Elizabeth Ann (Austin) McGhee (1829 - 1904)

Born 29 Jul 1829 in Toronto, Peel County, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Wife of James William McGhee Sr. — married 1851 in Melancthon, Grey, Canada West

Descendants

Died 19 May 1904 at age 74 in Horning's Mills, Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Joachim Hawn [send private message] and Andrea Hunter [send private message]

Biography

ELIZABETH "Eliza" ANN AUSTIN McGHEE

ELIZA ANN AUSTIN was born on July 29, 1829, at Toronto Township, Peel, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of EBENEZER JONES AUSTIN and ANNE E COOK.

She married JAMES WILLIAM McGHEE Sr. on an "Unknown" date and location believed to have been Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada. Given James William was a native of Scotland who emigrated to Canada, and whose family members allegedly settled in and around the Hornings Mill area and that location being where their children were born, it would be reasonable to place the marriage somewhere in the area of 'then' Grey County, Ontario.

The reason I say "allegedly" concerning MaGhee family members is because there are long-standing assumptions concerning the sibling associations of John and Robert McGhee. I have no intention at this point exploring that controversy. There is sufficient circumstantial evidence to cautiously cite the family affiliations as are, with noted comment.

James William McGhee Sr and Elizabeth 'Eliza' Ann Austin were the parents of four known children

1. RACHEL ANASTASIA MCGHEE (1852–1858)
2. JAMES WILLIAM MCGEE Jr (1854–1933)
3. JOHN AUSTIN MCGHEE (1856–1926)
4. Rev. EBENEZER BERTRAM MCGHEE (1858–1930)

Following the death of her husband on May 21, 1860, at Hornings Mills, Melancthon Township, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada, ELIZA (at least as contended by FamilySearch contributors) is found in the 1860 Canada Census. I have some reservations that the Source record being cited is identifying the correct individual. However, because FamilySearch does not have digital imaging for the Census Collection cited I have been unsuccessful at being able to confirm it, with the Record I did find via Library and Archives Canada. My one reservation to state is that the Record identifies the woman named as "Single". The fact she is living alone may or may not reflect an accurate enumeration. I say this only because her sons are indeed shown on the Census, yet the eldest of them: 'James William McGhee' was only seven-years-old per that record in 1861!! It is very probably the simplest of errors - a 'checkmark' recorded in the wrong column...and entries offset by one line, just enough to scew the categorical data, and subsequently, its indexing. "As is" the Census indexes shows:

______________________

Ontario Census, 1861

Event Place: Melancthon, Grey, Ontario, Canada

Enumeration District: 01

Name:..Eliza Ann Mc Ghee

Gender:...............Female

Age:..............................31

Marital Status:......Single

Religion:.......................W

Birthplace:.....W Canada

Birth Year (Est):......1830

Affiliate Film Number: C-1027-1028

_____________________________________

Note that the woman enumerated was reported "Single" and not "Widowed" as was Eliza, and so reported in all subsequent Census Records. The unquestionably correct Record is outlined below and its image has been attached to this Profile for review if desired. It does show her with her children at Melancthon, Grey, Ontario on Page 2, Line 19

Later in her life, she resided with her sons, the last primary, James William McGhee Jr. and his family.

ELIZA ANN AUSTIN MCGHEE died on May 19. 1904 at Hornings Mills, Melanchthon Township, Dufferin, Ontario at the age of 74 years. The cause of death was recorded as "Cancer" with a duration of three months. The Record was Registered by her physician. Findings as Indexed:

Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and

Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947

Name:.......Eliza Ann Mcghee

Name Note:...religion: Presb.

Event Type:..................Death

Event Date:.......19 May 1904

Event Place:...Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario

Gender:......................Female

Occupation:.Farmers Widow

Birth Year (Estimated):.1830

Birthplace:.................Canada

Death Place:..Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario

Death Age:..............74 years

Record Number:...........1883

NOTE: I do not know 'why' the Name Note exists nor is it obvious by examining the handwritten Registration Record

Her Find A Grave Memorial Record records her and James' grave marker Inscriptions as:

Eliza Ann Austin, wife of Jas. McGhee, who died May 19, 1904

James McGhee, who died 21st of May 1860, aged 43 years and 3 months

______________________________

SOURCE RECORD ABSTRACTS

Eliza Ann Austin (1829-1904)

FamilySearch Profile Source Section “Notes”

1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia

Province: Canada West (Ontario)

