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With the outbreak of the War of 1812, this family hostility toward the Americans motivated a young James Vrooman to join the Glengarry Fencibles and defend British territory. Vrooman proved an exceptional warrior, participating in several forays against the Americans including the storming of Ogdensburg, the raid at Oswego and the bloody battle of Lundy’s Lane. To reward his service, Vrooman was granted several tracts of land and in 1820, settled on Lot 6, Concession 7 of Brock Township..

In addition to his farming endeavour, the enterprising Vrooman built a grist mill, a much needed addition to the community. He also donated land for a school and a church (St. James, Vroomanton United Church).

Recognized as a community leader, in 1841, Vrooman was elected to the Home District Council. In this capacity he encouraged land survey and the construction of community roads and schools.

Vrooman maintained his association with the military, eventually retiring from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the 7th Battalion Ontario Militia at age 63.

An historical plaque at the Vroomanton Cemetery marks his grave and honours his achievement.

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The land for the St.John West Brock Cemetery was donated by the St. John Family.

Philip St. John was extremely loyal to the British Crown and helped to support the government during the Rebellion of 1837 by leading a band of militia to Toronto in an effort to quell the rebels.

St. John served on both the local township council as well as on the Ontario County Council.

Because of St. John’s distinguished nature and contributions to the community he was often referred to as the” King of Brock” and it is said that his image is reflected on the head of the brock (badger) portrayed in the Brock Township Coat of Arms.

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Mike Sheridan was born in Toronto in 1921. With the tragic illness of his father, Mike moved with his mother to live with his grandparents in Port Perry where grew up and attended school.

Mike Sheridan enlisted in the Canadian Army on April 30, 1941. He was deployed in France, Holland, England, Germany and Belgium.

After being discharged on January 10, 1946, Mike enrolled in Pharmacy College at the University of Toronto. Following graduation, he worked in several Toronto area pharmacies, eventually purchasing his own store on Eglinton Avenue. While in Toronto, Mike served as President of the 30th Light Anti-aircraft (LAA) Veterans Association and was a member of the Forest Hill Rotary Club.

Anxious to return to his rural roots in Ontario County, Mike purchased the former Bagg Hardware store in Sunderland in 1974 and transformed it into Sheridan Pharmacy. His business thrived and Mike quickly became absorbed in community life. He and his wife, Lola were very active members of the Sunderland United Church. Mike joined the Sunderland Lions Club and Branch 141 Royal Canadian Legion. While a member of the Legion, Mike held the President and Poppy Chairman positions.

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Keith also had a keen interest in community service. This interest led to his involvement in local politics. He served Brock Township as Councillor, Deputy-Reeve and Reeve and the Regional Municipality of Durham as Regional Councillor and Mayor. In these capacities he is credited with strongly influencing the funding for the new library in 1972, the medical centre in 1975, the sewer system in 1979 and the Maple Glen Apartments for seniors.

Keith was a charter member of the Sunderland Lions Club and active in his support of the Town Hall and the Music Festival. Always interested in the history of the area he promoted the Township’s establishment of a local museum to be managed by the Sunderland and District Historical Society, an organization in which he was later very active, The research area of this museum is named in his honour.

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Ruddy, blessed with exceptional mechanical aptitude, built the first saw mill in Brock township on lot 6 concession 7 in Vroomanton. Such water powered mills produced sawn lumber allowing pioneers a means to convert log houses into more livable frame structures.

Ruddy eventually settled on lot 2, concession 2 of Brock, just west of what is today Lakeridge Road. This location, where Ruddy operated a lumber mill and post office was known as Ruddytown. Ruddy donated the lumber needed for a frame rural school house on the third concession of Brock east of Lakeridge Road. The school, SS #1, was called the Ruddy School.

The Ruddy family was very supportive of the Anglican church and in 1843, contributed to the construction of a frame church at the Thompson Cemetery located west of Sunderland on the fth of Brock. When this church burned, Ruddy supported the 1864 construction of a replacement. a brick church two concessions to the south, the St. James, West Brock Church.

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In 1974 he became the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

After “retiring”, Clarence in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency and Semex helped the Chinese successfully expand and improve their dairy industry. For this work, he was honoured with the “Friend of China” Award from the People’s Republic of China. This prestigious award recognizes significant contributions by foreigners to economic and social progress in China.

Through his work with the Rotary Club, Rennie spearheaded a project designed to improve the quality of water in and the forested area around Guelph Lake. The popular Guelph conservation area known as Rotary Forest resulted.

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After a three year ministry in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, Newton arrived at St. Andrew’s United Church in Sunderland. Over fifteen years, in addition to his work at the church, Newton devoted timeless hours to organizing, managing, officiating and coaching youth sports in Sunderland. In recognition of this contribution, Newton was named to the Brock Township Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

After acquiring teaching certification, Newton moved to Uxbridge, where he taught at Uxbridge Secondary. As a teacher and as padre of the Uxbridge Canadian Legion, he touched many lives. In appreciation of his community contribution, Uxbridge named a street in his memory.

Newton loved all sports, particularly soccer and badminton. He was an elite badminton player winning a roomful of medals and awards and continuing with recreational play until age 90. In addition he loved the outdoors – gardening, camping and canoeing; writing stories and poetry and travel.

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The community’s confidence in Lorne Pinkham’s leadership was clearly reflected by his election to the positions of township Councillor, Deputy-Reeve and Reeve. Additionally he sat on the public school board, the library board, the cemetery board as well as serving many years on the cemetery board as a Director and President of the Sunderland Agricultural Society.

Family history captures Pinkham’s great love for his work in Freemasonry. King Edward Lodge No. 464 records reflect Lorne’s participation in all of the lodge’s offices. Undoubtedly his prowess in this work was reflected by the unprecedented turnout of Masons for his funeral in 1948.

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On arrival in Canada, he learned of a farmer ironically in Sunderland, Ontario seeking help. This led to a job at the Elmer Gorrell farm, then 18 months later employment with Switzer Brethour who bought Parry a house in Vallentyne.

With the outbreak of war, George joined the Ontario Regiment Tank Corps. After basic training he was transferred to the Cameron Highlanders with whom he saw action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Wounded in Belgium, after a short convalescence, George was assigned duty as a drill instructor, an assignment that he deserted to join his old regiment in battle. In taking this action, George risked being found AWOL. However, not surprisingly, after the war, he left the military, a highly decorated sergeant, with an honourable discharge,.

On his return to Brock and with the assistance of the Veterans’ Land Act, Parry was able to acquire his own farm which he successfully operated until retirement. Always service minded, Parry was active with the Sunderland Royal Canadian Legion, was elected and served several terms as School Trustee as well as a term on the Brock Township Council.

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