Richard Shier (1796 - 1877)

Born 4 Apr 1796 in Reinroe, Adare County Limerick, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Catherine Shier — married 21 Jan 1821 in Trinity Church, Rathkeale,Limerick,Ireland

Descendants

Died 6 Sep 1877 at age 81 in Brock Township, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Pam Hendrix [send private message] and Deborah Lynn Rumble [send private message]

Biography

Richard was born in 1796. Farmer first near Odelltown, La Prairie, Quebec later in Brock. Richard Shier was born in 1796 in Ireland. He was the son of Jacob Shier Sr. and Elizabeth Unknown. Richard Shier married Catherine Shier, daughter of Nicholas Shier and Catherine Cronsberry. Richard Shier immigrated in 1822; from Ireland to Odelltown Quebec. He was a farmer, first near Odelltown in Quebec, just north of the US Border. He appeared on the census of 1825 in De Lery, Huntington, Quebec, Canada. He was a farmer at lot 4 Concession 5 Brock Twp Ontario County before 1831. He appeared on the census of 1851 in Brock Twp., Ontario County, Ontario, Canada. He purchased land in 1856 in Woodham, Perth County, Ontario, Canada. He; Sold Woodham, Perth County property to son Jonathan in 1860. He appeared on the census of 1861 in Lot 4 Conc 5 Brock Twp., Ontario County, Ontario, Canada. He appeared on the census of 1871 in Brock Twp., Ontario County, Ontario, Canada. He died on 6 September 1877. He was buried in St John Cemetery, Brock Twp, Sunderland, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada; Richard was a farmer who settled first near Odelltown, La Prairie Co., PQ and then became one of the original twelve to come to Brock Township, Ontario. Richard, born at Reinroe, Adare, April 4, 1796. In 1822 he came to Canada with his wife, and settled near Odelltown, La Prairie Co., Quebec. In 1831 they came on and settled in Brock, lot 4 in the fifth concession. His deed to v: 4 N ½, is dated February 13, 1836; he acquired the S ½ in 1855. After his arrival in Brock, Richard Shier was known as “Leather Lip Dick” a nickname founded upon a slight prominence in his lower lip, the result of a surgical procedure. He married his cousin Catherine Shier, the daughter of Nicholas Shier Jr. Richard died September 6, 1877, and is buried in St. John Cemetery, Brock. 7 sons 3 daughters. A brother of John II came from the Adare settlement in 1825 with his young wife Catherine Shier, the daughter of his Uncle Nicholas of Court Mattress and settled near Odelltown in La Prairie County, Quebec. There for nine years he remained on his farm, there also five of his children were born. He came to Brock in 1831 and settled on lot 4 in the fifth concession, about three miles west of the present village of Sunderland. On his farm he opened a store, the first in the township. Among his customers was Joseph Gould who lived at what is now the town of Uxbridge. Mr. Gold used to make his shopping trips to this store on horseback through twelve miles of bush. Richard was a farmer as well as storekeeper. And to farming he gave all his attention after he ceased keeping store. He raised a family of six sons and three daughters. His oldest child died in infancy at La Prairie. Of his children some settled in or near Brock and some at Woodham near St. Marys, Ontario. His son Jonathan of Woodham was reputed to be one of the two wealthiest Shiers in Ontario. His grandchildren now live in Brock, in the Canadian northwest, and in the United States. His farm passed to his youngest son, George who on retiring sold it to a nephew, Philip Rynard. Richard was a very devout member of the Methodist Church. That did not keep him from becoming sleepy during the services. Whenever in church he felt sombulence was overcoming him, he made it a practice of raising from his seat and listening to the sermon while standing. He had a stinging little nichname founded upon a slight prominence in his lower lip, the result of a surgical procedure. His Palatine neighbors in Brock were Irish enough to christen him, "Leather-Lip Dick." Settled first near Odelltown, La Prairie Co., PQ and then became one of the original twelve to come to Brock Twp., ON.

He passed away in 1877.

