TALBOT TIMES
NEWSLETTER OF THE
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XV ISSUE ONE MARCH 1996
Extracts of Genealogical information
New Chairman’s Interests
The New Year brings a new chairman to Elgin Branch. I was elected at the January meeting, and would like to thank the members present for the opportunity to lead the branch during the next term. My thanks also goes to our past chairman, Don Cosens, for his dedicated leadership during the past two years. We are fortunate also to have a hard working executive and committee chairs, many of whom are continuing with their positions. I welcome those new to a position and hope your term will be enjoyable. I feel sometimes when we are consumed with budgets, reports and deadlines, we forget that genealogy is supposed to be fun!
A little about myself–I became interested in genealogy at the age of 14, have been a member of OGS since the late 1970’s, and Elgin County branch since its formation almost 15 years ago. Although I now live in Perth County, I am a native of Malahide township where my roots go back several generations.
Thanks to the hard work of several members during the past year, “The Church at the Bend of the River”, is now available for sale. As well as the history of Christ Church, Port Stanley, this book contains a transcription of its parish registers.
Several new publications are in the process of completion, including indexes of vital statistics and indexes of the Aylmer Express newspaper.
At a recent executive meeting, it was decided to move ahead with the Church Registers Inventory project, which was started several years ago. We will be looking for volunteers to assist with this endeavour which promises to be a major research tool when completed. Carol Hall, our program coordinator, has an exciting list of upcoming meetings planned, and I encourage you to attend.
I hope to see you at the meetings where everyone is welcome.
Jim McCallum, Chairman
Progress of St. Thomas
St. Thomas Home Journal 2 Jan 1874
(to be continued in future issues]
Buildings Operations of the Past Year (1873)
Flora Street(in part)
Mr. William Teezel has erected for himself a two story frame dwelling at a cost of about $1200.
Mr. Albert Beaston has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $350. Mr. Alex Grant, builder.
Mr. Thomas Reilly has erected a frame hotel the “Ontario House”, and a frame bran at a total cost of $1750. Mr. Jesse B[liss], builder.
Mr. W. H. Gilbert has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $500. Mr. Jesse Bliss, builder.
Mr. Clendonning of Aylmer, has in course of construction a frame dwelling which, when finisher, will cost about $900.
Mr. B. Hubert has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $400. Mr. Hubert was the builder.
Mr. Edward Ross has erected for himself a frame dwelling which when completed will cost about $800.
Manitoba Street
Mr. Geo. Hubert has erected for himself a small frame dwelling at a cost of about $300. Mr. Thomas Pi1e has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of about $800. Mr. Kilpatrick builder.
Mr. Win. Brooks has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $500. Mr. Brooks himself was the builder.
Mr. Clement Rigg has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $350. Mr. Shannon has erected for himself two small frame dwellings at a cost of about $500.
Messrs. Brooks & Boyland have erected two frame dwellings, one on each side of the street, at a cost of $3300. the houses were built by the owners.
Mr. Henry Redpath has erected a frame addition to his dwelling at a cost of $300. Mr. James OBrien has erected a very neat frame dwelling at a cost of $900. Mr. Kilpatrick builder.
Mr. Edward Ross has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $450. Mr. Joseph Fitzpatrick has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $900.
Built by the owner.
Mr. Armstrong has erected three frame dwellings, similar in style, at a total cost of about *3000.
Mr. James Bentley has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $600. Mr. Joseph Fitzpatrick builder.
Mr. Robert Green has built for himself a small frame dwelling at a cost of $550.
Mr. Win. Walker has built for himself a frame dwelling at a cost of $550.
Mr. 0. Elwood has built for himself a frame dwelling at a cost of $900. Mr. John Axford has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $700. Mr. Beattie builder.
Kains Street
Mr. S. J. Abbott has erected has erected two handsome and commodious brick dwellings, of two stories. Mr. Robt. Gardner performed the carpenter work and Mr. Win. Bollins the brick work.
Mr. Wait has partially completed the erection of a frame dwelling which, when finished, will be worth about $1000. Mr. Wait himself was the builder.
Mr. Robert Gardner has erected for himself a frame dwelling off this street at a cost of about $900.
Mr. Win. Redinan has erected for himself a frame dwelling at a cost of $1200.
