Notes:

Buried:
North side plot.

Family/Spouse: Reuben Arthur MASON. Reuben was born on 14 Nov 1858 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 24 Jun 1940 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Markham Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Leila Vanzant MASON was born on 6 Jun 1883 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 14 Nov 1945 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario.
2. Harry Evelyn MASON was born on 3 Oct 1893 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 30 Dec 1977 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Notes:

. Garrat Robert Vanzant was born in Whitchurch Township; educated in Stouffville; was first employed on a farm at Uxbridge in 1853 & afterwards went to the USA. In 1860 he removed to Toronto here he stayed 2 years, subsequently conducing a hardware business in Stouffville, but sold this business in 189x;

. 1866 Uxbridge Twp., Ontario Co., [now Durham Co.]
Vanzant, A., Con 5, Lot 9 Freehold
Vanzant, Elijah, Con 1, Lot 9 Freehold
Vanzant, G, Con 2, Lot 1 freehold
Vanzant, Hy, Lot 4, Con 1 freehold
Vanzant, John, Lot 1, Lot 14 freehold
Vanzant, Josiah, Con 2, Lot 9 Freehold.
Ref: Mitchell Gazette & Directory.

. 1869 he moved to Markham Village & had a hardware business there until 1900. He is also the owner of 10 acres of land & the residence built by the Honourable D Ressor in 1874; active in municipal matters; 5 years as reeve of Markham Village; an ex-officio member of the County Council of York County; school trustee for many years; member of the municipal council of Markham for 11 years. In 1900 he was appointed governor of the Toronto Gaol. Among other important offices which he holds are Master of Lodge No 87 AF & AM, G.R. Canada, President of the Speight Manufacturing Co., & president of the Reform Association.

. Village of Markham. G. R. Vanzant is descended from a family of U.E. Loyalists, his grandfather, Garrett Vanzant, having emigrated from NY State, & settled in Con. 10, Markham. He is one of a family of 7 children. His father's name was William. He was first employed on a farm in Uxbridge in 1853, & afterwards went to the US.
In 1860 he removed to where he stayed 2 years, subsequently conducting a general hardware business in the Village of Stouffville. He sold out there in 1869 & located on his present premises in Markham where he carried on a successful business.
He is also the owner of 10 Acres of land & the residence built by the Hon. D. Reesor in 1874. He at present holds the position of Reeve, & has been Councillor & School Trustee. Among other important offices which he holds are aster of Lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M., G. R. Canada; President of the Speight Manufacturing Company, & President of the Reform Association. In 1861 he married Miss Catharine Nadier, by whom he has 5 children, Eva I., Victor Edward, William Clifford, Frank Nicholas, & Clarence N.
Ref: History of Toronto & County of York, Ontario, 1885, Vol. 2.

. Garret ventured into business as a hardware merchant in Stouffville in 1864 but later re-established himself in Markham. He gained considerable experience in politics, serving as a member of the municipal council of Markham & then as its Reeve in 1883, 1884, 1888 & 1890.
. 1873 Oct 6 - Markham Fair: Best sample of tinware: G. Vanzant, prize $1;
Best Parlour stove, First & 2nd prize, G R Vanzant, $3.
Ref: Globe newspaper, Toronto.
. 1879 - G R Vanzant Bill of Sale, hardware, Christian Reesor, Minister, bishop Old Order Mennonite Church.

. 1883 - 1884 & again 1888, 1890 - Reeve of Markham, a hardware merchant.

. 1882 Lovell Province of Ontario Directory: Vanzant, G R, Markham, Hardware merchant.
. 1885 May 5 - Markham Libel Suit. Hugh McMahon QC, made a motion before Chief Justice Wilson yesterday for leave to present an indictment to the Grand Jury against Edwin C Hall of Markham, who is charged by Garret Robert Vanzant, a hardware merchant of the same place, with libeling him in a communication to The Markham Sun, a Conservative paper, printed in march, in which Hall stated that he believed Vanzant had insulted & acted indecently towards ladies in is place of business & elsewhere.
An investigation was held on Wed. 20 April House, but Hall was acquitted, & Vanzant alleges, owing to the fact that Hall induced justices of the peace who are not invited, to sit at the hearing & decide in his favor. Mr. McMahan presented an affidavit made by Wm Craelaman's office to the effect that some of the magistrate who were present at the investigation were not invited & that the case was decided purely on grounds of political partisanship & not on its merits. The order was granted.
Ref: Globe Newspaper, Toronto.

