Sport and Leisure in British North America

Two periods: 1763-1840; 1840-Confederation in 1867

Family Compact - Chateau CliquePatronage

English, French, Scots, Irish, United Empire Loyalists

Religion - Anglican - Catholic

Legislation and the Parameters of Social

Conduct

• Liquor: 1.regulation (control ~ Sin taxes )

• Gambling: public vs. private• Sabbath Day: public vs. private• Game Laws - Hunting and Fishing

Billiards – public nuisances

• And whereas much inconvenience has arisen from the increased number of billiard tables throughout this province; and whereas it is essential to the happiness and welfare of all his Majesty’s subjects therein, that the licensing of billiard tables, in future, for the more effectual prevention of the evils and inconveniences arising therefrom, be considered an object of legislative interference

1840-1866

• Rebellions –

• Promoted Social Activities – fairs, Agricultural Assoc, Mechanic’s Institutes, Libraries

1840 “Grand Menagerie ad:

~ typical travelling circusdescribed in its language of the day

1840-1866• Classic pioneer period• 1821 pop ¾ mill; 1851, 2.3 mill =

X 3 so massive immigr, $ stabil > sport ?

• Lower classes had very little time, experience or inclin to sport

• Recr & amusements: 25 cents per gallon whiskey, weddings, auctions, animal-baiting, tavern ‘sports’, the chivaree

What Activities?

• Montreal Curling Club 1807• Hunt Clubs - likeminded• Hunting, Fishing – the science of

nature• Horseracing• Bees• Taverns – tavern sports• Hunting, fishing for subsistence

An institution to lean on…

• Sport today is an institution• When did Br pub schools begin to

bring sport back to West world?• Inconceivable then that there could

be organized sport much before Confederation, if then

• Thus, relied on existing institutions like The Bee, the Tavern, Garrisons

The Formation of the Montreal Curling Club, 1807

[ see handout ]• 1st The club is to meet every Wed at 12 o’clock

to play til 3 and no member shall absent himself, without giving a sufficient excuse one day before, to the Secretary of the Club, that the party may otherwise be made up under the penalty of 2 clubs

• 2nd The Club shall meet at Gillis on Wed every fortnight at 4 o’clock to dine on salt beef and greens. The Club dinner and wine shall not exceed 7 shillings, 6 pence…

• 3rd Each absent member shall pay…• 4th Any member shall ask a friend…

The Lord’s Day Act

• Statutes of Canada, 1845, 8 Vict., c. 45. [ see handout ]

Single exception to the leaning rule… horseracing

The Garrisons

• “The paramount influence [ on the development of sport ] . . .

What’s a garrison ?

• Almost every town, city b4 1867 had military presence so was a ‘garrisoned’ town /city

• the officers – privileged u class, purchased their commissions; so wealthy, well educated and after 1850, that educ in Br Public School ~ therefore imbued with Br pub school sporting tradition

Garrison officer – real skills for sport ?

–Admin experience–Opportunity– Inclination–Tradition

Garrison officers – which sports ?

• Horseracing – prov the horses, prizes, riders, officials, venues

• Tandem and sleighing ‘clubs’ or groups in winter, some ice-trotting races

• Cricket – challenge matches• Fox hunting• Even tr & field, 1844 “Montreal Ol

Games” – events . . . From MG 29 Aug 1844 [ see handout ]

Garrison officers – how prevalent was their

sport ?

A milieu for baseball ?

• The Great Baseball Game of 1838• Where, how, who, why ?• Likelihood it happened ?• Evidence ?• Did we invent baseball ?

The American Game ? ?

• See handout, Ford’sletter

• Adam Enoch Ford

• June 4, 1838; Beachville, Ontario