TALBOT TIMES
Newsletter of the
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XVI ISSUE THREE
September 1997
Extracts of Genealogical information
Chairman’s Message
Welcome back to our fall schedule after what seemed an incredibly short summer. No matter how long I’ve been out of school, I still feel a twinge of sadness when Labour Day arrives.
There have been a few developments in our branch’s activities during our summer break. In June we held a meeting for members of Elgin county’s heritage organizations to discuss the APOLROD (Association for the Preservation of Ontario Land Registry Office Documents) project. Fawne Stratford-Devai, vice-president of APOLROD, conducted the meeting. Several volunteers signed up, and work is expected to begin at the Elgin County Land Registry Office in September under the direction of our team leader, Don Cosens. Several months ago, the Elgin County Historical Society formed an Archives Committee which has been working on the groundwork for the establishment of an Archives for Elgin County. This group recently invited me to represent our society on that committee.
Work on some of our upcoming publications has progressed nicely during the summer.
Extractions of genealogical material from the Aylmer Express has been completed up to 1930 with typing and indexing finished to 1919. The 1842 Census for Elgin County has been re-transcribed to correct the previous publications (not published by our society), which were found to be missing many names. Also, the townships of Dorchester and Dunwich which had never been transcribed have been included. Watch for these new publications soon.
I would like to share a personal project which I have found to be very interesting and important for preserving family history. My mother has never been particularly interested in genealogy or history, but the realization came to me that even though she is only in her early 60’s, she has stories to tell. I began interviewing her about her childhood but came to the conclusion that this process was going to take more time than either of us had. So I handed her a notebook and pen and said, “write!” She now has nearly 70 pages written, describing memories of her parents and grandparents, school days, escapades with her cousins, how she met my father, etc. etc. And she is having a ball doing it!
I encourage you to do the same if you still have a parent living; and to our senior members — write your memories down on paper. Don’t we all wish, as genealogists, that great grandma would have written down stories and family connections?
A reminder of our Regional Meeting on Saturday, September 13 at Central United Church, St. Thomas, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Hope to see you there.
Janes L. McCallum
MY ELUSIVE ANCESTOR – RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE
The Search for Betsy Saunders
No matter how long we’ve been doing genealogy or how experienced we think we are, sometimes we overlook the obvious or neglect to re-check the basic sources. In my case it was a matter of failing to go back over previously viewed material after obtaining further information on my ancestors which would have allowed me to properly identify them.
This story involved my great-great grandmother, Martha Harriet Cannom, wife of Edward G. Fairbrother, who lived in Malahide township near Copenhagen. Martha was born on September 4, 1841 in East Ruston, Norfolk, England, the daughter of John Cannom. This I learned when I began genealogy at the age of 14 from my grandmother’s cousin Gladys Harris of Des Moines, Iowa, who had put together a few notes on the family in the 1960’s.
According to Gladys, John Cannom’s wife (name unknown) had died young in England, and Martha had accompanied her grandparents to Albion County, New York in the 1850’s.
I later learned from parish records that Martha’s mother was Harriet Thompson. So the search began for the “grandparents” who came to New York. Were they paternal or maternal?
My grandfather remembered cousin Gladys coming to Ontario in the 1960’s to do family research. She had asked him about the tiny cemetery at Grovesend on the first concession of Malahide just down from the Fairbrother farm. Apparantly her aunt had told her years before that “Grandma Fairbrother’s” mother was buried there. Obviously Gladys did not find her as nothing was noted in the family history she compiled. Plus the fact that she had written that the mother died in England lead me to believe that the reference to Grovesend Cemetery must have been wrong.
A few years later, I did check the Elgin OGS transcription for this little cemetery, but there were no Cannoms or Thompsons. Only about half a dozen stones remain at the site, but local historian Ida Haggan had recorded it years before, listing many burials in addition to the existing monuments. At this stage of my research, I should note that I had also found Martha’s brother Elijah Cannom and his wife Emma on the 1871 census living near Grovesend.
My work on this problem sat dormant for a number of years until I began probing into Norfolk parish registers at the LDS Family History Library. I was able to discover that Martha’s mother Harriet Thompson was baptized on May 7, 1807, the illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Thompson. 1850 Census records for Norfolk, England revealed several of the Cannom children living with a Robert and Betsy Saunders, who appeared to be grandparents. Sure enough, I found a marriage record for Robert Saunders and Elizabeth Thompson.
