TALBOT TIMES
Newsletter of the
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XVII ISSUE THREE
September 1998
Extracts of Genealogical information
THOMAS DAILY TIMES
HILES – DESMOND — (Fri. June 29, 1917?) The marriage of Charles Hiles, of Ridgetown and Miss Daisy Desmond, eldest daughter of David Desmond, Talbot Street, took place on Monday.
Rev. A. Richardson officiated. About twenty-five guests were present. They went to Toronto on a trip. Miss Desmond is one of Talbot street’s most popular young ladies and will be greatly missed. All join in wishing the young couple a long and happily married life. They will reside in Ridgetown. ”
NEWS
(Fri. June 19, 1917?)
MUCH SYMPATHY FELT FOR MRS. IDA HAIGHT. — Of Four Sons Who Enlisted, One is Killed, Another Wounded and a Third is Missing. — Tillsonburg, June 22, Much sympathy is felt by the friends here of Mrs. Ida Haight, of Aylmer, formerly of this town. Four sons of Mrs. Haight enlisted and went overseas. One was killed in action, anther was very badly wounded and is in Orpington Hospital, England, part of his face having been shot away and another is now reported missing. The young men’s father was working as sectionman on the M.C.R. here a number of years ago, and was struck by a train and instantly killed. Mrs. Haight has two young sons at home, and there is some talk of asking the military authorities to have the son who is in training in England and who, it is said, was not eighteen when he enlisted, returned home. ”
DRAKE –Word has been received that Corp. Lloyd Drake is ill from gas poisoning. He is a son of Phineas Drake of this town, and enlisted about a year ago. ”
McGUIRE & VAN NORMAN —Mrs. Bertha Van Norman, of California, is a guest of her sister, Mrs. Wm. McGuire, and purposes remaining the summer. ”
HIGGINS — Miss Marjorie Higgins has taken a position in the telephone office. ”
KELLY – West Lorne – Word has been received that M. J. Kelly, who was reported as missing, has been officially reported as being a prisoner of war “.
DEATHS
FUNERAL OF MRS. MARR AT FROME SATURDAY — Deceased Was Highly Esteemed Resident of Frome; Had Reached Age of 62 Years — Frome, June 22, – The death on Wednesday evening of Mrs. David Marr removed an old and very highly esteemed resident of this section. Mrs. Marr passed away at the family residence, Frome, at the age of 62 years, after a long illness. The deceased leaves to mourn her death besides her husband five children namely James, Mrs. A. McLeod and Clarence of Frome, Mrs. C. H. Eames, St. Thomas and Cyrenuis, of London. Also two sisters and two brothers, namely, Mrs. William Styles, of St. Thomas; Mrs. Seth Baldson, of London; Thomas Rochester, of Boyne City, Mich.; and Alex. of St. Joseph, Mo. The funeral will take place at the house at two o’clock Saturday. Interment in Frome Cemetery “.
DUFFEY FAMILY BIBLE
The following was taken from a family Bible found in a St. Thomas Auction
Duffey Family Bible
Thomas ………….. Aug. 5, 1855 Michael …………. Sept. 17, 1877 Joseph ……………. Mar. 1, 1858
James …………….. Mar 16, 1861 Catherine ………. May 15, 1887
George Jr. ………. May 24, 1863
Mary Jane ………. Aug. 8, 1865 Mary Jane …… Sept. 24, 1887
Michael ………….. Nov. 25, 1868
Quebec City Gazette: 1846 – 1855 Marriage Notices.
NATION , married February 16th, 1853 at Morpeth, C.W., James Cushing NATION, son of Jas. NATION of Toronto, to Eliza FINDLAY, relict of the late John FINDLAY of Morpeth, dau. of Lt. WARING of London, C.W.
From: Roots Branches & Twigs, Vol 21, No. 1 1998 via Quebec Family History Society, Vol. 19, Nov.
1997
PIONEER DAYS IN THIS DISTRICT
Aylmer Express – April 9, 1931
An Old Resident Recalls History of Pioneer Families, Such as Davis, Teeple, Rogers, Treadwell, Tozer, Beemer, VanPatter, Brown, Summers, Martin, Miller, Moore, Harp, Smith, Laur, Cascadden, Dancey, Young, Haney, Cottington, Benner, VanVelzer, McCausland, Kinsey, Chute, Saxton, McConnell, Marr, Lyon and Wrong, and others.
