RENNIE, Rev. John - Presbyterian minister
Visited the Bell Farm on Aug. 10 and 11, 1883.
Rev. John Rennie was born in Scotland in 1830, and moved to Canada in 1847. He studied at Knox College (Presbyterian) in Toronto for the ministry. Rennie began missionary work in 1853 – mainly in Ontario. He married Ann (Mary) Taylor in 1857 (she was born in Newfoundland in 1840). They had 6 children by 1871.
Following is an extract from his Diary: Some technical problems prevent the full text from being copied.
"August 10 1883 After dinner I went to visit the celebrated Bell Farm. The main buildings are one mile and a half from Indian Head.
Walked out there and calling at Major Bell's residence was fortunate enough to find them both at home.The Major kindly showed me round the buildings and I afterwards walked out alone about a mile and a half northward on the farm. This farm consists of 64,000 acres of land being 10 miles square.It is owned by a company, Major Bell being the Managing Director. He was also the original projector of the great scheme.
It is scarcely more than one year since the commencement was made. Not a building was on the place 14 months ago. Now there is a large 2 storey stone residence occupied by Major Bell. A large round horse stable built of stone with stalls for 40 horses. A large granary capable of holding 30,000 bushels of grain, a large stable for cattle capable of holding about 100 head, a blacksmith's shop, henery, dog kennel & besides about 40 cottages for the laborers & their families.
Each cottage contains 5 rooms & are all covered with tin roofs. Beside each cottage is a small barn. This is the first year of any crops on the place & yet there are 1700 acres of oats, 1200 acres of wheat, besides about [blank] acres of other crops.The wheat & oats were sown on the sod after breaking & none of the land received any backsetting, and even the breaking was very badly done, yet there is a pretty fair crop, and Major Bell expects at least 20 bushels of wheat the acre.
The land will doubtless do better next year when it receives the proper cultivation. They expect to have 10,000 acres under crop next year. The work of breaking the prairie is going on every day and still more cottages are being erected. Wheat harvest is to begin next week (say 14th August). I saw 24 self binders standing in the yard ready for work, also 2 steam threshers. The binders are manufactured by Deering & Co. of Chicago. Major Bell says they are perfect - and that he has been fooled by Canadian machinery. It is not well made and costs more in the end than the American - - - - -
Saturday Aug 11. Spent forenoon in schoolroom writing till 11 o’clock.Then took a walk n.e. on Bell Farm. Saw finer wheat than yesterday. Called at two cottages. English families. Saw dam being made across coulie to make supply of water for stock. Water is said to be very difficult to get on the farm. At the new hotel a bore of 400 feet has been made without success- - - - - - - -
The Bell Farm is certainly a great institution and the prospects of success seem good. The Co. are building a large first class Hotel which they will rent. They are planting some 3,000 trees and they propose building a large elevator and Steam Mill at the Railway Station. I was given to understand that it is their intention to run the farm for five years, bringing as much as possible under cultivation within that time, then they will divide up into small farms of 160 or 320, giving cottagers first chance to buy say at about $25 or $20 per acre.
Each purchaser will receive with the improved land, a cottage and barn and crop put in. Each married laborer at present receives $35 per month with free house & one acre land. Unmarried men receive $35 per month and board at headquarters."
SOURCES:
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/PEOPLE/john-rennie.html
photo and bio (Rennie Papers/Weldon Library/ call letters B4359-4377,X) – Buxton National Historic Site and Museum website: “John Rennie, Buxton’s First School Teacher”
The Development of Canada's Staples 1867-1939 by Kevin H Burley, p. 77-78
RESEARCH BY:
Michelle Cabana, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.