Photograph of David Birrell c. 1879
Facial Hairstyle: Neckbeard. An old beard that is grown only on the neck and worn without a goatee or moustache. Also known as a scarf, trevor or throatee. Pejoratively, a beard grown to hide a double chin. He also has a moustache, which appears to be of the Hungarian style.
David Birrell (1842-1927) is the youngest son of Ebenezer Birrell. David farmed the southern half of Lots 9 and 10. He was involved in importing and breeding Clyde horses, Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep. He worked with Arthur Johnston importing Shorthorns; however, once their partnership dissolved he continued to give attention to breeding and maintained a good herd of Shorthorns. In 1868, he married Catherine Johnston. Three years after marrying Catherine, David moved one wing of old Maple Hall westward and then made an addition to it. David and Catherine had five children. Robert, the youngest of David’s children continued farming the land once David died. Robert’s wife Mildred, carried on until 1963 when she sold Maple Hall.
The Pickering Museum Village has the boots and surveyor chains from Ebenezer Birrell in our Collection. Ebenezer was a land surveyor trained in Scotland.
Register for the 2nd Annual Beard & Moustache Competition at PMV’s Duffins Creek Spring Fair event. Find out more or download a registration form here: http://www.cityofpickering.com/standard/lifestyle/index.html
Courtesy of Pickering Public Library www.pada.ca