This Paper Will Welcome Any Sketches About Any Pioneer Families
As you are asking for pioneer sketches of some of the people of this district, I will relate some I have in my collection of pioneer days and people.
For about 60 miles west of Long Point, is a fertile tract of land comprising the townships of Aldborough, Dunwich, Southwold, Yarmouth, Malahide, Bayham and South Dorchester. All these, except Dorchester, border on Lake Erie. This belt of land is from 12 to 16 miles in breadth.
There are no early municpal records of what is now Western Ontario and date only from the time of Lord Sydenham (1841).
From the fact that Col. Talbot settled in this county we will need to get much of the data from his records.
The Talbot Settlement
Col. Talbot was born in Malahide Castle, in Ireland in 1771. As a soldier he was attached to the staff of General Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (about 1791).
While with him Talbot became acquainted with the fertile and picturesque belt of land along Lake Erie. For some reason he decided to leave the comforts of his ancestral home, with all its comforts and civilization and plant a new civilization here, knowing the privations of this new country.
Governor Simcoe seemed to be much impressed with Col. Talbot’s scheme and exerted his influence with Lord Hobart, Secretary to the Colonies, to grant Col. Talbot land for a settlement. The letters from Governor Simcoe to Lord Hobart are an interesting document, but too long to be entered in this sketch.
The land granted to Col. Talbot was in Dunwich. He would have preferred Yarmouth, but the land there had been bought up by some Englishman for speculation, so he settled in Dunwich.
At this time there was not a habitation nearer than Long Point, 60 miles eastward. Col. Talbot came to his land on May 21st, 1803.
Progress in the settlement for a few years was slow. George Crane came with Col. Talbot, and in 1809, John Pearce, Col. Leslie, Patterson and William Story came with their families and located in Dunwich, west of Port Talbot. John Barber built a bark shanty and lived in it for a time. In 1810, or soon after, came five Davis brothers, David Secord, Benjamin Wilson, Moses Rice, the Mandevilles, Daniel Rapelje and a few others.
From this date settlers began to come in much faster, many of them taking up land along the trail taken by Col. Talbot (the trail now in 1931 is a fine highway and still bears his name.)
About this time many of the settlers came from New York State and New Jersey, as they wished to be under British rule, so we find among them many U.E. Loyalists.
Some of the Settlers
This sketch will be confined mostly to the settlers east of what now is St. Thomas, most of them along the Talbot Road. So we find the names of Teeple and Davis families settling in Yarmouth and west side of Malahide. These families intermarried, so they are nearly all more or less related.
The next record I have is of the Rogers’ who settled at what has been known as Rogers’ Corners for more than100 years. They took up land on both sides of the road.
One of them gave the land for a cemetery where many of our ancestors were laid away. A Rogers still owns the farm on the south side.
Old Rogers Cemetery
Some years ago the writer of this sketch visited this old burying place with some people from New York State, who were looking up some data about their family. We could gain very little information, as many of the tomb stones had fallen and were broken, and others had been piled at one side of the cemetery, so we could not tell where they belonged. Why these marble slabs had not been laid on the graves where they should have been, I do not know. Here was a fence or paling made of walnut that enclosed one plot which had been there for over 100 years, but we could not learn whose graves were enclosed. I hear last summer (1930) that it was still in very good condition. This cemetery was given to the Aylmer Baptist Church. The church is the oldest in this neighbourhood, and was organized in 1816.
First School House at Rogers Corners
The early settlers felt the need of a place of worship. They had met for some time in a school house near Rogers Corners before there was a school house in Aylmer. The settlers who first came were many of them Baptists and they wanted a meeting house. The farm next to Rogers on the north side of Talbot street I think, belonged to a man named Seates.
