By Inez McCoy

The names of members of the Hilliard and Paul families are prominent in the records of Ramsay Township.

The minutes of Ramsay Township, all in the township office, date back to 1835.

Norman Paul's great grandfather was the first Assessor in Ramsay in 1836. In Mr. Paul's possession is the Census Sheet for the southwest half of Ramsay Township for the Census taken in 1837.

"I can't remember a municipal election in Ramsay that there wasn't a Hilliard or a Paul officiating at No. 1 poll," said Borden Hilliard in an interview with Norman Paul and Borden at the Hilliard home Saturday.

Norman's father took over the responsibility from his father (Norman's grand father) in the early 1900's. Borden carried on after his father and grandfather. No. 1 poll, Ramsay, was in Galbraith's School, School Section No. 5, Ramsay, across the road from the home of Alex Hazelwood.

The school was called after Daniel Galbraith, who owned all the land that is now Hazelwoods' and across the road, as well. Mr. Galbraith gave land for the first one-room school at the top of the hill, across from Bert Hazelwoods house. He also gave land for the second school built in 1875 on the opposite side of the road.

Recall - As these long time neighbors reminisced, Norman Paul recalled elections at one time were always held on the first Monday in January, even if that Monday fell on New Years Day. Mr. Paul said he was often the first to vote in that poll, after driving his father there to act as the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO).

The Ramsay records show that William J. Paul, Norman's father served as DRO in the municipal elections for Ramsay held on December 15, 1927, December 15, 1928 and December 16, 1929. Robert Hilliard, Borden's father was the Poll Clerk for Mr. Paul in each of those elections.

William Paul continued as DRO each year until the election of 1939, when Borden Hilliard was appointed DRO. Borden had served as Poll Clerk for Mr. Paul from the time he took over from his father in the election of 1929, with the exception of 1935.

That year, when Borden was called for jury duty, his brother, the late George Hilliard, served as Poll Clerk in his place. George Hilliard was Reeve of Ramsay and Warden of Lanark County at the time of his death.

Continuing this remarkable record of 53 years service by Borden Hilliard in Ramsay Township Municipal elections, Borden was appointed DRO for the election of 1939.

He continues to serve as DRO in No. 1 Poll for each municipal election.

Norman Paul was appointed Poll Clerk to serve with Borden in the election of 1942.

After 38 years of service as Poll Clerk, Norman is still prepared to carry on with his friend and neighbor, Borden in Ramsay Municipal elections.

There is the anecdote about one gentleman who was so keen a scrutineer on election day that he forgot to vote. In 1928 one voter picked up his ballot, walked back to the stove in the middle of the schoolhouse and he held the ballot high. As he read off the names of those running for Reeve, he said of one young candidate, "he needs his comb cut, but I'll vote for him anyway."

Comparing interest in voting these election officials spoke of two men who came to cast their vote some years ago. One man walked one and one-half miles to vote using a pitch fork in his hand for support. Another man carrying a hand axe, for the same purpose, walked one-half mile to vote.

In the recent 1980 Ramsay municipal election with 266 names on the Voter's list at Poll No. 1, only 65 voted.

When Borden started working in the municipal election, he said "The election could be run for a little over $100 with between 110 and 115 names on the Voter's List in Poll No. 1. In 1980, 50 per cent of the people who voted were non-farming, Mr. Paul noted.

Borden and Norman have served under nine Reeves in Ramsay. Of these, only D. Hollie Lowry, Ralph Monette and Ronald Robertson are still living. Borden told of his father walking one and a half miles straight across county on Election Day to carry out his duties. Once Borden took the tractor as means of transportation to Poll No. 1. However, the tractor became stuck. So Borden continued on foot carrying the ballot box and his lunch.

Again comparing modes of transportation, one gentleman noted how today, with good road and cars in which to travel, many people will not turn out to cast their ballot.

Both Borden and Norman have officiated at federal and provincial elections as DRO and Poll Clerk, as well as in municipal elections. They remarked that polls at one time were open from 8 to 5.