TALBOT TIMES
Newsletter of the
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
BOX 20060, ST. THOMAS, ON N5P 4H4
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XVIV ISSUE THREE SEPTEMBER 2000
Extracts of Genealogical information
Chairman’s Message
Welcome back everyone from our summer break! Hopefully many of you will have some success stories of genealogical breakthroughs to share with us from your summer travels.
During the summer, our member Bruce Johnson was accepted as the host for the Elgin County GenWeb project. In addition to managing our own web site, Bruce has done a tremendous amount of work setting up the new Elgin GenWeb. Queries can now be automatically posted, and Elgin OGS has a prominent link to the site.
The Roots Web Message Boards can be accessed directly at:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/script/main/rw
Another useful internet tool that was brought to my attention by member Bob Moore is the Elgin Mailing List, which anyone can subscribe to. You will receive postings via e-mail of people researching names and places in Elgin County. To subscribe to this list, send a message to:
CAN-ONT-ELGIN-L-request@rootsweb.com
Simply send the command “subscribe” in the message. The administrator for this list is Dave Cooper who can be reached at dave.cooper2@sympatico.ca
The clipping file drawers in the St. Thomas Public Library are almost completed. There are still a few cards to file and the drawers need to be labelled. We are continuing this project by pasting clippings in binders. An explanation of what papers were clipped, time period, etc. will also be posted somewhere near the cabinet.
A Nominating Committee will be formed in September to draw up the slate of officers for 2001. Please consider what you might be able to do for the operation of our branch. Many of us are holding several positions, and even relieving a small portion of the job would be welcomed.
The Places of Worship Records Inventory is proceeding at a steady pace. It will be published in volumes, by township. Malahide Township will likely be published first, and should be available sometime in 2001. Other new publications about to be released or in the works are four volumes of 1851 Census transcriptions, Wills in Land Registry Office Records, Malahide 1871 Census transcription, and Elgin County Biographical Sketches.
The Executive will be planning the Region 2 meeting for the spring of 2001 when an election of Regional Director and Secretary will be held. Watch for further details.
We have an exciting program for our fall meetings lined up, and I extend a welcome to all to attend.
Jim McCallum
CANADIAN CENSUS DATES
1851 -52 .... 12 Jan. 1852 age at next birthday
1861 .......... 14 Aug. 1861 age at next birthday
1871 .......... 2 Apr. 1871 age at next birthday
1881........... 4 Apr. 1881 age at last birthday
1891........... 6 Apr. 1881 age at last birthday
1901........... 31 Mar. 1901 age at last birthday
Aylmer Express, Dec. 7, 1933
Interesting Sketch of First Pioneers to Arrive in Norfolk, Oxford and Elgin Counties
Wife of Capt. Peter Teeple’s Son was First Person Buried in Orwell Cemetery 97 Years Ago
By W. B. Waterbury
The following sketch by W.B. Waterbury, was published in the Southern Counties Journal, St. Thomas, in 1899, a copy of which has been provided us by Mr. William Secord, of Orwell. Prominent pioneer families mentioned are the Teeples, Sutherlands, Secords, Rev. Cale Mabees, Burdick, Mahlon Burwell, Davis, and others, and many of their descendants are now citizens of this district, which at the time this story was written was a wilderness. It is a real sketch of pioneer life of 150 years ago, and you will enjoy reading it.
Captain Peter Teeple was born near Trenton, New Jersey, July 14th, 1762. Bordentown is believed to be the locality. His parents were settlers from Holland in New Jersey and he was the youngest son of a well-to-do and fairly numerous family. He had at least three brothers - John, James and George - all of whom were in the Continental Army under George Washington in the War of Independence which raged from 1776 to 1783. After the close of the war some of John’s descendants came to Norfolk and Elgin counties, the late Lyman Teeple, barrister of St. Thomas, being of that line. About the year 1779 Peter was still lving at the old home and then in his 18th year. Being possessed of a very handsome horse, he kept it carefully hidden from view of the contending armies, rightfully fearing it might be confiscated for war purposes. One day, however whilst leading it to water, he was surprised by the Patriot cavalry and forced to give it up. He afterwards stated that, being at that time unable to speak English (his family, as mentioned before, being Hollanders,) he was taken at a great disadvantage. The occurrence so angered the boy who prided himself on the possession of so handsome a horse that he immediately tied up a bundle of clothing and started on foot for New Yor, then occupied by the British, which he reached safely, and there joined the British cavalry. Having a good education and being naturally bright and intelligent, he soon acquired a fluent use of the English language, and being of tall and commanding presence and a good soldier, he rapidly rose to the rank of captain, and placed in command of a troop of cavalry of the body known as “The New Jersey Volunteers”.