From research in New York State, I was later able to confirm Martha and Elijah Cannom’s residence in Albion County with the maternal grandmother Betsy Saunders and her husband Robert. However, in the 1860’s, the Saunders’ vanish from the land records I had consulted, as did Elijah Cannom. Of course, I knew Elijah had moved to Malahide before 1871, and Martha had come to London, Ontario before 1865 to live with her father John Cannom who also had immigrated with his third wife and family. I naturally assumed that Betsy and Robert Saunders had died in New York State, although I could find no death record or tombstone inscription in Albion County.
It was a dead end and I compiled my Fairbrother / Cannom book without knowing the final information on Betsy and Robert. I should mention that I did re-check the 1871 Elgin County census index for Robert and Betsy Saunders, just in case they did accompany Elijah to Malahide. They did not appear.
It wasn’t until a year ago while working on a project listing Malahide families in the Copenhagen area that I reviewed the 1871 census to extract family names living in that area. Of course I saw Elijah Cannom and his wife again, but right below them were Robert and Betsy Alexsanders! I flipped! Obviously his name must have been Robert Alex Saunders, but was misinterpreted by the census taker.
Remembering Gladys’ inquiry about the Grovesend Cemetery, I immediately went again to our OGS transcription and found a record of Robert and Betsy’s deaths from Ida Haggan’s earlier notations. The missing pieces to the puzzle had all been found, but too late to include in my publication. Gladys had been right all along about the Grovesend Cemetery. The oversight in the beginning was due to the fact we had no idea to look for the Saunders surname.
A couple of lessons to be learned from my belated discovery: always re-check previously reviewed sources if you have found new information. If I had looked again at Grovesend Cemetery once I knew the grandparents surname was Saunders, not Cannom or Thompson, I would have found them in five minutes. Always pay attention to those listed in the same household or nearby on the census. I should have noted the Robert and Betsy “Alexsanders” the first time when I found Elijah Cannom.
If I had followed the above advice, I would have discovered the missing pieces about my ancestors, not in New York State, but in Grovesend, less than five miles from where I was born! ‘
By Jim McCallum
ON THE DEATH OF ROGER ALLIN, ST. THOMAS, 1893
A Ghastly Mystery
Have you ever happened upon a document written in circumstances of such horror that you have been filled with emotion just trying to grasp the significance of the event?
Thinking of all the lives that were touched immediately transports one’s mind back to the actual time of the event. Such were the feelings I experienced when, on a quiet morning last fall at the Ontario Archives in Toronto, I was reading a microfilm for the purpose of obtaining some back-ground information on the parents of Elizabeth Jane Allin who married William Alexander Dowswell, on 25 Apr 1873 in St. Thomas, Elgin Co., ON. (Since I was born in Elgin Co., this research had added interest because I would be using local records and seeing familiar surnames!) The Ontario Marriage Registration #4047 gave the parents’ names; Thomas & Jane Dowswell, Roger & Joanna Allin. But let me tell you what transpired. I focused my attention on the Death Registrations starting in 1874 for a Roger Allin in Ontario. Without any difficulty, his name was found in the index indicating the place of death, St. Thomas. This had to be my man! On searching the actual registration #4258, the event occurred on 29 Nov 1893, showing that Roger Allin was 63 years old, a farmer, and that he was born in England. I hesitated over the certified cause of death, as I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but once I allowed myself to accept what my eyes were telling me, I read “Found with throat cut”. So clinical and final! But was this really my man? Better check the newspaper account of the incident–surely front page news for such a small city. The St. Thomas Times Journal issues for a little over a month were missing for that time period, but the London Free Press, 1 Dec 1893 covered the story in all its ghastly details, as follows. I quickly located the names of the next of kin, and found Mrs. Dowswell, the eldest daughter, living in Dresden, allowing me to conclude that this was my man!
The Daily Free Press, London, ON
Friday, December 1, 1893
THE DEAD BODY OF A MAN
Found in the Street, with a gaping wound in the throat–his watch was gone and the belief is that he was murdered, although many hold the theory of suicide.
