Pickering Museum Musings

Whisker Wednesdays

by M. Smiles

Mike Khashmanian in Whodunit?: It’s All Relative July 2007

Facial Hairstyle: Mutton-Chops. A style with large, coarse sideburns, resembling the cut of meat with fur still attached. The chin, neck and upper lip are shaved clean.

Mike Khashmanian is a board member of Backwoods Players Theatre Company at the Pickering Museum Village. Mike has sported various styles of facial hair for the roles he has portrayed as a member of Backwoods Players. He is the director of Whodunit?: Murder Under the Big Top which runs on July 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2012 at the museum village. For more information about this year’s Whodunit visit: http://www.cityofpickering.com/standard/lifestyle/museum/events_list.html.

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/museum/events_list.html

Whisker Wednesdays

by Mandy Smiles

Robert Greig c. 1852

Facial Hairstyle: Moustache. Big and bushy, beginning from the middle of the upper lip and pulled to the side.

Robert Greig (born 1829) came to Canada in the early 1850s with his wife Jane (Jean) Smith and settled on Lot 24, Concession 6 (Brougham) in the Township of Pickering.  ”Robbie” was a blacksmith.  Jane’s brothers would help him in the shop until they left Brougham to go to the US.   Robert and Jane had 9 children, three of these children remained in the area.  Robert died November 20, 1893 from swine flu.  Jane died June 14, 1913 at age 81. They are buried in St John’s Cemetery.

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/museum/events_list.html.

Photo courtesy of Pickering Public Library www.pada.ca

Photograph of John Smith at PMV Volunteer Appreciation April 18, 2012

Facial Hairstyle: Imperial Moustache.  This moustache is small and bushy with tips arching up.

John has been a resident of Pickering Village since 1954 where he, his parents & sister finally settled after coming to Canada from England. He has resided in West Pickering for the last 25 years. For the past 3 years you may have met him at the Duffins Creek General Store during Christmas in the Village where he portrays Father Christmas.

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

Whisker Wednesdays

Tintype of Robert Fuller, c. 1870.

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.

Robert and his wife, Frances Elizabeth (Eliza) Chappel came to Toronto in 1832. They had 3 boys, James, Henry and William. They began farming in Pickering Township. In 1852, they purchased their first farm on the south half of Concession IV, Lot 22. They bought land and eventually built a house and a barn in Brougham which in 1961 was still standing and being used. Both Robert and Eliza are buried in Brougham.

Grave Stones from Brougham:

• In memory of Robert Fuller died July 5, 1887 aged 78 y’rs & 4 mos A faithful friend a companion dear A tender parent lieth here Great is the loss we here sustain But hope in heaven to meet again
• Eliza wife of Robert Fuller who departed this life Aug. 21, 1876 aged 60 y’rs 10 mo’s 19 d’s Native of County Kent, England Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord In death’s cold arms lies sleeping here A loved mother, a companion dear At rest

The Pickering Museum Village has in it’s collection a 1930 Model A which was donated by Charley Fuller.

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

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