TALBOT TIMES
NEWSLETTER OF
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
OF THE
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Volume VI Issue 4 December 1987
HOW THE CENSUS IS TAKEN
Scene and Characters – A farm house; Mrs. Touchwood at the washtub being questioned by the census taker.
Good morning madam. Is the head of the house at home?
Mrs. Touchwood – Yes, sir, I’m at home.
Inquisitor – Haven’t you a husband
Mrs. T. – Yes, sir, but he ain’t the head of the family, I’d have you know. Inq. – How many persons have you in your family?
Mrs. T. – Why, bless me, sir, what’s that to you? You’re mighty inquisitive, I think.
Inq. – I’m the man that takes the census.
Mrs. T. – If you was a man in your senses you wouldn’t ask such impertinent questions.
Inq. – Don’t be offended old lady, but answer my questions as I ask them.
Mrs. T. – “Answer a fool according to his folly!” – You know what the Scripture says. Old lady, indeed!
Inq. – Beg your pardon madam, but I don’t care about hearing Scripture just at this moment. I’m bound to go according to law and not according to gospel.
Mrs. T. – I should think you went neither according to law nor gospel. What business is it to you to inquire into folks’ affairs, Mr. Thingumbob?
Inq. – The law makes it my business, good woman, and if you don’t want to expose yourself to penalties, you must answer my questions.
Mrs. T. — Oh, it’s the law is it? That alters the case. But I should like to know what the law has to do with other people’s household affairs?
Inq. – Why Congress made the law, and if it don’t please you, you must talk to them about it.
Mrs. T. – Talk to a fiddle-stick! Why, Congress is a fool, and you’ re another.
Inq. – Now good lady, you’re a fine, good-looking woman; if you’ll give me a few civil answers I’ll thank you. What I wish to know first is, how many are there in your family?
Mrs. T. – Let me see[counting on her fingers; there’s I and my husband is one _____ Inq. – Two, you mean.
Mrs. T. – Don’t put me out, now, Mr. Thinkummy. There’s I and my husband is one _____
Inq. – – Are you always one?
Mrs. T. – What’s that to do with you, I should like to know. But I tell you, if you don’t leave off interrupting me I won’t say another word. Inq. – Well, take your own way, and be hanged to you.
Mrs. T. – I will take my own way, and no thanks to you. [Again counting her fingers.] There’s I and my husband is one; there’s John he’s two; Peter is three, Sue and Moll are four, and Thomas is five. And then there’s Mr. Jenkins and his wife and the two children is six; and there’s Jowler, he’s seven.
Inq. — Jowler! Who’s he?
Mrs. T. – Who’s Jowler! Why, who should he be but the old house dog?
Inq. – It’s the number of persons I want to know.
Mrs. T. – Very well, Mr. Flippergin, ain’t Jowler a person? Come here, Jowler, and speak for yourself. I’m sure he’s as personable a dog as there is in the whole State. Inq. – He’s a very clever dog, no doubt. But it’s the number of human beings I want to know.
Mrs. T. – Human! There ain’t a more human dog that ever breathed. Inq. — Well, but I mean the two legged kind of beings.
Mrs. T. — Oh, the two legged is it? Well, then, there’s the old rooster, he’s seven; the fighting—cock is eight, and the bantam is nine.
Inq. – Stop, stop, good woman, I don’t want to know the number of your fowls.
Mrs. T. – I’m very sorry indeed, I can’t please you, such a sweet gentleman as you are. But didn’t you tell me – ‘twas the two-legged beings____
Inq. – True, but I didn’t mean the hens.
Mrs. T. – Oh, now I understand you. The old gobbler, he’s seven, the hen turkey is eight; and if you’ll wait a week there’ll be a parcel of young ones, for the old hen turkey is sitting on a whole snarl of eggs. Inq. – Blast your turkeys!
Mrs. T. – Oh, don’t now, good Mr. Hippersticher, I pray you don’t. They’re as honest turkeys as any in the country.