St. Thomas, Ont. November 30:
A ghastly sight met Mr. W.J. Robb, M.C.R. (Michigan Central Railway) fireman, this morning about six o’clock as he left the house of Mr. William Burrage, Woodworth Avenue, to take his train, the east local. It was that of an old man with his throat cut, lying with face upturned, his head almost touching the gate. Of those who visited the scene no one recognized the deceased until the son, Thomas, inspired by curiosity like others, came to take a look at the body. As soon as he saw the body he recognized it as that of his father, Roger Allen (sic), known to many in the city, having for many years been a milk dealer. The deceased lay on his back, with his head on the edge of the walk leading to the house, his feet under the fence. His head was in a north-easterly direction. On the inside of the fence on the lawn were two or three drops of blood, making it appear to those who hold the suicide theory, as if the deceased had staggered against the low fence, his head bent over, and that he then fell over on his back dead. His black Derby hat was on his head, his arms as far as the elbows were by his side, resting on the ground. From the elbows up they were raised, pointing slightly outwards with the hands closed firmly. His coat and vest were un-buttoned, exposing his reddish woolen undershirt. One brace was thrown out almost over his shoulder, and his trousers and underdrawers were below his knees. On the person the constable found nothing whatever, excepting a watch key. When he left his home yesterday he had with him an open-faced silver watch. The disappearance of the watch is a strong argument of those who incline to the belief that the deceased was foully murdered. On the left side of the neck there was a gaping wound made by some sharp instrument. It was fully four inches in length, over an inch in depth, and spread open to a width of a couple of inches. The edges were jagged and hacked in two or three places as if whoever inflicted the wound had stopped slashing and then slashed again, leaving a kind of nick like the tooth of a saw where the motion was suspended. The wound was at the left side, starting under and a little back of the ear. Believers in the theory of suicide point to the fact that a man committing suicide would hold the instrument in his right hand, and most likely slash at the neck just where deceased is cut.
Woodward Avenue runs north and south. Mr. Burrage’s house is on the west side of the avenue about 150 yards from the G.T.R. (Grand Trunk Railway) track. Deceased lived at 53 Edward Street, the first house on the south side west of Woodward (sic) Avenue. Edward Street is the first street below the track. Deceased’s residence is probably two or three hundred yards north and west on Woodward (sic) Avenue and Edward Street from Mr Burrage’s, which, as stated, is about 150 yards from the G.T.R.track. The murder, or suicide, was undoubtedly committed in the ditch at the north side of the G.T.R. track. and west of the company’s fence, which divides the ditch from Woodward (sic) Avenue. The deceased, it is apparent, went on the track and down into the ditch, and that there the wound was inflicted on his throat. About a foot square of grass is saturated with blood, showing that deceased bled freely. About eight feet to the east of this point, and close to the fence dividing Woodward avenue, is a pool of water. Part of this water this morning was very bloody. There is no trace of blood on the grass from the spot where the pool of blood is to the pool of water. When the deceased walked or was carried from one place to the other, it is strange that there was not left a trace of blood. No knife, or other instrument which would inflict the wound on deceased’s throat has been found, and it is thought possible by the believers in suicide that if he took his own life, the knife will be found in the pool of water. And it is also regarded as a possibility that the missing watch might be also. Sticks were poked in the water, but no thorough examination, such as should be, was made. Nothing was found at this point, excepting an iron pants button, which was north of the railway fence running west and east. No such button is missing from deceased’s trousers, not sustaining the theory, otherwise tenable, that he had been dragged or crawled under the fence and then down to the point where found.
The deceased is not known to have any enemies who would murder him, and it is pointed out that tramps who robe and murder do not jump upon men and cut their throats. They fell them with a blow of a bludgeon. Their object is to render them unconscious so that they may rob them. and not to kill them The disappearance of his watch, however, is a strong factor in the murder theory which is unexplainable at present, unless the time piece be in the pool of water.
A reporter saw Mrs. Allen (sic), wife of deceased, this morning. The tragedy had been a severe shock to her. She said the last she saw of deceased was yesterday morning at 10:30 o’clock, when he left 53 Edward Street to visit his son, John, who lived on Woodward Avenue. He left there at ten minutes to four, and so far no one has been found who had seen him since. Mrs. Allen says he had his silver open-faced watch with him yesterday.
