Notes:

Ontario Marriage Registration, Wentworth Co. #19488/13.
Married on 18 September 1913.
Albert McDowell, aged 32, b. Chatham, of Hamilton, bachelor, foreman, Presbyterian,
son of Thomas McDowell & Mary Jane Ransom, married
Maud Anstead, aged 28, / 1885, born Paisley, of Hamilton?, spinster, Presbyterian,
daughter of William Anstead & Jennie Briggs;
Witnesses: Henry Griffey of Hamilton & Mrs. Mary E. Corkney(?) of Hamilton. - - -

Birth:
Verify DOB doesn't add up with her mother's DOB.

James married JENNIE Jean Ethel BRIGGS. JENNIE (daughter of Lofus GEORGE BRIGGS, Sr. and Margaret Ann MAGGIE WALKER, .3) was born on 5 Feb 1880 in Tara, Arran Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario; died on 25 Jan 1934 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried on 27 Jan 1934 in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Ontario Birth Registration, 2nd registration, p26, (film P230.)
Jennie Ethel Briggs, born 13 Sep 1880 Arran Twp., Bruce, Ontario.
d/o Loftus G Briggs, Blacksmith, of Arran. & Margaret Ann Walker. Registered 4 Mar 1880.

. 1881 Tara, Bruce North Co., Jennie Briggs/ age 12/1879, Methodist.

. 1895 Jennie was a witness at her sister Annie Alfreda Briggs' wedding

. Ontario Death Registration:
Jean Ethel Briggs Hawkeseworth
b. Sep 9th, Aged 53y 11m 16d.
Res. 250 Heath St West, Toronto. Husband J W Hawkesworth.
d/o Loftus George Briggs & Miss Margaret Ann Walker, b. Ontario.
Died May 25 1934, of Angina Pectoris, attack began a day or so ago.
Burial Mt. Pleasant, 30 St. Clair Ave. W on Jan 27, 1934. - - -

Birth:
DOB Jan 5, 1934 Ref Ont Death Certiicate

Died:
Aged 53y 11m 16d.= Feb 9 1880.

Notes:

Married:

Notes:

George is the son of Jane Elliot b1823.7.26 Fermanaugh Co., Ireland -1913.6.15, ND, & Joseph Briggs, b1822.9.23, N. Frodingham, England-1894.8.20, ND.

. Surrogate Court of County of Wellington, in the goods of John Sibbald Walker, deceased.
We Loftus George Briggs of the Twp. of Arran in the County of Grey, Blacksmith, &
Robert Walker of the same place, Jeweller,
severally make Oath that we are the proposed Sureties on behalf of the intended Administer of the Personal Estate & Effects of John Sibbald Walker, deceased. I the said Loftus George Briggs for myself make Oath & say that I am possessed of the Estate of the value of $1,000 & worth $1,000 .

. I Robert Walker for myself make Oath & say that I am posses of Estate of the value of $1,000 & am worth $1,000 all my debts being first paid.
Signed, Loftus George Briggs & Robt. Walker, 22 Dec, AD 1879, Orangeville.
[Robert is Loftus G.'s brother-in-law.]

. 1876 Bruce Country Directory
The village of Arran has its first post office in 1853 on the 7th concession, a mile south of the village of Tara. Tara in the Twp. of Arran on the new gravel road, 16 miles from Own Sound. Population 500. The name was changed to Invermay. Tara had saw & grist mills, a foundry producing agricultural implements, wagon works & a tannery. There is also a woollen factory, steam saw mill, fanning mill, agricultural implement mfg., sash & door factory, cradle factory 2 cabinet factories, a pottery, a large brick yard, 4 general stores, one hardware store, a good photographic gallery, ONE BLACKSMITH & WAGON SHOP, 2 town halls & 2 hotels.

. 1876 & 1880 - Village of TARA, Briggs, Loftus G, blacksmith.

. 1881 The Stratford & Huron Railway first arrived in Tara.

. 1887 Jul 14 - The Crime Premeditated - The Murderer attempts to Commit Suicide - He is Arrested & Placed in Gaol - A strong Feeling Against him.
Tara, July 10. - The section of country around Allenford has been shocked repeatedly during the past few years by crimes of poisoning cattle, incendiarism, robbery, rape, etc., but on Friday last the most terrible event that has ever disgraced the history of the Bruce Peninsula was enacted in the Township of Amabel, about 1 mile & a half north of that village, which resulted in - The death of Mrs. Archibald McDougall - a fine, handsome widow about 35 years old. Your correspondent visited the scene of the tragedy in company with Constable Briggs of Tara, & below is a history of the occurrence, as near as could be gathered from friends & neighbors.
Mr. A. McDougall died about 5 years ago, leaving his widow with 4 children, aged from 1 to 7 years, & in fairly comfortable circumstances. Fully a year or more after his decease a neighbor named Samuel, a man of rather shady reputation in the community, who has a wife living in this village who could not live with him because of his ill treatment of her, began to evince great interest in the welfare of McDougall's widow, assisting her in various ways, by cutting her wood, etc. in the winter & saving her small chop of hay in the summer. His attentions became more marked year by year until during the past winter he is said to have lived at the home of Mrs. McDougall almost entirely. Some of her friends & neighbors felt this was hardly right & took the liberty of pointing out to her the errors of such a thing & drawing attention to Hughes' character. Her replies were that Hughes had always used her kindly, that she loved him & would marry him if she could.
Recently Hughes made overtures to his Tara wife to release him from the bonds that held him to her, offering her $100 if she would consent to a separation & agree to let him marry again, Mrs. Hughes declined all such overtures, although very willing to be rid of her unloved spouse in a legal & proper manner. This was the condition of affairs two months ago, when a second man appeared upon the scene in the person of Alexander Dempster of [Algoma Co.,] a former hotelkeeper of Allenford, who had known Mrs. McDougall as a girl. He lost his wife some years ago, wanted another & he made up his mind to win Mrs. McDougall if he could. He pressed his suit with vigor, was accepted, & they were to have been married some day this week. It is generally believed that as soon as Mrs. McDougall engaged herself to Dempster she gave Hughes to understand that his visit to her must cease at once. He objected to this of course & repeatedly came to the house during the past few weeks. He never received any encouragement, however, do far as can be learned from the statements of the children who reported that their mother sent him away again & again. This treatment made him desperate, & on Thursday he made a will, dividing his property between his two sons by his first wife. At the same time he got a friend to telegraph his son at Duluth to come home at once as he was not going to live many days.

