Abel Thornton Family by Bob Moore
ABEL THORNTON and HIS FAMILY OF OXFORD COUNTY
January 2008 revision
Many Thanks to Neal Shaw and Rupert Tarbell, Moneta Virginia USA
Much of this work was done by Neal and Rupert
Please send corrections and addition info to Robert Moore
PARENTS
u/k
BORN
maybe 1765 era this would make him about 80 when he died
See at the end of this file for some of my thoughts and reasoning re Abel Thornton
MARRIED
to Rachel Burdick Lawrence, married about say 1794 likely at South Hero Grand Isle Vermont
This marriage is confirmed by the appointment of a lawful attorney regarding the estate of Rachel’s mother
Phebe Burdick in February 1817 see the Burdick family file for James Burdick by Neal Shaw
Full release document at the end of this history.(eventaully)
In all likelihood the Thorntons remained in Vermont until coming to Oxford before May 1805.
DIED
Oct/November 1834 in Oxford County Ontario
CHILDREN
order of Children is strictly a guess pending more info on Luceny, Rosannah an Clarissa
1.Annah born about 1796.born USA She married Silas Williams in Oxford
See separate file title
“Annah Thornton Williams of Oxford County”
2.Luceny born ? (say 1898) She married U/K Perry; before 1834 see Generation #2
3.Albert born about 1800 in Vermont married Rachel Williams
See separate file title
“The Albert Thornton Family of West Zorra Township Oxford County On”
4.Rosannah born maybe about 1803/04 married Michael Showers; about 1821 and was dead by 1824
see separate file“Rosannah Thornton Showers”
5.Clarissa Crague born about? She married U/K Crague before 1834
see Generation #2
6. Calvin Thornton born about 1807 age 45 in 1851 census
Why was he not listed in 1828 militia?? He married Elizabeth Ennest
see separate file title
“Calvin Thornton Born 1807 of Oxford”
7.Jonathon born about 1808, age 21 in Oxford County militia of 1828/9,
see Generation #2
8.Oliver Thornton; likely born after about 1810 as he was not in 1828/29 militia
He married 25 Feb 1833 to Sarah Strong see Generation #2
STEP CHILDREN OF ABEL THORNTON
Being the children of Rachel Burdick and her first husband U/K Lawrence
9 Phebe Lawrence born maybe 1788/90 married name Sweet see Generation #2
10.Simon Lawrence born maybe 1791/2 see Generation #2
Were there more children of Rachel and UK Lawrence. WHO KNOWS?
THE THORRINGTON NAME
In the 1812 assessment of Oxford on Thames Township, there is a James “Thorington”.
He is also listed in the 1815 assessment of Oxford Township. Neal Shaw has a correspondent that suggests the
name may have evolved from Thornton to Thorrington. Abel also used the name Thorington in 1891in the Session
of the Peace court proceedings See also the “Stray Thorntons” file.
On page 50 of “Shenton’s Assessment and Census of Oxford from 1810 to 1850"
Listed under “Untitled Assessments”were Abel Thorington and Albert Thorington
When Chauncy Thornton (grandson of Abel and son of Albert) married in Blanshard Township in 1847, one of the
witnesses was recorded as Albert Storington and it is presumed referred to Albert Thornton.
ABEL THORNTON COMES TO OXFORD COUNTY
The exact date that Abel came to Oxford is not know but was after about 1800 as son Albert was born in
Vermont and before his petition for land in 1805.
ABEL THORNTON’S LAND PETITION 1805
Upper Canada Land Petitions T Bundle 1748_1833 leases (item) 13 Volume 510, very faint and hard to read
microfilm (indexed in index card film as Thorton) dated 28 May 1805
To his excellency Peter Hunter esquire L’ Governor of the Province of Upper Canada and L’ General
Commanding his Majesty’s Forces in Upper & Lower Canada
In Council
The petition of Abel Thornton of the Township of Oxford in the County of Oxford in the District of London,
yeoman humbly showeth
That your petitioner is desirous to occupy and improve the Received Lot No 22 in the 1stConcession and the
broken land in the rear thereof on the River Thames in the northern division of the Township of Oxford
He humbly prays your Excellency would be pleased to grant him a Lease of the said received
Lot No 22 in the 1stConcession with the broken land in the rear thereof on the River Thames on the usual
conditions and our duty bound he will ever pray.
28 May 1805 signed Abel Thornton by his att’y T Ridout (Thomas)
on the outside (or another sheet)
Abel Thornton , Petition for Lease received 29 May 1805 from Thomas Ridout Esquire
signed John Beikie Dep’
No 331 (in a different hand )
Lot No 22 in the 1st Concession with the broken land in the rear thereof upon the River Thames
in the northern division of the Township of Oxford
received for the Crown for the (2 words unreadable)
Chewett & Ridout
(again in a different hand)
Read in council 5 June 1805
The Petitioner Abel Thornton recommended for a lease of the Crown Reserve No 22 in the 1st Concession with
the broken lands in the rear thereof on the River Thames in the N.D Oxford
29 May 1805 signed Peter Russell, Presiding Commissioner
Ref Ontario land patent microfiche St Thomas public library
Abel Thornton received a Lease on Lot 22 Con 1 North Oxford Twp Oxford County on 6 June 1805 also the
Broken Front lands of Lot 22 along the Thames River (which are more correctly described as Lot 22 Con 2 RGM)
RB C series 112 Volume 3 Page 30
Abel still had a lease on this lot (s) when his inventory was made in December 1834
(and it appears was living there when he died as his widow Rachel gave her residence as North Oxford when she
remarried in 1836)
ABEL THORNTON IN OXFORD COUNTY
At times Abel Thornton was also recorded as Abel “Thorrington”
Abel was an assessor for a portion of Oxford County for some period between 1811 and 1827 (re article by
Mary Evans of Oxford OGS entitled in her article “Oxford_on the_Thames” (Oxford County OGS notes) therefore
we assume that he could read and write (many in that era could not).
In 1812 Abel was assessed in Oxford on Thames Township 25 acres perhaps cultivated as he would have had at
least 7 years to clear that much land; He was also assessed for one horse, 2 oxen and 2 milch cows.
In the 1815 assessment of Oxford Township, he listed as Abel Thornington but was not assessed for any land
but was assessed for 2 horses and 2 milch cows.
Mary Evans makes note again in her article “Oxford_on the_Thames” (Oxford County OGS notes) of an Alex
Thornton as an early resident prior to 1816 .Should this have been Abel Thornton? as I have not found an Alex
Thornton. The Oxford OGS lists one property belonging to Alex Thornton as being the owner of 75 acres
uncultivated land and 25 acres cleared land but records proved by Neal Shaw from “Shenton’s Assessment and
Census of Oxford from 1810 to 1850" list this property as belonging to
Abel Thornton.
In 1816 Abel was assessed on 2 parcels of land in “Oxford upon Thames”, one 75 of uncultivated land and 25
acres of meadow pasture etc with 2 horse and 2 milch cows. The other parcel had 175 acres of uncultivated
land and 25 acres of pasture with again with 2 horse and 2 cows (perhaps his son Albert; though Albert would
only have been about 16 years old; or maybe even his brother Calvin was living on one). Abel’s son in law
Silas Williams was assessed on his own parcel of land.
Abel ‘Thorrington” appears as a member of a jury of Zorra Township residents on 13 January 1819.
Ref Minutes of the London District Quarter Sessions of the Peace Volume 62, 1813_1820 page 206
Abel Thornton, in 1825, was assessed on Lot 22 Con 1 North Oxford Twp
140 acres uncultivated, 60 acres cultivated, 2 horses, 4 oxen, 4 cows and 3 young cattle
(appears he had accomplished a lot in 20 years, RGM)
In the 1826 assessment rolls of Oxford, Abel is shown with 150 acres of uncultivated land and 50 acres of
cultivated land in Lot 22 Concession 1 Northern Division with one male over 16 years old, two males under 16
years old, one female over 16 years old and one female under 16 years old 5 residents in total and living in a
house (log likely) that had squared or hewn timbers on two sides.
In 1826 both his son Albert and his son in law Silas Williams were assessed in Zorra Township
On 17 July 1829 Abel Thornton sold the North West 1/4 (50 acres) of Lot 4 Concession 6
West Zorra to Cornelius Ennest (Registered as #1484). He had acquired the North half of the lot
(100 acres) by Memorial #1483 from Elijah Harris. As the memorial of the purchase may have been some time
(even years after the actual purchase) it is difficult to ascertain just when Abel bought the land
Usually deeds were not given until after the mortgage was paid off as there was no system of recording
mortgages in that era.
Abel Thornton received a lease on 6 January 1844 for Lots 3 and 4 West of Mitchell Road
Blanshard Twp Perth County . B3 029 page 257 (land patent Microfiche)petition reference CC 03 vol 029 page
257 (Canada Company Lease) Abel’s son Albert Thornton was assessed on this lot in 1855. As Abel had been
dead for many years, one might think that a long term lease that was made on Canada Company lands and was
finally paid off
WILL OF ABEL THORNTON OF OXFORD TOWNSHIP
The URL is: http://www.library.elgin_county.on.ca/history/ESTATE5.TXT
copy of will from Neal Shaw
DATE_ will dated August 27, 1834 surrogate court FILE 233 MFNO 1155
NOTES _ death date uncertain but prior to 28 November 1834
Abel described as a Farmer
His wife was Rachel Thornton to whom he left all his personal and real estate (except parcel to Calvin) for
her use until she remarried or her decease.
He then names his CHILDREN:
1 Albert Thornton; 2 Jonathan Thornton; 3 Oliver Thornton; 4 Annah Williams; 5 Luceny Perry;
6 Rosannah Showers; 7 Clarissa Crague and his step children Simon Lawrence, stepson;
and Phebe Sweet, stepdaughter. All to share and share alike the whole of his personal estate after her
decease or her marriage.
Abel Thornton’s will gave to his son, Calvin Thornton, the south west fifty acres of Lot 4 Concession 6 West
Zorra (the only specific bequest other than to his wife Rachel).
COMMENT on WILL by RGM
After reading Abel T's will a number of times I have satisfied my "Legal mind" that all children were
mentioned whether living or not in 1834 so that the rights of them (and if there were dead, the rights of
their children) would be preserved if the widow Rachel died or remarried. Thus a “new husband” would not get
Rachel's money and lands.(although it appears she did remarry to a James Dixon).
The wife got hers first and if anything was left when she died or remarried it would be divided between (all
except son Calvin who got part of Lot 4 Con 6 West Zorra, and sold it by 1840)
Abel names as EXECUTORS: Isaac Burdick, Zorra Township, friend; and Robert Alway, Oxford Township, friend
Abel signed the will! (Again further proof he could read and write)
WITNESSES TO WILL:
Alvan H. Burdick, Oxford Township;_ Enoch Burdick, Oxford Township;_ Michael Tripp,
Oxford Township _
Alvan Burdock’s affidavit dated November 28, 1834 at Charlotteville (Norfolk )
INVENTORY OF ESTATE
Completed December 12, 1835 by Robert Alway, Lyman Lawrence, Isaac Burdick, John Baldwin and James Caraalles
(sp?)
The inventory totals 540 pounds 18 shillings and 8 pence of which Lot 4 Concession 6 West Zorra was valued at
75 pounds and Government lease on Lot 22 Concession 1 and Lot 22 Concession 2 of Oxford (North Oxford Twp)
valued at 250 Pounds
Livestock
32 sheep @ 12 pounds, one ox @ 6 pounds 12 shillings and 6 pence, 4 steers @ 25 pounds
5 cows @15 pounds 15 shillings,4 of 2 year old steers @ 12 pounds 11 shillings
one heifer @ 13 pounds ,one mare @ 15pounds,etc many tools and trinkets
After Abel died his wife Rachel remarried to “a” James Dixon Upper Canada marriage bonds film # C_6785 Ref
RG 5 B9 Volume 31 Bond number 5155 date 1836_08_14
James Dixon West Oxford Township Kent County
Rachel Thornton Oxford Township Oxford County (likely North Oxford Township)
(I am sure that this should be Oxford though we have yet to identify “a” James Dixon in any Oxford record,
land or otherwise)
A search in Orford Township Kent County did not turn up any James Dixon
London District Marriage records indexed by Nor Sim publishing page 93 part #1
by Rev J Norris Wesleyan Methodist 15 Sept 1836
James Dixon to Rachel Thornton Witnesses Lyman Lawrence and Hiram Smith
See my Query of 26 Sept 2007 at end of file re James Dixon in Orford Township Kent County
no replies as of 25 Jan 2008
RACHEL BURDICK LAWRENCE
Abel’s wife Rachel was born 18 September 1771 at Lanesboro Berkshire County Ma.
Ref R. Robert Mutrie and Caleb Burdick’s Journal (Elgin OGS site www.elginogs.ca)
She was one of 10 children and the daughter of James Burdick born 7 March 1744 died 1807 Oxford County
Ontario and his wife Phebe Choate Smith born 18 Sept 1748 and was dead by Feb 1817.
*(See files on James Burdick by Neal Shaw and R Robert Mutrie
RACHEL BURDICK was married first to “a” Lawrence (John or Joseph) perhaps a son of John Lawrence and brother
of Levi (who married Abigail Burdick in Oxford (their second marriage).
Rupert Tarbell has eliminated his brother Nathan and is investigating his brother John.
(2 Johns in 1790 census). LDS Family search gives a marriage of a “Joseph” Lawrence born abt 1765 marrying
about 1790 to Rachel Lawrence.
Rupert reports that the State of Vermont as well as the local counties do not have a record of this Burdick
Marriage or Rachel’s marriage to Abel Thornton. (We do not know how many children Rachel had that died prior
to 1834). We know from Abel Thornton’s will that she had at least 2 children (Simon Lawrence and Phebe Sweet)
prior to her marriage to Abel.
GENERATION # 2
There is no 1851 North Oxford Township census
2.Luceny Perry
not found in 1861 North Oxford Township census No ides to date
5. Clarissa Crague
no ideas to date. Was the name really Craig?
7. Jonathon Thornton born about 1807
age 21 in Oxford County militia
Men of Upper Canada Militia Nominal Rolls 1828_29 published 1995 by Ontario Genealogical Society
page 178 Capt Henry Carrol’s Company
Witness at wedding of his brother Oliver in 1833
not found in 1861 North Oxford Township census
not found head of household Ontario 1871 census
Was he the “John Thornton” who was shown on the 1857 Tremaines map and on the historical atlas on Lot 10
Concession 2 West Oxford Township? Not likely as this was more likely John Nelson Thornton son of Remember
Thornton born 7 June 1811 in Floyd Township Oneida County New York This John married Hannah Service about
1833
8 Oliver Thornton born after about 1810. He was not listed in Oxford militia as he was too young
He may have been one of the 2 males under 16 years in the 1825 assessment.
Oliver married 25 Feb 1833 in Oxford (Township) Oxford County to Sarah Strong by Peter Teeple JP
Witnesses George Karn and Jonathon Thornton (Oxford).
