Talbot Times 1997 June

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TALBOT TIMES

Newsletter of the

ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH

ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY ISSN 0827-2816

VOLUME XVI ISSUE TWO JUNE 1997

Chairman’s Message

Congratulations are in order for a very successful book launching of our latest publication “Families of Five Stakes” (a history of Talbotville). Thanks to organizer Don Cosens and author Morley Thomas for their efforts on this project. The book is simply packed with genealogical information, and actually opened up a whole new line for me in my own research.

Elgin County Branch was represented at the OGS Seminar in Alliston with our display and sales table. We had the opportunity to chat with several of our long-distance members as well as answer questions for “new” people interested in Elgin County research. I also attended the chairman’s breakfast where several items of interest were discussed dealing with branch administration.

Plan to attend our Regional Meeting which will be held on Sept. 13 at Central United Church. Speakers are Gail Benjafield on resources at St. Catharines Public Library and immigration to Elgin from the Niagara Region; Wayne Paddon on St. Thomas railways; and Rick Roberts on computerizing photographs. There will be several sales tables and displays in addition to the speakers.

Many of you will be aware of the formation of APOLROD (Association for the Preservation of Ontario Land Registry Office Documents), in response to the planned destruction of Land Registry Office Documents for the period 1867-1950. This organization has been successful in negotiating with the provincial government to delay this disposal of records for a period of two years. During this time, APOLROD is coordinating the compiling of an inventory and transfer of documents to local heritage groups who can offer storage space. Elgin County Branch OGS has formed a committee to work with APOLROD to conduct this work in Elgin County. Further details will be announced in the newsletter as work progresses on this project.

Two new genealogical societies have been added to our newsletter exchange: North Hastings Genealogical Club, Maynooth, Ontario; and Kelowna and District Genealogical Society in British Columbia. As these newsletters are received, they are placed in our collection in the lower shelves in the George Thorman Room at the St. Thomas Public Library.

Also new at the Library is a finding aid called “Genealogists’ Guide Book to the Holdings of the George Thorman Room”. It outlines the most-used genealogical resources housed there, and is in a black binder on top of the file card cabinets.

O.G.S. MEMBERSHIP DECISION

At the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Genealogical Society during Seminar ’97, the results of a vote by mail-in ballot were announced regarding proposed changes in membership requirements in OGS. The Associate Membership category has been discontinued for persons wishing to join the Society effective April 26, 1997. This change does not affect those who are currently Associate Members. Anyone who was an Associate Member prior to the above date can continue to renew in this category providing the membership does not lapse.

Persons wishing to join an OGS branch for the first time or lapsed Associate Members must now become a member of OGS at the annual fee of $35 (it will increase to $45 in 1998); plus branch fees of whatever branches they wish to join.

Good luck with your genealogical research during the summer months!

James L. McCallum Table of Contents

Chairman’s Message ………………….. 1

Willson Reunion ………………………… 1

Upcoming Meetings …………………… 2

Talbots of Malahide …………………… 3

Nicholas Carter Brown ………………. 4

Henry Hutton ……………………………. 4

Elgin Middlesex – Edmonton ………. 5

Descendents of Cromwell …………… 5

Learn Diamond Anniversary ………. 5

Alice Beemer ……………………………. 6

Mammoth Animal Remains ……….. 6

Spokne, Washing ………………………. 7

Medicine Hat Woolen Mills ……….. 8

Queries ……………………………….. 9 – 10

CORRECTION

WILLSON REUNION ‘97

The WILLSON REUNION, descendants of Mordecai WILLSON and Rachel VanSICKLE will be holding their annual Reunion in Union Sports Club Hall in Union, Elgin County, on Sunday, JULY 13, 1997. Pot Luck dinner will be at 12.30 Sharp. All Willson connections of the earlier family lines will be welcomed for this Reunion. For info phone Norma C. Smith U.E.

FIVE STAKES Now ( Talbottville?

On April 16th we had our official book launching of “The Families of Five Stakes.” Mr. Morley Thomas, the author, was on hand to autograph about 125 copies. The book, a history of Talbotville Royal and the families thereof from 1811 to 1851, is a fine publication and of great interest to the descendants of the early pioneers of this section of Southwold Township. The book in both hard and soft cover is available from the Branch.

Soft Cover … $30.00 Hard Cover … $50.00 plus Postage & Handling – No G.S.T. or P.S.T.