He took part in several notable engagements, and many times had an opportunity to forage for supplies for his troop among the supporters of the Patriot army which had deprived him of his beloved steed. On one occasion, while scouting in Virginia, a bullet from the rifle of an American sharpshooter killed the charger upon which he was mounted.
At the close of the war in 1783, Capt. Teeple’s cavalry troop was disbanded at Halifax, and, owing to his fine physique, being six feet four inches in height, he was offered great inducements to proceed with the British army to England and accept a commission in His Majesty’s Life Guards. He declined the offer and later expressed his misgivings as to the wisdom of his choice. He then left Halifax; proceeding with a large number of other disbanded soldiers, and many refugees, to New Brunswick, where Loyalist settlements had been established at Saint John and other points.
From being a captain of horse, he now became captain of a trading vessel plying between Saint John and New York. At Saint John he met and married, in 1785, Lydia Mabee, one of the five daughters of Frederick Mabee, a prominent Loyalist, whose father, Simon, a Hollander, and mother, Marie Landrine, a French lady, had settled near Sing Sing in the State of New York.
Frederick Mabee was a United Empire Loyalist, whose home had at the British evacuation of New York, been confiscated, and himself and family subjected to indignity by many of his former neighbours because he declined to swear allegiance to the “New Republic”, holding as he no doubt conscientiously did, that the grievances of the colonists should be settled by constitutional means rather than by the sword. Having heard of the wonderful fertility and natural advantage of the Long Point (or as it was first called, the Turkey Point) country in Upper Canada from his cousin. Peter Secord, a U.E. Loyalist who had accompanied him to Saint John from New York and who, being an old hunter, had already penetrated the wilds of Upper Canada with one George Ramsay, and Englishman, on a hunting and exploring trip, he resolved to form a small colonization party to open a permanent party at Turkey Point. Gathering many of his relatives together, including his son-in-law, Capt. Teeple, the “Mabee Party” as they were afterwards called, set out in the fall of 1792, but they wintered at Quebec and did not reach Turkey Point until some time in 1793. They brought some household goods, drove several cows, rode horses and employed an Indian guide to pilot the way through the wilderness. The men drove the animals along the shore, the women came in boats, going ashore at night to camp. During the journey through the wilds they sustained themselves largely on cornmeal and milk from the cows.
The party consisted of Frederick Mabee and Lavinia (nee Pelham or Pellum), Oliver Mabee, their eldest son, aged about 19; Simon, the second son, aged 17; Pollum, the youngest son, aged about 5; three single daughters, Polly, Betsy and Sally, and two married daughters, Nancy, with her husband, John Stone and Lydia, with her husband, Capt. Peter Teeple, and their four children. His cousin, Peter Secord and Thomas Welch, also came with the Mabee party. Frederick Mabee at once erected the first log cabin ever built at the new settlement, at the foot of the hill overlooking Turkey Point. Their corn was pounded in the stump of a walnut tree, the beetle being attached to a “sweep” like the “Old Oaken Bucket”.
One year after the arrival of the party he died of apoplexy, and was buried in a hollowed-out walnut log coffin. He was the first white man buried in the new settlement, and a large boulder marks his tomb near Turkey Point. His widow subsequently married Lieut. William B. Hilton, a New York Loyalist of the Kings American Dragoons, but he died three years after the marriage. Large numbers of other Loyalists poured into the settlement shortly after, but the “Mabee Party” came in advance of the rest and became “squatters” until the lands were apportioned by the Crown to all the Loyalists.
Polly and Sally Mabee, two daughters who came to Turkey Point, single, married respectively Capt. David Secord, of Butler’s Rangers, and Silas Montross, both U.E. Loyalists. The former was a miller at Niagara, but later settled on Catfish creek, west of Orwell; the latter lived at Turkey Point. The Mabee, Teeple, Secord, Montross and Stone families became prominent factors in the early days of settlement, but now their descendants are very widely scattered.
