William Nix (1816 - 1902)

Born 11 Jul 1816 in Aseby, Parish of Heydour, Lincolnshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Staniland — married 12 Jun 1849 in Leasingham, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 16 Mar 1902 at age 85 in Peel County, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Fred Nix [send private message]

Biography

William Nix is born in on the outskirts of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England on July 11, 1816, and he is baptised on July 16, 1816, in the church of St Michael’s and All Angels in the parish of Heydour [1][2]. The baptism records for William and his siblings list the place of abode as “Aseby”. The Google map at the right, "A", shows the location of "Aisby" as the hamlet is now spelt. William’s parents are John Nix (1790-1846), an agricultural labourer, and Mary Bee (1793-1867).

"Heydour is a hamlet and civil parish located in the South Kesteven district of south Lincolnshire, England. It is 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Sleaford and 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Grantham. It is part of a collection of hamlets located within a mile of each other, the others being Culverthorpe, Oasby and Aisby. . . . . The Anglican parish church is dedicated to St. Michael and All Angels and contains monuments to the Newton family. . . . . many dwellings . . . in the parish have been listed by the local authority as 'of interest'. . . . .The name Heydour is often listed in old records as Haydor. It also appears spelled as: Hather, Haydour and Heidure [3]." In today’s geography these small hamlets lie about two kilometres southwest of the Sleaford Golf Club.

William marries Elizabeth Staniland (1826-1915) on June 12, 1849, in St. Andrew's church, parish of Leasingham, where Elizabeth was born [4]. Leasingham is just to the north of William's own parish of Heydour (and just north of Sleaford) and it appears that William had gone to live in Leasingham, probably because of work.

William and Elizabeth have six children:

• Thomas Nix 1850-1933 + (1880) Ann Elizabeth Ward 1854-1934

• Martha B Nix 1853-1940 + (1873) Joseph Ackroyd 1851-1921

• James Nix 1855-1943 + Mary Jane Boyes 1863-1947

• Sarah Nix 1860-1947 + Alfred Baldock 1860-1942

• Elizabeth Nix 1865-1942 + (1889) Harry Henry Ridler 1863-1938

• William John Nix 1868- 1944 + (1903) Emily Alice Adelaide Nixon 1876-?

William is an agricultural labourer, the same as his father, and he never learns to read or write. The 1851 census lists the place of birth as “Ogeby” and shows William and Elizabeth living in Culverthorpe with a five-month old son, Thomas [5]. In the census record, William's occupation is shown as "Ag. Lab" (agricultural labourer).

The life of an agricultural worker in mid-19th century England is difficult. Most work on an “on-call” basis and many work in gangs controlled by a gang-master. Agricultural prices have been falling in the 19th century and much of the physical labour is being replaced by mechanization. As a result, many people leave England in the mid-19th century. William’s oldest sister left for Australia in 1848 and a younger brother, Thomas, also sails to Australia in 1853.

William sails with his family to North American in 1852. His younger brother, Joseph, sails with him. They land in New York City and travel on to upper New York State. Joseph stops in Monroe County, New York (near Rochester) where he works on a farm until he has enough money to acquire his own farm in Cattaraugus County, New York (south of Buffalo). William and his family continue on to Canada West, the future province of Ontario. There are no paper records to back up this story of the voyage to North America. It is based on family memories. The actual trip would likely involve a steam ship across the Atlantic and a train ride from New York to upper New York State. The first bridge across the Niagara River was a built a few years before 1852, so William and his family would have easy access to Canada West. The question that is left unanswered is how do two agricultural labourers from Lincolnshire pay for this trip and all the provisions they would need until they find jobs?

William first works in Etobicoke Township (now a part of Toronto). He can be found there in the 1855 tax rolls [6] and his occupation is shown as a labourer. “Etobicoke” is a word derived from the First Nations meaning “places where the alders grow.” In the 1861 census records, William and his family are living in a log house in Etobicoke [7]. His daughter, Elizabeth, is born in Etobicoke in 1865 but this son, William John, is born in Toronto Gore Township in 1868. At some point between 1865 and 1868, William quits working as an agricultural labourer in Etobicoke and he becomes a farmer in his own right in Toronto Gore Township.

