Notes:

Ontario Birth Registration # 35117 Sep 21, 1895, Sarah J. Walker, female, father Jas. W. Walker, moulder,
mother Annie Hamilton.
Informant J.W. Walker, Erin. Registered Oct 18, 1895. Accoucheur Dr. Gear. Registrar Wm. Conboy.


. 1909 Sep 8, Erin. Miss Sarah Walker, Toronto, who has been spending her vacation visiting her cousin, Miss Ruth Hull & other relatives in Erin & vicinity returned home last week.
Ref: Erin Advocate newspaper. - -

Birth:
Female, English Irish, Single.

Died:
Aged 28y 5m. 2d. Pulmonary Tuberculosis 3y.

Buried:
Ref: ON. Death Reg.

Notes:

. 1864 Aug 9 - Birth announcement of a son to John Walker of Erin, Ontario.
Ref: Guelph Weekly Mercury, published 1864 Aug 26.

. Marriage Reg. No. 012408, Feb 9, 1888 by Hugh Reed at Erin.
Groom: James Wykham Walker, age 24 years / 1864, res Erin, born Canada, bachelor, moulder, Church of England,
Parents: John & Elizabeth Walker .
Bride: Anne Hamilton, age 21 years / 1867, res. Erin, born Canada, spinster, Baptist,
Parents: William & Hannah Hamilton.
Witnesses: Charles H Walker of Erin & John Hamilton of Erin.

> XRef: James's middle name is found on his son John Sibbald Walker [Jr.] 's marriage registration: Father James Wyhkam Walker. - PJA.

. 1899 Nov 23 - Jas. Walker has rented the Agricultural Hall & will run the skating rink this season.
Ref: Acton Free Press newspaper.

. 1909 Jul 28, Wed., Erin. Among those who came up from the city with the Guerney Excursion on Saturday were:
Mr Mrs J Walker, Mesrs N & J Felker, Mr. G Berry & Mr J Walker. [Mrs J.?]
. 1909 Aug 4, Wed., Visitors Erin, Mr Mrs Walker & family, Toronto.
. 1909 Oct 20, Thanksgiving Day Erin Fair Visitors: Mr J Walker & 2 sons, Charlies & John, Miss Ottie Walker, all of Toronto. [i.e. daughter of John S Walker, Jr.]
. 1930 Sep 11, Thrus. Mr Mrs Walker & son of Toronto, called on friends on Saturday.
. 1930 Oct 2, Erin Mr Mrs J W Walker, of Toronto, are visiting with Mr Mrs W Hull.
. 1930 Oct 16, Thrus. Mr Mrs J W walker, Toronto, have returned home aft rising with relatives here.
. 1935 Mar 14, Thrus. Erin. Mr Mrs J W Walker of Toronto, Dr & Mrs Hutchinson & 2 daughters of Brampton, were Sunday visitors with Mrs Jennie Hull.
. 1935 Apr 11, Mr Mrs J W Walker of Toronto were Sunday visitors with relatives here.
. 1935 Jul 18, Mr Mrs JW Walker, of Toronto, are visiting with relatives & friends in the village.
. 1935 Aug 29, Thurs, Erin. Mr Mrs F Topping & 2 sons, of St. Joseph Mo., Mr Mrs J W Walker, Mr John Walker of Toronto, Mrs James Hamilton & Miss Bertha
Ref: Erin Advocate newspaper.
. 1936 Oct 22, Erin, Mrs JW Walker of Toronto; Mrs F C Topping of Jst. Joseph, Mo; Mrs & Mrs H Thomas, of Buffaloe, NY; Dr & Mrs Hutcinson, Freda & Ruther of Brampton, visited with Mrs Jennie Hull.

Ontario Land Registry Office Abstract Book 237, Plan 102, p340
. Lot 21, Con 10, ERIN TWP., Wellington County
. 1889 Jun 11, Bargain&Sale, Eliz Wright, To Walter Meikleham*, Part Half Acres,
. 1889 Jun 11 Deed, E Wright, to James W Walker, All 2.5 Acres, Except pt sold Meiklham in Trust.
. 1911 Sep 18, B&S, James W Walker, John S Walker & Chas W Walker, to James Hamilton*, all 2 Acres, $1600. Except Half Ac. with Tools Machinery & Plant.