Mr. Angus Darrach has erected a handsome brick dwelling at a cost of $1200. Mr. Robert Gardner the builder.
Hughes Street
Mr. Robert Alexander has partially erected a frame dwelling which, when completed, will cost about $1300. Mr. William Wait builder.
Mr. John Stephenson has erected for himself a small frame dwelling at a cost of about $300.
Mr. John Long has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $300
Horton Street
Mr. Fred Raven has erected a very neat frame dwelling at a cost of $100. Mr. M. Gardner builder.
Mrs. Cooney of Windsor has erected a very handsome frame dwelling at a cost of $2000. Mr. D. Dodd of London, builder.
Mr. John Geary has erected two frame cottages, one at a cost of $800, other at a cost of $700. Mr. Geary was the builder.
Mr. John McIntyre has built for himself a two story brick dwelling at a cost of $2000. This building is particularly well divided for inside convenience.
Mr. Reenan has built for himself a frame hotel the “Heenan Hotel” at a cost of $850.
Alma Street
Mr. Thos Ballagh has erected for himself a handsome frame dwelling at a cost of $1000. On the corner of Rains and Alma streets, Mr. George [Bugoldsby] has erected a frame dwelling and butcher shop at a cost of $700.
Mr. John Cole has erected a brick dwelling, which when finished, will cost $1300. The mason work was performed by Mr. Axford and the carpenter work by Mr. Wm.
Saunders.
Mr. N. Price has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $500.
Mr. S. Stewart has erected a frame hotel the “New Enterprise” with additions, at a cost of $800. Mr. Stewart himself was the builder.
Mr. Thomas Sage has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $700.
Mr. McLean has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $700.
Mr. Andrew MeCaffarn has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $350.
Mr. Henry E. Brewer has erected a small frame dwelling at a cost of $400.
Redan Street
Mr. J. T. Pullen has in course of erection a frame dwelling, which when completed, will cost about $1000. Mr. Wm. Stewart is the builder.
Mr. Joseph Venning has erected a very handsome frame dwelling at a cost of $1000.
Mr. Venning himself was the builder.
On the corner of Redan and Balaclava streets, Mr. J. T. Pullen has erected a frame store occupied by himself at a cost of $1000. Mr. Abwain builder.
Balaclava Street
Mr. J. T. Pullen has erected a double frame dwelling at a cost of $1000. Mr. Abwain builder.
Mr. J. Pendle has erected three frame dwellings at a cost of $700 each. Mr. Pendle was the builder.
Mr. Charles Scarce has erected a frame dwelling on the east side of this street, at a cost of about $900.
Messrs. Wm. and Geo. H. Lynch have built for themselves a handsome frame dwelling at a cost of $1400.
Messrs. Davis and Clarke have erected four frame dwellings at a total cost of about $3000.
Mr. Robert Cole has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $700.
Messrs. Davis and Clarke have erected three frame dwellings at a total cost of $1200. Mr. Thomas Grant has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $1000. Mr. Kilpatrick was the builder.
The Wesleyan Methodists of the east end of the town have nearly completed the erection of a neat and substantial brick church on this street. The building is 22 X 50, and when finished will cost about $3500. It is build in the modern style of architecture on an exceedingly tasteful design furnished by the architect Mr. D. Kilpatrick, Mr. W.
Reidell the contractor. It is expected that the building will be ready for dedication to its sacred purpose about the middle of January.
Nolan Street
Mr. Thomas Connor has built for himself a frame dwelling at a cost of $600. Mr. George Hagley has built for himself two small frame dwellings at a cost of about $150 each.
Miller Street
Mr. Charles Scrace has erected a very handsome brick dwelling at a cost of $1700. Mr. Scarce himself was the builder.
Malakoff Street
Messrs. Davis and Clarke have erected on this street, one frame and two brick dwellings, the frame at a cost of $500, and the two brick dwellings at a cost of $1000 each. On another part of the street they have erected three more frame dwellings at a total cost of $2400.
Mr. Win. Reid has built for himself a brick dwelling at a cost of $1000.
Mr. Samuel Cole has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $800.
Mrs. Secord has erected a frame dwelling at a cost of $600. Mr. Lathrop Davis has erected two frame dwellings at a cost of about $400 each.
Mr. E. Nevsom has erected, on the side road at the eastern limit of the corporation, a frame dwelling and broom factory at a cost of $1000.
