John Rennie
Buxton's First School Teacher
John Rennie was born Aug 13, 1830 in New Pitsligo, Scotland. He came to Canada in 1847. While still attending Knox College in Toronto to study for the ministry, he was selected in the spring of 1850 to be the first teacher at the Buxton Mission School at the newly founded Elgin Settlement for fugitive slaves.
After completing a term as teacher, he returned to College. His first field of missionary labours began July 23, 1853 followed by receiving his license to preach at Hamilton Oct 11, 1854. He married Ann (also called Mary) Taylor, Dec 25, 1857. Rennie was a minister in many places in Ontario including Buxton and St. Andrew’s church in Chatham. He is listed in 1871 Chatham census aged 44 along with wife Mary, 31, born Newfoundland, Arthur 9, Louisa 8, Christina 7, Elizabeth 5, Ellen 3 and Willemena 2 months.
John Rennie’s papers are stored in the Weldon Library of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.(Call letters B4359-4377,X) Below are transcriptions from Reverend King’s unpublished autobiography, which is held at the National Archives in Ottawa, and from Rennie’s diary relevant to some of his time spent in Kent County.
From King Autobiography:
The building that I intended for the school was put up during the winter and was ready by the first of April to receive pupils. I got a student from Knox College, Toronto, to take charge of it during the summer. John Rennie, the young man appointed teacher, was well qualified for the situation; he was a good teacher, his heart was in missionary work. He had a good voice and was a judge of music. The coloured people as a race are fond of music, and some of them became celebrated as musicians.
When April arrived, the time I had appointed for opening the school, the hard feeling against myself and the coloured people had considerably abated. On the Sabbath before the opening of the school, I had announced that the school would open on Monday, and I expected that all the coloured children in the settlement who were able to attend would be present, and if any white children chose to come, they were welcome; none would be excluded. The teacher, Mr. John Rennie, who was present, I introduced to the congregation. He was tall, fair and good looking and he led the singing in the congregation on that day and had made a favourable impression on the people. On Monday morning, ten coloured children appeared and two white children belonging to Joshua Shepley appeared among them.
Supplementary information from Rennie’s diary:
Oct. 13, 1850 - Prayer meeting at Mr. Riley’s. Not many present, too much coldness.
Oct. 16, 1850 – Today college opens and I don’t know whether I am to go or not.
Oct. 23, 1850 – Do not feel happy. Uneasy about Mr. King and my winter destination.
Nov. 6, 1850 – Arrived at college after journey of three days by land and water.
Nov. 18, 1850 – prayer meeting among the Negroes. Felt much refreshed in my own soul…My heart seems to yearn more than ever over that degraded and despised race. I feel as if I would willingly spend my life among them… There are few that care for their souls.
March 12, 1856 – Returned yesterday from Buxton wither I went last week to assist Mr. King at the communion. I preached on Thursday, Saturday and Sabbath afternoon. Mr King served the table – only one. Spiritual things I fear are not improving much at the settlement. Yet there are some exceptions. I was delighted to find E. Peterson one of my scholars a decided (illegible) teacher in the Sabbath School.
May 20, 1856 – Went down to Buxton today to be present at the Examination of the school. Just about 6 years since I opened it – only four of my pupils were present today. All of the scholars did well on whole.
July 6, 1856, Last week visited Buxton and only got home yesterday.
July 15, 1859 – What a change in my circumstances! Left Beachville yesterday and am now set down in Buxton for the next six months. Mrs. Gaine called with keys. Thompson and Vanvraiken in evening inspected premises. Garden overgrown with weeds.
July 16, 1859 - Moved to parlor bed on account of bugs, etc.
July 17, 1859 – Preached, 100 present. B class 22, Prayer meeting in evening 30.
July 19, 1859 – called to see “Uncle Stephen” and wife. Have children in slavery if alive – but nothing heard of them for 21 years (note: Stephen was one of William King’s former slaves).
July 21, 1859 - Weekly prayer meeting, only 7 present.
July 22, 1859 - Went to Chatham & met Mary & brother her out to Buxton.
July 23, 1859 - Changed time of evening family worship from 7:30 to 9.
July 25, 1859 - To lake with Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Fine view – high banks 95 feet – old settled.
July 26,1859 - Repaired bedroom.
