Notes:

Birth:
684 57th Street.

Notes:

Arthur C Symmes's parents were Sarah Grimes nad John Symmes, both born in Canada.

Birth:
Wellington Ward, Ottawa. Parents born Quebec Province.

Buried:
Chicago.

Arthur married Mabel Emma IRWIN in c 1903. Mabel (daughter of George Washington IRWIN and Emma MARIA WILLSON) was born on 30 Jul 1878 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; died on 29 Nov 1947 in Ocean Falls, British Columbia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mabel Emma Irwin married Arthur Symmes.

Notes:

Geo. W. is the son of Philadelphia Pearson & Thos. Hughes Irwin of Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pennsylvania, & died 2.2.1881 Tecumseh, Simcoe Co., Ontario.

George lived on the farm belonging to her wife's family. - - -

Birth:
Ref: 1891 Census.

Died:
13 Montrose Ave. Aged 24d 10 85d., Widower. Alt DOD: 3 Aug 1927.

Buried:
Toronto. Plot R14.

George married Emma MARIA WILLSON on 4 Oct 1871 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario. Emma (daughter of Lieut. Col. John WILLSON, .4th and Margaret LAWRENCE, .v) was born on 16 Sep 1848 in York Twp., York Co., Ontario; died on 7 Jul 1925 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emma is the daughter of Margaret Lawrence & John Willson.

. OBITUARY:
Irwin, On Tues., July 7th at her late residence, Garfield Apts., 1102 Dundas St. W., Toronto

- Emma W. in in 76th year, beloved wife of George W. Irwin & daughter of the late John Willson 4th.
Service Thursday at 3 p.m. at A W Miles's Funeral Home, 396 College St., Interment, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Ref: The Globe, Toronto, 8 July 1925. - - -

Birth:
Alt Name Emma Myria.

Died:
Res. 13 Montrose Ave.

Buried:
Died of Nephristis, & heart disease. Toronto.

Notes:

John Willson the Fourth is the son of Mary Woolcott & John Willson the Third.

. [Sometime after Autumn 1819:] Bishop John Strachan. On the intervening Sundays, in the morning, this country church was served by Students of Divinity from town; they reading the service & a printed sermon. The attendance even on these lay ministrations was very good; & that the people appreciated them is evident from the fact of their sending in a horse on Sunday mornings, for the conveyance thither & back of the Student who was to officiate. He was also usually invited to dinner after service by some one or other of the farmers near byg & amongst these was a person of considerable reading, & somewhat democratic ideas, who bore in the neighbourhood the designation of "gentleman Wilson."
Ref: Memoir of the Right Reverend John Strachan ... first Bishop of Toronto"

. 1825 July 20 - Anthony Hollingshead, yeoman, to Ann Robinson, daughter of John Robinson from Ireland, both of York.
Wit: John Wilson Jr., Sarah Snider.
Ref: Marriage Register of Rev. James Harris, Presbyterian Church, Vol 7.

. 1828 Saw Mill on Leslie-Oriole swept away by flood.

. Cummer Settlement Methodist Episcopal Chapel (Now Willowdale United Church) was built 1834 on 1/2 acre of John Cummer. In 1840 a difference of opinion regarding control of missionary money at C.S.M.E.C. sparked Abram Johnson.2 & John Willson IV to start the Parsonage Chapel, on the Wesleyan Methodist Circuit at Yonge & Finch on the north-west corner.

. 1834 Nov 27 - John Willson for shooting Mr. Boulton's dog, £3. [Which John?]
Ref: Toronto Correspondent & Advocate, Thrus. Nov. 27, 1834.

. The vote was held at William Cummer's house on Yonge Street. The inhabitants then adjourned to the local tavern belonging to John Marsh, also on Yonge. David Gibson was there also. The other candidates were: John Cummer, Elisha Pease, Jos. Mcullian.

. 1833 Sept -Thomas Sheppard held a pigeon shooting match at the inn. About three hundred passenger or wild pigeons were provided for the occasion and three prizes were given: £10 for the best shot, £5 for the second best and a rifle for third place.

