TALBOT TIMES
Newsletter of the
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
VOL. I ISSUE 2 JUNE 1982
A LETTER TO US FROM VICTORIA, B.C.
Elgin County Branch, O.G.S.
From the Kent County branch newsletter, we learned about your new branch. The Annett family tree members came from England to Elgin County. Here’s a brief history of the Robert Annett family who came to Elgin County:
Captain Robert Annett’s son, Philip Annett, born 18 August 1810, when nineteen years old, and his sister, Louisa, age fifteen years, came with a neighbour named Silcox to Canada in 1829. They were six weeks on the ocean in a sailing vessel. In 1831 Robert Annett, his wife Sara Mines, with seven more of the family came to the woods of Southwold, near St. Thomas. George, Joseph, Stephen, Noah, Jeremiah, Jane and Eliza came with their parents. Three other children (Robert, Charles and Elizabeth deceased~ remained in England. Jeremiah married and remained in Southwold Township, Elgin County. Noah later settled near Glencoe, Middlesex. Robert Annett with four sons and three daughters went on to Euphemia Township, Lambton County.
Robert settled on Lot East half 29, Conc. 9. Joseph settled on the same farm. Philip settled on Lot West half 29, Conc. 9, George and Stephen purchased farms near there. George also owned and operated a cheese factory. Eliza married Robert Sutton, Jane married Edward Arnold, Louisa married Joseph Arnold and moved to Indiana. All except Eliza had families.
Perhaps you might want to use the above-mentioned info in your newsletter.
Yours truly, Mrs. N. (Noreen) S. Annett, 1403 Ryan St, , Victoria
B.C. V8R 2V9 (dated 16 May, 1982.)
APRIL MEETING— Our monthly meeting was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints on Elm St., St. Thomas. Our group is going to zero—in on cemetery recordings of Elgin. Our first co—ordinators “volunteered”. D. Van Seader will be the co—ordinator in Aldborough, Mrs. Norma Smith in Yarmouth, and Mrs. I. Begg, Ian Begg and Mrs. Marg Daugharty in Southwold.
A motion from the floor to have a voluntary collection at each meeting was passed unanimously.
A sum of $25 was collected. It certainly helps with the expenses. The fees for 1983 were set at $6 for an individual branch membership and $8 for a family membership.
Don Carroll, of the West Elgin Genealogical and Historical Society, spoke briefly about the foundation of the society. The society does extensive displays at the Dutton Games. In 1981 the society decided to concentrate on transcribing cemeteries. Mr. Carroll then introduced the guest speakers, Irving Thomas, artist and philatelist, and Keith Kelly, Reeve of Aldborough Township.
Mr. Thomas spoke about the background of the postage stamp and about the early beginnings of the Canadian Postal System. Mr. Kelly followed this with a look at early post offices in West Elgin. Many well—known names are associated with the early postmasters (list included in this issue) of the area. Unfortunately Mr. Kelly was unable to finish his talk on the early post offices in the west end of Elgin as time ran out. It is hoped that he will be back some day to finish his talk.
MAY MEETING
was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in St. Thomas. We now have a post office box. Our official address is – Elgin County Branch, OGS, P.O. Box 416, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V2.
Steve Peters, vice—chairman, introduced the guest speaker, Ed Phelps of the Regional Collection at the D.B. Weldon Library, the University of Western Ontario.
Mr. Phelps spoke about the development of records in the Elgin area. Up until 1849, Elgin was part of the London District along with Oxford, Middlesex, Perth and Huron. In 1827 London was made the seat of government for the area and all officials were asked to send their records to London. This did not sit well with some officials, especially a Mr. Walsh of Simcoe. He refused to move to London and retained his records in Simcoe (records dating back to 1800). Mr. Phelps said this was fortunate because all the records of London District burnt in the great fire of 1846. Elgin and Middlesex wills of the period 1838 to 1846 were lost. However during the 1970’s Mr. Walsh’s old records were found in the vaults of the old Simcoe court house. Wills, deeds and receipts back to 1800 were discovered.
Up to 1850 the Clerk of the Peace was in charge of registering wills, assessment rolls, etc. After 1850, the new county governments took over. The assessment rolls for Elgin County from 1858 to 1912 still exist. They are available at the Regional Collection, D.B. Weldon Library. Mr. Phelps also noted that school census books were an excellent source of information for genealogists. Many of these books have disappeared or are in private hands and not available to the public.
Anyone having information on 1) old school census books, 2) copies of the Aylmer Express prior to 1890 or after 1945, 3) church records or 4) foresters lodge records should contact Mr. Phelps.