The deceased was born in Devonshire, England, in 1832. He came to Canada forty-one years ago, settling first at Port Hope. He came to St. Thomas thirty years ago, and worked twelve years for Mr. John King in Southwold on the farm, and afterwards up to 1885 conducted a milk business in this city. Eight years ago he left his wife and family and went to Michigan, where he remained till the 26th of August last, when he returned to St. Thomas. He had not since his return lived continuously at home. Besides his wife he leaves three sons: John, who works at the flax mill, Thomas, engaged at Still’s factory, and Fred, in Cincinnati. His daughters are: Mrs. Dawswell (sic), Dresden; Mrs. Bailey, city; Mrs. Richmond, who is in Dakota; Mrs. Monteith, Delaware; Mrs. Geo.
Gilbert, of Inwood, and one unmarried. His son Thomas lives at home, and John is married, and lives on Woodward Avenue. Mrs. W. Paddon, Yarmouth, just outside the city, is a sister of deceased…….‘.
After two months on the case, the police and detectives had not found the perpetrator. Concluding that reading all the daily newspapers would take a horrendous amount of time, I phoned the St. Thomas City Police to find out where their old records were stored. In so doing it was suggested that I contact the St. Thomas Mayor who has a good understanding of past events of his city, and he informed me that he thought this remains an ‘unsolved mystery’. The background information that I was able to find that day revealed that both Roger Allin and his wife Joanna Prout had been born in Devonshire, England, she on 22 May 1835, the daughter of John Prout and Joanna Neil. Joanna Allin died 23 May 1911 in St. Thomas, ON and she was buried in the Fingal Cemetery, Southwold Twp., Elgin Co. beside her husband and two of their daughters who had died before their father. I do not know whether they emigrated in 1852 as a young married couple or whether they married in Ontario. Their first born, Elizabeth Jane Allin was born in Port Hope, Ontario Co. 3 Jun 1853. What a devastating effect this event would have on all his family of nine children, three had predeceased him, and the numerous grandchildren who knew him. His nine Dowswell grandchildren were Roger A., Thomas W., Arthur B., twins Alice J & Edith J., Watson G., Albert H., Wesley and Fred A., all born before their maternal grandfather’s death. In all my years of family history research, this has to be the most traumatic experience to date. Until faced with such sordid findings so close to home, I was surprised at the personal level of emotion being so extraordinarily deep and sympathetic.
Written and submitted by:
Donna-Rae Prong, OGS #9150
Note: Kindly direct any information which would shed light on this event to Donna-Rae Prong.
The DUTTON ADVANCE
26 June 1913
HOMESTEAD OFTEN AN EXPENSIVE HEIRLOOM
“Khan,” writing in the Toronto Star on the death of a pioneer, and whose family, now residents of different cities in the United States, refers to a custom that prevails in Ontario, He says:
“He (the pioneer) spent his whole life clearing two hundred acres of land – for what ? To build up the United States. He furnished Minneapolis with a lecturer in temperance and phrenology; Duluth with a chock-robin dentist and poker sharp; Tawas with a horse thief; Bay City with a lawyer and Port Huron with a preacher, and so on. And he gave them all a start when they went away from home. There was another boy, Abe, and he got the farm. I wish here to uncover an injustice and a wrong which nearly every farm in Ontario has infected on some inoffensive boy. When the old man retired he gave all the girls and the boys who were going away from home to start for themselves their shares. The boy who retained the farm paid these shares.
Now, this would have been all right, but the old man, – and there have been tens of thousands of him – always valued his precious farm at three to five thousand dollars more than it was worth, and the home-staying boy had to pay this extra money for nothing. This very thing brought about the final sale of all the old homesteads. The boy mortage it to satisfy the clamors of his brothers and sisters and get rid of them, and he found himself hopelessly entangled in debt. That wasn’t the worst of it. They all considered the old homestead as “Home,” and when they were sick or broke, or wanted a cheap holiday for a few months, they and their families would come and camp on poor Abe, and poor Abe’s broken little wife had to cook and wash for them. In her eyes they were all great ladies and gentleman because they lived in the States. There was another thing about it. Although they got their shares, and more than they were rightly entitled to, they always considered that they had been robbed and that the unfortunate wretch who fell heir, to the old homestead got the best of it.
