TALBOT TIMES
NEWSLETTER OF THE
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
BOX 416, ST. THOMAS, ONT. N5P 3V2
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XI ISSUE FOUR DECEMBER 1992
END OF TERM
It is hard to believe that my term as Chairperson of Elgin County Branch will end in January 1993. I would like to thank all the members for their support during the past two years of my term. With the help of the Executive, I feel that we have accomplished a lot during the past years. I am sure that the Branch will continue to prosper in the coming years. There have been new projects started and completed. New publications are now available. The branch celebrated its 10th anniversary with a party and recognition of the hard work of its members during those years. I know that the members will continue to support the branch in its future plans.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 1993.
Margaret Daugharty
Chairperson
PAST MEETINGS
9 Sept 1992: This meeting was held at the St. Thomas Family History Centre. Marie Turvey and Dora Fisher explained and demonstrated the computer workings at the Centre. They showed how easy it is to use to connect families.
14 Oct 1992: Alister Neely, of the London Public Library, told about some of the holdings of that library. He also spoke about the 1st Hussars Museum in London.
11 Nov 1992: The branch members met at the Elgin County Registry Office where Don Cosens told about how to use the various documents in the Registry office. Afterwards, members could access the records.
FUTURE MEETINGS
9 Dec 1992: This meeting will be our annual joint Christmas dinner with the Elgin County Historical Society as hosts. A good time will be had by all.
13 Jan 1993: The annual election of executive and the appointment of committee heads will take place. Afterwards a silent genealogical auction will be held. Come, bring your unwanted treasures and support YOUR branch.
10 Feb 1992: To be announced.
10 Mar 1992: To be announced.
SPECIAL OFFER
Gail Benjafield, the Special Collections librarian at St. Catherines Public Library, would like to encourage any Elgin County OGS members to write directly to her for any Niagara area research. Special Collections has the largest genealogical collection in the Niagara Peninsula. Please remember, if you decide to write, to be specific and to offer to cover costs. She has given the branch a selective list from their genealogical collection and an information flyer about the Special Collections area. Thanks Gail.
IN MEMORIAM
The members of the Elgin County branch of the OGS would like to extend its sympathy to the family of VERA VINT who died 9 Oct. 1992. Vera Vint had been a charter member of the branch and had worked diligently compiling the births, marriages and deaths from the St. Thomas paper for our Newspaper Files. Her dedication and cheerful spirit will be missed by everyone.
OBITUARY
A man who devoted much of his life to recording the oral history of Elgin County died 12 Sept. 1992. HUGH JOFFRE SIMS had written several books from his research done 60 years previously. He pedalled the back roads on his bicycle interviewing more than 1200 residents with pioneer connections when he was newly arrived from Britain. Some of his books are the 3 volumes of the “History of Elgin County“, “The Ghost of Elgin’s Past”, and “Dear Old Shedden”. He will be missed by the community.
QUERIES
Elgin County Branch members are allowed two queries published free of charge in each newsletter. Additional queries per newsletter or queries for non-members are $3.00 per query. Queries should be submitted at least one month before publication.
WHITE-BARKER – Need info on Mary GROVES WHITE b 1833? Ireland? d 19 12 1914 in Westport, Leeds & Grenville Co ON, poss immigrated in 1834 with prts. M 1851-1855 to Enoch BARKER, b ? census says res of Elizabethtown, d ? prob bd together in Westport Meth Church Cem, Westport, N. Crosby Twp Leeds & Grenville, ON. After Enoch’s death Mary rented farm to Wm J. Thompson & Bros. Where was the farm? North of Westport? Census states Mary was a weaver. CH: 1. John W. BARKER b 1856. 2. Sarah “SARY” BARKER b 1858. 3. William James BARKER b 1860. 4. Eli B.
BARKER (Executor of Mary’s will) b 1863 lvd in Napanee, ON. 5. Thomas BARKER b 1865. 6. Martha BARKER d 1868. 7. Mary “Hughena” BARKER b ? poss m C. EATON, mentioned in Mary’s will. 8. Annie b ? m Harmonious “MONNIE” SICKLER, lvd 178 Ruby st., Peterborough, ON., Sickler a contractor of curbs, gutters and steps. Bd in Westport Meth Church Cem. Annie mentioned in will. 9. Enoch Jr b 1869, d 1871 of scarlatina. 10. Charlotte “Lottie” b 1870, m Nelson RICE, lvd Westport, ON, Lottie mentioned in will. 11. Mary A. BARKER b ? m ? WHELAN, Mary was Executrix. What happened these family members? All info appreciated by Mrs Brenda Edmonds.
