Constable Robert Rapelje, a member of the St. Thomas Police Force since last February, last Thursday had the honor of uncovering a plaque commemorating his great-great grandfather, Captain Daniel Rapelje, as founder and first citizen of St. Thomas. The plaque, erected on the St. Thomas City Hall lawn by the Department of Travel and Publicity on the advice of the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, was unveiled in an impressive ceremony before more than 200 Grace VIII students from St. Thomas Public and Separate Schools. The inscription in gold lettering on a blue background reads: “Captain Daniel Rapelje, 1774 - 1828 - Emigrating from New York State to the Long Point Settlement in 1802, Rapelje later received 200 acres of land on the south side of the Talbot Road at Kettle Creek. He settled here with his family in 1810. A veteran of Lundy’s Lane and other battles of the War of 1812, he became a captain of the 1st Middlesex Militia. In 1814 he built a log gristmill and subsequently divided a portion of his land into town lots. The settlement that Rapelje established formed the nucleus of the City of St. Thomas.” Guest speaker at the ceremony was Hon. Bryan L. Cathcart, Ontario Minister of Travel and Publicity, who stressed the importance of preserving Canadian history, not only for this generation but also the one to come, said it was imperative that an impression be made on young minds. He paid tribute to St. Thomas and to Daniel Rapelje, who 150 years ago, built a European type home in St. Thomas and also made a grant of two acres of land to build the old St. Thomas Church on Walnut Street. Captain Rapelje in the speaker’s opinion, was a great family and community man, who gave unstintingly of himself in a quiet, unassuming way. He compared him to Col. Thomas Talbot, who founded the Talbot settlement and stated that their personalities were vastly different. Col. Talbot, he said, was an eccentric man, but a great organizer in spite of his brusque and often rude manner. Both men, he said, made great contributions, Talbot being responsible for the beginning of Elgin County and Rapelje for St. Thomas." SEEKS INFORMATION ON RAPELJE FAMILY August 1, 1960 -Dutton Advance.Is your name de Rapelie, Rapelye or Rapelje or some derivative? If so, Mrs. Sally G. Stevenson, 1548 Commerce Avenue, Longview, Washington is anxious that you get in touch with her. [Note: this was written in 1960]Mrs. Stevenson, compiling the genealogy of her husband’s maternal line, is missing a part of the family that ventured to the Maritime provinces. She wrote to the Nova Scotia Department of Trade and Industry for information where she might trace her missing relatives. Of Norwegian birth, Mrs. Stevenson became a genealogist in 1936. Her family emigrated to Canada in 1907 and travelled across the country to enter the United States at Sumas, Washington. In tracing her husband’s maternal family, Mrs. Stevenson discovered that a Norman Frenchman, Joris Janse de Rapalie and his wife came to New Amsterdam where their daughter Sarah, was the first white girl to be born in the Long Island area. Family members wrote their name in various ways: de Rapelie, Rapalje, Rapelje, Rapayle, Rapelye and Rappleyea, but all are from the same family tree. In the War of the Revolution, many who were Loyalists residing in New York and New Jersey, surrendered their estates in support of their principles. These people went to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but further record has been unavailable. Mrs. Stevenson would like to trace these people to add to the 40,000 family members she has already collected to conclude the history. She has requested that anyone with a name - or knowing of a name - such as those mentioned above write to her. Several members of the Rapelje family live in this district. Daniel Rapelje was the first settler in St. Thomas, arriving there in 1810."DID YOU KNOW THAT In fuedal times, a peasant was permitted to collect wood from his master's estate as long as he used only a farming hook or shepherd's crook to gather suitable branches. This was a tiresome job but it did eventually secure a supply of kindling for his fire. Hence the well known expression "by hook or by crook” When remedies and cures were sold in great quantities at country fairs, the vendor Proclaimed their supposed value in a loud voice. This student form of advertising was known as "quacking", the term becoming associated with medicine generally. Hence the word "quack" to describe a false medical man, but sometimes used jestingly for a real one. DUNCANSON - FAMILY OWNS FARM FOR MORE THAN CENTURY November 21, 1956: Dutton Advance. Immediate