Inq. – Don’t vex me any more. I’m getting to be angry. Mrs. T. – Ha! ha! ha!
Inq. – [striding about the room in rage.] Have a care, madam, or I shall fly out of my skin.
Mrs. T. – If you do I don’t know who will fly in.
Inq. – You do all you can to anger me. It’s the two-legged creatures who talk I have reference to.
Mrs. T. – Oh, now I understand you. Well then, our Poll Parrot makes seven and the black gal eight.
Inq. – I see you will have your own way.
Mrs. T. – You have found out, have you! You are a smart little man.
Inq. – Have you mentioned the whole of your family?
Mrs. T. – Yes, that’s the whole – except the wooden-headed man in front. Inq. – Wooden-headed?
Mrs. T. – Yes, the schoolmaster what’s boarding here.
Inq. – I suppose if he has a wooden head he lives without eating, and therfore must be a profitable boarder.
Mrs. T. – Oh, no, sir, you are mistaken there. He eats like a leather judgement. Inq. – How many servants are there in the family?
Mrs. T. – Servants! Why, there’s no servants but me and my husband. Inq. – What makes you and your husband servants?
Mrs. T. – I’m a servant to hard work and he is a servant to rum. He does nothing all day but guzzle, guzzle, guzzle; while I’m working, and stewing, and sweating from morning to night, and from night till morning.
Inq. – How many colored persons have you?
Mrs. T. – There’s nobody but Dianah, the black girl, Poll Parrot and my daughter Sue. Inq. – Is your daughter a colored girl?
Mrs. T. – I guess you’d think so if you was to see her. She’s always out in the sun — and she’s tanned up as black as an Indian.
Inq. – How many white males are there in your family under ten years of age?
Mrs. T. – Why there ain’t none now; my husband don’t carry the mail since he’s taken to drink so bad. He used to carry two, but they wasn’t white.
Inq. – You mistake, good woman; I meant male folks, not leather mails.
Mrs. T. – Let me see; there’s none except little Thomas, and Mr. Jenkins’ two little girls. Inq. – Males, I said madam, not females.
Mrs. T. – Well, if you don’t like them you may leave them off.
Inq. – How many white males are there between ten and twenty?
Mrs. T. – Why, there’s nobody but John and Peter, and John ran away last week. Inq. – How many white males are there between twenty and thirty?
Mrs. T.-Let me see – there’s the wooden-headed man is one, Mr. Jenkins and his wife is two, and the black girl is three.
Inq. – No more of your nonsence, old lady; I’m heartily tired of it.
Mrs. T. — Hoity, toity! Haven’t I a right to talk as I please in my own house? Inq. – You must answer the questions as I put them.
Mrs. T. — “Answer a fool according to his folly” – you’re right, Mr. Hippogriff. Inq. – How many white males are there between thirty and forty?
Mrs. T. – Why there’s nobody but I and my husband – and he was forty—one last March. Inq. – As you count yourself amoung the males I dare say you wear the breeches. Mrs. T. — Well, what if I do, Mr. Impertinence? Is that anything to you? Mind your own business, if you please.
Inq. – Certainly – I did but speak. How many white males are there between forty and fifty?
Mrs. T. — None.
Inq. – How many between fifty and sixty?
Mrs. T. – None.
Inq.- Are there any between this and a hundred? Mrs. T. – None except the old gentleman.
Inq. – What old gentleman?. You haven’t mentioned any before.
Mrs. T. – Why, gramther Grayling – I thought everybody knew gramther Grayling – he’s a hundred and two years old next August, if he lives so long – and I dare say he will, for he’s got the dry wilt, and they say such folks never dies. Inq. – Now give me the number of deaf and dumb persons.
Mrs. T. – Why there ain’t no deaf persons, excepting husband, and he ain’t so deaf as he pretends to be. When anybody axes him to take a drink of rum, if it’s only a whisper, he can hear quick enough. But if I tell him to fetch an armful of wood or feed the pigs or tend the griddle, he’s as deaf as a horse-block. Inq. – How many dumb persons?
