Page 10 - July 2024 News On 7

HAZZARD HISTORY NOTES

by Grant Ketcheson
JACK AND MILLIE GUNN..... LIFE OF THE PARTY

Clan Gunn, one of the oldest Scottish clans, claimed an area in the far north of Scotland as its homeland. However, the
Gunn family that settled in Madoc Township came from Lanarkshire in a more southern region of Scotland.

While we have no record of the travels of William and Mary Walker Gunn, we know from the 1851 census that, by that
year, they had settled on a 50-acre farm in the seventh concession of Madoc Township, south of the present Madoc
Township School. William Gunn was listed in that census as a carpenter. William and Mary went on to have a family of
nine children, with their youngest, John, born in 1868. William died in 1871. As there is no record of his burial, we believe
that he was likely buried on the farm.

John Gunn and Amelia Embury (his future wife) attended S.S.#9, Burris School not far from home. John “Jack” married
Millie, whose family lived a mile up the road, on a farm now known as 139 Public School Road. On this farm were born
their four sons: Roy, Fred, Clifford and Percy.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, few travelled far from home. In winter, when farm work was at a
minimum, house parties were popular forms of entertainment. Even without the modern convenience of telephone,
word passed through the community as to the location of the next house dance and folks just showed up for an evening
of socializing and dancing. These parties sometimes went on into the early morning hours. Music was supplied by
someone from the area who had musical ability. This need for entertainment made Jack and Millie Gunn a popular
couple. With Jack on his fiddle and Millie at the piano or organ, the evening was sure to be a success!

Bob McCoy, then a Madoc Township resident
and later a shop keeper in the village, recalled
those times, “Jack and Amelia Gunn provided
the entertainment. Dances occurred every 2-3
weeks and ended in spring when good
weather took people outside. The gang would
pass a hat for the Gunns and they might walk
away with three dollars for the night!” Another
old-timer claimed, “They would dance to the
fiddling and calling of Jack Gunn. He could
carry on for hours, well into the morning.”

Jack and Amelia remained in the rambling,
unpainted farmhouse in which Millie was
born, until 1953, when they both passed away.
Along with their son, Percy, the Gunns are
buried in Hazzard's Cemetery. It is interesting
to note that, while the Gunn family is long-
gone from the community, a great-grandson
cherishes his roots and, along with his family,
regularly attends Hazzard's Corners Church
summer and Christmas services.