Table of Contents
|
Appendix B. Occupations*
A look at the growth and decline of trades in a
community offers more than lists of people active in the village at a
particular time. Everyday living habits are revealed by the number of
tradespeople working in their respective fields. A look at bakers can indicate
the trend away from each housewife baking her own bread and cakes, through to
mass manufacturing and distribution. The numbers and locations of sawyers and
brickmakers will relate to types of building construction found in the
community at different times.
The growth of the service trades, such as
dressmakers, tailors, milliners, and mantlemakers, is a clear indication of
increased dependence on professionally made clothes and the greater
availability of ready cash with which to purchase them.
The following lists are only a sampling of the many
trades and services available to Richmond Hill residents between 1800 and 1930.
A brief explanatory key will assist in understanding them.
V, M, K, and W |
= |
Vaughan, Markham, King and Whitchurch - the four
townships comprising Richmond Hill |
c |
= |
circa; usually taken to mean about 5 to 10 years either
side of the given date |
Lot 15-2-M |
= |
for example, Lot 15, Concession 2, Markham |
For those working in the village, Vaughan or Markham
is noted beside their name, whenever it is known in which of the former
townships they were located.
In many instances the range of dates given is based
on the earliest and latest references found. The tradesperson may well have
been active earlier or later, but is unlikely to have worked in Richmond Hill
during a prior or following census year. The available census years are 1851,
1861, 1871, 1881, and 1891. The 1851 census is not available for
Whitchurch.
The information has been compiled from a variety of
sources. As well as census records, the following sources have been used:
- - assessment records
- - deed abstracts and land title deeds
- - directories
- - Dunn and Bradstreet ratings
- - newspaper advertisements
- - newspaper social and news items
- - miscellaneous archival records
* For further information, please consult the local
historical collection at the Central Branch of the Richmond Public Library.
Bakers
There appear to have been two main bakeries in the
village. The first was on a property leased from Thomas Morgan and located on
the east side of Yonge Street, just north of the present Lorne Avenue. This
bakery operated from at least 1850 to about 1870, with a frequent turnover of
bakers.
The second bakery was started by George Soules, at
the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Dunlop Street (formerly Dufferin). The
trade stabilized, with bakers generally lasting eight or more years. The
longest tenure was that of David Hill, who operated his bakery for about 26
years before switching to the automotive business and the Hill family's
Canadian Tire franchise.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
McDonald, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 |
|
White, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 |
|
Gregory, George |
Lot 46-1-M |
1852 |
|
Spence, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
1853 |
|
Bye, Robert |
Lot 46-1-M |
1854 - c1855 |
|
Gregory, George |
Lot 46-1-M |
1856 |
|
Perry, Charles |
Lot 46-1-M |
1857 |
|
Holliwell, William |
|
c1858 |
|
Taggart, Charles |
Lot 46-1-M |
1860 - 1862 |
|
Pollock, Wm. S. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1865 - 1867 |
|
Bassingthwaite, Peter |
Lot 46-1-M |
1867 |
|
McIntosh, John |
|
1871 |
|
Soules, George |
Vaughan |
c1871 - 1875 |
|
Soules, George |
at Dunlop |
1875 - 1880 |
|
McCarthy, Joseph |
Lot 46-1-V |
1877 |
|
Lymburner, Robert |
at Dunlop |
1880 - 1882 |
|
Brown, John |
at Dunlop |
1882 - 1890 |
|
Hagerman Bros. |
at Dunlop |
1890 - 1891 |
|
Rupert, Adam J. |
at Dunlop |
1891 - 1892 |
|
Sharp, John |
|
c1891 |
|
Wiley, Alfred |
|
c1891 |
|
Hill, David |
at Dunlop |
1892 - 1918 |
|
Hill, James |
at Dunlop |
1892 - 1918 |
|
Eden, Arthur A. |
at Dunlop |
1918 - c1930 |
|
Winterton, Charles |
Lot 47-1-M |
1922 |
Unknown |
Bird, Charles |
|
1909 |
|
Mylks, William |
|
1918 |
Barbers
Richmond Hill residents must have tended to their
own tonsorial needs until the 1870s; no barbers appeared in census records or
newspaper advertisements until Thomas Coupland advertised in 1872. The decade
between 1875 and 1885 saw as many as five barbers working in the village at the
same time. Many of them had their barbershops in the hotels where they could
cater to the travelling public as well as local residents.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Coupland, Thomas B. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1872 - c1875 |
|
McCarthy, Joseph |
Lot 46-1-V |
1874 - 1877 |
|
Wright, George |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1875 - 1880 |
|
Stephenson, J. |
Dominion Hotel |
1876 |
|
McRae, J. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1877 |
|
Wright, George |
Grand Central Hotel |
1880 - c1883 |
|
Wright, George |
Dominion House |
c1883 - 1884 |
|
Andrews, Albert (Bert) |
Lorne Block |
1883 - c1894 |
|
Lloyd, A. |
Grand Central |
c1883 |
|
Boynton, Warren |
|
c1891 |
|
Ransom, Moses |
Lorne Block |
c1895 - 1913 |
|
Ransom, Moses |
Lot 46-1-V |
1913 - c1931 |
|
Grainger, Edward (Ted) |
Dominion Hotel |
c1911 - c1923 |
|
Storey, Wilbert |
Hotel Richmond |
c1923 |
Blacksmiths
Blacksmithing was an essential service from the very
beginnings of settlement. Richmond Hill's earliest references show blacksmith
shops operating from at least 1827, with the final reference being a century
later in 1926.
Several of the shops were located on the east side
of Yonge Street, south of the current Lorne Avenue. However, they were also
found in each hamlet and at many of the main crossroads, as well as scattered
throughout the rural areas.
A number of blacksmiths were also wheelwrights,
while others concentrated on agricultural implements. This led to the growth of
two industries, wagon and carriagemaking and agricultural implement
foundries.
Many of the blacksmiths in Vaughan between 1861 and
1881 were probably employed at the Patterson Agricultural Works.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Langstaff |
Gardner, Alexander |
Lot 36-1-M |
c1854 |
Lot 38-1-V |
Routledge, James |
|
c1851 |
Lot 41-1-V |
Burr, Reuben |
|
1833 - 1836 |
|
Sanderson, Samuel |
|
1836 - 1844 |
|
Boothby, Thomas |
|
1844 - c1871 |
|
Jackson, George |
|
c1851 |
|
Thompson, Stephen |
|
c1861 |
|
Wright, William |
|
c1891 |
|
Wood, George |
|
c1899 - 20thC |
Lot 44-1-V |
Munshaw, William |
east |
c1865 - 1874 |
|
Grist, James |
east |
c1871 |
|
Thompson, William |
|
1874 |
Village |
Morgan, Thomas & John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1827 - c1846 |
|
Rogers, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
1828 - 1831 |
|
Wilcox, Jonathan Dudley |
Lot 46-1-M |
1831 - 1844 |
|
Wilkie, Thomas & John |
Lot 47-1-V |
1838 - c1855 |
|
Sanderson, Samuel |
Lot 46-1-M |
1844 - 1862 |
|
Sedman, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1846 - c1881 |
|
Langrel, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 |
|
Gardner, Alexander |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1851 - c1854 |
|
Charles, Thomas |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1861 |
|
Smith, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
1861 - 1864 |
|
Deveny, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Moran, James |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Plaxton, John |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Sims, John |
Markham |
c1861 - c1870 |
|
Trench, William, Sr. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1869 - c1871 |
|
Sims, John |
Vaughan |
c1870 - c1906 |
|
Clark, Robert |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1871 |
|
Coyle, Thomas |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Farrell, George |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Gaby, Joseph |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Hopper, Robert, Jr. |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Miller, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1871 |
|
Moylan, Patrick |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1871 |
|
Savage, John |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Trench, Robert |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Trench, William, Jr. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1871 - c1892 |
|
Stephens, George |
Lot 47-1-M |
1879 - c1881 |
|
Barber, John |
Dominion Hotel |
c1881 |
|
David, Nelson R. |
Dominion Hotel |
c1881 |
|
Gardner, William |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Gray, David |
Vaughan |
c1881 - c1891 |
|
King, Joseph |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
McDonald, James |
|
c1881 |
|
Slaney, Michael |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Trench, George |
|
c1881 |
|
Campbell, Alexander |
Church St. |
c1891 - c1908 |
|
Cooper, William |
|
c1891 |
|
Glover, George |
|
c1891 |
|
Sims, Alexander |
|
c1891 |
|
Wiley, William |
|
c1891 |
|
Cowie, George |
Lot 48-1-V |
1903 - 1926 |
|
Good, Ralph |
Vaughan |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Maxwell, James |
Church St. |
c1905 |
|
|
Northcot, William |
Palmer House |
c1906 - c1909 |
|
Allison, Russel |
Dominion Hotel |
c1907 |
|
Mantle, Elijah |
Vaughan |
c1908 |
|
Hunt, James |
Lot 48-1-M |
1923 - 1924 |
Elgin Mills |
Trench, William, Sr. |
Lot 51-1-V |
1842 - 1869 |
|
Dunn, Charles |
Lot 50-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Craik, Peter |
Lot 49-1-V |
c1861 - 1869 |
|
Craik, Peter |
Lot 51-1-V |
1869 - c1871 |
|
Clift, Albert S. |
Lot 51-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Clift, John Stone |
Lot 51-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Clift, Samuel |
Lot 51-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Woodward, F. J. |
Lot 51-1-V |
1909 - 1912 |
Lot 59-1-M |
Mortson, Thomas |
|
c1851 - c1861 |
Oak Ridges |
Routledge, Peter |
Lot 68-1-K |
c1848 - 20thC |
|
Ramsey, William |
|
c1851 |
|
Redden, William, Jr. |
Lot 68-1-K |
c1851 |
Lot 15-2-M |
Phillips, Peter |
|
c1851 - c1857 |
|
Teasdale, William |
east |
c1852 - c1881 |
Lot 25-2-M |
Drewery, John |
west |
c1871 |
|
Dollar |
Wilkinson, Jonathan |
Lot 11-3-M |
c1851 - c1861 |
|
Caldwell, George |
Lot 11-3-M |
c1852 |
|
Cowie, George |
|
c1895 - 1903 |
Headford |
Robinson, John |
Lot 20-3-M |
c1851 |
|
Comisky, Alexander |
|
c1891 |
Lot 21-3-M |
Lepaugh, Stephen |
|
c1851 |
Lot 23-3-M |
Steel, Anthony |
|
c1852 - c1853 |
Lot 35-3-M |
Woodward, F. J. |
New Gormley |
1912 |
Whitchurch |
Clift, John Stone |
|
c1871 |
|
Clift, Samuel |
|
c1871 |
|
Leslie, Roger |
Bethesda & Leslie |
c1860 - c1861 |
Unknown |
Bell, George |
|
1858 |
Boot
and Shoemakers
An essential trade from the first half of the
nineteenth century was that of the shoemaker. There were at least five
shoeshops in the village around mid-century, with others in each of the
hamlets. Prior to 1840, Richmond Hill residents must have had to travel to more
populated areas to have their shoes made.