Mrs. T. – Dumb! Why, there’s no dumb body in the house except the wooden-headed man, and he never speaks unless he’s spoken to. To be sure, my husband wishes I was dumb, but he can’t make it out.
Inq. – Are there any manufactures carried out here?
Mrs. T. – None to speak on, except turnip—sausages and tow cloth.
Inq. – Turnip-sausages!
Mrs. T. – Yes, turnip-sausages. Is there anything wonderful in that?
Inq. – I never heard of them before. What kind of machinery is used in making them?
Mrs. T. – Nothing but a bread-trough, a chopping-knife and a sausage filler.
Inq. – Are they made of clear turnips?
Mrs. T. – Now your terrible inquisitive. What would you give to know?
Inq. – I’ll give you the name of being the most communicative and pleasant woman I’ve met for the last half-hour.
Mrs. T. – Well, now, you’re a sweet gentleman, and I must gratify you. You must know we mix with the turnip a little red cloth, just enough to give them color, so they needn’t look as if they were made of clear fat meat; then we chop them up well together, put a little sage, summer savory, and black pepper; and they make as pretty little delicate links as ever was set on a gentleman’s table; they fetch the highest price in the market. Inq. – Indeed! Have you a piano in the house?
Mrs. T. – A piany! What’s that? Inq. – A musical instrument.
Mrs. T. – Lor, no. But Sary Jane, down at the Corners, has one -you see Sary got all highfalutin about the great Colushun down to Boston, and down she went; an’ when she came back the old man got no rest until she had one of the big square music boxes with the white teeth – ‘spose that’s what you call a piany.
Inq. -——You seem to know what it is then.
Mrs. T. – Yes, sir. Have you anything more to ax? Inq. – Nothing more. Good morning madam.
Mrs. T. — Stop a moment; can’t you think of something else? Do now, that’s a good man. Wouldn’t you like to know what we’re going to have for dinner; or how many chickens our white hen hatched at her last brood; or how many Inq. – – Nothing more–nothing more.
Mrs. T. – Here just look at the cupboard and see how many red ants there are in the sugar-bowl; I haven’t time to count them myself. Inq. – Confound your aunts and all your relations.
[Exit in bad humor]
Is this what it was really like for the early census takers? I couldn’t help but think as I first read this, that we are lucky the records are as good as they are. What an awful job it must have been to extract the needed information from some of the people.
This was taken from … . The New Century Perfect speaker
Edited by John A. Cooper
Published by… The World Publishing Company, Guelph, Ontario.
There is no date of publication in the book but it appears to have been published early in the 1900’s.
Excerpts from the St. Thomas Daily Times Thursday, January 18, 1894.
Vienna — Mr. Jas. Chute of Boston, Mas. son of Mr. E. Chute, is visiting his parents, both are in poor health.
Mr. H. Nevilles is attending Normal school at Ottawa.
Mrs. Jeannie Carlisle, of Peterboro was the guest of Miss. E. Chute during the past week.
Miss Jessie Gunne, formerly a pupil of Hamilton Collegiate, is attending school here.
Miss Annie Edison, is attending the Toronto Normal School.
At the annual meeting of the Bayham Agriculture Society held here on Thursday January 11. The following officers were elected for the coming year: Pres. C.P.Chute; Vice Pres. J.T. Marr; Directors, H. Saxton, S.D. McCurdy, Thos.
McGreer, K.Stilwell, Wm. Gordan, Louis Hankinson, E.S. McCollum, A. McConnell, and Mr. Harvey of Eden. Wm. Watts was reappointed Sec. and Treas. and E.H. Suffel and George Ault as auditors. Mr. Jack B. Martin who died at his home, about two miles west of this place, on Tuesday last, aged 86 years, was buried in St. Luke’s cemetery on Thursday.
Mr. William Broom, of Minneapolis is visiting friends here.
