Appendix F. Community Organizations

Every community has its organizations to which the residents belong. It may be a formal structure, essential to the functioning of the community (i.e., municipal council); it may be a branch of a larger organization such as the various Lodges; or it may be a local group organized for the benefit of the immediate neighbourhood.

Richmond Hill had many such organizations, most of them open only to the men of the community. A few, like the Temperance movement, the Horticultural Society, and the church groups, were considered appropriate for the women to be included.

The same names appear continually in the lists of officers of the various groups. There would be two reasons for this. Firstly, the population of the Richmond Hill area was relatively small, so there were few names to draw from in the early years. Secondly, the number of educated people was even smaller, and it was usually this group who demonstrated leadership within the community.

Only three organizations are listed here: municipal council, the Agricultural Society, and the Public Library. Most of the people who assumed leadership roles in Richmond Hill will be found in one or more of these groups.

Richmond Hill Council

On incorporation in 1873, Richmond Hill citizens elected a Council comprised of prominent men in the community. Some had already served on the Markham and Vaughan councils. Others were new to politics, yet had served as chairmen of many of the village's lodges, leagues, and learned societies. In municipal elections, all candidates ran as independents, not associated with any particular party. With some exceptions, reeves held office for a number of years, occasionally retiring (or being retired by the voters) for a few years, then returning to office. Continuity was maintained by the rotation of members of Council with the same people moving on and off at intervals as well as the addition of new faces injecting different views and enthusiasm.

Richmond Hill Council 1873 - 1930

Date	Reeve	Councillors
1873	Abraham Law	Jacob Brillinger
		David Hopkins
		William Powell
		William S. Warren
1874	William Harrison	William Atkinson
		John Brown
		Isaac Crosby
		Asa B. Wilson
1875	William Trench	Isaac Crosby
		Denis C. O'Brien
		William Pogue
		Asa B. Wilson
1876	William Trench	Isaac Crosby
1877		William Pogue
		William Powell
		Peter G. Savage
1878	William Trench	James Langstaff
		William Powell
		Benjamin Redditt
		Peter G. Savage
1879	William Trench	Francis McConaghy
		William Powell
		Benjamin Redditt
		Peter G. Savage
1880	James Langstaff	Isaac Crosby
		Christopher Duncumb
		William H. Pugsley
		Benjamin Redditt
1881	William Trench	Christopher Duncumb
1882		William H. Pugsley
		Benjamin Redditt
		John H. Sanderson
1883	John Brown	Henry F. Hopper
		Isaac Crosby
		William H. Pugsley
		John H. Sanderson
1884	John Brown	Isaac Crosby
		Henry F. Hopper
		Robert E. Law
		Alexander Moodie
1885	William H. Pugsley	Francis McConaghy
1886		William Powell
1887		Benjamin Redditt
		Peter G. Savage
1888	William H. Pugsley	William Atkinson
1889		William A. Sanderson
1890		Peter G. Savage
1891		William J. Wilson
1892	William H. Pugsley	John Brydon
		Jeremiah Mortson
		John Palmer
		Peter G. Savage
1893	William H. Pugsley	William Atkinson
1894		Jeremiah Mortson
1895		John Palmer
		Peter G. Savage
1896	William H. Pugsley	Jeremiah Mortson
		John Palmer
		John H. Sanderson
		Peter G. Savage
1897	Peter G. Savage	William Innes
		John Palmer
		John H. Sanderson
		William A. Wright
1898	Peter G. Savage	David Hill
		Henry F. Hopper
		William Innes
		William A. Wright
1899	Peter G. Savage	David Hill
		William Innes
		John Palmer
		Thomas H. Trench
1900	Peter G. Savage	Reuben W. Glass
		David Hill
		William Innes
		Thomas H. Trench
1901	Peter G. Savage	William Furey
1902		David Hill
		William Innes
		Thomas H. Trench
1903	Peter G. Savage	John P. Glass
1904		William Innes
		James Paulin
		Thomas H. Trench
1905	Peter G. Savage	Issac Crosby
		John P. Glass
		William Innes
		Thomas H. Trench
1906	Isaac Crosby	John P. Glass
		Hesse A. Nicholls
		John H. Sanderson
		Thomas H. Trench
1907	William H. Pugsley	Edward Barker
		Hesse A. Nicholls
		John H. Sanderson
		Thomas H. Trench
1908	William H. Pugsley	Edward Barker
		John H. Sanderson
		David Sloan
		Thomas H. Trench
1909	William H. Pugsley	Herbert H. Hopper
		John Palmer
		John H. Sanderson
		Thomas H. Trench
1910	William H. Pugsley	John Palmer
		John H. Sanderson
		George S. Sims
		Thomas H. Trench
1911	William H. Pugsley	John Palmer
1912		John H. Sanderson
1913		George S. Sims
		John Tyndall
1914	William H. Pugsley	John Hickson
1915		John H. Sanderson
1916		George S. Sims
		John Tyndall
1917	William H. Pugsley	Jacob Lunau
1918		George A. McDonald
		Joseph A. Monkman
		Thomas H. Trench
1919	Thomas H. Trench	John A. Greene
1920		David Hill
		Jacob Lunau
		Joseph A. Monkman
1921	Thomas H. Trench	Norman Batty
1922		David Hill
1923		Jacob Lunau
		Joseph A. Monkman
1924	Thomas H. Trench	John A. Greene
		Robert N. Endean
		James McLean
		William H. Pugsley
1925	Thomas H. Trench	John A. Greene
		Jacob Lunau
		James McLean
		William H. Pugsley
1926	Jacob Lunau	Walter G. Baldock
		John A. Greene
		J. Roy Herrington
		Gordon H. Sloan
1927	Jacob Lunau	Walter G. Baldock
		J. Roy Herrington
		James McLean
		Gordon H. Sloan
1928	Jacob Lunau	J. Roy Herrington (to Feb. 28, replaced by A. Chapman)
		David Hill
		James McLean
		Gordon H. Sloan
1929	Jacob Lunau	Henry Davis
		Frederick J. Mansbridge
		Wesley Middleton
		Frank E. Sims
1930	Jacob Lunau	Albert Chapman
		Henry Davis
		Wesley Middleton
		Frank E. Sims