. 1889 Jan 25 - Curling March - 2 rinks of our village Curling Club went to Markham to play a matching in the primary competition for the Ontario Tankard. Score: Rink 1, Stouffville, GR Vanzant.

. 1891 Feb 27 - Mr GR Vanzant has commenced quo warranty proceedings angst Reve Hall of Markham Village. The writ charges Hall with personal bribery at the the election of Jan 5 last & also bribery by agents & also contends that several parties named, noted at the said election who are not qualified elects at the time of the election the case will be heard about the middle of March.
Ref: Stouffville Tribune newspaper.

. 1793 Apr 12 - Ontario Curling association: Semi annual meeting held at the Waker house, Orillia. In regard to a circular which had been issued over the signature of Robt Malcolm, of the Moss Park rink, the committee reported that they had personally examined the accounts and found the statements made to tall untrue, fake & malicious & recommended that Mr Malcolm be called on to prove his statement or withdraw from the association. G R Vanzant, Markham & JMcCrack,Toronto, was appointed to investigate the matter.
Ref: Montreal Gazette newspaper, pub. 1893.4.12.

. 1893 Oct 19 - Vanzant Vs Village of Markham - Judgement on appeal by the plaintiff from the taxation of his costs by Mr. Thom, one of the taxing officers, the question raised being as to the apportionment of costs. The judgment in the action, provided that the defendants should pay the plaintiff her costs of this action, in so far as the same related to the quaking of a certain bylaw & to the obtaining of an injunction & counsel agreeing that the other matters referred to in the pleadings were proper questions to be settled by arbitration, the judgment provided that there should be no order as to the costs in respect of such matters. The taxing officer taxed to the plaintiff one half of the general costs of the action & also costs exclusively relating to the part of the action in which she succeeded. The plaintiff contended that she hold have been allowed her whole general costs, educating such items as were not applicable to the claims as to the bylaw & injunction. The chancellor holds that the action was roughly speaking divisible into 2 parts & that the master?

. 1894 Jan 4 - Elections in Stouffville passed off quietly as usual pugilistic encounters among our citizens seem to be a ran avis?, but we cannot say so much for some of our sister towns & villages, if reports be sure. It is said that GR Vanzant of Markham, on election day allowed his better judgement to be carried away & struck Henry Marr a violent bow in the face with his fists.
Ref: Stouffville Tribune newspaper.

. 1897 Sep 3 - Held at Markham Town Hall yesterday. Exposes opposition tactics & appeals for a united Liberal support, will hold Ontario. At a miss meeting of the Liberals of East York, held at Markham Town Hall yesterday, Mr. John Richardson. M.PP., was again nominated as the Liberal standard-bearer in the coming elections for the Ontario Legislature. The meeting was one of the best that has ever. Present, Markham Village, G R Vanzant.
Ref: Globe & Mail Newspaper, Toronto.

. One of the interesting ironies of this study is that he was appointed Governor of the Toronto Gaol in 1900. Unfortunately, the criminal role model of his father did not pass unheeded. In 1907, in a widely publicized scandal, Garret Vanzant was found "Guilty of improper conduct, incompetencies & irregularities & lack of discipline" in his administration of the Toronto Gaol. At the same time he was accused of "certain financial transactions with prisoners." The latter charge was dismissed. Nevertheless, on the basis of his guilt on the former counts, Garret was fired as governor of the Toronto Gaol & replaced by a vice president of the Upper Canada Bible Society, the Reverend Dr. Andrew B. Chambers.
Ref: Mayhem to Murder, The History of The Markham Gang. by Paul Arculus, 2003.

. 1903-1906, Mights Toronto Directory: Vanzant, Garret R, Governor Toronto Jail, h. 502 Gerrard East.