“I went to the funeral and shook hands with the flash bunch from the States, but my heart went out to the stoop-shouldered, prematurely aged man who will have to feed them for the next three weeks – perhaps longer.” ‘
May, 1901
THE CENSUS DIFFICULTY
The census enumerators, who were led to believe that they were to receive $3 per day are domed to disappointment. It now transpires that they are only to receive 5 cents per name which will in many cases make the daily wages very small. An Ottawa dispatch says:
The Minister of Agriculture will send out a circular to the census commissioners throughout the country reviewing the facts in regard to the rate of pay for enumerators. The circular will show that for a man of ordinary diligence the pay earned would amount to $3 for an approved day of 6 hours and that those who worked overtime were entitled to extra remuneration. The circular will not say anything about the recognition of hardship, but it is nevertheless believed that if any enumerators can establish that they have been inadequately paid their claims will be satisfied. ‘
July 4, 1901
THE NEWS OF THE TOWN
Arch. McColl, census commissioner, met the enumerators of Howard and Ridgetown on
Saturday last to arrange satisfactory adjustment of the pay due them. ‘
AYLMER EXPRESS
December 5, 1929
The “Dennis” Name in South Dorchester
Mr. Oscar Dennis, of Lyons, gave the following information relative to his parents, who were pioneers of S. Dorchester, to the Historical Organization:
Sometime in June 1843, Isaac Dennis, his wife, Mary Siles, and a family, G. Bearss, moved from Welland County to South Dorchester. Isaac Dennis settled on lot 15 in the 7th concession. The trip from Welland was made with oxen. They went up the Centre Road but from this road to the lot was solid bush and it took four days to get a road in on the concession line.
Isaac Dennis reared a family of 8 boys and 3 girls, the fifth son being the late Peter Dennis, blacksmith at Lyons, and the father of Oscar Dennis, who operates a chopping mill on the old premises. Peter was born in Humberstone township on the 30th day of December 1842. On his reaching his 14th(?) year, he went to his uncle at Talbotville to learn the blacksmithing. Here he remained for 6 years and then came home to start a shop on the farm. But love was in the air and on the 29th of June 1866, he married Charlotta Fysh, who was born near Nilestown. Then on the following October 1st, they came to Lyons where they made a home and built a shop which he operated until 1924, two years before he died, Jan. 8th, 1926. His wife predeceased him October 10th, 1920.”
NOTE: The above is just one of a series of articles prepared by the South Dorchester Historical Society in the 1929 – 1930’s period, which were printed in the Aylmer Express. The majority of these articles are too long to reprint in the newsletter, so a publication is being planned once the extraction from the newspaper is completed for this period.
August 22, 1929
John L. Brown Visits His Old Home
We greatly enjoyed a call from our old friend, Jno. L. Brown, of Norristown, Pa., whose visits to his old home are annual. His daughter, Ethel, (Mrs. Roberts), came over some time ago to visit her relatives in this vicinity, and on Saturday last Mr. Roberts and Mr. Brown drove over. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts returned early in the week, leaving Mr. Brown for a longer visit, and he is spending this week in talking over old times.
Mr. Roberts and Mr. Brown have been working on the genealogical tree of the Browns and in course of their studies, went to St. Williams for pioneer information.
Samuel Brown, the great-grandfather of Jno. L. And the father of twenty-two children, was instrumental in releasing Governor Simcoe, in New York state. Later on when Samuel came to Canada, Governor Simcoe saw that Samuel got a choice 400 acres of land at the shore near St. Williams.
Jno. L.’s grandfather, George Brown, also raised a large family. His son, Isaac, Jno’s father, came into Elgin county in pioneer days, when an ox-team, an axe and a scythe, were the main things to possess.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Roberts gathered valuable information relative to the early members of the Brown family.”
August 29, 1929
Monteith Family Observes Centenary – Many Gather From Distant Points to Celebrate Anniversary of Coming to Canada
In 1829 Samuel Monteith was sent out by his father to Canada to select a new home. After considerable hunting, he finally chose a beautifully located spot in Downie township, Perth county, and thither the whole family migrated in 1833. On Wednesday of last week, many of the descendants of these early pioneers gathered to Queen’s Park, Stratford, to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of their coming to Canada. Joined with them in their celebration were the descendants of Robert Monteith, who since 1844 have flocked in large numbers to America and have settled in the environs of London, St. Thomas and Aylmer.
