Notes:

Stella is the daughter of Alice Willson & John Vanzant.
Alice Willson was previously married to Samuel Osborn, estimated death of 1804-5.
Re-marriage date is unknown, however,

Town of York Town Meeting & Census.
. 1813 July - John Vanzantee, Males 2, Boys 2, Women 1, Girls 1, Total 6. York Inhabitant.
. 1814 - Jno. Vanzantee, Males 2, Women 2, Girls 1, Total 5. York Inhabitant.

1. LEFT SPACE FOR GIRL'S GRAVE
TORONTO There is a small place of ground in the crowded heart of the city untouched by the giant commercial buildings that surround it. The plot, 12 feet by 14 feet, is dominated by the Bank of Commerce, tallest building in the commonwealth, & lies next to Toronto General Trust Building. Beneath the pavement of the courtyard of the trust building is the grave of a girl, Stella Vanzant daughter of one of Toronto's pioneers, John Vanzant who came from New York about 1778.
As was the custom in those days, the child was buried in the garden. First record of the grave appeared in a deed registered in 1815. But there has been no apparent transfer of land in which it lies from the Vanzant family to other owners.

The grave is protected by an honorable agreement. In 1911, when the first part of the General Trust Building was erected, the company agreed to hold the plot containing the grave inviolate &, in 1928 when an addition was made, the agreement was observed. A protective shed was built over the grave & construction went on around the shed. Mrs. Gerald Johnson of Toronto, a descendant of John Vanzant, knows of the family legend. The pioneer was of Dutch extraction & his family had helped found New Amsterdam on the Hudson River.
He arrived when Toronto was a fur-trading post. Later he established a tannery at the corner of the present Adelaide & Yonge streets, some 10 years before the future town plot of York was surveyed. Actual settlement of the area was delayed until 1793, so John Vanzant was one of the first to live there. York later became part of Toronto.The Vanzants left Toronto & returned to the United States when the Mackenzie rebellion broke out in 1837. Mrs. Johnson believes the tannery & Vanzant's residence a block away may have passed into the hands of Jesse Ketchum. philanthropist & reformer. The family returned to Canada about 1850 & some of its members settled in the Markham district.
Ref: Associated Press, published 1952 Dec 4th.
______________________________________________________________________
The Toronto General Trusts Building was on the east side of Bay Street, south of King Street at the north-east corner of Bay/Melinda. Melinda Street now ends at Jordan St; it does not go west to Bay St. Likewise, Jordan St. no longer goes south to Wellington; it ends at Melinda.

2. The mysterious case of the grave of Stella Vanzant:
When little Stella Vanzant died of causes unknown some time in the early 1800s, her bereaved father interred the girl’s young body in a six by four-foot grave in a quiet corner of the family property near King & Bay streets.
The future site of the Toronto financial district was still partially covered in groves of native trees. A few scattered wood cabins were placed at intervals along muddy tracks, & so John Vanzant might reasonably have assumed his daughter would rest in peace in perpetuity. Unfortunately, things started to go wrong for the American-born business owner very quickly, & his actions that day sparked a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.

As the Toronto Star reported in 1968, records showed Vanzant was descended from early Dutch immigrants to New Utrecht (now Brooklyn, N.Y.). He claimed to have served in the Loyalist Queen’s Rangers military unit during the War of Independence, but in Upper Canada his allegiances were viewed with suspicion.
His first application for a land grant near the town of York was harshly rejected. “The behaviour of this man is such that he may never have lands in this province,” a government official wrote. Something changed, however, because in 1797 Vanzant received a plot of land a short distance west of Yonge St.
A few years later - it’s not known precisely when - young Stella Vanzant died & was buried somewhere near present day Melinda & Jordan streets. In 1812, her father, who was working as a wheel maker & leather tanner, was booted from Upper Canada when hostilities with the United States resumed.

Unable to return, John Vanzant hastily disposed of his business interests in York. Selling the land that contained Stella’s grave wasn’t as easy, however. Vanzant was emotionally attached the property & it remained in his name for another two years. Perhaps realizing his exile was permanent, the sale was eventually processed two years later. Everything save for a “piece of ground, 6 feet in length, four feet in breadth” was transferred to Jordan Post, Sr., another early York settler. According to the deed, the small plot was “the place in which the child of the said John is interred.” It’s not clear how John Vanzant was able to sign the deed in exile. Perhaps his siblings in the Markham area had a hand in trying to ensure little Stella’s resting place would remain undisturbed.

. The General Trust Building on the east side of Bay St. A 1952 Associated Press story said Stella Vanzant’s grave was near the building.

After 1814, as York (soon to become Toronto) grew westward & north from its nucleus on King, east of Jarvis, Stella Vanzant’s grave appeared to remain a going concern for subsequent landowners.

. An Associated Press report from December, 1952, said a 12 by 14-foot plot between the Bank of Commerce tower & the Toronto General Trust Building on Bay still remained undeveloped, per John Vanzant’s wishes.

“There has been no apparent transfer of land in which it lies from the Vanzant family to other owners,” the story explained. “The grave is protected by an honourable agreement. In 1911, when the first part of the General Trust Building was erected, the company agreed to hold the plot containing the grave inviolate &, in 1928 when an addition was made, the agreement was observed.”
If the AP story was correct, it meant Stella’s grave was located on the north side of Melinda, west of Jordan. However, the location appears to have become confused over the next decade. In the mid-1960s, roughy 150 years after Stella’s death, bb The tattered & yellowed document presented a problem: the bank was planning to clear & excavate much of the land between King, Bay, & Jordan, including the General Trust Building, for a $100-million extension of Commerce Court.

The city’s tallest skyscraper was to rise on the west end of the newly assembled property & a large plaza with several underground levels was planned for the rest. Based on a reading of the deed, the bank concluded Stella’s grave was probably somewhere east of where the Associate Press reported, likely a the southwest corner of Jordan & Melinda, under the Osler Building.

A descendent of one of John Vanzant’s brothers living in Stouffville read about the discovery of the deed in the newspaper. If his great, great uncle had indeed interred his beloved daughter in downtown Toronto, 77-year-old Charles Vanzant wanted the remains respectfully moved to the Markham Township pioneer cemetery. The bank also considered encasing any burial site in a concrete tomb & placing a memorial in the plaza. In early July, 1969, a team of archaeologists supervised by Alan Clark, the superintendent of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, & a representative from the province, probed tentatively downward with hand shovels in the partially demolished basement of the Osler Building. Rev. Walter Gelling of St. James Cathedral was also on hand. The bank wanted a member of the clergy present in case Stella turned up.

About 3 feet below the basement floor, the archaeologists’ tools struck a piece of wood roughly the size of a child’s coffin. As two workmen pried up the plank, everyone leaned forward at the top of the 12-foot hole to see what was inside.
Underneath was nothing but undisturbed soil. The wood was the base of a brick foundation. For another 4 hours the team poked around the area looking for any trace of Stella’s remains without success. Alan Clark from Mt. Pleasant Cemetery officially declared the ground undisturbed & the bank was granted permission to proceed with construction.

It seems no-one thought to look near the old General Trust Building. Regardless, subsequent excavation & building at Commerce Court failed to turn up any trace of the mysterious Stella Vanzant. Perhaps her grave had long ago been churned up by diggers, perhaps her relatives quietly claimed her without notifying the authorities. Perhaps she’s still down there waiting to be discovered.
Ref: Spacing Toronto, 345. Bateman, Chris, 2015 Sept 16. - - -

Died:
King and Bay streets.

Notes:

Part One:
* John Vanzantee, Van Zante, Van Zant or Van Zandt, as it is otherwise variously spelled, was one of the early pioneers of Dutch origin who made York their home. He was pathmaster in 1807.

. Garret Vanzant was the brother of John. His family now live at Markham.
Ref: Robertson's landmarks of Toronto, V1, p359.

Muster:
. John Vansant, King's Rangers, WO 28, X pt2 M335, p282.
. 1795, John Vanzant, ship carpenter employed in the Dock Yard at Detroit, C723,p43.
British Military & Naval Records (RG 8, C Series) - INDEX, C11867,p345 Copy Arch of Canada. X-Ref: Garrett Vansanter.

. 1775 - c 1783, Loyalist Queen's Rangers, New York
. 1796, Yeoman & Wheelwright

. 1796 - 1812 Jun 18 Leather Tannery, SW Corner Yonge & Adelaide, Town of York. SoldTannery 1812 jun 18, to Jesse Ketchum
1797 - 1814, Lots 3, 4 & 5, Market Street, North side, Town of York &
Lots 2, 3, 4, King St., South side, Town of York;
1814 Feb 20, Sold property to Jordan Post, Sr, £875.

Upper Canada Land Petitions (UCLP) Summary:
1.) UCLPetition 21, C2842,p1140, Petition of John Vanzantt & Associates To John Graves Simcoe,
The petitions of John Van Zandt, Elijah James, George Tilbbatty?, Esashmas Jones & there several associates, would like 6 Squares miles of land above Twp. of Malborough, above the River Rideau.
Signed (in one hand), 27 Jun 1793, John Van Zandt, EJ, GT, EJ.
Petition for a Township ordered that the same be not granted.
Note1: Which may be related the the next two refused petitions:

2.) UCLPetition 2, C2842, p652.
To Peter Russell,
. served his Majesty faithfully in the last American War, in Col. (James) Rogers Rangers & was several times employed as a guide in the Scout Services;
. please grant him some additional to his Military lands, likewise a Town Lot as he wishes to build as soon as possible in Town of York (Toronto).
Signed, John Van Zant, 26 June 1797.
Envelope: Rec. 26th June. In Council: CROSSED OUT is: 28 Jun 1797 - Recommended for 800 acres, militia Land, if not granted before.
*"The behaviour of this man was not that the Board recommended that he may never have land in this Province. Initialed, JS [John Simcoe]. 3 July, 1797 confirmed."
Note2: Petition written & signed for him.

3.) UCLPetition 3, C2842, p655.
To Peter Russell, Upper Canada, In Council;
. was a soldier in Major Rogers Rangers, P Company as his discharge will show. - enroll his name on the United Empire Loyalist list & grant him a quantity of lands.
Signed, John Vanzant, Smiths Creek (Port Perry), Jul 2, 1798.
Envelope: This man misbehaved in the most atrocious manner before the Board in 28 June, 1797. Thus it was then recommended he should never have lands in this Province. Peter Russell.
Note3: For reference this Petition was entirely in Van Zant's own more hurried handwriting. - PJA

4.) UCLPetition 7, UV Bundle 5, C2947 p243. To Peter Russell, Petition of John Van Zandt,
. He has chose 2 lots of land in Hope Twp. in 1797 [Port Perry].
. His name is registered for Lots 3 & 4, Con 5, in the Surveyor General's Office*
. Also wants a Town Lot in York,
Signed, John Vanzantee, York 7 Oct, 1800.
Envelope: Petitioner's name is not on the plan on Hope Twp. Plan, Recommended for the lot reserved for tradesman, (i.e. on King Street).

* 1799 Apr 16. Report by Elias Smith, York. Return of Persons actually resided in Township of Hope: John Vanzante: 1 male, 1 wife, 1 child.
Recapitulation of the actual settlers in Hope: Heads of Families 41, wife 23 children 103, Total 167.

. To Peter Russell, Esq., President administering the Government of UC, In Council.
The Memorial of Capt. Elias Smith late nominee of Township of Hope humbly sheweth that your memorialist in the summer of 1797 gave into the Surveyor General's Office a return of persons settled in the Township of Hope, & of sundry locations made under warrants of Survey. That having lately made a strict examination of the present actual settlers in the said twp. your memorialist finds that several alterations have taken place since his last return. Your memorialist, therefore, respectfully begs leave to lay before your Honor in Council a Return of the present settlers in the township which he humbly submits to your Honor's wisdom - &as in duty bound will ever pray.
Signed, York 16 June 1799, Elias Smith

5.) UCLPetition 3, V Bundle 8, C2947, p456
to A. Grant, Esq., In Council
- he served his majesty during the American Rebellion as a private solder, in Roger's Corps. Discharged after the Peace in 1783.
. resided in (Ontario) since 1797 & received 400 Acres, on 29 Oct 1800
. please considered his long & faithful service on Scout Services
Signed, John Van Zantee, York, 29 July, 1806.
Envelope: Discharged soldier is recommended he be granted 300 acres as a Military Claimant. Peter Russell.

6.) UCLPetition 2 (for 1808), to Francis Gore, Esq., Lieut. Governor of Upper Canada,
. served as a private solder in Roger's Corps (Kings Rangers) until 1783. Resided in this Province since 1797.
. please add his name to the U.E. Loyalist list. (Granted 15 Nov., 1808).
Signed, John Van Zantee, Carpenter, York, 15 Nov. 1808.

7.) UCLPetition 6 Leases, V Bundle Leases, C2950, p53 to M. Grant, In Council
. desirous to obtain a Lease on Lot 30, Broken Front, commencing on the Shore of Lake Ontario, Trafalgar Twp., John Cameron, Town of York, Gentlemen is to be his surety for the rent on this Lease.
Signed, John Van Zantee, York, 3 Aug 1806.
Envelope: Lot 30, upon Lake Ontario, Trafalgar Twp., this Lot lies at the mouth of the 12 Mile Creek, & is surrounded by the Indians (i.e. on reserve land), not on Crown land.
Note4: It is not stated, but presumedly that means the lease on the native land was not granted. - P J Ahlberg, 2012.

8). UCLPetition 18, Memoranda for the Council Office: When the Townships were removed from the interference of the nominee, the following information was collected for Hope Twp:
Con 5, Lots 4 & 3 } - both Lawrence Johnston & John Vanzantee. i.e. essentially double booking of this Lot - PJA.)
Recommended that John Vansante's name be erased from the previous Plan of Hope & he be permitted to locate on 400 acres, subject to survey money. 19 Feb 1809.
Note5: This Response to UCLPetition 7, above, requesting Lots 3 & 4, Con 5, Hope Twp., is essentially a double booking of this Lot.

