William Jamieson & Marion Park Airth
~ Horton Pioneers ~


( From the Book - Story of Renfrew - Vol 1 - by W. E. Smallfield and Campbell - p 142 )

William JAMIESON, who settled on the north side of the Bonnechere,
was himself one of the Horton pioneers . . . . .

When he had quite a clearance made, he bethought him that 'it is not good for man to be alone'
and presently he induced one of Sgt Airth's winsome daughters,
Marion Park AIRTH, named after her mother,
to share his fortunes and bring cheer to his home.

William & Marion were married Sep 15 1840.

Thus, for over 40 years,
they trod life's path together,
working earnestly, enjoying life in most hearty fashion when their sky was clear,
bearing its burdens cheerfully in the darker days
and hardly ever going from home separately,
even for a day or a jog into town in the later years.

In the mid 1860s, they had all things snug and comfortable about them on the home farm,
where several stalwart sons were taking up the burden of the work.
From that time on he became more or less a man of leisure,
though many a hard day's work he still put in when seeding or harvesting was pressing.

About that time also he was made a JP and as he was known far and wide
as a jovial, kindly man, of shrewd judgment and strong common sense,
most of the 'cases' in this vicinity were brought before Squire JAMIESON.

In the village too there was a lack of magistrates, which continued for many years.
The lack was not felt,
as the 'Squire' who in figure and mien was the counterpart of the typical JP
was every ready to lend his aid, mostly holding his court in George Eady's office.

Thus, we came to think it strange if we did not see him every few days
either on such official visits or passing away an afternoon chatting with his friends,
or it might be taking a hand in a game of checkers, at which he was an acknowledged expert.

He had much interest in the municipal affairs of the township,
serving in the Council both as an ordinary member and as Reeve on many occasions.
Especially in the conflict for the County Town he was Renfrew's unvarying friend.
That also drew us to him and made him a favourite in our midst.

It was at length proposed that we should have him as our Police Magistrate,
which might have brought him to live in our midst.
That was the 1880s when his sons were all married and settled
and he could easily have retired.
There is little doubt that this proposal would have been carried out
had he not been stricken with paralysis.

He rallied at the first and was even able to make occasional visits.
Then he began to fail and kept gradually failing for years
until life became a great weariness to him and wore out good Mrs. Jamieson,
whose long care of him ended before he went to his rest, about the end of the 1880s

.He was one of the 'old guard' of St Andrew's Church,
in which he was a devout and constant attendant at meetings,
Chairman of the Board and almost always chosen to preside at social and other meetings.
The Sons of Temperance knew him well as one of their 'lifey' members,
as indeed he was the life of any gathering at which he was present.

His sons Harry (Red Deer Alberta), R A of Horton and David of the USA are still living.
His daughters Marion and Isabella,
and his sons James, William
and John A, (the latter having succeeded him on the farm) are all gone.

Some of his grandsons are with us and are among our pushing, well-doing young business men."

Marion died first, on Jan 10 1884.
William died 10 months later on Oct 8 1884.

ROOTSWEB