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Robert Eugene Macfie |
Nina Virginia Anderson 1887-1976 |
Robert was born Sept. 28 1885, in little yellow farm house north of Creller farm, in St. Georges de Clarenceville parish, Quebec . The house originally inhabited by his great grandfather Peter Creller and at one time occupied by Rev Reid and Almira Creller, who were gifted the farm and home by Peter so long as they looked out for him and his daughter Ann Sylvia until their deaths.
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The house became the farm labour's residence as years went on. It was left to abandon in the late 1960's and finally in disrepair was torn down and a new modern hose was built on its foundations in 1996. One out building that of a small pig or chicken house remains today, and is being made use of by the new owners of the property. The ooorigianl home was built in the 1820's.
At the death of Rufus Creller, George and Josephine, along with their children Robert (later given the nickname Robin) and Wessy moved into the Creller residence on North Beech Road, and from that day forward the place became known as the Macfie farm. Robin and his sister were attended to by Alice Chew, an English au pair girl who was one of many sent over to Canada from the poorest of poor conditions then existing in England and who had been working in the Creller residence for some time. ( I have in my possession a book given to Alice, in which is written " To Alice with best wishes from E R Chelles (Creller) New York Nov. 12th 1897) ( In a recorded public document dated 8th June 1893 Alice Chew is mentioned as the adopted daughter of the Testatrix, the Testatrix being Emily Louisa (Bush) Creller)
Robin was educated at the Clarenceville Academy, where he graduated with honors in 18.. Robin we must assume had duties on the farm and his father now had some 150 acres to look after. We have records indicating that Robin joined the Militia group of which his father was in charge and rose to the rank of Lieutenant ( 6th Duke of Connought's Royal Canadian Hussars). This was a prosperous time for the Clarenceville area, many things were happening and many of the residents of Clarenceville were involved in this new and improved lifestyle.
Robin's cousins the Kemp brothers had become involved in a large enterprising industry, which lead to Edward Kemp's involvement in the gouvernment, accepting a position of Overseas Ministry of Militia and later accepting a knighthood and taking place in the Senate of the Canadian Government. Relatives on the Creller side had moved west to undertake and manage mining operations, relations on the Macfie side had spread of across the North American continent and had become involved in many enterprising operations. The world was changing moving along at quick speed, and all this was influencing the young lad of 20 some years of age.
As Clarenceville had always been aware of the goings on in the world, not just their little county area, Robin would certainly have been up on all the developments of the day. We had been told that Robin began his career as a salesman, selling buggy whips and accessories manufactured by a Smith relative of Mystic Qc and thus he traveled the countryside meeting people as he pushed his goods. In the genealogy research that has been done it has been shown that Robin's Uncle Luther was indeed involved in the carriage trade, first working for Frost & Wood, Agents for Canada Carriage Co, then joining with a partner under the trade name of Phelps & Smith , agents for Wortman & Ward Co. Ltd. Luther Smith, no doubt brought his young nephew into the trade as a sales agent , in the promotion of this carriage trade. Certainly it would have provided Robin with the possiblity of travelling the country side, meeting the people, involving himself in the busines of the day, futhering his education at the same time. It is quite evident that the old story that my grandfather sold buggies, " bodies by Fisher " had some truth to it. ( this saying " body by Fisher ", came into more evidence as the carriage trade developed into the automobile trade, and Robin had gotten himself in at the beginning)
In 1911 we find Robin working for Willaim Gray & Sons Ltd, carriage makers on St Paul St , Montreal , living apparently in an appartment at the place of business, perhaps a flat above the shop or some thing similar. His uncle Luther, had left the partnership of Phelps & Smith, joining William Gray & Sons as manager, leading to a long career in thier employ. As often happened in those days, the ever concerned uncle, brought his young apprentice along with him . For Robin this was the beginning of a long career which became " the indusrty of the time " providing him with an endearing position, allowing him to end his days in 1966 as Secetary with Modern Motor Sales Ltd an automobile dealership for Chrysler products .
Robin met Nina Virginia Anderson of Howick through some creative match making by Margaret Loynahan, Nina's aunt. Both young people were invited up to Aunt Margaret's cottage in Ste Adele as were another couple who were to make things less conspicuous and they presented to one another. Things from that point moved along and matured, and Robin and Nina were married in 1912 . Robin of course gave up his room at his place of business , 586 St Paul St, ( old Montreal) and moved to Selby St. in what was then the lower Westmount area of Montreal. His first two children George Murray and Margaret Helen were born in the Selby St. apartment. Robert Arthur the third son was born after the family had moved to 1173 Hope Avenue, where the family spent the next 40 years.
Chronological listing of Robin's Montreal residences
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Fiftieth wedding anniversary pictures Robin & Nina Macfie, at country home Clarenceville
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Robin Macfie
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Arthur |
The whole 9 yards |
Family reunion |
Dinning room Clarenceville |
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Family & guests |
Family & guests |
Family |
Family & guests |
Family & guests |
Family & guests |
Family |
In 1968 the city of Montreal was expropriating land along Dorchester Blvd. in order to widen the street and they purchased the apartment block that Robin owned. At that time both Robin's sons were living in St. Lambert Quebec, so he and Nina moved to the Victoria St. apartment where they remained until 1976, the year of the death of Nina. After the death of Nina, Robin went to live with his son Murray in St. Regis, Que. His mind was being affected similarly to an Alzheimer patient and his actions were more of less irrational. in 1977 Robin passed away and was buried in the Union Cemetery in Clarenceville, the place of his birth.
