Dornoch: or is it Smithville? 

Dornoch: or is it Smithville? Originally it was Smithville, then it became Dornoch. But, surprise it is still, in reality Smithville!

During the early years of settlement in this region the community of Smithville was an important stop for travellers on the Garafraxa Road between Guelph and Owen Sound. Today, travellers barely slow down as they pass through this tiny hamlet. 

Smithville was established by James Smith, who may very well have been the first settler in Bentinck Township. Smith and his two sons arrived in what would one day be Grey County in the early 1840s. 

As they wandered through the area, they came across a location which featured a beautiful little river meandering through the countryside. The scenery reminded them of their homeland in Scotland and this led them to the decision to establish their homes in that location. They headed to Sydenham (Owen Sound) to stake their claim. The three 50-acre plots they selected were located where the boundaries of four Grey County townships meet. 

The Smiths selected sites in Glenelg, Holland and Bentinck. The fourth corner, in Sullivan Township, had already been claimed by John McIntosh and his family. The elder Smith's home became a centre of activity for the area settlers. Travelling clergymen were welcome to stay in the home and conduct services there. 

Included among the many men of the cloth who enjoyed James Smith's hospitality was Bishop John Strachan. The community around the four corners came to be known as Smithville. Due to Smithville location, between Durham and Williamsford, it was an ideal resting place for weary travellers heading into the area looking for a place to settle. 

At first, travellers were welcomed into the homes of area residents, but before long a hotel was opened by Bartholomew Griffen. As a result, Smithville came to be known as Griffen's Corners. Some travellers stayed in the area, establishing farms and businesses. It was not long before Smithville or Griffen's Corners, as it was more popularly known, boasted two shoemakers, a doctor, two blacksmiths, a wheelwright, three stores and two sawmills as well as the hotel for weary travelers 

In the 1860s there were rumours that a railroad line would be built through Smithville on its way to Owen Sound. This possibility led some to speculate in land in the area. However, when it was learned that the line of steel would pass through the area to the east of Markdale many of the investors left Smithville. 

Dornoch Replaces "Smithville"
or Did It?

In 1880 a post office was opened in Smithville. The first postmaster was Phillip McIntosh, a merchant in the community. He was the son of John McIntosh who had settled on the Sullivan Corner of the community in 1842. Before the post office was opened it had to have a name. This would prove to be a problem because there was already a Smithville post office in Ontario so the community would have to choose a new name. 

The postmaster, Phillip McIntosh, chose the new name after his father’s home town in Scotland. The community which had formerly been called Smithville or Griffen's Corners now became Dornoch. Although the road signs all proclaim that you are entering Dornoch, there is still another irony surrounding the name of the community. According to Farm Lanes of Bentinck, the soon to be released new history of Bentinck Township, Smithville is still the legal name of the community! 

The information used in this article came from many sources. However, Farm Lanes of Bentinck, 1850 - 2000 was of primary importance. This new history of Bentinck Township will be a available for purchase for the first time at the Come Home To Bentinck Weekend festivities on Aug. 5.

A version of this article originally appeared in my Local History column in the Owen Sound Sun Times on July 21, 2000

1. History Articles
›
2. History Pages
›
3. Dornoch or is it Smithville?

More Grey County Pages

12-year-old Walks to Owen Sound in 1851 from the journal of a teenage boy's experience travelling with his brother in the untamed Upper Canadian wilderness.

1st Grey County Building in 1852 was only built after many hurdles were overcame.

Dr. Anna Henry  from Markdale, was a medical trailblazer for women doctors in Canada, who helped lay the groundwork for the establishment for Women's College Hospital.

Egremont Township endured the usual growing pains of a pioneer community, but its early history records times when it was embroiled in a few contentious issues. 

Euphrasia Township in the early years when spelling the name was a problem for those who called it home and those that wanted settle this new Grey County township.

Georgian Bay's 1st pioneer settler arrived on the western shoreline long before any other settler reached the area.

Grey County Heritage: A Valuable Resource which is rich and varied, as an important resource for future use for business, political, and many other purposes.

Grey County's Creation in 1852, laid the framework for organizing a county in the last wilderness in the southern region of what would become in the future the province of Ontario.

An Unlikely Hero From Grey County (Part 1) found his way from the farming community of Flesherton to missionary work in the Ottawa Valley, and beyond.

An Unlikely Hero Vs. The KKK (Part 2) Our hero from Grey County took his missionary zeal south of the border and ultimately crossed paths with the infamous KKK!

Barn Raising: A Pioneer Economic and Social Necessity as it provided settlers with an opportunity not only to build a barn, but also build a community.

