Five generations of the Torrence family have enjoyed the three-seater Democrat originally purchased by William Torrence, at Templin Carriage Works in Fergus, shortly after he emigrated from Scotland in 1852.
On March 8, the family donated the prized carriage to the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
“I know that here, they will take care of it and it will go on forever,” said Ron Torrance, William’s great, great, grandson, who’s father, Bertram Torrance rescued the battered wagon from a rock pile in an orchard in the 1960s.
Bertram had the Democrat restored by a Mennonite buggy builder in Wallenstein. It has been used in a few parades in the area, but has mostly been in storage in a barn on Ron’s property in recent years.
William Torrence lived in the Mimosa area and used the wagon to haul produce to Hamilton and to go to church on Sundays.
The wagon was passed by William to Henry Torrence, then to James Torrence and Bertram, who ultimately passed it on to Ron.
Ron’s grandchildren, the great, great, great, great grandchildren of the wagon’s original owner were on hand for the delivery of the wagon to the museum.
Curator Susan Dunlop said the Democrat will become part of the museum’s collection of horse-drawn vehicles.