relatives of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Duncanson, gathered at the home of Peter Duncanson, Con. 4, Lot 13, Dunwich, the occasion being to mark the passing of a century and the beginning of another that the farm has been in continuous possession of the family. About 1845 the late Peter Duncanson and his wife, Mary Stalker, arrived in Canada from Dunoon farm, Argyleshire, Scotland. Later they came west to Westminster Township, Middlesex County, where relatives had preceded them. Then, in 1855, they came to Dunwich with eight of a family, four of whom had been born in Scotland. The family located in Dunwich, Aldborough, Calumet, California, and Nebraska. The second owner was the late James Duncanson. He was born in Westminster and was seven years old when the family came to Dunwich. Later he married Jeanne MacWilliam, who was born on Clockkiel farm in 1856 and had come to Canada with her parents, the late Alexander MacWilliam and Nancy Stewart, and their children. The present owner is of the third generation who were all present. There are also fourth and fifth generations. Remembrances of former friends, neighbors, activities and happy times were recollected and all present spent an enjoyable evening." GILBERT FAMILY HISTORY REVIEWED AT 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY December 12, 1956: Dutton Advance. At the fortieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Gilbert in Toronto recently, a brief history of the Gilbert family, well-known in this district, was given by the groom of forty years ago. He was born on the 9th Concession of Dunwich, attended Dutton High School and later entered the Traders Bank here. Mr. Gilbert continued with the Royal Bank after it took over the Traders. Following are excerpts from the history of the Gilberts given at the wedding anniversary: “As most of you know, a heritage is something handed down to us by former generations whether in the form of wealth, invention or discovery. Every family has a heritage: the McArthurs, the McLeans, the McGregors, the McIntyres, the Pates, the Silverthorns, - yes, even the Gilberts. During some period down through the ages, every family has had a philosopher, politician, navigator or general who has contributed much to the honor and glory of succeeding generations. This leads me to our own family name. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who discovered Newfoundland on August 5th, 1583, and claimed it on behalf of Elizabeth, the Queen of England, was born near Tavistock, England, and my grandfather, John Gilbert, was one of his descendants, having been born there approximately 230 years later. John Gilbert was born on May 24th, 1819, the same day as Queen Victoria, and at the age of 21 years he left the shores of England by sail boat, along with his two younger brothers, William and Thomas. After a very rough seven weeks’ voyage, they reached the shores of Canada and a week later, the Port of Montreal. During the early summer of 1840, they gradually moved west along the river St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie until they reached Port Stanley. A few days later, they arrived at New Sarum, near St. Thomas, where they settled and worked with farmers who were clearing the land and tilling the stumpy fields. John Gilbert finally bought a small farm here and, withing a year, married his neighbor’s daughter, Phoebe House. He farmed here for several years and on March 23, 1851, a son, Walter, was born. Nine years later the family moved to a bush farm near Wallacetown which was purchased from the Crown a few years before through the late Colonel Talbot. Walter Gilbert grew up on this farm and at the age of 23 married Annie McLean and built a home on the western half of this 100-acre farm. Here his three sons, George, John and Russell, were born. Russell lived here until he entered the Traders Bank of Canada in Dutton at the age of 19 years. Four years later, in October of 1906, he was transferred to the head office of the bank in Toronto. The following year he met a brown-eyed brunette by the name of Margaret L. McArthur and believe it or not it took nine long years to persuade her sign up.” Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert resided at Camrose, Alberta, until 1922 when they returned to Toronto where they are living retired. Mr. Gilbert’s brother, George W., resides at Wallacetown and other relatives still are in that district." MRS. ALMA NEAR WAS BORN AT IONA October 19, 1955: - Dutton Advance. The death occurred in St. Thomas on October 13th of Mrs. Alma (Lumley) Near at the age of 92, after a long illness. Mrs. Near had the distinction of being the last member of the third generation of a family which was first established in Canada in 1774, each generation having had an average longevity of 62 years. Born in Iona on October 13, 1863, Mrs. Near had lived there until going to St. Thomas, in 1915, to live, and had been a resident there ever since. She was a member of Centre Street Baptist Church, St. Thomas. Her family history is of great interest in this district. In 1774, Thomas Lumley left his home in Rillington, Yorkshire, England, taking his daughter and son, John (aged 6), and coming to Canada, settling near Macann, N.S. John grew up, married Ann Harrison and raised a large family. The oldest girl, Elizabeth, married Henry Mills and lived in Nova Scotia, while her father brought all of the other members of his family to settle in Elgin County at Iona about 1820. One of the sons was Thomas, born in Nova Scotia in 1809. This Thomas married Christine Willey and his second wife was a Mrs. Eliza Mills. Of his eleven children, Mrs. Alma Near was his youngest and she was the last to pass away. Mrs. Near’s husband, the late Robert Near, died in 1915. She leaves one son, William E. Near, of Fort Erie, and one daughter, Mrs. Clara Spang, of Elkhart, Indiana. One son, Thomas Near, died in St. Thomas in 1933. There are also six grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Funeral service was held at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, St. Thomas, on Saturday and was conducted by Rev. R. D. Harmer, of Centre Street Baptist Church, St. Thomas. Interment was made in St. Thomas Cemetery. The pallbearers were C. R. Jackson, Allen Read, George McColl, William Near Jr., Allan Dawdy and Robert Near. The flower bearers were Dr. Charles C. Lumley and Roy Bowey."Service in St. Peter’s ARRIVAL OF EARLY FAMILIES MARKED ON TUESDAY July 15, 1959 Dutton Advance. More than 150 members of the Patterson, Pearce, Storey and Backus families gathered at the John E. Pearce Park, Tyrconnell, on Tuesday to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of their forbears in that district. They came from as widely scattered points as Sheffield Mills, N.S.; Wichita, Kansas; Raytown, Missouir; Lacombe, Alberta; Rochester, New York; Columbus, Ohio; Boston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Pearce and daughter, Muriel, of Lacombe, Alberta, who motored nearly 2,000 miles for the event, received a prize for coming the greatest distance. Of particular interest is the fact that the ages of six members of the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Pearce, all present at the gathering, totalled 464 years. A bountiful picnic dinner was served on the grounds overlooking the lake. A cake bearing the number 150 was cut by Mrs. S. S. Turville of Hyde Park. At four o’clock, a memorial service was held in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, which early members of the family aided in establishing. The rector, Rev. John Graham, offered the prayers; Douglas Simpson, of Wallacetown, read the Psalm and Rev. Anson Moorehouse of Riverside, gave the address. The latter compared the customs and mode of living today with that of 1809, when the early residents came to the Tyrconnell area. Miss Allison Pearce of Byron presided at the organ and members of the celebrating families formed the choir. Several of those attending also took the opportunity to visit the nearby St. Peter’s cemetery where many of their ancestors rest. A brief history included in invitations to the picnic reveals that in 1800 Leslie Patterson and sisters left Fermanagh, Ireland, for Erie, Pennsylvania. There they met Joseph Backus and family from Vermont, and John Pearce from Rhode Island. In the year 1809 Leslie Patterson (who had married Lydia Backus), his widowed sister, Mary Storey, her son and two daughters, and John Pearce (married to Fanny Patterson), left Pennsylvania for Canada, and on July 14, 1809 landed about five miles west of Port Talbot, where lay the land purchased the year before from Col. Talbot. Hither Stephen Backus soon followed and married Anne Storey, and here, after untold hardships, privations and toil, they lived to change the unbroken forest into the beautiful farms still occupied by some their descendants. In the midst stands the church, for over 125 years open for Divine service, and close by the landing places lies the graveyard - their last resting place." WHERE EAGLE GOT ITS NAME; ONCE THRIVING COMMUNITY May 27, 1959 Dutton Advance. Every once in a while the question is asked: Where did the Village of Eagle, located on No. 3 Highway, 26 miles west of St. Thomas, and three miles south of West Lorne, get its