The land on which Toronto Gore Township (or the Gore of Toronto) stood had been acquired by treaty from the Anishinaabe people in 1818 [8]. It was surveyed in 1819 and opened for settlement in 1820. Toronto Gore became a township in 1831 when it was separated from Chinguacousy Township to the west. The “gore” in the name is on account of the shape – it was a wedged shape piece of land that filled in the space between what was to become Peel County on the West and York County on the east. Settlement was slow and the last patents for land were not issued until the middle of the 19th century. So, when William Nix arrives, the land is still relatively new -- “new” in the sense of being cleared and farmed.

In 1871 William is listed in a directory, along with his son Thomas, as farmers in Grahamsville, Toronto Gore [9]. The 1871 census records show the 55-year-old William living in Toronto Gore [10]. Elizabeth is 45-years old, and the couple have six children living with them: Thomas, Martha, James, Sarah, Elizabeth, and William. The son, Thomas, is a labourer and the younger son, James, although only 15-years old, is also shown as a farmer.

From the 1871 census records, we do not know the farm in Grahamsville where William and his family live (although it might be the one Thomas Nix eventually buys). But sometime after the 1871 directory publication and the 1871 census, the family moves. William and his son, James, are listed on the Toronto Gore tax assessment rolls of 1879 on a farm owned by William Woodill [11]. This farm is in Concession 8. Lot 2 and in checking this farm with the historical atlas at McGill University, there is a William Woodall (should be “Woodill”) shown as the owner in 1877 [12]. This rent of land from the Woodill family is interesting on two accounts. First, the Woodill family was one of the first of eight or nine families to buy land in Toronto Gore after it was opened for settlement in 1820. They bought 400 acres that lay along the east side of what was to become Airport Road and north and south of what was to become Queen Street in Brampton. The intersection of Airport Road and Queen Street will become the village of Woodhill (a mis-spelling of “Woodill.”) Second, when William Nix’s son, Thomas, marries, he marries a woman whose mother was a Woodill. The Nix and Woodill families become connected in more ways than just the fact the William Nix rented a farm from William Woodill.

The 1880 tax assessment rolls continue to show William Nix and his son, James Nix, as farmers on the farm they rent from William Woodill [13]. This is Concession 8, lot 2 of Toronto Gore which, in today’s geography, is about where the modern toll road (the 407) crosses through what used to be good farmland. The 1881 tax assessment rolls show William, at the age of 64, still as a farmer in Concession 8, lot 2 of Toronto Gore [14]. But in this record, he is shown as one of three farmers on this land. The other two are the 24-year-old James Nix and the 22-year-old William Woodill. There are two other interesting points about this 1881 record. William Woodill’s surname is still spelt without an “h.” The family and the village at the corner of Airport Road and Queen Street will all eventually migrate to “Woodhill.” Second, the religion shown for these three farmers is shown as Methodist. This is probably a concession to William Woodill, the owner of the land, as we think William Nix stays loyal to the Church of England for a few more years.

The 1881 census records show William Nix as a farmer in Toronto Gore [15]. He is now 65 years old. His son, James, who is now 25, is also shown as a farmer. There are three other children in the family – Sarah, Elizbeth, and William John. The oldest daughter, Martha, was married in 1873 so she has left the family. And the oldest son, Thomas, has started his own farm a few kilometres to the north in Stanley’s Mills.

The 1881 census shows the family’s religion as Church of England as it was in the 1880 tax assessment rolls. This won’t last as they all join the Methodist Church at some point. In fact the 1881 census records show that the two children who have already left home are members of the Methodist Church by this time. At approximately the time William settles in Toronto Gore, 41% of the population in Toronto Gore is Anglican and 26% is Methodist. By 1871, the Anglican proportion has dropped to 30% and the Methodist has climbed to 41% [16].

