Notes:

. 1918 Sep 12, Draft, John H McCutcheon.

. Saugatuck is native for mouth of the river where the first postal village of Saugatuck was located. It was later known as Kalamazoo because it was located at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.  - - -

Notes:

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

. 1870 Jun 25 Census Saugatack, Michigan
John McCutcheon, age /30 1840, B. Canada, Nurseryman,
Hadapah, [Archaic hand writing for Hadassah.] Aged 28/ 1842 B. Canada,
John McCutcheon, Aged 1 / 1869, b. Michigan.

[& at the adjoining farm is her brother:]
. Alexander Hamilton, Age 33 y/ 1837 B Canada, Nursery man; Sophia 1846 Ohio & Blanche Hamilton, Age 1, b. 1869, Michigan.

. Early in March 1874 steps were taken to form an agricultural society. A meeting of citizens from different parts of the county for this purpose, was held March 5, at the office of B F Greaves, in Big Rapids. B F Graves drafted articles of association, which were signed, by, ... John McCutcheon.
Ref: Mecosta County, Michigan, Portraits & Biographical Album, 1883.

. 1884 Western Michigan Directory,
John McCutcheon, Farmer, Big Rapids.

. 1906 Wellington County Atlas
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, Llot 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, Manitoba; Stewart, Mrs. Richard Hamilton & Mrs. Allan Smith, Erin Village & Mrs. Robert Little (d.).

Record for further research:
1. Geo. G. McCutcheon, b 1856 - 16 Jan 1939
2. Mary Elizabeth 'Mollie' McCutcheon, b 1868 - 16 May 1912
- both buried in Highland View Cemetery, Big Rapids. - - -

Died:

John married Hadassah HAMILTON est 1862 in Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario. Hadassah (daughter of James HAMILTON, Sr. and Rebecca LAWRENCE, DUE) was born on 6 May 1841 in Chinguacousy Twp., Peel Co., Ontario; died on 28 Mar 1911 in Big Rapids, Mecosta Co., Michigan; was buried in Highland View Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

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

. Hamilton family photo taken at Erin, Ontario, c 1895.

. District County of Gore; Area Flamboro East Twp., BAPTISM
Haddessa Hamilton, Father James, Mother Rebecca,
Residence East Flamboro, Birthplace Chinguacousy, Birthdate: 6 May, 1841,
Baptized 7 Oct. 1860, Place E. Flamboro. Minister Rev. James Gray. Registration # 1183.
Ref: Ontario Methodist Baptismal Register Vol 2 Pg#95.

. 1870 Saugatuck, Allegan - Michigan: Alexander 33 y, born 1837 in Canada, Nursery man; Sophia 1846 Ohio & Blanche Hamilton, b. Michigan.
4. 1877 Peel Co. Atlas
Ada Hamilton, Con 4E, Lot 2, Lot 50, Non Resident [i.e. Hadassah Hamilton Two lots away from Richard & John Hamilton.
Note1: The 1877 Atlas may refer to previous land ownership. - PJA

. 1877 Peel Co. Atlas
Ada Hamilton, Con 4E, Lot 2, Lot 50, Non Resident [i.e. Hadassah Hamilton 2 lots away from Richard & John Hamilton.
Note1: The 1877 Atlas may refer to previous land ownership. - PJA

. 1880 Jun Census, Big Rapids, Michigan
McCutcheon, John, Age 38 b. 1842, born Canada, Farmer
Hadafsah, [old fashion handwriting, f is used for double s, Hadassah,] age 36 b. 1844, wife, born Canada
John H, age 12b. 1868, son, born Michigan
Mabel, age 8, b. 1872, daughter, born Michigan
Rob McCutcheon, age 6, b. 1874, born Michigan
Lizzie Hamilton, age 24, b. 1856, sister-in-law, born Canada, school teacher.

. 1883 Oct 5 - Peach Belt Pick-Ups. Mrs. John McCutcheon, who has been visiting her brother Mr. A. Hamilton, returned to her home in Big Rapids last Thursday.
Note2: Brother Richard Hamilton of Erin, Ontario was married to Jane Matilda McCutheon also resided in Erin. McCutheon family as in the Census 25 Jun, 1870 John McCutcheon is located beside Alex Hamilton's farm in Saughtack, Michigan.

. Her Great-nephew Charles H. Felker, remembered his mother taking about 'Aunt Adassah'. Brother Richard L Hamilton retired to Erin, Ontario. See Hamilton Family photo c.1905, taken in nearby Acton, Ontario where Richard had worked many years before.

. Photo taken with her siblings in Erin, Ontario where brother Richard Hamilton lived. Estimated 1895 or so.

. 1900 June 4 Census, Big Rapids, Meekest Twp., Michigan
McCutcheon, H, born May 1842 in Canada, widowed, farmer, Landed 1868, married 38 years, All 3 children living, Owns own farm, mortgaged.
John H, b Nov 1869, farmer, Michigan
Mabel, b Aug 1873, Michigan, School Teacher
Robert McCutcheon, b Feb 1870, Farm labourer.

Note3: Big Rapids, Michigan is located in north central Michigan & should not be confused with Grand Rapids, further south & closer to Lake Michigan. - PJA.

. 1903 Apr 11 - Attended wedding of niece Alice G Hamilton, in Grand Rapids.

Michigan Death Certificate #4
Mrs. Hadassah McCutcheon, Born May 6 1842, Canada, Aged 69y 10m 22d., Died 1914 Mar 28 of Cardia Ascites.
Father Richard Hamilton, Mother unknown.
Death reported by (appears to be) H J McCutcheon.
Note3: While the name of Hadassah's father is partly confused, it is an interesting reply: her father was James Hamilton & her mother Rebecca's father was Richard Lawrence. Hadassah's brother was Richard Hamilton. - PJ Ahlberg, 2018. - - -

Birth:
Alt DOB: May 1842. Ref: Census 1900 Big Rapids. Alt Spelling: Hadapah = Hadassah in modern handscript.

Died:
COD: Cardiac Ascites Aged 69y 10m 22d.

Buried:
Big Rapids, MI. Plot Section A, Lot 74, Grave 3 Mother.

Notes:

Married:

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.

. Census 1861, 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.

. 1906 Wellington County Atlas
McCUTCHEON, Hugh (d.), b. Co. Down, Ire., in 1793, d. in 1859, age 66. His father was John McCutcheon,
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.

. McCutcheon, Hugh (d.), b. Co. Down, Ireland, 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.) 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.
Ref: Historical Atlas of the Count of Wellington, Ontario 1906.

1861 Feb 19 - Surrogate Court Registor Books, Volume D - Erin Twp, Wellington Co.. 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. - - -

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

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

Hugh married Mary STEWART in 1828 in County Down, Ireland. Mary was born in 1797 in Sloanstown, Donaghadee, Co., Down, Ireland; died on 30 Aug 1893 in Erin Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. [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.

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.

. 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.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:

Notes:

PART ONE:

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 also called Drumragh Graveyard.)
. Strabane is situated in the civil parish of Donacavey. The relevant Church of Ireland, Anglican, records are divided between the following parishes: Bar, Clanabogan & Findonagh, or The relevant Presbyterian records are in Fintona.