We have been very fortunate to have such well informed speakers, our thanks to Irving Thomas, Keith Kelly and Ed Phelps.
CEMETERY RECORDING PROGRESS
Co—ordinators –
Aldborough Township – D. Van Seader
Southwold Township – Mrs. I. Begg, Mrs. M. Daugharty, Ian Begg
Yarmouth Township – Mrs. Norma Smith
We still need co-ordinators for South Dorchester, Malahide and Bayham Townships.
MELLOR CEMETERY – Joyce Locke has recorded and measured the stones in the Mellor Cemetery (also known as White’s Station Cemetery) and it will be turned over to the Southwold co-ordinators shortly. This cemetery is located in Southwold Township, Elgin County “South part, lot 4, range 2 ERR” (East River Road). The last burial took place in 1922.
LOVE CEMETERY – Aldborough Township, Conc. 12, lot 23 is presently being recorded by the members of the West Elgin Genealogical and Historical Society.
SILAS TOLES
On the south side of the west end of Wellington Road, there is a steep hill covered with trees, wild flowers, brush and at the very top stands a huge stone monument. The names inscribed on it are as follows:
Silas Toles 1791 — 1871
Margaret Toles 1794 — 1840
Anna Toles 1818 — 1829
The slopes fall off on all sides of the stone, which makes it an ideal location for the spirits of these pioneers to watch over the country they helped to build so long ago.
Silas Toles was a Dutchman born May 28, 1791 in New York State. He came to Canada with the United Empire Loyalists and fought in the war of 1812. He was wounded at the battle of Lundy’s Lane. Toles was given this land as recognition of his services in the war.
In 1813 Silas was planning to marry Margaret Kelley of Niagara Falls. The Kelleys did not approve of having a Dutchman marry their daughter and so Silas and Margaret eloped. It is said, that they eloped to the tune of bullets. They married in St. Thomas and the family soon accepted it and became friendly. Silas and Margaret raised ten children.
The Kelleys were suspected of taking part in the 1837 rebellion and the Toles house was searched because they thought the Kelley’s might be hiding there. Mrs. Toles did not like the intrusion and broke a chair over the head of the investingating officer. They decided to have one of their boys stand guard every night to stop any further intrusions of this kind. One of the boys, looking for some excitement took a shot at a pig that was running past. The family wanted to know what he was shooting at and were told that when no one answered when he called out, “Who goes there?”, he fired.
Silas was a school trustee, and heard that a teacher was not performing his duties pro perly, and so he sat in on the classes. Everything went along well until the spelling match, when the teacher corrected a student. Silas told the teacher that the student was right and a fight errupted. The teacher struck Silas with a cane, which was a mistake, because Silas gave him a threshing and ended up in jail for 30 days, he also had to pay a $60. fine. Silas was right about the spelling of the word.
Mrs. Toles and the children were picking berries one day when they were surprised by a bear.
Their screams were heard by some of the men, who chased the bear down the hill to a hotel, which stood by the London road (where it turned up to St. Thomas). The bear charged into the barroom and wrecked the interior. It was finally killed at an Indian encampment.
One of the Toles was known for inventing a new type of crosscut saw.
Margaret Toles died in 1840 on her way home from church. Silas married again to Jane Benjafield Wilton. He died in 1871.
In the September of 1932, the Toles descendants met on the hill by the grave site. There were
110 of them. T.W. Weyburn was the organizer and the committee included F.W. Toles, of Galt; H.B. Brodie of London. These descendants hired Mr. Travers ofTalbotville to erect the stone that now stands on the hill. Prior to this, the graves were marked by a wire fence.
The information for this article was from an old London Free Press Newspaper clipping, date unknown, supplied by Don Cosens. Thanks Don.
QUERIES
KERR — Mr. Eugene P. Amos seeks info on John & Jannet Kerr listed in 1861 Southwold census. Is John bro. to Alexander, Archibald and Colin Kerr also listed in 1861 Southwold census? Any Kerrs buried in Southwold Township cemeteries, John, Jennet, etc? 1861 census John age 40 b. Scotland, Jennet age 31 b. Scotland. 1871 census John age 60 b. Scotland,
Baptist. Jenet age 47, b. Scotland, Baptist. Dau. Margaret married Helmut Zoll/Ross Oct. 6, 1872 in Caradoc. For further info contact Tony Hofstee. If you have any info please let Tony know.