Something happens after 1881: William moves to a farm to the north of the William Woodill farm. He now rents land owned by Mary Nixon [17]. The tax assessment rolls for 1884 show William on this land owned by Mary Nixon and it shows William’s age as 66 (he is more like 68). There appears to be only two children left at home. The religion is still shown as “English Church.” William is still on the farm owned by Mary Nixon in the 1886 tax assessment rolls [18]. Again, the roll shows his age as two-years younger than he really is (in 1886, he turns 70). This Mary Nixon farm, in today’s geography, would be on the east side of Goreway Drive in Brampton, near where a large grocery store (Loblaws) now stands.

William and Elizabeth move to another farm in Toronto Township (to the south) at some point in the late 1880s. They are living in Toronto Township with their daughter, Elizabeth, and her new husband, Henry Ridler, in the 1891 census [19]. Their youngest son, the 23-year-old William John, is also living with them. Most of Toronto Township becomes what is today the city of Mississauga. This 1891 census record now shows William and Elizabeth’s religion as Methodist and this record further shows that William cannot read or write.

William and Elizabeth stay with the Ridler family for the rest of their lives. In the 1901 census, they are shown to be living beside the Ridler family which is now in Chinguacousy Township [20]. Chinguacousy is the township to the west of Toronto Gore. The Ridler farm in Chinguacousy is in Concession 4, lot 14 which puts it, in today's geography, between Dixie Road and Bramalea Road somewhere south of Countryside Drive in the city of Brampton.

William dies on March 16, 1902, and is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Dixie Road in Brampton [21]. In the 1911 census, Elizabeth (Staniland) Nix is 85-years old, and she is living beside the farm of her daughter and son-in-law, Henry and Elizabeth Ridler [22]. She dies in December 1915 and is buried with William.

Sources

[1] The notes from Garnet Lansdell Nix (1920-2016), the great-grandson of William, were the start of this biography. These were prepared in 1942 and were based mainly on the memory of his Aunt Sarah Baldock (1861-1947). "William Nix was born and spent his early years in England. Shortly after he married he moved to America--landing in the U.S.A. but transferring to Canada. His brother Joseph however remained in the U.S.A. William Nix was a medium sized man, a farmer throughout his life, his hair turned grey early but he lived until he was almost ninety years of age. His family consisted of seven or eight children." G.L. Nix records show “Stanlin” as the maiden name of William’s wife, Elizabeth. The first clue as to the correct spelling came from a Brampton wedding certificate in 1903 for a William John Nix born c1868/69 whose parents are listed as “William NIX & Eliz. STANILAND.” Also, from the wedding register in Sleaford, England the last name of Elizabeth is spelt “Staniland.”

[2] The birth date (July 11, 1816) is from the 1901 census of Canada. The baptism record was first found at http://www.freereg.org.uk/cgi/Search.pl. "Lincolnshire; St Michael, Heydour Parish, William Nix; date of birth [blank]; Baptism date - 16 Jul 1816; father forename - John; mother forename - Mary; Abode -Aseby; father occupation – labourer." However, the original baptismal record can be found at lincstothepast web site Reference name “Heydour Par/1/8” date 1813-1858. Repository: Lincolnshire Archives [057] It is on the 12th page of the document in the window viewer.

[3] Heydour Parish: the description is an edited version of material from Wikipedia.

[4] William Nix-Elizabeth Staniland marriage: a great deal of searching eventually resulted in a file being found "sleafordRD.xls" that contains approx 5400 marriage records in the Sleaford area in the 19th century. Unfortunately, a more recent Google search does not seem to be able to re-locate the file or the web site. This file shows that William Nix married Elizabeth Staniland in Leasingham Parish on June 12, 1849, and the name of the groom’s father is John and the name of the bride’s father is James. David Ingall, who lives near Lincoln, Lincolnshire, sent the author a pdf file in Feb 2012. It appears to be a tiny excerpt from the Leasingham Registers. Among other things, this shows a marriage record on June 12, 1849, for a William Nix and an Elizabeth Staniland. Of interest, this document notes that the bride and the groom were “both of Leasingham.” This may mean that William had left his home Parish for a job on the other side of Sleaford? But even more curiously, this record lists the father of William as “James Nix [not John Nix], a labourer.” This may just be a transcription error? The wedding record can also be found on familysearch.com. "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DSW-BBV : 13 December 2014), William Nix, 1849; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1849, quarter 2, vol. 14, p. 1003, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. However, this source spells Elizabeth’s surname as “Staniforth.”