. 1828 Jul 4, LANDED: James Hamilton, Steerage Passenger Ticket 46, 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, however, 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'.
Previous owner C4 L4: The early tax assessment rolls (beginning in 1827) & the 1851 & 1861 census enumerations for Chinguacousy list several residents with "square lumber" & "plank" dwellings. This is evidence that plank construction was feasible during this early period. The James Forrest mill on Lot 4, Concession 4, WHS, is listed in the 1827 tax roll. It is not known if the Forrest mill or a more distant mill was in operation by 1822. If built by 1822 using sawn planks, the subject dwelling would be among the earliest examples of plank construction in the township.
Ref: Heritage Background Report - Plank Dwelling (LeFlarpland House), City of Brampton, 2012.9.77. for Lot 9, Con 4, Chinguacousy.

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 two Hamilton biography's about his father accompanying him to Canada. It is a little too much of a co-incidence that our James Hamilton would live on the same Lot 5, Con 4 as another James Hamilton. Further research is required. - P J Ahlberg.

. 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; 21 cwts. 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.
Note5: - No Fulled cloth or linen or Flannel. i.e. James Hamilton 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.

. 1877 Peel Co. Atlas
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.
Note6: By 1855 Transferred by his WILL: Richard Hamilton, Con 4 Lot 4, freeholder, Chinguacousy Twp. Halton. &
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. [i.e. Caledon]
Note7: 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.

PART TWO

. 1912 BIOGRAPHY

BIOGRAPHY1: James Hamilton, the father of Alexander Hamilton, was born in County Tyrone, near Strabane, Ireland & came to Canada in 1828. Shortly after emigrating he was married to Rebecca Lawrence. In Ireland he had been engaged in linen weaving, but immediately on coming to Canada took up farming & later went into the real estate business. He was successful in both these ventures & might have become a wealthy man if he had not placed too much confidence in his friends & wreaked his own fortune by going security for others. At his death there was nothing left for his wife & family of seven children, all of whom were under age.

For further research: In 1861 wife Rebecca Lawrence Hamilton was the toll keeper on the Snake Road, at Burlington. The toll house belong to the Hamilton & Milton Road Company. Did James have business dealings with the Hamilton & Milton Rd. Co.? - PJA.

. Summary: Hamilton & Flamborough Road Co. vs. Binkley for the recover of $10 toll paid by him. The plaintiffs' toll-gate being the only one on their Townline or Brock Road, 6 miles in length.
Hamilton & Brock Road Co. was incorporated 1853 Dec 5 to construct a plank, macadamized graveled road from the Upper Burlington Bridge at Freeman's Tavern on Brock Rd., between the Twps. of East & West Flamborough.' Later on 1867 Dec 9 they amalgamated with Hamilton, Waterdown & Carlise Rd. to be called the Hamilton Milton Road Co.
Ref: Ontario Reports, Vol. 9, Ontario High Court of Justice, 1885. . - .

PART THREE: 1892 BIOGRAPHY2:

ALEXANDER HAMILTON. This gentleman is one of the influential & respected residents of Ganges Twp., Allegan County, (Michigan) residing on section 20. He is extensively engage in fruit-growing & the nursery business. He was born October 3, 1836, in Halton County, Canada, to James & Rebecca Hamilton.

James Hamilton was born in the North of Ireland & was there reared to farm pursuits, his education being limited to the common schools. In early life, he learned the linen weaver's trade, but never followed his trade after coming to America, which was about 1828. He locate in Halton, Canada, where he was married to Rebecca Lawrence, a daughter of Capt. Richard Lawrence. Her father died when she was very young & she was reared by an older sister. Nine children were given to this couple, two of whom died when young.

Those living are Richard, of Canada,
Note8: He resided Acton - died Erin, Ontario;

Alexander, our subject;
Mary J., wife of Samuel Wanner;
Hadassah, widow of John McCutcheon;
Note9: John McCutcheon, born Ontario - died 28 Mar 1911.
The Rev. James, of Coldwater, Michigan, William J., of Canada & R. Lizzie.

Although James Hamilton lived on a farm in Canada, yet his general business was dealing in real estate. Both in Ireland & in Canada, he was a member of the Orangeman's Society. He died in 1858, his wife living until 1890. The parents of James Hamilton were James & Mary Hamilton, natives of the North of Ireland, but of Scotch descent.

Our subject began working out at the age of 17, at the death of his father.
Note10: If Alexander were born in 1836 + 17 years, means James Hamilton died 1853 (or more possibly in 1854, owing to the conflict of Alexander's date of birth.)

He was the oldest son at home & help to educate his younger brothers & sisters. He completed his own education after the age of 21 years (c.1857-8).
[More of this biography continues under this brother, Alexander Hamilton, 1892 Biography.]
Ref: Portrait & Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan & Van Buren Counties, Michigan. Printed 1892, Chicago, p. 728.

Linen Weaving in Ireland
The preparation of an acre of flax for the spinning wheel required 8 days' work, at different intervals, utilizing 4 men & 8 women & two horses. The profit resulting from an acre of flax land, sowing the crop & converting it at harvest into 11 webs of linen was about 6 pounds. It was the most expensive of all crops, particularly in wet seasons.
The making of linen in Ulster was a domestic industry, carried on in the country home & was organized within the family hierarchy. The father wove, did the marketing & any business associated with it & trained his sons when they were of an appropriate age. The men also did some supplementary farming or fishing, depending on the locality & circumstances. The mother looked after the house, spun the flax, taught the younger children to prepare it for her & in due course trained her daughters in her skills.
During the first half of the 19th century the greatest social problem in Ireland was the problem of poverty, as illustrated in Table 1. Large areas of land were under the control of landowners living in England. The average wage for farm laborers in Ireland was eight pence (8d) a day. This was only a fifth of what could be obtained in the United States & those without land began to seriously consider emigrating to the New World. 
Despite a persistent lobby of support, a major scheme for state-aided emigration was not attempted. A very modest experiment in 1823-5 (about 2,000 were sent to Canada at a cost to the government of over £20 a head) caused misgivings about the prohibitive costs of such schemes & in any case the increasing flow of voluntary emigration suggested that State intervention was not needed. Distressed weavers, particularly from Scotland & the north of England, were also assisted to settle in Canada. The average ocean voyage that season was about 45 days; some vessels took more than 60 days in crossing.
Ref: Ordinance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co. Londonderry; & Ireland Before the Famine, G. O Tuathaigh. - - -

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

Died:
Note: Two biographies give different death dates.

James married Rebecca LAWRENCE, DUE in c 1831-33 in Halton County, Ontario. Rebecca (daughter of Lieut. Richard LAWRENCE, , UE and Mary WILLSON, DUE) was born on 4 May 1815 in Town of York (Toronto), 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 with:

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.

UCLBooks, 1833 Feb 7, Thursday, York Council Chamber, Present Peter Robinson, Geo. H. Parkland, Jos. Wells.
Rebecca Hamilton, Petition 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. Note1: Rebecca was age 17y 9m 3d.

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

Quarterly Session of Peace, Home District:
. 1833 Feb 28, Thurs. Present D'Arcy Boulton Jun, Esq. Chairman, Grant Powell, Esq. JP, Clerk of Peace having reported to Court that the Grand Jury summoned them for 1 O'clock this day. Report of David Gibson, Surveyor of Hwys. granted. Rebecca Hamilton appeared in open-Court & was recognized to be the Daughter of the late Richard Lawrence, deceased, an United Empire Loyalist, whereupon a certificate was signed.