. 1916 Apr 4, Charles W Walker, unmarried, to Geo Arnott, All 2A, $1850 Except Half Ac. with Tools Machinery & Plant.
Note: Walter Meikleham - married to sister Mary Ann Walker;
James Hamilton - brother-in-law, brother of his wife Annie Hamilton Walker;
John S Walker.2 & Chas W Walker - sons;
No land abstract is noted for the sale of Walter Meikleham's half acre of land. - PJA 2018.

. Witness: Ontario Marriage Registration #012609-90 (Wellington Co):
Wellington
Hull, 41, Butcher, Widower, b. Canada, r. Erin Village,
s/o Hezekeah Hull & Jane Hull,
married Jennie Hamilton, 22, b. Erin Twp., res. Erin Village,
d/o William Hamilton & Hanna Hamilton.
Wit. James Walker of Erin Village, Wm Hamilton of Erin Village, 15 Sep 1890, Erin Village.

. James Walker came every Sunday with his family to Sunday dinner on Weston Road with his niece, Jennie Walker Felker. Uncle James was a short man. - Nephew, Charles H. Felker.
[Perhaps James was also providing a father figure for his sister Jenn's children, whose husband was deceased. - PJA]

. 1911 June 19 Census, Toronto, York South
James W Walker, Age 47 / Mar 1864, Moulder, foundry, $750 Salary, Life Insurance $1000, Insurance Cost $24.
Annie Walker, 25/1866 Married, B Ontario
John S Walker, Age 2/1889, Ontario
Annie Walker, Age one month, 1891 Ontario
Walker, Elizabeth, 62/1829, Widowed other, b. Ireland.

. Ontario Death Registration , York Co., #579 - 007227
James W Walker, resided 228 Fairview Ave., Toronto,
married, Born March 31, 1863, Aged 73 years, retired,
died 2 October, 1936 of Edema of lung, due to heart failure at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Wife Annie L Walker.
James is the son of John S Walker, born England & Elizabeth Walker, born England.
Burial Park Lawn Toronto, on Oct 5, 1936.

Obituary
. 1936 Oct 8, Thurs. Former Erin Citizen passes in Toronto
A former Erin citizen passed away at St Joseph's Hospital Toronto on Friday evening, October , 2936, in there person of James W Walker, in his 74th year. A son of the late Mr Mrs John Walker, he was born in Erin & spend his year & early life here, moving to Toronto a number of years ago, where he was employed with the Gurney foundry Co., the Consumers Gas Co.
He had been in his usual health up until a week before his death, when he was seized with a heart attack, from which he failed to rally & passed peacefully away. He was well known in Erin, having visited quite frequently & made many new friends as well as renewing the friendships of former years. He was an Anglican & a member of the IOOF & the maccabees.
He is survived by his wife, nee Annie L Hamilton, of Erin; 2 daughters: Mrs C F Topping of St Joseph, MO.; Mrs R S Vickers, Oshawa; 2 sons: John S & Charles W, of Toronto, One daughter Sarah predeceased him number of years ago. The funeral took place onMonday afternoon fromWm Speers Chapel, West Toronto, when Rev Mr Morley of St. Paul's Church, Toronto, conducted the service in the presence of a large congregation. The many floral tributes bespoke of the high esteem in which the deceased was held, & of sympathy extended to the bereaved family. The pall-bears were: James Hamilton, John Hamilton, Major Justice, Percy Finn, James Douglas, Charles Topping. Interment at Park lawn cemetery, Toronto. - - -

Birth:
Alt Spelling: James Wyckham Walker.

Died:
COD: Edema of Lung, heart failure. St. Joseph's Hospital, Toronto.

Buried:
Bloor St . W., Etobicoke (Toronto).

James married Letitia Anna ANNIE HAMILTON on 9 Feb 1888 in Erin, Wellington Co., Ontario. Letitia was born in Jul 1866 in Erin, Wellington Co., Ontario; died in 1964 in Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried in Park Lawn / Humbervale Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Annie Letitia is the daughter of Hannah, b. c. 1838 Ireland, & William Hamilton, [b. 1835 Ireland], farmer.

. Her brother is James Hamilton, d. 1953 Toronto, tea merchant & he married Letitia Nodwell;
Anna L Hamilton in Toronto in 1953 ? & Annie Hamilton's sisters Jennie Hull ( married Wellington Hull, publisher, son, Roky? Wm Hull, 1892 & dau: Ella May Hull 1894), Rachel Chapell, Ella Justice.)
Note: No relations to Richard L Hamilton who is the grandfather of Jennie Walker, Erin - PJA.

