| Notes |
- This Summary is to aid in following my main line of descent:
First Generation
John Willson, Sur, born 8 Jun 1739 Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey, died 8 Jul 1829 Sharon, E Gwillimbury, York Co., Ontario {Reburied Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Thornhill, ON]
married 1760, Rebeka (Thixton) Thickson, 10 Jul 1743 St James, Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ - 7 Jun 1804, Thornhill, Markham Twp., Ontario. [REburied Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery].
Primary residence: Lot 30, Con 1 West Side of Yonge Street, Ontario.
Second Generation:
Their daughter: Mary Willson, b. Est. 1770 Piscataway, New Jersey - died Est. 21 Feb 1821 Charlottesville, Norfolk Co., Ontario,
married c. 1833 Toronto to: Lieut. Richard Lawrence, 20 Aug 1759 Middletown, Upper Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey - died Bef. 5 May 1831 Harwich, Kent Co., Ontario; burial unknown.
Primary residence: Lot 25, Con 1 East Side of Yonge, Town of York, that is Steeles & Yonge, Toronto.
Third Generation:
Their daughter Rebecca Lawrence, York Twp., Lot 25 Con 1 Yonge St., York Co., Ontario - 17 Feb 1890 Ganges, Allegan Co., Michigan, buried Taylor Cemetery, Ganges, MI.
Married c.1833 Toronto, to James Hamilton Sr., b. 23 Jun 1801 Strabane, Tyrone Co., Ireland - d. 1853-1855 Chinguacousy Twp., Peel Co., Ontario;
Primary residence: Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co. After the death of husband Jame Hamilton she moved with sisters & her other children to Ganges, Michigan.
Fourth Generation:
Their son: Richard Lawrence Hamilton, born 20 Apr 1836 Toronto, York Co., Ontario - 4 Feb 1909 Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario, buried Erin Union Cemetery, Ontario,
married 16 June 1861 Georgetown to: Jane Matilda McCutcheon, born 10 Oct 1841 Acton, Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario - 17 Nov 1917 Toronto, York Co., Ontario, buried Erin Union Cemetery, Ontario;
Primary residence: Acton, ON. Moved to Erin when his only child Ella Hamilton married in Richard Lawrence Hamilton.
Fourth Generation:
Their daughter: Mary Ellen ELLA Hamilton, born 27 Jul 1863, Acton, Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario - 28 Dec 1944 Toronto, York Co., Ontario,
married 15June1881 Acton, ON. to: Charles Henry Walker, born 6 Mar 1857 Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario - 23 Jun 1908 Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario, buried Erin Union Cemetery.
Primary residence: Main St., Erin, ON.
Fifth Generation:
- Their 1st daughter: Jennie JENN Walker, 11 Mar 1883 Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario - 2 Oct 1959 Toronto, Ontario,
married John Wesley JACK Felker, born 2 Dec 1879 Belwood, Wellington Co., ON.- 14 Aug 1929, Toronto, ON. Buried Erin Union Cemetery, ON.
(X-Ref: John Westly Felker is the Great-Great Grandson of (Johann Frederick Völkel) / JOHN FELKER, U.E., born 5 Aug 1751 Erndtebrück, Westphalia, Germany - 30 Nov 1838 Stoney Creek, Saltfleet Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Quarter Master, 3rd NJ Volunteers. Ref: Patricia Ahlberg, U.E.).
Primary residence: Toronto, ON.
- Their 8th child: Mary Lillian Walker, born 9 Aug 1901 Erin Village, Wellington Co., Ontario - 19 Nov 1974 Toronto, Ontario buried Erin Union Cemetery,
married 21 May 1923, Toronto, to William PERCY Finn, born 31 Jul 1892 Chesley, Elderslie Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario - 3 Mar 1959 Toronto, ON., Buried Erin Union Cemetery.
Primary residence: Windermere Ave., Toronto, ON.
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Patricia Felker Ahlberg, United Empire Loyalist & of course, Mary Willson Lawrence, Daughter of an Empire Loyalist:
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United Empire Loyalist Proof for JOHN WILLSON, SUR.
