| Notes |
- Here is the information that I have from THE STORY OF ETOBICOXE
BY ROBERT A GIVEN--PAGES 50 and 51
WESTON AND WESTMOUNT
John Countryman, a member of an early survey party, is believed by some to have erected a sawmill about 1792 on the west bank of the Humber near Oak and Pine forests. Others believe it was set up by Conrad Countryman, whose application for a grant in the Home District as a son of a royalist in 1798. In any event it is recorded that a mill was built by a Mr. Countryman of Lot 23 Con. C. in Etobicoke Twp. during the latter years or the eighteenth century and was burned after a few years of operation.
About this time a considerable number or Mennonites settled in Vaughan and Markham townships, having come from PA. It was to join this group th at David Holly left Somerset County in April 1807, "with his wife and nine children also with a great number of cattle and six wagons and a considerable property in other respects". He settled in Etobicoke and about two years later petitioned for a mill seat.
On January 29th, 1810, David Holly of Etobicoke, petitioned for a "Crown Reserve" in the Twp. of Etobicoke in one of the broken fronts joining the Humber as there is a very good millseat on it, and said the "being a man of considerable propertys (he) would undertake and save no expenses to build Mills upon it, provided he could, in any ways obtain said Reserve by a grant or long Lease". Holly did eventually obtain some kind of title to the lot in question and the mills were probably running by the spring of 1810. In 1812, they were being worked by Joseph Holley whose father was Samuel, a Mennonite Bishop. The indications are that number of members of the Holly or Holley family had interests in this sawmill, which was enlarged to include a gristmill. During the war of 1812 it operated day and night to supply the troops with flour, which was difficult to obtain from overseas. Actually some wheat was imported from NY State much to the annoyance of American authorities who could not stop the traffic in contraband.
In that year the Holleys sold to Jamer Farr their mill and 150 acres of what is now the Weston Golf and Country Club.
Rev. William Arthur Johnson purchased a site on the east side of the Humber River from William Holly and the chapel was built with funds from his own purse, while the congregation built a rectory.
Taken from the files of summary of the History of Etobicoke (suburb of Toronto) 1850-1950.!AAMG HL29
A plaque (under a millstone) is on the corner of Weston Rd. and St. Phillip's in Toronto that reads, "A gristmill and sawmill, built by David Holley in 1810-11, stood in the valley below. James Farr to whom the mill belonged from 1815-1828, operated five run of stones in his mill. The lower and older part of the Village of Weston, formerley known as Farr's Mills, was destroyed in the flood of 1850. In 1828, William Wadsworth bought the mill rebuilt and operated the sawmill, 1830-1870 and built a larger grist mill in 1856. The Wadsworth Mills operated in this vicinity for 87 years."
Erected by the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 1957
Posted by: Robyn Date: November 29, 2001 at 05:44:38
In Reply to: Re: Holleys in Canada by Brian Holley of 1900
Brian, I would like to hear more about great,great grandfather Fredrick Holley. Maybe we are talking about a different part of the area? or different Holleys. The one I am speaking of, David Holley petitioned Upper Canada government in 1810, he volunteer that he left PA in 1807 with a wife and nine children. He was 53 yrs old. He was Amish/ Mennonite. He settl ed in Weston after his son Jesse in 1801 had gone before him to scout out the area for some good mill sites on the Humber. I have copies of the land petition papers. The area he settled focussed on the river north of the Rowntree Mills Park area and the junction of Finch Ave. West and Isling ton Ave. Between he and his sons lots 21,22,and 23 in Concession 7 of York Twp. on the east bank of the Humber, on the west bank opposite lots 21 and 22 they acquired lots 36 and 37 in Concession A of Etobicoke. Th ey built at least two mills in this stretch of the river. The original Holley homestead was established on the west bank on lot 37 Conc, A, Etobicoke. The wet edge of this lot fronts on Kipling Ave. between Albion Rd and Steeles Ave. West. Toronto. He and his family were also responsible for building mills further south on the Humber. David's children were: Barbara, m. Christian Christner, David Jr., m. Veronica Mishler , Catherine m. David Troyer, John m. Veronica Johns, Susannah m. Michael Fisher, Elizabeth m. Daniel Trimmer, Mary m. Michael Troyer, Joseph Holley m. Eve Fisher, Jesse obtained 200 ac at Stamford , and Jacob obtained Clergy Reserve lot which straddled the river.
Please fill me in on your Fredrick. I have no information on Jacob Holley or Jesse. Might Fredrick have been a desendant of either of these?
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1754 - 1818 (63 years)