. Marriage Reg. No. 012408, Feb 9 1888 by Hugh Reed at Erin.
Groom: James W Walker, age 24 years /1864, res. Erin, born Canada, bachelor, moulder, Church of England,
Parents: John & Elizabeth Walker,
Bride: Anne Hamilton, age 21 years [1867], res Erin, born Canada, spinster, Baptist, Parents: William & Hannah Hamilton.
Witnesses: Charles H Walker of Erin & John HAMILTON of Erin.

& a second registration:

. Ontario Marriage Registration #59892. DATE?
JAMES W WALKER, 24 y [1864] Erin, moulder
s/o John & Elizabeth Walker, C of England; married
Hamilton, Ann, age 21 [1867], Res. Erin, Born Canada, spinster, Baptist,
d/o Wm. & Hannah Hamilton.
Witness: Charles H Walker & John Hamilton, Erin. Minister Hugh Reid, Ontario.
Note: Perhaps both families registered the marriage. - PJA.

. 1911 June 19 Census, Toronto, York South
Annie Walker, Wife, Age 44 / Jul 1866, Anglican, 466 Woodville, Toronto.

. WITNESS: Robert Beatty, 31, of Chinguacousy, born Canada, bachelor, farmer, s/o Robert & Mary Beatty, Presbyterian, married
Mary Hamilton, 23, of Erin, born Canada, spinster, d/o Jas. & Annie Hamilton, Disciple, Witnesses Henry Beatty of Chinguacousy & George Hamilton of Erin,10 Jan 1872, in Erin, by Hugh Reid, by License. (p. 121, Division Erin, Wellington Co.)

. MID-WIFE:
Wellington Co. Registration #036832, Oct. 7 1882,
Betsy McEachearn, female, father Neil McEachearn, farm labourer, mother Elizabeth MIicklin.
Informant Neil McEachearn, father of child, Erin, registered Dec 14 1882,
Accoucheur Mrs. Jas. Walker. Registrar Thos. Young.

. 1935 Aug 29, Thurs, Erin. Mr Mrs F Toppng & 2 sons, of St. Joseph Mo., Mr Mrs J W Walker, Mr John Walker of Toronto, Mrs James Hamilton & Miss Bertha Hamilton of Toronto, spend the weekend with relatives here.
Ref: Erin Advocate newspaper.

Ontario Land Registry Office Abstract Book 215, Part Plan 61,
VILLAGE of ERIN, Wellington County
Lot 8, Con 10, p25
. 1846 Oct 6, Dan & Chas McMillan & wives, to John Sibbald Walker, with Lot 7 together 1r 30 9/10 p.
. 1904 Jany 2, B&S, John Currie, to Wellington Hull & William Hamilton, All 12 Acres, $1200, & other lands, sub. to Mortgages;
. 1915 Aug 9, B&S, Wellington Hull & Wife, to Wm. Hamilton, All 12A, $1000;
. 1916 Jun 27, Probate Will, William Hamilton, decd., to John R Hamilton;
. 1917 Jul 2, John Hamilton & James Walker, Executors, of Wm. Hamilton, decd; [Also Exec, Lots 9, 10 & 11], to Jennie Hull, $1.;

. 1918 Jun 1, B&S, John R Hamilton & wife, to Morris Sugeraman, All 12A, $400;
. 1925 Dec 1, Grant, Morris Sugerman & wife, to James Hamilton, $2000. - - -

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 Elizabeth WYKHAM. Elizabeth was born on 10 Feb 1828 in Ireland; died on 26 May 1903 in Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1877 Oct 25, Erin Exhibition:
Ladies Work: Fancy wool work, Scarf, 2nd prize, [Mrs?] J S Walker.

. 1883 Wellington County Directory:
Sibley John C, carriage builder
Walker C H, prop. Erin Foundry, manuf. agricultural implements
Walker, Mrs Elizaberh, wid. John.

. 1883 Ontario Directory
Walker, Elizabeth, Mrs wid. John, 1881 Erin, Ontario.