Ref London District Marriage Records Volume 2 by Norsim publishing page 31
Oliver was a witness along with Silas Williams (his brother in law) to the 2 June 1833 to marriage of Sebra
Fuller to David Ennest (recorded as Ennis) marriage by John Hatch J.P
Oliver not found in 1861 North Oxford Township census or in the 1871 heads of households
We found an Oliver Thornton born abt 1805 in Canada in 1880 census of Pleasant Valley Utah
indexed (ancestry.com) wife’s name was Sarah age 70 but film gives wife’s’ name as Margaret in a piece on
Utah pioneers says Oliver was born Pickering Ont. We have confirmed that this Oliver was from Pickering and
is not Oliver son of Abel.
9 Phebe Lawrence Sweet
The most likely candidate as her husband seems to be Robert Sweet who was a witness to signatures of the
estate of Phebe Burdick.
Robert Sweet was in the 1803 Oxford County militia as a sergeant in Capt Hamond Lawrence’s company was
assessed in Zorra in 1822 with 100 acres
Phebe not found in 1861 North Oxford Township census
10 Simon Lawence likely son of Rachel Lawrence and unknown Lawrence
Simon Lawrence was assessed for one milch cow and one horned cattle in 1815 assessment of Oxford Township
Not found in 1861 North Oxford Township census
There was a Samuel Lawrence in 1828 Oxford militia Men of Upper Canada Militia Nominal Rolls
1829 published 1995 by Ontario Genealogical Society
THOUGHTS Re THORTON and BURDICK FAMILIES
Current Jan 2008
We are looking for the Thorntons and the Burdicks in the 1776 to 1805 era.
At that time there was much turmoil in New England.The “Troubles” and their aftermath resulted in many
families moving about. Loyalists went to Canada in 1783 and 1784 and many with Loyalist leanings were shoved
out in the years following. The new 13 Colonies government strove to fill the frontier with New Englanders
favourable to their cause as that felt the displaced Loyalists were regrouping to come back in to the area to
take over the lands of the Mohawk River and Lake Champlain. These land were being filled with people from Mass
and Ct. At the same time in the early 1790sin Upper Canada, Gov. John Graves Simcoe put out the call for
anyone who wanted to settle Ontario. He offered free land he was afraid that the Americans would move in.
Simcoe settled people in the Niagara area and along the lake to Hamilton and westerly toward Haldimand
County.
Why did Abel go to the Vermont from Mass Likely for free land. When did he go say 1785 to 1790. Did he had
a first wife??. Where was he in the 1790 census maybe with wife’s parents or staying with someone for room and
board. The widow Rachel was merely a bonus. Do we have any indication that Abel knew the Burdicks prior to
their moving to the South Hero area?
The James Burdick family was in South Hero from about 1787 (as daughter Huldah was born January 1787 in
Lanesborough) thus before the 1790 census til after about 1793/4
Brother Freedom was in New Brunswick in. 1783/4. By the late 1790s a number of Loyalist had found N. B
pretty rough and had come up to Upper Canada .Freedom Burdicks among them. We know James Burdick was in
Niagara by early 1796 He likely led the way and little brother followed him to Upper Canada
Now we know that Rachel (born 1771) had married Whoozit Lawrence maybe say 1788 age 17 or maybe even by 1787
when the Burdicks left Mass for Vt
James Burdick made the 1790 census in Vt. The census was none too accurate as lots of families were still
milling about and were living together because of the lack of housing .Most had not been in the area long
enough to settle down and clear land and build any type of shelter.
By the mid 1790s things were in a turmoil in the Burdick household, the locals and father James had a
falling out in “politics” and James had heard of Simcoe’s free land offer and James decided to go to Canada
by abt 1795 and was there early 1796. By this time we must assume that Rachel and Whoozit Lawrence had long
made Vermont.Whoozit had died and daughter Rachel had remarried to Abel Thornton.
I think Phebe Lawrence was the eldest of Rachel’s bunch with Whoozit Lawrence born maybe 1788/90. Simon was
not 19 yet in 1812 or he would have been in the militia, However he was apparently 21 by 1815 when he was
assessed so he may have born about 1793 (A census with even a rough age for one would be wonderful) .Of
course we do not know how many other children Rachel had and that wre dead and unmarried by 1834 when Abel
died.
Then Whoozit Lawrence dies and Rachel remarries to Abel Thornton say 1794
Children
1.Annah born abt 1796 in US . None of her kids to my knowledge went to the US so we don’t have a census in
which the question was asked "Where were daddy and mommy born" I would think she was born in Vermont
2.Albert seems to have born in Vermont about 1800 so say their sonsin the US census
3 I think that Luceny was born about 1798 thus between Annah and Albert
I have found no info her at all . So that is strictly a guess. Abel did mention his kids in his will in the
order of birth with boys first and then girls. Apparently she was not part of the George Perry Family that
lived near Washington (hamlet) Blenheim Twp.Oxford County (Diane Scoles Sept 2007)
4. In thinking further about Rosannah, I think she was born abt 1804 or even 1805 married by 1821 and dead by
1823 Again no info as to her age or birth place
` We presume Abel had been in Oxford for a while before his petition of May 1805
Did he actually get there, say in 1802/03 and improve some land or did he just say that so it sound good on
his land petition. How long was he in Niagara or elsewhere who knows?
His location from 1800 to May 1805 is unaccounted for ..
I have advanced all the dates we had been using by a year or so. and Abel’s by at least 5 years
I think Abel was born by 1765 and not around 1770 as I had thought
If he was born much prior to 1763 he would have been conscripted to shoot at the red coats
or joined the Loyalists.
DIXON QUERY
Sept 2007
Was there a James Dixon in Orford Township abt 1836?
James Dixon‘s marriage bond of 1836-08-14 (www.collectionscanada.ca) to Rachel Thornton lists him as of West
Oxford Township, Kent County. I am wondering if there was an error in transcribing his residence as might it
had been Orford Township?
There was “a” James Dixon in Aldbourgh Township (just east of Orford) in the 1826 assessment list. Rachel
Thornton was the widow of Abel Thornton and her residence was given as Oxford Township Oxford County which
appears to be correct Rachel was born at Lanesboro Ma. USA in 1771, the daughter of James Burdick. She first
married an “unknown” Lawrence before marrying Abel Thornton about 1794 likely in Vermont. She had at least
ten children with both husbands.
Our search is now centred on Orford as we cannot find a suitable James Dixon elsewhere.
THANK YOU bob moore
OTHER THORNTONS IN OXFORD
1 Jabez Thornton listed in the Oxford militia of 1812 as serving in the time period of 21 July to
24 August Jabez “went to the enemy and was killed by the Indians”
Ref A hand written notation opposite his name in the “Return of the Officers & non Commissioned officers and
privates of the 2nd flank Company of the 1st regiment of the Oxford Militia in 1812"
signed by Lt Col Bowen of 1st Regiment Oxford militia
(Tho it looks like tho Henry Bostwick was the Lt Col at that time
2. James listed as Thornington / Thorington
In the 1812 assessment of Oxford on Thames Township, there is a James “Thorington”.
He is also listed in the 1815 assessment of Oxford Township.
3 Calvin Thornton who was listed by Mary Evans in her article Oxford_on the_Thames” (Oxford County OGS
notes). At one time, I believed that Calvin was very likely a brother of Abel Thornton
Calvin was an assessor in the township at some time(s) from 1811 and 1827 and Calvin, son of Abel born
1807 would be too young for this position. This Calvin seems to have had son Abel (born about 1827) and Abel
had a son Calvin. This seemed to be a logical sibling relationship.
Other children of Calvin’s and his wives Betsey Aldrich and Phebe Aldrich, were Ariel (born about 1828
married Catherine Vanatter) and Lucy who married David Fuller in 1849 and Silas Thornton in 1897.
Family trees on the internet (LDS Family Search and Ancestry.com) list a Calvin Thornton born 30 July 1795 in
Acworth, Sullivan County New Hampshire. The son of Steven Thornton and Elizabeth Rodgers
Although this Calvin’s age would fit the Calvin of Oxford, the family trees give no further info as to
spouse, location or death date and location (These trees do not li st an Abel Thornton)
See File “Calvin Thornton of Oxford ’”
Albert Thornton by Bob Moore
THE ALBERT THORNTON FAMILY
OF WEST ZORRA TOWNSHIP, OXFORD COUNTY ONT.
Jan 2008
Please send corrections and additions to Robert G. Moore
ALBERT THORNTON
PARENTS
Abel Thornton and Rachel Burdick Lawrence (see File Thornton, Abel of Oxford
BORN
about 1800 in the U.S.A , likely Vermont. His son Chauncy stated in the 1880 census of Marion Township
Sanilac County Michigan that his father was born in Vermont. Also his son Truman said that he was born in
Vermont in the 1900 census of Iosco County Michigan
MARRIED
Rachel Williams likely about 1822 likely Ontario perhaps West Zorra Township, Oxford County Ontario tho son
Chauncey stated in the 1880 census of Marion Township Sanilac County that his mother was born in Conneticut.
DIED
After 1861 census of West Zorra Township but before 1871 (Thornton Family ref #1 and 31 see separate file)
BURIED
unknown
CHILDREN
* denotes Separate Files for each child and their descendants
Please contact Robert Moore at the above address for the file(s) you are interested in.
all children likely born in West Zorra
#2.1.1 * Priscilla Thornton born 1823, married February 1842 in West Zorra Township to Peter Kerns,
5 children. She died 26 December 1901 at Woodstock Oxford County
See separate file Thornton Priscilla Karn
#2.1.2 * Chauncy J. Thornton born about 1825, married June 1847 to Julia Ann Sawyer, 2 children
He died February 1900 at Marion Township near Deckerville, Sanilac County
See separate file Thornton Chauncy
#2.1.3 * Silas William Thornton born 1829. Married May 1852 to Caroline Moore, the daughter of
James Moore and Rachel Holder. 9 children, He died 24 August 1903 at Harrisville Michigan
See separate file Moore, Caroline Thornton
#2.1.4 * Lyman L. (Lawrence ?) Thornton born 10 July 1832 (Ref D.D.)
married first to Electra Spencer November 1855, 1 child, married secondly to Ann Ennest,
November 1867, 8 children (at least) He died 26 April 1915 at Kalamazoo Mi.
See separate file Thornton Lyman L
#2.1.5 * Truman J. (James ?) Thornton born 11 March 1836. Married Susan Maria Moore about 1855-6 in West
Zorra Township, the daughter of James Moore and Rachel Holder. (Sister of Caroline Moore who married Silas).
8 children He died 11 April 1911 at Au Sable Township Iosco County Michigan.
See separate file Moore Susan Thornton #2.5.12
It appears that Albert Thornton came to Oxford County Ontario with his parents sometime after 1800 but
before 1805 when his father Abel leased land in North Oxford Township (Lot 22 Concession 1 North Oxford
Township). The 1851 West Zorra Township census lists Priscilla, Chauncy and Silas as having been born in
Ontario.
Albert was assessed in North Oxford Township in 1824 as having two oxen and 2 milch cows but no land and it
appearing that he was likely living on his father’s land on Lot 22 Concession 1.
Albert was assessed in West Zorra in 1826 at 27 Pounds having 50 acres of land uncultivated and no cultivated
land but with 2 oxen 2 milch cows and 3 horned cattle (Was this the same land that Rachel Thornton got a deed
for in 1837?) (deeds were not usually given until the mortgage had been paid off)
When Albert's son Silas married for the second time on 7 October 1897 in Harrisville Michigan., he gave his
mother's maiden name as Rachel Williams and his father' name as Albert Thornton.
Albert Thornton is listed in the 1828, First Regiment of Oxford County Militia in Capt R Always Company. His
age given as 28. It appears that this company was composed of residents of Zorra Township (Ref Men of Upper
Canada, Militia Nominal Rolls 1828-9 Published Ontario Genealogical Society 1995 )
In March 1837 Rachel Thornton, Albert's wife purchased 7 acres of the south part of Lot 5 Concession 5 West
Zorra (Registered as # 3295). In August 1837 she purchased a further 17 1/4 acres of the same lot (Registered
as #3744). In October 1842 Albert along with his wife Rachel sold the 24 1/4 acre parcel of
Lot 5 Concession 5 West Zorra. (Registered as #5500).
On 6 January 1844 Albert’s father Abel Thornton received a lease for Lots 3 and 4 West of the Mitchell Road
in the Township of Blanshard Perth County (Petition reference CC 03 Vol 029 Page 257 Canada Company lease.)
As Abel died in 1834 this lease must have been acquired at least 10 years prior to the lease being recorded in
the land system of Perth County
Albert Thornton’s name is shown on a map of Blanchard Township Perth County dated 21 January 1839 on these
lots (Ref Canada Company" page 193).
The 1843-7 tax assessment rolls of Blanchard Township show Albert as occupying Lots 3 and 4 (100 acres each)
in the Concession "West Of the Mitchell Road". In 1843 he had 2 oxen, 3 milch cows and 6 horned cattle and
was assessed for 20 pounds, In 1844 he had 10 acres cleared on Lot 4. The population returns lists 5 males,
2 over 16 in 1843 and 3 over in 1844 and one female each year (Which would be consistent with his family
above (Priscilla having married prior to the move to Blanchard and remained in West Zorra). The population
return for 1845 list 4 males which would indicate that son Chauncey was elsewhere. Their religion was given
as Closed Communion Baptist.
There are no Thorntons listed in the 1851 Blanshard or Downie Township census. Although Albert is not listed
in the 1851 West Zorra Township census, his sons Chauncy and Silas were and were living near Peter Karn (West
1/2 of Lot 4 Concession 5) There is no 1851 North Oxford Township Census so we do not know if he was across
the town line! However by 1861 Albert is again listed in the West Zorra census, age 61 married, born U. S.
A., religion Baptist and living with him, is Rachel, age 28 female. (likely an error for 68, This would be
consistent with the 1871 census in which Rachel's age was given as 77) {1861 census was age on next birthday
as of 14 January 1861 and in 1871 census was age as of 2 April 1871} (I RGM have not found any reference to a
daughter Rachel in the family)
In the census, the family is shown as one male, one female and married. They were living in a log house.
Living in a separate log house next to Albert was his son Truman, Truman's wife
Susan (Moore) and Truman's children Lyman and Albert. It appears from their position in the census that they
were living in the area of Lot 4 or 5 in Concession 5, Zorra although no land ownership records have been
found for Albert after the sale in 1842. Thus one would surmise that both Albert and Truman were living on
Peter Karn's land.
Neither Albert or Truman are shown in the 1861 West Zorra Township agricultural census although Peter Karn
is shown as owning 100 acres of Lot 4 Concession 5 with 30 acres of it under cultivation.
Rachel is shown living with the family of Peter Karn (her son-in law) in the West Zorra 1871 census as age
77 (that is born about 1794) and a widow. Thus if the age is correct she would be about 6 years older than
Albert. Her religion is given as regular Baptist
One might assume she was a sister of Silas Williams who married Albert’s sister Annah Thornton altho no
proof of this has been yet found (see file Annah Thornton Williams by RGM
It is not known when or where either Rachel or Albert died, but it appears that Albert died between 1861 and
1871 and Rachel after 1871, but before 1881 as she has not been found in the 1881 census.
