Notes:

One winter Jennie took her father's horse and cutter by herself, on the back roads to play the music in the small white church at her girlfriends wedding.

Ontario Birth Registration # 501402
Jennie Walker, 26 y. b, 11 March, 1883, Erin, Ont.; Mother Ella Hamilton Age 19, Father Charles Henry Walker Age 26, Carriage builder Manufacture, Residence, Erin, Ontario.
Married notations: +Declaration by mother, Family Bible record, marriage.
Informant: Annie Walker, 228 Fairman (?) ave, Toronto &Dr. Henry McNaughton , Erin, ON.

- 1883 Mar 22 - Born - In Erin, on Sunday, 5th March, the wife of Charles H Walker, of a daughter.
Ref: Acton Free Press, 22 Mar 1883, page 2, column 2.

.Walker, Charles (Daughter), Birth announcement, Acton Free Press, 9 Mar 1893, page 2, column 1.

Jennie was born in the large red brick house her father, John Walker, built next to his blacksmith & carriage shop at Scot and Main Streets, Erin, Ontario. She help to raise her younger siblings. Jennie and her new husband moved to Toronto where John Felker had a good job with CCM plant. On Thanksgiving and holidays they would go back to Erin to visit her mother and picnicking at Stanley Park in Erin or Belfountain.
Jennie had a hard time providing after her husband died young. Daughter Marie quit high school to help her mother and brothers. She sure loved her hockey and football. Jennie was famous for her apple and especially her mincemeat pies, which she made by hand in barrels for the fancy grocery store in Erin. Her peanut butter cookies were pretty good too!
Jennie has a photo of her standing in in the doorway of her grandparent's Hamilton fine goods general store in Erin; Later she ran her own grocery store on Weston Rd., Toronto. They were the first to have large standing radio in the store. Neighbours would come in to listen to the programming.

Jennie Was Given A Gold Pocket Watch For Playing The Piano For The Erin Church. One Winter She Took Her Father's Horse & Cutter Herself On The Back Roads To Play In The Little White Church Where Her Girlfriend Was Getting Married.

Erin Advocate, Ontario:
909 Aug 25, Wed. - Mrs. Chas. W Walker, of West Toronto, who has been spending a 2 weeks vacation with friends & relatives here, returned home on Saturday evening, sorry to leave, but looking forward to a return visit next year.
[Chas. Walker died in June 1908. Ella sold up the foundry & and moved with her girls to Toronto in 1922 to nurse her dying daughter Kate Walker.]

1909 Oct 27 - Miss J. Walker, visited Toronto Friends, on Thanksgiving Day.

1909 Sep 22 - Mr. J. Felker, Toronto, spent Sunday with friends in town.

1911 Jan. 4 - Mr. Frank Walker, Union Bank, Smith's Falls, at home.
Mr. & Mrs. J. Felker, of Toronto, spent New Years with his mother, Mrs. C H Walker.

1911 Jan 25 - The first Carnival of the season held at the Rink on Thurs. evening was a success and was much enjoyed by many skaters. Prize winners were Best Boy skater under 9, Clayton Justice, Best Girl., Best Dressed Lady: 1st Mrs. Baird, 2nd, Miss R. Walker.

1911 May 24 - Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto; & Mrs. T. Justice and daughter, of Dauphin, Manitoba, are here on a visit to their mother, Mrs. C. Walker.

1911 May 31 - Mrs. J. Felker, who has been here on a visit to her mother, Mrs. C. Walker, returned to her home in Toronto last week, accompanied by her sister Ruby.

1911 July 12 - Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto,is here on a visit to her mother, Mrs. C. Walker.

1911 Oct. 18 - Erin Fair Visitors: Mr & Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto, at Mrs. C. Walker's, 6,000 people attended the Fair last Friday.

1911 Nov. 22 - Mrs. R. Hamilton is visiting her granddaughter, Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto. [i.e. Jane Matilda McCutcheon].

1911 Dec. 27 - Christmas visitors, Mr. Neil Felker, of Toronto and formerly of the Advocate with friends in town.
Mr. & Mrs. J. Felker, of Toronto; Mr. Frank Walker, of Smiths Falls; Miss I. Walker, with their mother, Mrs. Walker.

Notes: For more Advocate social news, please look under the various individuals - PJA Uncle James Walker came every Sunday with his family to Sunday dinner on Weston Road with his niece, Jennie Walker Felker. James was a short man.

Transcripts by P J Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Jennie married John Wesley JACK FELKER, .IV in 1910 in Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario. John was born on 2 Dec 1880 in Belwood, W Garafraxa Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died on 15 Aug 1929 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried on 16 Aug 1929 in Erin Union Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
WIT: Frank E Walker & J D Leach (Intestingly, John gives his address as Garafraxa Twp., when he & family already were living in Erin, ON.)

Notes:

Charles Henry is the son of Elizabeth of Ireland & John S Walker.

. Erin Foundry Manufacture & blacksmith at Main & Scotch Streets.

. 1877 Wellington County Atlas Advertisement:
WALKER'S IRON FOUNDRY -
Ploughs, Harrows, Rollers, Cultivators, Gang Ploughs, & all other Farming Implements.
IRON & BRASS CASTINGS TO ORDER
Repairing at short notice. -
John S. Walker & Son,
{Proprietors, Erin Village.

. 1879 Co. of Wellington Gazetteer: Erin, Walker & Son, blacksmiths

Acton Free Press Newspaper:
. 1879 Dec 25 - Competition: 25 Dec 1879: The climax Plow made at Crowe's Iron works, Guelph. It sheds of all competitors for general purposes, iron beam, steel board & hears made of special hard iron. Cheap $14 cash. John Crowe. (Note: the cost of a plow.)

. 1881 Feb 10 - Officers of the Rockwood L.OL. elected last Tues. are as follows: C H Walker, Secretary.
1889 May 16 - Walker's Brick House at Main & Scotch Streets may be given a general building date by "Mr M Overland is erecting a dwelling house 25 X 31, solid brick". The Overland house was near the Walker's house in Erin. - PJA

First Appendicitis Operation in Ontario:
* An incident in Dr. McNaughton's life must be respected here. Mr. Charlie Walker took sudden with appendicitis. Dr McNaughton summoned Dr McKinnon of Hillsburgh & Dr MacKinnon of Guelph, & in silence they performed the first successful appendix operation ever known in Ontario. Just fancy, no hospital ward or operating accessories, but in his own home on a table. The silence was so necessary that the board sidewalk in front of the house was laid with sawdust.
Ref: Gleanings From Memories By Paths Of Erin - Early Medicine & Barrett's Tub, by Harry Smith. 1871.

. 1890 Aug 24 - Acton Union Exhibition, on 7 & 8th Oct. The directors of Acton Union Agricultural Society met in the Town Hall on Sat. afternoon to complete arrangements for the annual exhibition on Tues. & Wed. The different committees & judges were appointed. The Committees are as follows: Implements: C. H. Walker, Erin. 1890 Sep 4 - . 1890 Oct 8 - Acton Union Exhibition to be held in Acton, Oct 7 & 8th, Special Prizes, Horses:
Best year-old colt, filly or gelding, agricultural or draught, by C H Walker, Erin, Potato digger, value $10.00. ... & was won by John Duff*.
. 1890 Oct 23 - Last of the Season, Erin Fair last Week Suffered Severely From Rain:
the Erin Agricultural Society held its annual exhibition on Wed. & Thus. All the inside depts. were filled on the first day. The crowd was so great in the building at onetime that a child had its leg broken while being jostled about. One woman became exhausted & had to be removed from the grounds. There was an absence of fakirs at the show this year, which was a relief to many. ... The success of the show is largely due to the energetic exertions of the officers & directors, who appeared to thoroughly understand their businesses: C. H. Walker.

. 1892 Apr 28 - Thomas Williams, a late employee of C H. Walker, has moved to Orangeville.
. 1892 May 12 - At the annual meeting of Erin Mechanic's Institute held in the Blue Ribbon Hall, last week, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: C H Walker, Vice-Pres. & also a Board Director. Acton Free Press Extracted from Erin Advocate.
. 1892 May 26 - Frank Law of Erin & Jas. Wheeler of the township, appeared before C. H. Walker, Reeve & Wm. Tyler, Justices of the peace last Wed. evening, for raising a disturbance on the public street, & were fined each $5.
. 1893 Jan 5 - Municipal Elections: Erin Village: Reeve C. H. Walker, Councillors, Jas Long, J S Miller, R Medley, D Campbell.
. Erin: A new survey of the village is about to be taken & a new map prepared. The following men have been chosen to rule this village 1893: C H Walker, Reeve, & councillors as above.
. 1893 Jan 26 - Erin, at the annual meeting of Erin Agricultural Society the following were elected directors: Ward 1, J. Duff*, for the village C H Walker & A C McMillan.
. 1896 Jan 9- Municipal Elections: Erin, Reeve: C. H. Walker.
Acton Free Press quoted the Erin Advocate Newspaper:

. 1893 May 18 - A general map for the corporation of the village of Erin has just been completed by M M C Schofield, surveyor & is now in the county Registry office. ...Annual meeting of the Mechanics Institute was held n the town hall on Wed. evening last week. Although this institute has been organized a little over a year , the report was very encouraging & shows that there were now 100 members. Officers are: C H Walker, Vice President, Jas. Walker, director.
. 1893 May 18 - A general map for the corporation of the village of Erin has just been completed by M M C Schofield, surveyor & is now in the county Registry office. ...Annual meeting of the Mechanics Institute was held in the town hall on Wed. evening last week. Although this institute has been organized a little over a year , the report was very encouraging & shows that there were now 100 members. Officers are: C H Walker, Vice President, Jas. Walker, director.

. 1894 Jan 18 - Erin, Reeve Walker attended County Council at Guelph on Tuesday.

1883 Wellington Country Directory:
Daily mail to Erin. * The Erin Foundry has been established 40 years, & employs 6 to 8t hands in the manufacture of plows, harrows, cultivators, & other agricultural implements. C. H. Walker.
*Erin L.O.L., No. 112; C. H. Walker, Secretary Meets, Wednesday, on or before full moon. There are 40 members.

. On the occasion of a visit from Erin & other loges to the Alton Orange Lodge LPL NO. 770, a newspaper clipping records that in 1906, for the first time in a quarter of a century, Alton Orangemen celebrated the glorious 12 at home. A general holiday was proclaimed. Streets were decorated with arches & flags, & there were speeches by W S Murphy, Charles Walker, & Sam Charters.
Ref: From the Boyne to Brampton, Wm. Perkins Bull.

. 1885 - 95 Gazetteer Ottawa:
1. Hardware merchants: Charles H Walker & Harvard, Georgetown … which is 12 to 35 miles to Georgetown. i.e. Plows, cutters.
2. Walker, C. H., proprietor Erin Foundry, Manuf. agricultural implements. 1881
3. Walker, Charles H. Foundry & Blacksmith;
Walker, George, Harness maker. Ottawa 1885.

. 1885 Gazetteer Ottawa, ON [i.e. national publication]
Hardware merchants: Charles H Walker & Harvard, Georgetown.
i.e. Plows, cutters …which is 12 to 35 miles to Georgetown.