Upcoming Meetings

Regional Meeting:

September 13, 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Central United Church

$12.00 includes lunch for Registering before August 29

Election of Regional Director and Regional Secretary

Speakers: Gail Benjafield, Special Collections Library, St. Catharines, ON – “Niagara to Elgin”

Wayne Paddon, “History of Railroads Coming Into St. Thomas”

Rick Roberts, Co-owner of Global Genealogy, Milton

– “Putting Pictures in Your Family History”

September 10, 1997:

“Michigan Research” – Jim McCallum

October 8, 1997:

“Using Map in Your Family Research – Boundry and Name Changes in Eastern North America

November 12, 1997:

Internet and Family Research Projects in Early Malahide” – Bruce Johnson

  Passage to America: A book synopsis by Ken Light

The 1840’s saw a massive migration from the United Kingdom to the new world. On average over 100,000 people per year braved shipwreck, storms, cholera and cramped conditions to pursue new dreams. They started out in old brigs, and by the end of the 1840’s they sailed in big American sailing packets. Terry Coleman chronicles the journey starting out with the Irish peasant being forced off the land, much like the English labourer of earlier decades. The reader is then drawn into the cesspool that was Liverpool, and the crooks that waited to rob a would be emigrant of everything. The passenger was promised ‘every precaution to promote health and comfort’ and ended up in a horrible den of filth, foul air and corrupt food. Six weeks in cramped quarters without seeing the light of day was the fate of many. And in the year 1847 plague struck many ships and thousands of died, many in quarantine in Quebec. Often an emigrant landed only to have his belongings stolen, or to be sold a worthless train ticket to the interior of the U.S. Coleman thoroughly documents the emigrant trade on both sides of the Atlantic, with references into British, American and Canadian records. Definitely worth consulting if your ancestor came to America in the mid 1800’s. Passage to America, Pigwidgeon Press, 1991

Meetings of the Elgin County O.G.S. are held on the 2nd Wed. of the month in the Carnegie Room of the St. Thomas Public Library, St. Thomas, unless otherwise published, except December which is reserved for a social evening. There are no meetings in July and August. All visitors are welcome.

JUNE 1997 TALBOT TIMES – Page 12

The TALBOTS of MALAHIDE, IRELAND

The Talbots de Malahide were a branch of one of the most powerful Norman families who had settled in Wales and came to Ireland with Henry II’s invading army. In 1184, Richard Talbot was granted the Lordship of Malahide from Henry II, which included a generous grant of land at Malahide. It is not known exactly when the Talbot family moved to the site of the present day castle, but the first building on the site is assumed to have begun in the late 13th century.

Since that date, thirty individual Talbots have controlled the Malahide estate, dating from the first Lord Richard Talbot, who died in 1193. For the next eight centuries, their family and fortunes were inextricably linked with the history of England and Ireland, making the tenure of the Talbot family at Malahide one of the longest in Irish history.

Towards the end of the 14th century, Malahide Castle was a structure of some importance and was once surrounded by a fortified wall, with rear and front gates, and protected by a moat. A three-story tower, which is still part of today’s castle, dates back to the 14th century.

The Battle of the Boyne was a turning point in Irish history, and involved the Talbot family. When James II, a Catholic, succeeded his protestant brother Charles II as king in 1685, William of Orange invaded Ireland to claim the throne away from the new Catholic monarch. The Talbot family at that time were Catholic, and supported the succession of James II. In 1690 on the morning of the Battle of the Boyne, fourteen members of the Talbot family breakfasted together, and none returned.

Colonel Thomas Talbot, who was born at Malahide castle on July 19, 1771, is better remembered in Ontario than he is in Ireland. Being a member of a large family and not being an immediate heir to land at home in Ireland, he looked elsewhere to seek his fortune. In 1802, the British government offered a grant of 5,000 acres in Upper Canada to the Colonel on his promise to populate the area with settlers from Great Britain. He is remembered in Ireland as being responsible for transforming Upper Canadian wilderness into a land of prosperous farms, enabling thousands of settlers to enjoy a new lease of life thanks to his generosity.

By 1803, Col. Talbot had founded the towns of Port Talbot and Port Stanley on Lake Erie and began to build the coastal road known as the Talbot Road. In 1803, he left a promising military career behind him and devoted the remaining fifty years of his life to the development of his Canadian estate. His own homestead he named Malahide, after his ancestral home. He died on February 6, 1853 at the age of 82.

Malahide Castle in Ireland remained in the possession of the Talbot family until the 1970’s when Lord Milo Talbot, the last Lord Talbot to reside there, died in 1973. His sister, the Hon. Rose Maude Talbot, who is the last remaining member of the Malahide Talbots, moved to Malahide, Fingal, Tasmania, where another branch of the family settled.

