Peter Binnie, Erin Twp, Wellington Co, Ontario

>From the "Biographical sketches" Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, 
Ontario, compiled, drawn and published from personal examinations and surveys.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co, 1906, reprint 1972.

p. 14-15

BINNIE, PETER (d.), b. Inverleithim, Peebleshire, Scot. 1829, d. 1891, age 62.  He came to the 
city of Quebec about 1851, and secured work as a gardener.  About 1858 he came to Erin Tp. 
where his brothers and uncle had preceded him some years.  For about ten years he rented a 
farm in Erin, and for three years in Caledon Tp.  In 1871 he bought the west half of lot 10, con. 
10, and finished clearing it.  He was Trustee of Erin village school for several years, and Elder
of the Presbyterian Church until his death.  He took an active part in local Reform political 
work, but never could be induced to hold municipal office.  He m. Sarah Knowles, who was b. 
Bandon Co., Cork, 1826, and came to Quebec in 1844.  They were married in Quebec in 1855, 
and Mrs. Binnie d. in 1897, age 71.  Issue: Francis, and Charles, near Regina, Sask.; Catharine, 
James, Mrs. Alexander McKinney, Caledon, and Mrs. J. G. Sharp, Caledon.

James, b. on the Erin homestead, attended the Erin school, and now owns and operates the 
homestead, while his sister keeps house for him.  He is an admirer of fine stock, and has a 
small herd of polled Angus thoroughbreds of which bred he intends to make a specialty.  For 
four years he has been a Trustee of Erin Tp and has been an Elder of the Erin Presbyterian 
Church for the last five years.  He is treasurer for "Schemes of the Church."  Mr. Binnie is a 
Liberal in politics, and has been on the local Reform Committee at different times.  He is 
considered among the prominent young men of the district.