Mr. Samuel Chute has built for himself a large frame dwelling and bake shop at a total cost of $1200.
Mr. James Couch has built a small frame dwelling at a cost of $400. Mr. H. D. Stapleton builder.
Colonel Talbot’s Elusive Settlers
Colonel Thomas Talbot had it made. He was not our first settler when he landed at the future Port Talbot on May 21, 1803. James Fleming who had settled on the banks of the Thames River across Cashmere beat him by seven years. Nor was he the largest landowner in present-day Elgin County. Baby’s 18,000 acres in Yarmouth Township dwarfed his 5,000 acres in Dunwich Township.
However, Talbot had the advantage. His 5,000 acres formed a solid block around Port Talbot and he had the profitable contract for obtaining an additional two hundred acres of adjoining land, unimpeded by Clergy or Crown reserves, for each settler family placed on any of Talbot’s original lands. Should Talbot succeed in placing one hundred families on fifty acre lots, the Talbot estate would total 20,000 acres.
The actual development of Dunwich Township requires more study. Were some of the first settlers merely workmen? Where did Talbot find these early pioneers; at York, Niagara, Long Point, Delaware, or all of them? Were they married or were they single?
Were any of them fictitious?
Nine of Talbot’s pre—1812 settlers furnished Talbot with receipts for their deeds and registered memorials. They were: John PEARCE at Tryconnell, George CRANE, Joseph SMITH near Plum Point, John SMITH, Samuel GARNSEY, William BROOKS, Israel HULL, Nicholas CRAMMER, and Henry BARGER near lona. Strangely, eighteen others provided Talbot with receipts for their deeds, but no memorials have been registered. Several settled along the lake west of Port Talbot: Charles SCARLET, John CRAFORD, Mark CHASE, James WHITTEN, John Dunbar DAVIS, John COOK, David
PHILIP, Joseph HEARZTT, Philip MONK, John CHILLIPOGER, Abraham CUMMINGS,
John DICKSON, Joseph PERVOOST and Walter GALBRAITH. Joel WOODIN and Ebenezer GREEN received adjoining farms west of Iona Station. Thomas COATS was placed two miles northwest of Port Talbot with Daniel KINGSTON or KINGSLAND settled on Back Street, east of Willey’s Sideroad. (The receipts vary in legibility. Are the names Joel WOODIN, Joseph HEARZTT and John Chillipoger correct? Have these names been Anglicized?)
Other pre-1812 settlers in Dunwich include some of the following: Mary STORY, who gave the land for St. Peter’s Church and most of its cemetery; Colonel Leslie PATTERSON, who was her brother; Stephen BACKUS, who married her daughter, Anne STORY; Charles BENEDICT, who married a daughter of James BURWELL and moved to Lot 14 north of the Talbot Road in Southwold Township; the faithful servant Jeffrey HUNTER, who lived on Lake Erie immediately west of Talbot’s home and Talbot’s nearest neighbour; the famous surveyor, Mahlon DURWELL, who moved to the Dunwich side of Durwell’s Corners; Thomas MITCHELL on Willey’s Sideroad; Gilman WILLSON, the innkeeper; Jesse PAGE, who later moved to Yarmouth Township; Elijah GOFF; Jarvis THAYER (spelt PHAIR in Ermatinger); Samuel CRAWFORD; James CHASE; Alex GOFF; William PREVOOST and Abraham WIGHTMAN. There might be others, possibly tradesmen, farmhands and a teacher such as Thomas GARDINER. What records Talbot kept are difficult to surmise since he left orders for their destruction at his death. Some were available to Ermatinger and Coyne, possibly through Talbot MacBeth, but these seem to have disappeared. Talbot was required to keep Township maps, possibly as many as forty, to describe his placement of yeoman on Crown land, but no such requirement covered Dunwich and Aldborough Townships.
Current histories fail to distinguish between the powerful Talbot’s two personae; “Father of the Talbot Settlement’ and “Lake Erie Baron”. As “Lake Erie Baron”, he acquired 60,000 acres in Aldborough and Dunwich Townships on which he gradually settled three hundred pioneers, usually on fifty acre lots, by various means and on varying terms. As “Father of the Talbot Settlement”, he placed perhaps 5,000 settlers in nearly thirty townships other than Aldborough and Dunwich, and usually on farms on one or two hundred acres, depending on the settler, his background, the needs and demands of the township and the availability of land.