In 1976, Dublin County Council became aware of the impending sale of Malahide Castle and its estate, and opened negotiations to acquire the castle and grounds, (268 acres), for 650,000 pounds. Dublin County Council entered into an agreement with Dublin Tourism and Ireland East Tourism whereby the castle would be managed by the Tourism body. In 1977, County Council decided to develop the acreage into a regional public park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of County Dublin. Over the past 12 years a wide range of outdoor recreational facilities have been developed including football pitches, picnic areas, children’s playgrounds, nature trails, golf course, and tennis courts. Also on the estate is Malahide’s world famous gardens.

Though the Talbot family has ceased to live in Malahide Castle, their 800-year association with it cannot easily be forgotten. Among the family were statesmen, churchmen and scholars whose achievements can be found in the history of nearly every civilized nation.

Malahide Castle is located just outside the town of Malahide in County Dublin, Ireland, and is open year-round for public tours. It is interesting to note that in the vicinity are towns named Fingal and Dunboyne, which also occur in Elgin County.

Information from this article was taken from a book titled ‘The Talbots and Malahide

Castle’, by Tom O’Shea, 1992. It has been purchased for the branch’s collection in the

George Thorman Room of the St. Thomas Public Library. ”

Compiled by Jim McCallum, who visited Malahide Castle in 1995

JUNE 1997 TALBOT TIMES – Page 13

The AYLMER EXPRESS

March 2, 1916 NICHOLAS C. BROWN

– Some Interesting History of Malahide Township in the Early Days From one of its Oldest Residents- Written for the Express –

There was a family gathering to celebrate the birthday of our esteemed citizen, Mr. Brown, of Dunboyne, near this town, and we have learned from him and a few friends of his, some facts which we think would interest our readers.

Nicholas Carter Brown was born in the township of Malahide, on the farm where he now resides, on the 22nd day of February, 1826. He was the eldest son of Walter Brown, who was born in the Mohawk Valley, Genesee County, New York State, on the 8th day of April 1791, and Jemima Carter, born at the township of Berton, near Fort Erie, in August 1800, and this was Walter Brown’s second marriage. The house in which Mr. Brown was born was at the east side of the farm, just across the gully, at the rear or north of the present Dunboyne Cemetery. This house was built where the road then went through the woods, which was made to run from about where the town of Aylmer now is down to the Backhouse grist mill, very near the mouth of the Silver Creek. The road prior to that time was only a trail through the woods, built across the heads of all the streams, so as to go where the gullies were small, as large bridges and large hills were very difficult to climb, and swamps were wholly impassable. Mr. Brown says the worst obstruction they had was the swamp.

Nearly a year and a half after his birth, the people commenced opening the road through from Aylmer to Port Bruce, and they moved out to live by the side of the road, where the same now is, near its surveyed location.

He says he commenced farm work doing the harrowing for putting in a field of rye in the centre field as then fenced, at the south end of what is now Clinton VanPatter’s farm. Afterwards while harrowing the harrow stuck fast to a stump, and he had to go to get his father to help him loose. His uncle Briton was there, and told him that all his trouble was because he could not back up the oxen. He commenced ploughing, the summer after he was nine years old, and when a boy, to clear the land of the incumbrance, he, at his father’s orders, burnt the house in which he was born and cleared away the rubbish. He did his last ploughing on the Chase Farm, near Sparta, when he was past the age of 82 years, not as a matter of ploughing a field, but merely to try out a pair of mules he has raised. He says there were twenty saw mills built in the township of Malahide run by power only, and of these, the White saw mill, is the only one that remains. At that time there was only one grist mill in the township.

There were three distilleries built in the township, but only one was in existence at a time. His eldest son, Merritt, is practising law at Toronto, his second son, Leopold, is the doctor whom we all know, his third son if Lt. Col. Walter James Brown, now in command of the Fourth Brigade Canadian Field Artillery in Flanders, and his only living daughter, Mrs. Oscar A. Chase, is living with him on the farm.

We wish to heartily congratulate him and wish him many returns to see the photograph of himself and children when the Colonel gets home from the front.

Mr. Brown is not a back number, but an up-to-date old gentleman. When asked for the stories of the early days, he was clearly more interested in the stories of today, the other was only ancient history. He gets the morning papers from London and from Toronto to read daily, and he had to stop the St. Thomas Journal because it did not arrive until the next day, because he though a yesterday’s paper was no more use to him than a last year’s bird nest.

When the war began he said the people would likely do as they did in the Napoleonic days, kill, burn and destroy, until they have destroyed everything that is destructible and spend all their money, when they will go to work again and make another fortune, as there is plenty of good stuff in the people.

He says he cannot see the end of the war.