Yonge Street Agricultural Society

Agricultural Societies operated under Provincial charter and were promoted to encourage an interest in breed and species improvement of agricultural animals and produce.

The Yonge Street Agricultural Society (to become the Richmond Hill and Yonge Street Agricultural Society at incorporation of the village) was one of the first to become established, and one of the longest running. Unfortunately its continuity was broken by a dormant period of 10 years from 1865-1874. The activities of the Agricultural Society centred around the yearly Agricultural Spring Fair.

The position of Secretary/Treasurer, like that of village clerk, was more or less permanent, with George Barnard and Robert Marsh serving approximately 10 years each and Hesse Nicholls taking on the task for 35 years.

For the first 50 years, the president could expect to serve about 7 years, while vice-presidents could expect to give their services for 3 or 4 years, with the more committed then moving on up to the presidency.

After 1900, a new set of names appeared and a 2-year term of office became usual.

Names of the directors are not available until 1879, but from then on it reads like a list of the "Who's Who" of urban and rural Richmond Hill. Fifty to sixty people were appointed as directors for the years from 1879 to 1881. No lists are available again until 1888, when the numbers decline to a more manageable 15 to 30 directors. Interest seems to have dropped off around 1910, but rebuilt during the war years, and stabilized from then until 1930.

With so many enlisted to serve as directors, it is no wonder that there is little variety in the names that appear year after year.

Executive Officers

Year	President	Vice-President	Secretary/Treasurer
1849	Capt. McLeod	David Bridgeford	C.D. Wells/
		Richard C. Gapper	J. Marsh
		Geo.P. Dickson
(Sept.)	Geo. P. Dickson	G. Maddison	Matthew Teefy
(Oct.)		(replaced Gapper)
1851	Geo. P. Dickson	Dr. John Duncumb	Matthew Teefy
		W. Fletcher
		Amos Wright
1852	Geo. P. Dickson	David Bridgeford	Matthew Teefy
1853		Henry Jennings
1854	David Bridgeford	Henry Jennings	Unknown
		J.S. Smith
1855	David Bridgeford	Henry Jennings	George A. Barnard
		J.S. Smith
1856	Geo. P. Dickson	Henry Jennings	J. K. Falconbridge
		J.S. Smith
(Apr.)			George A.Barnard
1857	Geo. P. Dickson	Henry Jennings	George A.Barnard
1858		Samuel Sanderson
1859	Geo. P. Dickson	Henry Jennings	George A. Barnard
		Samuel Sanderson
1860	Geo. P. Dickson	Robert Marsh	George A. Barnard
		Peter Patterson
1861	Robert Marsh	Peter Patterson	George A. Barnard
		Edward Sanderson
1862	Robert Marsh	Edward Sanderson	George A. Barnard
		Peter Patterson
1863	Edward Sanderson	Peter Patterson	George A. Barnard
		John Palmer
1864	Geo. P. Dickson	Peter Patterson	James M. Lawrence
		Edward Sheppard

[The Agricultural Society was dormant between 1865 and 1874. It was revitalized in 1875 under the new name of Richmond Hill and Yonge Street Agricultural Society.]