. 1901 Census Erin Village, Wellington Co.,
Walker, Elizabeth, Mother [residing with son James Walker], Widow, Born 10 Feb. 1829 Age. 72,
Country of birth, England, Nationality, Religion: English Ch., Reads Writes English - Native language English.
Note: Elsewhere Elizabeth consistently gives her nationality as Irish. Based on this 1901 Census, one might infer she was from North Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom ('English').

. Ontario Death Certificate # 028057, Wellington Co.
Walker, Elizabeth, died Mar 26, 1903, Main St., Erin, Widow,
Born Ireland, Bronchitis 2 weeks.
Dr. Henry Gear, Religion English. Registered May 28, 1903.

. OBITUARY, May 29, 1903, Erin
The summons of death came last Tuesday morning to Mrs. Elizabeth Walker, relict of the late John S. Walker, who passed away about 5 o'clock at the residence of her son, Mr. J. W. Walker, Main street, at the age of 73 years & 4 months.
At an hour when the bereavement weighs so heavily upon the family & friends, words must fail to express adequately or in a measure the profound sympathy felt for them. The funeral took place on Thursday to Erin Cemetery.
Ref: Brampton Conservator Newspaper. - - -

Birth:
Son James' middle name is Wyckham/ Wykham. Verify if her maiden name.

Died:
Main Street. Aged 73y 4m. (=26 Jan 1830.) Bronchitis, 2 Weeks.

Notes:

. St. Edmund's Parish Register, File #12605
Baptized 16 Sep 1792, Parents Jane & John Walker.

. 1798 Land Tax Redemption
Joseph Barker, Sedgefield, Durham, Occupied by John Walker, tax £2,5 pd. 1799 Mar 21.

. Hamilton City Directory:
Thomas Walker, Nightengale St., 1833 Settlement, nativity, England, Wagon Maker.

. 1834. A D Ferrier's Reminiscences, from lectures delivered to Farmers & Mechanics Institute, Fergus in 1864. Ferrier recalls his travels starting in 1830-1834:
1834 Jun. Ferrier visited Niagara Falls, St. Catherines to Hamilton, Ontario
In 1834 Hamilton was quite a small town & there had ben a fire in the main street, & the ruins were still standing. Burleigh's Hotel was the best at that time.The corner of John & King Sts was occupied by a neat little cottage, garden inferno & large orchard adjoining, & there were not a dozen houses between that the next. The only public building of any pretension was the Court House. There was nothing very inviting abut it & the road to the lake was very bad. There was great trouble insurer for want of wanter.
Ref: Sketches of the Early Days of Fergus & vicinity, 1919.

ONTARIO, CANADA CENSUS & ASSESSMENT:
(some without column headings, making interpretation difficult):
. 1835 Census & Assessment, Hamilton Town, Ontario
John Walker: 1 male; 1 male under 16; 2 females under 16, Total 7, Church of England: Eight. Rentable Property £20.
Note1: this doesn't add up correctly.

. 1837 Census John Walker: 6 Males; 1M> 16F>16; 1F Total 11 [i.e. Doesn't add up]
. 1837 Assessment Hamilton: John Walker: Framed 2 stories £35; 1 Mich Cows £3; Rentable £110. 'In the same apartment bldg. Some of those in this app. owning lots in the town: The persons residing in the country: Doctor Casy.

. 1838 Assessment & Census: John Walker: 1 Town Lot; Frame One Story; Grist Mill wrought by water with one of stones: 1; Merchant storehouse: 2; Closed carriages with 4 wheels: 4; £60.

. 1840 Assessment Hamilton.1 of 2: John Walker, Cherry Street Lot, Between John King & John St.: Framed under 2 Stories: 1; Milch cows 1: Closed carriages with 4 wheels: 2.

. 1840 July 14 Census.2 of 2, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, CANADA:
John Walker
Males above 16 years: 3 [i.e. John Sr.; Geo. Michael; John Sibbald Sr., or perhaps Robt. Walker.]
Males under 16 years: 3 [ Infant Edward Walker, b 1840.
Females above 16 years: 2 [Marg. Sibbald Walker, Jane Thompson Walker.
Females under 16 years: 2 [Marg. Walker, Jr. Total: 10 in family.

. 1841 May Assessment Hamilton Town: John Walker, 2 men, 2 boys, 1 Female, 6 girls (column?) Total 6 [repeated].

. 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 & John Sibbald Walker, Junior. This is also the last record found for John Thomas Walker.]