He says if stories of the ancient days are of any use, he can tell them, and he has a diary from which he can give the accurate dates of all the events of the neighbourhood where he lives from the time he was a man.”

January 3, 1910

HENRY HUTTON, the oldest man in Elgin County, and probably in Western Ontario, passed away at the home of Ex-Warden Tolmie, Rodney, on Monday of last week after only a few days’ illness. Deceased was born in England in 1805 and was in his 105th year. He had a distinct recollection of the war of 1812, and was in full possession of his faculties until a few days before his demise.”

The AYLMER EXPRESS, Continued August 6, 1914

FORMER RESIDENTS OF ELGIN AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES HOLD REUNION PICNIC AT EDMONTON

The following clipping from the Edmonton Daily Bulletin, was kindly sent us by Mr. Albert A. Pound, an old Aylmer boy, and will be interesting to a great number of Express readers.

“Former residents of Middlesex and Elgin counties, Ontario, held a grand reunion picnic yesterday in Victoria Park. From four to five hundred persons assembled on the gold links at 5 o’clock. Baseball and other sports were indulged in and refreshments were served by the ladies. Elgin won the baseball match by a score of 6 to 4, and also the tug of war.

The program of sports included races and contests for married and single and old and young. . . . .

Prize winners were Hugh McDonald, Mac Stuart, Leo Miller, Douglas Dunlop, Dave McDonald, Gertrude Jeffires, Jane Lees, T. F. Perry, C. McIlarge, J. Miller, A. A. Pound, Dutch Lyons, C. A. Stuart, Jno. Brown, Mrs. D. C. McLean, J. C. Miller, Miss M. Murray, T. M. Terry, J. D. McLean, J. W. Atkins, Miss Linch, Miss Murray, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. McDonald.

The baseball teams were: Elgin Co. – Geo. Hetherington, Jack Miller, Dr. McKinnon, P.C. Marks, L. Duncan, J. McLean, G. Robertson, W.R. Algier, A.A. Pound.

Middlesex – Chas. Stuart, C. D. McIlarge, Leo Stuart, J. W. Atkins, A. Elston, Finn Perry, Fred Cook, R. Dodge, E. D. Campbell.”

May 23, 1918

MALAHIDE FAMILY ARE DESCENDENTS OF CROMWELL

Miss Charlotte Disbrowe, of Walton Hall, Burton-on-trent, died last week, aged ninetyfive. She was the eldest child of Sir Edward Cromwell Disbrowe, a direct descendent of Jane Cromwell, the Protector’s sister. Miss Disbrowe’s father was in the diplomatic service and she spent the greater portion of her early life at the Russian, German, and other Courts. She was the author of “Old Days in Diplomacy”.

It will be interesting to residents of this township to know that Mr. G. A. Disbrowe and family of Glencolin are of the same family tree. Mr. Disbrowe has a beautiful steel engraving in his home of Sir Edward Cromwell Disbrowe, his wife and three children. One of the sons, Lieut. W. H. Disbrowe, died in service in Canada after having fought in the Crimean war, and the eldest son was a Captain in the Grenadier Guards. He was killed in the battle of “Inkerman”. Miss Disbrowe has written a later book than the one mentioned above entitled, “A Record of Stirring Times”. A copy of this book is in the possession of Mr. G. A. Disbrowe. ”

October 8, 1918

MR. AND MRS. C. O. LEARN CELEBRATE DIAMOND WEDDING

On Occasion of Niece’s Wedding at Home of their Daughter, Mrs. J. W. Westervelt, London

London, Sept. 30 – The 60th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Learn, of Aylmer, Ontario, who marriage took place on September 28, 1858, was quietly celebrated Saturday by their children and relatives at the home of their daughter, Mrs. J. W. Westervelt, of this place. An interesting feature of the celebration was the marriage of Mrs. Learn’s niece, Viola Laura Smith, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Hiram Smith of Victoria, and W. J. Burnard, of this city.

Mrs. Learn is a daughter of the late Abraham Smith, and a niece of Billy Smith, the first white man to set foot on Norfolk soil. Her husband is the son of John Learn, of Elgin county, a veteran of the war of 1812, and it is a notable fact that his grandson, Fred H. Learn, has given up his life in the present struggle. The forefathers of this patriotic couple were among the early settlers in New Jersey and reached the shores of America in the Mayflower. Later the family moved to Canada with the bands of U. E. Loyalists, following the American Revolution.