1875	Peter Patterson	Robert Marsh	Unknown
		William Trench
1876	Wm. C. Patterson	William Trench	Robert Marsh
		John Brown
1877	Wm. C. Patterson	Alexander Marsh	Robert Marsh
		William Atkinson
1878	Wm. C. Patterson	William Trench	Robert Marsh
1879		Isaac Crosby
1880	Wm. C. Patterson	Parker Crosby	Robert Marsh
		William Trench
1881	Wm. C. Patterson	William Trench	Robert Marsh
		Christopher Duncumb
1882	Peter Patterson	John Duncan	Robert Marsh
		William Trench
1883	Peter Patterson	John Duncan	Robert Marsh
		George Newberry
1884	Peter Patterson	David Lynett	Robert Marsh
1885		Peter G. Savage
1886	Peter Patterson	Wm.H. Pugsley	Robert Marsh
		Thomas Lloyd
1887	Peter Patterson	Thomas Lloyd	Robert Marsh
		Andrew Russell
1888	Thomas Lloyd	Andrew Russell	Hesse A. Nicholls
		John Sanderson
1889	William Trench	Thomas Lloyd	Hesse A. Nicholls
		Thomas Boynton
1890	William Trench	Thomas Lloyd	Hesse A. Nicholls
		Andrew Russell
1891	William Trench	H. Quetton St. George	Hesse A. Nicholls
		J. Russell
1892	William Trench	H. Quetton St. George	Hesse A. Nicholls
1893		John Clark
1894	Unknown	Unknown	Hesse A. Nicholls
		Unknown
1895	William Trench	W.H. Clubine	Hesse A. Nicholls
1896		Thomas Lloyd
1897	W.H. Clubine	Thomas Lloyd	Hesse A. Nicholls
1898		Wm.H. Pugsley
1899	Thomas Lloyd	Wm.H. Pugsley	Hesse A. Nicholls
1900		David Lynett
1901	Wm.H. Pugsley	David Lynett	Hesse A. Nicholls
1902		J. Slater
1903	David Lynett	J. Slater	Hesse A. Nicholls
1904		George Leek
1905	J. Slater	George Leek	Hesse A. Nicholls
1906		A. Geo. Gormley
1907	George Leek	A. Geo. Gormley	Hesse A. Nicholls
1908		George Padget
1909	A.Geo. Gormley	George Padget	Hesse A. Nicholls
1910		J. Scott McNair
1911	George Padget	J. Scott McNair	Hesse A. Nicholls
		J.J. Lunau
1912	George Padget	J. Scott McNair	Hesse A. Nicholls
		J.N. Breakey
1913	J.Scott McNair	J.N. Breakey	Hesse A.Nicholls
1914		J.J. Lunau
1915	J.N. Breakey	J.J. Lunau	Hesse A. Nicholls
1916		W.J. Wells
1917	J.J. Lunau	W.J. Wells	Hesse A. Nicholls
1918		James McLean
1919	W.J. Wells	James McLean	Hesse A. Nicholls
1920		J.E. Francis
1921	James McLean	J.E. Francis	Hesse A. Nicholls
		R.W. Thompson
1922	James McLean	J.E. Francis	Hesse A. Nicholls
		R. Thompson
1923	J.E. Francis	R. Thompson	Unknown
1924		R.W.E. Burnaby
1925	R. Thompson	R.W.E. Burnaby	R.S. Cooper
		Harry Legge
1926	Unknown	Unknown	R.S. Copper
		Unknown
1927	W.H. Legge	F.A. Clark	R.S. Cooper
		Thomas Read
1928	W.H. Legge	F.A. Clark	R.S. Cooper
		Robert Agar
1929	F.A. Clark	Thomas H. Trench	R.S. Cooper
		Frank Graham
1930	Thomas H. Trench	Frank Graham	R.S. Cooper
		Wm. A. Wright

Directors

Year	Names
1849	F. Boyd	W. Brydon	Dr. John Duncumb
	Giles Kerswell	Robert McNair	Mr. Sanderson
	Wm. Trench	James Walker	Amos Wright

1850 to 1864: Lists not available.