Perhaps they were in Sanilac County with one of their sons but no death records for them have been found in
Michigan. If she was buried in her son-in-law Peter Karn's plot in the Woodstock Baptist Cemetery, her name
is not on a Grave stone)
{The only Rachel Thornton listed in the Sanilac County death records died 13 March 1913 age 83 years, 6
months and 7 days, was born in England and was the daughter of Robert Maynard and Hannah Green.
Annah Thornton Williams of Oxford by Bob Moore
ANNAH THORNTON WILLIAMS of Oxford County
JAN 2008
Most of the following from Neal Shaw 291 Royal Albert Court of Oakville L6HA7
emailnshaw@cogeco.ca
Please send corrections or additions to Neal Shaw or Robert Moore at above addresses
PARENTS
Abel Thornton and Rachel Burdick Lawrence,
(Daughter of Abel Thornton as stated in Abel Thornton’s Will)
BORN
United States: There is “an” Anna Williams age 56, widow ie born 1796 in 1851 West Zorra census born United
States and “an”Anne Williams age 62 in 1861 West Zorra census ie born 1799 as well as Hannah Williams age 75
ie born 1796 living with Silas Dolson (her grandson) in 1871 West Zorra Census,
MARRIED
Silas Williams maybe about 1809 likely Oxford County as Silas was in the 1812 militia of Oxford and the
Thorntons were in Oxford before 1805. Annah survived Silas and was named wife in Silas’ will of
24 July 1845 in Zorra Township. He is believed at this time to have been a brother of Rachel Williams who
married Annah’s brother Albert Thornton.
DIED
after 1871 census
CHILDREN
Were there more?
These are the children listed in Silas Williams' Will
#1. Elijah Williams born about 1812 likely Zorra
see Generation #2
#2. John Williams born about 1813
see Generation #2
#3. Roxeylana Williams born 3 August 1815
see Generation #2
#4. Able Williams born about 1818
see Generation #2
ANNAH WILLIAMS
1. 1850 Assessments UWO Regional Library
Anna Williams Lot 1 Concession 6, Lot 4 Concession 6 Lot 1 Concession 7 all assessed for
136 pounds The late Betty McKay of Woodstock said that she was a widow and a tailor (this is the lot that
Silas drew for militia service in the war of 1812)
2. 1851 West Zorra Census
age 56 born US, widow, religion Baptist
with her are: Elijah age 40. born Canada, shoemaker, widower and his children, Abel age 11,
George age 9, Harriet age 7
3. Index of 1857 Tremaines map of Oxford No Williams shown as owners or tenants
4 1860 directory of West Zorra
Mrs William Lot 1 Concession 6 ref freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wjmartin/oxford1.htm
5.. 1861 West Zorra
Census Film #C_1061 microfilm has been checked
A. Division # 1 page #1
Anne Williams, age 62, Born United States , Baptist, female, widow
(Anne was indexed as Ammer as there was flourish on the end of “e”)
Roxelana Dolson age 45, married, born Canada (widow of Edward)
Anna 20, Esther 13, Prudence 11, Eliza 9, Daniel 7, Chauncy 5
(No husband)(the late Leslie Dolson of London believed Edward died before 1861)
(NOTE: SEE OTHER INFO ANNA’S AGE IS LIKELY IN ERROR)
I BELIEVE THAT THE 1851 AND 1871 CENSUS MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT ANNA’S AGE
6. 1871 West Zorra Census Hannah Williams age 75
page #33 living with family #130 family of Silas Dolson (her grandson) 34 Lelious ? 34 ( Lillian)
============================================
SILAS WILLIAMS
BORN
very likely before 1788 likely in US, his parents are unknown. It is presently assumed that his parents did
not live in Oxford.
Militia Service:
1. 1812 Oxford militia, private, first regiment, second flank company, commanded by Bostwich from June 4,
1812 to Dec. 5, 1812. ( Military documents)
Neal Shaw believes that he fought with the Oxford Militia at the battle of Detroit
In the return of the Officers & non Commissioned officers and privates of the 2nd flank Company of the 1st
regiment of the Oxford Militia in 1812" signed by Lt Col Bowen of 1st regiment Oxford militia (looks like tho
Henry Bostwick was the Lt Col at that time)
gives the name Silas Williams and the comment “I know nothing of him”
George Williams went to the enemy
Index of the Land Claim certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen who served in the war of 1812/1814 published
1995 by Ontario Genealogical Society
Silas Williams was eligible to draw land for service in militia in War of 1812_14 served 2nd Flank Company
Oxford militia Silas Williams received as a free Grant for Military service in the Oxford militia in the War
of 1812, on 26 May 1820, the East œ of Lot 1 in Concession 6 Zorra Township
His residence was shown as “Oxford” (Township) (100 acres)
(Ref Ontario Land Patent index microfiche)
2. 1815: Oxford Militia, private, first regiment, second flank company, commanded by Brewster Brigham., Dec
23, 1814 to Jan 24, 1815 inclusive.(31 days). (ditto)
3. 1815: Oxford Militia, private, first regiment, second flank company, commanded by Brewster Brigham. Jan
24,1815 to Feb 25, 1815. Stationed at Fort Norfolk. (ditto)
4. 1824: WILLIAMS, S.,an Ensign in Oxford Militia, 1824 Shenston (1852), page 106
published 1995 by Ontario Genealogical Society
Commissioned Jan 1824, Men of Upper Canada, Militia Nominal Rolls 1828/29, By Law all able bodied men
between 19_39 were members of militia to be available to protect the "LAND". They met one day each year
usually June paraded for a couple of hours, got drunk and crawled home !
5.In 1824 and in 1836 Silas was still an Ensign and in 1838 he was promoted to a captain.
(Ref Neal Shaw)http://www.brantford.library.on.ca/genealogy/pdfs/early.pdf
LAND OWNED:
1. County of Oxford Land Records Registry office Woodstock
a. Memorial recorded as #232 in 1809 of sale to Silas Williams from John McNames
50 acres of Lot 21 Concession 1 North Oxford Township
b. Silas William purchased land in Oxford in 1819
Memorial of Sale recorded as # 653 Jeremiah Finch to Silas Williams Lot 21 Con 1 North Oxford in 1819
c. Zorra wasn't surveyed until 1819 and grants didn't start until early spring 1820
(ref John Krug) thus Silas Williams was on of the first to get a grant in Zorra
2 Ontario Land Patent index microfiche
Silas Williams received as a free Grant for Military service in the Oxford militia in the war of 1812 on
26 May 1820 the East 1/2 of Lot 1 in Concession 6 Zorra Township His residence was shown as “Oxford”
(Township) (100 acres)
3. County of Oxford Land Records Registry office Woodstock
Memorial of Land Sale recorded as # 3066 18 August 1835 by Silas Williams to Joseph Rexford Welch of Zorra
East 1/2 of Lot 4 Concession 4 West Zorra
Witnesses John and Elijah Williams of Zorra
Assessments
1. 1812 assessment roll Oxford on Thames Township ref Oxford OGS Shenston (1852), page 142
included North. West and East Oxford Townships
Silas Williams 48 acres 2 acres cultivated 1 horse and 2 cows
2. 1813 Oxford Township Shenton’s (OGS) Assessments and Census for the Township of Oxford
46 uncultivated, 4 arable, 1 milch cow, 4 horned cattle
3. 1816 Oxford TownshipShenton’s (OGS) Assessments and Census for the Township of Oxford
40 uncultivated, 10 pasture, 2 oxen 2 years or older, 2 milch cows, 2 horned cattle
4. 1822 in Zorra OGS Assessment Rolls for Oxford County 1812_1825
150 acres 18 acres cultivated, 2 cows, 2 horses Shenston (1852), page 165
5. 1826 Zorra: Shenton’s (OGS) Assessments and Census for the Township of Oxford
84 uncultivated, 16 cultivated, 3 horses, 3 milch cows, 4 horned cattle, all valued 69 pounds 16 shillings
6. 1827 Zorra: Shenton’s (OGS) Assessments and Census for the Township of Oxford
150 uncultivated, 18 arable, 2 oxen, 2 milch cows, 4 horned cattle
7.Untitled Assessment:Shenton’s (OGS) Assessments and Census for the Township of Oxford
15 cultivated, 145 uncultivated, 2 horses, 2 milch cows, 3 young cattle
OTHER FACTS
1. 1824 Zorra Township Oxford County Voters List (OGS)
residence Zorra: Occupation farmer: Lot 21, Concession 1, 50 Acres.
Voted for Thomas Horner.
2 on 5 June 1833 Witnesses Silas Williams and Oliver Thornton
London District Marriage Records Part #1 by NorSim page 37
Sebry (Sebra) Fuller of Oxford married David Ennest of Zorra on by John Hatch J.P.
3. Silas Williams and Ned Dolson (son of Roxelana) were Grey haired men playing ball in Zorra in 1838 and
knew how the game was played .Also playing were Abel and John Williams (sons).
Dr. Adam E. Ford's letter to "Sporting Life"
4. London District Marriage records by NorSim Part #1 page 122
Esther Fuller married Jesse Dolson, both of Zorra (Esther born 28 Sept 1818 see Dolson Ref)
Witnesses Silas Williams and Elijah Williams 15 January 1839
5. Williams of Zorra signed the petition in 1844 re: the contested election of Robert Riddell
DEATH:
Silas Williams died 29 July 1845 (Reference Crawford Diaries Oxford County)
WILL
Recorded as #98 in London district wills
Will lists wife Anna, children: Elijah Abel, John and Roxeylana
Executors: John Carroll and Calvin Martin.
Will states he died on or about the First day of August 1845.
August 1845 150 pounds estate Executors John Carrol and Calvin Martin
Inventory of 14 August 1845 lists 132 pound 17 shillings and 3 pence
Township of Zorra, District of Brock, farmer.
His Estate:
3 cows at 3 pounds each 1 table and 2 stands
2 cows at 2.5 pounds each one clock
2 yearlings one bureau
1 brown mare and colt one Clander Citle?(calender kettle)
1 two year old colt 1 five pail Citle
10 sheep 1 brass Citle
1 grey mare and colt 1 pair of andirons
2 young brown mare colts 1 cupboard
2 wagons 1 shot gun
1 harness 2 buffalo robes
1 fanning mill 1 Pole and drag
6 hogs 3 beds and bedding
7 sheets, 5 blankets
CHILDREN OF ANNAH THORNTON WILLIAMS and SILAS WILLIAMS
GENERATION #3
ELIJAH WILLIAMS Child #1
BORN
abt 1812 likely Oxford Township Oxford County
MARRIED
16 February 1832 to Anne Ennest
London District Marriage Records Part #1 page 22 as pub by NorSim of Delhi On 1995
Anne Ennest to Elija William both of Zorra 16 Feb 1832 by John Hatch JP
witnesss Tho's Annes and John Pelan Witnesses Thomas Annes (Ennest) and John Phelan likely a resident of
East Oxford Township.
Anne Ennest was daughter of Cornelius Ennest of Lot 3 Concession 5 West Zorra
Anne died before 1851 census of Zorra See the Ennest family file of Oxford by RGM
DIED
after 1851 census
CHILDREN
others ?
1. Able Williams born about 1842
2. George Williams born about 1843
3. Harriet Williams born about 1845
Notes on Elijah Williams
1.18 August 1835 Witnesses John and Elijah Williams of Zorra Sale # 3066 by Silas Williams to Joseph
Rexford Welch of Zorra East 1/2 of Lot 4 Concession 4 West Zorra
2.London District Marriage records by NorSim Part #1 page 122
Esther Fuller married Jesse Dolson, both of Zorra (Esther born 28 Sept 1818 see Dolson Ref)
Witnesses Silas Williams and Elijah Williams 15 January 1839
3.July 1845 Elijah heir under his father Silas‘ will
4. Assessed for 3 pounds in 1850 on Lot 1 Concession 6 West Zorra (likely only a small house)
5. 1851 census of West Zorra Microfilm Roll PAC #C_973 Division #1 page #11,line46
Elijah Williams age 40, born Canada, shoemaker, widower, Baptist
Anna Williams age 56 widow born US, Baptist
Able age 11 born about 1842
George age 9 born about 1843,
Harriet age 7 born about 1845
2 families in a 2 story frame house (Elijah and his mother)
living near Chauncey Thornton whose mother was Rachel Williams
6. above Family not found in 1861 census of West Zorra
7. Found 1881 census “An” Abel Williams in Wingham (Town of) Huron North County Ontario
ub div H page 64 household 322
Abel Williams age 37, factory hand, Baptist born Ontario, German origin, wife Philinda age 36 born Ontario,
German origin children Andrew, Charles, Annie, Lavona and Frederick E.
JOHN WILLIAMS Child #2
BORN
About 1813 likely Oxford Township Oxford County
MARRIED
maybe about 1835 Amandy U/K who was born about 1817
CHILDREN
1.Jeremiah Williams born about `1837 age 24 and single, in 1861 census
2.Becky Ann Williams born about 1839 age 22 and married in 1861 census but no husband listed
3. Worden Williams born about 1845 age 16 in 1861 census male
4. Valin Williams born about 1851 age 10 in 1861 census
5. Emily Williams born about 1856 age 5 in 1861 census
6. Albion Williams born about 1860 age 1 in 1861 census
NOTES for John Williams
1. Land sale 18 August 1835, Witnesses John and Elijah Williams of Zorra Sale # 3066 by Silas Williams to
Joseph Rexford Welch of Zorra East 1/2 of Lot 4 Concession 4 West Zorra
2. July 1845 an heir under his father Silas ‘ will
3. Sep. 27, 1849 WILLIAMS, John entry won "best butter" during County of Oxford Agricultural Society's 14th
Annual Show, Shenston (1852), page 101 (Not known if this was the John Williams son of Silas)
4. 1855 North Oxford Voters list
John Williams North West 1/4 of Lot 20 Concession 1 (near Beachville)
5. 1861 Census of North Oxford Township Division #1 page 16
Williams, John, age 48, labourer, Born Canada, Baptist
Amandy age 44
Becky Ann 22 says married but no husband listed
Jeremiah age 24 says single,
Worden age 16, male,
Valin born age 10,
Emily age 5,
Albion age 1
6. In 1860 Jeremiah Williams listed on Lot 2 Concession 4 West Zorra
ref freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wjmartin/oxford1.htm
Williams may have been a tenant on the East half of the lot as the west half of the lot was owned by my
second great grandfather Alanson Avery. On the 1857 Tremaine’s map of Oxford County the East half was owned
by Joseph Crawford by the 1870's the East half of the Lot was owned by John Minler.
(Have not as yet found Jeremiah in 1880/81 census at LDS site)
7. 1876 historical atlas of Oxford County by Walker and Miles reprint
Directory of County of Oxford West Zorra Township page 11
John Williams farmer post office Embro Lots 1 and 4 Concession 6
but not shown on West Zorra map on page 23
Also a John Williams Township of North Oxford farmer Woodstock Post office Lot 20 Concession 1 page 18 but
not shown on North Oxford Map on page
No Luck connecting these “John Williams” in the 1881 census of Oxford
ROXEYLANA WILLIAMS #3
BORN
3 August 1815 likely Oxford Township Oxford County
MARRIED
16 Feb 1836 to Edward J Dolson
London District Marriage Register Part #1 page 84 by NorSim
Recey (Roxie) J. Williams and Edward J.? Dolson both of Zorra. by Rev Darius Cross Baptist minister
witnesses Asa Halleck and Silas Williams
Edward was listed as Edward J. and Roxie was listed as Racie J.