. 1885 Mr C H Walker, of Erin, is putting a new engine & boiler, as well as other improvements in his foundry.
Ref: Acton Free Press, 3 Dec, 1885.

. 1888 Jul 19th, Toronto - Chas. was a witnesses at his widowed sister's, Sarah Jane Walker Grieves to Matthew Hall.

. 1892 Ontario Gazetteer & Directory, Walker, Charles H, foundry.
. 1898 - 99 Western Ontario Gazetteer & Directory: Erin, Walker C H, foundry.

. 1899 Jan 3, Erin - Rev. W Conboy, by acclamation. Councilors: C H Walker, D Spiers, W Hall & C. Overland.

. 1890 Sept 14, Thrus. A Delighted Deputation,
A deputation fro Erin, consisting of Dr. Gear, Messrs. Walker, Overland & Conboy visited Acton last Wednesday evening to inspect our electric lighting system. They were charmed with the efficiency of our plant. Erin streets will probably be lighted shortly. The power will be generated at 'The Cataract.
Ref: Acton Free Press.

. 1899 Sept 14, A Delighted Deputation.
A deputation from Erin, consisting of Dr. Geer, Messrs Walker, Overland & Conboy, visited Acton last Wednesday evening to inspect our electric lighting system. They were charmed with the efficiency of our plant. Erin streets will probably be lighted shortly. Power will be generated at "The Cataract." The deputation expressed surprise & pleasure with Acton's fine municipal possessions. The town hall, fire brigade equipment, park & permanent pavements all came in for compliments, & our municipal fathers were accorded heaps of taffy for their part in securing these improvements. They were especially complimented upon the efficiency & success of the electric lighting system.
Ref: Acton Free Press.

Average wages for farm hand: Robt. A Reed, Erin: Some good farm labourers from the Old Country, who would be willing to work for say $12 or $14 per month & board, by the year, would I think, soon get employment in this section of country.
Ref: Annual Report of the Industries for the Province of Ontario.

. 1901 Oct 24 - Erin Twp. Agricultural Society first fair of the new century & the 61 of this well-known fair. Notwithstanding cold weather 5,000 visitors gathered last Friday. ... the officers of the society are to be congratulated upon scoring another success this year: President, C H Walker.

. 1906 Apr 26 Pallbears:
- Died at St. Mary's. Mr. Henry Grindell was summoned to St. Mary's on Saturday by news of the death of his brother-in-law, Mr. W. L. Moore. Mr. Moore was a son of Mr. Nelson M. Moore, of Eramosa, & was married to Miss Adeline Grindell, daughter of Mr. Robert G. Grindell, of Eramosa. Mrs. Moore, with 2 sons & 2 daughters, survive him. For twelve years Mr. Moore ran the Guelph & Erin stage, & for 4 years was agent forTolton Bros., later entering the service of the Maxwell works at St. Mary's. He had been ill for a long time, & was in his 44th year. A funeral service was held at St. Mary's Monday morning, conducted by Rev. W. H. Graham. The body was brought to Guelph on the 10.40 train, accompanied by the family. Deceased was a member of Erin lodge, No. 67, A.O.U.W., & of Erin tent, No. 122, K.O.T.M. Rev. S. E. Marshall conducted the service at Guelph.
The pallbearers were D. Tolton, R. Jestin, John Grindell, Chas. Walker & Wm. Everts & Chas. Overland.
Ref: Acton Free Press.

. Will of Charles H. Walker:
Summary: Died 1908 June 23, Erin, Wellington Will #6071
Real Estate $2.200:
Household goods & furniture: $100.00
Buggies & Cutters Manufactured: 300.00
Cash on hand: 23.00
Book debts & cash receivable: 375.00
Other material & stock-in-trade: 150.00
$948.00. Total
Real Estate #Lot #15 McMillan's survey, Erin Village made by C. J. Wheelock,
P.L.S. Plan 102, $2,000.00.
Lot 20 in same survey, $200.00, Total: $3,148,00.
$2,000 Insurance on the life in the Ancient Order of United Workmen
Sole Beneficiary: Ella H Walker. Signed, Charles H Walker, 15 May 1908.
...real estate, personal property, "My beneficiary Certificate for $2,000 in A.O.U. Workmen is drawn in favour of my wife Ella Walker".
Witnesses: Henry Gear, physician; John D. Leitch, CP.R. Agent, Erin.

. Wellington Co. Deaths #8- 39473, Erin Village
Walker, Charles Henry, died June 23, 1908, Aged 51 years,
Resided Main Street, Erin, Machinist, married, Born Erin Village of Valvular disease of Heart, one year. Dr. H Gear, Anglican
Transcripts by P J Ahlberg. Thank you.

Continues at the separate John Sibbald Walker family tree. - - -

Birth:
Main & Scotch St., Erin Village

Died:
Papa died of heart failure, whilst running to the Erin train station to repair the engine on the inaugural trip of the Credit Valley Railroad. The train would not start again so John was considered to be the Erin mechanical engineering expert so they cal

Buried:
Row 28 Plot 14

Charles married Mary ELLA HAMILTON. Mary (daughter of Richard Lawrence HAMILTON and Jane Matilda MCCUTCHEON, .2) was born on 27 Jul 1863 in Acton, Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; died on 28 Dec 1944 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried in Erin Union Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Ontario Marriage Registration # 3874, Acton, Halton Co., Ontario
Charles H Walker, Age 24/ b.1857, Resided Twp. of Erin, Born Erin, Manufacture,
Son of Elizabeth Walker & John S Walker, married
Ella Hamilton, Age 18 / 1863 in Twp. of Esquesing, Born Esquesing,
Daughter of Jame Hamilton an Richard Hamilton.
Wit: John Corraick, Erin & S M Law, Acton. arried at Acton, 15 Jun 1881.

. The Altar - Walker - Hamilton - In Acton, on the 15th inst., at the residence of the bride's father, by Elder A. Anderson of Hamilton, Mr. C. H. Walker of Erin Village to Miss Ella, the only daughter of Mr. Richard Hamilton of this village.
Ref1: ACTON FREE PRESS, Thursday, June 16, 1881 & in the Erin Advocate "
Ref2: ERIN ADVOCATE, Published every Wednesday.

NOTE1: A similar copy was written in Ella Hamilton's Bible & given to her eldest granddaughter, Jennie Walker's bible.

. 1881 Jun 23 - Mr. C. H. Walker & his newly made bride (Miss Ella Hamilton, of this village) returned from their wedding trip on Friday evening, after visiting friends in Toronto & Collingwood. They left for their new home in Erin Village on Saturday.
Ref: Acton Free Press, page 3, column 2.

. 1883 Wellington Country Directory:
The Erin Disciples church is a brick building, seating 300. It was erected in 1873, at the cost of $4,200. Services at 11 a.m.; Sunday school at 10 a.m. There are 75 members. The pastorate is vacant.

. Mr. C. H. Walker & his newly made bride, (Miss Ella Hamilton, of this village) returned from their wedding trip on Friday evening, after visiting friends in Toronto & Collingwood. They left for their new home in Erin Village on Saturday.

. 1897 Jan 14 - Erin, A grand musical entertainment was given by the ladies of the Disciple Church, in the Temperance Hill last evening. The programme consisted of vocal & instrumental music, solos & recitations.

. 1902 May 22. Obituary: Mrs. James Brown, Ruth Ann Hall, eldest daughter of Asa Hall, Esq. Born 1841 in Acton. Her husband lived 14 years. on Lot 1, Con 4, Erin, where he operated a saw mill. Friends form a distance were in attendance: Mr. Richard Hamilton (her father) & Mrs. C W. Walker, Erin. Ref: Acton Free Press.

. 1911 Census Erin, Ontario, Ella Walker, b 1863.
Ella sold up the foundry & house & moved with her girls to Toronto.

Erin Advocate Newspaper, Ontario:
. 1909 Aug 25, Wed. - Mrs. Chas. W Walker, of West Toronto, who has been spending a 2 weeks vacation with friends & relatives here, returned home on Saturday evening, sorry to leave, but looking forward to a return visit next year.
[Chas. Walker died in June 1908. Ella sold up the foundry & moved with her girls to Toronto in 1922 to nurse her dying daughter Kate Walker.]

. 1911 Jan. 11 - Mr. Frank Walker, Union Bank, Smith's Falls, at home. Mr. & Mrs. J. Felker, of Toronto, spent New Years with his mother, Mrs. C H Walker. May 24, 1911 - Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto; & Mrs. T. Justice & daughter, of Dauphin, Manitoba, are here on a visit to their mother, Mrs. C. Walker

. 1911 May 31 - Mrs. J. Felker,
Mr. John Walker, who has been visiting his mother here, for sometime returned to Winnipeg on Tuesday last.

Who has been here on a visit to her mother, Mrs. C. Walker, returned to her home in Toronto last week, accompanied by her sister Ruby.

. 1911 July 12 - Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto, is here on a visit to her mother, Mrs. C. Walker.

. 1911 Oct. 18- Erin Fair Visitors: Mr & Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto, at Mrs. C. Walker's, 6,000 people attended the Fair last Friday.

. 1911 Dec. 27 - Mr. & Mrs. J. Felker, of Toronto; Mr. Frank Walker, of Smiths Falls; Miss I. Walker, with their mother, Mrs. Walker.

. 1932 Jan 7 - Erin - Mrs. J. Felker an family, &
Misses Irene & Ruby Walker of Toronto, Mr. Hughes of Regina Sask. [ should be son Babe Walker of Regina, Sask?], spent Christmas with their mother, Mrs. Ella Walker.

. 1935 Wellington Co., voters list: Mrs. Chas. widow, Erin.
Notes2: For more Advocate social news, please look under the various individuals - PJA

. ELLA HAMILTON'S FAMILY BIBLE: 12 X 9 X 4.5 inches thick. This Bible does not bear a publication date as such, but does have a publisher's note that it was entered into US Librarian of congress in 1876. The first entry for Richard & Jane's marriage was, thus entered at least two to three decades later. The Bible was then given to her eldest daughter, Jennie Walker, who in turned left it her eldest & only daughter, Marie Felker. The Bible then came to Marie's niece, myself, Patricia Felker Ahlberg.

Here I would like to make interesting notation: Between the pages of Luke XXI -XXII, there are several dark blue ink spots. Additionally, caught up in the binding was a broken & spent wooden match head. Grandmother Ella was well noted for smoking a pipe! - So which came first the flying match head or spilt ink?

First Family Record is a richly coloured Certificate of Holy Matrimony,
Richard Hamilton of Acton
& Jane M. McCutcheon of Erin Township
on Thursday, Jany 24th, 1861 at Hugh McCutcheons
by Revd. Joseph Unsworth, Congressional Minister, Georgetown.

Note3: For more Advocate social news, please look under the various individuals Transcripts by P J Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
'Mamma & Grama Hammy'

Died:
West Toronto 81 years

Buried:
Row 28, Plot, with Rich. & infant granddau. Henrietta C Walker

Notes:

Richard & Jane M Hamilton lived in one of the first brick houses in the Village of Acton, ON.

Richard L Hamilton, Part One:

Two Hamilton siblings married two McCutcheon siblings:
Richard L Hamilton married Jane Matilda McCutcheon &
his sister Hadassah Hamilton married John McCutcheon.