O. Learn was a resident of St. Thomas for over 40 years, making his home there when it was a town of 2,000 population and remaining there until he saw it a city. During his time he was in the real estate business. Besides Mrs.Westervelt, Capt. C. R. Learn, of Banff, Alberta, who recently returned from overseas, and C. A. Learn, of Aylmer, are children of the aged couple. ”

August 26, 1920

AYLMER LADY CELEBRATED 88TH BIRTHDAY

Miss Alice Beemer, Pine St. E., celebrated her 88th birthday on Friday last, August 20. Miss Beemer’s niece Mrs. J. Lorne of Chicago and her husband were present and all day long her friends from Aylmer and vicinity called to offer congratulations.

She is one of our oldest and better known pioneers, and has lived to see Ontario transformed from a dense forest to the valuable agricultural province it now is.

Alice Beemer is a daughter of the late Squire John Beemer and is the third daughter of a family of fifteen, of whom only four are living; Miss Alice Beemer, Mrs. Kirkpatrick of Minneapolis, Miss Carrie and Miss Minnie, at home. She was born in Aylmer in her father’s log cabin and his farm being where the high school now stands. When she was six months old she moved with her parents to Dumfries, and in 1837 the family returned to Elgin county and resided a short time at Yarmouth Centre, later moving to the Beemer homestead at Roger’s Corners. So with the exception of a very few years, Miss Beemer has resided entirely in East Elgin. She well remembers the Rebellion of 1837 when many times “Red Coats” came to their home and demanded something to eat. Her father built the first frame home in Aylmer, and Mr. D.H. Price, who makes a collection of souvenirs of pioneer days, has the saw he used in building it. Miss Beemer has lived to see six generations and has lived during the reign of four sovereigns.

Her father was a native of England, while her mother was of Dutch descent, her mother’s great grandmother being the sister of the Queen of Holland. She is the oldest member of the Aylmer Baptist church in which she has always taken an active interest.

Miss Beemer made her own birthday cake and cooked the birthday dinner herself. Her one regret was that she was unable to have the cake adorned and lighted with 88 candles, but she said the present high price of candles prohibited this.

The wish of her many friends is that she may retain her good health and live to celebrate her centennial.

Note: Alice Beemer died in 1927 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery . ”

MAMMOTH ANIMAL REMAINS BROUGHT TO LIGHT

The Stalter Gulley, near Grovesend, has again come into prominence by the finding of the remains of a big mammoth, a discovery which was not considered by the Government engineer when he investigated some months ago, the cause of the peculiar formation of the bed of the ravine. These remains were found at a depth of 35 feet below the surface of the ground and the animal must have been a monster giving evidence that at one time 30,000 to 50,000 years ago this country enjoyed a tropical climate. This mammoth probably stood about 15 feet in height and its weight can only be guessed. One of the tusks measured 7 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter, while the ribs exceed 4 feet in length. Mr. Charles White of Aylmer, who brought this remarkable specimen to light, will send the remains to the museum of the University of Kingston.

“Thank You.”

I would like to thank all of the members who have sent in family information for the update for the Biographical Sketches of Some of the Residents of Elgin County. I’ve found out that the reprint done in 1972 was very limited. Plans are to have a publishing date sometime early in 1998. This project has grown immensely thanks to members. There is still time to submit information; deadline is 31 October 1997. See December 1997 issue of Talbot Times for list of names. Thanks again. Jean Bircham.

SPOKANE, April 12, 1888
Well Will, I told you that I would write to you so hear goes for it. We got here all right we wear six days coming nearly had too smash ups that was nothing. Well this is a wild country now laws hardly. I broke my pen last night so I had to shoot a wild goose to get a feather to write to you. This is a poor cus. Well I am away back God nowes whear I don’t twenty miles from town. The nearst white man lives miles away that is the Post Office. All my neighbors are Indians and Cowboys, they are the stuff. The man that I am working for lives in Callaforna so I am my one cook. You bet he past to feet up for me staying way back, hear he keeps nothing but horses. Tell Charles he never saw nice horses. They are flires and I make them fie. One he has been offered $10,000 for. I have a good track. I keep four stabled the best one can go in 216. I get up when I get hungry and go to bed when I get sleepy.

Every man has to mind this own bissness hear if he dont he gets led for tea you ought to see the wild indians. I can talk most of their language, the are great shots another fellow and me went to one of their shooting matches too weeks ago. The always shoot at a black stick out in the River when the miss the stick you can see the water splash. Their was 12 shoting so we went in 25c each three shots each. The man that hit the stick the most times won the money so I never put any balls in my gun, only once and while just so they would not catch on. They thought I hit the stick every time. We won $14 and 3.