One of the most entertaining features of the day was a short program, to which Miss Verna Monteith, of London, contributed two amusing readings. Hon. Nelson Monteith, president of the gathering, gave a very interesting account of pioneer conditions in Stratford when his father, Samuel Monteith first came there in 1829, and he extended a hearty welcome to all present, especially to those who had come from distant points.
Prizes were given to William Monteith, of Middlemarch, the oldest person on the grounds; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Monteith, Stratford, parents of the largest family present; Marjorie Maines, of Virden, Manitoba, the one having come the greatest distance; and Harold Marshall, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Marshall, Windsor, the youngest person in attendance.
Election of officers resulted as follows: President, Edwin Monteith, London; vicepresident, Col. Andrew Monteith, Mayor of Paris; secretary-treasurer, Ernest Monteith, St. Thomas; assistant secretaries, Fanny Monteith of Stratford, and Mrs. Ira Glasgow, Lambeth; sports committee, Thomas Monteith, London, and Glenn Monteith, Stratford; convenor, Mrs. George Scott, Delaware.
A very lively ball game occupied the interests of a large part of the crowd during the remainer of the afternoon. Over 180 were present, including relatives from Virden, Man.; Algoma, Philadelphia, Detroit, Windsor, London, St. Thomas, Aylmer, and intermediate points. It was agreed to hold the next gathering in Springbank Park on Wednesday August 27th, 1930.”
June 13, 1929
Memory of Elgin Pioneers to be Perpetuated – Tablets to be Erected in Historic Old St. Thomas Church.
A number of tablets are being erected in the Old St. Thomas Church, in the west end of the city, to perpetuate the memory of some of the early pioneers of Elgin County, who attended the old church, and were instrumental in laying the foundations for this progressive County of Elgin. To avoid confusion and incorrect statements regarding the tablets, the following information is supplied us by Miss Ella Lewis, of St. Thomas, formerly of Aylmer, and is of much interest.
No. 1. – In memory of Colonel Mahlon Burwell, came to the Talbot Settlement 1809. Appointed by Colonel Talbot as Registrar for the settlement in 1811. First member,
District of Middlesex (comprising Middlesex-Oxford) for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada in 1812. First Representative of London Town in 1836. Died at his home at Burwell’s Corners in 1846. Organized Masonic lodge in 1818 and was its first Master. Mr. Robert Blackwood called during the last hours of his life, found Doctor Burgess in attendance, who told Mr. Blackwood to go to the home of Col. Talbot telling him the sad news of approaching death for his close friend . Col. Talbot showed deep emotion, walking to the open fireplace, placing his head on his hands upon the mantel, sobbing like a child, saying that Col. Burwell’s death he would lose his best friend, his closest neighbour. Col. Burwell was buried in the little churchyard across the road from his home, where the tombs of himself and wife are conspicuous among the resting places of neighbours and friends.
No. 2 – In memory of Doctor Elijah Duncombe, and his father, Thomas Duncombe. Came to the Talbot Settlement in 1822, to attend the funeral of his father, Thomas Duncombe, who had arrived some years before with his wife and son, David, a doctor (as were the majority of the Duncombe men), to join Dr. Charles, another son who took an active part in the life of the Settlement. Doctor Elijah decided to remain, and was greatly beloved by all his patients, and respected by the community at large. He was a member of the Masonic Order, and was largely instrumental in reorganizing the Lodge started by Colonel Burwell in 1818. The family came from Delaware County, New York, and contributed in no small degree to the prosperity and progress of their new home in Canada. Tablet erected by their descendants in 1929.
No. 3 – In memory of Thomas Futcher, Sr. Was born in Fovant, England, in 1796. Came to the Talbot Settlement in 1834, first living in the vicinity of New Sarum, but later removing to Southwold, where the lovely Futcher farm (called Fovant Farm in memory of the English home) was soon to be one of the attractive spots enjoyed by all passing along Talbot Street on the way from St. Thomas to Fingal. Thomas Futcher, his son, carried on the family traditions, and this family have been known as men of high principle, industrious, and enterprising. Their farms, models of thirft and neatness, with homes of more that ordinary comfort and convenience for early settlement days. The Futchers have even been loyal to their church and country, and classed among our best citizens. Erected by their descendants in 1929.