1865 to 1874: Agricultural Society was dormant.

1875 to 1878: Agricultural Society was revived under the name Richmond Hill and Yonge Street Agricultural Society, but the lists are not available.

1879	Wm. A. Atkinson	G. Bell	Hiram G. Bernard
	David Boyle	J.Brillinger	John Brown
	F. Cosgrove	Parker Crosby	J.N. Davis
	Thomas Dobson	H. Dewsberry	C. Duncumb
	J. Elliott	Robert Elliott	A.W. Fenwick
	Frederick Gaby	Thomas Gillis	Wm. H. Glass
	R. Goodyear	D. Grey	D. Heaslop
	C.L. Hollingshead	Henry F. Hopper	Robert E. Law
	Wm. Lawson	F. Lynett	J. McConnell
	A. Marsh	Alex Moodie	W. Munshaw
	Henry Newberry	John Palmer	R. Phillips
	Nelson Playter	Wm. Powell	Simon Proctor
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt	Wm. Robinson
	James Russell	Wm. Russell	E. Sanderson
	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage	J. Sisley
	A.L. Skeele	J.A.E. Switzer	Matthew Teefy
	George Trench	D. Watson	Asa B. Wilson
	J. Wright
1880	Wm. A. Atkinson	G. Bell	E. Bernard
	David Boyle	Thomas Boynton	J. Brillinger
	John Brown	F. Cosgrove	Parker Crosby
	J.N. Davis	Thomas Dobson	H. Dewsberry
	C. Duncumb	J. Elliott	Robert Elliott
	A.W. Fenwick	Wm. H. Glass	R. Goodyear
	D. Grey	Wm. Harrison	D. Heaslop
	C.L. Hollingshead	Henry F. Hopper	Robert E. Law
	Wm. Lawson	F. Lynett	J. McConnell
	A. Marsh	Alex Moodie	W. Munshaw
	Henry Newberry	John Palmer	Thomas Palmer
	W. Palmer	R. Phillips	Nelson Playter
	Wm. Powell	Simon Proctor	Wm. H. Pugsley
	Benjamin Redditt	J. Reynolds	Wm. Robinson
	James Russell	Wm. Russell	E. Sanderson
	Henry Sanderson	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	J. Sisley	A.L. Skeele	J.A.E. Switzer
	Matthew Teefy	George Trench	D. Watson
	Asa B. Wilson	J. Wright
1881	Wm. A. Atkinson	P. Bassingthwaite	E. Bernard
	David Boyle	Thomas Boynton	Wm. Boynton
	J. Brillinger	John Brown	F. Cosgrove
	Parker Crosby	J.N. Davis	Thomas Dobson
	H. Dewsberry	C. Duncumb	J. Elliott
	Robert Elliott	G.T. Fairburn	A.W. Fenwick
	Wm. H. Glass	R. Goodyear	D. Grey
	Wm. Harrison	D. Heaslop	G. Heaslip
	C.L. Hollingshead	Henry F. Hopper	Mr. Lahmer
	Robert E. Law	Wm. Lawson	F. Lynett
	J. McConnell	A. Marsh	Wm. Marsh
	Alex Moodie	W. Munshaw	H. Newbery
	John Palmer	Thomas Palmer	W. Palmer
	Nelson Playter	Wm. Powell	Simon Proctor
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt	J. Reynolds
	Wm. Robinson	James Russell	Wm. Russell
	E. Sanderson	Henry Sanderson	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	J. Sisley	A.L. Skeele
	G. Stevens	J.A.E. Switzer	Matthew Teefy
	George Trench	D. Watson	Asa B. Wilson
	J. Wright

1882 to 1887: Lists not available.

1888	Thomas Boynton	Joseph Cherry	Robert Elliott
	Charles Holmes	Thos. Johnston	James Legge
	Nelson Playter	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt
	Wm. Robinson	James Russell	J.A.E. Switzer
	Wm. Trench	James Wells
1889	P. Boynton	Joseph Cherry	John Clark
	Charles Holmes	T. Jackson	Thos. Johnston
	James Legge	Thomas Legge	Nelson Playter
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt	A. Russell
	James Russell

1890 and 1891: Lists not available.