. 1904 Mar 4 - Mr G R Vanzant, Governor of the Jail, has been seriously ll with typhoid, but is now in a fair way of recovery.
. 1904 Jun 17 -Toronto Letter- The prisoners convey in jail for the seeking ending Jun 11, 127 Men & 54 women. On the same date in 1903 there were but 51 inmates. Governor Vanzant, in part explanation of this circumstance states that it is due to the large number of undesirable immigrants who are arriving in the city.
. 1905 Jun 2 - The Gov.-General & Viscount Bury visited the City Jail last Friday & were accompanied thought the institution by Gov. VanZant.
. 1906 Feb 2 - The genus whose then appears to have got the better of judgment & prompted him to make an affidavit affirming that Mr G R VanZant, Gov. of Toronto Jail, was in St.Thomas on Jan 12, 1890, the day of the West Elgin election, personating a deputy returning officer, turns out to be a wholesale libeler & partizan fraud, County Council Woodcock of this Town, who was one of the auditors of Criminal Justice accounts for 1899, has made affidavit that along with himself was associated Judge MacDonald, Jos. T Stokes & G R VanZant, on the board for that year, & that this board met Toronto on Jan 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 & 145h & that the sole of the members were present. No one can charge Mr Woodcock with being biased politically, because he is a professed Conservative, but the affidavit is a complete alibi for Mr. VanZant & a positive denial of the St. Thomas slander. The West Elgin Annals ought to be prosecuted.
Further newspapers on this subject: Dec. 12, 1906, Jun 14, 1907
Ref: Newmarket Era Newspaper.

. 1907 - Garratt Robert Van Zant, was born in the township of Whitechurch, County York, December 10, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of Stouffville, where he began his business life in 1864, as a hardware merchant. In 1869 he sold out his business at this place, & removed to Markham village, here resuming the business in which he continued until 1900, when he was appointed to his present position, governor of the Toronto gaol. While in Markham Mr. Van Zant took an active part in municipal matters, & for 5 years was reeve of Markham village, and ex-officio member of the county council of County York. He was also a member of the municipal council of Markham for eleven years, & served as school trustee for many years.
In 1863, Mr. Van Zant married Miss Catherine Napier, born in Toronto in 1845, daughter of Alexander Napier, surgeon of the 93rd Highlanders. To Garrat R. & Catherine (Napier) Van Zant were born the following children:
Evelyn, is the wife of R. A. Mason, of Markham; Victor E., of Toronto; Clifford, of Peterboro’, married Bertha Lundt, & has 2 children, Roy & Evelyn;
Frank M., married Louise Bartholmew, & has 3 children, Evan, Kate & Ralph;
& Clarence, of Toronto, married Mary Brill, Cornwall, & has one daughter, Berna.
Mr. Van Zant & his wife are members of the Methodist Church. When active in politics Mr. Van Zant was a Reformer.
Ref: Commemorative Biographical Record of County of York, JH Beers Co.

. 1921 Mar 28, Post Office Department, Retirement G R Vanzant, Toronto, PO.

More research required:
. Vanzant, G. R. 1910. File.
Ref: Archives of Ontario. MG26-G. Volume/box number: 993. Textual records. [Access: Open]. Private. Finding aid number: MSS0091. - - -

Buried:
south side plot. Also called Elmwood United Church Cemetery.

Garrat married Catherine Napier NICHOLS in Mar 1861. Catherine was born on 2 Apr 1845 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; died on 31 Mar 1918 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Catherine is the daughter of Alexander Napier, a surgeon in the 93rd Highlanders.

. 1889 Oct 11 - Stouffville Fair Prize Winners: Shell work 1st; 2nd Embroidery on worsted, embroidery on arisen 1st; point lace 1s, 2nd braiding on cotton, 2nd panel work, 2nd netting, 2nd tatting; 2nd ornamental neelde work, 2nd crochet work on cotton; 2nd price on Java canvass, 2nd, pillow sham, 1st darn net, 2nd guipure work, 2nd cretonne work; 1st tidy cotton, 1st tidy fancy, 1st foot stool, 1st mats & bead work 1st prize - all won by Mrs GR Vanzant!
Ref: Stouffville Tribune. - - -

Buried:
- south side plot.

Notes:

. UCLPetition 62, William Vanzant, resides Markham, that he is desirous of occupying Lot 31, Con 9, Markham & desires a renewal of said Lot.
Signed, William Vanzant, 18th July, 1830.

. 1829 Sept 3, York, I give up my claim of Lot 31, Con 9, Markham. Signed, Wm. Wittan?

. 1829 July 2, This is to certify last November nothing is done on L31, C9, Markham, Witnesses: Garret Vanzant & John Hamilton.
. 1830 Feb 26, Markham. L31, C9, Markham is in a state of nature without improvement. Signed, William Clendening & William Holden.

