TALBOT TIMES
NEWSLETTER OF THE
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XlV ISSUE ONE MARCH 1995
Extracts of Genealogical information
Meeting Time and Topics
Well, here we are into the third month of 1995. Elgin Branch held their elections in January and, while some of us are still around, we have shifted some of our executive positions around and added a new face. Thank you for placing your trust in me for another term. It is an honour to serve as your Chairman.
Our meetings have been fairly well attended, though we would like to see more faces at our monthly meetings. By the time you read this, Max and George Thorman, two area pedagogues of much renown, will have thrilled those at the March meeting with their tales of heroism on the battlefields of Europe – and this so close to the 50th anniversary of the end of WW II. In April we have called on the expertise of Wayne Vizniowski from the London – Middlesex County Branch O.G.S. to talk about Using Computers in Genealogy.
In May we have arranged for a well recommended speaker on Irish research – from where else but Ireland.
In June we are going to Orwell cemetery to update the transcription and, afterwards, to Brenda Edmonds’ home for our Strawberry Social.
We have plans for major purchases and, possibly, an important publishing venture. Come out and be a part of all this. You will not be disappointed and may just be pleasantly surprised. You will, I promise, meet some pretty fine and interesting people. If you are in the area, try to arrange to come to one of our meetings to meet the local people. All will be welcome.
Best Regards, Don Cosens
The Old People of the Neighbourhood
Canadian Home Journal – 19 Dec 1876
The Strathroy Age says: John LITTLEWOOD born at Annadale, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, 1775, came to Horton, N.S. about 1802, and lived there over 20 years. He came to Canada West in 1826, and settled in the Township of London, on the farm of the late Robert ROBSON, 13th Con. west, where he still lives, able to walk in the house, to come to the table, say grace etc., a pious good old member of the Methodist Church.
Janet, widow of Donald McLACHLAN, lives two or three miles north of Komoka, Lobo, aged 98, from Scotland, quite smart yet.
Daniel MOSS, from Vermont, lives in North Bayham, Elgin County, aged 91.
Elizabeth MORRISON, widow of the late Truman MINOR, born in Massachusetts, April 15th, 1786, taken to Vermont with her parents about 1790, married in 1805, went to live in Lower Canada, 1814, moved to Warwick, 1834, mother of nine children, still lives three miles north of Strathroy, quite feeble, near 91. Her husband died 10 years ago last month, aged 82 1/2 years.
Mrs Esther STONE still lives a little east of Arkona, in Warwick, aged 89.
But the oldest couple we know of is Jacob ZAVITZ, Sr., and wife, near Bear Creek, in Lobo. He is 86 past, and she, Elizabeth, daughter of David POUND, is 85. They are both from Sugar Loaf, Welland County, and members of the Society of Friends.
The next oldest couple are Christal STONER and wife, in the ‘Zavitz Settlement’, of Lobo. He is 86 past, and she, Maria Augustine, 84, are quite smart and able to go about . They are Mennees or Mennonites.
Jane SHOOK, widow of Thomas CHUTE, Jr., (who died August 1850, aged 70) born in Digby County, N.S., January 1792, lives in Malahide, Elgin County, nearly 85.
Elizabeth WHITE, widow of Archibald McLEISH, from Scotland, lives on Glasgow St., East Williams, with her son, Alex McLEISH, aged 83. Robert THOMPSON, from Glasgow, Scotland, lives at the same place, aged 82.
St. Thomas Times Journal – 28 Jul 1928
Mary FITZGIBBON at Eighty, Believes in Fairies and Youth
Though Well Advanced In Years, This Charming Woman Can Still Play the Piano With Mastery and Discuss Matters With a Present-Day Outlook
There is a little house, at No 24 St,. Anne’s Place here, that shelters a charming daughter of Ireland, who is celebrating her 80th birthday on Monday, July 30th. She will be eighty years – not old, but young, for it is written that anyone who believes in fairies can never age, and Mary FitzGibbon will tell you in a voice vivid with faith that there are Little People…
Born in Belleville, Ont., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Gerald FitzGibbon, originally of Dublin, Ireland, Mary came to the site of this city in 1865, sixty-two years ago this October, when Ross Street was known as “Back Road” and there was but one small railway, no Wilson’s bridge, and Elm Street went by the name of “town line”. The FitzGibbons farmed on the beautiful ground that is now Pinafore Park, and there Mary FitzGibbon resided for 33 years… Wonderfully talented in reading and music, a graduate of the Toronto College of Music, Mary FitzGibbon became orchestra leader in the old Claris, later the Grand Opera House here, where she played for some 25 years… in the place of honor on the wall above the mantle is hung a remarkable oil painting of her grandfather, Colonel FitzGibbon of the Battle of Beaver Dam fame.. .There is another work of art. It shows the head and shoulders of Miss FitzGibbon’s grandmother, Mrs Breakenridge, who came to Canada in 1879, before her marriage, and Mary Warren Baldwin, sister of the Robert Baldwin, prominent in the history of Toronto,. And straight and gallant in the scarlet tunic of the 24th Regiment, Miss FitzGibbon’s father appears in a fine bit of artistry.