. 1836 January 4, Monday, County of York. John Willson, 4th was elected for the Twp. of York. The vote was held at William Cummer's house on Yonge Street. The inhabitants then adjourned to the local tavern belonging to John Marsh, also on Yonge. David Gibson was there also. The other candidates were: John Cummer, Elisha Pease, Jos. Mcullian.

. 1837 Toronto District Directory:
Lawrence, Peter, Con 1, Lot 6, Yonge St. road, York Twp.
Johnston, Richard, Con 1, Lot 5 Yonge St., York Twp.,
Montgomery, J., Con 1, Lot 1 Yonge St. east side, York Twp.,*
Willson, John. 4th, Con 1, Lot 3, east side Yonge St. road, York Twp.
Note1: Cousins Lawrence, Johnston & Willson.
Note2*: Montgomery's Tavern historical building, Yonge & York Mills Rd., incidentally, the west side of Yonge street is called Wilson Avenue.
Ref: 1851 Mar 16, Upper Canada Land Petition, for his cousin, Charles Earl Lawrence seeking land in Reach Twp. The petition is handwriting of John Willson the Fourth. &
Note: As Clerk for York Twp., there are a great many official documents record, Signed, by John Willson, The Fourth.

General Quarter Session of Peace, Home District:
. 1843, Oct 3, Tues. John Powel, Esq., Chairman. Grand Jurors, John Willson: Tavern Licenses
. 1843 Dec 20-22, Wed. -Fri. Thos. Fisher, Peter Lawrence, John Cummer. A Silverthorne, John Willson, 4th.: 42 Certificates for Tavern Licenses issued. Tavernkeepers on Yonge St, Dundas St. & Kingston Rd, be charged £10.
. 1843 Dec 22, Fri., John Willson, 4th: 29 Tavern Licenses issued.
. 1844 Jan 3, Wed. Grand Jury, John Wilson, Geo T Dennison,J Gould, J Udel, Ewd Wright Vs Alexander York, Larceny; Robt Hamilton & James Kerr, Assault indictment against Andrew Ward.
. 1844 Jn 5, Fri., Peter Lawrence, John Willson, 4th. 19 Tavern Licenses.
. 1843 Oct 3, Tues., Grand Jurors, John Willson. Petition of John Davidson & Inhabitants of Whitchurch Twp., road boundaries, tavern licenses.
. 1843 Dec 20, Wed. John Willson, 4th, Tavern Licenses.
. 1844 Jan 5, Fri. John Willson, 4th, 19 Tavern Licenses issued.
. 1844 Apr 4, Fri., Queen Vs. Jacob Thomas, Two changes Larceny. Transferred to the Assizes. Recognizances of Witnesses: John Wilson, Norman Millikan & Alex. Middleton, extended accordingly.
. 1844 Dec 28, Sat. Present. Sam G Lynn, Esq, Chairman Pro Tem., & John Wilson, 4th, Esquire. Tavern licenses.
.1845 Dec 20, Sat., Sam G Lynn, Esq., chairman. Present. Jon hWilson 4th, PETER LAWRENCE, & 17 additional Esquires.146 Tavern Licenses ordered.
. 1846 Nov 19, Thrus., Robt E Burns, chairman. Swore John Wilson to go before Grand Jury & complain against Jacob Dafoe for Assault. Grand Jury made a Presentment on the state of the Gaol, which was read.
. 1846 Nov 28, Ordered Requisition of the Gaoler, approved by the Sheriff for use of Home District Gaol, Viz: 36 Cotton shirts, 1 dozen Flannel shirts, 1 Axe, 1 Saw, clothes Lines, Letter from Dr Widmer on subject of diet & conditions of prisoners in the Gaol, recommending in addition there ordinary food, a half pint of milk per diem for each prisoner, furnishing each bed with a pair of sheets, also the raising of the present draw beds from the floor upon iron bedsteads. Ordered enquire into expense of iron bedsteads for the Gaol, & purchasing the rest. Committee shall report upon having Home District Court House lighted with gas.
Ordered Innkeeper post Copy of Act to prevent profanation of Lord's Day, in UC, 300 copies be printed on stiff pasteboard.
. 1846 Nov 28: ordered 15 Bedsteads & Gas lighting for Goal.
. 1847 Apr 6, Tues. Rob E Burns Esq., Chairman, Peter Lawrence, Esq., Queen VS Wm Reed, Larceny & Isaac Tremble & John LaRuch, Larceny. Grand Jury: Wm. Reed [? ! ], John Willson, Thos. Montgomery.
. 1848 Apr 12 Wed. Alex Burnside Esq. Chairman, John Willson 4th, Eq. Tavern certificates ordered. Salary of High constable £75 per annum.
. 1848 Dec 20 Wed. 39 Esquires present, inc. Peter Lawrence, John Willson 4th. Tavern Licenses Laws of this Province should be amended for various locations, not to be granted for less than £5.
. 1849 Jan 5, Fri. Present 54 Esquires, inc. Peter Lawrence, Geo T Denison,Geo Silverthorne, John Willson 4th. Magistrates appointed.
. 1854 Jul 8, Sat. John Willson 4, Peter Lawrence, York & Peel constitute separate court sections.
. 1859 Dec 19, Mon. Present, John Willson, 4th, Esq. Reginia VS Maryann Roe, Larceny, Not Guilty.
. 1860 Jun 13. Jury: John Wilson. Regina VS Ann Hutton larceny, Arraigned prison Not guilty plea. 9 witnesses, Verdict Guilty: 2 years Provincial Penitentiary.
. 1861 Mar 19, Special General Sessions, JP Weeler, Esq, Chairman. 92 present, including, Abner Arnold, R L Dennison, R T Willson, R E Playter, W Marsh, Rev W Strachan, John Wilson, 4th. Carried York & Peel Co., should separate from city of Toronto for judicial purposes. Sent to Legislature.
. 1862 Sept 17 Wed., John Wilson, J.P. Greenwood VS Elizabeth Hastings. Guilty
. 1862 Sep 17 Wed., S B Harrison, Chairman, John Willson, JP Associate. Elizabeth Hastings, Respondent, 12 Jury sworn. 6 witness pro & con. Jury returned verdict confirming conviction with costs: Distributed: Clerk Peace, $7.55, Attorney, $10, Counsel for Eliza Hastings $9. Total $40.55 - - -

