Mary (Greenleaf) Taft (1794 - 1893)

Born 1 Jan 1794 in Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada

Wife of Daniel Taft — married about 1818 in Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 27 Dec 1893 at age 99 in Campbellford, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Mary Greenleaf was born 1 Jan 1794 in Ameliasburgh (or possibly Adolphus Town), Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada to Cornelius Greenleaf.

Mary Greenleaf married Donald Taft (or Daniel/David?) around 1818.

Mary and Donald/Daniel/David had eleven children: Catherine (Taft) Hunter (c1818-), Lydia Taft (c1820-), Albert Taft (c1823-), Jane (Taft) Frederick (1825-1915), Cornelius Taft (c1830-1896), Loraine (Taft) Bovay (1831-1913), Gilyam/Gilbert Taft (c1833-1911), Samuel Taft (c1841-1911), Mary (Taft) Wannamaker (c1843), Alpheus Taft (c1844-), and David Taft (c1848-1922).

Mary's husband passed away in about 1860.

In 1861 Mary "Taff" (age 57) lived in Ameliasburgh with three of her sons: Gilbert (28, Labourer), Alphus (18), and David (14).^[1][2]

In 1871 Mary Taft (age 81) lived in Ameliasburgh with her son Samuel (30, Farmer).^[3][4]

[Yet to locate Mary on the 1881 census]

In 1891 Mary Taft (age 96) lived in Belleville City, Hastings with her son Samuel (55, sailor).^[5][6]

Mary Taft passed away on 27 Dec 1893 in Campbellford, aged 99 years.^[7]

From The Campbellford Herald, 11 January 1894, page 3:

DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN The Oldest Person in Campbellford Reaches Five Score Years

A century of life is a long existence and only a few of the great company who are launched into eternity are spared to attain that age. One of the few is the late Mary Taft of this village who entered her final rest on the 27th. of December last. The deceased was born at Ameliasburgh in Prince Edward County on New Year's Day in 1794, and therefore lacked only four days of being one hundred years old. For the past five years she has resided here with her daughter, Mrs. Lewis Frederick and previously with a son in Belleville. Mrs. Taft's earthly pilgrimage was lengthened out until her descendents multiplied into the fourth generation. She was married when a young woman to the late Donald Taft who crossed the great borderland 34 years ago at the age of 66 years. As a result of this union 11 children were born to them, nine of whom are still living, the eldest seventy-five years of age being Mrs. Hunter who resides in Michigan. The remaining seven children are Cornelius Taft of Ferry Point, Prince Edward County; Samuel Taft and Alpheus Taft of Belleville; Gilyam Taft and David Taft of Carrying Place; Mrs. Jacob Wannamaker of Greenbush, below Picton and Mrs. Loraine Bova who resides near Trenton. The increase that has come to this large family now number fifty-seven grand-children, and there is a numerous company of great- grandchildren and a few great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Taft was blessed with good health all her days. She was a member of the English Church, and for many years past had made preparation for life beyond the grave, her daily prayer having been an appeal to the Lord to remove her from earth. She was able to sew and read until a few months ago, and she could walk up and down stairs and dress and undress herself without assistance. Her power of speech failed only about an hour before the end came and consciousness remained to the last. When about to depart she took her daughter by the hand and with the other hand pointing upwards she sank peacefully away into a sleep to wake no more in this life.

Sources

1. ↑ "Ontario Census, 1861," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQQG-GLY : 9 March 2018), Mary Taff, Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 36, line 42; Library and Archives Canada film number C-1069, Public Archives, Toronto; FHL microfilm 349,316.
2. ↑ 1861 census image: http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/jpg/4108334_00078.jpg
3. ↑ "Canada Census, 1871," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4WM-8TY : 24 October 2018), Mary Taft in household of Samuel Taft, Ameliasburgh, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada; citing 1871; citing National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
4. ↑ 1871 census image: http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1871/jpg/4396759_00347.jpg
5. ↑ "Canada Census, 1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWL7-QHN : 3 August 2016), Mary Taft, Belleville City, Hastings West, Ontario, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148145.
6. ↑ 1891 census image: http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1891&op=img&id=30953_148145-00537
7. ↑ "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6MQ-92J : 9 March 2018), Mary Taft, 27 Dec 1893; citing Campbellford, Northumberland, Ontario, yr 1894 cn 11834, Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,853,583.

• http://www.alivingpast.ca/greenleaf.htm