CAMPBELL – Isaac, Seeking contact with and/or info on any descendants of Isaac CAMPBELL 1796-1870’s who formerly owned parts of Lots 45 & 48 N.B.T.R. Southwold Twp. The latter is now part of the Ford Assembly Plant north of Talbotville. Ch: William, Isaac James, John Hugh, Jane FRAZIER, Sarah Mariah SULLIVAN, Margaret Ann and Catherine Amelia BAXTER. Please contact W. Colin Crozier.
SPRUCE – Info needed on William SPRUCE and his wife Harriet. Lvd Sparta, Yarmouth Twp., ca 1840 – 50. Ch: Lucy Priscilla b 1849 who was living with STRASSER fam 1861. Mary b 1854 who was living with Elijah GRAVES fam in 1861. Contact Mrs Pat McRaild.
GRAVES – Looking for info on Elijah GRAVES, a shoemaker in Sparta, Yarmouth Twp, Elgin Co ca 1830-1865. When did he die? Where is he bd? All info to Mrs Pat McRaild.
NEWKIRK, DINGMAN, JOHNSTON, MINARD – Would like to contact anyone connected with the above surnames in the counties of Middlesex, Elgin, and Norfolk. Contact Elaine Pera.
MORSE, MOSS, DEAN – Seeking prts of Jane DEAN b Can 29 July 1810. Jane m Daniel WATTS MORSE/MOSS 3 Jan 1831 Bayham Twp, Elgin Co. ON. Jane d 10 Mar 1851 Ingham Co., MI. Info to Olive B. Hoffman.
MOSS, HUBBARD, MAYO – Seeking info on Daniel MOSS (1784-1877) m Wealthy HUBBARD (1783?-1853) in Bayham Twp, Elgin Co 4 Mar 1805. When did they move there? with prts or not? Why the move from US to Can? Daniel s/o Solomon MOSS and Hannah MAYO. Wealthy’s prts not known. All info to Olive B. Hoffman.
BRODIE, BENNER – Seeking info about Marie Mae BRODIE b 16 Mar 1882 Egremont Twp, Grey Co, ON. She m Louis BENNER, lvd Aylmer area, Elgin Co. In 1944 she was keeping house for someone near Aylmer, was known as Marie
BENNER. When last known she 5’7, weighed about 135 pounds. All info to Reta Steele.
HARVEY, MILLS – Need data on William HARVEY b 1811 US, m 1835 in Yarmouth Twp, Elgin Co., to Drusella MILLS. Who were prts of William? Where did William and wife die? Known ch: James b 1836, to MI; Lucinda b 1842 m Thomas FRAZER; Thomas or Ezra Wilson b 1853; Eli b 1857, d 1876 Lapeer Co MI; Hattie b 1860. All info to Joan Griffin.
ESSELTINE, ASSELTINE – Any info on the above names in Dereham Twp, Oxford Co. would be gratefully received by Gail Benjafield.
RUTHVEN – Colin RUTHVEN settled Aldboro Tp early 1800’s. James drowned upon landing, fam also settled in Aldboro. What relationship to Sarah RUTHVEN who m Archibald McNICOL in 1806 Craignish, Argyl Scotland? Any info on RUTHVEN or desc appreciated by Mrs. Marie Mitchell.
McCREDIE – Does anyone know of a relationship of a James McCREDIE of London area, b 15 Nov 1796, d 18 Sept 1859 to a James McCREDIE of Caistor, ON, b ca 1804, d 6 Feb 1886 both previously living in Willoughby Twp, Welland Co, ON, or any other info pertaining to other family members? All info to A. Reddick.
HOUGHTON, SCOTT, BARKER – Elizabeth SCOTT & John HOUGHTON came from
Cambridgeshire, England 1865. Elizabeth remarried? BARKER, lvd & died in
Dungannon ON. Ch: Sarah HOUGHTON m ? YOUNG, Elizabeth HOUGHTON b 1870 in Copenhagen, Elgin Co. Lavinia HOUGHTON m Elmore C. WHITE of Jaffa, Elgin Co. , Susan HOUGHTON m ? SANDS and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Eng m John WHITE, lvd Elgin Co., Susan HOUGHTON m ? SANDS and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Sands had dau drowned, a son died in War, son named Jack had a son Stuart SANDS of Windsor, ON. Louise HOUGHTON m ? JONES of Dungannon. All info to Mrs Brenda Edmonds.