. 1851 Mar 16, Upper Canada Land Petition, for his cousin, Charles Earl Lawrence seeking land in Reach Twp. The petition is handwriting of John Willson the Fourth.
. 1856 Civic Salary List as report to the Council John Wilson, Clerk's assistant £250.
Ref: Municipality of Toronto.

. 1857 York Twp., 64,004 Acres, Ass. Value $674, 372 York County, J. Willson (4) for Municipal purposes, Willowdale: Willson, John, Magistrate for Town & County of York.
Ref: Canadian Almanac & Repository of Useful.

. 1859 York Twp., Two story brick house built.
. 1864 Jan 25 York Township Council, held on the 18th instant, review of bills. The council then adjourned to meet at Miller's Hotel, Eglinton, on Monday, 29th Feb. at 11 o'clock, a.m. John Willson, 4th, clerk.
Ref: The Globe & Mail.

. A.L. Wilson, MA., real estate agent, 37 Arthur is the son of Lieut. Colonel Willson, grandson of a U.E. Loyalist, who settled in York Co, at the period of Governor Simcoe's Administration. On coming form the United Sates his great-grandfather first settled in New Brunswick; thence he went to Niagara, removing afterwards to his location on Yonge Street, in York Township. Mr. Willson was the fourth son of Capt. Willson, & succeeded his father in the offices to Township clerk & Treasurer for said municipality, which offices they held continuously for half a century. The Willson family are related by marriage to several of the pioneer families of Toronto.

. 1866 Toronto Peel Directory: Wilson, John 4th, Con 1, Lot 3, York Twp., East of Yonge St.

. 1866 Aug 13 WILL of John Willson, York Twp., Folio 13, #167
John Willson.4 died 18 Jul 1866. His remains were transferred from Newtonbrook to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto on 3 May 1884. He was 62 years of age at death & the cause of death was heart disease.

. John Willson was re-elected again at Anderson's Tavern & continued until his death in July 1866. His son Arthur Lawrence Willson was then elected in his place.