On Friday afternoon he went to Mrs. McDougall's. She was preparing her 3 eldest children to attend a picnic in the neighborhood, & they report that their mother & Hughes had some angry words before they left, but no violence was attempted. He remained around the premises & took dinner with the doomed woman and her youngest child, a little toddler of 6 years, & his presence there was remarked by a couple of neighbors who came about one o'clock to get a horseback. It is evident Mrs. McDougall anticipated no trouble or she would have applied to those for assistance. They were the last people that saw her alive.
The little child states that his mother went outside shortly after they departed, & Hughes followed her & spoke to her. She made some reply, & then he drew a little short gun from his pocket & shot her twice, & she fell over. Hughes turned to the little fellow & told him to run over & tell his grandfather, an old man named Eberts, Mrs. McDougall's father, who lives in a small house about 150 yards from that occupied by her, that his mother was dead. The little fellow delivered the message, & when Mr. Eberts arrived at the house of his daughter, he found her stretched on the floor of the kitchen, dead with a pillow under her head. The sight was a terrible blow to the aged father but he quickly secured assistance, & Mr. Taylor was promptly called. Nothing could be done for the poor woman, however, as a short examination revealed 2 gaping bullet wounds in her breast, & death must have been almost instantaneous. The news of the tragedy spread rapidly & an immense crowd of neighbors & villagers soon gathered. The capture of Hughes was their first object, & a search being started his coat & hat were found in one of the rooms of the house & his boots in another, but he was nowhere around. Constable Barclay then started for his own house, about one mile away, & there he found him stretched on a straw stack with a bullet wound in his back ended by a couple of neighbors. There is no doubt he intended committing suicide, likely at the home of his victim, whom he dragged into the house after shooting, but after removing a portion of his clothes, he probably changed his mind & started for home across the fields. Arrived there he fired one shot into his miserable carcass but the bullet struck one of his ribs, & failed to reach a vital spot. It appears he had not courage to try again, but went over to the house of Mr. Boon, on the next farm, taking off his pants on the way & hanging them on the fence, & appearing in the presence of Mr. Boon with nothing on his person but a shirt. He was greatly excited & said he had shot Mrs. McDougall & that he was going to die, & asked for a drink of water. Boon complied with his request & then assisted him home, where the constable found him, as stated, & arrested him & removed him to Allenford where the bullet was extracted from his back & his wound dressed.
Ref: Markdale Standard Newspaper.

. 1901 Census Village of Tara, Lofus G Briggs. - - -

Died:
Aged 82 y. COD: Mitral Sclerosis.

Buried:
Tara. Lot 30, Con 9 & 10.

Lofus married Margaret Ann MAGGIE WALKER, .3 on 5 Feb 1873 in Georgetown, Halton Co., Ontario. Margaret (daughter of John Sibbald WALKER, .6th and Jane THOMPSON) was born on 15 Apr 1851 in Erin, Wellington Co., Ontario; died on 27 Mar 1910 in Tara, Arran Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario; was buried in Hillcrest Tara Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wedding Witnesses:
. 1872 Apr 23 - Edward HILTS, 21, of Erin, born Canada, bachelor, farmer,
s/o William & Ann HILTS, Episcopal Methodist, married Margaret Roy, 20, of Erin, born Canada, spinster,
d/o Obediah & Margaret Roy, Episcopal Methodist,
Witnesses: George Briggs & Margaret Ann Walker, both of Georgetown. 23 Apr 1872, in Erin, by T. C. Brown, by License. p. 126, Division Erin, Wellington Co.

* Note: WITNESSES are living in Guelph at 1872. 6 years later Geo. & Margaret would marry themselves. George & Margaret were both 21 years old at this time. In 1885 her brother Charles H Walker was selling hardware in Georgetown.
< Also Margaret A Walker's brother William Walker was married to Margaret Roy's sister Elizabet

Ont. Marriage Registration 0053888.
George, Briggs, 21, at Albion, Bach. Mechanic,
Parents: Joseph & Jane Briggs.
Margaret Ann Walker, 21 [1857] of Georgetown. Born Erin, single .
Parents: John & Jane Walker,
Wit: John Wilson & Ann Clark both of Georgetown;
Married 5th February, 1878, Georgetown, both West Methodist, Rev. David Auld. License.
h Roy. - PJA 2010.

. 1873 Feb 13, Married Briggs - Walker
At the residence of J F Taylor, Esq., by the Rev D Auld, on Wednesday the 5 inst, Mr L G Briggs, Esq., to Miss Maggie Ann Walker, all of Georgtown.
Canadian Champion newspaper, Milton

. 1881 Census Tara Twp., Bruce Co. North, Margaret A Briggs, b1851, Methodist
. 1891 Apr 18 Census, Tara, Arran Twp., Bruce N. County, Ontario
. 1901 Census, Village of Tara, Arran Twp., Bruce Co. North.