DIED
6 July 1880 in North Oxford Township
BURIED
Beachville Cemetery North Oxford Township
CHILDREN
(info from my Dolson file)
all children likely born in Zorra
#1 * Silas Dolson born 1836,
See Generation #4
#2 male Dolson,
#3 Ann Dolson born about 1841 (age 20 West Zorra 1861 census Div 1 page 1
Married William McCarthy by Rev John Harris on 11 April 1865 in West Oxford Township.
#4 Esther Dolson born about 1848 (age 13 W. Zorra 1861 census) no further info
#5 Prudence Dolson born about 1850, appears age 11 in 1861 West Zorra Census no further info
#6 * Elizabeth Dolson born about 1852, in age 9 in 1861 West Zorra census
See Generation #4
#7 *Daniel Dolson born 1853, in 1861 West Zorra census age 7
See Generation #4
#8. Chauncey Dolson born about 1855_6, in 1861 West Zorra census age 5, 1871 census age 15.
See generation #4
In November 1840 Edward Dolson purchased the South West 50 acres of Lot 4 Concession 6 West Zorra from
Calvin Thornton and in March 1846 sold it back to him again.
In the Waterloo County marriage records Silas Dolson when marrying for the second time gave his father's name
as "Isaac Edward Dolson."
Notes on Roxeylana
1. July 1845 an heir under her father Silas‘ will.
2. 1861 West Zorra A. Division # 1 page #1
Roxelana ? Dolson age 45, married Born Canada (widow of Edward)
Anna 20, Esther 13, Prudence 11, Eliza 9, Daniel 7, Chauncy 5
(No husband) (Neal Shaw believes Edward Dolson died about 1859 )
Living with them was Roxelana’s mother Anne Williams, age 62, Born US, Baptist, widow
3.1871 West Zorra census children John Dolson 3 and Agnes Jane 2, living with Roxey Lana Dolson
West Zorra census, Anne, age 43, widow, John Dolson 13, Agnes Jane Dolson 12.
ABLE WILLIAMS Child #4
BORN
about 1818 likely Oxford Township Oxford County
MARRIED
2 December 1841 to Jane Lewis (born about 1820 in Ontario)
Brock District Marriage Records
Abel Williams to Jane Lewis both of Zorra by Rev George Turner Methodist minister
Witnesses Henry Kerns and John Williams
CHILDREN
1. Betsy Williams born about 1842
2. Roxey Williams born about 1845.
3. Merille Williams born about 1847, (female)
4. Abram Williams born about 1848 not listed in 1861 census so presumed to have died before that time
5 Alford Williams born about 1851
6 Polly Williams born about 1834
7 Freeman Williams born 7 September 1859 (1901 census,)
8 Herman Williams born 3 April 1860
8 Melinda Williams born about 1863
NOTES
1 July 1845 an heir under his father Silas‘ will
2 1850 assessment Able Williams Lot 1 Concession 6 West Zorra 16 Pounds
3. 1851 census of West Zorra
Division #1 Page 21 line 7, frame house, 2 storey, 2 families
Abel Williams age 33 born Canada Baptist farmer
Jean age 28 born Canada
children born Canada Betsy age 9, Roxey age 7, Merell (female) age 5, Abram age 2
4. 1860 Oxford directory of Beachville (North Oxford Township) Abel was a shoemaker
ref freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wjmartin/oxford1.htm
5. 1861 Census of North Oxford Township
Abel Williams Lot 21 Concession 1, 22 acres (agricultural census)(Beachville)
Division #1 Page 11
Williams, Abel, age 43, labourer, born Canada, Baptist, lived in log house
Jane 40
Betsy 18, Roxy 16, Marell ? 14, Alford 10, Polly 7, Freman ? 4, Heman 2
(looks like ages of Freeman and Herman were switched)
#6 1881 census of North Oxford Township in Oxford County riding Div 1 page 28 household #125
Abel Williams, Irish origin, born Ontario, age 63, labourer, Baptist
wife Jane age 60 Irish origin born Ontario born Ontario
Betsy age 40 born Ontario Baptist
Freeman Williams age 22 employee (likely son of Abel)
Melinda Williams age 18
7. 1901census of West Oxford Township
Family 37 Freeman Williams born 7 September 1869, labourer, wife Nellie Williams born
15 September 1865 and stepson John Williams born 20 June 1884.
Family 39 Herman Williams born 3 April 1860, labourer wife Dora born 5 June 1862
children Alma born 12 November 1882, May born 15 March 1884, Marella born 2 December 1886,
Eva born 16 August 1889, Esther born 25 March 1893, Willington (corrected to Wellington in 1911 census) born
25 February 1895, Dora born 14 May 1896 and Mildred born 13July 1898.
This family #13 in 1911 Census of Norwich Village Oxford County
8. Harris Street cemetery Ingersoll (www.ocl.net genealogy oxford cemeteries)
Mildred Williams 1898_1954 wife of Arthur P. Morgan 1892_1978
____________________________________________________
GENERATION #4
SILAS DOLSON
PARENTS
Roxeylana Williams and Edward Dolson
BORN
Child #1 Dec 3, 1836
MARRIED
1. August 31,1856 to Lillian or Lillious Wishart (born about 1836)
2. 1898: Angeline FRICKEY, 22, Erbsville, Hespeler, d/o Frederick & Mary, witn Mrs. H.F. THOMAS & Mrs.
Charles DOLSON both of Preston, 23 April 1898 in Preston.
(Yes, the ages are correct, he was 55).
DIED
July 26,1915 Hespler
CHILDREN
1. Nancy Moriah Dolson born about 1858
2. Charles H Dolson born about 1860
3. Valentine Dolson about 1862
4. Samantha Dolson about 1865,
5. Edith Dolson about 1867
6. Emily Dolson about 1869
7. William Dolson about 1872,
8. Lucy Dolson born about 1874 ,
9. Marilla Dolson born about 1876
10 Silas Dolson born about 1880
More children from second marriage
NOTES
1861 West Zorra Census Division #1 Top of Page #6
Silas Dolson age 25 born Canada Baptist, labourer (son of Edward and Roxey Lana) Lilinous ? Dolson age 25
(Lillius or Lillian ) Nancy M. Dolson age 4, Charles H. age 2
lived in a 2 story 2 family frame house, other family ? impossible to tell from census
Listed Immediately after Albert and Truman Thornton Families on the Bottom of page 5 these families lived on
or near Peter Karn who owned 100 acres of Lot 4 Concession 5 West Zorra
(Peter's wife Priscilla was Albert Thornnton's daughter)
1871 West Zorra Census Film #C_9912 page #33 family #130
Silas Dolson 34 Lelious ? 34 (Lillius)
Moriah 14 Charles 12
page 34 note says should be with family #130
Hannah Williams age 75
Silas Dolson is not listed in 1878 Atlas in West Zorra
1881 census of West Oxford Township, division 1 page 21 household 114, Silas Dolson Family all born Ontario
and all Baptists, Silas age 44 labourer, wife Lehous age 44, children Charles age 21,
Valentine age 19, Ceniantha (Cynthia) age 16, Edith age 14, Emily age 11, William age 9, Lucy age 6, Marilla
age 4 and Silas age 1
see Dolson family file by Neal Shaw for complete details and descendants
ELIZABETH DOLSON
PARENTS
Roxeylana Williams and Edward Dolson
BORN
child #6 about 1852, West Zorra in age 9 in 1861 census
MARRIED
17 March 1880 to Daniel Greab
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maryc/oxf70.htm (Via Neal Shaw)
VRO #008529_80 (Oxford Co): Daniel GREAB, 27, farmer, Hespeler, West Zorra, s/o John GREAB & Julia CORCUBB?,
married Elizabeth DOLSON, age 22, East Oxford, West Zorra, d/o Edward DOLSON & Roxey WILLIAMS, witn: Mr. &
Mrs. John COOK of Beachville, 17 Jan 1880 at Beachville
Note the age given by Elizabeth seems incorrect age 27 would be more accurate
DANIEL DOLSON
PARENTS
Roxeylana Williams and Edward Dolson
BORN
child #7 1853 West Zorra
MARRIED
on 31 Jan 1870 to Louisa Goodall
marriage record 6/318 ( Oxford Co)
Daniel DOLSON, 23 , farmer, from North Oxford , s/o Isaac DOLSON & Roxy WILLIAM , married Louisa GOODALL ,
22 , North Oxford , East Oxford, d/o Sphen GOODALL & Mary STEPHENSON witn: Mr & Mrs George CLARK of East
Oxford , 31 Jan 1870 at East Oxford.
Ref http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maryc/oxf70.htm (via Neal Shaw)
again age given by Daniel seems incorrect age more like 27
CHILDREN
Info July 2001 from Denise Reynolds query on Oxford County gen board E mail denisereynolds200@yahoo.com
gives a son Edward Dolson who died 22 December 1957 in Michigan. He married Mary E Underhill children ,
Lawrence, Edward Jr, Robert, Harold, Edith, Florence and Dorothy. City directory of Woodstock in 1888 Edward
working as a Watchman, married
CHAUNCEY DOLSON
PARENTS
Roxeylana Williams and Edward Dolson
BORN
child #8 born 1855_6
MARRIED
1877 to Isabella McCarty,
VRO #008470_77 (Oxford Co): Chauncey DOLSON, 21, farmer, Ontario, Woodstock, s/o Edward & Roxy, married
Isabella McCARTY, 23, Ontario, Woodstock, d/o Archibald & Christena,
witn: Anna SAVAGE & Jennie LOWE, both of Tillsonburg
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maryc/oxf70.htm
NOTES
1. 1861 West Zorra Census age 5, 1871 census age 15.
2. In 1881 census age 25 married to Isabella McCartney
3. Listed in 1888 City of Woodstock directory as a labourer.
4. In 1880 and 1877 Elizabeth and Chauncey Dolson are married. and name their father as Edward
5. 1870 Daniel when married calls his father Isaac
OTHER WILLIAMS IN OXFORD PRE 1830
Are these siblings of Silas or even any relation to him!!
A. The Williams family of Norfolk County does not seem to be related to the Oxford County Williams Family of
pre 1833
1. George Williams
In the return of the Officers & non Commissioned officers and privates of the 2nd flank Company of the 1st
regiment of the Oxford Militia in 1812" signed by Lt Col Bowen of 1st regiment Oxford militia (looks like tho
Henry Bostwick was the Lt Col at that time) gives the name George Williams nd the comment “Went to the enemy”
2..Christopher Williams born about 1798 age 31 in 1828 militia records
See number 9 and could this fellow be a son of William or Darius of Zorra late of Thorold
Not found after 1828 Not naturalized which might be an indication that he was already a “citizen”
( if he was not dead or moved away by the mid 1840's)
3.Cyrus Williams Naturalized 18 February 1834 in Oxford gave his residence as "Oxford" occupation Carpenter
signed his name (SEE Dolson Family References) born c 1800 age 28 in 1828 militia
ref Volume 4 of Naturalization Records page 55 of Families OGS magazine f Volume 19 Number 3 1980\
PAC RG #5 Box 47 entry # 97
by Neal Shaw 7 Feb 2006
Neal feels that Cyrus was not related to Silas Williams and his family
Cyrus married Lydia Dodge born circa 1805 daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Sternberg of Mohawk Valley NY.
Cyrus and Lydia moved to Illinois : http://www.dodgefamily.org/Canada/DanielDodge.shtml
Williams, Cyrus born MA 1767 1837 d. 2 Aug 1866
(correction 1797? This added by N.Shaw) http://www.iltrails.org/lee/leeoldsettlers.html
Looks Like Massachusetts:
[NI4445] Marriage witnesses: Johnathan G. Hathaway of Ancaster, painter and David Fuller of Oxford,
Blacksmith Married at Ancaster
David Fuller, blacksmith of Oxford, witnessed the marriage of Cyrus Williams and Lydia Dodge at Ancaster on
Sept. 9, 1828. It would appear from the census of Lee Co. Dixon Township. Illinois, that the family moved to
Illinois between 1839 and 1843 .
Are Helen and Daniel perhaps twins? In the same census, but of Washington County, there is a Cyrus Williams,
age 10 who was enumerated as a stray, living with the family of Horace Sherman.
Note his wife is Martha as is Lydia's youngest daughter. This would suggest that perhaps
Martha Sherman and Cyrus Sr. are related. Are the two young Cyrus' the same person, enumerated twice? or is
the stray. Another relative really born in MO as was Cyrus Sr.?
Lee Co, Dixon Township, IL 27 Aug 1850 dwelling 113 family 117 Williams, Cyrus age 53 Millwright (not sure of
state MA or MO?) Williams, Lydia age 45 Canada
Williams, Daniel age 15 Canada Williams, Helen age 15 Canada
Williams Cyrus age 11 Canada Williams, Martha age 7 IL
Washington County 20th District 24 Aug 1850 Sherman, Horace A. age 34
Martha A. age 22
Lyman A. age 2 Emma M. age 4/12
Williams, Cyrus age 10 born MO
:
http://www.dodgefamily.org/Genealogy/MysteryDodges/notes.html
Cyrus was a member of a jury at an inquest in1850 in East Grove Township, Lee County
Ref Lee County branch of Indiana Gen web
From 1860 Lee County Ill Census
Williams, Cyrus, age 63, M, Farmer, b. MA
Lydia, age 52, F, b. Canada
Marilla, age 16, F, b. ILL
Mulkins, Samuel, age 29, M, b. Canada
Mulkins, Hellen, age 23, F, b. Canada
Mulkins, Hattie, age 8, F, b. ILL
Mulkins, Charles, age 10mo, M, b. ILL
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/il/lee/census/1860/1860_w.txt
4. Elijah Williams born before 1803 as he sold property in 1824
Elijah son of Silas would only have been about 12 years old
Sale #1016 Elijah Williams to Artemas Rodger Graham the West 1/2 of Lot 23 Concession 14 East Nissouri 100
acres in 1824
5. Samuel Williams born before 1810 as he would have had to have been 19 years old to be in the Militia in
1828 Militia (no age given in militia list) He might be a son of William or Darius of Zorra late of Thorold
not found after 1828 Not naturalized which might be an indication that he was already a “citizen” ( if was
not dead or moved away by the mid 1840's)
6.Matilda Williams born c 1839 died Dec 1882 married John Dodge
who was she?
7. John Williams born before say 1794 as he would be at least age 18 in 1812
Index of the Land Claim certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen who served in the war of 1812_1814 pub 1995
by Ont Genealogical Society
John Williams 1st Flank Company First Regiment Oxford militia page 102
Not found where he drew land a lot of Johns and no residence given
As the system to provide land to the militia members was not in place until nearly mid 1820 anything could
have happened
Also WHAT IF THIS John Williams was the same John Williams in the Lincoln Militia and he moved during the war
an got himself on the list for both Oxford and Lincoln. I guess that is very far out tho!
