The Brampton Curry Family
By Robert (Bob) Hulley
James Curry (sometimes spelled Currie) was born in Donegal, Ireland and immigrated to this country in 1816. He married Ann(e) Morrow formerly of County Down, Ireland. (1) They settled on Lot 10, Concession VI, (WCR) Chinguacousy Township, Peel County, Clergy Reserve Land in 1818 where he built a homestead, and a saw mill.
They had seven children, Martha, Mary, Jane, Annie, John, Samuel and James A. They also received a Crown Grant for Lot 12, Concession VI, (WCR) in 1819, on which he built a residence and farm buildings. He then brought his elderly parents from Ireland to live with them. Both parents are said to have been buried on the farm. (2)
One of the sons, James A. Curry was a Magistrate for the County of Peel (1) and was a Captain in charge of the Norval Volunteer Company (a militia unit). He, and the Company, went to Niagara in 1866 to repel the Fenian raiders. (4) He was awarded the Silver Medal for his participation in the conflict. (2)
Fenianism is a name given to the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Their objective was to establish an independent territory for Ireland where an “Irish Republican in exile” could live without being subject to British “rule of law”. While originating in the United States they were not officially recognized or sanctioned by the United States government. They made several raids into both Upper and Lower Canada, but were repulsed in all instances. (3)
The Village of Norval is located in Esquesing Township, Halton County, but adjoins that portion of Chinguacousy Township where the former Curry properties are located. Both areas however act, for all intents and purposes, as though they were a continuous part of the Norval Village community.
Norval was very proud of its Militia as with other matters of mutual interest. On festive occasions the Militia would put on a special performance for the celebration. For example, on the Queen’s birthday in 1865, the shops were closed and the Volunteers, 38 strong went through their drill and marched through the Village. In the afternoon there was a shooting match.
When Captain Curry and the Volunteers returned home from “the front” after the Fenian Raid, they were given all the honors the Community could bestow. They were met at the Georgetown station and a feast was held in their honor, with local politicians and clergy making speeches and the young people danced all night. (5)
The present owner of the land on which the Curry Mill stood says that he has been told that the militia used the surrounding flats on his property for drill purposes and the adjacent bluffs for target practice.
The house where Captain Curry, lived still exists and is located at 10315 Winston Churchill Road. In her book, Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, gives a detailed and insightful look into the property including renovation made to the house and home over the years. The farm was called “Lilac Hill” and served as her family home for many years. “It was built in 1828 [by James A. Curry]. Superficial changes have been made to the house but the original structure is solid”. (6) The property is listed as a cultural heritage resource on the City of Brampton’s Municipal Registry of heritage properties. (7)
November 12, 2007
Notes:
1) 1877 Atlas of the County of Peel. Including the drawing of James A. Curry shown above
2) Perkins Bull History Collection
3) www.doyle.com.au/fenian_raids.htm
4) Norval History 1820 – 1950 by Joan (Browne) Carter, Self Published
5) Norval on the Credit, by Reverend Richard Ruggle, Press Porcepic, ISBN 0-88878-021-4
6) To Walk a Country Mile, by Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, Moulin Publishing Limited. ISBN 1- 896867-03-0
7) City of Brampton, Planning, Design and Development Department
By Robert (Bob) Hulley
James Curry (sometimes spelled Currie) was born in Donegal, Ireland and immigrated to this country in 1816. He married Ann(e) Morrow formerly of County Down, Ireland. (1) They settled on Lot 10, Concession VI, (WCR) Chinguacousy Township, Peel County, Clergy Reserve Land in 1818 where he built a homestead, and a saw mill.
They had seven children, Martha, Mary, Jane, Annie, John, Samuel and James A. They also received a Crown Grant for Lot 12, Concession VI, (WCR) in 1819, on which he built a residence and farm buildings. He then brought his elderly parents from Ireland to live with them. Both parents are said to have been buried on the farm. (2)
One of the sons, James A. Curry was a Magistrate for the County of Peel (1) and was a Captain in charge of the Norval Volunteer Company (a militia unit). He, and the Company, went to Niagara in 1866 to repel the Fenian raiders. (4) He was awarded the Silver Medal for his participation in the conflict. (2)Fenianism is a name given to the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Their objective was to establish an independent territory for Ireland where an “Irish Republican in exile” could live without being subject to British “rule of law”. While originating in the United States they were not officially recognized or sanctioned by the United States government. They made several raids into both Upper and Lower Canada, but were repulsed in all instances. (3)
The Village of Norval is located in Esquesing Township, Halton County, but adjoins that portion of Chinguacousy Township where the former Curry properties are located. Both areas however act, for all intents and purposes, as though they were a continuous part of the Norval Village community.
Norval was very proud of its Militia as with other matters of mutual interest. On festive occasions the Militia would put on a special performance for the celebration. For example, on the Queen’s birthday in 1865, the shops were closed and the Volunteers, 38 strong went through their drill and marched through the Village. In the afternoon there was a shooting match.
When Captain Curry and the Volunteers returned home from “the front” after the Fenian Raid, they were given all the honors the Community could bestow. They were met at the Georgetown station and a feast was held in their honor, with local politicians and clergy making speeches and the young people danced all night. (5)
The present owner of the land on which the Curry Mill stood says that he has been told that the militia used the surrounding flats on his property for drill purposes and the adjacent bluffs for target practice.
The house where Captain Curry, lived still exists and is located at 10315 Winston Churchill Road. In her book, Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, gives a detailed and insightful look into the property including renovation made to the house and home over the years. The farm was called “Lilac Hill” and served as her family home for many years. “It was built in 1828 [by James A. Curry]. Superficial changes have been made to the house but the original structure is solid”. (6) The property is listed as a cultural heritage resource on the City of Brampton’s Municipal Registry of heritage properties. (7)November 12, 2007
Notes:
1) 1877 Atlas of the County of Peel. Including the drawing of James A. Curry shown above
2) Perkins Bull History Collection
3) www.doyle.com.au/fenian_raids.htm
4) Norval History 1820 – 1950 by Joan (Browne) Carter, Self Published
5) Norval on the Credit, by Reverend Richard Ruggle, Press Porcepic, ISBN 0-88878-021-4
6) To Walk a Country Mile, by Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, Moulin Publishing Limited. ISBN 1- 896867-03-0
7) City of Brampton, Planning, Design and Development Department
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