Advertisements indicate that ready-made shoes and
boots were available from the shoeshops early in the second half of the
century. The change from shoemaking to shoe repair occurred gradually during
the last decade of the 19th century and into the 20th century.
Location |
Name |
Date |
Lot 41-1-V |
Walls, Joseph |
Carrville Rd. |
c1851 |
|
Hastings, Thomas |
c1861 |
Lot 42-1-V |
McLean, Steven |
|
c1851 |
Lot 44-1-V |
Locke, Matthew |
|
c1851 |
|
Horn, Samuel |
|
c1861 |
Village |
Hewison, Robert |
Lot 47-1-M |
1840 - 1868 |
|
French, John W. |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1848 - 1856 |
|
Hall, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1850 - 1869 |
|
Duffy, James |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Stark, Samuel |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1855 |
|
Tompkins, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1855 |
|
Wood, Robert |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1852 |
|
Stark, Samuel |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1855 |
|
Tompkins, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1855 |
|
Sivers, R., Sr. & Jr. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1852 - 1856 |
|
Sivers, R., Sr. & Jr. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1856 - 1904 |
|
Gibson, J. W. |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1857 |
|
Lee, Reuben |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1857 - 1862 |
|
Myers, William |
Church lot |
c1857 - c1876 |
|
Verney, James |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1857 - c1872 |
|
Durham, Richard |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1858 - c1908 |
|
Dolmage, Tobias |
Lot 46-1-M |
1859 - c1866 |
|
Bilton, William |
Markham |
c1861 |
|
Hall, Francis |
Hall's shop |
c1861 |
|
Power, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Sandvidge, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Simpson, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 |
|
McConaghy, Francis |
Dolmage's shop |
c1862 - 1870 |
|
Fox, William |
Vaughan |
c1866 - c1871 |
|
Dolmage, Tobias |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1866 - 1872 |
|
McConaghy, Francis |
Lot 46-1-V |
1870 - 1875 |
|
Busby, John |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Gamble, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1871 - 1882 |
|
Siver, William |
Sivers' shop |
c1871 |
|
Isbbit, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1871 |
|
McConaghy, Francis |
Church Lot 2 |
1875 - 1919 |
|
Hannigan, John |
Mrs. Gamble's shop |
c1881 |
|
Kennersley, John |
|
c1881 - 1910 |
|
Kennersley, George |
|
c1881 |
|
McConaghy, James |
McConaghy's shop |
c1881 |
|
Rowe, John |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Dillon, Michael |
|
c1891 |
|
McConaghy, Charles |
McConaghy's shop |
c1891 - c1913 |
|
Forrester, Henry |
Markham |
c1907 - c1908 |
|
Franklin, F. A. |
|
c1917 |
Elgin Mills |
Williamson, Robert |
|
c1840 - c1882 |
|
Williamson, Robert, Jr. |
|
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Bodell, Andrew |
Williamson's shop |
c1881 |
Oak Ridges |
McKenzie, Murdoch |
at Stouffville Rd. |
1851 |
|
McKenzie, Murdoch |
|
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Graham, Robert |
King |
c1881 |
Lot 13-2-M |
Jobbit, Thomas |
|
c1852 |
Lot 14-3-M |
Taylor, William |
|
c1852 |
Headford |
Ford, Thomas |
|
c1851 - 1852 |
|
Hughs, Jesse |
|
c1851 |
|
Newlove, Joseph |
|
c1861 |
Whitchurch |
Manon (?), William |
|
c1861 |
|
Giles, William |
|
c1881 |
Builders
When the settlers arrived, their first priority was
to place a roof over their heads. These first homes were often of round log
construction built by the settlers and their neighbours, and were relatively
simple homes meant to provide basic shelter.
With the advent of the sawmills in the 1820s and
1830s, lumber was more readily available. Once the settlers had cleared a
portion of their land and were reasonably established financially, they could
set to building a second house.
The construction of this second house could take
such forms as timber frame, transitional framing, plank-on-plank, or vertical
plank. They could have been roughcast, or sheathed with clapboard or
board-and-batten.
The settlers used fieldstone for their foundations,
and if stone was plentiful, for their entire houses too. Small quantities of
brick could be brought in for fireplaces and chimneys. For a brief period
during the 1830s a few Richmond Hill residents made their own sun-dried mud
brick, but these had to be carefully covered by stucco or wood sheathing to
protect them from the elements.
By the mid-1840s, brick was more readily available
and a few brick homes began to appear. Locally made bricks were usually in
varying shades of buff to orange, and were quite soft. Red brick, being more
expensive, was more prestigious, and frequently the face of local buff brick
would be dipped in a red slurry for appearance.
As the century progressed the use of patterned
brickwork began to occur, with a contrasting colour being used for quoin
(corners of the building), voussoirs (over doors and windows), and banding
(decorative bands). Towards the turn of the century, brick buildings were
usually constructed of all buff or all dark red brick. However, frame (wooden)
buildings continued to be a popular form of construction, the style of framing
evolving from the earlier timber-frame (barn framing) to stud framing similar
to today's methods.
It is difficult to differentiate between carpenters,
joiners, and builders in Richmond Hill. The same person was often listed in
different ways in the census and directories of the day. Many of those on the
list of builders will be also found under "Carpenters." Some, such as John L.
Innes and John. L. Harris, are even referred to as architects.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Lot 42-1-V |
Little, John |
|
c1871 |
Village |
McNair, Matthew |
|
1860 - c1903 |
|
Gilroy, John |
|
c1879 - c1881 |
|
Chamberlain, Charles |
|
c1881 |
|
Chamberlain, George |
|
c1881 |
|
Clifford, William |
|
c1881 |
|
Harris, John Ley |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1881 |
|
Redditt, James |
|
c1881 |
|
Innes, Leslie & Sons |
Richmond St. |
1886 - c1920 |
|
Graham, Wm. H. |
Centre St.E. |
1910 - 1917 |
|
Graham, Wm. H. |
Church St.S. |
1917 - 1924 |
|
Atkinson, Ralph |
|
c1920 - c1930+ |
Elgin Mills |
Newton, James, Sr. |
|
c1835 - c1881 |
Whitchurch |
Matthewson, James |
|
c1871 |
Unknown |
Curry and Langford |
|
c1883 |
Butchers
This trade could also be classed as a retail
service, although it is not clear from the references at what point butchering
became less of a service of butchering residents' own animals, and when it
evolved into a retail butchering trade. There were definitely butcher shops in
the 1870s and probably in the 1860s.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Dove, William |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1860 |
|
Hopper, Robert |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1857 - 1871 |
|
Bailey, James |
Raymond's Hotel |
c1861 |
|
Hutly, William |
Nicholl's Hotel |
c1861 |
|
Holliday, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1865 - 1867 |
|
Williams, Stephen |
Lot 46-1-M |
1867 |
|
Cox, William W. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1867 - 1869 |
|
Cox, William W. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1869 - 1872 |
|
Glass, Wm. H. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1871 |
|
Hopper, Henry F. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1871 - 1874 |
|
Hopper, William |
|
c1871 |
|
Pugsley, Wm. H. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1872 - 1884 |
|
Pugsley, Reuben |
partner of W. Puglsey |
1872 - 1884 |
|
Glass, Wm. H. |
partner of W. Pugsley |
1872 - 1884 |
|
Hopper, Robert |
|
1875 - c1890 |
|
Hopper, Henry F. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1878 - 1885 |
|
Brownlee, James |
|
c1881 |
|
Pugsley, Arthur E. |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1881 |
|
Glass, Wm. H. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1884 - 1930+ |
|
Hopper, Henry F. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1885 - 1901 |
|
Hopper, Herbert H. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1891 - c1912 |
|
Gould, William |
|
c1891 |
|
Hopper, Thomas |
|
c1891 |
|
Redman, J. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1897 |
|
Grainger, George |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1905 |
|
Patton, Matthew |
|
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Mansbridge, F. J. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1919 - c1930+ |
Elgin Mills |
Dove, George |
|
c1851 - c1858 |
Lot 12-2-M |
Dove, William |
front |
c1861 |
Lot 18-2-M |
Newlove, Joseph |
|
c1852 - c1856 |
Lot 22-3-M |
Simpson, Robert |
|
c1851 |
Lot 28-3-M |
Ellerby, Joseph |
|
c1852 |
Vaughan |
Legge, W. H. |
|
c1891 |
Whitchurch |
Holliday, James |
|
c1861 - 1865 |
Cabinetmakers
Skilled cabinetmakers operated over a 30-year span
in Richmond Hill. Village trade supported four cabinetmakers during the decade
from 1845 to 1855, but from the 1860s on, furniture shops were carrying
ready-made stock as well as offering custom-made articles.
