Page 7 - News On 7 Feb 2022

HAZZARD'S HISTORY NOTES

by Grant Ketcheson
JOHN and AGNES MOORCROFT
John Moorcroft, son of Robert and Nancy, was born in Scotland in 1819. When he was two years old, his family moved to
Randalstown, County Antrim, Ireland. In 1849, John, a weaver by trade, married Agnes Blakely from County Down. A year later,
their son William James was born.
In the spring of 1850, the Moorcrofts sailed for Canada, their aim being to join Agnes' family in Madoc Township. It was a
harrowing journey that, with seasickness, ice bergs and fog, took nine weeks. Landing at Quebec City, the immigrant
Moorcrofts eventually arrived in Belleville. John and Nancy, with baby William, made the trek to Madoc on foot, carrying all
their possessions. Family lore tells of them crossing the Moira River on stones at Bronson's Rapids. They must have been
exhausted by the time they reached the Blakely homestead on Lot 8, Concession 10, north-east of Madoc (on what is now
known as Hunt Club Road). What a reunion with parents and family members that must have been for Agnes!
John Moorcroft worked on farms in the area until, in 1871, he and Agnes were able to buy their own farm, up the road from the
Blakely's. With the help of a growing family of seven children, the Moorcrofts cleared the land and established a prosperous
farm. According to great-grandson Bob Moorcroft, Agnes was widely known for the beautiful flowers that she grew. This farm
was Agnes and John's home for the rest of their lives.
In pioneer communities, a school and a place of worship were of paramount importance. The centre of the community for the
Moorcrofts was the four corners known as Hart's Corners, almost two and a half miles from the farm. There, was situated the
school house that the Moorcroft children attended. This red frame building saw double duty as school and place of worship
for thirty years.
Apparently there were ongoing discussions in the community about the need for a church. At a meeting in the school in 1881,
there was the usual argument from some that they could not afford to build a church. The book “Pilgrimage of Faith” says:
“John Moorcroft, a man of 62 years, spoke. Men, he said, we can't afford not to build ourselves a church! All you who can
swing an axe be at our woods tomorrow morning and we'll start to cut the timber.” Land was donated by Squire Thomas Hart
and construction was begun in September. A newspaper account, dated July 13 1882, tells us that “the new Methodist
Episcopal church at Hart's Corners, a mile east of Mullet's Tannery will be open for public worship next Sunday.”
Agnes Blakely Moorcroft passed away in 1902 and her husband, John, fourteen years later at age 97. While members of the
Moorcroft family were faithful supporters of Hart's Church until its closing, the closest cemetery in Madoc Township was at
Hazzard's Corners. That is where John and Agnes were laid to rest, along with many of their family.
The impact of the Moorcroft family on Madoc Township can be measured by the fact that the second most common name on
memorials in Hazzard's Cemetery is “Moorcroft”. Descendants of John and Agnes, still committed to this community, remain
staunch supporters of Hazzard's Corners Church and Cemetery.

The memorial to Irish immigrants
Agnes Blakely Moorcroft, 1824-1902
John Moorcroft, 1819-1916 John and Agnes Moorcroft