East of the Seates came the Treadwells about 1812. Josiah Treadwell came originally from Connecticut, but had lived in New York State, near Albany, for some years. He had married Mabel Mann some time about 1776. She died shortly before he came to Canada. He brought all his family, except the eldest son (Alpheus who remained in New York and died there about 1873). There were three sons and two daughters who came with him. Anson, did on the north side of Talbot street. He had a deed for 400 I believe. He had one son, Alexander, who came into possession on the death of his father. Alex lived on it many years, then sold it to Charles Timpany about 1883, and went to Florida where he died. Timpany sold it to A.S. Rogers and he sold it to Fred Bodkin, who still owns it.
Tryon, the third son of Josiah, settled on the farm across the road from Anson’s, on the south side. He only had 200 acres. Anson and Tryon had Crown deeds. Tryon was a shoemaker, and journeyed from near St. Thomas to Long Point in Norfolk County fitting out whole familes with boots and shoes. On one of these trips he met Mary Smith, and later they were married. Tryon gave 100 acres to his oldest son, Samuel, and kept the east 100. He built the house now owned by James Crane on South Street, Aylmer. Later he sold it and lived elsewhere. Another son, Abram, went to Iowa and died there.
The other son of Josiah, Daniel, settled near Port Rowan. One of the daughters of Josiah married Capt. James Gummers, and the other married Moses Brown near Port Rowan.
East of Tryon Treadwell’s farm, was owned by John Beemer, who later sold it to Capt. Tozer. East of Anson Treadwell’s was the farm of Daniel Davis, the grandfather of the present owner, D.C. Davis. Then I believe the VanPatters came next, and settled on large farms on the south side of Talbot that extended to the south on the west side of what is known as John street. The public schools and also the Library are situated on some of that land. I think the late Mrs. T.M.Nairn was a daughter, and the last of the older VanPatters.
On the opposite corner north, was another VanPatter, who had 400 or more acres. It is now thickly settled and also has the Dominion Canners plant and the C.N.R. station. The Waterworks too, are on the north side on the creek that flows through Aylmer.
At the east of John street my record is not clear, till I came to the Brown property. James Brown owned a large tract of land, and there was a pond of considerable size. I believe a man named Summers, built a sawmill there and later it was carried on by Jas. Brown, who later built a grist mill as well. They were run by water power suppled by a dam across the creek forming sufficient power. Later, steam was used in the grist mill.
East of the pond, we learn, was a family named Martin. He had two sons, Henry and Richard, and a daughter Mary, who married George Kinsey. There was a swamp near there and it was almost impossible to get through it in the spring and fall. Few people lived along there, till we come to the road leading to Luton, or Centreville as it was then known.
On the east side of that road on the south side, two men settled, named Miller. They were not related, just a coincidence. Gilbert Miller had the corner lot. He had two sons, Simon and Albert. Next east was settled by Jeremiah or his son, Jacob Miller. He came about 1812 or 1813, from New York State. Jacob married Jane Schooley and raised a large family. Later the farm passed down to Asa and at his death, to E. Blake Miller, who sold it a few years ago, after it had been in the family over 100 years. Jacob had five sons and eight daughters. Two of the sons and one daughter went to Nebraska about 1860, or before. They drove there with teams and covered wagons. Three other families went at the same time. They were six weeks on the road and settled near Omaha. Of Jacob’s family, only Benjamin and Asa were well known around here. Jacob had a brother, John, who married Letitia Schooley, and they settled on what is now known as Dingle street. Other settlers on that street were the Moores, Harps, Solomon Smith, and others, among them a Summers, who bought the Smith place. Smith had a dam across a small stream, and built a factory (?), where he did quite a business in making furniture.
Wilson Hollow, Later Richmond
I might mention there was another son of Jeremiah Miller, Henry, who lived at Wilson Hollow, just east of where Richmond now is. At this place there was quite a business centre, where there were three or four stores and taverns, besides saw and grist mills. Henry Miller carried on a sawmill and store. Another brother of Henry, had a store later, about 1840 or ‘45 in Aylmer, then went to Michigan. Wilson Hollow was quite a village long before there was an Aylmer, Vienna or Port Burwell.
Besides the families I have mentioned along Talbot street, were the Summers, Harpers, Laurs, Cascadden and perhaps better known than these, Dr. Dancey, whose medical practice began about 1828 or 1830, and for miles he travelled on horseback to help those who sorely needed medical help.