* Note6: Although John Van Zant signed his name variously, an examination of the handwriting remains one & the same person. While using name variations, John Vanzant's military service remains consistent in Col. Roger's Rangers (a part of the Kings Rangers) & the Scouting Service. - PJ Ahlberg, 2012.

* Note7: In view of his creating an unfavorable disruption of some sort, before the powerful UC Land Board, Vanzant appears to have rehabilitated his reputation by volunteering in public service, as follows below. - P J Ahlberg, 2012:

. 1801 Mar 14, Saturday, York, The Opening of Yonge Street, held at the Gov. Buildings on Monday last, Committee to oversee & inspect the work ...providing for the immediate building of a bridge over the creek between 2nd & 3rd mile posts. A list of subscribers Mr. J. Vanzante, £5.
Ref: Upper Canada Gazette & John Ross Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto, Vol. 1.

Minutes of the Quarter Session of Peace for the Town of York:
. 1800 & 1801 - John Vanzant, Males 2, Place of Residence: York;
. 1803 Mar 7, Monday, held at Miles' tavern - Overseer of Highways & Fence Viewers, John Van Zandt, Town of York; & Thos. Humberstone. On April 18, 1803 they "represented the impossibility of passing the Don Bridge in its present state. It was thereupon order "that a copy of the Assessment Roll be furnished to each of them & that they unite their strength to make a causeway uniting the road to the Bridge."
. For some time men forded the river on horseback, or crossed by means of a scow which was worked back & forth by the help of a rope. This service was maintained by a schedule of tools & may be presumed that they were similar to those in force at the Humber & the Credit rivers.
Ref: Toronto Trading Post to Great City, 1934.

. 1802 - John Vanzantte, Males 1. Total 1. Town of York Inhabitant;
. 1805 - John Vanzantee, Male 1, Boy under 16, 1, Total 2. York Inhabitant;
. Garret Vanzantee,* Male 1, Female 1, Boy under 16, one, Girls 2, Total 5.

. 1805 Apr 9 - Grand Jury, Samuel Heron, foreman, John Vanzantee: Godfried Philips against John Veierheller, Assault, Vierheller not appearing, now annulled.
Appointed 1805 to be Constables for the Home District: John Vanzantee, Town of York, excused from ill health.
Ref: Quarterly Sessions of Peace, York County

. 1807 Mar 2 - Annual Town Meeting held at Gilberts Hotel, Overseers of Highways & Fence Viewers: John Vanzantee for the West end of the Town, to the Garrison.
. 1807 Arp 14, Tues. - Grand Jury, inc.. Jesse Ketchum, JOHN VANZANTEE, Parshall Terry.

. 1808 Mar 18 - Monday, Annual Town Meeting held at Thos. Stoyells., Sworn JV, Highways & Fence viewers. also,
- John Vanzantee: Men 1, Boys 2, Total 3. York Inhabitant.

. 1809 Mar 6, Monday - Annual Town Meeting held at Stoyells Tavern in the Town of York, Overseers of Highways & fence viewers:
John Vanzantee for the North road, from Coopers Mills* to where it joins Dundas St., Twp. of Etobicoke.
Note8: Cooper's Mill was now known as Lambton Mills, on the Humber River at Dundas St. & a couple miles north of the Kingmill/Old Mill & Father-in-law John Willson, Esq., Sr.

. 1810 Apr 10, Tuesday - Grand Inquest Called, 2. John Vanzantee on a jury of 20 men. Robt. Henderson Vs. Francis Le Clair, Assault, which they returned no bill & said Francis Le Clair was accordingly acquitted.
. 1810 Mar 16, Monday: Constables in the Home District for the ensuing year, John Vanzantee, Sworn.
. 1810 Apr 21, Sat. John Vanzantee, ordered to Summon James Wood of Toronto.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract Book
Lot 1, Con 1, North Dundas Street, Toronto Twp., Peel Co.
. 1811 Jan, Patent, The Crown, to John Vanzantee, All [# scares?]
. 1817 Apr 22 - Bargain&Sale, John Vanzantee, to Samuel Lawrence, #500, All.
( 1829: S Lawrence to John Scarlett, 1834 to Geo Silverthorn.)

. 1813 July - John Vanzantee, Males 2, Boys 2, Women 1, Girls 1, Total 6. York Inhabitant.
. 1814 Jno. Vanzantee, Males 2, Women 2, Girls 1, Total 5. York Inhabitant.

. 1807 Aug 10, Granted Town of York, Lot 4 Hospital Street, north East side at Bay Street, John Vanzante, resident.
(Some prominent & influential neighbors on Hospital street were Andrew Johnstone, Samuel Ridout, Samuel Heron, Joseph Kendrick, Wm. K Baldwin, Peter Russell in 1806.
. 1807 - John Vanzante was occupant of Lots 3., 4 & 5 North side Market near Bay Street. Lot had been granted to Isaac Davis, Christopher Robinson, & Lot 5 from Duke Wm. Kendrick.
. 1807 Lots 2, 3, & 4, King St., south side, John Vanzante, resident. (Neighbours: Wm. Allan, Esq., Wm. Chewett, Esq., Hon Richd. Cartwright.)

. A number of public-spirited people collected on last Saturday to cut down the hill at Frank's Creek [i.e. where it crosses Yonge St.] His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, when informed of it, dictated persons with a present of £50 to assist in improving the Yonge street road. To his Excellency, for his liberal donation, & to the gentlemen who contributed, we return our warmest thanks. John Van Zante, Pathmaster, for himself & the public.

The following Public [government] stores were issued under an order of Governor Simcoe & Russel, to sundries, persons under a promise of returning others of equal quantity & quality or paying for the issued when called for:
. 1809 - John Vanzant & Duncan Cameron, York, Bond: 1 cross cut saw.
Ref: Upper Canada Sundries: C4544, p.883.

. Descendants of John Van Zante reside now both in Toronto & in Markham.
Vol. XVII. - York Gazette, Wednesday, No. 25, 1807.
Ref: Landmarks of Toronto, John Ross Robertson. Vol 6, 1914.

. About the time of the war between the United States & Great Britain an American by the name of Van Zandt sold his property at the corner of Yonge street & Adelaide - then Newgate street - & Jesse Ketchum & his wife seized the opportunity to establish themselves in the tannery business there. [i.e. sold in 1812-15.] Vol. 1, p. 66.

. Stella Vanzant, did since 1814, [Abbreviated report] John Vanzant is causing problems in Toronto being after 154 years. In 1814 he signed a deed reserving land he buried his young daughter Stella somewhere around the spot of the Cdn. Imperial Bank of Commerce is planning to build Toronto's tallest building. The tattered yellowed Memorial of Deed, Bargain, & Sale, at City Hall claiming he sold all his property in 1814 except for a 4 by 6 Foot plot preserved as Stella's grave. NY State records indicate John was a descendant of Garrett van Zandt who emigrated from Arnhem, Netherlands to New Utrecht-Brooklin, NY in 1650. City records list him as a yeoman & wheelwright. Vanzant also opened a small leather tanner at corner of Yonge & Adelaide Sts., Jesse Ketchum, an Am. friend bought the business. But King St. property remained under Vanzant's name for the next 2 years.
. 1814 Feb 20 it a small chunk was sold to Elizabeth Lewis [Vanzant] who had a small home on a 70 by 70 lot. The rest went £875 to Jordon Post Sr., an Am. watchmaker.
Ontario, NY & Pennsylvania Stare archivist can find no record of his death.
Ref: Toronto Star, Aug 6, 1968.

* Further Research: At partial odds with the above records (or perhaps conjuncture), from the biography of Jesse Ketchum of Toronto is - (PJ Ahlberg 2012):
On the outbreak of the War of 1812 some recent arrivals from the United States left Upper Canada rather than serve in the militia or swear allegiance to the crown. One such individual, John Van Zandt, an American tanner at York, was obliged to dispose of his property at once, & no doubt at a sacrifice.
Ketchum was the purchaser. Like other merchants, he profited greatly from the wartime demand for supplies for the troops. A shrewd businessman, Ketchum invested his profits in town property in York, & also bought & sold farms in the county of York. ... Soon after the 1837 Rebellion, Ketchum, though he remained in Toronto, moved his tannery to the outskirts of Buffalo, a location which gave his business wider prospects & which provided security for his son, William, who had fled Upper Canada in the aftermath of the rebellion. Moreover, the Toronto site had now grown too valuable for use as a tannery [SW corner Adelaide & Yonge Sts. to Bay St.]
Ref: Toronto of Old, Scadding 1873.

. 1807 - On Tues. the 10 inst. Oct., Lieut. Governor [Simcoe] Arrives, about 12 o'clock, accompanied by his suite & heads of departments, from the Gov. House to Public Buildings. ...A number of people collected on last Saturday to cut down the hill at Frank's Creek. His Excellency the Lieut. Governor when informed on this, despatched a person with a present of $50 to assist in improving the Yonge Street road.
To his Excellency, for his liberal donation, & to the gentlemen who contributed, we return our warmest thanks. John Van Zante, pathmaster, for himself & the public.... public - spirited persons & labourers, hired through a donation of $50 from Lieutenant Governor Gore in that year, made an effort to improve the condition of Yonge street at the Blue Hill ravine, for which Pathmaster Zante returns thanks in the Gazette both for himself & the public.
Descendants of John Van Zante reside now both in Toronto & in Markham.
Ref: 1807 Oct 17 published in York Gazette., Page 390, Vol 6.

. 1807 Dec 10 - John Vanzante, Lot 16 on LOT ST. Grantee & resident, the north part of the now New Town; & Grantees Isaac Davis, [same n side of Hospital St.]
Lot 3 on MARKET ST. NORTH SIDE; Christopher Robinson, 1/5 Acre Land Patent Aug 10, 1801 [VERIFY}. Ref: Robertson Landmarks of Toronto, V1,p382.
Lot 4 at NE corner of Hospital & Bay St.; Duke Wm. Kendrick, Lot 5. Resident} John Vanzante. 3/5 Acre.

* War of 1812 - Battle of York (Toronto) in April 1814 Muster, under Capt. John Beverly Robinson, 3rd Regiment of York Militia: John Vanzante - VP.
Ref: Capital in Flames, The American Attach on York 1813, Robt. Macomson.
8: Voluntary parole or in other words, some 'off duty' valiant soldiers, put themselves in the way of being made prisoners of the American invaders & thus given a parole paper indicating they were in the battle! What gives further pause here is that Capt. Robinson' Militia does not appear to have been mustered during the battle at the York Garrison in April 1813. At this time Fort York was referred to as the Garrison. Also a reminder that Vanzante was the overseer of street paths to the Garrison. - PJA

. War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls & Paylists First Regiment York Flank Militia:
1815 Feb 25, York: Monthly Returns of the Battalion: Vanzant, John, 2nd Captain, John Johnston, Joseph Shepard, Peter Lawrence.

. Private John Vanzante, 1st York Rifle Company, militiamen from Toronto Township, served at first in the Flank Companies of the 2nd Regiment of the York Militia. Lived in or owned land within Toronto Township (Mississauga) in 1812.

. 1812 Sep 7 to 22nd, 3rd Reg. York Militia, Capt. Thomas Hamilton's Company, Hamiltons Co.: John Vanzantte, Jr., 16 days, pd. £10 8s 8p. & in-law: Robt Johnston,16 days, pd. £1 1s 4p.
. 1812 Oct 18th. Capt Hamilton Co., 3YM: John Vanzante Transferred.
. 1812 Oct 5 - Nov. 24 & to 24 Dec. Private John Vanzant, Muster roll of Capt. Peter Robinson's Rife Company, 1st York Militia.
. 1812 Dec 25 - 1813 Jan 24, Priv. John Vanzandt, Days 35, pd. 15s 7p. also, Peter Lawrence, on the Kings work. 1st YM, Robinson Co.

. 1813 Feb 18 - Feb 24, Thomas Johnson, 3rd York Militia, Capt. S Ridouts Co., 3 days, pd. 3s 6 d.

* 1813 March 25 - Board of Claims for Losses: John Vanzante, York Militia, Captured by General Dearborne on 27 May 1813 at Fort George,
How Disposed of: 27 May 1813, Paroled by Genl. Dearborne at Fort George. [Along with a great many others].
Ref: UC War of 1812, Archives of Canada, Film T1122, p 371.

. 1813 Jun 30 - Jul 18 - John Vanzante Jr., 3YM, Capt. T Hamilton Co. Days 19, pd. £1 9s 6p.
. 1813 Nov 25-Dec 24, Priv. John Vanzantee Jr., Days 30, pd. 15s. Capt Thos. Hamilton's 3 YM assembled at York.
con
. 1814 April 27 - York Muster Day: Priv. John Vanzantee & Thos. Johnson*, of Capt. Hamilton's Company who were captured at York on the 27th April, 1814. Signed, Lt. Col. W. Chewett, 3 Yk Militia 1814.5.15th.

. 1814 July 25 Aug 24, John Vanzante, Junr., 31 days, paid 15s 6p. in Capt. Samuel Ridouts Co. of Embodied Militia at York. & 1814 Aug 25-Sep 10, 17days pd. 8s 6d.
Note9: Thos. Johnson, in-law of his wife, Alice Willson Vanzant.