A Century Ago
More than a hundred years have come and gone since Frederick Mabee and his sons and sons-in-law made the acquaintance of the wild, painted and befeathered savages of the north shore of Lake Erie, and where they were surprised and startled by the bedlam of discordant sounds, which daily rent the air, from the throats of the myriads of wild turkeys, geese and duck, as these sturdy pioneers staked out their new homes at Turkey Point. Today their great grandsons are found in the ranks of busy men, scattered all over the American continent, and their great-great grandchildren occupy seats in nearly every school house in the land. In fact, these descendants have become so numerous, and so widely dispersed, that they meet as strangers, never dreaming that the old pioneer mother who pounded corn in the hollow of a walnut stump more than a hundred years ago, was their common maternal ancestor.
Capt. Peter Teeple and his brothers-in-law Capt. David Secord and John Stone, were the first young married men that settled in the Town of Charlotteville, as Turkey Point afterwards came to be officially named; and when the settlement was surveyed, Peter Teeple was granted lot 8 in the broken forest near Forestville. His wife, Lydia, was also granted 106 1/4 acres by the Crown, being part of lot 9, lakefront, Charlotteville. Nearby still stands an old tree known as the “Aunt Lydia Apple Tree,” which yet bears fruit. It was the favourite apple tree of Lydia Teeple. There are trees in this orchard 100 years old, and near the old house is still standing a walnut tree which must be very ancient indeed. It measures nearly twelve feet in diameter and is an interesting relic in itself with its immense spread of branches.
Peter Teeple was one of the first five justices appointed, having that honor conferred upon him by virtue of the first General Commission of the Peace to the newly organized District of London, dated at York, now City of Toronto, January 1, 1800. He was also one of the original men appointed at the same time to act as commissioners for administering oaths, prescribed by law to the officers of the Government of Upper Canada. On the 2nd of April following, he was sworn into office by Samuel Ryerse, Esq., at the home of Lieut. Munroe at Turkey Point, which house is still standing (1899), and is now known as Fort Munroe. On the 8th of April, 1800, when the first session of Court was held that day, “District of London” was convened at Fort Munroe. Simon Mabee was sworn in open court as High Constable for Walsingham, and Squire Teeple was one of the sitting Justices. At a later date the famous Col. Talbot sat with him as an Associate Justice. His position then was equivalent to that of a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas now, and he came to be regarded as a thorough jurist. In addition to the above mentioned offices he was also appointed on 12th April 1800, a Justice of the Court of Requests and Commissioner of Highways for that Division of the District of London, comprising the townships of Charlotteville, Walsingham, Houghton and Middleton.
The Marriage Custom of Old
He left a very large library, and a complete register of the hundreds of civil marriages performed. An amusing incident was related by his youngest son, Pellum, in connection with one marriage ceremony he presided at about 1825. The laws of customs of that place required that where no regular license had been procured, the ceremony might be carried out at some public crossroads at the hour of midnight, the contracting parties appearing in night clothes the justice and one of more others acting as witnesses. In company with his son, Pellum, the Squire repaired o the spot, a lonely crossroad, on a very dark night. Presently two groups approached from opposite directions, one with the bride, the other with the groom. Upon meeting, and the two principals clad in white robes, stepping forward, at the hour of twelve, they were duly married according to law. Pellum, then a young man of sixteen, said it made a lasting and weird impression on his memory.
But a few years had elapsed after the Squire, as he was then called by virtue of his legal office, settled at Turkey Point, when the war of 1812-15 broke out. He had attained a good degree of prosperity, and he and his sons donned their swords to defend their new-made homes. The settlers formed volunteer companies and in recognition of his previous military rank and experience, he was chosen a Captain of milita, being then about fifty years of age. With his command he met the invading American troops at Queenston Heights and Lundy’s Lane. His valuable flour mill was burned during this war by a party of Americans.
The First Baptist Church
Squire Teeple and his wife were two of the constiuent members of the old pioneer church organized at Vittoria by Elder Titus Finch, in 1804, and when the acre of land was purchased for 2 pounds, “New York Currency”, from Deacon Oliver Mabee in 1807 upon which to erect a meeting house, Mr. Teeple became one of the first trustees, the other being Lawrence Johnson. The church was a commodious edifice for those times, and superseded the old log structure, and it was furnished with a three-sided gallery. The young people who used to attend the singing schools in that old meeting house have long since passed away, but they were full of rugged piety and simple faith.
In January 1851, a new church was built near the same site, and among the records of the members of the construction committee, we find the now locally historic names of Mabee, Teeple, Young and Ryerse, sons of the original pioneers.