. 1834 Dec 19, UC Sundries, Petition of Rebecca & James Hamilton of the Twp. Nassagaweya,
Petitioner Rebecca Hamilton, the daughter of a UE Loyalist received a grant of Lot 7, Con 18, Garafraxa Twp.
Petitioners are residing & cultivating a lot of land in Nassagaweya Twp. , upon which he has nearly 40 Acres of improvement. In consequence of possessing this farm, they are from the distance of the grant, unable to quit their present residence & become occupiers of the Garafraxa Lot. Yet your petitioners part to allow a deed to be issued, upon the grounds they are already settlers in the very District in which the grant is, the value of the same is of importance to them, for the provision their family. Should it be the pleasure of your Excellency to grant them title, the land will be improved by having the power to let it on lease, otherwise your petitioners cannot occupy in person the Lot & will be subject for forfeiture.
Signed for Jas. & Rebecca Hamilton, City of Toronto, 29 Dec 1834, Tos. Talbot.
Envelope: Referred to Comm of Lands to report therein. 31 Dec 1834.
. Cannot be granted under present regulations.1835 Apr 8, John Robison, Com. of Crown Lands Office, Toronto. Forward the report.
Ref: UC Sundries C6884, p1279.
Note2: Lot 18 SW Con 7 was granted 1824.9.21 Patent to Ann Headly & the NE half patent was granted 1824.922 to Jesse Meredith.

. Land Registration Office Dufferin County,
Lot 7, Con 18, East Garafraxa Twp. Abstract Book B20, p42.
. 1836 Mar 11, Patent, crown to Rebecca Hamilton Hamilton, Rebecca.
. 1836 Jun 16, Registered 1836 Jun 29, BN&S, James Hamilton & his wife Rebecca Hamilton, to James Pattulo, 200 Acres.
. 1879 Mar 28, Bargain&Sale James & Robert A. Pattullo, to Kenneth Pattullo, [to both each]. All the timber on 10 acres with right of way.

Note3: Purchaser: James 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.

. Biography: At James Hamilton's death there was nothing left for his wife & family of 7 children, all of whom were under age. It was in this crisis that Alexander Hamilton's sterling character made itself evident. Though but 18 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.
Husband James Hamilton died about 1856 to 1858. 'He might have become a wealthy man if he had not placed too much confidence in his friends & wreaked his own fortune by going security for others.' So this would have been a timely investment for him or the widow Rebecca Hamilton. Perhaps the tollgate didn't live up to expectations for development. In the meantime, son Rev. James Hamilton moved to Michigan & number of close relatives were also in Michigan too.
. 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. . -.

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

Note4: Husband James Hamilton died in 1855 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.

. 1861 March Census, East Flamborough, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Broken Part Lot 14, 2nd East Concession,
Rebecca Hamilton, age 46, Toll House, W. Methodist, Widow, One half story frame house. *Family member ABSCENT on Census day.
Alex Hamilton, Age 23, b 1838, Nursery Agent, born Upper Canada, W. Methodist.
Richard Hamilton, Age 26, b 1835, Carpenter, born Upper Canada, frame house. *Family member ABSCENT on Census day.
Mary Jane Hamilton, Age 22 b1839, Labourer
Hadassah Hamilton, Age 19, 1842 UC [No occupation listed], *Family member ABSCENT on Census day.
James Hamilton, Age 17 b1844, Nursery Agent, attending school. *Family member ABSCENT on Census day.
Wm. J Hamilton, Age 15 b1846, Labourer, attending school.
Rebecca Hamilton, Age 7, b1854, attending school.

. Description of Flamborough tollhouse: Neighbor murdered previous to Rebecca Hamilton taking up the house which was: The tollhouse is quite a small room & the ceiling is very low & usually a lock was applied to the door. Woodrack rails, likely cedar, surrounded the tollhouse; there was plenty of room in the shanty to stoke a blow with the stick; a 6 o'clock sounded in neighboroughood! Undoubtedly there would be quite a bit of gossip about the tollhouse where Rebecca & family lived.

. 1857 Jan 29th, Extracted from a previous coroner's murder inquest that took place:
The day previous at a shan't on the New Waterdown road, near Burlington Heights, where John Lawry killed another man supposed to have gone to the shanty for the purpose of robbing awry of his money. Lawry is about 60 years of age & Hopkins near as old.
John Smith, a teamster, was going out to the woods for cordwood & was passing the toll gate about 6:30, Wednesday morning when the toll keeper called after him & his comrade that John Hopkins came to the tollhouse about an hour before daylight that he had a letter for the toll keeper who then let him in Hopkins had a stick in his hand about 4 feet 6 inches long such as used woodrack rails & made a blow at him the tollkeeper, John Lawry. There was a fierce encounter till he succeeded in getting the stick & gave Hopkins blows to the head. Witness saw no blood on the floor. The toll keeper wanted to send word to the Watertown police.
John Gilmour resided on the hill about 100 yards from the tollhouse. Half an hour after sunrise Lawry came up the hill & called there was a dead man there near the door. He went to the house where he was told the same story. Lawry looked wild & he was glad to get out of the house, he did not appear to be drunk. The tollhouse is quite a small room & the ceiling is very low. The deceased's cap & handkerchief were lying at his feet. Gilmour asked how the deceased fall. He finally said the fell on his back, but the witness could see from the head wounds he would fall on his side. He had struck him 5 or 6 times after he was down, knocked out 2 teeth & he was determined to rub out the marks.
Lawry was a nice man, a very quiet neighbor, Never saw either of them worse of liquor. Witness has frequently seen the deceased this winter, but never saw the muffling on his feet before; had seen the shawl tied on his head, as if to keep off the cold. There was plenty of room in the shanty to stoke a blow with the stick, but not much blood on the floor inside, measuring about 3 or 4 inch broad. The previous day Hopkins was in witnesses house said he had broke his axe & said he to go to Hamilton to borrow one.
Ann fully deposed she slept at her son-in-law Hopkins' house on Tuesday night. He was going to Hamilton to borrow one. Thinks Hopkins could be about Gilmour's when the 6 o'clock bell rang. Hopkins had worn rans on his feet sine the thaw. Dr. Ryall deposed the deceased's body had contusions on head, face, 2 on thumb, & extensive 5 fractures into the brain.
John Flynn deposed the deceased told him David Smoke proved to lend him an axe & would leave the axe or word at the tollhouse.
[No further followup found, but he did not do jail time as by the 1861 Census he is the toll keeper outside of Waterdown on what is now called Waterdown Road. Back in those days Snake Rd. was called the Waterdown Rd. or the road to Waterdown]
Ref: Toronto Globe & Mail Newspaper.

Note5: One can imagine the widow Rebecca Hamilton taking up residence in this toll house where the neighbors would no doubt remind her & her family of the infamous history of this toll house. Lock you doors!

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 very fruit trees. - PJA
Ref. Polk Michigan State Gazetteer.

. 1887 Michigan Crop Report, 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 - planning forecast); Hails 31st May. This phenomena would have been much discussed in the neighbourhood. - PJA.]

