This is the fourth and final instalment of a four-part series from the article “A Brief Black History of Woodstock” that was edited and appeared in the What’s On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
Woodstock has seen its share of outstanding Black entertainers who have and continue to achieve tremendous success in the entertainment world with the Marshall and Morton families.
The Marshall family from Woodstock were well known as the four Marshall brothers all served in the armed forces. According to the book A Safe Haven, the Marshall family first appeared in Oxford County census in 1881 in Blenheim Township where the widow Eliza Marshall lived with her eldest son Thomas and his family. Eliza's two other sons, Horace and John moved to Woodstock in 1891 their older brother Thomas followed in 1901.
Horace and his wife Jane came to Woodstock in 1890 where all five of their sons were born: Harold, Wallace, Horace, Arthur and George. They all attended public school in Woodstock and Wallace went to Woodstock Collegiate (WCI). George died at 17 years of age. Growing up they all had jobs in Woodstock. Both Horace and Wallace worked for the Thomas Organ Company. However, the four remaining Marshall brothers moved to Toronto to find employment.
The Marshall family from Woodstock were well known as the four Marshall brothers all served in the armed forces. According to the book A Safe Haven, the Marshall family first appeared in Oxford County census in 1881 in Blenheim Township where the widow Eliza Marshall lived with her eldest son Thomas and his family. Eliza's two other sons, Horace and John moved to Woodstock in 1891 their older brother Thomas followed in 1901.
Horace and his wife Jane came to Woodstock in 1890 where all five of their sons were born: Harold, Wallace, Horace, Arthur and George. They all attended public school in Woodstock and Wallace went to Woodstock Collegiate (WCI). George died at 17 years of age. Growing up they all had jobs in Woodstock. Both Horace and Wallace worked for the Thomas Organ Company. However, the four remaining Marshall brothers moved to Toronto to find employment.
Both Horace and Wallace were WW1 veterans, and both also served in the Second World War where Horace was a Sergeant-Major in the Canadian Machine Gun Training Centre. Arthur Marshall was a Quartermaster Sergeant with the Frist Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Canada in the Second World War.
The Marshall Brothers, left to right: Horace, Wallace & Arthur
In 1920, Wallace Marshall moved to Barrie, Ontario and married Vera Irene Rolling. A later their famous daughter Phyllis Marshall was born. Phyllis was an exceptionally talented woman who studied piano as a child. She was also a dress designer, an actress and an athlete who was a contender for the 1940 Olympics for a runner.
Phyllis made her debut at the age of 15 as a singer on CRCT and CBC radio stations. During the 1940s she sang blues and jazz with various Toronto dance bands. During 1947 to 1948, she toured throughout the United States with the Cab Calloway Orchestra. Phyllis appeared on a CBC radio show “Blues for Friday” from 1949 to 1952. In the 1950s she starred in two television shows: “The Big Review” 1952 to 1954 and “Cross Canada Hit Parade” from 1956 to 1959. She also performed with the great Canadian jazz pianist the late Oscar Peterson on BBC-TV.
Phyllis made her debut at the age of 15 as a singer on CRCT and CBC radio stations. During the 1940s she sang blues and jazz with various Toronto dance bands. During 1947 to 1948, she toured throughout the United States with the Cab Calloway Orchestra. Phyllis appeared on a CBC radio show “Blues for Friday” from 1949 to 1952. In the 1950s she starred in two television shows: “The Big Review” 1952 to 1954 and “Cross Canada Hit Parade” from 1956 to 1959. She also performed with the great Canadian jazz pianist the late Oscar Peterson on BBC-TV.
Phyllis Marshall, daughter of Wallace & Vera Marshall
In 1959, Phyllis performed on BBC Television in England in her own show “The Phyllis Marshall Special”. In 1964 she recorded the Juno Award winning album That Girl with two American jazz stars Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate. Phyllis’s second career as an actress began in 1956 at the Crest Theatre in Toronto. She took on both dramatic and musical roles stage, radio and TV productions such as the revue Cindy-Ella in 1964; “Paul Bernard, Psychiatrist” in 1971; “Voice of the Fugitive” in 1978 and in the CBS-CTV's Night Heat during the mid-1980s.
One of Phyllis’ last performances was for Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute at the Freedom Fest in Harbourfront in 1988. Phyllis Marshall died in Toronto on February 2, 1996. She is remembered as one of Canada’s pioneer Black television super star.
