Darius Mann Jr. (1823 - 1892)

Born 21 Jul 1823 in Georgina Twp, York, Upper Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Louisa (Prosser) Mann — married 10 Jun 1844 in Toronto, York, Canada West

Descendants

Died 23 Oct 1892 at age 69 in North Gwillimbury Twp, York, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kathee Fischer [send private message]

Biography

Darius was born in 1823 and died in 1892. ^[1]

Early Community Leaders Some Belhaven residents are especially remembered for their sheer force of personality . . . Richard Sheppard , born in Ireland, came to Canada in 1827. He established a farmstead on Lot 16, Concession 5 and became one of the most successful farmers in the region. In 1836 he married Chloe Willingsby, who incredibly bore him 16 children!

John Morton, born in the United States in 1797, came to Canada with his parents in 1801. He proved a successful farmer and, with strong religious convictions became minister in the Methodist Church. He married Sybelia Mann, the daughter of Darius Mann. Together they raised ten children, several of whom continued to live and farm in North Gwillimbury.

John Pollock was born in 1858 to Keswick settlers James Pollock and Katy Ellis. James dammed a creek and built a sawmill on his farm at the corner of Woodbine Road and Pollock Road. John, who got this enterprising spirit from his dad, ran a farm on the 5th Concession, but spent most of his days as a successful hotelier, first in Belhaven and much later in Keswick. A breeder of fine horses, he regularly entered races across Georgina and York Region.

Benedict Arnold, whose name is synonymous with traitor, possessed thousands of acres through the 4, 5, 6 and 7th concessions where Belhaven stands today. Born of a distinguished family in Connecticut on 14 January 1741, Arnold had a privileged upbringing in the lap of luxury. Upon the outbreak of the American Revolution he became an officer in the rebel army. Arnold’s military career began splendidly: he very nearly captured Quebec City and performed brilliantly at the Battle of Saratoga. A vain man, he believed he never received the credit or reward that was his due, and so pursued a plan to defect to the enemy and deliver up the fort at West Point. The plot failed and Arnold barely escaped with his life to the British. Arnold received substantial renumeration for his defection, including some 16,400 ares of land in Georgina. He died before he had the opportunity to even visit the land. His children were forced to sell the land to pay the debts he had accumulated. ^[2]

Darius Mann House Belhaven’s oldest-surviving building is now located in the Georgina Pioneer Village on Civic Centre Road. The charming, rustic Darius Mann home harkens back to the earliest years of settlement. Striding across the shaded verandah and stepping into the dimly-lit interior, you’re instantly transported back in time to 1870. The house was built in 1870 on the north side of Old Homestead Road between the 5th and 6th Concessions by Darius Mann, a prosperous farmer. His wife, Louissa Prosser, was the daughter of the area’s first Justice of the Peace, John Prosser. The home was typical of those in the area and serves as a perfect example of how mid-19th century farmers lived. Several generations were born and raised in the home before it was moved to the Pioneer Village and there restored to its original condition. The public is free to explore this heritage home. Note the thick baseboards and trims designed to impress guests. ^[3]

Darius appears in the Canada Census of 1851. The information is as follows: Surname: Mann, Given Name: Darius, Gender: Male, Age: 28, Province: Canada West (Ontario), District Name: York (county), District Number: 42, Sub-District Name: North Gwillimbury, Sub-District Number: 405, Page Number: 23, Microfilm: C-11761 Reference: RG 31 Item Number: 872043. Louisa is age 24. The household included: Darius age 28; Louisa age 24; Roxanna age 6; Mary age 4; William age 2.

Darius appeared in the Canada Census of 1861. The information is as follows: Surname: Mann, Given Name: Darius, Gender: Male, Age: 37, Marital Status: Married, Place of Birth: Canada West, Religion: G M, Province: Canada West (Ontario), District Name: York, Sub-District Name: North Gwillimbury, Page Number: 3, Line Number: 1, Microfilm: C-1087 Item Number: 1254258. The household included: Louisia age 33; Darius age 37; Roxanna age 15; Mary age 13; William age 11; John age 7; Louisia age 2.

Darius appeared in the Canada Census of 1871. The information is as follows: Surname: Mann, Given Name: Darius, Gender: Male, Age: 47, Birth Year: 1824, Marital Status: Married, Place of Birth: Ontario, Religion: Christian, Province: Ontario, District Name: York North, District Number: 43, Sub-District Name: North Gwillimbury, Sub-District Number: g, Page Number: 54, Line Number: 1, Microfilm: C-9966 Reference: RG31 - Statistics Canada Item Number: 2721681. The household included: Darius age 47; Lousia age 43; Mary age 23; William age 20; John age 17; Louisa age 11.