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

. HAMILTON QUARTER SESSIONS OF PEACE, ONTARIO
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, Page 18.
Note2: Further research for details is needed. - PJA.

. 1906 WELLINGTON COUNTY ATLAS, Ontario, Canada:
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.

. 1861 Census Great Aycliffe, Co. Durham: John Walker was living with his niece Jane Welch & her son Geo. E Welch.

. 1871 Census - John Walker, born 1792, in Sedgefield.
In the Census 1871 Darlington Union Workhouse shows a widower who meets the profile of our John Walker. There was a rather large population for the workhouse was reconstructed from the bishop's palace, which had fallen into neglect.

The year of John's birth 1792, is remembered as the year Sedgefield's streets were filled with two feet of hail that fell on July 17th, damaging many houses & windows.
The Parish Church, dedicated to St. Andrew, occupies a commanding position on what was formerly the site of an early Saxon church. The erection of this most interesting structure may be said to date from the early part of the thirteenth century. It is cruciform in shape, consisting of nave, aisles, transepts, spacious chancel, south porch & western tower. The lower stage of the tower is connected with the nave by a fine arch consisting of three chamfered orders, resting on octagonal responds. The parish register commences in 1558.
Ref: History, Topography & Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894.
John Thomas Walker was called John in England. In Canada is was his family referred to him as Thomas, but he continued to sign his name John Walker.
Ref: John's own Birth Registration; Marriage Bond & Birth Reg. of sons John S. & George M. giving his name as John Walker; & the Wellington Co., Ontario, Atlas, the family refers to him as 'Thomas'. Additionally in the Hamilton, Ontario Census he uses the name of John.

. Auckland includes
Archdeacon Newton, Auckland St. Andrews, & St Helen, Armpton, Binchester (old Roman), Bishop Auckland, Bishop Auckland & Pollards Lands, Blackwell, Bolam. Hadrian's Wall, which is not too distant, was built c.122 AD, to separate the Romans from the Brignates & Caledonia Tribes. These tribes where the original inhabitants of Britain & thus neither English or Scot.

. 1801 is population was 1,184 & In 1821 the population of Sedgefield Twp., Durham was 1268 persons.

. Sedgefield stands on rising ground John Walker & family learned their trades in the heart of the ancient village of Sedgefield which was founded by the Normans. The old Roman road, Cade's Road, runs northward, just skirting Sedgefield.
By 1828 the village manufacture agricultural implements like saddlery, four milling an shoemaking. Sedgefield in North East England is were rail travel was first start in Sept. 1825 with Geo. Stephenson's famous Locomotion Number One.

. 1887 Gazetteer for Sedgefield, is a market town & is 9 miles from Durham City. The town has also a grammar school, MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, & an old market cross. Fairs for cattle are held in April & Oct. The Durham Count Lunatic Asylum is nearby in the township.

. SEDGEFIELD, Durham Co., Yorkshire. (Stockton District)
Includes twp. or civil parish: Bishop Middleham, Bishopton, Bradbuy & the Isle, Butterwick & Oldarcres, Chilton, Confoth, E & W Newbiggin, Elstob, Embleton, Ferryill, Bishburn , Foxton & Shotton, Garmondsay Moor, Great & Little Stainton, Mainsforth, Mordon, Preston le Skerne, Sedgefield, Stillington, Thrislington, Timdon, Woodham. The extensive parish of Sedgefield is divided into 7 townships: 1, Hardwick, Sans & Layton; 2. Bradbury & the Isle; 3 Mordon; Foxton & Shotton; 5 Butterwick inc. Old Acres; 6. #Embleton, inc. Swainston & the Mortons; & 7. Fishburn.
In 900 AD there were 20 Villain-farmers each of whom held two ox gangs, & contributed with their harvest to the poor. Ploughing Matches, at which prizes are given, are occasionally held at Sedgefield, for the encouragement of agricultural labourers.
Sedgefield means the open land belonging to Cedd. - - -

Birth:
Chester St.Alt DOB: 1792 Sep 16.

Died:
Aged 82.

John married Margaret SIBBALD on 17 May 1812 in Auckland, St. Andrew, Durham, England. Margaret (daughter of Thomas SIBBALD, .1 and Mary HARRIOTT, .2) was born on 21 May 1794 in Auckland, St. Andrew, Durham, England; died est < 1861 in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. Sibbald, MARGARET, Christened 1794 MAY 21, Auckland St. Andrews, Durham, England,
d/o Thos. Sibald & Mary Harriot.

