11/09/2025
For all of you who are interested in further history of Farewell.
From Wellington County History by Jean Hutchison p.410-11
FAREWELL HAMLET
Farewell is located on lot 12, con. 11, Arthur Twp., and received its name in a unique manner. Pioneer families were large, and as some of the members decided to move away, and strike out for themselves, many farewell parties were held for them, - so many that the hamlet was named “Farewell”. However many stayed, and there are numerous branches of each family in the community. ALLENS and MORISSONS were two of the oldest.
John Allen came from Sligo, Ireland to Toronto Gore with his parents in 1847. Fourteen days after their arrival, his father died and died, leaving support of the family to the two eldest sons. John Allen came to Arthur Twp. in 1850, and took 300 acres from the Crown, including lot 12, con. 11, at a price of $2.50 per acre. The two boys made the first clearing, put up a shanty twenty feet square, and a log barn 20 x 40 feet. Their mother, Mrs. Wm. Allen, and her family, including three boys and three girls came to the homestead. Robert and William moved to Algoma, but John F. Allen, 1827-1920, lived on the homestead until his death at age of 92.
In 1854, he married Ellen Morrison. Their family included: William and Robert of Manitoba, George of Arthur Twp., John E., on the homestead, Joseph on lot 12, con. 10, who married Reba Morrison, in 1897, and Alfred at home. This family was Anglican in religion, and they were buried in the Riverstown Cemetery.
John E. Allen married Sarah Markle in 1901, and stayed on the homestead. Their sons were Harry, Morrison (Mott), and Ralph. Mott stayed on the homestead. He married Edna Morrison, and became the parents of Jack; Meryle, Mrs. Frank Cook of Innisfail, Alberta; and Isabel, R.N., Mrs. Verne Shaw of Guelph, later of Calgary. Edna died in 1959.
Ralph Allen died in 1981, aged 69 years, survived by his wife, Mable Kirkpatrick. Ralph was Clerk of Arthur Twp. from 1941-1976.
MORRISON — Several Morrison families came from Sligo, Ireland, and were pioneers in the Farewell area. Robert Morrison was born in Halton County, and moved to Arthur Twp. in 1839, with his parents. He married Jane Munns in 1870, and stayed on the homestead, lot 10, con. 9. He was the first Reeve of Arthur Twp. James Morrison came to Canada in 1850, and spent the first two years in Prince Edward County, then took lot 15, con. 11, Arthur Twp. from the Crown. They had 12 children. Their daughter, Rebecca married Joseph Allen. Jones, Arthur and Samuel were their sons. Their son was Cecil. John K. Morrison, (Red Johnny), came from Sligo to Toronto Gore about 1850, and took up lot 17, con. 10, Arthur Twp. He cleared some land and erected a log house and log barn. The present house was built in 1883, and the barn in 1885. He married Sarah Jane Morrison, sister of Cecil Morrison’s grandfather, James. Richard Morrison of Sligo, came to Toronto in 1846, where he stayed four years. In 1850, he took lot 12, con. 10, Arthur Twp., from the Crown. He then sent for his wife and family to come from Ireland. His wife, Rachel, was accompanied by four children, John, Robert, Richard and Mary. They were followed three years later by Hugh, aged 14, and Ellen, leaving Jane in Ireland where she married a Rooney. Hugh was known as “Red Johnny”. Hugh became “Little Hughie”, and married Sarah Morrison, not related.
STORE- On land originally granted to Richard Morrison, William Allen built a house and made the front room into a store, which became the meeting place for the community. For years, he drove a pony to Kenilworth two days a week, and brought back supplies, as well as the mail for Farewell and Wagram Post Offices. He continued this mail service for twenty years, but in later years, he used a horse and buggy or cutter. John Currie and Bob Hill were also early storekeepers. Hugh Hill bought the store in 1893. It was operated by Joe Norris and Richard Day from 1900-1906. Others were Wm. Girr, Mr. Little, Charles Mitchell. From 1919-1939, there was no store, then Ernie Robb bought the Archie McEachern house, and added a new store to it. The neighbours helped build it, and it became a busy place. It also had a gasoline pump. This was about the close of the depression, and prices were low i.e. bread was selling for 8 cents per loaf; cheese, 3 pounds for 25¢; a large cone of ice cream for 5¢; a spool of thread for 5¢.
A Grist Mill was set up in a barn beside Robb’s Store. Later Frank Rogers of Hanover purchased the mill and store. In 1949, son Gordon and wife Frances, and three children took over both businesses, and continued for 34 years, until 1983, when the store was closed.
