Esquesing took on the name Stewarttown at a town meeting on February 28, 1849, although it took awhile to get the name straight. ‘Stewart-Town’ surfaced as did ‘Stewart’s Town’ before the name Stewarttown was settled on. The first post office was opened in 1820 at the home of Henry Fyfe on Lot 9 Concession 7. The post office was later moved into the main community in 1840, but even after the name Stewarttown was adopted, the post office still retained the Esquesing tag. The Stewarttown post office closed in 1920 after rural delivery out of Georgetown was introduced. The Halton County Atlas, circa 1850, gives us an insight into the community of approximately two hundred as follows: "Captain Johnston has also a saw and shingle mill constantly running and employs ten hands. David Cross, Esq. has an extensive tannery, which turns out annually a large and superior quality of leather, which together with his hop farm gives employment to a considerable number. Edward Nixon, saddle and harness maker, is doing a lucrative business and is largely patronised (sic). Henry Tost, builder has quite a reputation in his line. Thomas Bell, blacksmith, is also doing a good business. This village is the capital of the township. It contains a large two-story brick school-house, with two departments; two churches, namely Church of England and Wesleyan Methodist; the most commodious Public Hall in the township; a Drill Shed, and is the headquarters of No. 2 Company, 20th Batt., under the command of Captain Appelbe. Here also are situated a Grangers Lodge, and Orange Lodge; also a Lodge of Good Templars. The Postoffice is called Esquesing and was the first established in the township."
Trafalgar, Esquesing and Erin Road Company, which would run from Oakville through Stewarttown and Ballinafad and on to Brisbane. The official opening ceremony dinner was held in Stewarttown. Having always been – and still today – a caring community, Stewarttown also had what was termed a ‘Poor House’ that was overseen by the Church of England (now St. John’s Anglican Church). Operating roughly between 1850 and 1860, they sheltered the sick, the homeless, and other unfortunates whose lives were in turmoil. St. John’s Anglican Church still serves the faithful community. Mary Maxwell, wife of Reverend Canon James Maxwell, who serviced the community from 1947-1975, still has warm feelings about Stewarttown. Mary, who is from Norval, and was born in 1914, recalls the "warm welcome my husband and I received from the parishioners of Stewarttown". She questions the recent development in the area, however, saying, "there’s been no help for the town! It seems the developers have more sway than the ordinary people!" Betty (Elizabeth) Grant has strong ties to St. John’s Anglican Church. Her
mother, Maggie Ethel Appelbe (pronounced a-pell-bee), was She takes development with the proverbial grain of salt! "I suppose it’s progress, but it’s taking up a lot of farmland! They must retain the name of Stewarttown because of the historical background." Stewarttown doesn’t have a public school anymore, but Stewarttown Middle School with its excellent athletic and academic credentials, provides a pride of place in the community. Two competing railway lines dealt Stewarttown a crushing blow in the mid-to-late 1800s. The Grand Trunk Railway, operating a line from Toronto through Georgetown and Acton, effectively derailed the Stewarttown junction and therefore the community’s position as the commercial center of the area. Hamilton and Northwestern built a line north of Stewarttown but it was noted in ‘Halton’s Pages of the Past’ for its poor construction.
Stewarttown has never really recovered. Jack Donnelly, (affectionately known as ‘Black Jack’) owns North Halton Stoves in Stewarttown. It is located on the property of the mill and dam site built by the Stewart brothers. He has lived in Stewarttown since 1973. "I liked the community, the people, and the fact that the water was running through the property, and decided to buy," he said. Jack is hoping to open a driving range in Stewarttown as an adjunct to his business. "I’d like to see some nice little shops, bed and breakfasts, family restaurants. We’re a nice quiet little community, but we need council support. But definitely no industry!" Stewarttown lost its capital of Esquesing title in 1963. New township offices were built roughly one mile north on Trafalgar Road, and now the Town of Halton Hills business is taken care of at the Civic Centre, located just off Maple Avenue in Georgetown. The old ‘town hall’ building in Stewarttown, which was built seventy-five years ago, has always been a lively venue. It is now a venue of a different sort. The old town hall was also considered the community center with dances and other activities held on the upper floor. The Georgetown Little Theatre (GLT) had been renting the upper floor since the late 1970s when the group bought the building as a storage and rehearsal facility. A fire in 1998 destroyed the building, but it is now rebuilt and is ready to get on with show business.