Darius appeared in the Canada Census of 1881. The information is as follows: Surname: MANN, Given Name: Harriss (please note: transcription error at Archives Canada), Occupation: Farmer, Gender: M, Age: 55, Birth Year: 1826, Marital Status: M, Place of Birth: Ontario, Religion: Christian, Nationality: English, Province: Ontario, District Name: York North, District Number: 137, Sub-District Name: Gwillimbury North, Sub-District Number: H, Division Number: 2, Family Number: 175, Page Number: 36, Microfilm: C-13249, Reference: RG31 - Statistics Canada Item Number: 3629015. The household included: Harriss (sic. Darius); Loesia (sic. Louisa) age 53; John age 28; Loesia (sic. Louisa) age 21.

Darius appeared in the Canada Census 1891. The information is as follows: Surname: Mann, Given Name: Darina, Gender: Male, Age: 67, Birth Year: 1824, Marital Status: Married, Province: Ontario, District Name: York North, District Number: 131, Sub-District Name: Gwillimbury North and Snake Island, Sub-District Number: E, Family Number: 124, Reference: RG31 - Statistics Canada Item Number: 3075476. The household included: Darina (Darius) age 67; Loisa (Louisa) age 63.

Appeared in the Newmarket Era on 28 Oct. 1892 page 3. The article is as follows:

Belhaven - It is with deepest sorrow we record this week the death of Mr. Darius Mann of Belhaven. Although in delicate health for the past two years, his demise was very unexpected. He had taken a severe cold, developing into inflammation of the lungs, and which proved fatal after twelve days suffering. He was never heard to murmur or complain during his affliction. Indeed, the virtue of patience has characterized his whole life.

Mr. Mann was born in Keswick about 70 years ago and has lived all his life in the neighbourhood. Early in the forties he married a daughter of Elder John Prosser. They had five children - four are still living: Mrs. E. Johnson, Mrs. J. Breules and William and John Mann.

When quite young he became converted and united with the Christian Church at Keswick - of which he has ever remained a consistent member. His bright christian character seemed to permeate his every dealing with is fellows. His implicit faith is God and child-like obedience shone forth with exceptional brilliancy at life's close. Oh that heavenly look which told plainly God was the strength of his confidence - "Thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

He was a devoted husband, a loving parent, a faithful friend and an honest, Christian man - the noblest work of God. He often sang -

"Oh land of rest for thee I sigh,

When will the moments come

When I shall lay my armour by,

And dwell with Christ at home?" [Hymn -We'll Work Until Jesus Comes - lyrics by Elizabeth Mills, music by William Miller]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth and death dates taken from cemetery monument.
2. ↑ Preceding paragraph needs attribution.
3. ↑ Preceding paragraph needs attribution.

• "Canada Census, 1851," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWTG-M47 : 10 November 2014), Darius Mann, North Gwillimbury, York County, Canada West (Ontario), Canada; citing p. 23, line 20; Library and Archives Canada film number C_11761, Public Archives, Ontario.

• "Ontario Census, 1861," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ79-C9N : 8 November 2014), Darius Mann, North Gwillimbury, York, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 3, line 1; Library and Archives Canada film number C-1087, Public Archives, Toronto; FHL microfilm 390,221.

Archives Canada. “Canada Census 1871: Darius Mann.” Library and Archives Canada, Government of Canada, 30 May 2016, www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1871/Pages/item.aspx?itemid=2721681. North Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

Archives Canada. “Canada Census 1881: Darius Mann.” Library and Archives Canada, Government of Canada, 7 Apr. 2016, www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1881/Pages/item.aspx?itemid=3629015. North Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

Archives Canada. “Canada Census 1891: Darius Mann.” Library and Archives Canada, Government of Canada, 16 Oct. 2015, www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1891/Pages/item.aspx?itemid=3075476. North Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-WPZ5 : 13 December 2015), Darius Mann, 1892; Burial, Keswick, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Mann Cemetery; citing record ID 26040673, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Newmarket Era. (1892, October 28). Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 28 Oct. 1892, p. 3 - Belhaven - Darius Mann. Newmarket Public Library Digital History Collection. https://news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2406975/page/3?n=