History of Newton

Newton, the hub of Mornington Township, situated at the intersection of Line 72 and Road 129, was created in 1881 when the post office opened. At that time there were only three buildings, (a tavern, a general store, a blacksmith shop) but when the Grand Trunk Railway connected it with Stratford and Goderich it began to flourish.

By 1902 there were two hotels, a sawmill, hardware and general stores, woolen mill, shoe store, cheese factory, express, telephone and telegraph offices.

The first Township Council meeting in 1854 was held in the home of James Whaley who was elected as the first reeve of the township. The first order of business was a motion to form school sections, highlighting the sensed need for education for their children.

At the second meeting on Feb 8, 1854 the township’s first by-law was passed, “Any person found traveling on the Sabbath day or driving with horses or oxen or carry burdens, except in the case of necessity, shall be fined not more than 20 shillings, nor less than 5s. for each offence, upon conviction thereof before any of Her Majesty’s J.P.s”. The early records reveal the difficulties experienced by those pioneer families.