North of Talbot road were Youngs, Haneys, Cottingtons and others. I should have mentioned the Benners, east of Aylmer, and the VanVelzers, McCauslands,
Kinseys and farther south, and near the lake, were the Chutes, Saxtons, McConnells, Marrs, Lyons, Wrongs, and others, some coming there as early as 1801.
There are many things which might be told of the pioneers of Malahide Township, but my sketch is already too long.
If some of the descendants of the old families would write up a history of their ancestors it would be better than to have it done by one individual, and would be of interest to many. The writer could only skim over items known and much is lost.
Elgin Set Apart in 1852
In the early days before there was an Elgin County, this part of the country was in the London District, with headquarters for court purposes in the village of Charlotteville, now called Turkey Point. Later the court for the District was held in Vittoria, in Norfolk County. Then it moved to London, in Middlesex. About the year 1852 or 1853, Elgin was set apart from Middlesex, but till about 1856 or 1858, court was held in London.
When my father served on jury he used to drive to London in the early morning and home in time to get some sleep. At that time he said the jurors got the large sum of 1 shilling per day, with no allowance for mileage. As money was scarce he drove and took his own horse feed, buying a dinner for himself for 6-pence, usually. I was a very small child, but remember him coming home late at night. It was a long, lonely ride and in spring the roads were often deep mud.
Aylmer a Centre Since 1830
There had been stores and hotels in Aylmer from about 1830, before one was carried on by Frederick Miller, and I think his partner was a man named Crandell. This was some time about 1840 or before. The thriving village at Wilson’s Hollow, got more trade, and later Straffordville and Vienna were important centres for trade. Commerce at that time was largely made up of lumber, staves and shingles, also grain. Port Burwell was also a busy place for shipping, most of it going to Buffalo.
Port Bruce a Market in 1850
From about 1850, Port Bruce was one of the best grain markets along the lake. When the railway opened in Port Stanley, it killed the Port Bruce trade. About 1860 there were several large grain warehouses or elevators and in the fall, after the harvest was over, there would be a big shipment of grain, as well as lumber and cordwood. Butter too, was shipped to Buffalo, and many other places in the U.S.
At that time the water in the lake came up nearly to where the Inn now stands. The creek was deep enough for the lake vessels to come up to the bend of the creek. There was a long pier with a lighthouse at the end, to light vessels into port. Now the lake has receded so far out, the lighthouse is gone, the creek filled in till only row boats can enter.
I can well remember the steep hill where the wagons would have to be locked to keep the load from crowding against the horses. There would be scores of wagons in the procession, and each had to take their turn to unload at the elevators. There were several stores and I have heard, three taverns.
My ancestors have told me the Indians called the creek, the Wausebon River in the early days, about 1830. They said it was the Indian name for Catfish, for which it is still named.
Port Bruce retains many of its beauty spots, and now in 1931, it is a quiet resort for many who wish a place to rest in summer.
There is much more that should be told, but I will leave it for a more capable writer to tell. Some of the descendants of the pioneer families all through Malahide, should feel it a privilege to write up a history of their ancestors.
Hoping to see some of the writings of the descendants of Malahide pioneers and also that my poor attempt will show a little of what our ancestors endured, I will close this rambling sketch. ”
QUERIES
CUDNEY – Joseph CUDNEY b ca 1800 Niagara Twp, Lincoln Co, ON youngest s/o Ezekiel CUDNEY 1765-1815, UEL. Wife poss Margaret. Ch: William H. CUDNEY 1847-1920, lvd Elgin County.