Mr. E.H. Suffel, not having the required property qualification declined to take the declaration of office as Reeve of the village. Nominations for Reeve will be held on Monday 22nd January.
MEETINGS
Elgin County Branch, O.G.S. meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, in the Carnegie room of the St. Thomas Public Library, on Curtis Street the exceptions are July and August when NO meetings are held, the June meeting which is usually a cemetery transcribing session and the December meeting, which is a dinner meeting and fun night.
JANUARY – Rev. T. A. Broadfoot, Rector of St. John’s Anglican Church, St. Thomas. Topic – “The Broadfoot Family.”
FEBRUARY – Don Carroll, Author and member of the Elgin County Branch, of O.G.S. Topic – His book Robert’s Bairns.
MARCH – Brian Gilchrist – genealogical research specialist, teacher, and writer. Topic – Newspapers in Genealogy.
APRIL — William Reynolds, president of the O.G.S. society for 1987 -88. Topic – The O.G.S.
****Nominations will be accepted at the January meeting for the positions of Regional Director and Regional Secretary.
Please, give your selection to Jean Bircham at the January meeting. Thank You.
REPORT ON MEETINGS
SEPTEMBER — Kirk Barons was the guest speaker. He spoke mainly on Bayham
Township mentioning the rise and fall of the township in the 1870’s. He said some of the factors in the development of that- area were the Talbot Road, Otter Creek in the south and the mill industry. U.E.L.’s fron the Niagara area settled in Port Burwell and some Americans who followed the Talbot Road also settled in the 1830’s. By 1830 Richmond had two schools and three taverns.
He said Captain Edison, who named Vienna, lived to be nearly 100 years of age. Port Burwell was a noted shipping centre in the 1840’s to 1850’s. In 1840 Bayham was a thriving lumber centre but by 1872 only one lumber business was left operating.
The “Bayham Lambs”, who were noted criminals, cattle and sheep rustlers, were operating between 1870 and 1888.
OCTOBER — Mary Lou Bacon was the guest speaker, she spoke on research in Michigan and suggested places to search for records in Michigan.
NOVEMBER — Jean Bircham held a beginners night for “Tracing Your Family History!’. She suggested witting down everything you know about your family, capitalize surnames on your charts and organize or file all of your material. She reminded everyone to send a S.A.S.E. or International Reply Coupon when writing letters.
Regulations for Branches
Approved by Board of Directors 1987 January 23
I Entitlements
- Branches will share in all the goodwill and benefits, both tangible and intangible, which accrue from being a part of a province-wide organization with substantial government approval and support.
- Branches may benefit financially by participation in grant funds.
- Each Branch will receive one copy of each of the Society’s publications for its Branch Library.
- Branches will be permitted to use the Society’s letterhead and coat-of-arms under specified conditions.
- Branches will receive assistance on request for methuds of operation in recordkeeping, financing, reporting, planning meetings, library establishment and operation, etc.
- Branches will participate in and benefit from any province-wide promotion of the Society, and genealogy in general.
- Branches will receive referrals of all enquiries about genealogy in local regions.
- Branches will assist in, and thus benefit from, any Society-sponsored workshops in their areas.
- Branch publications will be promoted in the Society’s Sales Lists of such publications.
II Organization, structure and operation
- Upon fulfilment of the requirements set out by the Board of Directors, any 25 or more members of the Society in good standing may apply in writing to the Board of Directors for recognition as a Branch of the Society. Branches which are in existence on the date of the enactment of these Regulations by the Board of Directors shall continue in existence as accredited Branches of the Society, subject to these Regulations. b. Upon the recommendation of an investigation committee appointed by the President, such an application may be approved by the Board of Directors, with or without change in proposed name or territory. Such approval shall be communicated in writing to the applicants who shall thereupon comprise a Branch of the Society. c. A Branch shall consist of members of the Society in good standing.
- Branches shall conform in all operations and activities to the aims of the Society and its By-laws.