With the growth of machine-made furniture, the
cabinetmaker's skill quickly became redundant.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Reid, William |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1845 - c1857 |
|
Pollock, Charles |
|
c1846 - c1856 |
|
Bone, George |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1849 - 1861 |
|
Hurst, Thomas |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1854 |
|
Willson, Thomas |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1857 - c1859 |
|
|
Webber, Edwin |
Church Lot 3 |
1861 - 1862 |
|
Webber, Edwin |
at Centre |
1862 - 1865 |
|
Coghlan, Thomas |
at Centre |
1866 - 1869 |
|
Savage, Peter G. |
at Centre |
1869 - c1875 |
Carpenters
Unlike their colleagues in the cabinetry shops, the
carpenters were in demand throughout the history of Richmond Hill. As the
village grew, so did the carpentry trade. The busiest decades were from 1850 to
1890.
Fathers and sons, master carpenters and apprentices
- many of the carpentry shops consisted of a number of carpenters. Unlike the
blacksmiths, however, the carpenters tended to set up shop in the village and
hamlets, with only a few scattered throughout the rural areas.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Langstaff |
Cook, William |
|
c1835 - 1862 |
|
Bilton, William |
|
c1851 |
|
Bilton, George |
|
c1851 |
Lot 38-1-V |
Harris, Thomas |
at Westwood Lane |
c1847 - c1871 |
|
Dexter, Elijah |
|
c1851 |
|
Dexter, David |
|
c1851 |
|
Dexter, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Hellyer, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Dyer, Richard |
at Westwood Lane |
c1851 |
|
Lyons, James |
at Westwood Lane |
c1851 |
|
Cober, Jacob |
rear |
c1861 |
|
Cober, Nicholas |
rear |
c1861 |
|
Ness, James |
|
c1881 |
|
Ness, John |
|
c1881 |
|
Ness, Thomas |
|
c1881 |
|
Ness, William |
|
c1881 |
Lot 41-1-V |
Burr, Rowland |
|
c1820 - 1836 |
|
Burr, Nathaniel |
|
c1830 - c1860 |
|
Bilton, Hugh |
|
c1851 |
Lot 45-1-V |
Penny, William |
rear |
c1871 |
Village |
Rogers, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1827 - c1831 |
|
(also listed as blacksmith) |
|
Chamberlin, Eriel |
Mill St. |
c1847 - 1867 |
|
Doner, Samuel |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1847 - c1852 |
|
Ambler, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1850 - c1860 |
|
Bridgeford, John |
Richmond St. |
c1851 |
|
Graham, George |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Hurst, Samuel |
Markham |
c1851 |
|
Kelly, James |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Quintin, William |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Shaw, Thomas |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Horner, Jacob |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1852 - c1857 |
|
Sedman, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1852 - 1853 |
|
(also listed as blacksmith |
& carriagemaker) |
|
Davidson, Benjamin, Sr. |
Richmond St. |
c1855 - c1870 |
|
Grant, Jesse |
Vaughan |
c1856 - c1891 |
|
Dolmage, Gideon |
Markham |
1857 - 1858 |
|
Kline, Peter |
|
c1860 - c1881 |
|
Storey, John W. |
Richmond St. |
c1860 - c1871 |
|
Wiley, Francis |
Vaughan |
c1860 - c1882 |
|
Harris, John L. |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1860 - c1908 |
|
Boynton, George |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Boynton, Porie |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Coghlan, Thomas |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1861 - 1866 |
|
Davidson, Benjamin, Jr. |
Richmond St. |
c1861 |
|
Peck, Hiram |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Richmond, Willard |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Croley, Thomas E. |
|
c1861 - c1881 |
|
Dancey, John |
|
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Gale, William |
Vaughan |
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Lang, James |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Lyons, Benjamin |
|
c1871 - c1891 |
|
Manton, William |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
McNair, Matthew |
Vaughan |
c1871 - c1891 |
|
Redditt, Benjamin |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Savage, Sylvester |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Wiley, Gerard J. |
|
c1871 - c1907 |
|
Wilson, Asa B. |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Wilson, Thomas |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Wilson, William H. |
|
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Bell, Aaron |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Bell, Henry |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Clifford, William |
|
c1881 - c1891 |
|
Cook, Arthur |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1881 |
|
Gilroy, John |
|
c1881 |
|
Grant, Arthur L. |
|
c1881 |
|
Harvey, Joseph |
|
c1881 |
|
Hellyer, John |
|
c1881 |
|
Hellyer, Thomas |
|
c1881 |
|
Innes, George |
|
c1881 |
|
Kelly, Patrick |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Kelly, Thomas |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Mapes, Jesse |
|
c1881 |
|
Mapes, John |
|
c1881 |
|
Martin, Joseph H. |
|
c1881 |
|
McDonald, John |
|
c1881 |
|
McMann, Thomas |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Mundy, John |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Quantz, Alfred |
Richmond St. |
c1881 |
|
Robinson, David |
Vaughan |
c1881 - c1891 |
|
Robinson, James |
Vaughan |
c1881 - c1890 |
|
Storey, William T. |
|
c1881 |
|
Wiley, Douglas G. |
|
c1881 |
|
Wiley, Walter E. |
|
c1881 |
|
Wiley, Francis |
Arnold & Elizabeth |
c1882 - c1910 |
|
Innes, Leslie |
Richmond St. |
c1888 - c1908 |
|
Innes, John |
Richmond St. |
c1890 - c1921 |
|
Sims, George S. |
|
1891 - c1924 |
|
Cosgrove, Francis |
|
c1891 |
|
Espey, Robert |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Innes, William |
Richmond St. |
c1891 - c1905 |
|
Law, Robert |
|
c1891 |
|
Lyons, George |
|
c1891 |
|
Lyons, Jeremiah |
|
c1891 |
|
Lyons, Thomas |
|
c1891 |
|
Peach, Thomas |
|
c1891 |
|
Singleton, William |
|
c1891 |
|
Teel, William |
Richmond St. |
c1891 - c1907 |
|
Trench, Thomas |
Markham |
c1891 |
|
Dennison, Herman |
Centre St. E. |
c1905 |
|
Gibson, William |
Vaughan |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Harp, Asa |
Centre St. E. |
c1905 |
|
Kinnee, Robert |
Church St. |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Metcalf, George |
Vaughan |
c1905 - c1908 |
|
Patterson, Alec |
|
c1905 - c1910 |
|
Patterson, Lorne |
|
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Ransom, Fred |
|
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Robinson, Frank |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Robinson, David |
Church St. N. |
c1905 |
|
Bond, Edward |
Church St. |
1906 |
|
Atkinson, John F. |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1906 - c1908 |
|
Jackson, Frederick |
|
c1906 - 1908 |
|
Hopper, Frederick |
Elizabeth St. |
c1907 - c1908 |
|
Metcalf, Aylmer |
Vaughan |
1908 |
Elgin Mills |
Newton, James, Sr. |
Lot 51-1-V |
1835 - c1871 |
|
Bone, Thomas |
|
c1851 |
|
Shepherd, John |
Lot 49-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Shepherd, William |
Lot 49-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Topham, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Turner, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Humphrey, Jay |
Lot 49-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Moodie, Alexander |
|
c1861 - c1871 |
Oak Ridges |
Phillips, Isaac |
|
c1851 - c1881 |
|
Woodman, Sylvanus |
Lot 70-1-K (rear) |
c1851 |
|
Alexander, Samuel |
King |
c1861 |
|
McKenzie, Phillip |
Lot 69-1-K |
c1861 - c1871 |
|
Proctor, Samuel |
King |
c1861 |
|
Moss, William |
Whitchurch |
c1861 |
|
Hennessey, James |
King |
c1871 |
|
McLean, David |
King |
c1871 |
|
Steel, Peter |
Whitchurch |
c1871 |
|
Willcox, James |
King |
c1871 |
|
Beynon, Josiah |
King |
c1881 |
|
McComb, David |
King |
c1881 |
Lot 27-2-M |
Heise, Jacob |
|
c1891 |
Lot 35-2-M |
Leary, Robert |
New Gormley |
c1861 |
Dollar |
Wilkinson, Jonathan, Sr. |
|
c1851 - c1861 |
|
Clark, Thomas |
|
c1852 - c1891 |
|
Couch, William |
|
c1852 - c1871 |
Headford |
Phillips, William |
Lot 15-2-M |
c1851 |
|
Helmkay, Henry |
Lot 16-2-M |
1851 - c1861 |
|
Gamble, Ezra |
|
c1852 |
|
Stark, John |
|
c1857 |
|
Mapes, Cyrus |
|
c1861 - c1891 |
|
Mapes, William |
|
c1881 |
Lot 26-3-M |
Cook, John |
|
c1852 |
Lot 30-3-M |
Nigh, Frederick |
rear |
c1881 |
Markham |
Bliss, James |
|
c1861 |
|
Doner, John |
|
c1861 |
|
Lunau, Henry |
|
c1861 |
|
Baker, Jacob |
|
c1871 |
|
Breckon, James |
|
c1871 |
|
Doner, Jacob |
|
c1871 |
Whitchurch |
Royal, Reuben |
Lot 1-2-W |
c1861 |
|
Collard, George |
Lot 1-2-W |
c1861 - c1871 |
Unknown |
Davey, John |
|
c1860 |
|
Mortley, John |
|
c1860 - c1871 |
|
Snider, Edward |
|
c1886 |
Carriage and Wagonmakers
Transportation was a serious concern to the early
settlers, since roads were not much more than rough, muddy tracks filled with
stumps. However, by mid-century Yonge Street had been macadamized through
Richmond Hill and the demand for wagons, carriages, and coaches increased
dramatically. Sleighs were also in demand, since they were an easier and more
comfortable form of transportation over the snow-covered frozen ground, than
through mud, potholes, and corduroy roads.
