Ebenezer Birrell Biography

from "The Pickering Story" by William A. McKay, 1961, pp 201-202

BIRRELL - Ebenezer Birrell was born in Scotland in 1801 and came to Canada in 1834, locating on lots 9 and 10, Con. VII, his home being known as "Maple Hall." For many years he was one of Pickering's most prominent citizens. He was a man of superior eductaion and took an interest in all the life of community, He was president of the Pickering Agricultural Society during the years 1853 to 1859 and local superintendent of education in the years 1856 to 1865. For a time he held the position of Lieutentant-Colonel, commanding the 4th Battalion of Ontario Militiia. He was a member of Erskine Church. In later years he was an elder and session clerk of the Presbyterian congregation in Claremont. Mr. Birrell died on February 27th, 1888, in the 88th year of his age. The family were as follows: Jess (Mrs. True), John, James, David and Christina (Mrs. Arthur Johnston). In 1961 Maple Hall is still owned by the Birrells.

NOTE: This text copies the text of the biography on pages 223-224 of William R. Wood's 1911 "Past Years in Pickering" and augments it with the final sentence about the 1961 ownership of Maple Hall and changes what was the final sentence of the 1911 text: "The family are as follows: Jessie (Mrs. True), John (deceased), James (Claremont), David (on the old farm), and Christena (Mrs. Arthur Johnston, deceased 1886)."