District: Grey County

District Number: 11

Sub-District: Melancthon and Proton

Sub-District Number: 92,95

Name: Eliza Magee

Gender: Female

Age: 23

Estimated birth year: abt 1829

Birthplace: Canada

Eliza Magee 23

1861 Census of Canada

Melancthon, Grey, Ontario

Name: Eliza Ann Mc Ghee

Gender: Female

Age: 31

Birth Year: 1830

Birthplace: Canada West

Marital Status: Single

1861 Census of Canada Record for Eliza Ann Mc Ghee

Page 2, Line 19 Reads:

1861 Census of Canada

Page 2

Line 19

Eliza Ann McGhee

Born: UCanada

Religion: W

Age: 31

Female

Widow

Number and gender of deaths in 1860-Age and cause of death: : 1 Male, 44, Disease of Heart

House: Log

Number of Stories: 1 1/2

Number Families Living in House: 1

(This is at odds with the Record as Indexed but agrees with the one Imaged except regarding above-mentioned details.)

Ontario, Canada Census Index, 1871

Province: Ontario

District: Grey South

District Number: 36

Division: 01

Subdistrict: Melancthon

Subdistrict Number: d

Eliza Mc Ghee

Gender: Female

Age: 38

Birth Year: abt 1833

Birthplace: Ontario

Marital Status: Widowed

Religion: Weslyan Methodist

*Eliza Mc Ghee 38

*James Mc Ghee 17

*John Mc Ghee 14

*Ebeneza Mc Ghee 12

1881 Census of Canada

Province: Ontario

District Number: 155

District: Grey East

Sub-District Number: E

Subdistrict: Melancthon

Division: 1

Name: Eliza McGhee

Gender: Female

Marital Status: Widowed

Age: 50

Birth Year: 1831

Birthplace: Ontario

Religion: Canada Presbyterian Church

Nationality: English

*Eliza McGhee 50

*James McGhee 26

*John McGhee 24

*Ebenezer McGhee 22

Source Citation: Year: 1881

Census Place: Melancthon, Grey East, Ontario

Roll: C_13261, Page 17, Family No: 84

Ontario Deaths 1869-1947

Name: Eliza A. McGhee

Death date: 19 May 1904

Age at death: 74 years

Death place: Shelburne, Dufferin, Ontario

Birthdate: 1830

Gender: Female

Marital status: Widowed

GSU film number: 1854283

Digital GS number: 4174746

Image number: 1225

Reference number: yr 1904 cn 8536

Modified 3 February 2015 by W. Hartung

Canada Census, 1901

Census Date: March 31, 1901

Census Place: Grey (east/est), Ontario, Canada

Name: Eliza McGhee

Gender: Female

Age: 67

Birth Year (Est): 1834

Birthplace: Ontario

Marital Status: Widowed

Nationality: Canadian

Religion: Presbyterian

Relationship to Head of Household: Mother

Household

*Jas Wm Mcghee 46

*Mary Mcghee 38

*David A Mcghee 16

*Edna Edith Mcghee 14

*Carrie M Mcghee 10

*Robt Jas Mcghee 6

*Wilfred E Mcghee 3

*Eliza Mcghee: Mother 67

(NOTE: In the household of Jas. W. Mc Ghee)

________________________________________________

PEEL'S PRAIRIE PROVINCES: http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/DBP/1926/12/23/4/Ar00404.html?printable=true

Regarding JOHN McGHEE:

UNIVERSITY of ALBERTA, Peel’s Prairie Provinces–UNIVERSITY of ALBERTA LIBRARIES, A DIVISION of LEARNING SERVICES: http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers/DBP/1926/12/23/4/Ar00404.html?printable=true

The Didsbury Pioneer, December 23, 1926, Page 4, Item Ar00404

Obituary

It is with sincere regret that we are called upon to chronicle the Demise of Mr. John McGhee which occurred at Chilliwack Memorial Hospital, British Columbia, Saturday, December 4

Mr. McGhee was a native of Hornings Mills, Dufferin County, Ontario and was born in 1856 and was therefore in his seventy first year.

He came to Innisfail in 1901 with his family and settled in the Aberdeen district On the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. J.H.Briggs. In 1910 Mrs. McGhee passed away and Mr. McGhee sold out and moved to Edmonton and became connected with the Health Department of that City.

In 1920 his resigned his position and settled in Chilliwack, on a fruit and poultry ranch where he resided up to his decease

He leaves two sons,

William of Innisfail, and

James of Didsbury

one daughter

Mrs. Thos. Stark of Drumheller

Mr. McGhee was a staunch Presbyterian and an equally staunch Conservative in politics.

A man of sterling worth, respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him, his death comes as a shock to his many old friends in the Innisfail district

The funeral of the late John McGhee took place on Thursday, December 9th.