They would not shoot any more when we got away we divied up. They have not been much bother this Spring yet. The wolves are very bad, I have got the house shingled with hides. I like it out hear fine. I was in Town for a week and almost died, none of that for me. I had a good job too but pays better. I think I can do well hear. I never saw a Church since I came they hardly now when Sunday comes. Every thing goes on just the same. I will not work for now man on Sunday, I can make enough with out. They dont farm hardly any around hear all horses and cattle. You outh to see lassoo a wild horse on the flie. My pony can almost flie he almost takes my breath he goes so fast. Well the house I live in is logs, it is 2 by 4, dont need any door, I can crawl out any place. Lots to eat. Tell Mary Jane I can beat her baking bread. Now this is a great county for mountains . I am at the foot of one, three miles and a half to the top. I was on top the other day, the snow is too foot deep up their and will stay all summer. I have nuu patoes 3 weeks ago. Everything is lovely and green. I had a good swim today, the River is about 10 rods from the house. Look in this envelope and this bit of rock came from the very top of that mountain. Their has been about 20 men shot since we came thru, young fellows that I new well had a row the other day, one got seven bullet holes in him – he died, the other four – he died, the other one, threw the head – he will die too. That nothing when you get used to it. This is a great country for marrying if your wife dot soot, get another, some has a dozen. Write soon as you get this letter.

Address, Arch Gillis, Spokne Bridge, Spokne County, Washing Territory. Jack is ten miles from me.

This is my Prayer – Now I lay me down to sleep, I Pray the Lord the bed bugs keep, if they should bite before I wake their lives do take Amen.

Write soon Give my love too all. When I have a party I will invite you M. Jane.

Good night from your ant over 3,000 miles from home Going to walk Back next winter.

The above letter has been typed as it was written, the only change has been to sentence structure, as there were no capital letters or punctuation. This was found amongst Martha Edmonds Anderson’s papers. No cemetery recording could be found for Arch Gillis in Elgin Co. Will Anderson in 1890 did venture out to Moose Jaw for 5 years before returning and marrying Martha Edmonds. The Anderson stone is in Fingal Cemetery.

 

THE MEDICINE HAT WOOLEN MILLS CO., LTD.

EDWARD L GOOLD, PRESIDENT Manufacturers of Blankets

THOMAS TWEED, VICE PRESIDENT Flannels, tweeds, kerseys, etc

GEORGE WHELEN, SECRETARY

L. McPHERSON, TREASURER Factory at Medicine Hat, N.W.T.

PHILIP WHELEN, SUPT. & GENERAL MANAGER

Brantford, July 30, 1906

MEDICINE HAT SUBSCRIBERS IN ONTARIO

George Edmonds Fingal 5 shares

Miss Eliza Humphries Middlemarch 6 shares

Hewitt Plattsville 5 shares

Mrs. H. McLaughlan Fingal 3 shares

McLaughlan Fingal 3 shares

Miss M. McLean Fingal 2 shares

Wm. Orchard Shedden 2 shares

Ed. Bodkin Lawrence Station 10 shares

Kirkland Dutton 4 shares

Oliver Brantford 4 shares

Miss H. Willsie Belmont 10 shares

Miss M. Willsie Belmont 10 shares

Duncanson Dutton 2 shares

McCormack Brantford 2 shares

McCormack Brantford 2 shares

Mrs. Martha Anderson Fingal 1 share

David Barr Dutton 10 shares

A. Leitch Brantford 10 shares

Mrs. Annie Graham London 2 shares

Miss Olive Graham London 2 shares

Mrs. Jessie Campbell St. Thomas 2 shares

Mrs. M. O. Duncombe St. Thomas 2 shares

N. Campbell Southwold 1 share

(Mrs.) F. J. Campbell Lawrence Station 4 shares

George Wenige London 2 shares

A. Witmer Brantford 1 share

(Mrs. Avis Baldwin Manitou ? 2 shares)

Brackets indicate handwritten notations. The above report was found in the late Mrs. Martha Anderson’s papers.

The Labourer 1760 – 1832 – A Book Synopsis by Ken Light

Any one who has ever visited the United Kingdom and seen the beautiful green country side and orderly towns and villages may have asked the question ‘Why did so many people leave here in the 1800’s’?

The labourer in the mid 1700’s often had a tiny plot of land to grow crops on, and may have owned a cow or sheep that was allowed to graze on shared lands called commons. He may also have done small jobs in town, or for owners of larger farms. He rarely got rich, but could support a family. The countryside consisted of thousands of these small plots, and as the upper classes noted, it led to inefficient agricultural practice, as their land was usually mixed in with the rest. What they longed for was large, contiguous plots of land. They managed to petition parliament to pass enclosure laws whereby land could be amalgamated and each landowner could then take an amount of land out equal to that which he owned. In practice the upper classes worked it out such that the smaller land owners were to cover all costs of enclosure, and had the last choice of which land to take. Since many small land owners could not afford enclosure costs, the richer owners offered to buy their land.