John Willson, Sur. Born 8 Jun 1739, New Jersey - died 8 Jul 1829 Sharon, Ontario
John Willson was a friend of Governor John Graves Simcoe. Simcoe gave Willson the first license to operate the Kings Mill (the Old Mill) on the Humber River, Etobicoke;
also a Town of York Park Lot 3 and 4 E side Hospital St. Next to Simcoe Place, Town of York,Toronto.
Ref: UCLPetition 37C, W Bundle 2, Microfiche C2950.
A great many official documents exits, only ta few are given here:
1. - Old United Empire Loyalists List
Wilson John Senr., (Home District) From Staten Island. Came in a settler in 1878 with three sons. Ref: Appendix B.
Willson, John of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., Memorial, now of Northumberland Co., NB, sworn St. Johns, NB, 1786. He fled to the Army at Perth Amboy in 1777.
Schedule of LOSSES 81 Acres of land in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., East New Jersey; 1 house, barn, out houses, Orchards,£1000; 3 Acres of Salt Meadow, £10; confiscated & sold by Congress; 5 Horses,£50; 9 Cows, £45; 4 young cattle, £8; Farming utensils & Household furniture £60, Total: £1173. New York currency.
Ref: United Empire Loyalist Claims, 2, 21 Mar 1786.
2. 1796 UPPER CANADA LAND PETITION & REVOLUTIONARY MUSTER:
UCLPetition 57. To John Graves Simcoe, Lieut. John Willson, Jur.* He suffered much by this Rebel party (at the point of the bayonet) before the British Army Landed on Staten island, then making several attempts to join them but always hindered till when the British Army was Advancing [22 Oct 1776] from the White Plains (NY) to the Jersey. I then joined them at Woodbridge [New Jersey, Dec 3, 1776] and went with them to Brunswick (NJ, Dec 16, 1776).
I then entered into James Christies' employ [i.e. the Quartermaster ] as a Forage master and ran Many risks of my Life, being twice taken Prisoner and confined but maid my escape and returned to my service again, till when the army returned from the Jerseys to Staten Island,
and embarked for the Head of Elk [river flowing towards Philadelphia, Dec. 1777] were my health would not admit of my going on board, to retrieved with my family on said Island where I continued till the commencement of the peace.
I then embarked with my family for Nova Scotia (since New Brunswick), where I drew 270 acres in Northumberland where I served in Sivil Commission and offices under Governor Carleton till July the 19th, 1793. There I set out with sixty men, women and children (Including my own family) for Niagara where we arrived on the 7th of next October. ... He wants Lots 4 & 5 on the River Humber and Lot 30 on west side of Yonge Street.
Signed, March 25th, 1796, John Willson.
Envelope:The Petition of John Willson of the Kings Mill. Rec. March 31 1796.
Recommended for Broken Lots No. 4 & 5 on the Humber as prayed for is part of 1200 Acres. The lot No. 30 on Yonge I have referred to His Excellency's Pleasure. Aug 22, 1796 gave a Warrant at 5 Mr. xx Langlais, No. 723 Entered in Land Book B, Page 59. Terms if granted to J B Eng …To Boulton Lots No. 4 & 5 on the Humber and Lot No 30 on the West side of Yonge Street is part of 1300 Acres.
O. C. 8 October 1796, [Order in Council.)
Ref: Willson I, John Sur., UE, UCLPetition 57, W Bundle 2, 1795-97 Vol. 522, C2950 p834.
Note1*: In New Jersey John was called junior, but in Upper Canada he adopted the usage of John Willson Sur. { & further, his grandson was signed, John, son of John Willson Jur.!
3. 1800 Apr 8 * FIRST APPOINTMENT for the first HOME DISTRICT, Toronto, Magistrates: Wm. James, John Willson, J Small, J McGill.
Ref: Toronto Sundries, Quarter Session Minutes.
4. Recapitulation of Fort York, (Toronto), WAR of 1812,
As Captain of the 1st Regiment, York Militia on duty during the captured at Fort York, John Willson was arrested and jailed.
John Willson was one of the six officers that signed, the papers of Recapitulation to the American invaders.
Geo. Playter's Diary tells us, like him, John Willson was armed with one of the few muskets and ready for action!
5. 1813 April 27 - John Willson, Parole at York Garrison 24 to 27 April 1813, 1st York Reg. Surrendered as Prisoners of War to the Americans at York 2 Apr 1813.