. 1814 Jun 10 - Men drafted in Capt. Wm. Jarvis Co., York Militia:
STILLWELL WILLSON* formerly of Capt. Ridout 3YM,
Ira Kendrick, substitute for PETER LAWRENCE*,
Wm. Kendrick substitute for THOMAS JOHNSTON* formerly 3rd Reg. Capt Hamilton,
JOHN VANZANTE, substitute for William Mines(?),
Osborn Cox, all formerly 3rd Regt. York,
Isaac Vanderburgher* of 1st York Militia who is a substitute for Joshua Leack & John Willson of Capt Ridout's 3YM,
Jenlay Cameron of 1YM under Capt. Wilson, substitute for Thomas Wilson(*?) of Ridout's 3Y Militia.
Note10: All these are relatives* or neighbors & acquaintances - PJA].

. 1815 Mar 24 - Disbanding of Inc. Militia Upper Canada.

* 1815 Jul 26 - Information Requested. The Subscriber having been informed that his Step-father, Mr. John Vanzantte, has moved from York, Upper Canada, into the United States, feels anxious to ascertain the place of his residence. Any person having information of the same, will do an act of kindness by communicating it by letter to:
John W. Osborn, Printer, Homer Village, Cortland County, N.Y.
*** Printers in this state are respectfully solicited to give above an intention in their respective papers.
Ref: Geneva Gazette, New York Jul 26 & Patrol, Utica, NY, pub. Wed. Jul 31, 1815.

* Further Research: At partial odds with the above records (or perhaps conjuncture), from the biography of Jesse Ketchum of Toronto is - (PJA 2012):
On the outbreak of the War of 1812 some recent arrivals from the United States left Upper Canada rather than serve in the militia or swear allegiance to the crown. One such individual, John Van Zandt, an American tanner at York, was obliged to dispose of his property at once, & no doubt at a sacrifice.
Ketchum was the purchaser. Like other merchants, he profited greatly from the wartime demand for supplies for the troops. A shrewd businessman, Ketchum invested his profits in town property in York, & also bought & sold farms in the county of York. ... Soon after the 1837 Rebellion, Ketchum, though he remained in Toronto, moved his tannery to the outskirts of Buffalo, a location which gave his business wider prospects & which provided security for his son, William, who had fled Upper Canada in the aftermath of the rebellion. Moreover, the Toronto site had now grown too valuable for use as a tannery [SW corner Adelaide & Yonge Sts. to Bay St.]
Ref: Toronto of Old, Scadding 1873.

* 1815 Jul 26 - Information Requested.
The Subscriber having been informed that his Step-father, Mr. John Vanzantee, has moved from York, Upper Canada, into the United States, feels anxious to ascertain the place of his residence. Any person having information of the same, will do an act of kindness by communicating it by letter to: John W. Osborn, Printer, Homer Village, Cortland County, N.Y.
Ref: Geneva Gazette, New York.

. Town of York / Toronto, Land Grants:
ROGERS RANGERS (King's Rangers):
Colonel Robert Rogers conceived the idea of a small unit of skilled woodsmen, well-trained, highly disciplined, & equipped to fight using hit & run tactics. These tough patriots would march all night in all weather to be ready for a surprise attack at dawn. These men were rangers, Rogers’ Rangers. Rogers' 19 Rules are still used by Rangers today. Rogers' Rangers was also called the King's American Rangers & in Jan. 1777, Lieut. Colonel John Graves Simcoe took command & the name was changed to the Queen's American Rangers.
Ref: Men of Granite.
Lt Col. Robert Rogers, the legendary frontiersman, soldier, explorer.

. VERIFY & IDENTIFY:
1820 AUG 5, Sat. List of Letters remaining in the Post-Office, Albany, Aug 1, 1820:
John 1 (John I ?) Van Zandt.
Ref: Plough Boy Newspaper, Albany, NY., published Aug 5 & 19th, 1820. - - -

Part Two:
TORONTO SUNDRIES, Home District
Quarter Sessions Minutes
. 1801 Oct 17, Saturday. Certificate of Payment of £134 10s 6p due them by the Home District on Apr 14th past. John Vanzant.
1801 Apr 14 - .
. 1802 Jan 12, Tuesday. John Willson, Magistrate. Lay'd before the Bench, the petition of John Vanzantee, praying the settlement of his account, with the Home District.
. 1802 October 13, Wednesday. An Account of John Vanzante for 20/ N.Y.C. [New York Currency] equal to - 12/6 currency, for work done at the Gaol was presented & passed. The Account was delivered to Vanzantee, with the endorsement of Magistrates Wm. Willcocks Chewett, Allan, & Wm Baldwin.

. 1803 Apr 13. Bench of the above Magistrates including John Willson, Esq. Grand Jury 7. John Vanzantee, 13. John Wilson, Jun. Petty Jury inc. Stillwell Wilson.
. 1804 Oct. King Vs. Eliphat Hale & Abraham Cutter. Charge: Riot. Petit Jury: John Clarke 4. Stillwell Willson, 5. Richard Lawrence. Crown Wit. Alex Wood, Esq., Parshall Terry, Jonathan Ashbridge, Jos. Wilcox, Esq. Witnesses for Prisoner: John Vanzante, Duke Kendrick, T. Hamilton, Not Guilty. Adjourned Monday, 9 November next.

. 1803 Apr 18, 4 o'clock P.M. John Vanzante & Thomas Humberstone, Overseers of the Highways in the Town of York represented the impossibility of passing the Don Bridge in its present State.

. 1803 July 12,Tuesday. Grand Jury. 3. John Vanzantee. First: Nathaniel Jackson Vs. John Montgomery, Assault & Battery. { Dismissed, no prosecutor appearing. Second: Andrew Clarke Vs. Benj & wife Elizth Davis, Assault & Battery, Verdict Guilty. Fined five Shillings each which they paid to the Clerk in Court.

. 1804 Apr 11 - John Vanzantee, one of the Overseers of the Highways in the Town of York, having returned upon oath the undermentioned persons as defaulters not having paid their composition money or performed their Statute Labour, for the year 1803, after being duly called upon so to do, the Court recommend the payment to be forthwith made to John Vanzantee, or that warrants will issue against them for the same. Viz'.
William Weekes 12 days at 3/ £1:16:0, fine for default 10.0 - 2:6:0
William Chewett 11 days at 3 / £1:13:0, fine for default 10.- 2:3:0
Ephraim Payson 5 days, 3 / £0:15:0, fine for default 10. - 1:5:0
Hugh Cameron, 4 days at 3 / 0:12:0, fine for def 10. - 1:2:0
Jacob Clayton, 4 days at 3 / 0:12:0, fine for default 10/ 10.0 - 1:2:0
Total; £8.18.0 .

. 1804 June 22. Jury Duty: King Vs. Eliphat Hale & Abraham Cutter. Charge: Riot.Puts. Petit Jury: 4. Stillwell Willson (the Elder.) 5. Richard Lawrence. Wit. Prisoner, John Vanzante, Duke Kendrick, T. Hamilton, Not Guilty. Adjourned Monday, 9 November next.

. 1804 Oct 9, Tues. Grand Jury called Sworn & Charged. 12. John Vanzantee. Prosecution of Francois Renou Vs. Julien Le Bugle, Assault & Battery. Verdict Guilty Judgment, That he be committed to the District Gaol for one month, to pay five Pounds & to keep the peace towards give Security himself in £20 & two others in £10 each His Majestys Subjects for 12 Months.

. 1805 Jan 8. At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace holden at York to wit J Government Buildings in the Town of York. Grand Jury called Sworn & charged: 9. John Vanzantee, 10-12 John, Joseph & Hiram Kendrick, 13. John Playter. Elizabeth Marchand, Agent, Vs. Julien Le Bugle, Assault & Battery, Pleads Guilty. Fined Twenty Shillings, which he paid to the Sheriff in Court & to give security to keep the peace 12 Months.

1805 Apr 9. Tues. Grand Jury: Samuel Heron, Foreman, 12. John Vanzantee. Godfried Philps, Agent, Vs. John Vierheller, Assault & Battery. Indictment now annulled. J. Vierheller has received satisfaction.

. 1805, Apr 10. * John Vanzantee, Constable for Town of York, is excused from ill health.

. 1805, Jul 9, Tues. York. Grand Jury: 14, John Vanzantee. Wm. Marsh, Agent, Vs. Mary Kendrick wife of John £50, Walter Moodey £25, Peter Whitney £25, Assault & Battery. Recognizance, Obligation that if the said Mary Kendrick do Keep the peace towards all His Majestys leige Subjects & particularly towards William Marsh & his family for Twelve Months & a Day; then this recognizance to be void.
Note11: Mary Kendrick had been in court many times previously. - PJA
Second trial: Wm. Marsh Vs. Sarah Kendrick, Assault & Battery, Recognizance (same fine as above)-
Third trial: Andrew Clark Vs. Peter Winter, Assault & Battery, Not Guilty.
Fourth (Judge Wm Jarvis, A Wood, d. Cameron Esq. only. No jury.) William Demont one of the Grand Jury deposed in Court, that Philip Klinger had assaulted him 7 given him a Kick on the Thigh without any provocation during the time that the said Demont was attending as a Juryman. Philip Klinger appeared, but but behaving contumaciously towards the Court he was committed to prison. (The next day, Klinger was also put under recognizance towards Wm. Demont.)

. 1806 Jul 8, Tues. Grand Jury, John Vanzantee, John Cpe Vs. Jacob Cochenour, Assault & Battery, Guilty. Judgement given next day, the 9th: Fined 20 shillings.

. 1806 Oct 1, Tues. Grand Jury, John Vanzantee. Peter Whitney Vs. Mary Moodey, Assault, Defendant prayed that her trial might be put off till the next Sessions as she was not now prepared. Recognizance, John McBride, Adam Everson. Moodey now pleaded not guilty.

. 1807 Apr 14, Tues, One o'clock in the afternoon. Grand Jury Inquest: John Vanzantee. (Case not stated.)

. 1810 Apr 16. Benjamin Cozens, High constable, continued from the last year. Town of York appointed & Sworn as constable, John Vanzantee.
. 1810 Apr 21. Alex. Wood, Esq., John Vanzantee, ordered to Summon James Wood of Toronto. (as defaulters on the said list of account to pay his fine to office of collector for the Town of York because on 7 20 1809 did not appear for jury duty. However he did appear on 4 12 1810 he was on a petty jury.)

. 1810 Oct 9, Tues. Ephraim Payson was called to show cause why STILLWELL WILLSON would be any longer bound to keep the Peace towards him. He then declared he was in continual bodily fear of the said Stillwell Willson & prayed that he be bound under recognizance. Wherefore the Court ordered Stillwell Willson to find forthwith sufficient security. Recognizance: Stillwell Willson £100, Archibald Normson £50, JOHN VANZANTEE, £50. To keep the Peace & be of good behaviour towards all his Majestys' subjects & especially towards Ephraim Payson for 1 year & 1 day from this date. Acknowledged. Thos. Ridout, Clerk. P28-
Note12. John Vanzantee was married to Stillwell's aunt, Alice Willson. - PJA

. 1807 July 24 Town of York: Address, Electors of York, Durham & Simcoe [Summary]: Sufferings of Hon. Justice Thorpe for the deplorable losses Judge Thorpe sustained by yielding to their entreaties for him to represent them in the UC Parliament. … We the undersigned give our hearty concurrence: Signed 360 persons, including: Joseph Shepard, Riche. Lippincott, Alexander Montgomery, John Van Zantee, Garret Van Zantee, Geo. T Denion, Nicholas Miller, Johannes & Valentine Fisher, Sam D Cozen, Frederick Dehoen, Thos Stoyles, Richard Wilson, Abraham Devins, Thos Humberstone, Thos. Denison, Seneca Ketchum, Wm. Marsh, Jun., John Willson, William L Willson, Andrew Wilson, James Finch, Richard Lawrence, Anty Hollingshead Sr & Jr., William Johnston, Walter & Wm Moody. [Which is to say just about everyone in York. - PJA 2017]
Ref: Report of Canadian Archives, 1892, p163.

. 1807 Sep 4 - The the Public. Whereas we have well known that certain persons in office have been busily employed for near 3 weeks in prevailing on various descriptions of people to sign a paper purporting their disbelief of a meeting held by independent Freeholders of York, Durham & Simcoe on 24th July at Hoyle's Tavern, York, to address the Hon. Mr. Thorpe; this paper we paid little attention to then, because we were satisfied the public perfectly understood the object & motive with which it was carried about; however, as we now find the contents of that paper have been published in the York Gazette, under the authority of the High Constable Mr. E. Hale; we feel ourselves called on, as Chairman & Secretary to the meeting, to declare there was not only one, but 2 meetings, the first held at Yonge street, the second in York; That the principal object of the Freeholders was concealment of their intention from the Judge until the object was carried into effect; & to call only such to the meeting as could contribute without injury to themselves or families; We do further declare that the Freeholders were willing to have their names published with the address, but on the Secretary's waiting on the Judge with a copy the day before it was presented, the Judge himself requested the names might not appear, as he said "too many had already suffered for declaring their attachment to him."
However, we now find it is the wish of those who did sign then, & of others who could not attend at that time, but have since signed, to have all the names published, & we shall send them accordingly by the first safe opportunity for insertion in the Upper Canada Guardian.
Signed, Joseph Shepard & Alexander Montgomery.

. 1807 Sept. 4 - To Joseph Wilcox, Esq. Sir, Messrs. Shepard & Montgomery having sent the above piece to me to get printed in the York Gazette, I carried the same to Mr. John Cameron, who positively refused to publish it, I now forward it to you for insertion in your paper. You will shortly hear from Messrs. Shepard & Montgomery, who are now deeply engaged in their harvest, Signed, John Vanzantee.