BALDWIN — #6455, Morley John Baldwin requests any info Charles Bridgman Baldwin m. Susie Hawley, July 24, 1916; and John Webster Baldwin m. Rachel Lanbier, Sept. 4, 1939. Can you help? (address membership list)
WILLSON—WINTEMUTE — searching for desc. of Mordecai Willson and Rachel Van Syckle who came to Southwold Township, Middlesex just prior to Elgin being formed, from Ancaster district. Also desc. of Benjamin Wintemute and Esterann Melvina Willson b. 1840 both d. 1916 – Esther ann d. Vancouver, B.C. Eldest dau. taught Alma College, St. Thomas, went to Japan m. Harper Coates both were missionaries there. #7248 Mrs. Norma Smith,
SEAKIN – All occurrences to Mrs. Joyce Locke
OFFER OF HELP – #2634 Mrs. Ceclia Casey,will be visiting Ireland, Scotland and England, July 4 to 26. If she can help, let her know.
The following is a list of West Elgin Post Offices giving their opening and closing dates, also a list of the Post masters.
Port Talbot 1820 – 1870 reopened 1875 – 1914
1820 – M. Burwell
1853-1865 John Clarke
1867-1870 Geo. Macbeth
1875-1891 Andrew Lunn
1891-1904 John Brown
1904-1914 Thomas Lunn
Aldboro (New Glasgow) 1831 – 1913
Donald Currie (school teacher) P.O. in school
(resigned) McDougald
1839-1841 Duncan McDiarmid
1841- Ewen McKinlay
-1857 (died) John McDougald
1858-1865 Donald McDougald
1865-1871 (left the place) Luther Carpenter
1871-1895 Sam Kirkpatrick
1895-1900 D.H. McIntyre
1903-1905 Mrs. D.H. McIntyre
1905-1913 Mrs. Betsy Shoultz
- Tyrconnel 1837 -1913
1842- Jas. Patterson
1842- Leslie Patterson
1853-1854 Thomas Coyne
1855-1858 Jas. Blackwood
1859-1860 Joseph Mitchell
1861 –
[Note: from Sandra – May 2021 – the missing postmaster might be James Stevenson. On the list of people who bought shares in the Dunwich Pier Company in Tyrconnell, 1861, James Stevenson is described as shoemaker and postmaster.]
1862-1867 Peter Cameron
1867-1874 Meredith Conn
1874-1883 Samuel Harris
1883-1884 Rev. John Sanderson
1885-1889 John O’Brian
1890-1899 Atkinson Conn
1900-1902 Mrs. Adela Payson
1902-1910 Mrs. Allan Page
1910-1912 Geo. Bexton
1912-1913 Jas. Page
- lona 1852 – 1963
1852- J. DeCow
1854-1863 Wm. Harris
1863-1868 Daniel Decow
1868-1872 John Philpott
1873-1891 Edmond Roche
1891-1917 Miss Bella Roche
1918-1935 J.0. Lumley Mrs. Mary Lumley (acting)
1935-1944 Wm. W. Lumley
1944 (acting)-1945 Wm. John Lee Westover
1946(act.ing)-1960(death) Ray W. Lumley
1960-1963 Mrs. Mae Lumley
Wallacetown 1852 –
1852-1855 A. M. Gunn
1855-1856 D. Gunn
Mayhew
1856-1857 N.D. Mickle
1857-1860 Angus Rose
1860-1873 John McKillop
1873-1879 A.E. St. Th. Barclay
1880-1894 Robert Gunn
1894-1910 Wm. Cusack
1910-1937 Emily Cusack
1939-1960 Mrs. Blanch Rietz
1960 (acting) Clifford Reitz
1961-(acting) Mrs. Mary Sloan
1981- Mrs. Wallace Pfaff
6. Brocks Creek 1855 – 1856
1855-1856 Donald McKillop
- Largie 1856-1866, 1868-1871, 1873-1884
1855-1856 Neil McEachran
1857-1965 D. McCallum
1868-1870 Archibald Leitch
1870-1871 Hugh McPherson
1873-1884 Allen McPherson
- Clachan 1858 – 1915
1858-1867 Jas Marchbank
1868-1870 Dunc. McPhail
1870-1871 Joel Eastman
1871-1875 Dunc. McColl
1876-1881 Charles Jennings
1881-1882 Dunc. McColl
1883- Mrs. Mary Carnes
1884-1886 Fred Sticker
1887-1888 Jas. Chase
1889-1892 D.D. McColl
1893-1901 L. Patterson
1901-1910 Mrs. Susan Patterson
1910-1915 J.L. Patterson
- Crinan 1859-1967
1859-1892 Dunc McIntyre
1892-1916 John McIntyre
1916-1942 Mrs. Jessie McIntyre
1942-1967 Mrs. Edna McIntyre
10. Cowal
1863-1871 Neil McBride
1871-1875 Grant Silcox
1875-1885 Jas. McDougall
1886-1888 John Battin