. John Willson the Fourth is the son of Mary Woolcott & John Willson the Third.

. Circuit Intelligence, Yonge St. South, The Late John Wilson, Esq.
By a resolution of the official board I am directed to send you the following for insertion in the Christian Guardian, as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Wilson, Moved by Mr. J P Bell & seconded by Wm. Snider.
For as much as it hath please Almighty God suddenly to remove by death one or our number, whereby this Official Quarterly Board has lost one of the most active & efficient members, the Church a willing liberal supporter & a family, a kind & provident husband & father, therefore,
Resolved that with unfeigned sorrow we have heart of the death of John Wilson, Esq., our Recording Steward, who for the last 23 years has discharged duties of that office with credit to himself & advantage to the circuit generally, & hope constantly to cherish with feelings of respect the memory of so kind & consistent a Brother & imitate the Christian & pious example, also
Resolved that the widow & family of the late Mr. Wilson have our kindest sympathy under the sudden bereavement they have recently been called on to experience; & we hereby assure them of our settled conviction: that although their head has fallen suddenly, he has fallen safely.
Ref: J P Bell, R.S. August 13, 1866.

Note3: Verification which John Willson who attended St. Johns Anglican Church at York Mills & Yonge Street. Willson Junior.2 died in 1818. The senior J Willson UE also attended, as did John.3, Willson.4 would appear to be too young in c. 1819 to be a 'well read & gentleman? - PJ Ahlberg.

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. 2016. - - -

Lot 3, Con 1, East Yonge Street, North York Twp., Book 1, p22-26
. 1803 Jun 25, Patent, Crown, to Richard Gamble, 190 A.
. 1835 May 8, B&S, Hon. Wm. Allan, to John Willson, £350, All 190A,
. 1835 May 28, John Willson, to John Willson [?], £250, South Half
. 1835 Sep 25, B&S, John Willson, to Jesse ketchup £100 PartS 10 A.
. 1836 Apr 5, B&S John Wilson et ux, to Jesse Ketchum £800, Half
. 1832 Jul 19, B&S, John Willson, to Jesse Ketchum, £625, Part 87H. Ac.
. 1872 Oct 22,Grant, John S Stibbard et ux, to Arthur L Willson, $3000, Part 4 Acres on Yonge St.
. 1878 Oct 22, Mort, Arthur L Willson, to Wm Jackson et all, $2000, Part Quarter 4 Acres on Yonge St.
. 1874 May 29, Grant, Arthur L Willson et ux, to Egerton Willson, $3000, Lot 3rd 56p
. 1874 Nov 26, Grant, Egerton Willson to Sarah A Willson, $5000, Part SW
. 1880 Oct 16, Mort, Sarah A Willson et mar?, to Rev X H Pinehon [?], $1000, part West quarter, s to x?
, 1885 Feb 25, Mort, Sarah A Willson et mar, Confederation Life Assn., $5000, Part Half expert,
. 1882 Mar 30 Discharge Mortgage, Rev Wm Hirst et al Exor., to Sarah A Wilson $1000, Part W quarter 4Ac.
. 1885 Feb 2 DM, Wm Jackson et al Exors, to Sarah A Willson, $2000, Part Quarter 4 A.
. 1886 Dec 24, P.D.M. Eliza J Kerrin, to Sarah A Willson, $1.00, Part Quarter
. 1889 mar 9. d.M. Jos. Watson, to Sarah A Wilson al, $1500, Part Quarter
. 1889 Mar 8 M Sarah A Wilson et mar., to Confederation Life, $2000 & to Jos Watson, $1000, Pr W quart ex part
. 1889 Apr 5, Sara A Willson et mar., to Arthur L Willson, $1. Part SW
. 1889 May 7, Morg. Arthur L Willson et eux, to Jos Waton, $800, Part
. 1889 Oct 15, Mtg. Art L Willson et us, to Jos Watson, $1400, Part S to W
. 1889 Dec 2x, Sarah A Willson et mar, to Jos Watson, $8000, part Quarter 4 ac.

