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MARKHAM FAIR PRESIDENT 1908

JAMES THOMAS BAIN MALCOLM (1855 – 1937)
 
by Myra Chepack

James was born in Canada in 1855 to John Malcolm and Letitia (Moyles).  He was one of seven children, with two sisters and four brothers.

James’ father  John ,was the third of seven sons born to Archibald Malcolm and Elizabeth Waddell, who emigrated from Scotland about 1834.  The family traveled by sailing ship to Kingston, Ontario and arrived in Scarborough by oxen team and wagon.  The elapsed time from the family’s arrival at Kingston until completing their journey to Scarborough is not known.  It can be assumed it was arduous, dangerous and exhausting however, with small children in tow as well as all of their worldly possessions.  For a time, prior to 1855, John operated an Inn called “Speed the Plow”, in Malvern Village where the Scarborough Fall Fair, was held in 1854.  In 1855 John purchased 99 acres of the original 300 acre tract his father Archibald owned on Sheppard Ave. approximately ½ mile east of Markham Road.  He named this part of Lot 17, Conc. 2, Clydebank and hosted the 1856 Plowing Match at his farm.  John died at the age of 34 in 1865, leaving five sons and two daughters, along with wife Letitia.  The ownership of Clydebank reverted to John’s mother, Elizabeth Waddell and was sold in 1873 for $7,300.00.

James was born in 1855, the third child of John and Letitia.  He became a carpenter and married Elizabeth Ann Murison (1859-1943).  They resided on Jerman Street, south of Joseph St. in Markham.  James played the organ at the old skating rink at Hwy. # 7 and Markham Rd. and stored the organ in the barn behind his house, when it was not in use. James and Elizabeth had a son William John in 1881, a second son Charles Alex in 1884 and a daughter, Annie Thynne in 1888.  James’ great grandson, Dr. Andrew McRae was the Director of the Research Institute at Oshawa General Hospital.  Daughter, Annie was a telephone company operator in 1911, according to the census.  James is listed as a proprietor of the Cedar Grove General Store, located at Lot 36, Conc. 9.  Exactly when and for what period of time is not known.  He also went on to sell fire and life insurance policies through Malcolm and Prentice Insurance.  An endeavor he was pursuing in 1935.  The historical reference book, Markham Remembered, shows James as a member of the Markham Unionville Lawn Bowling Club, competing for the A.J. Eckhardt Trophy, in 1912.

James, whose father John was an active exhibitor at the Scarborough Fall Fairs of the mid 1800’s, was the Markham Fair President of 1908, at the age of fifty-three and is pictured as a member of the 1925 Board of Directors, as well.

John’s brother Archibald, who married Sarah Jane Daniels, rented a farm on the south east corner of the 9th Line and 16th Avenue (to-day, this is a service station), where their nine children were born.  In 1901 they purchased a very fine farm on Hwy. # 7, west of Brougham, where they raised a dairy herd.  The sad remnants of a once proud property are visible in the original house which is still standing, at this writing.

The Malcolm family has flourished in Canada, with many of them still in the local area.  Their descendants have been true to their Scottish roots in carrying on the family names as well as marrying into the families of other pioneers in the area.

James Malcolm, Markham Fair President, is one link in a family connected to the land and the community.  He is also one link in the continuing history and commitment of the many Presidents who have served the Fair over the past 164 years.  It takes many links securely fastened to one another to create a strong, lasting chain  - Markham Fair, as a family and an organization is blessed with people who continue the tradition.

The archives committee would like to thank the curatorial staff at Markham Museum for their assistance in researching this article.  A special thank you is extended to Mary Glover, the Malcolm family historian whose expertise and dedication has resulted in a published chronicle which she has generously shared with the Fair Board and the Museum.