Bridges of Whitestone
OUR HISTORICAL PROPERTY

Our property that is home to the Bridges of Whitestone Resort has an amazing story that has a wealth of untapped  history.  Our journey  searching the history, led both Jim and Cyndi to many late nights and long distance calls from hotel rooms while we were travelling.  Our excitement to have found a new piece of the puzzle was something we could talk about for hours and now we are thrilled to be able to share what we have learned with anyone who will listen!  Our location on the narrows of  Whitestone Lake have  allowed us to travel deep into the past and the founders of Dunchurch.   Years ago, the caves across the waterway were considered sacred to the Native Indians, where they celebrated and took shelter. The property was also celebration site to honour the Battle of the Boyne by the Loyal Orange Lodge .

With the help of  age old Census records, Local  Historians,an amazing man named 'Harry' and  local town and cemetery searches, we have been able to build on our story of the beginning of Dunchurch, Ontario.   George Kelcey, his mother Ann and his wife Lucy Ann  settled on the Land Grant Aquisitions in Canada from  Dunchurch, Rugby England over 150 years ago.  Kelcey is heralded as founder of  our town and a memorial plaque in his honour is located at the town Community Centre just across the road from what  became  known as  Mill Block 61.  Arriving in Canada on a land grant of over 700 acres in  1878, George and his wife set forth to establish this settlement known as Newcombe.  Later, the town was renamed Dunchurch in the Kelcey families honour, or it is also said to have been renamed by  George himself, in honour of his wife, Lucy Ann's birthplace. Occupying both sides of the narrows, as well as the other side of the lake across the bridge, he built a large home, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, and a mercantile. A Postal  Office was also located on the property and a designated 'stopping place'  Ironically, the name 'Shedden' means stopping place,  I guess we are destined to be here!  

 George Kelcey was also instrumental  in land donation and the  building of  the community centre that hosted many gatherings, town events and socials free of charge.  Our new community centre occupies this property now and also hosts the Dunchurch post Office.  Kelcey is also credited  with construction and donation of lumber of  the first school. The large, yet somewhat  gangly willows that adorn our waterway and shoreline  on both sides, as well as our  cottage three were brought over from George's native  England and planted by himself and his wife to designate a 'downtown' area.  Our trees, are well over 150 years old, please help us to treasure this piece of history . George and Lucy had many children over the years, all being born in the mother homeland of England and  residing in and growing up in our town. 

As far as we have documentation, we have found that  'Our" George Kelcey is a direct decendant of Sir Francis Drake ,   Gr. Gr. Grandparent!  Can you imagine, we are  connected to a "Sir'  !!!

 Unfortunately, George Kelcey's life was short when he met with terrible tragedy at Kelcey's Mill,  on our property at an early age of 42, June  16th 1884, whilst  watching a log come through the mill. He is remembered in a cemetary plot with a unique cross headstone in Fairholme  (on your way to Parry Sound)  We say good morning  George, every time we pass and thank him for the legacy he has passed on, and promise we will continue to  remember him and the good things he gave to this area.   His wife, Lucy Ann continued on in Dunchurch, raising children and  sadly loosing many of them along the years due to illness, which was prevalent in the day. Lucy Ann,sadly lost four children  that are documented in infancy, Henry Manning, Ellen Ann, William Holland, Walter Capell.  Kate was lost to the dyptheria epidemic that claimed 14 young lives from Dunchurch and eventually the  Doctor that  cared for them.  George H Kelcey, Edward Holland,Anne Lydia,Eliza Mary, and  Jane, 'Jennie' lived on.   Lucy Ann, saw the opportunity for the ever growing travels and busines of the  ' Great North Road'   This is now the  Hwy 124 where you are.  Edward, relocated to the growing area of Loring, where he married Lily Metcalfe, and remained there  into his senior years living a good life.   George and Lucy Ann's son,  George Guy Kelcey went on to the United States where he fought in both the first and second world wars, and went on to found one of the most prestigious and renowned  Enginerring Companies in the Wold,  Edwards  and Kelcey.  Yes, George Guy Kelcey was born here in Dunchurch, Ontario!  Google the company!

   Edward Kelcey's original homestead still stands in Loring, although in its last days.  No one has occupied the home since Edward's death.  Edward lived well into his nineties,  served as a  Captain in the Military and built a tourist lodge on Old Mirror Lake.  Lucy Ann resided in Dunchurch late into life and then traveled to find her family.  Our search for  living family has been exhaustive,  and recently we  are thrilled to have located  George Kelcey's great, great granddaughter and family  in New Jersey.  Our local historian, John Macfie has generously offered us a display of pieces that he has collected and were once owned by George Kelcey and his family.  Our soon to be specialty store , hosting all of our cottagerrs requests, will be named in honour of the Kelcey family,   Kelcey's Mill and Mercantile will be opening in the spring of 2011. At the waterfront, we will also host local artisans and crafters . The family of George Kelcey Sr, five generations later has been very generous in offering donations of memorabilia of the family in honour of George Guy Kelcey,  New Jersey , our George's grandson.  Steve Windsor of Windsor Welding in Loring, has donated artifacts from the former home of Edward Kelcey in Loring, Ontario so that the family legacy lives on in Dunchurch Ontario, here, at the  Bridges of  Whitestone.  Jim and I, as amateur historians, love to share what we have discovered and the history that surrounds this wonderful property. If you would like to learn more, just ask!  and if we  try to talk your ear off,  tell us!  we get  so wrapped up in this!

Our wonderful property, seems to host wonderful spirits from the past, every once in a while we feel that George gives us a  visit, or one of his family, 'passes thru' and we welcome those spirit visits with happy greetings.  The friendly spirits that  seem to  visit, simply appear to remind us that the Kelcey family shall never be forgotten, and we  promise them .... they will always live on here in  Downtown Dunchurch!   Our loving Newfoundland Dog, the resident greeter and the best mooch in town,  is aptly named ... Kelcey!

 

disclaimer:  all of the information we have located is by searches. We make no claim to being historians, and cannot authenticate that this is factual.