1892	Wm. Atkinson	P. Boynton	Thomas Boynton
	C. Brodie	W.H. Clubine	J.W. Elliott
	Robert Elliott	J. Gillis	Charles Holmes
	F. Jackes	Thos. Johnston	Thomas Lloyd
	David Lynett	Francis McConaghy	James McLean
	Thomas F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair	James Neill
	John Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley	Daniel Reaman
	Benjamin Redditt	S. Ritter	A. Russell
	James Russell	J.H. Sanderson	J. Slater
1893	Wm. Atkinson	P. Boynton	Thomas Boynton
	W.H. Clubine	Robert Elliott	T. Frisby
	W. Herrin	F. Jackes	Thomas Lloyd
	David Lynett	Thos. F. McMahon	A. Newton
	John Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt
	S. Ritter	A. Russell	James Russell
	J.H. Sanderson	W. Scott	J. Slater
1894	Wm. Atkinson	P. Boynton	Thomas Boynton
	Robert Elliott	T. Frisby	F. Jackes
	George Leek	Thomas Lloyd	David Lynett
	Thomas F. McMahon	John Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley
	Benjamin Redditt	A. Russell	James Russell
	J.H. Sanderson	W. Scott	J. Slater
	D.C. Steele	Stuart Wilcox
1895	Wm.A. Atkinson	P. Boynton	Thomas Boynton
	Alex Cameron	Robert Elliott	R.B. Elliott
	W. Eyer	T. Frisby	F. Jackes
	George Leek	David Lynett	J.T. McElroy
	Thomas F. McMahon	John Palmer	Thomas Palmer
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Benjamin Redditt	James Russell
	J.H. Sanderson	W. Scott	J. Slater
1896	Matthew Boyle	P. Boynton	George Brodie
	Alex Cameron	J. Clark	Isaac Crosby
	Robert Elliott	R.B. Elliott	W. Eyer
	T. Frisby	G.W. High	F.W. Jackes
	J.H. Kirby	George Leek	David Lynett
	J.T. McElroy	Thos. F. McMahon	John Palmer
	Thomas Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	W. Scott	J. Slater
	Wm. Willis
1897	J.N. Boyle	P. Boynton	Alex Cameron
	J. Clark	T. Cook	Isaac Crosby
	George Dibb	R. Elliott	R.B. Elliott
	W. Eyer	G.W. High	J.H. Kirby
	George Leek	David Lynett	J.T. McElroy
	Thomas F. McMahon	J. Morgan	Charles Norman
	John Palmer	Arthur Quantz	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	W. Scott	J. Slater
	D.C. Steele	Thomas Trench
1898	J.N. Boyle	P. Boynton	Alex Cameron
	John Clark	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb
	Robert Elliott	W. Eyer	F.J. Gallanough
	G.W. High	Henry F. Hopper	F.W. Jackes
	George Leek	David Lynett	J.T. McElroy
	Thomas F. McMahon	Alex Moodie	J. Morgan
	Charles Norman	W. Ormerod	John Palmer
	Arthur Quantz	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	W. Scott	J. Slater	D.C. Steele
	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells
1899	J.N. Boyle	P. Boynton	Alex Cameron
	John Clark	A.E. Coombs	W.H. Clubine
	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb	Robert Elliott
	W. Eyer	George Forrester	F.J. Gallanough
	L.L. Hartman	Henry F. Hopper	F.W. Jackes
	J.H. Kirby	George Leek	T.H. Legge
	J.T. McElroy	R. McLean	Thomas F. McMahon
	J. Malloy	J. Morgan	Charles Norman
	W. Ormerod	George Padget	John Palmer
	Arthur Quantz	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	W. Scott	J. Slater	D.C.Steele
	J.A.E. Switzer	T. Teasdale	W. Thompson
	Thomas Trench	W. Walkington	W.J. Wells
1900	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	Isaac Crosby
	George Dibb	Robert Elliott	W. Eyer
	F.J. Gallanough	A. Geo. Gormley	L.L. Hartman
	George Leek	T.H. Legge	Thomas F. McMahon
	Charles Norman	W. Ormerod	George Padget
	John Palmer	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	J. Slater	D.C. Steele	W. Thompson
	W.J. Wells
1901	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	Isaac Crosby
	George Dibb	Robert Elliott	W. Eyer
	F.J. Gallanough	A. Geo. Gormley	L.L. Hartman
	Henry F. Hopper	George Leek	T.H. Legge
	Thomas Lloyd	Thos. F. McMahon	Charles Norman
