1
Alcohol, and specifically whiskey, was part of the social fabric of the life of the early settler. If a man was thirsty, he only had to find the nearest store, walk to the back, and find a pail to help himself to. Logging bees, barn raisings, threshings, cornhuskings and other social functions, were not well attended or considered complete without whiskey. The importance of whiskey is outlined in the following article, published in the local newspaper in 1924:"Joseph Lee, the founder of Methodism at Greenbank, decided to build a large log barn. Everybody was invited to the raising, and about 120 came. It was known that Lee had advanced temperance views, but no one supposed he would dare to disreguard traditional custom. The raising was fixed for a Monday. Soon after the help gathered it was noised around about that no liquor was provided. Lee was coaxed, threatened, etc., but of no use. He would not provide liquor even if the barn was never raised. Despite this the large marjority concluded to proceed, as they all had much work at home, but eight of the neighbour settlers, some of whom did not care for liquor, would not stand for such an innovation, declared the barn should not be raised until liquor was provided. As soon as a log was put up those eight and their sympathizers pulled it down in no case allowing it to remain two logs high. This continued all day Monday and until 5 pm. Tuesday, yet Lee would not yield. At that hour the eight held a caucus, and as they all had urgent work at home, and personally liked Lee, they decided to yield and so turned in and helped and the barn was raised before they left that Tuesday night."
This enviroment provided the catalyst for the rise of the Temperance Union in Upper Canada. The Union, or Sons of Temperance, was a secret society with it's own set of oaths and pledges. Each branch had a hierarchy with the Grand Patriarch (President), Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch (Vice-President), Deputy Grand Scribe (Secretary) and Deputy Grand Financial Scribe (Treasurer). It was one of the few societies which permitted women to join, vote and hold office.
One of the largest active unions in Upper Canada was found in Greenbank. Working in partnership with the Churches and School, Greenbank Division No. 131 of the Sons of Temperance was created in September 29, 1858 by Edward Bassingthwaighte, who owned and operated the first store and post office out of his home. By 1864 the group had their own hall on the north side of the 11th Concession. The first meeting of the group was held at Edward's store and organized by Mr. Bugg from Markham. The following men were charter members:
Edward Bassingthwaighte
Richard Markham
Timothy Cragg
Joseph Ward
Robert Walker
Edmund Luke
John Phoenix
Joseph Lee
Jason Stone
Richard Houldershaw
William Watson
George Madison
Edward Marr
James Scott
Edward Cragg
The Greenbank Sons of Temperance took their war on alcohol very seriously. At one of the meetings, Edward Phoenix turned in his wife for enjoying a glass of sweet cider with her brother. Sweet cider was not specifically forbidden, but was to be avoided by all respectable citizens in case the person turned to more potents liquids in the future.
The Sons of Temperance also turned their attention on alcohol problems in the neighbouring town of Port Perry. Hickey's whiskey still on the Nonquon River had been brewing liquor for 40 years. Hickey supplied most of the hotels in Port Perry with his stock. Hotel owners were not lawfully permitted to sell liquor but they managed to avoid this technicality by leasing the bar in their hotel to an outsider, or renting a room to an agent who would handle the alcohol sales. Mr. Doncaster, who ran the whiskey operations at the St. Charles Hotel in Port Perry, was one such person whom the Union members referred to as the "agent of the devil".
The original Cottage Hotel, the only hotel to ever exist in the Village (not including Isaac Craggs' orignial inn in Gimlet Town) was located where the United Church now stands. It was shut down by the Sons of Temperance, to the great delight of most of the community. There is a paving stone out front of the Church which refuses to lie level. The story is that the bad spirits are trying to rise back up from the old hotel days.
For many years the Greenbank division boasted the largest membership in all the province, at one time exceeding 300. Besides having a mandate of promoting the principles of total abstinence from alcohol, the group offered social activities for young and old alike. An excursion to Sturgeon Falls aboard the steamship "Crandella" was organized for over 400 Temperance members and their friends, most likely including the Grove Division which met on Scugog Island. Weekly meetings were usually held Saturday nights. During the first part of the meeting all members renewed their vows of abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. After their vows were received new business was discussed, marches and protests planned and vigilante committees established to parole events where alcohol was known to be used, such as at the Fall Fairs. The entertainment was saved for the conclusion of the meeting, perhaps to encourage members to sit through the first half. Solo and choral singing, word contests, spelling matches and mock trials were all staged for the amusement of the members.
The group started to fade away in 1909 and in 1921 the hall was sold.
2
Sons of Temperance Hallc. 1900
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
3
Temperance pamphlet1875
Scugog Shores Museum, Scugog Island, Port Perry
4
Temperance pamphlet1875
Scugog Shores Museum, Scugog Island, Port Perry
5
Temperance pamphlet1875
Scugog Shores Museum, Scugog Island, Port Perry
6
Temperance pamphlet1875
Scugog Shores Museum, Scugog Island, Port Perry
7
Temperance demonstration article26 June 1862
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
TEMPERANCE DEMONSTRATION
The Greenbank Division held their annual Soiree on Wednesday, the 18th inst. - A procession was formed in the morning, at the Son's Hall, and marched to the grove, headed by the Myrtle Band, after which Mr. William Ferguson took the chair. The following speakers addressed the large number of people assembled, viz., Rev. Messrs. Miller, Hulbert, McDonald and Markham. The chairman then announced that tea was ready. Just as a number of the good people assembled had got nicely seated around the rich spread provisions, the rain began to descend in torents; alas! For the cakes and pies, the rain seemed to spoil their otherwise excellent flavor. Awe think, however, that we never observed people stand "ducking" with better grace. Everyone seemed thankful for a fine shower; it had been long and anxiously looked for. After tea a large number of the persons in attendance, anxious to hear other speakers who were present, proceeded to the Primitive Methodist Chapel close by. Mr. Ferguson again took the chair and called on the Rev. Mr. Curts of Brooklin. The gentleman we suppose, thinking the rain has spoiled the day's proceedings unfortunately had left. The Rev. Mr. Macarthur, of Brock, was then called upon, and came forward and delivered an excellent address upon the subject of Temperance. We are glad to see Ministers of Gospel, of various denominations, taking their stand on the side of Temperance; let others go and do likewise and thereby assist to drive the monster from our land.
Credits:
North Ontario Observer, June 26, 1862
8
Timothy and Mary Ann Craggc. 1865
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
9
The Craggs'c. 1869
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
10
Joseph Leec. 1890
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
 |
 |
 |
 |