Building Independence
The young county council had its share of ups and downs during the building process.
Garner Elwood, who had been chosen as the contractor, gave up the contract in March 1853, having spent £2,764. Warden Locker was authorized by Council to find a new contractor. With this change, most of the work was completed by day labour under the direction of Thomas Fraser, a builder from London.
Originally, the gaol and gaoler’s house were to be completed by September 15, 1852. However, after the gaol being inspected and found to be unsatisfactory, it had to be rebuilt. It was not completed until the spring of 1853.
In the midst of the building issues, the Town Hall of the Village of St. Thomas was secured for court purposes on the condition that any fittings required be supplied by the County and remain intact when the courthouse was completed. These plans were submitted to the statutory commissioners and approved as suitable for court purposes. On September 30, 1853 the Official Gazette published the proclamation of the dissolution of the union of Elgin and Middlesex.
With the County of Elgin a reality, new officers were officially appointed:
Judge, David John Hughes
Sheriff, Colin Munro
Registrar, John McKay
Clerk of Peace, James Farley
Clerk of the Court, Peter Murtagh
Gaoler, John King
County Clerk, William McKay
County Treasurer, William Coyne
County Engineer, Charles Fraser
By November 1853, the offices of Sheriff, Clerk of Peace and Clerk of the County court were located in one room in the apartments erected for the gaoler. On November 15, 1853 the first court of quarter sessions was held.