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

• As recounted in “A Family from Court Mattress – The story of the Irish Palatines by Dr. Walter C. Shier”

• Burial St John Cemetery, Brock Twp, Sunderland, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada;

• Canada Census 1851 Source Citation Year: 1851; Census Place: Brock, Ontario County, Canada West (Ontario); Schedule: A; Roll: C_11743; Page: 93; Line: 11

• Lower Canada Census 1825

See also:

• Source: S1611716236 Repository: #R1600690434 Ancestry Family Trees (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.) Note: Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=74045756&pid=956

Inscription

We miss thee in the circle around the fireside We miss thee in devotion at peaceful eventide In memory of thy nature so full of truth and love Shall lead our thoughts to seek thee amougst the blest above.

Canada Census 1851

Source Information

Ancestry.com. 1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Original data:

Census of 1851 (Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia). Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Canada. Census of Nova Scotia, 1851. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management (NSARM): Nova Scotia Board of Statistics, 1851.

NS Archives and Records Management gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Infringement of this condition may result in legal action.

Marriage Record

Source Information

Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Marriages, 1619-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Ireland, Marriages, 1619-1898. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.: FamilySearch, 2013.

Lower Canada Census 1825

Source Information

Ancestry.com. 1825 Census of Lower Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Canada, Lower Canada Census, 1825. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

Letter From Nicholas Shier to his son Samuel Richard's Brother in Law

Dear Samuel, I received yours of the 30th of July and yours of 1st of September, and am very glad to hear that you and Richard and Cathatine and child are in good health, as I am, and all the family, thank God. The land you purchased, you mentioned is wood. I want to know what kind it will produce, what kind of soil, and what cost would reclaim an acre, the rates of provisions, how you intend to live until the land is reclaimed, the distance from the nearest market or trading town your land is, and heat or cold to Ireland. Be very particular in giving a fair answer to these questions. I am uneasy because you did not mention whether you could live by your trade,or whether you intend to live on the loand. Are you now reclaiming the land, or working at your trade? What I say to you, I say the same to Richard. You wrote for Adam, John and Henry, by the first opportunity, but I am not sure if you can know the state of the country in so short a time as you are there. On the receipt of this letter you will know more of it, as Adam would go to you next spring, or remain for one year more by your account. I would not hinder any of the boys or the whole family from going to you, if it were in my judgment for the better. There are Michael Tresky and Samuel Doupe, and more of the neighbours in waiting with eager expectation on your answer to this letter. I intend to send the tools you wrote for or any others you write for. I hope you will send an answer before spring, as there will not be an opportunity sooner for me to send them. The price of wheat here is 8d to 10d per stone, barley 7 1/2, the best oats 6d, and all kinds of provisions very low, so that if Adam should go to you this year, I could not without hurting myself send you that help. I could wish that he should carry with him what would purchase land and support him there one year at least. Your uneasiness about Anne is all over. She is in good health, and is married to Jacob Tesky the 6th of July. Your Uncle John is dead. As you heard when you were here the reason of his death we cannot tell. James Shier is still in Cork, but expected home soon. William Fizzele got married to John Benner's daughter, but lived only six weeks later. He died by a fever. Adam Shier of Rousker is dead also. He was in Limerick and died by fever. Adam Shier of Robertstown in contracted to Frances Teskey. John Shier of Reinroe and John Shier of Rousker and John Moore and Peter Barkman intend going next spring to America. Richard's girl is willing to go to Richard if she can get her passage for there is little hope of her getting her three guineas. Last summer was very scarce in provisions in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Clare, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Ther poor got very great relief from abroad in those counties. The disturbances of thie country are not yet over, after all that were hanged and transported. The Insurrection Act is still in force, and the army is very exact in its duty. Samuel, as short as the time is that you left us, there are numbers goine to their Eternal Home. How frail and uncertain are our lives, whether we live here or in America, we are on the way to death. Let me know if there is any religion in America, as I know you have not forgotten the loving kindness of the Lord. Let us know if you have heard how Chris Corneil is, and how Michael Switzer, and how far he lives from you. I desire you to write as soon as you receive this letter, as I cannot settle my mind until I receive your letter. Your mother joins me in love to you and Richard and Catharine. Jacob Tesky and Anne send their love to you also. No more - from your loving parents, Nich and Anne Shier Court Mattress, October 20, 1822