A few years before his death in 1847, and pen and ink portrait of the Squire was obtained under peculiar circumstances. There came into that community (Centreville, Oxford County), a quadroon who had been a slave in the United States, and who had a talent for drawing, which his mistress allowed him to cultivate and even procured for him some instruction in the art. The squire’s son, Pellum, learning this, brought the escaped slave home one day, and got him to execute a portrait of his father. It was drawn upon the flyleaf of a book, and he portrayed sitting with Pellum’s son, Charles, an infant, on his lap. The original is still in the possession of the grandson, Charles, who lives at Marengo, Illinois. The drawing is quaint but well executed, and is said by those who remember the old squire to be a faithful likeness, the only exception taken being that the chin is too pointed. He resided at Centreville, Oxford County, during the later years of his life, and was finally laid to rest in the old Baptist cemetery near there by his son Pellum. He was methodical, dignified in bearing, of a commanding aspect, a strong advocate of temperance and was erect and soldierly to the last.
His wife Lydia was a very worthy woman, and they both lived long, she dying in 1845 at the age of 75, and he in 1847, aged 85. It is related ofher that whenever she lost her temper and spoke sharply to anyone, she would soon after be found alone, pacing to and fro with clasped hands murmruing to herself for a time, “Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.”
Squire Teeple had thirteen children, of whom nine were sons, namely William Bullard, Luke, Edward Manning, Frederick Stephen, Henry, Oliver Mabee, Lemuel Covel, Simon Peter, and Pellum Cartwright; and four daughters, namely, Louvina, Susannah, Mary and Phebe. One of Frederick’s daughters, Ellen, married the late David Sutherland, for so many years the leading merchant at Orwell.
Susannah was born on 26th January 1790, and came as a child from New Brunswick with the Mabee Party. On 24th December 1812, she was married to Archibald Burtch, who erected the first house in Woodstock, by Squire Teeple. She died on 5th June 1824, aged 34. The children of this union were Belinda, Henrietta and William T., all of whom died shortly after reaching adult age; also Reuben Hamilton and Henry T., both born in the early twenties and still living in Woodstock.
A Thrilling Adventure
Some of Capt. Peter Teeple’s other children met with very stirring adventures during the war of 1812-15, and the Canadian Rebellion of 1837. A few details of these will be given here as follows.
William B., the eldest son, was born 28th January 1788, and was, like his father, an enormously big man, and a captain of Provincial Militia at the battle of Lundy’s Lane. At the latter engagement he had, as an orderly, a French-Canadian of rather small stature who used to say to his towering commanding officer: “Captain Teeple you are a very big man, and when the fighting gets hot, I am going to get behind you”. In actual warfare, however, the little French-Canadian exposed himself so fearlessly that he was mortally wounded early in the battle. A portion of the scarlet uniform worn by Capt. W.B. Teeple in that engagement, made up in the form of the quaint “knitting sheaths” of the period, is still in the possession of the writer, one of his grandsons. On the 4th January 1818 he was married to Jemima Leek, at Temperanceville, now Orwell, by Mahlon Burwell, J.P., and soon after settled on 200 acres of land being lot 1, concession 8, in the Township of Malahide, County of Elgin, the land being a grant from the Crown for military services rendered. He died on the 8th of April, 1857, leaving a goodly estate. His children in order of birth, were Jared Topping, Susan Celestia, James Jackson, Symantha J., Temperance Ursula, Lydia Ann, Stephen William, and Sarah, the last two being twins. Of these, Lydia Ann was married to James F. Waterbury on the 22 of June 1852, by Rev. Caleb Burdick, at Temperanceville. At this date (1899), she resides at Cambridgeport, Mass., and is the mother of the writer of these annals.
Luke Teeple, second son of Capt. Peter Teeple, was born 12 September 1791. He went to New Jersey on a visit to an uncle and was ordered to take the oath of allegiance or quit the country. His uncle had a mail route from New York to some point in New Jersey, believed to be Bordentown, and he put young Luke on this route, thinking that while thus employed he would not be molested. He was arrested, however, in the following February, and cast into prison with about a hundred other British sympathizers. These Loyalist political prisoners were sorely tempted to desert their first love and join the American forces. One by one they weakened until only fifteen remained, Luke being one of the faithful few. At the close of the war they were liberated, and the uncle, although a patriotic American, gave Luke a present in token of admiration of his pluck and endurance. When he returned to Canada he, on the 26th of December 1816, married Nancy, second daughter of Elder Titus Finch, already referred to, and settled at Vittoria, near Simcoe, purchasing the two-storey frame house built by Caleb Wood (also a Jerseyite, as the New Jersey Loyalists were called in those days), and which house still stands, dark and windowless and vacant in front of the Baptist burying ground, fit companions to the weather-beaten, mossy old grave stones which mark the background. On the flat opposite this house he built a tannery which was operated by his son Alexander, after his death in 1849. He had seven sons, Alexander, Jerome, Albert Gallatin, Thermos, Lysander, Titus Ridley and Peter Latimer; and four daughters, Mabro, Mobra, Clementine, and Almira. Alexander was accidentally crushed to death in 1867, while excavating a large boulder on his property.