. 1830 Mar 4 - James Hatter, Markham Twp., Yeoman, has examined Lot 31, Con 9, finds no improvement of any kind nor any house built thereon but the said lot is in complete wild state. Signed, John HISXMARK, Hatter.

. UCLPetition 62, Renewal of Leases: 1830, Mar 17, Markham, this is to certify Lot 31, Con 9 Markham was a wild lot of land last May 1829. No work done on it. Last August William Vanzant claims a place to set a house but house logs for a house cut 15 of 20 saw logs for boards intended for the house. James Holdden & John Hamilton both living in Markham came to work on this lot of land the 19 of this present month without? William Vanzant orders & say that say they had got this lot of land & making use of the labour Vanzant has done on this lot of land.
Signed, Garret Vanzant & James Vanzant.

. 1832 June 21, York. Patent Fee Registration 288. for Clergy Reserve L31, C9, Markham, leased to William Vanzant.
Ref: UCLP Renewal of Leases 1815-1838, Film C2982 P958.

. 1839 Dec 30, Toronto - Wm. Vanzant, Lot 31, Con 9, Markham, Amount due on leased clergy Reserves, £13. 2 .5p.
Ref: Journal of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada, pub. 1840.

. 1846 Aug 4, Tues. - "Great terror pervaded the minds of the timid & those living in isolated & remote places, on account of the frequency of these depredations, & the apparent impossibility of detecting the offenders. Now & then a suspected person was arrested, but, for want of sufficient proof, discharged." The Markham Gang was a wide ranging crime group of over a dozen men & a couple of women. Many of the convicted Markham Gang members were related, & those relationships would have facilitated recruitment in the gang. In the end some men would be sentenced to hang for vicious murders. Others like William Vanzant were sent to prison.

On 6 April, Mr. Witney arrested Oliver Badgerow, William Vanzant, John Fleming & James Green & charged them with larceny, & of possessing stolen goods & at the Toronto Assizes on Friday, 22 May, Spencer, Badgerow, Morden, Vanzant appeared before Chief Justice John Beverley Robinson. Daniel Spencer charged with stealing a cooking stove & then given it to Oliver & David Badgerow for disposal.

. The Nighswander Robbery: Oliver Badgerow & William Vanzant was brought before the court again charged with stealing 150 yards of cloth from John Nighswander’s fulling mill in January 1845. Witness Casper Stotts said 3 months after the robbery Vanzant’s wife told him her husband had stolen the cloth. In a conversation with Vanzant, the defendant had said that he hadn’t received his fair share of the money obtained from the sale of the cloth. Lorenzo White had assisted Vanzant in the robbery.

On Friday, 5 June, William Vanzant along with John Smith were found guilty of having burgled the home of George Smith on the first concession of Reach Township. The two stole dishes & a large quantity of pails & canisters from Smith.

Saturday, 6 June - Sentencing - In order to clear the Toronto jail, Chief Justice John Beverly Robinson had each of the guilty parties thus far in the Assizes brought before him for sentencing. Under cross-examination by Vanzant’s lawyer, J. H. Hagarty, Stotts confessed that the trousers he was wearing in court were made from the stolen cloth. He had obtained the trousers from Lorenzo White.

"The rules of the club were that we were to share & share alike, & it was understood that if any man turned, death should be his portion."

. Chief Justice Robinson handed out Vanzant an harsh sentence for 2 separate charges of theft. He was sentenced, on 6 June 1846, to 7 years hard labour in the penitentiary. The unfortunate wife, Sarah Stiles Vanzant was left with the 6 children alone, until William returned. They had one more child, Albert Vanzant.

1. Toronto Gaol, are to be found in the Ontario Archives; Jail Records, Toronto Jail, 1838-1848. Ref: RG-20-100-1. Microfilm; MS 2782.
2. All references to judges, lawyers & witnesses are to be found in the Ontario Archives; Court of the Queen’s Bench Assize Minute Books. Microfilm MS 530, reel 4.
Ref: Mayhem to Murder, The History of The Markham Gang, by Paul Arculus, 2003; &
3. Court reports at: An Interesting account of the organization & mode of operations of the celebrated horde of robbers known as the Markham Gang, 1846 (Canadiana Online, Archives of Canada.)