Richmond Hill had several prominent carriage makers.
Thomas Sedman also entered into the undertaking business, since he had the
available hearse. Trench's Carriage Works was a large establishment, shipping
carriages as far as Manitoba. Wright Carriage Works, which had taken over from
MacBeth, also turned out reputable vehicles, and like Sedman, carried on an
undertaking business. With the advent of the radial car on Yonge Street, and
finally the automobile, the carriage industry died out. Trench's was the last
one to close, in the 1920s.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Langstaff |
Cook, William |
|
c1851 |
Village |
Hall, Henry |
Wright St. |
c1851 |
|
MacBeth, Thomas |
Wright St. |
c1851 |
|
Sedman, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
1856 - c1881 |
|
MacBeth, Andrew |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1861 - 1873 |
|
Trench, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1864 - c1920 |
|
Powell, Peter |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1871 |
|
Wright, John H. |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1873 - c1881 |
|
Martin, Joseph J. |
|
c1881 |
|
Storey, William T. |
|
c1881 - c1891 |
|
Trench, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1891 - c1920 |
|
Linklater, Alexander |
|
c1891 |
Oak Ridges |
Hughey, William |
|
c1881 |
Carriage
Painters and Trimmers
There were many more carriage painters and trimmers
than the Wright family, but they are listed under painters or carpenters, since
they used their skills in a variety of ways.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Wright, William Ashford |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1881 |
|
Wright, Thomas E. |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1881 |
|
Wright, Alfred |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Wright, Charles |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Wright, James |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1891 |
Coopers
Coopering, like cabinetmaking, was short-lived. The
busiest time was in the 1850s, when the coopers were making barrels for George
P. Dickson's steam grist mill at Elgin Mills. John Hamilton had 11 coopers
living with him at his cooperage, in the 1851 census. By the 1861 census, the
number of coopers at Elgin Mills had dropped to five.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Johnston, Nicholas |
Mill St. |
c1847 - c1860 |
|
Pogue, William, Sr. |
Lot 48-1-M |
1856 - 1865 |
|
Pogue, William, Jr. |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1865 - c1881 |
|
Pogue, Thomas |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1865 - c1871 |
Elgin Mills |
Hamilton, John |
|
c1850 - c1871 |
|
Brown, William |
|
c1851 |
|
Brown, Thomas |
|
c1851 |
|
Dobin, James |
Lot 53-1-M |
c1851 |
|
Harper, Frederick |
|
c1851 |
|
Jelfic, Joseph |
|
c1851 |
|
Jones, Edward |
|
c1851 |
|
Kelly, Daniel |
Lot 53-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Mathis, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Montgomery, John (1) |
|
c1851 |
|
Montgomery, John (2) |
|
c1851 |
|
Muir, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Nicolson, Andrew |
|
c1851 |
|
Plim, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Plunket, Ullrich |
|
c1851 |
|
Pogue, William, Sr. |
|
c1851 - 1856 |
|
Pogue, William, Jr. |
|
c1851 - c1865 |
|
Pogue, Thomas |
|
c1851 - c1865 |
|
Rankin, Abram |
|
c1851 |
|
Roberts, Isaac |
|
c1851 |
|
Roberts, Jacob |
|
c1851 |
|
Roberts, Thomas |
|
c1851 |
|
Walker, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Whitley, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Hamilton, James |
|
c1861 - c1871 |
|
Joyce, Redman |
|
c1861 - c1870 |
|
Noller, James |
|
c1861 |
|
Wallis, George |
|
c1861 |
|
Bell, James |
|
c1871 |
|
Doyle, Stephen |
|
c1871 |
|
|
Naughton, Patrick |
|
c1881 |
|
Hamilton, George |
|
c1871 |
|
Mulholland, John |
|
c1871 |
Headford |
Arnip, William |
|
c1849 - c1857 |
Lot 28-2-M |
Harrison, John |
|
c1861 |
King |
Brenniss, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Brighton, Edward |
|
c1851 |
|
Flinn, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Glassford, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Holland, Daniel |
|
c1851 |
|
Hollival, John |
|
c1851 |
|
Jollip, Joseph |
|
c1851 |
|
Rogers, Charles |
|
c1851 |
Vaughan |
Finlay, Samuel |
|
c1871 |
|
Smith, John |
|
c1871 - c1881 |
|
Smith, William |
|
c1881 |
Druggists
Richmond Hill's first druggist, Robert Hall, appears
to have set up business about 1856. By 1861, the census records also list his
wife, Ann, as a druggist. This was not a business that required more than one
or two in a village, but from 1856 on, Richmond Hill always had at least one.
Sandersons became famous for their "Infallible Oil," which they promoted by
travelling the province in their decorated wagon.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Hall, Robert |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1856 - 1863 |
|
Hall, Ann |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 - 1863 |
|
Hall, Robert & Ann |
Lot 46-1-V |
1863 - 1869 |
|
Law, Robt. Emery |
Lot 47-1-M |
1869 - c1887 |
|
Sanderson, Henry |
Lot 47-1-M |
1869 - c1919 |
|
Sanderson, Wm. A. |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1871 - c1907 |
|
Sloan, J. Howard |
|
c1917 - c1924 |
|
Glenn, G. H. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1923 - c1930+ |
|
Porter, Ernest M. |
|
1924 - c1926 |
|
Wray, Henry E. |
|
c1927 |
Unknown |
Austin, H.F. |
|
c1929 - c1930 |
Grocers and
General Store Merchants
Although early residents of Richmond Hill had to be
fairly self-sufficient, some household necessities had to be purchased, and so
the general store was essential from the very beginnings of settlement.
Abner Miles was the first to open a store in the
area, and his account books are still available to give an interesting picture
of the commodities required.
There is no evidence of a store between Miles' death
in 1806 and Benjamin Barnard's store in 1821, but it is likely that one
existed. Possibly James Miles kept his father's business interests alive for
some time after Abner's death. However, from the 1830s on there were grocery
and general stores available in Richmond Hill, with their numbers increasing as
the decades progressed.
Merchants often seemed to lease premises for a few
years, and then when they were securely established, purchased a location of
their own. The owners and lessees of a particular site can be fairly readily
traced, showing a rather remarkable change-over of shopkeepers at any
particular spot.
There was a sprinkling of stores throughout the
concessions on Yonge, but on the back concessions, only a single store would be
found in the hamlets, and very few on the in-between lots.