Pellum Cartwright, (originally spelled Pelham) thirteenth and youngest child of Peter Teeple, was born 28th November 1809, and was a participator in the Upper Canadian Rebellion in 1837, or the Patriot War, as it was then often called. He was the leader of a band of young Canadians opposed to the long mis-government of the county by an irresponsible body of men known as the Family Compact, who ignored the statutes passed by the parliament representatives of the people, and frustrated their will; and when it was determined to fight, he was chosen a captain, but on the flight to the United States of the two principle leaders, William Lyon MacKenzie and Hon. John Rolph, all those who had been leaders under them were compelled to follow them into exile or forfeit their lives.
Pellum, on attempting to flee, fell in with a party of soldiers who made him their prisoner. The story of his capture and escape is thus told by his nephew, Luke, son of Simon Peter Teeple, who heard it from his own lips:
“The price set upon his head by the Canadian Government was $600. He was determined to leave Canada and was then on his way to the western frontier line. He was riding a horse and had reached a point some seven or eight miles westerly from London, Ont., on the road leading from that city along the southern side of the River Thames. His brother, Edward Manning Teeple, lived on the road some two or three miles from London, and he was coming from his house. On turning a bend in the road, he came in full view of a sergeant and six men advancing towards him. He could neither retreat or conceal himself, so he rode steadily on and met them. The sergeant halted him and piled him with questions, and as his answers were unsatisfactory, he was taken in charge, faced about and obliged to go with them towards London. They dismounted him and the sergeant rode the house. Plodding along for some time, darkness overtook them before they reached the city. They stopped at a tavern, and the soldiers ordered a meal, which was at once prepared. They then asked him to come and eat with them, but he assured them he was not hungry, and they left their guns in the bar room and went into the next room and sat down to eat.
He also went with them into the same room and asked the waitress for a drink of water. He was on the side of the table next to the outside, and as the girl gave him the drink of water, she flung this door wide open, and in an instant he was through it and made for the woods. The men sprang for their arms and came rushing out, firing after him. He could hear the orders given to surround the cluster of tavern buildings, and saw lights moving, but he made good his escape into the adjoining forest. There was snow on the ground and running was difficult, yet for fear of being overtaken, he kept at it until almost exhausted. Taking what he supposed to be a course between the public road and the river, he at length came upon the latter, but he did not know whether above or below his starting point. Going down to the water, which was frozen over, he followed along until he espied an airhole; into this he threw a stick to see which way the water ran; then going down the stream he finally came upon a house. By this time he was excessively fatigued and very very hungry from his long fast. He went up and knocked at the door, and a man appeared and began talking with him. He had no means of ascertaining whether this man was a Patriot or not, so he feigned himself an urgent dispatch bearer of important official papers which must be delivered in London with utmost haste. He said he had given out in travelling and insisted upon the man’s acceptance and conveyance to London forthwith, as he was utterly unable to go on himself. The man demurrred, so after an earnest discussion, Pellum said, “Well, if I could rest a few minutes and get some food to eat, I might possibly try to go on”. He then heard the man’s wife getting up, and she vehemently protested that her husband could not go, but said she would get Pellum something to eat at once, which she did. While eating he became satisfied they were Patriots, and revealed his true position.
The man then said they could not keep him there, but that they would see that he was hidden and fed at a neighbour’s over the hill. Pellum went with him to the neighbour’s and was concealed there for a time. If there was any likelihood of capture one of the children at the first house was to come over the hill and notify him. He was alarmed one day by seeing one of the children come running over the hill, but it proved to be only a neighbourly call. After a few days had passed and he thought search for him had ceased, he worked his way through the woods at night up to his brother Edward’s, and soon after went in the same way to the home of his sister, Mary, wife of Angus Davis, of Orwell,Ont., on Talbot Street. Several weeks were spent in this hazardous trip.