* 1851 Sep 30, Return of Convicts discharged from the Penitentiary, during the year ending 1851:
William Vanzant, Age 42 [= b. 1804 or if age 42 1804], Height 6ft. half inch, Complexion Fresh, Eyes Great, Hair Brown, Home District, Crime Larceny, Sentenced Jun 6, 1846, Term of 7 years, Discharged Jan 2 1851, Remarks pardoned.
. Disbursements at the Provincial Penitentiary:
. 1851 Jan 2, William Vanzant, Travelling Alliance, 17shillings 6pence.
Ref: Journal of Legislative Assembly of Province of Canada.

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

Birth:
Lot 29, Con 9, (Now part of Stouffville, Ontario)

Died:
Aged 86y 4m. d. old age.

Buried:
Beautiful red granite monument, Plot N20.1, Markham Twp.

William married Sarah STILES in 1830. Sarah was born in 1809 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died in Dec 1862 in Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried in Dickson Hill Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah is the daughter of Capt. John Stiles.

Capt. Stiles had come to Canada in 1816 with the British army & settled in Markham Township. - - -

Died:
Aged 63 y. = 1799

Buried:
Plot N20.1

Notes:

. Van Zant ancestors originated in Arnhem, The Netherlands, coming to New Utrect (Brooklyn, NY) in 1600s. Garrett Van Zant, 1762-1858, & his wife Elizabeth Lewis came to Upper Canada circa 1800, & in 1806 bought Lot 29, Con 9, for £300. Their family was James, b 1800, USA. According to Albany Reformed Dutch Church, page 44, another younger brother, named Gerrit Vanznadt, was born in 1771 Nov 8 & died 1st Dec 1771 in Albany.
Ref: Markham, 1793-1900, Committee for History of Markham, Twp., 1979.
Muster:
. 1799 Nov 19, Van Santer, Garrett, 2nd Battn, 60th Regt. Voluntarily joined the 6th Reg, Quebec, C931,p154.
. 1799 Oct 13, Quebec, Vansantee, Garrett, Pte 2nd Battin, 60th Reg. To be embarked for the West Indies, C931,p149 [190?].
. 1799 Oct 13 Quebec, Vansanton{?}, Nicholas, Pte, 2nd Battn, 60th Regt. To be embarked for the West Indies, C931,p154 &194.Voluntrily joined 6th Reg. Verify idenity.
British Military & Naval Records (RG 8, C Series) - INDEX, C11867,p347 Copy Arch of Canada.

. A brother of Garrett Van Zant Sr., John Van Zant, also came to York. Some years ago a search was made for his daughter's grave on the site of the new Bark of Commerce building in Toronto.
Ref: Markham 1793-1900.
. Garret Vanzant was the brother of John. His family now live at Markham.
Ref: Robertson's landmarks of Toronto, V1, p359.

. 1802 July 6th, Tuesday, Council Chambers,
Garret Vanzant, V1, No. 18A. Recommended for 200 Acres
Rescinded & granter under the Regulations of 30 Dec. 1802, View Page 295. [Is this regulations regarding no longer accepting military grants? - PJA]

. 1802 - UCLPetition 1, To Peter Hunter, Esq.
Petition of Garret Vanzant of York, Yeoman
He is lately come into the Province to be a permanent settler with a wife & 3 children, he wants 200 acres.
signed, Garret Vanzant, (1 Jul 1802)
Envelope: Garret Vanzant, Rec. 1 Jul 1802. July 6, 1802. Received on the usual terms 509, Approved.
Ref: Garret Vanzant - 1802 Jul 10 - UCLP, U-V Bundle 6, Vol 5154A, 1802-1804. C2849 p281.

. 1803 - UCLPetition 5, To Peter Hunter, Esq.
Petition of Garret Vanzant of York, Yeoman,
Your petitioner received a grant on 6 July, 1802 for 200 A. He is desirous of being relieved from performing the settling duties under Regulations of 30 Dec 1802. He is prepared to pay the Fees of Survey with three days.
Signed, Garret Vanzante, York, 20th September, 1803.
Ref: Garret Vanzant - UCLP, U-V Bundle 6, 1802-1804, C2947 p. 330.

