Hugh "Big Hughie D" MacDermid

Hugh Duncan MacDermid was born, December, 22, 1882, a son of Duncan MacDermid and his wife the former Catherine MacDermid. The MacDermid’s farm home was in the Indian Lands, ninth concession of Charlottenburgh. The original founder of this pioneer home was Hugh Duncan MacDermid’s great grandfather, who had come from Perthshire, Scotland.

In his youth Hugh Duncan MacDermid attended the tenth concession public school, and later was a student at Cornwall Commerical College. No exception to the Glengarry trait of shortening given names, he was affectionately known as “Big Hughie D”.

Big Hughie D was a successful farmer and the MacDermid’s farm eventually comprised lots 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The rugged farm work developed Big Hughie D to become one of Martintown’s great athletes. He was a fine defence player in hockey, and starred in track and field. However, his athletic forte was tug-of-war. In the role of captain, he led Martintown’s Mighty Men to many an area winning pull, especially church picnics and national holiday sport meets.

Two victories, in particular, were cherished and always will be by Martintown and Glengarry sport fans. The first was the winning pull defeating the famed RCMP team of Ottawa. The second was the Eastern Canadian Championship won at the Ormstown Fair, June 1924, when they pulled to defeat the champion Montreal police team.

Big Hughie D retired from farming and resided in Martintown. This popular sportsman and widely known Glengarry athlete died September, 17, 1974.