A very impressive service in the Presbyterian church was conducted by the Rev Joseph Carter, who gave a most sympathetic and inspiring address, which claimed the rapt attention of the large Congregation, which included many of the deceased’s former neighbors and friends.

The remains laid to rest beside those of his wife and daughter in the Family Plot in the Innisfail Cemetery.

The pallbearers were [M?] G.W. West, W. Champ, L.M. McLean, J.T. Rogers, E.R. Center, and Geo. Bryan.

The funeral was in the charge of Mr. R.D. Sheffield, whose arrangements were characterized by their simple dignity and refinement.

Floral Tributes were received from W.G. McGhee, Innisfail; Jas. McGhee, Didsbury; R.T. Anderson and Family, Edmonton; Mr. & Mrs. Stark, Drumheller; Mr. & Mrs. F.W. Bye, Innisfail; Mr. & Mrs. S.G. Watt, Didsbury; Marie Kershaw, Didsbury; A.F. & A.M. Didsbury and the Didsbury Curling Club.

Sources

• "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/Q23J-Q291 : 6 June 2016), Eliza Ann Austin McGhee, died 19 May 1904; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Horning Mills Cemetery, Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada.
• "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMVH-235 : 10 April 2015), James Mcghee (and Eliza Austin) for Ebenezer Mcghee and Jemima Nicolina Baxter King Straith, 09 Aug 1888; citing registration , Clinton, Huron, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,870,220. Name: James McGhee; Wife: Eliza Ann Austin; Son: Ebenezer McGhee–From the record of Ebenezer McGhee and Jemima Nicolina Baxter King Straith from Ontario Marriages; Name: Ebenezer McGhee; Marriage Date: 09 Aug 1888; Clinton, Huron, Ontario, Canada; Gender: Male; Age: 29; Birth-Year(Estimated):1859; Father's Name: JAMES McGHEE Mother's Name: ELIZA ANN AUSTIN; Spouse's Name: JEMIMA NICOLINA BAXTER KING STRAITH; Spouse's Gender: Female; Spouse's Age: 29; Spouse's Birth-Year(Estimated):1859; Spouse's Father's Name: PETER STRAITH; Spouse's Mother's Name: ANNE COUTTS; Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927; Reference ID: 005389; GS Film Number: 1870220; Digital Folder Number: 004529208; Image Number: 01185
• "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MVF5-67J : 30 June 2017), Eliza McGhee, Melancthon, Grey East, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 17; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13261, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,897.
• "Ontario Census, 1861," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MQ78-JFP : 8 November 2014), Eliza Ann Mc Ghee, Melancthon, Grey, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 2, line 19; Library and Archives Canada film number C-1027-1028, Public Archives, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,435,850.
• "Canada Census, 1901," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH25-LDL : 9 December 2020), Eliza Mcghee in the household of Jas Wm Mcghee, Grey (east/est), Ontario, Canada; citing p. 2, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
• "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JKKD-53P : 11 December 2014), Eliza Ann Justin for James William Mcghee, 22 May 1933; citing Melancthon, Ontario, 012459, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,358,597. NOTE: Correct Record–Incorrect Spelling of Surname
• "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J649-WZH : 25 June 2015), Eliza A. Mcghee, 19 May 1904; citing Shelburne, Dufferin, Ontario, yr 1904 cn 8536, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,854,283.
• "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMJ4-9XP : 10 April 2015), Eliza Austin for John Mcghee and Jane Fead, 27 Dec 1882; citing registration, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,869,758.
• "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J64M-2NG : 25 June 2015), Eliza Ann Mcghee, 19 May 1904; citing Melancthon, Dufferin, Ontario, yr 1904 cn 8379, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,854,283.
• "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMVH-23R : 10 April 2015), Eliza Ann Austin for Ebenezer Mcghee and Jemima Nicolina Baxter King Straith, 09 Aug 1888; citing registration, Clinton, Huron, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,870,220.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV23-JQQX : 11 July 2016), Eliza Ann Austin McGhee, 1904; Burial, Horning's Mills, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada, Hornings Mills Cemetery; citing record ID 60492073, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
• "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMJF-PNP : 10 April 2015), Eliza Ann Austin for James Wm Mcghee and Mary Hunter, 28 Feb 1883; citing registration, Orangeville, Dufferin, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,869,761.
• "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JKKD-532 : 11 December 2014), Eliza Ann Austin for James William Mcghee, 22 May 1933; citing Dufferin, , Ontario, 012459, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,358,597.