. 1840 - There were 2 flours mill on Lot 28 in Con 2 & 3. A Water on the next lot 29 in the third concession, there was a water saw mill.
Ref: A Sketch of Co. Halton, Canada West, 1862.

. 1846 Smith's Canadian Gazetter, Province of Canada West:
Esuesing, Twp. in Gore District, with excellent land & many good farms, generally well cultivated. What of superior quality is grown in this & adjoining townships. Nine hundred acres of Crown lands are open for sale at 8 Shillings per acre. 4 grist & 11 saw mills.

. 1852 Agricultural Census Chinguacousy Twp., Peel Co., Ontario
Hamilton, Con. 4, Lot 1, Chinguacousy, 100 Acres, 75 A. cultivated 43 A. under crops in 1851; 31 A. under pasture 1851, 1 A. garden or orchard; 25 A. under wild wood; 25 A. produced 400 bushels of wheat.
4 A. produced 80 Bsh peas.; 4A. produced 150 bsh. oats; 10 Acres produced 15 tons of hay, 47 lbs. wool; 5 bulls, oxen or steers, 5 milch cows, 5 horses, 24 sheep, 4 pigs, 300 lbs. beef; 21cwts. Pork.

> REMARKS on the January 1852 CENSUS, written by Allen Bowfield (b. c1825, also farmer in Chingoucousy.)
In reference to the soils: The nature of the soil will be best explained by stating that there are 2 kinds of land in the ward. The one may be called sandy loam. In the neighbourhood of which soil in a few cases most excellent building sand is founded. The sandy loam with sharp subsoil grows good wheat, barley, & peas. The other goes by the name of clay land has a deep black top soil with heavy clay below. Grows first rate vegetables as good crops of hays & oats. Ward No. 2 is not as favourably situated for water as some localities. In many instances the farmer depends principally upon the well. The water of which is generally of superior quality. There are a few living streams. On one of which there is a grist mill. Incapable, however of doing must dry weather for want of bountiful supply of water. The average valve of land throughout the Ward is about £7 per acre.
Note1: No Fulled cloth or linen or Flannel. Impling James Hamilton, Sr. was no longer weaving.
. James Hamilton owned an high number of animals in comparison with most neighbors whose average was 2 bulls, 4 milk cows & double the number of sheep! These were likely raised for the market. Also indicates a dependable water supply. Not for nothing was James Hamilton a Canada Land Agent. - PJA 2011.

. ACTON VILLAGE. Instrument 355C Mortgage 28 MAR 1856, Reg 4 MAY 1856, Richard Hamilton.
#54 F Quit Claim, 25 NOV 1863. Reg 11 NOV 1864, Richard Hamilton.
(Investment group Glass factory; subdivided lot). The next lot is the Halton Disciples of Christ Church, South of Mill Street. (Document is too faint to know for sure who was the grantor/grantee. There was much land speculation in Acton & consequently continual land partitioning by the Glass factory group. P J Ahlberg. )
ACTON VILLAGE. Instrument 355C Mortgage 28 MAR 1856, Registered: 4 MAY 1856 Richard Hamilton.
#54 F Quit Claim 25 NOV 1863. Reg 11 NOV 1864 Richard Hamilton.
Note1: Investment group Glass factory; subdivided lot). The next lot is the Halton Disciples of Christ Church, South of Mill Street.
Note2: The documents are too faint to know for sure who was the grantor/grantee. There was much land speculation in Acton & consequently continual land partitioning by the Glass factory group . P J Ahlberg. )
Ref: Archives of Ontario, L1 Block 14, GSU Reel 178978, Page 187.

ACTON VILLAGE, Abstract Book L2 Block 14. Ins. 355 Mortgage 2 & 1856. Registered: 4 MAY 1855. Grantee: Richard Hamilton.
# 54.
Quit claim 25 NOV 1863. Reg. 11 NOV 1864. Richard Hamilton.

VILLAGE of ACTON. Copy Book Vol. 11, 8 OCT 1874. (i.e. duplicate copy) Richard Hamilton, Carpenter of Acton. Grantor Wm. Stephenson Registration $50 W1/2 L 28, C3 Township of Esquesing, is now a part of Village of Acton. Original grant from Crown, too faint ... Part of first part & part of second...

. 1856-66 Mitchell & Co.'s Canada Classified Directory Canada West:
Carpenter & Builders, Acton. Hamilton, R., carpenter.

. 1856 son Richard L Hamilton was living alone in a long cabin near Acton, Esquesing Twp., Ontario, working as a carpenter, no doubt earning money to help support his mother & siblings. In 1864 Alex Hamilton emigrated first to (Ohio) & then Michigan to farm.

. Esquesing is a native word for which lies at the end.

. 1859 Acton Esquesing Tp., Halton Co., A Telegraph Station on the GTR.

. 1861 Jan 25, Enumerated TWICE,
> First in Flamborough Twp., 'Family member not present' &
> 1861 Agricultural Census Chingoucousy Twp., Peel Co., Ontario.
Richard Hamilton, Con 4, Lot 4, 200 Acres, 110 cultivated, 85 A. in 1860, Orchard/Garden 2 A., Woods 10 A., Farm value $12,000.
Fall Wheat 76A /1 bushel., Spring Wheat 20A/6000 bu., Barley, Rye nil, Peas, Oats, Potatoes, Turnips, Hops 20 Acres. [This census is somewhat blurry.]

* 1861 Jan 24 - Congregational Church, Halton Co., Georgetown,
Jane M McCutcheon, Born & resides Erin Twp., Age 20 /1841, daughter of Mary & Hugh McCutcheon,
married Richard Hamilton, Age 26 / born 1836, Toronto, resides Esquesing Twp., son of Rebecca & James Hamilton.
Note2: Brother Alex was witness at his wedding. It is probably that his mother was present at Richard's wedding as she did not emigrate to the US until 1864.

. 1861 Jun 15 - MARRIAGE LICENSE.
Hamilton, RICHARD, born 'City of Toronto', residing Esquesing Twp., Age 26*,
Son of Rebecca & James Hamilton, married
McCUTCHEON, Jane M, Age 20 (=1841*), b. Erin, daughter of Mary & Hugh McCutcheon,
Wit: Stuart McCutcheon of Erin & Alex Hamilton of Esquesing, Ontario & Married 24 OCT. 1861 at the Congregational Church, Georgetown, Halton Co.
Note3: The marriage license is just before his birthday on April 20 when he would be 27 years old.
XReference: His mother Rebecca Lawrence Hamilton's Land Grant states Town of York, Residence 1833.

. 1866 Toronto Peel Directory: Richard Hamilton, Con 4 Lot 4, freeholder, Chinguacousy Twp.
James Hamilton: Con 4, Lot 1, Chingoucousy Twp.;
John Hamilton Con 4, Lot 5,
John Hamilton Con 6, Lot 25 house. Chinguacousy Twp. [i.e. near Acton, Ontario].

. 1869 Prov. of Ont. Gazetteer & Directory Acton: A station on the Grand Trunk Railway, in the Township of Esquesing, County Halton, containing 2 flour mills, 4 sawmills, 2 shingle factories, 1 planing mill, 1 tannery, 1 foundry, 1 cloth factory, 4 churches, 1 common school, 3 hotels. The principal trade is in grain, lumber, cord wood, leather & hops. Land averages from $28 to $35 per acre. Distant from County Town 11 miles, from Toronto, 30 miles, and from Guelph, 14 miles. Money order office. Daily mail. Population, 700. Hamilton, Richard, carpenter.

. Hamilton, Richard, Acton, carpenter, Lovell's Business & Professional Directory of the Province of Ontario for 1882, (Montreal: John Lovell & Son, 1871), page 204.

. 1877 Peel Co. Atlas, Chinguacousy S Twp.,
Richard Hamilton, Farmer, Settled 1831, Brampton Post office, 1877 [deeded from his father?]
Mrs. Hamilton, Con 2, NDS, Lot 11, 100 Acres, non-resident 1877, Non Resident;
Ada Hamilton, Con 4 E, Lot 2 Chinguacousy South, (now Peel Co.), 50 Acres, Non Resident.
Con. 3E, Lot 4, 150 Acres; Con 3E, Lot 3
Con. 4E, Lot 4, 200 Acres
Con 4E, Lot 2, 50 Acres, Ada Hamilton, Chinguacousy S, Ada Hamilton [i.e. Hadassah?]
James Hamilton Con 4, Lot 1, Chingoucousy Twp.;
John Hamilton Con 4, Lot 5 also a John Hamilton Con 6, Lot 25 house. Chinguacousy Twp.

Note4: Wages in Upper Canada 1842: Carpenters, 6 s, 10 p. Halifax Currency per diem.
Note5: 1855 Transferred by his WILL: Richard Hamilton, Con 4 Lot 4, freeholder, Chinguacousy Twp. Halton. &
Note6: Concession 4 East is now located between Bramalea Rd. & Heart Lake Road, Peel Co., it was split in half, with the northern half becoming part of the town of Caledon, & the southern half, along with the township of Toronto Gore, joining the town of Brampton. - PJA 2010.

. Acton School Minutes Book:
1874, 1875, 1876 - Trustee: Richard Hamilton;
. 1870 Nov. Richard Hamilton completed his contract for the building of the new woodshed & closets & received $160 for material & Work.
. 1876 Jan 3, Annual meeting of the School Board: Moved by C S Smith; seconded by Richard Hamilton, that we give the same of $30. toward the replenishing of the Acton School Library & that it be a condition that no works of fiction the purchased. Carried.

ACTON FREE PRESS:
. 1875 Aug 27 - The Village Council met last Thursday evening. Petition was presented from J H Smith & others for a drain on Main st. from Mr.smith's residence to the crossing opposite Richard Hamilton's. Also one from A. Stephenson, R Hamilton & others to have Willow St. graded from the corner opposite the Post Office to the new plow factory.* Both petitions were laid over till next meeting. [*Acton Plow Co., Substantial frame bldg. 22X54 & engine house 21x24 for the mfg. of Stephenson Iron Plow, Machinery cost $7,000.Willow St.]

. 1875 Nov 12 - Acton's Progress, Acton has grown more the past 3 years than at any time, during many years of its previous history & the season now closing has probably been productive of a greater number of new buildings & a greater outlay of money than any previous year.
. Main Street: Wm. Stephenson - A 1 ½ story frame dwelling, 22 X 30, Gothic front, upright battens, neatly designed, & well finished, at a cost of about $800. Built by RICHARD HAMILTON.
. ROBERT AGNEW - ADDITION TO THE DOMINION HOTEL, RICHARD HAMILTON, builder. Cost about $300.
1875 Dec 16 - Acton Municipal: For the Council, we hear several new names mentioned, among them being, Richard Hamilton. We have, however, no positive information from the parties themselves.

> 1875 Dec 28, page 1 - Village of Acton, For Reeve, Dr. McGarvin - proposed by F Snyder & R. Hamilton. For Councillors: D D Christie, H J Hall, Ed. Moore - Proposed by R. Hamilton.
. Speeches of the Candidates: I am very sorry Mr. Hamilton is going to retire [from the race], as we have always been co-workers in the interest of the village. Glad to see that Acton is keeping her place among the villages of the county, & whether in the Council or out I shall do all in my power to help her to keep that place.
> 1875 Dec 30 - (A printed election ballot to be cut out & filled in:)
Election of Members for the Municipal Council for the village of Acton, in the County of Halton, On Monday, the 3rd day of January 1876, 1876 January - For Councillors. #2, HAMILTON, Richard Hamilton, carpenter.