. 1888 Jan 7, Benton Harbor. Mrs. John Teetzel died' Wednesday, aged 74 years.
. 1888 Jan 5, Mrs John Teetzel whose death was noted our least issue, left 7 children. Funeral will occur on Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Hamilton, of Peachville, Michigan, a sister of Mrs Teetzel, accompanied by her husband & son Alexander, arrived yesterday afternoon.
Note6: Rather than her late husband, it was her son Rev. James Hamilton, junior, along with Rebecca's other son Alexander Hamilton.) There are several 'Peachvilles' in Michigan. Allegan is the 'Peach Belt' growing area of Michigan. - PJA

. 1890 Michigan Death Registration:
Registration #1600, died 17 Feb 1890, widow, aged 74y 11 months, Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan.
[Born 17 Mar 1815, compared with her Monument date, equals born 4 May 1815. ] Cause of Death: Slow paralysis.
Born Canada, parents Mary & Richard Lawrence.
Note7: Rebecca Lawrence-Hamilton was living with daughter Mary Jane Wanner at the time of her death.

Transcripts & reach by PJ Ahlberg, U.E., Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Born Lot 25, Con 1 Yonge St., Toronto. Until 1818 her father was living in York/Toronto, ON.

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

Buried:
Ganges. 74y 9m 13d. 'Mother', Tall grey monument with wheat sheaves. "Hamilton"

Notes:

Married:

Notes:

James's son, James Hamilton, born c. 1801, was a flax weaver in Ireland. The family were also farming & surely must have grown flax also.

Recorded for further research:

. 1796 Irish Flax Growers
Flax Growers List of 1796, known officially as the Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List, or more commonly the Flax Growers Bounty List.
The Irish Linen Board published a list of nearly 60,000 individuals in 1796. Spinning wheels were awarded based on the number of acres planted. People who planted one acre were awarded 4 spinning wheels & those growing 5 acres were awarded a loom.

Hamilton, James, Aghaloo, Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Bodoney Upper Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Camus,Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Cappagh, Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Desertcreat, Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Donacavey, Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Donaghedy, Tyrone
Hamilton, James, Donacavey, Tyrone

Hamilton, Audrey, Drumragh Parish, 1 spinning wheel
Hamilton, John, Drumragh Parish, 4 spinning wheels
Hamilton, Martha, Drumagh Parish, 1 spinning wheel
A List of Persons to whom Premiums for sewing Flax-seed in the Year 1796 have been adjudged by the Trustees of the Linen Manufacture.

. "Pursuant to the Scheme offered by them for encouraging the Growth of Flax throughout the Kingdom, viz. 'To the Person who should sow between the 10th Day of March & the 1st Day of June 1796, with a sufficient Quantity of good sound Flax-seed, any Quantity of Land, well prepared & fit for the purpose, not less than 1 Acre -4 Spinning Wheels, - 3 Roods 3 Ditto, -2 Roods-2 Ditto, 1 Rood-1 Ditto. And to the Person who should sow in like Manner any Quantity of like Land, not less than 5 Acres, a Loom, or Wheels, Reels, or Hatchells to the Value of 50 Shillings & for every 5 Acres over & above the first 5 a like Premium.'
Every Person preferring Reels may have 2 of them in lieu of a Spinning Wheel.

. Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List, Flax Growers Bounty List - 1796:
In the 18th Century Ulster gained a worldwide reputation as a producer of fine linen, which is made from flax. From time to time, the Government introduced incentives to encourage more people to grow flax.

In 1796 the Irish Linen Board published a list of people who had received bounties for planting flax. This was known officially as the Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List, but was generally called the Flax Growers Bounty List. Only the name & civil parish of the beneficiary was recorded & there is no further detail available.

. Over 60,000 people in Ireland received incentives, of which over 40,000 were based in Ulster. Donegal & Tyrone had the highest number of recipients, reflecting the importance of flax in the local economy. People planting one acre of flax received 4 spinning wheels & those who planted 5 acres received a loom. Only the name, town & civil parish of the beneficiary was recorded & there is no further details available. The barony was listed instead of the parish in a few of the records. - - -

Birth:
Scotch descent.

Died:
Alt: 1778, Aged 93, b1778 Strabane. (Son James left for Canada 1824.)

James married Mrs. Mary HAMILTON, .1. Mrs. was born est 1779± in Northern Ireland; died est 1827± in Strabane, Tyrone Co., Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:


Died:
(Son James left for Canada 1824.)

Notes:

PART ONE:

Richard is name after his grandfather, Richard Lawrence, Esq., [The Third, 1719-1726.] & in family remberances going back to Richard the Lionhearted.

. 1771 July 5, List of letters, remaining in the Post Office, Richard Lawrence, Shrewsbury.
Ref: NY Gazette.
. Richard Lawrence, Upper Freehold. Ref: Roster of the People of Revolutionary Monmouth County.

. 1783 New Brunswick, Chrineyonce Vanmater & (Lieut.) Richard Lawrence, UE. petitioned together for land in Prince William Co., NB.
Note1: This land grant adjacent to his brother John Lawrence, was not taken up because it had previous legal encumbrances. - PJA 2101.

. Richard Lawrence carried a English Bible giving his & siblings' birth dates. He must have carried this Bible with him at the end of the American Revolution & then to NB & finally to Upper Canada. The Bible was then given to his youngest child, Rebecca. Grandson Walter Hamilton is the last known owner of the Lawrence Bible.

. 1776 Jul 15, Letters Remaining in the Post Office, New York: Richard Lawrence, Staten Island. Ref: New-York Gazette & Weekly Mercury.

. OLD UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST LISTS: Laurence, Richard, Home District, Loyalist from N. Brunswick. Ref: Appendix, Appendix B.

. 1776 MUSTER: Richard Lawrence:
. 1777 Feb - 24 Apr - Lawrence, Richard - Private, General Hospital (2 Richards) Muster roll of Capt. Wm. Gray's NYV. Lieut. 1st Co.
. 1777 Aug 24, - Private Richard Lawrence, 3rd Bat De Lancey's Brigrade, C1880,p1
. 1777 October 24 - Capt. Gilbert C Willett, 3rd Battalion of Oliver De Lacey, p. 28, at Long Island, #20, Richard Lawrence [Job" Tat? Host or Western? blurry]. {Ref C1880,p7)
. 1777 Dec 24, Priv. RL, 3Bat DeLancey's Brigrade, C12880,p16;
. 1778 Apr 24 - Rich. Lawrence, 3rd Bat. Oliver DeLacey. C1880, p22 & ?Compare Priv RL, NYV, C1874p5;
. 1778 Apr 24, Priv RL, #BDeLancey's Brigrade, C1880,p22, 38;
. 1778 Jun 24, Priv RL, 3BDeL, C12880,p28;
. 1778 Sep 4 - C1880, p38; 1778 Oct 24, c1880, p39;
. 1778 Dec 24, Priv RL, 3BDeL, - Discharged Dec 24th '78. C1880,p50.
. 1779 November 29, Capt. Thomas Hewlett's Co. NYV - Savannah, Quarter Masters Gen. Dept. & Hewlett's Coy. C1874p49;
. 1781 Apr, Priv RL, New York Volunteers, c1874,p60 & 1781.12.24 p82;
Ref: British Military & Naval Records, p49, RG8 Vol C, Printed, 1874. Elsewhere there is a UEL claim for supplies of horses & wagons for Trenton New Jersey.
Ref: British Military & Naval Records, C1880,p1, RG 8, C Series, & Copy Arch. Canada: Ward Chipman Muster.