Most of the rural post offices were located in
stores, so that the list of postmasters probably indicates who the shopkeepers
were. However, they are only listed if they are definitely known to have had a
shop on the premises.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Langstaff |
Langstaff, John |
|
c1820 - c1880 |
|
Horne, Henry |
|
c1881 - c1891 |
|
Boyle, David |
|
c1893 - 1930+ |
Richvale |
Sumner, Mr. |
|
c1920 |
|
Allison, George |
|
1921 |
Lot 41-1-V |
Lund, Wm. |
|
c1861 |
|
Sanderson, Samuel |
|
c1871 |
Lot 42-1-V |
Lawence, A.P. |
|
c1851 |
Lot 45-1-M |
Miles, Abner |
|
c1803 - 1806 |
Village |
Barnard, Benjamin |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1821 - 1831 |
|
Logan, Alexander |
Lot 46-1-M |
1831 - 1833 |
|
McKechanie, Alex |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1832 - c1846 |
|
Sinclair, James |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1836 - 1844 |
|
Wallington, John |
Lot 47-1-V |
1844 - 1850 |
|
Chadwick, Wm. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1846 - 1847 |
|
McPherson, William |
Lot 47-1-M |
1846 - c1854 |
|
Hastings, Richard |
Lot 46-1-V |
1847 - 1849 |
|
Eastwood, Richard |
Lot 46-1-V |
1849 |
|
Teefy, Matthew |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1849 - c1850 |
|
Teefy, Matthew |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1850 - 1857 |
|
Falconbridge, J.K. |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1850 - 1861 |
|
Barnard, B. & G.A. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 - 1857 |
|
McPhillips, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1851 - c1854 |
|
Searle, Stephen |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 |
|
Jenkins, James |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1852 - c1865 |
|
Crosby, Parker |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1853 - 1868 |
|
McKinnon, William |
Markham |
1854 |
|
Hopkins, David |
Lot 47-1-V |
1856 - c1880 |
|
Harrington, John |
north end |
1858 - c1868 |
|
Durrant, Charles |
Lot 46-1-V |
1857 |
|
Barnard, G.A. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1857 - 1874 |
|
Clarkson & Lynot |
Lot 46-1-V |
1858 - 1859 |
|
Teefy, Matthew |
Lot 46-1-V |
1860 - c1900 |
|
Pollock, Wm. S. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1860 - 1867 |
|
Flood & Price |
Lot 46-1-V |
1862 - 1864 |
|
Price, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-V |
1864 - 1865 |
|
Flood, Richard |
Lot 48-1-M |
1864 - 1865 |
|
Atkinson, Wm. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1864 - 1866 |
|
Henderson, John |
|
c1864 - c1865 |
|
Kellar, C.M. |
|
c1864 - c1869 |
|
Waterhouse, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
1866 |
|
Shields, Wm. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1866 - c1870 |
|
Atkinson, Wm. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1866 - 1874 |
|
French, Isaac |
Lot 46-1-M |
1868 - c1871 |
|
Crosby, Isaac |
Lot 47-1-M |
1868 - 1889 |
|
Morgan, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1868 - c1869 |
|
Warren, R.C. |
|
c1868 |
|
Duncan, William |
Markham |
c1871 |
|
Grant, Jesse |
at Richmond |
c1871 |
|
Jenkins, James |
|
c1871 - c1874 |
|
Clifton, Jarvis |
Markham |
c1871 - c1874 |
|
Moodie, Alex |
Lot 46-1-M |
1871 - 1874 |
|
French & Elliott |
|
c1871 - c1872 |
|
Savage, P.G. |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1872 - c1909 |
|
Brown, John |
at Centre |
1872 - 1884 |
|
Moodie, Alex |
Lot 46-1-M |
1874 - 1913 |
|
Atkinson, Wm. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1874 - 1876 |
|
Sheppard, Charles |
Lot 46-1-M |
1874 - 1878 |
|
Clifton & Co. |
north end |
c1874 |
|
Falconbridge, J.K. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1875 - 1878 |
|
Atkinson & Switzer |
Lot 47-1-V |
1876 - 1892 |
|
Trench, George |
Lot 46-1-M |
1878 - 1879 |
|
Reynolds & Newton |
Lot 46-1-V |
1878 - 1883 |
|
Trench, George |
Lorne Block |
1879 - 1889 |
|
Pogue, Mrs. Wm. |
Lorne Block |
1880 - c1886 |
|
Skeele, A.L. & Clarence |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1880 - 1930+ |
|
Lymburner, Robt. |
at Dunlop |
1881 - 1882 |
|
Soules, Mrs. Geo. & W.C. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1882 - 1886 |
|
Sneath & Grennan |
Lot 46-1-V |
1884 - 1886 |
|
Hall, Joseph & Wellington |
at Centre |
1884 - 1913 |
|
Kirkby, Fred |
Lot 46-1-M |
1886 - c1891 |
|
Grennan, Benjamin |
Lot 46-1-V |
1887 |
|
Harrison, Mrs. C. |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1882 - c1895 |
|
Neville, R.W. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1888 - c1890 |
|
Atkinson, Wm. D. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1889 - 1892 |
|
Brown, Oscar J. |
Lorne Block |
1889 - c1896 |
|
Graham, Mrs. John |
|
c1891 - c1892 |
|
Elliott, A.G. |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1892 - c1896 |
|
Atkinson (Wm. D.) & Switzer |
Lot 47-1-V |
1893 - 1895 |
|
Switzer, J.A.E. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1895 - 1909 |
|
See, Mr. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1896 |
|
Ross, Mary |
Lorne Block |
1896 - c1908 |
|
McDonald, John |
|
c1896 |
|
Hopper, Mrs. H.F. |
|
c1900 - c1904 |
|
Ludford, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1905 - 1906 |
|
Savage, W.C. |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1906 - 1913 |
|
Savage, Armand |
Markham |
c1907 |
|
Sims, Frank E. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1907 - 1930+ |
|
Grainger, Fred |
|
c1909 - c1911 |
|
Switzer, Mrs. J. & Ethel |
Lot 47-1-V |
1909 - 1920 |
|
Lynett, Mrs. E. J. |
|
c1912 |
|
Savage, W.C. |
Lorne Block |
c1913 - 1920 |
|
MacDonald, G.A. |
Robinson Block |
1913 - 1918 |
|
Cowie, George |
Lot 48-1-V |
1915 - c1916 |
|
Duncan, Wm. |
Robinson Block |
1918 - 1930+ |
|
Savage, W.C./Dominion Stores |
Lorne Block/Robinson Block |
1920 - c1923 |
|
Andrew, G. E. |
|
c1921 - c1922 |
|
Bennett, Mrs |
|
c1922 - c1926 |
|
Murphy & Beynon |
|
c1923 - c1926 |
|
Sharples, E.H. |
|
c1923 - c1929 |
|
Allison, George |
|
c1923 - 1929 |
|
Stein, J. & M. |
|
c1923 - 1926 |
|
Stein/Leaders Stores |
|
1926 - 1930+ |
|
Circus, Mrs. |
|
c1928 - c1931 |
Elgin Mills |
Lawrence, James |
|
c1851 |
|
Waterhouse, John |
|
c1862 - 1866 |
|
Newton, H. & A. |
Lot 50-1-V |
1866 - 1867 |
|
Bernard, John G. |
Lot 51-1-M |
1866 - 1872 |
|
Newton, Henry |
Lot 50-1-V |
1867 - 1869 |
|
Naughton, Michael & John |
Lot 50-1-V |
c1870 - 1919 |
|
Newberry, Robert |
|
1871 |
|
Hamilton, George |
|
c1881 |
|
Kempner, Mr. |
Lot 50-1-V |
1919 |
Lot 54-1-M |
Harrington, John |
|
1856 - 1858 |
Jefferson |
Gale, J.W. |
|
1882 - 1890 |
Oak Ridges |
Suttle, Frederick & Georgina |
|
c1861 |
|
Beynon, John |
|
c1861 |
|
Mabley, Albert |
|
c1871 |
|
Blain Bros. |
|
c1923 |
Dollar |
Couch, William |
|
c1851 |
|
Provin, Thomas |
|
c1852 |
|
Amoss, Thomas |
|
c1853 |
Headford |
Taylor, Edward |
|
c1852 - c1857 |
|
Reading & Baker |
|
c1857 - 1860 |
|
Baker, Charles |
|
1860 - 1861 |
|
Gamble, W.W. |
|
c1861 |
|
Smith, Thomas |
|
c1871 |
|
Wellman, James |
|
c1881 - c1896 |
|
McBride, Mrs. |
|
1903 - 1905 |
|
Hendricks, Mrs. |
|
c1906 |
Lot 26-3-M |
Allison, Thomas |
|
c1852 |
Whitchurch |
Todd, James, Jr. |
|
c1861 |
|
Mosley, Robert |
|
c1861 |
|
Hughes, William |
|
c1861 |
|
Emery, J.R. |
|
c1871 |
|
Woolings, Mr. |
New Gormley |
c1910 |
|
Cober, Peter |
New Gormley |
1912 - c1915 |
|
Birch, Mr. |
New Gormley |
c1915 - 1918 |
|
Johnson, John T. |
New Gormley |
1918 - 1930+ |
Hotels
Hotel, inn, tavern - all were used to describe the
accommodations for travellers in the early 1800s, and appear to have been used
interchangeably. All offered lodging, food, and drink.
"Drink" was the operative word for most of the
establishments from the very beginning of Upper Canada. Tavern licenses were
required and renewed yearly. Licenses on Yonge Street were more costly than
those on the back concessions or sideroads, an indication of the greater
profitability of a Yonge Street hotel.
In the early years of the 19th century, even Yonge
Street could scarcely warrant the word "road." Although theoretically opened,
various sections were reclaimed by the forest from time to time. Consequently,
Richmond Hill may well have been a good day's travel out from York, and
therefore a good location for the early inns. By the 1820s, settlement was
increasing and the settlers required accommodation as they moved to their
settlement lands. As well, soldiers moving between York and Penetanguishene
required lodging. The 1820s were busy times for inns in Richmond Hill.
Political unrest, economic depression, and fear of
cholera had their effects on the Yonge Street hotel trade of the 1830s, but the
1840s, with its rapid increase in immigration, saw a resurgence in the tavern
business. The 1850s and 1860s were the heyday of the hotel, but the Temperance
movement of the 1870s and economic stagnation created uncertain times,
reflected in an unstable hotel trade in Richmond Hill. By the 1880s the hotels
of Richmond Hill had decreased until only a few remained, but those that had
survived were mainly large establishments. As the hotel trade declined through
the 1890s and the 1900s, the larger hotel buildings suffered the most, becoming
vacant or housing an assortment of unrelated enterprises.
