Former painting contractor turns to clocks

He received his schooling at the old Liverpool Academy and remembers well Rupert Morton, his principal, and teachers, the Misses Blanche and Georgina Harrington.

He is the father of two daughters, Alta Murphy and the late Margaret Freeman. He is the stepfather of Laurie Thorbourne, Lina Mason and Hildred Olsen.

In his youth, "Turk," as he was known to his close friends, recalls: "Going to sea for 12 years or so, in three-master ships with Captain Wilkie." At that time, the voyages could take up to 60 days at sea. He sailed to Bermuda, Barbados and the Turk's Island under Captain Wilkie of Liverpool and later under Captain Mosher of Bridgewater. In Prohibition time, the late 1920s, he also had a taste of rum running, out of Liverpool. The Depression years, after 1929, were hard for members of his generation and he was forced, as many others were, to travel to Western Canada to engage in farming to make a living.

Arthur Freeman was a well-known painting contractor for some 40 years. His usual crew was about 20 local men and he won contracts for painting the United, Anglican and the old Methodist churches in Liverpool and large schools in Halifax and Dartmouth, as well as many residences in Liverpool and Queens County. Also at that time, he engaged in carpentry.

He was a member of the early Liverpool Fire Department for about 10 years and spoke fondly of the old Ford fire truck (sans pump), and the steam pumper, which for some unknown reason is on display in the Firefighter's Museum in Yarmouth. “Why not in the new Fire Hall in Liverpool?" Turk mused.

While still a busy contractor, Arthur, about 30 years ago, became interested in building and repairing clocks. He established a workshop at this home on Main Street, where he made oak cabinets and installed clock works, pendulums, etc., in beautifully fashioned cases.

Arthur Freeman finally retired in 1983 and clock making became his principal hobby. By 1998, he decided to sell his Main Street home and moved into the Riverside Apartments on the Mersey River in Milton. Although his space was limited and his tools in short supply, he still carried on his clock hobby and had many satisfied customers. As a matter of fact, it was one of his customers who telephoned me and asked, "Did you know that Mr. Arthur Freeman makes beautiful clocks?" Of course, I didn't, and immediately thought, now there is a great story, and here it is!

In his lifetime, Turk is credited with saving two or three people from drowning off the Liverpool waterfront. One incident occurred off Roger Inness' wharf, where the Legion was located, and the other off Captain Fred Inness’ coal wharf on the harbour side of the Town Bridge.

Arthur had lived a good long life and still drove his 1983 Lincoln car, until his death. He also enjoyed his apartment, and couldn’t say enough good things about those who operated the place, and his friends who resided there.