British Headquarters Papers (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts):
Richard Lawrence (31688)
. 1782.5.27, Account for Outstading debs for forage, New York, commissary General Dept., Doc 4668, Film M355, page 4668, Item 31688;
. 1783.11.21, List of Original Wills, Wills in custody of Secretary of NY, page 9671 (14); Film M366, Item 31689.

. NB Land Petitions:
* Note2: 1787 After the American Revolution four Lawrences lived near each other in Saint Johns, New Brunswick: Mrs. Alice Lawrence Leonard (Thomas) Lot 1; Lieut. John Lawrence Lot 101; Lieut. Richard Lawrence was on Lot 169 on the other side of the Saint John River; along with sister Mrs. Margaret Lawrence Nicholson (Arthur) at Lot 52. An important Lawrence family friend, Rev. J Odell of NJ, was adjacent to his land grant as well.

. Richard gave up his land claim in Prince William because of a prior legal entanglement by an earlier French Canadian inhabitant. Richard also made failed landed petitions with his Monmouth, New Jersey neighbours', Corneilis VanMater* & Capt. Richd. Lippincott, (BUT much later he would again be adjacent to R. Lippencott on Yonge St., Toronto) - PJ Ahlberg.
Note3: *John Vanmater was a witness to Richard's father, William Lawrence, d. 1795 in Middletown, NJ.

. 1782 May 27, Richard Lawrence, Outstanding Debts for Forage, New York, Accounts, Commissary General Dept., pg. 4668, (1.3).
Ref: British Headquarters Papers, (Carleton Papers or American Manuscripts), Microfilm M355, Ref: MG23 B1, Item Number 31688.

Research Item, (probably someone else, but should be verified):
. 1783.11.21 - Richard Lawrence, List of Original Wills, Document: Will in custody of Secretary of NY.
Document Pg. 9671 914), fonds: British Headquarters Papers, Carlton Papers or American Manuscripts, Microfilm M2369,
Ref: MG23 BA Item # 31689.

. 1783 DEC 12, PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK LAND GRANT, NB Archives. George the Third grant to Rev. James Fraser, Edward Rogers, Anthony Rogers, Arthur Nicholson, Esq., John Willson, Junior, Richard Lawrence, Stillwell Willson & James Walsh 2,238 acres on the northwest branch of the River Miramichi in the County of Northumberland. The first track beginning at the alder Stake on the easterly bank or shore of an Island being in the said Branch.
To John Willson Junior: Lot 1, 200 Acres; To Richard Lawrence the Lot 2 , containing 232 acres, Stillwell Willson, Lot 4, 240 acres. Registered the 12 December, 1793, Thomas Carlton, Lieutenant Governor, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

. 1789 Aug 11. To His Excellency Thomas Carlton. Province of New Brunswick, Memorial of Richard Lawrence of Miramichie,
Humbly Shewth, that our memorialist has been all the last War in the service of His King & Country, most of the time as a Volunteer in the Army. That a lott of Land has been assigned to him at Prince William in the County of York, but being then a young single man he resigned it. That he is now settled at Miramichie & likes the country, wishes to live by farming in reference to fishing.
Your Memorialist therefore prays you Excellency may be pleased to grant him a Lot of Land adjoining a lot assigned to Arthur Nicholson, Esq. on the north east side of the North West Branch of Miramichie & your memorialist is duty bound will Pray.
Richard Lawrence, [Undated, but delivery time about 4 - 6 weeks.]
Envelope side: Memorial of Richd. Lawrence - Complied with 25th Sept. 1789.

. 1795 June, there were still only 14 housed in the Town of York.

** See photo Photo Original Land Patent may be found at North York Central Library, Willowdale:
. UC Land Petition 5, Bundle, L Bundle 2, 1795 of York, Richard Lawrence, Sr.
Ref: C2124, p804. Ont. Archives. Original document is preserved at the North York Public Library, Yonge Street, Toronto. Very large parchment document with an attached was large beeswax seal.
*Researchers who had other relatives who received an UC Land Grant may wish to see what this very impressive document looked like. This also helps in part to understand why the administration of land granting was so slow.

. 1796 Apr 6 - To His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor & Commissioning his Majesty's forces in Upper Canada. Major General.
The Memorial of Richard Lawrence Late of the Province of New Brunswick in Nova Scotia That your Memorialist Entered in the Service of His Britannic Majesty at the beginning the Late rebellion continued in the same till the Peace of Eighty three & that since that time he accepted a Commission of first Lieutenant for the County of Northumberland in New Brunswick which he is ready to produce if required - & being Desirous of remaining a Subject to the King of Great Britain in this Province.
Humbly Prays that his Majesty's most gracious bounty in Lands may be Extended to your memorialist for the following Lotts Viz Number 25 on Yonge Street Eastward & 2 other Lotts in the Rear of Said Number 25 second Concession also a Lott in the Town of York, Number 18 in the second range Which he has improved as well as No 25 Yonge Street & such other quantity of Land as to your Excellency in your Wisdom may seem meet - & your Petitioner as in Duty Bound will ever pray. Signed, 6 April, 1796, Richard Lawrence.

There are 5 other Upper Canada Land Petitions for Richard Lawrence.
. The original parchment & seal, LAND GRANT for Lot 25, Concession 1 Yonge Street, east side, 200 Acres, will be found at the Canadian Room, North York Public Library, on Yonge Street, Toronto.
. 1796 July 30 - Granted Lot 18 D, Duke St., Town of York / [now renamed as: 79 Adelaide, Toronto.] (The next Lot 19 Duke, was granted to Samuel Osborn & his wife, Mrs. Alice Willson Osborn).
. 1802 May 5 Date of Patent or 18 Duke St., D Block, 1/5 Acre to Richard Lawrence.
Ref: Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto, Vol 1, p339.
. Lots 1 & 2, Con 4, Vaughan Twp., 400 Acres.
Note4: 1796 Oct. 8, is the day he paid his land settlement fees & is sometimes incorrectly quoted as the day he was FIRST granted this land. - PJA.

. UCLPetition 15, Y Batch 5, p417. -1801 Jul 16 - East Side Yonge St, Lot 25, Nothing done to the Street. [i.e. no logs cleared].

. 1801 Dec 15. East Side Yonge Street, Lot 25, Logs in the Street, not burnt.

. 1802 Feb. 21, Lot 1, Con 5, Vaughan Twp., 200 Acres granted to wife, Mary Willson Lawrence.
. 1803 Post Office Letters, downtown Toronto: This issue contains a list published by the postmaster of uncalled-for letters lying in the post-office at York:
. Richard Lawrence. (Original Toronto Post Office was one street over from Richard's 179 King Street house. However by
. 1803, Richard was now up on Yonge & Steeles.)
Ref: Vol XIL, The Oracle, Saturday Jan. 15, 1803, No. 28, Total No 610.
Note5: McGill had the 1000 Acres at Lot 25, Con 2, adjoining Richard Lawrence's Land Grant.