Mary and Andrus Davis were reputed to be staunch Loyalists, and there is no account of any attempt to search for him at their place. There he was supplied with food for a short time, but the danger of recapture was so great that he did not remain all the time in the house but kept concealed sometimes in the woods. Still fearing arrest and execution, as some of his compatriots had thus suffered, his sister, Mary Davis, nephew, James Teeple, and sister-in-law Jemima Teeple, conducted him secretly in the dead of winter by sleigh from Orwell, to the Niagara frontier, where his relative Rev. Samuel Rose, of Lundy’s Lane, though a political opponent of the Patriots, espoused his cause and under the pretense of being the employer of Pellum, sent him on an errand to friends across the Niagara, and at once hired a man to row him across a point below the Falls.
He, Pellum, grew very intense when relating this part of the narrative and declared that had any one ordered the boatman back to the Canadian shore he would have leaped overboard and attempted to swim to the American side. But no difficulty arose; he was safely landed in New York State and waving a parting adieu to his relatives, who sat in their conveyance and witnessed his crossing, he began his career in the United States.
Through the Patriot War, thus came to so inglorious an end, it is now generally admitted in Canada, that had it not been for that uprising by which the attention of the British Government was called to the untold grievances of the Canadians and a just form of responsible Government quickly conceded, it would in all probability have been many years before the people of Canada would have obtained that full measure of Home Rule which they henceforth enjoyed.
We next hear of Pellum’s journey down the Ohio River with a party intending to go to Texas, but becoming dissatisfied with the rolstering of his companions, he left them and struck across the country to a place called Pekin, on the Illinois River. From there he eventually went to the city of Rockford, Ill., where on the 28th of March 1841, he married Mary A. Gleason, who is still living.
His father and mother were now so old they were desirous he should come home to Canada, and care for them the rest of their days, but although he had already paid them one secret visit he would not do this until a special amnesty was sent him by the Canadian government for his part in the Patriot War. This was readily obtained by the then parliamentary member for Oxford, and forwarded to him, and he journeyed to the old home in Oxford county, accompanied by his wife, son Charles, and Luke (son of Simon H. Teeple), who lived with them, in a two-horse buggy, there being no railroads, and remained there till the two old pioneers were laid away in the church yard. Later he returned to Illinois, and settled at Marengo, where he died on the 12th of December 1878, and where his son, Charles, above referred to, still resides. Pellum Teeple had six sons, viz: Charles Gleason, Addison, Vebelle, Levant, Jared, Lester and Frank, and four daughters Elmina, Elvira, Ruth L., and Lydia Mary.
Of the other children of Peter Teeple, little or nothing is known of special note to the writer, except the dates of their birth, and death, and also that Oliver Mabee Teeple was also a captain at Lundy’s Lane, but it is hoped that if any survivors, should read these lines, will as speedily as possible contribute their quota to the history of their ancestors before it is too late, and above all, that they will prove worthy successors of those sturdy “Pilgrim Fathers of Canada”, who for the sake of what they believed, rightly or wrongly, to be their duty, were willing to undertake, not only the perils of war, but also the hardships and privations of hewing out for themselves, and for their children, in the wild forests of Norfolk, Oxford and Elgin, new homes and habitations, destined after one hundred years to become an important part of a great and mighty state.
Note - Three of the direct descendants of this pioneer Teeple family reside in Aylmer, grandsons and granddaughter of George Teeple, who was a brother of Captain Peter Teeple, the subject of this article. They are D.J. Teeple, John M.Hale, and Mrs. (Dr.) Cline, George Teeple’s son, John, married Eliza Johnson and they cleared land and settled north of Kingsmill. John’s son, Stephen, the father of D.J. Teeple married Eliza Corporon, and they went to Iowa in the early days, along with the family of William Teeple, also a son of George Teeple, Stephen fought in the American war of 1860-65, and was killed in battle. He is buried in Savannah, Georgia. John Teeple, D.J. Teeple’s grandfather was one of the first to be buried in the cemetery at Rogers’ Corners, one of the historic landmarks of this district. William Teeple, another son of George Teeple, built the house, a half-mile east of Orwell, now owned by Stanley Snelgrove, deputy-reeve of Malahide township.
Phoebe Teeple, a daughter of George Teeple, married Charles Tozer, John M.Hale, and Mrs. (Dr.) Cline are son and daughter of Mary Tozer, daughter of Phoebe Teeple, and are therefore great grandchildren of George Teeple, brother of Captain Peter Teeple.