. Council Chambers. The Committee took into consideration the following Petition referred to it by the Lieutenant Governor.
Garret Vanzant of York, Yeoman, No 373, Side Page 8. Stating that he obtained an Order of Council on 6 Jul 1802 for 200 Acres of land & praying that a Deed may under the Order of Council of 30 Dec, 1802.
Recommendation that the prayer of the petition be complied with.

. William, John, Almer, Henry Jane - Vanzant, William, Markham, 1830 Vol 554, Renewal of Leases 1815-1838, Petition 62, Microfiche C2982.

. Hannah, Sarah & Nancy all born in Canada.
James & Almer eventually bought their father's property.
James family included John, b. 1834, Josiah, James, Anson, David & Ellis.
William's son Garrett Robert, b 1844 was active in municipal government, being Reeve of Markham Village in the 1880s, & also governor of the Don Jail in Toronto. Almer's family included, Garret, Ludiwig & Urias.
Ref: Markham 1793-1900.

Toronto Sundries, Home District (Toronto) Quarter Sessions Minutes (Jury Duty):
. 1803, 12 July, Tuesday. Town of York. Petty Jury called & severally sworn: 9. Garret Vanzante. 10. John Wilson (Jr.) First Case: Witnesses sworn on part of the Crown: Andrew Clark, Elias Anders, Witnesses sworn on the part of the Prisoner. Jacob Philips, Isaac Devans.
Prosecution of Mary Runnell Vs. Benj. Runnell, Assault & Battery, Verdict Guilty. Committed to the District Gaol for one month & to give security for Keeping the Peace himself in £50 & two others in £25 each. Adjourned to 4 'c in the afternoon of this day.

. Second Case: 1803 July 12, Tuesday, 4 o'clock P.M. Court met according to adjournment.
John Dexter Vs. Godrey Philips, Indictment: Rescue. Quashed, there being an error in the indict. (different mix of Petty Jury called, but also including)
Jury #6. Garret Vanzante & #7John Willson (Jr.) Crown Wit: John Dexter, Niel Holm, Paul Marion. Recognizance: Godfrey & John Philips £20 each, Paul Marion £10. Neil Holm £10. That Godfrey Philips & John Philips do severally appear at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to answer to such things which against them or either of them shall then & there be objected & not to depart without leave of the Court.

. 1804 Apr 11, Wednesday - The following persons were appointed to be Constables in the Home District for the year ensuing. Sworn into office: Garret Vanzante, Town of York. (At the same meeting, brother John Vanzant was appointed Overseers of the Highways in the Town of York.)

. 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 Oct 8, Grand Jury, Gerard Vanzante. Jupiter, a negro boy, brought up by the gaoler & recommitted to prison to take his trail at the next Court. - Paul Marion Assault £50, Plea not prepared for trail, Recognizance. - Geo. McDonald, Isaac Mitchell, Will Holloway each fined £10. That they will appear at the next ensuring General Gaol delivery to prosecute Jupiter, A Negro boy for the charges for which he stands committed. - Wm. Stirrett, Assault, Fined 5 shillings, Philip Clinger, Assault, was, unable to attend by reason of sickness, postponed till next General Quarter Sessions. Also Wm. Demont fined £10, all related the the Assault & Battery by Philip clinger.
this. Hamilton, Wm. Knott fined £12.10.

. 1805 Oct 8, Tues. Grand Jury, Gerard Vanzante. The King Vs. Paul Marion, Assault & Battery: Paul Marion £50, Isaac Collumbes £25, Jesse Ketchum. Obligation: That Paul Marion shall appear at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace to answer to all such things as shall be then & there object[ed] to him, & shall not depart without leave of the Court.

. 1808 Oct 12, Wednesday. 1. - Petty Jury called & severally sworn: #3 Garret Vanzante. Louis Barbue & Joseph Kendrick. Recognizance Obligation: That Louis Barbue shall Keep the Peace towards all His Malajestys' liege Subjects for one year & a Day from this date.
2. . 1808 Oct 12, Wed. Petty Jury: #. Garret Vanzante, Barbara Andrick VS Margaret Uddle, Assault & Battery. Not Guilty.
. Petty Jury 3. Garret Vanzante. Barbara, vs. Nic. Klengenbruner & Christian Shell, Not Guilty.