The consequences fell hardest on the labourer, because in practice when new owners took over land, they often terminated tenancies, pulled down cottages and sent the poor off to fend for themselves. This led to the poor classes working mainly as agricultural labourers on farms. After the Napoleonic Wars economic conditions deteriorated and farmers began to mechanize threshing, which was perceived to be a threat to the labourer. They responded with a series of riots called the ‘Swing Riots’ which swept England. The English government response was swift and brutal. This book is a tremendous recording and social commentary of the social upheaval that took place in England from 1760-1832. It really does answer the question why so many left England for the colonies.

J.L and Barbara Hammond, Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd.

Passage to America

 

QUERIES

Members are entitled to two free queries per newsletter. Printing and editing at editor’s discretion.

FULKERSON/GRASS – Seek info on Sarah Elizabeth FULKERSON (w/o John Colborne GRASS) 1832-1904, b :London Twp, ON, bd St. Luke’s Cem, Vienna. Resided in Vienna, ON. Ch: Phoebe Ann, John Henry, James Francis, Wallace Bruce, Robert Nelson, Jennie. Bros possibly Joseph & Samuel who lvd in Sarnia area

CARNES/CARNS – Seeking info on Isaac B. CARNES 1821-1907 (h/o Elizabeth 1825-1909) bd Smuck Cem, Elgin County. CH: Harvey 1857-? (w Mary Elizabeth ?) Maggie 1866 – ?(w/o William GRIFFIN), Abram/Abraham 1855 – 1940 (h/o Susan TRIBE 1855 – 1932) bd Straffordville, ON Connie REYNOLDS,

STIMERS/ WESSELS/ NEWBRY/ WINGER/ BEARS/ SHAPLAND/ BOWEN/ McDONALD/ HOLDEN/ HALL – Seek info on desc of Jacob STIMERS b 22 March 1822 in Belleville, ON d 20 January 1908 bd Best Cem, Bayham Twp, Elgin Co. Mar (1) Rebecca WESSELS, b ? d in Murray Twp, Northumberland Co. (2) Anna NEWBRY, b 25 July 1827 in NS, d 26 January 1902 in Bayham Twp. Marr ca 1850. Resided in Bayham Twp. Known CH: Hannah Margaret b 1846, mar 1868 to Christen WINGER; Debrial A. b 1851, mar 1871 Ambrose BEARS; Harriett b 1854; Abram b 1860, m 1887, Alma SHAPLAND; Alonzo Oscar b 1861, m 1865 Eliza A. BOWEN; George Washington b 1864 d 1942, m 1901 Blanche McDONALD ;  Robert Warren b 1866 in Corinth, d 1910, m Leola HOLDEN; Emma M. b 1869, d 1951, m 1893 Charles W. HALL. Orlaff LAEOLIN b 1881, d 1892, poss grandson. Rick STIMERS

McCALLUM / VANSICKLE / BLACK / KERR / McINTYRE- McCALLUM, James ( ca 1842- ? ) – Doctor in Belmont in 1864 mar Julia Van SICKLE of Yarmouth, Elgin Co. 7 August 1864. Was he s/o Duncan and Mary (BLACK) McCALLUM of Dunwich? If so what happened to them? Duncan McCALLUM (ca 1844 – ?) – s/o Duncan and Mary BLACK McCALLUM of Dunwich, bro of John (1837 – 1920) who mar Margaret KERR, Catherine (1840- 1884) who mar Benoni McINTYRE, & James (ca1844 – ?) who poss mar Julia VanSICKLE. What became of Duncan? Ross DAVIDSON

PURDY/ ELLIOTT/ TAYLOR – John C. PURDY– b 1838, Vienna, youngest of 9. Some of other ch were:Henry, James, Daniel, Samuel, Lavinia, and 3 unknown. Obadiah PURDY fam appears in 1842 census of Vienna, but may have left Vienna and Samuel returned before 1852. John stayed in U.S. I need proof that this is the family of John C. PURDY. Obadiah had at least one bro, Henry, b ca 1792 and sis Lavinia PURDY ELLIOTT, b 1796 and Mary PURDY TAYLOR. Ozzie PURDY

McBRIDE – Alexander McBRIDE b ca 1820, emigrated from Scotland to Port Burwell and was vessel owner according to Elgin Co Atlas. Had son John McBRIDE b ca 1845 in Port Burwell. Alexander moved to Bayham and was Reeve of Bayham. Jim Sebastian