MILLS - In the early days William Allen had a sawmill and planing mill. First grist mill is said to have been operated by Robert Brookes.
BLACKSMITH SHOP - First blacksmith shop was built by Peter McIntosh. By 1897, the blacksmith was Robert Allen. First Wagon maker was Robert Rooney. First shoemaker was William Morrison.
FAREWELL POST OFFICE
Was located in the general store of William Allen, who was the first Post master from 1888-1894; Hugh Munn was Postmaster for a few months until his death. Followed by:
1894 - Joseph McPherson
1902 - Mrs. Susan Munns
1906 - Joseph Norris
1908 - W. C. Burr.
Farewell had an Orange Lodge, #777, and an I.O.O.F. Hall, two churches, a school, and a Women’s Institute.
FAREWELL SCHOOL, S.S. #7
The log school was located on lot 13, con. 11, on the north-east corner. The first teacher was Robert Rooney who later became a minister. Later a frame school was built, and it was replaced in 1899, by the brick school.
FAREWELL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Was organized in May 1948, at a meeting held in Bethel United Church. The ladies had previously worked together as Wagram Red Cross group. They chose the Farewell name since it was the centre of their membership. First President was Mrs. Earl Kirkpatrick; first Secretary was Mrs. Harmon Mitchell.
Farewell Anglican Church
Early settlers attended services in Riverstown Anglican Church. In 1879, Farewell Community Hall was built, and used for worship until St. John’s Church was built on lot 13, con. 10, in 1892, and dedicated on October 23rd. Sheds for the horses were built the same summer. First minister was Rev. W. V. Bevan until 1897.
First served from Mount Forest, by 1905, the Riverstown minister was coming to Farewell. He organized a Sunday School, and a bell was installed. In 1910, they had their own minister, Rev. H. Smith, who was living in a local house. Then they were with Mount Forest and Riverstown again, until 1946, when Farewell was joined with Harriston. Their membership was closely knit, many were related, including the Allen, Craig, Morrison, Reid, Shaw and Thompson families. They had a good choir, a W.A., organized in 1907, and later, a Youth Group, APYA.
FAREWELL ANGLICAN CHURCH was closed on June 30, 1968, and most of the families joined St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Mount Forest. Ven. J.W. Robinson of Guelph, Archdeacon of Trafalgar, read the de-consecration for the closing service. An History of the Church was written by Mrs. Morrison Allen. The last minister was Rev. Franklin Leigh, who with his wife, celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on the occasion. They had served the Farewell and Harriston Churches for the past five years. Lunch was served by the Farewell and Harriston congregations.
One member was a local school teacher, and went on to become a minister, Rev. William Morrison, Jr.
The church was sold to the Mennonites and used for a few years. Then it was taken down, and used to build their new church on con. 6. The Mennonite School was built on the site of the old Farewell Anglican Church. The Church bell was given to the Anglican Church in Harriston.
FAREWELL BAPTIST CHURCH
The congregation was organized in 1888. It was erected beside the school on lot 13, con. 11, near the corner. Pastor Joseph Munt was ordained at Farewell and also served South Arthur and Harriston Baptist Churches. Farewell had 24 members, and first met in the homes. A new church was built in 1892.
The Church was closed in 1926, and sold in 1930, to George Thompson, to be used in building a new home.
BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Was built in 1895, on lot 17, con. 11, Arthur Twp. on land donated by Robert Harper. Prior to that date, church services were held in the homes. Other interested pioneers were John McLellan, Peter McLellan, and John Johnston. It was named, “Bethel House of God”. Rev. Dr. D.M. Ramsey assisted them in their application to Saugeen Presbytery. The Communion set was a gift from the Gaelic Church in North Arthur which had been closed in 1884. Membership was 100, and Rev. Ramsey held the first services. The next year it was placed on the East Normandy Charge. John McLellan was the first Sunday School Superintendent. Bethel went United in 1925.
In 1944, Bethel was placed on a circuit with Kenilworth, and Metz in West Garafraxa Twp., with the minister, Rev. Amos, living in the Kenilworth Parsonage. The church was closed in 1965. The Communion Table and Baptismal Font, given in memory of Herb Lytle, was donated to the Cotswold United Church. The property was sold and the church demolished in 1966.
BETHEL CEMETERY
The Oldest Cemetery in the area, was located almost across the road from Bethel Church. It is on lot 10, con. 11. First burial was in 1845. Duncan Sinclair made some improvements after 1925, at age of 100 years. J.J. McLellan began to trim up trees and was assisted by his nephew, a lawyer from Toronto. In 1964, restoration was completed with a new fence and gate.