name? The answer is: From the eagles, which in the early days of the Talbot Settlement (and still do), make their home in the vicinity. Originally, the place now known as Eagle, was called Eagle’s Nest. Mrs. Sidney Cosan, of Eagle, (R.R. #2 West Lorne) tells the Times Journal that the late Daniel Humphries, one of the early settlers of the district, had given her the information that in a large blam tree, standing in early days at the southwest corner of the Talbot Road and the road running north from the lake, the bald Eagles built their nests, several of them in one tree, and here raised their young. Thus the crossroads came to be commonly known as Eagle’s Nest. Later as the place developed and a post office was established there, the “Nest” was dropped from the name it became plain Eagle. Back in the sixties and seventies perhaps earlier, Eagle was one of the most important points on the famous Talbot Road. That was natural because traffic, mostly horse-drawn of course, was quite heavy from the lake, where there was a dock, northward, as well as along the Talbot Road. When the railroads (the Canada Southern and the Great Western) built their lines east and west across Southwestern Ontario, the importance of Eagle, along with Wallacetown, Fingal, New Glasgow, Iona and other places along the Talbot Road dwindled and such places as West Lorne, (also known as Bismark), Shedden, Dutton, and Iona Station in West Elgin, sprang into being, and Rodney, in 1870 with only 100 population, developed into a more prosperous village. Just how important a place Eagle was in those early days can be secured from Armstrong and Company’s Gazetteer and Directory, published in 1872. It gives the population as 150, served by mails daily and says: “The village has a good shipping harbor on Lake Erie, where a large quantity of timer, lumber, shingles, and staves, and all kinds of farm produce are exported. The village contains a Baptist church, erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,00 (still in use in 1959); a good school, etc. “Mowbray and Loud’s Steam Saw mill has capacity to cut one million feet of lumber annually and the planing mills and shingle factory are carried on extensively; 12 hands are employed and a 40 horsepower engine used. “J. J. Lindenman and Co.’s large planing mills, door, sash and blind manufactory is wrought with equal energy and success; six hands are employed. There are two good hotels, the Elgin House kept by John Partridge and the Dominion Hotel kept by John Livingston, and both worthy of patronage and supply public comfort and accommodation.” Today, although Eagle is a different looking place from what it was in the 1860's and 1870's, or 1880's, it is an important and busy point on the busy No. 3 Highway at the intersection of Highway No. 76 leading to West Lorne. And while the large balm tree that stood on the southwest corner of the crossroads, where the bald eagles raised their young, is gone the name “Eagle’s Nest” remains. It is carried by a well-kept restaurant on the northeast corner, where once stood a busy blacksmith shop. The eagles, too, inhabit the neighborhood but are more inclined now to build their nests in the tall trees that border the lake. Incidentally, shooting or otherwise killing of bald eagles, is prohibited by Ontario law. QUERIES - EMAILED TO THE BRANCH GILLESPIE: James Gillespie b1815 Co. of Tyrone, Ireland m Martha Irwin/Irvin 1845 d1865 , he married 1865 Mrs. Eliza Jones (d 1909) from Brantford (presumably a widow- she had several children) At that time he was 50 and Eliza was 29. Marriages took place in Trafalgar, Halton County. He is bur beside 1st wife & 3 of their sons, Gore Cem, Oneida Township. BUT he died Oct. 1906 age 91 in Elgin Co. where he had never owned land or lived before. At the time of James' death he would presumably still have been married to Eliza, His will was probated in Elgin Co. in Oct. 1906 no marital status given, but he died owning nothing but a one thousand dollar insurance policy which he left to his three daughters. Nothing to a wife. Margaret Cooper, margc@ican.net BROWN - Alfred BROWN died 1918 in his 64th year leaving 14 children. He lived at 21 East Ave employee of "Pere Marquette". His profession was as a bricklayer. His obtituary also states that he was later buried at the St Thomas Cemetery. Are there any family still St. Thomas area. Mark Rex, rexs@lisp.com.au AIDE - RISK - KHOURY - Atala Khalil Risk had a sister Rinjens Khoury, wife of Nicholas Khoury, Sarnia, Ont around 1930. He also had a sister or cousin Westene ? that married George Aide in St. Thomas, Ontario. I am interested in parents, siblings, spouses, birth