William Harman (1798 - 1879)

Born 16 May 1798 in King Township, York, Upper Canada

Husband of Margaret (More) Harman — married 9 Mar 1858 in York co, Canada West.

Descendants

Died 7 Feb 1879 at age 80 in King Township, York, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Marie Svedahl [send private message]

Biography

William was born in 1798. "First White Child Born in King Twp." is written on this tombstone. He is the son of Henry Herrman and Esther Unknown.

William's name first appears in the King Township records of 1819, and listed annually through to 1823 when the file ends. He is listed on the 1837 Voter's List as living on Concession One, Lot 77. He is still at the same location in 1871 (census) which says he owned and lived on 20 acres. Fifty acres less than recorded in 1861, and also less live stock.

December 2023 Update

• I have just found William Harman’s 1877 WILL. It had a couple of surprises in it. Two of William’s daughters we had hooked to the wrong parents. I have corrected them here on WikiTree but Ancestry is another thing.
  • Ann Harman b1819 md Peter Fleury (had Adam as her father)
  • Lavina Harman b1828 md John Stooks (had James as her father)
  • And we were missing daughter Margaret
  • (still working on), but looks like Electa Edwards might be a stepdaughter. He names her but not as one of his children, but rather with two other stepdaughters.

Children (named in his Will)

• Esther Harman (c1818-1887) md John Fleury
• Anna Harman (1819-1907) md Peter Fleury
• William Woodrow Harman (1821-1892) md 1) Mary Allen 2) Phoebe Stooks
• Henry Harman (c1823-1854) md Elizabeth Jane Stooks
• James Harman (c1825-1900) md Jane Allen
• Lavina Harman (c1828-c1861) md John Stooks
• Obadiah Harman (c1828-1885) md Matilda Stooks
• Margaret Harman (c1830- ) md Robert Gower
• Mary Harman (c1831-1900) md Hiram Clark

Sources

Marriage 1858 Archives of Ontario; Series: MS248_18; Reel: 18.

Name: William Harman age 59

Born: King, Ontario - Residence: King Township

Son of: Harry & Hester Harman

Spouse Name: Margaret Kiser, Widow, age 49

Born: Pennsylvania, USA - Residence: Whitchurch Township

Daughter of: Peter & Mary More

Marriage Date: 9 Mar 1858 at Agathe, Haldimand, Ontario

Witn: Luke Appleton; James Harman, both of King Twp

...

1861 Canada Census King, York, Canada West

Harman, William 63, Upper Canada, Farmer, Quaker

Harman, Margaret 58, U.Can

Harman, George 19, U.Can

Harman, Fanny 17, U.Can

Harman, Elizabeth 14, U.Can

Harman, Lavina 10, U.Can

Harman, James 6, U.Can

NOTE: The five children listed above as"Harman" are likely all, or mostly, Margaret's children from her first marriage to Kiser. Still don't have that all sorted out.

..........

1871 Census of Canada - King, York North, Ontario

William Harman 72 Ontario - W.Methodist - German - farmer

Margret Harman 63 - U.States - W.Meth - German

Lovina Kiser 19 - Ont {Margaret's dau from her first md}

...Source: 1871 Census: Roll: C-9964

Newspaper Clippings "Newmarket Era"

• 1862, April 25th - Proceeding of King Township Council meeting
  • William Harman appointed Pathmaster of the 1st Concession.
• 1863, Oct 3rd - King Township Fall Show - Under "List of Prize Winners"
  • Wm. Harman won 1st for best yoke of oxen
  • Also 1st for best bull calf
• 1864, Sept. 9th - Advertisement for Upcoming M.E. Camp Meeting, To be held 30th September 1864
  • At the William Harman grove near Aurora

Death 1879

Name: William Harman - Gender: Male - farmer

Age: 82 - Birth Location: King

Death Date: 6 Feb 1879 - Place: York county, Ontario

Cause of Death: Disease of the heart

Comment written by the Registrar: "The above named is aledged to be the first child born of white parents in the Township of King. Born on Lot Number 77 in 1st concession and resided there-on until his death. (signed) J. Wood

... Source Citation: Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 23.

King Land Abstract

• Lot #77, Con 1 of King Township, York County

1877 WILL Whitchurch Register of Land Deeds. Film #008129823

• William Harman of the Township of King, York county, Province of Ontario
  • Will written: 30 April 1877
  • Will recorded 20th February 1879
  • Real estate to be rented, except the house garden and yard, during the life of my wife. At her death all real estate to be sold and proceeds divided as follows
    • Electa Edwards, $100
    • Fanny wife of Edward Clark $25 (stepdaughter)
    • Elizabeth, wife of Henry Case $25 (stepdaughter)
  • Balance divided into 12 equal portions:
    • son, William Woodrow Harman, two shares
    • son James Harman, two shares
    • son Obadiah Harman, two shares
    • wife’s daughter Lavinia the wife of Edward Coltham, the younger, one share
    • daughter, Esther wife of John Fleury, one share
    • daughter, Anna, wife of Peter Fleury, one share,
    • daughter, Margaret, wife of Robert Gower, one share,
    • daughter, Mary, wife of Hiram Clark, one share
    • son, Henry Harman, deceased, surviving children half a share
    • daughter, Lavina Stokes, deceased, surviving children half a share
  • Executors: Edward Stevenson of the village of Aurora; William Gardner Lloyd of Witchurch; and James Rogers of King Twp.
  • Signed William Harmon with his mark