In the Talbot settlement, on the various maps, we find frequent erasures of names and insertions of others. No doubt there were a dozen reasons for the changes, including death of the pioneer, land trading between settlers, correction of errors, sales before issuance of deeds, failure to take the oath of allegiance, sickness, inability to cope with the Canadian forest conditions plus the usual conditions set out by Ermatinger and others.
Although several books describe Talbot’s life before Port Talbot and his start before the War of 1812 and later, the story of migration, settlement and land holding encouraged and fostered by Talbot is still a mystery. Any light that can be shed on this by letters, diaries, journals, family histories or other documentation will be appreciated.
Duncan C. McKillop or Jane Hughes
Pioneer Settler — Ezra Freeman
History of St. Clair County, Michigan
Ezra FREEMAN, farmer, Section 8, P.O. Brockway, is a native of Canada and was born in Elgin County, July 9, 1822. After reaching manhood he came to this county in 1847. He went back to Canada and returned here two years later, and went to work in the lumber woods: the following year he bought the land where he now lives, and in 1852, they settled upon it; it was all woods, and he began clearing it and making his farm, and worked at lumbering in the winter. During the war he enlisted and served in Company K, Third Michigan Infantry, until January 1866, when he was discharged on account of sickness and disability. Since then he has been engaged in farming and lumbering, owns his own farm of eighty acres. In 1851 he married Miss Susan Edgcomb. She is a native of this county and was born at Algonac; her parents, Asa Edgcomb and Susan Newhall, were among the earliest settlers on St. Clair River. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have four children — Charles, Hannah now Mrs. Andrew Smith, Vinella and Maud.
[Submitted by Patricia Hamp]
Home Children
The following is a list of names taken from the files of the Catholic Emigration
Committee List for Westminister (London) Parish. 1874 – 1928. Sent to Elgin County. Transcribed from Westminister List of Home Children, donated to O.G.S. at Seminar “95 Workshop on Home Children, Chatham, ON – 21 May 1995.
Name: Allen Frederick George
Home Parish: Westminister
Year: 1910
Sent to: James Lynch, Wallacetown
Name: Fluskey (or Craig), Albert H.
Age: 13
Home Parish: Westminister
Sent to: James Lynch, Wallacetown
Name: George, Charles Stephen
Age: 14
Home Parish: Westminister
Sent to: John Crowley, Dutton
Name: McNaughton, Thomas
Age: 14
Home Parish: Westminister
Sent to: Owen Lynch, Wallacetown
Name: Sharpe, George Michael
Age: 10
Home Parish: Westminister
Sent to: George Casey, Middlemarch
Name: Sharpe, Thomas
Age: 9
Home Parish: Westminister
Sent to: George Casey, Middlemarch
Therrien
Invitation to all the THERRIENS for a gathering in Sudbury ON on Sat. 10th Aug. 1996 — celebrating the 14th reunion of the families of Jean & Pierre THERRIEN. Contact Theodore J. Therrien, 25 Laurier St. E, Box 973, Azilda ON POM 1BO; 705—983— 2250.
QUERIES
MATHESON/SUTNERLAND – John MATHESON, Cordwainer, age 47 in 1871, s/o John MATHESON & Barbara SUTHERLAND; wife Ann age 44. Ch: Grace 19, Charity 17, Ruth 15, John 13, Prudence 10, Agnes 7. All resided Conc 10, Lot 16, Dunwich Twp, Dist 5 R.W. Elgin, Sub Dist 6. Presb. What became of them? Will gladly share MATHESON history back to 1760’s in Aultbreakachy, Sunderlandshire, Sct. Contact Phyllis M. LINDSAY
DELONG/MCRAE/IBBITSON – Looking for info on Glen Anderson DELONG, b 9 Apr 1893, mar Mabel E. McRAE b 26 July 1899 Lorain Ohio. Mabel d/o Alexander McRAE & Sarah Anne IBBITSON. Glen & Mabel mar St.Thomas c1920, Mabel d lona Station 1920, son Ernest Alexander DeLONG b 1920 Ernest d Eng 1940. Who were Glen’s prts? What was his relationship to Peleg & Orval DeLONG, Kent Co. Mrs Orval DeLONG wrote in autograph book of Mabel’s mother in 1891. Contact Mrs Nancy CAMERON
O’BRIEN/ TOMLYN – Sarah J. 1839-1922, wife of Wm. O’BRIEN. Who were prts, siblings? Also Harriett 1796—1880 mar John TOMLYN 1772—1866. All above bur Aylmer Cem, Elgin Co. ON. All info to R. Diane Dempsey.