(On Parole under the Terms of Capitulation. During this period fort York was referred to as the Garrison.)
Ref. Document t103383, p 128, UC Nominal Rolls & Returns.
Note2: Wilson Avenue - York Mills Avenue, Toronto, are named for the Willson Family
- United Empire Loyalist Proof for Mary Willson Lawrence, Daughter of an Empire Loyalist:
Mary Willson, born Est. 1770, Piscatawy, New Jersey and died est 21 Feb 1821, Charlottesville, Norfolk Co., Ontario, Resided with husband Lieut. Richard Lawrence, UE., carpenter, tavenkeeper, Lot 25, Con 1 East Side of Yonge, Town of York, that is Steeles & Yonge, Toronto. She is the daughter of John Willson, UE & Rebecca Thickson:
To His Honor Peter Russell, Esq., president of the Government of Upper Canada etcetcetc. In Council:
Petition of Richard Lawrence, township of York.
Your petitioner is a Loyalist, and came from Nova Scotia about three 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 please to grant him 200 Acres in right of his said wife and is in duty bound your Petition will ever pray.
Signed, Richard Lawrence, York, 22 June, 1797.
Envelope:Richard Lawrence, Recd. 22 June 1797.
Recd 29 Jan 1798. [i.e. Reviewed in Council:] Ordered that 200 acres be granted to the wife of the Petitioner, the daughter of a U.E. Loyalist, if not granted before. P.R. [Peter Russell]
A.W. 24 Dec, 1798, Entered. {Book HA, Folio 180 and 181, Patent 17 May, 1802, Vaughan].
Ref: [Willson, Mary], Richd Lawrence Sr., UCLPetition 63, York , L Bundle 4, Vol 285, C2125 p522.
United Empire Loyalist Proof for RICHARD LAWRENCE
(Richard Lawrence is the son-in-law of John Willson, Sur and is also a loyalist in his own right:
Lieut. Richard Lawrence, 20 Aug 1759 Middletown, Upper Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey - died Bef. 5 May 1831 Harwich, Kent Co., Ontario;
There are also a great many official documents for Richard Lawrence, including:
1. New Brunswick Land Petition: Memorial of Richard Lawrence of Miramichie, (Northumberland Co., New Brunswick)
Humbly Shewth, that our memorialist has been all the last War in the service of His King and 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. [i.e. his brother-in-law] on the north east side of the North West Branch of Miramichie, and your memorialist is duty bound will Pray.
Signed, Richard Lawrence, 11 Aug., 1789
Envelope side: Memorial of Richd. Lawrence - Complied with 25th Sept. 1789.
Ref: Lawrence, Richard, Province of New Brunswick Land Grant 209, Northumberland, F16301 NB Archives.
2. UCLPetition 5, His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Major General Commissioning his Majestry's Forces in Upper Canada.
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 of '83 and that since that time he accepted a Commission of First Lieutenant for the County of Northumberland 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 and two 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 others quantity of Land as to others 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, Richd. Lawrence.
Envelop: Order in Council: 14 JUL 1796 Granted: 25 Yonge St South, East Side '
No. 708, Receiver General Office, Feb. 1, 1805
Thomas McMicking has paid into this office £3..5..2 for Patent fees on a Grant to Richard Lawrence of 400 Acres in Vaughan, being part of 600 Acres granted him under an order of Council 2 and 8, October 1796. The Survey Fees to be paid as the Surveyor Generals Office. O.R.
To the Attorney General, Peter Russell, RG
Envelope: #12 Settled, before No. 98, Entered Page 46, Land Book B.
Ref: Lawrence, Richard, Sr., UCLPetition 5, L Bundle 2, 1796 , C2124, p804.
NOTE3: Original large parchment with wax seal of Richard Lawrence's Land Patent, dated 1806, may be found at the archives of North York Central Library, Willowdale, Ontario.
XRef: Richard Lawrence's brother, John Lawrence is also a Loyalist. In 1780 John Lawrence was a lieutenant in the Queens Rangers appointed in NJ, by Lieut. General John Graves Simcoe. Lawrence Avenue Toronto is named for the Lawrences. -.-
By Patricia Ahlberg, U.E.
Willowdale, Ontario.
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