. Ontario Death Registration #8252.
BRIGGS Margaret Ann died March 27, 1910. Born April 15, 1851. Aged 59y 11mo 19days. Tara Village, Bruce Co., housewife;
Father John Sibbald Walker, England. Mother Jane Thompson, Ireland.
Dr. J. McAsh. Certified by G L Briggs, Tara. Margaret Ann Briggs treated March 19 to March 27.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Apoplexy 12 years. Immediate Cerebral Apoplexy 8 days. Married.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Alt DOB 8 Apr 1850

Died:
Aged 59y 11m 19d. [ = 28 Apr 1850] Cerebral Apoplexy.

Buried:
Tara, Con 9 Lot 30 Arran-Elderslie Twp., Row 7

Notes:

. St. Edmund Parish Register, Register # 383, File #12608.
John Sibbald Walker, Baptized 10 Mar 1819, Curate Wm. Middleton,
Son of Margaret & John Walker, Carpenter, Abode Sedgefield, Durham County, England.

. HAMILTON QUARTER SESSIONS
Walker, Thomas, 1838 June, - Plaintiff, - Page 12,
Walker, John, 1839 March - Plaintiff
Walker, John, 1847 /8 DEC 24, Plaintiff
Thomson, Jane, 1843, June 12, Plaintiff, Page 18.

. 1840 Jul 14 Assessment Hamilton Town:
John Walker: Framed one story dwelling; 1 Male,1 Female, Total 2.
Note1: Son Edward R Walker must have been born after July 14, 1840. - PJA.

. 1841 May Assessment Hamilton Town:
John Walker: 1 Adult, 2 story framed dwelling: 1 @ 60£. - Total Assessment 85£.

. 1842 Assessment Hamilton Town:
John Walker, John Street, 6 houses before Cherry St.: Total 4 persons assessed at £100.
John Walker, Catharine Street, one adult. (nil assessment). i.e. John Walker Senior & Junior. ]

. 1843 ASSESSMENT HAMILTON TOWN. (TWO Separate Entries for:)
John S Walker, 2 Lots, 2 Story, Additional fireplace, Mr. Bowen, Landlord, 200£
Thompson [Thompson crossed out] Mrs. Walker, 1 female, Martial landlord, 60£ .

. 1846 Smith's Canadian Gazetter, Province of Canada West:
Erin, 32,447 Acres are taken up, 7,945 are under cultivation, Tipis holy & stoney. There is a small settlement in sw of twp. called McMillen's Mills, where are a grist & saw mill, tavern & blacksmith shop & between 4-0-50 inhabitants. There are 1 grist & 4 saw mills in two. Crown lands are open for sale at 8 shillings per acre. Speed River, a branch of Grand River, An excellent mill stream, 2 grists & saw mill.

. Hamilton Coach & Carriage Factory, King St. Hamilton. - 70 hands (workers)
Ref: Possible location for apprenticeship for both John & brother George M Walker.

. 1849 Smiths Canadian Gazetteer, Erin, A small settlement in SW of Twp. called McMullen's Mills, grist & Saw mill, tavern & blacksmith shop, 7 between 40 7 50 inhabitants.

. 1850 - First road was planked from Trafalgar, Esquesing & Erin Road from Oakville to Stewarttown.

. 1853 - Stations in 15 locations, from Arthur... Erin ...Wellesley, all of which I have been able to visit during the winter. Want of roads is a difficulty. From Milton I walked through the woods a distance from 10 miles in summer between two stations. In winter it is 16 miles by a round about way.
. Rev. W. W. Bates for Rockwood & Erin.

. 1859 Ontario Directory, Erin, Canada West, Tp. Co. Wellington. Go to Guelph on the GTR. Population about 300.
1873, Erin Population 600.
Ref: The New Work in 1859: being the US & Canada.

. 1859 Oct 19- Erin Agricultural Township Show Fair, Erin Village.

. 1861 Census Erin Village, Wellington
John S Walker, B 1819 England, Blacksmith, 2 half Acres, Concrete 2 stories house
Jane Walker, b. 1821 Ireland; Margaret, b. 1858; Robt., b 1853; Sarah Jane, b. . 1857; Mary Walker b. 1858; Arthur Walker, Apprentice, Age 17, Residing with Wm M Kenney, tinsmith, Erin.

. 1864 Sept 15th, from the Guelph Advertiser from Erin village says ...there are scores of farmers in township who have not a sheaf in the barn, the weather having proved so very unfavourable for harvesting. The crops, however, are very good all around here.
Ref: The Canada farmer, Volume 1.

. 1865-71 Canada Directory, John S Walker Foundry & Machine .
1865-66 Mitchell & Co.'s Canada Classified Directory: Blacksmith, Erin: John S Walker & Iron Foundries & Machines, Erin, ON., John S Walker.
. 1867 Walker, John S., founder, Ref: Wellington Co. Directory.

. 1869 Province of Ontario Gazetteer & Directory
Erin - A village situated in the Twp. of Erin Co. Wellington, 20 miles from Guelph, the county town, 35 miles from Toronto & 12 m. from Georgetown, the nearest station on the Grand Trunk Railway. Stage to Guelph 20 miles. Fare 75¢. Daily mail. Money order office & Savings' Bank. Population 600. Walker, John S., foundry & machine shop.