. 1807 Judge Thorpe to Sir Geo. Shee: [ Summary of long letter] Legislature is now over, It is now necessary to inform you of the state of this Province: The people forced me [accept going] into the House of Assembly & told me their grievances: Executive Council would not accept for the money raised by Taxes. 2. Executive Council ignored proclamations. 3. Land Survey Fees never accounted for. 4. Their representatives were bribed with Crown land.
A Tax of £1 16s was laid on Tavern Licensees & all moneys arising from this, the executive council have taken & appropriated without accounting to Parliament. I greave to the heart to see this weak, passionate, self-sufficient Governor Gore bred in the Army, surrounded by a few half-pay Captains, men of the lowest origin with every American prejudice & every idea of military subjection & directed by half a dozen storekeepers, men who have amassed wealth by the plunder of England & the Indian Dept., Monopoly of Trade & extortion on the people, Shopkeeper aristocracy linked from Halifax to the Mississippi who boast their interest is so great that they will keep Lt. Governor For in his place. etc.
Signed, Robt. Thorpe, York, Upper Canada.
Ref: Report on Canadian Archives, 1892, p97 Series Q,Vol 310.

. 1807 Aug 1, York, Upper Canada. Lieut. Governor Gore to Lord Castlereach. [Summary] My Lord I have considered it my duty to omit the name of Justice Thorpe, commission of Assize, lately issued in the Province by the Executive Council have unanimously concurred with me in this measure. It should be dangerous to the peace of the Colony in regard to Mr Thrope, who appears to consider his character as a judge, but matter is to be chiefly ambitious character of a factious demagogue. The address & answer are generally believed to be the production of Mr. Thorpe, no public meeting was ever held. Sheppard & Montgomery, the supposed chairman & Secretary, are ignorant Farmers, who can hardly write their names. A Printing Press has been established by themes active partisans, conducted by one Willcocks, a turbulent Irishman, whom I found it necessary to displace from his office as Sherif. Signed, Francis Gore, Lt. Governor.
Ref: Report on Canadian Archives Series Q, Vol 306, p212, here published p153.
Note13: Clearly both men were literate & well respected in their community.

* Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Alt Spelling: Van Zant, Vanzantee, Van Zandt. Alt DOB Est: 1759-1765.

Died:
Verify location.

John married Alice WILLSON, .1 est 1811 in Town of York (Toronto), Ontario. Alice (daughter of John WILLSON, Esq., 1, Sur. and Rebekah /Thixton THICKSON(E)) was born est 1765 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died after 1 Dec 1815 in New York State. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alice is the daughter of Rebecca Thixton & John Willson Sr., possibly born on their farm in Piscataway, NJ or perhaps at Staten Island.
In 1787 at Miramichi, John said one of his sons-in-laws had returned to the United States.

. UCLand Petition 24, "O" Bundle 4, York, Vol 392, 1799:
The petition of Alice Osborn, wife of Samuel Osborn & Daughter of John Willson, Esquire. Most Humbly preys your Honour in Council would please to grant your Petitioner such a share of land as is allotted to one of that description & your petitioner as in duty bound shall every prey.
Signed, 18 of March 1798, Alice Osborn.
Envelope: Petition of Alice Osborn, Rec. 5 Apr 1798 of Willson Esq. Read 9 Apr. Ordered 200 Acres as Daughter of a U.E. Loyalist. Peter Russell - AW. 28 Mar. '98 Entered.
Note1: Verify if land granted to 1798, Vaughan Twp. was beside/ near her sister Mary Willson Lawrence, also granted 1802 Vaughan Twp.

. 1806 Mar 3, Monday. Annual Town Meeting held at Stoyell's Inn, York:
Mrs. Osborn, 1 Female, 1 Boy 16+, 1 Boy under16, 3 Girls under 16, Total 7, Twp. of York.
Note2: Husband is dead. Most unusual for a female to attend this meeting. - PJA

. Extract from the Biography of son John Willson Osborn, by son-in-law S. B. Gookins:
John Willson Osborn was the second son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN, a gallant & accomplished officer in the British navy. His grandfather & eldest brother, Capt. William OSBORN, were also both officers in the service of his majesty the king of England.

* Also his maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, held a captain's commission & was an intimate friend of Gen. BROCK* acted as commissary general, etc., & filled many places of trust.
Note3: * John Willson, Esq., UE was a friend of Lieut. Gov. John Graves Simcoe during the the American Revolution.

. William OSBORN, the eldest son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN Jr., was promoted to a captaincy very young for bravery during several sharp engagements at sea. Thus by the divine right of inheritance & early associations Mr. John W. OSBORN was fitted for the struggles & difficulties of pioneer life which need a brave heart, untiring devotion, progressive & aggressive, to the principles of right.

* Mr. OSBORN's mother was Alice WILSON, the daughter of John WILSON & Rebecca THIXTON, his wife. She was born on Staten Island. She was educated in New York, where the family lived always a part of each year, her father being an officer in the British army, loyal to his king. They left the United States & made a new home in Canada, living sometimes at Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, Canancoqua*, & finally settling down at Toronto, buying land & laying, as they supposed, a permanent foundation for a home.
Ref: Biography John Willson Osborn,
Note4: * Canacoqua, is now Kingston, Ontario.

Ontario Land Registry, Toronto Book 683, p75
Lot 1, West side of George St, TOWN OF YORK
. 1801 Aug 10, Grant, Crown, Joseph Kethum
. 1811 JANY 13, Bargain&Sale, Alice Osborne, to Wm. Osborn, Western most part of East half lot
. 1808 Jul 21, Henry Hale etux, to Alice Osborn, Eastern half
. 1811 May 23, Wm Osborn, to Jas Lockwood, Western part 1/2 Acre
. 1811 Apr 1, Alice Vanzantee etall, to Jordan Post Jr., East 1/4 Acre
. 1815 Feb 18, Registered 1815 Dec 1, Alice Osborn, to Jordan Post Jr., E 1/4 Acre.
Note: Next Lot 2, W George St, registered 1805 Feb 14, to her father, John Willson Sur.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg, Thank you. - - -

Died:
Verify location, Markham, Ontario or New York State?

Notes:

Gerrit is the son of Sarah Hilten & Johannes Van Santen (VanZandt / Vanzant).

. 1770 - This day sold to Gerrit Van Sante, Junr, a piece of Ground situate, lying & being in Third Ward of the City of Albany, near the water side on the east of the street, beginning at a certain point which is distant 30 feet on an easterly course from the north east corner of Sr William Johnson Lott, & then running northerly 25 feet along the street, & so back towards the River, carrying the full breath of 25 feet till it shall be twenty feet backwards towards the River, all English measure; which piece of ground as above described the said Gerrit Van Sante, Junr, agrees to pay £37:10, New York money, by the delivery of the Deed.
Ref: Collections on the History of Albany: From Its Discovery to the ..., Volume 1, Page 107, by Joel Munsell.

. 1799 Nov 15, Friday - Whereas Thomas Jarvis, lately of Pittgove, Salem Co., NJ, carpenter & jointer, by indenture of lease & Release bearing date of 9 Jul 1796, for securing payment of £370 10 s., of the value of $793.75, did mortgage the subscriber, Gysbert Van Zandt, all that certain farm & land lying between the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, Albany Co., Town of Bethlehem, beginning at a lake at Vlanan's Kill & interest thereof & whereas default has been made in the payment of the said principal & interest accrued thereon.
Therefore NOTICE is hereby given the said Gysberty Van Zant that certain pice of land & premises belong to the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, containing 139 acres of land, will be sold on the 13 Jan, next at eleven o'clock at the house of Stewart Lewis, inn holder, situated in the fifth ward of Albany city. The terms of sale will be made known on the day of sale & deed of conveyance executed by the Subscriber. 20th July, 1799. Gysbert VanZandt.
Ref: Albany Centinel, New York, Advertisement., [Condensed version].

. 1800 Census Watervliet, Albany, New York
Boys Under 10: 3; Males - 26 - 44: 1
Girls Under 10: 1; Females - 26 - 44: 1
Householders Under 16: 4; Household Over 25: 2; Total Householders: 6.

. 1803 Mar 15 - Republican Nominations. At a meeting of more than 200 Republicans, freeholders of the city of Albany, & of the Colonie in the town of Watervliet, held at the Tontine Coffee-House, on the 15 Mar, 1803, for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the office of Senator for the Eastern District of this State. Ge. Merchant, Chairman. The sense of the meeting was taken by ballot & votes having been counted, it appeared that John Taylor was duly nominated. Thereupon resolved that John Taylor Esq., city of Albany, be & he is hereby nominated a candidate for Senator, Resolved That, Many names, Gerrit R. Van Zant ... be a committee to promote the election of the above named candidate.
Ref: Albany Gazette, NY, published 1803 Mar 2, Monday & again 1803 Mar 31, Thurs.; pubn. 1803 Mar. 18, Friday; Albany Register, publ. 2803 Mar 18, Fri.
Albany Gazette, of 1803 Mar. 14: as above, but also refers to the location of the meeting as the Albany Coffee-House.

. 1804 Apr 24, Tues. Guilderland, At a numerous & respectable Meeting of real Republican Electors & Freeholder of the town of Guilderland, Albany Co. at the house of Christian Traax?, on 3 Apr 1804, assembled at Henry dipole's in said town to elect town officers: Abraham feeder Esq., Chair, Lawrence L Van Kleeck,Secry. Resolved unanimously in the ability & republicanism of Colonel Aaron burr & will support him with their vote & interest at the ensuing election for the office of Governor as a candidate for the office of Member of Assembly to represent this town, signed: Gerrit G Van Zandt, C. Van Valkenburgh, Gysbert Van Sante.
Resolved That Col Colkert Veeder, Gerrit G. Van Zandt...be corresponding committee, Proceedings to be published in the Albany Gazette.
Ref: Albany Centinel Newspaper.
1816 Mar 26, Tues. Republican Meeting, At a meeting of the Republicans of town of Guilderland, at Charles Trader's Inn, on 16 Mar, 1816, GARRET G VAN ZANDT was called to the Chair & Philip Streit appointed Secretary. Resolved unanimously highly, nomination of Daniel D Tompkins for Governor & John Tayler for Lieutenant Governor.
Ref: Albany Argus Newspaper, Albany, NY.

. WILL of Gerrit Van Zandt of the City of Albany, tolerable state of health.
Wife Hester, estate furniture, plate, linen, & upon her death, to daughter Rachel - $500 annually in quarterly payments.
Grandson, Gerrit Van Schaick Bleecker - when he is 21, lot in the first ward, south of Wolf Street, adjoining John Radley.
Daughter Rachel, wife of James Bleecker, lot & buildings to be erected on west side of Washington Street adjoining J. Fredenryck, first ward lot recently purchased from James Orbon. Upon her death to grandson Gerrit VS Bleecker. $300 annually, & land in x Montgomery County.
Executors: Barent Bleecker, Abraham Van Vechten, Charles Platt, John J. Van Zandt, Sanders Lansing, all rents & profits on real estate in trust for grandchildren.
Grand children pay education.
Executors to take money from estate to enclose three sides of storehouse on State Street, 4th ward, use brick, 9" thick, tin roof.
Build brick house 2 stories high, 24' wide, on Washington Street, 24' deep, thick walls, near J. Fredendryck's lot for daughter Rachel.
Granddaughter Catharine, grandson GVS Bleecker, $1,250 at 21 or marriage.
Granddaughter Sarah Platt, wife of Charles, to pay Hester (wife) $500 yearly.
Grandson, GVS Bleecker, house, farm Albany County, Onesquethaw, store & lot on Court Street, 4th ward, occupied by John Fondy, Jr. & with the passage or gangway from Mark La. to lot between the brick store house now occupied by Fran. McCabe in Mark La., Lot of Wessel Van Schaick to Sarah Platt, lot cor. Mark La. & Court Street to daughter Rachel.
Granddaughter Sarah Platt, store & storehouse corner Mark La. - Court St.
Granddaughter Cath Bleecker, lot first ward, east side Washington Street, house & lot occupied by Anth. Lamb, lot west Cherry St., House & Store house in State Street, 4th ward, occupied by Henry Guest, Jr., House & lot occupied by Anth. Lamb, near Hbackst.
To Dutch Reformed Church deacons, $300 for poor in 4 equal payments within 4 yrs. after death.
Nephews John J. Van Zandt, son of Johannes, 1/6 real & personal estate, nephews, William & Jacobus, 1/6 real estate.
Sons [of] brother Joseph, 1/6 to Thomas, John, Annatie Van Zandt, brother Williams ch. 1/6, 2/6 to brother Gysbert VS & wife Rebecca
Codicil: 6-13/06, $200 to DRC for poor - not $300
$200 to Sarah Groesbeck, widow of David. - - -

Birth:
Born lot 6, Sec. 54, Southside of Albeny, Barent-Sanders.

Died:
Aged 75y 6m 14d. "an aged & respected citizen." Ref: Annuals of Albany, Vol 5.

Buried:
Lot 6, Sec 54.

John married Rebecca HESTER WINNE est 1751 in Albany, Albany Co., New York. Rebecca was born on 11 Dec 1731 in Albany, Albany Co., New York; died on 24 Aug 1813 in Albany, Albany Co., New York; was buried on 24 Aug 1813 in Barent-Sanders Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Hester is the daughter of Rachel Van Arnhem & Benjamin Winne of West Manor farm, Albany, NY.

Hester Winne was born in December 1731. She was an older daughter in the large family of Albany-area residents Benjamin & Rachel Van Arnhem Winne. She grew up on a West Manor farm. About 1751, she married Albany native Gerrit Van Zandt. By 1762, 3 children had been christened at the Albany Dutch church where she was a pewholder.

These Van Zandts lived on the Southside of Albany while Gerrit owned & traded real estate in & beyond Albany. He owned a mill on the Onesquethaw Creek. Perhaps they lived there as well. By 1800, however, Hester & Gerrit were alone in their first ward home & were served by 4 slaves.