Land Dispute, Summary:
. 1831 Apr. 16, York, 3 PM. Order In Council. John Willson VS. Seneca Ketchum, By consent for the plaintiff one shilling damages, subject to the condign [punshiment] that a nonsuit may be entered if a Survey be employed by the Survey General before the Trinity Term next. Signed, W. Willson Fourth & RB Sullivan for Defendant.
. 1832 March 2nd, York, Survey Generals Office, In obedience of Lieut. Governor's commands of the 25 ult. to report upon the Petition to the Boundary Lines of Lot 8, 1st Concession Westside of Yonge Street, York Twp. in the dispute between John Willson, Plaintiff & Seneca Ketchum, defendant. On the 15 April last a joint letter from Simon Washburn for J. Willson & R B Sullivan, Esqrs., for Defendant, enclosing an Order of Court, signed by the Honorable Chief Justice to carry the Order into effect. On the 21 May last W. Gossman, surveyor as subpoenaed but it was not determined if or what he reported. Patience is recommended until the case of the contending parties is agin before the Court & a Survey forward.
Upper Canada Sundries C6872, p. 1289, Archives of Canada. [No further follow-up found - PJA]

Ontario Land Registry Office
Lot 3, Con 4 East Yonge Street, Vaughan Twp.: Abstract Book 401:
Not apparent if John Willson the 3rd of 4th. - PJA]
. Patent 1803 June 25 to Richard Gamble, 190 Acres
. Bargain & Sale, 1835 May 24 Grantor Hon. Wm. Allan to John Willson, £350 All acres.
. B & S, John Willson to John Willson, £259 South half
. B & S, John Willson to Jesse Ketchum, £100, Part Half, 10 Acres
. B & S, John Willson & Margaret his wife, to Jesse Ketchum, £800, S half 95 Acres.
. B& S 1839 Jul 19, John Wilson to Jesse Ketchum, £625 Part N Half, 8.5 Acres.

. Lot 12, Con 1, Westside Yonge, Abstract North York Book 101, p3-4
. 1808 Apr 6, Patent, Crown, to William Marsh, All 210 Ac.
. 1850 Feb 7, B&S, JohnWilson, to duncan McDonald tal & Creditors, £100. for Lots 3 & 4 on Plan
. 1883 Jan 8, Disc. Mortgage, James Willson, to Thos. Mulholland, $25,000, Part 111 ac.

. Lot 21 Con 2 WEST, North York, Abstract North York Book 127, P3
. 1798 Dec 31, Patent, Crown, to Wm. Jarvis, All 200 Acres
. 1855 Oct 27, Disc Mort, Henry Sider, to John Willson 4th, £200.
. 1855 Dec 27, Mortgage, John Willson 4th, to John Cummer, $1,000. Quarter
. 1853 Dec L, Joh Willson 4th, to John Cummer, WHalf
. 1857 Nov 17, B&S John Willson 4th, to Jos Snider, £5000, All 20 A.
. 1858 Mar 15, M, JohnWillson 4th, £1600, E 150 Ac.

Lot 21, Con 1 WEST Yonge Street, North York Abstract Book 109, p3
. 1793 Sep 20, Crown, John Conn., All 210 A.
. 1855 Nov 25, John Cummer ex ux, to Peter Lawrence Jr, £1700, Pt 70 acres.
. 1855 Dec 23, B&S, John Cummer et eux, to John Willson*, £1000, Part W Half 29 acres;
. 1861 Dec 17, Grant, Peter Lawrence etux, to John Cummer, $2400, Part 30A.
. 1864 Dec 31, WILL, John Wilson, to Rev. Chas Fish, $xx, Par 18 Acres.
. 1867 Feb 16, Mortgage, Peter Lawrence etux, to Amelia Harding, $500, Part E40A.
VERIFY, if John Willson the Third or the Fourth, however, John Cummer is John Willson.3 's in-law.

Birth:
on Yonge, north of Sheppard Ave.

Died:
Heart Disease.

Buried:
(Small church on Yonge Street.)