QUERIES
Members of Elgin Co. OGS are entitled to 2 free queries per issue. Printing & editing is done at the editors’ discretion.
DARLING/TAHANEY/WALKER – Seek info, ancestry or desc of John & Laura DARLING, who lvd Canada 1830’s. At least one child, John Newell DARLING, b ca 1833, who mar Margaret TAHANEY 1860 in Reach Twp, Ontario Co. bd Prince Albert ON, John Newell DARLING may have had the following sisters; Henryetta, Almira, Martha & Mary M.. It’s also possible that John and Laura are the same John DARLING & Laura WALKER who mar Peacham, Vermont, 1828. All info would be appreciated by Donna DOBBELAERE
McLARTY/BROWN/BAILLIE – John McLARTY b 1848 Sct, d 17 Jan 1919 London ON. Address then 467 York St, London ON. Marr (1) Janet BROWN (2) Margaret BAILLIE. John started as wiper on Great Western RR in Hamilton ON. Transferred to London, 5 August 1870 soon after promotion to Engineer. In 1884 Great Western taken over by Grand Trunk. All info appreciated by Deloris WILLERTON
ATKINSON/MURDOUGH – Seeking info on desc of Wilson ATKINSON & Mary MURDOUGH, Springfield area, South Dorchester & Malahide Twps, Elgin Co ON. Ch: Ellen J. b 1858; Eliza M. b 1860; Sarah A., b 1862; Martha, b 1868; Celestia, b 1872; Charlotte b 1874; W. John b 1875. Whom did they marry? Bd where? All info to Albert M. ATKINSON
VanPATTER/GILBERT/CLARKE/LOCKE – Seeking info on John VanPATTER b c 1817; wives, Ester, &/or Martha; sons Clinton & Milton; daus.; also Charles GILBERT b c 1817 who mar Mary CLARKE b c 1817. Ester &Mary were sis. Will share info. C.F. BISHOP, Jr.
CLARK/ELLIS/BERDAN – Elijah CLARK mar Margaret ELLIS, d/o Albert BERDAN. Elijah d prior to 1832? Elijah had sons Renaldo, Charles ?, Waters & Joseph b c 1811. Any info welcome. Margaret DAUGHARTY, 15 Locust St., St. Thomas ON N5R 2C2.
DOUGHARTY/DOCHARTY – James -settled Southwold Twp, Elgin Co 1816. Was s/o late John DOUGHERTY. Lvd 1827 Mosa Twp, Middlesex Co till ca 1841. AII info welcome. Margaret DAUGHARTY
BROWN/PAINE/NICHOLS/DUSTEN – Ben BROWN, Capt of the Winchester Militia, Fourth Regiment, mar Violetta PAINE, d 1805 drowned in Burlington Bay, bd Ingersoll Cem. His widow, Violetta mar Solomon NICHOLS 1806. Then mar Paul DUSTEN; dau Harriet BROWN b 1802 m Abraham BROWN (another BROWN family tree). Will exchange info. Mrs. N.S. ANNETT
STEVENS/STACEY/KIRK/GOODHUE See info on fam of Rufus D. (wheelright) & Clarissa STEVENS, lvd Con 4 Yarmouth Twp 1842. In Canada 1819; 8 occupants Can & 5 US. Dau, Christina b ca 1814 in Chippawa mar Benjamen STACEY 6 Jan 1836 in St.Thomas. Also seek info on fam of Thomas & Jane KIRK. Dau Eliza KIRK b ca 1837 in EnnisKillen Ire, mar William GOODHUE before 1853 prob in Elgin Co ON. All info to Nancy BROWN
SHERK/WALKER/DEAN/TILDEN/DAVY Isaac SHERK (1818- after 1891) mar 1842 to Sarah (Sally) WALKER (1822- before 1881),lvd con 11 lot 3, South Dorchester. Daus: Catherine mar Silas DEAN; Mary mar Homer TILDEN; Susanne mar Hopkins DEAN. Where are Isaac & Sarah bd? Are Sarah’s prts John & Hannah (DAVY) WALKER bd in same cem? All info to Mrs M. TAYLOR-SMITH.