. 1876 Dec 7 - Municipal elections will be on. We presume the present Reeve & other members of the Council, with the exception of Mr. Hamilton, will soon be making their obeisance to the elections again.
. 1876 Dec 28, Thrus. Village of Acton for Reeve. Dr. McGarvin, proposed by S Snyder & R. Hamilton. Dr. McGarvin has not had much municipal experience, but is an active, energetic man of business & capable of taking charge.
****Date? Acton Village Council met on Tuesday evening. Councillors: Duncan Kennedy, Benjamin Nicklin, Thos. Easton, Peter McCass were proposed by R. Hamilton.

. 1877 Jan 18, p.3, The last meeting of the old Council was held shortly before noon on Monday, all the embers present except Mr. Hamilton.
. 1877 May 3, pg 3, - Mr. Richard Hamilton, ex-councilor of this village, has secured the contract or building & equipping Mr. Beardmore's new tannery at Bracebridge. He will probably be absent all summer.

Note7: The following construction was under the direction of Richard Hamilton:
. Beardmore's Tannery at Bracebridge. The Bracebridge Gazette of the 27th ult., gives an interesting account of the new tannery premises being erected at that place. The editor of the Gazette mentions having interviewed our friends, Mr. Richard Hamilton, the contractor, & Mr. Z A Hall, the manager, by whom he was courteously received & from who he obtained information concerning the capacity of the building & the process of manufacturing leather: Tan yard, 65X112 ft., one story; leach house & bark shed 84X34 ft. with lean-to, 3 ft; dry house, 61x37ft., 5 stories; sweat pits, stone building, 45x345ft., one story; boiler house 35x45 ft., brick; engine house 14x35ft, brick; in the centre of the engine house there will be a brick chimney, 90 ft high, with a stone foundation 4x14ft, 6ft deep; the chimney being hollow at the bottom, & consisting of inner & outer walls of brick work, but tinselly carried in the solid, as the wall tapers on the outside.
There will be 8 coolers, 14x16ft, in the leech house. On the top of them will stand 4 tubs, 14ft. in diameter & 10 feet high. From the engine house to the yard a shaft will cross about 34 ft. long, to work the hide mills & water pumps.
Tramways will run from the various buildings to the dry house & store shed, & from the store shed to the wharf. A wire rope to turn the shaft in the dry house & work the hoist, will run from engine house to the dry house - thus the loads of hides will be conveyed to the different stories of the dry house, each floor of which is traversed lengthwise by a trimway working in the centre of hall on either side of which are five rooms, each containing 100 sides of leather; the dry house could thus contain, 5,000 hides, though in practice this number will not be reached, because some of the lower stories are occupied by a congress? of steam pipes.
About 450 cords of tan back [ Xtree pat??] have been delivered on the piling grounds at opposite sides of the river.
. 12 carpenters, 4 masons & an average of 10 laborers are employed on the works, & the whole concern when finished will make so big a hole in $20,000, that the residue will be nowhere.
The Beardmore tannery will probably be the largest tannery in Ontario & certainly the model tanner in the Dominion. - . -

. 1877 May 10 - Complementary Supper: On the eve of Mr. Zolman hall's departure from Acton, a number of his friends assembled at the Dominion Hotel to honor him with a complimentary supper, as a token to the universal esteem in which he is held in this his native place. ... removing to Bracebridge. The party comprised a large number of our most prominent citizens, ... Richard Hamilton. Mr. Hall responded warmly.

. 1878 Feb 28 - We are pleased to see Mr. Richard Hamilton has recovered from his late illness enough to him to return to Acton from Bracebridge. He arrived home on Monday evening.

. 1881 Oct 20 - Eramosa Fall Fair: Rockwood, last Thursday, Successful exhibitors: Agricultural Productions, Class 11, Grain etc. Indian corn: R. Hamilton.
1882 Jul 13 - Richard Hamilton - Assessment from $1100 to $800 on pt. lot Block 1 the owner.

. 1882 Jul 13 - Court of Revision met on the 5th ins. The following changes were made in the Assessment Roll:
9. Richard Hamilton - Assessment reduced from $1100 to $800 on pt. lot block 1, is owner.
. 1882 Dec 28 - Richard Hamilton - nominated by Wm. Hemstreet, 2nd by A A Secord, Sr.; H.W. Storey, Nominated by Richard Hamilton. For Councillors: R. Hamilton.
. 1883 Jan 1883 - Richard Hamilton desires us to state that he did not consider himself a candidate at the recent municipal elections.
> 1883 Mar 15, p. 3 - Mr. Richard Hamilton, of Acton, who is to take charge of the building department of J. McMillan & Co.'s, Lumbering Mill, has moved into Erin. - Reported in the Erin Advocate.
. 1883 May 31, p3 - Mr. R Royce has moved into the residence on Main Street, recently purchased from Mr. R. Hamilton.
. 1884 Mar 6 - Acton, Messers. R. Hamilton & C Walker, of Erin, were in town on Monday.


. 1887 Dec 1, Richard Hamilton, of Erin was in town yesterday.
. 1887 Oct 20 , Thursday - A large number of citizens attended the World's Fair at Erin yesterday. ( ! )
. Erin show yesterday was a great success.,The weather was delightful & visitors crowded in swarms. The village didn't begin to accommodate the people. The reputation of this far-farmed exhibition has been fully sustained.
. 1887 Dec 11 - Mr. Richard Hamilton, of Erin as in town (Acton) yesterday. .
. 1888 Feb 9 - Mr & Mrs Richard Hamilton, Erin, were visiting friends this week.
Mr & Mrs. Chas. H. Walker, of Erin, visiting friends in Acton last week.
. 1896 Jun 4, Thrus. Richard Hamilton of Erin, a former resident of Action is preparing the plants for the new vats at the tannery. he has put the new vats at the tannery. he had put in nearly all the vats at the tanneries for 30 years.

> 1889 Oct 17, Erin, Mr. Richard Hamilton has just returned from visiting all over Michigan & other parts of the States, meeting relatives he had not seen in about 33 years. [i.e. since 1856!] Page 2 as copied from the [Erin] Advocate.

. 1897 Feb 11 - Mr & Mrs Richard Hamilton, Erin, were in town yesterday.
. 1899 Wellington Co. Directory, Hamilton, Richard, grocer. Population 700.

. ACTON'S EARLY DAYS: At the corner of Mill & River Streets occupied part of the site of John Holt was old woollen mill. It was built by Richard Hamilton, on of the best carpenters Acton ever had. He built it for his own residence about 70 years ago [1869]. He previously built the residence on Fairview Avenue, near Fairview Cemetery. After living there for a short time he sold that house to David Williamson, who lived there from shortly after his marriage until he went over to the Malcolm McPherson farm in Nassagaweya. Richard Hamilton lived in the brick house a good many years. ... The late George Beardmore thought no one in the community could put in (tannin) vats equal to Richard Hamilton.
Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton's only daughter (only child) married Mr. Charles Henry Walker, manufacturer, of Erin Village, & the family sold out their interests in Acton & moved to Erin. Mr. Hamilton went into the grocery business there & continued until his death [in 1909].

. Crossing River Street, which was opened when Acton Plow Company's works were built, we come to the Acton Creek. The source of this splendid stream is the spring on the third line, a little over a mile to the north, where it comes from the rock. The creek flows through the Near property, supplying the trout ponds & hatchery ...across Main Street into Fairy Lake which covers 88 acres. Many a trout have I caught in the bed of the creek when it meandered among the willows. Many a dozen speckled beauties have I seen caught in the big mill pond from flat-bottomed boats or long rafts. Ref: Acton Free Press, 1939.

Hamilton family photo available c 1895 Erin.

. 1902 May 22. Obituary: Mrs. James Brown, Ruth Ann Hall, eldest daughter of Asa Hall, Esq., Born 1841 in Acton. Her husband lived 14 y. on Lot 1, Con 4, Erin, where he operated a saw mill. Friends from a distance were in attendance: Mr. Richard Hamilton & (his daughter), Mrs. C W. Walker, Erin.
Ref: Acton Free Press.

. History of the Acton House Richard Hamilton built:
1926 Nov 18 - Old Times Along the New Highway: Beside the home of stone mason Malcom Kennedy's the wee cottage with a history. It was built by John Hold when he erected the Wollen Mills on the lot where M. J H Reid's fine brick residence now stands. Mr & Mrs Sidney Smith reside there while there palatial residence was being erected. It is known as Fairview Place for the past 50 or 60 years, Mrs C S Smith livered their most of her married life & where she passed away last spring.

> > > The fine home of James H Reid, at the corner of Main & River Streets, was erected by the late Richard Hamilton, carpenter and contractor, for himself and his wife and Miss Ella, their daughter. It was a perfect piece of construction and when built was regarded as one of the best houses in this country. Mr & Mrs Hamilton resided there until Richard gave up his contracting work & more to Erin, where he went into the grocery business.

Mr Robt. Royce purchased the property when Mr & Mrs Hamilton & daughter removed from Acton. Mr Royce's daughter, Mrs Orr was left alone through the removal of her children to make their way in life. After them, James H Reid, a retired farmer purchased the property & for the last 12 or 15 years has made this home. Mr. Reid has kept the place as neat as a new pin all the time.
River Street was at one time the site of the Mill race & flume from the dam to the Wollen Mills.When Acton Plow Co. was established, over where the Hydro Power Station & masonKitting Works are now, the course of the stream was diverted &the old mill race was discarded & River St. opened.The fine old car pine timbers of Plow Factory went up in smoke when the factory was destroyed by fire 30 years ago [1901].50 years ago I saw many shoal of speckled trout & under the old log bridge there I caught my fear share of them under the grass banks further down steam. On the north side of stream there was a saw mill on the Smith property. I remember when lumber was sawn there. Between the old mill & stone house, there was at one time a carriage shop of Tom Easton. Other houses on Main street were the first brick cottage built by Charlie Holmes, Royal Exchange Hotel (now Bank of NS & Patterson's Meat Market). Wm. Overton's blacksmith, the old school lane, Smith's Shingle Factory, Store Glove Leather Tannery. Mary is calling me to dinner. I must go. Signed, The Red Man McCutcheon. - 1 -

Part TWO:

> Died, Hamilton - In Erin, on Thursday, February 4th, aged 74 years.
Ref: Acton Free Press, published 11 Feb 1909, p. 2.

OBITUARY1: Mr. Richard Hamilton, of Erin Village, died very suddenly last Thursday. He had been at his usual work & business about the store the day before & death came without warning. The funeral on Sunday afternoon was very largely attended. Mr. Hamilton spent his boyhood & middle life in Acton & was highly esteemed here. He was a house carpenter & builder & was foreman carpenter for Messrs. Beardmore & Co. at the tanneries for many years. During his residence here Mr. Hamilton built one of the first brick houses in town - the comfortable residence at the corner of Main & River streets, at present owned & occupied by Mr. J. H. Reed & family. About 20 years ago he removed to Erin. Mrs. Hamilton & her daughter, Mrs. C. H. Walker, survive. Mrs. Walker was bereaved by the death of her husband last fall.
Ref: Acton Free Press, 11 Feb 1909, P 3, Col 2.

