Essa Historical Society listens to guest speaker
By Florence Blanchard

The Essa Historical Society held its October meeting in the Thornton Library meeting room.

President Brian Baker opened the meeting with a prayer.

Secretary Olive Lee read the minutes from the September meeting. Our group was saddened with the death of Evelyn Cochrane, a long time member of our society, and we sent out regular donation to the Simcoe County Museum in her memory.

Treasurer Margaret Baker gave her report and we continue to sell copies of our Essa Township History, as well as our histories of Ivy and Thornton.

Margaret received the United Empire Loyalist pin at Olivet United Church in Hamilton the previous week.

Roll call was answered by naming a pioneer beverage.

Historical sites chair Arnold Banting said that we will support the plaque honouring T.P. Loblaw with a donation of $1,500. It will be unveiled in September 2008.

As stated, the historical society presents programs about events and genealogy is about people.

This month our guest speaker was Gertie Gowan from Creemore, and her topic was The Home Children.

In England, Dr. Barnardo established a home for children who were orphans or had only one parent alive. They were given a good education and trained in housework. These children were in great demand overseas.

Mrs. Gowan's mother was one of them and she had three brothers who grew in the Paisley area.

Some of them were brought up in good homes but there were some who were allowed to eat at the same table or were made to sleep in the barn. Other Home Children were adopted by the couples who had asked for them.

Our society also decided to join the Innisfil Historical Society in its mystery tour in June, 2008.