	W. Ormerod	W. Padget	John Palmer
	H. Rumble	J. H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	W. Thompson	W.J. Wells
1902	P. Bassingthwaite	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine
	Joseph Comisky	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb
	Robert Elliott	W. Eyer	A. Geo. Gormley
	L.L. Hartman	Henry F. Hopper	George Leek
	T.H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd	Thomas F. McMahon
	J.T. McElroy	Alex Moodie	W. Ormerod
	George Padget	John Palmer	William Paxton
	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
	W. Thompson	W.J. Wells
1903	J.N. Boyle	J. Bowes	W.H. Clubine
	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb	Robert Elliott
	W. Eyer	J.E. Francis	M. Hemingway
	Henry F. Hopper	T.H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd
	Thomas F. McMahon	Chas. Norman	W. Ormerod
	George Padget	John Palmer	A. Pingle
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Thomas Read	Harry Rumble
	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage	W. Thompson
	W. Walkington	W.J. Wells
1904	J.N. Boyle	J.A. Cameron	W.H. Clubine
	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb	Robert Elliott
	W. Eyer	J.E. Francis	A. George Gormley
	M. Hemingway	L.L. Hartman	Henry F. Hopper
	T.H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd	Thomas F. McMahon
	W. Ormerod	George Padget	John Palmer
	A. Pingle	William Pugsley	G. Robinson
	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson	W. Thompson
	W. Walkington	W.J. Wells
1905	J.N. Boyle	George Brodie	John Clark
	W.H. Clubine	Isaac Crosby	Robert Elliott
	W. Eyer	Mr. Folliott	J. E. Francis
	T. H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd	David Lynett
	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair	W. Ormerod
	George Padget	John Palmer	A. Pingle
	Wm.H. Pugsley	G. Redditt	G. Robinson
	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G.Savage
	W. Thompson	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells
1906	E. Barker	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine
	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb	Robert Elliott
	W. Eyer	J.E. Francis	T.H. Legge
	Thomas Lloyd	E. Lynett	Thomas F. McMahon
	J. Scott McNair	W. Ormerod	George Padget
	John Palmer	A. Pingle	Wm. H. Pugsley
	G. Redditt	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	W. Thompson	W.J. Wells
1907	E. Barker	P. Bassingthwaite	J.N. Boyle
	W.H. Clubine	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb
	G. Duncan	W. Eyer	J.E. Francis
	T.H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd	E. Lynett
	J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair
	W. Ormerod	John Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley
	G. Redditt	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	J. Slater	W. Thompson
	W. J. Wells
1908	E. Barker	P. Bassingthwaite	J.N. Boyle
	W.H. Clubine	Isaac Crosby	George Dibb
	George Brodie	G. Henry Duncan	W. Eyer
	J.E. Francis	T.H. Legge	Thomas Lloyd
	E. Lynett	J.J. Lunau	Thomas F. McMahon
	J. Scott McNair	W. Ormerod	John Palmer
	Wm. H. Pugsley	G. Redditt	Harry Rumble
	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage	J. Slater
	W.Thompson	W.J. Wells
1909	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	George Dibb
	J.J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	John Palmer
	Wm. H. Pugsley	J.H. Sanderson	Peter G. Savage
1910	J.N. Boyle	J.N. Breakey	W.H. Clubine
	George Dibb	W. Eyer	J.E. Francis
	J.J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	John Palmer
	Wm. H. Pugsley	Harry Rumble	J.H. Sanderson
	Peter G. Savage	W. Thompson	W.J. Wells

