(fl. 1860s), athlete. Jarmy’s successful career in the Scottish sport of hammer throwing was remarkable, since he had lost one hand in an accident. He is a marginal figure in GC affairs, yet he is remembered in GC history and legend because of his matches with R. R. (Big Rory) McLennan in hammer throwing. At Cornwall, Ont., at the Queen’s Birthday celebrations in May 1865, Jarmy defeated McLennan in throwing the 12-lb. hammer, but McLennan was victorious in throwing the 14 lb. and the 16-lb. hammer, and therefore (on the rule of two wins out of three) was the winner of the competition. The stakes were $1000, a gold medal, and the title of champion of the world. Far from resenting his defeat, Jarmy is said to have got McLennan to join him in touring the other Caledonian games competitions that season, and to have taught him further skills in hammer throwing. Their expertise won them the attentions of one of the most celebrated Glengarrians of the time. “We understand that Messrs. McLennan and Jarmy, the champion hammer throwers, were invited by John Cameron, Esq., on Monday last, to visit his country seat of Fairfield, where they were most hospitably and kindly entertained.” (Cornwall Freeholder 2 June 1865) The host was John A. (Cariboo) Cameron, back from the goldfields and just starting to build his splendid new Fairfield house. Jarmy and McLennan were scheduled to contend at hammer throwing at Montreal in June. (FH 9 June 1865) However, and sadly, when they competed again at hammer throwing in Cornwall, on 4 July that year, “The attendance was poor not above a couple of hundred persons being present.” (Cornwall Advertiser 5 July 1865) Jarmy is mentioned in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography as Thomas Jarmy of Guelph, but elsewhere he is variously described as being from Toronto, and from Scotland, and as John Jarmay, or Jarmey, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Guelph, however, seems correct: the family belonged to Puslinch Township, Wellington County, of the Guelph area. See also Donald Dinnie.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography, XIII, 661 (life of McLennan) * Cornwall Freeholder 25 May 1865 * Witness 31 May 1865 * D.A. McMillan’s reminiscences (1911) of the May 1865 contest, quoted in Roy F. Fleming, “Glengarry Athletes Star Performers in Early Caledonian Games,” Standard Freeholder 23 July 1949 * information 2004 from Puslinch Historical Society * enquiries in 1995 at Grand Rapids, Mich., produced no references to Jarmy