Percy Millington, left Barbados by boat, in 1917 and landed in Nova Scotia. He was told by N.S. residents to come to Montreal where there was more action, and by doing so he met Vera Sportsman, his wife to be, here at Union Church. Vera Sportsman used to play the piano and was renowned as a jazz pianist.
Edward Taylor and his wife Annie were founding members of the church in 1907. They had a son, Walter who married Gladys Sportsman and their son, Walter jr served in World War 11. Gladys' sister Vera married Percy Millington...grandfather of present day Union member Gail (Millington) Grant.
Rodney Sportsman Millington Sr. was the father of Gail Millington Grant. Her grandfathers Percy Henry Millington and Philip Welch were porters. Rodney Sportsman Millington Sr. was born on St Antoine near Green Ave. Rodney was a jazz musician on the weekends and played in gigs at the different black clubs along the strip and many out of town clubs up north of Montreal. He was very close friends with Oscar Peterson during the early days of his career before Oscar started to travel.
“Whenever Oscar came in town, he would always give Dad a call to see talk... Dad was also close to Uncle Charlie (as we called him) Oscar's brother. Dad and Charlie were stationed together at the Huntington Barracks during the 2nd World War. Uncle Charlie played jazz horn like my Dad with one hand. He lost the other arm from a work accident. […] My Dad worked also for the Pullman Co. and he related many stories to us of his travels on the train to the southern part of the states and how difficult it was back then, when the Porters were known as "George" . MANY HARROWING STORIES. Gail Millington Grant
Comments