No. 4 – In memory of William H. Hindmarsh, Bandmaster in St. Thomas. Sang in choir for several years. A talented musician. A fine gentleman. Born in 1826. Died in 1887.
No. 5 – In memory of Annie J. Ermatinger, born in 1843. Died in 1917. Sang in old choir from early youth. Ready at all times to assist in every good work in the service of the Master. Generous, self-sacrificing and helpful. Beloved by all who knew her.
No. 6 – In memory of Edward Ermatinger. Born on the Isle of Elba in 1798. Came to the Talbot Settlement in 1830. Was Postmaster for many years, his valuable experience in the service of the Hudson Bay Company serving him in good stead with the complicated business entailed upon the early settlers. Merchant, Accountant, Postmaster were but few of the positions filled by this capable man. The old Ermatinger home, now owned by Mr. Frank Griffin, has always been one of the show places of St. Thomas, and the scene of many large and influential gatherings. Mr. Ermatinger died in 1878. Was first conductor of old choir, with violin, before organ was secured.”
September 19, 1929
More Tablets Unveiled Sunday – In Old St. Thomas Church to Pioneers of Elgin, Two of Whom are Buried in Aylmer Cemetery. Flowers Placed on Grave of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Lewis in Aylmer, Following the Ceremony –
A very impressive service marked the unveiling of four more memorial tablets in the old St. Thomas Anglican Church, at the west end of the city last Sunday afternoon. The tablets honor early residents of Elgin County, and the service was attended by many from distant points as well as former parishioners and the citizens of St. Thomas, the picturesque old edifice being filled to capacity. The Venerable Archdeacon J.W.J. Andrews, conducted the service which was attended by the officers of the Elgin Regiment, officers of the Canadian Legion, members of the city council and officers of the Elgin Historical Society.
Colonel D.E. Gerrard, of the Third Brigade, unveiled the memorial to Captain Daniel Rapelje, and Lieut.-Col. F.G. Stanbury of the Elgin Regiment unveiled the table to Major Tisdale and his wife, Abigail Axford Tisdale. The tablet in memory of Eltham Paul and his wife, Mary Ann Richmond Paul, was unveiled by their granddaughter, Mrs. A.W. Austin, of Toronto. The fourth tablet, erected in memory of Lyman Lewis and his wife Mary Perry Lewis, was unveiled by their daughter, Miss E.N. Lewis, of St. Thomas, formerly of Aylmer, and their niece, Mrs. Harvey Firestone, of Akron, Ohio.
Following the unveiling and dedication ceremony, Rev. W.E.V. McMillen, of Ingersoll, gave a brief address, speaking of the great heritage left to the community by its godly and courageous pioneers.
Among the flowers in the chancel was a beautiful bouquet the gift of Mrs. Harvey Firestone, of Akron, which were later brought to Aylmer, and placed on the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Lewis, who are buried here.”
QUERIES
PURDY/BURNS/ANDERSON/ELLIOTT/TAYLOR – Seek info and exchange info on the following: Daniel PURDY b c 1760 who was a French Ships Captain during the Rev. War. He mar Mary Jane BURNS in 1792, Digby, N.S. By 1818 they were leasing land from Col. Talbot in Vienna, Lot 16. d 1849. Ch: ?Henry b 1793, Obediah, b 1797, Lavinia (ELLIOTT) b c 1798 & Mary (TAYLOR). Priscilla ANDERSON b1809, dau of Jeremiah & Elizabeth BAKER? 1st mar Obedia PURDY, 2nd 1861 Nicholas POTTS, Bayham, Wish to find Priscilla ANDERSON, Daniel PURDY and Mary BURNS parents. Ozzi PURDY
GUNN /PARTRIDGE – Ann Hannah GUNN, b 1805 in N.S., second wife of John PARTRIDGE, b 1805, Devon, Eng. D 1883 St. Thomas, ON. Married in St. Thomas, June 1834. Ann d 4 sept 1878 Evansville, MN. Ch: Phillip ca 1839, George 1840 ?, Eliza 1842?, James 1844? John 1845?, Richard 1847? Seeking info on Ann, parents and siblings. W. BEDELL