Gerrit Van Zandt filed a will in 1806. It provided for Hester & apportioned his extensive holdings to their daughter, grandchildren, & beyond. Hester Winne Van Zandt died sometime afterwards. - - -

Birth:
Lot 6, Sec 54, Baqrent-Sanders

Died:
Aged 81y 5m 10d.

Notes:

Married:
Albany Dutch Church

Notes:

A great deal of Canadian documents exist for John Willson, Esq., of which a selection is recorded here:
Note: No reference can be found that John Willson, Esq. was ever called or used the name John Miller Willson. - PJA 2010.

PART ONE:
John is the son of Sara Ladner & John Willson, Senior. .
* Deed (of unknown date) to John & James Willson for more land adjoining the first 100 Acres £29 - Jane & Rachel Drummond, only children of the Earl of Perth, Executed by Elias Bouodinot, Esq. Elizabeth Town, NJ.
Executed Elias Boudion, Esq. lawyer, ElizabethTown, NJ. [Date as below??]
* 1796 Dec 15, Tract of drowned lands along Wallkill, deeded to John & Samuel Willson from Joseph & William Sharp. (Deeds in the possession of Eva A Willson).
Ref: "Line of Descent of George Roger Gilbert"

. 1760 Oct. 16 - WILL of John Langstaff of Piscataway, NJ. To wife Mary & grandson John Langstaff, lands south of Ambrose Book. Witnesses John Willson, Jr. & John Arnold,
Note1: The 2, Langstaff & Arnold, also went to Upper Canada, where they were amongst many New Jersey exiles located near each other on north Yonge Street, Toronto. - PJ Ahlberg.

. John Wilson of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., Memorial, Summary now of Miramichi, Northumberland Co., 1786, joined troops at Woodbridge in 1777 in Forge Dept. Claim for 50 Acres & an house.
Ref: Commission for Loyalist Losses. # 12 /16 /187 -192, 63/115 & 109/320. Jan. 1787.

. Old United Empire Loyalists List
Wilson John Senr., (Home District) From Staten Island. Came in a settler in 1878 with 3 sons.
Ref: Appendix B.
Willson, John of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., Memorial, now of Northumberland Co., NB, sworn St. Johns, NB, 1786. He fled to the Army at Perth Amboy in 1777.
Schedule of LOSSES 81 Acres of land in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., East New Jersey; 1 house, barn, out houses, Orchards, £1000; 3 Acres of Salt Meadow, £10; confiscated & sold by Congress; 5 Horses, £50; 9 Cows, £45; 4 young cattle, £8; Farming utensils & Household furniture £60,
Total: £1173. New York currency.

. 1784 May, Settled New Brunswick, Canada: John Wilson, Esq.:
8 in the family, 2 acres improved & a house.

. 1789 - 11 Jul 1793. John Willson, Esq. Sr., JP was the first Registrar for Northumberland, NB, 1787 to 1793.
John Willson & Family landed in New Brunswick, Canada in 1783 & was granted land on the Miramichi River, in Northumberland County. Gov. Thomas Carlton made him a Magistrate & Justice of the Peace. The salary for a magistrate in NB was £300 a year. His adventures there in this wild land would be enough for one lifetime, & to speak nothing of what preceded the Miramichi or what would come after.
A full history with documentation may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto & the Richmond Hill Public Library may be found under Richard Lawrence, John Brown Lawrence & John Willson of New Jersey, NB & Ontario. by P J Ahlberg, U.E., May 2009.

1791 Nov. 18 - Upper Canada Proclamation, creating the new province; & John Willson had already visited Governor J G Simcoe in Quebec City by the 17 Jun 1792 when Simcoe arrived Montreal & then again 26 July 1793 when he arrived in Niagara, Upper Canada).

. 1793 Apr 26, John Willson, JP, paid for a tombstone at Willson's Point, Miramichi, NB made for his grandson, Abraham Willson.

. WHY HE LEFT NEW BRUNSWICK:
Mr. Wilson further says, that when he left the Miramichi Settlement in the NB, he did it because the lands are not valuable for farmers & not worth clearing from the severity of the climate; that one of his sons-in-laws had already left the Settlement. Mr. Wilson says that a due care to provide for his family was the sole reason of this quitting Miramichi. He is his own person being better off there then he would possibly be elsewhere living almost without labour upon offices he possessed in that Country. A true statement, Signed, E B Littlehales, 16 July, 1794, Niagara.

. 1796 UPPER CANADA LAND PETITION & REVOLUTIONARY MUSTER:
UCLPetition 57. To John Graves Simcoe, Lieut. John Willson, Jur. He suffered much by this Rebel party (at the point of the bayonet) before the British Army Landed on Staten island, the making several attempts to join them but always hindered till when the British Army was Advancing [22 Oct 1776] from the White Plains (NY) to the Jersey. I then joined them at Woodbridge [New Jersey Dec 3, 1776] & went with them to Brunswick (NJ, Dec 16, 1776).
I then entered into James Christies' employ [i.e. the Quartermaster ] as a Forage master & ran Many risks of my Life, being twice taken Prisoner & confined but maid my escape & returned to my service again, till when the army returned from the Jerseys to Staten Island,
& embarked for the Head of Elk [river flowing towards Philadelphia, Dec. 1777] were my health would not admit of my going on board, to retrieved with my family on said Island where I continued till the commencement of the peace.
I then embarked with my family for Nova Scotia (since New Brunswick), where I drew 270 acres in Northumberland where I served in Sivil Commission & offices under Governor Carleton till July the 19th, 1793. There I set out with 60 men, women & children (Including my own family) for Niagara where we arrived on the 7th of next October. ... He wants Lots 4 & 5 on the River Humber & Lot 30 on west side of Yonge Street. March 25th, 1796, John Willson.

. 1777 Apr 26, OYSTER BAY, NJ: Upon the requisition of the Commissary General of Forage. You will be pleased to Detach a Captain, 2 Subalterns & 60 ranked & file, to cover and conduct a Foraging Party from the East end of Long Island & this shall be your sufficient Authority for so doing. Signed, T. Paterson.
. 1777 Dec 6, NYC HQ: Captains having horses are permitted to draw one ration of Forage from the 10th instant till further Orders,
no Forage to be drawn but for effective Horses.
Ref: Orderly book of the 3 battalions of Lowlier, commanded by Brigadier Gen. Oliver DeLancy 1776-78 at NYC.

. 1795, Jul 29 - John Willson, Junr. Town Lot and 400 Acres.
Ref: YORK REPORT, Summary of Land Grants. Ref: C2980, Page 178, etc.

. Schedule of grants to pay full fees to the Home District - William Jarvis Copy Books: Grant # 166 Wilson, John, Jun, 190 Acres, York, 12 Mar. 1794, U.E., Fee £3.5.2 Ref: Wm. Jarvis Papers, TPRL.

. UCLPetition 37C, W Bundle 2, Microfiche C2950.
Willson I, John Sur. UE, On March 16, 1810 John purchase York Town Lots 3 & 4 N side, Hospital Street for £100 & sold it at an apparent lost of £50, the next year to Jesse Ketchum.

. 1800 Apr 8 * FIRST APPOINTMENT for the first HOME DISTRICT, Toronto, are Magistrates Wm. James, John Willson, J Small, J McGill. Ref: Toronto Sundries, Quarter Session Minutes.

PART TWO, New Brunswick, Canada to Toronto:

X-Reference: Richard Lawrence & John Willson Petition for RATIONS AT NIAGARA
The Simcoe Papers Toronto Public Reference Library & John McGill papers, TPL also, at the Baldwin Room: comprising 3 boxes of'True' hand written duplicates of correspondences & accounts for Upper Canada. Documents are In precarious state. Photocopies of the original documents may be seen in my book on R Lawrence & J Willson.

MAY FLEET's ARRIVAL AT YORK Summary:
John Willson & 46 people assembled & left New Brunswick together in 1793 to come to Ontario. Many of these people had known each other back in the United States, during & previously to the Revolutionary War. The May Fleet journey began in May 1783 at Staten Island, New York with the British evacuation to New Brunswick & Nova Scotia.
* About Nov. 1791 John Willson visited the new Governor, John Graves Simcoe during his arrival in Quebec City. In 1792 new land was offered in Upper Canada. Here is part of that journey from Kingston to the Town of York, today's Toronto, on north shore of Lake Ontario:

On 11 July, 1793 the group took a ship around NB & UP the St. Lawrence River to Montreal. On the 17th of August, at Montreal, Commandant Isaac W Clarke* assigned the group an 6 extra Canadians to guide the 3 bateaux past the Rapids of Lachine. The open bateau were 30 feet long & propelled with both a moveable sail, ropes & barge poles.
Note2*: Com. General Isaac Winslow Clarke, Head Quarters at Lachine, War of 1812.

When they arrived at the Port of Kingston they were sick & needed treatment from the kind doctors at Fort William Henry. They promised to repay the Fort for the 1543 rations they had been assigned. Even though the Commandant risked having to pay for the rations from his own military salary, Capt. Porter* wrote, " humanity induced me to act as I have done."
Note3: Capt. Richard Porter, Esq., Justice of Peace, 60th Regt. granted 1200 Acres of land in the Town of Kingston, 1794.

The Assembly had arrived at Kingston 28th day of August. For a month they waited for the next bateaux "but did not gain Niagara until 7th October, 1793." The late Chief Justice, the Honorable William Osgood, said he would speak to Simcoe for the further 1529 Rations the starving & sick families again required upon their arrival at Fort George at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Upper Canada. (Also referred in the documents as Newark or Head of the Lake (Ontario). By return poste, Governor Simcoe ordered the Fort commandant to convey the Loyalist by the Government boat, to north bank of Lake Ontario to the Town of York. Gov. Simcoe & his Queen's Rangers had themselves only arrived on the 29th of July, 1793 in the new Capital of York.

* 1793 Oct 7 - THE SIXTY PEOPLE of this new MAY FLEET arrival at York, included an additional 14 members of whom it is likely the Kendricks joined up at Kingston. The names of those 12 families who made the journey are:
John Willson, Richard Lawrence, Patrick Cobgon (Colgan, Colgin?), Joseph Kendrick, Peter Whitney (signed), John Kendrick, Titus Fitz [Fitch], Duke William Kendrick, Samuel Sinclair, Samuel Osborn, Hiram Kendrick, Peter Long.

John Willson had signed for army provisions for the group & it was he that was required to sign a receipt on 2 Nov., 1793 for £100 their repayment in 3 years. Some of the assembly had already moved on from the area & thus leaving no chance of their earning money for to repay Willson.

THE KINGS MILL ON THE HUMBER - Now known as The Old Mill, Etobicoke, (Toronto), Ontario:
Gov. Simcoe gave a License to John Willson & to John Brown Lawrence to build & operate the Kings Mill on the Humber River. Both Willson & Lawrence were lawyers who had done legal business together on occasion back in Burlington, NJ. As well both were friends of Gov. Simcoe.

* 1797-99 KINGS MILL First Hand DESCRIPTION *
* The Kingsmill was located between the 2 roads on the west side of the Humber at the spring above at the meadow. * The Mill seat was a log structure 30 feet by 60 feet long built on a small island in the Humber. A dam & mill race were built to allow salmon & other fish free passage up & down without being destroyed in the race or by the mill wheel. No one was allowed to catch these fish. It was here also that one of Governor Simcoe's own horse was stolen while in pasture on John Brown Lawrence's land & it was recovered sometime after his death.
A beautiful cedar swamp provided fencing for the house at the spring on the high banks. The Kingsmill was on the lower end of the famous Toronto Carrying Place Trail. On the high sandy bank opposite Kingsmill there stood for over thousand years a large village of Seneca longhouses.

The best British regulations to preserve the large runs of salmon & trout, also encouraged the cutting of trees along the river habitant. Old photos show graphically the hazards of spring break-up as ice boulders overflow onto the mill race & pond & on the island adjacent the Kingsmill.

. LUMBER from the HUMBER: One fourth of all lumber cut was due as rent payment to the Government. Thick pine slabs from the Kings sawmill were used in the Navy Hall at Niagara-on-Lake, Gov. Simcoe's home called Castle Frank; the First Parliament Buildings on Kings St., Toronto, & cedar was used to build the Howland's the Lambton Mill, a mile up stream at Dundas Street.
- Willson was paid from the public purse to deliver by oxen, the thick pine planks to Castle Frank on Bloor Street.
- 1798 May John Willson had cut lumber to build on his front lot in the Town of York.

. 1797 Jul 17 - Inhabitants to York Township & adjoining Townships, assembled, Inhabitants of the Humber:
John Willson, Esq.: Men 2, Women 1;
John Wilson, Junr.: Men 3, Women 2.

. 1797 Nov 9th - Lt. John McGill registered in his papers, an application from John Willson to purchase the Kings Mill which Willson found in need of improvements when he first took up the lease. A total of £299 income had been generated from 1794 -1796 the saw mill operations. Willson might have had an opportunity to purchase the Kingsmill, if Lieut. Gov. Simcoe remained in Upper Canada when the Mill lease opened up again in 1799.

. 1796 July 16 - From the government stores, Gov. Simcoe ordered to be issued to John Lawrence, Esq., a pair of French Bur Mill Stones & grist mill irons as needed for the befit of the settlers in that district. John Willson send the Government the first seven barrels of corn ears of flour that he had milled & measured on 20 October, 1796.
Note4: Is this the same French Burr mill stone sitting outside of current 'Old Mill Inn' on the Humber River? -PJA.

. Lease from the Kingsmill ran from 1 Jan 1796 to end of 1798. Unfortunately his partner John Lawrence died about the 10 July, 1798 & Willson friend & sponsor, Gov. Simcoe had returned to England due to ill health.