. 1871 HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH (Travel Conditions & John Walker):The Church of England is glad to learn there signs showing of vitality in the pretty village of Erin. The congregation was also without a clergyman for a considerable time, but in the fall of 1865 Rev. Johnstone Vicars was put in charge. (Undated Extract: Guelph Advertiser).
. 1866 July 23rd, All Saints Parish Hall: Church Building Committee, Present Rev J. Vicars, Messrs. Cornoch, Steward, Walker & Campbell. Mr. Aldian, a builder of Guelph will draw up specifications plans for $5. It was moved by Mr. Walker. Seconded by Mr. Stewart that the plans of the Church now exhibited the plans are suitable. Carried.
Moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Campbell that Mr. Cornock be treasurer & Mr Carbury, Secretary Carried. Messrs. Cornock & Walker were appointed to request Mr. Campbell, the surveyor, to measure the land. Signed, John Vicars. (Mr. Cornock is the land benefactor.)
All Saints Anglican Church, 81 Main Street, Erin ON.
Ref: Rev. Francis Tremayne, Travelling Missionary, North York Public Library, 6 Fl., Toronto. More church records may be found at, McMaster University Libraries, under the Anglican Diocese.

. 1871 Lovells Province of Ontario Directory
Erin, Ontario, population about 500. Stage coach from Erin to Guelph 75¢ for the 20 miles., Stage coach from Erin to Guelph 75¢. Thirteen miles from Georgetown railroad station.
Walker, Geo. M., of McMillan & Walker,
Walker, John S., Foundry.

. 1871 Oct 27, FERGUS NEWS RECORDER Newspaper:
Garafraxa Ploughing Match:
20 ploughs entered - Mr. Walker's (Erin) plough was a favorite with many. It made a good cut, good turn up, good fearing & good finish.

. 1871 Erin, Wellington Co. Census, (p67):
John S Walker, Age 52 /1819, Born England, Church of England, Blacksmith, married
Elizabeth Walker, 42 /1829, Born Ireland, Ch. of England,
Sara J Walker, 15 /1856, born Ontario; Chars H. 14 /1857; Mary Ann, 12/1958; James W Walker Age 3 /1868.

. 1871 Lovell's Dominion Directory: Toronto Street Railway:
Route - St. Lawrence Hall to Yorkville & St. Lawrence Hall to Lunatic Asylum.

. 1871-1872 Wellington Co. Diretory, Erin:
Walker, Arthur, hardware; Walker, Geo. M. (McMillan & Walker).;
Walker, John S, foundry & machine shop.

. 1875 Wellington Co. Directory & Gazetteer, Erin, Wellington Co.
Erin A village situated on lots 13, 7, 14, 9th & 10 Con., Erin Twp., on the proposed line of the Credit Valley Railway. contains 9 stores, 4 hotels, grist mill (a second one will be built shortly, saw mill, carding factory, 2 foundries, 3 blacksmiths' shops, carriage factory, 4 churches, stave factory & law office, distant from Charleston station of the T.G & B Railway, 8 miles; from Georgetown, GTR station 13 miles, from Guelph the County Town, 19 miles, Mail, daily, stages leave for Georgetown on Mon., Wed. & Fridays, for Guelph. Montreal Telegraph Co. has an office here. Population 500.
. Erin Foundry, by John S. Walker. Size of building 60 x 82 feet, employs 7 men.
. Walker, John S, Foundry.

* 1876 Oct 26 - Erin Fall Exhibition, Tues. 17 Oct:
Implements: Gang plough: 2nd prize, J S Walker.

. 1877 Oct 25, Erin Exhibition: A large number of people, numbering around 3000 people, ventured through the almost incessant drizzle & such prevailed during the whole of last Thursday.,
Implements:
Gang Plow: 2nd. prize, J S Walker
Cultivator: 1st. prize, J S Walker;
Wooden harrow: 1st. J S Walker;
Set horse shoes: 1st, J S. Walker.
Domestic Produce: Honey in a comb: 1s. J S Walker & Strained honey, 2nd. prize, J S Walker.

. 1878 May 16 - There is now a daily mail between Guelph & Erin Village.
Ref: Acton Free Press.

. 1879 Co. of Wellington Gazetteer: Erin, an import postal village. 18 miles from Guelph. The proposed line of the Credit Valley RR runs through the village.There is a good foundry, a flour & Grist mill, & extensive woollen mills mfg. Tweeds, Full- Cloth, blankets, flannels etc. Plain & Colored yarns.
* Walker & Son, blacksmiths. [i.e. John S Walker & Charles Walker]

. 1879 Dec 23, Tues. - John S. Walker, of Erin village, died suddenly on Wednesday morning in a car on the Credit Valley Railway. [= Wed., Dec 17, 1879.]
Ref: The Globe, Toronto.

. 1880 May 1 - Erin Council - Pursuant to adjournment the Municipal Council of Erin Twp. met at Devier's Hotel Hillsbury, at ten o'clock. The Reeve in the chair & members all present. The matter in dispute between Wm. Young & John Walker in reference to the road leading to John Walker's house was called, when a long discussion ensued between the parties. Moved by Mr Reid, second by Dr. McNaughton, that the Reeve be instructed to take legal advice in reference to this road allowance & report was early as possible. Carried.
Ref: Guelph Daily Mercury newspaper, published 1880 Jun 30.