TURNER/McNEIL – John TURNER (1894-1877) & Mary McNEIL (1797—1878) came from Lochgilphead, Argyll, Scotland – settled on farm Lot 7, 3rd Range n of Lake Road, Southwold Twp., Elgin Co. What route & method did they use to get here? Parents names & dates in Scotland? Wish to hear from anyone with info on this family. Contact Alan TURNER
BUCHANAN/MCKILLOP/BANNERM~ -William BUCHANAN (1788—1854) & Annabelle MoKILLOP (ca 1790—1871) came from Invarary, Argyll, Scotland, settled Elgin Co. Where did they settle, what was their route? (Perhaps 4 bros emigrated together thru N.Y.) William & Annabelle’s son, William BUCHANAN (1801-1888) mar Joanna BANNERMAN (1807-1907). Does anyone have info on any of these three branches of my family? All info to Alan TURNER
NORTH/RUSSEL/BELLWOOD/ROBINS – John NORTH b ca 1836 Quebec? d ca 1883-1884 – mar Elizabeth RUSSEL b ca 1832 Newfoundland – she was listed as Widow in 1884 Aylmer, ON. Ch: William, Jack, George, Annie. Liv Aylmer, ON 1888 at 5 North St. Son “Jack” John barber at 17 North St. mar Ellen BELLWOOD- had 2 boys. Wm. mar Hattie ? Wm was in St.Thomas then mvd to Welland, ON – 1 son. George adopted by CRISPINS’ dau Annie Laura who mar Charles ROBINS. All info to Mrs Ruth ROBERTSON.
BILLINGTON/HERRINGTON/WIDNER – Searching connections of John BILLINGTON (d 25 Jan 1854 ae 30) bur Necropolis Cem, in South Dorchester. John mar Ann M. WIDNER d/o S.A. WIDNER, (mother of Ann) WHEN? WHERE? John & Ann had at least one son George who mar ca 1874-5 Sarah Eleanor HERRINGTON of Avon. George had farming accident in McComb Co. MI in 1888 – bur Avon Cemetery, N Dorchester in the HERRINGTON family plot — no notation on memorial. Sarah bur Avon also, but name disappeared from memorial. Who were John’s prts? Was he born in US. Where? Did he have siblings? Did George have siblings? George & Sara were my grandparents! Many HERRINGTON family members went to Sanilac Co. MI & stayed. Spelling became HARRINGTON sometime. Some have been found. All & any info would be appreciated by Mrs. Norma C. Smith.
TOMSLINSON – Seeking info on desc James TOMLINSON (1789—1852) & Charlotte STAMM (1790-1888) James b Bucks Co PA; d Pt Stanley. Ch: Eliza (c1812-1869) m Benjamin GUMAER; Joseph (1814-1852) m Lucy BURCH; Mary Ann (c1817 -?) m Hirma DEWEL; Roswell (1819—1896); Louisa (c1825— 1900?); James (1828—1859); Charles (1831-1859) in Catherine CHANDLER; Mahala (c1833 -?) m Andrew HUME; Arthur (c1836—1918) m Isabella MORRISON; & 1 more. Contact Len Wilkinson. HUME/TOMLINSON – Seeking info on desc Andrew HUME (c1826—?) in 1/ Malaha TOMLINSON 1851; 2/ Louisa TOMLINSON. Andrew lvd Pt Stanley & St. Thomas. Ch:(mother- Mahala) Cornelia Jane, Mary Susan, James H., Arthur Henry, William Charles. Contact Len Wilkinson, above address.
Elgin County O.G.S. 1996
Past Chair – Don Cosens
Chair – James L. McCallum
1st Vice Chair – Robert Moore
2nd Vice Chair – Carol Hall
Secretary – Frank Clarke
– Marg Daugharty
Treasurer — Max Doan
Newsletter editor – Jean Bircham