8. Index of the Land Claim certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen who served in the war of 1812_1814 pub
1995 by Ont Genealogical Society page 102
Darius Williams 1st Flank Company 2ndRegiment Lincoln Militia
John Williams 1st Flank Company 2ndRegiment Lincoln Militia
land patents
John of Thorold Township drew E1/2 of Lot 11 Concession 17 Zorra as a Free Grant, Military (Militia) on 26
May 1820 (same day as Silas a relationship between the two or a mere coincidence)
Dariusof Thorold Township drew East œ of Lot 33 in the 9th concession of Zorra as a Free grant military
(Militia on 7 July 1820 Grants were from the “Waste” or “Wild” land of the province not previously patented
Some of the locations were pretty wild , So wild that the number of the people receiving the lands actually
settled on them seems to be rather low. Zorra may have seemed wild to some one from Thorold.
No Williams on either lot in the Tremaine map of 1857
Calvin Thornton of Oxford bom 1807 by Bob Moore
GENERATION 2 OF ABEL THORNTON FAMILY
CALVIN THORNTON BORN 1807
Jan 2008 amended Feb 2008
Please send Corrections and addition info to Robert Moore at EMAIL rmoore@wwdc.com
Many Thanks to Neal Shaw and Rupert Tarbell,
References RM from Roland Marple Rolandmarple@yahoo.ca
PARENTS
Abel Thornton and Rachel Burdick Lawrence
(See file ‘Abel Thornton and his Family of Oxford County )
BORN
About 1807 in Oxford County, likely Oxford on Thames Township”
Calvin's age (next birthday) in 1851-2 census was given as 45
MARRIED
Elizabeth Ennest (Ref #12) likely about 1835/36 probably West Zorra although no record has been yet found
(Not found London District Marriage Records or Brock District marriage Records )
Donna Davis now of Naples Florida formerly of Deckerville Sanilac. says the Elizabeth Ennest who married
Calvin was a son of Abel Thornton
DIED
After the 1861 Ontario census and before 1880 when his wife Elizabeth was a widow and was living with
Lydia and Lester Taylor, her daughter and son in law in Lowell Township, Kent County Mi.
BURIED
CHILDREN
Reference 1851 and 1861 census of West Zorra and North Oxford Townships Oxford County
* More info in Generation #3
1 Adammus born about 1837 age 15 in 1851 census ( RM gives Adamma)
1. Artametia Thornton born about 1840 (male)
2. *Almond Thornton born 8 April 1845 Ref 1901 census of Oxford County (www.automatedgenealogy.com)
Tho 1851 census list him as 10 years old, 1861 census lists him as 18, 1870 census gives age as 26
and 1881 census gives age as 34
3. Aldire Thornton born about 1847 female (missing in 1861 census) (RM gives Aldana)
4. John Thornton born about 1848
5. Leora Thornton born about 1850
She married Aaron Cross on 2 February 1868 likely Oxford County (Ref Gen Forum by Bill Pryde) August 1999)
1881 census of West Oxford Township Division 2 page 51 family 245 lists
Aron Cross age 38 born Ontario, labourer Baptist wife Leone Cross age 32, born Ontario, Baptist
son of “Dorwin” Cross and Jane Osborne
Darwin Cross and Jane Osborne both of Zorra married by Rev Darius Cross of Free Communion Baptist Church on 1
January 1833
RM advises Aaron Cross born 1842 and died 1887
Leora Not yet found Ontario census of 1901 and 1911 or US 1900 census all states
did she remarry? Children?
6. * Lydia Thornton born June 1851 se Generation #3
7. William Henry Thornton born about 1857
8. Agnes Thornton born about 1860
Other than Almond, Leora and Lydia, none of the children have been yet found in any census in Canada or the
USA
Calvin is listed in 1851-2 census of Division 1 page 14 line 15 West Zorra Township Oxford County, Calvin
age 45,. born Canada, occupation Farmer, living in a log shanty, wife Elizabeth age 33 (Born about 1819) born
in United States, children Adammus (?) age 15, Aldire age 5, Leora age 4,
Ledy age 1, Almond age 10 and John age 4. Calvin was listed on the same page of the census as
Marvin Cody who lived Lot 6 Concession 5 West Zorra. Daniel Karn who is listed on page 11, lived
Lot 7 Concession 5 and Chauncy Thornton who lived next to Peter Karns and his wife Priscilla
(See Albert Thornton History By RGM) Calvin lived near if not, on Lots 4 to 6 Concession 5 West Zorra .
Calvin received South West 1/4 of Lot 4 Concession 6 West Zorra under the term of his father Abel Thornton’s
will in December 1834
Abel Thornton had acquired the North half of the Lot Four (100 acres) by Memorial #1483 from
Elijah Harris.on 17 July 1829. Abel Thornton sold the North West 1/4 (50 acres) of Lot 4 Concession 6
West Zorra to Cornelius Ennest (Recorded as #1484).
By memorial # 4421 on 2 November 1840 Calvin sold the South West 1/4 of Lot 4 to
Edward Dolson and by memorial #7029 Calvin got the same parcel back again from Edward Dolson
dated 27 March 1846 recorded 23 July 1846 (likely Calvin still had a financial interest in the land)
Calvin sold that land on the same day memorial #7030 dated 27 March 1846 recorded 23 July 1846
Calvin Thornton to James Caroll.
Calvin was not shown as a property owner on the Tremaines map of 1857, nor was he listed in the directory of
1857-8 of the County of Oxford, thus it is doubtful if he owned land.
He is listed in the 1861 Census of North Oxford Township Oxford County census, Division #1 page #13
Thornton Calvin, born Canada, Baptist, labourer, no age given, wife Elizabeth age 36 born
New York State (wrong age), children Artametia age 20 female, Almon age 18, John age 14,
Leora age 12, Lydia age 9, William Henry age 4, Agnes age 1. Also listed with family Absina Cross ? age 14,
female)
As Calvin’s, occupation was given as labourer, so it is doubtful if he owned land in North Oxford
(He was not listed in the agricultural census of North Oxford.) (His wife Elizabeth's age was listed as
36 while it was closer to 42). The family was Baptist.
Son Almond married in Sanilac in 1868 and daughter Lydia said in the 1900 census that she also came to
Michigan in 1868 (need to find them in 1870 census, no luck so far)
ELIZABETH ENNEST was born 7 July 1819 New York State
In 1880 Elizabeth was a widow living with her daughter Lydia and son in law Lester Taylor in Kent County
Michigan. Her age was given as 56 while age 60 would have been closer.
Elizabeth died as a widow in Marion Township Sanilac Buried ? (Just maybe the Downing cemetery at
Deckerville)
Sanilac County Death Records Book #2 Page #28 #71 July 17 1888 Elizabeth Thornton born New York State,
female white widow age 69 yrs 0 mo 5 days, Marion Township, old age, housewife, daughter of Cornelius Ennest
and Sylvia Ennest (Tracy) both dead
For additional info on the Ennest Family of Oxford contact Robert Moore
GENERATION #3
ALMOND THORNTON
PARENTS
Calvin Thornton and Elizabeth Ennest
BORN
9 April 1845 (Ref 1901 census of Oxford County West Zorra Township Oxford County Ontario
MARRIED
Ellen Sprigg (Sprague) at Minden Sanilac County on 4 October 1868 (Her parents might have been Emanuel and
Mary Sprigg (Sprague) of the Beachville area of Oxford County)
Ref Sanilac County Marriage Records via Mary Lou Bacon
Book 2 Page 10 #149. October 4 1868, Almon Thornton residence Minden Township
age 26 born Canada to Ellen Sprigg (likely Sprague) Residence Minden, age 20, born Canada by
John Smith J.P. Witnesses Abel Thornton and Catherine Smith (possibly wife of John) married at Minden (Who is
this Abel Thornton maybe his “Cousin” son of Calvin who was the brother of his father Abel.)
DIED
24 March 1909 Oxford of heart disease (VRO)
CHILDREN
1. Hannah Thornton born April 1870 in Marian Township Sanilac County. The family is shown in Marion Township
census of 1870 .Not listed on 1881 census of West Oxford Township or LDS IGI so appears she died young!
2.*Mary Lidda/ Lydia Thornton born 16 May 1871 at Port Huron, St Clair County Mi.
See Generation#4
3. Alice Thornton born March 1876 (1911 census) died 1953 (Ref RM)
age 7 in 1881 census married John Wesley Brackenbury born January 1875 (1911 census) died 1959 (RM)
Their children (Ref 1911 census and RM)
a, Ida Pearl Brackenbury born November 1901
b. Helen (Nelly)Brackenbury born November 1903
c. Rose Mary (Rosey) Brackenbury born April 1906
d. Edith Brackenbury born April 1908
Family in South riding Oxford, West Oxford Township District #28 page 6 for 1911 census
4, George Albert Thornton born 29 July 1880 (1901 census and LDS IGI)
age 2 in 1881 census. Born West Oxford Township
married VRO #01441 27 February 1904 at Ingersoll
George Thornton age 23 residence Ingersoll born Sweaburg , labourer parents “Alum” Thornton and Ellen
“Spsague” to Hattie Knapp age 21 residence Ingersoll born North Oxford, parents John D Knapp and Sarah
“Dominey” George died 3 June 1954 (LDS IGI)
George Thornton was buried Ingersoll Rural Cemetery Ingersoll On. Section A Stone # 80
G/S 1878-1954 and his wife Hattie Knapp 1880-1964
Children of George and Hattie
A. Cecil George Thornton born 7 February 1905, father’s occupation Machinist
B. Earl John (James ref RM) Thornton born 6 March 1908 father’s occupation Labourer,
mother Hattie Rachel
C. Arthur Kanpp Thornton born 1909 (Ref RM)
D. Ernest Albert Thornton born 12 August 1912 died 9 September 1912
5 Bertha Thornton under age 1 in 1881 census tho LDS IG1 says she was born 1870
6. Artymisie Thornton born March 1882 know as Arly in 1911 census died 1959 (RM)
married Edwin Thomas Dawson born 1877 died 1958 (RM)
1911 census in South Oxford riding, West Oxford Twp District 27 page 6 (www.automatedgenealogy.com)
Their children
A. Lydia May Dawson born February 1900
she married Philip William Manuel 1894-
B Clarence Dawson born April 1903
he married Alma Pearl Brooks 1902-
7. John Thornton born 1 October 1888 (1901 census) likely West Oxford Township
8. Rose Thornton born 31 July 1890 Sweaburg West Oxford Township (!901 Census and LDS IGI
married 22 December 1909 age 20 at Ingersoll to Garnet Elliot age 24 VRO
Mary Rose Thornton Elliott G/S 1890-1974 wife of Garnet R Elliott 1885-1956 buried
in Ingersoll Rural Cemetery Section H Row “U” Stone 5
1911 census of Ingersoll Oxford County lists Garnet Elliott born August 1886 and wife
Rosa Elliott born July 1890 no children
--------------------
1870 Census Marion Township Sanilac County Post office Forestville . Family 364
Thornton Almond age 26 Farmer born Canada West, real estate worth $250, chattels worth $200
wife Ellen age 23 born Canada West Hannah 1 month (born April 1870)
It appears that Almond returned to Ontario between 1870 and 1874 as daughter Alice was born about 1874 in
Ontario. “Alman” Thornton was in West Oxford Township division 2, page 47 and household 220 for the 1881
census being age 34, a labourer, a Baptist and born Ontario with wife Ellen age 30 also born Ontario and a
Close Connection Methodist. Children were Liddia age 10 born USA.
Alice age 7 born Ontario, George age 2 born Ontario and Bertha born less than a year old.
The Thorntons were still in West Oxford for 1901 census division 1 page 9
Alman. Methodist, farm labourer, born 9 April 1845, Ellen born 20 May 1848 and children George born 29 July
1880 and Rose M, born 31 July 1890 (likely the Sweaburg area)
Ellen born 20 May 1848 1901 census and LDS IGI
Ellen died 29 May 1904 VRO 021528 Died of obstruction of the bowel
GENERATION #3
LYDIA THORNTON
PARENTS
Calvin Thornton (Ref #12) and Elizabeth Ennest
BORN
June 1851 in West Zorra Township Oxford County Ontario (1851 Census)
MARRIED
Lester Taylor 1869 in Michigan this was his second marriage
CHILDREN
one child, Luna Taylor born about 1872 or a name similar (female ) who was dead by 1900 and who had a
daughter Myrtle Pearl Sickles born December 1893
In the 1870 census of Boston Township, Ionia County, Michigan the family is listed as
Lester Taylor, age 27, farmer, born Connecticut, real estate worth $880, wife Lydia age 19 born Canada
They were living with James Helmer and his wife family #169 in the census.
By 1880 the Taylors had moved to Lowell Township Kent County Michigan and were listed in the 1880 census as
Lester Taylor age 38 farmer, wife Lydia Taylor age 38, daughter Luna (or a name similar) age 8, and with
them Elizabeth Thornton (mother of Lydia Taylor) age 56 widow occupation housework, born Canada, father born
Vermont, (incorrect, her grandfather was likely born in Vermont but her father was born in Ontario) mother
born New York .
The family likely moved to Marion Township Sanilac County prior to 1888 as Lydia’s mother died there.
L. M. Taylor is shown on the 1894 Marion Township Atlas on SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of
Section 29 Marion (40 acres) This is about 3/4 of a mile due east of the main corner of Deckerville.
The 1900 census of Marion Township taken on June 18-19 lists Lester M. Taylor born June (?) 1841, a farmer,
wife Lydia born June 1851 in Canada, married 31 years. one child, none living immigrated from Canada to
Michigan in 1868. With them was a grand daughter Myrtle Pearl born December 1893, born Michigan (in 1910
census surname of Myrtle is given as Sickles)
By the time of the1910 census the family had moved into Deckerville, Marion Township and were listed as
family #88, Lester Taylor age 70, born Connecticut, on his own income (ie retired) married secondly for 40
years wife Lydia age 58 married first time for 40 years, no children and none living, grand daughter Myrtle
Sickles, age 16.