. ICE JAMS: Photos of ice jams at spring break up show clearly that the British engineers who chose this location in Upper Canada had no idea of the force of the Humber River in spring or the storm run off, especially with the increased deforestation would decimate the salmon fishery... Since Hurricane Hazel in 1957 the Humber Valley is considered a flood plain & is preserved as park land only. Contractors hired by the British to build the mill did not finish the job. The millstones cut too slowly & the mill race & pond & other repairs had to be done at the expense of John Willson. Willson was granted Lots 4 & 5 on the Humber River, but the Government mill on this property had to be leased out at the cost of half of the wood cut. The normal fee was usually one quarter of the wood cut. - P J Ahlberg 2009.

. 1799 Feb 13 - Petition for machinery for the mills at the Humber rejected. p226.
. 1800 Jan 12 - Proposal by the President respecting the mill on the Humber, p.202
. 1801 Oct 15 - Repairs authorized for the Mill at the Humber. page 156.
Ref: Report on Canadian Archives, 1891 edition.

( . 1804 Sep 15, York, Upper Canada. We understand the late heavy rains have done material damage to the roads in different parts of the country, insomuch as to render them in some places told impassible, by sweeping away the causeways & bridges. At the Credit the water suddenly rose to such a height as entirely to overflow the ground occupied by the Indians as an encampment, for the purpose of fishing, carried away all before it. The Indians, in the greatest consternation, narrowly escaped in the night, with their lives, after having lost their canoes, arms & other property. Considerable damage has also been sustained by individuals in many places in loss of corn, hay etc & particularly at & near Don river, in the breaking of Mill dams. We are informed that the Humber Mills are entirely destroyed.
Red: Morning Chronicle Newspaper, New York, NY., published Oct 2, 1804.)

. Nicholas Clinkenbroomer (Klingenbrunner) the first tailor of the Town of York states that he married a Sarah Sally White in York in January of 1799. The marriage was conducted by John Wilson J.P. because there was no Anglican Church in York as yet. Settled Yonge St. [1837 Chas Clinkenbroomer, 229 King St.; J. Clkinbroomer, Tailor , Duchess St.]

. 1799 Mar 23rd, John Willson advertised in the Oracle, York to sell Lots 4 & 5, the 50 acres & a most beautiful cedar swamp. Persons willing to purchase may know the conditions by applying to John Wilson, Esquire, on Yonge Street. When the lease expired it was purchased by Peter Whitney.

. 1800 May 26 - A Memorial of Indenture of Bargain & Sale, made A Memorial of Indenture of Bargain & sale dated 26 May, 1800, made between John Willson, Markham Twp., Esqr. & Rebecca his wife & Peter Whitney*, York Twp., whereby said John Willson hath granted a certain tract of land lying Lots 4 & 5, on the Humber, York Twp., 200 Acres. Signed & Sealed 26 May, 1800, John Willson, Wit: John Willson Jr. & Still. Willson., sworn before T. Ridout.
Ref: York Land Registry Office, Toronto
Note5: Peter Whitney resided on the Miramichi R. near John Willson & was one of the families brought with Willson to York. Later he lived Lot 3, Con 8 Markham near him.

. 1803 Apr 16, Sat. - On Tuesday night last, the saw mill situated on the Humber accidentally caught fire & was entirely consumed. We have not yet learned how the fire originated.
. 1804 Sep 22 - In our last week's paper, under the Oracle, we mentioned the Humber Mills as being destroyed. We are now happy to have it in our power to contradict that report & to inform the public that they have sustained little or no injury by the late floods.
Ref: The Oracle Newspaper.

. 1800 Jun 15 - Thomas Humberstone, Jr. was married to Ann Nancy Harrison, daughter of Christopher Harrison & Priscilla Peddle on 15 Jun 1800 in York, Ontario. They were married by Justice of the Peace John Willson of the Town of York because "there [was] no minister of the Church of England living within 18 miles of them." Thos. Humberston, L24, Con 1 W of Yonge St., He has a wooden leg, loss in War of 1812.

PART THREE, Life in Upper Canada:

. 1798 May 4, John Willson, Esq. Identification marks of Cattle, hoggs, sheep & swine: a swallow-fork in each ear.

UC LAND GRANTS:
. 1200 ACRES - Lots 4 & 5, on the Humber (adjoining the Kings Mill (Old Mill) June 1797;
. Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, Con 3,
. Dorchester Twp. South, Elgin County, 800 Acres (in the 'future Capital of Upper Canada', also near the land of Lt. Gen. John Graves Simcoe.) Lots 11-14, Con 480 acres. Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, Con 3, Dorchester South, 800 Acres
. Lot 30, Con 1 West Yonge Street, Vaughan, Settlement Duty paid 1801, finally granted Feb. 1809;
. Town of York Lots 3 & 4 N side of Hospital St., Purchased £100, Ontario St. to Sherbourne St. [1827 Bank of Upper Canada Building, 252 Adelaide St. E. 1830 Toronto's First Post Office, 260 Adelaide St. E.]

. From 1798 to about 1820 John lived at Lot 30, Con 1 Yonge Street. He ran a saw mill on his property & he was also a Justice of Peace. John's wife, Rebecca Thixton, died in June 1804 & was buried on her son property, at Lot 26, Yonge Street & Steeles.
(X-Ref: Wm. L. Willson for description of first burial site.)

A Record of the Marks of Horn Cattle, Sheep & Swine. For the Inhabitants of the Townships of York, Scarboro & Etobeconk:
. 1798 May 4th, 1798, John Willson, Esqr. - A Swallow-fork in each ear.
Ref: York, Upper Canada Minutes of Town Meetings, Toronto Ref. Library.

. UPPER CANADA SUNDRIES:
Willson J., 1814 February 8, York, page 7839 & Willson, John, 1814 March 12, York, Pg. 8019-21.
Ref: Archives of Canada, microfiche C 9822-25.

* 1798 Dec 19th, York Officers of the York Militia: John Willson, Esq., Justice of the Peace, formerly Capt. of Militia, in Nova Scotia, to be a Captain in the York Militia.

. " 1802 June 28th, a wolf's scalp certified by J. Wilson, Esq., taken in part of assessment £1. "Page n515.

* 1800 Apr 8, Tuesday. The First Sitting in Upper Canada of the Home District Magistrates:
Wm. Jarvis, JOHN WILLSON, John Small, James Macauly, Wm. Willcocks, Wm. Allan, John McGill, Alex Wood, Wm. Chewett, James Ruggles, signed. Justices of our said Lord the King, assigned to keep the Peace of our said Lord, the King in the Home District & also to hear & determine divers felonies, trespasses & other incidences in the said District. Wm. Jarvis, Esq., chose chairman. Commission opened & read.
Ref: Home District Quarter Session of the Peace Minutes. [i.e. Toronto, York County, Ontario.]

. 1805 Sept 18. John married Catherine B Kuhn who was the widow of a man also named John Willson, who had died 1788 in Duchess Co., New Jersey. They moved northward to Hope (Sharon, Ontario) which is very near Lake Simcoe. Catherine's s on David Willson had split off from the local Quaker group, to start his own group called the Children of Peace, who were having a renaissance of intellectual thought & music. John taught school at the Children of Peace, & John & his 2nd wife Katherine were buried in the Sharon Burial Grounds. John remained Anglican & Bishop Strachan said officiated at his funeral. When eventual son Wm. Ladner Willson's land was sold, Rebecca & John were reburied together under cairn at the Holy Trinity Church in Thornhill, not far from their home on Yonge Street. The Sharon Temple / Children of Peace celebrated their 200 anniversary in 2008 with candlelight concerts & is open as a museum.

WAR of 1812.
. 1812 Sept 14-15. Wilson's & Denison's Companies were dismissed from the Garrison with the detachments from other companies.
. 1812 Oct 17: Ely Playter: I sent the company home as not more than half the company appeared & went down to Captain Wilson's to see after the rest. Stayed all night at Wilson's as my horse left me. On Oct 16 I received a letter from Col. Chewed wording me to march the 1st company to York. Went early to some peoples houses but they keep out of they way. I was much vex at their conduct.
Ref: Ely Playters Diary.

Garrison Orders: Captains for the day tomorrow, Capt. Willson
. 1812 Oct 19 & 29th 1s Militia; Nov 3rd; Nov 8th; Nov 11th; Nov 14th
. 1812 Dec 22, York, - This day the Militia Garrison at York, Officers & men, unanimously contributed to the use of the Society one day's pay per muster.
Ref: The report of the Loyal & Patriotic Society of Upper Canada (for the relief of militiamen's families.)

* * Recapitulation of Fort York, (Toronto), WAR of 1812,
As a captain of the 1st Regiment, York Militia on duty at the captured at Fort York, John Willson was arrested & jailed. John Willson was one of the six officers that signed the papers of Recapitulation to the American invaders. Geo. Playter's Diary tells us, like him, John Willson was armed with a musket & ready for action!

1812 Sep 13, Thos. Ridout's Garrison Orders, Captain for the day tomorrow: Capt Willson. Capts Willson & Denisons Companies together will the Detachments of the Country. Companies now attached to the different companies in the York Garrison shall be permitted to return to their respective homes until further orders, but to hold themselves in readiness to return at shortest notice if required & the officers belong to the companies will take the necessary steps for collecting the men if it is found necessary to recall them.

* 1813 Apr 25 - York. Capt. John Willson, 1st York Militia, Prisoner of War at surrender of the Garrison of Ft. York 27 Apr 1813, captured by the Army & Navy of the US at York.
VERIFY UC SUNDRIES JR OR SR?
WillsonJ.1814 February 8York PAGE 7839
Willson John1814 March12York PAGE 8019-21

. 1814 Jun 10 - Men drafted in Capt. Wm. Jarvis Co., York Militia: STILLWELL WILLSON* formerly of Capt. Ridout 3YM,
Ira Kendrick, substitute for PETER LAWRENCE*,
Wm. Kendrick substitute for THOMAS JOHNSTON* formerly 3rd Reg. Capt Hamilton,
JOHN VANZANTE, Osborn Cox, all formerly 3rd Regt. York,
Isaac Vanderburgher* of 1st York Militia who is a substitute for Joshua Leack & John Willson of Capt Ridout's 3YM,
Jenlay Cameron of 1YM under Capt. Wilson, substitute for Thomas Wilson(*?) of Ridout's 3YMilitia.
Note6: All these are relatives* or neighbors & acquaintances.
Verify: It would appear that John Willson Jr. was likely still ill for him to hire a J. Cameron as his substitute . - PJA].

. John Willson #14005, Capt. of 3rd Reg. York Militia, Captured by Dearborne & Chauncy on 27 May 1813 at York U.C.,
. John Willson #14006, Lieutenant of 3rd Reg. York Militia, Captured by Dearborne & Chauncy on 27 May 1813 at York U.C.
Ref:

. UCLPetition 219, L Bunde 3, C2954, p660
To Sir Peregrine Maitland, Lieu Gov. of UC, In Council
The Petition of John Willson, The Elder, Esq., of Markham,
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner, an American loyalist, and in the royal service during the American Rebellion, was among the first settlers of this Province, wherein he has ever since remained, & was again on service as Captain commanding a company of the 1st Regiment of York Militia during the late war, part of the time (in York Garrison) in 1812 & was on duty till the capture of York [ June 1813].
Your petition has received from Colonel Allan, who commanded the militia at York whilst your petition was on the duty, the accompanying certificate of his service, but as your petitioner did not command a Flank Company, he is informed by the Adjutant-General of Militia he cannot obtain his (the Adjutant-General's) Certificate for Land. John Willson, York, 28 June 1820.

. I certify that Capt. John Willson, of the 1st Regt. York Militia, was on duty in the Garrison of York during the winter of 1812, and the spring of 1813, under my command, as well as subsequently. He at all times did his duty faithfully and punctually, and with great zeal., Signed, Colonel Wm. Allan, Commander Militia & York Garrison, 15 June 1820.
Envelope: Deferred for Lt. Gov. Maitland, Entered Land Book K, page 411.

. Obituary notice: "At Hope Village, East Guillimbury, on the 8th inst., much & generally regretted, John Wilson, Esq., a native of the Province of New Jersey, aged 90 years & 14 days. Mr. Willson was a U.E. Loyalist & for a long period an active magistrate in the province of New Brunswick. He emigrated into Upper Canada 35 years ago [1793] & contented to enjoy good health until with a few days of his demise. At his request, expressed on his death bed, Doctor Strachan, Archdean on of York, went out to Gwillimbury & performed the last offices of the church over the remains. The venerable dignitary delivery a funeral oration in the chapel of the Children of Peace, in Hope, on the occasion, which was attended by a great concourse of friends, acquainted & relate vies the deceased.".
Ref: Colonial Advocate, Published 16 Jul 1829.
Hope, E. Gwillimbury is also now know as Sharon, Ontario.

* DEATH OF JOHN WILLSON: In your letter of the 24th ult., 1829, you asked about one John Willson who died at Hope (Sharon, ON) about. This old man was called Squire Willson. He was David Willson's stepfather, my father's stepmother's second husband (Katherine Kuhn). Her first husband, also called John Willson, died about 1788 in Duchess County, New York). She soon after married Squire Willson who was a man highly respected. He came, I believe for NS in Gov. Simcoe's time & was by the Governor much thought of. He had a large family by a former wife, but none by this one. There are a number of great grandchildren, living in the Twps. of York & Scarborough. Service of the Canada Company at the time of the settling of Goderich & neighborhood. When these old people became helpless, David Willson took them home and kept them until they died. They died poor but honest. They once had property which his children spent for them.
Ref: Extracted from a letter of 5 December, 1869, Holland Landing Richard Titus Willson.