1911: List not available.

1912	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	George Dibb
	George Forrester	T.H. Legge	J.J. Lunau
	James McLean	Thos. F. McMahon	John Palmer
	J.H. Sanderson	R. Thompson	W. Thompson
	Thomas H. Trench	John Tyndall	W.J. Wells
1913	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	George Dibb
	J.E. Francis	T.H. Legge	Thomas F. McMahon
	George Padget	John Palmer	Wm. H. Pugsley
	J.H. Sanderson	R. Thompson	W. Thompson
	Thomas H. Trench	W.J. Wells
1914	J.N. Boyle	W.H. Clubine	George Dibb
	J.E. Francis	T.H. Legge	James McLean
	Thos. F. McMahon	George Padget	John Palmer
	Wm. H. Pugsley	J.H. Sanderson	R. Thompson
	W. Thompson	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells
1915	J.N. Boyle	F. Clark	W.H. Clubine
	George Dibb	J.E. Francis	F.A. Legge
	T.H. Legge	James McLean	Thos. F. McMahon
	J. Scott McNair	John Palmer	J.H. Sanderson
	R. Thompson	Thomas Trench	John Tyndall
1916	Matthew Boyle	F. Clark	W.H. Clubine
	George Dibb	J.E. Francis	F.A. Legge
	T.H. Legge	James McLean	Thos. F. McMahon
	J. Scott McNair	J.H. Sanderson	R. Thompson
	Thomas H. Trench	John Tyndall	I.S.G. Van Wart
1917	Matthew Boyle	J.N. Breakey	R.W.E. Burnaby
	J. Clark	W.H. Clubine	George Dibb
	J.E. Francis	F.A. Legge	T.H. Legge
	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair	R. Thompson
	Thomas H. Trench	John Tyndall	I.S.G. Van Wart

1918: List not available.

1919	R.W.E Burnaby	J. N. Breakey	F. Clark
	George Dibb	John H. Dunlop	F.A. Legge
	T.H. Legge	J.J. Lunau	Thomas F. McMahon
	J. Scott McNair	R. Thompson	Thomas H. Trench
	John Tyndall	I.S.G. Van Wart	T. B. Weldrick
1920	T. Allison	R.W.E. Burnaby	F. Clark
	George Dibb	John H. Dunlop	Frank Graham
	David Hill	F.A. Legge	T.H. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair
	Thomas Read	R. Thompson	Thomas Trench
	Stan Tyndall	T.B. Weldrick
1921	T. Allison	T.E. Boynton	R.W.E. Burnaby
	H. Burnett	F. Clark	George Dibb
	Frank Graham	F.A. Legge	T.H. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair
	Thomas Read	Thomas H. Trench	W.J. Wells
1922	T. Allison	T.E. Boynton	R.W.E. Burnaby
	H. Burnett	F.A. Clark	George Dibb
	Frank Graham	F.A. Legge	J.H. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	Thos. F. McMahon	J. Scott McNair
	Thomas Read	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells

1923: List not available.

1924	Robert Agar	R. Boynton	H. Burnett
	F. A. Clark	George Dibb	J.H.C. Durham
	Frank Graham	F.A. Legge	W.H. Legge
	J. J. Lunau	Thomas F. McMahon	J.Scott McNair
	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells
1925	Robert Agar	Joseph Cherry	F. A. Clark
	Colonel Deacon	George Dibb	J.E. Francis
	Frank Graham	F.A. Legge	J.J. Lunau
	James McLean	J.Scott McNair	Hesse A. Nicholls
	Thomas Read	Thomas Trench	W.J. Wells

1926: List not available.

1927	Robert Agar	R.W.E. Burnaby	Joseph Cherry
	Colonel Deacon	George Dibb	G.H. Duncan
	J.E. Francis	Frank Graham	F.A. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	James McLean	J. Scott McNair
	W. McKnight	Hesse A. Nicholls	R. Thompson
	Thomas Trench
1928	R.W.E Burnaby	Joseph Cherry	George Dibb
	G. H. Duncan	J.E. Francis	Frank Graham
	F.A. Legge	J.J. Lunau	James McLean
	J. Scott McNair	Wes Middleton	R.S. Thompson
	Thomas Trench	Cameron Walkington	W. Amos Wright
1929	Robert Agar	A.D. Buchanan	R.W.E. Burnaby
	Joseph Cherry	George Dibb	G.H. Duncan
	Robert Fee	J.E. Francis	J.A. Greene
	Percy C. Hill	F.A. Legge	W.H. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	James McLean	J. Scott McNair
	Wes Middleton	Wes Palmer	J.G. Routley
	R.S. Thompson	A.B. Wells	W. Amos Wright
1930	Robert Agar	Joseph Cherry	F.A. Clark
	G.H. Duncan	J. Frisby	J.E. Francis
	Fraser Gee	D. Goulding	C. Harding
	J.A. Greene	J. Leary	W.H. Legge
	J.J. Lunau	James McLean	J. Scott McNair
	Wes Middleton	Wes Palmer	F.J. Suhr
	R.S. Thompson	A.B. Wells

Richmond Hill Public Library

Lending libraries in Richmond Hill began at least as early as 1828. In The Journals of Mary O'Brien 1828 - 1838 Mary O'Brien mentioned visiting Squire Miles to give him a copy of the rules of the Book Society. Elsewhere she described the Book Society as a form of lending library, and mentioned members from Thornhill to Newmarket. Many of the settlers were highly literate, and books seem to have been treasured items, to be shared and re-read over the years.