1920 census (Rupert Tarbell) Lydia Taylor was living in Marion Twp with her granddaughter
Myrille (spellings) and her husband George Baumeister
There were a number of Thornton families around Deckerville in the 1880-1910 era
These including Chauncy Thornton son of Calvin’s older bother Albert and several of Chauncy’s children
GENERATION #4
MARY LIDDA/ “LYDIA” THORNTON
Feb 2008 with info from Roland Marple
PARENTS
Almond Thornton and Ellen Sprague
BORN
Mary Lidda/ Lydia Thornton
MARRIED
at St Thomas Ontario on 17 April 1893 VRO 002882
as Lydia age 22, born Port Huron Mich, parents Almond Thornton and Ellen “Spraig” to
Alexander Marple, occupation filler. born Grey County and son of James Marple and Mary “McFail”
DIED
1944 Ref LDS IGI age 10 in 1881 census
BURIED
CHILDREN
1.. Pearl Ethel Marple born 7 October 1894 parents Alexander Marple and Lydia Thornton of Oxford
Died Ethel Marple on 14 Sept 1895 age 11 months of tubucular Peritonitis of 4 months duration
informant Alexander Marple VRO #013675
2.Mable Marple born 23 December 1895
3. Mary born 2 January 1898 married Roy Thomas Dales 1893-1967
4. William Richard Marple born 24 November 1899 died 1938
5. Alexander Marple born August 1901 married Margaret Gertrude Goodeve born 1907
their child living Marple born 1936
6. Vera Lydia Marple born 27 March 1904 Alexander Marple and Mary Lydia Thornton
Died Vera Lillian Marple on 15 October 1905 one year and 8 months born Woodstock
died of whooping cough and “diarrhea”
7.Lena May Marple born March 1906
8. Norman Marple born November 1908
1901 census Woodstock Ont Div F-12 page 5
Alexander Marple born 11 January 1867
Lydia Marple born 16 May 1871
Mable Marple born 23 December 1895
Mary born 2 January 1898
William Richard Marple born 24 November 1899
1911 census of Woodstock family at 272 Dundas Street and Alexander is a finisher in a furniture factory
family as 1901 plus
Alexander Marple born August 1901
Lena Marple born March 1906
Norman Marple born November 1908
James Marple died 24 April 1914 of old age at Woodstock age 82 yrs 11 months millwright, widower born Cape
Breton, father John Marple mother Bucannan
Mary Marple died 7 August 1910 of rheumatism affecting heart at Woodstock born 11 May 1838 Scotland father
Neil McPhail and mother Sarah Vicker both born Scotland
Calvin Thornton, brother of Abel
CALVIN THORNTON of OXFORD COUNTY
MAYBE BROTHER OF ABEL THORNTON
Jan 2008
Please send corrections and additions to Robert Moore email rmoore@wwdc.com
or 77 Metcalfe Street St Thomas On.
tMany thanks to Neal Shaw and Rupert Tarbell for the help with this file
PARENTS
not known but presumed to be a brother of Abel Thornton of Oxford
BORN
likely Vermont maybe say 1785-1790 !!!
MARRIED
perhaps Betsy Aldrich
perhaps Phebe Aldrich
DIED
CHILDREN
None of these children proven This is merely a fishing trip for info
Abel Thornton born about 1827
Arial Thornton born April 1828 (1900 census records (17 June 1823 also given)
Lucy Thornton born about 1831-
=======================================
We know that
1. A Calvin Thornton was married to Phoebe Aldrich and they were the parents of Lucy Thornton who married
David Fuller and Silas Thornton
2. A Calvin Thornton and Betsy Thornton were listed as Ariel Thornton’s parents when Ariel died in
Michigan. Ariel also named one of his children Betsy,
3 A "Calvin Thornton" was in West Zorra and was an assessor in Oxford at sometime between 1818 and
1827.
4 No land records have been found for Calvin in Oxford
Maybe he was a tenant
Maybe he was living on his brother Abel’s land
Maybe he had purchased the land and had not paid off the mortgage when he moved off (or died) and thus he
never acquired full title and the property was sold by the first owner
5 David Aldrich of Tigar, Oregon Nov 2002 advises that Calvin's parents were Elizabeth Rogers and Steven
Thornton.
6 played re Aldrich on ancestry.com, www.genforum and rootsweb surnames but
did not see much atho there was an indication that an Aldrich family(ies) were in Zorra in the 1830s and 40s
* LDS Family search
searched Phebe Aldrich
#3 IGI lists Phebe Aldrich born abt 1788 in Cumberland Rhode Island
Parents Ariel Aldrich born 1793 Cumberland HOWEVER an other lists
Ariel as being born abt 1746 in
Cumberland------------------------------------------------------------------------------
his parents in both are Philip Aldrich and Chloe Ballou
In the first Ariel is shown as being married to Lucy and having 11 children
nicely spaced every 2 years from 1772 to 1792 being Silas, Philip, Jane, Almon, Peter, Henry, Hannah. Lucy,
Phebe, Betsey and Lovina
WILD THEORIES
Ok if Abel was born 1770-1775. Might have Calvin been born say 1785-1790
THIS would have made him age 27-32 to be in Zorra and assessed
NOW if we carry this on we have Calvin age 40-45 when Lucy Thornton Fuller is born and some less when Ariel
and Abel are born
We have also have in Oxford
1 Jabez Thornton listed in the Oxford militia of 1812 as serving in the time period of 21 July to
24 August 1812 Jabez “went to the enemy and was killed by the Indians”
Ref A hand written notation opposite his name in the “Return of the Officers & non Commissioned officers and
privates of the 2nd Flank Company of the 1st Regiment of the Oxford Militia in 1812"
signed by Lt Col Bowen of 1st Regiment Oxford militia
(Tho it looks like tho Henry Bostwick was the Lt Col at that time
2 An I. Thornton who was in the Second Flank Company of the Oxford militia from 22 October1813 to 25 December
1813 Edward Watson captain (ref militia records via Neal Shaw)
3. James Thornton written as James Thorington (see Abel Thornton history for comments on the name)
assessed in Oxford on Thames Township in 1812 and 1815
ARIAL (ARIEL) THORNTON
much of this info from Donna Davis of Naples Florida
PARENTS
Calvin Thornton and Betsy Aldrich, Ref Sanilac County Michigan Death records
BORN
Canada likely Oxford County of parents born Vermont (Ref 1880 census)
His gravestone in Downing Cemetery at Deckerville, Sanilac Cty. shows birth as 17 June 1822.
(April 1828 is given in 1900 census of Lexington Township Sanilac County and agrees with most of the census
records )
MARRIED
Catherine Vanatter on 18 September 1853 in Zorra by Rev. George Turner of Methodist Episcopal Church.
Witnesses James Vanatter and John S. Wood. Ref London District marriage records
(see also Vanatter of Oxford County file by RGM)
DIED
22 July 1902 in Lexington Township Sanilac County of heart disease, age 73_8_5
Sanilac County death records book 2 page 220 record #1555 born Canada, farmer, son of Calvin thornton and
Betsy Aldrich
BURIED
Arial was buried Section E Downing Cemetery at Deckerville Sanilac County. verse "As a husband devoted/As a
father affectionate/ as a friend ever kind and true"
However his gravestone in Downing Cemetery at Deckerville, Sanilac Cty. shows birth as 17 June 1823.
And death as Feb 22 1902 NO other markers in plot. His obit states he was born 17 June 1828.
CHILDREN
His obit states there were 5 children 3 were dead in 1902 when Ariel died,
Almond plus 2 others)
#1 *Almond Thornton born 1857 in Oxford Co. Ont. Died Sanilac County on 23 December 1891.
#2 Eliza Jane Thornton born 1859 Canada West likely Zorra. She was likely Mrs. Eliza Parliament of West
Branch County Mich. in 1902.ref Bonnie Kelding
Bonnie Thornton Kelding lived Lake Orion Oakland County Michigan in Jan 2001 other daughter lives in Sanilac
Cty
#3 Augustus Thornton born 9 August 1863 in Marion Township Sanilac (Deckerville).
He was of Big Rock (near Atlanta) Montmorency Co in 1902 and lived on Thornton Road.
He married Gertrude Verbeck, They were buried Perry Mount Park Cemetery, Pontiac Mi
Montmorency Co Marriage Records Volume 1 1881-1974
LAS-965,77 Page 2 #25 Feb 21 1889 Augustus Thornton age 23, white resident of Atlanta born Sanilac County
farmer, son of Real Thornton and Catherine Vanatter married Gertie Verbeck age 16, white of Briley Michigan
born Cleo Michigan, unknown parents, married 4 Nov 1889 at Big Rock by Peter Boner J.P. witnesses
Bort Verbeck, of Atlanta and Eva Heory, of Atlanta.
Children of Augustus
1.Daughter Edith Shirley Thornton died 10 Feb 1901 at 25 days old at Onaway Mich.
2. Son Russell Alger Thornton (Aka "Gus") born Big Rock
3. Gus had at least two daughters
one Alice Thornton married U/K Koop. Alice died 1998 lived Nevada(?)
Gus had cousin Claude Thornton still living Jan 2001 (Donna Davis)
#4 George Henry Thornton born 1866 in Marian Township. He was of Pelston, Emment County in 1902
(maybe wrong George RGM)
#5 *Betsey Ellen Thornton born March 1867 in Marian Township Sanilac Co.(Donna Davis gave 4 Mar 1870 )
#6 Alice born 14 Feb 1872 born in Marion Township. no mention in 1880 or 1900 census
ref Donna Davis (This requires checking as info maybe incorrect RGM)
On 3 November 1829 a "Ariel Aldrick" purchased the West 1/2 of Lot 9 Concession 4 Zorra from the Canada
Company (page 228 the Canada Company By Thelma Coleman and published 1978 by Cumming Publishers of Stratford
Ontario) (maybe Betsy's Father)
Catherine Vanatter was the daughter of Ambrose Van Atter and Mary Goodfellow and was born May 1830 (Ref
1900 census)
Ariel and Catherine went to Michigan in 1859 where they settled near Deckerville in Marion Township. He
moved to Lexington Village in 1900.(obit via Mary Lou Bacon)
1860 census of Forester Township Sanilac County Mi. family #875 Post office Cherry Creek
All born Canada, Ariel Thornton age 31 labourer, wife Catherine age 29, children Almond age 3 and Eliza Jane
age 1.
By 1870 Ariel was in Marion Township Msanilac County Mi Post office Forestville and the family was listed as
Ariel Thornton age 41, with real estate worth $550 and chattels worth $250, wife Catherine age 39, children
Almond age 13 and Jane age 11 all born Canada and children Augustus age 7
(listed as Augusta a female) George W. age 4. and Betsy age 1, all born Michigan,
1880 census lists Ariel Thornton Marion Township Sanilac County Mi, page 175C Farmer,
age 52, born Canada both parents born Vermont, wife Catharine 51, born Canada, children Almon 23, born Canada
Augustus age 16 born Michigan, George Henry age 13 indexed as born Canada, (which is probably incorrect)
Betsy 11 born Michigan and boys all work on the farm
The 1894 atlas of Marion Township shows “an” A. Thornton on the East œ of the West 1/2 of the north east 1/4
of Section 33 being 40 acres .There is also “an” A. Thornton on 20 acres on the east 1/8of the North East
Quarter of Section 32. Both locations are within 2 miles of Deckerville. .
In the 1900 census of Lexington Township Sanilac, Arial and Catherine were living on Section 7 East (ie
township 10 Range 16 East) or Section 12 Range 17 East ) They were living with his son Almond and his wife
Samanthy and were listed as family #385 Arial Thornton born April 1828 occupation farmer and wife Catherine
born ay 1830 married 50 years (actually 47 years).
Arial said he was born in Wisconsin of parents both born Germany (looks like somebody got confused RGM)
Catherine married (2) Roderick M. Rice on 28 Sept 1907 age 81 at Lexington Sanilac County Mich, her age
given as 75.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generation 2
ALMOND THORNTON
PARENTS
Arial Thornton and Catherine Vanatter
BORN
1857 in Oxford County On.
Also depends on which record you believe
1900 census says Oct 1854
1880 census says age 23 ie born abt 1857
1870 census says age 13 born abt 1857
1861 census says age 3 born abt 1857
MARRIED
1. 16 May 1887 to Angy Nettie Billington at Marion Twp Sanilac (Ref LDS IGI)
2. 9 June 1889 at Deckerville Sanilac Mi to Addie Alexander who was born Chateningny, Franklin County New
York (Ref LDS IGI) She died 18 March 1890 age 18 years 8 months and 16 of ?, daughter of Joseph Alexander and
Adelaide Alexander Sanilac Death records book 2 page 59 record #202
3 23 December 1891 to Samantha E Beach Carson at Croswell Sanilac (Ref LDS IGI)
Amantha E. Beach daughter of Hiram of Henry and Clarissa born Canada age 23 1880 census living with family
,Single She died 6 January 1914 Lexington Twp (Ref Donna Davis)
buried Lexington Croswell cemetery as Amantha E Thornton wife of Alson 1864-1914
DIED
1927 buried Lexington / Croswell cemetery as Alson Thornton 1857-1927 (from Donna Davis)
CHILDREN
1. George E Thornton died age 17 days on 11Decmember 1892 of whooping cough in Marion Twp San Death records
book 2 page 76 Record #60 parents Almond Thormnton and Samantha Thornton
1900 census of Lexington First Precinct family #384 , “Almon” Thornton born October 1854 in Canada
married 9 years, to US in 1856 (more like 1859), occupation farmer, wife Samantha born May 1863,
2 children both living (with Almond that is), children Nettie born March 1895 and Ina born May 1897
With them Annie “Baison” (Beach) age 12 daughter born Aug 1888. Mary born March 1889
and Arthur Beach born July 1877, occupation sailor.
OTHER ALMOND THORNTONS
1Almond Thornton Son of Calvin son of Abel Thornton who had lived at Deckerville and moved back to West
Oxford Twp about 1873
2. Almond Thornton born 28 December 1829 son of Peter Thonrton and who died 1879 buried Lockwood Cemetery
Ovid, Branch County Mi. His wife was Elizabeth Batterson (Ref LDS IGI)
BETSEY ELLEN THORNTON
PARENTS
Arial Thornton and Catherine Vanatter
BORN
March 1867 in Marian Township Sanilac Co. (Ref 1900 census for date)(Donna Davis gave 4 Mar 1870
MARRIED
George Sickles 2 Dec 1883 (Betsy married Age 16) 1900 census of Deckerville
DIED
She lived in Deckerville in 1902
CHILDREN
ref 1900 census of Deckervile Marion Township Sanilac County Mi.
1 Hazel Sickles born July 1885
2 Emil Sickles born March 1887
3 Clara May Sickles born May 1889
4 Floyd Sickles born March 1891
5 Victor Sickles born March 1893
6 Bertha E Sickles born abt 1895 and who seems to have been missed in the 1900 census but liste dinthe 1910
census Bertha E. Sickles age 21 of West Deckerville married 6 May 1914 to John Joss age 33 of W. Deckerville
son of Alex Joss and Jane White (Ref Donna Davis)
7 Vivian Irene Sickles born April 1899
8.Beatrice M Sickles born about 1902
9.Lois G. Sickles born 1909 age 8months in 1910 censu
1900 census of Deckerville family #298 lists George Sickles age 38 born June 1862 in Canada to US in 1880,
occupation barber, wife Betsy age 32 born March 1867 in Mi. married 16 years and 6 children
(As above)
The 1910 census of Deckerville lists George Sickles age 41 (in error) married 26 years., occupation barrber,
wife Betsy Sickles age 42 married 26 years 9 children all living children Victor C age 18 occupation barber,
Bertha E age 15,Vivian I.age 10, Beatrice M age 8 and Lois G age 8 months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABLE THORNTON
PARENTS
It is possible was this "Able" was a brother of Arial Thornton and thus a son of Calvin Thornton and Betsy
Aldrich
BORN
About 1827
MARRIED
11 April 1848 to Jean Larson. by Rev. George Turner of the Episcopal Methodist Church in West Zorra
Witnesses were William Turner and Ira Carrol (Ref Brock District Marriage Register)
DIED
CHILDREN
It appears that he was not in Blanshard Township in 1843 with Albert. The naming pattern of his (Able's)
children does not follow the naming pattern of the 4 sons of Albert. (see after.)