Ontario Lands Registry, Metro Toronto Book 683, p131 [Note: Version 2]
Lot 18, South side King St., Town of York
[Original Version 2 adds:] Abstract Town of York, S.S. King
St., Pt of Town Lot 18: Abstract of all Instruments affect 38.5 feet on South side of King St East x 120 feet deep coming at N.E.L. Town Lot 18 on South of King St & running West & being par t of sd. Town Lot 18.
. 1802 May 17, Patent, Crown, to Ricd Lawrence, All Contg. 1/5 Acre
. 1805 Feb 13, Patent, Crown, to Beasley et all, all condj 15 acre,
. 1805 Feb 19, Mem. Grant, Richd Beasley, survg. Trustee of Tos Barry & Wm. Allan, to Rev. Geo O'Kill Stuart of York, £321.17.16., All et all. Being 1 C in front X 2c deep. To hold unto sd. Grantee his heirs & assigne forever. Sg. by Grantee.

Abstract North York Book 16, p3
Lot 25, Con 1 Yonge Street East, York Twp.
. 1808 Sep 15, Patent, Crown, to Richard Lawrence, All 190 acres.
. 1806 Jan 20, Registered 20 Mar 1806, Bargain&Sale, Richard Lawrence et ux, to The B Gough, East Half.
. 1819 Aug 20, B&S, Richard Lawrence, to John S Baldwin, £250, West Half Acres.

Abstract, Metro Toronto, North York Book 128, p21
Lot 24, Con 2 West, York Twp.,
. 1798 Dec 31, Patent, Crown, to Wm. Jarvis, All 200 Acres
. 1805 Dec 31, B&S, Thos. B Gough, to Richard Lawrence, All 200 A
. 1809 May 1, B&S, Richard Lawrence, to Jacob Fisher Jr, £100, All 200 A.
Note6: Adjacent, Lot 23, Con 3, Sawmill, water badly supplied, Peter Keiffer, 1851.

Abstract Markham Book 91, p22
Lot 27, Con 1 East Side Yonge St. , Markham Twp.,
. 1803 July 15, Crown, to John Leslie, All 190A
. 1804 Aug 31, Bargain&Sale, Thos. McMichen etux, to Richard Lawrence, £100, All 190 Acres.
.1805 Jun 29, B&S, Richard Lawrence et ux, to John Arnold, £100, All 100A.
[Beside brothers-in-law, Wm. L Willson, Lot 26; Samuel Osborn Lot 27, & Stillwell Willson The Elder, Lot 30.]

Abstract York Region, Vaughan Book 185, p4
Lot 1, Con 3, Vaughan
. 1802 May 17, Patent, Crown, to Mary Lawrence, All 200 A
. 1821 Feb 21, B&S, Richard Lawrence et ux, to John Guthrie, £100, All.
[Near Fairbanks Lumber/ Railway tracks & Steeles W, 2020].-

Ontario Land Registry Abstract, Vaughan Book 190, p4 & 32,
Lots 1 & 2, Con 4, Vaughan Twp., York Co., [Keele Street], p4 & p32.
. 1805 Feb 1, Patent, Crown, to Richard Lawrence, All 400 Acres each [Lots1-2 @ 200A.]
. 1805 Feb 1, B&S, Richard Lawrence et al, to Thomas McMicking. All 190 A, 200 Acres for Lot 1. & Lot 2 190A.
Note7: Adjacent Lot 4, Con 3, was a sawmill, Michel Fisher, 1851.
Lawrence's most productive grant Lot 25 1ES was also part of the Willson sawmill land. Thus the summary suggest Lawrence searched for land that could yield water & tree resources, as opposed to strictly farm land. - P J Ahlberg 2016.

. 1805 to 1815 at least - Richard Lawrence received Tavern Licenses for the Twp. of York.
. March 1801, The Special Sessions of Peace, held the "The Court are of opinion that 6 persons are a sufficient number for Keeping Tavern in the Town of York, for the year ensuing.
. 1805 Dec 28, The undermentioned persons prayed to be admitted as fit persons for receiving Licenses to Keep Taverns in the Home District for the Year next ensuing: Richard Lawrence.
. 1806 Mar 20 - sells East ½ Lot 25, Con 1 ESYonge St.
. 1807 - Richard Lawrence owned Lot 18D, south side of King, west of Frederick St. Brother-in-law Sam. Osborn was on the next lot 19D.
Ref: Toronto Sundries, Home District. Quarter Sessions.

Special Sessions of the Peace, York, Tavern License for year ensuing,
. 1815 Dec 30, Town of York: Richard Lawrence, York Twp., Granted.

Note8: Various sources state the Joseph Abraham ran the first inn called the Green Bush at Steeles & Yonge at the North east corner. In an area noted for tall trees, it must have been a large balsam tree indeed that stood in front of the Inn. The NE corner belong to his brother-in-law Wm. L. Willson. Further research may show the exact location of Lawrence's tavern.

Regulations included: No excess drinking, no profanities or gambling; sufficient sheds, stables and/or barns were required for the patron's horses, carriages & wagons. The innkeeper should also have at least 4 good beds in addition to those for his family. All of these regulations were controls to limit taverns & increase inns.
Ref: Margaret McBurney & Mary Byers, Tavern in the Town: Early Inns & Taverns of Ontario. - P J Ahlberg). - . -

PART TWO: Tracking Richard Lawrence Though Documents:

. 1759 Aug. 20, Monday born, Middletown, Upper Freehold Twp., Monmouth Co., Prov. of New Jersey. Father William Lawrence's carpenter's shop along with his brothers.
. 1776 to 1783. American Revolution, New Jersey 1st Volunteers, Christies' Quarter Master Department. He was a volunteer in the army most of the time.
. 1776 Richard is on Staten Island, NY.
Note9: UCLPetition Richard gave a reference for Sarah Lakerman Willson who was on Staten Island since 1776, the beginning of the War & therefore, Richard Lawrence too was on Staten Island.

. 1785 New Brunswick. Purchased land at Musquash Island on the St. John's River from Capt. Richard Lippincott also of NJ.
. 1786 New Brunswick. By this time he is married to Mary Willson. [Further research: Records of the Anglican minister traveling though the Miramichi?]
. 1787 Jul 25, Wants land at Prince William, Queensborough, NB. allotted primarily to the Queen's American Rangers (& to future brother-in-law Arthur Nicholson, (ELIZABETH LAWRENCE).
. 1789 Jul 27, Land Grant: A little beyond the Sandy Point, opposite, Between Island by Johnston Basto, West Branch of Miramichi River, Northumberland County, New Brunswick.
. 1789 Sep 25 - Granted land at Willson's Point, Miramichi, New Brunswick. Richard builds log gaol at nearby, Newcastle, NB.

Northumberland Co., New Brunswick, Deed Registry Books, Grantor:
. 1793 June 15th - Richard Lawrence & Mary Lawrence to William Babcock, Vol 2, Pg. 97, Deed £20 for 200 Acres, 22 cleared with Stockable Dwelling House, 3 Commons Pasture. Signed, John Willson, Esq., JP of Inferior Court of Common Pleas.

. 1793 July - MAY FLEET *NJ *NY *NB *UC. Evacuation from NY to New Brunswick in 1783. Again the 'May Fleet' leaves around NB by ship & up the St. Lawrence River to Montreal, where John Willson called on Commissary Issac W Clarke for aid. The 60 people including Richd. Lawrence were in the party lead by John Willson, Esq.
. 1793 Aug 8 - Arrived at Quebec with 60 people. A dozen people remain here. Arrival by 3 bateaux at Kingston on 28 Aug., 1793. Received army rations & medical care. Detained over 30 days waiting for another boat. 1793 Oct. 10, group arrives at Niagara again sick & starved. 25 Oct, Governor J G Simcoe authorizes ship to pick up John Willson & associates.