CARNES / CARNS – Isaac B. CARNES 1821 – 1907, wife Mary Elizabeth SANGER 1825-1909. Ch: Abraham 1854-1940 mar Susan TRIBE, Harvey 1857 – ? mar Mary Elizabeth PRICE 1882. Margaret 1866 – ? mar William Henry GRIFFIN 1882. Lvd Straffordville, Bayham Twp., Elgin County. Connie REYNOLDS
SLAGHT / SLEGHT / SLACK – Interested in all connections in USA & Canada.ROBINS / ROBBINS – Interested in all connections in USA & Canada, 1788 +. Mrs. Ruth ROBERTSON
TUFFORD / BEBEE / NELLIS / YOKUM / WONNACOTT / McDERMAND/BURNS / KENT – George TUFFORD b 11 Mar 1791, USA., d 18 Apr 1872 Malahide Twp., marr Martha Ann ________ b ca 1801, Ontario., d 27 Jan 1874, Malahide Twp. Ch: Alexander TUFFORD b 1816, d 27 Oct 1896, Hope Twp., marr Zilda BEBEE, Mary Ann TUFFORD b ca 1818, ON marr Robert Henry NELLIS, Rev. John Carpenter TUFFORD b ca 1819, ON d 25 Jan 1892, Malahide Twp., marr Catherine Jane YOKUM, Joseph C. TUFFORD b 9 July 1821, d 12 Dec 1862, Malahide Twp., marr Nancy C. _____________, George TUFFORD b ca 1824, ON., d bef 1889, marr Mary Ann_________, Francis Henry TUFFORD b ca 1827, ON, d 20 Oct 1891 Brantford, marr Mary M. __________, Jonathan P. TUFFORD b ca 1829, ON d 15 Nov 1893 Malahide Twp., marr Mary June WONNACOTT, Amarantha Elizabeth TUFFORD, b ca 1930, marr Robert BURNS, Sarah Margaret TUFFORD b 23 Sept 1831 Brant Co., d 14 May, 1907 Malahide Twp., marr George KENT, Martha C. TUFFORD b ca 1836, ON. d 13 Mar 1906 Malahide Twp., marr James McDERMAND. Looking for info on any of the above or their desc..
TUFFORD / WELTER / KENT / DOOLITTLE – Jeanette Maud TUFFORD, b 17 Sept 1861, Malahide Twp., d 23 Mar 1944., d/o Jonathan P. TUFFORD and Mary June WONNACOTT, marr George Partial WELTER. They had at least nine ch: Ida May KENT, b 2 Sep 1856 Malahide Twp., d 10 Feb 1899, Malahide Twp.,d/o Sarah Margaret TUFFORD & George KENT marr Solon Lewis DOOLITTLE. They had at least three ch. Looking for info on any of the above or desc. Timothy James LEWIS
RINKER / PAGE – Benjamin Edward RINKER b 1862 Pelham, d 1925 in Fenwick, ON., m Mary Victoria PAGE 1892. Who were his prts? Did he have any ch? What was his occupation? Mary Victoria PAGE was my great aunt. .Ross Harrison
HORSWELL / BOYDLE – Harry Devereux Horswell 1886-7 Devonshire, Eng.. Family sent to S. Africa in 1900 due to Tuberculosis. Father already dead in England, where? Mother & two brothers died in S. Africa – what were their names? & where? when? did they die? Sister, Daisy, married Thomas Boydle, a Goodwill Embassador in Capetown or Johannesburg, lived in Bloemfontaine. Were there any descendents of Daisy & Thomas Boydle?
EDMONDS / HORSMAN / HINES- William Henry EDMONDS b. 1833, Downton, Eng. Marr. when? Maria HORSMAN.
1861 Elgin Co. Census ch. George H. 4, & Charles T. 1 also Samuel b. 1863 Eliza b 1865 When did Maria Horsman die and where bur? When & where did William mar Lozina HINES DOHM b. 1844, Vermont. Immigrated to Traverse City, MI, & had ch. Arthur J. b. 1881. What happened to Charles, Samuel & Arthur Edmonds’ families and stepson Frederick DOHM?
PURDY / BURNS / ANDERSON / ELLIOT / TAYLOR – See info & exchange info on the following: Daniel PURDY b c 1760 who was a French Ships Captain during the Rev. War. He marr Mary Jane BURNS 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. c1798 & Mary (TAYLOR). Priscilla ANDERSON b 1809, dau of Jeremiah & Elizabeth BAKER? 1st mar Obedia PURDY 2nd 1861 Nicholas POTTS, Bayham. Wish to find info on all parents. Ozzi PURDY