[5] "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGNL-2Z5 : 9 November 2019), William Nix, Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire, England; citing Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, p. 7, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. William Nix (34) is living in Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire. His occupation is an Ag Lab (agricultural labourer). He was born in Ogeby [Aisby]. His wife is Elizabeth (25) who was born in Leasingham. They have one son: Thomas (0) who was born in Culverthorpe.

[6] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X42-GD64 : Sat Dec 16 12:11:48 UTC 2023), Entry for William Nix, 1855. William Nix is shown in the 1855 tax assessment rolls of Etobicoke Township as a labourer.

[7] 1861 census, Canada West, York County, Etobicoke Township, pg 8, lines 5-10: William Nix (45), born England, labour; Elizabeth (?36), born England; Thomas (10), born England; Martha B. (7), born U.C. [Upper Canada]; James (5), born U.C.; Sarah (1), born U.C. It is difficult to read the symbol the census taker has used to indicate the religion of the family – it is not “M” for Methodist and it is not “W” for Wesleyan Methodist but is probably “E” for Church of England.” The family is living in a 1-story log house.

[8] The Ajetance Purchase, or Treaty #19, was signed on Oct 28, 1818. The treaty is named “Ajetance” after the name of the chief of the Credit River Mississaugas. From the Mississauga of Credit First Nation website, “The Mississaugas of the Credit are an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation.”

[9] Lovell’s Province of Ontario Directory for 1871 - lists William & Thomas Nix as farmers in Grahamsville.

[10] 1871 census, Ontario, 39 Peel, Toronto Gore Township, pg 12, household 41: William Nix (55), farmer; Elizabeth (45); Thomas (20), labourer; Mathew (18) [this is Martha even though the census record identifies the person as male and as a farmer]; James (15), farmer; Sarah (11); Elizabeth (6); William (2). William & Elizabeth and their first child were born in England; the rest were born in Ontario. The religion is shown as “Eng Church” [Anglican]. William Nix is shown as unable to read or write.

[11] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-FNW3 : Mon Mar 11 02:16:54 UTC 2024), Entry for William Nix, 1879. William Nix (62) and James Nix (23) are shown on the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township on a farm owned by William Woodill. While difficult to read, the farm appears to be in Concession 8, Lot 2 (there is a symbol beside the lot number that may be “northern half”). It is a 100-acre farm with 60 acres cleared. They have 3 cattle, 6 sheep, 1 hog, and 2 horses. Their religion is shown as “E” which (presumably) stands for Church of England.

[12] 1877 land records: the 1877 map of Toronto Gore -- http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/ This shows a William Woodall in Lot 2, Concession 8 of Toronto Gore. We are fairly certain that “Woodall” should be “Woodill.” (The 1871 census shows families by the name of “Woodall” in Chinguacousy but not in Toronto Gore. This census record also shows a number of people with the name “Woodill” in Toronto Gore.)

[13] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:662Z-H4Q8 : Sat Mar 09 03:35:40 UTC 2024), Entry for James Nix, 1880. William Nix (63) and James Nix (23) are shown on the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township with a line drawn such that it appears they are on the same piece of land. They are both labelled “farmers.” But the land is owned by William Woodill. The farm appears to be in Lot 2. The religion of William and James is shown as “E” (“English Church” or Anglican).

[14] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:662W-16V7 : Sun Mar 10 17:37:48 UTC 2024), Entry for William Nix, 1881. The 1881 tax assessment rolls appear to show three people farming together: William Nix (64), James Nix (24) and William Woodill (22). And the farm appears to be in Concession 8, lot [?2] of Toronto Gore. It’s a 100-acre farm with 60 acres cleared. It is not possible to read the name in the “owner” column. The religion appears to be “M” (Methodist). They have 5 cattle, 6 sheep, 1 hog, and 3 horses.