VOLLICK / FOLLICK / VAN VALKENBURG/ WERNER.  Seek all family ties with these lines of Isaac VOLLICK and Anna Maria WERNER. Willing to share any and all info I now have. Have over 2000 Descendants in file at present. Stephen VOLLICK

MITCHELL / COVEL/ COVILL/ WILLSON / KINSEY – Wish for info on David MITCHELL b 1817 or 1818 – Scotland, UK. Lvd near Sparta, 1856 Mar Sarah COVEL of Yarmouth 24 Jan 1856. David was United Presbyterian & Sarah COVEL was Wesleyan Methodist. Had 2 sons – John Franklin b 8 Nov 1857, d 25 Feb. 1914, and Orlando b 5 July 1861, d unknown. Known to be in Strathroy 1861, d area at one time. Wish to know date of death & place of burial for David, Sarah, and Orlando MITCHELL Also dates for Reuben & Philenia TURILL COVEL/ COVILL– Sarah’s prts. Info on MITCHELL/WILLSON connection.? Info on John & Mary WILLSON KINSEY? John KINSEY was hotel keeper in Sparta, Port Bruce and Aylmer. ON. Derek  MITCHELL

McBANE / McCALLUM / CAMPBELL – Dugald McBANE b Argyll, Scotland ca 1793 – 1871 mar when? Where? Catherine McCALLUM ca 1806 – 1890. Living in Yarmouth Twp in 1861, 1871, & 1881. Prts unknown! Ch: Neal, Sarah, Isabella, Duncan, Dugald, Mary. Isabella McBANE ca 1841 – 1901 mar James Alexander CAMPBELL b Armagh, Ireland 1845 – 1923. Where were they married & when? Religion Presbyterian; first ch b Nov 1876. Isabella and James CAMPBELL living in Moore Twp, Lambton Co by 1881. Ch: Dugald Bane 1876 – 1961. James Alexander 1881 – 1966, Sarah 1884 – 1977. Katherine DELORME

WILCOX – Need maiden name of Susan _______b ca 1791 Canada, m ca 1809 William WILCOX. Ch: Stephen, Anna, Elizabeth, Henry, William, Abel, Susan, Samuel, George, Jacob, & Abraham. Settled on Talbot Road ca 1811. Susan was of German descent probably b Wainfleet or Humberstone.

FOSTER / MONTROSS – Anselem in Bayham in 1871. At least 2 sons, James Park & John. One known dau, Susan m 1st ??? FOX, m 2nd Horatio Nelson MONTROSS in Norfolk Co. Was Anselem bd in Bayham? Did he leave a will? Were there more ch:? Mrs Elva SANGHERA

EDMONDS / KING – Any and all info wanted on the family of William EDMONDS, b 1831, Downton, Eng, m Dec. 10, 1838, Old English Church. St. Thomas, to Ann KING, widow, moved to Traverse City, MI. when? Who was his 1st Wife? m. where? died? Ch: by 1st Wife, Charles b.? d.?, & Eliza EDMONDS, b? d? possibly m. ? GARLAND in Travers City, ch: by 2nd Wife, Arthur EDMONDS. Where there other children? What happened to the family? William and Ann are probably bur in the Travers City area.

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SMITH / MILLS / ZAVITZ / BROCKFIELD / ALBERTSON / TENGLER / LARKINS / FORCIER / REID / CURRIE:  Information required about Hiram Burley SMITH, b.? where?, came from Pennsylvania, mar? Sarah Jane MILLS d/o James MILLS, b? Sparta, d? Sparta? bur? Ch:(1) Isaac SMITH b 1837 Sparta, d.?; (2) Byron SMITH b. 1838 Sparta d. ? What happened to Isaac and Barney?; also (3) Oscar SMITH b.1846, m. Mary Alice ZAVITZ dau. of Jacob ZAVITZ and Mary BROCKFIELD, b.? mar ? – they are both bur in Union Cemetery. Ch: (i)Bertha SMITH b? mar when? Zen ALBERTSON b.? they are buried in West Ave Cemetery St. Thomas – any children?; (II) Hattie SMITH b? d? mar? Edward TENGLER b? d? of Cleveland ch: Josephine TENGLER mar Oscar LARKINS & Elsie TENGLER mar George FORCIER & (III) Isabella “Belle” SMITH, b.? mar? approx. 1900/01 Harry REID b? d? lived in N.Y.& MI. USA probably died in W.W.I. in US Military? bur ?: 2nd m. Jack CURRIE , taught Music b.? d? lived on Hincks St., St. Thomas, bur. St. Thomas West Ave Cem. Harry had a dau. by 1st. Wife. Who was 1st Wife, what happened to daughter? Brenda Edmonds.