In 1851 the Province passsed an Act respecting Library Associations and Mechanics Institutes, following which Richmond Hill residents formed a Richmond Hill Library Association. In 1858, it was reorganized and combined with a Mechanics Institute, but by 1870, further reorganization separated the two bodies. Apparently there was a difference of opinion between the Mechanics Institute, which charged a membership fee, and the Library Association, which permitted free membership.

Library hours remained limited but the number of volumes increased to 3768 by 1913, with a circulation of 3220.

For many years the location of the Library depended on who was librarian, but in 1870 the Library moved to part of the new Masonic Hall, where it remained until Council moved into their new quarters in the former high school building at Yonge and Wright streets. At that time, Council granted the Library the front upper room of the Municipal Offices.

Library Highlights

1851	An Act respecting Library Associations and Mechanics Institutes received Royal Assent.
1852	Shareholders formed the Richmond Hill Library Association. The membership fee was £1, and shareholders were levied 1s.3d upon their first book. The library was open 1 night per week, and the librarian was paid £3 annually.
1855	Books were transferred to the Grammar School.
1858	The Mechanics Institute and Library Association was formed, to comply with the Provincial Statute, qualifying the Institute to receive £50 Halifax currency. The Institute consisted of 64 members and 367 volumes.
1861	Books were transferred to the York Herald Bookstore. The Library was open Friday afternoons.
1865	The Mechanics Institute was reorganized and requested that the Library Association put their books at the disposal of the Institute.
1870	The Library Association and Mechanics Institute separated, the Association was incorporated as the Richmond Hill District Public Library, and the books were moved into the Masonic Hall. The Association was then able to operate without a fee.
1873	The Richmond Hill Mechanics Institute had 89 members and 505 volumes. By 1878, there were only 48 members, but with a library of 1125 volumes, according to the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Arts. The Report does not seem to address the question of the separation of the Association and the Institute.
1895	The Ontario Department of Education requested that the Village take over the Library to provide more public access for borrowing books.
1913	The Library contained 3768 books and the circulation was 3220. A Purchasing Committee was established; the government grant was $71.99, and Markham Township contributed $15.00.
1921	The Library was open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The population of Richmond Hill was 1055 and the librarian received $2.50 quarterly.
1926	The Women's Institute started a "Special Library Fund" that reached $1,752.00 by 1949.
1929	The Women's Institute appointed a committee to investigate building a new library.
1932	Council granted the front upper room in the Municipal Offices for use as a Library.

Richmond Hill Public Library

Date	Chief Librarians
1852 - 1853	Robert McClelland, Common School headmaster
1854	Samuel Stark, shoemaker
1854 - 1859	Rev. James Boyd, Grammar School headmaster
1860 - 1861	Robert Hewison, boot & shoemaker
1862 - 1865	Alexander Scott, publisher of the York Herald
1870	Robert Law, druggist
1871 - 1894	Records missing
1875 - 1895	Thomas F. McMahon, publisher of The Liberal
1896 - 1907	Records missing
1907 - 1914	George Cowie, blacksmith
1915	Alex J. Hume, town clerk and tailor
1916 - 1920	Records missing
1921 - 1935	Ambrose Phipps, commercial traveller

Date	Board Chairmen
1852 - 1855	Rev. James Dick
1856 - 1858	Records missing
1859	Geo. P. Dickson
1860	Rev. James Dick
1861 - 1865	Abraham Law
1865 - 1869	Records missing
1870	G. H. Porter
1871 - 1920	Records missing
1921 - 1924	Thomas H. Trench
1925 - 1931	J.J. Lunau

* For more information, please consult the local historical collection at the Central Branch of the Richmond Hill Public Library.

Copyright © Richmond Hill Public Library Board, 1991