. Marriage:
Sibbald, MARGARET, 1812 Feb. 17,
Auckland, St Andrew Anglican Parish, Durham, England,
Married Walker, John of Durham, England.

Marriage Bond for Durham Diocese, England
1812 Feb 17 on with day appeared personally John Walker of British Auckland in the County & Diocese of Durham in {Surrogate court?] & being Sworn on the Holy Evangelists, alleged & made Oath that he is a minor & intends to marry Margaret Sibbald of British Auckland in the County & Diocese of Durham, aforesaid, she is also a minor.
He prayed a license to solemnize the said marriage in the Parish Church of of St. Andrew, aforesaid, deponent, that she the said Margaret Sibbald hat had ever usual place of above of the space of 4 weeks last past,
On the Same Day the said John Walker was sworn before me John Faceon, Surrogate, Signed, John Walker.
[In hand writing:} Upon the same day appeared personally John Walker Sr, the matrimonial & lawful father of John Walker the younger, aforesaid, minor & Thomas Sibbald of Bishop Auckland the natural & lawful father of her the said Margaret Sibblad a minor, & made Oath that they are consenting to the side intended marriage,
Stood before me, John Bacon, Surrogate & Bacon Pastor?,
Signed, John Walker, Thos. Sibbald.
Know all Men, by the Present, that we John Walker of Bishop Auckland in the County of Durham, Cartwright,
& John Londsale of Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, aforesaid, Sen?sel are bound firmly obliged to Sir Thos. Bernard, Barnoet for £200. 17 Feb 1812, the condition of the Obligation is such that if the above said John Walker, a Bachelor & Marg. Sibbald, a spinster now licensed to be married together, Signed, John Bacon, Surrogate.
Note: Margaret Sibbald age 17y 11 26d. & John T Walker Jr. age 19y 8m 16d.

. AUCKLAND
is the site of the Bishop of Durham's Place of residence, dating 1242. The origin of the name Auckland, which is shared with West Auckland & St Helen Auckland is obscure & its earliest recorded form being Alcleat, a Celtic word meaning cliff on the River Clyde. Alcleatland was interpreted by the Vikings as Auckland which means separate land. The place has sometimes been called oakland, because of the well wooded countryside.
Ref: www.englandsnortheast.co.uk

. THE DIALECT & ACCENT OF THE LAND OF THE ANGLES:
One of the most distinctive & best known features of the North East is its famous dialect which is a very important feature of the region's heritage. It is still distinguished by its often musical tones & peculiar words that often originate from the ancient languages of Germanic & Scandinavian Europe. They were the Angles & Saxons, a fierce sea-roving pagan race originating from Angulus (now in southern Denmark) & Saxony (in northern Germany). Over the centuries the old Anglo Saxon language changed beyond recognition with the gradual introduction of Latin, Norman-French & other foreign influences.
The Anglo-Saxon `Northumbrian' dialects of North Eastern England take a number of forms which are often loosely termed `Geordie'. Distinctively Geordie & Northumbrian words are more than 80 % Angle in origin, compared to standard English, where the figure is less than 30 %. The dialects of the region take numerous forms such as the Geordie of Tyneside, the Northumbrian dialect, the Wearside dialect of Sunderland & parts of Durham & the south Durham & Teesisde dialects.

For example a Geordies calls ALD WIFE is a woman whether she is married or not is an 'Old Woman'. A Geordie may say Aaal Larn yer (meaning I'll teach you) which meant to teach you. Certain Geordies & Northumbrian Geordie words like Dede, Coo, Cloot, Hoot Wrang, Strang & Lang are in fact the original Anglo-Saxon pronunciations for Dead, Cow, Clout, House, Wrong, Strong & Long.

. The Bishop Auckland's accent seems to be closer to Darlington & similar to Teeside. Historically the Teeside area was separated from neighbouring regions, cut off by a strong natural wooded ravine area & the marsh flood plain of Sedgefield.
Ref: www.englandsnortheast.co.uk - - -

Birth:
(Bishop) Auckland St. Andrews Church.

Died:
(Presumed died England). Husband widow on Census 1861 (but nothing found for 1851).

Notes:

Married:
Alt Date: 17 Feb 1812