TAYLOR, WILKINS – Mary TAYLOR m James WILKINS when? where? Had 3 daus, Eliza b. 1862 m Joseph CALCUTT, Alice m John WHIMP, Elizabeth m Frank KELLESTINE, possible relatives in Dorchester area. Any info to Mrs Barbara Ferguson.
KING, CALCUTT – Mary Ann CALCUTT m George KING 13 July 1863, in Metcalfe area. Mvd to Marlette, MI USA. All info appreciated by Mrs Barbara Ferguson.
CASCADDEN, STEVENS, STRAWN – Info needed on Alexander & Nancy CASCADDEN. Alexander b ca 1782 Ireland, d ca May 1851 Malahide Twp, Elgin Co. Nancy b ca 1795 PA. Lvd Malahide Twp 1821. Ch: William, Hugh, Robert, Lydia, Mariah, Sarah Jane, Mary m John STRAWN, Nancy, Eleanor m Alonzo Joshua STEVENS, Elizabeth m Aladdin Perrin STEVENS, Margaret. Needed also info on Alexander’s bro William CASCADDEN Sr. All info to Marjean Holmes Workman.
STEVENS – Info needed on fam of Alexander & Mary Anna STEVENS. Mvd from NY to Yarmouth Twp, Elgin Co ca 1834, then purchased in Malahide Twp 1838. Alexander b ca 1775 NY. Alexander & Mary still living in 1861 census. possible Ch: Aladdin Perrin, Alonzo Joshua, Joseph & William. All info to Marjean Holmes Workman.
TREADWELL – Josiah II b 1740 in CT, mvd to Aylmer, ON 1814. Son Tryon & younger ch mvd with him. Josiah II d 1814, bd Rogers Cem, Elgin Co in unmarked grave. Tryon b 5 May 1792 in Charleston, Montgomery Co. NY, d 23 Oct 1879, bd Malahide Cem. Tryon m Mary SMITH. Need proof that Josiah II & Tryon were fthr & son. Will repay postage. All info to Betsy Benton.
FOUND IN THE PAPERS
(The Dutton Advance, 2 July 1891)
John SUTTON, John C. McMILLAN and Jas. McGAW leave for Manitoba on Tuesday. Miss Minnie McLARTY, eldest daughter of Mr. Alex McLARTY, Wallacetown, and Mr. Isaac GRAVES, of the same village, were married yesterday afternoon. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. D. Kelso at the residence of the bride’s parents, only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties being present. The young couple left by the 8 p.m. express for the east for a bridal tour.
BORN
WHITESIDE – At Tyrconnell, on the 12th inst. the wife of Wm. WHITESIDE of a daughter.
SCHLEIHAUF – At Wallacetown, on the 13th inst. the wife of Louis SCHLEIHAUF of a son.
ROBB – In Dunwich, on the 18th inst. the wife of John ROBB of a son.
FORD – On the 19th inst., the wife of Thos. FORD, Dunwich, of a daughter.
STEDWILL – On the 20th inst., the wife of Wm. STEDWILL, Dutton, of a daughter.
YOUNG – In Aldborough, on the 20th inst., the wife of James YOUNG of a son.
GRAHAM – On the 20th inst., the wife of Duncan GRAHAM, Back St., Dunwich, of a daughter.
McINTYRE – On the 22nd inst., the wife of Alex. McINTYRE Back St., Dunwich, of a daughter.
WELCH – At Wallacetown, on the 22nd inst., the wife of Edgar WELCH of a daughter.
(St. Thomas Daily Times, 30 Nov 1917, P. 1)
BORN
ROBERTS – At Victoria Hospital, London, Nov. 22, to Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Roberts (nee Norma Currie, Glencoe).
(St. Thomas Evening Journal, 7 Nov.1907)
AYLMER WEDDING
A very pretty home wedding was solemnized last evening at 8 o’clock, when Mr. Harry GRAHAM, formerly with the Shoe Co., and now with the Aylmer Iron Works Co., and Miss Eva SOPER, were made one at the home of the bride’s parents, Talbot St. east. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. C. McConachie, pastor of Knox Church. The bride was attended by Miss Myrtle SWALES and the groom supported by Mr. D. MCLEAN, all of Aylmer. Many useful and beautiful presents were donated to the bride and, and after a tasty wedding dinner had been partaken of, the newly wed pair left on the G. T. H. express for London, Stratford, and other Canadian cities.