. 1879 Dec 17, Obituary. Sudden Death in Erin Mr John Walker Drops Dead
We regret to learn of the very sudden death this Wednesday morning of Mr. John S Walker, of Erin Village, & the oldest & most respected resident in the place. Mr. Walker was known far & wide as the proprietor of the Erin foundry.
On Wednesday morning he intended to go to Fergus or Elora, & left his house about half past 6 o'clock for the ballast train on the Credit Valley Railway. He was only in the car about 5 minutes when he expired. Heart disease is supposed to be the cause of his death. As we said, Mr. Walker is very old & respected resident of Erin, being in business there for many years. He was in good health up to the time of his death. The deceased never took a very active part in public matters, but he had always the interests of Erin at heart & he will be much missed, not only by his own family, but by the people in the village & township, by whom he was greatly respected for his genuine manliness & honesty.
Ref: Guelph Daily Evening Mercury, pub. Dec 17, 1879. Wed.

. WILL of JOHN SIBBALD WALKER:
Three living grandchildren of deceased Geo Walker, & 6 living children;
Edward (the administrator); William, Arthur; Mrs. Geo L Briggs (Margaret Ann); Robt. H & George Walker;
Edward, "eldest son". His, "mother is Thompson, a long time lunatic in Toronto. "

Note2: The lawyer representing the 4 children of his second companion, Elizabeth Walker, petitioned that the Will's administer present an undoubted security bond (i.e to ensure the corrected distributions to the second family too. )
No distribution was recorded in the administration papers, however, the envelope WILL had the Value as $2,5000. Edward Walker gives the assesses as $2,000. Since at least 1877 son Charles H Walker had already been working this his father operating the Erin Foundry & Machine Shop.

. Tall tombstone with iron on top, reads: In memory of John S Walker who died Dec. 18 1881.
Aged 61y 8mo 19 days. Erin Union Cemetery.

. 1879 Dec 17 Ontario Death Registration # 15745, Wellington Co.
John Sibbald Walker, Died Dec 17 1879, 60 years, 10 mo., 9 days;
Machinist, Born Country Durham, England,
Died of Heart disease, Dr. McNaughton,
Signature of informant Charles Walker, his son, Machinist, Erin., Reported 30 Dec 1879, Church of England.

. 1906 WELLINGTON COUNTY ATLAS
WALKER, John Sible, was b. Durham, Eng., & came to Hamilton in 1827 with his father, Thomas Walker, & the rest of the family.

Thomas Walker later returned to England & secured a situation as Supt. of the bridge building department of the Great Western Railway & died in England.

John S., after learning the blacksmithing trade in Hamilton, went to Slabtown.*
He had m. Jane Thompson who resided with Sir Allan McNabb. After about 2 years, in 1842, he moved to Erin Tp., settling in Erin Village, where he started the first blacksmith shop, & his brother George started a waggon shop opposite. He soon started a foundry ran by horse power for years. Later he sold out & moved to the present Walker foundry site, where he followed his business & made the celebrated Walker plow, the first iron beam, & iron handle plow in Canada. He also made buggies & cultivators & used to shoe the oxen in the district. He never sought municipal or political honours; was a Conservative in politics & a member of the English Church.
Issue: Edward (d. Guelph), William (d.); Flesherton; Arthur, Toronto Junction; George, (d. Erin); John C.; Mrs. G. L. Briggs, Tara; & Robert H., Calgary.

Note3: Slabtown was near St. Catharines, now Merriton, then noted for the Welland Canal & Welland-Western Railway. This flourishing town was located on the line of the Welland Canal on part Lots 10, 11 & 12, Con 9 & 10 Grantham Township. The town was created out of 4 small communities named Centreville (1826), Westport, Protestant Hill & Slabtown.
Ref: Cultural Heritage Assessment Report. Wentworth Co.

. Granddaughter, Ruby Walker told the story of her grandfather, John S Walker's death:
They came & called my grandfather to come & repair the train. The engine would not start. He was a blacksmith, but in Erin village he was the expert on machines, like a garage mechanic. This was an important event & Grandfather, was running up the street in Erin to the train station to repair the engine on the inaugural trip of the Credit Valley Railroad. The train would not start again so John was considered to be the Erin mechanical engineering expert so they called him to repair the train. He ran huffing & puffing up to the Erin train station. He grabbed the handle to pull himself up onto the engine & right then he was struck with a heart attack. 
P.S. This would have been before Ruby was born in 1899. So this story must have been a oft repeated story retold with much emotion.
Ref: c. 1982, As told by daughter, Ruby Walker to her grandniece PJ Felker.

. The Credit Valley Railway was given a hearty welcome one night as it arrived on its way thro' to Elora. I am told it was in October 1878. What a giant is seems. I remember how frightened we children were. A sad event of that evening was the sudden death of Mr. John Walker Sr., one of Erin's most prominent businessmen. He was hurrying to see the first passenger train through Erin when he collapsed & died. The evenings excitement was damped by sorrow for the family of Mr. Walker who had a foundry works, wagons & blacksmith shop on Main Street.

. Two of his sons carried on for many years; Mr. Charles & James Walker, who married with 2 ladies named Hamilton, but no relation to each other. Charles's wife was a daughter of Richard Hamilton who kept a grocery store on Main Street, & strange to say, his clerk was a John Hamilton of no relation to either Walker or Hamilton the grocer.
- as recounted by Florence Baker, in the mid 1940's wrote her memoirs of the time she lived in Erin during the 19th & 20th century.
Ref: Gleanings From Memories By Paths of Erin - Part Seven, by Harry Smith. 1871. - - -

Ontario Land Registry Office Abstract Book 215, Part Plan 61,
VILLAGE of ERIN, Wellington County
. Lot 2, Con 10, [divided into} Part SW Half, Lot 14, p8:
> 1846 Dec 8 - Daniel & Chas. McMillian & Wife, sold to John S Walker, part W 18.2
> 1852 Nov 24, Registered 1852 Dec 8, Bargain&Sale, Hugh, Dan & Chas McMillan, sold to Jno. Sibbald Walker, Lot 2, Con 10 Part SW Half, Lot 14 [ Inc. Lots 2, 3, 7, 14.]
. 1852 Dec 4, B&S, Jno Sibbad Walker & Wife, sold to James Monroe, with other lands together 2r 29p.
> 1853 Oct 24 - John S Walker & Wife, Mortgage - Pm & Perm Bank of Sur., Part W. [i.e. wife, Jane Thompson Walker]
. 1857 May18 - Thompson Geo. M. Walker - to Calvin M Question, unnumbered Lot 2.3
> 1858 Sep 25 - Perm. Bldg. Society, to John S Walker, Part 2 - 12, Erin.

