Mary Jane Stephens*

Notes:

Griffeth 2

Mary married James Ezra Griffeth* in 1863. James (son of Ezra Griffeth* and Martha Odell*) was born on 21 May 1838; died on 08 Aug 1929. [Group Sheet]

1. Fannie M. Griffeth* was born on 18 Feb 1869; died on 27 Feb 1878.
2. John Ezra Griffeth* was born on 30 Jan 1875; died on 25 Feb 1875.
3. Edith Griffeth was born in 1876; died in 1938.
4. William LESLIE Griffeth was born on 24 Oct 1879.
5. James Edgar Griffeth was born on 20 Nov 1883.

Notes:

Stephens 1
-a very successful farmer; member of Church of England; never ran for office
-3 daughters married Griffiths
-parents came from Warwickshire, England; b. 1813 Nova Scotia, family returned to England c1815 where brother Richard was born, back to Canada (Nissouri) c1819, came to London area c1822.
[Guy St-Denis - Byron: Pioneer Days in Westminster Township, p42] [John Stephens Jr.], who was born on Christmas Day 1813, continued to live on this farm [lot 47, C1] for close to 60 years. Although a life-long "Reformer" who was said to have taken a deep interest in politivcal and municipal metters, Stephens Jr. never occupied any public position except that of trustee of the Byron School.
On January 27, 1890 he died and two days later the London Advertiser paid tribute to "his habits of industry, the skilful management of his farm, and his shrewd business talents" which culminated in making Stephens one of the wealthy men of not only Byron but Westminster as well. He was buried in the Brick street Cemetery beside his wife, Betsy Ann, who had predeceased him on March 18, 1867.

John married Betsy Ann Hayward*. Betsy was born in 1818; died on 19 Mar 1867. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Stephens 1

Notes:

a Captain in British Navy
came to Canada 1818, settled in Westminster 1824 (see notes for son John)

[Guy St. Denis - Byron: Pioneer Days in Westminster Township, p41] The next owner of the northern part of lot 46 in the first concession and broken front was John Stephens Sr. He was a native of Warwickshire, England who served as a midshipman for a number of years in the British navy. During the War of 1812 his family resided in Nova Scotia, but a year or so afterwards they returned to England. In about 1820 Stephens brought his family back to British North America and lived on a farm first in Nissouri Township, and then three years later, in adjacent London Township. On October 22, 1837 Stephens purchased William Bird's former farm from the St-George estate. After Stephen's death his farm passed to his son, John Stephens Jr.

[The London and Middlesex Historical Society Vol. 22, Aumtumn 2013] John Stephens subsequently purchased 80 acres of Lot 29 together with some additional property in Westminster Township north of Base Line Road that eventually bacame Old South, culminating at Commissioners Road... The portion of his property that eventually became the neighbourhood under consideration was known originally as the Richmond Hill Farm. Following the death of John Stephens, this area was taken over by his son, Richard (1817-1903),...

J. married ?. [Group Sheet]