The family were listed in the 1851 West Zorra census page 1 line 46 as Able Thornton age 25, labourer, wife
Jean 22, Willard age 3
In the 1860 census of Forester Township, Sanilac County household #875
Post Office Cherry Creek, is listed an "Abel" Thornton age 33, Laborer, born Canada, Jane age 28 born
England, Mahala (female) age 11 born Canada (attends school), Christopher age 8 born Canada, attends school
(Is Mahala really Wallace Aka Willard in disguise?)
In 1870 census of Minden Township Sanilac County, family 81. residence 76 is listed
"Abel" Thornton age 42, born Canada West, wife June age 44 housewife, Willard age 21 born Canada West,
Christopher age 19 born Canada West “at home”
In the 1876 Sanilac County atlas. An "A." Thornton owned 80 acres of Section #7 of Forester Township
1880 census of Forester Township page 98C (Ref LDS site) lists Abel Thornton age 52, born Canada, farmer,
father born Vermont, mother born Canada. wife Jane Thornton age 48 born England, keeping house, son
Christopher age 27, born Canada, works on farm.
SEARCH DONE FOR WHOLE USA for Willard / Wallace Thornton but not found
Deaths from the Richmondville fire on 5 September 1881. (A major forest fire occurred in Forrester township
Sanilac Counyty Mi in the “pine bush” in early September 1881)
Richmondville fire, Forester Township death records on Page 107, #150,151 and 152 death by fire on 5
September 1881
Abel Thornton age 53 white married farmer Residence Forester Township (#150)
Margaret Thornton, age 50 female housewife, married age 50 born in Ontario (#152)
Christopher Thornton age 22 son of Abel and Margaret (#151)
(no parents listed for Abel or Margaret)
Are these for Able and Family?
ages for Able and Christopher agree ,name of Able’s wife does not
A "Jane N. Thornton" is listed as age 25, Residence Forester Circut
30 July 1861 of Port Huron district Methodist Church Records
Mary Lou Bacon of Grand Blanc Mich.(now of Grand Traverse) reports that Margaret Able's (1881 fire) Maiden
name was Perrine Whether the above Abel Thorntons are one and the same is not known and assistance is
required
Sanilac County Death Records Book 2 page 178 record #165
Willard Thornton died Sept 1899 age 50 years 2 months and 28 days in Forester Township
of Bright’s disease , He was born Canada and son of Abel Thornton and ? Perrine
male, white, married, farmer and fish peddler
I. RGM believe that this is the “Wallace Thornton” of the 1851 census of West Zorra
(Age 3 next Birthday as of January 1852) listed with Abel and Jean Thornton
Sanilac Death records Book 2 page 231 record #1812
Archie Thornton , male age 13 died 7 November 1902,imbecile,residence Lexington Township
son of Willard Thornton and -- Plunkett However the 1900 census gives head of family as Richard a widower
with a number of kids and a son Archie age 10 as an invalid
(typical Thornton mismash RGM)
LUCY THORNTON
` PARENTS
Lucy was the daughter of Calvin Thornton and Phoebe Aldrich.
BORN
About 1831
MARRIED
1 David Fuller
2 Silas Thornton at West Harrisville, Alcona CountyMichigan on 7 October 1897.after Caroline Moore Thornton
death Silas gave his age as 68.(Born 1829) and Marriage application dated 7 Oct 1897, Lucy said she was 66
years old, her residence was Sanilac County, MI. She was born in Canada daughter of Calvin and Phebe Aldrich
Thornton and had been previously married one time Witnesses were Maude M. Genge who was Silas' daughter
and Effie Dell Genge (Ref Rupert Tarbell)
DIED
before 1900 when Silas was listed in the census as a widower
CHILDREN
rest of info is a per File of David Fuller
??? Did David and Lucy agree to disagree and Lucy take off for Sanilac as she would have had “brother” Ariel
there???
1851 census West Zorra page 43 line 25 (last page of census)
David Fuller age 25 Farmer Methodist born Canada single family log house
wife Lucy Fuller age 20 and Allis (female) age 2
Freedom Burdick
Jan 2008
Please send Corrections and Additions to Robert Moore at rmoore@wwdc.com.or
77 Metcalfe Street St Thomas Ontario N5R 3K6
FREEDOM was a brother of James Burdick see also file on James Burdick
PARENTS
Hubbard Burdick and Avis Lewis
see chart in James Burdick file for ancestors
BORN
Freedom Burdick sometimes called Freeman Burdick Ancestry.com family trees indicate born 1748 or 1758
depending on the tree.If he about 30 in 1780 (Note #3) then that would make him born c 1748
Dates a bit mixed on some trees but indicates Freedom was a brother to James Burdick who came to Oxford
County. Robert Mutrie says James was born 1744.
MARRIED
1 First wife not yet found .Maybe Thurston
She was not on the “HOPE” in the Spring Fleet to Saint John N.B
2nd married 1793 Long Reach Kings County New Brunswick to Ruth Underwood Nichols born 1751 and died 1828 in
Ontario She was a sister to Dute Underwood who also went to Kings County N.B as a Loyalist and was known as
the “Widow Nichols”
DIED
not found after 1824 in Oxford County at which time he was in into his early70's
CHILDREN
two over 10 years in Spring Fleet on the “Hope”
NOTES
1 Burdick Supplemental Sample internet site no longer active accessed thro Google search
PAGE . 29, No. 42. Hubbard Burdick, m. (2)_______(Cr. Mr. Harcourt.)
2. Freedom Burdick, of Richmond, Mass. was conveyed land in Farmington, Conn.
by Ebenezer Burdick, in Oct. 18, 1773. (Cr. F. L.R. Vols. 20 or 24.)
3. He was a resident of Fredericksburg, Dutchess Co., N.Y. Sept. 28, 1777, when he sold two lots in Richmond,
Mass., to James Burdick, of Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., Mass. The deed was not recorded until 1785. (Land
Recs. of Berkshire Co. Mass.)
4. Soldier of the Revolution; "List of men mustered in Berkshire Co. between Jan. 20, 1777 & June 14 1778 by
Truman Wheler, muster <enlistment 3 yrs. or during the war.
Freedom Burdick list of deserters date Camp Highland, N.Y. July 13, 1780. Col Joseph Vose's 1st. Regt. age 30
yrs. stature 5 ft. 7 in. complexion, dark; hair black; birthplace Conn., residence Richmond.
(Mass. S. <<>> S. in Rev. War.)
5. Dec. 1, 1778, John Slosson gave bond as agent Mar. 21, 1779 an inventory was filed of Freedom Burdick's
property at Richmond, consisting of 50 A. of land, swelling house, household goods etc.
Latham Burdick, subscribed toward the bounties for Rev. soldiers. Stebbins Hist. Address) (Cr.)
John Thurston, son of Samuel, had a dau who m. Mr. Burdick, (Cr. Thurston Gen. P. 51.)
6. Loyalists of New Brunswick by Esther Clark Wright pub 1955
appendix list of New Brunswick Loyalists page 264
“Freeman” Burdick, Barrackmaster-General Department settled Kingston to Upper Canada
7. Early Loyalist Saint John by D. G Bell pub 1983
Appendix VIII Refugee Loyalist Households 1783-83 page 185
Fredom “Burdock” Spring Fleet on the “Hope” one male, no females and 2 children over 10 years and none under
10 years
7. Map showing Loyalist Grants
“Fredom Burdock” Lot 13 Norton Parish fronts on Kennebecasis River First Lot in from Kingston Parish
8 Internet Family tree Nichols Family (these seem to be New Brunswick based
Freeman Burdick married 1793 Long Reach Kings County New Brunswick to Ruth U/K born 1751 and died 1828 in
Ontario
9 Upper Canada Land petitions on microfilms
Freeman BURDICK, York 1800, B5/35 (brother to James BURDICK and his sons)
That your petitioner is just arrived from “Nova Scotia” where he has resided near 27 years in order to settle
in this Province that he is compelled to leave Nova Scotia from the ungratefulness of the Lord not having
been able there to raise his head with an degree of certainty in any one year.
That your Petitioner has a family consisting of a wife and his children . Your petitioner therefore humbly
prays your Excellency for an appropriation of 200 acres of Land to be confirmed under the new regulations
when he shall bring his Family into the Province.
And yours Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
signed Freeman Burdick At York 1 Feb 1800
10. Freedom Burdock lease Lot 13 Con 3 North Division Oxford 1804 07 07
land patent microfiche
11 .Digital books on Brantford City library internet site 66.207.114.662/genealogy
The Early history of Burford, Political and Military by Major R Cuthbertson Muir published 1913
1803 Militia list page190, Muster rolls of Captain Thomas Ingersoll Company
private Freedom Burdick
12. 1812 assessment Roll of Oxford on Thames (via Neal Shaw)
“Freeman” Burdick
45 acres 5 acres arable, 41 acres woods, one horse. two oxen , three milch cows, two horned cattle
13. 1815 Oxford on Thames assessment
no land listed, 2 horses , 2 oxen and 2 milch cows
14 1824 Militia list of Oxford from Neal Shaw
Freedom is not in a militia at the time but is recorded as receiving 127 pounds plus for losses sustained
during the war. This was in 1824. Note: The claims come from 1812_1814. It just took 10 years to settle.
James Burdick and family
Jan 2008 by Neal Shaw
Please send corrections and additions to
Neal Shaw 291 Royal Albert Court, Oakville Ontario L6H 3A7
Email nshaw@cogeco.ca
Introduction:
James Burdick was born in Lanesborough, Berkshire, Massachusetts, on September 18th, 1748 to Hubbard Burdick
and Avis Lewis. He married Phebe (Phoebe) Choate Smith, in Lanesborough in 1766. The couple had ten children
who survived to adulthood.
On August 16, 1777, James was taken prisoner by the American forces at Bennington. He was imprisoned for
some eight months at Southampton Gaol, until he managed to escape. James made his way to New Brunswick, then
to Coeyman’s Patent, (a Loyalist stronghold near Albany, New York), with his wife.
According to author Robert Murtrie:
In colonial times James lived at Lanesboro, Massachusetts then settled in the Coeyman’s Patent on the
Hudson River in Columbia County, New York during the American Revolution. He returned to Lanesboro then was
later in South Hero on Lake Champlain in Vermont where he operated a gristmill and ferry. They went to New
Brunswick in 1790 then came to Upper Canada about 1795.
A family history written by Enoch H. Brown "Ancestry and Posterity of Elizabeth Hoy Brown" gathered from
family bibles and public records, gives the following erroneous account of the Burdick background:
"The first ancestor we have any record of on my mother's side
was James Burdick, born March 7, 1744, in Scotland (in the old
country). He came to America about the year 1760, and married
in 1766 Phoebe Smith (born Sept. 18, 1748). They settled on
the boundary line between Massachusetts and Vermont, where he
ran a grist mill and ferry boat. They had five sons and five
daughters: Abagail, born Dec. 31, 1767; Phoebe, born Aug 26,
1769; Rachel, born June 10, 1772; Enoch, born Sept. 24, 1774;
Samuel, born June 25, 1776; Mercy, born May 6, 1779; Grace, born
Nov. 29, 1782; Joshua and Caleb (twins), born Aug. 17, 1785;
Hulda, born June 6, 1789."
"When the American Revolution broke out in 1775 against England,
James Burdick was a loyal British subject and refused to take up
arms against England. He was a local preacher and spoke very
strongly against the rebellion.
After a time he was arrested and put in prison, and for a long time his wife
was allowed to visit him at stated times to take him such necessary articles
and comforts ashe required.
She finally managed to smuggle in some little tools which enabled
him to dig a hole through the prison wall and
make his escape in the night.He went home and secreted himself
with his wife's assistance. The next morning
the officers were out looking for him. His wife appeared very
innocent and much surprised to hear that he had broken out of
gaol and made his escape. "Why," she said, "you might have
known he would not have come home to be arrested and put back
in prison again; he will be out of the country before you
find him. He kept secreted for a few days, until his wife
could get his things ready for his flight out of the country.
He finally started for New Brunswick, and after encountering
many hardships and privations he reached this country. He was
a United Empire Loyalist.
"I believe he [Caleb] inherited his fortitude from his parents. He
was born in 1785 at Lanesboro, Massachusetts. His father, James
Burdick, was a native of Scotland. With his wife Phoebe, he [James]
settled in Vermont, where he operated a grist mill and ferry until
the war of Independence. Then he was arrested and thrown in prison
because of his loyalty to the Crown. He was able to free himself
with tools his wife smuggled in to him. James Burdick and his family
first fled to New Brunswick, then moved to Oxford County in 1790,
where they settled near Ingersoll and opened a grist mill."
The James Burdick family settled in West Oxford Twp., Oxford Co. When the settlement grew, James and his
sons built a small grist mill on a spring creek that empties into the Thames River about two miles east of
Ingersoll, the first grist mill in Oxford County.
On 26 Dec 1807, James' son Enoch Burdick filed for letters of administration over
his father's estate, widow Phebe Burdick having declined administration duties in favour of her son. Witnesses
included Caleb and Levinah Burdick. There was also a mention of Isaac Burdick.
We are unsure of which part of the previous history Murtrie notes as erroneous, however it is most likely
that the statement regarding James being born in Scotland is the offending text.
James’ land in Lanesborough was confiscated: We find this in “Divided Hearts, Massachusetts Loyalists
1765-1790 by David E. Mass. “James Burdwick. Lanesborough, yeoman property legally confiscated by the state,
left state 1783, case against individual dismissed 1784”.
Directly from David Mass via email correspondence we have:
"He was from Lanesborough, Berkshire County, Mass. His occupation was yeoman, His Berkshire property was
libeled in 1783 as an absenteee but then case dropped in 1784. I do have a note that he left Massachusetts.
Also a notice appeared in 3/10/1783 newspaper that his farm in Lansborough would be sold on Monday, March 24,
1783".
From Tom Krakow with regards to James Burdick’s land.
A case of the "Commonwealth [of Massachusetts] against James Burdick, absentee his estate, see the records
of the last session of this court, this case is not continued by order of this court to the next term [no
dates]." Source: sheet labeled Case No. 278, probably about 1782.
"Commonwealth, Ma., vs. James Burdick, late of Lanesboro, absentee, a lot in Lanesboro, 37 acres with the
buildings thereon, [bounded] south on the highway, north on Isaac Smith, west partly on Jonathan Smith, and
partly on John Rochwell, carried, ... to next term, July 1782, was continued five times, ... in the July
term, 1784. This case is now discharged by order of the court." Source: handwritten transcript of the Court
of Common Pleas, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Volume 5, page 338.
: "Public Auction of Absentee Estate, 1783. Notice is hereby given that on Monday the 24th day of March
next, at one o'clock, PM at the house of Col. Smith, In Holder of Lanesborough, will be sold at public
auction several farms situate in Lanesborough, County of Berkshire, as follows: ... will be sold a small farm
with buildings thereon containing about 37 acres, situate in said town, lately belonging to James Burdick,
late of Lanesborough and absentee." Source: copy transcribed apparently from court of common pleas of
Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
"May 9, 1789, James Burdick of South Hero, Vt, for 90 pounds to Isaac Smith, part of Lot #30, & #57, ...
