Dunbar

Dunbar was a settlement in Williamsburg Township, Dundas County. The community was originally known as Sebastapol (or Sebastapool), named after the city in Crimea. The earliest mention of the name Dunbar is in reference to the years 1849 to 1853. During this period, George Rose, one of the first Dundas County natives to become a teacher, is recorded as having taught at S.S. No. 9, Williamsburg, which is described as "the schoolhouse at Dunbar."

 

It became a postal point in 1856 with William Beckstedt serving as the first postmaster. In 1865 A. Caryle served as postmaster till 1905. Historically, Dunbar served as a location for court cases.

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The Dunbar Presbyterian Church was built in 1873. Prominent figures in its construction included Thomas, Adam, and Mathew Carlyle, Sidney and Levi Thum, and Daniel and William McMillan. For a time, it was part of the Dunbar and Colquhoun charge. By 1972, the church was still active under Rev. T. H. Boyd. A Lutheran church was built in Dunbar in 1874 under the direction of Rev. Hippie.

 

The local schoolhouse was S.S. No. 9, Williamsburg, located at the Dunbar common centre in Concession 8. George Rose, one of the first Dundas County natives to become a teacher, taught there from 1849 to 1853. Andrew Allison, another longtime educator, later retired to his farm near Dunbar. The school closed in 1966, after which students were sent to Chesterville Public School.

 

As of 1905, Dunbar was a small hamlet with 50 residents.

• Local Businesses in 1905 included:

  • General Store: P. Devaney.

  • Blacksmith: David Webster.

  • Livestock Dealers: Arthur Barkley, Andrew Henderson, and Ashabie Weegar

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Sources:

Chesterville Record

Canadian Official Postal Guide

SDG Counties History

Upper Canada District School Board

Dundas County Directory