Aug. 7, 1859 Sab evg. - Full church. This morning 125 probably. Evg. 53 ? t precious in forever (illegible)
Aug 10 First day of pastoral visitation – nine families, three of them white. Nothing very remarkable in any of them.
Aug. 11, 1859 - To Tilbury today- preached – fast day. Was kindly met by former friends. It has been a damp day and my throat is very much inflamed & swollen. Prayer meeting here (Buxton) in evg. Could scarcely speak. My throat is frequently ill now. I am a little afraid of my old trouble returning. Give me grace O Lord ever resigned to say Thy will be done with me.
Aug. 13, 1859 - My 29th birth-day. Improved in no particular way. Writing a sermon for tomorrow almost whole day on Heb 11. 16 “The better country” Well does it become me ----(illegible words) at least this lesson; viz to seek more earnestly access for that better country seeing my life here is already so far spent. I should also try to be far more diligent in the Lords’ service for oh how little have I done these 29 years for him who “gave himself for me”. In meeting with my fellow men especially I should “watch for souls” and keep my work before me. How seldom of late have I remembered my office & duty when coming in contact with others. I sometimes try to be earnest in the pulpit but I must learn also to be far more earnest out of it.
Aug. 18, 1859 - Yesterday & today visited twelve families – all colored. Interesting work. Found much readiness among them to converse on religion. They have odd expressions. Speaking of people in Kentucky, Laison said :There are some monstrous good tus there I tell ye” Again “ I want to live mighty close to the Lord.” Robinson tells me one reason of objection to the Presbyterian Ch. Among them is fact of Pres. Ch. in U.S. being proslavery. They do not or can’t make the distinction.
Aug. 20, 1859 - Scarcely ever felt my mind wander more. I have been trying to prepare a sermon for the children, but could not fix my thoughts at all this whole day.
Aug. 21, 1859 - Sab. Preached to children today in Buxton. Fine attendance. Afternoon in Tilbury on “assension of Christ – full church.” Home again safe. God preserves me wonderfully – yet how thankless I am. Very little private prayer or meditation today.
Aug. 24, 1859 - Visited eight families – what vanity in them! But not many very earnest tus apparently. Took dinner at Edward Thompson’s
Aug. 28, 1859. Rather happy Sab. Day. Mr. & Mrs. Wallace from Ingersoll on visit but came last night. My Bible Class is interesting – but sometimes their questions & remarks provoke a smile. E.G. One today wanted to know if there was any truth in the statement he had heard namely that Echazi the lepper was the father of the white race!
Sept. 5, 1859 - Yesterday was the Communion Sab. here. We met in open air in a kind of arbor. About 250 present – communicants 58. Services lasted three hours & 20 minutes. Good attention to last. Conducted all myself. Mr. Straith came & preached at 4 p.m. I trust it has been profitable to many. I have reason to be very grateful for divine assistance.
Sept. 8, 1859 - Prayer Meeting. Read intelligence of awakening in Ireland. About 25 present – appeared deeply interested. Mr. V. offered a very appropriate prayer. I do long to see such an awakening in our midst as that I have been reading of.
Sept. 17, 1859 - Dr Willis and Mrs. Willis arrived at Buxton (note: Presbyterian minister Michael Willis is the President of the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada, President of Knox College in Toronto and the Chairman of the Committee that founded the Elgin Association).
Sept. 18, 1859 - Sab. Preached twice in Chatham Dr. W. being at Buxton.
Sept. 19, 1859 - Home from Chatham by 11a.m. Found Dr. W. was out visiting P. Sims, Lacey. In afternoon drove out with Dr. & Mrs. W. to Rileys, Burfoot, Robinson’s. Evening at Vanvrankins to tea, a party.
Sept. 20, 1859 - Tuesday Rainy day. Dr. W rested. Mrs. W. & I went out after dinner to Jone’s Jackson’s etc. Saw several refugee families. Evening at Mr. Thomson’s to tea. Home at 9:30 pm
Sept. 21, 1859 - Wet & dull. Still in forenoon called with Dr. & Mrs. W on Thomas Scott, Brazier, West, Straith, Broadie & Brown. Well rec’d by all
Nov. 8, 1859 - Returned from Ridgetown where I assisted Mr Forrest with his communion last Sabbath. A fair sized, respectable looking congregation. Much seriousness at all the services. We had most lovely weather – Indian summer and I enjoyed the season a good deal. Visited there a Mr. McKinlay, elder – fine old gentleman, pleasant family & splendid farm. Took tea with Mr. Waddel U.P. minister. Staid on Friday night at Mr. McCoy’s in Harwich. On coming home found Mr. Straith seriously hurt.