Location |
Name |
Date |
Lot 36-1-V |
Yorkshire House |
Cook, Wm. & Jane |
1838 - 1862 |
" |
Cook, Jane |
1862 - c1885 |
Lot 41-1-V |
Lymburner's Tavern |
Ashley, Jarvis |
c1820 - c1834 |
" |
Lymburner, Matthew |
c1834 - c1850 |
" |
Tack (Tuck), James |
c1851 - c1855 |
Lot 45-1-M |
Miles' Tavern |
Miles, Abner |
c1802 - c1806 |
Lot 46-1-M |
Vanderburgh's Tavern |
Vanderburgh, Barnabas |
1823 - c1828 |
O'Hearne's Tavern |
O'Hearne, William |
1829 |
" |
O'Hearne, Francis |
1830 - 1836 |
" |
Dalby, Francis (possibly) |
1837 - 1840 |
" |
Unknown |
1841 - 1849 |
Masonic Arms |
Simpson, John |
c1850 - 1851 |
" |
Hughs, Nathan |
1852 - 1853 |
" |
Linfoot, George |
1854 - c1855 |
Victoria Hotel |
Wiseman, Robert |
1856 - 1859 |
" |
Simpson, George |
1860 |
" |
Wilson, George |
1861 - 1865 |
" |
Simpson, George |
1866 - c1870 |
" |
Logan, George |
1871 |
Lot 46-1-M |
Ambler's Hotel |
Linfoot, George |
1852 |
" |
Sheppard, Edward |
1853 - c1856 |
" |
Ambler, William |
1857 - 1860 |
White Hart Inn |
Vannostrand, Cornelius |
1860 - 1865 |
" |
Dolmage, Gideon |
1866 - 1868 |
" |
Logan, George |
1869 - 1870 |
Dominion Hotel |
Davis, Nelson |
1870 - 1871 |
" |
Proctor, Simon |
1871 - 1879 |
Grand Central Hotel |
Chamberlain, Charles |
1880 - 1881 |
" |
Powell, John & Frank |
1882 - 1886 |
" |
Powell, William |
1886 |
" |
Gilmour, Gilbert |
1887 |
" |
Rupert, A.J. |
1887 - 1891 |
Lot 46-1-M |
Dalby's Tavern |
Dalby, Francis |
1841 - 1851 |
" |
Maguire, John |
1852 - c1855 |
Richmond Hill Hotel |
Nicholls, Richard |
1856 - 1864 |
Robin Hood Hotel |
Cook, Thomas |
1865 - 1866 |
" |
Ferris, Robert |
1867 |
" |
Velie, John |
1868 - 1874 |
" |
Lemon, Walter |
1875 |
" |
Cosgrove, Frank |
1876 - 1881 |
Royal Hotel |
Hewison, Warren |
1881 - 1883 |
Dominion House |
Brillinger, Benjamin |
1883 - 1895 |
" |
Ellston, John |
1895 - 1904 |
" |
Stong, Daniel |
1905 - 1906 |
Lot 46-1-M |
Clark's Tavern |
Wright, Archibald (possibly) |
1826 - 1828 |
" |
MacAdams, Thomas (possibly) |
1829 - 1831 |
" |
Brown, John (possibly) |
1832 - c1835 |
" |
Clark, John |
1836 - 1837 |
" |
Unknown |
1838 - c1849 |
Linfoot's Hotel |
Linfoot, John |
c1849 - 1852 |
(White) Swan Hotel |
Gaby, Joseph |
1852 - 1858 |
Plough Inn |
Peck, H.W. |
1858 |
Raymond's Hotel |
Raymond, Robert |
1859 - 1872 |
Palmer House |
Palmer, John |
1872 - 1891 |
" |
Palmer, Walter |
c1891 |
" |
Kelly, John |
1891 - 1897 |
" |
Hulse, Walter |
1897 - 1899 |
" |
Palmer, John |
1899 - 1905 |
" |
Savage, W.C. |
c1905 - c1907 |
" |
Knight, John |
c1905 - c1907 |
" |
Wright, Henry |
1907 - c1910 |
" |
Michael, Robert |
c1909 |
" |
Good, John |
1911 - c1913 |
Hotel Richmond |
Kelly, John |
1913 - 1916 |
" |
Lang, A.G. & Co. |
1917 |
" |
Grant, Ezra |
1918 - 1924 |
Lot 47-1-V |
Bridgeford's Hotel |
Bridgeford, David |
c1820 - c1829 |
Lot 48-1-V |
Halfway House |
Sheppard, Edward (possibly) |
c1849 - 1851 |
" |
Linfoot, John |
1852 - 1858 |
" |
Gaby, Joseph |
1858 - 1862 |
" |
Wootten, Edward |
c1863 - c1865 |
Lot 49-1-V |
Raymond's Tavern |
Raymond, James |
c1823 - 1828 |
" |
Raymond, Ann |
1828 - 1832 |
Lot 50-1-V |
Flanagan's Tavern |
Flanagan, William |
1814 - 1816 |
" |
Flanagan, Leah |
1817 |
Lot 50-1-V |
Crew's Tavern |
Crew, William |
1837 - 1838 |
Lot 51-1-V |
Fleck's Inn |
Fleck, James |
1819 - 1823 |
Lot 51-1-V |
Elgin House Hotel |
Bingham, Robert |
c1847 - 1854 |
" |
Raising, John |
c1851 |
" |
Horseman, J. |
c1855 - c1858 |
" |
Anderson, George |
c1859 - c1864 |
Lot 51-1-M |
Elgin House Hotel |
Christian, Mr. & Mrs. James |
c1866 - 1870 |
" |
Christian, Mrs. Ann |
1871 - 1876 |
" |
McQue, Patrick |
c1871 |
" |
Joyce, Redmond |
1876 - c1902 |
" |
unknown |
1902 - 1920 |
" |
Chatburn, Mr. & Mrs. T. |
1920 - 1921 |
" |
Bridges, E. |
1921 |
Windham |
Pilkington's Tavern |
Pilkington, Isaac |
c1810 |
Lot 63-1-K |
Bond Lake Hotel |
MacAdams, Thomas |
1832 - c1834 |
" |
Beach, Hiram |
1835 - 1836 |
" |
Unknown |
1837 - 1838 |
" |
Graham, James |
1839 |
" |
Steele, Thomas |
1839 - 1858 |
" |
Unknown |
1859 - 1869 |
" |
Suttle, Frederick |
1870 - 1873 |
" |
Bell, Robert |
1874 - 1883 |
" |
Bell, William |
1884 - c1893 |
" |
Morell, Adams |
c1891 |
" |
Cosgrove, Francis |
1894 - c1902 |
Oak Ridges |
Gordon's Tavern |
Gordon, John King |
c1823 - 1827 |
" |
Gordon, John Whitchurch |
1828 - c1831 |
Lot 65-1-W |
Christison, Mr. |
c1860 - 1861 |
|
Suttle, Frederick |
1862 - c1870 |
|
Curtis, Asa |
c1871 - c1895 |
Lot 65-1-W |
Ridge Inn |
Hudgins, Mr. & Mrs. |
unknown |
" |
McGaffen, Mr. |
c1903 |
" |
Unknown |
c1904 - c1920 |
" |
Malloy, John |
c1920 |
" |
Thompson, John |
1921 - 1944 |
Lot 69-1-K |
Redden, William |
c1851 |
|
Thompson, William |
c1851 |
|
Briggin, George |
c1851 |
|
Collome, Henry |
c1871 |
|
Johns, Francis |
c1871 |
Dollar |
Shields, William |
c1852 |
Milliners
During the 19th century some form of head covering
was considered essential for all women. Even around the house, a simple cap was
worn. As hats became more elaborate, greater skill was required to make them,
so by the 1860s a number of women were advertising their services as milliners.
Some operated alone, and some in association with dry goods stores. Millinery
was one of the few trades considered appropriate for women, especially
spinsters and widows.
The height of the millinery trade in the village was
in the 1860s and 1870s. Perhaps by the 1880s "store-bought" bonnets were more
readily available.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Baker, Emma |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Robinson, Jane |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1861 |
|
Frank, Marilda |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Davidson, Agnes |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Coulter, Miss |
Lot 47-1-V |
1862 |
|
Todd, Miss |
Lot 46-1-M |
1863 |
|
Cooper, Misses |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1866 |
|
Routledge, Misses M. & A. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1866 |
|
Jenkins, Mrs. W. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1867 |
|
Myers, Mrs. Wm. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1868 - 1874 |
|
Clarke, Mrs. H. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1869 - 1871 |
|
Hassett, Mrs. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1872 - c1874 |
|
Atkinson, Mrs. Wm. |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1880 |
|
Fishburn, Frances |
|
c1881 |
|
McKiterick, Mary |
|
1891 |
|
Davies, Mrs. Wm. |
|
1918 - 1930+ |
|
Batty, Mrs. Norman |
|
c1922 |
Oak Ridges |
Carscadden, Ann |
Lot 65-1-K |
c1861 |
Painters
Richmond Hill's painters were a versatile group.