[15] 1881 census, Ontario, 140, Peel, Gore of Toronto, pg 7, household 30: William Nix (65), born England, farmer; Elizabeth (55), born England; James (25), born Ont., farmer; Sarah (21), born Ont.; Elizabeth (15), born Ont.; William J. (12), born Ont. The family’s religion is shown as “Ch of Eng.”

[16] Toronto Gore Twp, population by religion, various years -- from Mays, Herbert Joseph, 1979, "Families and Land in Toronto Gore Township, Peel County, Ontario, 1820-1890," Phd thesis, McMaster University, Table 4-9, pg 208.

[17] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-RQ3H : Mon Mar 11 00:44:55 UTC 2024), Entry for William Nix, 1884. William Nix (66) is shown on the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore in 1884 as a farmer. The land is owned by Mary Nixon. While difficult to read, there is one child on the farm between the ages of 5 and 16 and one child older than 16. [these would be Elizabeth who would be about 18 and William who would be about 15). It is almost impossible to read the concession and lot numbers [?Concession 8, lot 3 ??] The religion of William is shown as “E” (“English Church”).

[18] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-9M9S : Fri Mar 08 16:44:06 UTC 2024), Entry for William Nix, 1886. William Nix (68) is on the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township in 1886 in Woodhill. The owner of the 99-acre farm is Mrs. M. A. Nixon. The farm is on the 8th Concession, Lot 3. [This is the farm on the 1877 map of Toronto Gore that is directly north of the land owned by William Woodill – spelt “Woodall” on the map.] The religion is shown as “E” which stands for Church of England. They have 5 cattle, 1 hog and 4 horses.

[19] 1891 census, Ontario, 106, Peel, Toronto Twp, pg 4, household 15: William Nix (75), born England, farmer; Elizabeth (65), born England; William (23), born Ont.; Henry Ridler (28) son-in-law, farm labourer; Elizabeth Ridler (27); Martha Ridler (1). The religion of the household is Methodist. The columns indicating a person can read and write are left blank for William Nix, but are checked for Elizabeth [Staniland].

[20] 1901 census, Ontario, 103, Peel, Chinguacousy, pg 6, household #45: William Nix (84), father-in-law, born July 11, 1816; Elizabeth (74), mother-in-law, born May 4, 1826. It shows them both born in England and that the year of immigration was 1849 [it was 1852]. Their religion is shown as “Meth” [Methodist]. The “father-in-law” and “mother-in-law” designation is in relation to the household preceding this one: household #44 on pg 5-6: Henry Ridler (38), farmer, born July 13, 1862; Elizabeth (35), born May 22, 1865; Martha (11), born June 4, 1890; William S. (7), born July 18, 1893; George H. (5), born Feb 16, 1896; Viola V.. born May 23, 1898 (2); Edna F.(7 months). This family is also Methodist.

[21] Death of William, Elizabeth and cemetery: this information is from Harry Edwin Ridler, a descendent of Henry & Elizabeth Ridler. "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J68X-N3L : accessed 28 December 2014), William Nix, 16 Mar 1902; citing Chinguacousy, Peel, Ontario, yr 1902 cn 20636, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,854,185. The record shows the William Nix died on 16 Mar 1902. He was 86 yrs old, born in England and the estimated birth year is 1816.

[22] 1911 census, Ontario, 109, Peel, Chinguacousy, pg 5-6, household 47: Henry Ridler (48), born July 1863, farmer lab [?farm labourer?]; Elizabeth (46), born May 1865 ; George (15), born Feb 1896; Viola (13), born May 1898; (?) Becky B. (9), born Dec 1902; Ernest (4), April born 1907; Elizabeth Nix (85), born May 1826 in England, mother-in-law. The family is shown as Methodist. The Ridler family lives in lot 14, Concession 4 and Elizabeth Nix lives in lot 13, so it appears that the household consists of two dwellings.

Acknowledgements

This biography was written by Fred Nix in 2015. In August 2023, it was re-written (with some updates thereafter). A large and significant revision was made in 2024 when the tax assessment rolls were located. Fred is the gg grandson of William.