dates, marriage dates, and death dates. Lyle A. Wilkinson currey520@aol.com THOMAS - McKENNEY - Inazella McKenney, b. May 23, 1975; marr. Dec. 12, 1896 in Springfield, Malahide, Atkinson Fowler Thomas, b.Nov. 30, 1873 in Wales (I believe). Any information will be appreciated. Nancy NJOLM@aol.com BAILEY - Information wanted on the following people from - 1901 census St. Thomas: George Bailey, blacksmith age 65. Ann J. Bailey (nee McDonald) age 61, Eli Bailey, blacksmith, age 32, Maggie (Margaret) Bailey age 29, Jennie (Ann Jane) Bailey age 27, Albert (Edward) Bailey, blacksmith, age 24. and from St. Thomas West Ave Cemetery:Bailey: Anne (McDonald), George, Jennie P., Margaret, Albert E., Marilla wife of Albert, Robert James (possible son of Albert and Marilla). Cheryl Maxwell cmx@telusplanet.net MERRIMAN: We are looking for any information on the Merriman Family in round Elgin Co. and will be visiting here in July. Holly Merriman hmmvlf@aol.com KERR/KEER/CARR - Information wanted on Jenet Kerr, d 16 Nov. 1864, age 34 yrs. 6 mos. James d. March 13, 1869 or 1863 age 49 St. Thomas West Ave Cemetery. 1852 census Westminster Township James age 34 shoemaker, Janet age 30 have 4 children, William 9, John 7, Nancy 5, James 3 b.Feb 14, 1849, and Murdock b. 1854. Robert Dugald Buchanan TREMEWAN, Rosanna, Rosanna (Jackson), Samuel, William bur in Fairview Cemetery, Dutton. Any information would be appreciated. Ann Galbraith - dgalbri@xcelco.on.ca McPHAIL: I am researching the McPhails of Elgin county.Margaret Kipp margaretkipp@home.com FREUDENMUTH: searching the Freudenmuth family in Elgin county. In particular, John Christoph (also known as Charles/Karl) Freudenmuth and his wife Veronica. They died between 1854 and 1900. Their granddaughter, Emma C.Freudenmuth, was born in Aldborough in 1875.Pat Burns pburns12@yahoo.com McCOLL - TAYLOR - searching for information about Mary MCCOLL who married John Taylor about 1851/52. Their daughter Isabella born 1853 Plattsville, Oxford Co.Delores Johnson - delores_johnson@telus.net LEVERTON PANTHER: Information and dates wanted on William Leverton &Elizabeth Panther who settled Concession 2, YarmouthBob Becker, rbecker@remc12.k12.mi.us HUGHES - Looking for descendants of Judge David J. HUGHES (1820-1914) and wife Sarah (1821-1903) of St. Thomas, Ont. Known children Emma, Alice, Edward, Edith, Susan B., Susan Barwick Hughes married St. Thomas 1888 John Cameron DouglasToronto lawyer. Llewellan, Christina, Eleanor (Ellie).John M. Collins, #807-1285 Sandy Lane, Sarnia, Ont. N7V 4J7; tel: (519) 336-6189; jcollins@xcelco.on.ca Buchner - Boughner - Any information on Elgin County Buchner and Boughner’s wanted.Margaret Laird -Margaret.Laird@dscc.dla.mil CMERON - JANE CAMERON is possibly the one listed at "Frome United Church, Elgin,Southwold Judith Watt, State College, PA - wattjl@yahoo.com JOLLIFFE - Information wanted on Emma Jolliffe -b1856 d. 1922 alsoEdward G(eorge)& Emma Bowey who are buried in West Ave Cemetery.Mike Jolliffe, Bracebridge, ON - jolliffe@onlink.net LANGFORD: Information wanted on STUART CLIFFORD LANGFORD b. 27 Feb. 1888 - d. 1965 Oceanside CA. He was in the Active Militia in 1908-1909 Annual Drill Pay-List of the 25th Regiment of Infantry, No. D Company at St Thomas APRIL 1ST 1908- MARCH 31 190. Residence was25 St. Catharines St. A printer by trade possibly worked at a newspaper. He was also a saxophone player and might have been associated with a band/orchestra. He married October 1910 Lincoln Road Church in Windsor. Who were his parents?Albert Langford langford1@sympatico.ca COMFORT: looking for a marriage record for Albert Comfort & Julia Christian b. N.Y.? m. St Thomas Presbyterian Church 24 Jan 1868 (another record reads 1888, however, the 1868 would be more probable). Headstones for Albert & Julia in Kilworth Cemetery, Middlesex, reads: Albert Comfort d Jan 10, 1921 age 80 Julia his wife d.Feb 20, 1920 age 72 (backside of headstone reads) Bert Comfort d. Aug 25 1903 age 32 Ethel M. d.Jul 14 1894 age 18. Any more details would be appreciated.Joyce Scott joyce30@worldnet.att.net MOORE : Kurt Moore lived in the Vienna, Straffordville area.Tanya - 8thofdecember@sympatico.ca BELFREY: Information wanted on John Belfrey & Louise Jameson Belfrey. St. Thomas West Avenue Cemetery,Marybeth Brown, Nanaimo, BC - bilmarbrown@telus.net WYATT - LIPSY - FERGUSON: William John WYATT, born March 1863, St Thomas, Ont. Martha Burrell LIPSEY, born Dec 1861, St Thomas, Jane FERGUSON, born May 1828, St Thomas. I think William and Martha's religion was Wesleyan Methodist, and Jane's was Ref. Episcapol.Marilyn - msorsdahl@yahoo.ca
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