Their activities included house painting, carriage painting, wall papering,
graining, and even glazing (installing window glass). Our first record of
painters occurs in the 1851 Census, but early examples of stenciling and
wallpapering have been found, suggesting the trade flourished from a much
earlier period. The greatest number of painters appears during the 1880s, a
time of great activity in building new homes in the village.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Miller, John |
Markham |
c1851 |
|
Vailes, Richard |
north end |
1858 - c1861 |
|
Craig, John |
Masonic Arms |
c1861 |
|
Cooper, William |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1862 - 1872 |
|
David, H.A. |
Arnold St. |
1869 |
|
Hutchins, John |
Arnold St. |
c1869 |
|
Wilson, Robert |
Arnold St. |
c1871 - c1872 |
|
MacBeth, Thomas |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1871 |
|
Hewison, Warren |
|
c1878 - c1922 |
|
Archer, Rolph |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1881 |
|
Derry, George |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Kendrick, Edward C. |
|
c1881 |
|
Maitland, F. J. |
|
c1881 |
|
McLean, Gordon |
|
c1881 |
|
Riley, William |
Mill St. |
c1881 |
|
Sheppard, William |
|
c1881 |
|
Size, Charles |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Tully, James |
Vaughan |
c1881 |
|
Wiley, William E. |
|
c1881 |
|
Benson, Walter |
|
c1891 - c1907 |
|
Minthorn, Walter |
|
c1891 - c1897 |
|
Piper, John |
|
c1891 |
|
Shierk, Albert |
|
c1891 |
|
Sims, John, Jr. |
|
c1891 |
|
Sims, Frank |
|
c1891 - c1906 |
|
Glover, John |
Markham |
c1905 - c1906 |
|
Tiffin, John |
Markham |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Hopper, Ernest F. |
Richmond St. |
1907 |
|
Rethwick, Walter C. |
Lot 48-1-M |
1909 |
|
Ellis, John |
Lot 47-1-V |
1914 |
|
Ellis, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
1915 |
Elgin Mills |
Cooper, William |
Lot 52-1-M |
c1861 - c1862 |
|
Shepherd, J. S. |
|
1920 |
Unknown |
Morrison, J. |
|
c1857 |
|
Davies, C. |
|
c1875 |
|
Morris, Gilbert |
|
c1875 |
|
Penrose (1st name unknown) |
|
c1890 - c1891 |
|
Shepherd, J. S. |
|
c1920 |
Physicians and Surgeons
Richmond Hill was fortunate to have had the services
of a physician from very early in the century. Dr. Asa Reid first came to Lot
49-1-Markham in 1820. During this early period, Richmond Hill residents could
also call on a number of Thornhill doctors who advertised that their practices
covered the townships of Vaughan, Markham, and neighbouring areas. During the
late 1820s and early 1830s Anthony Gapper, John Daly, James McCague, and Lucius
O'Brien were practising in Thornhill.
From the arrival of James R. Langstaff in 1849, the
medical needs of Richmond Hill were well-served by various members of the
Langstaff family for nearly 128 years. Throughout the same period there was
almost always another doctor in residence in the area.
There seem to have been no doctors on the back
concessions or sideroads throughout Richmond Hill's history and only one in the
northern part of the community. The Oak Ridges area was undoubtedly served by
doctors from Aurora.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Langstaff, James M. |
Lot 48-1-V |
1849 - 1889 |
|
Duncumb, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 - 1862 |
|
Hunter, J. John |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Langstaff, Lewis M. |
|
c1855 |
|
Hostetter, John |
Dominion Hotel |
1873 |
|
Playter, Edward |
|
c1873 -c1875 |
|
Brown, George |
Lot 48-1-V |
1875 - c1878 |
|
Tyrell, Dr. |
|
c1878 |
|
McKenzie, B.E. |
Lot 48-1-V |
1880 |
|
Langstaff, John Elliott |
Lot 48-1-V |
1881 - 1882 |
|
Wilson, Wm. J. |
Richmond St. |
1884 - 1895 |
|
Langstaff, Lewis G. |
Thornhill |
1889 - 1897 |
|
Francy, C.H. |
|
1890 |
|
Langstaff, Rolph L. |
Lot 48-1-V |
1891 - 1930+ |
|
Hutchinson, James N. |
|
c1897 - c1902 |
|
Lawrason, Lavern |
Lot 47-1-V |
1903 - 1905 |
|
Langstaff, Lillian C. |
Lot 48-1-V |
1905 - 1939 |
|
Dean, William E. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1906 |
|
Boyd, Samuel J. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1907 - 1911 |
|
Cassidy, James I. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1908 |
|
Wilkinson, Jonathan |
Lot 47-1-V |
1908 - 1910 |
|
Pentland, W.R. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1910 - 1919 |
|
Wilson, John P. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1919 - 1930+ |
Elgin Mills |
Hostetter, John |
Lot 51-1-M |
1862 - 1872 |
Whitchurch |
Mortimer, Charles |
|
c1861 |
Saddlers and Harnessmakers
There were two main harnessmakers with shops in
Richmond Hill - William Harrison and William H. Myers. Harrison opened his own
shop in 1856 and continued until about 1908. Myers set up business at about the
same time, but moved from Richmond Hill 20 years later. Each shop employed
several men.
Throughout the last half of the nineteenth century,
there was a regular turnover of smaller shops in the village. There were almost
no harness shops within present day Richmond Hill which were outside the
village.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Lot 44-1-V |
Reid, George |
|
c1851 |
Village |
Brown, Thomas |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Harrison, William |
|
c1851 - c1856 |
|
Maguire, John |
at Centre |
c1851 - c1852 |
|
Soden, James |
Maguire's shop |
c1851 |
|
Potter, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
1854 |
|
Myers, William |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1855 - 1877 |
|
Harrison, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1856 - c1858 |
|
Harrison, William |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1858 - c1908 |
|
Bellasley, Martin |
Harrison's shop |
c1861 |
|
Benrose, Edward |
Myers' shop |
c1861 |
|
Edmonson, Charles |
Myers' shop |
c1861 |
|
Glass, Thomas |
Harrison's shop |
c1861 |
|
Richardson, Leeds |
Myers' shop |
c1861 |
|
Barns, Hezekial |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Clarke, Henry |
Lot 46-1-M |
1871 - c1881 |
|
Warren, James |
Markham |
c1871 |
|
Dewsbury, Henry B. |
Lot 46-1-V |
1876 - c1885 |
|
MacDonald, George A. |
Lot 47-1-V |
c1881 - c1914 |
|
Mapes, George |
|
c1881 |
|
Devlin, Joseph |
Lorne Block |
1882 - c1886 |
|
Sturmer, George |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1891 |
|
Barker, Morley |
at Centre |
c1907 - c1908 |
|
Robinson, W. R. |
Lot 46-1-M |
1915 - c1917 |
Lot 32-3-M |
Crothers, Westin |
|
c1851 |
Seamstresses and Dressmakers
It was not until a decade into the last half of the
19th century that families turned to outside resources for their clothing
needs. Only one reference was found to a seamstress prior to 1861.
Dressmaking and its associated skills of millinery
and mantlemaking were considered appropriate pursuits for single ladies and
widows. Some worked from their homes, but a number leased shops, especially
during the 1870s and 1880s. The village held the greatest concentration of
dressmakers, but there were a few scattered at prominent points along Yonge
Street. None is listed in the rural concessions.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Langstaff |
Barsted, Marie |
Lot 36-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Horne, Margaret |
Lot 36-1-V |
c1871 |
Lot 41-1-V |
Sanderson, Elizabeth |
|
c1871 |
Lot 45-1-V |
Williamson, Annie |
Yonge St. |
c1871 |
Village |
Forester, Fanny |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Lockwood, Elizabeth |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Pollock, Mrs. W.S. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1861 - c1874 |
|
Ransom, Ursula |
Powell St. |
c1861 |
|
Simpson, Minnie |
Markham |
c1861 |
|
Slaney, Margaret |
Markham |
c1861 |
|
Cooper, Misses |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1866 |
|
Routledge, Misses M. & A. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1866 |
|
Jenkins, Hannah |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Storey, Mary |
Richmond St. |
c1871 |
|
Pollock, Mrs. W.S. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1874 - c1877 |
|
Esdale, Miss |
Lot 47-1-M |
1877 |
|
Andrews, Annie S. |
Markham |
c1880 |
|
Clifford, Mrs. |
Centre St.W. |
c1880 |
|
Durham, Elizabeth |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1881 |
|
Harvey, Ellen |
|
c1881 |
|
Powell, Emily |
|
c1881 |
|
Ross, Mary |
|
c1881 - c1891 |
|
Furlong, Miss |
opp. Richmond |
1888 - c1890 |
|
Harrison, Clara |
Yonge St. |
c1888 - c1894 |
|
Lyons, Miss |
with Furlong |
1888 - c1890 |
|
Albin, Alberta (Bertha) |
Arnold St. |
c1891 - c1892 |
|
Boynton, Harriett |
|
c1891 |
|
Eyer, Charlotte |
|
c1891 |
|
Harris, Amelia |
Lot 48-1-V |
c1891 |
|
Kennersley, Mary |
|
c1891 |
|
McLean, Colleen |
|
c1891 |
|
Moodie, Jessie |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1891 |
|
Morris, Hannah |
|
c1891 |
|
Pinder, Jennie |
|
c1891 |
|
Powell, Martha |
|
c1891 |
|
Wiley, Fanny |
|
c1891 |
|
Sterling, Georgina |
|
c1893 - c1896 |
Elgin Mills |
Williamson, Elizabeth |
Lot 51-1-V |
c1871 |
Lot 53-1-M |
Leander, Bertha |
|
c1891 |
Lot 55-1-V |
Coupland, Elizabeth |
|
c1871 |
Lot 58-1-M |
Gorman, Mary |
|
c1891 |
Tailors
Tailoring is quite a different skill from
dressmaking, and was a male-dominated field. Until 1891, when two women
identified themselves as tailors, only Margaret Storey advertised as a
tailoress. She is also found among the dressmakers.
Men's clothes are more difficult for the home sewer
to construct, which is probably why Richmond Hill had seven tailors in the
1850s. Three (John Coulter, Thomas Stockdale, and Alex Hume) had tailor shops
for several decades.