. VANZANTE LOG CABIN, Georgina Twp., Simcoe
About 50 miles n. of Toronto can be found a charming old log cabin, supposedly the oldest structure in the Community. Garrett acquired 200 acres in North Gwillimbury, Con. 3, Lot 18, bounded by Lake Simcoe to the both, East Gwillimbury to the south, Cooke's Bay to that.
Garrett erected the one room cabin. The diminutive abode is impeccably preserved. In 1870, Garrett no longer owned it, the house was enlarged. In 1803 Garret Vanzant built a long house which stands virtually unchanged today. The property attached to the house has been reduced to 50 acre, & a frame addition was made to the rear in 1871. Repairs & constant care have, however, preserved this perfect example of an early Ontario house, of the kind settlers would erect when ready to build something grander than the shanty. The Vanzante house is the 'improved' type, with practically squared logs. The interior was originally one room. Log houses were sometimes inclined to settle with age & then separation of the longs might take place. The bottom log had to be placed on stones or given some other protection from the earth to prevent rot. In this house there are double logs at the bottom & the inner hardwood log still defines the drill. The original foundation with a good cellar, remains. The Vanzante house has more windows than the average log home. The cracks between the longs were filled with a mixture of chips, lime, mud, moss & sand.
In 1807 Vanzantee sold the house to Silas Eames & moved about 25 miles southwest, although several of his children remained in the general vicinity.
Ref: History of Toronto & Co. of York, Charles Pelham Mulvany, 1885.

Toronto Sundries, Home District (Toronto) Quarter Sessions Minutes
. 1804 Apr 11, Wednesday - The following persons were appointed to be Constables in the Home District:
John Wilson Jun, Yonge Street, Township of York. [Related to his brother John's wife.]
For the year ensuing, Garret Vanzante, Town of York.

. War of 1812 Muster, 1st. York Militia 1814
Upper Canada. Captured at York.
. 1812 Oct 16 - 20th, Muster Roll, 1st York Militia General Call, Garret Vanzante, Days 5, pd. 2s 6p.
. 1813 Sep 20 - Sep 4, Garret Vanzant, Days 2, pd. 2s 6p. Cap. Reuben Richardson's 1YM assembled at York.
. 1814 Jan 25 - Jan 30, Titus Willson, Days 31, pd. £2 1s 4p. also, Private Garret Vanzantee, Days 21, pd, 19s 5p, Public Service at York, 1 York Militia commanded by Capt. Reuben Richardson.

. For the year ensuing. Garret Vanzante, Town of York
- War of 1812, Lieutenant, 1st. York Militia 1812 Upper Canada. Captured at York.

. 1813 Aug 27 to Sep 3. Muster roll of a Detachment of Southern Div. 1st Regt. York Militia assembled to work on Dundas St. [Hwy 5] under the command of Capt. Thomas Hamilton, 3rd. York Militia: Garratt Vanzantee from Aug 27 to 5 Sep., 10 days, pay £10 5s.

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

Birth:
Alt DOB 1762: Alt Name: Gerritt. Ft. Orange is now Albany, NY.

Died:
Aged 98y 7m 14d.

Buried:
Con 6, Lot 17, Mongolia, Markham Twp., Stouffville, Ontario. Weeping willow tombstone, lies flat in a grouping on the ground. (Also known as Bronwsburger Cemetery).

Garrett married Elizabeth LEWIS in 1797 in New York State. Elizabeth was born on 27 Sep 1778 in New York State; died on 9 Feb 1863 in Mongolia, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried on 9 Sep 1778 in Boyles Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Verify children of Garrent Van Zant & Elizabeth Lewis.

James Vanzant b. 10 Mar 1798, NY State
Jane Vanzant, b 10 Mar 1798, NY State.

. William, Apr 1804, Town of York, (Toronto), Ontario
John, 1804
Mary POLLY, 22 Apr 1809
Sarah, 1811. Pickering Twp., Durham Co., Ontario
Almer Alonzo, 25 Dec, 1814, 9th Con., Markham
Nancy 1817
Henry, 15 Nov 1817, Markham &
Hannah Vanzant, born 1821.

. VERIFY IDENITY:
1866 Pickering Twp.,
Vanzant, Michael. Con 5, Lot 18, freeholder
Ref: Mitchell Gazette & Directory. - - -

Birth:
Verify exact location.

Died:
Aged 81y 5 months = b 9 Sep 1778.

Buried:
Weeping willow recumbent tombstone, lies in a row, Mongolia, Ontario.