[containing] 45 acres. ... Phebe Burdick was one of Isaac Smith's daughters." Source: Volume 1, page 43, copy
transcribed apparently from court of common pleas of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
It is interesting to note that Caleb and Joshua born 1785 were all born in Lanesborough (There is no church
record of baptisms or births but Caleb Burdick tells us that the previous is so in his journal). We are
unsure of where Huldah was born in 1787. Did James return and live with the Smith family? Did Phoebe return
on her own to live with the Smiths while she was giving birth?
It should be noted that James’ brother Freedom ( Freeman ) transferred land in Richmond to James in 1777.
This is when James was imprisoned. This deed was not transferred until 1785.
After the war James returned to South Hero, Vermont to start a ferry service, however he soon left for a new
life at Ferry Crossing, Bertie, Upper Canada, where he settled with his family. In 1796 James applied for and
received land located in the London District, specifically in Zorra, Oxford County.
From Tom Krakow: 1794: the newspaper "The Vermont Gazette" of January 24, 1794 shows the "Legislature passed
on an act granting exclusive privilege of keeping a Ferry for ten years from Colchester [near Burlington,
Vermont] to South Hero to James Burdick and Benjamin Boardman." Source: Marsha Hoffman Rising, "Vermont
Newspaper Abstracts," 1783-1816, NEHGS, Boston, 2001.
James Burdick died on November 2nd, 1807 in Oxford County. His burial place is unknown.
Brothers and sisters and their spouses:
BURDICK, HUBBARD
BURDICK , HANNAH UTTER, ABRAM
BURDICK , JOHN HITCHCOCK, MARTHA
BURDICK, CALEB UNKNOWN, HULDAH
BURDICK, RUEBEN
BURDICK , JAMES SMITH, PHOEBE CHOATE
BURDICK, FREEDOM UNKNOWN and RUTH UNDERWOOD NICHOLS
BURDICK , PALEG MILLARD, CATHARINE
BURDICK, PARDON
BURDICK, LEWIS SATTERLEE, EUNICE
BURDICK, LATHAM
BURDICK , AMOS UNKNOWN, MARTHA
Pedigree:
The pedigree of James Burdick is fpound in the attachment.
Children:
The children of James Burdick and Phoebe Choate Smith were follows:
Abigail BURDICK b: January 22, 1768 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: April 18, 1813 Burford Twp., Brant Co., Ont.
Phoebe BURDICK b: August 26, 1769 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: November 29, 1830 Walsingham Twp., Norfolk, Ont.
Rachel BURDICK b: September 18, 1771 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d:
Enoch BURDICK b: September 25, 1774 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: March 23, 1848
Samuel BURDICK b: July 25, 1776 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: November 09, 1850 Chautanque Co., NY
Mercy BURDICK b: May 08, 1779 Coemans Patent, Albany, NY
d:
Isaac BURDICK b: November 29, 1782 Albany, NY
d: February 03,1850
Caleb BURDICK b: August 09, 1785 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co.,MA
d: July 02, 1858 Malahide Twp., Elgin Co., Ont.
Joshua BURDICK b: August 09, 1785 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: April 26, 1819 Oxford Co., Ont.?
Huldah BURDICK b: June 06, 1787 Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA
d: November 10, 1864 West Oxford Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario
*Caleb and Joshua were twins.
Marriages of Children:
BURDICK, ABIGAIL JANES, HEMAN / LAWRENCE, LEVI
BURDICK, PHEBE HOY, JOSHUA / SAMUEL BROWN
BURDICK, RACHEL LAWRENCE ,UNK/ THORNTON, ABEL / DIXON, JAMES
BURDICK, ENOCH LAWRENCE, LUCY
BURDICK, SAMUEL CLARK, DOROTHY
BURDICK, MERCY
BURDICK, ISAAC SAGE, ABIGAIL
BURDICK, JOSHUA
BURDICK, CALEB TEEPLE, LEVINAH
BURDICK, HULDAH PIPER, JOEL
Brother Freedom and Land Transfer:
Freedom Burdick was a loyalist who left for New Brunswick. He transferred land to James in 1777.
He (Freedom) was a resident of Fredericksburg, Dutchess Co., N.Y. Sept. 28, 1777, when he sold two lots in
Richmond, Mass., to James Burdick, of Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., Mass. The deed was not recorded until
1785. (Land Recs. of Berkshire Co. Mass.)
Freedom left with loyalists to New Brunswick and finally ended up in Oxford County Feb. 1800 (see
Robert Moore’s file for more on Freedom Burdick).
James Burdick in Vermont :
In 1790 James Burdick was in Vermont with three males over 16, three males under 16 and three females over
16 years of age. He lived beside a Herman Lawrence. His daughter Rachel was married to an Unknown Lawrence and
had children Simon and Phebe, before Unk Lawrence’s death circa 1790. Herman Lawrence is listed with two males
over 16 and one female over 16. (Likely some relation to the husband of Rachel).
27 | James Birdick | 3 3 | 3 | | | B632 |
28 | Herman Lawrence | 2 | 1 | | | L652 |
Year: 1790 State: Vermont County: Chittenden
Page No: 138, Column 1 Reel no: M637-12
District: South Hero Enumerated by: Martin Chittenden
Transcribed by Kathleen Grace for USGenWeb,
We also know that in 1793 James applied for a patent to run a ferry service in South Hero Vermont.
James Burdick Ferry Service:
Record: Petition of Jeames Burdick of South Hero and, for exclusive right for ten years for a ferry between
Colchester and South Hero. Record Date: 1793-10-04 Record Type: Petition Record ID: 10374 Record Series:
SE-118, Vol. 19, p. 31
Record: Petition of Benjamin Boardman and, for exclusive right for ten years for a ferry between Colchester
and South Hero. Record Date: 1793-10-04 Record Type: Petition Record ID: 13287 Record Series: SE-118,
Vol. 19, p. 31
Boardman and Burdick applied together.
Another petition of James:
Record: Petition of referred to in reference of petition of the selectmen of Westford for a land tax.
Record Date: 1793-10-15 Record Type: Petition Record ID: 13285 Record Series: SE-118, Vol. 19, p. 37
All previous petitions from NYE index of Vermont:
http://vermont-archives.org/nyeresults.asp
Church Records: James and Phebe Burdick as admitted members of the "Church of Christ" in Lanesborough on 27
September 1772. LHS Film 0234569, page 360:
Page 376: 12 November 1772, Abigail, Phebe and Rachel were baptized, James Burdick the parent.
Page 378: 6 November 1774 (name not legible) (it would be Enoch) baptized, James Burdick parent.
No page listed: 25 August 1776, Samuel was baptized, James Burdick parent.
James Burdick in Oxford County
Land Petition:
James BURDICK, Niagara 1796 B2/37
In Council
The Petition of James Burdick - late from Vermont
which he left in February last - who has a wife & Eight
Children - not yet come into the Province & was imprisoned &?
& 2? during the American War for his attachment to Great
Britain ( expects his Family to arrive in the
course of a month )
Respectfully Shews
----
would be pleased to grant him Four Hundred acres of land upon the terms
James Burdick
Niagara
9th May 1796
Proof of Loyalty:
James BURDICK, Lanesborough (Mass) 1798 B Misc. /15
We the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lanesborough in the County of Berkshire of Commonwealth of
Massachusetts do hereby Certify whom it may concern that we were well acquainted with James Burdick some time
since ian Inhabitant of the town of Lanesborough afore Said that in the Late War between Grate Britain and
America the Said James Burdick took part on the side of the British Government that he was
once and again Called before Committees of correspondence of Safety was fined and confined to his farm and
disarmed. At the Battle of Bennington the Said James Burdick was with the British Army Was taken captive by
the Americans and taken to Southampton goal there confined for Seven or Eight months he then broke the goal
and made his escape.
(signed by) Isaac Smith
Jonathan Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire Lanesborough January 19th 1798
Then Personally appeared Isaac Smith and Jonathan Smith Signers of the above Depostion and made Solemn oath
that the matter and things therein contained is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me Nehemiah Bull Justice of the Peace.
Who was Jonathan Smith?
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 47 page 18
Jonathan Smith (1740-1802) was a member of the Committee of Safety of Lanesboro, Mass.; served several terms
in the General Assembly and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. His military service was with the
second regiment, Berkshire County militia.
Also Nos. 9140, 12470.
James Burdick was recommended for land being 200 acres on May 9th, 1796.
He receive as free grant land in Concession 2 West Oxford on 7 June 1796
(Ref Land Patent microfiche St Thomas On. library)
The James Burdick Family in Oxford.
The family was in Oxford early in 1797 as son Enoch Burdick was in the Thomas Ingersoll party of
settlers and was given authority for his land by Thomas Ingersoll on
11 April 1797. He was sworn to his oath to the crown concerning Lot 14 Concession 2 Oxford on the Thames
(North Oxford Township) on 12 April 1797 by Jones and Dickson
Ref (John Krug , June 2007 from the Oxford Township List of June 14 1797
Enoch Burdick was in Oxford in 1801 when he applied for a license for a still (Wiskey)
It is reported in The Axe and the Wheel, authored by the West Oxford Women's Institute Book
Committee, that James Burdick had erected a flour mill in Beachville:
A flour mill, erected in 1805 by JAMES BURDICK, where Centreville now
stands, was later sold to an ANDREW WESTBROOK. WESTBROOK, after many years' residence in Canada, declared his
loyalty to the American cause, and he was responsible for most of the raids in Oxford County. He and EBENEZER
ALLAN were seized and had their holdings confiscated by order of GENERAL ISAAC BROCK. ALLAN died shortly
after, but Westbrook ESCAPED. He later returned, leading a raiding party and burned his buildings and the
mill.
The mill was on Lot 15, Concession 1, on the Old Stage Road
MILITIA
James Burdick was at no time mentioned as a member of the Oxford Militia. We do know that he served
in some capacity with the British, most likely as a loyalist recruit at the Battle of Bennington, where he was
taken prisoner. His son Samuel was an ensign in the first Oxford company in 1803. Found with Samuel in the
First Oxford as privates are James’ sons Caleb and Isaac and brother Freedom. Son Enoch is a sergeant. In
1805 Samuel resigned his position which was taken up by Enoch. By 1812 Enoch had been promoted to Lieutenant.
Masonic Lodge
James was also a brother in the Masonic Lodge founded in Oxford in 1803. The following is found in
“The History of Freemasonry in Canada: Part 2” Page 944 - 945 by Ross Robertson:
* We should also note that Robert Sweet is a founding member. James’ granddaughter was Phoebe Sweet. ( Was
she married to Robert or a kin of his? )
JAMES BURDICK DEATH
James died November 2nd, 1807 in Oxford County. His wife Phebe declined her lawful right to the
administration of his estate in favour of their son Enoch Burdick Yoeman. Phoebe signed her own name. James
was referred to as James Burdick Esquire.
Rosannah Thornton by Bob Moore
ROSANNAH THORNTON SHOWERS of OXFORD
Jan 2008
Please send corrections and additional information to Robert Moore email rmoore@wwdc.com
or 77 Metcalfe St St Thomas On. N5R 3K6
PARENTS
Abel Thornton and Rachel Burdick Lawrence
BORN
maybe about 1803 if so she may have been born in Vermont before the family moved to Oxford County
named as Rosannah Showers in will of Abel Thornton.
MARRIED
presumed Michael Showers about 1821 in Oxford County
Loyalist Ancestors of , Some families of the Hamilton area page 215 (ref Jill Sybalsky)
Michael Showers III born 1798
married first Rosa Behanna Thornton in 1821
married secondly 1824 Sarah House (who was born abt 1807 ref 1851 census)
DIED
before 30 August 1824 when Michael remarried to Sarah Beamer House in Ancaster Wentworth County
CHILDREN
1. perhaps Chauncy Showers who might have been born in the 1821-3 era see after
1881 census info would indicate a birth date of about 1821 tho the 1851 census would indicate a birth date of
1823/4 if he used his next birthday when giving the census info
2.Others ?
DISCUSSION RE MARRIAGE OF Rosannah Thornton and Michael Showers
Pros
1. Age of a Rosa would might be abt 17 /18 when marrying in 1821 would fit in with known ages of the children
of Abel
2. The chances were quite slim of more than one a Rosa (Rosannah) Thornton of marrying age in 1821 living in
the area.
3. Tho the Thornton lived west of Woodstock they were connected to the Lawrence family who lived in Burford
Twp and all lived on or near the Governor’s Road Rosana and Micheal’s presumed son Chauncy was there living
near the Williams and Thornton families in the 1851 census
In 1832 there was Michael Showers living in Burford / Blenheim area
London District marriage records as indexed by Nor Sim page 13
29 Feb 1832 Witness Michael Showers marriage of Agnes Showers of Burford to Washington McKnight of
Brantford (also a witness John Show ? should this have been Showers)
and on 9 April 1832 witness Michael Showers marriage of William Dalton and Eliz’th Hess both of Burford.
Michael had however moved to Blenheim by 1851 census
Cons
1 If Rosannah died say in 1823 how come she was still named in Abel Thorntons will of 1834 as a heir
I RGM believe naming her in his will would protect the rights of her children if the estate were divided
after Rachel Thornton died or remarried
2. if Clauncy is a son of Michael Showers (and Rosannah) how come we have a second Chauncey indexed a son of
Michael and Second wife Sarah in 1851 census of Blenheim
DISCUSSION AND FURTHER INFO
Several Family trees in Ancestry.com list a Chauncy Showers as a son of Rosa Thornton and Michael Showers
Some trees also list a Michael as a son of Michael and Rosannah
I have yet to find a Michael Showers born 1822/4
In one of the trees there is a hint he went to Michigan
(THERE IS MUCH CONFUSION IN THESE TREES AND THEIR INFO MUST BE PROVEN FROM OTHER SOURCES)
6. 1851 Census of Blenheim Canada West ancestry.com page 13 lines 7 to 16
Michael Showers Sr age 86
Michael Showers Jr age 53
Sarah age 48
William 23, Matthew 21, Margaret age 17, Olive age 14, Chancey age 12
Catherine age 10, Claborne age 2
Claiborne Showers married 22 Feb 1879 to Mary Albertine in Oxford
died Sept 1928 on his 80th year in Aylmer
wife Mary died 1936
1911 census of Town of Aylmer. Elgin east riding page 1 lines 6/7
Clayborn showers age 60 born Nov 1850 agent real estate and insurance lives Elk Street Aylmer
wife Mary age 54 born Jan 1857
CHAUNCEY SHOWERS
1.Brock district marriage records as indexed by Nor Sim
page 32
by Rev George Turner Methodist Episcopal
Chauncey Showers to Rhoda Scram both of Zorra on 21 April 1845
Wit Joseph Crawford and Abel Williams (born abt 1818 son of Silas Williams and Anna Thornton and thus a first
cousin to Chauncey)
2 page 70 by Rev George Turner
Chancy Showers to Mary McKenzie both of Zorra on 5 Oct 1849 Wit James Barclay and
Ann Barclay
(Rev Turner married Albert Thornton’s child, Silas to Caroline Moore and the Averys, Silas and Catherine to
Robert Moore)
3. 1851 Census of West Zorra Tow