Lot 3, Con 10, Part SW Half, Lot 14, p13:
> 1852 Nov 24, B&S, Hugh McMillan, exec of & Chas McMillan & Mary McMillan, to John Sibbald Walker, with other land together 4acres 1r 4p.
. 1852 Dec 4, B&S, John Sibbald Walker & wife, to James Monro, with other land together 2r 29Halfp.

Lot 7, Con 10 Part SW Half, Lot 14 p21
. 1846 Oct6 B&S,Dan & chareles McMillan & wives, to JohnS ibbald Walker, £1.30.9p with lot 8, (part of 18A 2r);
. 1848 Jul 31, B&S, Dan & Chas McMillan & wives & John Sibbald Walker, to James Young,£1.30p.9/10, Pt of 18 Acres, 2p, with Lot 8;
.
. 1852 Dec 2, B&S, James Young & wife, to John Sibbald Walker, 1r 30p9/10p, with Lot 8, (part of 18a2r);
. 1852 Nov 24, B&S, Hugh McMillan & Donald McBain (Executors of Charles McMillan, co-proprietor with the late Daniel McMillan, Mary McMillan, widow of late Dan. McMillan, & Christiana McMillan, wife of said Chas McMillan, to John Sibbald Walker, with other lands together 4 Acres 1r 4p.
. 1852 Dec 6, Jno Sibbald Walker & wife, to Geo. Michael Walker, 3. [or 34?] & 64440/10000 p.;
. 1854 Nov6, B&S, John Sibblad Walker, to Sencer L Shotter, with other land together 22A 16p.
. 1855 Nov 29, B&S, Geo. Michael Walker, to Peter Cook, 34 64480/100,000p.
. 1856 Aug 22,B&S, Spencer LShotter & wife, to Peter Cook, 1 Acred with provision respecting stream;
. 1856 Aug 22, S L Shotter, to P Cook, with provison respecting stream.

Lot 8, Con 10, p25
> 1846 Oct 6, Dan & Chas McMillan & wives, to JS Walker, with Lot 7 together 1r 30 9/10 p.
. 1848 Jul 31, B&S, John Sibbald Walker, Dan& Chas McMillan & wives, to James Young, With Lot 7, together 1r 30 9/10 p.
. 1852 Dec 2, B&S, James & Yonge & wife, to JS Walker, Lot 7 & with reservation & other land.
. 1853 Mar 16, Release of Judgement, Cal McQuesten & John Fisher, to JS Walker, with other land together, 22a or 16p.
. 1854 Nov 6, B&S, John S Walker, to S L Shotter, with other land.

. 1861 Jun 29, B&S, John Darroch & wife, to Hugh Millan, 12 Acres.

Lot 9, Con 10, p29
. 1852 Nov 24, B&S, Hugh McMillan, Executors of Chas McMillan, to JS Walker Part with other lands 4a 1r 4p.;
. 1853 Mar Release of Judgement, Calvin McQuesten & John Fisher, to John Sibbald Walker, with other land 22A or 16p with reservations;
. 1854 Nov 6, B&S, JS Walker, to SL Shotter, Part, with other lands;
. 1855 Aug 3, Samuel Beals & wife, to John clark, all 28 per.& part Lot 11 with privilege of Lane with provision for waterway.
. 1917 Jul 2, B&S, JohnR Hamilton & James Walker, Excutors, Wm Hamilton, decd, to Jennie Hull, Part, $1.

Lot 11, Con 10, p37
. 1852 Dec 3, B&S John Harris & wife, to John Sibbald Walker, part area.
. 1856 Sep 19, B&S, Reg. 4.27.1864, JS Walker, to John Clark, Part area, right of way through alley;
.1856 Sep 19, B&S, John Sbbald Walker, to John Clark, part A.

Lot 14, Con 10, Lots on Block SE side of Mill St., p45
. 1852 Nov 24, B&S, HughMcMillian, to JSWalker, With other land together 4a 1R 4p;
. 1852 Dec - B&S, JSWalker & Wife, to James Monro, with other land together.

. Lot 9, Con 10, p29 of Geo Arnott, Dec, To Erin Public School Board, all 2 acres, $20.00, Less Half acres.

Ref: Ontario Archives Microfiche # GS 3122-3. - - -

Birth:
Stockston District.

Died:
Aged 60y, 10m 9d [= 8 Feb 1819]. Heart Disease.

Buried:
Row S44-3, Plot 10, Tall pillar, top urn missing in 1990's.

John married Jane THOMPSON on 5 May 1838 in Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario. Jane was born in 1818 in Ireland; died on 10 Feb 1881 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; was buried in Erin Union Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Adopted by Mr. Thompson & raised with children of Sir Allan Napier MacNabb, Prime Minister of Ontario (Upper Canada), Dundurn Castle, Hamilton;
She resided & married at Dundurn Castle, 1838.