- Each Branch shall elect a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and such other Officers as are required to ensure a successful operation of the Branch. These Officers shall constitute the Branch Executive. In addition, members may be elected or appointed to the following positions: Corresponding Secretary, Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor(s), Librarian, Cemetery Committee Chairman, Publications Committee Chairman, etc.
- The name, address and telephone number of each elected or appointed official is to be sent to the Head Office of the Society within thirty days of such election.
- Branches shall play an active role in each of the Society’s Special Projects.
- Branches may undertake projects of a local nature, providing that they are related to genealogy and in conformity with the aims of the Society.
III Branch Finances
- Branches will operate on the same fiscal year as the Society.
- Each Branch may raise funds for Branch and Society purposes in a legal, ethical and dignified manner.
- Branches will submit reports on accounting, audit, inventories and budget to Head Office (Attention Treasurer; Finance Committee) as required by the Society. Each Branch must comply with conditions laid down by the Society’s auditors for presentation of financial statements and supporting books and records. Current information showing the location and the number of bank accounts and signing officers must be on hand at the Head Office of the Society at all times.
IV meetings
- Branches will hold a minimum of seven regular meetings throughout the year.
- Branches will hold a minimum of six executive meetings per year.
- Annual Meetings for Branches will be held
- minutes shall be kept of all meetings.
V Programs and Activities
- Branches may choose the form of their meetings and programs and activities, all of which will pursue genealogical and related themes.
- Branches are expected to participate in any province-wide Projects sponsored by the Society.
VI Promotion
- Branches will participate in any province—wide promotion of the Society.
- Branches will be expected to promote the Society and its work and activities within their communities, and to participate in events (where appropriate) such as community fairs, heritage events, leisure time promotion, etc.
- Branches will be expected to offer speakers for appropriate events at schools, senior citizens’ homes and other locations where individuals may be interested in family history.
VII Publications of the Society
- Branches will be expected to sell by consignment or to purchase bulk orders of Society publications for re—sale to members and others, and for promotion.
- Branches will be asked to offer suggestions to the Publications Committees of the Society of material to be considered for publication which might have province-wide appeal.
VIII Publications of Branches
- Branches may publish for sale, genealogical material of a local or Regional nature.
- Two complimentary copies of all such publications are to be sent to the Head Office of the Society for the Society’s Library. If publication is a cemetery, three copies are required. Two copies of each Branch publication are to be sent to the National Library, Ottawa.
- All Branch publications will be listed in the Society’s List of Publications for general promotion.
IX Newsletter
- Each Branch will publish a newsletter, with a minimum of four issues per year. Newsletters need not be elaborate or sophisticated documents but will be expected to provide to members news of the Branch’s activities including meetings, projects and finances; news reports of the Society; information about local genealogical matters, sources, studies and transcriptions; a section on queries; articles of local genealogical significance, etc.
- A copy of each issue of the newsletter is to be sent to each member of the Branch as a benefit of membership.
- Nine courtesy copies of each issue of newsletters are to be sent to the Head Office of the Society for distribution to approved locations (e.g. Library, Office files, President, etc.).
- Newsletters may be sold as Branch Publications only after a lapse of one year from date of issue.
X Library
- Each Branch will establish a Branch Library, however small, and provide the general public with access to it.
- Branch Libraries may operate as lending libraries or as reserve, or a combination.
- The materials gathered for the Branch Library should be material which is not available in the Public Libraries in the community, should be genealogically oriented, and may include family histories, reference books, lists of names of all kinds, publications of other genealogical societies, and published genealogical works.
- Branch Librarians will receive advice, assistance and suggestions from the Society’s Library Committee, on request.
XI Additional Matters
- A Branch may adopt rules for the operation and activities of the Branch, provided that such rules conform to the Letters Patent, the By-laws of the Society and the Regulations for Branches. Where there is conflict between a Branch’s rules, and the Regulations for Branches or the By-laws of the Society or the Letters Patent, it is the Regulations for Branches or the By-laws or the Letters Patent that shall prevail.