OBITUARY2: That "in the midst of life we are in death" was most impressively forced upon Erin, Ontario, attended by a large number of sorrowing friends. The pallbearers were H. Mathews, D. McCleland, G. F. Sutton, J. D. Leitch, H. R.Smith & H. Barbour., one of our prominent & most highly esteemed citizens, was, almost without a moments warning, summoned from the activities of his life to the realities of the unknown world beyond. Up to the moment he was stricken Mr. Hamilton was in the enjoyment of his usual good health & his unexpected & startlingly sudden death within 24 hours thereafter, came as a great shock to his family, to his friends & to the community at large.
Deceased was born in Toronto 73 years ago, was for many years a successful builder & contractor & some 25 years ago came to Erin, where he engaged in the grocery business & won the respect & esteem of every one with whom he came in contact during that quarter of a century. His genial presence will be greatly missed in business, religious & social circles.
His youngest brother predeceased him by only nine months & those who survive are Alexander of Bangor, James of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Warner of Fairville, Mrs. McCutcheon of Grand Rapids & Miss Rebeckah Hamilton, Fairville, all in Michigan.
On January 24, 1861, he married Jane McCutcheon of the 3rd line, Erin & she & an only daughter, Mrs. C. H. Walker are left to mourn the loss of a faithful husband & a loving father. They have the sympathy of all. Deceased was a devout member of the Disciple Church & a member of the A.O.U.W. Services were held by Rev. G. O. Black in the above church on Sunday afternoon & the interment took place to Erin Cemetery, the funeral being attended by a large number of sorrowing friends.
The pallbearers were H. Mathews, D. McCleland, G. F. Sutton, J. D. Leitch, H. R.Smith & H. Barbour.

. ESTATE FILE, Richard Hamilton died 4 Feb, 1909. Application of Jane Matilda Hamilton, widow, of Erin, Wellington Co.
Real & personal, valued at $3,050.00.
Richard Hamilton of Village of Erin, County of Wellington, Merchant.
All in favour of Jane Matilda Hamilton & thence of any surveying children.
The property #13 East side of Main Street, Erin, W 1/2 Lot 15, 10 Con., Erin Twp. According to a Plan of Survey made by Charles J. Wheelock, Esq., filed at Guelph.
signed, R. Hamilton. Witness Humphrey Matthews, Erin, Harness Maker, & Wm. M. Dowell, Barrister-At-Law.
PROPERTY $1,800.
Securities A.O.W.W. 150.
FARMING IMPLEMENTS 300.
STOCK-IN-TRADE 300.
$3,505.00 - . -

. 1919 Jun 12. Obituary: In his young manhood Mr. John Bell learned the trade of carpenter & framer. He & the late Richard Hamilton built numbers of the buildings in Acton & vicinity. They built the store on the site of the Secord block on the south side of Mill Street for Mr. Benzie, one of our early merchants.This store was burned down about fifty years ago. [1869]. When the Civil War broke out in 1862 the family moved to Niagara, NY & joined the American Army.

. JOHNSON COUSINS: Cousins Richd. Lawrence Johnson, Senior live also in Esquesing Twp. as did his brother Robert Lawrence Johnson (Lot 30, Con 1.) & also his son Richd. Lawrence Johnson, Junior, also live in Acton, & surely must have have known each other. R L Johnson, Jr. was born 1869 & thus 30years younger than R L Hamilton.

. 1856-66 Mitchell & Co.'s Canada Classified Directory Canada West:
Carpenter & Builders, Acton. Hamilton, R., carpenter.
. 1871 Ontario Directory: Acton West; Village, A large quantity of wheat is purchased here. There is a considerable mfg. of flour, lumber & leather. Hamilton Richard, carpenter.
. 1892 Ontario Gazetteer & Directory, Hamilton, Richard, grocer & crockery.
. 1898-99 Western Ontario Gazetteer & Directory: Erin, Hamilton, Richard, grocer. - 2 -

Richard Lawrence Hamilton, Part THREE: Life in Old Ontario

PIONEERS of OLD ONTARIO:
One of the great privations at the beginning was in the long intervals between regular religious observances. I remember when we were crossing the ocean, William Hunter, who afterwards settled in Chingacousy, came to our quarters & had prayers with us every night & morning. After we arrived at our new home the first regular services were held by the Rev. Mr. McMurchy, who came over from Eldon township for the purpose. John Gunn, father of the founders of Gunn's Limited, was a volunteer helper. He made a regular practice of reading Scriptures & praying with the old people of the settlement, who, owing to growing infirmities, were unable to attend the regular church services that were held. Daniel Cameron was another who helped in this same way."

"When church services were held, people travelled as much as 30 miles to take part ' said Angus McDougall, the son of the speaker.
"I have known them, even in my time, to come in lumber-wagons from as far as Sutton on the south, Uptergrove? on the north, & Woodville on the west to the old stone church at Beaverton. Their earnestness was shown not only in the distance they travelled but in the patience with which they sat through services lasting from 11 o'clock till four, while their simple faith & devout thankfulness were voiced in the Psalms which filled the old church with a stern melody. Duncan Gillespie was the precentor. He read the Psalms line by line, & then led the congregation as they sang in praise & thanksgiving. The favourite Psalms were the 103 & 123rd. ... '

. A CHINGACOUSY VILLAGE:
Few men witnessed more varying stages of the pioneer period than did Abraham Campbell, whom I met at lot 28 on the first concession of Chingacousy in July, 1899. Mr. Campbell spent his life on the farm on which he was born when Chingacousy was the farthest settlement north of the lake. As a child & youth he saw other pioneers pass his door on their way to the virgin forests of Dufferin, Grey, & Bruce. He was witness of the annual summer pilgrimage of the men from the newer lands of the north to the older settlements of the south in search of employment in which they might earn bread for the winter. As the forests of the northland were pushed back before the attack of the axe-men, he viewed the winter procession of teams by which the grain of the north country was hauled toward lake ports. To all this Mr. Campbell was able to add what his father had told him of days prior to the period covered by his own recollection, the period when even the Niagara district was young. His father as a youth was at Queenston Heights, Stoney Creek, & Lundy's Lane, & one of the most prized possessions of the Campbell homestead, when I was there in 1899, was an iron pot,18 inches in diameter, captured from the American forces at Stoney Creek, & still doing duty in the Campbell homestead over 80 years later.

Mr. Campbell's father & 6 brothers took up 1000 in Chingacousy about 1820, after having journeyed from the old family home in Lincoln County by an ox-team. From Cooksville to their locations, the way led over a road made through the bush with their own axes. A quarter of a century later Campbell's Cross, on the highway connecting north & south, was a scene of bustling life. " There was a tavern there containing 18 rooms," said Mr. Campbell, "& in those rooms I have known 20 or 30 people to be accommodated over night. As late as two o'clock in the morning I have seen the bar-room so full of people that one could not get near the bar itself. There were three stores in the village at that time, & they were all busy places. Whence did the business come? Largely from the north country, which by that time had begun to produce a surplus. I have seen as many as one hundred teams arrive with grain in a single day. Part of the grain was bought by local merchants & teamed by them to Port Credit for shipment by water. Some of the farmers hauled their own grain all the way to the lake port.

" Teaming this grain was real labour. Between Chingacousy & the north, hauling was possible only in winter, & even then 25 to 30 bushels made a load. In coming down the Caledon mountain it was necessary to put a drag on the sleighs. Those who did their own teaming to Toronto or Port Credit frequently used ox-teams & sleighs to Campbell's Cross & then borrowed wagons for the journey to Toronto. On some of these journeys the snow was up to the backs of the oxen when north of the Caledon mountain, [Hwy. 10/ Hurontario St., Halton Co. - PJA], - while south of our place the animals wallowed to their bellies in slush & mud. Some of these northern farmers came from as far back as Owen Sound with grass seed, venison, & pork for sale, the round trip occupying well over a week. At times the nights were spent in the bush while sleet or rain beat in through the partial covering afforded by the forest. But the people were happy with it all. Return cargoes usually consisted of groceries & a half barrel of whiskey, & as long as the latter kept the interior warm, exterior cold did not matter much to the hardy men of that day.

"At the period covered by my earliest recollection bears & wolves were common in Chingacousy. I have more than once seen cows come home with flanks & udders so badly torn that the animals had to be killed. During the 'thirties, 'forties, & 'fifties, the father of Kenneth Chisholm, who for years represented Peel in the Legislature, made staves from the oaks that covered a good deal of the township. The staves were hauled to the Credit by oxen, floated down the stream to the Port, & thence shipped to England. About 1860, while I was assisting in removing an old oak stump, we unearthed a tool that had been used in splitting staves.

"One of my earliest election recollections is connected with the contest in which Colonel Ed. Thompson defeated William Lyon Mackenzie in the year before the Rebellion [1837]. That was the most exciting electoral battle we ever had. The electors of Caledon, Chingacousy, & Toronto townships all went to Streetsville to vote. The polls remained open for a week or two & for most of that time my father was engaged in hauling Tories to the voting place. On the last day of polling 5 or 6 teams were massed &, headed by bagpipes, took the last of the voters to the poll.

When Oakville rivaled Toronto: Robert W. Brock, whom I met at Belfountain about the same time that 1 had the interview with Mr. Campbell, gave some further information of early days in Peel & Dufferin. "At the time of my earliest recollections," Mr. Brock said, "the Centre Road had displaced the first concession of Chingacousy as the leading highway to the north. In the late 'sixties, I have seen that road black with teams & traffic going on day & night. This continued until the old narrow gauge T. GK & B. was built to Owen Sound & markets were opened at Orangeville, Shelburne, & Dundalk. Then the glory of Churchville & Streetsville began to wane.
Ref: When Oakville Rivaled Toronto, 1879.

Research & transcripts by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Died:
Died of a cerebral hemorrhage after few hours.

Buried:
Row 20 Plot 14 with wife & granddaughter.

Richard married Jane Matilda MCCUTCHEON, .2 on 15 Jun 1861 in Georgetown, Wellington Co., Ontario. Jane (daughter of Hugh MCCUTCHEON, Sr. and Mary STEWART) was born on 10 Oct 1841 in Erin Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; died on 17 Nov 1917 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried in Erin Union Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jane was the daughter of Jane Matilda & Hugh McCutcheon.

Two Hamilton siblings married two McCutcheon siblings:
Richard L Hamilton married Jane Matilda McCutcheon &
his sister Hadassah Hamilton married John McCutcheon.

. 1911 Apr 8 Census Erin, Jane Hamilton, b 1840.

* > Jane had a speech impediment & called her husband Witchard, much to his enduring delight. In the fancy grocery store in Erin, Jane sold mincemeat which she had made in barrels. When there was wedding in the village, Jane would be called on decorate the wedding cake. Also Jane like to paint pictures on plates, said granddaughter, Ruby Walker.