(Further research may reveal more info.)
Ref: 1821 May 6, York, Allan Napier MacNabb, half pay 48th Regt., married at York by John Strachan, St. James Cathedral to Elizabeth Brooks, Wit. A MacNabb, W R Macaulay & Daniel Brooke, Senior.
> Note1: Mrs. Elizabeth MacNabb would known Jane Thompson during her stay at Dundurn Castle. Prime Minister of UC from 1855 & 56, Sir Allan N McNab, b. 1798, at (Newark) Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., died 1862, Hamilton, ON.
Did Jane's parents died at Niagara, or Toronto where the MacNabbs also first had a house? - PJA 2011.

* 1838 UPPER CANADA MARRIAGE BOND # 6796
William Watkins of the town of Hamilton in the Gore District & the above said province, Cordwainer,
& JOHN WALKER of the said place, Wagon maker, are Bonded 6 May 1838.
For joining together in Holy Matrimony John Walker of the Town of Hamilton aforesaid, blacksmith &
Jane Thompson of the same place, spinster.
Signed, William Watkins, John Walker [i.e. his father, John Thomas Walker, Sr.]
Reverse side: Bond, William Mathins / Watkins & John Walker
Dated, 8 May 1838.
Ref: RG5 B9, Vol. 5 Reel C6787, Archives of Canada.
Note2: A Cordwainer makes shoes etc. from fine soft Cordovan leather. The cobbler repairs shoes. in March 1838 All McNabb received knighthood for his participation in the War of 1812, esp. bring forces to combat Mackenzie at Montgomery's Tavern. - PJA.

. HAMILTON QUARTER SESSIONS OF PEACE:
[Further research needed]
Walker, Thomas, 1838 June, Plaintiff, Page 12,
Walker, John, 1839 March 14, Plaintiff
Walker, John, 1847 /8 DEC 24, Plaintiff
Thomson, Jane, 1843 June 12, Plaintiff, *
Note3: Jane Thompson who was married in May 1838.
Ref: Page 18, Hamilton Quarter Sessions.

. 1840 Assessment Hamilton Town., Ontario
John Walker, Frame One Story; 1 Male; 1 Female; Total 2.

. 1841 May Assessment Hamilton Town: 2 story Framed house 1@ 60£. Total 85£.

. 1843 Assessment Hamilton Town. [Separate Entries:]
John S Walker, 2 Lots, 2 Story, Additional fireplace, Mr. £200
Thompson [Thompson crossed out] Mrs. Walker, 1 female, Martial landlord, £60.
Note4: But where are the two children, Edward, b. 1840, & William H. Walker, born 24 Feb 1843. -PJA

. 1846 Aug 22 - Provincial Lunatic Asylum was when erected, wholly in the country, 20 minutes from Yonge street, on Queen St. W.
Ref: Robertson Landmarks of Toronto, Vol 3.

. 1856 Dec 13, Toronto - The new Provincial Lunatic Asylum was erected in 1845 & the drawing in the Globe Newspaper shows a giant yellow brick hospital with trees, fresh air & a fine view of Lake Ontario. Situated at 999 Queen Street, 3 miles from City Hall. The high brick walls were noted erected at this time. Warming & ventilation devised by the architect incorporated steam heated pipes in every room. 2 flights of stone steps & goldstone landing to the entrance, Board room, suite of waiting, examining 7 consulting rooms. Opposite are 2 large wards adapted to extreme surgical cases. Resident surgeon, nurses & stewards on1st floor. A liberal supply of baths, washrooms. The theatre is under the mortuary. 22 wards with 12 patients per ward.
Ref: Globe Newspaper, Toronto, features a very lengthy description of the new building.

. 1847 Jan 9, Sat. - LUNATIC BALL (Abbreviated): We were not a little taken aback a few days ago receiving a card of invitation to attend a Ball in the Parliament House "to Lunatics," on the Thurs. night, 7th instant. On inquiry we found the manager of the Asylum endeavors to rouse the dexx of patients in the institution & encouraged tea parties among them ...extended their invitations to members of the learned profession of the University & other citizens.
We got to the Parliament House, on entering the Ball-room we found patients of both sexes, sitting on benches at the spacious apartment, while a number of citizens with their families, occupied with music presently "struck up: & forthwith a dozen of couples, tripping it most energetically to the music… Nearly all those conversed with entered readily into their history, probably their afflictions, the changes, hopes of returning to their families. Especial care was asked each one how was treated by Doctors & servants, & were delighted at the hearty manner in which they express the kindness shown them by all at the Institution. 50 patients at present in the Asylum, to be removed into the premises in the East wing of the Parliament that they now reside there. At 8 pm the inmates sat down to supper & afterward resumed dancing until half past nine & returned to the Institution.
Ref: The Toronto Globe Newspaper.
Note5 Jane had just arrived here a few weeks previously. -PJA

. 1848 Feb 19, Ball at the Lunatic Asylum - One of these interesting affairs came off on Tues. evening last. A considerable number of visitors were present, inc. Rev Dr. Strachan, Rev. Jennings & Barclay, the Chief Justice. Every thing went off well & a number marked improvement from last year, was observed in the dancing of patients.
Note6 Jane will be released in a few weeks. - PJA.