ELLIOTT/ANDERSON – Zeno (Rev.). s/o John ELLIOTT and Elizabeth ANDERSON. Wife Ada ? Ch: Lois Louise, Lillian Belle, John Juan SUTHERLAND. Zeno was 21 yrs in 1871 Census. He was a former Minister of Weslyan Church in Oil Springs, ON in 1869. In Insolvant Court 1879, Sarnia. Margaret NAGY
WALTERHOUSE/WATERHOUSE – Philip Benjamin WALTERHOUSE lvd Fingal, ON., 1813 – late 1840’s then left for USA. His wife, Mary Alice MORRIS d ca 1849. A John WALTERHOUSE is listed in the 1851 census in Yarmouth Twp. Could this John be Philip’s father? Shirley WALTERHOUSE
CRANDELL/ CRANDALL/ CRANDLE/ PALMER – Seek info on any CRANDELL/ CRANDALL/ CRANDLE family – especially interested in desc of Palmer CRANDELL / Deborah PALMER who are bd in Salem Cem near Colborne, ON. Who was father? Where was he born? Wish to correspond with anyone tracing CRANDELL to exchange info
BOWMAN – Seeking info on William or Charles BOWMAN, lvd in Carodoc Twp., Middlesex ca Poss father and son? Are they connected to BOWMAN fam, Burford Twp., Brant Co.? Wish to correspond with anyone having info on this this family or any other BOWMAN or allied family. Bill BOWMAN Donna BOWMAN,
SECORD – Anyone with the SECORD name at any address would be of help. Will try to help anyone with a SECORD ancestor. In particular I am searching for desc of Peter SECORD, 1726-1818.
CULVER/ WRIGHT – Constantine CULVER b ca 1832. Who were his prts? He marr Caroline WRIGHT. Lvd in Bayham Twp on 1871 census. Did this fam move to MI.? Mrs. Elva SANGHERA,
MILLER / VanPATTER – Justus Harmon, s/o Joseph Harmon & Wilmot (VanPATTER) MILLER, mar Frances _______. Ch: Charles (1867) Alfred (1869) Catherine (1870). Fam believed to have moved to MI. Any additional data would be appreciated
BEEMER / VanPATTER / DAVIS – Bradford ( 1827 Malahide Twp.) s/o Abram & Eleanor (VanPATTER) BEEMER mar 1848 Eliza Martha DAVIS ( 1830 – 1892) Who were Eliza’s prts? Where were Bradford and Eliza bd? I. HINDMARSH,
EDMONDS – Info wanted on the William EDMONDS who married Ann KING, Dec. 10, 1838, Old English Ch, St. Thomas, ON. and the Mrs. EDMUNDS bur in Old English Ch. Cem., July 3, 1839 Was Mrs. EDMONDS and Ann KING one in the same? and all EDMONDS buried in West Ave Cem., St. Thomas.
EDMONDS – William EDMONDS, 1914 Downton, Eng. d Immigrated to St. Thomas 1836, and is married in 1861 Southwold Census to Mariah/Sarah ? b? d?, ch. George EDMONDS 4, & Charles EDMONDS 2, Remarried when? where? to Lozina HINES? b.? d. 1914. Moved 1867-68 to Traverse City, Mi.? where he died in 1914. Brenda Edmonds
BILLINGTON/ HERRINGTON/ (HARRINGTON)/ WIDNER – Searching for connections or siblings of John BILLINGTON b. ca 1824 in US re census of South Dorchester, Elgin Co . John d 1854, bd Necropolis Cem, South Dorchester. John marr Anne, d/o Mrs S.A. Widner, also bd with John and Anne in Necropolis Cem. Anne & John BILLINGTON had at least one child – George b ca 1848. George’s marriage reg. on June 4, 1876 to Sarah Eleanor HERRINGTON says that his mother was Anne M. ELLISON and father John BILLINGTON. It would appear that Anne could have been a widow when she and John were married? What was date of marriage for John and Anne? Who was her previous husband? Were there any other children? James BILLINGTON b in NY State, bd in Aylmer Cem in 1866, is he the father of the above John? Need proof of this. I have possession of Will of James!
CARRIER/ TURK – Searching for the family of Herbert CARRIER and wife Noreen TURK . Noreen was the d/o Stanley TURK and Dorothy MILLIE who lvd Detroit, MI. Rumour says the TURK and CARRIER families moved to Florida. When? Where? If deceased where are the four children of the CARRIER family? Norma C. Smith