Only a few tailors were scattered in the outlying
areas, with no one shop showing up consistently in the records.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Lot 41-1-V |
Grainger, Joseph |
Carrville Rd. |
c1861 - c1881 |
Village |
Quinn, Alexander |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1846 - c1856 |
|
Knight, Richard |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Rowan, James |
Vaughan |
c1851 |
|
Russell, John |
Vaughan |
c1851 - c1852 |
|
Russell, John |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1853 |
|
Coulter, John |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1856 - c1895 |
|
Stockdale, Thomas |
Richmond St. |
c1859 - 1869 |
|
Burnes, James B. |
Lot 47-1-M |
1860 - 1861 |
|
Burnes, James B. |
Lot 47-1-V |
1861 - 1863 |
|
Shea, Timothy |
Coulter's shop |
c1861 |
|
Turner, James |
Coulter's shop |
c1861 |
|
Storey, Margaret |
Richmond St |
c1865 - c1885 |
|
Carry, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1867 |
|
Stockdale, Thomas |
Lot 47-1-M |
1869 - c1882 |
|
O'Grady, Thomas |
Coulter's shop |
c1871 |
|
Hume, Alexander |
Lot 47-1-M |
1879 - c1916 |
|
Bain, John |
Coulter's shop |
c1881 |
|
Trevethan, C. |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1886 - c1888 |
|
Daniels, Harriett |
|
c1891 |
|
Pilgrim, Charles |
|
c1891 |
|
Rahan, Minnie |
|
c1891 |
|
Redditt, Ralph |
Elizabeth St. |
c1905 - 1906 |
|
Greene, John A. |
at Arnold |
c1921 - 1930+ |
Elgin Mills |
Campbell, William |
|
1868 |
Dollar |
Smith (first name unknown) |
|
c1851 |
Lot 14-3-M |
Carter, Thomas |
|
c1881 |
|
Padget, William |
|
c1881 |
Lot 27-3-M |
Ralmer(?), Christian |
|
c1861 |
Whitchurch |
Steels, Thomas |
|
c1861 |
Watchmakers
Watchmaking is a highly skilled trade and Richmond
Hill's prominent horologists operated almost consecutively in the village.
Although Thomas Richardson owned numerous properties in Toronto, he apparently
lived and carried on his trade in Richmond Hill. Since he also owned a number
of Yonge Street properties locally, it is difficult to know if he had a shop
separate from his residence.
A.L.Skeele carried on a watchmaking and jewellery
business in the centre of the village for nearly 40 years, and was a respected
member of the community. As he approached his declining years, young Jerry
Smith moved into town and soon established a name for himself locally and
beyond the village.
J.J.Wheeler and Alexander Henderson each had their
own shops, but the others listed worked for one of the major watchmakers.
Location |
Name |
|
Date |
Village |
Richardson, Thomas |
Lot 48-1-M |
c1836 - 1860 |
|
Wilson, Asa |
|
c1861 - c1870 |
|
Henderson, Alexander |
Lot 46-1-M |
1868 - c1869 |
|
Skeele, Andrew L. |
Lot 47-1-M |
c1869 - c1908 |
|
Skeele, Clarence |
Skeele's shop |
c1891 - 1935 |
|
Smith, Jerry |
Lorne Block |
1900 - c1905 |
|
Smith, Jerry |
Church Lot |
c1905 - 1935 |
|
O'Brien, Stephen |
Smith's shop |
1907 |
Unknown |
Wheeler, J. J. |
|
1858 - c1860 |
|
Henderson, Alexander |
|
c1860 - c1864 |
Miscellaneous Occupations
In any community there are a number of trades which
are essential to the independence of the village, but whose function can be
satisfied by only one or two people at any one time. The following is a
representative list of assorted occupations carried on in Richmond Hill in the
19th and early 20th centuries. The list is by no means complete, but is meant
to give a general idea of the variety of occupational activities in the area at
that time.
Trade |
Name |
Location |
Date |
Agent |
Davis, James |
Lot 40-1-Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
DeGeer, John B. |
village (Markham) |
c1861 |
|
Breckon, Richard |
village |
c1881 |
|
Hughes, Owen |
Whitchurch |
c1881 |
|
Proctor, Albert |
village |
c1881 |
|
Proctor, Simon |
village |
c1881 |
|
Proctor, William |
village |
c1881 |
|
Ludford, Thomas |
Elgin Mills |
c1891 |
Auctioneer |
Barnard, Benjamin |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1822 - 1831 |
|
Pollock, William |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1851 |
Bailiff |
Pottage, Edward |
Lot 44-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Cool, John |
Jefferson |
c1851 |
|
Keller, Joseph |
village (Markham) |
c1852 - c1861 |
|
Stewart, James |
Lot 42-1-V |
c1871 |
Coal & Wood |
Proctor, William |
|
1882 - 1900 |
|
Michael, John & Robert |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Michael, John & Robert |
Lot 46-1-V |
c1905 - c1909 |
|
Sheardown, John |
Richmond St. |
c1905 - 1905 |
|
Sheardown, John |
Centre St. E. |
1906 - c1907 |
|
Stiver & Ramer |
Centre St. E. |
1909 - 1919 |
|
Pratt, William |
Centre St. E. |
1917 - 1922 |
|
Ramer, Ira |
Centre St. E. |
1919 - 1930+ |
|
Savage, A.W. |
Centre St. E. |
1922+ |
Coroner |
Bridgeford, David |
Richmond St. |
c1851 - 1862 |
Dealer/cattle |
Glass, Reuben |
village |
c1891 |
|
Pugsley, David |
village |
c1891 |
|
Pugsley, William |
village |
c1891 |
Dealer/grain |
Dickson, George P. |
Elgin Mills |
c1861 |
Dealer/marble |
Arnold & Watkins |
village |
c1881 |
Drover |
Hopper, Henry |
Richmond St. |
c1905 - c1906 |
Excise Officer |
White, John |
village (Markham) |
c1871 |
Farrier |
Sanderson, Henry |
at Centre St. |
1848 - c1880 |
Finisher |
Boyle, Edward |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Richards, Henry |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Lindsay, Thomas |
Lot 45-1-V |
c1871 |
Foreman |
Conger, Alanson P. |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
|
Lewis, John L. |
Vaughan |
c1871 |
Grafter |
Prentiss, James |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
Horse Trainer |
Foster, Richard |
Lot 40-1-M |
c1851 |
Ironmonger |
Gould, William |
Arnold St. |
c1905 - 1908 |
|
Gould, William |
Elizabeth St. |
c1908 |
Laundry |
Armstrong, Sarah |
Vaughan |
c1861 |
|
Maxwell, Tillie |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1870 - 20th C |
|
Lee, Hip |
Lot 46-1-M |
c1906 - c1908 |
Lettercarrier |
Hay, James |
village (Vaughan) |
c1851 |
Livery/Teamster |
|
Whales, John |
Lot 36-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Atkinson, Joshua |
Lot 44-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Artress, Henry |
village (Markham) |
c1861 |
|
Ferris, Robert |
Nicholl's Hotel |
c1861 |
|
Hugo, Thomas |
Elgin Mills |
c1871 |
|
Brown, John |
at Centre |
1872 - c1877 |
|
Proctor, Simon |
Dominion Hotel |
1875 - c1911 |
|
Warren, Bishop |
village |
c1881 |
|
Rupert, A.J. |
Dominion Hotel |
1885 - 1887 |
|
Proctor, William |
village |
c1891 |
|
Allison, George P. |
village |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Stong, Lou |
Dominion Hotel |
c1912 - c1923 |
Pedlar |
Hughes, Robert |
Lot 41-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Harathy, Michael |
village (Vaughan) |
c1851 |
|
Whitlock, Frederick |
village |
c1881 |
|
Walder, Isaac |
Richmond St. |
c1905 - c1907 |
|
Franklin, Ernest |
Richmond St. |
1906 |
Pump Makers |
Phillips, Nicholas |
Headford |
c1851 |
|
Brillinger, George |
village |
c1861 |
|
Brillinger, Jacob |
unknown |
c1868 |
|
Phillips, P. &/or Reuben |
village |
c1869 - 1872 |
|
Phillips, R. & Brillinger, J. |
village |
1871 - 1872 |
|
Brillinger, Jacob |
village |
1872 - c1874 |
|
Phillips, P. &/or Reuben |
village |
1873 - c1875 |
|
Miller & Hall |
Church St. |
c1874 - 1875 |
|
Miller, Henry |
village |
1875 - c1891 |
|
Hall, John |
village |
1875 - c1896 |
|
McKinnon, Gordon |
village |
c1881 |
|
Jackson & Coleman |
unknown |
1882 - c1883 |
|
Cable, Ernest John |
village |
c1896 - c1908 |
Scrap Dealer |
Keech, Frederick |
Lot 44-1-V |
c1891 |
Tollgate Keeper |
|
Ross, John |
Lot 55-1-V |
c1851 |
|
Brown, Thomas |
Lot 55-1-V |
c1861 |
|
Windross, Morris |
Lot 55-1-V |
c1871 |
Weaver |
Redfern, Robert |
Lot 25-2-M |
c1851 |
|
Greenwood, William |
village (Vaughan) |
c1861 |
|
Longbottom, George |
Headford |
c1861 |
|
Wilson, James |
Elgin Mills |
c1861 |
|
Beatty, James |
Headford |
c1881 |
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Copyright © Richmond Hill Public Library Board, 1991
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