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John
Halliday
John Halliday - Photos
of His Homestead on the Scotch Line
A Forthright Man
"He was
a forthright man,
who knew what he wanted,
and never hesitated to say it."
by
Clarence Halliday
November, 1962
Text retyped by
Tom Carmody,
grandson of Elizabeth Maye Holliday
1997
FORWARD
Writing this story of my
great-grandfather has been a hobby of my retirement years. It
makes no pretence to be important. John Holliday was not a national
figure. Only his descendants - and not all of them - can be expected
to have any interest in the story of his life. That story has,
however, prompted an interest on my part in the Hallidays who
are his descendants. Perhaps some day I may complete their family
tree already begun and issue another booklet, a companion to
this one.
I am indebted to many individuals
without who help the story could not have been written. Chief
among them are the descendants of the Scotch Line pioneers -
the Hallidays and others. Since they are too numerous to list
here, I hope they will collectively accept this expression of
my thanks.
From four public institutions
I received courteous treatment as I searched for relevant material.
There were the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa; Queen's University
Library, Kingston, Ont.; the Burgh Museum and the Ewart Library,
Dumfries, Scotland. To their respective curators my thanks are
due.
A visit to Scotland was
the most rewarding single effort. There I had the privilege of
exploring Annandale and locating specific places associated with
John Holliday's life in his native land. My success was largely
due to the help generously given me by local residents. I cannot
hope to repay them, I can only try to thank them. To Mr. and
Mrs. William Orr, Boreland; Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Alexander, Corehead;
the Rev. J.C. Lough and Rev. Geo. C. Campbell, parish ministers
of Hutton and Moffat, respectively; the Rev. Adam Forman, Dumcrieff,
and Major W.A.J. Prevost, historian of Dumcrieff, my indebtedness
is great and my thanks sincere.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge
the support I have had in this project from my son, Dr. Bruce
Halliday. Not only was he an efficient chauffeur as we travelled
the roads of Annandale and an invaluable colleague as we read
the family records in library, church, or church-yard there,
but he has maintained a continuing enthusiasm for the family
history. It is only fitting that this story of his great-great-grandfather
should be dedicated to him.
Cobourg, Ontario
November, 1962
Clarence Halliday
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