With the death of Robin Macfie, the Macfies of Clarenceville ceased to be a part of that area. The family had been there for a span of 153 years. 1824 -1977 the Macfies had influenced much of the region's development , they had participated to the fullest in the community, now the only time a Macfie returns, they return to be buried .
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Robin Macfie
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The Grain shed
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Seldom photo taken
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Front entrance
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Robin Macfie at
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Gordon Macfie.
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Cousins Brian Meeks
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The homestead farm which had been created by his great grand father Peter Creller, improved by his grandfather, and left to his mother, was to become Robin's as he was the only male child of the union. Unfortunately , the homestead became more of a hobby farm, Robin being involved in the affairs of the day had little time to devote to farming and its ever increasing demands. At first, while his mother remained in Clarenceville after the death of his father in 1921, the daily operations were handled by work hands who were now provided lodging in the old yellow farm house, ( the original home of Peter Creller). As it became eveident that these work hands were not always providing the proper or necessay effort to make the farm functional, let alone profitable, Robin made several , I would imagine difficult decisions, first the animals were sold off , then the seeding operations were halted, and work hands were no longer hired.
The farm became more of a dormant estate the fields were rented out to other local farmer, the equipment sold and the barn used to store hay, which was for several years marketed to the USA. Robin and his family became week end visitors, spending thier holiday periods during the summer months only. The little yellow farm house was left in desrepair, left to weather the times, until finally it was sold and torn down ( not until after Robin's death however ) .The main house was now closed during the winter months , Robin's mother Josephine taking up residence in Montreal ( usually in an appartment located also on Hope Ave ) with reopening coinsideing with the May 18, the Queen's birthday .
Robert Eugene Macfie's home in Clarenceville remained in the family for several years after his death, being used still as a summer get away by his three children Murray, Margaret and Arthur. There had been several break-ins during the periods when the house had been closed for the season, but the last one was the worst, as most all the furniture was cleared out by the intruders, furniture that had been acquired since the death of Peter Creller in 1870 , furnishing that had been acquired since the death Rufus Creller in the later 1888 , furniture that had been added by Josephine ( Creller) Macfie during her lifespan of 86 years.
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Click the buggy to review the notes concerning the William Gray & Sons Co. Ltd, carriage makers , Robin's second employer
A short story of Modern Motor Sales Ltd
1400 Dorchester Boul, Montreal, Quebec
(circa 1950)
P O Messier who was President & General Manager of Modern Motor Sales Ltd. Began his career with the company ( as best could be determined from information in the Lovell's Montreal Directory) in 1924- 1925, as he listed himself as a salesman at Modern Motor Sales Co, he was then residing at 2609 St Denis St.
In the 1925 - 1926 Directory P O Messier is listed as Sec/Tres & Manager at Modern Motor Sales Ltd , he was then living at 7045 St Denis.
Before 1924, P O Messier listed himself as an "Organizer" , with no reference to any company what so ever. The first record in the Lovell's directory is 1919 where a Pierre O Messier is listed as a machinist, the following year he is listed as an agent, then next as an " Organizer" until he joins with Modern Motor Sales Ltd.
At that particular time William Gray Sons - Campbell Ltd appears to cease business, and Modern Motors Sales Ltd comes into being. I have been unable as of 2006 to obtain any records of a change of name, or an incorporation record of Modern Motors Sales Ltd, so exactly how this company was created in an unknown
Arthur N Goodwin who became Asst Gen Manager of Modern Motor Sales, appears to have joined the company in the 1931-1932 period ,(once again according to information culled from the Lovell's Montreal Directory). Mr Goodwin joined the firm as a salesman a position in which it appear he remained until 1943/1944 when he became Asst Manager.
W Russel Newell, who became Vice-President of the firm, joined Modern Motor Sales Ltd , in 1936/1937 as a clerk. He quickly assumed the position of Asst Sec in 1941, and continued on in this position until 1950 when it appears he was promoted to Vice President.
Robert Eugene Macfie, ( Robin) ,my grandfather, who retired from Modern Motor Sales Ltd as Secretary, had joined the original firm of William Gray & Sons Co. Ltd in 1911 when he first arrived in Montreal. , from his home in Clarenceville. He began his career as book keeper, then assumed the position of accountant as the company grew through William Gray & Sons - Campbell Ltd. ,to Gray-Dort Motors Ltd and then to Modern Motor Sales Ltd. (representatives for Dodge , DeSoto and Chrysler Corporation ) when he assumed position of Secretary (1930/1931). Robin spent some 55 years of his life with this one particular outfit remaining steadfast controlling the financial end of things as the company changed around him .
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( Circa 1930 )
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The above named gentlemen are seated in the front row
Robin Macfie can be found on the left of P. O . Messier
(spearated by the two lovely ladies)
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Helen Margaret was named after her grandmother on her mother's side
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Gail Meeks
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Cousins Gail Meeks
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Gail Meeks Nina Macfie
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Gail Meeks
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Most of the Macfie family at Arthur's home on Curzon in St Lambert Qc
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Arthur, Gordon and Miriam
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Authur, Gordon & Miriam Musically inclined the Macfie family
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Lloyd Johnson's Band -1940 |
Hopkins's Band 1944 |
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(Photo taken by David R Clendennings)
Hopkin's Band 1944 - Johnny Gibbons (tromb) , Art Macfie ( trumpet) , Don Hopkins ( trumpet) : Guy Lapierre ( tennor ) , Doug Michard ( 1st Alto) , Art Adams ( 2nd Alto) : Archie Macaskill ( drums), Stan Thompson ( piano), Lloyd Damant ( bass)
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