One of Phyllis’ last performances was for Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute at the Freedom Fest in Harbourfront in 1988. Phyllis Marshall died in Toronto on February 2, 1996. She is remembered as one of Canada’s pioneer Black television super star.
The Morton family originally resided in Peel Township in Wellington County where James and his wife, Sarah Ann Cornwall were listed in the 1861 census. Both James and Sarah were born in the United States as was their eldest son Walter. Of their six children, five were born in Ontario and three called Woodstock home. Walter Morton moved to Woodstock where he was listed in the 1891 Census at the age of 25. His two younger brothers, George and Henry along with their wives, were here according to the 1901 Census.
For forty years, Henry Morton worked at the McIntosh Coal Company. His first wife, Hattie died in 1906. He then married Annie Lewis in 1918. The couple had ten children: six sons Harold, Donald, McKenzie, Embry, John and Douglas; and four daughters: Dorothy (husband John James), Isobel (Allan Bennett), Elizabeth and Phyllis. Henry and Annie were married for 36 years when Henry died in 1954 at 81 years old.
After Henry’s death, Annie married jack Walters. In 1965 she published a book of seventy poems entitled This is Annie. By then she was a paraplegic. Annie died in 1967 at 68. Annie’s children Isobel, Don and Douglas remained in Woodstock. Douglas Morton was married to Ida nee Lawson and they have two children: Greg, the famous entertainer, married to Debra and Nanette who is married to Mark. After 55 years of marriage, Douglas died on November 22, 2010.
For forty years, Henry Morton worked at the McIntosh Coal Company. His first wife, Hattie died in 1906. He then married Annie Lewis in 1918. The couple had ten children: six sons Harold, Donald, McKenzie, Embry, John and Douglas; and four daughters: Dorothy (husband John James), Isobel (Allan Bennett), Elizabeth and Phyllis. Henry and Annie were married for 36 years when Henry died in 1954 at 81 years old.
After Henry’s death, Annie married jack Walters. In 1965 she published a book of seventy poems entitled This is Annie. By then she was a paraplegic. Annie died in 1967 at 68. Annie’s children Isobel, Don and Douglas remained in Woodstock. Douglas Morton was married to Ida nee Lawson and they have two children: Greg, the famous entertainer, married to Debra and Nanette who is married to Mark. After 55 years of marriage, Douglas died on November 22, 2010.
Book of poetry by Annie Walters, who was previously married to Henry Morton
Greg Morton attended Woodstock Collegiate Institute. When he was 16 years old, he worked at a local department store as a P.A. Announcer. Greg graduated in animation and worked as an animator on the Scooby and Scrappy Doo Shows and the New Flintstones for Hanna Barbara. He provided voice-overs in the cartoon series of Robocop and Police Academy. Greg also has director role under his belt after directing several Saturday morning cartoons including ABC Hammerman and The Legend of White Fang that appeared on HBO
Comedian Greg Morton grew up in Woodstock, Ontario
In 1985, Morton ventured into the world of stand-op comedy. Thirty-five years later, Greg continues to entertain audiences worldwide and has opened for numerous celebrities like: Celine Dion, Dionne Warwick, Harry Connick Jr, and the late Luther Vandross. He is a long-time veteran of the famous Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal and has appeared in Laugh Factor.
Greg Morton appeared as a contestant on Season 14 of America’s Got Talent on May 28, 2019 where he impressed the judges that Howie Mandel promised to invite Greg to open for him. On the show Greg performed his famous two-minute rendition of the Star Wars Trilogy that had the audience of all ages in stitches. At 61 Greg Morton has achieved success that will continue. Greg Morton may even get a street named in his honour right here in Woodstock, Ontario.
Greg Morton appeared as a contestant on Season 14 of America’s Got Talent on May 28, 2019 where he impressed the judges that Howie Mandel promised to invite Greg to open for him. On the show Greg performed his famous two-minute rendition of the Star Wars Trilogy that had the audience of all ages in stitches. At 61 Greg Morton has achieved success that will continue. Greg Morton may even get a street named in his honour right here in Woodstock, Ontario.
Born in Hamilton in the 1880s, William (Hippo) Galloway came to Woodstock about 1899. He was a member of the Bain Baseball Team. This was a successful team that played in the Canadian Baseball League. Formed under the Bain Wagon Company, a manufacturer company in Woodstock, William played third baseman making him one the few Black players in organized ball until Jackie Robinson played in 1946.
