I am stumped at my 3rd g-g-parents who were born and died in Ontario

Question

Re:

William R Davis & Mary Ann (Brooks) Davis.

I cannot seem to find anything on his parents. He was born in 1826, Willouby, Ontario, Canada, so I am assuming his parents were also, or at the least came over to Canada during their life. My ancestors came from Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland

William and Mary had 2 children, my 2nd g-g-father William Clark b.1849 in Clinton, Huron and a daughter, Clara b. 1851, also in Ontario.

Thanks for your help,

Jamie Davis Thompson

Comments

The 1842 census shown at https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDRN-SK8 reflects one person born in Connecticut and one born in New York.  The married male is listed as 60 and upwards and the married female as 45 and upwards.  This does not fit with the vitals given? 

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I found another source for his grave: https://niagarafalls.ca/city-hall/municipal-works/cemetery/genealogy/davis-william-drummond-hill-02north-0001-1n-fb.cem, but I agree with you his record seems obscure.

Not all the records are online. When I hit a "brick wall" in my research I always find it helpful to go to the paper archives. In my case, that means travelling across the continent, so its an occasional thing.  In this case, the genealogical archives seem to be housed in the Willoughby Historical Museum, which is near Niagara Falls.  Its a nice area!  

If you are not likely to be anywhere near Niagara Falls any time soon, then the museum staff might be able give you a few suggestions on alternate means to contact the Willoughby Historical Society. Its likely a volunteer organization without much funding for scanning etc, but maybe there is someone who would be willing to look around a little.  

Food for thought.

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I am across the continent ....Oregon USA....as much as I would love to do some hands on searching myself....but.... :)

Thanks for the help Laurie

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David, I don't think they are a fit, but thanks for looking

Jamie

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I have been researching the War of 1812 in Upper Canada (Ontario) for several years and I am also a Project Manager with that project on wikitree.  There were three or more William Davis' living on the Niagara Frontier and at least one David Davis in Willoughby.  There were also Brooks families living in that area.  I have several documents that may be of interest to you, but no clue as to which one was your William R. Davis' father.  If you would like to look at these documents to see if you can find a connection or would like to do surname studies on Davis and Brooks during this time period on the frontier, please let me know.  You can find my email address in the header on my website at http://warof1812cdnstories.blogspot.ca/

Answer 1

If you find that David Davis is William's father, you might be interested in his War of 1812 record. A David Davis from Willoughby served as an ensign with the 3rd Lincoln Militia. See 1821 Register of Land Grants. Please let me know if you add a profile. The Canadian War of 1812 Project members have compiled a list of Canadian militiamen on our Upper Canada page and would be happy to add him.

And another link: "On 20 Sep 1831 (Reg 22 Oct 1831) John Darling sold to David Davis 100 acres Lot 3 Broken Front on Chippawa Creek or Welland River Concession, Willoughby Twp. for ₤200 (A209 #8393). He was alive up until 1861 since he was arranging a mortgage that year with the Macklem family. "https://sites.google.com/site/niagarasettlers2/willoughby-2

In the 1851 Census David and Elizabeth both give their place of birth as the United States. Their children are all born in Canada.

 

 

Comments

Laurie,

I am so glad you found this land grant info. I have searched for it before, because I knew they had to have owned land. It also has info on the Brooks side...lots of them owned and willed property! This was such a great help confirming what I know and what I am just learning!

thanks

Jamie

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You're very welcome. Some of my ancestors come from that area as well, so I've delved into those land records quite a few times!

Answer 2

Hi Jamie,

I don't know how accurate this information is from an LDS IGI family tree as it is not sourced.  See https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:1:9CKN-3HZ, but perhaps you can find information elsewhere on the following persons who are listed as his parents--

David Davis, born about 1790 in Crowland, Welland, Upper Canada

who married in Crowland, Welland, Upper Canada on 16 February 1813

Elizabeth Sharon, who was born in Redstone, Fayette, Pennsylvania on 9 September 1794 and died in Crowland, Welland, Ontario, Canada on 22 May 1870.

Unsourced pedigrees and trees may be of help in researching what you need, but they need to be backed up with legitimate sources.  There's no death date for David Davis listed in this LDS IGI tree.

Answer 3

The 1852 census shows the couple in Stamford (Welland County) Ontario – he’s born in Willoughby, she in Stamford – as were their son and daughter. They’re listed on the census form immediately after a Brooks family who, presumably, are Mary Ann’s relatives (all of them born Stamford). Willoughby Township lies south of Stamford Township –they’re separated by the Welland River. You can see a bit of history here: http://www.exploringniagara.com/all_about_niagara/the_history_of_niagara/niagara_townships/niagara_townships_willoughby.html\

and here:

https://sites.google.com/site/niagarasettlers2/willoughby-township-abstracts

While browsing, I found this interesting entry:

On 11 Aug 1835 (Reg 3 Sep 1835) James Cummings gave a life lease to William Davis on Village Lots 29, 30 &105 on South side River in Lot 22 Concession 2 from the Niagara River, Willoughby Twp. for ₤37.10.0 subject to Life Lease of Anna Davis wife of William Davis (A297 #10492)

Given your ancestor William would have been about nine years old in 1835, is it possible this couple might merit consideration as his parents?