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PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1979, WHITBY FREE PRESS isrica Winters Historie a w Whitby aY OWIN (Part One) This week we begin a series of columns on the life of May Irwin, one of the most famous actresses, singers and comediennes of the 1890s and early 1900s on the Broadway stage. One,may well ask what a New York actress has to do with Whitby, but she was born and brought up in Whitby and always considered Whitby her home, long after she left the town for Buffalosat the age of 13 to seek her fortunein the theatre. The story of May Irwin's Whitby connections is not well know, and there are facts that have disappeared with time. However her association with two well know Whitby families is important to understand. Her real name was not May Irwin; it was a stage name. She was born Georgia or Georgina May Campbell, daughter of Robert E. Campbell and Jane Draper. Robert Campbell was a logger and later an express agent in Whitby. His father was John Campbell, who settled near Brooklin in the 1840s. John Campbell had been a Member of Parliament in the Bay of Quinte area in his early days, and lived tO a ripe old age. Jane Draper, May Irwin's mother, was a sister of Chester Draper, the owner of Whitby harbor and one of the richest men in the town. . He lived in a mansion at Centre and James Streets, known to older Whitby residents as Burr Lodge. Both Chester Draper and John Campbell died in 1876, and this may have been a factor in May Irwin's decision to leave Whitby. As far as is known, Robert Campbell and Jane Draper had five children: Georgia May Campbell, Adeline Flora Camp- bell, and Chester, Allan and Frank Campbell. It is believed that May Irwin (Georgia May Campbelli was born on a farm in the rural part of Whitby Township. Her birthdate was June 27,1862. Some time when she was very young, the family moved into a house in Whitby on Byron Street North. This house was located behind the Carnegie Library, and was demolished in 1971 for a parking lot. The library is now the Canada Manpower Centre at Dundas and Byron Streets. It is a bit of a mystery why the Campbell family was poor, and Robert Campbell failed in business about 1874, when -Mrs. Campbell's brother was one of the richest men in town. The house the Campbells lived in was rented from Chester Draper, and as far as is know, the Campbelis never did own their own home. Look yourself up Are you, listed correctly in the phone book? If not, please tell us now! We are getting ready to print the new book. Look up your present listing in the white pages. Then, if you want a change, call us at 576-9101 or the Bell Canada business office number listed in the directory. A charge may apply depending on the type of change you request. Ask about charges when you call, and be sure to call before August 1st.* *Changes to bold face listings must be made before July 18th. Be l Georgia Campbell and her sister Adeline enjoyed singing, and for three years they sang in the choir at All Saints' Anglican Church. They also had an interest in the stage from an early age, and billing themselves as "May and Flo Irwin," they sang songs at various publie entertainments in Whitby. It is said that the "Irwin Sisters" were among the acts at the last show in the Mechanics Institute hall before it burned dowjn in November 1873. This hall was located on the south-east corner of Byron ani Mary Streets. May and Flo Irwin gave speeches and recitations at what they desèribed as "the little red school house". It is not know which school in Whitby this was. Later the girls were sent to St. Cecelia's Convent in Port Hope, which by the name sounds like a Roman Catholic School, although the girls were Anglicans. This is another one of the mysteries of May Irwin's youth. May Irwin would often visit her'rich uncle Chester Draper ai his mansion, but the Campbell family always remained poor. When May Irwin was about 13 or 14 in 1875 or 1876, her fathei failed in business, and the family could no longer afford to send the two girls to school in Port Hope. It was at this time that May and Flo Irwin left Whitby for Buffalo to join the theatre. Both girls succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, but it was the oldest sister, May Irwin, who became the more famous and was known in the "Gay Ninties" as "The Toast of Broadway-." (Next week: May Irwin's early theatrical career). BGQueen 's Park ~~I2P By GSeoie iP.P. Repo from Usually my columns centre on one particular program or policy of the Government of Ontario. This week I'd like to give my constituents a sessional overview of what the Government has accomplished these past few months and what will be developing during the summer. By the end of June, when the House recessed for the summer, 91 Government Bills had been introduced. Of these, 78 received Royal Assent. The remaining 13 have been left on the Order Paper for debate in the next session. Many of the bills passed into law reflect the initiatives which the Government had outlined in its Speech from the Throne at the beginning of the Session. Such initiatives were directed at economic development, éonsumer protection and at improving the working environment. Many other undertakings will benefit the people of Ontario as well. The Gift Tax and Succession Duty Tax have both been repealed. Youth Employment will receive $79 million, creating 70,000 jobs for youth in the province. Senior Citizens and the needy will continue to receive the benefits of Ontario's Drug Benefit Plan. The new landlord, tenant legislation extends rent control and guarantees protection of the rights of both landlords and tenants. Atid the new food prices monitoring and reporting program will operate across the province and keep consumers informed about the status of grocery prices on a monthly basis. The busy agenda that began last Spring will continue right through the summer months. During this time seven all-party committees of the Legislature will probe issues relating to such matters as nuclear energy, environmental protection and education, to name a few. Such' discussion will prepare Committee members for full debate of these concerns when the House reconvenes in the FalI. I am looking forward to this summer's schedule at Queen's Park as it promises to be both busy and productive. The business of representing the people of Ontario, and more specifically the people of Durham West, is a year-round mitment and one to which I am roud to be a contributor. 7'1 Di-Lisi & Florino Marketing Co. Ltd. BROOKLIN FLEA MARKET Hwy. 12: 1 1/2 miles North of Brooklin OPD: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. 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