Benjamin Springer Sr (1808 - 1877)

Born 1808 in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza (Green) Springer — married 1833 in Delaware, Ontario

Descendants

Died 24 May 1877 at about age 69 in Oakland, Brant, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Benjamin was the fifth child of Daniel & Ruth Springer. He was the only male offspring to raise a family in Delaware. Benjamin studied under Col. Mahlon Burwell and became a civil engineer and provincial land surveyor. He assisted Burwell and Freeman Talbot in surveying London as a town site in 1826. He also surveyed many of the townships in this part of Ontario. In 1833, he was a made a Justice of the Peace and a Magistrate. During the troublesome days of 1837, he took up arms and was promoted to Colonel of the Fifth Middlesex Militia. He was the county engineer for many years as well as Crown Lands Agent. Springer Creek, now called Oxbow, located in Lobo and London twps. and draining into the Thames near the original Springer farm, was named after him. Also, a township in the Cobalt District of northern Ontario was named in his honor.

He married Eliza Green an Irish Catholic girl. They had twelve children who were raised in the Anglican Faith. He made complete surveys of many of the townships on the lakeshore. He took an interest in militia training and obtained the commission of Captain in 1833 and filled in many respects the same position in the country as that held by his father before him. The Indians called him after his father, Wabassahee, or a younger good man. He took part in putting down the 1837 rebellion and received a promotion to the Colonelcy of the 5th Middlesex Battalion which he continued to hold until his death. He was also a Magistrate of the county. He lived at the old homestead until just before his death.

Sources

Find A Grave: Memorial #134626391 Woodland Cemetery, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada

Together in History - Delaware & Middlesex Twps. - Family Profiles - The Springers