1866-1900Local GovernmentThe Municipal Act of 1849 introduced complete self-government to municipalities, with an elected township council headed by a reeve, or mayor. The Town rented a building from Braddish Billings in 1859 to house the Council and its activities until a frame hall could be built. As the government’s needs expanded, the town built a new brick hall on land purchased from Sally Billings in 1874. The Municipal Loan Fund Act of 1852 allowed municipalities to receive funds for local improvements, roads, bridges and railways, and gave even more financial freedom to municipalities. The council also supervised financial matters, such as levying taxes, revising the assessment rolls and granting licenses. Events, Organizations and SocietiesThe Village of Billings Bridge had a lively community spirit. Religious societies such as the Orange Lodge, the sons of Temperance and the Foresters developed, reflecting an increased feeling of social awareness and a greater sense of social need. The Orange Order championed Protestant causes, and held meetings or parades to voice their concerns. The order was able to build a hall in Billings Bridge after the Billings family granted the trustees a parcel of land. The Sons of Temperance was an organization of men who pledged complete abstinence from all alcoholic drinks - liquor, wine or beer.
The Foresters was an order of men who advocated the Catholic religion, and acted as an insurance company for its members - Health insurance, death benefits and pensions were provided to members. The Gloucester Agricultural Society was formed in 1854 as a result of the close connection of religion and agriculture in the region. The Billings Bridge Village, as a farming community had a large following in this Society, which served as a forum to discuss matters pertaining to agriculture. The Society also held annual agricultural fairs, from as early as 1860. During such events as the Gloucester Agricultural Fair, neighbours came together for fun and activities, and entered their handy-crafts, livestock or machinery into contests to increase their social prestige and visibility. ReligionCensus reports for 1871, 1881, and 1891 show that the Billings Bridge populace represented several religious denominations. French Catholics and Irish Catholics comprised the largest group, (and were differentiated in the census), followed by significant numbers of Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians, and smaller numbers of Quakers, Unitarians, Apostolics, and Baptists. The later half of the 19th C. saw increased church construction, beginning with Sabra’s Knox ‘Free Church’ in 1865, which could hold 250 people. Sally built a Methodist Church when the need arose in 1890 - Billings Bridge had become a separate Methodist circuit in 1889.
Trinity Church Mission was formed in Billings Bridge in 1876, when a special vestry meeting was held with the intent of forming a new Church of England Mission. Sabra Billings sold the Mission its first Rectory, in the form of a small wooden two-storey home across the street – it cost $400 cash. In 1879, Father Magnan began the first Catholic Services, held monthly in the schoolhouse. The Archbishop of Ottawa established a parish at Billings Bridge in 1886 and a church was built that same year. In 1887 a cyclone damaged the church and a new wood and brick version replaced it in 1889. In 1900, a Jewish community began to form in Billings Bridge Village, as part of a larger geographical immigration and migration trend. Immigration added to the social fabric of a community and made a significant contribution to the demographics in Billings Bridge. |
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