William (Hippo) Galloway played both baseball & hockey
Also, in 1899, William and Charles Lightfoot from Stratford were the first Black hockey players in the Ontario Hockey Association. However, there was racial tension when an American player refused to play with William. Although his Woodstock hockey team wanted him to stay, they had to let William go. He left Woodstock for the United States where he joined the all Black team the Cuban Giants. William Galloway later played for the Page Giants.
Yet another famous, well respected and popular Black resident in Woodstock was George Gravy. He was born a slave in the southern United States around 1856. Prior to coming to Woodstock in 1925 where he proclaimed himself as the unofficial Town Crier, George resided in Chatham, Ontario. There he shined shoes at both the Hotel Rankin and the Old Hotel Garner. Aside from being the town crier, George also shined shoes and washed windows. He had a shoeshine stand in the back of Sam Kostis’ restaurant at 369 Dundas Street in Woodstock. He also worked at the Steward Manufacturing Company for less than a year.
Woodstock residents nicknamed him George “Washington Jones” a name he did not like but one that stuck and has since been immortalized. For twenty-five years George Gravy paraded around the streets in Woodstock advertising everything from hockey and baseball games to local events like dances, the Lion’s carnival, Woodstock Fair and the Rotary Bingo. Many of the Woodstock merchants hired George to advertise their products and services.
Woodstock residents nicknamed him George “Washington Jones” a name he did not like but one that stuck and has since been immortalized. For twenty-five years George Gravy paraded around the streets in Woodstock advertising everything from hockey and baseball games to local events like dances, the Lion’s carnival, Woodstock Fair and the Rotary Bingo. Many of the Woodstock merchants hired George to advertise their products and services.
Dressed in a silk black hat, a swallow-tailed coat, striped pants and freshly polished shoes, he was bedecked with numerous medals, badges and flags, George started off with a sliver trumpet. He then had a handbell which was replaced with a double hand-bell which he rang before making his announcements through his brass megaphone. Which is now an artifact at the Woodstock Museum. He also caried a sandwich board which would promote the next motion picture showing at the Royal or theatrical production at the Capital. It was said that George’s booming voice could be heard in Eastwood, five miles away, if the wind was right.
George Gravy Woodstock's Town Crier 1925 - 1951
The late Ed Bennett wrote that during World War II, Woodstock soldiers serving in England claimed they could hear George’s voice announcing regular Saturday night dances. Bennett also mentioned that George’s favourite saying was “Well, bless my soul.” A friendly person, George was remembered as quite a character in town who “always had a big fat grin on his face.” and who referred to almost everyone as “Buster Boy” or to the very few he called “My friend.”
With failing eyesight, George Gravy would be seen around town tapping his way with his white cane. Many prominent citizens would help him across the street. On December 8, 1951, George Gravy died at the House of Refuge and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Woodstock. Famous businessmen were his pallbearers. In 1952, the late Percy Canfield took up a collection and erected a granite headstone that read “George Jones, 1856-1951, Town Crier”.
With failing eyesight, George Gravy would be seen around town tapping his way with his white cane. Many prominent citizens would help him across the street. On December 8, 1951, George Gravy died at the House of Refuge and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Woodstock. Famous businessmen were his pallbearers. In 1952, the late Percy Canfield took up a collection and erected a granite headstone that read “George Jones, 1856-1951, Town Crier”.
George Gravy, Woodstock’s famous Town Crier is now immortalized in a song written by the city’s current Town Crier. Scott Fraser was appointed Town Crier in November 1992 by Woodstock City Council. In 1994, Scott wrote about George Washington to composer James Gordon, from CBC Radio’s Ontario Morning Show, “Hometown Tunes”. That same year, James Gordon composed the song George Washington Jones. Furthermore, on August 6, 2004, close to 300 Woodstock residents gathered to remember this unofficial but loved town crier when a pathway leading to the Woodstock Museum, was named in his honour: The George Washington Jones Walk.
As illustrated, these are but a few of Woodstock’s Black residents who have been a part of history in Oxford County for over 150 years. These earlier settlers have and continue to contribute to their communities.
As illustrated, these are but a few of Woodstock’s Black residents who have been a part of history in Oxford County for over 150 years. These earlier settlers have and continue to contribute to their communities.
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