William "Centennial" Grant

Cornwall 100 years ago, was in Canada’s top pro lacrosse league and to strengthen their team recruited the best available players. Two Glengarrians were among those selected. They were Jeremiah “Jerry” Sullivan, Williamstown, and Wm. “Centennial” Grant, South Lancaster. And that brings us to the theme of our story. Among the many legends of the Cornwall Lacrosse Club was the contribution by “Jerry” Sullivan and “Centennial” Grant especially in 1881 when Cornwall won their 10 scheduled lacrosse games completing the undefeated season by winning the three playoff games. They were rated World Champions.

To be a star in lacrosse required unlimited stamina, be fleetfooted and rugged to take and gave the rough play that often prevailed. Both Glengarrians were endowed with such physical requirements and some to spare.

This writer recalls Williamstown’s venerable sportsman, Wellie (Wellinton) Barrett, relating that Jerry Sullivan, in his early 20’s, a tinsmith spending most of the week roofing a new barn then Saturday by horse and buggy to play lacrosse in Cornwall. Truly an example of physical fitness.

William Grant, popularly known throughout his life of four score and 10 as “Bill Centennial” was born in South Lancaster in 1856. He died in 1946 and was buried in the MacLennan plot, old cemetery, South Lancaster.

From school he was employed at the “Old Tannery,” South Lancaster, operated by “Red” Peter MacDonald, grandfather of A.D.D. “Buster” MacDonald, Cornwall, formerly of South Lancaster. He never married and lost his wight some years before he died.. Working in the tannery, a pioneer Glengarry industry, Bill Grant became a typical physical six-foot athlete tipping the scales about 180. Like his counterpart, Jerry Sullivan, top playing condition was a must with the result he gradually progressed from a Lancaster area journeyman lacrosse player to a leader with the Cornwall World Champions and the ranks of Canada’s all time greats in the late 1800s.