'Way Back When - The Reverend George R.F. Grout 1827 to 1849

The Rev. George Grout, who succeeded Mr. Bethune, was born in 1804 in Quebec City where his father was a member of the Bishop's Household. He was the first child to be baptized in Quebec Cathedral. A young man of 23, he was appointed to the church at Grimsby by the Rt. Rev. C.J. Stewart having first been ordained a deacon. After two years he was ordained priest. Within a year after his arrival on July 28, 1828, St. Andrew's was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Quebec. And in 1829 Mr. Grout was married to Miss Eliza Walker of Montreal. It was in February when he brought his bride home to Grimsby. It is recorded that she never afterwards left the town till her death in 1885. His register records the names, date of birth and baptisms of the six children who blessed their union. Kenneth Walker born May 2, baptized May 30, 1830 (2 1/2 months later this child was buried by Mr. Abraham Nelles). Hugo M., born June 25th, baptized July 24th, 1831. John Henry, born November 23, baptized December 28, 1834. George William, born June 12, baptized August 11, 1837. Adelaide Agnes, born May 21st, baptized July 2, 1840. Alice Eliza, born June 27th, baptized August 13, 1843. For 22 years Mr. Grout continued to minister to the people of St. Andrew's and was greatly loved by the members of the parish. They often referred with pride to the fact that the Bishop of Toronto, during the time when Mr. Grout was in charge, spoke most emphatically of St. Andrew's Grimsby as "his model parish". June 13, 1843 must have been a great day for St. Andrew's Parish Bishop Strachan confirmed 62 persons in church, ranging in age from 16 to 62, four persons privately, and then consecrated the churchyard ... Mr. Grout died in 1849, aged 45 years and was buried in St. Andrew's churchyard. ... [Inscription on tombstone notes that he died May 29, 1849]