WALKER/DAVY/SANDERSON/CONLEY/SHERK/NUNN/MURDAGH/ LAUR – John WALKER b ca 1785 – d after 1861, mar 1811 Hannah DAVY. Lvd Con 12 lot 4, South Dorchester. Ch: Weeden mar Maryann SANDERSON; Mary mar William CONLEY; Sarah mar Isaac SHERK; John Jr mar Judith NUNN; Belinda mar Henry SHERK; Elizabeth mar John MURDAGH; Johnson mar Hannah LAUR; Hannah mar Weeden WALKER. Searching for death dates of parents & where bd. All info to Mrs. M. TAYLOR-SMITH
SAXTON – Col. Alexander SAXTON 1800 – 1872, who 1st mar Elizabeth SAUNDERS 1803- 1842. He was s/o Rev. John SAXTON U.E., 1758-1855, who settled in Malahide District ca 1810. Ch: Oleaf or Olivia “Leafy” 1826- 1903, John H., Margaret, Hannah, George, Franklin B., Mahlon B., Charles. Would like to correspond with anyone with info on anc & desc of Elizabeth. David W. Wilson
REUNIONS
Willson Reunion
The Descendants of Mordecai WILLSON and Rachel VanSICKLE (VanSYCKLE) will be holding the 70th Family REUNION in the Sports Club Hall on Bell St, Union, south of St.Thomas ON. On Sun, 9 July 1995. We are still searching for twigs of all 16 children. If you think you have any connection with this family or with an earlier generation please contact Mrs. Norma C. Smith
LOUKS/ LOUCKS/ LAUCKS/ LOUX Family Association REUNION Next meeting: July 29, 1995 at Pt. Rowan ON.-Contact: Marjorie Daechsel, 938 Mountain View Ave. Ottawa ON K2B 5G4; Wayne Louks, 5 Oldham Crs., Brampton ON L6Z 1W2; Ross McCurdy, 1 Forest View Dr, Cumberland RI 02864; Barbara Dundas, 40 Nickerson Ave, St. Catherines ON L2N 3M4; Kenneth Louks, 10475 Tittabawassee Rd. Freeland MI 48623.
Howey Reunion
The descendants of Robert HOWEY U.E. and his wife Jane are having a REUNION at Straffordville in the Community Centre on Sun, 2 July 1995. Registration at noon. Potluck buffet dinner at 12:30 p.m. sharp. This is a celebration of Robert and Jane’s arrival in Canada 200 years ago, 1793. Plates, cups and beverages will be supplied but bring cutlery. Take your lawn chairs to sit outside. Bring pictures, family history info. Contact Hugh Howey
The HATHAWAY Family Ass’n of (North) America (since 1911) will hold the 82nd Annual Reunion for the first time in Canada during June 23, 24, 25 1995 at Stratford Ontario. Descendants of HATHAWAYS, HATHEWAYS & HATHWAYS are invited. One need not be a member of the H.F.A. to attend. For information, please write to H.F.A.
O’KELLY /KELLY Clan Gathering
This clan gathering will take place on 26-28 May 1995 at Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland, in the ancient territory of Ui Maine. Lectures, field outings, banquet. A great chance to learn of our illustrious past and future plans of the Clan. Contact Chris Allen, Tourist Office, Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland. Tel: 011353-903-26342.
Copies of the book of WILLIAM HATCH of Bayham Twp Elgin Co. are available. Related families are BOWES, BROWN, CULP, DEAN, HIGH, JOHNSON, MERRlT, MONTROSS, SPEICE and TRAVIS. This book was compiled by the late Donald G. LANE in 1972. His work was dedicated In Memory of the late LOUISE DEAN HATCH who was a journalist, humanitarian and crusader. Many of her writings were published in St.Thomas and Tillsonburg newspapers where she used the pen name of A.S. Paragus. Copies of this book are available through Norma C. Smith.