Articles from the Almonte Gazette
CLAYTON Village
J. Bolger was a carpenter and builder, A. Barnett the cooper, and Charlie McNeil the tanner, John Shane was a shoemaker and John Nolan was another, and both men were always ready for a friendly chat as J. H. McFarlane was to recall some 40 years later.
"Spinning was an accomplished art," he wrote, in connection with Mr. Nolans shop "spinning yarns. Imagination was freed from the leash and the greater the imagination the greater the exaggeration."
The shops of these craftsmen were the meeting place for the menfolk, or a "winter rendezvous for the man whose work ceased at sunset."
Mr. Blair operated a carding mill, and Mr. Drummond, a prominent man in the community (magistrate, church secretary- treasurer, county councillor) operated the flour and saw mills.
Jim Hogan had a tailor shop, James Tennant a "meat emporium" and Mrs. Dickson and Mr. Banning kept general stores.
A number of Churches
Clayton has had a number of churches. The first Anglican Church was a log building, built in 1840 at the west end of St. Georges cemetery. The first Confirmation service there was conducted by the famous Bishop Strachan.
Some years later a second church was built within the village limits, which was known as the Grace Church. The present St. Georges Church was built on this same site, and opened in 1901.
It is interesting to note that when the latter church was built, six "stone bees" were held. The members drew the stone from Almonte.
The first Presbyterian Church at Clayton was built on Mill Street in 1873. It was built by Daniel Watt for the sum of $797 and the seats cost an additional $192.
When it was officially opened the church was named "Guthrie Presbyterian after Rev. Thomas Guthrie of Brechin, Scotland.
By 1895 the congregation had outgrown the church, and two years later a new brick church was completed across the street. After Church Union in 1925 this became known as Guthrie United Church.
There was also a Methodist church which stood across from the Anglican place of worship. This fine brick building was sold for a dwelling house after church union.
Meanwhile, the former Presbyterian Church was sold to the "Foresters" and still survives today as the community hall. In 1906 a fire destroyed part of the upper storey, but luckily the building was able to be repaired.
FIRE
Clayton people had several chances to practice their firefighting, according to some old records. One such episode was recounted in Mr. McFarlanes recollections, which are now kept in the Tweedsmuir book, the Womens Institute history ably cared for by Mrs. Bellamy.
"The hum of industry is rudely broken by the shrill voice crying fire, fire, fire, which resounds through the village when Jim Raths house adjacent to the flour mill was being rapidly consumed by the fire fiend.
The factory whistle shrieked and shrieked, the school bell kept a continuous clamor, excited men and women with pails, pans and tea pots hurried to the scene.
The countrymen came on galloping horses and joined in the fight. Bucket brigades were formed, and by strenuous efforts saved the mill and surrounding buildings .."
Has Clayton changed? Buildings have come and gone, so have the old faces. Somehow I think that the spirit is still the same. When your reporter visited Clayton, people were helpful and friendly, and quite prepared to give a little time from their busy lives to recall the past.
At mail time, a number of local men grouped themselves on the verandah at the store, exchanging news, much as they did when the blacksmiths shop and shoemakers shops were operating.
Some things never change, and its a good thing, too.
From the Almonte Gazette (date unknown)
Pictures of:
Machinery from the old mill.
Guthrie United Church.
St. Georges Anglican Church.
One Room School House.
Clayton is a very pretty village on the Indian River in Ramsay Township. When you walk down the main street you know at once that the residents take pride in their community. At many homes there is a display of flowers that would do credit to any flower show.
Other areas have been neatly landscaped. Land beside Gemmills store, where the hotel once stood, has now been transformed into park-like grounds which afford a pleasant view.
All these things have been done by individual residents, but further up the street is an imaginatively designed park near the dam, which is of different origin.
Some old machinery stands there, with a plaque which reads as follows: "The water turbine and hasher plates displayed here were reclaimed during the reconstruction of this dam by the Department of Lands and Forests in 1969."
"These devices were part of the saw and grist mill built in 1795, and last owned and operated by Joseph Haas in 1961. This site was originally know as Bellamys Mills."
Nowadays, when so much of the past has been swept away, it is refreshing to note that somebody cared enough to preserve something of Claytons heritage. Seats under the trees, and picnic tables make this little park a pleasant place for the visitor to sit.
Clayton has an interesting history. Once know as Bellamys Mills, it was named after Edmund Bellamy, who came up from Vermont and built a grist mill and later a saw mill on the site.
Sawmill
An article written some years ago by George Belton recounts how this sawmill was used to "cut clear pine for export lumber and for home needs. When Bellamy put in circular saws to scream through the logs . old timers felt the limit of invention was reached."
While some of the original buildings have gone, the Bellamy name remains in the village. Mr. W. J. Bellamy, who lives on a century farm not far from the memorial plaque, is a descendant of the founding father of the community.
Of course, there are other names that have become well known over the years, for it wasnt long until the community began to grow. As Mr. Belton said, "Bellamys Mills was laid out as a coming metropolis" as lots were sold.
Names such as McNeil, Bolger, Boland, Banning, Rath, McMunn, Belton, Blair and others occur many times in the old records.
By the nineties, the village was a hive of activity. M. Hogan was a blacksmith, as was Bob Giles. Both shops were a meeting place for local farmers who would enjoy a game of horseshoes on a summer evening.
Pictures;
W. J. Bellamys House.
Old Presbyterian Church (now a hall)
Clarence Gemmills store.
Blair House owned by E. Moulton.
Mrs. E. Fosters house and garden.
Clayton Co-Op store.
St. Georges Church.