. Erin Advocate, Ontario - Nov. 22, 1911 - Mrs. R. Hamilton is visiting her granddaughter, Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto. [ie Jennie Walker].
Jane is the daughter of Mary Stewart & Hugh McCutcheon.

. McCUTCHEON, Hugh (d.), b. Co. Down, Ire., in 1793, d. in 1859, age 66. His father was John McCutcheon, & his brothers were Robert & William. William, set. on the 5th line Erin, in 1829. The late Hugh McCutcheon, came to Canada in 1830, settling first, in Lower Canada, & in 1833, came to Erin Tp., where he owned 100 acres, lot 9, con. 3. He was of a religious turn of mind, & was a constant attendant of the Congregationalist Church; in politics, he was a Conservative.
He m. Mary Stewart, who d. in 1893, age 96.
Issue: William, in Kansas; John, Mich.; Thomas, Robert, Man.; Stewart,
Mrs. Richard Hamilton, & Mrs. Allan Smith, Erin Village, & Mrs. Robert Little (d.).

. Erin Advocate, Ontario - Nov. 22, 1911 - Mrs. R. Hamilton is visiting her granddaughter, Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto. [i.e. Jennie Walker].

> Jane had a speech impediment & called her husband Witchard, much to his enduring delight. In the fancy grocery R. Hamilton Fancy General Store, 110 Main Street in Erin, Jane sold mincemeat which she had made in barrels. When there was wedding in the village, Jane would be called on decorate the wedding cake. Also Jane like to paint pictures on plates, said granddaughter, Ruby Walker.

Erin Advocate, Ontario
. 1911 Nov 22 - Mrs. R. Hamilton is visiting her granddaughter, Mrs. J. Felker, Toronto i.e. Jennie Walker].

ACTON FREE PRESS:
. 1879 Jul 17 - RUNAWAYS - On Sunday last a Mr. R. Hamilton with his wife & daughter were coming home from a friend's residence, the horse suddenly became frightened & shied across the road throwing Mrs. Hamilton & daughter out of the buggy; more or less injuring both of them. Mr. Hamilton, accompanied by Mr. John Story, was out with the same beast again on Monday, & it ran away the second time. Both of the occupants were thrown out, & each received bruises & cuts.

. 1883 May 31, p3 - Miss Ella Davis is visiting her Hamilton friends. [i.e. Just before they move to Erin, no doubt.
2. Or is that visiting Hamilton, Ontario? - PJA.]
- Mr. R Royce has moved into the residence on Main Street, recently purchased from Mr. R. Hamilton.

. 1887 Dec 29 - Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hamilton, of Erin, visiting friends here [in Acton] this week.
1888 Feb 9 - Mr & Mrs Richard Hamilton, Erin, were visiting friends this week.
Mr & Mrs. Chas H. Walker, of Erin, visiting friends in Acton last week.

. 1893 Sep 7 - Obituary ERIN.
We are called upon this week to record the death of a respected nonagenarian, in the person of Mrs. Mary McCutcheon, who departed this life last Wednesday, in her 95 year. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon from the residence of her son, Mr. Stewart McCutcheon, lot 9, con. 4, Erin, to the Ballinfad Cemetery. Deceased came to this country with her husband, Hugh McCutcheon, & 2 children (one of which died on ship board) from the county of Down, Ireland, & settled 30 miles from Montreal. After living there for a few years, they came to Erin Tp., about 65 years ago, and hewed out a home for themselves in the forest where they since lived and died. Their family consisted of 9 children, 6 of whom are still living. Mrs. McCutcheon has been a widow for 32 years, & has continued to live on the homestead, with her son. In earlier days, she was a Congregationalist, but latterly was a member of the Disciple Church. 2 sons, Stewart & Thomas, live in Erin, Tp., Robert, in Manitoba; 2 daughters, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. R. Hamilton, reside in Erin, & Mrs. Fieldon, in Seattle, Montana. The funeral services were conducted by Revs. Mr. Baker and Mr. Fowley.

. 1902 May 22, Obituary of Mrs. Ruth Ann Hall Brown of Acton. Her father Asa hall was a Methodist Circuit Rider. Following friends from a distance were: Mr. Richard Hamilton & Mrs. C W Walker, Erin.

. 1913 June 11 - Michigan Passenger Lists: Jane Hamilton, Born Erin Canada, Age 73, Widow, Residence, Erin, Ont., Nearest relative: Daughter, Mrs. Ella Walker, Erin, Canada.
Ever in US, no; Passage myself. Destination: Brother- in-law, Rev. Jas, Hamilton, 436 Ethel Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Height 5' 4", Complexion, dark; Hair grey, Eyes blue.
[ Accompanied by granddaughter Irene Walker .]

. 1917 Nov 22, Obituary Mrs Richard Hamilton
There was laid to rest in Erin cemetery on Monday the remains of one who for many years was an esteemed resident of Acton, in the person of Mrs Richard Hamilton. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs C H Walker, in West Toronto, on Saturday after a prolonged illness. Mrs Hamilton was a daughter of the late Thomas McCutchon of Erin. She came to Acton a bride between 50 - 60 years Her husband, the late Richard Hamilton, who dies at Erin 8 years ago, was a contractor here. For yers he did all the building at the tanneries for Beadmore & Co. He built the house on Fairview Avenue, now owned by Mr Robert Store, & the brick house at the corner of Main & River Srteets, now owned by J H Reed & occupied both of them. 30 years ago or so, the family removed to Erin. Their only child Mrs Walker, survives. Mrs Hamilton was a woman of very fine character, an earnest Christian worker & a kind & help neighbor. The buyer was held from the Disciples' Church, Erin, Rev Mr Munoe officiating.

> 1917 Nov 22 - Mr. & Mrs. William Williams & Miss Annie McCutcheon attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Richard Hamilton, at Erin, on Monday.
- Died. Hamilton - at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ella Walker, Pacific Ave., Toronto, on Saturday, 17 November, 1917, Jane McCutcheon, widow of the late Richard Hamilton, of Erin, in her 78th year.

. Ontario Death Registration #5413, died Nov 17, 1917:
Born Erin, 78 y, 1839, Erin, Residence 855 Keele St., Toronto, housework, widow, died of cancer uteri, for 1 year.

. JANE MATILIDA HAMILTON, ESTATE FILE, WELLINGTON, #8251, RG 2, 1917 Nov. 17
Petition of Ella Hamilton Walker: city of West Toronto, York Co., Widow
Jane M. Hamilton of the village of Erin, Wellington Co. left $1,000 in Real Estate
signed, Ella M Walker
Will dated 1 November 1910, Died "I devise & bequeath the sum to my daughter Ella Walker & for her & assign excepting the sum of $400 which I bequeath to my grand-daughter Jennie Felker --- Residue to my said daughter." Executrix is my daughter Ella Walker.
Signed, Jane M. Hamilton
Witnesses: Janette McDowell, Erin, William McDowell Arch H. MacDonald Solicitor. Real Estate Description: 1/17 of an acre, being part of Easterly half of Lot #14, 9th concession of Erin, described by metes & Bounds in a Conveyance dated 1 May, 1891, from Charles Staples, of Golden, Colorado, & his wife to the said Jane Matilida Hamilton.

. DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
Briefly then, the Esquesing church grew peacefully into the principles of the Campbellian reformation, & in June, 1843, the first June meeting of the Ontario Disciples, was held. On that occasion the name "Disciples of Christ" or "Christians" was used. The site of this meeting house was near Norval, actually on the Menzies farm, lot 8, 10th line, Esquesing. So small was the log building, that at the first June meeting, Ash records that numbers of the listeners had to vacate their seats in order to permit others to hear.

This Esquesing church was characterized by very strict discipline as to its members' conduct. For, with this strong desire to maintain the purity of the witness to the gospel, there was evident the air of exaltation & discovery which are elements in any youthful cause. There was not much experience to fall back upon, & the Bible was truly an honored medium of counsel toward maintaining a high standard of conduct with which to exalt the Christian profession; & who can deny the wholesomeness of such an aim? Consider the delicacy of the recording scribe who could indite upon his records about a sister that had erred & been removed from fellowship-"for a crime mentioned in I Corinthians." ... This forest sanctuary to Christ which Esquesing folk raised, has long since passed from common knowledge, but the spiritual emanations from that Bible-loving people still grasp at the stars.

> 1938 - [ To Uncle] Thomas McCutcheon, [i.e. Jane Matilida McCutheon's brother Thomas Asa McCutheon:]
Hugh McCutcheon & Mary Stewart, the first of our ancestors in Canada were born county Down, Ireland. Hugh's mother was Ann Fulton. The Stewart farm was next to the estate of Lord Dufferin.
After Hugh & Mary were married they must have remained in Ireland for the first child, William was born there. Some of the Stewart family came to Canada with the McCutcheons (one brother died of fever crossing the ocean & was buried at sea.)
All the Stewarts, but Mary, settled at Montreal by the English River. They were David, John, William, James, Robert, Martha (Mrs. Ritchie) & Jane. I might says that in later years, Robert came to Erin & spend his last days at the McCutcheon farm on the 3rd line of Erin. He is buried at Ballinafad, Ont., beside Hugh & Mary in the west corner of the cemetery.

Hugh & Mary McCutcheon came as far as Montreal where their daughter Ann was born. Thomas & Ellen were born at Cobourg, The rest, Margaret Stewart, John, Jane, & Robert were all born at home in Erin Township.

Hugh & Mary worked hard, Mary helped a lot. One of Mary's brothers came to see her & it was so long since she had seem them she did not know them. Mary went to Montreal to visit her people & as there were no railroads, she road horse back to Oakville, [ south to a port on Lake Ontario - near Hamilton, ON.,] then took the boat to Montreal. I know once Mary came back from Montreal & rode home alone on horseback. She had a big load, as her people had given her so much to take back to the bush land. She got very tired & people along the way made her say overnight with them & rest.

Hugh died in 1861 at age of 64. Mary died in 1893 at the age of 96. They were both born in 1797.

. [Post Script probably by Thomas McCutheon, 1888- 1975). All of their family are gone. William died in Kansas, Ann in Erin village, Thomas in Everton, Ellen in Erin, Margaret in British Columbia, Stewart in Erin Village, John in Big Rapids, Michigan, Jane in Toronto, Robert in Neepawa, Manitoba.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you.
Please see the McCutcheons on the separate McCutcheon Family of Erin, Wellington Co., Ontario. at Rootsweb.com. - - -

Died:
Aged 78 years. 855 Keele St., died of cancer uteri.

Buried:
Row 20, Plot 14.

Notes:

Married:
Hamilton, RICHARD, born City of Toronto. Age 26 [1836 ] Father James Hamilton, mother REBECCA, married McCutcheon, Jane M, Age 20 [ 1841 ] b. Erin, father Hugh McCutcheon & mother: Mary. Wit: Stuart McCutcheon of Erin and Alex Hamilton of Esquesing, -On 24 OCT 1861 Congregational Church, Georgetown, Halton Co.

[aside note: Brother Stuart also got married in this church]

Notes:

James Hamilton, born 23 June 1801, Baptized 28 Jan 1801, at
Church of Ireland (Anglican), Drumragh Old Church, Blackfort Road, Drumragh Townland, Drumragh, County Tyrone.
Father James Hamilton, Mother not listed. (The graveyard is called Drumragh Graveyard.)