. 1792 Sept. Fort George, Niagara. Lieut. Gov. Simcoe orders government ship to bring them Lawrence, Willson & all from Niagara to Town of York.
. 1793 Nov 2, Arrival at the Town of York, Toronto. Extracted from the documents on the hardships of this voyage to Upper Canada can be found also at 1) Roots.com under JOHN WILLSON.1 & 2.) more extensively in Richard Lawrence of NJ, NB & Ontario. Book may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto. & Richmond Hill Library - PJ Ahlberg, 2009.

. 1794 April 7 to 30 June, Paid for carpentry, Public Buildings at York. Paid £15 11 s. 3 pennies, on 10 July, 1794.
. 1795 June 1. Petitions for Lot 25, Con. 1 ES Yonge Street, York Twp., ON WHICH HE HAS ALREADY LOCATED. (Yonge & Steeles Ave., Toronto). Tavern here or and/or Vaughan. Sold 20.
. 1819 Aug. As a lieutenant he was granted 1000 Acres & an additional 400 Acres from his wife, Mary Willson.
* 1796 May 28, Cousin John Brown Lawrence presented Richard's land grant to his friend Gov. Simcoe:
. 1796 July 30, already built on it: 18 Duke Street, TOWN OF YORK. Today 179 King St. East, Toronto Downtown.
. 1796 8 Oct - Granted & lots in Vaughan, (just across the road from his Lot 25, Con 1 Yonge.) Steeles & Yonge Streets, tavern here or and/or at Vaughan.

. 1797 Minutes of the Town of York: Richd. Lawrence: 2 males & 4 females.Total six.
i.e. Ricd. & wife Mary & John, Mary, Marg., Eliz. & Mary Anne Lawrence.
Note10: Town of York had only 52 males & 34 females living on Yonge St., Toronto.

. Two Surveys of Settlers actually living on Yonge Street:
. 1797 Aug 3, York, Lot No. 25 East, 5 Acres cleared, Richard Lawrence is on the premises.

. 1797 Jun 27 - Oath saying he knew Sarah Lakerman, wife of John Wilson, Jur & that her father died within the British lines in the year 1776. Signed, Richd. Lawrence.

. 1798 June. Lot 25 East, Richard Lawrence, i.e. He is living on the lot) Four acres cleared. Small log house. Surveyed by David W Smith, Esq., Surveyor Genera.l { Is Wm. L. Willson, his brother-in-law on the adjacent lot, actually living with his sister Mrs. Mary Lawrence? - PJA.]

. 1802 Jan 12, Tuesday Richard Lawrence (7th) sworn to Petty Jury of 12 men. John Evenor the accused. When the miller was absent, John Evenor was seen taking a sheep away from the barn yard. Discharged because no Prosecutor was present.

. 1805 Mar 2. Richard Lawrence of Yonge St. who had received a license to keep a Tavern for House, at his dwelling house & who had removed from thence to another Public house; applied for leave to keep a Tavern under the same license in the house to which he had removed. The court do not find themselves authorized to comply with this request as they deem the License to be attached to the house recognize has been taken & not to any other.
Note11: 1804 Feb 1. Richard sells Lot 3, Con 4, Vaughan Twp. property. Coincidence?

. 1807 Jul 24 - Justice Robt. Thorpe's address, Summary: Whereas a goodly number of Independent Electors convented for discussing the sufferings whose situation was resplendent by many not his friends to be very deplorable of his losses which at first he yielding to their entreaties to represent them in Parliament in UC or England. A multitude of signatures, inc. Joseph Shepard, Richd. Lippincott, Alex. Montgomery, Baron Fred. DeHoen, Peter Muscleman, John Van Zantee, John Willson, [most likely junior] William L Willson, Stillwell Willson, James Finch. Richard Lawrence, William Johnson, George Taylor Denison, J Hale, Walter Moody, Peter Whitney, Garret Van Zantee, Sam D Cozens, Peter Winter.
Ref: Report on dn Archives, 1892.

. Ely started early. John Powell & Geo. Ridout soon overhauled me - fed at Buttanans? 18 miles - at Lawrence 17 miles, went on to Cantfields 11: a little after dark.
. 1809 Sep 29th - John Arnold & Ely Playter drew a load of ashes from [Richard] Lawrence's the AM. 47 bushels.
Ref: Ely Players Diary.

. 1815 Dec 30. Richard Lawrence received a Tavern License for Township of York. £12, Issuer James Kerr.

. 1818 Dec 26, Quarterly Session of Peace, Charlottesville, London District
$2 Costs of Court The said Sum for Wages to the said Alvin.
Ordered that as the License is Left in the behest? of the Magistrates all persons being desirous of keeping publick houses are required to attend on the last Saturday of this month precisely at 10 in the forenoon at which time the Bonds will be ready for signature, as an Act of the Legislature has passed to that effect.
The Court took into consideration the Tavern Bills & agreed as follows.:
Richd. Lawrence £3.10s & Wm. Lawrence £3.

Extracts from HIS CHILDREN'S LAND PETITION RICHARD LAWRENCE:
. 1818 Apr 14, Richard Lawrence is now in Woodhouse*, Ontario, daughter Margaret Lawrence.
. 1818 August 6, Mary Ann is with her parents at Long Pointe, Ontario.
. 1819 October 13, Richard is in Woodhouse now, wrote daughter Elizabeth Osborn-Tarbox-Lawrence.
. 1819 Aug 20 - Richard Lawrence sells West ½ Lot 25, Con 1 ESY for £350.
. 1820 April 11 & 20th, He is now in Charlotteville, London District, (Norfolk County).
. 1821 Feb 21, Sold Vaughan Twp. property of his wife, Mary Willson.
Note12: Woodhouse is now called Naticoke.

. 1828 - Photo of large wooden mill: Lot 1, Con. 2 East. Markham Township. Bayview Ave & Steeles Ave. Fish Mill, NE corner Steeles & Bayview in 1961. This grist & saw mill was built in 1830 by Benjamin Fish, next to the distillery that he owned (built 1828). Though the original mill was destroyed in a fire, Fish built a new one on the same site. Demolished in 1965, when the intersection of Bayview & Steeles was widened.
. The Town of Charlotteville:* When the war of 1812 broke out the court-house was used for barrack purposes, ... was christened" Fort Norfolk." The court house, jail, the fort & the tavern of Job Loder all stood on the elevation above the flat. A hotel was built under the hill & kept by a man named Hatch. In 1833, during the cholera scare*, a hospital was built at this place. It stood on the bank & was a barn-like structure & was used but little, if at all, for the purpose for which it was built. The old Town of Charlotteville reached the zenith of its glory during the war. In 1815 the District Courts were removed to Vittoria & the Town of Charlotteville relapsed into Turkey Point once more. No traces of its old-time importance remain, save a few surface irregularities indicating the spot occupied by the fort. The dreary waste at Turkey Point was, for 13 years, the judicial metropolis for all this vast region of country.
Ref: Pioneer sketches of Long Point Settlement. Published 1908.
Note13: Was this the cause of Richard Lawrence's disappearance? Note14: *Charlotteville is now called Delhi.