John Teeple, grandfather of D.J. Teeple, of Aylmer, is buried at Rogers’ Corners Cemetery. He died in 1851, aged 47 years. Deacon W.L. Teeple, grandfather of the late Jennie Teeple, of Aylmer, is buried at Orwell. He died in 1859, aged 72 years.
During the progress of the war of 1812, McArthur’s army made a raid through this county, and halted at the home of Deacon William Davis, where they secured his red coat and a large quantity of maple sugar which he had in barrels. He was conducted to the farm of Deacon William Teeple adjoining, a half-mile east of Orwell. This farm is now owned by Stanley Snelgrove and it is said that the house was put up by barter, only $2 in actual cash having changed hands in the whole transaction.
Deacon Teeple was divested of his red coat and while this was being done he retained a belt which he wore around him, in which he carried a sheath knife, etc. An Indian noticing this became possessed of envy and desired to see it and try it on. He refused to return in and the Deacon who was slight, but wiry, dashed the Indian to the ground and gave him a severe choking. An officer standing by ordered the Deacon to stop, but made the Indian return the belt. Deacon Teeple and Deacon Davis were taken prisoners, later being allowed to go on parole.MABEE and TEEPLE FAMILIES
Other settlers on Talbot street about that time were Samuel Harper, Onesimus G. Bradley, John VanPatter, who owned the land in Aylmer now known as Walkertown; Summers, Cascadden, and Laurs.
Deacon William Teeple, before Deacon became coupled with his name, had a cousin named William Teeple living near where Kingsmill now stands. The Deacon was a lithe, active little man, and his cousin, a big, stout man, so to distinguish them, one was called little Teeple, and other big Teeple.
As before intimated, the Baptist Church at Aylmer dates back to 1810, when the few settlers congregated at Deacon William Teeple’s or Deacon William Davis’. The settlement grew as new settlers arrived and it became imperative that more suitable accommodation must be provided. Isaac Ostrander provided the land at Rogers’ Corners and Deacon Teeple and Deacon Davis provided the lumber. The church was also used as a school and continued there for 28 years. In 1844 a large frame church was erected in Aylmer on the site of the present fine brick edifice, which was constructed in 1871."
FINGAL, Elgin County
Excerpts from: O.L. Fuller’s, Counties of Elgin and Norfolk Directory for 1865 & 1866,
Blackburn’s City, Steam Press, Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario
A flourishing Village, founded by the late Colonel Talbot, and situated in the Township of Southwold, County of Elgin, West Riding. This place is in the centre of a magnificent settlement. It is distant from St. Thomas, the County Town, 7 miles; and contains a population of about 600.
Arkell, William dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, &c., Talbot Street
Atkins, Henry, saddler and harness maker, Talbot Street
Bake, Thomas, butcher, Talbot Street
Bissell, Alice, teacher, Fingal Common School
Blackwood, Robert dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, &c., Talbot Street
Boughner, W. F. proprietor of the Fingal House
Burgess, William B. grocer, Talbot Street
Campbell, Malcolm saddler and harness maker, Talbot Street
Cochrane, R. dealer in dry goods, millinery, groceries, crockery, &c., Talbot Street
Couse, Charles, baker, Talbot Street
Dimmick, M. Rev. Episcopal Methodist
Edmonds, Charles dealer in dry goods, groceries, crockery, &c., and manufacturer of soap, candles and potash, Union St.
English, John F. stage proprietor, Talbot Street
Fingal Common School Talbot Street, Dugal McBride, principal
Fulton, John physician, Union Street
Glasgow, William (of McPherson, Glasgow & Co.) Union Street
Hammill, James marble works, Union Street
Hovey, Matthias, (of McPherson, Glasgow & Co.) Union Street
Hyndman, Peter tailor, Talbot Street. All orders executed in the most durable and fashionable manner, and at extremely moderate rates.
Lamson, Daniel carriage painter, Talbot Street
Lamson, David carpenter and joiner, Talbot Street
Lampson, William, (late of New York City) house, sign and ornamental painter, Talbot Street. All orders executed in the neatest manner, at reasonable prices.
Mallory, Stephen chair maker, Talbot Street
Marshall, William O., cooper, Lanark Street
McBride, Dugal principal, Fingal Common School, Talbot Street
McColl, Archibald blacksmith and horse shoer, Talbot Street. Blacksmithing of all kinds done in the most workmanlike manner, horses shod on the most approved principle, charges very moderate.