1828 Jul 4, LANDED: James Hamilton, Passenger 26, Cost: £2 15s 6s, Paid. Departure: Quebec, Lower Canada, Arrival Montreal, Lower Canada. Vessel: St. Lawrence Steamship fee was 11th Tup. upwards.
Note1: Well not definitively verified that this is our James Hamilton, he is the only James Hamilton listed for 1828 (single, i.e. no wife or family accompanying him.)

Hamilton J. H., in Canada Company's office, 4 Richmond St., [1833.]
- Hamilton James, Land Agent, King St. West [1837 Directory]
- & perhaps also: Hamilton, James, Camelion Tavern, Church St. Toronto
- (purchased:) Hamilton James, Con 4 Lots 4 & 5; Con 3, Lot 22, Chinquacousy Twp., E of Hurontario Street.

1837 Toronto & Home District Directory
- Tavernkeeper at George Third Inn, Town of York & Camelion Tavern 1837.
- Hamilton, Ja's, Con 4, Lot 4*, Chinguacousy, East of Hurontario Street
Hamilton, James, Con 4, Lot 5, Chinguacousy East, Halton Co., Ontario
Hamilton, James, Con 4, Lot 1, Chinguacousy East
Hamilton, James, Con 3, Lot 22, Chinguacousy East.

Note2: * On the adjoining Lot 4, but in Con 3 was located Aeneas Shaw, Jr. - his father (Col.) Major A Shaw Senior, was an American Revolution acquaintance & gave reference for John Willson, the grandfather of Mrs. Rebecca Lawrence Hamilton'.

- Note3: Now 12911 Creditview Rd., 1875, brick farm house. Ref: H54.3.
Address reference point: is now near Mayfair United Church. Originally the 3rd Line.
Lot W1/2 Lot 23, Con 3 is now & 13089 Creditview Rd.
Part E. half Lot 24, Con 4, # 13278 Creditview Rd., the Taylor - Eclin House)
Part E. half Lot 23, Con 4 is now # 1488 Old School Rd. near Mississauga Rd., the 1879 Sharpe Schoolhouse).

1840, Jul 16, Thus. - Heir & Devisee Claim 213
James Hamilton of Chinguacousy Twp. & William McConnell of the same place, yeoman, claims as executors in the Will of James Hamilton, deceased.*
Lot East half 5, Con. 4 East of H. Street, Chinguacousy, Home District, Original Nominee James Hamilton, Claim allow.
Ref: Upper Canada Heir & Devisee, H1151, p202, Archives of Canada.
Note4* Perplexing!
This would seem to imply James Hamilton Senior was the executor of HIS father's will. No mention of is found in the 2 Hamilton biography's about his father accompanying him to Canada.
Transcripts by P J Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Drumragh Parish, born 'near Strabane'. Alt Name: J H Hamilton.

James married Rebecca LAWRENCE, DUE. Rebecca was born on 4 May 1815 in York Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 17 Feb 1890 in Ganges, Allegan Co., Michigan; was buried in Taylor Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The 1892 Biography of Alexander Hamilton says his grandmother died when Rebecca was but young & she was raised by an older sister. The most like possibilities for the 'older sister' could be:

1. Elizabeth Lawrence Tarbox, living in 1821 at Caledon East, Peel Co., & fairly close to James Hamilton at his farm in Chinguagousy Twp., Peel; or is Rebecca was still in Toronto:

2. Second eldest sister, Margaret Lawrence Johnston, who lived at 179 King St. East, Toronto, which is based on Richard Hamilton, Rebecca's eldest son's statement that he was born in Toronto. King St. was a principal street in Toronto, where indeed, James Hamilton would have done business with the Canada Land Company.

DOB 1815; UCLP at age 18, Married c 1833, at about age 18; First child at c. 19 years old.

Upper Canada Land Petition #179, 1818 Apr 14,
Patented: 1833 Jul 4: Lot 7, Con 18, Garafraxa Twp., [Gore District], Wellington Co., Ontario.

Witnesses to Oath of Rebecca Hamilton, Page 179a, C2052, Home District (Toronto),
We, D'Arcy Boulton the Quarter Chairman & Steven Washburn … Clerk of the Peace certify that Rebecca Hamilton personally appeared at the general quarter Sessions of the Peace in & for said Home District this day & is recognized by the Magistrate to be a Daughter of the late Richard Lawrence of the Township of Harwich in the Western District of London, formerly of the Twp. of York, deceased, who retained his Loyalty during the late war [1812] without suspicion of without suspicion of aiding or assisting the Enemy. Dated at the Court House of York (Toronto), the 28th day of February, 1833.

UCLBooks, 1833 Feb 7, Thursday, York Council Chamber, Present Peter Robinson, Geo. H. Parkland, Jos. Wells.
Rebecca Hamilton, H179, Wife of James Hamilton of Toronto, Yeoman. Praying for a grant of 200 Acres of land, as the Daughter of the late Richard Lawrence, formerly of York, an U.E. Loyalist. Recommended.
Ref: UCLBook, C105 p 354.

- Land Registration Office Wellington County, Lot 7, Con 18., Garafraxa West,
Hamilton, Rebecca. Granted & sold 1836.
Notes on the purchaser: Pattullo. Others settlers began to arrive at an early period, doubtless sent forward by the enterprising Land Agent at York. In the autumn of 1820 Alexander Pattullo, native of Prestonpems, near Edinburg, but more recently a resident of Glasgow, arrived at Rockside, having left behind him his wife & family of 3 sons & 2 daughters, wile he spied out the land & prepared a home for them. In a letter from Paisley dated Apr 2, 1823 he stated that a young man James Pattullo who was about to emigrate to Canada & intended to settle in Caledon along with his father who had preceded him, offered to convey letters.
Ref: Rockside Pioneers.

1834 Dec 19, Petition of Rebecca & James Hamilton of the Twp. Nassagaweya, requesting deed of Lot 17, Con 18, Garafraxa Twp., which is too far James Hamilton to improve, as he already has a farm on Nassegaeweya, with 40 acres of improved land. Signed for them by Toronto, 29 Dec 1834, Tos. Talbot. Granted 11 Apr 1836 [5?]. Ref: UC Sundries C6884, p1279.

- At James Hamilton's death there was nothing left for his wife & family of seven children, all of whom were under age. It was in this crisis that Alexander Hamilton's sterling character made itself evident. Though but eighteen years old, [1854 or 55], he assumed the care of the family & until the day of his death none of them ever went to him in vain for assistance of any sort. His devotion to his mother was particularly beautiful & even when the others were able to contribute to her comfort he never yielded his privilege of being the first to bear burdens in her behalf; & this even when hard times often made it difficult to provide for his own family as he wished.

* This biography continues at 1892 & 1912 Biographies of Alexander Hamilton & at James Hamilton.

Note1: Husband James Hamilton died in 1855 (& no later than 1858], probably in Esquesing Co., Halton County, Ontario. Rebecca had moved to Flamborough Twp., Wentworth County by the time son James Hamilton was baptized a Methodist.
By 1856 son Richard L Hamilton was living alone in a log cabin near Acton, Ontario. He was working as a carpenter, no doubt earning money to help support his family.
In 1864 Alex Hamilton went to Ohio & afterward to Michigan to make fruit farm to Saughatuck, MI. Mary Jane Hamilton landed in the US in 1866 so it would seem probably she would have lived with her mother Rebecca, at least up to that time.

1859 Flamborough West, Canada West., Tp. in Co. Wentworth. For office Post office see: Strabane.
Ref: The New World in 1859: Being the US & Canada.

Census 1861 East Flamborough, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Rebecca Hamilton, age 46, Toll House:
Note2: The Toll House was on the Snake Road (because it wandered) & was originally an native path leading to Burlington Bay & itself on Lake Ontario. The Toll House belonged to the Hamilton & Milton Road Company. 'The easterly limit of what is commonly known as the Ordnance lands on Burlington Heights.' When I visited the Toll House in October 2009 the small 2 story wood house was in need of repair & a fire had recently destroyed the roof. The house sits on the Burlington town line & other the other is surrounded on all sides by the Hamilton Royal Botanical Gardens. A by-law prevents a building permit, thus hastening the deterioration of the building.

Looking in the past we can image this house sitting in this small sheltered valley creek a mile or so from the Lake. Oak trees line the hillsides. Two roads meet here separated by a bow in the river. Across the washed-out bridge on the west adjacent hillside sat a hotel. 'Lots of drinking went on there at night time,'at the hotel just a little away up the hill. The creek ripples through the pond just in front of the Tollhouse. Fresh water drinking water was fetched from the spring just behind the house. Large & plentiful perch, trout, salmon harboured in this pond during the winter. 'The best perch fishing in all of Ontario' said the current owner. The actual toll both sat a 100 feet from the house. Farmers on the 2 joining roads would have to travel this way to go to the Hamilton market. -
Ref: P J Ahlberg, Researcher, Oct. 2009.

Further research Note: Census 1851 Flamborough W, Ward 1, Toll Keeper is 1. Michael Brown, also a couple of houses away from Dr. James Hamilton of Scotland, Board Shanty. [No relation], #2 Toll Keepers (other end of Flamborough: Hugh Connell & Thos. Dickson & family.

For further research are: The Wallace House", 173 Main Street North:
One of the earliest buildings in the village, the land on which the Wallace house sits passed through a succession of owners before it was sold in 1846 to William Magill. Magill is regarded as the builder as its late Georgian & NeoClassical features date c. 1840-1850 & its position faces Dundas Street & not the toll road built in 1853 (present day Main Street). Its Salt Box shape is particularly interesting as it is a design commonly seen in New England but rarely seen in this area of Ontario, especially as a feature of a stone construction. In 1853 the property was sold to Hugh Creen, described in the 1865 Wentworth County District as a "gentleman" &1807 Centre road: Bakersville settlement & as the tollgate keeper on this section of Centre Road, in Flamborough.

Note3: 1861 Census of East Flamborough, Wm. Stuart, Enumerator, had this to say about the 4-6th Concessions on the south side: General flat but sufficient rolling to afford ever faculty drainage. The timber is mostly pine with some hard wood Oak, Buck, Maple Timber is generally Black Ask & Elm with a sprinkling of White Cedar.
The Farms have been cleared within the last 25 years. Concession roads are mostly cleared of Stumps & graded. Farms where the Timber was mostly hardwood, the stumps are all out, but on the pine land they are still pretty thickly scattered, however with the last 5 or 6 years many of the Farmers have been clearing their land of stumps by use of Stumps machines. [The white pine roots would have been deep & massive. - PJA 2013.]

GANGES, Michigan
1878, Allegan is county seat, 3,000 inhabitants on the Kalamazoo river, 25 miles nw of Kalamazoo, 2 Grand Rapids railroads pass through Allegan. 3 flouring mills, 2 saw mills, 2 planning mills, 1 foundry & 1 woolen mill.
It is an excellent farming twp. & near the lake the land is devoted chiefly to the cultivation of peaches. In the spring of 1880 the number of peach trees reached 84,000, of which 30,000 were 445 years old over. The fruit of Ganges is mainly sent on the Chicago W Michigan Railroad. It was of her son Alexander Hamilton who started these trees. - PJA
Ref. Polk Michigan State Gazetteer.

