Telford, William Pattison
Pioneer Schoolmaster, Craftsman ~ 1797-1879
Telford was born in Bells, Northumberland England, the son of a Scottish shepherd. He attended lectures in Edinburgh and became a schoolteacher in the Village of Newcastleton Roxburghshire, Scotland. In 1840 with his wife and three young children he emigrated to Canada and took up residence in Dumfries Township near Galt, Canada West where he taught school for eight years. In the fall of 1848 Mr. Telford moved to Annan, North Sydenham Township to become the first schoolteacher in this pioneer community. He attained enviable notoriety, both as an excellent teacher and as a rigid disciplinarian.
Wm. Pattison Telford combined two talents not often common to one individual in that he was a scholar of note and a truly expert mechanic and craftsman. The works of his hands cover a wide range including musical instruments, furniture, ornaments and many useful household items. Each piece is in itself a work of art beautifully fashioned from native woods. He was also an expert engraver on silver and brass and a master of penmanship.
Wm. Pattison Telford is described in the History of North Sydenham as probably the busiest man in the whole pioneer community. In addition to his teaching duties he labours seemed to extend to almost every branch of mechanics. He was requisitioned to shape and inscribe tombstones, draft plans for buildings, make spinning wheels and reels and as a flutist played for all types of functions both grave and gay.
Additional Information: Grey Roots Museum & Archives
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