1888-1891 John Thompson
1891-1904 Daniel Thompson
1904-1906 John Thompson
1906-1906 J.A. McGugan
1906-1911 Alex McLachlin
1913-1913 Ruben Adams
- Eagle 1863 – 1913
1863-1871 Wm. Mowbray
1871-1872 Elisha Budd Stuart
1873 -1874 Colin Gillies
1874-1913 Philip Lindenman
- Rodney 1865 –
1865-1902 Albert Humphrey
1902-1912 John S. McGugan
1912-1927 Donald G. McPherson
1928-1958 John Messerschmid
1958-1966 Alice Paterson
1966-1973 Wallace Pfaff
1973(acting) 1975-1978 Mrs. P. Lewis
1973-1975 W.N. Morey
1978-1978 Steven Pfaff
13. West Lorne 1873-
1873-1919 Dunc. McKillop
1919-1924 W.J. Wakeling
1924-1925 Cliff Hall
1925-1958 Jas. P. Scott
1958-1978 Mrs. Irene Telford
1978- G.N. Freele
- Dutton 1887 –
1874-1912 Archibald Leitch
1912-1922 A.A. McKillop
B. Blanchard
1943-1967 Jack A. McNeil
1967-1977 Henry C. Davis 1977-1978 Mrs. K. Ahrens
1978 Mrs. L. Carroll
1978 Steven Pfaff
15 Iona Station 1875-
1875-1879 Dunc Galbraith
1880-1883 Dan Decow
1883-1888 Wm. Henderson
1888-1894 Jas. J. Campbell
1894-1912 Joseph Gage
1912-1921 Alfred Widdifield
1921-1940 D. J. McBride
1941-1960 A.M. McBride
1960 (acting) Alfred Richie
1961-1965 Wilfred Richie
1965-1967 Mrs. E. Richie
(acting) Winnifred Brown
1967-1978 R. T. Hudson
1978-1978 Carol LeCourtois
- Campbellton 1875 — 1930
1875-1881 Neil McBride
1882-1898 Mrs. Mary McKeracher
1898-1903 John Searle
1903-1906 Sam Sowden
1906-1911 John Gill
1911-1920 A.C. Turner
1920-1925 George Percival
1926-1937 Miss Mary McPherson
- Kintyre 1894 — 1913
1894-1903 Jas. Fleming
1903-1909 Neil Brodie
1909-1913 Miss Sarah Brodie
We wish to thank the West Elgin Genealogical & Historical Society and especially Keith Kelly for making their Post Office research available to us.
When Post Offices were first established in West Elgin, and particularly at Port Talbot, mail was either brought overland or by boat from Niagara.
In 1832 Collins Handy took the contract to carry the mail on horseback from Kettle Creek (St.
Thomas) to Amherstburg and Fort Malden. This was a weekly trip through dense forest west of Clearville.
There is no record of anyone else carrying the mail after Mr. Handy but it is known that stage coaches from St. Thomas through Middlemarch, lona, Wallacetown and Aldborough carried it. From these drop off points it was carried on horseback inland to settlers.
With the coming of the Great Western Railroad in 1854 through Newbury and Glencoe, mail was brought overland to Aldborough. Later with the coming of the Canada Southern Railway in 1872, the pattern of mail delivery changed again. Finally in 1913, rural mail delivery began in general in this area and continues to this day.
BOOK REPORT – “THE PLAINS” by Jean I. Griffin
The First Yarmouth Regular Baptist Church known as The Plains has published a very complete and well-indexed book of their history.
It contains 98 pages beginning in 1830, with List of Charter Members, Minutes of meetings, reference to other Baptist churches in the district, Baptisms 1830 to present, List of Deacons 1832—1981, List of Clerks 1833 to present, 1899 Membership List, Choir Leaders 1894 on, Sunday School Superintendents 1891—1980, “1842” Sunday School Membership, The Old
Plains Cemetery list with first burial May 1818, The Seminary Cemetery records – earliest burial 1820. “The Plains” also includes “List of Burials from the minutes of four local graveyards”.
This book “The Plains” is available from – Mrs. Harvey Barrett, R. R. #5, St. Thomas, Ontario
NSP 3S9 (phone (519) 631-4058) for $6.00. “The Plains” is well written with tender loving care.