The GLT’s next production is scheduled to open in September at the John Elliott Theatre in Georgetown, and it will be a one-act play festival featuring novice actors and directors. The farce Don’t Dress For Dinner is scheduled for November. Stewarttown also offers a somewhat intriguing, insightful and appropriate view of our Canada. In the early 1900s, Tom Longboat, a native Canadian and long distance runner worked and trained in the area. As reported in Lucy E. Emslies’ publication A History of St. John’s Anglican Church, Stewarttown, Ontario, Longboat worked as a hop picker on the farm of John Bessey on the 7th Line. He would run on the area roads as part of his training. Longboat won the Boston Marathon (but was never paid the prize money), and also served overseas in World War I. The Stewarttown story could not be complete without the telling of the Shepherd family saga. It is a virtual Canadian ‘Roots’ story, and it deals with black history. In 1793 Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe introduced legislation to abolish slavery in Canada. It wasn’t completely abolished until 1833. In the meantime, seeking a safe haven, blacks from the United States were crossing into Canada mainly through what was termed the ‘Underground Railway’.
Mrs. Shepherd was taken on as a domestic by the family of Colonel John Murray at their farm near Stewarttown. A close relationship developed between the Murrays and Mrs. Shepherd. Later when Mrs. Shepherd died, John Henry was taken in by the Murray family. John Henry married Sarah, a maid in the Murray family employ, and fathered six children. John Henry lived to the ripe old age of 89, dying in 1948. His son, Henry Thomas Shepherd, born August 8, 1895 in Stewarttown, would carry on his family’s history of perseverance and courage. Henry fought in World War I. He was wounded twice, received the MBE (Order of the British Empire), and was recognized on the King’s Honor List. Upon returning home, he continued to serve his country. He worked at Georgetown Coated Paper Mill and served as Chief of Georgetown’s Fire Brigade in the 1930s. Henry was also one of the founders of the Georgetown Branch 120th Royal Canadian Legion. Henry Thomas Shepherd died on July 24, 1960 at Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto. With the onset of development, Stewarttown has now become a commuter community. But one still senses the pioneer spirit, the grit of that the "come-togetherness feeling" that forged the community. It does work, and things do come together! Stewarttown will survive and Canada will be better for it. With thanks to Halton Hills Sketches Revisited, by John McDonald in regards to the Shepherd family history. |
What was to become Halton County joined with Wentworth County, in 1816 in the
newly formed Gore District. At the time, Halton County included the townships of
Beverley, Dumfries and Esquesing.
The Municipal Act of 1849 (also known as the Baldwin Act) saw the first
council elected. John McNaughton sat as reeve, Ninian Lindsay was deputy reeve,
and the councilors included James Young, Robert Hall and William Thompson, with
Richard Tracy as the clerk.
John and Duncan Stewart arrived in 1842 and built a sawmill and a grist mill,
but of more importance, they built a dam to more effectively harness the power
of the Credit River for their businesses.
The year 1850 also saw the completion of the ‘plank’ (also called the
corduroy) road built by the 
The mills changed hands, people lost jobs, and absentee ownership struck at
the heart of the community.
Colin Hoare, current president of the theatrical group, feels that the
Georgetown Little Theatre is "very much a part of the community of Stewarttown".
The new building will also "reflect the character of Stewarttown, its people,
and its history."
The patriarch of the family, John Henry Shepherd, was born in 1859. He and
his mother represented the fragments of a family torn apart by bigotry in the
United States.