HISTORY OF JERUSALEM LODGE
1849-1949

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Brief History of Bowmanville

 In the presentation of a brief History of Jerusalem Lodge it was considered that a suitable background should be included pertaining to the community in which Jerusalem Lodge and Masonry played a part and therefore the history of the Lodge would not be complete without a brief history of early Bowmanville.
 Most of the information for this part of the story was derived from the books "The Townships of Darlington and Clarke" by Prof. John Squair and "The Early Settlers of Bowmanville, Darlington and Clarke" by J. T. Coleman.

First Settlers

 Let us turn back the pages of history to 1798 when we find that John Burk emigrated from U.S.A. by the inducement of a proclamation by Colonel John Graves Simcoe (then Lieutenant-General of Canada) that all males of the age of 18 years or older who settled in this country should be entitled to a grant of 200 acres of land. He received the Crown Deed of Lot 13 in the Broken Front and Concession 1, Darlington. He built a saw mill, a grist mill and opened a store before 1820. About that date he sold the store to Lewis Lewis who held it for four years and sold it to Charles Bowman in 1824. Robert Fairbairn arrived the same year and took charge of the business for Mr. Lewis, whose headquarters were in Montreal.
 The first mill-Burk's or Simpson's Mill-was situated where Bro. F. C. Vanstone's Mill now stands.

Section of Country Uninhabited

 The country here was uninhabited except for a few scattered Indians. Life was primitive and rugged. This section was forest, mostly hardwood, the hunting was excellent and the streams teemed with fish.
 By 1800 the forest still filled the country back of the Danforth Road (Kingston Road, later No. 2 Highway) which was reported passable, but the records indicate that in reality for the greater portion of the year it was almost impassable.
 In 1818 the estimated population of Darlington and Clarke was 350.
 In 1825 Bowmanville boasted only a grist mill, a saw mill, a store and half a dozen houses-the efforts of John Burk.

The First Post Office

The first Post Office in this locality was situated five miles west of the present town at Black's Hill-Colonel Black, Postmaster. On July 1, 1827, it was moved to this locality and named Darlington Post Office, with Robert Fairbairn appointed Postmaster, July 5th, 1828.
 Prior to 1830 there was little settlement in Darlington except near the lake and most descriptions refer to this region as wild and uninhabited. Settlement, however, became considerably more active between 1830 and 1850.

Village of Bowmanville

 Darlington or Bowmanville, was first laid out as a village about the year 1832. It then contained a grist mill, a saw mill, a store, a schoolhouse and several houses.
 About 1836 there was quite an active influx of population and the village began to grow.
 In 1841 the principal part of the village was on the west side of the creek.
 Smith's Canadian Gazeteer (1846) speaks thus of Bowmanville:
 A village in the Township of Darlington situated on the Eastern Road, nine miles east of Oshawa. The village is prettily situated, being built on the sides of two hills, with a mill stream running through the hollow which divides the village. It contains about 500 inhabitants.

Port Darlington Busy Centre

 Exports from Darlington Harbour or Port Darlington, which at that time was said to have the longest pier on the north shore of Lake Ontario, are worthy of noting. The value of exports for the year 1850 was £38,475 or $153,900.00, consisting in order of value as follows: Flour, Wheat, Lumber, Oatmeal, Whiskey, Wood, Potatoes, Butter, Pork, etc.
 By 1851 the population was about 1,750, with proportionate increases in business and community life-thirteen industries and eight churches.

First Council Meeting

 The first meeting of the Municipal Council of the Village of Bowmanville was held January 17th, 1853-David Fisher, Reeve and James B. Fairbairn, Clerk.
 It was about this time that the Upper Canada Furniture Co. was established here.

Churches 'Well Supported

 Much could be written about the church history of our town but from historic data the inhabitants of Bowmanville 75 to 100 years ago keenly supported their particular church for it is recorded in 1851 when the population was 1,750, there were eight churches.

Prominent Men In Early Bowmanville

 Among the names of prominent men in early Bowmanville history are included, John Burk, Charles Bowman, Robert Fairbairn, John Simpson, John Milne, Dr. G. H. Low, Robert Squair, Alphonso Hindes, F. F. McArthur, Peter Murdock, Wm. McMurtry, James McFeeters, John McLeod, J.W. McLaughlin.

Town of Bowmanville

The first meeting of the Municipal Council of the Town of Bowmanville was held January 18th, 1858. James McFeeters was Mayor, and Peter Coleman was Reeve.

Industrial Activity and First Railroad

 Bowmanville was by this time growing rapidly. This was an era of unprecedented prosperity. The Dominion Organ and Piano Factory was established as one of the leading industries. The Port of Darlington was a centre of great activity. A brick factory was established, larger dwellings arose, the surrounding country was rapidly becoming settled and the forest was disappearing. The Grand Trunk Railway came through in 1856 and this meant the reduction of activity at Port Darlington until it ceased to operate for more than pleasure craft and fishing. The first train to run from Montreal to Toronto and from Toronto to Montreal was on October 27th, 18 S 6.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Purchases Plant

 In 1906 the Durham Rubber Co. opened a new factory to be taken over, however, by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in 1910.
 Other factories include, the Bowmanville Foundry Co. Ltd., Durham Textiles, Ross Can. Co., Hollingshead Co., Canadian Canners Ltd., Bowmanville Glove and Mitt Co., John Mackay & Co. Ltd., Vanstone's Flour Mill, and others.

Water Supply-Skinner Springs

 In 1912 the water supply was established when a site was purchased from Levi Skinner, Tyrone. The natural springs were enclosed and the water was piped into town. The length of piping required was eight miles. The first cost is recorded as $175,000.00.
 A great deal more could be written about the town and its people. As in most places which had their origin when the first settlers arrived, there is a wonderful historic lore which tells of the hardships, the sorrows and the pleasures of those hardy people to whom we owe so much. They have passed on to us a heritage which we must never forget, for, in it is steeped the very essence of the word Canada.

Freedoms in a New Country

 United Empire Loyalists, Scotch, English, Irish, Welsh and others are our ancestors. They came to make a new country-to establish freedoms which were denied them in other lands-and with them they brought their customs. Thus, it is only natural that churches, fraternal orders and various societies should be established.

A Challenge To Masons

 Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of a Masonic Lodge in Bowmanville-Jerusalem Lodge-and as we meditate this anniversary, let us also remind ourselves that these early men have left a challenge for us, to keep pure and unsullied, the tenets and principles of Freemasonry.

Reference to Only the Important Items and Members

 The history of Jerusalem Lodge is a most interesting story. Space here does not permit the telling of more than the important items.
 Your narrator in justice to the many, many prominent Masons of this lodge has only referred to a few of the more outstanding members.
 We trust that at some not too distant time, a more complete story or history may be compiled, which will then record the worth of the many Masons who helped build Jerusalem Lodge to its present position.

Copyright 2007 Jerusalem Lodge No. 31 GRC Ontario District

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