. A still more complete family history & pictures may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto & at the Richmond Hill Library, under Richard Lawrence, U.E., John Willson, & John Brown Lawrence of New Jersey, NB & Ontario. Research & transcriptions by P J Ahlberg, U.E, May 2009. Thank you. - -- -

Lot 4 - 5, Con 2 & 3 on Humber [River]
North York Book 86, p45 & NY Book 87, p 3
. 1798 Oct 24, Patent, Crown, to John Willson, All (170?) Acres
. 1800 May 26, John Willson et ux, to Peter Whitney, Lots 4 & 5, in all Acres
. 1807 May 8, Peter Whitney et ux, to Jos Haines Jr, Lot in all
. 1827 Mar 19, B&S, Jos. Haines, Wm. Cooper, £320, Lot 4 & 5
. 1880 Apr 21, Grand, Peleg Howland to Mary Ford, $1800, Part 1 Acres S. Dundas Street.
. 1883 Apr 2, Ken Chrisholm, to Credit Valley Railway, $333, Part acre.
Note:7 Adjacent lots 1, 2, 3 belonged to John B Lawrence, Esq.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract Vaughan Book 179, p96
Lot 30, Con 1 West of Yonge Street { later renumbered as Lot 4, Con 1 West side Yonge St.
. 1810 Mar 29, Patent, Crown, to John Willson, Senior, All 210 Acres.
. 1811 Sep 15, Bargain&Sale, John Willson Senior et ux, to Stilwell Willson, £300, All 210A.
. 1819 Jan 30, Mortgage, Stillwell Willson, to Wm. Allan £175, All Acres
. 1822 May 23, B&S, SW, to Wm. Allan £175, All Acres
. 1823 Jul 26, Wm Allan to Henry John Boulton, £168, NE 55A.
. 1824 Jul 16 Indenture, SW, to Andrew McKendry, £12.10, 1/4 Acre.
. 1831 Aug 2, B&S, Stillwell Willson, to Jos. Milburn, £125, SWHalf 50 Acres of rear.
Note8: Lot 30, Con 1 WSY, Vaughan was a given for his partipation in the War of 1812.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract, Town of Toronto Book 684, p127
Lot 3 North side of Richmond St.,
. 1802 May 19, Patent, Crown, to James Elliott, 3/5 Acre
. 1804 Feb 23, B&S, Jas Elliott etall, to Jno Vanznate, 3/5 Acre
. 1805 Sep 5, B&S, Jno Vanzante, to T B Gough, All
. 1810 Mar 12, B&S, T B Gough, to Jno Willson, Senior, All
. 1811 Jan 29, B&S, Jno Willson, to Jesse Ketchum.

Ontario Land Registry, Toronto Book 683, p78
Lot 2, West side of George St, TOWN OF YORK
. 1801 May 20, Grant, Crown, to Saml Nash
. 1805 Feb 14 B&S, Saml Nash, to Jon Willson
. 1806 Oct 28, B&S, John Willson Senr eteux, to Joseph Willocks, W Half.
Note: Adjacent Lot 1 George St., is registered 1811 JANY 13 to daugher, Alice Osborn Vanzante. - - -

Birth:
Lawyer, Burlington, NJ.

Buried:
Children of Peace Burial Grounds.

Died:
Aged 90 years, 14 days. = 14 Jul 1739.

John married Rebekah /Thixton THICKSON(E) in 1760 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey. Rebekah (daughter of Jonathan THICKSTUN, .1 and Mary Coats MARTIN) was born on 10 Jul 1743 in St James, Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ; died on 6 Jun 1804 in Thornhill, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried on 7 Jun 1804 in Thornhill, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The spelling Rebekah Thixton is based on her own signature dated 1793.6.27.

From the biography of Rebecca & John's grandson:
. Mr John Willson OSBORN's mother was Alice WILSON, the daughter of John Willson & Rebecca THIXTON, his wife. She was born on Staten Island. She was educated in New York, where the family lived always a part of each year, her father being an officer in the British army, loyal to his king.
They, [John & Rebecca] left the United States & made a new home in Canada, living sometimes at Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, Canancoqua*, & finally settling down at Toronto, buying land & laying, as they supposed, a permanent foundation for a home.
Ref: HISTORY OF VIGO & PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, by H.W. Beckwith - 1880, Terre Haute - pp. 169-175.
Note1: Original native place name for Kingston, Ontario. Fort Frontenac also named: Canacoqua or Kateracoui. Cataraqui is the French pronunciation.

. 1773 March 4, Piscataway, New Jersey, a William Thickstun was a witnesses to Rebecca Thixton's father-in-law, John Willson, senior.
Signatures known by Rebekah Willson:
. 1789 Oct 2 - Witnesses: New Brunswick land deed at Beobars Point, Miramichi, NB, Canada, granted by Jonathan Odell.

. 1792 Jun 26 - Likewise Rebekah Willson wife of the said John Willson relinquished her right of dower, 26 Jun 1793. Entered & registered at NewCastle, 29 Jun 1793, Book 2, p 103-6, John Willson, Register.

. 1793 Jun 21 - Indenture #69, between John Willson, Esq. & Rebakah his wife, & Geor. Roy £11 11 shillings, a lot on the point called Boars point, parish of New Castle, bounded by an alder bush marked standing on the north shore, SW Branch of Miramichi R., west of lot sold to Wm. Davidson. Signed & sealed, John & Rebeka Willson.
Registered John Willson, 2 July 1793.

. 1797 - January 18 - A weekly mail is established between Canada & the United States.
. 1797 - January 18 - "A mail for the upper counties, comprehending Niagara & Detroit, will be closed, at this office on Monday, 30th instant, at 4 o'clock in the evening, to be forwarded, from Montreal, by the annual winter express, on Thursday, 2nd February next."
Ref: Quebec Gazette, official government newspaper, Quebec, Canada.

. Obituary:
On Wednesday the 6th instant, at two in the morning, departed this life, much lamented, Rebecca Wilson, wife of John Wilson, Esq., of Yonge street, in the 63 year of her age. The following day her remains were followed by a numerous train of mourners, & friends to the place of interment, where a suitable oration was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Stuart on the solemn occasion.
Ref: THE ORACLE, York. Published Saturday, June 16, 1804, No. 8, Total # 684 (subscribers.)

Rebecca & John Willson were living with their son Wm. Ladner, at the time of Rebecca's death.

. BURIAL CAIRN
Willson - East face: John Willson Esq., aged 90 years & 11 days died July 8th 1829. Moved 1940 from East Gwillimbury. In mind Rebecca Willson wife of John Willson Esq. departed June 6th 1804, aged 61 years. Moved in 1940 from Lot 26 in Markham, which was a Loyalist grant to her son W. L. Willson. [Wm. Ladner Willson.]

West face: John Willson, U.E.L. born in Middlesex Cy, New Jersey, 1739. died in York Cy, Upper Canada, 1829. Also his wife. Rebecca Thixton, born in New Jersey, 1743 died in Markham Tp., Yonge St 1804.
John Willson brought his family to St. John, N.B. in the "May Fleet" in 1783, & came to Upper Canada in 1793. He held the lease of the "Kings Mill on St John's Creek" on the site of the present ruin known as the Old Mill on the Humber, from 1793 till 1799, when he came to Yonge St. with his son & a nephew, John Arnold. He was among the officers of the 1st York Regiment held prisoners at Fort York in April, 1813.

. RE-BURIALS: John had been buried in 1829 in Queensville Burial Grounds, with his second wife Katherine Kuhn. Rebecca had been buried in 1804 on her son's William's farm on 1 Jan.,1940, descendant Alice Willson of Toronto had them reburied together & had build also the stone cairn near south side fence, in Holy Trinity Cemetery. This incidentally would be adjacent to the property of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Willson Lawrence, which is the last lot in the Toronto. (This stone cairn is near south side fence, in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Richmond Hill on Yonge St., behind Baptist Church Holy Trinity Church which since has been moved when Yonge Street was widened from two lanes.)
Ref: North York Ref: Library, North York Enterprise, Newspaper Collection, R E. Wm. C H Dowson & Alice Willson. - PJ Ahlberg, 2010.

. 1940 Oct 10, North York: Erects Memorial Cairn of Boulders
Mr. W C H Dick Doson of 68 Parkview Ave., Willowdale has just completed the erection of a memorial cairn of field boulders in Thornhill Anglican Cemetery. This is to the memory of Capt. John Willson, Esq., & his wife Rebecca Thixton. ... His wife predeceased him in 1804. She was buried in what is now the lawn of Mr. Hugh Wilson (no relation) on the north side of Steeles Ave. near Bayview.
Her gravestone the oldest in the area is believed to have been carved & erected by her husband himself. It is a piece of unhewn river slate such as is found in the Humber river area. The lettering, crudely carved reads, "In Mind, Rebecca Willson, wife of John Willson, Esq. who died June the 6, 1804. " The two old head stones are set together in the east side of the cairn facing the rising sun, wind & storms. The cairn boulders are not hammer dressed but remain as they came from the field.
The cairn contains, history of Thornhill Anglican Church; other records, coins & stamps inc. a letter, sealed in a glass container.
The work was done for Miss Alice Willson of Toronto, who is a retired teacher of languages; & a direct descendent of those to whom the memorial is erected. She is also a descendent of Mr. Jacob Cummer founder of Willowdale.
Ref: North York Enterprise Newspaper.

Note: New Jersey Will mentions Arnold relations & Yonge St. neighbours Langstaff:
1797 Sept 15 Arnold, John, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co. Administrators James Arnold, David Thorn. Fellow bondsmen Henry Fourat & Joseph Thicksun all of said County.
Inventory £266 made by John Langstaff, senior & Junior.

St. James Episcopal Church, 2136 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, Piscataway, NJ. ' Founded 1666. Organized in 1704, this is the second church on the site. It was erected in 1837 in the new Greek Revival style, Although the cemetery does not appear well tended, the church has been kept us exceptionally well.' Edison was formerly called Raritan Township. Revolutionary War skirmishes took place in Bonhamtown, Piscataway on Woodbridge Avenue. St. James Episcopal Church building served as a barracks hospital for wounded British soldiers during the war. Piscatawaytown Burial Ground is also referred to as the White Church Cemetery.

For Research:
1. Thikston, Wm. & Ruth, daughter Patience, born Dec. 20, 1714.
Ref: Piscataway Town Hall, Register of Births, Vol. 2, 3rd series.
2. Rebecca Thicksun, born 18 May 1798, Bonhamtown, Middlesex, NJ d/o Lewis Wm. Thickstun & Mary Molly Compton. Is this a brother or some relation? & she married Chamberlain.
3. Rebecca Thickstun, b 1751 Piscataway, Middlesex NJ, d 23 Sep 1819 Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. Relationship?
4. NJ Calendar of Wills: 1711-12 Feb. 12. Blackford, Samuel, of Piscataway, Witnesses: William Thick Stone, Wm. Lang, Ad. Hude. Proved April 29,1712.
5. WILL of Azariah Dunham of NB, Middlesex Co., NJ, 1789 Dec 23, to Daughter Jane, wife of Joseph Thixton of Piscataway, 30 Acres. - - -

Birth:
Rebekah Ref: Signatures dated 1793.6.27 Thickston, Thicksun, Thitston.

Died:
on property of son Wm. L Willson.

Buried:
Lot 26, Con 1 Yonge East Side, Wm L Willson property.

Notes:

Married:
St. James Church

Notes:

Johannes is the son of Margarita Vanderpoel & Johannes Vanzandt.

Johannes married Sara HILTON on 20 May 1718 in Albany Reformed Dutch Church. Sara was born on 9 Apr 1693 in New Scotland, Albany Co., New York; died on 6 Sep 1743 in Albany, Albany Co., New York; was buried on 6 Sep 1743 in Albany, Albany Co., New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah is the daughter of Sara Ebb & William, married 1693.
Wm. Hilton, Est 1670, England.

Children of Sara Hilton & Joannes Vanzandt are:

Joseph Vanzandt, b: 27 Jul 1718 in Albany, New York State
Joseph Vanzandt, b: 4 Sep 1720,
Anna Vanzandt, b: 25 Nov 1722,
Sara Vanzandt, b: 22 Mar 1724,
William Vanzandt, b: 5 Sep 1725,
Garrit Vanzandt, b: 5 Mar 1727,
Johannes Vanzandt, Jr., b: 8 Dec 1728,
Gerrit Vanzandt,, b: 3 Jan 1731,
Jacobus Vanzandt, b: Nov 1732,
Gysbert / Gisbert Vanzandt, b: 10 Mar 1734, c: 17 Sep 1738,
Elizabeth Vanzandt, b: 3 Dec 1738 in Albany, New York.
Ref: Collections on History of Albany, p184. - - -

Birth:
Alt Spelling: Hilten.

Notes:

. 1701 Dec 19, born, John, son of John & Hannah Wilson.
Ref: Piscataway Town Hall, Register of Births, Vol. 2, 3rd series.

. John Willson, the weaver, left his farm in Piscataway & moved in about 1746 to Sussex County, NJ.

* 1759 Apr 7 - "This indenture made the 7th day of April, in the 32 year of the reign of King George the Second, Anno Domino, 1759 between John Wilson, of Wantage Precinct, in the county of Sussex, of the first part & Samuel, son of the said John Wilson, of the town & county aforesaid of the other part; witnesseth that the said John Wilson in consideration of the sum of £50 proclamation money in hand paid by the said Samuel Wilson, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained, granted, sold, rebased, engeossed? & confirmed & by these presents doth sell.... all that 105 acres of land, strict measure, situated on the west side of the head of the drowned lands, beginning at a white oak tree standing south 6 degrees east 8 chains, from the head of a large spring by said Willson's house, then ....to the place of beginning; to which said Wilson hath right, by virtue of a deed to him from William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, (referring here to his deed first above mentioned).
In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands & seals the day & year first above written.
Sealed & delivered in the presence of John Havens, Richard Gardner,
John Wilson."
Ref: NJ Secretary Office, Perth Amboy, Book K2, P401.