- In the event that any Branch becomes inactive or is dissolved or is unable to continue in its role as a Branch of the Society, or is expelled by the Board of Directors of the Society, the Society shall assume trusteeship of the Branch’s assets and liabilities. In such event, it shall be the responsibility of the Branch members to ensure that the following steps are taken:
The funds of the Branch shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Society;
All records, files, library records, correspondence and other documents of the Branch shall be forwarded to the Society Head Office; iii The Library of the Branch shall be placed in secure custody pending transfer to the Library of the Society, or as the Board of Directors shall otherwise direct.
If any member of the Society makes formal written complaint against a Branch for any reason whatsoever, the complaint shall be investigated in this manner: i A copy of the complaint shall be sent to the Branch and to the Regional Director with a request for written comments;
ii A copy of the Branch’s comments will be sent to the complainant; iii If resolution of the complaint cannot be achieved by correspondence, the Board of Directors may convene a hearing of the complainant and a representative of the Branch, having first given each party thirty days’ notice in writing. The hearing shall be presided over by the President of the Society and a written record of the proceedings and submissions shall be made;
iv If it is found that the Branch has contravened the Society’s By-laws or the Regulations for Branches, the Board of Directors may take such steps as may be necessary to redress any wrong, to make any restitution which may be necessary and to impose any sanction. Such steps may include suspension or termination of Branch status.
We ask the leaf, “Are You complete in yourself?” And the leaf answers, “No, my life is in the branches.”
We ask the branch, and the branch answers, “No, my life is in the root.
“We ask the root and it answers, “No my life is in the trunk and the branches and the leaves. Keep the branches stripped of leaves and I shall die.”
So it is with the great tree of being. Nothing is completely and merely individual.
By — Harry Emerson Fosdick
Submitted by Ruth Robertson
QUERIES
SPENCER – Rev William and Etta (nee CUMMINS), Baptist Minister at New Sarum, Elgin county 1899-1902. Any info welcomed by William E. SPENCER.
TEEPLE/MYRICK/MERRICK – Any info on Olive MYRICK (MERRICK) w/o Frederick TEEPLE, Middlesex Co., U.C. 1800-1860. Olive is possibly d/o Gardner MYRICK, and also possibly sister of Charles MYRICK, and mother of Frederick TEEPLE. All info to Ms Anne Rahamut.
WESTOVER – Want contact with anyone doing Quebec or Ontario WESTOVER name, 1700—1800’s. Info to Donald S. ERKFRITZ.
CORLESS-NATHAN – On Dec. 6, 1866 a marr took place between John NATHAN of Bayham Twp, b New York ca 1844, s/o Samuel & Roba or Koba NATHAN, and Nancy Mariah CORLESS of Bayham Twp, d/o Jesse CORLESS and Hannah WILSON (WILLSON) CORLESS. The marr was solemnized and recorded by Rev. R.J. Phillips of the M.E. church in the village of Vienna, Bayham Twp on 8 Jan 1867. I have reason to think that possibly John NATHAN was really John SHERMAN as Nancy’s children by 1st marr used the SHERMAN name. Nancy m # 2 Emerson “Doc” HOSHAL. In his will Nancy SHERMAN was the name Jesse CORLESS used to describe this dau. Anyone having knowledge of any kind on John NATHAN and/or John SHERMAN please contact O. George LUTON.
CORLESS – WILSON (WILLSON) – Hannah WILSON(WILLSON) CORLESS b 1817, d 1889, bd Otter Valley cem. (which land was donated for a cem and church by this family) On April 20, 1840 Hannah Wilson (Willson) m Jesse CORLESS, b 1814, d 1874, bd Otter Valley cem. Ch: Mary Jane CORLESS 1841-1861 – m Charles PATTEN, Eliz (Bettsie) Ann 1843-1923, m George A. MARLATT, Nancy Mariah 1846-1887. Hannah apparently had a bro who was Captain of a 58 ton schooner the ROYAL OAK, possibly with Jess CORLESS as part owner. This schooner sank off Port Burwell in 1856. Among Hannah’s effects was a tin type of Gilbert WILSON and also one on Noni WILSON and Rachel, so I feel there is a very good chance they were related. Anyone having knowledge of Hannah W1LSON CORLESS family please contact O. George LUTON. ***please contact Mrs Kathy McMahon.