John married Margaret LAWRENCE, .v on 25 Feb 1830 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario. Margaret (daughter of Major Peter Rezeau LAWRENCE, SUE and Elizabeth BETSY CUMMER, DUE) was born on 30 May 1813 in Newtonbrook, Willowdale (Toronto), Ontario; died on 28 May 1899 in Willowdale (Toronto), York Twp., Ontario; was buried on 30 May 1899 in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Margaret Lawrence sister Mary Ann Lawrence married her father-in-law, John Willson III. (2nd wife) thus her husband John IV was both son-in-law & afterwards, father-in-law. Photo of Mrs. Marg. Lawrence Willson may be found in the Cummer Memorandum.

. Margaret Lawrence's sister Mary Ann Lawrence married her father-in-law, John Willson III. (2nd wife) thus her husband John.IV was both son-in-law & afterwards, father-in-law.
X-Ref: Please see separate Richard Lawrence family tree.

. Margaret Lawrence Willson received £25 bequest from her Uncle William Lawrence, 1852.

. Obituary
Sudden death at Willowdale: Mrs. John Wilson who had lived in York County since 1813, passes away.
At the residence of Mr. George W Irwin, Willowdale, on Friday evening. Mrs. Margaret Wilson, widow of the late John Willson.IV, died very suddenly, after a brief illness. Deceased had enjoyed good heal for a no. of year past & the suddenness of the final call was a shock to her hosts of friends. Her husband was on of the best known citizens of York Co. during the fifties, but he passed away many years ago & was therefore comparatively unknown to the present generation. Mrs. Wilson has far passed the four score mark in years, had her 86 birthday was to have been celebrated tomorrow. Her relatives had already begun to assemble from various parts of the country to attend the festivities in connection with the event. [b. 1813]
Mrs. Wilson was born in County York & her life was spend there. For over 50 years she had resided on the family farm at Willowdale, which is now owned & managed by her son-in-law, Geo. W. Irwin. She was the mother of the late Arthur Wilson, for many years Reeve & afterwards Clerk of York Twp. The following children are left to mourn her loss:
John Wilson, Chicago, Egerton Wilson - Cadillac, Mich. Mr. Joseph Snider - Aurora, Mrs. Jas Hannan - Stratford & Mrs. Ge. W Irwin - Willowdale.
Ref: The Globe, Toronto Monday 29 May 1899.

. Willson family plot purchased by Margaret Willson, c/o G W Irwin, 13 Montrose Avenue, on 26 April, 1884. [Fifteen years before her own death].
The dark grey stone is located at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Plot R, Lots 13 & 14 is located close to the Yonge Street office.
Note: Although the cemetery at Newtonbrook would later be closed to permit the widening of Yonge Street, perhaps Margaret had had her husband John Willson's remains transferred to Mt. Pleasant to accommodate the larger family plot. Sadly to note also, the elderly Margaret died 48 days after her son, Arthur Lawrence Willson & also just a day before her 86th birthday. - PJA.

. She was 86 years of age at death & the cause of death was old age.

. OBITUARY2: 1899 January 1 - York Pioneer Dead -
One of the oldest & best known residents of York Co. passed away very suddenly Friday in the person of Mrs. Marg. Wilson who died at the residence of her son-in-law Mr G.W Irwin of Willowdale.
Mrs Wilson death was totally unexpected. She woke up during the night & complained that her breathing was very labored, coughed a little & died in five minutes.
A pathetic incident in connection with her demise is that preparations were under way for her 86th birthday on Tuesday next & her sons & daughters were coming with their families. Mrs Wilson was born in York County 86 years ago & passed all her life here. Her husband who died 26 years ago was one of the largest land owners & most prominent men in York Co.
One of her sons, the late Arthur Wilson, was Reeve of York for a number of years & afterwards township clerk. He took a great interest in municipal matters & wrote several books, his last work being a collection of the municipal laws passed by the Ontario Government.
Other members of the family are John Wilson of Chicago,
Edgerton, Wilson of Cadillac, IL,
Mrs James Snider of Aurora,
Mrs Jas Hannon of Stratford,
Mrs G. W. Irwin of Willowdale who lives on the homestead which her mother Mrs Wilson has occupied for the last 60 years.
Ref: The Canadian Statesman, published Jan. 1, 1899.
Research & transcription by P J Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
(& yes, also called Eglinton, ON.)

Died:
Aged 86y. Died of old age.

Buried:
Monument R Fancy 14.