(Aylmer Express, 19 Apr 1900, p.1)
At the residence of the bride’s father on Wednesday, the 11th inst, Miss Susie CLUNAS and Mr. Jas. KENNEDY were united in marriage, and left on the M.C.R. for Madison, Wis., where they will make their home for the future.
On Wednesday, April 11th, Phebe E., wife of Mr. Lorenzo CHIVERTON, died at her home on the 4th concession, in her 42nd year. Deceased was just in prime of life, and her early death has cast a gloom over the whole neighbourhood, where she was so greatly loved and respected. Services were held at the Luton church, and the internment took place at the Aylmer cemetery on Saturday last.
Mr. James H. KING, for some years foreman at McKenzie & Co.’s planing mill, left on Tuesday for Sault Ste Marie, where he has accepted a position with the firm of O’Boyle Bros., bridge contractors. Mr. King is a first class mechanic and an equally good citizen. While we regret seeing him leave Aylmer, we are glad to know he is to have a responsible situation at a large salary.
(Aylmer Express, 23 Feb. 1922, p.1)
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. William MILLARD, on Friday, Feb. 17th, a son.
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur BRADLEY, Aylmer, on Thursday, Feb. 16th, a son.
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Lorne GRASS, Detroit, a daughter, Catherine Emma, on Sat. Feb. 11th, 1922. Mr. Grass is a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Grass, of this place.
(Aylmer Express, 12 Apr. 1903, p.1)
LIGHTBURN, of the U.S. regular Army, who has been serving in the Phillippines, is at present spending a short vacation with his father, Mr. Thos. Lightburn, of Lyons.
Miss Minnie HERENDEEN and Mr. BUCKBOROUGH, of Brownsville, were married on Wed. of last week. They will make their home for the present with Mr. and Mrs. Herendeen at Niagara Falls.
(St. Thomas Daily Times, 5 Feb. 1912, p.5)
REGION II MEETING
The Region II general meeting will be hosted by Oxford County OGS on 24 Apr. 1993 at St. David’s Church, Springbank St., Woodstock, ON.
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Topics: – “Importance of Maps” – Carolyn Gray, OA Map Dept. – “Victorian
Births, Marriages, Deaths & Funerals”, Mark Jackman, of Orono Cost: $10 includes lunch Contact: Ruth Ellis, convenor.
Everyone welcome!
FOUND IN THE PAPERS
(St. Thomas Daily Times, 3 Feb. 1912, p.1)
LIVED OVER SIXTY YEARS ON ONE FARM IN YARMOUTH
[Photo of] MRS. SARAH JONES, Pioneer of South Yarmouth, 83 years of Age, Who Lived Over Sixty Years on One Farm. The Picture Was Taken a number of years Ago, Being the last One She Had Taken.
Almost eighty-three years ago a little maid was born in the picturesque vale of Exeter, distinguished for the beauty of its scenery, in Devonshire, the largest county in England, with the exception of Yorkshire, being about seventy miles in length and from fifty to sixty four in breadth.
That little maid, with the snow of more than three-quarters of a century silvering her hair and crowning her placid features, is moving gently down the sunset slopes of Time, on the family homestead, lot 14, second concession of South Yarmouth.
Mrs. Sarah JONES, (nee Sarah ELLIOTT) the subject of this sketch, was born about 14 miles from Exeter, that part of Devonshire so famous for its pasture lands, its breeding of cattle and sheep, its production of wheat, barley, pulse and flax, as to have been called “The Garden of Devonshire”.
Mrs. Jones has a wonderfully retentive memory, as evidenced by the fact that in conversation with the writer, she laughingly related an incident in her life which occurred when she was not much more than two years old. Her grandmother, who lived but a short distance from the little girl’s home, was anxious to have the latter come to live with her, and the parents consented. The little gone, full of the importance of the occasion, was give a little parcel of clothing and cheerfully prattling “good bye”, set off alone on her fist adventure into the great world. Though her journey was only about a block, it was prophetic of the brave pioneer spirit which in late years was to lead her across an ocean and through the wilderness of forest between Quebec and Port Stanley.
The little girl grew up amidst the green meadows of Devonshire, where she learned to perfection the art of transforming rich cream into the most golden of butter, an accomplishment which stood her in good stead in the new world, and of which she is still a past mistress.
Some time before leaving her Devonshire home, Sarah Elliott had become Mrs. James Jones, and when her husband decided to try his fortunes in the Canadian colony, like thousands of other pioneer women, she bravely and cheerfully consented to accompany him, along with their first-born, John, then five months old (now living near the old homestead in a handsome home of his own.) They sailed from Plymouth and never again set eyes on the green fields of Devon.
