James Burnie
Images of the 2nd Generation
(In the above photo of the "Mansion House" hotel (now the "Belvedere") in Pefferlaw, James Burnie is seated on the steps in the foreground. It is almost the identical pose as in the photo above)
These are the only two images of James Burnie known to exist. and otherwise there is little else known about the man. . One source lists his birth place as Tyrone, Ireland, in about 1821 or 1823; however, it is certain that he lived most of his life in Georgina Township. The above photograph lists him as an "osler" (a handler of horses), which he may have been in 1889, but the 1863 Assessment Roll lists James as the owner and operator of the Morning Glory Inn (on the site of the present day Morning Glory School). The inn burned to the ground in 1872 or 1873.
What is also certain is that he married Marie (Mary) Anne Lowery in 1846–as the following document attests:
Once again, however, it is not certain whether the marriage took place in Orillia or Penetanguishene. The notation at the top suggests the former, but given that it is written in French it also suggests the latter. There is also a note on the bottom which says, "Information on marriage certificate ... from Ste. Ann's Church in Penetanguishene." However, the present Ste. Ann's Church was not built until 1881 (a mystery within a mystery).
Mary Anne Lowery continued to live in Georgina (Lot 18, Concession 5 - S/E corner of Morning Glory Road and Weir Sideroad) until she died of cancer, October 5, 1909, at age 80 years. She is described as a tall, sturdy woman with blonde hair, and was given to wearing a shawl around her head and shoulders. In addition, my father (Maurice Burnie) frequently related a tale about her ability to 'man handle' the lumber jacks who frequented the inn.