"Barring Out": A Pioneer School Tradition was a custom which the settlers brought to the new world from England, or Scotland.

Ceylon Ontario: How it Got its Name: It is always interesting how a community got its name, but I doubt any place received its name from a more unique source!

Chatsworth Ontario: First Settlers took advantage of fulfilling the needs of pioneer travellers and built a thriving community in the Upper Canadian wilderness.

Clearing Trees a Daunting Task for Settlers as they worked to fulfill their obligations for their land grant.

Dornoch: or is it Smithville? Originally it was Smithville, then it became Dornoch. But, surprise it is still, in reality Smithville!

First Pioneer in Durham: Archibald Hunter established his family, and a hotel, in what would become the centre of the town of Durham.

Durham Ontario Influenced by the Saugeen River. This river provided a means to create new industries, but especially in the spring it can also pose a menace to the community.

Grey County Bylaws to the 1890s reveal a lot about the financing of local government, especially education in the early days of the region.

John Muir, the legendary naturalist, who promoted the idea of protected nature spaces, spent time in Ontario and I went to help find evidence of his stay in the Owen Sound area.

A Heroic Woman From Grey County who made great changes as a doctor in China in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Jesse James: In Grey County? An interesting question. Did the notorious gangster hide out in Proton Township? We will never know. But it is fun to speculate!

Kilsyth's Train Engine was one for the history books. It brought an evening of joy followed by disappointing news soon after.

The Knight's of Meaford have long history in that Grey County community. Their business forged by early settlers employed many locals and supported the economy.

Leith: Tom Thomson's Birthplace is part of the rich heritage of this community located on the east shore of the Georgian Bay north of Owen Sound.

The Leith Golf Course has provided many families with great memories. The history of this golf course starts, and ends, with the generosity of one family.

Agnes Macphail was a political trailblazer in a part of Ontario that one could hardly expect such radical action for the era in a rural region.

Markdale Ontario: The Beginning: originally known as Glenelg East, but the coming of the railway and the name of owner of the land for the station led to a change of identity.

Meaford's history is one of hardy and entrepreneurial pioneers carving their lives out of the wilderness of what would become Grey County.

Meaford Ontario, first called Peggy's Landing located on the shores of Georgian Bay has a rich history.

Meaford vs Purdytown. Conflict over the name of a new community was not unusual in early Grey County but electing a school trustee was the "hot button" issue in this rivalry.

Pioneer Clergyman: John Neelands was the first to minister to the first settlers' spiritual needs riding on horseback through the wilds of early Grey County.

Pioneer Doctor: Dr. James Smith, a local boy who became a doctor and served his community for his entire life was a testament to Grey County community spirit.

Pioneer Healthcare in Grey and Bruce counties was not administered by doctors, nurses, or pharmacists, no it was the responsibility of the women of the community.

Pioneer Homes in Grey County in the 1840s offered only basic amenities. Homes were basic because clearing the land to earn a living to survive were of paramount importance for those embarking on a new life.

Pioneer Ingenuity created many labour saving devices and methods and quite often helped to create a sense of community.

Pioneer Christmas: A Family Tradition as told to me by may grandparents who experienced Christmas as children in the 1880s and 1890s.

Pioneer Settlement Plans for Grey County began almost two decades before the rest of Grey County was available for settlement.

A pioneer road surveyor's impact on the local history of Grey and Bruce counties could have been dramatic, if it had not been changed by another surveyor.

Pioneer Teachers in Grey and Bruce Counties had a long and arduous task, not to mentions strict and confining job requirements for very little salary.

Plowing Match in Grey County in 1933 the first International Plowing Match held in Grey and Bruce counties and it's success led to more such events in Grey.

Settling Osprey Township: Parts of Osprey were considered too rugged to settle, but today they are prime real estate because of the great view!

Swamp College: Proton Township: this colourfully named institution of education in Grey County has provided many stories to the heritage of the region.

Sydenham Township's First Council undertook the often difficult task of creating a new municipal infrastructure.

The Impact of Snow is not what is Used to be! As snow removal equipment has improved the impact of snow on our lives has reduced significantly from previous eras.

Unique Characters: Nathaniel Herriman lived in Grey County and owned an inn to provide food and and accommodation to early travellers. Each day he performed a unique practice.

Unique Maps: Quilts Guided the Underground Railroad to enable runaway slaves to escape to Canada and freedom from the shackles that enslaved them.

The Women's Institute is a group of rural women that has made a difference to the quality of both urban and rural life in Grey County and across the country.