* 1759 Dec 17 - Evi. A. Wilson at Deckertown, N.J., Evi, also has another deed, whereby the said Samuel Wilson, purchased of William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, Peter VanBrough Livingston & other, December 17, 1759, "for & in consideration of £ 38.16s.4d," two tracts of land adjoining the first above named 100 acre farm situate "on the North branch of Beaver Run, called Hubb's cabin or run, & one boundary of which was where Haven's road crosses said run' containing 40 & 90/100 acres & 13 & 44/100 acres respectively. We judge from this that the witness to the John & Samuel deed.
Note: John Havens, was at that time a neighbor & near or at where Asa Havens now lives, as old traditions have kept the remembrance of the old road alive. John Gavens was perhaps the pioneer settler of that family in Wantage.

. 1751 June 14, John Willson received 100 Acres of unappropriated 'drowned lands' from William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, Scotland from the East Jersey Proprietors.
[About 1760 this land was transfer by deed this land to son, Samuel Willson.]
Ref: Liber A.B 3, p 218, Public records of the Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey in the Surveyor General's office at Perth Amboy in Book S.M. 4, page 53."

. Then John & wife Sarah returned about 1760 to Piscataway with John Junior (i.e. b. 1739, later to be referred to as Senior), with is wife Rebekah Thickston from Piscataway & their son John Willson Sr. lived on the Piscataway farm until he died in 1775.

John Willson Sr. purchased small amounts of land, forming one farm from:
. 1728 John Willson, weaver, purchased 32 Acres from Stephen Arnold.
. 1734, Samuel Leonard, 1743, Chas. Wilson, 1764 & 1766, Robt Martin. 1751 Perth Amboy drowned lands & deeded to son Samuel Willson.

* From the testimony of his son, John Willson junior (later called John Willson, I. Senior, UE., born 1739-1829.)
United Empire Loyalist, Part 2, New Claim:
John Wilson, late of Jersey, Claimant appears & being sworn saith he came to this N.B. Province in the May Fleet. ….Was possessed of one estate in Piscataway, came by this father's will, Produces Probate whereby it appears that his father, John Wilson gives Claimt., after few Legacies, all the remainder of his estate real & personal, to him. Will dated 4 March, 1773. Claimant had 2 elder brothers, who were both provided for in his father's lifetime. He died in April 1775. Claimant was in possession with his father, & continued in possession after his father's death till he came.
... The Estate consisted of about 100 Acres purchased by his father at different times. Produces deeds. These lands were in his father's possession, after he had portioned out claimant's two brothers'. There was a large orchard, an dwelling house & barn. Vals. It at £1,000 York Cury.
They were confiscated & sold Monday, 22 March, 1779. It has gone thro several hands; was in possession of Simeon Randal, & one Little, who claimt. heard last left a stock on his farm, 4 horses, 2 cows, 4 young cattle, farming utensils, some furniture. Enough of the farm was clear. This farm was well improved, buildings good. Vals. xx per acre. He heard it was confiscated & sold. A Rebel Commissary was the first purchaser. He had good team & was in good circumstances.

There were many Willson relatives in County Antrim, the descendants of William of Orange's soldiers from Northumberland England/ lowland Scotland.

. 1700 Dec. 22. Confirmation to William LAWRENCE of Middletown, holding 1-20 of 1-24 share of the Province, in full for his second dividend, of:
1. 10 acres, W. of Wakake Creek & Richard HARTSHORNE, N. said HARTSHORN, E. J. ROCKMAN Junior & J. WILSON Junior, S. J. WILSON Senior;
2. 15 a. of meadow on the Eastside of said creek, from said HARTSHORN's to the mouth of the creek, including 2 sedge banks on the West side;
3. 17 a. of upland on the West side of & along said creek, adjoining Zebulon CLAYTON;
4. 36 a. on Manasquam R., below Stony Point, adjoining R. Hartshorn;
5. 40 a. there, between John Lawrence, the Rock Pond & the sea;
6. 47 a. being all the sedge islands in Manasquam R., from Joseph Lawrence's upper corner to the sea; 7, 70 a. on the South side of said river below Hartshorns Island to the sea; 815 a. on a branch of Leonard's Sawmill brook, called Mirry Bog Brook; in all 250 acres.
Note1: Verify this John Willson.
Ref: NJ Colonial Documents.

. 1763 - Wilson, James, Monmouth married Catherine Stillwell of Monmouth on 1 Jun 1765.
Note2: Grandson is Stillwell Willson, born NJ. - PJA.

. 1773 Mar 4, WILL of JOHN WILLSON of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.,
Advanced in age. Son Samuel 20 shillings, Wife, Sarah, furniture,
Son John rest of personal & real estate.
Executor: Son John Willson.
Witnesses: William Thickstun*, Sarah Ross, John Ross.
Proved: 1774 Jun 14.
Inventory £174.2.0, made by Thomas Munday* & John Arnold*.

* Note3: * Thomas Munday is the husband of dau. Sarah Willson. Thomas Mundy Sr. was dead 8.10.1773, I suppose he could have done the inventory between Mar. 4 1773 and the time he died, before the Will was proven OR possibly his son Thomas Munday, Jr. married 3 years previous in 1770 to Sarah Willson.
Ref: Nick Mundy Sanborn Sr., 2016.)
. Wm. Thickstun is related to daughter-in-law Rebekek Thickston (John Willson.1 ( & John Arnold are Willson-in-laws.)
Ref: NJ Lib L, p.147, volume XXXIV, Abstracts of Wills 171-1770.

. (The date of landing of the Willsons has not yet been established. This John Willson was born 1701 in Piscataway, New Jersey: - PJA.)

Recorded for further research:
. 1725 Aug. 26. Cock, Walter, of Burlington Township, brickmaker; … 1727 April I. Account of the estate by the executor, Robert Jones, who has paid debts due to John Willson.
. 1688 Sept. 2. WILL of Tartt, Edward, of Monmouth Co.; Divides real & personal estate between Margery Joebes, John Rutman, junior, Thomas Renshall, Sara Rutman, John Willson junior, sister Elizabeth & her daughters.
James Grover & John Willson junior.
Witnesses: John Throckmorton & John Stout. Proved September 25, 1688.
Ref: N.J. Archives, XXL, p. 131

. 1700 Oct. 15. WILL of Tatham, Elizabeth, of Burlington, widow.

. 1724 July 14. WILL of Tan Hook, Lawrence, of Monmouth Co., Esq're …bonds & mortgages due by John Lawrence, John … John Willson & others.

. Witness: WILL Proved. 1761 May 26, John Willson, son, Henry salt meadow in Piscataway,
Grandsons, John & Wm. Hopkins,
Dau. Sarah Hopkins, deceased, Son Henry.
Witnesses: David Conger, John Wilson, Jr., John Arnold, NJ
Archives, first Series, Vol. XXXIII, p. 241
Ref: Bonham & related family lines.

. Further research, (Verify which John Willson): Along with Capt. Wm. Lawrence, a John Wilson was one of the original purchases of land from the Indians, 1667. He was awarded town lot # 3 Middleton & others.
Ref: Salter’s History of Monmouth & Ocean Counties New Jersey. - - -

Birth:
Older spellings: Piscataqua Town. Wilfon. Also Styled himself as 'junior', relative to your perspective.

John married Sarah LADNER in 1738. Sarah was born in 1705 in New Jersey; died in 1773 in New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Verify this Sarah Ladner is the daughter Elizabeth Jouet & Absolom Ladner of Elizabethtown, NJ.

Recorder for further research:
. There were Ladner's living in Piscataway, NJ: Anna Ladner, born 1728 married 1748 in Baptist Church of Piscataway to Peter Martin of Piscataway, NJ.

. Mary Ladner, born 1689, Essex Co., NJ - 1733.1.5, Elizabeth, NJ, d/o Elizabeth Jouet & Absalom Ladner.
Mary Ladner married 1709 NJ to Anthony Little, 1685-1733. Six Little children.
. Peter Ladner, b 1693 Elizabethtown, NJ.
. Daniel Ladner, b 1695, Elizabethtown, NJ.
. Sarah Ladner, 1705- c1773 NJ.

. WILL of Robert Ladner, of Elizabeth Town, Essex Co., saddler;
Wife Sarah sole heiress & executrix of real & personal estate.
Witnesses: Benjamin Trotter, Jacob Mitchell, Samuel Whitehead.
Proved August 25, 1718. Lib. A, p. 109.
Robert's WILL is dated 29 Jun 1718.
Ref: NJ Archives Vol 23, P 278.

* Additionally, in this WILL, a grandson of John & Sarah is named William Ladner. {of which 1718 would be too early for William Ladner Willson of Vaughan Twp., Ontario.
Further research to identify relationship.

. Also recorded for further research, as demonstrated, Ladner family in NJ:
. April 1779 Tax List. New Brunswick, North Ward, Middlesex Co., NJ:
Ladner, Andrew L, householder.

. COMPARE WITH: 1793 New Jersey Militia Census Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ: Robt. Ladner, aged 22, that is born 1771. - - -

Birth:


Died:
verify.

Notes:

Ulster & Orange Counties, NJ Marriages:
. 1737 Oct 25, Samuel Willson, Piscataway X Mary Martin, Piscataway, NJ.
. 1743 May 11, Mary Martin, Piscataway X John Thickston, Piscataway, NJ.
Ref: History of the First Baptist Church of Wantage, Sussex, New Jersey.

. History of Long Island: Hempstead. In 1647 there were 57 freeholders in the [Hempstead] township, & a formal division of the land was made anions'.
X-Ref: Compare Samuel's brother John Willson, Jr. married Rebecca Thickston/Thixton. -PJA.
. 1746 Nov 18, WILL of Jeremiah Bloomfield, 1693-1746. Witness: John Thickston.

They were as follows: Richard Gildersleeve, William Lawrence, William Thickstone (Thickstone), Thomas Willet, John Lawrence, Thomas. (etc.)
In 1673 the list had passed the hundred mark, as may be seen from the enumeration preserved in A'anderkemp's Translation of Dutch Records, XXII.

. 1747 May 26, WILL of John Thickston of Middlesex Co., NJ, blacksmith.
Mary Thickston, widow, renounces her right of administration & desires that William Clawson be appointed.
Witnesses: Samuel Martin, Isaac Manning.,
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib 3, page 476.

XRef: 1749 May 26. Bond of William Clawson of Essex Co. & Isaac Manning of Middlesex Co., yeoman, principal creditors, as administrators.
John Deare of Perth Amboy, Fellow bondsman. - - -

Birth:
(Original English name was Theakston).

Died:
Verify this John Thickston.

Jonathan married Mary Coats MARTIN on 11 May 1733 in Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Mary (daughter of Benjamin MARTIN, .Jr. and Philoreta SLATER) was born on 10 Mar 1710 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died in 1755 in Woodbridge, Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Susannah Alger & Joseph Josiah Martin, both of Piscatawy, NJ.

. 1747 May 26, WILL of John Thickston of Middlesex Co., blacksmith.
Mary Thickston, widow, renounces her right of administration & desires that William Clawson be appointed.
Witnesses: Samuel Martin, Isaac Manbing.

. 1747 May 26. Bond, Wm. Clawson of Essex Co. & Isaac Manning of Middlesex Co., yeomen, principal creditors, as administrators. Jean Dear of Perth Amboy, Fellow Bondsman.
Ref: NJ State Archives, Lib E, p46

. 1750 July 7, WILL of Josep Martin, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., yeoman
wife Elisabeth, Children: William, Merrit, Valentine, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Katherine Codington, Sarah Connet, Rebecca Morgan, Sussanah Kelley, Mary Coats. Personal property.
Proven 1757 Jun 7.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib. F. P429.

Martin Family Land:
. 1755 Jul 1 - WILL of Benjamin Martin, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.,
Wife Philerato,
Sons: Benjamin, Nathanael, Peter.
Daughter Zerviah, wife of Jeremiah Blackford,
Grandchildren: Athanasius, James, Luther;
Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Ruben - sons of Benj;
Mary, Isiah & Benj - children of Nehmiah & Elizabeth Bonham;
Zerviah, d/ of Zedekiah & Anna Bonham.
Leaves Land bough of father Ben. Martin, home farm on the Mill Brook, Woodbridge, bought in part of John Martin & John Bloomfield; land bought of brother Jonathan Martin; 16 A. in Essex Co. bough to Samuel drake & Isaac Chandler; a lot at vineyard not of Wm. Edinfield?.
Executors: son Benjamin, son-in-law, John Blackford, & cousin James Martin.
. 1757 May 10, Inventory £190.16.3, incl his purse, £37.8.8. Large Bible, a Bible in another gone, other books.
. 1757 May 3 Proved.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib F, p422.

Her Grandfather's WILL:
. 1755 Apr 2, WILL OF Peter Martin, Piscataway, Wife Sarah, Children Robt., Peter, Zirviah Runyon, Priscilla, Mary Faurat & Sarah Martin. Grandsons: Thos. (s/o of late eldson son Mulford Martain), Mulford & Sam. Martain, Lot of 39 Acres in Woodbridge, adjoining Gershom Martain, salt meadow; home farm, adjoining John Willson*; salt meadow in Martain's Neck, & same at the moth of the Great Pond.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib 10, p293.

Note* - Adjoining John Willson's land:
This is the land of the father of John Willson, Sen. (1739-1829);
- So we see here that his future spouse to be, Rebecca Thickson's grandparents,
lived on the land adjoining in Piscataway, NJ. - PJA.
Is this the same home farm as on Mill Brook, Woodbridge?

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. 2019. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Verify DOD.