. 1831 May 3 - DECEASED of London District, wrote son, Richd. Lawrence, and also deceased was an Innkeeper, deceased per Jane Lawrence.
. 1846 Smith's Canadian Gazetter, Province of Canada West:
Harwich, Kent Co, Western District, soil extremely fertile, 1898 inhabitants. Timber - white oak, black walnut, maple, beech, hickory, basswood etc.

A more complete history with copies of ALL documents & photos may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto under Richard Lawrence, John Willson & John Brown Lawrence of New Jersey, NB & Ontario. By P J Ahlberg, May 2009. - - -

Birth:
Monday. Upper Freehold Twp.

Richard married Mary WILLSON, DUE est 1786 in New Brunswick, Canada. Mary (daughter of John WILLSON, .1, Sur. and Rebeka Thixton THICKSON(E)) was born est 1770 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died est 21 Feb 1821 ± in Charlotteville, Norfolk Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Richard Lawrence's New Brunswick Land Petitions indicate he was single March 1786 at Queensborough & married by August 1789 on the Miramichi. They could have been married by her father, a Justice of the Peace for Miramichi, or perhaps by an Anglican Minister in transit on the Miramichi, who had baptized a Willson child [Jonathan Willson 1783 & John Willson.III, born 1791?]
Further Research: However, also retained for further search: St. Andrews Church, Long Island. 1780 Oct 5, Married, Lawrence Mary & Lawrence, Richard. Vol. xxx, Page 56. This seems this would be too early for this Mary Willson.

. UC Land Petition 63, L Bundle 4 c 1808 p241
York, daughter of John Willson, [MARY WILLSON,] Richard Lawrence.
. To His Honor Peter Russell, Esq., president of the Government of Upper Canada etcetcetc. In Council:
The Petition of Richard Lawrence of the Township of York. Humbly shows That your Petitioner is a Loyalist & came from Nova Scotia about 3 years ago, [1794] that he is married to Mary, the daughter of John Willson, Esq. of Kings Mills on the Humber, who is also a Loyalist. That your Petitioner's wife having never received any Land, your Petitioner prays your Honor would be pleased to grant him 200 Acres in right of his said confer & is in duty bound your Petitioner will ever pray.
Richard Lawrence, York, 22 June, 1797.
Envelope: Ordered 200 Acres to wife of Petitioner as DUE, 1778 Dec 24. [Daughter of an Empire Loyalist.]

Ontario Land Registry Abstract Vaughan Book 185,
Lot 1, Con 3, Vaughan Book 185, p4
. 1802 May 17, Patent, Crown, to Mary Lawrence, All 200 A
. 1821 Feb 21, B&S, Richard Lawrence et ux, to John Guthrie, £100, All.

Note1: As of 2018 this land is now 1900 Steeles Ave. West, Fairbanks Lumber Co., Concord, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario. As of 2018 this land is now 1900 Steeles Ave. West, Fairbanks Lumber Co., Concord, Vaughan Twp., York Co., Ontario. -PJA

Note2: Husband Richd. Lawrence had other land at Lot 1 Con 4, also the adjacent, Lot 25 across on Yonge St in York Township. In others words, all located on Steeles Avenue: First East at Yonge & Steeles to Dufferin St.]

. 1801 Children's schoolhouse, Condition of Yonge Street:
Lot No. 25 west & east complied with, Lot 25 East Side of Yonge Street; nothing done to the street & a schoolhouse erected in the centre of the street. This is the end of the Township of York.
Ref: Report to Surveyor-General D W Smith on the condition of Yonge Street in 1801, by John Stegmann, formerly a Hessian officer.
. On page 427 of Scadding's memoirs, he tells us that Elisha Pease taught in this early schoolhouse.
XReference: E. Pease was a witness of the WILL of John Willson, Jur. in 1818 & also John Johnston, 1852.
Note3: The schoolhouse was built in the road allowance in front of the Lawrence's property so the children could find it & not getting lost in the woods. Just a few lots away, Jacob Cummer tells us a black bear was digging up his garden. - PJ Ahlberg.

. DAUGHTER & WIFE of a TAVERN KEEPER:
Mary Willson Lawrence & her children, had much experience at Taverkeeping. Husband Richard Lawrence held a UC licensed tavern located on Yonge Street north. She & her friend, as noted below, Mary Thompson visited Miss Elizabeth Russel when Thompson was employed by the sister of THE most prominent & powerful man in Upper Canada. From extracted stories from Ely Playter's Journal we may see what life was like a woman tavenkeeper in early Upper Canada:
. 1806 Jan 11 - Thinking it was a tavern, Ely Playter & a companion mistakenly stopped & stayed over night at Mr. Miller's house. Implicit in the mistake at Millers & throughout his journal, is a parallel understanding that household life intersected with public life in taverns.

. 1802 May 2 & Sept 29 - Mary Thomson*, Playter's journal's Miss T - also lived at his house. She was the daughter of a substantial farm family from Scarborough Township. Her father, Archibald, was a master stonemason & a Justice of the peace from 1806. Nothing about her presentation in the journal suggests less than respectable young womanhood. It is difficult to account for her presence in the tavern rather than on her family's farm. [Scaboro Museum, 2016]. Certainly not a servant in the house, she socialized within the same circles as the tavern-keeper & came & went as she pleased.
Playter mentioned her almost exclusively in the parlour usually in the context of polite sociability, but once he noted, I seated myself by the Parlour fire & finished my letters to Mr & Mrs Rogers, it was one o'clock in the morning before I retired to bed. Miss T sat at her work till I had finished writing. This brief reference & others, imply Mary Thompson may have worked in the textile trade from Playter's tavern & continued so working after marrying John Scarlett of the Humber. Tavern-keepers placed tea tables in their parlours. Nor did anything about the emphatically public nature of their homes work to exclude the women of tavern-keeping households from local networks of female friendship & association:
The Tavernkeepers' daughters, Player saw Miss Beman, the Miss Jarvises, & Miss Robinson on their way home as they had been visiting & he gave my Sister's Compliments to her as they had requested in their letter" In their taverns these women crafted a female space for sociability, into which they also welcomed men.
Ref: Women, Men, & Taverns in Tavern-Keeper Ely Playter's Journal, by Julia Roberts, Guelph.
Note4: Mary Thomson's husband-to-be, John Scarlett was granted in 1817 Apr 2, Lot 19, south side of Richmond, that is across the street from husband Richard Lawrence. Ref: Town of York Abstracts, p263.

. 1837 - Toronto & Home District:
. 1799 - Population 224; 1800 - Population 1127. 1818 - Population 8,459.

Date & place of burial of Mary Willson Lawrence is unknown. Last known whereabouts of Mary Lawrence was noted in her daughter Mary Ann Lawrence's UC Marriage Bond of 10 August 1819, where permission to marry was obtained at Long Point in southern Ontario. Rebecca Lawrence says her father died when she was very young & she was reared by an older sister, implying perhaps that Mary Willson was dead between 1821 & 1831 when her husband died & thus making Rebecca about 16 years of age - not so 'very young'.

Richard Lawrence was an inn keeper in the Long Pointe to Harwich, Ontario, until his death about another 1 years later, about 1831.

A separate Willson Family Tree may be found at Ontario Ancestor; & also Rootsweb.com: John Willson of New Jersey & the Kings' Mill, Ontario. - - -

Birth:
Alt DOB: Est 1765 -1769.

Died:
Alt Loc: Harwich, Kent Co., Ontario