Nov. 21, 1859 - Yesterday preached on the sins of the tongue. People very attentive. Would that it might effect some amendment in regard to this evil. Went to East Tilbury this afternoon & preached for Mr. Straith. Wrote to John Hamilton in answer to his letter about the Beachville congregation’s resolutions. Stated fully the manner in which the congregation has acted toward me. It is painful. But I am unwilling to think that their treatment arises from anything else then neglect & poverty combined.
Dec. 8, 1859 - Returned to Buxton yesterday from Woodstock & Beachville. To which places I went last week to fulfil an appointment of Presbytery. Preached twice at W. & Beachville in the afternoon. Felt touched by tender feelings more than usual in dressing my old congregation at the thot came over me that I must resign my charge of them. Some of them also were in tears. On Monday evg. addressed the inhabitants of the village in the School house on Temperance. A good meeting and I felt my foundation on the Scriptures in regard to this … stronger than ever. On Tuesday left B. stopped a few hours at London & reached Chatham in the evg. Staid at Mr. McColl’s all night. Home yesterday in cutter, first sleighing this season.
Dec. 15, 1859 - Visited two families with Mrs. R. in the afternoon. Conducted prayer meeting in the evg. Only nine present. Spoke on ways of abusing Lords’ Prayer. Not very great enjoyment. Riley prayed. Repeated phrase “Our Heavenly Father” too frequently.
Dec. 20. 1859 - Good sleighing. Took drive with Mrs R. to Tilbury. Dined at Mr Oswald’s – an old friend. Tea at Mr. Straith’s. Nothing done in the way of studying.
Dec. 22, 1859 - Attended a Service last night at Chatham. Did not enjoy it. Spoke on Christian Union but only for five minutes.
Dec. 23, 1859 – Attended examination of the school at Buxton. Only 22 present. One (John Riley) was present whom I taught 10 years ago. Improvement in his case not great. Afternoon went down to Luke Fraser’s & wrote a Will for him. Very cold.
Dec. 25, 1859 - Rather heartless in preaching this morning and it could hardly be otherwise for I had very little of the Spirit of prayer this morning privately. In the afternoon went back to the Methodist Church. Preached with greater life. Was perhaps influenced partly by the size of the congregation which was much large that I expected to be. Orderly and attentive tho they are said to be the reverse of this generally. This is the last Sab. Of another year gone. Oh it will soon be the last day of life. Oh to be ever ready ever watchful.
Dec. 27, 1859 - Visited seven families with Mrs. R.
Dec. 29, 1859 – Last night col’d people here held a meeting to express sympathy with the family of John Brown who was executed at Charleston lately. Immense crowd. All col’d orators except another person and myself. Great extravagance at some of their speeches. One declared “No slaveholder should ever be in heaven”, another hoped streets of America would be filled with the blood of slaveholders next year” etc.
Dec. 31, 1859 - Last night delivered a Temperance Lecture at Tilbury East Town Hall. Large attendance. Mr. Straith recovering very slowly from his hurt. Tonight I have to preach at Jacob King’s. What with meetings & visiting I have no sufficient time to prepare suitably for tomorrow’s solemn work
1860 January 1st. Sab. Evg. Today I have closed my six month’s labours at Buxton. The day has been excessively cold. Ther. 20 degrees below zero in the morning. Still about 100 came out. Preached on the Final Judgement. Immediately after forenoon service addressed Sabbath School – young men & women – Sab. School Teachers – Parents. People all attentive but I did not feel the earnestness I wished. Oh that my labours among this people may not be in vain. Another year has begun. Oh that I may be made holier & more useful than in past year. I leave this place D.V. day after tomorrow; & like Abraham I go out not knowing whither I go but I am in Thy hands O God and all is well. Wherever I go may I be an Epistle of Christ.
Entry in his cash book for June 9, 1860 for $11.55 for trip to Buxton.