Mrs. Jones’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Elliott, and several brothers and sisters, had preceded them to Canada, and has settled near New Sarum, at which place Mr. and Mrs. Elliott afterwards passed over to the Great Beyond. Henry Elliott of St. Thomas and William of New Sarum are brothers of Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. George WILCOX of St. Thomas is a sister. Of Mrs. Jones’ sons, Lewis lives in St. Thomas, while Thomas and John reside in handsome homes on their own land, within a short distance of the old homestead, where Henry lives with his mother, who was widowed a number of years ago. J.H. Jones of St. Thomas is a son-in-law of Mrs. Jones’ brother, William Elliott, of New Sarum. The Paddons, Shepherds, Millmans, Penwardens, and other old families of Elgin county were also connections, so that when Mr. and Mrs. Jones landed in the Canadian forest there were kindly faces and welcoming hands to greet them. The voyage from England took about eight weeks and was followed by the tedious trip from Quebec to Buffalo. Thence by boat to Port Stanley, where they landed with their goods and chattels. One of those consisted of a huge chest, which is still in the possession of the family, doing duty as an oat bin, and its size may be estimated by the fact that its capacity is fourteen bushels of grain.
At Port Stanley Mrs. Jones had her first glimpse of oxen that is, yoked for draught purposes. These bulky but patient animals hauled the wagon with their goods over the corduroy roads to their homestead near Dexter, about a mile from the shore of Lake Erie and the sight of the pioneer house in the forest was depressing home-coming for the girl-wife fresh from the comforts of civilized England. “Many a good cry I had,” said the old lady, reminiscently. “It was so lonely and so different from what I had been accustomed to, but I go used to it, and gradually the comforts and conveniences come to us.”
Mrs. Jones recalled the fact, in comparison with the present high price of produce, that eggs sold for five cents a dozen and butter for eight cents a pound – in trade, at that, not for cash. Cash for produce was almost unheard of. Once as a great favour, the store-keeper gave Mrs.Jones cash for twenty dozen eggs at five cents a dozen, in order that she could use the cash in the purchase of a little pair of shoes for one of the children – and it took the proceeds of the whole twenty dozen eggs to pay for the shoes.
A pair of shoes at twenty dozen eggs would be an expensive article these days. Mrs. Jones has lived continuously on the farm to which she came from England 62 years ago. Here she endured all the hardships and privations as well as enjoyed all the blessings and pleasures of pioneer life. She is still hale and active, as was evidenced by the beautiful rolls of golden butter – worth almost as much as real gold these days, which she had churned and moulded with her own expert hands, with the beautiful skill which she acquired long ago amid the luxurious pastures of old Devonshire. In passing it may be added that Mrs. Jones has been a constant reader of The St. Thomas Times ever since it first issue went to press, and moreover, her subscription has always been paid in advance.
SEMINAR ’93
May 27 to 30, 1993 Toronto, Ontario
For more info: write to:
OGS Seminar ’93
Toronto’s First Post Office, Box 2
260 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON M5A 1N1
NEW PUBLCATIONS FOR SALE
Please order from the branch address. Included are some from other groups.
Index to Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register for Elgin County & N. Dorchester – $18.50
Frank Hunt: Essays of Elgin county: edited by G. Thorman – $17.50
Loyalists: Hugh McCall and Aner Haviland McCall and their Descendants: by H. Pincombe $20.00
Various Census Indexes for Townships in Elgin County are now available.
TALBOT TIMES is published quarterly; March, June, September, December. Articles, news items, clippings, etc., that would be of interest to our readers, are welcome. All entries are subject to the discretion of the editor. Submissions should be made at least one month before publication and should state what reproduction rights are. The TALBOT TIMES makes every effort to provide accurate information and disclaims any responsibility for errors or ommissions. Articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the Elgin County Branch executive or the newsletter staff.
Permission is granted to reprint any material from the TALBOT TIMES unless otherwise mentioned, provided that the original source is credited.
MEETINGS: Elgin County Branch, O.G.S. meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month in the Carnegie Room of the St. Thomas Public Library, except December, which is reserved for a social evening. There are NO meetings in July and August. All visitors are welcome. The Branch’s library is located in the George Thorman Room of the St. Thomas Public Library and is open the same hours as the public library.
MEMBERSHIP: Information about membership in the Elgin County Branch, and in the Ontario Genealogical Society, is available at the meetings or by contacting the Chairperson or Membership Coordinator.
TALBOT TIMES DEC. 1992