McLachlin, Duncan carriage, waggon, and sleigh builder and manufacturer of the “Champion Churn,” Union Street. The above churn is beyond comparison, the best ever offered for sale.
McLachlan, James manufacturer and dealer in all descriptions of leather, Talbot Street, Prices very reasonable.
McLardy, Archibald boot and shoe maker, Talbot Street
McMillan, John Rev. Canada Presbyterian Church
McPherson, Glasgow & Co. (Daniel McPherson, William Glasgow and Matthias Hovey,) iron founders and machinists, Union Street.
McPherson, Daniel (of McPherson, Glasgow & Co.) Union Street
Metcalfe, George manufacturer of dealer in all descriptions of cabinet ware, Talbot Street Prices very moderate.
Metcalfe, Mary Ann teacher, Fingal Common School
Neil, William merchant tailor, Talbot Street
Partridge, John brick manufacturer, Talbot Street
Partridge, William proprietor Farmers’ Inn, Union Street. Parties patronizing this house will find every attention paid to their comfort. Good stabling, and an attentive hostler always in attendance.
Penwarden, George proprietor Penwarden’s Hotel, Talbot Street
Phillips, John carriage, waggon, sleigh, and cutter manufacturer, Talbot Street
Ross, Donald Rev. Presbyterian Church of Canada, Union Street
Simpkins, William tailor, Talbot Street, Garments made to order in the latest and most fashionable styles, on short notice, and at very moderate rates.
Stewart, Bissell boot and shoe maker, Talbot Street
Stewart, Peter, physician, Talbot Street
Tremain, Michael miller, Mill Street
Tubby, Samuel conveyancer, postmaster, township clerk, agent Canada Life Assurance Co., and depositor of the Fingal branch of the Upper Canada Bible Society
Walker, William E. Rev. Wesleyan Methodist
White, E. Miss dressmaker, Talbot Street
Wood, Amasa J.P. dealer in real estate, Talbot Street
Wood, Uri blacksmith and horse shoer, Talbot Street, All work warranted, and done at the most reasonable rates.
Young, Alexander boot and shoe maker, Talbot Street.
PENWARDEN’S HOTEL Talbot Street, Corner Stanley Street, Fingal, C.W. George Penwarden, Proprietor, G.P., in returning his sincere thanks to his friends and the public, for the liberal support he has hitherto received, begs to state, that no pains will be spared on his part to ensure the comfort of those who may favour him with their patronage. The Bar is furnished with the choicest brands of liquors and cigars. Excellent Stable accommodation, and an attentive Hostler always in Attendance. Charges moderate.
FINGAL HOUSE Talbot Street, Fingal, C.W. W. F. Boughner, Proprietor, W. F. B., in soliciting a continuation of that liberal support, which he has received for the last twelve years, in St. Thomas and Fingal, begs to state, than no effort will be wanting on his part, to ensure the comfort of his guests. He is always supplied with the best brands of liquors and cigars. Excellent Stable accommodation, and an attentive Hostler in attendance.
MICHAEL TREMANE Miller, Mill Street, Fingal, C. W. Farmers and Merchants will find this one of the best Mills in the Country at which to do business, as all work is performed in the most satisfactory manner, and at the lowest paying prices.
Note the two different spellings of Tremane - Tremain in this directory.
QUERIES
CARR / COVENY / BOYCE / MULLEN/ DINGWELL
James and wife Ellen came to Sparta, Yarmouth Twp., Elgin Co. in the 1840's from Ireland. Where in Ireland? What was Ellen’s maiden name? Ch: William mar Mary COVENY, Michael (my ggf) mar Sarah MULLEN, James mar Ellen BOYCE, Ellen, Elizabeth mar James DINGWELL, Edward, Mary.
HOWARD/ ANDERSON / SILCOX / HAMILTON /
BURWELL / BALSDEN -
George L. HOWARD
and wife Mary ANDERSON arrived in Shedden, Southwold Twp in mid- 1860's from Grenville Co. ON. Where and when were they born, married, died? Children: Almeda mar Geo. SILCOX, Malicia / Mallisha, Judson, Orphie mar James HAMILTON, George F. mar Ann HAMIILTON, James Franklin mar Edith BURWELL, Mary E. (my ggm) mar Joseph BALSDEN, Hattie and John.
Wish to correspond with anyone with interested in these families --.
Marty CARR
, pkacanek@provide.net
dau. of
. When/Where did
and bur. Fingal Cemetery.
, Nov. 8, 1855 were there any children? Did Sarah also marry a