SLOGGETT– Any info on this family who migrated from England into Niagara Falls and St.Thomas area. Info to Velma RIVARD.
BRAGG– Frederick b England, in 1840’s to John and Louisa, came with prts and sibgs to London, Ontario 1855? M Ellen CORPE, d/o John and Ruth. Fred worked as a cooper in London. Ch of Fred and Ellen BRAGG were Millie GRIFFEN, Jennie JURY, Nellie ANGUS, Olivia DIBERT. Fred’s siblings were Charles Henry, John, James who stayed in England? and Mary Jane HOWE. Any info regarding this family to Jean BIRCHAM.
CORPE– Ellen CORPE, dau of John and Ruth CORPE was b in Taunton, England in 1842? Sib were Mary HOOPER, Martha POWELL, Sophia HENNESY, Victoria Louise COOKE, Jane FITZGERALD, Adelaide, and Albert. All info to Jean BIRCHAM.
HUTCHINSON/McCURDY – Eliza Jane of Bayham m ca 1869 Lexy HUTCHINSON, b 1841, d 1910. Seek issue if any! Info to Ross W. McCURDY.
WITT – Would like to correspond with any of the descendants of the heirs of Calvin & Susan WITT, Calvin’s will shows them to have been : CAROLINE MANNING, MARY
POTECARY, GEORGE HAGLE (Son of SUSAN WITT HAGLE) CALVIN WITT # 2 and GEORGE W. WITT. Did any of these remain near the St.Thomas area? Info to Mrs. Kathleen L. Woodrow.
BUCK-HOPKINS – Jacob BUCK m Mehetable HOPKINS 18 Dec. 1829 Trafalgar. Jacob b U.C. ca 1800, d 6 Dec. 1868. Mehetable b ca 1803 prob in States, d 30 Mar 1860. Both bd Orwell cem. They lived on farm near Aylmer, 6 Ch: Ephram, Wm., Sarah, Jane, Julia & sophronia. Info to M. Alice Bentley.
ROWLAND- CULHAM– researching families who emigrated from Wales in 1828, especially SAGE ROWLAND CULHAM, of York Co., Send info to Eleanor GENOVESE.
BUTLER – Mary Ann m Joseph CRAFTS (CROFTS), Ch: John, Thomas b 1809 in N.B. Eliza b 1814 in N.S. (m John HOLMES), Joseph bapt Sandwich. Joseph d 1821 in Essex or Kent Co. Reported she m John TIFFIN. Any info to Eleanor Genovese.
MEDCALF – Interested in desc of William, b 9/1773 County Wicklow, Ireland, d 22 June 1851 bd Old Richmond, & Martha b 1772, county Wicklow, d 12 Jan 1861, Malahide Twp, settled Lot 2, conc 5, Bayham Twp. Ch: William, Theophilus, three dau( who stayed in Elgin Co area, one may have been Catherine) Edward b 1802 in Ireland, d 18 Mar 1886, bd Richmond; Francis Henry b 1803 in Ireland, d 26 Mar 1880 Toronto & John b July 1805 d 18 Jan 1861 bd Firby Cem. Send all info to Michael J. MEDCALF.
DEER/DEAR– Any info on Maude DEAR/DEER, b 1879 Elgin Co., moved to Oakland Co, Milford, MI 1900, or any of her bros or sisters, Alfred, William, Charles, Frank, Arthur, George F., Sarah, Francis, Videt & Grace. Glen Murphy.
KEILLOR – Charles Edward Dixon, son of John KEILLOR and Nancy Ann ? b Nova Scotia ca 1831. On 1861 census, Yarmouth Twp with 1st wife, Ellen ANGUS and 4 daus. Did John and Nancy Ann also move to Ontario? Did Charles have any bros & sisters? Any info on this family appreciated. Mrs. Marjorie J. KEILLOR.