Michigan Crop Report 1887, Ganges. Large meteor seen through the fog on evening of May 23, first appearing in the east. 45 degrees above the horizon, moving north. Optical phenomena, Ganges 2 May: Solar halos were observed (i.e. weather - planing forecast); Hails 31st May. This phenomena would have been much discussed in the neighbourhood. - PJA.]

Rev. James Hamilton, Jr. "God-fear mother dedicated him to the service of the pulpit before he was born" in Feb. 17, 1843, Trafalgar, Ontario.

1890 Michigan Death Registration:
Rebecca Lawrence-Hamilton was living with daughter Mary Jane Wanner at the time of her death.
Registration #1600, died 17 Feb 1890, widow, aged 74y 11 months, Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan .
[Born 17 Mar 1815, compare Monument date, equals born 4 May 1815. ]
Born Canada, parents Mary & Richard Lawrence.

Transcripts by P J Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Died:
Aged 74y 11m. = 17 Mar 1815. Widowed. Dau. of Mary & Richard Lawrence.

Buried:
Ganges, MI.

Notes:

. Hugh & Mary McCutcheon lived in Colbourg, Ontario. 2 children were born here. Hugh worked on the Rideau Canal where many Irish died on this hard wood. The Rideau call opened in 1832 at which time the family moved to Erin Township. Hugh purchased Lot 9, concession 3 & built an 1 & half story log house.

. UCLPetition 3, 1824. To Lieut. Governor Peregrine Maitland.
Petition of Hugh McCutcheon, of the Town of York, Yeoman.
Your petitioner is a native of the Parish of Bangor, County Down, Ireland, from whence he imported to Quebec in April last [1823], is 22 years of age [1802], has taken the Oath of Allegiance, Certificate is hereto annexed & has received no land from the Crown. Your petitioner is desirous to become an actual setter on the waste lands of the Crown & will improve a Lot of 200 Acres. Wherefore your petitioner humbly prays your Excellency will grant him 200 acres of the waste land & praying of fees.
Your petitioner will ever pray. Signed, Hugh M Cutcheon.,York, 18 February, 1824.
. Envelope: Gov. Offices, 18th Feb, 1824. The subject is requested to report here here for the information of the Honorable Council. Signed, M Johnson.
I do not find that the petitioner has received any lands or Order for land. Jno. Ridout, Survey Office.
In Council, 18 Feb., 1824, Recommended, Order issued 19th Feby, 1824.
Notes: It appears that Hugh was requested to return for further information & may have spoken at the Council himself. - PJA

. 1824 Feb 18 - Upper Canada Land Books [C104, p98].
York Executive Council Chamber, Wednesday 18 Feb. 1824, Present. Chief Justice Wm. Drummer Powell, James Baby & Samuel Smith.
Hughl McCutcheon, M3, Praying for grant of 200 acres of land, praying for [free Survey] fees.
Granted.
. Granted on that day also were, Samuel McCutcheon, M2, Wm. McCutcheon, W4, of Lot 7 . , Con 5, Erin & John McCutcheon, M5.

. 1831 Nov 2, Canada Land Company, Hugh McCutcheon, SW half Lot 9, Con 4, Erin Twp., Wellington Co., 100 Acres.

. 1832 Mar 5, Gore District, Erin Twp., Wellington County Assessment:
MacCutcheon, Hugh, Males 1, Boys 2, Women 2, Girls 2 (Total 7 people.)
Lot 3, Con 9, Cultivated Land 4 Acres, west, Uncultivated 100 Acres.

. 1839 Gore District, Erin Twp., Wellington County Assessment:
McCutchon, Hugh, Con 4, Lot 9 West, Uncultivated 88 Acres, Cultivated 12 Acres.

. 1861 Census, Wellington Co.. Twp. of Erin
Hugh McCutchin, Farmer, Born Ireland, Married 1828, age 67 /1794, Logg house 1½ stories,
Mary, born Ireland, age 64, 1797
Stewart age 24, 1837
Hohn (John), age 22, 1839
Jane M, Age 21, b 1840
Robert McCutchin, age 19, born 1842.

Further research
. 1836-1838 Daybook, William Kennedy made a purchase of goods. page 168. [storekeeper unknown, but suggested it may have been Samuel Watkins, b. Ireland, arrives Esquesing Aug 1819. He was located on the northern boundary of Ashgove, Trafalgar Road.]
Ref: Esquesing Historical Society, Archival Papers, Vol 1, Joh Mark Benbow Rowe.

. Wellington County Atlas 1906
McCutcheon, Hugh (d.), b. Co. Down, Ire., in 1793, d. in 1859, age 66. His father was John McCutcheon, & his brothers were Robert & William. William, set. on the 5th line Erin, in 1829.
The late Hugh McCutcheon, came to Canada in 1830, settling first, in Lower Canada, & in 1833, came to Erin Tp., where he owned 100 acres, Lot 9, Con. 3. He was of a religious turn of mind, & was a constant attendant of the Congregationalist Church; in politics, he was a Conservative. He m. Mary Stewart, who d. in 1893, age 96.
Issue: William, in Kansas;
John, Michigan;
Thomas, Robert, Man.; Stewart, Mrs. Richard Hamilton, & Mrs. Allan Smith, Erin Village, & Mrs. Robert Little (d.).

. Thomas, b. 1830, d. 1904. He was on the old homestead in Erin. In 1856 he set. on 200 acres, Lots 15 & 16, Con. 4, & later, bought the west half of Lot 9, con. 3, & still later, the 50 acres adjoining. He took a pride in raising fine horses, & was very successful. He was always liberal in his contributions to the Disciples church, of which he was a member. He m. Mary Smith.
Issue: Matthew, Hugh R., John, William, Henry, (unm.); Mrs. Hugh Mitchell, David (unm.); Thomas, m. Mary Weatherstone, & set. North Dakota; Mrs. (Dr.) McCullough, & Mrs. Wm. Smith, in Everton. Of this branch: Matthew, b. 1858, resides on the east half of Lot 8, Con. 3, Erin, where he is a successful farmer. He m. Ellen Mitchell.

Hugh R., b. 1860, m. Maggie MacCollum, & started in business for himself three years after his marriage, settling on Lot 11, Con. 2, which is one of the best farms in the county, with up-to-date improvements, brick house & good buildings. He is a consistent member of the Disciples church. Issue: Mabel J. Thomas D., Annie M., & Bertha L.,
John, m. Annie E. Loree, & set. on Lot 22, Con. 7, Eramosa.

. William, b. 1860, is a self-made man. He is a member of the Disciples Church & a Conservative. He m. Isabella M. Loree, in 1888.
Issue: William A., Clara I., Melvin W., Sarah E., Thomas S., & Roy V. ,
Smith, son of Thomas, m. Lizzie Oakes, & set. in Guelph. He is a traveller for the Raymond Mfg. Co.,

. Stewart, son of the late Hugh McCutcheon, was b. in 1857. He resides on the homestead, & is a first-class citizen. He m. Sarah Kennedy. Issue: Mrs. Humphrey Barber, Hugh, David, William, Robert, James, & Clarence. Of this branch, Hugh, m. Miss Gibbon, & set. Esquesing; David m. Amelia Young, & rents the homestead from his father; William, m. Ruth Osborne, & set. Rockwood.

. Surrogate Court Register Books, Volume D - Erin Twp., Wellington Co., 19 Feb 1861, Pg. 261,
McCutcheon, Hugh, Wife: Mary Stewart
Kindred: William, Ann Little wife of Robert D. Little, Ellen Smith wife of Henry Smith, Thomas, Margaret wife of Thomas Fielding, Stewart, John,
Jane Matilda Hamilton wife of Richard,
Robert McCutcheon.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
ALT DOB 1795. Sloanstown, Donaghadee Parish, Ireland.

Died:
100 Acres, Log 1 story, Lot 9, Con 3, Erin Twp., RR # 3.

Buried:
L1, C7, Erin Twp., Monument S13-5.

Hugh married Mary STEWART in 1828 in County Down, Ireland. Mary was born in 1798 in Sloanstown, Donaghadee, Co. Down, Ireland; died on 30 Aug 1893 in Erin Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried on 2 Sep 1893 in Ballinafad Pioneer Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Alice & Alexander Stewart. (Verify)

. After Mary's 9 children were grown Mary returned to Ireland to visit her family. In an often repeated story, great-granddaughter, Marie Felker, recalled that Mary McCutcheon had ridden her horse all the way through the wild bush to Lake Ontario, [to the Port of Oakville] to take her first round of vessels up Lake Ontario & up the St. Lawrence to Ireland." It seems this monumental horse ride made more of an impression on the family than Mary Stewart McCutcheon's ocean voyage! - P J Ahlberg.

. Mary went to Montreal to visit her people & as there were no railroads, she rode horseback to Oakville then took the boat to Montreal. I know once Mary came back from Montreal & rode home alone on horseback. She had a big load, as her people had given her so much to take back to the bushland. She got very tired & people along the way made her stay overnight with them & rest.

. Death Card Notice:
Died, in Erin Township, on Wednesday, August 30, 1893,
Mary Stewart
Relict of the late Hugh McCutcheon, Age 95 years
The Funeral will leave the residence of her son Mr. Stewart McCutcheon, Lot 9, 4th Con, Erin Twp. on Saturday, September 2nd at 2:00 o'clock for Ballinfad Cemetery, Erin. August 31, 1891.

Obituary:
. 1893 Sep 2, Wed. We are called upon this week to record the death of a respected nonagenarian, in the person of Mrs. Mary McCutcheon, who departed this life last Wednesday, in her 95th year.
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon from the residence of her son, Mr. Stewart McCutcheon, Lot 9, Con. 4, Erin, to the Ballinafad Cemetery.
Deceased came to this country with her husband, Hugh McCutcheon, & 2 children (one of which died on ship board) from the County of Down, Ireland, & settled 30 miles from Montreal. After living there for a few years, they came to Erin Tp., about 65 years ago, [c 1828] & hewed out a home for themselves in the forest where they since lived & died. Their family consisted of 9 children, 6 of whom are still living.
Mrs. McCutcheon has been a widow for 32 years, & has continued to live on the homestead, with her son. In earlier days, she was a Congregationalist, but latterly was a member of the Disciple Church. 2 sons, Stewart & Thomas, live in Erin, Tp., & Robert, in Manitoba; 2 daughters, Mrs. Smith & Mrs. R. Hamilton, reside in Erin, & Mrs. Fieldon, in Seattle, Montana. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Baker & Mr. Fowley.
Ref: Acton Free Press, 7 Sep 1893, page 3, column 3.

. Also Cousin Martha Culvert of Chicago came home for the funeral. 

. Hugh & Mary's weathered monuments are partially hidden by bushes at the top of the hill to the left of the Ballinafad Cemetery. Inscription reads:
In deaths cold arms lies sleeping here
A loving father, a companion dear
In love he lived, In xx he died
His life was asked, but God denied.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Died at age 98 yrs of old age, on Wednesday; Lot 9, Con 4, Erin Twp., RR # 3

Buried:
Lot 1 Con 7, Erin Twp. Monument S13-5. modern stone stands beside semi legible mable stone.