* 1861 University Branch of Prov. Lunatic Asylum p1129, St. Patrick's Ward, City of Toronto, York Co.
Jane Walker, born Ireland, Age 44 /b 1818, Church of England, married, Lunatic. Page Totals: Influencre from assis., consumption, Brain soft, Consn. [?]
Comments by Enumator: The Hosptial occupies a block of land (bounded on south by Don St, East by Sumack & west by Pine St) in St. Davids Ward. {Additional staff of 68 workers, inc. Medical staff, nurses, farmers, fireman, gardners, Keepers, servants, clergy.)
. 1861 Feb 2 Census Erin Village, Wellington
John S Walker, B 1819 England, Blacksmith, 2 half Acres, Concrete 2 stories house.
* Walker, b. 1821 Ireland;
Margaret, b. 1858; Robt., b 1853; Sarah Jane, b. 1857; Mary Walker b. 1858;
Arthur Walker, Apprentice, Age 17, Residing with Wm M Kennedy, tinsmith, Erin.

> Note7: * Jane Thompson Walker was recorded present on the Erin Census 1861, which directly conflicts with Jane's recorded medical history which puts her in the Toronto Lunatic Asylum since 1853. Youngest son, Robert Walker, was born in 1853.
(But, Jane is also not present on the Erin 1871 Census.)

. Ontario Death Registration #029227. Wellington Country, District Village of Erin ON. Pg. 263.
WALKER, JANE - Died: 1881 February 10.
Female 62 years [ b1819 ] widow, Born Ireland,
Cause of Death: An Insane Person. Physician: Dr. Clark Insane Asylum, Informant.
Rev. Isaac Crane, Methodist Minister, Erin.
Registered: 1881 February 12. Religion of deceased: Methodist Ch. Canada.
Registrar, Wm. Tyler.
Remarks: This death may have been registered by Dr. Clark. The pt. Insane Asylum Toronto. She was brought here & her sons had it put on her record. WT.

Note8: Toronto Lunatic Asylum was a new hope for the treatment of mental problems. Jane Thompson Walker was admitted on 22 Dec 1847 for her first attack of excitement over pecuniary matters. On 18 Mar 1848, two months & 29 days later, husband John Walker took her back improved to their home in Erin, Ontario.
> Observation: Jane Thompson Walker was born in Ireland, 5 feet 4 inches tall, fair hair with blue eyes; sanguine* of temperament & had a good disposition & intellect. FIVE children. Pecuniary (money) matters caused her to be melancholic or depressed.

Note9: Jane lived with an instability of life as an orphan & then living in the mansion of the Prime Minister of Ontario where there were many servants coming & leaving. - PJA 2010

Note10: *One of the four ancient temperaments. Sanguine quick, impulsive, & extroverted personality. The others were phlegmatic, self-content, prefer stability; choleric ambition, energy & passion & the melancholic is a thoughtful ponder.

. Six years later, on 26 Apr 1853 she was readmitted by her husband who paid 5 shillings per week for her maintenance. At this time Jane's records say she had SEVEN children. She was Sobrient & intemperate [steady, non-drinker (?) but uncontrolled or excessive.] 28 years later Jane died in the Toronto Asylum of gangrenes.

Note11: In 1922 grandson Edward John C Walker thought his grandmother's name was Margaret Thompson. Rather, perhaps he was thinking of his paternal grandmother, Margaret Sibbald Walker.

Recorded for further research:

. Died Jane Walker, Age 60, Died 9 Feb 1881, Toronto.
Ref: Guelph Weekly Mercury .

Transcriptions & research by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Page 2: Jane Thompson

. IMPROVEMENT IN LUNATIC DISCIPLINE:
1848 July describing the annual Orange Parade in terms of a lunatic procession. He begins by remarking what appears to have been a regular urban spectacle, of female patients from the Lunatic Asylum being driven in a carriage around the city, seeing & no doubt being seen. This time, however, the whole Asylum population appeared to be on parade. The editor expresses his great pleasure at having recognized several citizens whom he had not previously thought mad, & one whose obvious shame & embarrassment indicated returning reason. His only regret is that Dr. Park had not chosen a day when his lunatics would not have been mistaken for Orangemen in a 12th of July procession.

In the July 21st paper, under the heading "Twelfth of July," the Editor apologizes, albeit facetiously, to those readers whom he has offended by what he calls his "little jeu d'esprit." Rather disingenuously he claims to have been hoaxed by a contributor, whose article he set verbatim in editorial type.

By pretending to correct mistakes in the last piece, he only makes the Orange ritual more ridiculous, & reinforces its similarity to a lunatics' procession. Yes, he admits, as if he were not increasing the damage, the procession described in the last issue as "an excursion of lunatics from the Asylum," was indeed a "bona fide Orange procession" what was described as a large beer barrel was really a "genuine Protestant big drum."

Possibly anticipating one of his favourite ploys in the Annual Reports, the Editor exploits & playfully reverses the opposition between the Asylum & the rest of the world by reporting the inmates' indignation at being identified with anything as "mad" as the Orange Procession:

We regret to learn that the inmates of the Asylum have also been seriously offended by the same article; & have expressed great astonishment that we could possibly have been deceived into the belief that they would act so irrationally as to expose themselves to the derision of the citizens of Toronto, by any such childish proceedings as those which characterized the procession of the 12th instant.

The Editor pretends to have equally offended those he (accidentally) depicted as lunatics, & those who are (or at least are treated) as lunatics. Of course, the real target is not the inmates of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, but the inhabitants of the supposedly sane City.

... The Editor of the Mirror first indicates his awareness of the quarrel between Dr. Park & the Commissioners ( E F Whittemore & Brewer) of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum in an article headed simply "The Lunatic Asylum" in the edition of October 20, 1848. Glancing at the alleged "mistake" regarding the Orange Procession last July 12, 1848.

Ref: Troping the Asylum, by John Thomas Rowland, 1999. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Died of gangrenes at Toronto Lunatic Asylum.

Buried:
'Brought to Erin for burial', not listed on John S Walker tombstone.