KELLESTINE – Mrs Frank, Strathroy area, dau of James WILKINS and sis of Eliza (WILKINS) CALCUTT. Need her name & any info to Mrs Barbara FERGUSON.
SIMMONDS (SYMONDS) – Sybil- lived in Strathroy area, friend or relative of Maria (CALCUTT) BENJAMIN- Wish to hear from any desc. Info to Mrs. Barbara FERGUSON.
HONSINGER/MILLS – Catharine HONSINGER bd Sparta Friends Cemetery, with no dates. Hoping she is mother of Margaret MINARD & Mary MILLS. In 1850 census, Catharine was living with son Peter & Jane HONSINGER in Louth Twp., Lincoln Co. Peter also moved to Elgin, showing up in the 1871 census. Catharine is the w/o John HONSINGER of Louth UE. Any help to this family history to Mrs. Barbara WRIGHT.
MILLS – John and Mary HONSINGER, Sparta Cemetery, John d 1860. Mary not found. Are there any family members to help with this line? Mary is dau of John and Catharine HONSINGER b Louth Twp, Lincoln co. All info to Mrs. Barbara Wright.
GILLET – Mercy, b 1785, a widow, living in Bayham Twp, Elgin Co. in 1851. Was her husband Benjamin or William GILLET of Middleton? Land was sold in Middleton in 1850 & family moved to Bayham then later to Oxford County. Known ch of Mercy- Ann b 1824, Dudley b 1826 & Alfred b 1827. Was there also a dau Rebecca b ca 1817 m to Reuben AVERILL? All info to Barbara TARGAL.
TRASK-GILLET – Seek info on prts of Emeline M TRASK of Westminster b 1807 and her husband Jeremiah GILLET of Middleton b 1803. They were m 26 Aug 1832 in Bayham M.E. Church. Jeremiah’s father was Samuel GILLET b ? Who was Jeremiah’s Mother? Samuel also had a Son Lorenzo D. GILLET b 1810- any other children? All info to Mrs. Barbara Targal.
FORBES/HARRIS– Benjamin FORBES, b Scotland 1827, m 3 Oct. 1846 by Rev. C. Burdick in Malahide to Eliza Jane HARRIS b 5 July 1825. Ch: Olive Jane, Mary Alvina, John Wesley, Joseph Henry, Asa Warren,(b Oxford, Ontario 1856, m in Tillsonburg 1878, d in London 1922; desc Farrington? near St.Thomas?), William Philander (to Ohio ca 1873), Emmie. Seek info on Benjamin & Eliza. Glad to exchange any & all info, will return Cdn postage. Info to Douglas FORBES.
SEASONS’S GREETINGS
The year has fled by and the New Year will soon be here. I wish to thank everyone for helping make it a good year. Thank you to all who helped at the cemeteries. We could not have completed as much without you. Each helping hand makes for a lighter load. I have enjoyed working with everyone during the year. It is fun to find information for others. The personal contact is wonderful.
At this time I would like to wish all our members and friends a joyous Holiday Season. As we face into the New Year may we all strive to do our utmost to aid our Elgin County Branch and the Ontario Genealogical Society to achieve bigger and better things. MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone. May you have a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON and a PROSPEROUS 1988!
Norma Smith
I have printed articles of interest to you. I think it is time for a rest and a change, for you and also for me, this will be my last newsletter.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the newsletter and I hope you will all continue to support the new Editor whoever it may be.
Merry Christmas to all and good hunting (in the records) in the future.
Joyce Locke
The Newsletter Editor and Executive does not accept responsibility for errors made by contributors, but does strive for maximum accuracy.
Articles do not necessarily reflect the view of the Elgin County Branch, O.G.S., its Editor or its Executive.
Newsletter Editor: Joyce Locke
Contributors: Norma Smith, Janice Rezar, Joyce Locke.