EARLY HISTORY OF SETTLERS. 7- 
chose sides, and played a game of ball, to determine who should 
pay the expense of a dinner. Ephriam Gifford, father of the late 
Garner Gifford, acted as constable. 
Mr. Leonard Soper moved to Darlington in 1805, and erected 
the first saw mill built in the Township ; but it was burnt down 
the following year; another was put up near the same place. 
About this time, Mr. John Burke built a saw mill, on Barber’s 
Creek, from which time the place was known as Darlington Mills 
until 1823, when it was changed to its present name, (Bowman- 
ville). 
In 1806, Mr. Soper purchased from Augustus Barber, (after 
whom the Bowmanville Creek was named) the present Soper 
mill property. Mr. Timothy Soper relates an incident which oc- 
curred to him some time after his father had built the mill. While 
engaged in cleaning some fish one morning, a bear came up and 
commenced feeding upon the offals. Not content with this, she 
began to feed upon the fish. Mr. Soper called for some one to 
bring him a gun. Qne was soon brought, which he discharged at 
the bear, but being only lgaded with light shot, did not kill, but 
severely wounded her, whereupon she climbed a tree. A heavier 
charge dispatched her. 
Mr. Timothy Soper is now in his 86th year, enjoys good health, 
and has lived to see every President of the United States take 
their seats. 
In Clarke, Mr. Richard Lovekin was the first settler. He, with 
others, left Ireland in the 21st of September, 1795, sailing from 
the cove of Cork. They met with adverse winds, which took them 
far out of their course, and after a tedious journey, landed in St. 
Bartholemew, on the 26th of January, 1796, and arrived in New 
York, 9th of April following. Mr. Lovekin proceeded in advance 
of his family, with two hired assistants, to locate his land, and pre- 
pare a home for their reception. After meeting with numerous 
adventures, incident to a new and wild country, he settled at the 
mouth of what was afterwards known as Baldwin’s Creek, Wil- 
mot’s), where he, after building a temporary shanty, commenced 
to clear some land, and cut timber for the construction of a house. 
Soon after his arrival, himself and men took the boat one even- 
ing, and ran up the marsh for the purpose of cutting grass, with 
£ al 
